Connie woke up with the same sun glowing faintly in her eyes as usual. It wasn't the actual sun, the one that New Homeworld revolved around, but it was an actual sun somewhere out there. She was facing the wall in Steven's bedroom that featured Rose's planets. One of her solar systems was parallel with the pillows where Connie's head always ended up. The first thing she saw in the morning was Alpha Centauri, which was interesting to her because she'd never seen any of its planets herself.
Despite being under the gaze of a fake sun, she was warm. Steven's blankets kept in a little too much heat and his body was heavy and hot draped over her. She could push him off and get out of bed. She should do that. However, she wasn't to; Steven liked to sleep, and slept well when they were together, so she let him. In the meantime, while she waited for Steven to wake up, she went over her training again.
Staring at the star map, Connie went through the steps of the newest dance she'd been taught while listing all the colonies in Steven's systems. The New Homeworld colonies: One-two, left foot, Mars, which produces all curly haired gems because of all the iron in the soil, good for Pyrites, Goethites, and Hematites. Two-three, right foot, Mercury, good for Garnets, Pyropes, and Spinels because of all the Magnesium. Three-four spin-kneel, Venus, high in basalt, kindergartens there couldn't produce quartzes, but could create the rarer and charming Pyroxene and Magnetite. Four-five–
"Connie?" Steven said sleepily, jolting Connie out of her thoughts. "Connie, are you studying again?"
"Oh, um. Yea. Did I wake you?"
"Not really. I mean, I think I walked out of my head and into yours. I saw you dancing or maybe training and reciting my colonies." Steven paused for a moment. His arm tightened around her for a minute. "I have so much to do. Will you help me?"
Connie turned around in his grip, so she wasn't looking over her shoulder at him. Once she was settled, she looked at Steven. His eyes were pink and his pupil's were diamond-shaped, but his hair was still black. It was as if he was balancing out being human and being a diamond. It made sense; he was growing stronger. Ever sense they had had fused, Connie felt Steven growing stronger. She was growing with him. She'd learned a trick soldiers used. She had a simple cloth harness on that her leotard could weave its way through. Her gem was set into a ring in the harness, so it touched her skin. It made her feel things so much more deeply. And the trick was, her leotard would hold her gem to her for short amounts of time if she took her harness off. She didn't have to be without it if she was without clothes. She now slept with it as straps going over and under her chest and over her back, to keep her gem in place.
After regarding Steven, Connie smiled. "Of course, My Diamond. It's my purpose. But more importantly, it's what I want to do. That's the beauty of being an organic gem. I wasn't born knowing what was going to do. Even if Pink Diamond knew, I could still choose. Even if was made for something what makes me organic is the power to change and grow, even if it's just from minute to minute then to decide what to do all on my own. And I chose to be with you. I chose to do this for you."
Steven stared for a moment before letting Connie go and jumping out of bed. He rushed naked across the room and grabbed his guitar, then rushed back. "Say that again! It was really powerful and timeless but also relatable."
A laugh bubbled out of Connie's mouth and she shook her head. "Later," she said, scooting over to the edge of the bed. "I'm going to check on Bismuth."
The name sent a chill through the air. Steven frowned and put his head down. "I should go with you."
"No offense, My Diamond, but I do not agree. She gets agitated when she sees you. At least when I go alone, all she does is sulk."
"If she hurts you–"
Connie stood and pulled her leotard to cover her torso, upper arms, and upper legs. She then drew her sword and pointed it at Steven. "If she tries to hurt me, I'll dissipate her form again."
Smiling, Steven nodded. "Go get her, Connie."
#
Bismuth's gem ended up Connie's room when she bubbled it, which was lucky for them, as Steven still hadn't told the Stars about releasing her from Wolf's fur. However, the morning after they'd chosen each other, they'd gone to the Pink Stars Base and collected Bismuth. Now she was in Steven's Moon Base, deep in the center of the Moon, in cells made for captured gems. With all the revelry in the last two months, Steven had assumed that no one was going to go poking around the never used holding cells in his Moon Base. And he was right.
Connie was free to move about the town, the Tower and the Moon Base now with no one stopping her or asking her where she was going. Rayne and Lacey were absolutely beside themselves with joy. They could talk of nothing but Steven's coronation and left Connie to do Steven's bidding alone. Garnet was running between Steven and the Diamonds and only stopped to give Connie a thumbs up as she passed. Even Axelle and Ellie, who had paid the most attention to her at first, had drifted off now. Axelle was coordinating the quartzes for a procession and then a dance number in Steven's honor, and Ellie, overseer of entertainment was everywhere at once, stretching herself to the limits to make sure every guest would have a good time.
