Chapter Text
Night patrols were Pearl’s favorites, the moon illuminating, and the wind on her face while she ran over the roofs of the city. The night had been calmer than usual, just some shoplifting and petty theft, nothing too big, so now she was running to meet with a friend of hers, Dwarven Skull, a vigilante that she met through her brother. They had fun that time, so soon enough they decided to do patrolling together.
“Hey Gilded!” The vigilante waved with his axe from the next building.
Pearl jumped one last time to arrive at the building they had accorded a few nights prior. “Hey Skull, sorry for being late, I got distracted with some thieves on the way. Anyways, I haven’t seen you for a few days. Where have you been?”
“Yeah, yeah, I have been busy in other parts of the city. Catching some petty criminals, completing some jobs, y’know, the usual.” Dwarven Skull explained.
Sigh. “I’m not gonna ask about those jobs, because I don’t wanna know the answer.” Dwarven Skull was a vigilante part-time, and a mercenary for the other part. And she knew that. “So, have you seen anything interesting on the way here?”
“Not that I have noticed yet.” That’s when they could hear a series of explosions coming from the city center. At the same time an unusually cold breeze started running, a breeze that was heading towards the same place as the explosions.
“Well, that looks like something interesting. Let’s go?” Pearl asked.
Skull nodded. Pearl took something from one of her pockets, seeds that she threw to the air. Inhaling, and exhaling, she placed her hands in an egg shape, and then quickly separated them, making the seeds to rapidly grow into big vines, in the shape of a ramp to the street.
They jumped off the building once the ramp was ready. Once they got to the bottom, she closed her hand, and the vine returned into a seed. They began running to the center.
“Hey Impulse, have you met someone with cold powers recently? Because I’m sure that we don’t have one in the city” Pearl asked him
“I don’t think so, new hero?” Impulse inquired
“I hope so.” Hope that she won't have to face something she doesn't want to. But they were already arriving, the floor trembled with each explosion, and the temperature was colder than it should be in the middle of june.
One last turn in a corner, and they observed how a battle between two superpowered persons occurred, but both of them turned their attention to a pair of civilians hiding behind some cars. Pearl looked at Skull and they both nodded.
She launched seeds over the car, and generated a plant shield over the civilians, blocking any possible attacks in their direction, but was quickly struggling to maintain it, a lot of fire attacks hitted just as the shield was formed. So, Skull threw his axe away, and ran to grab the people hiding.
“Hi, don’t worry I’ve got you, just run in front of me and you are gonna be safe.” Just in that moment, a new attack came, one that burned Pearl’s vines. Skull just screamed. “RUN, RUN, RUN.” to the civilians, who followed swiftly. He followed them, grabbed his axe, and ran back to Pearl, taking a defensive position in front of her.
Pearl had gotten tired after maintaining the shield during those repetitive attacks. She needed to catch her breath, leaving her out of combat for a few minutes. Minutes where she would be open to the villain. Villain that stopped attacking, and was looking directly at them.
“Well, hello there. You must be Gilded Warrior, and you must be Dwarven Skull.” They pointed at each hero “How lucky am I to meet you here.” They said mockingly, with a modulator that made their voice sound unnaturally low pitched, but still understandable. They then made their staff disappear, and invoked fire on their hands. “Cause that means I get the opportunity to kill 3 heroes at once.” They flew towards the heroes.
Pearl was prepared to receive a full blow from them, until a snow blast hit the villain before they could launch the fireballs. “You stop right there, your fight is with me.” The snow bender screamed at the villain. Pearl looked at them, they talked with an accent, an accent that she recognized.
The villain stood up from the mount of snow that the attack had left. Cleaning the snow out of their purple suit. “You got guts, Frost Elf, I’ll admit it. But will those be enough to save you?” They launched themselves towards the hero, but were interrupted by vines that grabbed their feet, making them fall.
“Maybe not his guts, but maybe other heroes will.” Pearl chuckled, she took a fighting stance.
“Oh you… the stories about you were somewhat correct.” They laughed.
At that moment, the heroes nodded at each other. They jumped towards the villain. Skull raising the axe, prepared to swing it. Pearl grabbed seeds that grew to cover their hands. And Scott, who was farthest away, skated over an ice sheet, preparing ice projectiles ready to be launched.
