A/N: hEHE, I got a bit lazy yesterday and spent the time playing video games, more specifically Super Mario Galaxy 2. But here it is now! on a Friday afternoon! isn't this great?

So.. I got some reviews, and lots of faves and follows. I feel all of you, okay? ;3; lemme reply-

/dogscatsdogs: Ouch... guess that must've hurt. Well, of course it did. And hahaa, I knew it was going to cause seat vibration! I'm glad you enjoyed it. And yeah, Stan is an asshole, but he means well. He's still stuck in that evil Bill way, ya know. Glad you know that he has his reasons. xD Oh, actually, Bill and Gabe did. It was a sincere sibling hug! :3 But yeah, poor Bill.. he's got a lot to stress over and this didn't help at all. Oh, yeah, Gabe. Trust me when I say that I was shocked too. It's an RP collab, ya know, and the other author handles Gabriel. So I was pretty much like, "OH SHIT." Hehe.

Haha, well, with that said, I hope you enjoy! and prepare to grab the edges of your seats. xD

A Triangle in the Stars
Chapter Fifty-Five: Into the Fire

Ford was walking at a fast pace, thinking over all that had happened. He felt ashamed of himself, and yet... he sighed. He couldn't understand. Stan patted his brother on the shoulder, frowning a little.

And then all of a sudden, they heard a familiar voice on the wind, at first distant, but closing in on them with each second.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiit!" Steven shouted after them, running at full speed. The old men blinked, and turned around. They didn't completely stop, however, and raised an eyebrow, seeming to completely mirror each other. The boy stopped a few feet before he ran into them, and pointed at the Temple, "You have to go back! I... he's going to break down. I can't support him alone. Please... he might try to kill himself again!" and then he looked away, tears on his face.

Ford furrowed his brow, halting completely now, "K..kill himself? again?"

Apparently there was more to Bill than he realized. He suffered from... depression? this was confusing. Apparently more happened in those two days than he thought... and it definitely wasn't what he thought. Stan came to a full stop too, and scoffed, "Bill wouldn't kill himself! you're being ridiculous, kid."

"You killed his brother. The least you can do is at least try to care!" Steven shouted at him, and Stan stared down at the boy strangely but didn't say anything else.

"How can he?" Ford raised an eyebrow. "He has few weaknesses..."

But perhaps his being powerless for a while probably gave him more weaknesses... the whole idea was intriguing. But it was hard to care. Somewhat.

"It doesn't matter," Steven announced, trembling. "He might hurt himself, and... and I don't think I can deal with that again. So you guys are gonna have to make up!"

Stan yawned, turning around, "I'm going to go back to the ship to check on Peridot."

The old man glanced at his brother, and bit his lip. He sighed, turning to look back at the boy, "I.. I don't know.. I don't know if we can.."

"No, you have to!" Steven picked up Stan then before the man could actually go anywhere, and the latter started squirming. "I can't do this on my own, please..."

Ford was once again stunned by Steven's strength, and then he nodded, not wanting to possibly get on the boy's bad side. He sighed, "Alright. We'll help. Won't we, Stanley?"

Stan was freaking out too much to answer, but instead shouted, "Put me down!"

"Say you'll help me help Bill!" Steven demanded, staring up at him.

"Okay, okay, just put me down!" the old man cried, squirming even more, and the boy complied. Ford bowed his head and started heading back to the Beach House. Stan quickly followed after he recovered from the fear. Steven was tempted to carry them both there, to speed things up. But he walked alongside them.

Bill was still collapsed on the floor, mourning the loss of his brother. He was trembling and shaking all over, and he just couldn't stop. Though, luckily, he'd stopped crying.

Ford looked up at the stairs when he reached the house, his frown deepening. Why was he doing this? he couldn't exactly pinpoint it. But he was doing it. Steven went on ahead, running up the stairs and into the house, and knelt beside Bill, to hug him, "It's okay, Bill..."

Ford was a little cautious, catching up with the boy and then staring down at the two. He was biting his lip, and put his hands behind his back. He was still nervous that Bill would do something now. He was relieved, and highly confused, when the demon actually hugged the boy back, still trembling. He whispered, "How is it, kid? I... I didn't even get to fully know him again..."

"That's... that's okay," Steven hugged the demon tighter. "Hey... guys... can you bring Gabe back?" he asked, glancing up at the brothers. Stan, having caught up with them, shrugged in response, uncertain.

