Melanite's Moonstone

Chapter 2

         Melanite stepped through the entrance to Black Diamond's palace, looking up at the throne ahead of her. Ahead, she saw Black Diamond, their pearl standing beside them. When they saw her enter, they turned to each other and Black Pearl spoke in a hushed voice. All Melanite saw was Black Diamond nod, then stand, and one short fusion dance later, Cosmic Aura Quartz sat back on the throne.

        Melanite approached the throne, bowing deeply. "Your clarity, you asked to see me?"

        Cosmic Aura smiled at the garnet. "Hello, Melanite..." Her smile soon faded. "...We need to discuss something about our colony."

        Melanite stood straight, looking worried. "Is...something wrong, my quartz?"

        Cosmic Aura Quartz sighed deeply, looking over at Black Sapphire. Melanite hadn't even noticed her standing there, but when she looked over, Black Sapphire turned away. Was she...crying? Melanite was her friend...what was about to happen? Melanite looked up at the quartz fusion, her anxiety growing.

        Cosmic Aura gave her a pitiful look. "...Black Moonstone has requested an immediate transfer to a colony of Rainbow Diamond's. Until we find a new moonstone for you...You will be working alone."

        Melanite just stared, eyes wide, jaw dropped. Black Moonstone...is leaving? Without even having said a word to Melanite about it...She could feel tears beginning to pool in her eyes. ",,,Y-your clarity,,,What did I do?"

        "You didn't do anything, Melanite," Cosmic Aura reassured her, "Black Moonstone has...always been bitter. We can't exactly avoid that...You've always done great work. You're a fantastic garnet...The colony thrives, your gems love you...This is probably a very good thing, Melanite. We can find someone you're more...compatible with."

        Melanite was struggling to keep her composure. "B-but...M-my diamond, my pearl, please, I-"

        Cosmic Aura gave a disappointed frown. "Melanite...please. I know you're upset, but you know better than that..."

        Melanite was starting to tremble. Black Sapphire gave her one look, then nodded over to the Mystic Fire Topaz guard on the other side of the room-- A gift from Rainbow, Black Topazes were merely darker Mystic Topazes. Topaz approached Melanite, gently putting a hand on her shoulder.

        "Melanite, don't worry...We can find you a MUCH better moonstone...Maybe one that won't insult you all the time? Black Moonstone was too salty, if you ask me-"

        Melanite suddenly whipped around, tears falling, glaring at Topaz. "DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT!"

        The room froze. The gems stared at Melanite in shock. Melanite stood, looking just as shocked, before her glare returned and she pushed past Topaz, running out of the palace.

        Cosmic Aura sat back in their throne, sighing. "...Sapphire, what should-!! S...Sapphire?"

        Black Sapphire stared where Melanite ran off to. Tears were running down her face. She looked up at Cosmic Aura Quartz. ",,,P-please,,,Have someone check on her."

        Cosmic Aura stood. "Sapphire...What's going to happen with her?"

        Black Sapphire covered her face. "I can't- I can't tell you! I-if I tell you...I-it'll only make it worse...She'll suffer more..."

        Cosmic Aura Quartz drooped a bit, then sighed. Black Diamond and Black Pearl unfused.

        Black Pearl looked at Black Diamond, having already internally spoken with them in the fusion. "...I'll speak with Rainbow Pearl at once, my diamond..."

        Black Diamond nodded, sitting back on their throne, looking at the palace door Melanite had taken off out of...They were worried, but they trusted Black Sapphire's judgement. They just wished their friend would be okay...