Steven's P.O.V

I walk through the neighborhood, my hands in my pockets and my shoulders hunched. My emotions are so conflicted right now that it's hard to decide what I'm feeling. Anger? Sadness? Betrayal? Disappointment? All of those combined mixed with a dash of overwhelming disbelief? Who knows at this point. I'm not going anywhere in particular at the moment. Just wandering around the city and collecting my thoughts. It's the best way to figure out how to deal with all these rampant and heightened feelings.

Heading in a steady pace down the boardwalk, I look to my left and see Fish Stew along with Frybo's fry stand. Kiki, Jenny, and Koffi are pretty busy inside their restaurant, putting pizzas into take out boxes and serving others that wait at tables. Peedee's working inside with his father while Ronaldo is outside on his phone, probably searching through sites to post on his blog. Same old, same old for them, almost like their lives are completely unaffected by all the change happening around them. I find that astonishing, but probably just because all that has transpired was more key in my personal life than theirs. I'm happy for them because I care very much about them and even more about people as a whole. It's why loyalty is my most important principle currently and why I try so hard to keep my family safe. However, when some members of my family show character that's not worth protecting, then my view differs slightly.

Fighting the negative emotions threatening to emerge, I keep a forced smile on my face and wave at the two restaurant families as I fully pass by their locations. Moving onward and outward away from the more productive and busy parts of Beach City, I turn my direction towards a place with guaranteed solitude and a great atmosphere for thinking. The Beach City Forest. I don't know why, but being alone and engulfed in the tall plants has always given me more peace and tranquility than anything found at the Temple.

It's a bit of a walk to get there but once I'm standing right outside the outer tree line, I somehow feel instantly better. It's a kind of feeling that I really need right now, so I do not hesitate to walk right in and let my mind get lost in the haze of leaves swaying in the wind and the smell of dirt and stream water. Many low-hanging branches whack me in the face, but I ignore them and don't let them anger me further. I'm in so deep now, both in thought and in the woods overall, that I'm unable to catch myself from tripping on a large rock in my path. Tumbling head over heels down a small hill, I come to a stop and shut off the music so I gather my thoughts before all the dizziness sets in. Luckily, I can focus more on how much my head hurts now, along with where in the heck that drop in terrain came than letting my mind be scrambled.

Shaking my head, I ease myself up and off the ground, wiping the dirt and twigs from my knees. I then look around to see what made me trip, but what I find instead is cause enough to make me put my earbuds and phone away. Before me is what appears to be the opening of a small cave. It's only about as tall as your average coffee table, though, so that explains why it so easy not to notice. What peaks my interest about it, however, is how something as remote and random as an underground tunnel can be found in a densely forested area. But, I came out into the woods for distractions and this seems like the perfect getaway. Getting down onto my knees, I crawl forward towards the slim entrance and peer inside to see if anything is visible beyond the darkness. I can't make out anything and that just fuels my inner Indiana Jones more, spurring me to grab onto the sides of the entrance and begin pulling myself inside.

Now, people might scold me and say that I'm being foolish and/or stupid. But some people like me desire unknown places or things and to be able to explore such is what makes the experience all the more worthwhile. Bearing all that in mind, I pull myself deeper inside the cave entrance. As I go further and further in, it gets darker and darker, but at a certain point, I feel my eyes heat up and glow, twin beams of pink illuminating the space. Everything is much easier to see now and due to my newfound ability, I'm able to note that I've been heading in a downward slope, closer to the center of the Earth. The tunnel doesn't seem to end anytime soon either, so I keep on going.

Because I don't wear a watch and because I can't reach my phone in the compact space, time is really hard to tell. Trying to keep track in my mind is quite annoying and unfortunate. To my best and frustrating estimate, though, I've been traveling for about ten minutes. It's at this point when I begin to see a leveling out point in the tunnel ahead. I come to said point all too quickly and find myself at a sudden end, the tunnel dropping off into a tall and thin chamber. Looking down, I sigh in relief knowing that the fall is not long at all, maybe a second or two. I then carefully ease out of the tunnel and roll as I hit the surprisingly wet ground below me.

