Seriously, who would have thought that fusing with Pearl would cause her to ask me every five minutes if we could form Rainbow Quartz again? A suggestion I, of course, rejected without hesitation. I don't like fusing unless it's absolutely necessary. Do I feel powerful when I do it? Of course, but that power isn't entirely mine, nor is it entirely hers. Besides, I'm afraid she'll end up depending on me, and that's not something I want. I was thinking about all of this as I walked after a long day of training.
Let's see, I muttered as I chose a shampoo. Pantene, perfect, I said, noticing a brand that was clearly not Pantene. I slowly stepped into the shower, letting the warm water cascade over my tired body. I closed my eyes and savored the moment, relaxing my muscles with an almost healing touch. Muah, perfect, another day of pure training. Every day I feel like I'm reaching the limits of human potential. Well, actually, I think I've already surpassed them, but I like to think I'm still within the range of human machines: fast cars, fast motorcycles. You know? Things like that make me smile.
They're strange thoughts, I know, but they help keep my mind occupied, keep me from going crazy. Sometimes I wonder if I could compete with anyone. I imagine that, if fate decides to grant me my pink transformation someday, I could become the fastest. The swiftest. The Flash, the Flasher... well, nonsensical things that occur to me while I dry off after getting out of the shower. My training sessions lately have been longer than usual, want to know why? If you've followed my previous ramblings, you'll know that one of my pastimes after training is trying to open my mother's bedroom. I must say, that place is simply incredible.
Sometimes I even talk to her. Not physically, of course, but to the remnants that remain in her gem... or something like that. I don't fully understand how that works, and honestly, I'd rather not. If for some reason she's still inside my gem, I don't want to imagine what she'll think when she hears my thoughts. You know, if my gem can sense my emotions, who's to say it can't hear what I'm thinking too?
Anyway, I was putting on a black shirt with a star on it. Why? Well, I like Steven Future's style and I try to keep it in mind when I dress. I don't have his psychological problems, or at least I hope not. Although, who knows, maybe one day I'll end up with severe schizophrenia. Nah, stuff for Future Steven.
So I walked towards my mom's room, my abs totally defined—six, ten packs, I don't even know anymore—but I felt good. I went in. The room was just as I remembered it: pink, soft, with floating clouds that gave it a homey feel. Something started to form next to me, but after so many days, you get used to it. Do you know who it was? Exactly, Rose. I left her like that for two reasons: one, because it was more pleasing to the eye, and two, in case Amethyst or Garnet ever managed to get in. Pearl... well, I didn't really care about Pearl, to be honest. I think it was Rose's gem, you know? But better safe than sorry.
And now you might be wondering why Rose is created. It's simple: thanks to my imaginative skills and a lot of internal monologues, I managed to create something amazing, a kind of artificial intelligence within the room. What does that mean? If my memories—clearly one hundred percent accurate—don't fail me, I programmed the room so that every time I, and only I, entered, my mother would appear beside me. She could talk to me, give me advice, or simply be there. An empty room isn't as comfortable, you know? And well, those inner voices in my brain, the ones I usually tell these things to, should know that.
"Hello, Mother," I said, raising a hand. She took my cheeks in her hands and began to shower me with affection. I tried to make the room reflect what I remembered of her, her personality, her warmth. I don't know if I'm hurting myself by talking to someone who's already dead, but at this point, it doesn't bother me. I lay down next to my mom watching TV while we played Mario Bros. Something I should point out: Mario Bros. doesn't exist here, nor do many of my favorite games from the past. But inside this room, I can make them real. Right, Mom? PvP or fear.
She looked at me, a little confused, a bead of sweat trickling down her cheek. "Okay," she replied. That's how the day went, filled with laughter and friendly competition, though I don't understand how she managed to beat me at games where I used to be unbeatable.
I put on my jacket and looked at her with a smile. "See you, Mom. And remember the settings." "Don't worry, son," she said with a radiant smile as she grew, transforming into a brilliant pink diamond. "This room is your safe place, our place." Her voice faded into pink clouds, and I stared for a few more seconds before leaving.
Outside, the girls were talking. Pearl, with a worried expression, looked at Garnet. "I think you need to talk to Steven," she said cautiously.
"No," Garnet replied quickly. "Well… not now." She sighed. "I'm not… we're not ready." She looked down at her own hands, the two rubies that formed them, and lowered her gaze.
