1001 Nights in Their Garden

The Sixth Day- Cherry 2.0

Part II- Back in Bismuth

Author's Note: Thanks so much for all the views, should be back to releasing one a week for the foreseeable future.

My name is Steven Universe, and I guess I'm taking over for this part. I can't believe I forgot about Pearl being hit by Spinel's scythe. The rejuvenator left her a blank slate. It was a lucky thing that in the absence of anyone else being present, Bismuth arrived just in time.

Little Homeworld was now nearly a city in its own right. As Bismuth and Peridot's pet project it had served as a beacon for the sort of wierdos and outcasts that always seem to make life interesting. Arriving via the warp pad, Spinel and I were shocked at the insane variety that seemed to be bursting out in every hue and color of the rainbow. Not only were hundreds of gems busy erecting towers and excavating the soil, but even the odd human and alien could be seen walking around or visiting shops.

"Wow this place sure is big!" Spinel said after a low whistle.

I replied, "Yeah two years ago this was nothing but fields." I'd hoped to be there for its construction, but the sudden revolt of a number of gem colonies delayed my return to my friends and family. It was a miserable war, and one that nearly consumed me emotionally, and literally, but that is a story for another time. In any event it explains why I was somewhat melancholy, even as Spinel complicated the matter with various detours.

Spinel was the happiest I'd ever seen her. Holding hands with her was like holding on to a leash made of rubber bands. I didn't fault her for her enthusiasm. She'd been in a prison of Mom's making, waiting for an old friend who'd never come. I couldn't imagine her pain, but it brought a smile to my face to watch her juggle with one hand for the entertainment of a boy who'd been crying moments before.

It wasn't quite like the farmer's markets my father had taken me too back when we were on the road, but it's the only image that even comes close to what we saw as we neared Bismuth's shop. It was a farmer's market married to something out of a fantasy novel, and oddly flavored. A band was playing in a squared off area with instruments I'd never seen before. Two Lapis Lazuli danced while forming images of story which was in turn told by another Lapis. Spinel stopped for a minute, only a precious minute to watch the dazzling, and almost hypnotic display. What the Lapis said went a little like this:

"The wars raged on as the Diamond's subjugated world after world, until not a soul was left who dared to rise against them. It was then that one of their number betrayed them, and led a rebellion for the sake of not only herself, but for the sake of life in all its myriad beauty."

This was illustrated by the Lapis manipulating water to form examples of all kinds. Spinel turned back to me and I could see that she was on the verge of tears. I don't know why, maybe it was sadness over the fact that she wanted to have a part. Mom left a lot behind when I came into the world… Some, like those Lapis, portray her as a hero, others make her out as vile and needlessly cruel. To tell you the truth, I haven't made up my mind yet, and I doubt I ever will.

Now somewhat downcast, Spinel and I made up the lost time, and finally arrived at Bismuth's shop. From the moment we entered there was something deeply unsettling about Pearl. She smiled at the two of us, but deep down it felt hollow, empty, meaningless. One look at the way Bismuth's usual smiling air of over confidence had soured, told me that she felt the same way too.

We met in her living room, a large stone room, accented with a huge fireplace, and lined with racks upon racks of weapons. They were all of Bismuth's own design, and stretched back to the gem rebellion. Swords, maces, mauls, picks, clubs, and knives, she considered them all works of art. Above the fireplace was her most prized possession, the battle flag of Rose Quartz. I gave it to her as a gift back when she opened the shop. She'd taken great pains to repair it and even among all the other objects in the room, the bright pink flag dominated everything.

Spinel on the other hand, was bitterly overjoyed at seeing a perceived enemy brainwashed. She laughed, "I like her better this way." She cartoonishly knocked on her head. "Guess nobody's home." Then there was that almost Cheshire smile, it still sent chills up my spine.

I was shocked at how quickly her whole demeanor changed, "Do you know anything we can do to help her get her memories back?"

"Sure." She replied.

Bismuth put her both hands on Spinel's shoulders, "Please, I'll do anything. I just can't leave her like this."

Spinel giggled, "Why should you care." She stretched out one of her hands, grabbing Pearl's cheek. "She's just a mindless little slave, isn't that right?"

Pearl replied, "I live to serve my Bismuth."

Now Bismuth was mad, "She's not a slave, and that is not Pearl!"

"Sure, sure lady whatever you say," Spinel said.

I tried to intervene but Bismuth would have nothing of it, "This gem held you hostage, and threatened to destroy the Earth. She can help us to bring our friend back, and your going to sit their and pretend like she should have any choice in the matter."

"I'm not saying that at all, I'm just saying maybe it'd be best if we knew why she did?"

Spinel looked up at Bismuth, "Hehe, we'll see how much you want me to help her then." She took a very deep breath and all three of our gems began to glow.

Next Time- Spinel's Reflections