Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe, or its characters. Rebecca Sugar, however, is free to use my characters and/or storyline if she so chooses…

A/N: Wait…? What…?

Steven Universe: Crystallize Red

Revival

Carnelian felt off but she only thought it an irritant. She had only closed her eyes for a moment after all, like flickering a light switch off and on, just a blink of an eye. However, she feel something amiss with her physical form: She shook her head as her vision was blurry. She realized her body felt quite tense. She had a sharp pain in the back of her head as if she'd hit it on something. She then tried to get her bearings and then realized … she somehow was now on the floor.

The red quartz sat up … to see all the Crystal Gems kneeling around her. Every one of them was visibly shaken and terrified. A second before, they were talking frantically but they all stopped and looked when they noticed her sitting up. Steven and Connie were in tears, with Pearl and Amethyst verge of crying themselves. Peridot had been rapidly talking through multiple solutions before. Lapis was right next to her and apparently was holding her hand. Garnet had her visor up and, unexpectedly, was just as visibly worried as everyone. They all seemed to be holding their breath and waiting to hear from her. This all lead to just one conclusion…

"Something … bad just happened, didn't it?" Carnelian asked, very confused and a little scared.

Connie composed herself enough to explain, "You … had a seizure, or some kind of gem equivalent. None of us have ever seen one before, and I've only ever read about it. We … didn't know how to help you or if we even could…"

Lost and definitely scared now, Carnelian reacted. "W-What?! I… That happened just now?"

Pearl nodded and spoke shakily and upset, "Yes; it was horrible. You falling, shaking, suffering…"

Amethyst asked with concern, "Red, do you remember what happened right before?"

"No, I… I just closed my eyes for a second, and now I'm here…" Carnelian looked around, saw the small crater in the ground behind. She then felt the back of her head and knew then that she'd made it.

Garnet lowered her visor and said gravelly, "That was much too unusual. Tanzanite, if there's anything you can tell us … now is the time."

"I'm just as lost as you all, Garnet… But there are things I should come clean about:" Carnelian was nervous to finally be revealing this but her fear for her life overwhelmed any anxiety. "As you all saw, I've been … hearing things and now seeing things." The others all nodded nervously. "Right; well… It's been happening for a while now, ever since … I got here."

With exasperation born of worry, Peridot exclaimed, "With all due respect, Carnelian, did you not think that was extremely pertinent information?!"

Carnelian bristled, also born of fear. "We didn't know each other then. What was I supposed to say? 'Hi. I know you don't know me, and I'm a big, scary Quartz and all, but don't worry; I'm also hallucinating and hearing voices'?"

Lapis pointed out while trying to stay sympathetic, "Well, we all know now, and we're only more terrified now."

Carnelian could only shake her head while she elaborated, "Right… At first, it was small, just whispers and mistaking Lapis and Peridot for a split second. Then, I started hearing them clearly, I talked to them … and they actually started answering. It was never anything I didn't already know or could've worked out. So, I thought it was just me using their voices. But now … whenever it happens … I swear they're there. I can sense them there, hear them, see them… I can feel them…"

Steven rushed over and hugged Carnelian around the neck, terror and tears in his voice. "Tanzanite… Are you going to be okay? Please be okay…"

Carnelian hugged him back, trying and failing to comfort him and herself. "I don't know, sweetheart. I honestly just don't know… Peridot? The machine says I'm corrupted?"

Peridot somberly confirmed, "The readings hold steady, yes."

"Well, it's lucky the machine is done, and we have the best healer in gemkind here… Looks like I just became our first test subject." Carnelian got up on her knees, separated from Steven, took his hands in hers, and looked into his eyes. "Take care of me, okay, Steven?"

Steven steadied himself with a sniff. "I will. I promise."

Carnelian smiled and lightly kissed his forehead. "I know you will; that's why I'm not so worried… See you soon."

With that, Carnelian glowed and retreated into her gem, her precious stone falling delicately into Steven's hands. Everyone gathered around and watched intently as Steven brought her over to the now-prepped and idling machine. A panel on its front rolled up to reveal a cushioned holding spot, and, with a nod of confirmation from Peridot, Steven gently placed Carnelian's gem in place. Peridot started typing away, and multiple waves of soft light washed over Carnelian's gem by the machine. A following chorus of beeps indicated something positive was occurring.

Several holographic screens activated on the machine's top to relay information. One of them was showing was some kind of inner workings: naturally a gradient of red throughout, it was comprised of red 'veins' with streaks of lights traveling up and down them. The 'veins' themselves also flowed and traveled in every which way. However, Peridot's reaction to this screen clued to the others that something was off."

