It was another perfectly cloudy day as Steven Universe conducted his usual training routine at the Sky Arena. Connie had to study for a massive exam and had to miss the exercise, yet he still had the Crystal Gems for company. In fact, all of them had come to this particular session. Pearl was standing just a few feet to Steven's right, giving her usual unending stream of support and constructive criticism as Steven performed the various swordplay maneuvers against her specially programmed Holo-Pearl. "That's it Steven! Keep your stance firm! Watch out for her parry!"
The other gems were lounging on the arena's elongated benches. Garnet took the front row, silently looking on as her pride and joy demonstrated his improved shills with his mother's blade and shield. To her left sat Amethyst who was munching on a bag of chips and hollering her routine assortment of trash talk and compliments. "Come on, Steven! Show that holo-fool who's the BOSS!"
Towards the back of the ring sat Peridot and Lapis Lazuli who had warped in just for the occasion. Lapis remained perched with a placid smile on her face while Peridot was clearly ignoring the combat in favor of analyzing the arena for any inspiration for another of her "meep-morps." As the spark struck, she leaned into Lapis' right ear to begin whispering her plan as the training continued. "Psst! Lapis! I've got a great idea! We make a replica of the sword out of some old plow blades, get some pink paint and have them slice through bands of light reflected off some mirrors to signify the holographic target! Pretty brilliant, huh?"
"Peridot, do you mind? I've never seen Steven fight before and I'd like to watch. Besides, wouldn't hedge-clippers make a better blade?"
"Touché" muttered Peridot as she realized her idea was trumped, rolling her eyes in defeat. Oblivious to the chatter behind him, Steven was absorbed with the simulated battle as he countered and blocked all of the holographic attacker's blows. With his shield in one hand and his mother's prized blade in the other, Steven was finally building confidence in his abilities. After all the chaos the past few months had thrown at him from Bismuth, Jasper and an encounter with that hardhearted Ruby in space, he felt an insatiable drive to improve his skills so the next Gem he faced could be helped. He knew their faults were not his cause, but he could not help but notice a twinge of heartache every time he saw their faces within his mind. Although Garnet's meditations were a great comfort, he wished to never let the same fate befall the next Gem they faced. Instead she could be reformed, healed and befriended so that way they not only averted a crisis but also gained a new companion like Peridot or Lapis. As this contemplation stirred in the recesses of his mind, his honed instincts saw an opportunity to force Holo-Pearl to drop her sword. As she pushed in for a thrust, Steven thrusted his blade into the hilt of his opponent, then twisted to catch the blade under wrist where she had no choice but to drop her weapon. Click! The maneuver struck, the audience froze in amazement and the translucent swordswoman had no other option but to relinquish her cutlass. "Match set. Challenger wins. Level three complete." Steven's eyes widened with wonderment and the gems went ballistic with praise.
"Nicely done" said Garnet
"YEEEEAAHHH! STEVEEEEEN!" shouted Amethyst
"Wow! Way to go, Steven!" exclaimed Lapis
"May I implore you to pose for a meep-morp? Please?" asked Peridot
Steven could not help but blush from the boatloads of praise he was getting. As Pearl stepped in to congratulate Steven for finally progressing to the next level, the hologram faded and the excitable hybrid could only smile sheepishly as he caught his breath. "Alright everybody that ends today's training. I would like to thank you all for attending for moral support. Especially since this marks another breakthrough for his training. Steven, for your excellent technique today, you get TWO prizes from the Pearl Prize Pouch!"
As she went to collect the pouch, Pearl became confused as the receptacle was nowhere in sight. "That's odd. Steven, just relax and get rehydrated while I warp back to get your reward!"
Once Pearl beamed back to the temple, Steven took a seat on the lowest bench and began drinking from the juice box he brought. Wiping the sweat off his brow, he could not ignore the pride welling inside him. For weeks now, Steven had had his doubts about living in the shadow of his mother Rose Quartz and always questioning his own worth. Not today. All the apprehension that was welled up in him had evaporated. As the other Gems patted him on the back and rattled on about what an excellent combatant he was becoming, he could almost see his mother smiling on him his well. The gem in his navel seemed to be warming him… literally. Before long, his rose quartz become unbearably hot and sweat began streaming down his face even more profusely than during his training. His sword fell to the ground with a sharp clang and an awful groan spewed from his mouth as he collapsed on the ground. "Steven, are you alright?" inquired Peridot "Is it typical of humans to resume perspiration after strenuous physical activity?"
Taking a quick glance at Garnet and Amethyst's distraught expressions, her question was answered without a word. As his temperature rose, Pearl came back in with her pouch which she dropped immediately upon realizing the situation. The Gems clustered around him, fretting over his state until the perspiration faded as briskly as it came. In only seconds Steven was back on his feet, shooing off the overprotective onslaught. "Guys, I'm okay. Really! I probably just pushed myself too hard."
"Alright then" said Pearl who held a distinctly baffled tone in her typically eloquent voice "Steven, next time we'll make a note to work on pacing. For now, pick out your prizes and we'll all head back to the temple."
"Yay!" shouted Steven as he dashed over to the fallen pouch and retrieved a bright yellow harmonica and a Sailor Moon figurine. Whether his speed was the result of his burgeoning abilities or pure exaltation is any Gem's guess. While he admired his newest trinkets, his family made their way to the warp pad waiting for him to send them home. "Steven! Isn't the warp master going to take us all home?" asked Garnet
Bashful as he was from her comment, Steven sheathed his sword, collected his knickknacks and ran to the warp pad, looking forward to a relaxing day with his daily exercises complete. Once he had rejoined the collection of Gems he loved, he spread his hands apart causing a blue glow to wash over them as they were whisked back to the temple in seconds flat.