"Perfect, perfect, perfect," Connie would hear Ellie say as she scribbled out plans. "Everything has to be perfect!"
Connie felt bad for them, but had her own worries, and was thankful no one was watching over her. She went from Steven's room to her own, a smaller place attached to his, and got dressed. Though she was pretty much acting as Pink's Pearl she wore her old clothes for the moment, just with new with form fitting shirts, cut out to show her gem. She had her new shirts made at the same time as Steven's, all a darker pink with cut-outs to show his gem. Her hair was getting longer too; she kept it out of the way by tying it up like Axelle. Soon she'd have to cut it or style it. A pearl's hair was supposed to be neat.
After she was dressed in dark red pants and tank top, and black boots Connie marched out of her room and down the hallway to the warp pad. On the way she passed the spare bedroom she first used while the Tower. Being close to it used to bring a smile to her face, but the sentimentally had worn off as a stress of her job set in. She didn't cherish the memory any less, it was that she didn't have the time to slow down and smile every time she passed it.
She also found Lacey, who was clearing out her clothes from her bedroom. Her outfits from her time as Rose Diamond's Pearl were finally being swapped for new ones now that Steven was rising to power. Connie had heard White Diamond asking about re-customizing both Lacey and Rayne now that Connie was going to be Steven's pearl, but Steven hadn't wanted to risk them being reset by accident. The relief Connie took in that was bigger than she thought it would be and that scared her a little. Now Lacey was the newest trainee of the Pink Stars and would start her training after things settled down. Steven didn't want her being idle any longer.
"Oh Connie!" Lacey said when she noticed Connie coming down the hall.
"Um, yea?" Connie slowed to a stop and smiled.
"Is your wardrobe done?" Lacey said. She was smiling, but her face still looked worried.
"I'm not sure, sorry."
"No! You're busy. It's my responsibility. I'll have to find Rayne! Is your new harness system holding up?"
"Yes," Connie answered. It was getting hard for her to keep being polite. She only had so much free time today and needed to see Bismuth and get back before she was needed.
"Even during sex?" Lacey asked.
Lurching as if she was going to throw up, Connie turned red. "Y-yes."
"Good!" Lacey sighed. She finally looked a little relieved. "Well, I won't keep you. We're all so busy. Today is the day, after all!"
"Right." Connie took a deep breath. "We're all going to do great."
Lacey was gone before Connie knew it, and she left to resume her walk to the warp pad.
No one else stopped her on her way, and no one else got in her way on the Moon Base either. First, she stopped in Steven's room. It was remodeled since she'd last been in it. It'd been Rose's room then. In the corner of the lower apartment were some recorded messages, some for the public, some privately recorded for Steven alone. Connie collected the next set, put them in her gem, and left. She slipped into the elevator to take her down to the cells with no trouble.
They had put Bismuth in the back of the cells just in case anyone came in after Connie out of curiosity. No one had cared about her coming and going in several weeks, seeing them as above observation, but Steven wanted to take precautions, anyway.
Connie walked to the back of the room, to find Bismuth sitting on the floor of her cell, staring at her bunk.
"Good morning, Bismuth," Connie said. "I brought you some more messages to watch." Connie began ejecting the previous set of messages from the communicator. "How have you been? Is there anything you need down here?"
Bismuth laughed. "Anything I need?" she asked. "Are you cracked? I need my forge. I need my freedom."
"You can have both," Connie said cautiously, "if you come around. Have you given any thought to what the messages have been telling you?"
"Pff, the messages?" Bismuth took on a whining voice. "Our Dear Leader, Pink Diamond, put down the terrible Rebellion and defeated its leader, the Rebel Rose Quartz, then established a new Era!" She snorted. "Whatever."
Continuing to replace the messages, and refusing to look at Bismuth, Connie said, "Why did you rebel?" She knew she was treading into dangerous territory, but she'd spent a month easing into this question. "Why do you hate Pink Diamond?"
"I came to hate the Diamonds," Bismuth said, "because I wanted to be free. I was sent to Earth to build for them, but Rose Quartz asked me to build for myself. So, I did. Or, I thought I did. I outfitted her army. I swore loyalty to her. She was everything to me." She sighed and stopped talking.
Connie finished swapping out the messages. "She doesn't sound like a very good leader. Asking you to for yourself, but then getting you to build for her. Did even try to get you back when you were bubbled?"
"Listen, Pearl." Bismuth said. "I've been meaning to tell you something. Something about our fight."
Hardening, Connie looked at Bismuth. "What?" she spat.
Bismuth's head was down, her heavy hair shielding her face. "I wasn't trying to hurt you back there. I gave up my Breaking Point for you. I got bubbled for building that."
