Steven grabbed the Jaspers by their heads', throwing the two of them at a wall of sand that had formed in the vast desert they were standing in. The two of them formed into flaming spheres and punched through the wall. Steven jumped through the opening and landed hard, digging a crater into the sand. Peering closer, he saw a gem in the center of it, the walls around it were reforming, but weren't fast enough to keep Steven from reaching it and placing it in a bubble. The sand structures collapsed afterwards, the two Quartzes falling from a half formed tower with thuds.

"Did you get stuck?" Steven asked them. Skinny nodded and Jasper refused to look at him after they picked themselves up.

He sent the bubble away with a quick thought and started walking over to them when he heard a roar. Turning, he saw a pink lion with glowing pink eyes seemingly glaring at him. Steven glared right back and stood at his full height.

"You two, wait here," he told the Jaspers over his shoulder and they nodded. "If it kills me, find a way to blame it on Yellow, it's my last wish."

The Jaspers tensed up as Steven approached the lion with small steps.

"Did you belong to my mother?" He asked, crouching down to look it in the eyes and reaching out to pet it. His hand phased into its mane with a glow, and he pulled it back quickly.

"Bite me and I'll bite back," he warned before sticking his head into the pink mane. His head popped out into a pale pink field with a single tree on a hill. There were items placed around or on the tree but he couldn't make them out from a distance.

"Magical pink lion, alright." Steven said aloud, placing his hand in and pulling himself into the strange dimension.

"No air," he noted, walking towards the hill and seeing a sword. Looking up, the teen spotted a Bismuth in what looked like one of his bubbles. He picked up the sword from its spot by a chest and shirt, giving it a few swings, the weight settling in his hands easily.

"I'm going to regret this." Steven said, turning to the bubble and swinging the sword through it and popping it. The gem glowed and a fully formed gem emerged before landing in a crouch, a star on her shoulder. She looked up and screamed, jumping back in panic.

"PINK DIAMOND!?" She yelled, her hands formed into blades, and her eyes widened at the sight of Rose's sword in a Diamond's hands.

"Did you shatter Rose?!"

"Sadly, no," he answered, bringing the sword up to block her blades. "Rose put you in here, didn't she? We're in her lion." Steven asked.

"Rose didn't have it in her to shatter you, but I do." She said defiantly, and Steven grinned.

"You looked Rose Quartz in the face and told her that you wanted to shatter Pink Diamond? Oh, she must have been heartbroken." He smashed the flat end of the blade into her face, knocking her off the hill and into the pale, swaying grass.

"Look here," he ordered, lifting his dark shirt, his gem shifting around to reveal what appeared to be a Rose Quartz. "Rose Quartz led a rebellion against her own cut, and now she's gone, so no one can take their anger out on her."

Bismuth's hands shifted back as she deflated, and she glared at the gem in his stomach.

"Was this all a game to you, Rose?"

"I'm not Rose, I'm her son, and she's gone. Now, are you going to attack me again and force me to leave you here forever, or are we going to talk like two grown gems so that I might let you out?"

"Fine," Bismuth replied, standing. "Why did you let me out?"

"Because you were in a Rose Quartz bubble and I'm petty," he admitted as she looked him up and down.

"You're wearing a star?"

"I'm a Crystal Gem, and, until today, I was the last Crystal Gem. May still be, in the end." The Diamond finished, the threat obvious.

"W-what happened?"

"The Diamonds unleashed an attack that ended the rebellion and corrupted the minds of the gems who did not escape Earth. Their minds are so far gone that they're barely more than wild animals. Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst were able to stay uncorrupted the longest, but they were corrupted a few years ago." Bismuth gasped in shock.

"Those monsters, why didn't Rose stop it? She was a Diamond."

"I don't understand most of Rose's decisions, and what I do know is that I end up having to make up for them. Now, are you going to attack me again, or can we get out of here before the Jaspers tear apart my new pet lion."

