Steven's P.O.V

Sitting off to the side, I gaze around at the slight wreckage of the apartment. The gems and I were able to calm the crowds enough and they quickly dispersed after hearing my proposition. After that, we all went up to the apartment that had that broken window, clearly identifying that it's where the two Sapphire's live. And since then, for that past half hour, everyone's been looking around for any clues as to who the attacker was. I was able to conclude as much already because Sapphire's aren't known to throw themselves out of windows and judging from where they landed, it very clearly hinted that the pair were thrown out by a secondary party. I sigh, looking down at the identical gemstones resting in my palms. Whoever it was must've at least caused some kind of damage because while Garnet found no cracks or fractures on the gemstones, something had to have some lasting impact seeing as how long they're taking to reform. I mean, Pearl got poofed once by her own hologram and it took a day for her to regenerate. Then again, these two probably weren't stabbed....or were they?

Shaking my head from that horrible thought, I focus my attention on the apartment itself for some well needed distraction. In all seriousness, it looks very reminiscent of a Coruscant apartment from those Star Wars prequel movies that Connie and I watched a couple years ago. Coming straight back from the window is the wide open living room with a couch and two comfy looking chairs, the rest being a small kitchen off the left and the bedroom off to the far right. It's actually a very decent apartment, beautiful in its simplicity. I wouldn't mind having one for me and Spinel if the chance ever arose. Maybe that'll be after we get married though. It won't be for a bit, since I need to know if we both want the former and latter of that context, but I do hope it happens some day.

"Based on how the seating has been altered, I can definitely assume that there was some kind of struggle" Peridot says, squinting at the overturned chairs to my left and right.

"A pretty physical one at that" Bismuth concurs, "But was it just over some argument? A disagreement? Or could it have been something deeper?"

"We won't know until the Sapphires reform" Garnet replies, a flat look on her stoic face.

Future Vision or not, the gemstones in my hands begin to glow, hovering in the air. Everyone then stops what they're doing and turns to look at the development. The Sapphire's forms outline and before long, they land peacefully on the floor fully reformed. One has faded purple hair, a dress of dark blues to black, and has her gem on her chest while the other Sapphire has dark blue skin, a more straightened hairstyle, and her gem on her left cheek. Both look around in confusion at first, not sure what's going on, but once they see me, the pair smiles.

"Steven Universe. Thank goodness you're here" The first says calmly.

"Very nice to meet you both" I reply, "Do you have names?"

"Well, you see, most gems call me DB because I have 'Dark Blue' skin" The second Sapphire speaks up nervously, "And this is Sky, my very best friend".

"Greetings" The first Sapphire, now known as Sky, grins.

"Now, this may be a bit uncomfortable for you, but do you two remember how you got poofed?" I ask carefully, not wanting to scare them away.

"Oh, well, DB and I were having a nice midday reading session when around 12:05 P.M, there was a knock on the door. Neither of us were looking into the future today, so it was a bit unexpected. I answered the door and immediately, this gem comes flying at me. She sends me back toward where DB was sitting and as she was helping me up, the intruder surged at both of us this time and sent us crashing out the window. That, combined with the initial impact of hitting the ground then caused us to retreat into our gems. I was scared that the gem would come down and finish us for good but the fact that we're standing here right now talking to you proves otherwise" Sky explains, her fingers intertwined in front of her.

"Did you recognize this gem at all?" Spinel kindly asks, having come over and joined the conversation.

"No, I had never seen this gem before. Neither has Sky. It's what caught us so off-guard when it attacked us" DB replies quietly.

Frowning, I look around to see if there's anything that could help them identify the intruder to us. My eyes then catch a drawing pad and pencil on the kitchen counter. I get up and maneuver my way around Spinel and the Sapphires, much to their confusion, then grabbing the two materials and returning to the couch.

"Could you by any chance describe what they looked like?" I suggest.

"Yes, I can do that" DB replies, a small smile on her face.

"Alright then" I say, picking up the pencil and opening to a new page, "Rattle away".

"Well, this gem had four legs, had dark blue dress pants, had a collared shirt, one half red, the other light blue, a dark blue tie, medium blue skin, and a bowl cut for a hairstyle" DB describes, listing each part off with her fingers.

"Ok" I respond, scribbling away, "Where was its gem?".

"There were actually two gemstones, which can only mean that this was a fusion" Sky says, taking over for her shy friend, "It had a circular one over its left eye and a teardrop-shaped gemstone just below the first".

