Chapter 32: A Trip to Empire City Part 2
Greg was at the bar in the dining room eating cherries. He was just upset with how Pearl is being around him. He knows that he and Pearl haven't gotten along because of Rose, but he still tried to move on and act friendly around her. But after tonight he gave up hope and just drowned his sorrows eating cherries.
Greg: ( sighs) Cherry man.
The bartender approaches him. He wore black and white and had a small beard.
Bartender: Need another round?
Greg: Please.
The Bartender gives Greg another cup of cherries.
Bartender: Your looking a bit down. What's the matter.
Greg: Ugh. You wouldn't believe it. But anyway, I don't want to talk about it.
Bartender: I understand.
Greg eats another cherry and then he is found by Pearl.
Pearl: Greg!
Greg turns around and see's Pearl with a scared and paranoid look.
Greg: Pearl?
Pearl: Greg! It's horrible! It's Steven! They got him. They have my baby and I don't know where he is and...
Greg: Pearl, Pearl calm down. What are you saying? What happened to Steven?
Pearl: Just minutes after you left, the Gara Droids came and kidnapped him. They vanished and I don't know where they are.
Now Greg looked concerned.
Greg: They're here and they have Steven? How did they know where we would be?
Bartender: Because this is our hotel.
Greg and Pearl turns to the Bartender. He laughs maniacally as he morphs back to his original form, Viggo Stryker.
Pearl: ( forming her spear) Viggo!
Viggo: Isn't this beautiful? This place is everything you can dream of. Great service, fine dining and a full bar.
Viggo takes out a charddonay wine bottle and pours himself a glass.
Pearl: Where is Steven?
Viggo: You'll never find him in Genbu's hotel of illusion.
Greg: Wait what?
Viggo: This hotel isn't real Mr. Universe. It's just an illusion. I mean come on, a pool and a fountain inside of a room? Something like that is impossible. You fell right into our trap.
Pearl: But how are no other humans here if they saw this?
Viggo: They can't. The inside of this illusion is the hotel, but the outside there is nothing there. We timed it right when you were going to show up and allow you to see this place. Gien has what he wants now, but first he wants us to kill you two.
Greg: What?
Viggo removes his face mask and takes a sip of the wine.
Viggo: Hmmm. That's good. Gara Soldiers!
The ten of the hotel staff members walk towards Pearl and Greg, they morph to their original selves as Gara Soldiers, but are still wearing their hotel uniforms. They draw out their weapons and are pointed at Pearl and Greg.
Viggo: Any last words?
Pearl: Greg, get behind me.
Greg: Don't worry Pearl. I got this.
Greg takes out a pen and check book.
Greg: How much do you want in exchange for letting the three of us go?
The soldiers looks at Greg then at each other confused for a moment, until one of them opens it's face and firing a lasers from it's eyes at the check book setting it on fire. Greg drops it before it burns him.
Greg: Okay, I'm starting to guess I can't bribe our way out of this.
Viggo: Nice try, but no you can't.
Five of the soldiers were about to strike at Greg, but Pearl blocked their attacks.
Greg: Pearl.
Pearl: Greg, get out of here!
Greg: Are you nuts? I can't...ah!
The other five soldiers were after Greg. He ran around a bit and then he flipped a table and used it as a shield. The soldiers jab their spears into it piecing the table. But as they tried to pull their spears out, Greg pushed the table back at them causing it to fall on them and getting stuck.
Pearl was getting overwhelmed by the five soldiers. Soon they opened their faces exposing the endoskeleton skull and fired their lasers at her. Pearl gets hit and falls to her knees.
Viggo: We finally have you.
Viggo took his last sip and puts his face mask back on. He joined the soldiers as they were about to fire at Pearl again.
Viggo: Fire away!
The soldiers fired their laser eyes again and Viggo fired lightning from his hand. Greg however rushed in and flipped another table, shielding them from the blast.
Viggo: Wh-What happened?
The smoke cleared up and saw was the remains of the destroyed table and that Pearl and Greg were no longer in the room.
Viggo: They're gone. You can't hide from us here. There's no escape from this illusion! ( to the soldiers) Search the hotel and guard the exit!
The soldiers nod and leave the room. Viggo was about to go until he recieves a call from Gien in a communicator.
Viggo: Yes my lord?
Gien: Viggo, return to the lab.
Viggo: But what about the pearl and the human?
Gien: Don't worry, Genbu has plans for them. Just return here.
Viggo: Yes my lord.
Viggo teleports back to Gien.
Meanwhile the soldiers were looking for Greg and Pearl all over the hotel. Two of them stayed guarded at the exit. Pearl and Greg were hiding in one of the stores dressing room and have not been found yet. Greg peaked out an no soldiers were around.
