(OPENING – Hobastank Crawling in the Dark)
The Earth is shown, resembling its normal self before becoming shrouded in darkness and multiple red eyes appear, staring eerily at the camera. Then in a flash of blue, red and white, orange and brownish green the darkness fades away, revealing the Earth now appearing with the top covered in ice, the eastern side covered in fire, the bottom in slime and the other in candy as the title appears under the changed planet.
GRIMMFALL
(I will dedicate and sacrifice my every-thing)
The white knight figure known as Omnimon is seen rushing through the forest, chased by Jetstorm, Thrust and Tankor.
(For just a seconds worth of how my story's ending)
Omnimon stops as a portal appears in front of him and from it appears Sammael, staring at the battle ready Grimm Slayer in amusement.
(And I wish I could know if the directions that I take)
Johnny Bravo and Amethyst are shown next, entering a strange vault and walking towards an odd looking hammer.
(And all the choices that I make won't end up all for nothing)
Steven Universe strands before the gathered Justice Friends as his gemstone starts to glow before changing over to Homeworld, showing Nigel, Ed and Abby staring down Blue and Yellow Diamond.
(Show me what it's for)
Yellow Diamond suddenly summons a yellow glowing sword resembling a katana and releases a burst of lightning at the Elementals.
(Make me understand it)
Ed conjures a wall of slime that blocks the lightning blast.
(I've been crawling in the dark)
Blue Diamond then summons a blue scythe with the blade a darker shade of blue and swings it at Nigel whose eyes flash a mix of white and blue before the scythe suddenly stops mere inches from, as if frozen in time.
(Looking for the answer)
Abby is left as her Candy Elemental powers activate, staring down White Pearl as the shadow of White Diamond appears behind her.
(Is there something more)
The Northwest Mansion in Gravity Falls appears next, showing Mandy and Billy dancing together in what appears to be a ball.
(Than what I've been handed?)
Mandy twirls away, her red eyes landing on Pacifica whose eyes become slitted, resembling Bill Cipher's eye.
(I've been crawling in the dark)
The camera shows the Mystery Shack next, going under to reveal the underground portal as it activates with Juniper Lee, Dipper, Mabel, Soo, Hoagie and Grunkle Stan standing before it.
(Looking for the answer)
And inside it appears the outline of man in a trench coat and a girl with long hair.
(How much further do I have to go? (have to go))
Pearl twirls her spear as she faced Peridot and Connie who both disappear and are replaced by Zeke and Josephine.
(And how much longer until I finally know? (finally know))
Eddy hold up his hand, watching as the skin turned blue.
(Cause I am looking and I just can't see what's in front of me)
The center of the city in the Homeworld Special Zone appears, the four towers glowing and the camera zooms in, showing a white crystal.
(In front of me)
Johnny Bravo reaches out with his hand to the hammer.
(Show me what it's for)
Nyx is then shown, holding a bundle in her hands with a look of pure happiness and tears running down her face.
(Make me understand it)
Nyx is then engulfed in a flash of light and merges with her daughter.
(I've been crawling in the dark)
Ben Tennyson is then shown, standing on top of Mount Rushmore, facing down Vilgax and Team MSKR.
(Looking for the answer)
Julie shoots into the air, engulfed by fire and lets out a war cry.
(Is there something more)
Miss Spell and Phan-Tone appear in the Northwest Mansion, facing down the ghost of a lumberjack and are surrounded by members of the Blind Eye Society.
(Than what I've been handed?)
The four Elementals, engulfed by the power come together.
(I've been crawling in the dark)
And explode in a bright light.
(Looking for the answer)
The title appears one final time as Earth is shown.
GRIMMFALL
(OPENING – Hobastank Crawling in the Dark Ends)
Xxx
Opening File: Galaxy Storm
The personal weapon of Yellow Diamond, this weapon was forged by the top Bimuths in Gem Empire to the response of the threat lifeforms on Earth represented. Galaxy Storm is a sword, specifically a katana along with a sheath even though most Gem weapons come from their gemstones. Due to many losses to the Grimm and the appearance of the Elementals the Diamonds decided to arm themselves even though they rarely needed to fight and had never needed weapons during those times but that was before the Rebellion on Earth. Galaxy Storm is capable of directly channeling Yellow Diamond's power of electricity through it, allowing her to virtually cut through any known material and even acts as a high powered Gem Destablizer for rebel Gems.
