Archive of Our Own ^beta

Jewel Land… Under the reign of the 33rd Queen at the time…

Topaz: I absolutely REFUSE to step off!

Jasper: Oh for heaven’s sake, Topaz! NO ONE is going to vote for you! AT ALL!

Topaz: Then I’ll MAKE THEM REMEMBER OF MY STATUS AS THE FIRST PRINCESS!!!

Jasper: You’re not exactly “the princess” anymore, after our mother passed on! This happens to EVERY Jewelpet who was born from royalty!

Topaz: Either way, I’m not willing to lose to that fox who has her head in the clouds!

Jasper: I know we’re technically prince and princess, but that comes with responsibilities and integrity… and if Jewel Land doesn’t accept coexistence, I fear that we’ll be doomed without any improvements or support in the long haul… just please listen for ONCE…

Topaz: I’ll win this election, so I can revert the changes that the current queen has made.

Jasper: Okay, be honest here. When have you EVER won a single election? More crucially, there’s more purpose in life than being queen. 

Topaz: I’m going to win, either way. I have a FAR better speech than last time!

Alicia: Jasper, why is Topaz always talking about the ambition of being queen?

Jasper: That’s her only purpose in life. Why had Mother planted that seed in her…? 

Alicia: Your argument kinda reminds me of… me and my older sister…

Jasper: Oh no, we didn’t mean to! It’s just… things are not as simple right now. You’re a teenager, she’s an adult, sooooo– 

Topaz: It’ll BE simple, once I win. Besides, I have a much better chance to win this election. Jade is disliked by most Jewelpets, because of her fortune telling.

Jasper: Look, even if they dislike you, they just want you to learn to be a normal person. Life isn’t just about being a princess– 

Topaz: Why don’t you take your little key and go unlock some random chest or whatever. We’re done here. -leaves arrogantly in a huff-

Jasper: -sits down on a stool, defeated- Uuugh, I can’t with this dog. I can’t…

Alicia: She’s not very reasonable…

Jasper: I’m sorry, Alicia. Jewel Land wasn’t made with a voting system that had arrived FAR TOO LATE. It was… intended to be Topaz’s playground, because Mother kept feeding her some sort of fairytales or something. Our only hope now is for Jade to be elected, so my eldest sister’s rulings can be irrelevant. Besides, our current Queen has handled our kingdom very well.

Alicia: Yeah. Being able to restart inter-world trade again.

Jasper: It’s a small step to reconnecting with other worlds. But… Why does Topaz always think being a princess is her only hope and purpose? She hasn’t had that title IN PUBLIC since our mother Jewelina Crystal passed on.

Alicia: Have you ever considered that… she has built everything called ‘a fragile sense of self’ based on your mother?

Jasper: I love Mother as much as Topaz, but… it’s gotten to the point of Topaz having a complex, which has been creeping me out… 

Alicia: Your mother must’ve been a lovingly flawed person…

Jasper: Not sure, but you sound reasonable. Now, wanna grab some grubs with me?

Alicia: Sure. I can ask Kris too. Well, if Topaz lets him.

Jasper: Come on! I hear Sango has tried to make something new.

Flashback narration over! 

We cut to one of the bases of the Eternal Angels… There’s panic throughout… Everyone is wondering why Topaz hasn’t returned… An emergency briefing is therefore called and broadcasted to all the other branches.

Milky: Everybody, calm down! I know you’re all concerned for our glorious Lady Topaz!

But everyone keeps talking and arguing among themselves…

Blackfire: Hmph. What kind of leader is she? She was shit anyway!

Brownie: Shut up! You KNOW Lady Topaz is stronger than all of us combined!

Blackfire: I will INVERT you, hedgehog. Don’t start with me.

Milky: QUIET! -but no one listens-

Master Doom: Now that the leader is gone, I shall take over this cult to make sure Unikitty and Master Frown pay their debts to me!

Blackfire: You couldn’t even beat just ONE of Unikitty’s friends, or even her.

Ryl: And YOU couldn’t destroy your own younger sister.

Blackfire: Fuck you, you fat pig!

Milky: -scrunches her ridge- Alex, show them the data to shut them up. I can’t deal with this…

Alex: -sigh- Okay. -presses a button on his Jewel Pod-

A large screen is brought up showing the map of the west coast, with points dotted showing where Topaz was last seen. Everyone goes quiet when the map is brought up.

Alex: So as you can see, this is where Topaz’s communication crystal signal was last seen. The Town of Crowch. But it seems something happened that disrupted her mission.

Topaz’s marker then moves towards the sea.

Alex: Next thing that happened, she was suddenly thrown into the sea. -the marker disappears- And that’s where the communication crystal’s signal died. 

Milky: I’m hereby commencing a mini search party to seek her. We must comb the area in which she was thrown. Who’s with me?

Brownie: I’ll go! Then Lady Topaz will finally notice me!

Alex: -eyerolls- Figured he would say that.

Milky: Absolutely not. You handle the cultists in this HQ. And DON’T mess it up. Blackfire. Since you can fly, you’ll be in this search party.

Blackfire: Uuuugh, better than being stuck with that air-blowing hedgehog and that bricky bitch next to me anyway.

Milky: You’re coming too, Ryl.

Ryl: -bows- My honor, dear Milky! I will happily destroy whoever did this to Lady Topaz… -putting on a rather unhinged look- And revel in that destruction~...

Milky: Uuuhuh. I will select the best squad for the search party, then. You are all dismissed in the meantime.

Meanwhile… 

Heartbeat…heartbeat…heartbeat…heartbeat…

??? [unknown woman]: She’s moving… I think she’s waking up!

??? [woman’s husband]: Derek, get the towel soaked in water! -inspects- What a cute terrier we have here! Is it an Aussie Terrier, Silky Terrier or Yorkshire Terrier?

??? [unknown young adult girl]: I found her lying unconscious on the beach. Never seen a dog carry a smartphone and some sort of shiny rock before. She even has these cute accessories.

??? [unknown teenage boy]: Well, here’s the towel! And I’ve cleaned everything you’ve mentioned, Big Sister Jess!

Topaz begins to feel some cool drips of water on her face and slowly wakes up.

Topaz: Uuugh.. -cough cough…mutters- Mommy…? 

Her dazed mind floats back to the moment where the first coronation of Silica happened. 

Does she still hate Silica for that? She can’t be sure. But she still wants to beat Silica up for everything, out of love obviously. 

It was the First Coronation Day… the elderly Jewelina Crystal is going to choose a successor. One of her daughters. It’s a momentous occasion! Many citizens, visitors, and Jewelpets gathered!

Crystal: -finishing her speech as she raises her hand, generating magic- In my hand, is the Chosen Crown. Whichever one of my lovely daughters gets this crown will be Jewel Land’s next queen!

Crowd claps and cheers!

Jasper: -looking down, somewhat dejected that he isn’t part of this- Hmm…

Silica: -nuzzles her younger brother lovingly- It’s okay, Jasper. Maybe if you’re lucky, I can choose you as Jewel Land’s first King.

Jasper: -feeling better- You don’t have to…

Topaz: -glares judgementally- Silica.

Silica: Eek! -stands up straight- Sorry. Didn’t want him to feel left out.

Topaz: You can’t keep looking sloppy in front of our public. The future of Jewel Land rests in a female’s hands! …Or paws…or hooves… You get the point. -she just smiles and waves to the crowd-

Silica: You’re rather confident. -smiles and waves too-

Crystal: And now, ladies and gentlemen of Jewel Land and other worlds. Let the choosing of the next queen begin!

All of her daughters stand tall, anticipating the Chosen Crown.

Drumroll, please. -silence- …I said DRUMROLL PLEASE! -drumrolls- Thank you!

Crystal: In the end, I choose…

Topaz: Come on…

Silica: -gulps-...

Carbon: -praying- Let it be me…

Chrysolite: Me… me… me…

Ruber and Apatite: -holding paws- Us, us, us!

Jasper: -clutches his key silently- ...

Topaz and her sisters anticipate… until a magic spell is casted.. and it lands on Silica! The Chosen Crown appears on the winged unicorn’s head!

Silica: Ah!

Crystal: Silica!

The crowd roars in excitement! Everyone throws up their hats and confetti showers all over the place!

Carbon: Oh well, wish me luck next time. But well… -a mild sincere smile appears- Good for you, Sil. 

Ruber: Good job, Sil!

Apatite: Congrats, Sil!

Chrysolite: I can’t wait to throw a party for you, Sil!

Silica: Mom, thank you so much!

Jasper: -runs over and gives Silica the biggest hug ever- CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Silica: Oof!!! Heheh! Jasper! -giggles-

Jasper is practically crying happily so much, he can’t articulate any words!

Jasper: Buh buh buh baaah… Ssssilicaaa!!

Silica: Jasper, thank you!! Hahaha!!

Crystal: I, Jewelina Crystal, give Silica the honor of leading Jewel Land to a bright future-

Topaz: MOMMY, YOU LIAR!!!! 

The whole area is brought to complete SILENCE…

Topaz: Why does it have to be SILICA?! YOU TOLD ME ALL OF YOUR SOB STORIES, AND PROMISED IT WOULD’VE BEEN ME INSTEAD!!!

Crystal: Pazy, baby girl… I never made any sort of “promise”.

Topaz: What about the time you told me next to my bed, saying that I’ll become the most beautiful queen in the world?!!

Crystal: Oh dear… I… I… 

Jasper: -clinging to Silica in fear- Topaz…

Apatite: Calm down, Paz! Silica won fair and square.

Topaz: SHE DIDN’T!!! SHE WASN’T THE ONE WHO IS CLOSEST TO MOMMY!!! I AM!!!

Crystal: Sweetie, I– 

Topaz: YOU LIED TO ME!!! YOU ARE THE WORST MOMMY EVER!!!!

Silica: Big Sister, we must respect our mother. Besides, I didn’t expect myself to be chosen… You KNEW it was random choice-

Topaz: -deep breath- …Fine. Congratulations, Silica…

Silica: Aww, that’s so sweet of you, Topaz. You’re such a generous sister– AHHHHHH!!!

A small beam that appears to be vortex-like strikes the Chosen Crown, causing it to become fractured on the spot…

The crowd gasps!

Jasper: -looks in horror as one piece of the crown lands on him- No…

Topaz: Consider that my gift to you… “sister”... -she grabs Silica by the horn, as she begins to turn her back trudging into the palace-

Silica: NGH!!! NONONONONONOOOOOOO!!! -starts tearing up, aware of the familiar pain- IT HURTS, IT HURTS!!

Jasper: SILICA!!! -he wants to follow, but Topaz casts a spell that pries him away from the alicorn- AAAH! -falls back with Carbon catching him- SILICA!!!

