Chapter Sixteen: Discussions

Amethyst still hated guard duty.

She also had something stuck up her nose, which didn't help. She didn't know what it was, just that is was stubbornly stuck in place and refused to budge no matter how much Amethyst picked.

She was attempting her latest dig when she noticed Greg was watching her from his place next to the cage.

Truth be told, she was still sore over the whole spying-and-lying thing he'd done. But she had already aired her feelings to Rose, who had said that would have to wait until they had decided what to with Steven.

Not what Amethyst had wanted to hear, by any stretch.

"Ya need somethin'?" Amethyst asked in the most neutral tone she could muster.

"Just wondering if you're digging for buried gold," Greg answered, laughing weakly. "Or are you doing brain surgery?"

Amethyst did her best to resist laughing. "Just something stuck up there," she answered. "Happens something when I really get into a shapeshifting session. Sometimes things get caught where they shouldn't."

"Well, why don't you just shapeshift to get it out?"

Amethyst blinked. "'Cause this is more fun," she said. "More of a challenge."

But even as she said that, she found that she was quickly growing frustrated with her latest challenge and just wanted whatever it was out. So using some strategic shapeshifting, including shrinking her hand into a precision tool, Amethyst reached up her nose and easily grabbed hold of the unwanted item.

With a quick application of force, she pulled out what ended up being a very shiny, very smooth rock.

"Aw, yeah! Got something cool this time!" Amethyst jumped up from her seat and trotted over to the front of the cage. "Hey, Steven! Take a look."

But as she got around to the front of the cage, she saw that Steven was sitting in a far corner of the cage and staring at the blank wall. He'd been like that ever since they'd brought him back from the Sky Arena.

With a glance over at Greg, Amethyst asked, "Yo, dude. You okay?"

Steven shrugged silently.

"You sure bud?" Greg asked. "Nothing you wanna… talk about?"

For a moment it looked like Steven wasn't going to say anything, but he slowly turned to look at them and asked in a very solemn voice, "Dad? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, Shtoo-ball. Anything you need."

Steven nodded slowly. "Do you think Mom ever… hurt or… killed anyone?"

Greg seemed rather taken aback by the question. Amethyst sighed, but didn't say anything yet, wanting to see how the human would respond.

"There was… some stuff your Mom never liked to talk about. I never pressed her for details."

"Why not?" Steven asked.

Greg sighed heavily. "Blue and I talked about tons of important stuff. Music, comic books, grass between your toes, y'know, feelings. We both made a lot of mistakes when we were young. I thought disco was coming back, she commanded a war... I think she felt like she needed to confess everything to me, but I told her, 'The past is the past. All that matters to me is who you are now.' And who she was, was an incredible, loving bei—"

"Oh, come on," Amethyst snorted.

Steven shot her a sharp look. "I just want to know what was going on."

"Garnet and I told ya what was going on," Amethyst retorted. "Blue Diamond was gonna have Ruby shattered caused she and Sapphire fused. Pretty simple."

"But it's not," Steven said. "Why did Mom want to shatter Ruby?"

Amethyst couldn't believe what she was hearing. Steven seemed to be a lot denser than she had originally thought. "'Cause they fused. It's pretty straight forward."

But Steven just shook his head. "No! There's– there has to be more! Mom would never shatter someone for that was clearly an accident." He looked over at Greg. "Right, Dad?"

Greg audibly gulped as he rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, well… Blue and I didn't really talk that much about her life on Homeworld."

"Yeah, cause if she'd told ya all the stuff she did do, ya wouldn't have stuck around," Amethyst said.

"Mom doesn't shatter Gems!" Steven yelled. "She protected them, like a good ruler!"

"You need to get a clue," Amethyst shot back.

"No, you do! You never even met her!"

"Yeah, neither have you!" Amethyst shouted back. "At least I know people who have met her!"

"Now," said Greg, "I did know Blue, and—"

Amethyst threw up her hands in frustration. "No you didn't! You act like she was some sweet, sugary human, but all she really wanted was to control everyone and shatter 'em and drive 'em insane!"

"YOU'RE LYING!" Steven screamed. "THE CRYSTAL GEMS LIED TO YOU AND NOW YOU'RE LYING TO ME!"

"Wow," Amethyst said, tossing the rock near the cage, and watching with some satisfaction as Steven flinched when it bounced away. "You're a lot dumber than I thought you were."

"You're dum—"

"Hey, that's enough! Both of you!"

It was Greg, who had stepped in between the two of them. He gave Amethyst a hard look before turning back to Steven. "Being a ruler might have meant that Blue had to do things that… she might not have wanted to. But none of us were there. None of us can know for sure, and none of us can know how she felt about it."

"Garnet was…" Amethyst muttered under breath.