Galaxy Storm was forged directly from the core of one of Yellow Diamond's colonies, made to be one of the most powerful Gem based weapons in the universe. Yellow Diamond is known to frequently train with it, even thousands of years after the Rebellion. Though it was made during the dark times Yellow Diamond ensures it kept in prime condition and treasures it as more than just a mere weapon. It is said that full power Yellow Diamond could use this blade to cut an entire mountain in half.
Close File
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Opening File: Rainfall
The personal weapon of Blue Diamond this weapon was forged by the top Bimuths in Gem Empire to the response of the threat lifeforms on Earth represented. Due to many losses to the Grimm and the appearance of the Elementals the Diamonds decided to arm themselves even though they rarely needed to fight and had never needed weapons during those times but that was before the Rebellion on Earth. Rainfall resembles a scythe that fits with Blue Diamond's abilities, allowing her to channel her emotion based powers through it and with slice away an enemy's will to fight or even slice through an entire ocean in a single slash. It can even instantly destroy a Gem's form with a single slash, much like Rose Quartz's sword.
Rainfall was forged directly from the core of one of Blue Diamond's colonies, made to be one of the most powerful Gem based weapons in the universe. Though she has kept since the Rebellion Blue Diamond is not normally seen with it, preferring to focus on her duties of managing her colonies, her courts and the Special Zone left in the wake of Pink Diamond's shattering. However she was known to be extremely skilled in using it to deadly effect against her enemies, intimidating even Rose Quartz the few times they encountered each other in battle.
Close File
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Opening File: Starlight
The person weapon of White Diamond this weapon was forged by the top Bimuths in Gem Empire to the response of the threat lifeforms on Earth represented. Due to many losses to the Grimm and the appearance of the Elementals the Diamonds decided to arm themselves even though they rarely needed to fight and had never needed weapons during those times but that was before the Rebellion on Earth. Name after her affectionate nickname of Pink Diamond, White Diamond's weapon resembles a white claymore with a dark grey and black handle with white diamonds in it while the blade is pure white. Said to carry her pure light in it with one slash of her blade it is believed White Diamond can destroy the body and mind of anyone unfortunate enough to anger her. Forged is the same manner as Galaxy Storm and Rainfall, Starlight is believe to be the most powerful Gem based weapon existence, believed to be able to cut through an entire planet.
Rumor has it that White Diamond tested her new weapon and nearly cut Homeworld completely in two but there has been no proof made yet nor has there been any effort in finding any.
Close File
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Opening File: Valhallen
Valhallen is the self-described 'Viking God of Rock' and a member of the superhero team the Justice Friends. Valhallen is actually the youngest son of Odin, the All-Father and the younger brother of the God of Thunder Thor and the God of Mischief Loki. Valhallen took a liking to music, preferring it over combat but like all Asgardians he learned how to fight. He learned how to harness the power of music and nature and created his own weapon and instrument: his Mighty Axe.
However when creating his own weapon he accidently channeled so much of his natural power into it that if he were to lose it he would be forced to become a mortal. However, while he does need to have his axe in order to remain an Asgardian, it is only after a prolonged period of time without it that he starts changing into a mortal. Valhallen is capable of many things with his guitar, creating powerful soundwaves to destroy enemies and even conjure lightning like his brother Thor.
Born in the world known as Asgard, one of the Nine Worlds that are connected by Yggdrasil, the World Tree, Valhallen was trained to be a warrior but his taste in music made him different from a typical Asgardian. Nevertheless he was supported by his brother Thor and his father Odin and yet became distant with his foster brother Loki due to Loki believing that only him and Thor ever received praise from their father. In a bid to earn their father's love Loki sought to succeed at finishing Odin's work in destroying a great evil. He sought to wipe the source of the Grimm the Pit of Hate at its dark source. But instead nearly went mad and almost lost his immortal life.
He survived but ended up gaining a dark taint that would fully corrupt him. The God of Mischief would grow more demented and twisted over time and his feelings for his family would grow into blind rage and hatred with a desire to see them suffer utterly. Eventually he became the Dark Demon God once the taint of Darkness took complete control and he sought to bring down Asgard by launching a coup using the Grimm and whatever dark power he could get his claws on. Asgard faced its darkest hour when the Grimm invaded but despite the heavy losses Asgard triumphed over Loki but at the price of Thor's life.
