"OH MY GOODNESS!" Pearl shouted.

"Go for it, bro!" Amethyst followed.

"This is your last chance," Garnet said.

"N-No...noooo...jump...jump...awwww!" Steven whined.

I rolled my eyes with a smile as I put the last of the groceries away. It was my turn to go out and get them and this time, it was me missing out on our 'Little Play Group Gathering'.

A name that had stuck when I let slip that was what I called our quality time together.
When I stood back up I walked past Steven as he fought with Lion over a shirt.

"SB, where you going?" Amethyst called. "It's LPGG time."
I climbed onto the warp pad.

"I'm coming, I'm just getting Steven's clothes," I said with a laugh. "Don't worry Pearl, I got it." I cut her off when she opened her mouth, then warped to the roof.
"It's pretty nice out today..." I voiced looking up at the sky. I shook my head and opened the dryer.

~Scarlet, don't even think about it, we're folding them...neatly.~ Crystal said sternly.

~Aw, come on, I want to beat Amethyst at that racing game.~

I pulled the first shirt out and started folding.

~Can't Steven just fold them?~ Scarlet complained.

~No! It's Bixbite's turn to fold them, that's the rule of quality time day.~

Crystal finished Ignoring Scarlet's grumbling.
The wind did quick work at calming me as I was reminded how lovely the day was.
This kind of weather definitely beat the Great North even if gems weren't affected by temperature in the same way as humans.
Obviously, the mission Garnet, Pearl, and I went on was a partial success.

Iris Agate had captured the fused gems and defused. We didn't find Jasper and I had ended up carrying Pearl home, not that I minded.
I giggled at the memory.
Iris Agate was a little disappointed that she didn't get to met Pearl...or any of the others now that I think about it.
With a sigh, I folded the last shirt.

~There, done! Can we go now?~ Scarlet begged.

~Wait a minute Scar, we just have to put the clothes in the washer into the dryer and then we can go.~
I laughed as I did just that and grabbed the basket of folded clothes.
I stepped up onto the warp pad shaking my head, I had to admit I was excited to play video games with others.
"I wonder what we should play first?" I mumbled as I landed on the warp pad. "Hey, Garnet?! What are you guys about..." My jaw tensed as I stared.
I had only made it one foot off the warp pad when I was greeted by the current scene in front of me...

Six beings were in the house and when I left there were five.

Steven, Amethyst, and Lion was standing off to the side looking really confused as they watched Garnet and Pearl...interacting with a new gem...
Garnet was grinning and Pearl was in the new gem's arms laughing up a storm when it dawned on me.

~I-It...can't be...~ I thought as the basket fell from my hands.
The noise it made caught the others' attention but...I was too busy to notice...

~H-Hey we just folded them!~ Scarlet complained.

~Scar...don't you...realize who that is?~ Crystal questioned.

I tensed more as I fully caught up.

"B-B-Bismuth?" I whispered.
I started to tremble as I hid my eyes with my hair trying to control myself...
"Uh...B-Bixbite?" She said my name nervously slowly letting Pearl down as she looked between us worried.
I looked up at her as tears streamed down my face but...I had a wide mischievous grin.
"Oh. My. Stars!" I ran at her. "Come here you big beautiful creature!"
She looked beyond surprised and I felt full force Scarlet's influence as I gave her a huge hug lifting her an inch or two off the ground.
She returned the hug with a laugh.
And I was all over the place emotionally as I took a step back covering my mouth and cried more feeling Crystal's emotions also, my emotions.
"I can't believe this!" I said in between sobs and laughs wiping at my face. I was sure I looked ridiculous but I did not care!
"I...I didn't know what happened to you!" I shouted. "I..." I was overwhelmed.
I started crying loudly sudden sad. "I thought you were shatter...I looked everywhere...I couldn't accept what Rose told me..." I finished with a hiccup.
Pearl was crying too. Everyone looked worried.

"...Calm down..." Garnet said gripping my shoulders trying to comfort me.

"I..." I was crying into my hands now. "I...I'm okay." I voiced taking a deep breath as I wiped my face. I took a moment to adjust myself as I look back at Bismuth was a small relieved smile.

~S-Scar she doesn't know yet...~ Crystal reminded.
I gave a small grin.

"B-Bismuth...I never got to tell you," I started as I leaned into Garnet.
She tilted her head.
"You know me as more than just Bixbite."
It was her turn to grin.
"I already know that...Scarlet...Crystal."
My eyes widened.
"It was cute you two thought you could fool me...Rose made me promise not to tell you I knew." She said with a chuckle.
~Rose...~ I grumbled in my head.
I blushed feeling stupid now.
"I...I just didn't want you to...see us like that..."
"I also know you are the very same Crystal Quartz I met on Homeworld." She said smirking.
My jaw dropped.
"I...I didn't think you'd remember that..." I mumbled.
"How could I forget? You were the most sensitive gem I ever met...the way you spoke of things and the way you felt about your 'duty' was different than any Crystal I had ever met, so much so I could pull you out of a crowd of Crystalline" She said confidently. "You were different and though you were afraid I saw a fire in you."
I was surprised.