Carbon: Brother, you alright?!

Jasper: Come on! Help Silica! SHE’S OUR QUEEN! SILICA! SILICAAAA!!! -his voice echoes-

Jasper’s final cry echoes in Topaz’s mind… 

Then she feels more cold water on her face.

Topaz: Uugh… Stop it… -opens her eyes- Stop it! I didn’t ask for a shower!

She’s greeted by four faces she’s never seen before… One caucasian dad, a black mom, and their two biracial children.

Topaz: What the…?

Derek: Whoa, so talking animals are real!

Jessica: Is this what the whole propaganda of “fairy-rights” is about?

Derek: Duh! Haven’t you been keeping up with the news?

Jessica: -eyerolls- I always told you listening to the news was going to warp your mind.

Derek: Hey, at least I’m being INFORMED!

Mr. Walten: Kids, yes, the promotion from that… Ellen lady is real. But please, don’t start a fight over something so trivial. We should feed our guest first. 

Topaz: Ellen? Oh great… That’s Siren’s current human identity. These humans know about her stupid movement… -she’s suddenly handed a glass of water- Huh…?

Mrs. Walten: Here! You must be thirsty after being in all that salt water for a while! Seawater can surely dehydrate you. 

Topaz: Uh… thank you? Do these humans even know who I am?! I’m feared by the average human! -unsure if she should take the water, her paw scratching the surface-

Mrs. Walten: …You not gonna take it?

Topaz: Well… I am feeling thirsty… -takes the glass and gulps down the fresh water-

Mrs. Walten: -smiles- We get only the freshest of water from the stream! It flows into the sea at low tide and flows back during high tide!

Topaz: -wipes her mouth- I assume it’s during low tide where the water is the freshest.

Mrs. Walten: Exactly! -takes the empty glass- You are such a smart dog. 

Topaz: -blushes- Oh why, I was the smartest of my siblings. Mommy used to call me smart enough to be queen all the time… To be honest, I can’t remember the last time someone praised me.

Derek: How many siblings did you have?

Topaz: Six younger siblings.

Jessica: Must be a big litter you were in!

Topaz: Erm… Yes, you could say that. -stretches- Oooh goodness, I feel sore…

Jessica: I found you washed up on the beach. It looked like you were all alone and fending for yourself. I wonder if my own younger sister was like that, when she… left?

Topaz: I see… -she looks down to see the little makeshift doggy bed they made for her- Oooh… -frowns- This is degrading! I slept in better beds than this! -she tries to hop off but immediately winces in pain- AAH!

Jessica: D-d-don’t move! Your injuries are still healing!

Derek: -sarcastically- Well, sorry! Do we look rich to you, dog lady? I know you’re a dog for show, but don’t be so whiny. 

Mr. Walten: Derek, she’s clearly a fairy. They typically live more like us.

Topaz: -clenching her sore body, panting- Precisely… But since I can’t move too well, I suppose this will do… Holy fuck, they have figured out already?! Ugh, if it wasn’t for those damn Titans, I would’ve been able to phone for help… Wait, can I? -she reaches around, but… can’t find her Jewel Pod or Communication Crystal- Um…

Mrs. Walten: We’re storing away your belongings for the time being. To ensure you get enough rest and not focus on the fact that… your devices are damaged. Derek is currently trying to repair them as much as we can.

Derek: I like to tinker with electrical devices!

Jessica: -smugly- And shock yourself in the process.

Mr. Walten: Jessie, have more faith in your brother. -shakes his head- Kids these days…-walks away, muttering- If only Alicia is still here to be the peacemaker.

Topaz can’t quite hear the last part and just sighs…

Topaz: Unbelievable… I’m trying to destroy humanity, yet here I am. Looked after by some of them like a common dog. Ugh, might as well get some sleep first, or they’ll raise suspicions. 

In the meantime… Let’s see what those Titans are up to. This is their show after all.

T-Tower time!

Jasper: -staring at the letter longingly- Silica…

Robin: Is he okay…?

Cyborg: Dude, of course not. Topaz got his other sister killed by being a bullying bitch.

Robin: Woah, chill. I’m just as concerned as you are. He’s usually got more bravado.

Jade: But the fact that Topaz pushed Silica to the path of suicide… I can’t imagine how that must feel for poor Jasper…

Luea: Well, we kinda do actually. Before your reign as queen… Jewel Land had a different statistic of casualties…

Jade: Oh yes. Mental health issues have always been awful even back then… They were regarded as phases, even when death tolls were neverending.

Raven: But this is Jasper’s sister we’re talking about. It’s more personal.

Unikitty: Does that mean Topaz likes having dead siblings…?

Jade: I… I don’t know how to answer that. As none of us know her past life with her sisters too well.

Jasper: -rereading the letter over and over again to himself- …I miss you…

Inside his head is the laughter of his younger self and Silica…

In fact, he can never forget how badly the first coronation had gone down in history. 

The other siblings try to give chase, only for Topaz to have cast a smokescreen to disorient the crowd, and before Crystal can even react… Topaz has already dragged Silica away by pulling the latter on the horn with one paw, all the way back into the palace while poor Silica is yelping in sheer agony.  

Silica: -tears streaming down her cheeks- W-w-w-what are you gonna do to me…?

Topaz: -coldly smirking- TO FUCKING DISCIPLINE YOU… Our FUTURE queen!

Crystal: A-apologies for the commotion! I’ll discuss it with my children… Please enjoy your feast, everybody! 

But obviously NO ONE is going to calm down in a situation like this!

Jasper: -in hysterics- Silica! SILICA!!!

Ruber: Jasper, get a hold of yourself! It’s gonna be okay!

Jasper: -bawling- IT’S NOT! IT’S NOOOOOOT!

This lasts for two hours, and in the end the panicking crowd only disperses when guards start sending each member home… 

Jasper, despite being older by this point, keeps screaming and yelling like a cub… 

Two hours later, Topaz returns to the hallway, where she brushes off her ruffled arm’s fur nonchalantly. The other sisters immediately confront her.

Carbon: Topaz, where’s Silica?!

Ruber: Yeah, is she okay?

Apatite: You can’t just drag our sister away like that! What’s wrong with you?!

Chrysolite: And now everyone is aware that you are Mom’s golden child. It doesn’t look good for a party girl like me!

Carbon: We need our sister back! C’mon, where is Silica, and what have you done to her?!!

Topaz: -sharply smirks, while licking the traces of redness off her arms and paws- Do you want to be the next target for my ever-improving military discipline regime?

Her remaining younger siblings all stand still, aware of what she’s done to Silica already. 

Apatite: How… how could you…? She’s the next one in line…

Topaz: -playfully giggles- A bad queen must be punished, teehee~. She’ll get over it.

Apatite, Ruber, Carbon, and Chrysolite can’t believe their ears…

Carbon: You’re… you’re insane…

Topaz: Well, Silica was being mean to me~. And unless you want to end up like her too, Carbon, I suggest you all stay in line. Besides, once Silica’s reign as queen is over, any of us could be next.

Apatite: But you can’t decide how the system picks the queen. YOU agreed to this system too!

Topaz: I didn’t. Mommy didn’t tell me. 

Ruber: Huh? Mother gave you a different version?!!

Topaz: Oh, how naive of you to say, Ruber. Yes, she said I was going to be NEXT. -immediately changes gears- Now! Where’s Jasper~?

Apatite: He doesn’t want to see you.

Topaz: Well, his loss! Hahaha~!

Apatite really wants to make a move, but she decides against it thanks to Ruber holding her back…

In the throne room…

Crystal is… comforting Jasper like a cub… It’s obvious what happened practically made his mind regress…

Jasper: Mommy… did you tell Topaz something…?

Crystal: -gently giving him headscratches- Yes… I really planned for her to become queen…  It’s just… the crown decided otherwise. It’s not my fault. 

Jasper: Mommy… are you sure is this not your fault? Why is Topaz suddenly mad at all of us?

Crystal: I love you all. Of course I won’t be at fault for something like this. She just needs her time to calm down. 

Jasper: I don’t want her to be queen anymore… Why would you tell her that she could be queen?

Crystal: I… I don’t know.

Anyway, Shikamarokun feels the need to interrupt this gloomy flashback [which no one can see anyhow!] with something lighthearted. 

Shikamarokun: Man, I miss eating ramen. 

Luea: -ponders- Hmm, yeah. The only Japanese place we eat at is Moonstone Sushi Bar & Restaurant.

Beast Boy: Yo, you’s got a problem with me and Peri’s restaurant?

Peridot: Yeah! You got a problem-desu?!

Luea: No no! We have ZERO problems! But we do want some ramen, since I don’t want everyone to get bored by... excessive sushi. 

Apatita: That’s a sudden but welcomed pivot. Thanks Dad, I’ve been so burned out by policing duties, we should really spend more time as a family. 

Robin: What do you suggest, deer man? Is it gonna be expensive?

Shikamarokun: No, it’s surprisingly affordable! -shows his phone- Even got good reviews!

Luea: -reading the sign- “Walten Ramen”. Interesting name.

Shikamarokun: Owned by a biracial couple. How’s some diversity?

Robin: Well, what are we waiting for?

Luea: Absolutely nothing! Let's go!

Everybody: Yeah!

At least everyone can agree on one thing… for once!

Cyborg: Hold up! Let me go get Opal! -races to his room-

Io: -munching on the yakisoba bread he was promised- I’m in heaven-dachi. -looks at Opal, who is staring out the window- Want some, Princess?

Opal: No thank you, Io. I don’t want to spoil my lunch. -ponders-

Not much else was said about her connection to Silica since yesterday’s events at Crowch. Everyone has agreed to let Jasper enjoy the nostalgia of his sister after Topaz’s defeat at the clocktower. But the thought of herself being based on Silica still bothers the alicorn.

Opal: Am I nothing more but… an imitation…?

Cyborg: -bursts into the room- Yo! We’re heading out of town to a ramen restaurant! You coming with?

Opal: -turns around, putting on a more positive expression- Oh… I see! 

Cyborg: -pats Opal’s back- Also, don’t let that big revelation bother you too much. I’m sure you were born with a purpose, regardless of who you’re based on. 

Opal: Oh… no, Victor. I wasn’t thinking about that.

Cyborg: Oh, really? Dang. I must’ve jumped into conclusions – shouldn’t be prying into your mind! Let’s go feast on some noodles then!

Opal: Yes, let’s go indeed... Come along, Io!

Io: I’m gonna be a noodle-dachi!

Soon enough, after parking the T-Car… the gang has arrived at their destination!

Robin: Quite a decent-sized place on the outside.

