·°June 6, 1933°·

toasterpaz 11/22/17

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this chapter may no longer comply with the AU's canon, and may require changes

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10:00AM

The moment the vision hit Garnet, she knew it wasn’t right. And no matter how many times she tried again, it didn’t change. “Sapphire, what’s happening?” She mumbled to herself with unsurety. “Ruby, let me think.”

By the time she was sure it had run through her head a hundred times, as if it were a mantra, she decided that it would be best to say something.

For the first time in hours, Garnet stepped out of her office into the space that was named Zircon’s office, Amethyst and Peridot’s makeshift lounge, and Pearl’s- well, watching-Zircon-room. There was currently proof that the room was used as each of these.

Amethyst and Peridot were throwing a crumpled paper back and forth, it sometimes hit Peridot in the face, earning a pained shout. Zircon’s fingers were intently tapping at typewriter keys, likely to be her fourth organizational document for the week. Stars, she’d even done an inventory on Garnet’s cupboards. It was something Garnet needed to appreciate, not many found a hobby in organization.

Though it may have been among the few things Pearl didn’t like about Zircon. She moved and fidgeted impatiently on the window seat behind her lover, as she did most days. One hand was on Zircon’s shoulder, tensely grasping it.

Zircon reached to switch out papers and saw Garnet. Pearl also looked after feeling the other Gem jump.

Garnet placed her foot in front of Peridot, who was surprised by the appearance of the black boot. Now all eyes were on the fusion.

“I… I’m seeing something… something I don’t really want to believe.” She said, lacking her regular confidence. “I think that I’m going to… check it out. Alright?”

There was a moment of silence before Amethyst said “Okay.”

Garnet was out the door quickly, and was soon a block away at the warp pad.

Pearl got off of the window seat and stood, never once lifting her hand from Zircon’s shoulder. “That was,” she held a finger to her lips, searching for the right word. “Strange.”

Peridot craned her neck to look outside. “Do you think she’ll be okay?” Nobody provided a response.

The paper tossing, key clicking, and shoulder massaging continued until the ceiling creaked above. In minutes, Steven was at the bottom of the stairs, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

“Where’s Garnet?” The ten-year-old asked tiredly.

Amethyst worked on crumpling the paper a bit more. “G’s out right now. Uh… investigating?”

“Oh.”

Zircon checked the clock hanging on the wall to her right, nearly obscured by papers. “It’s been almost forty-five minutes.”

This painted the concern back onto Peridot’s face. “Am I the only one thinking that we need to go find her!?” This time, she received a broken arrangement of “No”s.

Steven ran to the coat rack and pulled a jacket on. “If you guys are going, can I come with?”

Pearl and Zircon exchanged looks of consideration. Amethyst pitched in. “Yeah, Little Man should totally come with! Learning experience.”

At the warp pad, Zircon scanned the assortment of screens floating around her. “I can’t say that I ever got into figuring these tools out…”

Peridot snatched a low-floating screen. “Then look no further than the one who engineered this stuff!” She swiped and clicked until some odd looking controls appeared. “Be thankful that the Diamonds disconnected you from the network, now we don’t need permission to access this kind of thing!”

“A warp tracker?” Zircon stared in confusion at the functions Peridot offered her.

“Yeah, you Zircons got some pretty useful stuff. You know, I should be the one getting to use all this. Amethyst, how do you think I’d look with TWO pieces of tinted glass over my eyes?”

Amethyst laughed. “Even more ridiculous.”

Zircon held the scanner over the warp pad. It processed for a few moments before a result popped up. “Korean mountain range...?”

Steven was first to leap on, ready for adventure. “Come on, let’s find a Korean mountain range!”

The area was breezy, almost chilly. Zircon wrapped her arm around Pearl, whose eyes searched her surroundings with worry. Steven had a hop in his step, meaning that Amethyst and Peridot had to jog to keep up. The nearest mountain appeared to be an easy climb, almost a hill. There was a silent agreement that Garnet would likely be there.

Peridot stopped for a moment to pick one of the pink and white flowers that spotted the ground, then placing it behind the brim of Amethyst’s knit cap. A light blush appeared on the Quartz’s face.

Amethyst and Peridot were bounding up the mountain shortly, helping the other when needed. Pearl summoned two spears, giving one to Zircon and holding on to the other. “Steven.”

The boy grabbed Pearl’s hand, and they were on their way.

Scaling the mountain was fairly easy, few spots required a spear hold. Soon, the flatter surface of the top neared.

Amethyst was first to poke her head through the foliage blocking the group’s view. Zircon used Pearl’s spear to part a bush. Both Gems gave a surprised gasp.

Zircon almost fell, and Pearl was ready to catch her. “What was it?”

“Uh, big , shiny blue thing with spiky spike legs and light cloth-ish stuff draped over it?” Amethyst filled in, as Zircon was preoccupied with heavy breathing.

Pearl’s face somehow whitened. “No… it can’t be.” Still holding Zircon, she checked for herself. “It really is… B-Blue Diamond’s palanquin!” She hissed, much quieter than before.

“What’s Blue Diamond?” Steven inquired.

“WHERE IS GARNET!?” Peridot looked ready to collapse. Pearl hushed her.

“I think that we’ll have to find out.”

One by one, starting with Amethyst and after Zircon found her footing again, ending with Steven, the Gems stepped into the open. Pearl ran around the side of the palanquin. “She’s not there.”

“Alright then,” Amethyst said, back to her normal loud tone. “Who’s this Blue Diamond lady, anyway?”

Zircon began to say something, but Peridot cut in. “The Diamonds are the leaders of all of Gemkind! How in the cosmos have you never heard of them!?”

“Peri, I’ve never exactly left the Earth.” Amethyst sighed.

