Chapter 12: The scabbard of Rose. A new weapon.
Azure was with the Crystal Gems, training with Lapis and Pearl.
"All this training is really shaping you well, Azure. You don't need to go further to make yourself powerful." Pearl said.
"It's not that I want to be stronger. Rather, I train to ensure I protect the people I care for. I know the path will be difficult since one being alone cannot shape how reality is." Azure said.
"Will this resolve of yours be strong?" Pearl questioned.
"It's a question that I must answer with honesty. I have to be prepared when the time comes." Azure responded.
"Azure was always one to protect, even in such situations. He showed how far he would go when the Red Eye was destroyed." Lapis recalled, not wanting to remember the sight that came to her.
Pearl soon recalled the sight of Azure bleeding from overexerting his abilities. It made her feel downhearted upon remembering that day.
"We should focus more on Steven's growth as a Crystal Gem. He may be able to use a shield, but it's purpose is to protect." Azure said.
"Is there a place where we can find something to train Steven with?" Lapis asked.
"I'm glad you two asked. There's a battlefield site with many weapons out there. However, the weapons are not in pristine condition. We might find something suitable and in decent condition." Pearl explained.
"Time for the old warp gate." Azure said.
######
Steven looked ecstatic. Upon hearing Pearl requesting Garnet to take Steven to a historical place and agreeing, the young boy couldn't help but jump in joy. Amethyst also wanted to see the same sight out of curiosity. Azure chuckled as Lapis giggled, seeing Steven being a ball of positive energy.
"We are going to a new place to explore!" Steven said.
"Easy there. Let's make sure we pack up some supplies so we are ready for the trip." Azure reminded.
Steven packed a few essentials of clothes and some food. Azure had a small bag with him. It contained some sandwiches he made and bottles of water.
"Everyone ready?" Garnet asked.
Everyone nodded as the Gem warp gate activated, sending the whole group to a different location.
######
(Play Steven Universe OST - Strawberry Battlefield)
The group arrived at what appeared to be a lush garden of strawberry plants. Several weapons of swords, axes, spears, bows and various other weapons were shown. Some were aged and appeared cracked, ready to fall apart. Several floating islands of abandoned Gem technology were shown.
"This is...?" Azure asked looking all over the area.
"This place was a battlefield of titanic proportions... The battle raged over 5000 years ago. It's also here that many Gems, both enemy and ally, were...shattered..." Garnet said, showing reluctance at the last part.
Azure couldn't help but sympathize with Garnet.
"The battle was that heavy...?" Azure asked, looking at the various weapons.
"It was akin to a maelstrom of chaos. Death was everywhere and destruction had spread around the landscape. Since the place was left untouched by anyone here, the plants have overtaken the landscape." Pearl answered.
However, Lapis had a different matter she was dealing with. Azure noticed this and went to her.
"What's wrong, Lapis?" He asked.
Lapis didn't respond. Her mind was suddenly overflowed with memories of the place. She was vividly recalling a battle within the area. The landscape changed from a plant filled environment to a barren wasteland. She could see several Gems running in terror. Some were poofed while others were destroyed in the ensuing chaos. Lapis shivered in fright, seeing the figure arriving to her. It had a mop of rainbow hair. Soon, she was shaken out of her sudden memory from Azure, who looked worried.
"Lapis! Are you okay!?" Azure asked with desperation.
Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst and Steven joined in to see if Lapis was okay. The blue Gem shook her head to sort her thoughts out.
"I'm sorry... I got lost from a memory of this place." Lapis said.
"Was it in this place that you were attacked during the Gem war?" Garnet questioned.
"Yes... About 5000 years ago. It's as Pearl explained how the battle raged... A maelstrom of chaos..." Lapis replied.
Everyone remained silent for a moment as they looked all over the area. Clouds of butterflies were fluttering around the landscape. Some came to Steven, making him feel scared.
"Easy there, Steven. This region has large strawberry shrubs. Because of that, it's a haven for them." Garnet said.
