Steven Universe: The Next Generation
By. Shun Benitoite and Jaroberts251
Chapter 21
The Switch
We find the kids along with Steven, Shun, Amethyst and Lapis in front of the temple on the sand standing face to face with a golem.
"Looks like we need to handle this one while the others take the other one out by Funland." Steven stated.
"Why do this things keep coming?"Amethyst complained tired of facing another golem.
"Doesn't matter we should take it down quickly." said Shun summoning out his gloves.
"Right, and good thing we're next to the ocean because." said Lapis making two water hands rise from the water around them.
"We'll help too." said the kids getting ready to summon their weapons to help but were stopped by Amethyst.
She summoned her whip and used her other hand to make them pause, "It's fine we can handle this one on our own."
"But mom." Ben and Charlotte moaned unable to help.
"Ben, Charlotte listen to your mother." said Shun not even looking back and had his eyes focused on the golem.
"Daddy, please tell Aunty Amethyst to let us help." said Sunni try to convince her dad to make them change their minds.
"Now now sweetheart, in life you're gonna learn sometimes you just have to sit somethings out." Steven replied summoning his shield.
The kids weren't too happy being put on the sideline once again and watch as the others began to fight the Golem. Lapis started with making both water hands try and hold the golem in place but it quickly slammed an arm on the ground making the ground shake and causing Lapis to lose her concentration.
"Guess they do get smarter with every battle this might be a lot tougher than I thought it would." said Shun charging at towards it with Steven and Amethyst supporting him from the back.
After a moment or two the gems were able to destroy the right arm, left leg, and a big chunk of it's body.
"They really did handle it." said Sunni in amazement seeing that's the first time any of them nearly destroyed a golem that quickly.
"I still think if we helped maybe this battle would have been over by now." said Ben having a little bit of attitude in his voice.
"I see why you're more uptight about this then we are." said Charlotte knowing exactly what's on his mind.
"And what would that be?" Ben asked somewhat interested in what she supposably knew he was thinking.
"You're just upset that every time us three had a run in with a golem you're only the one unable to help for some of it." Charlotte replied.
Ben did a small grunt and looked away proving that Charlotte was right after all.
"Hey it's alright Ben, because both times you were to injured to do much." said Sunni trying to cheer Ben up but only made him a little more upset.
"Yeah but both times were because of my reckless thinking." said Ben saying exactly what he was thinking.
"Yeah you have been making a lot of mistakes recently." said Charlotte agreeing with him.
"Well it's not like you're perfect too either Charlotte, little miss hog the bathroom for forty minutes." Ben argued.
"Well girls need time to get ready for the day." Charlotte replied flipping her hair forward causing it to hit Ben in the face a bit.
"I think that only counts if you come out looking pretty but you look terrible no matter what." Ben replied.
"What did you just say!" said Charlotte raising her voice a bit and getting up in Ben's face.
Sunni quickly stepped in between them to stop the potential fight, "That's enough you two apologize to each other now or at least don't fight until the golem isn't a problem."
"Looks like pinky still needs to babysit the other little runts." said a familiar feminine voice getting the kids' and the gems' attention.
"What are you guys doing here!" said the kids in anger seeing Volcanics, Phoenix, and Frostbite a feet away.
"We just came to see how our big friend was doing against you losers and I'm very disappointed to see that the battle hasn't even over." said Volcanics.
"Your friend?" said Sunni not figure out what she means.
"You really haven't figured it out yet?" said Frostbite letting out a cocky grin
"Figured what out?" Ben asked.
"Let's just say these golem attack might not be as random as you think." said Phoenix.
"You guys were the ones who have been sending the golems!" Charlotte shouted getting more mad.
"What?" said Amethyst listening in.
"Should have known it was them." said Lapis.
"We should take them out while we have the chance then find Nova."Shun suggested.
"I agree, you and the kids should take them down because it's always better to have greater numbers and we can handle this guys." said Steven coming up with a quick plan.
With that Shun gave and he turns to face the three enemy gems as the kids also go ready to fight. Volcanics had a smirk on her face.
"Sorry but there aren't enough of you to take down that golem." Phoenix bragged.
"That's what you think our family already has that thing beat." Sunni stated.
"Oh really? Check again." said Frostbite sounding cocky.
They turn to see the golem fixing it's arm and leg and once complete was ready to fight the gems once again. The gems were in shock I'm how fast it repaired it's broken limbs.
"And this my crystal chumps is where we leave your pathetic team." said Volcanics taking off in a dash with Phoenix and Frostbite close behind.
"We have to go after them." said Ben not wanting to let them get away from them.
"Ben's right we should go after them." Charlotte agreed.
"It's too dangerous for you guys to go off on your own, especially with Nova's gems troops." Shun argued.
"Uncle Shun please give us a chance to prove we can hand a simple task of tailing those three down." said Sunni trying to convince him to let them go.
Before he could argue back others called out for help and to let them go.
"It's just tailing what's the worse that could happen?"
"It's better to have us handle this while they handle the other three."
"We'll beat this thing down fast and quickly head towards them to help out."
Shun sighed in defeat, "Promise we you'll be careful."
"We will!" the kids replied.
With that they began to chase after the enemy leaving the gems behind to deal with the golem.
"Now since that's taken care of you wouldn't mind helping us out with thing?" Asked Amethyst trying to keep her grip.
"With pleasure" Shun replied cracking his knuckles ready for some heavy hits.
We now head back to the kids chasing Nova's lackeys throughout the town and eventually the enemy split up in separate directions.
"They split up" said Charlotte stopping in place.
"What do we do now?" Ben asked not sure who to follow.
"I think it would be best for us to split up so we each should pick a gem to follow." Sunni suggested.
"Wait wouldn't three against one be a better chance then one on one?" Asked Charlotte thinking ganging up on one was a better plan.
"That is true but our job was to tail them." Sunni replied with a counter claim.
"We don't have time! At this point at least one of us can stall one of them until the others catches you them." said Ben then immediately ran in the direction Frostbite ran to, "I'll get Frostbite."
Charlotte and Sunni looked at one another and nodded, "I'll get Volcanics." said Sunni.
"That leaves Phoenix to me." said Charlotte as both her and Sunni started running towards their respective targets.
Minutes later the enemy gems stopped when they thought they were a good distance from the beach and along with one person to deal with.
"Guess the real fun starts now, Pinky." said Volcanics touching her forehead and made her Falcon talons appear on both hands.
"No of this is not going to be fun for you." Sunni replied making her shield appeared on one of her arms.
With that Sunni threw her shield towards Volcanics but she easily dodged the attack. As she began running towards Sunni she felt something heading her way and she nearly missed Sunni's shield coming towards her and gracing her shoulder.
Sunni caught her shield in her hand, "Don't think I've only been slacking off since the last time we met." she said summoning out a second shield.
Volcanics smirked, "Yeah you're right then I guess I should show you how much I've improved as well." she said making the talons on her weapon begin to glow a bright red color.
Sunni threw another shield and instead of avoiding it Volcanics sliced straight through it and as the two halves of the sliced shield landed on the ground a few burn marks could be seen on it and seconds later vanished.
