Chapter 31: A Trip to Empire City Part 1

After the talk Pearl and Amethyst had, Pearl wanted to make things right with Steven. They made their way back to the warp pad.

Pearl: Wait Amethyst, when did Steven make plans for Empire City? He didn't say anything to us.

Amethyst: Well, actually Greg told me about it. He wanted to surprise Steven soon. He offered me to come, but I really want to stay here and train, not to mention some of us has to stay behind in case the Gara Droids attack. But anyway, don't tell Steven just yet, it will ruin the surprise.

Pearl: Okay I won't. I'll wait for him to hear it first.

They get onto the warp pad and head back to the temple.

Four days later.

Steven was upstairs playing video games while the gems were down stairs. Pearl was washing dishes, Garnet was on the couch reading a book and Amethyst was trying to eat a big burrito, she trying to swallow it like snake. Then they heard a knock on the door.

Pearl: Amethyst can you get that?

Amethyst nods no, she couldn't say anything but made mumbling noises while trying to swallow her burrito.

Garnet: I'll get it.

Garnet gets up and opens the door. It was Greg.

Greg: Hey Garnet.

Garnet: Hello Greg.

Amethyst finally swallows her burrito and speaks.

Amethyst: Sup Greg.

Pearl: Oh, uh. Hello Greg.

Greg: Is Steven here?

Steven looks down and see's his dad. He pauses the game and goes to him.

Steven: Hey dad.

Greg: Hey Stu ball. I wanted to come by because I have a surprise for you.

Steven:(gasps) A surprise? Really?

Greg: Yeah, I've been seeing ads for this new hotel in Empire City called the Le Hotel and for a limited time offer they're offering a one week stay for low price.

Steven: And we're going there?

Greg: You and me. First thing tomorrow.

Steven: OOOOOHH! This is so cool. Did you guys here that?

Amethyst: Yes we did.

Garnet: ( thumbs up) That is great Steven. You should have lots of fun there.

Pearl: Oh actually Steven.

Steven: Yeah Pearl.

Pearl: I um... actually I wanted to ask if I could come with you on this trip.

Steven:( gasps with stars in his eyes) Really Pearl? You want to come?

Pearl: Yes, well I mean if it's okay with you, Greg and Garnet?

Garnet: Go ahead Pearl. We still have Bismuth, Peridot and Lapis to help.

Steven: Of course you can come. Can Pearl come dad? Please!

Greg: Well...why not? The more the merrier right?

Steven: Yes!

Steven runs up to Pearl and hugs her. Pearl blushes a bit and hugs him back.

Steven: This is going to be fun. Just you, me and dad. The three of us.

Steven was so happy that Pearl wanted to go with him on his trip. Not only because he also thought that they can spend more time together, but also maybe she and his dad could also get along better too.

Pearl: That's right Steven. Just the three of us.

Pearl was glad to see that Steven was excited for her to come. She wasn't too crazy going with Greg, but she wanted to spend time with Steven and it seemed like a good time.

Greg: Well then, go over what you're going to bring for tomorrow kiddo.

Greg too was excited. For a moment he thought it was odd that Pearl wanted to go with him and Steven to this trip. Especially since the two of them didn't get along because him and Rose were together. Maybe she just wanted to spend time with Steven he thought. Maybe she wanted to get to know him better. Whatever it was, Greg will try to act nice with Pearl still.

The next day.

Greg was driving with Steven and Pearl in his van and were on there way to Empire City. Soon they made it and it was the most beautiful city they've seen. The buildings were tall skyscrappers and lights shown all over the place. The sky was dark and with the lights made it look cool and like Beach City it too was near an ocean. Steven always heard how great it this city was and always wanted to go. Finally he did and with two of his favorite people.

Greg: Well, here we are.

Greg pulled up to the hotel called " Le Hotel." It was probably the third tallest building.

Greg: Wow, it looked a lot shorter on the ad.

Steven: ( stars in his eyes) It's so amazing.

