Hello, guys. Just so you know, I'll try to update the stories mainly on weekends (unless I'm busy on Saturdays) and seldom on weekdays. Anyways, onto the story. I do not own Steven Universe or its characters, ideas, ect. Please, leave a review saying how you want the story to use and maybe some gem characters you may want to see in the story. If it's the latter, give the information to my Dante Watterson or me, but Dante is way better at analyzing and profiling OCs. Speaking of which, the reader named Lexboss has given us a character that we can use which I will be implementing shortly. Now, please read on. And enjoy.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Hubs and Secrets

Soren didn't tell them the plan because there was no need for a plan. The Gem Comm Hub in Asia is based in the summit of Mt. Everest, which right now is in the middle of a huge snowstorm. Homeworld, according to Soren, was not prepared for this type of weather when setting up shop, therefore, they will literally not see the attack coming. So, right now, guerilla warfare is essential to their victory. As such, they are wearing heavy clothing to keep themselves warm that are white to blend in with the environment. No biggie. But the moment the warp pad teleported them to the Himalayas, Steven was hit with a wave of cold and he could see his breath.

He was shivering madly as they went up one of the mountains, yet trying to soldier on. 'I'm a Crystal Gem,' He said in his head. 'I eat snow for breakfast! Just not the yellow snow. Eww…'

They eventually made it to the top of the mountain and saw a giant green disk a few yards away. A militia member came forward with binoculars, looking at the ship. "There appear to be six gems at the outside of the ship," says the voice. "You can use stealth if you need to board the ship."

"The gems and Connie go inside the ship," Soren says. "The militia needs to stay here and alert us if anything happens. We need to partner up. Amethyst is with me, Garnet and Pearl are together and Steven and Connie are together. Let's go." Garnet grabs hold of Steven and Connie and they start sliding down the side of the mountain. Then, without warning, Soren, Amethyst and Garnet jump and start soaring to the other summit. They land with a thud, and Garnet lets them go. They all summon their weapons and look around. Six gems. Soren and Amethyst landed somewhere else. It's just them. Garnet points to the left, then to herself, then to the right. The four then split up, sticking to cover and laying low.

The first gem they see has their back turned to them, with a rifle. He looks at Connie, who responds with a sly grin. Steven knew what they had to do, although the move all depended on an angle. And it would be hard to aim in this weather, but he had to try. He whistled loudly, drawing the attention of the gem. The gem turned around, but did not immediately see Steven. Steven could see that the type of armor the gem was wearing was not the kind that automatically hardens. With this, Connie jumps on the shield and Steven lifts the shield while Connie jumps. The warrior soars at the gem and slashes through the armor. The gem poofs and Steven catches it. "One." Steven says into the radio.

"Two." Soren's voice says back.

"Steven look out," A militia man says on comms. "There's a gem headed your way." Steven looks around, all he could see is snow and mist. Only when he turned around is when he saw a gem soldier holding an SMG. They've been caught. All of a sudden, Garnet's gauntlets appear and snap the gem's neck. The gem poofs, and Garnet catches the gem, then shattering it.

"Three," She says. "Be more careful next time."

"Four and five, baby," Amethyst says over comms. "One left! Woo hoo!"

"There's a soldier running for the ship!" Militia says. Connie face palms and they run for the ship. They get there just in time to see Amethyst throw a soldier to the ground and Soren stab the guard, poofing him. They then celebrate with a high five, Soren actually smiling, which Steven has never seen him do before. Connie wasn't joking about Amethyst being head over heels either. It looks like they're really warming up to each other. Without any thought, they enter the ship and look around. It looks like a cargo bay, holding gem vehicles, weapons and crates.

"We'll create a distraction in a large area in the ship," Pearl says. "You crawl through he vents and…" There was a monstrous sound, and as Steven looked out the cargo bay, he saw half of a mountain collapse. The avalanche afterward was huge, mist and snow flying into the air. "Never mind! Find cover!" Pearl said right as the cold mist of snow entered the ship, leaving Steven's eyes and skin brittle and frosted. Steven summoned his bubble, which instantly went flying across the ship's bay area. After the quick snowstorm, Steven looked around to find himself in with Connie and Soren. He popped the bubble right as alarms went off.

"Whatever is powerful enough to do that much damage is an asset," Soren says. "We need to investigate that disturbance quickly. Militia, we're changing assignments."

