Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mayday sighed, strumming idly on her guitar. She wished there was something more they could be doing to find the unholy combination of Kimberlite and Scapolite. The fusion dragged under the Earth’s crust, deep in the heated mantel. No leads past Kimberlite dragging their shared form under. Zuke tapped his drumsticks together.

“You’re thinking about them too, huh?” Zuke sighed, letting his sticks vanish. Mayday let her own instrument go. This really wasn’t a music making mood anyways. “Come on, spill Zuke.” He paced for a moment, before sitting down next to her.

“A fusion like that doesn’t last long term.” Zuke said carefully. “Trust me.” He was working through his own issues with Cantera Opal, even now. He and Eve were both trying and healing. Even still, they hadn’t fused since reuniting. ‘Too many butterflies’, whatever that meant. Zuke knew more on fusion than her. Their fusion was a healthy one, his and Eve’s wasn’t. “Kimberlite may be strong, but it seems like she’s the one powering their fusion.”

“So, what? She’ll burn out?” Zuke nodded gravely. “Wait, really!?”

“Yeah…it’s only a matter of time before consciousness begin to mix and become a new form.” He explained. “Like when we make Black Opal, we become one. His fingers meshed together, making his point. “Our conversation and experience is a positive one. Equal parts that work together. A fusion like that,” his hands separated, holding out his pinky and other hand engulfing it, “isn’t equal. When one runs out of steam, the other takes over. Eventually Kimberlite will lose to Scapolite. Scapolite will gain control for a period before they fully combine.” He dropped his hands. “That’s what has me worried. I know what it’s like to get sucked in. To just…vanish.”

“We’ll find and stop them.” May swore it. Neon and Supernova were already looking for the fusion. All the other gems on the island were keeping ears out. Even Zam! “When we do,” She threw a few punches followed by a poof, “and tah-dah!” Her friend chuckled.

“I really hope it’s that simple.” She did too. Zuke huffed, getting to his feet. “Well, I think I’m gonna go head over to Eve’s exhibit. She asked me to come for a bit and see what she and the kids have been working on.” A small smile graced his green features. “They really like her. Good for her too.”

“Have fun.” Mayday waved farewell, kicking her feet up. “I think I’m gonna take a well-deserved nap. All this worrying’s wearing me out!” Zuke rolled his eyes but bid her a good rest before heading out. May curled into the plush pillows of the couch, closing her floral eyes. “It’s just a matter of time…” She mumbled as sleep took her.

-

Hot.

So, hot.

Mayday snapped her eyes open, bright lava all around her. Where was she!? She looked around the pool, butterflies everywhere. So thick she could barely see where she was walking. Little flapping creatures parting as she walked in the ring of liquid fire.

“Zuke?” She called out. He’d know what was up. Zuke always knew what was up or knew someone who did. “Where are you? What’s going on!” The floor bubbled underneath her. Mayday jumped back as a chained hand ripped out the heated pool. Dread sank in her gem. She knew that hand anywhere!

“Well,” Scapolite wheezed, dragging herself up weakly, “hello there my Zincite.” She chuckled darkly. Something mad and wild in her eyes. Something far too new and yet, just as wicked. Everything in her screamed to run but her feet stayed frozen as Scapolite pushed out up to her waist now. “How good of you to help me out. Maybe there’s still hope for you after all.” She laughed wickedly. “Now, give me your hand.” She couldn’t move. Ice dumped all over her despite the inferno. “Give me your hand!” She ordered.

Mayday couldn’t get out a word before the gem screamed. Hot chains dragging her back under. Cursing and spitting until the pool silenced her as she was dragged under. The surface went still, butterflies parting to show her another gem. Another not-so-friendly familiar face. Kimberlite.

The gem had her teeth grit, struggling to pull up chains of her own. Sweat beading down her face as her limbs shook with each tug. She took a deep breath, a vein like pattern lighting up over her faintly before she pulled harsher.

“Kimberlite?” The older gem paused, whipping around to face her. She looked a mix between horrified and…scared? “Are you okay?” She reached out for the older gem to snap at her.

“What are you doing here!?” She practically snarled. “I’m trying to keep her from you and your rebels! And then you come here!?” Mayday blinked, taken aback. Then shot a glare right back. She wanted to be a jerk? Fine. Two could play at that game.