"Then what were you doing?" Connie asked suspiciously.
"I was trying to get you away from him. You can't trust him! He's a Diamond! There are things he keeps from you! There are things you don't know."
Crossing her arms, Connie frowned viciously. "And there was nothing you didn't you know about Rose Quartz?"
Bismuth laughed and looked up. "There was nothing I knew about Rose Quartz…"
They stared at each other for a moment before Connie turned away. "This is pointless." She began to walk away. She made it two cells over before she heard a crackle and sizzle, and turned.
Bismuth had gotten up and thrown herself against door of her cell. The door had been designed by her and upgraded by Rose Diamond. It could hold any gem, natural or organic. It disrupted light systems and chemical bonds. There was no way anyone attached to a gem was getting out of there. They'd die trying.
"Be careful," Connie said coldly. "You'll shatter yourself."
Bismuth had back up and seemed unharmed. "Pearl," she muttered, "be careful. Rose Quartz is not gone."
Controlling emotions and reactions was something pearls were good at. They had to be to perform their functions. As so, Connie didn't react to Bismuth's accusation. "You're wrong. Or lying." Connie said. Then began walking again. She reached the door without another word from Bismuth, headed through it, and locked the door the behind her. Then she took a deep breath and started running.
#
"Steven!" Connie burst into his room, hoping to catch him alone and tell him what Bismuth said. But instead of Steven, she found Garnet waiting for her.
"There you are," Garnet said, getting up from the floor. "It's time to leave."
"Now? I… uh, have to talk to Steven."
"About what?" Garnet asked. "Did something go wrong. I didn't see–"
"Nothing went wrong!" Connie blurted out. "I just…"
"You're nervous about today," Garnet said. "Don't be. Everything is going to be fine." She placed a reassuring hand on Connie's shoulder.
Connie relaxed and almost told Garnet about Bismuth and her threat, but Steven often complained about Garnet's "high and mighty advice" and her "link to Lily." It was out of the question to tell Garnet anything. Instead, Connie smiled.
"Right," she said. "Ready."
Garnet turned her around and put an arm over her shoulders. "Let's go. The Legs have left already. I stayed behind to get you."
They walked out together into the bustling halls. Now that Steven was taking his rightful place, the Tower and Moon Base needed full staff. No one bothered them, as the staff all knew who Steven was.
"I wish I could have seen the ship," Connie muttered.
"You'll see it on the way back," Garnet assured her.
However, with the others having taken the ship, Garnet and Connie were left to take the warp pad to Homeworld. They took the steps and stood on the platform, then Garnet activated the warp pad. The trip was short as usual and when the light faded Connie found herself surrounded by other pearls.
"Aubergine Pearl!" they shouted and approached her.
Instinct kicked in and Connie's sword found its way to her hand as she gave a swipe to keep the others back, before being caught by Garnet who laughed.
"It gets easier," Garnet laughed.
The other Pearls gasped, then fawned.
"A Star!" they began whispering. "A Pink Star pearl! Amazing!"
"There'll be three soon. An Aubergine Pearl, a Pink Pearl, and a Rainbow Pearl."
"Pearls are good fighters when they're trained properly," Garnet said, nodding at Connie.
Connie blushed and put away her sword, then followed Garnet off the warp pad. They walked through the sea of pearls who were guarded by a ring of citrines. The pearls reminded her of being back at home, back at school. That was only a year ago, but Connie felt it had been in another life. How long ago had she'd been trying to be one of these pearls. They were beautiful, in pale, sheer, delicate clothes, with slim limbs and perfect gauzy expressions. She was a mess with her hair in a short, messy ponytail, wearing a simple outfit of solid colored pants and a tank top and black boots.
A pearl came up to her as she walked. He was about Connie's height with light, fluffy blonde curls and honey brown eyes. His skin was lighter than hers, lighter than Steven's, too but he was a pink pearl with a gem at the bottom of his throat and flowing pink robes. He looked like the Pearl in Connie's class she had been with after her first Choosening, only that pearl had his gem in his lower back.
Pink Pearl smiled at Connie curiously. "Aubergine Pearl? Where's your harness?" He touched his own harness, an ornate neckpiece that hung his gem in the right place.
"It's under my clothes," Connie said, shifting slightly as the other pearls gathered around her, gazing at her with curious eyes. She smiled at them. Their perfection unnerved her, made her aware of flaws, strength, shortcomings, and special status. "Garnet, why are we here?"
"I'm dropping you off," Garnet said. "You're getting customized for your big day." She put a hand on Connie's shoulder. "Go on. Don't keep Pink Diamond waiting."
