Steven Universe Fanfiction

My Pearl

Chapter 17: Critical Failure


A bright pillar of light bursts from a crystal platform in the midst of a desert, giving way to the Crystal Gems, Steven, and Edward as they warped in. Another robonoid had made itself known, Garnet informing them that it had crash landed once again in the former home of the Desert Glass. Like always, it had waddled up on all six stubby feet. Like always, weapons came at the ready and they charged with battle cries. Like always…

"Wait!" Steven yells out, "Remember the funky flow!"

Gauntlets, spear, and axe stop inches away from a tied-up robonoid's body as their wielders remember the plan they had agreed to follow the night before. The only one not listening is Amethyst as her fists pound from on top of the robonoid with her whip in her mouth.

"Right, yes, the plan, the plan that is to let the robonoid go and follow it to wherever it does go, the plan that would reveal Peridot's plan, the plan that would end the previous plan of just destroying these things on sight, that plan, yes," Edward pants as he calms down, "Sorry, don't know what came over me."

"We all forgot so no worries," Garnet waves off, "Amethyst, stop attacking it."

"Whaurd? Gooa shoo id hoosh boosh…"

"Amethyst, spit your whip out first and then talk," Pearl scolds. Amethyst complies with a roll of her eyes.

"I was trying to say that we gotta' show this thing who's boss. Don't want it getting any funny ideas, ya know?" Amethyst says with a grin and a final pound for good measure, resulting in a whine from the robonoid.

"Does anyone else find it strange that despite all the abuse, this thing isn't responding like it should? Like fighting back or even coming at us with weaponry of its own?" Edward cautions, axe half-raised.

"Peridot crushed one underfoot and it didn't resist at all so I doubt it understands anything beyond reconnaissance and repair work. Granted, it was damaged and…" Pearl answers.

"Wait, she crushed one underneath her foot? How big is this gem!?" Edward panics, the axe raised higher.

"Relax, Eddy, it wasn't big like this guy here," Amethyst reassures, patting the robonoid, "It was tiny, like a soccer ball or whatever."

"She's as big as any average human, if it helps," Garnet adds in.

"If I knew or at least had some idea of what she is capable of as a Gem, I would've been. All I have though is old information from Patricia that remembers her kind being one for research and development," Edward recalls, "For all we know, that could've changed in the thousands of years that have passed which is why…"

"…Which is why we're going with the funky flow~ and letting this guy lead us to wherever it's going so we can figure out what Peridot is up to!" Steven declares from atop the robonoid, "So come on! Everyone aboard the Marble Express, choo-choo!"

The Crystal Gems chuckle at Steven's enthusiasm and comply as they clamber up on top of the robonoid, Garnet taking up Steven on her shoulders leaving her lap free for Pearl whose lap in turn is enthusiastically taken up by Amethyst. Garnet offers up a hand to Edward, who harshly barks a laugh but a smile is there as he takes it and climbs up himself, sitting back to back with Garnet. Amethyst unwinds the whip from around the robonoid and after a taking a pause as if gauging its surroundings, suddenly begins waddling once more.

With no immediate danger and the very much appreciated breeze from the robonoid's waddling speed, Edward deflates with a sigh as he stares into the arid blue sky. He's beginning to think, much to his chagrin because it's all the same worries about Peridot and the implications of her arrival. All the things that could go so very right or wrong from this point forward for whatever reason or fate that he cannot fathom.

"Everything alright?" Garnet suddenly asks, feeling Edward jolt against her back.

"Worried," Edward sighs, "Always worried…"

"Mmm, understandable."

"Ya know what we should do? We should have a party next week or something. Just go wild and dance all the stress away and just relax," Amethyst suggests, languidly sinking more onto Pearl's lap.

"If that helps you, go ahead. I've got my own plans with Patricia next week though so count us out."

"Aw what? Lame," Amethyst says, blowing out a raspberry for good measure.

