"Prisoner agate 45-1! Get your worthless ass out here. Can't imagine why, but ya got company." the Agate shouted, glaring down at the Bismuth and Onyx gem before her before walking back towards the cellblock, leaving B9 and Jet standing in a concrete room alone.

"Why do they talk about Buck like that, B9?" Jet asked, taking the hand of the Bismuth gem for comfort and frowning when she reached only air as the gem moved her hand away. "Because Buckstar thinks she can just ignore the rules of a fucking Diamond. That's why." B9 said flatly, crossing her arms and glaring at the agate soldier as she entered the area for her conjugal visit.

"Don't do this. Not in front of Jet." The fire agate said, her icy blue eyes boring into Bismuth's as Jet rushed forward and lept into her mentor's arms and hugged her. "Buck! When are you coming home? I miss you. Jonathan misses you. I know you did a bad thing by not obeying Yellow Diamond, but you and B9 always told me that everyone makes mistakes." Buckstar felt a pang of pain in her chest, hugging the younger gem. "Yes. You are correct, Jet. Everyone makes mistakes. I make them. You make them. Even B9 makes them. But here's the thing." she said, kissing the gem's forehead. "My decision to make what Yellow Diamond feels were 'unimportant additions to the Zoo' really helped the humans. The day and night cycle, the waterfall that was capable of healing, and the edition of the really pretty forest area are things the Diamonds fel are a waste - but they made the humans very happy." she said, glancing from Jet to B9, who refused to look at her. "Rose's recommendations made the humans very happy, and because of that I am happy. I do not consider the improvements to the facilities humans have to live in to be a mistake. Do you?"

"Don't fill her head with that bullshi-"

Buckstar placed her hands over Jet's ear's and formed a bubble to cover her head she couldn't hear the gem's as they started bickering.

"Watch your mouth. I do not want her learning that kind of language at her impressionable age."

B9 rolled her eyes. "I'm not sure why you're so worried about what words she's saying. You won't be around to raise her anyway. Maybe it's better that way so she doesn't grow up to be like you." she snapped.

Buckstar flinched like she had just been slapped as B9's words lingered in the air, the gem who had uttered them looking just as shocked. "Why is the concept of our underling being like me a bad thing?" she asked.

"Maybe because they would actually live longer? You know, fall in line. Not do dumb shit like ignore a Diamond's order, resulting in a surprise visit from said Diamond that wiped out damn near our entire base?! I'd rather my kid grow up and be like me. An asshole - but an alive asshole."

Buckstar started to argue back, but paused when she felt Jet tugging on her uniform and looking up at her with those big, innocent blue eyes. Even if the argument between the gems was extremely muffled, the young Onyx would know they were arguing back and forth from their body language. She couldn't do that. Taking a deep breath, she returned her gaze to B9. "You aren't the same gem I fell in love with so long ago, B9. I hope one day you realize this and get back to being the gem Jet and Johnathon need. Even if I'm not around to see it." she said, snapping her fingers and getting rid of the bubble over Jet's head before she could respond. "Jet. Promise me something." she said, kneeling on the gem's level.

Jet looked up at Buckstar with stars in her eyes. She didn't understand why the gems were arguing, but she was glad it was over. "Of course, Buckstar."

"Always do your best to take care of the humans. I won't be around for a while, so we need a gem who is able to take my place to look after them." Jet's eyes widened. "Of course, Buckstar! B9 is a good teacher. I'm sure when you come back it'll be like you never left. I can show you everything I've learned while you were away! I'll make you proud, Buck I promise!" she said eagerly.

Buckstar did her best to fight back tears as she hugged the gem tightly. "Don't do it to make me proud. Do it because you want to. Learn to love the humans in a way that even I struggle to. In the way I love you."

Jet looked confused. "Like….Like they're gems?"

Buckstar chuckled. "Exactly. Like they're gems."

Jet's eyes lit up. "Okay. I promise, Buck. And I love you too. And so does Buck. One day, this will all be over and we can have our happy family again. It'll be over before we know it!"

Buckstar and B9 locked eyes for a moment before Buckstar closed her eyes, the innocence dripping from the gem's voice sending a wave of sadness over her as the alarm sounded to indicate their time together was over. Buckstar squeezed the gem as if she would disappear in front of her eyes before letting go and standing. "See you later!" Jet said, happily skipping towards the ship and leaving the Fire agate and Bismuth alone for a moment.

"See you at the shattering ceremony?" Buckstar said, a twinge of hope in her voice.

B9 scoffed. "No. I can't watch a gem I used to love be shattered for doing something so stupid for a bunch of vermin." she spat.

Buckstar flinched. "Used to?" she asked, her voice sounding like a whimper as Bismuth nodded, turning her back.

"Yeah. Used to."

…

"Jet! Jet, wake up!"

