Still Coming Undone
After Connie had run away Jade turned to Steven.
"That's one pest taken care of,"said Jade smugly.
"I thought you gems had no concept of marriage?"said a shocked Steven.
"I learn quickly,"replied Jade.
They stayed in the shop for the next 7 hours serving ice cream. After the Connie incident Steven took over the counter work while Yellow Jade for the most part observed. Steven was polite if a little distant. Then it was time to close shop.
"You have been here for over 10 hours. Is this a typical day?" asked Yellow Jade.
"For the most part, yes. I take a couple of days in the week to study part time at the Rossmore community college," admitted Steven.
He started placing the ice cream in the back freezer. As he was cleaning out the ice cream maker, Yellow Jade asked him another question.
"You are the manager of this place correct?"
"Yes, what are you getting at?"
"Then why don't you hire some employees to tend the shop?"
"It's a little more complicated than that."
"Well, this work schedule is clearly exhausting you. I am ordering you as your counselor to get help running your shop."
Steven sighed. He finished shutting down the shop. If he thought his time with Yellow Jade was over he was wrong. As soon as he stepped into the van Yellow Jade invited herself in.
"Yellow Jade, I'm done work for today," said Steven trying to be polite.
"But your day is not over. I am going to stay and observe you as you interact with your family," replied Jade.
Once they were at Steven's property Jade followed him into his house. Peridot greeted Steven warmly holding little Jenny in her arms. Steven barely acknowledged her or the baby. He prepared his meal and ate it while Peridot nursed the baby. Then he sat down on the couch and watched TV.
Jade cleared her throat, "Is this a typical day because I see barely any interaction. Steven why don't you try bonding with your daughter?"
Peridot reluctantly handed over Jenny to Steven. To his credit Steven tried smiling at the baby but Jenny stiffened in his arms. The baby then started crying. Peridot rushed over and took the baby back. The rest of the evening Jade tried to watch unobtrusively or at least as unobtrusive as a bright yellow gem could get.
When it was time for bed Steven suggested she leave but Jade merely shook her head. When Steven and Peridot finally made it to their bed Peridot, leaned over to give Steven a kiss. He was about to accept but Yellow Jade's hand blocked the way.
"No, there are a lot of bad feelings between you two now. Fusing in this state would just make things worse," scolded Jade as she loomed over the couple.
"We weren't going to fuse," snapped Steven.
"Maybe so but you were about to perform an intimate act. You need to build up trust before doing something like this again," said Yellow Jade firmly.
And that was that. The couple tried sleeping but in the end they forced out Jade from their room.
The next morning Steven jumped in fright. There sitting in the living room was Jade.
"Jade, I didn't see you there. Did you come back early?" asked Steven.
"Back? I never left," said Jade.
"So you've just been sitting here all night?"
"No I watched a few videos," admitted Jade. "I've done my observations on you Steven. Today I'm going to observe Peridot."
Steven sighed in relief. This time he was glad to head to the ice cream shop.
Once Steven was gone Peridot turned to Yellow Jade, "You're welcome to follow me but I will be doing a lot of top secret work where you can't observe me."
"That's fine, I just want a general idea of what you are doing anyway," replied Jade.
The first place Peridot and Jade was to UNIT headquarters across the Atlantic. Jade was left outside the board room with Jenny as Peridot negotiated with the natives on something. The next stop was to the invalid farm to help out Bismuth with the last patients.
"So how are the latest patients doing?" asked Peridot.
"Terrible, despite all we've learned, the patients just wander around aimlessly. They don't even speak. I was hoping to build some replicas of gem buildings to stimulate their minds but honestly I can't even figure out who these gems were," sighed Bismuth.
"Excuse me, my memory of my time at this hospital is not good. Are you trying and recreate Homeworld in this place?" asked Jade. The yellow gem peered at the building there.
"Yes and I was going to ask for some expertise with robinoids," replied Bismuth.
"But as you said you have no idea who these gems were. They may not respond. If only there was some way you could look into their minds."