“I don’t even know where here is!” May hissed. Kimberlite was tugged back, only yank viscously back as a reply.

“Earth’s mantle, you fool.” She panted back. Mayday waved away a few butterflies flying between them. “Where I dragged Scapolite after we fused.” Her voice strained out. “Ringing any bells, honey?” But she went to sleep… Mayday hadn’t ever been under the Earth’s crust. Too deep to dig for lava manually. Zam assured her she’d run out of shovels before ever getting close.

“But, I’m, I was at the temple...” She looked down at her own hands. They almost looked transparent. Oh stars! Was she a ghost? Wait, no. Gems didn’t have ghosts. Or did they? Oh jeez, what if she was the first!? Kimberlite gave her a puzzled look. In her confusion, she was dragged down to her knees. She pulled with a groan but couldn’t pull herself back up. “What’s going on?”

“She’s fighting me.” Kimberlite replied curtly. “I hold us down, she tried to pull us up. She wants all of you shattered.” Mayday felt her gem ache. It shouldn’t be a surprise but was, nevertheless. Scapolite had always been the harshest commander she’d ever met. “Human’s too.” Her knees began to dip under. “I’m trying to stop her, but she won’t give up.”

“Why are you helping us?” Mayday curled her fists at her side. She really didn’t trust Kimberlite. Neon did. Coral did. The only thing she and Supernova agreed on was the wariness of Kimberlite. Eve was utterly indifferent. Sayu thought she was alright. But May? She just couldn’t trust the right-hand gem to literal White Diamond. The tyrant of their Homeworld. Yeah, no.

“Because she wants to hurt you!” Kimberlite snarled. “I don’t shatter gems if I can help it. Not even rebels like you.” May scoffed. Yeah right. Because rejuvenation was soooo much better. Wiping memories instead of shattering the- Oh. Mayday felt her stomach twist. Memory wiping, not cool, but better than murder. Not by much. “I don’t want a war, Zinci- you.” Kimberlite corrected suddenly through her gritted teeth.

“Mayday.” She offered. What did Aunty call it…an olive branch? Yeah, that. “It’s Mayday.”

“I don’t want a war, Mayday.” Kimberlite went on without fuss. Weird. Scapolite threw a freakin’ fit at that. “I just want my gems as safe and happy as possible. I may not like rejuvenating, but they’re still alive.” She pressed with a strained look. She was slowly being dragged under. She was losing. “Memories can come back. There’s no coming back from shattering.” She looked haunted. Sounded the part too.

Scapolite, who would kill them first chance. Kimberlite, who would wipe them first chance. The question was who was the bigger problem? Scapolite. She’d torture them. May knew firsthand. The aching ages of no light, locked in her cell. Crying to herself alone for hours on end, barely strong enough to hold herself up.

“Do you know where you are.” May tried. Maybe they could figure this, or at least something out. Kimberlite shook her head. She was shaking badly. Exhaustion marking her form, but she kept fighting. They might be enemies, but the enemy of an enemy was a friend. She’d take her over Scapolite any day. No debate needed. “How can I help.” Mayday asked firmly.

“Don’t let her hurt them. Please keep her away from-” Was all the older gem got out before being yanked under. No sooner was Kimberlite gone, Scapolite was clawing herself out again. A fiendish grin across her vile, disheveled visage. She easily pulled herself up, flexing with the chains on. A smirk mixed with the grin.

“I’ll be seeing you soon, my Zincite.” Scapolite promised darkly. “I just need her Lumosity to…understand her place first.” The lava bubbled, a body forming. Chains from Scapolite leading to the beastly fusion. “That like it or not, we’re in this together. That’s the only way she can come back from such a betrayal.” Her gem shifted to some tan one with a ‘x’ shape sideways in it.

“We’re Chiastolite now.” Scapolite laughed as the deranged tone echoed around her. “And we’re coming for you, once she behaves.”

-

Mayday woke with a cry.

Sweat beaded on her brow, heart hammering in her chest. Breath coming and going in the vacuum of her lungs. Zuke was by her side in an instant. Eve, weirdly, was on the other.

“Are you alright?” Eve asked in thin concern. She was trying. That was enough.

