-Steven Universe was created and is owned by Rebecca Sugar-


The spare cave found at the base of the Temple's statue was serving as Kunzite and Hiddenite's place of rest for the time they spent on Earth. Since there was no room available in the actual house, none that was free of the 'sun's wrath' at least, and neither of them had special rooms like the other three had, this cave would do for now.

In all honesty it wasn't that bad; the cave was surprisingly clean and well-kept, free from any cob-webs or pests. And there was plenty of free space, something that even Kunzite admitted her old snow-hut had lacked in.

Kunzite herself sat on the ground in her study-mode. The space orb she was allowed for study was in front of her. Like many things when she first came to Earth, it was unlike anything she had examined before. Pearl herself had explained to her what she saw the thing was capable of. On the top was a square shaped compartment that could open up to reveal its turret. The pegs that acted as small legs could retreat into perfectly sized holes so it could retain its perfect spherical shape.

So far the four pegs were disconnected from the main body, yet some sort of force was keeping them bound to it. Magnetic fields? She couldn't say for sure. Kunzite looked into the holes of where the pegs would enter. With a small flashlight given to her by Amethyst, she shined light inside of one of the holes. She frowned as she didn't find anything.

Next she took a flat head screwdriver and tried to force the turret compartment open. It was a tight fit but she got it open. Kunzite saw that the turret actually looked more like a nozzle end. Fitting though since the substance it produced was some kind of mending gel.

"A slow but strong reforming gel... I must see this up close... but I can't get at it!"

Letting out a groan, Kunzite decided that a dissection was in order. She summoned one of her tonfas, held the longer end in against her humerus, and produced on the shorter end a thinner blade of energy. It would be more than sufficient for the cutting she planned. Aiming the tip at the side, she pushed in, and the blade entered the body with hardly any resistance. Satisfied, she slowly dragged the blade in full orbit around the drone. She used her other hand to spin it as she cut.

Finally a full cut was made, and Kunzite gently separated the top and bottom halves of the space probe. She had made sure the cut she made was no deeper than one centimeter to keep whatever was inside from being damaged. What was inside was mostly a spherical blob of what must have been the mending gel. Above and below it were two cyber rings with little colored spots that could've been lights. The rings themselves were attached to each other by various thin wires that held them together. Using the sharpened flat end of the screwdriver, she severed the wires that held the rings in place. Once those were gone, she took off the cyber rings and took the blob of gel in her hand.

The gel unexpectedly felt very rock hard.

"It's not gel-like at all!" she said to herself, "Something caused it to solidify. Could it be exposure to the oxygen and nitrogen in the air?" She tapped the solid object on the ground a couple times. It was definitely hard, but also felt loosely compacted. She tapped again harder until finally the solidified gel began to crumble.

"Grrgh, what a waste!" Kunzite cried out in frustration, "If this substance was still useful, we might have been able to use it to..." she trailed off as she suddenly began to consider. Using the gel for the benefit of the crystal gems of Earth. To an extent, was that really what she wanted? She wanted to explore the galaxy after all, not actually stay on a single planet, she'd been confined long enough on the ice moon.

Pushing those thoughts aside for now, she looked back to the cyber rings. Holding both in each hand, she wanted to try something. From her gems she generated a small amount of dormant electricity, just enough to see what would happen. Quickly, lights began to flicker on and off between them. On the ring that was originally on the top, Kunzite notice'd a small number display showing the number four.

"Four... what could that mean...?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I walk back along the dusty pathway. With me of course is my new friend Spodumene. Hearing that she'd never seen the Citadel, I had to show her immediately. It wasn't surprising though, she wasn't from or aligned with any of the gem-states. She was a wanderer, just as she was when we first met. I'm delighted of course; being in her company is so illuminating. I find myself at ease whenever I'm around her, just from the way she is.

"So, you're able to read the emotions of non-gems?" she asks.

"That's about right, yes. Primitive non-gem lifeforms display them so easily through their eyes."

"Even their true nature?"

"Well, seeing the true nature of their hearts is a difficult task. Difficult... but not impossible..."

"I see."

"What about you, Spodumene? What is it you can do?"

"Me? Well, I can create forceful energy waves. Almost like an invisible push."

"Really? That sounds impressive. Would you mind if you showed me?"

"What?"

"Your power! Show me this... force-push you can do!"

"Well that's kinda..." she put her hand behind her head.

"Please?" I insist.