Loki was captured but Odin could not bring himself to finish him having lost one son already, and hoping to one day cure Loki of the darkness that took hold of his soul. So he was imprisoned in what would become Orchid Bay. Valhallen decided to journey to Earth, to keep a close eye on Loki and Thor's hammer, Mjolnir and Loki's mask with him. Though Thor had died Valhallen had discovered that Mjolnir still carried his brother's powers and a piece of his life force, giving Valhallen the hope that one day if a worthy being was found then in a way Thor could be revived.
Loki's Mask on the other hand was created by Loki himself to serve as a weapon against him if he was ever unleashed back into the world. To this day Mjolnir and Loki's mask remain in the vault of the Justice Friends HQ.
Close File
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Opening File: Infraggable Krunk
Krunk is a powerful superhero and likely the physically strongest hero on the planet who has even earned the title of 'World's Mightiest Mortal', showing that he truly is the mightiest man among mortal kind. The origin of his might began before he was even born, beginning with his mother who was believed to be one of the greatest scientists of the twentieth century. She was working on a new source of power that came from outer space in the form of a cosmic storm that emitted high levels of power beyond anything seen on Earth. She created a special probe that would be launched into space and collect the energy from the storm when it was close to Earth.
After several months the probe returned to Earth, having collected enough cosmic energy to power most of the entire planet for the next century. The project was moved to create a high level particle fusion generator however the project as sabotaged and everyone was killed when the radiation was released. The only survivor was supposedly the son of the head of the project. Though she was only a few months pregnant the radiation accelerated her pregnancy and in the aftermath of the failed project something was born.
The son of the head scientist was no longer human, his DNA having been mutated by the cosmic energy and grew into a full sized adult in just a few weeks. He had been given superhuman strength, speed and reflexes that make him more powerful than hunter or Grimm on the planet. In addition to this he possesses an incredible level of durability and resilience that makes him completely immune to pain. From the destroyed lab he wandered the world for a time, running from Grimm and people afraid of him before he was found by none other than Major Glory who had been asked to track down a purple monster.
The major had found him, discovering him to be a gentle creature that was afraid and instead decided to help him. Within time the purple titan learned how to speak and read and eventually came up with his own name: Krunk.
When asked why he said he liked the name.
As time went on Krunk learned he was stronger and faster than everyone around him and that his strength depended on his mood, especially when he was excited, happy or angry. His strength is so vast he could lift an entire mountain with his bare hands, move faster than any known jet and he seemed be completely invulnerable to any form of harm. Krunk would learn how to use his might to protect his newfound friends, becoming an actual hero and joining the Justice Friends as the Infraggable Krunk. Though he is not the smartest he is the kindest of the group and would do anything to help the ones he sees as family.
Close File
Xxx
"It is inevitable and beneficial that one day all worlds would come together. No matter how far apart we may be we still live in the same world, breathe the same air and live the same lives. Others would say they have it better and others say they have it worse but in the end of it all, we are all the same no matter who or what we might be." TOM said as the files closed. "You can be a human, a robot,"
"A mass of ones and zeros controlling a starship." SARA appeared next to TOM.
"But does that make us so different we can't become something better if we work together?" TOM leaned back in his chair. "Flesh and blood, metal and circuitry, take all that and you can see, that we are all the same."
Xxx
"How long ago was this confirmed?"
"Our scouts found the car located near the docks and the boat was destroyed."
Phil Ken Sebben closed his one eye as he looked over the report. "Ice, Candy and Slime abducted in a matter of hours. And Fire?"
"We still have little confirmation on their whereabouts at the time." Callie Briggs replied.
"So we can assume they have yet to find the fourth Elemental." Sebben leaned back in his chair. "It could have been the Fallen. The Justice Friends made sure there were none lurking in GrimmFall and we can rule out the Grey People as well. Epsilon wouldn't dare try another abduction so soon."
"We looked through satellite imagery and found this." Briggs handed several pictures over to Sebben.
On these pictures were images of a strange ship entering and leaving the atmosphere. "Gems."
"Our limited records confirm these ships are of Gem design." Briggs adjusted her glasses. "They are the most likely suspects if the Elementals are off world."
"It astounds me that the Homeworld Gems would know about the Elementals, even if they had been on this planet for over a thousand years before they were driven off." Sebben rubbed his chin. "So it's not entirely unlikely they would have encountered the Elementals of those times."
