It only took Spinel a few minutes to reach the settlement of little Homeschool in her frantic state.

"Got to find him quick before anyone sees!" had become her mantra as her mind played out what could happen if the gems not only find him as a child but if Steven innocently tells them of what really happened on Homeworld. That little adventure had been one of if not the most well-kept secret on Homeworld.

Mostly due to the fact that White, Blue and Yellow were afraid that if it came to light he'd never come back.

As she touched down in the plaza, she went about stretching about trying to find any trace of him.

"Steven!?"

She practically ripped the tops of each and every building looking for him before her ear picked up an all too familiar laugher. Enlarging her ear she homed on the high pitched laugher before bouncing over to the entrance just as he ran out laughing his face sporting fresh paint. Lapis came running soon after her hand coated in water.

"Steven wait up I need to clean it off before it dries."

" no! I like green" Not looking where he was going he ran right into Spinel who instantly wrapped him up.

"Steven! Thank goodness I found you. DO you have any idea how worried I was!?"

As he looked into his best friend's face and saw the tears forming in her eyes, he felt his heart ache.

"Sorry…"

Normally this would be where Spinel would soften up but she'd already started and had to finish it.

"Steven this isn't Homeworld, there aren't hundreds of drones that can find you with a snap of a finger or a legion of soldiers that could protect you. You're my best friend and I don't want anything to happen to so don't run off again. Now let's get back to Homeworld I'm sure by now your mammas are about ready to send an army to get you." As she set him down, she realized that Lapis and now Peridot were not only standing there but had just heard everything.

As Lapis got his face clean, she and Peridot asked the obvious question.

"Mamma's? I thought his mother was Pink diamond or Rose quartz, whichever you prefer."

Spinel really didn't want to stay here any longer. Every extra second she was here meant more chances of the truth coming out.

Her eyes locked on the warp just a few giant steps away.

Okay Spinel just make up an excuse grab Steven and you're home free.

And that was exactly what she would have done had the warp not activated and three familiar faces sprang forth. Once their eyes locked on Spinel and the child version of Steven there was no containing them. Or Steven as he'd heard the sound and noticed his other friends wriggling free from Spinel and happily screeching their nicknames.

"Bluey, Yelley, Pinkey!"

His screams combined with the various Pearls happily shouting his name alerted the rest of Homeschool and before long the entire area was crowed with various gems coming to see the commotion.

Before the crowd could get to curios Yellow Pearl spoke up.

"Thank you all for looking after Steven for us but now we must be heading back to Homeworld our Diamonds are expecting us." She then locked eyes with Spinel. "As well as an explanation to why a certain gem was taking their time."

"Wellllllll the thing is…."

She sputtered and tried to find an answer.

Pink Pearl however chucked and walked over to her friend gently taking her hand.

"To bad we weren't able to find you for ohhh let's say two hours?" Her eyes lit up as she hugged her friend. As Spinel relaxed in her embrace she continued.

" Now how about the five of us enjoy what time we have before heading back."

"Sounds good to me. But we should probably take this little party someplace a bit less populated."

And so the Pearls left with blue Pearl being the lucky one and getting to carry Steven in her arms as they headed into the town. The Pearls had never been anywhere on Earth except Homeschool and the temple so she decided it would be a good way to kill some time.

Besides as long as I'm here I might want to check in on some of my favorite humans. Like that one crazy one that always has those weird ideas. What was the last one again? Moon monsters or something?

Once they reached town Spinel first led them to the big donut happily pushing open the doors and growing her fists into makeshift finger guns pointing them at a frightened Dewey.

"Alright human put all everything with frosting on the table and no one gets hurt."

Normally Dewey would be a bit more frighted but this wasn't the first time Spinel had done this and seeing as Greg had already told the town that anytime a gem needs something to just put it on his tab he simply rolled his eyes and played along knowing full well if he didn't she wouldn't' leave.

"Alright just please oh mighty Spinel don't hurt my store." As he casually went about bagging up a large portion of donuts the Pearls curiously grabbed one and took a bite. When Steven had last been on Homeworld they'd often shared meals with him although that was more about enjoying his company then enjoying the food. But as the sugary items entered their mouths their eyes lit up.

"These are delicious. Human what do you call these colorful masterpieces!?"

"Masterpieces? Yes masterpieces! Well, my sun colored Pearl those are my special Dewey rolls. Handcrafted my yours truly every morning with tender love and care before being decorated in my extremely secret frosting recipe. Yes not just anyone can make these delicacies."

As Blue Pearl examine the shape and colors of the donuts and Yellow Pearl eagerly listened to Dewey's prattle. Spinel commenced with her usual low lever vandalism and drew pictures of herself on the with frosting. Meanwhile Pink Pearl was watching as Steven eagerly helped himself to the donuts.

Such a happy and healthy boy he is. Much better then the last time. No screaming, no violence, just happy and healthy. Unconsciously her hand with to her bad eye. Since coming to terms with her past she no longer saw it as a bad thing but she still didn't like the constant reminder. Spinel had actually recommended she wear what the humans call an eye patch. Something she'd put series thought into.

Sensing something was off Steven looked to Pink Pearl and felt something in the back of his mind creep to the surface.

"Pinkey are you okay?"

"Yes just a lot on my mind Steven don't mind me."

Normally Steven would believe her but when she said those words this time they brought forth some kind of memory. Her and another Pearl looking afraid as the walls and floors cracked. He tried to shake this memory away but as he looked down at the pink frosting on his hand the memory got stronger. Them shouting his name as alarms went off.

He didn't understand them and for a brief moment his entire body turned pink before just as quickly turning back to normal.

It was so quick that only two people saw. Pink Pearl who's one good eye widened, and the former mayor turned donut worker.

"Did that boy just turn pink. What a minute did you say that was Steven?"

They quickly scooped him up and ran out of the store."

Once nearly a block away the Pearls fearful looked to Spinel.

"He just changed, didn't he? Why did he change? We weren't doing anything to stress him out."

Blue asked as she checked Steven over. When she didn't find anything of note she gently padded his head.

"Maybe we should head back to Homeworld?"

Spinel thought for a moment weighting her options and what was best for Steven.

"Yeah let's head back. Better if we get him back now." She reached for his hand only for him to back away.

This instantly put the group on edge. "Steven it's time to go home." She said calmy reaching for him again.

What happened next truly worried them. His body turned pink as he slammed his foot down creating a small wave knocking them on their backs.

"NO!" he screamed before his powers kicked in and he ran. He didn't know why he ran but every fiber of his being was telling him that he hand to get away.

Thankfully due to his childlike body he didn't have the reserves of stamina his older form did and quickly ran out of juice. When the pink glow ebbed way and he realized what he'd done he looked at the direction he came form was well as where he was and began to feel the fear starting to overwhelm him.

He'd barely looked around seeing he was just outside the town when he started crying.

He didn't know how long he was crying for but he didn't know when he finally stopped he wasn't alone. Someone had heard him and was now leaning up against a tree angrily staring at him.

"Wonderful another pitiful Earthling to disturb my training." Through his tears he could make out a yellow orange gem on her face and knew instantly what her name was.

"Jasper?"