It's a tad swampy, but water isn't really a pet peeve of mine so I just brush it off as I stand up. The chamber, in all its entirety, is small in width, but massive in height. Twisting my head up, I see a hole as wide as a trampoline that shoots directly up through the bedrock, a sliver of evening sky exposed at the very top. At the center of the room lies a circular platform with another circular-shaped podium in its center. On that podium is a glowing green orb the size of a soccer ball. My curiosity spiking, I tentatively approach and gaze closely at the foreign object. Upon scrutinizing analysis, I see that the glow is emanating from a miniature hourglass spinning in the center of the orb. My eyes flit back and forth, my mind making a connection that this is very much like the time ball that the Gems and I ran across in that now flooded temple, meaning that this orb must serve the same purpose. I then do what any archaeologist would do in my place: I gently grab the orb from underneath and hold it in between my hands. I always have a fear of dropping things important and this situation proves to be no different, the orb not helping with its off putting vibrations.

"I swear, I wish I could go back in time and stop Pink from doing her little rebellion!" Amethyst's voice rings in my head from earlier. I then feel a smile grow on my face and my gaze fixed on the time orb. You're right, Sis. And now, with this in my possession, I think it's time for me to make a few things right. Pink Diamond won't be able to escape her crimes for much longer. I feel a smile beginning to grow, but then a sudden and loud crack of thunder makes me jump. Clenching the orb tighter, I look up and see that the sky has developed storm clouds and that lightning is brewing. A slow trickle of rain then begins to fall down the hole in the ceiling, a thunderstorm all but present at this point. Creating my shield underneath me, I then use it to lift myself up and raise me up the hole and towards the surface.

Lets see what the Gems think of this!

Amethyst's P.O.V

I'm panicking like crazy right now. Steven has been gone for hours and still hasn't come back! But, what tops everything off, is the fact that it's now pouring rain and storming outside. I'm trying to ease the hot clench of fear and nervousness on my gem by pacing, but it's not helping. Peridot looks scared too, holding herself and trembling while staring directly at the floor. However, the human, Pearl, Ruby, and Sapphire don't seem as bothered by Steven's disappearance as me and Peridot, adding in some anger with all that anxiety. The four are just sitting around and doing nothing, aggravating me to the point where I stop my pacing and stomp over to stand right in front of those self-centered snitches.

"Before you shout, Amethyst, do know that we all are deeply worried about Steven" Sapphire speaks, using her Future Vision to cut me off.

"Yeah? Well, you certainly are all at your wits end hoping that Steven will be alright. Yeah, you four are definitely worried" I remark sarcastically.

"Excuse me, Amethyst! I care about Steven very much! And I'll have you know that if it weren't for this storm, I'd be out there searching for him right now!" Connie snaps back at me.

"Please, Connie. If you truly care about someone, you don't let anything stand in your way of finding him, much less some clouds and a couple drops of rain" I scoff, blowing some loose hair out of my face and crossing my arms, "Why are you still here anyway? I'd have thought your mom would've come around to get you by now".

"She had to work late and said that she'd be fine with me staying here until she got off. And, as I've repeated many times, I'm not leaving until my Jam Bud comes back!" Connie answers pointedly, standing up with hostile intent.

"I'm with the Amethyst on this one, you clod. You appear to exhibiting traits that aren't compatible with a standard caring organic. Your choice of wording and logic is very askew, making it all too clear to me that something is not quite right with that primitive mind of yours" Peridot retorts, her tone reverting back to that condescendingly analytical vibe that she had when she wasn't a Crystal Gem.

"Jam Buds are just a nickname, Peridot. It's meant to symbolize a special connection between people. You're so bossy and manipulative that you couldn't have anything special with Steven in a thousand of your gem lifetimes" Connie spits.

A cup then hits the young girl on the forehead, it's metal properties meaning that it was Peridot's doing.

"You really should stop talking, Cloddie. It'll make you sound less unevolved that way" Peridot smirks.

Connie then rubs her head in pain before jumping through the air to slice at her with Rose's sword. I stop her with a blow to the neck, pausing her midair movements and making her hit the ground.

"Enough, you two! This bickering is getting us nowhere! Now, if you guys don't mind, I'm going out to find Steven" I say, glaring at Ruby, Sapphire, and Pearl.

"Amethyst! The last thing we need right now is the team getting more separated" Pearl says indignantly.

