"A small cup of popcorn," Steven said as she pours some freshly popped popcorn into a measuring cup; proceeding to sprinkle it over a stack of waffles covered in maple syrup.
"A scoop of whipped cream," Nora said as she dips a wooden scooping spoon into the small container of heavy whipped cream; carefully plopping it on the center of the waffles. "And the piece de resistance…"
"Drum roll please," Steven adds in pointing to Jasper and his father, who repeatedly tap their fingers on the kitchen counter; imitating the sound of beating a drum.
[DRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRDRRRD!]
"The strawberry on top." The twins said simultaneously as Nora places the piece of fruit in the center of the cream.
"And that is how you make what Steven and I like to call 'Together Breakfast," Nora rehearsed in a hammy yet intelligent sounding British accent; obviously mimicking Sherlock Holmes.
Steven grabbed his new cellphone from the counter and took a quick snapshot of the breakfast, declaring it photo worthy.
"I have to say, it does look divine," Jasper said as she eyes the meal with desire and tries to unnoticeably reach for the plate.
[SWAP!]
The large Gem retracts her hand after Nora slaps it with her wooden spoon.
"Don't get greedy." The adolescent girl tells the large Gem, pointing the spoon at her face. "We're sharing this with Lapis and Peridot when they get back. Well, more likely with Lapis since Peridot doesn't eat like the rest of us, but I digress."
"After all, we did make this in order to celebrate the both of us unlocking at least one of our own abilities," Steven stated.
"You two are growing up so fast, it makes me feel older than I look." Greg jokes.
"Well, to be honest, I think Lazuli and Dot are going to be more interested in seeing what you two can do now than a gourmet waffle stack. Which, I'll happily take if they don't want it." Jasper says as she once again tries to grab the plate unnoticed.
[SWAP!]
"Stop it," Nora spoke up.
Jasper time folds her arms, having a pouty look of a disappointed child on her face.
"Oh, don't be like that, Jasper; you just have to wait for the others to return," Greg reassures her.
[VWROPSHIIIING!]
"Huh, speak of the devil," Nora said as the cyan light from the warp pad returns Lapis and Peridot to the beach house. "Hey guys, we made some 'Together Break… fast."
The blue and green Gems stepped off the warp pad on to the wooden floor; grave concern was plastered over both of their faces. In Peridot's robotic hands was a green bubble filled with slivers varying colors, size and shape.
"What happened?" Jasper asked as she and the twins walk over to the two anxious-looking Gems.
"Lazuli and I were investigating an area for Gem Monster activity; see if there were any we could poof," Peridot explains. "When we then heard a howl, like an animal in pain. We followed the source of the sound and stumbled upon… these." Peridot said lastly as she looked down at the bubble.
Jasper's, Greg's, Steven's and Nora's eyes all widened in shock upon realizing what is in the bubble. "Are… are those… shards?" The latter asked with a slight tremble in her voice.
Lapis and Peridot remained silent, scared to acknowledge the girl's question. But their refusal to answer told group her guess was right.
"What happened to it?" Steven asked.
"We think the poor thing got into a fight." Peridot proposes.
"It's not uncommon for Gem Monsters to fight each; but there has never been a shattering before," Jasper stated, stepping in front of the kids.
"And that's what we're concerned about," Lapis says in a tone that matched her concern.
"What do you mean?" Steven asked the lead Gem.
Peridot taps the top of the bubble, transporting it away before extending her mechanical hand out; every finger excluding her index arrange themselves into a rhombus shaped outline, with a green colored, hard-light screen in the center. On the monitor were scientific reports surrounding the shards; ranging from varying charts and equations, both scientific and mathematics. "I had my limb enhancers computer run every plausible and hypothetical scenario on what could've happened to the Gem; yet, the results are the same now as the last few times I ran it. She was shattered by a Gem weapon; one I am unfamiliar with."
"But that shouldn't be possible." Jasper states. "The only Gems on the planet are all in this room."
"It could be there is a new Gem on the Earth who has either arrived recently or has been hiding under our noses all this time," Peridot said; rubbing her chin with intrigue at the possibility.
"And if that's the case, we should find ourselves a laboratory; any information Peridot hasn't already collected should be available there." Lapis states.
"Laboratory?" Steven and Nora said to themselves simultaneously.