"Like I said the real fun will begin." said Volcanics having a devilish smile on her face.
'Hope Ben and Charlotte are having a better time then I am right now." she thought getting ready for any other surprises.
As Sunni's fight had just begun Ben's fight was already under way. Ben was blown back and landed on the ground only taking a bit of damage from the power punch he reserved a moment ago.
'He's really is a lot stronger but he's not the only-" said Ben but quickly had to move out of the way as he saw an axe flying down towards him. Ben then got up slowly and turned to face Frostbite "Is that the best you got?"
"Course not but I see you're reaching your limit, now I can end this quickly." said Frostbite summoning another battle axe to his other hand to replace the one he threw.
He charged at Ben as he was unaware of Ben focusing his power on his right hand and was trying to light a spark. Frostbite was closer to Ben then before and was ready to strike with both axes but quickly had to block with them as he saw Ben sending a purple flaming punch. When contact was made a huge explosion went off casing Ben to nearly lose his balance.
"That wasn't as strong as I hoped it'd be but I think it did the trick." said Ben starting to breathe a little hard after having to use so much energy.
As the smoke began to clear Ben could hear some laughter as a shocked look come across his face. When the smoke cleared he saw two long skid marks across the sand, Frostbite breathing a little hard with one axe completely shattered and the other partly broken.
"How? How were you able to withstand one of my strongest attacks?" Ben asked still shocked over how he was as hurt as he thought he would be.
Frostbite then made his remaining axe disappear and summoned out another pair of axes appear, "If you really want to know I'll show you!" he replied making axes get engulfed in a thick coat of ice.
'Guess I have no choice but to be on defense and wait for a chance to strike.' Ben thought getting ready for anything Frostbite might do now.
With Ben having to deal with Frostbite's slight power increase, Charlotte has also began her fight with Phoenix and neither one is giving an inch. Phoenix's tonfas collided with Charlotte's sword.
"Not bad at all for a little runt." said Phoenix.
"Not bad for someone who lost to us twice already and drop the ball on the location of her master's base was at." Charlotte replied push more against Phoenix.
Phoenix let out a smile, "Last time I was weak but now-" she said able to break the collision and flipped both her tonfas so that the tips pointed at Charlotte.
She thrusted both tonfas at Charlotte and when contact was made a surge of electricity transmitted towards Charlotte making her pass out from the shock. Phoenix then made her tonfas disappear and pulled out a device from her sleeve.
"Hope this works just like master said," she said done typing on it, "Two minutes should be enough time."
Next she places a watch gadget on her wrist and it began to activate. She grabbed Charlotte's hand and bragged, "I might look hideous for a while but a mission is a mission." he said.
The device activated a red orangish glow came from Phoenix while a light blue glow came from Charlotte. Both the glows then transfer to the other by the connecting hands leaving Phoenix with light blue glow and Charlotte with a red orangish one. Phoenix body next fell the ground and a second later got back up.
"What happened? What was that shock? Why am I here and my body ove-" Phoenix asked then stopped noticing her hands are red and normal human color.
She started freaking out and went up towards Charlotte's body and grabbed her by the collar shirt, "What did you do to me?" she asked shaking her back and forth.
Just as she trying to find answers she heard a male voice call out, "Get away from her!"
Phoenix looked up to see Shun running up towards them, "Dad, glad you're here something-" said she but started getting worried seeing Shun with an angry look on his face and glove ready to fight. "Wait! Wait! It not what you think!" she said but got teleported away instantly.
Shun stopped and made his gloves disappear and picked up a fainted Charlotte, she opened her eyes slowly, "Papa?"
"Haven't you call me that in a long time Char." he replied with a smile.
She gave a faint smile, "Just happy to see you." she said fall back into unconsciousness.
"I'm glad I got here in time,let's head back to the others." he said walking towards the temple with Charlotte in arms.
(Hidden Base)
Phoenix appeared in a dark with really dim lighting, "Where am I?"
Just as she was about to ask again a light flashed one causing her to be blinded for a second and when her eye adjusted she found Nova sitting in a chair looking towards her.
"I see your back Phoenix or should I say Charlotte." said Nova with an evil smile on his face.
"Wha...what did you do?" she asked.
"Let's just say we're gonna take care of you crystal gems from the inside out." Nova replied snapping his finger.
With that signal Phoneix felt herself being held back and something cuff her arms. When the struggle was over she found her wrist cuffed as well as Frostbite behind her and Volcanics in front of her.
"Welcome to the family." said Volcanics with a playful smile.
"You're gonna need one after yours is taken care of." Frostbite added.
"Enough both of you, get her in a cell as we wait for Phoenix's report back to us." Nova ordered.
"Yes sir" they saluted and walked Phoenix out of the room with her yelling, "You'll never get away with this!"
"Foolish child. I already have." said Nova sitting back in his chair as the lights dim yet again.
(Back at the Temple)
The rest of the gems were gathered in the front room as they were all tired from fighting the golem and were taking a rest.
"Man I'm exhausted that the Golem was a whole lot stronger than the last one we faced." Amethyst complained.
"Well what do you expect Nova keeps sending here smarter than the last, so we keep have to figuring out different ways to defeat them." Lapis said.
"True." Amethyst replied.
"Yeah, but at least it wasn't at all lost we finally figured out that the Golem attacks aren't just random." Steven said.
"That's also true." Amethyst replied.
"But speaking of the attacks I wonder how the kids are doing tailing Nova's flunkies?" Lapis asked.
"If I know them, they probably kicked Nova's flunkies butts." Amethyst replied.
"No Amethyst they're job was to only to tail them not get engaged into any physical combat with them." Steven said.
"Steven can you really believe that Ben could simply follow the enemy without doing something reckless in the process?" Lapis asked, "But it not really his fault after all he take more after you know who," pointing towards Amethyst.
Amethyst noticed she was pointing at her and asked, "What?"
"Oh nothing." Lapis said.
"Anyway Lapis whatever happen I'm sure everything went just fine." Steven replied.
With that the front door opened and in came both Sunni and Ben, both of their clothes covered in dirt as they made their way inside.
"Sunni, Ben! What happened?" They asked.
"Volcanic happened to me." Sunni replied.
"While Frostbite happened to me." Ben added angry.
"You fought them?" Steven asked.
"Fought them? No we got beat by them." Ben corrected.
"It's true Volcanic got way stronger than the last time we fought she completely cut one of my shields in half like it was nothing." Sunni said.
"Yeah that Frostbite dude, he completely took my most powerful attack head on and it didn't even do that much damage." Ben added.
"Well I guess that means you guys have to work a little harder during your training." Amethyst stated.
"Yes mom/ Auntie Amethyst." Both kids replied.
"Good anyway where is Charlotte should she be with you guys?" Amethyst asked.
"No we split up when we were chasing them down, so we don't where she went to." Sunni replied.
"So that must mean she went after Phoenix, I hope that she alright." Lapis said.
"Don't worry about her I'm sure she fine, after all she is me and Shun's daughter so she'll know how to handle herself." Amethyst replied, relaxed.
"But mom didn't you hear us, we said that we got beat by both Volcanic and Frostbite separately, and Phoenix is just as strong as them so that means Charlotte is in serious trouble right now all by herself." Ben said, sounded worried.
