Chapter 8

It's been a few days since Steven, and the others returned from their mission after successfully repairing the lunar spire. It was a great accomplishment and a win for the team, mostly for the crystal gems. This action made everyone trust each other more, but there were still tensions between the two groups. But slowly they became better friends as the team fought more enemies together, such as the day after the lunar spire mission, Steven wanted to make breakfast for everybody by making his own latest creation, the together breakfast! Made together mostly waffles covered in syrup, popcorn, whip cream, and finally, a strawberry on the top. All day Steven asked everybody to eat breakfast with him, but no one had the time. That is until he went inside the temple along with Boss and the others had a crazy adventure and fought a monster that possessed Stevens 'together breakfast' and turned into a monster. Eventually it was defeated and everybody made a new and better together breakfast! However it reminded them of the monster breakfast and had the appetite for pizza instead. Then their next adventure took place in the town where Steven found a mysterious crystal shard that had the ability to possess any object that it touches, earlier Pearl was searching for the shards to prevent it from causing trouble. Later that day Steven found a shard and secretly kept it, he then met a boy made Pee Dee, who was inside a 'frybo' suit to help his father/ Mr. Fryman, to promote his fry shop. Things weren't going great for the boy, so Steven used the shard on the frybo costume to do the job for its self. Literally. Things went fine for a while, until the suit started harm the civilians and Pee Dee's father in the area and needed to be stopped. Luckily, Pearl and the guardians were in town looking for the shards and fought the suit. Unfortunately it was too strong! Steven managed to defeat it with the aid of his own clothes possessed by more of the shards pearl dropped during the battle and used the on the frybo suit and completely stopped it. After the battle, Pee Dee became Steven's new friend and Mr. Fryman allowed his son to be involved in the family business more often. It was truly another day at the office, have a normal day, later, fight a mysterious monster, and call it a day. Everybody hoped that things couldn't get worse.

Right?

Beach City, Greg's Car Wash

Its morning at the car wash the car wash where Steven, and fireteam shield decided to help Greg in his work to wash the mayors truck. It was an important task for Greg as he needed the truck to be spotless.

"Alright, almost done! Steven, Ace! Get the hubcaps!"

"You got it Mr. Universe!"

"Yeah! Hubbin it up!"

"Scout, how's the vacuuming?"

"Its looking spotless!"

"Great! Boss, Ghost! Everything good on the truck's engine?"

"Oil is all good and fresh!"

"Alright! Keep up the good work! This is a high profile job!"

"Is it because it's the mayor's election mobile?" said Steven.

"Yup! And if we do this right, we might get political favors!"

"Oooh…I like the sound of that!" said Ace.

"He's right! If we do this correctly, then we might get our own place!" said Boss.

"Good, I would like a room of my own. No offense Steven." Said Scout.

"Aw it's ok, I'm sure that the couch is starting to get a bit uncomfortable. Plus, I don't know what political means, but I agree with Ace, I like the sound of that!" said Steven as he grabbed a nearby hose and open turned it on. As the water came out, it sprayed all over Greg. This made a water battle between father and son. Boss and the others watched in happiness as they laughed at the situation. The moment was didn't last long as the mayor came into the scene.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! I'm not paying for father and son bonding here!"

Suddenly the mayor was sprayed in water by Steven himself.

"Gah! Universe! Control your son!"

"Steven!" Said Greg as he ran to his son to stop him and apologized. "Sorry about that Mr. Mayor, heh, this one is on the house."

The mayor thought of what Greg said.

"On the house eh? I like the way you do business Universe." Said the Mayor as he got in his truck and left the area with the sound of his name playing.

As the mayor left, Greg sighed in relief as he was glad he didn't get in trouble.

"Political favors!" said Steven as he walked towards his father.

"Aw you rascal! Enough with the hose fights!" said Greg as he picked up his son a gave him a rubbed his knuckles on his head.

As this was happening, the guardians were having a discussion.

"Well, there goes our chance to get a home of our own!" said Scout.

"Don't worry, we'll find another way. We always do." Said Boss.

"I was really looking forward for a bed of my own." Said Ace.

*Splash*

"What the?"

Boss and the others turned around to see Greg and Steven covered in water by…a purple cat carrying a hose? The 'cat' then sprayed everyone with the hose as they ran around to escape from it.