"Anyway, judging by the shrubs, not to mention the area where the map is showing us, we're on Norway. To make it simple, at the southwest tip of the country." Azure noted.
"Your geography skills are getting better, Azure. Have you been looking at various locations to see?" Pearl complimented.
"I needed to know about whatever place we will have to go to. Even with conventional maps on Earth, there are some uncharted locations." Azure explained.
"Good point." Pearl followed.
"Why were the weapons left here in this place? Is it a memento for those who have fallen?" Azure asked.
"Yes. It's to honor our fallen sisters and friends. Garnet wanted to take the weapons in the temple, but I insisted on leaving them here." Pearl answered.
"I see... Well, if it helps remember your friends, I don't see any reason to take any." Azure said.
Soon, Garnet found a large battle axe with magenta highlights. It was a titanic sized weapon, yet she was able to lift it with her left arm.
"I can take this." Garnet said, much to Steven's delight.
"Mind if I find a weapon?" He asked with delight.
"Why don't we find something more suitable for your preference?" Pearl suggested.
Steven's mysterious lion soon arrived. It moved to the young boy, purring as it approached him.
"Lion, glad to see you too. Can you help me with something?" Steven requested.
The lion soon paid attention to Steven, awaiting a request.
"Can you help me find a weapon that works well with me?" He asked.
The lion yawned in response. It soon made its way through a strawberry shrub. Steven pouted as it soon moved out of sight.
"You really need to train that lion, Steven..." Pearl said, observing it.
######
Azure soon noticed an intricate weapon. It was an ordinary broadsword at first. When he picked it up, the blade soon separated into small pieces connected with a steel wire. Lapis came by and noticed the blade as well.
"What is that weapon, Azure?" Lapis asked.
"It's a chain sword. This weapon can strike at long distances." Azure answered.
The weapon was soon disappearing from Azure's hands in dusts of light. He soon willed his own weapon to form, only for his usual katana of light to form the chain sword.
"Whoa... Does this happen?" Azure questioned in surprise.
The chain sword was glowing brightly with the blades having an outline of light. Though feeling excited, Azure suppressed the need to test it out.
"Well, that was rather strange. I didn't think one can do that..." Azure commented.
"We should talk with Pearl about this." Lapis suggested.
######
Steven was waiting impatiently for the lion to come back. Azure and Lapis showed up. This got Pearl's attention.
"Where were you two?" Pearl asked.
"We found something interesting. Oddly enough, it did something." Azure responded.
He soon willed his weapon to form, creating it in its katana appearance. Soon, the weapon shifted into a chain sword, much to Pearl's surprise.
"How did you stumble upon this? I never thought your sword could change like that." Pearl asked with surprise.
"I'm just as shocked as you are. The weapon was initially found here. When I grabbed to inspect it, it just willed itself to my gem. I don't even know how this happened." Azure said.
"Well, try to take care with the weapon." Pearl warned.
"I know. This one is a little difficult to use, but I think I can train myself to master it." Azure said.
"Maybe it can help us." Lapis said.
######
Soon, Steven's lion showed up. It was holding a pink scabbard with a rose design. Pearl soon noticed it and went to the lion.
"How were you able to find this...? Was this left here in the battlefield?" Pearl asked.
"Hold on, Pearl. Lion, please drop the scabbard." Steven requested.
The lion did as it was commanded. Pearl, though disgusted from touching the lion's saliva on the scabbard, picked it up, looking at it with marvel.
"This scabbard belonged to Rose... She used it in conjunction of her shield when fighting." Pearl said.
She soon turned to the lion.
"Steven, can you ask the lion to lead us where it found the scabbard?" Pearl requested.
Steven did so. The lion soon showed a small clearing from the shrubs. The region did not have any plants growing there, save for a carpet of grass.
"The sword should be in here... Why did Rose leave her scabbard here?" Pearl questioned.
"It begets a mystery once we solve one..." Azure noted.
"What do you mean?" Steven asked.
