Okay my fellow readers and audience, it's time to keep this going.
Episode 34: Small But Deadly
Avarice... Inquisitiveness... Desire... Gain... Want... Each of these words are all connected to one: Greed.
Greed is when you become obsessed with material objects of any kind. However, the word itself doesn't just have one meaning. It have a myriad of definitions. To many, Greed is immediately connected to power and wealth, but in reality, everyone wants something they don't have. This emotion isn't evil by any means, rather it's an urgency within every living being in the universe. However, if said emotion consumes the individual then it will lead you down a dark path without any chance of returning.
975
Dhayl Aleqrab. One of the most dangerous areas in the city of Sharah. By day, while it is very beautiful to witness and traverse, nothing out of the ordinary happens. The locals come and go through the bazaars; Guards riding on camels patrol the streets looking for any rats up and about; Royalty enjoy their luxury in relaxation and the greatest pleasures anyone could ask for. Just the standard daily life in Dhayl Aleqrab.
By night... Something is always going on in the streets.
"Lis! Qf!" The head guard yelled in Arabic.
In the streets underneath the crescent moon a young boy wearing a bandanna on his head and mouth ran through the streets with several items held in his arms. Right behind him the head guard and his men went after him with scimitars in hand.
Step after step the boy held the items close to his chest as he passed by each person in front of him. Small breaths exited his mouth, but he narrowed his eyes as he took a sharp turn to the right. Lifting his head the boy saw a guard coming toward him. Raising his arm the guard swung his blade, but the boy quickly jumped in the air and lowered it to the ground, passing through the guard right between his legs.
Making another turn the boy gasped and immediately stopped in his tracks. Right in front of him was a large stone wall. Turning around the boys eyes shot open at the sight of the same guard he slipped through. The guard grinned and chuckled while waving his sword around in front of the boy. The boy himself slowly backed away right as his back hit the wall behind him.
"La makan lijary, far alshaarieu." The guard said deviously. "Ay kalimat akhiratun?"
The boy nodded. "Baba!"
The guard tilted his head at him with a confused expression. As he opened his mouth a loud THUD erupted behind him. Turning his head the guard's eyes shot open at the very sight in front of him. A massive bulky man with a bandanna on his head and a long scarf covering his mouth. The man was shirtless with chains around his wrists and tears in his pants. The man had a square-shaped orange Gemstone on his solar plexus and within his hands were a large Barbarian Hammer.
The large man raised up his hammer and without a second thought he slammed it right onto the guard. Raising his hammer with blood dripping from it he walked passed the guard and toward the little boy. The little boy rushed to the man and placed his head near his Gemstone. The man himself kneeled down and wrapped his left arm around the boy.
"Baba huna." The man said softly as he rubbed the boy's head.
With his left arm he held the boy close to his chest and raised himself from the ground. Bending his knees he lowered himself before shooting himself and the boy high into the air. As they left the rest of the guards arrived on the scene and quickly went up to their now deceased comrade.
"Fael almalik hadha." Guard #1 said as his eyes trembled.
"Lays mujadida." The head guard added firmly while looking at the skies.
From building to building the man and the boy jumped across the area. The boy giggled in his father's arms as they continued onward. Dismissing his hammer the father held his boy with his other arm as the were quickly descending toward the ground. With a loud THUD the duo arrived at their destination. Right in front of them was yet another stone, but...appearances can always be deceiving.
"Abl, hal astatie 'an aqulaha hadhih almarata?" The boy asked.
His father nodded and placed him down. Approaching the wall the boy sucked in some air and exhaled it out. "Aftah ya simismi."
With those words spoken the wall in front of them released a portion of light in the middle before it spread itself upwards and downwards until it connected itself on both sides, forming a door. The stone door began to slowly open up, allowing the father and son to enter inside before it closed back.
On the other side of the door there were five young women sitting on five different sofas, tending to two sleeping young girls, two sleeping young boys, and a sleeping baby girl. Upon seeing them the young woman holding the sleeping baby girl approached them. "Kaf sar al'amra?" she asked quietly.
"Anzuri ya maman anzuri!" The boy cheered quietly, showing her the items. A golden necklace. Several silver coins. Multiple gold coins. And a Platinum vase.
The woman gasped at the items. Her lips stretched into a smile as she lowered herself to the boy. "Ealamuk waliduk jida." She said while pressing her lips to the boy's cheek.
The boy smiled at his mother while his cheeks started to burn. Walking passed her the boy walked over to a set of stairs and quietly went up the steps.
