Episode 2: The Hive

May 07th 10:00 a.m.

Interpol. A worldwide police organization who's objectives are to protect people from danger and take down any and all international crimes that are a threat to the world.

At HQ in the CEO's office, a young woman with light purple skin was sitting in a chair facing her boss. The woman had short indigo hair with a long bang covering almost the entire right side of her face with only her left eye visible, which was indigo as well. She wore a dark purple short vest with tight black jeans equipped with a white belt and indigo shoes. Lastly she wore a small earring on her left ear showing a small white dove at it's end.

The CEO's lips stretched into a grin as she gazed at the woman, "I'll be honest, Charoite. I always believed we'd be able to take them down, but now that it's actually happened I have no words to say. Zero Shadow is no more and I can't thank you enough for all the effort you put into it."

"I'm not the only one who you should be thanking." Charoite replied with a soft and seductive voice. "The whole team deserves all the credit, and yet you only called me in just because you put me in charge?"

"Don't worry. I'll be talking to them next. I just wanted to speak with you first since you were the one who suggested the assignment in the first place. And to this day, I wish there were a lot more people like you who shows concern to both the job and to her co-workers. Thank you again for making the world a better place to be in." The CEO said as she stood up and raised her hand toward Charoite.

Charoite's lips stretched into a grin as she stood up from her chair and placed her hand into the CEO's. They gave each other one shook before separating their hands. Once it was over Charoite turned around and walked toward the office door, opening it and closing it as she walked out.

May 07th 10:10 a.m.

Down the hall as Charoite made her way back to her desk she heard her name getting called out. Stopping in place she turned her head and her eye narrowed at who was coming up to her. The person in question was a big fair-skinned man with short dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. He wore a white button-collared shirt, thought it looked a bit tight on him due to his large stomach, alongside black dress pants, black dress shoes, and a black and blue striped tie.

"Oh... Hello, John." She greeted nonchalantly.

"Gotta say, you really stuck it out and took down Zero Shadow without them knowing what was coming. That's gotta be like the fifth crime organization you've taken down this month?" John replied with a goofy grin.

"Sixth." Charoite corrected.

John's eyes expanded from that remark, but he started chuckling from it. "Sorry. Been a little busy lately. And I was wondering if you weren't doing anything later on...we could grab some coffee...or have dinner?"

Charoite turned her whole body around and placed both of her hands on her hips while facing John. Her eye narrowed at him and from the expression she was showing he could clearly see what her response to that was going to be.

"We've been over this, John. I'm already seeing someone. And this is the tenth time I've told you this. You need to know that when someone tells you 'no' you need to accept it and don't keep asking them constantly. Plus I know the real reason why you want to be with me." She told him sternly. "This is the last time I'm going to say it. The answer is no. And you should think about your actions before attempting them."

John's eyes widened while his mouth slightly opened. Time and again he's done this to her and gets the same response. It wasn't because she wouldn't give him a chance, but mostly because of the bad reputation he developed over the years. Something that Charoite wanted no part of. She's seen people like that many times, and with every encounter or conversation with those certain individuals it always made her wonder why some of these people even walk down those roads.

A buzzing noise soon entered their ears. Charoite placed a hand into her pocket and pulled out her phone, seeing a Gem flashing red and black at the center of the screen. She tapped onto it with her thumb before a map was brought up with a Gem symbol placed onto a location.

"I have to go." Charoite said as she turned around.

"Wait! I'm not done talk to you-" John replied as he reached his arm out to her.

His arm went passed Charoite's before he tumbled forward and passed straight through her body, crashing into the floor. He quickly turned his body as Charoite looked at him with a glare in her eye. Before he could say a word Charoite stepped forward and grabbed his tie, pulling him dangerously close to her face.

"Let me make this very clear, so listen to me as hard as you can. It is extremely rude and disrespectful to grab or even touch someone without permission, especially women. When I come back I am going to the CEO and talk to her about all of the crap you've done behind her back. Understand?" She said firmly.

