The sound of a warp pad activating resounded within Rose's Garden. Nature seemed to be running its course, as plants of all kinds were beginning to grow over and within everything. Despite the dense foliage, there still remained a clear path through the maze, as though the plants still respected the purpose of the location. A chill wind blew quietly through the garden, dreary and bleak.
Upon the warp pad stood the Crystal Gems, silent as the grave. Garnet stood at the forefront, face hard and unreadable. Behind her to the right was Pearl, eyes bloodshot from crying, tears still running down her face. To Pearl's left was Amethyst, all her attention on the object she carried. Cradling the gem in a square of cloth, she carried the gem as though her life depended upon it.
They followed the path as it winded through the Garden. The beauty of the roses and plants seemed painted with a think coat of grey paint, all seemed bleak. Above them the clouds were growing ever darker, threatening to open up at any moment.
Occasionally a fallen tree or other such object would obscure their path to the fountain. When they came across such obstacles, Garnet would splinter them to pieces ruthlessly, turning her hidden upset into anger, and her anger into violence. After the obstacle was clear, she would snap back into composure. She would regain her stoicism, righting herself and dissipating her gauntlets.
Together, they turned the final corner. In front of them loomed the statue of Rose Quartz, her head cast downward towards the three gems in front of her. Water poured from the statues eyes, splashing as it fell into the water basin below.
Slowly Amethyst stepped forward, kneeling on the edge of the fountain. Behind her, Garnet stood as stoic as ever. Pearl clasped her hand together over her mouth, eyes wide with a swirling mix of sadness, fear, and hope.
With great care, Amethyst slipped her hands beneath the water of the fountain, soaking the Quartz gem in the healing waters. As the waters began to flow over the gem, a bright pink light began to emanate from it. Amethyst released he grasp on the glowing gemstone, the crack across the face healing over.
The three gems recoiled from the brilliant light, as the gem rose into the air. The light was as strong as a supernova, tinged with a deep pink radiance. As the gem healed, it rose out of the water, high up above the fountain. Eventually, the light faded, and the gem hung motionless in the air.
As it began to fall, Amethyst sprang into action. Being the closest, she covered the space in no time, and snagged the gem out of the air before it hit the ground. Both Pearl and Amethyst let out deep sighs of relief, and Garnet allowed herself to relax somewhat.
The three let out a collective sigh of relief as they gazed upon the gem. Its previously brilliance was resorted, flawless once again. Amethyst replaced Steven's gem back into its cloth with great care.
One warp pad trip later, the three gems arrived back at the temple. They had made good time, for the sky had begun to open up. Rain was pouring down heavily outside, sky covered in dark thunderclouds.
Suddenly, the door flung open, causing Pearl to nearly jump through the roof in fright. A drenched, heavyset man in a tank top and cut off jeans burst into the house, frantic look in his eyes.
"What happened? Where's my son?" Greg was hysterical, pulling out what was left of his hair.
"Don't worry, Mr. Universe. Everything is going to be fine." Garnet put her hands on Greg's shoulders, pulling him back to his feet.
As he stood upright, he noticed the Quartz Gem resting innocently upon a small pillow. He took the gem into his hands, cupping it with a father's love. His entire body was trembling with sadness. Overcome with emotion, he began to sob as he cradled it in his hands.
"I'm such a terrible father, I couldn't keep him safe."
Garnet seemed as stone-faced as she ever had, and Pearl was in a severely distraught state once again. Pearl felt herself curl up, closing herself off to the world as she relieved that horribly awry mission again and again in her head. Despite her own severe guilt and sadness, Amethyst walked over to comfort the devastated father.
She kneeled down beside him, unsure of where to even begin. Words failing her, she placed a comforting arm around Greg's wracked shoulders. She was about to open her mouth to say something, when a bright light once again began emanating from Steven's gem.
The Quartz gem rose to the ceiling, bright light filling the darkened room. Outside, thunder arms grew from the gem, followed quickly by a pair of legs. Curly tufts of poofy hair began growing out, their body growing larger by the second.
As the reformation began to finish and the light fade, they could finally see the the gem before them. A flowing white dress. A huge, extravagant pink hairstyle filed with loops and curls. And a star shape hole on her chest, wherein sat Steven's gem.
Rose looked around with extreme confusion, a case of waking amnesia currently clouding her mind. As she woke up, she looked upon herself with a look of absolute terror. She looked up and saw Greg, paralyzed in a traumatic state of emotion. Similar feelings hung over everyone in that dark room, rain continuing to pound against the house.
Greg was the first to break down, falling to the ground a shattered shell of a man. As shock gave way to devastation, so to did everyone else. The inhabitants of that house fell into a devastation from which they would never recover.
For Steven was gone, and he wasn't coming back.
