Lapis and Volley
Note: this is an au where pink does loose volleyball to white. But white gives volley back after pink gets earth. Unable to deal with her guilt and grief, pink shatters herself at the end of the rebellion instead of faking it.
Pink Diamond’s Pearl wept loudly into her hands as she hovered over the shattered stone in front of her. How could she? How could Rose- her diamond- lie to her?
Pearl had been in on it from the start. Ever since Pink started this whole rebellion with her, she’d known every detail of this plot to free the Earth and her fellow gems. So they’d not suffer under the terrible diamonds ever again. Like she did under White.
This was their final idea. Fake Pink Diamond’s shattering by the hands of Rose Quartz. Pearl herself would play the part of Rose. To keep up the idea that Rose and Pink were separate entities. And they’d fake it with the blade the missing Bismuth had made. It could not shatter, but they could make it look like it had. And Pearl was sworn to secrecy about all this with an order.
They had a signal for Pearl to do the deed, but… it never came. Pink seemed to have prepared a different speech than their plan. Nerves, maybe?
That was quickly ruled out. Suddenly, Pink Diamond was pledging her support for the crystal gems. Saying how colonizing couldn’t stop so long as she was there. And- she pulled out a different weapon than their plan. And turned it on her own gem.
Chaos came after this. A huge battle between grieving gems and the crystal gems ensued. But Pearl was deaf to it all as she stared at the shards. Questions swimming in her head. In the confusion of the battle, a soldier saw her and couldn’t tell if this Pearl was friend or foe. She was still in her homeworld uniform, but she could have just not been poofed yet.
Pearl barely registered the sword being driven through her.
–
When Pearl reformed, the battlefield was quiet. She found herself inside the palanquin of Pink diamond, with the emergency defense walls engaged. When had they triggered? Pearl numbly disengaged them, fumbling her way out of the palanquin.
She looked around the dark, night field. Weapons laid everywhere, but no soldiers seemed to wield them. Where was homeworld? Where were the crystal gems? Pearl looked, but found nothing but shards.
At least, until she heard a rustling in a bush. Pearl summoned her whip and readied herself. “Garnet?” she tried, taking a step back. She hoped that it was the fusion. Garnet always knew what to do, and with everything going on-
Pearl was suddenly attacked by a beast she could barely describe. It was pure fire and lava, burning Pearl any time she tried to wrestle it away. It roared and growled, seemingly confused and agitated as it pinned Pearl to the battlefield floor. Pearl quickly made her ribbon into a lance, and pierced the soft underbelly of the beast.
She expected blood, as with all organic creatures of earth, but the thing….. poofed? Pearl blinked in confusion as a gem clanked to the ground. What in the stars-?
She bent down and inspected the gem. A ruby- probably a foot soldier fighting for Pink. But there were no flaws in the gem. No cracks. So why was its form so…. Monstrous? Pearl needed answers. She bubbled the gem, warped it away to their base, and stepped through the bushes.
Through the bushes, another creature sat. But this one was different. A large bird-like creature with four legs, made of pure ice. It had a singular eye on its head, tears streaming from it. It screeched sadly and trotted to Pearl. Pearl readied herself to summon her weapon again…. But the creature simply nuzzled against her. Fluffing its wings out and showing its Sapphire gemstone on its right wing.
Pearl’s inner gears turned. Only one Sapphire had been on Earth. And she was half of Garnet. And the Ruby who’d attacked her….
Pearl collapsed and hugged the bird tight, sobbing. “What happened to you, Garnet?"
–
It’d been almost an Earth month since Pink shattered herself. Since then, Pearl had gathered information from local humans on what she’d missed. Homeworld retreated and launched a final attack. This attack was a bright light, which seemed to corrupt every gem left on Earth. Nothing seemed to fix it, even Rose’s fountain did nothing.
She was the only one left, since she had been shoved into the palanquin and it’d engaged emergency mode for the fight around it. She was lucky but…… everyone she knew and loved was gone. She was alone. And was it worth it….? The Earth was safe but…..
