Original storyboard written by Lamar Abrams, Colin Howard, Jeff Liu, and Katie Mitroff

Steven Universe belongs to Cartoon Network and Rebecca Sugar

"Oh my goodness." Sakura muttered in fear.

"Go for it bro!" Isabel shouted.

"This is your last chance." Madeline smiled.

"No, no..." Alfred muttered,  sweat dripping down his face as his fingers flew on the controller, but evidently not fast enough. "Jump, jump!" He moved his arms side to side and lifted his legs off the ground in an attempt to help the motion on the screen along, but he still lost, and he, Sakura, and Isabel sighed in exasperation at the defeat. "Playing a bunch of video games is emotionally exhausting." Alfred stated, setting down his controller, before he heard a strange rustling sound. He glanced down at the bottom floor to see Lion wrestling, chewing, and pouncing on his white Thunder Bird t-shirt.

"Lion!" Alfred shouted angrily, running down the steps and grabbing the shirt as Sakura and Maddie watched from upstairs. "Stop it!" He exclaimed, and a moment later, Lion let go, sending Alfred tumbling to the ground. "You can't chew this up! How else am I going to remember the time I rode the Thunder Bird at Funland?" He questioned the feline as he made his way back upstairs, folded the shirt, and placed it on his desk next to his Thunder Bird pin and picture of him riding the Thunder Bird that read, "You Rode... THE THUNDER BIRD".

"There." He sighed in relief, making his way back over to the gems, and plopping down in front of the TV. "I'm sure this time-" He heard something moving at his desk, and looked up again to see Lion, who again had the shirt in his mouth. "LION!"

The cream-colored cat leaped to the first floor while Alfred ran down the steps to intercept him, standing in front of the door. "Don't even think about it!" The blonde warned, lunging forward and trying to wrestle the shirt from the persistent cat. Finally, Lion let go. "Since you can't play nice, I'm gonna have to put this where you can't get it." Alfred smiled, sticking out his tongue and winking as he pointed at Lion. "In ya mane!"

Lion huffed, his eyes narrowing in irritation as he crouched down obediently, "Thank you, boo!" Alfred laughed, before diving into the mane and disappearing into the realm within.

He stood up in a pink grass prairie, holding the shirt above his head as he held his breath, looking ahead at the hill where a pink-leafed tree stood tall. Around it were various items: a treasure chest, Alfred's scooter and helmet, Amelia's sword, a box full nick-nacks, Amelia's battle flag, Alfred's bike, and a bubbled gem. Alfred easily climbed up into the tree and laid his shirt on one of the branches.

"There we go." Alfred thought to himself in his mind as he stood on the branch below the shirt. "Now it'll be safe forever, hanging in this perfectly stable, magic tree."

That when the branch broke from underneath his feet, causing him to fall onto the bubbled gem that floated directly below him. The force of the fall brought them both down, and when the bubble hit the ground, it popped, sending Alfred flying back into the pink grass.

Back in the house, Lion now chewed on one of Alfred's red shirts with a yellow star in the middle (what he always wore), as Isabel worked the controller on the video game. "Jump. Jump." Maddie directed her from her spot next to the TV as Sakura watched from the comfort of Alfred's bed. "Jump."

"I am jumping." Isabel stated, before Alfred flew out of Lion's mane, landing back first on the floor. All four pairs of eyes landed on him.

"I MADE A HORRIBLE MISTAKE!" He shouted, his eyes wide.

"What?" Sakura questioned, and the 'GAME OVER' screen flashed on the TV.

"Aw, man." Isabel grumbled.

"Hold on, I can fix it!" Alfred stated, diving back into Lion's mane.

There, he climbed up the hill, spotting the gem and reaching for it. However, just as his fingers reached it to bubble it, the gem, a cone-like, square object that was rainbow colored on the inside, began to the glow as it floated up into the air. Alfred instantly snatched his hand away, cowering as a physical body formed, dropping to the ground. She was huge, with dark brown skin, a star tattoo with a triangle underneath it on her left shoulder, and dark brown dreadlocks that sat on her shoulders and upperback. Her arms and back were completely visible, and she wore a dark purple apron, mahogany colored pants, and dark red boots.

She grunted when she landed, before flying back up, her eyes opening to reveal a dark brown hue as she put her fists up, as if ready to fight. However, when she looked around, it seemed she found no enemies, before her eyes locked on Alfred. They widened, and the both froze in confusion and shock.

Then, Alfred rolled himself back out, flopping down on the wooden floor. Lion was still chewing on the shirt, but now all three gems surrounded Lion with concern on their features. "THERE'S A GEM IN LION'S MANE!"

