The ride from the barn to Connie's home had been a tricky one. The van whined and coughed the entire ride. It dragged to one side and threatened to pull itself off road at several points. But Greg fought through it. For the entire, silent, awkward car ride he fought the van until it finally ground to a halt at the curb in front of Connie's home.
Steven and Connie stumbled into the house, exhausted. They were quickly ushered apart, with Steven flopping down on the couch and seeming passing out. Connie cautiously walked herself up the stairs to her room.
Peridot wished to be alone. With Lapis's kidnapping, she'd fallen quieter than before. She chose to stay outside and occupy herself with Greg's van rather than socialize. Amethyst chose to stay outside with her, she'd never pass up the opportunity to get some free oil.
Around a small kitchen table, Doug, Greg, Priyanka, and Zircon sat themselves down. All of them coated in dried sweat, dirt, or some combination thereof. Greg tapped away silently at his phone, waiting for something to happen. Doug and Priyanka silently shifted their gazes back and forth amongst the group. Zircon lowered his gaze to the table and locked it there. Greg's phone let out a soft 'bing' and he sighed.
"Got something." Greg said
"Good" Zircon said with a nod "Where're they heading?"
"From what I can tell, they look like they're going north, maybe northwest?"
"Can you be any more specific?"
"No, sorry, the signal keeps cutting in and out. It probably doesn't help that they're probably underground."
"Mmm." Zircon nodded again "Alright, we'll leave in the morning. Once the van-"
"Excuse me?" Priyanka interrupted
Zircon looked up from the table at Priyanka "…What?"
"You can't seriously expect us to let this continue, can you?"
"Well… why not?"
The three parents stared at Zircon. "… You're joking right?"
"Why would I be?"
"After everything you've done today you don't honestly expect us to just be alright with you being here, do you?"
"Wait, you're still on about that?"
Doug and Priyanka glared at Zircon "Still on about- Of course we're still on about that!"
"It hasn't even been a day yet" Doug interrupted "-and you expect us to have forgotten the fact that you tried to murder our children in cold blood!?"
"Technically I've also save-"
"Then there's that monster that tried to kill all of us." Priyanka added
"Well you see-"
"And you totaled my van." Greg added
"I had no control over-"
"And you smell like lion sh-" Doug continued
"Ok now you're just being rude!"
The adults fell silent. Doug and Priyanka were fuming, Greg looked sullenly at the table and Zircon gazed over the group. Greg rubbed his eyes and sighed.
"Look, Zeke" Greg said, looking at Zircon "while I can't speak for Mr. and Mrs. Maheswaran, let me say this:"
Zircon shifted his attention to Greg.
"-I've been involved with Crystal Gems for a long time, you've seen the videotape. You know I'm used to some degree of weirdness."
"I'd imagine so, given you and Rose-"
"But there are some things, like this, where I'm very far from accepting."
Zircon fell silent as Greg's expression grew sterner.
"I've accepted that Steven's going to be involved in things that I can't protect him from, that he's going to be putting himself in dangerous situations that there is very little I can do to prevent…" Greg paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts and breathing deeply. "But when I know that there is something I can do for Steven, something that will keep him safe, I'm going to do it."
Zircon looked away from Greg and back to the table, the blue gem on his jaw began to gleam. "…I'm sorry"
"Sorry isn't going to undo what you've done." Greg said "You only stopped because you saw a picture of Rose. If you'd never seen it you would have… done something unforgivable."
Zircon remained silent, he wasn't going to argue that.
"Steven forgives a lot of things, to some extent I do too. I've raised him to never hold a grudge and I never want to see the day where he's started doing so. Maybe in time I can forgive and forget, but that's not today."
"… Then what do you want me to do?"
Greg closed his eyes and exhaled "I want you to leave."
"That's understandable, but-"
"I'm not saying forever." Greg interrupted "I have no doubt that there is a lot you haven't made clear yet, and I would like to know what before anything rash happens. Just until we've got Garnet and Pearl back."
"Are you sure that's something Steven can do?"
Greg smirked "You'd be surprised what Steven and Connie can do when they work together."
Zircon stared Greg in the eyes. Despite Greg's oafish appearance, Zircon could feel his resolve. He clearly had his son's interests at heart. Zircon wasn't going to try and argue against him.