"Chill Ben I know the trouble that Charlotte is in, but don't worry your father is out there looking for her so just have hope he finds her before anything bad could happen to her, okay." Amethyst replied.
"Okay." Ben said, still worried.
"Alright now you two need to get yourselves check out and healed by Steven then get some rest." Amethyst suggested.
"Yes mom/Auntie Amethyst." Ben and Sunni agreed.
With that the two walked over to Steven, who was sitting on the couch as he was waiting for them. They got to the couch as they each took turned getting healed by Steven. Ben went first as he appeared to have taken the most damaged from his first with Frostbite. Steven spit into his hands and rubbed them together as he began wiping them on to Ben's wounds. It sting at first when Steven's hand collided with the wounds, but it soon calm down as the saliva started to heal them completely making it look like Ben was never injured.
"Okay Ben all done you're as good as new now." Steven said.
"Great thank Uncle Steven." Ben replied.
"No problem." Steven said then turning towards Sunni, "Okay Sunni it's your turn now."
"Yes Daddy." Sunni agreed.
Ben moved out the way and allowed Sunni to take his place as she was ready to get healed. Steven began spitting into his hands again as he started rubbed the saliva all over Sunni's causing her to flinch in pain at first, but soon relaxed as she allowed the wounds to heal her allow the saliva to heal her wounds. Once Steven was finished healing Sunni, she hopped off the couch as she didn't feel the damaged of Volcanic's attack anymore.
"Alright good as new thanks dad." She said stretching out her limbs without feeling any pain.
"Don't mention it Sweetheart." Steven replied.
"Okay daddy, but still that is amazing power when do you think I'll be able to learn it?" Sunni asked.
"In time Sunni, but who knows maybe it'll just sneak up on you like when I learned that I could do it so be on the lookout, okay." Steven replied.
"Yes sir." Sunni said, happily.
The two of them smiled until them interrupted them by saying, "Hey I'm sorry to interrupted, but there still the matter of my sister missing."
"Relax Ben remember what I told you that Shun is out there already looking for her I'm sure he'll find her." Amethyst replied.
"Yeah, but what if they probably got him and Charlotte?" Ben asked.
"Not likely because you're father is a strong and smart man, so if they were to face off against him they would need more like Nova himself to defeat him." Amethyst said.
"But still what if something terrible probably happened it's not like they're just going to just walk through the front door at any minute now." Ben replied.
After that was said, like on cue the front door opened up as they all looked to see Shun walking in with an unconscious Charlotte in his arms.
"Dad Charlotte you're ba-" Ben started, but was interrupted by Shun placing a finger to his lips shushing him.
"Shhhh! Ben can't you see that your sister asleep at the moment so could you please keep your voice is down." Shun said.
"Yes sir," Ben said lowering his voice, "So what's wrong with Charlotte, Dad?"
"Well it appears that her fight with Phoenix took a lot out of her, so I think it would be best if we let her sleep and ask her what happened in when she wakes up." Shun suggested.
"Okay Dad." Ben agreed.
"Good now I going to put her to bed, so could you guys keep the noise down." Shun said.
Everybody gave Shun a nodded and he walked off carrying Charlotte into the room.
(The Next day)
In Amethyst, Shun, and the kids' room, Charlotte lay unconscious in bed as began to wake up, once she woke up she started feeling strange.
"Ahh what the heck is going on why do I feel weird?," Charlotte asked, she started to look around as she realized that she was in a whole new area then where she was before, "And where exactly am I?"
She got up out of the bed as she began walking around the room, while trying to figure out how to get out of there. As she continued to walk around until found a waterfall.
'This is strange why is there a waterfall in here?' Charlotte asked.
Charlotte walked up to the waterfall as she knee down to get a drink of water from the pond the water was pouring into. As she was about to get a drink she saw something that made her jump back on her butt as she looked horrified by what she saw.
"W-w-w-what was that?" She asked.
Charlotte looked back into the river to see it was just an illusion, but as she looked again there appeared the reflection of Charlotte Quartz in the water.
"Oh right I switched minds with that brat yesterday." Charlotte said, unpleased, then looking around the area once again, "Hmm, now I get it this must be the base of those Crystal runts and it's kind of like I imagine it... an absolute dump."
The girl got back to her feet as she began walking around the room again as she was walking around she soon found a door in the wall. When she made her way to the door it was like as on insisted that the gem on her arm to light up the door reacted to her gem as it started lighting up as well. The light of the door soon disappeared as it revealed that the door was open. Charlotte looked confused at first and decided to walk through the door. When walking through the door, Charlotte arrived into a room that was way, way, way neater than the room she was just in which she doesn't know it was the living room.
"Well this part of their base must be the center because it isn't as awful as the first part I woke up." Charlotte said, looking around to the room, "Hmm, there doesn't seem to be any high tech Gem technology anywhere I need to inform this to Master Nova when I make report, but until then I should look around and see if they hiding anything that could be a threat to us."
With that said, Charlotte walked out of the doorway with the door closing itself behind her as she made her way over to the kitchen as she began to looking through all the pantries and cabinets, while she was looking for something she deemed a threat, but due to her search she was unable to notice that the door she just exited has reopened itself as looked that Ben was walking out of it.
"Aww man I hungry I need to something to eat." he said.
Ben looked up to see who he thought was Charlotte in the kitchen and he smiled, "Charlotte?!"
Charlotte jumped in surprise as she looked to see Ben behind her as she got into a battle stance. Ben ran over to her spreading his arms in attempt to giver her a hug but, before he could Charlotte grabbed his arm and flipped him over as she put him into a cross armbreaker submission.
"What do you think you're doing?" Charlotte asked, aggressively.
"Uh trying to give you a hug." Ben replied.
"A hug? Liar, why would you try want to give me a hug?" Charlotte asked, starting to put pressure on Ben's arm.
"Ahh... because you're my sister and I was worried about you." Ben replied.
"You idiot why would you be worried about me, I'm not…" Charlotte started before remember her current situation, "Oh yeah that's right I am your sister."
"Well duh you're my sister just look into the mirror you can tell we're fraternal twins after all." Ben explained.
With that Charlotte felt like an idiot for almost blowing her cover right there and she immediately released Ben from her hold and help him up to his feet.
"Sorry about that Ben." Charlotte apologized.
"It's okay, but I'm kind confuse on why you attacked me like that just for trying to give you a hug?" Ben asked.
"Yeah well you know that battle with Phoenix left me a little jumpy at the moment, so I don't want you guys to sneak up on me all of sudden, okay." Charlotte replied.
"Alright I guess, but about that Nova's flunkies, Frostbite and Volcanic, they sure was strong he did some serious damage to both me and Sunni when we fought them like we could hardly walk afterwards." Ben said.
'I would believe that they would have.' Charlotte thought before speaking out loud, "I can't believe it they must've really improved over the time."
"Yeah they sure have and you should know because your battle With Phoenix was so bad that you were completely knocked out afterwards," Ben said walking over to the fridge, "But I bet you took plenty of damaged as well?"
