Disclaimer: Characters, settings, names from the cartoon television show 'Steven Universe' are creations and property of Rebecca sugar and Cartoon network. Any Non-steven universe characters, settings, names, Gems, Gem powers, beliefs, mythology are my own creation.
Author's Note: I am drawing closer to big things for this story in future chapters. For those who think I don't plan on finishing this story because I'm taking long to update chapters, well I'm looking for a job. I got family issues to deal with, I have a little personal matter I have to get get through and I'm working on original stories. So of course it seems like I abandoned this story, too much work and time have gone into this story for me to suddenly just give up on it. Please read on.
Story Tags: Steven Universe, Lapis Lazuli, OC's, Connie Maheswaran Pearl, Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Bells, Whistles, Citrine, Peridot, Beach City, Gem Powers, Romance, Adventure, Comfort, Destiny.
Music Inspiration: "Mother of Dragons" by Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones OST)
Chapter 29: The Anointing
Saturday
May 18, 5:10 [Afternoon]
Beach House, Crystal Temple
5:00 [Evening]
Returning back to The Beach House after 'completing' their mission in the frozen continent of Antarctica. Pearl, Amethyst, Lapis and Commander Soren appeared on the warp pad. Pearl was the first to step off the pad and walk over to the lounge area. She took a look around, looking for Steven or Carlos if they had arrived home from their training. She heard the laughter of Steven and the voice of Carlos outside on the front deck of the beach house. She made her way over to the front door as did Lapis.
Resting on the couch was Lion who was asleep but kept turning on his back, almost like he was trying to scratch something. He flipped himself back on his feet, and reached around with his head and nibbled on the top side of his rump eagerly. Amethyst spotted this and pointed and laughed at Lion.
"Bwa hah hah hah hah, look at him you guys! He's munching on his own butt."
Sapphire placed a hand over her mouth, covering a smile and laughing quietly. Ruby only chuckled before walking off over to the kitchen area. The commander sauntered over to Lion and telekinetically moved Lion off to the side by raising and pointing his open hand at him. Lion's eyes moved rapidly under his closed eyelid. He began to move around so much when he opened his eyes suddenly opened and took a look around him.
The first person he noticed was the commander who had his arms crossed against his chest, one leg resting over the other. Lion growled lowly and stepped off of the couch. Soren glanced over at him, through his eyes Lion's body was a mass of shimmering dark pink energy. But in Lion's chest area, there was a small round section of light pink shimmering energy.
"Something wrong Beast? We're you having a nightmare. Was is related to rose." Soren whispered teasingly to Lion.
Lion stared at Soren for a while before sitting down and mumbling low growls at the commander. Almost like he was talking to him. Amethyst watched the commander bend forward, resting his forearms down on his laps. He mumbled back at Lion, Amethyst blushed and quietly laughed to herself. She wasn't sure if the commander was actually communicating with Lion or he was just doing this out of fun, but she doubted if he knew what the concept of 'Fun' was.
A few minutes later the warp pad lit up and a beam of light came down on it. Admiral bells arrived back home. Before Soren and his team came back, Bells sent Ruby and Sapphire back to the warp pad so he could triple check that the communications tower was completely trashed and not repairable. When he concluded that this was a mission complete, he returned back to the warp pad. Soren turned his head and watched The tall Martian walk off the pad and come walking over to him.
"Commander Soren, it's good to see you and your team made it back in one piece." Bells said, sounding very relieved.
"Yes, thank red beryl none of my team got hurt, not physically at least. How did your mission go admiral. I hope yours was a success."
"Yes commander, it was a...success." Bells replied, looking worried as to why the commander worded his question like that. Bells took a seat next to Soren, also making sure he did not bump into Lion who kept looking at Soren.
"Commander, why did your question sound so-"
"Worried? I'll talk to you and everyone else about it another day. Tell me, is the communication tower gone?"
"Yes Commander. I brought it down using using a large scale telekinetic attack, large invisible hands chopped the tower apart. Then Sapphire froze the rest and shattered it. Ruby then turned the main communication components into ashes using her ability to Thermoregulate the temperature. There is nothing that is salvageable."
