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Land of the Lustrous - Season One - PAS/bxvxy vs FBI

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814 lignes

PAS/bxvxy

FBI

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Episode One

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Well...

Time to get to work.

Time for work.

Ah, right.

Oh, right.

Phos! I know you're here!

Phos!

Master Adamant is looking for you.

Master is looking for you.

What for?

Beats me.

Wait, you don't think...

Wait, could it be...

maybe Master wants me to join you all in battle?

Master wants me to join you all in battle?

I highly doubt that.

I see even an expert like you is intimidated by my potential!

I see even an expert like you feels intimidated by my potential!

"Potential "?

"Potential"?

Do you still not have a job?

Morga!

Goshe?

We don't have time for this!

We have sunspot activity to the south!

A Lunarian sunspot was detected to the south!

Minor, but we need to alert Master!

It's small, but we need to alert Master!

All right.

All right!

If it's minor, we can handle it ourselves!

If it's small, let's drive it off ourselves!

What?!

Don't get cocky!

It's fine!

We need to cut Master a break sometimes.

They're a lot older than they look, y'know?

They're a lot older than they look.

You'd better hurry back!

Jerk.

Jerk...

You don't have to rub it in...

You don't have to rub it in.

Okay!

Today's the day I'll talk to Master!

Today's the day I ask Master!

Wait! Gotta make the right impression.

Perfect! Cute!

Dignified!

Phos is as lively as ever, huh?

They're as lively as ever, huh?

I just hope they stay out of trouble.

Reporting for duty!

Come.

You called for me, Master Adamant?

Yes.

Phosphophyllite... at long last, I have a job for you.

Phosphophyllite.

We can handle this.

At long last, I have a job for you.

This should be easy.

Yeah.

Oh!

Master, just a little while ago, Morga and Goshe said they saw a Lunarian sunspot.

Master,

just a little while ago, Morga and Goshe said they saw a Lunarian sunspot.

But, since it was minor, they said they'd...

Master?

What?!

That didn't stop it?!

And look at those arrowheads...

And look at the color of the arrowheads...

Aren't those shards from when they took Heliodor?

Aren't those pieces of Heliodor, who was captured the other day?

How could they do that?

This is perfect.

We'll take back every last one!

We'll take back every last fragment!

They come to harvest us for jewelry.

From the moon, they bombard us with countless legions of hunters...

while we number but twenty-eight.

The skilled among us work in pairs. Some keep lookout. Some fight.

Every one of us uses our singular talents so that we may fulfill our goals and help one another.

We use our distinctive talents to fulfill our roles and make up for one another's weaknesses.

Alas, you seemed fit for none. I was at a loss.

With your precarious physical condition and incomparable lack of grace,

the search for a duty befitting of you long proved a fruitless one.

the search for a duty befitting you long proved a fruitless one.

Why not just have me fight then?

Then why not just have me fight?

Fight, you say?

Well, I mean... we've tried everything else, right?

You would do best to let that idea go.

Yikes.

Looking out for your elders, are you?

Here it comes! Fall back!

You're still incapable!

You're still incapable,

You fools!

you fools!

Oh dear.

Oh, dear.

You are particularly fragile,

and your hardness is only three and a half.

and your hardness is only 3.5.

Simply brushing into someone is more than enough to break you.

You'll break no matter whom you face.

Moreover, the Lunarians are fond of your peppermint color.

If you were to fight with those three weaknesses,

If you wish to overcome those three weaknesses,

even an army of you would fall in a single attack.

you must become stronger than me.

You thus require strength surpassing even my own.

Strong enough to fell even an army in a single blow.

Fat chance!

Which is why I decided...

that you should compile our encyclopedia.

that you should compile a natural history encyclopedia.

Wh—

What?!

You're gonna spill!

That's so boring!

Quite the contrary.

By compiling an encyclopedia, you will both preserve the present and prepare for the future.

By compiling a natural history,

It is an important role which requires creativity and intelligence.

you will be preserving the present and preparing us for the unforeseen future.

The key to battle is a keen eye.

It is an intellectual task that is both vital and creative in nature.

If you wish to fight, first train your eyes through this task.

A keen eye is the key to battle.

Aren't you just trying to trick me into it?

If you wish to fight,

Only you've got the guts to talk back to Master.

you must first hone your perceptiveness through this task.

Big talk for someone who doesn't ever do a thing around here.

Aren't you just trying to trick me into doing it?

Who asked you?!

You're the only one who talks back to Master!

You never make yourself useful, yet here you are mouthing off.

Nobody asked you!

But it is that very frankness of yours that is needed for this task.

I'm counting on you.

Need any help?

Nope.

You put my legs on backwards last time, so no thanks.

Hmph, haven't forgotten that, huh?

Tch, you still remember that?

Hey! Stop!

Don't you have an encyclopedia to write?

No one's ever even gonna use it anyway, so not worth the effort!

No one's ever gonna need it anyway, so it's not worth the effort!

Hey, just like you!

Oh, shut up!

Tell me, Rutile...

What is it?

Helio's in pieces, but if we get them all back, you can reform them, right?

Helio's in pieces, but if we get them all back, you can reassemble them, right?

Of course.

Our bodies are home to microscopic organisms called "inclusions," you see.

Thanks to them, even if we shatter into pieces,

as long as we collect enough fragments, we can be reassembled.

as long as we gather enough fragments and reassemble them

It's a wonderful characteristic of ours seen in no other living being.

we can be resurrected.

But, because of that, we have grown completely incapable of letting anything go.

It's a wonderful trait of ours that no other creature shares.

There you are. Good as new.

However, this property also makes us incapable of giving up on anything.

Let's head back out there then.

There. That'll do just fine.

Let's head back to our posts.

Watch it!

You're the one who would break if we bumped into each other, you three-and-a-half!

You're the one who'd break if you touched me, Three-and-a-Half!

I'm quite used to it, O Great Seven.

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PAS/bxvxy

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   Episode One
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Well...
Time to get to work.
Ah, right.
Phos! I know you're here!
Phos!
Master Adamant is looking for you.
What for?
Beats me.
Wait, you don't think...
maybe Master wants me to join you all in battle?
I highly doubt that.
I see even an expert like you is intimidated by my potential!
"Potential "?
Do you still not have a job?
Morga!
Goshe?
We don't have time for this!
We have sunspot activity to the south!
Minor, but we need to alert Master!
All right.
If it's minor, we can handle it ourselves!
What?!
Don't get cocky!
It's fine!
We need to cut Master a break sometimes.
They're a lot older than they look, y'know?
You'd better hurry back!
Jerk.
You don't have to rub it in...
Okay!
Today's the day I'll talk to Master!
Wait! Gotta make the right impression.
Perfect! Cute!
Dignified!
Phos is as lively as ever, huh?
I just hope they stay out of trouble.
Reporting for duty!
Come.
You called for me, Master Adamant?
Yes.
Phosphophyllite... at long last, I have a job for you.
We can handle this.
Yeah.
Oh!
Master, just a little while ago, Morga and Goshe said they saw a Lunarian sunspot.
But, since it was minor, they said they'd...
Master?
What?!
That didn't stop it?!
And look at those arrowheads...
Aren't those shards from when they took Heliodor?
How could they do that?
This is perfect.
We'll take back every last one!
They come to harvest us for jewelry.
From the moon, they bombard us with countless legions of hunters...
while we number but twenty-eight.
The skilled among us work in pairs. Some keep lookout. Some fight.
Every one of us uses our singular talents so that we may fulfill our goals and help one another.
Alas, you seemed fit for none. I was at a loss.
With your precarious physical condition and incomparable lack of grace,
the search for a duty befitting of you long proved a fruitless one.
Why not just have me fight then?
Fight, you say?
Well, I mean... we've tried everything else, right?
You would do best to let that idea go.
Yikes.
Looking out for your elders, are you?
Here it comes! Fall back!
You're still incapable!
You fools!
Oh dear.
You are particularly fragile,
and your hardness is only three and a half.
Simply brushing into someone is more than enough to break you.
Moreover, the Lunarians are fond of your peppermint color.
If you were to fight with those three weaknesses,
even an army of you would fall in a single attack.
You thus require strength surpassing even my own.
Fat chance!
Which is why I decided...
that you should compile our encyclopedia.
Wh—
What?!
You're gonna spill!
That's so boring!
Quite the contrary.
By compiling an encyclopedia, you will both preserve the present and prepare for the future.
It is an important role which requires creativity and intelligence.
The key to battle is a keen eye.
If you wish to fight, first train your eyes through this task.
Aren't you just trying to trick me into it?
Only you've got the guts to talk back to Master.
Big talk for someone who doesn't ever do a thing around here.
Who asked you?!
But it is that very frankness of yours that is needed for this task.
I'm counting on you.
Need any help?
Nope.
You put my legs on backwards last time, so no thanks.
Hmph, haven't forgotten that, huh?
Hey! Stop!
Don't you have an encyclopedia to write?
No one's ever even gonna use it anyway, so not worth the effort!
Hey, just like you!
Oh, shut up!
Tell me, Rutile...
What is it?
Helio's in pieces, but if we get them all back, you can reform them, right?
Of course.
Our bodies are home to microscopic organisms called "inclusions," you see.
Thanks to them, even if we shatter into pieces,
as long as we collect enough fragments, we can be reassembled.
It's a wonderful characteristic of ours seen in no other living being.
But, because of that, we have grown completely incapable of letting anything go.
There you are. Good as new.
Let's head back out there then.
Watch it!
You're the one who would break if we bumped into each other, you three-and-a-half!
I'm quite used to it, O Great Seven.
Take me wi—
Absolutely not!
You have to!
If I hadn't told Master Adamant, both of you would be up on the moon right now!
Don't forget it!
Hey, Rutile! You sure you can't make their body as hard as their head?
Come on, just get me out of this lame job, would you?!
You really hate it that much, do you?
Well, duh! I want a cool job!
Well, then, how about we switch?
I'm not so pitiful as to take what doesn't belong to me...
is what you probably thought I'd say!
You were mistaken!
Hey, that's heavy!
Maybe this will teach you a lesson.
I just finished putting you back together...
Thank goodness!
I didn't think you'd really take it!
Hey...
You wanted it to hit me, didn't you?
Guilty.
Sheesh. All right.
Fine then.
My only friend here...
is you.
Right, so...
Let me guess: "What is an encyclopedia anyway?"
Woah, it's blank?!
Don't peek!
You were hard at work putting this off, huh?
I'm amazed.
No! I'm just working out a greater overall concept!
I heard that encyclopedias are supposed to categorize everything in nature itself.
Share your wisdom, Goshe!
Like how though?
Maybe recording all the bugs and plants along the shore?
Gonna need more than that.
We know all about the things we use, so maybe the things we don't use?
Almost there—give me more!
We aren't really that familiar with this stuff... Sorry.
Lookouts like us always have our eyes on the skies...
Cinnabar might know though.
Cinnabar...
Why don't you go ask?
I can't do that!
I can't go up to them!
We've never even spoken!
But they might know more than us.
Anyway, good luck on your wild discoveries, Master Scholar.
Master Scholar...
All right!
Idiot.
Cinnabar, huh? No way.
I should probably ask Master instead...
Nope, that'd be even worse.
Half a day of lecturing at least.
Still, I'm not really getting anywhere on my own.
Though it'd be cool to make some big, new discovery.
Okay!
The Master Scholar must be open to the opinions of others.
Huh? Something new?
I only know about the stuff I work with.
But, hey, I want to fix this chair, so could you just hold that there?
Oh! Nice timing, Phos!
Can you model this for me?
I heard you're working on an encyclopedia...
We're running low on hemp this year, so don't go wasting paper!
I know all about adhesives and powders, but you want something no one uses, huh?
Ah.
Cinnabar out on night watch might know something if you ask.
Oh, come on!
Wouldn't you know more than anyone?
Are you just brushing me off 'cause you're busy, you quack?
Maybe your mouth is in need of an emergency operation.
Here come the wonder hands!
I mean, I know Cinnabar walks every nook along the shore, but it's always at night, right?
Can they even see anything? The rest of us barely function at night.
Indeed, we feed off the sun and are not built for the night, which makes things dangerous.
But Cinnabar...
Cinnabar's endless silvery poison pulls in the faint night light and allows for patrols in the dark.
But...
the Lunarians have never shown themselves at night.
What? Then why even have a lookout at night?
No matter how unlikely, that is their job.
If you do go out there, be careful.
It's not like I want to go see them.
You probably know this already, but...
if any part of you comes in contact with their poison, light will no longer pass through it.
It will have to be chipped off of you.
And you will lose all the memories held within those shards.
Hey, you!
Quit wasting time on that useless job of yours and help me discover something grand!
Wow! You'll let me help you, O Great Master Scholar?
Indeed.
And, just like that, I'll make Cinnabar my assistant.
Then I'll finish the encyclopedia, make some grand discovery,
earn everyone's admiration,
and then they'll realize I must have what it takes to join the battle.
Oh, yeah, that's it!
Benito!
Now, I do believe your room is right next to Cinnabar's.
Lead the way!
Why do you even wanna know?
They can't control their poison, you know?
Maybe they hate it themself, but Cinnabar's been gone a long while now.
Benito, are you sure it wasn't because you said something mean to my little helper?
Of course not!
Who do you think I am? You?
And what do you mean, your "helper"?
Give it up, Phos.
That poison is basically what they are,
and they know to stay away from us so they don't cause trouble.
But, honestly...
just being near them leaves me uneasy.
Cinnabar's a bother just by existing...
Never would've guessed there was someone even more good-for-nothing than me...
Why would anyone do such a pointless, useless, thankless job?
I don't get it.
Why not just quit?
Nowhere to be found.
Come on, help a Master Scholar out here.
Cinnabar, where are you?
If you aren't out on this cliff, that means you're either...
out in the ocean or up in the sk—
Why would anyone come at twilight, I wondered, but of course it's you, Three-and-a-Half!
Damn...
Why now?
Just being here kills the grass and the earth itself...
I don't want to ruin any more.
I don't want to be seen anymore.
Not like this...
I don't want to fight...
I don't want t—
Cinnabar!
I never asked for help.
Cinnabar...
I'm the weakest out of all 28 of us...
Hardness: two.
There.
I've chipped away all the contaminated spots.
Do you remember who I am?
A quack.
Perhaps it was worse than I thought.
Let's carve that right out of you.
An excellent doctor!
Well, that's the best I can do.
I'd never been chipped before...
Have you forgotten anything?
I don't really know yet, but I definitely won't forget today...
Cinnabar didn't want to fight, but still saved me.
Indeed. Quite shrewd of them.
Unfortunately, the area there is now stagnant.
The water, flora, and fauna will be of no use for some time.
Phos, the truth is...
Cinnabar is incredibly bright and gifted,
but, because their touch brings ruin, we have no way of handling it.
So they are forced out into the night.
Is that all we can do?
Rigorous, meaningful work is the best medicine against questioning one's place in the world.
We cannot die, so we must simply face these problems as they are until we eventually find an answer.
Or perhaps you'll find a place for Cinnabar for us?
Aren't you looking for a big discovery?
How am I supposed to do that?
Even you and Master Adamant couldn't think of anything else, right?
Tell me, though: where did Cinnabar stay during the day?
They just sort of appeared when I went up that cliff to the north.
The Cape of Emptiness?
Yeah, there, at just the right moment.
The Cape of Emptiness is the most dangerous of locations, as well as where Heliodor was taken from us.
I can't imagine anyone would stay there long...
Oh, Phos.
Dia...
I'm glad to see you're well.
You must be careful out there.
Yeah...
I don't know.
I guess I might as well jot it down.
Hey.
Cinnabar...
Haven't you had enough already?
Th-This is my job! I'm not here by choice!
And why are you even here again anyway?
Helio got taken here! It's dangerous, you know?
It is.
And I...
I'm waiting here to be taken away.
At least on the moon they might make use of me.
I've been waiting, but they never come.
Yet, the second you arrive, they show up.
Must be nice.
Desired even by our enemy...
There are two species along the south beach.
Three species on the Twin Shores.
One in the Inter Plain.
One on White Hill.
I don't know if any are major discoveries, but I've seen unnamed, unused plants out there.
Rutile came out to treat me this morning.
That's all you need from me, right?
Now stay out of my way.
I'd like you to help me!
I don't want to.
F-Fine!
Well, I'm going to find something more fun than the night watch that only you can do then!
So just...
don't say you're going to the moon!
Got it?!
Hey.
Are you all right?
What then? What is it?
What can only you do?
I couldn't sleep 'cause something was flapping around...
and I find they left this here.
How careless can you get?
You big dummy.
Not my problem.
You big dummy.
This handwriting is horrendous.
And these pictures are just as bad.
What's even in this?
I want to be free of the night.
It'll never happen. I refuse to believe them.
This stupid thing...
But, still...
I don't want you to go away.

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   Episode Two
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Six shooting stars once visited this planet,
fracturing the Earth six times and giving birth to six moons.
Nearly all life fled for the seas, and on the empty shores
appeared a lifeform suited to the barren world.
Among the prospering life forms, those who were too late to flee sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
On the sea floor, they were consumed by microorganisms,
transformed into inorganic substances,
and, over vast stretches of time, they were systematically arranged, forming gemstones.
They rose once again to the shores,
and then became...
That is all.
You are dismissed.
All right, let's move, Nepti.
Okay.
Yellow, I have something to report!
Speaker, good work today.
Thanks, Euclase.
You should report all this to Master.
No, it can wait.
They just started meditating.
Waking Master up at a time like this would be...
M-Master...
Um, Master...?
Master...
Mas...
...ter!
Mas-ter!
My hand!
...even harder than fighting off the Lunarians.
I'll report back tonight.
Observing the jellyfish, are you?
All for the encyclopedia I take it.
No, I just thought my reflection here looked so adorable.
I'm kidding!
Isn't it obvious? I'm at a loss here!
Be careful, you idiot!
Seriously, I can't think of anything, Speaker Jade!
I need some ideas...
What kind of ideas?
I can't tell you.
Then how am I supposed to know?
I'm gonna go crazy from all this overthinking.
About what?!
I never should have said anything...
I'd like you to help me!
I'm going to find something more fun than the night watch that only you can do then!
Don't say you're going to the moon!
Got it?!
Would it be at all possible to forget about the other day and start with a clean slate?
I have no idea what you're—
Jeez! I'm going to start to hate this if I have to think about it any more.
Perseverance is the key to discovery.
Master...
I will be in the main hall.
Report to me immediately if anything arises.
Yes, sir!
Off for a nap, Master?
It is called meditation.
Now, take care not to do anything rash.
Understood?
Yeah...
Now then, back to work.
What's your deal?
I'm asking you a question!
Fine, so you're having trouble coming up with some sort of idea, is it?
Yup.
What's the big idea?!
Just an impact test.
I am carrying out our regular 100-year toughness inspection.
While I can examine your hardness with just a touch,
toughness depends on a complicated system of factors such as your gem structure and cleavage.
I want to use you as a higher reference valu—
At least ask me first!
Yes, quite sorry.
I don't really get it...
Now, if you would...
My, you certainly are sturdy, Jade!
The very sound is different.
You are undoubtedly top-class.
You damned quack...
I-I give...!
Top-class indeed.
Oh, you're fine.
I already know you're the bottom rung.
Are you all right?
Jeez, what's with that?
Oh, right, speaking of which,
if you're looking for something new,
Diamond has been using some new fighting techniques lately.
They're always doing stuff like that.
A new way to fight?
Wow, a good smack is all it took to get that out of you!
That's completely irrelevant!
Right! Forget ol' Jade; I should be talking to Dia instead!
You're right; I was asking the wrong person.
Thank you!
I am the second-most durable one here, I'll have you know!
But, come on, forget durability— it's combat ability that's way cooler!
Anyway!
Diamond's unit is out on patrol now.
Don't go bothering them.
Dia!
What are you doing, Phos?
You could have gotten hurt.
Phos?
Your presence is blinding.
I'm so strapped for ideas that I feel like I might crumble to pieces.
Please bestow upon me some guidance.
What sort of ideas?
I can't tell you that.
Just give me an idea on how to get ideas!
Now that's a difficult request!
Let's see...
Why not start by changing in some big way?
You could try doing things you don't normally do, yes?
I constantly think that I want to be different.
The whole reason I'm asking for some help is because that's impossible!
Do you know how long I've spent lazing around?
I guess someone who's got a hardness of 10 wouldn't think anything of me.
Phos...
I'm disappointed, Dia.
Coming here turned out to be totally pointless!
It was? Sorry then...
Look, now I've gone and made you mad.
See, I have many shortcomings myself.
Do forgive me.
Phos.
Pretty please?
Very well, but only this time.
By the way...
have you seen Bort?
Bort?
Now that you mention it, why are you alone?
Did they take off somewhere?
Gosh, that's so selfish, huh?
I just can't keep up is all.
There you go again, letting them get away with it!
You expect me to believe that when you're both diamonds?
Want me to give Bort a verbal whammy for you?!
Maybe...
Th-That might be a tad overboard...
A...
Amazing!
You knocked them right back! You're something else, Diamo—
No...
This isn't over.
Huh?
What are they...
Just a bit more.
Dia...
what's that sound?
Don't worry.
The usual technique just isn't holding up.
I have everything under control.
Dia?!
Run!
Dia!
Amazing, right?
This is how it always is.
Bort has gotten so strong lately.
They don't even let me fight.
All of us diamonds have the maximum hardness of 10,
but there are two classes of durability among us.
I may be hard, but I'm fragile under impact.
Bort is special though.
They're not a monocrystal like me.
Since Bort is made of a synthesis of microcrystals,
even when hit at their weak points, the shock doesn't fracture the rest of their body,
so their toughness is in a class all its own.
They're the hardest and most perfect among us.
I'm the one who wants to change.
I want to be like that.
Like Bort?!
No way! I don't care how strong they are—they're so scary!
Our gentle Dia is much better!
But, you know...
a weak diamond is really no diamond at all.
So... Bort is the only true diamond.
Exactly.
But...
sometimes, just for a second...
I think, "If only Bort weren't here"...
What?
Right?
It crosses my mind...
despite how much I love them.
Terrible, isn't it?
Can't live with them or without them...
Do you understand what I mean?
No, I—
Find a word to describe this feeling then.
What? Why?
Wouldn't we feel better if we could recognize it?
Your encyclopedia is supposed to categorize things, isn't—
Bort...
No!
So that sound...
was that, wasn't it?
I'm sorry, Phos, for putting you in danger like that...
I thought I could handle it...
Why, you...
First, you disappear on me, and then I find you testing your weird fighting style out here!
I told you those absurd stunts of yours are too much for your body!
What were you thinking?!
It's just...
the way you're always the one protecting me, it's not right!
I'm a diamond, too!
But if I can't do anything myself...
...what's the point of me even being here?
What a load of nonsense!
Hey, Bort, you jerk!
Stop picking on Diamond!
Whammo!
S-See, I just happened to run into Phos here and tried to lend a hand!
I don't know what for exactly,
but Phos was trying to come up with some new idea...
Yeah, yeah!
Do you think you might be able to help, Bort?
Sure...
No way!
Haphazard assistance will never solve your problems.
I'll crush your worries right now.
Bort!
They ignored us...
Dia and that waste of space are right here, but...
Look...
What is that?
That's too big to be a halo...
They're right above the school though, so I'm sure Master will—
Master is napping...
Huh?
What?!
This...
is bad!
Sheesh.
Phos really is helpless, huh?
Didn't even bring Master's draft board.
My goodness...
I know I'm the one who brought up Dia's name, but I hope Phos isn't causing trouble.
I do hope they at least stay quiet while Master is resting.
Yeah.
Or else, I'll have to...
...ter!
N-Now, let's not worry too much.
Even Phos can't cause that much trouble every...
Jade! Euc! Above you!
When did they get there?!
Bort's here, huh? Guess it's taken care of then.
Jade!
Right, sorry.
Phos...
I'm sorry!
You again?!
It's not my fault!
Stand back.
But there must be something I can...
I'll tell you what you can do...
nothing.
Yeah.
I know.
But still...
Things are complicated between those two.
I thought I told you not to get in their way!
Well? Did you ask Dia?
Are you making progress on that encyclopedia?
Master Scholar! Just who I was looking for.
What might you need?
That there. Would you find out what it is?
Well, I'm quite busy, you see.
The fact that it's still here after the Lunarians have vanished
would suggest it's not from the moon.
This could be a great discovery!
Wonderful! And I leave that possibility in your hands!
Oh, but I am unworthy!
It's all yours!
It's far too great for me !
Now, listen, take this seriously and do it right.
Do let me know when you finish.
Wait, are you serious?
No, really! I don't have time for this!
Hey!
I have pressing matters to attend to!
It's so hot...
I can't move...
You're kidding!
It broke... No...
Jade! Your leg!
Your leg is melting!
Somebody... save me...
Where are you, you runt?
Do you hear me? Answer me!
Bort...
...melted?
Preposterous!
Is it heat? Or acid?
Or some sort of new weapon to melt us and bring us to the moon?
And of course it had to be that dimwitted weakling that gets captured...
Can we still be put back together if we melt?
Hey, runt! What's going on in there?
If you're just waiting for a miracle...
you're better off never coming back.
No... Help me...
Without me...
Cinnabar...
will never...
be free...

