A/N: We reached 150 reviews! A milestone! On... 1st January, 2016. Neat.

*Stevenbomb 4 appears*

OH lord it's beautiful

so much PLOT

I CAN'T HANDLE PLOT WHEN I'M ON BREAK! COME ON, ME! WRITE FASTER!

Steven Lazuli

Chapter 23: Pay Your Respects

Two months later...

Lapis was in the kitchen counter of their apartment, writing on a red book. Her scribbles were notes of potential contingency plans in case of emergency. Like, maybe a Gem (mostly Ruby and Pearl) turned on her and she needed an easier way to defeat them. But, she's the most powerful Gem, why would she need an "easier" way when she could just smash the whole mass of the ocean at them?

It's to keep the humans and the government off her back.

If she angers the government and other sensitive people, by controlling the ocean away from everyone and just using it for the singular purpose of beating someone, then they had the power to flip the switch and get everyone on Earth against her. They'd put her on the wanted lists, make news articles to brainwash people to make her look like the bad guy, reward people for her death, and consider her as public enemy.

Well, that's what they do to humans.

Maybe it would be different for Gems. They'll probably send Pearl and Lapis would use the same tactic of flushing her down into the ocean. But it would be so annoying, and humans would come knocking on her door and complain about the sea getting saltier.

Now that she thought about it, she really needed a plan against the government.

I could enlist the help of other Gems. Lapis thought, clicking the pen in her hand. But the only people I truly trust are Steven and Connie, because they're children and I've raised Steven all his life. And maybe, Peridot. Do I trust Peridot? Her mind went back to all the times the green Gem proved she was pretty much harmless to her. 'Probably do.

The water Gem hovered the pen over her notes.

She wrote, 'Ask Peridot if she can make a death machine'.

She went back to thinking and repeatedly clicked her pen. She placed her chin over her right fist and tapped her left hand fingers against the table. She wondered what kind of death machine Peridot would be able to make, until realizing she'd been working on ships with Amethyst lately.

Her pen went down again, crossing out the recent sentence, and wrote, 'Peridot has once again proved her uselessness to me. Meaning: She won't make the death machine'.

From the living room, Steven was pacing around about his pensive thoughts, before finally going up to Lapis about it.

"Lapis?" the chubby demigem called, snapping her back into reality. She immediately closed her red notebook shut and gave him a big smile, enough to get his raven eyes to quietly shrink in fear.

"Yes, Steven?" the Gem asked, hiding the fact she's been fantasizing about outright killing people.

"I've been wondering about something..." he confessed, looking down at the expensive wooden floors. His eyes went back up to Lapis, who was sitting across the counter. "...who's my father?"

"Your father? Uh..." Lapis trailed away, not really knowing who he was. She couldn't bear looking Steven straight in the eye when she didn't have an answer. "...I could say he's kind of a goofball. 'Don't know what happened to him. Nor do I know his name. Pearl seemed to ignore him a lot."

"I've been thinking... and I think my father has to be someone powerful. Someone that has enough power to get my mom's attentio—" He repeated Lapis' words in his head as he just partially ignored them. "—wait, he was a goofball?" Steven questioned curiously.

He thought his father would be someone really dark and spooky, but his father was a "goofball"? That's cool. A normal guy was able to get his mom's attention. That must mean his mother had grown to become a softy recently. It warmed his heart in realization.

"I remember him being a rockstar." Lapis held her chin, squinting her eyes in focus. "But seeing as I've only known him through the mind of my enemy, it could be warped." she shrugged, "But seriously, I don't know. I've never met the guy in person."

Steven narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Well, I had this theory..."

Flashback to his first meeting with Amethyst...

"...Just like the Spirit Morph Saga! Oh, do I have a dead, awesome, warrior-like father that had done some bad things to protect his loved ones and the world, only to be found alive and actually in undercover as a secret agent for the government?!" he asked excitedly.

"Uh, yes, you probably do." Amethyst answered nonchalantly.

Steven frowned. "You're supposed to keep that as a secret from me!"

Amethyst shrugged, not caring. "Hey, it was gonna be revealed sooner or later..."

"...but it could be wrong. Besides, Amethyst has a—sometimes—uncaring personality." Steven told her, trying to find the right words. Amethyst was complicated to him, he could never understand her. But somehow, Peridot managed to understand her before he could. Steven continued, "Or she could just be joking and kidding around... or just running her mouth faster than her thoughts."

"Sounds like she acts on instinct." Lapis remarked, focusing back on her notebook. She ignored the fact that Steven had met Amethyst prior to the Amber event. She continued her day, and had a request. "Steven, I have a question for you."