"Wait! Steven could do it," cried Peridot. "Why didn't I think of this before. Steven's feeling down because he doesn't feel involved with gem life. This would cheer him up, make him feel important. Thank you Yellow Jade."
"Well you can do it after I interview you separately," replied Jade.
"Say Jade, it is TV viewing time. Can you go over and turn on the large screen TV," asked Peridot.
"That seems simple enough," said Jade as walked over to the large outdoor TV. "There it's on." But when Jade turned around Peridot was no where to be seen.
"Where did she go?" demanded Jade.
"Peridot is with Pearl working on a top secret project," said Bismuth calmly.
"But what could she be doing? Why?"
"All I know is that is way beyond my expertise. As for why. The answer is simple Homeworld knows of our existence. It is only a matter of time before they come for us."
"And I don't have the clearance. So while that I am here I would like to hear about all about Steven and Peridot. Tell me when did they begin their relationship?"
"Well it all started during Steven's 18th birthday," said Bismuth. "Steven though technically an adult still looked like a child..." And so Bismuth told about the disastrous 18th birthday party and how Steven ran off crying. How Peridot finally managed to find him and how they made love for the first time turning him literally into a man. She mentioned the tense time they had when Peridot moved in and how in the end they were forced to flee Beach City when Connie framed them for her assault.
"Wait, Connie told the police that Steven and Peridot beat her up?" exclaimed Jade.
"Yup, they had to go in hiding for a couple of months," said Bismuth.
"Wait is that the same Connie that hangs around Steven's ice cream shop?"
"Well she was his old girlfriend."
"That's insane. Well something's fishy anyways. Now please continue."
Bismuth finished her tale by telling about their lives in Rossmore. How Peridot worked hard to provide a good home and started up a home based business. How Peridot's trainers found them and discovered that Peridot was pregnant and how Steven proposed to Peridot.
"And then right on his birthday Peridot gave birth. Steven was so happy he called it the best birthday present ever," concluded Bismuth.
Jade merely nodded her head. She tried communicating to the patients but had no such luck. She headed back to her office to think things over.
The next morning Jade called Steven's and Peridot's home. After a couple of rings Steven answered the phone.
"Hello?" Steven's voice sounded hoarse. What was going on? Jade wished to see Steven but Earth technology did not permit it.
"Steven, you sound awful. Look I want to arrange an appointment to interview both you and Peridot separately. When would be a good time for you?"asked Jade.
"Look I'm going to work in a couple hours. Hold on, Peridot's still asleep."
"This is Peridot," said Peridot in a fuzzy voice.
"Yes Peridot, I would like to see you and Steven for separate interviews. When can you come in?" asked Jade.
In the background Jade could hear Steven and Peridot talking. Finally Peridot returned, "Look I'll be over at about 9 as will Steven. And Jade. Please don't call before 7 am okay?"
At around 9 Yellow Jade heard Steven's and Peridot's voices, just outside the office.
"No arguing Steven you are going to Yellow Jade's office and that's it," Peridot's scolding voice wafted through the tunnel.
"But Peridot, I have to make the ice cream for the day," whined Steven's voice.
"You already have ice cream from the day before. Besides your customers come at lunchtime anyways. We have invested too much in our life together to throw it all away," said Peridot as she opened the door. Upon seeing Yellow Jade sitting in her chair Peridot stiffened. "Did you hear what we are saying?" Jade nodded. "Of course. Steven sit down."
"Actually I'd like Steven to go into the back rooms of my quarters," said Jade. "Peridot I'd like to go over your past with me."
Once Steven had gone into her quarters Jade turned to Peridot, "Tell me about Steven's 18th birthday."
Peridot blushed, "Well I had separated from the Crystal Clods for about 3 years. I was on my own living in human society. As I was scrounging for some parts Steven came up to me. He was feeling down because despite being 18 years old he still looked like a child and was treated as such. Connie his friend even got herself a boyfriend. Well to make matters short Steven bought me a new dress and invited me to his 18th birthday party."
"18 is that an important number?"
