When The Hound Awoke - BlackFoy - Arcane: League Of Legends (Cartoon 2021) [Archive Of Our Own]

Asteria Diamond: Jasper and Pearl (part 4)

Jasper takes her place under Asteria Diamond fairly well, especially when the Diamond's power is used on her, but she does not adjust to the Crystal Gems and their ideas so easily. There are a few skirmishes here and there, just enough to have Jasper get a taste for Asteria's brand of punishment, but things really kick off when Jasper insults Pearl. Pearl, having just gotten concrete confirmation that she was allowed to defend herself, waits her out for a moment before summoning a sword and proofing Jasper with a single swipe. She goes to her Diamond to make sure she isn't in trouble and to ask what to do next, and Asteria decides it would be best to beat out the more violent prejudice sooner rather than later.

Asteria, with pearls permission, tests something that they think Rose had done on accident a few times. Pearl is given an order to go along with her fight, which means any time she might have slipped her coding automatically corrects her, keeping her from getting as hurt in the fight. The advantage is slight, but enough to beat Jasper. So Jasper reforms in an arena with Pearl at the other end, waiting for her. They spar three times, Jasper losing all three times. The first time Pearl just poofs her again, the second time they spar for a bit longer so that Pearl can get a good grasp of her fighting style, and the third one is just Pearl making an example of the buff gem. Seeing as Jasper is one of the most powerful gems on the ship everyone learns that day not to mess with Asteria Diamond's Pearl. Jasper admits that Pearl is a strong warrior, but that is as far as she goes. She still has many negative beliefs about others.

Next time Jasper acts up, horribly insulting one of the Crystal Gems which quickly gets physical, she is told by her Diamond that her punishment would be handled by her Pearl. Jasper isn't thrilled, but she's not as insulted as she would have been before Pearl defeated her. Pearl was waiting for her in a sparring room. She was told that she was allowed to move around and be defensive, but she couldn't fight back or summon her weapon. She isn't happy about this but doesn't have time to complain as Pearl immediately attacked. She was using a rounded blade so her strikes hurt, but wouldn't slice through Jasper's form. She took the beating for a while, but eventually she got fed up and fought back. Pearl immediately stopped the fight and chastised her, instructing her to put her hands through the holes in one of the walls. Chains fastened themselves around Jasper's wrists, diamond hard, and Pearl gave her a few good wacks before leaving. After a while she came back, and they did it again. Eventually Jasper stopped trying to fight back, and was worked until she dropped. Just barely not poofed, but exhausted enough that she laid down on the ground and gave up. She half expected Pearl to keep hitting her, but after a few fairly soft thwacks her surrender was accepted. Pearl sat on her back and started to talk to her as she messed with her hair. The action made her want to growl and puff up, but by this point she had learned her place. Pearl talked about her lack of respect for others, and how it all came from a lack of respect for herself. Jasper wanted to deny it, but she was too tired to fight even a verbal battle at this point. Pearl talks her through some big thoughts, before just staying silent. Most of Jasper's hair is braided by the time she is strong enough to lift herself, and Pearl instructs her to leave her form how it is and rest for a few cycles before returning to her for the last of her punishment. Jasper knows better than to fight it, and does as she is told, returning to her bunk room. She settles into her cubby, ignoring the stares of the other gems around her. One of the other Jaspers bothers her, i.e., is worried about her, and Jasper, practically the gem equivalent of half asleep, gives a concise version of events of what happened to her. To the much smaller and weaker Jaspers it sounds like absolute torture, and even more rumors spread about the ex-renegade Pearl. Seeing such a huge gem, a Jasper warrior no less, return from her punishment with a bruised form and an elaborate design weaved into her hair is terrifying. No one has seen Jasper look this beaten before, not even after huge battles. And everyone knows you don't mess with a Quartz's hair unless you want your hands to get cut.

After taking a few cycles to recover, Jasper goes back to complete her punishment. The Pearl exsplains that she will poof her, and gives her specific instructions on how she should regenerate her form. After she was poofed she could smooth over the damage, but she must make some change to her form to show Pearl that she understood her punishment. If Pearl approved of the changes her punishment would be over and her new form would be shown to their Diamond. Pearl told her to take her time, and then poofed her. When Jasper returned she looked fairly similar to before, the main change being the pink diamond symbol on the front. It was still pink and still a diamond, but instead of straight edges between the points each side swooped in, giving it a concave look. It took a moment, but Pearl quickly realized what it represented and found herself pleased. It was a diamond star. Pearl praised her for her choice, and told her to go show their Diamond for final approval. Jasper wasn't sure how to feel at the Pearl's praise, frustrated about how much she liked it. She pushed off the nagging thoughts of Pearl's words and went to show her Diamond her form.