"Hmm, now that I think about it yeah I do feel some pain growing in my body." Charlotte replied, looking at to see Ben was walking perfectly fine, "Ben, you said you could hardly walk after your fight but I see you're can move just fine."
"Well of course I can move just fine after Sunni and I got home we had Uncle Steven rub some of his healing spit on our wounds and we were both as good as new." Ben explained.
'Hmm, so the gems have a soldier that can heal their troops if they can do that it could be a huge threat to us I need to report that to Nova as well.' Charlotte thought.
"If you're feeling any pain you should go talk to Uncle Steven, he'll heal you up." Ben said.
Hearing that Charlotte snapped out of her thoughts as she turned to Ben as she replied, "Oh yeah sure will Ben."
"Okay well as long as you're here would you like to have breakfast with me." Ben suggested.
"Break-fast?" Charlotte asked, confused.
"Yeah breakfast you know the meal that we eat earlier in the morning after we wake up." Ben explained.
"Uh no thanks Ben I'm good." Charlotte replied.
"Come on sis join me because you can't go long without eating just like me and Sunni." Ben said.
"I'm telling you, Ben that I'm perfectly fine." Charlotte replied, turning away from him.
Suddenly, a loud growling noise was heard as it caught both of their attention.
"W-w-what was that?" Charlotte asked, nervously.
"It appears to be your stomach growling sis." Ben replied.
Charlotte grabbed her stomach as she groaned, "Oh how do I make it stop?"
"You gotta eat to make it stop or it'll just get worse Charlotte." Ben explained, "Man your fight with Phoenix must've also left you with a case amnesia because you've been acting strange Char."
Charlotte took a offense to his comment as she replied, "Hey I'm perfectly fine I just having a few minor setback that's all."
"Oh-kay whatever you say sis." Ben said.
With that Charlotte walked over and took a seat at the counter as she asked, "So since we have to survive I would like to know what are we going to eat for breakfast?"
"Alright… uh well since I was worried about you I thought it would be best if we have one of your favorites, a bowl of Ravenous crunch cereal." Ben replied.
"Uh that's sounds good I think." Charlotte replied.
Ben came walking over to the counter with two bowls of cereal in hands as took a seat next to Charlotte setting one of the bowl he setting one in front of Charlotte while setting the other in front of himself. After that Charlotte started looking at the bowl that was placed in front of her as she was a little nervous. She looked over at Ben who had already started eating his cereal and appeared to be enjoying it.
'Okay Phoenix I you know you never ate food before, but doesn't mean you can't try new thing and besides look at the Crystal runt, he seems to really enjoy it so why can't you.' Charlotte thought.
With that Charlotte picked up the spoon as she lift the spoonful of the cereal to mouth as it entered her mouth she bite down and her eyes widen as she began to taste it.
'Wow it's not that bad then I thought it's actually amazing no wonder this guy's like to eat it's terrific.' Charlotte thought.
Charlotte picked the entire bowl as she started eating her cereal really fast which caught the attention of Ben, who stopped eating his breakfast to look at his sister eating devour her breakfast. Charlotte soon finished with her sipping the milk out of her bowl and setting on the counter. She looked up to see that Ben was staring at her and an eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"What?" She asked.
"Oh well sis, you ate that cereal like you've never ate food before, and that would kind of ironic seeing as that your favorite cereal and all." Ben replied.
"Well Ben that fight with Char- I mean Phoenix left me so tired that it not left me unconscious, but seriously hungry as well so why don't you do me a favor and make me another bowl of cereal." Charlotte said, demandingly.
"Alright I guess." Ben agreed.
Charlotte handed her bowl to Ben, who took it and walked away to prepare some more cereal for her. When he was gone Charlotte sat there at the table as she waited for him to finished. As she was waiting she heard a door opening which made her starting to get alerted.
'Hmm someone else is coming I better be careful with how I treat them because they know is that I'm their lovable girl, Charlotte and I don't want comprehend that too earlier in my mission.' She thought.
Once that was said, Charlotte's thoughts were interrupted by someone calling out to her.
"Awww good morning Charlotte glad to see that you're back on your feet." the voice said.
Hearing that Charlotte turned around in her seat to see Volcanic's rival and the leader of the runts, Sunni Universe, walking up to her.
"Umm excuse me Charlotte, but I believe I said good morning to you, now you're supposed to reply back." She said.
"Oh yeah uh morning." Charlotte replied.
"Now was that to hard," Sunni said taking a seat next to her, "Anyway how are you doing?"
"Fine just fine except Ben is aggravating me by taking so long with my cereal." Charlotte replied, yelling towards Ben.
"Hey no need to shout just give me a minute here." Ben replied.
"No no no Charlotte that's not what I mean. I mean how are you doing after your battle with Phoenix yesterday because it appears that you've took a lot of scars in your battle plus your dad had to care you back after you pass out." Sunni explained.
"Don't worry about it Pink- I mean Sunni just be glad that made it be back here alive and only with a few battle scars so there no need to worry about it." Charlotte replied.
"Hmm, I'm not so sure Charlotte because if you want my advice I think it would be best if we take you to see my dad to get those scar healed up." Sunni suggested.
"I said no thanks and besides a couple of scars never hurt no gem before so why should we start worrying about it now?" Charlotte asked.
"Because Charlotte you most likely forgot, but until like the others we are all only half gems which means that on our human side of we get injured and don't nurture it as soon as possible it means there could be some serious problems." Sunni explained.
'Wait a minute, this whole time we been facing and losing to gems and half human gem children that's embarrassing and yet more information I need to report Master Nova later, but it appears that I won't get any further in this body if they are right about these wounds aren't treated soon.' Charlotte thought, 'Well it looks like I have no other choice but to go see Sunni's dad and lucky enough I'll be able to figure out how he managed to heal people.'
"Well Charlotte do you want to go see my dad?" Sunni asked.
Charlotte snapped out of her thoughts as she turned to face Sunni and replied, "Alright Sunni I'm game let's go see your dad," with that Ben placed a bowl of cereal in front of Charlotte, who then added, "Once breakfast is over," and started eating her cereal.
"Ugh sure thing cuz." Sunni said.
With that Sunni and Ben stood there as they watch who they thought was their cousin/sister savagely devour her cereal.
(At the Hidden base)
Phoenix was handcuffed and sitting on the floor behind bars as Volcanics stood there on the other side leaning against a wall with her arms crossed. Phoenix was struggling to try and break the cuffs off.
"Come on you stupid little." Phoenix shouted as she finally decided to take a break.
"About time you finished squirming and it only took all night on it." said Volcanics noticing Phoenix was done for a while.
"It's morning already?" Phoenix asked is a shocked tone. "You mean they still haven't." she whispered to herself.
"That's right brat you're so called family doesn't even realize you're not you at the moment." Volcanics teased her and let out a cocky smile.
"Shut up! They'll realize it soon enough!" Phoenix argued trying to make her shut her mouth.
"And by that time we would have already taken them all out and gotten the really Phoenix back." Volcanics replied. "Don't get to comfy after we're finished with them your next."
"No way your take them out because we're the crystal gems we'll always find a way to win. Even if the others don't figure it out I'm sure Ben or Sunni will I know they will." Phoenix argued.