“May?” Zuke shook her gently. “What’s wrong?”

“I,” She blinked. It all felt so real. “I think I saw Scapolite and Kimberlite.” Her fellow gems paled, stepping back. Unfortunately, she had more bad news. “I think Kimberlite lost. Scapolite said their Chiastolite now.” Eve and Zuke exchanged looks over her. “What’s up?”

“I believe we should gather everyone and talk.” Eve stood to full height. “This may be…detrimental to us and the people in town.” Zuke gave a short nod, looking bothered.

“May,” He asked carefully, “Did you see, uh, did you see any butterflies?” She blinked. How’d he know they were there?

“Yeah!” He grimaced. “They were like everywhere. I could barely take like two steps without one slapping me with its wings. I couldn’t even see a foot in front of me!” Zuke looked ill. Covering his mouth and shaking. “Zuke?”

“That’s…really bad, May.” He took a deep breath, letting out shakily. “You remember when I told you Cantera Opal had problems?” Of course she did! Aunty and Zam got him therapy for it. Him and Eve had it too. They were both working on fixing it, but it still left them both scarred. Neither fused with each other anymore. Not again until they felt safe doing so. “In a fusion, a butterfly is a problem. Conflict.”

“And Chiastolite is made of them.” She sucked in a breath through her teeth. “Oh damn. That’s bad.”

“Very.” He confirmed. “A few here and there is normal. Disagreements happen. Working through them is what’s important. When they pile up though,” He shuddered, “it’s bad. Butterflies can tear you apart but also make you stick together. Good fusions end up pushed apart. Bad end up stuck together with glue. They might not be able to unfuse unless we split them up.”

“Then maybe it’s time for them to spend some time apart.” Mayday crossed her arms. “Kimberlite’s done us a solid taking care of Scapolite. Maybe we can do her one back by splitting them up.”

“And then what.” Good question. “Do we know if she’s really safe, or just going to backstab us?” Zuke rubbed the back of his neck. “I get the other gems know her better than us. I’m just saying we should be careful. Scapolite is a clod. Plain and simple. I say we shatter her and be done with it.”

“Zuke!” May exclaimed.

“But,” He held up his hands placatingly, “I know you’d hate that. So, let’s just bubble and be done with her forever. Stick her in the temple and ‘bye bye’.” He waved with a smirk. May puffed out her cheeks. Look, she got Zuke used to be a soldier. That he shattered other gems. That he also vowed to not do so again. Seemed ol’ Scapolite was the exception. The clod.

“Let’s just see what the others think.” She crossed her arms, flopping back onto the couch. Zuke sat by her, quietly leaning against her. “You really don’t like her.” He grunted affirmatively. “Why does Eve get to fix herself, but she doesn’t?” He jerked upright.

“Do you think she deserves another chance?” He asked flatly. She didn’t really know. On one hand, Scapolite was her tormentor. Owner, she hated. A destroyed of worlds. On the other…it was all she knew. No one ever corrected her. Only encouraged cruelty. May frowned.

“I do.” She said at last, Zuke looking floored. A little horrified. “I just won’t be the one to give it to her.” She smiled lightly. “Everyone deserves a second chance, Zuke. Just you don’t have to be the one to give it. Neither do I. She does deserve a second chance, just not with us.” He stared, then nodded slowly.

“That was surprisingly mature of you, May.” She shrugged.

“I have my moments.” She whistled. A few moments later Eve exited the temple, rest of the rebels. Neon fixing his suit while Nova adjusted his headphones. All of Neon’s sons talking amongst themselves. Sayu was the only one of her crew present. The rest staying with the Torpedo guy on the docks. Normally she did too, but she hung around for some reason. Eh, she was nice.

Yinu and her Mama lived with a human, Armik. He was a pretty chill guy. Mayday was totally sure he was in love with Red Coral. Like, had it bad. Red clearly felt the same, just far too shy to act upon it. Yinu, the little devil, was playing matchmaker between them. She wanted to have ‘parents’, once she learned about what they were. All present gems accounted for.

“Eve has filled us in.” Nova hummed. “This, Chiastolite, how did you come in contract with them?” Mayday shrugged. She was just napping, dreaming, and bam! Chiastolite. Eve set a hand on his shoulder.

