Every soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the little battle he is to fight fits into the larger picture, and how the success of his fighting will influence the battle as a whole. - Bernard Law Montgomery
Our Steven
He was back at the Forge, his stomach was dropping at a rapid pace and his heart was beating literally out of his chest. He turned around before jumping back seeing Bismuth with the Breaking Point strapped to her hand."Don't lie to me! You can't expect me to believe you now, after you lied about everything? You're lying about this new form, just like you lied to the others about ME!" It was happening all over again, she had grabbed his shirt and held him in front of her face. He could feel the heat of the forge around him, he could feel the tightness of his clothes as she held onto him. He clenched his eyes wanting all of this to go way, when he opened them again, he was holding the hilt of his mother's sword. Tears were rolling down his face, "... You shoulda shattered me back then ... At least if I were in pieces, I wouldn't have to know how little I mattered to you ... You didn't even tell 'em ... You bubbled me away and didn't ever tell your friends ... My friends ..." He shook his head and fell down onto his knees letting go of the sword, he didn't want to ever touch it again.
"I'm going to tell them! I'm gonna tell them everything." He whispered repeatedly.
"Heheheheh ... Then you really are better than her." Bismuth had a tear roll down her cheek before she poofs, dropping the weapon, along with her gem.
"Steven ... Steven ..."
He had opened his eyes to find himself lying on the cold ground outside of the barn, he wasn't in the hot forge anymore, but he could still feel the heat from it on his body. His face tight like he was crying once again, but his head was laying on something soft like a cushion an not on the cold ground. Someone ran their hand through his hair taking it out of his bun he had made for it. He couldn't tell who it might have been, "What happened?" He groaned trying to sit up, but was pushed down again. His whole body ached like he was tumbled over and his head was swimming.
"You hit your head pretty hard, Lil'man, I don't suggest you getting up." That voice, it belonged to Amethyst. He turned his head to the side to see her down next to him, her knees were up to her chest. "After you saw Bismuth on Leon, you kind of just stood there and then you freaked out tripping over a rock and hitting your head." That explains why his head was swimming and why there were black spots at the edge of his eyes. He looked to his other side to see Peridot there. He looked better before he was poofed, there was no bags under his eyes and the braces were gone when he opened his mouth to smile down at him. He didn't see any other gems. "The other gems are with Bismuth inside the barn, talking about good old memories. I don't even know who she is."
"She's not a good Gem. At least not in my universe. Back there she was poofed by mom and was hidden away inside Lion's mane. Mom had poofed her because she had made a device where it would instantly shatter gems called The Breaking Point. She had showed me the device back in her forge then tried to shatter me thinking that I was my mom." He got up, his legs were wobbly and he felt like he was going to puke as Lapis and Peridot grabbed both of his arms and steady him. Amethyst was in front of him just incase if he fell forward. "I'm fine . Let's go inside the barn. I need to see her for myself."
He looked at the three gems, they all looked uncertain, but nodded helping him walk back into the barn. There was laughter, and loud talking. There was also music, but Steven didn't know where it was coming from. It all stopped when they walked inside the barn, he hated how the gems all cared more about Bismuth then their own son who had fainted because of her. "And who are these four lovely people?" Bismuth voice ringed through his ears making him cringe and shake. He partly hid behind the other gems, Peridot instantly stepped in front of him protectively, the other two did the same. Bismuth stood in front of them, they were all the same height except of course Amethyst. "New recruits! Welcome aboard, we could always use more gems."
"Don't take a step closer," Peridot let out a low growl and Bismuth took a step back holding her hands up in the air. Just today, Peridot was threatening him, now he is being way over protective. Steven kind of liked it. "I don't know who you are coming out of nowhere on Leon, and thinking you own this place. This is my barn, I do not want you here or near Steven." Rose walked up and stood next to Bismuth the others joined.
"Peridot! I will not have you talk to a fellow Crystal Gem like that. Apologize," snapped Rose, putting a hand on Bismuth's arm. "You do not even know her and you are going to be rude?"