"It is when a human is declared legally as an adult. After Steven left, I went to work on building his birthday present, a street legal electric mini car. You could drive it without a driving license which Steven did not have at the time. Then the big day arrived I drove the mini car down to Funland where Steven's party was being held. Only to be stopped by Garnet. She smashed my car but not before Steven noticed the commotion and came to my rescue.
The party well what can I say about it? It was meant for children. Connie came sauntering in and gave Steven some childish video game and then Bismuth came in dressed as a clown and that was the final straw. Steven ran off crying. I was about to follow him when Garnet stopped me. I managed to break free.
I found him under the old docks. I told Steven I loved him and then we made love. It was our first time."
"Made love?"
"Mated. Well the effect was that it made Steven literally a man. He was too big for his clothes so he had me dress up in his old clothes. We went to his father's van and got Steven some decent clothes for him to wear. Then Steven decided to walk me home. Well one look at the warehouse I was living in Steven proposed that I stay the night at his house. We ended up living together. Much to the discomfort of Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl."
"Discomfort how?
"Well the gems didn't like me. So much so they refused to take me in after Lapis- assaulted me. Then there was the fact that Steven was sexually active. In their eyes Steven was still a little boy. This went on for a couple of months. Bismuth and I set up the treatment program that you enjoyed. I cleaned up after their battles. Steven and I even went to Paris for a few days. And then Connie."
"Explain?"
"Well before Steven reached puberty Connie wasn't attracted to him. Then when Steven became a man she became obsessed with him. One day when I was buying breakfast Connie attacked me. Steven managed to stop her but not before she said a lot of horrible things. I ran away. Steven found me under the docks, he took me home and we made love throughout the entire day.
That night Connie got assaulted. I imagine that is where she lost her eye. Mr. Smiley found her in time, unfortunately. She said that Steven and I had beaten her up. Her father was in the police force and he set up a manhunt. We had to flee in Greg's van and using the farm's warp pad ended up here in Rossmore.
In Beach City Garnet was overthrown and the manhunt was called off after a good dose of common sense. At Thanksgiving Greg bought us a plot of land. When my trainers came to rescue me I found out I was pregnant. We built a house and Steven and I got married.
Then on his birthday, I gave birth to Jenny. He was so happy but a week after I came home everything changed. Steven now hates me and I don't know why."
Peridot started to cry. Yellow Jade unsure of what to do patted her shoulder.
"This is obviously been a big strain," said Jade. "I recommend taking the day off. Go socialize, in the meantime call in Steven."
When Steven walked in, Jade dismissed Peridot. The green gem walked away with her baby back into the tunnels as Steven watched them go. Once Steven was seated Jade began.
"So Steven, tell me about the first time you made love?"asked Jade pleasantly.
"Of course, it was with Connie on her 16th birthday,"smiled Steven.
Gems are immune to the cold nevertheless Yellow Jade felt a chill. She listened as the false memories played out. Finally Steven was getting frustrated.
"Look, it's getting near lunchtime. I have to go to work while Peridot sits at home," said Steven.
"Peridot is working hard to preparing for our safety Steven. Though she's not earning money now I suggest that you keep the martyr act to yourself. Now if you're feeling run down I suggest you hire some workers. Good bye."
Jade couldn't believe how harsh she was. After Steven had left, Jade contacted Pearl.
"Yellow Jade here, Steven is suffering from extensive post hypnotic suggestion," said Jade.
"Does Peridot know?" asked Pearl.
"No, I have not told her yet, but she suspects something," admitted Jade.
"Well then keep it that way. Report to the Beach house right away," ordered Pearl.
When Jade stepped off the warp pad she found the top Crystal Gems waiting for her. Pearl, Bismuth and Amethyst stared at her as she approached the table.
"Right tell us exactly what you have discovered,"ordered Pearl.
"It's quite simple, Steven's memories have been suppressed and replaced. While they were asleep I tried looking at their videos and photos to see what was going on. The files and disks have been corrupted and replaced," said Jade.
"Well that's simple we just get our own videos and photos and have a movie night," said Amethyst.
