All at Once

Thanks for the positive reviews so far! And we already got some questions in, so you'll be sure Steven will be asking on your behalf! Anyway, let's get started!

Chapter 2 – How About Them Apples?

(Fade in on the studio after a "short" commercial break. Steven is grinning wildly, Sugilite looks annoyed again, Sardonyx is laughing about something, and Opal has fallen asleep. The audience applauds wildly, rousing Opal from her sleep.)

Steven: (Excitedly) We're back! How are you all doing?

Sugilite: (Angry and annoyed) Bored.

Sardonyx: Oh, Sugar, you're not going to be like this after every commercial break, are you?

Sugilite: There's going to be more than one?! (Pauses to think for a moment, then glares over at Sardonyx) Don't call me Sugar!

Steven: (Hastily) All right, now let's get back to the questions! (Clears throat) Let's start with a viewer question, shall we? This first question is from TysonBR14. It's for Opal!

Opal: (Roused) Huh?

Steven: Tyson wants to know, and I do too, actually, since you're a fusion of Amethyst, who loves to eat, and Pearl, who doesn't, how do you feel about eating? I know Alexandrite falls apart over it. (Cocks eyebrow slyly) What about you?

Opal: (Giggling) Well I love to eat! Haven't done it much, but it did feel weird coming back up a second time. (Pause) I suppose that reaction came from Pearl.

Steven: (Blank stare, and a moment of silence) That was more than I needed to know.

Opal: You asked.

Sugilite: (Snickering)

Steven: Uh, let's move on, shall we? (Clears throat) I have a question now. This one is mostly for Opal and Sugilite. So, when Amethyst and I were fused as Smoky Quartz, we learned that Sardonyx has her own room in the temple. So, do you two also have your own rooms?

Opal: (Shrugging) I'm not really sure. Pearl and Amethyst don't really fuse into me unless they have to. I've barely been in the temple at all, really.

Sugilite: I'm pretty sure I have my own room, but unlike some people, (glares over at Sardonyx, who shrugs comically) I can't contort my body to fit in the door.

Steven: That's unfortunate. Do Ruby and Sapphire have their own rooms?

Sardonyx: Yes, they do, but they never use them. You know, being fused together as Garnet all the time! (Claps hands together excitedly) Okay! Next question, please!

Steven: (Giving a thumbs up) Ok! Tyson, the one from before, wants to know if Sugilite and Sardonyx hate each other!

Sardonyx: Different question, please!

Steven: Nope!

(Sardonyx and Sugilite look at each other, Sugilite with a disgusted and angry look on her face, while Sardonyx wears one of contempt and dissatisfaction. As they glare at each other, Steven grins obliviously and Opal raises an eyebrow in amusement. There is an awkward pause.)

Sugilite: (Forcibly) No… I don't hate Sardonyx… what would give you that idea?

Sardonyx: (Faking a grin) Don't be silly, Steven. I am above such petty things as hatred. (Muttering to self) Now strongly disliking someone, that's a different story… (Louder) Anyway, darling, what would make you think we don't like each other?

Steven: (Shrugging) I don't know. Amethyst doesn't really like Sardonyx, and Pearl doesn't like Sugilite. Plus, you're kind of complete opposites of each other.

Sardonyx: (Nervously) Oh, you know what they say about opposites attract! (Laughs uneasily)

Opal: Everyone knows that isn't true.

Sugilite: No one asked you.

(There is an uncomfortable pause as Steven looks between the three fusions. He clears his throat.)

Steven: Um, let's move on, shall we? (Shuffles through cards) Oh! Here's one! It's from our lovely viewer who calls themselves Draconian-Quartz. (Ponders for a moment) I wonder if that's an actual quartz. Anyway, Draconian wants to know what your guys' relationship with Rose was like. (Pauses) Uh, wow, heavy question.

(The three fusions smile at their fond memories of Rose. Even Sugilite looks peaceful.)

Sardonyx: Ah Rose Quartz! She was always such a wonderful Gem! Of course, she was very supportive of fusion, whether in or out of battle.

Sugilite: As Garnet told you, she was the first time different types of Gems had ever fused. Then Sardonyx and I were the first time three different gems had fused. (Holds up one of her arms to flex) Of course, I was awe inspiring to her when I first fused.

Opal: I can't quite remember which of us fused first. I think it might have been Pearl and Rose forming Rainbow Quartz, because after she met Garnet, Rose really wanted to fuse herself. I do remember one time when we all took turns fusing to see who was the tallest. I think Sugilite won.

Sugilite: (Proudly) Heck yeah, I did!

Sardonyx: Anyway, Rose always treated us like our own beings, instead two or three separate Gems. We were always our own Gem to her. (Sighs at her memories) She was much like you, Steven. She was always excited to see us.

(Steven blushes at the comparison to his mother. Sardonyx gives him a warm smile.)

Steven: Um, let's move on to the next question, shall we? Uh, Jellyfish Jam would like to know if you guys could fuse with any Gem, past or present, who would it be?

Sugilite, Opal, and Sardonyx: (All at once and eagerly) Rose!

Steven: (Somewhat anxiously) Ok! How about you don't all pick the same answer?

(There is a pause as they all think. Then they all suddenly brighten, and again speak at the same time.)

All: You!

Steven: (Jokingly annoyed) What did I just say?

Sardonyx: Very well, Steven, if you insist. I think it would be quite interesting if I could fuse with Peridot or Lapis Lazuli. Heh, imagine how much their personalities would change me. Oh ho ho ho!

Sugilite: I know she was a jerk, but I would pick Jasper. Pre corruption, of course. She would only make me stronger!

Opal: (Takes a moment to think) Well, I would say Garnet, but that would just make Alexandrite. So I'll say that it would be interesting to fuse with Ruby or Sapphire without the other. (Chuckles) Though we all know that would never happen.

Steven: (Nodding with understanding) Yeah, it wouldn't. Unless the writers of the show want to throw us for a curveball.

Sardonyx: I don't think that's the right saying.

Steven: (Ignoring her comment) Speaking of Alexandrite, I wonder what it would be like if I fused with all the Crystal Gems? (Stars form in his eyes as he excitedly thinks about it.)

(There is a pause as Steven says nothing, still imagining the awesome fusion. The other three start to grow restless and uncomfortable.)

Sardonyx: (Concerned) Um… Steven?

(Steven continues to say nothing. The three fusions grow visibly distressed. Looking around wildly, Sardonyx turns to the audience.)

Sardonyx: (With fake enthusiasm) We'll be right back, everybody, after a quick word from our sponsors! (Whispering to someone off stage) Quick! Bring the curtain down!

Opal: Huh?

Sugilite: What curtain?

(Thick red theater curtains come crashing down, startling them. A talk show theme plays as the audience applauds.)

I'm out of questions for this chapter so this is where I'm ending it. I have my own questions that I can add, but I want to wait to see if someone else asks them first.

Hopefully you liked how I had them answer your questions! Feel free to ask more, even if you've already asked one. And don't hold back! Make them as silly or as serious if you want!

As always leave a comment and constructive criticism is always welcome!