Unity City: Eitri Corporation Basement
A young man, no older than 14 with the build of a marathon runner, stood within a room with three walls and a large pane of glass as the fourth. He had short red hair, emerald green eyes, and an almandine garnet was just visible below the neckline on his back.
He wore a white tank top with black pants and matching sneakers. This young man was Philip Ramos. He glanced around as an audible beeping started up and the room flashed red. Slowly, the glass lifted before there was an air horn sound and a green light.
Philip ran from the room onto a metal walkway which led to a wall ahead. He kept running before entering a smaller doorway into a large courtyard before a huge, castle structure. Men in crimson red suits stood behind massive launchers all aimed at the doorway.
Philip was already running before they fired large, colorful spheres. The opposing men were running with the spheres giving him two things to dodge. The spheres weren't all that hard, but the unpredictability of man was a whole other factor.
Still, he managed to run through these two obstacles before four spheres suddenly came at him and exploaded in a smoke screen making him hesitate. In that hesitation, four men came out of the smoke tackling him to the ground. A horn blared signaling an end to the exercise.
"Alright, let's clean up." A masculine, gruff voice called out. "I want this squared away by lunch time."
The suited men got off Philip who sighed as he saw another man, in the same suit, coming out of an elevator. He also hand medium length black hair which a full beard and hazel eyes. This man was Andrew Ramos.
"Well, I wouldn't call this a success." Andrew took out a folder and used it to tap Philip on the head. "You hesitated, and as a result, you barely got into the exercise. Do you see now why your mom doesn't want you doing what the other hybrids do?"
"Not really." Philip stated. "I mean sure, that super soldier is focused, but what about the younger one? He's clearly far less trained than I am."
"True, but his parental figure isn't your mother." Andrew sighed before getting on a knee before him. "Look Philip, I know you want to go join the Crystal Gems, but what they do could see you dead. Your mother simply wants you to be prepared.
She loves you and wants to make sure you're around for years to come. Honestly, I'm right there with her." Philip sighed before Andrew smiled. "Don't worry, we'll get you to that level soon." He ruffled his nephew's hair. "Until then, staying with us isn't that bad, right?"
Philip smiled at that. "I suppose I can't argue."
"Good lad." Andrew stood up. "Now, why don't you go hit the showers, and you can join your mother to help figure out that pitch to the World Government."
"Sure." Philip walked away. "I still think that's a lousy name though."
Beach City
Jason was standing next to a brand-new SUV that was indistinguishable from the one he'd been using since leaving base. He even moved all his weapons, which had sustained minimal damage from the fiasco with Lapis, into it. The one he's driven all this time was on a flatbed.
"Tell the commander thanks for sending out a new ride." Jason stated. "I would have worked to fix mine, with all the damage it sustained, it wouldn't have been practical should I need a ride. Especially since I'd need a new door anyways."
The driver side door hadn't washed up anywhere in Beach City.
"Think nothing of it, sir." A soldier, decked out in a simple mechanic get up, had been the one to bring him his new SUV. "With your track record, this is a simple thing to arrange." He held out his hand. "Just continue your good work."
"Of course." Jason shook the hand.
They then parted as the soldier got into his truck and Jason into his SUV. As he drove on down to the car wash, Jason couldn't help but think of Lapis. He was still surprised at the kiss that she gave him before leaving.
Before this point, the soldier was preoccupied with his duties, so he never dated. That kiss with Lapis had been his first. Regardless of that fact, there wasn't much he could do about it. Lapis was gone, so he busied himself with getting things back to normal.
It's a Wash
"Those water constructs really did a number on Greg's van." Pearl commented.
"Ah, give it a rest Pearl." Amethyst voiced. "That thing will be busted forever. Greg should have just let Jason hook him up with a new one."
"I, for one, completely disagree on the matter." Pearl declared. "It's just a simple, human machine. I'm sure I can figure this whole thing out before you know it!"
"Hey guys!" Steven declared as he and Greg were coming over.
"Zoop!" Greg stated as he boosts himself along on a chair using a hockey stick. "I got something that will patch that van up!"
The man began rummaging through his toolbox.
