If any person had to describe the events that had just taken place and the situation they know found themselves in they'd no doubt call it astonishing.
For as soon as everyone gathered at the beach the diamonds having found Steven were about to head to Homeworld when Pearl spoke up.
"For the last time Steven is staying here. this is his home!" Pearl said slamming her spear down to make a point.
Blue Diamond however clutched Steven tighter in her hand and spoke in her condescending way.
"And how exactly are you going to stop us?"
Pearl gripped her spear tighter not backing down but knowing full well that if this came to blows then much like last time it would be over in seconds. Especially if Yellow or White got involved.
The others grew nervous as well. As the Pearls tried to get their diamonds to calm down Spinel did her best to try and calm down Pearl.
"Listen Pearl we're not stealing him or anything. We're just…. Uhhhh…mmnnnn…. How did you put it Yellow?"
"Removing him from an environment that observably has failed to keep his stress to manageable levels."
"And Homeworld is any different!?"
With Pearls outburst White's eyes began to glow and now everyone looked nervous.
"Homeworld is a far safer and much better place for our little Starlight. And now that we've found him, we're taking him back."
She'd promised to never turn any gem into a puppet again and she'd keep that promise but a little intimidating light show worked just as well.
And while every gem did indeed calm down one gem or to be precise one human gem hybrid saw her glowing eyes and had a particular reaction.
The sounds that came seconds later instantly got everyone's focus as all eyes turned to the tiny form of Steven crying.
White's eyes instantly died down as her hands went to her mouth.
"Starlight I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-"
Blue lowered her hand as everyone tried to get close to console him only for his form to turn bright pink as he shouted. "No fighting!" sending everyone back with a screech.
Bismuth managed to catch Pearl while Jasper and Spinel grabbed the others. As he let out a few smaller whimpers thankfully without the shockwaves this time White spoke up.
"How about we calm down and talk this out then?" Not a single gem could even fathom saying no after what just happened.
And that was how the small group found themselves in Steven's living room. Steven was happily laying on the ground filling in some coloring books Spinel had brought out while the Pearls joined in. Jasper sat just to the side guarding him. Bismuth sat next to Pearl doing her best to keep her calm as she tried to talk to the diamonds.
"So you're saying he was turned this small once before?"
"Yes, due to an unfortunate but highly enjoyable accident by Spinel and a core rejuvenator. Rest assured we made sure he was properly cared for."
"But!" she tried only for Bismuth to reluctantly pat her shoulder. "Look Pearl I get it they kept it a secret, but can you really blame them?"
"What are you saying Bismuth?"
"Well let's be honest we know they'd never hurt him, and he does seem happy like this. In the past if this had happened, he'd be freaking out trying to calm everyone down, yet here he is happily doodling." She thought for a moment before adding. "You can change him back right?"
"Of course, the device used to rejuvenate him can return him to normal within moments."
"See Pearl, Yellow can easily change him back. And from how it sounds they just want to take care of him for a while right?" she asked looking to Blue Diamond was looking like she was about to abduct Steven and run any moment.
"Yes we just want to help him. From what we say at the reef he looked so upset."
Pearl wanted to disagree but the more she thought about the more sense they made.
He has been having some troubles here. The issues with Pink, Homeschool, that cacti creature. Maybe he could use some time away from it all.
"When he's on Homeworld what do you do with him?" she asked still a bit unsure.
Hearing this the diamonds perked up. "We make sure our Starlight gets everything he needs. Three meals a day followed by each of us entertaining him."
"Yes, and I make sure to create everything he could every want or need. From clothes to devices needed to further educate him. I've even taught him half the gem language. Pearl a demonstration please."
Yellow Pearl shot up an displayed a small message from her gem. "Steven please tell everyone what this says."
Steven looked up his eyes moving form letter to letter.
" I… like…mo..mommy…the best! I did it"
"Very good Steven I'm so proud of you." Of course while she was beaming with pride at not only his knowledge but having him also acknowledge her as the best. Of course the other diamonds couldn't hide their annoyance. Seeing this Pearl grew angry once again.
"And why does he call you mommy?"