They continued laughing. “And because I have manners.” They launched a fireball towards Pearl, who had to stop their charge, and block it with vines that were thick enough to block the fire, but not the impact. “I’m gonna tell you the name of who defeated you.” Next they hit their staff against the ground, which made Skull lose balance, before they could get to them. “The name is Violet Dragon. Remember it.” And with a big fireball, they distracted Frost Elf enough that they stopped creating the ice sheet, and made him fall, breaking a bit of his mask, revealing a part of his hair.
Violet Dragon kicked Skull on the stomach, and got close to Pearl. They step on her stomach, for then to grab her by the hair. “You know Pearl, those stories about you I think are a bit of an exaggeration.”
“What… are you… talking about?” Pearl said with difficulty, looking at their deep crimson eyes.
“Well, what I’m saying is that you and your brother aren’t as good at hiding as you thought you were.” Pearl opened her eyes in fear. Dragon dropped her, and walked to a position where every hero could see them.
“Well, you certainly count for a good stretch, so I’ll let you live today. Don’t count yourselves as lucky in other opportunities. But for the moment…” The red gemstone on top of the staff began glowing. “Goodbye.” They swung the staff, and disappeared into thin air.
Everyone just laid down there, simply trying to recover for a few minutes, until the police came. They helped the heroes to get up, and when the paramedics arrived they were some first aid.
After they were done with the first aid, Pearl got close to Frost Elf. “We need to talk.” She signaled Skull too, and the vigilante got up.
Pearl got a few seeds out of pocket, and grew them into a vine that lifted them all onto a roof. Once the vine retracted into seed form, Pearl crossed her arms, and got closer to the Elf
“Now, you have some explaining to do. Scott.” Her voice was less of a question, and more like a command.
“How… how do you kn- I-I mean" he coughed "I don’t know what you are talking about.” He tried to pose heroically.
“Pearl…” Skull joined the conversation. “Can you explain please, what the hell is happening here?”
“Skull, codenames –sigh– you know, at this point it doesn’t matter. Impulse, Scott. Scott, Impulse.” She signaled them both respectively.
“Wait a second. Pearl? Is that really you?” Scott asked, surprised.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s me.” She rolled her eyes. “Now, what are you doing in the city?” She was tapping her right foot, more than impatience, it was a bit of anxiety. ‘Why are you here? Why did you come back after 5 years?’
“Well…” He scratched the back of his head. “A few weeks ago, I received a call that informed me of my father’s passing. So I-i…” His words got jammed while he talked. “Came back to attend his- his funeral.” Tears began forming in his eyes. “I was the only one to attend it.”
‘Should I feel sorry? Should I hug him? Or should I keep my distance? Remember, he provoked the incident… but, he is still my friend nonetheless.’ She got close to hug him. “Oh Scott, I’m sorry for your loss.”
He reciprocated the hug. And dried the tears out of his eyes. “Don’t worry, it has been… a few weeks now.” His voice dried from the tears.
“I remember you both being very close.” Pearl said.
“Yeah…” He released himself from the hug. “I guess I should explain what I have been doing all these years, right? And I should try to get in contact with the rest of the group to apologize to everyone.”
‘As you should’ Her inner voice said. “I’m sure that everyone will accept them, and we can all…” She stopped, looking down with nostalgia. ‘Well, everyone, except Gem.::’ “Don’t worry about the first thing, I’m sure we’ll get to date in another opportunity. I have to go back home, I’m sure Grian is worried about me. Bye” She laughed nervously, and jumped out of the building.
“And well, what’s your heroic style like?” Impulse tried to open a conversation.
===================
Pearl entered through the apartment’s balcony. Balcony that goes directly into the living room, where Grian was watching the news. He turned her head, and watched as she opened the window. “Hi Griba…” She waved her hand.
He runned to hug her. “Oh Pearl, you had me so worried. I had arrived home when the news was reporting on the battle.” He ended the hug, to check on her. “Are you okay, Do you have any wounds?”
“I’m okay, I’m okay, only some pain after the paramedics treated everything more serious, a few bruises and minor burns, here and there.” She paused.
“I know that there’s a but coming.” Grian filled.
“There’s… there’s something more serious than some bruises.” She looked at him. He breathed, and went to close the windows and curtains. He then nodded. “Well, this Violet Dragon person, she talked about stories about me, and that… we weren’t hiding well enough. I think that they were sent by the Watchers.” She looked terrified.
