Episode 12: Returning Home

June 10th 5:45 p.m.

As Lapis, Zuli, and Cobalt sat down and were catching up Kameron took it upon himself to clean up the mess Azurite made earlier. He didn't mind it since his siblings haven't seen their friend in ages, and a smile stretched across his face to see them overjoyed with her. Though deep down...this wasn't going to last long.

"So... How long were you two able to fuse?" Lapis asked.

"Since the day it happened." Zuli answered. She then turned her eyes to Cobalt, "It was an accident, but the moment it happened we felt a sensation that couldn't be described with words. It was forbidden for different Gem types to fuse, but...the more we did it the closer we've gotten." She added, placing a hand over his.

Cobalt smiled at her as he softly tightened his grip before placing his eyes on Lapis, "I couldn't agree more. We both planned to tell you when the opportunity came, but with how the Great Diamond Authority was progressing it never came to pass. And soon we were caught and had to flee from the planet. You were sent to Earth, so we traversed there to find you, but to no avail. But that didn't mean we would give up, even after the climax of the Great War."

Zuli soon turned her eyes back to Lapis, placing a hand over hers as tears started forming in her eyes once more, "We never lost faith. The stars have always guided us an after so long our prayers have finally been answered." Her tears slowly fell onto her cheeks, "We will definitely thank the spirits tonight for this." She added.

"Spirits?" Lapis asked, confused.

"An Earth custom we've grown to admire. We wish to explain it a bit more, though it will have to be for another time. For now, it is important for you to see our family." Cobalt explained.

"I'm sure by now they'll be here any minute." Kameron added, taking a seat next to Lapis.

As he thought several bright lights erupted in the living room. From them Amber, Pyrope, Citrine, Charoite, Lepidolite, Onyx, and Green Diamond appeared as the lights slowly faded. Around the same time Christie walked in from the front door. Gathered together Lapis felt her body begin to shake. Her eyes started to tremble as she instantly stood up, removing her hand from Zuli's.

"G-G-G-Green Diamond?" She said as her voice cracked.

"Hello, Lapis. It is nice to meet you." Green greeted.

Watching the state she was in Kameron stood up and took Lapis' hand into his own. She turned to him and noticed his blank expression, though when their eyes locked her body started to calm down. "Don't be scared. No-one here is going to hurt you." He told her softly.

"My son speaks the truth." Green replied, making Lapis look at him. "I am no longer a Diamond or apart of the Empire. I've abandoned that title eons ago." He added.

Confusion was expressed on her face. 'He is no longer a Diamond? No longer apart of the Empire? And these other Gems... What is going on here?' She thought, observing the Rainbows. However one thought, a thought even stronger than the position she was placed in right now entered her mind. Her eyes slowly narrowed and formed a glare as she closed them while her hand in Kameron's tightened.

"Green Diamond. Take me to the Crystal Gems." She said with a growl in her tone.

"I will. And we shall come with you." He replied, shocking Lapis. "I've promised Zuli, Cobalt, and Azurite that I would keep an eye out for you. We all promised to find you if it were possible, and after my daughter told me what happened over the phone I am more than willing to find out why the Crystals didn't release you." He added strongly.

Lapis' eyes started to blink. As she looked at everyone else they each gave her a nod, including Kameron. It was rather...strange. But something she was more than willing to accept.

Onyx stepped up and raised out a hand, opening a large black portal. "Come. Let us not make anymore delays." He added.

And so the Evans family entered inside with Lapis.

June 10th 6:05 p.m.

As Pearl was getting up from Lapis attacking her she looked up to see both Zuli and Cobalt, glaring at her.

"Do you have any idea how mortifying it is to find out that our friend was placed in a mirror?! Recovered?! And never released for a thousand years?!" Zuli asked, raising her voice.

"Zuli. It's...difficult to explain. I understand how you both feel right now, but-" Pearl said before getting cut off.

"No excuses, Pearl!" Cobalt said, raising his voice. "We want the truth. Was it your decision to do this? Or was it Rose's?" He added.

Pearl's eyes began to shake. Her lips started to tremble as she averted her eyes from them. That alone was all the answers they could understand.

Just before more questioning could go on Kameron and Steven came into the house, gaining everyone's attention.