The triangle closed his eye, sniffling. Ford exchanged glances with Stan, and then shook his head, "I... I don't think so..."

But Bill knew. It was a most definite "no".

"Can you try...?" Steven continued, using his best puppy dog eyes.

"We... we're only humans," Ford struggled. But it was mildly easy to resist. He went on to say, "He's a demon beyond our comprehension... I really don't think we can even try."

Bill eventually let go, and wandered off, around the house. Aimlessly. The old man kept an eye on him. But it was so strange at the same time, though he was beginning to accept it. This wasn't the Bill he knew.

"Oh... yeah..." Steven sighed, facepalming. "I should have known something like this would happen..."

Ford said nothing in response to that. Bill was by the Warp Pad for some reason at this point. But before either of them could do a thing, the chimes of said platform echoed throughout the house. Steven gasped, turning to it, "Are they—?"

Nope. They weren't who Steven was expecting at all. Lapis soon appeared, along with someone else, and she looked around. She gasped when she saw Steven, and stammered, "S..Steven?"

Oh no. This was exactly what she feared. Bill looked at them, but didn't exactly react. Ford's jaw almost dropped. He, if these two were who Peridot was talking about, finally truly understood why she was so afraid...

"Lapis?" the boy's eyes were wide, "what are you doing here?"

"That doesn't matter," the blue Gem jumped off the Warp Pad and headed over towards him. "You have to leave."

She seemed to ignore the twins and the strange triangle. Steven was her primary concern, after all. Ford couldn't even ask questions. He was too shocked.

"Leave? why? and to where?" he stared up at her, brows furrowed with confusion.

Jasper eventually looked at them, and sneered, "These are just humans..." she growled a little, jumping off and following Lapis like a hound on a leash.

Stan eventually could only manage a "What?" in flattened alarm.

Ford frowned a bit. Lapis noticed this. Jasper didn't know Steven was a half Gem. The weight lifted off of her, but not totally. She nodded, stepping aside, "Yes. These are just humans. But I was simply trying to evacuate them."

Except for that strange triangle. She had no idea what that was. Bill stared at them. He had received major bad vibes from the orange, burly Gem, and this was enough to bring him out of his depressive trance. So he watched her carefully. And Lapis as well. He didn't think he'd ever see the blue Gem, aside from Steven's dreams.

"What is that?" Jasper looked disgusted as she pointed at Bill, having just noticed him. Steven didn't move, not sure what to make of this yet.

Stan leaned to his brother casually and carefully, and whispered in his ear, "Do you have any idea what's going on?"

Poindexter shook his head, whispering back, "I have absolutely no clue..."

The old man then fell silent. Lapis looked back at the triangle, examining for real this time. She couldn't place him, but for some reason he looked a little familiar. Or, actually, seemed familiar. She eventually shrugged, "I don't know."

Bill walked back over to Steven, still staring at the two aliens. Almost glaring, actually. Lapis studied this. He seemed highly protective of the boy, like she herself was. Perhaps she could eventually use this to her advantage...

"Identify yourself, anomaly!" Jasper growled, stepping up to Bill. She towered over him with her natural height, and she glared down at him too.

"Leave him alone!" Steven moved in front of his friend.

The demon immediately grabbed and pulled Steven back. This Gem was not one just anybody could fight. And win against. He then gave his identity, only much differently, narrowing his eye, "The name's William Nolis. And what's your designation?"

He used his old, original, once-abandoned name. He had a feeling Jasper would know a name like "Bill Cipher". Lapis too. And he was careful not to show off his abilities as well. The hydro-Gem simply watched this interaction. She couldn't step in directly, if things went wrong, however. Ford discreetly pulled out his Journal and began recording them both. He, however, despite being into this, did catch the name Bill had given. It was strange. He wasn't expecting a regular name. He then started thinking it might have been a fabrication. But why?

"I'm Jasper. And you're officially my prisoner, 'William'," she narrowed her intimidating eyes, picking him up easily. "Come on, Lazuli. We don't have any time to lose. Yellow Diamond is expecting me back at Homeworld." She began towards the Warp Pad.

Ford raised his eyebrows, putting his Journal away. He didn't contest this, however. He still couldn't wrap his mind around it all. Bill frowned deeply. He could very easily escape her grasp. But he decided not to for now. Lapis frowned a little, and spoke up, "That's not who you're looking for, though, and not who Yellow Diamond wants either! you're looking for a Peridot."

