#except she poked fun at him enough that he managed to adjust and speak vaguely like a human

[sprouttheambassador]

girl who loves to listen to interviews and q&a sessions of authors but becomes so irrationally angry with dull questions and ass-kissing demeanors

[douxie-casperan]

It’s finally here, part 2 of this ask for @flamekeeperbellroc The prompt below was specifically requested to be the Heart of Glass AU and it’s not angsty either it’s a miracle!

✂ - A vivid memory

All journeys start with a single step as the saying goes and there may well be some truth to the idea. It had been one that led to the loss of his hand, one where he fell through the portal to escape, many that had led the two of them to Nari and a handful more from there to the safety of a fortress that had become their home for months on end or possibly longer… It is rather difficult to parse the passage of time when nothing changes other than what can be marked with distinctive milestones: The before, the welcome, the beginning, his voice, the replacement. However long it had been however he felt the closest possible to being the before than he ever had despite all the damage and cracks in his head that had been left in it’s wake, something he’d never dared dream was even possible.

The Order’s willingness to allow him to take everything at his own pace was perhaps the greatest of all gifts he’d been given because it seemed that no matter how many times he stumbled or fell there was still that chance there to claw his way back, always managing to reach a little bit further with the unwavering support from more than just his familiar. There were still bad episodes or worse and his ability to sleep soundly remained hellishly erratic but even getting to this point without it would have been simply impossible so he tried to ensure that they knew how thankful and refused to let himself be a burden even during the worst moments particularly when he wasn’t the only one who was suffering. In a secret held only between the two of them he might have even dared starting to think of it like being in a family again but he’s not ready to voice such things aloud, not yet anyway.

What he was planning to do next was simply another step towards finding something to help him once more to being functional yet even the very concept of doing it felt utterly terrifying. Asking was even worse and was much dallied over, preparing for an utter nightmare and now there was only one thing left: leaving.

Something that had come as a surprise to him was it had turned out that it was rather unusual all three of them to be here at once, Nari particularly had a tendency to wander then reappear with gifts she had brought or tales of things she had seen. There was only one present when the time came as it happened, something he was well aware of, though when Bellroc suddenly appears at his side it still manages to startle him so badly that a small dragon around his neck has to gently comfort to help his heart get back into some sort of order from it’s attempt to leap out his throat. They say nothing though do look somewhat apologetic, being around them so often has made it much easier to read their moods if still needing to glance down first sometimes. They wait patiently and only when Archie is given an appreciative scritch do they speak up.

“Do you have all that you require, Hisirdoux?” They ask softly somewhat ruined by the noise of clacking adjusting to watch.

“With your insistence on walking it would be easy enough to underestimate things for anyone.”

“We will manage I am sure, will be like being a kid again just less of the whole running for our lives thing.” He is given a non-committal hmm for that so he quickly continues before it can be taken the wrong way.

“Be nice though even if do have a specific goal in mind, we used to roam wherever we liked with the freedom to simply do as wanted… Maybe that is looking back on things too simply but we both miss it, used to talk a lot about what was beyond the walls late at night and there is a bit of a novelty in finally finding out I admit.”

"Very well. Then if you are to go ahead with your plans I want you to know that this place was never meant to be seen as your prison. Apart from that being a solely human concept you have always been free to leave whenever you wished, after all what would we gain from keeping you here as long as you drew breath? It's a sanctuary from the world outside and always will be forever long you want. I believe you would call it a home."

He doesn’t react at first while carefully deciphering the words then, whether they like it or not, a tight hug is launched Bellroc’s direction forcing Archie to scarper for the hood of his current wear unless he wants to drown in their long feathers declining being part of the action himself. For their part they stand there for a moment, no more idea how to react than the first time this had started happening before tentatively putting their arms around the boy content to allow him decide when the embrace would be over not wanting him to feel they wanted to push him away. As if sensing potential for discomfort they are let go with their personal space returned when Douxie needs a hand free to wipe his eyes clean. Emotions are remaining hard, particularly the happier ones and he is given a gentle nuzzle by the dragon reclaiming his spot.

“Thank you, for everything I mean. You might be able to have peace for a little while…” He doesn’t say anything specifically but images from more humble breakages to alchemical experiments gone horribly wrong spring to mind far louder than the worst things it could have. Perhaps it could be taken as a good sign of starting to heal were anyone to know.

“Quiet is not always a good thing, it will make it all the more obvious you will not be here for a time. Do keep in contact, please? The birds will always find us if it is you who sent for them and while it will not be you personally it will be appreciated knowing how you are getting on.”

“I will remind him if need be.” Douxie shoots him a glare to get only an innocent look in return.

“If one does not go out sooner it will be when we get there minimum. I really do not know how long it will take but I guess that is part of the fun getting to try and clear my head out a bit in the process. I just need to know I can do it, you know?”

“Of course. May your travels be safe, Hisirdoux and Archie, and if you ever run into trouble know there is no place we cannot reach.”

His smile could not have been any wider when he left that day, a knowing reassurance bolstering each and every step.

