Chapter 8, and on a story with 1000+ views and at least 10 reviews? Sorry officer, I don't recognize this story, it can't possibly be mine. But wait, it is! Thank you everyone who reads this! Enjoy the chapter!
P.S. The events of "Joy Ride" took place with Steven and the Gems during the earlier part of the night that Shard was out in the ocean, just so you know.
"Shard likes Lapis, Shard likes Lapis!" Amethyst chanted.
"Seriously, shut up! I don't need you waking everyone up yelling that! Besides, I was just trying to make sure she was comfortable. That's all."
"Suuuuuure you were…"
"Don't make me de-stabilize you."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Are you willing to risk it?"
"Uhhhhhm…. Fine, you win." Amethyst sighed in defeat. There really was no way to tell how far Shard would be willing to go to stop something that annoyed him. Another perk of being partially insane, bluffing was much easier.
"Now, help me make breakfast." Shard said.
"That wasn't part of the deal!"
Shard just shrugged and began to look though the refrigerator for something good to eat. Frozen waffles? Nah, they might taste good, but he wanted protein. Maybe some eggs? Yeah, eggs sounded good. So he got out some eggs and some cheese and began frying them up. Soon they were done and he set them out on a plate. Now, just wait for Steven, he should be getting up soon…
Almost an hour later, Steven still hadn't woken up, so Shard decided to eat without him. Maybe he'd been up all night and just needed some extra sleep. Amethyst had eaten her portion and ran off a good while ago to go do something with Pearl and Garnet, which left Shard alone at the table. Funny how he always seemed to end up alone even when other people were around… almost like the universe was trying to tell him something. His thoughts were interrupted soon enough though, as Lapis finally began to stir. "Well, here we go…" he thought as he stood and made his way over to a chair near the couch.
The first thing Lapis felt as she awoke was that she was no longer fused with Jasper. But before she had time to really consider what that may entail, she realized she also wasn't under the ocean. She seemed to be on something… soft. That meant someone or something had moved her, and Jasper didn't seem to be the type to be kind to her after she'd imprisoned her, or, come to think of it, even if she'd helped her…
She opened her eyes slowly, and was greeted to the sight of a ceiling she remembered, although from where she could not tell. It was certainly not a place she remembered fondly though, that much she knew. She looked a bit to the left and saw the back of the couch she was on. Then she turned to the right to find a… strange man… starring at her. Not what she had expected.
"Wh-where am I? What have you done to me?" she asked hesitantly.
"I think you'll remember where soon enough. But as to the other question, I freed you. Jasper will not be bothering you or anyone else anymore. After I freed you I brought you back here so you could heal safely. Speaking of healing, are you feeling alright? You were out for a good while even after you came out of your gem."
"You were watching me sleep?" she half-screeched.
"No, no no no no… Well, mostly no. I just was noting the fact that you came out of the gem sometime while I was asleep, and that was a few hours ago. If anyone was watching you sleep, it would have been Amethyst. Oh shoot…"
"Great job, now she thinks Amethyst was stalking her… Next time just shut up BEFORE you say something extra." Shard thought to himself. His signature smile still hadn't left his face though. It was all but permanently stuck there.
Considering the fact that whoever his man was had forcibly separated her from Jasper, and was now right in front of her and seemingly full of energy, running did not seem like a particularly good option. It still hung in her mind though, now that she knew where she was. She just hoped the other Crystal Gems weren't nearby or listening in…
"I suppose just letting me leave here isn't an option?" Lapis asked.
"Well, that depends on whether you plan to run away or just wish to be outside. I must warn you, I don't think running would be a very wise option even if you were fast enough to escape me. Returning to your homeworld without Peridot and Jasper would hold a one hundred percent chance of you being imprisoned again. And staying on Earth while running? No chance of being able to hide very long. What I'd really suggest is that you stay nearby for now. A storm is brewing, and soon nowhere will be safe from its shadow. And just to be clear I don't mean a literal storm with rain and lightning. Choose wisely."
Lapis was already planning on never going back to homeworld. And since she didn't really know much about the planet or any others nearby… it looked like she had only the one option. "What do you want me for?"
"I want you to help me become strong enough to put a stop to every kindergarten takeover the homeworld gems still have going or are going to attempt. It is time that the program reaches its end. And I plan on being the one to end it; I just need a Gem who can help me collect a few things from space to give me an upper edge."
"And what do I get from this?" she asked.
"The one thing you've wanted for the last several thousand years. Freedom. Freedom to do anything and go anywhere you want, with no chance of being trapped or tortured ever again. Something you can only have if the homeworld Gems are disposed from their current position of strongest in the universe. So what do you say, do we have a deal?" Shard asked as he extended his hand.
"No way…"
Uh oh, this could end badly. But you'll have to read the next chapter if you want to find out what's happens next. Until next time, BYE!
