~O~
Chapter Thirty-Four: Prophecy of the Moon
Weeks after the storm had hit, the gems found themselves seeking out Moonstone, the gem that Turquoise had spoken of. Garnet had seen a fragment of her in her mind, resting on a pedestal of an ancient gem puzzle box.
But Steven had not expected it to actually be an enormous puzzle hall.
"Moonstones are particularly fond of riddles and puzzles," Peridot had explained before they left.
Garnet, Steven, Jasper and Pearl had decided to go on the trip to find Moonstone. The puzzle hall hadn't offered much in the ways of resistance thus far.
Garnet stopped walking, noticing a message written on the wall in gem. Steven looked at it too, but he wouldn't be able to read it.
"It's a riddle." Garnet said. "Just as Peridot told us." She cleared her throat and began to read it. "'The proud gem boasts and always strives, but it is the penitent gem who truly survives'."
Jasper looked up as something gleamed in the darkness. "Get down!" she shouted.
Everyone ducked low as enormous axes swung toward them. By falling to the floor, they narrowly missed having their heads cut clean off. Garnet looked up in amazement.
"The penitent gem." she mused, "Mm, quite clever."
Pearl winced before looking at her. "You admire this sort of chaos?"
"Not necessarily. Moonstones were to White Diamond as Sapphires were to Blue Diamond." Garnet explained, as they stood. "I admire their ability to make such riddles and challenges. You might say we are equals in that sense."
Jasper didn't find the remark to benefit them in any way. In fact, she knew little about Moonstones and how they behaved.
"A Moonstone is a very rare, aristocratic gem of Homeworld." Pearl explained to Steven. "They give predictions of the future to White Diamond and allow her to make actions based on the most logical response they can give. It was believed to be an honor to be given a prediction from them."
"So..." Steven said, "Do you think this Moonstone will want to fight us?"
"Moonstones are not warriors," Jasper told him. "They're diplomats. But if she's corrupted..."
"Then we do what we have to do." Pearl sighed.
Steven stopped in front of a message that touched the wall nearby. The halls had split into two separate paths.
"Hey, there's another riddle here." he told them.
Pearl read it this time.
"'Beware the floor beneath your heel, or soon you will make quite a meal'." She made a face. "Well that's a terrible - "
Suddenly, Jasper grunted as she started to sink. The floor had become as liquid and she struggled to claw her way out. The others quickly backed away from her, but Pearl acted quickly.
"Jasper!" she cried, holding out one hand. "Don't struggle or you'll only sink faster!"
Jasper held up two hands, forcing a calm smile. "I'm calm. I'm calm."
Steven looked around frantically. "We have to get her out of there!"
Jasper grunted, reaching for Pearl. "Quick! Fuse with me!"
Pearl took her arm and pulled. "Jasper, there's no room for us to fuse!" she shouted. "Just..." She looked at the other two and they quickly joined her in helping. "Pull!"
They tugged to free Jasper. Even with the combined effort of the three, it was difficult. Pearl pressed her heels against the wall and grunted with effort. Finally, they were able to yank Jasper from the mush and the force sent her falling on top of them.
"Ugh..." Jasper grunted, climbing off and wiping the residue from her waist. "I hate these stupid games! Why do any of you do it?"
Garnet helped her stand. "We do it to save our corrupted sisters. We will go through any lengths to help them."
Jasper didn't have a word of argument to it.
In a way, it made sense for the Crystal Gems to feel some manner of responsibility for the condition of the corrupted gems. And again, perhaps it was their fault. It made her think about the Diamonds and how they had corrupted them.
They entered a large hall, but it was dark. Pearl's gem cast a light and focused the beam onto a blue-white limb. It was trapped by a large, thick shackle that was chained to the wall. The others also noticed how the chains seemed to wrap across the floor, circle the ceiling and finally, around a corrupted gem form.
The corruption was enormous; its ghostly white body trapped by its many limbs to the walls around them. It had a large, swollen head filled with razor-sharp teeth and multiple eyes that appeared to stare off into the distance. It had one bony digit spread on its back, like that of a wing.
A gem was situated on its forehead, surrounded by the many eyes.
"Is that...her?" Steven asked, unsettled by its appearance.
The creature hadn't moved and instead remained positioned in a manner similar to religious Earth statues. Pearl was a bit unsettled by the appearance as well, but she would not be swayed by that. They had a job to do.
"Alright, so do we just...poof her like this?" Steven asked.
He waved a hand in front of the corruption, but no blink from the many eyes, no response. She looked to be in a trance.
"Something doesn't feel right about this." Steven said, frowning.
Jasper had to agree. "He's right. This is too easy."
