"Hello" A new gem had let herself into Steven's place, followed by another, more familiar gem. The green gem seemed troubled, like she didn't want to be here. This, Steven supposed, was precisely correct.

"My name is Lepidolite, what's yours" The purple, plump gem said in a sickly sweet voice. This changed Steven's rotten mood by nothing, what good will a few nice toned words do to help his predicament?

"Steven Universe" He mumbled under his breath, so low she couldn't hear him. Lite let out a sigh and changed her approach, from fake and insincere to honest but blunt.

"Listen boy, I have been sent to question you. If you cooperate you will be rewarded. If you answer like that we will both be punished" Steven's posture straightened at the new information.

"Like food?" He asked, stars in his eyes. He had already had two meals of the mushy stuff and wasn't keen on more.

Both Lite and Peridot smiled "Of course"

Deciding to get straight down to business, Peridot summoned her holographic screen and hit record.

"What is your name?" Peridot asked, cutting off Lepidolite who was surely going to inquire about the same topic. Steven was confused, Peridot quite obviously knew his name but he replied anyway.

"Steven" He said, the answer rolling off his tongue quickly, as names often do. Lite raised an eyebrow at this, there were few gem communities where gemlings were not named after the gem they possessed. Speaking of his gem, Lite moved on to her next question.

"What gem do you possess?" The boy lifted his shirt to reveal a rose quartz gem, then told to speak it aloud for the audio tape, which Steven did, his face flushed with embarrassment.

The interview had gone on for a few minutes when they touched on the crystal gems, Lite hadn't wanted to ask outright. She instead opted to dance around the subject so Steven would not become agitated or upset. He was downright cheerful as he pronounced his community's name which was tabooed on most other places. Gemlings were completely clueless.

"I'm part of the crystal gems, we protect humanity. Like my dad." Steven joyously told them. Peridot, was sitting with her head down, still trying to process what she had been told so far. He fought corrupted gems on a regular basis? Last time she had heard, to be corrupted was quite rare. Or was she being lied to? She internally slapped herself, if the words of a half-gem should sway her from the path Diamond was setting of for all of them. Perhaps she didn't deserve peace with herself.

Lite, having heard enough, snapped. "Steven! I don't know what they told you but they are traitors, it is because of them so many gems where corrupted. Your mother and everybody else you knew are evil. General Rose Quartz led the down a path of no return or salvation.

Lite slapped the boy, on his bad shoulder, I might add and stalked back down the hall. Peridot, not knowing how to process the information and with a crying boy on her hands, kneeled down at his height.

"Steven, I don't know what is going on here but I won't trust the words of one gem who seems like she has completely snapped. You seemed sincere and no matter what Lepidolite said, we still owe you a better room and nourishment." Smiling she stood up and led the still sniffling boy out of the dark, tainted room, that had earned that description but not only darkness but by the few memories gained here. Horrible, horrible memories…

Iii

Steven was led to a nicer room, a containment room for crazy gems that retained their harmless form, admittedly but he needed a place soft to sleep, especially with that shoulder. Peridot smiled and left, her heavy boots for once quiet, being on a plush surface.

On her way back she bumped into the castle nuisance as she was called. Peridot had no idea what the gem did to deserve that name, whenever she saw her she was overly nice. Peridot was told she had abandoned them but she didn't believe everything she heard.

"Uh, excuse me?" Lapis felt timid in front of the taller gem. Especially when it was piled on top of her experiences with everyone else here. She was surprised when the green gem looked down at her and smiled.

"Yes…uhh…" Peridot, even if she was offered everything she wanted couldn't remember the gem's name. The blue gem, worried she was only treated nicely because of misconception was reluctant to reveal her name but ultimately did, bowing her head as she did so.

"Have you seen a young male gemling? I told him I would meet him" Peridot took a glance into Lapis' eyes and saw a girl worried for her friend.

"He was moved to a psychiatric room." Lapis eyes widened. Realising this, Peridot quickly backtracked "he was moved so he could sleep on a soft surface, don't worry."

No longer terrified by fears of rejection of herself or Steven, she allowed the other gem to introduce herself. She was told Steven was sleeping.

"So what happened on Earth" Peridot asked Lapis Lazuli nervously. They had been talking for a while, Lapis about her old life and what it was like being a mirror, her ocean elevator idea may have also been brought up. Peridot, who was capable in maths laughed at the preposterous idea. The idea was ludicrous, it never would have worked. Peridot, on the other hand, told Lapis of how worlds had changed and her job as a scout and maintenance person.

"I told you I got trapped…" Peridot cut her off "I don't mean just with you, I also meant Steven. Who is he and who are the crystal gems?" These questions had been bubbling away if her gem since that mission, she almost wished she left the mission to her slightly clumsy apprentice Ruby. Who was currently on a mission to Langara.

Lapis paused at the question, her eyes filled with sadness "I don't want to speak of it" and with that Peridot backed off.

Soon enough Steven was awake and Lapis gave him some water. They talked about random things; Steven was seemingly obsessed with something called apples. Lapis knew he must be hungry though, she had no idea if they were feeding him much or at all.

Peridot had left a few minutes of Steven awakening, Lapis Lazuli didn't know where but suddenly she returned. Peridot explained that they had been both summoned, to discuss Steven's future. Lapis was flattered that her opinion was important to the authority but concerned that Steven was not able to attend. She assumed there was meeting like this for her too.

Bidding Steven goodbye, she followed Peridot out of the wide open door. She acknowledged the two guards as she passed, who chose to ignore the water gem.

AN- Wow, I can't believe people are actually following my story, I feel flattered. Here is another chapter, I felt inspired to write quicker because of you guys so you get a treat. If I don't post another chapter in the next two weeks, please pressure me to. I just get distracted and projects often shrivel away. This is the most chapters I have ever done though so I hope it will be different this time.