Amethyst, with a slice of pizza in her mouth, watched them. "Come on, girl," she said between bites. "It's Steven, he knows how to forgive. Otherwise, how would he have forgiven us after we almost killed him with Sugilite?" She tried to encourage her, but Garnet only tensed up more.
"Him," Garnet murmured in a deep voice. "He doesn't like fusion… and I think that affected me more than I realized." She took off her glasses and looked away.
Pearl watched her and, with a weary smile, replied softly. "You know, when I fused with him, I felt some of his emotions. One of them… was that desire to have my own strength. He doesn't hate fusion for the act of merging itself, but for the dependency it creates. Or at least that's what I understood at the time." She said this while putting a hand to her chin, her face thoughtful, as the sunset tinged the room with gold where the three gems kept their silences.
"That's why I want him to fuse with me," Pearl said, a little nervously. "I want him to feel comfortable, not like it's something unpleasant or an easy way to gain strength, but like it's a tool, an aid to understanding his own power."
Garnet tensed at the word. Tool. If he sees it that way…
"Remember, Garnet, not everyone has your perspective," Pearl continued softly. "The perspective of a fusion born of love. You two are unique, something not everyone can achieve. You're the only proof that this kind of union is possible."
Garnet looked at her with her three eyes, exhausted but thoughtful. "You're right," she admitted. "But not… not today. I need to prepare myself mentally."
Amethyst and Pearl looked at her understandingly. They knew how much this kind of conversation meant to Garnet.
Suddenly, the hallway door opened. The three of them turned at the same time, and Garnet quickly put her glasses back on. Steven stepped out of the door, his smile brighter than usual, so carefree he looked radiant.
"Hey," he greeted, raising a hand. He glanced toward the beach and added enthusiastically, "Wow, it's getting a bit late, don't you think?" He walked to his room, changed into workout clothes, and casually announced, "I'm going for a run, don't wait up for me. And if I don't get back until tomorrow, the Zetas probably took me, so please, look for me then."
The three Gems felt an imaginary bead of sweat trickle down their faces at Steven's comments. He simply grabbed his water bottle and jogged off with complete composure.
Silence filled the room for a few seconds. "Wow," Amethyst commented, breaking the calm, "How dedicated. He's more...don't you think?"
"Definitely," Pearl replied with a nostalgic smile. "He reminds me of his mother."
Garnet adjusted her glasses, which always meant she was observing possible futures. A bead of sweat trickled down her temple as she thought: Who are the Zetas, and why, in one of those futures, do they kidnap Steven while he's so happily mentioning it? She shook her head, pushing away the absurd thought, and looked at the girls with a calm smile.
"You know, I appreciate these talks with you. I really don't know what we'd do without them. No vision of the future helps me more than this. Thank you."
She hugged them sincerely, and the three of them shared that brief moment of calm.
Thanks to Steven, even though he didn't know it, the Crystal Gems were closer than ever, even closer than in the original canon. His maturity had changed the way they saw him. He was no longer just Rose Quartz's son, but someone who radiated leadership. A worthy successor to her.
Meanwhile, Steven ran along the coast with his headphones on. He truly appreciated the gift from his father. Greg wasn't making much money, but since Steven suggested opening an auto repair shop next to the car wash, things had improved. Although they still didn't understand how the mayor managed to get his car submerged every two weeks, business was good.
Shaking his head and smiling, Steven kept running. His pace was that of a professional athlete, though for him it was barely a light jog. When he reached the mountain, he gazed at the starry sky, took a deep breath, and smiled.
A shooting star streaked across the sky, and for a moment it seemed to be heading toward a specific point on the horizon. Steven watched it, fascinated, but then shook his head with a smile.
Time to break my record, he thought.
He tensed his body and, with a powerful burst of speed, took off. For a few seconds, he even outpaced Pearl. Sweat? Sure. Effort? Of course. But this... this was a personal achievement. He felt that every step he took brought him closer to his full potential.
And, to remind those inner voices that were always with him, he thought with amusement: don't forget that Pearl was a fine gem, a diamond. So if I managed to match her speed, that can only mean one thing... I'm making progress, and big progress at that.
Human and diamond genes? Infinite potential. With a competitive grin, I ran home as fast as I could. By the time I arrived, I was sweating, panting, and much more tired than usual. It was pitch black. I locked the door, because you never know when the Zetas might come to take me.