"It isn't that simple is it?" Jade looked straight at Pearl.
"Amethyst as long as Garnet is at large, all our efforts will be for nothing. Garnet will simply reprogram Steven again,"said Pearl.
"Well maybe we should put a guard on him," said Bismuth.
"Garnet was one of the top warriors during the war. We need to work together and I have a plan," said Pearl. They spent the rest of the evening formulating the plan, to fix Steven and to catch Garnet.
Connie was returning home from the library. After waiting a couple of hours it was apparent that Garnet wasn't going to show up. Still she had to make dinner. When she opened the door to her small apartment Connie got the most unpleasant surprise in her life.
There sitting at the kitchen table was her old teacher, Pearl. "Hello Connie,"Pearl said coldly.
"Pearl, w-what are you doing here?" said Connie trying to keep her cool. She felt around for her sword in the umbrella stand by the door.
"Looking for this?" Pearl said sweetly. "The real question is what are you doing here?"Connie opened her mouth. "I really don't care. This is what is going to happen. I am taking this sword back, you are going to stop bothering Steven and his family and you are going to hop on whatever bus you came from and leave Rossmore forever. If you don't, losing your eye will the least of your worries. Is that clear?" Pearl pulled out her spear to make a point.
"I can't," said Connie quietly.
"Excuse me?"
"I said I can't," shouted Connie. "When the police called off the hunt, my Dad lost his job and we were run out of town. Thanks to you gems we had nowhere to go. Nobody wanted to take us in, thanks to the news articles written about us. So yeah I settled here in Rossmore where nobody asks questions. It was the only place I could find."
"I don't care," shot back Pearl.
"Connie is something the matter?" asked a voice behind her.
Connie turned around to see her mother standing behind her. Priyanka's gaze bored into the pale gem.
"There most certainly is," said Pearl. "Your daughter is in Rossmore and bothering Steven. I want the both of you to leave now."
Priyanka glared at Pearl,"That isn't possible. Because of you gems, we were run out of town. I had to divorce my husband of 20 years. I searched the entire country to find someone to hire me but because of the damage you did nobody would hire me. Then a miracle happened. The military base here hired me as a medical adviser. I have a five year contract. The pay's half of what I'm used to and I can't talk about what I do there. But yeah, I said yes so Connie and me could piece back our lives you gems ruined. So no, we are not leaving." But the end of her speech Priyanka was shouting.
Pearl sat unmoved, "Are you done yet? The fact of the matter is that I never cared for you. While you and you husband were out pursuing your careers, me an an alien was spending far more time with your daughter. I trained her to fight but I did not make her into the lying, conniving slut that she is. Steven is married now. You can stay here as much as you like but I want Connie on the next bus out of here."
"And how am I supposed to take care of Connie then?"
"My suggestion is boarding school. Goodbye Maheswarans, I cannot say it has not been a pleasure," Pearl swept out taking Rose's sword with her.
Steven was not having an easy time. As soon as he came home he heard the warp pad woosh and Jasper stepped off the warp pad with her bedding and toys in her mouth. Practically ignoring him Jasper walked past Steven and went set her bundle into the guest bedroom. Jasper returned and set herself in front of the TV. The eyeless Jasper gave Steven a meaningful look.
"Okay, sports channel it is," sighed Steven.
The next morning as Steven left for work Jasper tried to follow him. She raced after Steven as he climbed up the stairs. Only to stop when they both saw Lion sitting in the passenger seat in the van. Jasper grumbled and walked back into the house.
"I don't suppose you simply want a ride into town?" asked Steven. Lion stared at him mutely. "I suppose not. All right but keep out of sight."
Once the help wanted sign was up Steven set to work. His first visitor came with a knock to his shop door. Steven opened it quickly. Only to see Ronaldo standing outside with a small smile on his face.
"No, just no," said Steven as he slammed the door in Ronaldo's face.
Pearl stepped off the newly installed warp pad at the lunar base. Behind her were a pair of burly quartzes, Biggs and Speckles. They were her best students during the war. In front of her stood a Peridot.