"I Can't say I'm thrilled to see one of those again." Jasper states. "But if something or someone is shattering Gem Monsters; I say it's worth a shot."
"I know the location to a pretty efficient in the Prime Kindergarten. We could start our search there and see what comes up." Lapis states.
Steven and Nora looked at each other for a moment; not really comprehending everything that is currently being said by the Gems.
"Well, a laboratory doesn't have to be our sole source. Conceivably, I could examine the shards and see what comes up?" Peridot suggests to the team leader.
"That'll take too long; the more time we waste the higher the chance of more Gem Monsters getting shattered. We're heading to the laboratory."
"Alright then, let's do it," Jasper says in agreement as she follows Lapis and Peridot onto the warp pad. Before she steps on the crystalline teleporter the Quartz turns around to Steven and Nora. "Well, are you two coming?
"Really?" The siblings said at the same time with equal amounts of eagerness.
"What!" Peridot exclaims. "They can't come along, it'll be too risky."
"I think they can handle themselves." Jasper proudly says. "Nora can create ice and see the future, and Steven can…" Jasper pauses and glances at the boy. "Well, show them, kid."
Steven smiles as he closes his eyes and sticks his hands out. The ruby gemstone in his palm glows a brilliant red as gauntlets appear over both of his hands. "Ta-da."
Lapis and Peridot's jaws drop at what they just saw; it was a mixture of both shock and pride. Lapis takes a moment to regain her composure and looks at the kids. "Okay, if the two of you promise to stay close to us and do what I say, you can come along."
"That's fair." "Alright." The twins said at the same time as the rush over to and step on the warp pad.
"Lapis, are you sure this is a good idea?" Peridot whispers.
"We all knew this day was going to come, Peridot. I think they deserve a chance to show they can handle themselves." Lapis whispers back, before turning back to the kids in her normal voice. "Are you two ready?"
"As ready as we'll ever be," Nora stated.
"Good luck you guys." Greg wishes his family.
"We'll be back soon." Steven confidently assures his father.
"Well, off we go." Lapis said as the five of them were consumed by the warp pads bright blue light.
[VWROPSHIIIING!]
As the teleporting light disappeared, the Crystal Gems all found themselves in the middle of a massive canyon. It was gloomy, old looking, and eerie; the walls were plagued with people-shaped holes and weird looking devices. As well as no sign of any plants or animals.
Peridot was looking around to make sure the area was safe for the twins, while Jasper and Lapis had no visible reaction but remained vigilant.
"Well, this looks friendly; wouldn't you agree, Nora?" Steven sarcastically asked as he turned to his sister, who looked as if she was just in the vicinity of throwing up.
"Ugh." The only sound Nora groans as she tries keeping her balance.
"Sorry, I forgot to mention that can happen with the warp pad." Steven bashfully apologizes as he holds his sister steady. "Are you okay?"
Nora quickly shakes her head before regaining her balance. "I'm okay now, it just took me by surprise."
"At least you didn't throw up," Jasper adds in with a small chuckle.
"Jasper." Steven whimpers with embarrassment.
"If the three of you are done making jokes about the human digestive system, can we please get a move on. The sooner we get what we need from the lab, the better." Peridot said in what sounded like an impatient tone. One that accumulated the surprised attention of Jasper and the twins.
"Though the tone was unneeded." Lapis started. "Peridot's right, we should get searching." Lapis summons her water wing and levitates ahead of the group. "Stay close and follow me."
With affirming nods, the Crystal Gems hopped off the warp pad and followed their leader through the gray landscape.
"Hey, Peridot," Nora spoke up to the lime-green Gem after a dozen minutes of marching; keeping up with the group at her pace.
"Yes, Nora."
"What exactly are laboratories? I know Earth has them; they're scientific workshops; but are they different for Gems than they are for humans?"
"Sort of…" Peridot starts, with slight unease in her tone. "Laboratories serve as a research center for technology, weapons and overall advances in Gem science which would be conducted by Gems like me; there are a bunch of them scattered around the planet, all built for the same purpose. However, it would also serve as what you would call a boot camp for soldier Gems like Jasper; the scientists and trainers there would evaluate if the soldiers are combat ready and willing fight when called upon."
"Plus, we'd get to test out all the shiny, new toys the nerds whip up." Jasper casually said with a slightly nostalgic tone. "Ah, I missed those days when you could shoot a plasma cannon at a mountain and see the hole you made from a distance."
