Episode 13: Neo Home World

Descending toward the ground below Lapis retracted her wings and took a few steps forward. Her mouth was agape as she stood in place, taking in the environment she was now in. Pebbles walking passed her with some giving her strange expressions, large statues of Yellow, Blue, and White Diamond at the very center of the area, the strange and dark architecture surrounding her, and most of all various Gems she was completely unfamiliar with.

'One-thousand years... I was trapped in that stupid mirror for a thousand years and this is what I come home to?' She thought to herself.

She slowly closed her mouth and felt her legs getting weak before dropping to her knees. Raising her hands she placed them onto her head and tightly closed her eyes. 'No... no,no,no,no. There's no way Home World could change this much this fast.' She thought to herself.

"Hey! You!"

Lapis' eyes quickly shot open. Lifting her head she gazed at two large yellow Gems and a small green Gem approaching her.

" You are a Lapis Lazuli, aren't you?" The green Gem asked sternly.

"Uh...y-yes. I am." Lapis replied.

"Then why are you here in the center of Quartz Capital when you should be off world?" The green asked, placing both hands on her hips.

Lapis' voice started stuttering as she slowly raised herself up. Her eyes started averting from left to right as she held her arms. "I...um...I was...umm...the truth is I'm-" She explained but was cut off.

"What a minute." The green Gem said as she walked up to Lapis. Raising her hand she took Lapis' face and squeezed her cheeks. Looking into her eyes the Green Gem narrowed hers right as she released Lapis' face. "I think it would be best if you come with us to see the Diamonds."

"What?! Why?!" Lapis replied.

"You're not like the other Lapis Lazulis I've seen recently. And normally they wouldn't wind up in the city for no reason. Come with us and I'm sure everything will be sorted out." The green Gem explained.

The Diamonds... Normally if this were under different circumstances Lapis would take the offer without question and catch up with the progression of Home World. She needed to know what's been going on and going to the rulers of the planet would solve the issue. But... If that were to happen then...would they go after the Earth? If that happened then Zuli...Cobalt...Steven...Kameron...

Without giving a response Lapis ran from them.

"After her!" The green Gem ordered.

The two yellow Gems started running without a response or giving an answer. From their Gemstones they summoned out two large Polearms as they were coming up to Lapis. Looking back Lapis' eyes shot open as the yellow Gems swung their Polearms at her. Summoning her wings she grabbed a nearby pole and swung herself to the other side just as the Polearms made contact with her.

Soon enough as Lapis continued to run the sound of alarms started blaring in her ears. From left to right small drones appeared, "Halt! Surrender yourself! You are under arrest! Surrender or face the consequences!" Each drone announced.

'Great. Because things couldn't get any worse.' She groaned in thought.

Up ahead more drones were coming in, firing off large lasers from their central eyes. Turning her head Lapis made a quick turn to the left, avoiding the lasers. Where was she going? She didn't know or care because one thing was for certain... Neither any other Gem or even the Diamonds can know what she's been through.

Up ahead there was a large metal wall. Approaching it Lapis slammed her arms on it, "Come on!" She yelled. Turning around she saw the drones coming to her alongside the yellow Gems. Summoning her wings she took to the skies, but just as she was about to gain altitude a drone fired off a large net made of energy. Grappling onto her Lapis screamed as the net unleashed large quantities of red electricity and caused her to fall to the ground.

Groans exited her mouth as she looked up to see the drones circle around her. The yellow Gems came up to her and raised up their Polearms. Was this it? Is this really how it's going to end for her? Only having mere minutes on Home World and this happened. Closing her eyes she waited to the inevitable.

*BANG!*

Lapis' eyes shot open. Looking up one of the yellow Gems had a large hole through his chest, making him drop his weapon until he poofed. Up above a figure wearing a cloak appeared and dashed toward the other yellow Gem before poofing her in seconds. The figure turned around and fired multiple lasers at the drones, instantly destroying them without missing a shot. Putting the weapon away the figure appeared in front of Lapis and fell onto one knee.

"Are you okay?" The figure asked with a feminine voice.

"Not at the moment." Lapis replied.

Pulling out an object the figure cut away the strings of the net, freeing Lapis. "Listen. You need to come with me right now." She told her.

"I don't even know you. How can I be sure you won't poof me at the right opportunity?" Lapis replied bluntly.

"I'll explain everything. I promise, but right now we need to go." The figure told her, offering her hand.

Looking at it Lapis then looked up at the figure, who's face was obscured. To trust a total stranger wasn't a good idea at all since you don't know them nor are you aware of what they'll do to you, but with the kind of welcome Lapis had received when she arrived back home it didn't look like she had much of a choice. Taking her hand the figure brought Lapis back onto her feet. Moving her head she noticed a nearby manhole cover and opened it before they both went down in it.

Down below the figure pulled out an object to close the manhole before putting it away. Turning to Lapis the figure took hold of her hood and removed it, giving Lapis a chance at seeing her face. The figure's face was gray-skinned with short pure white hair and gray eyes. Her Gem was located on her left cheek.