"I do not need to know her, Rose, to know she isn't a good gem, former Crystal gem or not. Do you not find it weird that your son fainted when he seen her? Or that she just came out of nowhere on Leon?" Peridot looked at Bismuth up and down, giving her a dirty look, he looked at the other gems to try and find any sign that they were wondering the same thing. Matthias stepped forward and turned around looking at Bismuth the same way Peridot was.
"Look, Bismuth, I love how you are back and all, but Peridot is right. For once. Where the hell did you come from? It's been almost 6000 years. I'm going to Peridot's side, I'm sorry Rose." Matthias walked over and stood next Steven. Steven was still waiting for the apology from him, but it can wait until after this is done and over with. "Explain please," his voice was soft towards the others. Steven then felt the gems hot breath on his neck. "Look I'm sorry about earlier." Steven just nodded not worried about it at the moment.
Bismuth rubbed her arms, she looked uncomfortable as everyone stared at her. "I woke up in the Strawberry field, there were gem shards and weapons everywhere. I was scared and worried, I didn't know how long I was out. I didn't know where anyone was, I stayed there for what seemed like forever, and then this big guy showed up." Leon walked over to Bismuth and rubbed up against her. "He was Blue and I didn't know who he was. He reminded my of Blue Diamond though ... but he was friendly and he let me on him. I ended up here. Her story was very convincing, he wanted to believe her but what he went through it was hard for him to do. He stepped in between the gems to look at her. They were practically the same height.
"Hi, I'm Steven, I'm Rose's son, but I am not the one from this universe. I am telling you this because your story seems convincing, but I do not believe you, I do not like you." I saw Pearl's look of disapproval and saw her about to say something. "Mama, listen. Back in my universe, my Bismuth was bubbled up by Rose ..."
There was silence and everyone looked at Rose, "She had stayed there for over 5000 years after she went missing from the battle for the Ziggurat, the truth was that, she had made a weapon called the breaking point ... she took it to Rose to see her opinion on it. Bismuth wanted to go to homeworld and shatter the Diamonds, but obviously, Rose couldn't see that happen. They fought to the point of where Rose had to poof Bismuth and bubble her." He took a deep breath.
"That's impossible ... w-why would I ever do that?!" Bismuth voice sounded like it was cracking and Steven felt terrible for not liking her, he just had trust issues, and she could be playing them. Steven then recalled the time where she tried to shatter him, Bismuth really did look like she was about to start crying. She had to wipe her tears as she walked over to him, he flinched when she tried to touch his shoulder. She slowly put it down, "Look, Steven, I-I don't know how I was in your universe, but I promise you, I am nothing like that. I do not believe in shattering gems, I might be very passionate as a Crystal Gem, and Homeworld has done many things, but not to the point of where I want to shatter them." She started to cry again, Rose and Pearl hugged her tightly. She pushed them away and went to grab Steven again, he had let her this time. "Listen to me, it might take time to get use to me, but again, I promise you, I will not hurt you, and I never made such a thing."
"What happened to you in that battle then?" I asked her.
"I was alone, it was dark, I was barely able to see anything. I was tired because I had to fight off multiple gems at once, then a Homeworld General, came out of nowhere. General Citrine, he was huge and I fought a good battle until I was poofed. I am surprised I'm still alive." Bismuth stood up and looked around the barn, and at each of their faces. "Look, I am glad to be back, if you believe me or not, I will not let you down, like I did with the first Gem War. If you said like earlier, that we are going into the second Gem War, then we will need weapons, right? I'll be your blacksmith, if you accept me to be." She said that as she looked at Steven and his group of followers.
He nodded, "I am gonna believe you with this one. My friends seem to believe you as well. I am gonna be weary of you, but I do not hate you." He closed the gap between them to give her a hug. At least they had more people on their side for the war that was ahead of them. Pearl then walked over to the two of them and put a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"It's way past your bedtime, we need to get you home. You need sleep." Steven frowned, he might be seventeen in this universe, but they sure like to treat him like he was way younger. He stuck out his bottom lip in a pout, "Do not give me that look, young man, you need your rest."