“Mayday was dreaming. She somehow connected to them.” Her brow knit together. “Somehow.” Mayday shrugged again. She didn’t get it either. It just sorta happened.

“Scapolite’s the one in control right now, though. Kimberlite,” Neon and Nova’s hands slipped together effortlessly. Right. They were friends, once upon a time. “She lost the fight for now. Scapolite must’ve worn her out, I guess.”

“I see…” Neon looked to the floor. Nova squeezed his hand gently.

“I’m sure she’s alright, Moonbeam. Kimberlite is a force to be reckoned with.” He chuckled. “We both know that.”

“Of course.” The latter replied in a dead tone. Sayu nervously glanced between the two. Then snapped her fingers, beaming.

“Oh!” She chirped. “Me and my crew could keep a look out on the sea for them.”

“That is an excellent idea.” Eve praised her lightly, hands clapping quietly together. Sayu blushed, kicking at the floor. Ah, she was too cute for her own good. “Perhaps we could,” Eve stopped talking. She trailed off, eyes unfocused into the distance. Sayu waved a hand in front of her, no response.

“Is she okay?”

“She’s just having a premonition.” Zuke hummed. “Normal Sapphires can see into the future as they please. Eve can only see clear cut events at random but before they happen. Anything else is a feeling, which she can do at will.” He explained. “At least, that’s how she describes it.” Eve blinked rapidly, face hardening.

“I believe I have located out fusion.” She said with a harsh look. “We must warp to Dream Island at once. It is where they will emerge. If not stopped the small island will cease to be.” Mayday summoned her guitar. No way they were losing that adorable little island. Filled with gem stuff they couldn’t keep at the temple. Crystal structures. Other warp pads. Plant life from different colonies. Dream Island became their own special little place to gather away from the temple. Each of them giving something to it. Making their mark on their new home with their old one.

And it was now in danger.

The question was this: Was is Scapolite targeting it to get to them? Kimberlite lashing out at their ‘betrayal’? Or simply Chiastolite emerging from the crust?

“Then it’s time to rockatok.” Mayday played a few strings, grinning at her friends. “Who’s with me?”

The room lit up with various weapons and instruments summoned.

Mayday grinned.

Chapter Text

Dream Island remained vacant as ever. Waves lapping gently on the pearlescent shores. A dozen warp pads around the island, leading to other gem structures. The center warp pad lit up, the gems of Vinyl City appearing from the light. One by one stepping off onto the vacant island.

“This is it…” Eve cupped her chin, looking around the quite isle. “Where is she?”

“Perhaps they haven’t emerged yet?” Neon piped up. “Kimberlite did drag them both in the Earth’s mantle. Fairly deep if I recall.”

“It can vary from thirty kilometers to five in some areas.” Nova hummed. “The ocean is one such a thin area. Emergence could come out any-” The sea began to bubble, steam billowing a ways off sure, “moment. Ah, well. There we are.”

A massive hand breached the sea, obsidian shackles cooling around the gradient wrists. A paler white-tan covering her hands churning into a deep black. Mayday’s gut churned. Their colors reversed. That couldn’t be good. The clawed shackled limbs tore at water, until finally her head popped up. Waves splashing off the re-emerged fusion.

The fusion looked nothing like the one they saw on the shore.

Four once normal hands, now taloned twisted things. Strange, misshaped things poked out her back. Like wings, but with no feathers. More like massive tubes lined up with stretching skin between them. The limbs looked awful. Then came her face.

No eyes. Zuke gagged at the sight. Just a meshed pattern between the white-tan, brown, and black. Like a fight between painters across her face. A mesh of fangs pointed out of her mouth, and strange double pointed ears. She looked borderline corrupted.

“She’s moving rather efficiently.” Purl-Hew noticed. Sayu ran to the edge of the island diving off. A small splash and she vanished into the sea. After a few minutes, her little head popped back up.

“She has fins!” The ocean gem shouted. “Front clawed, back smooth. Long tail, no legs. The sea’s on her side.”

“Well then, no time like the present.” Mayday glanced over her shoulder as Nova reached out and spun Neon into his arms. The pair fusing effortlessly into Tektite. The massive gem flexing as Neon’s sons fused into Rainbow Tourmaline. The large soldier getting ready to fight.

