In a blinding light, Pink Steven poofed, his diamond sitting in the sand. Jet, as requested, walked up to it and held it close. She stood still for a very long time as everyone watched to see what would happen. As she stood, obviously reviewing the diamond's past, the light around her would fade in and out in a weird aura. Though it was late afternoon on the beach, sometimes it would look as bright as midday, sometimes as dark as a moonless night. For almost a half hour nobody could see anything, as Jet sucked the light away. It all came back in a flash and after a few minutes she looked up and handed the dim gem, now encased is a swirling grey bubble, to White Diamond. "Steven had a plan, please follow it or his death will be in vain. I know that me and Black Pearl were special among our gem types, made specifically for our friends, and I will do my best to follow what my Diamond, no, Steven had in mind. The first parts of which I will need assistance with per Steven's instructions." she looked at Garnet and her Pearl. "Garnet as you've probably seen, I must ask for a temporary unfusing as after I give a final message from Steven I will need your Sapphire specifically, but only momentarily"
Black Pearl approached Jet and held her hand, Pearl having explained what was needed on the trip back to Earth. She led the smaller gem in a slow waltz that had a few skipping jumps. The dance sped up until it became a rather energetic jig, finishing with a very large jump, the gems disappearing into the glare of the sun. What landed, however, was not two small gems. A tall, dark fusion stood in the center of the circle of mourners with one foot on either side of Steven's body. she knelt down and picked up the man, and set him in a boat that was docked at the shore. When she was done she stood at her full height and let those assembled take in the new fusion.
It was unclear before exactly where Black Pearl's gem was but in the fusion, it was very clearly on her chest, disguised as the clasp of her bolo tie, (her bow tie on the pearl herself). Jet's gem was still hidden under bangs but pearl's eyes are now visible. The fusion wore pearl's tux jacket now black with a white shirt, when before it was white with a black shirt, white tie, black gem. she also wore Jet's kilt, no longer asymmetric, but reaching mid calf, as opposed to the tradition knee length one that Jet sports. she stands about as tall as a quartz soldier but willowy, even dainty, save for her toned upper arms and calves. Once everyone had gotten used to her presence the fusion spoke. "My name is Black Tourmaline, and I am the reason Jets come with Pearls. Steven wanted Jet to see his past, but he wanted me to show you his plan."
Out of the tie gem came a dark hologram, very similar to Pearls when she dreams. it played a very specific memory of Steven standing in front of a mirror. "i'm preparing to give up my own form, but before that i have to do one more thing to make gemkind better, i have to show that fusion is no longer taboo, you've all made great strides in accepting accidental fusions and even letting them remain if they choose. but you still don't encourage the practice, elites and the upper crust all shun the very notion. if my plan works and the diamonds are seeing this, even after all this time i still see the looks of disgust whenever i fuse, no matter the reason, especially Rainbow. For this plan to work, the Diamonds need to fuse themselves. After running simulations, I'm certain that homeworld having one unified leader will go a long way for era 4 and new gems to be successful. I know I've given you a reason to fuse already, or will, but this is why it's necessary. And the next step to my plan will show the outcome, I know it will work. The Titan colony is just about ready to emerge and so my time is short, I love you all, please let love guide you forward"
The hologram ended, and Tourmaline unfused. Jet looked at the Diamonds, and told them that the next step could not occur until they all four fused. Knowing it was Pink's, no, Steven's last wish, they did just that, popping Steven's bubble. The gem was laid in Blue's hands, which were placed in Yellow's, the two smaller diamonds sitting in White's. Color radiated out pink in the middle, blue and yellow around it, and it all surrounded by white, it looked reminiscent of the corruption blast, but this time the change was not toxic.
What emerged was nothing like anyone could have guessed, there was no form, just light and in the middle were four clear gems, their points meeting in the middle, the shapes showing the Diamond Authority symbol. Suddenly the light spoke. " I am Paragon" her voice as clear as her gems, though eerily similar to White's. "The Perfect Diamond. My Presence is required, but you haven't explained why"
"My Diamond" Jet began "in a moment all will be explained. Garnet, I need Sapphire now" Garnet nodded, and unfused. Ruby looked nervous, but from being Garnet she knew this was needed. Sapphire floated over to Jet, the latter beginning to float as well. They held hands and floated in circles, faster and faster, until a dark blue sapphire hovered in their place.
"I am Star Sapphire, My Diamond. I need to touch your light and see how your story unfolds. Steven needed Sapphire's singular future vision, and Jet's tactile focus. Garnet foresaw that having the variable sight of the fusion would mar the result. Your Radiance, the equivalent of your hand please"
As soon as her hand touched the light, Star spoke "Your presence will be well received my Lady, though for many it is simply because they do not wish to anger you. Over the next few millennia, by your example, fusion will begin to flourish, purposeful and abundant. There will be beautiful blendings of personalities, and in new kindergartens, Peridots will actually suggest functional fusions, as I see Lapis' and Pearls paring with Sapphires, their projection abilities allowing others to see visions themselves. I also see Bismuths and Quartzes, alongside Agates and Peridots. There will be a slight hiccup at the time when Pink comes back, and I can't see what they will be like. It is after that, that you will have to decide if you will be Paragon again, or four diamonds, or somewhere in between" removing her hand Star unfuses and Garnet refuses.