Peridot: -sniffs- And smells of delicious Japanese cuisine-desu! I can’t wait to promote this awesome place-desu!

Mr. Walten: -stepping outside- Ooh, we got customers!

Robin: Titans! Formation! We are…

Silly group pose!

“THE TEEN TITANS!!!”

Jasper: -awkwardly on the side- Hello…? Am I only the additional mascot today?

Ruby: You never rehearsed this with us.

Mr. Walten: Hello hello! Are you all just passing by or striking poses?

Raven: Oh, no! We're actually about to walk in, sir!

Mr. Walten: Well! -stands aside- Come on in! We'll get you all settled.

The Titans and Jasper all pile into the establishment!

Mrs. Walten: Welcome! Please have a seat anywhere!

Ruby: Hm! Nice place!

Diana: It's a little ‘middle class’ for my tastes. But it’s acceptable.

Opal: -rolls her eyes- You and your ‘upper class’ tastes.

Mr. Walten: Derek! The menu!

Derek rushes in with a stack of menus as the Titans all get seated!

Derek: Plenty for everyone!

Mr. Walten: -spots Shikamarokun- Oh! It’s you! I almost didn't spot you.

Shikamarokun: I told ya I'd come back with some friends. -winks-

Mr. Walten: -shakes Shikamarokun’s... well, I can't say hand. his hoof- I knew you would fulfill your promise!

Luea: -eyes Shikamarokun- You’ve been coming here and you never told us?

Shikamarokun: Correction! I came here just ONCE. This is my second time!

Luea: You’re a mystery to me, sometimes. Was it something to do with your deer whisperer job?

Shikamarokun: Yup! My job took me here! Some of the deer got to eat leftover vegetables from this place, so they totally recommended it to me.

Mrs. Walten: That was the strangest day we had, but we had to get rid of the leftovers at some point!

Mr. Walten: Hey, it doesn’t matter. I just wanna get to know you folks! Also who’s this girl with the black hair? She looks familiar.

Mrs Walten: Dear! That isn’t how you ask a customer!

Mr Walten: Whoops! No worries dear I’m not flirting! 

Derek: You guys look a little weird.

Mrs. Walten: Derek!

Robin: Well, that's because we're the Teen Titans.

Unikitty: And us Lego creatures are the Unigang!

Mr. Walten: Teen Titans? You mean that group I've been seeing in the news?

Luea: Yes, that's us.

Mrs. Walten: Forgive us. We don't get much action outside the city.

Jessica: -enters the scene- These ARE the actual Titans?! When have they expanded? Who are those children? By the way… who’s the girl with the black hair?

Raven: Why is no one able to recognize me with my hood off, when everybody else has been seeing my REAL face in public so many times at this point?!!

Robin: We've been expanding in the last few years. With THIS Snowball as the most annoying team partner I’ve ever had.

Ruby: I resent that!

Luea: Can it, you two.

Raven: Me? I'm just called Raven. Why do you ask?

Jessica: Sorry. I just got curious.

Derek: I thought Raven only had a black face.

Raven: That's because I always wear my hood usually. -she puts on her hood- See?

Derek: Oooh, I get it now!

Mr. Walten: Alright, Jessica. Come on. Off to the kitchen, so we can start cooking up a storm.

Jessica: You got it. -heads into the kitchen with her parents-

Derek: Any drinks?

Angela: I imagine most of us are ordering sodas or water. But give Sunset and Skywynne orange and apple juice respectively-paca!

Sunset: Hey, I can drink soda too! I also hope there’s almond milk here.

Skywynne: -eyerolls- Every time you have a soda, you go crazy.

Raven: Sunset, not every place serves alternative milk. They’re my… -shyly- sweethearts. -dreamily rubbing Eclipse’s head- There’s also my toddler son, Eclipse.

Derek: Nice folks!

Mrs. Walten: Alright, young man. Get everyone their drinks.

Derek takes everyone’s drink orders and dashes to the kitchen!

Raven: Those two kids are nice people. Unlike the ungrateful jerks from the city centre.

Mrs. Walten: We’ve spent most of our lives here. It’s rare for us to go to the city.

Mr. Walten: Mainly due to the economy… we’re not that wealthy, you can tell. 

Luea: Reminds me of a girl I know. You’re as delightful as her.

Angela: I remember now. She has always been eager to go into the city and beyond-paca.

The rest of the Titans are curious now! Though Jasper is aware of whom Angela and Luea are implying. 

Mrs. Walten: Who’s this girl?

Luea: It's a distant memory now. We once met somebody who was that cheerful.

Ruby: I recall it! Her name’s Alice, isn’t it?

She’s interrupted by Derek coming in with the drinks!

Ruby: Oh, fantastic! I haven’t drank ramune in a while!

Mrs. Walten: We did have a daughter named Alicia, not Alice… 

The Jewelpets go silent.

Unikitty: If it’s not Alice who’s gone to Jewel Land, well! I bet she’s gone to wonderland!

Master Frown: Oh my god, this is such a tone-deaf reference right now, UNIKITTY.

Brock: Erm, I think we should just order our food. I’m ready to order.

Robin: Same! I would like… -explains his order-

One by one, each of the Titans orders their food… the Jewelpets saying their orders in rather uneasy tones. 

Luea: Ummm… curry tofu ramen?

Ruby: Yeah, I’ll go for the deep fried chicken katsu option… 

Opal: The one with grilled mushrooms and seaweed, please… 

Io: Yaki…soba-dachi…

Cyborg: Io being unenthusiastic about yakisoba? The heck is this witchcraft? Spicy seafood ramen for me?

Mr. Walten: -writing down each order- Okay… Will there be anything else?

Luea: No. Take your time.

Raven: And Sunset, don’t you even dare to select the spicy ones. Be a good role model for your younger siblings here. Especially when there’s no alternative milk here. 

Sunset: -pouts, guilty as charged for being exposed by her mom- Fine, Mommy… I’ll pick cheese ramen, please. 

Mrs. Walten lingers her sight longingly on the Logan kids a little too long, before going into the kitchen – which Raven notices. 

Raven: -elbows Luea- Soooo, Sis… 

Luea: Hm, you alright?

Raven: My maternal instincts are telling me, this poor family is grieving…

Luea: Oooh, whenever it’s motherhood-related, you have a rise in empathy. Good one, Rae. 

Raven: Compliment from you aside… it seems they’ve lost their daughter, and I can’t help but feel bad for them… 

Luea: Well, whether a mother has one child or more, each child is precious to them. I can’t imagine losing Apatita, after every single parenting mistake me and Shikamarokun had accidentally committed… 

Mr. Walten: Order up!

Cyborg: Oh, yes! Nice! Spicy seafood ramen as expected! Look at those chili-filled steams!

Beast Boy: Vegetable ramen!!

Peridot: Sugoi-desu!

Robin: You guys are fast!

Everyone slurps up, almost immediately forgetting about what they were about to say.

Ruby: Mmm! This food is so good, I actually forgot what I wanted to say.

Luea: To be honest, me too.

From the back of the restaurant, Topaz, despite recovering from her injuries, is astonished to know the Titans are visiting!

Topaz: Oh for crying out loud!! As if being looked after HUMANS wasn’t bad enough, now the Titans are dining here! Just how much bad luck do I need to get?!

Jessica: -walks over with a tray- Heeeey, little dog. How are we holding up?

Topaz: Soreness is awful.

Jessica: Go back to rest then. Gosh, you’re just like Alicia, pushing her luck all the damn time. 

Topaz: Alicia…? No. It can't be… Can I at least have some milk tea before I head back to sleep?

Jessica: Oh yeah, bottled ones. I’ll get one from the fridge. 

Topaz: It’ll do just fine. Thank you… Why am I thanking her?! She’s nothing but human scum! …But I can’t seem to shake this feeling about “Alicia”...

Anyway, seeing how Luea is too uneasy to speak up, Raven prompts herself to help her adoptive older sister investigate. 

Raven: Soooo, Mr. Walten. You’re such a… family man! What a good, hardworking father you are!

Mr. Walten: Aww, don’t flatter me! I’m just being a flawed human doing the best I can to support my kids and wife. It’s not easy being in a biracial family, when people judge you for ‘not balancing different cultures’ and ‘opening a Japanese restaurant to copy what the weebs do’. 

Raven: Oh, who cares what the naysayers say? I certainly don’t. With how good this food is, I say you guys are winners at the end of the day.

Mr. Walten: Heh! How flattering! If only our missing daughter was here to hear your wise words… 

Topaz: -hear ear twitches, and she decides to lean on the door to listen after receiving the bottled milk tea- What’s this?

Raven: We can drop the topic, if you’re not comfy. I mean, as a mom myself, losing any of my children can be devastating. 

Mr. Walten: So, is Sunset your middle child?

Raven: Heh, so many people really have this perception, due to her personality. But nah, Skywynne is the middle one. 

Mr. Walten: Alicia was our second one after Jessica. Now I think it makes sense with the second daughter having a more serious personality. 

Jessica: Admittedly, she and I always had our differences.

Raven: Sounds like me and Sis Luea lol! -nudges Luea jokingly-

Sunset: Hey! I don’t like being called younger, just because I’m less serious!

Skywynne: They’re only joking.

Luea: -gulps her food and giggles- Yup!

Derek: But she was one of the best big sisters I could ever ask for- GAAH!

Jessica: -giving Derek a head nudge- Hey, I can be nice to you too!!!

Derek: That’s NOT being nice!

Jessica: It’s tough love!

Derek: NO IT’S NOT!

Sunset: Mommy, will Eclipse fight against me and Sky, when he grows older?

Raven: It’s alright, Sunset. Not everybody will have sibling rivalry.

Sunset: I should learn to become a big sister who won’t have a rivalry with Skywynne. -bluntly points at Jessica and Derek- I don’t wanna fight with my sister and brother like you two!

Derek and Jessica: Uuuh… Sorry…

Opal: But if I may ask. -sips her water- What happened to your 2nd child?

Mrs. Walten: -grows somber for a moment- She... went missing about nine years ago.

Raven: Nine years?

Mrs. Walten: -nods- ...Yeah… 

Once again, the Jewelpets get suspicious…

Peridot: Sounds… familiar-desu…

Diana: Oddly…

Jasper: Familiar…

Topaz: -starts pondering- 9 years ago... could it be? ... -shakes her head- No... no! It's not relevant now… -but she keeps on listening anyway-

Starfire: Sorry for the loss. What is she the like?

Jessica: Well. She and I were opposites.

Starfire: Umm I mean what does she look the like?

Diana: Star! Mind your language!

Luea: Sensitive territory alert!

Jessica: Alicia had always believed in fairytales, in a world where everyone can coexist. 

