Ello chaps, it's been slow and difficult but I've managed to complete another chapter of Hematite. Luckily not every waking moment s about packing stuff up and heading to school. I just hope that it offers you some entertainment for a while. I'll be trying to update my other stories but until this fall, I will most likely be posting one or two more chapters at best. Hopefully I'll get some free time in the summer but I doubt it. Anyway, I'm still accepting OC requests. Just send in background information: age, sex, hair color, eye color, skin color, gem, etc. Along with a brief description and I'll take care of the rest. I ask that if you do have an OC, you submit it quickly so all of the slots don't get filled with my own OCs. Please enjoy chapter four of Hematite.
Disclaimer-I do not own Steven Universe. I do however own Mark, Onyx, and Jasper (I'm going to refer to the canon Jasper as orange Jasper now, mine is red Jasper.) Almandine belongs to both me and Voremistress
"Mother Pearl," Mark said, "Why can't I visit the city more often?"
Pearl set down her cup of tea. They were both drinking tea on top of the hill under the twisting tree. Graceful petals fell and drifted through the warm summer air.
"What do you mean, Mark? I take you there all the time."
"The last time was three weeks ago. I want to go explore it. I'm tired of hearing the cheerful noises and not being able to find out what they're coming from."
Mark's usually Naïve and cheerful face seemed full of intrigue and exhaustion. He looked glumly down at the shimmering lights through the fog below. A smell of freshly baked pizza overpowered the aroma of the succulent blossoms on the willow. A heavy sigh escaped from Mark's breath as he gazed down the hill.
"The thing is Mark," Pearl continued, "I'm supposed to protect you. I couldn't bear it if you got hurt down there."
"But I won't get hurt," Mark protested, "Mother Amethyst and Mother Garnet have been training me recent…"
Mark Clamped his hands to his mouth and a look of guilt washed over his face.
"What was that?" Pearl inquired, her face reddening.
"Um… uh nothing, Mother Pearl."
Pearl breathed in deeply and took Mark by the hand, leading him back towards the temple. Mark tried to break free of her grasp but his seven-year-old hands were too weak and clumsy to escape from Pearl's graceful yet unbreakable grip. In her fury she did not realize she literally dragged him up the steps and into the temple, where Alysina was chatting with Garnet at the counter.
"Garnet!" Pearl exclaimed, "How could you and Amethyst be putting Mark in danger! Don't you remember that Onyx and Jas…"
She paused and looked gingerly at Mark, whose guilt had been replaced with absolute terror. Pearl took in a deep breath and spoke calmly.
"Alysina, would you mind keeping Mark company while I chat with Garnet and Amethyst in the temple?"
Alysina's face had been struck with fear too but she nodded.
"Of course," she replied, "Sister, it appears that there are other matters to discuss with Pearl."
If Garnet had not been wearing her glasses the look of extreme guilt would have been obvious. She stood and was led into the temple with Pearl, leaving Mark and Alysina alone. Mark, still feeling guilty, waddled his way over to Alysina. She picked him up and cradled him in her arms. Mark began to sob into Alysina's shoulder, staining her purple blouse with his tears. She held him there for a moment, allowing him to calm down. Finally he stopped crying and tilted his head, resting his temple of her shoulder.
"It's alright, kiddo," she said soothingly.
"No it's not," Mark replied softly, "Mother Garnet and Mother Amethyst told me not to tell Mother Pearl they've been training me. I accidently did and now she's mad. Mother Garnet and Mother Amethyst are going to be mad at me now."
Alysina tightened her embrace on the young gem.
"No they're not, I promise. You'll probably be spending more time with Pearl, though."
A look of disappointment filled Mark's eyes.
"But I don't want to. I love Mother Pearl but she never lets me do anything fun."
"She just wants to keep you safe, that's all.
"Well why can't you watch over me? You like to keep me safe and have fun."
"I don't think Pearl trusts me that much yet."
Mark looked down at the floor and tears glinted in his eyes. Alysina took in a deep breath and placed her hand on his cheek.
"I'll see if Pearl will let me take you out. Just for a day. We should probably let her calm down though."
Mark considered this for a second. He wiped his eyes and looked at the door distantly. Eventually his smile returned and he looked at Alysina with a hopeful gaze.
"I'd like that."
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"How could you two be doing this behind my back," Pearl was yelling, "Of all the irresponsible, dangerous, ignorant… I don't even know what to say."
