Based on the theory that Pearl belonged to White Diamond. Also as an added twist, belief that White Diamond has a certain mind control ability over the other gems, especially gems made for her. As we continue to learn the main plot I am absolutely sure everyone will laugh at this and point out all the ways I'm wrong. But for now, I hope you enjoy this mini-series.

Stevonnie

We had fallen into a trap. Garnet, Amethyst and us – myself – Stevonnie, all couldn't move. Pearl was the only one on the platform ahead and White Diamond was glaring down on us from above. She was even bigger than Blue and Yellow. Her eyes felt like they were stabbing right through me.

White Diamond's voice boomed and echoed throughout the chamber, "Pearl, so good to see you after all of these years."

I could see Pearl shaking and her breathing become erratic. I tried to yell but my whole body felt so frozen I couldn't even speak.

White Diamond continued, "You have been tainted by these criminals for far too long Pearl. It is time for you to come back to your Diamond. Kneel, my Pearl."

Pearl strained and gasped, "N-No, I'm not your Pearl anymore!"

I heard Connie's voice in our head, "Wait, Pearl used to belong to White Diamond?!"

"I- I guess so. She never really talked much about before the war." I replied.

White Diamond laughed, it made my chest feel tight and my stomach jump, "Well, well, it seems they have taught you a bit about strength haven't they Pearl. You've never been able to resist my direct orders in person before. Even, temporarily. NOW KNEEL!"

Even I felt the urge to kneel, and I couldn't move. I heard Connie's thoughts, "Steven, what is this?! How is she controlling us?"

"I-I don't know! I feel it too though! I don't like it!"

Pearl cried out and fell to one knee, but she kept her head up. She was gritting her teeth and she started to cry. Something about seeing her in tears snapped me out of White Diamond's control for a moment and I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "PEARL! You're strong in the REAL WAY!"

White Diamond laughed again, "How quaint. Let me show you what true strength is. Pearl, when you kneel to me you are to look down, face the dirt that you are equal with."

Pearl was looking at me though and she smiled. She mouthed thank you and suddenly stood to her feet and screamed, "NO! I BELONG TO NO ONE!" She shot a beam from her spear that destroyed the control for the devices that paralyzed us and said to Garnet, "Plan B!" Then White Diamond poofed her with a single finger and plucked her gem from the ground.

"Pearl!" I yelled and tried to rush forward, but Garnet stopped me and grabbed Amethyst.

"We have to go!"

I pushed past Garnet and tried to go for White Diamond, but I felt Garnet's karate chop the back of my neck and heard, "I'm sorry Stevonnie, we have to leave her," then everything went dark.

Steven

I woke up on the Sun Incinerator with Connie next to me, still unconscious. "Connie!"

"She's okay Steven," Garnet came over, "you two just separated after I knock you out."

"Wait! What about Pearl?"

Amethysts looked away and Garnet sat down, "Steven, Pearl thought White Diamond's invitation to peace talks might be a trap. And my future vision confirmed this was both likely and that White Diamond was after Pearl. So we created two plans, A was to signal that Pearl believed she could make it out with us, and B was for us to leave her behind."

"We tried to talk her out of it," Amethyst added, "but she said the chance, even slim, that White Diamond did actually want a peaceful solution was worth the risk."

I was so angry I started to cry, "Why didn't you tell me any of this! We're a team! I thought you guys had finally started trusting me!"

"We do Steven! It's just, well…" Amethyst looked to Garnet.

"Steven, this is war. Sometimes we work together with complete transparency…and sometimes you have to make a plan that sacrifices some to protect the rest. Pearl understood this, and she asked we didn't include you because she didn't want you to have to shoulder the burden of willingly leave her behind. And because…honestly, in all of the futures that I saw this was a trap, we were all shattered, except for the scenario where Pearl overcame White Diamond's control, and it ended with Pearl being shattered. It was so improbable that White Diamond would simply destroy Pearl's physical form and take her gem. We didn't have a plan for that, and I couldn't use my Future Vision since we had pool hopped. So, I made the decision to protect who I could. It was what Pearl wanted – especially since you joined us instead of staying to protect the ship."

"We can get her back though right? I mean, we've done plenty of things that we were told is impossible, so why would this be any different," Amethyst didn't look completely convinced as she spoke.

"I don't know." Garnet said flatly. "This timeline is too improbable."

I covered my face with my hands, "…but, what will happen to Pearl?"

"We had a right to know how dangerous this mission was," Connie had regained consciousness.

"Connie! Are you okay?" I turned to her and wiped away a tear.