"I mean, the moment we find answers for a question, another two take their place of the previous one." Azure responded.
"Very astute." Pearl complimented.
"But, we need to find possible clues as to where Rose's sword was last left. We should go back to our home to think of this." Lapis suggested.
"I think so too. It's peaceful here, but clouds of butterflies swarming by would distract us in thinking deeply." Azure admitted, not wanting to leave the serene region.
Reluctant, but feeling somewhat accomplished, the group went back to the Gem portal pedestal to teleport back to Beach City.
######
Garnet and Amethyst were with Pearl, Steven, Azure, and Lapis. All were thinking about the mystery of Rose Quartz's lost sword.
"Any possible idea we could theorize where the sword was last seen?" Azure questioned.
"It could be anywhere..." Amethyst complained.
"While I agree, it's not a good time to complain, Amethyst." Pearl reprimanded.
"The only clue we have is the pattern etched in the middle. Plus, leaving it in the former battlefield in Norway might have some clues that she might lead us to." Garnet said.
Everyone pondered for a while. Soon, Steven was leaning on the lion's fur, which caused him to phase through. Azure quickly noticed and ran to the lion in question.
"Steven! Where are you!?" Azure shouted.
The Gems were roused to the shouting. Soon, Azure felt his body phasing in the lion's fur. Against being advised by Pearl, he subconsciously felt what he had to do. He willed himself through the fur. Everyone watched in amazement as Azure disappeared in the lion's fur.
######
(Play Steven Universe OST - Lion's Mane - Final)
Upon moving through the thick fur, Azure immediately noticed he couldn't breathe. He held his breath and took notice of the area. He was floating in a sea of pink grass that seemed too deep. A lone island was shown with a tree. Several items were shown hanging on it.
'Steven, where are you...?' Azure thought.
Azure soon spotted Steven, whom was moving his way to the island. Upon seeing him, Azure wasted no time and quickly came up to him.
'Whatever this place is, we can't stay here for long.' Azure thought.
Azure was using sign language, which Steven quickly picked up. The older brother figure was asking what Steven was doing in the strange world. He was pointing to the island. Upon laying his eyes to the island, Azure noticed several items from t-shirts, guitars, a microphone, a VHS tape, and an intricate sword that immediately caught his attention.
'That must be the sword Pearl was talking about...' Azure thought.
He had a quick look of the blade. It had a slightly dark pink with a hint of red pommel resembling a rosebud with a rose quartz embedded in it. The blade had a soft pink color. Overall, the weapon looked like a larger saber.
'This sword... I know that design... Rose...' Azure thought with a somber feeling.
Wasting little time, the boys grabbed the sword and fled from the dimension.
(Lion's Mane Final OST ends here)
######
Everyone in the house of the Gem Temple were roused to the cause. All were sitting near Lion to await for the boys.
"What could they be possibly doing?" Pearl questioned.
"They will be coming back." Garnet said.
"How do you...? Wait, Garnet has precognition. Future sight!" Lapis realized.
Garnet chuckled in response. Soon, Lion's mane began to glow. From it, Azure and Steven emerged. Pearl gasped upon seeing the sword.
"That sword...! Where did you two find it!?" Pearl asked with shock.
"We ventured inside Lion's mane, which had some sort of pocket dimension. The dimension in question has no air for us to breathe so we had to grab it quickly." Azure explained.
"The Lion's mane had something like that...?" Pearl asked, perplexed.
"To think the Lion has something like this..." Garnet followed, also showing surprise.
"That was rad, dudes! We can store stuff in that place you told us about!" Amethyst commented with excitement.
Soon, Pearl's expression contorted into anger, not liking the Lion.
"Why does this Lion have any connection with Rose? I thought she would tell us about him...!" Pearl spoke angrily.
"It's not for us to speak on her behalf, Pearl. Rose kept many secrets from us and I'm sure she had reasons to hide her personal weapon here." Garnet reasoned.
"Rose NEVER kept secrets from me! Our relation was different back then!" Pearl spoke vehemently.