(Something like this for Jasper's new symbol)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Don't meet your gods

(Please note that I have not fully watched all of Arcane.)

Season 1 Arcane ends up with visitors from an alternate timeline/the future. They end up with several different people from different walks of life, but they all treat Viktor strangely. Viktor believes that it is because of his disability, but in reality, they hear Jayce the Defender call him Viktor and realize that they are in the presence of the Machine Herald in human form. He is basically a god where they are from, and they don’t know how to handle meeting him in the flesh.

Hello!

So I don't really understand how Tumblr works quite yet, but I've got a lot of ideas and snippets and WIPs sitting in my notes app that will probably never be good enough to see the light of AO3, so I've decided to post them here that way I can still share them with others. Hopefully, you guys enjoy my stuff, most of it isn't the most coherent but it's still ideas. If someone wants to write something based on my stuff please let me know. Thanks!

The Wolves of Warwick

Time/dimension travel causes the wolves involved in creating Warwick to suddenly gain a level of sentience they did not have before, along with an urge to protect their human pack. They still see Vader as one of them even though he is human and doesn't remember being Warwick with them, and therefore his cubs are their cubs. The wolves can speak, although it is in broken sentences like Warwick, and they don't typically talk to many others outside of their pack.

Vander is meeting up with some people to try and broker peace with the Uppercity. Of course, his wolves come with him. He was hoping they would work as intimidation and protection, but instead, they insist on gently kidnapping one of the Counciler's children.

Asteria Diamond: Garnet's pov (part 2)

Garnet focused hard on the mission, not wanting to think about the torture and horror she had witnessed. This was not helped by her future vision showing her all of the different ways this could fail. But she also saw the ways, few as they were, that they succeeded, and she knew they had to try. Pearl was worth it, and she wanted the gem to know it. Especially with everything the Renegade has been going through the last few days. She couldn't imagine being forced into slavery once more after years of freedom.

There were several teams all breaking into the ship at the same time. Some would free the captured, some would fight off any guards, and some would sabotage. Garnet and Bismuth's main goal was to find Pearl. As she had predicted, there were few guards around, all of the soldiers out looking for them. They fought their way to the right room and broke in. The sight of Pearl curled up on the floor in a little ball made her gems ache with sympathy. Bismuth carefully reached out and put a hand on Pearl's arm. She only startled slightly, and Garnet had never been happier to see such tired blue eyes. The slightest bit of subdued spark shone in Pearl's eyes as she looked up at them, a fragile smile tugging at the smaller gem's lips. Bismuth practically cried in joy, scooping Pearl up into a crushing hug and telling her how glad they were to see her. Garnet seconded that, joining in on the hug and taking a moment to check her future vision.

"I'm sorry." Came Pearl's voice, softer than she had ever heard her speak. Bismuth was trying to ask Pearl what she meant, but the gem only clung to them harder. It was all drowned out for Garnet, as she could see exactly why she was sorry. "We can't get back out..." She almost whispered in horror. How could she not have seen this?! "What?" Bismuth asked, " What do you mean?!" "... We were almost always able to get in... But now we can't get out." "What do you mean?! I thought-!" "There's something around the ship. No one can get in or out. This was all a trap." Before Bismuth could freak out or yell anymore, Pearl shifted between them to hold onto her. The soft blue eyes looking up at her were filled with sadness, but they were alive in a way they hadn't been in the video. "Garnet, it's not your fault. She knows about your future vision, and she knows how to get around it."

They were all silent as the situation sunk in. Garnet pulled Pearl into a tight hug, trying desperately to find a future where they get out. No matter how hard she strains, all she can see is the end of her future vision as she splits apart—the bright white light of fusion and then nothing. The door opened, and immediately Bismuth was between them and the Diamond, weapons out and ready for a fight she would surely lose. "There is no need for that now Bismuth," the Diamond's musical voice spoke softly. Despite that softness, her voice reverberated around the room like a drum, impossible to ignore. "Come here my Pearl." And Garnet could do nothing but watch as Pearl walked daintily into the Diamond's arms. Bismuth was yelling threats, but Garnet's mind was going a mile a minute. Her eyes were still fairly clear. She wasn't under her control, just like she had predicted. But she still went to her when she called. Bismuth was the one yelling and pacing and putting on a show, but the Diamond's eyes were on her as she thought through the puzzle.

