Chapter 21 – If it don’t shine like a Diamond

 

"Yo, Crystal sissies," White Nebula greeted the group in Echostar’s desecrated field, her voice a smooth, rhythmic flow. "Word on the street is y'all been busy. I’m not here to step on any toes. Don’t shoot the messenger.” She pressed her shades closer to the bridge of her nose. “Oh, then again you cannot. You don’t have Headhunter anymore do you.” She said ominously to Becca. The green-haired, mint skinned girl became irate. “WHY YOU, c’mere! I don’t know how you know that but I only need one hand to stick up yours, your spaceslut.”

“So the rumors in the stars are true, thanks for confirming.” White Nebula said.

 

Hyde and Diane had to physically restrain Becca from launching herself at the star. “Why the hell are you here?” She asked.

“Passing along word from Black Diamond, she's curious. Wants to see what's up with all that. With you." She took a small metallic orb-like device and tossed it to Becca. “Thats’s a 2-way teleportal. It’ll only work today by invitation so don’t dally. You’ll be on a little date with a

Diamond.”

Becca rolled her eyes. She turned to Hyde and Diane who seemed to be mumbling and trying to interject. “We-“ Hyde started. “-we’ve had our differences-“ Diane spoke. “-but we-“ Becca chimed in. “-understand this is serious,” Hyde agreed. “It’s a bad idea, such a trip. Why is she

sending a Nebula as an agent from the Diamond Authority?”

 

“Diamonds and Nebula keep correspondence, for the most part.” White said.

 

“What does Black want with me?” Becca asked. She’d heard about this diamond as far back as the old glory days of classic Xi, but never ran into anyone that prominent.

“N’my business.” White said. “Just make sure you go, cuz if you don’t, I’ll drag you there myself. As for you crystal gems. This is a solo invite, so come alone, or else.” She made finger pistols and

went ‘pow’ at them. “Ain’t done with you all yet.” The next thing they knew, she rode off on her broom and soon was far off.

“What are we going to do?” Diane asked.

 

“Well we could kill her next time, for one.” Becca said as she paced around the wreckage of the field.

“Becky.” Diane bumped her with her shoulder. “Okay, fine.” Becca said, crossing her arms. “If I’m being honest, I feel like deadweight without a Thatti holding me, or to hold. She was the one that typically handled you and mommy red.” She said to Hyde. “Do you or, your mom know anything about Black?”

“Only that she’s snubbed the other Diamonds for millennia. But, she’s also self-interested. If she’s trying to court you, then it can only be for her own concerns, don’t expect any generosity from her.”

Becca's frustration crackled in the air. "Great, just what I need," she muttered, staring at the metallic orb in her hand. "A one-way ticket to who-knows-where with a shady messenger."

Lake, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "Maybe we should hear her out first. Black Diamond might not be as bad as the rumors make her out to be."

"Easy for you to say," Becca retorted. “You’re a gem!”

 

Hyde spoke up. "Becca's right. Black Diamond isn't someone you mess with. But neither is White Nebula. We can't ignore this invitation, not entirely." He rubbed his hands together. “I have an idea.”

 

 

 

The swirling black vortex opened up, revealing a pathway to a star-lit world. On the other side, a dozen Petals holding spears watched as ‘Thatti’ slowly stepped out carrying her backpack. The

Petals put their spears away and stood at ease. “Thatti Nezura. Daughter of the Domina, we’ve been instructed to guide you across the Ravine of Creation to meet your new patron.”

“My, new patron?” Becca cleared her throat. “Of c-course, lead the way.” She said, covering her eyes from the indecent lightbeams practically blinding her from above. Within the realm she’d entered, black stalagmites marked the paths. Becca was lead through long chasms and bridges that lead through tunnels and further paths, until she finally came to a small door to her right, and a gargantuan door to her left. “Oh, of course, you’d keep the smaller door. Lead the way.” She pushed the door open as the Petals behind her took their guard positions. “The backpack. Hand it over.” They said.

“Why? It’s my belongings.” She replied.

 

“It’s just a precautionary measure.” She sighed, leaning in to whisper. “Sorry guys..”

 

On the other side of the doors she found herself in a chamber that ascended upwards seemingly forever, not unlike Red’s court. Finally they were greeted by two figures. Becca scanned around for some light, but there were only the bright stars of the Diamond Authority, Black

Diamond greeting the girl with arms outstretched. The other, sitting cross-legged over on a pedestal was White Nebula.