Greg ignored her. "But I did know Blue. And know that she was a sweet and gentle soul during her time on Earth. And that's the person she was when she had you."

Steven nodded slowly. "Yeah… Okay, Dad. Thanks."

Amethyst however, rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You two can keep deluding yourselves about the truth if you want." She turned her back and began slouching off.

"Just you wait," Steven said evenly. "You're wrong about Mom. And once I can use all my powers, and access Mom's records, I'll be able to show all of you the truth."

"Yeah, whatever dude," Amethyst muttered under her breath. "Maybe you'll find a list of her victims."

She sighed heavily, and the Temple door opened. She stomped through it without a backwards glance.

She was done with this. She hated guard duty, and she didn't want to be stuck with two stupid, ignorant humans.


Under a dome of an enchanted roof colored like the night sky, stood an array of fountains. The endless rush of eternal waterfalls, ever shifting, ever moving. Elegance and serenity, a place of peace in the chaos of Earth. Pearl let it all rush over her, putting her mind at ease as she fell into the meditative rhythm of sharpening her blades.

And then came a loud splash, splash, splash, splash-!

Pearl paused in her sharpening, annoyance flashing across her face—

—and immediately dropping everything when she saw Amethyst stomping across the water towards her, the picture of anger and dejection.

"Amethyst? Are you alright?" she asked. "Did one of my swords fall down into your room again?"

"Noooo," Amethyst moaned, flopping down dramatically onto her belly.

Pearl fought back on the urge to tell her to mind her gem. It was just water, after all.

"What's wrong?" Pearl asked.

In answer, she received a long bubbly gurgle.

There was another, much softer splashing noise, and Pearl looked up to see Garnet approaching across the water platform. Her appearance just then might have been a coincidence, but Pearl thought it was most likely not. If Garnet was using her Future Vision to help comfort Amethyst at the appropriate time, then it was probably quite serious.

As Garnet came, sat down, and crossed her legs, Pearl reached out and laid a gentle hand on Amethyst's shoulder. "Amethyst, what happened?"

Amethyst rolled over on her, spat out a mouthful of water, and glared resolutely at the false sky. "Steven."

Pearl's free hand clenched. "Did he do something to you? If he did, I swear that I'll—"

"No, no," Amethyst groaned. "Ugh— It's not— He's just so— so STUPID!"

"Stupid?" Pearl echoed.

She had to admit, she hadn't considered Steven Universe in those terms. Whatever his true identity, he was a Diamond, and Pearl had been viewing him with the wariness that deserved. Diamonds had maintained their order for millennia with many tools, not the least of which was their keen intelligence.

"Yeah. Stupid," Amethyst muttered.

"Tell us what happened," Garnet said.

Amethyst still stared up at the dark black ceiling. Pearl stroked her forehead in gentle encouragement.

"I dunno," Amethyst said. "Steven and Greg were talking— about Blue Diamond. So I told him what she was really like, and he started yelling at me, and said I didn't know what I was talking about, and that you'd just lied to me and—"

Pearl was trying to remain calm, but couldn't stop the indignant, "We have not!"

"I know, I know." Amethyst sighed again, sounding thoroughly put-out. Pearl ran her hand through her friend's hair, and Amethyst's face relaxed a bit.

Pearl smiled, and continued combing, feeling the softness against her fingers. Pearl had been somewhat displeased when she'd discovered that Amethyst had copied Mr. Universe's hairstyle. Since discovering the human's betrayal, Amethyst herself had complained about how it was 'lame'. But now Pearl had to admit, a quartz's traditional mane suited her rather well.

Eventually Amethyst calmed down enough to continue, "I know you guys wouldn't lie to me. And I've seen the murals and the monsters and junk. But I tried to explain it to Steven, and he just wouldn't believe any of it. I don't get it. He Saw what Blue Diamond tried to do to Garnet... Why is he acting like it's so impossible that she was bad?"

"It's a painful truth. That makes it hard to accept." At Garnet's words, Amethyst made a scoffing noise at the back of her throat. Garnet was not perturbed. "We saw a lot of it, during the war. Even among those who joined us, there were many who could not accept how cruelly Homeworld treated its own people." One of her fists clenched. "Ruby… Even after Blue Diamond ordered her executed, she still wanted to go back…"

Garnet was staring down at the water, her expression stony, and Pearl ached on her behalf.

But as much as she wanted to lean forward and offer Garnet comfort, Pearl held herself back, turning over her friend's words. "You… really believe Steven Universe's story?"

A moment's pause.

Garnet nodded.

"Nobody's that good an actor," Amethyst said.

Pearl stopped her stroking. It was easy enough for Amethyst to say. She hadn't encountered some of the spies which had infiltrated the rebellion.

But Garnet… Garnet was far more experienced than Amethyst. She was also more of a realist than Rose. If she thought Steven Universe was telling the truth—

Pearl shook her head. She just didn't understand why someone like Blue Diamond would transform herself into an amnesiac human.

