Normal Pov.

Lapis and Peridot stayed in the ally where Steven had left them. They did not dare leave until they were certain that it was safe to move. After a time the sounds of gunfire and screaming had ceased. Taking a chance Lapis went to the end of the ally and poked her head out. The sight before her was horrifying.

The streets were littered with bodies. They laid lifelessly on the ground with bullet holes riddling their bodies. The few that lay in the road were twisted and mangled at odd angles with clear indication that they were run over. Not wanting to see anymore Lapis quickly went back and grabbed Peridot before rocketing off into the sky with her water wings.

It didn't take long for them to return to the beach house. They rushed inside and found the other gems sitting around doing nothing. This angered Lapis and before she could even say a word Pearl was on them.

Pearl:"What are you two doing here, shouldn't you be with Steven back at the barn?"

Amethyst:"Ya and what's with all that racket outside, woke me from my nap"

Lapis looked ready to explode with the way her face was changing from blue to red. Peridot saw the look Lapis was making and tried to calm her down while giving the gems a glare.

Peridot:"Why didn't you clods think to go out and see what was going on!?"

Garnet:"We were preoccupied with other matters"

Peridot:"*Suspicious* And what matters would that be?"

Garnet:"That's none of your concern"

Peridot fumed at this but let it go. She instead focused on keeping Lapis calm, which seems to be working somewhat.

Pearl:"By the way do you know what was causing all that noise. It sounded like screaming and since your here I can only guess what they were screaming about"

This reignited Lapis's anger and in seconds she had here hands wrapped around Pearls little neck. Pearls gasped and started clawing at the hands while Lapis was looking at her with murderous intent.

Lapis:"You have no right to say that, especially after what just happened!"

Garnet and Amethyst immediately jumped forward to restrain Lapis. Try as they might her grip held firm on the pale gems neck, refusing to let go. In a last ditch effort Garnet summoned her gauntlets and punched Lapis. The blow was enough to cause Lapis to release Pearl as she was sent flying into a wall. Peridot rushed over to check if Lapis, who was dazed but thankfully her gem wasn't cracked. With a growl she once more glared at the gems with renewed vigor.

Peridot:"We're leaving"

Peridot put one of Lapis's arms over her shoulder and started to drag her to the warp pad. She didn't even make it halfway before the gems blocked her path.

Peridot:"Move!"

Garnet:"Not until you give us an explanation as to why she attacked Pearl and for what she meant by 'What just happened'. So start talking"

Peridot:"I don't have to say anything to you!"

Then Amethyst, hesitantly, summoned her whip and Pearl following her example.

Amethyst:"*Apologetically* Sorry but you don't really have a choice"

Peridot was not in the mood for this.

Peridot:"Move, NOW"

Pearl:"*Chuckles* Or what?"

Suddenly Peridots gem started to glow brightly as her face morphed into one of rage. Unnoticed by the gems the pots, pans, and anything else made of metal started to shake.

Garnet:"Now tell us what's going on or we'll have to force it out of you."

The way Garnet was talking down to Peridot made Amethyst feel a little uneasy.

Amethyst:"Garnet are you sure we should do this? Steven will more then likely tear us apart even if we have a reason"

Pearl:"Doesn't matter, that THING needs to learn who's in charge"

That set Peridot off. With a shout she raised a hand towards them and everything metal was sent at them. Amethyst dived under the coffee table while Pearl and Garnet were bombarded by house appliances.

Peridot:"You don't deserve to know after what you've been doing to Steven!"

The TV was launched at Pearl but Garnet was quick enough to deal with it.

Peridot:"None of you have the right to know that Steven was attacked by humans since you seem to treat him as if he was a burden instead of family!"

Kitchen knifes flew through the air and stabbed into Garnet. Luckily for her they didn't go to deep so she was able to keep her form. She didn't get the time to remove them since a frying pan smashed into her face, leaving a noticeable dent.

Peridot:"For all we know Steven could have been kidnapped but instead of worrying you three are more concerned with yourself's! DO you even care about Steven!"

Pearl raised her spear into the air and was about to throw it at Peridot but was stopped by the kitchen sink crashing into her.

Peridot:"Ever since he became corrupted you've all been mean and hurtful! It's like you don't care about him at all!"