"What have you done?" She asked as calmly as she could. "It was nothing I did necessarily. Just existing was enough. Pearl, be a dear and show your friends what your first master had you wear." Pearl looked uncomfortable but did as she was told. The clothes of her form brightened and shifted, and a moment later, she was looking at Pink Diamond's Pearl. The puzzle pieces smashed into place. "You belonged to Pink... so now you belong to her... but how..?" There was no need to articulate further. Everyone knew what she was asking. How had Pearl escaped? How had she followed Rose? How was she now bound to this new Diamond? If it were purely a question of loyalty, then they wouldn't be having this conversation. Pearl might have been in love with Rose, but she wouldn't just sit there and take this because of her. "Do either of you understand how pearls work?" The Diamond asked, one hand curled possessively around Pearl's shoulder and back. "Pearls are created with the inability to disobey a direct order from their owner. It doesn't matter what it is; if it is ordered of them, they will do it." The Renegade's eyes were downcast, and her friend made no move to try and remove the touch from herself.

"Well, our Pearl is the Renegade!" Bismuth protested, "you can call it a defect all you want, but Pearl is greater than anything you could ever have thought she could be!" "Oh, I didn't say that they weren't. Just because they are incapable of disobedience doesn't mean they aren't intelligent or resourceful. Pearls are some of the most crafty and adaptable gems out there. They can find loopholes in orders they don't like and do things they were never originally designed to do with more ease than most. But even that can only get you so far." "No..." Garnet whispered in horror. Please, don't let it be! It made sense, but please! She didn't want that to be the truth for her friend! "She was created to serve her Diamond, and her Diamond told her to serve Rose. And so she did. She learned to fight, and she learned to speak to others like equals, and she learned to shift the clothing of her form as she went from one master to another. She learned to imagine things and have thoughts and dreams and hopes, all without anyone there to tell her to do it. But at the end of the day, she is and always has been a Diamond's pearl." The Diamond's hand wandered up Pearl's body until it reached her gem. Pearl shuddered harshly at the touch and blinked rapidly as a kiss was pressed into her hair. "*My* Pearl." Garnet could feel the way the Diamond's words vibrated around the room. Pearl let out the smallest sound, almost a mewl, and her eyes started to haze once more as she leaned back against her Diamond. "Rose was working with Pink Diamond?!?" Bismuth asked the room at large in disbelief, glaring at the pink gem touching their friend. "That isn't what's important right now Bismuth!" Garnet snapped, still desperately trying to find a way out. "It seems pretty important to me! What about the war!? The rebellion!? Was there even a rebellion to begin with!?"

Before Garnet could attempt to steady the panicking Bismuth, pink bubbles flowered into place around them. She hit the one around her with her fist, but she knew from her future vision that she was not strong enough to break it. This was a Diamond's bubble, none of them had the power to break it on their own. The bubbles started to float, and the Diamond carried them off. Bismuth continued to try and break the one holding her, and Pearl walked placidly along at her Diamond's side. As they walked through the ship they saw the others get bubbled as well. Some were already in a bubble, some were bubbled as the Diamond caught sight of them, and others were brought to the Diamond's feet by homeworld soldiers. There seemed to be quite a few more than she had seen, both on their way in and in her future vision. Another sign that this has been a huge trap. They were brought to a room in the ship, but Garnet had no clue what it was for. Their bubbles were put off to one side of the room, and Pearl was made to stand on the other. The Diamond hummed, a low reverberating chime that felt like it shook her as it passed through her form and sunk into the walls. With seemingly no warning a tilted restraint table slid out of the wall with a clink. Garnet immediately knew that this was a room for "taming" gems. Even knowing for a while that this was to be her fate, she still felt surprised. It felt too soon.

Her bubble started to move, and she shot Bismuth a panicked look. As the bubble started to flatten and line her up with the diagonal slab she took a deep breath and fixed her face into a solid mask. She would give her captor nothing for as long as she could. She would stay strong for everyone, and she would stay strong for herself. She would not let this Diamond tear her apart. The bubble popped and the restraints tightened at the same time, leaving her trapped. But unlike the bubble, she was completely exposed like this. She strained against the table, but it did her no good. Loops of what she assumes is some kind of metal entrapped her, pink bands pushing down against her ankles and thighs and abdomen and chest and biceps and wrists and neck. Her wrists and neck were the worst, as it made it hard to move her head and exposed her gems. She clenched her fist tightly and tried to keep her gauntlets up, but a single tap from the Diamond's claw made them explode into a shower of sparkling light. The Diamond made a sound like a song, somewhere between a hum and a purr. It sank into her like she was soaking up rain. The sparkling flame and sharp icy edges were filled down inside her, not trying to tear her apart like she had expected, but instead trying to drag her down into peaceful apathy. Finding herself somewhere between uncomfortably grounded in the present and having a sirens song luring her into something along the lines of meditation, she didn't notice that her hands had unclenched until large hands held hers open and *pressed*. She screamed and thrashed as a Diamond's power sunk straight into her gems, desperately fighting the lie of peace and calm and safety. She knew, she *knew* that it was all a lie, that she would be split apart and shattered if she gave in, but it was *oh* so tempting. She knew if she stopped moving, if she stopped struggling, then she wouldn't be able to resist. She could hear Bismuth shouting, and tried to focus on that. She was Garnet, and she would not let this tear her apart. The Diamond's soft lips touched the skin just above her third eye, and it was like she was having a compulsory vision.

