Episode 26: Bismuth

July 30th 7:30 p.m.

Sometimes...just sometimes...the little things in life matter just as much as the big ones do. The small things here and there may seem simplistic and normal, but they're special to engage in. Because there are those who don't have the ability to do them, and those who take it for granted.

Tonight at the Universe Residence father and son dine on a legendary dish. A dish they themselves created thanks to the guidance of a beautiful maiden. A dish so classic, so standard, but pleasurable to enjoy no matter the weather. And the name of that dish is known as...Vegetable Stew.

"*happy moan* So good! Aunt Christie is definitely a chef sent from heaven." Steven said as he chewed.

Greg chuckled at that before he took another bite. "I tell her that whenever she makes me a meal. I'm actually glad I asked her for her recipe. Nothing in the universe can ever beat her cooking."

Steven nodded as he continued eating. As he did he couldn't help but take a few glances at his dad. It was nice having him around more often rather than whenever he'd get a chance, or after a mission, or when he got done with school. Although...as much as loved his dad's company...he did wish the others didn't have to go on a mission before dinner. More so, he wished Pearl and his dad would get along better, but that's something he'll stay out of for a while.

"So..." Greg began, "You excited for Dewey High School?"

"Huh?" Steven replied as he looked at his father. "Oh, yeah. Sorry dad. I was just thinking."

Greg blinked at him and placed his bowl onto the counter. "Something on your mind, kiddo?"

Steven then placed his bowl on the counter as well, "It's nothing big, it's just... I am happy to go to high school soon, it's just that a lot of stuff has been going on that I'm a little worried about."

Sensing trouble in his son's voice Greg raised his arm out and wrapped it around him, pulling him close to his side. "You can always talk to me Steven. Whatever troubles you, you can always talk to me or the Crystals about it."

His eyes looked at his father. The smile within that beard of his, the soft calm voice, it...lessened the weight on his heart and mind a little.

"Well... I'm worried about Lapis. A lot has changed since she was trapped in the mirror and...I'm worried how she's handling things back on Home World. Then there's the Corrupted. We've been fighting them for a long time and I never really gave it much thought about them until Pearl told me and Kameron what they really are. And...even though I have to fight them I'm hoping there's a way to change them back. I have my healing spit and Azurite can use her healing water, but Green said only all five Diamonds can heal them and Pink is already...gone. I'm not so sure what to do or how I can live up to mom's legacy after going through all of that." Steven admitted.

He said before reaching his arm out to grab a bottled water and drink it. Putting the bottle down he looked at his father who looked at him with concern. He had a point. A lot has happened these past months. Things that he himself had seen with his own eyes. Things that were...complicated to explain or figure out, even if you tried it still wouldn't have made sense. He wasn't even sure how it could since the real logical and practical answer...was magic. That's the only assumption to sum it up.

"Honestly Steven, I'm not so sure myself either. But what I do know is that no matter how tough things are or how bad it gets you gotta keep going. Home World will try to take this planet again, but the Crystal Gems and Rainbow Gems will make sure that never happens. Your mother told me bits and pieces about the Great War and she never regretted doing it. She was unlike any person you could ever meet and even she went through her struggles. I am worried with you and Kameron doing all of this, but remember that your family will always have your back, no matter what." Greg said truthfully.

Steven's lips slowly stretched into a smile. As his father released him his eyes turned to the portrait of his mother above the front door. His smile lessened as he looked at her. 'Dad's right, but even so...I wish you were here mom. I really wish I could've gotten to know you and ask what you would do right now.' He thought.

*growl*

Steven and his dad nearly jumped at the sudden noise. Turning their heads they both noticed Lion standing right outside.

"Is he hungry?" Greg asked.

"I already fed him before dinner." Steven replied. "But maybe I should give him an extra steak just in case." He added.

Coming down from the counter Steven went over to the fridge and opened it up. Lowering his eyes he found several packets of steak before pulling one out and shutting the door back. Normally Lion would eat just about anything he finds or is given, but meat has always been his favorite dish.

Opening the door Lion took several steps back so Steven could come out. Going over to his food bowl Steven opened it up the steak packet and dropped it into the food section of the bowl.

