A long farewell (Closed Morion, Sulfur, and several others)

[Morion]

Empire City
And in the middle of the city, its Gem Lord and Protector's base
Or home...
The M Tower - as some Gems called it
A giant skyscraper, glass and steel "human Spire", a bit upgraded and fortified with scavanged Gem tech, and a stollen Warp Pad in its great hall
The Smoky Quartz's home and base
And the residency of several Gems
The Smoky Quartz, the Morion
The Fire Opal, "Chip", the Eternal Flame, the Rising Phoenix
The Spider Web Jasper, Spider
The Herald of Pink Diamond, the Fusion Gaspeite
Tho' she not lived inside the building, but Black Star Diopside, the Gem Bounty Hunter sometimes parked her cloaced ship next to the skyscraper...
It wasn't their home, but Morion provided and reserved rooms/homes for Gems like Morganite, Lady Chyrsocolla, Bloodstone, Obsidian (with a shovel^^),; Amber; Carbide and even Her Majesty's, White Diamond's Grand Inquisitor, his excellency, the exalted Opalite!
The M Tower was a big building, with plenty of empty rooms... it was a small price for the City's safety that the Smoky Quartz provided; he protected Empire city from Humans, Rebels and Monsters alike... and it was the center of his web of influance (and the beating black heart of his criminal empire)
And the home of lots of humans.
His Humans...
The security was tight (the usual thugs in shades and suits, headsets, patrolling in pairs) and not-so-hidden cameras watched the corridors
The guards were armed... columbian and Jamaican thugs
It was a mini-Spire, well guarded fortress
A base
But a luxurious home in the same time...
Before the building there was a huge crater, and in it a huge black monolith with golden names. A lot of names...
The victims of the Crystal Gem villain Heliotorpe, the Crimson Death's rampage... a sad monument.

Morion was on the top, in his office, in his humanoid form, but not Gem "armor"
He was a tall ('Quartz tall^^) Gem (but not bulky like a Jasper or Amethyst, his kind was slender) with long grey hair and silver eyes. It was evident, he was wearing real, human clothes, - black silk suit - Italian with maching shoes - shirt, tie and cane. - it wasn't his projection, since the shirt and vest hided his Gem.
His skin tone was a bit grey...ish, like the smoke, but he could pass as a caucasian man. One hand rested on his cane, in the other was a glass of whisky.
The Smoky quartz watched his city



The Guards had specific orders to shoot on sight in case of certain Gems...
But Sulfur wasn't one of them... but the known Crystal Gems, like Light Mocha Pearl for example were a completly different cases

[Sulfur]

(music for sulfur's entrance :3 www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWqKPWO5T4o )

A black limousine scooted up in front of the M tower. Looking out of the window of his vehicle Sulfur looked very out of place. Wearing Japanese street clothes he didn't exactly look like he would own such a car. With him was Howlite, one of his affiliates. He also had some hostages from the rebel group known as the crystal gems. These rebels included Light, a pearl whom he had given Morion before. Sulfur had assumed that the pearl had fled. He then, recaptured the poor gem and used him to test Howlite's character. The other gem seemed to have two gems, one in each hand. This gem was Padparascha, a crystal gem that Sulfur had hunted down a while back.  As he stepped out of the Limo something became apparent to him.

"A simply shape shift outfit will not be classy enough for my first visit..." Sulfur said, rubbing his chin. "Howlite, hold the bubbles if you may!"

Sulfur then started to dance down the block, an odd gesture that caught some attention. Sulfur used this to his advantage as a man in a suit had also locked eyes with him. Sulfur danced toward the man and grabbed his hands. Dancing with Sulfur of course bothered the man, making him uncomfortable. Sulfur then used shapeshifting abilities to cause a sort of black sludge to come from his eyes. This petrified the man as sulfur leaned down with the man in his arms. Unbuttoning all of the buttons on the man's suit Sulfur started to swing the man back and forth. With a charge Sulfur dumped the man into a dumpster. Having a good grip on the man's suit, it was left in Sulfur's hands. Quickly changing into the outfit with the use of a nearby abandoned alley, he was on his way. On the way he saw a rose bush. Skillfully snatching one up between two fingers as he walked toward the entrance. He was about to put the rose in his suit but put it in his hair instead in a girly sort of way. He then entered the tower.

