Chapter Text
“Don’t worry Barry, Dan and I will be able to take care of it. We’ll just go and suss it out and then come back.”
“Arin I don’t know about this.”
“Come on Bear, worse comes to worse we can Fuse to get outta there.”
“Alright, but be careful, the both of you. Holly’s out on a mission with Ross so we don’t have access to the Spring right now.”
“It confuses me that she keeps those birbs there.”
“It’s birds Dan, and don’t worry Barry, Dan’s the healer, we’ll be fine.”
Barry forced a smile onto his features watching as the other two stepped onto the warp pad, he wished them luck one more time before the light engulfed them and they were gone. He had a bad feeling about this, it had been gnawing at the back of his mind all day, he really didn’t like it when the team split up. Ross and Holly were out checking the Sky Temple for recent disturbances, Suzy had taken Kevin to learn more about their history and now Arin and Dan were off to check the island for a possible corrupted Gem. Barry didn’t like this at all.
The island was one of the more peaceful places that the warps could take them too, Arin was a little annoyed that there was a possibility that there may be a corrupted Gem. The first time the Grumps had checked it out they had found absolutely nothing, there had still been a strange feeling in the air, lurking over the island shattering it’s normally peaceful atmosphere into something tense and terrifying. Dan didn’t seem to really notice, he was once again awestruck by the beauty of it all. He stood beside Arin, his shoulder brushing the other’s as he gave it a playful nudge. The pink Rhodonite chuckled in response shoving Dan back before running towards the shore line.
“Come on dude, we can have fun while we look for the possible threat!” Arin laughed turning around and jogging backwards, watching as Dan gave chase. He felt the terrain change underfoot, going from the hard grass covered soil to the soft granules of the sand. It was then that he noticed Dan freeze a look of terror on his face. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing-I uh, I just don’t like water.”
“Really? It’s ok man, we don’t have to go in, coming down the beach isn’t going to kill you.”
“I guess.” Danny hesitated, teeth worrying his bottom lip, blue eyes moving to focus on Arin. He sighed before taking a step and closing the distance between the two of them, still keeping a wary distance from the shore line.
“Jaws really fucked you up huh?”
“Man that shit was scary.”
Arin chuckled placing a reassuring hand on Dan’s shoulder before leading the other down the beach. It was highly possible that the corrupted Gem was hiding amongst the dense trees of the forest, but this way they could walk the perimeter and look for anything that showed it was here. He noticed Dan lagging behind, slowing his steps so he was in sync with the healer, Arin reached down to grasp Danny’s hand.
“Keep up slow poke. I don’t want to lose you to some corrupted Gem just because you lagged behind.”
“Oh Arin, that has to be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Shut up you clod.” Their laughter rang out into the air, catching the attention of something a little more sinister nearby, it hid beneath the foliage on the tree line, watching the two Gem’s walk down the beach, the creature snarling from within it’s cover.
“Arin, that’s too close!” Dan pulled his hand free from his friend’s grip, jogging back up the beach away from the water and waves. He watched the Rhodonite roll his eyes, before turning to slowly trudge up the sand towards him. There was hot breath on Danny’s neck, a snarl near his ear and warm drool on his shoulder. “Arin!”
Pink eyes looked up, he briefly saw the fear on Danny’s face before something snatched him and he was dragged onto the dense forest. Arin’s heart practically leapt into his throat, as he heard Dan’s frustrated and fearful yelps, he tore up the beach, his footfalls sinking into the sand causing him to stumble. Fear gripped at Arin’s mind, adrenalin fuelling his movements as he tore through the undergrowth, he followed the path of broken branches and the torn up forest floor, Dan’s curses and shouts leading him.
The pink Rhodonite came to a halt, the corrupted Gem had cornered itself at the base of the cliff, it had Dan clutched in it’s claws, covering his Gem so the other couldn’t summon his weapon. Danny was struggling and cursing, hitting the corruption desperately with his fists before his eyes settled onto Arin and relief washed over his features. He didn’t waste any time, the Gem on Arin’s hand glowing softly before the aura surrounded him, up his forearm and solidifying into his canon. The charge shot rocketed towards the corrupted Gem, the creature howling out in pain as it clipped what could be called it’s shoulder. It dropped Dan, he scrambled to his feet, creating distance between the enemy before summoning his katana.
“Dan, you alright?”
“Yeah thanks Arin.” Dan puffed slightly breathless from fighting the creature before. “It’s Gem is on it’s belly.”