"Well, that … is unexpected." Peridot commented, astonished.

Connie then picked up on something. "Hold on; Peridot, I think I can help."

The others looked at her as Steven asked for everyone, "You know about this, Connie?"

Connie explained as she stepped forward, "Well, kind of. My mom's been bringing home CAT-scans and x-rays since I was little, and she's had me studying them for as long as I can remember. It's not exactly the same, but I do know how to read things like this."

"It's worth a shot." Garnet chimed in. "Now, Peridot, why did you say Carnelian looks odd?"

"Well, let me show you."

Peridot typed away some more, and two more screens appeared side-by-side with the screen of Carnelian's makeup, these showing two other gem's inner workings, one green and one blue. While the shape and structures were different, they too were also made of veins with streaks of light traveling inside, the green one's lights going quite fast. However … the veins in the blue and green gems were completely motionless…

Peridot explained, "These are what Lapis and I look like, internally. See the difference?"

"So, she moves." Lapis commented, "What could that mean?"

Connie puzzled out aloud, "Well, usually, that fluidity suggests … constant change or maybe adaptability…?"

Pearl asked, "That would explain how she learned and got comfortable so fast. But, why would Homeworld allow a gem that adapts and changes? That kind of autonomy would definitely be seen as a threat."

Amethyst chimed in, "Peri, you said they're running out of resources out there, right? Maybe they weren't so hot on making gems only do one thing anymore? Maybe they let her go to see what happens…"

Garnet then pointed out, "If that is true, I would say it backfired on them, in more than a few ways, and to our benefit."

Peridot began typing away again. "Let's just focus on one mystery at a time for now. We have to find our diagnosis.

The two side screens disappeared, and the focus returned to Carnelian. The perspective on Carnelian's makeup was pulled back and shifted into the center. Then, something came into view, and the Crystal Gems gasped and recoiled upon seeing it: a large greyish obstruction with a faint ring around it was rooted in the midst of Carnelian's inner workings along with a second smaller one to the side of it. It was an opaque, chaotic disruption, resembling some kind of drastic weather pattern on a planet surface. The red quartz's makeup miraculously seemed to be flowing around or away from them. It was an undeniably troubling sight…

Garnet lifted her visor again as Pearl commented under her breath, "Oh my stars… That's horrible."

"Geez, Red…" Amethyst said with a wince.

Shaken, Steven stammered, "That's… That's what it is?"

Peridot was almost listless with shock. "That … seems to be the source, yes."

Looking closer, Connie pointed out, "Look at this: this ring here… I think I recognize it; it looks older and faded. That suggests there was something here before this one … or maybe she … got rid of it or somehow healed it once before."

Amethyst reacted incredulously, "Are you serious? She had it and cured it once already? How?!"

Garnet realized aloud, "The injector… Steven, you healed her after she was cracked by the injector."

"I … did. I did!" Steven lit up. "So, I can heal the corruption."

"Hold on, Steven. We need to be sure." Peridot said, having not stopped typing, reading, or analyzing, "There are still a lot of anomalies with this affliction, hers in particular. This could even be a different type of corruption. For one, the first time was subtle but this time was much more violent."

Lapis looked over at the recently-broken eye. "That shot… Could that have done it?"

Peridot answered, not looking up from the screen, "Probably. Although if that is it, it seems less like it re-corrupted her, and more like it … strengthened the original or caused it to re-occur and a lot faster, hence the more drastic reaction."

Connie then pointed out, "But look at how her gem reacts: it's completely avoiding or operating around it, so it looks like her adaptability is literally a life-saver. With this type of affliction, she can't do it forever, but it definitely bought her time. Still, everything still flows through the smaller one regardless."

Lapis then asked, "What is that second one? The smaller one, is that corruption too?"

Peridot explained, "No, but unfortunately, I know what it is: that's a status tracker, unobtrusive, remote, and long-range."

Lapis exclaimed, "They're tracking her? Wait! Does that mean they were watching us this whole time?!"

Peridot quickly responded, "Oh no, no. It's far too basic for that. It has exclusive focus on a single gem. Although…" Peridot typed faster as she double-checked her deduction. "Yes, as I thought, this one's been modified. Specifically, it can receive signals as well as send them."

Pearl asked, "What? Why would they have a tracker receive messages? What could they possibly want to send?"