Then again, she also didn't understand why Blue Diamond would go to such lengths to trick a handful of rebels, when she could simply order her soldiers to overwhelm and shatter them outright.

Pearl pressed her eyes shut.

Even if they were right— even if Steven Universe wasn't the same being as Blue Diamond— they were in terrible danger. The threat had been looming over them every since the Red Eye's mysterious appearance, and the little Diamond turning up was just another confirmation. If Blue Diamond had been missing from Homeworld for twelve years (or even more, if she'd required time to have… relations with a human), then no doubt people were wondering where she was. They'd be looking, searching. And if that search brought them to Earth…

They'd fought for this planet for so long. They'd fought so hard. They'd lost nearly everything.

Pearl refused to lose what little they had left.

"Rose thinks we should let Steven out," Amethyst said, and Pearl's eyes flew open. "She says that it's wrong to keep an innocent human child locked up in a cage."

"Rose was the one who told us to put him in the cage in the first place!" Pearl cried.

Garnet crossed her arms. "Her understanding of the situation has changed." She added, "Also, Rose's lion seems to like him."

"The lion is a lion," said Pearl. "He likes vomiting up hairballs!" But there was no real weight to her words, and everyone knew it.

Pearl stared down at the water beneath her.

There was a soft fluttering sound from above, and Pearl didn't have to look to know it was Rose. "I hope you don't mind me dropping in," she said, "but I heard my name."

"We're discussing Steven," said Garnet.

"Oh?"

A splashing noise as Amethyst sat up. "We think he's telling the truth about not being Blue Diamond," she said. "Even if he's being really annoying about it."

"Ah." Rose's voice was deceptively light. "And you're all in agreement here?"

Pearl could practically feel the attention shift towards her. She lifted her chin a fraction. "...Yes."

Nobody said anything. They could all predict Pearl's coming 'but'. She let them stew for a moment, before obliging them.

"However, even if he does not possess his… mother's memories, that does not mean we should drop our guard." Now Pearl looked up, stood, and straightened, channeling the energy she'd once used for war councils. "He still possesses her powers, though they appear to be underdeveloped as of yet. He still subscribes to at least some of her beliefs."

"Those can be changed," said Garnet.

"Yes!" cooed Rose. "He's a human. That's so exciting! Humans— they're all about changing, adapting, being—"

"Yes. But not predictably," said Pearl. "We have no guarantee that he'll be…" She groped around for the right word, and ended up just trailing off.

"We can still try," Rose said, her eyes glittering. "We can still teach him. Give him the chance to be something extraordinary."

Pearl felt a rush of something then, and was reminded all over, why she loved Rose Quartz so much.

Her hope. Her optimism. Her passion. Her spark.

…which, admittedly, had the danger of lighting a fire and burning out of control. Mindful of that, Pearl said, "There's something else to consider."

"What?" said Amethyst, cocking her head.

"Perhaps Blue Diamond still is present," said Pearl, "but simply… trapped. Stuck inside the human body. Perhaps conscious, perhaps not. But if that body were ever destroyed…"

There was an uncomfortable silence filled only with the rushing of water.

Garnet was the first to break it. "Good thing I didn't actually rip him in half."

Amethyst chuckled. Pearl gave a wan smile.

Rose Quartz just sighed. "Good thing indeed. Nonetheless, they are valid points. We should not rush and put anyone in undue danger. Still, there is no harm in apologizing, and… and seeing if we can perhaps arrange for more comfortable living arrangements."

Pearl considered this, then nodded. "That seems… fair."

"Agreed." Garnet stood. Amethyst shot a thumbs up, and followed her lead.

There was a little more discussion about how to go about this. They would wait for morning, when Steven Universe would wake. Rose and Pearl would come to discuss terms. Since they did not want to have everyone present at once and intimidate him, it was decided those two would offer the best balance of opinions.

Pearl found herself smiling, despite herself. It had taken over five thousand years, but they were finally going to have peace negotiations with a Diamond.


The day outside was new and pink, and Rose felt light enough to float up among the clouds as if she were one of them.

As tempting a prospect as that was, she held herself down. The humans had a saying after all— something like 'don't count your eggs before they're laid'. Or perhaps it was about keeping chickens in a basket. Regardless of the exact phrasing, the meaning was clear. They should make sure the peace agreement was completed before getting giddy about it.

(But oh, was it hard.)

"Good morning!" Rose greeted, as she and Pearl stepped out the Temple.

Steven Universe, who had been drinking from a water bottle, stopped and blinked them. "Uh… hey."

"Where's Mr. Universe?" asked Pearl.

The half-human paused a moment before answering, as he almost always did when addressing Pearl. "Getting breakfast."

