(Beach) - 7:08 P.M

"Are you sure this is gonna work?" Jarek asked Green Diamond.

He had a literal shopping cart full of monster energy drinks.

"It serves as a fuel source for me, okay? Plus I love the taste of monster." Green Diamond said.

"Alright. Just do me a favor, and refrain from sending me to anymore universes." Jarek said.

"I'll try not to. Try not to shoot me with that toy gun anymore." Green Diamond said, popping open two cans. She started pouring both into her mouth.

"Oh my god." Jarek said, watching.

Green Diamond dropped the empty cans, and continued pouring the rest of the energy drinks nto her mouth.

"I have a strange feeling that she's gonna pull a hammy on us." Jarek said.

"Hammy?" Steven said.

"It's from over the hedge. Good movie." Jarek said.

"Why'd you buy all those monster cans anyway?" Holly asked.

"She says it's her fuel." Jarek said.

"Dad, I think I should come with you. I wanna help you and Steven talk to White Diamond." Tundra said.

"No, you stay here with Holly. I don't want anything bad happening to you." Jarek said.

"But dad, if I go, I can help you freeze her. It'll be easy." Tundra said.

"No, you'll be shattered or killed. I'm not letting that happen. That goes for you and your sisters." Jarek said.

"But dad, you said we would be together all the time." Tundra said.

"Uh-after this, not right now. This is a dangerous mission, and I don't want anything to happen to you. Just trust me on this, Tundra." Jarek said.

Tundra looked down, and nodded.

"Things are gonna be fine." Jarek said.

"If you say so, dad." Tundra said.

Magma was holding a crab, with it blinking at her.

"What are you supposed to be?" She said to it. It started wiggling, trying to escape her grasp.

She set it down on the sand, letting it crawl away.

"Tundra, we should stay here anyway. Come help me build a sand castle." Magma said.

"You can literally turn it all into glass. It would be a glass castle." Tundra said.

"Yeah, even better. Come on! Help me with it!" Magma said, grabbing a bucket, and scooping up sand.

"Are you sure you'll be alright in space?" Priyanka asked Connie.

"Mom, I'll be fine." Connie said.

"Well.. alright. I trust you with Steven, it's.. (referring to Jarek) him I'm worried about." Priyanka said.

"He's not gonna do anything. He's gonna help us." Connie said.

Orange Diamond looked over at her, the two made eye-contact with each other. She walked to her.

"Oh, hey. You must be Orange Diamond, the one Jarek's been talking to on the phone." Connie said.

"I am, and I'm here to clear up this mess between my grandson and your mother." Orange Diamond said.

"Well, (ahem!) I understand he's your grandson, but he's gotten away with doing bad things." Priyanka said.

"You mean when he beat up Lars for showing a picture of the pizza girl, bending over? Imagine if it had been Connie instead in that photo, you would have done the same." Orange Diamond said.

"It was still wrong, the way he pulled out a firearm." Priyanka said.

"And he knows better than to do that. I'm always keeping him from doing bad things like that. He paid for it already. I would appreciate it if you would give him another chance." Orange Diamond said.

"I did when he came over with his friend (Wu). Where is he anyway?" Priyanka said.

"Don't know, don't care. Look, give him a break. He's trying his best." Orange Diamond said.

"I see that." Priyanka said.

Jarek was tossing Orange Aquamarine in the air, and catching her, playfully. She was laughing.

"How did he get them?" Priyanka said.

"His girlfriend, made them from a giant machine, on another planet. We gems don't age, except.. maybe they might. I can't tell." Orange Diamond said.

"So they're going to grow old and pass? Or.. maybe like a vampire? How they age, and they live forever?" Connie said.

"Like I said, I can't tell. Only time will." Orange Diamond said.

"Where are his parents? Are you his guardian?" Priyanka asked.

"They were killed by people he was fighting to save the world. My son, and his wife." Orange Diamond said.

"What were their names?" Priyanka asked.

"His father went by Raven. He was a chief. And his mother's name was Rosa." Orange Diamond said.

"Oh my god. I knew him. We were friends for a long time. That's his father?" Priyanka said.

"That's what I said." Orange Diamond said.

"I had no idea." Priyanka said.

"I know, I just told you.." Orange Diamond said.

"I need to go talk to him." Priyanka said, walking, but Orange Diamond stopped her with her hand on her shoulder in a halt manner.

"-Not right now. He's going to go and save your world, and mine. Wait until he gets back first." Orange Diamond said.