Garnet walked off, leaving Connie alone with the pearls, who gathered her up and brought her over to a bath. They fawned and fussed over her, marveling over her muscles and the setup of her harness.
"You're practically a natural gem," one organic pearl said.
"Yes," a natural pearl said. "You look like … some sort of hybrid between natural and organic. It's fascinating."
Connie blushed and dipped her head. "I'm no hybrid," she said simply.
After the bath, and drying off in some hot air, Connie was directed towards a customization platform. She stepped up onto the platform, surrounded by the roomful of pearls, and waited. After a moment the platform lit up and items of clothing began scrolling by over Connie's head.
The first thing she noticed was the colors, they were hers. They were nearly hers, anyway. They were a dark pink, similar to Steven's favorite cloak, more red with a pink undertone, than pink with a red undertone. The trim for everything were her brutish Aubergine colors, blacks, dark grays, and browns. There were a lot of metallic ornaments. Connie held her expression very still and closed her eyes. Steven would not make her something she wasn't. The sensation of different clothes flitting across her skin calmed her. Every once in a while there was a soft ping… ping… ping… as Steven chose a piece for her. Each time something was chosen, there was a gasp from the group of pearls.
Then the pings were followed by a fluttering sensation on her skin. The clothes weren't just chosen but placed on her on the customization platform. Soon, even with her eyes closed, she saw the light fade, and opened her eyes to take a at look at herself.
She was wearing a dark pink short-sleeve tunic, with a brown pink belt and copper buckle on the side. The tunic was open in two places, the chest to show her gem, and below her belt to allow her movement. The pants were a lighter pink, and she had an aubergine - dark red, nearly black, and metallic - cape that fell to her knees that had that same copper clasp as her belt. Her hands and lower arms were wrapped in marital arts tape of a sparkling true pink.
As she looked at herself, she felt her hair move around her head. It was short again. She lifted her hands and felt her fluffy hair, pressed and curled and cut and styled perfectly. For once she felt like a proper pearl.
"Don't you look perfect?" the same Pink Pearl from before said.
Connie put her hands on her hips and smiled. "Yes," she said.
#
Tucked in her shell, Connie could see out as she waited on one knee for the time when the other other Diamond would present her to Steven. Gems were milling around in their general courts, waiting for something to happen. Music was playing, and some gems were dancing in neat lines, mostly keeping to their own type, but a few brave souls all with pink diamonds on their clothes were dancing with partners of a different type, without touching of course. Connie shook her head at their cowardice, but understood why. The other Diamonds were already in attendance and had already had their courts greet them. They overlooked the party with smiles, benevolent and untouchable matriarchs.
Since she had time and would likely never have the chance again, Connie took the time to watch the Diamonds. White reminded her of Garnet, aloof and above it all. Yellow was similar to Pearl, though she'd probably shatter Connie to hear it. Yellow and Pearl were both control freaks, tidy and orderly, combat minded and strict like a mother. That left Blue who was like Amethyst: somewhat like a big sister, emotional, a little needy. Connie had observed them during their calls with Steven. She decided she liked them; they were clearly flawed, but that was why she liked them. It put her at ease. If the Diamonds were flawed, then it explained why she was flawed, why they were all flawed. Maybe even Rose Diamond had been flawed. She'd given her name to a gem type that betrayed her.
Speaking of which of which, she had to talk to–
"Steven!" White sang.
Music rose. Light shone down on the Diamonds as the roof of the Throne Room opened and they stood from their thrones.
"Everyone believes in…" White went on.
"Everyone believes in Steven." White's court now rose in song and joined her.
"All across the universe," White rang out alone in a surprisingly passionate voice.
"Ever compassionate," Yellow sang reverently, shocking Connie and crowd.
"Can you imagine it?" Blue asked her court in song form. Her voice was high a sweet.
"Even with us at our worst," White sang clutching her hand to where her heart would have been if she'd been organic.
"Hybrid son of a Diamond," Blue sang, and the lighting turned pink.
"Human son of our Rose!" Yellow bellowed, summoning a huge copy portrait of Pink Diamond that was hanging in Greg's apartment.
"What a revelation," The Diamonds sang together under the graceful smile of Pink Rose Diamond. "He's a revolution, a gem that loves and grows. Steven!"
"Have you heard the tale of?" White asked
"Have you heard the tale of…" Blue and Yellow repeated.
"Steven!" They sang together. "Always putting Empire first. Can you imagine it? Ever compassionate! Steven Universe!"
The crowd wept openly, saluting. The Diamonds smiled, basked in the glow of the crowd for a moment, then returned to their thrones. When the weeping died down, White smiled and picked up a rose gold embellish book that was now sitting next to her throne.
