Chapter Twenty-Four: Epilogue

It was all over. The battle had been won at long last. After hours of fighting, the Interloper base had finally fallen. Goshenite had descended to the planet's surface to raise a flag bearing the Diamond Authority insignia among the ruins of the compound.

"She has to be around here somewhere," Onyx said. The black Gem was furiously rummaging through the rubble. "She couldn't have just vanished, she has to still be here!"

Tanzanite placed her hand on Onyx's shoulder. "We will find Emerald before long. She cannot have gone far."

While her friend continued to look, Tanzanite walked over to a pair of Citrines discussing the battle. "Do either of you have any information as to Emerald's whereabouts?"

"Last I saw her, she was back on the ship," The first one said. "I haven't seen her since,"

"I saw her," said the other. "She flew on one of the dropships over to the base."

"In that case, you should probably talk to the pilot," the first Citrine said. "I hear she's recovering over by the camp. She might know more."

Tanzanite thanked the pair of Citrines and headed over to a camp where wounded Gems were recovering. Sure enough, a Nephrite was regaling her teammates with the tale of her brave mission behind enemy lines. She was covered in numerous cuts and abrasions, and was missing her entire right arm, though these injuries would heal in time.

"...and when the ship crashed, I knew that was my ticket to safety. Little did I know, it would just put me right in the middle of a squadron of Predators!" The Nephrite recognized Tanzanite as the latter approached. "Well, if it isn't Emerald's very own Tanzanite!" she said. "You here to collect data from the battle or something?"

"Actually, I was searching for Emerald: we have yet to locate her. Being the last to see her, do you have any further information on her location?"

"Sorry, but last I saw her, she went into the ship. I was too focused on trying to survive to follow after her."

"I might know," a voice behind her said. On further inspection, this voice belonged to a Milky Quartz: one of Goshenite's personal vanguards.

"Excellent," said Tanzanite. "Do you know if she is unharmed?"

"Not exactly," said the Quartz. "A little while after the ship crashed, this...thing tore its way out. I can't say I got a good look at it, what with all the Interlopers around me, but I know for sure that it was the exact same colors as Emerald."

Tanzanite seemed to become more solemn than usual. "Then the process is complete," she said.

"I heard a little bit about what was going on with her, but I don't really know the full story. Anyway, she was headed over to the east barracks." The Quartz pointed towards where Emerald had ran. "If she's still around here, she's probably around there."

Tanzanite headed in that direction. Onyx had largely given up on her search, only to join Tanzanite when she saw her walking toward the barracks.

"Did you find her?" the large Gem asked.

"Somewhat," said Tanzanite.

"'Somewhat?'" repeated Onyx. "Is this really the time to be vague?"

As the both of them reached their destination, they found that Goshenite was already standing there. A destroyed Interloper ship had come to rest not far from their location. But what caught their eyes was a glint of something green laying there in the middle of the courtyard.

Onyx immediately ran over to it. "Mera! I'm comin'!" she shouted. She knelt down where the gemstone lie, immediately identifying it as not just an Emerald, but her Emerald. She picked it up to examine it for chips or cracks. Finding none, she breathed a sigh of relief. "She's okay."

"Onyx…" Tanzanite said. "One of Goshenite's soldiers reported seeing an unidentified creature with Emerald's colors."

"So, you mean…"

"Yes. Although she is unharmed, it is unlikely she is 'okay.'"

Goshenite approached, examining the gemstone of her fallen rival, gripped tightly in the Quartz's hands. She held out her arm. "Here. Let me," she said. Reluctantly, Onyx handed her Emerald's gemstone. Goshenite held it for a moment, feeling its weight in her palm. Then, she placed her other hand over the gem, sealing it within a white bubble, which then vanished.

Onyx turned her head to see the carnage Emerald left in her wake. Among the destruction sat the remains of Melvirius, his disembodied head covered in dust.

Onyx grinned. "So," she said, "she finally got 'im."

Homeworld, Capital District. Goshenite's residence. Two days later.

Pearl sat alone in the empty room. Over her head, bubbles containing various gemstones floated silently like a mobile. In one of these bubbles, which Pearl was staring at, contained Emerald's gem.

In a room adjacent to this one, the other members of the Council of Beryls discussed how to proceed from here.

"First and foremost, we'll need a new Supreme Admiral," came the voice of Bixbite. "I know it seems sudden, but the Interlopers are still a threat. To face them without the guidance of a Supreme Admiral would be foolish."

"I agree with Bixbite," said Maxixe. "Intelligence shows that the Interlopers haven't given up just yet. Their tactics have greatly diminished with their generals destroyed, but they still have enough members to pose a threat."

"Not to mention, the resource shortage is still going strong," said Heliodor. "With no planets bearing life, I'm worried we'll have to make some sacrifices."