"But what if he doesn't?" Priyanka said.

"There will be none of that. As long as I am right beside him, he's as safe as can be." Orange Diamond said.

"Well you are his guardian." Priyanka said.

"That I am. But he's shown that he can handle things himself. I have faith that he'll do the right thing up there." Orange Diamond said.

"How long do you think this will take?" Holly asked.

"I don't know. Hopefully not too long. Maybe a day, or two? I don't travel to homeworld much, so I really wouldn't know?" Jarek said.

"Just be careful out there." She said before kissing him.

"Alright alright." He said.

Acolyte was sitting away from everyone, looking at the sea in front of her. Bismuth walked to her.

"Acolyte?" Bismuth said.

Acolyte looked up at her.

"What now?" She responded.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry for what happened earlier. It wasn't right for me to misjudge you." Bismuth said.

"Not all of us are bad. Some of us got away, which was how I was made." Acolyte said.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Bismuth asked.

"No, not really. But I feel like you should know in case something really bad happens. My leader is planning on invading this planet, but it doesn't seem so likely anymore, now that Yellow put him down." Acolyte said.

"I'm listening." Bismuth said.

Acolyte sighed.

"Well, it started with me running away from invaders, who were killing my kind. I was mortally wounded, but my knight and wizard brought me to an enchantment table. Lecterns for enchantment were far too expensive at the time. But anyway, they were trying to heal with their magic, and their spells. But nothing helped. Then they used this prasiolite gem, and.. fused me with it. It was the only thing that kept me alive. But I was drained of all my energy. It was horrible. The knight, and the wizard were killed, and the invaders came for me. I made a disguise, and I got away without them seeing me. I've made it back to Tallon IV, and that's where I wound up." She explained.

"Oh man. I'm sorry you went through all that." Bismuth said.

Then the same crab from earlier pinched Acolyte's right foot.

"OW!" She said, grabbing and throwing it to the water.

Then more crabs came for her, each clapping their claws in anger.

"Um!.. Bismuth?" Acolyte panicked.

Bismuth shooed then away, with a stick that was there.

"Are you still going to kill me, even after I explained my story?" Acolyte asked.

"No. I was wrong to act the way I did. I mean it." Bismuth said.

Acolyte nodded.

"It's really not my fault. I didn't ask for this. I just wanted to live. That's all I want : to live." She said.

"And you will." Bismuth said, patting her shoulder.

"And what is that thing?" Priyanka said to Connie, seeing the two. She has spines on her shoulders.

"Well, Steven says she's an acolyte. I don't know what church she's tied to though." Connie said.

"I don't think she is." Priyanka said. She sighed. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes mom." Connie said.

"That means food, water, your sword? Oh God, I can't believe I just asked you that." Priyanka said.

"Mom, it's okay! This is going to be a diplomatic mission!" Connie said

"Let's just hope it goes well. I can't help but feel nauseous." Orange Diamond said, covering her mouth.

"Just relax. It's gonna be fine!" Connie said to her.

"And I'll be with her the whole time! I know the planet, there's an atmosphere, she'll be able to breathe." Pearl said to Priyanka, and Orange Diamond.

"Yeah, now there is. Back then, way back, thousands of years ago, there wasn't. It was by Green's grace it happened." Orange Diamond pointed out.

"Green?" Connie said.

"(Crazed eyes, smile & tone) I HEARD YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT ME?" Green Diamond suddenly put her hand on Orange Diamond's shoulder.

"Shoo! Go away!" Orange Diamond said, pushing her.

"I FEEL GREAT! MY STRENGTH HAS RETURNED!" Green Diamond said, shaking, and definitely crazed at this point.

Then Priyanka, and Connie looked at the shopping cart tipped over, with so many empty monster cans laying beside it, some crushed.

"Did she drink all those energy drinks?" Priyanka asked.

"Yeah, that's her main fuel source. It enhances her power." Orange Diamond said.

"AND IT TASTES SO FRICKING GOOD! HA HA HA HA HA!" Green Diamond said. Then she summoned her scepter, and charged the crystal with the immense energy she had within her body.

"I was about to say, that's extremely unhealthy for one person. Even one is unhealthy. My god." Priyanka said.

Green Diamond breathed slowly, as her energy flowed to the crystal.

"Ahhh, much better." Green Diamond said. "(BUUUURP!)"

The four groaned in disgust, waving, and covering their noses.

"Anyway, it's going to be fine, I'm sure. But just, stay behind us in case things go awry." Orange Diamond said to Connie.