"I doubt that my sister, Phoenix knows how to stay undercover and get results." Volcanics bragged. "And afterwards Master Nova will congratulate me for choosing her for the assignment."
Just as she said at a lightbulb went off in Phoenix's head, "What do you mean you'll be congratulated?"
Volcanics walked up to the bars and pushed her face between them, "And just what is that suppose to mean?" she asked getting curious what she meant.
"I'm just saying with Phoenix doing all the work and showing how reliable she is Nova might feel he needs a new right hand gem." Phoenix replied shrugging her arms up.
"There's no way he would ever, do you really think he would do that? I mean it was my call to let her do it, I could have easily done it myself without any trouble." said Volcanics starting to have second thoughts about her choice.
As Volcanics was starting to second guess herself Phoenix grabbed a sharpish rock on the ground and was about to rush Volcanics but quickly bailed as she heard the door on the other side of the room open and in came Frostbite.
"It's about time I could have gotten a lot of things done if I wasn't in here all night looking after the prisoner." said Volcanics walking past Frostbite and shutting the door as she left.
Frostbite then took a seat a safe distance away from the bars and Phoenix began trying to break out of her handcuffs yet again. After minutes of constant banging and yamaring Frostbite started to get a little annoyed.
"Those are reinforced cuffs to prevent a gem from busting out it's pointless." he stated trying to convince her to stop.
Phoenix stopped and looked at him for a second then started once again but with greater force. A tick mark appeared on Frostbite's head as the strikes got louder.
"Knock it off! They can't be broken by the likes of you." he stated getting upset.
"Ben isn't the only one who knows how to break things." Phoenix stated giving it yet another hard strike.
"Ben? You mean the small runt with mittens that thought he could take me out?" Frostbite asked.
"Right I forgot Ben was the one that ended up following you." said Phoenix recalling what had happen.
"No strategy what so ever and relied to much on that explosive hit of his." said Frostbite pointing out the flaw in Ben's plan.
Phoenix had a dumbstruck face on, "It was his fault for rushing in a fight without a plan."
"If only you hadn't been taken down easily I could have finished him before Master Nova alerted us to return." said Frostbite clenching his fist.
"My bad" said Phoenix sounding sarcastic and looked at Frostbite, "You're lucky he called you back when he did when push comes to shove Ben would have found a way to win."
"Not a chance from what master Nova said all three of us easily handled the three of you." Frostbite replied.
"Course he would want you to believe you're strong and hope you actually win for once." Phoenix stated.
Frostbite slammed his hand into the ground causing the ground to crack a bit and Phoenix to get a little nervous.
"Just by that look on your face I can tell I can crush you at any moment and you know that too." Frostbite stated.
Phoenix soon regained her composer then let out a smile of confidence, "Tell me something you say you guys are a lot stronger now, correct?"
"That's right at most you're just a branch on the road." Frostbite replied.
"That may be true before but now I'm in Phoenix's body and that means I stand a higher chance than before." Phoenix stated.
"Don't be so sure kid, even though you're in her body I'm a lot stronger than her maybe even Volcanics." Frostbite replied with in more confidence tone than before.
"Yeah because Phoenix doesn't know how to use your new skills right but I'm sure with me in control I can easily take you." Phoenix replied with a smile.
A tick mark appeared on Frostbite's head, "Is that so then how about we find out." he said stand up with axe summoned in hand opened the cell door.
He slowly walked up to Phoenix to shut her up by poofing her but before he could lay a hand on her he felt something thrust against his stomach and before he could react he felt a jolt of electricity surge through his body.
"Told you could." she said trying to find a key on him to get out of her cuffs but had no luck.
She then noticed his axe and began to slash the cuffs apart by slamming them against the axe. Once free Phoenix ran towards the door to try and escape but before she could open it wide she quickly shut it seeing the back of a golem passing by.
'Okay I guess going threw the halls is not an option.' she thought trying to figure out a another way out. She looked around the room and saw a vent on the wall, "Not what I was going for but it's better than nothing." she said climbing into the vent and trying to find a way to escape the complex.
A few minutes later Volcanics walks in the room to check if everything is running smoothly but soon gets angry seeing the cell door open and Frostbite waking up from his unconscious state.
"What happened here?" she asked grabbing Frostbite by the collar and looked at him with a deadly gaze.
"Ahh...the little brat got the better of me." Frostbite replied getting angry with himself.
Volcanic let him go cause him to fall back down, "This is just great, with her out there Phoenix's mission will be in jeopardy and worst of all Master Nova will be furious! How could you let this happen?"
"I was baited but next time I won't fall for her tricks, let me catch her and bring her back before Master Nova finds out." Frostbite stated.
"Negative well have a better chance if we both try and recapture her before she gets to far." Volcanics replied.
Frostbite nodded in agreement and the two began the hunt for Phoenix's body in hope they can capture her before she gets to far.
(Back with the Gems)
It is late afternoon in front of the temple and the kids are running around with Jasper giving them orders.
"Don't even think about slowing down until the last lap, this is your punishment for getting your butts kicked so easily." she stated yelling at them loud enough so that they can hear.
"I….don't think I can hold out much longer." said Sunni trying to catch her breath as she ran.
"You gotta…..keep going Sunni or we'll have to do more laps." Ben replied trying to encourage her to not give up.
"What's wrong you too Charlotte is usually the one behind and got her butt kicked the worst but she's easily beating both of you." Jasper called out.
Both Ben and Sunni look forward to see Charlotte running at a constant speed and hardly breaking a sweat.
"How is…..she still running that fast?" Ben asked not sure how Charlotte isn't even as tired as they are.
Charlotte had a faint smile on her face, 'This is nothing compared to the training I've been doing but this even surprises me that this body can still last. Maybe she's just holding b….' she thought but stopped after hearing Jasper call them all back.
Charlotte heads back towards Jasper while Ben and Sunni walk slowly towards and happy the laps are over.
"Take a break for now and we'll start sparring in a moment." said Jasper.
With that said Ben and Sunni both fell to ground trying to catch their breaths after so many laps.
"Glad that's over." said Sunni cracking a smile.
"Me too and I gotta say it's surprising Charlotte was ahead in the end." said Ben then turned to his sister. "Sis how were you able to stay ahead for so long?"
"We'll you see I'm sorta surprised myself but I thought I start off with a slower speed then you guy I might be able to save a lot of stamina till the end and be in the lead." Charlotte replied.
"Good to know your not acting weird like you were this morning." said Sunni.
"I was acting weird?" Charlotte asked trying to play it off.
"You totally were and you made it look like you've never eaten feral until today." said Ben starting to laugh.
"It just felt different today." Charlotte blushed and looked away trying to make it seem like it was a joke.
Before the kids could talk some more Jasper told them it was time to begin sparring so it was Sunni training with Charlotte and Ben with Jasper. Both groups had some distance from one another and they began their sparring. Jasper rushes been with a barrage of punches light enough so he won't get hurt. Ben blocks the barrage then throws a few punches of his own.
Jasper catches both his hands with a firm grip, "I got your hands, what will you do to get free?" she asked giving him a scenario while fight.
