"New Form" (+ Story)

Here is Peanut's new outfit, since I felt the other one was now outdated. Classic but I felt like she needed a fresh look. Although you can see some elements from her former outfit. I don't have the right skin colors for her and hence it coming our lighter than I wanted to.

I wrote a quick story to go along with the image. Warning for uh, fighting and poofing. Idk. I'm a draw a follow up comic to this, so much yeah. Enjoy I guess.

The leaves on the trees gently swayed with the wind running through them. It was a warm and cloudy day, yet a perfect day for any outdoor activities. In front of a small yet cozy cabin was a girl reclined back on a beach chair. (Although not quite, she was an alien gem from a different planet.) She dozed off as the worn out straw sunhat slide further down her face, covering her closed eyes. Her warm brown skin highlighted by the afternoon sunlight.

Peanut Wood was alone as she did a poor job standing guard in front of the shared home. They were very well secluded from the humans but not too far where they felt isolated from any social interaction of others.  Her friends, Carnelian, Diopside and Agate, were away on a mission as a corrupted gem was noticed in a tall grass field. It imposed danger to nearby farmers who had no clue of what was damaging their crops.

She would’ve gone if today was not a busy day at the beach. They lived fairly far from the beach-goers but it was a precaution they couldn’t risk. Humans were very curious people and who says they wouldn’t look this far. The trees can only provide so much protection.

The brown gem was on guard at first, lazily staring out to the distant beach waters. Her leg crossed over another as she tapped her nails against the armrests of the chair. Her hat perfectly snuggled on her head. As the hour went by, the more tired she got. No one wanted to be stuck in such a boring job. But out of all the four gems, she resembled the most to a normal human.

There was a rustling in the trees that irritated the sleepy gem. Although she paid no attention, ing it off as a bird. It wasn’t the first time they dealt with animals before. Her soft snores drowned into the wind and the rustling of the foliage. At some point the noise stopped and she gradually fell back into her slumber.

That was until she heard a loud thump in front of her that made her wake suddenly. Although she made no movements, Peanut opened her blue eyes as she tilted back her hat. She gripped the hat tighter before narrowing her eyes at the red gem in front of her.

The red gem held a shield on one hand and a sharp sword towards her. Luckily there was a distance between them, so Peanut was able to get a good look at her. She had long red flowy hair with narrow magenta eyes. Her outfit was like that of a warrior.

“Okay… Who are you?” Peanut reluctantly said, cautious of the gem’s movement. In this time, she would love some help. It wasn’t everyday new gems came by. Carnelian, their unofficial leader, would definitely know how to handle this.

The red gem held her head high before speaking in a formal tone, “Who I am is nothing of your concern. Perhaps if you live long enough, you’ll hear the name of the one who slays you.”

She cringed at the aloof statement before realizing the gem was from Homeworld. Specifically under Yellow Diamond, someone she herself, used to serve. Was she here on her own or was she sent to shatter any gems left on Earth?

“How do you know I’m not just some human? I mean you could be mistaken and with that, I wish you on your merry way!” Peanut was easy to dismiss the gem, but she kept guard regardless. Her foot tapped against the the hard ground as her worries did not cease.

“I observe those around me, foolish gem. I know there are others here too, but you seem to be alone which makes it all the better for me. I have been watching you for some time now.”

Creepy, Peanut thought before deciding to keeping her mouth shut. Her gemstone happened to be on her quite long tongue. For her, it was a benefit; gems wouldn’t be able to shatter it as easy.

“You seem quite troubled by my presence, so I’ll let you in on what’s going to happen. I am here to exterminate the gems who betrayed my Diamond and planet. Your gem will be brought back to be reused for a better model,” she stated with her hand tightening around the handle of the sword. Her face unchanged. “Although I expected some sort of defiance, but I recognize your gem type. An older version of a Peanut Wood. Secretary types. This will be an easy slay, so please, stay still-”

“Alright, hold it there. That’s excessive, although it doesn’t surprise me. And it’s rude to already put me down! Perhaps I was a former servant to those higher than me in Homeworld, but I can put out a good fight.” Peanut leaned forward in her chair though she made no effort to get up yet. “I can say a sob story right now, but you seem so undeterred to go out and… shatter those who done nothing wrong. Freedom was all we asked.”

“Very well, servant. If you claim to know how to battle than show me what you know! my name in your final moments. For I am, Balas Spinel, the one swift with the wind!”

