Past Days…
Progress on the drill was now coming along swimmingly with no more drama cropping up. Everyone worked together to make sure everything went according to plan. As the days passed, an event arrived rather quickly. Steven's birthday.
In fact, it was Steven's second birthday since Jason joined the Crystal Gems, and the soldier had a bit to make up for. Back when the kid's first birthday came, Jason had been in the middle of conflicted feelings with his father, and Humanity's Defense was starting to be a presence.
Lastly, he had no idea just how important Steven would become to him back then. Now, things were different. The soldier wasn't currently kidnapped by the human organization, and all these people he was with had really changed how he viewed family.
Barn
"I can't believe it's finally my birthday." Steven declared as he holds the rest of the ribbon Pearl was using to make a giant, flower. "You're sure it's okay we're taking a break from the drill?"
"Peridot will keep us on schedule." Pearl assured him.
Speaking of Peridot, she stepped out of the barn.
"Yo, Peri!" Amethyst called out. "You sure you don't want to get in on this?"
Peridot gave her an unamused look before walking to the drill.
"I don't think she wants to get in on this." Jason commented.
"I certainly do." Lapis voiced.
"I'm glad you're here Lapis." Steven declared sincerely.
"We should celebrate our progress." Garnet declared before specifically patting Steven's head. "You've grown a lot this year."
"He certainly has." Pearl agreed
Jason nodded as well. Sure, the three gems knew him from birth, but he still noticed the changes in the boy from when they'd first met.
"Yeah, I guess so!" Steven happily declared.
A familiar car horn honked getting their attention, and the group saw Greg's van coming over a hill. Once Greg parked his van, he shut off the engine and someone, other than the man himself, got out.
It was Connie. "Steven!"
"Connie!" The two of them ran at each other excited to see one another while Jason walked over.
Connie hugged the birthday boy. "Happy birthday!"
"Thanks." Steven pulled out two juice boxes. "Welcome to the party! May I offer you a refreshment?"
"Oh, Steven. How genteel." She replied before they tapped their juice boxes.
"Clinking glasses I see." Jason smiled while imitating a posh accent. "Should have worn my good jacket."
"Jason!" Connie called out happily.
"Hey there kid!" Jason picked her up in a huge hug. "It's so good to see you again."
"You too!" Connie replied while he put her down. "Last I saw you was a while ago. When I asked, Garnet said you were on a mission."
"Yeah, Humanity's Defense cropped up for a bit, but Lapis and I handled them." Jason nodded. "After everything, I'm glad to be back."
"I'm sure the others were too." Connie then glanced at the barn. "This where we're having your party, Steven?"
"Yep, this is the barn!" Steven declared. "I'm surprised your parents are letting you stay for the weekend."
"It wasn't easy." Connie giggled. "They'd only let me come after equipping me with every piece of safety gear on the planet."
"What should I do with this defibrillator!?" Greg called out from his van while holding said device.
"Um, we can just leave it in the car for now!" Connie yelled back.
Steven smiled. "Well, I'm glad you could make it."
"Me too."
"Same here." Jason added.
"Alright, move it Connie." Greg butts in. "I was his best friend first." He hugged his boy. "Happy birthday!" He put the kid down. "Ooookay Schtu-ball, let me get a look at you."
"Daaad!" Steven groaned in embarrassed.
"Sorry, I just can't believe my little boy is growing up so quickly." Greg wiped a tear. "Seems like just yesterday you were a baby, and now you're turning 14 years old."
Connie was shocked to the point that she did a spit take. "Steven, you're 14!?"
"Yeeeaaaahhh?" He replied in a questioning way.
"But, I'm only 12 and three quarters." Connie declared in disbelief as she covered her ear. "You're older than me? I-I don't believe it!" Suddenly, she grabbed the soldier. "Quick, Jason! How old are you?"
"I was well into my eighteenth year when I first came here." Jason shrugged. "Now, I'm twenty."