"I...don't know." Ben replied trying to break free but every struggle only made Jasper squeeze a little tighter.
"It's only gonna get worse until you break free now, how will you get out?" Jasper asked again demanding an answer.
"I said I don't-" said Ben but paused for a moment looking down at the sand with his feet pushed into the sand. With that a light bulb went off in his head and he managed to kick his leg up to send sand flying up into Jasper face and he eyes causing her to let go. "That's how I'll get out."
Jasper took a step back and wiped the sand out of her eyes and let out a smirk, "Not bad but you need to think first next time because in a real battle your enemy won't be holding back."
Ben nodded and got ready for what else Jasper has planned to used against him. While that was happening Sunni and Charlotte were doing their sparring match as well. Charlotte did a quick leg sweep to try and trip Sunni up but Sunni reacted swiftly and jumped back then rushed forward to deliver Charlotte a punch to the face. Charlotte fell flat on the ground not expecting Sunni to react so quickly.
"Oh my gosh! Charlotte are you alright?" Sunni asked checking to make sure she's okay.
"Yeah I'm okay." Charlotte getting up slowly. 'Forgot this brat is full of surprises, no wonder Master Nova wanted her on our side but-' she thought extending an arm out to Sunni in sportsmanship.
Sunni accepted to handshake and grabbed her hand but when contact was made Charlotte quickly put her in a submission hold.
'Although that was then but now we've improved so much he wouldn't even that a second thought.' she thought letting out a little devilish smile and tightened up her hold.
"Char….litt….har... to breat…..I give." Sunni barely able to let out a few words and patted on Charlotte's arm to let go and loosen up.
Charlotte thought about holding on just a little longer but thought this probably wasn't the way the real her would act. She let go almost instantly and let Sunni catch her breath.
"Sorry about tricking you Pi...Sunni with the whole hand shake thing." Charlotte apologizes not even remotely sorry.
"It's okay we were sparring with hand to hand combat and the point was to use the element of surprise so I should have seen it coming." Sunni replied thinking nothing of it and slightly blamed herself. "Anyways ready to start using weapons?"
"Yeah that will make this more interesting." said Charlotte trying to sound enthusiastic.
With that both girls readied their weapons and were about to clash head on but a voice called out to them.
"Hey you guys lunch is ready. Come inside."
Everyone stopped and looked up towards the temple and saw Amethyst calling out to them and waving.
"Guess that's it for today punishment training is over." said Jasper starting to walk towards the temple.
"Wait Jasper mind telling my mom I'll be a little late I have to pick up this DVD movie from Riley she says I gotta see." said Ben.
"Sure why not." said Jasper not even stopping to look back at Ben.
"This stinks I was hoping we could have a lot more fun with our weapons involved." said Charlotte a bit disappointed.
"Don't worry Char we'll continue this next time and besides your mom's the one cooking tonight so we should hurry back before all the food is gone, I'm sure your dad's already digging in." Sunni chuckled and is already walking towards the Temple.
'I wonder if it will be as good as the cereal from….hey wait up!' said Charlotte noticing Sunni is already a good distance away and rushed to catch up.
As everyone was already enjoying the great meal Ben waved Riley good bye as he tried to hurry back, "Oh man just my luck, I hope I get back before dad or Jasper decide to eat my helping I know how they get about mom's cooking."
Ben turned the corner to head towards the steps but was snagged from behind before he could and dragged into the bushes. He began to struggle as he felt his mouth covered and something holding him in place.
"Ben calm down I'm not here to hurt you." said the person.
Ben stopped for a moment and looked back to see it was Phoenix holding him and he began to struggle again.
"Ben stop struggling I'm trying to talk to you." Phoenix pleaded trying to convince Ben to stop.
"Why should I listen to what you have to say?" said Ben able to slip out a few words.
"Because the Charlotte you were just with isn't the really Charlotte. I am." Phoenix replied.
"Now you're just making things up." said Ben not falling for her lies.
"It's the truth when we fought she knocked me out and somehow swapped our bodies." Phoenix stated trying to convince Ben and gave him room to talk.
"That's crazy talk." said Ben still not falling for Phoenix's tricks.
"It's true and before I could explain to dad who I was, I was teleported away and held captive then I escaped to warn you guys about the game me." Phoenix explained.
"You think I'm gonna fall for your tricks but I'm too smart to fall for it." Ben replied.
With that said a tic mark appeared on Phoenix as she hit Ben on the head, "You really are and idiot you know that right? When I get my body back I'm gonna let Riley know you didn't stop sleeping with mom and dad until you were right because you were scared of the dark."
Ben rubbed the spot she hit, "Aww that hurt and it's wasn't the dark it was the monsters in the….wait a minute Charlotte?"
"Now you're getting it." said Phoenix glad Ben finally understands who she really is.
"How did this happen?" Ben asked wanting to know what happened.
"Like I said I don't know how she did it but what I do know is if she could switch our bodies the first time then she can do it again." Phoenix replied knowing they can switch back. "But we need to figure out how we can get her alone to do it."
"We could just warn everyone and then we can all figure it out." Ben suggested.
"I don't think that will be smart because you took a little convincing and if the other's see an enemy gem they might attack me like dad did earlier." said Phoenix not thinking it would be wise.
"Then what can we do?" Ben asked.
"Is there anything you can tell me about her that she did different today?" Phoenix asked.
"Now that I think about it she did she was first place in the punishment training and she did eat cereal as if she never ate it before." Ben replied.
"And now one found it weird I was acting strange?" Phoenix asked with a dumbstruck face on.
"You can't blame us too much for that you only woke up in the morning, were beaten pretty bad and you weren't near any of the others today so they couldn't have know." Ben said in his their defense.
"I guess I really can't blame you guys then but anyways I think I got something." said Phoenix coming up with a decent plan.
"Okay what is it?" Ben asked.
"All we have to do is-" said Phoenix whispering Ben the plan.
After being told the plan Ben went up stairs to continue lunch as normal as Phoenix avoided being seen by anyone until the right moment. After lunch everyone went off to do their own things leaving the kids in the living room, Steven sitting at the counter talking to Shun, and Shun doing dishes while talking to Steven.
"That was really good." said Sunni laying down on the couch.
"You said it, that tiny run….mom really is great at cooking." Charlotte added sitting down on the couch.
"You can say that again." said Ben patting his satisfied stomach. "Of that reminds me Charlotte let's go get that ice cream I owe you."
"What ice cream?" Charlotte asked.
"You know the one to say sorry about what happened before we left to go fight Nova's minions." Ben replied. "I thought Sunni was right and I should apologize buying you some ice cream."
Charlotte thought about it for moment before replying, "Alright Ben let's go get the ice cream."
"Okay just gimme a minute." said Ben walking over to the kitchen. "Dad can I have money to buy Charlotte and myself some ice cream?"
"Didn't we just have lunch not to long ago." Shun replied continuing to wash the dishes.
"Yeah but I wanted to make it up to Charlotte by getting us some ice cream." said Ben trying to convince him.
Shun turned off the water and froze the water on his hands then swiped the ice away and pulled out his wallet, "Okay but bring some back some back for Steven, Sunni, your mother and me."