"You trained at a laboratory, Jasper?" Steven asks the orange Quartz.
"I've been trained in one ever since I came into this world; long before I met Garnet. How do you think I became the Gem I am today?" Jasper bragged, flexing her muscles.
"I assumed it was by punching first and asking questions later," Nora answered in a joking tone.
Jasper's eyes widened with surprise as she turned to Half-Gem. "Do my ears deceive me or did I just hear you make a joke?"
"I do have a sense of humor, Jasper," Nora said in a tone of obviousness.
"Well, it's a good one," Jasper responded with a smile.
"Everyone stop, we're here." Lapis orders as she plants her feet back on the ground; stopping a few yards away from a enormous, derelict drill like the ones they passed before.
"Where is it?" Steven asked as he looked around.
"I don't see anything that would look like a laboratory," Nora added in, looking around as well.
Without saying a word, Lapis summons two large, water arms from her gemstone and clasps one end of the drill with them. "Jasper, help me lift the injector."
The orange Quartz ran over to her leader and gripped the other end with her bare hands. With their combined strengths; they lifted the injector, as Lapis called it, off the ground and carefully tossed it aside and a metallic door is revealed behind the drill; embedded into the canyon wall.
"How did you know it was there?" Nora asked Lapis.
"Your mother and I placed the injector to hide the entrance in case any human accidentally discovered it if they wandered into the kindergarten," Lazuli explains.
"Why does this feel familiar?" Jasper asks as she looks around the area.
"I don't know," Peridot said in a low tone Jasper didn't notice as she walked towards the main door.
"This place is giving me some déjà vu. Nah, it couldn't be."
"Couldn't be what?" Nora asks the large Gem.
"Well, a long time ago, before I met Garnet, there had been a laboratory I was temporarily trained at before being transferred to another; I believe it was run by a peridot if I'm not mistaken. Then sometime later, the soldiers and other personnel of the lab just disappeared without a trace; no one could find them anywhere, they just vanished into thin air."
"Creepy." Steven quietly added with a chill running down his spine.
"Yep, this place gives off a creepy vibe; kind of matching the story. My memory isn't that good since I wasn't stationed there that long, but this place does remind me of it. I wonder…"
[SCHUULIK!]
"I got the door open, let's get a move on," Peridot tells the group as she waits by the now opened entrance.
"Nice work, Dot," Jasper said gratefully, but Peridot just ignores the thanks.
"Let's head inside and get what we came for." Lapis orders as she leads the others.
Through the entrance was a metallic staircase that looked like it went down forever into the compounds dark interior. "That's a long way down." 'long way down.' 'down.' Steven's voice echoed against the walls. "I can barely see anything." 'barely see anything.' 'anything.'
"Alright, stay close and we'll make it through," Jasper ordered the kids with a whisper; preventing an echo.
"But how; it's pitch black as far as I can tell?" Nora asked quietly in response to Jasper's order.
With a self-assured smile, Jasper tapped her gemstone; causing it to glow brightly and project an orange light forward. Peridot did the same thing with her gemstone, but instead, it was a green light.
"I didn't know you could do that." 'you could do that.' 'do that.' The siblings say at the same time; louder than they meant to.
"It's a useful little trick," Lapis stated quietly. "We'll show you how to do it too; not now of course, but later. Like Jasper said, stay close."
The team huddles together and descend the staircase, their footsteps echoing from the clanking metal.
[CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.]
[CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.]
After what felt like infinite steps, the Crystal Gems finally made it to the laboratories main compound. Saying the inside of the was eerie is an understatement; the entire interior of the laboratory looked like one of those labs in horror movie, the one where the experiment went completely wrong. The inside was a lot roomier than it appeared on the outside; there was enough space to fit a small town's worth of people. Nora and Steven gulped together as they made their way through the room, staying close to the Gems.
"We've seen enough of Sadie's B-Grade horror movies to know what may or may not happen next." Steven nervously said to his sister.
"I know right, this place gives me the creeps." Nora nodded in agreement.
"The central control panel is at the end of the room; I'll get to work on the download." Peridot quickly said as she walked ahead of the group.
"Okay, I'm now convinced my déjà vu wasn't a coincidence." Jasper began as she and the rest of the Gems looked around the area.