It was her, but from Rose's perspective. The wonder of seeing a cross fusion for the first time, the pride as she summoned her gauntlets and learned to use them, the worry at seeing them unfused, the joy at seeing her fused once more and playing with some new recruits, the care as she was hugged close, safe in the knowledge that she was accepted for who she was.

She blinked hard, aware of the world around her once more. She had stopped struggling, and while powerful calm was still pouring over her like a waterfall, she found that she was no longer afraid of it. This being might be a Diamond, but she was also Rose. And she had made it clear to Garnet that she did not want to hurt her. She was not disgusted by her existence, she did not want to rip her apart, she didn't even want to control her. She wanted to keep her safe. She had always trusted Rose. She wasn't about to stop now. She relaxed and let down her walls, falling headfirst into the river of soothing song.

After a while with nothing but Bismuth's muffled voice to tell that time was passing a kiss was once more pressed into her forehead. This time there were no discernible images or memories, just feelings and ideas. She was a fusion of love, and that was beautiful. She was not just Sapphire and Ruby sharing a body, but the embodiment of their relationship. This meant that while Garnet wouldn't do things against Ruby or Sapphire's will, she was not them, and they were not her. They could still be together even when they weren't fused. Their love for each other would not die. There is a difference between separate and apart. "Garnet." Asteria Diamond called to her. Blinking her eyes open she took in what she had just been given. The information was pure and raw, no room for lies or deceit. She wanted her to unfuse, but would not force her to. She was asking for permission. Permission to talk to Ruby and Sapphire as themselves. Laced with reassurances that just because they unfused didn't mean she disappeared, and how even if they were pulled apart their love would live on. Knowing that this Diamond was somewhat a cross fusion herself, Garnet decided to trust her. "Yes my Diamond." She responded. Fusion with Rose or not, this was not the time to skip respect. "Unfuse for me." The restraints holding her sank back into the slab. "Yes my Diamond." She said, and for the first time that she can remember she intentionally and calmly reached for the bright white light in her palms and unfused.

Ruby and Sapphire are held by only a single restraint each, their gemless hands pinned close enough to touch. Asteria goes to Ruby first, knowing her emotions are more likely to burst outward in flames. Asteria communicates with a mix of some soft words and informational kisses to the Ruby's gem. Her song sings calm into the gems around her, and she encourages the unfused gem's love for each other in and out of fusion. Both gems are made aware that there will be times when they need to unfuse, but for the most part, as long as they are healthy about it, they can remain as Garnet most of the time. Having reassurance, a plan, and Diamond given permission lifts both gems spirits. As soon as Asteria gives the word they refuse, and Garnet properly swears her loyalty to the new cause. Asteria rewards her with another kiss and a note of deep song, which has her in a state of deep meditation while Bismuth has her turn.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

The Tamed Hound

Silco knows that he has to do something about Vander, but he can't bring himself to kill the man. Not when he still holds affection for him, even after what he did. Plus, the man had children, two of whom were her children, which made things ten times more complicated. In the end, he decided on a plan that would bring the Hound to heel, boost his own reputation, and allow Vader the chance to stay by his side.

Silco kidnaps Powder first, as she's the smallest and easiest to grab without hurting her. He gives her a light sleeping drug and puts a shock collar on her before using her to force Vander and the other children to surrender themselves. They are all collared, and the children are put in a comfortable but locked room under guard. Vader is taken away by Silco for some much-needed conversation and... persuasion. By the time Silco is done with him, the Hound knows his position and is at least somewhat willing to cooperate. Silco knows this man almost better than he knows himself, and once Vader understands that he will be loved as Silco's pet and his children will be cared for, then he will work to keep himself here. That kind of loyalty is exactly what Silco needs to combat the Chem-barons.

Of course, first, he is going to have to deal with the early stages of fear and lashing out, especially from the children. None of the children are pleased to get their father back, bruised and limping and submissive in a way none of them had seen before. Violet is the first one to lash out, as expected, although Vander's warnings did keep her back for a few days. Unfortunately, she could only take so much watching Vader get humiliated before she snapped. He could see the fear in Vader's eyes when the girl was shocked. It was a light shock, just enough to stop her from punching his lights out like she had intended, but he knew that her cries affected the others nonetheless. He takes her away, ignoring the sting of Vander's fear. Normally, it was a balm on his traumatized soul, but right now, he could read Vader's fear like a book, and he did not like what he read. He made no move to soothe him, not while his followers surrounded them, but for once, he really wanted to. Part of him scoffed at the idea he knew was running through Vader's head that he would punish his daughter like he had punished him. He wanted to believe that Vander would never think that of him, but apparently, he had changed more than he had realized. Because while he could still read Vander like a book, Vander could no longer do the same with him. No matter, when the girl came back, untraumatized and in one piece, he would relax, and hopefully, his loyalty would further strengthen.

