Silver's Sims: Crystal Legacy - Generation 6 (Part 10)

What should have been a simple life in the desert sand and stars becomes anything but. Haunted by dreams of a life of violence, and seeking answers as to why, Peridot and her friends find themselves caught in an ancient battle between Light and Dark...and find that the cost of being a soldier is higher than they might have ever thought.

The start of next summer...

Calcite: So, ready to leave tomorrow?

Peridot: Yep! Backpack's all packed, I got my new boots all broken in...only thing missing's the uniform!

Fern: That'll be washed and dried for you in the morning.

Peridot: Then yep! All ready to go. ...Still feels weird, though...Gramoony not being here to see me off.

Fern: You know she'd want you to go.

Peridot: I know. And I'm going. It just...feels weird.

Calcite: It always does. You learn to make space for it, but it never stops feeling strange, someone being missing but knowing they can't come back.

Fern: Buuuuuut she'd be happiest if you had a great time! So try to, okay?

Peridot: Okay okay! Oh! Do we have any calamine lotion? I don't know if Edie's gonna remember to bring extra..

Citrine: *laugh* I can run to the pharmacy before you leave and get some, just in case.

Peridot: Thanks, Mom. Candle says there's bugs as big as your head in the forest!

Saffron: Oh, there are. Mosquitos that'll suck all the blood right out of you!

Calcite: And you wonder why Amber and I didn't want to go.

Peridot: *laugh* Gramron, that can't be true! If that were true, there'd be no bears!

Citrine: What's worse, the bugs or the bears?

Fern: Mm, bugbears? Giant bears with mosquito wings that suck blood?

Peridot: Ma!

Calcite: There's no such thing as bugbears, kiddo, you'll be fine. Just remember to read your guidebook so you know to avoid poison ivy, okay?

Nova: Yeah, you'll need the calamine more for that than the bugs.

Citrine: Oh, Watcher don't remind me! Did you know there's poison ivy in Selva? That trip we took went so bad for poor EG!

Calcite: Yeah, the bugs you can squash. The poison ivy...not so much.

Peridot: Oh, yuck. How do you not get that?

Calcite: BY staying on the path.

Fern: Sure, but where's the fun in that? You'll know it when you see it. Now, fireweed...there's the real trouble. That stuff burns!

Saffron: Ha! Like fire.

Citrine: Oh, babe. Don't tell me...

Fern: I did. More than once.

*everyone laughs*

Peridot: Man...living in a desert, you sure don't see a lot of plants.

Saffron: That is the main drawback, I think. The stars are worth it, though.

Nova: So long as you don't mind the heat.

Citrine: Or have air conditioning.

Calcite: Or stay inside.

Peridot: Or all of them? What's the Falls like in winter?

Fern: Oh, honey, it's gorgous. It gets covered in snow--like a snowglobe. The Falls, Glimmerbrook, they're both--

Peridot: Winter wonderlands.

Citrine: If you like freezing your toes off!

Calcite: That's what the layers are for, kiddo. But it's summer, so there's nothing to worry about.

Peridot: Not this time, but maybe we could...maybe we could all go for Winterfest some year?

Saffron: Oh--that's a wonderful idea, sweetie.

Nova: We went in fall last time. Winter would be great.

Calcite: Maybe this year. We'll look into it while you're away.

Saffron: Moony and I were thinking of going after the holidays...she'd be glad to know we're still going.

Nova: She would, wouldn't she. We'll definitely look into it, then.

Peridot: ...man, that's gonna be even weirder. I keep thinking she's gonna come tuck me in with a story even though...

Citrine: Hey, we're still here. If you want to finish that book tonight with us...

Peridot: Oh...yeah, that'd be great.

Citrine: Then it's settled. One last story before you head out.

Saffron: And then you can move onto the next series! I swear, Spinel wrote like she was running out of time.

Nova: Aren't we always running out of time? It's not like we can keep up with the thing!

Calcite: Yeah, but Gran was something else. *chuckle* Still, they're worth every word. I can't tell you how many times we read those stories as kids ourselves.

Citrine: I was up way too late reading them myself!

Nova: More than a few times, if I remember right!

Citrine: Pop!

