Lest Ye Be Judged

Feels- xxtentacion

Shadow wanted to think things were going to start looking up for them. Topaz had tried to get help them out. Steven and Lars's sentimental talk really struck something inside Topaz. They would have gotten away too if it wasn't for Aquamarine coming down the stairs to see them in the act. It wouldn't even of mattered if they escape. The ship was already on the homeworld.

Aquamarine froze him with her wand. He watched as the two halves of Topaz took off taking Lars and Steven in opposite directions. Shadow couldn't even call for them the stasis field suspended around them rid him of even that. It was to bright for him to even attempt to get some sleep. Even with his knees, he hugged to his chest, with his face in his lap Shadow couldn't. The surroundings of this white prison with no entrance was maddening. Time went on and on or at least he thought it did. Could homeworld gems stop time? That prospect of that blew his mind.

The door to the prison opened up across from him. Shadow lifted his head to see two Amethyst soldiers walking in.

"Thing. You are to come with us to present yourself in front of the mighty Diamond authority they-"

Shadow let the soldier drown on and on about what was about to happen. Shadow offered no resistance. Shadow couldn't even if he wanted to. One of the Amethysts hit a display board on the wall. A prism field dropped over him. One second he was looking at them then the next he was on his knees in front of them.

"Shadow!" Steven sat next to him with his knees to his chest. He was glad to see that his friend was doing all right. For now.

A dark figure cast down a shadow over Shadow. When he looked up he saw that it was Blue diamond that rose to her feet. Inside he secretly prayed that homeworld had a bathroom around cause he might have just dropped a brick.

"This is the human that tried to attack me and my Pearl!" Blue diamonds eyes could cut glass the way she was glaring at him.

Yellow diamond looked just as furious. Really she looked like a giant bitch. Shadow thought she looked like the most annoying soccer mom known to the galaxy.

Two other gems, one yellow and blue-eyed him up and down. They were a type he's never seen before.

Shadow didn't really know how to react to seeing the giant woman again. He gave a half-assed curtsey and nod. "Greetings my big blue lady. Nice to see that your figure is umm." He tried to see past the robes she was wearing. "You been dieting?"

Yellow diamonds fist slammed her throne scaring everyone. "Enough! Let's get on with this trial." Her words were the law and the law her words. Shadow kept his mouth shut in fear that Steven would be punished.

So as it was commanded the trial be continued. Accusations were thrown around by the opposing Zircon. She even used Lars as an example that humans were useless. A Ruby was also brought to the "stand" and wow, that little thing had some issues.

Blue Zircon was called to speak for Steven. She tried her best under the pressure of Yellow diamonds don't give a fuck attitude. No one could really blame the alien lawyer the diamonds were taller than almost everything on this planet.

Blue diamond was growing tired of the tippy-toeing around. When Steven confessed that he was the one who did the crime he had almost zero confidence in what he was talking about when she questioned the events that went down. She grew so emotional the diamond started to cry. Some sort of power of hers made almost everyone else in the room tear up.

The trial was called to a short recess before continuing.

All this law and order drama worked up an appetite. Unfortunately, gems didn't need sustenance like humans. Still, it was annoying they couldn't provide something for him. This was totally against the Geneva convention. Shadow beat his fists against the wall.

"You assholes could at least bring me something to eat!"

The door next to him opened. In stepped three guards all holding destabilizers.

Shadow took a deep breath. Looks like Blue diamond had a grudge against him. He couldn't blame her, he'd tried to kill her too if he had a chance. Unfortunately, they had just given him one.

The first Amethyst ran at him. Shadow took no time to meet the attacker. Just because he couldn't use his powers doesn't mean who was harmless. It swung at him in a downward strike. Shadow simply stepped out of the way and slugged the gem right across the face then spun around and threw his leg out. The back kick hit the gem on the side of the neck causing enough to poof her. The other gems just stared at him wide-eyed.

Shadow picked up the stabilizer. A grin spread across his face. Oh yeah, this was about to be good.

Yeah, it wasn't that good. He managed to beat the two gems at the expense of being shocked multiple times. Blood from a cut above his head stained his shirt more than it already was. Shadow proceed down a long white hallway. There were no windows so he couldn't see what made homeworld so great to Peridot who obsessed over it. Shadow was just about to pass another corner when something slammed into the side of his face. His head slammed against the wall. He sort of collapsed on the floor for a moment. A pair of hands grabbed him by the arm. It spun him around and tossed him against the wall. This time the back of his head hit the wall. At least it wasn't his face again he thought.

Shadow looked up to see the last gem he wanted to see. "For fuck sake," he growled through clenched teeth. "I'm really getting sick of you beating my ass!" He shook his fist at her. The only thing he could really do, she knocked the air out of him.

