Opening File: Gem Homeworld
Located in another galaxy the Gem Homeworld is the home planet of the enigmatic but dangerous race known as the Gems. 5,750 years ago, the Gem Homeworld maintained several outposts on Earth, with plans to completely colonize the planet, but were driven off by a rebellion led by a Gem named Rose Quartz. A strict caste system exists based on the Gem's gemstone, thus predetermining every Gem's role within their society. Deviation from the given social norms is harshly punished and Gems are also divided into factions based on which Diamond they serve under.
Homeworld's imperialistic and exploitative society indicates they are possibly a warlike society bent on wiping out organic life. Another possibility is that they simply do not care about non-Gem life forms, seeing them as inferior. The Gems primarily came to Earth for the reasons of building a colony but later abandoned following the Rebellion. Homeworld is controlled by the the Great Diamond Authority which is the matriarchal body of Gem leaders who rule in absolute power over the Gem Homeworld and all still-existing Gem colonies, composed of White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Blue Diamond and formerly Pink Diamond.
When the Homeworld originally came to Earth the purpose had been to colonize the Earth by erecting multiple spires and making more Kindergartens, but would strip the entire planet of its resources while virtually erasing all pre-existing life on Earth. However, Rose Quartz saw that every life was important and worth protecting, and started to rebel against her kind, with a Pearl alongside her. Eventually more rebels joined Rose Quartz but Homeworld's armies faced another threat.
Shortly after arriving on Earth the Gem colony came under attack by vicious creatures that appeared out of nowhere and easily destroyed most of the Gem establishments. These creatures were made of a unique organic mass that was utterly toxic to Gems, able to dissolve their forms and shatter their Gems with but a mere scratch or bite. In addition to these monsters the planet's indigenous population presented themselves and drove out Gem colonists that had been building in their territories. The population was made of organics, seemingly few or several different species known as Humans, Faunus and Mobians and all of them powerful enough to not only fight against the dark creatures they had called the Grimm but even strong enough to face off against Gems.
Pink Diamond, the Diamond supervising Earth's colonization relied on the Gems she had personally created, Rose Quartzs to spy on the population and report to her on what they learned. The fact that an organic race could actually fight and even defeat Gems in combat was enough to catch Pink Diamond's attention and she presented an idea to her fellow Diamonds of recruiting the local population to exterminate the monster race that was named by the locals the Grimm and saving millions of Gems. Yellow Diamond was against it but Blue Diamond agreed and the vote was then decided by White Diamond who allowed Pink go through with her mission. Pink Diamond sent her forces to abduct Humans, Faunus and Mobians which originally would have been purpose to place them in a special zoo as symbols of her reign on Earth but also to learn more these warriors and how useful they might be to the Gem race.
She ordered the construction of a special zone on Homeworld, believing a space station would not be enough to contain creatures that could fight against Gems and actually win and that only under the direct eye of Homeworld's armies could they be contained if they somehow escaped. As the organics were shipped in and the zone was created to house them perfectly the Diamonds would observe these organics, attempting to understand the source of their powers. It soon became clear that these organics used a power that projected itself as some form of energy aura that appeared in different colors. There was no gemstone inside them to show where the energy exactly came from but it nonetheless made them formidable.
Pink Diamond would remain confident that with time and patience these organics would soon learn their place on Homeworld and with the proper care they would serve the Gem race.
However these plans were dashed when the Rebellion started and a few hundred years later Pink Diamond was eventually shattered and Rose Quartz was believed to be the culprit with White Diamond herself being stabbed and forced into her gemstone for nearly a hundred years before reforming. The Diamonds ordered the surviving Homeworld Gems to retreat, seeing Earth as a lost cause but not before they cast one final attack to ensure the Rebellion did not spread to Homeworld. Despite the apparent victory Homeworld had suffered a great loss in resources, Gems and an even greater loss was Pink Diamond. Blue Diamond took over what was left of Pink Diamond's work, including continuing her work into inducting Earthlings into the Gem workforce despite the protests of Yellow Diamond. The organics taken by the Gems were placed in a special zone Pink Diamond had personally ordered where they would be educated and trained to serve Homeworld in the wake of the loss of Earth.