~

The passage of time it turns out is a lot easier to tell where seasons are marked by the change of colour, the work in the fields or festivities coming and going like the tides supposedly did as the pair passed through village and town. The leaves had started to turn when they left originally and now they dazzled in the richest of golds that only just starting to drop one by one threatening the coming of winter and harder going if they did not make it soon. Thus they would press on anyway with knowing, guided by a simple directional spell and stopping nowhere for any more than a day or two to gather more supplies thanking people for their kindness. One bird was summoned on route carefully done under the cover of darkness lest somebody got the wrong idea, things had soured only further against magic since their disappearance from the world and neither wanted to put themselves into a potential firing line.

Eventually places started to become vaguely familiar cropped up in the form of names though with these also came strange rumours that would make the pair look at one another for a moment as though there was something right in front of them that they simply didn’t have the context to quite match. It didn’t help where they were heading was never mentioned once like it had become somewhere cursed along with the talk of some form of exodus that had happened that still sat on every tongue of the gossipers. From there at least the final stretch led them through a wide valley that bordered on woodland and it felt almost unnaturally clear in how spacious it was in the dip and overrun with both grasses and wildflower seeking to reclaim the space for themselves. It felt almost haunting to even exist there, enough that he pulls his hood down to hide his face pressing on with a quicker step and keeping a wary eye until their feet finally found safety on old roads overrun with weed. It was as though nobody bothered to trek along them anymore even in passing which was strange but as they went the direction they needed they simply shrugged and followed them to wherever they might lead.

There was a saying that all roads lead to Rome, in this particular case the same saying should have been to Camelot except standing here now aside from fading traces of the old stone bridge that stretched across the embarkment there was a gaping hole in the ground and with it any chance of closure it might have wrought had been firmly denied.

His heart drops.

With a quick nod Archie takes to the air while his companion wanders as closely as he dares to the edge not trusting it entirely. It is poked with a foot to make sure it is not some form of elaborate illusion given who one of the former residents was only to receive confirmation from both that and the dragon’s shouting that there was nothing there despite a place large as Camelot was simply could not disappear, it was simply impossible. His magic begins to crackle with his anger showing his mood even before his outburst does.

“I mean how do you lose an entire kingdom?!”

With a mutter Douxie reaches into the small pack to retrieve a small orb and smashes it firmly between his palms then allows the breeze take the remnants away to wherever they please. With here now being distinctly absent hopefully there will be another on the network still able to pick up the signal, he had promised to send one after getting here but well who knows what exactly they would make of this particular development?  Because despite standing right in front of it not a single thing that made any sense was springing to mind and he was completely at a loss of what to do next.

[themurphyzone]

Ocelot’s Heart Ch 3

Sorry for late update I had tests and an obsession with One Piece. 

Ch 3: The Path

Heinz woke up to an ocelot on his chest. Since he couldn’t move without disturbing her, he just accepted his temporary status as a living pillow. Olivia seemed even tinier when she was asleep, curled up into a golden ball with whiskers and spots. 

“How much longer?” he asked Perry. 

Perry made a zero with his thumb and index finger. 

“Wait, we’re here already?” Heinz said in surprise. The flight had gone by so quickly. “I think this is the first time I haven’t gotten leg cramps from sitting so long on a flight. I’m just gonna scoot out from under you....” 

But Olivia wasn’t having it. She growled in her sleep, wrapping her paws around Heinz’s arm to prevent him from escaping. 

It took Heinz and Perry ten minutes to ease her off enough so Heinz could stand up. 

“Could be worse. I could’ve had a tiger on top of me,” Heinz said. “Or you could’ve winded up a prey item. Speaking of which, we’d better sort that out so the ocelots don’t try to eat you. I mean, platypi and ocelots don’t even have the same habitat naturally so I don’t know if you’d even be appetizing to them.” 

Perry crossed his arms. 

“Look, I know you can defend yourself just fine, but they could still mistake you for a chew toy.” Then he caught a glimpse of a hideous brown cloak that hung on a hook by the door. “Whoa. That is a really ugly shade of brown. Please tell me I don’t have to wear that. That looks like the sort of thing you’d wear to a funeral around here.” 

Perry pointed out the window, and Heinz caught a glimpse of the boundary between the village and the forest. 

He sighed, grudgingly accepting his fate. “Fine, but only so people don’t freak out over an ocelot in their midst.”

I’m not a cub anymore, Olivia growled. OWCA agent, remember? I don’t need to be carried.

Perry folded his arms, giving her a stern look. 

It’s just a little walk! I can be sneaky! Olivia protested. 

“Perry the Platypus is right,” Heinz scratched her ears to calm her down, which seemed to be working. “You need to get in here so the villagers don’t see you around their houses. It’ll only be for a few minutes. You can come out once we’re in the forest.” 

Still grumbling, Olivia finally allowed herself to be hidden in the folds of the cloak. She didn’t weigh much more than a child. Heinz wrapped his arms around her belly, adjusting his grip so she would be more comfortable. She could peek out of the cloak, but prying eyes wouldn’t be able to see in. 

As they exited the aircraft, Heinz tried not to think back to his biological mother, who owned a similar traveling cloak to the one he currently wore. She always put the hood up when she was disappointed in him. He learned early on that he was doing something wrong if her eyes were hidden within the darkness of the cloak. 

