Chapter 4: The New Threat

The Crystal Gems won the war, but barely. When the Diamonds launched their final attack, Rose Quartz was only able to save a few of her friends, Garnet, Pearl and Bismuth. The others unfortunatly have been corrupted into hideos, monstrous mutations. They spent 5,300 years trying to capture and bubble them and to hopefully one day find a cure. About 500 years later Rose later found an Amethyst that emerged late from the Kindergarten, a rather short one though. She took her in and she joined the team and the five of them defended the Earth from any threats. This all changed one day when Rose met a young man at a rock concert named Greg Universe. The two of them fell in love. some of them were okay while others weren't. Years later, Rose was pregnant, but unfortunatly in order for the child to be born, she had to give up her physical form. Soon the day came and Rose disappeared only leaving her gem who now belongs to her son. His name is Steven Universe.

Everyone, while at first sad that Rose was gone, they did do their best to raise him and gems soon loved him as their own. They had a house ready for him, but Greg resided in his van running his carwash, but always checked on him. Steven always saw how cool they were and even wrote a song about them. Many things happened to him at such a young age, like freeing Lapis Lazuli from her mirror prison and healing her gem and encountering Jasper and Peridot who invaded Earth to attack them. While the gems are proud of his braverey for freeing them, Steven realized he wasn't strong enough for them, so he then took his training seriously and started sword training with Pearl with his mother's sword. He got stronger everyday and soon his friend Connie joined also. Things got even crazier when they found Peridot who told them about the Cluster. They formed what was at first a temorary truce, but soon Peridot learned the values of Earth, told off Yellow Diamond and becoming there ally. After the Cluster was stopped, things seemed to go back to normal, until now.

The Crystal Gems were heading back to the warp pad after completing a mission and Garnet bubbling up a gem.

Garnet: Great job everyone. Lets head home.

Steven: ( getting excited) Oh man, did you guys see how I did there?

Garnet:( as she ruffles his hair) I did Steven, actually I saw it before we even got here.

Steven: With future vision?

Garnet: Yes.

Pearl: You're doing great Steven. You're improving everyday.

Steven: Thanks guys, but I still couldn't have done it without you. I mean Bismuth did help me out when I got cornered from that monster.

Bismuth: Hey, no one harms my friends and if they do they will have to deal Bismuth with me.

Steven chuclkes a bit, he always liked Bismuth's puns.

Amethyst: Hey don't forget about me dude.

Steven: I would never forget about you Amethyst. You did save me when I almost fell off the platform.

Pearl: Yes, but lets not for get that Amethyst you got that monsters slimy blood on me when you cut off it's arm.

Amethyst: I said I was sorry P. You were able to clean it off weren't you?

Pearl: But you should also be paying attention to your surrondings.

Amethyst: But no got hurt.

Pearls rolls her eyes.

Steven: Come on guys, lets not fight.

Garnet: Steven is right, but still we have to be careful when we fight.

Amethyst: You got it G.

So they make there way to the Warp Pad unitl Garnet stopped straight on her tracks.

Steven: What wrong Garnet?

Garnet: Somethings coming.

Pearl: What, I don't see anything?

Garnet: Everyone behind that boulder!

They hid behind the boulder and as they take a peek they witness Acha and Kocha teleporting out of nowhere.

Acha: Uh, we've been searching for six hours already and still no trace of her.

Kocha: Stop complaining, this is large planet after all.

Acha: Yes but how much longer will it take for the Cluster to come out?

Pearl: ( whisper) Cluster? Did they have something to do with ?

Amethyst: (whisper) What are they anyway?

Bismuth: ( whisper) Well whatever they are, I bet they mean trouble.

Steven: ( whisper) Wait, before we act, I think I should go talk to them.

Pearl: ( whisper) Absolutely not. Did you forget what happened last time?

Steven: (whisper) I know, but I wasn't properly prepared before. We don't know if they really are bad an I have my shield if they attack.

Garnet: ( whisper)Okay Steven, we'll let you go, but be careful and if they do anything funny...

Steven: (whisper) I know.

Steven walks up to Acha and Kocha, the two of them are facing the other direction so they don't noitce him.

Acha: Where else have not yet checked at?

Kocha: Following areas we have not yet check are the Beta Kindergarden, Galaxy pad, Communiction hub...

Steven: Uh, hello.

Acha: Who was that?

Acha and Kocha turn around and see's Steven.

Steven waves to them.

Steven: Hi.

Acha: Oh my, is that... it's a real human. ( as he gets closer to him)Oh wow, I've never seen one this close before.

Kocha: Don't touch it, it might bite.

Steven: Don't worry I don't do that.

Kocha: Well, it could still give us an infection.

Steven: It's okay, I showered this morning.

Acha: This is extrordinary, but we have no time for sight seeing, now shoo human.

Steven: Actually my name is Steven.

Acha: Steven, why does that sound familiar?

Kocha: Wait that sounds just like what Peridot said during her last report.

Steven: Wait, do you guys know Peridot?

Acha: ( looking surprised) Facet-2F5L Cut-5XG?