Pearl can't help but gasp and cup her hands. "Is it some kind of complex human tool?"
"Yup, high-quality duct tape!" Greg holds out said item. "Some well-placed duct tape can patch anything up in a pinch, see?"
He points to his broken leg that's fitted with a ruler and a stick duct-taped to it.
"I don't know Pearl." Jason stated as he joined the group. "Maybe you do need some duct tape."
"I'm sure that I can fix this without your tape." Pearl bluntly declined.
"At least let me give you a hand." Greg offered.
He tried to stand up using his hockey stick but failed due to his weak leg.
Steven ran over to him to help him. "I'm sorry that you hurt your leg, and that your van got smashed up because of me."
Greg pat Steven's head. "You apologize too much. Maybe I shouldn't have tagged along in that crazy adventure, but at least I got to spend some time with my fave guy!"
"What if you stayed with us until you got better?" Steven proposed.
"Hey, that's a great idea, but won't I get in the way of your training?" Greg asked.
"Yes!" Pearl quickly says without any hesitation.
"Pearl, that's rude." Jason scolded. "My dad was around when I trained, and you saw how far along I was before I started living with you guys."
"Wait, Steven." Amethyst gets the kids attention as she sits up. "Don't you have healing powers now?"
"Oh, right, yes!" Pearl smiles nervously. "You fix Greg, I'll fix the van, and nobody has to live with us."
Jason sweat dropped. "Whoa, she really doesn't seem to like Greg that much."
"Yeah! Here goes something new and exciting." Steven licks his hand. "And… go!" He slaps his hand onto Greg's leg. "Okay, you should be better now."
"If you say so." Greg tried to stand up, with some difficulty, but he falls back in his chair.
"Why didn't it work?" Steven asked with a disappointed tone.
"Hey, sorry buddy. Maybe you just need a little more practice." Greg trie to reassure his son.
"But... I was doing so well before!" Steven cried out.
"Steven, don't worry about it." Pearl assured. "Your powers are a bit fickle after all."
"Just give it a bit more time." Garnet chimes in.
"Besides, from what I can recall, your powers have only been used on gems." Jason added. "If it didn't help your dad's leg, maybe it's because he's fully human."
"That is a possibility." Pearl stated with a hand to her chin.
"But wait, what about Connie?" Steven questioned. "I healed her eyes, remember?"
"Well, her injury wasn't so much an injury." Jason reasoned. "It was more like a genetic defect."
At this point, Jason was just trying to give Steven a good enough reason that wouldn't make him feel bad.
"Oh, who cares!" Greg piped up and grabbed his son in a cheerful headlock. "Cheer up, Steven! At least now we get to spend some more time together, right?"
Steven seemed to finally feel better with that. "Yeah, right."
"Garnet, can you give me a lift please?" Pearl asked.
Without a word, the maroon gem reached forward and lifted the front end of the van. Almost immediately after, the engine fell out.
Beach House: Days Later, Evening…
Steven and his dad spent days having fun around the house, and Jason gave them their space to have it. Considering Greg was injured, he gave up the couch and tended to sleep on the floor. That or out in his SUV. By this point, he'd fixed anything wrong with his weapons.
He was just thinking of beginning work on a gun that could fire knives. Something like that could be effective against stronger gems. Plus, it seemed rather simple compared to some of the other idea in his head. He was just contemplating which gun to try it with.
"Jason." Garnet approached him.
"Oh, hey Garnet." Jason greeted. "Did you need something?"
"Well, you've told us of your father's intent to eventually visit, so I was hoping to better understand the type of person he is." Garnet stated.
"Ah, want a read on him before he shows up, huh?" Jason smiled. "Well, I think I can speak best by what our relationship was. We weren't quite like Greg and Steven, but he was a supportive father. He understood the pressure I was under.
It was his idea for me to take up a hobby, and he let me pick it. It's why I can play the guitar, but there wasn't much time to practice. There were many times he rewarded me with ice cream. We'd sit out in the backyard and just talk about anything really.