John started to stutter. He felt his pupils shrink from seeing her in this state. He gulped and slowly nodded as she released his tie. "H-How was I able to pass right through you?"

"No-one is allowed to touch me unless I want them to." She simply answered before walking away.

Around the corner she pulled out her Warp Whistle from her vest before blowing into it, disappearing in a large gulf of light.

May 07th 10:25 a.m.

Appearing at the location the light around Charoite slowly disappeared as she began observing her surroundings. Around her she noticed several trees ranging from oak, to pine, and maple. A soft breeze flew through her body while the sun shined it's warm rays from above. Under different circumstances this would be a very beautiful place for her and her family to come to for picnics, and even invite the Crystal Gems if they wanted to, mostly for Steven though.

Her lips stretched into a grin as she walked. The sounds of birds chirping were heard, making her grin turn into a smile. The beauty of nature. One of the many benefits her and her family gained when they made the choice of protecting the planet long ago.

Soon enough as she continued walking her eye caught two familiar faces sitting on a rock. The first was a tall and bulky orange-skinned man with a short orange mohawk and orange eyes. He wore a brown collared shirt with light blue jeans and a brown belt with a white dove at it's center, big brown boots, and brown gloves. And of course his most noticeable aspect was his big orange Gem around his solar plexus.

The second familiar face was a teenage pink-skinned girl with long pink hair placed into a ponytail and bright pink eyes. She wore a violet T-shirt with a large white dove at it's center, a long white skirt, and long violet boots. When she turned her head an noticed Charoite coming up to them she immediately smiled while raised her right hand into the air, reveal her pink Gem in her palm.

The girl quickly got up from the rock and ran toward Charoite. As she got close she wrapped her arms around her body with her head placed at her shoulder.

"Happy to see you too, Lepidolite. Guess it's gonna be the three of us today, huh?" Charoite said, wrapping her arms around her.

Both girls soon released themselves from each other, "I didn't know you were gonna be here, but yeah. I'm happy the three of us are doing this." Lepidolite replied, sounding young and cute.

Charoite soon turned to the man as he got up from the rock and walked toward the girls. He was much larger than them, but that alone didn't intimidate the girls at the slightest.

"And how are you today, Citrine?" Charoite asked.

"I'm okay. Got done destroying a building so another one can take it's place. And I was about to eat breakfast until I was called here." Citrine replied with a deep voice. He soon puffed his cheeks up, "Sometimes it isn't fair that I have to do a mission before putting food in my mouth. But I guess it makes the flavor taste better when it's worth the wait. What about you?" He added.

Charoite let out a small groan as she shook her head, "John tried to ask me out again."

"Seriously?" Lepidolite asked. "Is that guy ever gonna learn?"

"Apparently not." Charoite replied. "But right now let's just focus on the mission."

Citrine and Lepidolite nodded as the three of them made their way further into the forest.

Passing several trees here and there the trio soon stopped in place as their eyes were placed on a massive tree. It's size was nothing too special, but what was on top of it caught their attention. Near the top of the tree there was a massive oval shaped structure wrapped in what looked like webbing. A small yellow substance was leaking out of it and dropped onto the grass, slowly decaying it. Looks like they've found what they were called for.

"Do we literally have to go in there?" Lepidolite asked.

"Unfortunately." Charoite replied. She then turned her head to Citrine, "Would it be any trouble for you to allow your sisters to ride on your shoulders?"

"No trouble." Citrine replied.

He soon picked up his sisters with his large hands as they sat onto his shoulders while his hands were gripped over their laps. Raising his head up high Citrine narrowed his eyes as he looked at the structure. Lowering his body he bent his legs before rocketing upwards. Both girls yelped from the sudden movement as they kept their eyes on the structure. Charoite soon placed her hand onto Citrine's head with Lepidolite's hand over hers before the three of them passed right through the structure, entering inside.

May 07th 10:45 a.m.

Inside the structure the trio landed onto some solid material. Charoite and Lepidolite soon got off of Citrine, but the moment they landed on the material Lepidolite started groaning.