The mother then turned herself to her husband as he kneeled down before softly placing his lips onto hers. When they pulled away he stood up and walked with her toward the other young women.
"Hal kanat hunak mushkilatun?" The young woman on the far left asked, nurturing a baby girl.
The husband shook his head while removing his bandanna and scarf. "Adturirt ligatl shakhs ma allaylatu. Al'arbaeun harami laysat kadhalik dhahib dakhil 'iikhfa. 'Ant eayilat bialnisbat li. Lan 'asmah li'ahad 'an yakhudh mana."
The young woman smiled at the man as he gazed at them and the children. His lips stretched into a grin as he turned to the stairs.
'Whatever is thrown at us, The Forty Thieves aren't gonna surrender so easily. This city... Those guards... The royals... Everything they have will be ours. Whatever it takes.' The man thought.
September 5th 10:00 p.m.
Deep below the Evans Residence the Rainbow Gems, the Crystal Gems, Christie, and Greg all gathered around a massive crystal table. At the center of the table were the three items Kameron had brought home after school. Two golden gauntlets with spiked shoulder guards... Two broken Control Collars... And the Gemstone fragments of the Rutile Twins...
"This is the new technology Home World has developed." Green said as he picked up one of the damaged Control Collars. "To think I have already seen White and Yellow fall onto the wrong path, and yet this surprises me so little."
Bismuth reached her arm out, grabbing the other Control Collar. Holding it in her hands her eyes slowly glared at it as she added more pressure to it. "Just when those damn Upper-Crusts couldn't get anymore ruthless... And to use the strongest Diamond's power to add even more malice into it." She seethed through her teeth.
A hand was then placed on her shoulder. Turning her head her eyes softened at the sight of Citrine giving her a concerned expression. Closing her eyes she sighed and placed the collar back onto the table.
"Green... Christie..." Pearl said, gaining their attention. "How is Kameron? When Steven returned home from school he told me what happened."
Both parents looked at one another. Raising their hands they intertwined them together and looked back at Pearl. "He hasn't eaten dinner after finishing his homework, and after explaining what happened we sent him to his room." Green replied.
"The expression in his eyes..." Christie added as she tightened her hand in her husband's. "We let this happen again..."
"You couldn't have known the outcome, Christie." Garnet said. "It is not your fault."
"That doesn't help us at all, Garnet." Citrine replied. "Neither is the fact that Home World is gonna probably send more of our old comrades after us to finish the job."
"And if that were to occur..." Azurite said as she intertwined her hands together. "A similar outcome might transpire."
Before anyone else could speak Pyrope rose from his seat, slamming his hands on the table. "Dammit!"
Steam slowly erupted from his body as he turned around and left the room.
"Ah'll go make sure he ain't gonna burn the house down." Amber said as she got up and followed her brother.
Once she left both Lepidolite and Charoite raised themselves up from their chairs. "Me and Char are gonna go check on Kameron. It's late, but we'll try to have him eat something before he goes to sleep." Lepidolite said.
"Why not our famous Potato-Carrot Stew? That always cheers him up whenever he's upset." Charoite suggested.
"Good idea." Lepidolite replied a they left the room.
"Mother. Father." Onyx said, gaining their attention. "May I follow them as well?"
Green and Christie nodded. In return Onyx nodded before leaving the room.
Green released his hand from his wife's and slowly raised himself up from his seat. "With the chance of Home World returning I must inform the Counsel."
"The Counsel?" Bismuth asked.
"They are a group of leaders and rulers from various countries. As knowledge of our existence, our capabilities, and our technology became known the Counsel was formed so I could relay information to them. We do not always agree on every subject of the matter, but above everything else, they too only wish for the safety and protection of their homes and people." Green explained.
Just as someone attempted to speak a collection of rhythms entered into their ears. Pulling out their phones their was a Gem symbol blinking at the center of their screens before it placed itself onto a location on the map.
Citrine's eyes slowly expanded at the very sight. "La..." He whispered in Arabic.
"What's wrong?" Bismuth asked with concern in her voice.
Raising himself up from his seat Citrine placed his phone back into his pocket while turning his head to his parents. "Mom. Dad. Let me handle this one alone."
"I'm afraid I cannot give you that request, my son." Green replied. "You are the strongest among us. Aside from myself and Garnet, of course, but we do not have prior knowledge of what Home World will have to stop us for good this time. I suggest Bismuth and Pearl accompany you."
Pearl's eyes immediately shot open once she heard this and raised herself from her seat. "What?! Why are you recommending me?"