"Steven and I, we had a right to know! And we had a right to know that we might lose Pearl. I get that we would have felt really bad leaving her behind on purpose…but we had the right to know! Pearl taught me everything she knew about being a knight, I would have understood! I would have," Connie started crying, "we have to get her back. We have to save her."

Pearl

I hadn't expected to have to reform. I debated holding off for a while. I didn't know what White Diamond had in store for me, but I was certain it would be unpleasant. My worry if Steven and the others made it out safely wouldn't let me remain idle though. I hastily thought about my appearance, I decided to keep about the same outfit, except under the star I added the original Crystal Gems symbol that emblazoned our flag back in the war, embroidery that circled around my torso right above my teal sash. I hoped it would enrage White Diamond…or at least irritated her ever so slightly.

With a flash of light I took a breath and saw I was in a cell. It was very different than the one on the ship Peridot and Jasper had come to Earth with. Everything was white, and there were strange markings that looked similar to a circuit board on the floor. The same field that disintegrated gems' physical bodies kept me trapped. There was no escape. I looked at every inch anyway, just in case. All I could see outside of my cell was a small room and a stairwell.

The cell began to shake and then shot upwards like an elevator. When it stopped, I was at White Diamonds feet.

"Well, well. Look at you, boldly displaying the mark of a traitor. Were you hoping to illicit a response from me Pearl?" White Diamond smirked.

I felt tiny. Powerless. I always struggled with the feeling that I am nothing on my own, but I forgot how suffocating that feeling was in the presence of her. There was this…instinct to devote myself and adore this giant being before me. Survival instincts perhaps, in Earthling terms. That natural understanding of one lower on the chain than the apex predator, complete with fear. Although, I suppose a lamb never loved the wolf that slaughtered her. I exhaled sharply from this internal turmoil, my devotion to Rose, to S., to Steven, the Crystal Gems, Earth, my freedom, and the emotions designed within me to follow every whim of the being before me. I started crying again without wanting to. I despised my inability to contain my emotions the way Garnet could for what was surely the millionth time.

"Oh Pearl, my precious Pearl," White Diamond gently caught one of my tears on the tip of her finger, which was easily as large as my entire head. I flinched away from her and cursed myself for not noticing that she had dropped the field that comprised my cell door. "You don't have to fear me Pearl," she leaned leisurely back in her throne, crossed her legs and intertwined her fingers. "Do you know why you are here?"

I ignored her question and tried to will my legs to run. Escape. Take advantage of the lowered door.

"Pearl," she began in a quiet, sing-song voice and then switched to a stern, pointed tone, "I asked you a question. Do – you – know – why – you – are – here?"

I felt the distantly familiar gnawing at the back of my skull, my master's – no, HER will forcing itself upon my own. I involuntarily stuttered, "I- I d-don't know. I- I just reformed to learn what h-happened to the others."

White Diamond raised an eyebrow, puzzled for a moment, and then smiled, "Oh, you mean those rebels from Earth. I let them go. They are Yellow and Blue's problem to solve. They can return to that doomed planet all they like. It is nothing of consequence to me."

I smiled and briefly felt a weight lift off my chest.

"That wasn't my question though Pearl. Do you KNOW WHY YOU ARE HERE?"

Again I was crushed under the strength of her will. "N-no! I have no idea what you want with me. I don't understand why you didn't just shatter me!"

"Shatter you?" White Diamond laughed, "Why? Because you decided to become a part of some half-baked rebellion on a backwater colony? Oh Pearl, I figured you had become corrupted in Diamond Trio attack. Even then, I wanted to extract you before the final assault, but the situation simply did not allow it. Now though, I know you are alive. I saw the footage of that fiasco of a 'rescue' you and your little companions pulled at the human zoo. I was so thrilled when I saw you, especially as you gloated over Holly Blue. Yellow and Blue have absolutely no idea the little scheme you pulled under their noses, they were too busy wallowing in their own sorrow and self-importance. But I saw. And I saw a Pearl, exceeding the limitations of her design. My Pearl of course. And naturally I decided I needed to bring you back under my care. Hone these newly evolved skills you discovered for the betterment of all gem-kind."

"You-your'e wasting your time if you think I will ever follow you again." I managed to squeak out under the crushing tides of her control.

"You say that now," the door reappeared around my cell and I despaired that I had not taken the opportunity to try and escape, "let's see what you think in a week or so." White diamond pressed a control near my cell and electricity surged through my entire physical form. It wasn't enough to cause me to retreat into my gem, but it pained me more than anything I had ever experienced. I didn't even realize I was screaming until what felt like a few minutes in.

… To be continued.