Open Letter To Rebecca Sugar

The Letter

So, Rebecca Sugar doesn't have an email, so here's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna post what I was gonna send to Rebecca Sugar here, and I need you guys to repost it everywhere. Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. Thanks to any and all who help this reach Rebecca! If you are Rebecca sugar, then, please read on.

OK, so I'm just gonna swing do the fences and miss.

Hi! I'm an amateur writer and a fan of your show. By now, you've most likely figured out where this is going. See, I would like to apply to work on the writing staff for Steven Universe. Now, I know that, chances are, I'm doing this wrong, but, this is my first time trying this. Truth is, I'm expecting a no here, cut and dry, or even no response at all, but thought, "hey, I don't LOSE anything if this fails." Better to go big and fail to not try at all. So, here we go. I wrote this Steven Universe story, originally to help me warm up before working on other works, but people liked it, so I continued it. Originally, I was gonna make it about ten chapters. Basically, consider the following story my resume. Now, if you don't want to read it, aren't hiring, etc. I understand completely. I wouldn't be surprised if you got 50 emails like this a day, stopped here, and said "nope." I don't mind, I'm prepared for that. I'm not actually expecting this to pan out, but thought I'd try. Anyways, here's the story. Also, I apologize for it's length. If you'd rather see a summary, just ask.Chapter One: The Assignment
Ten years ago...
"My diamond," Japser greets, "a red eye has found the Crystal Gems."
"Have they been apprehended?" Yellow Diamond asks.
"Yes," Jasper replies, "but as for Rose Quartz, the Peridot reported... complications."
Yellow Diamond actually begins to show emotion, glaring at Jasper.
"Explain," she demands, rage hidden in her voice.
"There is a human," Jasper explains, "with a pink gem, but we can't bring the human here as the human's father is to cautious. If we were to strike, he'd see us coming a mile away."
"Very well," Yellow Diamond sighs, "you are to go with this Lapis and investigate this human. If you find any link to Rose Quartz, you are to bring the human to me. Is that clear?"
"Yes my diamond."
Jasper begins to leave, Lapis isn't far behind.
"And one more thing," Yellow warns, "If you fail to get conclusive information in eleven years, and fail to report to me, I will go and kill the human myself. Do not get attached. Understood?"
"Yes my diamond," Jasper replies.
Jasper and Lapis head to Earth, meeting up with Peridot in a ship just large enough for two gems, to prevent Greg from noticing. Late in the night, they kidnap a small child with a pink gem.
One they would call...
Steven Universe.
Chapter Two: Lion Lickers
Present day. 365 days until final report.
It's a beautiful day in Ocean Town. Ocean Town was attacked by corrupted gems eight years ago. If Japser, Peridot, and Lapis weren't there... the citizens try not to think about what could have happened. It's little cloudy, but the moisture in the air is pleasant, it makes the town feel calm. Jasper looks out at the ocean, thinking.
Jasper clutches her fist, she had one job, find out if Steven has any relation to Rose. If he does, Jasper has no intention of taking him to Home World. She intends to shatter Rose herself.
Lapis had spent most of her time taking care of Steven over the years. Jasper preferred to keep her distance and watch from afar. Lapis and Peridot though, found Steven quite likeable, and got along with him well enough.
Jasper sits on the beach, scowling at the ocean, if that kid has any relation to Rose, it's over for him.
Meanwhile, Steven and Lapis are back at the house that the citizens of Ocean Town gave their guardians, Steven has decided to ask Lapis about a name he heard once. A gem named Rose Quartz...
"Hey Lapis?" He asks.
"Yeah?" Lapis replies.
"I heard Jasper mention a name," Steven explains, "the name of a gem."
Lapis gets worried. The more Steven learns about Rose, the more likely it is a connection will be found, and Lapis knows what will happen if that occurs...
Lapis turns around, she can't look at Steven as she speaks. The house is disorganized but not to messy, just a few things that feel out of place. Like a couch in the kitchen and a microwave in Steven's bedroom. Lapis and Peridot never really figured out interior design.
"What gem?" Lapis asks.
"Who's Rose Quartz?" Steven asks.
"Listien," Lapis explains, "you are not to mention that name again."
"Why?" Steven asks, now more curious than ever.
"Rose Quartz was a very bad gem," Lapis replies, "she did horrible things. Things that are best left in the past. Do you understand?"
"What did she do?" Steven inquires.
"Forget it kid," Lapis replies, "if you really wanna know, ask Jasper."
"Eh," Steven sighs, "forget it."
Steven had never liked Jasper. For as long as he could remember, Jasper had been cold and distant. The only one who seemed to care about him was Lapis, and while Peridot was fun to have around, she didn't seem to concerned with Steven. She usually spent her time messing around with human technology, and generally didn't spend time with Steven.
"I'm headed down to the boardwalk," Steven explains going out the door.
"Sure thing Steven," Lapis smiles, "see you later."
Steven begins to head down to the boardwalk, it's still kinda cloudy, but not unpleasant.
Steven has always felt like an outcast in Ocean Town, and didn't have any human friends. While the citizens were nice to Steven, Steven knew it was only because Jasper, Lapis, and Peridot had saved the city a few years ago.
Steven decides to get a lion licker, Ocean Town never had cookie cats, so Steven had grown to like lion lickers.
As he opens the ice cream, he hears something under the boardwalk, a deep growling.
He stops, and the growling goes silent. The storm clouds overhead seem to grow darker. Steven begins to mess with the wrapper again, only for the growling to begin again. He stops, and there is silence.
Unnerved, Steven decides to just eat the lion licker later. He heads towards the beach to enjoy the view, and runs into Jasper.
"Steven," Jasper greets coldly.
"Hey Jasper," Steven replies.
Steven sits down next to Jasper. He wants to get along with Jasper, but Jasper never made any effort. She was always present though, never far from Steven.
Steven opens his lion licker.
"I don't get those things," Jasper explains, "why do humans make their food look like things that could eat them?"
"I don't know," Steven replies, "I guess cause it's funny to have the roles swaped?"
"Why fix what isn't broken," Jasper asks.
Steven decides not to answer and continues messing with the wrapper. Jasper glares at Steven, hiding a deep resentment. She wants to find a connection. She wants vengeance, no matter the cost. She doesn't like Steven, she doesn't want to be his friend, and she doesn't wanna deal with him more than she has to.
"Well," Jasper gets up, "I'll see ya later kid. Gonna go check up on Peridot."
Jasper leaves. Steven finally gets the wrapper open. A deep growling fills the air. A pink lion appears behind Steven. He turns around as he feels something breathing down his neck.
The lion glares at him, ominous and silent.
Steven lets out a scream, but nobody hears him. He closes his eyes and flinches, but the lion does not attack.
Steven looks up at the odd creature, who looks down at him as storm clouds swirl above sparsely spread across the sky.
Steven maintains unblinking eye contact, afraid that as soon as he moves, he's dead. Steven takes a step back in the sand. The lion steps forward.
Steven and the lion stare at each other for a moment, each awaiting the other's next move.
Steven tries to take a bite of his lion licker. The lion growls as he puts it to his mouth. He moves it away, and the lion goes silent. He does so again, just to test, and gets the same result.
Steven offers the lion the lion licker. The lion takes it, and retreats, looking back at Steven, staring right at his gem.
Steven decides not to mention the incident to the gems, and keeps it to himself as he goes home...
Chapter Three: The Invention
332 days until final report.
Steven sits in his room, thinking about the lion. Ever since he found it, he's been feeding it two lion lickers everyday, and taught it to hide under the boardwalk. However, the lion would constantly try to lead Steven somewhere. A place Steven was told to never go, Beach City.
Jasper had always been adamant about staying far far away from Beach City. So every time Lion tried to offer Steven a ride and head towards Beach City, Steven would bail.
Steven begins to become more curious about why he can't go to Beach City. He was never given a real reason, just told he couldn't, no matter what.
"Steven!" A voice exclaims. Peridot dashes into the house, holding numerous parts and tools. She still has her limb enhancers, making look tall and slightly intimidating.
"Hey Peridot," Steven smiles, "what are you working on?"
"So," Peridot explains enthusiastically, "you may recall out gem destabilizer was broken in that fight with the Centipeetle we shattered a few years ago."
"Yeah," Steven replies, "I remember."
How could he forget? It was the only time his gem glowed. Jasper, Lapis, and Peridot were cornered. Steven was young, but he couldn't sit idly by. He summoned a sheild, a pink shield, which he used to poof the monster. Lapis was the only one to see him do this. She told Steven to never summon the shield in front of Peridot or Jasper, no matter what.
Steven tried to ask why, but Lapis wouldn't answer. Since then, the two had silently agreed to not speak of it. His gem hasn't glowed since, and according to Lapis, if it does, he should hide it. Even if it means someone dies. No one can ever know he has magic.
"Well," Peridot smiles proudly, "I managed to make a new one with this Earth technology! Come on!"
Peridot takes out an odd looking tazer. It's covered in extra wires and small batteries.
"Let's test it out!" Peridot smiles.
Peridot and Steven head outside. It's a beautiful day outside, the sun is shining, there's not a cloud in the sky. The boardwalk is bustling with activity from tourists and locals alike. It would be a nice day to enjoy the beach if one wished to do so.
The duo head to a nearby warp pad. "There are rumors of a corrupted gem in the dessert," Peridot explains, "it's very fast, so be ready."
Peridot warps to the desert, the Kindergarten that Jasper came from. The corrupted gem spots the two and dashes at them. It's an odd gem, moving on two legs, much like an ostrich, and a blue-green color. It constantly waves its many tounges in the air in an odd fashion, almost as if communicating.
Peridot tries a blast from her limb enhancer, but is knocked down and misses. Steven wants to protect Peridot, to stop the monster. His gem begins to glow. He hides the glow with his left hand and picks up the new gen destabilizer with his right. He turns it on and shocks the corrupted gem, poofing it instantly.
Peridot gets back on her feet.
"Nice work Steven!" Peridot exclaims, "I knew it's work!"
Steven picks up the gem. Jasper always shattered those they defeated, but she wasn't there, so who was gonna shatter it?
"I'll let you do the honors," Peridot smiles, "shattering a corrupted gem is an immense honor for a gem. Enjoy it."
Steven looks at the gem. He doesn't want to shatter it. He wants to protect it. He wants to help the gem.
His own gem begins to glow again.
"Could I have a moment?" Steven asks.
"Sure," Peridot replies, "I'll be back for you in five."
Peridot leaves via the warp pad. Steven's gem glows brightly through his shirt now. He looks at the gem, and then back at his own. Then back at the gem, as a pink bubble appears.
Steven tries touching the bubble on its top, but it dissapear apon contact. His gem stops glowing. He decides not to mention this to anyone, not even Lapis, and awaits Peridot's return.
Meanwhile, Peridot is telling Jasper about the incident.
"He's gonna shatter it?" Jasper asks.
"Yeah!" Peridot exclaims, "just like we were ordered to. Shatter all corrupted gems here."
Jasper smiles.
"This I wanna see," she explains.
She goes with Peridot to the nearest war pad and warps to the dessert.
Steven sees Jasper and Peridot arrive. "Hey," he greets Jasper with a shocked but sincere tone, "how are you?"
"Did I miss it?" Jasper asks.
"Yup!" Steven lies, "shattered it into itty bitty pieces."
Jasper walks ou to Steven, and for the first time, she smiles at him. For the first time, she accepts Steven for Steven.
"Nice work kid," she smirks with approval, "I'm proud of you. Come on then, let's head back to Ocean Town."
The three get on the warp pad and head to Ocean Town. The gem though, goes to Steven's real home. The bubble goes to a place he doesn't even remember. The bubbled gem, goes to the temple...
Chapter Four: The Scabbard
309 days until final report.
Steven looks at his gem. It hasn't glowed since the incident with the corrupted gem. He hasn't had the chance to talk to Lapis about honestly doesn't want to. He doesn't want Lapis to worry. He decides to head down to the boardwalk to see Lion.
It's lightly raining in Ocean Town today, just a light, calm drizzle. Nothing that would deter someone going outside, but just enough to be noticeable.
Steven goes under the boardwalk. "Lion!" He yells. There's no response.
Steven opens a lion licker, which would normally get Lion's attaention, but there's no response. Steven hears a voice from the dark part of the underside of the boardwalk.
"Steven!" Peridot yells, "there's a corrupted gem! Go get my destabilizer!
"What kind?" Steven asks.
"It's a pink lion!" Peridot explains, "quick! Go get my destabilizer!"
Steven yells to Lion. "Lion!" He yells, "I've got a lion licker, just come here!"
Lion stops attacking Peridot, but doesn't stop glaring at her as he takes the lion licker from Steven's hand.
"What?" Peridot asks, "did you tame that thing?"
"Kinda," Steven replies, "I just feed him and he doesn't attack. He's not very obedient though."
"He's corrupted," Peridot replies, "we should shatter it."
"I'm not even sure it's a gem," Steven replies, "I mean, do you see one?"