Grian was also terrified, but tried to bury that face quickly, and went immediately to hug her. “Don’t worry. Whatever happens, I won’t let them take us back. Even if they found us again, I know that we can fight them…” They remained in silence for several minutes, only trying to comfort each other.
——————————————————
“Remember, you have to knock them in one hit. Any other hit necessary, and you have failed. Understood.” An old voice said.
“Yes ma’am.” A kid’s voice responded.
Wait, she recognized that voice. She opened her eyes, and only saw a black void, in which she was surrounded by dense fog.
“You failed. What a disappointment, maybe we should bring another—'' The same old voice as before said.
“No! Please don’t bring any other kids… I-i can do this” The kid’s voice interrupted.
“I hope so. Okay, let’s repeat. Lesson 5 How to kill a…”
Pearl turned around to the origin of the voice, just for them to disappear again.
“Oh, how wonderful it is to have our star student back.” A modulated voice said from her back.
Pearl turned around only to face them, Violet Dragon. “I’m not the star student of your stupid-”
Violet Dragon dissipated into thin air. For their voice to be heard from behind. “You may think you're not.” A purple glow began to form. “But your results said otherwise.”
The glow took shape. A rectangle cut by two squares in the top left and bottom right corners.
“Your results were exceptional, once in a generation!” A youthful low voice exclaimed.
“You were exceptionally good. But your brother took you away from your destiny.” The old voice talked with disgust at her brother.
“But now that we found you, we can have our little weapon back” The modulated voice of Violet Dragon reverberated throughout the void.
“NO.” She screamed. Waking up in her bed.
Grian opened the door, running quickly beside her bed. “I’m here Pearl, I’m here.”
Pearl was crying on his shoulder. “I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to be their weapon. I don’t want to be their–”
“Shhh, shhh, shhh. I won’t let that happen.” He just stayed there, for how long? It doesn’t matter, they just needed each other's company.
The next day they tried to go on with their lives normally, after all, it would be more suspicious to be distressed and not have an explanation for it. Pearl prepared for her morning turn on Katherine’s Coffee Shop. Gosh, it’s a wonder how she managed to get one at such a short age, when it seems like it was yesterday when they were in high school, it hadn’t been long ago either, but what was a distant memory was the last time they could all be together as “the emperors”, as FWhip decided to call the group.
“Welp, let’s get going.” She stood up from her chair, and turned to Grian who was finishing his scrambled egg sandwich. “Are you coming to get your coffee?”
“Umm?” Grian managed to mutter before swallowing the piece of food he had. “Yeah, yeah. I’m coming with you. Also making sure nothing bad happens on the way.”
The shop wasn’t too far from their apartment, so it didn’t take more than 20 minutes to arrive there. Once they did, Grian took a seat on one of the tables, and Pearl went to the back to get changed into her uniform, there she greeted Katherine, who was always there before everyone else Once she was ready, she came out of the staff room and started preparing a simple coffee with 3 sugar cubes, and took it to Grian’s table. Before they could, at that moment, the doors went open, a new client entered the shop, a red head, wearing a dungaree over a green t-shirt.
Pearl was surprised, after 5 years, Gem returned? She parted her lips. “Gem?” She asked as she saw the person who had entered the coffee shop. Her eyes watering, she screamed with emotion “GEM!” She runned, and wrapped her in a hug.
“Uhm, hi…” Gem said softly. Her face expressed a bit of discomfort, but Pearl wasn’t watching her face, she was with her eyes closed, just enjoying a moment that should have happened lots of times during the years. Everyone else assumed it was from how tight the hug was, everyone except for Katherine, who seemed to not be surprised when she saw Gem.
Pearl separated from her as Grian stroked her back. “Hi Gem.” He said with calmer than his sister.
The door opened again, and some regulars entered, Lizzie and Joel that immediately went “GEM?” and immediately went to hug her. You could see a bit more discomfort in her face, that’s when Katherine decided to intervene.
“Everyone! We are all shocked by Gem’s reappearance. But I think that we are invading a little bit too much of her personal space.” She pointed to the tables to her left. “What about we sit on one of the tables we have available, and we drink something? It will be on me. Pearl, can you help me serve everyone?” Moved her head to signal the coffee station.
“Uhm, yes, immediately boss.” Pearl responded with a little laugh.
A few minutes passed and everyone received their coffee, and a few other sweets..