"A gem?" Sakura questioned in confusion.

"Describe her." Madeline directed.

"Ehhh, hang on a sec." Alfred said, before dipping his head in Lion's brown mane.

He looked at the gem, who was wandering around now. He ducked his head back down as she shouted, "Hey, wait!"

"She's big."

He dipped his head back in. The gem was in front of him with her back turned, obviously looking for the strange blonde boy. She turned when she heard him emerge. "Huh? Hey! Don't go!" She commanded, but Alfred ducked back out anyways.

"With dreadlocks and tattoos." Alfred stated.

Sakura clasped her hands in front of her. "Dreadlocks?" Her and Maddie locked eyes, before turning back to Alfred. "What does her gem look like?"

"It's... An innie?" He explained.

"It can't be..." Sakura muttered as Isabel looked up in confusion.

"Can't be what?" She questioned.

"Alfred, bring her out." Madeline directed.

"Okay." Alfred's eyebrows furrowed in determination as he stepped back in, looking around the grassy prairie. At first, there seemed to be no sign of the gem, but suddenly, she was crouched down in front of him. "Hey, little friend." She said with a Hispanic accent. Alfred squeaked, prepared to duck back out. "No, don't go! I believe I'm lost, and there's no one here but us, so how 'bout a little help?" She questioned, her expression pleading.

Alfred thought about it, before reaching out his hand and offering it to the gem. She took it, and he stepped out of Lion's mane. As the huge gem followed, Lion's blue eyes widened in surprised, not prepared for such a large item to be pulled out of his mane.

The gem looked straight ahead at the Crystal Gems. Madeline looked awestruck, taking off her glasses, as if to get a better look. Sakura had tears in her eyes as she covered her mouth, and Isabel had her hands on her hips, her green eyes wide.

"Wow, a total stranger." Isabel teased, but looked over to the other two gems in confusion at their reactions.

"Sakura..." The gem spoke in shock, her voice slightly shaky. "Madeline?"

"CAAAASTORAAAAAA!" Sakura cried, running forward and jumping up, wrapping her arms around the gem's neck.

"Whoa, hey!" The gem, apparently named Castora, spoke, grabbed Sakura and holding her bridal style as the usually less excitable gem laughed happily. "The Sakura I know never jumped into my arms! Hey! Did somebody lose a pearl?" She shouted to no one in particular, before looking back to Sakura. "Who do you belong to?"

"Nobody." Sakura stated defiantly. Castora laughed in response.

"Alright, alright, settle down." Madeline smiled as she approached, placing her glasses back on her face.

"Oh, you're one to talk." Castora stated, before smiling. "Oh, oh, excuse me, you're two to talk." Castora teased, looking the fusion up and down. Sakura laughed as Madeline gasped, her gauntlet encasing her hand as she punched the newcomer in the shoulder. "Hey, cool it, your Rose is showing!"

"Where have you been?" Sakura asked as Castora set her down, and Isabel made her way over to Alfred, who both looked at each other in utter confusion. "We thought you'd been captured! Or worse, shattered."

Castora laughed. "Shatter me? Pffft, Homeworld couldn't lay a scratch on this gem!"

Isabel cleared her throat. "Who is this?"

"Guys, this is Castora. She's one of the original Crystal Gems." Madeline smiled as she rested her elbow on Castora's shoulder.

"Oh, hey, new recruits!" The newcomer cheered, "Welcome abroad! We could always use more amethyst. And who's this... Meatball?"

Alfred smiled nervously. "Hi, I'm Alfred! You were in my cat and now you're in my house."

Castora bent down closer to his eyes level. "Well, thanks for having me." She smiled, offering him her hand, which he took.

"I can't believe it!" Sakura smiled, and Madeline wrapped her arm around her friend's neck, pulling her in for a hug. "Amelia said she lost track of you at the Battle for the Zigerot. She was worried sick!"

Castora's eyes widened at the mention of Amelia, and her face contorted into that of hurt as her eyes flinted around in confusion. "Wait, where is Amelia?" She muttered, turning back to Sakura and Madeline, whose smiles instantly dropped.

"Hi, um, actually..." Alfred spoke up, grabbing Castora's attention. "I'm Amelia's son. She's kinda... Turned into me, but, well, I have her gem." Alfred explained, lifting up his shirt to reveal his rose quartz were his belly button should be. "The rest is from my dad."

"Ohhh, there she is." Castora muttered in amazement, leaning in to get a closer look. "You... Do you know me?"

Alfred looked down, frowning. "No, I'm so sorry."