"…I hope you're right." Zircon sighed, frustrated "Because if the last few hours are any indicator, and I mean this with good intentions, those kids have no idea what they're up against."
"And you do?"
"Oh heck no" Zircon shrugged "Honestly, nothing about the last day has made even a small amount of sense. But I don't think I need to remind you how strong the things you're up against are. I mean, one of them beat Garnet of all people."
"I know, but I'm not changing my mind. There are choices and consequences for everything. Right now is no different."
"…ok" Zircon rose from his chair "If this is how things are going to be, I think it's best if I take my leave then."
"Just one more thing."
"What?"
"Promise that you won't just follow us when we leave."
Zircon looked at Greg for a moment, then smirked "Points for trying to be thorough. Alright-" Zircon raised several fingers in a mock salute "I swear I won't follow you when you leave."
With that, Zircon gave a shallow bow and walked out of the kitchen, through the den, and out the front door. The remaining adults remained quiet until they heard the front door click shut.
"You guys were surprisingly quiet during that." Greg said, looking at Doug and Priyanka "I was expecting you to jump back in at any point, what's on your minds?"
Doug and Priyanka shared a look then turned towards Greg. "It's about Connie." Priyanka said
"Hoo boy." Greg groaned, having an idea about where this was going.
"We know we promised to let Connie keep doing this stuff with Steven and the Gems… but after today…"
"You're not so sure anymore, right?"
"Yes, exactly! Surely even you haven't wanted to let Steven keep doing some of the dangerous stuff he has been?"
"Not always? Most of the time I can count on the Gems to keep him safe, But I do worry about him."
"What about after today?"
"After today… I don't know."
"Then it shouldn't be a surprise that we aren't letting Connie go with you."
Greg looked at the two parents, their faces full of concern, and nodded solemnly.
"We know the gems and Steven look out for Connie-" Doug continued "But the Gems are the ones in danger this time."
"On top of that, her and Steven nearly…" Priyanka choked on the words a little "died three times today."
The trio let those words hand in the air for a moment. Letting them linger and sink in.
"…Connie is staying here" Doug said at last "I'm sorry it's just- just- too much to take in."
Greg nodded "It's ok, I'm not the one you have to break the news to, they're currently conked out in two separate rooms."
Doug and Priyanka looked at each other, then Greg, giving him a sad smile. He returned an understanding one.
"You're free to stay the night" Priyanka said "We'll break the news in the morning and handle it from there."
Greg nodded in thanks and rose from his chair, stretching. "Do you mind if I use your bathroom?"
"Oh no, go right ahead, we'll grab you some bedding."
Greg walked out of the kitchen, into the living room and around the side of the stairs. Built beneath the stairs was a small, almost closet sized bathroom. He shut the door and turned on the faucet of a small sink. He pooled warm water in his hands and splashed it on his face and head. He could hear Doug and Priyanka as they mounted the stairs. Greg looked at himself in the mirror. Focusing on the beads of water that rolled down his face. He let the events of the past day play through his head. His heart beat quickened as he ran through it. The thought of Steven and Connie almost dying kept creeping back to the front of his mind. He took several deep breaths and focused on a song instead. One he'd been working on for some time. He couldn't quite get the melody right, but focusing on it was better than the alternative. He pulled a segment of paper towel from a nearby roll and wiped his face off.
Greg tossed the paper into a waste bin and walked back out. He hadn't heard Priyanka and Doug come back down, but on the couch next to Steven's was sprawled a set of sheets, blanket, and pillow.
Greg spread the sheets out on the couch and laid down. It was lumpy and smelled of dust, but he knew he wouldn't notice before too much longer, plus it was better than sleeping on the floor.
"Goodnight Shtoo-ball." Greg said Softly
"…Goodnight dad" Steven replied
Greg looked at Steven, who was turned towards the couch cushions. The only thing he heard now was a soft snoring.
*deep underground*
Steven's sleep was restless. There was no respite to be found in his dreams nor recourse from reality. His mind was empty and black, his body heavy and numb. Yet he could feel the world moving. Shaking, jarring, and spinning freely from what it normally was. For the briefest of moments, he became weightless. Then gravity returned and he collided with the floor.
"Hello?" Steven tried to say, but his voice did not leave his throat. It stayed stuck within him. Yet he continued fruitlessly. "Is there anyone here?"