"Because you are the tactician of the Crystal Gems. Both my son and Bismuth are strong in their own rights, however, as destructive as his hammer is to defeat our foes, we need the Elegant Spear in case something goes wrong." Christie informed. She then turned her head to Citrine and walked toward him before placing her hand onto his stomach near his Gemstone. "Neither me nor your father are claiming you can't handle this alone honey, but...given what happened with you brother, I don't want you going through that by yourself. Understand?" She added, softly looking up at him.
Looking down at his mother Citrine nodded as he kneeled down onto one knee. Raising her arms his mother wrapped them around his neck as he softly rubbed her back with one arm. Turning her head she pressed her lips onto his cheek. Releasing them from his cheek her lips went to his ear, "I love you. I love you so, so much. Please be careful out there." She whispered.
"I love you too, mom." Citrine whispered back.
Pulling away from her son Citrine raised himself up and brought out his Warp Whistle from his Gemstone. Bismuth walked up to him, wrapping her arm around his as they looked over to Pearl. With a silent nod her Gemstone glowed, with her Warp Whistle coming out of it. Normally her, Garnet, Amethyst, and Steven would use Warp Pads to get around the world as much as they liked. However, Green gave each of them a Warp Whistle just in case they needed a quick way to get home or to a location without any delays.
Placing their lips onto their whistles Citrine, Bismuth, and Pearl blew into them, warping away from the area.
"Garnet. Amethyst." Azurite said, gaining their attention. "How is Steven? While I deeply worry for my brother, I am worried about him as well."
"Little man's alright." Amethyst shrugged. "Though a little gloomy when he came home."
"Greg is with him now." Garnet added. "We will be leaving to check on him." She concluded.
With a nodded from a portion of the Evans family Garnet and Amethyst walked out of the room.
September 6th 6:30 a.m.
The sun slowly rose from the horizon, illuminating the dark skies and land with it's light. Though no matter how much the light shines, it always creates a larger darkness.
Upon arriving at their destination Citrine released a small gasp from his mouth. Letting go of Citrine's arm, Bismuth and Pearl watched as he slowly walked forward. Right in front of them was...nothing. Nothing at all in plain sight. Sharah...wasn't there anymore.
"What the hell happened?" Citrine whispered. "Sharah..."
Walking up to him Bismuth stood by her friend's side and turned her head to him. "You okay?" She asked. "Was there something here in the sands?"
"The City Of Sharah." Pearl said as she walked up to them. "A massive civilization that existed for centuries. It was always located here, but now...it's gone."
Before either Gem could say another word the sounds of giggling entered their ears. Turning their bodies around the source of the giggling stood several feet away from them. It was a small gray-skinned Gem with short white hair covering the upper-half of her face and a Control Collar around her neck. She wore a form-fitting black dress with elbow-length gloves. Her Gemstone was place on top of her right hand.
"My prediction came true. I'm so happy you three arrived." The small Gem said cheerfully.
Citrine took a step forward and approached her. Squinting his eyes he got a good look at her right as his eyes soon shot open. "Padparadscha?"
A small gasp left her lips at the mention of her name. "You remembered my name. My vision predicted this as well."
"Listen little girl," Bismuth began as she approached her, "That collar around your neck is controlling you. Come with us and we'll help you get it off."
"Oh, there's no need for that." Padparadscha replied with a small smile. "I'm going to die today, so there's no reason for you three to try and help me."
Bismuth blinked at her as she turned to Citrine with both giving each other confused expressions.
"After all, I was the one who made the city here disappear." Padparadscha said, tilting her head.
The trio looked at her with shot-opened eyes. She...she made Sharah disappear? How? She's just a Sapphire. They can't do much on their own.
"What did you do with the city and the people within it?" Pearl asked, approaching her.
Padparadscha raised her hand in the air and pointed out her index finger. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I can't tell you that silly. Before I perish, why not we have some fun? After all, the Rainbow Gems and the Crystal Gems are the enemies of The Great Diamond Authority, and must be punished for their rebellions, their disobedience, and for losing sight of The Cause."
Lowering her hand Padparadscha's Gemstone began to glow and from it a large book erupted out, placing itself into her hands as she opened it.
A loud gasp exited Pearl's mouth. 'It can't be... Is that-' She thought before Padparadscha spoke.
"For thou who's desires run far and deep, guide these souls to what they seek. From their avarice show them the way, reveal their treasures, but soon they'll decay. In their hearts release their greed, for I shall be the one to keep them from being free." She chanted.
