A/N: Okay, so I couldn't avoid posting this one. I ended up finishing it sooner than I thought I would. However, this one will be the last one before the Steven Bomb (and I probably won't update until Saturday, but we'll see).
In this chapter, we will finally meet the enemy that has been alluded to in previous chapters. My husband and I have been talking about this particular theory (as it is one of our favorites) and I had fun talking with him about what this enemy might be like.
Thank you for the reviews! The part with Lion was probably my favorite part to write (and there is more Chrysoprase to come!).
Feel free to leave a review! I will have another chapter up by Saturday at the soonest!
-FourFaces
The room was silent.
Chrysoprase looked to Steven, a questioning, sad look in her eye. He gulped and started forward.
"Where is she?" She asked, her voice cracking.
Steven knelt in front of her. He could see the hurt in her eye. It wasn't unlike looking at Ruby, when Sapphire had retreated into her gem or Connie when he had been injured.
"She still hasn't regenerated," he started, "But ... I was going to try and talk to her soon, see if I can help her out ..."
She looked at him, tears welling up. She hadn't truly felt tears for centuries. She hadn't truly felt sadness or happiness. It was almost painful, feeling like a true gem after not having been one for so long. She looked about the room. She recognized Pearl, easily. They had only somewhat gotten along in the past. Amethyst had not been found yet when she had been corrupted, so she only remembered her from her time as that ... thing. Peridot was new to her as well, both this gem and the gem type completely. They must have been put into production after the war. She set her eye on Garnet and smirked.
"So, you really figured out a way to stay together forever?" she rasped. "Lucky. You'll have to show me your tricks."
Garnet chuckled, knowingly.
"It's good to have you back," she smiled.
"Can I see her?" Chrysoprase asked Steven.
He nodded and got up to grab Lapis' gem. He cradled it gently in his hands, taking her over to the former monster. Chrysoprase watched him set the gem down in front of her.
"Lapis ..." she whispered, reaching a dark green hand towards her gem. She gently picked the gem up and held her close.
They let her sit with Lapis for a moment, not wanting to intrude on the mourning gem. Connie gently grabbed Steven's hand, reassuring him.
"You did it," she whispered.
"Rose never was able to get through to them," Pearl started. "But you were ... if anyone can save them, you can."
Steven smiled, pride welling up inside of him.
Chrysoprase meekly turned around and looked at Steven.
"Steven?" she asked.
"Yeah?"
"Do ... do you happen to have any Chaaaps? I have the strongest urge to have some ..."
Blue Diamond sat at the bridge, watching the stars whiz past. The ship was traveling as fast as possible, but she worried she wouldn't land in time. An estimate from the Peridot pilot was 14 cycles, but she couldn't be certain. They could run into problems on their way very easily, having to cross out of Gem Controlled space part way through.
"Erm, Blue Diamond," she heard the Larimar scientist stammer behind her. "You still haven't told me my objective on this mission. Why I'm needed ..."
She sighed and turned to face the gem.
"There is a chance that Earth holds the key to winning the war. But to do that, I need my most versatile scientist to help study this potential new ... weapon," she began.
"A weapon? From that lost colony? But ... what could possibly be good about a weapon from there?"
"This could keep us from losing more gem soldiers in this conflict. We could finally focus on peaceful applications for different gem types ... instead of having to worry about keeping up with the enemy."
The Larimar quirked an eyebrow.
"But ... what weapon would possibly work against them that we haven't already thought of?"
Blue Diamond smiled. The Larimar was only 3000 years old. She had only hear whispers of the civil war that nearly destroyed the civilization. She did not know of Rose Quartz, Pink Diamonds, or humans. She only knew that Earth was a lost colony and that it was the fault of gems who had gone native. Gems who no longer cared for their own kind, preferring a creature that barely registered as sentient.
"How much do you know of Rose Quartz?" she asked.
"Not much. Just that she led the rebellion over 5000 years ago and that she is the reason for the current Diamond Authority being what it is now."
"Yes, in a way. She was the last Pink Diamond. They were almost always a quartz, either a Crazy Lace Agate or a Rose Quartz, being best attuned to the perfect conditions for creating new gems as well as having typical quartz strength, great for training new warriors. Rose was one of only two Rose Quartz to ascend to the title. They were a rare quartz anyway. They don't tend to come out of the Kindergartens very often, but when they do, they cause quite a stir. She was no different in that respect ... but she did tend to get a little more involved in the Kindergartens than Pink Diamonds would historically.