Garnet and Amethyst were in Amethyst's room being lashed out by Pearl. They both had sat down on a worn couch. Garnet almost blushed with guilt while Amethyst simply looked bored.
"Gosh Pearl you've got to loosen up," Amethyst interrupted, "All we've been doing is preparing the kid for a life of gem work."
Pearl grimaced at Amethyst.
"Gem work? You honestly think I'm going to let him go on missions? He's half blind for the love of gem! We never let Steven go on missions until he was twelve and he had perfect eyesight. We are never letting Mark going on missions!"
"So we're just going to let the poor kid sit around until the universe crumbles? He's stronger than you think! Garnet, back me up here."
Garnet cleared her throat and stood up.
"Amethyst is right, Pearl. Mark is the child of two very powerful gem warriors. Despite his disability he could possess powers beyond that of Jasper and Onyx."
Pearl staggered back slightly but regained her ground.
"Even so, he hasn't been able to use any of his parent's powers yet. We don't need to be teaching him dangerous gem secrets just yet."
"Steven didn't even know what his gem weapon was until he was twelve," Amethyst added, "Mark is only seven. We can't expect him to pick up on every gem power just because he's a complete gem. It could take a while for him to develop those powers."
"She's right, Pearl. All we've been doing is teaching him basic defense tactics for his own safety."
Pearl looked down and sighed in defeat.
"Fine. But I won't have you teaching him behind my back… and make sure what you're teaching him isn't too dangerous."
Garnet placed her hand on Pearl's shoulder.
"I know you feel like you have to protect him like you protected Steven. Mark is different, though. He could grow up to be the most powerful gem we've ever seen. He might even be able to defeat Black Diamond and Black Pearl."
Pearl slunk away, opening the temple door without saying another word. Garnet and Amethyst followed her but she had already used the warp pad to teleport somewhere. Mark and Alysina were in the living room chatting and laughing. It didn't seem like they had noticed Pearl. It was only when Amethyst cleared her throat did the pair turn around.
"Hello Garnet, Amethyst," Alysina said, "Where's Pearl?"
"We're not sure," Garnet replied, "She teleported somewhere to cool off."
"Well let me know when she gets back. I have some things to discuss with her."
Alysina stood from the couch and took Mark's hand, leading him toward Amethyst and Garnet.
"Amethyst," she said, "Would you mind watching over Mark for a while?"
"Sure thing," Amethyst replied, "Hey Mark, how about we go and get some pizza down at the boardwalk?"
Mark's eyes lit up and he hurried excitedly along with Amethyst.
"So," Alysina continued, "Still together with Sapphire I see?'
It wasn't easy to tell but Garnet began to blush.
"Why bring this up now?"
"I don't know, just never found the time before I guess. I think it's sweet you two have been together since you were kids."
Garnet sat down on the couch leisurely and adjusted her glasses.
"That's not what you said when you first met her."
"Well could you blame me? You weren't mature gems at the time. Though you know fusing freezes the maturing of the original gems so technically you're both still kids."
"Age is an illusion, to both gems and love. We prefer not to be separated."
"I guess. Still though, fusions are kind of a gem on their own so has Garnet ever thought about seeing someone."
Garnet's blush became even deeper.
"Well, I used to be very adamant about not dating anyone until… never mind."
"Sis? I haven't known you that long but I can tell when something is upsetting you. What happened?"
"Emerald happened. He was sweet, strong, tall, brave…so brave he sacrificed himself to protect me."
Alysina let her the thoughts sink in before wrapping her sister in a hug.
"I'm so sorry sis. Look, you're never truly alone no matter what but I get that you can be lonely. I wish there was something I could do but it probably won't work."
"Wait, what won't work?"
Alysina sighed, mustered her courage, and began to tell Garnet about her unique gem power.
"Almandine….that's incredible. I've never heard about any gem able to do such a thing. If you can figure out how to use it again it could help so many people. Me, Pearl, Amethyst."
"Mark," Alysina added.
"I'm not sure about that. Maybe if you figure out how to use your power just hold off on showing it to Mark."
"You know you're going to have to tell him the truth one day."
"I understand. It's just, none of us are entirely sure what the truth is. Jasper and Onyx were probably the two most powerful gems we've ever seen. Together they were unstoppable. Black Diamond and Black Pearl shouldn't have been powerful enough to stop them, no matter how ancient. There's something about them. Something beyond us, or even homeworld. As for Mark, I see great potential in him but something's…off. I can't accurately predict his path or even most of his paths, his destiny is too unpredictable. We don't know exactly what he's going to be."