Close File
Xxx
"You know, we've been going over what has happened on Earth but did anyone ever wonder what repercussions in one place could have on others, even all the way across the universe? We all live in the same universe and we all live in a symbiotic circle even if we can't see it. What happens to one world can affect many others, no matter the time or distance. So, don't think Earth is very important?" TOM closed the file. "Well, maybe we're not but maybe one day Earth could become a world of great important? Or maybe we already are in important in many ways. Maybe one day we'll know."
Xxx
"Time to awaken. Sustenance period in thirty minutes."
The girl opened her eyes, sitting on the bed and let out a loud yawn. She slipped out of the bed and quickly made the bed, following the strict schedule she had learned at a young age. Her earrings flashed as she walked over to the sanitation room for cleaning and then her closet. Her room was fairly simple, a bed, a desk, a sanitation room, and closet.
The closet opened up and floating fingers came out; bring a set of clean clothes which she immediately put on. Her clothing consisted of a navy blue top, a blue shawl with a darker blue collar-like pattern and a blue diamond symbol, a royal blue skirt, white gloves and white high-heeled jackboots that go up to her thighs with blue jewel earrings that lit up to inform her of the cycle's current schedule. The fingers braided her hair as she dressed and she quickly left her room for the Sustenance chamber.
She came into a room, immediately spotting people like her who wore similar clothing with the males wearing similar clothing only royal blue pants and blue coats with the same blue diamond symbol. In the center of the room was a large tree that produced strangely shaped fruits that were essential to their growth and health, containing the necessary nutrients and energy for a full solar cycle. Floating fingers brought down a fruit for everyone and she ate hers quickly.
"Learning Period will commence in three minutes."
She left the Sustenance chamber, walking down a straight path to large room, with desks and table lined in front of a large screen where a Holly Blue Agate was waiting.
"Your lessons for today will be to continue memorizing the history of Homeworld." The Agate said clearly. "Continue your studies and know that I will be personally making sure that your memory will be nothing if not perfect. Blue Diamond expects total perfection and I expect you to give her that perfection."
She sat down and typed in her ID.
C0-N1Y
ID Accepted
Class 012
Opening Learning Data Files:
History of Homeworld
Creation of Special Habitat Zone
Gem Classes
Victory over Gem Rebellion on Earth
History of Earth Organics
History of Era 2
That was her official name but she also answered to 'Connie', a simplistic name by her organic friends and fellow learners since it was simpler to say when not in the company of Gems. Her upbringing was under Blue Diamond, like all organics that had been brought to Homeworld to the Special Habitat Zone created by Pink Diamond before her untimely demise on Earth thousands of years ago. Humans, Faunus and Mobians that were born since then were all raised in the zone, given rooms of their own once they were of proper age and put through the education process.
The system was meant to ensure that their presence did not affect Homeworld's status in any way. Those that showed potential as warriors were trained under Amethysts as part of the Hunter Division while others would be place in Engineering or Sanitation Divisions. Connie had been born to a pair consisting of a Human and a Faunus and when the time was right she was placed in the Learning Center that would determine her place on Homeworld. Her learning process had quickly become top of her class, gathering attention from the Agate in charge of the Learning Center.
She recounted history almost perfectly, able to instantly memorize the log files of the Rebellion that ended when the Diamonds destroyed all Gem life on Earth and reluctantly left the rest of her people to perish under the hands of the monsters known as the Grimm. She also showed a high score on the training course which she would later go through today to keep her skills sharp and honed. This was good for her since organics that showed high marks would be considered highly useful on Homeworld. Organics were considered below Gems and were to remain in the Special Zone unless called upon but Blue Diamond had been fair in her decisions regarding the organics under her care.
They had food, water, homes of their to live in and were able to learn and become capable of managing the zone on their own while supervision of the Amethysts and other Gems that were actually from Earth like them. It was a peaceful life and she couldn't imagine what her life would have been like on Earth considering how chaotic it had been described to her by her biological creators and the history logs she had read at the Learning Center. Most organics would simply remain inside the Special Zone and maintain it, especially when Gem elites would come to inspect the zone or see the organics sparring in the gladiator arena against each other or one of the supervising Gems. She often wondered what life would have been like on Earth she didn't find any fault living her on the Gem Homeworld, especially when the Gems saved her people from extinction.
Perhaps though one day she would be allowed to travel through space and maybe even see the world she would have been born on if things had been different.
Xxx
"We are still alive and we are still the guardians of this planet!"
