It has been a while and I apologize for that, however I'm back now! Hope that you enjoy the chapter! Also, just a little tidbit of information, this story is only going to be five chapters at most, maybe four. Either way, I still hope that you enjoy!
A New Reformation
Chapter 2
Steven gave a sigh as he watched Jasper from his position in the Colosseum, even though things had went better yesterday than they thought it would, she still looked put out. He just wished that she would let him do something to help convince Peridot and Lapis that she was changing for the better. He was thrilled that Peridot agreed to giving her a second chance, but bummed that Lapis was more hesitant.
"Steven! Pay attention!" Pearl called out, causing him to blink and quickly jump back just in time to avoid a holopearl's spear. Giving a mental shake, he called up his shield and tossed it at the image, only to grit his teeth as it missed by a mile and quickly moved as the image advanced. Relaxing as Connie appeared to the side and arched the sword down before looking to him.
"Steven?" She asked, and he thought a moment before shaking his head.
"Sorry, just thinking about something else. Let's get back to work." He stated, calling up another shield and tossed it accurately at a second holopearl that had been approaching Connie from behind. Watching as Connie gave a nod and quickly moved toward the small platoon of holopearls that stood before Pearl, who was waiting for them to take down her 'army' before facing her head on.
The practice today was to keep a pace while taking out the projected images, so as not to tire themselves out when taking on Pearl. Jasper had called it building their stamina, Pearl called it a new challenge for them. Both were showing signs of being right. They had only managed to take out a few images so far, and still had a lot to go through, he didn't have time to be lost in thought.
Moving quickly, he jumped high and angled his shield before tossing it, watching as it moved through three images before arching back up to him. Catching it, he prepared to toss it again, but stopped and quickly dropped to the ground as two holopearls jumped at him. Raising the shield in a defense position, he kept his ground as they continuously jabbed and blasted his shield.
Closing his eyes, he focused back to the time that he and Amethyst fought, and pictured the shield he had created with spikes before forming it again. Peeking open an eye as the spikes hit the two images, causing them to disappear and he quickly got back into the fray.
"Steven! Only two more to go!" Connie shouted, and he gave a nod. Moving closer to her, he watched as they two holopearls fused together, and Pearl withdrew her own spear, stepping up beside the fused image.
"You two ready for your main challenge?" She goaded, and Steven reached out for Connie's hand, calling forth a shield as Pearl jumped forward and pulled it over him and Connie as they clasped hands. Smiling at the shocked look on Pearl's face as they fused beneath the shield.
Stevonnie pushed on the shield, causing Pearl to slide back before straightening to full height. A smirk still on her face as Pearl gave an impressed look, and took a stance as she and the fused image ran forward. Moving easily, Stevonnie blocked, parried, and fought, keeping her ground while facing the two.
"You can't last forever." Pearl stated, ducking low and striking her spear upward. Stevonnie gave another grin before un-fusing, causing another shocked look to come to Pearl's face. The fight ended as Steven shot a shield through the fused holopearls, and Connie brought the sword up to Pearl's neck.
"Victory is ours." Connie stated, and Steven crossed his arms as Pearl looked between them before a smile bloomed across her face.
"Excellent you two! You actually defeated me! However, that doesn't necessarily mean the end of your training. I'll just have to figure out something harder next time. Practice is done for today." She stated, waiting until Connie moved the sword before standing up and beaming down at the two of them.
"Thank you Ma'am." Connie stated, sheathing the sword and turned to him as he gave a smile and thanks before both of them moved toward the bleachers. Where Jasper was sitting, looking impressed as well.
"That was a good tactic." She sounded, causing Steven to smile and point over to Connie.
"It was Connie's idea. She told me when we fused as Stevonnie." He stated, beaming at her when she blushed and looked away.
"It..It was just a theory really. Nothing special." She muttered, both of them looking up when Jasper gave a huff.
"Theory or not, the fact that you used the fusion to convey the idea and plan it out was brilliant in itself. That way Pearl didn't have a clue what you were planning. Not to mention, the fact that it actually worked flawlessly shows how well it was." Jasper sounded, causing the blush on Connie's face to deepen. They both looked up when Pearl placed hands on their shoulders and nodded.
"She's right. That was brilliant thinking on your part Connie, and Steven, how you helped with it showed how great a comrade you were. I know I assigned you as leader, but a good leader listens to ideas as well. Both of you have come so far, and I'm proud of both of you." She stated, and Steven smiled up at her as Connie beamed at the praise.
Steven blinked as he caught Pearl smile up at Jasper, who gave a quiet huff before closing her eyes. A faint smile crossing her lips before she stood and stretched.
"Quartz Child. Could you come with me to visit Lapis and Peridot again?" She asked, causing him to blink before giving a nod.