Jet groaned and opened her eyes and pushed herself to a sitting position. "Wh…What the hell happen- OH MY STARS!" she yelped, her eyes widening as she looked around and saw she was in a pink bubble floating through space, comets floating by every now and then.

The memories of being sucked through the door of the moon base came flooding back in a rush. Everything had been going by so quickly. One moment she was holding onto Steven's shirt to keep him from being sucked out, the next she was in a void of stars and being jostled around amongst the many chunks of comet, and a sudden sharp pain in her head before she blacked out and had a flashback about - no. She couldn't think about this now. Gotta think about the present now. Not the past.

First things first. Damage check. Gem? Solid. No cracks. Form? All good except a throbbing headache. Probably from one of the aforementioned chunks of comet but no way to be completely sure. Okay she was fine. What about Ste-

"Whoa dude, what happened to your shirt?" The Onyx asked, eyes widening. Steven laughed sheepishly. "Oh, that? Well, before I managed to grab you and bring you into my bubble, me and Eyeball got into a little…disagreement about Mom. She thinks I'm her now. Mainly because….I told her?"

"You WHAT?" Jet said, putting her head in her hands. "Hey, in my defense I thought we were both going to die. And she wanted closure after what happened with my mom. She said she wanted to just see her for one last time and know what happened to her so…I told her." he said, sheepishly rubbing his arm.

Jet sighed. "Well…I'm glad you were able to defend yourself." she said before pausing. "So…they really didn't tell you what happened with your mom and Pink Diamond?" she asked softly. Steven shook his head and looked away, sitting. Jet joined him and looked the opposite direction, racking her brain. This…wasn't right. If the gems could hide something like one of their own shattering a Diamond from someone like Steven, who valued ALL life…what else could they be hiding?

"I'm sorry, Steven. You shouldn't have had to find out like this." She said, putting a hand on Steven's shoulder. "They should have been the ones to tell you." Steven nodded. "I just feel like they still think I'm a little kid. Not a real Crystal Gem." he said. Jet paused before sighing. "Sometimes it's hard to go from seeing someone you're raising as someone you need to protect to someone who can protect themselves. I do agree with your point though. If the gems were going to have you fighting gem monsters with them and going on missions, you should have had all the details. If you're going to fight a war, you should know exactly who and what you're fighting for. And it isn't fair of them to have you fight with them without this very important context."

STeven looked surprised as he looked at Jet. "Thanks, Jet." he said, hugging the gem who grinned. "Of course, Steven. I'm sure the gems love you - they're just making a lot of mistakes right now. After all, if they didn't see you as a part of the team they probably wouldn't have combed through the endless void of space to find you." she said, pointing at a quickly approaching Ruby ship.

…

Freshwater did her best not to gawk at the magnificence of the room she was standing in as the doors to Blue Diamond's room slid open. She had been inside a few times, but even though she spent more time with the Diamonds than most gems, it was hard to not feel overwhelmed by how big everything was compared to her. Then of course there was the talking and singing objects like combs and brushes that her Diamond would use to comb her hair. She tried not to think too hard about the weirdness of the latter.

"You requested my presence, my Diamond?" Freshwater said, saluting the gem as she came up to the bath Blue Diamond was sitting in.

"Aah, yes I did, Pearl. I actually requested your presence to relay a message from White Diamond - oh, no need to look so frightened. Come here." she said, reaching out a hand for the gem. Freshwater hesitated before stepping onto the gem's hand, doing her best to remained balanced. "That's better." she said, placing the gem on her shoulder as she spoke, leaning back in the tub and relaxing. "My, I haven't gotten a good look at you since we made those adjustments. So much better." she said, looking the gem up and down from head to toe. Brilliant white skin, long, dark pink hair, brilliant bright blue eyes - and of course that adorable uniform my Pearl managed to knit you. So much better than before." she said with a smile.

"Thank you, my Diamond." Freshwater said, bowing as Blue Diamond continued. "Anyhow, White Diamond was far too busy to speak with you herself. Don't take it personally. She barely has time to talk to anyone since Pink…" the gem's voice trailed off as Blue Diamond sighed, wiping a tear from her eyes. Freshwater did the same, feeling Blue's sadness wave rush over her. "Anyhow…As you know, White Diamond has ordered you to go on your trip to Earth. Before you do, however, you will be spending some time with me at the Zoo to prepare for this. Not only will this give us more time to get a squadron together to accompany you on your trip to Earth - we also feel it is a good idea to prepare you for the different conditions of the planet. Along with curb any excitement you might have and decrease your likelihood of becoming interested enough to stay on that colony."

Freshwater looked shocked. "Yes, My Diamond. While I would never turn my back on you, I understand why White Diamond has decided to put this preparation in place." Blue Diamond smiled. "I had a feeling you would say something like that." she said with a smile. "For nwo, prepare yourself. We will be leaving in a few days. I quite miss the humans and the comfort they bring me."