Greg: Okay. We should be safe for now, but got to think fast. Where would Steven be? Any ideas Pearl? Pearl?
Pearl however wasn't focused. The only thing she could think about was Steven.
Pearl: I failed. I'm supposed to look after him and I failed. I don't know where he is and I don't know if he is here anymore.
Greg placed his hands on her shoulders.
Greg: Pearl please focus. It's not too late to save Steven. We can still do this, but I need you to focus. I know you don't like me, but please can you help me. For Steven's sake.
Pearl looked at Greg and nods.
Pearl: Okay. But where can he be? He could be anywhere in this hotel.
Greg peaked out again to make sure there were no soldiers. Then he noticed the empolyees only door with two soldiers standing guard. Not too far from the store they were hiding in.
Greg: I think I know where.
Back in the hidden lab, Steven was strapped to a chair and approached by the Gara Droids. He still had the restraining collar on his neck.
Steven: Gien.
Gien: We meet again Steven. Tell me how was Genbu's hotel of illusion?
Steven: Illusion?
Genbu: This hotel is all a fake boy. I conquered eleven planets by creating illusions of places that is beyond anything people could ask for. The three of you fell for my trap.
Viggo: Now we have you boy. But we'll leave as soon as we kill your father and the pearl.
Steven: Where's my dad and Pearl?
Gien: They're still being hunted down. But they'll never escape nor will they find you.
Suddenly an alarm turns on.
Gien: What's happening?
Genbu: Unidentified intruders has entered the room.
They go to the monitors and see's Pearl and Greg opening the emplyee's only door and are going down the stairs which leads to the hallway to secret lab.
Kocha: Intruders.
Steven: Dad! Pearl! I'm here!
Gien covers his mouth.
Gien: It's that pearl and the human.
Bomber: This is a hidden lab, how did they find the...
Bomber motions to Genbu.
Bomber: Genbu, who did you go over the design of the hotel with?
Genbu: With Acha.
Bomber: ACHA!
Acha hides behind Viggo shaking.
Bomber: You made the entrence to our secret lab plain obvious?
Viggo steps aside leaving Acha exposed to Bomber.
Acha: I mean humans always follow rules. Employee's only means no guest are aloud to enter.
Bomber: And Genbu, you went with it?
Genbu: Where else were we supposed to put it? At the elevator?
Bomber: Yes, with a code!
Acha and Genbu: Oh...
Bomber: ARGH Morons! I'm surrounded by morons!
Viggo: Calm yourself Bomber the Great.
Viggo gets a bottle of merlot and pours a glass.
Viggo: Here have a drink.
Bomber: We don't need to drink Viggo. We're on a mission.
Viggo: You need a clear mind if you want to win. That's how I do it.
Viggo removes his face mask and drinks the wine.
Genbu: But don't worry Bomber the Great. As a matter of fact I'm glad they're coming here.
Gien: And why is that Genbu?
Genbu: Because, I know the pearl's weakness.
Genbu's body began to glow and soon took form of a familiar figure that Gien and Steven know.
Meanwhile Pearl and Greg were going down the stairs, heading to the lab.
Greg: Man, this looks like something a mad scientist would go down too.
Pearl: This is where a mad scientist would go down too. Let's not waste time and save Steven.
As they kept going down, Greg has been meaning to ask Pearl something.
Greg: Pearl, I know this isn't a good time, but why did you come on this trip?
Pearl: No reason.
Greg: I'm serious I want to know. You don't like hanging out with me and you knew I was going to be here. That's what I don't get. Why did you want to join us here?
Pearl's formed a frown on her face.
Pearl: I came because I wanted to spend some time with Steven, to show that I love him.
Greg: What?
Pearl: Because of how much I talked about Rose around him, it made Steven think that I don't love him. He's been thinking like that lately. I asked to come so I can spend some fun time with him. But I'm still making things worse. I can't even try to be nice around you. It's no wonder Rose chose you over mer.
Greg: Pearl, do you really think Steven doesn't love you? I highly doubt it because of what he told me.
Pearl looked at Greg.
Pearl: What did he say about me?
Greg: Well for starters you're always making sure that he's safe. You taught him some how to do things for himself, to be responsible and that you've been training him to be stronger than he was before. He's amazed by your sword fighting skills and that you're a unique gem. He looks up to you just as much as he looks up to Garnet, Amethyst and Bismuth.
Pearl: Steven said all of that about me?
Greg: Yeah, the only thing he said was that he wished you would open up more to him and was wondering if you did love him.