"Amazing work Admiral, you get the work done. It's a relief to me to know there are some on this planet who do what's asked of them. Amethyst, Sapphire and Ruby!"
Amethyst ran over and stood in front of the commander, a hand resting on her forehead in a salute.
"Yes commander, what do you desire of me...us."
"at ease amethyst. How would you like to decorate this habitation for the Anointing tonight."
"I would love to help out commander, but we currently don't have any party decorations. We'll need to go outside and buy some."
"But we don't have any money right now, maybe pearl can give us some money. She does work with her hubby in the same place." Amethyst teased behind Pearl's back.
"That's fine, i'm certain I can handle the currency issue. What does the currency look like."
"Oh I know, just give a me a sec." Amethyst ran inside of the temple, making her way up to Pearl's bedroom. She came back out shortly with a ten dollar bill in hand. She showed it to Soren who analyzed it with narrowed eyes.
"Shouldn't be too hard to replicate." Soren muttered. He placed his hands together, almost clasping. In the middle an orb of of orange light sparked up, it took on the rectangular shape of the bill and with a 'pop' effect, there was a six inch stack of ten dollar bills.
"Will this suffice Amethyst?" Soren queried.
"Ooh yeaahh! Moolaahh. I mean, yes commander, that will do."
Amethyst took the money from Soren and ran out of the beach house with Sapphire who followed behind. Soren and Bells looked over to Ruby who stood behind.
"Ruby, Sapphire left with Amethyst. Don't you wish to join them in buying decorations for the Anointing of my baby boy?" Bells asked Ruby curiously.
"That's ok, I can wait here for my sapphy and friend amethyst to get back." Ruby answered with her arms crossed, chin held up high and face turned away from them.
Outside
When pearl left to join Carlos and Steven, Lapis also joined her. Carlos and Steven were sitting on lawn chairs eating ice cream cones. Steven had a strawberry ice cream cone, Carlos had a vanilla and chocolate ice cream cone. Steven leaned back on his chair, licking away at his ice cream ferociously.
"Calmate Steven, al paso. That ice cream ain't going anywhere. The good and sweet things in life deserve to be appreciated and savored for as long as possible. It'll last much longer."
"I can't help it Carlos, after that...that battle, I've been craving something sweet."
"That feeling still coursing through your veins amigo, that's called adrenaline. The thrill of something close to an actual battle pays homage to your gem heritage as a soldier. But it's strange, because you seem like such a nice kid. Fighting would appear the last thing you would be good at."
"Fighting is never ok, but my dad says it's OK if I have to save someone or protect one self."
"I would even go further than that Steven, I would say that it is not a sin to fight for the right cause. That 'cause' being, everything that is against the evil powers that sees to destroy or control this beautiful earth."
"You sound more and more like Rose Quartz, but you're not rose, you're my Carlos." said a voice from the front door of the beach house.
Carlos smiled and turned to see Pearl coming over to him. She rushed over to him and took a seat on his laps. Pearl wrapped her arms around Carlos's neck and rested the side of her face on his.
Lapis showed more restraint and walked over to Steven who was waiting for her. He licked his ice cream, waiting for Lapis to walk around Carlos and Pearl. Lapis reached down and hugged Steven, placing a kiss down on his forehead. Steven stood up and pulled another lawn chair from further down the deck which Lapis took a seat on.
"So Carlos, honey. How was the first day of training Steven go." Pearl asked Carlos.
"The little guy is more tough and battle oriented than I originally didn't give him credit for. He's impressed me by how much he's learned and put into use from what you all taught him."
"Wow Steven, did you pull out The Giant Wooden Steven method?" Lapis asked Steven.
"I wanted to, but Carlos was making it difficult for me to concentrate. So I just um, I uh covered my self in wooden armor."
