Chapter 9

[Message from my brother since he is sick: This was my favorite chapter to write!! Enjoy!! Everything will be expanded on in time.]

As the Intelligence Division's squad approached the hidden base of the Off-Colors, tension crackled in the air like static electricity. Tanzanite stood at the forefront of her team, her four eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of their adversaries.

They had chosen an abandoned crystal quarry as their battleground, a place where the jagged formations could provide cover and tactical advantages. The sound of approaching engines signaled the arrival of their opponents.

Suddenly, a sleek black jet appeared on the horizon, its speed defying conventional physics. As it neared, a figure became visible atop the craft - a lone Gem standing fearlessly against the rushing wind.

"By the stars." Emerald gasped, her eyes wide. "Is that...?"

Tanzanite nodded grimly. "The Jasper. The Zero Division's finest according to our intel. And the only member of the Zero Division we have information on."

'I didn't think they would send that monster. It looks like this will be a lot harder than I thought.' Tanzanite thought.

The jet came to an abrupt halt above the quarry, hovering ominously. Then, in a display of raw power, Jasper leaped from the craft. She plummeted towards the ground, her form a blur of orange and red.

Just before impact, Jasper's gem glowed brilliantly. She curled into a ball, her form hardening into a sphere of pure, crystalline energy. She struck the ground with devastating force, sending shockwaves rippling through the quarry. Crystals shattered, and deep fissures spread out from the point of impact.

As the dust settled, Jasper uncurled, rising to her full height. Her eyes swept across the assembled Off-Colors, a predatory grin spreading across her face.

"So." she said, her voice carrying easily across the battlefield, "You're the troublemakers I've been sent to deal with. I was expecting a bit more."

Tanzanite stepped forward, her form shining with barely contained energy. "We are more than you can imagine, slave of the Diamonds. We fight for freedom, for a future where all Gems can choose their own path."

Jasper's laugh was like rolling thunder. "Freedom? There is no freedom outside the order of the Diamonds. There is only chaos and destruction. Let's see if your actions can match your words."

Without warning, Jasper launched herself forward, her fist aimed directly at Tanzanite's face. 

Obsidian stepped in front of Tanzanite, her dark form pulsing with nullifying energy. As Jasper neared, she felt her connection to the Speed Force flicker and fade for a split second before it returned. Her eyes widened in surprise, her charge faltering for just a moment.

'An Obsidian? I thought they were closely monitored. Her nullification ability will be annoying.' Jasper thought to herself as she analyzed the dark being.

It was all the opening Tanzanite needed.

"Tidal Surge!"

A massive wave of water materialized out of thin air, crashing down upon Jasper with the force of a tsunami. For a moment, the warrior was lost in the deluge. But then, with a roar of defiance, Jasper burst from the water, her form barely dampened.

"Is that all you've got?" Jasper taunted, her gem glowing with power.

Gneiss immediately then stepped forward, his hands outstretched.

"Gravity Well!"

The space around Jasper distorted, the pull of gravity intensifying a hundredfold. Any normal Gem would have been crushed and had their form destabilized at the sudden change, but Jasper merely grunted, her muscles straining against the increased force.

Seizing the opportunity, Obsidian darted in, her black form a blur of motion. "Null Field!"

As she made contact with Jasper, the warrior's gem flickered, her powers momentarily suppressed. Jasper's eyes slanted in annoyance, but her combat instincts took over. Even without her enhanced abilities, she was a formidable fighter that could be ranked amongst the best in terms of hand-to-hand combat.

Jasper's fist connected with Obsidian's midsection, sending the Off-Color flying back with immense force. But before she could press her advantage, Emerald interrupted.

"Lightning Barrage!"

Bolts of electricity arced from Emerald's hands, engulfing Jasper in a cage of crackling energy. The warrior's form convulsed due to her already being wet from the earlier attack, but her eyes remained defiant as she continued moving forward.

As the Off-Colors pressed their attack, the Intelligence Division's squad joined the fray. Peridots unleashed barrages of energy blasts, while Quartz soldiers engaged in close combat.

Tanzanite moved through the chaos like a force of nature, her water manipulation creating shields, weapons, and obstacles. Her future vision allowed her to anticipate attacks moments before they happened, making her nearly untouchable.

"Temporal Torrent!"