Pearl: Yes and um...tall.

Greg: Well let's not just sit and watch. Let's go in.

They went inside and saw the lobby. It was huge with gold coloring around, a red carpet from the entrence to the front desk, a huge chandellier hanging on the top, hand crafted statues that look like they belong to a musuem and a fountain in the center.

Steven: Whoa.

Greg: Fancy.

Greg and Steven went up to the desk and met with the clerk. He had black hair, with a pencil mustach with glasses. He wore a white suit and had a familiar scottish accent.

Clerk: Ah welcome, we've been expecting you.

Greg: You have?

Clerk: Well yes. We've been expecting any guest who arrive at Le Hotel.

Greg: ( chuckles) Oh okay, you got me there.

Clerk: Ha, ha yes. Anyway you need a room for two?

Greg: Three.

Clerk: Three?

The clerk looked behind Greg and saw Pearl holding some of the bags.

ClerK: Oh! I mean of course a room for three. Now may I interest you in how high class luxary room at the top of the building.

Greg: Give me the most expensive room you got.

Steven: Yeah!

Clerk: Very well. You're room is on the 26th floor room number 232. Although we need atleast half an hour to get ready for you. But we can get your bags up.

Greg: That's fine and please go ahead.

Clerk: Very good.

The clerk claps his hands and a hotel bag carrier arrived.

Clerk: Take these bags up to room 232 on the 26th floor and tell the house keepers to get it ready.

The bag carrier nods and takes the bags from Pearl.

Pearl: Oh uh thank you.

The bag carrie doesn't respond to her and just leaves, leaving Pearl glaring at him.

Clerk: In the mean time why don't you three take a look around what we have here?

Greg: We will. Come on Steven, first let's buy something nice to wear then we'll go get dinner.

Steven: Yeah! ( Steven goes to Pearl and takes her hand) Come on Pearl, let's go find some new suits for us, maybe we'll find you one too.

Pearl: Oh okay. Sure, we'll do whatever you want Steven.

Pearl smiles, holds Steven's hank and walks with him as they head to the stores the hotel had. Once the three of them were gone, the hotel clerk left the desk and went through the employees only door. He went down the stairs and made it to a room with computers and monitors and in there was Gien and the Gara Droids.

Gien: Excellent preformance Acha.

Clerk: Thank you my lord.

The clerk transforms back to his original form revealing himself to actually be Acha.

Acha: What did you think of that Kocha?

Kocha: Eh, six out of ten.

Bomber: But your information was false. You said that only the boy and his father was going to be here.

Acha: I didn't know the pearl wanted to come. I only left that fake ad to him. But I probably should have checked when he told the boy.

Kocha: You think Acha?

Viggo: Now now, lets not gang up on Acha.

Acha: Oh, thank you Master Viggo.

Viggo: One gem isn't going to give us much trouble. The plan is going accordingly to plan so far. We trick the boy into coming here, the Crystal Gems would stay behind thinking we would attack soon.

Gien: This is so exciting it's making my servos shake. We have him this time, right Genbu?

Gien turns to the Gara Elite in control of the hotel, Genbu. He was a large bulky droid. He resembled an anthropromorphic snapping turtle. His body was dark blue and his shell was a glass dome revealing his robotic parts and had a tail which was all wires. The top of his head was a glass dome as well revealing part of his robotic brain with yellow eyes, but the bottom half of his head wear his mouth and jaw is matched the rest of his body. He also had a small control panel on his left arm.

Genbu: Not to worry Lord Gien. I am the master of illusions. They may have fun in my hotel of illusion now, but soon they will realize they are permanent guests here.

Gien: Make me proud Genbu. ( red eyes open) Haha!

Back in the main hotel, Greg and Steven were the stores trying on new black suits. They each got out of the dressing room wearing them.

Greg: How do I look?

Steven: (thumbs up) Mondo cool. How do I look?

Greg: ( thumbs up) Mondo cool.