The darkness began to fade as a vibrant red light filled the world around him. It grew brighter and lighter until it had all but lost its hue and had become white. At that instant, the world snapped back into being. He laid on his back and stared upward at the stone ceiling. He was no longer in the Maheswaran's home.
Then his body moved. Against his will, Steven sat up and examined his new room. Stone walls on all sides, smooth and glassy. The room was small, barely seven feet square. There was no door, or windows, the only light came from tiny crystals that were ingrained into the stone walls. Dying the room a faint aquatic blue. It was then that a voice spoke.
"Sapphire?"
It was Ruby, but Steven couldn't see from where they'd spoken. He was the only one in the room.
"Ruby, it's me! Steven!" He tried to say, but his voice remained trapped.
Continuing against his will, his body leapt up from the floor and spun around. Searching for an opening of any kind.
"Sapphire where are you!?" Ruby cried again
Steven's body stopped spinning, unable to find an opening. So it decided to make one. Steven charged towards a wall at full force. Just before colliding with it his right arm thrust out, clad in a rouge gauntlet. A hearty thud resounded from the impact, but the wall remained undamaged. Steven watched as his left arm struck out next. Only it didn't look like his arm. His arm wasn't beet red. As the arm connected with the wall the right arm retracted and wound up for another blow
"Move you stupid wall!" Ruby shouted angrily
It was at that moment that Steven realized he wasn't locked in a stony cell. Ruby was, and he was watching through her eyes. He didn't know how or why he'd ended up here. But this was perfect. Maybe he could communicate with Ruby.
"Ruby!" Steven tried to shout, but his voice went unheard.
Ruby buffeted the wall relentlessly. Unleashing a flurry of blows, Ruby screamed as her fists impacted the walls and charred their surface. She punched the stone as hard and as fast as she could muster. But the walls remained undamaged despite her actions. Soon her fists began to slow and her screaming began to die.
"Let me out~" She whined
"Ruby! Can you hear me?" Steven continued, his voice still dying in his throat
Ruby slumped to the floor and laid there.
"Ruby?"
A high pitched whine roused Ruby from her stupor. She looked to the ceiling as liquid began to pour in, black and thick like tar. It quickly began to fill the room. Ruby picked herself up from the floor, the liquid clung to her like pitch. It was oily and cold, reeking of sulfur and rot.
Steven wanted to retch, but just like his voice it stayed locked inside.
Ruby began slamming herself against the wall, having even less effect than her fists. Whatever the liquid was, she did not wish to be caught by it. The grimy black liquid that surrounded and began to swallow her. Slowing her and making movement difficult and laborious. She was growing frustrated by the lack of progress and her growing inability to change that. The liquid around her began to boil as she expelled heat.
"Let me out!" Ruby shrieked
Ruby stopped slamming into the wall and wound up for another punch. Putting all the force she could muster behind it, Ruby stepped into her thrust. Before her foot made contact with the floor she thrust her fist out. Knocking her off balance, tripping and dropping her face first into the liquid that was rapidly filling her cell. The taste of rotten meat and rancid eggs permeated Steven's mouth as Ruby got a taste of the inky blackness that surrounded her. Steven felt his stomach churn and wanted very badly to vomit, but it remained trapped as his heart rate quickened and breathing became shallow.
Ruby struggled to rise, the liquid was heavy and thick. It refused to let her rise easily, even as it surpassed her height and continued to fill the room. With all of her strength, she got to her knees and kicked herself upward. She broke the surface of the liquid and collided her head with the ceiling. There was now barely enough room for her head. She kicked and paddled with all of her might to keep above the oily ink beneath her. Slowly the space closed. Inch by inch Ruby was being sucked down and drowned out by the rising liquid. The last bit of free space around Ruby's face was beginning to be swallowed up.
"Sapphire!" She cried
The liquid engulfed her, dragging her back to the floor. Steven felt as if he couldn't breathe, the liquid's taint gagging and drowning him. Silence engulfed the two of them. Surrounding them in an inky void.
Crushing their will.
Sapping their life.
They floated in the liquid. Ruby didn't move, she couldn't move against the liquid. Her anger began to boil the liquid around her, but nothing changed. Steven struggled to remain conscious, he could feel the hot, greasy, grimy liquid all across his body. He truly felt sick. They floated there for what felt an eternity.