"He can stay here, Pearl," Peridot offered, "there is a spare bed in the loft." Pearl narrowed her eyes. Peridot's cheeks went a dark green, "I promise it is clean up there. Do not worry." Steven's eyes lit up Pearl and quickly nodding. She then looked at Rose who had a smile on her face, she nodded along with me. "Then that a go! Come on Steven, lets get you ready for bed." Steven gave Peridot a sideways look, he didn't need him to help him get ready for bed. Lapis pushed on his shoulders and he followed them up to the loft where there was a little room with a bed inside. Why didn't he see that room before when he was up here? "Stay away from her, Steven. I do not like her one bit. I don't believe her story, I just didn't want to be called out by Rose."
That's why they had followed him up here, they wanted to talk to him about Bismuth. He looked over at Lapis and she shook her head, "I don't trust her either, no one, I mean no one, even if they have been gone for such a long time be that comfortable with anyone. Meeting new people so quickly, that was hard for me. Bismuth, she might have known the gems longer than us, but they have changed and I guarantee that she has changed too. She isn't good, so keep an eye out for her."
Steven nodded before telling the two gems goodnight. They joined backed up with the others down on the floor of the barn. He had trouble sleeping that night like always, with the dream he has been having everynight, the scenes changed a bit to see Bismuth trying to shatter him with the breaking point.
Peridot stood outside of the barn, he leaned against the peeling wood, a cigarette was in between his parted lips as he looked towards the east to see the rising sun. The grey in the sky had begun to fade, as color crept from leaf to limb and the light slowly seeps up from beneath the earth's horizon. The sky was strengthened slowly with blue, glazed with hues of orange and red, as the earth slowly revolves. The sun had lifted its head, and the colors shimmered in the light. With the dawn light rosy and pale, as the sun climbs higher in the sky, Peridot had taken a drag of his cigarette to blow the smoke out into the warming air. The new day has been born.
He enjoyed looking at the Earth's sunrise, they had nothing like this back on Homeworld. Homeworld was bleak with barely any color to it, the resources were being sucked dried and the gems were being controlled by dictators, it was lifeless with no happiness on it at all. Just black and white all around the planet, but here on Earth, there were color, life and resources in abundance. He wasn't going to let Homeworld take control of it, even if he died trying to protect his home.
The word home to him rolled nicely off his tongue, Earth was his home now. He had only been on this planet for a couple of years and there was still so much to learn about it. On those two years, Earth had showed him that it was okay to be different, it was okay to be yourself, you want to do something? You do it. Back on Homeworld, a male gem like himself was discriminated, looked down upon, especially an Era II gem. There was barely any of them alive anymore, whenever a male gem would surface they were usually shattered or made slaves by other gems. He had to prove himself to Yellow Diamond that he was capable of the job as a Kindergartner, it was successful until he came down here to see how beautiful everything was. Until he had met Lapis, she was so hard to get, but he had her now, she was his, and he would do anything for her.
Speaking on the devil, Lapis wrapped her arms around Peridot's waist, and lightly kissed his neck. "You're up earlier than normal," her breath fanned his neck, and he leaned back against her. "I notice you left the bed, so I came to check up on you. Are you worried about the War?"
He nodded slightly, "I am, Lapis. No Era II gems ever seen war before. I am not a fighter, either. I am a technician, a kindergarten, a plain old Era II Peridot. I don't know if I am able to do this." She turned him around to grab his face making him look down at her.
"I've seen war, Peridot, and I've seen what you can do, baby, you will do prefect out there. Who cares if you are Era II or not, do you understand me? We will stick through this together." She brought his face down to hers to lock their lips together. That's when they heard a gagging noise, pulling apart they saw the other Crystal Gems, minus Garnet, and Matthew. Matthew was still asleep in his part of the barn, and Garnet probably was out doing something else. She was never around here anymore, Peridot noted that. He should talk to her about that.
The gem that was making the gagging noise was Amethyst as she was laughing walking over to them. "Get a room you two. What are you doing out here in the first place? Isn't a bit early for you two?" Peridot shrugged and grabbed Lapis' hand in his giving her a squeeze. "Oh, um, can you go wake up Matt? We need him out here, Rose wants to discuss something, but without Steven so make sure you don't wake him up."