"There you go Lion. Hopefully that'll be-" Steven said before getting cut off.

As he turned around Lion raised up his arm and brought Steven close to his mane. Weird. Lion hasn't really been that affectionate toward him. What was with the sudden change?

Raising both of his arms Steven soon pushed himself away from Lion. "*gasp* Lion, what was that for? At least warn me when you're gonna hug me."

Lion then walked to Steven and placed his snout onto his cheek. He then brought out a portion of his tongue and licked him before retracting it.

A small gasp left Steven's mouth. Raising his arms he placed them on Lion's face before hugging it. "Aww. I can't get mad at you. I love you too Lion."

Releasing Lion's head Steven turned around and walked back toward the door. As he reached for the knob he stopped in place from a sudden weight on his shoulder. Turning his head he noticed Lion's paw.

"*sigh* Lion I really gotta go back in and finish my dinner." Steven said to him.

Lion then turned him around with his paw and pushed him onto his mane again. Seriously, what was his deal?

Steven groaned a little, but nonetheless rubbed his head against the mane. It was so, so soft. Almost as soft as a marshmallow. One of the only redeeming qualities of Lion the...well lion. Then as he removed his head Lion placed his paw onto him and pushed him closer. Then as he did this a strange pink light started emitting from Lion's mane before he pushed Steven all the way inside.

Groans exiting his mouth Steven closed his eyes and slowly raised himself up. Reopening them his eyes widened. All around him there was...pink grass? And in the distance he noticed a large tree.

'What is this place?' He thought.

He then opened his opened and instantly closed it.

'I can't breathe! I can't breathe!'

Ducking his body down Steven closed his eyes as his body started falling.

Flying midair Steven lightly crashed onto the porch with a soft thud. He released large gasps of air while staring directly at Lion. What was that? More importantly, what was that place?

Quickly picking himself up Steven stared at Lion before rushing back inside.

"Dad!"

Greg jumped from the abrupt noise and turned his head to his son. "What's wrong?"

"I need to borrow your scuba-gear." Steven said.

Greg raised an eyebrow at him as he got up and moved away from the counter. "Why do you need my scuba-gear?"

"It's gonna sound kinda weird, but there's this place inside Lion's mane. For some reason I wasn't able to breathe in it, but it looked really cool and I want to explore it." Steven explained.

Blinking at Steven Greg wasn't entirely sure on what his son had just told him. A place inside Lion's mane? That alone was obviously connected to Gem magic. He should let the Crystals handle this, but when they were coming back was debatable. So...maybe he should take a look at this.

"Okay. But let's finish dinner first before we do that, okay?" Greg replied.

July 30th 7:45 p.m.

With dinner eaten and the dishes getting washed father and son went outside to uncover and understand this strange place inside Lion's mane.

Thankfully Lion stuck around as Greg was gearing Steven up. Other times he would've disappeared without a trace so maybe...he's staying to allow them to see this other place?

"Okay, shoo-ball. Be careful in there, okay? We don't know what'll happen once you're inside Lion's mane" Greg instructed.

"Got it dad." Steven replied.

As Greg finished up he stood back to look at his son. A black and blue dive suit fitting his size, a snorkel and goggles with an air tank, and a star-shaped vestl.

Now fully prepared Steven walked over to Lion and placed a hand onto his mane. As he did a pink light started to glow as Greg watched Steven leap inside.

Inside Steven poked his head out of the pink grass. A small gentle breeze passed through him as turned his eyes toward the tree in the distance.

Walking through the pink grass he couldn't help but feel a calm and soothing vibe from this place. If it somehow gained oxygen then this place would be perfect for picnics or sky watching. Definitely.

Reaching the end of the pink grass Steven reached the tree planted onto a small hill. Going up the hill he reached the tree and took notice of several things around it. In the middle was a large chest with a key in the lock, The sword he used against that training robot next on the left of it, a picture of his dad and mom together, one of his dad's old "Mr. Universe" T-shirts hanging on a branch, a pink flag with a rose at the center on the right of the chest, and a strange object placed in a bubble.

