I had an idea.
Was it good? Maybe.
Did I use my future vision? Obviously not.
Do I regret it? Not at all.
"Why, you ask?"
Well, I did something stupid. Yes, I know. But I had my reasons. I absolutely hated my outfit. I mean, seriously, it looked like it came from a very questionable alternate version of myself, so I decided to do something drastic. Not dangerous, just... definitive. Before doing it, though, I made sure I was in a spot my future vision marked as safe.
And no, I didn't overthink it. I just looked for the spot in my future vision. I have future vision, not future intelligence. Don't judge me.
And BAM, I killed myself.
"Huh?" I said, looking around.
I was in a completely white place. There was no ground, no sky, no horizon. It was like being inside an inventory, and I was clearly the owner. An inner space, orderly, silent, where everything seemed to await instructions.
Beside me were two holograms. Ruby and Sapphire. Both stood at attention, in an almost military stance, as if awaiting orders. In front of them was me.
Complete me... more or less.
I was Garnet. The same body, the same bearing, the same outfit as before. But something inside me knew I could change it. Not because someone explained it to me, but because I simply felt it. A clear, direct instinct.
I could modify it to my liking.
So I decided to do it.
I immediately noticed that I could modify almost everything, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't change to a masculine form, or even something more neutral. Nor a different, more feminine version. Nothing. So I accepted the obvious.
I would keep Garnet's appearance.
But with clear improvements.
First, I changed the top to a sleeveless, fitted shirt that covered only from the shoulders down to the waist. There, I connected with some red pants that, to be honest, made my legs look pretty striking.
"Damn... I look really good," I thought without any shame.
Obviously, I added glasses, because those never fail. I straightened my hair a bit, left my arms bare, and opted more for aesthetics than functionality, because let's be honest, that didn't matter too much here.
Some Nike-style sneakers, but without a brand name, because I don't want any interdimensional lawsuits. And as a final touch, I changed my skin tone. I went tan. From what little I remembered of my past life, that was my real color.
And that's it.
---------------------If you're wondering, it's the cover-------------
I stood observing the hologram in front of me, rotating it slightly, adjusting minor details.
"I feel like I did a good job," I said with a slight smile.
Then I turned my gaze to my other two halves. Ruby and Sapphire remained exactly the same, unchanged, expressionless.
"Damn... I think I need to modify them if I ever need to unfuse."
The idea lingered for a few seconds before fully settling in my mind.
So I began.
First with Ruby.
And something told me that this... wasn't going to be as simple as changing an outfit.
"Let's see... I want Ruby to be something I always wanted as a kid..."
I stared into space, literally. The white space didn't reflect anything back to me, but I didn't need it to. After about three minutes of deep reflection, a damn smile appeared on its own.
"I know what I want."
First, I left Ruby without clothes, without ceremony or drama. There was no shame here, just work to be done. I approached and began to carefully sculpt her, as if I were assembling a masterpiece.
"First... a hat. Of course."
The hat appeared instantly, fitting perfectly, giving her that unmistakable silhouette. Then, I lowered it a bit and placed a checkered mask around her neck, because I knew perfectly well that this combination would look amazing.
Then came the shirt. Elegant, long-sleeved, white, perfectly ironed, as if Ruby were ready to enter a duel or a bar, it didn't matter. On top of that, a dark, skin-toned vest, fitted, showing off her figure.
"We're doing well... very well."
I put her in a pair of sturdy blue pants, along with jeans at the sides. By this point, anyone with half a brain could see what I was doing.
"You can probably guess what I want, right?"
I took a step back and surveyed the result with pure pride.
"Of course, damn it," I said, unable to contain myself.
There she was. Ruby transformed into a damn cowgirl. Direct, assertive, with the attitude of someone who doesn't ask twice before kicking your ass.
"I wish I had a gun," I thought for a second, before smirking. "But with the gauntlet, it'll do."
I crossed my arms, satisfied. This wasn't just about looks. It was a statement.
And Ruby... damn, Ruby looked perfect.
"Now," I said, looking at Sapphire.
Honestly, I'd always seen her as elegant. And she was, no doubt about it, but I didn't want anything overdone or exaggerated. I wanted something calm, relaxed, modern. Something that felt comfortable, natural.
So I'd made up my mind.
I approached without thinking too much, casually removed her clothes, and got to work. This wasn't improvisation anymore; it was pure intention.
First, I placed some roses in her hair. Not many, just enough to look delicate, well-placed, as if they'd always been there.