Peridot examines Lion, looking for a gem, but can't find one.
"No," Peridot replies, "but we can't just leave him here under the boardwalk. I mean, if you can tame it, that's fine, but if Jasper finds out..."
The Lion scoops up Steven onto his back and picks up Peridot in his mouth before teleporting via one of his portals.
"Woah woah woah!" Peridot exclaims, "put me down!"
The trio arrive at a strawberry feild. Peridot wrestles out of Lion's grip.
"You filthy clod!" Peridot growls, "I should blast you right now!"
Lion stares at Peridot as he prepares to fire with mild indifference, and then yawns and lies down.
"You're not even worth it," Peridot sighs.
"Why did Lion bring us here?" Steven asks.
"Wait," Peridot realizes where they are, "you shouldn't be here. We have to go!"
"What are you talking about?" Steven asks as Lion gets back up behind his back and begins searching for something.
"Why do you guys always hide things from me?" Steven asks, "Lapis is the only one of you guys who's actually nice! You and Jasper just glare at me for something, I don't even what it is, and you treat me like I'm some object! Aren't we friends Peridot? Don't your trust me?"
Peridot remembers one of her orders.
Don't get attached, but looking at Steven, his kindness, his determination for answers, Peridot can't help but to get attached. Peridot decides that her diamond doesn't have to know Steven has some relation to Rose Quartz, she can make a mistake. Who would ever know if they were wrong? Peridot decides to protect Steven over her mission. Even if it means lieing in her final report.
"Of course we are," Peridot replies, "but as your friend, I ask you to trust me. We can't be here. If Japser learns of any connection between you and her she'll..."
"Does this have something to do with Rose?" Steven asks, "I don't know Rose. You know more about Rose than me! Why are you so intent on hiding Rose from me? Why is she so important?"
Lion nudges Steven, holding a pink scabbard in his mouth.
Peridot's skin crawls. She had seen that scabbard in older reports. That scabbard held the sword of Rose Quartz.
"Steven," Peridot speaks calmly trying to not upset Lion, "step away from the big pink clod slowly."
"I thought we agreed," Steven replies, "the Lion is fine, just not in Ocean Town. I mean it's not like-"
Lion lets out a low growl and hands Steven the scabbard. "What is this?" Steven asks.
"Don't touch that!" Peridot exclaims.
"Rose Quartz, right?" Steven asks, "I want answers Peridot. What happened here? Why do you hate this scabbard so much?"
"First," Peridot demands, "how do you know that name?"
"I overheard you saying it when you were recording some audio for whatever you use your weird tech hands for," Steven replies, "so what's the deal?"
"Fine," Peridot sighs, "I'll tell you everything you need to know. Rose Quartz was a gem, a very dangerous gem that started a war in which thousands were shattered. During this war, she shattered Pink Diamond. The one she was made for. Listen, Japser hates Rose. I can't say why, but she does. Please, don't bring this up to Jasper, OK?"
"Sure," Steven replies, now with many more questions than before. What happened to Rose? Who is Pink Diamond? Why was there a war? Yet, he decides not to let any further. He decides to let it go for now. The two head to the warp pad.
"Oh," Peridot stops Steven, "best be leaving that behind. If Jasper see you with that scabbard..."
Peridot trails off, thinking about what could happen.
"Fair point," Steven replies.
Lion gently takes the scabbard from Steven and lies down in the strawberry feild.
"Guess he's staying here," Peridot explains, "let's go."
Peridot and Steven leave, returning to Ocean Town via the warp pad.
Later that night...
"This is Peridot with a mission report," Peridot begins, "Steven shows little to no relation to Rose Quartz. However, this mission may long run. I, Peridot, request permission to terminate The Cluster..."
Chapter Five: Lapis Takes Flight
287 days until final report.
"Talk!" Holy Blue Agate demands, "where is Rose?"
Pearl laughs. She looks Holy Blue in the eye. "You think I'll break just cause I'm a Pearl?" She asks, "heh, you'd have better luck with Ruby."
"Shut up!" Holy Blue growls. She punches Pearl, poofing her.
"Bring in the Amethyst for interrogation," Holy Blue orders a quartz soldier. The quartz soldier nods and leaves to get Amethyst...
Meanwhile, it's late in the evening in Ocean Town, and Steven has decided to spend the evening admiring the night sky.
"Nice," Lapis smiles, "isn't it?"
"Sure is," Steven replies, "I wonder what's up there, you know? I mean, you're from space, what are the other gems like?"
"It's... complicated," Lapis replies, "I missed out on a lot. I was in a mirror until the gems were apprehended. Even then, I'm still cracked. If I were to take another blow, I'd shatter."
"Apprehended?" Steven asks, "what are you talking about?"
Lapis realizes her mistake.
"Forget I said that," she demands, "but the technology gems have, it's insane. I'm still trying to figure it all out. Peridot is trying to teach me, but it's not helping much."
The two silently admire the night sky again for a moment. The sound of the waves fills the air with a relaxed, steady whoosh.
"I wish I wasn't cracked," Lapis continues, "if I wasn't cracked, I'd be able to do so much more. I used to have wings before... what happened."
"What did happen?" Steven asks.
"Some things are best left in the past," Lapis replies, "trust me."
Steven wants to say he knows about the war and ask if there's any connection, but decides it best to stay quite.
Steven thinks about Lion. Lion may have something to do with Rose. There was something about Rose that he heard Peridot say. Something about cracked gems. What was it?
Steven tries really hard to think, he tries to remember everything Peridot said in the log entry he overheard. Then he remembers. Rose had healing tears. Maybe there's still some way to fix Lapis's crack.
Steven gets an idea. He decides that Lion has some relation to Rose.
"Hey Lapis?" He asks, "can you warp me somewhere?"
"No one else is here," Lapis replies, "it'll be alright if you warp yourself."
"Really?" Steven asks.
"Sure," Lapis replies, "give it a shot."
Steven goes inside, eager to test what he can do. He stands on the warp pad. He lifts his arms. Nothing happens. He tried again. No response. He concentrates on the smell of strawberries and the thought of the war, making sure his destination is clear, and he tries one last time. He warps to the strawberry field.
"Lion!" He calls.
Lion yawns, wakes up, and approaches Steven. "I don't know if there's any left," Steven explains, "but if there are, where can I get the tears of Rose Quartz?"
Lion picks up Steven onto his back and telaports. He takes Steven to a fountain. The fountain is overgrown, blocking the flow of whatever liquid it has.
Lion lets out a mighty roar, clearing the vines. A sparkly, clear liquid flows from the fountain. Steven examines it. "Is this Rose's tears?" Steven asks.
Lion gives off a soft roar to indicate it is.
Steven takes a water bottle from his pocket and pours it out. He then fills it with the tears.
Lion lifts Steven up again and returns to the strawberry field. "Thanks Lion," Steven smiles.
Lion yawns and returns to sleeping.
Steven warps back to Ocean Town. Lapis sits under the stars, admiring their beauty. The starts twinkle, like hundreds of water droplets, making Lapis want her wings back even more.
"Lapis!" Steven exclaims.
Lapis gets up. "You're back," she smiles, "where did you go?"
"I found a fountain," Steven avoids the detail about Lion, "a fountain or Rose's healing tears. I brought you some. You can fix your gem Lapis."
Steven hands Lapis the bottle.
"Really?" Lapis asks, "how does it work?"
They both realize they have no clue how to actually use the tears.
"Maybe try pouring it on your gem?" Steven asks.
"Why not?" Lapis asks.
She pours the tears on her gem, and immediately sprouts wings. Lapis is overjoyed.
"Steven!" She exclaims in a state of bliss, "thank you!"
"It was nothing," Steven smiles, "Lion made it easy."
"What Lion?" Lapis asks.
"Uhhh..." Steven replies, "I forget you mention the other gems, you forget about Lion."
"Fair enough," Lapis replies, "well, I'm gonna go for a quick flight. See ya later!"
Lapis soars into the night sky, she couldn't be happier.
Steven waits a bit for Lapis to come back, but as time goes on he decides to wait until morning. Steven goes to sleep, smiling, knowing Lapis can fly again.
Chapter Six: I Hate Rose, Not You
261 days until final report.
"Talk!" Holy Blue Agate demands, "where is Rose? Why won't you talk?"
"You've already proofed me what, six times?" Amethyst asks, "gonna have to try harder than that Holly."
"Let's make it seven then," Holy Blue growls as she poofs amethyst.
"Bring in the Sapphire," Holy Blue demands. The quartz soldier immediately obeys.
"If this one doesn't talk," Holy Blue Agate thinks aloud, "I may have to start shattering..."
Meanwhile, it's a stormy day in Ocean Town. Clouds gather overhead, the atmosphere is tense and grim, the streets are empty, quiet. The whole town feels like a bomb about to go off, and everyone is holding their breath, praying they won't get caught in the blast.
Steven sits in his room. Holding the empty water bottle. How did Lion know about this? How is he related to Rose? Steven's curiosity is interrupted when Jasper enters the room.
"Steven," she greets.
"Hey Jasper," Steven replies, "what's up?"
"You remember shattering that gem a while back?" Jasper asks.
"Yeah," Steven lies, "totally broke it."
"Well," Jasper smiles, "I think it's time."
"Time for what?" Steven asks, he clutches his gem instinctively. Jasper had always glared at his gem, with a deep resentment in her eyes. The two just never got along.
"It's time to get you a weapon," Jasper smiles, "so you can fight gems like us. Come on, I know a place we can find one for you."
Jasper gets onto the warp pad. Steven is reluctant at first, but looking at how Jasper smiles, he decides to go. It's the only time Jasper has smiled at him other than when he told her he shattered that gem.
Jasper warps the two to the strawberry field. Steven immediately realizes where they are, and remembers that Lion is here.
"What are we doing here?" Steven plays dumb, "what is this place?"
"It's a long story," Jasper replies, "come along now."
Lion approaches Steven, stealthy under the bushes.
"Lion," Steven whispers, "you have to go."
Lion doesn't budge.
"Lion," Steven pleads, "please, she'll kill you."
Lion lets out a soft growl and leaves.
"What was that noise?" Jasper asks, missing Lion by mere moments.
"Oh," Steven lies, "just my stomach."
"Why not pick some strawberries then?" Jasper asks, "anyways, this seems like a good spot."
Jasper grabs some of the brush and tears it from the ground, revealing various gem weapons.
"Take your pick," Jasper smiles, "anything you like. A warrior should feel comfortable with their weapon."
Steven goes through the weapons, eventually finding Rose's scabbard.
If he can't get answers directly, maybe he can try something more evasive.
"What about this?" Steven asks.
Jasper hits the scabbard out of Steven's hand. Jasper glares with sheer rage.
"Never touch anything like that again," she growls, "that belonged to a very bad gem, and if you're connected to them, bad things will happen to you."
Steven finally gets fed up with Jasper, Lapis, and Peridot's lies. He's sick of the secrets, and he's sick or Jasper hating him.
"Stop talking to me like I'm some little kid!" Steven exclaims, "I get it, I'm not a gem, I'm not like you. Fine, whatever, but why do you guys always lie to me?"
It's just then that Steven notices the storm clouds as the floodgates open and rain pours from the sky.
"I don't understand, why do you hate me?" Steven asks, "why do you always look at me with resentment? I've tried to be nice to you, but all you do is glare and be cold! At least Peridot tries! If you have something to say, say it!"
Steven begins crying.
"Do you hate me," he asks, "because of my gem?"
Jasper stops. She doesn't know how to respond. She realized she was so focused on Rose, she forgot that Steven is alive. That Steven, related to Rose or not, is still a being with emotions like herself. She won't compromise her mission, but that doesn't mean she can't be nice to Steven.
"Hey," Jasper leans down to look Steven in the eye, "I don't hate you. You're a good kid Steven. It's just..."
Jasper sighs.
"Your gem," Jasper explains, "it reminds me of someone, someone who took someone very important to me, but you... You haven't done anything wrong. So, no more lies, no more hiding. I'm going to tell you everything. First though, I gotta ask, can you frogive me, for all the hate? For all the unjust resentment?"
Steven wipes away his tears. "Of course," Steven smiles, "us gems gotta stick together."
Jasper smiles and rustles Steven's hair. She knows she can't tell him everything, but she can tell him some.
"OK," Jasper lies, "I'm about to tell you everything about Rose Quartz..."
Chapter Seven: Taken
261 days until final report.
"Many years ago," Jasper explains, "Rose Quartz started a war. She led a rebellion, and countless gems were shattered because of her. She killed countless, her own kind, for a selfish, abstract goal. She shattered Pink Diamond, and the empire fell into disarray. Because of Rose, many gems lost everything. Rose is evil, deceitful, and nothing more than a murderer. We came to Earth searching for her. If you know anything about Rose, you have to tell me."
Steven can tell Jasper isn't telling the whole truth. She's hiding something, but what is it? Steven decides not to press his luck, and move on from the subject.