'Whoa... Mom must've placed all of her precious things in here.' Steven thought as he went up to the chest.

Reaching his hand out he grabbed onto the key and turned it before opening it up. Looking inside there was...honestly nothing in there except for two VHS tapes. Picking them up he looked at what was written on their sides.

'For Steven? For Kameron?' Steven thought.

Holding onto them Steven closed the chest and directed his attention to the object in the bubble. Putting the VHS tapes down he walked up to the base of the tree and climbed. 'One foot after the other. One branch then to another. Never look down.' He thought as he slowly climbed up. Reaching the branch with the bubble near it Steven slowly wiggled himself toward it before reaching his hand out. He missed on the first try before managing to get it.

Wiggling himself back to the base of the tree he slowly climbed back down onto the hill. 'Okay. Let's see what you really are.' He thought as he added pressure to the bubble before it ultimately POPPED.

The object then landed into his hands and at first Steven squinted his eyes at it while examining it. 'Huh. I feel like I've seen this before but-' He thought before the object started glowing.

Soon this squared object levitated into the air and started...taking form?

As it did it soon clicked to Steven's head. This wasn't an ordinary object it was...a Gemstone. As he watched it take form the Gem soon revealed herself and landed onto the hill. She stumbled a bit as she got up and raised her arms out. Turning her head she looked startled before descending her eyes onto Steven.

Steven...stared at her with stars in his eyes. This Gem... She had gray-skin with black eyes and rainbow dreadlocks. She wore what looked like a black apron with maroon pants and black boots. And additionally, she had a pink star below her Gem and a black star on the left side of her arm.

"Umm...hi, little friend." She greeted awkwardly.

Steven simply waved at her. His eyes expanded as he turned around and grabbed the VHS tapes before turning back to Bismuth. He walked up to her and raised a hand to her. The Gem gave him a confused expression, but since there wasn't really anything else in the place they were in she took his hand as they made their way down the hill.

On the porch Greg waited patiently for his son to return as he slowly squatted repeatedly with sweat-drops falling from his head.

"Don't freak out. Don't freak out. It's gonna be okay. You're son's gonna be fine. He's been through numerous magical situations before." Greg whispered to himself.

Soon Lion began to glow as Greg stopped squatting. Watching him carefully his eyes expanded as Steven was coming out, however...he wasn't alone.

Taking off the snorkel and goggles Steven ran up to his dad and hugged him. "Dad! Dad! Guess who I found?" He asked excitedly.

Greg looked at his son before turning them toward the Gem. His eyes blinked as Steven released him from his hug.

"Wait a minute... You're...Bismuth." He said quietly.

"You know me?" Bismuth asked.

"Umm...not personally, but we know some Gems who know you." Greg replied.

Bismuth slightly tilted her head at him. Just as she opened her mouth to speak a loud noise interrupted her.

Steven gasped before he took Bismuth's hand and brought her inside the house. Bursting through the door Steven and Bismuth stood in place at the Crystal Gems standing on the Warp Pad. As she laid her eyes on them Steven released his hand into hers as she slowly walked up to them. Pearl covered her mouth with both hands as tears started forming in her eyes. Garnet raised a hand toward her visors and made them disappear, showing her eyes trembling with tears forming in them. Amethyst...merely titled her head until something clicked.

"Wait a sec... Isn't that-." Amethyst comment and stopped once she noticed the expression Pearl and Garnet showed

"Pearl... Garnet..." Bismuth said quietly as tears formed in her eyes.

"BISMUTH!" Pearl cried as she ran up to her and jumped before wrapping her arms around her head. "YOU'RE ALIVE! YOU'RE ALIVE! YOU'RE ALIVE!" She sobbed hugging her tightly.

Bismuth chuckled as tears fell down her face. "Wow. You've never jumped into my arms before." She then placed her hands on Pearl's hips and held her up, "Are you really the same Pearl I remembered? Who do you belong to?" She asked as she placed her down.

"I don't belong to anyone anymore." Pearl answered as she wiped her tears.

Turn over to Garnet Bismuth was taken back by a surprise hug. Her grip was strong, but Bismuth didn't care as she hugged her back. Soon they separated and locked eyes as Garnet smiled at her.

