Chapter 8: Making a Decision
"Who's the kid?" asked Luna looking at Steven curiously.
"Why he's ours dear, don't you remember?" asked Alex smirking at Luna.
"That is not funny Alex, where did he come from?" asked Luna getting irritated.
"Uh how do I explain this?" asked Alex scratching her head. Then got a big smile and said, "When a mommy and a daddy love each other very much".
"Alexandra," Luna said firmly now glaring at her.
"Ooh, real name, easy Luna, I found him at Ed's Diner, he was running away," Alex explained.
"So, what you decided to keep him, he's not a lost dog, his folks are probably having a heart attack worried about him," said Luna.
"Well the reason, I have him is because well Steven, you can tell her," said Alex.
"I'm a Crystal Gem and I need to get stronger to protect my family," said Steven.
"You know what the Crystal Gems are, how?" asked Luna getting confused, till she saw Steven lifting up his shirt having a gem she had not seen in many, many years. "You have Rose Quartz's gem, how?" Luna asked eyes wide with shock.
"My mom was Rose Quartz, she met my dad Greg Universe and they fell in love. When she was pregnant with me, she had to give up her physical form to make me, I now have her gem," Steven said frowning, remembering his dream, but fought back tears.
"I see a half human/gem, impressive, but why would you need to get stronger, aren't the gems that were with Rose be training you or something?" asked Luna.
"Um Steven, mind if I have a word with Luna, for just a second," Alex asked not wanting Steven to hear what she was going to tell Luna.
"Sure," Steven said calmly. Alex pulled Luna to the bathroom and shutting the door.
"Alex, what is going on, do you realize that you have Rose Quartz's son with you, you have to return him to the Crystal Gems," said Luna.
"I kind of can't I don't know where these Crystal Gems live and he doesn't want to go home till he gets stronger," said Alex.
"Give me the short version of what Steven told you," said Luna.
"The gem he calls Pearl, always compares him to his mother, even calls him by her name. Like he is the reincarnation of her or something, Amethyst used to have Rose look after her and he blames himself for him being born, because now Rose is gone, meaning Amethyst has no one to look after her now. Garnet was separated due to a fight with some bad gems. Steven sees himself as the weak link and asked me to help him become stronger," said Alex. "Now can you help him?" asked Alex.
"I can help him I just can't believe he felt like this, poor kid," Luna said frowning.
"Sound familiar?" asked Alex.
"You were different no one was comparing you to a ghost or someone you never knew, I still think we should go to where the gems are, and drop him off, and tell the gems how he feels, yet I know that may not be a great idea, least not yet anyways," said Luna biting her lip.
"So, you know these Crystal Gems?" asked Alex getting curious. She never really asked Luna much about her other life, never seemed to matter till now.
"I know two of them, one respected and liked me, the other didn't care for me as much, but this Amethyst gem, is a new one to me, but I think going to Field Valley and train him a bit, get his confidence back, might help him," Luna said.
"I agree, if we get his confidence back and slowly convince Steven, that the gems miss and love him, he'll want to go home," said Alex smiling.
"I hope you are right," said Luna frowning. She fought back tears for in another life she respected Rose a great deal, and not being able to see her before she died did make Luna upset. Yet, right now she had to focus on helping Rose's son regain his confidence and return him safely home. Luna and Alex went back to meet Steven, who was waiting to see if Luna could make him stronger. "Okay um Steven, I will gladly train you, to help you become stronger. You are quite lucky on home world I was the top general, and skilled fighter," said Luna.
"You fought with my mom in the war?" asked Steven with stars in his eyes. He never met any other gem other than Pearl and Garnet that fought in the war with his mom.
"Yes, it was a cold and cruel battle, many lives were lost but I do not regret my decision, I was forced to serve someone I truly despised. This person spent her time deciding who was fit to live in her society and if they weren't they were destroyed, I lost many friends because of her and many more after the war ended. If she stood before me now I would plunge my weapon straight into her gem, and watch it crumble at my feet," Luna said coldly.
"You mean Yellow Diamond?" asked Steven and quickly regretted saying that name. Luna's eyes were like ice as she balled up her fists, but she bit back her anger for he was not the reason for it.
"Yes, Yellow Diamond is the gem of which I speak of," said Luna gently.
"Easy Luna," said Alex placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. Luna nodded her thanks and again looked at Steven.
"Before anything else, Steven once I make you stronger, I and Alex shall return you home, but first you must tell us where you come from," said Luna in a serious tone.
"I come from Beach City," said Steven.
"Alex, do you know where that is?" asked Luna looking at her.
"Yeah I have a cousin that lives there," said Alex.
"Who's your cousin? Maybe I know them?" asked Steven.
"His name is Jamie and he works as a mailman," said Alex.
"Jamie is your cousin," said Steven eyes full of stars again.
"I take it you know him, huh," said Alex smirking.
"Yeah we are buds," said Steven.
"Anyways, I will train you in Field Valley, Alex how far are we from Field Valley?" asked Luna.
"We should be there by tomorrow," said Alex.