"Geez, what is with this cat?" said Greg.

Everyone got their answer when the cat suddenly transformed into-

"Amethyst?!" said Everyone.

"Ha! Got you guys!"

"Whoa! That was…surprising." Said Scout.

"I have to admit, that was pretty cool." Said Ace.

"For once I agree." Said Boss.

"Er…pretty cool Amethyst." Said Greg as he suddenly felt uncomfortable.

"Really Cool!" said Steven. "I wish I could shape shift like you."

"Yeah well, you could probably learn." Said Amethyst.

"Really?"

"Sure! You got a gem don't you?"

"Whoa! Magic stuff! Should I get out of here? Is there going to be an explosion?" said Greg.

"Aw it's no big deal dad."

*Flash*

"Yeah its fiiiiine!" said Amethyst now transformed into Steven!

Everybody just screamed in surprised as all didn't know she could do that!

Steven's house, later that day.

As Steven and the others, minus Greg, returned to Steven's house and found Pearl minding her own business. Amethyst decided to show-off her shape shifting powers to Steven and the guardians by bothering Pearl.

"Hey Pearl! Check this out!" said Amethyst as she started to shape shift. The turned into a seal, a wolf a wrestler, and a bird.

"Whoa!" said Steven and the guardians as they witnessed the abilities Amethyst was showing.

Pearl however, wasn't happy as she walked towards the other and said.

"Amethyst, please stop you're overdoing it! Just because you can shape shift doesn't mean you should."

"Ah chill it dude!"

"Oh, give it a rest Pearl! Think of this as an educational lesson about how you gems work. Said Ace.

"I agree, seeing how you have abilities such as this makes me want to learn more." Said Scout.

"Plus, we agreed with Garnet that we have the chance, we should learn more about each other, as Guardians of light, and Gems." Said Boss.

Pearl crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

"*Sigh* Of course, we agreed to that…"

"Can you shape shift? Too?" said Steven.

Pearl smiled and said.

"Well of course-"

"Well of course I can! I'm perfect! WHOMP WHOMP!" said Amethyst now transformed into Pearl and smacked her bottom.

Seeing this made Ace laugh as the others tired not to, as Amethyst impression of Pearl is spot on. In a laughable way.

Pearl shoved Amethyst out of the way and continued her lesson.

"All gems have shape shift powers," said Pearl as her gem glowed and showed a projection of a figure. "we can turn into objects, change parts of our bodies, or…we could to 'that'.

Everyone looked at Amthyest still transformed into Pearl, still smacking her bottom.

"I wanna try it all!" said Steven.

"Don't bite off more than you can chew Steven." Warned Pearl as she left the house to get away from Amethyst as she still continued to mock her.

With Pearl gone, Amethyst transformed back to normal as Steven ran up to her and said.

"Alright, now teach me how to change into a huge lion!"

"Actually, for once Pearl is right."

"But-"

"I would listen to Pearl, Steven." Said Boss. "Don't over do it, we might be new to this, but I'm sure there are risks of shape shifting into objects or animals."

"Boss is right," said Amethyst. "if we're going to do this we gonna start with something easy."

Steven thought for a moment and said.

"Like that cat you turned into?"

"That sounds good! Just follow my lead."

Steven and Amethyst, went towards the living room to have enough space to practice. While fireteam shield sat down and watched the show.

"Ok first, think of what you want to be. And then, just shake it out!" said Amethyst as she transformed into the same cat from earlier. "See? Ha! Now it's your turn!"

"Ok." Said Steven as he concentrated to shape shift. "Caaaaaaat!"

"Ok now your just being too tense, just relax and feel it. Biorhythms yo!"

"Take it easy Steven, don't force it!" said Boss.

"I bet you ten bucks Steven mess's his pants." Said Ace.

"You're on!" said Scout.

*Slam*

"GAH!"

"OOF!"

"Shut up!" said Said Boss as her hand glowed purple and 'shoved' her teammates into the wall. "Ignore them Steven, just feel the energy in your gem. Embrace it!"

"Feeeeeel iiiiiiiit!"

"Er…if your not ready, we can try it later." Said Amethyst.