"Okay." Connie said.

"Man, I can't believe I'm finally going to Homeworld! There might be more famethysts!" Amethyst said. She was holding Steven's hot dog duffel bag.

"AWW! You like hot dogs?" Steve said, petting and rubbing Steven's head.

"Hey! Stop!" Steven said, pushing Steve away.

"First, a hamburger backpack, and now a hot dog?! Ha ha ha ha ha!" Steve laughed. "Oh man, I wish I had those back then!"

"You did have one. And then you dropped it in space." Yellow Diamond said, rolling her eyes, with her arms crossed.

"Hey! I thought I told you we were never to mention that again!" Steve said, blushing dark blue.

Yellow Diamond chuckled a little.

"I love you schtu-ball! Be careful out there." Greg said to Steven. He hugged him.

"I love you too! I'll be back before you know it! Lion! Bring it in, buddy!" Steven hugged Lion.

"Garnet, should I be worried?" Greg asked.

"Steven.. will be fine. If you could water this for me while I'm gone, it'd be a big help." Garnet said, holding up her cat. It looked at Greg, with it's one eye.

"Oh, uh-sure!" Greg said.

"Don't miss me too much!" Steven said to Lion, still hugging it.

"Alright! I'm ready!" Steven said, letting go of Lion.

"(Sarcastic) Fantastic." Yellow Diamond said.

"Wait, are we bringing her along?" Jarek asked Blue Diamond, referring to Acolyte, who then looked at them, confused.

"No, she stays here." Blue Diamond said. "It's not safe for her to be on Homeworld."

"Can't argue with you on that." Jarek said. "She's just a little girl."

"Wait, I'm staying here? A-are you sure?" Acolyte asked, nervous.

"Yes, you'll be in good hands here. Here, do me a favor, and go buy some more popcorn. Get yourself whatever you want." Jarek said, handing her a $20 bill.

"T-thanks. Wow." Acolyte said, tears forming in her eyes. She was smiling, relieved.

"Hey, cheer up. Things are getting better." Jarek said.

"Yeah." Acolyte said. She nodded and walked.

"Let's get this done. I'm starving!" Jarek said to Yellow Diamond, and Blue Diamond.

"You ate just an hour ago." Holly commented, with lowered eyelids.

"Don't ruin the moment." Jarek said.

"Seriously, you're gaining weight." Holly said.

"I still look great." He said.

"Yes." Holly said, rolling her eyes.

"So how do I launch this thing?" Steven said.

"Place your hand on the surface." Pearl said.

Then Steven placed his hand on the wall of the ship, it activated a pink bubble, sealing Pearl, Steven, Blue Diamond, Connie, Amethyst, Steve, Yellow Diamond, and Jarek.

"Oh no.. I forgot something!" Jarek said.

"What'd you forget?" Steve asked, curious.

"I didn't rally my flag." Jarek said.

"OH!" Steve smacked him upside the head.

"GRR!" Jarek said, hitting him back.

"Children, cut it out!" Yellow Diamond said.

"(At same time) Yes mom." Steve, and Jarek both said.

Blue Diamond chuckled with a smile.

"This should be interesting." Victoria said, unimpressed.

The pink bubble flew up to the top of the legs ship, and entered.


(Ship)

Steven stood on the foot plate, activating a pink field around his legs.

"It's a good look for you Steven!" Amethyst said.

"Thank you." Steven said.

"Oh, it's been so long since we've been together in pink's ship.. " Blue Diamond started to cry tears again, her power starting to affect everyone in the room.

Steven stared at her in shock.

"Please Blue, if we could continue." Yellow Diamond said.

"Yeah, stop crying. It's okay." Victoria said.

"(Sniff) Yes of course." Blue Diamond said, wiping her tear away from her right eye.

"For launching, just get a running start." Pearl told Steven.

"Mmm!" Steven said.

Steven lifted his leg, and made one step forward in place, causing the ship to move the same way he did.

"Hold on! I'm taking off!" He said, as he got his running start.

Then he bent his knees as if he were about to jump, and then jumped, causing the legs ship to depart from the ground, into the sky, and out of this world..

(Ren - You make it sound like he goin' to the moon.

Me - Well, he's going to another planet, not the moon necessarily.)

"I bet when mom took off, it was pretty graceful, huh?" Steven said.

Pearl smiled.

"Heh, no not really.." Pearl said.