I went straight to the shower again. Water always relaxed me. Afterward, I drank some water mixed with saliva, my strange personal remedy to "heal myself from the inside," just in case there was something wrong down there. So, yes, I ended up lying on my bed, completely relaxed. My muscles went completely limp, and with a sigh of relief, I fell asleep.
I opened one eye. I was dreaming. It had been a long time since I'd had one. You might wonder how I know. Well, tell that to someone who spent years in the dark and is half-Gem, and you'll see they learn to tell the difference.
I looked around. I was in a forest that felt familiar, though something about it felt different, as if I didn't quite belong there. Strange, I muttered. I was walking and floating at the same time, a sensation I hadn't yet mastered with my Gem.
I kept wandering aimlessly, as if the path had no end. Everything looked blue, even the air seemed tinged with that color. How pretty, I thought. Maybe I'll paint my room like that, pink and blue, nice combination... No, it would look weird.
I was so distracted, with one hand on my chin, that I didn't notice where I was going until I reached a different area. I looked up, confused, and in front of me stood a huge pink structure.
Huh? I murmured. I looked around, searching for someone, its possible owner. I walked a little closer. This is... a palanquin? A palanquin? No, what was it called? I scratched my head, trying to remember, until a soft voice, heavy with sadness, pulled me from my thoughts.
Rosa's palanquin.
I turned quickly. Inside the structure was a large, elegant figure, its bluish silhouette gleaming in the dim light. Beside it, a tall creature stood erect and attentive.
Everything is blue, like the blue sea, I said involuntarily, barely a whisper.
Who said that? asked the tall figure, looking around, confused.
"What?" the other one replied, her voice deep.
"Didn't you hear it?"
"Not at all, my Diamond."
"My what?" I thought, feeling a shiver run down my spine.
"I heard it again," the blue figure murmured, visibly upset.
"My Diamond, I swear I don't hear anything," the taller one replied, looking around nervously.
"I think... I think I'm imagining it," the blue figure whispered, bringing a hand to her face.
"Shit," I said softly, my heart racing.
The blue figure began to cry in frustration, muttering that she seemed to have voices in her head.
My mind was a sea of questions. Shit, shit, shit... Everything was going so well, and now I run into a Diamond. But... what is she doing here?
Then, I remembered something my mother had told me once, in her room. Those words echoed in my mind clearly, sweet and profound, as if the dream itself had brought them back.
Flashback.
"Mother," I said, looking into her eyes, "what were the Diamonds like?"
She remained silent for a few moments. "You know," she replied, her tone heavy with nostalgia and a slight headache, "I don't remember much, but I can tell you that, in their own way, we were a family, albeit with other gems." She winced. "They're not exactly kind, but if you manage to have a conversation with them, the most reasonable one would be Blue. Although many times she only scolded me to feel superior, I know she did it for my own good, in a somewhat crazy way."
So, if by some twist of fate I encounter the three Diamonds—and luckily I'm one hundred percent sure I will—would the most reasonable one be Blue?
"Absolutely," she replied with a mischievous smile. "But be careful, she's not human."
"That's the downside of almost sharing thoughts," I said dryly. "More than you said," she added with a mischievous smile. "Oh my God," I thought, "what does she think?"
Back in the present, I watched Blue Diamond looking around nervously. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I walked over to her. She sensed my presence, but when she looked in my direction, she didn't see me.
"Hello," I said calmly, "I'm your conscience."
She ignored me for several seconds.
"You know, it's bad to ignore yourself," I commented mockingly.
"Who are you?" "I don't have a conscience," she said coldly.
"Who am I?" I murmured, raising an eyebrow she couldn't see. I glanced at Rose's seat and, after a few seconds of silence, said, "Someone who understands your pain."
She burst into tears. I didn't know if she felt safe or if she simply didn't perceive me as a threat, hearing a voice inside her mind.
Did you lose someone too?
Several, I replied, remembering someone from my old life. I've lost far more than I've lived.
Why can't I see you? he asked, looking around.
I don't even know how I got here with you, I admitted. It's all new to me; I have no idea how I got here.
Seconds passed that felt like an eternity.
Blue Diamond sighed. "Even though I can't see you, I can hear your sincerity."