"N-No wait! I can do it!" said Steven as he continued to concentrate."*Sigh* yeah….yeah…feel it…HA!"

Everybody waited for a transformation, yet nothing happened.

"Well…it was a good try." Said Amethyst.

"Yeah, you did your best." Said Boss.

"Did Steven, mess his pants?" said Ace.

"No, so you owe Scout ten bucks."

"Damn it!"

"Yeah!" said Scout.

*Meow*

"!"

"What the…?"

Steven lifted his hand and from his hand was a small and adorable cat on his finger!

*Meow*

"Wow! This is so cool!" said Steven as he saw his own finger turned into a cat with excitement.

"By the travelers light, this is incredible! And adorable!" said Boss as she petted the cat finger.

"Way to go Steven, it's not much of a transformation but it's a start!" said Ace.

"Your getting better bit by bit!" said Scout.

"Hey! You should go show your dad, he's gonna freak out!" said Amethyst.

*Meow*

Greg's carwash, later that day.

After a long day at the wash, Greg decided to take a break and enjoy some sun as he sat down on a chair, and relax as he drank a bottle of water.

"Dad! I'm back!"

Greg looked up and saw Steven and the guardians walking up to him.

"Hey, Stewball! What's up?"

"Check this out!" said Steven as he revealed his cat finger.

*Meow*

"WOAH!" Shouted Greg as he tossed his water bottle in the air.

As the water bottle was in the air, its contents spilled on the cat finger, and sadly disliked the water.

"Sorry little buddy, anyway, what do you think? I shape shifted my finger into a cat!" said Steven.

"Wow, uh, heh, is that a thing you could do now? That's uh…pretty cool." Said Greg as his voice had a hint of disgusted as he saw the cat finger.

"Originally he was suppose to turn into a cat, but it his finger turned into the cat instead." Said Boss.

"Really? That's uh…a good attempt."

"I know right! I'm gonna take this show on the road!" said Steven as he ran from the carwash and ran into the town to show it off. Leaving fireteam shield and Greg.

As they were alone Greg opened his cooler next to him and dig deeper and found a beer can. He opens it up and drank most of it.

Seeing this, Ace said.

"It was weird wasn't it?"

"Weird?! It was freaky! Do you have any idea how crazy that looked?!"

"With all do respect , he's just training to be a gem just like the others." Said Boss.

"I know, but every time Steven does these things, it worries me that one day he'll get hurt. He's the only family I got."

"The only family? Don't you have any relatives?" said Scout.

"I do, but I ran away and dropped out of college just so I can fulfill my dream as a rock star. Heck I haven't seen them since then; they don't even know Steven exist!"

Feeling pity on the man, Boss said.

"Mr. Universe, me and my team swear to you we will protect Steven from any danger that comes to him. I promise you."

"I know, and you will. And if anything at least happens, let me know, or you know where to find me."

"I will." Boss Promised.

After leaving the car wash, Steven decided to show off his cat finger to Sadie and Lars at the donut shop. After a discussion about how lonely the cat looked, Steven turned the rest of his fingers on his hand into more cats! The guardians knew this would end badly if they didn't stop Steven from summoning more cat fingers. Later that day, Everyone went to the Fryman restaurant, once again, Steven Showed off his cat fingers to the Fryman family. Being told that the cat fingers looked 'freaky', Steven, again, summoned more cat fingers on his remaining hand. Ronaldo then took a picture of the fingers on his cell phone for his 'blog', Steven carried his phone to looked at the picture, when suddenly the cat fingers didn't like touched. Boss saw this and didn't like where this is going, if the cats didn't like being touched, then it must've hurt Steven as well. She has to do something.

As Everyone made it home, Steven opened the fridge and decided to grab a sandwich, but the cats didn't like the feeling of the touch.

"C-Come on guys! I'm just…getting a snack! "

As Steven touched the sandwich, both himself, and the cat's felt pain.

"Gah!"

"Steven! Are you alright?" said Boss.

"Yeah, it's just…the cat's don't like to be touched. When they do, it hurts."

"Oh Steven, I knew this would happen! You need to get rid of them!"

"I don't know how to!"

"We could cut them off!" Said Scout as he summoned his knife.

"WAH!"

*Pow*

"OW!"