In hindsight, it happened a lot. 

Once the aircraft was disguised with a cloaking device, they set off for the forest. Heinz vaguely recognized the dirt path that led to the deeper parts of the woods, where all kinds of magical creatures were rumored to live. 

“We should make it clear that you’re not gonna be Platypus a la carte,” Heinz mused. “After the Agent T incident, you’d think OWCA would be more careful where they send their animals.” 

Who’s Agent T?  

“Timmy the Turkey, or something like that,” Heinz said. “He was eaten by his nemesis on Thanksgiving Day. That’s a human holiday where you can be as gluttonous as you want and nobody will judge you for it. Kind of a gruesome way to go out though.” 

Perry was equally grossed out. 

Olivia stiffened. If my nemesis tries anything like that on me, I’m crushing their bones until they’re nothing but dust.

“Yeah, he was the first on LOVEMUFFIN’s ban list,” Heinz muttered. There was very little the members of LOVEMUFFIN agreed upon, but the ban forbidding Agent T’s nemesis from joining or setting foot in their meeting place was the exception. 

Suddenly Olivia poked her head out of the cloak, scenting the air. Heinz pulled her in quickly, looking around to make sure nobody saw her. The only people he could see were three young boys from the village, but they were too engrossed in their game to pay attention to him. 

I smell ocelot! Olivia protested. I want to see who it is! Lemme go! 

Heinz felt a sharp prick on his hand, and he yelped in pain, pulling his hand out and dropping Olivia. The two small punctures bled slightly, but he was fine. Perry tried to catch Olivia when she dashed past him, but he only succeeded in pulling a few hairs from her tail. 

Two of the three boys screamed as Olivia jumped into the middle of their group, snarling and hissing as she pushed a small kit behind her. The kit shook uncontrollably, covering its head with its tiny paws. 

The third boy tauntingly waved a long, spindly stick in front of Olivia’s face. She growled at him too, but winced when the stick hit her face. Perry walked up to them and broke the makeshift weapon with a sharp snap, pointing angrily at the houses. 

The boy only laughed. “Jeez, what’s with all these dumb animals today?” 

“Take it from me,” Heinz said as he gently scooped up the shivering kit. “These two fight crime for a living, and they can make it hurt. You’ll be going to bed with an aching back if you try anything.” 

“Don’t tell me what to do!” the boy snapped. “My father is the village leader! He’ll be hearing about this!” 

He dragged his companions away, his nose high in the air. They cast mutinous glares at Heinz, Perry, and the two ocelots. 

Human! The kit he held shrieked. 

Wait! This human’s okay! You heard the stories about Uncle Heinz! Olivia purred and rubbed against his leg to show that he wasn’t an enemy. This is him! And Perry the Platypus is his...um, former nemesis, I think. Uncle Heinz and Perry, this is Aunt Berry’s kit. His name’s Rowan. 

Perry waved at Rowan, a tiny smile on his bill. 

Rowan relaxed, a sigh escaping him. Thanks. Those humans back there scared me.

“Well, you’re safe now,” Heinz shrugged. “Least we got here in time. Bullies in Drusselstein can be really brutal.” 

Rowan, what were you doing near the village? Olivia’s ears flicked as she tried to catch every sound, worried they were in danger. You should be close to Aunt Berry! 

I just wanted to give Meema something to eat, Rowan protested.

Olivia growled at him. You haven’t been taught how to hunt yet! And you almost got hurt! Please don’t stray from the others, okay?

Rowan nodded meekly. I really missed you. Thorn and Willow aren’t fun to play with. At all. 

They’re hunters. They need to find as much as they can, Olivia replied.

Heinz ran his thumb against Rowan’s side to calm him down, realizing he could easily trace the outline of the kit’s ribs without looking. That was strange. The ocelots usually ate well. Sometimes even better than the humans. And if there wasn’t enough prey to fill every belly, the parents would give up their share to the kits. 

Despite the claims his human parents made when he returned to the village, Heinz never recalled being malnourished with the ocelots. 

He set Rowan down. The kit circled Perry, sniffing him closely and batting at his tail. You’re the weirdest duck I’ve ever seen, Rowan told him. Perry shrugged, a tiny smile gracing his bill. 

Olivia giggled. You’re so silly! Perry’s a platypus, not a duck!

Rowan scowled at her. I’m not silly! Look, he’s got webbed feet and a beak! Obviously a duck!

“Hate to burst your bubble, but he really is a platy-” A flat tail slapped against his mouth, preventing him from speaking. Perry held a finger up. Okay, he had a point. Olivia and Rowan’s argument over Perry’s species was pretty amusing. 

He had to admit, it made good background noise while they trekked through the dead undergrowth. The trees were just as gnarled and twisted as ever, devoid of leaves or any sign of life. Olivia and Rowan veered off the main path typically used by hunters and merchants, the only people who had a reason to be this deep in the forest. 