Derek: Yeah, always dreaming like “Maybe there will be a place for people who have more than one cultural heritage” or something like that. 

Jessica: Of course we know how hard it is to be biracial! I’m just more practical on advocating for CALD rights with my campaigns at school, unlike how she keeps making a fuss with mini concerts and wasting her allowance on publishing companies to publish pamphlets about a harmonious world that doesn’t exist!

Mrs. Walten: We did try to get the police to look for her. Nearly 4 years of searching, but in the end they gave up. 

Robin: Ma'am. If it's possible. We would like to search for her, too.

Mrs. Walten: Oh…?

Ruby: Don’t be ridiculous, Cockerel! If the police can’t do it, what chances do WE have?

Robin: Shut up, Snowball! We might as well make the Titans more credible to this out-of-town family!

Luea: Doing this just for reputation? Ugh. You never change, Robin…

Ruby: But what if we CAN’T find her?!

Robin: Shut up! Stop jumping into conclusions! 

Ruby: Gah, alright! No need to yell at me, Cockerel.

Mr. Walten: If you ever find her, please tell her that her family is worried.

Mrs Walten: Take a look at our family portrait. You may get the idea.

The Jewelpets are taken aback that the Walten parents are trusting them, despite having just met them.

Luea: Uh… Okay, if that’s what you want…

Peridot: Let’s hope we won’t fail-desu… 

Mrs. Walten soon brings in a family portrait.

Mr. Walten: Admittedly, the portrait is a little outdated.

Luea: -gulps- Okay… even though the girl in the middle looks younger than she is currently supposed to be, at least we have evidence. 

Raven: But we’ll try in any way possible.

Mr. and Mrs. Walten: Our sincerest gratitude.

Sunset: We will be so happy to meet her!

Jasper: -eyeing the portrait more closely- Why do I feel I’ve seen that face before…?

After finishing and paying for their food, the Titans head out!

Shikamarokun: Thanks for the grub, Mr. Walten. We'll see if we can come back another time.

Mr. Walten: -waves- Anytime! Come back soon!

Topaz has returned to her makeshift bed, but she isn’t focused on the Titans now…

Topaz: It just can't be... it can't... could it be ‘her’? -gulps down the entire bottle of milk tea- I’ll go back to sleep first… But could it REALLY be her…?

Jessica walks up.

Jessica: Hey. Sorry about that. We were busy with a large group of customers. -she places a tray down with a nice hot tonkatsu ramen- Here’s your lunch.

Topaz: Thanks. 

Jessica: -casually hands the menu over- You can pick another choice for the next meal.

Topaz: -looks through the menu- My, what a neatly designed menu this is.

Jessica: My younger  sister, Alicia, designed it… She’s been missing for nine years…

Topaz: -freezes, and looks away absently- Ali…cia?

Jessica: -nods- That’s her. 

Topaz: Okay, Alicia – the one I knew – loved fairies and everything whimsical. I might as well probe a bit. Does she like pastel-core and mythical creatures, such as unicorns and fairies…?

Jessica: Oh my god, she’s a walking encyclopedia of fairytales and fantasy! To be honest, she drove me up the ceiling at times… How did you know that?

Topaz: Uuuh, well… Do I tell her…? At this point, this has GOT to be the same Alicia… My memories of her aren’t wrong… But what should I do?! I hate humans, but does this girl deserve to hear about what I witnessed…? Fine, I’ll give a sanitized version to her… 

That flashback memory of Alicia getting killed by a fireball during Trigon’s invasion of Jewel Land really aches to remember, though…

Topaz [flashback]: ALICIA!!!!

Topaz: -bites her lips- Okay, I’ll give you a precursor, before I tell you the truth.

Jessica: -pulls up a chair- Precursor…?

Topaz: Because I think we might be talking about the same person. I don’t know. Just a dog hunch.

Jessica: …I’m listening.

Topaz: So, how did Alicia go missing?

Jessica: It was after another failed, loud-ass campaign of hers… she was getting bullied by some white jerks, and so the principal suspended her after she fought back. I scolded her, we yelled at each other, and… she ran off with only a backpack. Then… the police said they couldn’t find her. 

Topaz: Ah, Alicia did fall through a portal or dimensional rift into Jewel Land then. I wonder if it was because of Luea constantly opening portals, like they’re simple rabbit holes.You see, when somebody falls through a portal or rift, they will lose touch with every single evidence they might carry. So yes, your sister descended into my homeworld by accident. 

Jessica: Hold up, you are implying that… magic has always been real?

Topaz: You already know I’m a fairy. No need to keep denying it.

Jessica: True… I just don’t know the extent of your magic.

Topaz: I know I’m still recovering, but… -snaps her fingers- Topaz, Jewel Flash. -conjures a dream catcher- Alicia taught me how to craft these trinkets to catch dreams. She said native Americans worshipped dreams or something. -feels a sharp pain and holds her arm- Ow ow ow!!!

Jessica: -holding the dream catcher- Looks like something Alicia would make… 

Topaz: So it’s indeed the same person. Why is your sister so interested in foreign cultures and campaigns of speaking up or something?

Jessica: She has never been the type to know where she belongs. You definitely know that the USA, even when being a melting pot of different cultures, is full of racists – especially those that always mock biracials and multiracials. Black kids say we’re traitors, while the white ones mock us for not being white enough.

Topaz: Where I come from, it’s one species only. Okay, not like “everyone is a dog”. But more of the type of fairy we are. I prefer things that way, but Alicia is an exception to me. The most beautiful human in the world~

Jessica: So do you even understand what us humans with mixed heritage have been through? Because I wish my sister had listened to me on picking a more practical choice without sacrificing her concentration on schoolwork, over… changing the system that isn’t even movable in the first place. 

Topaz: You know, Alicia treated me as a person. Of course I understand.

Jessica: Really…? Because I find it hard to understand her a lot.

Topaz: When you’re a fairy, or a mixed raced human, people objectify you. They don’t see you as… autonomous. Instead, they vie after what you are apt in – Jewel Eyes, magic, artistic talents… 

Jessica: “Jewel Eyes”... -ponders-... You’re a Jewelpet, then.

Topaz: -smiles- Correct. One of the rarest fairies in the world, isolated from the human world the most. We know how dangerous most humans are, unlike you and your family, so it is difficult to trust people, obviously. 

Jessica: No wonder Alicia is so into advocacy for fairies and… ourselves… Maybe I should’ve believed in her cause more… So… With that being said… Where’s Alicia now?

Topaz: Okay… I need to… tread carefully on this. I… I don’t think she’ll be able to come back.

Jessica: What…?

Topaz: Fairies’ home dimensions might seem safe on the outset, but in reality… you never know when an outside threat is going to fuck you up, breaching your last line of defense… 

Jessica: But…

Topaz: -places her paw on Jessica’s hand- I’m sorry… -she starts to tear up- I believe she’s already perished, when my kingdom got attacked… I’m…crying… Crying in front of a human… I want to say these are crocodile tears, but…

She gets more flash memories of Alicia’s smile and laughter…

Topaz: -finally breaks down- AAAAAAHHH!!! I COULDN’T PROTECT HER!!!

Jessica: Huh?! -ends up hugging Topaz close to her-

Topaz: It’s my fault… -sniff- That demonic fireball hit her… 

Jessica: -her expression pales- …What…?! She has… died?

Topaz: -tears continue pouring down her face- Yes… that’s a simple way to articulate… she’s truly not coming back… And it’s all my fault…

Jessica: …Little dog… -suddenly hands over a rag-

Topaz: What…?

Jessica: Are you sure she’s really… gone?

Topaz: Yes… I was there, when she was turned into ashes…  FUCK, I KNOW I ENJOY GRAPHIC GORE, BUT NOT NOW!!!

Mrs. Walten, hearing the crying, runs over…

Mrs Walten: Are you alright? What’s going on?

Jessica: Mom! Uh…

Topaz: -still sobbing, incoherently- Alicia… she…

Jessica: …She’s… still out there. Might as well lie to Mom, Dad and Derek for now… I don’t think they can take it.

Mrs. Walten: What…? You certain?

Jessica: Maybe it’s just Alicia rubbing off me, but… I have a feeling she’s looking for us too… -puts on a brave face-

Mrs. Walten: Jessica…-smiles- Not sure why there’s a lot of crying, but I apologise for interrupting you two.

Topaz: No, it's fine.

Mrs. Walten heads back to the kitchen.

Topaz: Jessica lied, despite knowing the truth…? Why…? Why would you say that…? I wouldn’t do that to my own late mother… 

Jessica: -holds Topaz close- Look, I don’t want to break Mom, Dad or Derek at all. I’m just as upset too… But… I gotta be strong. And I’d rather see my family smile. Telling the truth would’ve been painful, but sometimes you gotta make sure everyone in the room is ready first. -pets Topaz- You’ve given me more closure than any policeman and detective could.

Topaz: Jessica…I’m starting to feel bad about insulting her and her family now… And I’m supposed to be an enemy to all humans! 

Suddenly… Topaz feels the sharpest pain in her head… And it’s pure agony…

Topaz: -suddenly grabs her head- AAAH! AAAAH!!!

Jessica: Huh?! Hey, what’s wrong?!

Topaz: -falls over, knocking over her bowl of ramen- My head!!! AAH!!!

Jessica: -grabs some painkillers, while cleaning up the spoiled food- MOM! DAD! Something’s hurting her!!!

Topaz: AAARGAAAAHHH!!!

Topaz finds herself in the foggy realm again…

Topaz: I’m here again… But why…?

The mysterious teenage human girl warrior reappears amid the fog. 

Topaz: Just tell me, WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!!

The figure says nothing…

Topaz: GIVE ME ANSWERS!!! -fog suddenly envelopes her- Woah! AAAH!!!

And everything goes black…

In the meantime, we go over to the Town of Crowch, as the Eternal Angels’ search party checks the clocktower.

Blackfire: -flying around the clocktower- Nothing, nothing, nothing, hate this job, fuck my life, nothing, nothing, very bored.

Milky: I object to your constant moaning, Blackfire! KEEP SEARCHING!

Ryl: -surveying some loose bricks from the previous battle- Destruction happened here… But it’s been reversed…

Milky: So a battle DID occur here… -eyeing the sea- And Alex did say her signal died as soon as she hit the water…

Ryl: So you assume that she has been cast away, like onto a stranded island?

Milky: -checks the map on her Jewel Pod- The only island for miles is the one with the distant lighthouse. Definitely not even close enough. It’s high tide right now. She can’t be swept towards the lighthouse! Wait a second… Tide… High tide… -peruses her digital map further- ... We must follow the river. The direction is that way!