"It's not always easy to understand Amelia's choices... But we have to stand behind them." Sakura explained.

"Amelia really is something else." Castora stated, standing up. "I mean, look at this! She really is something else!" She laughed, grabbing Madeline's shoulder for support. Everyone seemed to relax a bit at that reaction. "Wow! Everything's changing! And we live in bases outta wood now?" She questioned, walking over behind the Gems and ripping a floor board out. "Who's terrible idea was this?" She threw the wood to the side. "And where is everyone else?"

"Everyone else?" Alfred questioned.

"Yeah, the rest of the Crystal Gems! Old CrazyLegs, Bigs, Snowflake." Castora counted off the nicknamed gems on her fingers.

The warp pad flashed, materializing the five individuals in a huge, wild strawberry field. Castora gasped in disbelief. "No. No way!" She hissed, marching off the pad and into the fields. "We were just here! How long was I out?"

"It's been about 5,300 years." Sakura explained as she walked up next to Castora. "We, the Crystal Gems, were able to save the Earth..." She placed a reassuring hand on Castora's arm.

"But we're all that's left of the rebellion, huh?" Sakura nodded, closing her eyes as tears trailed down her pale face.

"Oh, come on, Sakura," Castora whispered, tears gathering in her eyes and spilling over quickly, "you know I can't take it when you cry like that!"

"I'm sorry." Sakura apologized as Maddie approached them solemnly.

"No," Castora said, wrapping her arm around Sakura and taking Madeline's hand, "no need to apologize."

"Homeworld's final attack on Earth, wiped out all of the Crystal Gems." Maddie explained.

"Amelia was able to protect Madeline and myself." Sakura stated as Castora walked forward, her eyebrows furrowed in anger. "And by the looks of it, she was able to protect you as well."

Castora grunted as she yanked a giant ax out of the strawberry patch, holding it up in the air. "I knew those Homeworld elites were twisted. How many of us did they shatter? CrazyLegs? Bigs? Snowflake? If I was there, I, I COULD HAVE STOPPED IT!"

"It's not like they've stopped trying." Madeline stated.

"What's that?" Castora demanded.

"Homeworld still has it's eyes on this planet." Maddie explained.

"We continue to thwart their plans over and over." Sakura informed her.

Alfred ran up behind Madeline, with Isabel trailing behind. "But they just keep coming back!"

"Yep. They want us bad." Isabel smirked.

"Good." Castora smiled maliciously. "I thought I wouldn't get another chance to show those upper crusts who's BOSS." She growled. "Let's show them what happens you mess with the Crystal Gems!" She screamed, making a battle cry as she swung the ax, burying it into the ground.

"Yeah." Alfred muttered with his fists clenched, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Castora, the gems on Homeworld outnumber us a huge amount." Madeline explained, walking forward.

"And their technology far surpasses anything we have available on Earth." Sakura followed the blonde's lead.

Castora laughed loudly, wrapping her arms around Maddie and Sakura. "What else is new? Madeline, remember when you and I took on a battalion of quartz soldiers? We walked out with our stones shining brighter than when we walked in."

Maddie smirked, adjusting her glasses. "As I recall, it was three battalions."

"And Sakura, remember when we stopped that drop ship? I'll never forget the look on that nephrite's face when you pulled her outta the cockpit!"

Sakura giggled, covering her mouth with her hands as she looked away shyly. "I know. How embarrassing for her."

"AHA! So let's pick up where we left off! To the Forge!" Castora yelled excitedly.

"YAY!" Alfred shouted, running up and hugging Maddie's leg. "To the Forge!"

"Yo, what's a Forge?" Isabel inquired.

The warp pad activated in a mountainous terrain, materializing all the gems once again. "That brings back memories, huh?" Castora exclaimed.

"Is this the Forge?" Alfred questioned.

"Not yet. Follow me." She smiled, beckoning the others as she made her way down a hill. They followed obediently down the rocky path.

"Isssssss this the Forge?" Alfred asked a few minutes later.

"Don't ask me. I've never been here before." Isabel stated defiantly.

"Well, since Castora was gone, we've had no reason to come back here." Sakura explained.

"Let's just say this place ain't the same without me." Castora hinted.

"What does that mean?" Alfred's bright blue eyes lite up like stars. "Isabel, what do you think that mean?" He inquired, grabbing out her arm.

"I don't know, dude, I've never even seen this gem before today." Isabel said as she eyed Castora.

"We took huge blow from Homeworld, but now, we're back in bismuth." Castora smirked, referring to the type of gem she was as a punchline.

Alfred started cracking up. "She's got jokes!"

A few minutes later, they came across a silver block surrounded by what appeared to be hardened lava.