"We never thought we'd see you again. We thought you were killed." Pearl said.

"Psh. Please. It's gonna take a lot of effort to kill this Gem." Bismuth replied proudly to her.

Soon the sound of someone clearing their throat caught her attention. Bismuth soon placed her eyes onto Amethyst, "Yo! Pleasure to meet ya, Bismuth."

"Oh, an Amethyst. Welcome aboard." Bismuth replied as they shook hands.

"How are you here? What happened?" Pearl asked.

"Umm...I'm the one who brought her out." Steven answered as he approached them. "There's this strange dimension in Lion's mane and I found a lot of stuff in there, but then I found Bismuth placed in a bubble." He added.

Gasps exited out of the Crystal Gems mouths as they turned to Bismuth. Bismuth herself was confused too. Placed in a bubble? Last thing she remembered was...

"Hold on. Before anything else happens I need to know where Rose is." Bismuth said.

As Garnet placed her visors back on the Crystals averted their eyes from her.

"Um...Bismuth? I'm sorry to say this after we just met but...Rose isn't here anymore." Greg said as he approached her.

She turned to him with a confused expression, "What do you mean she's not here anymore?"

Steven then took off his diving suit and walked up to Bismuth, gaining her attention. "Bismuth, my name is Steven and this is my dad." He said as he looked back at his father before looking back at her, "This might be a little hard to explain...but I'm Rose's son. She's my mom. She...she passed away when I was born and I gained her Gem." He added as he lifted his shirt.

Looking at it Bismuth got down onto one knee and moved her head closely toward the pink Gemstone. 'Oh. There she is.' She thought. " Do you...do you know me?" She asked hesitantly.

Steven slowly shook her head. "No, I don't. I'm so sorry."

"Are you sure?" Bismuth asked.

"Uh-huh. I don't have any of her memories when I was born." Steven replied as he lowered his shirt, "But right now if you don't me asking, why would my mom put you in a bubble?"

Bismuth slowly got back up on her feet. A shadow covered her eyes as she walked over to the counter and placed her hands on it. Everyone watched her as she stayed silent. Her hands slowly gripped into fists as he body shook. The reason she was placed in a bubble... The very reason she was placed in a bubble...

"Bismuth?" Pearl asked cautiously.

"Rose and I...had a disagreement." Bismuth replied as much as she could.

"About what?" Pearl asked as she approached her.

Turning around Bismuth looked at her and the others. Her eyes adverted from left to right as she kept her fists clenched. Closing her eyes she slowly began to recall the very last moments she had with Rose.

"We have to use it! They've gone too far!" Bismuth yelled.

"I can't believe you went behind my back after I told you we couldn't use it! We have to be better than this, Bismuth! This isn't right!" Rose yelled back.

"SERIOUSLY!? After those damn upper-crusts slaughtered our comrades and stars-know how many humans and you're just gonna let it slide?!" Bismuth screamed.

"OF COURSE NOT! What they did was horrific and unforgivable, but we would be no better than them. So I'm going to tell you one last time Bismuth, we cannot and will not use your device. Understand?" Rose yelled angerly.

She could not be serious... SHE COULD NOT BE DEAD SERIOUS! After everything they went through?! After everything that's happened up to this point?! No! No, Bismuth wasn't gonna let those damn upper-crusts get away with this.

Her glare tightened as she turned around and walked away. As she made her way to the exit she immediately stopped in place. Her eyes greatly expanded as she slowly looked down to see a pink blade right under her Gemstone. She slowly turned her head to see the woman who brought her into the Crystal Gems...the woman who convinced her to join her cause for a better change...give her a sorrowful expression.

"I'm so sorry my friend, but I can't let you do this. You can hate me for this. I wouldn't blame you if you do, but I can't let you destroy yourself." Rose softly told her.

As Bismuth attempted to speak she instantly poofed and her device fell onto the ground.

Bismuth slowly opened her eyes. The Crystals, Steven, and Greg looked at her with shocked expressions. Her fists slowly unraveled themselves as tears started forming in her eyes. They began to fall onto her cheeks until they dripped off of her chin.