Water infused with the energy of possible futures swirled around Tanzanite, lashing out at any who dared approach. Jasper, having shaken off the effects of Emerald's attack, charged headlong into the maelstrom.

The two powerhouses clashed at the center of the battlefield, their confrontation sending shockwaves across the area. Jasper's raw strength met Tanzanite's fluid grace, neither able to gain a clear advantage.

"You're strong." Jasper admitted, a note of respect in her voice. "But strength isn't enough to change the order of things."

Tanzanite's eyes flashed. "We don't seek to change the order, Jasper. We seek to create a new one, where all Gems are free."

"Is that not the same thing, you imbecile?" Jasper retorted.

Their exchange was interrupted as Moonstone's illusions swept across the battlefield. Reality seemed to warp and shift, confusing friend and foe alike. In the chaos, Gneiss used his gravity manipulation to fling debris at the Intelligence Division's forces, while Obsidian moved silently, neutralizing Gems with precise strikes.

For a moment, it seemed as though the Off-Colors might prevail. But then, Jasper's gem began to glow with an intensity that made even Tanzanite take a step back.

"Enough games. I no longer have the patience to play around." Jasper growled. "Allow me to show you true strength."

With a blinding flash, Jasper's form was engulfed in her crash helmet, which expanded to encase her body in a crystalline armor, one that was pulsing with the corrupted energy of the Fallen Celestial she had fought a millennia ago. The Speed Force crackled around her, now tinged with an ominous dark energy. The air around her crackled with energy, and when she moved, it was with speed that defied comprehension.

"Black Verte!"

Before anyone could react, Jasper was upon Tanzanite, her fist connecting with devastating force against her face. The fusion was sent flying, her form flickering dangerously as she struggled to maintain cohesion.

Tanzanite's eyes widened in shock and fear. This... this was beyond anything she had foreseen. 

'She... She should not be this strong.' She thought to herself.

The tide of battle shifted dramatically. Jasper became a blur of motion, her armored form shrugging off attacks that would have shattered lesser Gems. She moved from one Off-Color to another, each strike precise and devastating.

"Comet Crash!"

Jasper curled into a ball, her armored form becoming a projectile that tore through the Off-Colors' defenses. Gneiss attempted to alter her trajectory with his gravity manipulation, but the speed and force behind Jasper's attack were too great.

Obsidian tried to nullify Jasper's powers once more, but the armored warrior was moving too fast to touch. A casual backhand sent Obsidian sprawling, her form crackling with damage.

Emerald unleashed her most powerful electrical attack, the air filling with the scent of ozone. "Thunder God's Wrath!"

For a moment, Jasper's advance was halted as lightning engulfed her. But then, with a roar that shook the very air, she burst through the electrical storm, her armor glowing white-hot but unbreached.

"Meteora Smash!"

Jasper leaped high into the air, her form becoming a blazing comet as she plummeted toward the center of the Off-Color formation. The impact was catastrophic, sending shockwaves that knocked everyone off their feet.

As the dust settled, Jasper stood at the center of a massive crater, her armored form unmarred. The Off-Colors lay scattered around her, their forms flickering with damage.

Tanzanite struggled to her feet, her usually fluid movement now jerky and pained. She looked around at her fallen comrades, then back to Jasper, defiance still burning in her eyes.

"This isn't over." Tanzanite declared, her voice hoarse but unwavering. "You may defeat us here, but our ideals will live on. The dream of freedom cannot be crushed by force alone."

Jasper's helmet retracted, revealing a face etched with a mix of respect and pity. "Your conviction is admirable, fusion. But conviction alone isn't enough to change the natural order. The Diamonds' rule is absolute, as it should be."

As the Intelligence Division's forces moved in to apprehend the defeated Off-Colors. In desperation, Tanzanite reached out with her future vision, seeking some path to victory. But instead of the branching possibilities she was accustomed to, she saw only a single, overwhelming image:

White Diamond, her radiant form filling Tanzanite's mind. The matriarch of Homeworld smiled, her voice echoing with cosmic power that seemed to toy with the very notion of Prophecy.

"Oh, Tanzanite. Did you really think you could change the natural order? Everything has its place and its purpose. Even you, my wayward child. Every Gem has a place in our society, my dear. It's time you remembered yours."

The vision shattered apart as Jasper's fist connected with Tanzanite's face. The fusion stumbled backward, her form completely on the verge of separating. 