"Pearl's right" Sapphire adds, "Steven will come to us, that much I am sure of".

"Oh, really? Well then, if you're so sure, then why don't you put yourself to good use and tells us where Steven is with that future vision of yours?" I say matter-of-factually.

"Don't talk to Sapphire like that!" Ruby argues.

"No, no, Ruby. It's fine" Sapphire says calmly, "And it is the least I can do".

She then frowns, her lips forming a tight line. Sapphire concentrates for half a minute but then gets this shocked look on her face.

"Sapphy! What did you see?!" Ruby asks, holding her fiance while looking into her singular eye.

When I see Sapphire's expression, fear and disbelief is all over her, metaphorically speaking.

"Steven is here!" Sapphire says, lifting my spirits and making both me and Peridot smile, "But, he also has something powerful and ancient in his grasp".

That makes our smiles drop and the worry return. A clap of thunder then sounds and a flash of lighting appears outside. We all jump at the volume of it and jump even more when we see Steven standing outside on the porch, his silhouette outline by the lightning strike. He has something glowing in his hands, but before I can get a real close look at the thing, Steven hovers up and out of sight with his floating shield trick. A thump is then heard on the roof and we all look at each other.

Steven's on the roof!

Disregarding any past argument against going outside, we all run out the front door and onto the down-pouring porch outside. I look up, as does everyone else, and see Steven on the edge of the roof. In his hands looks to be a bigger replica of the time artifact lost in the flooded temple incident a while back. Steven himself looks very stern, glaring down at three particular people within our group with dissatisfaction.

"Steven, come down from there!" Pearl calls.

"Please, you could get hurt!" Connie says alongside Pearl.

"No" Steven replies, "I will not come down. I will not follow your corrupted and backwards ways any longer".

Ruby and Sapphire look scared, almost as if they couldn't believe that this is Steven talking.

"Biscuit, your scaring me" Connie calls out, drawing his attention to her, "Come down and we can talk about this. Please, this isn't the boy that I fell in love with".

We all gasp at that last part, minus Steven. Connie just admitted that she loves Steven.

"I'm sorry, Connie. This is just how it's gotta be." Steven replies flatly, causing Connie to nearly erupt into tears, "Like I told you before, I have a destiny. And now I know what I must do to set things right!"

Connie's now on her knees, crying in the rain as Pearl kneels down beside her to offer some comfort.

"Steven! How dare you be so heartless!? Connie just admitted some deep feelings and you just disregarded them! You should be ashamed of yourself!" Pearl shouts at him, earning her a glare from me.

"I wouldn't be talking if I were you, Pearl" Steven says, holding that glowing orb close, "You turned Connie into you, a selfish liar who is willing to die for a cause that is unjust and wrong, not to mention making her rely too heavily on fusion. Do you know how many times she's wanted to be Stevonnie? She can't let that stuff go and it's your fault. I've already told you this."

Silence fills the moisture ridden air, hanging like the hot temperature all around us. Connie keeps crying on the porch floor while Pearl comforts her and the two small gems stand quietly. I personally think Steven made some pretty accurate judgement calls, especially with the Homeworld issue. I mean, even I wouldn't be that selfless if that happened to me.

"All that ends now. With this power, I will make sure that Ruby, Sapphire, and Pearl are taught a lesson in how to be people. But know this, you three. Where I'm going, you won't be able to follow" Steven sighs, gripping the orb and raising it higher.

Before anyone, myself included, can say anything, Steven speaks loud and clear.

"I wish I could go back to when Pink Diamond received Earth as a Diamond colony" He shouts.

The hourglass inside the orb then spins more rapidly and vibrations begin emitting from the sphere. The intensity is so high that even the Temple is shaking. Then, the energy from inside the time orb expands and expands until it completely engulfs Steven. As quick as a finger-snap later, the energy sphere vanishes, taking Steven along with it. Sapphire then hugs Ruby desperately.

"What did our Cutie Pie just do?" Ruby wonders out loud.

"He went to make things right" I respond, shooting her a death glare.

