Kidnapped and taken to Homeworld, put on trial as the Rose Quartz, rebel, criminal, murderer. Could things get any worse? Probably. Could they get any better? Maybe.
The trial was a disaster. His lawyer had clearly been set up, the poor Zircon forced to defend him and terrified of her own potential shattering the entire time. At least Lars was okay, even if he was stuck sitting on the cold floor with a bubble around his head. It seemed as though he wouldn't get the chance to say anything, to truly defend himself when Yellow Diamond claps her hands together, cheerily calling for his execution. That is until Blue Diamond decides she wants to hear what happened directly from him. She wants to know how his mom, how he shattered Pink Diamond.
He stands on the raised platform, fiddling with his fingers, nervous under the scrutiny of the two massive women. He can't do this. He can't pretend to be her, he doesn't want to. He doesn't want to take her punishment, he doesn't want to die.
"I don't know." He glances shyly up at Blue Diamond who's leaned forward to watch him closely as he answers her questions, then stares back down at his hands.
"What?" her eyes narrow at him in fury.
"I…" he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, "I don't know how Pink Diamond was shattered. I'm not Rose Quartz."
"What do you mean you're not Rose Quartz!? Blue, didn't your Aquamarine confirm this was her?" Yellow demands
Blue leans back on her throne, "She did. This is Rose Quartz, she was sure of it, and at your request I sent my best Aquamarine. She couldn't be wrong."
Steven looks up, determination on his face, "Please, I'm not her! She made me, using her gem and my dads DNA I guess? I'm half human half gem. She gave up her life to give me mine. I don't have any of her memories, but I do have her gem and powers." To emphasize he summons his shield.
Blue Diamond looks to Yellow, who's leaned closer, listening raptly, and now examining his shield. Her eyes are full of curiosity and intrigue, completely different from the cold fury of earlier.
"Zircons you are dismissed." She straightens in her throne and claps her hands, "Pearl, summon a Selenite. We need to examine this creature and the gem."
"Yes, my diamond!" Yellow Pearl immediately types away on her yellow screen.
The column lowers him back to the floor, where he feels much safer, despite how much the diamonds tower over him now. At least he doesn't feel like he could be blown off to his death as easily as blowing out a birthday candle anymore.
"What should we do with the organic?" Yellow asks Blue, gesturing towards Lars, who flinches when he finds himself under their intense gazes.
Blue gestures dismissively, "Just have it sent to the Zoo as we originally planned with the organics Aquamarine was supposed to collect."
Steven speaks up, voice full of hope, "Can I say goodbye before he goes?"
The two diamonds stare intensely at him, debating to themselves whether or not his request could be an escape attempt. Deciding he couldn't possibly escape with Yellow there to stop him they both nod in tandem.
Steven thanks them, then runs up to Lars, popping the bubble on his head.
"Steven! What's going on? What's gonna happen? I couldn't hear anything with that stupid bubble on my head…" Lars breaths quickly, two seconds away from a complete panic attack.
"I told them I'm not my mom and they want to examine my gem. They're going to send you to this place called the Zoo." He tells Lars as quietly as possible, "It's not a bad place, the humans there are really really nice! So are the gems! Well except for Holly Blue, she's pretty mean."
He leans in and hugs Lars tightly, "Listen Lars, talk to the Amethysts there, they look kind of like really tall versions of Amethyst, who sometimes comes to the Big Donut with me, they're kind of like her sisters I guess? Anyways, tell them you're friends with Amethyst 8XM and Steven, that we want their help getting you back to Earth. They'll help you, I'm sure of it."
Stepping back with tears in his eyes, he places his hand on Lars' chest, "Remember, it's okay to be afraid."
He smiles when Lars, tears in his own terrified eyes, places his hand on Steven's chest. Steven then steps back, a bubble engulfs Lars and takes him away.
They don't have to wait long for a strange looking gem to arrive. She's tall and thin, almost entirely gray all over. She has no hair, her gem a thin rod shape in her forehead, her eyes are solid gray eyes and sharp, filled with an insatiable curiosity, as if the universe exists solely for her to learn and understand it all. Her clothing is like that of a stereotypical scientist from Earth tv shows, with glasses, a white dress shirt, gray slacks, and long white lab coat. She stands straight, feet together and hands saluting the two diamonds before her.