"Take me to Garnet right this instant," Pearl ordered brusquely.
The Peridot stammered, "I'm sorry but Garnet is meditating and-"
"I am giving you an order. Take me to Garnet right now!"
"You don't understand. She'll shatter them if I obey," screeched the Peridot.
The Peridot was a young thing, 2 maybe 3 years old at the most. On a closer look Pearl could see that her visor was cracked. The Peridot's arm just above her limb enhancer was bruised. Pearl knew close hand how durable a Peridot was. This needed a softer approach.
"All right tell me what Garnet did," sighed Pearl.
"S-she came into the base and said she was our c-commander now. Then she started beating us. When my friends poofed Garnet bubbled them. She said I had to do as she said or she'll shatter them," sobbed the Peridot.
"Do you know where your friends are?" asked Pearl.
"N-no and Garnet watches us from the monitors,"said the Peridot as she wiped her nose.
"We'll do a search of the base right away," said Biggs softly.
"No you won't," Pearl said harshly. "Contact Beta and tell them to bring more gems with scanners and disruptors. Then guard this warp pad."
Steven was having a difficult time. In front of him stood yet another applicant. This time a young man wearing a rather dirty baseball cap.
"So why do you want to work at Scary Hairy's?" asked Steven.
"Well I have always had an interest in robotics and would love the opportunity to operate your robinoids," said the man smiling.
"I'm sorry that was a one time deal. My wife was tending shop for me that day." The smile faded.
"Well to be honest, I really need the money and I have experience in the food industry."
"Really tell me more."
"Er I was unpaid labor for my Dad as we ran an ice cream truck. So I know all about ice cream. Here let me show you."
Once inside the man started operating the ice cream maker. He asked Steven what flavor he wanted and then proceeded to mix the ingredients. While they were waiting the young man made 3 perfect cones, a child size, a regular and a mega sized sundae cone. One the ice cream maker was done he made a sundae and handed it to Steven.
As Steven ate the man stared at Lion. "So ah is that lion your pet or something?"
"Or something. He is just watching me right now," replied Steven. "This sundae is perfect. I'm willing to hire you but I must ask you not to wear that baseball cap in the shop."
"I can't take it off not for a second."
"Really why not?"
"It's protection. I lined it with aluminum foil to protect myself from the sneople collective mind control."
"O-okay thank you for your time."
That was one of the better applicants. At around lunchtime Connie came over. She smiled shyly.
"Hey Steven, how about I apply for-" Connie screeched as Lion lunged at her.
Steven tried to hold him back but Lion squirmed free. Steven leaped over the counter as the pink feline started chasing Connie. Steven ran after Lion as he chased Connie down the main street past the Gray's toybox.
"Lion stop, no," shouted Steven. He could hear the police sirens now.
Sheriff Bertram stopped the car in front Lion. Connie used this time to escape. From inside her car Bertram fired at Lion. Lion froze giving Steven time to catch up to the pink feline.
"Lion you've been a very bad cat," scolded Steven.
"Alright freeze," shouted Bertram. This time animal control swarmed over Steven and his Lion. "Steven what the hell is going on?"
"Lion has taken to being my bodyguard when he decided Connie was a threat," admitted Steven. "Don't worry I'll fix this."
"Oh no you won't," said Bertram as she slapped the cuffs on him. The animal control officers tried to leash Lion. The animal looked bored and simply warped away in a portal. Bertram and the others jaws dropped.
"What just happened?"gasped Tyler the senior animal control officer.
"Yeah Lion is magic. He's probably gone home. Now can you left me go," asked Steven.
"You most certainly cannot. You brought a clearly dangerous animal into town. There has to be consequences. Get in the car Steven. You're coming with me to the station."
Amethyst was at a meeting with the British ambassador when she got the call. Raising her finger she excused herself as she answered the phone.
"Yes Amethyst. I'm in a little bit of a jam right now. Can you help me out?" asked Steven softly.
"All right where are you?" asked Amethyst tiredly.