“Great, that’s gonna be an easy shot.” Arin muttered. The corruption snarled, turning to face him, it charged blindly, a few more shots hitting it’s body before Arin dodged, firing off another shot as he rolled out of the way. “I know you’re not one to get into the fray Dan but I’m gonna need your help.”
“Of course Arin!” Dan seemed a little offended, but he immediately got into a battle stance, closing the distance between himself and Arin to help with defence. The corrupted Gem snarled, twisting it’s body in an unnatural way so it could face the two Grumps before it. Large claws dug into the earth for purchase, it’s hulking body once more charging towards them. The distance closed, the ground rumbling with each step, it’s breath hot and foul. Arin had fired another shot, Dan moving to the creatures side his katana at the ready. The moment to strike was brief, a small window between strides where the corrupted Gem sat nestled within twisted flesh. A flash of reflection had Dan moving in, thrusting the katana forward to destroy the projected monster, he had hesitated and there was a grunt from Arin as he was sent flying into a nearby tree. Dan lunged forward, rage fuelling his movements, there was a howl, a scream and a curse, all before the Gem poofed, Danny moving immediately to pick it up.
The once yellow Gem gleamed in his hands, it smelt fantastic, it looked delicious; Dan bubbled it quickly, sending the temptation away as he took a couple of deep breaths to steady himself. Crushing and consuming that Gem would of definitely gotten him bubbled, no taste was worth that, he had spent far too many years already locked away. Sighing he moved to Arin, finally taking in the pale and frightful look his friend had. Running to his side, Dan quickly began looking the Rhodonite over, for any signs of damage; it wasn’t until he pried Arin’s hands apart to inspect his Gem that he gasped.
‘You’re hurt! You’re cra-cracked!” Danny stammered, feeling tears already prickling at the corner of his eyes. Arin looked to him, sympathy and fear mixed painfully on his features.
“Yeah, it’s alright though, it’s only small.” A loud crack filled the humid island’s air, both watching the small fracture turn into a rather considerable gash in the pink surface.
“Arin…” Dan sniffed trying to hold off his tears as he studied Arin’s Gem held tightly in his hands. “I can heal you. I-I know I can, just let me try.”
Arin watched as his friend tried to take a deep breath, the sound hitched as a sob escaped between Dan’s lips. Frowning slightly, Arin squeezed Danny’s hands in encouragement, apparently that made things worse, the tears wouldn’t stop. Arin felt sorrow welling up inside him, he had never really seen Dan like this, normally he could sing, the Gem had a voice on him that was more than melodious. The Red Cummingtonite was a healer by nature, he cared so much about his friends but sometimes there was nothing he could do.
“Dan, it’s ok. You need to calm down.”
“I can’t do it Arin. Not-not whilst I’m crying.” Danny hiccupped, whipping at his eyes with the sleeves of his spandex suit, trying to gather himself and stop the sorrow. “You’re getting worse!”
“I’ll be alright, come-“ A glitch ran through Arin’s form causing a shudder to ripple through his projection. “Come on we can head back.”
“I don’t know if you’ll make it!”
“Of course I will, just-just-just relax Dan.”
“Oh god! I have to do something!” Danny tried to calm himself, taking a deep breath that shuddered on the inhale. He was too distraught to sing, he never thought this would happen, that he wouldn’t be able to summon a breath to sing. Dan tried humming but the sound was broken and harsh, unlike his normal soft and caring tone; Arin’s Gem shifted again, a new fracture lined crack running from the main one to the outside. “No, no. I can do something… Arin, Fuse with me!”
“What? No-I-I can’t, not like this.”
“Yeah we can! I can keep us stable until we get back!” Dan grinned through the tears that streamed down his face, he was trying to be positive, for Arin’s sake; but there was a nagging guilt eating at his gut, that maybe this wouldn’t work out. “Once we get to the Temple we can unfuse and you can be healed.”
“I guess, I think you’re over reacting but-but-but- if this will-ll make you feel better.” Arin twitched slightly, his projection shuddering with each stutter as he watched Dan approach him, the taller Gem taking his form into a tight embrace and squeezing. It felt good, reassuring and Arin relaxed, feeling the Fusion take ahold of the two of them.
White light engulfed them, forcing their projections together, a taller form emerging in their place. Darin was a little different, they were darker in colour, closer to a shade of blue then their normal bright purple. The most shocking thing was there were only two arms, one still had Arin’s cracked Gem centred on the back of their right hand, the Rhodonite’s presence at the back of their mind was only a small comfort and not a participating force. Dan was the one mainly in control, Arin to him felt weak, happy to be blanketed by the warmth that Darin allowed him.
