//------------------------------// // Preparation // Story: My Little Universe: Season 2 // by EquestrianKirin //------------------------------// With his nose to the ground, and got on the trail, Blue was on the scent of something in Beach City. When it came to interaction with his owners, their busy schedule with the ship left him with free time, and he had plenty of that when his nose caught something interesting. Moving along, his scent tracking lead him further and further away from the Beach House, but moving just outside of the city, keeping along the coastline. Wherever he was going, the scent was keeping him on a strict trail as he went. Blue only stopped for a brief moment when his nose bumped into a small rock, and he looked ahead. The dog's scent had lead him to a seaside cave, nothing too out of the ordinary except for what Blue had found. Just inside the cave, the dog had discovered a particular object fully exposed, looking like a white diamond. There wasn't any sort of writing on it, or anything special; just a diamond. Still, Blue took the time to pick it up and began to head on back to show the others. ~~~~~~ As for the Gems back at the ship, the project was just minutes away from fully completing itself. The controls were working out fine, the whole ship was tested and functional, and all that was left to do was gather up what supplies the Ponies and Steven need. Even if she was still aware of it, Lapis didn't tell the others about it yet, not wanting to halt any progress until later. Besides, she could try to handle it herself and the others wouldn't have to bother themselves with it. Speaking of Lapis, she wasn't around at the moment to help pack up, leaving the other Gems having to handle it (which wasn't that much of trouble). The supplies mostly consisted of food, water, and other items just in case if things did end up a bit rough on their way there. "We have everything?" Fulgurite asked. Pearl took a second to look over the list of items she had made. "Think so; we should be ready to go," Pearl decided. Steven, who was nearby the barn, was happy that everybody was ready, but the problem still stood with his dad. Of course, as he was sitting there, his bummed out expression hadn't gone unnoticed. None of the Gems or Ponies had noticed just yet, but one character had noticed, and soon popped up behind the bummed out kid. The draconequus shared a similar expression on his goat face. "Aww, somepony down in the dumps today?" Discord asked, only his head and lion paw visible from where he was. "Yeah." "Daddy not letting you?" Discord assumed. "Yeah." Steven really wanted to go to Homeworld, and help the Gems out. He didn't do much to help with Sombra, and he wasn't going to get kicked out of this one, but Greg Universe was his only hurdle left before he will go off. He'd been trying, but, it wasn't working well for him. Discord fully appeared, sitting down right beside him. The draconequus thought for a moment or two, his talon hand scratching his chin. The Gems had done plenty on the project, it's about time for Discord to give his own contribution to the team. Discord playfully fluffed Steven's hair. "About time for the draconequus to lend his talon and paw. Let's go have a chit-chat with Greg," Discord decided, picking up the little kid. Steven didn't know what Discord had in mind, but maybe the spontaneous draconequus can figure things out. Before anybody had time to notice, the draconequus soon was off with Steven. Almost seconds later, the others began to hear someone starting to rush over to them. When they looked, it was Blue, but with the diamond in his teeth. Blue didn't stop until he was right in front of them, placing the object down at their feet. It was Fulgurite though that went on to pick it up first, eyes wide. "Well, is this a interesting find," Fulgurite noted, moving it around in her hand to get a good look at it. "Wait! Is that -" Peridot said. "I think it is." "what is it?" Asked Amethyst. "This is a communicator for Homeworld, that's what it is! Wonder if it still works," Fulgurite wondered. the news struck whoever was there rather hard, and left them shocked, especially to the Homeworld Gems. This device can do that? However, before anyone can go on any further about it, somepony else - Kyra to be exact - soon went over. He still had on the scarf Rarity gave him to deal with the cold snow, but other than that, he was all the same. "What's going on? Something the matter?" Kyra asked, moving over to them to investigate. "Not at all, Kyra." Garnet said. It was then though that Kyra saw the communicator in Fulgurite's hands. Kyra's attention went huge upon seeing it. "What do you got here?" Kyra asked, giving it a look over. "It's a Homeworld Communicator," Peridot said in glee. Kyra, using his tail, picked it up from Fulgurite's hands and held it in place to look it over, looking like he was thinking about something. "You can contact Homeworld with this?" "A older concept, but indeed you can. Say, how about we just contact them and know