As Jasper approached to take her into custody, Tanzanite whispered words that were lost in the aftermath of battle, but which would echo through the annals of Off-Color history:

"Today, we fall. But tomorrow, we rise. For freedom. For choice. For a better world for all Gems."

With those words, Tanzanite's form finally gave out, her components separating in a flash of light. The battle was over, but its repercussions would soon be felt across the empire for eons to come.

She looked down at Lapis and Sapphire, a mix of respect and pity in her eyes.

"It's over." she said, her voice carrying across the now-silent battlefield. "You fought well, but this was always how it would end. The Diamond Authority cannot be overthrown. Order must be maintained."

As the Intelligence Division moved in to secure the prisoners, Jasper turned away, her gaze sweeping across the devastated quarry. She had won, as she always did. But something felt different this time. The conviction in Tanzanite's eyes, the desperate courage of the Off-Colors - it stirred something within her, a question she couldn't quite form.

But such thoughts were quickly pushed aside and suppressed ruthlessly. She was Jasper, the pride of the Zero Division, a loyal servant of the Diamonds. Her path was clear, her purpose absolute.

As she made her way back to the waiting transport, Jasper couldn't shake the feeling that this battle, decisive as it was, was merely the opening move in a much larger game. A game whose rules and players were yet to be fully revealed.

The sun began to set over the scarred battlefield, casting long shadows across the broken crystals and craters. The Off-Colors had been defeated, but the spark of rebellion they represented still flickered, waiting for the right moment to ignite into a blaze that could reshape the very foundations of Gem society, one that would come very soon.

~

In a hidden chamber, far removed from the battlefield where Tanzanite and her team had just fallen, Azurite stood before a wall of shimmering, crystalline screens. Each one displayed a different angle of the confrontation that had just unfolded. Her dual gems pulsed with a soft, rhythmic light as she absorbed every detail of the battle.

Azurite's form was a mesmerizing blend of deep blue and vibrant green, constantly shifting like the play of light through stained glass. Her eyes, faceted like precious stones, reflected the scenes of conflict playing out before her. But behind that reflection lay a depth of calculation and foresight that few could comprehend.

As she watched Jasper's final, devastating assault on Tanzanite, Azurite's expression remained impassive. To an outside observer, she might have appeared cold, unmoved by the defeat of her loyal followers. But beneath that calm exterior, a storm of emotions and plans whirled.

With a gentle wave of her hand, Azurite manipulated the glass of the screens, zooming in on Tanzanite's face in the moment before her fusion broke apart. She saw the confusion, the flash of betrayal in those four eyes as Tanzanite's future vision showed her not the branching paths of possibility, but something that even Azurite could not manipulate like she did the others, with her only able to attribute it to Jasper.

A small smile played across Azurite's lips. "I'm sorry, my friend." she murmured, her voice a blend of genuine regret and steely resolve. "But this was necessary."

Azurite's power over glass was far more than just the ability to manipulate a physical substance. In her hands, glass became a conduit for reality itself. She could reflect, refract, and reshape the very fabric of possibility. And for those she had touched, like Tanzanite, she could control what futures they saw.

It was a power born from the unique fusion of her component Gems. The Allanit's ability to manipulate glass, combined with the Pioptase's power to absorb and channel light, had created something entirely new. Azurite could not only see possible futures but could choose which ones to reflect back to others, crippling the so-called All-Seeing nature of certain Gems.

As she replayed the battle, Azurite reflected on the long path that had led to this moment. She had been born in the early days of Era 1, when the Gem Empire was still young and full of promise of a greater cause. She had watched as that promise twisted into tyranny (Or maybe it already was and she just became aware), as the rigid hierarchy of the Diamonds calcified into an unbreakable caste system up until the beginning of Era 2.

For a millennia, she had worked in the shadows, building a network of rebels and dissidents. She had seen countless uprisings flare and fade, each one stamped out by the overwhelming might of the Diamond Authority. And with each failure, she had learned, adapted, and planned for the next attempt.

Now, after years of preparation, the pieces were finally in place for a true revolution. But for it to succeed, she needed more than just a dedicated group of rebels. She needed a spark, a rallying cry that would ignite the simmering discontent across the empire into a blaze of revolution.

And that spark would be the martyrdom of Tanzanite and her team.

