Heaven's Strike 3: Outskirts of Heaven [Lapidot AU]

Chapter 15: Pride and Arrogance

A/N: 80%, somehow I was happy how people are still reading this small project of mine.

***

Disten tried to open the door, his bare hands pushing against the rough surface of the door. It was all in vain. The door stood stubbornly in its place. There was not even a window in this room. A shudder ran through him. He was confined within the walls of this room. A metallic smell hung in the room. It reminded him somewhat of the smell of dried blood. The room was dark. Suddenly, the door flew ajar and there's a person behind it, waiting. For him.

"Garnet?" - He asked

"Took you long enough. She left a while ago if you gonna ask me"

"Left to where? She supposes to meet me here, the plan is going perfectly"

"To them, Disten. Your parent, she figures whether you guys win or not, they should know the truth"

Disten took a long sigh, "So..." he said, stopping to take a deep breath. He turned back to the woman in front of him, "Have you decide? Come back to us again like old time?"

Garnet scoffed, "Old time? That's weird. It's final that some of us are reaching for the Jasper crew for help but I'm pretty sure that we're never on the same 'side' before"

"Ah right, sorry, urm, different universe— I mean... Arh, I'm still in the middle of the madness realm, things really getting out of hand when Nora want to make the game even more challenging. And I don't really know how to end this without anyone getting hurt"

"It's war, we do what we have to, you and I, we are no exception. There will be some...unwanted caution. Do you know the story, about the High Priest of the Divine Gate?"

"If I remember correctly 'By achieving the highest sync in fusion state'. But those three wasn't easy to call out, the process could slowly kill the host body from the inside, they won't stand a chance to survive after that"

"Hosts, it requires two people, and one of the three has been summoned already. Didn't you notice, or wonder why Amethyst went missing so suddenly?

He wore a puzzled expression. Garnet continued "It was a shock for me too. When we first arrive to save your friend, Jasper. I thought Nora will try to get White Pearl to chase after but...That purple hair— that's Steven and Amethyst. No, Smoky Quartz, and frankly, if Nora did somehow force them to fuse, I'm afraid I will be the next"

His mind was still a surging perplexity. "Wait, hold on, I thought it only a myth, just something is written in a book?? It's impossible— "

"Unfortunately. The myth is true"

Silent fell in the room, the news was a shock as it surprisingly intimidates him about the upcoming two. Just at the moment, from the corner of the room, the smell of wood smoke drifted through the house like incense. The glowing embers leaped and started twirling in a fiery dance.

"What in the ??" - said Disten as he tried to cover his face, the smoke was pervasive everywhere, "Garnet, get out!! We still have time, just... I can still save you"

"You can't save everyone, not every time, it's the meaning of life" - her voice trembling, she scared of what may come, a bit to her, but mostly, of what it gonna makes her do to the one she loves, afraid it will make her regret for life.

As soon as the fire began the spread faster, the world became illuminated. Garnet removed her visor and pick up the box next to her, "Take her with you, she could lead you to where Steven is holding"

Disten took a glance at the box, there's a long 'meow' escape from it, "A Cat?"

"A Cat Steven, I name her that. Get out before she caught on the flame too. Don't make me force you to move" - as she summons two of her gauntlets

He didn't say a word, eyes shut tight and quickly sprint out of the place.

Finally... Garnet thought.

It's been hell of a damn circle. I know, Disten, about the story, even this is a whole new world, very much different but also very much the same. Nora, she creates it and makes us forget, but my power manage to bring back the old memories, at first it a bit of confusion because of the false duplicate memoirs. But I still remember, about my friends, my family, I want to protect them as always, sadly, I'm only the pawn here.

I was having my doubt since your first step foot in this big picture. But I change my mind now, for knowing who you really are, the important missing piece. When Peridot breaks the curse on Lapis and when they are united again. Help them. Because I won't be around anymore.

I already tried to convince Amethyst, and it was successful, but one member still lost in the dark and couldn't find her way out. Please save her too, before she drowns again in the fail past she once take before. Pearl makes a mistake, and we couldn't help her from it, it's our responsibility to be by her side now.

Nora. That girl, too. She just doesn't know how to deal with her choice, a lonely kid. Go easy Disten. And your parent, they would be proud of you. I can see it, they love you so much, you're a treasure to them, don't ever forget that. Even they didn't know...

Footsteps came from behind her back. Garnet ran her hand through the loose hair and fixed the person in a frozen stare. White Pearl, holding a sharp blaze pointing at Garnet face, "You got any last word?"

"Seems like my doubts are always true, she did send you to kill off the other for her. Tell me how is your sister doing, the blue one—"

"None.of.your.concern" - White Pearl snarled more than spoke, a vein almost popping in her temple and her fists tightly clenched

"That's what I thought", as Garnet took a step towards to her, "You can't stop them from preventing Nora's plan, it's fate"

White Pearl stayed right where she was. Garnet took another step forwards, now almost nose to nose.

"It's Sunstone turn to show up, though I know she will cost me this life, soon death will come to you too. The future never lies"

Blood was dripping from the blaze.

"This won't be the end of us. I won't ever stop fighting, for my family, for the place where I'm free! To live together and exist as me!"

***

Watching thick gray smoke billowing into the skies. The once pale blue sky is now shielded by a veil of darkness as the smoke swallows up the whole sky. In the distance, as he stood alone in the fiery night, bright colors dancing, then changing before his eyes. He observed, taking a deep breath.

"Guess it's you and me now kitty"

Inside, a typically-colored calico kitten, being predominantly white with orange and bluish-black patches. Her eyes are blue, with the right eye scarred closed. She's yowling like a baby calling for mother. Disten returns her "meows" though it didn't quite convincing to her. He reaches down and grabs her, holding her softly. It will be quite challenging now...