we're coming," Peridot insisted, reaching for it. However, Kyra pulled it away. "I apologize, but I don't believe it necessary. The communicator is probably weakened by now, and if this is an older model then it might not work. Excuse me for mentioning it," Kyra explained, continuing to look it over. "Probably, but I'm sure we can repair it if it is damaged," Pearl considered. "Uh, if I were to be so bold, but I'll try at it myself. Saints such as yourselves shouldn't trouble yourselves with smaller things such as this. I'll notify you on the outcome later on," Kyra insisted, actually starting to move away with the communicator. While the offer itself was pretty decent enough, Kyra didn't seem to be the technical type all and all. That got a few thinking ... ~~~~~~ Meanwhile, Discord's little teleportation got himself and Steven in the right spot. If they needed to talk to Greg, just stop by the car wash. Indeed, the man in question was on lunch break, chilling out on a beach chair and enjoying a sandwich. However, the two ended up teleporting on the car wash roof, so, it was a place where Greg didn't expect them to be. So, what is a draconequus to do? Drop Steven off. Literally. "OOF! What the - Oh! Steven!" "Hi dad." Steven went off his now sore dad, as Discord flew down to their level. As far as interaction between Greg and Discord had been, it was a small one so he still wasn't sure what Discord was capable of just yet. "Afternoon, mister universe. Nice to see you," Discord said, patting the bad area of Greg's head. "Uh ... Hi there. You must be Discord?" Greg asked sheepishly. "and you must be the one denying this young lad his little trip? That right?" discord asked, pinching Steven's cheek. Greg just sighed. "This again? Steven, how many times have I told you you're not leaving Earth?" Greg asked, arms crossed. However, Discord had a calculator in his hand, and actually got an answer on it. "I'd have to say twenty three times, moreover," Discord said, showing the calculator. "But Dad, I have to go, we've been working on this for weeks!" "I know, I know, but I'm not having my son fly off into space -" "Worried about safety, are we?" Discord suddenly butted in, popping up behind his back. "Of course! I don't know what's going to happen up there!" "You should talk to Garnet about that one, and she's perfectly happy to bring Steven along for the trip," Discord revealed, patting Steven's head. "You're not saying that so I change my mind, are you?" "Oh, now why would I do that? If you don't believe me, go talk to Garnet herself. Besides, you are aware of who's gallivanting off with him, right?" Discord brought both paw and talon forward, into fists at first. "We got your powerhouse of a Gem group -" Discord paw opened to show the Crystal Gems "- and we have the lovable elements of harmony -" Discord's talon opened to show the mane six. "- how much more safety and security do you really need than that?" Greg realized he had a point; all that protection for Steven while he was away. "I don't know. How long are you're going to be gone for? ..." "Garnet already had that covered; give or take you'll have him back by next spring," discord added in, flying backwards slowly by them both. "Dad, please, I promise I'll be very careful while I'm away, and I promise I'll come right back home when we're done," Steven insisted, hands together in hope. Greg needed a minute or two to think it over. Technically speaking Steven had left Earth when off in Equestria, and he came back better than ever. In the end of it, after a long moment of silence, Greg made his decision. "... Oh, who am I to stand in your way?" Greg finally said. That got Steven smiling the biggest smile, as he hugged his dad. Greg was going to miss him through the winter, but with how many are going with him, he was for sure he'll be alright. Discord looked on with a smile of his own. All he did was give himself a high five for a good result. ~~~~~~ Farther away, Kyra was still going on his own way with the diamond wrapped securely around his tail. He couldn't go into the barn with it, though he'd prefer that. Instead, he brought the diamond back to where Blue had found it; the seaside cave. It was a mere fluke for him to come across the cave again, but it was isolated still anyway, so it'll have to do. As he neared the cave, the snow was replaced with sand, and Kyra removed the covering on his scarred leg soon afterward, safe to expose it. Kyra looked around to make sure he was alone. As far as he was sure of, he seemed alone all and all. So, he went right into the cave. The cave itself was small, shallow but wide, and plenty of room to maneuver so it was a good spot for Kyra. Of course, unaware to Kyra, he had some company; Peridot. Curious with his supposed plan, she had to check it out for herself. Peridot stayed just as the mouth of the cave as Kyra sat down. With the opening of his cut hoof, Kyra got one end in his grip, and with a small twist the object glowed! Guess Kyra had a sly tongue underneath his gentleman