New Threat
"Guys, guys I need your help!" Steven shouted as he raced inside. Sweat poured down his face as he had to kneel over to catch his breath. He had to place the donuts near him, as he placed his hands on his knees.
"What is the matter Steven?" asked Pearl kneeling to him. Lapis quickly formed some water into a cup and handed it to him. He smiled at her and took slow sips till his heart stopped racing.
"Okay, thanks Lapis, listen some of my friends are missing. Onion, Jamie and Sadie, I think something bad might have happened. I need your guys' help to find them," Steven explained.
"Oh dear, that does seem serious," Pearl said casting a look over at Alex. The young girl bit her lip as she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
"Come on cuz please pick up," Alex said. "Shoot voice mail, that is never good Jamie always answers his phone, in case some big producer wants to make him a star," she added.
"I agree, if humans have gone missing then we need to help find them," Garnet said standing at full height.
"Okay, Amethyst, Peridot and Lapis, you guys search for Onion, he loves hanging around the arcade or Funland. Just please don't break anything I don't want another lifetime ban," Steven instructed.
"Affirmative," Peridot said saluting him. Amethyst just nodded and led her team to the arcade.
"Right, Jasper, Garnet, and Alex look for Jamie, try his house first, then Alex just take a guess, be careful," Steven told them. "That leaves me, Pearl, and my dad to help find Sadie, okay team let's go," Steven said with a firm face. Garnet folded her arms not too happy with working with Jasper but for Steven, she would do anything.
"Agreed let's go team," Garnet replied as they went to their locations.
At the arcade
"Okay, Steven says this Onion human loves this arcade, um what does he look like exactly?" asked Peridot. Neither her nor Lapis met Onion they had no idea who they were looking for.
"He looks like this," Amethyst said shapeshifting into Onion. "Only he looks more white and no gem obviously," Amethyst told them.
"Okay, well let's get going," Lapis said as they entered the arcade. Mr. Smiley was sleeping at the register bags under his eyes.
"Hey Mr. Smiley, wake up," called Amethyst.
"Huh ah!" Mr. Smiley cried as he fell out of his chair. When he looked up and saw the gems, he smiled but still look annoyed at being woke up. "Oh um Amethyst and water girl and green girl?" Mr. Smiley said unaware of Lapis or Peridot's names.
"No Mr. Smiley my name is Lapis, and this is our friend Peridot," Lapis reminded him.
"Please to meet you," Peridot said holding out her hand. A greeting she learned from Steven.
"Nice to meet you Peridot and Lapis right sorry I haven't gotten much sleep lately," Mr. Smiley chuckled.
"Sorry man, I wish you could hire more people," Amethyst frowned. She was sad Mr. Smiley had to run the arcade and funland alone. Maybe she could work at the arcade, it wasn't like she was doing anything. She'll talk to the gems later about this, right now they had to find Onion. "Hey you wouldn't by any chance seen Onion today have you?" Amethyst asked him.
"Onion, no sorry not since um yesterday or was it two days ago?" Mr. Smiley wondered his tired brain being no help.
"It's fine Mr. Smiley since the arcade is open is Funland opened too?" Amethyst questioned.
"Sorry guys, Funland opens in the evenings on the weekends and afternoons Monday and Thursdays and closed other days, so I can get some sleep. If I had more help then things would be different sadly they are not," Mr. Smiley told them a frown on his face. Amethyst only nodded realizing Onion may not be at Funland.
"Thanks for you help dude, try to get some sleep," Amethyst said.
"Um Mr. Smiley if you have any um jobs avaiable, well Peridot and I would be happy to help," Lapis knew what a job was and maybe just maybe if she got a job. Then she could learn more about living with humans and Steven always was helping people. Mr. Smiley needed help so if she could help then why not.
"Lazuli, what are you doing we know nothing about this," Peridot whispered.
"Come on Peridot, you want to know more about humans. What better way then to get jobs? Steven helped us so, maybe we can return the favor by helping others," Lapis said.
"Hmmm interesting I'll think about it but I don't know," Peridot said.
"Well if you two want a job, just let me know, I can train you and you'll make $9.00 dollars an hour, and free coupons for pizza," Mr. Smiley said hoping they would apply. He would take any help he could get.
"Thanks Mr. Smiley, after we find Onion, we'll let you know," Lapis said as they left the arcade.
"I'm proud of you guys, hope you guys do get a job. I might get one too, I've been bored lately might as well do some good right?" asked Amethyst smiling. The other two gems nodded as they headed out to see where Onion could be.
With Alex, Jasper, and Garnet
"Okay here's Jamie's house, let's check it out," Alex said. Garnet nodded and Jasper stepped forward.
"Let me check it out in case of any enemies," Jasper stated.
"Why should you do it?" Garnet asked.
"Garnet it doesn't matter who does it, Jasper go ahead and wave if it's safe. We don't know what enemy we are facing," Alex reminded them. Garnet bit her lip but nodded allowing Jasper to scout the area. Within a few moments Jasper was seen waving and Alex and Garnet entered the house. The door seemed to be ripped opened, it looked like a struggle happened.
"Who could have done this?" Garnet wondered.
