Didn't think you see a new chapter so soon ;D Yeah I got excited for writing this chapter, so I spent some more time on it (that and I actually had some extra time to write it).

So again please comment, follow and like the story ^^

Connie's stomach slowly became twisted in knots as the continue walking. Noticing the claw marks becoming more frequent as they went deeper into the forest. Connie glanced at Mabel who was nervous also and even brought the hatchet back out from her bag. Greg seemed to be the only calm on in this group, which was probably a blessing in disguise because it made her relax a bit. If Greg wasn't afraid, may be she shouldn't be either.

"I think we should probably go back," said Mabel.

"Why?" asked Greg.

"Well, first of all-" said Mabel, but then froze.

"Mabel?" asked Connie concerned lifting up her sword. "What's wrong?"

Mabel pointed behind Connie. "Mul-mul-mul-MULTI BEAR!"

Connie looked behind her and gasped. Coming out of the shadows was a something that was mix of horror and fantasy. A giant brown bear that towered over them with his eight heads. The bear growled as it walked forward, seeing more horror as it had two sets of back and front feet.

"Whelp, looks like you were right Connie, it was a bear!" said Greg.

"Greg this is not the time," said Connie as she the sword in one hand and out stretched her other arm to protect Greg making him back up with her and Mabel. "So what's the plan?" she asked.

"Attack if there is an opening, except you Greg, just stay out of the way," said Connie.

"What?! But you taught me how to fight!" said Greg.

The bear gave a loud roar that made the birds around them fly away from their perches in the trees. Then swung a paw at them. Mabel jumped one way and Connie grabbed Greg and barrel rolled the other way. "Yes, but we don't have any extra swords at the moment, so stay down," said Connie putting him down. Then rushing to the bear. It showed it's fangs as it swiped its paws at her, Connie threw up her sword in defense. She grunted, though, as the power of the bear forced her to scoot back.

The bear than yelped as Mabel from behind sliced one of the bear's heads. Releasing some of the pressure as Connie took the opening to slice one of its arms off. The Bear screamed in pain as it staggered back.

"Whoo hoo! Go Mabel and Connie!" shouted Greg in encouragement.

"Not bad Mabel," said Connie.

"Thanks," said Mabel it is a good thing she had Wendy as a friend. She never handled an axe before, but she seen Wendy use it many times so she could at least try to copy her. A low growl from the multi bear got her attention back. She also noticed something, the wounds the bear had weren't bleeding. Instead they were just leaking this dark black smoke. "That isn't right."

"What isn't?" asked Connie concerned.

"It isn't bleeding, it's a animal, it's suppose to bleed, but it isn't. Do gem monsters bleed black smoke?" asked Mabel.

"No, when they are seriously injured like if they loose a limb they poof and go back into their gem," responded Connie also noticing now that the bear was bleeding black smoke.

Before Mabel could speak the multi bear rushed toward them in a charge. Mabel screamed as she barely dodged the charge landing on the ground, but Connie quickly dodge and sliced off a hind leg in the process. "So what is this thing then?!" asked Connie.

"I don't know! But we have to finish it off!" said Mabel standing up. "Hey ugly! Come and get me!"

The multi bear turned and looked at Mabel and roared. Going over to her and began attack her, but Mabel kept dodging the bears attacks. Connie took this chance finish the bear off. Running toward the bear and then jumped into the air.

"Cut off the main head!" shouted Mabel as she pointed to the center top head.

The advice, though, forewarned the multi bear and turned around to see Connie and grabbed her in mid air then tossing her to the ground.

Mabel gasped as Connie was pinned to the ground by the bear's front paws. Her heart raced as she didn't know what to do. She swore Connie would be quick enough to slice off the bears head. "What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?!" thought Mabel frantically.

"Mabel help me!" shouted Connie as she had one arm free to swing her sword, but in the position she couldn't do anything except temporarily ward off the bear. Mabel knew it wouldn't last long. A scream from Connie as the bear grabbed the sword using it's mouth made Mabel instantly run at the bear.

Mabel totally forgot the hatchet in her other hand as she shouted a battle cry and punched the multi bear in the face. The bear was surprised by her strength and flinched and released Connie's sword, which gave Mabel another chance to punch the bear again. The bear roared as it used the paws that were pinning down Connie to swipe at Mabel throwing her back, but by releasing Connie it gave her a chance to attack. Connie rolled to the side and thrust the sword through the multi bears main head. The multi bear then poof like a gem monster would, but in a cloud of black smoke and it left no gem behind.