Blackfire: Good. I was getting REALLY bored of flying around in circles.

Meanwhile, back to the Titans, who are now at a rental karaoke place.

Beast Boy and Peridot: Woooooooo, GO! -they start dancing-

Raven: I’m still delving into the mystery of Alicia, but you’re now singing Japanese gibberish!

Beast Boy: Raise your palms up towards the sun!

Peridot: Go! Go!

And they’re rewarded with a shadow fist!

Beast Boy and Peridot [Dumb and Dumber]: GAAAH! -music is also turned off-

Raven: You’re both ruining the vibes, idiots!

Sunset: Mommy, don’t be angry at Daddy… we like the song a lot.

Skywynne: Same same.

Raven: Why did we even come here in the first place?!

Master Frown: I won this free coupon to get 70% off, and it expires tomorrow. Soooo, might as well make use of it.

Raven: Figures…

Panning over to the Jewelpets…

Opal: I have a question… Did any of you feel something familiar when they mentioned “Alicia”?

Peridot: -walking over with a lump on her head- Yes…

Angela: -nods- Paca.

Diana: Sounds WAY too familiar.

Luea: I mean, Alicia and the Waltens’ 2nd child sound similar. But I don’t know – the Alicia we knew of was empathetic, reasonable and artistic. Yet they’ve never mentioned anything related to her in front of us.

Raven: It would have been better if we had an updated pic. I mean, when someone is grieving, they prefer not to bring up anything about the missing person. 

Ruby: Hey, Cockerel. Why didn’t you ask for an updated picture?

Robin: Why are you blaming me, Snowball?

Ruby: Because you're the leader, dummy!

Luea: Guys, don’t fight when we’re in the middle of an investigation!!

Ruby and Robin: He/she started it!

Raven: Ok, JUST LEMME ASK YOU, RUBY – what exactly does this girl look like that matches this kid in the photo! -clutches Ruby & Robin with shadow fists-

Ruby: -already turning purple- I… CAN’T… BREATHE…

Luea: The last time we saw Alicia, she looked nothing like this photo.

Raven: Really?!

Opal: Her hair is shorter than this girl.

Raven: What else?

Luea: She...has lighter skin.

Diana: And her fashion sense is WAY more mature than this kid.

Luea: -sigh- I guess this girl isn't Alicia. Meaning whoever this girl is, she's probably still out there.

Raven: -not convinced- Sure?

Luea: We're out of options.

Raven: This is a blind end for us. -smugly holds up her communicator- Unless… we check her social media! 

Peridot: -gasps and pulls out her Jewel Pod- Leave this to me-desu!!!

One efficient social media crawl later!

Peridot: So there’s her CureSta, YouTube or Shoob Tube profile, DevArt gallery, and… even Bird App and Facebook. 

Dr. Fox: Lemme follow up by analyzing the metrics with my social media AI scanner! -types in some programming- 

Puppycorn: -lights up- YOU HAVE AN AI SCANNER? So cool!!!

Dr. Fox: Yup, and the results are in! She’s an art student at high school, supports movements, and is into tons of fairies and fantasy! Her last fanfiction is a…

Hawkodile: Heck yeah! An invention that doesn’t fail us the first time!

Dr. Fox: … Guys… her DevArt gallery links to a fanfiction archive site… which might give us more clues.

Peridot: -investigates further, with EVERYONE squeezing against each other as they gather around- So she also has an AO3EE account. Wow, so many Genshin Impact, Dragon Prince, magical girl anime fanfics– oh, here’s an original work that has apparently ended exactly 9 years ago-desu!

Everybody starts reading the fanfic, but oh boy… it gets progressively sadder each chapter.

“Chapter One: The Humble Beginnings of a Hybrid

The name’s Alicia. I’m a hybrid dragon – a Chinese long and wyvern mixed breed kid. I never feel like I belong in the land of the United Dragons.

The Chinese long will spite me and call me bad names, as my family makes Japanese food. While the wyverns will also laugh at me for not looking like them.

My older sister always thinks I’m delusional. So ever since I was hatched, I have always loved reading tales about fairies – apparently they’re as oppressed as us! They’re so dang cute!”

Beast Boy: Wow, this is so edgy and dark, right off the hook… 

Starfire: She must’ve always felt the alienated. 

Cyborg: I know our country is batshit, but… wow… Who would’ve thought humans and fairies can be so alike in their struggles?

Raven: Dr. Fox, speed up to the last chapter if everything is just an original work venting about their daily fantasies. 

Dr. Fox: Sure thing! The AI scanner is a fast reader to ensure nothing is repeated to be read, if everything is the same! It can even make a summary!

Summary generated!

“Basically the whole fic is about the author using a self-inserted dragon OC to vent about how her family kept telling her to stop promoting equality and shit in the USA. So she had dug deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole of drawing fairies and unicorns, and other mythical creatures. However, the last chapter is about the OC escaping from home, pretending that he has a shitty home life!”

Luea: What in… The Alicia we knew never told us about this…

Raven: Okay, I know I sound like I’m bragging about my mom status. But… even with a materially fine and average home life… not every single aspect of the kids’ lives can be satisfied. The Waltens are indeed warm, friendly people, who surely appreciate their missing daughter’s talents, but… 

Dr. Fox: Oh, the last chapter said the OC had had enough with her family NOT SUPPORTING THEM/HE – whatever pronouns the OC uses – anymore, and uhhh… after OC got suspended from school, the older sister character dumped OC’s almost finished poster for an activism campaign into the trash. 

“Chapter 100: FUCK MY LIFE. FUCK MY FAMILY.

Today I am no longer a hybrid. 

I AM LEAVING HOME!!

TO MY HERO’S JOURNEY, AFTER MY ASSHOLE OLDER SISTER HAS DUMPED MY POSTER FOR A MIXED RACE MOVEMENT I WAS GONNA COMMENCE!!! AND MY PARENTS ONLY SUPPORTED HER SIDE?!!! FUCK EVERYTHING, FUCK FUCK FUCK!!! I WISH FAIRIES WERE REAL TO SAVE MY GODDAMN MISERABLE SOUL, WHATSOEVER!!!

Now, I’ve packed everything. Goodbye readers.”

The Jewelpets are silent for a while, while the rest of the gang is shocked… 

Robin: …Woah.

Starfire: The tragic…

Jade: -finally speaks after processing everything- I… I never thought… That this is the same Alicia we met in Jewel Land… And that she had held resentment for her family… 

The other Jewelpets, even Io, nod in agreement.

Io: She complained a lot-dachi.

Richard: Okay, now that I finally get to speak. What sorts of complaints?

Io: How her family didn’t like changing the world or something-dachi! She would say “If we don’t act, our world won’t move forward for people!”-dachi. Or something like that-dachi. What is “changing the world”-dachi?

Diana: And his train of thought is ruined by his brain… I’ll continue from here. Any time we tried to ask about her family, she just blew it off like they mean nothing to her.

Opal: Worse, if you ask about her sister… Who we now know is CLEARLY Jessica…

Angela: Now that seeing how her parents are of different ethnicities, despite being hardworking nice people, I can see where her dissatisfaction came from-paca.

Peridot: -shudders- …The more I contemplate, the more I believe she’s… gone-desu…

Luea: That’s rather harsh of you to consider, Peridot. Even for you.

Peridot: But think about it-desu! Alicia was the only person we met who ever stood up to Topaz, when needed-desu! Now Topaz is doing all this world-conquering stuff… WHERE is Alicia in all this chaos-desu?!

Luea: -taken aback at Peridot’s revelation- …I never considered that… If Alicia were here, she’d keep Topaz in order… I can’t believe I’ve forgotten!

Raven: -her face turns blue- Wait. Do you think my dad killed her…? 

Luea: Uh… Actually, I’m starting to think that is the case… like, if she got returned to Earth, Topaz would not have even fully established the Eternal Angels cult at all…

Silence falls over the Titans… Their search has…abruptly ended…

That night, the Waltens are closing up shop. But Jessica isn’t present.

Derek: -cleaning tables- Where the heck is she?! She’s supposed to help!

Mrs. Walten: Have you forgotten? The terrier started screaming in pain and passed out. She’s looking after her as it is! Poor thing…

Derek: Oh right…

Mr. Walten: Give your sister some time. -receives a call from Raven’s number- Oh right, one of our new friends. -picks up-

Derek: I guess now, I should have time to fix that smartphone. -drops the rag in the sink and heads off to his bedroom-

While Jessica watches over Topaz anxiously. She did all she could, but can’t understand what’s going on with Topaz, who’s been sleeping and groaning. 

Jessica: Please wake up…

Topaz: …Mrrgh… -weakly opens her eyes- My head…

Jessica: Oh, you’re awake!!! -hugs the terrier close- You had me so worried!!!

Topaz: -is taken by surprise- OOF! Huh?!

Jessica: A friend, regardless of species, is a friend. Alicia used to say that a lot… it’s cringe and corny, but I wish I had taken that motto seriously.

Topaz: I just woke up, but… I can’t remember the last time I was properly embraced like this… Thanks…? 

Jessica: -holds Topaz in front of her- How are you feeling now?

Topaz: Not bad, I guess.

Jessica: -wipes her tears, placing Topaz down- Thank goodness… You seem to have mentioned you have a mother?

Topaz: You could say that, yes… I sometimes doubt if she ever loved me, before her passing… Like, why wouldn’t she pick me to be queen, after telling me all of her life stories about warriors who lost instead of winning, despite their kindness?

Another flashback! On another day when the next Jewelina was decided…

Topaz: -punches the wall- Why her... Why did Jewelina choose Luea?!

Alicia: Isn’t Luea your best friend?

Topaz: She is, but... She isn't thinking like how a PROPER Jewelina should think!

Alicia: You can’t control her. Especially when it’s evident that she’s a well meaning person.

Topaz: B-b-but I had all the good results! I was the one with the better scores! How can she still be chosen?! What does she have that I don't have?!

Alicia: Be reasonable with yourself. Instead of asking why, ask yourself how to improve.

Topaz: -she sits down, taking some deep breaths-... What am I doing wrong? Nope. Nothing is wrong with me. Nothing.

Alicia: The more I hang out with you, the more arrogant you seem to be. Is it because you’ve never left this tiny kingdom before?

Topaz: -takes offense greatly- Pearl would never judge me like that! 

Alicia: Again…? You’re going to use the Pearl card again? 

Topaz: Pearl was my dead best friend, of course I love her by all means! Additionally, Mother said a REAL best friend mustn’t argue back. 

Alicia: Oh my god, am I a replacement to your unresolved trauma?!!!

Topaz: -immediately backtracks- W-W-Wait, Alicia! I didn’t mean it like that!

