~~ 9 Hours Later... ~~

Steven's P.O.V

So there I was, enjoying a relatively peaceful nap, when all of a sudden I experienced an all new meaning of the term 'rude awakening'. Ever get the feeling like a freshly hot knife blade is twisting inside your stomach like a screwdriver? I hope the answer is no. But, in all seriousness, that's the sensation coursing through me right this instant. It, in fact, woke me right up from my nap, making me check my surroundings to see if anyone had snuck up on me and was attempting murder. However, as I quickly realize, my bubble is still up so it would be difficult to get inside without me knowing. With that cleared up though, I'm still sitting here wondering what is happening.

Shaking my head, I do what any normal person would do when they experience pain and lift up my shirt to assess the situation. I drag my shirt up slowly, partly because I'm scared of what I will find and also to just add the dramatic tension that you'd see in a zombie apocalypse with the person wondering if they were bitten or not. When I take a deep breath and force the fabric up to my chest, I look down and am thoroughly surprised at what I find.

Where my 'rose quartz' one was now sits an upside down pink diamond! Mind you, I knew that my gem was actually a diamond after Pearl spilled the beans, but never before had I seen my gem rotate to look like such. I wonder if Pink felt the same way when she changed form. Eh, probably not. She's a full Diamond and I'm half human so the pain most likely attributes to my stomach flesh getting in the way. What mainly puzzles me though is how my gem rotated on its own because I know for sure that I didn't do subconsciously. Maybe it's a power that I haven't been told about, who knows?

Seeing the slivers of sunlight peek between the tree branches, I tell myself it's time to get up and resume the search for the Prime Kindergarten. I may have had minimal success yesterday but come hell or high water, I'm gonna find this place if it's the last thing I do. I stand up from my surprisingly comfortable bed of grass and deactivate my bubble, taking in the freshness of the forest air. My stomach, now spared from its previous burning sensation, rumbles with a new sensation: hunger. Eager to replenish my energy, I eat up from the blueberry bushes surrounding me. I stuff my face until I'm full then wipe my mouth with the corner of my shirt sleeve.

Now, back to the task at hand. Gazing at the scenery around me, I weigh out my options. I could try the whole tree climbing maneuver again but I'm certain if I'll any better results than last time. Another thing is just trying to find a clearing or break in all the foliage. Pearl mentioned that her and Pink stopped by a small pond at some point in their exploration. Maybe if I find that distinct landmark, I'll have a clearer path. Since I have no explicit sense of direction, I pick a path at random, opting to trudge diagonally through the trees in front of me. Believe me, it's tightly spaced and has a lot of insects, so it's not an ideal vacation spot but I'm not gonna be sticking around long enough for it to matter anyway. Besides, if I'm gonna try and make something good out of this whole endeavor, I might as well enjoy the solitude.

I step over shrubs and avoid the puddles that nature puts in my way for a really long time. And speaking of time, since their ain't no sundials in sight, trying to know how long I've been frolicking around is just as impossible as trying to understand why Connie could be such a bad friend. After what feels like a long while to me, I notice the environment beginning to change. The grass was a brighter green, more sunlight was visible, and the sound of running water is more than recognizable. All those factors match up with a clearing so feeling emotional revitalized, I rush toward the noise with hope inflaming my soul.

The sound of water trickling over rocks grows louder and clearer until I run right smack dab into a river. No trees cover the stream from sunlight, making me feel a lot warmer both realistically and emotionally. I'm about knee deep in water but I don't mind because unlike what people commonly think, water isn't gonna kill you. Still, since I found a river and also since it's flowing downstream, I know I'm on the trail for finding that pond. Walking through water is difficult, the water slowing your movements and all, so in order to make good time, I pull myself back onto the forest floor. The river is about twelve feet wide, side to side, so following alongside it without losing it will be pretty easy.

I pat myself dry as best I can, afterwards picking up the pace and walking along the riverbed. The river runs for a long ways but eventually, it comes to a more shaded clearing and empties into the very pond I've been looking for this whole time. Grinning with excitement, I change my pace from a steady walk into speed walking, anxious to be getting closer to my goal. The slope downward is only a bit steep so in no time at all, I'm easing myself down near the rim of the pond and basking in my image reflected off the water's surface.