My hand freezes in midair, a trigger going off in my mind. By visualizing where the gem placements are, and going through the gems I've seen before, a large well of dread and fear begins forming. If it's really them that are back and are lurking around Little Homeschool as we speak, trouble is certainly bound to follow. I quickly scribble the last bits, then rip out the page, fold it up, and place it in my jacket pocket.

"Thank you two for your time and cooperation" I tell the Sapphires, "Me and my friends will look into this and make sure you both aren't harmed again".

"No, thank you, Steven" Sky smiles, DB clasping her hands and smiling as well.

Keeping my true emotions from showing, I smile back to give them so optimism, then stand up and usher the others out the door with me. Even after the Gems, Bismuth, Lapis, Spinel, and Peridot are out in the hallway, with worried looks on their faces I might add, I still keep quiet and guide them down the steps. Only once we're out the back and standing collectively in the alley behind the apartment do I gather them near and tell them what I'm thinking.

"We got a pretty big problem on our hands, guys" I say, taking out the drawing from my jacket and unfolding it for them to see, "Based on how the Sapphires described this fusion intruder, it seems as though Eyeball and Aquamarine are back".

"What?! I thought when I dropped them that they wouldn't survive that!" Spinel exclaims.

"Believe me, babe, we're all thinking the same thing" I reply, putting a hand on her shoulder reassuringly, "But stirring on what we could've done won't do us any good right now. Right now we have to decide how we're gonna handle this".

"Simple. Close Little Homeworld" Peridot suggests.

"No, that would alert them to our knowledge of their presence here" Garnet interjects, "If we're to approach this in the best possible way, we need to be stealthy. Not just for our sake but for the rest of the gems here too. Advertising that there's a dangerous gem on the loose within the confines of these walls will bring about more mass panic than what we just averted less than an hour ago".

"Garnet's right" Lapis chimes in, "It's best that we keep this between ourselves and don't share it with anyone else. We can't risk this information spreading".

"First and foremost though, it's important that one of us stay with Steven at all times" Pearl pipes up, "They've always been after my baby".

"Agreed" Spinel says, hugging my arm, "I personally volunteer".

"I knew you would" Garnet muses, her and Pearl grinning.

"Could we take this back to the Temple, please" I ask, "I may be acting paranoid but who knows who may be listening in right now. The Temple will at least provide a bit more privacy for us instead of being just out in the open".

"You make a good point, Steven" Bismuth says "Let's take this home, everyone".

And with that, we all walk casually out of the alleyway and back into the open air streets of Little Homeworld. Even with gems going about business normally, it's hard to not feel like the person you're after may be in the crowd watching you. Nevertheless, the Gems and I mosey our way onto the Warp Pad in the center of the city and streamline our way into the Temple. Almost immediately, I notice that someone's at the door. Going over to open, I see that it's Connie, which is a little surprising.

"Connie, what are you doing here?" I ask politely.

"Well, you left our house in such a hurry earlier that I was worried something had happened" She explains.

"Ah, ok" I accept, having that question answered, "Want to come in?"

"Sure, thanks" She replies appreciatively, walking past me.

"Your timing is actually quite good because there are a couple things I was hoping to talk to you about" I tell her.

"Great! What do you wish to talk about?" Connie asks, the both of us joining the Gems on the couch.

"So..uh..we might have found out that there's an enemy gem somewhere inside Little Homeworld and I wanted you to have this so you can know who to avoid" I say hesitantly, handing her the drawing of the Aquamarine and Eyeball fusion.

"Oh god, should we call the police, Steven?" Connie asks.

"As much as I appreciate your idea, what good would they do against a combination of two former Homeworld gems? It'd be a much bigger problem than any of us would want" I reply seriously.

"Yeah, yeah, I guess you're right. Sorry" My best friend apologizes.

"No, no, you don't have to apologize" I say understandingly, "I'm not trying to seem critical here...".

"He's just doing the best thinking with what he knows already" Spinel chimes in, hopping onto my lap.

She smiles welcomingly at Connie, who grins back, and I lightly pat her head, her eyes closing and her smile cute.

"As is what makes him Steven" Connie agrees.

"If you could though, please don't go spreading it around all over town, Connie" Pearl politely asks, "As tempting as it may be, the effect would spread like a wildfire and alert this gem that we're on to them, therefore making it possibly flee before we can catch them".

"I understand, ma'am" She nods.

"Fantastic. Now, I have one small favor to ask of you, Connie" I add.

"Sure, anything" The girl says.

"So, you see, I decided to introduce a school system at Little Homeworld, affectionately called 'Little Homeschool'. But, the thing is, I don't know how school works or is even structured to work effectively with as large a crowd as we're talking here. Is there any chance you could help us develop a system that would work for Little Homeschool?" I ask of her.