The noise of grating stone thundered through the liquid. The floor was pulled away and liquid drained downward, dragging Ruby with it. Ruby remained encased by the liquid as they fell freely. Only breaking free once they collided with the ground.
The liquid scattered across the ground, coating nearby rocks and soaking into the dirt. Ruby laid prone for a moment. Coated in the grime and sputtering. Ruby struggled to her feet and growled angrily.
"What is going on!?" She shouted in frustration
"I'd like to know that too." Steven agreed as he gasped for air and forced the liquid's taste from his mouth.
Ruby angrily stamped the ground, the heat from her anger suddenly ignited the liquid and surrounded and wreathed them in flame. The world around them became illuminated for a distance. The area was dark and lifeless. Nothing but fine, dry soil and rocks for as far as could be seen. The only light coming from the fire Ruby had lit with her frustration.
Then there was another light. A short distance into the darkness two amber colored orbs blinked into existence. They grew larger and drew closer towards the light. Ruby wasn't having it.
"Oh not you again!"
Ruby reached down and picked up a stone from the soil, coated in liquid and burning bright. Ruby took aim and hurled the flaming rock towards the two orbs. It connected with what they were attached to and made it recoil. The burning rock tumbled to the ground and continued to burn. The orbs shifted, as though looking at the burning rock. The flaming rock was snuffed, disappearing into the darkness.
"Come on! I'm not afraid to fight-"
The rock hurtled out of the darkness and drilled into Ruby's forehead, naturally Steven felt this too.
The glowing amber orbs drew closer towards the flames. It was made clear as light was cast upon the orbs that they didn't just act like eyes, they were eyes. The Creature that stood before the flames was a grotesque amalgam. Its lower half a little more than a long tail with a pair of stumpy, underdeveloped legs. Dragging the lower half was a swollen abdominal region with two sets of equally boisterous arms. The Amber orbs themselves were connected to a most reptilian head, its tongue flaring and flicking out intermittently betwixt rows of sharp teeth. Its body was covered in dull white scales with black dendritic branches reaching out all across it.
"Is that a snake person!?" Steven thought
The creature eyed Ruby from across the flames, flicking its tongue and relaxing its jaw. Displaying its vast numbers of teeth. Ruby rubbed her head and glared at the creature.
"You know what, I don't care what you are, where is Sapphire!?"
The creature gave a shrill roar, bowing its head towards Ruby. It charged, ignoring the burning liquid and flames, racing towards Ruby. Ruby wound up her right arm and let the creature get close, so close it could breathe on her. She then swung upwards, upper cutting the creature in the jaw. The creature's momentum carried it forward as the punch drove it upward. The creature flew over Ruby and tried to grab at her with its arms.
That's when the second creature struck.
From the darkness burst a nacreous light and a pair of talon laden feet. The feet snatched the creature from the air and carried it away screaming. The screaming and light faded into the distance, leaving Ruby standing alone in the darkness, surrounded by flames.
"…ok." Ruby said "Gonna save that one for later, gotta find Sapphire"
Steven let out a sigh of relief, perhaps Everyone was going to be fine until they found them.
Then with a thunderous grinding of gears, the ground began to rapidly rotate and tilt upwards.
"Oh come on!" Ruby and Steven cried in unison
That was the last thing the two shared, as a massive rock rolled and crushed Ruby.
*Back at the Maheswaran Residence*
Steven's eyes flitted open and he found himself staring very closely at the pattern of the Maheswaran's couch. His breathing was shallow and he was shaking uncontrollably. He could hear Greg snoring on the couch next to him.
Steven peeled himself off of the couch and sat up, looking around the living room. Dim light slipped through the windows to help illuminate the dark room. The sun had yet to rise, but it had clearly passed midnight by this point. Steven felt far better than he had before. Not perfect yet, he was still sore all over, but he no longer felt like he was going to keel over.
"What… was that?" Steven thought to himself as he brought his breathing back under control. The shaking was beginning to subside and Steven sat up on the couch. He rubbed his eyes and looked around the dark room. Mercifully lit compared to the dream he'd just had. He could still taste the liquid towards the back of his mouth, almost making him gag. Steven breathed and relaxed against the couch, he closed his eyes and tried to relax. This was thwarted by squeaking stairs and the patter of feet.
"Steven?" whispered a voice from the darkness
Steven's eyes blinked open and looked around the room. In the Darkness, crouching on the stairs in a pale blue night gown, was Connie. She squinted at him through the darkness. Steven leaned forward from the couch, showing he was awake.