She couldn't hold it any longer and broke down crying. Tears streamed down her face as she crumbled to the floor and let her emotions run free. The various metal objects that were floating in the air dropped to the ground as Peridot let go of her control. As she cried Lapis, who had came to, brought her into a hug as she cried on her shoulder. Lapis sent a glare at the three gems as she picked up Peridot and cradled her in her arms and with so much venom in her voice she says.

Lapis:"And you call yourselves the good-guys"

With that she walked over to the warp pad and warped away, leaving behind the gems and a destroyed house.

...

When the warp pads beam died down Lapis stepped off with Peridot still in her arms. She made her way to the barn and once inside she sat down on a hay pile. Before long she was shedding tears along with Peridot as the weight of what really happened hit her. The two cried for what felt like hours and even if they ran out of tears it wouldn't stop the feeling of utter sorrow in their hearts.

Lapis:"*Chokes* W-What are we going to do?"

It took a minute for Peridot to somewhat calm down and respond.

Peridot:"W-Were going to g-go find h-him"

Lapis:"*Snuffle* How?"

She didn't answer, instead she got up and walked over to a corner of the barn. In said corner were the broken parts of the drill used to reach the cluster. Peridot started taking it apart and using the pieces to construct something. After some time she finished what she was making and presented it to Lapis.

Lapis:"What is it?"

Peridot:"This is a tracking device that should lead us to Stevens location"

Lapis:"And how is it gonna do that?"

Peridot:"Simple really. I just need a sample of his gems energy and I should be able to track him. Problem is that I don't know where to find a sample"

Lapis:"Can't we just head back to the city and see if there's any residue of his gems energy there?"

Peridot:"No, any residue of Stevens gem energy would have long since dissipated by now. What we need is a fresh source or something that still has trace amounts of his energy"

Just then a memorie popped up in Lapis's head and she couldn't help but grin.

Lapis:"I might have an idea of where we can get your sample"

...

Once the warp stream died down Lapis and Peridot were expecting to end up in Stevens personal sanctuary that's filled with life, only to be horrified by what they saw.

The once lushes forest that made up the valley looked more like a graveyard. The trees were withered and all their leafs have long since fallen off. Healthy green grass that once covered the ground was no longer healthy but instead looked as dead as the trees. Even the crystals that use to glow a bright blue were nothing more then gray husks of their former beauty.

The sight of this made Lapis and Peridot worried.

Lapis:"Why is the forest like this?

Peridot:"I don't know"

The two made their way through the dead forest in search of their sample. During their search Peridot began questioning Lapis as to why they came here.

Peridot:"You still haven't told me why we came here?"

Lapis:"The reason why were here is because I believe we can get your sample from the tree man that Steven created. They were made by Stevens powers so they should have the sample you need on them"

Peridot:"*Surprised* That actually makes sense. Steven made them with his gems power so they should have the sample I need. *Mutters* Why didn't I think of coming here"

The two continued to search the withered forest for the tree man. It took them hours but eventual did find them in a clearing but where horrified by what they saw.

Scattered across the open field were the tree man in a state similar to the forest. Each of them were withered and broken. Some were missing limbs and sporting a lot of cracks on their bark while others looked far worse. Sadly almost all of them had already perished if the lack of any pink glow from their sockets was any indication. One still seems to be alive but looks ready to parish at any moment.

The sight of this brought Peridot to tears once more while Lapis tried her best not cry, though a few tears still went down her cheeks. Slowly the two walked over to the sole survivor, which happened to be Timber, and placed their hands on his chest. They felt him shift slightly and let out a weak rumble in greeting.

Lapis:"Hey Timber, its been awhile"

Timber tries to raise a hand to pat her but said hand groans and starts to crack.

Lapis:"Stop! You'll hurt yourself if you move it anymore!"

Timber reluctantly lowers his hand with a wine.

Lapis:"Peridot get your sample"

Peridot nods and begins scanning Timber while Lapis comforts him. After a minute the scan was complete and they had a location of Stevens whereabouts. This cause Peridot to jump with joy as a result.

Peridot:"I got it! I-"

Her celebration was short-lived as she saw the look on Lapis's face. Realization hit and shakily she asked.

Peridot:"H-How long?"

Lapis let out a choked sob as she spoke.

Lapis:"H-He may h-have only a f-few moments l-left"

Once finished she openly cried and Peridot wanted to join her but had something to say first.