Pearl had been moving in a numb blur. Doing things she knew Rose would want done after Homeworld’s retreat. What they’d planned to do. Next on her list was the galaxy warp. Homeworld could return to finish what they’d started any day now. So, she would destroy every warp with a connection off planet. They wouldn’t come back. They wouldn’t make Rose’s sacrifice be in vain.
When she was done, she turned to warp back to the base she had made for herself. But…. A mirror laying on the ground caught her eye. Was this something homeworld left behind….? How could she have missed it before?
She sat on her own legs and carefully picked up the mirror. She fingered the cracked front before turning it over. A cracked Lapis Lazuli lay in the gem slot.
”Hello….?“ Pearl cautiously greated. This could just be a gem born unsentiant. But the thought of a gem trapped in there, like she was trapped under White Diamond…. "Are you alive? Is there a way you can communicate with me?”
The mirror was silent a moment before glitching Pearl’s words back to her. “-Can communicate. -Alive."
Pearl startled a moment before taking a deep breath. "If I let you out, do you think you can form? Or will you need to be healed first?”
The mirror paused before questioning, “You- let- me- out?"
Pearl smiled, "Of course. No gem deserves to be trapped. I know first hand-” She fingered her cracked eye a moment, “That being trapped is terrible. Now, heal? Or let out first?”
“Let- me- out! Let- me- out!"
Pearl nodded before wrenching the gem out of the mirror. The mirror part shattered, and the Lapis Lazuli began to glow.
Pearl caught her as she stumbled over. The Lapis smiled weakly, showing her mirrored eyes to Pearl. "Thank you…. I thought maybe you were coming to question me more-”
“No- ah hah-” Pearl awkwardly looked away, shoving her questions towards the gem down, “There's…. No gem left to question you.”
The Lazuli squinted, “What-” she glitched from her crack “-do you mean?"
"Oof, let’s get this crack healed first. Then…. Then I’ll show you.” Pearl motioned to the warp, “C'mon. Unless you think you can fly."
"Probably not.” The Lapis shook her head and leaned on Pearl for support as they walked to the warp and warped away. “Where are you taking me? The soldier bays?”
“Ah-” She shook her head, “No. Somewhere-…. You might not like.” They arrived at Rose’s fountain with that sentence.
“What is that?” Lapis squinted at the fountain, “And is that…. Rose Quartz?!” Lapis pulled away from Pearl the best she could and held up her fists, “Are you a crystal gem?! You won’t sway me to your side!"
”Ah-!“ Pearl held up her hands in surrender. "Yes, but I won’t try to sway you. I’ll even let you fly back to Homeworld. I just ask that you don’t tell them you came from Earth. Say you were off planet for the final attack or-”
“Final attack?” Lapis faltered a moment, “The war's…. Over?” She gulped and looked to the fountain, spotting bubbles where Pearl had left them. “And…. Who won?”
“Technically?” Pearl sighed, “The crystal gems did. But…. It doesn’t feel like a victory.” She hugged herself a moment before shaking her head. “Come on. I’ll fill you in once you’re healed. Being cracked is so painful-”
“Why do you care?” Lapis bit back, growling, “You’re a crystal gem. And I’m from homeworld. Shouldn’t you want me shattered?”
Pearl sighed, motioning to her eye crack, “I care because I know what it’s like to be hurt and confused. I care because you’re the first actual gem I’ve seen in a month. And I care because…. Rose would do the same thing."
Lapis hesitated before she nodded, relaxing, "Lead the way then."
–
"So homeworld just-” Lapis splashed the water, before motioning to all the bubbles, “Hurt all these gems? Just cause Pink Diamond decided to shatter herself?”
“Mhm.” Pearl nodded, “I was only safe because I was within my gem at the time, and my gem was thrown into Pink Diamond’s palanquin. It has an emergency mode that can withstand those kinds of things."
”Shale-“ Lapis cursed and ran a hand through her hair, "That’s messed up. Even homeworld gems?”
“Yes,” Pearl nodded, “Anyone who didn’t get off planet in time. I assume the only reason you were safe is because your gem was stuck in an object.”
Lapis chuckled half heartedly, “I’d have to thank the gem that forced me into my gemstone then. Being in that mirror…. It was awful. All those questions from gems I saw as allies-”
Pearl nodded, “They are always quick to turn if they think you’ve messed up.”