"So there are still rebels on Earth after all this time."
A green Gem bowed her head. "Yes, My Diamond."
Yellow Diamond scowled as she looked at the imagery, seeing a Pearl daring to speak up as if she was nothing but she was made to be, a fusion that was likely made of the Ruby and Sapphire that once served Blue Diamond and a defective Amethyst. They had interfered in the Peridot's mission on Earth to check on a fusion weapon Homeworld had left behind when Earth had been abandoned and it was possible they now knew of the Cluster.
"This will not stand." Yellow Diamond declared. "Given the importance of the Cluster we cannot allow those rebels to find and destroy it. Peridot, since you have yet to bring me an update on the Cluster's status I will be sending you to Earth with the appropriate escort."
Peridot smiled and bowed. "Thank you, My Diamond."
"That will be all." Yellow Diamond clapped her hands, dismissing the Peridot who quickly left. "Pearl."
"Yes, My Diamond?" The yellow Pearl quickly answered, waiting next to her Diamond's throne.
"Bring me up a list of suitable escorts, preferably ones who have been to Earth and fought against the rebels." Yellow Diamond ordered.
"Yes, My Diamond!"
While her Pearl went to work Yellow Diamond accessed the Diamond communication line, watching as a blue light showed her sister, Blue Diamond with her face covered by her hood. "Yellow?"
"Blue, it seems we have a problem." Yellow Diamond stated.
"What is it?"
"The Peridot I assigned to check on the Cluster's status has informed me there are still Crystal Gems, members of Rose Quartz rebel group on the planet. They destroyed the Red-Eye assigned to check it for surviving Gems, destroyed the Home Warp Pad and have interfered in the Kindergarten." Yellow Diamond explained.
Blue Diamond stiffened. "Rebels? Alive? Does this mean Rose Quartz lives as well?"
"She wasn't seen but I can only assume if they are alive so is she."
"What do you plan to do?"
"I am sending the Peridot in question to Earth to personally check on the Cluster with an escort. With the Cluster emerging there's no need to send armed forces after the rebels since they are already doomed. I have been given to understand that a Lapis Lazuli recently returned from Earth, claiming she had been a prisoner of the rebels."
"Yes." Blue Diamond nodded. "I have welcomed her back into my court for her bravery in escaping them."
"I want her to be part of the mission as an informant. She encountered the rebels; she knows their strengths and the location of their base. We can remove the rebels as a threat and check on the Cluster's status immediately with her help."
Blue Diamond nodded. "Very well…But I also have a request."
"And that is?"
"If the Cluster is soon to emerge I want to know the status of the native populations. If there are indeed survivors this could be the chance to gather more specimens."
Yellow Diamond frowned. "Don't we have enough in the Special Zone?"
"It was Pink's wish and though you were against it both White and I agreed to it and I have been maintaining it. The window to gather more specimens will shrink as the Cluster prepares itself. Please allow me this, Yellow. If not for me then for Pink." Blue Diamond's voice became quiet and sad.
Yellow Diamond closed her eyes and sighed. "Very well. I will allow it."
Blue Diamond smiled. "Thank you."
"So who do you plan to send?"
"I will send one of our organics. This is their planet, it should be their right to see if for themselves even if it is one last time. They will easily slip into any remaining settlements and determine the status of the population. If there is enough we can extract them quickly before the Cluster emerges."
Yellow Diamond felt a headache coming along but had already agreed so she just nodded. "Very well. Choose you're organic wisely, Blue. I do not want this mission to be sidetracked by whatever pet you bring me."
"Do not worry. They are all disciplined enough to follow commands." Blue Diamond said before ending the transmission.
"Blue…You and the morbid fascination you shared with Pink for these organics. I've never understood what it is that attracts you to them." Yellow Diamond leaned back in her chair and looked at the list her Pearl submitted.
One Gem stood out among all the rest.
"Well, perhaps this one will be able to keep them in line." Yellow Diamond commented with a grin. "One of Pink's former soldiers and the most powerful Quartz to be produced. If Rose is still alive I can think of no better candidate to bring her down."
Xxx
Lapis Lazuli could not believe what was happening.
After thousands of years of being imprisoned in that mirror by her own kind who mistook her as a rebel she finally escaped and returned to Homeworld. However she quickly found that Homeworld had greatly changed since the last time she had been here. Everything had become so advanced that she couldn't understand almost anything at all. Now she had been summoned by Blue Diamond and luckily her citadel had not changed locations since the last time Lapis had been on Homeworld and was mostly the same which allowed her to find Blue Diamond's chamber.
