Authority

Author's Note: Ah yes, the multiple chapter fic of the Diamonds I'd wanted to write for a while, but never thought to do so. After writing "The Way We Were", I thought I'd do this since it would be neat to make a backstory of them.

"As I witness the dead of beloved ones, it makes be become more conscious that life indeed has an end."

- Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind

"True spiritual love is not a feeble imitation and anticipation of death, but a triumph over death, not a separation of the immortal form from the mortal, of the eternal from the temporal, but a transfiguration of the mortal into the immortal, the acceptance of the temporal into the eternal. False spirituality is a denial of the flesh; true spirituality is the regeneration of the flesh, its salvation, its resurrection from the dead."

- Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov, The Meaning of Love

By: VampireQueenAkasha

~O~

In the Beginning

They awaited the arrival.

Gems and diamonds alike watched as Pink Diamond had emerged from her kindergarten, a radiant, shining being. It was something to be there and witness the birth of another diamond; many gems bowed before her and the diamonds greeted her with smiles and embraces.

White Diamond had smiled for the first time in so long.

When the eldest stood there, bearing witness to Pink Diamond's arrival into existence, it brought forth emotions she'd felt only when she'd emerged herself.

Hope.

It had been a lovely morning.

The scent of roses in the gardens, the gems busy tending to them. It was a sight to behold for Pink Diamond. While she had soldiers to create for the armies of Homeworld, there was also this; to many it was a simple task, but to her, a personal enjoyment. Life on Earth offered many splendors that she could not deny. It was such a strange, but beautiful planet.

"My Diamond, this certainly seems like a risky endeavor."

Pink Diamond listened to the Red Agate's warning as she sat in her palanquin, making her way toward the small town of humans. She enjoyed watching them at work at a far and safe distance; sometimes they would dance or sing in ways that fascinated her. They worked for themselves without a diamond. So fragile, yet so strong.

From the palanquin, Pink Diamond observed through a small scope over her eye. She smiled with amusement, watching the humans at work on the farm nearby. Constantly did they toil, but some of them seemed happy with their work. They shared laughter and jokes together.

"Such fascinating natives, aren't they, pearl?" she said.

Her bright pink pearl sat by her side, giving a small nod in acknowledgement. She too held a small scope in her hand, up to her eyes to appreciate the view as well. So unusual to be observing the natives this way. Oh, Pink Diamond knew the other three would chastize her for this once more. Still, it was her colony and she was eager to absorb its curiosities.

"Such a strange world." Pink mused. "Ah, but I've spent enough time watching. Let us return to Homeworld, my pearl. There is much that I have collected to share with the others!"

Sure enough, she gathered a small holographic plate into her hands, scrolling through the information presented before her; videos of animals, music played by humans hands, stories of conquest and battle. In a way, they were not so dissimilar to gem kind. Their lives were simply just short and uneventful.

Making her way through the Homeworld warp, Pink was finally welcomed by the sigh of great familiar towers, statues and spires. She could see the sight of White Diamond's citadel in the distance; a great, towering thing in her visage. To the gems of her planet, it was a place of clarity and understanding; of logic and order.

But White Diamond had been an image of Homeworld, as was expected of her. She had duties that most of them did not; many of those duties included maintaining balance on their home planet, as well as looking after her own colonies. She was rarely seen among them at meetings and preferred the solitude of her realm. It was just her way and what they had come to expect from her.

What a shame.

Pink had longed to eventually speak with her much longer than she had been given. After her emerging from Earth, White had given her a brief welcome before departing to resume these tasks. Pink understood the nature of her responsibilities, but she was longing to truly sit down and discuss things with her.

Perhaps eventually.

Pink Diamond received respectful bows from the gems in her court as she stepped down from the palanquin. Her arrival into her chambers brought forth several attendants to quickly begin preening her as they were made to do. Pink laid herself down onto her chaise lounge and studied the great mirror before her.

"Pearl," Pink addressed her pearl, who had been busy at work cleaning her hands in a basin of lovely-smelling water. "Please, send a message to Blue Diamond for me. I long for some company."

Pearl gave her a small nod. "Yes, My Diamond."