"She never told you, did she?" She asked softly and quietly. The others didn't response and instead shook their heads. "She just bubbled me away and never told any of you what happened. She gave me a chance to fight back and I trusted her. I believed in the cause. I found a way to give us the advantage to end the Rebellion so no more of our comrades or humans would die, and she stabbed me in the back."

She tried to wipe away her tears, but they just wouldn't stop falling. Sobs then exited out of her mouth as she fell to her knees and covered her face. If Rose was going to do this to her then why even convince her to join the Crystal Gems in the first place? They were making a difference and Home World was going to pay for the endless suffering they caused, so why would Rose take all of that away from Bismuth? Did she want to be the one to take down Pink Diamond on her own? Take all the glory for her self? WHY!?

Bismuth didn't understand. But why should it matter now? She was gone and Bismuth couldn't even confront her about it.

"Bismuth."

Removing her hands from her face Bismuth's sobs slowly began to fade, but her tears continued to fall. Looking up she noticed Steven standing right in front of her with tears in his eyes. She tried to speak, but before she could say any words Steven stepped up and wrapped his arms around her neck.

"I'm so, so sorry my mom did that to you. But it's going to be okay now. Because you're back and you're not alone." Steven said as he released himself from her. "The Crystal Gems are here with you and you can join us again if you want. And it's not just us either, the Rainbow Gems are here too."

A light gasp left Bismuth's mouth as she looked at the others.

"He is telling the truth. They've survived the Rebellion and have been co-existing with humans ever since." Pearl said. "We've manage to work things out with them and are on good terms again."

Bismuth blinked at her twice as she wiped away any remaining tears from her eyes. "How many of them are left?"

"Perhaps it'll be better if we go see them. You'll get your answers then." Garnet replied.

Without any hesitation Bismuth nodded as the whole group went outside toward Greg's van.

July 30th 8:00 p.m.

"BISMUTH!" Citrine sobbed.

The moment she entered the Evans Residence Citrine immediately ran up to her and hugged her while lifting her from the ground. Bismuth herself started sobbing as she returned his affection. For so long Citrine assumed she was dead. In fact, everyone thought that, but no, she was alive and in his arms. His long-lost friend was here with him again.

Eventually Citrine placed her down and let her go, wiping the endless tears from his eyes. "I...I just can't believe you're actually here."

Bismuth sniffled as she wiped her tears away, "Better believe it big guy. I ain't going anywhere this time." She then turned her attention to the others, "And look at all of you! I can hardly recognize you guys. Especially you, Green."

Green's lips stretched into a grin as he approached her, "It has been ages since we've last met, Bismuth. It is truly amazing to see you again." He said as they shook hands. "Although while we are happy to see you, how were you able to stay alive after the War?"

Bismuth's eyes expanded as their hands separated. Typical Green, always wanting to get straight to the point.

"Rose Quartz. She...she placed me in a bubble and put me inside of a pink lion." Bismuth explained.

"WHAT!?" Citrine yelled.

He then turned his eyes onto the Crystals as his eyes formed a glare. First they hurt his sister and now they did this?! They just got to trust them again and already their relationship was going to get complicated again.

"We didn't know she was in there!" Pearl defended as she raised her hands up. "We didn't know. I swear to the stars!"

Citrine's glare softened slightly as he turned his eyes onto Bismuth.

"They didn't know. I asked them and Rose never told them where I was." Bismuth said truthfully.

Citrine's glare softened up a bit more until it slowly faded. He'll believe his friend, but he will be skeptical toward Pearl and Garnet.

"Why would Rose bubble you away?" Christie asked as she stood next to Green.

"Who are you?" Bismuth asked.

"My name is Christie. I'm Green's wife." Christie replied.

Bismuth looked at him and back to her. Her eyes then descended to their hands showing rings with doves on them. Raising her eyes back up her mouth agape. There...really wasn't anything she could say to this, but then her lips stretched into a grin. "Wow. Well aren't you beautiful. You're a lucky woman to be with him." She added.

Christie giggled as she took her husband's hand into her own, "He tells me that everyday."