Azurite closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment of grief for the sacrifice she had orchestrated. Tanzanite had been more than just a follower; she had been a friend, a confidante, one of the few who truly understood the scope of Azurite's vision. Sending her and her team into a battle they couldn't win had been one of the hardest decisions Azurite had ever made.

But it was necessary. The Off-Colors needed heroes, symbols of resistance that could inspire others to take up the cause. And what better symbols than a group of powerful, unique Gems who had dared to stand against the might of Homeworld itself?

Azurite opened her eyes, her resolve hardening. With another gesture, she manipulated the glass screens, compiling the most impactful moments of the battle into a single, cohesive narrative. Tanzanite's impassioned speech about freedom, the Off-Colors' valiant stand against overwhelming odds, Jasper's brutal final assault - all of it woven together into a powerful testament to both the courage of the rebels and the oppressive might of the Diamond Authority.

As she worked, Azurite reflected on the nature of leadership and sacrifice. How many times over the millennia had she been forced to make decisions that placed the greater good above individual lives? How often had she manipulated and maneuvered her own followers, all in service of a goal they might never live to see realized?

The weight of those choices pressed heavily upon her, a burden she could share with no one. But she bore it willingly, for the vision of a free Gem society that had sustained her through countless setbacks and defeats.

Finally, the compilation was complete. Azurite stood back, surveying her work with a critical eye. It was perfect - a narrative that would stir the hearts of even the most loyal Homeworld Gems, planting seeds of doubt and rebellion in minds long conditioned to obedience.

But before she could release it, there was one more thing to do.

Azurite turned to a small, unassuming device in the corner of the room. It was a direct link to Tanzanite, one that bypassed traditional communication channels. With a touch, she activated it, knowing that even in captivity, Tanzanite's core Gems would be able to receive her message.

"My dear Tanzanite." she began, her voice soft but clear. "By now, you know that your mission did not go as you had hoped. You may feel betrayed, confused, wondering why your future vision failed you at such a crucial moment."

She paused, choosing her words carefully. "The truth is, I manipulated what you saw. I led you into a battle I knew you couldn't win. And for that, I am truly sorry."

Azurite's form shimmered, her emotions causing ripples across her glass-like surface. "But you must understand - your capture, your defiance in the face of Homeworld's might, will be the spark that ignites a revolution across the empire. Your sacrifice will not be in vain."

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what came next. "I promise you this: you will be freed. And when you are, you will find a Gem society ready to rise up against the Diamonds. Your story will be the rallying cry that unites them."

Azurite's voice grew stronger, filled with the conviction that had driven her for millennia. "Stay strong, my friend. Remember why we fight. A free future for all Gems is within our grasp, and your role in bringing it about is far from over."

With that, she ended the transmission. For a moment, Azurite stood in silence, the weight of her actions pressing down upon her. Then, with a determined set to her shoulders, she turned back to the compiled footage.

It was time.

With a wave of her hand, Azurite sent the video streaming across every unsecured channel in the empire. From the highest spires of Homeworld to the furthest colony worlds, Gems of all types would soon witness the bravery of the Off-Colors and the brutal efficiency of Homeworld's response.

As the transmission began, Azurite spoke once more, her voice carried along with the images:

"Fellow Gems, what you are about to see is the truth - unfiltered, unedited. This is the reality of life under the Diamond Authority. What you are about to witness is the true face of the authority that claims to protect and guide us. Watch as loyal, capable Gems are struck down, not for any crime, but for daring to imagine a world where we are free to choose our own destinies."

Her voice grew stronger, charged with the power of her conviction. "For too long, we have accepted our assigned roles without question. For too long, we have allowed ourselves to be defined by our cut, our color, and our purpose as dictated by the Diamonds. They give us the illusion of choice."

The images on the screen showed Tanzanite and her team, standing defiant against Jasper and the Intelligence Division. "But look at these brave Gems. They dared to be more than what they were made for. They fought not for themselves, but for the freedom of all Gems."

As the final, brutal moments of the battle played out, Azurite's voice rose to a crescendo. "This is a call to all Gems who have ever questioned their place, who have ever longed for something more. To those who have suffered in silence, who have hidden their true selves for fear of shattering or repurposing - your time has come. To those who have questioned the wisdom of stripping entire worlds bare for the sake of creating more soldiers and servants - your doubts are valid. And to those loyal Gems who have served the Diamonds faithfully, believing it was for the greater good - open your eyes to the truth of what your service enables."