Lapis paused a moment before looking tentatively at Pearl. “A crystal gem wouldn't betray you like that though?”
Pearl laughed, waving her off, “Never.”
My inbox is officially empty and requests are still open! Feel free to slide in. Until then I'm just gonna vibe with my own amusement.
Oh, i thought you abandoned the blog. The fic was amazing! Can... can you continue it just a bit?
-♦️ Anon
Nope! Still kicking just busy with life. Gonna take a lot more to remove me from this hellsite. Thank you so much for the compliment though you're gonna have to be more specific. If you need help with what to include here's my faqs for you!
https://morsartis.tumblr.com/post/652307814891536384/faqs
You didn't always get dragged along on tours with Marvus, preferring to stay away from the sheer chaos of the limelight. It wasn't that you hated it but you certainly weren't a big fan of having Marvus within reach and yet still not being able to see him. The packed schedule that came with his tours were a drag and you weren't even bound by them. But Ourani and Revell had both asked you to be there, it was important that Marvus and his band were seen in a positive light while on an Earth bound tour. A surprising side effect of the current alliance between the two was the fact bands were allowed to perform on both planets for the first time. It was an opportunity that no one in the entertainment industry could pass up on- not even Marvus. Which was why you were there- they were trying to involve as many humans as possible as a show of good faith. Revell had been the most excited about it as the band's human sensitivity trainer. The fact he wasn't even human in the first place was both amusing and a glaring sign of Alternia's many problems. It'd be insulting if Revell wasn't so serious about his job, often consulting as many humans as he possibly could over the most minute detail and advocating for an actual human to do the training instead of himself. Unfortunately his hands were tied on that front.
Lost in your own thoughts you nearly fell off the chair you were sitting in when Ourani slammed the door to the break room open looking frazzled. His usually slightly wrinkled but tidy clothes were a wreck- tie askew and shirt buttoned wrong with his hair sticking up at odd angles. He looked like he'd survived a mob. "Thaaaat's it! I caaaan't do this aaaanymore! Maaaarvus is driving me to drink!" He shrieked the second the door swung closed behind him. You winced slightly and gave him a sympathetic smile.
"How I've laaaasted this long is aaaa daaaamn mystery!" He continued tossing his clipboard onto the table. You could only imagine what he'd been having to deal with.
"What did he do this time?"
"Whaaaat did he do this time? This time? Its less whaaaat he’s done aaaand more whaaaat he’s going to do! He purposely faaaailed every single humaaaan sensitivity course he waaaas instructed to taaaake! Do you haaaave aaaany ideaaaa how haaaard it waaaas to even get him to those courses? Its like trying to herd feraaaal purr-beaaaasts!” He all but wailed sinking down into the chair opposite from you. It creaked under his weight- built more for humans than adult trolls- and you feared it might collapse under the poor rust blood. The last thing he needed to happen when he was already this close to a break down.
“I know I talk a lot of shit about Marvus but he can’t be that bad.”
Those were clearly the wrong words to say to Marvus’ top personal assistant as Ourani looked at you with an expression bordering on murderous and manic.
“Oh, you think so huh? You think you caaaan haaaandle being Maaaarvus’ Personaaaal Aaaasistaaaant? You think you can do better thaaaan I caaaan? Fine! Why don’t you do my job todaaaay then? He’s got aaaa full schedule aaaand haaaas aaaalreaaaady shown signs of trying to blow it aaaall off!”
“Uh-,”
“Even better ideaaaa! We’ll maaaake aaaa bet out of it. If you caaaan get Maaaarvus to staaaay on traaaack I’ll paaaay some of thaaaat debt you owe to Gorjek.”
“Wh-,”
“Aaaand if you lose? I’ll finaaaally quit!” He was grinning wildly now, eyes bright with glee at the thought of quitting.
“How about if I win you just schedule Marvus a little down time?” You offered instead. Trying to hopefully keep him from losing it further.