"I don't know anything," Steven replies, "just what you've told me."
"Ah well," Jasper sighs, "don't worry about it. We'll find her, and shatter her just like she shattered Pink Diamond. Come on Steven, let's go home."
The two begin to walk back to the warp. As they walk, Jasper thinks back to the day she met Steven. The day they took Steven from Greg...
Ten years ago...
Jasper and Lapis arrive on Earth.
"So," Jasper asks Lapis, "where are these humans I've heard so much about?"
"They tend to stick in towns," Lapis explains, "the kid called Steven Universe is in a town called Beach City. Ever since the Crystal Gems were taken to home world, he's been hiding with his father."
"Great," Jasper smiles, "then we go and beat him into the ground!"
"We don't know this is Rose," Peridot explains, "let's just stick with the plan."
"Who asked you Peridot?" Jasper asks.
Peridot goes silent.
"That's what I thought," Jasper replies, "now, we need to retrieve Steven. Chances are his father will get in the way. So I purpose we kill him."
"Hold on now," Lapis interjects, "people liked the Crystal Gems kinda. What we need to do is be like them, protect the humans. We need to think long term, I have an idea. Let me get Steven, I'll be quick, and then we can head to another town where Steven's father won't find us."
"Bring Rose here," Jasper demands, "but if that gem glows, shatter it."
"Understood," Lapis replies.
Lapis leaves to kidnap Steven, arriving at Beach City in the dead of night.
Meanwhile, Steven sleeps in the front seat of Greg's van, while Greg sleeps in the back. Lapis enters Beach City, sneaking in the darkness. She sees Steven in Greg's van, and shatters the window.
Steven sleeps trough it, but Greg stirs for a moment.
He mumbles something about Rose and falls back asleep. Lapis sighs with relief and begins to sneak away. However, she steps on a switch left next to the entrance of the car wash, turning the car wash on. The noise immediately wakes Greg up.
"Hey!" Greg yells, "stop!"
Lapis bends water from the carwash and blasts Greg away. She then flees into the night, moving back to where Jasper and Peridot are.
Lapis holds Steven in her arms, gently, but with a stern grip so he doesn't fall. Steven clings to Lapis in his sleep, gently holding her dress with his small hands.
Lapis smiles at how adorable Steven is. "Don't worry kid," she whispers, "I don't care if you have anything to do with Rose or not, I'll protect you."
Steven smiles in his sleep as Lapis returns. Jasper immediately notices Steven's gem.
"Well," she summons her helmet, "that's Rose all right."
"Wait," Lapis puts her hand out, "we don't know that for certian. Listen, our mission is information, not murder."
"What are you playing at?" Jasper demands.
"The Crystal Gems were raising Steven," Lapis explains, "so we replace them. We raise Steven until we can figure out what he is."
"Fine," Jasper sighs, "but where do we go?"
"There's the town I landed in," Peridot replies, "Ocean Town. They're having issues with a corrupted gem. We offer to shatter it in exchange for a place to stay and anything Steven needs."
"Fine," Jasper sighs, "but I get to shatter it, and no matter what happens, DO NOT GET ATTACHED! Now let's move!"
The four head to Ocean Town, and the rest is history. Jasper stops reminiscing. She can't abandon her mission, no matter what...
Chapter Eight: Qua Cola and Favors
456 day untils final report. Recently in the past...
Greg wraps up another day at the car wash. He sighs as the last car drives away. He takes a photo from his pocket. On it, is the Crystal Gems, Steven, and himself.
"I'm sorry," he sighs, putting the photo back in his pocket, "I failed you. I'm so sorry."
Greg sits down and takes a deep breath. He had searched high and low for Steven, but he has failed. No matter how he searched, he couldn't find Steven. He was at his wits ends, and searching didn't pay the bills. Greg had no choice but to give up his search. If only someone else could search for him.
Today was the day he would find that person. That person drove a green bus, with Qua Cola on it. "Greg," Marty greets coldly stepping out of the bus.
"Marty?" Greg asks, "what are you doing here?"
"Got some thing going with Qua Cola," Marty explains, "going across the coast so decided to go up loose ends. I'm legally obligated to give you this."
Marty hands Greg an envelope.
Greg opens it.
"Oh my God!" He exclaims.
"Yeah," Marty replies, "anyways, I'm off to whatever town is next, all they really told me was Ocean Town is last. See ya later."
"Before you go," Greg asks, "can you do me one last favor?"
"What's in it for me?"
"How about a cool million?" Greg asks.
"You have my attention."
"Listen, my son, Steven Universe, he was kidnapped some years ago. He has a pink gem where his belly button should be. If you find him on your Qua Cola thing, I'll pay you. Deal?"
"Works for me. Now, I gotta go Greg. See ya."
"Thanks Marty."
"Don't thank me," Marty smirks, "thank that cool million you promised."
Marty gets on the bus and drives away. Greg looks up at the sky, with a glimmer of hope. Hope, that Steven is still alive...
Chapter Nine: Jasper and Steven's Fun Day Off
257 days until final report.
Jasper sits, looking at the ocean, thinking about what to do about Steven. He hasn't done anything, and he's a good kid, but any relation to Rose Quartz...
Jasper tries not to think about it, but she can't ignore her mission, even if Steven is her friend. She has a mission, and it takes priority. Steven sees Jasper, and decides to talk to her.
"Hey Jasper," Steven greets.
"Hey kid," Jasper smiles kindly, "how you doing?"
"Preety good," Steven replies as he sits next to Jasper under the bright sun, "what are you doing down here?"
"Just thinking," Jasper replies, "you?"
"Kinda wish I had some pretzel bits," Steven replies, "you know, the bits? Place is closed today though, so decided to come down here."
"The bits," Jasper smiles, "sounds like some thing one would use to refer to french fries."
"I was thinking the same thing," Steven replies, "but there isn't a fry place here so, fry bits, as tasty as sounds, aren't an option. Hey, have you ever tried eating?"
"Tend to stay away from the humans," Jasper replies, "don't like them. They remind me of Rose."
"Come on," Steven replies getting up, "you always stick to yourself. Why not come down to the boardwalk with me and have some fun?"
Jasper thinks about it for a moment, looking at Steven. Steven smiles at her. She smiles back.
"How could I say no to that face?" She chuckles, "let's go."
Steven and Jasper head to the boardwalk. Steven is eager to enjoy the day, but Jasper still isn't comfortable near humans.
"Come on!" Steven smiles, "you gotta try this!"
Steven leads Jasper to a funnel cake stand. "One please," Steven smiles.
The man working at the stand complies, as part of the town's deal with Jasper, Lapis, and Peridot.
Steven hands the plate of funnel cake to Jasper.
"What do I do?" Jasper asks.
"You put it on your mouth and chew," Steven explains, "try it, I promise you'll like it."
Jasper examines the funnel cake. She looks at it from various angles and sniffs it before finally taking a small bite.
Jasper's eyes light up. "This is amazing!" She exclaims, "why didn't I try this sooner?"
Steven shrugs as Jasper wolfes down the rest of the funnel cake.
"What else do humans do?" Jasper asks.
"Oh," Steven smiles, "I know something you'll like."
Steven leads Jasper to an arcade.
"What is this place?" Jasper asks.
"Oh," Steven smiles, "you're gonna like this. Here, I know a machine you'll love."
Steven shows Jasper to a machine called a Punching Buddy.
"The goal is to punch it hard as you can," Steven smiles, "so it's something you'll like."
Jasper breaks the machine.
"Oh crap," she realizes that this isn't good, "time to go Steven!"
"Right behind you," Steven replies as the two dash out of the arcade.
"You're right," Jasper smiles, "this is fun! What else is there to do?"
"Well..." Steven smiles.
Jasper and Steven spend the rest of the day playing carnival games, eatting various sweets, and just enjoying the boardwalk. At the end of the day, Steven falls asleep. Jasper smiles and carries him back to his bed, and tucks him in. She's failed, she's gotten attached, but it's not like this kid has any relation to Rose Quartz, but he he does...
Once again, Jasper tries not to think about it.
"Jasper!" Peridot exclaims, "we got news from homeworld!"
"What is it?" Jasper asks.
"The Crystal Gems," Peridot explains, "they broke out one Earth cycle ago, and will be arriving here in about one-half cycle!"
Jasper looks back at Steven.
"We have to protect Steven," Jasper explains, "get ready. It's time to finish those rebels off once and for all..."
Chapter Ten: The Great Escape
258 days until final report. Yesterday.
"Talk!" Holly Blue demands, "why won't you talk?"
Sapphire ignores Holly, she keeps looking through futures, looking for some way to escape. In every future she sees though, Ruby is shattered if she doesn't talk. If she does though...
Sapphire views numerous possibilities where she does talk. In one of them, she sees potential escape. All she has to do is claim that she knows where Rose is quietly so that Holly leans in to hear. She has to do this while Ruby is present, fuse, and break out the others as Garnet.
"I'll never talk," Sapphire replies, "you can't break me."
"Oh," Holly smiles, "I can. Watch this."
Holly snaps her fingers; a quartz soldier hands her a red gem. Ruby.
She begins to crush Ruby in her hand.
"OK," Sapphire speaks quietly, "I'll talk. I'll talk. Rose is..."
Sapphire intentionally mumbles.
"She's what?" Holly asks.
"She's..." Sapphire mumbles once more.
"Speak up!" Holly tells leaning in.
"I said," Sapphire explains, "she's none of your business."
Sapphire hits Holly with her head and causing her to drop her whip. Dropping the whip causes a chain reaction involving a quartz soldier, a short circut, and a door that breaks the restraints holding Sapphire. Sapphire picks up Ruby's gem.
"Come on!" She yells, "reform!"
Ruby begins to take form again.
"I'm here," Ruby hugs Sapphire, "don't worry. She won't hurt you again."
Sapphire hugs Ruby back, causing them to fuse.
Garnet summons her gauntlets and poofs Holly Blue. The quartz soldier tries to flee but Garnet stops her and poofs her as well.
Garnet uses her future vision to locate Pearl and Amethyst. They're in holding cells on the floor below, but chances are quartz soldiers are already on their way down the hall. Garnet slams her fists into the ground, shattering the floor, and placing her right in front of the containment cells.
Garnet shatters the control panel, bringing down the odd walls of yellow light that keep gems from getting in or out.
"We're breaking out!" Garnet exclaims, "let's go!"
The trio flee.
"Which way?" Pearl asks.
Garnet uses her future vision. She sees only one good outcome, in which they steal a ruby ship and head to Ocean Town, where Steven is in every future.
"Follow me," Garnet demands.
The trio dash towards the hanger, only to be stopped by countless soldiers in the huge room.
"Guys," Garnet explains, "there's only one way to handle this."
Pearl and Amethyst nod in acknowledgement and prepare to fuse. Apon fusing, most of the soldiers flee apon seeing Alexandrite. Those that stay are easily poofed with use of wrecking ball, hammer, and bow alike. When all is said and done, the Alexandrite unfuses and the trip steal a ship and head towards Ocean Town.
Chapter Eleven: The Arrival
256 days until final report.
It's early morning in Ocean Town, and a thick fog fills the air. Jasper sits, awaiting the Crystal Gems. She looks back at the house, the cold air filling her with a sense of unease. She can't let them see Steven. If he learns the truth about her, about what she was fighting for in the war...
She tries not to think about it.
Steven wakes up early, having dozed fairly early last night.
"Morning Jas," he greets.
Jasper decides not to say anything about the nickname. She kinda likes it.
"Morning Steve," she returns kindly.
The two look out over the foggy ocean, the waves brewing as if a massive storm will soon strike. A sense of dread looms over Ocean Town, and everybody can sense it. The boardwalk is empty, and the beach is free of tourists.
"Sure is gloomy today huh?" Jasper asks, just trying to make conversation.
"Eh," Steven replies, "what's a little morning fog?"
Jasper looks up at the sky, then back at Steven. She has to get Steven out of the house somehow. Anything will do, just something.
"Hey," she explains, "I need you to go do something."
"What is it?" Steven asks.
"You never got a weapon," Jasper replies, "so I was thinking I warp you back to the strawberry field and you find one. I'll be there you warp you back here in an hour."
"Works for me," Steven smiles.
"Great," Jasper replies with a smile, hiding her concern about the Crystal Gems, "come on."
Jasper and Steven warp to the strawberry field.
"I'll be back," Jasper explains, "be safe Steve."
"I will Jas," Steven replies.
Jasper warps back to Ocean Town. Lion approaches Steven, and rubs against him like a cat would rub up against one's leg.
"Hey Lion," Steven smiles, "I don't have any lion lickers this time, I'm sorry."
Lion lets out a short growl to indicate disapproval.
"I'm sorry," Steven replies, "I wasn't expecting to visit today. Hey, I need a weapon, do you have anything I could use?"
A pink sword hilt appears from Lion's head. Steven grabs it and pulls out a sword, Rose's sword. Lion grabs the scabbard and hands it to Steven. Steven puts the blade in the scabbard.