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "Today marks the beginning of a new era. An era where every Gem, regardless of type or origin, has a voice in shaping their destiny. This is not a call for chaos or destruction. It is an invitation to build something new, something better. The path ahead will not be easy. There will be hardships, sacrifices. But together, united in our cause, we can create a society that values every Gem, that allows each of us to reach our full potential."

As the transmission started to end, Azurite made another declaration: "To the Diamond Authority, we say this: Your time is ending. The future belongs to those who dare to imagine something better. And we, the free Gems of this World, will not rest until that future is realized."

With a final, decisive gesture, Azurite prepared to end the broadcast. But before she did, she added one last message, her voice filled with a mixture of determination and hope:

"To Tanzanite and her brave team, whose sacrifice has made this moment possible - you will not be forgotten. Your courage will inspire countless others to take up the cause of freedom. And to the Diamonds, who no doubt will be watching this as well - know that your time is coming to an end. The era of unquestioning obedience is over. The future belongs to those who are brave enough to shape it for themselves."

With those words, Azurite ended the broadcast. She stood motionless for a moment, acutely aware that she had just irrevocably altered the course of Gem's history. There would be no going back now, no more working from the shadows. The war for the soul of Gem society had begun in earnest.

As reports began to flood in from across the empire - of unrest, of questions being asked, of small acts of defiance blossoming into open rebellion - Azurite allowed herself a small smile. The road ahead would be long and fraught with danger. But for the first time in millennia, she felt a genuine sense of hope.

The future she had worked so tirelessly for was finally within reach. And though the cost had been high, though there would undoubtedly be more sacrifices to come, Azurite knew with unshakable certainty that it would all be worth it in the end.

For a free Gem society, for a future where every Gem could choose their own path, she would move stars themselves. The revolution had begun, and Azurite was ready to lead it to victory, no matter the cost.

~

Across the empire, the Diamonds received Azurite's broadcast, each reacting in their own unique ways.

In her command center, Yellow Diamond's face contorted with rage, her gem pulsing with barely contained energy. She slammed her fist down on a nearby console, shattering it instantly.

"Treason!" she roared, her voice echoing through the chamber. "How dare they? After everything we've done, everything we've built!"

Her Pearl cowered nearby, trembling at the display of fury. Yellow paid her no mind, her thoughts racing with military strategies and contingency plans. She had always known the Off-Colors existed, but to see them openly defying the Authority, broadcasting their foolish goal across the empire... it was unthinkable.

"Prepare our forces." Yellow commanded, her voice cold and decisive. "I want every city on high alert. Any Gem showing even a hint of sympathy for these rebels is to be immediately contained and brought to me for questioning."

As her subordinates rushed to carry out her orders, Yellow's gem pulsed once more, this time with a mixture of anger and... excitement? Part of her, the part that lived for conquest and battle, relished the challenge. These rebels thought they could stand against the might of the Diamond Authority? She would show them the true meaning of power.

She immediately began issuing orders to the Military Leaders of different sectors, mobilizing her forces for a full-scale crackdown on any signs of dissent. In her mind, this rebellion was a disease that needed to be exorcised swiftly and mercilessly.

She also sent word to her siblings about establishing Martial Law to enforce the rules to the fullest.

These Gems would wish to be shattered after she was done with them.

~

Meanwhile, in her chambers, Blue Diamond received the news with a mixture of shock and deep sadness. Waves of emotion rolled off her form, causing the Gems around her to weep uncontrollably.

"Oh, my poor, misguided Gems. Where did we go wrong?" she murmured, a wave of melancholy spreading from her gem and affecting all those around her. "Can't they see that we only want what's best for them? That their actions will only harm us all in the long run?"

But beneath her sadness, a steely resolve began to form. These Off-Colors threatened everything she had worked to build, the delicate balance of diplomacy and soft power she maintained for the Gems. 

She was the reason that Gems gained a small voice. She was the reason they could venture into other paths in Era 2 rather than being stuck in the a set position like in Era 1. And even now, as she continued to fight, this would only become a setback that stopped the Gems growth. She would not let it all crumble away.

"My Diamond." her Pearl ventured, tears streaming down her face, "What shall we do?"

