A/N Hello again, my little wanderers! Time for chapter 14! Now, this is an idea that's been bouncing around in my empty little nerd-brain since I saw a picture on iFunny. Now, I have seen TONS of beautiful fan-art on this topic, but this is my own take on it.
Well, it seems that I have, once again, outsmarted the viewers! The reference from last chapter was the trio of circus performers, who were the Yogscast's Blackrock Trio: Rythian the Endermage, Zoeya the Technomage, and Teep the Mute Dinosaur Archer. Yay! I was clever!
The closest to getting the correct answer was LeWallaby, who decided that the reference included the circus performers, but they couldn't accurately specify the entire reference.
Reference Contest! I've hidden a special reference inside this chapter! The first review that correctly names it will receive these wonderful prizes:
1- A name/ face reveal!
2- A free story request!
3- A sneak peak at the next chapter!
Be Warned! There's more than ONE reference in this chapter!
Happy hunting, my little wanderers.
Where Do I Put the Star?!
'What is this?... What is this, please?...' Peridot thought, looking around at the strange land she's found herself in.
"This is you, Peridot." A happy, feminine voice echoed throughout the cloudy pink landscape. "This is who you truly are!" The voice gave a bubbly laugh, one that made a wave of understanding wash over the technician.
'Where are… Where's your body?' Peridot tried to look for the source of the voice and discovered that she didn't even have a body. 'Why am I- Where's my- What's happening?!' She panicked.
"You're regenerating, Peridot." The voice explained to her. "Don't you remember? Try to think back to what happened." Try as she might, Peridot couldn't shake the feeling that she's heard this voice before.
Instead, she tried to remember what had put her in this situation. They were having a party… There had been people there, strangers, all loud and fighting with each other… Amethyst was there. She had brought Peridot with her to this party. She couldn't remember why…
Shape-Shifting. Amethyst wanted to test Peridot's shape-shifting. They had turned into "Teenagers", as the purple Gem had called it. There were lights, bright and flashing and of all colors. Then the music, the dubstep, although it was slow and predictable- Nothing like what Sour Cream was capable of.
They had been separated in the crowds. Peridot was given a red cup of water. She remembered that it was an Earth custom to drink what is offered to her, but the water had made her mind cloudy and her thoughts slow… She remembered feeling the wind, cold and somewhat moist… She remembered something falling…
"You had fallen off of a large hill, Peridot." The voice explained to her, "You couldn't think quickly enough to brace yourself, and your physical body was damaged enough to be forced into your Gemstone."
'Am I safe?' She asked.
"Amethyst was able to find your Gemstone, and Steven has placed it inside of a cushioned basket for safety. He and Connie are taking turns watching over it. It's been about… Nine days."
'Why has it taken so long? I usually only need a few hours to regenerate.'
"I believe we both know why, Peridot… Envision your body, please?"
She did so, looking over the form she has used since she first emerged. Then, she envisioned it again. And again. And again.
"Have you found the reason behind the delay?"
'This feels… This feels weird… This feels wrong… Why does this body feel wrong?'
"That is the appearance you used while you served under Yellow Diamond. When your loyalties changed, you were never given the opportunity to change how you viewed yourself."
'I don't understand…'
"The insignia, upon your chest. It is the crest of Yellow Diamond. Now that you are a Crystal Gem, do you not believe it to be time to… Change that diamond? Perhaps change it into… A star?"
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"Why won't she regenerate?!" Steven exclaimed, "It's been two weeks! Why is she taking so long?!"
The boy fell face-first onto his bed, sighing in frustration. Connie started to run her fingers through his mass of brown curls, doing her best to stay calm. Despite her best efforts, she could feel herself beginning to panic, causing her to shake her head wildly.
'Please! Please, not now! Steven is already falling apart, having an anxiety attack will only make things worse!' She pleaded to herself.
"Connie? Are you okay?" Steven asked, looking at her in concern. The boy sat up and gently grabbed her hands. "Don't worry, Peridot will be fine. She's a lot stronger than she thinks she is, and even smarter than that."
"I know Steven, it's just… What if she isn't? Not even the other Gems can figure out why she's taking so long."
He didn't respond with words, choosing instead to simply lean forward and press his forehead to hers. She closed her eyes and sighed tiredly, the stress of the last two weeks slowly vanishing into thin air. Connie could feel tears welling up in her eyes, unsure if they desired to flow down her cheeks in sorrow.
"I can't lose her, Steven…" She whispered, the tears finally escaping, "Not after everything that's happened… She proof that… Proof that the Homeworld Gems can be saved…"
Just as Steven was about to respond, the two humans were enveloped in a bright green light. Gasping in excited surprise, they watched as Peridot's Gemstone began to float, tendrils of light swirling around and beginning to take shape. Once it finished, Peridot stood before them, unharmed, although with a few changes.
Instead of her Diamond Authority uniform, she wore a form-fitting, dark green outfit, completely covering her arms and legs. Over this, she wore a dark gray vest, giving her an appearance of sophistication. Lastly, and to Steven's enormous appreciation, on the center of the vest, shifted as to cover the side of the vest as well, was a large, bright pink star, contrasting beautifully with the dark vest.
"Well…" Peridot began, "… I found a place to put the star…"
"You're back!" Both humans shouted, tackling the Gem into a hug. Unfortunately, they'd forgotten how close they were to the steps, tumbling down into the living room and landing in a large pile. Standing up, the trio began laughing, fear and anxiety completely forgotten in the name of joy and relief.
