Beyond The Gem

Twenty Two

     Garnet and Amethyst stepped off the Warp Pad, looking around in awe. We were in Pink's chambers, which hadn't changed at all since I'd last seen it. The only thing that changed was the new addition to the couch...two figures that made me snatch Garnet and Amethyst and pull them behind the couch, out of sight. White Diamond and her Pearl. They hadn't noticed the Warp Pad because White was in the middle of talking, and for once I was grateful the Warp Pad was far away from the window to the human zoo.

     "...no sense. Why did she have to do it?" White sighed. For a moment, I thought they were talking about Rose killing Pink. "Emerald has gone far past her limits. I don't understand why she has to be so cruel about things. Her Tanzanites are only getting more and more powerful."

     White Pearl sighed. "I know, My Diamond. It's truly a shame that we cannot locate her."

     The two continued to speak, and my hand ran across the fabrics of the couch. Garnet watched me uncertainly as I was mesmerized by the familiarity of the couch and the room. Amethyst sharply tapped me on the shoulder, pulling me out of the daze. She whispered, "Who are they?"

     "White Diamond and her Pearl. These are Pink's private chambers." I ran my hand on the couch again, but a weight shifted and all three of us dove underneath the furniture. White's voice sounded.

     "Pearl, I...don't normally say this, but can I just have a little time alone? Not here, no. I need to think about the recent murders without... interference."

     Pearl's voice, a little hurt, came after a pause. "Oh...uhm, o-of course, My Diamond. Take all the time you need. I'll be here." I watched White's boots move out of the room and eventually move through the door. Once I was certain she was gone, I leapt out from under the couch and in front of Pearl. A daring move, but a move nonetheless.

     White gasped and instantly embraced me, tears flooding down her face. "Pink! Pink, you're really here! I've missed you so much, you have no idea!" She cried, and I eventually returned the embrace. To see and feel another Pearl after all these years...it felt like a fantasy. I hugged her tighter and tears streamed down my own face. We released each other, and she eyed my hair, running her hands through it. "Your hair...it's not pink anymore? What happened?"

     "Well, it-" My hands flew up to my mouth, and I was unable to speak. I lowered them, shaking my head. "I can't say. I can only explain what happened before, but never what happened then."

     "Oh..." Her eyes moved over my shoulders, to Garnet and Amethyst. "Who are they?"

     "White Pearl, this is Garnet and Amethyst. We're some of the final members of the Crystal Gems." I instantly knew it was a mistake the second it came from my mouth. White's eyes widened, and I held up my hands. "No, no, it's alright, we're not here to...do...that?" I shook my head violently. "I saw Pink's ship and couldn't resist! We're still friends, I promise!"

     "Are we?" White spoke in a low, flat tone. The tears that filled her eyes weren't of the joy of seeing me, but rather the sadness one might feel during betrayal. "You're a Crystal Gem. A direct enemy of the Diamond Authority. And Pink's Ship is here because the Diamonds came to the conclusion that this is Pink's colony, so Pink's ship should be on it. Her shards are on here as well, and are to be crushed to dust and spread across a grove on the planet so she will forever be with it." She waved her hand, turning away. "You know why we're here now. Just leave. We're leaving soon, anyway. Don't worry; I'm not going to tell White about your visit here. But if it happens again, I won't be as nice."

     She began to walk out the door, and I couldn't help but call out her name. "White, please! I told you we're here on friendly matters, not-"

     "I don't like repeating myself!" She whirled around and shouted, balling her hands into fists. "You're an enemy, all three of you! I should shatter you for everything you've done!" Her voice was full of pain and sadness. She waved her hand, still yelling. "Go! Don't return! If I see you, I'm not going to be merciful! Not even on an old friend!" She pointed to the Warp Pad, and I stared at it for a moment.

     I couldn't leave. Didn't want to leave. "White, those aren't-" I tried to tell her they weren't her shards, tried to say that Pink Diamond really was Rose, but my hands flew to my mouth and prevented me from saying anything more.

     "What are you trying to say?" White's voice lowered, and she inched closer.

     I turned to Garnet and Amethyst, sucking in a deep breath. I wasn't sure if this is going to work, but I had to try. "Hold my arms back. Don't let go." White looked with curiosity, watched as Garnet and Amethyst gripped both my forearms with both of their hands, pulling them behind me tightly. I started in a soft voice. "Those aren't-" My mouth closed on me, and I clenched my eyes shut, raising my voice as if that would help. "Those aren't-" My mind fought back, twisting the words and preventing me from speaking. It was as if Pink's voice was in my head now, whispering the words, Let's never speak of this again. I grit my teeth together and yelled, yelled so loud that the words came out. "Those aren't Pink's shards!" My arms fought against the two's grip, but they bared their teeth and grunted, pulling back and fighting against my own struggle as the words Pink deliberately told me not to repeat came from my mouth, and slowly, White's jaw fell.

     Once all the words had come out of my mouth I fell to my knees, bobbing my head in shame. I'd disobeyed her. I'd completely, utterly disobeyed her and ruined our promise. But White knew, and she knew everything well. So as the two released me, I looked up and spoke, but my voice was nearly a whisper. "If you want me to go, I'll go. We'll leave and never return. If you want to tell White, tell White. If you want to tell the entire universe, do it. It doesn't matter now."

     White stepped over slowly, holding out a hand to me. I took it and stood, and she clapped her other hand over mine. "Nobody else will know." Hastily, I took her hands and lifted them slowly to cover her mouth.

     "Please," I breathed, and she looked at me nervously. "Let's never speak of this again."