She stared at him for a moment before saying, "I won't attack you, but I'm not on your side either."

"Yeah, I don't really need you on my side. I have enough Bismuths already and you don't seem that special," he said, looking away from her and down at the grass.

"Now, hopefully, we can leave." Her glare faltered at that.

"You don't know how to get out?"

"Never been here before, luckily we can't starve."

He kneeled down, pressing his hand in the grass, where it passed through. Steven pushed himself out and put his hand back in for Bismuth to take. He felt her grab it firmly and pulled her out.

"My Steven," Jasper greeted in her rough voice.

From beside her, Skinny muttered, "It's just Steven."

"Meet one of the last remaining, sane rebels," their leader said, presenting a glaring Bismuth to them.

"Were the rebels ever really sane?" Jasper mocked, glaring at Bismuth.

"Why don't you go and get the ship, I want to visit the Spire next."

"Fine." She grumbled, knowing she can't argue with Steven.

"Skinny, watch her. I don't trust her not to stab me in the gem the second I look away."

"I'll guard you with my life, Steven, you know this." Skinny said, trying to reassure him.

He hummed, not entirely happy with her statement, before seeing the ship land in front of them. The pink hybrid reached down, picking Lion up under one arm like a house cat, before walking into the ship that was bigger on the inside after Bismuth and Skinny.

"One wrong move and it's back into the bubble." He warned the Bismuth as he pet a content Lion who had settled and now rested in his arms.


The ship touched down and Steven set Lion down, who promptly laid on the ground, unbothered.

"Jasper, Bismuth, stay in the ship and don't fight,"

"You're not in charge of me." The gray gem told him, and Lion growled, raising his head to glare at her.

"No, but I'm the only gem left on Earth who won't shatter you for the star you proudly wear." He said, and, with that, he opened the door to reveal the Quartzes and Bismuths staring at the ship.

"If she leaves, poof her." Steven told them, walking out and making his way into the tower. He couldn't help but grin at the strange constructions and paint covering the walls. His grin dropped when he saw the Quartzes scrubbing the new paint, a blue Agate storming up to him.

"My Diamond, Blue Diamond sent me to help keep these rowdy Amethysts in line." She reported, and he looked down at her both physically and metaphorically.

"Why are they cleaning?"

"They made a mess of the Sea Spire, it took me longer than it should have to whip them into submissio-" A large, pink hand wrapped around her throat suddenly, pink lines spreading throughout through her body as she was lifted to look him in the eye.

"You whipped the famethyst?" He asked, voice dangerous. All eyes turned to them as he threw her at the wall, cracking it as she bounced off and landed on the ground.

"Is this what your cut is for? Hurting other gems to keep them in line?" Steven demanded as he walked towards her, small cracks forming under his feet due to barely being able to contain his anger.

"Answer."

"Y-yes," she replied weakly, managing to sit up. "Agates exist to keep other gems in line."

"We're going to pay Yellow and Blue a visit. The Quartzes, Bismuths, and Peridots have free creative reign of the spire as per my orders. Skinny, bring her, have the Quartzes drag her if needed. I'll make this quick." He said as he moved to the staircase and made his way to the area the Peridots had taken over in the past few months they've been on Earth.

"Lapis," he called out, knowing that she'd be with the Peridot he was looking for.

"Steven?" Lapis asked, flying in through a window.

"Where's your girlfriend?" Steven asked her bluntly.

"S-She's not my girlfriend Steven, she doesn't like me like that."

"But do you like her like that?" He asked her as they reached the Peridots' level. Lapis blushed and remained silent, so he changed the subject back to the matter at hand.

"I just need an update on the Cluster before I go throw an Agate at Yellow and Blue."

"Oh, so you've met her," Lapis said disdainfully.

"When did she arrive?"

"Yesterday, right before I left. The Quartzes wanted to call you but she put a stop to that."

The Diamond hummed, not happy with the information, before he saw Peridot from across the room.