[Howlite]

Howlite cackled as Sulfur danced. "Yeah I'll hold 'em. So who are we exactly seeing again? Some kinda Quartz right? What's his status? Would I be allowed to... You know?" He made a slicing motion with his hand. He then looked at Pearl's bubble. "You may never forgive me for this but one day you'll understand. One day you'll come to realize just what I've done for you. I have not done wrong by you and I want you to behave here. Last thing I need is for you to die just after I save you.". Then he looked back at Sulfur. "Lead the way boss."

[Morion]

The guards watched Sulfur...
But the orders were orders
So they let the Gem pass... with his companion
The elevator ride was pretty quick, with the usuall nice elevator music
The Smoky Quartz waited them; the duble doors opened... he was in one of the living rooms




Morion was in his chair, watched the duo as they arrived; crimson flames danced in the fireplace, their orange light painted dark shadows across the room
The Assassin rested one of his hands on his cane... the cane that was painfully familiar to Sulfur, since Morion used that cane as a weapon to beat the Gem, before sliced him half with his scimitar
In the other hand, there was a glass of whiskey

"Sulfur... please come in"

His voice was calm, dark and cold
So the usual^^

[Sulfur]

As sulfur passed by he winked at the guards, knowing that they had previously been ordered to shoot him on sight. Sulfur kept Howlite in arm's reach as they got onto the elevator. Their ascent was quicker than he had imagined, a huge improvement to his shabby elevator at the manor. The elevator music however was daunting. It for some reason bothered him, he clawed at his hair as they ascended.

Upon entering the grand room Sulfur couldn't help but do a little spin in the air. Using his floating abilities he landed gracefully one foot after the other. He plucked the rose from his hair and took a quick whiff before proceeding through the doors. Sulfur smirked at the cane, he had seen canes like it thousands of years ago. They brought back painful, yet pleasantly nostalgic memories. This cane in particular he remembered clearly.

"Oh It's a pleasure to finally see the inside of your fortress Smoky Quartz!" Sulfur exclaimed with a wide arm gesture. "I have this time brought you two crystal gems, your pearl who I assume has fled, and a new one! I do hope you like them, if not I do hope you give the verdict for me to shatter them!"

Sulfur smiled as he took the bubbles from Howlite and handed them to Morion. He floated on his side in the air, eagerly hoping for the word to shatter the gems. He then turned and looked at Howlite.

"Oh this is Howlite, one of my affiliates in my work, he has been eager to see you!"

[Howlite]

Howlite took one look at Morion and was confused. "Hold on.... You're Smoky Quartz? I don't think so. Sulfur always described him as powerful and frightening but when I look at you... You don't scare me at all." He then eyed his whiskey. "You wouldn't happen to have any more of that would you?" Then he saw the cane Sulfur mentioned before. "That's the-?" He bursted into laughter. "HE poofed you? HIM?" He laughed uncontrollably. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be laughing. Now then.... Let's get to dealing. We have 2 hostages that would prove very valuable to you. What I wanna know is" He smirked. "What exactly do I get out of this?"

[Morion]

The Smoky Quartz emptied his glass

"A weak man uses threats. A powerful man has no need for threats. If you confront a man with the threats of force and he concedes, it is because he fears you. The threat was unnecessary. Never threaten an enemy. It will anger him. A man who has been threatened feels the need to do something to erase the stain on his honor. If you have the force to destroy an enemy, destroy him. A living enemy is dangerous. A dead enemy is dead. Better to have a graveyard of dead enemies than a single angry one."

The Assassin murmured then stood up

"So, you are a Howlite. I'm afraid we haven't had the pleasure to meet before... let me intorduce myself! I am a Smoky Quartz, from the Morion variant - Facet-7F2R Cut-8YQ; Her Majesty's Blue Diamond's loyal servant, In the past fifteen millenia, I was, and I AM her eye... I am her Wrath! Currently lended for a few missions to Her Majesty, White Diamond... you can say, I'm a licensed hunter, assassin of our Matriarchs"

Morion bowed his head a little with a Diamond salute

"...and I am now the Gem Lord and protector of Empire City. Welcome to my Domain little Howlite..."