"Please human. Return to your cell, I would rather not have to hurt you." Blue diamond's voice was so sweet she could have past for an innocent school teacher or something. Yeahhhh right! This little blue walking stick was evil.

Shadow stood up straight. He tried to look strong and that it didn't hurt. The tears in his eyes gave it away.

"Well well, Pearl if you think you can hurt me then try!"

Pearl took a step and Shadow flinched. "You told me to come hurt you human. Why do you move back?" By the tone of her voice, you couldn't tell if she was taunting him or legitimately confused.

Shadow guffawed at the question. "No no no… you just startled me." Shadow could only look sideways to avoid her gaze. Or at least he thought she was looking at him, hard to tell with all the hair over her face. Shadow threw his hand out to the side. "Well if you think it will be as easy as last time you got another thing coming to you." Shadow concentrated energy in his hand. Pearl, on the other hand, was in no mood for games. Faster than a speeding bullet Pearl ran at him. Shadow couldn't even run away before her hand gripped his face and she yet again manhandled him.

Bits of the white marble wall splintered from the impact of his skull. Pearl stepped back to let him fall to his knees then his face to the ground. Yet again he was getting the tar kicked out of him by the gem. The last time he had squared off with the devil she broke his arm, did some internal damage, then choked him out like Ronda Rousey. Things were different now. The pain the homeworld gems caused him made him into what he was today.

Just like everytime he about to lose control something clicked. The switch was off and Pearl flipped it on.

Pearl brought down her fists on his back when he tried to rise. You could feel the concussion from across the room. Yet he didn't fall. His head turned to look at the gem who made him this way. The monster that took him to that station where he was tortured. All Shadow wanted was to be alone with Jasper. Live a good life with the gem he loved that's all he wanted.

Shadow knew by Pearl's expression that the look in his eyes was one she would remember. The anger in his eyes that could burn down this whole planet. Shadow could feel it in his bones, the power he was cursed with. It felt so good, to feel it coursing through his veins. Pearl could feel it in her gem that this was no ordinary human. Not with the way his eyes turned an amber so bright she thought they were on fire. Whatever he was before she had met him on Earth he wasn't the same man anymore. too to them.

This time Shadow grabbed her throat. With his strength, he lifted her off her feet. Pearl didn't bother to try and fight. Fear took over any other feelings she had a moment ago. When Shadow plunged his hand into her chest she could only feel relieved that he wouldn't have to look at those eyes any longer. Shadow held her gem in his hand. He was the difference between her immortal existence and being dust. All it would take was a spark to end such a fragile thing as a Pearl. That wasn't his goal today. Steven was the number one priority. So he let the Pearl slip out of his hand on to the floor. Time to be the hero Steven thought he was.

Two more gems tried to stop him. With his hand raised he unleashed a bolt of electricity. It made short work of the gems they stood no chance and retreated back to their gems. Those soldiers guarded double doors that reached up to the ceiling. No time like the rest he guessed.

Zircon was speaking more truth than anyone in the entire room. She knew better than anyone else that things weren't what they really were.

"-Someone who had the authority to ask for Pink diamond to step out of her palanquin.." Zircon spun around pointing her fingers at the diamonds. "Someone like one of you." Wow seems like Zircon grew a big pair on her little streak.

Blue diamond gasped, Yellow diamond stood to her feet. She would not sit here and take these accusations. Yellow diamond raised her hand to simply squash the gem.

Something beat on the door. Everyone froze for a moment. Another bang hit the door, this time light spilled in from the crack he was creating.

Shadow had just enough space to stick his head in.

"Hey uh give me a second please."

"What is this!?" Yellow Diamond yelled. This day was getting more frustrating by the minute.

With another hit, the door cracked wide open. Shadow took no time to wait. He flipped through the air to land right in front of Steven.

"Boom baby!" Shadow didn't really have any other clever things to say. Remember there is nothing wrong with settling for less.

"Shadow!" Steven ran up next to his friend with his shield summoned. "How did you escape I thought you couldn't use your powers?"

Shadow smiled at the little man. No matter what situation Shadow knew no matter the situation Steven would smile through it all. That gave him hope.

Shadow summoned two electric shields. Lars cowered behind them next to the palanquin. The palanquin!

"Steven you need to get out of here." He took a deeper stance to get ready for the attack.

Steven wanted to argue with him. Shadow stepped in front of him. Instead of the angry look, he had a moment ago he was happy.

"Shadow you are not your mother! These gems don't know you like we do. Whatever your mother did does not make it your crime." He kneeled down in front of Steven and grabbed him by the shoulders. "You will better than anyone of us Steven. So get out of here and prove to them what we see in you. Show them Steven Quartz Universe." Shadow stood to his feet before Stevens tears could stop him.