"Yep. Steven was practically a fighting tree knight, oh! Speaking of trees. I explained to Steven during our breaks, that some elements have basic, advance and master forms. Some elements never go past a basic form. But just because something is labeled 'basic' does not mean it's not dangerous.
For example, my natural element is air. In it's basic form it's just that, 'air.' but in it's advance form is changed to being able to manipulate gasses. Gas is a phase of matter characterized by relatively low density, high fluidity/ no definite shape, and lack of rigidity. Gas is very compressible but tends to expand indefinitely, and it fills any container. A small change in temperature or pressure produces a substantial change In its volume.
Some of the application of being able to manipulate gas is air manipulation, no surprise. Explosion inducement by creating flammable gasses, miasma emission by emitting chlorine or even nerve gas. And much more. And the master form of the air element is weather manipulation through manipulating various gasses.
Steven's Element is Lumber, Wood Manipulation. That to me raised a big flag. Wood is part of the earth, which is part of nature itself. I guess every element is part of the earth and greater nature itself if you want to be very anal. But I have a rule, blue, brown, green and white. Water, Earth, Plant and Air. Marine life, land life, plant life and avian life. All of these elements are part of nature, but only three out of these four are as close to the earth. Which means anyone whose main element is plant, water or earth is capable of being able to learn and manipulate a massive cache of elements and powers which encompasses the entirety of the planet. But for now, Steven show them your fruits of our training."
Steven finished his ice cream, chewed the cone and burped after. "Steven!" Pearl said, sounding disgusted.
"Sorry Pearl. Ok, here I go."
Steven tapped on his cheeks with his hands and extended his opened hand out in front of him. Lapis and Pearl watched a seed appear on the center of Steven's palm. It apparently rose out from under his skin. The plant seed shot out a stem that grew and became more and more taller. At the end of this seed's growth, Steven was grasping the wooden handle of a sword whose blade was made from one large blade of grass. The sword's cross-guard was made from rose petals in full bloom.
"My mother had her own sword, with a little help and explanation from Carlos on how to ask aide from the soil and earth...i have my own."
"Steven, wow that's amazing." Lapis chimed.
"It's beautiful Steven, i''m happy that you're making progress under Carlos guidance. Lapis, Steven, could you give me and Carlos some privacy, please."
Steven raised an eyebrow and looked over to Lapis for an answer. Lapis smiled at Steven and nodded at him. Steven turned to both Carlos and pearl and nodded his head. Lapis manifested her water wings from her gemstone and wrapped her arms around Steven's chest and flew them up to the top of the hill above the temple.
Peridot in the meanwhile was kept tied to a wooden pole Steven erected in the sand near the beach house. She had on a harness made of flame energy, courtesy of the eye of Soren still hovering over her head. Without her limb enhancers and tech embedded in it, Peridot was left with only her visor. looking over more of the sparring match she captured between Carlos and Steven. She analyzed and made feats for both hybrids.
Pearl x Carlos
With Lapis and Steven gone, and the two of them alone. Carlos finished his own Ice cream cone and held Pearl closer to him. Pearl relished how Carlos pulled her in a protective manner, she needed someone to hold her; to listen to her.
"Talk to me mi amor, I feel like you've got something heavy you need to get off of your chest. Lay it on me."
Pearl brushed her fingers through Carlos's luscious dark brown hair. She rested the side of her face in the crook of his neck and started to speak.
"I know I never told you, but when you and Steven left to train. Commander Soren took me, Lapis and amethyst with him to accompany him on a mission. That mission was to destroy a legion of mind controlled gem warriors that...apparently my former leader Rose, was given to when she came here to dominate this planet."
"Wait a second pearl, where was this legion of gems located at!?"
"Why?" Pearl asked so casually and tired.
"Because governments, the American and Russian government in particular love to seize places of high technological importance."
"Trust me, there was nothing of technological importance left in that base to any earth government. Anyway, the number of gem warriors there numbered six thousand. Carlos, Soren made me murder three thousand of them after standing up to him."
"Whoa hold on a second. Murder? Does that kind of thing...even exist between Gems?"