“Sayu and I will be your eyes and ears.” Eve gave a short bow. “I can stay here and relay information between all of you.” Sayu shot them a thumbs up from the water. Mayday nodded, meeting her partner’s eyes.

“Ready?”

“Always.” Black Opal formed, ready to fight. Three fusions, versus one. They were ready, the question was, was Chiastolite. Chiastolite sniffed, lips curling. She turned to them, smirking.

“Well, well, well,” Scapolite’s distorted voice garbled out, “seems you all saved me the trouble of hunting you.” She ripped a chain off one of her wrists. Twirling it in her hands. “I will say, this works in my favor…with her Lumosity resting right now.” She laughed as Tektite growled.

“We’ll pull her out the water, you two give her hell.” The gravity gem spoke flatly. Hands outstretched, a gravity field wrapped around the gem, lifting her out the water. Fins kicked at the air, tail lashing out. Tektite was struggling as Chiastolite thrashed.

“You cannot contain ME!” She snarled, ‘wings’ glowing faintly. Wind gushed out the tubes, sending the large fusion sky high. She grinned freely. “I learned a few tricks down there. I’m stronger than ever now.” Once free, the wings flipped, flipped and she dove in the sea.

“She’s super-fast!” Sayu warned before a tiny yelp. The pearl hurled out the sea by the gem surfacing. Chiastolite now much closer to them. Black Opal caught the mer-gem, who gave them a shaky thumbs up.

“That was so not mermaizing.” Sayu pouted as she was set down. Black Opal summoned their double guitar. Fingers stringing a harming harmony to teach the fusion a lesson. Sayu cheered them on. Concentrated blasts of sound peppered off from their sick riffs. Rainbow Tourmaline took his chance to strike, as did Tektite.

A ring of gravity binding her in place. Loud melodies pelting her in waves. Rainbow Tourmaline drawing his blade and readying it. Leveled right at Chiastolite’s throat.

“You two,” He said calmly, “should spend some time apart.” The blade sank into the fusion, that screeched, just before poofing. Scapolite falling towards the island, flailing. Kimberlite was out cold, hitting a rock and poofing. Her gems clattering to the island floor by the warp pads. Scapolite managed to land on her feet.

Drawing her blade and poofing both Sayu and Eve before either gem could react. She didn’t bother bubbling either girl. She didn’t even curse the fusions behind her. No. Her glare was solely fixed on Kimberlite’s gem. Her blade tightened. It hit May what she was going to do. Black Opal growled, another melody getting ready.

Tektite unfused, Nova throwing Neon between Scapolite and Kimberlite’s gem. He summoned his blaster, pointed right at the opposing gem. Soldier to soldier. Rebel to loyalist. Father to hunter. She arched a brow while Rainbow Tourmaline popped apart in panic. Black Opal was having a hard time keeping it together, angry and anxious at the offending gem.

“One more step,” Neon threatened, “and I’ll personally remind you how I earned my rank. No one has to be shattered today. No one has to die.” She snarled. “Stand down, or be shot down, ma’am.” Gun charged, his arm unwavering.

“Someone does.” She sneered. “If she just listened to me, you’d all be dealt with. You’re all traitors!” Scapolite screamed. “And you pay for it in shards!” She threw her weapon, impaling Neon. Nova gasped as his Moonbeam poofed and another sword was in the woman’s hand.

She stepped over Neon’s gem, weapon high, ready to bring down. Black Opal fumbled for notes, panicking. No, no, no! This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Black Opal flinched as a blade sailed by them, through Scapolite’s back. She lurched, stumbling around to be hit with a lance and saw blades too. She looked shocked, Neon’s sons ready to defend their father.

“What?” She blinked, just as Eloni and Haym hurled their explosives at her, poofing her. Guess she never expected Tourmaline soldiers to ‘act out’. Clod.

“Do not,” Zimelu snarled.

“Hurt out father.” Eloni glared balefully. Haym flipped her gem the bird while Purl-Hew walked forward to pick up the offending gem. Black Opal unfused, Mayday running to the gem in his hands. Zuke checking on Eve and Sayu. Picking up both girls and walking over.