Fern: *laugh* Alright, Peri. Go get ready for bed and we'll finish that story with you.

Peridot: Uh-huh. *yawn* Excuse me...

Fern: Sora looked from one friend to the next, all of them standing tall and proud beside him. Above them, the light was fading. This was their last chance. They had to take it now!

Fern: Lifting his blade, he called on all the Light he had ever been given, all the Light he had ever found, and reached out to the Heart of all Worlds beyond. Somewhere deep in his heart, there was a resounding click, and a keyhole took shape on the broken moon.

Fern: The others raised their blades in turn--Kairi and Riku on either side of him, then Aqua and the King, and Terra and Ventus too! The elder Keybearers all looked to the three of them. "Go on," Aqua said, "We'll make sure it doesn't close while you're in there."

"End Xehanort," Terra replied firmly, "And then we'll all go home."

Fern: Sora nodded back, just as firm. Knowing that Roxas and Xion, and Lea and Isa too, were all holding back the Heartless below, knowing that these four would be safe, he dropped his Keyblade and reached out with both hands. Instantly RIku and Kairi took his hands in theirs, the three of them together at last.

Fern: Closing his eyes, Sora reached deep, deep, deep inside himself, reaching for the tiny shard of Light he had been given. Chirithy's word was true--it responded to the Light of Kingdom Hearts, and a stairway of golden light curled up into the sky. With nods between them, the three Destiny Islanders rushed up the stairs!

Fern: Musical chimes rang beneath their feet as they ran. Sora kept his eyes forward, trying not to look down at the Graveyard being consumed by the Darkness all around them. The three friends ran a little harder, a little faster; they had to stop Xehanort before it was all too late!

Fern: Reaching the top of the stairs the three of them paused, only for a moment, to look one another in the eyes. They didn't say anything, didn't need to say anything, and then as one they stepped into the Light.

Citrine: Babe, I think she fell asleep.

Fern: I know, but I wanna see how this ends!

Citrine: quiet laugh* You dork.

Fern: On the other side, it was like nothing Sora had ever seen before....

The next morning....

Citrine: Oof! You've gotten so big--when did you get this big?!

Fern: When we weren't looking, clearly!

Peridot: *laugh* Mom I'm not that big!

Citrine: Yes you are! Headed off into the world all by yourself!

Peridot: Not by myself, Mom! The others will be there, too. We'll be fine, I promise.

Fern: Oh, well, if it's you nine kids all together what do we have to worry about?

Calcite: Just bugs and poison ivy.

Nova: *laugh* Remember, wash your hands and don't eat any strange berries!

Saffron: And listen to the Rangers! They know those woods better than anyone--if they tell you something, it's for a reason.

Calcite: But also remember to have fun, okay? A whole summer in the wilderness should be fun, not a chore.

Peridot: I know, Grampa!

Nova: But if you get too homesick, you can always call us from the Ranger station, okay?

Saffron: We'll be here, day or night.

Peridot: Gramron I'm not a little kid anymore!

Fern: No, but you'll always be our baby. And if you need us, we're here. OKay?

Peridot: Okay okay! Can I go now?

Citrine: Hm....nope!

Peridot: Mom!

Fern: *laugh*

*bus honks*

Peridot: I gotta go!

Fern: Okay okay! Be good!

Citrine: Or don't get caught!

At summer's end...

Citrine: Wow.

Virtue: I know.

Citrine: How did we miss this?

Virtue: We weren't looking for it. I thought you needed a Sage to complete the ritual. I didn't think someone would try and copy that, too.

Citrine: They really are trying for the Realm. And then the Abyss...Watcher, be our shield...

Virtue: Not even she may be enough. I don't...we don't have enough information to take this to the Council.

Virtue: We don't have names, or anything.

Citrine: ...Virtue...I...might have a thought.

Virtue: Oh?

Citrine: The first few robberies were all to places that had gotten catering from Fennel Herb's business.

Virtue: Right. We thought they might be scoping the places out but then she dropped out of the equation.

Citrine: But what if she's not the only factor. Those robberies were before Basil became mayor. She'd have been the only resource he had.

Citrine: but now that he is mayor, and has been for years...he's got other connections. Deep pockets.

Virtue: You think Basil Herb has something to do with this? Why? What would he gain?