"But what about the hub." Steven asks.

"Actually, Soren's right, Steven," Garnet said. "If whatever is down there isn't corrupted, we need it on our side. We need to get to it before the gems do. Oh, don't worry," She smiled at Steven's worried face. "It'll be me, Pearl, Amethyst and Soren."

"Against angry gems with lasers," Steven said, wanting to stay and fight. "We need protection. You need my shield!"

"No shield is needed, I know these ships inside and out," Soren says, finishing the message. "Our reflexes are at peak."

"Nothing goes over your head." Connie mocks, rolling her eyes.

"Nothing does go over my head," Soren said, summoning his weapon. "My reflexes are too sharp. I will dodge it." Steven face palms while Connie shakes her head, silently saying 'idiot' to herself.

"Just go, Steven," Garnet says. "I believe in you." Steven nods and whistles. Lion appears out of a portal and Steven and Connie hop on. Steven commands Lion to take them to the militia site, and they head through a portal, where they see the forty or so militia.

"I need ten of you with me," Connie says, rallying the attention of the others. "The rest of you, stay here and hold back any reinforcements." Ten soldiers step out and they head down the mountain, Lion carefully timing each step so that he doesn't fall. Steven could barely see through the frost and mist, mixed with snow, and the cold of the area was surrounding his face. Connie was equally as cold, hugging Steven's back for warmth. Steven liked the gesture, and he was glad that Connie couldn't see his face, because it had turned scarlet. They got down to the large opening in the mountain and run inside. Thank goodness, they saw no one. But they were surprised to see, once deeper in the mountain, a laboratory that has been scorched.

The place looked like Facet Five, yet bigger and destroyed, burned and shattered. The second Steven entered the mountain, he was hit with a wave of heat that was just weird contrast to the severe cold of the Himalayas. They looked around, seeing shattered gems along the area. Tons of them. "This place is weird," Connie says. "This place. The darkness, the destruction, the gems, the creaking in the background, the scorches. This all so unnerving." They continued walking until they got to a circular platform, blocked off by shattered glass. Below them is a pod area, and a static hologram. This area was the most destroyed, wreckage all over the place. Then it snapped, the gems were experimenting with something. And it got loose.

"There's a gem experiment here," Steven says. "It's still here!" The area echoed and Steven realized that the experiment knew they're here. Oops.

"Good job," Connie mocks. "Militia circle the platform. I want you covering every entrance in the area and the area below us." Steven then heard it: footsteps. Out of nowhere, a huge bang caused the platform to wobble, and fall to the ground. The militia scattered and everyone was on the floor. Steven looked up to see a gem in a turquoise, skin tight jumpsuit, like Pearl's piloting suit. Steven was surprised to see that the one in this outfit was…

"Pearl?"

No, not Pearl. The figure did look like Pearl, slender and tall, practically a carbon copy, but with a few differences. The hair was like Pearl's but it was a bit spikier and colored ocean blue. The skin isn't a minty color, just white, like marble. The eyes are blue, but they look as if they've seen things. Horrible things. A young voice replies "I was a Pearl. Until I became their play thing, their ragdoll. I've killed gems and I won't hesitate to kill you. Did I mention that I am a specially bred gem, containing the special power of ionikinesis."

"What?" Steven asks in consideration of the last word. Connie stares at the Pearl doppelganger in awe.

"Control over plasma." She whispers. A ball of deep purple energy appears, with what looks like lightning surging through it, in the Pearl's hand. She approaches Steven, anger in her eyes.

"No, wait," Steven says, scooting away until his back hits a wall. "Pearl, don't do this!"

"I'm not a pearl," The gem says in anger. "I am Jewel, the evolution of the pearl! And I'm not your slave!" The gem brings her palm back, and throws the two million degree kelvin ball at Steven.

And there you have it! Jewel: Lexboss's creation is introduced. I've had to heavily edit her creation due to the canon in Steven Universe going against everything in her character. So, I've modified it. Sorry Lexboss, really. If it makes you feel better, Soren is Dante Watterson's creation, and I edited it for the story. Sorry, for the wait. I'll tell you what's been keeping me back: school. There. So, have a nice week. Lexboss, I can message you about the character if you want. See you then.

God bless, JPLegends