With each word spoken the book began to illuminate an orange light. Underneath the trio a massive orange circle appeared, freezing them in place. Orange auras appeared around them as a sudden breeze flew around their bodies. The wind continued to pick up more and more, generating a large sandstorm. Picking them up Citrine, Bismuth, and Pearl screamed as they were going into the twister.
Turning the book around Padparadscha opened it up as the twister lifted itself off of the ground and guided itself toward her book. The twister slowly began to shrink, entering the pages and vanishing in mere moments.
Pearl
Small groans exited out of Pearl's mouth as her eyes twitched. Slowly opening them she placed her hands on the ground, but slowly stopped when she got a better clear view of it. It was soft, gentle, and...green.
Her eyes opened fully as she jumped up and onto her feet. There was grass... Just a moment ago she was in the Desert Plains with...
A gasp left her mouth as she rapidly turned her head back and forth. "Citrine!? Bismuth!?" She called.
No response.
Lifting her head Pearl took notice of the dark blue sky above with various stars surrounding the full moon. 'This place... Why am I brought here?' She thought to herself.
"Pearl?"
That voice... No...that's not possible...
Turning herself around Pearl instantly froze in place. Right in front of her... Right in front of her was someone she hasn't seen in so long.
In front of her was a large light-skinned woman with big pink curly hair and pink eyes. She wore a long strapless white dress with a large yellow star at the center of her stomach. Her Gemstone was placed on her navel at the center of the star.
Water began to erupt in Pearl's eyes and slowly descend onto her cheeks. Her mouth quivered with mumbled words coming out of it. Her body slowly shook as she raised her hands toward her mouth. "R-Rose?" She choked.
Rose's lips slowly stretched into a small smile. Placing her hands together she walked up to Pearl with a small gale flowing through her hair. Stopping right in front of her she raised her hands and gently placed them onto Pearl's cheeks. Her smile softened as she looked into her watery eyes.
"I've missed you." She said softly as she lowered her face to Pearl's.
Pearl attempted to speak, but her words were muffled at the sweet and soft sensation on her lips. The thoughts in her mind disappeared as she closed her eyes to the greatest feeling she had ever been given.
Bismuth
"Bismuth! Bismuth! Bismuth!"
Those voices... Bismuth's eyes shot open as she raised herself up. Right in front of her... She couldn't even speak.
Raising herself from the ground she looked around to see only small glimmers of light from above while all around her were walls of rock and stone with various holes in them.
In front of her were Gems. Gems...she hadn't seen in a long time.
"Crazy Lace... Biggs... Snowflake..." She whispered.
"Oh thank the stars. We thought we were gonna lose you." Snowflake said worriedly.
"What? What happened? Where's Citrine and Pearl?" Bismuth replied.
Her friends each turned their heads to each other with raised eyebrows. They soon turned them back to their friend.
"Uh...don't you remember?" Biggs said. "Citrine went to go take care of some Quartzes and Pearl is with Rose in taking out a battalion of Pyropes. We were assigned in finding Pink Diamond's central bases to stop communication from Earth to Home World."
Bismuth blinked at her for a moment right as a gasp left her mouth. Her lips slowly stretched into a grin as she turned her arms into mallets. She then slammed the mallets together as her grin grew, "Oh yeah, it's coming back to me now. Let's go take care of those Upper-crusts."
"We couldn't agree more." Crazy Lace replied as she, Biggs, and Snowflake summoned their weapons.
Citrine
Small grunts exited his mouth as his eyes twitched. Slowly opening them he placed his hands on the ground and pushed himself to his feet. Raising an arm he rubbed the back of his head and took a good look at his surroundings. From left to right there was nothing but massive white walls with various pillars near them. The ground was solid white and showed Citrine his reflection. Up ahead there was a large silver chair with golden highlights.
"Wait a minute... This is...the Palace." Citrine said to himself. "What did Padparadscha do to us?" He added as he walked toward the throne.
"Alsatrin?"
Stopping in his tracks Citrine turned around to the feminine voice who called his name. Right at the entrance of the room was a young tanned-skinned woman with short black hair and black eyes. She wore a light brown crop-top with white pants, brown shoes, small gold earrings, and a golden necklace.
"Yasamin?" Citrine said quietly.
Water began to form in Jasmine's eyes. She then ran up to Citrine, wrapping her arms around his body as much as she could. Looking down at her Citrine opened his mouth to speak, but no words were formed. What could he say? Here and now after centuries had passed she was here, hugging him.