“Wait, so you guys are from a big space kingdom?” Steven looked from Gem to Gem, seeming to have literal stars in his eyes.

“Well, yes?” Pearl responded half-heartedly, gazing into the distance where the terrain rose. “We’ll explain later.” She interlaced her fingers with Zircon’s and squeezed her lover’s hand. Zircon gave her a confused look as she nodded to the rise.

By another line of bushes, a figure wearing a grey coat and hat.

“Garnet!” Peridot exclaimed.

The Gems carefully made their way closer to Garnet. She seemed almost frozen, staring over a shorter bush.

Peridot’s foot landed on a thin branch. The crack it made received an angered glare from Pearl. Garnet whipped around, giving a small sigh of relief at the sight of who it was.

Not that that feeling lasted very long, seeing that a slim figure was now making her way over.

She was like Pearl in many ways, starting with the fact that Zircon kind of found her... attractive?

No, don't do that.

Pearl pulled Zircon farther behind the taller bushes.

The sense of fear made the air feel thick as Blue Diamond's Pearl stopped at the line of bushes.

No one breathed. Garnet was directly under the blue Pearl's nose, doomed if she were to look down.

A faint voice sounded from a spot across the clearing, and all but Steven and Amethyst shuddered. “What are you doing over there?”

The Pearl looked to her sides, causing Pearl to pull Zircon uncomfortably close. “I thought I heard someone. I think we’re not alone.”

Steven stepped out from behind Pearl. “Maybe I can handle this.”

Pearl had no time to hiss “Steven, no!”

The boy ran through the bushes into the blue Pearl’s view. She jumped back at the sight of him.

“Hey! Uh... nice day out, huh? Uh, I didn't see you there. How… how’s it going?” Steven awkwardly greeted the Pearl, whose mouth was turned in an odd frown.

Across the clearing, a large cloaked figure kneeled next to a palanquin much unlike the one downhill. It was pink, broken down, and clearly of age. The pink and white flowers clustered around it. The figure turned slightly, their face still obscured by the cloak. “Pearl?”

The Pearl faced the direction of the pink palanquin, bowing and folding her arms in a salute as she did. “My Diamond, I’ve found a native.”

Steven fumbled with his hands. “Yeah… I’m from here.”

Pearl groaned and dug her face into Zircon’s shoulder.

Blue Diamond turned back to the palanquin. “Bring it here.”

Amethyst tried to cover Peridot’s mouth, but it was too late. Everyone heard her shriek. “STEVEN!”

Blue Diamond’s Pearl was about to grab Steven’s wrist when a gauntlet met her chest. She fell back with a surprised cry.

“Steven, RUN!” Garnet ordered, both gauntlets prepared to attack again.

As soon as Steven was back in the bushes, Pearl and Amethyst were out of them, spear and whip readied.

For the first time in one hundred thirty years, the three Crystal Gems were going to fight together.

Blue Diamond's Pearl stood immediately, looked to her superior, and pulled a long sword emblazoned with blue rhinestones from within her gem.

Yet, none of the Gems made a move before Blue Diamond rose from her weak position. “Pearl, don’t give them your time.” Still hooded, the larger than life Gem made her way down to where Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl now huddled together.

“Come here.”

The three Gems came forward into Blue Diamond’s shadow, still staying close to one another. Blue Pearl moved to a spot just beside her Diamond.

“All of you.”

Zircon and Steven were both quickly at Pearl’s side, but a shaking Peridot remained mostly hidden. Amethyst gestured impulsively for her to come out, so she dashed and clung to the Quartz immediately.

Blue Diamond’s voice sent a chill through everybody. “What are you still doing here?”

“Earth is NOT a Gem controlled planet!” Pearl shouted.

“I am very well aware of that.” Blue Diamond said, making Pearl blush. “Tell me, where is she?”

“Who?” A layer of anger rested in Garnet’s voice.

“Rose.”

Garnet cleared her throat as Steven opened his mouth. “Rose Quartz is no longer with us.”

The shadows of Blue Diamond’s face narrowed. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Still seeing the Diamond’s suspicion, Steven pushed Garnet’s hand away. “My mom gave up her life so I could exist.”

Blue Diamond pulled the cloak’s hood down. “A human.” A sad interest shone in her tired eyes, so very different from what Garnet and Pearl had seen before.

Steven returned her gaze, fearful. “Please, just don’t hurt them. They’re my family, you… you can have me if you want.”

Blue Diamond waved her head. “No, I can’t take you. Though they would despise me for leaving you unscathed.”

Zircon searched her thoughts for a compromise, which laid no further than herself and Garnet. “M-my Diamond!”

Blue’s focus shifted to the Zircon she had once valued. “Do not call me that.”

That somehow still hurt Zircon. “Oh, alright… Blue… Diamond. I— WE can do something for you…?” Garnet gave her a bewildered glare.

“Seeing the, um, note that Rose’s trial ended on, it would be, uh, a lie to say that any of us got the answers we wanted.”

Blue Diamond’s eyes narrowed. “We didn’t?”

“M– Blue, I’ve had a long time to rethink it! I don’t think that I can say with the same confidence that it was… one of the Authority…”

“So you’re suggesting?”

Zircon was beginning to panic. “I’m suggesting that we perform a more… thorough investigation. We can get the details on just who it was… and how it was done!”

The Diamond’s expression softened. “You can?”

Garnet finally understood. “Yes, we can!”

Blue almost smiled. “I’m giving you ten years. Please, do the most you can with this time.”

Garnet extended a hand, but Blue Diamond only stared. Her Pearl stepped forward and barely touched Garnet’s fingertips before shrinking away in disgust.

Back in Empire City, Garnet and Zircon shared the silent thought.

June 6th, 1943. The clock is ticking.