Suddenly, I just get a strange itch to go swimming. I don't know why it is, maybe because of the hot temperature outside or just the fact that I don't do it that much? Unfortunately, I can't do it now though because if I make too many stops to try and enjoy myself, I'll more than likely miss my window of opportunity in crossing paths with Pink Diamond. I mean, certain events triggered her whole plan of starting the war, discovering humans, seeing the Kindergarten sucking the life out of the planet, and the most well known being that the Diamonds wouldn't listen to her about her claims. What I gotta do is step in before things get to outta hand, but at least I'm at a good spot right now.

Then, out of the blue, I get another strange itch only this isn't one you can scratch and make it go away just like that. I feel my diamond gem start to pulse and beat like an amplified heartbeat. At this point, I'm beginning to get a bit freaked out by it because first it rotates on its own and now it's pulsing on its own too! My gem almost seems to have a subconscious. It's both scary and weird, making me feel like I have another heart implanted in my stomach. My breathing gets all short and rapid, my fear levels spiking.

But yet I can't help but wonder if my gem is trying to tell me something. I wanna go jump in the pond to alleviate some of this weirdness and cause I'm still internally debating whether I should from before, but as I turn in that direction, the pulsing decreases a tad. I frown, turning back to where I was a second ago. The pulsing picks back up again. My curiosity grows, seeing the beginnings of a pattern at play.

I think my gem is trying to show me where to go.

If I think about it more, it makes sense. If I keep going in the direction where the pulsing grows more frequent, chances are high that I'll find either Pink or the Kindergarten. So I walk forward deeper into the forest, listening as intently as possible for an increased vibration. I walk for about two minutes until I have to pause and spin around until the pulsing picks back up again. I end up going northeast, running in eagerness to how close I feel. I always try to gauge myself in how much closer I am, as I've said numerous times before, and when I reach a mental checkpoint, it just feels that much more rewarding.

My gem is now beating like a rock n roll drum, it feeling very close to a sledgehammer being hit into my belly over and over. However, there looks to be an end to the forest up ahead so maybe I'm getting close. I keep moving but the pulsing then slows down dramatically. The more I move to the forest edge, the more it slows until it just fades completely when I reach the treeline. I sigh, wondering what in the heck I'm supposed to do now, but when I look up from the ground, I see my answer.

Tall, jagged, grey rock spires reach out of the ground like a bad clump of the gem equivalent of weeds. The ground coming from the area looks like the color was just leeched out, making it a bland grey as a result. Machines with robotic spider legs and heptagon shaped heads are attached randomly to different spots on the inner walls. Platoons of tall and very muscular Amethysts trot about the place in the organized structure you'd see at any other military base across the country. This all confirms to me that I'm right where I need to be. The Prime Kindergarten, in all it's monochromatic glory.

I know that Pink will come back to here after she and Pearl are done exploring Earth so I'll just have to go inside, find a place to hide, then just play the waiting game. Peeking out of the forest, I look both ways even though I know it's not a city street, and then walk at a moderate pace towards the v-shaped entryway. I pause and stoop around the corner when I'm at the gate and look to see if any Amethysts are lingering near me. It's not my intention to get caught but if I do, I won't be afraid to release all of my strength on them.

I find none and taking a deep breath, go around the corner and dash inside the Kindergarten. It's just I remember it when Amethyst showed me the first time. The place is more lively now because, well, it should be obvious at this point. I was pretty nervous first going in, but now that I hear thunder rumbling and rain beginning to pour down, I'm more anxious to find a hiding spot. If I were spotted out in the downpour with the clothes I'm wearing, I'd stick out like a Lapis Lazuli in a room full of Peridots or vice versa.

My gaze becomes rushed and sporadic, matching my desperation to the letter. Fortunately, my gaze falls upon an Amethyst birth hole on my near right, so I quickly rush over and cozy on up inside. My clothes are already drenched from the sudden downpour, sticking to my skin like plastic wrap. Even though I'm not particularly cold, I still find myself shivering. In the meantime, I get as comfortable as I can and get to waiting, because I have no doubt it'll be awhile.

