Fragile Soul (Tactical Article x Land of the Lustrous)

Chapter 11: Inch Of Pressure

Third Person POV

Standing above a tall pillar was Bortz, scouting the area he was but not for the usual Lunarians, today he was looking for Dia. Soon enough in the distance, a pair of two or three if you count a snail could be seen approaching at a rapid rate. Bortz quickly jumped down and approached the group.

Bortz: Where Were You?! Until This Late...

Dia: I figured it out!

The diamond yelled in a hurry while holding a bowl with a snail and still dragging away the poor merc.

Dia: We can turn him back!

Bortz: WHA?

Dia then tossed the bowl at Bortz before running toward all the gems quarters of rest. The hurried diamond finally made his way to the others.

Dia: Everyone, Come Help!

And in a panic, everyone rushed outside and quickly roped up the shell that remained in the water. Arctic was one of those people as he quickly tried to submerge himself in the water but kept floating up. And when he finally sank to the bottom and roped the shell, he didn't know how to swim upward as he began to panic and drown but thankfully Jade managed to pull him back to land. While everyone was pulling out the shell, Arctic made his way into Rutile's place.

Arctic: Hey Doc...

Rutile: Yes... oh Arctic, hello.

Arctic: yeah... you have any spare bandages for my arm, I was shot by some Lunarians at dusk. So uh, yeah.

Rutile sighed before grabbing some bandages.

Rutile: You're lucky I had Red Beryl create some spares for me

The doc then had to wrap it around Arctic's arm

Arctic: Thanks Rutile, I owe ya...

Rutile: You can start by letting me have some of that blood of yours for inspection, about a gallon.

With that said, Arctic was nowhere in sight and ran off. Back to the shell where the Merc now was, he decided to start helping with collecting all the fragments of Phos within the shell. Arctic used his machete and sickle to pry away shards, but realized it would be easier if he used his sickle and gave Dia his machete to make this task easier. Once it hit midnight, all the gems laid down, tired after this as they filled bowls full of mint green shards and handed them to Rutile.

Jade: This is every part that was a different color.

The doctor then began to put the shards together as they clicked together. Rutile began to work on Phos's body throughout the night, working very hard, however Arctic was the only one who stayed in the area.

Arctic: Hey Rutile, you've been at this for hours... Why not let me have a go... think of it as repaying you back.

Rutile: You sure Arctic?

Arctic had a smug grin on his face.

Arctic: Very...

Rutile: Alright then, thanks

The poor doc then rested on the ledge of the school as Arctic began to try and fix Phos, for a solid hour or two he had absolutely no idea what he was doing but after just a bit of tinkering, began to put the pieces together. One by one it was like a 3D jigsaw puzzle except with hefty complications. Arctic worked through the night with an unset amount of determination to fix poor Phos as each piece clacked together, eventually after an unset amount of hours of grueling work, he finished... and realized he put Phos's legs on backwards. So he sliced it off and had to redo it, and after an extra few more hours of losing brain cells. The little peppermint gem was finally done as Arctic fell to his knees. It had taken him almost a day to finish Phos as he turned to look at Rutile who was still sleeping.

Arctic's POV

Arctic: I am not doing that again...FINALLY I'M DONE! I'm so done now

I quickly walk up to Rutile and poke his face, waking him up. He slowly got up, very pissed he was awakened.

Rutile: Now Now Arctic... you better be done with Phos... or he won't be the only one in parts...

Arctic: I'm done with Phos... so I'm gonna go outside... I won't go far so if you need me, just shout.

Rutile: Ok... and... Thanks Arctic...

I nod my head, appreciating his gratitude as I walk outside. Today is just too long, I haven't slept in a while... wait, nevermind, I technically took a nap when I fell unconscious. That counts, guess no sleep for the next week then. I slumped down by a tree as I looked back at the school. The view was nice, I could see Dia and Bort talking... Red Beryl working on the third floor, and a few others I've seen but haven't met. I began to appreciate it. Something I never had back in Nevada, I'm thankful. Now where did I put my machete?

Morganite: Oh, Hey Arctic...

Arctic: GAH!

I was startled by the pink haired gem who walked by me as he bent down to my face.

Morganite: Sleeping in the daytime I see... just like Rutile...

Arctic: No... I'm just... ugh... fine... maybe I'm a bit tired.

I said reluctantly.

Goshenite: Morga... come on, stop picking on Arctic.

The silver haired gem followed by Morganite.

Morganite: No, I still want that rematch... I know you were holding back last time...

Arctic: Rematch you say... heh, sorry... maybe some other day Morga... I just finished fixing Phos...

Morganite: You're just scared I'll beat you...

The pink haired gem said as he leaned forward getting in my face.

Morganite: A coward...

Arctic: Shut up... pretty sure last time you fought Lunarians you got destroyed. I've dealt with them with ease.

I was getting pissed at what Morga had to say, I just wanted to relax today.

Morganite: Tch, I can still beat you.

Goshenite: Morga... Just leave him alone... he's done enough today.

Morganite: All he's done was fix that damn 3.5... that's nothing...

Morganite then turned to look at the tree as I was long gone. I went back to the school as I saw an entire crowd around Phos, so I'm guessing he just woke up. But the damn peppermint colored gem took one look at the snail as he leaped toward the snail.

Phos: YOU!

Rutile: Hold It! Arctic Just Put You Back Together!

Phos continued his assault on the slug trying to grab it or catch it.

Gem: Look, it's smarter than Phos...

Gem 2: It's cuter than Phos...

Phos: SHUT UP!

Phos managed to grab a bowl and tried to trap the snail as it jumped around trying to escape Phos's wrath.

Phos: No way, dammit! You Little! Get Chopped Up By Sensei! Huh? Of Course It Isn't Ok!

Phos continued to yell out, I was confused as I stood by Dia.

Arctic: He's... Talking... to himself?

Dia: He... is...

The peppermint haired gem continued to speak random lines.

Phos: That Doesn't Mean It's Okay For You To Just Eat Whatever's In Front Of You! NOOOO. That Isn't An Excuse. THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME HAPPY!

Arctic just listened to Phos absolutely shocked, was Phos now insane, even the looks of the other gems showed that he was on the same page as them. Dia was the only one to approach Phos as he was angrily holding the snail.

Phos: I SAID!

Dia: Phos... Who Are you talking to?

Phos: Huh?

The peppermint gem was stunned at this revelation.
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Author here, school is almost over for me so it'll be good that it's almost over. Anyways, yeah... good stuff