Chapter Twenty: The Spine
It was a while after Shadow's Gems left this place for their own universe. Azurite got over the "loss" of sorts, Steven was happy with his Cookie Cats, and the Neo Gems were obviously bored.
The Warp Pad activated, and a very beat-up Pink Diamond appeared, but then collapsed. Malachite was behind her and he smiled at Steven, who was sitting on the couch, waiting for someone to come out of their room.
"Hey, what do you think about seeing a brand-new fusion of ours?"
Steven smiled back at him. "Sure!"
The other Gems came out of the Bubble Chamber and grinned when they saw Pink Diamond's gem on the floor.
Malachite returned the grin but then it faded. "That's not the end. Not yet."
Silence followed and his crew looked up at him, fear in their eyes.
The leader simply nodded at the other five Gems, who frowned, drawing their weapons.
"…The Spine." Malachite trembled a bit as he said it.
"But… why now?", Turquoise asked him, visibly shaken.
Steven got up. "What's the Spine?"
"It's a red tower swarming with Corrupted Gems. There are many rooms protruding from the side, making it look like a bloody tower." Malachite answered, gritting his teeth.
Steven's eyes lit up for some reason. "Let's go, then!"
So off they went in the beam of light.
To the Spine.