"Still, why would the Gems want them? Their needs are much different compared to our own." Briggs pointed out.
"That, Callie, is a very good question." Sebben said just before the intercom on his desk buzzed and he quickly answered. "Yes?"
"We have three visitors here, sir. They are the same ones who you booked a train ride for Chicago." The secretary said.
Sebben shared a look with Briggs. "Send them in."
A few minutes later the door opened and in walked none other than Omnimon, followed by Shannon and Donatello.
"Welcome back. You all made it back very-" Sebben started but was interrupted.
"Is it true?" Omnimon asked, walking up to the desk.
"Is what true?"
"Nigel Uno and Abigail Lincoln, the Ice and Candy Elementals are missing. Is it true?" Omnimon asked again, his voice dangerously calm.
Sebben stood up, folding his arms behind his back and nodded. "It is. They were reported missing along with Monty Uno and we can confirm the Slime Elemental is missing as well."
"How? I thought you wouldn't let something like this happen again in your city." Omnimon snapped in accusation.
"We had no way of knowing just how they would be abducted by…" Briggs trailed off.
"Gems, an alien race." Omnimon cut her off. "I heard about them."
"You heard?" Sebben raised an eyebrow. "From who, may I ask?"
"…Sammael."
Sebben narrowed his eye while Callie's widened in surprise. "Sammael!"
"We had a run in with each other on the way back from Chicago. He told me that Ice, Candy and Slime were missing and that they were not on Earth anymore thanks to an alien race called Gems." Omnimon explained, looking at Sebben. "Again I ask, how did you let this happen?"
"I believed that young Uno and Lincoln were safe in Monty Uno's care. He has been training and teaching them since they developed an interest in learning how to be hunters and his skills in protecting them have never been questioned. Not even by you, Omni." Sebben answered calmly. "As Miss Briggs said, we had no way of predicting that the Gem Empire would come for them."
"And what will you do about it?" Omnimon asked.
"We are still in the middle of formulating a plan. If I may ask, Omnimon, what exactly happened when you encountered Sammael?" Sebben asked.
Omnimon narrowed his eyes but relented. "It was after the train was attacked. Three powerful machines, able to transform into vehicles named Jetstorm, Thrust and Tankor appeared. They attacked me and were driven off by a Gundam and Katz. That's when he appeared…"
Xxx
"Omnimon, Second in Command of the Royal Knights in the Digital World and known here as the Grimm Slayer."
Shannon and Donny were both paralyze with fear as they looked upon the new arrival. The man wore all black with a long dark coat, his skin deathly pale with black and purple veins traveling down his face and neck, a flaming eye tattoo on his left hand, blood red hair that reached the shoulders and red gleaming eyes with black sclera staring at them with amusement.
Donny was trembling for he knew who this was. "That's…That's…"
This paralyzing fear…
The wicked but great power rolling off him in waves.
The dark markings that confirmed his status as a Fallen.
There was only one Fallen he could think of that matched the one standing before him and his friends.
"Sammael…" Donny managed to whisper.
Omnimon's hand shook slightly but he managed to summon his sword. He had heard about this Fallen before and knew he was extremely dangerous, especially now when he was standing just several feet away. His power easily eclipsed General Skarr and the Wailing Woman's and the Royal Knight himself wondered if he even stood a chance if the Fallen was here for him.
"You have grown very strong. I can see it." Sammael commented casually, watching as Omnimon got in front of Shannon and Donny. "I have no wish to fight you, Grimm Slayer. Attack me or try to flee if you must but I ask that you listen to what I have to say."
"And why would I trust anything you say?" Omnimon spoke, keeping himself calm but kept himself ready for any potential attack.
"To save the lives of two you had risked your life to protect before." Sammael answered smoothly. "Candy and Ice."
Omnimon faltered slightly but he remained on guard. "What are you talking about?"
"You wouldn't know yet but the Elementals of Ice, Candy and Slime have been taken." Sammael stated. "And it was not by me in case you are wondering."
"Why should I believe you?" Omnimon asked, keeping his sword levelled at the Fallen.
"Because my enemy is also your enemy." Sammael held up his hand and projected an image of a strange triangle like symbol, colored white, blue and yellow. "An extraterrestrial race known as the Gems."
Omnimon stared at Sammael as he dispelled the image. "A race of aliens called Gems?"