The pearl departed toward a small console in the wall, pressing a few keys to alert Blue Diamond's pearl. Pink watched her for a moment before giving a sigh. She reached down, bringing up the holographic display she'd observed in her palanquin.

She played a musical composition that had been recorded for her by White Diamond. It had been custom for the Diamonds to grant one another gifts upon their emerging; White had given her the gift of music and literature to her, which had been extensive and grand. Pink still had yet to see and listen to all of what had been archived. It had been a wonderful offering and one she cherished constantly.

"How many documents do you have on file?" Pink asked, when White had given her the gift.

White Diamond's stoic, serene features never changed. "One billion, seven million, three thousand and forteen hundred."

Pink looked impressed. "Oh my."

"Indeed. And I continue to add to the collection as needed."

An amused chuckle rang from Pink's lips. "I should hope so. All of us need our hobbies."

White didn't respond and Pink had been concerned that she'd offended her somehow. But finally, after the passing silence, White nodded.

Pink observed White as the other diamond made her way across the expansive hall that contained every document and archived musical sound she spoke of. It was beautiful, in its way; to see so much preserved from many worlds and times.

White Diamond herself stood out among the rest of her fellow diamonds; she was taller, dressed in a long, flowing cloak and paldrons. One thing that always intrigued Pink about her were the long, spider-like fingers she possessed, like the hands of an archivist.

Unlike most of them, White herself posssessed white irises that made her diamond-shaped pupils stand out in a sea of pale. It made her look unsettling to most lesser gems. There was a constant lack of change to her face most of the time, an air of strength that she resonated from deep within her being. Perhaps there was a reason she stood the tallest among them.

Pink remembered the stories the other two would share with her about White; the oldest and strongest of them, "One who had always been and always will be". She never quite understood what that meant, but didn't ask. White rarely left her chambers and most gems had never even seen her face-to-face.

"I will resume my duties if our meeting is concluded." White said, looking at her.

Pink nodded her head. "Very well."

She looked down at her pearl. "Pearl, come."

She walked away and failed to notice the way White Diamond watched her depart. A curiosity lit her face, but perhaps there was more to it than that.

O

Blue Diamond had always been happy to talk with her.

She draped herself across the end of Pink Diamond's chaise lounge, smiling at the holographic projection of the humans in their daily activities. Pink seemed delighted to talk about them and Blue spent every minute listening to her.

"Humans are certainly interesting creatures," Blue remarked, with a small chuckle. "I can understand why you've taken such a fancy to them."

"Indeed. Did you know they work to grow food from the ground? It's much like how we grow out soldiers and gems from the ground." Pink said, with an enraptured smile. "How fascinating is that?"

"Mm," Blue leaned her head down on her hands with a gentle laugh, "Pink, would you like to go for a walk? You seem preoccupied as of late. I would cherish a walk with you in the gardens. You've certainly outdone yourself. I hear you've worked wonders."

"Yes, I would like that."

The two diamonds, along with their pearls wandered from the chamber and back to the Homeworld Warp; Pink had various Moss Agate's tending to the gardens, their careful hands delicately trimming every leaf and root as needed. She was quite proud of them.

"Such lovely creations." Blue marveled, bending down to retrieve one of the many roses. "Pink, they are beautiful! Perhaps you should have them grow on Homeworld! I trust that White would appreciate the development."

Pink smiled. "Perhaps."

"Do you still think on her?"

"I do. Is that inappropriate?"

"Not at all. White is...a curious sort. I can understand the intrigue."

Much later, White Diamond spent her day observing the star map laid out before her; a holographic display of the various colonies that she governed. Tirelessly did she toil at her computers, wordlessly did she craft the will of Homeworld and its foundation.

Yellow Diamond stepped into her great hall and without looking back, White spoke.

"I presume you've entered my chambers unspoken for a reason." she said, evenly. Her voice was constant, her tone as old and ancient as Homeworld itself.

Yellow Diamond smiled with amusement and walked toward her. "I simply had to come and find the eldest of us sitting around in the dark. White, this is unbecoming of you." she said. "We know why you've been avoiding her."

"Do not presume such things."