~~ Mere Minutes Later..... ~~

Pink Diamond (as Rose Quartz)'s P.O.V

I'm glad my Pearl showed me the wonders of Earth. The beautiful scenery, the plants, the insects, and even the organic life. Up until previously, I had never known that life had preexisted on this planet before I was given it by White. Now that I know more about the planet though, I feel this deep guilt and regret about what I've wrought upon these unknowing people. The Kindergartens and colonization efforts will wipe them and it'll be all on my conscious. I just can't let that happen.

It's started to 'rain', as Pearl calls it, so we've made our way back to the Prime Kindergarten. Entering back through the tall and vast entryway, I now have a very different perspective of the area. I thought that the colonization was making life from nothing, but now I've seen that creating life by taking it from other preexisting lifeforms. Pearl said that she shouldn't have shown me this, but I disagreed and replied that it was good that I saw this. Otherwise, I'd be no different than Yellow or Blue, who probably would erase life on their colonies in the blink of an eye.

I need to get back up to the moonbase and process all this, so that's exactly where we are headed now. However, as we pass by the Amethyst-shaped holes in the walls, I hear the faintest of breathing. I know it's not mine on Pearl's because she's been by me the whole time. I walk closer and listen, trying to pinpoint where it's coming from. After a few holes prove to have nothing, I lean down and see an unexpected shape inside. It looks to be a human, dressed in strange cloth of varying color, a mix of yellow and red on his upper body and blue on his lower body. As I study the human, I notice it shiver and immediately feel bad for it. It appears to be cold and scared and I can't blame it to be honest. If I was in its place and wandered into a place like the Kindergarten, I would probably feel the same way.

"What is it, my Diamond?" Pearl asks, crouching next to me.

"It's a small human, Pearl" I say, directing her attention to it.

It's so small and cute looking, I can't help but smile and feel warm inside.

"How did a human find its way inside here?" Pearl questions, confusion clear in her voice.

"I don't know" I reply, "But I don't wish to just leave it here in the 'rain'".

Pearl looks over with confusion still present on her face.

"What are you suggesting, my Diamond?" She asks.

"I wish to take it to the moon base with us" I answer her, "The environment in the Kindergarten isn't good for it and I know I can keep it safe where I can watch over it."

"If it is what you wish, I will support it" Pearl nods.

"Thank you, Pearl" I smile at her.

I reach down and am about to grab the small human when Pearl somehow knocks it out with a sudden spear. I glare at her sudden use of violence but sigh, shake my head, and scoop the little thing up into my arms anyway. I then clutch the human to my chest and rush over to the Warp Pad that waits a bit deeper inside the Kindergarten. When I reach it, I step on and my Pearl, having caught up, steps on alongside me. The Warp Stream then whisks the now three of us back up to the moon base. As we're in-transit though, I can't help but look down and wonder.

Where did you come from, little one?

Steven's P.O.V

I swear, my head feels like it was hit with a golf club. My recollection of how that pain came about is brief, starting with the knowledge that I was in the Amethyst hole and heard some voices. The strange thing was that the voices were spot on of Rose Quartz and Pearl, so really, I don't know why I didn't crawl outta the confined space and saved myself the apparent head trauma. Mind you, I wasn't aware that I would be brutalized if I stayed, but that's what ended up happening. I think the reason I was so stationary was the fact that I was just tired from all the walking, running, and searching. Even though I'm half gem, my human half is still on the younger side and doesn't quite have the strength to engage in all this rigorous physical activity. A diet on berries certainly doesn't help either, but it's better than starving to death, that's all I'm saying.

Now, the reason I bring up all this talk is because I was forcibly knocked unconscious by it. Throughout the length of my asleep state, questions bounced through my head like particles in a microwave. Who did this to me? Where have they taken me? Are they friendly? Are they hostile? And when do I stop pestering myself with these questions and wake up to figure them out like a normal diamond-human hybrid? I don't have the patience or the time to answer them, at least I think so, so the end decision is to just push the pain to the back of my mind like a leaf blower and face whatever situation is happening around me at this very moment.

Works either way, though, because a matter of who knows how many seconds later, I open my eyes and shift my body uncomfortably. With little time, I recognize that I'm lying on my side, facing a wall in a rather dimly lit room. Immediately, I shift myself so that I'm now flat on my back, too pained from sleeping on my side to remain that way any longer. Unfortunately, the pain from my head wound returns as well. But, I can't worry about that right now. I gotta find out where I am and seek down Pink Diamond.

