Paragon

Author's Note: Since I've had to make changes to my Scary!White fics after Pink's reveal, I thought it might be interesting doing a different kind of backstory for the Diamonds that isn't ship-related in any way. It'll lead up to what brings White to that level of madness and how the Diamonds took care of Pink. I will also include parts from my Scary!White fics to connect them. This is kinda similar to Authority, but minus the shipping.

"You never know how the loss will come - whether he will lose you or you him, but it is a certainty that there will be a shattering involuntary separation. Death is the abandonment caused not by betrayal but by fidelity."

- Jeanne Safer

"Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings."

- Ana?s Nin

By: VampireQueenAkasha

~O~

Part One: Pink

The morning couldn't have been more perfect.

Blue and Yellow Diamond stood before the vast Kindergarten, awaiting the arrival of the new Diamond soon to be brought into the universe. They were standing there with anticipation, but one Diamond was not among them.

"She's not here yet," Yellow whispered.

Blue noticed it as well, given the way she looked around at the various gems of their court gathered around them; they were privileged to bear witness to this event, as were their Pearls. But they didn't see signs of White Diamond anywhere.

"She will come." Blue reminded the Diamond beside her. "She would not miss this."

"Are you sure, Blue?"

"Yes! Why would you doubt her?"

"I don't doubt HER. I doubt her ability to feel much beyond her need to bury herself in her projects while the rest of us - "

She was cut off by the sound of a warp pad activating nearby. All heads turned, just as a black, thigh-high boot stepped out from the blue beam of light. It was White Diamond; dressed in the very symbol of elegance, she stood tall and proud among them. Five white Pearls trailed behind her. As the highest of the Authority, she was entitled to more.

"White, where have you been?" Yellow asked, "We've been waiting."

"I had a pressing task to complete, but I'm here now," White assured them; her long, black nails tucked her robes behind her. It seemed as if she too harbored some form of anticipation, but it was always difficult to tell - White was an enigma all her own, "I wouldn't miss the emerging of our newest Diamond."

Their focus turned to the place where the new Diamond would soon emerge from the ground. Blue looked delighted and eager now, clasping her hands together. Yellow was smiling and White watched with bated breath.

"The setting is perfect..." White murmured, softly under her breath after a moment of silence had passed, "The tone...frequency...texture of ground..."

"There's no need to be anxious, White," Blue whispered to her when she heard White's words, "You've done well in choosing the proper setting for her. It'll be fine."

White straightened a little where she stood. "I am hardly anxious, Blue. And And 'fine' has variable definitions."

Blue chuckled and gave her a little pat on her shoulder.

The ground split once and cracked open, turning their focus immediately to the ground; White was the first to immediately kneel before it. She reached with one hand and a warm smile touched her face. It was rare and welcoming. Blue and Yellow observed in silence.

"Come on. Come to me. I'm here..." White told the form within the exit hole.

It took a few moments before a bright pink hand emerged. Then, the shape of the new Diamond stepped out to face them. Yellow's eyes widened and Blue's hands went to her mouth. White had no reaction and simply picked her up in her arms. She was small. Very small by comparison to them.

The gems around them were kneeling before the new Diamond. Some were awestruck and unable to speak. Yellow was staring with confusion and Blue looked ready to burst.

"Hello, Pink." White told her, with a warm smile.

Pink's wide, amazed eyes focused on all three of them. Those diamond-shaped irises narrowed and a brilliant smile touched her face. She reached out to touch White's gemstone on her forehead and the older Diamond leaned forward a bit to allow it. She blinked once as Pink's hands nearly batted her in the eye.

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.

Yet...here she looked otherwise. It was a rare sight to see White look at anything with such adoration and love, but here she was. Yellow and Blue, along with the other gems observed in silence for the longest time. It was a sight they didn't want to forget.

"She's..." Yellow began.

"Perfect!" Blue exclaimed, reaching out to hold her.

White handed the other Diamond to Blue and smiled as she watched her delight herself in the newest addition to the Authority. Pink giggled happily as Blue danced and spun with her in her arms. White took a step forward, addressing the smaller Diamond.

"Pink, do you know who we are?" she asked.

"Yes!" Pink said, eagerly. She pointed at each one of them as she said their names. "You're White... You're Yellow and you're Blue!"

"Yes, Pink. That's very good." White continued. "Do you know what you are?"

"A Diamond!"

White chuckled softly and the gems around them just marveled at the presence of the new Diamond among them. They saluted her and Pink stared at every single one of them, unable to stop the bright, happy smile on her face.

