Chapter Ten: Captives

Steven's hands slammed against the side of the bubble, hitting them with all his might, and blue electricity fizzled around them, but neither did anything, they both bounced harmlessly off. Once or twice he thought he was getting somewhere— his nails were digging in, like he'd be able to rip it open— but then there'd be a pressure, and he'd lose his grip.

He stared up at the fusion's cold, impassive face. The two Gems that made them up weren't reacting at all.

Steven curled up around himself, struggling against the burn of tears. He couldn't escape this. And even if he could, what would he do? They'd taken Lapis, they'd taken Pearl—

"I hate you," Steven muttered, one more time. The fusion gave no indication they'd heard him. At least they were wearing those glasses again, so he didn't have to see their freakish three eyes anymore.

They were taking him to a warp pad. They'd bring him to the Crystal Gem base and then they'd— they'd— they'd kill him— just like they did to Pink—

The warp stream looked red through the filter of the bubble, and all too quickly it disappeared. It was replaced with a cave of stone and crystal, and standing in the middle of it was Rose Quartz. He'd recognise her anywhere. Her sharp, burning eyes, this twist of her scowl, the glint of her sword—

She didn't have her sword, not now. She was— she was just standing there, smiling and chatting, chatting with—

Dad.

He almost called out to him automatically, but clamped down at the last second. He couldn't. If the Crystal Gems found out Dad was connected to him, they'd just kill him too.

Steven saw recognition flash on Dad's face as he turned; shock and incomprehension and horror, one after the other. "Holy sh—"

"Garnet," said Rose Quartz, tilting her head. "Why do you have a human child?"

"Not a human child," said the fusion.

"I don't understand," Rose Quartz said.

The fusion carried him towards her; Steven's heart thudded faster in his chest. They said, "Listen."

And Rose Quartz came, bending down close, so close that she could have touched him, and pressed her ear against the bubble, and Steven's blood was ice. He saw her eyes widen and felt at least some sliver of satisfaction at the fear on her face. She whispered, "Blue Diamond."

"I'm-" Steven's voice came out squeaky, so he tried again. "I'm not Blue Diamond. My name's Steven. I'm a human."

The fusion shook her head. "It's her. She has her Song, she had her lightning, she had her Pearl—"

"Her Pearl?" asked Rose Quartz. "Where is—"

"Now wait a minute," said Dad, pushing Rose Quartz aside. "Just what is going on here? Let that kid go!"

"This is not a child," said Rose Quartz.

"Yeah, he is! Look at him! You can't just keep him locked up!"

"Yes, I can," the fusion said, her voice monotone and dangerous. She was staring right down at Dad. "You've been working for her. You told her and her entourage where the healing Fountain was."

Rose Quartz's eyes went large. "What?"

Dad had gone very, very still.

"I'm sorry, Rose," said the fusion. "Blue Diamond came to the Fountain with a Pearl and a Lapis Lazuli. I had visions of them destroying it. They mentioned him by name."

"Is this true, Mr. Universe?" asked Rose Quartz, quiet.

"I…" Dad was staring at the floor. "Rose— I— I'm sorry-"

And then he leapt forward, right up to the bubble, reaching out to Steven—

The fusion smacked him to the ground. Steven winced, kicked out automatically, but hit nothing.

"Mr. Universe!" Rose Quartz yelled.

She picked Dad up by the back of the shirt. His eyes were wild and frantic, he was kicking and flailing, and he was in her hands—

"Dad!" Steven cried, "Dad, Dad, no!"

"Dad?" Rose Quartz repeated.

Everything was happening at once. Dad was shaking his head, saying, "Steven, no," and there was a bright light and the Crystal Gem base opened, and out spilled the other rebels— the little Amethyst and the other Pearl— and everyone was talking, and shouting, and Steven felt sick, his whole body hurt, they already had Pearl and they were gonna get Dad too—

He sobbed, and there was a wave of blue light.

It rolled out from him, filling the entire cave, washing over Dad and the rebels. Instantly, everyone froze. Steven managed to get a hold of himself enough to see their faces transform into what had to be mirrors of his own, huge tears overflowing from their eyes. The Amethyst even wailed.