Peridot walked quietly in the barn, making sure not to wake up Steven to go into the part of the barn where Matthias's room was located. He had a room in the temple, but he had preferred to stay in the barn. Just made things easier. Matthias was sprawled out on his bed naked with only boxer briefs on, as Peridot crawled into the bed and started to spoon him. "Hey Matthias … shh ... do not freak out or you are going to wake Steven up." Peridot whispered in his ear and nibbled a bit on it trying to hold back his laughter. He smirked as Matt's body stiffened and he slowly turned around in his arms.
"What the hell are you freaking doing, Peridot?" He growled out and pushed Peridot off the bed on the ground with an oof. Peridot stood up and held back his laughter, he pointed to the loft and to his lip to silence him, before he made a walking hand signature towards the barn door. Matthias nodded and slowly got up, he bent down to grab his pants and shirt. He could always phase into clothes, but he liked to do it the human way of things. Peridot walked around the bed, and slapped Matthias ass, before running out of the room holding back his laughter. Matthias held back yelling at Peridot, hell do it when he got outside, but when he did he the the others sitting on the ground in a circle. What were they doing? Were they trying to summon Satan?
Matthias sat down next to Peridot who was next to Lapis. Sapphire, Ruby and Amethyst was on his right, while Bismuth, Pearl and Rose were in front of them. "So, what's the dealio?" Peridot asked, "Why come so early? Is it an emergency because you usually don't show up with everybody here if it wasn't?" Matthias yawned, he was tired and he rather be in bed then here.
"Peridot …" Rose said softly, "Quiet, everything will be explained in only a few seconds. Sapphire, can you stand up, please and tell the others what you saw." Sapphire stood up gracefully as everyone watched, her hands were held together in front.
"War is coming … Jasper and the Rubies have reached Homeworld … All you know is I can see different futures, but this one I have chosen to tell you all, I have a feeling will come true." Ruby stood up and grabbed Sapphire's hand, she could tell Sapphire was having a hard time talking about this. Last night, the two of them talked about the possible futures and none of them looked good. "Yellow Diamond is not taking the news lightly, she is sending a ship full of soldier gems … Pink Diamond is doing the same. I saw nothing from Blue though." She stood there letting everyone get the news, Rose and Pearl already heard it, but their faces were still masked in grief. Peridot and Lapis looked at each other nervous, Matthias was staring down at his hands. He was wondering how anyone who loved him, especially Jasper could do this to him. To her and his family.
Amethyst was clenching her fists, she never liked Jasper, and it was all her fault that they now were going to go into war. "What now?" She asked them. What were they supposed to do now? They were short of hands, and a town full of innocent people. She never been to war being born 500 years too late, and now they were trying to take away her home. Earth was all she knew.
"I expect them to be here in less than three days, they might be here earlier or they might take longer to get here. All I know for sure is they are coming back, Jasper included." Sapphire took a glance at Matthias, who just nodded slightly, knowing what he had to do. "I am going to let Rose handle the rest."
"Hold on … why didn't anyone listen to me when I told you not to let Jasper into the Crystal Gems? I told you she was all going to stab you in the back when the times comes to save her own ass. No one likes to listen to me though." Mumbled Peridot, "Whatever, I am ready for whatever is coming."
Rose stood up as Sapphire and Ruby sat down, the usual smile on her face was gone with a frown in its place. She shot peridot a look of uninterest, "If the visions are accurate that means we need to start preparing for what is going to come up next. That means we need to help evacuate the town, start training, and make battle tactics, and communicating devices." The others stood up, their shoulders were heavy on their bodies, and their stress level went up 110%.
"I can work on communication devices." Peridot volunteered, he was pretty good at those things. He was the one who had helped Yellow Diamond when her technology went to shits.
"Peridot, that sounds like a good idea to me. I'll oversee building some weapons just in case. Peri, do you want to go down to the forge with me? It'll be easier there than here." Bismuth said as she stepped forward, "I was the blacksmith for armor and weapons in the first war. I had forged the sword Rose uses with my own very hands." Peridot and Lapis stepped back from her, and Bismuth looked slightly hurt. Peridot felt bad by the way he was treating her, but he wasn't going to right out trust her either.