“Don’t worry babe, I’ll get us back home.” The voice was smooth, melodic, Arin’s deeper tone being masked by Dan’s stronger presence. Looking forlornly at the Gem, the crack causing grief to swell in their chest once more, tears began to sting at their eyes as Darin tried desperately to wipe them away. They headed back towards the beach and the way they had come, the Island had once been beautiful, but now all they could sense was the heavy air, the knowledge that if they every came back here then they would always be reminded of the now.
The warp was a welcome sight to Darin’s eyes, red and raw from crying and the wind, they had never been more satisfied to step foot on the reflective surface and imagine the welcoming feeling of home. Bright light surrounded them, engulfing them with warmth, the travel seeming like years had passed, their grief over taking them before the familiar Temple appeared before their eyes. Darin stumbled off, sniffling and sobbing as they collapsed to the ground. Barry was by their side in an instant, wrapping his arms around Darin’s form and supporting their weight with ease.
“Dan, are you alright? Wait- Where’s Arin?”
“Arin’s hurt.” Darin replied, wiping away their tears, Barry calling out for Suzy amongst the commotion.
“Where is he?”
“I-He’s…” Darin was confused, couldn’t Barry tell where Arin was? He was right there with Dan, the both of them sharing something special that was Fusion. How could Barry not see? Was Arin’s lack of presence in Darin changing their physical form more? The blonde streak was less than pronounced, Arin’s voice almost silent in the back of their mind, they only had two arms now, but they still had the Rhodonite’s Gem. “Barry, he’s cracked.”
“Dan!” Suzy burst into the room, a look of pure panic on her features, her skin pale her face contorted in worry as tears prickled at her eyes. “Where is he? Give him to me Dan!”
Darin clutched their hands to their chest, their breathing rapid and anxiety creeping into their mind. Suzy wasn’t going to like this. They gulped, slowly holding out their right hand for Suzy to inspect. She clutched at their wrist, trying to pry the cracked Gem from them, but her struggling proved futile. Realisation dawned across her features, her beautiful green eyes going wide and taking a step back suddenly. Darin’s hands fell limply to their side, unable to meet the distraught Gem’s gaze for a few moments.
“Darin?”
“Hey Scooze. Arin, uh-Arin’s not doing to well.”
“What did you do?” Barry accused immediately.
“I’m keeping him stable, so we can get him to the Spring. Dan couldn’t-couldn’t sing, he was too upset.” Darin looked distraught, Suzy moving closer to their side, embracing them tightly, her own tears becoming lost within the material of their shirt. Darin was unsure whether he had done something good, Arin was still there, a presence taking it easy in the back of their shared mind; Suzy was acting like she would never see Arin again, whilst Barry was proper grilling him for Fusing. “What’s the problem Bear? Arin’s still around because of me! We’ll get to the healing Spring and unfuse, he’s cracked not shattered.”
“This shouldn’t be possible. You should not of been able to Fuse with Arin’s Gem the way it is.” Barry frowned, calming down slightly as he took Darin’s right hand, inspecting the Gem and the cracks that marred it’s once glistening surface. The cracks were deep, nothing that the Spring couldn’t handle, but Darin should not of been possible, they shouldn’t of been able to fuse.
“Barry it’s fine, we fused end of story! Now can we get into the Spring?”
“Holly’s not back yet Darin. Why don’t you unfuse and then Dan can heal Arin with his voice?”
Darin looked at Suzy, they could see the hope in her tearful eyes, she just wanted to see her husband again, yet they was so scared for her. Arin was the smallest presence in the back of their mind, curled and safe in the blanket that Darin created for him. If they unfused there was no guarantee that his Gem wouldn’t completely shatter and Dan couldn’t bring him back from that. Suzy was clinging to their arm, they understood her urgency, she was scared that Arin was gone. Darin pulled her into a tight embrace, they knew that Arin would want to be there for her, they kissed her forehead before nodding and stepping back.
“You’re right, We need to unfuse. I’m sorry for worrying all of you.” Darin closed their eyes trying to separate the two beings that made up their form. It was getting difficult to distinguish one from the other, Arin was such a small presence, hidden in the back of their mind, not wanting to leave the safety that was the Fusion. When nothing happened, Darin felt Suzy clutch onto their arm her face filled with fear, Barry was also anxious, confused why they hadn’t yet.
“Darin… What’s wrong?” Suzy’s voice broke mid sentence.