Pearl: I do. That's why I came.
Greg: He was so excited for you to come because he wanted to have some fun with you. You know what, I'm glad you came. I wouldn't know what to do if it was only me here trying to deal with these killer robotmen. I'm his father sure, but he needs you too.
Pearl: Yeah, he needs the both of us. ( sighs ) Greg, I'm sorry for earlier.
Greg: It's fine, but you know, I don't blame you. If I were you I would hate me too.
Pearl: I don't hate you.
Greg: But I knew how you felt about Rose and I stayed anyway.
Pearl: That wasn't the problem.
Greg: Then what was?
Pearl: She fell in love with you.
Greg: Well you know Rose.
Pearl and Greg: She always did what she wanted.
They both chuckle, they never did before which surprised the two of them. Then a frown formed on Greg's face.
Greg: But you know, I don't know what she saw in a loser like me.
Pearl: Greg, your not a loser.
Greg: I live in a van and run a car wash.
Pearl: I lived on this planet for thousands of years and I still don't understand human nature. I don't even know what a selfie is.
Greg: Well I guess we're both guilty of some things right?
Pearl: ( chuckles) Yeah, right.
Greg: You know Pearl, when Rose and I were dating she always talked about you.
Pearl: Really? Rose talked to you about me as well?
Greg: Yeah she always said...wait what's that light?
Pearl and Greg saw a light down the halls and it was getting closer. It was so bright that they couldn't see. After ten seconds, it stopped.
Pearl: What happened? What do you think that was Greg?
Greg: I don't know, but we better hurry.
Pearl summoned her spear and the two of them ran towards the hall and made it to the lab where Gien and Viggo are at.
Gien: Oh welcome. Tell me what do you rate this hotel out of five?
Pearl: Where is Steven?
Gien: Steven? There's no Steven here.
Viggo: My lord, she probably means our new friend.
Gien: Of course that's it.
Greg: Friend?
Gien: Yes, come on out!
Gien called out for this person, she emerged from the shadows and it was a familiar person that Pearl and Greg knew. It was Rose Quartz. Pearl couldn't believe who she saw and she dropped her spear.
Pearl: R-Rose? Is that really you?
Greg: It can't be.
Rose: But it is Greg. It's really me.
Pearl walked closer to Rose.
Pearl: Rose, I can't believe your here.
Rose: Don't come any closer!
Pearl stopped on her tracks.
Pearl: Is something wrong Rose. Wait how are you here? Where's Steven?
Rose: Steven... is dead.
Both Pearl and Greg were shocked to hear that and tears formed on Pearl's face.
Pearl: What?
Rose: And you're to blame for this.
Greg: Whoa wait, hold on Rose. What's going on really? Why are you with the...
Greg walked up to Rose until she grabbed him by the shirt.
Rose: Stay out of this Greg.
Then she threw him aside.
Pearl: Greg! Rose what are you doing?
Rose: That's enough Pearl. Would you just shut up for once?
Pearl couldn't believe what Rose said to her.
Pearl: Rose, are you alright? It's me your pearl.
Rose: You're not my pearl. You're just a pearl. A useless, weak and expandable pearl.
Pearl: Rose, what are you saying?
Rose: Oh sorry, your right. You're not a useless pearl. You're a useless pebble. An insignificant pebble.
Gien: Oh, this should be interesting.
Pearl was shaking and tearing up. Rose never spoke to her like this before.
Pearl: No...
Rose: And now to do something I should have done thousands of years ago.
Rose got her sword out.
Pearl: Rose what are you...
Rose: Die here.
Rose attacked Pearl. Pearl dodged her sword.
Greg: Pearl!
But before Greg could get back up, he is grabbed by Viggo.
Viggo: Let's watch together as your love is about to mentally and physically kill your friend.
Greg tried to break free, but Viggo was too strong for him. They watched as Pearl dodged another swipe from Rose's sword.
Pearl: Rose what are you doing?
Rose: What does it look like? I'm trying to shatter you.
Pearl: But why?
Rose: Because I can't stand you anymore.
Rose tried attacking Pearl again. Pearl summond her spear to block it.
Pearl: I don't want to fight you.
Rose: Really? that's too bad, because I wanted to make this into a challenge.
Pearl blocked every attack from Rose, but she didn't try to fight back. She couldn't, not to Rose.
Pearl: Rose please stop. We shouldn't be fighting, especially after everything we've been through.
Rose: Oh please Pearl. You were a useful pawn back then, but now I don't need you anymore.
Pearl: What?
Rose: You're just an accessory. Just face it, you'll never be your own gem. You were never free. I had you keep our secret for a reason.
