Last time on Steven Universe Retaliation, Topaz had betrayed the Crystal Gems who admitted his allegiance to Yellow Diamond. Later Zircon was poofed, and was reformed. Will they go through with curing the Corrupted Gems? Find out now! Also I want to thank a buddy of mine for helping me with this chapter!
Steven, Zircon, Pearl, Lapis, and Apatite warped to an area covered by snow. Steven turned to look at the Wailing Stone behind the warp pad. As Steven stepped off of the portal and into the deep snow he asked, "Where are we?" "Not sure, we haven't used this portal in centuries." Pearl responded. Zircon stepped down and knelt. "The air tastes familiar though, I'm not sure why," he stated as he stood. "We need to remain vigilant."
Everyone nodded in agreement as they began their trek. Not too long after, Steven suddenly stopped. "Guys... did you feel that?"
The others turned to him in confusion as the ground suddenly began to shake, followed by the loud roaring of machinery. "Where is that sound coming from?" Apatite shouted at the top of his lungs.
"There!" Lapis exclaimed, pointing north to where the trees were shaking. They started to hesitantly move towards the source of the noise, to the point where it became loud enough that Steven had to cover his ears. "Whatever it is, it's over this hill," Zircon said, struggling to be heard over the noise while materializing his weapon. When they finally crossed the mound, they paused in shock.
Before them were some large, disabled injectors; all but one, which was currently drilling into the side of the cliff as they paused in their approach. "A kindergarten!" Steven said, surprised, as he turned to the other gems who seemed equally as shocked. Zircon stepped back, and grabbed his head. "My kindergarten..." he mumbled as he dropped to his knees and started about. At that moment, the single functioning injector exploded. The green smoke cleared as the debris rained down.
The gems all ran towards the source after the initial explosion, with Zircon lagging behind a little. When they reached it, they saw a green figure curled into a fetal position on the ground. "Hey! Are you okay?" Steven asked as he continued to come closer. The figure, in one swift motion, kicked Steven away and began to shout. "Stay away from me!" She shouted. Her voice echoed through the canyon. Steven noticed the gem on her right wrist as she summoned a green shield that bore spikes around the edge. "Don't hurt me!"
Zircon brushed past Steven, using his hand to push him back a bit. "We're not here to hurt you," Zircon said, gesturing in surrender. "If we had wanted to, we would have done so already."
The green gem's left hand began to glow, and a blast shot out of her hand and hit Zircon square in the chest and forced him back several meters until he hit a wall. "Woah!" Steven jumped back, startled, as Lapis ran up to Zircon. "You okay?"
"Yeah," he assured as he stood up. He noticed the others had since drawn their own weapons, and approached the green gem once more. "I am Ziron 3045 Delta Sierra. I was grown in this kindergarten, just as you were." He explained, the green gem backing away just a bit. "How did you know I was grown here?" She asked once she had recovered enough from surprise.
"Your gem is still shining as though it was just created. When did you come out of your exit hole?" Zircon asked, as the green gem continued to keep her shield up as if to defend herself.
"I… I don't know… It was recent. I'm Jade… I know that much." She finally said, introducing herself. "Well, you're definitely not an Era 2 gem." Zircon thought to himself, just as Steven ran by to introduce himself. "Hi I'm Steven!" Despite being 18 years old, his childish smile still flashed his white teeth at Jade.
Jade's voice cracked slightly. "H-Hi... Where am I?" She asked.
"You're on Earth." Zircon answered, he looked for the classic diamond color that would represent which diamond she served, but found none, only a green diamond in its place.
Zircon nodded to himself, and turned to meet with the group. "Steven, can you take her back to the Gem Temple. I need to discuss something with the others." He asked for a favor. Steven nodded, and ran to Jade. He led her to the warp pad, and as soon as the whoosh of the pad dissipated. Zircon began.
"She's a new gem. A new generation it seems." Zircon explained.
"So, like us? But not like us?" Pearl asked, and Apatite spoke "Well, yes. Precisely. You see, she is part of an experimental line of gems, that have both their Diamond's power, as well as your weapon manifesting power. I heard my diamond call them Era 3. The difference between these gems is that Era 1 gems have the power to manifest weapons from their gems. Era 2 gems lack a lot of the powers that Era 1 gems held. And these Era 3 gems, well.. They're a mix of Era 1 and Era 2. But with a power from their Diamond." He explained in detail.
"But if that's the case, why is there another Kindergarten on Earth? Didn't we shut them all down?" Lapis asked.
"Apparently not. Either that, or they just built it." Zircon mentioned, "Either way, we have to find out if there are any others. Because I'm going to be livid, if the Diamonds have been sending gems here, to set up kindergartens. We need to find out how, and stop it. Unless, Apatite can give us the answer."