"I will, we'll be back to normal soon." said Ben taking the money and went out the door with Charlotte closely behind him.
"That's good Ben is trying to make up with his sister." said Steven.
"Yeah I guess he can be mature at tim-" said Shun stopping mid sentence.
"What's wrong?" Steven asked.
"I'm gonna go with them." said Sunni walking out the door and closing it slowly.
"Yeah you do that." said Shun. When she was gone he continued doing dish and talking to Steven, "I think Sunni heard that too and wants to make sure everything is okay."
"Make sure what's is okay?" Steven asked.
"Not sure." Shun replied.
We head back now with Ben and Charlotte walking towards the boardwalk with Sunni a good feet behind trying to let them know she is following them.
"I can't wait to get my ice cream." said an excited Charlotte.
"I know I'm getting homemade vanilla but what are you getting?" Ben asked.
"I'll just decide when I get there." said Charlotte not sure what kind of flavors there are.
As they were halfway towards the boardwalk Ben suddenly grabbed both Charlotte's arms and held them behind her back.
"Ben what are you doing?" Charlotte asked getting upset with Ben who is holding her and preventing her from moving.
"I think I'm trying to help my sister get her body back." Ben replied.
"How did you know?" Charlotte asked him surprised he knew the truth.
"Because I told him." said a voice coming from above the hill.
Ben and Charlotte look to see Phoenix jumping down the side of the hill and towards them.
"I see that's how you figured it out." said Charlotte keeping her eyes on Phoenix.
"That's right now that we have you trapped give me back my body." Phoenix demanded.
"No than…." said Charlotte but was interrupted by a coding calling out, "What are you doing?"
The three turn around to see Sunni running up towards them with shield in hand.
"Sunni what are you doing here?" Ben asked.
"I decided to follow you guys after what you said about everything will be back to normal." Sunni replied. "More importantly why are you helping Phoenix?"
"I can explain." said Ben.
"That's not the Charlotte you know I am." said Phoenix pointing at Charlotte.
"Don't believe them Sunni, Ben must have been hypnotized or something there's no way he would do this." Charlotte stated.
"You make a good point but I don't believe Ben is smart enough to be hypnotized." said Sunni.
"Hey!" Ben protested.
"It's the truth!" said Charlotte.
"Ben is to dumb to, nice one cuz." Phoenix chuckled.
"Yeah that's Charlotte of alright." said Sunni pointing at Phoenix.
"How were you able to tell us apart?" Charlotte asked.
"Because I know my cause she can't help but laugh of Ben is insulted and even if I was lying you just confessed." Sunni replied.
"Nice I knew you would figure it out cuz." said Phoenix.
"Anyways Phoenix tell us how to switch you and my sister back to normal." Ben demanded.
"How about no." Charlotte replied.
"Why you little-" said Phoenix but immediately jumped back and so did Ben seeing an axe fly past them.
"Oh no!" said the kids and Phoenix knowing what this means.
Charlotte quickly stood up and ran a few feet forward, "Looks like you two came here on time."
"Sorta had to after Frostbite somehow let her slip from his fingers." Volcanics replied.
"Don't worry I won't make the same mistake again." said Frostbite making another battle axe appear on his hand.
"Now we have to deal with this." said Phoenix summoning out her tonfas. "Sunni take on Charlotte and I'll take Volcanics so we can have a better chance this time around."
"You got it." Sunni nodded in agreement summoning out her shield.
"Then it looks like I got Frostbite again." said Ben summoning out his gloves.
Volcanics charged at all three with her falcon talons but Phoenix was able to evade the attack with her tonfas. Phoenix kicked her back and made her tonfas surge with electricity.
"This time we won't underestimate you guys." she said standing in fight pose.
"Let's see who far that will take you." said Volcanics making her falcon talons begin to burn a bright red and give off some smoke.
Frostbite swings both axes down towards Ben but he managed to dodge and send a counter punch. Frostbite tool the punch and gave him one back in return making Ben slide back a bit.
"Not a bad hit brat." said Frostbite.
"Same goes for you." said Ben standing back up and swiped some of the blood coming from his cheek.
"Better get serious or this will end things real quick." said Frostbite covering both his axes in ice.
'Man this might end up like last time but I have to try because we're also trying to get Charlotte's body back.' Ben thought trying to concentrate and make his gloves light up. After moment of concentrating at least three fingers on each hand began to flare up. "This might not be enough but I won't know until I found out!"
Ben rushed at Frostbite to deliver a punch but Frostbite was simply going to block so Ben remembered what happened during training and decided to change his target. He quickly changed targets and hit the sand causing it shoot up and blind an unprepared Frostbite. With that Ben took the opportunity to hit him with his other fist on the stomach sending him back a good distances thanks to the added boost. Before Ben could recuperate he quickly dodged an axe that was threw close to him and jumped up from another one summed at his feet.
Before he realized it Frostbite was already near him holding onto his stomach in one hand and delivering a drop kick to Ben making him crash and tumble back down into the sand.
"At least you're putting up a lot better fight than last time." said Frostbite landing on the ground.
Ben looked up and saw Frostbite having a hand over his stomach, "At least I was able to land a direct blow this time around."
With Sunni and Charlotte's fight was underway. Sunni threw her shield at Charlotte but dodge it and used her whip to catch it and threw it back at Sunni. Sunni was able to make it disappear in time but had to come up with another plan of attack. But Charlotte wasn't gonna give a chance to do it and sent out a barrage of attacks with both whips.
"What's the matter Pinky? Not gonna use your shield to attack? Afraid I'll use it against you?" said Charlotte continuing the assault.
"Of course not." Sunni replied summoning two shields to help her block the attacks.
Just like before Charlotte used her whip to grab Sunni's shields but was having a harder time pulling them away.
"What's going on?" Charlotte asked in surprise.
"Let's just say the first time you got me off guard but now I'm more aware of what you might do." Sunni replied running towards Charlotte.
'Can't retract my whips in time, in that case.' thought Charlotte then let go of both whips and summoned one again.
She swung it at Sunni but Sunni made another shield and evade the attack then followed up by tackling Charlotte to the ground. Charlotte began to struggle but Sunni stood her ground and pin her to the sand.
"Get off of me." Charlotte ordered.
"No!" Sunni replied not giving up an inch. "Tell us how to switch you and Charlotte back right now!"
"How about no." Charlotte replied not giving into Sunni's pathetic threat.
"Fine! If that's how you want to play it I'll get the other gems involved and I'm sure my aunt and uncle will love hearing how you took their little girls body." Sunni stated.
"..., that still not enough to get me to talk, besides they won't do anything to hurt their daughter." Charlotte replied.
"I seem to remember them telling me that uncle Shun got you to talk last time I'm sure he will gentle to not hurt Charlotte to much also your new body isn't as durable as your old one." said Sunni trying to convince her to tell her how it was.
"Fine I'll tell you. First activate the device, set it to switch, put two, wait a few seconds for it to activate and touch hands with the one you're going to switch with." Charlotte explained.
"Now that that's taken care of, Which back right now!" Sunni ordered.
"Wish I could but my body was the one with the device and I'm sure they took it away from her when she was teleported back to the base." said Charlotte with a confident smile on her face.