"Damn it Scout! Don't scare the kid! Ignore him Steven, he was just joking!" said Ace.

"Yeah, just joking, my bad."

Steven let out a breath of relief as he was glad he gets to keep his fingers.

"Steven! What's up! Need some help?" said Amethyst as she opened the front window.

"Uh…No, it's cool! I got this!" Replied Steven as he figured out a way to carry his plate of sandwich. His elbows.

"Oh good! See ya later then!"

"Huh?"

"Wait! Where are you guys going?" said Boss.

"We're taking a boat to sea to fight a living island!"

"A living island?!" said Ace.

"And here it thought we fought stranger enemies than the gems…" said Scout.

"Yeah so did I…" said Boss.

"W-Wait! Amethyst! I want to go on the boat too! I want to see a living island! Wait! Wait!" said Steven as he ran towards the gems with the guardians following him.

As Steven went to towards the water, he jumped in to catch the boat.

"Steven!" Said Pearl as she saw the boy in the water.

"HAHAHA! Come on! You can make it!" said Amethyst.

As Steven placed his hands in the water, a sharp pain filled his hands, forcing him to raise his arms and showing his cat fingers to the gems.

"Steven! What's going on!?" said Pearl.

"Uh, it's nothing! It's just that, I turned my fingers into cats!"

Amethyst chuckled as she saw what he did to fingers, Pearl on the other hand.

"We have to stay and help Steven before it gets worse!"

"We can't, this a tectonic emergency. We'll deal with Steven when we get back." Said Garnet.

"Amethyst, I blame you for this!" said Pearl.

"Meh, that's fair."

"GRRRR!"

"WHAT?!" said shouted Boss. "Are serious! You just can't abandon Steven in this condition! You have to help!"

"I'm Sorry Boss, we have to go." Apologized Garnet.

Hearing this, made Boss so angry that she had to contain her anger as her hand glowed brightly.

("That idiot…what kind of leader is she when she sees a child in need of help! She is not fit to be a leader…")

Later that day, Steven and the others were inside the house, figuring out a way to make Steven's fingers back to normal.

"Alright enough! No more cat fingers! I want Steven fingers! And I don't mean me heads on my fingers! I mean my regular fingers!"

As Steven was concentrating on getting fingers back, fireteam shield was their own problems.

"Boss, calm down you need to relax." Said Ace.

"That's right, we don't need you to burn the place down." Said Scout.

"Right…need to calm down…take deep breaths…"

*Meow*

"Wah! Boss! Ace! Scout! Help!"

Everyone turned around and saw parts Steven body turned into cats!"

"STEVEN!"

The three guardians ran towards the boy and wondered what happen!

"Steven, what happened!" said Boss.

"I don't know, I was just thinking about how to get my fingers back! When all of a sudden cats started to appear around my body!"

"Oh man, just hang in there kid." Said Ace.

"Boss, he needs help! Fast!" said Scout.

"I know but, how are we going to find some one who knows in situation like this?!"

"Dad…My dad might know what to do!" said Steven.

"Mr. Universe? What can he do?" said Ace.

"I don't know," said Boss. "But he said that if anything should happen, we go to him."

"Sounds like the only option we have; we just can't Steven to hospital. Too many questions." Said Scout.

"Then it's decided, let's go."

Greg's car wash, later that night.

As Greg was closing the shop for the night, he was jamming to some music on his cassette player watering the area. Just as he was about lock the building, a noise was heard near by.

*Carsh*

"Wah? H-Hello?"

From the shadows appeared a familiar but friendly face.

"Greg?"

"Boss? What are you-"

"It's Steven! Something's happen!"

"What?! Where is he?! What-"

"Dad…"

Greg looked behind Boss and saw a huge ball of cats rolled buy Scout and Ace! In panic, he sprayed the ball of cats in water and pushed it back. Only to be stopped by when she explained what it was.

"Greg stop! That's Steven!"

"What?!"

"Dad…help…"

As the ball of cats was sprayed in water, it started to shrink and from it revealed Steven.

"Steven?!" shouted Greg as he ran towards his son while the two guardians gave him some space. "Steven! What happened?!"

"T-The cat fingers…they're…they're taking over my body!" said Steven as the cats started to appear on parts of his body once more.

