✧ PHOSPHOPHYLLITE ✧

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

「 …Two more humans? And what is with the bigger one…??? It reminded them of how the shell that was brought by the lunarians was just as massive—which, again, turned out to be Ventricosus. 」

“….”

「 Phos quickly fixed their hair up to make sure they’re okay—sparkles shining from their mint green hair as they did so. When Zoro moved aside to have Phosphophyllite explain themselves, a small nervous laugh came from them as they stood. 」

“Ehehe…”

“Well…I went out into the sea, and with how far deep we were and how faint the sun was…I ended up here! Gems like me need light to stay awake.”

“Well…theres about 28 of us. Including me!”

“…The land formed after six meteors hit the planet, which created six moons…and left only one single coast after its destruction. Any living organisms fled to the ocean and…were ate up by the microorganisms in the ocean floor. Then…they had formed structures and components to become crystals and were reborn to become one of us. Yeah.”

「 Phos nods. They recall Sensei asking them just days ago about recalling their history back when some lunarians struck the land with weapons forged with pieces of Heliodor. 」

“ALRIGHT!!”

「 Phos’s high confident energy returned, clearly elated to join along this crew. Maybe this is their chance of self improvement—like Diamond suggested! Phos eagerly wonders whats in store for them, now apart of this group. 」

‘Wonder what it’s gonna be like…’

「 They thought to themselves ; they also wonder once again how the other gems are doing… 」

「 Well crud. They…dreaded this question. They were useless back at the land already !?! How are they gonna help their new human friends !?!?! 」

「 If gems could sweat, Phos would have it in BULLETS. 」

“Of course!! Hmm!!”

「 They’ll try their darnedest, but…considering how clumsy and fragile their body and material is…hopefully they too wont find this little mineral useless. 」

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

「 …Two more humans? And what is with the bigger one…??? It reminded them of how the shell that was brought by the lunarians was just as massive—which, again, turned out to be Ventricosus. 」

“….”

「 Phos quickly fixed their hair up to make sure they’re okay—sparkles shining from their mint green hair as they did so. When Zoro moved aside to have Phosphophyllite explain themselves, a small nervous laugh came from them as they stood. 」

“Ehehe…”

“Well…I went out into the sea, and with how far deep we were and how faint the sun was…I ended up here! Gems like me need light to stay awake.”

“Well…theres about 28 of us. Including me!”

“…The land formed after six meteors hit the planet, which created six moons…and left only one single coast after its destruction. Any living organisms fled to the ocean and…were ate up by the microorganisms in the ocean floor. Then…they had formed structures and components to become crystals and were reborn to become one of us. Yeah.”

「 Phos nods. They recall Sensei asking them just days ago about recalling their history back when some lunarians struck the land with weapons forged with pieces of Heliodor. 」

“ALRIGHT!!”

「 Phos’s high confident energy returned, clearly elated to join along this crew. Maybe this is their chance of self improvement—like Diamond suggested! Phos eagerly wonders whats in store for them, now apart of this group. 」

‘Wonder what it’s gonna be like…’

「 They thought to themselves ; they also wonder once again how the other gems are doing… 」

「 Well crud. They…dreaded this question. They were useless back at the land already !?! How are they gonna help their new human friends !?!?! 」

「 If gems could sweat, Phos would have it in BULLETS. 」

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

「 …Two more humans? And what is with the bigger one…??? It reminded them of how the shell that was brought by the lunarians was just as massive—which, again, turned out to be Ventricosus. 」

“….”

「 Phos quickly fixed their hair up to make sure they’re okay—sparkles shining from their mint green hair as they did so. When Zoro moved aside to have Phosphophyllite explain themselves, a small nervous laugh came from them as they stood. 」

“Ehehe…”

“Well…I went out into the sea, and with how far deep we were and how faint the sun was…I ended up here! Gems like me need light to stay awake.”

“Well…theres about 28 of us. Including me!”

“…The land formed after six meteors hit the planet, which created six moons…and left only one single coast after its destruction. Any living organisms fled to the ocean and…were ate up by the microorganisms in the ocean floor. Then…they had formed structures and components to become crystals and were reborn to become one of us. Yeah.”

「 Phos nods. They recall Sensei asking them just days ago about recalling their history back when some lunarians struck the land with weapons forged with pieces of Heliodor. 」

“ALRIGHT!!”

「 Phos’s high confident energy returned, clearly elated to join along this crew. Maybe this is their chance of self improvement—like Diamond suggested! Phos eagerly wonders whats in store for them, now apart of this group. 」

‘Wonder what it’s gonna be like…’

「 They thought to themselves ; they also wonder once again how the other gems are doing… 」

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

「 …Two more humans? And what is with the bigger one…??? It reminded them of how the shell that was brought by the lunarians was just as massive—which, again, turned out to be Ventricosus. 」

“….”