"When she was assigned to Earth, reports seemed to be good until something changed. I'm still not sure what, but soon reports of needing to move Kindergartens or having to stall operations kept coming back. When an envoy was sent to discuss this, we learned that she had renounced her title and stopped production completely. The conflict boiled until it became violent. So many gems were shattered and so many rules had been broken, on both sides. It was the first time we found gems who had mastered fusion to a horrifying degree. Instead of fusing with their own type, they were fusing with different gems. This had been spearheaded by one of my former Sapphires and a Ruby. Unlike proper fusions, these were wild and strong ... and most were unstable.
"The conflict had to end when we got reports about several colonies being destroyed by our enemy. We couldn't focus on Earth anymore, but we couldn't let it fall into anyone's hands either. I'm sure you'e heard of the corruption weapons?"
The Larimar nodded. She had heard of them. They were banned now, thankfully.
"We used one on Earth. Corrupted all of Rose's army, save for the few that escaped behind her shield. We left behind so much when we abandoned that colony, including an experimental weapon that had been planted by the former Yellow Diamond. We hadn't heard back from that colony for thousands of years, after a Red Eye never came back. The Lapis Lazuli that had sent us the message telling us that there was no way we could stop Rose's army during the war had also returned and given us news. I'm sure you have heard the rest ..."
Larimar nodded.
"Well, Rose unwittingly created the perfect weapon ... She mated with a human, it seems, and now her offspring bears her gem. He is nearly as powerful and was almost undetectable as a gem. He is accompanied by a female human who is starting to show similar traits. I want to create more of these soldiers, but I need to know how this is all possible. That is why I need you. I need you to study them and find a way to recreate them."
Larimar did not want to back down from a challenge or tell Blue Diamond that there was a chance that any experimentation could lead to disastrous results, but she shuddered, thinking of the implications. A weapon that could possibly wipe out the enemy without them even knowing. It excited and scared her.
The ship shook, jarring the crew out of their seats.
"What was that?" Blue Diamond barked.
"It looks like they've found our ship," the Peridot responded. "They only slightly damaged our shields, but we need to make a decision fast. I can get the weapons ready if you want me to."
Blue Diamond looked at the view screen. The sleek, metal ship of their enemy was zooming to hit them head on. She studied the cylindrical shape of the ship. It was one of the transport ships, she believed. Unable to truly stand up to a gem ship in battle. Even less likely to catch up to them.
She smiled.
Her presence was strong now. Stronger than it had ever been.
She had survived. She had to be out there now.
She almost felt like she had centuries ago, before her imprisonment. Before the corruption.
She could afford to come back out. She hadn't ever taken the chance to change her appearance during regeneration, but she thought about it this time ... At least maybe removing the Diamonds for once.
Homeworld wasn't her home anymore. And really, maybe it never was.
Her home was wherever the dark green gem was. And now, that was Earth.
Chrysoprase had returned to her watch over Lapis' gem after having eaten two bags of Chaaaps by herself. She whispered to the gem, hoping Lapis could hear her.
Steven watched with Connie and gently set a head on her shoulder. She smiled and kissed the top of his head.
"So, did you want to try dream walking again to see if you could reach Lapis?" She asked.
"Yeah, I think I will tonight ... It's funny, Lion had said that love was a foreign emotion to gems, but almost every non-corrupted gem I've met seemed to feel something akin to love for someone else ... Is it really that foreign?"
Connie smiled. "Maybe it's Earth - or being near your gem. You do seem to inspire love in others," she blushed. "Or at least that's how it is for me ..."
Steven laughed. "Who's the schmaltzy one now?" Steven teased before poking Connie in the side, eliciting a squeak in response.
He chuckled and started tickling her sides now, causing her to erupt into laughter and cries of protest. She flopped back onto the bed, Steven following her. She took a few deep breaths and looked into Steven's eyes. He smiled at her and started to lean in for a kiss.
A bright blue glow shone from downstairs, followed by an excited chirp from Chrysoprase. Steven and Connie leaped up and ran down the stairs, Steven calling out to the other gems who had retreated to their rooms.
Connie watched as Lapis gem lifted itself out of Chrysoprase's hands and glowed, the mannequin body appearing before Lapis' familiar form began to appear. Pearl, Amethyst, and Peridot ran out of the door as Lapis' form glowed brighter before revealing herself in her new, diamondless dress. She floated to the ground, eyes still closed, before getting her bearings. As she looked up at Chrysoprase, she smiled, tears welling in her eyes.
"You're back," she smiled.
The two gems rushed to each other, holding each other close. They whispered among each other in a language Steven barely understood. He felt as if he should know it, but the understanding was just out of reach. He turned to Pearl who watched them, tears rimming her eyes.
Connie gently squeezed Steven's hand and smiled at him, confident now that he could heal everyone.
In the Burning Room, Garnet smiled, knowing that the path was clearing up to lead them to a more preferable future. She began to gather bubbled gems to take out for Steven to heal that evening.