Connie motioned with her hand for him to follow her. She rose from her crouch and carefully mounted the stairs. Taking extra care to not making any noise as she climbed. Steven followed suit, carefully climbing off of the couch and sneaking across the den to the stairs. As he tip-toed his way up the stairs, he watched as Connie reached the top and looked back, checking to see if he was following.
Connie continued down a short hallway, taking extra care to be quiet as she passed a door on her left. At the end of the hallway she opened a door on her right and walked in. Steven walked quietly down the hallway, taking great care to make as little noise as possible.
The room Connie had walked into was cream colored, lit only by a small bedside lamp. The wall directly across from the door was lined with books, a stained wood wardrobe and mirror stood off to one corner next to a single bed. Connie was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for Steven. He entered and shut the door quietly behind him.
"What's up?" Steven asked quietly
"I couldn't sleep and wanted to get something to drink. I heard you mumbling and shifting in your sleep, you ok?" Connie asked
"Honestly? Far from it. Brace yourself because there's a lot I need to tell you-"
*One lengthy explanation later*
"- and that's where we're at right now."
"Whoa. That's a lot" Connie said
"I know right? I feel like today's been the longest day ever, and now I can't even get a good night's sleep."
"Well it is a different day now, though we're only about three hours into it. But all that stuff with Ruby, you think that was real?"
"I don't know, I honestly hope not though. If it is then we don't have time to waste."
"Yeah but you heard my parents, right?
"How could I not? I was practically at the table."
"So then you know what's going to happen."
"We get split up, you stay here and I go chasing after Aqua to get everyone back?"
"That's what they'd want."
"What do you want to do then?"
"Seriously? Of course I want to go."
"I figured, but I mean, what are we going to do? You're parents aren't going to change their minds overnight. And I don't think my dad is going to be ok with helping you sneak away from your parents."
"I… I don't know."
Steven and Connie sat in silence for a moment, taking in all of the information they'd been given.
"We could sneak out?" Steven offered
Connie Chuckled "funny"
"I'm serious, we know how to track Aqua so why not go find her?"
Connie blinked and stared at Steven "You're serious?"
"Totally, we can pick up some stuff from my house, grab Amethyst, Peridot, and lion, and head after them ourselves."
"It can't be that simple, can it?"
"Why not? It's either that or get split up."
"Hmm, I guess so. Alright, let's do it."
"Ok, there's just one more thing I want to talk about first."
"Sure, what is it?"
"What do you want to do about Zeke?"
"Didn't our parents basically tell him to leave?"
"Yea, but do you really think he's just going to listen? Plus he promised to help get everyone back."
"True, true…" Connie fell silent for a moment, contemplating how to respond. "… I think it'd be best if we went without him."
"You think so?"
"Yea, sorry, after today I'm not sure. Maybe if we had time to get to know him like with Peridot then I would think otherwise. But we don't. I'm sure there is a lot we don't know yet but we don't have time to ask right now. Plus he left and we have no idea where he is."
Steven nodded "Makes sense to me, I'd like to give him a chance, but you're right."
"Alright, so how do you want to move forward?"
"We have to get back to my house first, you get what you need from here and I'll go get Amethyst and Peridot."
Connie nodded and stood up. She walked over to her Wardrobe and opened it while Steven carefully and quietly walked out the door. Steven took special care in walking past Connie's parent's room and even greater care collecting the few personal items he had with him. Greg continued to snore as Steven snuck through the living room. Steven looked at Greg and felt a pang of guilt. He knew why Greg and Connie's parents made the choice they did, it made their choice to sneak away all the more difficult.
Steven made a choice, he snuck into the kitchen and found a loose napkin and a pen. He scribbled onto the piece of paper:
Dad, Mr. & Mrs. Maheswaran:
Sorry for this but we didn't have a choice. You've seen how dangerous things are and I can't guarantee you'll be safe. Me and Connie will be safe, we're with Amethyst and Peridot. Be back soon.
-Steven
Steven Thought for a moment and then continued
P.S.: We didn't take Zeke with us, so you don't need to worry about that.
Satisfied, Steven put the napkin on the kitchen table and headed back into the den. He finished tying his snow boots, wrapped himself in a coat, and quietly creaked the front door open; stepping out into the night.