Steven hugged Shadow. This probably wasn't the best moment for one but he didn't care. This might just be the last name he'd be able to see him again.

Shadow spun back around to see Yellow diamond charging with energy. A yellow sporadic energy filled the air. It was about to begin.

"You will not escape!" Yellow diamond let out a bolt of energy strong enough to take them all out.

"Get down!" Shadow combined his two shields into one greater one. Steven had just grabbed Lars and jumped into the palanquin. When he turned around he could see the attack and Shadow.

Shadow put his weight behind the shield. He knew that no matter what he needed to stand his ground. The attack slammed into his shield. Just the hit alone was enough to rattle his bones. He could just barely make out Yellow diamonds face as she poured more power behind her attack. Shadow heard a crash behind him. "Good. At least I kept my promise," he thought to himself. Shadow kept his promise to everyone back home. If anyone was going to make it off this planet it would be Steven.

He pushed on through her attack. Shadow could feel the blood running from his nose from the exertion. No matter what he wasn't about to be killed without at least giving them a fight. With a powerful warcry, he beat back her attack. The diamond didn't even falter, she was impressed that this thing was even still standing. Shadow summoned a sword and ran at her as fast as his legs could go. Shadow leaped through the air at her. Yellow diamond just laughed at the effort, with her hand she backhanded the human.

All of the fight he had in him was gone from that one single hit. His body hit the ground a few times then came to a stop when he hit the wall. Shadow sat up straight. About the only thing, he could do his body wouldn't listen to him. Shadow sighed when yellow diamond cut a hole in the wall. The palanquin Steven was in was still falling. Steven could see Shadow and he Steven.

"knock em dead," Shadow gave him a salute. The only person he would consider his little brother was on his own now. A whole planet that would hate him and Lars was the only other human with him. Shadow would just have to pray that Lars would be there for him more than he was. Shadow didn't even bother to wipe the tears from his eyes.

"Oh man," he chuckled. "Even now I can't stop myself from crying like a pussy." Shadow kept laughing until he started to choke on the tears. Guards shortly surrounded him.

Blue and Yellow diamond stood over them.

"I say we just kill him now." Yellow diamond reached down to grab him.

Blue grabbed her hand before she could crush him. "No yellow. There has been enough violence today." Blue turned her face to him. Her words weren't the same as her expression. "He will take the punishment I had in store for Rose Quartz!"

Shadow said something under his breath.

"What did you say?" Yellow diamond asked she sounded annoyed that Blue wanted to keep him alive.

With what defiance he had left he held his head up. "His name is Steven… Universe!"

Blue diamond reached down and picked up Shadow. Her grip was crushing him. Shadow yelled in pain, it was the only thing he could really do. "Names won't matter to you any longer human. Once I'm done with you you'll only say one thing. Death."

"You know I coulddddd," he dragged the word on. "I could show you the reason why they call me the shackster instead. Believe me when I say these hands can make you feel like a new gem." Shadow winked at her with all the fake confidence he had. Blue diamond squeezed him harder to the point where he was about to pass out again.

It didn't matter what happened next. Shadow had been at the mercy of these gems before. He knew what they were capable of doing. Did that make him any less scared? It didn't, he was terrified. Steven was safe though, that's the only thing he could ask for. Besides he needed to pay for what he did. Someone like him deserved to be punished. Blue diamond summoned another palanquin. Her Pearl had come back, when she looked at Shadow she quickly looked away.

Shadow closed his eyes. Tried to let the pain in his bones subside. That's when a smell hit his nose. A familiar smell that he would never forget. From the ranks of soldiers now kneeling in respect for Blue diamonds departure, one stayed standing. A Jasper to be exact. Hair of a grayish tan complexion, animalistic eyes that would scare the normal man. Even from this distance, he knew who it was. The look on her face as the curtains to the palanquin gave it away. He bet she was probably asking herself. How did he get here? Why is Blue diamond about to turn his life into hell? If she'd ask he would say that he didn't know.

No one would get answers to wordless questions today. Because dead men have no need for it. So as the palanquin curtains closed he burned the look on her face into his memory. Maybe it would be the last beautiful thing in this world he would see before the end. Maybe…

Author notes:

Hey, what's going on people? I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. Please stay tuned for more to come since I'm already on a roll I don't wish to stop. We see our protagonist once again in the custody of homeworld. On a planet that wants to destroy Earth will he survive this new chapter in his life? So many questions, not enough chapters. So keep on wondering cause what's coming next will be the bomb. Happy thanks turkey day everybody! Stay safe and stay classy.

-Shadow