They had suffered a devastating loss. So many lives were lost, and several had been captured by Jasper's men. They had withdrawn with their tails between their legs. It was degrading and overwhelmingly tragic. The hardest part was telling the spouses, parents, and children, that their family would never return. A thick cloud of grief hung over their hideaway. Everyone was somber; comforting the desolate and healing the injured. It was a dark day for their camp. One that would never be forgotten for years to come.

Peridot laid in her bed, exhausted, and watched the stars peeking through the crack of the rocks. Beyond her space, she could hear the muffled voices and cries of her fellow humans. It had been two days since the battle, and they were recovering as best as they could. Pearl was running around, tending to the injured with Sapphire. On her wife's request, Ruby had retreated into an isolated area to work through her rage. It was her plan, after all, that had caused this devastation. Amethyst was trying to lift their spirits, but no one wanted to feel happy. They wanted to grieve. They wanted to be angry. Like Pearl and Sapphire, Peridot had been busy trying to repair the little bit of technology they had at their disposal. This included the security system that protected their fort. An extra precaution if any of Jasper's Army had decided to follow them. Peridot would have kept working if it wasn't for Amethyst insisting that she got some rest. She wanted to keep herself busy. If she was still, even a moment, her thoughts drifted back to the forest. Peridot cautiously closed her eyes. She dreamt of blue hair and blue eyes. She saw blood smeared on tan skin.

Peridot jerked awake. Damnit! She needed to talk to Sapphire. She was always so levelheaded. Maybe she could help her sort through what was feeling. Quickly, Peridot jumped out of bed and crept out of her room. It wasn't really a room. It was a crevice carved into the stone with a large piece of fabric as a door. It wasn't much, but it was hers. She was lucky to have a room to herself. Not everyone had the luxury of having their own space. Peridot just couldn't stand people touching her things, and she fought hard for her privacy.

"Hey, Saph," Peridot greeted, stepping into the makeshift infirmary. Sapphire was kneeling next to a young man, redressing his leg. Her light blue hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, and her bangs covered her eyes. Her clothes were stained with blood and other bodily fluids. She looked tired and defeated.

"Hi, Peridot." Sapphire's soft voice was filled with sadness. Peridot sat next to her, watching silently as Sapphire worked on the young man. He was in a restless sleep. His chest rose and fell with labored breathing. The pain was imprinted on his features as he moaned. Beads of sweet rested on his forehead and the top of his lips. Peridot's heart sunk at the sight of his suffering. Maybe this wasn't the best time. It seemed so trivial. And what would they think of what she did? Peridot was having a hard time coming to terms with it. "Did you come here to tell me something?"

"Uh, yeah. I…I saved the Water Witch the other day." Sapphire froze for a moment. It seemed like she was trying to carefully select her words. Peridot fidgeted nervously. She didn't mean to blurt that out so casually. The Water Witch was one of Jasper's companions. She had destroyed Peridot's home and countless others. Out of all the elemental nymphs in Jasper's ploy, the Water Witch was seen a lot more and done the most damage.

"How did you come in contact with the Water Witch?"

"That's all you have to say?!" Peridot's voice rose a few octaves. Sapphire harshly glared at her. Peridot winced, looking down at the young man. He was still asleep. She muttered an apology.

"Just tell me what happened, Peridot," Sapphire coaxed, unwrapping the cloth around his arm. Underneath, his flesh was severely burnt.

"I was heading back, and I saw this blue haired girl wondering through the forest. I thought she was some random river nymph. So, I followed her. She was sitting by a creek when a bomb went off. It caused a tree to fall, and it almost fell on her." Peridot spoke with arms and hands. She imitated the falling of the tree with grand gestures. "I pushed her out of the way. I didn't know it was her. I never saw the Witch up close. Anyway, I was asking what she was doing near the fight when I heard her."

"Jasper," Sapphire clarified. Peridot nodded. She could still hear the Titan's venomous voice calling out in the woods.

"The witch…she told me to hide. She was scared. Absolutely terrified!"

"Peri, your volume."

"Sorry. Anyway, I hide. I was too freaked out to make a run for it. Then Jasper came. She was pissed! And she grabbed the Witch by her throat and threw her into a tree!"

"Peridot! Please keep your voice down," Sapphire warned again. She looked down at her patient. He shifted in his sleep but didn't wake.

"Sorry, sorry. Jasper threw her into a tree then slammed her into it. Twice. I heard her say…I heard her say something about the witch's home. Something like if she wanted to go home she shouldn't disobey her. And if she did, she would do something…bad. It was hard to hear exactly. Then, she threw her to the side and told her to come. The Witch could barely stand! When she didn't get up, Jasper grabbed her…"

"PERIDOT! Your voice!" Sapphire hissed softly.