"If you want proof about Steven, check it out." Greg pulled out a book with a star on the front under the name 'Steven Quartz Universe'. "Let's see, we have infant, baby, toddler… what's it called? Right, adolescent." He continues with the other pictures. "Adolescent, adolescent, adolescent… Whoa, looks like you stagnated there a little, buddy."
"Mr. Universe, could I show you how the defibrillator works?" Connie asked suddenly.
"Oh, sure." He nodded to Steven. "Be right back, kiddo."
Steven looked off worriedly at the pair before turning to the soldier. "Jason, could we actually talk for a moment?"
"Sure thing bro." Jason patted his back. "Come on over to the SUV."
Universe Van
"So, he's not going to grow up?" Connie asked.
"Well, it's hard to say." Greg admitted. "He's a gem, and gems don't really grow up. I mean, I've known the gems since I was 22, and they never change. They just are what they are, but Steven's not like the other gems.
He's half-human, so I'm not sure how he's going to age. We'll just have to wait and see." He pursed his lips as he thought about Jason. "Then again, Jason is just like Steven, and look at him. You don't see him being Steven's size at… How old was he?"
"20." Connie replied. "He was 18 when you all first met him."
"Right." Greg nodded. "Like I said, for now we'll just have to wait and see."
"Yes, right."
"Are you okay?" Greg asked concerned.
"Yeah, yeah." She reassured him.
"Human beings?" Greg holds his hand up in a high-five.
She smiled and high-fived him. "Human beings."
Jason's SUV
Jason climbed into the driver seat while Steven got in on the passenger side. They just sat there for a few minutes because the soldier felt it was only right to let the kid speak first. Eventually, he seemed to know what he wanted to say.
"Jason… were you as short as I am now when you were my age?" Steven asked.
"Well, I was a couple of inches taller, but it was still a similar problem." Jason admitted. "I think mine started at seven and ended around fourteen; however, it doesn't change the fact that I stagnated. Eventually I started growing and ended up at the height you see me now."
"So, this isn't abnormal?" Steven asked genuinely.
"I'd say it could be all things considered." Jason shrugged. "We aren't the exact same, but your problem with height is eerily like my own. Is this about Connie?" Steven nodded. "She's just worried and not about what you think."
"What do you mean?" Steven asked.
"You should talk to her yourself, but I know Connie well enough." Jason stated. "The only reason height and age matter to her is because you're her best friend. She wants to grow with you, and I bet if you just talked with her, she'd agree."
"Right." Steven nodded. "If I learned anything from when we entered my mom's room, I should just talk to her."
"Since you're a little down about this, how about I give you my present now?" Jason questioned.
"Really?" Steven asked.
"Listen Steven." Jason put a hand on his shoulder. "No matter what, never forget that you're not alone in this. Look, I don't know how long we'll live. We could live forever like the gems, we could live the same length as a human, or live only twice as long.
No matter what, I know one thing for certain." He gave the kid a truly sincere smile. "You're my brother Steven. It doesn't matter that we aren't related by blood. To me, your actions are what I care most about, and you have wormed your way into my heart.
I'll always help you if you remain true to yourself. No matter what you think, no matter how you doubt it, Connie, your dad, Pearl, Garnet, Amethyst, Lapis, and I will be there for you. No matter how much baggage you have, we'll help you carry it just like you help us carry ours."
"Jason…" Steven was tearing up before he reached over and hugged the soldier. "Thank you for being there for me."
Jason hugged him back. "Of course."
Barn
After the conversation and meeting back up, it was revealed that everything was ready. Greg ended up giving his son the birthday attire and putting him in the barn while everyone else gathered around.
"Is everyone ready?" Everyone, including Garnet who holds a giant cookie cake, nodded, so Greg knocked on the door. "Okay Steven, open up!"
The barn doors opened prompting everyone to yell, "Surprise!"
Steven emerged in his attire with a great, big smile. "Thanks everyone."