Alysina put her hand on Garnet's shoulder.
"For now focus on what he is. He's a sweet kid, an ambitious gem, and a curious learner. I have a plan and I need to speak with Pearl about it. I think I know where she might be. Take care, sis. And goodbye to you too Sapphire."
Alysina pulled away from Garnet and stepped on the warp pad. The bright light engulfed the room and Alysina disappeared.
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"So how's your pizza little dude." Amethyst asked, her own mouth nearly full.
"It's great, thank you Mother Amethyst."
The two were sitting at a table at Fish Stu Pizza, which had grown into a chain over the past few decades. The original was still a family business, ran by Stu Pizza III. Usually people would come by every summer for even the smallest slice. Today, however, the place was practically empty. The warm smell from the pizza ovens still lingered and soft jazz played on the stereo system. A warm anchovy and olive pizza sat on the table, a combination which Mark had taken a liking to. Not surprisingly, Mark was a much less messy eater than Amethyst, a habit Pearl had taught him.
"So little guy, Pearl says she's cool about Garnet and I training you. We just have to let her know when, where and what."
"I'm just glad she's not mad anymore. I don't like it when people are mad."
'Just like your mother' Amethyst couldn't help but think to herself.
"And Mother Almandine promised she'd take me for a day out sometime."
"That sounds pretty cool."
Amethyst still wasn't sure what to think of Alysina. The past two years she had proven to be a decent gem warrior and an even better caretaker for Mark. It's a shame that she wasn't like Onyx at all, Amethyst really needed another party animal to keep her company.
"You know, you could always spend a day with me right?"
"Yeah but Mother Pearl usually gets upset when you take me somewhere. I don't know why but I just don't want her to be mad."
"I can't blame you, Pearly can be really mean when she's upset."
One of the workers, Jeff Pizza, came by with another pizza and set it on the table.
"This one's on the house," he said, looking at Amethyst.
"Thanks man, we really appreciate it. Right Mark?"
"Yes," Mark replied excitedly, "Thank you Sir."
"You two are cute. So is he like your little brother or something?"
Jeff Pizza was African American like the rest of the pizza family, with long, wavy hair like a surfer. He didn't have the stockiest of builds but he wasn't a pushover either. He wore a red button-up under his apron as well as jeans and converse shoes, which were making a comeback at the time.
"This is Mother Amethyst and I'm Mark," Mark answered before Amethyst got the chance."
Jeff immediately tensed up.
"Oh," he said with disappointment, "So you're….you're married then?"
Amethyst did her best to keep Mark in the background as she spoke.
"No, I'm not married. It's pretty complicated and I can tell you later."
The blush on Amethyst's face and her stupid smile allowed Jeff to relax just a bit. Mark, hearing Amethyst's words and seeing her embarrassed face, slunk back into his seat without any further words.
"Cool," Jeff continued, "You can call me anytime. Or just stop by during the weekends and afternoons."
Jeff took out a business card and fumbled around for a pen, shuffling awkwardly as he did so. Finally he was able to wrestle the black ballpoint into his hand after dropping it a few times and write his number on the card. He tried not to look too embarrassed as he handed it to Amethyst but it didn't matter, given her own shyness.
"I will. Thanks for the pizza again."
"Of course."
Jeff walked back into the kitchen, attempting to hide his gleeful smile.
"What does he want to talk about, Mother Amethyst?" Mark said, a confused look on his face.
"Oh, it's nothing. You're a bit young to understand but I'm sure Pearl or Alysina will tell you. If you don't find out about Garnet's secret first, of course."
"What secret?"
"It's nothing to worry about kiddo, let's just get you home before the sun sets."
And with that they boxed up the rest of their pizza and left.
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Almandine arrived at the Eclipse Canyon, one of Pearl's favorite places to think. The place was a vast, barren crag of marble and limestone. Weapons still littered the ground and crumbled towers lay shattered around. A few burn marks were still visible if you looked really closely. Just as she Alysina suspected, Pearl was sitting on the edge of a drop off, which was surrounded by marble bricks that had one been a watchtower. Alysina walked slowly towards pearl, her feet crunching in the dust. The moonlight was just bright enough to cast shadows, so Pearl was not alarmed when she recognized Alysina's figure.
"I don't really want to talk right now," Pearl said.
Alysina sat next to Pearl, her feet dangling over the edge.
