"Oh man, it's been hours!" Steven groaned, growing more and more impatient as every second passes. It has been exactly 57 minutes since the gems left and poor Steven had to stay behind since it would be "too dangerous" for him. He wondered how much more peril there could be in an adventure, considering that he had already been eaten by a giant bird before.
"I can't bother Dad since he still has work and Connie is out on her tennis practice." The little boy rolled on the floor.
"I know!" He stood up. "I'll just make a copy of myself to play with!"
He pulled his shirt up, Steven began to focus very hard and used every ounce of concentration he had into making a clone. He squeezed his belly together but no matter how much he tried nothing happened, even his gem refused to glow. Tired, he tipped himself to the side and once again resumed to stare at the door with great anticipation.
Eight minutes had passed and the little boy's boredom slowly returned. He decided to finally do something, to go after the Gems. Sure, he might get an earful from Pearl but at least it's better than nothing. He stood before the door and began to rub his belly against it. Neither a glow nor even a spark appeared. Once again, Steven failed.
All of a sudden, thin gray lines crept on the door, making odd shapes and symbols. The door then opened, revealing a cave filled with orange crystals. It was silent, too silent.
"This is new." He muttered.
"Hey guys, you there?" The boy called out.
No response.
"Can I go inside?" He asked once again.
No response.
"Okay, can I not go inside?" Steven made a mischievous smile.
No response.
"I'll take that as a yes!"
He slowly placed his right foot inside, waiting for any of the Gems' voices to scold him. Steven then placed his other foot in and now he's inside the cave. He turned around and kept his gaze on the door. Steven kept on muttering something over and over again.
"Please don't close. Please don't close. Please don't close."
The door then closes.
"OH, COME ON!" Steven cried out.
He looked back on to the place where he ended up. There were orange crystals over here, orange crystals over there and orange crystals everywhere. In fact there was nothing but these crystals. Steven wandered around aimlessly, looking for the Gems or at least anyone in that matter.
"Hello, anyone here?" Steven called out.
There was nothing but silence.
"Hey guys? I'm here, where are you?"
The crystals then glowed as if reacting to his calls.
"Is someone there? Another gem? Please clarify my assumptions." A mellow voice responded.
"It's me, Steven, Steven Quartz Universe."
"My goodness! There is someone else here." The voice was overjoyed. "But how did you find your way here?"
"I was looking for my friends and the temple door opened and I wound up here. I hope I'm not bothering you."
Steven stumbled upon a crystalline tree and a woman was seated underneath it. She was smiling, happy to have found herself some company.
"Where are you?" The stranger asked.
"Uh, right here in front of you."
"Oh."
"Wait, you can't see?" Steven asked.
"You are correct, I am blind."
The mysterious lady looked up and revealed what she had for eyes. Gems were there on each socket and both of them seemed to be damaged. Steven waved his hand right in front of her and she didn't react even a little bit.
"Hi, I'm Steven, but you know that already, and you are?"
"Oh dear, my apologies, I am Spinel, a pleasure to meet you." The stranger stood up and bowed down.
"So you're Spinel, nice to meet you too. Anyway, have you seen any of my friends around?"
"Your friends?"
"Well yeah, Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst, especially Amethyst, it's impossible to not hear Amethyst." Steven chuckled.
"She seems to be a pleasant companion."
"Yeah, and even though Pearl and Amethyst keep on arguing, I know they care for each other."
Steven kept on talking on and on and Spinel kept on listening attentively. The little boy kept on acting out his experiences, ignoring the fact that his companion was blind but Spinel didn't want to mess with his "funky flow" so she merely left it that way. Their conversation lasted for quite a while before Steven even realized it.
"I forgot about the time!" Steven clutched his hair. "They must be looking for me now!"
"Indeed they must be."
"Sorry Spinel but I really need to go now. Can you show me the way out?"
"Ummm…." Spinel was playing with her long, straight hair.
"What's the problem?"