Releasing herself from him Jasmine looked up and smiled with tears falling onto her cheeks. Going down on one knee Citrine locked eyes with her as she grabbed his face and pressed her lips onto his. The sensation...it felt...real. It's touch...was no mistake whatsoever.
Pulling away from him she softly rubbed his face. "Baed fatrat tawilatin, Alshare fi salam."
Citrine blinked at her, letting her word enter his head. At that moment his eyes slowly widened. What she said... That was when...
"Yati. Eayilatuna tantaziru." Jasmine said sweetly as her small hand grasped onto his larger one.
'Not completely sure what Padparadscha did to us, but right now, I need to see them again.' Citrine thought as he stood up and followed Jasmine.
Pearl
Sitting on the grass Pearl and Rose sat side by side, gazing at the moon above theme. Their hands were interlocked with one another, slowly tightening their grips as they felt the soft breeze flow on them and the quiet atmosphere around them. Only them and no-one else...
"Do you remember this place?" Rose asked.
"I do." Pearl replied instantly. "Five-thousand years ago. I think about it every single day. And...I never thought this was how my life would be like."
"What do you mean?" Rose asked curiously.
"I was White Diamond's Pearl. I stood by her side since the day I was born and came into existence. Me. Yellow's Pearl. Blue's Pearl. Green's Pearl. Pink's Pearl. We were the very first Pearls and our Diamonds took such good care of us. They treated us as equals and in return we provided support for them no matter the cost." Pearl replied, placing her other hand on her chest.
"What was it like being with White?" Rose asked.
"We were so much alike. Wanting everything to be perfect; Wanting everything to be as we envisioned; Wanting everything to be exactly how we wanted it to be with no excuses. But then...I got switched with Pink's Pearl when she was given her very first planet. That time with her... How everything was escalating so quickly... And she herself-"
Pearl immediately stopped talking and closed her lips tight. Her eyes began to shake as did her body, remembering her time with Pink Diamond. A time...she truly didn't want to remember.
"Pearl."
Rose's soothing voice slowly made Pearl stop shaking as she looked at her.
"Pink is gone. I gave her a choice and she refused to surrender or retreat back to Home World. There was no other option I could've used at the time." Rose said softly. "And no matter what happens, we will make sure our home won't get colonized."
Pearl's lips stretched into a smile. This Quartz...no, this woman...was everything she could ask for and more. Seeing her. Hearing her voice. It just makes all of her troubled thoughts disappear. Her love for her was unlike anything she had experienced in her lifetime. Her and Greg always competed for Rose's attention and affection. She and Amethyst would play together with Rose. Her, Garnet, and Rose would observe humans from a distance to witness their lives. Not to mention before Rose put Bismuth-
Pearl's eyes slowly widened as she silenced herself. She removed her hand from Rose's and stood up.
"Pearl? What's wrong?" Rose asked worriedly.
Pearl's hair flowed in the wind. Turning her head to Rose her hands slowly balled themselves into fists. The worried expression on Rose's face... Almost made Pearl afraid to ask, but then the mentioning of Bismuth made her remember how she was brought here.
"I remember..." Pearl said softly.
"Rose" blinked at her as she raised herself up, "What? Pearl what are talking about-"
"You lied to me." Pearl said, cutting her off. "To be honest, seeing you again and talking to you, being with you is all I ever wanted. And...as much as I want this to continue, it can't. I discovered a secret about you. About what you did to Bismuth."
"Rose" stared at her as Pearl narrowed her eyes at her. "You and her had a disagreement on the Breaking Point. You placed her in a bubble and never told me or Garnet. Why? Why would you keep her away from us and keep the truth hidden?" Pearl asked firmly.
"Pearl... You know better than anyone that I would never-" Rose attempted to explain.
"NO!" Pearl yelled, cutting her off again. "I know for a fact that you kept many secrets from all of us. Things you could never tell me, Garnet, or Amethyst. I thought you told me everything. Green tells his family everything without sugarcoating it, so why can't you do the same? He may lie at times on non-important topics, but never about the War you and him invoked on all of us for a better future. Tell me Rose, even though you're just a figment of my mind, what else are you hiding from us?"
"Rose" continued staring at Pearl's angered expression. Her eyes descended to the grassy plain as the wind began to pick up. The wind started picking her up from the ground, lifting her up into the air.