Sammael chuckled. "If you doubt me then feel free to confirm their existence with Sebben. He would know all about them and the Elementals. As we speak right now I am formulating a plan to liberate the Elementals from Gems and I would be honored if you would offer your aid."
"You won't go near them." Omnimon snarled, his Aura flaring.
"Now, now, Grimm Slayer you have far more important matters than threatening me." Sammael chuckled. "It may not be today or even tomorrow but the day the Elementals are brought to me draws closer and no one will be able to change that. Not even you."
"We will see about that." Omnimon rushed forward, swinging his sword directly at Sammael's head.
Just as he was within striking distance a pure black colored blade appeared in Sammael's hand and he casually blocked the Grimm Slayer's sword. Omnimon grunted, feeling the immense strength and the fact that the Fallen himself actually looked bored as he held the Grey Sword back.
"My, my, what less then considerable strength you have." Sammael remarked, his red eyes flashing. "To think you were able to force Skarr to retreat, even if he was a newborn at the time. Your Aura…I see now that it was made from the essence of more than one being. No wonder it manifests more than one color."
Omnimon grunted, feeling unnerved by Sammael's eyes staring at him.
"It's rare but there have been those with an Aura like yours and those that did showed themselves to be very powerful." Sammael smirked as he slowly pushed the Grimm Slayer back. "However I am starting to grow tired of this so remember these words: In three days the team that will retrieve the Elementals will be assembled in the Twisted Forest. You can either join them or stay out of my way."
With that said, Sammael's eyes flashed again and Omnimon was thrown back by a powerful force that slammed into him with the power of a missile. The Grimm Slayer flew back and slammed into a tree so hard he knocked it down. Omnimon grunted, his entire body aching but looked up to see a portal appear behind Sammael.
"Here is your proof." Sammael gestured to the portal. "This will take you directly to GrimmFall. I am sure Sebben will be more than happy to inform you of the Elementals." The Fallen walked over to Katz and I.O.N.E.S.C.O. "Remember, three days."
Omnimon blinked and they were gone, leaving him and his teammates alone in the forest with the portal left behind for them.
Xxx
"We entered the portal and came out in the city limits." Omnimon finished his tale.
"Three days." Sebben massaged his eye. "I knew Sammael would respond to the missing Elementals but I didn't think it would be this soon."
"Can Sammael really get to the missing Elementals even if they are light years away?" Donny asked.
"It would be wise not to underestimate him or whatever resources he has at his disposal." Sebben answered. "If Sammael believes he is able to retrieve the Elementals then he most likely does."
"So I am left with a choice then." Omnimon said. "Either I meet this team he is going to have assembled in the Twisted Forest or I refuse and risk leaving the Elementals in his hands. Which leads me to my other question," The Grimm Slayer looked directly at Sebben. "Why does he want the Elementals? I felt his power before in the park and I just experienced a taste of it and I could easily tell he was toying with me."
Sebben took a deep breath. "I suppose you do have a right to know since I did tell young Mister Uno and Miss Lincoln after the attack in the park but this cannot be repeated outside of this office."
Upon seeing that they promised to keep what they about hear a secret Sebben told them about the Six-Founding Spiral, the Spiral Gems and the role the Elementals played in keeping the Gems safe. By the end of the tale Donny and Shannon were shocked while Omnimon remained silent through the whole tale, waiting until the end to speak. "So, he wants them to find these gems."
Sebben nodded. "The original Elementals guarded the Spiral Gems and made sure they were impossible to reach by anyone else, including the Fallen."
"Does Master Splinter know of this?" Donny asked.
Sebben nodded. "He does along with a handful of others, all of us working together to try and keep the Elementals and the Spiral Gems safe from the wrong hands."
"Including Sammael's." Briggs cut in. "That's why we're searching for individuals who can possibly reach the Gem Homeworld before he can."
"The list is unfortunately small." Sebben agreed.
"Doesn't matter. I have to see this team Sammael has set up." Omnimon replied. "He sought me out because he knew I couldn't afford to say no. Not if I knew how badly he wanted them alive until he has what he wants."
"Omni-" Shannon tried but the Royal Knight continued.
"Find a way to get to them before he does. I'll see this team he has assembled for myself and make sure they don't bring the Elementals to him." Omnimon said, turning to the door. "I have to do this on my own."
"Why?" Donny asked.