Citrine: The same thing anyone would think they could get from Obscuro. Power. It's what Sanguine wanted, and Basil's got rumblings for Minister. With enough power...

Virtue: He could make it without the votes. *low whistle* I hate politics.

Citrine: but it's still just a thought. How can we prove it? If I bring an accusation against the Mayor it's got to be solid!

Virtue: I can pivot the investigation around. Stop chasing the robberies and start chasing Basil and his connections.

Citrine: It's the best shot we have. But...would it be safe for you to do that? I don't want you or Edie in danger...

Virtue: We're already in danger. If you're right about this, the whole city--the whole world--will be in trouble. Leave El's safety to me. You just keep digging.

Citrine: For as long as I can. The bosses are getting annoyed I haven't published this story yet...

Virtue: *scoff* They get paid by the Mayor, too?

Citrine: ....

Virtue: I was kidding. I swear I was kidding.

Citrine: *sigh* I can't think of a pie Basil wouldn't have his grubby fingers in. Anything to keep this quiet.

Virtue: Alright then. Mr. I Want to Be The Guy, he's my top priority target. You do what it takes to keep your job and leave the rest to me. We'll nail him if it takes years.

Virtue: Which, knowing our luck, it probably will!

Citrine: He's been hounding me since I was a kid. What's a few more years.

Virtue: Oh, of course he's a bully, too! Gah...

Citrine: His son's no better. Edie's probably told you about him already.

Virtue: Loudly. Hmph. Right, so. How're you going to close this article?

Citrine: By telling the truth. We don't know enough, but the jewelry stores should be safe for now. Any tips should be sent in and we'll go from there.

Citrine: After that...after that, I'm going to start digging into our illustrious mayor. He's up for re-election this term...maybe it's time to see what skeletons he's got rattling around in that closet of his.

Virtue: I bet you anything it's a lot of them. Guys like him always have a lot.

Citrine: Sure do. Only question is...can I bury him in them at the same time.

Citrine: Where did you even meet Virtue? He's not the coffee and date kinda guy, is he?

Spangle: *snort* No, he's not my type even if he was. No, I was chasing a lead in Glimmerbrook, he was chasing a lead in Glimmerbrook, and we went from there.

Citrine: Chasing a lead, huh? Do I get a hint?

Spangle: Hm, no. Past is the past.

Citrine: That just means there's stories in it.

Spangle: Doesn't it always? Speaking of stories...what's this about the mayor being neck deep in dark magic.

Citrine: I saw that subject change.

Spangle: You saw nothing. Details, Citrine. Details!

Citrine: Well, it's like it sounds. It all started with scouting by Fennel's catering company, then stores on patrol routes by officers who provided security for Basil on more than one occassion...it all leads back to him.

Spangle: So it does.

Spangle: Question is, how to prove it? He's hardly going to agree to an interview now!

Citrine: He doesn't need to. I've got feelers out. If there's any connection, I'll find it.

Spangle: ...I'm not sure that's wise.

Citrine: Oh, because poking into the mayor's business was a wise idea to begin with--Spangle, I know. I'll be fine!

Spangle: I don't like it.

Citrine: I'll be fine, you big dork. And I need your eyes on this anyway so--

Volcano: Citrine. We need to talk.

Citrine: --uh. Sure? Is..everything okay?

Volcano: No.

Volcano: I got a call from the Mayor's office. What is it you're after digging into his wife's company records for?

Citrine: Wha--he called you?!

Spangle: Okay, that's just weird. That timing can't be coincidence.

Volcano: I doubt it is.

Citrine: I was looking into her records because stores she served were hit days afterward. She's involved, and he's involved, and--

Volcano: Do you have any proof of that?

Citrine: No! No yet, but I'll get it.

Spangle: ...Volcano, what's wrong? What did he tell you?

Volcano: in very unpleasant terms, I was told to get my "nosy reporter" off this thread, or we'd all pay for it.

Citrine: He--

Volcano: Citrine, I'm sorry. But unless you have legitimate proof, you're going to have to let this one go.

Citrine: Oh for crying out loud!

Spangle: Volcano! We don't bend to bad people!