Then he spotted an old, familiar tree by the large twisted knot near the bottom branches. “Hey, hold on you two!” Heinz called. Olivia and Rowan turned around. “I wanna show you something!” Perry looked at him curiously. “You too, Perry the Platypus. You’ve never been here before, and I never managed to find a way to fit this into a backstory for a scheme.” 

Everyone followed him to the old tree. Heinz frowned at the moss that completely covered the base and thick roots. “Well, if the moss wasn’t here I could show you the small cove I used when I got disowned. Your Meema found me here. I scared her good too. She was expecting a mouse, I think.” 

Rowan giggled. Meema’s funny when she gets scared. Her fur gets all poofy. 

Please don’t try anything, Olivia groaned. No need to make the scolding worse. 

It was almost comical, being surrounded by living beings who liked his company and listened to everything he said no matter how trivial. His younger self would’ve found the entire thing surreal, that’s for sure. But now, it was flipped. He had a company that consisted of Vanessa and non-humans that were often more human than real humans. The feeling of searching for something, though he had no idea what he was looking for, was part of the lifetime that seemed so far away. 

A small hand pushed into his palm. A reminder of what he had now. Not much, but it was enough. And he didn’t mind it staying that way.  

Olivia and Rowan walked on ahead, pausing every few steps to make sure Heinz and Perry were following them. 

“I got a little lost in thought back there,” Heinz admitted sheepishly. “Thanks.” 

Perry squeezed his fingers just a little tighter. 

[prodigal-sunlight]

Opal’s Day Off — A Gem Tale

Opal’s Day Off

Part of the “Gem Tales” series, a collection of fan–fictions written as “episodes” of Steven Universe. Gem Tales is entirely non–canon and based on interactions and events to explore the characters and world of the show. Requests can be made for characters and/or events you would like to see in Gem Tales. We will try our best to not diverge canon and keep each story in the style of an episode of the show. I hope you enjoy!

“Thanks for letting me borrow your game Steven!” Connie said brightly, tucking the colorful Golf Quest Mini case into her duffle bag with her free hand. Taking Rose’s sword, she handed it to Steven. He took it, turning to Lion, who lay fast asleep on the kitchen floor. He slid it carefully into the pink beast’s mane, doing his best not to wake him. Connie continued, smiling. “I’ll see you for training this weekend, right?”

“Right!” Steven said eagerly, opening the screen door for her. “Bye Connie! Oh, and tell me if you like the game’s twist ending when—”

“Steven!” she interrupted, poking him in the chest playfully. “You know it’s not a surprise if you tell me!”

He flushed a gentle shade of rose pink, laughing awkwardly. “Oops! Right, haha, sorry Connie. See you this weekend!”

Smiling, she gave him a quick hug before slipping out the door. Waving as she went, she ran lightly down the stairs. As she reached the beach, she turned back, waving to him again as she yelled back. “See you then!” Watching until she disappeared inside her parents car, Steven smiled, shutting the screen door as they puttered back up the uneven sand, back towards Beach City.

“Ugh. Why are you guys always training so hard?” Amethyst asked, sprawled out on the stairs up to Steven’s bed. She puffed her cheeks up, frowning. “It’s like, super lame.”

Steven sat next to her, folding his legs under himself, holding his ankles lightly as he offered her a smile. “Well, I like fusing with Connie. It’s fun! She’s really cool, and smart, and when we fuse, Stevonnie’s tall enough to ride everything in Funland by themselves!”

Amethyst shrugged at that, propping herself up on her elbows. “Eh. But it’s not like you have to train. Can’t you just, I don’t know, fuse for fun or something?”

“I... I dunno,” Steven said, swallowing slightly. He put a hand to his stomach, feeling the solid surface of his gem beneath his shirt, smooth and hard. “I guess, with everything that’s been happening lately with the Rubies and Jasper and—it just feels like a good idea to practice, right?”

Amethyst softened slightly at his nervousness, grinning in what she hoped was a comforting manner. “Aw, geez dude,” she said, elbowing him lightly. “I was just...” With a soft violet glow, she shape–shifted, taking the form of a small fluffy cat, the same color as her pale purple hair. “...kitten around. Just kitten around?”

“Well, I for one am proud of all their hard work,” Pearl said, walking over with a soft dancer–like stride, hands set lightly on her hips. Behind her, Amethyst shifted back into her normal form, rolling her eyes as Pearl continued. “Oh, did Connie leave already? I wanted to give her one last tip on her footwork first.”

“Yeah,” Steven said, visibly relieved by the change of topic. “She already left. We’re both super excited for fusion training this weekend. And, uh, speaking of fusion... how’s Opal doing?” he said, breaking into a cheeky smile. “I haven’t seen her in a while. Huh, huh?” he added on hopefully, raising his eyebrows.

Pearl sighed, folding her arms. “That’s because the problems we’ve had to deal with lately are either too simple to bother, or important enough to form Alexandrite. Fusion isn’t a toy, Steven,” she admonished calmly.