"Well, I'm happy you found someone special, Green." Bismuth said. Her grin then slowly disappeared, "And to answer your wife's question we're gonna need to go to the Forge. Is it still around?"

"It is." Kameron said, making Bismuth turn to him. "Citrine showed me the place, but we weren't able to gain access to it."

"Wow." Bismuth said as she approached. "It's not often I meet a human with heterochromic eyes. What's your name?"

"I'm Kameron." Kameron answered as they shook hands. "I'm Green Diamond's son. It really is amazing to meet you in person."

Bismuth's eyes widened as Kameron raised his right arm, showing her his Gemstone. She looked back at Green and Christie before turning back to Kameron.

It hasn't even been a day and already she's been hit with so many revelations. First she reunites with the other Crystal Gems, then discovers that Rose isn't around anymore due to giving birth to Steven, after that she reunites with the Rainbow Gems, and to top it off Green Diamond, the rebel Diamond, is not only married to a human but also has a child of his own. There were so many questions going through her mind and she wasn't even sure which one she wanted to ask first. But...as much as it was important for her to catch up with everyone there was some unfinished business to handle.

July 30th 8:30 p.m.

Athens. The oldest city in Greece. The city itself has been subjected to countless wars in the past. Some by their own people and some being started by other regions and nations attacking them, specifically Sparta. Massacres erupted onto the streets. Screams of agony, fear, and anguish roared in the air as numerous soldiers laid down their lives for the sake of their people, their homes, honor, battle, and family. The wars lasted for years and eventually both sides forgot what they were fighting for. The only thing to do was to ensure one side would win, but over time as more people were slain both sides came to an agreement.

They've been wasting and destroying lives. Consumed by their raw unadulterated emotions until they opened their eyes to what they were doing. Nothing would be gained from countless and endless fighting without a good reason or cause. So...both leaders of Athens and Sparta agreed to put an end to the war and make peace under the conditions of being treated equally and without discrimination. And from that day on both nations would be allies, fighting side by side to protect and defend inside of killing and conquering.

Southwest of Athens the Crystal Gems and Rainbow Gems appeared via Warp Pads and Whistles. They all turned around at the sight of a large volcano in the distance and began walking toward it.

"Holy stars. I can't believe the volcano is still here. Exactly how long has it been since I've been away?" Bismuth said as they walked.

"It's been five-thousand and three hundred years." Pearl answered.

'Five-thousand and three hundred years...' Bismuth thought. "Citrine, you brought Kameron here?" She said, looking back at him.

"During his early days of training I made him climb to the top of the volcano while carrying a rock on his back." Citrine replied as he looked at his brother.

"Yeah. It still aches just thinking about it." Kameron replied as he rubbed his back.

Bismuth started chuckling, "Aw, I wish I could've seen that. What other kinds of training you did, Kameron?"

"Well nowadays I train by myself. But when I was starting out I wanted to test out my endurance, so Amber helped me out by repeatedly shooting lightning at me using about seven-hundred volts." Kameron replied.

"And honestly, mah brother has got some good endurance. Ah then increased my volts until we stopped before ah could accidentally give'em some unwanted shock therapy." Amber said.

"I would compare that to the training me and Steven when through with Azurite." Kameron replied.

"Oh, yeah. Bismuth, me and Kameron went to this massive lake to see how long we could hold our breaths." Steven said.

"Really? Who was the victor?" Bismuth replied.

"My big brother. I could hold my breath for a few minutes while Kameron can hold his for a whole hour." Steven said as he looked at Kameron.

Kameron smirked as he placed a hand onto his head, "When you get older you'll be able to do it longer."

Steven giggled before Kameron removed his hand from his head.

Walking up the volcano the Crystals and Rainbows stopped at a large metallic square placed into the crust. A large grin was placed on Bismuth's face as she stepped forward and placed both of her hands underneath her Gemstone. Her Gem began to glow and the large metallic square began to shake until it immediately began to open up.

"Everyone. Welcome to my Forge." Bismuth said as they entered inside.