~I...I didn't know I had made such a good first impression...~ Crystal murmured.
"Don't get me started on you Scarlet...you broke your weapons so many times I could hardly keep up...there is no way I could forget you Bix."
I glanced up at Garnet when I felt her eyes, she was grinning at me.
I couldn't help but smile.

"I missed you too, Bismuth."
I didn't feel sad anymore.

"Hello?!" We all looked at Amethyst. "Are you going to tell us who this is now?"

Uh, oh...she sounded annoyed...here we go.

"Okay guys, this is Bismuth." Garnet introduced. "She's one of the first Crystal Gems."
Bismuth smiled down at the two smaller gems.

"Looks like we got us some new recruits." She said in excitement. "We can always use more Amethyst and...who's this little guy?" She said looked at Steven.

"H-Hi...I'm Steven," He started. "You were in my lion and...now you're in my house."

"Well, it's nice to meet you." Bismuth smiled and shook his hand.

The rest of the introductions lasted for about 15 more minutes as Bismuth learned that Steven was Rose's son and...that we were all that was left of the Crystal Gems.
It was then we decided to show her.

~I didn't come here...even after I recovered my memories...~ I thought in...fear.

My eyes widened as I stepped off the warp pad...

I grabbed my head in pain as the others continued ahead.

~Scarlet...it will be okay...~ Crystal voiced.
I...was sensitive to the memories here...and though I was healed...it did mess with my head.
I didn't need to trigger my past vision here...memories this strong clung to the earth.
I looked around the strawberry filled field. Unfortunately, I wasn't only seeing strawberries.

"R-Rose! They are dying out there! Combine your shield with my barrier, Homeworld is planning something!"

"Pearl! Get back!"

"We have to pull back!"

"Where's the others?!"

"Retreat!"

I wandered away from the others caught between seeing memories of all different types of gems and looking at the plants that grew over this battlefield.
I had already re-lived some of this in my mind, over and over again. I had watched it so many times that I couldn't shed tears over it anymore...not this...but...being here...in person...it was a strain.
I might as well been frozen in time.
There were so many gems.
So much chaos.
So much destruction and corruption.
Shattered gems here...
Unconscious gem there...

"P-Pearl you know I can't take it when you cry like that," Bismuth said.
"I...I'm sorry..."
Garnet placed her hand on Bismuth shoulder as she started to cry.
"No...don't be..."

Guilty Crown - "Euterpe" - Acapella | ENGLISH ver | AmaLee

"... Wildflower blossoming,"
All of them looked up when they heard singing suddenly.
Garnet's jaw dropped a little as she searched for her partner, worried.
" I beg of you tell me this so I know too..."
When she spotted her she frowned and they all slowly began to listen.

" Why do people fight?
They all act as if it's right
Don't they know, that's no way to live?

Valiant flower blossoming,
What can you see, when you look down on me?
Why can't people say
That they're sorry for the way that they fought
I thought we once could

When the sky has cleared
And rains have passed
I still won't forget the past
You are not alone on your own
I remember you back then
Trembling in front of me,
Crying deep inside silently

When you see loved ones withering
What do you do with your remaining time
When your leaves can't speak a word
And your thoughts cannot be heard
How do you convey your love?

When the summer's sun is hiding and
Winds are harsh against our backs
Everything seems to overlap

I'll sing in your memory
All the times you've spent with me
We've lost your name but I'll sing...for you."

Guilty Crown - "Euterpe" - Acapella | ENGLISH ver | AmaLee
I slowly stood up.
Garnet laced her fingers with mine causing me to look over at her.
I wouldn't cry...I can't cry.
I grasped her gemmed hand tightly for support...
And I didn't dare let go.
"...I'll admit...at first...I never wanted to fight...but I couldn't possibly sit by and watch...all the pain..." a sob escaped...I won't cry. "...the pain they cause...the lives they step on and have destroyed." I gritted my teeth.
Garnet squeezed my hand.
"...I get you Bix." Bismuth said with a deep sigh.
Seeing me angry released some of her anger.
After all, I didn't get angry easy.
"We'll get plenty of chances to go up against them, the fighting isn't over as long as they continue to come to this planet." Garnet voiced straightening her shades.

"This is our home now...and we must protect it." I forced out determined.
Bismuth laughed.
"Then we need to pick back up where we left off. Let's go to the forge!" She said in excitement.
"Yay! To the forge!" Steven said hugging Garnet's leg.

"Yo...what's a forge?" Amethyst asked.