"Peridot," he called, dozens of gems turning towards him. "The one in charge."

Said gem stormed over, a scorch mark on her limb enhancer. Lapis gasped as soon as she saw it.

"That clod tried to whip me!" She yelled at him, waves hitting the side of the tower.

"Calm down, Lapis." He told the blue gem, licking his hand and healing the limb enhancers.

"Did she hurt you?" Lapis asked.

"The pebble couldn't touch her!" Squaridot cackled, coming up beside Peridot to rest on her shoulder.

"I nearly blasted her out of the Spire," Peridot said, shrugging her off.

"How is the drill coming along?" Steven asked, wanting to deal with the Agate and Bismuth as soon as possible.

"We're making great time, the Cluster's still a few months from emergence."

"Good," he said as he looked out the window to see the Agate tied up in her own whip, a massive Quartz fusion dragging her, and a Jasper fusion following right behind them.

"Peridot, Lapis, why don't you take the day off to go explore the world you're helping save." He suggested, looking at Lapis.

"Thank you, Steven." She said, and before Peridot could argue, she wrapped her arms around the green gem and took off.

"The faster the drill's done, the faster we can leave for Homeworld." He told the remaining Peridots before he walked to the window and threw himself out. The hybrid let himself fall, stopping only slightly before the ground and then dropping completely. The Jasper fusion stood shorter than him while the Amethyst stood much taller.

"I'll be back around," he said to the fusions, walking into the ship without a backwards glance.

"To the Moon, Jasper." Steven commanded, mentally preparing to speak to his aunts.


The ship touched down and Steven stormed out, seeing a lone, blue hand floating near the Moon Base. The door opened for him with a swish, and he saw Blue Pearl standing by it.

"Welcome, Pink Diamond."

"If you hear the sound of a gem shattering, bring a broom." He told Blue Pearl, rushing past her and climbing up the stairs. Jasper dragged the Agate behind her while Skinny stayed with Bismuth beside the ship. He stomped into the room and stood before his aunt.

"Hello, Pink," Blue said, smiling. Her smile dropped slightly when Holly Blue was pulled into the room.

"Your Agate whipped the famethyst."

"The famethyst, is that what you call them? Oh, so much like Pink."

Small cracks started to form under Steven's feet, pink energy emitting out from them.

"That's what they call themselves. Are you going to explain why you sent a gem onto my planet without informing me?"

"I saw what they did to the Spire, and since you let them get out of hand, I decided to send Holly Blue Agate to restore order. She has watched over your Quartzes since the beginning of your rebellion, Pin-"

"Enough, no new gems, that was the rule. You don't get to decide that the Quartzes are out of line, I gave them free rein of the Spire. Take your Agate back and make sure I never see her again." Steven told her resolutely.

Blue sighed, "Fine, why must you be difficult, Pink?"

"Still not Pink," he corrected as he saw a yellow hand approaching through the window, landing outside of the lunar base.

"Perfect timing, we have gifts for you," she exclaimed, choosing to be blind to the truth.

"I have a feeling I'm not going to like any of this." The teen muttered, hearing the air rushing out from downstairs. Blue had already started to move towards the stairs to descend.

"Come along, Pink!" The taller gem called out, and he scoffed.

"I'm a Diamond too, so change that tone, Blue." He said, heading back to the throne and pressing a pink hand against it, sending all of the files to the Peridots, before following after Blue.

"Jasper, poof her and leave her in a bubble for Blue Diamond." Steven told her as he passed her. Jasper grinned, pulling the whip, and freeing the Agate.

"Gladly."

He passed the viewing sphere on his way back to the main chamber. He saw the door open, a pink palanquin resting on the moon's pale surface.

"A palanquin, why?" Steven asked curiously.

"All Diamonds have one, even White, though hers hasn't been used in eons," Yellow answered.

"That's actually not as bad as I thought it would be-"

"And a new Pearl."