Pearl watched as the wind's currents grew more violent. Shutting her eyes she crossed her arms in front of her as the wind was picking up her body. More and more the wind kept going, spiraling Pearl into the sky.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Bismuth
With a mighty roar unleashed from her mouth Bismuth dashed forward, taking down multiple guards getting in her way. One after the other each guard was pummeled by her mallets without even attempting to defend themselves. Guards taken care of she rushed out of the hallway and into a nearby room. Inside she noticed her comrades destroying the Maintenance Room with their weapons.
"Everything good?" Bismuth asked reforming her mallets into hands.
"Good to go." Snowflake replied, finishing freezing a control panel.
"Same here." Crazy Lace added as she finished smashing a set of monitors.
"Me too. But there's one more room we have to reach before we can get out of here." Biggs concluded.
Bismuth nodded to her friends as they exited the room and started running down the hall. As they ran Bismuth's lips stretched into a smile. Still couldn't believe her friends were here with her after-
Her smile quickly faded as her eyes expanded. Stopping in her tracks her friends soon stopped and turned their heads to her.
"What's wrong Bismuth? We got a mission to do." Biggs told her.
"You three aren't real." Bismuth replied sadly.
"What?" Crazy Lace said. "Why would you-"
"It's the truth!" Bismuth yelled, cutting her off. Water started erupting into her eyes as she balled her hands. "I don't want to admit it, but it's the truth. This is exactly what I wanted. Seeing you three again, watching you use the weapons I placed my soul into, and us getting the upper hand on Home World. But...that was a long, long time ago. This isn't how things are anymore. You three are dead... We won the War, but it ain't over just yet. More importantly, I sure as hell gonna raise some chaos against those Upper-crusts for what they did to my new friend Kameron." She added, turning her left hand into a blade and her right hand into a mallet.
Her "companions" stared at her. The determination in her eyes mixed with the burning resentment she's carrying. They narrowed their eyes at her and took a step forward, in which a massive hole appeared below Bismuth, making her drop into it.
"WWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Citrine
Following his beloved down the halls the duo slowly stopped at the massive door in front of them. Letting go of Citrine's hand Jasmine raised both of hers and placed them onto the door. Letting out a few small grunts she managed to get it opened and stepped to the side. Walking inside Citrine eyes instantly shot open.
Within the room there was a massive table directly at the center with a gold and silver chandelier hanging straight above it. The table itself housed a total of forty plates, forty cups, forty pieces of utensils, and forty chairs. Unfortunately... the thirty-eight people were nothing but skeletons in clothing. Each one laying back in their chairs or having their skulls planted onto the table itself.
"Ma hadha?" Citrine said as he turned to Jasmine.
"Don't you remember, beloved?" Jasmine replied in English. "Isn't this what you wanted? I brought you to the family and here they are."
Citrine looked at her with furrowed eyebrows.
"Let us sit and rejoice with everyone." Jasmine said, grasping onto Citrine's hand.
He immediately ripped it away from her.
"Beloved-"
"No!" Citrine yelled, making Jasmine jump. "I can't believe I fell for this. As if I wasn't stupid enough already."
Narrowing his eyes at her his Gemstone began to glow, bringing out his Barbarian Hammer. Reaching his hand out he grabbed onto the handle and twirled it for a moment before grabbing the lower half of the handle with his other hand.
"You're not Jasmine. My Jasmine was one of the most beautiful and smartest women I've ever met. Her smile... Her laughter... Her voice... The moment I saw her I wanted to have her, especially after all the struggles she went through. Her alongside my four wives were the greatest treasures I could ever have. They and our fifteen daughters were the most beautiful gifts any man could ask for. Them and our nineteen sons made a promise to make things better for our family. Together, the forty of us kept that promise for as long as we could. The greatest family I ever wanted. But...that is long gone now." Citrine said, gripping his hammer's handle with every word.
"Jasmine" locked eyes on her beloved. Placing both hands on her chest her lips began to quiver. The quivering soon stopped...and her lips turned into a frown. Slowly her skin began to show cracks all over her body as it began to morph into sand. In a flash all of the sand fell to the floor, showing nothing but a skull and bones until they broke apart, collapsing onto the floor.
Citrine watched as the bones started shaking and began to float in the air. From behind the remains of his ancient family began to levitate in the air as well. The bones gathered together in the air, forming a large constructed hand. The massive clenched itself into a fist and rocketed itself straight toward Citrine.
Raising his hammer up Citrine spread his legs out as the fist was coming to him. Right as it was about to impact him he swung his hammer right at it, but the fist was coming in too fast, colliding into him and pushing him far out of the Palace.
"GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Citrine screamed.