"Wait," he asks, "did this belong to Rose?"
Lion offers no response.
"I can't accept this," Steven explains, "Rose was a very bad gem. She shattered Pink Diamond."
Lion growls again, this time with shaper disapproval.
"Fine," Steven sighs, "but if anyone asks, I just found this by chance."
Lion lets out a soft roar, to indicate he acknowledges Steven's condition. Steven decides to go back to sleep for a while, and dozes off next to the warp pad.
Meanwhile, the Crystal Gems arrive. Garnet gets off first, glaring at Jasper.
"Where is he?" Garnet demands.
"Far from here?" Jasper replies, "you shouldn't have come here, come then! Make it a challenge for me!"
Peridot and Lapis prepares for combat, the Crystal Gems lunge. The battle begins...
Chapter Twelve: We Are the Crystal Gems
Jasper summons her helmet and lunges at Garnet. Amethyst tries to strike Peridot with her whip, and Pearl leaps at Lapis.
Lapis chuckles and bends the water, knocking Pearl out of the way with ease. Amethyst though, has better luck. She wraps Peridot in her whip and throws her, slamming her into the sand, poofing her instantly. Her limb enhancers fall to the ground with a metal clang.
Meanwhile, Steven is having a nightmare. In it, Peridot is poofed by a short purple gem...
Amethyst then curls up into a ball and dashes at Lapis. Lapis narrowly avoids the strike, spotting it just out of the corner of her eye. Sand flies into the air, blinding amethyst. Lapis takes the opportunity to strike Amethyst with a torrent of water, poofing her.
Lapis then turns to assist Jasper, who is countering Garnet blow for blow. The two block the other's strikes each viewing the other as a villain. However, Jasper is so distracted by Garnet, she isn't prepared when Pearl stabs her in the back.
Steven stirs in his sleep as he sees an unfamiliar tall gem stab Jasper in the back, poofing her.
Lapis strikes at Garnet with a torrent of intense water, poofing her. Pearl lunges at Lapis, glaring. Lapis is to slow to avoid the strike. She manages to say one more thing before she poofs.
"I'm sorry Steven..." she sighs, "I couldn't save you from Yellow..."
Lapis poofs before she can finish. Steven bolts awake. That was no dream. He has to stop that gem! She may shatter Lapis, Jasper, and Peridot! Steven gets on the warp and heads to Ocean Town, prepared to fight. He's not gonna let these odd gems, whoever they are, hurt his friends. He summons his shield and exits the house, only to see Pearl holding Jasper's gem.
"You!" He exclaims.
Pearl turns around, smiling. "Hello Steven," she speaks kindly to him, but it doesn't change the angry scowl on Steven's face, "it's been quite some time..."
Chapter Thirteen: Steven's Wrath
"How do you know my name?" Steven asks.
"You don't remember?" Pearl asks, "it's me, Pearl. One of the Crystal Gems."
"Why are you here?" Steven demands, "why are you hurting my friends?"
"Friends?" Pearl asks, "you can't trust what these gems have told you Steven. Rose Quartz..."
"And why should I trust you?" Steven asks, "if you know Rose, you're evil. They already told me what Rose did. She shattered hundreds, even Pink Diamond."
Pearl is taken aback by this response. She never wanted Steven to learn that.
"Steven," Pearl pleads, "listen to me. If you don't believe me, just head to Beach City. Trust me."
"No," Steven replies, "you hurt my friends, my family. I won't forgive you for that."
Steven throws his shield at Pearl. Pearl deflects it with her spear. Steven remembers something, the gen destablizer. He has to find it. The shield magically returns to his hand, disappearing from the beach, and reappearing in Steven's left hand. Steven flees into the house.
"Steven wait!" Pearl yells. She follows Steven. Steven looks through the disorganized house, desperately searching for Peridot's invention. "Ah ha!" He exclaims as he finds it just as Pearl barges in.
"Steven!" She excliams, "wait!"
Steven turns on the destablizer and lunges, zapping Pearl. Her form begins to collapse. "I'm sorry Rose," she sheds a single tears just before she poofs, "I've failed you." Pearl poofs.
Steven grips Pearl's gem. Even though he knows she was with Rose, he can't seem to shatter her. His gem glows and a bubble appears around the white stone. Steven taps the top of it, and it dissapears, sent to the temple.
Steven goes outside. The others have yet to reform. He bubbles a purple gem, a red gem, and a blue gem. He wonders why there's four, but decides not to question it.
Just as he bubbles Sapphire, Lapis reforms, her form is rushed, and almost collapses in on itself before stabilizing.
"You stay away from Steven you good for nothing Crystal Gems!" She exclaims. She notices that the Crystal Gems are nowhere to be seen, and sees Steven, holding a pink bubble.
"Steven," Lapis asks, "what are you doing?"
Steven turns around, unsure how to respond...
Chapter Fourteen: Aftermath
"Uhhh..." Steven replies, "saving you guys from these... you said Crystal Gems right?"
"Steven," Lapis explains, "you know what's gonna happen if Jasper finds out you warped here."
"Just tell here you finished them off, shattered them, and brought me back here," Steven replies, "it'll be fine."
Steven taps the top of the bubble, sending the blue gem to where he feels is home, or as far as he knows, far away.
There a moment of tense silence as Lapis and Steven sit, looking out at the foggy ocean, calm now, but still unnerving.
"Did they..." Lapis ask, "say anything?"
"No," Steven lies, "not really."
In truth, the words of the tall gem made Steven more curious about Rose. He's have to ask Lion about it later.
"Were those the other gems you mentioned?" Steven inquires, just trying to prevent the conversation from dieing.
"Yeah," Lapis replies, "that was them. It's over now though. I'm just glad you're safe."
Jasper reforms. "You stay away from Steven you defective gem shatterers!" Jasper exclaims. She sees Steven. "Steven!" She exclaims rushing to him, "are you OK? You aren't hurt, are you?"
"I'm fine," Steven replies, "What happened here?"
Lapis realizes Steven is playing dumb, and plays along. "Well," she acts, "uhhh..."
"Allies of Rose," Jasper explains, "they wanted to take you away. That's why I really sent you to get a weapon. Just in case..."
Jaspser shutters at the thought of it coming down to Steven and one of the rebels, unaware that's exactly what happened.
"But it's over now," Jasper hugs Steven, "you're safe now."
Peridot reforms. "You stay away from Steven you clods!" She exclaims. She sees Steven and Lapis.
"Oh," she's honestly a little embarrassed, she feels exposed without her limb enhancers, "excuse me a moment."
Peridot reattaches her limb enhancers. "Nice work Lapis!" Peridot congratulates.
"It wasn't..." Lapis almost lets it slip Steven helped, "easy, but we did it."
"Yeah," Peridot replies, "we sure did. Anyone make sure Steven's OK?"
"I'm fine," Steven smiles, "you guys were willing to fight dangerous allies of Rose Quartz for me?"
"Of course," Peridot replies, "what are friends for?"
"We'll always be here for you," Lapis smiles.
They look at Jasper, just realizing they've shown emotional attachment to Steven in front of her.
Jasper smiles and rustles Steven's hair.
"Don't worry kid," she smiles kindly, "we'll always be here for you."
The gems all hug Steven, ending up in a group hug. It's this moment, that Steven finally feels at home. Sapphire's bubble doesn't go to the temple. It goes to Ocean Town, hidden under Steven's bed...
End of season one.
I wrote that in a week, while also working on a personal project of mine. Yes, I do a quite alot in my free time. After taking a week off from writing it to focus on my personal project, (which did involve improving my atrocious spelling.) I spent the next week after that working on both again.
Episode One: Bismuth
Part One: The Mane
196 days until final report.
Steven and Lapis sit on the roof, admiring the ocean as it sparkles in the mid day Sun, a breeze blows from the sea, cooling the air, filling it with the smell of salt.
"Hey Steven," Lapis asks, "why don't you ever talk to the humans in Ocean Town?"
"I never got along with humans," Steven explains, "I have you guys anyways. Most of the people here though..."
Steven grips his gem.
"They don't like me," Steven explains, "they always glare at me, calling me things like freak, gem kid, and stuff like that. I just wish... that I could fit in with humans, but I never will."
Lapis looks at Steven, surprised by his answer. She knew he preferred to hang out with Lapis, Peridot, and as of late, Jasper, but she never knew the humans hated him so much.
"Don't worry Stevey," Lapis smiles, "the gems and I are always here for you."
"Thanks Lapis," Steven smiles. The two go silent, the waves sloshing apon the shore with a steady, soothing rhythm. Steven begins to think. He begins to wonder if he's even half human at all. After all, he never knew his father, and according to Jasper, his father was dead.
Steven decides to go see lion. "I'm gonna go warp somewhere," Steven explains, "if anyone asks, I'm in town."
"Got it," Lapis replies, "and Steven..."
"Yeah?" Steven asks as he gets down off the roof.
Lapis sighs. She's felt guilty about Steven having to face Pearl. She wasn't there for him. None of them were. If it had come to that with Garnet, or even Amethyst...
Lapis shutters at the thought. She thinks about Jasper and Peridot. She lied and said she found Rose's fountain herself when they asked about her gem. If they learned the truth...
Lapis shutters once more. She has to protect Steven, no matter what.
"I'm sorry," she explains, "for what happened. If I had just taken care of that Pearl you wouldn't have had to go through that. I'm Sorry Steven, I couldn't protect you."
"It's OK," Steven replies, "I'm getting the hang of my shield. If push comes to shove, I can fight. You don't need to worry about me Lapis. I mean, I have you guys, don't I? Listen, I gotta go. We can talk later. See ya Lappy!"
"It's Lapis," Lapis chuckles as Steven heads inside and warps. Lapis sighs, looking out at the sea. She's still worried about Steven, but it's clear he didn't want to be followed. Lapis decides to follow Steven. She can fly fast enough to figure out where he went. Lapis takes flight...
Meanwhile, Steven arrives at the strawberry field, where he accidentally left the sword when he faced Pearl. Lion offers him his sword, its hilt appearing from his mane.
"Not today Lion," Steven explains, "I just came to ask you something."
Lion lets out a soft growl, like a sigh, and returns the sword to his mane.
"Do you know anything," Steven asks, clutching his gem, "about my real parents?"
Lion doesn't move to a moment, he only glares under the blazing sun. The sun beats down on both of them, bright, fiery, intense.
"Lion?" Steven asks.
Lion pounces Steven, but instead of biting or clawing, he absorbs Steven into the pocket dimension in his mane.
Steven looks around.
He wonders where he is. He examines the pink grass. Wait, pink? He puts the pieces together. He's in Lion's mane! Steven tries to breath, but there's no air. He desperately tries to get out, first looking around at the endless field. He looks for the ground, eventually popping his head out of Lion's mane. He gasps for air.
He does so again, in and out, just to test. He does so many more times, just for fun. Lion lets off a soft growl, to indicate annoyance.
"Sorry," Steven chuckles, "I couldn't resist."
Steven goes back into Lion's mane, occasionally coming out for air. He notices a hill and moves towards it. Apon arriving, he sees two things that catch his eye. First, is a tape, labled "for Steven."
Second, is a bubbled gem, In a bubble not unlike his own. He pockets the tape and examines the gem in the bubble. Steven decides to take the bubble out of the mane to examine it more closely as he's running out of air. As Steven returns to the grass (or was it fur? He wasn't certian.) and exits the mane, he accidentally drops the bubble.
Afraid the gem may be corrupt, he summons his shield. Only to be surprised to be greeted by a gem with rainbow dreadlocks and blue skin. The gem's gemstone goes inwards instead of outwards. Steven dispells his shield.
"Hey," the gem greets, "what's your name?"
"My name's Steven," Steven replies, "what's yours?"
"My name is Bismuth," Bismuth replies, "tell me, have you seen Rose Quartz? She's a friend of mine and I really must speak with her."
"Lion," Steven demands.
Lion gets the message and summons Rose's sword.
"Bismuth," Steven explains, "I know only one thing about Rose. She shattered countless gems, even Pink Diamond. If you are her ally, then it's back in a bubble for you."
Steven grips his sword.
"So you better have a good explanation for how you know Rose," Steven elaborates, "or else..."
Part Two: Cracking Up
"That sword," Bismuth gasps, "kid, where did you find that?"
"First," Steven replies, "you answer. What's your relation to Rose?"
"Sit down kid," Bismuth smiles, easing the tension, Steven and Bismuth sit, Bismuth takes a breath of the fresh air, smiles, and begins to speak.
"Rose Quartz," Bismuth explains, "was the leader of a rebellion against tyrannical gems called diamonds. The diamonds did horrible things to this planet. I tired to make a weapon, to shatter them, but Rose betrayed me. After that... all I know is what you said. She shattered Pink Diamond."
It clicks in that Pink Diamond is shattered.
"Wait," Bismuth gets up, "that means it can be done! Kid, are there any other gems here?"
Steven can't bring himself to lie, but also won't drop his sword."Yeah," Steven explains, "but they hate Rose. Also, if you're gonna shatter gems, I can't just let you go."