"Alright, let's get this party started!" Garnet declared as she held out the cake to the boy.
Steven blew out the candles making everyone clap.
"Yeah, let's eat this cookie cake!" Greg exclaimed excitedly.
Everyone went over to the table to get ready to pass out the slices of cake. After cake, Steven got his present for Connie which was a buttoned pink shirt that suited him quite well. They then played bad mitten for the rest of the day until evening rolled around.
Evening…
There was now a dance party going on. Steven, Connie, Pearl, and Amethyst were dancing, Greg and Garnet were going through his music collection, and Jason noticed Lapis was sitting at a table by herself. The soldier made his way on over to her.
"What's up Lapis?" Jason asked. "Not enjoying yourself?"
"No, everything's been fun today, but I spotted Peridot still working on the drill out back." Lapis stated. "It made me wonder if this is what we should be doing rather than working on that."
"I hear what you're saying, but it's not every day that we can all get together." Jason stated. "It's days like these that help strengthen our bonds. From what I've seen, it's days like these that can keep them stronger than ever. At least to me, this is something I'll never forget."
Lapis smiled. "You certainly have a way of looking at things."
"Maybe." Jason held out a hand. "Hopefully you like that enough about me to come on out to the dance floor."
Lapis took the offered hand and let him lead her out there.
"We're going to slow this next one down a bit." Garnet called out to everyone.
Jason and Lapis danced together to it while the kids giggled softly before dancing together as well.
"I still can't believe all this time you were older than me." Connie stated in amazement.
"Yeah." Steven chuckled before deciding it was time. "Connie, I know my age and height kind of put you off, but I want you to know that no matter what height I am, it won't stop me from being there for you."
"I should have known you'd figure it out because you're truly a sympathetic one." Connie chuckled. "I'm sorry if I made you feel bad Steven. Honestly, it doesn't matter to me what age it seems like you are. All I want is to keep hanging out with you no matter what."
"I feel the same way." Steven stated. "No matter what people might think, it'll never stop me from hanging out with you."
"Same here." Connie stated before leaning into Steven.
"Those four are having fun." Pearl stated referring to Steven, Lapis, Connie, and Jason.
Garnet smiled. "We really know how to throw a party.
?
Jasper sat in the middle of a field atop a rock as the area was devastated around her. All the green earthlings plucked clean from the ground, her own shelter made from rocks, all the brown earthlings were obliterated, and she had rocks she'd been training with.
She picked up a large boulder and crushed it into pieces. The quartz soldier had contemplated just poofing herself to heal her form, but she didn't want to forget her encounter with those Crystal Gems. Every day she spent healing was motivation for her training.
Now, she was ready. "It's time to go back and repay the loss I was handed by them."
The Quartz soldier stood and began making her way back to Beach City. She had every intention of taking her time and building her strength. This time, she would not be forced to flee. This time, she would defeat that fusion, weird version of be perfect cut Emeralds, and Lapis Lazuli.
Hours Later…
Five soldiers from the World Army and five soldiers from Humanity's Defense arrived at Jasper's campsite at the same time. This led to each side pointing weaponry at one another with their leaders taking charge of the conversation.
"Halt, soldiers of Humanity's Defense." WAL declared. "You are officially being detained."
"Yeah, not happening pal." HDL returned. "Right now, this is either devolving into a fire fight, or we can both walk away…"
Every soldier, no matter the side, heard a twig snapping. By the way both sides reacted, they knew full well that action wasn't because the other side had more men than were here. They immediately went on alert when wind whipped through the clearing unnaturally.
"Who's there?" HDL yelled.
"Reveal yourself, or the World Army will attack!" WAL declared.
Everyone suddenly heard someone laughing.
"What's so funny!?" HDL yelled angered.
An airy yet drawling voice answered. "It's adorable to think you ten can play with me."