"Is this the Forge?" Alfred repeated.

"Not quite." Sakura stated with an excited tone. Castora stood in front of the silver block, closing her eyes and placing her hands under her chest. There, her stone glowed, and the ground began to vibrate, before the silver block slid open. It did so several feet into the mountain, the slabs either sliding away vertically or horizontally.

Castora turned, holding out her hands. "Ta-da!"

"Now that's an entrance." Alfred smiled as Sakura clasped.

"Bravo, Castora!" She cheered.

The final door of the Forge opened, and the gems stepped inside. Hanging all around the ceiling and walls were giant swords, axes, and various other spiked and heavy weaponry. "Oh, Castora, it's just like I remember it!" Sakura smiled.

Alfred panted slightly, wiping sweat from his face. "Feels like an oven in here."

"You think it's hot now?" Castora questioned teasingly.

Her tone of voice went straight over Alfred's head. "Yeah, like an oven."

She laughed, lifting up her fist, which shape-shifted into a double-headed hammer. "Well, it's about to get WAY HOTTER!" She shouted, slamming her weapon down on a black rock, which slid down slowly into the ground. Lava spilled from the ceiling and covered Castora, and the liquid rock filled the walls around them via an engraved network of tunnels.

"Whoa, cool!" Alfred muttered, looking around in amazement.

Castora emerged from the lava, stretching. "Nothing like a hot lava bath to get into a working mood." She grabbed a bit of material from three pots set against the wall, Alfred peering into them curiously as she went.

"Um, what exactly do you do here?" He questioned.

"Homeworld used us bismuths to erect spires and temples for the gem elite to enjoy."She explained, sticking her hand back into the lava. When she pulled it out, the skin was purple instead of brown. "But Amelia taught me that my life was my own." She explained, setting down the now molten metal and turning her other hand into a hammer. She slammed it down on the metal, shaping it. "That I could choose to do whatever I wanted!" Once the hot metal was shaped to her liking, she stuck it back in a pot of lava, and pulled it out slowly, the material now encased in flames. "So I choose this." She blew on the flames, revealing a finished, gleaming sword.

"Castora, you make weapons?" Alfred asked in disbelief.

"That's right! I outfitted the entire rebellion. Every material weapon used by the Crystal Gems was made right here, in this Forge." Castora bragged, looking around proudly. "Wait, is it still here?" She questioned, walking over to a purple chest and opening it. "Ahhhhh, yes!" She squealed, before throwing golden spiked knuckles at Maddie, who fitted them on her hands with ease. When she activated her gauntlets, the spiked knuckles fused with the metal gloves. "Something to pack a little extra punch." Castora tossed a pair of horned spikes at Sakura, who instantly took her spear out of her pearl, placing the spikes directly under the blade. They merged instantly. "And why don't you try a trident?"

"Oh, Castora, you shouldn't have." Sakura smiled.

"It's no big deal," Castora stated, leaning against the wall nonchalantly, "I was working on them since before-" she paused, her face distorting into discomfort, before she recovered, "well, may as well give them to you now!"

"It was worth the wait." Madeline assured her.

"Hey, it's a pleasure doing bismuth with you." She winked.

Alfred giggled from his spot next to Isabel. "Castora is so funny."

"I don't know, same joke twice?"  Isabel questioned, her arms crossed over her gem.

"Well, it'll be really funny if she does it a third time." Alfred smiled.

"Right." Isabel sighed in exasperation. "Sorry, I don't know, I mean, she's one of the original Crystal Gems, and no one ever mentioned her to me? Not even Amelia? Don't ya think that's a little bit, uhhh, suspicious?"

"I guess that is a little... Strange" Alfred muttered.

"Hey, Deep Cut! Don't think I forgot about you, whatcha packin'?" Castora called over.

Isabel grabbed her whip out of her gem. "Oh, this old thing?"

Castora walked over, bending down to get a closer look. "Oh, wow."

Isabel's eyebrows furrowed. "What is it?"

"Well, not every quartz can make a whip like this. Ya mind if I take a look?" Castora asked.

"Knock yourself out." Isabel stated, handing over her whip and grabbing her arm anxiously.

"Hold on, I got an idea! Here, with this, you can really do some damage." Castora smiled viciously as she passed Isabel what appeared to be a large pink morning star. Isabel threw it down, and it broke into three smaller morning stars on the end of her three tailed whip. The spikes shot out into tall, sharp points, and Isabel's green eyes lit up.

"Aw yeah baby!" She shouted, throwing her whip and grabbing the first thing in her path. "Castora's the best!"

To be continued...