Volcano: You and I don't, but it's not us at the Newscast anymore, Spangle. We're a small part of a bigger paper. Either we fold or we fold.

Spangle: You can't be serious!

Citrine: She is! And so is Basil--oh, that rat hasn't changed at all! That's it, I know he's involved now!

Spangle: We need time to prove it. Volcano, there has to be something you can do?

Volcano: My hands are tied. I'm sorry. Pack up everything you have by the end of the day. This report is shelved.

Citrine: ....fine. Fine! But I'm not done with it. He can't control what I do off the clock!

Volcano: Citrine. Let it go.

Citrine: Let it go, let it go--everyone always tells me to let it go! Well I'm not going to! He's got too much to answer for!

Spangle: Not least of all intimidation of journalistic integrity. Does freedom of the press mean nothing?

Volcano: I don't know. I can only tell you we've been told to let go, or be let go. ANd since we all have bills to pay...

Citrine: Fine. Fine!

Citrine: I'll do this myself.

Spangle: Citrine, hang on--aaaaand she's gone. *sigh* That's familiar, isn't it?

Volcano: Don't start.

Volcano: You were worse than I was back then, and look where we ended. if she follows this the way we followed that lead...

Spangle: I know.

Spangle: That's what worries me.

Citrine: The worst part is this is right up Basil's alley! Forget checks and balances, he wants everything shut down!

Fern: How did he even find out about Obscuro...that's not something that gets out easily...

Citrine: Does it matter?

Fern: Yeah, it does. If even civilians are finding out about him, there's a leak and we have a problem. A much bigger problem than just a corrupted mayor.

Citrine: Great. I can't do anything about that. I can't even take down Basil now!

Citrine: If he's got the Newscast by the throat, I can't ask questions as a journalist which means no off the record which means no one'll talk to me!

Fern: Maybe that's a good thing.

Citrine: What? What is that supposed to mean?

Fern: It means that attracting Basil's attention means attracting Obscuro's attention. And that is the last thing you, or Peridot, needs right now.

Citrine: That's--stopping him before he can do anything is better than doing nothing and letting it happen, isn't it?

Fern: You can't stop Obscuro, babe. He's the embodiment of all things evil in the world. The best you can do is keep your head down and prepare.

Citrine: ...so I'm just supposed to let it go? Let him get away with things because of who gave him the power to do them?

Fern: Yes? *sigh* Look, Cit, the Crystal line is a key to letting him out. Sanguine and Nightshade knew that, so they couldn't kill you until they had a way into the Abyss. We don't know if Basil knows that or--or even how much he knows! We can't chance him finding out.

Citrine: ...

Fern: At least not until Peri's ready to defend herself. The best thing we can do is keep it quiet, stay quiet, until we're more prepared.

Citrine: ...and let him get away with this?

Citrine: With flouting the law like it doesn't matter, all because he's got power behind him?

Fern: Yes! No! I--*sigh* Babe, listen. You have to pick your battles wisely. Fighting all of them just wears you out, leaves you open. You can't fight the world all at once.

Fern: We can't take on Obscuro--all the Hunters in the world can't take on Obscuro!

Citrine: That's why we need to stop Basil! Stop him from getting through!

Fern: That's not our fight either!

Fern: Babe, you got this info. I'll pass it back to the Hunters and the Council and they can--

Citrine: The Council? The same council that let Mantis exile you? The same council that would have let us die? That would have killed Scarlet? No. No, I don't think so.

Fern: Citrine...

Fern: They're not--this isn't--

Citrine: It's our fight because of Peri's place in that vision. I am not letting some old men sitting out of this world handle it. Not when I can still do something about it.

Fern: Citrine...you're not prepared for this kind of fight. Neither am I. The best we can do is get out of the way.

Citrine: *huffed sigh* I'm not sticking my head in the sand, Fern. You do that if you want, but I'm not letting some overgrown bully scare me off now.

Fern: Hey! That is not fair and you know I didn't mean it like that!

Citrine: I need to make a call. I'll see you at home.

Fern: Citrine! Will you just--

Fern: Hey! Will you listen to me for a second?

Citrine: ....

Fern: You're taking this too personally, and you can't see the bigger picture. Getting too involved in this is just going to get you in trouble. That won't help Peridot. Please.