"Of course it does. Humans murder each other all the time, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Gems have done in the past and I suppose, I've added a large number of deaths to that shameful and disappointing list. He made me do it to teach me a lesson, to show me how much control he has over everyone of us. He says he's doing this to seek redemption his past sins. He said Red beryl, who communicated to him in a dream told him to seek Steven. He says he's this planet's temporary guardian, at least until Steven's fully mastered his gem powers. I hope that under your guidance Carlos, Steven's masters his gem powers."
"I'm sorry he made you do that Pearl. I would go in there and ask him why he made you do that. But then you would say?"
"I would tell you that's a horrible idea. Even if you, Carlos, have already mastered your gem-"
"IN my Mastered Gem form, Pearl, I have enough strength to lift, pull or pulverize a mountain. In that state I imagine me and Soren would be neck in neck. However, in my True Maste-"
"HAH HAH! HAH RACE YOU TO THE STORE SAPPHIRE!" Amethyst shouted over her shoulder, cutting Carlos's statement in half. Sapphire followed behind Amethyst, making sure not to fall or trip.
"Amethyst! Be careful! Sapphire you too!" Pearl warned.
Pearl shook her head disappointingly and rolled her eyes too. She turned her attention back on Carlos who kept staring at her the whole time, running his hands down her sides and pressing kisses along the side of her neck. The sensation of Carlos's soft lips made her ticklish and turn her attention back on him.
Pearl leaned in for a kiss, something she's desired since warping back from the cold frozen continent. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips on Carlos's, his wet tongue and her tongue which became wet with simulated saliva danced with one another. Carlos's breathing picked up, his cheeks, like Pearl's bowed from the intensity of their passionate kiss.
Carlos pulled away slowly, pulling on Pearl's bottom lip, then holding her close to him. "oh my goodness Carlos, I'm so sorry. You were saying something before Amethyst interrupted you with her loud obnoxious exit."
"It's ok mi amor. It wasn't important, I will say this. After I've taken Steven down to Xibalba and have him swim in sacred waters, he will be on the path to mastering his gem powers very quickly."
"That's good to hear. I wonder what Steven will be able to do when he masters his power." Pearl said, closing her eyes.
"Plenty Pearl, and more." Carlos answered.
Steven x Lapis
When Lapis flew both her and Steven up to the top of the hill situated above the temple, Steven laughed and kicked his legs and feet. Lapis's hands which were pressed and moving slowly up to Steven's armpits, were tickling him. She didn't mean to do it. when she pulled him up, she wrapped her arms around his chest, which meant her hands would be situated in or near his armpits.
"I'm sorry Steven, I didn't mean to tickle you." she said to Steven, apologetically.
She placed Steven down on the grassy ground when he close enough to land down on his own. He looked around and took in the sight of the evening sun slowly setting down on the horizon. The sky was midway colored orange from the light of the setting sun.
"Wow, it's amazing up here. Don't you think so Lapis?" Steven said, taking a seat on the grass.
Lapis flapped her water wings faster to land on the ground. With her feet planted firmly on the ground, Lapis made her wings retreat back into her gemstone. She took a seat not next to Steven, but behind him. She spread her legs and asked Steven to move back and lean against her. Steven did so and clasped his hands and rested them on his navel.
Lapis hugged Steven and rested her chin on the crown of his head. She took in the smell of sweat that clung to him. She also smelled something else, iron, blood. This made her worry.
"So Steven, how did training with the other hybrid go."
"That other hybrid has a name Lapis, it's Carlos Montoya. And it went super! He's a tough one. He's smart and very nice guy. He sure knows a lot about people like us. I guess it makes sense, he was alive before even I was born."
"Oh. Were you hurt in any kind of way?" she asked calmly.
"Well I did receive some bruises and some cuts. It was training after all. I'm not painting or playing four square."
"I ask because, well would you like to return back to me training you?"
"Lapis, it's only been one day. I learned more in one day under him than I have under you or the crystal gems. And I don't mean that to offend you. I did learn greater control over wood and plant because of you."
