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How long ago was it again?
Ah, 376 years and 5 months.
At least that was how long Rutile told them they'd been asleep. Padparadscha was definitely setting new records. It had been too long, it had been, painfully, too long. Padparadscha had been dropping hints for hundreds of years but maybe it was time to just tell Rutile that they were sick of being born again. Was it really so selfish to wish to never awaken?
"It's so good to see you again!"
Rutile squealed as they tackled Padparadscha back onto their box. Padparadscha could help but smile, it really had been too long since they'd seen the ever eccentric Rutile.
"Hey Rutile, how is everybody?"
Rutile's smile only widened
"Same as ever~ they're out on patrols right now. The Lunarians have been more aggressive as of late."
Padparadscha pushed themselves up to sit against the back of their coffin bed. Rutile sat at the other end of the bed with their knees poking out the sides as they tried to criss-cross apple sauce. Padparadscha huffed and brushed their large bulky mass of hair out of the way.
"So any new gem?"
Padparadscha's voice lowered as they continued.
"Did we lose anyone?"
Rutile just rocked back in forth in their spot.
"Nope! Same old cast as when you left!"
Now that was defiantly weird. Almost 400 years was enough time for at least a few new faces to appear and a few to leave for the moon.
"Come on Padparadscha! Get up, I have something to show you!"
Rutile slapped their hands down on the rim of their bed and pushed themselves up and stepped out of the box. Padparadscha just gave a pained smile.
"Rutile, I don't think you'll have enough time. I mean I can already feel myself tiring and well, is it even worth it to-"
The world went blank and Padparadscha fell forward into their coffin. The darkness of their world encroached on Padparadscha.
As predicted, the dreams began. Some could last for several years while others only last a night. Most of the time, however, it was pure darkness for years on end.
Then there was light. Euclase was running up to them. They seemed so stressed, Padparadscha wondered why. Padparadscha's body moved without them as they met Euclase in the middle of the room.
"Euclase what's wrong?"
Euclase's head whipped up to face Padparadscha. They were so panicked, eyes wide in terror. Padparadscha could feel their fear infect them.
"Ja-"
Euclase didn't get to finish as one of Obsidian's blades pierced through their stomach. Euclase was a tough one too, this wasn't just a slip of a wrist from a newbie. Who the hell did this? Right after Euclase dropped, another sword got launched straight at Padparadscha. They could barely dodge as they fell backward, The sword flew over their head and lodged itself into the wood table used to hold the maps and battle plans. Padparadscha turned back towards the attacker only to see a black blade only an inch from their face.
When they opened their eyes again they were being dragged out of their box. Huh, that was really fast.
"How long have I been out, Rutile?"
"Oh! Like 10 minutes, don't worry!"
Rutile preened
"Wha- what the hell?"
Padparadscha bolted up. They almost fell over trying to speed out of their coffin. They looked down at their chest to see it filled in with a shining green gem. It looked a lot like Peridot or Jade.
"Come on! I have something to show you! I made us a little picnic in anticipation of your return!"
"Oh-oh. Is everyone else going to be there? Yellow diamond always misses me and I'd love to talk to her about the good old days ya know?"
Padparadscha tried to casually talk off the weirdness of this whole situation.
Rutile's smile faltered for only a moment.
"I already told you, they're all out on patrol."
Padparadscha giggled to themselves.
"Yeah yeah, but I mean like Obsidian, Red Baron, Alex?"
"All out on patrol."
Rutile said flatly like Padparadscha was an idiot.
"What do you mean? Phos can't fight and Alex isn't even allowed to look at them?!"
"They got over it, they're out on patrol now. Alex can just close their eyes around Lunarians and Phos got stronger. I told you that the Lunarians were getting more aggressive right?"
It had really gotten that aggressive huh? It was a shame Padparadscha couldn't even stay awake long enough to help the fight.
Rutile snagged a satchel with multicolored cylinders of crystal. That must have been more replacements for Padparadscha. Why would Rutile have so many? Usually, they woke Padparadscha up as soon as they got the materials needed. It had also been 400 years since they last woke up, that must have been enough time for Rutile to switch tactics and focus mainly on collecting as many as possible so Padparadscha can live as long as possible.
"Now that we're done, let's get going!"
Rutile grabbed Padparadscha's arm and dragged them away.
"H-hey hey! Slow down!"
Padparadscha's voice was not heard as they were dragged away through the innards of the school.
"Whooo, aren't picnics for the outdoors?"
"Outside is so loud and busy with all the patrols!"
Padparadscha didn't question it anymore as they were dragged.
Rutile dragged them through the main commons where there was a wooden table with a map and a large gash in the wood. Wait. Padparadscha had seen that before.
Padparadscha slammed their heels down on the cold, grey ground and tore away from Rutile and towards the table.
"Padparadscha?"
Padparadscha ignored Rutile. They weren't important right now. Padparadscha slammed their hands down on the table.
So that wasn't a dream. Who was attacking all of the gems then? Who killed them all. Padparadscha doubted even Bort could fend off against whatever force they were up against. Whatever of their own forces. Padparadscha looked down at the jade in their chest. What happened to Sensei? He was probably asleep if all of that happened. But who could send him to sleep for such a long time?
"Pad-"
"Where are the rest of the gems again?"