"My name is Flint." She introduced herself as they walked. "The reason why I saved you back there was because normally Lapis Lazulis don't stir away from their posts or their responsibilities, but from the way you were acting toward that Moss Agate and her Topazes I had a feeling you were different." She added.

"Well...thanks for the save, Flint. But now that I know your name how about you tell me what's going on and why Home World is so different?" Lapis replied.

"Your questions will be answered soon. For now we need to meet up with the others." Flint stated.

Others? What did she mean "others?". If she continues to follow her then the answers will come up, even though she had no idea where they were going.

All around them portions of light illuminated the area. Like from above everything was metal. The sounds of water echoed in the atmosphere and there were metal bars closing off certain pathways. Further and further they continued moving and the more they did the more light they would lose, though that hardly mattered since they could create light of their own.

Up ahead there were large metal bars that were completely torn apart, giving them access. Through it Flint and Lapis stepped through a large curtain and on the other side of it they approached a massive area filled with holes, equipment, and more Gems.

"Flint!" A light yellow Gem cheered as she approached her before wrapping her arms around her waist.

A small giggle left Flint's mouth as she returned the hug, "Good to see you too, Chert."

Chert and Flint released themselves from each other as she then turned her eyes to Lapis. From what Lapis noticed was that Chert was slightly shorter than Flint and was yellow-skinned with golden eyes, long lemon hair, wore a uniform, and her Gem was placed onto her right cheek. Walking up to Lapis her eyes started sparkling, "A Lapis Lazuli... I've never seen one up close before." She added.

"Um...I've never seen a Chert before?" Lapis replied awkwardly.

"Why did you even bring a Lapis Lazuli here, Flint?" A Gem from the other side of the room asked.

"Because Marble Zebra, she's different than the others. Plus she kinda doesn't know what's going on and was ambushed." Flint explained.

Marble Zebra scoffed at her and turned his eyes to Lapis. He was big and bulky with black and white striped skin, gray eyes, wore a uniform as well, and his Gem was placed at the center of his neck. "Fine. As long as she doesn't do anything that'll harm the cause." He added, crossing his arms.

Taking Lapis' hand Flint walked her toward the center of the area. "Listen. I am not saying we don't trust you and you have every right to not trust us, but we would like to know what you've been through before coming back to Home World." She added.

"It's...complicated." Lapis replied, averting her eyes.

"Then can Selenite and Celestite help you." Flint asked.

Confusion was expressed on Lapis' face just before two Gem approached them. One was white-skinned with pure white hair and light blue eyes. She wore a white dress with white heels an her Gem was placed at the center of her forehead. The other was also white-skinned with long white and ocean blue hair and crystal blue eyes. She too wore a dress, but it was light blue with light blue heels. Her Gem was placed at the center of her chest.

"My name is Selenite." The girl on Lapis' left introduced herself with a bow.

"And my name is Celestite." The girl on Lapis' right introduced herself with a light bow.

"May we help you? We wish you no harm." Selenite asked.

Lapis wasn't so certain about this since she just met them, but for some reason there was this calm vibe they were giving off. Like they won't harm you in the slightest. And they knew what was going on, so...at the very least she'll be open with them.

Giving them a nod Selenite approached Lapis and raised her hands out before placing them gently onto her cheeks. Her Gem began to glow as did her eyes with Lapis' eyes glowing afterwards. They were soon engulfed in white auras while their hair started waving in the air. Flashes started bursting around them in small sparks. Imagines were then displayed around them in short flashes. The others watched carefully as this happened. One after the other the imagines continued on, but then an imagine of Green Diamond erupted above them. Flint, Chert, Celestite, even Marble Zebra were speechless at it. There he was.

Soon the imagine disappeared. The white aura vanished as Selenite released her hands from Lapis' face. Her eyes started to tremble with tears forming in them before they slowly fell onto her cheeks, "He's...alive." Selenite whispered. "He's alive! They're all alive!" She added, raising her voice.

"What did you just do?" Lapis asked.

"My apologizes, but I brought out your memories. I am able to read the minds and thoughts of those I wish to see, but I am also able to bring them out to show to those around me if I choose to." Selenite explained tearfully. She then wrapped her arms around Lapis, stunning her. "Thank you. You've given us the hope we've been praying to for so long." She added.

Selenite released her and wiped away her tears. Turning her head Lapis noticed Celestite, Chert, and even Flint showing tears in their eyes while Marble Zebra was stunned and speechless. "Wait. Are you all Rainbow Gems?" Lapis asked.

"We are. But we thought Green and the others had perished on Earth. From then on we call ourselves Off Colors." Flint explained.

"Off Colors?" Lapis asked.

"Allow me to explain." Celestite said, gaining Lapis' attention. "And for me to do that may you follow me?" She added, offering her hand.

Raising her hand Lapis placed it into Celestite's and guided her out of the area. Celestite soon brought her to a strange contraption and entered inside of it. Pressing a button the contraption closed itself and slowly they were ascending.