"I noticed some footprints," Jasper said. On the sand was two deep footprints, and two small ones.
"Looks, like Jamie came home, his footprints come to his mailbox. The attacker came at him from behind, Jamie tries running to his house, probably on his way to call the police. When the attacker rips the door open and grabs him," Alex stated.
"Wow you are good, where did you learn that?" asked Jasper.
"Easy Luna taught me, we used to go hunting with my dad. She was a great tracker," Alex said. A small smile on her face, Jasper trying to comfort her placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry Steven fixed her, she'll be okay," Jasper assured.
"I hope so," Alex said.
"Alex, did Luna ever mention a man by the name of Eric to you?" Garnet asked. Ever since she learned Luna was in love with a human, she had to know more about him. Did they get married? Was he still alive? Did Luna still love him?
"Eric, Eric, do you have a last name? I mean Luna mentioned some of her old friends but again most of her past she kept to herself. I never really asked for sometimes it made Luna sad, I knew when I was eight she came from space and I knew a little about you, Pearl and Rose not much though. Again Luna, never liked to talk about herself. Is this Eric person important?" Alex asked looking at Garnet.
"From the memory I saw Luna was in love with him. In the the last memory he proposed to her and she said yes," Garnet told him. Both Alex and Jasper's eyes went wide.
"Oh wow um no sorry Garnet, Luna never mentioned marrying a human so, I don't know," Alex told her.
"Odd Luna, didn't tell you Garnet, I mean figured since you two were a couple you shared everything," Jasper stated.
"And what is that supposed to mean? Like you know anything about relationships except your toxic fusion Malachite!" Garnet snapped.
"Hey Malachite was a mistake I admit that, Lapis amd I are slowly working out our issues but keep in mind the fusion Tanzanite, the one Luna helped us form was created to save you and our friends, remember?" Jasper reminded an edge forming in her voice.
"Guys calm down," Alex said sensing the tension building.
"Our friends, I have friends, you don't have any friends. You tried to kill my friends and harm our planet, and I know you were trying to corrupt Luna," Garnet said pushing past Alex getting closer to Jasper.
"Hey I helped stop the cluster and I do have friends, Luna is my friend, I consider all of you my friends. And what do you mean I was trying to corrupt Luna, corrupt her for what?" Jasper asked getting angry.
"To make her serve Homeworld again, I know once you gained her complete trust, you would offer to fuse with her and take full control. There by destroying us leaving Earth vulnerable to a Homeworld attack," Garnet said.
"Do you know how crazy that sounded? Why on Earth or any planet would I do that. Madame Nichole gave me a new purpose, I don't have to be a weapon. I like to farm, I would never let anything bad happen to that family. As for Luna, I respect her to much to trick her like that, being Tanzanite was wonderful, it was raw, powerful and focused. I was actually doing some good, even when I tried to save Steven, even after I helped save the Earth to you I am still just a Homeworld gem, no wonder Luna didn't trust you with this Eric guy," Jasper stated firmly. Garnet formed her gauntlets and punched Jasper in the face. She flew into some trees, an angry look on her face. "Fine, you want a fight let's go," Jasper hissed forming her shield
"ENOUGH!" Alex shouted getting in between the gems. "You two are acting like a bunch of spoiled children, we have a mission grow the fuck up," Alex growled. "Garnet, I knew you are angry that Luna was shattered and yes she didn't tell you that much. Luna didn't tell me that much of her past either. I never held that against her if she wanted to tell me then one day she would. It is called being patient, you didn't tell her about Rose's death, Steven's birth anything. When she left, not once did you go after her," Alex said.
"I, you don't understand," Garnet grumbled folding her arms.
"I understand just fine. You are jealous because Luna had a close relationship with Jasper. Jasper has made mistakes but now she is trying to be our friend, Luna fought Bismuth, a Crystal Gem to protect Steven. So, if Jasper was playing some game, do you seriously think Luna would hestiate to stop her?" Alex questioned.
"No I guess not," Garnet admitted.
"So, instead of blaming Jasper and questioning everything Luna does, talk to her. That is love Garnet, communication, compromising, loyalty, trust, and respect. Being a fusion you should know these things but you nothing about love, I honestly don't know what you were doing all these centuries on this planet, but Luna is more human than you ever could be. She fights for the ones she loves, she tried to fight for you Garnet, but you never fought for her. If Ruby or Sapphire left, how long would it take for the other to find them?" asked Alex.
"They would always look for the other always," Garnet said her voice cracking a bit.
"So, why didn't you go look for Luna? You just relied on a vision that someday she would come back, I am sorry Garnet but Luna has changed and you may not know her anymore," Alex stated. Garnet was speechless letting Alex's words sink in. "And Jasper, you wanted to avenge your diamond, and Luna, I get that. Yet, an I'm sorry won't be enough to salvage the damage you caused. You are doing well to earn our trust, just please be a bit more patient with everyone, trust does take time," Alex admitted.
"I know, I loved only two people, Pink Diamond and Luna, when they were shattered. I became cold, thinking love was weakness that I had to get stronger to avenge them one day. I know Steven isn't Rose I can't blame him for what his mother did, and I just hope that Pink where ever she is will understand," Jasper said her helmet gone, a tear down her face. Both her and Garnet looked at each other, finally they shook hands.