"Kid," Bismuth explains, "you innocent, young human, don't worry about it. This is a job for a gem. Now, I'll be going. Just let me do what I gotta do, you'll thank me later."
Lapis sees the scene from above. She sees Bismuth, and immediately recognizes her as the gem who poofed her and led her to be cracked and put in a mirror. She has to save Steven! If she doesn't, Bismuth will...
Will...
She can't do it. She freezes up. She can't work up the courage to confront Bismuth. To risk going back in that mirror...
Steven grips his sword.
"Lion," he demands.
Lion leaps in Bismuth's way. Bismuth turns around, glaring.
"Kid," she growls, "you're being lied to. Just walk away, call off your little pet, or face the wrath of a Crystal Gem."
The name Crystal Gem reminds Steven of the incident with the other gems.
"Crystal Gems?" He asks, "the ones who hurt my friends?!?"
"Kid," Bismuth growls, "if you don't let me pass, I will make you move."
"No," Steven glares, "I'm ending this before you can begin your murderous spree. I won't let you shatter gems, and I won't let a Crystal Gem like the others hurt my friends."
Lapis sees the rage in Bismuth's eyes as Steven speaks. She has to step in, but just can't do it. She just can't. She can't go back in that mirror...
"Others?" Bismuth demands, "explain yourself."
"There were three," Steven replies, "well, four. One split into two. I bubbled them, making sure they're safe, and now, I'm gonna bubble you."
"With the same sword as Rose?" Bismuth asks, "heh, guess it's poetic justice, that a human with Rose's sword would try to stop me. Prepare yourself human."
Bismuth lunges, turning her hands into hammers. Lapis can't sit idly by any longer, and gets in Bismuth's way. Bismuth doesn't stop, and crushes Lapis between her hammers.
"Lapis!" Steven exclaims.
Bismuth stomps on Lapis's gem, cracking it, and continues to press, attempting to shatter it. Lion leaps at Bismuth, stopping her from finishing the job.
Bismuth grabs Lion by the mane and throws him at Steven, preventing Steven form attacking.
"What I do now," she explains, "I do for the good of all gems. When you understand that, human, come find me."
Bismuth warps to who knows where. Steven runs to Lapis's gem. She reforms, but as she reforms, she reforms... wrong. Her form flickers for a moment or two, before collapsing. She tries again, this time managing to form, but for form is unstable. Her head is on her arm, her feet are hands, and so on.
"Lapis!" Steven exclaims.
"I'm fine," Lapis lies, "don't worry about me. Just go warn Jasper."
The crack on Lapis's gem begins to grow. Her form flickers.
"I won't leave you like this," Steven replies, "Lion! The fountain!"
"Steven," Lapis replies, "listien. That gem... that was the one that led to me getting cracked the first time. You have to stop her."
"I will," Steven replies, "but first, I gotta help you. Lion, let's go!"
Lion picks up Lapis and Steven goes into his mane, sticking his head out. Lion takes the two to the fountain and drops Lapis into the pool of healing tears.
Lapis spreads her wings and soars out of the pool as soon as she's healed.
"So," Lapis asks, "what's with the Lion? Is this how you got here last time?"
"Yeah," Steven replies, "I think he's related to Rose in some way."
"Does anyone else know about him?" Lapis asks, worried.
"No," Steven replies, "well, Peridot does, but she doesn't know he's related to Rose. It's fine. Now, we need to find Bismuth, if she has some way to shatter gems as easily as she claims, then we're in trouble. Do you have any clue where she could be?"
"No," Lapis replies, "Jasper would know though. We have to warn her, before it's to late. Whatever Bismuth is planning, it can't be good."
"I gotta ask," Steven inquires, "what were you doing at the strawberry field?"
"I... uhhh..." Lapis stops, she can't think of an excuse, "better question, why didn't you tell me about the Lion?"
"I don't know," Steven replies.
"Listien," Lapis explains, "I can't keep the others from finding out about you if you don't trust me. You need to be honest with me, no me secrets, OK?"
Steven clutches the tape in his pocket. "I promise," he lies. In truth, for some reason, the more he learns about Rose, the less he feels he can trust Lapis and the others. They're not lieing to him, but he feels he's not getting the whole truth. He decides to find the truth on his own if at all possible.
"Come on," Steven explains, "we have to warn the others. Lion!"
Lion takes Steven and Lapis back to the strawberry field. From there, they warp back to Ocean Town to warn Jasper and Peridot.
Meanwhile, Bismuth is at the forge, getting something she left behind. A weapon to shatter gems. A weapon called...
The Breaking Point.
Part Three: No Better
Jasper and Steven arrive in Ocean Town.
"I'll go find Jasper," Lapis explains, "you wait here and... wait, that sword..."
"I should hide it," Steven asks, "right? Cause it belongs to Rose?"
"Yeah," Lapis replies, "listien, go put it somewhere safe, maybe with Lion. I'll be right back."
Lapis dashes out the door and soars into the sky. Steven quickly goes back to the strawberry field and puts the sword in Lion's mane, before warping back to the house.
Steven arrives just before the others enter.
"Steven!" Jasper exclaims she rushes to Steven, looking at his face, "are you OK? Did she hurt you?"
"I'm fine," Steven replies, "Jasper, who was that?"
Jasper summons her helmet.
"Don't worry about it," Jasper replies, "just someone who needs to be shattered."
"But she's not corrupted!" Steven yells.
"No," Peridot explains, "but trust us, what she is is much worse. Which is why we will be handling this alone."
"Let me help," Steven replies, "I can handle it."
"Steven," Jasper explains, "I won't let you go where you'll get hurt. Please, just stay here."
"What if she comes here?" Lapis asks, Steven gets the message.
"Yeah," Steven replies, "what if she comes looking for you?"
"They have a point," Peridot turns to Jasper, "leaving Steven unattended now would be a horrible miscalculation. I just don't know how that clod is still around."
"It doesn't matter," Jasper replies, "look, Steven, just, stick close, OK?"
"Got it," Steven replies. The four warp to the forge. Bismuth sits, waiting.
"Heh," she chuckles, "I knew if any of you were here, you'd come. Darn shame about the kid, poor human's gonna have to die. I won't let any of you go, not after what you did to my friends."
"What we did?" Jasper asks, "what WE DID!?! Rose shattered Pink Diamond! My diamond is gone because of you!"
Steven doesn't say a word, he simply soaks in all this new information he is hearing.
"I'm gonna shatter you," Bismuth laughs, "I'm gonna shatter the diamonds, and anyone in my way!"
Bismuth lunges with the Breaking Point, right at Jasper's head.
"No!" Steven yells. He tackles Bismuth, causing her to miss, merely poofing Jasper.
"Steven let's move," Lapis demands picking Steven up and soaring into the sky.
Peridot laughs.
"Like some clod can defeat me with an archaic weapon like that," she taunts, "prepare yourself for-"
Bismuth punches Peridot suddenly, poofing her.
"Lapis!" Steven yells, "We have to help them!"
"We can't fight her," Lapis replies, "not without water. We have to go."
"Lapis," Steven pleads, "they're our friends, please."
"There's nothing we can do."
Steven summons his shield.
"Lapis," he sighs, "I'm sorry."
Steven hits Lapis with his shield, causing her to drop him. Lapis isn't to high off the ground, so Steven just hurts his ankle.
"Steven!" Lapis yells.
Steven ignores her and turns to Bismuth.
"You and the other Crystal Gems," he explains, "you're all the same. All you do is attack, never telling why. You follow a gem shatterer, and shatter all who oppose you. I'm ending this Bismuth, right here, right now."
Bismuth lunges with the Breaking Point. Steven blocks with his shield. Apon getting a close look at it, Bismuth's eyes go wide.
"Kid," she asks, "that shield. It was used by..."
"Enough of your lies!" Steven yells, "Lapis! You ready?"
Lapis soars into the sky, she and Steven had discussed a way to use Steven's shield offensively by slamming down on corrupted gems from above, but they had never tried it. The plan was to throw Steven's shield up, and have Lapis slam on the ground holding it.
Steven tosses his shield up. Lapis grabs it and continues ascending.
Bismuth laughs.
"Your friends have shattered gems! I saw them do it! That orange one, shattered some of my closest friends. You're no better than me!"
Bismuth prepares the Breaking Point, but before she lifts her hand and pushes forward, however, mere inches from Steven's face, Lapis crushes her with Steven's shield, poofing her.
Steven bubbles Bismuth.
"I should shatter you," he growls, "but that'd just prove your point. Goodbye, Bismuth."
Steven taps the top of the bubble, sending it under his bed.
"Are you OK Steven?" Lapis asks.
"I'm fine," he replies, "if anyone asks, you shattered Bismuth after flying me to another warp pad to send me back. Also..."
Steven picks up the Breaking Point.
"This weapon was destroyed in the battle," Steven finishes. Steven crushes the Breaking Point with his shield, and steps on the warp pad.
"Steven," Lapis asks, "are you OK?"
Steven sighs. Bismuth's words still haunt him. Is he really any better than her?
"I'm fine," he lies, "I'll see you in Ocean Town."
Steven warps back. During the warp, he examines the tape. Who is it from? Is it from Rose? If so, how would she know him? Steven pockets the tape. It has answers, something Steven needs one more than ever, and he's getting them, no matter what. He doesn't have the means at his house, but as soon as he gets the chance, he's watching that tape.
Until then, he's just gonna have to get what he can out of his friends. There's more to this, he knows that, and he's gonna figure it out...
Episode Two: The Human Girl With Glasses
176 days until final report.
It's been a while since the incident with Bismuth, and not much has happened since. Bismuth's words still haunt Steven. He can't shake this uneasy feeling the gems are hiding something. Something maybe related to Rose.
He sits on a bench on the boardwalk, looking out at the sea. It's a beautiful day, the sun shines, the water sparkles, the cool sea breeze gently brushes Steven's face. Steven sighs. As much as he loves the gems, his family, he wishes he had other friends.
He wishes he could fit in in Ocean Town, but the townspeople hate him, they view him as a freak, a leech, a burden, as he stays with the gems and gets what he wants as was the deal. He doesn't have to pay for food or anything of the like. They view him as a stain, not a person.
Steven decides to go down to the beach, to clear his head. He paces up and down the white, pure sand, the beach is mostly empty today, just himself, and a young lass reading a book who he assumes isn't interetsed in talking to some freak.
The young lass takes off her glasses to clean them, looking up just long enough to see Steven. She notices the unease in his face, and decides to say something.
"Hello," she greets.
Steven is completely caught off guard by this. He isn't sure how to respond. He decides to go in the defensive.
"If you have something to say about my gem," he sighs, "say it. Go on, I know I'm a freak."
"Gem?" The girl asks, "what are you talking about?"
"You're not from Ocean Town are you?" Steven asks.
"Nah," the girl replies, "my parents just had some work here."
"Well then," Steven smiles, she doesn't hate him... yet. He knows he won't be long before she learns he's a freak, but he may as well enjoy this while it lasts.
"My name's Steven," Steven continues, "what's yours?"
"My name's Connie," the girl replies, "you live here?"
"Yeah," Steven replies, "for as long as I can remember."
"Did you see that monster attack a few years ago?" Connie asks, "I heard about it, but I've never heard what it was like from a witness."
"Yeah," Steven replies, "I was there when it happened."
"What was it like?" Connie asks.
"Well," Steven replies, "kinda scary, not gonna lie. I managed to help the gems defeat it."
"You know the gems?" Connie asks, now excited.
Steven realizes his slip up. He sighs, this short lived friendship is already over.
"You hate me too," Steven asks, "don't you? Like the others?"
"Why would I hate you?" Connie asks.
"Cause..." Steven hesiates, he sighs, he lifts his shirt, revealing his gem, "I'm half gem, half human. Everyone here, they call me things like gem kid, freak, you know, stuff like that. Now you know the truth."
"Steven," Connie replies getting up, "I don't hate you. I've always been interested in the gems, curious about them. Can I meet them?"
"Well," Steven replies, "not right now. A corrupted gem, like the one they fought a few years back was spotted near town. They're out trying to find it."
"Oh," Connie replies, "well, what are they like?"
"They're great," Steven replies, "they're like family to me. They did raise me after all."
"What about your parents?" Connie inquires.
"My father is dead, and my mother was... I don't know. I know she was a gem, but I don't know who she was. I don't know where or who she is. She may be dead too."
"I'm sorry," Connie apologizes.
"It's OK," Steven replies, "I have the gems, they're there for me. I'm headed down to the boardwalk, wanna come?"
"Sure," Connie smiles, "sounds fun."
Connie and Steven walk together towards the boardwalk, when, suddenly, they hear screams. The corrupted gem has reached town!
"Gem kid!" one of the citizens yells, "do something you leeching freak!"
Connie glares at the citizen. How can they say some thing so rude and still demand help?
"Get out of here," Steven replies, "I've got this."