“So, I think I owe you an explanation.” Gem opened. Everyone seemed attentive. Katherine was simply drinking her coffee. “After everything happened…”
Gem told the story of how she had become overwhelmed with all the expectatives everyone was placing on her, teachers, her parents, the group, “... my brother…” Her eyes began to water. “I- I’m sorry-” Exhale. “I’m really sorry for abandoning all of you without a word.” She started crying. “Excuse me please, I-i’ll go to the bathroom.” She got up from the chair and headed to the bathroom.
Katherine followed her with her eyes “I’ll go with her. She needs a shoulder to cry in.” She walked to and entered the bathroom. And found a non crying Gem, hands on the sink. “You arrived late.” Katherine opened.
“Well, I didn’t know that Miss Pearlescent would be here. You really need to give us your employee's schedule if we are gonna have meetings at this place.” Gem responded.
“So what’s the plan now that you have been discovered before time?”
“Well, I think I really need to start ‘reconnecting’ with Pearl.” Gem air quoted the ‘reconnecting’ part. “And I have to be careful with Grian. For what Xornoth said his-” She was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Hey, can I come in?” Shubble asked from the other side of the door.
Gem and Katherine met their eyes. Gem started rubbing her face to make it redder, and poured a bit of tap water on her face. Katherine began rubbing her back, and shouted. “Come in Shelby.”
Shelby entered, and immediately went. “Gem.” bringing her hands to her face. “Oh my God. You are really back.” She walked towards her, and opened her arms a bit. “Ca-can I?” Gem nodded, and Shelby embraced her. “I missed you so much. I’m sorry for what I caused you. I’m-”
“Shh, shh. Nothing was your fault. So please, don’t apologize for anything. You didn’t do anything wrong” Gem interrupted her apologize.
Gem then returned to the table, and they talked for a few hours, Gem started catching up with everyone, how Lizzie became is now studying zoology, Joel studying video editing, and those two now living together. Shubble and Katherine too, both owning this place. And Grian and Pearl both working while saving for college.
After a bit everyone needed to continue with their day.
————————————
5 pm. was approaching, and Pearl was already preparing everything to go to her apartment and rest after a long day, that would have been, if not for Grian’s idea.
Grian had come 5 minutes before the end of her turn, and commented to her an idea he had in his workplace. “We need to go with Jimmy.”
“Wait, wait, wait. You cannot be serious.” Her voice expressed a bit of panic. “And what you pretend, that Rifter and Gilded Warrior go visit the second biggest Mob Boss in town at his hq. You know how bad that would look if someone sees us.” Her whispers being loud to Grian
“I know, Pearl. That’s why they aren’t going. We are.” Pearl looked at the floor. Grian places his hand on her shoulder. “Look, I know that we have been fighting Jimmy for a while now, but he is still the only one with whom we can talk about them, and with his position on the criminal underworld, he may have some answers.”
“I hope you’re right with this.” Pearl responded.
After a bus trip, and a few minutes of walking, they arrived at an old warehouse.
Pearl broke the silence that had been formed. “So many battles we’ve had here. I never thought that we would come here in peace.”
“You are correct, it feels weird, but at the same time… nostalgic.” Grian looked up to where he knew the office was, and took a deep breath. “Ok, let’s go and talk to that goon:” He signaled to one of the people at the main entrance. He then began walking towards the goons guarding the entrance, Pearl followed suit.
One of the guards stopped them 10 feet from the entrance. “State your intentions.”
Grian raised his arms, hands slightly above his head, kicking Pearl lightly on the leg, indicating her to do the same. “We aren’t armed. We come to see The Sheriff, tell him we are old friends…” He stopped for a moment, dubious on what he wanted to say next. “Xelqua and Xylena” One of the goons entered the warehouse.
Pearl kicked him on the calf. “What do you think you are doing?” She whispered
“Trust me in this one. Better for Jimmy to know why we are coming from the beginning.” Grian answered.
The goon returned. “Okay, follow me. The boss will receive you”
They followed him inside the warehouse, having to climb some stairs, they arrived at Jimmy's office after a few minutes.The office looked like it wasn’t part of the warehouse, it was fancy, beautiful finishes, stolen paintings, and expensive furniture. Jimmy was waiting for them in front of his desk, signaling to the goon to leave them alone. Once he was gone, Jimmy opened with a cold voice. “So, the Watchers are back.” he chuckled “Those bastards.” He punched the desks.
