*Boom!*

"Ah!" Suddenly I fall off the couch and find myself face down on the floor. Groaning, I get up and look around to find what that shaking was.

"Is he alright?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine. "

My attention diverts to the voices. Looking to the living room window, I spot the gems huddled up against the window, staring at something. "What are you guys doing?"

Garnet is the only one to acknowledge me although she doesn't turn, "Hello Marcus."

They keep staring out the window. Not wanting to be left out, I peer over Amethyst to try and see what's got them so interested. My eyes roam a bit but I have pretty good guess as to what it is that's got them so interested. 'Of course, Steven with a girl.' "You know, instead of intruding on Steven's social life, maybe we could focus our efforts to something a bit more… productive?" I propose. "Like for example, the earthquake that knocked me onto my face?"

"The earth has earthquakes all the time. It's nothing new." Pearl says while still looking at the window.

"Hmmm," I think a retort. I take out my phone and do a quick search of places in the US where earthquakes occur and when was the last time any sort of earthquake occurred neared Beach City or the closest ones occurred. "Aha! According to the internet, earthquakes do occur on the planet but no earthquakes have occurred whatsoever in or near Beach City ever. The closest one is several hundred miles from here." I say with a smile.

"The internet lies." Garnet replies.

"…" 'God damnit she's right. The internet can lie.' I sadly think with a lowered head.

*Slam*

All our eyes move to the door as a tired, panting sweaty Steven leans against the door. He quickly takes note of us at the window and tries to act casual. "Whaddup?"

"Who were you talking to?" Amethyst asks.

"Huh?"

"That girl." Garnet bluntly says.

"Way to be smooth guys." I mutter under my breath.

"You saw?" Steven exclaims in embarrassment, a visible blush starting to appear on his face. "She's just a girl I know, except she doesn't know me. We never talked." He tries to play it off but fails.

Amethyst lets out a gasp before smushing Stevens face, "You like her!"

"Amethyst! Don't embarrass the kid." I try to dissuade her and pull her off him.

"Uhh… I like everyone." 'Well, technically he's right. Haven't found a person yet he hates or just doesn't likes.'

Pearl however has a different idea as she gasps, "Let's set up a play-date!" 'What?!' "I'll write up an invitation and work out a schedule. Ohh! We'll have to find out her favorite kind of tea…

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Back up there Pearl." I quickly put down her idea with waving arms. "He is not doing that. He does that he's more than likely gonna scare her off."

"Marcus is right." Garnet agrees with me, "Just talk to her."

"Okay, but you guys can't watch this time!" he tells us with an accusatory point. "It'll mess up my funky flow."

"Funky flow?" Pearl, Amethyst and I ask in confusion.

"We won't watch." Garnet agrees while adjusting her visor.

"Alright!" he says and takes off to the fridge. Reaching into the freezer, he pulls something out.

"What's that?" Amethyst asks.

"Nothing!" he yells as he runs outside.

"Didn't look like nothing." I say as Steven continues to run. "Alright, now that you guys agreed not to spy on him, what do we do against those earthquakes?"

*Boom!*

Another quake shakes everything around us. "See."

"Well, we don't know what exactly it is that's causing these quakes. They could be genuine but they happen way to frequently and the landscape hasn't changed." Pearl deduces.

"So the only other option is something causing them, whether it's human interference…?"

"Or a monster attack." Garnet finishes.

"Right." I pace around trying to come up with a plan of action. "Alright. If it's shaking everything around us, more than likely it's underground. Maybe we can look around for any entrances that go into the ground?" I propose.

"It's the best we got so far." Garnet agrees and so do the others. "We'll search along the outskirts of town. Marcus, you search in town and we'll work our way in." With our orders given, we head outside and almost instantly the gems jump off.

'Damn that's so cool.' Quickly heading down the stairs, I opt not to grab anything from truck because I have no idea what it is I'll be facing that's making these quakes and I don't want to be bogged down by useless equipment. Before I can make my way towards the center of town, something catches my eye.

A giant pink ball thing with two people inside cresting the hill. Recognizing the red shirt and curly hair, I'm sure one of its occupants is Steven and I can only hazard a guess as to who the other is. With a shake of my head, I follow after them until they make it to a store called 'The Big Donut'. Two people are already there attempting to help them.

Well, one of them is with a hammer, the other looks to be having a ball about Stevens predicament.

"Lars, quit being a jerk and help!" the lady yells with the hammer.

"What? I'm helping Steven on his date." The guy known as Lars coos the last part.

"You're embarrassing him!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are." I reply from behind the guy. "Now move." I grab him by the shoulder with one hand and push him away.

"Marcus!" Steven exclaims happily with a large smile.

"Hey Steven." Looking at the ball he's in, I knock it a couple times to test its durability. "Looks like you got yourself into quite a predicament."

"Yeah," he says in an embarrassed tone. He scratches the back of his head, "I have no idea how I made this bubble or how it happened."

"You made this?" I ask surprised. I give off a long whistle, "Nice man. Looks like some sort of shield… thing. Could be useful in the future but for now we have to figure out how to get you out."

