Chapter Text
"It's over Black Diamond. You've lost this war." said Pearl.
"Not yet I haven't." he responded. As he did so, he reached for his communicator. "Peridots, send any and all available gems to me." The only thing that was heard from his end however was silence. "Peridots....any of you, respond now."
"Yeah, I don't think you'll be hearing from them anytime soon." Looking up, everyone saw Lapis, Peridot, and Connie arrive. "Hello again my diamond, you clod. Due to recent events, I'm afraid the squad of peridots has been disbanded and will be unavailable until further notice." said a smug Peridot, whos green gem shined the bright familiar shade it normally had.
Before Black could respond to the insulting comment, something in the distance caught his attention. As he looked off, he noticed that Steven was still fighting against Bismuth and Garnet. Seeing this, Black reached for his communicator once more. "Steven, I need you on my location NOW"
As he continued looking over, he saw Steven receive the message and look over towards the diamond. Shortly after, Steven left the battle and was at Black Diamond's side seconds later. Not too long after, Garnet and Bismuth had joined the group surrounding the two diamonds.
"You two alright?" asked Pearl
"Yeah we're good. Little meatball put up a good fight, but we were able to hold our own well enough." said Bismuth.
With Steven, the only special gem left to assist him, Black considered his options as the Crystal Gems had the two completely surrounded, leaving any chance for a quick escape seemingly impossible. After a few moments, he found that one option stuck out more in terms of success than any others he could think of.
"Steven, make a barrier between us and them and don't drop it until I say otherwise. I don't want them to reach us as I need a moment."
As ordered, Steven brought up a wide barrier between the Crystal Gems, Black and himself.
"Alright Black, now what?", Steven said as he looked to the elder diamond, whom had shrunk himself down to a more familiar height. Now standing closer to Steven's height, the elder diamond reached his hand out towards the hybrid.
"Steven, I didn't want to do this, but I'm afraid I have no other choice. There aren't too many options here that will ensure our success, and really only one of them stands out better than the rest."
"Alright, so what're you suggesting then?"
"Fusion. I'm suggesting fusion."
Hearing this caused Steven to step back as it wasn't something he would have thought Black or really anyone would consider.
"W-what? Black, I don't think that's what we need right now" said a nervous Steven.
"Maybe not, but far as I can tell, this is our best option. With our forces dwindling and us backed into a almost literal corner, it's something I'm sure will ensure our victory still. So come now, it's time."
"B-black, please. There has to be another option."
"Perhaps I wasn't too clear. This is now less a suggestion and more an order Steven. We are fusing, regardless of your feelings or beliefs. You want to see peace in the universe don't you? This is how we achieve it. Now, reach your hand out and fuse with me."
With a steady hesitation, Steven reached out his hand, allowing it to connect with Black's. As their gems began to glow and the shouts from the Crystal Gems muffled by the barrier, all Steven could do was look to them one last time. As his look of sorrow began to disappear into the growing fusion, they watched as he quietly apologized for this outcome before disappearing into a thing of light. As Black did the same, soon the two gems began to come together as a new being began to take form. As the light died down, leaving behind a single individual where the two previous ones had stood, everyone looked as the fusion had become complete. The new being, who still heighted around normal ground level heights, stood with a look of confidence. Their attire was a mix of the armor Steven wore along with the suit coat Black Diamond had been seen with. As the fusion realized their completion, he looked over to the group, whom could now approach as the barrier was dropped.
"Hello everyone. I would say it is nice to meet you all, but I believe none of you really think much of me, seeing the circumstances of everything. Please, call me Burnt Diamond." he said as his two gems, which were both seen with a color akin to that of a darkened pink, shined brightly.
"Steven....no. How could you do this to him?" said Garnet suddenly.
"Ah yes. Sorry Garnet. Fusion is a touchy subject with you after all isn't it? Well, you all didn't leave Steven or Black with much choice, so they, or rather Black, felt that I was their best chance for success. A shame that Steven didn't feel the same way. I can still feel his objections now, but they don't really matter either. That was then, and they are both me now. And with the power from this fusion, I can take you all on without issue."
As if to prove his point, Burnt suddenly disappeared from sight. After a few seconds, the group found that Peridot had been struck, poofed, and bubbled. With her gem now in Burnt's possession, he appeared back in front of the group again.
"Oh, that felt good. Sorry Peri, but consider that payback for calling Black a clod. Now, I'm sure you all realize how little chances of success you have here. With Steven's powers and Black's knowledge, I'm afraid you all don't stand much of a chance. I would ask you all to surrender first though, before I have to bring myself to the unfortunate act of poofing all of you."
"That's not going to happen!" declared Bismuth. "You might be a bit stronger and faster, but there's always a chance. We'll find a way to beat you down and save the little man still."
"I see. Does she speak for you all?"
"She does." said Garnet. "You have brought something terrible upon Steven and that is something we cannot forgive."
"-sigh- very well then. Honestly, I hoped you all would see reason. I don't particularly enjoy this sort of thing, but I'm not above it either. Now, come at me."
As Burnt said this, Garnet was the first to charge the fusion. With her gauntlet, she swung and connected with the fused diamond. However, she soon found her strike had little effect.
