Chapter Twelve: The Lock

"So...have the Homeworld Gems been to Etheria before?" said Lapis.

"I mean, it looks like it," said Peridot. "I guess it depends on if this project thing works or not."

Demantoid looked over the data. "That is unlikely," she said. "While Project: Drawbridge is theoretically functional, test logs indicate it has not yet been activated. Plans to do so were halted due to Skeletor's invasion."

"Well, hey, then that means we have a way to get to Etheria!" said Peridot.

"Why would we want to go to Etheria?" said Lapis.

"Lapis, don't you understand?" said Peridot. "Steven and the others just disappear after we leave, despite there being no way off the planet before then! Where else do you think they went?"

"I dunno, Earth?" Lapis said.

"Okay, maybe, but Denebria used to be a First Ones-controlled planet before Skeletor took over, and-"

"It was also a Gem colony," added Pyrope.

"Failed Gem colony," continued Peridot. "Anyways, I like to think they would have looked for us before going back to Earth. Unless, they couldn't. And why couldn't they? Because they're in another dimension! It makes perfect sense!"

"Something in your logic seems...faulty," Hessonite said. "It seems a lot more likely they simply missed you when they were searching."

"And how exactly did they get off the planet?" said Peridot. "What, like some big ship just fell out of the sky and picked them up?"

"That's what happened to us," Ruby said.

Peridot waved everyone off. "Okay, look: even if the others aren't on Etheria, then I think it's likely Skeletor is. Hessonite, you said he hasn't been seen for a while?"

"No, he hasn't," said Hessonite. "In fact, this is the last planet where he was seen before he disappeared."

"And he just happened to find somewhere with a teleporter to Etheria!" Peridot said. "Here's what I think: Steven or not, taking this 'Lock' thing to Etheria is our best bet. If it really is capable of defeating him, then we'll use to do just that, and then the universe will be saved! Right?"

"Peridot, your plan's crazy," Lapis said. "And yet...some way, somehow, it makes a little bit of sense."

"I agree with the Lazuli," said Hessonite. "Skeletor has been leaving the fighting to his necro-spheres, which makes it likely he is somewhere else, potentially Etheria. If this is true, these two going after him with the Lock just may be what we need to put him down for good."

"And what exactly is 'the Lock?'" asked Pyrope. "We've all heard it mentioned, but we have no idea how exactly it's used!"

"Then we should find out," said Demantoid. "The chamber is this way, follow me."

The gang of Gems set off after her towards where the Lock was being kept, which was also the room where Project: Drawbridge was located. The facility had largely been torn apart by Skeletor's legions, but the room Demantoid led them to was surprisingly untouched.

"Huh. I would've thought this place would be much more...ransacked-looking," noted Ruby.

"That is true," said Pyrope. "If Skeletor was so intent on finding the Lock, why did he not search this place?"

"Because he was unable to discover where it was located," said Demantoid. "Observe."

Upon entering the room, it was clear that quite a bit of time and effort had been placed into Project: Drawbridge. Numerous prototypes of varying shapes and sizes were located all around the room, in varying stages of completion. After double-checking the data from the console, Demantoid approached one of them and pressed a switch.

An automated voice sounded from the device. "Demantoid detected. Clearance level: Garnet. Usage authorized." The device whirred to life, a centrifuge spinning around a central platform. Electricity crackled around it.

"I guess it's a good thing Homeworld hasn't had us blacklisted yet!" said Pyrope.

The show of light and sound from the device reached its peak, and when it slowly came to a stop, a small object was present on the platform. Cylindrical in shape and orange in color, the object had glass sides that provided a view of its internal workings: numerous gears and crystals formed a power source of unknown purpose.

"The technology present in this facility can only be accessed by a Gem," said Demantoid, picking up the object. "As such, Skeletor was unable to locate the Lock. Even if he could, getting it would have been another matter." She handed the cylinder to Peridot. "Using Project: Drawbridge, the Lock had been sealed within a small pocket dimension, making him unable to sense it."

Peridot examined the object. "So, this is the Lock," she said. "It's a little underwhelming, to be honest."

"And, Demantoid, how exactly was the Lock used?" asked Hessonite. "Why was Skeletor so desperate to find it?"

Demantoid looked over the files once more. "According to this research, the Lock is a First Ones artifact capable of acting as a trap for high amounts of energy. It is theorized that it was used to seal away beings of considerable power in the past."

"So Skeletor must have known it could be used to seal him away…" said Pyrope.