Lapis tightened the hold she had around Steven and pressed her lips against his left ear. Steven's cheeks went red with blush, he brought his hands up and gently gripped Lapis's forearms. Lapis took a moment to trace her lips against the side of Steven's ear. Getting a small groan from Steven, who felt Lapis's soft breasts pressing on his back. Steven turned his face to look up at Lapis.
"Lapis," Steven started nervously. Lapis smiled at him, lowering her face to press a kiss on Steven's lips. Steven pushed past Lapis's closed lips with his tongue and slowly kissed her. Feeling her tongue on moving against his own. Lapis brought a hand up and placed it on Steven's left cheek.
"Lapis...mmm...wait. How did you...mission..."
"I don't want to talk about my...mission...Steven. Hey Steven..." Lapis said in between kissing him.
"Yeah...Lapis?"
"I thought only boyfriend and girlfriends kissed like this. Are we boyfriend and girlfriend?" she asked, hopeful the answer would be 'yes.'
That was a good question, so good Steven pulled away slightly from Lapis to think about it. He never did ask her that, not once the entire time they've spent together. Lapis didn't know that he went to Conne's place to make their breakup official.
"If I ask Lapis to be my girlfriend, what will Connie think. What will the crystal gems think. And my dad. What did Connie call gems, beings made out of hard light. Take away the hair, clothes, face, smile and boobs, they are only gemstones. But Lapis is not just some magical gemstone, she's obviously more than that."
"Steven...Steven!" Lapis said loudly.
"Yes Lapis? Oh my goodness I'm sorry. I was just thinking about something."
"Was it about me?" she asked politely and innocently.
"Yes. Um, what will Pearl think? Or my dad. None of them have seen us kiss."
"I love you Steven, and you love me, right? You're not a little boy anymore. No one can tell you who to love. You're father was in love with Rose. I imagine Pearl took a solid stance against that relationship during your mother's time. There's going to be some people who don't approve of us, but do you care about them or me."
"If we go steady, does that mean you and me will become..." Steven asked lapsi, trailing off.
"Become what Steven?"
"...Married. someday"
Lapis blinked several times, staring at Steven with wide eyes and blush over her cheeks. Steven came to the realization of how his answer sounded and just how much it meant to Lapis. He stood up on his feet visibly embarrassed. He looked off to his sides and took off running past Lapis.
"Steven wait!" she cried out toward Steven, a hand extended out to him.
"We'll talk about it later Lapis! Ok!?" Steven hollered back.
Beach House, Crystal Temple
7:00 [Evening]
hours went by when Carlos and Steven returned from their training, and the gems with commander Soren and admiral bells came back from their designated missions. Amethyst with the help of Sapphire came back from town with party decorations, only after receiving money made by none other than the commander himself.
The lounge area, kitchen and Steven's bedroom area had white, red and black balloons stuck around it. Coiled around the support beams of the beach house were red and clear Christmas lights, something Greg gave to Amethyst when she was looking for something with some flare. Few people were invited to the Anointing that was going to take place just an hour from now. Greg was one of them, Carlos was one of them. And that was about it. Soren had placed a wide circular stone altar with three legs over the warp pad. The altar had symbols of fire, royalty and power. They glowed and dimmed, glowed and dimmed over and over. On the altar was a circular pillow where Baby whistles would be placed. And around the pillow were black and red candles, and lastly a wax melting pot with spoon and spirit burner.
Sapphire, with Ruby's help helped make food for Steven, Carlos and Greg who were the only non pure gems, aside from Amethyst who ate. Plates of food and drinks were waiting on the kitchen counter. Steven was dressed in stone washed jeans, wore a black and pink flannel shirt and wore pink sandals on his feet. He laid back on his bed with Baby whistles in his arms. the cat-gem hybrid suckled on his bib as he slept in his godbrother's arms.
Lapis walked on the front deck outside, placing the same colored Christmas lights on the sides and edges of the roof of the house, and on the railing of the desk and stairs. Lapis stopped to look down at the base of the stairs. Citrine and Admiral Bells were coming over from their home, located on the other far left side of the temple.