attitude. The object began to move upward all on its own, shining bright and showing a projection screen. The screen looked like three diamonds on top of one another, and soon showed a screen of what looked like another Gem. She looked like Pearl in many a sense, but her gemstone was on her chest, her skin and clothes yellow, and having a one piece suit with transparent flair. This Pearl seemed more formal and serious in appearance, like a guard at his post or something like that. "This is the Yellow Diamond control room," the Pearl stated. Kyra was undeterred, as Peridot stayed out of sight, but an eye on him as Kyra cleared his throat. "I know that. Now, is Yellow Diamond there, or is she not bothering herself with me again?" Kyra asked. "Who authorized you to make this call?" The Pearl asked, her expression unchanged. "I did; I wanted to talk to her." "That's no excuse to use the direct Diamond communication channel." Before Kyra or the other Pearl could continue, another voice off screen suddenly spoke. "Pearl." The voice was enough to spoke the yellow Pearl into submission. "Y-Yes my Diamond?" "Why is someone using this channel?" "I don't know - I was just about to tell him that -" "I'll take it from here." The screen soon shifted as a large yellow hand moved the screen so she was visible. She did look different than the other Gems met so far; yellow skin and a notably longer neck. Her eyes were more prominent with eye lining, and her hair was in a similar moon shape. Her gemstone was placed on her chest, like the other Pearl was, and her yellow and black outfit clearly shown authority over where she was. This was Yellow Diamond. At the moment though she didn't put much interest, looking away at another touchscreen with current information. Kyra expected much from her apparently, and Peridot was left speechless... "Who is this?" Yellow Diamond asked, not showing interest at first. "I think you already know who I am. Yellow Jacket." Yellow Diamond suddenly paused on hearing that alias. It was Kyra's own personal nickname for her, weather she liked it or not. Yellow Diamond turned her head to see Kyra in the communication call. Still, her expression of authority and firmness still remained despite the surprise. "Kyra. Haven't heard from you in a while." "Likewise. And by the sound of your other slaves, things hadn't changed much since the last excursion," Kyra noted. "Why should they?" "Why? Because I demand satisfaction; I'm going to that planet, and when I do, and if nothing had changed from before ... Then I'll take care of you myself," Kyra explained, his voice turning into a growl at the end of it. The Pearl nearby gasped in surprise, quickly turning to Yellow Diamond. Even with that, she didn't seem very fazed. "A pathetic organic creature like you can't defeat me." Yellow Diamond mocked. "Well this pathetic organic creature had fought and beat you diamonds at that duel already, and I have the scar to prove it!" Kyra showed Yellow Diamond his deep cut on his leg. "The only reason I didn't beat you out of those three is because you never showed up! Rather sit on your fat butt and hide from me?" Yellow Diamond soon looked angry. "The only reason I never showed up, was because I don't have to deal with a creature like you! I don't know how you convinced the other Diamonds, but I have more important things to worry about then to fight some draconian pony. Why should you care anyway about a planet off your own; we tried your planet, and it was too inefficient!" "The same reason the great lord Rose cared; the protection of life from the satanic such as yourself! It was your cruel behavior towards other life that -" "I've heard enough! You've wasted enough of my time with your presence. Besides, you don't know how to get over here." "And suppose I do, Yellow Jacket?" "Yellow Diamond! If your going to sit there and insult me, get that right at the very least!" Yellow Diamond snapped. Kyra though just sighed, smiling. "Why, it fits you; you behave just like a queen yellow jacket; sitting around getting fat while everyone does everything for you." Yellow Diamond looked ready to explode in anger, as evident on her face. Kyra expected as much from her, but as he glanced behind him, he caught a tiny glimpse of Peridot just out of range ... "I think I've made my point. Detonate when ready, see you soon," Kyra noted, turning off the communicator himself. The draconian pony turned around and moved outside the cave as the communicator began to turn red... Just seconds after leaving, his back to it, the communicator suddenly exploded, a huge exploded cloud of dust shooting out the cave past Kyra. Peridot couldn't believe her ears! However, Kyra looked directly at her, quickly moving right next to her, eye to eye. "Not. A word. About this." Peridot didn't speak, but could only nod; if what Kyra said was true, then he was much more dangerous than the Gems have him credit for. Kyra roughly pushed her aside, and began going back. Peridot could only hope they don't get arrested on arrival ...