Hurling through the air his body began to quickly descend to the ground. Little by little his body lowered itself right as he impacted the ground. Small grunts exited his mouth as he bounced off of the ground and flipped over before hitting the ground on his back once more.
"Ugh. Never got punched by a skeleton hand before." Citrine groaned as he slowly lifted himself up.
Getting himself onto his feet the sound of moaning entered his ears. Turning around Citrine's eyes blinked several times at the display in front of him. A feet away were two pairs of legs in the sand. One pair was skinny with peach socks and cyan flat-tops. The other was more thick with dark maroon boots.
Small chuckles left his mouth as he approached the legs. Dismissing his hammer he grabbed the legs and pulled them out of them sand. Coming out of the sand the legs belonged to both Pearl and Bismuth.d
"Ah!" Pearl groaned as she picked herself up and coughed up some sand. Turning around she noticed both Bismuth and Citrine behind her. "Are you both alright?"
"Aside from crashing into sand, I'm all good." Bismuth replied.
"Same. Though I fell for Padparadscha's trick." Citrine added.
"What did you see?" Bismuth asked.
"A family I had long ago." Citrine answered. "What about you too?"
"I saw Rose again." Pearl said. "She felt so real... But...when I talked to her about Bismuth the facade ended."
"I saw my old comrades again back when the War was still young." Bismuth said, slowly balling her fists. "Seeing them again... It made me happy, but...I realized it wasn't really them when I remembered the here and now."
"Aww... Did you three have a good time?"
Light gasp exited the trio's mouths before Citrine and Pearl summoned their weapons and Bismuth turned her hands into weapons. Looking up they watched as Padparadscha slowly floated in the air and softly landed onto the sand in front of them.
"So... I'm aware you three are a little uneasy after seeing your greatest treasures again. Pearl's I will never understand. Bismuth's was foolish and a waste of time. Citrine's... I too shall never understand, especially considering the disgusting nature of you having certain emotions towards organics." Padparadscha said gleefully.
The trio glared at her.
"Then how about a little comeback Padparadscha." Citrine replied firmly. "The Cause that the Diamonds are obsessed with will never happen. It's nothing more than a fragile illusion."
A small gasp exited Padparadsscha's mouth. She the closed her lips and summoned her book again. "The Cause is important to every single Gem on Home World. You three are the ones who are delusional due to the manipulation of Green Diamond and Rose Quartz." She said angerly.
"Rose Quartz and Green Diamond are the ones who showed us a different way to live instead of cause genocide from one galaxy to the next." Pearl said strongly.
"Earth is not gonna get colonized by Home World. No matter what you Upper-crusts do, the Crystal Gems and the Rainbow Gems are gonna put an end to it." Bismuth added strongly.
"The future isn't set in stone or that everyone has only one thing to do for their entire life. There are different paths to take, Padparadscha." Citrine concluded.
Gripping onto her book Padparadscha began to rise from the ground. "No! This is absurd! And if that's what you all think, then let us end our little squabble. And when you're nothing more than shards in the sand you'll come to realize that your dreams and your faith from the traitors are nothing! Nothing but mere illusions!"
Opening her book it began to glow and a gust of wind erupted from it, revealing her translucent eye hiding in her hair. "Ramil Ghulm!" She yelled in Arabic.
With her echoed voice the sand from below answered her call. A geyser of sand shot itself into the air, forming itself into a large arm. Falling onto the sand below another geyser of sand shot itself out, forming into another sand arm. Both arms pushed themselves onto the sand, raising a large portion of sand connected to them. The portion molded itself into small blocks and a large block at the center. A mouth formed at the center with large glowing orange eyes around it.
"GGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
Small gusts of wind blew itself into the trio, but they stood their ground as the creature stared down at them.
Without uttering a word they immediately dashed toward it. Raising one of it's arms the Ramil Ghulm quickly slammed it right at them. Watching it come to them they instantly jumped out of the way, avoiding the impact.
Raising themselves from the sand Citrine turned his head to Pearl. They both locked eyes and looked at the structure of the creature. Looking back at one another they nodded on their next move.
"Bismuth. You and Citrine take care of the left arm. I'm going after Padparadscha's book." Pearl informed.
Bismuth's eyes shot open as she turned to her friend, "You sure that's a good idea?"
Pearl nodded. "Please trust me."
Smirking at her Bismuth nodded as she turned her attention to Citrine. "C'mon, big guy. Let's get busy."
"Gladly." Citrine replied.
