Chapter 5: Everything Changes
When Pearl got back from talking to Connie, she just sank to the floor. Tears falling from her face, the look Connie gave her when Pearl told her that Steven was dead, burned in her mind. The young girl looked so broken, actually blaming herself for his death. It hurt Pearl more than anything, for not so long ago Pearl felt the same way when Rose left.
She felt completely alone and scared, Rose was her everything and Pearl spent many days and nights wondering what she did wrong. Was there something she could have done to keep Rose here with her. Wasn't everything they been through, everything they shared more important then a chance meeting with a human. Greg, for many years Pearl didn't always like, thought he was a lazy, and dirty human. Though over the years, she saw his patience, kindness, and gentle nature. No wonder Rose fell for him, and then they both gave her Steven.
Steven, helped her and Greg finally get along better than any other time she could remember. Broke down her walls whenever Pearl couldn't let go of Rose, she yelled at Steven at lot, and it made her angry when she did that. He was the most innocent one here, he didn't ask to be born but he was Rose's gift to her. Now he is gone, so where was her last gift from him? Pearl never even got to fuse with Steven and she felt that they were getting so close, what would it have felt like? Would Rainbow Quartz show up again or would it be a different fusion? Pearl would never know now and she hugged herself to keep her body from shaking.
Just then the door swung open and her head lifted up to see Ruby and Sapphire walking in with Rose. "How did Connie take the news?" asked Sapphire quietly, she saw many visions of how it went and was afriad which one came true.
"It was tough but she wants to come by tomorrow, her mom cancelled her tennis practice to give her some time to process things," Pearl said getting up. Sapphire took a breath of relief for it wasn't the worst vision that came true, she was happy to hear it. Still she gazed at Steven's empty bed and her hand covered up her mouth.
Pl-Please excuse me," she cried and ran into her room.
"Saphy!" Ruby called again running after the blue gem.
"Ruby wait please," Pearl said stopping the red gem. Ruby looked at Pearl yet gave a pleading look at the door Sapphire disappeared into.
"How did Greg handle the news?" Pearl asked quickly. She knew how much Ruby and Sapphire hated being seperated and with Steven's death, it seems it was getting worse.
"He got really angry and to keep him safe Amethyst is currently watching him, as for Peridot and Lapis, well Lapis attacked Rose. Yet Garnet and Peridot handle things, still they were both very upset," Ruby told her again glancing at the door.
"Thanks, I will check up on them soon, go to her," Pearl said moving so Ruby could get to Sapphire. Soon her and Rose were alone and Rose trying to cheer everyone up had a great idea.
"Come on Pearl, let's go on a mission just like the good old days," Rose said taking her hand.
"I don't feel like it Rose, I am going to check up on Amethyst and Greg, then later Peridot and Lapis," Pearl told her.
"I am sure they will be fine, within a few days this will blow over," Rose told her. Pearl grinded her teeth trying to stay calm. What was seriously wrong with Rose, did she have no concept on how much Steven's death meant to them?
"I am afriad this is something that won't blow over Rose, each of us is affected differently by Steven's death, it will take longer than a few days," Pearl told her.
"Fine a few weeks, oh I wonder if Greg would like to go to the beach, we enjoyed watching the seagulls," Rose said with a smile.
"Rose don't you care about Steven at all!" Pearl asked getting frustrated.
"Of course I do, he was my son, but it makes no sense to wallow in sadness best enjoy the good times and move on," Rose told her.
"It's not that simple Rose, it took us a long a time to move on when you were gone," Pearl explained.
"Now I am back, so you don't have to be sad," Rose told her placing a hand on her shoulder. Pearl angrily shrugged it off and the tears fell.
"But Steven is never coming back is here? Do you have any idea how sad everyone is? Greg lost his only son, Amethyst, and Peridot lost a member of their shorty squad, Lapis lost her Beach Summer Fun Buddy, Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet lost their cutie pie, I lost my baby, and Connie, poor Connie lost her best friend and maybe um future husband," Pearl said blushing at the last statement. It was no secret that Connie and Steven loved each other and she knew one day they would probably get married but now that would never happen.
"They were in love wow that's pretty cute for how old was Steven again, ten, eight?" asked Rose.
"He was fourteen Rose, you literally been gone for fifteen years, a lot has changed since then," Pearl told her.
"Oh come on Pearl nothing could have changed that much," Rose replied.
"Oh really well you should be happy to know that the cluster has been stopped," Pearl told her.
"The what?" asked Rose looking confused.
"Oh and Steven found Bismuth, and just a few months ago unbubbled her again, and they worked things out, for Bismuth was shown Earth the right way now and is helping us bring back the poor gems that were corrupted," Pearl continued.
"Bismuth, you know about Bismuth?' asked Rose, getting paler.
"And we also know about Pink Pearl, or should I say Lion thanks for telling us that, and that Pink Diamond or should I say Rosa Diamond is back," Pearl told her.
"What she is back? How?" asked Rose.
"Steven and Lars found her, Lars was a human that Steven saved from death and now he has some magical properties but is still human just pink. Steven found out that Yellow Diamond was behind everything, and was shattered now Steven along with the rest of us gems and Lars are ambassadors and the Earth shall be left alone by orders of Rosa Diamond herself," Pearl informed her.
"Steven did all this?" asked Rose sounding impressed.
"That and much more, now on Homeworld gems can be whatever they like Pearls can be warriors, fusion is okay, Bismuths can build buildings weapons or not build at all, lots of changes have happened," Pearl said. "Steven fused with Connie, she was what Sapphire is to Ruby, he fused with Amethyst and stopped Jasper, who was recently healed and is Rosa's sworn body guard and actually a good friend to Steven.
"He fused with a human, impressive," Rose said with stars in her eyes.
"Yes, so you understand how hard losing him is to alot of people and gems, it is going to take more than a few weeks to grieve him," Pearl said wiping the tears away.
"Oh Pearl, I know you are sad but I promise within a few more years I'll give you another baby to love," Rose told her.
"What are you kidding me that is your answer just give us another baby? What are you going to do Rose wait till Greg dies meet another haumn, have him fall in love with you and have a child and then just leave us to clean up the mess, that is not what I want," Pearl told her crossly.
"I was just trying to help," Rose said gently.
"Was that all Steven was to you just an experience to be easily replaced by another one?" asked Pearl.
"Of course not, I just well I have no concept of how long I was gone and as your leader I am trying to help my team," Rose explained a few tears fell from her face.
"Well I am sorry Rose but you are not our leader anymore, you haven't been our leader in a long time, alot has changed and that is one of them," Pearl said about to walk away. Before she could Peridot and Lapis along with Pumpkin came in through the door.
"Pearl good we have to tell you something important," Peridot panted. They both glared at Rose but continued to ignore her.
"What is it Peridot?" Pearl asked looking at her.
Peridot let out a breath and with a serious look said ,"Rosa and Blue Diamond are on their way here to discuss Steven's sudden death, we need to prepare for their arrival". Pearl bit her lip and nodded her head, began to call Greg and hopefully Amethyst will be with him.
to be continued...
Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe or any Characters this story is just for fun.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.