She watched as the doors opened, allowing her to enter the chamber where Blue Diamond was waiting on her throne.
"You are the Lapis I asked for?" Blue Diamond asked.
Lapis saluted and bowed. "Yes, My Diamond."
Blue Diamond smiled. "I read your report. I cannot imagine what you endured as a prisoner of the Crystal Gems for thousands years. However you endured and finally returned to us. I would not be asking something of you so soon but there is a crisis which can only be solved with your help."
"My help?" Lapis asked.
Blue Diamond nodded. "Rose Quartz's rebels have been interfering with one of Yellow Diamond's operations, one that is directly tied to Earth. A Peridot has reported that they have destroyed the Home Warp Pad and several of her machines before she finally identified them."
The doors opened again and Lapis turned around, watching as a green Gem entered the chamber and quickly bowed and saluted Blue Diamond. "Peridot, Facet 2F5L Cut 5XG reporting for duty."
"Welcome, Peridot." Blue Diamond greeted. "I was just informing Lapis Lazuli here of the mission. Perhaps you can submit your report."
Peridot nodded and used her finger screen to project the image of a Kindergarten control room with a few familiar faces that Lapis instantly recognized. "Understood, My Diamond. After several solar cycles of sending robonoids to Earth with the purpose of reaching the control room of the Prime Kindergarten I discovered the source of the interferences. Three Gems, a Pearl, a fusion, a defective Amethyst and a Steven interfered with my work, destroying the power source and stopping me before my mission from Yellow Diamond was done."
"Lapis, do you recognize these Gems?" Blue Diamond asked.
Lapis glanced nervously at the image. "Y-Yes, My Diamond."
"So Rose Quartz's rebels still live." Blue Diamond sighed. "And revealed themselves at a critical time. Lapis, you have been summoned here because Peridot is being sent to Earth with an escort. You will be traveling with them to supply information on the location of the rebels and their numbers. Peridot's escort will see they do not interfere with her mission and you will be an escort to someone else I am sending on the mission."
Lapis stared at the image and shock before facing her Diamond. "Someone else?"
"I want someone to give me a report on the status of the native population. While Peridot and her escort deal with the rebels you will escort whoever I choose and give them information on the current landscape of Earth."
Xxx
"C0-N1Y, report to Warp Pad immediately."
C0-N1Y perked up at the mention of her name and quickly logged off her station before leaving the Learning Center. The Warp Pad rested in the center of the Special Zone where everyone could see it and the Gem that might arrive. It was important for all organics to know about a new arrival.
For all they knew a Diamond could suddenly pop in to see the status of the zone.
C0-N1Y did wonder why she was being called but paid it little mind as she made her way to the Warp Pad and stopped in front of it, saluting the Blue Agate that had been waiting for her. "C0-N1Y, reporting as ordered."
Holly Blue Agate nodded and gestured for her to follow. "Come with me."
C0-N1Y stared in shock at being ordered to step onto the Warp Pad. Organics were rarely allowed onto the Warp Pad unless given permission by Gem authorities.
"Well, come on! I don't have all cycle!" Holly Blue barked.
C0-N1Y quickly stepped onto the Warp Pad and was beamed away. When C0-N1Y opened her eyes she found herself in a large chamber.
And right in front of her was Blue Diamond, sitting on her throne.
"My Diamond!" Holly Blue saluted and bowed which C0-N1Y quickly followed.
Blue Diamond looked down at the young Human who had earned top scores in the Learning Center's newest batch of organics. This one showed promising intelligence and combat skills and that is why Blue Diamond chose her. On Earth young organics were considered a non-threat and in the right place could gather vital information.
"There is a mission to Earth underway and I am in need of someone with the right potential." Blue Diamond said, speaking to C0-N1Y who was still in shock.
"M-me?" C0-N1Y asked.
Holly Blue would have barked at C0-N1Y for speaking out of term if not for Blue Diamond nodding and continuing. "You will go to Earth on a ship with two Gems from Yellow Diamond and a member of my court. There you will determine the status of any surviving organics on the planet and submit a report of their status and numbers to me."