"Hmph, I knew I had become tougher as a result of coming from two diamonds, but I believed you all would still bring some excitement. Sadly, I couldn't even feel that strike of yours." he said. With a quick movement, the fusion soon struck Garnet in return, sending her back a few yards, but leaving her form intact.
"Garnet, you alright?" Amethyst said as she went to check on the fallen gem.
"I'm...fine." the fusion said as she displayed some damage. "I managed to get something out of that thankfully." she showed Peridot's gem, which was now unbubbled.
"Huh, well done Garnet. Always trying to plan ahead I see. Didn't think you'd be able to get her back so soon, but it's of little concern." said Burnt
As Garnet recovered, and rejoined the group, she gave a tip. "Careful everyone, he's using Steven's strength."
"None of you stand a chance here, and to prove my point, let me show you all something."
With a quick twitch of his hand, Burnt's finger soon began to glow black, signaling the activation of Black Diamond's ability. Before anyone could react to it though, Burnt disappeared again, this time moving towards Amethyst. Before the purple gem could react or even process what was happening, she soon found her gem being taken over by the black void placed within her by the fusion. Soon, with a now black gem, Amethyst faced towards the group.
"Amethyst, help me take this gems down."
Without a word, she soon began to attack the nearest gem, who happened to be Bismuth.
"Bismuth!" Pearl cried as the once purple gem began to attack her former ally.
"I'll be fine. Nothing I can't handle. I'll keep this one occupied, you all take down that fusion."
"Right. Everyone, be mindful of your gems. If he gets anymore of us, it won't be good."
"I could just end this now and turn you all before any of you really knew what was happening you know?" taunted Burnt. "But, where's the sport in that? I think I'll try to have some fun with you all first. After all, not everyday anyone gets a chance to fight a fusion of diamonds. So, who'll be next then?"
As he said this, the group responded to his taunts. With Connie, Pearl, and Spinel charging the gem, he began to make moves for a counterattack on each gem. As he struck Pearl and Spinel, sending them both back a few yards in a similar manner to Garnet, something strange happened when he moved to do the same to Connie. As she noticed the blow incoming, the young warrior moved to defend the incoming strike.....only to find that it never came. As she dropped her defense, she saw Burnt Diamond's fist, which was now shaking, just inches from her.
"What's....this?" said a surprised Burnt.
Before he could further process the event's that were happening, Connie took the opportunity she had been given and swung at the fusion. Before the blade could make full contact, Burnt stepped away as the blade narrowly missed it's target.
"I don't understand......why did I stop?" said Burnt as he looked down at the still shaking fist. As if to test his theory, he activated the super speed again and moved to strike Connie and Jasper. With Jasper, she was struck and damaged, but with Connie, Burnt found that he was unable to touch her. Now back a few feet from the gems, he stood in confusion.
"I.....what's happening? Why can't I hit her?"
Before the events occurring could be process further, Garnet moved to strike once more. Seeing her approach, Burnt moved to counter, but found something else happen instead. As she went to swing, her fist slowed down and the power decreased, making the blow useless as it landed, allowed Garnet to gain a free strike. Though the impact left the diamond unphased, the lack of her attack had more of an impact.
"This doesn't make any sense. I'm in control here. Why is this happening?"
"Hmph, don't you get it Burnt. You might be a fusion of two diamond's, but your also part Steven....and he's never been one for violence, especially on us.....especially on Connie. Your fusion is unstable. Black and Steven's morals are colliding, leaving you powerless to defeat us. I'd be willing to say even now you can feel the difference stirring about." explained Garnet.
Hearing these words, Burnt soon found some truth behind it as suddenly his form began to show signs of irregular activity. Parts of his form began to glitch as if his gems were cracked. Feeling the inner turmoil, he began to clutch his head.
"No...stop. Steven, what are you doing? We can end this....if you'd just STOP"
As the fusion struggled to maintain stability, the Gems soon found Burnt's form glowing. Not long after, the form disappeared as Black Diamond and Steven separated.
"Really? Just like that and it's done?" said a surprised Black.
"Fusion isn't something you do just for power Black. If your parts can't find common ground, it's causes the fusion to be unstable. You never would have been able to maintain it for long, even with Steven under your control." said Garnet.
As Black looked on in disbelief, he noticed that the fight between Bismuth and Amethyst had concluded as well, as the bulky gem approached while holding a now purple gemstone.
"So, as we said earlier.....it's over." declared Pearl.
Seeing that he and Steven were in the same predicament as before, with the main difference being that there were two less gems facing them as Peridot and Amethyst were still poofed, Black looked to Steven and noticed his still black gem. With a sudden idea, he began to move on the move made out of desperation.
"Steven, get up."
"Right....sorry Black. Hurting them.....I just can't. Especially Connie."
"I understand. Your bond with them was too great, and I have only myself to blame for such an outcome. However, this has allowed me to notice something further, something that I've taken a slight note over for sometime now."
"What is it?" said a nervous Steven as he couldn't deny the ominous feeling that Black was giving off with his declaration.
"My young diamond, I believe you have been holding back and avoiding our recurring problem, that being the Crystal Gems."