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   Episode Three
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No response?
What a bothersome brat!
Bort!
There!
Look!
It's Phos!
Phos might have found something!
Phos...
Phos!
Are you in there?
Don't do it! Stand back!
But...
I told you to stand back!
Jeez, what's all the commotion about?
Oh, is it more Lunarians?
Looks like it's already over with.
I didn't even get to see them!
Why didn't the bell go off?
So it's just some sort of snail then.
It even shrivels up in salt water.
This all would have been so obvious,
but, thanks to that imbecile, we wasted our time and energy here.
B-But, thanks to Phos, we pinpointed its weak spot.
I'm sure a little credit—
Who deserves credit?!
When they get back, there's going to be a beat-down.
Jade! Euclase!
Time to pick up the scraps of that piece of garbage.
Well? Find anything?
Nope...
No luck. It's all empty.
Nothing. Not a trace down there.
I can't believe it...
Is there no end to the trouble that scrapheap brings?
Bad!
Here.
Thanks.
You were able to crack the shell, so I figured we'd see something of them, but...
Yeah...
Where did you disappear to, Phos?
I don't suppose Phos is in that thing either?
Phos...
Where are you now?
Phos?
Phos...?
Well, now.
Time to take a bre—
Emergency! We have an emergency!
All right, all right.
Someone was causing a ruckus and fell into the pond, yes?
I can only assume it was Phos.
You'll be okay.
I'm sure Rutile can figure something out.
Isn't that great, Phos?
You're so happy, aren't you?
You diamonds, neither you nor your jokes are ever dull.
I'm serious!
Phos was swallowed up by a giant snail the Lunarians dragged in,
but this is all that's left.
There's nothing else but the shell.
So it's only a "shell" now?
I must say, that's really a terrible jo—
I am reporting the situation!
Well, then, shall we rip it open?
W-Wait a minute!
It's hard to say what will happen with this slimy little thing,
but, if that truly is Phos, it should be fine.
B-But...
animals can't be put back together again, can they?
Animals rot away when they break.
In order to adapt to their environment, older ones pass in favor of their replacements.
That's what Master told me.
What inferior beings.
So that's what they've turned into?
How inconvenient...
We certainly want to fix this before Master awakens.
Well, as long as they aren't taken to the moon.
We've done our part here.
Dia, return once your arm is mended.
Right...
Here.
Phos dropped this right before getting sucked in.
Maybe in hopes that your arm could be saved.
We're also responsible for telling Phos to investigate that shell in the first place.
But, seeing as we don't know what to do, let the doctor handle it for now.
Be sure not to strain yourself for a while.
Thank you.
Open. Close. Open. Close.
Okay, bye then.
I'll take good care of it.
Thank you.
Don't worry! I'll get you back to normal!
Hmph...
Say, you turning out like this... It doesn't...
Why not start by changing utterly?
...have anything to do with that advice I gave you...
does it?
Oh, of course it does, doesn't it?
Okay, then...
Let's see what everyone else thinks!
What?!
That's Phos?
Yeah, Phos is...
I know! Here! Look at that!
What?!
Phos?
Wait, more importantly, I need to finish fixing this desk.
Seriously?!
Seriously...
Yeah, I suppose you're not one for jokes.
Hey, why not leave Phos like that?
It's gross, but at least it's quiet.
It's gross, but at least it won't bother anyone.
It's gross, but—
Get away! Stay off me! You're slimy! So slimy!
What?! Is that even possible?
Yeah...
Wow...
Phos really can't do anything anymore...
So we need to find a way to undo this, huh?
Phos never did anything before either, you know.
Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.
Oh, you're just calling it quits now?
Nice going, Phos.
I don't feel like much has changed though...
But, wait, this means Phos won't have to worry about the Lunarians anymore!
Phos, the others don't seem to like you much...
If you don't make efforts to get along with everyone, no one will be there to help you when you're in need.
Hey, are you listening?
Stop!
If you start eating grass, you'll dirty your insides!
Do you not want to be saved?
If you've changed so much, maybe you don't worry about how others see you...
...and don't compare yourself to anyone.
No need to be jealous or put on airs either, is there?
Are you happier this way?
Let's go ask around a little bit more.
I'm sure there's someone out there who needs you.
Well...
time for work.
No matter how many times I run this patrol, the Lunarians never show.
There's no need for me to be here at all...
I'm going to find something that only you can do!
Why did I even talk to someone like that?
Don't say you're leaving for the moon!
It's not like anything will ever come from it.
Any expectations I have...
The Lunarians, here at night...
Diamond?
Huh? Cinnabar?
Why are you here?
It got dark, so I must have fallen asleep.
Y-You're way too bright!
S-Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you...
Get out of here.
Phos is missing!
Phos?
Phos!
Wait, where did you go?
What am I gonna do?
Phos! Phos!
What am I going to do?
This is terrible...
Don't go on without me!
You and I were both born in the same year, right?
Help me look!
Absolutely not! I never want to see them again!
Phos?
There you are! Thank goodness!
You shouldn't do that. Come on, come to me now.
I'm leaving, okay?!
Look!
Recognize them?
Oh, my, you seem so happy!
Is that your pet or something?
You all must be freaks.
Like that battle maniac.
I'll never understand you diamonds.
This right here is Phos!
Phosphophyllite.
The same one you rescued just the other day.
Right?
What, exactly...
Never mind, I don't even want to know.
So... eaten by some giant snail the Lunarians brought in, and then turned into one?
Yeah...
Do you honestly believe that's even possible?
What?
Did you break its shell before they were eaten?
Well, the Lunarians did just drop it down on us, and Bort went at it and opened a hole or two maybe...
Wait!
This is where you say, "I know how to turn them back," right?
Don't put words in my mouth! I said nothing of the sort!
Everyone else says it's better this way!
Do you feel the same?!
I just...
I think we'd be better off without someone like that.
Troublesome, annoying, self-centered, and full of nothing but childish ideas...
A useless fool who can't do anything, but still imposes on others without a second thought.
I hate it!
Cinnabar...
Did Phos confess to you?
Why would you think that?!
I've always hated how you think of everything as some sort of romance!
But that's exactly what it sounds like!
Besides, that was the most you've ever spoken in the past hundred years.
Do you like that?
Oh, yes, you have terrible taste!
Hey!
What is this thing anyway?
"What"...?
That there is just some random snail.
Shell-dwellers like those eat rocks to repair and strengthen their shells.
Look.
The ones here eat the red cliffs, so their shells are red,
but the ones on the shores are white like the sand.
That loud-mouthed good-for-nothing...
...might as well just stay down there in the pond...
...as patches of peppermint.
So you mean...
You mean Phos was turned into part of that shell?
If we carve out the pieces that are mint-colored...
...maybe we can save Phos!
Of course!
Because we never die!
Don't do it! There's no point in saving that one!
Bring them back as much as you want; they'll still be a hopeless disappointment!
But...
I guess I can wait a little longer...
before I start calling you a liar.
Why not start by changing utterly?
You could try doing things you don't normally do.
I constantly think that I want to be different.
I found a way!
I think we can save Phos!
We can bring them back!
Go.
Hurry up and do it.
Thank you, Bort!
Hey!
Everyone, come help me!
We're pulling the shell up from the pond!
It might be the middle of the night, but put some backbone into it!
Heave ho!
Pull!
It's stuck in there real good.
This is gonna take a while.
Give me more light!
These are all the colored pieces!
Phos!
I...
It was you !
Settle down! I just pieced you back together!
Here's your chance!
Ready? And...
"I'm sorry!"
It's smarter than Phos!
It's cuter than Phos!
Shut up! You think that settles things?!
Why, you...!
You little...
I hope Master destroys you!
Back to work! Back to work!
Glad Phos is back to normal.
I'm exhausted!
Huh?!
Of course not!
That doesn't give you the right to eat anything in front of you!
Absolutely not!
I'm not happy about it!
Listen to me!
Um...
Phos?
What?
Who, exactly, are you talking to?
Huh?
You can't understand it?

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   Episode Four
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A dream...
This isn't good.
I rested for too long.
Oh, Master! You've awoken?
Jade.
How long was I asle—
...meditating for?
For an entire day.
Is that so?
Too long, perhaps.
Pardon me for the trouble.
I'll have your report now.
Right!
First off, the Lunarians.
At roughly noon, two vessels appeared both out in the Ardent Wetlands and above the school.
Why was I not woken?!
Before we even had a chance, both were—
I took care of them.
Well done, Bort.
But we rarely see such numbers.
Do not overexert yourself.
I haven't yet done as such.
I assume everyone is safe and sound?
Yes.
Good.
Anything else?
Well, you see, Phos...
I am the ruler who presides over all the Admirabilis, Ventricosus!
Bow before me!
You boorish jellyfish! Halt, I say!
Darn. Can't you get any smaller?
You know, I originally hail from these coasts.
This charming size before you now is my normal one.
What are we going to do about this?
It's quite bothersome here.
Every one of my people was taken by the Lunarians for our magnificent shells.
As they kept us, we grew large with the sweet water and sand on the moon, and were robbed of our reason.
My people are still being cultivated there today.
A sad tale, is it not?
Well...
I mean, if that's true I might feel sympathetic, but...
Whatever! Why am I the only—
How are you feeling?
You shouldn't do too much!
Mental issues should be checked out ASAP.
Let's play cards tonight!
Since I'm the only one who seems to understand you,
everyone else thinks I'm going crazy, talking to myself!
Can't you do something about this?
That sounds terrible.
I never would have imagined.
Why did you have to gulp down me, of all people?
Your color looked tasty.
Phos, are you okay?
Nope.
Hey! My Diamond!
My, what a wonderful place.
Chock full of cuties!
I'm into the slightly stuck-up type.
Like that one with the long black hair, or the redhead who's out at night!
You met Cinnabar?!
Quite clever, that one.
By considering the traits of my kind, they instantly figured out you were part of my shell.
You became whole again because of them.
So Cinnabar saved me again then...
That's not good. Nope, definitely bad.
You don't want to let that one see you slip up, right?
Yeah? What are you getting at?
They shared a secret with me I bet no one else knows.
I'm waiting here until I'm swept away.
I don't know why, but I want to imagine Cinnabar wouldn't have told just anyone.
You know...
no one's ever trusted me to do anything before.
That's why I have to be the hero this time around.
Okay! Time to get serious!
Same here!
You go take a walk or something!
I should break you down and put you back together once more.
This is just some mental thing! It's stress! A little stress!
But this reflects on me and my practice!
Take this!
You will not get away!
Just listen.
Doctor's orders!
A stone-eating snail, was it?
Yes, and—
I'm definitely getting blamed for this...
Sorry, Cinnabar.
I'm done for.
Oh, my! What a handsome fellow!
Huh? Why can't I eat you?
This must be it.
Now, O Shelled Ruler,
while our circumstances may differ, shells are but another form of gem.
I welcome you here.
What would you ask of us?
Will you go out with me?!
It wishes to be your servant, it says.
I'm afraid that won't do.
I believe we should maintain equal and amicable relations.
While I can see it seems to hold us in high regard,
you are still the only one who can understand it.
So I ask that you take it with you as part of your work on the encyclopedia.
All right...
Master, I wanted to ask you about Cinnabar...
Why is it that they have to do such a pointless job?
I know they might be hazardous, but they're also extraordinary,
and has saved me in my incompetence twice now.
Isn't there anything else—
Forgive me.
I have yet to find a solution to this problem.
In any case, doing a night watch was their own idea.
Despite repeated attempts to persuade them that merely living was enough in itself...
...they are far too kind and far too wise to simply sit by idly.
I could not bring myself to take away the night watch Cinnabar personally thought up.
Still, I have consequently confined Cinnabar to the night.
My own worry and ignorance are to blame.
Allow me more time to find an answer.
We are too complex to be satisfied with only being alive.
Fortunately, we are long-lasting.
You may be frustrated with the need for patience and perseverance,
but, if you wish to be of use to Cinnabar when the time comes,
focus on completing what you have been tasked with.
I...
I might never find anything to offer Cinnabar.
Perhaps not in these lands.
Let's head for the sea.
Okay, back, back...
Ack! Hold on a sec!
You're telling me to mess around and leave?
Nothing of the sort!
Now that I've slimmed down and my mind is clear again, I've remembered.
Remembered what?
In my dominion in the sea, there would be ones who look much like all of you.
What?
Well, maybe you might find a clue to your mystery!
Consider it to be a great way to get your work done and to take your mind off things.
And, lucky you, I'll be your charming guide!
Aw, aren't you just the kindest snail ever?!
Thanks a bunch, Ventricrapsus!
That's Ventricosus !
The sea is supposed to be off limits,
but... I guess I'm no use around here anyway.
Maybe it's worth a shot.
Good morning.
Oh? You're up early.
I'm sorry to interrupt you.
I want to head into the pond.
May I?
Of course. Let me just apply the anti-salt resin so your powder doesn't wash off.
Last summer was quite hot, so we didn't get many powder flowers.
But it seems winter was cold enough, so there is plenty of resin to be had.
Is that so?
Are you still searching for the documents you lost thanks to that snail?
I expect the jellyfish have already eaten them, but yes.
Wouldn't want to waste paper.
How diligent of you.
You think?
These past two days have been so peaceful.
The sun is pleasant too.
Certainly compared to how restless the other day was.
To think we'd see the Lunarians twice in one day.
Over the last 2,173 years that I've been here,
they typically only appear once every three sunny days.
I wonder if something has changed.
We're strangely oblivious, aren't we?
The heat of summers and cold of winters don't affect us like they do plants.
And we'll never be as attuned to danger as insects.
Do you think it's because we're immortal?
It's certainly why we hardly fear a thing even when our enemy changes their ways.
I'm a bit more fragile than the others though, so it scares me a little.
By the way, have you got it?
Right, about that. I can't find it anywhere.
I swear it was right here yesterday.
What?
Euc!
Red Beryl!
Have you seen my new project?
I woke up extra early to finish it, but it's gone!
I just got an extra day extension to work on it too!
This is awful!
You mean the more durable version of our uniforms you were working on?
Yup!
I shortened the collar by about 1/100th, giving it a much more elegant form!
Could anyone actually tell?
Oh, also...
the tag is different!
How many layers do you need?
Get on with it already.
Just wait, would you?
If I go in without this, all my powder would come off and I'd be hideous.
We aren't meant to be deep in salt water either.
If we're going to spend time under the sea, then I need to pre—
Master gave you permission?
Maybe I should slim down this part here...
Now is not the time, you fashionaholic!
I forbid it.
But it's for the encyclope—
Perhaps if you had already finished documenting the hill,
but I have yet to receive a single report from you.
Focus on the task before you.
Don't they realize how long it's going to take to finish with that hill?
This is me we're talking about!
What if Cinnabar vanishes before I'm done?
What? You're making weird sounds.
Nothing, it's just...
the plants here are not enough to sustain me.
My strength is fading.
Oh, yeah, you animals can't survive on light alone, huh?
You need food or whatever, right?
Yes.
Every animal has a certain...
Ruler?
Whoa, almost fell asleep there! I must be really out of it.
Don't do that! I thought you were going to die or whatever you call it!
Actually, I don't really get what "death" is anyway.
What is it, exactly?
Is it like being super tired? Or stuck still?
Well, you see...
it's more like going far away.
They're still there even if you can't see them, right?
They're gone for good, and you'll never find them again.
Will they hear you if you call?
Even if you did, they wouldn't know who they were anymore.
However, in exchange for leaving nothing in its wake,
death allows us to find meaning in life.
So it's not such a bad thing.
But you'll feel left behind.
Indeed, but it is inevitable.
I was not lying when I said there were those like you down under the sea, but...
The truth is... I mostly just want to see my homeland again.
I was sure I would never get such a chance, but as I draw closer, I can't take my mind off it.
No matter what was lost, how much ruin befell it, and no matter if no one is left, I still feel the urge.
Are you sure about this?
What choice do I have?
Master told me to focus on what's before me, right?
Helping Cinnabar is important to me, but...
you're important to me, too.
You're too weak to get back on your own, right?
Yes...
How long does it take to get back home?
No time at all. But, more importantly...
you're frail for your kind, yes?
If you crack among the waves, you may never make it back.
Whatever.
Seriously?
Cinnabar might have shared a secret with me, but the promise was on my part alone.
It was stupid of me to take on so much for no reason.
But it's too late to take it back now.
And I'll never be able to forget it or just fade away, so I can only move forward.
Hey, does this being that looks like us experience death...?
Ruler?
Yes. Our marvelous shells are only garments.
We are but fleshy creatures.
And, as such, we rot and pass away,
leaving not a trace.
Oh, this brings back memories! We're close!
At least, it smells just as it did before the Lunarians arrived.
What, now? Come along.
You can't move once the sun sets, yes?
Ma'am?
I am.
What are you?!
I'm me, of course.
But, uh...
you called yourself adorable and stuff, but you were really this creepy thing.
And you said that was your real form!
Well, this is my truer true form.
This is how I am near my homeland.
Aren't I similar to your kind?
I guess so...
But you're all jiggly, you've got way more legs, and all those frills...
You just seem more...
tasteless?
Rude!
I mean, especially those water jugs there.
What are those, even?
These are my most prized and precious parts.
Praise be to them.
Are you like the jellyfish?
What a silly thought! My kind are far sexier, yes?
Yeah? I have no idea.
Well, as long as it means you'll swim on your own.
You can toss that. No point in carrying it, right?
I couldn't!
I'm supposed to treat all items with care.
I've already taken it without asking.
I can only imagine what would happen if I didn't bring it back...
But, hey...
why do we look so much alike?
That is not a question I am fully equipped to answer.
What do you think?
Hm...
Maybe the jellyfish that were so taken with our beauty that they wished t—
Forget about the jellyfish.
I've got it!
Maybe the snails were jealous of how cute we are and—
You were taught little discipline, I see.
Not being "fully equipped" to answer still means you know something!
You tell me.
You know, sometimes you're surprisingly keen.
I can imagine the trouble that hunk must have had with you.
But very well.
According to the legends of my people...
this world was once inhabited by creatures called "humans."
"Humans"?
These animals lived on land, withstanding our planet being struck five times.
But the sixth time, they took to the sea, and so were split into Soul, Flesh, and Bone.
Soul, Flesh, and Bone?
They survived splitting into three parts?
They sound pretty tough for animals.
Okay, so not exactly.
That was just a figure of speech.
They continued on by gradually branching off into three species, to be more accurate.
My people, the Admirabilis, are said to have come from the Flesh.
From them, we inherited a cycle of reproduction and death,
during which we build upon our knowledge.
Conversely, the Bones...
are said to have made agreements with other lifeforms,
gained longer lifespans, and returned to the land.
Do you think that's...
These are merely vague stories my people pass down.
I can say no more than that.
But that's so close to the way we came about!
Yes, I've sensed as much.
For you see, the Souls have found incorrupt lands,
and are now said to linger, seeking out the Flesh and Bones to bring about a revival.
Just like they do.
The Souls...
The Lunarians...
They're doing this to become "human" again?
That, I cannot say.
But each we have our own motivations.
It's ludicrous to imagine that we could ever return to what we once were.
Their ways are both eerie and incomprehensible.
But, like you said yourself, we can only move forward.
We must fight for ourselves and those close to us.
But why?
Why does it have to be that way?
If what you say is true, then the Souls were part of us before, right?
Who knows?
Though they have no enemies of their own, the Lunarians lust for battle and are never satisfied.
That senseless impatience of theirs...
may speak volumes to what these "humans" once were.
Then the both of us have definitely changed for the better.
Our people should work together at least.
Yes, we should.
Phos?
I heard that everyone yelled at you.
It isn't like you lie around, sulking.
I'll ask Master to go easy on you, so cheer up.
Okay?
We're here.
I'm beat...
You said we'd be here in no time, but it took all day...
And just look at this place...
There's nothing here.
Ugh, I'm done.
I can't move another inch. Just gonna lie down for a bit.
Wake me up when you're done.
Much in the way you cherish your Cinnabar, I have someone of my own...
Forgive me.
I offer to you my companion here in exchange for my brother, Aculeatus.