"I'm the Rossmore Police Station. Lion chased Connie around town and I'm in jail for harboring a dangerous animal," admitted the young man.
"And you called me so that your wife wouldn't find out. Fine put the Sheriff on."
"Yes, this is Sheriff Bertram. Steven's charged with public nuisance and public endangerment," said Sheriff Bertram harshly. "The charges are very serious and until someone picks him up Steven will stay in my custody until his court date."
"So right now he is in jail being watched by armed guards you're saying?" asked Amethyst.
"Yes, and let me tell you I don't appreciate you bailing him out."
"Bailing him out?" laughed Amethyst. "I want you to keep him there. That way he'll be away from Connie and we'll know where he is. So get him a game lad or something. I'll call his wife."
The woman looked into the phone when Amethyst suddenly hung up. "Well Steven. It looks like you're going to be here for a while. What is going on with your marriage?"
When the call for backup was answered Pearl was surprised to see Peridot on the warp pad with a squadron of highly armed gems. The young mother had a grim expression on her face.
"I've sent Jenny to visit her grandfather. Don't try and stop me Pearl. Garnet is mine," said Peridot as she stepped off the warp pad.
"Peridot, just go back. You have no idea what Garnet is capable of," said Pearl.
"I know exactly what Garnet is capable of. Now let me scan for that monster."
From the look Peridot gave Pearl she could tell the green gem was serious. "Okay but I'm staying right by you."
For the next hour Peridot roamed the tunnels of the base with Pearl and a few select gems keeping a close watch. Her brow furrowed as she read the readings from the glowing screen. Suddenly she shut her machine down.
"Garnet's not here. Take me back to the base Peridot," said Peridot. She practically ran down the tunnels.
"We already interrogated her about Garnet. What makes you think you'll get any more info," asked Pearl. Even as a highly trained warrior Pearl struggled to keep up.
"Because I know how Garnet got off the base," shouted Peridot.
The young Peridot waited by the warp pad. Around the warp pad stood two Nephrites scanning it They gave a hasty diamond salute to Pearl as they stood up.
"I finished scanning the logs," said the large Nephrite. "No gem has left the base in the last week."
"You mean didn't use the warp pad?" prodded Peridot.
"Er what do you mean? There is not other way to leave the base," said Pearl.
"Think about it Pearl, what was the first thing you did when you emancipated yourself?" replied Peridot.
"I drank all the glow juice in the stores," admitted Pearl.
"Something that you weren't allowed to have but were always surround with yes?" Pearl nodded. Peridot continued. "Well these Peridots were serving aboard a yacht club. Maintaining ships they never were permitted to fly. What do you think they did in their free time here?"
Peridot turned to her younger sister, "Alright number 3 tell me where you kept the shuttle."
"We- we kept it hidden just outside by the rim crater 12576," stammered the Peridot. "But what about my friends?"
"They're not in the base. I scanned for them myself," said the young mother. "Now take us to crater 12576."
Sure enough the crater had been turned into a workshop. On the walls were various tools and parts scrounged from the lunar base. At one corner was an indent of what was no doubt the shuttle. Number 3 broke off from the group and raced down to the table. She picked up something and howled in pain.
"Let me see," said Peridot softly. Gently she prized the open the hands of number 3. Gasping she stepped back.
There in number 3's hands were the shattered remains of her sisters.
"We we kept this shuttle hidden but Garnet found out," sobbed 3.
"Why didn't you tell anybody about this in the first place?" accused Pearl.
"I was afraid Garnet would hurt them and we didn't know if we would be allowed to keep a shuttle."
Pearl just sighed, "You're not safe here. Come back with Peridot and me to Beta."
As they reentered the base Peridot turned to Pearl.
"You knew something like this would happen," Peridot hissed so her sister couldn't hear.
"Garnet did the same tactic during the war. She held a Nephrite's crew member while the Nephrite acted as a spy for months. The poor gem had no idea that her crew mate had been shattered almost immediately. That action provided plenty of intelligence and won many victories but it was something I was not proud of," Pearl hung her head.