"Sure." He sounded, stepping up on the first step, but quickly started to swing his arms as the air seemed to vibrate as a loud boom sounded.
"What was that!?" Connie sounded, and he looked around as Pearl straightened and stared up at the sky.
"Something's entered the Earth's atmosphere. I'm sure that it's nothing, but I'm going on ahead back to the temple." She muttered, rushing pass them and toward the warp pad. Steven looked up at Jasper, who seemed unsure as to what to do.
"Do you want to go back to the temple, or visit with Peridot and Lapis?" He asked, watching as she thought before giving a sigh.
"Visit with them. You wanna come too Connie?" Jasper asked, and Steven relaxed as Connie gave a nod and walked with them toward the warp pad.
Jasper stared as Steven and Connie talked with Lapis, while Peridot kept her company. The little green gem going on about how she discovered her powers and how she was learning new things about the Earth each and every day. Jasper really did care about what she was saying, she just wished that Lapis would forgive her already and not act like she was some sort of leper.
"Also, I learned that certain animals have flight capabilities, however that is something that humans are not capable of. At least, not without the help of machines." Peridot stated, causing her to focus on her and raise an eyebrow.
"Just looking at humans should have told you that. No wings." She muttered, watching as Peridot stared up at her for a moment before looking around and suddenly pointed to something in the grass. Leaning down some, she frowned as she spotted a red bug with black spots on it.
"So what, it's a bug. It just crawls around." She muttered, blinking when she suddenly lowered herself and blew gently on the bug. She felt her eyes widen as the bug's back spread open, revealing small wings hidden beneath a protective shell. She could only watch as it gained momentum and quickly rose into the air.
"You see. At first glance you couldn't tell it had wings. It's a lesson that you shouldn't base things on looks alone. Everything on Earth has some sort of surprise within it, rather it has to show you, or you have to figure out what it is." She stated, causing her to blink and look around more closely. How many other things was she overlooking merely because she was only seeing the outside of it.
"S...She's right. Steven told me that when the seasons change, so do the colors of the leaves." A muttered sounded, causing her to look up and blink as she saw that the others had came closer to them. Steven and Connie were smiling up at Lapis, but her gaze was focused on the trees in the distance. It seemed that they had talked to her about just ignoring her...Well, this was a bit better.
"The leaves change?" She muttered, staring over to the lush green leaves and frowned slightly.
"What color do they change to next?" She asked, tensing as Lapis eased to the ground on the other side of Peridot.
"Different colors. They change to yellow, orange, brown...and red." She muttered, causing her to blink before looking at the leaves again. Trying to picture the different colors on the trees, before giving a huff.
"Can't imagine it." She muttered, only to blink when Peridot poked at her arm and she turned her attention to her, and her tablet that she had pulled from somewhere.
"Here! I took a photo of it last season!" Peridot stated, handing the device to her before standing at her side so she could see the screen better.
"See! Those are the tress right there! When the leaves change color they begin to fall. Steven showed us that you can gather them up into a pile, and then jump into them. For fun!" She stated, and Jasper stared at the images on the screen, before turning her attention back to the trees. She couldn't wait until they began to change, so she could see it for herself.
"Hey, here come the others." Steven suddenly stated, causing her to direct her attention to the warp pad. Just as he had said, Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst were walking toward them, and something was bothering them.
Pearl had her hands clasped together in front of her lips, her eyes wide and filled with worry. Garnet was walking stiff and upright, her hands curled slightly at the fingertips, as if she was ready for a fight. And Amethyst, was watching them with worry, before turning her attention to them. Her gaze landing on Steven, before turning toward her. Oh yes, something was seriously wrong.
"Hey guys! What's going on?" Connie asked, causing her to watch as they stopped before them, looked at one another, and then back to them.
"We have a problem." Pearl muttered, twitching her thumbs against one another before looking to Amethyst.
"It seems like the Rubies finally got another ship, with..some help." She muttered, before scratching the back of her head.
"They're on their way here in another Roaming Eye. However, we suspect that they are not alone. While in the warp, they somehow connected to it and sent us their message. They've came for Jasper, and someone said that she would be leaving with them, one way or another." Garnet finished, causing her to stand and cross her arms.
"Hopefully you told them where they could stick it." She growled, watching as Garnet gave a nod.
"Amethyst did. Told them to meet us here, and we'll settle all of this." Garnet stated, causing her to give a nod before turning to the others.
"Listen up. This isn't going to be fun, and I don't want any of you getting hurt. So, you four go into the barn, and stay there." She stated, before turning to the others, and missing the look that the others passed among themselves.
Okay, a bit rough but doable. Next chapter will be a bit more action packed! Hope everyone enjoys!