"I presume nothing, as you should believe. What I understand comes from understanding you," Yellow Diamond told her, "You should speak with her. But if you doubt your approach, Blue has a better understanding of these things. Perhaps look to her for advice if you must."

"Look to her for advice." White Diamond repeated, as if the notion was absurd.

"Indeed. You're sulking here, alone in your tower; it's unbecoming for one as old as you." Yellow Diamond told her, with a grand wave of her hand. "Remember who you are, White; a teacher and a symbol of wisdom and logic. Use those tools as you often do."

White stopped scrolling through the projection to glance partially at the other diamond. Her features seemed thoughtful, perhaps even a touch curious. Interesting.

"You have a fascination with her," Yellow continued, with an amused drawl. "Regardless of your attempt to keep it behind a blank mask, I can see this. Don't think I haven't caught lingering glances between you two in passing."

White Diamond stared at her silently and Yellow turned to depart. "Oh, this has been quite amusing, but I must be off. I have a trial that I need to oversee. Do as you wish, White. The rest of us will no doubt take solace in it."

Yellow Diamond was constantly forming quips and inappropriate fits of anger more often than naught. White had reminded her of the tranquility of governing emotions when she had to, but it wasn't her way to follow that kind of tutelage.

Still, perhaps she had a point.

O

It wasn't unusual to see a performance of pearls putting on a show for gems.

One of them sang a beautiful melody while many others danced around her. It reminded Pink of the aria's from Earth. From her colony. Music was a beautiful thing and something she would listen to always. Her pearl would sing songs for her when commanded to do so.

White Diamond watched the scene and Pink couldn't help but smile in her direction. White didn't sense the stare for a moment. When she did, she looked toward Pink and her eyebrows rose slightly, perhaps surprised by the look that Pink gave her. Yellow and Blue noticed the silent exchange and shook their heads with amusement.

"Like young gems..." Yellow quipped, surreptitiously.

Blue smiled and laughed.

The performance was a display of beauty and charm, most of what pearls were expected to give to their superior masters. Gems of each court applauded them and the pearls saluted them before bowing at the waist.

"They can certainly be proper educated," a gem of Blue Diamond's court remarked from the stands. She referred to the pearls. "It's amazing what a good agate could do with a handful of defective pearls."

"You would never guess that they were defective at all!" the other gem nearest her said, impressed. "It was by Pink Diamond's mercy that they live."

After the performance, White Diamond had chosen to speak with Blue regarding Pink.

Blue Diamond's court was filled with small pools of water for Lapis Lazuli's to hone their skills, Sapphires to meditate and other gems to simply bathe. Her domain was the very image of sea and storm; lovely architecture bearing her visage and wall paintings of particularly important events surrounded them.

"She believes you dislike her, White." Blue told her.

White Diamond's brow furrowed slightly. The notion seemed to bother her more than she wanted Blue to see. "That is far from correct."

"She doesn't know that."

White Diamond considered her words for a moment. "My duties - "

"Could be put on hold for the moment." Blue interrupted gently. "Go on. Speak to her. If she talks about humans, just listen. It's one of her favorite discussions."

"Humans. Those primitive things that infest her colony?"

"Indeed. Oh, don't look that way, White; they're not so terrible. Pink's delight in them is actually quite endearing."

White's features had simply changed only the slightest; a mild frown and a pursed-lipped grimace. Such obsessions should have been beneath them entirely. But then again, Pink was young, so it made it much harder to chastize. Eventually, the young ones learned the ways of Homeworld in time. Patience always yielded this.

But perhaps she'd been less than congenial with her. It wouldn't do to have Pink feel less than wanted among their circle. White was known for cruelty when she had to be, but she would never be cruel to Pink Diamond.

She eventually departed from Blue Diamond's court halls, making her way toward the Homeworld Warp with her pearl at her side.

Once she stepped through it, she found herself welcomed immediately by the smell of roses. Strong, filling her nostrils with a sensation of contentment.

White Diamond looked around, noticing that the flowers in question had been placed around the warp in a welcoming gesture. She cracked the smallest of smiles before making her way down the stairs. A warp nearby would take her to Pink Diamond's court.

