The battle was finally over. It was done, but was the cost truly worth it?

Ruby scanned over the debris scattered around the land. All around were weapons, armor, and fragments of once truly wonderful warriors. It was a sight that was only seen by true veterans, but Ruby felt no pride for this scene. She only felt fear as she could hardly see the destruction around her.

"Sapphire! Sapphire, where are you?" she yelled. Sometime during the battle, the two of them were separated from the fight. Her instincts were enough to get Ruby out of the battle, but she worried about Sapphire who was not as battle adjusted as she was. She still wore that horrible dress into battle despite her complaints.

Who needs convenience when I have the best bodyguard in the world with me? She had said, and now she was gone and Ruby had no idea where she went. She was about to punch the ground in frustration when she heard her voice. Her sweet melodious voice, except it was singing their song. It was a different song filled with sorrow notes and a heavy heart. Whatever happened during their separation, it wasn't good.

"Sapphire?" she asked as she approached the sound. She could hear her dress shift as she turned to face her.

"Ruby," she paused and then the sounds of movement came towards her. She felt familiar arms wrap around her, "Thank goodness you're okay at least." Hot tears were running down her face, and Ruby didn't want to know what prompted all of this.

"Who else didn't make it?" she asked, not really wanting to know the answer. Rose had told all of them that before coming into this battle, there was a high chance of them not returning. Even though she told that human that she would return, all of them knew that it was an empty promise. However, surely there had to be others, besides them.

Sapphire didn't say anything. She only found her hands and began leading her way to a different place. Ruby could feel Sapphire limping as she walked, understanding that it was her fault that she was hurt in the first place. However, it was probably lucky that Sapphire was even here in the first place judging by the mass destruction that was here. Just when Ruby was going to assess the damage around her, Sapphire stopped and bent down.

She had picked something up very carefully and grabbed Ruby's hand again. She placed the two objects in her hand and curled Ruby's hand around it. It was a smooth gem that radiated brilliance and strength. It was Pearl. Carefully, Ruby felt around it. No cracks or any huge flaws seemed to be around the gem. Pearl was going to be okay!

"She's alright!" Ruby whispered excitedly as she gently hugged the gem. She gave back the gem to Sapphire who would carefully treat it until they reached the Temple for Pearl to regain her physical form. Ruby was very excited now. Even though Pearl was one of their greatest warriors, the fact that she had survived in her gem form might mean others have too. They weren't alone!

"Are there anymore?" Ruby asked, but felt her happiness died when Sapphire only brought up a single finger.

"One? Only one?" Ruby exclaimed. The battle was harsh, but she couldn't believe that out of all of them, the four of them had survived. They must have had hundreds in their armies, and the Homeworld must have had ten times more than that. They were the only four left on Earth. They were the only two left on Earth until the other two recovered.

Ruby never felt more alone.

"Who is it?" Ruby asked and felt relief when a familiar aura was placed into her hand. Of course Rose would have survived. There was no way that she would have died and yet three others would leave. She was still their maternal figure. Moms don't die, not really anyways. Why would Rose be any different? She was okay, right? When was she coming back? Why was the loneliness still there?

"Sapphire," Ruby said as Sapphire carefully bubbled their leader's gem to be transported back to the temple. For the few seconds Sapphire took to bubble that gem, Ruby felt like she was going dive into a dark abyss. It was Sapphire only that was keeping her afloat.

"I know," Sapphire replied, and grabbed onto Ruby's hand. For the time being, they were truly alone. They couldn't go back, they had no one to go back to, and no one to cheer for them. And they thought they were the victors.

Ruby had known the risk of going through this war. Rose explained to all of them exactly what was going to happen. However, Ruby didn't realize that her heart would feel so heavy with the aftermath. She didn't think winning was going to be this lonely.

"I don't want to be alone," Ruby finally said. Sapphire didn't say anything in response. The two of them just continued holding hands and existed. For a moment, it really did feel it was just the two of them. But if that was it was going to be, Ruby honestly didn't mind as long as it was with Sapphire.

Just as the sun was about to fall below the horizon, Sapphire began to sing a melody. Ruby couldn't tell if it was supposed to be happy or if it was another sad song, but she didn't care. Sapphire's voice was the one thing that was able to make her forget everything around her and put her in a place where she didn't mind she and Sapphire were the only ones. Pulling her arm, Ruby spun Sapphire around like they were playing. Just like before the war. At some point, Sapphire stopped singing and began laughing, but Ruby didn't notice. Anything that came out of her friend's voice was music to her ears.

Eventually, Ruby began laughing too. They had won! Even though they were alone, they had won. Earth was saved even if the two of them were alone on this planet. They had won.

Ruby had just wanted to spin around with Sapphire forever and ever and never let her go. She didn't want to be lonely anymore. She wanted to be with her forever.

It wasn't very often that Rose lost her physical form. She knew the process of regaining that physical form could take weeks, even years depending on the Gem. However, her planet was in danger, and there was no way that she was going to take weeks and perfect her form. If she could continue protecting, she would take any form she could get.

When she reappeared, she began to wonder why the battle was suddenly taking place in her home.

"Hello?" she asked, wondering how much time had actually passed.

"Rose!" a voice called out, and almost immediately, Rose brought out her sword. It was no one she recognized, and that must mean that this voice was an enemy. A strong one too judging by its attempt to go at her directly. Had the Gem taken one more step, she would have pierced herself through her sword.

"Who are you?" she asked, immediately suspicious.

At first, the gem frowned, but then realized something important. She then took a step back and Rose was able to see her full form. The Gem was tall, almost as tall as she was. She wore rather larger sunglasses that covered a majority of her face, and her clothes looked like something from Greg's "futuristic" novels. She carried no visible weapon, but that didn't meant a Gem wasn't ready to fight.

"This is Garnet," the Gem said in a cool, collected voice as she took off her glasses. She had three eyes: red, blue, and purple.

"Sapphire, Ruby," Rose whispered, but corrected herself, "I mean, hello Garnet."

"Did you see?" Garnet asked as she pointed toward her torso. Rose put away her sword and took a step closer to her new friend. Along her shirt was a familiar star design that looked very fashionable with her clothes. Rose smiled at that thought. It really was all over then.

"Just like you said Rose. Once we wing this war, I was going to be called a Crystal Gem. Well, now I am one, with the star and everything."

"Yes, you are," she said as she gathered the tall Gem for a hug. Bringing Garnet's ear closer to her, she whispered, "You are now a beacon that shines light for this planet too."

"Just like you," Garnet commented.

Rose nodded.

"Only, you're not alone anymore."

Rose could only smile after that comment.