"They send only the kindergartens. As far as I know this is the second one sent here. After the Beta Kindergarten and the Prime Kindergarten, that is. They launch them from Homeworld to planets. Instead of the old way of actually bringing them and overseeing the kindergarten. Now they have a new technology they've created, one where they can control the kindergartens movements through space remotely."
Pearl took a step back, and began to shake. "Are we that far behind? We're so technologically advanced but yet so technologically under them!" Her voice began to quiver, as she put her hand over her mouth and began to cry. Tears rolled down her cheek, and over her knuckles. Zircon wrapped his arms around her in a hug, and let her cry into his shoulder.
"Hey, don't worry. We'll be fine." Zircon assured her. Rubbing her back as she sniffled. "Apatite, do you know how we can stop them?" Lapis asked. Apatite nodded, and knelt down and began to draw in the snow.
"Okay, every kindergarten injector has a transmitter in the top of the nose. The transmitter is what allows it to be controlled remotely, but it also houses the mainframe to keep the kindergarten safe on exiting the atmosphere and entering said atmosphere. But, with Lapis Lazuli's Hydrokinesis, you could fry the transmitter. This would shut down the protective layer of the injector, and it would burn up in re-entry." He explained. The drawing, despite looking childish, detailed where the transmitter was on the nose of the injector. And it detailed where Lapis would have to enter said injector, and fry the transmitter.
Lapis nodded. "What do we do with her though?" Apatite asked, Zircon looked down at Apatite. "We take her in with us. She becomes a Crystal Gem." He stated. It was obvious that Jade would be the next best addition to the Crystal Gems, with a little bit of training with her powers, and a little knowledge of Homeworlds battle plans, she could be the next warrior they need. Pearl pulled her head out from Zircons shoulder, and looked up at him.
Everyone nodded, and they began their travel back to the warp pad. When they got back to the temple, Steven was showing Jade around the house. "This is where we eat, and this is where we watch TV." Steven pointed out the kitchen and living room, Zircon smiling.
"Jade," Zircon called out, catching Jade's attention as her green hair swooshed over her green eyes, "We all need to talk, about what we are going to do with you."
The suspense filled her, and her heart dropped. She's just met them. "W-What do you mean?" She stuttered, the fear in her voice stood out.
"We're talking about your induction into the Crystal Gems. But first, we must tell you the history. And the reasoning of why we're fighting Homeworld." Zircon explained.
She nodded, and he motioned for her to sit. The gems all sat on the couch, and Steven went to the kitchen to grab a drink. Zircon began the history. Telling about what started the Gem War over 5,700 years ago. Telling about Pink Diamond, and her shattering. Who Rose Quartz was and why she did what she did. He told her about the battles. She asked how Pink Diamond was shattered.
"Why, with Rose's sword." Zircon explained. And something clicked in Steven's head. Mom's sword cant shatter gems, it can only poof them Steven thought to himself, he looked at Zircon, and he started to connect the dots. He began to ask himself, just how Pink Diamond was shattered. Jade nodded, as she took in all the information. About everything Homeworld had done to Earth and to gemkind.
"So, are you in?" Zircon asked simply.
Jade thought to herself for a few seconds before blurting out, "Yes, I'll be a part of your movement."
Zircon smiled and stood. "Good to hear, welcome to the Crystal Gems." He welcomed her with open arms, but Steven couldn't get over the question. How did Pink Diamond get shattered?
Garnet, who had just gotten back from looking for Amethyst, missed everything. "What did I miss?" She asked.
"New Crystal Gem. Her name is Jade." Steven said, obviously not interested in whats going on. "Something on your mind?"
"Garnet," Steven began, "Can I ask you something, in private?"
Garnet nodded, and Steven led her outside. "Garnet... How did Pink Diamond get shattered?" He asked.
Garnet paused for a few moments, and answered quickly. "Your mother's sword."
"But how? How does a sword, that only poofs gems, shatter a Diamond?" Steven questioned, and this question stumped Garnet. "I... I actually do not know." She thought to herself, and turned to Steven, "After all this mess is sorted, we'll figure this out. Together." The fusion assured Steven, rubbing his head like he was 14 again. "First, let's welcome the new one. As your mother did to all Crystal Gems." Steven nodded, and with a smile they walked in. Garnet introduced herself, which seemed to calm Jade quickly.
So, we have a new Crystal Gem! Jade! We have also found out that the Diamonds are apparently creating a new generation of gems. What is this new generation for? When did this all start? Find out next time, on Steven Universe: Retaliation! Please favorite and follow to catch more updates, and don't forget to leave a review! I love hearing your thoughts!