Episode 46: Birds Of A Feather
October 20th 7:00 p.m.
The sun above began to descend over the horizon. It's light slowly fading from the skies, allowing the dark of night to approach with the moon and stars. Although...as of this moment the sun has illuminated the skies with soft shades of red, yellow, and orange. There comes a time when, if given the chance, we could all stop and look at one of the many wonders of the planet. The very event to remind us that life will get rough, but it's not always bad.
"Wow..." Lapis said breathlessly.
"Yeah. A sight to behold." Kameron replied.
"Very true, brother." Azurite added.
All three sat down together at the edge of the cliff near the forest. An area in which has become very favored by Kameron at times. It's not too often he comes here, but whenever he does arrive at his usual spot and have people with him this is a great spot with a unbelievable view.
"Lapis. How is your time at school?" Azurite asked.
Lapis turned her head to her friend, "It's...very unusual and honestly very boring. Mostly all day I sit at a desk and listen to what the teachers are teaching us for hours and I get uncomfortable stares placed on me every time I walk down the halls. I've made some friends, but...I'm still not sure if I'll get use to it or if I even deserve any of this."
Raising up her hand Azurite softly placed it onto Lapis' shoulder. "You do deserve this." She said softly. "It is tough and strange in the beginning, but with time I'm sure you'll grow accustom to it. I am here if you wish to speak your troubled thoughts."
Lapis' lips lightly grinned at her. Though it didn't last as it slowly faded while she turned her head back to the beautiful view. "Thank you, Azurite. Your words bring comfort to me, but...even after what had happened and Peridot and Jasper roaming the planet, it won't be long until the other Diamonds find out about the Earth and attempt to colonize it again."
"That's not gonna happen." Kameron said strongly.
"How can you be so sure of that?" Lapis replied.
"Home-World is going to find out about us, but that doesn't mean we can just stand around and allow that to happen. It doesn't matter how strong they are or what kind of tricks they've got up their sleeves, this planet is not going to be colonized." Kameron said firmly. "You don't have believe my words, Lapis, but I will make sure the Earth will not die like the other planets have. No matter the cost."
"Brother." Azurite said, making him and Lapis turn their attention onto her. "Please don't talk like that. It worries me."
"You know I will give it my all no matter what. They've made it more personal than before." Kameron replied firmly.
"Yes, I understand. However, that mindset is very dangerous as well. Your motivations and your goals are understandable and justified, but...once you've achieved it there will be consequences unlike any you've ever seen before. What you've lost and what I have lost are tragedies that will never be forgotten, however I have made peace with mine. Not immediate peace, but I cannot honor my people's memories with vengeance. I may overstep this, but Elizabeth wouldn't be happy with how you are now. You doing this for her, but he wouldn't want you hurting yourself." Azurite said as she placed a hand on her chest.
A small breeze blew right pass the trio as Azurite finished speaking. Hearing her name again... Kameron stood up from the cliff as his eyes remained on the sunset. Raising his hand he placed them onto his goggles, slowly pulling them down onto his eyes before removing his hand from them. He knew this. He knows she wouldn't like how he is now, but...it didn't matter to him. It didn't matter how much pain he received so long as someone else was okay.
Azurite slowly stood up and reached her hand out, placing it into her brother's before slowly intertwining it in. The reaction she had seen him make once "Elizabeth" is brought up. His expression. Hiding his eyes. His quiet stature. All so familiar, yet it hurts to look at every time.
"As your big sister I love you with all my soul. There is more to life than just vengeance. Don't throw it all away for that. Please understand. If you were to leave this world too soon-" Azurite said before getting cut off.
A loud ring entered everyone's ears, making Kameron and Azurite reach into their phones. Pulling them out they both saw a symbol of a Gemstone before pressing onto it. As they did the a map appeared in the background and the symbol placed itself onto a location.
"We gotta go." Kameron said without emotion.
"Indeed." Azurite replied as they put their phones away.
"Lapis, have you memorized what the house looks like?" Kameron asked as Azurite released her hand from his.
"Yeah." Lapis replied as her Gemstone glowed and her Warp Whistle went straight into her hand. "Be careful. Both of you."
"We will." Azurite answered as her and her brother blew into their whistles.
October 20th 7:30 p.m.
Both Kameron and Azurite arrived at their destination: The Gamma Kindergarten.
Putting their whistles away the siblings silently walked forward. With each step they took the sounds of the waterfalls increased, pointing them in the right direction. Up ahead the siblings stopped right at the edge of the open pond before jumping right into it. With the Central Warp Pad destroyed and many of the Injectors wrecked beyond repair, the likely possibility of Peridot or Jasper contacting Home-World were low.