"Ah, Lapis. The water gem, how's my baby boy doing." bells asked from below.
"He's sleeping in Steven's arms right now, he's doing Ok."
"That's good to hear. Is the commander up there too? I know he says he likes to keep himself busy." said Citrine as she walked up the steps of the house.
"He's already set up an altar and a wax melting pot heater. He's in his room, located 1000 feet below the temple."
"Whoa! No Way!" said an older excited male voice from further down the beach.
Citrine, Bells and Lapis turned to see who it was. Lapis recognized the person coming over, it was Greg Universe, Steven's father. He wore long jean pants, sleeveless black shirt with a star on the center and light blue sandals on his feet. He carried a black and brown book bag on his back.
Lion, who was resting under the foundation of the beach house raised his head up from his front paws and gazed at Greg who came walking over. Stars came over his eyes. He rose up to his feet, growled lowly and raced over to Greg whose attention was on Lapis. He did not see Lion coming for him but when he did, he froze as he though he saw Rose herself running towards him.
Lapis, who told Citrine and Bells to go inside of the house, froze on the last step of the stair before touching sand. Watched Greg freeze and slowly open his arms, smile and tear up as he muttered something to himself. His tear that ran down his cheek, onto his stubble sang an unheard sad yet happy song which only Lapis heard.
"Mr Universe that's..."
all other sounds seemed to vanish to Greg. He saw The image of Rose slow down and stop inches in front of him. Greg dropped his backpack, brushed tears away from under his eyes.
"Rose...my, my love. My sweetheart." Greg said with a pained voice, choking up.
"Greg, did you...miss me? Do you still...love me?"
"You're gone, but I miss you. You gave me Steven, so I still and always will love you."
"Greg honey, if Steven decides...i will come back to you. So don't cry, please baby, don't cry." Rose whispered tenderly, affectionately. She moved in closer, placing her arms around Greg who hung his head low, sobbing.
When Greg raised his head, he saw Lion's face and tongue licking his tears away.
"Whaa! Lion!? What the A man!?" Greg pushed lion away, rubbing the saliva off of his face and heading up to the beach house.
Lapis raised a hand over her mouth, giggling at Lion who followed Greg, rubbing the side of his head against Greg's hip.
"Welcome Mr Universe to the Anointing of baby Whistles. I see you brought a guest with you."
"Hey Lapis, it's good to see you again. I don't know what was Lion's deal back there. Licking my face like that for no reason. Is Steven up there?"
"Yep. He's with whistles."
"Whistles, is that the name of the other hybrid? Steven called me and told me there was a cat who was half gem. He also said his mom and dad were here. I take it that tall black cat and yellow gem that came up here before me, were his parents?"
"Yes sir, that was them." Lapis replied.
"I don't understand, I thought a gem gave up her physical form to birth a child into the world." Greg questioned.
Lapis placed a hand on Greg's shoulder, "I think that's something you should ask Soren. He's the one responsible for that intervention." Greg nodded and continued his way up the steps, Lion nudged Greg's behind with his head.
"Lion what's wrong with you, you know that's my butt right."
Greg walked into the beach house, being greeted by Sapphire who scared him by raising a round metallic tray that had small plates with little tacos.
"Sapphire, phew. You gave my heart a little jump there. Ooh little tacos, don't mind if I do."
"Hello Greg. That's an outfit I haven't laid my eye on in a very long time." Sapphire pointed out casually.
"Oh, yeah this. My original jeans and shirt were too small for me, so I had to get them in bigger sizes. I just felt that this day was important enough for me to go old school. Talk to you later sapphire."
Greg headed to the kitchen counter, removed the phone speakers from the bookbag he carried and placed it down. Greg saw his son, Steven, coming over to him with something in his arms. Greg relaxed and saw a small baby size black cat turning back and forth.
"Hey dad, glad you could make it."
"Hey there kiddo. So I take it that's whistles."