“Arin, he’s ok don’t worry about that, but he doesn’t want to unfuse. Think we might have to wait for Holly.” Darin seemed sheepish, guilty that they couldn’t do what the other Grumps had asked of them, they could identify the disappointment is Barry’s eyes. They didn’t mean it, they thought they were doing what was the best for the Rhodonite, Suzy had tears streaming down her face. “Please don’t cry Scoozie, I promise I’m going to look after him.”
Suzy was pulling Darin close to her, squeezing their mid section as she buried her face into their chest, there wasn’t much of Arin in the Fusion but just knowing that he was safe in Dan’s care was a little calming to her. Holly had entered with Ross, the warp pad lighting up to announce their presence, the two were talking happily before the tension in the room hit them and caused them to fall silent. Ross looked to Darin with confusion, whilst Holly knew something was wrong immediately, she rushed to Darin, her hands checking the Gem on his stomach before moving to the one on his hand.
“What happened?”
“There was a corruption, we got it, but Arin got hurt.”
“I see that. Come, I’ll take you to the Spring.” Holly lead Darin to the warp pad, she knew Suzy would join her, but the rest of the Grumps were a bit of a surprise. They squished onto the warp pad finally, Kevin squished between them. “Were you Fused before or after the incident?”
“Umm after, does it make a difference?”
“We’ll find out.” The warp activated around them, green light illuminating everyone’s projections. Holly noticed that Suzy was not leaving Darin’s side, Barry too seemed concerned chatting to Kevin and trying to calm the younger Gem down. Ross was the only one who didn’t seem upset, probably annoyed that his time with Holly was going to be cut short.
The spring appeared before them, quiet and serene, it had come a long way since Arin had unblocked it all those years ago. It was a haven for Holly, she enjoyed the calm serenity of the atmosphere, it was the perfect environment for all the birds she had adopted over the years. It had become Holly’s domain ever since Dan had joined the team, with his healing voice they hadn’t really seen the need for the Fountain anymore. Of course Holly couldn’t let it fall into disrepair like last time, if anything had ever happened-like this-than it was nice to have a back up.
“You know the deal Darin, in you go.” Holly and Suzy helped the Fusion to the fountain watching as they relaxed into the water, their eyes focused on Arin’s Gem and the crack that lined it’s pink surface.
Darin watched it with bated breath, focusing and tears forming in their eyes when they began to notice the smaller cracks healing together. A heaved sob of joy escaped between parted lips as the Gem on their hand finished knitting the cracks. The Fusion’s colour slowly began to tint their cheeks spreading from there, the warmth of the purple taking over the cool dark blue that Darin was before. The blond in their hair became more pronounced and the Fusion felt better when two more arms appeared and flexed in response, Darin could feel both Dan and Arin together again, their happiness, their relief, their joy all became a part of the Fusion. They burst from the water, climbing the edge of the fountain with a huge grin on their face.
“We’re ok!” Darin spun around, all four arms hugging themselves as a white light surrounded them, separating their forms, both Gems appearing as they spun around continuing the hug with laughter spilling from their lips. Suzy ran up to them, flinging her arms around them both and having Arin pull her between them, kissing her forehead and whispering how sorry he was.
“I was so worried.” Suzy sobbed, blinking the tears from her eyes as she leant into the soft kiss Arin had given her. She was hugging them both tightly, the three of them simply over joyed that the Rhodonite was alright, that Arin had not shattered. Suzy grasped Danny by the fore arm, pulling him down to her level so she could kiss his cheek, leaving a smudge of lipstick there. “Thank you, for looking after him.”
“Uhh-no problem Scooze.” Danny blushed, his blue cheeks tinted pink as Ross coughed loudly.
“As nice as this love fest is, how about everyone goes back to the Temple so I can spend more time with my girlfriend.” The Aquamarine frowned, raising a brow at the other three, watching with amusement as Danny leapt out of their comforting embrace.
“Yeah let’s go home.” Dan muttered, Suzy grasped his hand, Arin the other as they lead him back to the warp pad with large smiles on their faces. Barry and Kevin followed, both a little confused but simply happy that everyone was alright, Barry relieved that Kevin didn’t have to experience loss, he was hoping that that would never happen, that the Crystal Grumps would stay strong. The warp pad ignited in a bright light, the departure scaring a few of Holly’s birds before they settled once more.
“Ross, you owe me fifty bucks.”
“What. why?”
“I told you they’d all get together.”
“Nah that’s not proof Holly, mouth kiss or it isn’t true.”
“Fine. Double or nothing?”
“You’re on.”