"Oh alright," she relented. She stops and picks up a random rock near her foot and hands it to me.

"Alright, throw this stone at me!"

"What?! Why?"

"You wanted to see my power; trust me!"

"Oh, very well," I say, taking the stone in my hand. She steps back a few feet. I look down at the stone as I turn it in my hand, then look back up. Slowly I cock it back, and throw it towards her. The rock sails through the air aiming right at Spodumene's chest. Before it gets too close though, she stretches out her palm.

I hear the sound of a gust of pressure. Sure enough, there is some sort of visible ripple in the air as the force hits the stone. The rock now sails on a new course away from me until it hits a crystal spike with a ting. I look back at Spodumene's smiling face, and return with one of my own.

"That was impressive, Spodumene!"

"Yes well, I didn't put that much energy into it..." she replies modestly. I chuckle lightly at this and we both keep walking.

We finally reach the Citadel and eventually the top of its stairs. Our footsteps echo as we l walk the immaculate Citadel crystal hallways. Most of these crystals are opaque and don't show reflections, just faded, color outlines. Spodumene is in awe of it all, and makes occasional comments of how beautiful it looks. After more silence I look back to her, and a question pops into my mind.

"Spodumene, I've been meaning to ask: are you a fusion?"

"Oh, well... I was created this way, when I first came to be," she replied, "I didn't think much of it, but few others were created this way. Most were made 'standardized' as I like to call it."

"Standardized?"

"Yes, the more baser level of gemesis. I've accepted it by now, but back then other gems would ostracize me for the way I was."

"That's terrible! To think that way of one of their own? I'm so sorry..."

"Don't worry, those feelings don't affect me anymore. But thanks all the same.."

"Rose!"

Spodumene and I hear a call and turn to it. Approaching us is a white-cream colored gem with a teal colored top and light brown shorts. I recognize her instantly.

"Pearl, hello!" I say excitedly, and we shake hands. She then notices Spodumene.

"And who is this? A friend of yours?"

"Oh yes, yes indeed. This is Spodumene."

Spodumene extends her upper right hand and Pearl shakes it.

"Spodumene, this is Pearl, one of the most seriously level-headed gems I know." Pearl blushes slightly at the compliment.

"Pleasure to meet you," Spodumene says.

"Likewise..." Pearl replies with narrowed eyes, "Where exactly are you from?"

"Why, is there something wrong?"

"Oh no, nothing at all!" Pearl says, waving her hands in front of her, "It's just that I very rarely see visitors from outside the Citadel. And even rarer that I see one whom looks like you."

"I always tell you Pearl, you should go outside more often!" I playfully say.

"Well I mostly live on this planet," Spodumene says, "And I was made this way, to answer your other question."

"Oh! Well I didn't really..." Pearl said trailing off, "Well then Rose, what are Spodumene's intentions here? Is she a proficient fighter?"

"Pearl! How very forward of you," I say surprised, "Must you be so suspicious of every outsider?"

"Someone has to, in order to maintain the perfect order within the Diamond Authority! Suppose she was an undercover espionage agent!" By now Spodumene is flinching slightly from the implication and the tone in Pearl's voice. I put a calming hand on her shoulder.

"It's alright Pearl; she's a gem, like us," I say, "I could already tell when I met her that Spodumene would certainly be no threat to anyone here. Isn't that right?"

"Yes, of course!" she replies, "I'm here because Rose Quartz invited me to see the Citadel. Oh and for the record, yes: I a VERY skilled fighter!" Pearl took note of a spark she saw in her eyes when she said that last part while smirking to herself.

"Hmmm, if you are as you claim, perhaps we could spar to prove it!"

"A spar? Why don't mind if I do!"

I laugh heartily and follow them to the Citadel training room...

"Heh-heh-heh- hack!" Steven's coughing stirred him from his peaceful slumber. His eyes cracked open slightly and he slowly sat up in bed. He stretched his arms in a loud yawn. But wait, was he laughing in his sleep? Why? For what reason?

"Laughing...?" he said to himself, "Well, maybe it was a dream, like the one I had yesterday! Okay, what do I remember?" He clenched his eyes shut and thought hard. Unlike last time, something came to mind.

"Spo-... du... mene," he said, "Spodumene, I think that's right. What could that mean? Is it a gem? It sounds like a gem!" He scratched his head to remember more.