I'm certain he missed my moms, but it must have been when I was younger. Honestly, I don't remember a time when he blamed me. After learning what I have from all of you, I was conflicted. He ended up hiding a lot from me. Then, I concluded he did it because he loved me.
I was a hybrid and looking back, there were some tense situations. By then, not everyone was on board with us. I only remember that now looking back on it, so he really protected me. I remember one of a few vacations we got."
Lake: 6 Years Ago…
A younger Jason was out on the lake fishing with his father, but he really seemed down.
"Hey Jason, you know what's one of the best things about fishing?" Tye asked.
"No, what?" Jason asked.
"The time it takes to catch a fish is the best time to talk, so why don't you tell your old man what's been eating you since we got here?" Tye asked.
"It was that mission I went on." Jason replied. "I managed to take down the monster and shatter the gem; however, a solider lost his life protecting me. His son yelled at me for it. He said, 'What use are you if men are going to die just so you can live! You're supposed to protect us!'"
"That's rough, and I'm sorry that happened." Tye nodded. "Listen Jason, losing someone is never easy if you genuinely loved them. It can make us lash out. You might be a super soldier, but that's just a tittle. You're gem and human. Both can make mistakes.
No matter how strong you get, how old you become, mistakes will happen. That's part of life. That boy's father gave his life to protect you because he believed in the power you will cultivate. The protection you'll bring. All you can do is honor that by learning from this."
"I think… I understand." Jason nodded. "I won't let his sacrifice on my behalf be in vain. I'll keep training, learning, and living to do what I've been set to do. I'll protect the innocent." He looked at the water uncertainly. "Do you think that's something I can hold to?"
"You're your mother's son." Tye ruffled his hair. "With her power, I think you'll be able to do it and then some."
Present
"I know it's easy to look on the World Government and think them irredeemable for what they've done to the corrupted gems." Jason looked at her. "In the end, it was a complicated situation. My father didn't want to contact any of you until he was certain things were safe.
Unbeknownst to me, I was that indicator. The fact that he sent me, was the sign of things to come. A sign that they want exactly what you all want. Pearl, or any of you can think what you want, but I think humanity deserves the chance to protect their own planet. It's their home to."
"I see." Garnet nodded. "Despite what the World Army has done, your father does sound like a good man. I'll look forward to meeting him."
The maroon gem walked away. Jason just smiled as he looked down his SUV and decided to head on in to the beach house.
Beach House: Morning…
"Bombs away!" Amethyst declared as she threw her paper airplane.
It twirled a bit before turning right and hitting Greg in the head. Him, Steven, and Amethyst start to laugh at the whole thing. Jason just smiled as he worked on a blue print for his first, modified weapon. He settled on using a riffle to fire knives. The door opened and Pearl came in toweling off the oil from Greg's engine.
"You're back." Garnet entered from the stone part of the building. "The Geode is cracked. We must leave immediately."
"What?"
"Oh, no!"
"Steven, Jason, you too."
"Alright." Jason declared before jogging to the warp pad.
"Yeah!" Steven stood up excitedly.
"Aw, really?" Greg asked.
"Oh. Oh, yeah." Steven realized that he's been taking care of his father this whole time.
"It's okay, Steven, I'll be fine." Greg encouraged. "You go on your mission."
"Are you sure?" Steven asked.
"Of course."
"Thanks Dad!" Steven ran on over. "We'll be back before you know it!"
"Don't worry about your old man... My leg's not getting any more broken. If I need something, I'll just... crawl." Greg attempts to garner sympathy. "My arms still aren't broken."
"Oh, brother." Amethyst muttered.
Only Jason remained on the warp pad.
"Jason could you…" Garnet began.
"On it." Jason stated as he activated the warp pad.
The Geode
From the look of the place, it seemed like the right spot. The dark clouds and thunder strikes above struck loudly. There was a large, metallic sphere in a massive crater just in front of the warp pad.
Without hesitation, Jason step off the pad and slid down the crater's edge. The soldier approached the crack which was emanating a bright light. He placed a tentative hand on the structure and got a feel for its composition.
Hm, a slight metal feel to it." Jason muttered. "The crack isn't any larger than my forearm. Maybe I…"
His contemplation was interrupted as the warp pad activated. Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Steven had arrived.