"I'm sorry," Garnet said gently.
"Yeah me too," Jasper replied.
"Good, now let's find my cousin," Alex said.
With Pearl, Greg, and Steven
"Okay, nothing at her house, where else could she have gone?" questioned Steven.
"Let's try her work, maybe something happened on her way to work," Greg suggested.
"Good idea, let's go," Pearl agreed. As they headed to the Big Donut, a loud scream was heard.
"That sounded like Lars," Steven said as he raced to the building. Pearl right behind him, Greg sadly falling behind. Steven saw in horror Lars, Jamie, Sadie, Connie, and Onion, all trapped inside a massive looking gem. While a gem he recognized sitting in the gem's shoulder.
"Well done Topaz, we captured all humans except my dad, I informed Yellow and she said bring the humans we have and return to Homeworld let's go," Aquamarine said with a smirk.
"Let them go!" Steven shouted forming a shield.
"Oh great who and what are you?" questioned Aquamarine.
"I am a Crystal Gem and you are ordered to let my friends go!" Steven shouted Pearl, right behind him.
"A Crystal Gem, quick Topaz let's capture them, oh Yellow will reward us for this," Aquamarine squealed. Topaz charged at them the captured humans inside her body, Steven and Pearl could only dogde fearing of harming the humans. Steven tried to grab for Sadie's hand but she was stuck tight. Topaz grabbed him and he felt himself being dragged inside Topaz's body. Pearl tried throwing her spears but too many humans were in the way.
"Steven help us," Sadie begged as Connie tried to get free. Steven was stuck as he was halfway covered, he had no idea what to do. Suddenly a bright light zapped Aquamarine. sending her flying into a tree. Steven looked and standing before them was Luna Moonstone, exactly the way Steven saw her in his dream. Her eyes glowing as she raced at top speed at Topaz.
"LUNA NO, YOU'LL GET STUCK!" Steven shouted. Yet, Luna didn't stop as she jumped into Topaz, her body disappeared and Topaz only had her blank stare on, but soon her eyes widened. Suddenly she crouched over in agony as she exploded. Each human incased in a white bubble as was Steven. It was then he saw Topaz was a fusion for two Topaz gems fell onto the ground. Without hesitation he bubbled them up so they couldn't hurt anyone.
"Who dares defy me?" questions Aquamarine pulling twigs out of her hair. She glared at Luna, seeing Topaz defeated and the humans set free. "Luna Moonstone, how nice to see you alive," Aquamarine said a mixture of anger, hatred and fear.
"You and I have unfinished business," Luna growled eyes glowing again.
"Still angry about your defect team huh, get over it," Aquamarine sneered.
"LUNA!" Alex shouted as the others followed her. They heard the loud commotion and raced to help. Aquamarine using this as a chance grabbed her wand and zapped everyone full blast, Luna dodge yet when her eyes saw Alex. Alex was pale as she held her hand over her chest. Luna in her shock and horror saw blood, Alex's blood as the girl fell to the ground.
"ALEX!" both Steven and Jamie cried. Luna let out an inhuman scream as she grabbed Aquamarine and squeezed her. Her fingers tightening around her gem, as she pushed harder and harder. Aquamarine tried to squeeze Luna's gem but Luna was stronger and soon Aquamarine felt her gem cracking. With a scream all that was left in Luna's hands was blue dust. Then in a flash she raced over to Alex.
Jamie had his mailman's jacket over the wound, as Connie dialed 911. Steven knelt down as he tried to summon his pink tears. "Alex please hold on don't leave us," Luna begged tears streaming down her face. "I am sorry for leaving you, please fight Alex, you always were the strong one, we all right here please," she begged. Unbeknowst to Luna a small chip from her gem, Aquamarine was able to get off fell onto Alex's open wound where her heart was and Steven felt a small pink tear fall from his face. Just as the tear and chip fell Alex's body began to glow.
Her body rose as pink and silver blue lights glowed all around her. A mixture of red formed around her chest and when she landed Alex was alive. Now her hair had light pink streaks and her skin swirls of a silver blue. Yet on her chest exactly where her heart was now a blood red moonstone gem stood. "Hey guys, I feel better, and oh whoa, whoa why do I have a gem on me?" Alex asked getting freaked out.
"Easy Alex, we'll figure it out, everyone I suggest you all head to the hospital to make sure you all are alright," Luna suggested. The humans nodded and Greg alone with Alex and the Crystal Gems headed to the barn.
Luna quickly explained who the Off Colored Gems were, and told everyone to settle into the barn so they could discuss what to do next. Once she saw Pearl, she pulled her to the side. "I remember Pearl, I remember everything," Luna told her.
Pearl's eyes leaked tears as she replied," I figured you would".
"I guess my next question is can you tell them or should I tell them?" Luna asked as Pearl covered her mouth. They both knew after this secret was revealed everything would change forever.
To be continued...
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, sorry if it feels rushed I will try and pace things better in the next chapter. Thanks to Nickzilla20 for all their help and please review.