"Uck! This is so gross! I'm gonna be spending an hour getting this off of my boots." She whined.

"Ditto." Charoite added, grimacing at the sticky material.

"No whining. We have a job to do." Citrine said as he walked forward.

Both girls groaned again as they followed him. Step after step the siblings walked ahead as their eyes looked around at where they were. It felt very unnerving to even walk into a place such as this.

Soon enough as they kept walking a loud buzzing sound entered their ears. The very sound definitely wasn't their phones, so they carefully turned their eyes up and right there was something out of your nightmares. Above them was a large black and gray creature with eight eyes. It's arms were in the form of sickles alongside having massive wings, six hairy legs and what looked like a fat lower half with a huge stinger. Looking at them the creature started letting out a loud hissing sound before flying straight for them.

The trio moved out of the way as it passed by them. Stepping up Citrine stepped forward and placed his hand near his Gem. It started to glow with a long brown cylinder coming out of it before he pulled it out, showcasing his large spiked barbarian hammer.

The creature flew at them again while raising up it's sharp sickle arms. Taking hold of his hammer with both arms Citrine lifted it up high and rapidly slammed it down onto the creature. The creature soon poofed into a puff of smoke, but strangely enough no Gem was shown from it. Come to think of it, there didn't even seem to be a Gem on the creature when they first saw it.

"Hmm... I guess there must be a Queen here." Citrine said, putting his hammer onto his shoulder.

"If so, let's find it fast and get out of here." Lepidolite replied.

Turning around the trio began making their way up the structure. Surprisingly there were various platforms for them to ascend upwards, but they did they soon took notice of numerous cocoons placed on the walls. The cocoons were translucent and within them the trio's expressions turned into sorrow and regret. If this is what these creature have been doing then they need to stop the Queen.

Reaching another platform more of the creatures descended from above. "Let me have a turn." Lepidolite said. Raising her right hand out her Gem started to glow, releasing two small white rectangles came out from it. Taking them into each hand she soon opened up, revealing them to be bladed fans.

Narrowing her eyes she dashed forward and leaped into the air. Coming in close to one of the creatures she spun her body, raising her leg out and kicking it straight at it's face. She soon pushed herself from it and targeted the next one. The creature summoned it's arm up and launched it at her. Using her fans she blocked the attack and flipped over the creature before throwing her fans at it, slicing it straight down the middle. Losing altitude she began to fall to the ground with the last creature flying after her. Stretching her arms out Lepidolite began spinning her body and slashed the air with her fans, sending pink air slashes the creature, cutting it's torso and decapitating it's head until it poofed.

Flipping her body Lepidolite landed back on the ground and closed her fans. She then looked back at her siblings, "Let's go."

Higher and higher they climbed to the top. The rays of the sun were becoming more visible as they kept going.

Jumping from the final platform the trio had made it to the top. Right in front of them laid the source of the structure and for it's offspring, the Queen. She was massive with a large Gem on her forehead accompanied with her oval shaped head showcasing eight large eyes and her furry upper body with two large arms shaped like sickles. Her lower half showed six long and big legs with a large behind equipped with a huge sharp stinger. Finally and most disturbingly, she had four massive wings displayed in her back.

Around the Queen were several of it's offspring, but more so were more cocoons from below. The Queen herself was even finishing up making another cocoon before she stopped due to the presence of the trio. With all of her eyes aimed at them she placed the cocoon down and let out a loud hiss, bringing her offspring to her.

"I think it's time for mommy and her kids to get exterminated." Charoite said. Raising her arm up an indigo colored glow began to illuminate on her, making her bang raise itself up, revealing her Gem on her right eye. From the glow several rings appeared out of her Gem attached to silver rectangles. Pulling them out they were shown to be kunais. Using her other hand she pulled out another set before lowering her body, "No holding back on them." She added.

"Right!" Citrine and Lepidolite replied.

