Nighttime settled in on the sleepy town of Beach City. All the lights in the town were off, save for a select few stores who stayed up late, much to their employees disdain. But on the far side of the beach, where no one dared to venture...
Steven was gettng ready for bedtime!
The half-Gem jumped into his bed, tired as ever. He just came back from an emergency mission with the Gems that took up the entire day, and while Pearl wanted nothing more than to retreat into her room, it was her turn to tuck in Steven. She did so and gave him a little kiss before standing up from his bed and leaving.
"Hey, uh, Pearl?" Steven said. Pearl stopped in her tracks and turned around. "Yes, Steven?"
"Can you tell me a bedtime story?"
"Oh, Steven, you know you're too old for those silly stories." Pearl said, really wanting to just leave and do what she does best-organize.
"Well, yeah, I know, I just wanted to, uh...know more about Homeworld."
The Gem froze. Why would Steven want to know about Homeworld? Pearl thought. I guess it had to happen sooner or later, but..."I just...don't think you're ready." She finally said.
Steven frowned. "What do you mean? I'm totally ready!" He pumped his fist into the air to prove it. "I've seen the Kindergarten, a-and those creepy cluster thingies! I can handle it!"
She thought it over for a bit. Steven could almost see gears turning inside her head. After a while, Pearl sighed in defeat and turned to face Steven. "I guess I can tell you a little..."
"Yeah, story for Steven!" He crawled into his sheets excitedly. Pearl sat down on the edge of his bed.
"It started when Jade pulled me out of those walls..."
~Q~
She was confused. Very confused. She was lying in the wall, naked, while a strange person stood in front of her. "My name is Jade," she said slowly, "I am a Gem, and you are a Gem too. You are a Pearl. Can you say pearl?"
"Pearl," Pearl said. Amazed, she repeated it again and again. "Pearl, pearl, pearl..."
"Very good!" Jade praised, and Pearl felt a little good inside. "You will serve and obey Pink Diamond. Can you say diamond?"
"Diamond," Pearl echoed, and she started to say that over and over again as well. The corners of Jade's lips were raised into a smile, and she extended her hand. Pearl took it and stepped out of...wherever she was. She took in her surroundings: she and Jade appeared to be in some sort of cave. It was incredibly small, too small to hold the both of them, and the only light that illuminated the area was the faint, green glow the gem on Jade's chest seemed to eminate.
"Put this on," Jade ordered, giving Pearl a white dress and nothing more. "You put it over your head. No, not like that. Put your arm in the small hole...there we go. You learn quickly!"
The sundress only reached Pearl's knees and felt rather uncomfortable. "Come with me," Jade said, and entered a narrow passageway that Pearl hadn't noticed until now. They stepped onto some sort of platform, pushed a button, and soon they were rising out of the ground. "Listen, over the next few days you will be learning about Homeworld, Pink Diamond and your role. Pay very close attention, because any small mishap can get you shattered. Believe me, I almost-I mean-!" She stopped talking and silently waited for the elevator to reach its destination. Pearl didn't reply. She simply stood there and waited for the world to appear before her.