Steven attempted to diffuse the tension, but Azure kept quiet. He could see Pearl's conflict within her.
"Pearl, Mom might have reasons to leave the sword in Lion's Mane. She probably wanted to protect us from something we don't know yet." Steven spoke.
"You don't know anything about Rose! All of you don't understand how I feel! None of you had what we had!" Pearl said with anger.
Steven was visibly hurt from Pearl's words. Azure looked disappointed from hearing Pearl's outburst.
"Poor choice of words, Pearl, even if they were due to emotions running amok." Azure spoke, hinting disgust.
Pearl looked at Azure, focusing her anger at him.
"WHAT DO YOU EVEN KNOW!? YOI BARELY KNOW HER!" She bellowed.
Azure soon stood still. He turned his back to Pearl and looked down.
"You're right about one thing... I don't know much about Rose Quartz, due to how short my interactions were with her." Azure admitted, showing an eerily calm tone.
Steven and the others knew a building tension was developing. They could a faint outline of light glowing on Azure's body. It was a warning sign of a possible fight. Pearl remained quiet, noting how he sounded calm.
"However..." Azure spoke, breaking the silence.
He soon turned slowly, lifting his head up. His face showed an intimidating look of anger, something of which made Pearl lost her mental bearings.
"Do not presume that time dictates how much it means when we all know someone of the past. We're all in this like a family, Pearl, not the other way around." Azure spoke, sounding calm but serious at the same time.
Azure soon stomped on the floor hard enough to shake the house. The shaking caused the portrait of Rose Quartz to tumble off of its moorings. Seeing the paining falling, Azure quickly leaped and caught it safely. Everyone was shocked and relieved of his actions. However, it left the half-gem in question still angry with Pearl. She soon felt a sense of overwhelming shame.
"Fine then! Go cry all about it till you get your mojo back!" Amethyst yelled.
Unable to take the shame, Pearl walked to the warp pad and teleported. Amethyst was also disgusted of her actions.
"Good riddance! I hate it when she acts like that!" She scolded.
Steven was teary eyes from the argument. He went to Azure to try and disperse his anger.
"Brother?" Steven asked.
Azure gasped and was able to calm himself of his anger. He felt ashamed of showing an ugly side of him.
"I'm sorry, Steven... That is something you shouldn't have seen from me..." Azure spoke, showing concern.
"It's okay, Brother. I'm sure Pearl didn't mean it." Steven said.
Azure nodded his head in response. Lapis came to him to also help ease his tension.
"We will go together to talk with Pearl. I'm sure she's also in pain just like you were, Azure." Lapis said.
Azure soon realized why Pearl reacted this way. A thought of concern clicked in his mind.
"We have to find Pearl... I understand why she's like this..." He said.
"You do?" Steven asked.
"Yes. We have to talk to her." Azure spoke with conviction.
"But how will we find her? Garnet?" Steven asked.
Garnet didn't answer at all. She remained silent.
"Garnet?" Steven asked again.
Once again, Steven found her remaining silent. Turning to an unlikely lead, he went to the lion.
"Lion, you know where Pearl is, right?" Steven asked.
The lion soon growled in response and stood up.
"I'm gonna assume that you know where she is." Steven concluded.
He hopped on to the lion's back.
"Let's go, Lion. We need to find a friend in need." Steven spoke.
The lion nodded its head in agreement. It soon made a loud roar that opened a magical gateway to the strawberry fields of the former Gem battlefield. Azure saw the area and knew exactly where to go.
"Steven, Lapis and I will catch up via the warp portal. You go on ahead." Azure spoke.
"I'll wait for you, brother." Steven said, as the lion dashed into the magical portal.
Amethyst and Garnet watched as Steven, Azure and Lapis we're determined to bring Pearl back.
"You dudes sure about this? You know she's out of her funk right now?" Amethyst asked.
"I know what we're doing Amethyst. If you were in Pearl's shoes, I wouldn't hesitate to come and help you all." Azure said, smiling.