But after Rose said that, Gien and Viggo were now confused.
Gien: ( in his mind) Secret, what is he talking about?
Viggo: ( in his mind) I don't know what this is about, but we'll talk to Genbu after this.
Pearl sank on the floor trembling.
Rose: Do you understand now? The reason I chose to be with Greg was to get away from you.
Pearl was covering her ears trying to ignore it.
Pearl: Stop!
Rose: And when I found out I was going to have Steven, I took this as an oppritunity to not only to get away from you, but also to make you suffer.
Pearl: Why?
Rose: Because I hate you. I always hated you.
Greg however knew this was not Rose for she was completely out of character.
Greg: That's not true Pearl! That is not the Rose I know!
Viggo: Silence. Of course it is. How would you know?
Greg: Because that's not what Rose told me about Pearl.
Pearl looked at Greg.
Greg: When Rose and I were dating she talked about you. She told me how you were one of her best and closest friends. How you were always there for her and how you protected her durng the war you fought in. She was proud of you for being your own gem. When she was pregnant with Steven I asked her if she really wanted to go through with it. She said yes and the reason being was because she wanted to give all of us someting in return. She wanted to give us Steven and she trusted you with him because she knew that you would take care of him like you did for her. She love you Pearl. She always did!
Pearl listened to Greg. She didn't know Rose talked to him about her. The fact that Rose trusted her with Steven showed that she meant so much to her. Gien however had enough of Greg.
Gien: Enough!
Gien takes Greg from Viggo and throws him to a wall.
Gien: No one asked for you opinion human. How dare you talk about that whitch around me?! Die here!
Gien's eyes red eye's open wide and shoots a laser at the ceiling. The ceiling debris fell onto Greg, appearently crushing him.
Pearl: GREG!
Pearl was in tears as she looks at debris that buried Greg. All she could see was his arm sticking out.
Rose: Too bad. It seems humans aren't as strong as I thought they were. And now Pearl, you can join him too.
Rose raised her sword and was about to strike Pearl. But with fast speed, Pearl got out of the way and stabbed Rose. She kept the spear plunged into her body. Rose dropped her sword and just grabbed onto the shaft of the spear, trying to pull it out but Pearl wouldn't allow it. Rose's body began to glow and morphed back into Genbu, revealing to be a disguise. He realized that the spear was so close to his life spark.
Genbu: I-Impossible...how did you...
Pearl: ( serious expresssion) You can beat me and break me down mentally. But when you hurt my baby and my friends, that's when you crossed the line.
Genbu: But...how can you be so strong? You're just a pearl.
Pearl: You're right. I am a pearl. A pearl that belongs to no one. I am my own gem who has control of her own destiny. No one decides who I am.
Genbu turns to Gien and Viggo.
Genbu: G-Gien...Viggo...help me...
Gien: Viggo, let's go.
Viggo: What about Genbu?
Gien: He'll slow us down, let's go!
Gien and Viggo leave to the other room.
Genbu: My lord...don't leave me...come back...
Pearl: That's what happens when you join the wrong team.
Genbu however wasn't going to give up. He reached behind him a dagger.
Genbu: No my dear... I chose the right team. If I am to die for the Gara Droid cause...then...then...YOU DIE AS WELL!
Genbu raised the dagger up and was about to plunge it into Pearl's gem. But before he could Pearl used the laser inside him. Since the point of the spear was aimed at his life spark, this caused Genbu to explode into pieces, killing him. The smoke cleared and Pearl was standing and breathing heavily. All she saw was the elite's remains all over the room. Then she remember something important.
Pearl: Greg!
Pearl rushed over to the ceiling debris that Greg was under. She dug through it and found Greg. He was bleeding a bit from the head and was a bit bruised.
Greg: Ow...my head.
Pearl: Greg are you alright.
Greg: A little scrapped, but I'm okay. But nevermind me, go get Steven.
Pearl: Just wait here, I'll be back.
Pearl runs to the other room to get to find Steven.
In the back room.
Gien: Bomber! Where is the boy?
Bomber: He's still here my lord.
Bomber motioned to Steven who was still tied up.
Gien: Give him to me. We're leaving now.
Gien unties Steven and grabs him by the arm, but then Pearl enters the room.
Steven: Pearl!
Pearl: Give him back now or else.
Acha: This is not good. Kocha hide me.
Kocha: Hide yourself!
Gien: You're really starting to pester me. Shatter her!
Eight Gara Soldiers along with Bomber and Viggo ganged up on Pearl. Gien stayed back holding onto Steven while Acha and Kocha moved away also. Pearl managed to take down a soldier, but she needed help. She dodged many attacks until she fired a laser from her spear at Gien. Gien let's go of Steven and even drops the key to his collar. Steven takes it and unlocks the collar setting him free.