"When I came here, Monty Uno was the one who found me and I helped him save Nigel and Abby from Katz and they both nearly died when Skarr came for me. I owe this to them." Omnimon said before walking to the door, leaving his teammate behind with the mayor and deputy mayor.
Just as he opened the door he stopped when he saw two individuals standing on the other side. One was a tall and muscular man with long blonde hair that obscures his eyes and a gray sweat band around his head with wings. He wore a black, ripped, sleeveless shirt, plus black tights which are held up by a black belt with metal spikes. He also had knee-high golden boots.
He was carrying a pink, Flying V electric guitar that is the source of his superpowers. The second was an large and overly muscular purple humanoid with short messy purple hair and a usually hunched posture. He wears almost no clothing at all except for his green trousers with are a bit torn. Omnimon stopped and starred at them, sensing both of them were extremely strong, especially the hulking purple titan. He had a feeling he did not want to end up facing either of them in a fight.
"Hey there. We miss the party?"
"Omnimon, I'd like you to meet Valhallen, the Viking God of Rock and the Infraggable Krunk of the Justice Friends."
Xxx
"GET BACK HERE!"
Peridot cast an irritated look over her shoulder, spotting the annoying Pearl chasing after her and Connie from the Warp Pad they had used to escape. "She just doesn't quit!"
"I got her." Connie stopped and spun around, unsheathing her sword. "Go find your target. I'll hold her off."
Peridot stopped, staring at Connie for a second before nodding. "Your contributions will be added in my report. Our Diamonds will be pleased."
With that Peridot held up her fingers and started spinning with helicopter blades, lifting Peridot off the ground and into the air.
"No you don't!" Pearl shouted, preparing to throw her spear to knock the green Gem out of the air.
She never got the chance as Connie swung her sword straight at her head, forcing her to block and she kicked the human away.
"I don't want to fight you." Pearl said as the human stood back up. "Stand down."
"I don't take orders from traitors." Connie retorted, holding her sword in both hands.
"You are not a Gem and you are not one of them." Pearl said, pointing to the fleeing Peridot. "You're a human who was stolen from her home planet and fed lies by the Diamonds."
"The Diamonds saved my ancestors from the Grimm. We live happily in the Special Zone." Conne argued.
"You mean the Zoo."
"I mean the Zone." Connie glared harshly.
"Your leaders are liars. They don't care about you or anyone else. Your life and the lives of the people in the zone matter nothing to them." Pearl shook her head.
"Coming from a Pearl who followed the Gem who started the worst war in Gem history. How many Gems did you shatter in the name of the traitor, Rose Quartz?" Connie snorted.
"Rose Quartz valued all life, something the Diamonds never did." Pearl stated, now glaring a bit at the human.
"Tell that to Pink Diamond."
Pearl faltered for a second. "It had to be done. Destroying her was the only way to set things right."
"Did it? You say Rose Quartz valued all life but how was shattering a Diamond her way of setting things right? Sounds more like she was just hoping to take Pink Diamond's place." Connie argued.
Pearl's eyes narrowed. "You didn't know her! She wanted end things peacefully but the Diamonds wouldn't listen to her! They had no right to come here and colonize this planet, destroying the life here! Your life!"
"Who are you to talk about the Diamonds? The Special Zone may have belonged to Pink Diamond but nothing stopped the other Diamonds from keeping it! Blue Diamond kept it running all these centuries in Pink Diamond's name! You say Rose did the right thing well guess what?" Connie's voice grew louder. "Because of her Homeworld is in shambles, because of her thousands of Gems were destroyed and because of her this planet is doomed! All because of her!"
Not being able to take it anymore Pearl let out an anguished scream as she charged and swung her spear. Connie hastily blocked and the started another duel. They fought hard and fierce, Pearl dancing out of reach of Connie's sword and twirling her spear while Connie ducked and jumped while following up with a series of slashes.
"How can you support them if they are destroying this planet?" Pearl asked in between the slashes. "We fought for your freedom!"
"How can you claim to value life if you murder someone?" Connie retorted as she fought back. "You weren't fighting for us you were fighting for yourselves and dragged us into it!"
"She did it for you!"
"We never asked her! If one Diamond values us enough to keep us alive then that proves everything you know to be wrong!"
"Then why has Peridot left you?"
"It's the right thing to do! I choose this!" Connie caught Pearl's spear in a dead lock. "Who are you to decide if my choice is right or wrong?"