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.

O

Pink certainly proved herself capable of great energy.

She looked around the vast temple, impressed with the sight of wall paintings and everything that had been carefully crafted by White's gems. She looked at the three Diamonds behind her, awestruck. The entire time, they had allowed her the chance to explore and observe her new surroundings.

Blue chuckled. "Quite the energetic one, isn't she?"

White smiled and nodded. "The new ones are like this. Let her have the chance to see the world on her own."

Pink turned now, looking at the oldest Diamond with surprise. "Did you make all of this, White?" she exclaimed.

White nodded. "Yes."

"Whoa..." Pink looked around at the mural art and several gems bowed to her when she looked at them. "Did it take a long time?"

"It did indeed." White continued, patiently. "Most of the greater things do."

Yellow leaned toward her, speaking hesitantly. "White, we should talk..." she whispered, watching as Pink distracted herself with a painting of White posed elegantly.

"Not now, Yellow." White chided.

Yellow was quiet for a few moments as she watched Pink. An odd look crossed her face and it went by unnoticed by the others.

Blue was grinning and reached out to the younger Diamond. "Pink, what do you think if it?" she asked.

Pink gave an excited sound. "It's amazing! So, I'm like you? I'm going to have all this too?"

"You will." White reminded her. "In time. We will all take special care to teach you your duty and what it means to be one of us."

Pink squealed with delight and rushed into Blue's waiting arms. "Well, I can't wait! Can we start now?" she asked them.

White gave a gentle chuckle and placed a hand against her back. "Of course."

"White!" Yellow hissed.

"Yellow, I said..." White said, not raising her voice - yet her tone carried a warning, "...not. Now."

Yellow pressed no further.

White turned her focus to the other two and the warm smile from before was back onto her face. She followed Blue and Pink as they exited the temple. Yellow eventually followed behind them. White placed a hand on Blue's shoulder.

"I want to start now!" Pink insisted.

"You are eager to learn," White remarked, pleased by this, "Such enthusiasm is to be commended. But things like this are not to be rushed. We will have lessons tomorrow. I will introduce you to the history of our race. But first..." She gestured to Blue. "Perhaps the two of you can spend your time together while I speak to Yellow alone."

Pink beamed happily and Blue didn't object.

"So what kind of Diamond are you?" Pink asked, looking at her.

"What do you mean?" Blue looked at her curiously.

"Well, we're all different. Do we do different things?"

"We can."

"Is that bad?"

"No. No, of course not. That's what makes us all special." Blue tapped her nose with one finger. "That's what makes YOU special."

Pink giggled now. "I like you, Blue."

"And I am glad for it."

Once they were out of earshot, Yellow turned to White, who suddenly looked guarded. "White, she doesn't look the way you expected. I saw that look on your face when she emerged."

White took a deep inhale, regarding her impassively. "She is fine, Yellow."

"Fine? The rules suddenly change when they're convenient?" Yellow hissed, fiercely.

"You so easily forget that the rules change if we wish them to."

"Pink is not... She isn't meant to be Pink!"

"Yellow, she. Is. Fine." White said, her voice taking on a thin edge. "And you will remember that. Am I clear?" When she received no response, she tilted her head. "If I must repeat that, it will be less polite. Do well to remember that she is a Diamond and will receive the same respect worthy of all three of us."

Yellow laughed coldly. "It isn't me you should be concerned about."

White furrowed her brow and watched Yellow depart.

While their discussion had gone on, Blue took the young Diamond to her court and Pink was even more awstruck by this one; pools of water filled the vast, decorated chamber and blue gems passed by them going about their duties. After a moment, Pink decided to soak her feet in the water while the other Diamond watched her with a smile.

"Hm. Having your feet in the water sounds lovely. I'll join you." Blue said.

She sat down beside her, slipped her feet into the water. Pink brightened as she did. She looked up and noticed Blue Pearl wandering up to her and bowing. Pink looked at her curious for a few moments before staring up at Blue.

"Who's she?" she asked.

"Ah. This is my pearl," Blue explained.

"What does she do?"

"Whatever I ask of her."

Pink furrowed her brow, staring at Blue Pearl for a few moments. "Will I have a pearl too?"

"You will. All of us do."

Pink seemed happy by the idea. She continued to look at Blue Pearl for the longest time before smiling brightly.

"Well, she's pretty. I like your pearl."