(MEMORY, PAST : Pink Diamond's ship)

Pink Diamond was walking a silly manner, while her legs were connected to the floor pad where she stood.

The pink legs ship was walking the same way she was moving.

"My diamond, be careful!" Pearl said.

Pink Diamond was laughing, having fun doing this.

"PINK!" Yellow Diamond said on the diamond communicator screen.


(NOW) - 6 HOURS LATER...

Jarek was sitting against the wall, asleep. Victoria was sitting next to Blue Diamond.

"So what's his story?" Victoria asked.

"I think I said it enough times. Seriously, I should be on CNN." Orange Diamond rubbed her temples. After that, she closed her eyes, causing her right hand to glow. She placed it on Victoria's gemstone, causing it to glow upon contact.

An entire cloud of memories entered her mind, as if they were her's.

Orange Diamond moved her hand away from her gem, ending the transfer.

"Oh my goodness. You did all that?" Victoria asked. Orange Diamond nodded.

"It was wonderful. You had so much left on earth. I wish I could have been there with you.." Victoria said.

"I know, Vic. But things turned out the way they did. Can't change them now." Orange Diamond said.

"What was it like, living as a human?" Blue Diamond asked.

"As a normal human, it wasn't that different than how we live. They just react differently to what they consume, and they aren't as energetic as us. And they don't have abilities like us." Orange Diamond said.

"So the only reason Jarek has abilities is because of you?" Yellow Diamond asked.

"That, and he absorbed a dark... splinter. Which is why he can use his ice powers, and why those ridiculous straps are on his arms." Orange Diamond said, looking over at Jarek.

There was ice, starting to grow slightly on his biceps, where the straps were.

"Oh dear." Victoria said, with her hand to her mouth. She went to him, and tapped shoulder.

Jarek's eyes opened as if he wasn't sleeping.

"What?" He said.

"Your ice is growing.." Victoria said.

"It's supposed to. It's how my shield works." Jarek said.

"How exactly does it work?" She asked.

"I focus my power, and suddenly, I'm shrouded in ice. It protects me when I'm being attacked directly." Jarek said.

"Oh.." Victoria said. "It only works on you?"

"Yes. Because of my power." Jarek said, holding up his amulet.

Victoria held it, and suddenly heard whispers.

Jarek grabbed it. "And it's VERY dangerous."

"Yeah, I heard voices." Victoria said.

"Which is why only I can wear it, without corrupting others." Jarek said.

".. so what did you do before being an ace of your company?" Victoria changed the subject.

"I was a loner." Jarek said.

"Incorrect." Orange Diamond said.

"What do you mean?" Jarek said.

"You're still a loner. Ha!" Orange Diamond laughed.

"Ugh, okay.. " Jarek said.

"She has a point, Jarek." Yellow Diamond said to him.

"What would you know?" Jarek said.

"When you fight me, you never have anyone assist you, it's always just you." Yellow Diamond added.

"Yeah, because Steven can't do much in a real fight, except use his sentin-I mean his mother's shield." Jarek said.

"Yes I can." Steven said.

"Really?" Jarek said. "Against who?"

"I fought Pearl, and beat her." Steven said.

"Are you sure she didn't just let you win, because she loves you?" Jarek asked, looking at her in question.

"Well.. " Pearl said, looking to the side.

"Pearl!" Steven said, appalled.

"Perhaps when this is over, we set you up in the gladiator arena?" Yellow Diamond suggested.

"Yellow, pink wouldn't last a day in there!" Blue Diamond said.

"It would be fun to see her try." Yellow Diamond said.

"Just imagine." Jarek said. He projected an image from his hand.


(VISION 3 - Gladiator Arena, Northern Homeworld)

Steven had hurt marks all across his body, and his entire outfit was torn up, with blood stains, he was holding his shield, while panting heavily.

There was a beaten up Yellow Topaz gem, holding a pugil stick, with beat marks on her body as well, and an enraged expression. She had sweat visible.

"RAAAAH!" She yelled, charging to him.

Steven was pushed back, with the pugil stick hitting his shield.

Then he blocked the next few hits from her, until he swept her legs with his leg sweep.

Topaz was caught off guard as she fell, and landed on her back.

(THUD!)

He was about to slam her stomach with his shield, making her wince, bracing for the incoming hit.

Instead, he stopped himself, and offered her a hand.

Topaz looked at him in shock, and displeasement.

"Why haven't you finished me?" She said.

"Because I don't want to. I didn't want to hurt you." Steven said.