Then I tried something more ambitious.
"What if I give you two eyes?"
I tried... and nothing. Apparently, that was the default. It couldn't be changed, not like with the fusion. So I sighed and let it go.
"Well, I tried."
I shortened her hair a little, just enough to make it look fresher, lighter. Then came the clothes. I put her in a black, low-cut shirt, Garnet-style, but more modern. Nothing over the top, something simple, just as I wanted.
To finish, some shorts in the same color.
I took a step back and looked at her.
"Damn... she looks so cute."
She wasn't flashy, she wasn't intimidating, but she had a calmness that commanded respect. She was soft, elegant, and relaxed, all at the same time.
"That's fine," I said with satisfaction.
Sapphire looked perfect. She didn't need anything else.
I looked at both of them, Ruby and Sapphire, now so distinct and yet so clear in their identities, and for the first time, I felt that everything was starting to make sense.
This was no longer just a fusion.
It was pure elegance.
"I think I'm done," I said, taking one last look at the figures in front of me.
Ruby and Sapphire. Two clear, defined, distinct parts. I watched them for a few more seconds, making sure everything was exactly as I wanted it.
"Well... time to appear," I said, feeling that familiar sensation.
The feeling of returning to my physical state came suddenly. But, for obvious reasons, it felt like I was going in two directions at once. It didn't hurt, it wasn't uncomfortable, it was just... strange.
When I opened my eyes, I clearly noticed the point where my vision split.
Ruby and Sapphire were looking at each other. Technically, it was me looking at myself, but no one needed to know that. Not now.
At that moment, I didn't want to merge. I had other priorities. Mainly, fantasizing about the new clothes, to be honest.
We walked toward the cave and noticed that no one was there. The place was still just as calm and silent. Clearly, not much time had passed, and the sun confirmed it without needing much thought.
Suddenly, I felt Sapphire's future vision activate. The information came clear and direct. Several hours remained before the rogue Pearl and the rogue Diamond returned.
"Perfect."
To avoid boredom and, now that I could, to truly feel the powers I possessed, I made a simple decision.
"Let's train."
The air around me seemed to respond to that intention. My hands slowly closed into fists; I felt the weight of strength, the balance, the energy coursing through every part of this body that no longer felt foreign.
I didn't know exactly what was going to happen.
But I had time.
And I had power.
And that, honestly, excited me more than it should have.
I left Sapphire sitting on a rock, watching me with that calm that seemed to see everything. She wanted to see me from another perspective, and honestly, it was useful for me too. Feeling myself move without having to think about two bodies at the same time was... comfortable.
Now I was using Ruby.
The fire was hers. The ice, Sapphire's. That way I could train both sides without overloading my mind. It didn't feel stressful, just a slight discomfort, like when you're learning something new and you know you still have a ways to go.
"Let's see," I said as I raised my hands.
At first, nothing happened.
I frowned and made my fists tighter.
"Come on... don't mess with me."
A faint warmth appeared in my palms. It wasn't an explosion or anything impressive, just a warm sensation, like embers slowly awakening. I opened my hands and small flames sprang up, unsteady, trembling, as if they were hesitant as much as I was.
"Okay... that's new."
I moved my hands carefully. The flames reacted to every movement, growing and shrinking without any real control. I took a step forward, and unintentionally, the fire pushed me down.
My body rose slightly.
"Huh?"
I hovered just a few inches above the ground, skimming over it. It wasn't really flying, more of an awkward glide, as if the fire were refusing to let me touch the ground completely. I moved a couple of meters like that before losing my balance and landing on my feet.
"That... was definitely something."
I tried again. This time I concentrated more. The fire responded better, keeping me just above the surface. I glided again, more steady, leaving small burn marks on the ground.
Sapphire watched me without saying a word, but I could feel her full attention on me. It was as if I were controlling her indirectly; she makes movements that I feel she would do, but she does them reflexively. It's like an autopilot, but I wouldn't pay any attention to it.
"Good, Ruby... step one completed."
I stretched out an arm and threw a small burst of flame. It shot out weakly, briefly, and died before reaching the wall.
Silence.
"That was pathetic," I muttered.
I tried again. Another burst of flame, a little bigger, but just as useless. It didn't cause any damage, didn't burn anything important. It was just... fire testing its existence.
I sighed.
"It's okay. It's training."
I stayed still for a few seconds, feeling the heat in my hands, letting it flow without forcing it. I didn't want explosions, I wanted control.
