"Can't you see it in our eyes? We're the one, we're the one, two, three, four," Steven sang as he played his ukulele, all the while
watching the waves lap at the shore, the setting sun casting a beautiful picture on the ocean horizon. Yesterday, the Gems had sworn
to start taking time off and the boy was relieved. "We're not like the others guys, we're not like anybody."
"Steven!"
Steven turned to see Connie rushing towards him.
"Connie!" The two friends ran and gave each other a huge hug. "I haven't seen you in days."
"I've been at school," she explained, "my folks said if I want to keep doing missions, I have to keep my grades up."
"That seems fair."
"Yeah, but Id much rather be sharpening my sword than sharpening pencils." The two shared a laugh. "So, how have things been
going with you?"
Steven told her all about the Gems and what had happened, his happy demeanor slowly decreasing as he did so. Connie, in turn,
grew horrified by the tale.
"They all collapsed on you?" She gasped, "Even Garnet?"
Steven nodded, "I don't think I'd ever seen them so tired." He gulped. "If I hadn't been there to catch the bubble, the monster could
have gotten loose and-"
"Steven, don't think like that," Connie said, "What matters is that you were there and you did manage to catch it. Plus, you managed
to get them to see the error of their ways. You know how easy I wish it could have been with me and Mom?"
Steven gave her a smile. "I guess you're right." He got to his feet. "Come on, we can watch some Dogcopter."
They turned to head back to his house, only to hear a loud thud and what sounded like a roar coming from that direction. They both
took off running for the house.
In front of the house were the Gems, fighting a jet-black scorpion the size of a baby elephant. The three circled it, trying to find a
weak point while it stabbed at them with its stinger.
Pearl turned to him. "It's armor is too strong! We can't-whoa!" She barely had time to parry the stinger with her spear.
Garnet leaped forward, punching the scorpion in the face twice, but it merely shrugged them off and stabbed at her. She leaned back,
the stinger barely missing her face. It reared its tail back for another attack, but Amethyst wrapped her whip around it, holding it
back.
"I've got it!" She cried. "Get 'em, guys!"
Garnet leaped back, grabbed the tail, and, with a huge burst of strength, pulled it back, forcing the scorpion onto its hind legs,
revealing its soft underbelly. "Pearl, now!"
With a twirl, Pearl plunged her spear into the belly, instantly poofing the beast.
"Whoo-Hoo!" Amethyst cried as Garnet picked up and bubbled the Gem. "Another victory for the C-Gems!"
"No, no, no!" Steven cried, grabbing their attention. "You guys promised you'd take today off!"
"We did, Steven," Pearl said, vanishing her spear. "We spent the whole morning cleaning the Temple."
"Then we fought a giant lizard!" Amethyst piped up, earning her a slap from Garnet. "And a huge Venus flytrap!"
Steven looked shocked.
"Steven, you know we can't just sit around while monsters run amuck," Pearl said.
"That's not the point!" Steven cried. "How-how would you feel if I did missions without telling you?!"
The Gems paused in surprise.
"I know you hate the idea," Steven angrily argued, "but if it's for the good of mankind, then who cares about safety?!"
"Steven!" Connie grabbed the boy and turned him to look at her. "Please." He could see worry in her face, which was enough to calm
him down.
"Come on," Garnet said. "Let's get inside."
As the group walked to the house, Steven looked up at the Gem leader. "Garnet, your cheek."
Garnet ignored the little cut mark on her cheek. Apparently, the stinger hadn't completely missed her.