Steven: Yeah, that sounds like her.

Acha: Where is she? We must know her whereabouts.

Steven was not sure if he should say anything to them. But before he could another voice was heard.

Bomber: Acha! Kocha!

Bomber suddenly flies into the scene from the sky.

Bomber: Stop wasting your time with this human. We have a mission to do.

Acha: But this human called Steven knows where Peridot is.

Bomber: Really?

Then he looks at Steven, the others look a bit worried unsure what Bomber was going to do.

Bomber: You, human. Where is Peridot?

Steven: Hold on, I want to know who you are and why do you need to see her.

Bomber: That's none of your concern. Tell me where she is now.

Steven: Not until you give me answers.

Bomber starts to get angry, but then takes a deep breath.

Bomber: Alright fine, I'll tell you...after you die!

Bomber then points his arm cannon at Steven and fires. Steven reacted quickly and used his shield to block. Acha and Kocha recognized the shield and so did Bomber.

Bomber: ( in his mind) That shield. I've looked it up before.

The other Crystal Gems then jumped out with their weapons and joined Steven.

Acha: AH, it's them! The rebels!

Bomber: So you're these Crystal Gems I've heard so much about huh.

Garnet: Who are you and what are you doing here?

Acha: Allow me.

Acha then opens up his chest and pulls out a small cube and activated it like holographic scroll and read it.

Acha: ( clears his throat) Attention Crystal Gems.

Kocha: Crystal Gems!

Acha: By the order of the Great Diamond Authority...

Kocha: Diamond Authority!

Acha: You are underarrest for the crimes you have committed, surrender now or we the Gara Droids...

Kocha: That's us!

Acha: Shall henceforth be employing force.

Kocha: Force!

Acha: They're Imperial Majesties of Homeworld, The Great Diamond Authority. Dictation by Chamberlains, Acha.

Kocha: And Kocha!

The crystal gems are stunned to here that these droids have a connection to homeworld.

Bomber: You heard what he said, now surrender or suffer the wrath of there general, the one and only Bomber the Great!

Amethyst: You call yourself the Great?

Bomber: Do you have a problem with that?

Amethyst: Yeah I got a better name for you Bomber the Lame.

Bomber: What did you call?!

Pearl: Amethyst please don't provoke him.

Bomber: Enough! Surrender now or be shattered!

Garnet: Not a chance.

Bomber: Then you will be exectuted right where you stand.

Amethyst: Yeah, you and what army?

Bomber: I'm glad you asked. Gara Soldiers!

The Gara Soldiers teleport right in front of them. There were 20 in total and they had there spears ready and were pounding there chests.

Bismuth: You just had to ask.

Pearl: What are they?

Garnet: I don't know, but we're taking them down.

Acha: You know what, I'm just going to go stand over there.

Acha goes and hides behind a rock not wanting to get involved in the fight. Kocha joins him.

Kocha: You wuss.

Bomber draws out his Sabre and points at them.

Bomber: Kill them!

The Gara Soldiers charge at the Crystal gems. Five of them attacked Garnet. They constantly tried jabbing her, but whenever they did Garnet grabbed the shaft of the spear and sent one of the flying, then she puched another one so hard that when it hit the ground it started spazzing out. The other three opened up their faces reavealing they're endoskeleton face and shot out eyebeams. Garnet managed to block it with her gauntlet hands and she shot her rocket gauntlest at them. One of them survives to retrieve it's weapon, but Garnet punches its head off before it could do anything.

Four of them attacked Pearl. Since they both used spears, this was good match for her. She blocked their attacks, but the soldiers sooned opened their face and shot out shuriken cogs. Whenever they did this they left themselves open and she slashed them taking them down.

Bismuth took on four of them. She formed her hands into hammers and tried to smash them. She did so to two of them, but the other two opend up their face shooting eye beams at her. Bismuth gets hit falls on her back and one of the soldiers got on top of her trying to stab her in the face. She moves her head to the left side, but then the soldier tries to stab her head on the left and she moved her head to the right. They keep alternating left and right until Amethyst helps her out by whiping the soldier away. Bismuth gets back up and finally smashes the fourth one.

With Amethyst another four attacked her. She whipped one of them, cutting it in half. She then used her whip to constrict one of them and flew him up and throws it hard to the ground having it to crush the other one into pieces. The fourth one tried to stab her, but when she whiped at it, her whip only caught its spear, she then whiplashed it causing the souldier to explode.

Three of them attacked Steven. Steven kept his shield up and fought back with his sword. One of them kept jabbing at him, but Steven pushed it back with his shield, leaving the soldier open to attack and slashes it. Then Steven tossed his shield at one of their heads and falls on its back. Steven then stabbed it to the ground. The third one tried to fire its eye beams at him, but Steven blocked it with his shield. Then it charged at him and tried jabbing its spear at him, Steven blocked its attacks with his sword until it left an open spot for him to attack.