Parked at the curb in front of the house was the van, pristine and unblemished. Peridot had done an amazing and quick job of restoring the vehicle. Steven was impressed by what can be accomplished when trying to suppress your worries and fears.
Amethyst sat atop of the van, picking her teeth and staring up at the night sky. Peridot was in front of the van with the hood open, mumbling about spark plugs and the transmission. Steven shut the door and walked to van.
"Hey Steve-o!" Amethyst said, looking down from the van "What're you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep, me and Connie had a talk."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, here's what's going on:"
*15 minutes later*
The door to B.C. Public Transit bus 105 hissed open. A tired looking bus driver with blood shot eyes, a pot belly, and a gallon thermos of coffee stared down at the four individuals who climbed onto the bus. Connie went first, carrying an oversized duffle bag and a back pack, followed by Steven, Peridot, and Amethyst. The bus driver scrutinized the four of them as they deposited change into the fare box.
"What rave are you shrimps coming from?" They croaked in a smoker's voice.
"Rave?" Steven asked "We're not coming from a rave."
"Then why're two of you covered head to toe in purple and green paint?"
"…They're not?"
The bus driver gave Steven a look of incredulity, staring at him and the others as they walked to the back of the bus. The driver shrugged "whatever", shut the door, and changed the destination sign to Read Beach City. The engine roared as the bus pulled away from the stop and back onto the road
"So what's the plan then?" Amethyst asked
"Ok, so here's what I'm thinking" Connie said "We're going to use the warp pad and go to the kindergarten."
"a'ight"
"Then" Steven continued "We're going to keep an eye on the GPS and follow it as best we can."
"What if we can't catch up to them?" Peridot asked quietly
"If that's the case-" Connie answered "Charm City is close to the Kindergarten. We can stowaway on a bus or something to follow it that way"
Peridot nodded solemnly and looked down at the floor. Since lapis was taken she seemed to have lost some of her energy. Steven put his hand on her shoulder and Peridot looked up at him.
"We're going to get everyone back." He said with a smile "I promise"
Peridot smiled weakly.
The bus reached the limits of the city, the larger buildings became fewer and fewer as grasslands and hill took their place. A sudden and shuddering thump shook the bus and jolted everyone in it. The driver muttered an obscenity about potholes.
The bus rolled through the dark country side. Up sweeping snow covered hills, across frozen grasslands, passing by sleeping, silent forests. It was a strange peace Steven hadn't expected to see or feel. Especially with all of the madness that had surrounded everyone over the past day. A madness that undoubtedly would continue to hound them as they went to find Garnet, Pearl, Lapis, and whoever else was going to show themselves on this adventure.
"Why isn't the clod with us?" Peridot asked
"Who?" Connie asked
"You know, the clod that let Lapis get… taken."
"You mean Zeke? We really weren't sure if we wanted to keep him involved after everything that happened today. Plus, we didn't know where he went."
"Last I saw" Amethyst chimed in "He left you house and jumped onto the roof, but that was hours ago."
"… Weird."
The bus crested a hill and dipped downward as it descended towards Beach City. Street light and homes began to take the place of forests and fields, Steven could see the moonlit ocean stretch onward to the horizon. As the bus reached the bottom of the hill it shook and bounced violently, nearly knocking everyone out of their seats. The bus driver kept a steely grip on the wheel, muttering more obscenities about potholes and one directed at Mayor Dewey.
The bus took a left onto Main St. and another onto Fenton before pulling into a vacant parking lot and stopping.
"End of the line!" The driver shouted
The Steven, Connie, Amethyst, and Peridot rose from their seats and walked off the bus.
"Have a good night!" Steven said with a smile
The driver gave him a tired wave and shut the door.
Beach City was quiet and dark, save for the buzzing street lights. The quartet walked back to Main St. and towards the beach. Cold wind nipped at them, helping to keep them awake as they made their way to the temple and Steven's ruined home. They reached the board walk and took a moment to admire the dark waves that splashed on the snowy beach, the moon reflecting off of the water.
"You see that?" Amethyst asked
"See what?" Steven answered
"Up there, look."
Steven turned back and looked where Amethyst was pointing, the top of the old fish taco building on the board walk. He didn't see anything
"I don't see anything."
"There was something moving."
"Maybe it was a cat or something?"