"You don't even know if the choice you made is right!" Pearl grunted.
"My life in the Special Zone is all I know. If the Diamonds hated us why keep us at all? We grow, we learn, we want for nothing and we are allowed to live. Sounds better than living a life of being bait to those Grimm."
"You may have everything you want but a cage is still a cage." Pearl retorted.
"And what about you? Are you Rose's Pearl?"
"I am no one's servant!"
"The way you praise Rose Quartz sounds like any other Pearl on Homeworld, especially the Pearls who serve the Diamonds! How can you claim to be free if everything you do is for Rose?" Connie grunted as she was pushed back.
Pearl faltered a bit, seemingly shocked by Connie's question but shook it off. "She gave me the choice to follow her and I accepted it."
"And I accepted Blue Diamond's mission because she trusted me. If an organic can be trusted by a Diamond it means we are more than just people in a cage." Connie argued.
Both were similar.
Both were fighting on behalf of their leaders.
Both were willing to risk their lives to carry out their leader's wishes.
And both were skilled in the ways of the sword.
They readied themselves for the final blow…
BANG!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Connie and Pearl looked up, spotting Peridot falling out of the sky and crashing into the woods nearby. Completely forgetting about the fight Connie rushed after her fallen comrade, leaving Pearl who stared for a second…
And then took off after the human.
Xxx
Peridot grunted, wiping the branches off of her face as she sat up.
"Wow. You managed to survive a fall like that." A gruff voice spoke.
Peridot looked up, watching as a muscular human sporting large metallic gauntlets approached her. The man had very hairy face but she could see him smiling all the same as he approached.
"PERIDOT!"
The human stopped, watching Connie ran over to Peridot while Pearl just stopped a few feet away. "Well, well."
"Who are you?" Connie asked, holding her sword in both hands.
"The name's Zeke and I've got a contract out for the green chick." The man answered, pointing at Peridot.
"What?"
Zeke shook his head. "Doesn't matter. I'll just get this over with."
His gauntlet spun and the fingers slid in and were replaced by what appeared to be guns. Eyes widening Pearl rushed forward, landing in front of Connie and quickly spun her spear as Zeke fired. Pearl's spear and quickly reflexes easily deflected the incoming bullets.
Zeke grunted. "So much for an easy job."
He held his gauntlets and the wrists turned, revealing playing card suits – clubs, hearts, spades and diamonds - and settled on diamonds. From his wrists came a short but sharping looking blade.
"Diamonds." Pearl noted, recognizing the symbols on the man's wrists. "It just had to be diamonds."
Zeke rushed forward, twisting to the right and threw all his weight into a slash with his left blade. Pearl deflected the attack with her spear and Zeke attacked with his right blade which Pearl deflected as well. Pearl slashed at Zeke but the bounty hunter was surprisingly agile, dodging her spear by jumping back and switching his weapons, the wrists of his gauntlets switching to heart. Zeke charged at Pearl, grabbing onto her spear and unleashing an electric shock from his hand.
Pearl cried out, her form becoming distorted because of the volts but she reached out grabbed Zeke by the poncho, electrocuting them both. Zeke grunted, letting go of Pearl and both fell to their knees, panting in pain from the sudden shock. A burgundy Aura shimmered around Zeke as he stood up back and his right gauntlet switched back to diamond mode, revealing the wrist blades. He attempted to deliver a killing blow but Pearl blocked the blades with her spear.
Pearl grunted as she stood up, pushing Zeke back but the bounty hunter raised his gauntlet as it switched to gatling mode. Pearl jumped back and quickly deflected the incoming shots from Zeke as he switched his other gauntlet to gatling mode and started running, encircling the Crystal Gem to try and hit her from every possible angle. Pearl grunted and in a flash of light summoned two clones of herself that charged straight at Zeke, dodging the incoming bullets. Zeke stopped firing and switched back to diamond mode, deploying his blades and blocked incoming slashes from the clones.
Zeke then grabbed them both and switched to heart mode, shocking the clones until they broke into pieces. Pearl had rushed forward, delivering a kick to Zeke's torso that sent the bounty hunter flying back. Zeke rolled and jumped back onto his feet, his gauntlets changing to club mode and he fired boas at Pearl who slashed them to bits with her spear. Pearl aimed her spear at Zeke and fired a barrage of energy bolts, forcing Zeke to duck and run to avoid being hit.