Placing his hammer into his right hand Citrine grabbed onto Pearl's waist and pulled back his left arm, throwing her straight at the right arm. Rocketing through the air the tip of Pearl's spear began to illuminate right as she threw it directly at Padparadscha.
Coming close to her a wall of sand raised itself in front of her, making the spear pierce itself into it.
"Are you joking? I saw that coming a mile-"
The tip of Pearl's spear glowed even more until it exploded, cutting Padparadscha off and pushing her away from her Ramil Ghulm.
At the same time both Citrine and Bismuth ran across the left arm of the Ramil Ghulm and leaped into the air before slamming both their mallet and hammer onto the arm. At the moment of impact massive cracks appeared on the creature, reaching further and further toward the shoulder of the arm and breaking it off.
The creature roared in pain, but it's injuries were just the beginning .
Citrine and Bismuth jumped from debris to debris as they fell off of the Ramil Ghulm and reached the shoulder of the creature. Dashing toward Pearl she summoned another spear and together they each attacked the head, piercing and smashing into it's skull.
The sheer force of their combined attack released large massive cracks that began to spread onto the creature's face, breaking it apart piece by piece.
"NO! How dare you slaughter my Ramil Ghulm!" Padparadscha yelled as she floated in mid-air. "Just wait until I make another one-"
Not allowing her to finish her sentence the trio jumped off of the creature and toward Padparadscha. Seeing them come for her she attempted to make another chant, but Citrine grabbed onto Pearl again and threw her at the small Gem, crashing into her as they all fell into the sands below.
Grunts exited out of Padparadsscha's mouth as her vision began to clear up. In front of her she got a clear view of Pearl glaring at her with her book in her hand. As she attempted to speak Pearl pointed her spear at her collar.
"That's enough." Pearl said firmly.
"Indeed. My prediction from earlier is coming true. Go ahead and complete it." Padparadscha replied with a frown.
"No." Citrine said as he dismissed his hammer. "We'll get that collar off of you and help you get back to normal."
Padparadscha shook her head. "I'm sorry, but that's not possible. Once a Capture Collar has been placed on a Gem they will never and no longer return to the state they once were in."
"There isn't any alternatives to help you, is there?" Bismuth asked, receiving a nod from the small Gem.
"No. This is now my fate. So go ahead and free me or let me suffer a worse punishment if you allow me to return."
Pearl turned her head to Citrine and Bismuth. Was this the right thing to do? She had believed one day they would shatter Gems if there was absolutely no other way, but...this little girl wasn't an ordinary Gem. She was unique. Interesting in her own way. And a Off Color. But...the though of her getting a brutal punishment from the Diamonds...
"Very well." Pearl said softly as she absorbed Padparadscha's book into her Gemstone. "We will end your suffering, Padparadscha." She added as she held her spear in both hands and pierced the Capture Collar.
Pulling her spear out Pearl, Citrine, and Bismuth kneeled around her as she began to revert to her normal colors.
"I'm sorry for what I did. I...wasn't in control." Padparadscha said softly as a stream of tears fell out of her eye. "But I am happy to have seen an amazing vision."
"What did you see?" Citrine asked.
As a peach colored aura surrounded Padparadscha her Gemstone started showing cracks. Her lips stretched into a smile, "I'm surrounded by the Gems who'll save us from this pain."
The aura engulfed her body...and slowly broke it apart, relinquishing her from existence. All that remained was her damaged collar and shards of her broken Gemstone.
Reaching his hand out Citrine grabbed the fragmented shards and placed them into his Gemstone. Bismuth grabbed onto the broken collar and placed it into her Gemstone.
Raising themselves from the sands the trio looked over at the horizon to see the sun setting and the skies getting dark, allowing the stars to shine above them. Under normal circumstances...this would've been a beautiful site to witness with anyone, but...after today...not so much anymore.
"Can we go home now?" Pearl asked sadly.
"Yeah..." Citrine replied. "We've got some things to tell the others."
"Let's go." Bismuth added, grabbing onto Citrine's arm.
Pulling out their Warp Whistles Citrine and Pearl blew in them, making them and Bismuth vanish from the sands.
As they disappeared the City Of Sharah reappeared in the distance, with her citizens confused on what had happened to them.
End of Episode 34.
Sorry this took me so long. Been occupied for a while, but I'm finally glad to have finished this up.
I also want to say that Padparadscha is one of my favorite Off Colors. She has her own quirks and as much as I didn't want to do this to her in this AU, I thought it would be a better impact then having her do random things in Canon.
Next Time:
True Fear