"That was amazing!" said Greg as he ran over to them.

"Thanks," said Connie standing up then looked over to Mabel who was also slowly standing up. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah I think so, that bear could hit hard," said Mabel then coming over to them.

"Speaking of hitting I think I figured out what your weapon is," said Connie.

"Really?" asked Mabel.

"Your fists," said Connie then continuing on. "Instead of simply using your hatchet when trying to save me you used your firsts and I got to say you are pretty strong."

"Yeah that bear was so surprised when you hit it!" said Greg. "It was so cool!"

"Oh, geez, thanks I didn't think much about it," replied Mabel with a blush. "It was all instinct I guess."

"Which puts more evidence that I think your weapon is again your fists, which I agree it's pretty cool. One of Steven's guardians, Garnet, has fists as her weapon."

"Really?" asked Mabel.

"Yeah, of course she has these punching gloves to protect her hands, but still punching stuff," said Connie.

"Punching gloves are cool, but I rather have some brass knuckles," said Mabel remember how cool her Grunkle was when he used his brass knuckles to fight that horde of zombies one time.

"Well unfortunally we don't have either of those," said Connie. Her mother would freak out if she knew she had a sword right now, she defiantly wouldn't have any brass knuckles and the only reason why she had a hatchet is because it was a tool for survival.

"Well, she could still practice!" said Greg then looked at Mabel "or lift stuff to make you stronger!"

"Yeah, I could lifts some logs, do some more push ups or better yet just look for smaller monsters to punch!" said Mabel.

"I don't think that last one is a good idea," said Connie. She rather not accidently run into another monster like the multi bear. "And I think it is a good idea to get out of here."

"Yeah, I think that is enough action for one day," Mabel agreed with her.

"And then the bear roared and Connie stabbed him in the head!" said Greg as he was so amazed by the fight he been retelling the story and kept saying how awesome it was. Which was ok until now when Connie and Mabel were trying to sleep.

"Greg go to sleep," mumbled Mabel. Lucky for Connie that she could fall asleep even though Greg kept rambling on, unfortunally she couldn't. She honestly thought he would get tired and fall asleep, but nope. A rustle from outside then made Mabel wide awake. "What was that?"

"I don't know," said Greg as he poked his head outside the tent with Connie right behind him. They both looked around to see what was rustling outside. It seemed like it was clear for the moment, until he heard a chuckle. A soft one, but still caught his attention. He then looked around again.

"Hey look," said Mabel pointing to something.

Greg looked and gasped as it was the pink lady again! She was peeking out behind one of the trees. He then ran out to meet her. "It's her! The pink lady!"

"Greg wait!" said Mabel softly but at the same time urgently as she followed him.

Greg didn't listen as he wanted to meet the lady, but she then chuckled again as she then began to walk away. "Hey wait up!" called Greg as he continued to run after her.

"Not again!" thought Mabel as she ran after Greg. "The pink lady? Didn't Connie say that was probably Steven's mom? I probably should go get Connie, but I know I need to look after Greg… Well she is at least at camp asleep, I mean she should be ok."

Mabel noticed as she ran after Greg that blue and red crystals started to appear. There was just a few small ones at first at first, but soon they were growing bigger and bigger. Before she knew it she was in a maze of blue and red, their path twisting and turning. "Greg slow down!" called Mabel as she noticed he was slowly disappearing from her sight and he did in what seemed like seconds because she had to stop to take a breather. "Geeze you think that he just drank 50 pit cola's," said Connie to herself. After a couple breaths Mabel continued, walking this time.

"Greg! Greg!" called Mabel as she continued down the path. The blue and red crystals were tall as trees, but also looked beautiful. Now that she had a closer look at them, they looked like rubies and sapphires, though, she couldn't say for certain if they were.

"Mabel?"

Mabel recognized the voice as Gregs and quickly followed it to a crystal grove. Her mouth dropped in aw as it seemed to be something right out of a fairytale with a giant gem heart on the other side of the grove. She half expected a unicorn to pop out, but then her attention went to Greg who went over to her.

"I thought you were right behind me!" said Greg

"Well, you had a head start," said Mabel, she then glanced up as something pink was coming toward them. Like Connie and Greg described before she was very tall with long curly pink hair wearing an elegant white dress with a pink gemstone for a belly button surrounding by a yellow star. "You're Steven's Mom right?" asked Mabel.

The pink lady gave a kind smile and nodded, "Yes, I am Rose Quartz," she responded.

"Wow, I can't believe it," said Mabel.