"I don't know, I just don't want to get attacked again and wake up in another shack owned by some Gem collecting hobo."
"Zeke's a gem too"
"Yea, sure he is." Peridot added snidely "Let's go"
The group finished their sightseeing and continued down the beach to the temple. From the outside, Steven's home looked like an abandoned shell of its former self. Much of it was still heavily damaged from Aqua's attack and the addition of no light or signs of life gave it an unsettling air. Steven climbed the steps to the porch and pulled the blue tarp aside. Holding it as everyone filed inside.
"I'm going to grab some stuff." Steven said as everyone entered "We shouldn't have any trouble tracking Lapis after we leave the Kindergarten, but I'd rather have something anyway."
"Right" Connie nodded as she unzipped the duffle bag and pulled Rose's sword from it "Better safe than sorry"
Steven nodded "You see lion anywhere?"
Connie looked around and shook her head "I think he left again."
Steven sighed "Of course he did."
Connie nodded in agreement and Steven began emptying out the cabinets of the Kitchen. He grabbed packets of dried oatmeal, noodles, granola bars, and whatever else he could fit into his cheeseburger backpack. He then ran up to his room and crammed as many articles of clothing he could into his already near-bursting backpack. As he zipped his backpack shut, he noticed something on the ground. A long, charcoal gray scarf laid haphazardly on the floor. Steven looked at the kitchen counter and noticed that Zeke's black trench coat was still folded neatly on it. He apparently had not yet come to get his stuff back. Steven grabbed his backpack and left his room behind. He picked up the scarf and wound it into a tight coil before placing it next to the trench coat.
"You ready Steven?" Amethyst asked from the Warp pad
"Yea, coming!"
Steven ran to the warp pad and climbed up onto the glassy pedestal. Everyone was ready and waiting.
"So to recap" Steven said "We go to the Kindergarten, follow the GPS, and go to Charm city if need be."
"I've got a map and compass in case we need it" Connie added
"Good, we're all set then?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Alright" Connie announced "Let's go!"
The Warp pad emitted a chiming noise. Light emitted from its glassy surface and the quartet was broken into pieces, disappearing into the light. In less than a second they'd vanished and the light faded, leaving the house dark and Empty once more.
Zircon peeked his head over the window sill and stared into the dark house. He couldn't see anyone inside anymore. He stood up and walked inside. The cabinets were ransacked and the house was in as much disarray as it had been hours earlier. Zircon stared at the warp pad as he walked to the kitchen counter and collected his trench coat and scarf.
"Charm City, eh?"
Zeke unfolded his coat and pulled it on. He looped the belt and synched it tight to his waist.
"I must say kids, I'm impressed. I never pegged you for the types to charge headlong into danger without even bothering to come up with an actual plan. Or without asking for help."
Zircon uncoiled his scarf and wrapped it around his neck, slowly making his way up over his face.
"You're definitely Crystal Gems, No doubt about that."
Zircon checked himself over, making sure he was covered completely in his garb. The only piece he'd never removed was the ushanka that still sat on his head.
"Though of all the ways I see this ending, pretty isn't one of them."
Zircon turned and walked back towards the tarp. He pulled it open and nearly leapt out of his skin. Standing in front of him was Lion.
"…Hello again." Zeke said, trying not to seem nervous
Lion stared at him.
"So… you want to help or…?"
Lion yawned and walked past him into the house.
"Yea, thought so."
*Deep underground*
The Dark gem's chair came to a rest before a complex looking piece of machinery. A Tumorous amalgamation vaguely resembling a lathe of some fashion, attached to a computer and set before a large monitor. The lanky Gem rose from their chair with the sapphire in hand and approached the machine.
"This little beauty took quite some time to prepare." They said triumphantly "I'd hoped to get the chance to use it sooner but, sadly, things didn't play out that way. Oh well, better late than never I suppose. Besides, now I have a most worthwhile test subject"
The Gem placed the sapphire into the Lathe and strapped it in tightly. They moved to a monitor and began furiously tapping away at keys. The Machine whirred to life as a diode descended from a section of the machine towards the sapphire.
"Unfortunately, it may take a few days before I've… Calibrated you to the machine. But don't worry, it's a time I am more than willing to wait for. The results I am bound to receive will be a great compensation."
The diode blinked to life and a laser was fired into the sapphire, passing through it and into another diode on the other side.