A Diamond That Doesn't Shine

Rise

The moon base’s silence was a far cry from the chaos of Earth. Its cold, metallic halls and the endless void of space offered a strange solace to Lapis and Jasper, who sat on opposite sides of the observation room. The vast expanse of Earth hovered below, its blue and green surface serene and distant. 

For once, the silence wasn’t tense. 

“This place is… quiet,” Jasper muttered, her voice low. 

Lapis tilted her head toward the towering gem. “It’s nothing like Earth, is it?” 

Jasper scoffed. “Earth is loud. Unpredictable. But here… it’s clear. No distractions.” She paused, her sharp eyes narrowing. “No one to manipulate us.” 

Lapis frowned, looking away. “We manipulated each other. Don’t act like it was one-sided.” 

Jasper’s jaw tightened. “I thought fusion would make me stronger. Instead, it just… twisted everything. Made us weak.” 

Lapis sighed. “It made me feel powerful—for once, Ibut i was just a prison. All of my energyand metal strengthdrained to keep you locked away.” She turned her gaze back toward Earth. “We weren’t good for each other, Jasper. We hurt each other.” 

Jasper nodded begrudgingly. “atleast we agree on one thing... No more fusion?” 

A faint smile crossed Lapis’s lips as she holds up her pinky to try and form childish pinky promise. "Not ever again.” 

Jasper joins her as thetwo lock fingers, a brand new bond and basic understanding of eachother now formed.

Unbeknownst to them, Y/N lingered in the shadows of the base, their mind working through the final stages of a plan they had been crafting for weeks. The conversation between Lapis and Jasper only confirmed what Y/N already suspected: they were ready for a new direction. 

--- 

Later, Y/N joined Lapis and Jasper in the central chamber, the Earth still visible through the observation window. 

“I’ve been thinking,” Y/N began, stepping forward. " I’ve been thinking,” Y/N said, sitting down across from them. "You two deserve better than this—better than staying here on Earth, tied to a past that doesn’t define nor help you."

Jasper raised a skeptical eyebrow. “What are you getting at?”

Lapis narrowed her eyes but stayed silent.

Y/N leaned forward, their voice earnest. “I’m talking about Homeworld. A real chance at a new start. ” 

Jasper crossed her arms, a skeptical brow raised. “And what do you suggest? Going back to Homeworld? They’d sooner shatter us than welcome us back.” 

Lapis frowned. “Homeworld is no better than Earth. It’s just a different kind of prison.” 

Y/N shook their head. “Not necessarily. With the right allies, you could have protection, freedom, and purpose. A real chance to start over.” 

Jasper’s eyes narrowed. “What allies?” 

"I can promise you protection—ultimate protection as black diamond". Y/N had Jasper hook line and sinker Lapis however needed more convincing. Y/N smirks a bit. "Otherwise theirs always Steven ,” Y/N said, their tone deliberate. 

Both gems stiffened at the name. 

“What does he have to do with this?” Jasper growled. 

Y/N stepped closer. “Steven isn’t just Steven. He’s Pink Diamond.”