Even as she continued speaking, the warp pad lit up, and Garnet appeared in a burst of brilliant blue light. In her hands she held a corrupted gem that looked like some colorful jellyfish, a deep green with faded gray stripes cutting across it’s body. Jagged teeth and claws seemed to protrude from any open surface. “Fusion isn’t a weapon either,” she said, stepping off the warp pad calmly. “Fusion is about connection. Emotion. Amethyst, can you hold this?” She handed the gem to Amethyst. It began to screech like an angry cat, lashing at her irritably with it’s spined tentacles. With a slight shout, Amethyst fell to the ground, trying to keep it under control.

Turning her attention to Pearl and Steven, Garnet continued. “I need to go check something at one of the abandoned spires this weekend. I may not be back for a few days.” She paused for a moment, raising one hand to adjust her visor. “Steven, you’re in charge.”

Pearl reared back. “What!?”

Managing to pin the corrupted gem against the hardwood floor, a bedraggled Amethyst let out a cheerful whooping. “Yeah, way to go Ste–Man!”

Steven looked up to Garnet, his eyes bright and starry. “In charge?” he whispered, smiling hugely, his hands steepled together in front of his mouth as if to try and hide his excitement.

“Ha ha ha, you’re so funny Garnet!” Pearl said, the words fake and forced. She straightened up, concern clear in her eyes at this new idea. “I mean, Steven has grown a lot, but—”

“But he’s in charge until I get back,” she cut in, her gauntlets disappearing in a flash of light as she rested her hands on her thick, round hips. “Think you can handle that Steven?”

“Woohoohoo! Yeah!” Steven grinned, looking like a fizzling firework trying it’s best not to explode in a burst of happy color. “First, we’re all gonna go down to the Big Donut, and get three donuts each, except for Pearl, since she doesn’t like food, and then we’ll go to the barn to visit Lapis and Peridot, and then—”

“Heh.” Garnet smiled slightly, with a small nod of her head. “Looks like I’ll be missing out on all the fun. I’ll be back in two days,” she added, forming a small heart with her hands. “I promise.”

Steven dropped a slice of bread in each of the toaster slots, humming to himself as he pushed down the lever. He started singing under his breath, bouncing as he waited for the toast to pop. “Gonna have so much fun! Now that Steven’s number one. His first mornin’ on the job, Boss Steven’s gonna, uh, um. Hey Pearl, what rhymes with job?” he asked brightly.

Pearl stretched her arms out over her head, one leg up on the kitchen bar as she twisted and reached, like a ballerina warming up for a show. “Of course, Steven,” she said with a patient smile. “There are plenty of human words that rhyme with job. Why there’s cob, mob, lob, hob—”

“Shish–ka–bob!” interrupted Amethyst, flipping lazily through the pages of a local wrestling magazine, a bowl of snacks at her side. Pearl huffed irritably as she stood up straight, drumming her slender fingers on the counter. “He asked me, Amethyst,” she said pointedly.

Amethyst didn’t so much as bother glancing up for her magazine, popping a frozen microwave burrito in her mouth. “So?” she asked, mouth full. Steven paused nervously, speaking out to try and make some quick peace before things could start to spiral out of hand. “Uh, a–actually, I was just looking for any answer, I didn’t really care who—”

“So let me answer!” Pearl cut in icily, all her focus on the newly stirred argument as she turned to face Amethyst.

Huffing, Amethyst set down her magazine. “Oh, because you know so much better?” she snapped. She shapeshifted into a purple replica of Pearl, kicking her leg up on top of the television in a mock ballerina pose. “I’m Pearl,” she drawled in a mocking snobbish voice. “I’m so smart, and intelligent, and so heroic!”

“Guys, I thought you didn’t fight anymore!” Steven cried out, but it was clear he’d lost any vague semblance of control over the situation.

Pearl grimaced, putting a hand to her forehead. “Amethyst please—”

“I should be the one in charge, Garnet,” continued Amethyst, putting her hands to her chest with an overdramatic whine. “Garnet, put me in charge!”

“Really now! Just—

“I’m so perfect!” spat Amethyst, not even bothering with the mocking tone anymore. “So absolutely perfect! Everybody loves me! Why won’t Rose love me? I deserve her—”

“I said stop!” Pearl screamed, teeth clenched. Amethyst froze, instantly disappearing back into her old form, staring with eyes full of concern, looking worried, and maybe even a bit scared.

Pearl took a shaky deep breath, wiping away a small bloom of a tear in the corner of her eye. “Y–you,” she said unevenly, hands curled in tight fists. “You should behave yourself.”

Amethyst took a hesitant step forward, raising a hand as if to comfort the other gem, all the way across the room. “Hey, come on Pearlgi, you... you know I didn’t mean—”

She was cut off by a horrible ear grating screech, an echoing crash shaking the house. Steven, Pearl, and Amethyst ran out onto the house’s balcony, watching as a massive corrupted gem stood from where it crashed on the beach, lightly shaking off sand.

It looked like a massive dragonfly, smooth black horns curving lightly down the back of it’s serpentine neck. It had no eyes, and instead a smooth rounded gem was embedded above it’s jaw, canvasing most it’s face. As it moved, it’s very skin seemed to shift in the light like a child’s marble, mixtures of blues and grayish reds, separated by curls of near black. It’s thousands of patchwork wings glittered like stained glass as it moved, snarling as it struggled to get it’s footing in the hard sand.

