"Excuse me, but we're not like other Gems. While organic life can be… be… irking at times; our leader Rose Quarzt genuinely believed they were worth preserving, ¡and we're going to honor that belief with our gems!"
Pearl.
Earth, Beta Kindergarten. Present Day.
"Well, that's a lot to take in," Katie confessed to her brother after hearing his and Shirogane's story. If it weren't for the fact that Keith was with the group, she would've found the tale hard to believe.
Connie patted Steven on the back, seeing the mixture of sadness and worriedness on his face as she comforted him. He was gravely concerned about his Beach Summer Fun Buddy.
"Garnet," Connie spoke up to the tall, stoic Gem; as she continued comforting her fellow Jam Bud, "Have you, or Pearl ever encountered the Galra?"
"No, we have not," Garnet answered.
"We've mostly heard of them through stories when we still served… Homeworld." Pearl admitted. "But we always believed they were nothing but that, stories."
"Well, I'm sure you're familiar with the old saying." Keith began as he pressed a button on his mask, retracting it to reveal his true face. "Truth is usually stranger than fiction."
Amethyst blushed a little bit as she gazed at the purple teenager, finding him rather alluring to look at, in the bad boy kind of way. "Hello, handsome." Amethyst flirted under her breath, believing no one could overhear her. However, Peridot caught notice of the flirt and appeared to be jealous of the little Gems crush on the purple teenager.
"Is it possible we can negotiate with the Empire?" Steven asked, breaking out of his funk. "I mean, we don't have to resort to a fight."
"The Galra Empire thrives on conflict and the fight," Keith replied to the boy with a firm tone. "Their ranks are made up fanatics and sadistics who would rather die for Zarkon than fail him."
"From what Matt and I have seen the Empire do to countless worlds; everything Keith says is true," Shiro added in. "Which is why we're sticking with our orchestration of getting the Blue Lion off Earth."
"What! But you just got back, ¿and you're going to leave again?" Pidge objected at this decision.
"I'm very sorry, Katie." Matthew sincerely told her, garnering his sister's attention. "I sincerely wish we could stay longer, but we still have to follow through on the mission and get the Blue Lion off Earth to protect it."
"My Mom believed you and Dad were dead; while I've been for the past two years, trying to prove you were alive." The teenaged girl protested further, appearing to be on the verge of crying.
"I know, I know…" Matt uttered once more, endeavoring to hold his tears back. "But there'll be no point to all it if Earth is gone the following day, we have to do this... we must do this."
"Then let us all help you," Steven spoke up as she stepped forward. "As Crystal Gems, it's our sworn obligation to defend the Earth from all threats."
"I'm sorry. But I've never heard of the Crystal Gems," Matthew answered, scarcely embarrassed. "Keith's told us about Gems; just, never Crystal ones."
"On top of that, why would World Killers want to protect a planet when they're made to destroy them?" Keith asked in an offensive tone.
"Excuse me, but we're not like other Gems," Pearl stated defensively at the stereotypical claim. "While organic life can be… be… irking at times; our leader Rose Quarzt genuinely believed they were worth preserving, and we're going to honor that belief with our gems!" Pearl passionately shouted as she pumped her fist into the air; demonstrating her dedication and deep respect to the cause.
"Keith, we shouldn't be picky with our allies," Takashi told the alien teenager. "Especially when they are offering to aid us despite knowing the risks foward."
Keith looked at Shiro for a moment, then to the Gems, before turning back to the man with a sigh and an answer. "You have a point."
"Then this debate has been approvingly considered, settled," Peridot exclaims.
"So where do we commence the search?" Katie asked her brother. "And before you say anything else; I'm helping you on this mission, and nothing you say is changing my mind ¿we understand?."
"Stubborn as always." Matthew chuckled to himself; he did miss his sister's persistence. "Well," The young adult began as he took out a portable device from his back pocket. "Keith sent Red ahead of us to track the Blue Lion; so, her unique energy signature should be right around… here." The older brother told his sister, pointing at a remote corner on the device's map.
"May I see that?" Peridot asked. "I know my way around these kindergartens."
"Kindergartens?" Matt questioned his sister with an inquisitive look; as he handed the green girl the portable machine.
"Gem stuff is extremely complicated." Was all Pidge could answer, not having a full grasp of it herself.