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   Episode Five
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Phos went missing earlier today, so we have dispatched search parties.
Morganite and Goshenite are surveying the Chord Shore area.
And Neptunite and Benitoite are out on the Western Plateau.
Phos!
We have Yellow Diamond and Zircon on White Hill.
I haven't seen a thing...
Hemimorphite and Watermelon are surveying the Eastern Plains.
I see...
That Phos!
Off with my new outfit and everything too!
Maybe they really... went to the sea?
We can't say that just yet.
Or maybe Phos finally committed to the assignment and is working har—
That is absolutely not the case!
You are far too naive!
And you're far too nasty!
I'm heading out for a bit!
Dia?
Someone might know!
How should I know?
Didn't I tell you we're better off without that good-for-nothing?
But... this is too strange.
Why would Phos want to run off into the sea all of a sudden?
Like I'd know.
It's like, maybe...
maybe Phos went looking for something we don't have around here?
Like your heart or something!
I've had about enough of you!
Well, just help us out with this, please?
Well, I'm going to find something more fun than the night watch that only you can do then!
I never asked for this!
Jade!
Over here!
Could these be...?
Preposterous!
Now you ask for more of them?
That was not our deal.
First, return my brother to their senses.
Phosphophyllite is surely worth enough for that.
If I must then.
But know that they are no fools.
That trick shan't work twice.
Perhaps if we were to use Phos as bait...
Yes...
All alone and perceptive...
Perhaps Cinnabar...
No, Phosphophyllite is the best I can do.
The rest already suspect me.
Ruler!
Foo...
Foo?
I... smell...
food...
It's... adorable.
Aculeatus.
Aculeatus!
Aculeatus...
Here!
I woke up to the smell of food
only to find myself close to home, and with my dear sister too.
How lucky!
You...
know nothing but gluttony and aggression, foolish brother of mine.
My goodness, how bold you have become.
I don't know what, exactly, is going on here, but we'd best leave this place at once.
The Lunarians may be weak, but they are both swift and cunning.
Word of our escape is likely to reach the moon at any moment.
It's only a matter of time...
Is that one of the Bones?
Quite the worse for wear.
But beautifully colored like the shallow waters of the west.
The Lunarians would be fond of them.
Oh, that's it.
You used this one here to rescue me, did you?
How incredibly fortunate that you pulled it off without even handing them over to the Lunarians.
For our father, mother, and friends,
this may be their last chance to be freed from a life of domestication.
You were the only one on the moon with even a bit of sense.
You've done well.
And all on your own.
That's not fair.
How am I supposed to be mad after hearing all that?
Meaning you have no qualms about being used in negotiations?
Do you immortals fear nothing?
You may never return home.
So be it.
Well, then...
But, in exchange, keep Cinnabar out of this.
All right. We have a deal.
You're certain?
Yeah.
I forgive you.
I mean, I don't have the strength to fight back anyway.
I don't know how to help my friends like you can, so I might as well be useful.
What have I been doing all this time?
I turn 300 today, you know.
You must be so much younger than me, yet look at what you've accomplished.
Oh, you're so soft.
I guess you don't always have to melt me then.
Sister?
If we're not willing to change either, we're no different than the Lunarians, are we?
Let us return.
Master, we're all ready.
Mind the shifting of the current.
Work in pairs and do not split up.
Yes, sir!
This isn't my problem.
I don't care...
I think we'd be better off without someone like that.
Troublesome, annoying, self-centered, and full of nothing but childish ideas...
A useless fool who can't do anything.
I hate it!
It's not my...
Out at sea...
Even out at sea, I couldn't find a new job for you...
I'm sorry.
Tomorrow...
Tomorrow, I'll try harder.
So forgive me...
No.
You're really a tough one.
I knew you'd say that...
It's already the dead of night.
Still nothing?
Phos?
Phos, come on out!
They aren't used to working out at sea.
They're all exhausted.
They may have to face the Lunarians tomorrow.
They cannot keep going.
I will need more resin if they're to head into the sea again.
By all means.
Next time... I'll be the one that saves you.
Phos...
Where could you have gone off to?
Yikes!
Who did this?!
Sorry 'bout that...
The medical room must remain free of clutter!
Sheesh! What is this thing anyway?!
I think that Ruler left it for me...
You mean that little slug?
Why?
Beats me...
Rutile... I lost my legs.
Can you still fix me?
Where is that resin?!
We need you to hurry, Rutile!
They've returned.
What?
Master...
M-Master?
I only just applied a coat of glue!
L-Listen, Jade, can't you do somethi—
Everyone fall back!
Let's hide!
You submissive coward!
You can't expect me to not report this to Master!
You get out of here too!
But...
If you crack, who's going to put you back together?!
All right then, Phos.
Be ready to face your punishment.
Why you...
insolent fool!
I'm sorry!
The sea... was frightening.
I will hear your full report tomorrow.
I'll try harder starting tomor—
And, in addition...
I hereby call off the production of your encyclopedia.
So...
now that I've got you mostly put back together, what shall we do about your legs?
Well, if I'm being honest here, our only choice is to make use of these things.
When we lose a portion of our bodies,
we must replace it with a similar material with no preexisting microorganisms—no inclusions.
But I was unable to procure enough of such material for your two whole legs' worth.
On the outside, this is even frailer than you,
but the inside is made up of a type of quartz called agate.
Its hardness is 7, while yours is only 3.5.
It'll be a bit crude, but if we break it down and mix it in pieces, it will roughly match your level,
so it shouldn't be too taxing.
Are you listening?
Phos!
I hear you, but the whole losing my job thing kind of makes it hard to focus.
Now, you listen to me.
Your work has been put on hold
because Sensei is worried about you, as the youngest among us.
Plus, every time you go off to do something, it really wears down on the others.
In truth, that is probably the main reason.
Probably, yeah.
Guess I'd better just break into bits again to apologize.
Do not!
Think of this as your last task on the job.
Tell me where these things you washed up with came from.
I'm hesitant to try attaching this to you.
Ru...
"Ru"?
Ru...
"Ru"?!
...sset shell?
Oh, now that you mention it...
shells are known to sometimes petrify into agate.
In that case...
Are those things really fit to be legs?
Will they even move?
If they attach, it doesn't mean they'll move.
Whether or not they'll move will depend on how the inclusions living inside you take to their new home.
Take it easy.
Good. Just like that.
Th-They're just sticks!
I feel like I have some fancy twigs for legs!
Rocks, perhaps.
Didn't work?
Take your time getting back on your feet!
They'll start moving sooner or later, no worries!
I'll help out between shifts.
I know you're impatient though.
Thanks, Red Beryl, Euclase...
Wha...?
Uh...
Huh?
Don't tell me...
Right, it only makes sense that they would lose plenty of memories along with both legs.
After all, that's a whole third of the body.
Phos!
If you get some sun, I'm sure your inclusions will get to work!
I know! I'll make you some cute pajamas!
Thanks.
Here, Rutile is right within earshot.
Thanks...
Sorry, uh...
I-It's Jade. Don't worry about it.
Do you remember anything about the Lunarians?
Well?! What were they like up close?
Well? Well?!
Alex, now's not the time!
See you later!
The Lunarians...
These things look kind of weird, huh?
Move!
Whoa!
I was bad enough to begin with...
Nope, nope, nope!
No getting all weak-kneed now!
They move!
All right!
Quiet down...
I can't do this.
I'm so tired.
We spent all that time searching for Phos. Even I'm exhausted.
You never show it though, Nepti.
Let's rest in shifts.
Ready, and shoot!
Mad that you lost?
Someone just ran by...
What?
...at unbelievable speed.

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   Episode Six
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Hm, bad touch.
Yellow! I alerted everyone!
Okay, Zircon!
Thanks for that!
Master...
Always so fast.
Don't worry, Rutile.
My apologies.
Thanks for taking care of this, Yellow Diamond.
It's fine.
You spent all night piecing Phos back up, right?
Just get some rest.
I've had plenty.
Zircon's neck broke from an arrow...
and they hit their leg against you?
Yup.
Color me impressed, Doc.
Zircon is the impressive one, having sustained minimal injuries.
Zircon is the youngest after Phos, yet they are truly remarkable.
No, they're just an idiot.
Why cover for me?
Because everyone respects you.
Thanks to me, everyone I've been paired with has wound up on the moon.
Green Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, and Pink Topaz too.
I'm not worthy of respect.
I'm only the oldest because I can escape the fastest.
I'm 3,597 years old now...
I don't...
I don't remember why we're even fighting anymore.
It looks as though we can rest easy for a bit.
Better start preparing to hibernate soon too, huh?
Indeed.
Phos is...
Oh!
Yellow!
Oh, Dia, Bort!
I almost mistook you for a flash of lightning!
All right, all right.
You seem to be in a hurry.
I'm trying to find Phos.
I thought they couldn't move after getting those legs,
but they've disappeared.
Again?
Sorry to ask, but will you help?
I want to find them while the rain keeps the Lunarians away.
Phos!
Yellow?
Sheesh... You had me worr—
That was fast!
Why are you running away though?
No, I'm not!
It's these new legs.
They're crazy fast.
So fast I can't even stop where I want to!
What?
What am I gonna do?
You're kidding me, right?
All right, come at me again!
I'm going to stop you this time!
But, if I end up crashing into you...
I'll handle it! Have some faith!
Y-You sure?
You asked for it then.
Don't you dare break me!
Your brother is...
better than that!
'Kay...
Wow, those legs are really something.
Are these stripes agate?
Quartz-agate is strong and has no cleavage.
Lucky you!
Shoot!
Didn't see that rock...
Perhaps it was that drastic medical procedure that allowed Phos a degree of leg control...
but those legs have become incredibly fast.
What might be the cause of that?
We can assume that, due to the fragility of their host,
the inclusions within Phos were unable to exert their full power until now, and did so all at once.
You hear that? I've got potential!
You say, "potential," I say...
You've really got luck on your side, huh?
So, Master!
I would like to put these legs of mine to use and join the battle!
Would you want to waste my new power?!
Don't insist on the impossible.
You can't win just by running away.
Yeah...
You'd need a partner if you were gonna fight,
but it'd probably be pretty rough covering for you.
Yellow!
Member of the honorable diamonds!
Wha—?
Use that brilliance of yours to aid me and—
I've already got Zircon with me.
But I'm younger and spunkier than Zircon!
And where does that leave old me?
Plus, I don't think even I could handle you.
Then Zircon can come with us! How about that?
Teams of three make it too hard to communicate. We should be the same type at least.
Come on, I'm begging you!
Obsidian.
Yes!
Bring me your lightest blade.
M-Master, you can't be serious!
As you requested!
See? Told you so.
It would seem that indeed only your legs have changed.
I'll practice...
every single day...
Woah!
I can't have you breaking on me every day.
Just... let... me... try...
I have wondered this for quite some time...
Why do you so wish to fight, knowing you are not suited for it?
It's 'cause...
I love you, so I want to help, Master.
What?
You guys too, right?
Is there any other reason?
Say something! Rutile! Yellow!
No, yeah.
That's it. Exactly!
Right, Rutile?
Someone's embarrassed.
The ones on the moon have always loved them too.
We need to fight on their behalves as well.
Yeah, my amazing brother!
It might be fun having you as a teammate.
Which means...
Not me!
In any case...
you are in no shape for battle.
But you could at least aid Amethyst on their lookout.
Huh? On lookout?
Really?!
Yeah, that might be a good idea.
I'll explain it to Amethyst.
Yippee!
And now...
let us take this opportunity to hear your report on your happenings in the sea.
Oh, right.
Uh...
The sea was wide...
and big...
and...
Master, Phos lost a third of their body with their legs, and so a third of their memories.
Understood.
Just tell me what you remember as it comes to mind.
Well...
The sea was...
wide...
and big...
Humans...
Hu... mans?
Yeah...
"Humans" were...
No, sorry...
I can't really remember anything else.
Very well.
Master seemed a little off, huh?
Yes, it was probably frustrating because Phos could remember nothing about the sea.
You think so?
I am sure of it.
At any rate,
Phos is quite fortunate to be able to move again, and even faster than before at that.
Since they cannot be as they were, the only option is to improve upon themselves.
Good work out there!
Oh! There you are!
Amethyst!
Stop!
Yellow? Do you need someth—
Thank you for guiding me!
Huh?
So you see...
now that Phos is fast and everything, Master wants you two to pair up for a spell.
Seriously?
I get that their legs are faster now, but what about everything else?
All else stands unchanged...
Oh, this is going to be rough.
Ame here is a sword wielding pro. Take this chance to learn something.
Roger!
Ah, I see.
Suddenly pairing Phos with two others would be dangerous,
plus it's hard to work in tandem as a trio, so...
the two who are as one...
we twin crystal Amethysts, will try you out, yes?
Knowing twin crystals can come in direct contact without cracking doesn't make that any less horrific.
I don't think I've spoken much with Phos before.
I'm Amethyst 84.
And I'm Amethyst 33.
Welcome to the team.
That sound's gonna drive me insane. May I request a transfer?
Don't go getting picky, newbie.
At last, my chance on the battlefield.
I've gotta be...
getting close...
Morning meeting.
We have one every morning.
Hurry now.
Come on, out of those clothes.
And your shoes.
My sword! I can't find my sword!
My sword...
Oh... It's so cool!
Come on.
Today, the likelihood of a Lunarian appearance is 11.4%.
The weather will be largely sunny.
In the afternoon, we can expect heavier clouds, but we anticipate no rain.
The most dangerous area today is White Hill,
which will be handled by Bort and Dia.
Yellow and Zircon will patrol the surrounding area.
The rest of you, follow your usual routes.
And...
Amethyst and...
Phosphophyllite...
will be in charge of patrolling the Western Plateau.
Look at those clouds there.
The Lunarian's sunspots tend to appear around that height.
You're unlikely to miss it unless something's really off.
You don't have to be so tense.
Oh.
A snow butterfly.
Winter's almost here.
Oh.
A jellyfish.
Let's put it back in the water.
Oh.
Hey, wait, wait, wait.
Oh.
Oh?
Oh.
I'm pretty tired now.
We should start heading back.
Phos?
Back on schedule.
Nothing to report.
I think...
You sure?
How was your first day?
I'm making my rounds.
Extreme nervousness has left me mentally exhausted and in need of long-term rest and recovery...
All right, you seem perfectly fine.
Quack doc...
Phos,
our patrol assignment tomorrow is pretty far.
Don't stay up too late and get some sleep, okay?
Rutile asked us to collect seeds from the powder flowers today.
While we're on patrol? That's too much!
Dang.
I guess they heard me calling them a quack...
It's a common assignment.
Good.
Just sit back and relax like that.
Right?
Here I am, on my third day, and already a pro.
Yep.
Great, they haven't figured out I'm just too tired to move.
A little change didn't make things go like I wanted, huh?
Want to try some...
...sword practice?
Sure.
What I want to do is practice whipping out my sword and tossing back the sheath.
It's so cool, right?
Oh, yeah!
Like that!
You might get the real thing first.
Phos, watch and learn.
Phos.
It might be a rare one.
There's something inside...
Phos.
Run.
Why...?
No...
Master...
No!
Phos! Get back!
You poor thing...
You...
Explain yourself!

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   Episode Seven
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Phos.
Run.
No!
You poor thing...
You!
Explain yourself!
I was so scared...
I was unable to move.
Sorry.
We got careless.
We were too eager to set an example for you.
You were scared because of us.
Hey!
Alexandrite?
I heard you saw some new type of Lunarian!
We did, Alex.
The infirmary is no place to shout, Alex.
Look at you, all worked up over Lunarians again, Alex.
It's "Lexi"!
How many times do I have to tell you?!
I heard its blades were made from Sapphire! Tell me everything you can!
C'mon, think!
It all happened so fast, and we were so close that we—
Try harder!
But...
Oh, why not ask Phos?
Phos?
Phos should have seen the whole...
Huh?
I've gotta be able to run like this whenever I need to.
Right now, I'd have nothing to say to them...
And... pull!
Pull it to the right!
Like this?
More to the left.
Like this then?
Further right.
O-Okay, now?
A little higher.
Wait, no, lower.
What?!
Hup...
Oh! I'm so sorry!
It's fine.
All we do every year is sleep. Aren't you worried about wrinkles?
Doesn't matter! Fashion is about passion and persistence!
I put this together despite our lack of fabric just for this day!
Right...
Bring back the ladders!
Phos?
Is there enough cloth over there?
Yup.
I thought as much.
The ladders again!
I asked Cinnabar to hibernate here with us, but they refused.
Could you at least take this bedding to them?
Of all things! Anything but that!
Ack, don't!
Fine, I'll go myself!
You know...
do I really have to hibernate?
What?
It's just... I don't really feel tired this year for some reason.
You, the first to sleep and the last to get up every year?
Do you need a checkup?
Maybe I needed a real doctor to put my legs on for me.
I'm kidding!
The light quality here is poor in the winter. Just staying awake would be exhausting.
Through the whole of winter, there are only around ten sunny days on average.
On those days, the Lunarians almost certainly will show up,
but that makes them easy to predict, so we let Master and Antarcticite handle them in the winter.
Antarcti...
They're about as soft as me, so how come I don't get to do that?
It's not fair.
Antarcticite has a more unique makeup than you do.
Though normally in a completely liquified state,
their body crystallizes when the temperature drops.
So, when it gets colder, they...
...gets stronger.
Now then, Master...
Good night.
Rest well.
Pleasant dreams.
Good morning.
Good morning,
Antarcticite.
How is your condition?
Perfect, as it is always is.
Working alone every year must be lonesome.
My apologies.
N-Not at all.
It's not that I'm lonely, but...
our yearly tradition...
May I?
Come.
Wh-Wh...
Why are you still awake, Phosphophyllite?!
Well...
I couldn't fall asleep, so...
would it be okay if I just stayed awake?
Very well. This year, you will work as a pair.
Sweet!
Master!
Pardon my saying so, but I object!
Not with this useless dolt!
So what's this whole "tradition" thi—
...ng?
Now, tell me...
why now, when you sleep as much as possible every year?
Your impulsiveness makes you aimless.
You're half a level harder than I am; don't you feel ashamed?
I'm sure this was just another idle year for you, right?
Are your long-festering doubts keeping you up?
Do you think so?
Your legs look strange... Are they agate?
Did you head out to battle?
I did, yeah...
but, right when I needed to, I got scared and couldn't run.
Did you get in trouble?
No...
They're too soft.
That's why working in groups is so—
Nobody blamed me, but...
that's why I'm too frustrated to sleep.
Plus, I hear it's exhausting just trying to stay awake in the winter,
so I thought I could at least do that.
Very well.
Then you can help me with my work.
Really?
It won't be easy.
I don't wanna...
but I will!
The light... is so faint...
This could...
be bad...
So faint...
We're only halfway there.
With the sun comes Lunarians.
Walk until you can't, then walk some more.
We're here.
A-A Lunarian?
No, it's just an ice floe.
A floe?
When the sea freezes over, any segments with microorganisms from the sea floor wind up like that.
But Master once called them "sinners"...
and, strangely, that's never left my mind.
Get ready.
What?
Listen to that!
Now's the real one.
The floes make this ghastly rumbling when they slide past one another,
disturbing our slumbering companions,
so I crush them.
Now you try.
You're insane!
So...
I hate to say this after you shared this wonderful work of yours with me, but...
What is it?
I don't think I'm really up for that yet.
My legs are all that is useful.
Only my legs.
Well, it's not cold enough for my body to be at its peak either.
But, if you fall into the sea, you'll be ground to dust by those ice floes.
You'll adjust.
You sure?
You're not just trying to get me out there in the face of danger so you can get more time alone with Master?
Want me to break you?
We low hardness gems have nothing if not our courage.
There are things I just can't do.
Because you never try.
I do the things I can as best I can.
Then you'll only ever do what you've always done.
Ready...
go!
Good.
Almost.
I'm beat.
We still have our daily work to do.
We don't get a break after busting those things?
How could we take time off with all this snowfall?
We have many tasks besides breaking ice floes.
Here.
And here, too.
And, lastly, here.
You really aren't good at working in a team, huh?
I said I'm sorry!
Don't get snide!
While patrolling the school, we're in the most danger in the hibernation room.
The others are frightening in their sleep.
Especially Bort.
They'll sleep if you cover them up.
But why?
No idea.
What was that?!
Oh, that'd be...
...the sound of Master sleepily ramming into a wall.
Put a sheet over them too.
Why?
For good measure.
And we have to do this every day...
I guess they can take care of them all...
Are you all right?
Antarc!
What's the matter?
I can't take this!
Whining again?
The ice floe just spoke to me.
Yeah, they do that.
What?
According to Master, since these ice floes are minerals, like us,
we can vaguely hear them "talk."
To be exact, we may hear their sounds as words, but we couldn't understand them.
"It's painful." "This is too much." "I wanna go home."
I understand everything they...
This won't do.
You understand the speech of the ice floes?
Yes.
I have an inkling in the back of my head that I've spoken with things from the sea.
As do I.
That's it!
Why don't I just try getting to know these ice floes and ask them to stop shouting all the time?!
Enough.
The ice floes have no minds of their own.
Instead...
they are naturally disposed to reflect the doubts of others and exacerbate them.
They are but the dregs of creatures from times long past.
Still your heart while in their presence.
'Kay.
Phos is keeping up with me more than I'd expected.
While it may never be so,
I can't help but wish Phos had arms to match those legs.
To match my legs...
Whoa, whoa! What are you doing, you idiot?
Rutile told me there's none of that shell left...
But you'd be stronger.
It'll be everything you want.
I'll crunch them off for you.
Your legs got better in the end.
Somebody can fix them again.
You can't be bad forever.
You must change.
You must find courage.
You'll make it.
But there's no time.
If you're still the same, come spring...
Cinnabar will...
If you're still the same, come spring...
Cinnabar will...
No, no! Don't be crazy!
Phos!
What are you doing?!
Phos...
Your arms...

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   Episode Eight
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I'll crunch them off for you.
Your legs got better in the end.
Somebody can fix them again.
You can't be bad forever.
You must change.
You must find courage.
You'll make it.
But there's no time.
If you're still the same, come spring...
Cinnabar will...
Phos!
What are you doing?!
Phos...
Your arms...
They're gone...
Gone...
Gone!
Reporting in.
We have lost both of Phosphophyllite's arms.
This failure is all mine.
I am terribly sorry.
Wha—?!
W-W-Wait, this was clearly my own fault.
I'd hoped to scour the entire area, but...
But I should look again!
This was due to a lack of caution on my part.
No...
It was because I hadn't been paired before, and so was inattentive to my partner.
I've never made such a blunder before...
I don't know what to do...
This is really nothing new for me, so it's no big deal.
Yes, it is!
Well, hey, look...
It'll be fine! Just like my legs.
You do recall that we have no material fit for you, yes?
Yeah...
Then do you know what must be done?
I have no clue, and can only put my hands up.
'Cause my hands are probably coming up out of the sea right now.
Slow down.
I. Have. No. Clue. And. Can...
Search the Chord Shore.
Huh?
The Chord... Shore?
Indeed.
Where was that again?
Out to the southwest.
You hardly remember anything, do you?
The Chord Shore is where all of you were born.
Where we were born...?
Thanks for th—
We're here.
Ancient organisms decompose in the sea, turning into inorganic substances,
and spend hundreds of millions of years working their way through the earth...
to be born again here.
Almost never are they fully-formed like us.
Most of them turn out like that one.
Such knowledge, among other things, is taught to us by Master,
then we are given work among our kind
and become who we are today.
Do you remember any of that?
Bits and pieces.
All right.
There's only gold and platinum here.
So nothing.
Nothing?
Gold and platinum are both extremely soft and malleable.
Not to mention...
they're far too heavy.
They're useless.
Aw...
Even after they've made it all this way.
I've put it there for now.
Mmkay.
I'm gonna let go.
Heavy!
I thought as much.
But your body hasn't rejected it yet.
Your inclusions might be able to live in it.
The only problem is the weight.
We could maybe hollow out the inside, or...
Take it off for a bit. We're heading back.
I don't think... I can...
Hey...
Is it still going everywhere? Is it swallowing me up?!
W-Wait...
Hey!
What's happening to me, Antarcti?!
What is this? Why's it doing this?!
I don't...
Sorry about this...
Save it for once we're in the clear.
To think the sun came out at once.
It is a long way to the Chord Shore.
I must make haste.
You dare to keep me?
Try as you might...
you cannot!
It didn't disperse.
So this is the new type Alex reported.
It doesn't seem the Lunarians have noticed Phos yet.
I see.
What a novel trap.
One trick after the other,
but none of them shall affect me.
What was that?
It came from the school.
Give that back.
Give it back!
What would you do if I forgot about Master?!
Well...
I suppose that earns at least passing marks.
I drove back a new type of Lunarian.
I'm sure Master will be proud.
Hey!
But they might punish me for fighting it without permission.
Oh, no.
Hey!
Come on!
Yikes...
You've... changed.
No, I'm inside...
Does this mean your inclusions liked it, or does it mean they didn't?
I can't move. Get me out of here!
Hey, what's with the violence?! Be a bit gentler!
Just deal with it!
I'm doing what I can with all these cracks on me.
Careful!
Watch it! You're gonna hit me!
Just shut it!
You scraped me! You definitely just scraped me!
Enough already!
Come on, take it a little easier!
This doesn't even hurt you!
No, but still!
Though I'm glad you're s—
Antar—!
I don't want Master to be lonely...
so I leave winter...
to you.
Why?
Why won't my new arms do what I want?
If you really are a part of me, you'll fight!
Please! My...
I don't want Master to be lonely...
so I leave winter...
to you.
Do what I say, you worthless junk!
It's so heavy...
I can't... stand!
Forget them! After that !
These new arms of mine are strong.
I won't let go.
I even have the courage to push beyond my limits.
So then why?
Why are they still getting away?!
Antarc...
suffered in my place.
Yes...
It's because of me.