“I don’t think it’s—” before Amethyst so much as finish her sentence, the corrupted gem turned towards the sound of her voice, screeching, spit flying from it’s sharp maw. Wings flapping, it weaved through the air like a snake through water, looking ready to strike.

Pearl summoned her spear, leaping lightly off the balcony. She managed to catch herself on one of the monster’s paper thin wings, driving her spear through to try and help her keep her grasp.

“Aw crap!” Amethyst pulled her whip from her gem, throwing herself into the fight. She shape shifted into the Purple Puma, holding on tight to the gem’s snake–like skin, hitting it fiercely. When it became evident that was doing nothing but enrage it further, she swung her whip around, pulling tightly, hoping to maybe poof the gem like that.

Pearl pulled her spear free, swinging herself up onto the monster’s back. She wobbled slightly, trying her best to keep her balance. She dragged herself across, pulling herself slowly towards the monsters head. Locking her legs around it’s neck, she raised her spear, trying to jab it beneath the gemstone and pry it free, but the corrupted gem only screamed. It hurled itself at the beach, smashing itself into the sand again and again until Pearl lost her grip. It raised itself again for another smashing blow.

Just before it dropped, Steven leaped over, wrapping his arms around Pearl as a pink bubble rose around them, just barely managing to hold back the beast’s immense weight.

Hissing in anger at it’s failed attack, the beast leaped back into the sky, circling overhead, Amethyst still clinging on as she fought.

“My spear didn’t even hurt it! It only got angrier!” Pearl said in frustrated disbelief, grimacing.

“You can do it,” Steven encouraged. “We’ve fought stronger gems before, right?” he said, dropping the bubble as Pearl bent her knees looking for some way back up to the corrupted gem.

She winced slightly. “Not without Garnet.” Spinning her spear, she ran back beneath the creature’s shadow, wondering if there were some way to get it to hit the beach hard enough to poof itself.

Overhead, Amethyst clung to one of it’s wings, pulling at it’s leg with shapeshifted muscles. “Come on,” she grunted. “Just—poof already!” Gritting her teeth, she instead swung her whip, trying to find some kind of weak spot.

The corrupted gem let out a freakish cry as the whip slashed against it’s throat, writhing fiercely. It dropped nearly a hundred feet before catching itself. Suddenly, it shot straight up at a speed that had to be somewhere near it’s limit, flailing. It flipped quickly, sharply, and before she could so much as realize it, Amethyst lost her grip.

“Amethyst!” Steven yelled. “Pearl, she’ll be fine, right? She falls a lot, a–and even if she cracks, I can fix cracks, right?”

Pearl watched, frozen. Her eyes were wide. Afraid.

Only a heartbeat passed before she was running. She leapt into the air, higher than any human could ever manage, slamming into Amethyst midair as she wrapped her arms around the smaller gem. A bright glow enveloped them both, followed by a flash.

Opal rolled as she hit the ground. Standing, she seemed less at ease than usual, her chest heaving, hands shaking. Steven watched for a moment, hesitant as she summoned her bow, drawing it back carefully. Without so much as a glance in the corrupted gem’s direction, Opal let loose an arrow of light into the creature’s neck. It’s gem, as big as Steven’s hand, landed in the shallow of the water with a loud splash.

“That was amazing! You were amazing!” shouted Steven, running over to grab her by the legs in a tight hug. “You poofed it with just one arrow! And when Pearl saved Amethyst—wow! Giant woman!”

Opal offered a small patient smile, one of her lower arms patting his curly hair gently. “Want to help me bubble it?” she asked in her calm throaty voice, a light in her eyes.

Steven grinned. “Yeah! It fell down over this way.” They waded into the shallows, Steven’s small hand in Opal’s large slender ones as they looked for the gem. After finding a few pretty shells, Steven tripped over the gem, and Opal bubbled it, sending it back into the temple.

“It was nice to see you again Steven,” Opal said gently, looking out across the ocean.

Steven paused, eyes widened. “Wait, you say that like you’re leaving!” he accused, folding his arms and pouting.

“Well,” she said shrugging slightly. “Pearl and Amethyst probably won’t want to keep together much longer either way. Might as well unfuse now.”

She started to glow, but before she could split, Steven suddenly grabbed her by the waist. “Waaaaait!” he said, squeezing tightly, as if he could hold together. “I wanna spend time with you! I get to spend lots of time with Garnet, and I’ve spent time with Sardonyx and even Alexandrite—but I feel like I barely know you!” he insisted. To his surprise, she actually ceased to glow, looking down at him with surprise in her pale blue eyes. He continued, smiling. “As gem–in–charge for the weekend, I order you to stay fused and spend the day with me! Please?” he asked, using his biggest best puppy dog eyes.

Opal sighed, but a tiny smile escaped onto her lips. “I’ll stay fused for as long as Pearl and Amethyst can manage it, okay?” she said. She lightly picked him up in all four arms before tucking him under one. “Where to?”

Steven grinned. “We’re gonna do everything! Opal, away!”

He showed her all his favorite spots around town; at the Big Donut, she tried to decide whether or not she wanted to eat. In the end she decided just to have a juice box—but she couldn’t bring herself to drink it.