“YOU!” Becca yelled. “If you were going to come here anyway, why didn’t you just bring me?” “I ain’t your taxi hun.” White said. “Besides, I just wanted to listen mostly. Nothin’ wrong with a lil eavesdropping. My only price for bringing you here was that I get to listen.”

Becca looked up, the gleaming figure of Black Diamond standing above the court in all her

majestic splendor, her headwear a crown of shards shaped like a star. “What a marvelous detour you’ve made upon my hollow grounds child. I welcome you, Thatti..” She pressed a finger into her cheek. “Or, should we even call you such?” She snapped her fingers, and Becca’s wrist device began to short-circuit, her disguise dissipating until she was her blue-haired self again. “You thought a Gem device would fool a diamond? How peculiar.” She bent down in. “Your

guards aswell.” The Black Petal to the side shook her backpack and poured out several gems, which fell to the floor. The next moment, they all glowed brightly and shifted into the forms proper of Hyde, Diane, Sloth, Lake, Nefriset, Maisma and Pyra. “6 of 7 of Pink’s original generals, gathered here before me. My my, what a special court date this is!”

“I TOLD you all this was a terrible idea.” Her voice trembled with barely restrained frustration.

 

White Nebula cackled from her pedestal. "Aww, look at ya! Didn't see that comin', did ya, hun? Now why don'tcha sit down and have a nice long chat with Ms. Boss Diamond here?"

Becca turned up to face the Diamond. “Tsk, well here. So let’s get your little scheme over with already, I don’t have all day.“

Black Diamond took a seat on her massive throne, each resounding clack of crystal like the beating of a war drum. "Oh, Xi child, don't mistake ambition for treachery. What I offer is far

greater than the naive ideals your Domina fed your previous owner.” She leaned in on her arm. “Although, I suspect she won’t be holding that title for much longer.”

“What did you say?” Becca yelled.

“Oh, getting ahead of myself. Let’s dispense with the precogitation for just a sliver, stick to present business.”

She smiled, her hands intertwining in her lap. "Let's say, we make a deal.” "Nah, I don't think so." Black Diamond sighed. "Fine. I'm going to make you an offer. And I'm sure that, given your circumstance, you'll absolutely accept it.” "Fuck no." "Now, let's say I have a certain... device.” She held her hand up and a sphere emerged, a swirling black box-shaped mass inside a diamond shell. “Your powers, your magic. I’m well aware without the divine Perceptcival you were apart of, you’ve lost both. And let's say I had the ability to restore them to full functionality, " "Fuck

you." Becca turned her gaze from white, prepared to walk off.

Her eyes glowed blue. “How exactly did you expect to take care of these assassins I sent to greet you?” Suddenly from the shadows, 7 silhouettes appeared. A Lake, a Petal, a Quartz, a Peridot, two Ruby’s and a Holly Blue, each of them shining black, wearing shrouds and holding assorted weapons, their stance spelling foreboding danger. The slick, metallic black armor they wore themed them heavily as an ensemble, ready to move through the darkness and strike with poise and terrifying efficiency. The gems around Becca stood protectively, seeing what faced them.

The piercing glare black diamond stared at Becca. “Now… I could kill all of you... Or... I could put my plan in motion, and the future would be at peace. You on my side, me on yours. I shall tell you what you need to hear.”

Becca stood perturbed. “Alright. I’m listening.”

 

“You're coming to a point of desperation, a crossroads in your life where fate has taken you. But before that, I was given a vision, a prophecy of your coming to the stars. The Domina’s reign shall soon come to an end. She will be usurped soon, this much I do know. I can protect you, I

can give you life, power and the strength you need to avenge your fallen.”

“I thought you said we were sticking with the present? What does the Domina concern you?” Becca replied, eyeing the pure-white eyes of the assassins. “We are. Events are unfolding right now, as we speak. What’s dangerous is what will come after. The pecking order of Xi, this tethered balance I’m afraid will soon come undone.”

“And what would make it fall?” Becca spoke.

 

Black Diamond gave a wide, disturbingly eerie smile. “Do you think I’m unaware the Domina’s son has returned? Terrorizing her plans I’m sure. But I must apologize on behalf of my formidable warriors.” The Diamond twinkled brightly in darkness as she raised her arms. “How was I to know they’d fail at the one task the Domina assigned to them.”

