Hey, guys. Ellis here.

So, my creative streak hit again! Always a good, right.

Part 7, everybody!

Penelope walked into Beach City, dressed in all black with the exception of a pink sash around her stomach and carrying her instrument case. Jasper has been out looking for a corruption for her to catch that'll test her abilities so far. It's been 3 days since she left, so today, she decided to play on the boardwalk. She hasn't done it in awhile. So, it was a nice change of pace. Besides, she was confident that Jasper wouldn't be long in finding one. Still, she left a note just in case Jasper came back before she did.

She found a nice spot on the boardwalk and set up with her accordion. Sure, she could have gone with a guitar and such, but there was something about this instrument that she fell in love with it when she found it in the spare room. It was well taken care of, so it played wonderfully, too.

She giggled to herself. Perhaps, Jasper was right, she was a little strange. But, that didn't stop her from running her fingers down the keys and buttons as she began to play a funky tune. She had also discovered a band that used the accordion in an Indie rock style that she adored and found inspiration from. Occasionally, she'll hum to the tune and tapped her foot to the rhythm. She closed her eyes as she played, letting the music overtake her soul.

As the piece neared its end, Penelope opened her eyes only to find another pair staring back at her at close proximity. She let out a yelp as she nearly dropped her accordion.

"Whoa! Hey, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you! I heard somebody playing and found you!" Said the short girl, laughing.

She had purple tinted skin and long, pale lavender hair that looked just as fluffy as Jasper's. The purple stone on her chest told her that this shorty was a Gem. She held out her hand, "Amethyst. I live around here."

Penelope smiled and took it, "Penelope Pink. I live just outside of Beach City."

"That explains why I never seen you around before. So, what is this thing? I've never seen anything like it before!" She asked, fascinating by her instrument.

"It's an accordion. You don't see too many of them now and days, though, but I love it!"

"It's so weird, but the way you play it is awesome!" She laughed, "Hey, did you dye your hair pink?"

She shook her head, "No, it's my natural color, unfortunately. I tried dying it to something else but, it always goes back to being pink the next day. So, yeah, it's weird..."

Amethyst eyes widen, "It's natural?! So, do you have one of these?" She pointed to her gem.

"Yeah. And yes, it is pink. Are you a Gem from Homeworld?" Penelope asked, cautiously.

"Pff... You wish. I was made here on Earth." Amethyst stated, annoyed.

"Oh, Beta kindergarten?"

"Prime, actually. How do you know about the kindergartens?"

"Auntie told me, she came from there."

"There's another Earth Gem besides me?! I thought I was the only one here!"

"Apparently, not, it seems. Are there other Gems here?" She asked, putting away her accordion.

Amethyst shrugged, "There are, but not a whole lot to be honest."

"I see. Sorry, I never met another Gem besides Auntie before. I'm glad I got to meet you."

"Likewise. I never thought I would find another Gem hybrid! So, who was your mom?"

Penelope stared down at her feet, "I don't know. I was abandoned when I was born."

Amethyst looked guilty, "O-oh, geez. Sorry. I didn't-"

"It's okay! I'm, mostly, over it now, anyways." Penelope laughed, nervously.

"Well, with your mom, it's understandable. But, you don't have a dad either?"

"No. But, what do you mean about my mom?" She was confused, "She left me! She didn't want me! How is that understandable!?" Penelope nearly yelled at her.

Amethyst sighed, "Look. You're not the only gem hybrid I met. We have one named Steven. His mom was a good friend of ours. She gave up her form so that he could be born. We didn't understand it at first, but we now know that we wouldn't have him now if she didn't love him enough to do that! That's what your mom did. She gave up her form so that you can be something incredible out of love. I don't think that she would have never ever wanted you to be alone. I'm sorry it happened that way, but I don't think she did it on purpose. Otherwise, why else would you be here?"