Steven took a breath, and the light faded.

Everyone shook themselves.

"Stop that," the fusion said. Steven glared at them.

The other Pearl was there now. She had a spear out, and was pointing it at him, her expression sharp and cruel. "Is that really—?"

"That was certainly her powers," said Rose Quartz, still holding Dad as he struggled. "I'm sorry. Pearl, Garnet, I'm sorry, I should have listened to you."

"It's alright," the fusion said.

The Pearl just nodded. All her attention was fixed on the captive. Steven couldn't tear his eyes away. She looked so similar to Pearl, especially through the bubble's filter— but Pearl's eyes, whenever they were seen, could never be full of such detest—

"I thought a Diamond would be bigger," said a voice from below, and it was the Amethyst, staring up at him.

"She should be," said the Pearl. "Why on Earth has she taken such a small form? Why is she even on Earth in the first place?"

"I don't know," the fusion said.

"THAT'S BECAUSE HE'S NOT BLUE DIAMOND!" Dad yelled.

The attention shifted off of Steven as all four sets of eyes came to rest on Dad instead.

"Then what is he?" said the Amethyst.

"He's—" Dad gulped. "He's human."

"You've been tricked," said the Pearl, scornfully.

"I have not. He's my son."

Another one of those horrible, ugly silence. Steven wanted to fill it with, to say something, anything, but no words would come.

Slowly, deliberately, Rose Quartz turned Dad around in her arms so that he was facing her. From this angle, Steven couldn't see his Dad's face, but he could see the rebel leader's. It was unexpectedly soft. Like a cherub, almost, from a renaissance painting. She said, "She called you 'Dad'."

Dad gave a jerky nod.

"How is that possible?" asked Rose Quartz.

"It's not, obviously," said Pearl. "She's just shapeshifted. Maybe this human is lying, or has been tricked, some way or another, but this is most certainly Blue Diamond, we can all feel it—"

"It's not a trick," said Dad. "He's my son. Mine and Blue Diamond's."

The Amethyst laughed. "That's stupid. Gems don't have kids."

"I know they don't usually," said Dad. "But Blue Diamond did. That's our child. His name is Steven Universe, and he is not her. Please— I know, I know you guys had your— issues, but please, whatever you do, don't kill him—"

For moment, nobody spoke. Then Rose Quartz said, "We won't."

Steven couldn't believe his ears, couldn't stop the rush of unexpected relief flooding through his veins.

Slowly, Rose Quartz put Dad down. She did not release him— did not take her hands off his shoulders— but did let him stand on his own two feet. For a second, he and Steven exchanged a single look, filled with a dozen things they both wanted to say but couldn't.

"The body is meat," said the fusion.

"What?" said Rose Quartz, the Pearl and the Amethyst, in unison.

"This body is not a hologram. It is made of meat." The fusion lifted the bubble to inspect Steven more closely. He struggled not to squirm under her hidden gaze. "I had a vision where I attempted to destroy her physical form, but she didn't retreat into her gem. Instead there was a lot of blood."

Steven jerked back in horror, heard his Dad wince in pain.

"That sounds…" The Pearl trailed off, shaking her head. "Could she be interfering with your future vision?"

"No," said the fusion.

The Amethyst blinked up at him. "I think it sounds cool. Can we test it?"

"No!" said Steven.

"Enough." Rose Quartz's voice rang with authority. "We need answers. Blue Diamond or not, you will give them to us."

Steven's hands clenched. He didn't want to tell her anything.

But that wasn't an option anymore, was it?

"I'll tell you whatever, but—" He paused to lick his lips.

The Pearl jabbed her spear near the bubble. "You're in no position to make demands."

Steven's mouth went even drier, but he managed to say, "I'll tell you anything, as long as you let them go. My Dad, Lapis, Pearl. All of them."

He was very satisfied to see the Pearl look surprised.

She recovered quickly, however. "So they can return to Homeworld and report your capture? Please."

"No! It's not like that— please—"

"Here. I have let Mr. Universe go." Rose Quartz's voice cut through the air. Steven looked over, and true to her word, she had let go of his Dad. Now she strode over to Steven. The fusion still held onto the bubble, but the other two Crystal Gems made way for their commander. Dad stood where he'd been left, looking at a loss.