Walking through the long tunnel Greg and Christie started fanning themselves while Steven and Kameron wiped away the sweat from their foreheads. The temperature was increasing little by little as they traversed forward. Water might work under these conditions, but since they were going inside of a volcano it probably wouldn't last long, plus the water would evaporate in an instant anyway, so the best option for them was to endure it.

Reaching the end of the tunnel they all reached a massive room. Bismuth turned her hands into mallets as she made her way to the other side and slammed them onto a large black spike. The spike lowered itself and huge amounts of lava began to come out from the walls, illuminating the room.

Steven and Kameron stepped forward as they took a good look at the room. On the walls from left to right there was a myriad of weapons. Different variations of swords, shields, spears, axes, hammers, polearms, bows and arrows, etc. Up above there were more weapons hanging from the ceiling ranging from more swords, shields, spears, and bows. Huh, guess Bismuth liked those weapons the most.

"Wow. Bismuth. Where did you find all of these weapons?" Steven asked in awe.

"I didn't find them, Steven, I made them." Bismuth replied as she stepped into a large lavafall. She then came out with a sigh while rolling her arms, "Yeah, that's the stuff. There's nothin' like a good lava bath to put you into a working mood."

"Bismuth. You made all of these?" Steven asked in awe, again.

"I sure did. Let me show you guys." Bismuth replied as she walked toward the walls. There were three large jars standing side by side as Bismuth picked out from them before going over to another lavafall, only this one was a lot smaller. "So...Kameron and Steven, were you both told what Bismuths do?"

"Yeah." Kameron answered. "Back on Homeworld Bismuths were builders and architects. Your jobs were to construct whatever the high ranks or the Diamonds requested of you. Plus you worked alongside Citrine, who are demolishers." He added as he glanced at Citrine.

"That's right!" Bismuth said as she walked toward the middle of the room showcasing a large anvil. She then placed the hot substance onto the anvil and started hitting it. "We Bismuths. Never. Got. The. Recognition. We. Deserved!" She added with every pound until she stopped to look at Citrine. "Citrine was the only one who gave me respect. And I gave him the same back, but everyone else just wanted us to work without a single "thanks" or gratitude."

She then picked up the substance into a small pool of lava before pulling it out and blowing it, forming a short sword. "When I came to Earth I thought it was gonna be the same thing. Build temples to honor the Diamonds, build arenas for warriors to fight in, build towers and spires for thinkers to think in, but my whole life changed the day I met Rose Quartz. She asked me what "I" wanted to build...and I've never heard that before in my life. I wasn't really keen on joining her cause at first, but after some convincing she helped opened my eyes."

Putting the sword onto the anvil she frowned, "In the beginning we had the same goals, and it made it even more clear when I saw the big guy taking out Quartz soldiers with that powerful hammer of his. But then things turned south real fast afterwards." She stated.

"What happened?" Pyrope asked.

"Everyone gather around and I'l show you." Bismuth replied.

The Crystals and Rainbows walked toward her and made a circle around her anvil. Raising her arm up Bismuth turned it into a Phillip screwdriver before placing it into a opening below her anvil. Turning her arm the floor they were standing on transformed into a platform and slowly descended.

As they arrived at the lower lever of the Forge there were pools of lava everywhere. Behind Bismuth there was a statue of herself with a strange contraption on the right arm. Walking away from the others she took the contraption from the statue and placed it onto her right arm. It was black with a maroon star at the side, a metal cylinder at the back of it and a sharp drill-like point on the front.

"This is why Rose placed me in a bubble." Bismuth said, showing it to the others.

"What is that Bismuth?" Pearl asked.

"I call it the Breaking Point. I made it as a counterpart to Rose's sword. After...I witnessed the deaths of my comrades and humans I grew fond of I made this to end the war." Bismuth explained. "Pink Diamond was already losing her mind. There was already enough of us dead and innocent blood spilled, I made this out of a very strong material to shatter her Gemstone and end it all."

Gasps left the mouths of the Crystals while the Rainbows looked at Bismuth with shocked expressions. The Breaking Point was capable of shattering Gems in an instant?

"I tested it out on a few Quartz and Pyropes. After that was when me and Rose talked. The rest...you know." Bismuth said as she held her creation.