White Diamond stepped through it and when she arrived, she was welcomed by two Pink Sapphires. They bowed their heads before her, impressed to actually witness her presence.

"White Diamond, it is an honor," one of them said, "We foresaw your arrival. Pink Diamond will be quite happy to see you."

White Diamond waved a hand, acknowledging them only briefly. "Where may I find her now?"

"She is in her chambers," one of the Pink Sapphire's told her.

"Yes. She is bathing." the other added. "Having a discussion with her pearl as well."

White nodded her head. "Very well. I will see myself there."

She walked passed them without another word, making her way toward Pink Diamond's chambers. A Red Agate was standing by the doors and immediately gasped in amazement, witnessing White Diamond for the first time. She quickly saluted.

"Oh my!" she exclaimed, "It is an honor to bask in your radiance at last!"

White Diamond glanced toward the door, not interested in the greeting. "Of course. I wish to speak with Pink Diamond."

"Yes, as you wish Your Radiance." the agate said, with an awkward laugh. She stepped through the doors. "My Diamond, please forgive my intrusion. You have a guest." She gave a broad sweep of her hands. "May I announce Her Glimmering Radiance! White Diamond!"

Pink had been languidly resting in a pool of shimmering water, receiving pampered treatment from her pearl and various other gems. When she saw White step into her chambers, her features lit up with surprised delight.

"White! What a wonderful surprise to see you here!" she exclaimed.

White Diamond stood there, watching as the other diamond rose from the pool. Her brows rose only the slightest before she averted her head slightly, refusing to look at her when she wasn't properly dressed. She waited until Pink was properly dressed before returning her gaze to her.

Such an unusual gesture from her as nudity was nothing that they were ever surprised about among each other; Pink didn't make a lingering note of it and simply assumed that White was different in that case. She was just happy that White had found the time to speak with her at all.

"Would you like to walk with me?" Pink asked her.

White Diamond nodded her head once.

Yes. I would.

O

True to what Blue Diamond had said, Pink found interest in discussing the human population of her colony. White listened silently, finding such pleasures rather trivial. She kept her hands hidden beneath her robes, simply watching the gardens as Pink spoke.

"Such a shame their lives are so finite," Pink said, with a sad sigh. "If only there was a way to preserve them before we complete our mission."

White Diamond calmly stared out toward the sunrise. "Humans are quite the unusual beings," she replied, "They claim their labors are to build a heaven, yet their heaven is populated by horrors and disease. I do not comprehend the beauty in them as you do."

"You see with an eye of logic, White. But there is more to the universe than that."

"If there is, I would cherish the thought of being wrong."

Pink smiled with amusement and raised her eyebrows. Well, she didn't believe White Diamond could joke at all. "I do believe you joked, White."

White Diamond didn't think about it, but she managed a thin smile nonetheless.

Pink's smile disappeared slightly and she sighed. "These humans will die, White. Surely there is something we could do to spare even a few."

"They will die. But the universe will not notice." White Diamond pointed out. "Their lives are small and their nature destructive. You must understand, Pink; this is how things must be."

Pink Diamond suddenly looked displeased by her words. White Diamond had not intended to make her feel such a way, but she was simply stating the point of it. She was old and had seen the far corners of the cosmos to understand how reality was. The weak perished. Always.

"Perhaps there is more to the universe," Pink told her. "No, I KNOW there is more. We must believe that there is always more."

More.

White Diamond sighed, closing her eyes.

The stars.

White Diamond had emerged alone from the cold, unwelcoming ground. Around her existed nothing but the silence. Always the silence. Now the world she walked upon was formless and empty. Everything around her was dark.

Despite this, she observed the cosmos above her with wide, wondrous eyes.

White flames danced around her.

White Diamond looked down, awestruck at the sight of bright, glowing flames that flickered around her form. It was fire that burned as bright and hot as the sun; it wasn't around her, it was within her, welcoming her with its warm, wonderful embrace.

She smiled now, staring at her hands as flamed embraced them, warming her to a wonderful new life.

Tears streamed down her cheeks and she laughed.

To think, SHE laughed.