They visited the T-Shirt Shop and bought matching shirts; Steven chose a bright orange shirt with the flashy words printed across his stomach spelling out, “WILD ONE”. After finding a shirt big enough for four arms to fit through the sleeves, he found a turquoise shirt written in careful cursive, “Mild One”.

As the sun started setting over the ocean, Opal carried Steven up the cliff to the lighthouse. While the light slowly stained the sky a sweet pink and orange, they folded paper airplanes and dropped them over the edge, watching them spiral down to the beach below—that was Steven’s idea too.

“Look!” he said, laughing as he leaned over the fence, pointing. “That one landed on the balcony of the house!”

“That’s nice Steven,” Opal said softly, watching the sunset with an absent expression, resting her chin in one pair of arms, the other pair resting on the fence.

Steven looked up at her, pausing. “Hey, Opal. Is... is everything okay?” he asked hesitantly.

She straightened, her cheeks flushing violet. “Sorry. Everything’s... fine,” she said, picking up a piece of paper and folding it quietly. They were quiet for a while, the only sound the call of the seagulls and the folding of paper. “Please tell me,” Steven said, putting a hand on her arm, looking up at her with worry in his eyes.

Opal sighed, turning the paper airplane over in her hands. “We’ve... I’ve barely been keeping together today. They’re still upset with each other. I just...” she lifted her head, the wind playing with her hair lightly. “I want them to get along. Garnet is happy and at peace and loves herself... but I constantly feel on the edge of falling apart. They care about each other, I can feel it, but sometimes it feels like…”

There was a pause, and Steven tipped his head slightly to the side. “Feels like what?”

“Feels like maybe I shouldn’t even exist.” Looking away, she gently let the airplane. It swooped lightly downward, floating through the air. It slid down onto the banister of the house’s porch—and lightly nudged the other airplane off the edge, and into the sand below.

“I just want to love myself,” Opal said softly. “Like Garnet does. ...Garnet.” Eyes widening, there was a sudden pulse of light as she fell apart, Pearl and Amethyst falling onto the ground. Opal’s t–shirt dropped to the ground between them, forgotten.

Amethyst sat up quickly, hair flopping in her eyes. “Steven! Garnet said she’d be back by yesterday!” she said, looking like she was trying to hide her nervousness. But for once, she couldn’t hide it under a casual uncaring facade.

“What?” Steven yelped, taking a step back. “I was having so much fun with Opal I forgot! She promised to be back by now!”

“Calm down Steven,” Pearl said, a slight coldness in her voice. “I’m sure Garnet’s fine. She’s a very capable gem.”

“Seriously!” yelled Amethyst. “Some of those corrupted gems are super tough P! Don’t you even want to check in on her?”

Pearl looked away, folding her arms. “She’s stronger than all of us, she’s probably just a little held up.”

“G–guys, please don’t fight—”

“Would it shatter you to care?” Amethyst snapped angrily, tightening her hands into fists. “I know she’s strong, but she said she’d be back by now!” Pearl turned to look at Amethyst, leaning over her. “And if she was in danger, you think I’d be any help? I’m just some high and might Pearl who thinks she deserves everything, right? That’s what you said, isn’t it?”

Amethyst glared up at her, teeth grit. “Fine! I’ll go find Garnet without you!” Pushing away, she ran off, headed back for the temple.

Steven paused, scared and upset. Hesitantly, he reached out to hold her hand. “Pearl? Are you okay?”

She pulled her hand away, not looking him in the eyes. “It’s getting late, Steven. Humans need to sleep,” she said quietly, wiping at her eyes as she started walking away.

“Pssst. Pssst! Steven!”

Steven blinked, rubbing his eyes as he sat up with a yawn. “Amethyst?” he asked, sitting up. “It’s the middle of the night—whoaa!”

She grabbed him by the hand, pulling him out of bed. “Come on, we’ve got to go find Garnet!”

“I thought you’d already left?” he asked cocking his head to the side as he straightened his jammies.

She shook her head. “No way. If whatever it was is stopping Garnet from getting back, I can’t beat it on my own. That’s why you’ve gotta come with me!”

Steven hesitated, pausing. “I dunno Amethyst. It’s really late, and Pearl said I needed to go to bed.”

Amethyst stepped back, folding her arms. “Come on, who did Garnet say was in charge? You, or Pearl?”

Moments later, the warp pad lit in a beam of light, and they were off, floating to who knows where. “Um, where exactly are we going?” Steven asked as he floated in the light.

Casually grabbing Steven by the ankle so he wouldn’t float away, Amethyst explained. “She said something was attacking the Geode, and that it shouldn’t be a problem. I figure we can just pop in, probably see Ruby and Sapphire being embarrassing, and then head back, easy as that.”

“Alright,” Steven said cautiously as the light flashed out. No longer floating through the air, he flopped flat on the ground. Not bothering to get up, he stared up at the starry sky. “Is she fine? Can we go home now?” he asked, yawning.

“This... might take a little longer than I thought,” Amethyst said, pulling Steven to his feet.