“She’s your abuser, May.” Purl-Hew handed her the gem. “Your choice.” Mayday carefully picked the gem up out of his hands. It was weird. She’d been so scared for so long and…and she was just another gem. Nothing to crazy or wild. In her hands she wasn’t anything big or terrifying or special. She just was.

Staring a moment longer, Mayday bubbled and sent Scapolite off to the temple. Everyone deserved a second chance. She wasn’t lying when she said that. Sure, as Earth’s sky was blue, May wasn’t the one giving Scapolite hers. She burnt that bridge the first time she locked her away. Now it was her turn. See what it felt like…even in she wouldn’t.

Nova ran by them, scooping up Neon. The boys elbowed themselves, smiling between themselves.

“You always worry me so, Moonbeam.” He sighed wearily. “I’m glad you’re alright though. If she shattered you…eh, the boys might need to find themselves a better role model.” Nova chuckled to himself. “I’d make her wish she was shattered.” He looked at the only gem left alone.

Kimberlite.

Her gem sat snugly in the grass, untouched. Mayday slowly walked to the dark colored gem, picking her up. She still had some mixed feelings but seemed she wasn’t a friend of Scapolite’s. That was enough for now. Besides, it wasn’t like she was getting off Earth. Galaxy warps were broken. Ships were grounded.

“Alright guys,” May grinned, somewhat bittersweet, “let’s head home.”

-

Sayu took a week to reform. Neon three days after, to his Starlight’s chagrin. Eve was two. Everyone reformed from the skirmish except for one. Kimberlite. The gem hadn’t so much as gleamed since she was brought back to the temple.

Sayu made her a little nest and stuck her under a lamp. So ‘she could have more light’. The dark streaked gem remained dormant. Eve would sketch the strange scene, then move on. She had a small collection by the end of the week. Neon would sometimes sit by the lamp and talk to his old friend. Like everything was fine, and they were just catching up.

Nova would sometimes chime in, but typically stay quiet. Zuke would sometimes talk to her too, but no reply. Mayday just opted to play her guitar. She wasn’t really sure how to talk to the gem. Still their enemy but one that saved them. Thinking back on it, Kimberlite freely admitted to keeping them safe from Scapolite.

She even called her by her name. No fuss.

Mayday stummed idly, looking over to the dark gem. She sighed, letting the instrument fall and walk up to the gem. She picked up the stone, holding it in her palms. The rich shadows a sharp contrast to May’s own brilliant orange. Two white streaks with a few speckles, where May’s own was a solid color.

It was strange. Scapolite was just a gem. Kimberlite was too. While she didn’t know the latter well, she hadn’t been cruel to them. She never allowed risking humans in the gems she sent after them. Nor did she seek shattering any of them. When given a choice to kill them, she chose to protect them. Her enemies. She chose to protect her enemies…because they were her gems. She wanted them to be happy, in her own words.

“You’re not so bad, are you?” The gem didn’t reply to her. “Neon really likes you, you know. Even though you rejuvenated him…and Nova. He also says you treated him the same, as a friend.” May sighed, leaning on the counter. “I don’t like it. Wiping someone’s memories. It’s bulldozer.” The gem didn’t reply. “I wonder though, after what you did…did you just do it so you wouldn’t have to shatter them? To just, have a friend?” Nothing.

 “I like having a friend.” May went on to the empty room. “I didn’t for a long time. Then I met Zuke. We kinda ran into each other. Complete accident!” She giggled. “Best accident ever.” The gem almost seemed to gleam. “Is that how you and the Captain and ol’ Orb-head met? Accident?” Maybe it was a trick of the light, but the gem seemed to gleam again.

“That sounds about right. It might’ve been an accident, but I think it might’ve been fate or something.” May mused. “Me and Zuke meeting, I mean. Neither of us were happy. I was just the one who got the guts to leave first. He followed me because he needed someone to show him it was possible. It was okay to want to leave.” She turned to the older gem. “If you want to leave, you could have a place here.” May offered, looking to the dormant gem. “It would take some work but you’re not so bad. I mean, you don’t want us dead.” She chuckled. “Low bar, I know.”

The gem started glowing.