"Oh yeah, Pearl was in it! Pearl... did she have a different outfit on? ... Rrgh, what else?!" This time he crawled out of bed to pace the floor. He suddenly had an idea of what to do.

"I know, I'll talk to Pearl about my dream since she was the one I remember seeing! She always knows how to explain stuff, maybe she could explain this dream!" Steven quickly ran down the wooden steps from his bedroom to find Pearl. He didn't find Pearl in the living room, but upon turning his head to the warp pad, he actually caught sight of Pearl along with Amethyst. They stood upon the pad holding a bubble of something between them.

Before he could call out to them though, the warp pad beamed them off somewhere. They must not have seen him or they might have said something.

"Aw man I missed her!" Steven pouted, but suddenly the warp pad activated again. This time however it was Garnet and Hiddenite who returned. Both were covered with melted snow, ice, and something gold colored all over.

"Garnet! Hiddenite!" he exclaimed and ran over to meet them.

"Good evening, Steven," Garnet said.

"Hey there!" Hiddenite greeted as well. Garnet pulled out something from her tiny pack on her hip. It was a small beetle, like the Heaven Beetle Steven and the others had found. However once the Beetle emerged from the bag, the entire room was lit up in a sun-like glow with warmth to match.

"Whoa!" Steven said, covering his eyes a little, "Is that the-?

"The Sun Beetle?" Hiddenite said, "Yep, that's it alright!" Garnet then bubbled the creature and teleported it away. She then gave a very audible sigh, which caught the attention of the other two.

"Um, are you alright?" Hiddenite asked.

"Just... relieved is all," Garnet said, "Now that all four beetles are in our possession, it's one less major thing to worry about."

"Hello?" The three heard a voice, "I saw it from the cave; a brilliant light as if it were daytime! What was that?" Kunzite entered the room and found her sister standing near the warp pad with Garnet and Steven.

"Hiddenite!" she exclaimed, ran up to her and hugged hard.

"Yes sis, it's me!" Hiddenite managed, "That's a... little too hard!"

"Oh, apologies," Kunzite said, releasing her and stepping back. She regained her breath.

"So then, how was your mission?"

"It was great! Me and Garnet scaled the mountain with ease! Seriously, the size of it would put those little snow-drifts on that moon to shame! Anyway we fought and defeated a guardian made of amber to get the beetle. We'd show it to you but Garnet sent it away. Um why?" She turned to the crimson gem.

"Because being in the Sun Beetle's presence would be just like being in the sun," Garnet replied, "I'm sure none of us need reminding." The gem sisters shuddered at the memory.

"Well, I'm glad to see you have returned safely." Kunzite said.

"Me too!" Steven said, "'cause Garnet, I guess I can tell you about this dream I had, one that had Pearl in it."

"Sure thing Steven," Garnet said, but then looked all around her, "But where is Pearl anyway?"

"Oh well, she and Amethyst just teleported away right before you two showed back up! They were carrying a bubble filled with something."

"Steven..." Garnet said in a strange tone, "What exactly was in this bubble?"

"Well I couldn't really tell," Steven said, "But it was kinda purple with spikes." At this Garnet clenched her fists so hard her knuckles cracked loudly, causing the other three to flinch hard.

"I told them..." she said, but then turned to the two gem sisters, "I need your help; if Pearl and Amethyst are doing what I think they're doing..." she trailed off. Hiddenite and Kunzite looked at each other, then back at her.

"Of course we'll help," Hiddenite said, "But what is it we're doing?"

"Bringing them back," was all Garnet said. She then motioned for the two to join her on the warp pad.

"Hey wait for me!" Steven said.

"No Steven, not this time," Garnet said.

"But Garnet! I wanna help bring bring Pearl and Amethyst back, you know I can do it!"

"Any other time I would allow you, but this time is different," she said, "what we're dealing with will be capable of immense destruction, something that could eradicate you and us off the face of the Earth." The way she ominously completed that statement forced Steven to bow his head in defeat. But when he felt a hand on his head, he looked back up to see Garnet's exposed smiling face.

"But that just means I'll have to protect you harder."

Steven smiled hard and his eyes became stars. Hiddenite and Kunzite looked at those eyes in mild amusement. They stepped a few steps on the pad to allow Steven to join them.

"So Garnet, what exactly did Pearl and Amethyst take?" Hiddenite asked as they teleported.

"The Shooting Star."


-It's always calm before a storm, but it's also the apex of paranoia-