Pearl: Well I think you both look good in it.

Then both Steven and Greg thought of something.

Greg: Pearl, you should wear one too.

Pearl: I don't know. Human suits are not my thing.

Steven: Come on Pearl, try this one it's your size. If you don't like it you don't have to wear it.

Steven showed Pearl the suit that she should try on.

Pearl: Well...okay I'll try it.

Pearl goes to the dressing room to try on the suit. A few minutes later, she comes out wearing a black suit.

Pearl: So, what do you think?

Greg: Wow, it fits you well.

Steven: You look great in it.

Pearl: Really, well I must admit it does look good on me.

Steven: Oh put this on.

Steven gives her a top hat and Pearl puts it on.

Steven: Now you look great in it.

Pearl: Oh thank you Steven.

Greg: Well I guess we're done here. Let's head to the restaurant they have here.

Steven: Yeah! I'm so hungry.

Pearl: Alright, let's go Steven.

So the three of them went to the restaurant and it looked like a five star restaurant. There was live entertainment and a bar. Steven and Greg ate, while Pearl just sat next to Steven not eating. But she never liked to eat anyway. After they were done, they finally went up to there room. It was huge, with not only a living room with a huge tv, but also had a fountain, slide with a pool and even has an upper level with a pool table.

Meanwhile in the secret Gara Droid room, the Gara Droids were watching all of this through the monitors.

Genbu: They're finally in there room my lord.

Gien: Finally, now we have them in one spot.

Bomber: Do we get them now?

Viggo: Not yet Bomber. Wait for them to sleep. They will be more vulnerable. But I must say, excellent job desining this room Genbu.

Genbu: Thank you Master Viggo. When I lure victims, I make sure it is the most luxurious place they would want to go which would also be there last.

Meanwhile back in the room.

Steven: Whoa, can this place get anymore amazing?

Greg: I don't normally pick expensive hotel rooms, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen one like this.

Pearl: This almost looks like a rich version of our house. So Steven, what do you want to do now?

Steven: I'm not...oh look at that.

There was a stereo that had a collection of many songs from classics to modern.

Steven: Dance party!

Greg: Okay let's do that.

Steven: Want to dance with me Pearl?

Pearl: ( smiling) Of course Steven.

Pearl was so happy that Steven asked her to dance with him. Now she could do something fun with him.

Pearl: What do you want to play?

Steven: How about this one? You love this.

Steven was showing her the picture of the song to Pearl on the screen.

Pearl: Okay then.

Steven: Want to dance dad?

Greg: I'm not too good with classical music. You two go on ahead.

Steven plays the song which was an old classic song. Steven and Pearl tap danced to it. The song that played and the dance they did was similar to that of the songs from old Gene Kelly films like " Anchors Aweigh" or " Singing in the Rain." Steven and Pearl was in sync and were having fun dancing to it. Pearl hasn't danced with Steven to this in a while and it brought back memories of the two of them tap dancing together when he was younger. Soon the song ended.

Pearl: That was fun Steven thank you.

Steven hugs Pearl.

Steven: Your welcome Pearl. That was so much fun.

Pearl hugs him back tightly.

Pearl: Yeah it was.

They let go and now he wanted to dance with his dad.

Steven: What should we dance to dad?

Greg: Oh I think I know which one.

Greg played the song he chose. It was a more up beat rock song. Steven and Greg began dancing together with this one and were having fun. Pearl watched and then a frown formed on her face. It was reminding her when Greg and Rose started dating. Pearl and Rose used to dance and they formed Rainbow Quartz. Greg tried to fuse with Rose once, but failed. But it didn't stop the two of them from dancing together or dating. Soon she began spending more time with Greg and less with her. It was all coming back to her now. Steven looked like he was having more fun with Greg than her. Why? What trick does he have? What does he have that she doesn't? No, she's just over thinking it. Steven seems happier because Greg is his father. He still thinks Pearl is pretty great. Right? Soon Steven noticed Pearl alone and went to her.

