It's been a while, again. I know. And I would like to say that there are now two characters I own in this fanfic. And now for something completely different. Except not different at all.
Returning to the beach house, Topaz and Steven saw Connie and Pearl fighting each other with swords. Topaz looked over at the sword Connie was holding, instantly recognizing it. Connie was holding Rose's sword. The image of that sword being used on him 6,000 years ago instantly appeared in his mind. As if by instinct, Topaz summoned his swords and blocked an attack meant for Pearl. Everyone looked at him in confusion. Realizing what he was doing, he put away his swords. "Sorry," He said. "Last time I saw that sword, I was on the wrong end of it." Everyone understood, but looked a little more worried. Topaz and Steven entered the house. Steven looked over at the freaked-out swordsman and asked, "Are you OK?" "Yeah, I'm fine. It was just an impulse." Connie entered a few minutes later. "Is Topaz OK?" She asked. "I'm good. Just instincts." Topaz called from behind the counter. He walked outside and sat on a chair on the porch, a Pepsi in hand. "You know," Topaz called to Connie. "That sword you have once belonged to someone who used it wisely. Someone worthy of that giant, powerful weapon. I hope you treat that sword the same way she did." "I will." Connie replied confidently. Topaz was silent for a moment, then said, "Prove it." "What?" Connie and Steven said in unison. "Prove it," Topaz repeated. "I want to be sure that you'll take care of that sword and use it only to defend your friends, family, everything you believe in." "How can I prove it?" Connie asked. Topaz stood up and summoned his swords.
Topaz and Connie stood opposite each other on the beach. They gripped their swords tight. "Ready?" Topaz asked. Connie nodded silently. "OK." Topaz said. "Since you're a human and won't regenerate if you get impaled, I'll try to go easy on y-" Connie had already stabbed her sword through Topaz. Topaz looked at the sword, wide-eyed. "Oh, son of a-" Topaz started. Then, POOF! Topaz had vanished, his Gem landing on the sand where he once stood. "Wait, were we starting on 'go?' Whoops." Connie said. A half-hour later, Topaz reformed, not changing his look at all. "I didn't say 'go!' He said while reforming. He summoned his swords again. "OK. GO!" Connie charged at Topaz, but he only stood there and waited. Just before she stabbed him again, Topaz stepped to his left, simultaneously grabbing Rose's sword with both of his, tearing it from Connie's grasp, and throwing it about five feet away. Topaz's face remained expressionless. He then sheathed his swords, walked over to Rose's sword, and picked it up. Connie hung her head in shame. She had failed. Topaz walked over to her. He'll probably tell me I'm unworthy and keep the sword. She thought. But instead, Topaz handed her the sword. He noticed Connie's confused facial expression. "You fought hard. Trust me, I could tell." Topaz explained, gesturing to where Connie stabbed him. "Besides, I'm not sure how qualified I am to say whether or not you can keep that sword. Just take good care of it."
Later that night, Topaz walked out of the bathroom with a plunger. "Welp, your toilet's fixed." He said. "How did it get clogged, anyway?" "That was my doing." Said a voice Topaz didn't recognize. He turned to see Peridot. He had seen her after saving her, Connie, and Steven from a fusion experiment, but hadn't given her much notice. "I am Peridot." She introduced, holding out a tiny hand. She was so tiny compared to other Peridots that Topaz had trouble holding back his laughter. He shook the miniature hand, his face turning dark orange with stifled laughter. Peridot noticed this and pulled her hand back. "What are you so amused about?" She asked defensively. "Nothing." Topaz said quickly. "Just thinking of a little joke I heard." Peridot understood what he meant. "Why, you...! If I were still working for Yellow Diamond...!" She grumbled. Topaz's eyes widened at that name. "What did she say?" He asked slowly. "Oh. Peridot used to work for Yellow Diamond, but then she stood up to her while trying to convince her not to destroy Earth." Steven explained. "Does Yellow Diamond know about you? Or the Crystal Gems?" Topaz asked seriously. "I-I don't think so!" Steven sputtered out. "She tried to blow up Peridot with the communicator! She thinks that all of the Gems here are dead!" "If a Gem stood up to her, then Yellow Diamond would likely take more action than attempting to blow them up." Topaz said gravely. "She'd send more Gems to shatter the renegade, then launch an invasion while they were there." Amethyst, Pearl, Steven, and even Garnet had terrified expressions on their faces. "Luckily, over the years during the war when I fought alone, I've given Yellow Diamond plenty of reasons to be afraid of me. If I don't scare her, I'll I'll make her afraid of me." He then ran to his room and pushed a button hidden in his sword cabinet. A computer terminal appeared out of the back wall. He inserted his hands into the holographic screen, his eyes filling with white lines. "What are you doing?" Steven asked curiously. "Sending a message." Topaz replied.
"My Diamond! My Diamond!" A yellow Pearl shouted. "Something is wrong with all of the video screens!" However, Yellow Diamond already knew this. All of the screens in her chamber flashed the phrase: There are no strings on me. "We have no choice." Yellow Diamond said, intimidated. "Launch a probe to Earth. Begin phase one of the new fusion experiments."