"Guys. We've got a big problem." Steven started. "Lapis went into the ocean." He added.

"WHAT?!" Pearl screamed.

"What happened?" Christie asked.

"We tried talking to her, but she's too angry to listen. Then she asked us to go with her back home, but we refused, so she walked into the ocean and the tides aren't coming in. We need to stop her before the entire Aqua Eco-System collapses." Kameron explained.

"This is all my fault..." Pearl said as her voice started. "I should've released her from the mirror sooner, but...Rose said we shouldn't. Lapis Lazulis are incredibly powerful and they're Terraformers. We couldn't release her. And...and..." She added as tears formed in her eyes.

"Enough!" Green yelled, gaining everyone's attention. "As of now, we must Lapis from taking the planet's oceans." He then turned to the Crystals as his eyes narrowed. "I even asked Rose about her and she told me she didn't know anything. I cannot forgive her actions for this. I am no better and we will continue this discussion later. Understand?"

Pearl nodded, wiping away her tears.

June 10th 6:15 p.m.

Without the oceans the landscape was just like a desert. It made it very easy to traverse with vehicles and a magical pink lion.

"This is just crazy!" Greg said. "Is this really how all of your adventures go?!" He added.

"More or less." Pearl replied. "And I can't believe Citrine has such a monstrous beast next to us." She added.

Next to Greg's van was Citrine's jeep. But due to his size it had to be customized and a couple of his friends really outdid themselves with their present to him. The jeep was twice the size of the van. The paint was dark orange with a couple of shades of brown. The doors, seats, and even the stirring wheel looked like they belonged to a monster truck. The front and tail lights were huge, and don't even get to the wheels. They were the size of tractor tires with silver hub caps. It was definitely a beast, especially with how loud the engine roars.

"Dude! That is by far the coolest thing I have ever seen! Where can you even hide it?!" Amethyst screamed with pure joy.

"Underneath the house there's a large storage unit where we all keep our cars. But since my mom works and needs to use hers often her car is usually always seen first." Citrine explained as they kept going. "Right, mom?" He added, turning his head to her.

"Y-Y-Y-Yes, honey. But please keep your eyes forward." She replied, holding onto her seat belt.

In the back the rest of the Rainbows held on as the jeep continued to rock. In front of the jeep and Greg's van Steven and Kameron rode on Lion. Sometimes Lion can be cooperative whenever he was, so it was a good thing he was being helpful this time. Other times...he just lays down and naps or goes into the ocean to eat some fish.

Further and further did the groups go. Pulling out his phone Kameron unlocked it an not too surprising the news was on. "Our top story. All over the world every ocean began to get retracted. Clearly a sign of something related to the Crystal and Rainbow Gems. Though how and why this is happening is unknown, but for now let us remain strong and be assured that they will put things back in order. More on the following will come in such a second. This is Howard Gale." Said the newsman before the video stopped.

'Well...at least everyone knows what's up. Hopefully we can convince Lapis to put a stop to this.' Kameron thought, putting his phone back into his pocket.

As nightfall came their destination was coming up close. Straight ahead was a massive cylinder of water. The clouds above were circling around it and if taken a closer look you could see multiple amounts of sea live inside. The true testament of how powerful a Lapis Lazuli is. No wonder they were tasked to Terraform planets. If any planet had water or oceans it would so simply for them to complete their jobs in hours.

Arriving near the tower Kameron and Steven got off of Lion while the Crystals and Greg got out of the van and the Rainbows exited Citrine's jeep.

"So...what's the plan?" Amethyst asked around.

"We're gonna talk to her and ask her to put the oceans back." Steven suggested.

"And if she decides to fight back?" Garnet asked.

"Then we'll try to avoid that." Kameron replied.

"Yeah. Gems shouldn't be fighting each other." Steven added.

"Boys. We've always been fighting each other." Pearl announced.

Kameron and Steven looked at her as she approached them. "This isn't the right time to say this, but after the Great War...the Corrupted that we've been fighting...use to be normal Gems, just like us."

Both Kameron's and Steven's eyes shot open. All this time...every single monster they fought...every creature they've slain and poofed...were...normal Gems? Kameron's hands slowly gripped themselves as his eyes narrowed at Pearl.

