A Whole New World

Chapter One: Only A Memory

"Pearl…" Came a strong yet gentle voice.

"Yes?" Pearl's head shot up from a downward position, wide eyes staring at the taller Gem's face.

"I'm going to stay and fight for the planet. You don't have to do this with me." Rose Quartz said, looking at the smaller with sadness in her eyes.

"But I want to!" Pearl exclaimed, knowing that this could go a few ways. Rose could dismiss her and make her stay out of this or allow Pearl to make her own decision.

"I know you do." Rose looked down, her voice heavy with emotion. "Please, please understand; if we lose, we'll be killed and if we win? We can never go home."

"Hah," Pearl scoffed slightly. "Why would I ever want to go home…if you're here?"

Rose's eyes went wide for a second then went to normal, a smile playing her features. Holding a hand out for Pearl, Rose looked at her little warrior. Pearl's eyes went wide themselves and looked from the outstretched hand, to Rose's face and back to the hand.

"My Pearl," Rose said softly. "You're wonderful." With that said, Pearl grabbed Rose's hand and laced their fingers together.

At this action, the world around Rose and Pearl turned black, the ground slowly crumbling under their feet. Gasping, Pearl stood up and looked at Rose. The taller Gem looked at Pearl, smiling more.

"Rose, what's going on? What's happening?!" Pearl asked as she pressed closer to her idol, eyes full of fear. Suddenly she was being pulled away from Rose, more fear filling the pale Pearl. "No! Rose, help!"

"My Pearl." Rose looked into Pearl's eyes, her own hollow, but the smile was still there. "You're wonderful." At the last word, Rose's body burst into thousands of rose petals flying around Pearl, almost suffocating Pearl.

"ROSE!" Pearl sat bolt up in a cold sweat, looking around. It was dark and a little hot. Shifting around a bit, she tried to find out where the heck she was. Hearing a chuckling to her left, Pearl looked over there.

"Hello?" She asked in a surprisingly timid voice. As she spoke, a small orb of light began to form and brought enough light to show the laughter came from… "Garnet." Pearl sighed and plopped back down on the bed. Wait, a bed? Hadn't they been fighting? Sitting up, Pearl looked at the slightly glow showing Garnet's face and upper torso. Before she could speak, Garnet held up a hand as if to say 'Just wait.'

Pearl slowly nodded and watched the taller Gem. She watched as Garnet made orb after orb of light. When an orb got to the size of a soccer ball it floated to the ceiling. After about fifty orbs, the room had a comforting glow.

"How are you feeling, Pearl?" Garnet asked from her position at the end of the bed. Garnet scooted closer to Pearl, her hand reaching out and touching her cheek. The wince from Pearl gave Garnet a good idea that the pale Gem was in pain, but not enough to retreat back into her Gem.

"What happened?" Pearl asked. "I remember us fighting…and Steven was in the way of the attack, but it was from behind him. I remember running…and then…" Pearl tried to remember, tried to think about what happened, but all she could remember was pain. "Steven…" Pearl gasped and looked around. "STEVEN!" Pearl was about to get out of the bed when Garnet grabbed her arm, keeping her in place.

"He's alright. Don't worry, he feels bad for getting you hurt." Garnet gently made Pearl lay back down. "You got knocked out." She looked at the pale Gem and found that in this light, Pearl was lovelier than normal.

Garnet knew she was a fusion, a combination of two Gems who were eternally bonded. But, there was a problem. Well not really a problem so much as a little bit of mixed feelings. Ruby and Sapphire were in love, especially when they were apart, but Garnet was kind of like her own person. Her own person who had her own feelings. Feelings towards a certain Gem in her bed.

"Do you have silk sheets, Garnet?" Pearl asked, pulling the Gem out of her thoughts. With a nod, Garnet heard Pearl giggle a bit and watched as Pearl ran her hands over the slick sheets. "I'm surprised, actually. Amethyst I can see but for some reason I imagined you. Well, I didn't even think you would own a bed."

"I like to read in lighting like this." Garnet raised her hand to show the floating orbs of light. "It's more comfortable for my eyes." As if to remind Pearl, Garnet pulled her glasses down to show her three eyes, then pushed them back up. "But enough about me. What were you dreaming about that made you scream like that?"

At the question, Pearl was taken back into her memory/dream/nightmare. She began to tremble slightly as thoughts of Rose bursting into petals filled her head. "Rose…" She said simply, eyes filling with tears. Wiping her eyes, Pearl blinked when she felt warm arms wrap around her and then felt herself in a warm lap. Looking at the other in the face, Pearl was confused.

"I know we don't have to, but get some sleep." Garnet commanded with a soft voice, her grip on Pearl firm enough to keep her in place but gentle enough to allow the other Gem to relax and shift. "I'll be here to protect you from any nightmares." Garnet snapped her fingers and half the light-orbs faded out and Garnet began to hum softly. Rocking back and forward, remembering how she did this when Steven was a baby.

Pearl was about to protest when Garnet began to hum softly. Garnet's singing always had a relaxing effect on Pearl. Deciding not to fight it, Pearl got comfortable in Garnet's lap and sighed a bit. She has tired and ached and just wanted to see Rose again. Maybe in her dreams she would be so lucky. Right before she slipped inti sleep, Pearl heard something from Garnet.

"My Pearl, I'll protect you from now on."