"According to your tracker. Red, as you refer to her as, is at the absolute terminus location of this canyon." Peridot informed them all. "And considering where we all are; it'll take roughly a day to get there, even if we have some form of vehicular transportation."
"We don't have to." Steven perked up as he ran over to Lion; climbing up onto his back before clearing his throat and posing like a hammy action hero. "I, Steven Universe. The pilot of the Pink Lion will get us all there within minutes."
"Okay… how?" Keith asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, if you will all hop on; I'll demonstrate to you," Steven informed everyone, gesturing them to come closer to the pink feline. All the Gems climb up onto him with ease, while Keith and Shiro walked ahead of the Holt siblings; who were understandably nervous about going near the animal.
"Oh, come on Matthew, you've seen and fought far more frightening things than a pink lion." Keith teased the human as he found sitting room in-between Garnet and Amethyst; which the latter didn't mind. "Quit being such a wuss."
"Keith." Shiro annoyingly said to the teenager, as he found room in-between Pearl and Garnet.
Matt growls under his breath at Keith's remark as he and Pidge find room behind Steven and Connie. "All right, Lion, do your thing now!" Steven energetically shouted. The sizably large, feline let out a drawn-out yawn, before unleashing a mighty roar; generating a swirling pink portal in front of him, which he leaps right through.
"Yahoo!" Steven, Connie, and Amethyst cried in exhilaration as they sailed through Lion's interdimensional rift; passing by the flashing colors of various shades of pinks and blues. The other Gems were nonchalant to this form of travel as the experience felt no different than going through a warp pad. Shiro was clinging onto the pink feline's fur as the rapidity increased.
While this experience was metaphysical; Shirogane easily adjusted to the rising speeds since he was used to them. Keith, much like the Gems, remained nonchalant to the situation; only getting somewhat annoyed by his dark purple mullet being gusted back constantly. Pidge and Matt, however, were screaming out loud during the entire event; with it slowly ceasing as the group at long last reached the very end of the vortex.
Lion let out a second yawn, as he collapses onto the ground to relaxing slumber; snoring loudly.
"We're here," Steven told the group as he, Connie, Shiro and the Gems hopped off Lion's back first; taking in the magnificent visual beauty that was the great lake and a waterfall before them, which cascaded down a cliff into it.
The body and stream of water looked out of place, but it was so pleasing to perceive that no one minded the oddity of its location. Keith leaped off Lion afterward and endeavored to fix his currently messed-up hair. Matthew and Pidge were still sitting on the pink feline with their jaws gaping; likely still processing the experience.
Keith walked over to the two humans and snapped his fingers in front of their faces, returning them to their senses. Matt jerks his head and visually examines the teenaged Galra. "Sorry, that… was a trip." Matt embarrassedly expressed as he and Katie hopped off Lion. Pidge shakes her head for a moment and looks around the area. Her eyes then widened in astonishment as she and the rest of the Crystal Gems stood before a massive, mechanical red lion.
"I've never seen anything like it." An awestruck Pearl admitted.
"Neither have I," Peridot admits with stars in her eyes, as massive grin grows over her face. Pidge had a similar one to as both girls ran over to the remarkable machine.
"I need to see what makes it tick!" Both Pidge and Peridot expressed at the same time as they frantically commence probing for a way into the massive, alien vehicle.
"What metal is it composed of?" Peridot asked.
"What kind of energy source does something of this size use?" Pidge asked.
"I must know everything!" Both girls exclaimed.
"Hey do not touch…" Matthew commenced to shout just as Peridot and Pidge touch the Red Lion's paw, only to be pushed back by an expanding red dome; landing on their butts.
"Are you guys all right?" Amethyst asked with concern as she and Matthew ran over to aid the two girls up.
"What was that?" Pidge asked as she eyed the Red Lion, while Matt and Amethyst helped the girls up.
"Red doesn't like to be touched without permission," Keith clarified to the science lovers.
"Without permission… are you saying it's alive?" Peridot asked the Galra.
"First off, it is a she. Secondly, yes, she's alive." Keith answered the green Gem's question. "It must be due to how they were forged in the first place; but Red, and possibly the other lions, are sentient beings."
"Everyone." Garnet interrupts the whole group. "I believe we've been here before."
"What are you talking about, G?" Amethyst asked her leader, knowing that she would've recalled being to this place.