"Now, loyal subjects, the tale of Pink Lotus Steven Universe-Diamond." White Diamond cleared her throat. "Once upon a time, the Gem Homeworld was ruled by Diamonds: White Lily, Yellow Daisey, Blue Iris, and the littlest Diamond, Pink Rose. While the other Diamonds conquered many worlds across the galaxy, Pink Rose had only one - the planet Earth.
"One day, Pink Rose fled the many restrictions of Homeworld. On Earth, she made a new home, with new rules. She made new friends, with whom she made new connections."
The book showed Pink Diamond in mural form, rushing from Homeworld to New Homeworld with her pearl. It also showed them coming upon Ruby and Sapphire, and those two fusing into Garnet. To Connie's shock it showed, briefly, Pink Diamond and Rayne fusing into what had to be Rainbow Quartz. Connie noticed the book did not show the war.
"And finally," White went on, "many years later, with new love came new life."
The unmistakable form of Greg and his heart shaped gem, along with guitar riffs from Comet burst to life with sparks all around it, merging with the form of Pink Diamond until it overwhelmed it and something new took Pink's place. Something so tiny and weak, Greg could hold it in his arms.
"Pink Rose gave up her form," White said loudly, "to bequeath her gem to her half-organic son. Without Pink Rose, Gemkind entered an era of despair. But, when Pink Lotus Steven came of age, he told his fellow Diamonds he was finally ready to take his rightful place on Pink Diamond's throne!"
Lights shone on the door to the Throne Room and Rayne and Lacey stood proudly before the curtains.
They both produced small bugles and blew fanfare into them, which was picked up by the musicians in the Throne Room. At the end they lowered the instruments and said together, "Attention, attention: Pink Lotus Diamond has arrived!"
The curtain was opened by aquamarines and Steven appeared. He was smiling, and not obviously differently than usual.
"How's it going, everybody?" he said casually.
Connie smiled widely.
Steven was dressed in a black shirt that Connie had seen in Greg's apartment, but it was fitted to him and cut to show his gem. He had on jeans as usual, but someone had managed to put him in sensible black boots. What was dressed up about him was his new cloak. It was properly pink, and left open. It sparkled similar to White's cape and had nice fitted sleeves, and fitted hood, which he pushed down as he began to walk into the throne room. With his hood down, his hair was noticeable as well. It had been washed and pulled up into set fancy braided curls.
Lacey and Rayne looked so good next to him. Lacey was in a mid-length dress, and heavy boots with a sash around her waist with a large rose gold buckle holding it. Rayne's outfit was mostly the same but the colors were brighter and clearer. They walked down the main isle together, Steven in the lead, until they reached the thrones. Lacey and Rayne walked off to the side, not standing by Steven as his pearls but standing off in his court, away from him. Once they were gone, Steven addressed the crowd.
"I know you all might be confused about who I am, so let me explain. I am Pink Diamond. Pink Diamond, Facet UN-VRS, Cut ST-VN, and my name is Lotus. Pink Rose was my mother. She gave up her form to give her gem to me. I… never got to know her, but I miss her very much. And I'm going to rule in her place and in her name. So, you to my loyal subjects, I welcome you to my rule." Steven smiled warmly.
A warm pink glow tumbled off him up towards the Diamonds, out over the crowd. Connie felt from inside her shell. It was a calming balm, soothing and blissful. It called on her relax, to agree, to obey. Everything was okay; Pink Lotus was there, Pink Lotus in charge, Pink Lotus would keep things right.
White stood and smiled. "And now, a gift, to Pink Lotus Steven Diamond from his fellow Diamonds. A brand-new organic pearl from one of his colonies, raised to serve him." She clapped her hands and Connie felt her shell began to move.
The shell moved forward through the crowd of awed guests until it was right in front Steven. Connie felt rather than heard the shell snap open, and suddenly she was surrounded by light. She felt weightless and rose effortlessly into a standing position. Steven was the only things in her vision. He was grinning at her widely, already beginning to reach for her. Connie smiled and began to sing.
"How do you do, My Pink Lotus Diamond?" Connie took Steven's hand and stepped down from the shell. "Thank you for bring me into the world." She kneeled on one knee, feeling a fresh rush of pink bliss. "I am your eternal service. Welcome to your new Pearl."
Steven made a sound of delight, bent over and picked her clear up off the floor.
"I love her! She's great."
"Lotus!" Yellow scolded. "Put her down!"
"Oh, Daisey," Blue said. "Stop. She is precious. Does she know your Stars already?"