Gien: You stupid little pearl. I'll teach you for firing at me.
Gien used his limb enhancer laser and was about to fire at Pearl, but Steven blocks it with his shield.
Gien: What?
Steven tosses his shield at Gien knocking him down. Then Steven used his spiked shield and tossed at three soldiers, instantly killing them.
Pearl: Steven, take this.
Pearl got his sword out of her gem and tossed it to him.
Steven: Thanks Pearl.
Steven drew out his sword and helped Pearl. Steven took on Viggo and two soldiers while Pearl took Bomber and the other two soldiers. The soldiers were easily dealt with, but the elites were tougher. Steven blocked Viggo's lightning, but when he used his electrical whip on him, it wrapped around his sword. This makes Viggo momemtarily vulnerable because his weapon was stuck and so Steven plunges the sword into Viggo, stabbing him. Viggo manages to pull it out and push Steven away, but was severely wounded.
With Pearl she blocked many of Bomber's attacks. Bomber uses his arm cannon at her, but he either misses or Pearl blocks with her spear. Bomber was skilled with his sword, but Pearl was better. She managed to strike him three times.
Bomber: Damnt it! Losing to a fusion is one thing, but defected pearl is another. Missile mode!
Bomber transforms into his missile form and launches himself at Pearl. But Pearl dodges and throws her spear at the combustion chamber causing Bomber to lose control and was heading towards Gien, Viggo, Acha and Kocha.
Gien: Bomber! Stop!
Viggo: Wait! Wait!
Acha: Take cover my lord!
Kocha: Hit the dirt!
But they all get hit by Bomber making the room explode. Steven formed a bubble around Pearl to keep them safe. The smoke began to clear up revealing the dented and damaged droids.
Viggo: You fool. What were you thinking?
Bomber: I lost control. I couldn't manuever.
Acha: Kocha, where are you?
Kocha: I'm down here Tinhead.
Acha looks down and picks up Kocha.
Acha: My lord, I can't take much more of this.
Gien: Agreed Acha. I've had enough of this humiliating defeat , retreat.
The Gara Droids teleport back to base leaving Pearl and Steven behind. Steven removes the bubble and looks at Pearl. Pearl hugs him tight as well as kissing his cheek.
Pearl: Oh Steven are you alright? I was so worried. Did they hurt you?
Steven: I'm fine Pearl, really. But thank you, you saved me.
Pearl: I couldnt let them have you. I won't let anyone harm you.
Pearl hugs him again. Steven hugged her back, he felt safe now with Pearl.
Steven: Wait where's dad?
Pearl: That's right. Greg is waiting for us.
They let go and head towards the room where Greg was. He was trying to stand up, but he managed. Steven ran up to hug him.
Steven: Dad!
Greg: Steven! I'm glad your okay Stu Ball.
Steven: Pearl got me out dad.
Pearl: Actually Steven, I couldn't have done this without your father.
Steven and Greg: Really?
Pearl goes up to Greg and hugs him much to both Steven and Greg's surprise. Greg hugs her back still.
Pearl: Thank you Greg.
Greg: You're welcome Pearl.
With that, Pearl and Greg are finally friends which makes Steven happy.
Greg: Wow I mean this has got to be the third craziest weekend I've been through.
Pearl: Why did we even come here? We could have done all of this back home.
Steven: I know! But I think I'm all vacationed out now.
Greg: Yeah, let's just go home.
After bandaging Greg's head, the trio went up the stiar way that led them down there. They opened the door and saw that hotel looked different. After destroying Genbu, his power wore off and the hotel was now old and decomposed.
Steven: Whoa, talk about a downgrade.
Pearl: This is really unsanitary.
Greg: I hope I didn't get bed bugs sleeping on that bed.
They got back outside and saw the van was still there.
Steven: Hey Pearl, is it okay if you sit with me in the back? I would feel safer with you by my side.
Pearl looked at him so happy.
Pearl: Of course Steven. Anything for you.
And so they drove back home. Steven fell asleep and leaned onto Pearl. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. She was happy that Steven was safe and that she and Greg could finally move on. While this trip didn't go as planned, she atleast got to make ammends with Greg and was starting to make a better relationship with Steven. But she's not stopping there. She'll keep trying, even if the Gara Droids tried to attack again, they would have to go through her before they can get her Steven.
To be continued...
Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. This concludes the retelling of Mr. Greg. I hope you enjoyed. Special thanks to Lady Shadow92 for the ideas on Pearl's arc. Please read and review. Thank you.