Groaning, I do my best to sit up. The room I'm in doesn't have the best lighting, so it's not real easy for me to see. However, after I sit for a bit and let my eyes adjust, I can see the outline of some spiraling stairs on the exact opposite side of the room. Something clicks in my mind once I make the connection. The last place I remember stairs like those in front of me is when I visited the moonbase so long ago. The placement is close enough to what I recall, so logic dictates that I'm in the same place. Then, I hear some voices coming from the levels above me. They match Pink and Pearl's voices from the Kindergarten, so they must be up stairs! My excitement grows because I'm ever so close and all that stands in my way are some easily overcoming steps! Time to go introduce myself!

I slowly ease up off the hard floor, my back muscles crying out in agony. I crack my arms, shoulders, neck, and fingers to relieve some of the pent up stiffness, then march on over to the steps. I pass by the observation orb on the way, the memory of running into Lapis on the moonbase briefly flashing through my mind. Once I make the first step onto the floating stairs though, I feel some major nostalgia coming on. I soldier on forward anyway, hopping up the steps in a very child-like manner. As I keep going up and up in a very winding circle pattern, feelings of deja vu spark in my mind and heart, reminding me of the time when Peridot showed me the colonization plan and the time afterwards when the Ruby Squad brought us here when Amethyst pretended to be Jasper. Ah, the old days. I was so ignorant and oblivious back then. Glad I'm not like that anymore though, otherwise I wouldn't even be in this situation right now.

I don't keep track of how long it took, but eventually I reach the top of the steps and hear the voices grow to the loudest they've ever been. Not like they're screaming or whatever, but since I was down so low a bit ago, the level of audacity was majorly reduced compared to where I am currently. Instead of strutting into the Diamond Control Room though, I pause and crouch on the last few steps. I do my best to flatten myself against where the steps meets the opening in the floor and listen. Barging in there like I am would be as stupid as charging a group of armed thugs bare-handed. I'm gonna eavesdrop and see if I can gather some information on where am I as far as the events that have transpired. That way, I can better change my plan to cause an interruption in the war commencement.

"My Diamond, that human is a liability! Not to mention the fact that he's very suspicious!" Pearl's voice says with frustration, making me narrow my eyes in annoyance.

"Pearl, the fact that he found his way into the Kindergarten doesn't make him a threat. The human forest is exceedingly close to the outer perimeter of the Prime Kindergarten, so the chances are pretty high" Pink's voice calmly responds.

"Even so, I don't like that you brought him here! What's going to happen when it wakes up? It'll find out that the moonbase isn't something that their species usually sees around Earth and, because of their infuriating sense of curiosity, the human will call it's friends here to take over the base!" Pearl protests insistently.

"Calm yourself, my Pearl. I think you're overthinking and overreacting about this human. They're fun and friendly little things and the one I have downstairs has got to be the cutest I've ever seen by far. If we're really going to go through with this war, I want it to be spared from the potential chaos and violence that will ensue. Besides, they are the reason I decided to do this, Pearl. I don't want this species to suffer because of a preordained colonization plan handed to me by Blue and Yellow. I want these humans to be as free as we will once the war ends" Pink Diamond explains.

"Alright, but if the human wakes up and becomes hostile in any way, I will use my spear" Pearl promises.

"No, you won't. Since you've proven to me that you can't handle a spear, I gave you those two sabers. And, remember that I specifically want you to only use them on Homeworld threats. This human is not part of that group" Pink states firmly.

"My Diamond..." Pearl begins to protest again.

"No, Pearl. That is final. If we lower ourselves to killing any lifeforms that cross our path, then how are we any different from the other Diamonds? I want us to be better than them and since I was given this world, I decide what happens to everything and anything that resides on it" The youngest Diamond elaborates.

I pause from listening for a second and sit back to reflect on what I just heard. It stuns me because what Pink said mere moments ago is very contradictory to her whole ideology of individualism and breaking away from her responsibilities that came with the colonization. She's all about not wanting to rule over the Earth, but Pink spoke very condescendingly a second ago, saying how things on Earth can happen because she'll allow them too. Seems like a personality change problem if you ask me. Remember when Rose told Pearl "if this is truly my world, I wanna give it to the Crystal Gems"? Yet another example of how Pink's emotions and logic clashed so unceremoniously.