The Gem porued a glass to Howlite
Then examined the gifts

"Pearl Pearl Pearl... dear, stupid little Pearl. And this other one? Tell me about them..."

He asked then handed the glass to Howlite

"...but first, about your little Howlite friend my Sulfur! He is the replacement of your Blue Quartz "servant"? Whats happened?

[Sulfur]

Sulfur looked at Howlite with an expression of shock, which faded to relief as Morion seemed to not be offended.

"Yes, that is true... it is always best to eliminate enemies... you cannot have them simply roaming about, plotting your demise."

Sulfur watched uneasily as the two exchanged alcohol. He was a lightweight and became uncomfortable.

"The other gem is named Padparascha, apparently a fusion, she was hard for me to track down compared to most rebels... but she eventually gave in, still she is quite a flighty gem, be wary when releasing her." Sulfur said, gesturing toward her bubble. Then at Morion's next question Sulfur's face was a mixture of emotion. He seemed happy to be called a friend, but uncomfortable about the suggestion that Blue Quartz was his servant or replaced.

"Well, I did talk to her as you asked, she declined as... she is not welcome in homeworld. I however have placed a watchful eye on her, she will be serving as my affiliate, serving homeworld through you and I undercover!" Sulfur grinned and straightened his tie. "Howlite is no replacement, I simply have multiple allies, you need them to survive in the middle of a war... also.. there are some reasons I have come. What will we done of Obsidian? Her opinions annoy me... I want justice to be served, maybe by my own hand!"

[Howlite]

Howlite grinned as Motion gave him the drink. "Yes I'm one of Sulfur's allies. But I'm not a replacement. No. More like a new addition." He then heard the name Obsidian. "An Obsidian giving you trouble? Why not let me do it? A few days on my ship... I'll have her talking like a song bird. After that you do what you wish. I hope you'll consider. I always love to break live ones. They truly appreciate the fear and impending suffering that follows." Then he looked back at Morion. "Now about the hostages. I can't help but notice that if I give them to you, you're the only one who benefits. Why shouldn't we just give it to someone else and actually get something out of it?"

[Morion]

"Justice..."

The Smoky Quartz nodded to Sulfur
But did not went in to details...
...yet
Then his silver eyes watched the Howlite, listened his words

"Benefits...? Let this be a fair trade then..."

Morion turned to the window, watched his City

"I will pay you with a lesson, little Howlite! A valuable one! So listen carefully! My lasson is for you: Never presume a man is incapable of treachery. If one man is capable of it, all men are capable of it. But you do not need to fear all men. You only need to concern yourself with men of cunning, strong heart, will and determination. These men are capable of true treachery. Other men are only capable of low treachery. Weak men are not capable of true treachery; neither are men of low means. Only those who are brave are capable of it. The cowardly do not have the stomach for it. Men of weakness will always wait for another to take risks. This is the way of the world. Great men may employ weak men to spill blood for them, however. Even still, do not confuse the hand for the blade; it still belongs to a man of means and will. It takes power to convince another man to take risks. More than anything, you must fear those upon whom you have bestowed great favor, those you hold close and capable men of courage and will. Do not fear men who are distant, or who bear you ill will. The desire to rule has always been greater than the desire for revenge."

The Assassin turned to his guests, hands resting on his cane

"Do not fear your enemies. Only a friend can betray you."

Morion looked to the floating Gem

"My Sulfur, it is clear to me, this little Howlite is nothing more than a mercenary, if he would be a Loyal, he would greeted me with a proper intorduction... he did not. I was willing to "not to hear" his first.... suggestion about payment for your gifts to me... but I will not tolerate the second."

The Assassin looked to Howlite, but he talked to Sulfur when said:

"Poof him"

[Sulfur]

Suprisingly, Sulfur didn't seem at all agonized by this request. He calmly whipped two blades from his gem. Looking at Howlite from the corner of his eye he spoke to Morion.

"Very well Smoky Quartz... I apologize that he has assumed that I was searching for something in return... I do not ask favors until I have earned them." Sulfur said, beginning to walk toward Howlite. "Don't worry my friend, Smoky Quartz will not shatter you, or else he would have asked me to do it."