The contraption continued on as Lapis made her way to the windows. Higher and higher they went until they stopped. A light gasp left Lapis' mouth as her eyes were locked onto an interesting view.

"In front of us is the entirety of Quartz Capital." Celestite announced.

From their high view Lapis could see the rest of the city. More buildings towering the others, large radiant lights, and more machines flying through the air. Her eyes then turned to another area far bigger than the city. A large field of electricity was covering it, but within it looked like another city. Her eyes turned again and from the far right to the top and very bottom there were even more cities.

"Celestite." Lapis began. "Please tell me. I need to know." She added, turning to her.

"Do you know about the Home World Rebellion?" Celestite asked.

"The Home World Rebellion?" Lapis questioned.

Walking over to a control panel Celestite reached out her hand and pressed another button. With it the contraption released itself from it's metal pole and started to fly. "We will not be seen. This machine is cloaked and is equipped with a device to prevent us from being detected." Celestite addressed. Clearing her throat she began to speak again, "As you already know The Diamonds were the very first Gems in existence. It was them that we were brought into existence and were given a chance to live as we wished. Our Home World was a paradise. A place where we lived in peace and harmony. Though... it wasn't to last due to the countless invasions we've had to endure. We have done nothing to those outside of our planet and yet they've harmed us, killed us, or used us for their own desires and it was the Diamonds who guided us to victory."

"I am aware of that much." Lapis addressed.

"Good." Celestite continued. "Soon we were able to travel to other worlds when our resources were minimum. For reasons I am sure you know. And for eons we've continued to live as the Diamonds ensured us that we were safe. But then Green Diamond himself announced what we were doing to organic life and how there could be another way to live instead of relying on the cause. We thought he was insane and that we shouldn't bring organic life into consideration, but then...he unleashed his power onto our very planet itself. Many of us were terrified and yet he begged us to hear him and listen. Even Gems from his own kingdom stood by his side and even agreed to his new goal. That was the beginning of a long and destructive war."

Lapis blinked at her, "Wait. Green Diamond actually started a war on our planet?"

Celestite nodded. "He wished for us to find a different way for us to live. At first we didn't listen, but the words he spoke, the very truth he said made most of us rethink everything we were doing. And soon he then fought the other Diamonds themselves."

"No way!" Lapis said in shock.

"Indeed. He barely defeated them and escaped with only a handful of us. Those that stayed behind remained in hiding and kept the Authority on edge. There are still many of us and when we assumed he and the others died the Diamonds not only disgraced him with lies, but told us about how he took part in the death of Pink Diamond. Ever since we've been doing the best we can to stop the Empire from expanding any further. But we've had countless killed that have destroyed our hope." Celestite replied as she placed her hands on Lapis' shoulders, "But then you appeared and reignited that hope. Please join us and we can put an end to this." She added.

Lapis removed her hands from her shoulders and walked over to the window. Raising her hand out she placed it onto the glass in front of her. Her eyes lowered down to the kingdoms below. She could feel her eyes tremble again with tears forming in her eyes. They slowly fell onto her cheeks and dropped from her chin. Turning around she clenched her teeth at Celestite as her tears continued to fall.

"I...I can't. I'm sorry, but...I just can't. I am not going to be placed in the middle of another war." She choked.

"Lapis, I understand. I don't want this either, none of us want another war. However the Empire won't listen to us and considers us defective." Celestite replied.

"Defective? There's nothing wrong with you." Lapis addressed as she wiped her tears.

"The Off Colors are defective not just because of our appearances but because of the we think as well. The Empire's rules are absolute and if you leave and attempt to traverse through the kingdoms without a reason you too will be considered defective. As of now I am sure you are. But if you still wish to leave then we will not stop you." Celestite replied.

She stopped the contraption and opened up the windows. Lapis was free to leave. She was now free to go back to her original purpose. But then...after what happened today...it didn't feel possible anymore. The home she once knew was unrecognizable. And now she was asked to join a sub-group of Rainbow Gems to put an end to how the Empire worked. All in one day.

Holding her arms Lapis looked down at the contraption's floor. 'I don't have any other choice. I'm trapped...again.' She thought.

"Celestite. Can we go back?" Lapis asked.

"Does this mean you'll join us?" Celestite replied.

"I don't know. I'll stay with you all, but this doesn't mean I'm a Rainbow Gem, okay?" Lapis addressed, receiving a nod. "And if there's a chance... Do you all have a device to send messages?"

Celestite's eyes slowly expanded while her lips began to stretch into a smile. "That is a possibility we will figure out together. For now let us go back."

'I guess this is the best I can do. For now, let's see how this goes and maybe...maybe things will get better. I can only hope for that.'

End of Episode 13.

Hope you all enjoyed it. A little something I wanted to put together because I wanted the Great Diamond Authority to be occupied with other distractions and complications. It also hurts me for Lapis to be placed in this situation. It really does.

Next Time:

Kindergarten