"Fine … I'll go down to the forge with you. I want to see your skills in person anyway. Rose's sword is very beautiful. When do you want to go?" Peridot squeezed Lapis' hand to walk over to Bismuth, "I am sorry that I have been acting like this since last night. I have trust issues, but you are not to blame. Once I get to know you, I might start warming up." Bismuth took Peridot in her arms and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you so much! I do appreciate you accepting me in your group. You won't regret this Peridot, I promise!" Bismuth was so happy, it made Peridot cringe a bit, he managed to pull away from her. He rubbed his arms up and down as a shiver went down his spine. "We'll go down there as soon as Rose is finished talking."
"Thank you, Bismuth …" Rose smiled softly her way, before the frown came back. "Matthias, my dear, I have an important mission for you, I need to speak to you alone when the meeting is done." Matthias nodded, wondering what it could have been. "Ruby and Sapphire, do you remember where I stuck my light cannons?" Both nodded. "I need you to get them for me, set them up here when you have them. Amethyst you need to go find Garnet get her here, Lapis, I need you and Pearl to go look for other gems around that are willing to help us. I know there should be a couple, bring back whoever you can get. I'll start to figure out a battle plan, once you guys come back we will discuss them together."
"Got it!" They all said in unison, and they departed. Pearl gave a kiss to Rose before her and Lapis left, it was only Matthias and her standing there.
"Take your shirt off, dear." Rose said softly, Matthias knew what was coming. He didn't think she was going to be so blunt about though. He looked around to see if there was any other gems or even Steven looking over here. When there wasn't he took his shirt off, his skin was started to gray and his vines were popping out a dark color on his chest. The once bright pink purple color gem was now looking gray with bits and pieces of color left. "I thought so…" She sighed and motioned him to put back on his shirt. "How long do you think you have left?" She asked him.
"I know how to control the urges, Rose, so awhile. I'll be fine to fight in this battle, please do not think any other way of me." Matt ran his hand through his hair, "Is that all you wanted to discuss with me?" He hated to talk about the subject with Rose, especially when her and Peridot are the only ones who knows. He has been going through it for awhile and it destined in all tourmalines. Some gems may catch it, but he was destined for this to happen.
Rose shook her head, she grabbed his hand into hers. "I need you to take Steven and train him. I do not know any of the skills he possessed. If he is going to be a part of this war, he needs to learn how to be a soldier. Can you do this for me Matthias?" Matt looked down at his hands before looking up at Rose, he nodded.
"I think I can do that, Rose. I don't know how much he will be able to learn in such a short time, but I am ready to teach him everything I know." Matthias held out his hand for her to shake, but instead Rose pulled him into a huge bear hug. He rests his head on her chest and closed his eyes hugging her back, this is what he needed to have someone hold him. They pulled apart, "The sooner I do it, the sooner he will learn. I'll go wake him up now."
"There is no need to wake me up," Matthias and Rose turned to look over at Steven who was standing there in his boxer shorts. He had to use the bathroom when he noticed everybody was gone. When he had walked out of the barn, Matthias was already putting on his shirt. "I am awake, were you two talking about me?" Rose had whispered something in the Tourmaline's ear before jumping out of sight leaving only him and Steven.
"So, what exactly were you and mom talking about?" Steven asked as Matthias got closer to him, he blinked a couple of times trying to get the sleepiness out of his eyes. His arm was grabbed and was pulled into the barn and towards the gem's bedroom. "Uh, Matthias?" He didn't look at him as he made his bed then went over to the corner where there was a box. He started to dig through it, "Dude, at least look at me. You can't pull me into your room and not expect me to be a little creeped o-" Something was thrown at him hard hitting in him in his face making him shut up.
"Put that on," Matt mumbled, he grabbed what was thrown at him to find it was a Gi. Why the hell does he want him to wear this? He quickly changed into the clothes. "Come on let's go." Steven followed him out of the room and out the double barn door. "Look, I don't know how much you know, and we do not have the time to waste going over the basics. Your mother wanted me to teach you and that is what I am going to do."