"I can, she is right here," said Greg.

"Yeah, I know, but Connie said you were dead," said Mabel.

Rose's eyes soften. "This world… bends the rules…" she then took in a deep breath and smiled. "But lets not dwell over that, I have something for you Mabel." Rose then turned and the two children followed her to the other side of the grove where the giant gem heart was. On closer inspection it was half red and half blue with the two colors mixing in the middle to make purple. "I saw your battle with the multi bear earlier, you fought valiantly, but there are many other creatures out there that you might meet. Some stronger and larger than the multi bear."

"Like that creature you defeated with me?" asked Greg with a shiver.

"Yes, like that one," said Rose as she then placed her hands on the heart and it started glowing. "So like Connie you will need a weapon." She then turned to Mabel. "Mabel can you place you hands on the heart?"

"Ok, but what does this have to do with getting a weapon?" asked Mabel, but did what she said and placed her hands on the glowing heart. Her hands then felt like something was crawling onto them, but couldn't see what it was since the heart glowed so bright she had to close her eyes. Her hands felt like they were hot and cold at the same time, but trusted in Rose as she kept them on the heart. The heart after a bit went back to noticed and Mabel opened her eyes.

"WHOA!" said Mabel as she pulled back her hand to see the two spiked brass knuckles on her hand. Well they weren't actually brass, but looked like crystal. The handle was purple while the spikes on her left brass knuckle were blue while the right was red.

"These crystal knuckles are special, not only they only fit you, but they will give you enhanced strength for the battles ahead," said Rose.

"I want a weapon!" said Greg as he placed his hands on the gem heart and closed his eyes.

Rose laughed. "Greg, you are not ready for a weapon yet, but…" she then kneeled down as he turned back around. "If you train really hard with Connie you might have a sword in your future."

"Can it be green?!" asked Greg.

Rose laughed again. "It can be any color you want."

"Yes!" said Greg.

Rose smiled as she stood back up. "Now you two should get back to camp, you both need your rest."

"Why don't you come back with us?" asked Greg.

"Yeah, Connie would love to meet you," said Mabel.

Rose sighed, "Unfortunally I can not and I can't tell you why, you must… just trust me."

"Couldn't you come back for like 5 minutes?" asked Greg. "Or for breakfast?"

"I am sorry I can not," said Rose. "Now go back now."

Greg sighed. "Fine…"

Mabel messed up his hair. "It's ok, Greg. Like she said may be not now, but we might see her again later, but…" she then looked at Rose. "Thank you for my weapon."

"You are welcome, and don't worry you will see me again in the future I can assure you that," said Rose.

Mabel nodded as she then led Greg out of the grove, but not before turning back. "May be have dinner with us tomorrow?" asked Greg to Rose, but she wasn't there. "Aw, man not again!"

"Come on, Greg," said Mabel as she grabbed his hand.

When they got back to camp Greg immediately woke up Connie. "Connie! Connie! Look what Rose gave Mabel!"

Connie grumbled as she woke up. "Greg? What?" she asked not really hearing what he said.

"Look!" said Greg as he pointed to Mabel and more specifically the crystal knuckles she had.

"Where did you get those?!" asked Connie as she sat up quickly wanting to look at Mabel's new weapon.

"I told you Rose gave it to her," said Greg.

"Rose Quartz?!" asked Connie even more shocked.

"Yeah, we asked her to come back with us, but she said she couldn't," said Mabel. "But hey! Now I have my own weapon and Rose even said it will give me super strength!"

"Super strength?" asked Connie with an eyebrow raised.

"Well… enhanced strength, so may be not super strength," said Mabel. "But I do want to say I am sorry for not waking you up… Greg just ran off so fast and I didn't want him to get hurt."

"Hey it's ok," said Connie "I'm just glad that both of you are ok."

"I can't wait till I get my own sword!" said Greg.

Mabel and Connie both laughed. "Like Rose said, may be after you have some more practice," said Mabel.

"Aw," said Greg with a yawn, going over to his spot and curling up underneath the blankets.

"I think he has the right idea," said Mabel a yawn also escaping her.

"Yeah," said Connie with a final yawn. They then took Gregs example and got comfortable in their makeshift bed. Except Connie, who had many thoughts in her head. Why did Rose appear to Greg and Connie, but not to her? Sure she wasn't awake, but Rose came at the exact moments it seemed like they were. She was the one that knew most about her, she had spent hours training with Pearl to not only protect their planet, but also her son. Was she… not worthy? Was she still nothing? What was she doing wrong?!