Run, Dad! Steven thought, but his father did not.

Up close, Rose Quartz looked very big indeed. "We shall allow Pearl and Lapis Lazuli their freedom, on the condition that we have established they pose minimal threat to us, and that you swear to answer our questions completely and honestly."

"O-okay," said Steven.

Rose Quartz nodded, a small action that still sent ripples through her hair. "First question: What are you doing on Earth?"

"I live here!"

"Since when?" said the Amethyst.

"My whole life!"

The Pearl groaned. "This is useless…"

Dad stepped forward. "Steven's twelve. He was born on Earth. It's his home."

Another one of those terrible silences.

"Alright," said Rose Quartz, at length. "Let us assume, for a moment, that the story is true, and you are Blue Diamond's child. Do you have any of her memories?"

Steven said, "No."

"And why did Blue Diamond come to Earth in the first place?"

Dad was the one who answered that one, stammering through an explanation of how Blue Diamond had come to Earth to grieve (giving Rose Quartz a fierce glare at that point), but then she'd met Dad, been intrigued, and decided to stay.

The following interrogation was simultaneously terrifying and boring, which Steven didn't even know was possible. He and Dad kept answering the same questions, again and again, in different ways, as his captives tried to pick holes in their story. The Crystal Gems were stupid, and suspicious, and didn't want to believe anything they told them. They didn't even believe Steven was a boy!

Finally, though— finally, the Crystal Gems were convinced enough to give some some leniency, in exchange with more physical proof.

The fusion poked the bubble: it disappeared with a small poof, and Steven fell to the ground, landing right on his butt. It hurt. Just another pain on top of the bone-deep ache from where the fusion had punched him.

Almost immediately he was being ordered to stand. Somebody pulled his shirt and hoodie off, but Steven didn't even have the chance to feel cold before somebody was grabbing his hands, holding him down. Rose Quartz leaned over him, staring down at his bare torso, hesitated-

— then touched his gem.

Steven was used to things touching it. His clothes, obviously, and water when bathed. But the only other people who'd ever touched it was Dad and Pearl. That felt strange, but nice. This felt... weird. Uncomfortable. Invasive. Like another mind brushing against his, making him shiver.

Rose Quartz's face was impossible to read. But seemingly satisfied, she backed away.

Still being held down, they tied Steven up in a whip summoned by the Amethyst. He forced himself not to struggle, not to wince, even though the whip was covered in thorny-barbs that dug uncomfortably into his skin. It didn't help that his balance felt off from so long floating in that bubble, or that his entire abdomen was still a mass of pain.

They'd let Dad go. He could have left, could have gone into Beach City, could have gotten into his van and drove away and been safe. But he refused to leave. So the enemy Pearl got a rope out of her gem and bound Dad's arms.

"Just a precaution," said Rose Quartz. "We can't have you attacking us again, Mr. Universe."

"You'd just get hurt," said the fusion.

"Don't threaten him, fusion," Steven snapped.

"My name," they said, "is Garnet."

"And mine," he responded, "is Steven."

They stared at each other for several long moments.

The fusion— Garnet— was the first one to back down. "Very well," they said, and looked at Dad. "It wasn't a threat. Just fact. I don't want to hurt you."

Steven snorted. The Crystal Gems ignored him.

For a given value of 'ignore'. Even tied up, the rebels were afraid of him. They were always watching, and all of them had their weapons out.

If Mom had been there, she would have been strong enough to take them all on, even with her arms tied up. She'd just shoot them all with lightning so strong it would poof 'em in a single blast.

But Steven couldn't do anything.

But he could get his friends their freedom. The door to the Temple opened in a flash of pink, and Rose Quartz disappeared inside of it to complete her end of the bargain. A few minutes she reappeared. On her arm, her pink shield shimmered. From a belt around her waist hung a scabbard, carrying the sword which had killed Pink Diamond. In her hands were two red bubbles—

"Pearl! Lapis!" Steven cried.

They let Pearl out. She reformed in a brilliant shimmer of blue, and Steven could have cried for joy.