"Yeah, look." Steven pointed to the gemstone embedded in Whistle's throat. Greg reached over slowly and took whistles into his arms. He took a moment to look at the small creature turning in his arms.
"How is this possible. What I mean is, how come this child's mother is here and Rose..." Greg said, getting emotional.
Steven walked over and hugged his father, trying to comfort him.
"It's possible only because I made it possible, Mr Universe." said Soren who came walking up the step of the underground prison.
"It was never my intention to save Citrine, who is the mother of that hybrid sleeping in your arms. But because it was never my intention, does not mean I have not changed how I felt about it. In fact, i'm actually...relieved that I could do some good for the first time in my life. If her excellency Rose Quartz was here, with your child still in her, I would have saved her too. But if you do not now know Mr Universe, then you should know that your partner is not entirely gone."
"I know she's not entirely gone, Steven is walking proof she's not gone." Greg said.
"No, he's not. That Lion over there that's been hounding you since you got here, Rose Quartz's other half is tucked safely away inside of him. You're son, in the future will have to make a choice."
"What choice? Soren what Choi-"
"Ask your Son after the Anointing. Have you seen Pearl and Carlos, the hour hand is drawing close."
"I-i yeah, I saw them. They were heading this way." Admiral Bells came over and took his son back. Bells saw, no, felt the hurt surrounding Greg and Steven. He went back to Citrine, holding a tear back.
Despite hanging his head low, Greg still smiled at his son who had grown so much and matured as well. He patted Steven on the head and chuckled.
8:00 [Night]
Racing up the steps of the beach house as fast as they could, Carlos and Pearl slammed through the beach house door. Giving almost everyone inside a small spook.
"Sorry we're so late...everyone, it's my fault entirely." Carlos said huffing desperately
"Actually, you're both on time. Let us begin." Soren said stoically confident. "Citrine, Admiral Bells. Please hand my whistles."
Admiral Bells kissed his son's head, while citrine placed a small kiss on his small lips. Bells then handed his son to the commander. Soren raised Whistles up by under his arms and whispered something. Soren;s eyes glowed, no lit up powerfully bright. A circular vortex of red and yellow light surrounded sore, whistles, his parents and the altar. Soren placed Whistles down on the pillow resting on the stone altar.
"i have added his name, the name of his mother and father in my list of hybrid children born to a gem and non gem union. I will now recite the passage passed down from senior commanders to junior commanders, for the child who is to be anointed.
Whistles, you were born of two beings. not made like your mother nor carved of another gem like myself. You are a special creature, endowed with the might, glory and majesty of your mother and everything that makes your gem heritage special and enviable. Yet, you also inherited the mental powers, the stouthearted nature of your Martian father, Admiral Bells. I do not know much of the martian race, but I do know our species called it home long ago and still do. Even going so far to call each other brothers and sisters during times of great external threats to their planet.
I Commander Soren, fourth and last son of her majesty who has sadly lost her mind and sanity over several millenia, Yellow Diamond, ask the parents of this child for permission to anoint their son. Citrine, Admiral Bells, do I have your permission to anoint your son. By replying yes, you will be agreeing to let me, Commander Soren Spessartite be his third parent and guardian."
"Yes Commander Soren, we give you permission to anoint our son and to ake him as your own son too." replied Citrine.
Soren nodded his head, continuing to speak. "is there someone else here who you would like to appoint to be someone special for your son?"
"yes commander," replied bells, "my wife spoke to me about it and I could find no reason to disagree with her. I would like to appoint Steven Universe to be my son's guardian brother, to help him with his gem powers when he comes of age to learn and train."
"Steven Universe, please come here and join the parents of whistles to receive the sacred wax."
Steven walked over and around the altar and took a spot next to Bells. "Bells and Citrine, please raise your child up together." bells and Citrine both raised whistles up by his underarms, with Citrine holding onto his bum with her other hand.