Alicia: You sincerely need therapy! 

Topaz: Trauma isn’t real! It’s for the weak who can’t control their magic!

Alicia: -storms out of the cottage- I don’t want to hurt your squeamish feelings, so I’m not coming back until I’ve cooled down!! -slams the door-

Flashback ends.

Topaz: …Alicia really saw through me… Granted, trauma isn’t real. At least not for me. 

Jessica: It’s real, from the moment you’ve experienced it. 

Topaz: Why are humans such as you and Alicia this insistent about TRAUMA? 

Jessica: Yes, humans as a species are not without faults. But we have also developed what we call ‘psychology’ — to understand minds better, which can better anyone from any species. It’s not a human vs fairies thing. 

Topaz: Give me an example, or I won’t buy it.

Jessica: I’ve obtained a psychology major, and I’ve understood at last why my sister left. Anybody who doesn’t receive any emotional support for their causes would often end up leaving the people who’ve given them everything…

Simultaneously, Raven finally delivers the bad news to Mr. Walten. 

Raven: From that conclusion to her social media… and the testimony from the Jewelpets… I don’t think your younger daughter is with us anymore. 

Mr. Walten: -stammering and shaking- Wh-what…?! That’s impossible! She’s probably just being in somewhere, like a homeless shelter!

Raven: Sadly I wish that was the case. But… My father is an interdimensional demon lord — yeah, something you only view as a myth. He invaded the kingdom where the Jewelpets were from, and… we have deduced that Alicia had been caught in the crossfire. And yeah… there’s no body left. We could TRY, but I doubt we’ll… have any results…

Mr. Walten: -despite all his trembling, he takes a deep breath- ....Thank you for trying…

Raven: As a parent myself, this is a grief I can relate to. We’re giving you all our condolences… it’s rich for us to try that, but do you want us to help you feel better with a memorial service?

Mr. Walten: That sounds really meaningful to us. Okay, we’re accepting that memorial service after I get my family to process everything first… 

Raven: Just… take care of yourself… we’ll call back only when you’re ready.

Mr. Walten: Thanks…

Call ends. 

Mrs. Walten: Dear. What just happened…? Do the Titans have any results? 

Mr. Walten: -begins sobbing- They… do… but…

Mrs. Walten: But what…?

Mr. Walten: Alicia isn’t gonna be coming back… 

Back to Jessica’s room. 

Topaz: People can feel dissatisfied by materials…?

Jessica: Owning something in your hands is different from feeling you’ve found your happy place.

Derek [voice only]: Jess! I just tested the dog’s devices, and they’re kinda working now! I managed to turn one on! 

Jessica: What?

Derek [voice only]: -can be heard running around the hallway in excitement- I’M A GENIUS!!! IT WORKS!!!!

Jessica: -unamused- He could at least stop boasting about it.

Topaz: He actually got a Jewel Pod working without ANY parts from Jewel Land…? -realizes something- Wait. If he got my Jewel Pod working, then that means… Oh no…

Cut to Derek celebrating.

Derek: All it took was some new boards and a battery! Too bad I can’t access this phone, since I don’t have the password.

What Derek doesn’t realize is… the Jewel Pod is giving off a signal…

We now cut a few minutes earlier, before it was fixed. The search party is at the riverbed with NO luck whatsoever!

Blackfire: Fuck this. -flies down and rests on a treebranch-

Milky: You can’t quit now!!!

Ryl: -sniffs the air- All I smell is silt and algae. As well as the sweat of our troops. Disgusting.

Milky: How can it be THIS hard to find Lady Topaz?!

Carl: -resurfaces from the water, wearing scuba gear- I found no Topaz, but I found this neat seashell!

Ryl: Seashells are from the ocean, you moron! 

Blackfire: Any bright ideas? Because I quit being your air support. It’s just impossible!

Milky: Surely, there must be SOMETHING!

Milky suddenly gets a call from Alex…

Alex [voice only]: MILKY! I found her!!!

Milky: -grabs her Jewel Pod- What?!

Alex: -cutting to his location- Her Jewel Pod signal suddenly came back online! It’s indeed upstream in a small community from where you are standing!

Milky: No way… how did it happen?

Alex: I don’t know! I didn’t do anything! Her signal just spontaneously appeared! This is our chance to recover her, before those damn Titans do!

Milky: Got it. Thanks Alex! -recieves the exact coordinates- Upstream, everyone!

Ryl: Wow, that was fast, but also slow for Alex’s standards. 

Now back to T Tower! 

Our team is creating decorations for the memorial service.

Jasper: -since he’s sticking around, he’s helping- It really is unfortunate…

Sunset: -is making one of the wreaths- Grandpa is so evil… killing somebody without checking…

Raven: -has finished folding one of the crane origami pieces- Look, all Trigon thinks is what he believes is best, and gives zero poop to other’s wellbeing. I still wish I didn’t imply anything about Jewel Land to him. 

Luea: Don’t blame yourself too hard, Rae. Things happen for a reason.

Raven: You know, if I were to go berserk and devour him again, I would NOT regret a single minute of it.

Eclipse: Hate grandpa for-eva? 

Raven: -gently strokes her son a bit- …Not sure, my beautiful baby boy. Let’s continue to make cute things together! 

Jasper: I just wish there was something we could do…

Ruby: What about… go to Jewel Land and search for clues?

Diana: Or gather nonexistent, scattered ashes, if that’s what you’re referring to. 

Master Frown: -pauses from choosing a font for the digital card still in Canva- This sounds morbid, even for my jerk standards. 

Luea: I suppose we COULD go to Jewel Land and find potential clues. Granted, with how much we’ve been rebuilding, we may have accidentally removed said clues.

Jade: Actually, one section we never touched was where Topaz’s cottage stood. I think Jasper can just open a portal there, grab whatever we can remember about Alicia, and we hand it to her family.

Jasper: -finishes hanging some streamers- It’s a good thing I’m here, then.

Jasper’s key goes on to open a portal to Topaz’s crumbled cottage!

Jasper: Be quick! It only lasts for 30 minutes! 

Ruby: Hooray! Back to Jewel Land for 30 minutes! -somersaults through the portal-

Robin: I’m going with this white fluffy junk. -leaps in-

Peridot: I have a nose for things-desu! -follows-

Jasper: I just hope there’s… something.

Back at Walten Ramen, the restaurant is now closed and everyone is getting ready for bed.

Mrs. Walten: Are you sure you can handle an extra roommate…?

Jessica: I’m positive. She’s gotten very close to me, so I think she can spend time in my room.

Mrs. Walten: Alright…

Jessica: How’s dad…?

Mrs. Walten: He just needs some time. As do I… -looks away-... I can’t believe she’s gone…

Jessica: Thought we found her, only… she’s gone again…

Mrs. Walten: -hugs her daughter close-....

Jessica: -hugs back- ...Does Derek know?

Mrs. Walten: Not yet, since he was too busy celebrating that he fixed the phone.

Jessica: Goodnight, mom. 

Mrs. Walten: Sleep well, Jessica. You know tomorrow is busy.

Speaking of the devil, as the family goes to sleep, some red dots of flashlights have been secretly approaching the house…

Milky: A ramen shop? So this is where the signal is coming from? -checks her Jewel Pod-

Topaz’s signal is INDEED pointing to this exact location!

Ryl: Ooooh! I’m itching to burn this place to the ground!!!

Blackfire: -generates blackbolts- I’ll do that right now-

Milky: HOLD IT! Not with Lady Topaz inside! There’s no telling WHO is with her! For all we know, she could be taken HOSTAGE!

Blackfire: -cancels her blackbolts- Fucking buzzkill chihuahua…

Alex: There you are. I’ve detected and scanned the whole place, and these humans are just ordinary civilians. 

Milky: Without weapons?

Alex: Unarmed? Yes, obviously. 

Ryl: But why would Lady Topaz not destroy these humans if she’s located here?

Milky: Good question… With how long she’s been missing, you’d think she’d kill them off and make her way back to our base…

Ryl: They’ve spared her?!! Which means they’re using our leader as a ransom! Or a toy for their arbitrary torments!! Humans truly are unpredictable and evil!!!

Blackfire: Now they’re fucking sleeping, can’t we just break in already? Particularly when we are always lawless individuals!

Milky: Or… you all hang back while I investigate this myself.

Blackfire: Fuck sake, you always choose the BORING way!

Milky: Being boring has its perks, you hothead. -she walks to the front door and pulls out an invisibility cloak- Just gonna slip this on… -pulls it over herself-

Concurrently, Ruby, Robin and Peridot have been rummaging all over the crumbled cottage in Jewel Land for the past ten minutes.

Ruby: -burrowing like a real rabbit- Hrrrrgh!!!

Peridot: -digging like a real dog- YAAAAH!!!

The two Jewelpets throw dirt and rubble all over Robin!

Robin: -barely dusting himself again and again- SERIOUSLY?!! You two aren’t even strays!!!

Peridot: Animal instincts-desu! 

Robin: Why don’t you both narrow down on what Alicia liked most?!! That must be stored in one of those secret closets! Anything that isn’t THROWING DIRT AT ME!!!

Ruby: Oh hey, thanks Cockerel. There’s actually a closet over there.

The small trio carefully heads to the closet, subsequently finding a relatively big trove with the large, crayon words “DON’T OPEN IT, FUCKERS!”.

Robin: -using his staff’s lighter to illuminate the dark closet- Topaz surely loves using the F-bomb.

Ruby: She’s not even residing here anymore. Might as well grab it, before the portal closes. -picks up some items- Let’s see what we have here…

Peridot: Her Petite Ladies dress-desu!

Ruby: I remember that! -picks up another- And this is the secret heart-shaped locket she’s never opened, whenever she wore it in public!

Peridot: And her “test thingy” she kept boasting about that one time and kept flaunting-desu!

Ruby: -sweats- Uuuhuh. Let’s ignore that item.

Robin: Can you girls hurry up?!

The two Jewelpets throw everything out of the closet and into the portal, which everyone else promptly receives – yeah Peridot bothers to take the ‘test thingy’ as well out of curiosity, before they return to the tower just in time. 

Peridot: Phew! Mission accomplished-desu!

Ruby: I literally told you not to take the test! 

Jasper: -walks over and rummages- Some of these, I almost forgot they even existed… I guess that’s just the effect of her being “the enemy”...

Diana: Yeah. Look at that Petite Ladies dress of hers. Never liked the color, compared to the one I wore!

Starfire: Will I ever see the dress of the Petite, Friend Diana?

Diana: -sighs- That dress is long-burnt to ashes, dear Starfire.

Starfire: Aww, the condolences.

Opal: Erm… it’s not very thoughtful that you got that “stick”, Peridot…

Peridot: I got curious-desu!