"Steven," she gasped, once she had got her bearings. "My Steven—"

She tried to run to him, to hug him, to help him, but was held back by the other Pearl. She warned, "No closer."

"No," Pearl whispered, shaking her head. "No, no— I'm sorry, my Steven, I'm so sorry—"

"It's okay," Steven said, trying to sound reassuring, and not succeeding. "It's okay, Pearl. They're— they're going to let you go, they promised…"

Pearl said nothing, just gave one last tiny shake of her head, and went still. She allowed the Amethyst to tie her up in a whip just like Steven's.

"Now Lapis," Steven demanded.

"Not yet," Rose Quartz said. "First, you will take us to your Palanquin. We will let her go once your claims are verified."

"That wasn't the deal!" Steven yelled.

Rose Quartz passed Lapis's bubble to Garnet, who took it without a word. Then she swept towards him, one hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Steven gulped. "The agreement was that we would let them go once we have proven they pose minimal threat, and if you gave us complete honesty. I cannot be sure of either of those things until we have have seen your Palanquin, where you claim to live.

"So, Steven Universe," Rose Quartz continued, a sardonic smile on her face. She tilted her head towards the warp pad. "Lead the way."


Pearl ducked her head underneath a branch as the group moved forward through the wooded area. She felt a tug on the rope she was holding, and tugged back.

"Hey! Watch it!" Mr. Universe— Greg, protested. "You're going to make me fall over." He chafed at the ropes that bound around him.

Pearl chose not to mention that, were that to happen, she would consider it a happy bonus.

Instead, she directed a question to The Diamond: "When are we going to get there?"

The other Pearl— the one in Blue Diamond's service— answered for him, "Shortly. It is past this wooded area and through a hilly clearing. Even you could not miss it," she added softly.

Pearl was going to respond to the comment, but it seemed Amethyst had her covered. She gave a light tug at the whip in her hand that tied the other Pearl up. "Hey! No giving Pearl lip. That's my job."

Pearl gave a tight grin at her, "Thank you, Amethyst. What would I do without you?"

"Die of boredom, probably," said Amethyst.

The Diamond snorted (or perhaps just huffed as he tripped over a root) and Pearl shot her a look. "Something you want to say?"

The Diamond didn't respond.

Pearl's every sense was on edge. She took in everything— the lay of the land, the shapes in the trees, the distant sound of animals. So far, everything appeared to be a regular Earth forest, but she wasn't going to trust that. They were being lead into enemy territory, and there was a very good possibility for an ambush. There could be an Aquamarine or an Agate behind any corner. And if there was, Pearl was determined to be ready.

"Which way?" Rose asked from the front of the group, Garnet next to her, holding the Lapis Lazuli's bubble.

"Left. Past the hill," the other Pearl answered.

"But that's the slow way," The Diamond finally spoke. "It's faster if we go right."

"Yes, but if we go that way, then we would need to cross the narrow footing along the cliffside," the Pearl calmly answered. "And tired as you are, my Steven, I do not think it would be safe for you." The slightest pause. "And I am in no state to carry you."

Pearl frowned, not bothering to hide her disgust. Now the Diamonds expected to be carried by Pearls? What was next?

They continued on in silence, the only sound being their shuffling feet in the underbrush. The Diamond began whistling, of all things. Pearl knew the danger a Diamond's song pose, and went immediately on guard, as did Rose and Garnet.

But the whistle was short. Once finished, the Diamond looked up, scanning the foliage above.

"My Steven…" the other Pearl said, a tone of slight disapproval in her voice.

"It's alright. Nari's not around anyway," The Diamond replied.

"Who's Nari?" Rose asked, but it was Garnet who answered.

"A bird. Hawk, more specifically."

"She's not just a hawk," The Diamond protested. "She's a northern harrier! And she's my friend."

"Uh huh," Amethyst said. "You trying to call her with those whistles or something?"

The Diamond sunk his head into his shoulders. "I'm telling her to get away. I don't want her to get hurt."

"Why? What are you planning?" Pearl asked.

The Diamond shot her a sharp look. "I'm not planning anything. But you Crystal Gems tend to destroy everything around you."

"Destruction is what Homeworld does," Pearl responded. "We protect."