"You called for me, my diamonds." Her voice is just as sharp as her eyes, somehow conveying absolute devoted obedience to their authority as well as a feeling of her time being wasted on something useless.
"Yes." Yellow gestures for her to enter, "We require you to thoroughly examine this thing and the gem embedded in it."
Steven grimaces at being called a thing.
Nodding Selenite steps into the room, a Peridot with short round hair, and limb enhancers follows behind her, rapidly typing away at a green colored screen with her robo fingers. Selenite stops beside him and summons some strange devices from her gem, while Peridot sets up several small screens around them, and two large opaque white screens; one near Selenite, the other in front of the diamonds.
"Lift your appearance modifier." Selenite tells him.
Doing as asked Steven lifts his shirt, exposing his gem. She holds a device up to her glasses, tapping a few buttons on it. As she examines his gem the diamonds lean close to the screen in front of them, a close up image of his gem appearing on it. During the war no one had seen the Rose Quartz's gem up close. Not even those who battled with her directly were able to give an accurate description of her gem beyond the standard round pink gem with 5 facets. Neither of them were willing to give up this chance to see the defective gem, and any possible physical deformities that may explain why she betrayed her people 6,000 years ago.
Straightening Selenite types a few things into the white screen near her, "Cut and facet are perfect. No deformities, cracks, or inclusions indicating defectiveness. The size however, is somewhat larger than most Rose Quartzes and the color is a few shades too bright pink, vs the pale pink of a normal Rose Quartz. While this could indicate she's simply an off color gem, the fact that her cut and facets are completely perfect directly contradicts such a simple conclusion."
"Could being embedded in an organic cause symptoms such as memory loss?" Blue asks
Yellow turns to Blue, incredulous. Does Blue know nothing of how gem memory systems work? Simply embedding a gem into an object, organic or otherwise, can't "erase" information from the gem itself. If it were that easy they wouldn't have had to use a complex process of rejuvenation and laser controlled cracking to remove a gems sense of self and embed them in various gem powered devices. Yellow minutely shakes her head, of course Blue doesn't know about those details, she's never been involved in the technological or scientific aspects of their society. That was one of Yellow's favorite departments. She briefly recalls hearing about a rebel Lapis Lazuli during the war being embedded into an object and interrogated only to receive nothing useful. She'd tried to explain to Blue that wasn't how gem powered objects worked, but Blue wouldn't listen, too concerned over the rebellion and Pink's inability to handle it on her own at the time. She briefly wonders what could have been different if she'd played a more active role in helping Pink back then. If maybe she could've prevented the entire debacle.
Shaking her head again, Yellow returns her focus to the Selenite. She, Blue and the organic are staring at her. She'd been so lost in her thoughts she didn't even notice they were waiting for direction from her.
Clearing her throat with a slight blush Yellow gestures dismissively to Selenite, "Perform thorough scans of the gem and organic. We need to know absolutely everything."
Selenite nods with an almost imperceptible smile; that's her diamond for you, always thinking and on top of everything. She places several electrode-like devices on Steven's gem, and stomach, as well as his hands, feet and head. The electrodes pulse with energy, while several cylindrical devices float around him, poking, prodding, and scanning every inch of him.
As he is scanned the diamonds question Steven for more details about his existence. The whole experience feels incredibly invasive to him, but it's better than being locked away forever… or dead…
"I was born 14 years ago. Rose Quartz grew me in her form like humans do, then gave up her physical form to have me. I have her gem and her powers, but no memories. The gems and my dad always say I remind them of her, that sometimes I act or talk like her, but other people say I'm a lot like my dad too, which I guess is normal? Human kids take after both their parents, so…" a raised eyebrow from both diamonds encourages him to continue, "I was raised by my dad for the most part, until I was older, then I went to live with the Crystal Gems to learn how to use my powers and help protect the planet."
"I remember when I first summoned my shield. I thought I needed to eat ice cream to do it!" He smiles fondly and laughs a little at himself. "I was wrong obviously, but-"
"Pardon me." Selenite interrupts him, "Summon your shield now please, so I may obtain further readings."