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   Episode Nine
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Antarc...
suffered in my place.
Yes...
It's because of me.
Better report this.
Master, we have Lunarians.
Phos, which type do they appear to be?
They appear to be the old type.
I will go check.
Very well.
Master,
they were indeed the old type.
You've improved in altering the thickness of your alloy film to suit the trajectory of the arrows.
Now, you must learn to maintain your balance.
Yes, my apologies.
I'll work to control it better.
I'll see to the remaining ice floes.
Phos.
Take some time to rest.
I'm not as fast as I was before with the weight of the gold and platinum.
There's no time to waste.
The alloy has spread throughout you in a mesh to support the weight of your arms.
Each time you send it out, fine cracks run across your body, do they not?
Yes, but...
if this is all I've done today...
I couldn't report it to Antarc.
I shouldn't have thrown my sword.
If I had reached out instead...
Right.
Next time, I will not fail.
Antarc, I'm back.
The sun came out today and we had our first Lunarian encounter in thirteen days.
But just the old type. Unfortunately.
I hope they bring you with them next time.
It's pretty short now, huh?
I wanted to be more like you.
I used my hair to fill where I lost some pieces too.
Though this alloy's gonna push 'em out anyway.
But I had plenty of time to do it.
I can't bring myself to sleep these days.
I need to be ready for the Lunarians at any time.
Plus, I'm afraid to close my eyes.
Because, every time I do, I see you...
Phos.
Get some sleep in your room.
I-I'd rather not sleep...
I want to keep myself busy...
I know! I can fix your robes for you.
If they're ripped, Red Beryl's gonna fly off the handle when they wake up.
I can hear it now: "How could you do this?!"
But I have no other robes.
It'll be fine.
Will it?
I have new arms, so I'm sure it will.
I even cut my own hair.
I've never seen winter turning into spring before.
Living beings change so quickly, don't they?
It's frightening.
You do, too.
That's...
true.
That's very true.
It's frightening.
For some reason...
For some reason, the alloy coming out of my eyes is the only thing I can't control.
I'm sorry.
That is a flaw of ancient creatures, and not your own fault.
I must insist you rest now.
No.
It won't be long now.
Spring already?
Everyone, time to get up.
You can sleep a while longer.
I'll handle preparations and cleanup for the morning meeting.
I appreciate it, Antarc.
Antarc is now on the moon.
You're... Phos?
Yes.
Is that true about Antarc?
Yes.
Your hair...
and your arms...
I'll tell you what happened later.
I believe Master has much to say as well.
All right.
Could you go check on Cinnabar for me?
And tell them we'd like them at our morning meeting if possible.
Cinnabar...?
Oh, that's right.
It's "too much embarrassing," yes?
Excuse me then. I'll do it.
No, I'll go.
But just remind me...
Who is Cinnabar?
I shouldn't have said that.
I think...
I'm just a mess right now.
It would seem so.
I'm gonna hand out summer uniforms!
On the 22nd day, Antarcticite was stolen away from us.
It was a well-fought battle, but I was unable to assist in time.
I am deeply sorry.
Antarc's successor...
Apologies for being late.
Phos?
Antarc's successor, Phosphophyllite, took their station.
What?!
Inform everyone of the details of Antarc's capture.
Sir.
They're acting differently...
Yeah.
And that hair...
Look at their arms...
Antarc was captured trying to protect me.
I will explain.
Antarc engaged with and defeated a new form of Lunarian
carrying Pink Fluorite shards on the Thread Shore.
Another appeared immediately afterwards.
It was small, but unlike anything in Alex's reports.
At the center stood a vessel surrounded by ordinary Lunarians and eight larger than any seen before.
Um...
Like this.
About this big.
They shot arrows from places surrounding the vessel...
Phos... is that... your arm?
Y-Yeah...
I lost my arms to the ice floes, but was lucky enough to get this gold and platinum alloy.
So I've just been using it.
I-It's not dangerous or anything.
See?
It hadn't bothered me much before, but...
it's embarrassing having a show-offy body like this.
Oh, don't worry about my arms.
When I stretch them, the powder will come off anyway.
All right then.
How was Cinnabar?
Just like always.
They didn't want to join our meeting.
If you're worried, why not go and pay a visit?
No, I'd have nothing to say anyway.
Plus...
Huh?
Wow!
Hey! Do that long stretchy thing again!
Cut it out!
Wait, stop pushing!
What?
Stretch!
Y'know, it's kinda tiring to—
Listen, you!
How could you do this?!
Your winter clothes are tattered since your build is different!
Now I have to remake your summer uniform!
And don't change your hairstyle without asking!
Wow! It's so soft!
You have to look how I want you to look!
See?! You're so much bigger now!
Let's see...
Phos' body has large quantities of alloy inside, and has grown to accommodate it.
Wow!
Gross!
Look how much it stretches!
It's still going!
And there's more!
Keep pulling!
What is up with these arms?!
Phos!
How am I supposed to make gloves for these?!
Are you gonna keep using Antarc's broken sword?
How about you attach it directly to your arm and make it some insano weapon?!
Those heels! They're amazing! And I hate it!
Can you strip down for me?
Oh! If you do, wait a moment.
I was thinking how I wanted to dissect you!
It's a decoy!
Hold it!
Let me squish you some more!
Let me take you apart!
Let me upgrade you!
I haven't finished taking your measurements yet!
Happy now that you're stronger?
It hasn't done me any good.
Don't you think?
That alloy of yours...
must feel great to cut through!
Hey!
Bort!
Dia!
No fair!
I was gonna stretch it out first!
Hold them down then.
Okay!
Gotcha!
A decoy!
Phos, those arms really are something!
I'd love to measure their rate of ductility!
Can I pull them out to their limit?
Phos!
Show me the shape of that new Lunarian again! And all the rest! Go at it!
I am being assaulted... by every last one of them...
You're quite popular.
Was I not clear enough? I'm asking you to tell them off for me!
Found you!
I want to stretch you!
I want to cut into you!
I want to fix you!
I still need your measurements!
Cut!
Fix!
Your measurements!
Stretch!
Cut!
Enough.
There must be order before you hassle Phos.
Form a line.
Okay!
I jest.
Phos is gone.
It was only a joke.
They're still gone.
Well,
power brings loneliness with it.
Then do you feel lonely sometimes too, Master?
That's a secret.
Hey, that's not fair!
Master, me next!
Why is this so tiring?
H-Hey.
Good morning.
Lost your arms now, too?
Oh, no, this is just a little change of pace.
I'm making good progress on finding work for you.
No, really, it's truly, honestly been a real surprising turn of events.
Well, it's not like I care anyway.
Of course not...
Dang...
They knew I was lying, huh?
But at least they haven't changed.
But what could I do? I don't have a single lead, and...
Actually, I have my own problems to deal with too.
Phos.
What now?
Sorry for ganging up on you like that.
Master fell asleep.
I guess they'd been up for too long.
Master!
Exhaustion is the only thing Master can't beat.
Master stayed with me while I wasn't sleeping, so they were awake for a lot longer.
So it's basically my fault.
Well, I've switched things over to our "Master Nap Time" shift and need everyone to work.
I wanted to know if you could handle a patrol or not.
A patrol?
Okay.
Are you sure about this?
I'll be fine.
I'd always dreamed of being out here, fighting.
But now it's just a dangerous line of work.
Phos?
Uh...
So I wanted to show you two my better side.
Or... something.
That said, Master won't be around today.
And those two are here, so I need to focus.
Another dud. The old type.
That was close!
But...
But, this time, I did it.
Incredible!
Wai— You're gonna break m—
You're nothing like the Phos that came with us!
You must be so happy!
You're so wonderful now!
It's thanks to the two of you.
Amazing... Is that really Phos?
Bye-bye!
Phosphophyllite.

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   Episode Ten
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Incredible!
Wai— You're gonna break m—
You're nothing like the Phos that came with us!
Amazing... Is that really Phos?
It was an old type, mid-sized, level 5 sheen.
It was made up of... uh...
What were the regular Lunarians called again?
Disparates.
Ah, right.
Well, there were 32 of those.
The vessel was flat, the halo was a flat circle, and it was decorated by waves along the edge.
Its face was covered by a five-layer veil,
and had four holes when cut away.
You see every detail. I'm jealous.
I can't move fast anymore, so all I can do is look.
You've really changed, haven't you?
You think?
All you ever did before was talk things up.
Huh? Did I really?
Perhaps substituting missing pieces with different material causes us to reconstruct our very personas.
Very interesting.
But...
Antarc was...
far kinder...
far braver...
far...
All right!
Done! Whaddya think?
That's perfect!
Sorry to keep you late.
Fill me in on the next one too!
Okay, lemme just whip up a report before I go to bed!
Phos...
Jade?
Do you really not sleep?
No, but I'll doze off here and there.
All right then.
Sorry to ask before fully understanding your new condition, but...
I'd appreciate if you'd patrol again tomorrow and a while after if you can.
Okay.
I'll keep working until Master wakes up.
Thanks.
Yeah, I'll take care of it. Have a good night.
They're so serious...
That's one way of putting it.
Don't scare me!
I've just had something on my mind.
Would you let me take a look at your hands again?
By participating in my personal research, you will benefit medical science the public good.
"Personal research"?
Thank you.
Next, please?
Phosphophyllite.
Be my partner.
What?
Team up with me.
Focus!
When you defeated the vessel, you stood, disappointed when Antarc's fragments weren't in it, right?
Keep that up and, one day, you'll be the one shot to pieces.
Pair with me and I can cover your weaknesses,
and we can create newer, more efficient methods.
That's not all!
You wield your sword too aimlessly.
The swing should be light and easy. The weight will make the cut.
Then pull back swiftly and carefully.
You need to split the vessel vertically, or it will take too much time to determine its type.
And you will be left unable to take your next action!
I'm trying to think here, so just shut it for a minute!
You take too long in deciding!
You think I'd say "yes" immediately?!
But fine. You want this?
You don't scare me anymore.
Oh, yeah?
Just kidding...
Gimme some time!
I guess there's only one thing left I can do...
How many jellyfish think I should team up with Bort?
A 50/50 split, huh?
Why me? It's a pain from whichever way I think about it.
Bort was pretty spot on about everything.
The problem is that, when it comes to anything other than fighting, they're crazy.
Even if it's just a temporary partnership, I don't think it'd go well.
But I haven't even tried it yet, hm...
Maybe we'd find some new way to get fragments back faster or make things easier for everyone...
But I'm gonna have to be the one to explain this to Dia, aren't I?
Nope! Not happening!
Let's just forget that whole conversation.
You're saying taking on difficulties is part of being brave, right, Antarc?
Fine then.
So, yeah...
I might team up with Bort.
Never mind!
Bye!
Take care of Bort for me, okay?
Huh?
It makes sense.
I shouldn't have expected Bort to overlook the way you shine now.
Plus, I'm the one who told you to change in the first place, so I have no right to complain.
They can be rough around the edges, but do your best for me, okay?
Sure. Given how weird they are,
there's no way we'll get along.
Hey, now!
Don't talk about my little brother that way!
Sit down right there!
Wh-What?
I said, "sit"!
Huh?
Listen!
They can be a bit blunt and give off the wrong impression, but...
but if you really knew them, then...
Hey! Watch it with that hair!
Is this how you treat your new partner?
Huh?
"Partner"?
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Rutile! Jade!
Did you happen to give Phos and Bort permission to pair up?
Yes,
but only for while Master is asleep.
Keep in mind this is just for now.
We figured Master would agree that this is a necessary venture.
What did Dia say?
I'm fine with it.
Bort is never wrong...
and they always know what's best.
I'm really...
getting sick of it.
What endangers you the most
is that you only react to the arrows after they've been shot.
If you hear them pull, you're too late.
You need to think of the Lunarians as one entity.
Take everything, from the drawing of the arrow to the shot itself, as part of a wave.
Once you start to understand all that, you'll be able to anticipate when to focus that gold of yours.
And that should stop you from wasting excess stamina.
You've thought about me a whole lot, huh?
Is that how you see it?
Dia despised me for this.
Oh...
Huh?
While we're at it...
...mind telling me how you feel about twin sunspots?
There's something new.
Here it comes.
Do you think it's... stuck?
Wh-What's the plan?
Should we take it down now? Is that unfair?
It is, but...
cover me!
Right!
Wh...
Bort!
How do we fight this thing?
It's almost all the way out now...
Wh-Where are we going?!
We're falling back.
What?!
We can't win here.
So confident!
Recklessness is for the inept.
Ring the bell six times!
S-Six times?!
Hurry!
Here... goes!
Good call.
If we have everyone come and work together, maybe we can...
Why would we do that?
Six rings means to stay put on standby.
Huh?
We're going to draw that thing our way while we go and wake up Master.
Here it comes!
My body is heavy...
Move!
It's coming!
It's gone...
No.
It's inside the school now.
This plan goes on the assumption everyone's outside for Master's sleeptime shift, but...
...if anyone else is still here, then...
...they're in trouble.
Huh?
Wh-What?!
A Lu—
Lunarian?!
N-No way!
My Lunarian report actually took me the entire night.
A quick nap before heading out shouldn't hurt, right?
That last bell told us to stay where we are anyway.
Alex!
What was that?!
You saw it then!
Don't get too excited, you Lunarian freak! Where is it?!
That way!
You two stay hidden from that thing and search the school!
What about you?!
I'll search for it outside!
H-Hey!
Is having it chase Dia part of your plan?!
What do I do?
I've never seen a Lunarian like that. It's abnormal!
Somebody...
No...
I'll do this...
on my own!
Maybe this was a bad idea!
It's stuck!
Okay!
Hold still!
Brother!
I'm "reckless"...
aren't I?
I'm glad we split up.
From afar, I see just how much you mean to me.
I do, too.
Run, Bort...

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   Episode Eleven
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Brother!
I'm glad we split up.
From afar, I see just how much you mean to me.
I do, too.
Run, Bort...
What?!
Is it just me, or does it look different from a minute ago?
My... sword...
Swo...
D-Dangit! I don't have enough alloy left! I can't lift it!
Alex, finish it!
N-No way! No way! No way! No way!
Master said I'm not supposed to even look at any Lunarians!
You just swing and slice! It's easy!
Come on already!
But...!
I'm begging you!
I can't... take... it...
Fi...
Fine then.
A-Alex?
A-Ale... Lexi?
Huh?
Bort!
So it's Red Alex now.
You knew about this?
That's what happens when Alex sees Lunarians. A real nutcase, that one.
Look who's talking.
Finally...
We're not finished yet.
You're kidding.
Get ready.
I... might have trouble cutting these up.
Wow, even Bort can't do it.
They...
ran off...
We're fools! That must've been their plan!
We haven't received any orders since the bell.
Do you think something happened?
I wonder.
Se-Senpai!
Do you know what this might be?
What?! What is this thing?
It's adorable! And so soft!
We don't even know what that thing i—
Yellow! Zircon!
Have you spotted anything white and fluffy?
That's it!
What now?
Word is there's a new type of Lunarian!
It came up to me while I was out.
So I tried dissecting it to pass the time, but it just split in two and came back to life.
Right...
You'd do that even to something so cute...
Why am I not surprised?
I have to attend to Dia. Hurry up and find the rest of these things.
Yeah, yeah.
Benito! It's heading your way!
Two to the southwest! Two more to the southeast!
Incoming!
Gotch—
Hold it right there!
Wait, wait! Where are you going?!
101, 102...
103, 104, 105, 106...
107...
That's all of them. I hope...
Good enough...
Good grief...
Alex, you sure you should be looking at those?
I think I can handle these so long as I just squint a bit...
I hear there were two sunspots?
I want to compile info about its appearance.
Ah, all right. At first, it looked...
...like that.
It just... barked?
Alex! Turn into that other you ag—
They're down and out...
That's Dead Alex.
You creep!
Jade! Hang in there!
Halt!
I am the one you want!
Who's that?
Show me what you've got!
That's it. There we go.
Just keep heading this way.
I'll lead you right to Master, and—
Maybe not!
Phos!
They got captured again ?!
What'll we do?
Cut it up and keep its parts separate. That's all we can do...
Master!
Sit.
Lie down.
Chin.
Shiro, what happened to your hand?
Master...
I didn't notice you.
Right...
So, why did you call this thing "Shir—
Master,
do you know this creature?
No. Not at all.
Are you telling me I just mistakenly heard you call it "Shiro" the—
Master, don't fall asleep!
Apologies.
The fluffiness is just so inviting.
It's magnificent. Magnificently fluffy.
Is the thing's name really that big of a deal?
No, that's not the point...
Why not just ask it yourself?
What?
You were able to speak to that slug after all.
Uh...
It's just...
I'd like to ask you something...
Truly a lost cause, that one.
It just says, "woof, woof"...
"Shiro, what happened to your hand?"
That's definitely what they said.
Hmm, maybe I'm just overthinking it...
But the way they spoke to it...
was more familiar than they speak with us.
Master and the Lunarians...
Did I just think of something unthinkable?
Here. These must be Bort's.
This thing too.
This isn't Bort's.
Then what is it? It dropped down with the shoes.
This is a piece of the Lunarian that showed up today.
And it may be...
that it's Master's.
Cinnabar, I'm starting to feel like Master is hiding something from us.
You mean in relation to the Lunarians?
You knew?! Then why—
We all know.
At least, we've all suspected as much.
But no one knows the truth.
They've all made an unspoken agreement to trust Master no matter what the truth might be.
Even you?
I'm still deciding.
What are you going to do?
I...
I want...
to know the truth.
I'll need courage to confront Master about it.
Courage...
It's always courage...
Just how much is it going to take?
How much...
What was it...
that I even wanted in the first place?
Hey.
Wait for me...
Mas—
Antarc...
You knew, too...
and yet...
Is it now returning to the moon?
No.
They seem to have found peace.
How was it working alongside Bort?
Right.
Bort is far wiser and more prudent than I imagined.
Above all else, it is that quick-wittedness and precision that we could all stand to learn from.
I believe each of us should team up with Bort at least once.
And what will you do?
I have matters I wish to pursue on my own.
About the Lunarians.
My only option is...
to ask the Lunarians themselves.
How long has it been now?
Ten days.
You've got sharp ears.
You're pushing yourself too hard.
It's funny; the more you wait for the Lunarians, the less they show up.
That last one was extraordinary, so we might assume something is happening on their end.
Is Dia doing well?
We found the last fragments this morning, so they're as good as new.
What?!
I only saw the big, scary version!
I wanted to see the fluffy little ones and floof them up!
Red Beryl put together these little replicas of the thing for Dia, and then everyone else wanted one.
Like this!
So fluffy!
So cuddly!
Yeah? That's good.
Make sure you drop in for a checkup.
Headed somewhere?
The Thread Shore.
Looking for parts for Padparadscha, I take it...
I guess I haven't forgotten about Padparadscha.
That's a relief.
Padparadscha was so cool... They practically knew everything.
Yeah...
They once fought alongside Rutile.
A hardness of 9.
A toughness just under first-class.
The second strongest after Bort.
Almost as old as Yellow.
They were born with a number of holes in their body,
and Rutile maintained them replacing their missing parts.
It's how Rutile got to be such a skilled doctor.
But, for a long time, they haven't woken up...
Okay, so it was probably around here somewhere...
Here it is.
I found it during the winter and just sort of buried it here.
Isn't this ruby? This will help.
Its hardness is 9, and it's a similar type to Padparadscha.
This should allow a better chance of awakening and retaining their consciousness longer.
Each time they go to sleep, it only gets harder to wake them up again.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
   Episode Twelve
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Well, well.
Don't I look rather fancy this time?
Padparadscha, how do you feel?
Fantastic!
How long has it been?
231 years, 11 months, and one day.
That's a stunning new record.
I operated on you 300,030 times...
Amazing!
It's all because I'm lacking in skill.
Or because I've just got no luck.
No!
If I can't overcome your misfortune, what good does my practice serve?!
Someone new?
Aren't you the littlest pebble that always hangs around Master?
You seem...
different.
A lot has happened...
Are those arms some kind of alloy? You're just like me then.
You poor thing.
You must've been through a lot.
Padparadscha...
I want to ask you something.
Rutile, am I good to head out?
Best time of the year!
Yeah...
You been sleeping all right?
Not really.
You been listening to Master?
Not really...
A little troublemaker, huh?
Probably.
I want to try talking with a Lunarian.
Because I want to try figuring out the truth for myself.
Do you think that makes me a troublemaker, too?
Take, for example...
the fact that I want Rutile to stop trying to fill my missing pieces.
I want to make it easier on them.
But how would they react if I told them that?
The pure, unbridled truth might harm everyone else around you,
and could alter things in ways you never would have expected.
So keep your composure
and think first.
Yeah...
Did you ask what you needed to ask?
We only got to talk about the weather.
Is that so?
It...
It's an honor!
Thank you for taking me in!
I'm starting to feel like Master is hiding something from us.
You mean in relation to the Lunarians?
They've all made an unspoken agreement to trust Master no matter what the truth might be.
Even you?
I'm still deciding.
What are you going to do?
Th...
Thank you for today!
They... They didn't say a single word to me.
Wh-Wh-What did I do wrong?
They hate me... They hate me...
They hate me...
Today was—
A failure.
I didn't see you there.
Here I am.
Yeah...
Please help me!
You're freaking me out! Stop!
Come on, please!
Stop!
Please!
You're scaring me!
Huh?
Bort didn't speak to you at all?
Well, they aren't exactly the talkative type.
I thought it would be rude if I started a conversation.
Maybe since you, their last partner, are so much stronger than me.
I'm lacking in comparison.
I doubt that...
Even though you and I are almost the same age, I always saw you as some little kid.
But now, all of a sudden, you've shot right past me.
What have I been doing?
That's why...
That's why maybe I should try losing my arms or legs too...
Goodness,
you've got serious problems.
Bort lives by logic and hates inefficiency,
so if they don't like something, they're sure to tell you.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
Thank you for saying so.
You've always had confidence if nothing else.
Wow, what a backhanded compliment.
Did you ever have a sense you'd turn out this way?
No way!
I used to let others pick up the slack from my baseless, naive notions, and I'm...
oddly envious of then.
Your past self that let others pick up the slack...
is worth envying?
Your biggest weakness...
is Yellow Diamond.
You're always on edge for fear of losing them.
You think only of protecting them, which means you've never utilized your full potential.
You don't need to worry or concern yourself like that with me.
First, go at it like no one else is here.
We'll talk after that.
Rutile!
I heard Padparadscha is up!
For a moment.
Dangit...
I wanted to chat about the good ol' days.
For a gathering of the senile?
Rutile!
You aren't busy?
I just left Zircon with Bort.
Oh, as part of that trial and error attempt at finding a suitable partner for Bort?
Must be lonely.
Who, me?
Zircon and Bort.
I think they suit each other well.
Only the elderly are so skilled at bluffing.
Rutile!
Your wielding posture is too stiff.
R-Right!
I'll try and talk Master into pairing those two up.
Zircon should be safe with Bort.
They would never bungle things and lose partners like I have.
Tell me it's not a bad choice.
I'm tired from thinking so long about this.
Hey...
can I lie down next to you?
Just kidding.
Alex.
Are you busy?
A bit, yeah.
We're airing out documents from the library.
Is it urgent?
I want to re-study all about the Lunarians.
Down to every last possible detail.
Think you could teach me?
Hey!
Where do you want to start? Come on, where?!
You idiot! Those are the sources for our texts!
"Geological Structures, Part One".
I don't remember any of this.
I'm sure Master taught me all this before, but...
"Erosion rates along the shore"...
"Changes in clouds and air pressure"...
This could be bad...
Is there anything I learned...
that I still remember?
You seem to have gained a fair enough understanding of language,
so, today, we will have our first lesson.
Okie!
We'll start with the formation of this planet.
Six shooting stars once visited this planet...
Did you see?
Cute, huh?
So cute!
Enough.
Master! Is the new one gonna fight?
It's too soon to say.
But they certainly have a kind heart.
Alex, I found all the pages.
Alex?
First question!
What type of Lunarian appeared 109 years ago on the 2nd day of the 5th month?
Official names only.
Are you kidding me? It's gonna be a trivia game?
I thought it might be more fun this way.
I want you to be serious.
Then here.
You will be tested on all of this.
A test...
What a horrible thought.
Your test will be in trivia format.
So, basically, you just want to do some trivia.
Next question.
Out of all the old-type Lunarians of level 5 sheen, which had the 12th fewest vessels?
The su...
No...
The elliptical streamlined elevated high-rise form.
Bingo. Impressive.
Look who's talking.
Picking through random statistics from last month to determine their rank like that...
It all just comes so naturally now, Master Alex.
Yeah? Glad to hear it.
Master Alex, do you...
Do you think it's possible to talk to the Lunarians?
We don't have insight into their language.
We only have such brief moments of contact that we lack the information.
Alex, do you like the Lunarians?
No.
My research is an attempt to overcome my condition...
And because...
Not so long before you were born, they stole Chrysoberyl away from me.
That's why I spend every day thinking about the Lunarians.
So I never forget that fresh feeling of hatred.
Fresh, huh...?
I forgot my sword!
Do you...
Do you understand these words I am speaking?
Do...
"Do..."?
Cinnabar!
Cinnabar, wai—
You again?
You don't even have a sword.
Thanks. You really saved me.
A new... job?
Time for work.
Wait!
Cinnabar!
Why are you running away?
Because of the terrible sense of foreboding I get from you!
I-It's not bad!
You're trying to capture me, I know it!
I'm not!
I've found it. A job for you.
Or rather... a job that I need you for.
I'd like you to help me.
But is it "fun"?
Huh?
What about the "fun" part?
You didn't say it's "fun"!
"I'm going to find something more fun than the night watch that only you can do"...
Isn't that... what you told me?
Th-This won't be any fun. There's no fun in it.
Zero percent chance of fun.
I'm sorry...
The job I want you to help me with would be uncovering the truth about Master and the Lunarians.
That doesn't sound fun at all!
Right?
You asked me what I planned on doing...
First off, I tried getting to the truth of it all.
The more I questioned it though, the more everything Master did seemed off...
So much so that I can't even tell if I'm looking at anything the right way anymore.
I want you to be there with me to always offer your opinion.
And then what?
If it turns out Master has done the unforgivable, what are you going to do about it?
If you can't think past that point, then I can't help you.
I knew it...
I knew you were both awfully prudent and clever.
And that's exactly why...
I need you with me.
I'll come by again.
Was that gasp an attempt at speech?
Was the color in its eyes some sort of reaction?
It didn't tell me anything.
I don't know why I thought I'd figure things out if I just met one,
but I guess I have a long way to go.
The closer I get to an answer, the more questions I uncover.
And that's exactly why...
I want to be free of the night.
But it won't happen.
I refuse to believe them.
But...
...if you just wanted to team up, it'd be fine...
The elliptical streamlined elevated high-rise form...
Wonderful!
That size is just perfect!
Well?
How do you like my newest creation?
It looks good on you, 84.
It looks really good on you too, 33.
Hey! Give this new sword a try too!
I bet it would go great with that outfit!
There, there.
No sign of them...
Cut the chatter.
Right!
Your wielding posture is still too stiff.
R-Right!
Your past self that let others pick up the slack...
One, two, shoot!
How could I lose?!
I won?
Speaker, good work again today.
Thanks, Euclase.
I'll go report in to Master.
No, it can wait.
It's meditation time now.
What?!
Master...
Ah, right.
Phos! I know you're here!
Phos!
Master is looking for you.
Right.
Morga!
Goshe?
There's sunspot activity in the sky to the south.
It's small, but we need to alert Master!
Perfect! Cute!
Dignified!
Others picked up the slack from my baseless, naive notions...
Reporting.
...and I'm oddly envious of myself then.
You called for me, Master?
Yes.
So keep your composure
and think first.
Think first...
Phosphophyllite.