For a moment it looked like the Diamond was going to say something else, but seemed to reconsider it and instead simply looked down as they continued to walking.

Silence descended on them again. Its thick heaviness made Pearl feel just a little uncomfortable. Just as she was about to ask how much farther, just to fill the silence, the other Pearl began to sing. It started softly, almost a whisper, but grew in volume as she continued. Even Greg joined in after a bit, his raspy voice sounding surprisingly pleasant in harmony with the Pearl's.

I don't even know what did I do

To deserve a beauty like you

You've seen what the stars have to offer

But here on Earth, your heart grows fonder

You're a Sky Blue Goddess

Bestowing a life of solace

You came down here from your home in the stars

Falling right into my arms

You're my Sky Blue Goddess

And our love is pure and endless

You have brought so much color to my life

If you'd like, would you be my wife?

The song continued for several more verses, Pearl's expression tightening with each word. After all, she didn't need to be told who the song was about. She kept her eyes on Greg and the Diamond.

Thankfully, the pair's singing was cut off by a blue steeple poking over the crest of a hill.

They'd arrived.

Rose stopped in her tracks, Pearl, Amethyst, and Garnet coming to a clean stop as she did. The Diamond, Greg, and the other Pearl stumbled a little with the suddenness. Pearl wondered how much of the Diamond's clumsiness was genuine, how much was an act.

"Wait here," Rose said over her shoulder. "I'm going to investigate."

"No, Rose," Pearl quickly protested. "I'll go. You stay here."

"Pearl…"

"No, Rose. I'm not budging on this," Pearl said firmly. "We don't know what's waiting for us in that Palanquin. It could be a trap."

"And so you're saying it's better you get hurt by the trap rather than me?" Rose asked.

"I'm saying," Pearl answered carefully, "that of the four of us, I'm the one who would most likely be able to spot any wayward traps."

"Pearl is very adept at it," Garnet said, and Pearl felt a wave of gratitude towards her.

Rose seemed to mull this point over for a moment before speaking, "Alright. But when you go, take Pearl with you." She nodded at the blue Pearl.

Pearl was taken aback by the suggestion, and the other Pearl seemed to be too.

"Why would I take her with me?" Pearl asked. "Couldn't that be… dangerous?" Rose shook her head. "I don't believe so. She can answer any questions you have about what you find." Her voice became lighter. "And, if as you suspect, there are any traps, she might feel it wise to enlighten you about them."

Pearl grimaced, but relented. "Alright, Rose." She dispelled her spear and held out her hand to Amethyst, who handed her the handle of the whip which restrained the other Pearl, exchanging it for the one holding Mr. Universe.

Once the handle of the whip had changed holders, the other Pearl began to squirm where she stood. "I… I cannot leave Steven's side."

"You're not really in a position to defy us," Garnet said.

The other Pearl seemed to shrink before their eyes. She looked down at the ground and shuffled her feet. "I… I can't leave his side…"

Pearl frowned at the other Pearl. She couldn't help but pity her. She had been cowed by Homeworld, beaten and brainwashed, and she most likely didn't even know it.

"He won't come to any harm." It was Rose who spoke, her voice filled with a familiar reassuring confidence. "I promise you that."

The other Pearl's lips trembled as she looked at Rose and then at The Diamond.

"I'll be okay, Pearl," The Diamond said. "Just… do what they say. It's the only way we can help Lapis."

"I'll be with him," Greg promised. Not that he'd actually be able to help if the Crystal Gems decided to move against their captive, but luckily for them, Rose Quartz was a Gem of her word.

The Pearl's eyes moved to the bubble that Garnet held and stayed there for a moment, before she nodded slowly. "Yes. Alright." She turned towards Pearl and bowed lightly. "When you are ready."

Pearl grimaced as she began walking past the group and up the hill. "Don't bow to me."

"Of course. I am sorry."

The two came to the top of the hill and the Palanquin was in complete view. It resembled the other three, the only major difference being, of course, its color.

As they began walking down towards it, Pearl said sarcastically, "I suppose there's no point in asking if there are any traps or security measures waiting inside?"

"No. Nothing of the kind," the other Pearl answered. "The isolated location was meant to serve as the only protective means."