Peridot could only shake her head…

Steven finally asked, "If I heal her, and it takes these things out, Tanzanite will be okay, right?"

Peridot confirmed, "Most definitely; she shouldn't suffer any ill effects from their removal."

Steven responded, "Then, let's do it. Could you turn the rejuvenation part on too, please? Just in case…"

"It shouldn't have much effect after your powers work, but okay."

Peridot activated the machine's rejuvenation capabilities, and Carnelian's gem reacted; her 'veins' faintly glowed and flowed faster, the traveling lights within them going steady. Steven licked both hands as he stepped forward and touched and kissed Carnelian's gem all at once. The result was unexpected wonderful: a pink glow grew all through Carnelian, but then it seemed to absorb the machine's power and glowed even brighter, almost too bright to look at! Both disruptions rapidly shrunk until they disappeared, and Carnelian's quickly closed back to normal, the rose-colored shine actually remaining for a few moments afterward. Finally, the machine played a short cheerful tone to signal completion.

Crystal Gems continued holding their breaths as the machine powered down. Steven carefully extracted Carnelian's gem and put her down, everyone backing away to give her some space. Almost immediately, the gem glowed, and a large humanoid figure of light grew and took shape. Finally, the light burst away to reveal Carnelian completely revived. The red quartz slowly blinked her eyes open and looked around. Something had definitely changed; something vaguely behind her, a feeling or vibe that was barely noticeable before, was now gone with her only now recognizing it with its absence.

Steven tentatively asked, "Tanzanite… Are you okay? How do you feel?"

Thinking and feeling herself out, Carnelian verbally explored. "I feel … empty? No, that's not the right word. I feel … clear … light… I feel … free." Steven finally smiled and hugged her legs, and the red quartz reciprocated, scooping him up and hugging him close. "This is the third time you've saved my life. I'll never be able to repay you, you know."

Steven replied into her hair, "You don't have to repay me. I'm just happy you're okay."

Carnelian kissed him on the cheek. "Oh, you're so wonderful."

Carnelian put the young gem down, and the Crystal Gems finally began to relax…

Pearl said, "Thank the stars! This ordeal is resolved, and we even have some headway on the corruption."

Carnelian then responded, "Actually… We may have more than that…" All the others looked at her in confusion. "I… I think I know what the corruption could be…"

Everyone's eyes went wide… They all found seats, Steven and Connie sitting up close, and all faced Carnelian, getting comfortable to hear this…

Garnet said, "Alright, Tanzanite, what have you figured out?"

Carnelian relayed, "It has to do with White Diamond and her … 'song'. When you told me how this all started, it all sounded very familiar, but I couldn't figure out why or where I heard it. But going into my gem and relaxing for the first time since my desertion, it all came flooding back... It started out a rumor, some scary story whispered around the colonies. It was: if you dissented or had doubts, White Diamond would 'sing' you a 'song'; the next thing there would be a flash; and you'd never be seen again. I only got snippets of it; any time I or any of my team would ask more about it, the teller would recognize us and shut right down. It's been centuries since I've thought about it, but … the ones I heard the first rumors from, I never did see them again…

But the rumors spread, and so did this for a little while. Then, suddenly, a new 'story', a kind of 'legend' really, started going around: every now and then, White Diamond would hand-select certain gems, important or skilled or those she deemed worthy, and she would sing them a special 'song'. Listening to it would mark you as her 'chosen', and you would become so close to her, you would forget you were separate. You would do what she wanted without thinking; you would know her commands before she gave them; you would know her desires automatically. You would completely lose yourself in her 'glory'… A bright white light, a song, and just disappearing without even a shard…"

Everyone was justifiably, visibly troubled by this revelation. Pearl's hands found and covered her mouth while Garnet had her arms crossed as she contemplated. Peridot remained steady but couldn't hide she was now an even paler green. Amethyst tried to stop herself from trembling while Lapis was curled up in her chair. Steven was horrified speechless. Connie was the first to recover enough to speak.

"So, it sounds like… You think it might be some kind of … mind control or … brainwashing?"

Carnelian slowly shook her head in contemplation. "Possibly. What I know is… When I was in my gem, I could feel it … 'pulling' at me, trying to erode me, like … it was trying to break me apart who I was."

Still ashen, Pearl attempted to ease herself by deciphering. "That's a helpful perspective, and it does make sense as a cerebral wipe and a cerebral break are not dissimilar. Still, there's a large difference between erasing a single gem at a time and the widespread attack we witnessed."