"I'd be happy to" Connie grins, "But first, I'm gonna need some pen and paper. Could one of you possibly grab me some please?"

Peridot goes over to the kitchen table and grabs it, walking back over and promptly handing it to Connie.

"Thanks Peridot. Now, consider this..." My best friend says, the other gems leaning in, "A school should have standards to strive for and uphold. My school's standards are about academic performance, trying to be the best in the nation, and all about hard working ethics both in-class and outside of class. What are you hoping to achieve with Little Homeschool?"

"A place where gems can grow and learn to change beyond the ways of old Homeworld traditions and customs" Spinel answers for me.

"Great. So, say that you would like to show them the different cultures and practices Earth has that are different from Homeworld. What I'd advise to do then is to break down and identify the key parts of what you feel to be the most important topics to teach these gems. Then, as far as the actual teaching goes, I'd suggest breaking down these topics even further into lessons that can be taught on a day to day basis, lasting a decent time before moving onto another subtopic under the original overall subject. If you should ever choose to, in order to test their learning and dedication to what you're trying to teach them, integrate a grading system that will involve tests, quizzes, and/or other graded assignments that will determine if they pass or fail the class. These also create goals for them to work towards during the progression of the class" Connie explains.

"Wow, that's....very detailed" I remark.

"Aw, shucks, you flatter me, Steven" Connie teases me.

"Are there any possible scenarios or examples you could give?" Pearl asks, "It would really help me understand it fully".

"Sure" Connie answers gladly.

"Before we do though, let's divide this up" Garnet interrupts, "Firstly, Lapis and Bismuth, I need you to go and start searching for where this fusion may be hiding. Amethyst and Peridot, you will take over for them when night falls. Pearl and I will stay here and learn about setting up this school. That leaves my Cutie Pie and his girlfriend to go out on that date that I know he's planning".

"Huh?" Spinel looks at me surprised.

I glare at Garnet, ticked off that she ruined the surprise.

"Oh, oops" The fusion simple replies.

I shake my head, looking down at the floor.

"Anyway, let's divide and conquer" Garnet concludes.

With that, Lapis and Bismuth warp away to Little Homeworld as Peridot, Amethyst, Pearl, and Garnet gather closer around Connie as she explains in more specifics, leaving me to usher Spinel out the front door. Even she can tell I'm embarrassed that my little secret plan for our day out together got the beans spilled but I can tell that Nelly's still very excited and appreciative of the thought and gesture behind the idea.

"So, you....were gonna ask me out on a date?" Spinel asks nervously for confirmation, her foot twisting against the floor.

"Were and still will. Would you go out with me today, Spinel?" I ask in reply, holding her hands in mine as I stare into her eyes.

She responds by rushing forward with a kiss, her hands slipping from mine to hold my face. We hold that position for a nice hot minute before she pulls away, her lips slowly lingering on mine.

"A thousand times yes, Steven" She smiles.

She then grabs my hand and together, we head down the porch and onto the beach, then traversing said beach and going towards the city. Once we reach Beach City, our stomachs remind us of the fact that it's past lunchtime. So, to remedy this situation, we set our sights on Fish Stew Pizza, Kiki and Jenny really pleased to see us. After we politely order our pizzas, Kiki chatted us up a little bit, revealing some very interesting news that's been floating around. Evidently, word has gotten out that Spinel and I are dating, which is a surprisingly 'big deal' since apparently, I was the longest standing bachelor Beach City has ever seen. I really don't mind it though. As long as I'm here with my love, nothing can top or ruin every moment we have together.

Jenny then came out with our orders and, once we thank her and her sister, we chow down like a pack of hungry wolves. In fifteen to twenty minutes, both of our individual pizzas are gone. We just sit and let our stomachs settle afterwards, holding each other in our arms to get more relaxed. But once it passed, we were out the door and onto the next destination, which was of course Funland. This city doesn't have much of anything fun or interesting to do so I'm left to work with what we have. It's a slow and steady walk to the amusement park, Spinel pointing out all the interesting things she spots on buildings and shops as we pass by. But once the two of us pause at the gates of Funland, while also going by how wide Spinel's smile is, I know it'll only get better from here.