"I'M SORRY," Peridot shouted then recoiled back. Damnit! She had gotten too worked up. Again. She was always being warned about getting overexcited. Underneath her bangs, Sapphire glared angrily at Peridot with her one good eye. Peridot apologized, making sure to keep her voice down.

"And this is bothering you?"

"Yes! I felt bad…for the witch. And I hate that I felt sorry for her." The tension that had been building up in Peridot released from her chest. It had been bothering her for the last two days. She shouldn't be feeling sorry for the Witch. She was a murderer. Peridot lost her home and family because of her. She couldn't sympathize with her. Could she?

"Why did you feel bad?"

"Because…because…she saved me. If Jasper had seen me, I would have been dead. And…it seemed like…like…"

"She was a victim."

"Yes. No. I don't know." Peridot cradled her head in her hands. This was all too confusing for her. She hated this girl. For years, she imagined her dying or suffering. Anything to make her feel the misery that Peridot and thousands had endured. Yet, she was sorry for her. The way that Jasper treated her. She was suffering. Peridot should be delighted, but it seemed like Jasper had something over the Witch. The Witch…Lapis. Lapis Lazuli. She remembered Jasper saying her name.

"Hmm. It seems there is more to the Jasper and the Water Witch than we thought," Sapphire said thoughtfully. "It seems Jasper has something over the Witch…"

"Lapis," Peridot interrupted.

"What?"

"Her name. It is Lapis. Lapis Lazuli."

"It seems Lapis isn't a willing follower of Jasper's."

"It doesn't matter if she was willing or not. She has killed hundreds of thousands of humans!"

"I am not excusing what she has done, Peridot. But…it apparently bothers you. What you saw, it provoked some emotions in you. It's because you have seen one of the enemies in a vulnerable state. She is being abused. She isn't in control like you believed. It makes you question your previous judgment about her. Is she evil or is she being manipulated and bullied? Your perception of her has changed. But, this doesn't forgive what she is done. So, you conflict between feeling sorry for her and hating her. Am I right?"

"Something like that…"

"That's normal. You are human, Peridot." Strangely, Peridot felt better but not completely. Her mind still thought about Lapis. She could still see her tiny body being tossed around like a ragdoll. Peridot wondered if Jasper continued her punishment after they left. She shuddered to think what sort of abuse Jasper would inflict. She couldn't imagine being in that position. Tormented, abused, and Gods know what else. Lapis must feel completely helpless. So what, a harsher voice perked up. She deserves it! Did she really? Would she be killing humans if it wasn't for Jasper? Wasn't she in this position because of Jasper? No excuse.

"STEVEN!" A frantic cry broke through Peridot's thoughts. Pearl came barreling into the room. Her eyes were wide with panic. She was sweating and her typically perfect pink hair was a mess around her face. She looked between Sapphire and Peridot. "Peridot! Have you seen Steven?" "Not since the battle." "I can't find Steven anywhere!" Peridot shrugged. The last time she saw Steven was right before she found Lapis.

"He…he…" The young man was awake. His eyes weren't open. His features were drawn tight in pain. Pearl fell to her knees beside him.

"Where is he, Lars? Where is Steven?"

"He was captured. One of Jasper's men…they got him."

"WHAT!?" Pearl shrieked and vaulted to her feet. She looked like she could finish Lars. Oh, shit. Peridot bit her bottom lip. Steven was the son of Rose. Rose was the one to imprison Jasper. She had led the rebellion against the Titan to protect humanity. Rose loved her creations and Jasper had been insanely jealous. At least, that is what Peridot had been told. When Jasper escaped, Rose had been gone for centuries. No one knew where she had gone, and they were left to defend themselves. Twenty-five years ago, a human named Greg found Pearl and gave baby Steven to her. He said that he had been with Rose for years, living happily and unaware of Jasper's escape. Rose told him to take Steven to Pearl and tell her to raise him to fight for humanity. Then she was gone.

"We need to get him back! If Jasper finds out…if Jasper knows…" Pearl cried hysterically. Everything erupted into chaos after that. Ruby returned from her sanctuary, even more, pissed than when she left. Sapphire was doing her best to console Pearl. Amethyst was ready to storm Jasper's stronghold. Peridot sat with Lars and watched the madness unfold. They were going on a recon mission. They had to save Steven. They had to get him back. There wasn't a moment of hesitation about it. Everything happened so quickly, and before Peridot knew it, she was drafted into the rescue crew. Into Jasper's castle. Where Lapis was. Fuck.