"We were hoping to speak with you both," said Rose. "Perhaps we should wait for him to return…?"

"Anything you want to say to him, you can say to me."

Pearl looked at her, and Rose had known her long enough to read her expression: she wanted them to go ahead. Rose herself wasn't so sure. If Steven was a human, he was a young and immature one, and his guardian would most likely want to be in a position to advise him.

But ignoring Steven Universe's desires would been a poor way to begin a peace accords. He had a right to make his own decisions.

(Besides. If Rose Quartz was being honest with herself, she had to admit, rather selfishly, that she didn't want to be around Mr. Universe any more than she had to.)

Rose nodded. "Very well. We'll begin."

She sat down on the cool stone floor, crossing her legs. A moment later, Pearl followed her lead, though remained in a squat, balanced on the balls of her feet. They gave Steven a moment to put away his water bottle and compose himself. He seemed quite taken aback by how quickly this discussion had come upon him.

"Okay," he said, frowning a little. "What's this about?"

Rose took a deep breath, and said, "We want to apologize."

Steven Universe's mouth dropped open, all surprise and suspicion. "Huh?"

"We wanted to say that we are sorry," Pearl clarified.

Rose was very proud of her. She knew how hard those words must have been to say. But Pearl said them, and kept her face perfectly blank as she did. Any of her distaste was carefully hidden.

"I…" Steven Universe said, his mouth opening and closing.

"We apologize for hurting you and your friends," said Rose. "Our treatment of you has been poor, and we wish to begin fixing our mistakes."

Steven shook his head. "Wait… you did all that stuff, and now you're saying… sorry?"

"Clearly," Pearl said, not quite able to stop the sarcasm slipping into her voice.

"We did not understand the situation," said Rose. "We truly thought you were Blue Diamond, and feared what you would do to us, and to the Earth. This isn't an excuse; it is an explanation. But from our observations, we can see that you have been honest, Steven Universe."

"Oh." The boy looked down, and for several long moments the only sound was the surf as he seemed to turn these words over in his mind. Then he looked up. When he spoke, his words had a slightly rigid quality to them, like a phrase rehearsed. "Then I accept your apology."

Rose smiled.

"So… you're gonna let me out now, right?"

"Not quite yet," said Pearl.

Steven Universe scowled, and opened his mouth to say something.

Rose raised a hand. "We will soon. We just want to ensure that we… understand you fully. In the meantime, we'll strive to make things more comfortable. Let you relieve yourself at the car wash, make sure you have access to more clothing and comforts. Help you reach out to your friends, so they can visit you. Even stay with you, if you're all in agreement." Steven Universe's eyes widened with joy, and Rose knew their offer was on the right track. "Additionally, Garnet suggested that we begin going on excursions together. To various Gem temples. A chance for you to stretch your legs, and learn a little more about Gem history."

"...Your version of Gem history," said Steven Universe, carefully.

"Yes," said Pearl, and there was a challenge in her voice.

A few days ago— or even just the day before— that would have sparked an argument. But now, Steven Universe restrained himself. He leaned back a little, his brow furrowed. The sky outside darkened as a cloud passed overhead.

"O-kay," he said at last. "That seems… fair, I guess. I mean, there's nothing wrong with just… hearing you guys out."

Then Steven Universe stuck his hand out between the bars and through the pink energy field.

The Crystal Gems blinked at it.

"What?" said Pearl. "But— The field is supposed to prevent Gems from— That— How long have you been able to do that?"

Steven shrugged. "I figured it out the first night, actually. I just didn't want you guys seeing."

Pearl stared at him with a mixture of astonishment, frustration and— yes, curiosity.

"Steven isn't a Gem," declared Rose. "He is half human."

And then, in deference to the traditional human custom, she reached out, grasped his hand, and shook it.

It did not last long, and the little Diamond pulled his hand back relatively quickly. But it had been done.

"So," said Steven. "Uh… what now?"

Rose said, "I think it's best we wait for your father to return. Then we can begin—"

"Wait," Pearl interrupted, lifting a finger. "Do you hear that?"

Rose paused. She did indeed. It was faint but…

Music.

"It's pretty," Steven said, cocking his head to listen.

"Yes," murmured Pearl.

It was indeed. In fact, more than pretty. It was exquisite. Light and pure and delicate, the notes filling Rose with a cool contentment. She blinked slowly. As the music grew louder, a part of her wanted nothing more than to sprawl out onto the ground and let it wash over her.

Another part of her was screaming that something was wrong.

The music was coming from the mouth of the cave. With momentous effort, Rose Quartz stood and turned towards it, and discovered the source.

Standing there, framed by stone, was a Pearl and a Lapis Lazuli. The Pearl held a flute to her lips. The Lapis's fists were balled, a dark mass of water hanging around her.

Neither of them looked happy.