"Pearl, doesn't this location feel familiar?" Garnet asked the pale Gem; who takes in the current surrounding.
"Yeah, it does," Pearl answered with a nostalgic tone.
"What are you guys talking about?" Steven asked his guardians.
"Back before we found Amethyst, and your mother… was still with us." Pearl commenced. "Garnet detected some cryptic energy emissions from this place; which had led us to an opening with strange markings we've never seen before. However, the opening was sealed off by a barrier, and none of us could enter."
"What does any of that have to do with any this?" Amethyst asked.
"What Pearl is saying is that the energy I sensed long ago may have been the Blue Lion this entire time." Garnet summed up.
"So, then we just find this opening, and a way past its barrier; then we have the Blue Lion." Shiro deduced. "Garnet, do you recall where it was?"
"I remember it like the facets on my gems," Garnet answered as she showed Shirogane the gemstones embedded into her palms. The tall Gem ran ahead of the group as they followed from behind; around the Red Lions energy dome and standing before the opening of a cave with glowing blue runes carved on the surface. "The place hasn't changed in the last several millennia; still looks exactly how it did when I first saw it," Garnet added as she tried walking through the mouth of the cave; only to get zapped with energy that caused her form to glitch before falling onto her rear. "And the barrier's still up like last time."
"How do you propose we get it out?" Pidge asks the tall Gem as she stood up.
"Maybe we can have Red blast it open," Keith suggested.
"I doubt that would work." Pearl intervened. "Whoever put up that barrier didn't want anyone to get past it."
"Well, there has to be some way through." Amethyst groused at the group.
Steven.
Connie.
"Huh?" The Jam Buds breathed at the same time as they turned to the entrance; while the others debated what to do.
"You heard that too?" Steven asked.
"Yep," Connie verified with a nod.
Steven.
Connie.
"They're… whispers of some sort." Connie said. "From the cave." Connie and Steven inched closer to the cave as the whispers repeated more frequently; eventually stepping past the runes, right through the mouth.
"Hey, guys!" Steven shouted to the others; who turn to him with wide-eyed looks. "We're inside."
"What!?" Pearl exclaimed with disbelief as she sprinted over to the cave, only to get zapped the same way Garnet did. "Agh!"
"Pearl!" Steven and Connie shouted with concern.
"I'm all right, but how did you two manage to get in there?" Pearl asked.
"Let us try," Shiro suggested as he, Matthew, Peridot, Amethyst, and Keith endeavor to ambulate into the cave; only to get zapped.
"I believe I know what's happening," Keith informed the group. "When I found Red, she… spoke with me; before allowing me to pilot her. I believe the Blue Lion is communicating with the two of them; that's why they can go through."
"If that's the case, we'll search for the Blue Lion," Connie notified the others.
"Steven. Connie. You don't know what's in there." Pearl protested. "Besides maybe the Blue Lion."
"It's okay, Pearl. If we find the Blue Lion, then everything will be fine." Steven optimistically expressed.
"In that case, would mind sticking your hands out so I can give you these?" Keith asked, reaching into his back pouch. The Jam Buds did as the teenaged alien asked, as he drops two tiny devices into their hands. "Those are communicators to keep us in contact; press the button in the center to speak with us if you have problems. Good luck you two."
"And be careful." Garnet wished to the teenagers, who gave the group assuring nods before leaving to explore the inside of the naturally formed sanctum.
Steven.
Connie.
The whispers continued growing louder with every echoing footstep they took, finding more gleaming blue runes like the ones outside as they journeyed deeper. "There is an unusual beauty to these symbols. Wouldn't you agree." Connie spoke out loud as she trailed her fingers across the surface of the cave; which had a surprisingly silky texture.
"Yeah, I would," Steven admitted. "So, do you think they could've been made by the same people who made Keith's lion?"
"I wouldn't be surprised, plus it would make sense," Connie responded. "If I constructed something as powerful, I would want to make sure it didn't fall into the wrong hands."
Steven.
Connie.
The whispers have now grown to a proper, understandable voice; it was a warm and feminine sounding, while also robust like that of a lioness; how appropriate.
"I think we're getting closer," Connie stated as she and Steven drew nearer to a shimmering glow at the end of the cave. She took her hand off the wall and looked at Steven. "I can tell you're worried about her."
"Who?" Steven asked his best friend.
