Alone

Edited and Proofread By: RDasher12

Grammar Nazi'd By: Nova C.

It was a gloomy day, rainy, an inside kind of day, a rain even Garnet couldn't predict. The rhythmic pitter-patter on the roof of the barn was almost soothing. Lapis slept this day away, and Peridot watched over her dutifully. Peridot felt the need to do so every time it rained, prior experiences with water not being fond to the blue gem. She denied this time and time again to try and keep everyone from thinking too deeply into her and Lapis.

Back and forth she would march, taking voice logs for documentation. It was sweet in a way.

"Last weeks reconnaissance from Homeworld hit us hard. Thankfully they haven't returned yet. I have been on guard as any gem would be. Their spies made out with blueprint for a weapon powerful enough to shatter any gem in the blink of an eye." She was talking about the Breaking Point-a weapon so powerful it could shatter any gem. Peridot especially was on edge; she had called her former diamond a clod after all. She would pace for hours pondering on how to react once Yellow Diamond sent for her shards.

In the temple, the rain wasn't much different-making its natural symphony. The screen door didn't provide much resistance towards the falling water; the floor near the door was soaked. The rest of the Crystal Gems were making a game plan of their own.

Garnet was in her room of the temple meditating to try and foresee any possible futures that would be useful to know. It was quiet when nobody else was in their rooms of the temple; a rare occasion that gave a wonderful chance for her to clear her head and relax. She was composed of two gems: Ruby and Sapphire. Rubies, back on homeworld, were common foot soldiers-pawns on the chessboard of battle. Sapphires were aristocratic gems. This particular Sapphire was a former member of Blue Diamond's council. Garnet as a whole couldn't focus today, and she wasn't sure why.

Pearl was pacing back and forth frantically trying to think of the safest option for Steven. that was always the first thought that ran through her head in any dangerous situation. She worried too much and thought at times that she bored Steven. Ever since Rose Quartz became Steven, she felt it was her sworn duty to protect Steven-more so than the others at any cost.

Amethyst, well, she receded into her gem a week prior and still had yet to re-form. Nobody was sure why she went into her gem-nobody but her. When she learned Homeworld had taken the blueprints, she pinned all the blame on herself. She was off doing her own thing: only worrying about herself, and what food she could eat. It was too much for the little gem to handle. The pure emotional distress it had thrown her into her gem; there she stayed to try and cope.

Steven was on the couch; his young mind not sure what to do with the situation. He had been through much more than anyone could've gone through in a lifetime. He grew up never knowing his mother, only learning bits and pieces recently. He had managed to zone out. He never enjoyed rain. It confined him to his home; but in times like these, the ambiance that came with it was welcome.

"We'll have to keep him in Rose's room, but what if they find a way in? They could release all of the bubbles we have or worse. Maybe if Amethyst came back she could fuse with Steven. Then they would both be safer, but what if we need Alexandrite or even Sugilite?" Pearl ranted. Steven stared blankly at the ceiling. He heard her talking, but didn't truly listen to it; he was too wrapped up in his own thoughts.

"I need to talk to Garnet; maybe she will know what to do." He thought to himself.

"How would I get to her room though? I've only been in there once, and it was not a fun ride from Pearl's room down. Would Pearl even let me into room? Would Garnet let me into hers?"

Hours passed. Steven could feel himself slowly going crazy; he hadn't moved from the couch the whole time. Pulling himself off the couch, he heard his stomach growl. Maybe some food would help clear his mind. As he stood up he got a bit light headed. It happened from time to time, and only when he didn't move for a large amount of time, so it didn't phase him. Pearl was still talking to herself, thinking of plans and promptly pointing out the flaws in each. She was so enthralled in trying to brainstorm that she didn't even notice Steven walking towards the kitchen. He opened the cabinet and saw an unopened bag of Chaaaaps brand potato chips, his favorite, and walked back over to the couch. He continued his thoughts, this time with flavor.

Garnet stepped out of her room, and Steven perked up. "Garnet, can we talk? I have a lot on my mind."

Garnet beckoned him over towards the door into the temple. "Of course Steven. Step into my office." The door opened and revealed her room; she was trying to bring humor even in the dark times.

They seated themselves in front of the lava pit ever burning on the center of the room. "Now, what's on your mind?" Garnet asked, a bit concerned.