"I get that. I get why you're upset, too. But I'm not leaving until I help you."
"Help me to do what? Realize that Garnet and Amethyst's actions were justified? Help me calm down and loosen the reigns with Mark?"
"Look Pearl, I know you don't trust me. I'm not going to tell you to do anything except listen."
Pearl took a deep sigh.
"Alright you have my attention."
"Garnet has told me all about Steven Universe. She told me everything about how you used to protect him and no you're doing the same thing with Mark. The thing is, Mark is different. Maybe loosening your grip on him wouldn't be the worst idea."
"I get what you're saying it's just…. I don't know if it's residual feelings from Steven or striving to fulfill my promise to Jasper and Onyx but I need to protect Mark. I couldn't bear if anything happened to him."
"Well luckily he's on nobody's radar. No one has ever tried to hurt him and hopefully it'll stay that way for a while. But you know it won't last, right? He's a gem after all. Deep in his blood he's a warrior and you know you can't restrain it all forever."
"I wish I could. I really do. I wish I could just lock him away so no one could hurt him. I felt the same way about Steven and I might feel the same way if another young gem finds its way into my path."
"I get that. Family is important."
The two sat there for a while longer, staring at the moon. Pearl's eyes were filled with sadness.
"When I was separated from Garnet, I learned two things. The first is that family really is worth dying for. The second is that if you love someone enough, you are literally willing to die for them. I really didn't think I was going to make it on earth. I didn't know how to act or how to fight. The only thing that kept me moving was the hope that I could see Garnet again. When you let someone get to wild it can cost the both of you. But what's the alternative? Knowing that who you love doesn't trust you or can't stand you because you're too smothering?"
"Mark is just so special. I can't help but keep him a little too close. If anything happened to him I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. I can't go through another failure."
Alysina pushed Pearl's cheek so their eyes could meet.
"Hey, you did not fail with Steven. He wasn't going to live forever like us."
"I suppose so. Sometimes I just miss him so much and wish I could have done more."
"What more could you have done? He had a great life as a crystal gem. The Rose Quartz legacy is over but it's not your fault in the slightest. I never knew him of course but the way Garnet talks about him makes it seem like you did an amazing job taking care of him and you'll do an amazing job taking care of Mark."
"Thanks. For these past few years I've just felt lost. So many of my friends have passed and the numbers just keep shrinking."
"Look, for what it's worth, I'm your friend too. So is Amethyst, Garnet, and Mark. We're a small group but a group nonetheless. You can talk to any of us about anything. You may not know it but Garnet and Amethyst are actually pretty worried. Every day you just seem more stressed and we all know that even for a gem stress is not healthy. That's why I'm giving you the day off tomorrow."
"What? But I was going to search for another enchanted weapon after teaching Mark how to make tea."
Alysina shook her head.
"Not anymore. You are just going to do what you love doing that does not involve missions or Mark. I, however, am going to get up at five thirty, make a sack lunch for Mark, and enroll him in elementary school. The school year starts tomorrow but hopefully I can get him enrolled last minute."
"Almandine that's really not…"
"Pearl. He's going to a human school. He is going to learn human things and make human friends. He wants to be so much more, not just as a gem but as a living being. He's ambitious and eager to learn. I'm sorry but I feel like that he'll learn better human things from a human school rather than you."
Pear sighed in defeat.
"I suppose that's logical. But isn't there some way we can keep tabs on him while he's at school?"
Alysina thought over that for a moment.
"You know, when I was a doctor in New York, I heard about something in school called the PTA. Apparently it's some sort of association for parents and teachers. If you teach at a school or have a kid that attends the school you sign up and help with little things concerning the school. Maybe I could sign up and…"
"No," Pearl interrupted, "I'll do it. It'll be great, I can check on Mark as much as I can that way."
Alysina inhaled sharply.
"Pearl, you can be a little… obsessive when it concerns Mark. Maybe you should let someone else sign up and you can fill in when you're the only one available. That way you can focus on missions."
"I…I… If you think it'll be better that way."
"Pearl, it's not just better for Mark, it's better for you."
"What do you mean?"
"Pearl, you've been a little depressed and obsessive ever since I arrived. For a while I was worried it was me until I learned about Steven. The more you loosen up on the reigns with Mark, the more it will benefit you. He wants to experience more of the world. There's more to life out there than the beach. He's a kid and should experience things like the arcade, the donut, even the fry stand which is one of the closest buildings to the temple."