Steven smirked. "Well, let's see." He put her down and clapped his hands delicately. "Pearl. Please introduce my Pink Stars to me."
"Yes, My Diamond!"
Connie said cheerfully. She spun over to the where Rayne and Lacey had gone earlier. When she got there, she made sure to face the crowd as well as Steven and the other Diamonds. Rayne and Lacey were standing together, looking like a remarkable tag-team. Connie made a note to ask to train with them.
"A pair of pearls! They're older models. They served your mother and they'll serve you well."
Next came Axelle, behind her crowd of other amethyst's all giddy to be near the one and only Axelle.
"A deep cut Amethyst. She's very special! Hand-picked by Pink Rose Diamond."
Axelle smirked and waved Connie away. Connie winked then stopped at Garnet.
"Isn't this grand?" Connie sang. "Aren't you the lucky one? A perma-fusion, she's both wise and strong. She'll be your greatest aide and servant, both sapphire and ruby; she's Garnet!"
It occurred to Connie how different Garnet looked from the first time she'd seen her. Before she'd looked more like a ruby with a sapphire mixed in, now she looked more a sapphire with a ruby mixed in. Either way she was beautiful and awe-inspiring.
But Connie had no time to focus on Garnet. She turned back to the Diamonds and found them smiling and nodded.
"She's so darling," Blue said.
"Very acceptable," Yellow followed.
"Now," White said. "Our loyal subjects. Let Ear 4 begin!"
#
The party went on as before, but with an increased air of excitement. Gems lined up by rank by to give their regards to Steven, who welcomed them warmly into the Era of his rule. He even got off his throne to shake the hands of gem who said something that particularly moved him. The greetings lasted well into the evening, upon which Steven had the music turned up and began dancing with the higher-ranking gems.
The Diamonds looked shocked when Steven said he was going to dance, but smiled and said nothing about it except, "Will you sing as well?"
"Nah," Steven said. "Maybe another time."
Greg took the head of the band and Steven danced with the Emeralds, Morganites, and Garnets. As Connie watched, she realized she recognized one of emeralds dancing with Steven. She was organic, tall, with pure blonde hair and circlet harness holding her gem over her forehead. After the dance, the emerald whispered in Steven's ear, Steven nodded, and they began walking over towards the crowd where Pink Stars were standing.
"Pearl-Connie?" Steven said.
"My Diamond?" Connie replied, glancing at Emerald.
"This is Emerald-Forest. You guys know each other?"
"We do my, My Diamond," Connie curtsied to Forest with a smile. "It's nice to see you again, Emerald."
"Yes. It's nice to see you, as well," Emerald said. "I knew you were something special, Pearl."
Steven's eyes lit up and he grabbed Connie's hand. "Speaking of special, watch what we can do."
Before Connie reacted, Steven pulled her out towards the dance floor.
"What are we doing?" Connie whispered as all eyes turned to them, including the Diamonds'.
"Ushering in Era 4 properly," Steven said. "But we're going to do it with a tiny, little lie."
He leaned in and whispered in Connie's ear. She listened intently, wondering if this would get them into trouble. Steven's ideas could be half incubated sometimes. But as he got done, she looked at him and nodded with a smile.
Steven grinned and turned to the band. "Dad, Dad! What can I do for you?"
Greg turned. For a moment he looked confused, but then he smiled and started playing. Soon the rest of the band followed and the music to one of Pink Rose and Greg's best-known duet's wafted through the air.
Connie glanced at Steven who drew his scythe to the amazement of the crowd. She then drew her sword and relaxed into the music. The words weren't playing, but she knew them anyway. She'd learned so much about Pink Rose from the Stars, Steven, and Greg. This song was part of her legacy.
What can I do for you?
Connie twirled with her sword, slicing the air in an arch.
What can I do that no one else can do?
She moved towards Steven with even steps. They'd never danced to this song before, but they'd danced together enough times to know each other's movements. Connie was still afraid of Steven's scythe, but she leaned into the fear, allowed herself to feel it like the day she'd bubbled Bismuth, let it move her.
What can I do for you? What can I do for you?
They were chest to chest; Steven's scythe was extended from his arm, the blade wrapped around Connie's body; Connie's sword was shot out from her hand, straight behind Steven's neck, blade parallel to his hairline. They drew together, almost unconsciously, each bring their weapons towards themselves, boxing themselves in with lethal threat. There was a rise of a gasp around them. Steven leaned down; his eyes half lidded. There was no surge of pink bliss but despite the time and place Connie pulled closer. She felt the edge of the scythe on her lower back. Her own blade was close enough to the back of Steven's neck to slice him open. Their gems were pressed body to body.
I like way you organics play. I like playing along.