"Alright then let's get some rest, but Steven I feel I must do this, since you are Rose's son. I respected your mother a great deal and once I offered her my sword and now," Luna said lifting up her gem, she revealed a sword, made out of pure silver that shined like the moon itself. Luna knelt before Steven, like an old fashioned knight would for their king. "I offer you my sword, I shall be your mentor and protector if need be, work hard for me and I shall forever be a knight to you," said Luna.
"I understand, thank you Luna and thank you Alex," said Steven.
"Anytime Little Prince," said Luna getting up.
"No problem Little Romeo, now let's get some sleep," said Alex yawning at last. Steven, Alex and Luna soon were fast asleep and Steven hoped that Luna could make him stronger, for the gems and Earth deserved a great protector.
Meanwhile
An airplane roamed in the sky, a seasoned pilot and a young rookie was steering the plane. "All seems quiet tonight," said the rookie. Just then a purple figure fell on the window. "What the heck?" asked the rookie freaking out. Yet the seasoned pilot didn't seem fazed by this. Taking a closer look the figure was a plump purple woman, with white hair.
"Have you guys seen this kid?" asked the purple figure morphing into a young boy with curly hair. "He looks like this only minus the purple skin," the purple lady said.
"Sorry haven't seen him," said the seasoned pilot.
"Thanks, hey when is the nine o'clock flight coming?" asked the purple lady.
"In about fifteen minutes," said the seasoned pilot.
"Thanks," she said and jumped off the window.
"What was that? She just jumped off the plane?" asked the rookie looking nervous.
"Eh you get used to it," said the seasoned pilot.
Meanwhile
Back at the house, Pearl was busy washing dishes, yet she was so worried over Steven, that she literally scrubbed all the designs off the plates and broke some in half. Greg hadn't heard anything and neither had Connie. More horrible thoughts entered Pearl's mind and she wanted her baby safely in bed. Not in some horrible and dangerous area without her there to protect him. Garnet had locked herself in her room, determined to get a vision on Steven. Just then Amethyst came in huffing and puffing. "Nine… air planes… and ...no one… has seen… Steven," she huffed flopping on the couch.
Normally Pearl would scold Amethyst for such recklessness but right now all she could do was say, "Thanks for trying Amethyst".
Meanwhile
Garnet was on the floor in deep thought trying to force a vision of Steven. She was trying to learn if he was alive, where he was, and more importantly, if he would return home. "I see," she said calmly yet days of failed attempts were making her angry. "I see," she said slowly feeling Ruby and Sapphire getting uneasy. "I see," she said balling up her fists, Ruby's rage no longer contained and the fusion split apart.
"Not a damn thing!" Ruby shouted.
"Ruby calm yourself," said Sapphire gently.
"I'm tired of being calm, for days we have been forcing ourselves to get a vision of Steven. And nothing, once we find this kid he is grounded till he is old as the five of us combined," Ruby growled pacing back and forth.
"Five?" asked Sapphire looking confused.
"Yes, you, me, Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst, five," said Ruby. She even counted on her finger to make sure she counted everyone. "Yeah five," she added. "Oh wait should I add Greg? Yeah I'll add Greg, Steven is grounded till he is as old as the six of us," Ruby said crossing her arms.
"Let me try finding him on my own," Sapphire offered.
"No way Sapphire, you are just as tired as I am, and I won't let you hurt yourself," said Ruby holding the blue gem.
"I'm just as worried but we can't continue this much longer," Sapphire said hugging Ruby, tears flowing down her face.
"We know what we have to do," said Ruby frowning. Sapphire only nodded her head in response.
Meanwhile
Pearl and Amethyst both looked up to see Garnet, they hadn't seen her in a few days. "Did you get a vision about Steven?" asked Pearl, body filling up with hope.
"Afraid not and I have to tell you all something important. As much as we all miss Steven, we still need to focus on finding Peridot, Lapis and Jasper. The Earth still needs protection, we can't keep using all our energy on finding Steven," said Garnet frowning.
"What so we are just supposed to give up on him!" shouts Pearl tears falling down her face.
"No way G, we can't!" agreed Amethyst. Garnet held up her hand and they allowed her to continue talking.
"I never said we were giving up on finding Steven. Each day we shall take turns one gem looks for Peridot, one looks for Lapis and Jasper, and the other continues searching for Steven. Right now I'm ordering us all to rest and tomorrow, I'll look for Jasper and Lapis since I am the best swimmer, Pearl, you shall hunt for Peridot and Amethyst, shall hunt for Steven," said Garnet.
"Garnet please allow me to find Steven," begged Pearl. She was tired of waiting on the sidelines; she needed to find her baby.
"Very well Pearl, you shall search for Steven tomorrow, now everyone get some rest," said Garnet. They nodded and soon returned to their rooms to rest, each one had a long day ahead of them.
Meanwhile
The next day Alex was riding her motorcycle, Luna was holding onto her and Steven was sitting in the sidecar. A bright, warm sun with blue skies welcomed them. Steven felt the wind wrapping around him as he saw a big green sign that read in bold letters Welcome to Field Valley, Where Everyone is Family. Steven saw a lovely town and looked up at Alex; a warm smile graced her lips. "It's good to be home," she said. Steven couldn't wait to see more of her home and even more couldn't wait for his training to begin.
To be continued
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed the chapter and please review.
