Author's Note

I'm not dead! I have been busy writing, but haven't posted any of it.

I can't believe I've been gone this long—long enough to get immersed in a whole other fandom. For months.

This is actually my most recent Steven Universe story, but if I remember correctly, this is the first one I've posted, so... yeah.

Warning: Hopefully you didn't need your heart, because it's going to get shattered.

Without Her

By Pikminsanity

Steven Universe fanfic

A tragic accident results in loss for the Crystal Gems. How do they cope? Will they be able to move on?

It was undeniable. There was a deep gash across her gem, impossible to ignore. It would spread, separating and ultimately destroying her Gem. Pearl wouldn't make it.

"Steven, I'm sorry," she whispered when the young hybrid first found out what happened. "I won't make it, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." she repeated, her voice becoming shaky with tears.

Steven ran toward her and embraced her in one final goodbye hug. "It's okay, I'll hold onto you..." It would be nice, Steven thought, if he could still activate his healing powers. But he couldn't. And now he was here, saying his last goodbyes to one of his closest friends.

Amethyst, Garnet, and Peridot appeared behind them, at a distance. Each was visibly upset.

A silence fell over the Gems. It was Amethyst who broke it, finally bursting into tears and dashing forward to embrace Pearl and Steven. Peridot and Garnet slowly joined them, the five Crystal Gems united for one last moment.

"Don't forget me..." Pearl murmured. "Don't stop fighting. Don't give up, don't give in to Homeworld's wishes. Don't forget... why you are... a Crystal Gem."

As she uttered these final words, a shard fell from her forehead, indicating that she had been shattered, and as her physical form faded away for the last time, she looked up at Steven and offered a small smile.

The Gems were stunned. She was gone. She wasn't coming back.

Something landed onto the floor in front of them. Steven picked it up. It was a letter, folded in quarters and slightly torn at the edges. On the outside, it read: To the Crystal Gems.

"She left us a note," Steven said, unfolding the paper to read what lay inside.

To my fellow Crystal Gems,

If you are reading this, I must have been shattered.

I wrote this message in the hopes that you would find it after I was broken. I intend to store it in my gem and bring it with me in case I do end up shattered. The longer I have to hold on to it, means I have lived longer.

There are some things I may or may not have gotten the chance to tell you before I... you know.

Don't forget me. I hope I can still be of use as you try to figure out how to revive shattered gems.

Please don't give up on your team. All of you. I couldn't imagine what would happen if Homeworld were able to take over Earth.

Don't forget why you are a Crystal Gem. Our main goal is to protect Earth from harm caused by Gems. We have all gone against Homeworld in order to do just that.

To Steven

I am extremely proud of how far you've come. You are a valuable member of the team and an incredible Gem. Never forget that you are needed, you are loved.

Teary-eyed and speechless, Steven read and reread his paragraph. He would never, ever forget this message. He promised himself.

To Amethyst

I'm sorry. I'm sorry for every time I ever made you feel like a mistake. I value you as a teammate and as a friend. You are extremely important to me and always will be. I'm sorry I never say that as often as I should. Please continue to fight and be strong and contribute to the team, as you always have. I'm proud of you.

Amethyst, at first, couldn't believe her eyes. "I'm sorry too!" she wailed, wishing she could have had the time to tell Pearl that face-to-face.

To Garnet

Thank you, for every time you reminded me of who I am. Sometimes, I feel weak, worthless, but you have reminded me of what I contribute to the team. Thank you.

Garnet recalled a couple of occasions Pearl could be referring to, but the most prominent one was the Sardonyx incident. Garnet remembered several times when Pearl had felt useless, and being concerned that she might do something to herself, things she didn't want to imagine. She was glad that had not happened. She was glad Pearl had continued to fight and be strong.

There was another paragraph, scribbled in less neatly, and in a different color of pen. It must have been added in later than the rest of the letter.

To Peridot

I'm proud of you for standing up against Yellow Diamond. You are a valuable and important addition to the Crystal Gems. I know we may have disagreed in the past but I have forgiven you, and I hope that you will do the same for me.

"I do, I do!" Peridot sobbed. "I'm sorry... And thank you..." Peridot couldn't describe what she felt towards Pearl. She still had a lot to learn. She wished, though, that she had had more time to bond with Pearl. She wouldn't admit it, never, but she quite appreciated this Pearl.

As Steven, standing in the middle of the Gems, finished reading the message, his voice quiet and trembling and sobbing, he hugged the paper to his chest and let himself fall down onto his knees. He couldn't believe, refused to believe that this was happening, that she was gone for good.

Author's Note

Next update will possibly take a while, possibly not. Hard to tell as of yet.