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Well...
Time for work.
Oh, right.
Phos! I know you're here!
Phos!
Master is looking for you.
What for?
Beats me.
Wait, could it be...
Master wants me to join you all in battle?
I highly doubt that.
I see even an expert like you feels intimidated by my potential!
"Potential"?
Do you still not have a job?
Morga!
Goshe?
We don't have time for this!
A Lunarian sunspot was detected to the south!
It's small, but we need to alert Master!
All right!
If it's small, let's drive it off ourselves!
What?!
Don't get cocky!
It's fine!
We need to cut Master a break sometimes.
They're a lot older than they look.
You'd better hurry back!
Jerk...
You don't have to rub it in.
Okay!
Today's the day I ask Master!
Wait! Gotta make the right impression.
Perfect! Cute!
Dignified!
They're as lively as ever, huh?
I just hope they stay out of trouble.
Reporting for duty!
Come.
You called for me, Master Adamant?
Yes.
Phosphophyllite.
At long last, I have a job for you.
This should be easy.
Yeah.
Oh!
Master,
just a little while ago, Morga and Goshe said they saw a Lunarian sunspot.
But, since it was minor, they said they'd...
Master?
What?!
That didn't stop it?!
And look at the color of the arrowheads...
Aren't those pieces of Heliodor, who was captured the other day?
How could they do that?
This is perfect.
We'll take back every last fragment!
They come to harvest us for jewelry.
From the moon, they bombard us with countless legions of hunters...
while we number but twenty-eight.
The skilled among us work in pairs. Some keep lookout. Some fight.
We use our distinctive talents to fulfill our roles and make up for one another's weaknesses.
Alas, you seemed fit for none. I was at a loss.
With your precarious physical condition and incomparable lack of grace,
the search for a duty befitting you long proved a fruitless one.
Then why not just have me fight?
Fight, you say?
Well, I mean... we've tried everything else, right?
You would do best to let that idea go.
Yikes.
Looking out for your elders, are you?
Here it comes! Fall back!
You're still incapable,
you fools!
Oh, dear.
You are particularly fragile,
and your hardness is only 3.5.
You'll break no matter whom you face.
Moreover, the Lunarians are fond of your peppermint color.
If you wish to overcome those three weaknesses,
you must become stronger than me.
Strong enough to fell even an army in a single blow.
Fat chance!
Which is why I decided...
that you should compile a natural history encyclopedia.
Wh—
What?!
You're gonna spill!
That's so boring!
Quite the contrary.
By compiling a natural history,
you will be preserving the present and preparing us for the unforeseen future.
It is an intellectual task that is both vital and creative in nature.
A keen eye is the key to battle.
If you wish to fight,
you must first hone your perceptiveness through this task.
Aren't you just trying to trick me into doing it?
You're the only one who talks back to Master!
You never make yourself useful, yet here you are mouthing off.
Nobody asked you!
But it is that very frankness of yours that is needed for this task.
I'm counting on you.
Need any help?
Nope.
You put my legs on backwards last time, so no thanks.
Tch, you still remember that?
Hey! Stop!
Don't you have an encyclopedia to write?
No one's ever gonna need it anyway, so it's not worth the effort!
Hey, just like you!
Oh, shut up!
Tell me, Rutile...
What is it?
Helio's in pieces, but if we get them all back, you can reassemble them, right?
Of course.
Our bodies are home to microscopic organisms called "inclusions," you see.
Thanks to them, even if we shatter into pieces,
as long as we gather enough fragments and reassemble them
we can be resurrected.
It's a wonderful trait of ours that no other creature shares.
However, this property also makes us incapable of giving up on anything.
There. That'll do just fine.
Let's head back to our posts.
Watch it!
You're the one who'd break if you touched me, Three-and-a-Half!
I'm quite used to it, O Great Seven.
Take me wi—
Absolutely not!
You have to!
If I hadn't told on you to Master, you two would be on the moon by now!
Get it?!
Rutile, can't you make their body as hard as their head?
Come on, just get me out of this lame job, would you?!
You really hate natural history that much?
Well, duh! I want a cool job!
Well, then how about we trade jobs?
I'm not so pitiful as to take what doesn't belong to me...
is what you probably thought I'd say!
Think again!
Hey, that's heavy!
That'll teach you.
I just finished putting you back together...
Thank goodness!
I didn't think you'd really take it!
Hey...
You wanted it to hit me, didn't you?
Guilty.
Sheesh. All right.
Fine, then.
My only friend here...
is you.
Right, so...
Let me guess: "What is an encyclopedia anyway?"
Whoa, it's blank!
Don't peek!
You were hard at work putting this off, huh?
Unbelievable.
No! I'm just working out a greater overall concept!
I heard that natural history is about classifying everything in nature.
O Great Goshe!
How would I do that?
Maybe by recording all the bugs and plants along the shore?
Gonna need more than that.
We know all about the things we use, so maybe the things we don't use?
Almost there—give me more!
We don't know about much else.
Sorry.
We lookouts always have our eyes on the sky.
But Cinnabar might know.
Cinnabar...
Why not ask them?
As if!
I can't even get near them!
I've never even talked to them!
But they might know more than us.
Anyway, good luck making a grand discovery, Master Scholar.
Master Scholar...
All right!
Idiot.
Cinnabar, huh? No way.
I'd rather ask Master instead...
Nope, that'd be even worse.
I'd get lectured for half a day.
I'm never gonna figure any of this out on my own.
But I wanna make a grand discovery!
Okay!
The Master Scholar is willing to lend an ear to the opinions of others.
Huh? Something new?
I only know about the stuff I work with.
But, hey, I want to fix this chair, so could you just hold that there?
Oh, Phos, perfect timing!
Come model for me!
I heard about your natural history assignment.
We're short on hemp this year, so don't go wasting paper!
I know all about adhesives and powders, but you want something people don't use?
Oh!
Cinnabar out on night patrol might know something if you ask.
Oh, come on!
Wouldn't you know more than anyone?
Are you just brushing me off 'cause you're busy, you quack?
Maybe your mouth is in need of an emergency operation.
Here come the wonder hands!
I mean, I know Cinnabar patrols every inch of the shore, but it's always at night, right?
Can they even see anything? The rest of us barely function at night.
Indeed, we feed off the sun and aren't built for the night, which makes things dangerous.
But Cinnabar is unique.
They excrete an unending supply of silvery poison
that draws in what little light there is,
allowing them to patrol at night.
Although...
the Lunarians have never once come at night.
What? Then do we even need a night patrol?
Unlikely or not,
preventing surprise attacks is their job.
If you do go to see them, be careful.
It's not like I want to see them.
You probably know this already...
but if you touch their poison,
light will no longer pass through the part that touched them.
It'll have to be chipped off you and ground up.
And...
the memories in those ground-up fragments
are lost forever.
Hey, you!
Quit wasting time on that useless job of yours and help me discover something grand!
Wow! You'll let me help you, O Great Master Scholar?
Indeed.
And, just like that, I'll make Cinnabar my minion.
Then I'll finish the encyclopedia, make some grand discovery,
earn everyone's praise,
and then they'll realize I must have what it takes to join the battle.
Oh, yeah, that's it!
My dear Benito!
Your room is next to Cinnabar's, is it not?
Lead the way!
Why do you even wanna know?
You know how they sometimes can't control their poison?
I guess they grew sick of it, too. They haven't been back in a while.
Benito, are you sure it wasn't because you said something insensitive to my little minion?
Of course not!
I'm not you!
And what do you mean, your "minion"?
Give it up, Phos.
Their poison is as natural to them as breathing.
I know they're not trying to cause trouble...
But, honestly...
just living next door has me constantly on edge.
Cinnabar's a bother just by being around...
You've outdone even useless old me. I'm impressed.
To be stuck with such a lonely, useless, thankless job...
I don't get it.
Why not just quit?
Nowhere to be found.
Come on, help a Master Scholar out here.
Cinnabar, where are you?
If you aren't on this cliff, that means you're either...
out in the ocean or up in the sky...
I was wondering who'd be out at twilight,
but of course it's you, Three-and-a-Half!
Damn it!
Why?
All I do is breathe, and the earth and grass die away.
I don't want to bring ruin anymore.
I don't want to be seen anymore.
It's so humiliating...
I don't want to fight...
I don't want t—
Cinnabar!
I never asked for help.
Cinnabar...
I'm...
the worst of all twenty-eight of us...
with a hardness of 2.
There.
I've ground away all the contaminated areas.
Do you recognize me?
The quack.
It's so deeply ingrained.
Let's carve that right out of you.
Brilliant doctor!
I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for these.
I've never been scraped before...
Have you forgotten anything?
I don't really know yet, but I definitely won't forget today.
Cinnabar didn't want to fight, but still jumped in to save me.
I'm not surprised. They're very sharp.
Unfortunately, the area there is now stagnant.
The water, flora, and fauna will be of no use for some time.
Phos, the truth is...
Cinnabar is incredibly quick-witted and an excellent fighter,
but because their touch brings ruin, they're more than we can handle.
So we keep them confined to the night.
Is that the only way?
Rigorous, meaningful work is the best medicine against questioning one's place in the world.
We cannot die, so we must simply face these problems as they are until we eventually find an answer.
Would you do us all the favor of finding a use for Cinnabar?
You do want to make a grand discovery, right?
There's no way I could do that.
Not if you and Master can't come up with anything better.
Tell me, though: where did Cinnabar stay during the day?
They just sort of appeared when I went up that cliff to the north.
The Cape of Emptiness?
Yeah, there. And talk about good timing.
The Cape of Emptiness is where Heliodor was taken. You couldn't have been in a more dangerous place.
I can't imagine anyone would stay there long...
Oh, Phos.
Dia...
I'm glad to see you're safe.
Don't push yourself too hard.
Okay.
I just don't know.
I guess I might as well jot it down.
Hey.
Cinnabar...
Haven't you learned your lesson?
Th-This is my job! I'm not here by choice!
And why are you even here again, anyway?
Helio got taken here! It's dangerous, you know?
That's right.
That's why...
I'm waiting here...
for them to take me away.
Maybe on the moon, someone would see my worth.
I've been waiting, but they never come.
Yet... the second you arrive, they show up.
You're lucky.
Even the enemy loves you.
There are two species along the South Shore.
Three along the Twin Shores.
One in the Inter Plain.
One in the White Hills.
I don't know if they'd make for big discoveries,
but I've seen unnamed, unused plants out there.
Rutile came to treat me this morning.
That makes us even, right?
Now stop getting in my way.
I'd like you to help me!
Really!
I don't want to.
F-Fine!
Then I promise I'll find something more fun than the night patrol only you can do!
So...
don't say you're leaving for the moon!
Got it?!
Hey.
Are you all right?
What then? What is it?
What can only you do?
I couldn't sleep 'cause of all that noise...
and I find they left this here.
Just how careless can they be?
You big dummy.
Not my problem.
You big dummy.
This handwriting is horrendous.
And these pictures are just as bad.
What's even in this?
I want to be free of the night.
But it'll never happen.
I refuse to believe them.
Damn it... This stupid thing...
Still, whatever happens...
I don't want you to go away.

Six shooting stars once visited this planet,
fracturing the Earth six times and giving birth to six moons.
Nearly all life fled for the sea,
and on the empty shores
appeared lifeforms suited to the barren world.
Of the creatures that had once flourished,
those who were too late to flee sank to the bottom of the sea.
On the sea floor, they were consumed by microorganisms,
transformed into inorganic substances,
and, over vast stretches of time, they were systematically arranged, forming gemstones.
They rose once more to the shores,
and then became...
That is all.
You're all dismissed.
All right, let's move, Nepti.
Okay.
Chairman, good work today.
Thanks, Euclase.
I'll go report the proceedings to Master.
No, do that later.
It's their meditation period.
Waking Master up after they've fallen asleep is...
M-Master...
Um, Master?
Master...
Mas...
ter!
Mas...
ter!
My hand!
...even harder than fighting off the Lunarians.
I'll report everything tonight.
Observing the jellyfish, are you?
You're working hard on that encyclopedia.
No, I just thought my reflection looked adorable.
Just kidding!
Can't you see? I'm at my wit's end!
Be careful, you idiot!
This is bad... I can't think of anything, Chairman Jade!
I need some ideas...
What kind of ideas?
I can't tell you.
Then how am I supposed to know?
I'm gonna go crazy from all this thinking.
About what?!
I never should have said anything...
I'd like you to help me!
Really!
I promise I'll find something more fun than the night patrol only you can do!
Don't say you're leaving for the moon!
Got it?!
Would it be possible to forget about the other day and start with a clean slate?
I have no idea what you're—
Jeez! I'm going to start to hate this if I have to think about it any longer.
Perseverance is the key to discovery.
Master...
I will be in the main hall.
Report to me immediately if anything arises.
Understood!
Off for a nap, Master?
It's called meditation.
Now, take care not to do anything rash.
Understood?
Yeah...
Now then, back to work.
What's your deal?
I'm asking you a question!
Fine...
You're having trouble coming up with some sort of idea?
Yup.
What's the big idea?!
Just an impact test.
I'm carrying out our regular 100-year toughness inspection.
While I can determine your hardness— your resistance to scratching—just by touch,
your toughness, which indicates how resistant you are to breaking,
depends on a complicated system of factors such as your gem structure and cleavage.
I want to use you as a higher reference value, Jade.
At least ask me first!
Oh, excuse me.
I don't really get it...
Now, if you would...
That's our rock-solid Jade!
The very sound is different.
You really are top-class.
You damned quack...
I-I give...!
Top-class indeed.
Oh, you're fine.
I already know you're the bottom rung.
Are you all right?
Jeez, what was that about?
Oh, that reminds me...
Speaking of ideas,
Diamond has been using some new fighting style lately.
They're always doing stuff like that.
A new way to fight?!
Knock, and you shall receive!
That's not what reminded me!
Right, Dia will definitely be way more helpful than average ol' Jade!
I was asking the wrong person.
Thank you!
I'm the second-toughest one here, I'll have you know!
But, come on, forget toughness— it's combat ability that's way cooler!
Anyway...
The diamond team is out on day patrol.
Don't get in their way.
Dia!
What are you doing, Phos?
You could have gotten hurt.
Phos?
Your presence is blinding.
I'm so strapped for ideas that I feel like I might crumble to pieces.
Please bestow upon me some guidance.
What sort of ideas?
I can't tell you that.
Just give me an idea on how to come up with ideas!
Oh, dear, now that's a difficult request!
Let's see...
Why not start by changing in some big way?
Maybe try doing things you don't usually do?
I'm constantly wishing I could change.
But that's pretty much impossible, which is why I'm asking for an easy idea!
Do you know how many years I've wasted?
I should've expected this from a hardness 10.
Nothing but condescension.
Phos...
I'm disappointed in you, Dia!
You're no help at all! You're hopeless!
I'm hopeless? Sorry, then...
Look, now I've gone and made you mad.
See, I have many shortcomings myself.
Do forgive me.
Phos.
Pretty please?
Fine, but just this once.
By the way...
have you seen Bort?
Bort?
Oh, now that you mention it, why are you alone?
Did they take off somewhere?
Gosh, what a self-centered jerk, huh?
I just can't keep up is all.
There you go, enabling them!
You're both diamonds. Of course you can keep up!
How about I give that punk a talking-to?
They'll feel my wrath!
Maybe...
Th-That might be a tad overboard...
A...
Amazing!
You knocked them right back!
That's our Diamond!
No...
It's not over yet.
Huh?
What are they...
Just a little more.
Dia,
what's that sound?
Don't worry.
It's just my usual way of doing things breaking down.
You have nothing to worry about.
Dia?!
Run!
Dia!
Amazing, right?
This is how it always goes.
Bort has gotten so strong lately,
they no longer even let me fight.
We diamonds are the hardest of all, with a hardness of 10.
But when it comes to toughness, we're second-rate.
We're brittle because we can easily break if we get hit at just the right angle.
But Bort is special.
Unlike me, a monocrystal,
Bort's body is made up of an aggregate of microcrystals.
Even when struck at a vulnerable angle,
the shock will only travel through that individual microcrystal,
putting Bort's toughness in a class of its own.
They have the perfect composition: hard and tough.
I'm the one who wants to change.
I want to be like them.
Like Bort?!
No way! I don't care how strong they are—they're so scary!
Our gentle Dia is much better!
But, you know...
a weak diamond is really no diamond at all.
That means...
Bort is the only real diamond.
Exactly.
But...
sometimes, just for a second...
I think, "If only Bort weren't here"...
What?
Right?
It crosses my mind...
despite how much I love them.
I'm hopeless, aren't I?
It's hard... with or without them...
Do you understand what I'm feeling, Phos?
No, I—
Then give a name to this feeling.
What? Why?
Wouldn't we feel better if we identified it?
You did say an encyclopedia is supposed to classify everything, after all.
Bort...
No!
So that sound...
was that, wasn't it?
I'm sorry, Phos.
I didn't mean to put you in danger.
I was sure it would work...
Why, you...
First, you disappear on me, and then I find you testing your weird fighting style again!
I told you those absurd stunts of yours are too much for your body!
What were you thinking?!
It's just...
you're always the one protecting me, Bort.
It's not right!
I'm a diamond, too!
But if I can't do anything myself...
what's the point of me even being here?
What a load of nonsense!
Hey, Bort, you jerk!
Stop picking on Diamond!
Whammo!
S-See, I just happened to run into Phos and tried to lend a hand!
I don't know what for exactly,
but Phos was having trouble trying to find a way to come up with new ideas.
Yeah, yeah!
Do you think you might be able to help, Bort?
I can.
No way!
But if I help you once, who's to say you won't pester me again?
So I'll turn your problems into dust.
Bort!
They ignored us...
Dia and that piece of slag are right here, but...
Look...
What is that?
It's too big to be a halo...
They're right above the school, though, so I'm sure Master will—
Master is napping...
Huh?
What?!
This...
is bad!
Sheesh.
I just don't know what to do with Phos.
That idiot's not even carrying Master's clipboard around anymore.
Good grief...
I wasn't thinking when I mentioned Dia.
I hope that dolt's not causing the duo trouble.
I do hope they at least behave themselves while Master is resting.
Yeah.
Or else I'll have to...
...ter!
N-Now, let's not worry too much.
Even Phos can't cause that much trouble every...
Jade! Euc! Above you!
When did they get there?!
Bort's here, huh? Guess it's taken care of, then.
Jade!
Right, sorry.
Phos...
I'm sorry!
You again?!
It's not my fault!
Stand back.
But...
there must be something I can...
I'll tell you what you can do.
Nothing.
Yeah.
I know.
But still...
Things are complicated between those two.
I thought I told you not to get in their way!
Well? Did you ask Dia?
Make any progress on that encyclopedia?
Master Scholar! Perfect timing.
What might you need?
See this? I'd like you to investigate it.
Well, I'm quite busy, you see.
The fact that it's still here after the Lunarians dissipated
would suggest it's not from the moon.
This could be a grand discovery!
Wonderful!
And I leave that discovery in your hands!
Oh, but I am unworthy!
It's all yours!
It's more than I could bear!
Listen. Take this seriously and do it properly.
Do let me know when you finish.
Wait, are you serious?
No, really! I don't have time for this!
Hey!
I have a pressing matter to attend to!
It's so hot...
I can't move...
You're kidding!
It broke... No...
Jade! Your leg!
Your leg is melting!
Somebody... save me...
Hey, slag! Where are you?!
Do you hear me? Answer me!
Bort...
...melted?
Impossible!
Is it heat? Or acid?
Is this some sort of new weapon to melt us and take us to the moon?
And of course it had to capture that dimwitted weakling, of all gems...
Can we still be put back together if we melt?
Hey, slag! What's going on in there?
If you're just waiting for a miracle...
you'll be happier melting into nothing.
No... Help me...
Without me...
Cinnabar...
will... never...
be...