The two keep talking but I've heard enough. My frustration and resentment towards Pink's attitude is rising and that in turn is making me conflict internally about how I should proceed. Mind you, I'm still going up there, but my actions when I do so can go a couple of ways. Either obscenely hateful and loudly expressive or quiet and calm with sprinkles of patience. In my heart and mind, I know the second option is the best, and probably most mature option, but it's still hard to get into that mindset when you have Pink spouting her nonsense right above you. Exhaling in frustration, I clench both sides of my head and shake it back and forth ferociously to rid myself of any negative emotions. It takes some intense teeth gritting and some deep breaths to work, but it gets the job done. Now I just gotta go up and introduce myself, in a nice and innocent way of course because I can't have Pink or Pearl knowing why I'm here. At least not yet.

"Hello? Is someone up here?" I call up into the room, beginning my falsely innocent act.

The conversation immediately halts.

"Yes, little one. Please come up. Don't be afraid, we won't hurt you" Pink calls back.

I walk slowly up the last of the steps and into the Diamond Control Room. I make it seem like the setting is all new and strange to me with some wide eyes and frequent head spins, even though I've obviously seen this all before. Pink Diamond and Pearl stand behind the control room chair, their eyes glued to me in wonder. I pause in my step and my gaze falls primarily on Pink, tilting my head and narrowing my eyes to make her think that I'm curious about her. Without a hint of skepticism, Pink then walks in my direction and kneels down when she's right in front of me.

"I'm so glad you're awake, little human" Pink says happily, placing her gloved hands on both sides of my face, "You were asleep for so long, I thought you'd never wake up".

"I'm sorry, miss, but how long was I out?" I ask.

"From what my holoscreens calculate, it's been five Earth days" Pink answers.

Genuine shock hits me. Five days!? How much has happened in that time that I couldn't interfere with?! This is bad! As I shake my head in disbelief, I notice Pink sparing a glare for Pearl, who looks down ashamed. She must've been why I was knocked out. She'll regret that later.

"Wow, that's a long time. But, Ms. Pink Lady, could you help tell me where I am? And who you are? And who she is?" I ask, pointing to Pearl at the end.

Pink smiles at my innocence, clearly falling for it.

"Oh, you're so cute and small, young human. My name is Pink Diamond and this is my Pearl. She's a type of servant, you could say, but compared to other servants, my Pearl's more self conscious and is able to think on her own. What you see around you is called the Moonbase, which serves as a sort of a home away from home and observation point for me to watch over your planet. Now, if you don't mind me asking, what's your name, little one?" Pink asks in return.

"Steven" I reply simply.

"And how did you end up in that Kindergarten?" Pink questions.

"If you mean that scary mountain area that's all grey, the reason was that I was running away from home. My family was mean to me and it was just too hard trying to be around them. They just didn't understand me and I didn't want to live with that anymore" I say somewhat truthfully.

I can see in Pink's eyes that with my words, she sees a lot of herself in me. It hits home hard enough with her to have Pink come forward and pull me in for a hug. Personally, it feels uncomfortable and savory at the same time because I never got to hug my mother before. Even though I know she's fake, it still holds something close in my heart.

"I'm so sorry, Steven" Pink says, sniffling a little bit, "An innocent little thing like you should never have to go through something that heinous. It's so heartbreaking for me, you have no idea. My family was just like that with me, so I know exactly how you feel. If you'd like, I'll take care of you, Steven. I know it sounds so sudden, especially since we just met, but I can't help but feel like I was meant to find you".

Pink's more right than she knows.

"I really would like that, Pink" I say, smiling before my stomach growls.

The sound makes both Pink and Pearl jump slightly, probably because they've heard it before. Now that I think about it, I do feel quite famished. Being knocked out for five days really stretched how long I could go without eating.

"Oh my, what was that, Steven?" Pink asks, sounding more curious than scared.

"That was my stomach. It tells me that I'm hungry and need food" I tell her.

"What is this 'food'?" She questions curiously.

"Well, food is an essential part of living for humans, Ms. Diamond. We need food because our bodies absorb energy from it and, in turn, it keeps us alive and healthy. When we go without food for too long though, we start to grow weak and eventually die. From that stomach rumbling we just heard, I'd guess that I'm close to the 'feeling weak' stage" I explain.