Steven: Hey Pearl. You should dance with dad.

Pearl: Thank you, but I rather not.

Steven: Come on, you should give it a go.

Greg: Yeah Pearl. ( Greg takes her hand) Just dance with me. Just say...

Pearl pulls her hand away.

Pearl: NO!

Pearl looked at Steven and Greg's faces. Greg seemed a bit flinched or uneasy with her reaction. Steven had a more disappointed look on him.

Pearl: I...I mean maybe later.

Pearl walks away to another part of the room.

Greg: ( sighs) Don't worry kiddo. It's always been like this.

Steven however was now worried. He was so far really enjoying the trip. The fact that Pearl wanted to spend time with him on this made him happy. He had fun dancing with her. But he thought maybe he could get Pearl and his dad to talk to each other. He knew that they didn't get along that well because of Greg dating Rose and Pearl loved her. But it's been fourteen years now, they should move on he thought. But he's not sure now and knew this was a bad sign

Back in the secret room.

Viggo: Look at that, she just uprubtly ended their dance.

Acha: She really does not like him does she?

Kocha: I don't blame her. I wouldn't want to dance with that naked ape.

Viggo: Still, she admired Rose so much as far as I know. How about we turn that against her?

Gien: Well put Viggo. Genbu.

Genbu: Yes my lord.

Gien: Get out there and examine her thoughts. Learn her secrets and relationship with Rose and use it against her.

Genbu: As you command my lord.

Viggo: Bomber, go with him. Once they are alseep capture the boy.

Bomber: Finally. This will be easy.

Gien: Acha, Kocha. Go with them.

Acha and Kocha: Yes my lord.

Later that night, Steven and Greg were tired and went to bed. But they slept with their suits on for some odd reason. Pearl entered the room that they were sleeping in. The Gara Droids Genbu, Bomber, Acha and Kocha were on the roof of the building. They were watching through floors with x ray goggles to see what was happening and saw Pearl in the room.

Bomber: What is she doing here? If we move now, she's going to wake him up and ruin everything.

Acha: I'm sure she'll leave soon. I mean she's probably just checking to see how the boy is doing.

Genbu: Shush! I need to concentrate.

The Gara Droids continued watching. Genbu had the ability to read minds and so he needed to know more about Pearl. Pearl stood beside the bed and saw a vase of roses. She picked one up and began to sing.

Pearl: I was fine, with the men. Who would come into her life now and again. I was fine, 'cause I knew, that they didn't really matter until you.

Steven wakes up, but Pearl doesn't notice as she walks to the balcony. Now the Gara Droids just spied from the top, but stay hidden so she doesn't see them.

Pearl: I was fine when you came, and we fought like it was all some silly game. Over her, Who she'd chose. After all those years, I never thought I'd lose. It's over isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it over? It's over isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't over? You won, and she chose you, and she loved you and she's gone. It's over isn't it? Why can't I move on?

Steven continues watching and Genbu starts recieving more info.

Genbu: Very interesting.

Pearl conitnues to sing.

Pearl: War and glory, reinvention. Fusion, freedom, her attention. Out in daylight, my potential. Bold, precise experimental. Who am I now in this world without her? Petty and dull with the nerve to doubt her. What does it matter it's already done? Now I've got to be there for her son! It's over isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it over? It's over isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't over? You won, and she chose you, and she loved you and she's gone!

Pearl lets go ove the rose she picked up and the wind blows it away, leaving tears in her eyes.

Pearl: It's over isn't? Why can't I move on? It's over isn't it? Why can't I move on?

The scene shifts to the Gara Droids.

Genbu: I think I got everything I need.

Bomber: ( nods his head) I can't believe we were forced to watch that.

Acha and Kocha however were weeping after hearing her song.

Kocha: ( sniffs) That was so beautiful.

Acha was wiping his and her eyes with a tissue.