"Hey! Don't push me!" the guy I pulled away from the bubble yells and tries to push me. I stay rooted to my spot and he only pushes himself to the ground. I just glance at him before turning back

"Uh, hi." My attention moves over to the girl with Steven. "Sorry to interrupt but who are you?"

"Names Marcus. I'm a friend of Stevens and I'm gonna try to help you guys out of there." I say with a smile.

"Connie. Thanks for the help. I'd shake your hand but…" she trails off as she places a hand on the bubble.

"Gotcha." I nod.

"I'm Saddie." The girl trying to help extends her hand to me. With a smile, I shake her hand.

"A pleasure. Thanks for trying to help my friend here." I nod my head towards the bubble.

"No problem." She looks behind me, "That's Lars. Sorry about him. He can be a bit testy sometimes.

"Hey!"

"Whatever." I reply.

"Can you get the others?" Steven asks.

I shake my head no, "Sorry man, the others are out looking for what's been making those earthquakes outside of town. We're on our own." I place a hand to my chin and think, "Now how to pop you…?"

"Oh! I'm gonna go try something else." Sadie says and dashes into the store.

"So, how do you guys know each other?" Connie asks.

"He's like me." Steven says and points to his gem. "He's a gem too."

"No wonder. Your freak like him and the others he hangs out with."

My knuckles pop and whiten a bit as I clench them hard. 'Choose your worlds carefully Lars. Been called that too many times as it is.'

"AHHHH!" Sadie comes running out of the store with a stool over her head and slams it over the bubble. The stool breaks into a million pieces but the bubble remains intact.

"*Sigh* My turn." Taking a step back, I cross my arms over me and back. Before anyone can react, I take a step forward and slice the top part of the bubble, so if my swords manage to cut, I don't want to kill the kids either. The hit sends the bubble rolling back, making the kids tumble inside until they hit railing around the store. I'm pretty sure I freaked out Lars and Sadie but I pay them no mind. Walking over to the bubble to see it still intact, I poke it a couple times with my right sword. 'Damn. Fells like I'm hitting concrete or steel.' With a sigh, I throw my swords into the air, making them disappear.

"Haha ha ha." Steven chuckles nervously. "I have a better idea."


"Whoa, a trawler! And a little skip-jack!" Connie loudly says in happiness at the surrounding boats.

"You know a lot about boats." Steven comments.

"That's what happens when you hang out at the beach and don't swim and don't have friends." Connie awkwardly explains. 'Okay, that's kinda sad.' "Y-you look at boats…"

"Heh, uh…"

"Hey you two!" They look at me behind the harpoon gun, "Not to break up the moment, but could you move to the side or duck please? I'm not to privy to the idea of skewering you guys." I warn them.

"Right!" The two immediately move to opposite sides of the bubble, giving me a clear shot directly done the middle. "Stay back Onion!"

With that, I can't help but look to my left and stare at the pale kid next to me, watching the scene while eating popcorn. We stare into each other's eyes and I can't help but be so disturbed on so many levels.

He gives me a thumbs up. 'Weird.'

Shaking my head, I take aim and fire.

Not only does the bubble not pop, but the spear does a complete right angle and hits the hull of a ship. "The trawler." Connie moans.

Onion and I look at each other. He gives me a thumbs up, acting cool about it. I however am freaking out.

"Cheese it!" I jump off the boat and take off down the pier. As soon as I pass the bubble I immediately double back and help them push the bubble.


"Funland?" Connie and I ask at the same time as we roll the bubble through the amusement park gates.

"Yeah! Tons of horrible accidents happen here everyday! There's gotta be something to break this bubble." Steven says.

"Umm…" Connie groans out uneasily.

"I agree with Connie. This isn't really making me feel better." I say in the same tone of unease.

"It'll be fine! We just gotta find the right ride." We stop and Steven looks around. "Yeah, the kiddie coaster!" Satisfied with his choice they begin going up the ramp towards the tracks with me behind. "Alright, we just roll down this ramp as the carts are coming at us, and the crash will break us free!"

'It's a sound plan…'

"What happens after the bubble pops?"

'And there's the flaw. Thank you Connie.'

"We'll be free!" A very awkward pause is the result of Stevens answer for me and Connie.

"Steven, this is a bad idea." Connie voices our thoughts.

"Yeah, man. I gotta agree with the girl. This does seem-"

Before I can finish, another earthquake, which actually sounds like a roar this time, shakes the entire place and sends me falling back after losing my balance and send the bubble duo onto the tracks. Before I can try to help them, the roller coaster immediately hits them but doesn't pop them, sending them along the tracks instead. "Stop the ride! Stop the ride!" I yell to the operator while I flail my arms to get his attention. He catches on and pulls the emergency brake. Unfortunately, the coaster stops but Steven and Connie don't. Soon they are ramped off the end of one of the tracks and sent hurtling straight towards the ocean. A look of horror graces my face. "Steven! Connie!" Before the cart operator can ask me what's going on, I vault over the railing and roll on the wooden pier. I continue to run as I make my way towards the ocean, jumping over railings, rides and vendors along the way. I hop the fence of Funland and make my way to the beach. Looking to the water I manage to triangulate the water ripples to where they hit the water.