A massive creature clawed at the geode, lashing at it with massive spined tentacles. It looked like some horrible massive jellyfish, a dark shade of green with faded gray stripes. It’s huge toothy maw screamed as it grabbed a distant figure standing on top of the geode, whacking them into the ground again and again.

It was just like the gem Garnet had brought home only days before, but countless times more massive.

“I think it has Garnet!” Steven said, eyes going wide. “We have to go get Pearl!”

Amethyst reached into her gem, drawing out her whip in a flash of light. “I can do this without her help!” Leaping forward, she started rolling in a blur of right, shooting off towards the gem like a ball being rolled down a gutter.

“Amethyst, wait!” he yelled, reaching out after. She didn’t look back, leaping at the giant gem in a blur of light and energy.

The gem monster swung one of it’s tentacles at her, sending her flying in the air. Before she got far, she threw her whip. It wrapped around the base of the tentacle, and when she pulled hard, it pulled her back onto the creature’s stoney body. A second tentacle swung down, and this one made heavy contact, smashing her against the creature’s back.

Grimacing, she forced herself to roll out of the way as it swung back for a second attack. She ran across it’s back to where it held Garnet in it’s tentacle, high and out of reach. Before she was so much as halfway there, the monster screamed and shook it’s entire body, throwing Amethyst to the ground so hard the earth beneath her cracked.

Breathing heavily, she forced herself to stand. She’d only barely made it to her feet when a tentacle smashed into her side, sending her flying back into the ground. It brought another spiney arm down on her, then another, and another, a relentless attack.

She could feel the light of her body pulsing, struggling, fighting to hold together. She panted, her weapon disappearing as she lost the energy to sustain it. It was obvious she couldn’t stand another hit like that. Shapeshifting into the Purple Puma, she managed to catch the next tentacle as it swung down, barely holding it high enough to keep from being crushed. Closing her eyes, she grunted, trying her best to hold it in place. She couldn’t hold out much longer.

“Get off!” She managed to lift her head just in time to see a spiral spear flying through the air, lodging itself in the skin of the tentacle. The creature pulled back in pain,  and Amethyst found herself back in her last form, breathing heavily.

“Amethyst!” she couldn’t even stand before a pair of arms wrapped around her, pulling close, tears falling on her shoulder. “Are you alright? Did it crack you?”

She lifted her head, looking up into a familiar pair of eyes. “Pearl?” she asked, blinking with a forced smile. “What are you doing here? I thought you hated me?”

“How many times do I have to tell you I don’t feel that way?” Pearl said, holding Amethyst in a close embrace.

“Did it hurt you?” Amethyst asked, wiping tears from her eyes, leaning closer into the hug.

“No, I’m fine. Did it hurt you?”

Amethyst grinned, eyes welling up. “Who even cares?” she asked, her voice cracking.

“I do!” Pearl said, wiping at her eyes with the palm of her hand.

“Uh, guys!” yelled a muffled voice. They both looked up to see a bright pink bubble in one of the creature’s tentacles, Steven standing inside. “I think it’s mad!”

Pearl moved to stand, but Amethyst grabbed her hand. “Wait,” she said, looking cautious as she spoke. “This thing is mega tough. I couldn’t even scratch it.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Pearl said. She stretched out her hand, offering a slight smile. Amethyst looked up at her with wide eyes, blinking back tears. Grinning, she lunged forward, ignoring Pearl’s outstretched hand and grabbing her around the waist.

As they embraced, they were enveloped in a pure warm light, their gems shifting as a massive woman straightened from where they stood. Clear blue eyes opened as she gently brushed the hair from her eyes. Lifting her head, she rested her hands on each of her gems, drew out each of her weapons, and formed her bow. With a small grin, she pulled back on the string, a bolt of light forming as she lined up her sights. With a deep breath, Opal whispered, “We got this.”

She let loose one arrow into the arm that held Steven, and when that had no effect, she unleashed another three into the one holding back Garnet. The corrupted gem scream as it dropped it’s captives. Steven dropped his bubble shield and managed to scramble back to safety, and Garnet leapt over, landing lightly next to Opal. Grinning, the magenta gem adjusted her visor. “Good to see you again.”

Drawing back her bow again, Opal glanced at the other gem with a small nod. “You too.” Releasing an arrow, Garnet took off at top speed. Jumping, she kicked off the arrow, and leapt into the air. Right as Garnet dropped towards the massive gem monster, Opal unleashed another barrage of arrows. After a pause, the monster rippled, then exploded in a flash of light, unable to hold up under both fusions attacks.

Garnet and Opal walked back, and Steven ran over, grabbing them in an excited hug. “You did it! You both did it!”

Opal flushed slightly, still unused to all the attention, but she seemed to relax when Garnet set a hand on her shoulder. “You did some great work, Opal. I guess you’ll be leaving soon?” she asked, cocking her head to the side, almost as if she already knew the answer.

Pausing, Opal bent down and picked Steven up, setting him lightly on the shoulders. “So long as I’m here, I think I can stay around for, say, one episode of Crying Breakfast Friends?”

Steven gasped, eyes bright as he wrapped his arms around her head in a tight excited hug. “Thanks Opal!”