The fusion happened practically all at once. One second Connie was there, the next she was gone.
Stevonnie stood hugging themself. They wore a pair of brown boots, jean shorts, a dark aubergine shirt with a brush steel belt, and a short pink cape. Their shirt was cut to show their gems. Their hands were wrapped in shiny pink marital arts tape and each held a large curved sickle.
Whoa-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh.
Stevonnie's eyes snapped opened and they swung their sickles two figure eights as they spun forward.
What can I do for you?
They jumped, rolled and sliced at the crowd. The crowd gasped, moved back, but inched forward again in fascination. Stevonnie ran in another direction with a sudden burst of speed, stopped and sliced at another section of a crowd, nearly cleaving a jade into sections.
What can I do that no one else can do?
Spinning away Stevonnie took a deep breath and stopped in the middle of the room. They threw their sickles up in the air and reached into their gems. From their diamond they summoned all their power. Stevonnie's diamond turned in their body and rush of power engulfed them. From their pearl they summoned their crossbow, appeared, glowed briefly, and became a harpoon in a hand-held spear-gun before falling neatly into Stevonnie's hand. They raised their hand, aimed, shot and took out one of the lights above the other Diamonds.
What can I do for you?
Dissipating their harpoon-gun, Stevonnie turned on the spot and caught their sickles, before sighing and relaxing right out of existence.
What can I do for you?
Connie returned to existence being held by Steven, standing in the same pose as Stevonnie had appeared in. Their weapons were still visible and they each were holding them both, their hands on top of one another, fingers laced. Stepping away from Steven, Connie dissipated her sword and Steven did the same while taking her hand.
"What," White said with a curious smile, "was that?"
Steven chuckled. He still had pink hair and diamond eyes. "Mom had Rainbow Quartz; allow me to introduce you to Raspberry Quartz. They had the honor dispatching the very last Crystal Gem!"
A gasp went up around the room and Steven waved his hand sending out a pink wave of bliss to calm the lower gems.
"Lotus!" Yellow shouted standing up. "What is the meaning of this?! Every Crystal Gem was destroyed long ago!"
"Not every one of them!" Steven said. "Two months ago, I faced the Recreant Bismuth, whose gem had been hidden by Mom as my final trial before taking her throne! Of course, I had my Pearl by my side, and like my Mom before me, I claimed the rebels most precious tactic for myself and used it against them. Fusion!"
He raised both his and Connie's hands in the air. A cheer went up from the crowd.
"We became Raspberry Quartz, and they cut the Recreant Bismuth down once and for all! Now the last of the Crystal Gems will be gone, but not by shattering her. I will heal the Recreant Bismuth of her ways and she return to us to forge weapons for the Diamond Authority! And with Bismuth's wepaons, Lily, Daisey, Iris and I will end the New Rebellion in the Jade System."
The crowd went wild, crying laughing, stomping. There was more chanting of "My Diamonds. My Diamonds. My Diamonds." Steven walked back to the throne holding Connie and his hands in the air. He turned them around in front of his throne but leaned to called up White.
"Not bad for my first day, huh?"
White was gleaming bright enough to replace the light Stevonnie had broken. Blue was weeping openly, smiling broadly. The rest of her court near her was weeping in joy. Yellow was leaning to one said smirking like she'd planned this all herself.
"You're already better than Rose was," Yellow said solemnly.
"Yes, Stardust. This was all quite impressive. Naturally, of course. Pink Diamond's job is to make things better, after all."
#
The ball lasted longer than Connie would like it to. She could see it lasted longer than Steven would have liked it to. Three days of standing was not comfortable even in her perfectly pre-broken-in boots and Steven whispered that he was going to get a blister from sitting in his throne. And of course, there was the periodic fusing so that Stevonnie could address the crowd and spend time with the Diamonds. On the morning of the fourth day, Steven summoned Rayne and Lacey to man the throne while he and Connie took a brief nap.
"Organics need to sleep," he muttered bashfully to White, Yellow, and Blue before nodding to Connie and walking away.
Connie followed, finding her body felt heavier with each step. She had just made it out of the ballroom, and found he was about to collapse when Steven turned and scooped her up in his arms. A rush of relief swept through Connie's body.
"I can't believe you're still standing," Steven whispered.
"I don't think I was going to be for much longer," Connie admitted. She felt them hover, then the walls the Palace dashed by. Connie tried to stay awake and count the order and direction of their turns but when they stopped she found she had no idea where they were. I'm so tired, she said but never felt her mouth move. Her vision had gone dark around the edges and it seemed as if she was looking out of oval shaped window. Oh no, she said. I didn't fall asleep. I'm unconscious!