Peridot:"Then lets stay with him till the end"

And so the two stayed by Timbers side and watched. They stayed by his side, comforting him as his life slowly slipped away. Lapis and Peridot were having a hard time holding back their sorrow as they watched a friend slowly pass away. Even so they forced a smile on their faces and comforted Timber. Then with one final groan the light in Timbers sockets went out and his body went limp.

The two couldn't hold back anymore and let the tears flow down their faces as they openly sobbed. The two held each other as they let their sorrow out without restraint. In their grieve they did not notice the figures approaching. It was only when the sound a twig snapping did they whip their heads around and spot the intruders. Seeing them replaces Lapis's sorrow with anger as she looked upon the figures.

Lapis:"*Snarls* What are you three doing here!"

Standing not too far away were the Crystal Gems. Said gems had their weapons out though Amethyst looked just as reluctant as before.

Garnet:"So this is where you two went"

Lapis took a defensive stance in front of Peridot and brought out a pair of water fists just in case.

Lapis:"*Growl* You shouldn't be here!"

Pearl:"We don't care, all that matters is that you come quietly before we have to get... physical"

Pearl marched towards Lapis with Garnet and Amethyst in tow. As they got closer Lapis's temper grew and, unnoticed by all, gold splotches started to appear along her right arm.

Garnet:"Now explain where Steven is before we -"

She didn't get to finish as the water fist is sent at her, colliding with her chest. The blow sent her flying threw the air along with some trees. Pearl and Amethyst were momentarily stunned by this sudden action giving Lapis enough time to send another fist at Pearl. Pearl was barely able to dodge the attack but was not prepared for it to do a complete 360 degrees and hit her from behind. Amethyst tried to spindash towards Lapis but was stopped by a water hammer flattening her.

Lapis:"You will suffer for your treatment of Steven!"

She then conjured up a water sword and launched herself towards her opponents. As she got closer the gold splotches that covered her right arm had spread to cover half her face and her teeth sharpened. Pearl had just got back to her feet only to be pinned to the ground by a water sword through the chest. She gasped and gripped the sword before gazing upon its owner with her eyes widening in terror. The face of a somewhat corrupted Lapis with sickening grin was all she saw before poofing.

Lapis couldn't help but giggle a little after poofing the gem she despised with a passion. Then upon hearing a whimper she slowly turned her head towards the source. Sitting on the ground was none other then Amethyst with fear in her eyes. Her sickening grin widened and slowly she stalked towards her, dragging her blade along the way. She soon stood over the whimpering quartz and began raising her sword into the air, ready to finish her. Just as she was about to bring down the blade Garnet burst out the tree line and charged her. Without even a word Lapis conjured up a water wall that Garnet slammed into. Garnet then began beating against the wall but couldn't break it.

Garnet:"Lapis!"

Lapis just giggled at her rage and it soon turned into full blown hysteria. As she laughed Amethyst tried to crawl away but was stopped by a water chain restraining her and dragging back. Amethyst soon found herself at Lapis's feet and couldn't help but feel dread as Lapis gazed upon her with a twisted grin. Lapis then turned her gaze back to the enraged fusion before speaking in a warped voice.

Lapis:"NoW yOu WiLl WaTcH aS I sHaTtEr YoUr FrIeNd!"

She raised her sword back into the air and laughed as she brought it down.

?:"Lapis stop!"

The blade stopped near inches from Amethyst gem. Slowly Lapis turned her head to the source of the voice. There standing next to the corpse of Timber was Peridot with tears still streaming down her face.

Peridot:" Please Lapis don't become something your not"

As her words reached Lapis said gem gained back her sanity and looked at herself. She gazed upon the corruption that's spread across her and took a shuttering breath.

Lapis:"WhAt HaVe I bEcOmE?"

So focused on herself she let the control of her powers go and the water constructs came undone. Using this to her advantage Garnet rushed towards Lapis with her fist pulled back. Sadly she wasn't exactly quiet about it and spooked Lapis. Lapis quickly conjured up water wings and flew into the sky.

Garnet:"Get back down here now!"

Lapis did not obey and simply flew to Peridot. She quickly snatched her up before rocketing away from the valley, leaving behind an enraged fusion and a terrified quartz.

Once they were a good distance away Lapis spoke.

Lapis:"So WhErE iS tHaT sCaNnEr PoInTiNg?"

Peridot checked it before replying.

Peridot:"Just keep heading north and we should reach him eventually"

Lapis nodded looking north with determination.

Lapis:"HoLd On StEvEn, WeRe CoMiNg"