“And that’s why we came here. We need to know all the information you may have” He coughed because of the nerves “I dunno, rumors on the street, something a goon said, whispers. Anything.” Grian pleaded
“And why should I give you that information, Rifter and Gilded? Don’t you think you have give me enough pro-”
“BECAUSE IF WE DON’T DO SOMETHING, THEY WILL GET US” Pearl screamed. Heavy breathing after it. “Jimmy, you and I, both damn know that they will find a way to use us for their purposes again.” Now less exalted.
“Oh Pearl.” Jimmy got closer to her. “Sadly, I don’t have any more information than what you have.” He took a sip of the cup he was holding. ”What I can tell you is to be careful with this newcomer, Dragon. For what I know they are working with Xornoth, and they are their most powerful weapon.” Jimmy warned. Turning around towards his desk. “Now if you excuse me, I have import-”
Grian grabbed him by his arm. “The three of us here perfectly know who Xornoth is. So if I find out, that you are hiding something else you know, I will-”
Jimmy yanked out his arm. “Chill out old friend. I’m telling you both the truth, you can trust me.” His voice solemn, no stutters, no having to think before saying it.
Grian and Pearl headed towards the door to exit the office.
“Ah, 2 last things. First, tell Lizzie to keep herself out of my business. And second, a message for Gilded and Rifter. Remember to respect the law.” He smiled. The goons escorted the two guests out of the office. Jimmy looked out the window, once they were out of sight he took his phone, and called someone. They picked up immediately.
“Call their office, tell them I have info they may be interested on.”
Jimmy's face got a devilish smile on it.
————————————
The day was beautiful and Scott intended to seize it. She had gone to the cinema to watch the newest fantasy movie. He was now going to the park, it was his favorite place to clear his mind during high school. The sun hitting his skin, and the grass blades tickling his arms. He hadn’t had the opportunity to go since he came back, so he wante-
*crash*
He was so distracted by his own thoughts that he didn’t realize he was about to crash with someone. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He looked up and. “Gem?”
She backed down a bit, a sparkle of fear on her face. “Scott?”
“What are you doing here?” Both said at the same time. “I mean, you start, please.” Both said, again.
Scott started by kneeling and apologizing. “I’m really sorry Gem. I have been thinking of the accident everyday for the last 5 years. And I’m really sorry.” He looked up waiting to encounter resentful eyes, what he found instead was an extended hand, waiting to help him get up, once he did it, he received a hug.
“Scott, don't say sorry for nothing. What happened was an accident, you were not in control of your powers, and that’s ok.” She separated from him a bit, grabbing him by his shoulders, so she could see his face. “Talking of which, you look better than ever.” She took his hands. “And these are not cold anymore, how did you do it?”
“Well, a lot can happen in 5 years. I got to train my powers at the academy where I finished high school. I isolated myself a lot, wanting to avoid other accidents from happening. So I kept training in private, until I managed to get control of them. I kept living in that city for a few years after graduating, since I didn’t feel ready to come back, that is, until I received the news that my father had died a few weeks ago.”
“Oh Scott…” Her voice sounded so genuine. “I’m so sorry to hear that, I remember you two being so close to each other.”
“Yeah, but don’t worry too much about it. I know how to handle grief. And what abo-”
“That’s good to hear.” Gem Interrupted “And I would love to keep talking, but I have to go see my brother. See ya in another opportunity, Mr. Elf.” She punched him on the arm.
“Mr Elf?” Scott asked
“Yeah, you know, since you always played elf’s characters when we played D&D.” She chuckled.
“Ah, hahaha. Yeah, I always did that, didn’t I?”
“Yes, and suited you a lot.” She looked at her phone, and panicked a bit. “Now I have to really go, I’m late for when I told Fwhip I would arrive. Bye Scott.” She hugged him quickly, and started running, turning right on the corner.
Once she was sure he couldn’t see her, her eyes became red, and a red stroke appeared on her hair. She was close to the base, so there wasn’t another encounter to worry about.
“Ugh, damnit Katherine. Well, at least they aren’t picking up on any of my slip ups.” Her phone started ringing. “Hello?”
A muffled voice could be heard.
“Oh, that’s interesting. I’ll be there shortly.” She hung up the call. And continued to run away from the encounter, in direction to the port.
Without her knowing someone observed. Scott had grown a bit suspicious, so he followed her, and stayed around the corner, watching how her hair changed color. “What’s happening?” He said to himself.