With all the soldiers down, Bomber himself enters the fight to take on all five of them. Despite being five against one, he was shown to be quite skilled. He dodged Garnets punches and slashed her with is Sabre. Then he took on Pearl, while the two of them briefly enganged in combat, he knocked her spear out of her hands and then slashed her. Amethyst and Bismuth charged at him, but then he jumped up and landed behind them, then fired his arm cannon at them.

Finally he targeted Steven. There swords clashed as the looked at each other in the eyes.

Bomber: This is the great Rose Quartz I've heard about? I was expecting you to be a little taller.

Steven: I'm not her.

Bomber: But you seem to have her powers.

Steven: It's complicated.

Bomber: But whoever you are, our master expects to see you.

Steven: Master?

Bomber knocks Steven swords out of his hand and tried to attack him. He had his shield up, but didn't know what to do. Bomber get slashing, then he started firing at the shield. The others get back on their feet and see's whats happening.

Garnet: Steven!

Garnet comes in and punches Bomber away. He tried to blast her, but she moves his arm away and puches him in the stomach. Then she grabs his arm and throws him to a boulder. He emerges out of the pieces of the boulder and see's Garnet charging at him. But he had one more trick up his sleeve.

Bomber: Missile mode!

Bomber retracts his arms, legs and head inside his body leaving only the missle part. The missile then launches at Garnet. Garnet not seeing this coming gets hit. The impact causes them to explode, but he still stays intact and Garnet while on her knees, is still in one piece.

Steven: Garnet!

Steven rushes over to her.

Steven: Garnet are you...

Garnet: I'm fine Steven, don't worry.

Bomber: I'm amazed actually, no one usually survives my missile attack. But your luck has run out. Missile mode!

Bomber transforms into missile mode again, but this time Steven shielded themselves and when Bomber hits the shield, it has no effect on them and the blast recoils on him, sending him flying back. Bomber lands on his back with smoke and scrapes on his body.

Bomber( as he gets up) Why you...

Acha: Bomber we can't waste anymore time now. We have to continue our mission.

Bomber: Fine, this time I will let you all go, but the next time we meet, I will finish you!

Bomber, Acha and Kocha teleport the area and leave. Steven helps Garnet up.

Garnet: Thanks.

Steven: Don't mention it.

Pearl: Steven!( rushes to him and hugs him and checks him for bruises) Are you okay, I swear if that brute hurt you I'll...

Steven: It's okay Pearl I'm fine. But what were those things?

They all looked at the ground seeing all the remains of the Gara Soldiers.

Pearl: It seems Homeworld really has changed since we left.

Garnet: They were quite formadible too, there general was no push over.

Amethyst: Not too mention really weird, especially how those grunts moved.

Bismuth: Well what else is new? We've fought a thousand year war taking on those uppercrusts. And if they think that sending down these scrap heaps was better, they thougt wrong.

Garnet: Bismuth, we don't know anything about these things. If they really serve the Diamonds then there has to be more of them from Homeworld.

Steven: Garnet, we should go see Peridot. They seem to know her, plus she has to know more about these robots since she just move here.

Garnet: You're right Steven, lets go pay Peridot a visit.

The Crystal gems hurry back to the Warp Pad to go see Peridot, meanwhile the Gara droids head back to there ship to contact Gien.

Back on Homeworld

Gien was in his lab working on more Gara Elites, when suddenly he gets a call from Acha.

Acha: My lord, we must report to you what we just saw.

Gien: Have you found Peridot yet?

Acha: Not yet my lord, but while looking for her we encountered the Crystal Gems.

Gien: Did you fight back?

Bomber: We tried, they took down the Gara Soldiers and then we retreat.

Gien: You fools! You let a small number of rebels stop you? The Gara Droids are the strongest beings in the universe. I'm stunned to here this, especially from you Bomber.

Bomber looks away upset.

Gien: Anyway was Rose Quartz there?

Acha: Um, eh, yes-no?

Gien: What do you mean yes-no?

Acha: Well there was a human boy with them called Steven and appearently he has her shield along with her sword.

Gien: So you're saying she shapeshifted into a human?

Kocha: Well we would say that, except his skin color or hair doesn't match her's.

Acha: But that's not all, appearently he knows where Peridot is.

Gien: Is that right? Where is she?

Kocha: Well they started to fight before we could get any answers.

Gien: Find the! Follow where they are going. Use the ships gem tracking radar and send me footage about this boy.

Acha: Yes my lord. We'll get right on it.

The transmission ends and Gien recieves the footage of the Crystal Gems fight. He watches them all, but was more focused on Steven. He was quite amazed to see a human possessing gem powers.

Gien: Who are you, boy? What are you? Are you Rose Quartz? If not then what connection do you have with her? So many questions are filling my mind right now, but I will get my answers soon.

To be continued...

Author's note: That's it for this chapter. In case your wondering why Bismuth is already here, it's because it's to make the story less complicated and more straight forward and I'm trying to make Rose a better character by not doing this. I hope you enjoyed it. And special thanks again to Lady Shadow92 for the idea of having Bismuth already in the group, to make Steven a more active fighter and for the ideas for this chapter. Please read and review. Thank you.