Control & Chaos
Chapter 2: To Be Caught Off Guard

With her eyes closed, legs crossed, and weapon resting in her lap, Pearl took in a deep breath. There were some human cultures that believed meditation was the key to keeping one's sanity. She sincerely hoped they were correct.
She could feel it slithering around her shoulder. She did her best to ignore it. Clear her mind. Focus on her recovery. But this it was making it difficult. It lightly brushed against her hair.

"Pearrrrrrrl," it whispered into her ear, "It's been far too long."

"Not long enough." The gem responded.

"Haven't you missed me?"

"No."

"Don't you crave it?"

"No."

"The euphoria of being joined together."

"Stop talking."

Pearl opened her eyes, to find that it was now in front of her face. A shadow, the size of a human child. Knees tucked to chest, a featureless face. She glared at it. It almost seemed to be laughing. Suddenly, a menacing smile came out of nowhere, the same smile of the monster from long ago.

"Resisting is so hard," it cooed at her, "You feel it, don't you? Your body is crying out, craving our power."

"I said stop talking."

She had to be strong. She knew full well what this monster was capable of.

"Touchy."

She snatched her lance from lap, and stood up. She raised her lance, pointing it towards the creature. It started to laugh.

"If you insist."

Steven had placed Pearl's gem in a small basket. It sat on a perfectly fluffed pillow, and the youngest gem had even gone so far as to tuck it in. Almost like a baby.

"Come on..." he poked the gem, but with no result. He sighed, and flopped next to the gem. It had been fifteen days. That was longer then it took last time. He hated this. Things just weren't the same without Pearl.

He noticed that the other two had been on edge. They felt defensive, unsure. They tried to shake it off when they noticed Steven was in the room, but he'd noticed. They acted the same way the last time Pearl had retreated. He assumed it was because they missed her too, but he couldn't help but wonder. Was there something they weren't telling him?

He glanced back to the gem, and frowned.

Something didn't feel right.

Pearl took a deep breath, looking over to her opponent. A shadow sword graced it's hand.

"Is that the form you're taking this time?" She asked. It's grin grew.

"I have an extra special appearance prepared this time"

Its body started to pulse and shake. Its limbs grew, it's body became more detailed. It went from black, to colorful. Pearl gasped when she saw the shape it took.

It took the form of Rose Quartz. Pearl gripped onto her lance tighter. How dare it. No. It was just trying to manipulate her emotions. The moment she allowed it to get in her head was the moment it won the battle. It wasn't the real Rose. It was a monster.

It raised its sword, looking at her with a wicked grin.

"Let's begin."

It took off, charging her with it's blade. A clang filled the air, as it was met with Pearl's lance. It thrusted, she blocked. She thrusted, it blocked.

It raised it's sword, slashing down at her. She swiftly met it's weapon with her own. She would not allow it to have the upper hand.

Pearl bent down, and sliced her lance up. The monster bent out of the way just in time, but the weapon grazed it's side. It looked down at her, shock and fear in its face. Pearl felt a small pang of guilt in her stomach.

She shook her head. No. This wasn't Rose. She thrashed her lance towards the monster's weapon, knocking it clean out of her hands. It started to laugh hysterically.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" it chuckled, "Just like old times."

The Pearl's fury grew. In one swift movement, she bent down and spun, kicking the creature's ankles. It fell. Pearl smiled.

She slowly walked towards the monster, touching the monster's neck with her lance.

"I win."

Pearl's gem started to glow. Steven gasped. She was finally coming back!

"Guys!" He called out, but then he remembered. They were all out on a mission. It was just him.

But not for long. In a light of peaceful pink, Pearl materialized right before his eyes. She was met by Steven jumping onto her, giving her the largest hug he could muster.

"You're back!" he exclaimed, "You're back! You're back!"

Pearl smiled, "I'm back."

Steven looked up to her.

"How are you feeling? Did you recover okay?"

Pearl laughed, stretching her arms up. Her smile was bigger then Steven had ever seen it.

"I'm feel amazing."

Pearl raised her weapon, ready to deal the winning blow, when it started laughing. It was enough to make Pearl hesitate.

She instantly wished she hadn't, as the creature started to morph. It's form started to shrink, it's colors changing. Pearl felt sick when she saw what it turned into.

Steven.

It gave her a pleading look, eyes watering up, its body shaking with fear.

"Pearl?" It even had his voice.

She dropped her lance. As the weapon left her hand, she took in a sharp breath. She instantly realized her mistake.

The creature sprang forth, picking up her fallen lance. It started laughing menacingly. It threw her lance towards her, and she jumped out of the way. She landed wrong, though. She lost her balance, and fell to the floor.

The creature stood over her, a shadow blade materializing in its hand. It bent down, holding the weapon to her neck. She could feel the blade on her skin. She took a small, fearful breath.

"What's the matter, Pearl?" It taunted. It pressed the blade harder against her skin, "Do you admit defeat? Do I win?"

Pearl closed her eyes. She didn't know what she hated more. The creature, or herself for falling for it's tricks.

She had two options now. She could let it plunge the knife into her, but that would be it. There would be no regeneration, no source of healing. It would be death.

Or she could give it what it wanted, and live to battle it once again.

"I..." she sighed, "I forfeit. You win."

It laughed maniacally, turning into a plume of smoke. The smoke surrounded her, and she could feel it start to enter her body.

She screamed. It hurt. It felt like flames were burning her from the inside. And in a way, she was.

Consumed by the flames of madness.

"This is gonna be fun!"

She felt her consciousness start to fog. This being was becoming one with her mind. The pain started to fade. It was replaced with, what she could only describe as power. Like her body was the source of unstoppable energy.

And it felt good.

Thank you SpaceWonder368, Jobler, and ARandomCommenter for reviewing. I really appreciate the feedback, guys. I'm glad to see you're enjoying it. Again, I'll try to get the next chapter out in the next couple of days.

To respond to ARandomCommenter's question: Yes, this story takes place after Steven the Swordfighter. I imagine it taking place not long after the recent episodes that have aired.

Also, if I may do some shameless advertising here, I have a new story called Gem Noir. It's a Steven Universe AU starring none other then Rose Quartz. Its got mystery, mobsters, jewel thieves, and the gems like you've never seen them before!

Again, thanks for reading. As always, I hope you all enjoyed!