Becca’s eyes widened. “What task?”

Black smirked. “Killing the holy prince of course.” “Y-YOU!” Becca leapt forward, a shield of black liquid rotating around Black, the nearby Lake from the assassins guiding an entire

shimmering wall which stopped Becca. She landed and looked up, giving a guttural roar.

 

A voice cut in. “It makes sense actually. Why would the Diamonds spare him, when it would be so easy to dispose of him?” Diane asked. The diamond nodded. “Because of his heritage. If the

Diamond Authority has any weakness, its legacy, the very notion it can be replaced, unlike gems.

 

Diamond’s were crafted from Gaia herself, they cannot be made anew or borne like other gems can. The Domina however can replace herself with her heirs. Be it her daughter or a rival who gets the best of her. But that said, we try not to overstep. Imagine how delighted I was, when the Domina contacted me to arrange his extinction. I lent her my posse here, the Nightslayers to perform the deed.”

“YOU SICK-?!” Becca yelled. “What’s wrong hun? Trouble with the truth I see.” “YOU SADISTIC-“ Becca tried to launch herself at the Diamond, her face contorting with rage. “- BITCH!” She was knocked back once more by Lake. The wall of black water faded. “Taking this quite personally, aren’t you!” White yelled. She made her way to Becca, and held out her hand to lead her back. Becca turned around and lunged for the Black Petal, but Diane held her

back.

 

“LET ME GO!” Becca squirmed.

 

“Alright, alright. I can see you’re pissed Becky. But you do have to admit, we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves here. We’re in the court of a diamond, and you’re powerless like this. You cannot start a fight here, so get ahold of yourself already.” Diane said, slapping her. Becca slowly ceased thrashing, taking a moment to breathe and in and out, trying to get her nerves back under control. Soon she set aside her anger and stood stern.

Black Diamond continued. “As I said, the Domina has been contacted for the execution of the prince. Her son, no less. For the crime of consorting with gems, for breaking their pact to keep her head down. She discovered many of the dangerous plans he had with them by, ahem, sorting out a few Petals and arranged to have him killed. Now, when I learned of this task, I knew she

would fail. But I lent the Nightslayers on a single night to help end him, and several unimportant political disposables she asked to rid of for convenience. Sympathizers and conspirators of the revolution, who she deemed necessary to be purged from the Church. Such a task would be unthinkable in Xi, but with the brutal laws and well, way of doing things in Orchid? Such

assassinations were common place.”

 

She sighed. “She’s made quite a number of mistakes as of late.”

 

“And how do you know about the prince? I know because Red Diamond told me about it, but you never talk to any of the others do you.” Hyde spoke up, speaking to the diamond. “I learned of it from an insider in Orchid.”

Becca made a gesture to the air with her hands, as if she were trying to keep track of something. “So it was Lyras and you who orchestrated all the assassinations? On the Domina’s behest?” She began to chortle, the laughter from her lips becoming louder and louder. “Why are you

laughing?” Black Diamond said. “I’m not about to get my hands dirty.”

 

“And yet, you failed that objective. Ahhahaha.. AH HA HA HAAHAHAHAHA!!” She laughed maniacally, tears flowing from her eyes and a smile of utter contentment. “Are you fucking kidding me? You sent your own gems to infiltrate the palace?! The nerve of this bitch! And yet, Nathan is still alive. So you knew you’d fail, and you did.”

Black Diamond waited for her impudent laughter to cease. “Yes, my assassins were sent. It would appear there was another despatcher in their midst we did not account for. The one you know as ‘Jack’ was not among the 7 assassins dispatched, they snuck into our ranks and completed the mission on their own prerogative. By the time they reached the prince, he had

already fallen. She’d done completed job for them and threatened the assassins, so they fled immediately. Which was the plan I expected, of course. I wanted to let the Domina make a mockery of herself.” She rubbed her chin, “She must be distraught. For now, all her efforts to control Orchid will crumble, the prince has many allies that will not stand for her treatment of him.” She looked at Becca and Hyde, her eyes narrowing. “This I suspect is why they are in

hiding. But once the fall of her regime arrives, they will come out of the woodwork and reveal the domineering hand they have casted over reality’s precipice.”