Blue was silent for a long moment, her eyes closed in deep thought. When she spoke, her voice was soft but resolute. "We must reach out to our Gems. Listen to their grievances, and understand their pain. Perhaps... perhaps there is a way to address their concerns without resorting to violence."

Even as she said it, Blue knew that Yellow and White would likely disagree. And she wished to deny the part of herself that also disagreed with the statement as well. But she couldn't shake the feeling that this conflict was, in some way, a failure on their part as leaders.

~

Brown Diamond's reaction was one of fascination mixed with concern. His scientific mind immediately began analyzing the implications of this rebellion, calculating probabilities and potential outcomes.

"Fascinating," he muttered, his gem glowing as he processed vast amounts of data. "The societal implications alone... but the potential for disruption to our research and development..."

He began drafting plans for securing vital scientific installations and data, and determined that the march of Gem progress toward any of their active projects of the alternate Dimension would not be halted by this unrest.

~

Grey Diamond's face was a mask of cold fury as he watched the broadcast. His carefully maintained network of information and control was being challenged, and he didn't like it one bit. 

He was supposed to have stomped this pest out centuries ago, but now, these futile ants had truly crossed the line.

"Increase surveillance on all suspected Off-Color sympathizers, I ensure that any Gems that suspiciously leave their cities be observed." he ordered his subordinates. "I want every communication channel monitored, every whisper of dissent reported. We will root out this infection at its source once and for all."

~

Black Diamond, in contrast, received the news with a grim sort of satisfaction. He had always known that the rigid structure of Gem society was a powder keg waiting to explode. Now, it seemed, the fuse had finally been lit, and he knew just who allowed this flame to be lit.

When the broadcast ended, he turned to his most trusted Jasper.

"Prepare the Zero Division." he said, his voice low and dangerous. "If these rebels want a war, we'll give them one they'll never forget. The rule of the Diamonds can not be challenged."

Jasper nodded, her expression showing her full agreement.

"Also, begin the data extraction on those Gems we captured. I want every single piece of knowledge that they have examined." Black Diamond said, with Jasper pausing for a moment before speaking.

"Yes, My Diamond."

~

But at the heart of Homeworld, in her crystalline tower, White Diamond's reaction was unlike any of her children's. As Azurite's message faded from her screens, a smile spread across White's radiant face. It was not a kind smile, but one of amused satisfaction, like a chess master watching an opponent make exactly the move they had anticipated.

"Oh, My little Gems." White said, her voice echoing with power and a hint of mockery. "Did you really think I didn't know about your little rebellion? That I couldn't have crushed it at any time if I truly wished with my power? It seems my little experiment has finally come to fruition."

She rose from her throne, her massive form filling the chamber with brilliant light. White Diamond moved to a window overlooking Homeworld, her diamond-shaped pupils reflecting the glittering metropolis below.

Her pearl walked beside her, with it being the most powerful Gem created at birth due to her being the personal attendant and guardian of White Diamond.

"You see, Pearl." she continued, speaking to no one and everyone at once, yet White Pearl listened attentively to her Goddess, "Order requires the illusion of chaos. For what is perfect stability without the threat of upheaval? What is unwavering loyalty without the temptation of rebellion? The Off-Colors believe they're fighting for freedom, for equality. How quaint. What they don't understand is that true freedom, true equality, is an illusion. There will always be those who lead and those who follow. It is the natural order of things."

White's gem pulsed, sending ripples of energy through the very fabric of reality. She had known about the Off-Colors for millennia and had watched their movement grow with the patient eye of a gardener tending to a particularly interesting weed.

She had seen the two gems merge and felt their hostile emotions even if she no longer had the ability after giving it to Blue. But, as a popular saying in one of her past lives would say, is an Elephant bothered by the bite of an ant? And in comparison, she was like the Moon looking down at the inconsequential ants. 

"I allowed you to flourish, little rebels." White mused, her voice taking on the sing-song quality that her children found so unnerving. "I let you believe you were clever, that you were hidden. But you were always part of my grand design. One that can keep the empire busy for a few cycles while I get my Dimension in order."

In White's mind, the death of individual Gems was inconsequential. They were but cells in the greater body of Gemkind, to be replaced and renewed as needed. Even refurbished with the new technology that was being made that allowed a shattered Gem to be reborn in a blank state. What mattered was the continuation of the system, the perpetuation of the order she had established.