「 Phos quickly fixed their hair up to make sure they’re okay—sparkles shining from their mint green hair as they did so. When Zoro moved aside to have Phosphophyllite explain themselves, a small nervous laugh came from them as they stood. 」

“Ehehe…”

“Well…I went out into the sea, and with how far deep we were and how faint the sun was…I ended up here! Gems like me need light to stay awake.”

“Well…theres about 28 of us. Including me!”

“…The land formed after six meteors hit the planet, which created six moons…and left only one single coast after its destruction. Any living organisms fled to the ocean and…were ate up by the microorganisms in the ocean floor. Then…they had formed structures and components to become crystals and were reborn to become one of us. Yeah.”

「 Phos nods. They recall Sensei asking them just days ago about recalling their history back when some lunarians struck the land with weapons forged with pieces of Heliodor. 」

“ALRIGHT!!”

「 Phos’s high confident energy returned, clearly elated to join along this crew. Maybe this is their chance of self improvement—like Diamond suggested! Phos eagerly wonders whats in store for them, now apart of this group. 」

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

「 …Two more humans? And what is with the bigger one…??? It reminded them of how the shell that was brought by the lunarians was just as massive—which, again, turned out to be Ventricosus. 」

“….”

「 Phos quickly fixed their hair up to make sure they’re okay—sparkles shining from their mint green hair as they did so. When Zoro moved aside to have Phosphophyllite explain themselves, a small nervous laugh came from them as they stood. 」

“Ehehe…”

“Well…I went out into the sea, and with how far deep we were and how faint the sun was…I ended up here! Gems like me need light to stay awake.”

“Well…theres about 28 of us. Including me!”

“…The land formed after six meteors hit the planet, which created six moons…and left only one single coast after its destruction. Any living organisms fled to the ocean and…were ate up by the microorganisms in the ocean floor. Then…they had formed structures and components to become crystals and were reborn to become one of us. Yeah.”

「 Phos nods. They recall Sensei asking them just days ago about recalling their history back when some lunarians struck the land with weapons forged with pieces of Heliodor. 」

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

「 …Two more humans? And what is with the bigger one…??? It reminded them of how the shell that was brought by the lunarians was just as massive—which, again, turned out to be Ventricosus. 」

“….”

「 Phos quickly fixed their hair up to make sure they’re okay—sparkles shining from their mint green hair as they did so. When Zoro moved aside to have Phosphophyllite explain themselves, a small nervous laugh came from them as they stood. 」

“Ehehe…”

“Well…I went out into the sea, and with how far deep we were and how faint the sun was…I ended up here! Gems like me need light to stay awake.”

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

「 …Two more humans? And what is with the bigger one…??? It reminded them of how the shell that was brought by the lunarians was just as massive—which, again, turned out to be Ventricosus. 」

“….”

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

「 …Two more humans? And what is with the bigger one…??? It reminded them of how the shell that was brought by the lunarians was just as massive—which, again, turned out to be Ventricosus. 」

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

「 After the moment of thinking, Phos comes to their decision: 」

“Hmm! I’ve made my choice! This is gonna be a good opportunity for me to change!”

— — —

@zoro-r

「 Phos eventually gets out of the water. Theres no chipped damage to their body, but some of their powder has rubbed off on their arms. Minor splotches but, it’s fine. 」

“…”

“No, nothing down there..”

「 Both Ventricosus and Phos did go down far into the sea to return the slug home. They remembered how faint the sun was. How their exhausted state lead them allll the way here. Were the other gems missing them by this point…? 」

“…”

「 Then again ; Sensei told them that if they wanted to help Cinnabar when the time comes, they should focus on their current work. Yet still…. They aren’t useful back on the land with the other gems too… 」

‘Maybe this could be a step in the right direction…?’

「 They’re reaaally thinking about this. 」

“Hmmn…”

As the two men quarreled after killing the dinosaur, Zoro suddenly heard something and told Sanji to wait. He followed the sound of a childish laugh, curious to see if there were other people there, and who they were.

But he wasn't able to walk farther when he saw a dark blue figure. He wondered if that person was a local here.

"Do you live here?", he asked.

@zoro-r

(SIDE NOTE FOR HNK READERS: This interaction is after Ventricosus & Phos head into the ocean, but things go a little differently! ;3…)

— — —

「 After returning Ventricosus back into the ocean, Phos, in an exhausted daze of walking…ended somewhere else. Rising up from the depths, sunlight shining once again and sparkling through their hair… 」

“Nnnh…exhausted…Barely made it back…”

「 The mineral didn’t realize they reached new, uncharted territories. At least, for their kind. 」

“…?”