In a surprising twist, the owner of the voice emerged. It was a gem near the height of a pearl, but her physique was bulkier than that of a servant. Her skin was a light yellow with short, cloud white hair. Her arms and legs were well-toned like a marathon runner.
Her attire was a loose fitting, tank top, which was a dull yellow, with matching, baggy pants. A blue emerald symbol was displayed on the back of her top. Once she was in full view of everyone, the gem crossed her arms displaying a yellow beryl gem on the back of her right hand.
"Well, I'm here." She looked down on all of them like they were beneath her. "Do you have anything you wish to show me?" All of them were unsure what to make of this, and it didn't help that the two groups of humans were unsure what the other would do. "Well then, I'll start."
The gem summoned her weapon which was a huge, light green fan. She smiled as she fanned it out at the humans sending out a blade of air that seemed too harmlessly pass through everyone. Then, they were all cut in half at the waste.
Some screamed while others were too in shock. Suddenly, the nearby rocks lifted into the air above all the humans, screaming or not, before smashing down on them. Then, there was silence as blood flowed out from beneath the boulders.
"I warned them that they couldn't play with me." The green gem stated.
There was a rumbling that grew louder before another gem erupted from the earth. This new gem had an air of authority around her with a physique that added to her intimidation factor. She was the exact same height as the wind user, but far more muscular.
She almost had the same thickness of a quartz soldier but lacked the bulk. Her skin was an earthy brown in color with plant green hair draped halfway down her back. She wore a jacket which matched her skin tone at the collar before fading into a murky brown by the ends at her waist.
She had a yellow emerald symbol displayed on the back of her jacket. Her thick legs were covered by long pants that stopped at her ankles revealing her bare feet. Her gemstone was a brown jade on the back of her left hand.
She glared at the wind user. "Beryl, what are you doing?" She spoke with a deeper voice than her happier counterpart. "Since when did I say you could harm the natives?"
"Oh, relax Jade." She scoffed while rolling her eyes. "I was just having some fun."
"It was fun at the cost of not knowing where the Crystal Gems are. If we don't bring them in, we'll never learn what happened to our commanding Emeralds." Beryl retorted. "Maybe these humans knew something."
"What are you even saying?" Beryl asked. "They were wielding guns just like those guys that threatened us."
"That doesn't mean anything." Jade retorted. "If you'll recall, we observed plenty of gems that used weapons, and they sure weren't all the same as one another."
"Yeah, but there were still gems that wanted to see us shattered." Beryl retorted with a sad expression. "Then, we were left without bodies for thousands of years."
"Beryl…" Jade sighed before nodding. "Just don't go doing this to anything else. If what we heard is right, our emeralds were in a similar situation. Maybe the diamonds or them can help us figure out what we're supposed to do."
"Alright, I guess I get what you're saying." Beryl stated before smiling. "Do you think our emeralds or the Diamonds would like to play games?"
"I have no idea, but we can hope." Jade sighed. "Just as we can hope they can give us direction. According to the ship we were found in, the Emeralds we were to be under should have their ship on Earth. That means they should still be here to."
"Alright, let's get going then Jade!" Beryl declared before speeding off, unknowingly, in the rough direction of Beach City.
Jade cracked a smile at her fellow gem's more upbeat, playful nature before following her.
For this one, I decided to write out Steven's birthday and tie in other ideas. For instance, I'm attempting to build out what my season 2 final will be. Jasper is still going to play a part, Humanity's Defense will be there, and now these other two gems who have ties to Blue and Yellow Emerald. This also demonstrates a few other points. For one, Humanity's Defense obviously didn't send out anywhere near its best to deal with this.
Considering they are preparing for a truly important operation; I don't think you could blame them. At the same time, while they are only starting to catch up with their opposition, the World Government currently has its own problems. They're looking into the bombing of Eitri Corp. and preparing for the very same form of operation. If anything, this encounter will serve as a reinforcement for both sides in just how dangerous an uncorrupted gem could be.