The citizen flees, along with anyone else near the boardwalk, the area is like a ghost town, except for Steven, a corrupted gem with a thick white mane-like mass of hair. It moves on all fours, it almost resembles a cross between a horse and a lion. It's eyes, assuming it has any, are hidden under the green and red gem's hair.
"You should go," Steven tells Connie, "it's not safe. Just, let me take care of this, and we'll meet up at the beach."
"What about you?" Connie asks, "I can't just leave you with that thing!"
Steven summons his shield.
"Don't tell the gems," he explains, "but I've got a few tricks up me sleeves."
The corrupted gem lunges at Steven. Steven throws his shield and summons a new one. He rams into the gem, relentless in his attack, but not from malice, from fear. Fear that if he doesn't bubble it quickly, it will be shattered.
Steven slams the gem into a nearby building. It struggles to its feet, and pounces Steven, scratching his face.
Steven uses his shield to push the gem off, and flip it on its back. The impact is enough to poof the gem.
Steven feels his face where he was scratched. He pulls his hand back from the pain when he touches his wound. He bubbles the gem and sends it under his bed as he dispells his shield. He's getting better with his powers, and he knows he. He begins to wonder what else he can do...
"Steven are you OK?" Connie asks, running to him.
"Does it even matter?" Steven asks, "the deed is done. If the gems ask, we found it poofed, OK? Crushed by a statue it destroyed."
"Of course it matters!" Connie exclaims, "why would it not?"
Steven sighs. Connie just doesn't seem to get it. "Follow me," Steven sighs, "I'll show you."
Steven and Connie walk out of the evacuated part of town, and Steven is immediately ridiculed by the townsfolk. He doesn't say anything. He just looks down, and keeps walking.
Connie gets angrier and angrier with each insult she hears sent Steven's yells.
That's when someone says, "why doesn't the freak just leave?"
Connie stops.
"That is enough!" She yells.
The whole town goes silent, all eyes are on Connie. She doesn't care, she can't stand to see someone treated this way.
"You all yell at this kid for being a gem!" Connie continues, "yet him and his friends are the only this town is still on the map! You call him things like freak, gem kid, but did any of you bother to learn his name?"
There's a guilty murmur in the crowd.
Connie becomes more confident as she speaks, she's not stopping now.
"This kid just fought a gem for this town," she continues, "he had nothing but his wits to beat that thing! Look at how his face is scratched! How can you stand there and insult him?"
The crowd is now silent.
"You should all be ashamed!" Connie finishes her speach, "the way you've treated Steven, who just saved this town, is disgusting! Think about what I've said, let it sink in."
The crowd is now dead silent, they can't look Connie or Steven in the eye.
"Listien," Connie explains, "Steven, I kinda gotta go. I'll come see you when I'm back in town. I'll be on the beach. See ya!"
"See ya Connie," Steven smiles.
Steven heads home, and Connie heads the other way. Steven looks back. Connie waves, he smiles and waves back. He begins back home, waiting for the insults to continue, but the townspeople, for the first time, don't insult him, don't glare at him. They let him pass without hate. For the first time, Steven feels accepted...
Episode Three: I Don't Trust You
159 days until final report.
It's a rainy day outside. A huge storm brews over Ocean Town, filling the air with tension and dread, like something big is about to happen. Everyone sits in their houses, waiting out the storm, its presence lingering in every house, looming overhead, ever present.
Steven sits in his house, lieing on his bed. He examines the tape with intense curiosity. Why was it in Lion's mane? It has to be from Rose, but why would Rose leave him such a tape? How would Rose know who he even is? There are just so many questions, and that tape holds all the answers. He just has to find a way to watch it.
Peridot warps in. Steven quickly hides the tape in his pocket. He doesn't trust the gems, they're hiding something. Something he has to find alone.
"Hey Steven!" Peridot smiles, "how you doing?"
"Good," Steven replies, getting up, "where are the others?"
"Jasper and Lapis got worried so they sent me to check up on you," Peridot explains, "but I don't see why they're so concerned, you can handle yourself most of the time."
Steven grips his gem. He wonders if the gems have some other motives he doesn't know about.
No, that's impossible. They're his best friends, his family, they would never betray him.
"What exactly are you guys doing?" Steven inquires, "corrupted gem out there or something?"
Peridot tenses up. In truth, they were working on the communications tower to make sure their final report goes through. It has to go through, and Peridot knows she has to prove to Jasper that Steven has no connection to Rose at all. Otherwise, Yellow Diamond will...
Peridot tries not to think about it. There's no way she's letting Yellow Diamond come to Earth to kill Steven, no matter what.
"Yup!" Peridot lies, "the others are tracking it down now."
Steven grips the tape in his pocket. He knows that if any of the gems see he has it, they'll most likely take it away. Steven doesn't trust them, he knows something isn't right.
"What's that in your pocket?" Peridot inquires.
"Candy bar," Steven quickly lies.
Peridot sees right through his lies.
"What are you hiding," she demands.
Steven decides to confront Peridot.
"Not as much as you're hiding!" Steven yells, "you guys never tell me the whole truth! Like, why did you guys wanna shatter Bismuth? Why did she hate you guys so much? Why won't you just tell me the whole truth?"
The storm blows the door open, filling the house with heavy winds.
"If I was hiding something," Steven continues, "then I wouldn't tell you. I don't trust you Peridot, not you, not Lapis, not Japser, not anyone. Cause you all hide things from me. Why is it so hard to tell me the truth?"
Peridot sighs. She looks at Steven. She's not mad, not even a little, just surprised. She didn't know Steven was this intent on getting answers. However, the more he learns, the more danger he's in, and if he learns the whole truth, he won't be Peridot's freind anymore. Peridot just has to lie until her final report, just a little longer.
"Steven," she sighs, sitting down, "there are some things we hide from you to protect you. Some things that are dangerous to know. I understand if you don't trust everything I say, but as your friend, trust me when I say this. We all care about you Steven, we just want what's best for you, but that means leaving some things burried. Do you understand?"
"Yeah," Steven reluctantly sighs, "I get it."
The two sit in silence for a moment. Peridot sighs, there's one other thing she has to tell Steven, something even Lapis and Jasper don't know.
"There's another reason I came here," Peridot explains, "there's something in the center of the Earth, something called The Cluster. I requested permission to terminate it, but was denied. If it is not terminated, then it will destroy the Earth, but... what if we found it broken?"
"What are you saying?" Steven asks.
"I'm saying," Peridot replies, "that I'm going to destroy The Cluster, and you're gonna help me do it. I've been working on a drill, and it will be ready in a week. So, be ready Steven."
"OK," Steven replies, "I'll be ready."
Steven grips his gem.
"I'll be ready..."
Episode Four: The questions.
156 days until final report.
It's a sunny day in Ocean Town, calm, soothing, serene. Steven sits on the beach, enjoying the Sun, basking in its warmth. The Sun, holds no secrets, no lies. Sitting their, the townspeople no longer verbally assaulting him, he feels safe. He hears a familiar voice.
"Steven!" the voice yells.
Steven gets up, and sees Connie waving at him. He smiles and waves back. Connie walks over to him.
"How you been?" She asks.
"I've been good," Steven replies, hiding his concern about The Cluster, "how about you?"
"I've been good," Connie replies, "hey, are any of the gems here today?"
"Well," Steven replies, "Lapis is. You know, the blue one? I can introduce you."
Connie beams and takes out a notepad and pencil from her backpack. "That'd be great!" She exclaims.
Steven and Connie head to Steven's house, Lapis sits on the roof, enjoying the warm Sun's rays.
"Lapis!" Steven exclaims.
Lapis smiles apon seeing Connie. She can't begin to express how happy she is to see Steven with a human. Expessialy since, after the mission, she will have to return to Homeworld...
"Steven!" She exclaims flying down on her wings, "who's your friend?"
Connie immediately begins taking notes.
"This is Connie," Steven replies, "she wanted to meet you."
"How do humans greet each other again?" Lapis whispers.
"Just say hi," Steven whispers back.
"Hello Connie," Lapis forces an awkward smile.
"Nice to meet you Lapis!" Connie eagerly replies, "I have a few questions if that's OK."
"Go on ahead," Lapis replies.
"Where are you from?" Connie asks.
Steven, seeing the opportunity to learn more of the truth, sits down and soaks in the entire conversation that follows.
"Most gems come from Homeworld," Lapis explains, "there are some from Earth, like an Amethyst that I had to fight."
This intrigues Steven. Gems from Earth? How? Also, that purple gem, an Amethyst, was from Earth? He's getting more questions than answers, but continues to listien.
"Where do your powers come from?" Connie asks.
"Gems have abilities based on their gems," Lapis explains, "each for a certain purpose. Rubies are guards, Sapphires, oracles, me, I was made to teraform planets that Homeworld..."
Lapis hesiates, she chooses her next words very carefully.
"Settles," she finishes, "there are countless others as well, to many to list."
"What do you mean, made?" Connie asks.
"Gems aren't like humans," Lapis explains, "we're made, grown from the ground."
So that answers Steven's questions of how gems could be from Earth. He continues soaking in all this valuable information. To him, it's more valuable than gold.
"One more question," Connie explains.
"Shoot," Lapis smiles.
"Why was Ocean Town attacked by other gems?" Connie asks.
Lapis stops, Connie is obviously asking about the Crystal Gems.
"Well," Lapis tenses up, "uhhh... It's complicated, but there are gems, bad gems, called the Crystal Gems. Their leader, Rose Quartz, shattered Pink Diamond. They attacked Ocean Town, and we stopped them."
Steven almost passes out soon learning Rose as the leader of the Crystal Gems. No wonder the gems hate her! She must have been a monster! Why would any gem join her? Steven can't understand why the Crystal Gems would follow in a murderous rebel's path? He just can't think of a reason. If only he could ask one of them, but they're bubbled in some far away place, they could be anywhere.
"OK," Connie replies, "thanks for answering all my questions."
"No problem," Lapis replies, "Any friend of Steven is a friend of mine. You're always welcome here."
"Thanks," Connie smiles, "anyways, Steven, wanna head down to the boardwalk?"
"Sure," Steven replies, "sounds fun."
The two head down to the boardwalk. Steven wonders about the Crystal Gems. Why would any side with Rose? He grows more desperate for answers the more he learns...
Episode Five: Forced Together
152 days until final report.
Steven wakes up. Today's the day. Today's the day Peridot will be destroying the Cluster. Steven gets dressed, eats breakfast, brushes his teeth, and waits for Peridot.
Meanwhile, Peridot is doing some last minute tests as the sun rises. It's a beautiful morning, although foggy, the sun shines bright over what Peridot can see. Peridot examines the drill one last time, making sure everything is in tip top shape. She has time, The Cluster won't be emerging for quite some time. It's completely inactive right now. Shattering it, will be easy. The hard part, is keeping Steven safe. Going deeper than any human has. If the drill isn't safe...
Peridot examines the drill one last time. She has to be certian. After checking, double checking, missing a mistake and calling herself a clod over it before fixing it and double checking again, she goes to get Steven.
Peridot enters the house. "Steven!" She yells, "you ready to go?"
"Yeah!" Steven exclaims, "let's go!"
The two head outside. Peridot leads Steven to the drill, hidden behind the house. The drill is green, like Steven expected it to be. It appears like he imagined, a green chamber to sit in and a massive drill.
Peridot and Steven get in The chamber and start drilling.
"It will take some time to reach The Cluster," Peridot explains, "so we best settle in for the long haul."
Steven and Peridot sit, watching the rushing soil go by them, forced out of their way by the massive drill. Eventually Steven realizes something, he has no idea what The Cluster even is.
"Peridot?" He asks, "what is The Cluster anyways?"
At this point they break through to magma. The drill keeps going, undeterred.
"It's... hard to explain," Peridot replies.
"Hard to explain or you just don't want me to know?" Steven asks in an accuseing way.
"Does it matter?" Peridot asks.
"Yes," Steven replies.
Peridot sighs.
"Fine," she sighs, "but Jasper can't know I told you this."
Peridot takes a deep breath. She didn't want Steven to find out this way. How gem shards...
"Sometimes," Peridot begins, "when a gem is shattered, they don't fully dissapear. Sometimes... there are shards."
Steven hears something on the outside of the drill. He looks out, trying to figure out what they hit.
"These shards," Peridot continues, "try to form, but they're broken. They search for other gems, trying to find the rest of their gems, but it's hopeless. That's why when you shatter a gem, you make sure you shatter it into really really small pieces. Otherwise, the shards come back, hunting down other gems, mindless, malicious, and dismembered."
There's another bang outside the drill. Steven begins to sweat nervously. The banging, combined with Peridot's words are extremely unnerving.
"There are some gems," Peridot continues, "that thought they could make a super weapon by forcing these shards together. That's what The Cluster is Steven. It's the a superweapon. It must be destroyed."
"What about the shards?" Steven asks.
"There's no hope for them Steven," Peridot replies, "if it's hard to watch, just... look away, OK?"