Nodding he summons his shield, Selenite hums at some changes in the readings flowing across her screen. Blue turns away, tears in her eyes, at the sight of the weapon of Rose Quartz again, while Yellow scowls at the rose symbols on it. After a minute he lets the shield dissipate, not wanting to upset them by waving a reminder of what they lost around in their faces.
He spends the rest of the time telling the diamonds about his adventures with the gems. Finding artifacts, disabling out of control gem structures, and fighting monsters. At Yellows, and Selenites, curious insistence, he gives a very brief explanation of the corrupted gem monsters, and how they poof and bubble them to keep them safe, hoping to one day be able to heal them. He keeps the explanation short when he notices the diamonds, pearls and peridot all looking rather sick at his description of corruption.
Steven quickly moves on to talking about learning more of his powers. Healing, to which Selenite has him provide a sample of saliva and tears; his bubble, which he does without Selenite needing to ask him to, and holds it long enough for her to get plenty of readings; and floating, again he demonstrates without needing to be asked. Floating might be his favorite power and he's happy to show it off for them all. The only indication he's doing something right is the hums from Selenite… and the fact that he's still alive.
After everything Selenite removes the electrodes and devices, and begins typing away on her screen as she compiles all the information. She hums to herself some more. Steven's noticed she does that a lot, and can't keep himself from harmonizing with her. She's so focused she doesn't even notice as he sits on the floor and happily sings a wordless song in harmony with her humming. Peridot, the pearls and diamonds listen raptly. Something about his singing calls to the two diamonds, like a memory long buried beneath years of grief.
Finished compiling her notes Selenite turns to the diamonds, "I will start with the most… shocking information."
Yellow nods and gestures with her hand for Selenite to continue. Whatever it is must be incredibly surprising, this Selenite in particular usually doesn't hesitate or wait for confirmation before providing information. Never one to wait, or soften upsetting news, she typically lays it all out clear and simple, uncaring for the feelings of those around her. That's why she was the Selenite summoned for this particular case, and why she's one of Yellow's favorite scientists. It's nice to have at least one lesser gem who will simply do her job, and not simper or cower in her presence.
Pressing a few buttons on her screen, an image of Steven's gem appears on the screen in front of the diamonds, similar to an x-ray, showing his skeleton "The gem is not a Rose Quartz." Pressing another button the image changes to a side view, "It's a Pink Diamond."
Steven's pretty sure the diamonds are yelling; at Selenite, at each other, he can't tell, he can't really hear them. His focus is solely on the image of his gem on Selenite's screen. Everything else is static in the background as his whole world is turned upside down. Pink Diamond wasn't shattered. Rose Quartz was Pink Diamond. His mom was Pink Diamond.
He is Pink Diamond.
His thoughts spiral out of control, feelings too intense to comprehend flowing through him, drowning him slowly, painfully. What does this mean? His mom wasn't a murderer. What's going to happen to him now? Instead she's responsible for so much worse. Who even is he?
White suddenly fills his vision, halting his spiraling thoughts, as he's lifted into the absolutely massive hands of another giant woman. She practically glows white, with star shaped hair, shining white and gray eyes, pure black lips and lashes; a white diamond shines on her forehead. She pulls him close to her face and looks him over closely, carefully, as if searching for something. He can't move, though some part of him wants to cower away from her intense gaze.
White Diamond had been in her head, where she's been for the last 6,000 years, doing the same thing as always; just enough to help keep Homeworld functioning, and no more. A mere ghost of the diamond she used to be, when she suddenly received an urgent call from Yellow and Blue. Neither of them have contacted her in eons, everyone grieving and trying to find a way to move on in their own way, now suddenly they both contact her, in a complete panic.
It took a moment for her to figure out what they were saying as they both yelled and cried over each other, but eventually she got the message. Pink Diamond wasn't shattered. They rushed to explain what happened; something about being embedded in an organic, thinking she was Rose Quartz, and so on. She rapidly ended the call and made her way to the courtroom, finally leaving her head.
In the courtroom she closely examined the small creature in her palm looking terrified, and slightly ill. With her there Yellow and Blue calm themselves. White summons a throne for herself, and together the three diamonds sit, White opting to continue to hold the small creature in her hands. She watches as Yellow clears her throat and requests the Selenite waiting before them to continue her explanations.