「 It takes them a second as they look left, then right. Phosphophyllite aimlessly wanders. Their curiosity morphs into excitement. This would be perfect for the encyclopedia! The master scholar is victorious once again! Though they do wish they had their clipboard with them rather than the bowl they used to carry Ventri’s smaller form… 」

「 …Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Phos turns—a little wide eyed. 」

“…Huh?”

「 It didn’t look like a Lunarian. No. Those would’ve tried to take them by now. An admira…whatever it was..? No. It would’ve been deep in the ocean along with Ventri, and…it was only just them two there. 」

“….”

“Uhm…No…”

"No", he answered. "I'm a human".

「 Phos murmured. The story Ventricosus told…about those creatures… A real human stood in-front of their face. The myth was true. 」

“..!!”

“So…that story was real…!!”

「 Curiously, Phos circled around the stranger—their expression now contemplating. Now they REALLY wish they had that clipboard. They could really tell the gems about discovering a human AND new landmass out here. 」

「 These are the creatures that eventually split into the three…soul…flesh…bone. 」

“Guess I found a big discovery after all—! I’ll just write down about you, then this place, and i’ll tell all the other gems about it!”

「 Phos stood confidently, moving back to the front of Zoro. 」

‘Still…no new ideas for Cinnabar though..hmnn…’

“Oh its—just nothing. Something a friend said..”

「 Phos waves it off. How could they explain that to them, or at least where they are from…humans aren’t around anymore? That’d be awkward enough… When Zoro asked Phos what they were talking about again… 」

“The..other gems back at the land! Guess you wouldn’t really know em huh..? Eheh…”

「 Well, gems like Phosphophyllite are rare and take forever to fully form…thats what they all were taught. They assumed the same thing happened here. 」

“Oh—!! Yes! I AM one of those gems!! Phosphophyllite!! Or just Phos works~!”

Their name was really long, though. Too many syllables. He could misspell their name, which wouldn't be good for the both of them. This Phos person didn't seem to be a bad person as well, but who knows? He should be cautious around them.

「 Phos grins, and then continued on to reply to his question: 」

“Kinda easy to explain don’t you think? It’s the only known bit of land with all 28 of us, including me…”

「 Phos’s expression changed slightly. On one hand, they have the other gems to return to—despite being one of the least popular… : They have Cinnabar to still think about, to try and find them a better job. Something better than the nightly patrols. 」

「 But on the other… maybe this could be the new opportunity they need to change themselves…? 」

“…”

“I’ll…think about that. I think exploring around for now will just be good! I have to write about this place after all.”

「 Phos smiled and nodded, clearly ready to follow along their first new human friend. 」

‘…As long as nothing tries to break me…’

「 Full of energy and ready to go, Phos has their hands on their sides, saying: 」

“Lead the way, my good friend Zoro!!”

“…”

「 Their mint green hair faintly sparkles as light from the sun above reflects on the surface. Gems like Phos require sunlight to stay active and awake after all… 」

He also noticed that they were nearing the sea. He stood on the sand and looked around for any signs of danger. The area was clear for now. He'd need to check on his friends right after Phos was back to their land.

“Would we..need to head into the ocean? Hopefully i have enough salt-proof resin still…”

「 For Phos, gems like them would need to apply the stuff before heading directly into the seas. It keeps the powder on their body and protects them from the saltwater. 」

「 Nervously, Phos chuckled. They follow along behind Zoro, looking out by the oceanside. No sight of the land as they walk about. No sight of Lunarians either. Phos wonders if they are even a thing here, since this land is undiscovered—at least to the gems. 」

「 Phos nodded. They continue to wander around the beach. Thoughts about what all other gems are doing right now. Maybe they could be out searching for Phosphophyllite…but, they doubt it. They’re one of the lowest on the scale of hardness out of anyone. Not well liked… 」

“…”

「 They didn’t seem to question. Phos turned back the other way, wondering what that little sound was. Maybe other humans…? That would be interesting to discover! Phos is back in their own head again, thinking like that. 」

「 Phos continued to listen to the explanation. While the ability sounded cool in practice….if it affected one of them that might not be good. 」

「 Phos was a tad familiar with the concept of death. Ventricosus recently explained it to them, and knew that animals and other creatures unlike them needed more than the light to survive. 」

“…”

“No, nothing…”

‘…Do i still have enough resin for this..?’

「 There wasn’t much time for further self-questioning. They started to head down into the ocean. They didn’t have to swim like normal humans—since literally made of gemstone they headed right into the waters and walked along down at the sand below. 」