Soren grabbed the golden spoon resting inside of the pot with hot dark red wax. He raised the spoon full of hot wax with his right hand. With his left hand he lowered the intensity of the heat so as not to hurt whistles. Soren poured the warm wax and recited
"Now I Commander Soren, anoint you Whistles, child of Citrine and Admiral Bells. May Red Beryl bless you everyday of your life, may you grow up to fight for the creatures of this earth. Should the worst come to this planet or your parents, I will do my all to provide you with everything you would need to be strong, confident and worthy of earth's trust."
Commander Soren poured the wax on top of whistle's forehead, which slid down his short muzzle on both sides. Everyone laughed when Whistles stretched in his sleep, yawning also only added to everyone's affection for the small baby.
"Please place anointed down, so I may mark all three of you and end this anointing properly."
Citrine placed whistles down on the altar and followed Bells and Steven who stood in front of Soren. Soren produced a golden bowl of hot black wax in his right gauntlet. With his left hand, Soren dipped his index finger into the bowl and raise it to mark Bell's head by making a vertical line.
"Father." he told after marking bells.
"Mother." he said after marking Citrine with a vertical line of wax.
"Guardian brother." Soren said, marking Steven's head with a wax dot. "please grab Whistle, mother and father."
Bells took Whistles and handed him to Citrine. Steven moved closer to the couple. Soren stood behind them and spoke. "Gems, Humans, Hybrids and Lion. I Commander Soren Spessartite conclude this Anointing to be finished. Afterwards, my gift to the anointed."
"Dad take a photo of us! Hurry!" Steven asked his dad.
Greg smiled and clapped his hands, everyone else followed his lead. Greg grabbed Steven's phone and took several pictures. Carlos took out his phone from his pant pockets and snapped a couple of photos too. Everyone took turns taking a photo with whistle, with his parents or with Soren and whistles.
But just outside.
"Excuse me, are you a gem?" said a young female voice.
"Who's asking?" Peridot answered prickly. she was still tied to a pole outside below the beach house.
"Connie Maheswaran."
Barnard Star System, Ophiuchus Constellation, Gem Homeworld
Having exhausted nearly all of her magical energy escaping the solar system and flying in the direction that she came from. Jasper managed to only reach half of the way back home before giving in to exhaustion. She flew unconsciously past comets, belts of asteroids and nebula clouds. One small asteroid crashed into her, poofing her and sending her back into her gemstone. When she was within Homeworld's exosphere, patrolling Dreadnoughts noticed her faint gem signal and pulled her in using a tractor beam.
Homeworld was a Super Giant Earth like planet which was dotted by small continents, multiple oceans, frozen poles and multicolored lakes.
Inside of the dreadnought, one Axinite Soldier Quartz carried Jasper's gemstone in his gauntlets down a long corridor inside of the warship. The soldier quartz made a few turns and stopped when he stood in front of a pair of tall closed silver door guarded by two Rock Crystal Quartz soldiers.
"State your visit Soldier Axinite!" asked the left guard with a powerful tone.
"I have the gemstone of Jasper, one of Yellow Diamond's most decorated soldier sent by her majesty to retrieve the ancient traitor and Noble Rose Quartz. I wish to present them to her Majesty's third son, Commander Olivine."
"Permission granted." replied the guard on the right.
The silver doors slid open, allowing The Axinite soldier to walk in. inside of the room was a large marble white room with a large bed, a work space with several holo screens and obsidian table. In another section of this large and ornate room was section for weapons training. In the very large bed was a very naked Pearl next to a skinny yet muscular yellow green Male gem who moved to the edge of his bed to get up.
"Axinite soldier, my guards lets you in. you better have a good reason for interrupting me while I test out this Pearl's Durability.
"I do commander Olivine. I have Jasper's gemstone right here. It appears her mission to retrieve Rose Quartz and squash the last of the rebellion failed."
"Hmm. Mother's not going to be happy with that report. And jasper's in for a shock when she figures out my little brother murdered Jadeite. Leave her on desk and leave."
The soldier placed jasper's gemstone on the commander's desk in the work area and left.
(!) "Continued in Chapter 30."