Shattered III- Home World (A Steven Universe Fanfic)

Rubytopia

RUBY'S HEART pounded in her chest as she looked at the pieces of shattered gemstone in Nalar's eye socket and she searched her mind, trying to compose herself. "H-how? How did this happen? You're not supposed to be alive without a gemstone."

Nalar chuckled weakly. "A few years ago while I was under Pink Diamond's command, the rubies in our squad and I were sent on a mission to take out rebel gems that were hiding outside the main city whom we were told were remnants of the Crystal Gems. We succeeded and killed many gems, but over time, I began to realize that they were increasingly weaker than us and some didn't even put up a fight." He sat up, trying and failing to heal his wounds. "I did some digging and soon discovered that Pink and the other Diamonds were having us kill off weak gems they had cast aside from all around Home World, soldier and civilian alike. They deemed them unworthy of living because of how weak they were and thought that if they just killed them, they could absorb their energy and use it to power their new creations, though I never found out what they were."

"So, you tried to rebel against her ..." Ruby realized.

"Nobody would believe me, they believed everything a Diamond said and I couldn't stand by, even if I was alone." Nalar huffed. "But I never stood a chance; she took me out in seconds and just like other gems deemed unworthy, my squad and I were cast aside to the Slave Village. Some of the rubies realized I was telling the truth and we banded together to be the last line of defense for when Pink Diamond would send more gems to take us out, but we never knew about the Moss until it was too late."

Nalar laughed. "I was never strong, even among the rubies, I was a failure; a waste of a soldier. I hoped every day that I'd have the power to stand out, something to show that I was just as good as the others, but then the power I discovered was a mutation that allowed me to live longer than anyone else just so I could watch my friends die while I did nothing. I'm worthless."

"That's for you to decide." Ruby said, moving up to him. "We're not as strong as the Diamonds want us to be, but we're as strong as we need to. We choose how to live our lives, not them." She held her hand out to him. "I'm not gonna let you die here."

"You don't even know me."

"Yeah, but I'm gonna help you anyway." Ruby helped him stand. "Now, come on, I bet we can find a way to fix this."

He laughed softly. "I guess I can give it one more try ..." He stepped away from her and walked on his own though limping. "There's an old friend of mine called Sphalerite who lives near here; she's a mage of sorts who always talked about trying to find a way to free us from our gemstones. If anyone can help me, it's her."

"Then let's go find her." Ruby draped his arm over her shoulder and helped him walk onward. Nalar looked at her in confusion then smiled softly, letting her help him as they continued through the desert.

EXPLOSIONS RIPPED through the roof of a cave and through the rocks came Steven who flung Black Diamond into the earth, ripping a hole into the ground apart! The Diamond punched Steven off him and slammed his hand against the earth, spreading his shadow throughout the tunnel and shrouding it in darkness! Steven's eyes glowed and he looked through the pitch black, confused as the Diamond completely disappeared when a dark hand grabbed his neck from behind and dragged him into the ground!

Steven fought against the pull when Black Diamond reformed before him and grabbed his face, spreading his darkness over him and draining his energy! He felt his body wane as he lost control, his arms falling limp at his side, when a sword made of light impaled Black Diamond from behind, causing his shadows to instantly disappear and forcing him to let go of Steven! The Diamond yanked the weapon out of his chest and turned to see Gwen and Ben stepping out of a portal, the redheaded sorceress waving her arms in an arc and summoning three magical crystals that floated around her.