Free Spirits on the Loose

Stellar's POV:

Blackness was all I could see, turning my head right to left, I tried to find a source of light.

"Stellar…" An ominous voice echoed, turning my head at any direction to catch a glimpse of the person, but proved to be futile. "Stellar…"

"Hello? Garnet? Pearl? Amethyst?" I yelled out frantically, hoping for an answer. "Is anyone there?!"

"Stellar… Here." The enigmatic voice said, echoing as it got closer.

Giving up on seeing anything, I began to run blindlessly in the dark, hoping to find an exit in the process. "Who are you?!" I called out, cupping my hands around my mouth so it was louder. "Show yourself!"

The ominous voice began to chuckle in a low tone, almost as if it was mocking me. Quickly stopping in my run, I skid to a stop and check my surroundings again. Cupping my hands around my mouth I began –

"Where are y-" I screamed before being cut off abruptly.

"I'm right here princess." A voice whispered in my ear, as I felt a powerful presence behind me, undoubtedly bigger than me.

A light began to shine from an unknown source as my eyes widened, I began to lower my hands from my mouth and slowly turn my body to face the being. "You…" I whispered out unconsciously, bending my neck up at an odd angle just to see a large figure that was bigger than Garnet. "Ummm…. Wh-who? H-hi?" I said nervously, not able to form a coherent sentence due to astonishment from the figure that towered over me.

"Hahahahaha! And here I thought, getting a warmer welcome from my favorite gem. Or should I say…." The figure said smirking down to me before moving his face down close to mine, "my favorite Rose."

Widening my eyes, I began to back up slowly, still looking up at the figure who seemed to have a dangerous aura around him. Then quickly turning my body, I made a run for it but didn't make it far before long, muscular arms encased my midsection.

"Let me go!" I said, eyes closed as I struggled in the person's hold. Thrashing around with my full strength, but the hold didn't budge, not even once. "Garnet!" I screamed, reaching my arms out as I continued to struggle, "Pearl!" kicking my legs, "Amethyst!" pulling on his arms around me to at least loosen his grip.

"My little flower, why are you scared of me? I'm not a bad person you know." The figure said in a fake sad tone, before one of his arms moved down to my bellybutton where my gem was and rested his finger on it before tapping it several times with his index finger. "Or maybe, your scared that I'll smash this little gem of yours." He whispered teasingly in my ear.

"Stop it! Who are you?!" I screamed, continuing to thrash in his hold.

The person retracted his hand before he moved both his arms to turn my body to face him, lifting me so I was face to face with him. "I am the person who's going to kill you my precious little flower. You and everything you love. The very ground you walk on, I am going to destroy your planet." He said smiling sweetly, malicious intent behind it.

"W-wh-what do you mean? W-why?" I asked stuttering, fear in my eyes that stared at the man who seemed very intent on completing his goals.

"You'll know soon enough, it seems like your leaving soon. But till the time comes, I hope you're prepared. My name is Jasper by the way, try not to forget it. Or try to get it out of your head if you can." Jasper said, setting me down on my feet before turning and leaving as he laughed. Entering the darkness once again as the light began to dim lower and lower.

"W-wait!" I said hesitatingly, reaching my hand out to the retreating figure. "Wait!"

Running after Jasper, the laugh echoed as he just seemed to go further and further away from my grasp. It seemed as if my efforts were completely useless as the darkness began to close in on me and Jasper was gone out of my sights. Now running further and further away from the darkness, it began to engulf me slowly. Whimpering, I began to struggle as I pushed my legs against the ground to run faster, but soon enough my whole body was engulfed by darkness.

"Stop! No!" I screamed out, as I reached my hand out to the single last light source that then died as my hand was the last part of my body that was engulfed by the darkness.

"Bye, my beautiful Rose." A sound resounded through the darkness as began to fall into emptiness that seemed endless, closing my eyes as I fell unconscious.

Clutching my throat, I gasped for air as I snapped open my eyes and I was in Pearl's arms who was asleep, and breathing softly. Sitting up quickly, with Pearl's arms loosely around my waist as I surveyed the area, turning my head left to right multiple times. My chest raising and falling at a rapid pace as I tried to calm my breathing down. Realizing I was in my house, my breathing rate began to fall to a normal pace, as I placed my hand on my gem and touched it softly. Breathing in an air of relief, I began to chuckle quietly to myself.

"Just a dream. It was just a dream… Just a…." I murmured to myself, clutching at my gem harder as I placed my other hand on my forehead. "Right?"

Putting down my hand on my forehead, I turned my head to the window and noticed it was still dark out. Then turning my head towards downstairs, there was no one there. Turning to the TV, there was one or two pillows scattered and the Dogcopter 2 DVD case that was discarded on the floor.

"Stellar?" a groggy voice called from beside me. "What are you doing up?" Pearl asked in confusion, slowly getting up as he rubbed his eyes and focused into my eyes afterwards.

"Oh! Ummm, nothing! It was just a bad dream! That's all!" I said in a high pitched tone, smiling sheepishly with my eyes closed as I released my hold on my gem and moved it to rub the back of my head. "I'm sorry for waking you up."

Pearl looked at me unconvincingly as he raised an eyebrow, "Uh-huh, what was this nightmare about?" he asked in a slightly concerned tone.