"Bismuth... We...we can't use something like that." Pearl replied.

Bismuth look at Pearl as her eyes expanded. They soon narrowed as she looked down at it, "She told me the exact same thing. But are you all going to just let what happened back then slide?" She then looked up at everyone as her eyes narrowed. "Home World has their own cause and they're not gonna stop until it's complete. This has been going on for eons! How many more will have to die?! We've become better than them! I only want payback against those that deserve it!" She stated.

The Crystals and Rainbows looked at one another before turning their attention on Bismuth. Shattering a Gem ends their existence...and that's it. They can't reform after that. Not even a Diamond is able to bring them back from death. The expression Bismuth was showing was all too familiar to them. And the Breaking Point reflects that.

"Bismuth." Garnet spoke. "We haven't forgotten everything we went through. What happened was a maelstrom of destruction and death, but there has to be a better way than using that."

"Yeah... No offense, Bismuth, but that really is taking it too far." Amethyst added.

Steven stood next to his father who placed a hand on his son's shoulder as they looked away from her.

Bismuth let looked at the Rainbows as Green approached her. Their eyes locked onto each other as he placed a hand onto the Breaking Point. Were they on the same page as the others?

"Bismuth. You should keep the Breaking Point." Green said, earning gasps from the Crystals. "I am not going to tell you what you should do or how your life should be. That is something you and you alone decide, but I can give you advice if you'd like."

Bismuth nodded.

"Use this only when necessary. Believe with your eyes, your heart, and soul. If this device will help you receive closure to those who'd wrong you and caused you great pain, then we won't stop you." Green said as he removed his hand from the device.

"Green! She can't use that! Nobody deserves that!" Pearl dejected.

"Pearl!" Pyrope yelled, gaining her attention. "What do you think we are?"

She blinked at him while popping an eyebrow.

"Answer the question." Citrine asked firmly.

"We're Gems." Pearl answered.

"Wrong." Charoite said, turning her head to her. "We are not just Gems we are veterans of war."

"In war both sides are in the wrong." Lepidolite added. "That means there are times when we are left with no other choice. Not just with Gems or humans, but every single organic in the universe."

"We are not gods." Onyx added with arms crossed. "We do not decide who lives or dies, or how how the world or the universe should be. We protect those we hold dear and if we are left with the choice to end a life to prevent innocents and what we cherish from dying then so be it."

"Some of us weren't born ta fight, but each of us made that choice ta be better and make a change." Amber said. "Some suspects ah chase down kill people or anythin' they wish and there are times I have ta put them down."

"But we've been putting the Corrupted in bubbles. Subduing them until we find a way to help them. Isn't that being better than shattering Gems. Even if we can't agree, no-one deserves this." Steven replied back.

Green then looked at Steven and walked up to him and the Crystals. He turned his head back to Kameron and his wife before looking back at the Crystals. Closing his eyes he placed his hands into his pockets and reopened them. "Myself, my sons, and my daughters haven't always been bubbling the Corrupted. There are times when...we ourselves have shattered them."

Silence took hold of the atmosphere with only lava-bubbles popping around them. The Crystals...stared at Green and the Rainbows. Even Bismuth was frozen at this.

"Kameron." Steven said, gaining his attention. "Did...did you know about this?"

"I already figured it out." Kameron replied without hesitation. Soon all eyes were on him. "And I'm not mad or disgusted. You do what you need to do in war, no matter what. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna do the same thing again. As much as I want to, I'd rather seal the Corrupted and bubble them instead."

Fear and worry lessened in the eyes of his family, but not toward the Crystals. As for Bismuth, she placed the Breaking Point into her Gemstone and walked up to the others. "So...where do we go from here?"

End of Episode 26.

I'm so, so sorry this took so long.

I've decided to add in Bismuth early because I've got several ideas on what to do with her and because she is very underrated. I like her character and wished the Crewniverse would've given her more things to do. I hope you all liked the differences I made here from the canon, if not then I'm sorry if it isn't interesting enough.

Still, hope you all enjoyed this. Think of this as the end of Season 1 for Crystal Rainbow.

Next Time:

Rose's Love