Acha: ( sniffs) She lost the one person she loved and can't move on.

Bomber: You idiots!

Bomber bonks them on the head for acting that way.

Scene shifts back to Pearl. She walked back into the room and saw not only Steven awake, but also Greg.

Pearl: ( gasps) Greg. You're awake.

Greg doesn't look at her and puts on a white robe. Judging by his tone, he seemed upset.

Greg: Nothing's going to fix this. Is it?

Greg gets up and walks away.

Pearl: Greg wait.

Greg: Sorry you had to be around me.

Steven: Dad.

Greg leaves the room and head down to the lobby leaving Pearl and Steven alone.

Pearl: I'm sorry Steven. I'm really trying to have a good time, but I just can't.

Steven: Because of dad.

Pearl: No, it's not your father it's me. I just... I shouldn't have come here.

Pearl leaves the room.

Steven: Pearl.

But Pearl opens the door and walks away. Steven was alone. This trip was starting to go downhill. Now both his dad and Pearl were now upset. He just wanted to spend time with the two people he loves, but he doesn't know what to do.

Scene shifts to the Gara Droids.

Acha: Wow, she really upset him.

Kocha: Why is she even surprised that guy was awake? She was singing from the top of her lungs.

Bomber: He's alone now. This is our chance.

Genbu: Get him now.

Bomber along with Acha and Kocha jump down to the balcony and entered the room, surprising Steven.

Steven: Gara Droids!

Bomber: Did you miss us?

Steven looked at his hot dog duffle bag. He started bringing his sword with him in case of emergencies. He ran to it, but Bomber caught up to him and punched Steven. He summoned his shield as Bomber tried hitting him. But Acha snuck up behind him placing the restraining collar around his neck. Steven's powers were now deactivated.

Steven: Oh no. Pear...

Acha also covered his mouth with tape, gagging him.

Acha: Now don't make this difficult for you lad.

Kocah: Yeah, we can do this the easy way or the hard way.

Bomber: But which ever way you went with, you're ours now.

Scene shifts to Pearl sitting on a chair in the room. Seeing Greg upset like that made her realize maybe she's gone too far. She felt bad not only because of that, but because now she thinks she's ruining Steven's trip. She was tearing up thinking he probably hates her now. She can't even have fun once in a while. Then she heard a noise in the bedroom, she got up and opened the door. To her horror she saw Steven being taken away by Bomber.

Pearl: Steven!

Pearl summoned her spear with a serious look on her face.

Pearl: Unhand him right now!

Genbu: We cannot do that.

Pearl looks to the side and see's Genbu standing there.

Genbu: You're boy is ours now Pearl. You all fell right into my trap. I Genbu will make Lord Gien proud.

Pearl: I won't let you.

Pearl tried driving her spear into Genbu. But when she did, he just vanished.

Pearl: What?

Genbu: Got you didn't I?

Pearl looks the othe way and now see's Genbu standing behind Bomber, Acha and Kocha.

Genbu: How can you save your boy when you can't even beat me?

Pearl: Please don't hurt him.

Genbu: That's up to my master. Good bye.

The Gara Droids teleport away with Steven.

Pearl: No! Steven!

Pearl was now alone. She was shaking with tears in her eyes. The Gara Droids now had Steven. She couldn't imagine what Gien was going to do with her baby.

Pearl: ( trembling with tears) No, no. Not Steven. I can't lose him too. What do I do?

Pearl didn't know what to do, except to ask help from one other person.

Pearl: Greg.

Before she went to go get him, she saw Steven's sword on the ground. She picked it up and placed it in her gem. Then she ran down to the lobby to tell Greg. She doens't know if he can help, but she has to save Steven at all costs.

To be continued...

Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. I tried retelling the episode " Mr. Greg" without making it into a musical, but kept the song " It's over isn't it." But can Pearl and Greg put there differences aside to save Steven? Find out next time. Special thanks to Lady Shadow92 for help on this chapter. Please read and review. Thank you.