Chapter 4: The Future

"Lapis Lazuli? Really?"

Ametrine and Sodalite were having a hushed conversation outside their escape pod while Lapis sat inside. Ametrine could hardly believe that she'd been swayed to the rebel side but was glad for the extra muscle. Sodalite wasn't exactly a fighting gem, and as much as she hated to admit it, Ametrine herself wasn't any match against Jasper. Not that Lapis was either, but the Crystal Gems would be a huge help. Assuming they'd gotten the message.

"Yes, really. Now, please go inform Peridot that we have permission to take Lapis with us or something. Make up a lie, you're pretty great at that," Sodalite said with a wink.

"Yes, my crystal," Ametrine said, playing along with her companion's superior behavior. Sodalite never cared about her status unless she was around an important gem, and it had almost become a running joke between them. She watched Sodalite enter the escape pod and turned on her heel to find Peridot. She only had ten or so minutes until they were scheduled to leave, but she wasn't worried. The control room was close by.

As she speed-walked through the green and yellow hallway, a sudden thought hit her: this might be her last time looking at gem tech. She stopped in her tracks before continuing slower, taking these minutes to absorb the last of Homeworld she'd see. There were a few things she'd miss… The tech, her fellow Ametrines, maybe even the base. No, not the base. It was so dull in comparison to Earth.

As her mind wandered, she almost passed the entrance to the control room but caught herself when she heard Peridot's voice:

"Yes, my Morganite, we are thirty-eight minutes to Earth. I will report back to you once we have landed and taken care of the Cluster… And our, ah, other matter."

Ametrine assumed she was talking about the Crystal Gems. Well, now or never. "Commander."

"Thank you for your time, Morganite." She spun around in her chair to look at Ametrine. "What are you doing? Your escape pod takes off automatically in seven minutes."

"I need to inform you that Blue Diamond herself decided Lapis Lazuli, a member of her own court, not Yellow's, would be better off assigned to our mission."

"What?!" Peridot exclaimed, clearly upset with this last-minute change. "I didn't receive any update!"

"Commander Peridot, we don't have the time. I must get back to the escape pod. You said it yourself, it takes off automatically."

Peridot growled. "Fine, but if I find out you're lying, you'll be in serious trouble."

"Oh my stars, she's going to send Jasper," Ametrine thought. She held back her protests and exited the control room, sprinting back to the escape pod.

"Sooooodalite!"

The door opened and two gems poked their heads out at Ametrine. "Get in, we have three minutes!" Sodalite exclaimed. Lapis returned her attention to the controls.

"Soda- Lapis-" Ametrine recounted her conversation with Peridot as the launch sequence began. They were all quiet for a moment.

"If the door weren't locked, I would be back in my cell by now," Lapis muttered under her breath, but Ametrine could hear.

Suddenly, a cold automated voice pierced their ears and sent Sodalite a foot in the air. "T minus 10 seconds until takeoff."

"Jeez, Suds," Ametrine giggled, watching her companion blush profusely. Even Lapis was trying not to laugh, letting out a gasp of air and averting her eyes. The atmosphere in the tiny ship became a bit more relaxed, but there was still an underlying layer of worry that surrounded all three rebels. The silence grew and grew, making everything awkward until the escape pod finally took off.

"Three… Two… One. Liftoff." Came the robotic voice.

"Yay…" Ametrine said quietly. The group of gems sat in silence, watching Earth creep closer until it filled the whole view from the window.

Not wanting to think about their situation, Ametrine made up a question on the spot. "What's everyone thinking about?"

Lapis tensed, but Sodalite was to the point. "Fusion. Garnet."

"Us?" Ametrine asked, unconvinced.

"If you're the one suggesting it," she mumbled, embarrassed.

"Don't be shy, I bet Garnet could help us. It could be nice. You have good ideas."

"Thanks, Ame."

They turned towards Lapis questioningly. "What about you?"

Lapis's cheeks burned, but she replied quite calmly. "I'm wondering if Steven will be mad. If I should even visit him."

"Of course you should!" Sodalite began. "We observed Steven Universe for some time, and he's the most merciful and forgiving gem I've ever seen."

"Besides, what'd you even do to him?"

Lapis looked away. "I kind of… Nevermind. I'll go see him. But don't be surprised if he's mad."

Ametrine and Sodalite exchanged a glance, concerned for this gem who seemed so conflicted about her past and future.

"Lapis," said Ametrine gently, "are you alright?"

At the worst time possible, a buzzer on the control panel began buzzing and glowing, signaling their descent to Earth.

"We're here," Sodalite said bitterly, her voice coated with anxiety.

And together, the trio stared out the ship's one window as a grassy field hurtled towards them, stretching into endless countryside.