Isha Bunny's Adventure

Isha ends up in a modern au. Since she's not in her alternate body it is not difficult to convince them that she is from an alternate universe. They care for her while they try and find a way to put her back, but the more they get to know her the less they want to send her back. They get her a talking tablet to help her communicate, and some of the things she says can be... concerning. Like talking about how hard Vader can hit, about being in the habit of watching his body language to make sure he wasn't upset, just in case she needs to dodge. She is, of course, referring to Warwick, who does not have full control over his bloodlust and actions, but they do not know this, and with Vader having had an instance of domestic violence in the past with Silco, he knows he is technically capable of hurting his family even if he loves them.

Asteria Diamond: Bismuth's pov (part 3)

Bismuth hit the bubble surrounding her with her sharp hands, but it refused to pop. They were being floated through the halls of the ship, Garnet stuck in another bubble and Pearl blank-eyed and forced to walk by the Diamond's side. No matter what she did the bubble wouldn't pop, and she could do nothing but watch as the other Crystal Gems were similarly entrapped. They were brought to a seemingly empty room, or at least it had been empty when they had entered. The Diamond did something with her weird song-like powers, and suddenly there were the beginnings of a torture device sticking out of the wall. She shouted for Garnet as the fusion sent her a panicked look, but she could do nothing but watch the rose-tinted scene unfold. Garnet fixed her face into a blank mask as she was restrained, ready to withstand the Diamond's torture. Bismuth glanced at Pearl, who was standing on the opposite side of the room from her cage. The other gem had the presence of mind to be staring at Garnet, but Bismuth couldn't tell if Pearl actually knew what was going on. Her form was stiff and her eyes were blank, only the slightest twitch of her fingers and her eyelids to tell that she wasn't a statue.

(Pearl doesn't stay watching as Garnet's taming becomes more violent, but at this point she is just aware enough to know that Garnet is distressed and is trying to comfort her. Unfortunately she is doing so in Pearlsign, which no one else in the room understands. She isn't quite aware enough to realize this, and once Garnet starts screaming Pearl checks out to do some sorting as a distraction.) Garnet screamed, and Bismuth's gaze snapped back to her. Her friend was twisting and convulsing, writhing in her bonds as the Diamond's song shook her body and the Diamond's hands pressed down hard into her gems.

Bismuth watched in horror as her friend thrashed and screamed, fighting against the Diamond with all of her strength. Bismuth called out to her, trying to ground her somewhere other than the obvious pain she was in. "It's gonna be alright Garnet, you've got this! I'm right here, just keep fighting it!" She kept up a steady mantra of support, despite the horror and dread pooling thick in her gem. She oh so badly wanted to bash this fuckers face in, but no matter how hard she pushed the bubble surrounding her wouldn't pop. She watched in slight confusion as the Diamond leaned over Garnet and pressed a soft kiss right above her third eye. The fusion went from having all of her eyes scrunched shut in pain to wide-eyed shock. She shouted some more, but Garnet didn't respond. Her eyes were blank, glassy and listless in a way Bismuth had never seen. Her body had relaxed completely, sagging against her restraints as the Diamond watched. Bismuth swallowed hard, hoping that it wasn't already too late. That spark of hope was dwindling within her, and she desperately tried to call Garnet back to herself with her voice. Garnet blinked almost frantically, a spark of awareness showing in them once more. Relief swept over Bismuth, and she kept encouraging Garnet to come back. But the other gem didn't come back all the way, didn't start to fight again, barley twitched her fingers. Bismuth begged her to respond, but at this point, she wasn't sure the other gem could hear what she was saying. She growled as the Diamond pressed another kiss onto her friend, now aware of the dangers of the action. After a while, Asteria Diamond spoke for the first time in several minutes.

"Garnet," she called, hands now holding the fusion's instead of pressing into them like before.

"Yes My Diamond." Garnet responded in a placid tone, and Bismuth felt like the air had been knocked out of her. She had never heard those words from Garnet, and she had hoped she would never have had to. Despair tried to rise up and swallow her, but she pushed it down.

"Unfuse for me." The hands and the restraints retreated, and Bismuth held her breath. Please don't be brainwashed, please be strong enough to resist, come on, no one tells Garnet to unfuse, this should snap her out of it! Right?

"Yes my Diamond."