"Oh my, well that's not good at all" Pink remarks, releasing me from the hug and standing up, "Stay here, young Steven and I'll go get you some food. I've seen some examples of what humans eat, so I shouldn't have much trouble finding something for you. Pearl, keep Steven company. I'll be back soon".

"Yes, my Diamond" Pearl responds obediently.

Pink then nods and trots away from me, going down the stairs and out of sight. My guess is that she's going for a Warp Pad and if the sound of the Warp Stream activating is any sign, I'd say I'm spot on. But, now she's gone and I'm left with Pearl, who, due to my past incidents with, gives me feelings of uneasiness. Looking at Pearl right now, she's dressed only slightly different than back in the present. The only major differences are the longer hair and the bit of a shawl draped over both of her shoulders. Oh, and the twin swords which are currently being pointed at me.

"Listen here, human. I know you didn't come across the Kindergarten by mere happenstance. Tell me why you're really here, or so help me, I'll cut you down myself" Pearl threatens.

I put on a scared look, though I'm more annoyed if anything, and flit my eyes back and forth as Pearl walks towards me with her swords.

"It's just like I told Ms. Diamond, Pearl. Nothing more, nothing less" I reply, very wary of the pointed tips coming ever more closer.

"I wish I could believe that, human. But I can't risk anything or anyone putting my Diamond in danger, least of all you. Too much is going on right now and I don't need you adding to list of problems that we'll have to deal with" Pearl says, sounding a bit more considerate.

"Look, lady, my dad told me to stay away from strangers with sharp pointy things. I mean you and Pink no harm, but if you do try to hurt me for whatever reason, don't think I won't defend myself" I counter, dead serious.

This was apparently too hostile for Pearl because once I finish that sentence, she swings her swords at me. I duck to the left to dodge the first then knock the other blade to the side with my forearm. This throws Pearl off balance and gives me time to back up. It doesn't take her long to recover though and Pearl comes back at me. What followed was a series of repeated strikes from her and many hopping backwards while leaning out of the way tactics from me. From the look on her face, Pearl is clearly surprised at how easily I fend her off. Looks like that training earlier in my life is really paying off now.

Pearl's attacks start to become more vicious, showing that she's getting irritated. Like me, she's clearly wanting to wrap this all up. I quite agree and know exactly how to do it. When Pearl comes in for another sword swing, I surprise her by clamping my hand over the blade and yanking her forward to get an equally strong hold on the other sword. Pearl struggles to pull away, but she's unable to do anything as I tighten my grip on the blades and kick her in the stomach, sending her sprawling across the floor. I then let the sabers drop to the ground and watch as Pearl stands back up. She's really angry now and goes to run at me, but then a familiar voice causes her to stop in her tracks.

"I'm back!" Pink calls, her footsteps echoing as she trots up the stairs.

When the Diamond emerges from below, she's carrying an old-fashioned bowl made out of plant reeds, the interior filled with some grapes, some cheese, and a bit of bread. I'm amazed at how she came across such delicacies, but before I'm able to ask, Pink inquires about the situation she's walked into.

"Is everything going alright?" She asks, calmly walking over.

"Oh yes" I reply, walking up to meet her as Pearl goes to pick up her sabers, "Your servant here was just showing me how to use her swords".

Pink smiles, but when I look over my shoulder, I see Pearl glare at me. We both know I made that up, but she stays silent about it. Probably because I saved her from a lengthy lecture. But, needless to say, we're both not gonna be on the best of terms while I'm here.

"Oh well, that's good" Pink muses, handing me the bowl.

I graciously accept it and sit down with my back against the backside of the throne. Pink sits on my right and Pearl sits a little bit off to my left, though she's sure to keep her distance. Letting my hunger take over, I dig in to the food, scarfing it all down at an unhealthy pace. I was really hungry though, so don't blame me. When it's all gone not too much later and I'm swallowing the last bit of cheese, Pink asks me something.

"Now that you're fed, young Steven, I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me to something?" The Diamond asks.

"And what would that be, Pink?" I ask back.

"A rally. A rally to spark the fire and let the flames of war eradicate the Homeworld Gems" She replies with utmost confidence.