"Why is that?" Lapis asked.
"The interior of each lab is distinctive, and while I may not remember everything else, I do remember this interior."
"And?"
"It's probably nothing, but it just might help put an old mystery to rest."
"I'm beginning the download now," Peridot informs the group.
"Hey, Peridot," Jasper shouted at the tech-savvy Gem.
"What? I'm busy." Peridot answered back in an annoyed tone from afar; the luminescence from her green, hard-light pad illuminating her corner of the room.
"After you find what we need, could you do a search for the peridot that used to run this place; I believe her designation was Facet – 2F5L Cut – 5XG."
A moment of silence passed after Jasper asked her request.
"Did you hear me?"
"Y… yeah, I heard you," Peridot answered; sounding slightly nervous. "My Limb Enhancers are downloading everything off the terminal after it's finished I can filter out the information we need and don't need; then I'll see what I can bring up for you! The sooner we get what we came for, the sooner we never have to see this place again."
Nora's head turns to Peridot upon hearing the word "again." There was something about the way she said it that grabbed her attention.
"How long do you think the download will take?" Lapis asked loudly.
"This is a worn-out piece of equipment, so who knows; it could be a minute, or an hour or two; I suggest you all find something to keep yourselves busy." Peridot explained.
A half hour goes by as the download reaches its sixth-tenth mark. Jasper leaned against the wall, tapping her foot on the floor while she waited; keeping watch for any dangers. Lapis sat and waited, keeping a close eye on the siblings. Nora closed her eyes and pretended to hold an invisible ball in her hand; trying to form ice from the water in the air, while Steven practiced summoning his gauntlets.
"So, Dot, what's your take on what happened to this laboratory?" Jasper asks the green Gem while they continue waiting.
"I don't care," Peridot responded.
"You think there might've been a weapons test gone wrong or something?"
"Again, I don't care."
"Come on, there has to be thought it that genius mind of yours about…"
"I said I don't care what happened to the stupid lab!" Peridot snapped at Jasper, much to the group's surprise.
Peridot turned away with embarrassment as she continued her work. "I'm sorry… I just… want to leave this place."
"Okay, but why?" Jasper asked with both seriousness and concern, standing herself up. "You've been acting differently, we all notice it; so, what is your problem with this place, why is it bothering you so much?"
"Nothing is bothering me! Why do you think something is bothering me?" Peridot answered defensively quick, unknowingly insisting there is a problem.
"Because… you're never on edge like this." Lapis added in with concern. "We just want to help you."
"Well, I don't need your help..."
[BEEDEEP.]
The sound from Peridot's Limb Enhancers went off, signaling the download completed. "Finally, it is done," Peridot says as she deactivates her hard-light pad. "Now let's get out of here."
"This conversation isn't over, Peridot," Jasper said sternly, blocking the smaller Gem; Jasper would only use Peridot's full name if she was serious.
"No, I think this conversation is over, Jasper." Peridot harshly responded.
"Please don't fight you two." Steven intervened.
"We won't have to unless she tells us what's going on," Jasper said, glaring sharply at Peridot.
"And I said, I don't have anything to…"
"Quiet you two." Lapis orders, silencing the bickering Gems. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what…" Nora starts.
"Shh… Just listen."
[CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.]
"It sounds like… crawling." Steven whispered, quietly praying to himself it's not another giant bug; while the Crystal Gems stand guarding Nora and Steven, preparing for a fight of some sort.
[CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.] [CLASTEP.]
The sound grew louder and faster; every second with every step.
[GGRRRREEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRG!]
A loud, pain-filled growl is heard echoing throughout the room. The Gems slowly looked up as they realized the source of the sound was originating from above.
[GGGRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRGG!]
The sound grew louder as a large body fell from the roof of the compound; landing right in front of the Gems, startling them. It was a multicolored creature with five arms attached to one body, and a tail with multiple legs and feet attached to it; mimicking a millipede. Its entire body was wrapped around in gray, cloth-like bandages like a mummy.
[GGGGRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRGGG!]
The Crystal Gems all gasped simultaneously, shockingly disturbed by the being. "N… No…" Peridot quietly said to herself, shakiness in her tone as she stood paralyzed with fear.
"Wh… What is that thing?" Jasper said with definite unease; whatever it was, they all knew it wasn't a Gem Monster.
[GGGGRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRGGG!]
The creature growled louder as more of them dropped from the ceiling; multiple bodies of conjoined arms with teeth, several figures that were just legs and feet, and a giant mass of disfigured muscle. All of them growling in the same manner as the first one.
[GGGGRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRGGG!]
The mas of muscle charged the group on all fours like a feral animal; without thinking, Nora thrusts her hands forward in a defensive manner, successfully creating a wall of ice in front of her; stopping the creature in its tracks.
"Whatever they are, they're not friendly," Nora stated aloud as the creature bangs on the ice with its large fist.
"Now I wished it was a bug." Steven grouses. "How did they even get in?"
"It doesn't matter how they got in, we have to take care of them now." Lapis orders as she summons her water wings. "Let's take them out."
The muscular brute breaks through the ice wall and charges forward again. In quick response, Jasper summons her helmet and charges at the moving mass of muscle like an out-of-control steer. As soon as he was close enough, the charging Quartz wrapped her arms around the creature's waist and carried with her until she inevitably hit a wall; leaving a huge, body-sized dent.
Lapis twirls her arms and hands in a mystical manner as she gathers water from the atmosphere; creating and thrusting a small water lance at several of the arm creatures; piercing right through all of them.
[KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!]
As soon as the smoke cleared; Lapis could see, much to her horror, that these creatures had gemstones.
"Guys, these things are Gems," Lapis informs them, unable to believe it herself as she called her water-based weapon back to her.
"What!" The twins said simultaneously with similar disbelief.
Jasper turns her head to the lead Gem with a shocked expression as she kept her enemy pinned on the wall. "Are you serious Lazuli?"
"I'm not sure either, but these are definitely Gems. But who would do something like this." Lapis quietly adds at last.
Steven summons his gauntlets and stares down a group of leg Gem creatures running towards him. Steven enters an offensive stance and takes some deep breaths to calm himself. Steven throws his first punch at the lead creature, dispersing its physical form upon contact, and continued to throw more punches at the assaulting creatures.
[KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!] [KAPOOOOF!]
[GGGGRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRGGG!]
The large, five-armed creature growls as it crawled over to a still unmoving Peridot. The Gem creature snarled again, this time trying to utter actual words towards the green Gem; one of which sounded like "you."
"Peridot, what are you doing?" Steven shouts to the motionless Gem as the creature was within arms reach of her.
"I… I'm sorry." Peridot quietly uttered as four of the five arms pick Peridot off the ground. "I… didn't want this… I didn't want this…" The green Gem choked with tears in her eyes as the creature tries to rip her apart.
[GGGGRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRGGG!]
"Peridot!" Steven shouted as he charged the monster, punching it with enough force to make it release Peridot.
Before the Gem creature could recover, it was pierced by a enormous pike of ice from Nora; poofing them instantly.
"Thanks, sis." Steven expressed gratitude to his sister.
"No problem, brother," Nora answered back before they both turned their attention to a still traumatized Peridot; deeply worried for her.
Jasper and Lapis finish poofing the last of the Gems creatures and rush back to Peridot and the twins. "Peridot, what happened?" Jasper asks the green Gem. "Why didn't you do anything?"
"It's my fault… it's all my fault…" Peridot started with tears pouring harder.
"What are you talking about?" Lapis asked trying to place her hand on her friend shoulder.
"I… created them…" Peridot told the group, much to all their surprise.
"What?" Jasper questioned, unable to believe what she just heard.
"You wanted to know who Facet – 2F5L Cut – 5XG was, right Jasper?" Peridot looked up at the orange Quartz with a regretful expression on her face.
The thoughts in Jasper's head clicked, and her eyes widened with a shocking realization of what the green Gem meant. "You're... her."
Before anyone else could say anything, Peridot disconnects her body from her Limb Enhancers. "The rest of the answers you want are in my Limb Enhancers… I'm sorry." Without uttering another word, Peridot tearfully ran past the group to the entranceway.
"Peridot, wait!" Lapis reached her arm out in concern to stop the green Gem, who already started climbing up the steps.
[CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.]
Without a second thought, Steven and Nora ran after their guardian. "We'll be careful!" Nora shouts to Lapis and Jasper before they could say anything, as the twins ran up the steps.
[CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.] [CLANK.]