"Steven…H-Hold on! W-We're going to get you out of there!"

"Don't even think about pulling those cats! They bite hard!" Warned Ace.

"It hurts the cats and Steven!" said Scout.

"Can't you three do anything to make them go away?!"

"They did, but it makes it worse." Said Steven. "I'm sorry guys…I got carried away from this. All I wanted to do was shape shift like the gems, but I couldn't do it."

"Steven…" said Boss and Greg, while Ace and Scout just turned away as both couldn't bear see Steven in this condition.

"I cant believe this is how my life ends…I cant go on magical adventures anymore, I cant open the fridge, and I wont have anymore water balloon fights with you because these things hate-"

"Water! That's it!" said Boss. "Cat's hate water!"

"You're right they do!" said Steven. "Dad! Quick spray me again!"

With a way to help his son, Greg immediately opened the hose and sprayed Steven. It was effective, but not enough. Using Stevens body, the cats charged towards Greg to attack! But was Stopped when Boss used her powers to hold them in place.

"It's not enough water!" said Boss. "We need something bigger!"

"Dad…The super wash! Turn on the super wash!" said Steven as he struggled to stay alive while more cats appeared on him.

"What?! No! It's too dangerous!"

"You've got to! I'm a monster!"

"No…you're my son!"

"DAD PLEASE!"

"DAMN IT GREG! DO AS HE SAYS!" Shouted Boss with all her might.

Not wanting to lose his son as he lost his wife, he ran towards inside and activated the wash's switches.

Feeling responsible, Boss armored up and helped Steven inside to support him.

"Boss! What are doing?! You'll get yourself killed!" Said Scout.

"SHUT UP! GHOST CAN BRING ME BACK! I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS! I SHOULD'VE STOPPED THIS FROM HAPPENING! NOW I'M ENDING IT!"

"Boss…" said Scout as he wanted to help his leader. The Hunter felt a hand on his shoulder; he turned around and saw Ace.

"Scout, trust her."

With no time to waste, Boss helped Steven inside the wash walked and him through. As this was happening, Greg, Ace, and Scout, watched in horror and helpless as both Steven and Boss walked towards the water systems was were sprayed with.

As Both Steven and Boss were inside, the young boy screamed in pain.

"Gah! Boss! It hurts!"

"Steven! It's alright I'm here, I know it hurts, just Keep going! Come on!"

Suddenly, Steven grabbed Boss's hand, giving the Warlock a weird feeling in her heart, almost as if it was in pain. Pain to see this child suffering from this experience. Something she went through before she became a guardian. Boss gave Steven's firm grip of not wanting to lose him. With all her might and strength, she helped the poor boy thought the wash.

"Come on Steven! We can do this! Don't give up! We still got a lot of adventuring to do! Incredible things to see! And we won't be able to see these things without you!"

Hearing these words gave Steven the strength to go on and finish this! With his hand gripped tightly on Boss's hand, both were able to get through the car wash's machines and finally exited the tunnel. Greg and the others ran outside to see if everything was alright. As the steam was cleared, Boss and Steven were on the ground. The three men ran towards them and checked to see if there were any injuries. Greg was the first to speak.

"Boss! Boss! Are you ok?! How's-"

"Shhhh. Stevens alright, he's just sleeping." Said Boss as she stood up and revealed a normal, but exhausted and sleeping Steven with not a single cat on him.

Seeing this made Greg relief as he saw his son back to normal.

"Oh…thank goodness…Thank you Boss…thank you. I don't know how to repay you."

"Take Steven to bed, that's all I ask."

Greg smiled and followed Boss's advice; he gently picked Steven up and walked towards his van. Leaving to three guardians to speak.

"Boss, are you aright? By the looks of what you went though, you have to get some rest." Said Scout.

"Heh, yeah…I definitely need that…"

"Not only that, it shows how much of a beating you can take, you have my respect, and support for that Boss. Said Ace as he lifted his leader over his shoulders.

"I'm with Ace on this one; it's truly a great honor to work with you. You truly deserve the nickname 'Boss'." Said Scout as he helped Ace carry Boss.

"Thanks guys, I'm glad to have you two by my side. And as your 'Boss' I would like some rest, it's been a very long day."