Topaz took his hand, and stood up. She had stars in her eyes, as she looked down at him.

".. I'm sorry." She said.

"Me too." Steven said.


(REALITY)

Jarek was holding a hologram device, portraying the vision.

"Yeah, that's how it would go down." Jarek said.

"How do you do that?" Steven asked.

"And who is that?" Blue Diamond asked.

"His possible universal Topaz companion, should we go with Yellow's suggestion." Jarek said.

"You made all that up from Yellow saying that?" Steven said.

"Eeeee, yeah. It's another thing I can do. Darkness isn't forever." Jarek said.

"Are we there yet?" Steve said to Yellow Diamond.

"No." Yellow Diamond said.

"When will we be?" Steve said.

"Within the next few hours." Yellow Diamond said.

"Aww." Steve said.

"What about if Steven fuses with you?" Victoria asked.

"He would die." Jarek said.

"What?" Steven said. "Why?"

"Because you wouldn't be able to handle the trial I'm in. I have a bunch of issues, that I haven't made peace with" Jarek said.

"What would happen to him in this trial?" Yellow Diamond asked.

"He would decay, and then come back as a revenant. He would lose all of his hair, his body hair, and he would be corrupted forever." Jarek said.

"You don't even know if that would happen." Orange Diamond said.

"Yes I do. When Shinnok, and I went through time, we encountered a revenant version of him, wearing your gem." Jarek said.

"Oh dear.." Orange Diamond said.

"Yeah, it can't happen." Jarek said. "There's so much that can happen, all it takes is one small event. A domino effect."

"Dominoes?" Steve said. "You mean their pizza?"

Jarek grabbed a rock, and threw it at him, hitting his head.

"Ow!" Steve said.

"When you say revenant, you mean when you were gray with glowing cracks on your body?" Yellow Diamond asked.

"Yes, and I became that way because Shinnok, and Quan Chi brought me back with their powers." Jarek said. "When I got Orange back, my corruption faded, and I was alive again." Jarek said.

"And that's how you regained your color?" Yellow Diamond said.

"Yes, and my life. And as long as I am near you, I am in Imminent Danger." Jarek said.

Yellow Diamond facepalmed, rubbing her eyes.

"And why? Because of our battles?" Yellow Diamond said.

"Because you keep trying to kill me." Jarek said.

"I know that, and I'm.. I'm not proud I did those things." Yellow Diamond said.

"That's a first." Jarek said.

"I'm serious. I shall declare a truce between us." Yellow Diamond said.

"As long you as honor it, I will." Jarek said.

"Then it's settled." Yellow Diamond said.

"Yay!" Steve said right before grabbing, and kissing her.

Yellow Diamond pulled away. "Not now, Steve!"

"Yes now, you two are gonna stop fighting. You really outta. This calls for a drink." Steve said, pulling a bottle of scorpions..

"WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?" Jarek asked, freaked out.

"From your cabinet." Steve said.

Jarek took the bottle. "This is mine. Stop taking my things, bro." Jarek said.

"Sorry." Steve said.

"I wasn't going to drink anyway." Yellow Diamond said.

"Good, I never said it was for you, or Steve." Jarek said, putting the bottle away in his inventory phone.

"We're here." Blue Diamond said, looking at the pad.

Then the ship approached the split-in-half planet ahead, and entered the atmosphere.

"Finally, it's about time." Jarek said.

"Jarek, what if I was in the Gladiator arena?" Victoria asked.

He looked at her.

"Imagine.. " Jarek said, waving his hand enthusiastically.


(VISION 4 - Gladiator Arena, Northern Homeworld)

There were shattered gem shards of different kinds, all across the grounds of the arena.

Victoria was trembling, trying to get up. She hit the floor.

White Onyx was about deliver the final blow when a volley wave of knives flew at her from above, in the sky.

The knives impaled her, and exploded.

(POOF!) - White Onyx

Hunter landed on the ground, helping Victoria get up. He lifted her bridal style, and ran away from the arena.


(REALITY)

"Wait, Hunter?!" Jarek said, weirded out.

"Who's Hunter?" Blue Diamond asked.

"... He's my partner." Victoria said.

"Ohhh, so that's why he was there." Jarek said. "It all makes sense now.."

"Did he really just blade barrage that white onyx?" Steve said.

"Yes, but my shadebinder is still top tier." Jarek said.

(NEEDLE SCRATCHES RECORD!)

(Ren - Wait, so Victoria hooked up with a hunter?

Me - Yeah. End of Chapter.)