Continuing with their course the siblings reached the central area, showing a massive hole. Going behind her brother Azurite placed herself against him as she summoned her wings while wrapping her arms around his upper-torso. Without a response Kameron raised his arms and placed them onto his sister's as she took flight. Ascending into the air, Azurite quickly descended into the hole below at high speeds.
Going into the hole the siblings were impacted by darkness and quickly illuminated the area using their Gemstones. Further and further below the siblings rapidly passed various debris coming their way as they continued going down. Up ahead Azurite quickly shifted herself while holding onto her brother and softly landed on the ground. Kameron soon pulled out Venganza from his Gemstone and placed her on his back before he started moving.
Droplets of water entered their ears with each step while the ground itself was wet and moist. All around them sharp rocks edged out from the ceiling with more holes appearing from different sides of each wall. Although...the hole sizes were varied from small to average to tall.
Progressing on the siblings slowed down their movements. Ahead of them there was a large quantity of water, but moreover, standing at the edge of the water was on of their targets: Peridot.
"Log Date 963: This is Peridot. As of now I am currently trapped on a planet known as Earth. It is incredibly infuriating how the Injectors have been damaged, which suggests the remaining Kindergarten's Injectors have met the same conclusion. My escape pod has received critical damage and I have had no other options but to hide my existence until I have reached any of the Kindergartens. Analysis had indicated that one of the Kindergarten's Pillars have been destroyed, but it has served it's purpose. Only three remain inactive, although it does trouble me due to the Rainbow Gems and Crystal Gems, but I will try to defend myself while also locating Jasper. End Log Date." Peridot said to herself.
A small groan exited from her mouth as she raised her hand and pinched the bridge between her nose. "Ugh! I can't do anything anymore! It's bad enough that I'm on a planet filled with violent and idiotic Organics, but to continue my mission while having to search for that brute is exhausting. However...it is for The Cause; To achieve what we've longed for."
Kameron slowly raised his hand and placed it onto Venganza, slowly gripping onto her hilt. Azurite readied herself as she summoned her staff. Both siblings slowly approached their target and was about to make their move-
"FREEZE!"
That unexpected voice rang into everyone, making Peridot gasp and turn around to see Kameron and Azurite. Turning their heads the siblings looked over to see the source of that voice and right behind them they got their answer: G.P.F. Soldiers pointing their guns at them.
"Don't move!" The front soldier said.
Without a response Peridot leaped into the air and dived right into the water. As she did the G.P.F. Soldiers began to open fire, making Kameron and Azurite jump back, entering the water. Once in the the water Kameron crystallized his jaws while pushing out any extra water. Turning to his sister they interlocked their hands together right as she swiftly burst through the water. Straight in their sights was Peridot, quickly descending into the depths using her fingers as rotors. As the siblings were getting closer to her Kameron groaned and winched, making his sister stop to see the G.P.F. Soldiers coming after them.
Looking up at his sister Kameron saw a worried expression on her. Peridot was getting away and they both had G.P.F. Soldiers on their tails. They couldn't separate due to the limited oxygen Kameron had. Even though Azurite was surrounded by her element, she couldn't waste any precious time they had. So...a third option was made. it was risky and hadn't been done yet. Gathering the water around them Azurite formed it into a sphere, surrounding their position as the G.P.F. Soldiers continued firing while Peridot was getting further and further away.
Inside the sphere Azurite removed the water around them, giving her brother air to breathe. "Kameron. While I can hold this sphere for long periods of time, we must act quickly. For that, I believe now it is my turn to experience what Charoite, Onyx, and Citrine had with you." Azurite said.
Kameron blinked at her. Now? She wanted to try this now while they were bombarded with gunshots and Peridot getting away? This was a massive gamble to make, including the fact of her obtaining his attributes. But...there were no other options to make and he didn't want to separate himself from her since they had this chance. For that, Kameron nodded.
Both of their Gemstones began to glow as they raised their hands and intertwined their fingers together. Lowering herself, Azurite slowly placed her forehead onto her brother's, "I'm sorry for giving you the silent treatment. It's just...I can't let her go. I can't move on until I complete what I swore to take care of." Kameron said softly.
"I understand. I truly do, brother." Azurite replied softly.
"And not only that, Home-World attacked Mask Island, killing the villagers. You won't honor their memory with vengeance. I understand, but they deserve justice. Those who have wronged you need to face justice for their actions." Kameron said softly, but strongly. "They didn't deserve that kind of death. I want to honor their memory too. they're good people."
