Episode 35: We Need To Talk
Sitting in a chair, Vanessa kept her eyes on a individual in front of her behind a large wooden desk. The individual behind the desk was a dark-skinned middle-aged man with brown eyes and no hair. The man wore a white-collared shirt with a black blazer, a black and white stripped tie, black dress-pants with black dress-shoes, and a golden medal on his left pocket.
"Vanessa..." The individual said, intertwining his fingers together. "Why?"
"Sir, I had to do something." Vanessa replied. "The oceans disappeared overnight and both Gem Factions were involved with the cause for it. They wouldn't allow me or my soldiers to handle the situation with them so we could return the oceans to their original states. We had to fight back."
The individual stood up from his chair and walked over to a nearby window. Putting his hands behind his back he looked out the window and placed his gaze onto the moon above. Closing his eyes, the individual sucked in some air into his nose and slowly exhaled it out of his mouth.
"Vanessa. Have you forgotten that the Rainbow Gems and Crystals are able to do things that we cannot? I had authorized you and the whole base to allow the factions to handle this because I knew that something like this would happen. And my assumption was correct, considering you took a large handful of soldiers with you to that massive oceanic tower. And now, many of them are in the Medical Wing." The individual said slowly and firmly.
Turning around, the individual narrowed his eyes and walked up to Vanessa, keeping his hands behind his back and standing right in front of her.
"Gems have been on this planet since Jurassic times and both factions could've simply caused our extinction. But they didn't. The Rainbows had to counterattack and be grateful they didn't choose to kill your followers while Green Diamond easily subdued you without any effort. Not to mention that there were kids with them. It isn't my business and I'd rather not have children on the battlefield, but any of you could've killed or crippled them." The individual said strongly.
"D.H.P. was formed so that humanity has a chance in taking down those monsters that have caused nothing but destruction on our planet. We've allied ourselves with the factions so that WE can ensure that the planet can have a brighter tomorrow. When I ask you and the base to stand down, you stand down. Do I make myself clear, Vanessa?" The individual added.
Vanessa narrowed her eyes and looked up at her Commanding Officer. Even though going against orders was a bad call, she had to do it. There was no chance in hell she was gonna sit by and do nothing. Yes, she put her soldiers into the Medical Wing. Yes, she went against direct orders. Yes, going up against the leader of the Rainbow Gems was a bad move. But...she had to act.
"Sir, I apologize for going against direct orders. But understand that I did what I did for the organization's benefits." Vanessa replied.
The Commanding Officer cocked an eyebrow at her.
Vanessa soon stood up from her chair, continuing to look at her Commanding Officer.
"It's a worldwide fact that D.H.P. has worked with the factions for ages. But I do not regret my decision and I will stand by it." Vanessa added.
The Commanding Officer closed his eyes and let out a sigh. Should've guessed.
Stepping away from Vanessa, the Commanding Officer walked back to his desk and took a seat.
"If that is where you stand, then I guess I don't have a choice." The Commanding Officer said, pushing his back against his seat. "Starting today, you are demoted to A-Class Solider. I will assign you to a squad of my choosing and whomever I make the Commander you will follow their orders without question. You are no longer allowed to obtain your own squads. You are no longer allowed to take command unless you are promoted to S-Class again. That is your punishment." The Commanding Officer explained.
Vanessa's eyes started to dilate. No... No, he can't do that. She worked really, really hard to get to S-Class.
"Do I make myself clear, Vanessa?" The Commanding Officer added.
"Yes...sir." Vanessa replied.
The Commanding Officer nodded. "Good. Now return to your quarters."
Turning around, Vanessa walked toward the far end of the office and exited out the door.
At the Universe Residence the atmosphere...was very, very tense. Silence overtook the air with nobody speaking a single word. The Crystals all sat on the couch with Greg while the Rainbows remained standing. The kids sat together on the couch near the front door, waiting for the silence to end. Greg sat down next to his family, though he twiddled with his thumbs nervously, wondering who was gonna make the first move.
"Pearl." Zuli said, making the Elegant Spear look at her. "Why? Why did you keep Lapis imprisoned?" Zuli added as calmly as she could.
Pearl looked away from her, unable to make eye-contact.
"Pearl, my wife asked you a question." Cobalt said, walking up to the Crystals. "Please, answer."
Slowly turning her head, Pearl looked up at Zuli and Cobalt. "I... R-Rose thought it was best to keep her in the mirror."
Rose? Rose made that decision?
Zuli glared at Pearl, curving her fingers into her palms. Does she have any idea how much pain her and Cobalt have been through when attempting to find Lapis all those centuries ago? How they believed she was gone? How their long-lost friend was still alive and they had no idea what had happened to her?
"She didn't want to keep her imprisoned, but...we had no choice." Pearl said. "We didn't know who's side she was on and if we released her would she inform the enemy about us. I agreed with Rose, even if it was wrong. But now...now that Lapis is free who knows what she'll say when she returns."