The red gem only looks down, ashamed of herself. Sapphire does too, setting a very grave atmosphere. With Connie now bawling her eyes out and Pearl trying to get her to stop, it leaves only me and Peridot being the calm and collected ones. We stand side by side and look down upon the mess of a team. I shake my head, but then hear something truly heartbreaking whispered through the rainy air.

"Oh, Steven. If only I could've told you that I love you too" Peridot whispers.

Steven's P.O.V

Looking around at the lush and heavily vegetated environment I find myself in, I can't help but feel a slight sense of confusion as to the time period. Scratch that, I remember researching it via Google. I think that this is the Neolithic Period, a time of large population growth and the integration of agriculture into modern society. So, yeah, won't have to come across any dinosaurs. That's good, because I wasn't looking forward to the possibility of running from a T-Rex or getting accidentally eaten by a herbivore. However, the option of danger is still not out of the question. Considering that I'm alone in an unknown place with no direction or any help whatsoever, tension will most likely be high until I can figure something out.

What I should focus on right now is my step by step plan of what to accomplish while I'm here. Step One, find a way out of this freaking rain forest. Step Two, find the Beta Kindergarten. Step Three, wait until Pink shows up with Pearl. Step Four, follow her back to the moon base. Step Five, talk some sense into her about not doing the war and, if necessary, hit her upside the head once or twice. Step Six, stick around long enough so she won't just go back on her word. Step Seven, if all else fails, travel to Homeworld and tell the story to the Diamonds. And lastly, Step Eight, go back to the present with the backup time orb.

Thinking it over in my head, I know the plan's not perfect but it at least has a framework. Sure, some steps like Three, Five, and Six may stretch out longer than others, but I'm confident that it'll be effective. Also, I have to consider that things may go wrong at any point. Since improvising isn't really my strong suit, I'll just have a simple backup plan to survive by any means necessary and do what I must to stop the deaths of millions of gems and humans. After all, I came here for that explicit purpose and I'm not leaving until I make it happen.

I once again take note of the area and then decide that it's best to begin Step One. It'll quickly follow Step Two because once I get my bearings of where I am in relation to the Kindergarten, getting out of this massive forest will lessen in difficulty. I gotta get to higher ground to be able to see though, since the number of trees makes it near impossible to see whatever lies ahead. It'll also help because from what I remember the Kindergarten was located in a rocky and grey mountain type of landscape. Doing a quick scan on the trees closest to me, I pick one that is just about the tallest. I put the time orb in my gem, mainly because it's pretty hard to climb while holding it, and taking a running start. Once my feet make contact with the base, I push myself up and backwards, grabbing the nearest branch. I'll admit that I don't have the best arm strength but man did it come through for me today because with little trouble, I pull myself up and go for the next branch. It's a long way up but I can do this all day.

In the span of about five minutes or so, I reach the tippy top of the tree. Because of its round shaped top, it reminds me a lot of a clove of broccoli. My stomach rumbles at the thought, informing me of my silly decision to not grab something to eat before leaving. However, I push those thoughts to the back of my head and pop out the tree top like a gopher out of the ground. One thing I notice immediately is that it's actually still light out, though the Sun is beginning to recede behind the horizon. The smell of rain is also in the air, so I best not stay up here very long or else risk getting struck by lightning. A problem that I run into though is that I can't spot any sort of mountains. Sighing, I clamp a hand over my forehead and think about what I could do instead. What other ways can I use to determine directions? Are mountains usually located to the west or east? Can the temperature be used to indicate their location? Ugh, all questions that I'm uncertain of and I absolutely hate the feeling of uncertainty. Well, I guess in the meantime I should focus on finding something to eat, seeing as my stomach rumbled just a moment ago. Can't get to where I need to go if I die of starvation after all.

Feeling a tad depressed about my luck and progress up to this point, I do my best to slide down the trunk of the tree. It was a pain to climb up the tree, but coming down was much more fun. It came and went fast, me landing back on the ground in mere seconds, but it felt great nonetheless. Now it was time to find some food and even I knew that wasn't going to be easy. I go with the survivalist approach to food gathering: looking for berries and bits in the bushes. TV shows have people do this kind of stuff all the time so who's to say it's a stupid idea? There's a small clump of bushes around the base of the tree I just ascended, so I start there. Kneeling down and looking closely, I see some tiny sized blackberries. Might not be fully grown, but if they're poisonous it won't matter because it'll kill me either way. And that in of itself is another stressful factor because when placed in a dire situation as I find myself in now, you want to believe that any berry is edible because you're freaking hungry and want to have something at least. I say screw it and grab half a handful of these berries and pop them in my mouth, chewing thoroughly before swallowing.