"Man, this place is janked up." Amethyst commented.
"You're telling me!" Jason called out.
"Was there an explosion or something?" Steven questioned.
Garnet walked off the pad with the others. "Almost."
"What you're looking at is a synthetic storm that was caused and contained in…" Pearl's explanation was interrupted by a distinct whistling noise coming from the warp pad.
"Is that the Warp Whistle?" Amethyst asked.
"Warp what?" Jason asked.
"Ah! Dad needs me! I'll be right back!" Without missing a beat, Steven warped back.
"What's going on?" Jason asked as he joined the group.
"We gave Greg the Warp Whistle to call us should he ever have an emergency." Pearl explained.
"Ah, okay." Jason stated.
"Did you have any ideas for that crack?" Garnet asked.
"I have one. I was thinking…"
Steven warped back. "Sorry for the holdup!"
"Is everything okay?" Pearl asked
Amethyst laughed. "Hey, did Greg fall down and break his butt?"
"That's not funny." Garnet stated deathly serious.
"I know." Apparently, Amethyst knew the gravity of the situation because she looked down.
"Like I was saying, this is a synthetic…" Pearl tried.
Then, the warp whistle went off again.
"I'm sure it's very important." Steven predicts and warps back to the house.
"So, it's a what?" Jason asked.
Pearl sighed. "This structure houses within it a synthetic storm so powerful that if it were to completely break open, the storm would be unleashed and vaporize nearly anything within a five-mile radius."
"This synthetic storm, if contained enough, could it act just like a normal storm would?" Jason asked. "You know, thunder, lightning, dark clouds, and massive rain fall?"
"In a way, yes." Pearl admitted. "The storm would mostly be used for its powerful vaporizing with potential thunder strikes, but rain would accompany it. Why?"
"I can see this both as a weapon, and an agricultural boon. In war, it would be easy to place this in an enemy's supply route or troop movement and effectively cut them off. For a boon, it could help water-starved parts of the world. Especially in growing crops." Jason explained.
The warp pad activated yet again revealing Steven. "It was very important."
"Okay, so if the Geode breaks, the storm will be unleashed, and our bodies will be vaporized." Pearl quickly explained before anymore interruptions happen.
"That's where you come in." Garnet explained as she directed Steven toward the crack.
"Say what?" Steven questioned.
"You should try and seal that crack with your healing powers." Garnet proposed.
"What if I can't do it?" Steven asked dejectedly.
"It won't hurt to try." Garnet encouraged.
Jason clapped his shoulder. "There's no shame in trying."
"Okay." Steven walked up to the Geode, licked his hand, and slapped it onto the Geode; however, nothing happened. "It's not working!" The boy sighed in defeat and let go of the Geode. "I knew this would happen. Just when I thought I was getting better."
"Don't beat yourself up, Steven."
"Yeah, don't worry about it!"
"We'll find another way!"
The gems all try to reassure the kid of his apparent failure, but he was having none of it. "You don't understand. How am I supposed to call myself a Crystal Gem if I can't even…
He was interrupted as the Warp Whistle goes off again. With nothing else to do, for the moment, the group decided to warp back together.
Just when they left, a figure approached the Geode. "I don't get why I was sent to do something anyone else could have." They sighed. "Oh well, commencing mission."
They brought out a reconstructed pietersite from their pocket before running into the crater.
Beach House
"Dad! Daaad! Are you okay?" Steven cried out at seeing his father slumped against the bed. "Answer me!"
"Steven!" He jerks awake and looks at his son. "You just missed the funniest commercial."
"What?"
"It was that one for the dog treats where the dog's dressed up like a doctor." Greg chuckled. "If I ever get heartworms, I'm eating those dog treats."
"Dad, you're only supposed to use the Warp Whistle for emergencies." Steven scolded. "Like if you fell and broke your butt!"
"Yeah, sorry about that." Greg apologized.
Steven sighed. "It's okay."
"Since you're here, mind grabbing me a snack from the Big Donut?" Greg requested.
"Yeah, sure thing." Steven stated. "I'll be right back guys."