No response?
What a bothersome brat!
Bort!
There!
Look!
It's Phos!
Phos might have found something!
Phos...
Phos!
Are you in there?!
Don't do it! Stand back!
But...
I told you to stand back!
Jeez, what's all the commotion about?
What's going on? Lunarians?
Looks like it's already over.
I didn't even get to see them!
Why didn't the bell go off?
It was just a giant snail all along.
It's even shrinking in the salt water.
We could've figured that out if we'd had a second to think.
If that idiot hadn't gotten captured right away, we wouldn't have wasted so much time and energy!
B-But, thanks to Phos, we found its weak point.
I'm sure a little credit—
Who deserves credit?!
When they get back, I'm grinding them into dust.
Jade! Euclase!
Time to pick up that piece of slag's fragments.
Well? Find anything?
No.
It's no use. The shell is empty.
Nothing. Not even a shard.
I can't believe it...
How much trouble can one idiot cause?
Bad!
Here.
Thanks.
Phos managed to knock on its shell, so I figured there must be something left to find...
Yeah...
Where did you disappear to, Phos?
I don't suppose Phos is inside that thing.
Phos...
Where did you go?
Phos?
Phos...?
Well, now.
Time to take a break...
Emergency! We have an emergency!
All right, all right.
Someone was causing a ruckus and fell into the pond, yes?
I can only assume it was Phos.
You'll be okay.
I'm sure Rutile can figure something out.
Isn't that great, Phos?
You're so happy, aren't you?
That's a diamond for you. Neither you nor your jokes are ever dull.
I'm serious!
Phos got swallowed by a giant snail the Lunarians dropped on us,
but this was all that remained.
The shell was empty.
"The shell was empty"?
I must say, your jokes are genuinely unfu—
I'm reporting the situation!
Well, then, shall we dissect it?
W-Wait a minute!
Well, its body may be soft and flabby,
but if that really is Phos, then it should work out fine.
B-But...
animals can't be put back together, can they?
Animals rot away when they break.
In order to adapt to their environment, older ones pass in favor of their replacements.
That's what Master told me.
What inferior lifeforms.
So that's what this idiot has become.
How inconvenient...
I'd like to do something about this before Master awakens.
Well, at least nobody has been taken to the moon.
We've done our part here.
Dia, return once your arm is mended.
Right...
Here.
Phos dropped this right before getting swallowed.
Maybe in hopes that your arm could be saved.
We're also responsible for telling Phos to investigate that shell in the first place.
But seeing as we don't know what to do,
let the doctor handle it for now.
Be sure not to strain yourself for a while.
Thank you.
Open. Close. Open. Close.
Okay, bye, then.
I'll take good care of it.
Thank you.
Don't worry! I promise I'll change you back!
Tch.
Say, you turning out like this...
It doesn't...
Why not start by changing in some big way?
...have anything to do with that advice I gave you...
does it?
Oh, of course it does, doesn't it?
Anyway...
Let's go ask around!
What?!
That's Phos?
Yeah, Phos is...
I know! Here! Look at that!
What?!
Phos?
First, I need to finish fixing this desk.
Seriously?!
Seriously...
Yeah, I suppose you're not one for jokes.
Hey, why not leave Phos like that?
It's gross, but at least it's quiet.
It's gross, but at least it won't cause trouble.
It's gross, but...
Stay away! Don't drip that on me! You're slimy! So slimy!
What?! Is that even possible?
Yeah...
Wow...
Phos is completely helpless now...
How to reverse it...
Phos was always helpless, you know.
Yeah, it just crossed my mind.
Oh, you really went for it!
Way to go, Phos.
Though I feel like not much has changed when it comes to their presence.
Wait, this means Phos won't have to worry about the Lunarians anymore!
Phos, you're not very popular, are you?
If you're not nice to people on a regular basis, they won't help you when you're in need.
Hey, are you listening?
Stop!
That's barbaric! You'll dirty your insides!
Maybe you don't want my help.
Maybe changing so much made you lose interest in how others saw you.
And in comparing yourself to anyone.
You don't have to be jealous or put on a front.
Are you happier this way?
Shall we ask around a little more?
I'm sure there's someone out there who needs you.
Well...
Time for work.
No matter how many times I go out on patrol, the Lunarians never come at night.
There's no need for me to be here at all.
I promise I'll find something more fun than the night patrol only you can do!
Why did I even talk to that idiot?
Don't say you're leaving for the moon!
It's not like anything will ever come of it.
There's no point in hoping.
The Lunarians!
At night?
Diamond?
Huh? Cinnabar?
Why are you here?
It got dark, so I must have fallen asleep.
Y-You're way too bright!
S-Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you...
Just hurry up and go home.
Phos is gone!
Phos?
Phos!
Wait, where did you go?
What do I do?
Phos! Phos!
What do I do?
This is terrible...
Don't leave me here!
We're friends—gems born in the same year, right?
Help me look!
Absolutely not! I never want to see them again!
Phos?
There you are! What a relief!
Don't run off like that.
Come over here. Come on, you can do it.
I'm leaving, okay?!
Look!
Recognize them?
Oh, my, you seem so happy!
Is that your pet or something?
You sure have strange taste.
Just like that battle maniac.
I'll never understand you diamonds.
Well, actually, this right here is Phos!
Phosphophyllite.
The same one you rescued just the other day.
Right?
How...
No...
I'd rather not know.
So you're saying...
they were eaten by a giant snail the Lunarians brought,
and now they've turned into this?
Yeah...
Do you honestly believe that's even possible?
What?
Did you hurt its shell before it began eating?
Well, the Lunarians dropped it pretty hard,
and Bort stomped on it and opened a hole or two...
Wait!
This is where you say, "I know how to turn them back," right?
Don't put words in my mouth! I said nothing of the sort!
Everyone says Phos should stay like this!
Do you feel the same?!
No.
Actually,
I'd rather that jerk were gone for good.
That annoying, high-maintenance, impulsive brat...
has the most childish ideas imaginable, yet is too ignorant and stupid to accomplish anything.
They won't shut up or leave me alone,
and insist I go along with their ridiculous ideas, not realizing how it might inconvenience me.
I hate them!
Cinnabar...
Did Phos confess to you?
Why would you think that?!
I've always hated how you think of everything as some sort of romance!
But that's exactly what it sounds like!
Besides...
that was the most you've spoken in the past hundred years.
Do you love them?
Oh, yes, you have terrible taste!
Hey!
What is this thing, anyway?
Huh?
That's just some weird snail.
Shell-dwellers like those eat rocks to repair and strengthen their shells.
Look.
The ones here eat the red cliffs, so their shells are red,
but the ones on the shores are white like the sand.
That loudmouthed good-for-nothing...
might as well stay silent down there in the pond...
...as patches of peppermint.
So you mean...
You mean Phos was turned into part of that shell?
If we scrape off the pieces that are peppermint-colored...
maybe we can save Phos!
Of course!
Because we never die!
Don't do it!
There's no point in saving someone like that!
Bring them back as much as you want; they'll still be a hopeless disappointment!
But...
I guess I can wait a little longer...
before I start calling that idiot a liar.
Why not start by changing in some big way?
Maybe try doing things you don't usually do?
I'm constantly wishing I could change.
I found a way!
I think we can save Phos!
We can bring them back!
Go.
Hurry up and do it.
Thank you, Bort!
Hey!
Everyone, come help me!
We're pulling the shell up from the pond!
It may be midnight, but give it all you've got!
Ready, set...
Heave-ho!
It's stuck in there real good.
This is gonna take a while.
Give me more light!
These are all the pieces that were a different color!
Phos!
I...
It was you!
Settle down! I just pieced you back together!
Here's your chance!
Ready? And...
"I'm sorry!"
It's smarter than Phos!
It's cuter than Phos!
Shut up! You think that settles things?!
Why, you...!
You little...
I hope Master destroys you!
Back to work! Back to work!
Glad Phos is back to normal.
I'm exhausted!
Huh?!
Of course not!
That doesn't give you the right to eat whatever's right in front of you!
Absolutely not!
I'm not happy about it!
Listen to me!
Um...
Phos?
What?
Who, exactly, are you talking to?
Huh?
You can't understand it?

A dream...
This is troubling.
I overslept.
Oh, Master! You're awake?
Jade.
How long was I aslee—
...meditating for?
Almost an entire day.
Is that so?
Too long, perhaps.
Thank you for always putting up with me.
I'll have your report now.
Right!
First off, the Lunarians.
At around noon yesterday,
two vessels appeared—one out in the Ardent Wetlands and another above the school.
Why was I not woken?!
Before we even had a chance, both were...
I took care of them.
Well done, Bort.
But it's rare for attacks to happen so close together.
Do not overexert yourself.
I haven't been.
I assume everyone is unharmed?
Yes.
Good.
Anything else?
Well, you see... Phos...
I am the sovereign who presides over all the Admirabilis,
Ventricosus!
Bow before m—
You boorish jellyfish! Cease, I say!
Darn, I was hoping you'd shrink again.
You know, I hail from these nearby waters.
This adorably petite size is my natural state.
The Lunarians took my people and their beautiful shells away to the moon.
They grew enormous on the moon's sweet water and sand,
and lost their minds.
My people are still there, being kept as livestock.
A sad tale, is it not?
Well...
I mean, if that's true, I might feel some sympathy for you...
More importantly, why am I the only one—
How are you feeling?
Don't strain yourself!
Mental issues should be checked out ASAP.
Let's play cards tonight!
Since I'm the only one who can understand you,
everyone else thinks I'm going crazy, talking to myself!
Can't you do something about this?
What a surprise.
I never would have thought it possible.
Why did you have to swallow me, of all people?
Your color looked tasty.
Phos, are you okay?
Nope.
Hey! My Diamond!
My, what a wonderful place.
Chock-full of cuties!
I have a thing for the prickly type.
Like that one with the long black hair, or the redhead who's out at night!
You met Cinnabar?!
Quite clever, that one.
Knowing the habits of my kind, they quickly deduced that you had become a part of my shell.
You became whole again because of them.
So Cinnabar saved me yet again...
That's not good. That's bad.
You don't want to look bad in front of that one, right?
Huh? What's that supposed to mean?
Cinnabar shared a secret I bet no one else knows.
I'm waiting here
for them to take me away.
I don't know why, but...
I'd like to imagine Cinnabar wouldn't have told just anyone.
You know...
this is the first time I've had anyone depend on me.
So next time, I have to be the one doing the saving.
Okay! Time to get serious!
Me too! Me too!
You go take a walk or something!
I should break you down and put you back together again.
This is just a mental thing! It's stress! A little stress!
But this reflects badly on my reassembly skills!
Take this!
I'm not letting you escape!
Doctor's orders...
are meant to be obeyed!
A snail that eats stone?
Yes, and—
I'm definitely getting blamed for this...
Sorry, Cinnabar.
I'm done for.
Oh, my! What a handsome fellow!
Huh? Why can't I nibble on you?
So this must be the snail.
Sovereign of the snails,
although our circumstances may differ, seashells, too, are among the lustrous.
You are welcome here.
What would you ask of us?
Will you go out with me?!
It wishes to be your servant, it says.
I'm afraid that won't do.
I believe we should maintain equal and amicable relations.
While I can tell they think favorably of me...
you are still the only one who can understand the sovereign's words.
So I ask that you accompany them as part of your natural history studies.
All right...
Master, I wanted to ask you about Cinnabar.
Do they really have to keep doing that empty, meaningless job?
I know they might be hazardous, but this is such a waste of talent.
They've saved me from my own incompetence twice now.
Isn't there any othe—
Forgive me.
I have yet to find a solution to this problem.
In any case,
the night patrol was their own idea.
I've told them time and again
that merely living was enough in itself...
But the poor child is too wise and too kind...
to merely sit and breathe as time marches on.
I cannot bring myself to take away the night patrol, the assignment they themselves thought up.
But as a result, I have confined them to the night.
My ignorance and irresolution are to blame.
Allow me more time to find an answer.
We are too complex to be satisfied with only being alive.
But fortunately, we have an abundance of time.
I know it can be frustrating to be patient and do things in such a roundabout way,
but if you wish to be of help to Cinnabar when the time comes,
then you must fulfill your own responsibilities.
I...
I don't think I can find anything for Cinnabar.
Perhaps not on the land.
So let us head for the sea.
Okay, back, back...
Ack! Hold on a sec!
You're telling me to mess around and leave?
Nothing of the sort!
With my new, svelte figure, I've regained my mind and memories.
Remembered what?
In my dominion in the sea,
you'll find creatures whose features closely resemble yours.
What?
Well, I suspect they may provide you with a clue!
Consider it a two-for-one deal where you can compose your natural history and take your mind off things.
Act now, and I'll throw in a lovable little guide!
Aw, aren't you just the kindest snail ever?!
Thanks a bunch, Ventricrapsus!
That's Ventricosus!
The sea is supposed to be off limits,
but I guess I'm no use around here anyway.
Maybe it's worth the risk.
Good morning.
Oh? You're up early.
Sorry to bother you when you're so busy.
I want to head into the pond.
May I?
Of course. Let's apply some salt-proof resin on you so your powder doesn't wash off.
Last summer was quite hot, so we didn't get a good crop of powder blossoms.
But it seems winter was cold enough, so we managed to harvest plenty of resin.
Is that so?
Are you still searching for the documents you dropped during the snail fiasco?
I think the jellyfish have already eaten them,
but I'm looking just in case.
I would hate to waste paper.
How diligent of you.
You think so?
It's been so peaceful these last two days.
And the sunlight is delicious.
Things have been so hectic lately,
what with two Lunarian attacks happening in a single day.
In the 2,173 years I've been around,
they typically only appear once every three sunny days.
I wonder if something has changed.
We're not as bright as we look, are we?
We're not as sensitive to summer's heat or winter's cold as plants are.
And we can't sense danger like insects do.
Do you think our immortality is to blame?
It's thanks to it that we don't have to be scared of a little change.
I'm a little scared because I'm a bit more fragile than everyone else.
By the way, the resin...?
Right, about that... I can't find it anywhere.
I could've sworn I saw it here yesterday.
What?
Euc!
Red Beryl!
Have you seen my new project?
I thought I'd get up early to add the finishing touches, but it's gone!
Master even gave me an extra day to work on it!
This is awful!
Your new project? You mean the sturdier uniform?
Yup!
I made the contours prettier by taking the shoulders in a full percent!
Would anyone be able to tell?
Oh, also...
the tag is different!
How many layers do you need?
Get on with it already.
Just wait, would you?
If I went in now, all my powder would come off, and I'd end up looking hideous.
And it's not good to soak in salt water.
If we're going to spend time under the sea, then I need to prep...
Did you get Master's permission?
Maybe I should make this part less puffy...
Now's not the time, you fashion freak!
I forbid it.
But it's for the encyclope—
If you had already completed your survey of the hills, then perhaps,
but I have yet to receive a single report from you.
Focus on the task before you.
Don't they realize how long it's going to take to finish with that hill?
This is me we're talking about!
What if Cinnabar vanishes before I'm done?
What's with the weird noises?
Nothing, it's just...
the things here don't appear to have much nutritional value.
My strength is fading.
Oh, I see.
Animals can't survive on light alone, huh?
You need food, right?
Yes.
Different animals... require... different...
Sovereign?
Oops, I dozed off there! I must be really out of it.
Don't scare me like that!
I thought you were doing that whole "death" thing!
But then again, I don't really understand what it means to die.
What's it like?
Is it like being super tired? Or being frozen still?
In a sense, but...
I suppose it's like vanishing.
But even if you can't see them, they're still somewhere, right?
They're not anywhere, and you'll never see them again.
Not even if I call out their name?
Once someone is dead...
they may not even recognize their own name.
However, in exchange for taking away everything,
death gives life meaning.
It's not such a terrible thing.
But it's still kinda sad.
Indeed, but it is inevitable.
I wasn't lying when I said there were creatures like you down under the sea, but...
The truth is...
I just wanted to see how my homeland was doing.
I was prepared to never return, but now that I'm this close, it's all I can think about.
No matter how much has been taken, how ravaged it's been—
even with no one left,
I can't help but want to see it.
Are you sure about this?
What choice do I have?
Master told me to focus on what's in front of me.
I care about Cinnabar.
But I care about you, too.
You're too weak to get there on your own, right?
Indeed...
How far is it to your home, Sovereign?
Not far at all. But more importantly...
aren't you exceptionally fragile?
If the waves dash you to pieces, you may never make it back home.
I guess that's okay.
It is?!
It's true that Cinnabar shared a secret with me.
But the promise was on my part alone.
It's stupid of me to let it weigh me down.
But it's too late to take it back now.
I can't forget it, and I can't vanish.
All I can do is march onward.
Hey, do these creatures that resemble us experience death...?
Sovereign?
Yes, we do.
The beautiful shell is merely a garment.
Our true bodies are made only of flesh.
Ergo, we rot and die,
leaving not a trace.
Oh, this brings back memories! We're close!
This scent, at least, remains just as it was before the Lunarians arrived.
What, now? Come along.
You can't move once the sun sets, yes?
Sovereign?
Speaking.
What are you?!
I'm me, of course.
But, uh...
you called yourself adorable and stuff, but you were really a creepy little thing.
And you called it your true form!
Well, this is my true true form.
I can take this shape when I'm near my home.
Doesn't it resemble your kind?
Yeah, I guess so...
But you're all jiggly, you've got way more legs, and all those frills...
and compared to us, you just seem more...
tacky?
Silence!
I mean, especially those water jugs there.
What even are those?
These are an especially prized and precious part of the body.
Extol them.
Are you like the jellyfish?
Don't be absurd. My kind are far sexier!
Oh, really? I don't see it.
Well, I'm just glad you can swim on your own now.
You can toss that away. It's burdensome to carry, is it not?
I couldn't!
I'm supposed to treat all items with care.
And I'm already sneaking out.
If I don't bring this back, I'll be in serious trouble.
But, hey... why do we look so much alike?
That is not a question I am fully equipped to answer.
Why do you suppose that is?
Let me think...
Maybe the jellyfish were so taken with our beauty that they wished t—
Enough with the jellyfish.
I know!
The snails were so jealous of our cuteness—
You were taught little discipline, I see.
Not being "fully equipped" to answer still means you know something!
You tell me.
You know, sometimes you're surprisingly keen.
I can imagine the trouble that hunk must have had with you.
But very well.
According to our legend...
this world was once home...
to creatures known as humans.
"Humans"?
They tenaciously survived on land through the fifth breakoff.
But when the sixth came, they finally took to the sea.
They were said to have split into three:
Spirit, Flesh, and Bone.
Spirit, Flesh, and Bone?
They survived the waves breaking them apart?
They sound pretty tough for animals.
Oh, no, not like that.
I was simply putting it in a grandiose way.
The nuance I was going for
was that they survived by gradually metamorphosing into three different kinds.
My kind, the Admirabilis, are said to have come from the Flesh.
We inherited their unique ability to weave a tapestry of knowledge
through careful repetition of the cycle of reproduction and death.
Conversely, the Bone...
made a pact with another lifeform,
gaining the means to endure the passage of time,
and returned to the land.
That's just like...
This is merely the hazy origin story passed down by my people.
I do not know the truth of it.
But that's so close to the way we came about!
Yes, I had such a presentiment.
For you see, the Spirit has finally found a pure, new land,
and is now said to wander in search of Flesh and Bone so it may regain its former glory.
Just like them.
The Spirit...
The Lunarians...
are doing what they do to become human again?
I do not know.
But we each possess our own motivations.
It's ludicrous to imagine that we could ever return to what we once were.
Their ways are both eerie and incomprehensible.
But, as you said, we have no choice but to march onward.
We must fight for ourselves and those close to us.
But why?
Why does it have to be that way?
If what you say is true,
then the Spirit was once part of the same whole as us, right?
Who knows?
Though they have no enemies of their own, the Lunarians lust for battle and are never satisfied.
Perhaps their inexplicable restlessness...
speaks volumes about the sort of creatures humans were.
In that case...
I think you and I have changed for the better.
Our people should work together at least.
Yes.
You may be right.
Phos?
I heard that everyone yelled at you.
It isn't like you to lie around, sulking.
I'll ask Master to go easy on you, so cheer up.
Okay?
We have arrived.
I'm beat...
You said we'd be here in no time, but it took all day...
This is your home?
There's nothing here.
Ugh, I'm done.
I can't move another inch. Just gonna lie down for a bit.
Wake me up when you're done.
Much in the way you cherish your Cinnabar,
I, too, have someone I cherish.
Forgive me.
I offer them in exchange for my compatriot—
my brother, Aculeatus.

Phos went missing earlier today, so we dispatched search parties.
Morganite and Goshenite are surveying the Shore of Nascency.
Neptunite and Benitoite are out on the Western Plateau.
Phos!
Yellow Diamond and Zircon are searching the White Hills.
No sign of them...
Hemimorphite and Watermelon are surveying the Eastern Plains.
I see.
That Phos...
Off with my new outfit and everything!
Maybe they really...
went to the sea?
We can't say that just yet.
Or maybe Phos finally committed to the assignment and is working har—
That is absolutely not the case!
You're far too naive!
And you're far too nasty!
I'm heading out for a bit!
Dia?
There's someone who might know!
How should I know?
Didn't I tell you we'd be better off without them?
But...
this is too strange.
Why would Phos want to suddenly run off into the sea?
Like I'd know.
Maybe... Let me think...
Maybe they went looking for something that can't be found here.
Like your heart or something!
I've had just about enough of your antics!
Well, just help us out with this, okay?
Then I promise I'll find something more fun than the night patrol only you can do!
I never asked you to!
Jade!
Over here!
Could these be...?
Preposterous!
Now you ask for more of them?
I never agreed to that.
First, return my brother to his senses.
Phosphophyllite is worth at least that much.
All right, all right.
But they are no fools. The same trick won't work twice.
If we were to use Phos as bait...
Yes...
Someone who's isolated and perceptive...
Cinnabar, perhaps...
No, Phosphophyllite really is the best I can do.
The rest already suspect me.
Sovereign!
Foo...
Foo?
I... smell...
food...
It's...
It's adorable.
Aculeatus.
Aculeatus!
Aculeatus...
Yes, ma'am!
I was woken up by a delicious smell,
only to find myself close to home with my dear elder sister here, too.
How lucky!
Fool...
Foolish little brother of mine, all you do is eat and fight.
Goodness, how bold you've become.
I don't know what's going on here, but we'd best leave this place at once.
The Lunarians may be defenseless, but they're both swift and clever.
Word of our escape is likely to reach the moon at any moment.
It's only a matter of time...
Are they of the Bone?
Quite the worse for wear.
But beautifully colored like the Western Shallows.
I'm sure the Lunarians would love them.
Oh, I see.
You used this one here to rescue me, did you?
How incredibly fortunate that they survived without falling into Lunarian hands.
For our father, mother, and people,
this may be their last chance to be freed from a life of domestication.
Thinking back, you were the only one who retained their sanity on the moon.
You did well coming this far...
all on your own.
No fair.
How am I supposed to stay mad after hearing all that?
So you don't mind us using you as a bargaining chip?
Do you immortals fear nothing?
You may never make it back home.
That's fine...
Well, then...
In exchange, keep Cinnabar out of this.
Very well. You have my word.
Are you sure?
Yeah.
I forgive you.
I mean, I don't have the strength to fight back anyway.
I don't know how to help my friends as efficiently as you, so what am I gonna do?
What have I been doing with my life?
I'm 300 years old today, you know.
You must be so much younger than me, yet look at what you've accomplished.
Huh? You're so soft.
So you can touch me without melting me.
Sister?
If we don't change, we'll be no better than the Lunarians.
Let's go home.
Master, we're all ready.
Be mindful of the turning tide.
Work in pairs and do not let yourselves be separated.
Understood!
It's not my problem...
I don't care...
I'd rather that jerk were gone for good.
That annoying, high-maintenance, impulsive brat...
has the most childish ideas imaginable, yet is too ignorant and stupid to accomplish anything.
I hate them!
It's not my fault!
The sea...
didn't have any jobs that suited you.
I'm sorry.
Tomorrow...
Tomorrow, I'll try harder.
Forgive me.
No.
You're really hard to win over.
I knew you'd say that.
It's already the dead of night.
Still nothing?
Phos?
Phos, come on out!
We're not used to searching the sea.
Everyone's exhausted.
The Lunarians may be back tomorrow,
but we're at our limit.
I'll need more resin if they're to head into the sea again.
By all means.
Next time...
I'll save you.
Phos...
Seriously, where could you have run off to?
Yikes!
Who left this here?!
Sorry 'bout that...
The infirmary must be kept neat!
Sheesh! What is this thing, anyway?!
I think the sovereign gave it to me...
You mean that little slug?
Why?
Beats me...
Rutile...
I lost my legs.
Can anything be done?
Did you find more resin?!
We need you to hurry, Rutile!
I found them.
What?
Master...
M-Master?
I just finished applying the adhesive!
L-Listen, Jade!
Do something...
All hands, retreat!
Take cover!
You submissive coward!
You can't expect me to not report this to Master!
You get out of here too!
But...
If you fall apart, who's going to put you back together?!
In that case, Phos...
Take this hit for the team.
Why, you...
insolent fool!
I'm sorry!
The sea...
was really scary.
I will hear your full report tomorrow.
Starting tomorrow, I'm gonna work harder...
And with that,
I hereby call off your work as a natural historian.
Well...
Now that we've gotten this far,
what should we do about those legs?
Well, the short answer is...
our only choice is to make use of these.
In the event that one of us loses a body part,
we can replace it with inclusionless material of similar quality.
However, I haven't been able to scrounge up enough material similar to yours to create two whole legs.
The exterior of these things is more fragile than you are.
But the inside is made up of a variety of quartz called agate.
It has a hardness of 7...
as opposed to your 3.5.
It's a crude approach, but if we break it down and reassemble it, it should roughly match your level,
so it shouldn't be too taxing.
Are you listening?
Phos!
I'm listening...
but the whole losing my job thing kind of makes it hard to focus.
Please listen to me.
Master only called it off
out of concern for you, the youngest among us.
Plus, every time you do anything, you drive the rest of us to the breaking point.
Actually, that's probably the main reason.
Yeah, probably.
I feel so guilty that all I can do is just hide behind my defiance.
Look!
Think of this as your last task on the job.
Tell me where these things you washed up with came from.
I'm a little nervous about attaching them to you.
So...
"So"?
So...
"So"?!
...me large seashell?
Oh, now that you mention it...
seashells are known to sometimes petrify into agate.
In that case...
Are those things really fit to be legs?
Will they even move?
If they attach, it doesn't mean they'll move.
Whether they'll move depends on whether the inclusions inside you take a liking to their new home.
Slowly now.
Good... Just like that.
Th-They're like stumps!
I feel like I'm wearing fancy stumps!
They are rocks.
Are they no good?
Just take it nice and easy with your rehab,
and they'll work soon enough, so don't worry!
I'll help out between shifts.
There's no need to be impatient.
Thanks, Red Beryl, Euclase...
Wha...?
Uh...
Huh?
Don't tell me...
Right...
This should go without saying,
but you lost a good chunk of your memories when you lost your legs.
After all, they do make up a third of your body.
Phos!
I'm sure a little sunlight will be enough to perk up your inclusions.
I know! I'll make you some cute pajamas!
Thanks.
And Rutile's within earshot if you need help.
Thanks...
Sorry, uh...
I-It's Jade. Don't worry about it.
Do you remember anything about the Lunarians?
Well?! What were they like up close?
Well? Well?!
Alex, now's not the time!
See you later!
The Lunarians...
The pattern on these legs is weird.
Move!
Whoa!
I can't believe I'm worse off...
than when I started...
Nope, nope, nope!
No getting all weak-kneed now!
They move!
All right!
Quiet down...
I can't do this anymore.
I'm so tired.
We spent all that time searching for Phos. Even I'm exhausted.
But you never show it, Nepti.
Let's rest in shifts.
Ready, and shoot!
Mad you lost?
Someone just ran by...
What?
...at an incredible speed.