Mayday stepped back, Kimberlite’s gem glowing. Floating out of Sayu’s little nest, beyond the lamp the singer set up. Light pulsing out to form a body, only to pop. Gem falling flat to the floor. What? Mayday shuffled over, picking up the gem off the floor. She’d never seen a gem fail reforming before. Did that even really happen?

The gem glowed again, light trying to form, this time pushing further, only to fall back once more. May dove to catch the gem. Twice?

“Can you not form?” Another reform was attempted and failed again, falling back into Mayday’s hands. The temple door glowed, Neon walking out while reading one of his holo pads. The rest floating about. Humming to himself as he made his way out. Maybe he knew something. “Heya Captain?” He paused, perking up. “What hinders gem light form reformation?”

“There are several factors,” He waved the holograms away, “first and foremost is energy. The lack of energy means the longer it takes to reform. Also, the more you reform, the faster you get at it.” True, she knew that. “Cracks and corruption cause the light form to distort, as we’ve well seen here on Earth.” The corrupted gems, left over from the war.  “Large gems also have a hard time reforming in small spaces.”

Wait.

“Isn’t Kimberlite a large gem?” Neon held up a hand, slowly lowering it. “She’s tried reforming three times in front of me, to fail.” Neon dragged a hand down his gem, groaning.

“We…should’ve known that.” He muttered, slouching with a sigh. “I should’ve known that. Come on, let’s take her outside.” He walked past Mayday, opening the door. “She should be able to reform out there.” Mayday skipped after the older gem, bouncing on her heels. At least now they’d have her reformed and figure out where she stood.

No sooner had the pair entered the clearing by the house, her gem began to glow again. Floating back up and light form stretching out. May gulped as she grew bigger and bigger. Neon seemed unphased. For a moment, her form looked like she had long hair. Then it shrank short, a dress flaring out. Then a jacket paired with a shorted cut. Light fading to the all too familiar Kimberlite herself.

“Hello, old friend.” Neon greeted. Kimberlite shrank down, to near their size. May had no idea she was that friggin’ big! She knew Scapolite said she was smaller to fit on the ship, and even to fight them… But she was huge! She walked quietly up to them, looking worn out.

“Hello yourself.” She gave a short no to May. “Hello to you too, Mayday.”

“Hi.” She waved back awkwardly. The silence stretched on. Stars, this was weird. “So, uh…welcome back? Yeah. Um, yeah.” No, she had no idea what to say. Nope. To bad Zuke wasn’t here. He’d know what to say. Neon just stared at her, folding his arms. Gem tilted down, almost disapprovingly.

“I want to…” Kimberlite cleared her throat. “I want to apologize,” Oh? “For not being able to hold Scapolite back. I tried but,” Kimberlite looked away from them, “it was harder than I anticipated. I thought the mantle would be enough. To hold her down and keep you all…safe.” The last word was just above a whisper. Like she was cursing. Maybe it was to the Diamonds.

“But why?” Mayday blurted out. “Why would you help us?” Kimberlite grimaced, but finally met May’s floral gaze. She looked so defeated. Tired. Old.

“It’s as I told you,” She replied softly, “I just want to keep my gems safe as I can. Happy as I can.” She closed her eyes for a moment, sighing. “I would never allow her to shatter any of you. Rebel or not. That’s not a line I wish to cross, if I can help it. Paraiba knows my stance on shattering.”

“I’m aware.” Neon confirmed. “And it’s Neon now. Neon J…though rank is still fine.” Kimberlite didn’t reply. “I’ll be blunt here, Fyra,” She winced at the nickname, “you’re not in good shape.” He said. “You’ve taken over a month to reform, even in an enclosed space. That’s not normal for you. You know that.” She stayed quiet.

“You’ve also just gotten out of a horrid fusion. I doubt Scapolite was a pleasant experience, if Mayday’s glimpse was anything to go by.” He clasped his hands behind his back, straightening his spine. “I am quite certain all of us would welcome you, offer you time to heal with us. However,” He titled his gem down, “if you do stay here, there will be no return to Homeworld. If you try to harm what we have done here, we will fight for it. I don’t want to be your enemy, but I will if it means-”

“Staying with your Starlight?” She cut in, almost sheepishly. Neon lowered his arm, words caught. “I’m glad you two can be together here. I wished it could’ve been allowed on the colony. I’m sorry for rejuvenating but I could bring myself to-”

“Shatter us?” Now Neon cut in. “Why not? We broke the rules? We hid fusing. We ‘fraternized’ between castes. I know you didn’t care, but I’m certain your Diamond did. So, the question remains, why not?”

