Where Loyalties Stray

Chapter Ten

"So y-you lied?" asked Steven, taking a step towards Agate and Charoite.

Agate laughed. "Obviously."

Garnet walked up to Agate and Charoite. She was taller than both, and picked them up by the collars of their outfits.

Emerald stepped forward towards Garnet. "Let them go."

Garnet ignored her. "We gave both of you our trust. We thought you would make good choices, and actually fight for a helpful cause: for others, not for yourselves. There were a few possibilities, and I thought you both would choose the best path for other people and gems, but I was wrong. You are both selfish gems, like Peridot, Jasper, and Yellow Diamond."

Agate closed her eyes concentrating on something.

"Like you never think about yourself. You act like a gem in control, quiet and always perfect, but do not act like those thoughts never cross your mind. We know you, Ruby, Sapphire." Charoite said.

Garnet grimanced and started to shake, barely holding onto the two gems. Agate stayed silent.

"We know you Garnet. More than you think we know." Charoite said, smiling.

Garnet dropped Charoite and Agate. She grabbed her head, shaking. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

"Stop that!" Garnet yelled, kneeling on the ground.

Garnet started to breath heavily, clutching her head. She tried to crawl forward to grab Agate, but stop.

"You're tearing us a-" started Garnet, before she glowed.

Ruby and Sapphire appear and fall into the sand. Sapphire's bangs are parted and her eye is closed. Ruby rushes over to her.

"Y-you hurt her. You hurt Sapphire!" shouted Ruby, turning to the now standing Agate and Charoite.

Ruby walked over to Agate and Charoite, her feet turning the sand below her into glass. Agate and Charoite back up. Yellow Diamond stands behind them, her arms crossed watching the three of them.

"You- you- you-" Ruby paused, thinking of a word. "-bitches!"

Ruby reached across, and in one large swipe, she slapped both of the gems, leaving burn marks on their faces. Ruby rushed back to Sapphire, holding Sapphire in her arms.

"Ruby!" yelled Pearl, who gasped.

Ruby just kept mumbling to Sapphire. Charoite and Agate were rubbing their faces.

Yellow Diamond stepped forwards toward the gems. "We will give you twelve hours in advance to prepare. We will be here, waiting."

Yellow Diamond walked back down the beach with her army, and started setting up tents. Agate and Charoite glared at Ruby before dancing together and fusing. Sapphire woke up, slowly moving to stretch her arms. Sapphire scrambled up and grabbed Ruby's shoulders.

"What's wrong?" Ruby asked, holding Sapphire's waist.

"My future vision. It's gone," said Sapphire.