Sulfur anticipated that although Howlite was loyal, he may try to resist. As Sulfur lunged toward him three blades whipped around behind his target. The three blades came at Howlite from behind silently with little warning. Not to mention Sulfur's slice from the front as a distraction.

[Howlite]

Howlite was confident as ever. Suddenly the Quartz said to poof him. "Sulfur let's not do anything we're gonna regret." He dodged his frontal attack. He smirked when suddenly a blade pierced from his back and poked out of his chest. He started laughing. Then his form vaporized and his gem hit the floor. Howlite was rather conflicted about this. Sulfur never said that he couldn't be himself. Then why would he bring Howlite if he knew the Quartz wouldn't like him? Howlite was very confused but he knew one thing for sure. That Smoky Quartz would one day be on Howlite's table.

[Morion]

The Smoky Quartz walked to the Gem, poked with his cane, then picked up the howlite

"The War is Over. Every Rebel will pay the price. And these dirty "independent" Mercenaries are rebelled too... You talked about justice my Sulfur, and Justice shall be served."

He bubbled the Gem

"Just out of curiosity... would you shatter this one for for me if I ever ask it my Sulfur?"

Morion walked pass Sulfur, and watched the three floating bubbles

"Regardless of your answer, you served me well ..."

He nodded

"...where did you found this one? By the way, he mentioned a ship... am I right? We could really use a good ship... did you saw it? Or know where it is?"

[Sulfur]

Sulfur watched Howlite's bubble with an unreadable expression. He listened to Morion's words, only now seeming uncomfortable.

"Smoky Quartz, he is but a defective gem who knows not what he should do! He is not one of this dark and cunning mercenaries that you speak of... He wants to work with me and the rest of my group, he has compromised several a time for me!"

Sulfur clenched his fists.

"Smoky Quartz... This gem is very useful to me, I hope that you see the same potential or feel the same pity about him as you do about me, if you don't I hope that you trust me to teach him. If he must be shattered however... I will take responsibility."

Sulfur became more and more uncomfortable but was still determined to be docile.

"I found him right here in this city, near a theatre." Sulfur said softly. "A ship... I have been on his ship, it should be near my diner I took him there once and he... like you... enjoys human alchohol. Do you need it? I'd assume a gem of your status has no need for an extra vessel. At any rate, I didn't bring you here solely to discuss Howlite, I also wanted to discuss our hunt of Obsidian, and you did want to see my crystal ball, yes?"

[Morion]

"He is defective..."

Morion murmured

"...a defective Gem with a ship...."

Something was not right

"Perhaps you are right my Sulfur... maybe this little Howlite only needs time and a good mentor. Having an apprentice could be good for you."

He walked to his desk, and from a box, Morion gave a little device to Sulfur. It was a frame like socket, clearly human design"

"Very well my Sulfur! You can have Howlite. My human Peridots designed this little trinket; lets call this an obedience collar. Actually a cute little bomb, designed to blast the gem out from her projected body. A press of a button, and the Gem in question is poofed. Not as advanced as our Gem destabilizers, but effective enough. Could be deadly tho'. 8 out 10 Crystal Gem survived the testings.  It is up to you... use it on Howlite if you want, or if you don't really trust him. Your choice. Train your Howlite to be an obedient Gem! Be a good mentor!"

With a wave of his hand, Morion sent the greyish bubble to Sulfur

"But I will confiscate his ship, mostly becasue of safety reasons... don't worry, it will be safe in one of our hangars."

Morion sat down in his chair

"Obsidian's case is... delicate. And not entirely my call. Seek out Carbide, she will tell you everything. After all, this is her "project". We are still in the planning part, and I am sure, she could use your help my Sulfur..."

He nodded

"As for your loyalty... your reward will be nothing less than the ressurection of your kind"

The dark Gem leaned back in his chair

"The past months my Humans gathered enough technology and data to restore an Injector. With your template, we could make Sulfurs on another Planet, far from the eyes of the Diamonds. As I promised a future for my Humans for their loyal servitude... I will promise a future for your kind too. If you want, of course. The choice is yours.