Normally I would immediately jump in after them but I can't help but remember these reports and surveys I saw and read about the ocean and how it's nearly impossible to determine just how deep the ocean is because it's just that deep and the pressure is so powerful.

Right where they are sinking too.

"Aaah! Screw it!" I loudly exclaim and immediately take off my jack and holsters. Placing it against the rock wall, I bolt towards the water and dive right on in.

The cold water immediately cools and nearly freezes my entire body but I continue to swim directly down. Feeling more and more worried as I take into account of just how far they fell, I spot a recently broken crevice. 'Great. Found where the earthquakes are coming from.' I diving through the crevice, I almost immediately spot a bright pink glow coming from the dark bottom. Honing in on it, it's definitely them and they seem to be… smiling? 'Well, at least they aren't freaking out.' I bang on the bubble. Their smiles turn to happy grins at my appearance. I move under the bubble and try to pick them up. It's much easier now that I'm under water.

Unfortunately two things happen, one the bubble pops and they are no longer in an airtight bubble, and two they are no longer in an airtight bubble… at the bottom of the ocean.

My mouth opens in surprise, depriving me of my oxygen and it looks like the others are in the same boat as well. Immediately, I grab the both of them under my arms and kick off the walls of the crevice before kicking off the sea floor and start swimming up. Connie and Steven flail their arms and legs as well to help me push up. My vision begins to blur and blacken at the edges but the water's surface comes into view, giving me a second wind to hit the surface.

With a large gulp of air, all three of us take in the sweet nectar that is air and float there.

"You guys alright?" I ask them. They look to each other for a second before they start laughing. I give a tired smile at them with a shake of my head. "That's good. Now come on, let's get out of here before-"

*RAAAAAWWRRR!*

A large roar pierces the air and disturbs the waters surfaces. A large translucent, red and blue, worm monster with tentacles around its razor sharp teeth filled mouth rises out of the water behind us. It hits the water again, creating a tidal wave effect and sending us hurtling towards the beach. After landing, I cough up a mouthful of water and look to find the others next to me.

Another roar pierces the air. We look towards the water to see the thing zig-zagging along the water towards us. "Go!" I yell to Steven and Connie and materialize my swords. "I'll deal with him. Get the others!"

"Let's go Connie!" Steven grabs her hand and pulls her along.

"But what about-"

"He's got this." Steven interjects. With a nod I get into a combat ready stance.

"Alright you son of a bitch. Come and get… me?" I say in confusion. While I was ready to full take on this creature, it takes and immediate right turn and heads straight for Connie at the rocks. "Connie." I reach to grab my pistol to maybe get its attention, only to find its not there. "Shit! Where did they-?! My jacket!" I head towards where I left my jacket to see its still there. Immediately slinging it on, I head towards the others to try and help them. To my surprise and satisfaction, I see Steven using some sort of glowing object to lure the creature around the supports of the pier, where he manages to tangle the creature around them and stands next to Connie. The creature struggles against its bindings, desperately trying to get at its meal, but the supports start to crack. 'Need to collapse the pier before it gets free.' Sprinting past Steven and Connie with both swords in hand, I extend them out and run along the trapped monster, narrowly missing its snapping maw as I cut the supports with my outstretched weapons. With one last slash, I clear the pier just as it collapses. The broken boards trap the monster but it still struggles weakly. Running up a long intact wooden board, I jump over the monster, cross my swords in the air and slice the back of its neck as I land on it. I only cut half way through but it's enough to finally end it. With a satisfying 'poomfp', a large cloud of smoke and sand appears. I drop to the ground in a crouch just as the creature's gem 'clinks' on the ground next to me. Throwing my swords away, I pick up the gem and walk out of the cloud of smoke.

"Steven!" The gems come running towards us as I toss the gem up and down. "Marcus! What's going on?! What did you two do?!"

"They were incredible!" Connie exclaims loudly with stars in her eyes. I smile at her attitude before looking towards Garnet.

"Present for you." I toss the gem to her where she easily grabs it with one hand, bubbles it, and then send it off with a nod back to me.

"So, are you going to introduce us?" 'Oh god.' Amethyst grabs Stevens shoulders from behind and can't help but cut in with him and Connie, making him blush.

"Steven was so excited to meet you. Right Steven?" And neither can Pearl. The boy can only nervously laugh and nod his head.

"Hey!" Garnet interrupts 'them' by picking them both up. "Don't mess with his funky flow." She walks away with them.

"Funky… flow?" Connie asks in confusion.

Stevens only response is a really nervous laugh and groan.

With a shake of my head, I follow after the three, leaving Connie and Steven to properly talk with each other.

"Subtle Garnet. Real subtle."

Well, this felt a bit more tame than usual. In any case, I can't believe how popular this is becoming. I don't know if it's because of the quickness I've been putting these chapters out or the content itself but I appreciate it. So many of you have faved, followed, and reviewed this story and I can't thank you guys enough. Already this story has hit over 700 views by the time I post this. Thanks again and have great day.