"Unfortunately, nobody here was able to figure out how to activate it," Demantoid continued.

"Ah, that's no big deal," said Peridot. "I'm practically already an expert at these things. I'll figure it out in no time." She began fiddling with the top part of the device, which contained what may or may not have been the controls.

"Demantoid, you said something about Skeletor 'sensing' the Lock," said Lapis. "Is that something he can do?"

Hessonite nodded. "We believe so. Skeletor has not only been attacking Gem territories, but former First Ones territories, as well. It is possible he simply knew where these were located due to being a First One himself, as you said, but many of them were long thought to be lost to time. It is likely that he has a way to sense First Ones technology distinct from Gems."

"Eh, no big deal," said Peridot, not even looking up. "We'll manage. Now, how do we get to Etheria?"

"Peridot, I-" said Lapis, only to be cut off by Demantoid.

"The finalized form of Project: Drawbridge is located over there," said the green Garnet. She pointed out an object much like the one she had activated earlier, only with a platform large enough to accommodate several Gems. It seemed to have been combined with a warp pad as well.

Peridot immediately walked over to it, and stood on the platform. "Well, there's no time to waste!" she said. "So, you all coming?"

"You can count me out," said Ruby. "I get dizzy using regular warp pads, no way I'm taking one to another dimension!"

"As much as we would like to help you, we must stay behind," said Hessonite. "Otherwise, I'm afraid there'll be nobody to fight back against Skeletor. Nobody competent, at least."

Lapis sighed. "Peridot, aren't you worried we're rushing into this too fast? What is there isn't a way to get back?"

"There is not," said Demantoid. "Project: Drawbridge is one-way only."

"See?" continued Lapis. "Shouldn't we at least come up with a plan or something?"

"Lapis, it's fine!" Peridot said. "I built a portal between Earth and Etheria once, and I can do it again! Besides, this is about saving the universe, and the Steven Universe!"

"But, don't you…" Lapis shook her head, eventually relenting. "Alright, but if we get stranded, I'm blaming you!"

"That's the spirit!" Peridot said as Lapis joined her. "Alright, fire it up!"

"Commencing activation procedures," said Demantoid. Slowly but surely, the device began to whirr to life. Light shone from the platform as the centrifuge spun faster and faster.

"So long, new friends," said Hessonite. "I wish you luck, and I hope to see you again soon!"

"Good luck to you, too!" said Peridot, waving. The lights reached their peak, and in an instant, Peridot and Lapis had vanished. The centrifuge gradually slowed to a halt.

"Well, that was neat," said Pyrope, breaking the silence. "So, where to next?"

Surrounded by a blasted wasteland, containing nothing but dust and decay, Skeletor suddenly perked his head up. Where there had been nothing, suddenly a presence had shot into life. The unmistakable hum of power, potentially rivaling even his own. Could it be the very object he sought to destroy? No, of course not.

Still, this new presence was clearly powerful. And if it was capable of being a threat to his mission, he would have to move fast if he wanted to snuff it out. With a wave of his staff, Skeletor opened up a portal, and stepped through. Whatever was behind this hum, man, beast, or machine, he would allow nothing to usurp him as the rightful king of death.

Elsewhere, in the Fright Zone, someone else would also receive troubling information.

Hordak, at the time occupied with fending off the invasion of the living dead, had just received a rather unwelcome surprise from his little companion. Imp had flown in from the ceiling, and quickly made it clear he had something of importance to tell his master.

"What is it now?" growled Hordak. "Can you not see that I am busy?"

Imp only sat beside his master, opening his mouth to deliver a recording of what he had heard: "If Hordak has proven anything lately, it's that he's unfit to lead the Horde," came Catra's voice. "From now on, if we want anything to get done around here, we're doing it ourselves, behind Hordak's back. Skeletor-we need to take him out as soon as possible."

Despite the snarl that followed, Hordak wore a malicious sneer. "Once again, Catra, you have proven yourself untrustworthy." Despite this, he waved Imp off. "No matter. If she wishes to go after Skeletor herself, it's no concern of mine. It is her life to give."

Imp then played another recording, one that Hordak was far more invested in. "Just the three of us? Mmm, I dunno, Catra, that feels pretty risky."

Hordak turned around. "Entrapta...is going with them?" Imp cackled in response. Immediately, Hordak stood up and made for the exit.

"Lord Hordak?" one of the nearby soldiers said. "Where are you going?"

"To crush an insubordinate pawn," he growled.