Garnet grimly added, "If Carnelian's correlation is correct, and I don't think she's far off, and the corruption comes from a type of song… Songs can be modified, sped up, slowed down, extended, cut short…"

With that, Carnelian thought of something, looked around and spotted a book in a nearby box. She went, grabbed it up, and sat back down. "No one needs this, right?" Everyone shook her head in the negative. "Okay, what about this? Say this is our minds: this spine holds it together. If the stories are true, then singing the song would be like tearing the spine out and replacing it with the Diamonds. You're still together but changed. Then, what if the corruption is from changing the song or maybe stopping halfway? If you take the support away and don't replace it…"

To demonstrate, Carnelian ripped the spine of the book away and let the now-disconnected cover and pages drop and flutter down.

"They fall apart…" Steven commented in a hush.

Silence fell over all the gems as they contemplate and absorb everything, Carnelian taking the time to pick up the remains of the destroyed book. Very soon, they all agreed that they had had enough crisis for one time and went their separate ways for the day…

-XX-

Two weeks had passed since she'd been cured, and Carnelian felt excellent. On this day, Steven, Connie, and Carnelian were out warp-pad hopping, with the quartz meant to keep the two occupied. Garnet, Pearl, and Peridot were working on a 'special project', and Garnet stressed it was very important and urgent. While that proclamation definitely put the red quartz on edge, being with the two teens always made Carnelian very happy, and so she agreed to be their venturing partner. Eventually, they found themselves at the Injector ruins as they simply enjoyed each other's company. Very soon, Stevonnie was there with big hugs for their quartz 'aunt', but there was one topic the fusion needed to address.

"Scarlet Tanzanite… Are you okay? Steven and Connie are still shaken up, and … it even scared me when I wasn't here…. You're going to okay, right?"

"Stevonnie… come here a sec; there's something I need to tell you…" The two faced each other, and Carnelian gently laid her hands on the fusion's shoulders, looking into their eyes. "Yes I'm going to be fine. I got a … really bad scare there, but I got through it, thanks to all three of you. It reminded me of everything and everyone I are about and … I really thought about you a lot. I know I haven't been here as long and I know you've already got families, but … you really make me feel like you're my kids too." Carnelian felt herself starting to tear up but kept herself together. "So, I just really needed to tell you, to just say aloud to you: Steven, Connie, Stevonnie … you all are so special to me. I love you all so much."

Touched and giddy with a host of emotions, Stevonnie could only respond with more hugs to Carnelian… They didn't keep track of how long they were together, but the bliss didn't last. Suddenly, there was an indistinct buzzing in the air, an odd yet familiar disturbance. Whatever it was, it was large. Both looked up and saw something coming, and Carnelian realized very quickly what it was…

Carnelian urgently directed, "Stevonnie, you need to get the others now!"

Stevonnie nervously asked, "What's going on? What is that?"

"A ship! You have to get everyone back here and fast."

"I can't leave you here alone."

"The faster you go, the faster you get back. Go!"

With no time to spare, Stevonnie took off as fast as they could and disappeared through the warp pad. Carnelian quickly ducked behind a nearby downed ring to get a very good look at what was coming to threaten them…

Out of the sky descended a pointed prism-shaped ship, a White Diamond standard issue. It touched down, and a door fell down into a ramp. First one out of ship … White Pearl, a short cape over her shoulders added to her flowing attire and a tall scepter in hand! She then stepped slightly off to the side to allow whomever was behind her to exit as well. Next came a tall broad-shouldered pink and white gem with thick, long, rounded locks, a thick leathery apron on her front, red goggles up on her forehead, and her gem on her left bicep. Then, there was a small green gem with yellow speckles all over, her hair styled into an arrowhead shape with its points ending in bolt zigzags, and a yellow visor over her eyes and her gem in her forehead. This one was hovering and flying in a rocket-powered 'chair' shaped like an egg with the top missing. Finally, a deep blue gem emerged, her hair ending in the back in a large tight curl like a closed flower bud. She wore a corset dress with a flaring skirt that hugged her midsection while leaving her shoulders bare, and had her feet bare. Her gem was right in the center of her chest, over her 'heart'. Carnelian was stricken with complete shock…

…

…

It was Thulite … Sphene … and Azurite…

End Chapter

A/N: There you have it. Thank you for reading and I hope you liked it. There was a lot of theory in this one, and I hope you liked it, or at least understood it. If this contradicts something in the show, feel free to let me know. Anyway we have … 2 … chapters … left. So please come back for more. Thank you once again, and as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.