Chapter Text
A Sapphire stood among the crowd, all listening to the most magnificent Blue Diamond’s words. A meeting on Earth, attempting to calm the rumors of rebellion, to silence those who would spread panic. The Sapphire managed to gain a view of the towering hologram that displayed her Diamond’s magnificence, peering around taller gems, only for the sight to be snatched away as they moved. She had known what Blue Diamond would say before the broadcast began; she was a Sapphire after all.
She wasn’t well known; you likely wouldn’t be able to pick her out of a crowd of her same Gems. She wore a dark blue dress, carefully done hair, and bangs that concealed her singular eye. She was a Sapphire, appearing as all Sapphires did.
As her Diamond’s voice boomed over the crowd, her attention remained focused. She would not bother to see the many paths of reality that would never be interrupted by a rebel attack. It wasn’t right to feed into lies like that. So she didn’t. She didn’t look to the future; she didn’t lose her focus on Blue Diamond, but she did shuffle around, attempting to get a better view of the hologram.
“Do not fret, there are no rebels, and there will never be a rebellion.” Blue Diamond ended her speech, the hologram winking out as the broadcast ended.
“No rebels.” Sapphire nodded to herself, following the crowd as it separated.
The various gems filtered into groups as they went back to their duties. Sapphire was one of the few who didn’t find herself in a group, walking at a measured pace to the colony's center. Traveling parties waited for their turn to use the Warp Pad. To whisk away to whatever their destination was. She was one of these Gems, though her traveling group was nowhere to be found. A quick peek into the future brought her to stand among a cluster of Rubies, who chattered animatedly of Blue Diamond’s message. Sapphire only half listened, awaiting the Peridot set to accompany them. She watched the Warp Pad and the periodic eruption of light from it. The parties were becoming fewer and fewer, the lingering ones either catching up or waiting for tardy members.
Sapphire knew it would happen before it came to pass. The Warp Pad lit up, a trio of gems standing in the center, two Quartzes and a-
“Is that a fusion?!” One of the Rubies beside her exclaimed, drawing the attention of all the gathered Gems.
“Yes.” The thing in question smirked, a dark green color palette and sharp, angular aesthetic. Four eyes adorned their face, a teardrop gem on their left cheek, and a triangle gem in the center of their throat. “Yes, I am.”
The arrivals stepped off the pad, weapons summoned in moments. Sapphire stepped back before the Rubies beside her had finished fusing. It seemed her unsupported prediction had been proven wrong. Rebelion did exist. She searched the various anals of the future, arriving at one conclusion. She was going to be shattered here. The few gems who could fight were already engaged, the Quartz duo working in tandem to eliminate the guards who rose to meet them. The fusion need not move their hand as water rose from a large jug on their back, the liquid swiftly eliminating any challengers. Puffs of dust blew out in front of Sapphire, but she didn’t run. They were here for any Sapphire they could find, justification unknown. Her sight told her that even if she did run, it would only prolong the end.
“Back off!” The Ruby fusion shouted, standing between Sapphire and the Fusion.
“And what if I don’t?” The green thing laughed, water swirling around it like a snake in the air.
“We’ll take you out!” Her defenders growled, a gauntlet forming over their fist.
“Hmm. Let’s test that theory then.” The attacker launched at the Ruby, water rushing past and slamming into their far beefier opponent.
Sapphire watched them trade blows, a frown on her face. If she was about to die, there wasn’t a whole lot of point in her trying to maintain a lack of emotions. Despite her impending doom, she didn’t end up crying, just a blanket of mild disappointment at how her life was about to be cut out. She honestly expected more from herself, though again, it didn’t matter.
The Rubies fell apart swiftly, red gems clattering down around her. The fusion refocused on Sapphire, frowning. “I don’t want to do this, but it needs to be done.”
“Then do it.” The short gem stood, her arms raised from her sides, her gem in view. “May I at least know the name of the one who ends me?”
“Serpentine.” And the blow was struck.
~~~
When Sapphire reformed, gold dripped from her gem, entwining with the light that made up her body. For a moment, she stood, but then fell to her knees. Looking at her hands, her skin was far lighter, and the hair upon her head had taken on a pale turquoise color. Then, of course, she looked to the gem upon her hip. A crack, what she felt was deep, had been filled in with gold. The core of her being had become lighter, just like the rest of her body. She didn’t understand; why was she still alive? Hadn’t the fusion snuffed out her life?
“Oh my stars, it worked.” A tired voice cut the air.
“What do you mean?” The Sapphire looked up, tears building in her eye, her bangs parted. “What did you do to me?”