Pearl began to chuckle a little. Her eyes began to tear up.
"You know," she said, "The three buildings you just mentioned were three of Steven's favorite places in the city. He's go there all the time."
"What was he like?"
"Well, that's a bit difficult to answer. When he was young, older than Mark but still young, he was this really goofy little kid. He was so passionate and so caring about everything. Then he grew up. He became much more serious and focused on gem work. Yet his goofy side never left him. He was really the thing that kept the peace between all of us."
"You loved him, didn't you? Not just as family, I mean."
"I knew I shouldn't have. He wasn't immortal like me and he was in love with Connie. Truth be told I was in Love with Rose and those feelings were still there when she became Steven….. Thank you, Almandine. I really do trust you, I always have. I just…go a little overboard sometimes I guess. Thank you for talking with me but I really just want to be alone right now."
"Of course. Goodnight, Pearl."
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"So, I've gone over the application and I have to say, I have a few concerns."
"Like what?" Alysina said.
Alysina, Mark, and Garnet sat in the school. They had already filled out Mark's application and met with the staff. Now all they had to do was interview with the Principal, who was sitting in front of the trio now.
"Well," he continued, "For instance, it doesn't seem like Mark has any previous school experience. I just fear placing him in first grade now would be a little challenging for him intellectually."
"Mark has been taught enough at home," Garnet replied, "He's a very bright young man and first grade should not be a challenge for him."
"Alrighty then. Well, that was one of my lowest concerns. I also noticed that there was only one signature from you, Miss Alysina, and you forgot to fill in a last name."
"Oh," Alysina racked her brain trying to remember the last name she used as a doctor, "It's Page. Miss Alysina Page."
"Great, I'll just fill that in right here. I assume I should fill in the same last name for your partner and son here?"
Immediately Garnet and Alysina blushed and began talking over each other.
"Oh…no..they're not…um…" Alysina said.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken," Garnet said.
"Oh there's no need to be embarrassed, we have a couple like you two working at the school right now. Such a sweet couple, Marceline and Bonnibel."
"Oh we're just sisters. We're not like Marceline and Bonnibel," Alysina replied shyly.
"Well I am," Garnet mumbled.
"Oh, sorry about that. I just assumed because I overheard Mark calling you both 'mother.'"
"It's complicated," Alysina said, "Mark isn't our biological son, Garnet and I aren't a couple, we just live together and raise Mark together."
"Mmhmm. Well anyway, the last thing I'd like to mention is that we don't allow costumes at school so Mark will need to wash off the body paint."
"It's not body paint," Garnet said.
"Okay… Oh. So Mark has a, you know, C...O...N...D...I...T...I...O...N?"
"Not at all. Again, it's complicated.
"Of course. So I assume that he has a glass eye as well?"
"It's not so much as glass," Garnet replied, "As it is a layer of polished hematite covering the surface of his eye."
"Well we don't have a box for that so I'll just check the box labeled 'glass eye' if that's alright."
The principal made some adjustments on the electronic tablet displaying the application.
"Of course."
"Okay, great. Now I understand that Miss Garnet would like to sign up for the PTA as well?"
"That is correct. Now I have two friends who can fill in for me anytime I'm occupied but needed, along with my sister here."
"No problem. They'll just have to come and sing in whenever. I believe we have a place in Mrs. Maheswaren's class. Mark can begin class this upcoming Monday. I'm sure Mrs. Maheswaren will direct him to the class if you bring him around seven. She always does crossing guard duty and would be glad to show Mark around."
"Well thank you Mister Smiley."
"Any time. I hope you enjoy your classes, Mark."
Mark, who had been zoned out the entire time, was brought back by a clap on the back from Garnet.
"Mark, shouldn't you say thanks to your new principal?"
"Oh, right. Thank you sir!"
"You're quite welcome, Mark. Have a nice day y'all."
The trio walked out of the school and back to the boardwalk.
Thank you all so much for reading. I'm so sorry for not being able to write lately. Anyway I have a few things to say. First thing is how the other stories are going: Chapter 7 of BTF is a little more than halfway done but chapter 4 of Mine Cart Online is not even started yet. The second thing is some good news. I'm collabing with a friend on my fictionpress channel (Same username) and the first chapter is underway. Lastly is some okay news: I'll be back in the states in a week and should get a little free time to pump out a few chapters. I love each and every one of you guys and I'm so glad you like the stories. See you all next time.