A small gasp exited Azurite's mouth. Her brother's vengeance was for Elizabeth alone, but he had also wanted justice for her people. To be honest...deep down, even though she had made peace with their passing, a small side of her had wanted the same thing. Justice and vengeance aren't always two separate actions, and as of now...for now she too can bring these thoughts into reality.
"We are now the same, my dear brother. Let us bring justice to my people." Azurite said softly.
"That is the least we can do. And I will hope it will bring them some comfort among the stars." Kameron replied softly.
"It will. All will be well." Azurite said softly.
The light of their Gemstones grew little by little as the siblings tightened the lock on their hands. This very light soon engulfed the sphere around them, making the G.P.F. Soldiers stop in their tracks. The sphere soon disappeared and from it a new being had been born. It was a tall fair-skinned woman with long twin-braided cyan hair, a scar across the right side of her face, and heterochromic eyes. Her right being green while her left was blue. She wore a long sleeve cyan jacket with a large white dove on the back, a light blue T-shirt, dark blue pants with a black belt, cyan slip-on tennis-shoes, and two silver bracelets with two doves at the center of them. Lastly, she had two Gemstones in each of her palms and a third at the lower base of her neck.
The woman opened her eyes through her goggles and quickly burst through the water, heading straight for the soldiers. Each of the soldiers started firing at her, but each shot fired she dodged in the blink of an eye before she crashed right into one of the soldiers, pushing him back through the water. Without wasting another second the woman began to rotate her body at high speeds. Increasing her speed the water around her and the soldiers began to circulate, sucking the soldiers in. One after the other the soldiers spun round and round in the rapid waters, screaming at the speeds they were going in right as it began to slow down. As it did each of the soldiers were released and were shot out from different directions.
With that taken care of the woman placed her legs together as they soon formed into a large fish tail. Crystallizing her jaws she soon swam down into the depths of the water to locate Peridot. With the goggles giving her a clear vision of what was in front of her the woman slowly moved her head around the further she swam. Though as she was swimming small breaths were exiting out of her nose and a sensation of cold surged all over her body.
'Interesting. This chilling sensation is sending ripples through my body. This must be how humans feel when entering cold areas. And I'm able to breath as well. Though I must find where Peridot is before my oxygen shortens. However, I should explore this sensation further once I have a chance again.' The woman thought to herself as she kept going.
Raising her head the woman's eyes expanded greatly as she witness a massive metal structure right in front of her. Light illuminated out of it, which meant Peridot must be inside. Pushing herself forward the woman dived further down and slowly ascended at the large metal pipe above her. Entering into it the woman soon rose out of the water, absorbing her crystals back into her skin with small breaths exiting her mouth. Swimming over to the nearest platform the woman pushed herself onto it and raised herself out of the water.
Getting up onto her feet the woman sighed as she removed the goggles from her eyes. Placing them on top of her head she wiped her face from the excess water and walked forward. The area was very metallic, but rusty and held several cracks in it from above to below. Though strangely the power of the area remained intact after eons had passed.
Up ahead of her the woman went down a small flight of stairs leading her to another hallway. Traversing through it the woman reached it's end and found Peridot. The area she was in was enormous with a large blue pillar at the center and several glass pods held on the ceiling and both sides of the wall.
Raising her hand Peridot's Gemstone glowed and a pyramid-shaped erupted out of it before being placed into her hand and right onto an opening slot. As this happened the lights in the area changed color from white to blue while a variety of switches came back online. "Excellent. After eons of being obsolete it still works. Only two remaining and yet another journey in search of another Kindergarten." Peridot said to herself.
"Peridot!" The woman called out.
Peridot's eyes widened as she turned around to see the woman at the entrance. Her eyes then blinked as she tilted her head, "Who the rocks are you?"
"My name is Amazonite. I am a fusion of Kameron and Azurite. Shut down that pillar this instant." Amazonite replied.
Peridot blinked once more right as her eyes narrowed, "Interesting. I see how you've come to disgrace our kind as a new abomination. No matter, I will never listen to such a disrespectful savage. Instead, let us see how well you favor against these!" She said as she pressed a button.
The lights in the area soon grew dim with various alarms blaring out. As the alarms were blaring the pods from above and the walls started opening up, with multiple Corrupted slowly coming out of them. The Corrupted were all dark and light blue with fins, sharp claws and teeth, and dull white eyes. They each had a small light hanging over their heads with Gemstones placed on different areas of their bodies.