"Look. How about we all talk about this later. We need to focus first." Kameron said as he walked forward.

With Steven and the others following they made their way up a long hill. 'Are you kidding me? ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING US?! NOW?! NOW IS THE MOMENT WE FIND OUT ABOUT THIS?! - The voice screamed.

'SHUT UP! I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS EITHER, BUT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW! WE'LL DEAL WITH THE OTHER ONE LATER.' Kameron yelled back in thought.

Not hearing another response Kameron kept his eyes focused as they made it to the top of the hill. At the top they walked closer to the tower and stopped in place.

"Lapis Lazuli! It's us, Steven and Kameron!" Steven called out.

From the tower a large portion of water came out in the form of Lapis' head. "GO AWAY! Before I make you!" She told them.

"Lapis. We're not here to fight. We just want to talk and help you." Kameron said.

Lapis softened her eyes as then turned them to Zuli and Cobalt, "Zuli. Cobalt. Please come with me."

Approaching her they held each other's hand as they stopped near the tower. "Lapis. As much as we would love to join you and go with you...we can't. Earth is our home now." Zuli told her softly.

Taken back by her response she looked over at the Crystal Gems as a glare form on her face, "Did the Crystal Gems manipulate you? Are they forcing you to stay?"

"No!" Cobalt replied, gaining her attention. "Me and Zuli have grown to love this planet on our own accord. The Crystal Gems have only hidden information about your whereabouts from us and that can never be forgiven. We are staying here by our own choice, but we wish to help you here and now."

Lapis' expression softened as her eyes began to tremble. "Just leave me alone." She added, entering back into the tower.

"Lapis Lazuli." Green said, walking up to the tower. "We wish you no harm. Let us help you and in exchange you must return the oceans." He added.

No response was heard.

Kameron soon approached the tower, placing a hand onto it. "Please, Lapis. We're not going anywhere until we talk this out."

Soon water came out of the tower, grabbing onto his neck. A muffled gawk left his mouth as he grasped on the water as more water was coming out and slowly reflected his appearance. "I said. LEAVE ME ALONE." The reflection said with Lapis' voice.

It then punched Kameron back, making him crash into the ground. Soon after several other water reflections came out of the tower, taking on the forms of the Crystal Gems, Rainbow Gems, and Steven.

Recovering from the punch Kameron stood up as he took a few steps back. Guess there was no other choice.

"Greg. Christie. Stand back, we'll handle this." Pearl announced.

"Please be careful everyone." Christie called out.

"We will." The Rainbows replied in unison.

Green, the Rainbows, the Crystals, Kameron, and Steven stood side by side, summoning their weapons. The water reflections repeated their actions with their weapons encased in ice.

Zuli and Cobalt interlocked their hands together and placed their foreheads close to each other. In mere seconds both of them were engulfed in blue lights before becoming Azurite again. Her eyes narrowed as she summoned her staff. "Everyone stay together. Don't let these duplicates separate us." She added.

The water reflections of Zuli and Cobalt merged together, forming a reflection of Azurite with a staff made from water. It then summoned out it's wings and charged right at her. Holding her staff up Azurite and her reflection took it to the skies, "You both were always by my side and I was always by yours. After all this time you're going to betray me?" Lapis said through the reflection.

"Never! We will never betray you, Lapis. But you must calm down-" Azurite replied before getting cut off.

"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!" Lapis screamed, pushing her back.

Onyx spun his scythe as he clashed with his reflection. Stepping back he soon charged at it again, only this time he summoned a black portal and stepped into it before vanishing. His reflection looked around before looking up to see him reappear, chopping off it's entire midsection. Landing back on the ground he watched as his reflection regenerated before going at him again.

Lepidolite threw her fans at her reflection whom took the hits, but it didn't matter as it quickly regenerated before throwing it's fans at her. Lowering her body she twisted it and jumped into the air, dodging the water fans and catching her in the process. Narrowing her eyes she ran toward her reflection and flipped right over it before spinning her body and throwing pink air slashes at it.

Charoite dashed at her reflection. Twisting her body their kicks made contact. Jumping back her reflection came running to her, but as it was coming in close it completely went passed her, not even soaking her. Grabbing the head Charoite pulled up her kunai and sliced it off, making her reflection fall to it's knees. She watched as it came back up and reformed it's head, making her summon multiple kunais.