"Really, Amethyst," Pearl tuts, absentmindedly combing a hand through the small gem's wild hair, "I'm sure they have a perfectly good reason not to attend."

"Anniversary," Edward answers.

"Isn't that like, one day though?" Amethyst asks.

"Usually."

"Usually? What, do you dedicate every day of that week to her in a romantic fashion as you wax poetic, take strolls, leaving her letters and cards and flowers like they do in those movies?" Pearl laughs.

"…"

"…"

"…I was joking, you know," Pearl says incredulously.

"…Well, it's not like you're wrong," he mumbles red faced.

"Woof, that's intense," Amethyst cackles.

"It's proof of his dedication and love, something to be proud of," Garnet says simply.

Feeling a peculiar burning at the top of his head, he looks up only to meet Steven's star-stricken eyes from atop Garnet's hair, bursting with a particular question.

"I've got a pretty good idea on what you want to ask so go ahead, Steven," Edward chuckles as he relaxes again.

"How did you and Mrs. Feng meet?"

"Well, that's a funny story that started on a Tuesday. Not the 'ha ha' kind but…"

One Warp Later…

"…And so I said, 'You're a real gem'!" Edward finishes with a grin.

A grin that dies quickly with the mood when they realize where they are. A permanent fog that cloaks the canyon only making the permeating darkness from overcast skies that much darker, grotesque broken and whole machinery frozen in time, the vaguely human-shaped holes that dominate the walls.

"Kindergarten…" Garnet says lowly.

"Oh, why here? This site has been damaged enough by the Gems that were incubated here 6,000 years ago!" Pearl mutters, wringing her hands before one of them whips up to her gem as it glows, the staff of her spear forming, "That's it! It's confirmed! These things are up to no good!"

"Wait!" Steven yells out, "We don't even know what it's doing here. Can't we just…see where it wants to go?"

For a moment, Pearl is conflicted as every instinct screams to destroy the robonoid before it accomplishes whatever it is it wants to accomplish. Better safe than sorry, she thinks but Steven does have a point. Is the risk worth it though?

"Garnet?" Pearl asks, deferring judgement to the de facto leader in trepidation.

Stoic as ever, the fusion hums in thought for just a moment before answering, "Steven's way."

Not quite the answer she was hoping for but still she complies as she pushes her still-forming weapon back into her gem with a sigh. As this is going on, Edward takes in the derelict surroundings. The various decayed machines with their strange wiring spilling out while others somehow remained pristinely intact, the human-shaped holes…Edward can't help the shudder. Listening to Amethyst and Pearl voicing their own fears and trepidations only heighten his own.

The robonoid stops suddenly.

"Why'd you stop, lil' buddy?"

"Something's happening," Garnet says suddenly.

"Time to gooOOOO!?" Edward yelped, as he was lifted bodily up from the robonoid and then sailing through the air as Garnet leapt off with him and Steven in tow with Pearl and Amethyst leaping after them.

"Guh…please…warn me next time you decide to do that," Edward groans, disorientated from the sudden movements.

"Sorry, next time," Garnet apologizes, eyes on the robonoid.

Before their eyes, the robonoid's stubby feet retract into its orb body. A jolt of green energy shoots into the ground as it begins to morph itself into a pyramid with its top-most point facing down, perfectly fitting itself into a space that definitely wasn't there before. Once fitted, it starts glowing brightly as it changes into a strangely patterned platform that quickly descends underground.

"See? I knew we'd find something cool!" Steven states excitedly, "Let's go!"

"Wait!" Edward calls out.

Too late though, since Steven has already jumped into the darkness. The others quickly follow after him, landing onto the descending platform.

"Hey guys! Going down?" Steven greets them happily, before seeing their worried gazes, "Are you okay?"

"What is all this?" Pearl asks, her eyes fixed on the wires that run along the ceiling of the passage.

"Looks like we're on our way to the control room," Edward comments, squinting into the darkness.

"Any ideas on what's in here?" Amethyst asks, readying her whip.