"If I must be truly honest with you, I do not know." She bit her lip. "I have been here for a long time and my disability prevents me to find a way to escape.
"WHAAAAAT!?" Steven couldn't help but scream his lungs out. "You mean we're trapped here!?"
"Well there is a glimmer of hope in all of this. I could not get out since I was alone but your presence might change that." Spinel clasped her hands. "Now, how did you get here?"
"I'll lead you to it." Steven did not understand most of what Spinel said but he knew what he needed to do. He took her hand and led the lady to the door. Steven tried forcing it to open to no avail.
"Have you tried using your gem Steven?" Spinel asked.
"You see, I still can't use my gem, so…" Steven patted his belly.
"Try it anyway."
Steven turned his sights to Spinel, who was obliviously facing the wall. Once again, he gave it all of his focus open to door. This time his gem glowed for a little bit but ultimately failed to open the door.
"No! Now I can never go home, I won't see Pearl again, I can't play with Amethyst and Dad, an-and I can't tell Connie that I-I, that I…" Steven rambled with tears slowly building in his eyes.
"Have faith Steven, everything will be fine. Try again but this time just be calm and think about your home."
Steven mustered enough strength to start once again. He thought of happy memories that he had with his family and friends. Slowly his gem lit up and thin gray lines began to form figures on the door. It rumbled as it slowly opened and freedom was in sight.
"I did it!" The victorious little boy raised his fist as he did a little dance.
"So you have." Spinel clapped, still facing the wrong direction.
"Well, let's go now!" Steven grabbed her hand and began dragging the poor lady inside.
Spinel refused to move, frozen in place. She pulled her hands towards herself, her slender fingers danced with each other.
"What's the matter? Did you forget something inside?" The little gem asked.
"Oh no, it's just… Do you think I am welcome here? Spinel coiled her hair around a finger.
"I'm pretty sure you are very-"
The front door swung open and the Crystal Gems rushed inside. They rushed to Steven the moment they saw him. Pearl quickly hugged while Amethyst tousled his hair. Garnet on the other hand kept her gaze on the stranger by the door.
"Steven! Where were you? I have been worried sick!" Pearl couldn't help herself.
"Don't worry Pearl; I just went somewhere that's all." Steven responded.
"Where is this somewhere exactly?" Amethyst asked, raising a brow.
"Somewhere he shouldn't have been." Garnet pointed at the still open door.
Everyone's eyes were turned towards Spinel. There was a moment of silence, both sides waiting for the other to speak up.
"Steven did you order pizza?" said Amethyst.
"Everyone, I'd like to introduce Spinel, my new friend." Steven cheerily announced.
"Steven, aren't you a bit too young to be bringing home girls?" Amethyst continued.
"I thought you have learned your lesson Steven, wasn't the incident with Lapis Lazuli enough of a warning?" Pearl eyed Spinel suspiciously.
"But she's harmless. See." Steven waved his hand in front of the stranger's face.
"So she can't see this then?"
Amethyst proceeds to go towards Spinel and started to make goofy faces. The newcomer wasn't all too oblivious though, the playful gem's spit was practically raining on her face.
"Amethyst!" Pearl yelled. "That's very rude of you."
"Come on Pearl, we needed proof!"
"I believe you must be Amethyst." Spinel wiped her face. "I see what Steven meant by "fun"."
"Hah, I believe the proper word would be obnoxious." Pearl remarked.
"Guys, guys, can Spinel stay here with us? She's all alone in there and I think she's lonely being trapped there." Steven pleaded.
"By any chance, where did you come from?" Pearl peered at the door. "Also, how long were you in there?"
Spinel couldn't speak but the Gems knew the answer. Her antiquated way of speaking and her long sleeved dress was enough evidence that certainly she came from era that has been long gone.
"Honestly, I could not recall, but I think it has been a while." She responded.
"Can she stay here please?" Steven pleaded.
"Eh, I don't really care." Amethyst answered.
"Well… I guess it wouldn't hurt." Pearl responded.
Garnet finally spoke.
"No."