Hours and hours went by as we went on as many rides as possible, some of them more than once due to me and Spinel having our select favorites. The highlight of it though was when the dart game came into play. I wanted to win this large plushy heart for her so I took the chance and got lucky with little darts to spare. Spinel was so ecstatic when I handed it to, jumping up and down like a girl that got handed a love letter from her crush. After nuzzling her face into it plenty of times, she then hugged me real tight and I didn't care how many people were looking or awwing. However, the longer and longer time we spent there, the more the Sun started to dip in the sky. If not for our stomachs growling once more, we probably wouldn't have left. I then escorted Spinel out of the amusement park and through the city all the way to Peedee's Fry Truck. He was really happy to see me again, apparently having missed me so much when I left without warning. Never knew that so many people care so much about me. Anyways, I got a large order of fry bits for me and Spinel to split. After the bits and money were exchanged, Spinel and I chose a spot along the boardwalk where we could sit down and look out at the ocean.

The two of us just sat and talked, mostly random things at that. As we did though, the thought of Aquamarine and Eyeball came full circle back into my mind. Deep down, I know that it won't be easy having to deal with those two. They're not the kinds of gems to be merciful to those that they label their enemy. I wish I could try and convince them that violence won't be the right answer to this but listening to me hasn't been something they've always been open to. And I get it. Not everybody can change or even wants to change when given the option. There's already plenty of people in this world that are already willing to accept the prospect of change, should they need to, so I can't really blame these gems for not wanting to conform with what I wish for.

By the time we're done talking, the sky has been tinted orange, the Sun lowering behind the horizon line. Spinel and I both agree that's it about time to head home, thanking Peedee and walking away. On the way home, Spinel says that she has a surprise in store for me tomorrow but when I press for further details, she just smiles slyly and puts a finger to her lips. I just smile and roll my eyes anyway, loving her even more.

The two of us make it back to the Temple just as the Sun is setting. Immediately upon walking through the front door, Pearl asks how our date went. Spinel answers for me, saying that I 'really gave her a good time'. Apparently, there must be a double entendre meaning to it since Pearl began twitching at Spinel's choice or words. She then snapped out of it though and said that Connie was able to teach it to her, Garnet, Amethyst, and Peridot as best she could, the latter two having left for their turn on watch duty. I was starting to feel drowsy though, Spinel sensing it too evidently, so we both wished her and Garnet goodnight and then headed upstairs to our room. Sleepily putting on some pajama shorts, I just throw my shirt on the floor and get into bed, Spinel plopping down beside me in nothing but her dark red underwear. I'm too tired to feel excited about how sexy she looks so all I do is just hold her close, her clinging onto me almost instantly, and shut the light off after pulling the covers over us. As I shut my eyes, I wonder just what the surprise might be that Spinel foreshadowed for tomorrow. But I also wish that everything goes okay with Peridot and Amethyst.

I would hate if something happened to them.

~~ 3 Hours Later... ~~

Amethyst's P.O.V

Night has fallen and now it's my turn, along with P-Dot, to watch for this fusion of two dangerous gems. Both of us are perched on a rooftop like a couple of pigeons, keeping a sharp eye or two out for any sign of them. If they were smart, they'd stay fused to keep us from identifying them but since we got the scoop on what they look like both fused and not, they're time is even more limited. As part of being covert about all this, it'll give them the illusion that they can stay fused and not be noticed, due to their assumption that we don't know about it. It ain't gonna work though cus we on them like wet on water!

"See anything, Amethyst?" Peridot asks, her voice a low whisper.

"No, nothing" I answer back.

"I wish we didn't have to wait until it's pitch black out. I get that it helps us move around better without being spotted as easily but it doesn't help us trying to spot them when I can barely see" She grunts.

"Yeah, I getcha, but this compared to going door to door asking if they've seen a gem like the one we're looking for would take too long and blow our whole 'veil of secrecy'" I reply, gazing down at the lamp-lit streets below.

I hear Peridot sigh, making me look over at her.

"I'm sorry, Amethyst" Peridot apologizes, "I'm just worried about Steven".

"Me too, Peri, me too" I nod, fully understanding.

"I just don't want him to feel like any of this is his fault or that he should have to deal with it. My Pebble's already keeping something from us based on how reserved he acts and I don't want him shutting us out for the rest of his lifespan" Peridot vents, her voice tinged with sadness.

To try and be helpful, I sling an arm around her shoulders.

"Trust me, Peridot, I completely empathize with you. I've seen it happening a lot since Beach City was originally destroyed by the Injector. Ever since he started out helping, to when he left for Homeworld, and then upon coming back, Steven's been holding something in that he refuses to tell us. It hurts me so much that he can't trust us enough to share how he feels. I've talked to Pearl and Garnet about it and they feel exactly the same, only they've advised to let Steven come to us if he really wants to talk. We can't force him to tell us these things about him because that just wouldn't make us good people, am I right?" I say.

"Without a doubt in my mind" Peridot answers.