Amethyst smiled in response. Lapis blushed, but also smiled. Garnet had a smirk on her face as she watched Azure and Lapis use the warp pad.
"Good luck, you three." Garnet finally spoke with a smile.
######
(Play Steven Universe OST - Moonlit Battlefield)
Arriving at the Gem battlefield, Steven and the lion spotted Pearl. She was standing alone on a hill while holding on to the scabbard, thinking her life depended on it.
'Pearl...' Steven thought.
Azure and Lapis soon arrived via the warp portal. The couple spotted Steven from a distance, making his way to Pearl
"There they are..." Azure spoke. Picking up the pace, they joined with Steven to talk with Pearl.
The aforementioned Gem didn't realize she was not alone. Hearing the grass blades crinkle from footsteps near her, she quickly turned and stood up. She saw Azure, Lapis, and Steven. All were showing concerned expressions.
"Pearl?" Steven said, breaking the silence.
She soon ran off, not wanting them to see her.
"Leave me be!" She shouted.
Pearl was moving too fast for Steven alone to keep up. He had to resort to using the lion's portals to shorten the distance. Azure and Lapis had to fly across the landscape to catch up.
"Wait for us!" Steven exclaimed.
The trio managed to catch up to Pearl. She was hopping across floating chunks of the earth to keep away from them.
"Get that thing away from me!" Pearl exclaimed, pointing to the lion.
Steven knew he had to leave the lion aside. Azure and Lapis were able to keep afloat thanks to their elemental powers giving them wings.
"Lion, you can wait here. I'll go talk with Pearl." Steven said.
The lion made a soft growling, indicating it understood.
"I made Lion stop following you, Pearl. Please just stop so we can talk." Steven called out.
Pearl ignored Steven's words as she hopped across the floating rocks. Steven, though slower than Pearl, began to hop on the rocks. It was a difficult maneuver for him, due to lack of experience with his Gem abilities. Azure and Lapis were nearby to ensure Steven didn't fall off.
"Whew... It's a lot harder when you're wearing sandals." Steven chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
The trio soon made it to the top-most chunk. From a distance, they saw Pearl clinging on to the scabbard on a lone, floating island.
"Go away!" Pearl shouted, hinting grief.
"Pearl we needed to know what's wrong. Why are you acting like this...?" Azure questioned.
"Did we do something?" Steven asked.
No answer came from Pearl. Steven, knowing the gap is wide, moved back before making a dashing leap to the floating island. Unknown to him, Steven was floating across the gap, surprising Azure and Lapis.
'Is he floating across the gap!?' Azure thought with surprise.
'It's not my imagination... Steven's floating across...!' Lapis thought.
While floating to the island, Pearl turned and had a look of anguish. The sight disturbed Steven immediately that it broke his unconscious ability to float. Gravity finally kicked in, causing Steven to nearly plummet down to the ground below.
"STEVEN!" Azure, Lapis and Pearl shouted.
(Moonlit Battlefield OST ends here)
Both quickly flew down and caught Steven. They floated up the island safely. There, they saw Pearl looking distraught. The trio walked slowly to her.
"Pearl... You have to share with us what is making you behave this way..." Azure spoke softly.
Pearl was holding her grief back, but it was proving to be a losing battlefield. All heard a sniffle, indicating she was at the brink of crying.
"Sometimes... You and Azure sound and act like her..." Pearl spoke, hinting her grief.
Steven and Azure were surprised of the mentioning. Both pieced together that Pearl was referring to Rose Quartz.
"Do you remember this place? Do you have any of her memories? We were right here... Over 5000 years ago..." Pearl said.
Azure had a downhearted expression. Lapis could sympathize with Pearl, despite briefly knowing Rose Quartz. The water Gem could never forget her kindness when her gemstone was cracked.
'She held on to the grief for so long... I could imagine years going through this but five millennia? What horrible torture of the mind...' Azure thought.
Pearl soon had her gemstone shine brightly. It formed a hologram of Rose Quartz. This triggered memories of Azure's childhood with Rose Quartz.