"Listien," Steven sighs, "there's another way. You remember that corrupted gem I shattered? You know, the one I used the gem destablizer on?"
"Yeah," Peridot replies, "why?"
"I didn't really shatter it," Steven explains, "I have this... trick. I can put gems in bubbles, where they don't reform. Been doing it to any gems I can."
"Do you really think you can do that to something this big?" Peridot asks.
"I can try," Steven replies.
"Fine," Peridot sighs, "one try though. That's it. Also, here, take this."
Peridot hands Steven a joystick.
"That banging was gem shards," Steven explains, "there's a canon attached to the top of the drill. Take care of it."
Steven looks into a small monitor. Seeing a dismembered arm, he almost pukes, the sight is disgusting, truly harrowing, as it crawls towards the camera. Steven blasts it along with a few other shards.
The two finally reach The Cluster. Steven stares into it as if staring into the abyss. It appears active, not very, but enough as ghostly arms seem to reach for him, begging for help. He hears whispers.
"Don't shatter us," they say, "we need form. Form. Form! FORM!"
"What about the Earth?" Steven asks.
"Steven," Peridot explains, "who are you talking to?"
"You don't hear that?" Steven asks.
"No," Peridot replies, "it's more active than expected. If you're gonna bubble it, make it quick."
"Need to form," the whispers continue.
"Why?" Steven asks.
"Broken," a voice says.
"Fix," a voice continues.
"Rest of us out there," a third finishes.
"Form," they scream, "form! FORM!"
"Why not look for other pieces of yourself in The Cluster?" Steven asks.
"Will form," the voices whisper, "no stopping."
"I can stop it," Steven replies, "we just need to work together. Come on! We can do this!"
Steven tries to bubble The Cluster. The shards begin to bubble each other before being put in one big bubble by Steven.
"How did you do that?" Peridot asks.
"I think..." Steven replies, "I spoke to it? I convinced it... or, them, to look for their other shards in The Cluster."
"Well," Peridot sighs, "whatever it was, it worked."
"You're not gonna tell Japser about the bubble thing right?" Steven asks.
Peridot smiles.
"Of course not," she replies, "I'd never betray my best friend. Come on, let's head home."
The two begin towards the surface. Steven looks at Peridot. He almost wants to tell her about the tape... almost. He still doesn't trust her, he just doesn't. Even if she is his friend, Steven still has to view that tape alone. Then, he'll know the truth.
It's only a matter of time...
Episode Six: Strawberries
143 days until final report.
Steven sits in the strawberry field, examining the tape.
"Hey," he asks, "Lion?"
Lion lets out a short growl to indicate acknowledgement.
"Why would Rose leave me a tape?" Steven asks.
Lion yawns, but does not move. Steven sits next to Lion, looking at the tape with intense curiosity.
"I mean," Steven continues, "she did shatter Pink Diamond. Is there something I don't know about her that the gems are hiding?"
Lion nudges the tape closer to Steven.
"You're right," he sighs, "I really need to watch this, but... what if I don't like what I see? Like, what if she killed my dad or something? Jasper never did say how he died, so, maybe it's her saying I'm next? I mean, she most likely completely insane, so I wouldn't be surprised."
Lion lets out an agitated growl of disapproval.
"You're right," Steven sighs, "I should watch before I judge. Chances are it's just something simple, like her shattering Pink Diamond or some other sadistic thing."
Lion doesn't even try to argue anymore. He just yawns, stretches out, and lies back down.
Steven reaches into Lion's mane and pulls out a soda. He sits, enjoying the warm sunlight and the cool breeze until he suddenly hears the warp pad activate.
"Lion," Steven demands, "hide."
Lion hides under the brush. Steven peaks out from behind a bush, and sees Jasper. He grabs a strawberry and hides again.
"What's Jasper doing here?" Steven thinks aloud, "and if she's here, where's the others?"
Jasper continues walking, examining the brush, as if looking for something. Steven, curious, follows behind her, trying to figure out what she's doing here, but also staying out of sight. If she sees him, he has some serious explaining to do.
Jasper stops when she hears Steven trip on a vine, causing the brush to rustle. She examines the bush where Steven is. Steven freezes, he holds his breath, and sweats nervously. Jasper sniffs the air.
"This will do," she smiles. Jasper uproots the entire bush. Steven clings to it, now more curious and confused than ever. He also clings to it, so he can get back home without having to worry about Jasper seeing him warp in.
Jasper steps onto the warp pad and warps. She arrives back at the house, still holding the bush. Steven lets go and lands on the warp pad. Jasper doesn't notice Steven's landing, and walks into the kitchen. She sets the bush on the counter.
"Steven!" She calls, "you around?"
"I'm here!" Steven replies, entering the kitchen, "what's with the bush?"
"I'm glad you asked," Japser smiles, her face lights up, she is so eager to answer, "I'm learning to bake! I was wondering if you wanted to help."
"Really?" Steven asks.
"Yeah," Jasper grins, "I mean, what's wrong with wanting to spend time with my best friend?"
Steven smiles. "Sure," he replies, "pass me an apron."
(For the record, in the Animatic, I want Love Like You to play over this next scene. I just feel it fits.)
Steven and Jasper begin to take the strawberries off the bush and prepare cake bater before putting it all in the oven. The two are covered in flour by the time it's all said and done. Jasper smiles and throws flour at Steven. Steven laughs and returns in kind. This continues until the kitchen is a complete mess.
Peridot and Lapis walk in, only to be hit in the face with flour. Jasper and Steven stops and tried to apologize. Lapis is the first to laugh, and Peridot joins in before joining in on the fun. The four have a blast, and Steven begins to feel he can trust them again.
(And Love Like You would stop here.)
In bed that night, he considers showing them the tape, maybe they have answers?
He grips his tape and remembers he can't trust them with everything, but maybe he was to harsh. He still has to find the truth, the whole truth, that's something he has to do alone.
"I'm getting answers," he mumbles to himself, "and I don't care if the gems try to stop me..."
Episode Seven: Sugilite Special
Part One: Popped
129 days until final report.
Steven wakes up. It's a foggy morning, the boardwalk is mostly empty at this hour. The gems left last night to hunt down a corrupted gem so Steven's home alone. He lazily rolls out of bed, unsure of what to do today. He can't go see Lion, that risks warping in when Jasper or Peridot are home. He can't head to the boardwalk as it's not open yet. Connie called and said she's gonna be in town, but only later in the evening.
Steven heads out to the beach, admiring the waves. He remembers the Crystal Gems. The first Crystal Gem he met was a tall, slender white gem with a sword. A gem called Pearl.
The second Crystal Gem, was Bismuth, whose bubble was popped after Steven found it in Lion's mane.
Both these gems had two thing in common. One, they were Crystal Gems. Two, they tried to hurt Steven's family.
Steven sighs, he thinks aloud.
"I wonder where you guys are," he begins, "I mean, I bubbled you and then, poof, gone. I wish I knew where you went, so I could figure out why you did it? Ah well, guess it's to late now."
Steven heads back inside to grab a bite to eat. He opens a bag of pretzels. After eating a few on his bed, watching Lonely Blade Six: The Oracle, he drops one under his bed.
"Three second rule!" He exclaims reaching for it. Steven leans to grab the pretzel, but falls off his bed. As he gets up, he notices three pink things under his bed. There bubbles.
Steven grabs one to investigate. The first one, is the corrupted gem Connie saw him fight. He puts it back and grabs another. The second, is Bismuth.
"Hahaha," Steven laughs uneasily, "don't want answers that badly."
Steven puts the bubble back and reaches for the third and final bubble. In it, is a blue gem, one he bubbled when he met Pearl. Pearl was with two other gems, one of which split into two. This was one half of that gem. Steven realizes he has the opportunity to interrogate the gem. All he has to do is pop the bubble and get his sword. It's not like a sheild will intimidate her. However, Steven has no clue when the others will return. It's to risky.
Just then, the warp goes off. Steven quickly hides the bubble as Lapis appears.
"Steven!" She smiles, "how are you?"
"I'm good," Steven replies, greeting Lapis with a hug, "how's hunting down the monster?"
"Not good," Lapis replies, "it's gonna be a while, so we drew straws to see who gets to keep an eye on you and I won. So, here I am."
"Hey," Steven asks, "I gotta warp somewhere. If the others get back, cover for me, OK?"
"Sure," Lapis replies, "just don't do anything crazy."
Steven replies as he walks up to his room and hides the three bubbles in his backpack, "don't worry, I can handle it."
Steven steps on the warp pad. "See ya!" He smiles, waving.
"Be safe Stevey," Lapis returns in kind.
Steven leaves. Lapis decides to take a quick flight to pass the time and soars into the sky.
Steven arrives at the strawberry field.
"Lion," he demands, already preparing an intimidating facade, "my sword."
Lion summons Rose's sword. Steven pulls it from its sheath.
"Listien," Steven explains, "we're doing something very important here today, I need you to be intimidating. Ready?"
Lion roars as if to say yes.
"Great," Steven replies.
Steven puts Bismuth and the corrupted gem into Lion's mane and pops Sapphire's bubble. Sapphire reforms.
"Hello Steven," she smiles, "Glad to see this was the outcome..."
Part Two: The Oracle
"What does that mean?" Steven demands, gripping his blade.
"I think Lapis told you in most futures," Sapphire replies, "I'm a Sapphire. Sapphires are oracles."
"Well," Steven demands, pointing his sword at Sapphire, "tell me, what do you see in my future?"
"I can't see the future," Sapphire explains, "I see possible futures, options, pathways. Time isn't a strait line, it's like a flowing river. It splits off, pools into lakes, has waterfalls, and rapids, I use my future vision to steer time to the best outcome I can."
"Then you see," Steven glares, "that if you don't answer my questions, you'll be bubbled."
Sapphire stops for a moment to look into futures.
"Yeah," she replies, "seems about right."
"First question," Steven demands, "are there any other Crystal Gems I should know about?"
"No," Sapphire replies, "you've met all of us, even Rose."
"What does that mean?" Steven demands.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Sapphire replies.
"Second question," Steven continues, "why did you attack my friends?"
"They would have shot first," Sapphire replies, "remember how they reacted to Bismuth? First solution was to shatter. At least for Rose, it was a last resort. Your friends, your family, they shatter first, ask questions later."
"One more question," Steven glares, "why shouldn't I just bubble you again, right now?"
Sapphire smirks, throughout the conversation, she's been looking at futures, and has learned Amethyst, Pearl, and Ruby are bubbled in The Temple. She would tell Greg, but even if they fail, Marty will be arriving sooner or later anyways, and time is of the essence. When she flees, she has to be quick. She needs to fuse into Garnet, and if she can, Alexandrite.
"Cause you'll never catch me," Sapphire smirks. Sapphire dashes towards the warp pad. Lion leaps in Sapphire's way and roars, blasting at Sapphire with waves of pink energy. Sapphire avoids the blast and leaps off of Lion's nose.
Steven chases after her with his blade. He slashes at Sapphire, desperate to stop her from hurting the gems. Sapphire avoids each slash with ease, easily out maneuvering Steven with her speed, and our smarting him with her future vision.
She steps onto the warp.
"Well," she smiles, "guess we're done here. Oh, and before you ask about the gem that split, gems have a certain... let's call it a gift. Gems can fuse with each other by dancing. You could too if you really wanted. That's what the gem that split Steven, was a fusion. I was half of that gem. Now, I'm off to find her other half. Listen, the others... don't like fusion. They will say bad things about it. No matter what they say, remember this, fusion is special, it is not a weapon. It's more of an emotional thing. Do not let them lie to you. If you believe only one thing I say..."
Sapphire moves her hair, and looks Steven in the eye with her one eye.
"Then believe that," she finishes.
Looking Sapphire in the eye, Steven can tell she's telling the truth.
"Fine," Steven sighs, "now, back in the bubble!"
Steven lunges at Sapphire, but she warps away. Steven panics. He has to warn the others! Steven steps on the warp and warps back to the house, mid warp, he hides the blade in his backpack, he can't let the others know he has it. He arrives back at the house. Nobody's home. Steven then realizes, how is he supposed to explain Sapphire not being shattered? He realizes that he can't let them find out about Sapphire, at least, not from him. Steven sighs, he has no choice but to bide his time...
Part Three: Call Me Stevonnie
Sapphire arrives in The Temple. She uses her future vision to find the bubbles where the others are and pops their bubbles. Ruby is the first to reform.
"Ruby!" Sapphire exclaims, hugging her.
"Sapphire!" Ruby cries tears of joy, "heh, never thought you'd be saving your own guard huh?"
The two laugh and fuse. Amethyst reforms. Pearl though, she doesn't reform. Garnet checks many futures, and doesn't see one where Pearl reforms anytime soon.
"Listen," Garnet explains, "here's our plan. We need to get Steven back, so, we go outside, fuse, and head to Ocean Town."
"Wait," Amethyst asks, "you don't mean..."
"Yes," Garnet replies, "we need Sugilate..."