There was a bright white light, and Ruby and Sapphire appeared. Despair gnawed at her as she watched Sapphire and Ruby be restrained, only a single cuff necessary to keep them in line. She had stopped shouting now, knowing it would do them no good. She glanced back at Pearl, who's eyes were blank as she stared at a spot on the floor. There wasn't a thought behind her eyes, and the despair climbed higher. Pearl was brainwashed and out of commission, Garnet was now brainwashed as well, to the point where she obeyed when told to unfuse, and now Ruby and Sapphire were getting the Diamond treatment. The Diamond was on Ruby now, murmuring to her with her song infused voice and periodically pressing kisses into her gem. Ruby whimpered and squirmed a bit, but didn't fight like Bismuth wished she would. She tried to strain and hear the conversation, but she only got a few words here and there. Then she heard the dreaded words once more.

"Yes my Diamond."

Asteria Diamond ran her claws over Ruby's hair, undoing the restraint and praising her.

"Good gem. Now wait here for a moment while I talk to Sapphire."

The Diamond moved on to her next pinned prey, while Ruby stood next the them, fidgeting and watching with anxious eyes. Bismuth tried to get her attention, but Ruby only met her eyes once, shook her head, and went back to looking at her lover. Bismuth didn't know how the other gem could stand watching her love get molested by a Diamond. It was hard enough for her to watch, and she wasn't nearly as close as they were. Eventually Sapphire gave her own, "yes my Diamond," and was allowed down from the restraint table. As suspected they immediately held hands, and to Bismuth's surprise the Diamond didn't object.

"Ruby, Sapphire. Fuse."

Bismuth was shocked, trying to figure out why the Diamond would want the two gems fused. Of course Ruby and Sapphire did as they were told, and in a flash of light Garnet was back. Bismuth couldn't help but hope something would finally go their way, but then she saw the altered design on Garnet's chest. She looked almost exactly the same, except now there was the outline of a diamond etched in black. It sat right below the tip of her half star, giving the shape a pink background. It hurt to see the symbol of a Diamond on a gem she knew had never had to wear one. Bismuth could see the angle here. The Crystal Gems' cross fusion war machine, brought to heel by the newest Diamond. Garnet took a step forward and knelt down on one knee before Asteria Diamond. Her arms crossed over her chest in a salute, something else she should never have been forced to do, and spoke.

"I am at your service, my Diamond."

Bismuth wanted to scream, but instead she fixed her eyes on the Diamond. The bastard seemed far to pleased with herself. The Diamond's next words were so laced with song that Bismuth could barely understand them, but it is clearly praise of some kind. Another kiss was pressed into Garnet's form, on the back of her offered knuckles this time, and the fusion was quickly lost to the Diamond's power.

The Diamond stepped away from Garnet's still kneeling form and turned to her. Bismuth bared her teeth in a growl, knowing that it was her turn now. The despair trying to swamp her told her that she was powerless to fight the Diamond's power, but no matter what she would fight till she could fight no more. For the Crystal Gems. For Biggs. For Garnet. For Pearl. For Rose. There was no room to fight her restraints, but she fought anyway. Her struggle against the unyielding metal was cut short as the Diamond once more started to sing, the sound echoing with power in her ears as it sank into her form like a stone sank into water. It was like a lullaby with power behind it. It surrounded her and tried to drag her down, a gentle but all-consuming pressure that had her muscles unclenching. She grit her teeth and clenched her jaw. She had to keep doing it every time the song dragged against her, but she kept making sure to twitch her fingers and toes. It could do her good to save her strength, but she couldn't let this consume her. She couldn't let the Diamond do what she pleased with her. No matter how trapped she was, no matter how angry she was, she wouldn't back down from the Diamond's strength. She didn't care if it got her shattered, she wouldn't let this monster use her against her friends. Against her home.

She narrowed her eyes at the Diamond in challenge. "That all you got?"

The diamond hummed in reply, before reaching out and putting her hand inside Bismuth's gem. Bismuth jerked and yelped as the Diamond's fingers rubbed her gem, waves of calm turning into spikes. Fingertips stroked the facets of her gem, making her pant and whine at the song's strengthened intrusion. She threw her head back with a clang, heaving for breath as she fought against the encroaching apathy. The fingers turned into a full fist, and the lulling song turned into an almost harsh demand. Bismuth knew she wouldn't be able to fight it forever, not with the gentle pressure in her gem that insisted she stop fighting. She screamed out her anger and fear, yelling with all her might like it could keep her from the Diamond's clutches. It was only over if she gave in. But it felt so much better than she thought it would. She had braced well for pain, and against that she was strong, but the sweetness of the song beckoned to her like the scent of rose petals on the wind. The song shook her with the force of it, but it was trying to bury her in calm and peace, not the pain or numbness she had been expecting. There was a cloud of apathy that came close, but it hadn't managed to muffle her. Bismuth had the feeling that it wasn't staying on the outskirts because of a lack of ability. The Diamond leaned over her, and she stared with wide eyes as a kiss was pressed into her sternum. The storm of rage and calm fighting faded into the background.