"They really think that they are fighting for freedom, for equality." White said, a note of condescension in her voice. "But what you fail to understand is that true freedom is an illusion. There must always be order, always be purpose. And who better to provide that than me?"

"Who decides what's fair and who's free? The Diamonds are evil? The Off Colors are righteous? These terms are vague and hold little meaning to beings like me. Gems who have never seen peace and Gems who have never seen war have different values. Those like myself who sit at the top determine what's wrong and what's right. This very place is neutral ground since I decided on those very notions. Justice will prevail, you say? But of course it will! Whoever wins this war becomes order! And if I am always the winner, then don't I always get to decide?"

She turned from the window, her radiant form casting long shadows across the chamber. White Diamond saw herself as more than just a ruler or even a god. She was the closest thing to an embodiment of perfection that she could reach, the ultimate expression of what Gemkind could be.

Perhaps her past life made her have a God Complex when she wasn't dealing with the threat of Cosmic Beings or the end of the world as she seemed to have a near Omnipresent Point of View. But this part of her was always there, just never as prevalent when she had to deal with threats of an obscene scale on a monthly basis. Yet now, with her no longer worried about the conventional threats of her realm due to her newfound power, she cared little about things other than achieving greatness that surpassed her first two lives combined.

"My children will be so busy with this little rebellion." she said, a note of amusement in her voice. "Yellow with her armies, Blue with her lawmaking, Grey with his scheming, and Black with his view to protect us. It will keep them occupied for years, perhaps even decades with it's after-effects. And all the while, they'll be growing, learning, becoming better versions of themselves." 

Only her children would be worth something. And this would just be one of the many trials that would allow them to grow. It would prepare them before they fully expanded into the Dimension that was nearly the size of a Galaxy and still expanding.

White's smile widened, her teeth gleaming like polished diamonds while White Pearl simply smiled at her Creator. "And the ordinary Gems? Oh, they'll cling to me more tightly than ever. In the face of chaos and uncertainty, they'll look to their radiant Diamond for guidance and protection. No matter how persuasive these Off-Colors might be, no matter how logical their arguments for equality, the Gems will never truly accept a system that doesn't have me at its head. Because as great as it is to have a Martyr, having a God is even better."

She returned to her throne, settling into it with the easy grace of an absolute monarch. "Let them have their little war." White said, waving a hand dismissively. "In the end, it will only serve to strengthen my rule, to prove the necessity of the order I provide."

As reports of unrest and rebellion began to flood in from across the empire, White Diamond sat back, a look of serene satisfaction on her face. From her lofty perspective, this was all just another act in the grand performance of existence, a necessary conflict to drive the evolution of Gemkind towards her vision of perfection.

"Oh, my little Gems." she said, her voice filled with a twisted sort of affection. "How entertaining you all are. Your struggles, your hopes, your dreams - all of it just part of my grand design. Play your parts well, my dears. The show is only beginning."

And with that, White Diamond turned her attention to the reports streaming in, watching with detached amusement as the empire she had built began to roil with the fires of rebellion. To her, it was all part of the plan - a plan that spanned millennia and reached far beyond the comprehension of any ordinary Gem.

For in White Diamond's mind, she was not just the ruler of the Gem Empire. She was the very embodiment of order for her citizens. She had withstood the threats that challenged her and became a force that would exist as long as her Universe did, and she could even grow to become a Multiversal Abstract rather than being bound. In her new soul, she viewed herself as the closest thing to her optimal self that she could become. And one way or another, whether through loyalty or fear, through love or hate, all Gems would come to recognize this truth.

As the shockwaves of Azurite's message continued to spread across the empire, White Diamond stood serene and unmoved, the eye of the storm, the immovable center of the Gem universe. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever changes might come, she remained confident in one unassailable truth:

In the end, all would return to White.

[So this was the first half of the first arc. I felt it was about time we finally gained a glimpse at White's thought process and gave her a character flaw. Have to make sure that the point is made that she a White's Souls merged, not just her gaining the memories and/or powers of white. The Character Progressions gonna go crazy. Especially when the most hated character comes. But for now, the next few chapters will likely focus on the Diamond's war against the Off Colors and the implications of the war on Homeworld Society.

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Thanks for reading. KingKillerDJ Out~]