I beamed as I looked at all the weapons totaling missing out on the conversation with stars in my eyes as I lost it over a huge Halberd.
"Oh man..." I whispered in excitement.
I wanted to pick it up so badly...
"What!?" I shouted in amazement as I ran over to the smaller...more discrete weapons.
A-Are these senbons?!" I picked one up.
Since when did she start making these?
"Bix! Get over here!" Bismuth laughed. " You still breaking your weapon?"
I blushed as I turned to her and the others.
"N-No!"
"Hand it here." She said calmly holding her hand out.
Curious I handed her my wind spear.
"I see you guys were finally able to combine it." She paused for a moment looking over my weapon.
Amethyst was swinging her modified whip around is pure excitement and Pearl and Garnet were also enjoying their upgraded weapons.
"Hmm, I have an idea give me a few minutes." She voices catching my attention again.
"I'd wait forever for your works of magic," I said grinning.

20 minutes later and I was left with my mouth wide open.
"Try this exotic pole arm. It's a little different than a normal polearm but..."
I grasped the beautifully modified weapon in awe.
The pole was wonderfully designed and detailed at that.
The...blade was shaped much like a fan but more blades came off of it and its edges were sharp.
"I know your good with magic so the crests should help." She beamed. "You don't know how long I wanted to get a shot at upgrading your weapon."
"Well, I'm just glad you got to if that's really what you wanted to do."
I glanced at my partner as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder.
She whistled.
"Now that's a beaut." She said.
I smiled giddily.
"I know right?! I can not wait to try it out." I smirked at Garnet. "Bet I could beat you one on one with it."
She grinned.
"I don't know about that."
"Hmm...okay maybe give you a run for your money."
The others laughed at us.
"Well, it was a pleasure doing Bismuth with you."
I cracked up.
Man, I'd be lying if I ever said I didn't make friends with Bismuth back then despite my 'no friends but Rose and Garnet' rule.
~Man...I had been in serious denial back then.~
I smiled at Garnet...I am so glad we somehow found each other again.
She looked down at me in curiosity.
~I don't know what I would do if...she wasn't by my side...~

"Focus Casanovas or we'll leave without you!" Amethyst called.

We both tensed as we turned around separating.

Garnet started straightening her shades as I fought to keep my hands from covering my face in embarrassment, it wasn't often we were called out like that.

~Thanks, Amethyst..~ I grumbled in my mind.
Bismuth started laughing again as we all walked out.

"Wait!...You two?...really!?" She said in amazement.

I couldn't fight the blush this time as Garnet cleared her throat awkwardly.
I started to feel a bit unease...that is until...she grabbed my hand.
"Yeah. For awhile now." Garnet said.
My jaw dropped as I looked at her.

I gave a grin as I bumped lightly into her.
"Yeah, she just can't seem to get rid of me." I voiced looking up at her. "Though, who would want to? I am pretty awesome." I smirked.

"...That's one way to put it." Garnet voiced.
I pouted as the others laughed.
-

Garnet was slapped into the sand.

I crouched down next to her head...and tried to hold in my laughter.
As she pulled her face out of the sand she looked at me, then down at my hand that was reaching out to her.
She spits out sand as she stands up.

"Steven! Come down and show me what you're made of!" Bismuth voiced.

I smiled up at the half gem.

"Um...I would but this is all a little too intense for me." He answered.

"Okay then...Bix! Don't think I forgot about you." She grinned at me.

I summoned my weapon and wasted no time launching at her unexpected, old habits die hard.

"Whoa! When'd you get so fast?" She said blocking me.

I simply beamed.

"Practice makes perfect."

"That's right! We are powerful! We are important! We are the Crystal Gems!"

Bismuth shouted.

I looked up at Steven.

"Are you sure you don't want to come down and show off all your hard work?" I said.

"...it's really intense." He voiced again scratching his head.

"But it's a ritual for us Crystal Gems to spar before battle." Bismuth tried to reason.

I put my polearm away.

"Well...actually I have some rituals I like a little better," Steven said playfully.

~Wait..does that mean?...~ I trailed off.

"Finally! Games!" I shouted running up to the badminton net with stars in my eyes. "I thought I would miss quality time day altogether," I said taking the racket Steven held out to me.

And that was how the rest of the day went.

I pushed my pizza over to Amethyst with a sigh. I couldn't eat anymore, we made too much.

She happily took it.

"Garnet? Now that it's on my mind and before I forget again. We are going to have to sooner or later go to the Mountain Tower you spent me to." I started seriously. "We have to get the others in there and somehow shut down the vortex."

She nodded.

"Pearl or Amethyst will have to stay...Steven shouldn't go on that one."

"Agreed." I nodded.

Suddenly we all looked up at the sound of the Warp pad activating.

"Steven..." Pearl started.

I paled...

"...Guys...there's something I need to tell you..." He said sadly.

In his hand was Bismuth.

Bubbled.
-