'Rose...' Azure thought, shedding a silent tear.
Lapis held on to Azure, knowing the hologram was causing him to react this way. The hologram began to speak, though it wasn't sentient.
"Pearl..." The hologram of Rose spoke.
"Yes?" Pearl asked.
"I'm going to stay here and fight for the people of this planet. You don't have any reason to do this with me." The hologram spoke.
"But I want to!" Pearl rebuffed.
"I know you do and I understand. Please, please just hear me out. If we lose this fight, we'll be killed, but if we win, we can never go home." The hologram of Rose spoke.
"But why would I want to go home when you're here?" Pearl questioned.
The hologram chuckled in response. It soon offered Pearl her left hand.
"My Pearl." The hologram spoke.
"You're wonderful." Pearl said.
Grasping the hologram's left hand, it soon disappeared. To the trio, it was a bittersweet moment to witness.
"Everything I ever did, I did for her. Now she's gone, but I'm still here. Sometimes, I wonder if she can see me through your eyes..." Pearl sighed.
The trio remained silent to briefly ponder about Rose Quartz. All had questions of the history between her and Pearl, but the question were put on hold when Pearl asked another question.
"What would she think of me...?" She asked, holding a tears threatening to escape her eyes.
The trio had to take some time to comprehend Pearl's emotions. In act of surprise, the trio held a group hug in a triangle shape. Steven was behind her whole Azure and Lapis took the right and left of her front respectively.
"I think..." Azure started.
"That you are..." Lapis continued.
"Pretty great." Steven finished.
(Play Steven Universe OST - I'm still here)
The group hug proved too much. Pearl made quiet sobs for soon crying her sorrow out. The trio held their hug to help alleviate her pain.
'She has all this mental baggage in her... If only we all knew...' Azure thought, shedding a few tears.
The trio held their group hug for some time till Pearl was able to calm down.
######
Flying down from the floating island, Azure held Steven while Lapis held Pearl. The quartet reunited with the lion. Upon seeing the creature Pearl was reluctant to part away from Rose's sword.
"It's okay, Pearl. We'll help shoulder your burden." Azure said.
Steven soon held his hand out on the pommel of the sword. Lapis joined in as well. This made Pearl feel convinced it was time to overcome her grief. With a tearful smile, she placed it in the lion's mane. The weapon disappeared in the pocket dimension.
"Why don't we try to impress Pearl for a little bit?" Steven suggested.
Azure and Lapis giggled as Steven put up a magic display. He brought out several items from the mane by simply reaching them out. He pulled a top hat and performed a magic trick. He was pulling connected handkerchiefs to try and amuse her. Comically, they failed to do so. However, Steven had a new trick to try. He brought Azure with him and both went in the pocket for a few seconds. This perplexed Pearl and Lapis for a moment till the boys came out, holding a banner.
'That's...!' Lapis thought with shock.
'Rose's flag...!' Pearl concludes mentally.
Holding on to the item as though it was sacred, Pearl looked at the item. The flag pole was in good condition, but some parts of the flag had small sections torn off. The torn areas looked to be affected from previous battles. Pearl began to tell a story of the battlefield while Steven, Lapis and Azure began listening.
'Wow...This place has a lot of significance.' Azure thought.
After hearing Pearl's story, the quartet made their way back home.
(I'm Still Here OST ends here)
######
Outside Steven's home, Azure was overlooking the now dark sky. Shooting stars were seen flying through the atmosphere.
'I may not know much of Rose Quartz, but I know she is a part of my life that I hold dear to this day.' Azure thought with a teary smile.
Lapis was with him, overlooking the sky. Seeing him shed a tear with a smile, she leaned on to him till she laid on Azure's lap.
"Its okay, Azure. I too miss her." Lapis said.
Azure still had his face with tears, but gave a smile. The couple shared a somber, but loving kiss. Both were in the moonlight as shooting stats were once again seen in the starry night sky.