He watched Matthias as he moved his tunic to the side to reveal the grayish gem that tried to glow a violet pink as best as it could with sparks of electricity. Why did Matthias' gem looked like that? It didn't a few days ago. is hand went to his gem to pull out a basic looking sword, he threw it at him, which he caught it by the hilit. He nodded once in acknowledgement. He then drew out his sword, the one he had used earlier, it was beautiful. As Steven was admiring the sword, he was thrown off guard when Matt was in front of him within seconds, the tip of his sword was under his chin. "Whoa…" He stepped back away from the sword.
"You have a lot to learn, you need to watch your enemy at all costs. Do not ever take your eyes off of me. Even if you are gawking at my sword." Matt snapped and walked over to Steven, he had put his sword back into his gem so he loosened up a bit. "What do you think you are doing? Do not loosen up, I might suddenly attack you. Always be on your guard." He grabbed Steven's arms and forcefully made him stand up straight. He then spread his legs in the right stance, and raised Steven's sword. "This is the position you want to stay in."
The sword in his hands was light weight, unlike his mom's sword. It was a bit weird for him. He stayed in the position he showed him when images of Stevonnie came into my mind. He had always trained with Connie in our fusion form. It just made this whole process weirder for him. "You know … I am always fused with Connie when I am training, so this is going to take some time to get used to." Matt stopped what he was doing to look him in the eyes.
"What do you mean you were always fused with Connie?" He slowly stood up to his full height and looked at him. The look on his face made Steven quiver with fear, "Well go on."
It took a moment to relearn how to form words before he was able to say anything back. "Well, in my universe, I had taken Connie out to the Beach, we started to dance then we fused, which made Stevonnie. And every since then, we have been learning and fighting together. So this is weird. When we are not fused I am her shield and she is my sword." Matt's face was unreadable as he looked at Steven then look away.
"That is unusual. I have never heard of a human and gem fusing before. Maybe it was because you are half human as well. Then again, I do not see how it is even possible. Maybe Connie has some heritage of Gem in her." Connie having Gem heritage in her? Steven wanted to laugh, Connie with gem heritage? Impossible. "Whatever, we are getting off topic. I am going to produce a hologram for you as I am far too skilled for you." Once he said that, his gem lit up and a hologram stood in front of Steven. Before he could even think, the hologram came at him. He moved backwards. Right, left, the hologram struck and he rolled to the side summoning his shield.
The hologram struck and sparks flew as it contacted with his shield. Steven grunted as he tried to push it back, his feet dug into the ground as he was being pushed back. He saw Matt out in the corner of his eye, he had smirk on his face which pissed Steven off. A low growl entered his throat, before turning into a yell as he pushed back the hologram with a large thrust of his shield. He then jumped back as it regained its footing quickly. He came at him, ripping open his tunic and slashing his side, he hissed at the stinging.
It wasn't long when he felt warm liquid run down his skin, but he ignore it as their swords clashed together. He had to ignore the pain if he wanted to defend his city, if he wanted to defend his family and friends. Matt out of the corner of Steven eye walked towards them, his reflexes kicked in and his sword slashed out, and that cost him another slashed against his chest by the hologram. He fell down on his knees holding his chest as blood seeped through my fingers. The cut I knew wasn't deep, but he was just worked up and a bleeder.
Matt had called back the holo before coming over to him. He stood in front of Steven for a second until he got onto his knees. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked him, moving his hand away from the cut on his chest. He moved his hand to take off his shirt, before ripping open Steven's Gi.
Steven winced as he pressed the shirt on his chest wound. "Do you even know what you are doing?" He asked him a little curious. He helped him up, one hand was on his back while the other was on his chest pressing down on the wound. He didn't protest as he leads him back into the barn and sat him down on a hay barrel. He was silent as he grabbed his hand to replace his when he walked away. Steven didn't like how he was giving him the silent treatment out of nowhere. He came back with a first aid kit and knelt in front of him. "Are you going to answer my question?"