That night, as they lay in bed, Steven began to prepare himself to try and talk to more gems in dreams. He felt his breathing start to match Connie's slow and steady breaths. He curled around her tightly, burying his face in her hair. He had healed some Rubies, a Jade, and a Moonstone. He knew that they wouldn't immediately reform, still being in shock from being shattered and then healed. He wanted to try and convince the enemy gems to join their side, but Garnet warned him to tread carefully.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
He repeated the mantra she had taught him as he went deeper and deeper into unconsciousness. He could feel himself get taken on a current towards several voices clamoring out.
Don't be upset by them. Just focus on one.
He felt a pull towards one. A white glow surrounded him as he got closer. He could see her thin form ahead of him. Her white hair was cropped short, her skin a very pale blue. She huddled tight, shaking with anger. A yellow diamond emblazoned the back of her green uniform.
Uh oh.
She turned, saw him and glared.
"Are you here to gloat?"
"No ... I just wanted to talk ... I healed your gem."
"Heh. Just like a Rose Quartz. You're foolish, you know."
"Maybe I am."
"I don't know what you saw in this planet. Why you thought it was alright to betray your kind ... It's no matter. If Yellow Diamond's forces don't return in time, it won't matter for anyone," the gem laughed bitterly.
"What do you mean?"
"You doomed us all. Gems. Humans. All of us. We never should have come back here. Even though we could produce more than enough quartz soldiers here to sustain our army, it would be too late now. They're going to win if we keep focusing on your precious Earth."
"Wha-? Who is going to win?"
The Moonstone squinted at him.
"You really aren't the traitorous Rose Quartz, are you?"
"I'm her son," he started.
"Hmm ... a hybrid. Well, she probably didn't tell you then ... or anyone under her care. She had them all brainwashed, thinking that this was the only planet worth protecting. What was she going to do when they came for Earth? There is enough of a gem presence here to eventually attract them. It was doomed the moment she landed."
"Who are you talking about?" Steven asked, exasperated.
"Not really a who. More of a what," the moonstone smiled. "But you've seen it. I know you have."
She projected an image for him from her gem.
Jaspers, running head on toward an enemy that surged on, almost as one single mind. Their bodies were all the same - sleek, metallic, and moving almost like a liquid. Their faces were stoic. Their form was alien and fluid. Not quite humanoid, not quite animal. The Jaspers ran head long into them, stopping to fire their weapons. The weapons had no effect as the force moved on them. They seemed to almost absorb the hits, growing, surging onward.
"Don't get too close!" A Jasper cried out to another that was just ahead of her.
It was too late. The Jasper turned to run before she was grabbed. A metallic liquid began to cover her, squeezing the life out of her. Her strangled cries echoed as she retreated into her gem, only to disappear.
A new soldier soon appeared in her place. Lifeless expression, metallic body. It joined the surge. The only goal was to assimilate and create more.
Steven awakened with a start, gripping Connie even tighter. He sat up in bed and stared out for a moment.
What were those things? Were those even real?
He started to get out of bed and felt Connie shift. He gently kissed her cheek.
"I'll be right back, love," he whispered, eliciting a sigh from her.
He made his way down the stairs to the Temple Door. He needed answers, but he felt he wouldn't receive any from the other gems. His gem glowed and the door opened. He stepped inside the cloudy pink room of his mother's.
He could create anything he wanted in here and had gotten better at controlling it through the years. He had recreated Connie a few times in his later teen years, mostly to talk out feelings that he didn't want to share with the real Connie yet, as well as different scenarios to train against.
He had a specific purpose however.
"Room. Show me the enemy that the gems were fighting ... before Earth."
The room seemed to pause, the warm, comforting atmosphere seeming to melt away. Some clouds pulled together, forming the metallic entity that Steven had seen. He stared, mystified and horrified, at the creature. There was no soul to it. This was common with objects created in the room, but in this case, it was even more obvious. The creature seemed to be created from liquid metal, its soulless eyes staring at him, glowing bright. It looked at him and changed to mimic his shape, the metallic liquid shifting, studying him. He reached out to touch it and it fell to the ground in a formless blob before reforming its original, vaguely humanoid shape.
"What are you?" He asked. The creature didn't have a response, but he could hear a voice behind him.
"Steven ... I was hoping you would never have to learn this ... We never learned their name but we've had our own name for them ... We were fighting them for so long ..."
He turned to see the image of his mother.
"If you are seeing this ... then I pray that they have not reached Earth ... that they haven't taken you yet ..."
He could see her image slump, sad and resigned.
"Steven ... a long time ago, the gems began a war with a species that we called the Alloys ..."