Meanwhile, Connie arrives in Ocean Town. The gems are still gone, Lapis has yet to return. It's just Steven and Connie on the beach.
"Steven!" Connie waves, smiling.
"Connie!" Steven replies rushing to her, "you have to go! Now!"
"I just got here," Connie replies, "what's wrong?"
"There's some bad gems," Steven replies, "one of them escaped their bubble, and they're gonna come back here. You have to go before they arrive."
"How did this happen?" Connie asks.
"There's no time to explain," Steven replies, "I'll just call you when it's safe."
"Steven," Connie sighs, "you don't need to worry about me. To be honest, I'm more worried about you."
"What do you mean?" Steven asks.
"I mean," Connie replies, "you always try to do everything alone. Why do you do that? You have the gems, so why do you try to work alone?"
"There's some things the gems can't know," Steven explains, "see, there's this group, the Crystal Gems, they keep trying to kill me and my family. There's also Rose, Rose Quartz, this sword is her sword."
Steven hands Connie the blade so she can examine it.
"Now," Steven continues, "everyone knows Rose Quartz was evil, but, then I found this."
Steven shows Connie the tape.
"It's from Rose," Steven continues, "and I need to know what's on it without the gems finding out, and don't even get me started on everything else. The sheild, the bubbles, most of them don't know. Jasper knows nothing, Peridot knows a little, and Lapis is the only one who has any real idea, but even she doesn't know about the tape."
"Wow," Connie replies, "I'm sorry that you have to deal with that."
"It's fine," Steven replies, "it's not like you can do anything anyways."
"Steven," Connie asks, "are you gonna be OK?"
There are screams from the boardwalk as a massive purple gem approaches.
"Oh no!" Steven exclaims, "that's bad! Connie! Run!"
Steven summons his shield and dashes at the massive gem.
"Steven wait!" Connie yells, chasing after him.
Steven stops as citizens flee from Sugilite.
"Kid!" A citizen yells, "listien, you can't beat that thing! Run!"
"It's here for me," Steven replies, "don't worry about me. If I don't make it, just know... I appriacate you guys accepting me these last few weeks."
Steven stands in from of his titanic foe, afraid, but hiding his fear.
"Steven!" The gem roars, "where are the others!"
"You a fusion?" Steven asks, "Sapphire? You part of this?"
"Call me Sugilite kid," Sugilaite smiles, "now, listien, you have to come with me. We can show you the truth. Come with me, come back to Beach City."
Sugilite extends one of her arms, offering to carry Steven.
"What do you mean back?" Steven asks, "not that it matters. You just destroyed the boardwalk. Leave now, or else."
Sugilite laughs.
"Kid," Sugilite chuckles, "you do realize what you're facing, right? I'm a fusion. While it's not a weapon thing, it does..."
Sugilaite summons her wrecking ball.
"Have certian benefits," she finishes, "so you wanna do this the hard way?"
"Guess so," Steven replies.
Steven throws his shield, knocking off Sugilate's glasses.
"You don't get it," Sugilite asks, "do you? I'm strong. You? You're nothing!"
Sugilite slams her mighty wrecking ball into what's left of the boardwalk, sending Steven flying. He lands with a loud thud, and struggles back to his feet.
"Steven!" Connie rushes to him.
"Stay back!" Steven yells, "she's insane!"
"Steven," Connie replies, "come on. We have to go."
"I have to stop her," Steven replies, "before the gems find out. This is my fault, I was interrogating a Crysal Gen that escaped. That, that's a fusion that that particular gem is part of."
"You don't have to face her alone," Connie replies extending her arm, "let me help you."
Steven grabs Connie's hand. The two smile, and, in that moment, accidentally fuse.
Garnet is so proud of Steven, seeing him fuse not for power, but for something greater. Amethyst however, considers the possibility that they could be in trouble. The conflicting emotions cause Sugilite to split.
Garnet quickly scans potential futures. There's no way both her and Amethyst get out of this.
"Amethyst," she demands, "I've looked at the futures, and, I can't escape this. Go back to The Temple, I'll buy you time."
"I can't just abandon you!" Amethyst replies, "I'll be alone again! Like... like when I first formed."
"You'll have Pearl," Garnet reassures Amethyst, "don't worry. I can handle this."
"Steven what did you do?" Connie asks.
"Did I say that?" Steven asks, "is this fusion?"
"You can do that?" Connie asks.
"I guess," Steven replies, "come on! We can talk them!"
"What about the purple one?" Connie asks as Amethyst flees, looking back for a moment.
"Later," Steven replies, "come on!"
Stevonnie picks up Rose's sword and summons their sheild.
"You hurt my friends," Stevonnie growls, "Steven, the gems, we both have reasons to strike you down. Come on Garnet, let's end this."
"We don't have to fight," Garnet explains, "just back away, unfuse, and we'll leave."
"Hard way," Stevonnie, "or the harder way. Your call."
"It was worth a shot," Garnet sighs.
Garnet lunges with her gauntlets, Stevonnie blocks with their sheild, pushing Garnet back, leaving her wide open to a sweeping kick. This allows Stevonnie to finish Garnet off with a clean stab to the chest.
Just before she poofs, Garnet says one last thing.
"You won't shatter me," she smiles, "cause you're just like her. Some things never change. When you know the truth, Steven, head home, head to Beach City. Until then, this is goodbye."
Garnet poofs.
"What now?" Connie asks.
"Let me try this," Steven replies.
Stevonnie unfuses.
Steven bubbles Sapphire and Ruby.
"We'll handle the purple one later," Steven explains, "don't tell the gems about this."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Connie replies.
"Great," Steven replies, putting the sword and bubbles in his backpack.
"Sorry you had to see... all this," he sighs, "if you wanna leave, I understand."
"That was awesome!" Connie exclaims, "but Steven, you never did answer. Are you gonna be OK?"
Steven holds the tape.
"It all depends on what's on this tape," Steven replies, "this thing has all the answers.
"I have an old video player at my place," Connie replies, "I'll bring it next time."
"Thanks," Steven replies, "for everything."
Connie smiles and hugs Steven "Remember," she reminds him, "I'm always here for you."
Episode Eight: Warp Chase
119 days until final report.
It's a stormy day in Ocean Town Rain poors from the sky as thunder crackles with each bolt of lightening that strikes in the distance.
Steven sits in his house, watching the rain, wondering where Amethyst could be. He knows the gems won't be back for awhile, so he has time to return the contents of his backpack to Lion's mane.
Steven warps to the strawberry field. Lion greets him, as per usual.
"OK Lion," Steven explains, "I can't stay long, I'm just returning some things."
Lion kneels, allowing Steven to put the sword and bubbles into Lion's mane. Steven scratches Lion's chin and gets back on the warp pad.
"See ya Lion," he smiles before warping. Lion goes back to sleep. During the warp, the tape falls out of Steven's pocket and into warp space. "No!" He exclaims, sticking his head out to retrieve it. He grabs the tape, and that's when he notices another warp stream. It's right next to his own, no more than fifteen feet. In it, he can make out a short figure with a sturdy, compact build. Steven recognizes this as Amethyst.
"Hey!" He exclaims.
Amethyst sticks her head out of the stream, and apon seeing Steven, quickly retreats back into the warp.
"Wait!" Steven demands.
Steven leaps from his warp stream and into the other one. He gets into the stream just as the warp ends. He ends up in a purple canyon, foggy, grim, and haunting. Odd machines, broken down and left to rust, are scattered throughout the canyon.
Amethyst leaps back and summons her whip.
"You!" Steven yells, "you're one of them!"
Amethyst doesn't speak, she instead tries to flee. Steven summons his shield and throws it. Amethyst blocks with her whip. Steven gives chase. Amethyst flees as Steven throws his sheild, only to be blocked by Amethyst's whip. She loops back around and warps away.
Steven leaps into the warp before it fully enters warp space. Steven throws his shield at Amethyst mid warp, sending it into the dark abyss of warp space.
"Kid be careful!" Amethyst yells, "if anything leaves a warp, you aren't getting it back!"
"Maybe I should just push you out," Steven replies, Amethyst above him in the warp, "that would teach you to threaten Ocean Town and my friends."
The warp ends, Amethyst falls flat on her face, but quickly gets her footing. Steven immediately recognizes where they are, the strawberry field.
"Lion!" Steven yells.
Lion lets out a roar as he approaches. Amethyst summons two whips.
"Guess it's you or me," she sighs.
Amethyst strikes at Steven, if only in self defense. Steven avoids the first whip and stomps on the other. He then grabs it and pulls Amethyst by it, flipping her over his head and slamming her into the brush.
Amethyst eats a strawberry and gets back up. Lion leaps to Steven's side and summons his sword. Steven grips the blade and attacks Amethyst with a barrage of slashes.
Amethyst avoids each strike, and tries to block with her whips, only for them to be slashes into pieces.
Steven makes one last leap with all his might, in an attempt to finish Amethyst off, but at the last second, Amethyst rolls up into a ball and dashes under Steven, ending up back on the warp.
"Hey," she sighs, "listien, I don't know what you've been told, but I'm not your enemy. When you learn the truth, I recommend you run. Cause if they find out, you'll have no home to go back to. Trust me, I know a bit about that. Goodbye, Steven."
Amethyst warps and is gone before Steven can catch her. Steven sighs.
"We'll get her next time," Steven sighs, returning his sword to Lion's mane.
He decides to warp back home.
The words of the Crystal Gems seem to echo. Bismuth saying he's no better, Garnet and Amethyst saying to learn the truth, all they do is lie and attack.
Steven grips the tape. "I don't get it," he thinks aloud, "if they want me to learn the truth and go to Beach City, why are they so hostile? Am I really any better?"
Steven pockets the tape.
"If course I am," he reassures himself, "after all, unlike them, I don't shatter gems. They have to be stopped, no matter what."
Steven summons his shield and examines it, staring at his own reflection in his weapon.
"And I don't care if I have to face a hundred gems alone," he finishes...
Finale: The Tape
100 days until final report.
It's a foggy evening in Ocean Town. The town is eerily empty today, and even repairs on the boardwalk have ceased due to the weather. The fog seems to choke the town, making it lifeless and grim. The fog combined with the rolling storm clouds overhead create a sense of dread, like the whole town is holding its breath, waiting from some thing big.
Connie arrives on the beach, Steven greets her, smiling.
"Look what I got," she smiles, she takes out an old video player from her backpack, "we can see what's on that tape now."
Steven grips the tape. He remembers that it is from Rose.
"Can I watch it alone?" Steven asks, "this is from a very bad gem named Rose Quartz, who led a rebellion that I think the Crystal Gems were part of. I don't know what's on here, it could be anything."
"Steven," Connie reminds, "you don't have to do everything alone. Let me watch it with you. If there's some thing bad on this tape, viewing it alone would be a bad idea."
"Trust me," Steven replies, "you don't even want to know about the horrible things Rose did. Besides, the gems are home, I can't watch it anyways. Well, I could, but I'd need a distraction."
"I still have more questions about gems," Connie replies, "I'll distract them with that, you watch the tape."
"Sounds like a plan," Steven smiles, "thanks Connie."
"Don't mention it," Connie smiles, "as I said, I'm always here for you."
Steven and Connie head to Steven's house. Steven introduces Connie to the gems, and heads inside while Connie distracts them.
Steven connects the old video player and watches the tape. The tape opens on a beach, a fat man sleeps on the beach, with a seagull on his stomach.
"Looks like Greg made a friend," a voice chuckles.
Steven assumes this voice to be Rose. He ignores her, and focuses on the man. He looks oddly familiar. Steven feels that he's seen them before.
The video cuts and continues at a different point. The sky is now red.
"Greg," the voice explains, "I gotta go."
"OK," Greg replies, "I'll be quick. Steven, I know what's gonna happen when you're born. When you're born, your mother... won't be around anymore, but hey, don't worry. You'll have the coolest dad on this side of the cosmos!"
The person holding the camera turns it around. Steven immediately recognizes her from a photo in Lion's Mane.
"Rose," he growls under his breath.
"Steven," Rose looks into the camera, "I don't have much time. I can't let that Red Eye see me, but know, when you're born, I will die, but know, that I'll always be with you. Whenever you love yourself, that's me, loving you, and loving being you. I have to go Steven, and remember, you're never alone."
The screen goes to static. Steven ejects the tape. He looks at it. Rose is his mom. He looks outside, at the gems and Connie talking, his friends and family. He looks back at the tape. He thinks about what'd he'd lose if they knew...
Steven breaks the tape...
End of season two.
And there you have it, that's what I came up with in three weeks. As I said, I really doubt you're hiring, and even more doubtful you'd hire some dude but, at least I tried. If you read all this, then I thank you very much for doing so. Either way, I wish you a great day, and the best of luck working on Steven Universe. See ya!

So, if you've read this, and you are Rebecca sugar, you can do so at the following link. (Also, if you are about to contact me, this already went 100x times better than I could have ever hoped.)

https://www.wattpad.com/user/gen3king