"I am." He said softly and removed his hand from the shirt. The shirt had blood soaked into it, looked like it was going to go in the trash after this. He was silent for another couple of minutes as he patched up his chest wound and then the side wound. Once he was done, he looked down at the wound Steven had gave him. "Hm, doesn't look bad enough. I'll just reform later." Another few minutes passed in silence as Matthias took the bandage of Steven's eye. It looked pretty good to the point of not needing it anymore. One everything was done, Matthias threw everything that was ruined away. "And as you can see I do know what I am doing. I have too much free time on my hands, so I went and got training in the medical field. Back in the 30s I decided to leave the group for a while and pursued a career as a nurse. Yeah, it was frowned upon by people, but I did it."
"Wouldn't they question you by the color of your skin? It's blue, dude, and your hair is pink." He moved a bit and winced, he grabbed his shoulder and shook his head. He didn't want him to move, but he kind of wanted to go back out there and practice more.
"Oh yes, but my hair wasn't always pink. At that time, I had brown hair, I just recently chose it to pink. Wait what year is it?" Steven giggled, and he smiled towards him. "I'm kidding it wasn't until the 90's that I reformed to have Pink hair. It matches better with my skin color. The 30s was my favorite decade, they had great fashion sense along with the 20s. Your moms, they loved the 20s it was their favorite decade. Amethyst, she was young back then, but she always preferred the 60s."
"Why did you join back up with the Crystal Gems?" Steven asked him.
"Oh, that's easy. I missed my family too much to stay gone for long." He looked off in the distance, "I remember the moment I came back to the temple, no one was home, they were off on a mission somewhere. So, I waited, it was Winter of 1945 the war of the worlds just ended, Beach City was such a small town then, not much tourism. The snow was thick that winter, and cold, I could have always waited in my room until they came back. But what's fun in that? I am glad that I didn't go into my room anyway."
His voice sounded far from his thoughts almost like he was reliving the past, he could hint a bit of sadness in there as well. He wanted to push him on more, but was that a good idea. His curiosity got the best of me. "Why? What happened?" He smiled softly and chuckled.
"I met someone that I didn't know will be so precious to me." His voice dropped, and he clutched his gem when his face screwed up in agony. He held out his hand stopping Steven from moving as he was about to jump up to see if Matthias was alright. His chest was moving up and down quickly, Steven noticed his hands were graying. His heart was pounding he was getting scared what was going on?
"Matthias!" Amethyst's rough voice yelled and heavy footsteps came running towards them. Steven looked over as tears started to crawl down his cheeks. "What happened?" Amethyst screamed at him, he got up off the hay barrel and stepped back shaking his head. "What were you guys talking about? Matthias, let me see your gem." He backed up so far, he had hit something hard, turning around he looked up to find Garnet.
"Hey, do not cry, Steven, everything is going to be okay. Amethyst didn't mean to yell at you." She ruffled his hair, before taking me into her arms as they watched Amethyst lay Matthias on his back. He still wasn't wearing a shirt, so they could see that his veins were darkening, and his whole body lifted in a spasm. When Amethyst managed to remove Matt's hands, his gem was darker as well. "Amethyst, make him think of something happy. Do not let him fall down that path."
"I'm trying!" Amethyst yelled, she was freaking out and it wasn't helping the situation. He pulled away from Garnet and walked over there, falling on his knees, tears were dripping off his cheeks and onto Matthias. He didn't know what was happening and he felt like it was partially his fault. "Steven, what were you talking to him about?"
"Winter of 1945." He choked out wiping his tears away from his eyes before more started to fall. "Is this my fault? Did I trigger something?" He asked, Matt looked dazed and confused, he wasn't responding to anyone anymore. He wasn't dead, but he was just frozen. He shook him as more tears fell, after a few seconds Garnet pulled me away from Matthias. They turned around to walk out, when a gasp from Amethyst came about. They turned around quickly, and saw the blue gem shot up, he grabbed his head and looked around.
"What happened?" He asked, looking at all of them, then at his gem, which looked way better than before. It was still grayish, but better than what it was. He looked at his hands and his veins were lighter as well. Amethyst looked at Steven then at Matthias, "I have no idea what the hell just happened, but whatever it was, that was scary as shit."
"Steven … did your tears help him?" Amethyst asked in awe.