"Oh, really?" I asked curiously. "And why are you so sure?"
"My power," she replied, touching her gem, "is tied to feelings. I know when someone is lying, when someone is happy or sad. I control that. It's my part, it's my power."
"Wow," I muttered, my hands in my pockets as I sat down in the palanquin.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"Like that blue lady told you, Blue Diamond?"
She nodded. Pearl watched her, confused, seeing her diamond talking to someone invisible, but didn't dare interrupt. "She seemed happy," Pearl thought with a smile.
"Well, it seems this place belonged to someone I knew, and judging by its condition, I'd say it's been abandoned for years," I observed, looking around. "Although, I must admit, it's quite well preserved."
"It was hers," Blue Diamond murmured through tears.
" Perla cried too, though not too much.
"How emotional you are," I said with an amused smile.
She frowned, irritated by my comment.
"Why don't you leave?" she asked curtly after a few seconds.
"If I could go back home, believe me, I would," I replied, looking around. "But it seems that, for now, I'm stuck in whatever this is. Although, I'll give you a piece of advice: that person you miss so much wouldn't mind if you cleaned this place up a bit, you know?"
"You think so?" she murmured after a few seconds.
"I'd say so," I replied, smiling. "If for some reason I die and am buried, the first thing I'd want is for them to clean my grave, so they don't forget me so easily."
She was silent for a few moments.
"You know, you didn't tell me your name," she finally said.
"My name is Universe," I replied, deciding not to reveal my real one.
"Universe?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course, I'm not named after my gem," I replied mischievously.
"Touché," she said with a slight smile. "It was nice talking to you, Universe, but I have to go. Do you think we can meet again?"
"Of course. If I manage to control whatever this power is, I'll visit you often. So, if you could have a cup of coffee ready, that would be perfect."
"Coffee?" she asked, confused.
I watched my hands slowly vanish.
"Looks like my time has come."
"Are you leaving already?" she murmured sadly.
"Of course. You know, I sleep with a smile. I hope to see you again, Blue Diamond."
With a smile, I disappeared.
Blue Diamond remained motionless for a few seconds, sensing that presence that was no longer there.
"Oh, Universe," he said, touching his chin.
"Pearl."
"Yes, my Diamond," she replied.
Search all the planets near Homeworld for a species called Universe.
Of course, my Diamond.
I would love to meet you in person, Blue Diamond said, walking toward her ship.
Pearl, still confused, simply followed her as she began to issue orders.
My Diamond, Pearl said, bowing her head respectfully.
Tell me, she replied, lowering her hood to reveal an almost divine complexion. Her blue skin had a delicate glow, her white hair cascaded like a waterfall of light, and her eyes, the same shade as her skin, reflected a calmness that could only come from a celestial being. She was the very embodiment of elegance.
My Diamond, it seems there is a gem in space, far from the colonies.
Blue Diamond was silent for a few moments, her brow slightly furrowed.
What is she doing in that quadrant? There are no colonies there.
I don't know, my Diamond, Pearl replied. She isn't responding to any frequencies, and her log shows no recent activity.
"Is she lost?" Diamond murmured in confusion, staring into the starry void on the monitor.
"I don't know, my Diamond," Pearl repeated, somewhat uneasy.
"Well... what kind of gem is she?" Diamond asked.
"She's... she's a Lapis Lazuli," Blue Pearl replied.
"A Lapis Lazuli? Wow... and a first-generation one," Diamond added with a hint of surprise.
"Of my own kind," she finally said, her expression softening. "It seems the universe is in a good mood today."
She placed a hand on her chin and added calmly, "Send an Amethyst to bring her back... or perhaps a Peridot, maybe she could be of use."
"As you command, my Diamond," Pearl replied with a bow before leaving to carry out the order.
Steven opened his eyes, beads of sweat trickling down his face.
"Why do I feel like she'd want to look for me?" he murmured. That presence... For a long time I managed to stay calm, but it was too strong.
He stood up, drenched in sweat.
Damn, I have to change the sheets.
He glanced to the side, his face expressionless.
Well, I'd better not say anything, he muttered, tearing the sheets off the mattress and throwing them at Perla.
He walked to the bathroom and yelled from inside: If you're going to spy on me, at least make it cost you something! Wash my sheets!
Fine..., Perla said resignedly as she went to do the laundry.
End of Chapter 22.