She saw the conversation Rose had with her when they first met. It was like she was looking through Rose's eyes, but she was detached in a way she wasn't when looking through her own. It took her a moment to realize that this was an information transfer in the form of a memory. Rose asked her what she wanted to be, and a spark of awed rebellion caught in Bismuth's eyes. Rose was gleeful when she had shown her the first weapon Bismuth had made with her own two hands. The memory was soon soured by the thought of war. Of Bismuth choosing to make weapons because it was useful, not because it was what she wanted. Rose wanted Bismuth to be who she really was, not what she made herself to be for Rose's benefit.

Bismuth blinked hard, jarring herself out of the memories. The Diamond still sang above her, sharp diamond eyes soft with the emotions Rose had once held. The Diamond's words were woven with intent, notes of reassurance laced deep in them as she spoke. "With the death of Rose Quartz, it may be the end of the Crystal Gem rebellion, but it is not the end of the Crystal Gem ideals. As long as one of us is standing to brandish the star, the spirit of the Crystal Gems lives on." With her words, she showed her palms, which each had half of the Crystal Gem's symbol sitting there. It wasn't immediately obvious, but seeing them both side by side left no doubt. Bismuth realized that this was somewhat mimicked by the two triangle cuts in the other gem's dress. There was a triangle cut around her gem, and another tringal cut flipped the other way above it. A diamond symbol cut in half horizontally, and a star symbol cut in half vertically, This might not be normal fusion, but it was similar enough. Rose was a part of this gem. Unfortunately, so was Pink Diamond. That thought held her back from giving in and falling into the ocean of song. It was one thing to trust Rose, but it was another to trust a Diamond.

"...S-still a Diamond!" She managed to gasp out, shaking with the effort to resist the blanket of calm. She knew things like talking and breathing would be easier if she did, but she couldn't bring herself to trust a Diamond with herself. Asteria Diamond hummed again, an almost mournful note to it this time. Before she could really question it, another kiss was pressed right above her gem.

This time instead of one of Rose's memories, it was one of Pinks. She had a feeling this was a long time ago, when the Diamond was still young. Bismuth probably hadn't even emerged at the time this conversation happened. Pink Diamond was not the cruel dictator Bismuth knew now. She was bright and bubbly and kind. She was small and deep-cut and not the color she should be. Nothing the other Diamonds did or said could make her act like them. Pink confronted them about how they treated her, about how she came out wrong. The other Diamonds brushed her off. She was just too young and immature for her duties. She could have a colony like the rest of them when she grew up and acted like a Diamond should. Pink Diamond looked at the shards of an off-color who couldn't do their job right and tried to find the difference between them and her. She couldn't.

Bismuth gasped in shock as she came back to herself with a few sharp blinks. Her already shaken world just did a spinning jump and had ended up upside down with everything having gotten jumbled up and eventually fallen out.

"Even Diamonds can be different."

Bismuth stared into Asteria's soft weary eyes, and slowly, shakily, started to loosen her iron grip on her mind. Rose had always wanted freedom for all gems. All those who didn't fit within the Diamonds machine. She wasn't surprised that Rose's soft heart had gone out to a Diamond as well. Said Diamond smiled at her as she lowered herself into the lapping waves of calm. She had been right, it felt wonderful after days and days of stress and panic.

"We will bring peace." Asteria Diamond sang. And Bismuth found she believed her. If there was anyone who could fight the Diamonds, it was another Diamond.

Bismuth does take her time accepting the new order, but with further reassurance from her new Diamond and talking with Garnet and Pearl she accepts that Asteria really does want what is best for them and the Earth. Asteria also told Bismuth that if she was ever worried about something or needed anything that she could come to her like she could with Rose. The Diamond did tell her that for now, it would probably be best not to do so in front of any Homeworld loyalists so that she doesn't cause any more drama with them than she already has just by being there. Bismuth likes to help out with the lower class's work when they let her and has a tendency to make friends with gems whose ideals lean more toward the Crystal Gems, even if they don't realize it. Soon enough, she finds that she has a knack for picking out perspective Crystal Gems from a crowd, and when combined with Pearl and Garnet's own talents, they can separate a group of gems by what introduction they will need to Asteria's rule. They might miss a few here or there, but when Yellow Diamond's gems come, they separate them out by who needs to be informed with a firm hand and possibly threats to keep them in line until they can be handled individually, while the softer, typically kinder gems are more receptive to the positive changes that come with working under Asteria Diamond.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

The King's Soulmate

Jayce is royalty, or close enough to it. Viktor is a prisoner from the neighboring kingdom of Zaun. Several Zaunites are brought before them, intended to be slaves to the highest in Piltover. The slavemaster doesn’t think Viktor is all that important, and with his disability, is prepared to kill him once he is not chosen. Much to everyone's surprise, Jayce chooses Viktor and will hear no other argument. He has visions of other worlds due to him messing with the Arcane, so he knows that this man will be the most important man in his life. Viktor has no clue why the King of Piltover calls him Perfect, and he is both flattered and terrified.