"So we have no idea of where Garnet might be?" said Peridot.
"She wants Steven that is where she'll be," answered Pearl.
"Fine let's go pick him up at Scary Hairy's," sighed Peridot.
"Oh he's not there. Amethyst just informed me where he is."
Peridot burst through the station's doors. Behind her Pearl and a couple of burly quartzes followed.
"I swear if I ever catch Lion I will turn him into a – what has happened here?" gasped Peridot.
The station was in chaos. The sheriff a normally dignified woman lay sprawled on the floor. One of her deputies strutted and clucked like a chicken while another was on all 4's barking like a dog.
"Looks like Garnet was here," said Pearl.
Peridot rushed right by her to the jail cell. She sighed in relief when she saw Steven still sitting in the cell.
"Steven thank the stars you're okay," said Peridot as she opened the cell doors.
"Get away from me," shrieked Steven. His eyes looked at her in utter terror.
"Steven it's me, Peridot, your wife," said Peridot.
Streven shook his head he formed a large spiked bubble and rolled to the back of the cell. Peridot tried to go in only to be stopped by Pearl.
"It's no use. Garnet has brainwashed him," said Pearl softly.
"Well what am I going to do now?"
"Let me take care of him. We'll track down Garnet and get back the hypo wand."
"And if she doesn't have it?"
"We'll find a way. Perhaps the humans have some knowledge on fixing this damage."
Garnet couldn't believe her luck. The temple stood empty unguarded. Pearl had foolishly moved out of their home base leaving the Beach house empty. Garnet smirked as she opened the temple doors. Pearl had removed the recognition gems making it that much easier to enter the temple. Inside the temple had changed greatly. Some sort of project was going on but there was no sign of the workers or their guards. No matter what is she wanted was deeper inside the temple. Garnet walked slowly through the tunnels. There was still no sign of anybody. That was fine Garnet had enough of Peridots anyways. Finally, she found herself in the burning room. The bubbles of their prisoners were much fewer but still the pit where they dispatched some of the more problematic prisoners was there.
As Garnet leaned over to reach for her prize. The lava pit bubbled and exploded. Bismuth stood up in all her glory grasping Garnet's wrist.
"Hello Garnet, fancy meeting you here," said Bismuth in a deceptively soft voice.
Garnet struggled in the rainbow haired gems grasp. She formed her gauntlets and tried to smash in Bismuth's face. Bismuth blocked the punch with her meaty hand. She held both of Garnet's hands now.
"Don't bother, I may have not been made as a warrior but I am way stronger than you." Garnet tried shocking her. Bismuth laughed, "That tickles. Face it even as a fusion you could never beat me."
"That's right as a fusion I can't beat you," Garnet said. Her form glowed and twisted as she separated into her components Sapphire and Ruby.
The two gems now free landed on the burning room's floor. Bismuth realising what was happening tried to step out of the pool but she was too late. Ruby splashed the lava onto Bismuth. Sapphire not missing a beat froze the hot lava, entombing the unfortunate gem in a cocoon of rock. Sapphire stepped back to enjoy her handywork. The blue gem turned to look at her lover.
The aristocratic gem let out a shriek as a pale white spear burst out of Ruby's chest. Ruby stared at the spear before retreating to her gem in a puff of smoke. Sapphire looked up to see Pearl's white face. Before Sapphire could get her lover, Pearl stepped on Ruby's gem.
"How did you know we would come here?" gasped Sapphire. She looked around all probabilities for some sort of opening.
"Simple you are quite predictable. I have known you for thousands of years, I trained you myself. Of course you would return to the temple. Of course you would hide your weapons in the one place we couldn't reach. Let me tell you two were one sick rocks. Taking up quarters where we imprisoned our fellow gems" Pearl snarled.
The pale gem stepped off Ruby's gem as she stepped closer to Sapphire. Now was her chance, Sapphire lunged at Pearl. The blue gem tried to scoop of her lover only to find herself pinned to the burning room's wall. Pearl thinking she had won sneered at the little gem.