"Shoot." he responded.

"If I were a government convict, would you still follow me?" the blue Gem asked inquisitively.

The demigem nodded hesitantly, slightly confused.

"Well, that's fortunate." said Lapis, who clicked her pen and wrote on her notebook. "Looks like it's you, Connie and I for the road if I ever need to murder anyone."

"Uh..." he frowned, stepping back cautiously. "...Explain Connie."

"She agreed to follow me as a disciple. She described her loyalty to as far as "like a dog", so I guess she'd still follow us." Lapis leaned back on her chair, relaxed about the current situation. She had nothing to worry about now. She had complete freedom again. And the stress of losing Steven was gone in her mind.

She felt complete.

She felt empty.

Nevertheless, she treasured this feeling of emptiness. "Not sure about Peridot though... she seems to be siding with the Crystal Gems. And Pearl is in the Crystal Gems. I despise her."

"Didn't Pearl quit being a Crystal Gem six months ago?" Steven reminded her.

"Oh, she did?" Lapis went back to her notebook and turned to a new page. She started to write about her potential alliance with the Crystal Gems. "Well, that's fortunate too. Woah, my luck has been rising today. I'm never gonna lose to the Earth at this point."

"What are you doing?" the demigem questioned slowly.

"I'm making future plans. If I ever need to go fight potential enemies, I have something to remind me of their weaknesses. And it's to remind me of who my allies." Lapis nonchalantly answered.

"That's pretty confidential stuff there." he remarked, looking away and wondering why she needed to remind herself of her allies. She knows he will forever be an ally to her, right? It troubled him and his trust. "You wouldn't want the government to get their hands on it."

"Steven, they're not gonna get this book." Lapis opened the book for him to see. When he read the first sentence, he had no idea what he was looking at. It wasn't even an Earth language. "They won't ever understand it."

"Aren't there professional decoders out there who would be able to understand your writing through traditional means? I mean, they were able to make out what Egyptians wrote five thousand years ago, and those were primitive drawings." Steven informed. Every second he talked, Lapis' arrogant smile faltered more. "If professionals are able to do that, then they would be able to understand your language as well. Or worse, they'd get Pearl to read it."

"Oh, right. Pearl's with the government." the water Gem scowled, her head dropping onto the table. "Then I need to think of another way of storing this information. Luckily, I know the solution."

She effortlessly ripped the book in half with her average Gem strength.

"Now no one will know my research. Hahahaa..." Lapis laughed nervously, dusting her hands like a job well done.

"That defeats the purpose of making the book in the first place." Steven stated blankly.

"I'd rather have everyone lose than let myself lose alone." she told him, leaning back on her chair to relax again. She placed her hands behind her hair, using them as a pillow. "If I can't win, then nobody wins."

"You're taking winning very seriously." he said, aware of the inky atmosphere.

"If it's a life or death situation, you'd be pretty serious too." Lapis stated like it was obvious. "To me, winning just lets me boast things at others and boosts my ego. My pride would grow, and I'd get even cockier. But ya know the best part? It's that I'm the most useless Gem to begin with. Winning against others is like winning a fight with a laser pointer."

"I don't understand you, Lapis. And you're getting really scary today." Steven informed, feeling unjust.

Lapis glanced at the boy, before sighing. She realized what she made him go through just now. A talk about her plans of killing other Gems, her ideology of winning, and more of her ruthless personality. Well, she had to admit, she was a psychopath.

"Sorry, Steven. I've just been in one of these moods."

"It's okay. I understand."

Lapis continued her day, sitting on the most uncomfortable chair she had ever sat on. While Steven went to lie on the couch, and stared off into the ceiling. He kept wondering about his odd father who'd play rock music. At least, that's what he just got from Lapis.

KNOCK KNOCK! Their door was being knocked on loudly.

Lapis groaned as she got off her chair and lazily went over to the door. She opened it without a care, yawning in the face of whoever was at her doorstep. The man on her door was dressed in a suit and had a symbol on his breast pocket that was familiar to Lapis. The symbol was a dagger.

It was a Revolution agent.

"What do you want?" Lapis demanded, "Did I do something wrong? Or do they need me someplace?"

"Uh... yeah, they need you someplace. And can you bring the kid along? This is an all Gem meeting." the Revolution agent informed.

The Revolution...

Steven and Lapis made their way through the metal halls, and got inside the room they were designated to. It was like a courtroom, which meant they were to be judged. At least, that was what Lapis thought. At first, she thought they were trying to recruit all the Gems, but the view from here just made that idea vanish.