"Lapis." Connie restated.
"Yeah, I guess I am," Steven admitted, with a sound of guilt in his tone. "I just wanted her to be free; that's why I helped heal her. But I'm beginning to believe that if I didn't help her gemstone; she wouldn't be in this mess with Galra… and lions… and stuff."
"There was no way you could've known Steven," Connie told him with sincerity. "You just did what you thought was right; you can't hold yourself responsible for something out of your control. Besides, once we find the Blue Lion; Shiro, Keith, and Matthew are going back for her."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Steven responded, feeling a little better; then grinned mischievously at his fellow Jam Bud. "So, when did you develop a crush on Shiro."
"Crush?" Connie asked with her face turning red. "W-why would you think I have a crush on him? I mean he's handsome, rugged and has those muscles…" The teenaged girl then caught notice of Steven snickering to himself. "Okay, fine. He's my celebrity crush. However, it's just not for… the mentioned features, it's because he was like one of the fantasy characters I read in my books come to life; someone every boy and girl wanted to strive to be; heck I was even thinking of applying for the Galaxy Garrison when I was old enough. Then I met you and the Gems and had an opportunity to live those adventures at the age I am now."
"So, in a way; Takahashi Shirogane is your hero," Steven stated.
"Yeah, I guess he is," Connie affirmed with a smile as they approached the end of the cave. "Okay, now where too?"
The two teenagers looked around the cave; on the ground, on the ceiling, and on the walls; until Steven discovered a glyph in the shape of a handprint on the wall in front of him.
"I found something." He said pointing at it, with Connie following his finger.
"Nice catch." Connie complimented her friend. The handprint was burning an even brighter blue as opposed to the other symbols; giving Connie the impression that one of them is to place their hand on it. The task would've been done already if the print wasn't nearly twice either of their heights off the ground.
An idea then popped into Connie's head on how to overcome the problem; she first cleared her throat before turning and bowing towards Steven as she extended her hand out.
"May I have this dance, good Sir?" She asked with a lovely sounding accent.
Steven caught on to what Connie's plan was and played along with her idea. "Of course, Madame," Steven said in an equally well-mannered accent as he took Connie's hand. The two teenagers performed a quick, although somewhat sloppy, tango as Steven's rose quartz gemstone glows brightly; with Steven's and Connie's bodies transforming into light-based energy and merging to form the amalgamation known as Stevonnie.
Stevonnie
An experience. (Fusion between Steven and Connie)
"Oh yeah! It's good to be back!" Stevonnie shouted out loud as she happily jumped in place; before regaining her serious composure. "Right, stay focused Stevonnie." The Fusion said, walking over to the handprint and placing their palm on it. "Huh, I thought something was supposed to… AHHH!" The ground beneath the Fusion's feet suddenly flipped open as they fall through a sliding trapdoor.
Stevonnie screamed all the way down as the slide swirled, curled and zig-zagged farther underground; eventually coming to a full stop as Stevonnie lands on their bottom as they reach the bottom. "Ow… that hurt," Stevonnie complained as they massage their aching buttocks; while they looked around. "Where are…" Stevonnie's jaw dropped in disbelief upon turning around to discover nothing other than the Blue Lion standing before them. "Woah."
The massive, mechanical beast was like the Red Lion in appearance, with the only noticeable difference being the color. Encompassing its entire body was a massive blue dome, just like the one that surrounded Red when Pidge and Peridot touched it.
"Steven. Connie. Are you there?" Keith asked over the communications device in the Fusion's pockets. Stevonnie reached into their left pocket and pulled out Connie's communicator and speaks into it.
"Hiya, Keith." Stevonnie greeted.
"Who's this, where's Steven and Connie?" Keith asked with some hostility in his tone.
"I'm Stevonnie, who is technically Steven and Connie fusion." The Fusion attempted to sum up.
"I'm sorry, what, fusion?" Keith asked with expected confusion.
"Let me talk to them." Garnet requested from Keith, as static noise emits from the portable device. "Stevonnie, can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear Garnet," Stevonnie confirms.
"Where are you?" The Crystal Gem leader asked, remaining stoic in her tone.
"I fell down a trapdoor," Stevonnie informs. "And I'm currently standing right in front of the Blue Lion."
"You found it, excellent work you two." Garnet complimented, making Stevonnie proudly blush. "Have you found an alternate opening so we can retrieve it?"