Gripping onto his hammer Citrine stomped on the ground as he took a massive swing with his reflection doing the same. As their hammers collided a large shockwave erupted from below, cracking the ground. Twisting his body Citrine began to spin as his reflection held up it's ice hammer, deflecting every attack coming, but as Citrine stopped spinning he grabbed his reflection by the shoulder and launched his head at it, destroying it. Pulling his head back he released his reflection as it's head reshaped itself. A groaned left his mouth while he raised his hammer up.

Amber and Pyrope tag-teamed against their reflections. Raising up her guns she fired rapid shots of electricity while her reflection fired rapid shots of water. Each shot fired from them evaporated the moment they made contact. Pyrope stepped in and dashed at the reflection. However his reflection jumped over Amber's before they clashed. Jumping back Amber shot off more rapid shots, but Pyrope pulled up his hand-axes and each shot evaporated the moment they touched them. A growl left his mouth as his axes were engulfed in flames. Electricity surged around Amber as she stood next to her brother. They both ran up to their reflections, now fully pissed.

Green summoned his blade, facing his reflection. It would be very simple to defeat it and to take down this entire tower, but that in turn would harm the sea life. Raising his sword his reflection came to him, raising it's sword. With one swing he destroyed both the reflection an it's weapon. Watching it reshape itself he took another swing and continued the process as the reflection repeatedly reformed.

The Crystals themselves were having a tough time too. Garnet was engaged in a punching match against her reflection. Strike after strike, blow after blow, their punches continued matching each others as the ground beneath them started to crack. Amethyst constantly kept throwing rocks at her reflection, whom just dodged them without any trouble. Changing things up she turned into her Purple Puma persona and striked at it from above, but her reflection mimicked her persona and grabbed her before body slamming her to the ground.

Pearl blocked an attack from her reflection before using her spear to split it in half. A small smile stretched across her lips, but soon disappeared as her reflection soon make another copy of herself. "Ugh! This is just ridiculous." She said as she summoned another spear from her Gem. Both of her reflections charged at her with spears in hand, but as they came close Pearl leaped over them and sliced them down, but in doing so two more reflections came in. "Oh come on!" She complained.

Lion stepped up and launched powerful roars at Steven's and Kameron's reflections. They both dodged them as Lion kept roaring, but after the seventh roar Kameron's reflection stepped in and punched Lion straight in the jaw, sending him flying back.

"Lion!" Steven screamed.

Kameron stepped up and clashed Venganza with his reflection's blade. "It doesn't have to be this way, Lapis. What will you gain by fighting us? Retribution?" He said to his reflection.

"You should've left me alone. But you didn't listen." Lapis replied through his reflection.

Raising his left arm Kameron crystallized it as his reflection turned it's right arm into ice before their claws intertwined with each other. He then pushed his reflection back, knocking it to the ground, but as he walked toward it he was it by a large stream of water. Falling to the ground a groan left Kameron's mouth as he lifted himself up to see Steven's reflection summoning a large sphere of water.

"Lapis. Please stop." Steven pleaded.

A response was made. As his eyes observed the others fighting Steven soon narrowed his eyes at his reflection. Watching it throw the sphere at Kameron Steven ran to him and leaped over him, making himself the new target, "Lapis...we don't...want...to...FIGHT!" He yelled, summoning his shield.

The moment the sphere hit the shield a loud and strong sound wave erupted from it, spreading around the area and destroying each and every reflection. As Azurite landed on the ground Steven helped Kameron up.

"Are you okay?" Steven asked.

"Soaked, but I'll live." Kameron replied. "Let's try this one more time." He added.

"Yeah." Steven said as he turned to Azurite, "Azurite. Can you take control of the tower?"

Placing her gaze at the tower she then placed it back on the boys. Without a response she gave them a nod as they approached the tower.

"Lapis. Please let us come and see you. We don't know what you're trying to do, but maybe we can help." Steven said.