"That was something he decided all on his own. Shortly after he first transformed we came to see him and after finding his memory a bit distorted we informed him that we were his mother's and his family. Next thing I know he was calling me grandma. And not long after that Blue became mamma and Yellow… well first she was simply auntie yellow."
Yellow knew White was just getting back at her but it still irked her to no end.
"But after a time she eventually became mommy. Now do you have any more questions? Or can we finally take Starlight back to Homeworld?"
Pearl looked at Steven happily playing with Spinel and her mind traveled back to years ago when she'd been in a similar situation.
Steven just five years old dressed in a adorable pair of overalls drawing his crayons down to the nub before showing them. It was one of her favorite memories and although she still didn't like it she could tell from how the diamonds were looking she new they only wanted to be with him.
"Fine, he can go with you. But how are you going to deal with his new powers? I think we can all agree he can't seem to control them. Not like with his shield or healing powers."
"From what limited data I've gathered it seems that like all of his powers these new abilities are tied to his emotional state. In theory if we keep him relaxed and calm it should keep them contained."
"But what happens when he comes back and returns to normal? Even if you remove him from the situation that doesn't mean that it will all magically disappear. The main issue was that he wasn't telling is anything. I've tried asking Garnet to use her future vision to try and see how we can help but she only tell me that the futures she sees all end in us crying."
And that one single answer was all she's told us.
Blue looked to Steven and to her fellow diamonds before getting an idea.
"There may be a way to help him as he is, or at least try and find the route of the problem. As we've learned he does still remember things about his life and about Pink's. Perhaps as we spend time with him we can gently get him to open up."
"A excellent idea Blue, and seeing as all of us are here in his home we could at least attempt something."
White stood up and walked down and gently picked up Steven before setting him down on her lap.
"Starlight everyone here cares very deeply about you and we believe that there may be something upsetting you that perhaps you're keeping from us."
Steven wanted to say that he was fine but something deep inside said otherwise.
I am fine!...aren't' I?
…
Am I?
…?
He clutched his head as a memory burrowed it's way to the surface. He was standing on the beach loudly complaining to some sort of potted plant that was growling back what he was saying. Then came him climbing on a car and looking up at the stars feeling completely lost. As he thought about this more he began to feel something unpleasant in his stomach.
"Starlight?"
"I'm fine grandma." Her hand tightened on his shoulder as her own worry began to grow.
"Starlight we're all worried and were hoping that you'd be willing to let us take a little peak inside of your min."
"What?"
"One of my abilities starlight. I would open the door and Blue and Yellow would see if there was anything troubling. You don't have to of course but we'd just like to make sure."
He bit his lip for a moment not quite understanding but eventually nodding. The diamonds gently placed their hands on him followed by every other gem. Blue was about to tell them to stop when White spoke up.
"It's all right Blue their his family to."
They concentrated and soon found themselves flooded with a series of memories and emotions. With every passing memory they saw more and more, they felt his sadness and his fear of not being needed. But worst of all they felt his overwhelming sadness.
When the concoction was severed every single gem was crying.
For the longest time they all sat there trying and failing to hold onto their emotions. So lost in this they didn't even notice with Garnet and Amethyst came in one looking confused while the other simply nodded saying. "Just as I saw."
After what felt like forever they finally calmed down and spent another five minutes simply passing Steven around and hugging him as tight as they could without harming him. When that was done Yellow told Spinel to undo the transformation and as the smoke died down Steven stood there slightly crying.
"Hey." His mind was a bit hazy but he remembered everything that had happened, not just now but back when he first changed.
"Steven how are you?" he heard Pearl ask after he wiped his tears away.
And as he looked at his friends and family gathered so close his mind ablaze with all the memoires he'd ever had with them he for the first time in months had an answer.
"A bit better, but I could use some help."
"Anything Starlight just name it."
He took a deep breath trying to calm down even more before saying. "Well, I think I'd like to spend the next week on Homeworld. Then I'm going to come back and together we can figure out the next step."
He saw the orb in Yellow's hand and after a moment grabbed it. "Oh why not it is pretty fun to be a kid again."
The smoke had just cleared when they saw his little self-running onto the warp and activating it. The trio of Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl could only watch as they all rushed after him. They'd be ready when he got back and together, they'd all figure it all out.