"Nothing! It was about a gigantic cat eating me! Absolutely nothing else!" I said, laughing in an obviously fake tone but hoped it was enough to trick Pearl.

Opening my eyes, I saw Pearl staring at me with a worried gaze. "Hehehe…" I tried laughing again, but died down as I looked away from Pearl's stare. It was short lasted before his hand took a hold of my chin and tilted it up so I couldn't turn away. Moving my eyeballs, I tried to not make any direct eye contact towards him.

"Look at me. Please." Pearl said quietly in a desperate tone.

Slowly moving my eyeballs to focus in on Pearl, I noticed his eyebrows furrowed and mouth turned downwards into a frown, his face showing evident worry as he stared down at me.

"Why are you lying?" Pearl whispered.

"I'm… not lying…" I said unconfidently, hesitating between my words as I observed Pearl face go into a little worried to major worried.

"If it was nothing, you wouldn't mind me getting Garnet?" Pearl asked.

Eyes widening, I shook my head back in forth as best as I could in protest. "Please! No! I'll tell you! Just don't get Garnet!"

Pearl nodded his head in confirmation, retracting his hand from my face as he turned his body towards me and waited for me to talk. After telling Pearl the entire story, purposely leaving out Jasper name and what he said, I observed his face carefully as I waited for him to say something.

"So, it seemed real you say." Pearl said, deep in thought as he stared at me. "Hmm, who was the person? Did you get a name?"

"Ughhh, n-" I began, but was cut off.

"Don't lie to me." Pearl added in quickly with a demanding tone.

"Jasper…" I murmured under my breath as I stared down at my hands.

"Who?" Pearl asked, leaning closer to me.

"Jasper." I said a little louder.

"Who?" Pearl asked once again, feeling a bit irritated. "Come on Stellar, speak up!"

"Jasper! His name was Jasper!" I said loudly, staring up at Pearl as my eyes widened, realization hitting me as I quickly apologized. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to…"

Pearl eyes were widened as he watched me ramble, noises tuning out. Millions of thoughts running through his head as one thought clicked.

"Jasper? Stellar, did you just say Jasper?!" Pearl asked frantically, putting both hands on my shoulder as he shook me back and forth lightly.

"Yes." I said as my voice vibrated due to the shaking.

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" Pearl said repeatedly to himself, retracting his hands off my shoulder as he got off the bed and began to pace back and forth.

"Ummm, Pearl? What's wrong?" I asked worriedly. "Do you know him?"

Pearl abruptly stopped his pacing as he stared down at me with wide eyes. Then leaning down, he opened his arms.

Tears slowly fell down my face as I stood on the bed and ran towards him to jump into his arms. After steadying himself, Pearl encased me in his arms as he stroked my hair with one arm and held me with the other as he bounced himself gently to comfort me. Tears streamed endlessly down my face as I recalled the dreams rushing back to me, recalling the feeling of wanting to cry but held it in.

"It was so scary!" I said, voice breaking and cracking as I buried my face in Pearl's neck. "You weren't there, and, and… He said you guys would die, he said he would smash my gem, and destroy earth. I couldn't do anything, I was trying to escape but h-he was to strong!"

"Shhhh, its ok, your safe now." Pearl said in a soothing tone.

"Pearl, he said he would kill everything I loved. That meant you, and Garnet, and Amethyst, and Mommy. I didn't know what to do!" I said, pulling my face away from his neck to stare at him, face scrunching up as I tried to calm my tears but failed.

Pushing my head back in his neck with his hand that was stroking my hair, he rubbed circles on my back and continued to bounce gently, humming a light tune. I clutched his shirt as I began to whimper and poured out every emotion I was feeling in form of tears. It was like this for 15 minutes until my tears finally stopped as I my hands hanged loosely on either side of Pearl and my face tucked in his neck. Closing and opening my eyes, I whimpered as I made an effort to keep myself awake, afraid of what might happen if I did fall back asleep.

"Sleep princess." Pearl said softly. "I'll be right here, promise." He said, smiling, even though I couldn't see it.

"Pearl… Stay… Please…" I whispered out softly, before I fell unconscious, one final tear escaping my eyes and landing on Pearl's hand.

"I promise my gem, till the end. Forever." Pearl said frowning, as he made his way down the stairs and turned to walk towards the temple's gate. Walking carefully to not stir me from my slumber.

Arriving in front of the temple gate, it formed the entryway to his room. Pearl looked down at me, watching my chest expand and fall before entering.

Looking towards his room and beginning to walk in, he said final words before the gate disappeared, "I'll protect you from him, even if it means getting smashed in the process." Light disappearing as the temple gate reverted back to its original form.

Hey guys ~

I'm so sorry for not updating sooner! My computer was broken on the days I promised to update for you guys, and I just got it fixed today!

I hope you guys enjoy the new chapter, we finally know who the person is! (Yayyyy!)

I'm sorry if you guys were already expecting that... =-=

Thank you everyone who has been supporting the story or just passing by, you guys mean the world to me! I hope you guys are highly anticipating the next chapter, I won't try to spoil anything, but... (If your a major Amethyst fan) "Who said that!"

Hehehe, I'm crazy. But I hope you have a beautiful night or day, depending on your time zone. And have a amazing day, try not to trip over any bananas, it hurts! (I would know...)