"History repeats itself. First as tragedy, second as farce."

~Karl Marx

THE TEMPLE 11:30 P.M.

Tensions were high, and nobody could sleep, not even Steven.

Gems don't even need sleep, but everyone was so stressed and wired that they couldn't sleep even if they wanted to. Also, with what Pearl had running and flashing back through her mind at the moment, she's not sure she'd be comfortable having people possibly see her dreams.

Steven and Josuke were awake, sitting on Stevens bed. Under the volume of a Crying Breakfast Friends Marathon, they were swapping stories and feelings about their absent & mostly-absent parents.

"He was never really around until a year ago when I met him in Morioh"

"So like...is Jotaro your uncle or something?"

"Hah...no,actually, I'm his uncle. The old man is my father and his grandfather."

"What th-how does that even...haha your dad's an old perv!"

"Steven!" Garnet scolded before going back to pacing.

"I don't have any other siblings, gems don't really work that way, and you know that other stuff I told you.."

"But...don't you ever get lonely man?"

"II do wish I could've known my mom, but I guess it's not so bad because i never really knew her OR seen her in person, you know? Besides, I'm actually only 2 years younger than you! I just don't look it!"

"Oh"

"Besides, family is who you make it, not just blood" Steven said with a laugh.

That drew a small smile share between Garnet and Pearl before everyone turned quieter again.

Steven and Josuke went back to whispering and sharing jokes between each other, Pearl was about ready to lock herself in her room not wanting to see Joseph the next morning, and Garnet was back and forth pacing, Ruby and Sapphire probably arguing internally but Garnet herself never making a sound.

Jotaro was making night pancakes.

15 MILES FROM THE KINDERGARTEN 6 A.M.

The masked corrupt Gem pawed at the Amethyst Gem, slowly getting bored.

The sun was rising, as soon as it hit the Gem and the mask on its forehead, it's skin started to sizzle.

It was okay before because the other day it was cloudy when those Gems attacked. There wasn't much sun.

Its skin sizzled,

its form flickered,

it let out a loud his as it carefully grabbed the Amethyst gem in its mouth as it sprinted into a nearby cave.

And it waited.

EMPIRE CITY AIRPORT 8:45 A.M.

Joseph walked down the runway, being helped to one of the ground airport entrances. "Speedwagon I don't know what the hell I'd do without you..." Joseph mumbled, glancing up at the sky. The Speedwagon foundation got him here quickly and more comfortably than if he had waited abit to take public air transport, so they made sure to get special permission to land a jet at Empire City Airport.

They could've landed on Beach City's Beach but they didn't want to draw too much attention to him or freak people out.

"Ah...it's so great to be back in Beach City soon..." He smiled and sighed, closing his eyes and humming a tune. "Hand me my cane please, son, let's go to the taxi stand and wait for our private car." The pilot handed him his cane and guided him to the stand where their shiny black sedan was already waiting.

OUTSKIRTS OF BEACH CITY, DELMARVA 9:45 A.M.

The Speedwagon foundation's black sedan crossed the borders into Beach city 20 minutes ago.

With each passing block Joseph was growing more and more anxious. His knuckles grew white from gripping his cane so hard and all he could think of was how he practically abandoned Pearl.

THE TEMPLE 10:00 A.M.

Pearl was making breakfast for everyone, and most of them were glad, because nobody was in the mood for much small talk at the moment. They were worrying to much. So to avoid the possibly awkward silences everyone was just stress eating so much; stuffing their faces.

They heard a car pull up, then a knock, and immediately hearing the knock Pearl dropped her skillet and hot grease splashed everywhere.

Jotaro got up with a groan and opened the door.

Pearl dropped the skillet and fainted.

An old, bearded man wearing a trucker hat and spectacles, holding an elegantly carved cane was standing beside two men in suits.

"Old man, it's good to see you."