“Fine.” He replied looking slightly less like he might jump over the table and throttle you or the next person to walk into the break room. With a more steadying breath Ourani extended his hand to shake on the bet and you gladly took it. Anything to keep him from going full American Psycho on everyone there. You both nearly lept out of your skins when his phone went off to let him know his short break was over. "How about that bet starts now and you go home to get some actual sleep?" You offered, Ourani nodded vigorously to that already shoving his clipboard into your hands. He couldn't seem to get out of there fast enough it seemed. You hoped he'd get some actual rest, the poor guy was one of the most overworked people on the job. Glancing down at the clipboard you winced. Ourani really wasn’t kidding when he said Marvus had a full schedule, looks like you could kiss any other plans you had today goodbye. Straightening out your clothes you went to go find Marvus- wherever he could have gotten. Most likely he wouldn’t be trying to hide from you. He’d be expecting Ourani to be the one trying to hunt him down.
You’d been wandering for five minutes when you finally found him. He was actually where he was supposed to be- chatting with his bandmates who immediately perked up to see you.
“Oh shit! Look who it is.”
“Hey guys, mind if I steal Marvus away for a second?” You asked cheerfully. His bandmates had a soft spot for you and it was easy to get them to agree. Their soft spot would make this bet a little easier to win, hopefully.
“Whatchu need babes?” Marvus asked once the two of you had gotten far enough away. You smiled up at him warmly. "Well, first off-," You grabbed the sides of his purple jacket to pull him down closer to your height, "I'd like a kiss." "Shit babe, all you had ta do was ask." He grinned leaning into you. His arm carefully wrapped around your waist as he tilted your chin up to get better access. You huffed a small laugh as he gave your lip a small nip before kissing you. Letting your eyes close for a brief moment to fully enjoy the kiss you cupped his jaw with your hands before regretfully having to pull back- Marvus attempting to follow you. "Secondly," You murmured interrupted by another brief kiss, "You have a meeting in two minutes." "What." You grinned at his flat off guard tone. Not being able to help yourself as you giggled. "I have your entire schedule for the day." "No."
"Mm, yes."
"Babe-,"
"You also have a meeting with Revell to talk about those courses you flunked out of."
"How-,"
"Ourani went home for the day, I'm gonna be your PA so he can actually get some sleep."
"Oh?"
"Don't get any ideas." You interrupted already knowing where his mind was going, "I'm going to make sure you get through your entire schedule whether you like it or not."
"C'mon, just give me an hour." "I might consider it-," He grinned, "After we get through your schedule."
Marvus pouted.
“Work Marvus. Focus on work.”
“Aww, but you be lookin’ so cute when you take charge.”
“And you’ll be a lot more appealing when you actually do your job.”
“Damn.” He muttered under his breath already standing back up to his full height. “Alright baby, guess we cans go to this meeting.”
It looked, at least for the moment, you might actually win this bet.
Then again, you had yet to get him to go to his meeting with Revell. For some reason those two couldn’t stand each other- you’d zoned out briefly during one of his rants only catching something vague about their ancestors that only confused you more. Revell was actually a kind troll though his threshold for what he dubbed ‘highblood nonsense’ was practically nonexistent. He seemed rather fascinated by human culture, often asking you questions on things he didn’t quite understand- some of his questions not even you could answer with any degree of accuracy. But, Marvus and him were known for their fights. Not even in the pitch leaning way either. You had yet to witness their fights but Ourani had talked about them looking pale and shaky- considering the fact that he’d been witness to the usual Alternian concert slaughter fests that happened with Marvus you had to admit you were afraid to see what could shake him like that. If Marvus' PR team was surprised to see him actually at the meeting they didn't say, though they seemed happy to see you with him. Taking your seat next to Marvus you glanced down at the schedule again. He had this meeting, his meeting with Revel, an autograph signing, and then a meeting with a lesser known human band you hadn't even heard of. Knowing Marvus all of these would be a few hours each.
“You bein’ awfully quiet over there.” Marvus murmured to you while his PR team bickered. You glanced up from the clipboard you’d been staring a hole through to give him a flat look. Better to not put him on edge.
“Just trying to figure out how to get you from point A to point B.”
“C’mon baby I ain’t that bad.”
“Ourani would beg to differ.”
“Then he can fuckin’ beg.”
You smacked his arm earning a small chuckle as he turned back to the meeting.
This was going to be a very long day.