C0-N1Y could barely remember to bow and salute. "Y-Yes My Diamond."
"The reason I have chosen you is because there is a Gem-Geo weapon in the center of the planet that will eventually emerge and when it does the Earth will be destroyed." Blue Diamond said, shocking C0-N1Y. "If there are any Humans, Faunus or Mobians left you have the chance to save them or at least as many as you can."
C0-N1Y straightened herself. "I understand, My Diamond."
Blue Diamond smiled. "Good. Your wish to aid us proves that my sister was wise to see use in your kind. Lapis will supervise you."
C0-N1Y spotted the Lapis Lazuli standing next to Blue Diamond's throne, looking sad for some reason but remained quiet.
"Be quick and precise my subjects. The window of opportunity shrinks with each cycle." Blue Diamond sat back on her throne.
Lapis stood next to C0-N1Y and bowed. "Yes…My Diamond."
Xxx
Lapis had told the Human she was escorting to go on ahead to the ship while she frantically looked around Blue Diamond's citadel for something important. Fortunately for her Blue Diamond's citadel maintained the same elegant life style as expected of the blue Gems and through a little difficulty Lapis was able to find what she was looking for.
An old style communication device, archaic by current Homeworld standards but Lapis knew how to work it perfectly.
She just hoped no one would find out what she was about to do.
"Steven! I hope you're able to hear this. There's a Gem looking for you, she even knew your name. I don't know how! I didn't tell her, I swear!" Lapis looked over her shoulder, constantly checking for anyone who might spot her. "She's on her way to Earth, and she's not alone. Steven, Homeworld is not the way it used to be. Everything here is so advanced! I can't even understand it. There's no way anything on Earth can stand up to it. Please, don't put up a fight, it'll only lead to devastation!"
Lapis quickly shut the Wailing Stone off and ran off with meet with the Human Blue Diamond had paired her up with.
Xxx
The Jasper was already waiting at the ship that was being prepared for the voyage to Earth. Jasper grimaced at the mere thought of the planet.
The planet where her Diamond was shattered.
Jasper was created halfway through the Rebellion started by Rose Quartz when Pink Diamond was shattered and Jasper had never forgiven herself for failing to save her Diamond. Jasper had fought against the armies of Rose Quartz, the monsters known as the Grimm that had made many Gems tremble in fear at their ability to easily destroy Gems and even against the warrior natives. If there was one thing Jasper had to say she remembered fondly about her planet before her colony was destroyed it was that the natives had proven themselves to be powerful and skilled warriors for actually fighting against Homeworld's armies.
No other enemy had given Jasper a challenge as great as the organic warriors of the planet she had been spawned from and try as she might she couldn't hate them for it. Sure, she hated Rose Quartz and her band of rebels for their crimes but the organics were different story. They were not Gems meant to serve the Diamonds and even though any enemy of the Gems should be purged the organics of Earth were only defending themselves since Jasper knew what the Kindergartens would eventually do to the planet and what would happen to any organics left.
Their reasons were actually somewhat justifiable as much as an enemy's reason was.
"Ah, you've made it on time."
Jasper raised an eyebrow as the Peridot approached, inputting a few last minute entries into her log. Behind was a Lapis and a…
Human?
A young female by Human standards from Pink Diamond's Special Habitat Zone that had been taken over by Blue Diamond and from the Learning Center.
"What is this?" Jasper gestured to the girl.
"The Human is C0-N1Y from the Special Habitat Zone and has been made part of the mission by Blue Diamond." Peridot answered, looking at the mission profile. "She is to observe any possible settlements on the planet for any survivors."
Jasper rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Just make sure she stays out of the way. Does she at least know how to fight?"
The girl produced a sword, blue of course but clearly modeled similar to fit a member of Blue Diamond's court, elegant and deadly.
Well, at least they were trained to fight.
"Good. I am not here to be a babysitter." Jasper turned around. "Let's move already. I want to get to Earth and see if Rose Quartz is still kicking after being left alone with the Grimm all this time."
It was a long shot but Jasper knew that despite being a hated traitor Rose Quartz had been a skilled and cunning enemy that had survived against Homeworld and the force of Earth at the same time.
Jasper hoped she did survive.
It would give her extra satisfaction to beat the traitor to the ground before dragging her back to Homeworld to face judgment for her crimes.
And finally Pink Diamond could rest knowing her death had been avenged.