And then the old man's eyes widened. But he made sure to cover that expression up quickly. Stan remained stone-faced.

"I don't care," Jasper shot back, looking back at Lapis. "Yellow Diamond would want to see this... and, Lazuli, remember our little arrangement."—Lapis shrank back a little bit, and bowed her head—"Now... I say we find the Galaxy Warp next, so we know where it is, and then we find that damn Peridot..." she growled a little.

"Wait!" Steven got her attention, "I know where the Galaxy Warp is! leave B- William alone, and take me instead!"

Lapis's eyes widened. She shook her head, slowly. Bill's eye was wide as well. He stammered, "Kid... I got this.. okay?"

Ford stepped forward eventually, carefully, but the words fled his mind before he could even say anything. He stepped back, afraid to confront Jasper. The burly Gem narrowed her eyes at him, but didn't say a word. The boy eventually lifted his shirt, "Look, I'm a Gem too! now, leave him here or... or I'll fight you!" but despite this bravado, he was shaking like a leaf, clearly terrified.

Lapis and Bill completely paled just then. There went that plan, was Lapis's immediate thought, and there went Steven's safety as well. Ford's jaw dropped open once more, and Stan gasped a little. That explained everything, and yet led to a lot more questions too. Jasper's eyes widened, beholding the gem on the boy's stomach, and she immediately dropped Bill, who began floating and freaking out. She could hardly believe this, and soon her eyes narrowed even more, and she growled quietly, "Rose Quartz..."

Bill opened a psychic link to Steven, Kid! I could've handled it... why did you do this?!

"Rose Quartz was my mom... this is just her gem..." Steven bit his lip, regretting his choice now.

"Hot Belgian Waffles..." Stan managed, glancing at Ford, who whispered, "This is remarkable... a half Gem?"

"No..." Jasper frowned, turning to face the boy properly. Lapis facepalmed, but it was out of worry for the most part. The burly Gem continued, "Impossible! you must have taken on a new form!"

Bill quietly shook himself, and facepalmed as well. He could understand why the Quartz didn't get it, but man...

"I'm not Rose Quartz, alright?" the boy was inwardly panicking, "I'm Steven, Steven Universe."

Jasper squinted her eyes. She growled eventually, "I'm not falling for your mind games, Rose!" she then suddenly smirked, and reached for him, "Yellow Diamond would want to see you."

Bill quietly zapped Jasper. It barely had an effect, but she gasped, and it threw her off. Lapis started running, picking up Steven and heading out of the house. She knew what Jasper would do. But she didn't care. Steven's safety took top priority. Ford and Bill immediately followed, and so did Stan. The Ultimate Quartz growled, running after them. She eventually got on all fours, turning into a whirlwind, and spun towards Lapis and Steven, shouting, "Come back here now!"

Lapis continued to run, crossing the beach now. Stan felt at himself for a spare pistol, and eventually pulled one out and shot it at Jasper, for some reason, and she stopped to glare at him, before she started running at him instead. Ford gasped. Peridot was absolutely right. This Gem regarded the shot like it was nothing. He yelled, "Stanley!"

The demon frowned and teleported over to Stan to help him. He wondered offhandedly if the man would let him. Jasper continued charging at the old man, growling and getting ready to pulverize him.

"We have to go help them!" Steven exclaimed, struggling to escape Lapis's grasp.

"LAZULI! COME BACK WITH ROSE OR ELSE!" the Quartz yelled, just a few feet away now, her fist pulled back.

Lapis kept running, not seeming to care, "They've got this covered."

Stan shooed Bill away, and then shot at the Gem again. Or, tried to. The gun had jammed. The old man gasped, and tried to get it working again, hitting it many different ways, "Not right now, not right now!"

The triangle descended upon the man again, set a hand on his shoulder and teleported him away a safe distance, just in time. Ford's eyes were wide. He could hardly believe that happened. But he couldn't revel in the relief for long, for Jasper quickly changed routes and bear-hugged Ford, squeezing him tight and shouting, "I WILL BREAK THIS FRAGILE HUMAN'S BODY!"

The old man tried to break free, but he couldn't. Pain began coursing through his body, even worse because he was struggling. Bill suddenly came back from somewhere and then shocked Jasper again, hoping to free the old man. Lapis stopped to watch, setting the boy down, from a safe distance. Jasper kicked Bill then, not letting go. The demon yelped, rubbing where it hit him.

