Pearl and I started dismantling the Kindergarten. We did it as fast as possible since we didn't need it active. I tried not to mess with the main core so Amethyst could still emerge, but… right now I was just trying to help—and, at the same time, fit in. I've been going through a bit of an existential crisis, honestly. No point denying it.
I started by launching my gauntlets like missiles at the walls, which were covered in injectors that simply exploded on contact. I should analyze those injectors… they're actually pretty interesting.
After about… what, five hours? Yeah, around that. I constantly used my future vision in case someone showed up, but thankfully no one did—and for the atheists, thanks to science.
I looked at Pearl, and she nodded.
"Do you see anything?" Pearl asked as she approached.
"Nothing at all," I replied, adjusting my glasses and glancing around just to look more dramatic.
She nodded as we started moving again. This time, we weren't walking—we were just jumping everywhere. On my end, for obvious reasons, I avoided areas where there were Gems. Pearl caught on quickly and followed me; she's not dumb.
While jumping, I decided to try something.
Remember how I have fire and ice? Well… saying I "control" them would be an exaggeration. Let's just say I have the powers.
So I decided to test the fire.
As I launched myself, I released flames from my feet, enhanced by the fusion—and the moment I did—
"Holy—!" I blurted out as I shot way farther than expected.
Pearl looked at me like, what the hell just happened?, and immediately followed after me.
As for me, I landed straight in the water, completely expressionless, arms crossed.
After a few seconds, I glanced at Pearl—she was trying to find me. Just in case, I checked my future vision to see if I'd drawn attention, but seeing nothing unusual, I simply came out of the water. Pearl startled and pointed her weapon at me.
"Relax, it's me," I said, raising my hands.
"…What?" Pearl said, confused, lowering her weapon.
"Nothing, you wouldn't get it," I replied as I stepped out of the water.
"Future vision stuff?" Pearl asked, still puzzled.
I gave her a look that basically said: what do you think?
I sat down, staring ahead. Pearl hesitated for a few seconds—like she was deciding whether to leave or sit with me—but in the end, she chose to sit beside me.
We stayed silent.
Awkward? Not for me.
My future vision was already giving me a pretty good idea of how this conversation would go, so I was mentally preparing.
Damn… future vision is broken.
…
…
…
"So… what does it feel like?" Pearl asked, clasping her hands, a bit nervous.
…
I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, then took off my glasses. My eyes—one blue, one red—were fully visible as I stared at her.
…
"You know… um… fusion," Pearl said, squeezing her hands a little tighter.
"Do you want the experience from my Ruby side, or the difference?" I asked, leaning back slightly over the lake while watching some strange fish I hadn't seen before.
…
"Both," Pearl said, adjusting her posture.
I nodded, getting lost for a moment in my thoughts—mostly in Ruby's memories: how she was formed, how right after being created she was assigned to a squad of three, then four, then nine… and then back to three. She went through a lot before becoming the Sapphire that now makes up part of me.
I also thought about how those fusions felt.
It was like being one person.
But that's exactly what I was about to explain.
"Well… it's fascinating," I said, looking at Pearl.
"When I fused only with other Rubies, I felt… like myself. Just with more thoughts. Fusing with Gems like me felt natural. It didn't feel any different from being a single individual."
I paused, looking at the Gems in my hands.
"I think the Empire had something to say about that… that Rubies are made to fuse with each other. Or at least, that's how it seems."
I lifted my gaze slightly.
"But with Sapphire…"
I looked at the water as I continued.
"It's just fascinating… it's like being in a constant conversation. Like talking while hugging someone at the same time… does that make sense? Trying to share the same thoughts, feeling the other person… being together… it's amazing."
I paused briefly.
"There's nothing strange about it. It's not taboo like the Empire says. It's just… a conversation. I feel like myself… like this is how I'm supposed to be."
I stopped, searching for the right words.
"It's like… how do I put it…"
I looked her straight in the eyes.
"It's like being both… and at the same time, someone different. I don't know if that makes sense."
I looked back at the water.
Pearl stayed silent, staring at the lake.
She looked like I had just explained how the universe works. I'm not kidding—we stayed like that for about an hour, saying nothing, like two complete idiots.
Just as I was about to get up—because honestly, I was starting to feel awkward—I heard her voice.
"Do you think… do you think I could fuse?" Pearl asked, looking away, clearly blushing.
…
…
…
I went completely blank.
All that time for that?
But whatever—I had to answer. I wasn't about to come off as rude… and I'm not.
"Fuse with other Gems?" I asked, raising an eyebrow since I still hadn't put my glasses back on.
"Yes… Gems…" Pearl replied, staring ahead.
What is up with this girl…? I thought, confused.
I mean, if this is one of the conversations she had with the original Garnet… I seriously don't get how no one figured out Rose Quartz was Pink Diamond.
"Well, Pearl," I said as I stood up.
"You can fuse with whoever you want, honestly. It's all about intention. Remember when I first showed up with you guys?"
Pearl blushed.
"Uh… yeah," she said, a bit shy.
"Well, you already know how it feels. Now you just need the other Gem to want to fuse with you… or for both of you to let yourselves go with that connection, like what happened with Sapphire," I said calmly.
"I see," Pearl replied.
We talked for quite a while about fusion.
Damn… I'm basically an expert at this.
Eventually, we each went our separate ways. She went off with Pink Diamond, I guess, and I returned to the beach from earlier.
I walked around, observing everything. Then I spotted it.
That damn wooden chair.
God… I love that thing.
I sat down and let my thoughts flow. I had already checked, just in case, whether any space warps would show up around here, so I relaxed.
"Future plans…?"
I could build a little house, honestly.
Recruit potential rebels… though I'd leave that to Rose and Pearl.
Help Bismuth…?
I frowned slightly.
"Could I do it before she gets sealed…?"
The sound of the ocean filled the silence.
"Or just sleep… yeah, sleep. That's what I'll do."
I leaned into a corner and slowly closed my eyes, letting everything fade away… until I finally fell asleep, ready to face a new day.
End of Chapter 5.