Hey! How naughty.
Yellow! I alerted everyone!
Oh, Zircon!
Well done!
Master...
You got here quick.
Don't worry, Rutile.
My apologies.
Sorry to trouble you,
Yellow Diamond.
Don't mention it.
You spent all night piecing Phos back together.
Get some sleep.
I've slept enough.
Zircon... had their neck severed by an arrow...
and hurt their legs by crashing into you?
Yup.
Color me impressed, Doc.
That's Zircon for you.
The damage was kept to a minimum.
They're a remarkable gem for being the second youngest after Phos.
No, they're just an idiot.
Why shield me?
Because...
they respect you.
Thanks to me...
everyone I've ever partnered with has wound up on the moon.
Green Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, and Pink Topaz too.
I don't deserve respect.
I'm only the oldest...
because I'm good at running away.
I'm 3,597 years old now.
I don't...
I can't even remember what we're fighting for anymore.
It looks like we'll all be getting some rest.
Better start preparing to hibernate soon, huh?
Indeed.
Phos is...
Oh!
Yellow!
Oh, Dia, Bort!
I thought you were a bolt of lightning!
There, there.
You seem to be in a hurry.
I'm looking for Phos.
We thought they couldn't move yet,
but they've gone missing.
Again?!
Sorry, but could you help me?
I need to find them while the rain is keeping the Lunarians away.
Phos!
Yellow?
For crying out loud...
You had me worrie—
That was fast!
Hey, why are you running away?
No, I'm not!
It's these new legs.
They move crazy fast!
So fast that I can't even stop where I want to!
What?
What am I gonna do?!
You're kidding me, right?
All right, try again!
I'm going to stop you this time!
But what if I end up crashing into you, Yellow?
You won't! Trust me!
Y-You sure?
If you say so...
Don't you dare break me!
You shouldn't underestimate...
your elders!
'Kay...
Wow, those legs are really something.
Are these stripes agate?
Quartz agate has no cleavage, so it's sturdy.
Lucky you!
Uh-oh!
Didn't see that rock...
Perhaps that drastic procedure, while giving Phos some degree of control over their legs,
also made them incredibly fast.
What do you suppose is causing it?
It may be that the inclusions always possessed this power,
but could never manifest it within such a brittle host.
And now, all that pent-up energy has exploded.
Hey, did you hear that?! I've got potential!
I don't know if I'd call it "potential"...
You really are incredibly lucky.
In that case, Master...
I'd like to put these legs to use and join the battle!
Surely you wouldn't let this new asset go to waste?!
Don't get ahead of yourself.
You can't win just by running away.
Good point.
You'd need a partner if you were gonna fight,
but covering for you sounds like a tall order.
Yellow!
Member of the glorious diamond family!
Wha—?
You can shield me with your brilliant...
I've already got Zircon with me.
I'm younger and perkier than stupid old Zircon!
And where does that leave old me?
Besides, I'm not even confident I could handle the responsibility of watching you.
Then Zircon can come with us! How about that?
It's hard to get into the rhythm with three people. They have to at least be in the same family.
Come on, I'm begging you!
Obsidian.
Yes!
Bring me your lightest blade.
M-Master, you can't be serious!
As you requested!
Do you get it now?
As expected, your legs are the only part of you that has changed.
I'll train hard...
every single day...
Whoa!
I can't have you shattering on a daily basis!
Just... let... me... try...
I have wondered this for quite some time...
Why are you so eager to fight, knowing you are not suited for it?
It's 'cause...
I love you, so I want to help, Master.
What?
Doesn't everyone feel the same?!
Is there any other reason?
Say something! Rutile! Yellow!
No, yeah.
It's true!
Right, Rutile?
Someone's embarrassed.
Even those of us now on the moon...
love you all the same.
We have to fight for their sake, too.
I knew you'd get it, Yellow!
I bet it'd be fun to pair up with you.
Then you'll...
I told you, I can't!
In any case...
you are in no shape for battle.
But you may aid Amethyst on patrol.
Huh? On patrol?
Really?!
Of course...
Good idea!
I'll explain it to Amethyst.
Yippee!
And now...
let us take this opportunity to hear your report on your time in the sea.
Oh.
Yes, Master.
Uh...
The sea...
is big...
and vast...
and...
Master, when Phos's legs were lost, a third of their memory was lost along with them.
I see.
Then you may report as your memory permits.
Well...
The sea is...
big...
and vast...
Humans...
Hu... mans?
Yes.
"Humans" were...
No, sorry...
That's all I can remember.
Very well.
Master was acting kinda weird.
Yes...
They were probably just annoyed because Phos couldn't remember what happened under the sea.
You think so?
I'm sure of it.
At any rate,
Phos is lucky they can move again, and even faster than before, at that.
Since they can't go back to how they were,
their only option is to improve.
Good work out there!
Oh, there you are!
Amethyst!
Stop!
Yellow? Can I help you?
I'll be in your care!
Huh?
So, here's the deal:
we're going to test Phos's newfound speed by teaming you two up.
Master's orders.
Seriously?
I get that your legs are fast, but how about the rest of you?
Pretty much the same.
Oh, this is going to be rough.
Ame here is a sword-wielding pro. Take this chance to learn something.
Roger!
Ah, I see.
It's too dangerous to toss Phos onto the battlefield with just one partner,
and it's too complicated to work in tandem as a trio.
So we, the two who act as one—
the Amethyst twins— are the test case, correct?
Even though I know twin crystals can bump into one another without cracking, it still freaks me out.
We've never really spoken before, have we, Phos?
I'm Amethyst 84.
And I'm Amethyst 33.
Nice to meet you.
That sound's gonna drive me insane. Can I submit a transfer request?
Don't be picky, rookie.
At last.
I'm finally joining...
the battle.
I've gotta be...
getting closer...
Morning assembly!
We have one every morning.
Hurry now.
Come on, out of those clothes.
And your shoes.
My sword! I can't find my sword!
My sword...
Oh...
It's so cool!
Come on.
Today, the odds of a Lunarian attack are 11.4%.
The skies will be mostly clear.
In the afternoon, we can expect heavier clouds,
but no rain is anticipated.
The White Hills are the most dangerous place today,
and will be handled by Bort and Dia.
Yellow and Zircon will patrol the surrounding area.
Everyone else will keep to the usual.
Also...
Amethyst and...
Phosphophyllite...
will be in charge of patrolling the Western Plateau.
Look at those clouds there.
Lunarian sunspots tend to appear around that altitude.
You're unlikely to miss one unless something really unusual happens.
Loosen up a little!
A snow butterfly.
Winter's almost here.
A jellyfish.
Let's put it back in the water.
Hey, wait, wait, wait.
I'm pretty tired now.
Shall we head back?
Phos?
Checking in.
No abnormalities...
I think?
Yeah...
How was your first day?
I'm making my rounds.
Mental fatigue due to excessive stress. An extensive rest period is required.
All right, you seem perfectly fine.
Quack.
Phos,
our patrol area tomorrow is pretty far.
Don't stay up late. Get some sleep, okay?
Rutile asked us to collect seeds from the powder blossoms today.
Wh-While we're on patrol? That's asking too much!
Dang.
Guess my quack comment didn't go unheard.
We get this kind of work all the time.
Good.
Just sit back and relax.
Right?
I've learned so much in my three days on guard duty.
Yeah, yeah.
Good, they're not onto me.
They don't know I'm just too tired to move.
I guess a small change like this isn't going to magically make everything better.
Wanna try some...
...sword practice?
Sure.
What I wanna do is practice whipping out my sword and tossing back the sheath.
It's so cool, right?
Oh, yeah!
Like that!
Looks like...
we'll have to forgo practice.
Phos, watch and learn.
Phos...
It might be one of those.
There's something inside...
Phos...
Run...
Why...
No...
Master...
No!
Phos! Get back!
You poor thing...
You!
Explain yourself!

Phos...
Run...
No!
You poor thing...
You!
Explain yourself!
I was so scared...
I couldn't move.
Sorry.
We were careless.
We were too eager to set an example for you.
We must've given you a scare.
Hey!
Alexandrite?
I heard you had a run-in with one of those new Lunarians!
We did, Alex.
Keep it down in the infirmary, Alex.
You sure are passionate, "Lunarian Lover" Alex.
It's "Lexi"!
How many times do I have to tell you?!
I heard the surface of the blades was made from Sapphire's pieces!
Tell me more about its structure!
C'mon, think!
It all happened so fast,
and we were so close that we couldn't...
Think harder!
But...
Oh, why not ask Phos?
Phos?
Phos should have seen the whole...
Huh?
I need to be able to run like this at any moment!
Right now, I wouldn't have anything to say...
Heave-ho!
Pull it to the right!
Here?!
More to the left.
How 'bout now?!
Farther right.
Good?!
A little higher.
Wait, no, lower.
What?!
Hup...
Oh! I'm so sorry!
It's fine.
All we do every year is sleep. Won't it just get wrinkled?
Doesn't matter! Fashion is about determination and willpower!
I stretched our limited supply of linen as far as I could—all for this day!
Right...
Phos?
Yes?
I thought as much.
I asked Cinnabar to hibernate here with us, but they refused.
Could you at least take this bedding to them?
Too much responsibility, too awkward!
Anything but that!
Ack, don't!
Fine, I'll do it myself!
You know...
do I really have to hibernate?
What?
It's just... I don't really feel sleepy this year for some reason.
You, the first to sleep and the last to get up every year?
Do you need a checkup?
Maybe I needed a real doctor to put my legs on for me.
I'm kidding!
The light quality drops in the winter. Just staying awake would be exhausting.
On average, there are only about ten sunny days each winter.
When it's sunny, the Lunarians are almost guaranteed to come after us.
But that makes them easy to predict,
so we let Master and Antarcticite take care of them.
Antarcti...
Their hardness is about the same as mine, so how come I don't get to do that?
It's not fair.
Their makeup is even more unusual than yours.
Normally, they exist in a liquid state,
but they crystallize when the temperature drops.
And the colder it gets, the stronger...
they become.
Now then, Master...
Good night.
Rest well.
Sweet dreams.
Good morning!
Good morning,
Antarcticite.
How do you feel?
Splendid!
I'm in perfect condition, as I am every year.
Working alone every year must be lonesome.
I do apologize.
N-Not at all!
It's not that I'm lonely, but...
our yearly tradition...
May I?
Come.
Wh—
Wh...
Why are you still awake, Phosphophyllite?!
Well...
I just couldn't fall asleep, so...
would it be okay if I just stayed awake?
Very well. This year, you will work as a pair.
Sweet!
Master!
Pardon my saying so, but I object!
Not with this useless dolt!
So what's this whole "tradition"...
...thing?
Damn it...
Why now, when you're always the one who sleeps the most?
You're a flighty piece of rubble idling away.
And you're half a grade harder than I am.
Don't you feel ashamed of yourself?
Another year gone to waste, I take it?
Are your long-festering insecurities keeping you up?
Well, the thing is...
Your legs look strange.
Are they agate?
Have you been in battle?
Yeah, but...
when they needed my legs the most, I was too scared to run.
And were you scolded?
No...
They're too soft.
That's why I hate working in gr—
The fact that I wasn't scolded...
is what has me too frustrated to sleep.
Plus, I hear it's exhausting just trying to stay awake in the winter,
so I thought I'd try pushing myself a little.
In that case,
I do have a job I could delegate to you.
Really?
It won't be easy.
I don't wanna...
but I will!
The light... is so faint...
This could...
be bad...
So faint...
We're only halfway there.
With the sun come Lunarians.
Walk until you can't,
then walk some more.
We're here.
A...
A Lunarian?
No.
It's just an ice floe.
A floe?
When the sea freezes over, any segments with microflora from the seabed wind up like that.
But one time...
Master called them...
"sinners."
For some reason, I've never forgotten that.
Here it comes.
What?
Listen to that!
Now the real one.
The floes make this ghastly rumbling when they scrape by one another,
disturbing our slumbering companions,
so I crush them.
Now you try.
I can't do that!
Um...
I really appreciate you giving me such an important job, but...
What is it?
I don't think I'm ready for it.
All I have are my legs.
Just my legs.
At this temperature, my body isn't fully at its peak either.
If I fell into the sea as I am now,
I'd be crushed under the weight of those ice floes.
You'll adjust.
You sure?
You're not just putting me in danger because you want Master all to yourself?
Want me to break you?
We brittle gems have nothing if not our courage.
I can only do the things that I can do.
Because you only try things that you can do.
But if I can do it, I do my very best.
And you'll never be able to do anything else.
Ready...
Go!
Good.
Almost.
I'm beat.
We still have our daily work to do.
We don't get a break after busting those things?
How could we take time off with all this snowfall?
We have many daily tasks in addition to breaking ice floes.
Here.
And here, too.
And, lastly, here!
You really aren't good at working with others, huh?
I said I'm sorry!
Don't get snide!
When you're patrolling the school, the most dangerous place is the hibernation room.
They're all terrible sleepers.
Especially Bort.
They'll sleep if you cover them up.
But why?
No idea.
What was that?!
Oh, that'd be...
the sound of Master nodding off and making dents in the wall.
Put a sheet over them, too.
Why?
Why not?
And we have to do this every day...
I'm gonna lose it...
Are you all right?
Antarc!
What's the matter?
I can't take this anymore!
Whining again?
The ice floe just spoke to me.
Yeah, they do that.
What?
According to Master,
these ice floes are minerals just like we are,
so we can vaguely hear them "talk."
To be more precise,
though we may mistake their sounds for words,
we can't really understand what they're saying.
"It's painful."
"I've had enough."
"I wanna go home."
I understand everything they...
This won't do.
You understand the speech of the ice floes?
Yes.
I have an inkling in the back of my head that I've spoken with things from the sea.
As do I.
That's it!
Why don't I just make friends with these ice floes and ask them to stop screaming all the time?!
Have you learned nothing?
The ice floes have no minds of their own.
Instead...
they are naturally disposed to reflect the anxieties of others and exacerbate them.
They are but the dregs of creatures from times long past.
In their presence, let your mind remain undisturbed.
'Kay.
Phos is keeping up better than I expected.
While it may never be so,
I can't help but wish they had arms to match those legs.
To match my legs...
Whoa, whoa! That would've been reckless...
Rutile already said there's nothing to replace them with.
But you'd be stronger.
It's sure to work.
We'll bite them off for you.
Your legs got better in the end.
Somebody can fix you again.
You can't get any worse.
You need to change.
You need to find courage.
It'll work out.
You're running out of time.
If you don't change, come spring...
Cinnabar will...
If you don't change, come spring...
Cinnabar will...
No, no! I can't do that!
Phos!
What are you doing?!
Phos...
Your arms...

We'll bite them off for you.
Your legs got better in the end.
Somebody can fix you again.
You can't get any worse.
You need to change.
You need to find courage.
It'll work out.
You're running out of time.
If you don't change, come spring...
Cinnabar will...
Phos!
What are you doing?!
Phos...
Your arms...
They're gone...
Gone.
Gone!
Reporting in.
Phosphophyllite's arms have been lost.
I'm to blame for this.
I'm terribly sorry.
Wha—?!
W-W-Wait, this was obviously my fault!
I'm certain I scoured the area...
but I'll do another sweep!
This was due to a lack of caution on my part.
No...
I'm unaccustomed to working with a partner,
and that made me careless.
I've never made such a blunder before...
I don't know what to do...
This isn't my first blunder, so don't worry about it!
I will worry about it!
Well...
Hey, look...
It'll work out! Like with my legs.
You do recall that we have no material to rebuild you with, yes?
Yeah...
Then do you know what must be done?
I have absolutely no clue. I give up.
I'm sure my missing hands are sticking out of the sea in surrender.
Slow down.
I.
Have.
No.
Clue.
And.
Can—
Huh?
The Shore of... Nascency?
Indeed.
Where was that again?
The beach in the southwest.
You hardly remember anything, do you?
The Shore of Nascency...
is where all of you were born.
Where we were born...?
Thanks...
We're here.
Ancient organisms decompose in the sea and turn into inorganic beings.
After wandering within the ground for millions and millions of years...
they are born.
Almost never are they fully formed like us.
Most of them turn out like that one.
The fortunate few are educated by Master, welcomed into the fold, given a distinct role,
and made into who we are now.
Do you remember any of that?
Bits and pieces.
All right.
There's only gold and platinum here.
No good...
No good?
Gold and platinum are both extremely soft and malleable.
But more than that...
they're too heavy.
We can't use them.
Oh...
After they finally got to be born and everything...
I've attached it temporarily.
Mmkay.
I'm letting go now.
Whoa!
I thought as much.
But your body hasn't rejected it yet.
Your inclusions might accept it.
The problem is the weight...
Perhaps we could hollow out the inside...
Detach it for now. We're heading back.
I don't think...
I can...
Hey...
Is it wrapping around me? Am I being swallowed up?!
W-Wait...
Hey!
What's happening to me, Antarcti?!
What's going on? What's the big idea?!
I don't...
Sorry about this...
Save it for when we've won.
To think the sky would clear so suddenly.
It is a long way to the Shore of Nascency.
I must make haste.
You dare to keep me?
Try as you might...
it is useless!
It didn't disperse.
Is it the new type I read about in Alex's report?
The Lunarians don't seem to have spotted Phos.
I see.
What a novel trap.
It does give me chills.
But no trap will work on me.
What was that?!
It came from the school.
Give that back...
Give it back!
What if you make me forget about Master?!
Well...
I suppose...
that earns passing marks.
I drove off a new type.
I'm sure Master will be proud.
Hey!
I fought it without permission, so I might be punished instead.
What do I do?
Hey!
Come on!
Yikes...
You've...
changed.
No, I'm inside...
Does this mean your inclusions liked it, or does it mean they didn't?
I can't move. Get me out of here!
Hey, not so rough! Be more gentle!
Just deal with it!
I'm barely holding myself together here.
Careful!
Watch it! You're gonna hit me!
Just shut it!
You grazed me! You definitely just grazed me!
Enough already!
Come on, be a bit gentler!
You don't want to stay like this, do you?
No, but still...!
Well,
I'm just glad you're...
Antar—!
I don't want Master to be lonely...
so I leave winter...
to you.
Why?
Why won't my new arms...
do what I want?
If you really are a part of me,
you'll fight!
Please, my...
I don't want Master to be lonely...
so I leave winter...
to you.
Do what I say, you stupid dross!
It's too heavy...
I can't stand...
up!
Forget about the small fry! After that!
These new arms of mine are strong.
I'm not giving up.
I even have the courage to push beyond my limits!
So then... why?
Why are they getting farther away?!
Antarc...
was taken in my place.
I see.
The blame lies with me.

Antarc...
was taken in my place.
I see.
The blame lies with me.
Better report this.
Master, we have Lunarians.
Phos,
what sort do they appear to be?
They appear to be the old type, but...
I'll go confirm it.
Very well.
Master,
they were indeed the old type.
You have improved in altering the thickness of your alloy film to suit the trajectory of the arrows.
Now, you must learn to maintain your balance.
Yes, my apologies.
I'll make sure to improve my control.
I'll see to the remaining ice floes.
Phos.
Take some time to rest.
With the gold and platinum weighing me down, I'm no longer as fast as I was before.
There's no time to waste.
The alloy has spread in a mesh throughout your body to support the weight of your arms.
Each time you extend or retract the alloy,
fine cracks run across your body, do they not?
Yes, but...
if this is all I accomplish today...
I won't have anything to report to Antarc.
That day...
I shouldn't have thrown my sword.
If I had reached out instead...
Right.
Next time, I will not fail.
Antarc, I'm back.
The sun came out today...
and the Lunarians appeared for the first time in thirteen days.
But just the old type...
unfortunately.
I hope they bring you with them next time.
My hair is pretty short now, huh?
I wanted to be more like you.
I used it to fill in the gaps where I lost some pieces, too.
Though this alloy's gonna push 'em out before long.
But I had time to kill.
I can't bring myself to sleep these days.
I need to be ready for the Lunarians at any time.
Besides...
I'm afraid to close my eyes.
Because every time I do, I see you.
Phos.
Go sleep in your room.
I-I don't really want to sleep...
I'd rather keep busy...
I know! I can fix your robes, Master.
If they're ripped, Red Beryl's gonna fly off the handle when they wake up.
I can hear it now: "How could you do this?!"
But these are all I have.
It'll be fine.
Will it?
I have new arms, so I'm sure it will.
I even cut my own hair without issue.
This is my first time seeing...
winter turn into spring.
I never realized...
how quickly living things change.
It scares me.
You're changing, too.
That's...
true.
I am, aren't I?
I'm scared.
My eyes...
For some reason, the alloy leaking out from my eyes is the only thing I can't control.
I'm sorry.
This was a defect of ancient creatures.
It is not your fault.
Now get some rest.
No.
It won't be long now.
Springtime already?
Everyone...
wake up!
You can sleep a while longer.
I'll handle the morning assembly preparations and cleaning.
I appreciate it, Antarc.
Antarc...
is on the moon.
Phos, is that you?
Yes.
Is it true, what you said about Antarc?
Yes.
Your hair...
and your arms...
I'll fill you in on everything later.
I believe Master has much to say as well.
All right.
Anyway, would you go check on Cinnabar for me?
Tell them we'd like them at morning assembly if possible.
Cinnabar...
Oh, that's right.
It's too "awkward," right?
Excuse me, then. I'll do it.
No, I'll go, but...
Cinnabar?
Who are they?
I didn't say that.
I think...
Am I...
in that bad a shape?
It would seem so.
I'm gonna hand out summer uniforms!
On the twenty-second day, Antarcticite was taken away.
It was a valiant struggle,
but I did not arrive in time to help.
I am sorry.
As for who will take over Antarc's duties...
Apologies for being late.
Phos?
Antarc's station...
was handed down to Phosphophyllite.
What?!
Inform everyone of the details of Antarc's capture.
Yes, Master.
They've changed...
Yeah.
And that hair...
Look at their arms...
Antarc was captured trying to protect me.
Here is how it happened.
Antarc fought and defeated a new form of Lunarian
carrying Pink Fluorite's shards on the Shore of Nascency.
Immediately afterward, another appeared.
It was small, but unlike anything in Alex's reports.
Aside from the central vessel...
and the ordinary Lunarians surrounding it...
there were also eight of a new type— a size bigger than what I usually encounter.
Um...
Let me think...
About this big.
They sat in a circle around the vessel and fired arrows from there.
Phos, are those... your arms?
Y-Yeah...
I lost my arms to the ice floes, but was lucky enough to get this gold and platinum alloy,
so I've been making do with it.
It's...
It's not dangerous or anything.
See?
It never really bothered me before, but...
now I'm starting to get embarrassed having a show-off body like this.
Oh, don't worry about my arms.
The powder will come off when they stretch anyway.
Whatever you say.
How was Cinnabar?
Same as always.
They didn't want to attend the assembly.
If you're concerned about them, why not pay them a visit?
No, I wouldn't even have anything to say.
Plus...
Huh?
Wow!
Hey! Do that long stretchy thing again!
What?
Stretch!
I'd rather not, since it wears me out...
Listen, you!
How could you do this?!
Your winter uniform is in tatters, and your build has changed!
Now I have to remake your summer uniform!
And don't change your hairstyle without consulting me!
Your entire look is based on my mental image of you!
See?! You're so much bigger now!
Your body has grown larger to accommodate the large amount of alloy inside it.
Look how much it stretches!
It's still going!
And there's more!
Keep pulling!
Phos!
Are you gonna keep using Antarc's broken sword?
How about you attach it directly to your arm and make it into a crazy weapon?!
Can you take off your shirt?
Oh, and keep it off!
I was just getting ready to dissect you!
It's a decoy!
Hold it!
Let me squish you some more!
Let me dissect you!
Let me upgrade you!
I haven't finished taking your measurements yet!
Happy now that you're stronger?
It hasn't done me any good.
I thought as much.
That alloy of yours...
Let me see how it feels to slice it!
Hey!
Bort!
Dia!
No fair!
I was gonna test it out first!
Then hold them down.
Okay!
Gotcha!
A decoy!
Phos, those arms really are something!
I'd love to measure their rate of ductility!
Can I pull them out to their limit?
Phos!
Since you showed me that new Lunarian,
show me the other types, too! Now!
I'm being assaulted...
from all sides...
You're quite popular.
Was I not clear enough? Master, I want you to tell them off!
Found you!
I want to stretch you!
I want to dissect you!
I want to upgrade you!
I still need your measurements!
Enough!
There must be order before you hassle Phos.
Form a line.
Okay!
I jest.
Phos is gone.
It was only a joke.
They're still gone.
Well,
power always comes with a measure of loneliness.
Then... do you ever feel lonely, Master?
My lips are sealed.
Hey, no fair!
Master, me next!
Why am I so tired?
H-Hey.
Good morning.
Lost your arms now, too?
No, this is just a little change of pace.
I'm making good progress on finding work for you.
No, no, it's really, unexpectedly, going so smoothly that it's startling...
Well, it's not like I care.
Of course not...
Dang...
It was so obvious I was lying, huh?
Well, I'm glad they haven't changed.
But what can I do?
I don't have a clue...
I mean, I can barely keep up with my own problems.
Phos.
What now?
Sorry for ganging up on you like that.
Master fell asleep.
I guess they'd been up for too long.
Sleepiness is the one thing Master can't fight off.
Master stayed with me while I wasn't sleeping, so they were awake for a lot longer.
I feel bad about that.
Well, we're switching over to the "Master Naptime" sleep schedule.
Everyone who's free goes out to help.
I wanted to ask if you could join the patrols.
Patrol?
Sure thing.
Are you sure you'll be okay?
I'll be fine.
I'd always dreamed of joining the battle.
But now...
it's just a dangerous line of work.
Phos?
Uh...
I was hoping I could show you two my good side.
Even if just a little...
See?
That said, Master isn't here today.
But those two are.
So concentrate.
Another dud. It's an old type.
That was close!
But...
But it worked out.
Incredible!
Wai— I'll break, I'm gonn—
I can't believe this is the same Phos who couldn't move before!
Good for you!
You're incredible now!
It's thanks to the two of you.
Wow...
Is that really Phos?
Bye-bye!
Phosphophyllite...