I then smile but then something in the corner of my peripheral vision catches my eye. I then put a finger up, Peridot going quiet as I turn to look. There, across the street, is a short gem with four legs, a suit half red and half light blue, and a bowl cut just like the picture. Bingo! The hostile fusion is walking down the street and looks ready to turn around the corner into an alleyway just off the right.

"That's them" I say, "We should move now, grab them before we lose sight of them".

"But what if it's a trap? What if they've found out we're onto them and are purposefully walking around like that to bait us in?" Peridot says nervously.

"I'm not going to sit here and wait based on a bunch of 'what ifs', Peridot" I sigh, standing up, "If you're unsure about this, call Pearl or Garnet and get them down here. In the meantime, try and keep up with me cause I'm going after them".

Not waiting for a reply, I back up to the opposite edge of the rooftop, get in a running position, and speed roll to where I was just at previously. I fly through the air, across the gap, and land on my ass, coming to a halt. I then get up and start speed walking, looking down below to keep the target in sight. The gem keeps treading along at an easy pace, obviously not expecting anyone to follow her. There's another alley coming up on her left but that's where she's gonna get cut off. Jumping across to the next building over, I run and back flip into the alleyway, landing right in front of the gem. She jumps in surprise, proving me right about her not expecting anyone.

"Oh hello, I didn't see you there" The fusion says, "My name is Bluebird Azurite, how are you doing?".

"Cut the shit, fusion. I know who you are" I growl.

"Really? Who am I then?" Bluebird replies, still sounding innocent.

"Someone that intends on hurting my brother" I state firmly, summoning my whip, "And I refuse to let you go any farther.

I then lash the fusion with my whip, wrapping them up tighter than a boa constrictor. Bluebird gasps, gritting her teeth against the tightness of the restraint.

"Oi! That's no way to treat someone you just met, is it?" She exclaims.

"Oh really? I think it's quite appropriate" I retort, walking up closer and pushing her to the ground, keeping a foot on her chest, "Because I don't give sympathy to a Ruby and Aquamarine that hold a grudge for too long".

"Ehm, is that so?" Bluebird grunts, her arms struggling, "Because I don't give any mercy back to a Quartz that can't learn to stay out of my way".

Bluebird then spins around and summons her wings, busting through the constraints of my whip. Her gems then glow and from them, she pulls out two water sabers, leaving me to summon another whip since the old one is busted. Flying straight at me, Bluebird slices with her swords. My whip is enough to stop one of them but once she's through, she dashes me and stabs me with her other swords. I gasp in pain, the sharp splitting agony slowly rising. I'm frozen in place, Bluebird right in front of me. She grins maliciously at my pained expression. My arm twitches and tries to reach my gem to summon one more whip but Bluebird stabs me with her second sword before I can act. The pain multiples, my form about ready to give out. The evil fusion then pushes the sabers all the way through my chest, and in one simultaneous motion, swipes through me completely. I feel myself retreating back into my gem, my mind going dark. Things just went completely wrong real quick but I hope that Peridot can bring help.

We're gonna need it.

~~ A Couple Minutes Earlier... ~~

Peridot's P.O.V

It's not like me to be this uncertain about something. I mean, all we'll be doing is capturing and maybe poof her and bubble her too. What else is there to it? Maybe Amethyst is right, I should go and help her. Looking the direction she went, I unzip the backpack I have on and pull out my traveling disk. Placing it underneath me, I use my powers and lift myself up into the air, hovering a good couple feet from the rooftop surface. Then, while crouching, I focus on where she went and slowly fly over to the last building she lept off of. The closer I get, the more I hear signs of a struggle. I make it and touch down, putting the disk back in my backpack while scurrying over to the edge of the roof. However, when I look down, what I see mortifies me.

Amethyst has been stabbed by Bluebird right in the chest. I gasp, covering my mouth to prevent any sort of loud noise from erupting out of me. Amethyst then tries to fend her off still but Bluebird stabs her again, making my breath hitch in my throat. Amethyst's form then poofs and all that's left is her gemstone. Fear taking hold of me, I realize that I gotta get out of here and tell the other gems what happened. As I turn around to run though, someone grabs me and clamps a hand over my mouth, lifting me off the ground. I struggle and kick, trying to worm my way out of their grasp. Whoever it is chuckles and then pokes me with something. I'm in too much of a panic to think what it is but after it activates and is held in from of my face, I recognize it as a gem destabilizer. The mystery person then chuckles again and as I look up to see who it is, they speak.

"Don't worry, little Peridot. With what we have planned, not even your Crystal Gem friends will be able to stop what's coming" Emerald grins.