Zuli increased her grip in her hands, gritting her teeth in the process. She attempted to tighten her grip further, but a hand touched hers, making her loosen her grip. Turning her head, Zuli saw Cobalt with a soft expression. Loosening her grip more she wrapped her arms around him, putting her head on his shoulder and keeping him close to her. Cobalt held onto Zuli's waist, hearing soft cries from her lips.
"Everyone." Green announced, putting all the attention on him. "With Lapis Lazuli's departure, I believe now is the time to discuss other important matters." He added, turning his attention to the kids.
"No!" Pearl yelled, standing up. "Green, they're not ready for that."
"We don't have a choice, Pearl." Green replied. "This isn't how I want to do this either, but now the time has come."
Raising up his hand, a small green crystal erupted from his palm and started to float. Leaving his palm, the crystal began to grow and expand at a incredible rate. Everyone watched the crystal's continued growth until it turned itself into a large sphere.
"Kameron. Steven. It's time for you both to know more about what Gems really are." Green began.
"We are not from this planet. We are from a world far, far beyond these stars. A world unlike any you've ever seen. That world is known as...Home-World. Long ago, five Gems erupted onto the planet. They are known as the Diamonds. White Diamond. Yellow Diamond. Blue Diamond. Myself. And...Pink Diamond. Who we were, how we came to be lied within the heart of Home-World known as Prism. For a time, we were lost and unsure on what to do with ourselves. But we had each other, and that was all that mattered.
Over the centuries Prism gifted us with more and more Gems. Each one was different than the last and were born from various locations all around Home-World. Soon enough there were so many Gems, and me and the Diamonds weren't sure how to care for them until we made an agreement. The five of us would each have our own territories and would lead our kind in our own ways, but we would still work together separately.
Unfortunately... Our times of peace came to an end."
Rotating his hand, Green summoned small crystals from the sphere and they started rotating around it. The more they went around the sphere holes began to open up around it, making the kids gasp.
"What happened?" Elizabeth asked.
"We were attacked." Pyrope answered, crossing his arms.
"Attacked by who?" Lars asked.
"Other species." Amber answered. "Some of them wanted ta destroy our home. Some wanted ta conquer us. Others wanted ta fight us fer entertainment."
The crystals then stopped in place and started to shrink until they went back into the sphere.
"We were unprepared for the horrors that lied beyond our planet. And from those horrors...many lives were taken from us." Green said with a grim voice.
"We fought back as much as we could, but it was truly a miracle that we managed to survive. And from defeating our foes a new crisis emerged and a new goal was forged into our minds."
Closing his eyes, Green placed a hand onto his face, letting out a small heavy breath. His wife wrapped her arms around his, intertwining her fingers into his own. Lepidolite walked over and hugged her daddy as much as she could.
Several more crystals emerged from the sphere and began to turn themselves into spheres.
"For eons... Planet after planet. Galaxy to Galaxy. We've taken so many worlds. Expanded our race far and wide. *sigh* Some planets begged us for mercy, but we didn't give them any. With time...The Cause was all that mattered. Consequences... Vengeance... Justice... Nothing stood in our way and almost nothing could harm us."
The smaller spheres started to shrink and shrink until they reverted back to their original sizes and merged back into the larger sphere.
With every word from his father, Kameron's eyes started to dilate. His father... His siblings... They...they conquered other worlds? They...killed other beings? They...took their homes? His arms started to shake. He gripped onto his knees. Small breaths exited his mouth the more he let this newfound knowledge circle in his mind.
Steven...covered his mouth as his eyes shook like leaves. No...no, that can't be true. That can't possibly be true. Turning his head he looked at his family and saw their mixed reactions. Amethyst looked just as shocked as he was. Garnet turned her head away, holding both of her arms in her hands. Pearl...covered her mouth and her body started shaking violently. His dad adverted his eyes and put his hands on his knees.
Elizabeth turned to her boyfriend and immediately put her hand on his. This...this is a lot to take in. Intertwining her fingers with his, She moved closer to him and greatly increased her grip. Kameron didn't respond vocally, but lightly held onto his girlfriend's hand. As long as he knew she was with him they'll try to get through this.
Lars fell into silence. There was no freakin' way this was true. This doesn't make any sense. Both factions have protected the world since forever. No way were that conquerors of the Universe. NO FREAKIN' WAY!
Removing his hand, Green looked at the children and their reactions. It was expected that they would take it very hard, but the story needed to be finished, no matter how rough the epilogue is.
"I couldn't...continue with it." Green said with a grim voice. "The Cause wasn't worth the countless lives we've taken. And so...I made a choice."
"W-W-What did you do, dad?" Kameron asked with a quiet voice.
"I wanted to find a better way. To ensure The Cause would continue without so much genocide. But my voice, my please, my alternatives were cast aside. And so...I did what needed to be done. I rebelled...and soon after...a war was waged on Home-World." Green answered the best he could.
Kameron's eyes slowly reverted to normal, but he then closed them and sucked in some air through his nose before exhaling it out the same way.