The immediate taste doesn't give off any tangy or toxic vibes, so I grab another handful and down it too. It's nice to feel, but it won't be enough, so I stand up and begin scanning the bases of other trees for similar bushes. Not so much luck with that. Desperate to find more, I decide to do something very risky and wander through a tight path of trees to my right. While the tall plants are so packed that it's kinda hard to determine what direction is where, I go based off of my relative placement. I crouch low and move slowly, not wanting to miss anything. I don't stop moving, wandering on and on without caring where I may end up. I do stumble across a bush with red berries, but my mind puts up a red flag. Red is most commonly the color for bad, just like with 'the big red button', so I don't touch them. I might be acting foolish, but better safe than sorry. And besides, I'd had some black ones already so the situation isn't too dire.

Onward and onward I search, my eyes and legs eventually beginning to tucker out. I've had my gaze glued to the forest floor for so long, I've completely forgotten where I am. Foolish Steven. I look up, crack my neck and back, and see what it around me is like. In the end, I'm frightened because the area looks no different than the one I began in, which makes me question whether I ran in circles this whole time. What's even worse though is that it's now pitch black out, the Sun probably going down while I was busy. I feel myself start to panic, the fear rising in me along with some repetitive breathing. I don't like feeling this way and I know I should focus, so I slap myself across both cheeks.

"Get it together, Steven" I say out loud, "You can't allow yourself to lose it now. You're not even halfway there yet".

Shaking my head furiously, I take a deep breath and massage my temples. Going with the smart approach now, I summon the time orb from my gem. While it's main function doesn't help me right now, it's bright green glow does aid me by providing a night light of sorts. Clenched between both hands, I spin around in a circle and intently scan the ground. Nothing at first catches my eye, but then a vague color change appears on a bush a short distance in front of me. I saunter over and get down on my knees, holding the glowing object so I can see.

I'm shocked at what I see. It comes in two successions, the first being the fact that I've stumbled across some blueberries instead of blackberries or Cotoneaster redberries. I audibly sigh in relief but when the same color change flashes in my peripheral vision, I turn around to see if it's what I think it is. That counts the second part of the good news. All around me was more blueberry bushes, forming a near perfect circle around me. In other words, I hit the jackpot, baby! I grab a handful and stuff it in my mouth. Definitely has a better taste than blackberries, so I go another round and again and again and again. I do it enough to the point where the juices cover my mouth and fingers and my stomach feels so full.

The satisfaction of being entirely fed then summons the need for rest. My eyes begin to droop and I yawn profusely. Since I'm in an optimal spot, I decide to rest here. Laying down on the surprisingly soft grass, I form my gem bubble around me and get comfortable. The bubble is the equivalent of a tent for campers, basically doubling as a shelter and protection from hostile forest creatures. My eyes gaze up at the tree tops, their swaying branches making me sleepy. I don't fight it and let my mind shut down. But before I fade into unconsciousness, I agree that I'll recommence the search for the Kindergarten in the morning. At least then I'll have some better lighting.

~~ Meanwhile... on a vaguely familiar moonbase... ~~

??? P.O.V

When I saw Yellow and her colonies, I felt like ruling one would be something grand and very internally rewarding. It looked so great, the world at your fingertips and knowing that any action you take or order you send out will alter the destiny of the planet forever. All that is why I begged and begged Blue and Yellow to give me my own world. They seemed annoyed by my asking and eventually relented, handing me the planet called Earth. I was so excited, but then Blue showed me the moon base and told me that I was required to remain here a great sum of the time. At first, I didn't think too much of it, saying ok and sitting down at the main control room. However, the boredom quickly set in and I wondered why I was so eager for this. If this was what running a colony was like, how could Blue and Yellow be fine with it?

I sit at that very desk now, my screen up and active as always. Like I do almost everyday, I scroll through the planned requirements of any Diamond colony. It's still as pointless as ever, I mean, why should I care about how many Kindergartens there will be and how many Warp Pads will be placed in each colonized facet? It's completely mind numbing and I could use a bit of variation right about now.