White Diamond knew it didn't do to dwell on the past. Delving into it was even forbidden by her for most of the gems of Homeworld. But even she felt herself at the mercy of memories as they often passed by her mind, ever fleeting.

"Come, White; let me show you," Pink offered, with a smile. She took White Diamond's hand. "I want you to see the beauty of this world as I do."

White glanced down at the hand that touched her, as if confused by it. Finally, she followed.

Maybe she would share that experience with Pink one day.

O

White Diamond watched the birds.

Pink had found fascination with them; she opened her hand and the animals immediately flocked to perch there. Pink smiled with delight and White watched her expressions; every little detail gave her a strange new feeling. One she hadn't experienced in a long time.

When she first opened her eyes to the cosmos.

Perhaps that was the nature of Pink Diamond; maybe she felt deeper than most of them, sensed greater things than they could. Everything had a purpose and everything existed for a reason. White Diamond knew her reason for being.

But things were constantly changing; deep at the molecular level, adapting every nanosecond. Such was the nature of evolution. Perhaps Pink Diamond was right. Not everything was guaranteed and sometimes logic did not hold the answers.

Pink held out her hand and White mimicked the gesture; the birds made their way to her hand and the pale being observed them in silence.

"Sometimes what's destroyed could become better, that is true," Pink said, with a gentle smile at her, "But sometimes - just sometimes - what is can grow into something beautiful." When White met her gaze, she leaned closer to her. "...If given the chance."

White Diamond watched the animals moving around in her hand; the small things that could easily be destroyed in her long-nailed grasp.

One of them looked up at her and gave a small chirp.

White eventually looked toward Pink Diamond, who seemed to be thinking about something. She looked distracted, perhaps disappointed with what she had said earlier. White reached with one thumb and allowed the birds to climb onto the digit.

"Will you smile? If I admit I was wrong?" she asked.

Pink looked at her curiously now. "About what?"

"What I said to you before. I do not believe in miracles, Pink; I do not witness such spiritual glories often boasted of by the Spirit Quartz's, nor do I sing praise of this. I simply see what I know already is." White Diamond explained, "Events with astronomical odds of occurring, like oxygen turning into gold; biological organisms evolving after destructive extinction events. Somehow through these odds, life does prosper. I didn't think of what you told me in the way you believed."

I've longed to witness the miraculous event that you speak of, and yet often times, I have neglected that in coupling. I have seen it, experienced it as something trivial. Generations of gems have been born in my hands, never questioning what is or what should be until finally, you are made in the image of miracles. Miracles are contradiction of logic and order, but out of that contradiction, it's you - only you - that emerged. A miracle."

If that was a way to compliment her, Pink took it as such.

"You believe me to be a miracle?" she asked.

White Diamond looked down at her. "I do."

Pink Diamond smiled now. She gave a soft chuckle before she shook her head.

"This colony will change, adapt to suit our needs. However, your desire to preserve its specimens may prove logical for further study." White Diamond told her. "I will consider your desires and provide for them as necessary."

"I am pleased to hear you say that, White. I am quite happy you had time for me."

White Diamond nodded her head in agreement. "I am actually quite pleased that Blue Diamond prompted this talk."

"I'll have to thank her."

O

White Diamond stood alone in her chambers, watching the city below.

Her eyes beheld the natural of her kind as nothing new, nothing strange; but it seemed that the moment Pink Diamond emerged from the depths of Earth, her sight had changed. She began to see colors to her world again. Much like when she herself had been born.

She had often times marveled at what it meant to feel things again as they had, to see the cosmos with wide, wondrous eyes.

White Diamond had been used to gems seeing her in fear. They obeyed her knowing the reality of the pain she could inflict. Even her fellow diamonds seemed to gaze upon her with reverence and intimidation. White was, after all, the oldest and strongest of them. It was to be expected.

Not Pink.

Pink Diamond looked at her differently.

White Diamond closed her eyes and returned her focus on her machines.

Tomorrow was another day.

O

Note - The dancing scene with the pearls was inspired by the song and scene from the Fifth Element with the Diva. I believe it's called "Lucia di Lammermoor". The scene where White Diamond emerges was inspired by the OST "Eye Water" by Hiroyuki Sawano.