Steven looked up at the corrupted gem and reached out with one hand.
There was a flash of light that blinded the others. Steven gave a cry of surprise and shielded his eyes with one arm.
When the gems were able to see again, Steven was gone.
"Steven?" Pearl cried, looking around frantically. "STEVEN!"
O
There were a series of whispers. Some uncertain. Others fearful.
Steven's eyes opened and he found himself standing in darkness. Water droplets echoed around him. He looked around and took a step, listening to the sound of water splashing.
"Hello?" he called. "Garnet? Jasper? Pearl?"
Another series of whispers, mimicking his calls. Steven looked up as light filled the area around him. He was stunned to see that he was no longer standing in the chamber with the others, but on a watery surface. A lake of sorts that seemed to go on for eternity.
Just ahead, he saw a figure sitting.
"Hello." Steven called.
As he approached, he noticed the white robes that the figure wore; the long white hair that had been braided and decorated with fine jewels. To Steven, this person looked like royalty.
"Hello?" he repeated, walking around them.
The figure was female. A gem.
She looked like the corruption they had seen; but instead of the hideous, deformed features, she looked almost angelic in appearance.
"Hello, Steven Universe." she greeted, opening her eyes. They were pale, white orbs that seemed to stare perpetually ahead. "It's a pleasure to finally speak with you."
Her voice was calm. Serene. It made Steven smile a little.
"You must have questions for me. Most who enter my kingdom do." the gem said. "However, formalities must be met. I am a Moonstone, but my fellow rebels have taken to tall me Moony."
Steven nodded. "Nice to meet you, Moonstone." Then, he looked a little confused. "But...how are you...here like this?"
Moonstone sighed gently through her nose. "When the Diamond's unleashed their weapon, I abandoned myself to my mind, though this kept me trapped in my present state for five thousand years."
"I'm sorry." Steven didn't know what else to say.
Moonstone shook her head. "There's no need for you to feel guilt for what became of us." she told him. "You are kind, young crossbreed. But I'm afraid kindness will not often win you a battle."
Steven frowned at the idea. "Well, we can try, can't we?"
Moonstone considered his words before smiling. "I suppose we can."
Steven took a seat beside her and they spent the time in silence for a moment.
"So, what have you been doing this whole time?" he asked.
"Thinking. It is our true purpose," Moonstone replied. "To see the truth laid bare before us. To ponder the mysteries of the universe. Such as yourself."
"I'm a mystery?" Steven asked, with a small laugh.
"Indeed. There aren't many creations of gem and human," Moonstone explained, with a warm smile, "You are a child of two worlds. I am grateful for this. To know such a creature is a rarity. One I welcome."
Steven couldn't help but blush at the compliment. "Well, thank you."
"You're welcome, child."
They sat in silence again and Steven thought about the riddles within Moonstone's hall. He smiled up at her and decided to ease the mild tension a bit.
"Hey, you like riddles," he said.
A smile lit her face. "I do."
"I have one. I see without seeing. To me, darkness is as clear as daylight. What am I?"
Moonstone gave a gentle laugh. "You're a bat."
"Yeah!"
Moonstone turned a little. "Alright. I have one. I have billions of eyes, yet I live in darkness. I have millions of ears, yet only four lobes. I have no muscle, yet I rule two hemispheres. What am I?"
Steven thought about the riddle for a moment. He pursed his lips, scratched his head before looking up briefly. He smiled.
"The human brain!" he said, triumphantly.
Moonstone clasped her hands together. "Yes!"
The two spent time exchanging riddles for a while. It earned a melodic laugh from Moonstone and a giggle from Steven.
"You're kind, Steven Universe. Most gems would never enjoy my riddles. Not even the Diamond I had been made for." Moonstone told him.
"Well, that's dumb." Steven said. "You're nice. And you don't spit when you talk. Also, your riddles are fun. People should listen to you."
Moonstone's features were grave now. "They do listen. But when I give them prophecies."
She looked up at the cloudy sky above them.
"You listened to me for more than that. I know you are here to dispel my form," she continued, "But before you do, I would like to give you a gift. The highest honor a Moonstone like me can give you."
Steven literally looked star-struck. "Really?"
"Yes. A prophecy. For you."
She held out one hand and placed it on his head. Steven wasn't sure what she was seeing, but he didn't speak a word as she shut her eyes. It took a few minutes before her eyes opened and her features suddenly filled with anguish.
"Oh..." Moonstone whispered.
"What?" Steven asked, anxiously. "What did you see?"
Moonstone seemed to hesitate. "I saw..." she began. She hesitated once more before speaking again. "There is one among you. One who isn't as she seems. She bears a great weight upon her heart. A suffering that she will never be free of."