"Not yet." The human Fusion stated. "But I'm working on it and will let you know when we've found one."
"Understood and remember to be careful," Garnet concluded as the alien device went silent.
Stevonnie.
The voice said again, as the Fusion turned to the Blue Lion.
"What do you want from me?" Stevonnie asked as they stepped closer to the magnificent machine. "Why are you speaking to me?"
Stevonnie.
The human Fusion decided to walk even closer to the mechanical feline; standing a few inches away from its dome shield. Stevonnie didn't know why but felt an impulse to place their hand on it; even though they know what might happen if they do. However, instead of getting zapped, the dome dispersed; the golden eyes of the vehicular beast flashed before lowering its head to the ground and opening its maw; revealing an opened door within its mouth before Stevonnie.
"This sounds like a very crazy idea, but I think it wants me to enter it?" Stevonnie guessed to themselves as they cautiously approach the entrance and step inside; discovering an elevator that takes them up much to their surprise. The conveyor slowly comes to a stop, with the opened doors revealing a control room. "Woah."
Stevonnie. Worthy.
The Fusion felt a natural and assuring sensation as they step closer to the chair and sit in it. The panels in front of them begin glowing a brilliant blue as the lion's head rises. "Oh, geez. What did I do?" Stevonnie panicked as they looked at all the controls.
Worthy.
"What do you mean by worthy?" Stevonnie asked the Blue Lion; only for the thoughts in her head to click as she remembered what Keith said about the Red Lion speaking to him before allowing him to pilot her. Was the same thing happening to Stevonnie?
The human Fusion scanned the controls and experienced a sudden urge to grip what they assumed to be thrusters.
"Okay, let's see what these do," Stevonnie said to themselves as they pushed the levers forward. The mighty blue lion let out an equally powerful roar and accelerated forward. "Too fast! Too fast!" Stevonnie screamed as they tried controlling the beast. The same feeling that told them to grab the thrusters began communicating with them on how to maintain control. Stevonnie followed that feeling and slowed the lion down long enough to make a quick sharp turn; before picking up speed again. The Fusion's worry then turned to exhilarating excitement as they piloted the Blue Lion. "This is amazing," Stevonnie exclaimed with their inner child beginning to show themselves. "Yahoo!"
The Blue Lion's speed increased with each second until it finally began to rise off the ground. Stevonnie noticed what appeared to be water in front of them and assumed that they were currently behind the waterfall.
"Let's put the pedal to the metal!" Stevonnie exclaimed as they maxed the accelerator and flew right through the waterfall; soaring right over their friends. The Blue Lion flew higher into the air; performing showy loops and dives for entertainment purposes until ultimately settling on the ground roughly a dozen feet away from the Red Lion; who deactivated its dome to greet its sister with a triumphant roar.
Stevonnie looked up as she noticed a hatch above her head open, quickly standing to climb out of it; the view from where they were standing was a magnificent sight to behold.
"Stevonnie!" The human Fusion turned their head to the voice and saw Pearl calling to them as she and the others ran over to the Blue Lion.
"Hey, guys!" Stevonnie greeted everyone as they waved. "I just piloted the Blue Lion!"
"You piloted the Blue Lion?" Pearl asked in disbelief.
"Oh, that is awesome!" Amethyst exclaimed with excitement towards the human Fusion.
"No, it's not awesome, Amethyst," Pearl told the purple Gem; recognizing something that she wasn't.
"If the Blue Lion chose them, then that means they are the only ones who can pilot it out of the Earth's atmosphere; far away from the Galra Empire," Keith added in, before turning to Stevonnie. "Did you hear? You're the only one who can pilot it!"
Stevonnie's excited expression then dropped upon realizing they are now the only ones in the group who can pilot the lion off-world; meaning they would have to leave this solar system, maybe even galaxy.
Keith heard a bleeping sound, and reached into his back pouch and pulled out from the bag a small device which was the source of the bleeping. "Oh, quiznack!" Keith cursed out loud.
"What is it?" Stevonnie shouted to the alien teenager.
"My scanner picked up a Galra Dreadnaught entering the solar system and is on its way to Earth!" Keith loudly informed. "We have to leave now!"
As I am free of studies for the moment, I decided to upload a new chapter after correcting the translation errors of the previous one.