Blue Pearl gave a quiet gasp of surprise and her cheeks darkened at the compliment. She certainly hadn't expected that at all. She looked up at her Diamond and Blue laughed a little, nodding her approval. Pink continued patting her feet in the water and hummed.

That night, Pink was led down a corridor by Blue Pearl. The entire time, the smaller gem seemed timid and shy in her presence. Pink noticed this, but said nothing. She did find it a little peculiar, but maybe that was just how pearls were.

"My Diamond, I am told you are to rest here for the night until your tower is complete." the pearl said, in her soft, quiet voice, "It has everything you need."

Pink watched as the pearl typed in a few color codes before the door roared open. She stepped inside and her eyes widened with amazement. A lovely pink chamber filled with lovely cushions, decorations and even fountains. A mirror had been placed nearby and bright, colorful ribbons adorned the ceiling.

"Wait, where's Blue staying?" Pink asked, after a moment.

"My Diamond is staying in her chambers down the hall," Blue Pearl answered, crossing her hands in front of her and lowering her head. "There will be Agates guarding the door if you need anything."

Pink smiled, nodding. Then, she frowned when she noticed the pearl hadn't left. She seemed to be waiting for something. Waving her hand at her, Pink raised her eyebrows.

"Uh, you can go now." she said.

Blue Pearl bowed to her before departing. Pink watched her go, then spent some time looking around at her room. She smiled and eagerly took a spot on the cushions. After a few moments of appreciating them, she wandered around to look at holoscreens, recordings of music and various other items left for her.

After growing tired, she started to sleep on the cushions, but made her way out of her chamber. Several gems saluted her, but she didn't acknowledge as she made her way to Blue's chambers instead. Stepping inside, she climbed into Blue's bed, where the other Diamond was sleeping.

Blue blinked and opened her eyes, looking down at the sight of Pink snuggled close to her. She smiled, shook her head and went back to sleep.

O

White calmly watched the holoscreen from the comfort of her tower.

"Control. Why do we seek control?" she queried.

Behind her a gem had been bound by glowing chains - the ruined form of a fusion kept together. White didn't care to understand what it was. She only needed to understand the reasoning behind her actions. Perhaps to prevent a problem once more.

"Control." White repeated the question, "Why do we seek control?"

The fusion whimpered, holding herself and repeated the mantra she had been trained to understand since she had emerged.

"'Control is the basis of peace. Peace is maintained by Order. Order is the foundation of survival'."

White nodded. "Good. You recall my mantra." she replied, turning to face her. "However, you seem to have forgotten it in the wake of your flawed programming. Perhaps that went unnoticed when you were checked by the Peridots."

The fusion moaned softly, crumbling under the unblinking gaze. "My-My Diamond..."

"Do you have dreams?" White suddenly asked.

The fusion nodded her head, frightened.

"I have them." White Diamond said, still focused on the holoscreen and the data presented before her. "Such wondrous things, dreams. They can present us with inspiration. And perhaps an inspiration to do things we never thought possible."

"Please...I beg your forgiveness!" the fusion pleaded.

White Diamond ignored the plea. "I am an old being. I have seen the cosmos end and begin, and yet... I do not fathom the nature of love. Perhaps you could explain it to me?"

The fusion looked hopelessly confused.

"E-Explain it?"

"Yes. Explain to me your concept of love. I have heard whispers among my soldiers that it is what inspired you to do..." She waved a single finger up and down. "...this." When the fusion seemed unable to do anything, White's cheeks lit up with a bright smile. "If you would be so kind."

The fusion wavered, struggling to calm herself before she studied her hands; discolored and gray from the unstable fusion. "Love it's... Well, it's different for everyone." she attempted to steady her voice and explain the concept to White Diamond. "It makes us stronger. When you - you love someone, you can do anything."

White Diamond tilted her head. "Is that what made you commit the sin you did?"

"N-No!"

A thin, cold smile lit White Diamond's face. "But you just told me it makes you stronger. Fusion made you strong enough to attempt an uprising on one of my colonies. Are they the same?"

The fusion looked sick now, her face lighting with horror. "That wasn't me, I swear it!"

White looked down at her screen for a moment, thinking about that idea. "You were judged for orchestrating an uprising...and you believe love is what controlled your actions?"

"No, I mean, I didn't want - "

White stood up, pacing around the room as she considered this. She tilted her head curiously at the fusion, perhaps fascinated by the thought.

"Is that what love does? It helps you?" she asked.

The fusion laughed, uneasy. "It does, m-my Diamond," she told her.