Clearing her own throat, grateful the diamond's emotional outburst didn't last too long, "To keep it brief, examinations of the gem embedded in this human male, revealed it to not be a Rose Quartz as previously believed, but in fact a Pink Diamond."
"Scans revealed an almost completely inert gem. All memory files, with the exception of the last 14 years, are gone. No indication of the thoughts or memories of Pink Diamond as we knew her. There is the base coding that all gems emerge with for energy and ability use. Hence why I choose to refer to this gem as a Pink Diamond, not the Pink Diamond."
An intense gleam of curiosity appears in Selenite's eyes, "The gem and human are inextricably intertwined. One unable to exist without the other. I theorize, based on scans showing hard-light veins flowing throughout the human body similar to, though in a much more complex network than, the hard light that makes up our physical forms, that the two being separated would be catastrophic."
She paces, holding everyone's rapt attention. Even Steven, who sometimes struggles to focus when large words are tossed about, is completely enraptured by Selenites explanation.
"Without the gem half of their physical being and consciousness the human half would cease to exist in short order. Without the human half, the gem would either become completely inert, nothing more than a pretty pink rock, or it would become an unstoppable force of destruction, destroying everything in its path in a desperate attempt to rejoin with its other half, until dissipated and bubbled or… shattered…"
Selenite stops her pacing to stare each diamond directly in the eyes. Something no gem dares to do, though knowing she needs to drive this point home hard, or else Homeworld is at risk, and therefore all her research and projects. She won't let the emotions of the most powerful gems in existence get in the way of her work.
"It is, therefore, my educated conclusion that this human is pink diamond in gem type, and title, but not in name." for the first time a small smile appears on her face, "Pink Diamond created an entirely new being, a new diamond. She, herself, is well and truly gone."
The doors closing behind Selenite as she and Peridot leave snaps Steven out of the stupor he'd been in since she finished her lecture. On the one hand, he's happy to finally have proof that he's not his mom. He's always known that, but having someone else confirm it makes him feel so much better! On the other hand, he's sad and maybe a little angry, to know that his mom waged a war against herself that shattered millions of gems. To say he's exhausted would be an understatement. He'd love nothing more than to lay down and sleep for the next week, but the three diamonds staring at him tells him that won't be happening for a while yet.
Blue carefully lifts him from White's hands and into her own, "What should we call you little one? We can't exactly call you Pink after all."
"Well… my mom… Pink, named me Steven." his stomach growling makes him realize just how starving he's feeling, "Um, I'm sorry but… I'm hungry. My, uh, human half, needs food and water to survive."
"Of course! Pearl, request fruit from the Zoo be brought here immediately." Blue orders, "You look exhausted as well. If I remember correctly, humans need regular rest to function as well, yes?"
At Steven's nod the three diamonds agree they can continue their discussion later, after Steven has eaten and rested. White and Yellow opt to return to their duties while Blue takes Steven to Pink's palace. She carries him the entire way, her long strides making short work of the trip across Homeworld to the palace. Despite having been almost completely abandoned the building and the walls around it are still a shining pristine pink. The room she brings Steven to is large, bare, and very very pink. When Blue sets him on the floor he looks around, the space seeming even more massive from his spot on the floor.
He turns to look up at Blue and says, "Sorry but," he looks down and fidgets with his fingers, "I need a bed to sleep on, preferably soft and comfy with pillows and blankets…"
He feels like he's asking too much, despite knowing it's something he needs in order to rest properly. Blue simply smiles at him, and gestures behind him with her head. When he turns he sees exactly what he asked for appearing from the floor, small gray creatures building and crafting what he asked for right before his eyes. Blue kneels on the floor to be closer to his level, and explains what they are.
"Those are pebbles. They're all over Homeworld, helping gems repair and customize their dwellings. You need only ask."
She then stands and turns to leave, her pearl opening the door for her, "Get some rest. Food from the Zoo will have arrived by the time you've revived."
After she leaves, Steven takes a few moments to introduce himself to the pebbles. He explains everything he learned today to them. Doing so, with the little pebbles hanging off him and asking questions, helps him process everything a little better. He's still exhausted, but overall beginning to feel a little better about everything. He then lays down and makes himself comfortable on the pink and cream colored bed, practically asleep the moment his head hits the pillow.