"Hang on Steven." Jason called out. "I might as well come with."
"Alright." Steven stated.
"We'll be in the temple." Garnet declared as the gems entered it.
"We have to come up with another plan, quick." Pearl added.
"Yo dude, no worries about earlier." Amethyst stated to Steven. "You'll get ahold of your powers before ya know it."
"Thanks, Amethyst." He replied.
"Get me a croissant." Amethyst declared as she followed the other gems.
Steven and Jason exited before the former realized something. "Ah, I forgot to ask Dad what kind of donuts he wants."
Jason patted his shoulder. "Better to remember when we're literally out of the house than at the Big Donut."
They both moved to enter the house where they saw Greg dancing on his 'broken' leg and carrying out food. "Steven! Jason!" Upon seeing them, he dropped it all. "Ha, you had me scared you two. Didn't see you... standing in the doorway.
Your old men still got it son!" Steven stared at him angrily while Jason crossed his arms. "What, this? I guess I couldn't wait for those donuts." He motions to the food on the ground but then noticed they were referring to his leg. "Ugh... ouch... ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!
Jason sighed. "Greg, you're embarrassing yourself."
"Yeah dad, just stop." Steven declared. "I get what's going on. Your leg isn't broken at all, is it?"
"It was broken, but you healed it back at the car wash." Greg answered truthfully.
"You lied to me!" Steven cried. "Now I can't do it anymore!"
"What?"
"The Gems needed me to fix the broken rock, but my healing powers aren't working. It-it's because of you." Steven declared fearfully. "You messed with my head!"
"No! I didn't mean to... I just wanted to live with my son again!" Greg declared.
Steven was having none of it. "I really thought I was getting better, I finally felt like a Crystal Gem. Now, what if I can't do anything?"
"Steven, don't beat yourself up!" Greg assured. "This is my fault!"
"Yeah! Yeah, it is!" Steven agreed before running outside.
"Classical psychological move. Sometimes, things happen or don't happen based on a person's psychological state. By lying to Steven about his power not working, even though it did work, his mind processed it to make his powers stop working.
Tell a person something enough times, and they'll believe it.' Jason sighed. "Greg, that wasn't cool. You really shouldn't…" He noticed that the man was standing on the warp pad with his toolbox in one hand and warp whistle in the other. "What are you doing?"
"Dad, I'm sorry, I... Dad!" Steven walked in to see his dad on the warp pad.
"It's time for me to fix the trouble I've caused." Greg declared before blowing into the Warp Whistle.
Steven and Jason immediately jumped in after him.
Geode
Due to jumping in, Steven and Jason appeared on their stomachs after Greg who was making his way down the crater.
"Dad, be…" Steven began.
He froze as Jason gently elbowed him and pointed out a figure standing before the Geode. They had a head of brown, wild hair. They wore a maroon shirt with matching pants, and all of it was underneath white, leather armor.
"Is this another Frank moment?" Jason questioned.
"Don't worry Steven, your old man is going to…" Greg retorted until he fell and rolled down the hill.
"Dad!" Steven exclaimed as he moved on down, regardless of the stranger, to be by his dad's side. "Are you okay?"
Jason joined them just before the sky cleared up, and the geode was left as a black husk. The female turned around lightly tossing a gem which looked like it contained churning clouds. Considering what it seemed to absorb, that was quite apt. The woman had blue eyes.
The soldier stepped out before the father/son pair protectively. "Who are you and what did you just do to the Geode?"
"It doesn't matter what my name is." The woman walked away. "All I came here for was the storm contained within the Geode. That was my mission. I'm not in the mood, nor do I need to, fight the Super Soldier or his hybrid sidekick."
Jason ran on over and stood in her way stopping the woman. "What do you plan to do with the Geode?"
"That's not up for me to decide." The woman replied. "Even when I think a mission can be done by anyone else, I do what I'm assigned. That's how this works."
"If this is about simply getting rid of the geode, then you can hand us the gem, and we'll deal with it." Steven tried as he joined Jason.