"Interesting." White Diamond took her seat now, regarding the fusion. "So what you're saying is love destroys the fabric of logic. Logically, you are not intended to form a fusion of one another. By the code of my order, you should hate one another. Yet this love you speak of, it changed you. Made you what you assume to be better."

"S-Some don't see it that way..." The fusion struggled to speak, too frightened to get her thoughts together. "My Diamond, love is what heals. We were nothing until we found each other. B-But if you let us go, we promise we won't fuse again!"

White watched her silently as she begged. She raised her eyebrows. "Yes, you would."

The fusion stared at her with horror. No convincing. No changing her mind.

"But you have a use to me, regardless of your transgressions," White told her, with a small smile, "I have a project, you see. A moon where I keep test subjects. You could be of service, in...another way."

O

Pink was still amazed that White had so many pearls.

Each one worked to keep the tower clean; some scrubbed, others painted murals and kept them looking brand new. It never would have occured to her that the murals were several hundred thousand years old - but White had told her that was indeed true.

Pink watched as a single Pearl wandered passed her; she was dressed in a thin, white bodysuit with pale orbs for eyes. Her gem was located on her forehead and not a single strand of her silver hair looked to be out of place.

Perfection. It seemed that was what White strove for, even in her personal subjects.

"So...all of these pearls are yours?" Pink asked.

White had been scrolling through a series of holoscreens before her when Pink spoke. She glanced up briefly, then nodded.

"Yes. I am entitled to many." she explained.

"Will I get a pearl?"

"You will, such is your right as a Diamond. But before you do, first I must notify the Incubation Tower," White continued to explain, without a single sliver of impatience, "And then, we are to produce one properly for - Pink."

White had stopped explaining the process when she noticed the young Diamond peeking underneath a curtain of fine fibers. Pink looked up at her with a smile and White regarded her calmly. She tilted her head at the younger Diamond.

"Are you listening?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm listening." Pink said, standing still now.

"As I was saying... Ah, of course." White cut herself off, looked at a screen and she seemed pleased. "The newest production of the Citrines are finished. You will accompany me to witness it."

"Citrines?" Pink tilted her head as White rose and started out the door.

"Yes. Gem guards. I don't typically visit myself, but I believe watching the process would be suitable for you to understand how it works. Come along."

Pink eagerly followed behind her.

"Pearl." White addressed her servants behind her.

Every pearl in the tower stopped what they were doing and saluted her. White's eyes scanned each one of them before she pointed to a pearl holding a brush.

"You. I will have you maintain my schedule until my return," she told her, "Have my meetings placed on hold."

The pearl nodded her head. "As you command, my Diamond."

The two Diamonds resumed their stroll out of the tower. White glanced down and noticed how happy Pink seemed to be that she was joining her. It made the older Diamond smile only for a fraction before she looked ahead.

They made their way to an enormous Kindergarten filled with hard-working Peridots. One in particular led the group; a Prasiolite. She was a Quartz with short green hair and her left eye was replaced with the fine cut of her gem. She had translucent green skin.

"What gem is she, Pink?" White asked, glancing down at her.

"A...um...a Prasiolite," Pink said, tapping her chin. "They supervise Peridots."

White smiled, nodding her approval. "Good. That's correct."

The Prasiolite waved one massive hand before her. "Line them up!" she commanded, "All you lumps of coal, get in a line!"

The Citrines who had just emerged quickly hurried to form a line before her. Some of them bumped into each other and the loud, thunderous tone of the Prasiolite echoed around them. She gestured with one thick finger.

"FILL THIS GAP!"

A few Citrines grunted and some stepped on each other's toes. A series of curses and annoyed noises escaped them in the process. Their yellow-orange bodies crowded one another as they hurried to form the line upon command. A Peridot began to wander down the rows, scanning each one with a careful, meticulous look. She murmured thoughtfully each time she studied a gem in front of her.

Prasiolite turned and gave a gasp when she saw Pink and White emerging. She quickly saluted and every gem stopped what they were doing to do the same.

"M-My Diamond!" she exclaimed, "I did not expect you here so soon!"

White waved a hand in the air. "Proceed." she said.

At that, the Prasiolite nodded and turned her now worried focus to the gems in her command. Meanwhile, as White observed, Pink walked away to look at each Citrine curiously. She smiled and paused at one with an unusual cut to her gem. Tilting her head, she studied her and the Citrine began to sweat nervously and tremble.

"You're different." Pink said. "You don't look like the others."