Immediately, Steven thought of Jasper.
"But the truth cannot be hidden forever, no matter how deeply she buries it. When the light shines through the cracks, the walls she has built will crumble, and it will challenge your love of her. But do not fear. She believes she does the right thing. Do not count her deeds against her, for she seeks to make amends for this sin."
In so, a darkness will fall once the light fades. And a great beast will descend upon you. Behind this beast multitudes will follow and a life will be lost. A sacrifice. But do not think it the end. It is merely the beginning of another chapter."
Steven wanted to know more. Her prophecy chilled his blood. It made him want to ask hundred of questions. She saw the truth. Surely there was more to it.
"Wait, who are you talking about?" he exclaimed. "What's going to happen? Can we stop it?"
"That isn't how my offerings work, I'm afraid," Moonstone told him, features filled with pity. "All possibilities, all decisions and directions lead to this outcome." Her eyes shimmered, as if she was near to tears. "Just know this, Steven Universe; it is not your fault."
Steven shook his head anxiously. "Please! You have to tell me what's going to happen! I need to know! Maybe we can stop it!"
Moonstone hesitated. "You can't."
She rested a hand on his head again. "I wish there was another way. I truly do, child."
Steven wavered a bit before shaking his head. "Why are you even telling me this?" he cried, anguish in his voice now.
"Because you are kind. And I know that Rose Quartz spoke truth. 'Believe in Steven'." Moonstone answered. "Do I wish for another way? Yes. I share this truth with you so you can better understand what is to come. So you can know that all of this was destined to happen. Because I know that you can better understand than the others."
Steven shook his head. "But I don't!"
"You will. Someday."
The two looked up at the ethereal calls from Steven's friends. They were growing desperate to find him. Moonstone shut her eyes with a sad sigh.
"You must go back." she told him. "Your friends are worried."
"But - " Steven began.
"One more thing," Moonstone interrupted. "Please, give this message to Jasper. Tell her that I am sorry. I am sorry for whatever horrors she has been through. Please, let her know that the Earth is no prison. It can set you free." Tears poured down her pristine cheeks. "Where there's life, there's hope. Heroism. And love. Tell her that I'm sorry."
Before Steven could ask, he felt himself propelled backwards and despite how futile it was to reach for her, Moonstone vanished into the distance.
O
Steven awoke to several gem faces staring down at him.
"Steven!" Pearl cried. "Are you alright?"
Steven struggled to focus his bleary eyes on everything around him. He sat up and looked at the corrupted Moonstone for the longest time. She was still positioned in the same place he'd seen her before disappearing into her mind.
He didn't acknowledge the others and made his way over to her. Pearl gave a cry when Steven put his arms around the corrupted gem.
"Steven, don't get closer!" she warned.
"It's okay, Pearl." Steven said. "She didn't hurt me."
He looked up at the multiple-eyed creature. "Thank you."
The others were completely confused by his embrace. Garnet seemed to understand after a moment. She walked up and set a hand on his head.
"Steven, she showed you something, didn't she?" she asked, quietly.
Steven nodded. "Well, she told me something." he replied. "But..."
He looked up at Jasper and the gem frowned at his emotional stare.
"Jasper, Moonstone wanted me to tell you something," he told her. "She said...'I'm sorry'."
Jasper looked confused.
"And that Earth isn't a prison. It can set you free." Steven continued. "There's life, hope, heroism and love."
Pearl was amazed. She set a hand on Jasper's shoulder. "Moonstone gave you a gift! That's quite an honor, even by corruption standards."
"Is there more to it?" Jasper looked back down at Steven.
Steven didn't want to mention anything to them. Something about it just felt too horrible to deliver to the others. He had to contemplate what this prophecy meant and what would happen to his loved ones. He would not burden them with worry and fear.
Especially when they had Yellow Diamond to worry about.
"No, that was it." he lied, turning and leaving the room.
Garnet suspected more to it. She turned her focus on the corrupted gem, contemplating what she may have said to Steven.
It couldn't have been anything good.
O
Note - I thought Moonstone could be voiced by Olivia Mace, who voiced the Fire Keeper in Dark Souls 3. Give her dialogue a listen for yourself. Also, her appearance in corrupted form was inspired by the Winter Lantern from Bloodborne. Her non-corrupted form was inspired by the False Idol boss from Demon's Souls.
And when Steven visits her realm, the OST for the boss fight for Sister Friede would be fitting. Haunting and eerie. I liked making Moonstone. She's one of my favorite gem OC's. Her love of puzzles and riddles was inspired by my autistic half-brother.
I am getting the plot rolling. Be patient, guys.