“What are you, talking about? Are you saying this is all part of a big conspiracy?” Hyde asked.

 

Black Diamond folded her hands together gently, as if addressing small schoolchildren in prayer. “The other remaining diamonds revealed it to me. The drums of war have been

strumming for some time now.” She then threw her hands up dramatically, catching beams of starlight in her grasp. “AU.” She snapped her fingers. Beams of light extinguished. “Bedlam.” Another. “Abyss.” Then snapped twice, all the beams dimming until the room became pitch- black, illuminated only from her face. “And in time soon too, Orchid and Xi too shall fall. “

Her voice rose with an intensity which would make her words thunderous. “There is a grand scheme afoot in the stars, a great darkness coming to our worlds involving the Domina, her son and these gems. They are the harbingers of an imminent darkness. I sense it now, as the time

draws near, as her life will come to a bitter end, and the power of the diamonds be handed down to new hands. It shall fall in ruins, for Orchid does not know her limits. The stars will perish!” “The.. stars..” Lake repeated, Black’s gleaming face beaming down on them in the darkness.

Nebula kicked her legs around and glared at the crystal gems. “In another reality- they already have. That’s why I’ve been trying to check your asses.”

Becca rolled her eyes. “Now look, I don’t have time for your theatrics.” She raised a brow to Black. “Explain, what exactly do you want with me? I’m not about to join your ‘authority’ after this, nor am I going to give you anything.”

Black waved her hand and the light beams returned, scattering the shadows. “It’s simple. I’m going to send my nightslayers to finish the job they were originally sent for.”

Becca looked around at them, each a fortitude of strength and danger. “You’re sending them back to Orchid.” She said.

Black Diamond continued. “And take the prince out with them.” She pointed at Becca. “With you. You shall lead them, and be the deliverer of Night Harbinger.” A series of Petals slowly walked towards the glowing sphere and dragged something out of it. From inside, they brought an ornamented box towards her, bowing on one knee and opening up the box. Inside, a midnight black wand with silver halos around the handle and a twin of spikes facing diagonally at the diamond-shaped end, the visage of a snake decorated and coiled around the length. “Night Harbinger shall give you the might to complete the task. I bestow this gift to you, a Perceptcival weapon formed from the former shattered body of Silver Diamond.”

“No.” She breathed, her voice almost too quiet for anyone to hear. “No..” “Why do you say no? You don’t even know what it is yet, let alone the powers that it can bring you.” Black spoke. “With it, I can task White Nebula to resurrect your Thatti, if you can restore the balance of power, and make good on destiny.” Becca held her hands up, her voice trembling. “No..” She spoke, trying to resist the urge to step away. “This wand comes with only a single drawback, its petrification effect is strong but overclocking its power will turn on the user if mishandled. Its spells have a stern cooldown.” A Petal handed Becca a crystalline codex containing

procedures of its spells. “This weapon is, fragile. It’s not on the level of Headhunter’s power, but close to it. Know that if you use this, your body, your powers, your magic, your will, everything you are is mine.” She smiled. “It will be beautiful. So..” Becky was startled. “Are you listening to

me? I do NOT want any part of this!” She yelled, as if the echo of her sound would carry the whole of the realm.

Black Diamond smiled again, almost malevolently. “Then do as you think is best. Keep the

 

wand, accept its bond. But I guarantee you, the stars have chosen you as protector, and as the lead you’ll find fate is hardly cast into the shadows that easily.”

She nodded to the nightslayers. The assorted assassins began to circle around the court, each

 

drawing a device in their palm. Each a black sphere of liquid energy that grew into the shape of a glyph. Becca took a step forward. “Now, that’s it? That’s the deal you want? The future you’re talking about? You want me to kill this prince for my own selfish gain, to use me as a disposable soldier?” Black rolled her eyes. “Silence child. "Approach, my defiant child. Feel the raw magic pulsating within it. This cursed tool awaits its new mistress. Let our Writ write your name in the stars.” The glyphs began to float towards her left arm, she screamed as she held the wand and black. The grim shadows seemed to slither and consume her figure as sheeny smooth crystalline material fused with said arm, the glyphs tattoo’d themselves in deep, spikes growing out of her shoulder.

The black portal reopened nearby as if by itself. “I see I’ve managed to pique your interest. We’ll see each other again.”

Black Diamond clasped her hands together. “The night begins now.”