The Citrine whimpered and shook her head. "I-I can still be of use!"

Pink shrugged her shoulders. The gem's fear was lost to her. "What do you mean? You seem useful to me." she replied.

The Citrine immediately buckled at Pink's feet and bowed before her, confusing the Diamond. "My Diamond, I am not worthy of your mercy!"

Pink glanced behind her for a moment and looked down at the Citrine. "Mercy?" she said, a little lost, "I don't understand. Why are you afraid?"

The Citrine looked confused now. She wasn't sure if Pink was actually serious. "Um...I..." she tried, wavering in her words.

Pink smiled. "Tell me." she insisted.

The Citrine continued to hesitate, but Pink took a seat and gestured with one hand for her to follow suit. After a few moments, the gem smiled nervously and sat down. White was observing the process of a Peridot scanning each Citrine before she noticed Pink with the one at the very end. She furrowed her brow curiously and approached.

As soon as White's shadow fell over them, the Citrine immediately stood up and saluted. Pink looked up at White with a smile.

"Hey, White! This Citrine was talking with me and I..."

She stopped when the Peridot made her way over and scanned the now frightened Citrine. The scanner brought up a bright red X and the Peridot furrowed her brow, grabbing the Citrine by the jaw. She shook her head at Prasiolite and the gem sighed with disappointment.

"Oh well..." she said, almost dramatically. "Not all of them are winners."

Pink looked confused and stared up at White, who gestured with one hand without speaking a single word. The Citrine was taken, kicking and screaming by two other Peridots, who produced beams of green light from their hands. It had her frozen in place, unable to escape.

"No!" the Citrine cried, thrashing her head. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I can be useful, my Diamond, I swear it! I'm not defective! I'M NOT! PLEASE!"

Pink tilted her head. "Defective?" she murmured to herself.

White observed the sight in silence and the Prasiolite shook her head. "Forgive me, my Diamond. Such a shame that Pink Diamond had to witness such a spectacle."

"Hm." White cast her gaze to Pink. "It matters not. It's good for her to understand the...errors that possibly come with creation."

Though Pink only looked confused.

O

"You will take Pink with you."

Yellow looked surprised when White informed her that the younger Diamond would be joining her on a trip to her Moon Base. White didn't look up from her holoscreens when she spoke and continued typing in a few buttons.

Pink was excited by the idea. "I get to see a harvesting?"

White smiled, nodding. "Yes. You can. I'm sure Yellow will be thrilled to have you accompany her. Right?" She smiled thinly now, looking at Yellow from the tops of her eyes. Her voice had dropped to a softer, almost warning pitch.

Yellow nodded her head. "Yes..."

White smiled her approval now. "Good! Pink?" Her eyes fell to the smaller Diamond. "Would going with Yellow please you?"

Pink jumped up and down with glee. "Yes!"

White nodded her head once. "It will be a marvelous learning experience...for both of you, I trust."

Yellow frowned at the tone, but looked down at Pink and gestured for her to follow. Pink eagerly did just that. They wandered outside, stepped onto a warp pad and were sent to the Moon Base that White had spoken of.

Yellow Pearl had been waiting for her the entire time. "My Diamond!" she greeted, saluting and bowing upon her arrival.

"Do you have the commander waiting?" Yellow asked.

"She awaits your voice." Yellow Pearl told her.

Pink stared at the Pearl curiously. Yellow's was different from Blue's; she had angled hair much like the Diamond herself and harder eyes. Pink was curious as to what her Pearl would look like once she received one.

Yellow paced around the chamber that evening on the Moon Base. She was scrolling through the holoscreen.

"You were told to be prepared cycles ago. There will be no more excuses. Get it done. And don't expect me to look kindly upon this transgression." she growled. "Embark at once."

Pink had wandered around the Moon Base absently, studying every little detail in her trek. She could barely make out Yellow's voice in the main chamber. Bored and curious, she wandered inside and noticed that Yellow didn't seem to pay her any attention.

"Hey, Yellow!" she called, "What are you talking about?"

Yellow once again, seemed to ignore her. She glared at a gem on the holoscreen. "You will stick to my orders and you will destroy them!" she snapped, her voice taking on an edge. "No. No. I will not repeat myself." A pause. "Hm. That is simply unacceptable... Well, you'll have to remember, won't you?"

Pink sighed, long and bored. She meandered around the chamber as Yellow continued talking. She wanted to go with Yellow to see how a Diamond harvested planets, but Yellow had practically been ignoring her the entire time.