Incredible!
Wai— I'll break, I'm gonn—
I can't believe this is the same Phos who couldn't move before!
Wow...
Is that really Phos?
It was a medium-sized, five-ray, old type.
It was made up of... Uh...
What do we call the regular Lunarians again?
Small fry.
Oh, right.
There were thirty-two small fry.
The vessel was flat, and the halo was a flat circle with wave ornamentation along the rim.
Its face was covered in five layers of sheer fabric,
and its cross section had four holes.
It ticks me off, but you caught every detail.
Only because I move so slowly now.
Even your personality has changed.
You think?
All you ever did before was talk things up.
Oh... I did, didn't I...
When we replace lost pieces of ourselves with different material,
maybe our personalities are remade to fit our new physique.
Fascinating...
But...
Antarc was...
more kindhearted...
More courageous...
More...
All right!
Done! Whaddya think?
It's perfect!
Sorry to keep you up so late.
I look forward to the next one!
Okay, lemme just whip up a report before I go to bed!
Phos...
Jade?
Do you really not sleep?
No, but I'll doze off here and there.
All right, then.
Sorry to ask before fully understanding your new condition, but...
I'd like you to patrol again tomorrow, and for a while, if possible.
Okay.
I'll keep working until Master wakes up.
Thanks.
Yeah, I'll do my best. Good work today.
They're so diligent...
That's one way of putting it.
You startled me!
I was just thinking of something.
Would you let me examine your arms again?
Cooperate for the advancement of medical science, the public good, and my personal research.
"Personal research"?
Thank you very much.
Next, please?
Phosphophyllite.
Be my partner.
Come again?
Team up with me.
Focus!
After you cut open the vessel,
you were disappointed not to find any of Antarc's fragments, weren't you?
Keep doing things your way, and you'll be shot through before long.
If you team up with me, I will make up for what you lack.
I can make your way of fighting more efficient.
That's not all!
Your sword swings are wasteful, too.
Start your swing light and shallow, and let its weight carry it through.
Then pull back swiftly and carefully.
If you don't cut the vessel vertically,
it'll take you too long to look inside and determine what type it is,
leaving you unable to make your next move!
I'm trying to think right now, so shut up!
You're taking too long!
Like it's so easy to decide?!
What? You wanna go?
I'm not as scared of you as I used to be.
Oh, yeah?
Just kidding...
Gimme some time!
I'm down to my last resort.
All jellyfish in favor of me teaming up with Bort?!
Two against two, huh?
It's no use.
It's a pain no matter how I look at it.
Bort was pretty spot-on about everything.
The problem is that when it comes to anything other than battle, they're insane.
Even if we did team up, I don't see it going well.
But I'll never know until I try...
What if this lets us collect fragments faster,
making things easier for Master and everyone else?
But I'm gonna have to be the one to explain this to Dia, aren't I?
Nope! Can't do it!
Let's just pretend Bort never asked.
You're trying to tell me that part of being brave is to not run from the troublesome stuff, right, Antarc?
Fine, then.
And so...
I'm thinking maybe I will team up with Bort.
Just kidding...
Bye!
Take care of Bort for me, okay?
Huh?
It makes sense.
The way you shine now, Bort would never overlook you.
Besides, I'm the one who told you to try changing, so who am I to complain?
Bort can be rough around the edges, but do your best for me, okay?
Yeah, they're a weirdo.
There's no way it'll work out.
Hey, now!
Don't you badmouth my younger sibling!
Sit right there!
Wh-What?
I said sit!
Huh?
Listen!
They can be a bit blunt and give off the wrong impression...
but deep, deep down, they're...
Hey! Watch it with the hair!
Our first minute as partners and this is what I get?
Huh?
"Partner"?
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Rutile! Jade!
Did you happen to give Phos and Bort permission to pair up?
Yes, but as usual,
it's only until Master wakes up.
It's only a temporary partnership.
We both agreed that Master would say it's necessary to try new things.
How did Dia take it?
I'm fine with it.
Bort never makes mistakes.
That darling gem...
always makes the right call.
I'm really...
getting sick of it.
Your most dangerous flaw...
is that you only react to the arrows after they've been shot.
Once you hear the pull of the string, it's too late.
You need to think of the Lunarians as one entity.
Take everything, from the drawing of the arrow to its release, as part of a wave.
Once you grasp that, you'll be able to anticipate when to thicken that metal membrane of yours.
And that should stop you from wasting stamina.
You've given me a lot of thought, huh?
Is that how you see it?
Dia always hated how I do that.
Oh...
Huh?
While we're at it...
what are your thoughts on twin sunspots?
That's new.
Here it comes.
Do you think...
it's stuck?
Wh-What's the plan?
Should we take it down now? Would that be cheap?
It would, but...
cover me!
Right!
Wh...
Bort!
How do we fight this thing?
It's almost all the way out now...
Wh-Where are we going?!
We're falling back.
What?!
We can't win here.
You don't mince words!
To be reckless is to be feckless.
Ring the bell six times!
S-Six times?!
Hurry!
Here... goes!
Good call.
If we bring everyone together and combine our strength, maybe...
What are you babbling about?
Six tolls means to remain on standby.
Huh?
We're going to draw that thing after us and go wake up Master.
Here it comes!
I'm too heavy for this...
Hurry up!
It's coming!
It's gone...
No.
It went inside the school.
My plan was based on the assumption that everyone was outside on the Master Naptime shift, but...
...if anyone else is still here, then...
...they're in trouble.
Huh?
Wh-What?!
A Lu—
Lunarian?!
N-No way!
Organizing all of yesterday's Lunarian reports took all night.
A quick nap before heading out shouldn't hurt, right?
That last bell was the signal to stay put, after all.
Alex!
What was that?!
You saw it?!
Don't get too excited, Lunarian Lover! Which way?!
That way!
You two search the school without letting it spot you!
What about you?!
I'll search for it from outside!
H-Hey!
Is having it chase Dia part of your plan?!
What do I do?
I've never seen a Lunarian like that. It's abnormal!
Somebody...
No...
I'll do this...
on my own!
Maybe this was a bad idea!
It's stuck!
Okay!
Hold still!
Didi!
A lot of wasted movement.
Right?
I'm glad we split up.
From afar, I see just how precious you are.
I do, too.
Run...
Bort.

Didi!
I'm glad we split up.
From afar, I see just how precious you are.
I do, too.
Run...
Bort.
What?!
Is it just me, or does it look different from a minute ago?!
My... sword...
Swo...
I-It's no use! I can't pick it up! I don't have enough alloy left!
Alex, finish it!
N-No way! No way! No way! No way!
Master said I'm not supposed to even look at any Lunarians!
All you have to do is swing! It's easy!
Come on already!
But...!
I'm begging you!
I can't... take... it...
Fi...
If it's the only way...
A-Alex?
L-Le... Lexi?
Huh?
Bort!
It's Red Lexi now.
You knew about this?
That's what happens when Alex sees Lunarians.
Unhinged as ever.
Look who's talking.
Finally...
It's not over yet.
You're kidding...
Get ready!
I...
might have trouble cutting these up.
Wow, even Bort can't do it.
They...
ran off...
Oh, no! Was that their plan all along?!
We haven't received any orders since the standby bell.
Do you think something happened?
I wonder.
E-Elder Yellow!
What do you suppose this is?
Whoa! What is this thing?
It's adorable! And so fluffy!
Sh-Should you be doing that?
We don't even know what it is...
Yellow! Zircon!
Have you seen anything white and fluffy?
That's it!
What now?
Word is there's a new type of Lunarian!
It approached me while I was outside.
So I figured I'd kill some time by dissecting it, but then it split in two and came back to life.
Right...
So you'd do that to even the cutest little thing...
Why am I not surprised?
I have to repair Dia.
Hurry and round up the rest of these things.
Yeah, yeah.
Benito! It's heading your way!
Two to the southwest! And two more to the southeast!
Incoming!
Gotch—
Even under the blankets?!
101, 102...
103, 104, 105, 106...
107...
That's all of them. I hope...
It's good enough...
Good grief...
Alex, you sure you should be looking at them?
I think I can handle these so long as I just squint a bit...
I hear there were twin sunspots?
Give me your account of what's happened since they first appeared.
Well, let's see. At first, it looked...
like that.
Did it just...
bark?
Alex!
Transform one mor—
They're down and out...
That's Dead Lexi.
You creep!
Jade! Hang in there!
Halt!
I am the one you want!
Who's that?
Show me what you've got!
Good, good, good, good...
Just keep heading this way.
I'll lead you right to Master...
or not!
Phos!
They got absorbed again?!
What'll we do?
Take it apart again and isolate the parts.
That's our only...
Master!
Sit.
Down.
Chin.
Shiro...
what happened to your paw?
Master...
Were you in there all along?
Yes.
Master, when you said "Shiro," what exactly...
Master,
do you know this creature?
No,
I do not.
Then...
I must've misheard you when I heard "Shiro"...
Master, don't fall asleep!
I apologize.
The fluffiness was simply too inviting.
It is magnificent.
Magnificently fluffy.
Is the thing's name really that big of a deal?
No, that's not the point...
Why not just ask it yourself?
What?
You were able to speak to that slug, after all.
Um...
I just...
wanted to ask you something...
That child has completely lost it.
"Woof, woof" is all I'm getting...
"Shiro, what happened to your paw?"
I'm sure that's what I heard.
Am I going crazy?
If Master really did speak to it that way...
then their bond must've run deeper than ours ever did.
Master and a Lunarian...
Just now...
I had a terrible, terrible thought...
Here. These must be Bort's.
This, too.
This isn't Bort's.
Then what is it? It dropped down with the shoes.
It's...
part of the Lunarian that appeared today.
And it's possible...
that it belongs to Master.
Cinnabar,
I feel like Master is hiding something from us.
You mean like their relationship to the Lunarians?
You knew?!
Then why—
Everybody knows.
At least, we've all suspected as much.
But no one knows the truth.
They've all silently agreed...
that whatever the truth may be,
they'll remain faithful to Master all the same.
Even you?
Me?
I'm still deciding.
What about you?
I...
I want...
to know the truth.
I'll need courage to ask Master.
Courage...
It's always courage...
Just how much do I need?
Just how much...
What was it...
that I even wished for in the first place?
Hey.
Wait for me...
Mas—
Antarc...
You knew, too?
And yet you still...
Is it...
returning to the moon?
No.
It seems...
it has had its fill.
How was working alongside Bort?
Right...
Bort is smarter and wiser than I imagined.
Above all, I think everyone could learn from those quick and accurate powers of judgment.
I think everyone should try working with Bort at least once.
And what about you?
There is a matter I'd like to investigate on my own.
In regard to the Lunarians.
My only option...
is to ask the Lunarians themselves.
How long...
has it been?
This is day ten.
You have good ears.
Look who's working overtime.
Funny how the Lunarians never show up when you're waiting for them.
That last one was extraordinary,
so something may have happened on the Lunarians' end.
Is Dia doing well?
We found the last sliver this morning, so they're as good as new.
What?!
I only saw the big, scary version!
I wanted to see the fluffy little ones and floof them up!
Red Beryl made a replica of the little version for Dia.
And now they're a fad.
Like this!
So fluffy!
So cuddly!
Yeah? That's good.
Drop by the infirmary for a checkup when I get back.
Headed somewhere?
The Shore of Nascency.
To find parts for Padparadscha, I take it...
I guess I haven't forgotten about Padparadscha.
That's a relief.
Padparadscha was so cool.
They practically knew everything.
Yeah...
They once fought alongside Rutile.
A hardness of 9.
A toughness just under first-class.
Second in strength only to Bort.
About the same age as Yellow.
And born with a body full of holes.
Rutile supported them through reconstruction.
It's how Rutile got to be such a skilled doctor.
But Padparadscha...
hasn't been active in a long time.
Let's see...
I think it was around here...
Here it is.
I found it during the winter and just sort of buried it here.
Isn't this ruby? This will help.
Its hardness is 9, and it's in the same family as Padparadscha.
This should improve their odds of awakening and remaining conscious for longer.
Their body's puzzling constitution...
only gets more complicated with each passing attempt.

Well, well.
Don't I look rather glitzy this time?
Padparadscha, how do you feel?
Fantastic!
How long was I out?
231 years, eleven months, and one day.
I smashed my last record!
This was your 300,030th operation.
Whoa!
It's all because I'm lacking in skill.
Or because I've got no luck.
No!
If my medical skills can't overcome your bad luck,
then they're not worth gravel!
A newcomer?
Aren't you the littlest pebble that always hangs around Master?
You seem...
different.
A lot has happened.
Are those arms an alloy? You're just like me then.
You poor thing.
You've had it rough.
Padparadscha...
I have a question...
Rutile, can I go outside?
I love this time of year!
Yeah.
You getting enough sleep?
Not really.
You been listening to Master?
Not really.
A little troublemaker, huh?
Probably.
I want to talk to the Lunarians.
And I want to find out the truth for myself.
Does that make me a troublemaker, too?
Take, for example...
the fact that I want Rutile to stop trying to fill in my missing pieces.
I want to relieve them of their burden.
But I don't know how they'd take it.
The pure, honest truth...
might raze the entire landscape
and change things in a way you never could have expected.
So keep cool...
and tread lightly.
Okay.
Did you get to ask your question?
We only got to talk about the weather.
Is that so?
It's...
It's an honor!
I look forward to working with you!
I feel like Master is hiding something from us.
You mean like their relationship to the Lunarians?
They've all silently agreed...
that whatever the truth may be,
they'll remain faithful to Master all the same.
Even you?
Me?
I'm still deciding.
What about you?
Th...
Thank you for today!
They...
They didn't say a single word all day.
Wh-Wh-What did I do wrong?
They hate me... They hate me...
They hate me...
Another day...
...another failure.
I didn't see you there.
Here I am.
Yeah...
Please help me!
You're freaking me out! Stop!
Do something! Anything!
You're scaring me!
Huh?
Bort won't talk to you?
But Bort doesn't really talk to anybody.
I felt like it would be rude to speak out of turn.
I guess you, their last partner, set such a high bar...
that someone like me can't reach it.
No, no, no...
I always thought of you as this infantile crystal
despite you being the gem closest to me in age.
But now you've surpassed me in the blink of an eye.
What have I been doing with my life?
Maybe...
Maybe I should try losing my arms or legs, too...
Oh, dear...
this kid's gone mental.
Bort lives by logic and hates inefficiency.
If they don't like something, they're sure to tell you.
Have some confidence.
Thank you.
You've always had confidence if nothing else.
Wow, what a backhanded compliment.
Did you ever see yourself turning out this way?
Of course not!
Thinking back...
I find it strange that I could count on my groundless optimism to pull me through.
I envy the old me.
Yesterday's me...
who relied on others...
is enviable?
Your biggest weakness...
is Yellow Diamond.
You're always on edge for fear of losing them.
You can't think of anything but defense,
so you've never been able to display your full power.
You don't need to concern yourself like that with me.
First, fight however you like.
Then we'll talk.
Rutile!
I heard Padparadscha is up!
Only briefly.
Come on...
I wanted to chat about the good ol' days.
In a gathering of the senile?
Rutile!
You must be bored.
I just left Zircon with Bort.
Oh, is this related to Bort's little project of partnering with every gem possible?
Must be lonely.
Who, me?
Zircon and Bort...
I think they suit each other well.
The elderly do have clever ways of masking their insecurities.
Rutile!
You hold your sword too stiffly.
U-Understood!
I'll try to talk Master into making Zircon and Bort an official team.
Zircon should be safe with Bort.
Because unlike me,
they'd never lose their partner.
Tell me it's not the wrong choice.
I'm tired from thinking so long and hard about this.
Hey...
mind if I lie down next to you?
Just kidding.
Alex.
Are you busy?
A bit, yeah.
We're airing out documents from the library.
Is it urgent?
I want to brush up on the Lunarians as thoroughly as I can.
Think you could tutor me?
Hey!
Where do you want to start? Come on, what first?!
You idiot!
Those are precious original textbook manuscripts!
"Stratigraphic Structure: Part One."
I don't remember any of this.
I'm sure Master taught me all this before, but...
"Coastal Erosion Rate"...
"How Air Pressure Affects Cloud Formation"...
I think I'm in trouble...
Of everything I've learned...
all I can remember is...
Your grasp of language has grown considerably,
so today, we will begin your lessons.
Okie!
We'll start with the formation of this planet.
Six shooting stars once visited this planet...
So cute!
Enough.
Master! Is the new one gonna fight?
It is too soon to say.
But they certainly have a kind heart.
Alex, I rounded up all your papers.
Alex...?
Question one!
What type of Lunarian appeared 109 years ago on the second day of the fifth month?
Official names only.
How would I know?! Is this a trivia game?!
I thought it would be more fun this way.
I just want to learn.
Then take these.
You will be tested on all of this.
A test...
The word fills me with dread.
Your test will be in trivia format.
So you just want to do some trivia.
Next question.
Of the five-ray old types that have appeared in the past,
what model of vessel is the twelfth rarest that we've seen?
The cy...
No...
The Elliptical Streamlined Pentagram Dais model.
Bingo. Impressive.
You're one to talk.
To think you'd ask questions about last month's figures that still aren't tallied up...
It all just comes so naturally to me now, Master Alex.
Is that so? Your Master is pleased.
Master Alex, do you...
Do you think it's possible to communicate with the Lunarians?
We don't have insight into their language.
Our contact with them is always so brief that we lack the information.
Alex...
do you like the Lunarians?
No.
I study them to overcome my condition.
And because...
not so long before you were born,
they stole Chrysoberyl away from me.
That's why I think about the Lunarians every day.
So I never forget that fresh feeling of hatred.
Fresh, huh?
I forgot my sword!
Can you...
Can you understand what I'm saying?!
Mar...
"Mar..."?
Cinnabar!
Cinnabar, wai—
You again?
You don't even have your sword...
Thanks. You really saved me.
A new...
job?
Time for work.
Wait!
Cinnabar!
Why are you running away?
Because of the terrible sense of foreboding I get from you!
N-No way!
I know you're trying to capture me!
I'm not!
I did it.
I found one.
A job just for you.
Or rather...
a job only you can do.
I'd like you to help me.
But is it "fun"?
Huh?
What about the "fun" part?
You didn't say it's "fun"!
"I promise I'll find something more fun than the night patrol...
only you can do."
Isn't that...
what you told me?
Th-The fun part is impossible.
Completely impossible.
Zero percent chance of it being fun.
I'm sorry...
The job I want your help with...
is uncovering the relationship between Master and the Lunarians.
That doesn't sound fun at all!
Right?
You asked me about my stance...
So first...
I tried getting to the truth of it all.
Once the doubt set in,
everything about Master felt off.
So much so that I can't even tell if I'm looking at anything the right way anymore.
I want you...
to be there with me to always offer your opinion.
And then what?
Huh?
If it turns out Master has done the unforgivable,
what will you do then?
If you can't think past that point,
then I can't help you.
I knew it...
I knew you were incredibly cautious and wise.
And that's exactly why...
I need you with me.
I'll come by again.
Was that gasp an attempt at speech?
What caused color to appear in their eyes?
I didn't learn a thing.
For some reason, I thought I could figure things out if I just met one,
but I guess I have a long way to go.
The closer I get to an answer, the more questions I uncover.
And that's exactly why...
I want to be free of the night.
But it'll never happen.
I refuse to believe them.
But...
If we're just teaming up, I don't mind...
The Elliptical Streamlined Pentagram Dais model.
Wonderful!
It's just the right size!
Well?
How do you like my newest creation?
It looks good on you, 84.
It looks good on you, too, 33.
Hey, give this new sword a try, too!
I bet it would go great with that outfit!
There, there.
No sign of them...
Cut the chatter.
Understood!
You still hold your sword too stiffly.
R-Right!
Yesterday's me... who relied on others...
One, two, shoot!
How could I lose?!
I won?
Chairman, good work today.
Thanks, Euclase.
I'll go report the proceedings to Master.
No, do that later.
It's their meditation period.
What?!
Master...
Oh, yeah.
Phos! I know you're here!
Phos!
Master is looking for you.
Right.
Morga!
Goshe?
A Lunarian sunspot was detected to the south!
It's small, but we need to alert Master!
Perfect! Cute!
Dignified!
I find it strange that I could count on my groundless optimism to pull me through.
Reporting for duty.
The me I used to be is someone...
I envy.
You called for me, Master?
Yes.
So keep cool...
and tread lightly.
Tread lightly...
Phosphophyllite...

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Land of the Lustrous - Season One - PAS/bxvxy vs FBI @keyframes loading-circle-spin { 100% { transform: rotate(360deg); } }

Land of the Lustrous - Season One - PAS/bxvxy vs FBI