Getting out of the pods each of the Corrupted screeched as Peridot used her fingers to raise herself into the air while snickering.
Amazonite slowly closed her eyes as she raised her hands up and placed them together. Her eyes re-opened as she narrowed them while disconnecting her hands and placing them in front of her while spreading her legs. 'Okay. It's time to see what my new body is capable of.' She thought to herself.
Several Corrupted began to run up to her before leaping into the air. As they quickly descended toward her Amazonite jumped into the air, pulling her right arm back before pushing it forward, aiming it right at the center Corrupted's stomach area. It soon gawked...and in a flash the pressure from a sheer punch pushed it back hard and knocked away the others to the floor. Falling to the floor Amazonite lowered her body while wrapping her arms around her legs, rotating herself as she aimed at a Corrupted before released her arms and stretching out her leg, impacting it at the creature's face.
The creature screeched as it crashed into the floor. Raising herself up Amazonite closed her eyes once more as multiple Corrupted were coming up to her. Raising up her left leg the Corrupted were mere inches away from her right as she spun her body, raising her leg up further up. As she stopped herself in place each of the Corrupted coming after her instantly poofed, shocking Peridot with her jaw dropping. Opening her eyes again she narrowed them at the remaining creature while raising her arm and slowly bending her fingers.
Screeches roared into her ears as the remaining Corrupted ran to her. Dashing forward Amazonite threw her arm out, piercing the Corrupted in front of her with her nails just before it poofed. Spinning her body around she raised her leg as three right next to her, slicing off their head in quick succession as they poofed. One of the Corrupted quickly came up behind her, but without even turning around she bent her legs and jumped into the air, flipping herself right behind it before stabbing her hand right through it. Turning her head she saw five of them remaining and quickly dashed toward them.
'As I expected from a savage. Yet, she shows no hesitation fighting them. No fear among their presence. Just...eliminating their physical forms in sheer seconds.' Peridot thought as she watched. 'I had learned how persistent the rebels were, but to witness it with my own optical spheres is so...surprising. I can't even look away from this.'
Running up to the remaining five Amazonite leaped into the air, spinning her body around until she stopped and pushed her leg out, impacting the center Corrupted and making it poof. Landing on the floor she quickly rotated her upper-body, slicing the remaining Corrupted and watching their Gemstones fall. Straightening herself she stretched her arms out again, releasing a plethora of cyan-colored crystal tendrils. Each one grabbed a Corrupted Gemstone as she opened her mouth, "From dark to light. Beyond the stars and the universe. Sleep within the core of your existence."
One by one each of the Gemstones were marked with a symbol of a dove before they were brought to Amazonite and were placed in a large bubble before getting teleported away. Retracting the tendrils into her body Amazonite raised her hands out as each of her Gemstones began to glow. From her right hand Venganza slowly erupted out of the Gemstone with Amphitrite coming out from her left hand. Venganza began to glow green while Amphitrite glowed blue as they slowly moved toward one another. The moment they touched a cyan light was formed as the weapons came together. From the light a new weapon was forged. From top to bottom were sharp blades and both the upper-half and lower-half were connected to the center- half by chains.
Grabbing her newfound weapon from the bottom and top Amazonite swung it around herself before raising it into the air and reeling it back, making it fold itself before all three part were gripped into her hand. "This is your only warning, Peridot. Surrender now and you shall not be poofed. Otherwise, this will end poorly for you." Amazonite said firmly.
Peridot shook her head and narrowed her head. "Unlikely." She said as she turned her head to the wall, her lips stretching into a grin, "Perhaps another time."
Raising up her other arm her fingers lined up as an electric sphere was being generated. Once she made it into a large size she fired the sphere at the wall. Right on impact the wall burst open, releasing large quantities of water into the area. Peridot rushed into the water, pushing herself into the water. Summoning her wings Amazonite launched herself into the air and went straight after her while putting on her goggles and crystallizing her jaws.
Returning to the water Amazonite spotted Peridot and shot herself through it at top-speed. Looking right behind her Peridot's eyes expanded greatly at the speed of her adversary. Just as she attempted to preform an action Amazonite appeared right behind her before grabbing her neck and increasing her speed while turning her lower-half into a fish-tail once more. Ascending herself Amazonite threw Peridot across the water while decreasing her speed.
Spinning through the water Peridot was sudden pushed right out of it, getting launched into the air before impacting the rocky ceiling and falling onto the cavern ground.