"Heh, can't argue with that."

Stevens' house, the next day.

After a troublesome day, Boss and her team, waited for the crystal gems to return. As they waited, Boss was thinking of what to say and do when they arrive. Ether it was going to be peaceful, or messy. Ace and Scout knew if things get messy, if it did, Boss was going to burn the surrounding area. Hopefully it doesn't come to that. Moments later, the gems finally arrived.

"Alright guys, let me do the talking. If things get ugly, you know what to do."

"Y-Yes ma'am!" Said both Ace and Scout as they nervously shivered at what to expect.

As they gems got off the boat, Pearl spoke.

"Boss! Where's Steven! Last time we saw him, he had cats for fingers!"

"He's fine, as it should be." Said Boss as he tried to keep her temper under control. "You should've stayed here and helped us; it would've been easy to get rid of those cats."

"Yes, well-"

"The mission was an importance to us; the island we fought had to be stopped. It could've endangered innocents." Interrupted Garnet.

"Is that right?" Said Boss as she clenched her fish as it slowly stared to smoke. "Tell me; was this island very far from civilization?"

"Yes."

"And was it so important that it almost costs the lives of many innocent people that you couldn't wait for one life that was 'your' responsibility to look after?"

Hearing this caught Pearl's attention.

"Boss, what are you saying?"

Ace spoke.

"Um…uh, how do I say this easily and calmly?"

Scout spoke next.

"Well…Steven-"

"STEVEN ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF YOU!" shouted Boss.

"Yeah…that's one way to say it."

Pearl and Amethyst gasped at they heard, while Garnet didn't look surprised.

"What?! Steven almost died!" said Pearl.

"You heard me right, and who's the one responsible for not taking action to help Steven in his condition? Garnet! You're so called leader! She gave the order when she had the chance to help! But no, she decided to what was right! Stop that damn island!"

The gems couldn't believe what they heard, Steven, the one person they promised to look after when their leader was gone from their lives, almost died. And Boss was right; they had the choice to help Steven when they had the chance before they left to fight the island. Sure it was an emergency, but it was 'their' responsibility to look after him and keep him from harms way! After a moment of silence, Garnet Spoke.

"We need to see Steven, now!"

Before Garnet could move, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Boss!

"Oh no your not! Steven needs rest after what he's been through! As for Greg, I told him how this happened. And! How you didn't take action to help! Right now, he doesn't want you three, except us, to see him! At least for the moment."

"It doesn't matter! We have to see his condition!" Said Garnet as she shrugged off Boss's hand from her shoulder.

Boss, however, wasn't done yet.

"I said you're not going to-"

*Wack*

Boss flew back several feet away from Garnet's Punch, as she fell on the sand harshly.

Seeing this shocked everyone who saw this.

"BOSS!"

"I'm sorry Boss," Apologized Garnet. "you left me no choice. We have to see Steven."

Suddenly, Boss laughed as she stood up.

"Hehehe…HAHAHAHA! CHOICE?! YOU HAD A CHOICE YESTERDAY BEFORE YOU LEFT! LIKE I SAID, GREG DOESN'T WANT YOU TO SEE STEVEN! ESPECIALLY ME!"

Suddenly Boss burst into flames that surrounded her body with no sighs of hurting her, and what appears to be 'wings' behind her back.

Seeing this surprised the gems except the guardians, as they knew their leader was able to use this power to increase her abilities dramatically. But with powers such as this, comes at a price. It may give the user a power boast, but leaves them exhausted after the power fades.

Boss charged towards Garnet head on as she armored her self in a bright light and threw a punch. Garnet was able to catch the punch, but it forced the gem and guardian to slide backwards. The warlock the jumped off from Garnet and landed on the ground on her feet and charged again to attack. Garnet summoned her gauntlets and charged towards Boss as well.

Seeing this, Pearl and Amethyst summoned their weapons to help Garnet. But was stopped when Ace and Scout grabbed them. Pearl spoke.

"Ace! Scout! What are you-"

"This is for your own protection! Trust us!" Said Ace as he summoned his bubble shield and surrounded everybody inside.

"He's right! If you go out there, you're going to get killed! Or worse." Warned Scout.