Ignoring that, everyone focuses on the other items… especially the locket and big trove.

Angela: Are there any ways to unlock that-paca? Hope it’s not being magically locked-paca. 

Luea: -examines the locket- I remember this… She obtained it three months after… Alicia came to Jewel Land.

Opal: It’s no doubt that she truly loved Alicia… 

Unikitty: Lemme open it with a lockpick! -holds up a bobby pin-

Puppycorn: Ooo, nice once sis!

Unikitty: I’m picking the lock! -starts picking and spinning in circles- PICKING PICKING PICKING PICKING PICKING PICKING- -scene cut-

One lockpick later!

The insides of the locket are actually a split photo of Alicia and Topaz on both sides. 

Richard: I’m actually impressed by how skilled Princess is with her lockpicking. Secondly, wow. For someone as mentally disturbed as Topaz, she genuinely did care for Alicia. 

Opal: Honestly, after she lost her newborn son, she had never been happy. I mean, she’s always been a miserable person, but… Alicia did give her some solace after that. 

Dr. Fox: Oh c’mon! Someone as cruel as Topaz would want a CHILD? Bet she just wants to experiment on it. Let’s just give this locket back to her family.

Raven: With the amount of times she tried to kidnap my kids, I HIGHLY doubt she’d be that sympathetic and kind.

Jade: Unikitty, mind lockpicking the trove too?

Unikitty: Sure thing!! -proceeds the lockpick- PICKING PICKING PICKING PICKING PICKING -scene cut-

Another lockpicking from Unikitty later, the team realizes there’s a photo album inside that’s in pristine condition. And when they flip the pages…

Cyborg: Holy shit, so many photos of the girl… 

Puppycorn: Topaz also looked happy in those photos. Look at her and the girl drinking milkshakes! Hehehe! 

Io: And that one was Topaz baking chocolate bread-dachi! She always insisted that chocolate bread should be said in a fancy type of name-dachi. I never knew Alicia liked bread that has chocolate-dachi. 

Opal: Can’t forget Kris too. Kris looks happy with Alicia in the photos where it’s the two of them.

Sunset: Why would someone so nasty truly care about another special someone?

Skywynne: Yeah, it doesn’t make any sense. 

Luea: -whispers to Opal- You sure it has something to do with… the ‘test’?

Opal: -whispers back to Luea- Yeah, no doubt… you and I didn’t see her bringing a baby out of the hospital. 

Robin: Since it’s case closed, might as well deliver these mementos back to the Waltens tomorrow! Let’s get some early sleep, so we can arrange their memorial services. TITANS! TO BED!

Jasper: -heads to the elevator- I’ll see you all tomorrow at lunch. My sister using Alicia as compensation for a lost child? Why does that sound so likely?

In the meantime, Milky has stealthily sneaked into the Waltens’ house, assassin style!

Milky: -using a magnifying glass- Ramen cookbooks… psychological degree certificates… Are they conspiracy theorists under the guise of ramen chefs?!! Hm yeah, might be qualified to call in the troops on decimating them, since this family has basically proven that humans really love conspiracy theories, and Lady Topaz finds that foolish… -types and sends a message to the troops and her cohorts- I’m such a good and STRONG person! …Okay, but I need to find Lady Topaz first. -somersaults away-

Meanwhile in Jessica’s room…

Topaz: -staring at the ceiling on her bed- ...

The night is calm, besides the sound of the wind blowing against the trees outside. The terrier has been feeling ambivalent for the first instance in her life. 

Topaz: Alicia… Am I really that unreasonable…? Am I truly far gone…?

Door knocks.

Topaz: It’s unlocked… But please be quiet. Jessica is sleeping.

Milky: -comes in- M’lady... you feeling okay?

Topaz: WAIT, MIL- -immediately whispers- Milky…?!

Milky: Oh my Jewelina, you’re safe and sound! 

Topaz: SHHHH!!!

Milky: What are you shhhhh-ing me for? -whispers- I’m here to rescue you! We ALL are!

Topaz: -gets out of her dog bed and tiptoes over- Did I send a distress signal?

Milky: We saw the signal of your Jewel Pod, and Alex tracked it down! Aren’t we your smartest subordinates?

Topaz: Aaaah, Derek fixed my Jewel Pod and it gave a signal! The ONE time I didn’t need it! Now Milky and potentially an entire army is here! What should I do?! I can’t let Alicia’s family know who I REALLY am!  Milky, tell the others that I’m okay, but you have to withdraw. I’m going to leave this house on my own terms!

Milky: What?! What are you saying, m’lady?! -raising her voice- We came all this way to-

Topaz: SHHHH!!!

The two of them freeze briefly, but Jessica only stirs and keeps sleeping.

Milky: -resumes, whispering- We came all this way to rescue you, and now you don’t want to leave?!

Topaz: -grits through her teeth- If they know my identity, we’re all fucked, you moron!

Milky: If “they” know? What…? I’m so confused. This is just ridiculous. I thought you’d have these humans eliminated by now.

Topaz: It’s complicated, Milky. But I really can’t have you here. You MUST leave.

Milky: I’m just following YOUR orders–

Topaz: It’s Alicia’s family, you brainless runt!

Milky: B-B-Brainless runt?! You would never call me that!

Topaz: Well I’m calling you that NOW. Because this is not what I planned!

Milky: What plan?! You go missing after being defeated in Crowch, leaving us all in the dark on where you are–

Topaz: I literally said it’s my dead best friend’s family, dimwit!

Milky: Wait, what?! Ohhhh… OHHHHH… 

Topaz: So you see, Milky? This is REALLY important to me.

Milky: Oh dear…

Topaz: Oh dear? What do you mean “Oh dear”?

Milky: M’lady… Before stepping into this room, I may have… signaled the search party to attack this building.

Topaz: …You…WHAT?!

Milky: And knowing the troops, they might-

Cut to 5 minutes earlier.

Blackfire: I’m fucking bored. Let’s just storm in!

Ryl: Blackfire, you know Milky outranks the two of us. We are to stay put!

Blackfire: I’m pretty sure these are just measly humans for us to conquer! 

Ryl: Lady Topaz is still in there!

Blackfire: Come on! You love destroying things!

Ryl: -ponders- ... That’s true… I do like to destroy things… And I have quite an itch to scratch, right now…

They suddenly get a message from Milky…

“We have to retreat. Lady Topaz is safe, but she doesn’t want to cause a fuss, because… it’s personal. That’s it.”

Blackfire: The FUCK kind of message is that?! We came all this way just to have the bitch NOT want to be rescued?!

Ryl: I am… perplexed… What is this sudden change?!

Blackfire: You tell me, you uncultured swine! You know her better than me!

Ryl: How am I supposed to know?! I want to raid those humans as much as you do!

Milky sends another message.

“Lady Topaz will remove all of your pay, if you don’t oblige! INCLUDING MINE. If we don’t retreat and let her finish this ‘personal business’ first, we’re all royally fucked! JUST HEED ME, YOU GAGGLE OF USELESS BATSHIT!!!”

Blackfire: Oh… I can take Lady Topaz calling me “useless”, but MILKY?

Ryl: What are you doing…?

Blackfire: -generates a blackbolt- Change of plans, troops. Fuck the payment. I want to spite Starfire, if she even bothers to wake up in the dead of night! Hahaha! -throws the blackbolt-

It strikes one of the chimneys, causing the building to shake!

Topaz: HUH?!

Milky: The hell?!

Jessica: -sits up, wide awake- Uhhh, what’s going on?

Topaz: Milky, I’m handling this. Please don’t tell me you–

Milky: ... I brought Blackfire?

Topaz: You are a complacent piece of garbage that is worse than COW MANURE. You know she won’t listen, unless it’s from me. 

Jessica: -puts her slippers on- Little doggy?! -she fumbles in the dark- Are you here?! Where are the lights?!

Topaz: See what you did, Milky?! I’m gonna starve you for the rest of this week!

Jessica: -still fumbling- “Milky”? Who’s “Milky”?

Derek: -opens the door, using his phone as a flashlight- JESSICA!!!

Jessica: DEREK!!! -the house suddenly shakes again from another blackbolt strike- AHHHHH!!!

Derek: We’re under attack!!! I saw some strange guys in uniform outside!!!

Outside, Blackfire commands the troops.

Blackfire: BREAK IN AND DESTROY EVERYTHING IN SIGHT! If they move, SLAUGHTER THEM!!! -fires more blackbolts at the building-

The sounds of glass breaking and furniture being overturned can be heard…

Ryl: This is… not going to be fun… -but then she looks at all the destruction happening- But somehow, I’m feeling the thrill!

This is when Topaz immediately improvises. But not entirely on her own…

Derek: -shines his phone light down at Topaz and sees Milky- What the?! Who’s that?!

Topaz: Uh… that’s…

Heartbeat sound…

It’s almost as if… Topaz has a different look in her eyes…

Topaz: -grabs Milky- THIS is the perpetrator that organized this attack!

Milky: HUH?!

Topaz: And I’ll throw her out, at this instant!

Jessica: But what about you?!

Topaz: Forget me! Go protect your parents! I’ll stop these goons myself!

As Jessica and Derek have run off, Topaz faces Milky… her eyes change to slanted…

Topaz: YOU ARE FUCKED, YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT. -raises a fist-

Milky: M’lady, please!

Topaz: What was that I just did…? Ugh whatever, it’s Milky’s fault anyway. Why are my founding members becoming dumber each day? -feels the heartbeat- Ugh… What’s going on…? Having a conscience is bullshit. I have nothing more to say… -heartbeat- …

Her eyes change to round again…

Topaz: Other than sorry I have to do this. -suddenly karate chops Milky on the pressure point, causing the chihuahua to fall unconscious- Trust me, you’ll thank me later. -hurls Milky out from the nearest window- 

Down in the dining room, cultists are pouring in, smashing tables, dishes, and ravaging the kitchen.

Gundo: -shatters some bowls- You guys ever feel like this is a little too easy for what we’re being assigned to?

Robert: Yeah… We normally expect resistance and all that…

Until one karate chop renders one of the cultists unconscious?!

??? [Topaz, obviously]: -voice from behind- Well, good news for you. Your resistance is here.

Robert: -turns to see a silhouette-... Who the hell are you?!

The silhouette reveals to be Topaz in a heroic battle stance!

Every Cultist: LADY TOPAZ?!

The terrier surveys the damage done to the restaurant.

Topaz: You monsters… This is a family business you’re ravaging! Have you no shame?!

Gundo: What…? You tell us to do shit like this all the time.

Tessa: You didn’t have to knock out one of our members, still!