Pearl didn't respond. They came to the Palanquin's entrance, covered as it was by two massive curtains. She threw one of the curtains aside and looked within. Everything seemed to be in place, following the traditional design, but it was so cluttered. A table with two chairs at it, a bed with a smattering of human toys constructed from fabric, a wardrobe, a dresser, a corner dedicated to pillows and a low sitting table and— Are those pillows and blankets at the seat of the throne?

"What is all this stuff?" Pearl asked.

"What Steven needs to live comfortably," the Pearl answered simply.

Pearl summoned her spear. She walked to the table, and prodded the objects covering it with the tip of her weapon. When there were no strange noises, no explosions, she came to expect the cans and boxes more closely. She recognized them as non-perishable food. "Are these for Greg?"

"No. They are for Steven."

Pearl shot her a look. "Gems don't eat."

"Yes. But Steven does."

Well. Garnet had said the Diamond had a meat body now. Presumably it required sustenance as all meat bodies did.

She set the box of nauseating looking cereal back on the table. "And I suppose you cook for him too, then?"

"To an extent," the other Pearl answered. "Most of the food here doesn't require much in the way of preparation. When Steven desires something fresher, we go into town. The food trucks are his favorite."

"Noted." Pearl slowly made her way around the Palanquin, taking in everything she could. There was a map of the planet Earth hung above the bed, marked with pins. Perhaps some method of noting potential colonization sites. The bed was neatly made, four stuffed animals sitting in a row on it, two anthropomorphized bears, a cat with an oversized head, and… a bird of sorts.

"Nari?" Pearl asked.

The other Pearl shook her head. "No. Though Steven got that one because it reminded him of her." The Pearl tilted her head. "I do not see the resemblance, however."

Next were the dresser and wardrobe, though there wasn't much to note. Just various pieces of clothes. After that was the throne. Pearl had to temporarily let go of her charge in order to jump to the seat of throne. Thankfully, she remained obediently still and made no trouble. Pearl had once offered this Gem freedom, a chance to join the rebellion. She hadn't taken it, but Pearl still felt no desire to harm her unless absolutely necessary.

"I'm surprised she let you put all these blankets and pillows up here," Pearl said as she kicked through it all.

"It was Steven's idea," the Pearl said. "He enjoys it when I read stories to him."

Pearl moaned in disgust. Cooking, dressing, tidying up after, and reading to her? This poor Pearl probably had no idea how bad she had it. Such a sad state of affairs.

Pushing a blanket away, Pearl found the large handprint that was the Palanquin's control. She pressed her hand to it, hoping she could steer the vehicle to the Warp Pad, but nothing happened.

"You cannot move it," said the other Pearl. "It has been locked to Blue Diamond's gem signature."

In response, Pearl made a frustrated little grunt. Possibly she could force the Diamond to move the Palanquin for them, but she did not want him having control of such a device and attempting an escape.

Pearl jumped back down and picked back up the whips handle and led the other Pearl to the last point of interest.

The pillow corner.

And, sure enough, there were pillows scattered all around a low standing table, on which was a binder and a few loose sheets of paper. But more interesting then that were the pictures. All over the corner were various different photographs. Some looked relatively old, and showed Blue Diamond— in her proper form, tall and imposing. Most showed the Diamond in her current form, some had Greg and a number had the other Pearl. And one in particular had The Diamond, the Pearl, and the Lapis Lazuli in it. The Pearl's arm was outstretched out of frame. She must have been holding the camera. All three of them were smiling brightly and The Diamond even had an arm around either of them, drawing them close.

"Please don't touch the pictures," the other Pearl said softly. "Please."

Pearl hesitated, before rising back to her full standing height. "You know," she began, "while I'm not sure what's going to happen specifically, we do have the Diamond captured."

The other Pearl said nothing.

"So, you don't have to live like this anymore," Pearl continued. "Living alone in this Palanquin with her, I mean. You don't need to fear any punishment. You can come with us, live free at the Temple. You don't have to be under the Diamond's thumb anymore."

"I am not. My Diamond has not been here for almost thirteen years now," the other Pearl said.