Just as that was said Phoenix was sent flying past Sunni and Charlotte and slowly got back up.
"Charlotte are you okay?" Sunni asked feeling worried about her.
"I think I'll be fine but more importantly did you figure out how to make her tell us how to switch us back? Phoenix asked.
"I did but we need some kind of device that's not on her at the moment." Sunni replied with a nervous look on her face.
"And without it we can't switch back." said Charlotte with a smile on her face.
"You mean this?" Phoenix asked holding up a gadget at looks like a watch.
Charlotte had a surprised look on her face as the girls figured out that must be the device she was talking about. Sunni told Phoenix how it works and how they should be able to switch back. Phoenix did as told and when ready she placed her hand on Charlotte's head while Sunni stepped away to not be affected by the switch. Just a before the orange light on Charlotte moved onto Phoenix while the light blue light on Phoenix moved to Charlotte.
"Charlotte are you, you?" Sunni asked wondering if it worked.
"Yeah….but boy am I tired." said Charlotte nearly exhausted.
"So I'm I but I still have enough energy to…" said Phoenix with tonfa in hand but got talked by Volcanics.
"You think this fight is over?" she asked with falcon talon ready to strike.
"Vol-Volcanics it's Phoenix we switched back." said a neverous Phoenix.
"Think I'm going to fall for that?" said Volcanics going for the strike.
"You have a photo of master Nova in for your desktop screen." Phoenix shouted.
Volcanics quickly stopped near inches from Phoenix's face and got up from Phoenix and helped her up, "Ah...good to have you back."
"Good to be back now let's finish them off and…" said Phoenix but never got a chance to finish as herself, Frostbite and Volcanics were instantly teleported away.
"What just happened?" The kids questioned.
(Hidden Base)
Phoenix, Frostbite and Volcanics landed back at the base without setting the teleport themselves.
"What happened?" Volcanics asked.
"Why were we teleported back?" Frostbite asked.
"I have a bad feeling." said Phoenix.
"I see you three failed the assignment and let the prisoner escape as well as get her body back." said Nova getting their attention.
"We're sorry master." Volcanics apologized kneeling towards Nova.
"This was my fault master, I let the girl escape which lead to us following her back towards the others." said Frostbite willing to take the blame.
"Silence! You two left on your own accord without bothering to consult me not were successful in bringing back the girl before arriving back at her base." Nova stated.
"We deserve any punishment you assign master." said both Frostbite and Volcanics with heads on the ground.
"I will not allow this ever happening again I'm I clear?" Nova asked shouting at them.
"Sir yes sir!" both Frostbite and Volcanics shouted.
"As for you Phoenix have you learned anything useful while in the girl's body?" Nova asked curious what she learned from the experience.
"I learned they have healer and that's the father of your former apprentic...I mean Pinkie so she might inherent that power as well." Phoenix replied.
"Interesting me might get some use out of her still." Nova thought outloud. "Anything else."
"Sir I learned of each gems locations most of them stay at the temple while three prefer to stay at an isolated building called a barn. Most of the time one or two of them scout the city and wouldn't want to put the people in danger." Phoenix replied.
"Excellent we can use this as an advantage in the future to pick them off one by one until there's only a handful of them left then we finish them off once and for all. Maybe even find that good for nothing diamond and do something they never did and shatter her." said Nova. "Until that day you three must be ready to help me achieve that dream and take over this planet with me as top gem and soon after massive gem army."
"Sir" all three of them gave him a salute.
(Back with the Kids)
"Glad we got all this out of the way." said Sunni glad it's over. "How does it feel getting your body back Charlotte?"
"Feels good but I think you guys could have gone a lot easier on it." said Charlotte rubbing her arm.
"Glad to have you back sis." said Ben happy Charlotte is now herself literally.
"That reminds me after we switched Phoenix must have dropped this when Volcanics tackled her." said Charlotte holding up the watch device.
"That thing has been plenty of trouble we should destroy it." Ben suggested.
"Or we could give it to Aunt Peridot to study it." Sunni suggested.
"Let's go with your plan Sunni we might need it someday." said Charlotte.
"Thanks but before I forget how did you get this thing back I thought they would have stripped you from it." said Sunni.
"Well you see I as I was making my dastardly escape I overheard Nova bragging about the device and left it in the room while he left to take care of something. I took the opportunity to sneak it away knowing I might need it later." Charlotte replied.
"That's my sis always thinking ahead, sometimes." said Ben placing an arm around her and smiled.
"Thanks I guess but thank you for believing me even though it took you a while." Charlotte thanked him.
"No problem but can you answer this even though Phoenix was in your body how was she able to out last Sunni and I during the training if you usually come in last?" Ben asked.
"Of that let's just say I've been having a training buddy that offered to train with me and teach me a few things." said Charlotte.
"Who is helping you…" said Ven but got interrupted by Charlotte.
"Speaking of which if everything went according to plan did you get the money for ice cream?"
"Right! We better hurry get it and come back before the others start to question why we are taking to long." stated Sunni.
The twins nodded as all three headed to the ice cream parlor for their well deserved treat. Little did they know they were being seen.
"Looks like they handled it all on their own." said Steven watching the kids walk away.
"Guess you were right, we didn't need to step in." said Shun leaning against a wooden beam.
"It's good we let them fight their own especially after being beat so badly." said Steven.
"True, even though things seemed a little I'm glad it worked out in the end. Now they know if the enemy is gonna get stronger they need to get strong too." Shun stated.
"Is that why you and Charlotte have been doing some secret training at the sky arena?" said Steven with a smile towards a surprised Shun.
"So you know about that? Well she I saw her struggling to keep up with Ben and Sunni and she decided to work hard so I thought I could help her out a bit." said Shun. "Although if you ask me she should be asking Amethyst to help her out a bit with her whip and technique.
"You know Ben is gonna be a little upset when he finds out Charlotte is progressing a lot faster and with both his parents helping?" asked Steven.
"I'm sure it won't bother him to much if anything it'll make him want to trying harder with or without our help." said Shun.
"That's a good thing all three of them are growing up nicely and sooner or later will become official Crystal Gems." said Steven.
"Until that day it's our job to look after them and make sure they grow up nice and strong." said Shun. "Anyways they probably won't be back soon want me to make us some snow cone well we wait?"
"Only if you mix mine to blueberry and strawberry." said Steven walking side by side with Shun as they head back inside.
End Chapter 21.
There you have that's the end of chapter 21 and glad you stuck around until the end. For here on out our hero's will find tougher challenges especially when dealing with Nova or his minions. Want to know how this story will unfold, well you'll just have to keep reading to find out. Also for you long time readers I apologize for always saying in every chapter we'll try to post a lot sooner but this chapter took a lot longer to make with both of us having to finish school for the year and study for important test.
Now that's summer is here we can try and work on the story more but do remember we have other stories to do and we might have some important things to take care of irl. Enough of that said reviews, and suggestions are greatly appreciated and if you don't feel comfortable leaving a suggestion in the reviews just PM Jaroberts251 or myself and we'll reply as soon as possible. Thanks again for continuing to read our story and we hope to see you, until next time this Shun Benitoite sighing out.