"Not a clue," Edward says as the platform reaches the bottom.

Before them is a strange hexagon-shaped chamber from which a gem glows in an alcove at the farthest end of the chamber where all the strange wires and tubes meet. A walkway protrudes from their platform to connect it to the chamber. They don't pay it much mind until a small robonoid walks along it. As the robonoid walks into the chamber, a pedestal rises from the ground, adorned with a hand symbol with a single yellow diamond in its palm. The little robonoid climbs up the pedestal and shifts itself into the makings of a hand and slaps itself upon it.

The room glows as power is restored, images and graphs coming up and a single floating screen is projected from the gem that crackles static. Eventually, it becomes the almost bored visage of Peridot, causing all of the Crystal Gems to scramble for cover. Luckily, she has not seen them and her eyes merely assess the chamber for functionality.

"Established Gem Projection Link with control room," the green gem states, "Plug Robonoid has successfully landed on planet Earth and entered Prime Kindergarten Control Room in Facet Five. Will proceed to perform status check of Kindergarten."

Below the walkway, the Crystal Gems have tensely gathered in hiding as they listen to Peridot's observations and sounds of machinery in the works.

"It's Peridot!" Amethyst whispers in panic

"Strange," Edward comments, "She hasn't mentioned anything about the experiments or the weapon."

"It might be because she doesn't know about them," Pearl suggests which is shortly followed by a gasp, "Or maybe it's just later on her list of things to do after re-activating the Kindergarten! Doesn't she know it'll destroy all life on Earth!?"

"If they didn't care about it back then, I sure as hell think they won't care about it now," Edward quips.

"Mr. Feng," Garnet scolds, her hands over Steven's ears.

"Sorry," he mutters back.

"Hey, why don't we ask her?" Steven suggests, peeking his head over the edge to better see what Peridot is doing.

"Shh, Steven!" Garnet reprimands, grabbing the boy back down, "We're facing an enemy we don't know with technology we don't understand. This isn't the time to be asking questions."

"Really sounds like it is," Steven mumbles disappointedly.

"We don't know what Peridot is up to but if we continue listening in on what she's doing, we can find out without her knowing about us," Edward offers, "If it turns out she's going too far, we can use that to surprise her and stop her without realizing who any of us are."

Garnet thinks about it for a moment.

"Ok, here's the plan," she starts, "We can't let her see us so we wait for an opening. When she's distracted, we destroy the power source on the far wall. Steven stays here!"

Everyone nods in approval of the plan…except one. They all panic silently as they see Steven is nowhere to be found. Looking all around them yields no results which leaves them, fearfully, looking up. They catch a small glimpse of a pink sandal disappearing over the edge into the chamber.

"Steven!" They all whisper-shout in panic and exasperation.

"That boy is going to get himself killed!" Edward grinds out as he launches himself up the wall to start the laborious climb back into the control room.

"Alley-oop!" Edward hears suddenly from behind before he realizes he is being launched upward far faster than he would've been able to climb but at a pace he can't control.

He is thankful for whatever luck he had when his ascent slows down just enough for him to land quietly at the edge of the control room. That gratefulness and relief is short-lived when he sees a giant hand clenched into a fist, ready to smash Steven flat. Peridot is distracted by something on her end as the giant fist begins to fall. Conclusion: stealth is no longer an option.

"DUCK!" Edward roars.

A wide horizontal swing leaves a gash in the hand construct as its sent flying into the wall from the impact.

"Another human!?" Peridot shouts, before her eyes fall on the gem on the battle axe, "No! A Gem!?"

"What's it to ya!?" Edward roars as he throws his axe at the floating monitor. A decision he immediately regrets when it does nothing but fly through the monitor, making it fizzle for a bit before reforming again. The axe has dug into the wall just left of the alcove with the power source, "Oh Hell…"

"Okay…" Peridot says nonplussed, "Proceeding with removal of aberrations from the perimeter."