The next flame emerged more steady. Not bigger, but firmer. It stayed lit for a few seconds before slowly going out.
"Here we go..."
It wasn't spectacular. It wasn't powerful. But it was real.
And for the first time since I came into this world, I felt like I wasn't improvising.
I was learning.
I quickly started martial arts training, movements I vaguely remembered from TV, movies, things I'd seen without ever thinking I'd actually use them someday. The gems had their own training, yes, but it was basic, straightforward, designed for war. Attack first, attack hard. They never defended themselves. Why would they if no one was strong enough to hurt them?
But I didn't think that way.
I wanted to be as strong as possible.
I got into position, feet shoulder-width apart, body tense. I took a deep breath.
"Come on... take it easy."
The first kick was clumsy. My leg lifted higher than it should have, and I almost lost my balance. The second was worse; I turned my body too late and had to brace myself with my hand on the ground to keep from falling.
"Damn... this body weighs differently."
I tried again. A front kick, slow but firm. Then a side kick, lower. They weren't pretty, they weren't clean, but at least it didn't look like I was going to break anything anymore. Every movement felt strange, like wearing clothes that aren't your size, but little by little my body was starting to respond.
I jumped.
Too high.
I landed awkwardly and rolled a bit on the ground before coming to a stop.
"Great... spectacular."
Sapphire kept watching, not judging—it was me, after all—but I could feel her gaze analyzing every mistake, like self-analysis. I got up and tried again. This time the jump was shorter, more controlled. Then another, combining it with a kick in mid-air. Clumsy, yes, but better.
I started chaining movements together. Kick, spin, short jump. My breathing became heavier, but I wasn't tired, just focused. Then I felt the heat rise from my chest to my arms.
Flames appeared.
Not explosive. Not out of control. Strong, but obedient.
"That's it... that's better."
The fire enveloped my fists and legs without burning me. Each kick now left a trail of heat in the air. I jumped again, propelling myself with a small, controlled explosion beneath my feet, landing with more stability.
The ground was marked, but nothing broke.
"Perfect."
I punched the air, the fire shot out in a short, intense burst, and dissipated instantly. I didn't want to waste any more energy. I didn't want to exhaust myself. This wasn't a fight, it was learning.
I paused for a few seconds, breathing calmly, feeling the fire slowly die down without resistance.
I wasn't fighting like a gem.
I wasn't fighting like a human.
I was building something new.
And honestly, for the first time, that felt damn good.
The hours passed as I trained in my Ruby form. Finally, I decided to let that part of me rest and shift my focus. Now it was time to train with Sapphire.
Both parts of me reorganized and switched places. I now had more proper control over Sapphire while letting my subconscious keep Ruby seated, still, observing me from within, like another channel of control. It wasn't judgment, it wasn't an external gaze. It was part of me adapting.
I looked at my hand. The exposed skin let me feel every muscle, the body's flexibility, how it responded to movement without the stiffness it had before. I took a deep breath and raised my leg for a kick. It was clumsy at first, as I expected. This body was lighter, faster, but I was still adapting. I wasn't Ruby in flames, I was Sapphire, cold, calculating, but with the memory of what I had learned.
"Come on... take it easy," I murmured.
I did another kick. This time faster, more controlled. I felt my center of gravity adjust automatically, every muscle reacting better thanks to the hours of training with Ruby. What had been clumsiness before was now adaptation. Each jump was short, measured, precise, but with a sense of control I hadn't had before. The ground responded beneath my feet, and I could feel how every small impulse became efficient movement.
I extended my hand and released a little ice. Nothing excessive, just enough to feel the power. A thin layer formed beneath my feet, allowing me to slide just a little, yet without losing my balance. Each movement was an experiment: kick, turn, jump, landing. All calibrated with what I'd learned while controlling Ruby's side, only now applied with a cool head.
"Perfect... this is better," I said, more to myself than to anyone else.
I continued the sequence, combining quick and controlled movements. I jumped, turned, extended my leg in short kicks. The ice formed and disappeared as needed, as if my body knew exactly what to ask for. The initial clumsiness slowly vanished, replaced by a fluid rhythm.
Finally, I stopped. The fatigue was different from Ruby's. It didn't burn, it wasn't overwhelming. It weighed me down, yes, but in a clear, honest way. I sat for a moment, breathing and feeling my body relax.
It wasn't two wills fighting. She was alone, learning to use all her powers without breaking down in the process, since she felt she wouldn't have much time before the approaching war.
And that, damn... that felt incredible.
End of Chapter 2.