Topaz: You’ll PAY for this! This family won’t be able to recover so easily, because of you barbarians! -lifts her paws, charging a vortex-

Robert: WHAT?!

Captain Y: M’LADY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

Topaz: Consider this “collateral”!

“TOPAZ VORTEX!!!”

The squad of cultists don’t have time to react! They’re still dumbfounded by their lady’s strange change in demeanor, when they all get blasted out of the restaurant!!!

Ryl: -watching all this from outside- What was that?!

COLLATERAL LANDING!!!

Ryl: -gets crushed by the ball of fallen cultists- GAAAH! What the hell?!

Captain Y: Uuugh… Yeah, we definitely need to retreat. We pissed the Lady off…

Ryl: What?! I’ve never seen her fire a Vortex at her own troops!

Tessa: Well, it happened. And I’m not happy about it. Let’s just go, before she might put us through a meat grinder! 

Over at the Walten parents’ room…

Jessica: -bursts in- MOM! DAD!!!

But it’s too late… Mr. and Mrs. Walten are being held hostage by many of the troops’ members!

Mr. Walten: What are you two doing here?! GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!!!

Derek: What are those invaders?! Why do they look so small?!!

Jessica: There’s also that tall one over there!

Carl: -waves- Hi. Don’t take this personally. We’re here for the Lady!

Cultist Absolutely: Oh my god… please ignore what he said. We’re just doing our job. 

Derek: You let mom and dad go, NOW!

Elite Cultist Benjamin: Have you watched any movies where the bad guys hold someone hostage? Do you want us to slit your parents’ throats now? We need to be paid–

Cultist Absolutely: Uhhhh, dude. I think I just got a message… from the Lady? But it looks cryptic…

“Leave or face justice.”

Cultist Absolutely: … Should we be concerned?

Carl: Hmmm, on second thought, I think our leader means it.

Blackfire: Oh for fuck sake, Carl. -floats down through the hole in the ceiling- Are you troops going to be THAT cowardly? We’re here to do a job! Eradicate humans! 

Cultist Absolutely: But we-

Blackfire: Fine… if you won’t do it, then I’ll do it myself! -aims a blackbolt at the parents-

Jessica and Derek: NOOO!!!

Until suddenly, the lights get turned off, the blackbolt has been frozen in place, and the Walten family can’t hear anything.

Topaz [voice only]: STOP!!!

Blackfire: What the-

Topaz: YAAAAAH!!! -flying kick!!!-

Blackfire: AAAUUGH!!! -ends up shooting her blackbolt at Carl instead-

Carl: -gets blasted into the night- AAIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!! Why am I always cannon fodder?! -ding-

Blackfire: -gets up- What the… who hit me?! -her eyes widen-....what…?

It’s Topaz… but she seems different… and she’s rather pissed.

Topaz: How dare you… targeting an innocent family like this…

Blackfire: But I was– AHHHH!!! -Topaz has almost strangulated her, if it wasn’t because she’s at the former’s mercy-

Topaz: I threw Milky out for disobeying. How’s that sound?

Blackfire: -gasping for air- Well fuck her anyway!

Topaz: -drops Blackfire- Hm… it’s lucky for you that I haven’t decided to lock you up, once we get back to the base.

Blackfire: Huh…?

Topaz: -turns her back on her and the cultists- Stand down now, or face justice. I don’t need to say it again.

Blackfire: What’s wrong with you?! You’re acting awfully like those idiot Teen Titans!

Topaz: An order is an order, Princess Blackfire. 

Blackfire: Are you kidding…? You had us searching around for you. And now you want us to leave?! Then you suddenly come and attack me?! LIKE WHAT THE FUCK?! WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?!

Topaz: -creates a periwinkle saber- I said LEAVE. Especially when I didn’t commence the attack in the first place. Is this how you respect your leader?

Blackfire: Sh-shit… Okay… Troops, the lady means it. We have to leave… 

The troops hurriedly disperse, and everything seems to be going back to normal. 

Mr. Walten: What just happened…?

Jessica and Derek: -rush to check on their parents- MOM!!! DAD!!!

Mrs. Walten: …Kids? 

Jessica: We were so worried… The restaurant was being attacked by scary people in uniform!

Derek: Everything was being destroyed! They- -looks around to see that the holes in the ceiling and walls are gone-... Broke everything?

Jessica: …Only someone with magic can fix everything that fast… 

Mr. Walten: What about the dog? Is the dog okay?!

Jessica: She told us to go without her to protect you!

Derek: And she was beating an intruder who was leading the attack!

Mrs. Walten: She saved us…

The family then tentatively looks around, but Topaz has already disappeared. 

Jessica: She just left us like that… 

Mr. Walten: Looks like she won’t be attending the memorial service—

Mrs. Walten: SHHHHH!!! Derek isn’t supposed to know THAT yet!!! 

Derek: Know what exactly?

Mrs. Walten: -facepalms- Oh my god…

Jessica runs into her room, looking for ANY sign of Topaz.

Jessica: Little dog! Little dog, where are you?!

Only for her to discover a sticky note in elegant cursives. 

“Apologies that I have departed. But this is not my place to be. Farewell.” 

Jessica: And she’s just gone like that… -looks out the window-... Come to think of it, we never really got her name… 

Topaz watches from atop a tree.

Topaz: I’m sorry, Jessica… Derek… and the parents. My stay here was shorter than expected… But if you found out who I am, you might come to hate me. -hops off the tree-

Her eyes return to being slanted, and she feels a slight headache, before teleporting away.

The next morning… 

The Titans, and Jasper, arrive for the memorial.

Raven: -awkwardly holds out a full box of crane origami- Hey, uhhh… so we don’t really have much to give, hope this is enough with sincerity alone. 

Derek: What’s going on? I like those origami though! 

Puppycorn: Oh? None of your relatives informed you that your second sister has died? -shows off some hotdog trays- Don’t worry! We’ve got hotdogs as buffers! 

Derek: What…?

Jessica: -walks over- Derek… What the Teen Titans are saying is… Alicia is no longer with us…

Hawkodile: Sorry about Puppycorn. He’s really blunt. But yeah… condolences to your sister, kiddo. She’s not coming back… 

Awkward silence that lasts for 10 minutes. 

Mr. Walten: ...Was there anything else you were able to find?

Luea: Alicia came to our world, Jewel Land. Yes, sounds unbelievable, but that really happened. 

Peridot: She became everybody’s friend-desu.

Opal: But her Jewelpet friend was rather suffocating, despite giving her happiness. 

Dr. Fox: I’m not a Jewelpet myself! But we did dig up Alicia’s fanfiction. She didn’t like the life she was having, so she rashly left your home… Needless to say, we’re sorry that she couldn’t make it out of a disaster that destroyed the kingdom… 

More silence…

Derek: …I don’t get it. Why does Alicia have to die? 

Robin: -nervously takes out the box of mementos- I mean, we have retrieved a photo album with photos of her being happy during her time in Jewel Land? 

Cyborg: Rob! This isn’t helping!!! 

Robin: Sorry! I’m not good with stuff like this!

Jessica: -walks over and gently takes the entire box- Thank you. This will do nicely… Something to help us catch up.

Derek: -starts trembling- Why did you all hide the truth from me…? Why did Alicia hate us? Have we treated her badly…? 

Jessica: It… it was mostly my fault, Derek… I didn’t listen to her feelings, so she ran away. I shouldn’t have been so harsh on her… 

It doesn’t take long for Derek to burst into a deluge of tears. 

Derek: IT IS NOT FAIR!!! IT IS SO UNFAIR!!!

Mrs. Walten: -hugs Derek close- It’s okay… 

And the rest is just the Titans reading a rather sloppy but sincere eulogy for Alicia. They’ve even put up many forget-me-not bouquets, as they host the memorial service at an empty casket. 

Robin: -reads from his flashcards- So… dearly beloved, we’re here today to mourn the long-gone Alicia Walten— Oh wait, does she have a middle name? 

Jessica: Her middle name is Lucy. 

Robin: -resumes reading- Alicia Lucy Walten, okay. She lived a good life in a world that was fantastical, before it was gone.

Raven: And I hereby take accountability for my shitty father’s invasion. I was a small kid back then without knowing the full casualties. Frankly, I say my dad is dead to me.

Opal: Regardless, we know her soul is in a better place now. May she live happily ever after in the spirits’ sanctuary. 

Master Frown: You may now kiss the casket. 

Beast Boy: Master Frown, this ain’t a wedding! It’s a funeral, fool! 

Master Frown: Just let them get closure by kissing the casket!!! 

Mr. Walten: -nods- I think it’s a good idea.

Master Frown: ...Wow. You’re probably the 4th person that actually agrees with me. -steps aside- Well, uh… Go ahead.

One by one, the family kisses the casket with heartfelt tears. For once, they feel something has been answered after so long…

Of course out of everyone, Raven is the one who’s pretending not to cry. Even Opal has cried more than her. 

Sometimes, she just wonders, “Is it truly my fault to have caused that invasion my dad had done?”, “Could I have done something else?”

But… she then looks at Sunset and Skywynne, who are weeping in her arms. Yeah, maybe something happens for a reason. 

Jasper looks on and goes into his thoughts…

Jasper: Could things have been different…? Could it have been any different if… if Mother had just raised Topaz properly, rather than using her as a floater and audience member…? Why… Was Mother a shitty mom all along? 

Anyway, the family waves the Titans goodbye, as the team gets into the T-Car to leave. Then Jessica is the one who opens the album first…

Alicia looks so happy in those photos with all those cute fairies. Particularly when she sees the photos with the terrier in them. It’s like… her late sister belongs there. 

While no one is aware Topaz has just left again, having watched the whole memorial service. 

Anyway, let’s cut the scene to the riding T-Car, which Cyborg is driving today.  

Cyborg: Today’s a heavy day… 

No response. 

Cyborg: -puts in a cassette tape into himself- Welp, let’s unwind ourselves with a sad song. 

Sad Song by We The Kings ft Ellen Coats echoes in the car. 

And everyone else proceeds to fall asleep, except for Cyborg fortunately. But then he overhears Raven waking Beast Boy up for a little bit. 

Raven: -sleepily- You’re a great dad, you know. 

Beast Boy: -densely and drowsily- Oh? Yeah? Thanks, babe. 

Raven: One who goofs off but also gives everything to his kids. Unlike mine who’s a deadbeat and ruins someone else’s family without remorse. 

Beast Boy: Yeah. He sucks ass… 

Raven: Promise me… Let’s make sure our kids get to live as long as they can, okay? 

Beast Boy: -has already leaned onto Raven- Sure babe… 

And Cyborg smiles, watching the couple fall asleep from the front mirror. 

[To Be Continued…]