"Why hasn't Amethyst come back? Don't you only recede into your gems when your physical forms take too much damage? " Steven asked.

Garnet sighed. "I don't know, Steven. I wish I could tell you but I just don't know." This wasn't the answer Steven expected. Surely Garnet knew. She had to; she was so smart.

"Can you give me your future vision? I want to know if it'll get better." Steven begged.

"Sure Steven. What kind of gem would I be if I didn't?" She didn't want to tell him she had been having trouble with it, and she wasn't sure if it would work for him, but she said she would. Planting a kiss upon his forehead, she expected the worst.

The Burning Room faded around Steven as it slowly became very dark. It was still raining. He could feel the sand from the beach under his feet-wet and together from the rain. His eyes were finally adjusting to the change in light when he saw Garnet, fighting something, but he couldn't see what or who.

To his surprise, Amethyst was running towards Garnet, pulling her whip from her gem and ready to attack. There was someone running behind her-another foe? He couldn't make out who it was. They were about the same height as Amethyst, and keeping up pace from a steady distance behind.

Just before he could see who it was, the vision faded and the light from the lava pit blinding him. "Now run along young man. I need to focus." Garnet didn't really want him to leave. She wanted to know what he saw; it ate away at her. Steven nodded and walked back out of her room. He had more questions than before and he just wanted answers.

It was late; he had stayed in Garnet's room longer than he had thought. "I'm just gonna go sleep. Maybe my mind will be clear in the morning." He muttered to himself. Pearl was still talking to herself, and Amethyst was still resting on the counter in her gem.

Trudging upstairs he fell onto his bed-at least the space that Lion wasn't taking up. "I've had a bit of a rough day, so if you need to throw up any space lizards, please don't do it on the bed." Lion just rested his head back down and yawned. He wanted to sleep, but he was up for a while. Who was the figure behind Amethyst? How long had she been back for, and what brought her back? Eventually he drifted off to sleep, letting his dreams keep him in a much needed sanctuary from his thoughts.

He awoke in a rather unpleasant way. Amethyst was shaking him vigorously and screaming. "Come on, get up Steven! Homeworld came back hard! Let's go kick their butts as Smoky Quartz!" Steven was up from that point on- a transformation from groggy to battle ready in mere seconds. Amethyst was farther ahead than he was, then it hit him. He was the one behind her in his vision-it was happening now.

He saw Amethyst draw her whip and coil it around an unknown assailant. "Wait," Steven said to himself. "An Agate, but not Holly Blue from when we saved Dad." She had a similar weapon to Holly Blue. It was a much shorter whip with multiple appendages-all with barbed tips: a cat-o-nine-tails. Then he saw Garnet in a tussle with a Jasper. He looked at where her nose would be and saw a normal nose-no gem, or crash helmet. Panic set in as he looked at the Jasper's hands. She hadn't a sword, nor an axe, not even a morning star. No, he knew that weapon all too well. No wonder Garnet was dodging so much. A tear ran down his face. Homeworld was cruel. He fell to his knees, frozen with shock. This Jasper had the Breaking Point. He couldn't look away.

"How do I get her off of me? She's so nimble; all I can do is dodge." Garnet had that thought and many more racing through her head. With a swift kick Garnet sent the Jasper tumbling away, and bouncing across the sand. She heard Amethyst behind her. She was back, and she was also fighting another Homeworld gem Garnet didn't see-an Agate, a shade of royal yellow.

Then she saw Steven-tears streaming down his face. She felt something inside her break. There was so much to upset him so quickly.

She saw his mouth moving and then heard a loud "Garnet, look out!" Turning back around, she saw the Jasper was a charging at her, having readied the Breaking Point. She was too close and hadn't realized she had reacted until she caught the blow thrown by the Breaking Point with her left hand. Jasper smiled as the Breaking Point's plunger extended out, followed by a loud metal clang as it went swiftly back into its original place. Jasper pulled away, a wicked grin spread across her face.

Garnet looked down at her gauntlet covered hand. A large hole had punctured even through the tough gauntlet. She flickered, and then fell. Her physical form kept flickering, until Garnet was no longer Garnet. Ruby gave Sapphire a loving embrace as she crumbled and was no more. Sapphire was alone.

End of Part One