Steven looked down at her, too far up though. He was looking at her face, not her gem. He smiled and must have shaken her, once, twice.
"Connie? Connie?"
Then he looked down at her gem.
"Oh no."
They rushed across the room. From what she could inside her gem, with its dark edges and round scope, the room was nice and very much like Steven's room's in the Tower and his own Moon Base. The angle of her sight changed, however as Steven put her down. Connie couldn't feel it, she couldn't feel anything. But she could see the ceiling from where her gem was, before it was replaced by Steven's face.
"Connie. Connie I'm so sorry. Please wake up." He leaned down, closer, closer. That's when a hard pounding on the door made Steven jump.
"What is it?!" he called.
"Excuse me, My Diamond. It's Commader Jasper-Jaana of New Homeworld's Beta Quartz Kindergarten."
Steven's eyes widened. "Commander Jasper-Jaana?"
Connie felt shock but had no way to express it. She knew who Jasper-Jaana was, too. The Kindergarten Quartz Who Could, who supposedly came out of ground with her weapon - a super strong battle helmet - already on. Her exit hole was supposed to be glass all the way to the back, and big enough to make diving pool molds out of. She was Pink Diamond's fiercest warrior during the rebellion while people thought Pink was dead and had lead armies against the Crystal Gems. Her name, Jaana, had been retired out of respect. There would other Pearl-Connie after Connie died. If Axelle got shattered, there would be another Amethyst-Axelle. But there would never be another Jasper-Jaana. Connie was dying to meet her.
Steven sat up but didn't leave her side. "Come in Jasper," he called.
After a moment, there she was, a huge, beautiful quartz soldier with gleaming white hair, a powerful orange body, a skin tight brown jumpsuit, and a marvelous wide shouldered cape. Connie was half in love with her immediately and asked herself why she developing this habit of falling for people so out of her league.
"Jasper!" Steven said. "Good to finally meet you!"
Jasper-Jaana saluted. "My Diamond," she said. "I've come to offer my services."
"You… have?" Steven asked. "Ok. Shoot."
"I have experience in breaking rebels. Give Bismuth to me and you'll have your weapons plans, My Diamond."
Connie could see Steven's mouth open, then close. "Um… I'm sure we DON'T want to break her. We want to bring her back into the fold. My pearl is already doing a good job of that and–"
Connie's vision suddenly got very, very bright, so bright she couldn't see. But she had no eyes to shut. The brightness got so bad it blinded her and it turned dark. She gasped and found herself opening her eyes, floating closer to the ceiling than she'd like, surrounded by light. The light subsided and Connie fell back onto the bed in a crouched position.
"Hmn," Connie heard. She turned her head to find Jasper-Jaana staring at her. "I didn't know organic gems could do that."
Connie smiled a nice pearl smile and delicately got off the bed. She stood next to Steven with clasped hands picked a spot on the far wall to stare at and pretend she wasn't listening.
"Ahem," Steven said. "Anyway, my pearl is doing a good job and bringing her around. But we'd love the input of Mom's favorite Jasper. And between you and me, Jaana, I'd love to have you back on Earth. Maybe even in the Pink Stars someday."
"It would be my honor, My Diamond," Jasper-Jaana said but bowed her head, hiding her face, which Connie didn't like. In fact, far from still being in love with her, since she'd started talking, there seemed to be something off about her.
"Anyway, you should head back and enjoy yourself," Steven said. He clapped. "That will be all."
Jasper-Jaana straightened up her salute, then marched off. Once she out the door, Steven shot up and threw himself at Connie.
"Oh, my Stars! Are you okay?" he asked.
Connie laughed as he looked her over. "I'm fine. I passed out for a minute, but I'm okay now. I think I can go back."
"Well I can't. I need a nap." He flopped down in the bed and pulled Connie down with her. "How long should we nap for?"
"Fifteen minutes, Steven. One fifteen minute break, then we go back. How much longer can this last?"
"I don't know," Steven admitted. "The only reason I know how long it's been is how many times Dad's gone and came back."
"You mean how many times you've liked the music and haven't?"
Steven and Connie laughed, but it was interrupted by another knock on the door.
Frowning and gaining pink glow around his cheeks, Steven sat up. "I'm going to bubble whoever this is if it's not important," he muttered.
"Don't you dare!" Connie whispered and got up to answer to door. She took a breath, then put on her sternest face before letting the door slide open. "Yes?" she said haughtily. "State your business at the Rooms of Pink Diamond."
The natural gem stood as tall as Connie, but shrunk back at Connie's mention of Steven.
"I… um. Ehem. I'm Peridot-Terentius Facet-2F5L Cut-5X."