"There it is," he said, pinching his brow. "What would happen to her if I said no?"

"If you say no, she would be gifted to a gem who has proven themselves. We would also have to keep looking, a Diamond needs a high class Pearl for their day-to-day duties." Blue told him, looking down at her own Pearl who stood by her.

"Yeah, day-to-day duties. What exactly do those entail, other than a galaxy wide extinction of all organic life?" Steven asked, looking up at them angrily.

"Just give me the Pearl and stop trying to help me. If I need anything from you, I'll take it." He said, reaching out and taking the gem from Yellow before slipping it into his pocket.

"Can the palanquin fly to Earth on its own, or will it need to be picked up?"

"It can fly, but it can't make orbit. Send my Peridots to retrieve it." Yellow said offhandedly. Steven heard an explosion and the sound of a gem poofing upstairs.

"Jasper's done," he noted, walking out onto the lunar surface as Jasper rushed to keep up with him, burns wrapping up her left arm. Bismuth sat against the wall of the ship as Skinny watched her, arms crossed.

"Skinny, take us to the Spire." He told her, turning to look at Bismuth.

"Touch my gems and you'll never reform again." The Diamond threatened her as the ship's door closed, lifting off from the moon.


The ship hovered before it touched down outside of the tower and Steven left the ship shortly after. The Jaspers and Bismuth followed after him, and he stopped when he found the massive, marbled, orange and purple Quartzes standing beside one another and having a conversation.

"This is the first time I've actually seen a non-corrupted fusion of same gems," he commented idly.

He looked them up and down before walking over to the two standing at attention. "Where is Carnellion?"

"Cross gem fusion isn't allowed." Carnellion answered, annoyed at having to be left out.

"Hm, how inconsiderate. Maybe I'll fuse with you the next time it's needed." Steven said offhandedly, shrugging.

All the gems in the room turned to stare at him, their eyes wide and blushes bright on their cheeks. The Quartz fusions split apart violently and their components toppled to the floor.

"You'd fuse?" Bismuth asked.

"You'll find I'm not as much of a prude as the other Diamonds. Now, are you all alright, I know Holly Blue was here for two days."

"She only poofed one of us." An Amethyst responded, staring up at Steven from the Quartz pile on the floor.

"No one should hurt you, and if anyone tries again, stop them as best you can. If you need help, call me, and I'll stop them myself."

They all voiced their understanding, still a little confused. Steven realized then that he cared for the famethyst more than he'd want to admit.

"Has the Amethyst who got poofed reformed yet?" He asked.

"No, Steven, she's taking a lot longer than the rest of us usually do." 8XJ answered.

"There's a lot of new clothing for her to pick from, we all read those catalogs." Skinny said.

"Yeah, before the Peridots stole them." A Quartz from the top of the pile remarked snidely.

"I'll get you more, along with some paint, so that you can replace whatever Holly made you wash off. Can any of you fly a hand ship?" They looked excited at the prospect.

"I have something I need from the Moon, why don't you take the ship for a joyride and pick the palanquin up on the way back." He suggested and the Quartzes cheered, waving as they ran off.

"That was a bad idea." One of the Jaspers told him, watching them take off.

"Of course it was, now what to do with you?" The teen asked, turning around to look at Bismuth.

"I'll help you protect the planet," Bismuth told him.

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

"You're not like what I thought you'd be. You're not like Rose, and you're not like the Diamonds."

"Unfortunately, I can't say I trust you. You attacked your leader, why wouldn't you attack me? You'll be staying here under supervision." Steven told her.

"Fine, but I want a workshop. I made the weapons of the Crystal Gems back in the day. We're not at war, but it's what I enjoy doing." He didn't like the look in her eyes, there was something angry there, and familiar.

"We'll figure something out for you, but you'll be watched closely for a long time. Jaspers, this gem tried to shatter Pink Diamond. Watch her and see to it she doesn't attempt it again."