"Why did you take so long?" Connie asked, trying to calm her laughter.
"I was…" Peridot paused, unsure if she should tell them about the strange, familiar voice she had heard. "I was… Trying to find the right place to put the star. I wanted it to be perfect." She finally answered, not telling a complete lie.
"It IS perfect!" Steven gushed, his eyes full of stars of his own. "Oh, I can't wait until the rest of the Crystal Gems get back and see it!"
"'Get back'?" Peridot raised an eyebrow. "Where did they go?"
"We're… Not entirely sure." Connie answered, "While you were still regenerating, Ruby and Sapphire unfused. When we tried to talk to them, Sapphire just covered her ears and murmured something about 'The Whispers'. Ruby seemed really worried."
"A few days ago, the Gems used the warp pad, and they haven't come back." Steven finished, both humans seeming rather concerned.
"'The Whispers'? Whispers that could force apart Fusions?" Peridot shook her head. "I have no knowledge of anything like what you describe. I'm afraid I cannot help you."
"We didn't think you would…" The boy sighed, "I guess we'll just have to wait for them to come back." Suddenly, he perked up, a wide smile on his face. "Oh! I know how we can pass the time! We can tell you what's been going on in the Presidential race!"
"Oh yeah!" Connie exclaimed, "There's been SOOO much going on lately, and we need to get you up-to-date!"
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Mt. Everest. The tallest mountain on all of Earth, dangerous and difficult conquer; Few humans have survived the expedition to the highest peak, and even fewer have lived to tell the tall.
Fortunately, the Crystal Gems were not humans.
Only a few days after they had started, they reached the summit, and saw something that the few humans to reach the top had been unable to reveal to society below, the memory sealed away by a higher power.
The Crystal Monastery.
The Gems entered, closing the large doors behind them. The absence of the mountainous winds left them in an eery silence, their footsteps echoing as they walked down the aisle of the church.
"Man, this place is way creepy." Amethyst said, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "What're we doing here?"
"We need to find Father Stahlrim." Ruby answered, carrying Sapphire in her arms. "He's the only Gem besides Sapphire that has Future Vision. He can help her."
"Father Stahlrim?" The purple woman asked in confusion, "Who's that? I thought we're the only Gems on Earth?"
"Technically, we are." Pearl spoke up, "But Father Stahlrim is a different type of Gem, and the last of his kind. He built the Crystal Monastery thousands of years ago, long before even Rose arrived on Earth. From here, he has meditated for eons, focusing his Future Vision. According to Rose, he has honed his Future Vision so precisely, that he can see only the future that WILL happen, rather than a collection of possible futures that COULD happen."
Before Amethyst could ask something else, the group entered the main chamber. On the other side, sitting in front of a large window and illuminated by what little light passed through it, was Father Stahlrim. Pearl and Ruby walked to him, laid Sapphire down on the ground before him, and sat down, closing their eyes and beginning to meditate themselves. Amethyst stood by the entrance, appalled that Sapphire was in trouble and yet her friends wouldn't demand the help she needed.
She wouldn't stand for it.
"HEY!" She yelled out in irritation, "We need help, you dusty old boulder!"
"Amethyst!" Pearl said in shock, her eyes widening in horror. "You have no right t-"
"You're wrong, Pearl!" Amethyst cut her off, "Sapphire needs help, NOW! We don't have time to sit around doing nothing!"
"You're afraid…"
The deep, scratchy voice- A voice that commanded respect and authority, yet also held a sort of wise kindness- Interrupted their argument. They both looked to Father Stahlrim, whose back was still turned towards them. "You're afraid." He repeated, "Afraid of what is to come, the secrets that will be revealed, and how those close to you will react…"
"What are you talking about?" Amethyst asked, a feeling of uncertainty washing over her.
Father Stahlrim was silent, moving his hands and holding them over Sapphire's still form. Moments passed, before he gave a soft hum of approval. Bringing his hands back to his sides, he began speaking, his words too alien for his guests to understand. Once he finished, Sapphire gave a pained groan, her appearance disappearing as her Gemstone fell to the stone floor, clinking softly.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO-"
"She shall be fine." Father Stahlrim interrupted the purple Gem, "In order to recover properly, she must remain within her Gemstone." He picked up the deep blue jewel and handed it to Ruby, who cradled her lover in her arms. "In the meantime, I suggest you take care of her. She will be needed for what is to come."
Amethyst stormed out of the church, fuming in anger as Ruby followed her. Pearl stayed behind, looking at the Ancient Geminoid priest as he finally stood up. "How long has it been, Pearl?"
"Nearly 5,000 years, Father."
"And what do you see when you look at the humans?"
"Hope. For every failure, their ambition only grows stronger."
"Good." He nods to her, "Now go. This world needs you far more than you know."
"Yes, Father." Pearl bowed to the Ancient Geminoid before leaving the cathedral. Father Stahlrim gave a tired sigh, walking over to the small statue that was placed upon a pedestal, hidden in a dark corner. He fell to his knees before the altar, closing his eyes and praying to his Goddess.
"My Graceful Crystal, grant your faithful children the strength they require for the events that are to come. Your wisdom and clarity will be necessary if they are to survive the impending war… Peridot radiates with your purity, and grows greater with every trial she faces… I thank you for your gifts, and pledge myself to you." The Ancient finished his prayer, returning to his meditation.
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A/N Now, you may be wondering where I'm going with this. Trust me, this is gonna be awesome. I can't guarantee that you'll like it, but it WILL be awesome.