All the other Gems were there too, standing in front of the defendant's desk. Ruby was leaning on one side of the desk; Sapphire was just floating on one point; Amethyst and Peridot were sitting on the floor, right next to a bronze ship called Amedot that tore a hole through the supreme courtroom walls. They didn't seem to be agitated by it. And Peridot had her limb enhancers on, but they looked sleeker than usual. Surprisingly, Pearl was also there, standing attentively, but she made no eye contact with the rest of the Gems.

Commander Samson was jokingly sitting in the jury stand, besides Wild Card, with only the two of them sitting in the twelve-seat stand.

Lapis narrowed her eyes at the man sitting in the judge's seat that was twenty feet from them, who appeared to be old and fat. He had three other people beside him, all of who looked just as old as him. And Lapis knew they were business.

The water Gem glanced at Pearl, who she hadn't seen in half a year. She didn't know why, but she was scanning her intently. She looked different, but nothing's changed since the battle against Amber. She recognized Pearl's new navy outfit and didn't find a single change or scratch on it. For some reason, Lapis was worried about her glum and sullen look. She felt guilty for a split second about making a plan to beat her, but that all dissipated when she caught Pearl's staring at her. Lapis almost forgot her usual composure and her lips twitched upward at the sight of her eyes, but realized she was glaring, so she glared in return.

The two had a heated stare down, before turning their gaze back at the humanitarian spokesperson.

"So, these are all of the Gems?" the man in the judge's seat asked.

"Yes, seven Gems." Jacob Samson answered, nodding.

The old man glared at the bronze ship that was only halfway through the wall. He then inspected the Gems' discipline, and was thoroughly disgusted by them.

Ruby rolled her eyes and mocked the old man by snorting. Sapphire and Pearl glanced at the hotheaded Gem in frustration, before focusing on the judge again.

Lapis glared at the four humans, hoping this meeting wasn't a waste of time. Peridot and Amethyst stopped playing with their cards and stood up like the rest of the Gems. Meanwhile, Steven was nervous about this whole meeting, since those four people looked legitimate and he didn't know what was happening. He's an eleven year-old boy, and he's averagely five thousand years younger than the people he's standing with.

The head of the world leaders spoke up. His voice was loud and clear, but kept that age.

"It's been six months since the Gem attacks on Earth. Are you the Gems responsible for the events of Kronos Quad and Dexterity Castle?" the old man asked. Upon further inspection on his suit, there was a nametag that wrote "Aderel". It was his last name.

Ruby scoffed, going back to leaning on the desk. "We aren't responsible for that." she responded impulsively.

"But your whole alien species was." Aderel stated, thinking it would shut her up. Fortunately, Ruby predicted this and knew her retort.

"Wow. Racist much?" she provoked. Aderel regained his composure and inwardly berated himself for stepping into that one.

Jacob and Wild Card were watching intently from the stands, one of them laughing internally.

Aw, this'll be great. The world leaders are a bunch of government assholes to deal with. Hopefully, the Gems can shut them up. Commander Samson thought.

"What's this meeting about anyway?" Lapis asked, sounding impatient and arrogant. Well, she had the power to back up her ego anyway. And she didn't like this guy. Not one bit.

"The destruction of Kronos Quad and Dexterity Castle." Aderel said sharply. "You Gems have caused us over twelve billion dollars of property damage, and the lives of thirty million. It's been six months, and we have now decided that it should be time to reprimand you for your actions."

"We didn't destroy those places." Amethyst, being the leader of the Crystal Gems, politely replied. "We stopped a major threat to the world. You can't reprimand us."

"You failed to protect thirty million people." Aderel rebuked. "The world is angry at the Gems for their work of terrorism and think you've betrayed them because you're Gems. This "Amber" and her catastrophe is now a household name! She's a nightmare for everyone and the families that lost their members from the attack. And worse, they can't trust the government anymore because of that nuke! People have been against us for building such a weapon. They're all going haywire! Most have the decency to stay quiet, but some have banded a group and have become public enemies."

Lapis narrowed her eyes at Pearl, who's lips seemed to be moving at the same pace as Aderel. It was like she knew what he was going to say. Only Sapphire would know that. So, why did it look like Pearl wrote the script? Lapis kept the suspicion to herself and watched the rest play out.

Amethyst glanced at Ruby, who had been good with retorts and knew just as much as her, for guidance. Ruby noticed and mouthed a sentence to her. Amethyst nodded.

"So, what do you want us to do?" the purple Gem asked, looking up at the world leader.