He changed his gauntlets back to gatling mode and fired back at Pearl, the two of them now running through the woods while shooting at each other. In the meantime Connie helped Peridot stand back up while slightly leaning on her for support. "We have to get out of here."
"Yes." Peridot nodded in agreement. "This is getting too crazy for us to handle."
"Oh dear. Rough day?"
The green and human stopped, spotting another human step out from behind a tree. This human was a woman, dressed in a green dress and hat with black frills and carrying a green parasol.
"Oh come on!" Peridot groaned. "Isn't one enough?"
"Don't worry, darlings." The woman said kindly, even as a blade extended from her parasol. "This won't hurt a bit."
Peridot activated her blaster and aimed at the woman. "I am warning you."
"Oh, now don't be fussy." The woman said and suddenly rushed forward with amazing speed.
She swung her parasol out, hitting Peridot's blaster and causing her to shoot up into the sky. Peridot cried out, ducking as the woman stabbed at her and Connie quickly swung her sword at the woman who casually blocked.
"My, my, what a fancy looking blade you got there." The woman spoke, looking impressed. "You have to tell me the name of your blacksmith when this is over."
Connie grunted and quickly slashed at her a few times but the woman easily blocked all of her strikes, twirling her parasol in one hand and moved with astounding speed as she caught all of Connie's strikes. The woman thrust and opened her parasol, knocking both Connie and Peridot back and off their feet.
The woman closed her parasol and walked over to them with a victorious look on her face. "Sorry, darlings. Time to end this."
Peridot lashed out with her arm, catching the woman in a tractor beam. "Ha! Sorry, but you are going the wrong way!"
Peridot quickly threw the woman back, sending her flying into a nearby tree and seemingly knocking her out. Peridot then grabbed Connie and hauled her up. "We must go now!"
As the Gem and human took off running the woman stood back up with an annoyed look on her face. "If there's one thing I hate…IT'S WHEN MY PREY MESSES UP MY HAIR!"
She tore off the skirt part of her dress, revealing dark pants and knee high boots underneath along with a belt with gun holsters attached to it.
"A woman's job is never done." She muttered as she took off after the two.
Zeke jumped through the air, firing down at Pearl who spun her spear, using it as a shield again. The two charged each other, Zeke's wrist blades clashing with Pearl's spear that caused sparks to fly. The two combatants seemed equally match despite Pearl being a Gem.
'This is crazy.' Pearl thought as she clashed with Zeke. 'Who would put out a hit on Peridot? No one knows what she is.'
Only the people in Beach City knew about the Gems and even then what they knew was not enough for anyone to learn about Peridot and what she was.
"I got you-" Zeke spoke but stopped when he saw a familiar woman racing through the woods after his prey. "JOSEPHINE!"
He disengaged Pearl and chased after his ex-wife and his targets, leaving a bewildered Pearl behind who stared for a moment…
And remembered she needed to catch Peridot and the human with her.
Xxx
"Your message to the Grimm Slayer worked out perfectly. He's already in GrimmFall and no doubt speaking with Sebben about your plan."
Sammael looked satisfied. "Indeed. Sebben will no doubt have begun formulating his own plan to retrieve the Elementals. However there are few on this world capable of reaching the Gem Homeworld."
"He'll call on the Viking God of Rock, Valhallen." Moloch surmised. "The youngest son of Odin, ruler of Asgard."
"As an Asgardian Valhallen is capable of traveling across worlds. He'll be able to reach Homeworld easily." Sammael remarked. "However, neither the Grimm Slayer nor Sebben will want to leave without seeing what we have planned for reaching Homeworld first."
"You could reach Homeworld on your own like Valhallen. The only reason you don't is because you see no need to keep the Elementals with you."
"If I brought them back I would have ensure their training proceeded on schedule and they would very reluctant to accept any form of training from me. Far better if it is their friends who save them." Sammael explained calmly.
"And so Omnimon will be forced to see what you have planned to reach Homeworld and retrieve the Elementals."
"And there is the other of the Gems still on this world." Sammael held out his hand and the Seer resting on the table projected the image of the Crystal Gems in GrimmFall. "I think it is time we bring the matter of the Gems to the attention of the Justice Friends."
Xxx
Underneath Sammael's sanctuary, the massive Gem fusion known as Malachite Plasmius began to stir.