"I don't know what the person I work for will do with this, and I don't care." The woman shrugged. "I was tasked with collecting this stone, so I did. Simple as that." She held the gem downward. "Now, I'll be going."
The stone lit up, so Jason grabbed Steven before jumping back just as a powerful bolt of lighting nailed the area around the female. She then ran on up to the crater edge before stopping to address the hybrids who ran after her only to stop at the bottom of the crater.
"If you insist on fighting something…" She took out a switch and pressed it. "…you can fight this."
Suddenly, the ground started shaking with the strongest vibrations coming from the north, and she ran away from the scene.
"Steven, get your father and get back to the warp pad." Jason declared as he walked towards the vibrations and summoned his blades. "If I tell you to, get the two of you out of here."
At that moment, a huge, black lizard monster with an orange underside and claws crested the top of the crater. It walked on down heading right towards them.
"Right Jason." Steven ran back to his father and helped him start moving towards the warp pad. "Come on dad!"
"Right there with you." Greg declared.
The monster tried to swipe at Jason, but he jumped well above it resulting in the creature's jaws coming right for him. He sent his swords at the monster's head with enough force that they plowed into it and turned its head.
He then landed on the monster and returned his blades before summoning them back. He grabbed two of the blades while imbuing them all with electricity. The three free blades were sent into the monster's back legs and left front leg.
The discharge brought the monster down on those limbs. Jason then ran to the head and held both blades with one hand before shoving them into the monster's head with all his might. They pierced it and discharged. The monster cried out in pain before poofing into an orange gem.
Jason returned all his blades before picking up the gem. "Now's as good a time as any to see if I can bubble." He focused, and a blue bubble appeared around the gem before he pressed on it sending it back to the temple. "That'll lower the potential for shattering a gem if I'm alone."
The soldier looked off in the direction that female ran in before sighting and walking back to the father son pair. "Come on, we need to report this to the gems." He then looked at the pair. Despite what you did Greg, once we're done, why don't you two have a proper day together?"
Despite the situation, the pair were excited for that prospect. "Yeah!"
"About all of this, I really am sorry." Greg stated sincerely. "If I hadn't psyched you out Steven, then someone wouldn't have been able to make off with the Geode. I just wanted to spend more time with my son."
"Aw dad." Steven hugged him. "I forgive you. After all, if every porkchop were perfect, we wouldn't have hot dogs. Also, I'm sorry for…"
"Steven, don't finish that sentence." Greg hugged him back. "If I'd only talked to you about how I was feeling, then you two wouldn't be in this mess. From now on, I'll communicate better."
"Alright you two." Jason smiled. "Let's head back already. Steven and I will smooth everything over with the gems. Just never do anything like this again Greg."
"You have my word." Greg nodded. "Trust me on that."
Beach City, Evening…
Greg's van looked pristine which led the soldier to one conclusion, Pearl was a miracle worker. The owner of the van was fawning over this.
"I've replaced the tires, realigned the axles, replaced the spark plugs, sealed the leaks in the intake manifold gaskets, and recalibrated the timing belt. The gears are still sensitive so do ease up on second gear." Pearl informed.
"Pearl, I can't thank you enough!" Greg declared as he hugged the gem, and when he let go, she backed away a little fearful. "Now that I'm better, I should get out of your way. You don't need me messing up more than I already have."
They'd already told the gems all about what happened.
"Just keep in mind how important this is, don't mess with Steven when it comes his powers, and no more Warp Whistle." Jason nodded. "Do those three things, and I'll make sure you're welcome to visit Steven whenever."
Greg chuckled. "Deal."
He and Steven then shared a hug. "Don't forget, we'll be spending all day together tomorrow."
"I won't miss it for the world, Schtu-ball." Greg declared.
Jason and Garnet moved off the side to have a chat.
"Two humans with put together gems is a trend I don't like." Garnet informed.
"I know, but I've talked with my dad about it." Jason sighed. "He doesn't know who's behind this; however, he's begun an internal investigation. Once the homefront is secure, he's intent on helping track down whose behind this."
Garnet nodded. "Until then, we'll need to keep our eyes peeled on missions going forward."
"Agreed." Jason stated.