Aderel turned his head to his colleagues, and silently gulped. He knew what their endgame was, but didn't know if it was the right time. Mysteriously, the world leaders had taken a known glance at Pearl at least once in the meeting, and did it again, rather discreetly.

"We want you... to work for the government." Aderel requested. "It would help a lot, and gain some reassurance for those who still believe in you and the government. Reinstitute hope in human minds. And, we would like the help from you to build a better world and a better future."

The Crystal Gems seemed to dislike the idea of working for a loose cannon, and so did Team Gem Squad. Pearl gave a gloomy stare at her former teammates, thinking it was their last redemption for the trouble their race had caused. She hoped someone would share the same mindset for this decision. Luckily for her, Sapphire did. The ice Gem had her ideologies declined by Ruby and Amethyst, who both said it was too judgemental.

"Isn't it your responsibility to protect the planet?" he insisted. "You can go the extra mile by preventing potential threats that could stem from the public's hate on you."

"Psshh," Lapis chimed in. She never really was a hero to begin with, and she only helped save the world to let Steven survive. Although she did mourn about those who had fallen during the time, she already moved on. She and Peridot were never part of this group of Gems, therefore they had no real responsibility in this. So, she shrugged at them. "Why should we?"

Peridot wondered the same thing. She had no responsibility for this planet. Despite having taken a nuclear blast at point blank range for the world, she never considered it as saving it. She did that ridiculous stunt for the sake of her friends' lives, never once had saving the world crossed her mind. Plus, she was going to leave soon, so it was useless to approach her.

Ruby didn't think she should be commanded by a government, and thought it wouldn't be fair to elect all Gems into work. It reminded her of Homeworld, where work is the norm and their goal was to build a "better" place. She didn't need to be reminded again when a Gem she was standing with was still loyal to Homeworld in a way. But she didn't despised her anymore because Peridot had... settled on Earth.

Amethyst was still in the dark about her thoughts. She couldn't really say she would work for the government when she already had a responsibility as the leader of the Crystal Gems (although she was failing badly at even doing that). The reason she wouldn't let go of the title was because she thought it would be disrespecting to Rose Quartz. If she left to the government, Ruby would be all that's left of the Crystal Gems and it wouldn't be "The Crystal Gems" any longer.

Steven's thoughts were a mysterious cluster of different sides of his mind. His pride and childlike nature wouldn't let go of Team Gem Squad, and he didn't really want to work 24/7. But, he wanted to do more to save the world more and keep its peace, but didn't know how to do it. The government already have plans that he could follow, but even then, there was this strange thought in the back of his head that swelled up with anger and disapproval at the government. And he knew it wasn't his voice.

Aderel had Lapis' words echo in his mind. He then reached a decision that this bunch of Gems were a rowdy bunch. They wouldn't get the efficiency they would want at this time. He was sad to announce that he will be disappointing the other senators and presidents that the plan didn't go as well as they thought it would. It seemed Pearl was the only candidate.

"Well, you really don't need to if you don't want to." Aderel informed, finally dropping the intense pressure off his shoulders. They wanted this meeting to end the second the Gems weren't interested in their offer.

"Then we politely decline." Lapis answered, beating the other Gems in responding to him. Ruby and Amethyst felt their spotlight being stolen as the water Gem took the final say. The blue Gem turned to Steven, and patted him on his shoulder to ease the rising tension in the room. The demigem's shoulders slumped and the breath he didn't realize he was holding was exhaled.

Today was not a good day for the kid, she realized. The water Gem decided that she too wanted to know what happened to Steven's father. He kind of went missing. And what's a better way than to ask the other Gems?

However, in the corner of her eye, she could see Pearl glaring at her again. This time, the stare was colder than she could imagine and had the intensity of the sun's rays. Lapis kept herself from showing any outward signs of fear, holding back the shiver down her spine.

I'll ask any Gem that's not Pearl. Lapis thought, eyes trailing over at the rest of the courtroom.

At the same time, Amethyst hopped into her bronze ship, seeing as Aderel and the rest of the world leaders have decided to end the meeting and left the room, with Jacob following them out. Ruby followed Amethyst, having no other easy transportation back to the Crystal Temple.

Sapphire floated over to Pearl, and the two had a quiet conversation about the meeting.

Peridot clanked her metal boots over to Steven, lifted him up and gave him an unexpecting hug.

"I haven't seen you in a while!" Peridot exclaimed, tightening her grip on the demigem.

"It's been a week." he said, voice squeaky from the still embrace. He felt the tips of his arms and legs numbing. He's always wanted Peridot to hug him affectionately, but this was like a death grip. "I... didn't know you like hugs too... But this is too much..."

"Let's keep it like this for a little longer..."