Stan ran in soon as well, holding up his now fixed gun as he demanded, "Let him go, now!"

But he trembled a little, in fear—he could accidentally hit his brother. Steven wasn't sure what to do. He looked back, wanting to help, but... he was afraid to face Jasper. Once Bill recovered, he upped the voltage on his next attack, narrowing his eye. He couldn't use any other powers for he still feared Jasper and Lapis would recognize him. Otherwise, nothing would stop him. But it was a deadly, confining decision, and Jasper wasn't affected this time. Ford was beginning to black out, stars in his vision. He wasn't sure how much longer he'd be able to hold out. He shouldn't die now anyway. He wasn't ninety-two yet for one. But any path could be derailed at any moment...

Lapis looked down at Steven, and sighed, "Are you alright?"

"We have to help them!" the boy pointed at the whole ordeal, staring up at her. He was far more concerned for his friend and two strangers he just met than himself.

Jasper moved her grip to around his neck, "ROSE! LOOK WHAT I'M DOING!" and laughed a little. Stan freaked out and took the shot, but missed the both of them, thankfully yet not thankfully.

Ford's eyes were wide. Jasper was worse than Bill, it seemed, in terms of personality. He was going to die, and was gradually coming to accept it. The blue Gem blinked, staring at Steven. Before she eventually nodded. She stared right at Jasper, and made the ocean attack her, tendrils of water snapping around her. Lapis made sure the water didn't snag the old man as well. Bill observed this, waiting for the right moment to grab Ford and teleport him to safety.

Jasper finally let go of the man, being pulled up by the water. She growled, "What the... LAZULI!"

Filled with rage, she started running at the hydro-Gem, the best she could. But she couldn't even move an inch. Ford had dropped onto and lay out on the beach, coughing and gasping like mad. Bill levitated down to him and cast a powerful healing spell upon him. The old man, as he felt himself get better, never ever thought he'd thank Bill and a random alien for saving his life, Bill in particular. But he found saying "Thank you" extremely hard when it came to people he disliked or hated.

Lapis tried her best to keep Jasper at bay, and shouted, "This isn't our mission, Jasper! we came to secure and detain the rogue Peridot, and report back to Yellow Diamond our findings. Nothing more!"

There was silence. A tense silence. But soon the Gem soon took a deep breath, and exhaled into a yell, "Fine! let me go now, and we can get off this lousy godforsaken rock!" she looked visibly upset.

Steven started his way back to the twins and Bill, watching the two Gems with fear and curiosity. Lapis nodded, glaring daggers into the Quartz, and slowly let the watery tendrils unwrap themselves from the burly Quartz and head back into the ocean. She hoped Jasper was telling the truth. Ford picked himself up, with Bill's help to deposit him next to Stanley, and they both watched this too, the former with fear and the latter with protective indignation. The triangle then latched onto Steven.

She soon glared back at them. "I'll be back, Rose, with a battalion of Quartz soldiers, and then we'll shatter you!" she yelled, laughing, before she walked up to and past Lapis. Lapis spared the group a strange look, before she walked off with her "captain", heading towards town. Bill snarled. He wanted to shatter the orange Gem right now. But he didn't act on it, knowing Steven would never possibly approve of the deed. He sighed, and looked over everyone, "Are you guys alright?"

Ford nodded, but he didn't say a thing. All thoughts of getting a full-course meal were gone. Right now, his mind was whirling all over the place, concerning the recent events. But there was one clear image in the eye of the storm. And that was of a certain green Gem. Hopefully she was still waiting in the ship. Stan was in shocked silence of what all happened. Especially with how Bill saved him and his brother...

It was unprecedented.

Bill glanced at Stan, noting the shocked look on his face. He was expecting more from him, but this wasn't entirely unexpected either. He then assumed he was alright. And Steven too. Lapis had made sure of that.

Ford was still staring the way Lapis and Jasper had gone. Oh, Peridot, please be alright...

A/N: And whew, you made it through! that was amazing though, right? I hope you enjoyed! I was Bill, Ford and Lapis, and Ace was Steven, Stan and Jasper, and I took Jasper for a little while during Steven's revealing himself as a half-Gem. What An Idiot moment indeed. XP
But it led to this awesome scene, so.. can't complain. XD
Leave a review please, preferably long ones. I always appreciate those. :3