Servant. Servant! How dare she call her that? It was one of few degrading nicknames Peanut got on her time on Homeworld. Makes you wonder why some gems lost it and rebelled against their Diamonds.

Although she didn’t happen to have anymore time to ponder as the red Spinel gem rushed forward and stabbed her sword through the chair. Peanut was able to jump out the way, but her beloved hat did not. It was impaled by the long weapon sure to leave a hole in it.

Peanut turned behind her as she heard rustling and a small figure rushed past her. Although she couldn't quite catch what it was exactly. Though she did not have time to think more about it as Balas was charging again.

Balas turned to her before swiftly pulling out her sword and rushing towards the brown gem again. Peanut grabbed a piece of scrap metal they had lying around on the ground for repairs and shielded herself with it as the sword came down on her. The sword cut through it as it did with the chair but it gave Peanut enough time to move and tackle the gem onto the ground.

Balas grunted as she dropped her sword and shield in the process. She wasn’t use to such unprofessional fighting techniques. The brown gem was straddling her as they fought for dominance. Hands locked together, the two pushed back and forth.

Now would be nice for Carnelian or anyone to make their entrance, the pigtailed gem stated as she tightened her grip on the other’s hand. But Balas was not an easy gem. She knew how to fight, even in difficult situations. She headbutted the brown gem, making her lose grip and grab her head.

Peanut gasped at the sudden head on her forehead and groaned loudly. It wasn’t long before Balas gained the upper hand. Turning themselves around, Balas towered down at Peanut. Her red locks flowing down to the ground.

Pulling her fist back, she punched down to the former Homeworld gem, who moved her head in time. Although she wasn’t able to dodge the next one. The punches stung and she covered herself with her arms in some sort of defense. She gasped as one landed on her again before reaching out towards with one arm for anything that could her help. Underneath her fingertips, she felt the smooth metal of a circular object. The gem’s shield.

Grasping it, she smashed it onto the sides of the red gem, making her fall towards to the side. Peanut rolled out under her and held her hand to her bruised cheek. She hissed under its touch before grabbing the shield again. As Balas quickly regained posture, she was met with her own shield smashed onto her backside.

Peanut repeatedly did so before Balas reached out towards her sword and slicing Peanut's legs with it. Although not a deep cut, it was a sudden and painful one.

She tumbled back before starting to shake from the pain. She hadn't felt a pain like this in a long time. Her legs felt like jelly and she tried to keep her posture.

“Ouch! You're really experienced. As expected of a trained Homeworld gem,” she said to the gem, although it was a mediocre attempt to aid the gem's confidence.

“Your technique is flawed and certainly would end up killing you in a large-scale fight,” Balas said critically before knocking down the gem with a kick. “You need practice. Your time here has withered you down to the point of a human. But, our time here is over and this is the end. You did fine, servant.”

Peanut looked up at her and sighed in defeat. Was this the end of her? A short-lived fight but at least an attempt for her life. She pondered on about her former life.

She missed many of her old friends and the people she loved. Especially a certain few… How were they? Were they even alive now? It was things like this that made Peanut want to cry and run back to Homeworld.

But her actions were done and she knew she couldn't go back now. At least, she now has the life she wanted to have. Free of tyranny and the horrors of the forced labour.

Balas said nothing as she impaled her sword onto the gem's chest. Peanut gasped out and placed her hand on top of Balas’ where she gripped the handle.

She squinted one eye in pain as she watched the gem twisted the sword. Gasping, she closed her eyes and prayed for mercy.

Looking to the side of her, she noticed someone. Someone very familiar. Smiling, she weakly reached out towards her with one hand.

“Carnelian?” With only one word, Peanut poofed and retreated back into her gem. The stone laid on the ground and Balas stared at it before ing Peanut's final word.

“Carnelian? She will be my next opponent,” she boldly stated before freezing at someone gripping her shoulder.

“I don't enjoy watching my friends suffer. Although my enemies are a different stories,” a tall orange gem stated before knocking her down. “I'm sure we, both, can understand this. Right?”

“This isn't a fair fight! Let me-” the gem was poofed before she could say anything and her gem laid next to Peanut's.

Carnelian picked it up and bubbled it before sending it to their own bubble room. “It wasn't a fight from the start. … Oh, Peanut. Let's get you inside and wait for the others. I knew leaving you alone wasn't a good idea.”

She laughed to herself before holding her friend's gem close to her chest and heading inside. She had sent a clone of herself, although it was a small one due to her defectiveness, to check on Peanut and got word of her situation. She left the others in a rush to help her friend. It was better poofed than shattered.