*THUD*
Raising herself from the water, Amazonite landed onto the cavern ground, however neither her nor Peridot were alone anymore. Right in front of them the G.P.F. Soldiers stood, aiming their guns right at their targets. Footsteps soon entered everyone's ears as another soldier entered the scene. The soldier placed two fingers on the lower part of the helmet before it opened itself up, reveal the soldier's face. The soldier was female, around her mid to late twenties with short maroon hair and blue eyes.
"Excellent work. Bringing yourself right to us was the smartest decision you could've ever made." The female soldier said as she approached Peridot and Amazonite. "Although, I haven't been given reports about a new Gem. Would you care to tell us who you are?" She added, looking at Amazonite.
Without a response Amazonite dismissed her weapon as her body glowed cyan. A green light and a blue light erupted out of it before they were formed back into Kameron and Azurite.
"My name is Kameron Evans. This is my sister, Azurite. We're in the middle of handle this." Kameron responded.
The female soldier blinked as she took a good look at him. His eyes were heterochromic with a large scar on his face. The light green Diamond-shaped Gemstone on his right wrist. This was the one she had heard about.
"My name is Vanessa Armstrong. I am the head of Faction 51. I am also the daughter of Paul Armstrong and the aunt of Zac Armstrong. I've heard a lot about you from my nephew, Evans." Vanessa said with a hand on her hip.
Kameron's eyes lightly widened. This woman was apart of the Armstrong family. He was already well acquainted with Zac in more was than he wished. His grandfather...not so much. But right in front of him was the aunt. From already being given her name Kameron had known Zac would always be making trouble for him, including his family.
"I take it he only told you his side of the story?" Kameron asked sarcastically.
"He has. Though I don't blame him much since your family is responsible for how the planet is now." Vanessa replied.
"Excuse me?" Kameron said firmly.
"I'm sure you already know this honey, but your a freak. You Gems have brought nothing but destruction on my home. So how about you three surrender kindly or do have to do this the hard way?" Vanessa replied as she and her soldiers raised their guns.
Peridot scoffed as she picked herself up. "Like I'm going to surrender to an Organic. You clods are really irritating." She added as she raised her right arm.
Without warning G.P.F began to shoot at them. Dodging the gunfire Kameron slammed both of his hands into the ground. Within seconds crystal chains erupted from behind the soldiers and wrapped themselves around their arms, pulling them to the ground.
Taking her chance Peridot started running. Leaping over the constrained soldiers she aimed her arm at the ceiling before firing at it. Upon impact the ceiling began to crumble and collapse, blocking the entrance.
With a snap of his fingers Kameron released the chains from the soldiers, setting them free. "I'm only gonna say this once. Let us go and we'll help you get out. Otherwise, you gonna see what's like to get kicked in the face by a Gem." Kameron said firmly.
G.P.F. stood up from the ground and pointed their guns at them. "Sorry. I'm afraid that isn't optional in this situation. On the ground! NOW!" Vanessa replied firmly.
As Kameron attempted to take a step forward a hand was then placed on his shoulder. Turning his head his eyes were placed on his sister, whom showed him a calm yet firm expression. The look in her eyes...made Kameron stand back as she stepped up.
"You may say what you will about my kind. Yes, we are indeed responsible for the devastation of how the planet is in it's current state. It is true that we have cause pain among those who live here. For that, I am truly sorry." Azurite said as she bowed her head. "I am sure there is no other option to handle G.P.F. at this moment. I am not a woman who chooses violence when it is convenient for myself. Although, there are times when I must make exceptions. Now...is one of them." She added as her eyes glowed blue.
From behind her the water shot itself out in seven streams and rapidly made their way to the soldiers. As they got close the streams all melded into one, impacting each of the soldiers and pushing them to the wall. With the soldiers soaking wet Azurite raised both of her arms out and slowly pulled them back while curling her fingers. One by one ice began to creep it's way on each of the soldiers, spreading itself all over their bodies and stopping at the base of their necks.
Closing her eyes Azurite took a breath and turned herself to her brother, "By now I am sure Peridot has escaped."
"Yeah. And she said another pillar had been activated even though Kambaba destroyed the one in Delta. As much as I don't want to call it quits, it looks like we don't have a choice in the matter." Kameron replied. He then turned his eyes on Vanessa and her soldiers, "These boot-camp rejects will get help eventually."
Azurite nodded. "As much as I would bright myself to help someone in need, it appears I will have to make another exception."
Without a response both siblings pulled out their Warp Whistles and made their way out.
End of Episode 46.
Hope you all enjoyed this. Amazonite has now made her official debut. Only three Rainbow Fusions left, and they will come...in time.
Next Time:
Hunter VS Hunted