With another hiss from the Queen her offspring began flying at their enemies. In seconds Charoite held her kunais close to her body as she dashed ahead. Leaping into the air she soon threw her arms out, firing her kunais at the creatures. Each kunai pierced right through them, making each target poof in a snap. Though more offspring started showing up, but Charoite pulled out two larger kunais as she charged at them.

Flipping her body around the area Lepidolite threw her fans at various offspring. They spun rapidly in the air while cutting through their targets, poofing them. Her fans returned into her hands as she jumped up high into the air, kicking the creatures or slicing them with her fans.

Pulling his hammer up Citrine ran across the area swinging his hammer, smacking every offspring coming at him. Stopping in place a large number of offspring descended at him with their stingers. Stretching his legs out Citrine pulled his hammer back and with the offspring getting closer and closer to him he launched a powerful swing at them, knocking into one another and poofing them at the same time.

With her offspring getting pummeled the Queen unleashed a frightening hiss while charging at them. Raising her arm up she rapidly threw them at Citrine. Pulling his hammer up he blocked the attack using the handle of his hammer. Standing his ground Citrine kept his guard up as the Queen added more pressure. Glaring up at her Citrine took a hard step and stomped onto the ground, pushing the Queen away from him.

The Queen soon flapped her wings and took flight. Lepidolite witnessed this and looked at her brother. Locking eyes they nodded as to what they were gonna do. Running toward him Citrine held his hammer in one hand as Lepidolite jumped onto his other. Quickly raising it up he threw her into the air and aimed her right at the Queen. The Queen herself pulled out her stinger and dashed right at her. Soon they both came in close, but just as the stinger was about to touch her Lepidolite spun her body, moving pass the Queen's stinger and her body until she was high in the air. She then threw both fans at the Queen, cutting her wings off.

Letting out a pained hiss the Queen crashed into the ground. Attempting to get up Charoite ran straight at her, throwing a plethora of kunais at her chest. Though they went through her, Charoite got up close with two large kunais and stabbed two of the Queen's eyes. Drilling them in deep the Queen hissed in pain once more until a massive explosion erupted, pushing Charoite away.

Landing on the ground the trio witnessed the remaining offspring instantly poofing. Without the Queen, they served no purpose any longer.

Getting up from the ground Charoite looked at the Gem floating in the air before slowly falling onto the ground. Walking up to it she took it into her hand and closed her eye, "From dark to light. Beyond the stars and the universe. Sleep within the core of your existence." She added. Opening her eye the Gem began to glow until a dove symbol appeared at it's center and the glow slowly faded.

"Let's leave the cocoons to Onyx. He'll know what to do with them." Charoite said as she placed the Queen's Gem into her own.

"Totally." Lepidolite replied.

"I'll tear down this structure when we get out. Let's go." Citrine added, putting his hammer back into his Gem and walking away.

May 07th 9:30 p.m.

In his room Kameron sat on his bed while reading a book. A soft knock entered his ears as he placed the book down before getting up and going to his door. Turning the knob he opened it up to see Charoite on the other side. Her hair was slightly wet as she stood in front of him while wearing a white bath robe. A small groan left Kameron's mouth as his eyes averted hers.

"You could've gotten dressed beforehand." He said.

"I didn't want to. I wanted to say goodnight to you before heading to bed." She replied.

"Well. Goodnight." Kameron said as he turned around.

Before he took another step he felt something on his back, making him stop in place. He felt arms being wrapped around his body and his shoulder feeling something wet. He didn't say anything about what was happening at the moment since this sensation felt very soothing.

"I love you. Always remember that we love you no matter what, okay?" She said softly.

"I love you too." He replied.

Turning his body around Kameron looked at Charoite. She moved her head forward to his face, placing her lips onto his cheek. She soon pulled away with a smile growing on her lips, "An extra gift from your big sister."

Kameron nodded as she turned around and exited his room while closing his door.

'It's been a year by now. Then again, I've been through that kind of experience before. But... the path he's walking is dangerous.' She thought to herself.

End of Episode 2.

Hope you all enjoyed.

Next Time

Dog Day Afternoon