"W-What about my mom?" Steven asked, his voice nearly cracking.
The sphere slowly reverted back to way it originally was and on top a crystal image of Rose Quartz appeared.
"Your mother also rebelled, Steven. She rebelled against her Diamond. Pink Diamond. That began the war on Earth." Green answered. "Myself and my children arrived when the war was still in it's early days and together your mother and I ensured that the planet wouldn't be taken. In the end, we succeed." He added.
The image of Rose Quartz disappeared into the sphere before the sphere itself started to shrink until it became small and floated back to Green, going right into his palm.
"Kameron. Steven. I apologize for keeping this from you both. When you both were of age would've been the appropriate time, but the Universe decided to force my hand." Green said, stepping away from his wife and Lepidolite as they released their hold on him. He then walked up to the kids, making them look up at him. "You may take your time and think over this. Though what I've told you today may have you see us in a different perspective, I do care for all of you. That was never a lie."
Letting go of his girlfriend's hand, Kameron stood up in front of his father. Without a word he placed his forward against his chest while wrapping his arms around his waist.
Green slowly raised his hand, placing it softly onto his youngest son's head. He slowly rubbed it when Kameron light increased his hold on him. Shortly after, they separated.
"I...I need some air." Kameron said as he walked to the door and went outside.
Without a word, Steven stood up and followed his big brother outside. He needed to think about this too.
Elizabeth and Lars followed him out. With what they just learned, they really, really need time to process all of this.
With the children gone, Green turned around and looked at both his family and the Crystals.
"Dad. What are we gonna do now?" Citrine asked.
*RING RING*
Green tried to speak, but his phone soon went off. Bringing it out of his pocket he saw the caller ID and answered it.
"Hello?" Green asked.
"We need to talk. Now." The other line replied.
"Understood." Green said before hanging up. "Everyone. I'm sorry, but I need to leave." He added.
"Who was that?" Christie asked.
"The President." Green replied, pulling out his Warp Whistle.
Christie's eyes lightly widened and slowly reverted to normal. Oh boy...
Watching her husband leave, Christie then turned to the Crystals and the rest of her kids.
"They're gonna come back." Pearl said quietly, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "W-What are we gonna do?"
Christie approached her, but Pearl rapidly stood up with tears falling onto her cheeks. "Not again! I can't do this again!"
"Pearl. Calm down." Pyrope said.
"No, I will not calm down!" Pearl yelled. "Do you have any idea what's gonna happen to us!? Green shouldn't have let Lapis leave!"
Zuli narrowed her eyes and walked up to Pearl, "Pearl. All that Lapis wanted was to return home. That is all."
"What's going to happen when she returns home!?" Pearl yelled. "It's been eons! Who knows what Home-World is like now! You basically sent her to her death!"
Zuli's eyes expanded. She then narrowed them at Pearl, "We have faith that she'll be okay. You need to calm down, Pearl."
Pearl rapidly shook her head and ran off, attempting to go to the Warp Pad. Right when she attempted to step on it a black portal appeared, making her go through it and having her reappear in the middle of the house. Turning her head she glared at Onyx and fell onto her knees. Sobs exited her mouth as she closed her eyes.
Walking up to her, Christie feel onto her knees in front of her and placed her hands on Pearl's shoulders. Raising her head, Pearl immediately wrapped her arms around Christie and sobbed even harder. Christie just held onto her, comforting Pearl as much as she could.
Outside near the Universe Residence, Kameron, Steven, Elizabeth, and Lars all sat together on the beach.
Right in front of them small waves started to crash onto the sands. The smell of salt water hit the air and a the moon's light gave the atmosphere a very beautiful view. But...unlike any other day where people would enjoy a nice look at the ocean at night, tonight wasn't one of those nights.
Raising his hands to his knees, Kameron kept his eyes out at the ocean with a frown across his lips. His father, Green Diamond, was a conqueror across the galaxy... That mean his family and the Crystals were conquerors too, although Amethyst was born after the war, so she was lucky she didn't get involved in the War. But now... Taking all of this in, it just...made his mindset even more confusing.
"Kameron." Steven said quietly. "What are we gonna do?"
"I don't know." Kameron answered without much emotion.
"It's gonna be okay." Elizabeth assured.
"I hope so." Lars said. "Still, this is so insane."
Standing up from the sands, Kameron walked a little further down the sands, almost until the ocean touched his shoes. Looking up at the moon above Kameron let out a sigh.
"I don't know what's gonna happen next. And I don't know what's gonna happen to us. But...what I do know is that this planet isn't gonna be conquered." Kameron said, raised his hand up to the stars. "I'm gonna make sure of it." He added, balling his hand.
End of Episode 35.
Hope you all enjoyed.
Yeah, basically the aftermath of Revelations. I wanted to make this it's own episode without stretching it out too much. Getting straight to the point.
Now I didn't everything here, but enough for Kameron and Steven to think about and for you all to take in.
Where is this gonna go? Well, I can't say for sure.
See you all soon.