“You were happy.” She said simply. “Happiest I’d seen you in millennia. If I just, happened to miss things happening and no one saw it, then you could be together a little longer.” Mayday frowned sadly. Seemed ‘a little longer’ ran out, ending in the pair’s rejuvenation. “I know it’s not much, but I am sorry. Truly, Neon.”

“We don’t have to hide who we are here. We can be who we want. No shattering, no rejuvenation.” Neon titled up in a smile. “You could have this to, if you want. It’s your choice.” Mayday watched the pair. She seemed to be thinking it over. Then chuckled, shaking her head.

“If you’re happy and safe, then it’s alright.” A pause. “I can’t go back after turning on Scapolite. I knew I couldn’t go back but I just couldn’t let her shatter you. Any of you.” She lowered her voice. “She said she’d shatter you each and make me watch. That I couldn’t stop her and stars I tried.” His fists balled, cracking. Yep. Sounded like Scapolite. “I’m sorry I couldn’t…” She trailed off. Her face said more than she could.

She was lost. She wanted to do something for the colony, but it disobeyed the rules. She did it anyways because she wanted her friends safe. She could use the bulldozer shattering rule all she wanted. Mayday sucked in a breath, puffing out her chest. Welp, looks like they had a new gem in the group. Kimberlite just didn’t realize it yet. She was gonna learn to love it here.

“Well, in that case,” May offered her a hand, “Welcome to Vinyl City, Kim. Home of the gem rouges, or rebellion, or whatever you call us.” The older gem actually chuckled at that. “Things are different on Earth, and yeah, adjusting is a learning curve but ya get used to it.” She began listing on her fingers. “No tyrants, free will, no castes,”

“Free fusion.” Neon interjected.

“That too.” May grinned. “We choose what we want, not some dumb gem light years away whose never even seen us. We make ourselves happy.” She crossed her arms, confidently looking up to Kimberlite. “We also have our own names. We choose them or get some help in the process. We’re not just another gem. We’re individuals. People! Our names are a part of that.”

“That…sounds nice, I suppose.” Kimberlite relented. “Though, there’s not exactly a lot of Kimberlite’s around.” She hummed to herself. “Then again, I’d rather remain separate from them.” May grinned. “If you are for names, then mine is Tatiana.” Mayday felt her jaw drop. She had a name all ready!? Ki- Tatiana chuckled in her hand.

“I’ve been learning about Earth while spying on all of you. Hoping for an edge.” Neon shook his head, laughing. She flushed slightly. “It had the opposite effect.” Yeah, Earth kinda did that to gems. “Learning here has been fascinating. Reading all these texts, primitive as they are, are fairly entrancing. If not,” She waved a hand, “shatter worthy.”

“What?”

“Gems learning unapproved information can be shattered.” Neon whispered in a hushed voice. “Tatiana is no exception.”

“I am not.” She confirmed. “My Diamond was less than pleased when I picked up information on colony management without her permission.” She shuddered. “If not for the fact she decided it was in her favor, I would be shattered as the others of my cut.” What the heck!

“Why would she do that?” Mayday sputtered. “You learned to help her, right?” Tatiana nodded. “Then what was her friggin’ problem!?”

“She did not permit me to learn it.” Tatiana replied simply. “That defiance was enough.” May groaned, leaning back. The more and more she learned about the Gem Hierarchy and diamonds themselves, the more they sucked. Seriously. How did those clods ever get put in charge? Uhg.

“Well, here you can read all you want!” May promised, leading their latest recruit back towards the temple. “Auntie even showed me and Zuke a place called a ‘library’. It’s filled with all sorts of books and information. It’s pretty cool. I like the ones with pictures and action. Nova’s pretty big on the lame ol’ textbooks.”

Slowly but surely Earth became a home to them. It could for her too, but it seemed she’d already been bit by the freedom bug whether she knew it or not. Neon chuckled fondly from behind shaking his head. Mayday shot him a grin. Seemed he knew too.

All in all, another day on Earth.