"S-Steven, what are you doing out of bed? It's late." Pearl said as she spun around, looking at the sleepy boy.
"I heard a noise, and loud one. Where's Peridot?" Steven asked again.
"Go back to bed, we will discuss it in the morning." Pearl said sternly. She felt her whole being shaking. "How do I explain this?" She thought. Steven looked at her a moment through sleepy eyes.
"Okay, Pearl." Steven yawned. He turned to go to his room and stopped. "Hey, Pearl?"
"Yes?"
"I know you guys think she's bad, but Peridot is really cool. Do you think she could become a Crystal Gem like us and Mom?" If Pearl had a heart it would a have shattered.
"No, Steven." She replied. As the boy returned to his bed Pearl could have sword she saw tears on his face when she told him no. Pearl sat quietly in the bathroom, thinking of her actions. Garnets words echoed in her head. "Peridot is like me, in a way." She sighed as she held a shard of the gem. "She was only doing what she was programed to do, follow orders from her master. When Rose first let me be me, I made a lot of mistakes at first, like Peridot."
"But you didn't try to kill us." Amethyst said. Pearl had been speaking her thoughts, a habit she had when something was really bugging her. Amethyst saw the green shard in Pearl's hand and picked up the second shard. "What did ya do to the third piece?" She asked as she sat next to Pearl.
"I flushed it so there is no chance she'll come back."8
"I'll remember that when your gem shatters." Amethyst grinned. Amethyst was always trying to lighten the mood.
"You're not being funny, and if you flush me, I'll come back and organize your room." Pearl couldn't help but smile.
"So, why did you kill Peridot?"
"She was getting too close to Rose." Amethyst was quiet, a look of confusion and then shock came to her face. Pearl was confused. "What is wrong?"
"You said Rose. You meant Steven but you said Rose." Amethyst set the shard down, gave Pearl a disapproving look, and left, leaving Pearl to herself until the sun rose.
"I am a monstrous Pearl." She sighed. She set the shard she held down and walked to her room, prepared to punish herself for her deed. Her room was quiet, the water in the room stood still, like it knew what she would do. Pearl made sure to Garnet-proof the room in case her future vision kicked in and tried to stop her. She looked around. "I'm a monster, killing an innocent Gem because she was too much like me. She would have fallen for Steven like I had Rose all those years ago. I deserve my punishment." Pearl drew her spear and aimed the blade for her gem. She heard Garnet beating at her door and yelling for her. She heard Stevens voice faintly talked to Garnet. Then silence. She thrust the spear into her gem and all became black.