"Pathetic, you know you really should have trained more separately. Then you might have actually gotten Ruby," sneered Pearl. "Now hand over the hypno wand."
"You mean this?" said Sapphire innocently. Using the last of her strength she broke the hypno wand with her small hands. The last sound as she heard before she poofed was Pearl screaming no.
That evening after Pearl gave Peridot the bad news. Pearl was in her kitchen preparing a dinner for Spunky when she heard a loud pounding at her quarter's door. Already in a bad mood she flung open the door.
"Where is she?' shouted an enraged Priyanka as she stormed into the room.
A rather ashamed looking yellow gem followed the angry human.
"I'm really sorry about this," babbled Citrine. "She just ran in before anybody could stop her."
"Where is my daughter?" shouted Priyanka again.
"Citrine take Spunky for a little while. I'll take it from here," ordered Pearl.
Once the two gems were gone Pearl turned to Priyanka. "Now you were saying?"
"Connie didn't come home this evening. I know you did something to her. Where is she?" snarled the human woman.
"I don't what you're talking about. I was busy dealing with another pest if you must know," said Pearl nonchalantly.
"Really, after you sent Lion to chase her? You have no idea where she is?"
"That's right. If she had any sense she would have left town on the next bus. As for Lion he's his own cat."
"I don't believe you."
"I don't care," said Pearl as she shoved Priyanka out the door.
In a dark corner of Africa Lion started choking. He heaved for a little while until with one large cough he spat out the white tennis shoe Connie was wearing onto the savanna floor. Once that was done the pink feline simply walked away off into the sunset.
A few days later, Peridot walked into the infirmary where Steven was staying. The young man inched away still very much afraid. Peridot was unmoved.
"Steven get into the car, we're going to an appointment," ordered Peridot. In his eyes Steven saw a slavering insectlike monster.
"Where are you taking me?"asked Steven. In his head he knew Peridot was not like this. That she would never harm him but in fact loved him but the damage Garnet did was too much.
"To an old friend. He'll sort you out," Peridot said trying not to let Steven the tears in her eyes.
Steven looked out the window of the van as they drove into town. They stopped at a familiar building.
"Our old OBYN but what does he know about what's going on?"Steven turned around only to see Peridot's monstrous shape.
The monster looked hurt, "Dr. Smith specializes in difficult cases. Now get in."
"Aren't you coming with me?"
"That would not be productive right now," with that his wife drove off.
Steven hesitantly stepped inside the office. It still was much bigger on the inside. From another door a gray haired man marched in.
"Alright, Steven sit yourself down. Let's get down to healing," ordered Dr. Smith.
"Forgive me but unless you can go into my head and change my memories. I can't see how you can fix this," said Steven.
"Oh I'm not going into your head. You're going into mine," smiled the man mysteriously. Steven looked at the man dumbfounded. "Steven you have one of the most powerful abilities I have ever seen. You're going to help me fix yourself. Now look at the screwdriver and let me in."
Steven found himself floating in a dark void.
'Such darkness it's rather disconcerting," said Smith's voice beside him. "Let's make ourselves comfortable shall we?"
Suddenly Steven was seated at table in a greenhouse. Plants of all description grew and blossomed. In front of him Smith poured a pot of cup of tea.
"My mother's room a favorite memory," explained Smith. "Now let's visit one of your memories. How about your first time at Funland?"
The scene changed to a young Steven racing ahead while a younger version of his father ran after him.
"Hang on there Stu ball," scolded his father as he caught the squirming 4 year old. "Daddy has to pay the nice Mr. Smiley before we can go in."
The older Steven looked on, life was so much simpler then. Then he heard Dr. Smith speaking.
"Steven what color is that memory?' asked Smith.
The young man noticed the memory had a golden cast to it. "Golden," Steven replied.
"Good now let's focus on your wedding day," said Smith.
"I can't there's a darkness blocking it," admitted Steven.
"Wipe the darkness away, Steven."
Steven's brow sweated and the darkness flickered. Smith smiled the healing had begun.
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