Pearl

The Answer Part 1

Gem building and colonization sites began popping up all over Earth, so Pearl and Rose took advantage of that. They traveled to all the sites they could, recruiting few Gems from each one. Then the two outcasts would go back. They were very careful to cover their tracks, as they knew Jasper was after them. Soon, they had gathered enough combat, working, slave and aristocratic Gems to create a respectably sized group- but not nearly enough to create an army.

Meanwhile, Bismuth cranked out as meany weapons as she could, spending weeks at a time in the Forge creating and perfecting masterful weapons. She was also in charge of training the Gems how to use these weapons. Bismuth also erected many bases for the Crystal Gems, hidden from humans and Gems alike.

The slave and servant Gems were eager to help in creating buildings and funding information at other Gem sites, and they and aristocratic Gems were used as information gathers and sleeper agents. Soon, the small band of Gems were able to create a respectable web of leaked strategies and future building sites that the Diamonds were planning.

With these precious facts, Rose and Pearl lead the Crystal Gems against the weaker sites, destroying them and falling back into hiding. The Diamonds started to take notice, and reinforced their defenses. It became harder and harder to destroy major sites, and soon, Rose recognized they needed to take out a major Diamond base- and fast.

Pearl, Bismuth and Rose were debating when a Cateye- and aristocratic Gem that was a spy for the Crystal Gems- came rushing in, her physical form scratched and battered.

"Blue Diamond!," she gasped, clutching a table for support. Pearl rushed to her side and examined Cats Eye's battered body. "She's coming- she's here to stop us, and she has her entire court with her. They are above the Black Mountains. We have to stop them!" Rose walked up to the panic-stricken Gem calmly and held her hands. She looked into the Cats Eye's thin pupils steadily.

"You've done very well today. Please, feel free to rest if you want to." The Cats Eye looked like she was going to protest, but Rose squeezed her hands momentarily, and Cats Eye sighed. Reluctantly, she closed her eyes, and poofed. Rose looked at Bismuth. "Me and Pearl will go. Look after these Gems. We'll be right back." Rose turned to Pearl, who eagerly jumped to Rose's side and bowed her head.

"It would be an honor, Rose." Rose smiled and held out her hand. Bismuth handed her two thin swords, which the pink Quartz handed to Pearl.

"Use them well," she said to her stunned partner. "You've been training. Use these until you can use your weapon right. And thank Bismuth." Pearl looked at an unsure Bismuth and narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Thank you, Bismuth," she said with a thin smile. Bismuth gave a nervous laugh, which Pearl responded to with a cold gaze. The builder Gem went silent. "I await your command, my Quartz." Rose gave Pearl a look of exasperation and amusement.

"Let's go, Pearl."

☆☆☆☆

Pearl and Rose had traveled below the Black Mountains, looking up. It was cloudy, but they could see the uncanny pointed bottom of one of Blue Diamond's diplomatic air ships. Rose grinned at Pearl.

"You've been working on your jumping, right?" Pearl gulped. She had been working on it, but wasn't at all confident she could do what she thought Rose wanted her to do.

"Yes," she said slowly, cautious not to sound to confident.

"Good. Think you can manage the jump all the way up there?" Pearl looked up and felt dizzy. She clutched her stomach and nodded slightly. Rose clapped hands.

"Okay then! On three!..." Pearl bent her knees. "Two!" Pearl took her hand off her stomach and and picked her swords off the ground. She started to sweat. "THREE!" Pearl closed her eyes, bent as low as she could, summoned all her strength to her legs, and leapt as fast as she could.

Pearl felt the cold air break as she passed through it like a hot knife through butter, and she opened her eyes. They widened. Pearl was flying. Flying. Rose was right beside her laughing as she spun, her white dress flapping around her in the clouds. Pearl stared at her, enamored. She felt something inside her, something warm and pleasant, yet... alien. She was so confused and distracted that she almost didn't hear what Rose said next.

"We're almost there! Follow my lead!" Pearl nodded and looked at the ship which was now rushing into view. It was full of aristocratic Gems, and had a fine glossy navy blue finish with the deck a bage alabaster. Pearl's eyes narrowed, and Rose flew next to Pearl.

"Ready?," Rose yelled.

"Yes!," Pearl yelled back through the rushing air. The two nodded to each other, and guided themselves close to the back of the ship. Pearl felt herself starting to descend slower than she should've, and figured it was Rose's doing. Pearl looked forward and saw Blue Diamond's giant throne in view, turned against them. The two Gems started descending through the clouds, and as they were halfway through, Rose spoke.

"Blue Diamond, leave this planet!," she cried in a commanding voice. "This colony will not be completed!" There were shocked shouts and whispers, as well as cries as shock.

"Where are you?" "Who are you?" "Show yourselves!"

"We," said Rose as she and Pearl finally came through the clouds and were descending upon the ship, "Are the Crystal Gems!"