"Such things are for the Diamonds to decide, not us," said Morganite. "Now, you're certain Emerald cannot be cured?"

"I'm not sure about that," said Heliodor. "I know there's a way to fix her, but I just haven't figured out what it is yet. I'll just have to keep looking for it until I find it."

"You do that," said Maxixe. "In the meantime, I believe we should find a replacement. Temporary if we can, but permanent if necessary."

"Yes, and what about all of those Gems under her command?" asked Morganite.

"I'll take them," said Goshenite, speaking for the first time the entire meeting.

"You will?" asked Bixbite. "All of them?"

"If necessary. If the Diamonds decide to relocate her Gems themselves, so be it, but until then, I'll take charge of them. Just until Emerald is well enough to return to active duty."

"Then it's settled," Bixbite said. "This meeting is hereby adjourned. We will reconvene in one week's time to discuss strategy moving forward."

Pearl heard the sound of chairs sliding backward, followed by the footsteps of the Gems exiting the building. All except Goshenite herself, who entered Pearl's room. She walked over to sit down in a chair at the far corner of the room.

Pearl walked over. "M-Miss Goshenite...did you mean that? About taking over all of Emerald's Gems?"

Goshenite looked up, a melancholy look in her eyes. "I did. After all the centuries treating Emerald like I did, it's the least I can do."

"Even me?"

"Yeah, even you." Goshenite stood up to get a better view of Emerald in her bubble. "I was never the type of Gem to own a Pearl. Seemed like a waste of time, to be honest. No offense. But I'm willing to make an exception. Emerald really loved you, you know?"

Pearl nodded. "Yes. She even asked me if I wanted to stay with her. I didn't have a choice, being a Pearl, but she asked me anyway."

Goshenite grinned. "So loyal, yet so deviant. I used to think Gems like her would lead to Homeworld's destruction. But now, I feel like we could use a few more Gems like Emerald."

"You said it!" Pearl said, hugging Goshenite.

"Whoah, hey, what are you doing? Watch it!" Goshenite snapped, shoving Pearl off of her.

Pearl took a few steps back. "Sorry about that, Miss Goshenite. I'm just used to hugging, is all. Emerald said it was encouraged."

Goshenite looked at the floor remorsefully. "I suppose...under the right circumstances, hugging can be slightly encouraged with me," she said.

Pearl lit right back up, wrapping her arms around the white Gem's waist. In spite of her annoyance, Goshenite pat Pearl on the head, smiling a little.

"We're going to get her back, Pearl," she said. "Just you wait."

Planet Earth. September 31, 2014.

A single figure sat behind a desk, alone in a dark room. The small office had no windows, so the man's face was illuminated only by a tiny desk lamp. The man was heavily-built and broad-shouldered despite his age, and his hair and beard barely toed the line between auburn and grey. He was busy studying a file filled with several photographs when a light knock was heard at the door. "Come in," he said.

A second man entered the room. Like the first man, he was dressed in a formal suit. This man was younger than the first, and much less broad. He was tall and skinny, but not near enough to be considered lanky. "You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked.

"I did," said the older man. "How are the cover-ups of the 'Beach City incident' coming along?"

"Not entirely well, to be honest," answered the younger man. "Our official story is that an experimental weather-control satellite went haywire, but nobody's really buying it. I mean, to be fair, all the world's oceans suddenly just forming into a giant pillar isn't exactly something you can just cover up."

"It will have to do," said the older man. "In this day and age, there are always going to be people who suspect that the government is up to something. Speaking of 'up to something,' that isn't why I called you in here. This is."

The older man turned the file he was examining towards the younger man. The most prominent picture depicted what appeared to be a small town square, next to a forest, somewhere in France. Upon closer inspection, a figure could be seen lurking within the trees. No features were visible, other than they seemed to be wearing a gas mask.

"I'll be danged," said the younger man. "Look who finally decided to show his face again. So to speak."

"This was taken in Eiffel two weeks ago," said the older man. "The locals are certain it depicts the legendary cryptid 'Le Loyon,' but I think it's obvious who it really is. But the worst part is, this isn't far from a local airport. Evidence suggests he's coming back to the States."

"So, what's our next move?" asked the younger man. "Should we alert the Gems?"

"No, I don't want to bother them worrying about human affairs," said the older man. "Besides, they've got Rose's kid to deal with. The entire reason BAINE was founded was to take care of this sort of thing so they didn't have to."

"If you say so, sir," said the younger man. "You still think he's a threat?"

"Of course he is," the older man answered. "SEEN may have disbanded, but he no doubt has other connections."

"Well then, I guess all we can do is wait and see what happens," the younger man said.

"Yes," said the older man. "All we can do is wait."