Nobody from Piltover knows that Viktor and Violet are the eldest Prince and Princess of Zaun. Zaun royalty does not dress like royalty, so they were assumed to be just another couple of citizens. Tensions rise even further between the two countries, war on the horizon, and Piltover doesn't even know what they've done. Zaun has no proof that they are the ones who took their Prince and Princess, so things build slowly over time. Viktor and Violet assume that Jayce and Caitlyn know what they have done, the statement they are making by keeping them.

Viktor finds out how oblivious Jayce is when Jinx/Powder breaks in to rescue them and kill their captors. Viktor is in the middle of trying to convince the youngest Princess not to assassinate the King of Piltover when Jayce wakes up, sees the armed intruded fighting with Viktor, and immediately puts himself between them, shielding Viktor with his body. This makes the younger girl very confused since she had been expecting a gaudy and snooty man who didn't care for their lives. Viktor manages to talk them both down, and their conversation leads him to figure out how little Jayce knows. Jayce finds out that the assassin was there to rescue the slaves, and while he's actually a little relieved and will make no move to stop her, he really doesn't want Viktor to leave, and makes this clear in his body language and hesitant words. In the end, Viktor stays while Jinx/Powder goes to find the other slaves and bring news back to the Kings of Zaun.

In the end, after some sneaking around of Vi and Viktor's parts, Zaun proposes a peace treaty to Piltover. It is a bunch of normal politics stuff, along with a double-arranged marriage. The King and the Head Guard of Piltover would marry the eldest Prince and Princess of Zaun. Both Jayce and Caitlyn protest, both wishing to be with their partners, but in the end they agree to the terms.

Part of the treaty was also to free all Zaunite slaves, and while Vi and Viktor had been practically free already, this just made it official. They hadn't been expecting the two to actually leave, and both become even more stressed without them. But then the wedding day comes, and the Zaunite royalty arrives, and everyone puts everything together. The main characters are overjoyed and in shock, and they all get married and one day unite the kingdoms through their adopted children.

(Currently working on a fic for this au. I have no clue when or if it will get posted, or how long it will be. Once it is posted I will link it here. Wish me luck!)

Arcane possessed Jayce

Due to some experiments with Hextech, Jayce ends up possessed by something arcane. His eyes turn a rainbow myriad of colors, and he is no longer himself. His palms and fingers spark with magic, able to control things and do things he shouldn't be able to accomplish. The arcane being that can temporarily reside in Jayce's skin doesn't mean any harm; it will actually oftentimes try to help, but it isn't the best at helping without instilling a great amount of fear in the process.

One of the first things it tries to help fix is Viktor's illness. It recognizes Viktor as someone important to Jayce, and it also recognizes that Viktor is dying and in pain. So it goes about working sparks of magic into Viktor's body, trying to help him heal himself. Give his body the jumpstart it needs. Viktor is terrified when Jayce, who is strong and able-bodied, pins him down and starts removing his clothes. He figures out that Jayce is not fully himself quickly enough, but that does not change the terror of the situation. He is helpless against Jayce's body, and no matter how hard he squirms and writhes, he can't get away. Warm, callused hands sparking with the arcane dig into his tender muscles, and while the magical massage is ultimately helpful, it is painful and terrifying while it is happening. Viktor falls asleep before possessed Jayce lets him go, and so they both wake up the next morning with a mostly naked Viktor still pinned by Jayce. Jayce, of course, apologizes profusely, but Viktor mostly just wants to move on and figure out what happened to Jayce. Possessed Jayce hadn't done him any harm, not really, and while he hadn't appreciated the scare, he was more interested in exploring the new phenomenon of the arcane. The arcane creature now bound to Piltover's golden boy tries a few more times to help Viktor through the occasional massage, even taking him down into the forge to help keep him warm, but Viktor works his body too hard for them to make any real progress. He's dying slower than before, but he's still dying. That's when they decide to use the forge and create metal pieces infused with arcane to attach to Viktor; that way, he can have a constant stream of magic helping to stitch his body together. It works in the end, but Viktor has no way of knowing what possessed Jayce is doing. He knows nothing other than that the Arcane creature is holding him down and attaching metal to his flesh with magic.