From the tower a large hand made of water came out and opened itself up for them. Placing their hands above their heads Kameron and Steven placed bubbles around them as they walked onto the hand. The hand soon placed itself back into the tower before rapidly raising itself up high. Further and further the hand soon disappeared and both boys had their bodies encased in a water bubble. Reaching up to the top Lapis stood in front of them with a glare in her eyes.

"Why are you two so persistent on stopping me?" Lapis asked angerly.

"We keep telling you, Lapis. We just want to help you. Do you not see what you're doing? THIS IS INSANE!" Kameron replied as he looked at the tower.

"We're your friends, Lapis." Steven added.

Pulling them in closer Lapis' glare softened slightly, "We've only just met. I don't know you or if I can trust you. Especially if you're with the Crystal Gems. They don't care about their own kind! The only thing that matters to them is the Earth. The Rainbow Gems are the same. Even Green Diamond of all is with them. And I never even liked this place from the start." She added.

She then released them from her bubble and walked away. Right the edge of the tower she sat down on her knees as the boys approached her, sitting next to her from each side.

"All I want is to go home. That's all I desire." Lapis said as she closed her eyes.

"That's why we're here. We really do want to help you. If you don't like the Crystal Gems or the Rainbow Gems that's fine. But we're not so bad once you get to know us." Kameron replied.

"Yeah. And we need the oceans back too. They're an important part of our home." Steven added.

"I'm using the oceans because my Gem is cracked. I figured if I just stretch it far enough then maybe..." Lapis explained before releasing a sigh. "Who am I kidding? This is never going to work. Not even Zuli and Cobalt want to help."

Both boys turned their eyes to Lapis' Gem on her back and then placed their attention back onto her. "Lapis. You should've just said so from the beginning. Steven has healing powers." Kameron said.

A light gasp left her mouth as she turned to Steven, "Wait, you have healing abilities?"

"I know, right?" Steven replied.

"Um...what should I do?" Lapis asked.

"Oh...right. Um. Close your eyes." Kameron told her.

Closing her eyes Steven placed his hand into his bubble and licked it. Pulling it out he then slapped it onto Lapis' Gem, making her shiver. Both boys stood back as Lapis' Gem started to glow. From it large wings made of water erupted as gave off a single flap. Turning around Lapis' lips stretched into a smile, but more so her eyes were back to normal, showing dark blue pupils and irises.

"Thank you, Steven." Lapis said joyfully.

"No prob, bob." Steven replied.

Lapis' expression soon turned deadpanned, "It's Lapis."

She then turned to Kameron as her smile returned, "And thank you too. For reuniting me with my friends."

"You're welcome." Kameron replied kindly.

Just as she tried to say another word Steven came up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and his head was placed near her chest. She was stunned as she looked down at him.

"I'm gonna miss you, Lapis." Steven said.

A small smile stretched across her lips. Steven then released himself from Lapis and turned to Kameron. He didn't need any words to understand what do next. Walking up to Lapis Kameron wrapped his arms around her waist while her head was against his shoulder.

"I'm sorry for what I've done." She softly told him.

"It's okay. Sometimes we don't know what we're doing when we let our emotions get the better of us." He replied.

They soon separated as Lapis turned around. "Be carefully out there." Kameron told her.

"I will. Goodbye." She replied as she took off into space.

Flapping her wings a smile stretched on Lapis' lips. 'After so long...I can finally return.' She thought to herself.

Her smile slowly faded as when Zuli and Cobalt came to her mind. 'I wish you both would come with me... If the earth is your new home...then I understand.' She thought to herself.

Her eyes narrowed as she kept moving forward.

Hours passed. Maybe even days, but it mattered little to her as long as she's going home again.

Space felt...different than before. She wasn't sure what it was, but something about this strange sensation had her concerned. Like...a lot has happened within it. Sure she was gone and imprisoned for many years, but the sensation she was feeling around her body gave her caution.

She kept flying and soon enough she had found it. Home World. And normally this would be the part where she would smile and be happy to have returned, however...her eyes began to tremble and a frown appeared on her face. Going right toward it she landed down in a strange metallic scenery. Machines were flying through the air, there were building made out of metal, and there were even Gems she didn't recognize.

"What the hell happened to my home?" She said to herself quietly.

End of Episode 12.

Hope you all enjoyed it.

Next Time:

Neo Home World