Pearl raised an eyebrow. "Then what about… him." She pointed at one of the pictures.

"That is Steven."

"And he has a Diamond gem."

"Yes."

"So he's a Diamond."

"No. He is Steven."

Pearl shook her head, beginning to get frustrated. "How can you just say that? You admit he has a Diamond gem. How is he not a Diamond?"

"He does not share any of the memories or experiences of My Diamond. He is his own person," the other Pearl said.

"'Steven'."

"Yes."

Pearl scoffed. "Incredible. He has you completely wrapped around his thumb and you don't even see it."

"You claim to believe in freedom," the other Pearl said, a sudden edge to her voice. "Then allow me to live my life as I see fit, here with Steven and Lapis."

Pearl was about to protest, to say how deluded and confused and hopeless the other Pearl was…

But she didn't. There would be no point. They had reached an impasse. And it seemed like this Pearl might be a truly lost cause.

It was such a pathetically sad picture.

Pearl tugged on the rope as she headed for the Palanquin's exit. "Come on," she said. "Let's go meet up with the others. And return you to your precious Steven."

"Thank you," the other Pearl said, completely sincerely.

Pearl grimaced and bit her tongue, but otherwise said nothing else.


The Crystal Gems were not going to let Steven go.

Pearl had known that, of course, from the moment she'd taken the blow for the fusion's gauntlets. Known that they would take him prisoner. Even thought, perhaps, that they would shatter him, just as they had done to Pink Diamond so long ago.

They hadn't. But that did little to reassure her.

The Crystal Gems released Lapis Lazuli. She spun around, furious, when she formed, when she saw where she was and realized what had happened. But there was nothing she could do. The nearest river was a five minute walk away, and the air wasn't even particularly humid. Without water, Lapis was weaponless.

The whip tied around Pearl vanished. The Amethyst had let her go. A weaponless Pearl was no threat either.

"You're free," Rose Quartz said. "Go well."

"I will stay with my Steven," said Pearl.

"No!" Steven said. "No, Pearl, you gotta go."

All the Crystal Gem eyes were on her. Pearl didn't argue the point further. It was a direct order. And besides, there was little she could do to assist Steven while in custody.

Greg would stay with him, though. For that, Pearl was immensely grateful. Someone would be watching over Steven, at least.

Before the Crystal Gems went away, Pearl did make one simple request: that he could bring a bag of supplies with him. The rebels were wary, of course, expecting weapons or some other danger.

But Pearl was insistent, and Greg and Lapis backed her up. Eventually, the Crystal Gems related, watching over Pearl's shoulders as she stuffed a backpack until it almost burst at the seams. Two changes of clothes, with many pairs of underwear. A water bottle. Two apples and several granola bars. His drawing pad and pencil case. His favorite toy.

Hopefully it would offer a little comfort.

"One last thing," Pearl said, as she handed the fusion the backpack to carry.

"That was your last thing," said Amethyst.

Rose Quartz still let Pearl speak.

"Let me say goodbye."

A pause.

"Very well," said Rose Quartz.

Pearl went to Steven. His eyes shone with unshed tears, but his chin was held out in determination. Good. She bent down on her knees, and wrapped Steven in a tight hug.

In his ear, she whispered the advice all Pearls knew. "Do not let them see how much they hurt you."

They parted and Steven nodded.

Pearl nodded back at him

Steven still looked brave and determined, but the tears had begun now. Pearl wanted to wipe them away with some of the tissue she kept in her gem, but before she could, Steven was taken away, led by the whip that held him away from the Palanquin, from Lapis, from Pearl.

Lapis stood there in stunned silence, her mouth moving and quivering trying to form words, but seemingly coming up short every time. Pearl wanted to put a reassuring hand on Lapis's shoulder, to tell her it would be alright, that Steven would be fine.

But it would be improper for a Pearl to lie.

Instead, Pearl folded her hands in front of her and hoped, in a barely audible whisper:

"Please be safe, my Steven."

She felt the tears begin to sting her own eyes as she pushed her hair away to wipe her eyes.

"Please…"

oOoOo

Authors' Note: The song 'Sky Blue Goddess' was written by our wonderful friend and editor AiramCG.