I feel someone's gaze on me however and look down to see my Pearl's eyes on me. She turns away quickly, looking embarrassed that I caught her looking. I look away just as fast, feeling bad about it. It feels awkward now and I don't need that adding to my problems so I decide to just clear the air and ask my loyal Pearl what she thinks.

"Could you imagine that running a colony would be this dull?" I remark, grinning out of silliness.

"I could imagine it, if you would like me to, my Diamond" Pearl replies, her voice flat and monotone.

My smile drops, her response not being what I was hoping to hear. I was hoping that she could provide some refreshing insight to my emotional state, but maybe my Pearl just isn't meant for that. Her temporary smile drops when she sees my change in expression, and I move on with a new topic, knowing that she'll be able to help this time.

"Show me the status of the Prime Kindergarten" I order kindly.

"Yes, my Diamond" She replies instantly.

Pearl puts her hand on my control console and lets herself be emerged in the data. I rest my chin on my palm, my eyes narrowing with blatant frustration. I always ask her to check what's happening in the Kindergartens but every time so far it's been nothing. I begin to think that this time will be no different, but what Pearl says completely changes my attitude.

"The first Quartz soldiers are due to emerge soon" Pearl informs me.

"Yes!" I exclaim, shocking Pearl so much she holds her head in a daze, "Finally something exciting!".

This is the first big event to happen ever since I gained control of the planet. I had to witness this and I knew the perfect way to do it. Getting up and out of my throne, I head for the stairs that lead down into the lower levels of the moonbase. What I seek is a story below, but I have no problem with ignoring the stairs and landing in a crouch near the observation orb.

"Hurry! We've got to see this!" I urge, my Pearl speed walking down the steps.

She approaches the orb and at my command, activates it. The tall grey walls of the Prime Kindergarten fill the space of the chamber. Everything that was previously here fades away, making me feel like I'm really at the Kindergarten. Bending down, I see a Quartz-shaped hole begin to glow in the wall closest to me. A soldier pops out a second later and I get a little too caught up in my over excitement, welcoming the first Amethyst to Earth only to have her walk right through me. Sadness pangs in my gem and my smile drops. My pearl sees this and walks closer.

"I wish I could just be there" I sigh, looking at the ground.

"I'll have us warped to the Kindergarten at once, my Diamond" Pearl replies unexpectedly.

I'm shocked by her response, the extremity of it causing me to look up from my wallowing in sadness.

"W-What? Hehe, no. If I went down to the Kindergarten, I'd never hear the end of it from Yellow and Blue" I rant.

But then a feeling of hope ignites inside me.

"Oh, but can you imagine? Me, laughing and playing with the Amethysts?" I say, trying to smile again.

"Yes, I can imagine it" Pearl replies, projecting a circular image of me hopping around with two Amethysts, "You look so happy".

Pearl's attempt to cheer me up helps, but only for a second. I know Yellow and Blue would certainly scold me if I ever set foot in a Kindergarten. They explicitly told me over and over that a Diamond does not tend to surface matters personally, rather having a Jasper, Amethyst, or Ruby deal with it instead. I end up revealing these thoughts out loud and Pearl yet again offers some help. She says that I could mingle with the Amethysts, but only if I alter my gem shape into that of a Quartz, that way I could blend in and not be recognized as the Diamond I am.

Two core thoughts conflict inside me as Pearl's suggestion floats around. One is that Yellow and Blue would be very upset with me and the other thought is that this may be one of my few chances to get out of the moonbase and have some real fun. The second thought ends up winning and I close my eyes to concentrate. I let my eagerness and excitement fuel my actions, feeling the tingly sensation of my gem rotating. I feel myself get shorter and my hair grow curly. Pearl looks up to thank me for the previous compliment I gave her, but I have to usher her gaze downward because of my new smaller form.

Pearl then leads us over to the Warp Pad and together, the two of us step on. What her and I are about to do is wrong in any rule book constructed by Diamond kind, but what Blue and Yellow don't know can't hurt them. The Warp Stream appears a second later and whisks the two of us down toward Earth.

I can't wait to see what's in store for us!