"What are you talking about?! What does that mean?!"

"Well, when Boss gets angry, like right now, things catch on fire!"

"EH?!"

Back with Boss and Garnet, both women were still at it as they traded blows towards each other and used to the best of their abilities to end this fight. As they continued to fight, Boss's fames were leaving trails of glass on the sand as they were proof of Boss's flames, and small craters made by Garnets fists. As they continued to fight, Garnet, some how, still had the energy to fight. With some energy left inside her, Boss threw a flame grenade towards Garnet. Seeing the attack coming towards her, she summoned her gauntlets, threw her arms forward, and the bomb connected. Seeing this, Boss hoped the attack stopped her. She was really exhausted as her power faded and fell on her knees and tied to catch her breath. She knew that with Ghost's new gained power from The Speaker, made her and the team able to use their powers freely. But with the use of 'Sun Singer', made her vulnerable after use. This power is to be used as a last resource; they all knew each others limits. As smoke cleared, Garnet appeared uninjured! When the gem warrior saw Boss weak, she saw an opening and charged towards the warlock. Boss tried move, but Garnet, was faster and Grabbed Boss by the neck and said.

"I'm sorry Boss, you brought this on yourself."

"Urk…M-Me?...You…You lying bitch…You're just…looking for a-an excuse!"

"An Excuse?"

"T-That's right! You just can't admit that you are to blame!"

Garnet said nothing as she listened to what the warlock was saying.

"Grrr…You just can't admit that you almost letting Steven die you almost failed on your promise to keep him form getting hurt."

Hearing this shocked Garnet and the gems, how did she know about the promise?

"That's right…I know all about the promise from Greg…Rose begged you three to promise her that Steven will be safe…but no…you didn't…you almost fa-"

*Snap*

Everyone stared in horror as what Garnet did, even herself. As Garnet released Boss from her Grip, the warlock fell on the ground. Motionless. And then, disappeared into a ball of blue light.

Garnet looked at her hands and saw them shaking. She never has taken the life of another living being. Sure monsters she has killed. But that was someone that who was normal, and an ally.

A friend.

Suddenly, the ball bursts into flames and from it was Boss, covered in flames once more.

Garnet looked at Boss once more and said.

"Boss…I…"

"Failed her." Interrupted Boss. "You, Amethyst, and Pearl, almost failed Steven and Rose! If she were still here alive somehow, she will be very disappointed. You want to know the difference between me and you as leaders? I was left for dead by my own people before I became a guardian, their actions made me want to become a better leader than them. Now look at me, I lead a small team that have survived countless dangerous enemies! And you? What made you become the leader? Was it Rose who made you in charge before she died? Or was it because you took on the responsibilities without knowing the consequences! Tell me!

Garnet said nothing as she looked at the ground, thinking on what Boss said.

Knowing she wasn't going to do anything, Boss grabbed Garnet by the neck and raised her in the air. Before she could do anything.

"Boss! Stop!" Shouted Scout. "This doesn't have to go any further! And I think you said too much, just let it go!"

"Scout is right Boss!" said Ace. "Let Garnet go, don't do it for us, do it for Steven!"

With that, Boss Punched Garnet as she flew harshly down onto the ground several feet away from the group.

"Consider that a warning if you dare cause something like this again." Said Boss as she walked away as her team followed her in hopes to calm her down from her "Sun Singer' power.

As they left, Amethyst and Pearl ran towards Garnet and said.

"Garnet! Are you alright?!" said Pearl.

"I'm fine…"

"Wow…cant believe Boss almost pummeled you when she had the chance." Said Amethyst. "I mean, she bursts into fire for Pete's sakes!"

"Meaning she is a very dangerous opponent, I just hope she's still on our side." Said Pearl.

"She is."

"How can you be so sure?"

Garnet stood up and said.

"I just know, take it form me. And she as right, if Rose was still here, she would be disappointed. Boss asked for our help, she said Steven was in trouble. And we didn't do anything,…I saw it what he became when his condition was worsening, and then he was back to normal. But I didn't see him how he did it, and it almost killed him. I almost killed him."

With that, Garnet walked towards the house. Leaving Amethyst and Pearl alone in the beach. Thinking to themselves if they also almost killed Steven as well.

To be continued…