"Stop right there!" Pearl declares as the Crystal Gems jump in front of the two protectively. Amethyst uses her whip to retrieve the axe and tosses it back to Edward, quietly thanking the purple quartz.

"Ah! More!? But the Red Eye didn't report the presence of any Gems on this planet," Peridot panics, frantically going through the logs in her limb-enhanced hand.

"That's because we destroyed it."

"You what!? But the records say that Gems were wiped out on earth! Wait a minute…you're the ones that have been destroying my Plug Robonoids!" Peridot realizes angrily, "Are you the reason the Homeworld Warp is down again!? Is this your bizarre icon!?"

So saying, the monitor she has scrolls through until it reveals an image of what appears to be a crying waffle with stick arms.

"Steven's work?" Edward questions.

"It was so we could remember which warps weren't working and it was all I had," Steven answers.

"Fair enough."

"Why do you keep destroying my things!?" Peridot screams in frustration.

"Because we are the Crystal Gems!" Pearl declares, spear pointed at Peridot, "We're still alive and we're still the guardians of this planet and all its living creatures!"

"The Crystal Gems?" Peridot confusedly asks.

It doesn't matter whether she does know of them or not since the three Gems launch themselves to attack the floating hand constructs immediately, Amethyst and Pearl bind and attack the injured left one while Garnet grapples with the right one.

"Stop! How dare you! I'm doing this one way or another," Peridot growls out in frustration as she struggles with the controls, "You're just making it really difficult!"

"That is quite literally the idea!" Edward fires back having snuck towards the power source, his axe raised high as he leaps forward. With a roar, the axe comes down and destroys the crystal.

"I'm reporting this!" Peridot screams right before the screen disappears as the last of the power goes out, leaving the room dimly lit once more now with added wreckage.

"Is it over?" Amethyst asks as they all gather up.

"She said she was going to report this so no," Edward sighs, "If anything, this was a mission failure."

"What? But we stopped Peridot, didn't we?" Steven asks.

"We stopped her but in exchange for what?" Edward bites out, "She now knows that there are Gems on Earth when it was previously thought there wasn't. We've lost the element of surprise."

He paces back and forth in long, angry strides.

"Not only that, we STILL don't know what it was Peridot was doing on Earth! We came here initially thinking it was for a weapon and experiments that we STILL have no idea about! We just ran with the idea that she was reactivating the Kindergarten! Thank goodness we stopped that, I suppose! And…! Oh no…"

He freezes in too-late realization at the implication of his first observation: Peridot was going to report this incident. Peridot was going to report that her mission was a failure due to Gems on Earth. Not just any Gems though, the CRYSTAL GEMS, something Pearl just HAD to make sure was known. Peridot would report that the Crystal Gems, the group of rebel Gems that opposed Homeworld previously thought dead, are still alive on Earth. Peridot would come back with an army with technology and weapons they cannot hope to win against. Humans will die, Gems will be shattered. Patricia…

SLAP

His mind ground to a halt. His eyes wander until they find Garnet next to him. Her hand was raised…as if she had finished something. He raises his own hand, pointing at her. Or at least he thinks he is, why are there three of her? The darkness quickly overtakes him as he collapses into a bodily heap.

"Whoops."


Author's Note: Would've had this out sooner but after rewatching the episode in question, hashed out and added certain details. There was also a question of whether or not I should have made this chapter longer but as you can see, the decision went with ending as the episode ended. That being said, it is good to get back into the swing of things and to know that many of you enjoy it enough to favorite/remember this story. As always, I hope to continue that trend and meet the expectations that come along with it.

For those who have asked for this, I'm sorry for the teaser about Edward and Patricia. I know I said that its coming up Soon™, it really is but since I ended the chapter as I did that particular flashback is pushed back by a chapter. Just one chapter, I swear.

That being said, thank you all for the reviews, the favorites, for reading, for coming back, and for sticking around. I hope you all continue to enjoy this story and how it unfolds. See you all next chapter.