"Peridot?"

She didn't move.

Steven remarked, looking around. "This is weird."

It lasted long enough for Lapis to feel uncomfortable. Amethyst noticed and leaped off her ship to confront the two about it. She gave a wide grin.

"Sorry, Steven. She hasn't felt anything except me for the last week." Amethyst kept smiling, until she repeated the sentence over in her head. She could feel Lapis' "Are you kidding me?" gaze through the side of her head. "That came out wrong."

"Oh, the damage is already done." the water Gem quietly whispered, rolling her eyes.

Peridot finally let go of the boy, who started gasping for air.

"Sorry, that lasted longer than needed." the mechanic apologized agitatedly. Awkwardly, she looked away and scratched her head. Lapis tapped her shoulder.

"Peridot, can I ask you a private question?" the water Gem asked.

She turned, facing her. Peridot wondered what she could possibly want. "What is it?"

Lapis motioned her to follow her, and Peridot did. The two were far enough away for the others not to listen.

"Can you make a death machine?"

Steven looked up at Amethyst, who greeted the boy with a nod. The demigem stood up, shakily, and wanted to inquire some information from her.

"Uh... Amethyst?"

"'Sup?" Her cool and laidback tone reassured him in the friendly pleasantries. They had gotten off the wrong foot, and had unusual interactions, but it seemed all that was bad was forgotten. Like, not realizing he was The Steven in the first place.

"Do you know who my dad is?"

Amethyst's typical smile faltered. Her mind drew a blank. She wasn't prepared for this talk. She didn't think she would be the one out of the all the Gems that he would confront this question with? She didn't know it was that time of the year already.

What am I supposed to say to him? The truth? Doesn't Lapis know, like, everything? She asked herself nervously. If I don't say the truth, he'll find out. But if I do say the truth, he would be one less answer away from all the fun mysteries in life... and also the fact that he's half-human and humans are prone to wild emotions... Wow, I sound like Pearl.

Steven patiently awaited for her answer.

"Uh..."

Later that day...

The flying bronze ship was parked over a cemetery, hovering just above a tree's height over the graveyward. Two beings jumped off the boat and landed on the soft grass.

Steven could feel... all the death in this place.

It was unnerving.

The demigem followed Amethyst until she stopped at one grave.

Steven read the grave.

Gregory Universe. Who's he? Is he my dad? Well... since Amethyst isn't moving... seems like he's... burried.

"Well, if I were to answer your first question..." Amethyst pocketed her hands, eyes focusing intently at the wilted roses on the grave. "...Yes. I knew your dad."

Steven stared at the tombstone for a long while.

After a moment of silence, Amethyst glanced at Steven to make sure he was okay. He seemed... at peace. He wasn't crying like she expected, or joyous like she, erm, also expected. He was just stone-faced. She hoped she hadn't broken him.

"Uh... You okay there, bud?" she asked, wanting to hear a response.

"Yeah..."

He felt his eleven year-old heart sank, even when he didn't know the guy. There was just a familiarity to him.

His mind felt clear, for once.

"...how does Steven Gregory Lazuli sound?"

Wild Card was staring at the graveyard from afar, spying on the Crystal Gems.

The soldier felt someone behind him, and made a quick glance to see who it was.

It was Pearl.

She had a tired somber look on her face.

"Seeing your son check out your grave, Greg?"

A/N: I need to get something off my chest.

Next chapter, Peridot's leaving to Homeworld.

I'm going to miss writing Peridot, the smartest person in the cast. And hey look, another popular fanfiction Don't Even Bother (hi, GlassHawk if you're reading!) is going to finish soon! Damn it, Peridot's leaving us! (But not on the show. If she does, which is highly unlikely, then wow, the coincidences are real.)

Since it's been revealed Steven's 14 (what the hell no way), here's the reminder of the story ages: Steven is eleven. (His birthday just passed by in one of the time skips.) He's older than Connie by half a year. Connie's ten now, but in a few chapters it'll be her birthday. (You know, to mix up the usual "it's Steven's birthday!" thing going on in the archive.)

Thoughts about show: As you can see, I'm excited. Though, I've been spoiled. Hopefully, they all band together nicely.

It looks like Gems back then didn't know how to use their weapons. Good. Now I can just sit back and relax as I don't have to think of anything for most of the Rogue Nation's weapons as it is logical that they don't have any. Ah, life is easy.

EDIT: Probably won't be active in a while because I've got exams. But I'll find a way to update soon. Or not.

Breaking News: You pay your respects to the dead, right?

Next Chapter's Title: "Sayonara, Earth"

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