Penelope stared at her. She's right, she had completely forgotten that Gems were made of light; that they were made in general. They weren't made to have babies to begin with. To have one is to give up their own existence. She laughed, it all made sense. Why she was found in a locked apartment building with no other way out. Why the locks weren't messed with in days. Her mom didn't have a choice, but to leave her there, even though, she didn't want her to be born alone.

"I… I am so stupid." Penelope laughed at herself as tears streamed down her face.

Amethyst hugged her, "No, you're not stupid. You probably didn't even know what you were, didn't you?"

She shook her head, "No one did. They did multiple tests on me and used me as a lab rat. They, actually, tried to remove my gem, but I ran away before they could. I used my weapon for the first time that day, but only to hurt people so that I can get away. I was scared, so I ended up here. Is that wrong? To hurt people like that?"

Amethyst looked mad at her, "Okay?! Sister, they were trying to remove your gem without any concern for your wellbeing! None of us even know what could've happened if they did do it! We won't even try! It may have felt wrong to do that to them, but they were going to hurt you! That gives you every reason you have to defend yourself!" She hugged her, "But, I glad you're alright. I can already tell that you're awesome and we've just met! I can tell you that you are, definitely, safe around here. That's for sure. And if nothing else, you have me and this 'Auntie' gem of yours, okay? Us shorties have to stick together, right?"

Penelope smiled as she wiped her tears, "You bet! Because hey, you're awesome, too!"

"I know I am, sister. I was made that way!" She said, grinning at her as she hooked her purple arm around her shoulders.

Penelope laughed and grin back, "I like you a lot!"

They hung around the boardwalk, chatting away like childhood friends that haven't seen each other in years till the sunset. Penelope was surprised just how much time flew by.

"Oh, geez! I have to get back! I got a long walk home." Penelope said, embarrassed that she lost track of time. She started grabbing her case.

"You want me to walk back with you?" Amethyst offered.

"No, I'll be fine. Thank you, though."

"Then, at least, let walk you out of Beach City. After what you just told me, I really don't want you to be alone."

"If you insist, then."

So, they walked together in silence till the reach the edge of the city. The sunset was nice, giving everything an amber glow. Penelope turned to her new friends, "Thanks again, Amethyst. Can I ask a favour from you, though?"

"Sure, what do need?" She said, chilled.

"Can I ask that you keep my gem a secret for now? It's not that I don't trust you, but after what I been through, I really don't want to take any chances. Besides, I want you to like me because I'm me, not because I'm the daughter of some Gem that may or may not had been important." She admitted, nervously.

Amethyst just nodded in understanding, "I gotta ya, P.P.! I won't say a word unless you're ready! Just hit me up whenever you're here!"

"You got it. See ya!"

"Later. Be careful walking back!" Amethyst said, heading back into the city.

Penelope waved after her before heading back home herself. She sighed five minutes into the walk. 'Alone again…' She thought till she heard someone call, "Pinky!"

She looked up the find Jasper walking towards her, "Hey, what are you doing here, Auntie.?"

"It's getting dark. You shouldn't be out alone right now! I came to get you for that reason!" Jasper stated, her arms crossed. Penelope could tell that she was worried about her, though.

"Sorry, I got caught up in a conversation with someone. I think you two would get along if you met." She told the bigger Gem as they started walking again.

"Really now?" she asked, curiously.

Penelope nodded, "So, did you find one?"

Jasper grinned, "Better. I found two potential corruptions for you. You're going to need to dress warm, though."

Penelope gulped, "Why?"

So, I did write this to fit with most of the storyline from the original series (Again, this is just my twist on it!). But, there is a reason I'm writing this, guys. I write about the "what ifs" in stuff like this. Penelope Pink is one of them. She's a hybrid that is lost, scared, confused about herself, and, most of all, alone. She didn't even know she was a hybrid until she met Amethyst! She took two years to make something of herself and to deal with what all she been through! Unlike Steven, she had no one to help her coop with anything up till now! Now that she's met other Gems that accept her, despite not knowing what her Gem is, she's happy. Think about this as you read it because I think that this is something to consider about this series! Especially with the characters in SU!

Thank you,

Ellis Alpha