"Yellow!" she yelled.

Yellow gently shooed her away with one hand. "Pink, please. I'm working."

Once more, Yellow returned focus on her task and the gem on screen. "The dullness of this exchange tires me. Just land the dropships and do your pathetic job for once." she snapped, to the gem in the screen. "Or I'll shatter you and your crew myself."

A few yellow, oval-shaped ships passed overhead and Pink squealed with delight. "Whoa, cool!" she exclaimed. Yellow took a seat at her great chair and Pink rushed up to her side eagerly. "Yellow! Hey, Yellow!"

Yellow's lips curled somewhat and she attempted to sound as proper as possible. "Oh, you're still here..." she murmured.

Pink grinned. "What are you doing?"

Yellow stared at her silently before glancing down at her holoscreen. "I'm commanding the dropships to colonize this planet."

"I wanna command a dropship!" Pink insisted.

Once again, Yellow gave her an odd look. She sighed and shook her head, her tone dismissive. "Well, when you have you have your own colony, you can command whatever you want."

"I want a colony!"

Yellow rolled her eyes with another sound and focused her attention on her screen again. She pressed buttons on the panel of the Diamond Authority symbol. Pink watched her, frowning at her lack of attention. She glared up at the other Diamond.

"I want one now!" she insisted.

Yellow unlocked a new screen of the yellow ships that Pink had seen flying overhead. Her eyes widened and she looked at the other Diamond, mystified.

"What's this?" she asked.

"I'm contacting the leader of the fleet."

Pink grinned, amazed. "Let me do it!"

She began to press multiple buttons on the screen, but Yellow roughly seized her arm and yanked her away from it.

"Don't touch that!" she shouted.

The move had startled Pink for a moment, but she yanked her arm away and glared up at Yellow. "Why not? You have so many worlds and I don't even have one!" she cried, angry, "It's not fair! I want one!" She began to stomp her foot. "I want my own army! I want my own planet! I deserve it! I'm just as important as you!"

Yellow raised her voice and it thundered through the chamber. "Then why don't you act like it, Pink?!" she bellowed.

Pink continued to glare at her before her features smoothed out with hurt. Yellow's own relaxed somewhat and she sighed, leaning back in her chair before rubbing her forehead with two fingers.

Nothing more was said as Pink stomped away, holding her arm with one hand. She paused, glared back at Yellow before staring down at her hand. Shaking, she looked up at her reflection in the glass of the Moon Base before punching it with one fist.

"...There is something wrong with that Diamond..."

The sound of Yellow's voice as she talked with another on the screen froze Pink where she stood. She looked over her shoulder, stunned by the sentence. It sent a cold shudder through her form and she simply left, ignoring the concerned look on Yellow Pearl's face.

When she returned to her chamber in Blue's tower, she couldn't sleep. Her features were streaked in tears and she was so angry about what had happened, she kicked the sheets away from her bed with a few furious huffs.

"Pink?" Blue's voice came from behind the door. "Are you alright? I'm coming in."

The door opened and Blue stepped inside. She noticed Pink's tears and she knelt down at the edge of the bed.

"Pink, what is it?" she asked, shock in her voice. "Why are you crying?"

Pink sighed. After a few moments, she sat up and gave Blue a look of multiple questions that needed answers. "Why am I different?"

Blue looked startled. "What? What makes you say such a thing?"

"I'm different. I know it." Pink told her, frowning. "Something's wrong with me."

"Well, you're tangled up in your sheets," Blue said, with a small laugh. She worked to untangle her and Pink squirmed a bit out of her hands.

"No, I just... Blue, I'm serious!" Pink insisted. "Look at me!"

Blue's smile disappeared and she straightened a little. "I am, Pink. And I see a Diamond."

Pink looked lost. "But Yellow said - "

"Nevermind what Yellow said," Blue interrupted, pulling her into her arms, "Whatever the case, you are one of us. Never forget that. Tomorrow, I will speak to White and we will have your first colony ready for you. How does that sound?"

Pink brightened. "Really? Tomorrow? You promise?"

"I promise."

Pink looked quite happy by that and squealed with delight, becoming entangled in the sheets once more in the process. Blue laughed with delight and tried to catch her in her arms again.

"Ah, come here!" she said, playfully.

Pink was caught up in her arms again and smiled, determined. "I'll prove that I can be a good Diamond!" she told her, "I'll be the best!"

"I'm sure you will, Pink." Blue said, affectionately.