"Enough is Enough, Steven! You can't just go around shattering Gems." Amethyst shouted standing in between the raging storm that was Steven, and over the crumbled and glitching mess on the ground that was Jasper. "Look around you! Look at yourself! This- this isn't justice! This is just madness! This isn't what we fought for, Steven. This is the same senseless destruction we opposed and risked our lives for! And you're just going to throw it all away! How is does this bring peace?!" The purple quartz looked into his menacing, empty stare. For the first time, if not in a long time, he seemed annoyed with her presence. Or rather with her interference.

"She hunted us, Amethyst. After all the times she has terrorized us. After the countless times she has gotten into your head and hurt you mentally, she more than deserves her own destruction!" Steven's pink skin became more vibrant. His teeth were clinching to the point of nearly breaking under their own pressure. "How can you stand there and defend her after all of that?!"

"She was just following orders, Steven!" Amethyst pleaded. "It's not like she knew about Pink Diamond or Rose Quartz. You can't lay the blame solely on her when she was just subjected to more manipulation than the rest of us."

"So, fusing with Lapis and tormenting her was part of her "orders?"" He questioned solemnly. "Was hunting down corrupted gems and using them to hunt us down was also part of those orders? Regardless of what you say Amethyst, it doesn't excuse her actions after she was stuck on this planet. She still had a choice. Just like Lapis and Peridot, she could have made the choice to change course." Steven shifted his gaze to the barely conscious body of the orange quartz. She was shaken, broken, but not shattered. He was determined to correct that. He focused back on Amethyst, his longtime friend and ally. Her rage and disappointed gaze hurt him deeply, but couldn't stop now, even for her. "Now, Move! I shall not repeat myself.!" Steven barked.

Amethyst would not be deterred from her convictions. With tears clouding her vision, her legs shook in both fear and anger towards the imposing menace. They both knew it was an empty threat. She didn't falter nor could she fold. Jasper needed her protection and Steven needed to see reason.

"Or What, you're going to shatter me too?!" She accused. "How is what you are doing brings any sort of peace or harmony? This is just the same senseless killing and annihilation that White Diamond operated on. If you continue to go down this road, then you will be no better than her!"

"..."

Steven stood there, looking past her gaze as she cut deep into his heart. For a moment, his anger died at his feet and shame took its place. Steven couldn't deny that Amethyst was right, even he knew that.

"Steven..." Amethyst said softly as she slowly approached him. She wrapped her short arms around his waist, hugging him. "You can still heal her and walk away. You don't have to be like White, Steven. You can be better. Think about your mother and what she would want from you." The purple gemstone couldn't contain her tears anymore. She was able to get to him, that's all that mattered and saving face was no longer required. She felt him place a hand on her shoulder. She looked up a saw him smile. Something that she hasn't seen him do for the longest time.

"Amethyst..." The hybrid said in a soft tone. "I'm sorry..."

Before she could respond, Amethyst was suddenly incased in a bubble. To her horror, he said nothing else as his fist blazed in a pink aura and he marched towards the ruined soldier at his feet.

"... but this is a personal matter." He thought aloud.

"Steven!" Amethyst shouted as she summoned her weapon, trying her best to break out of her prison. "What the fuck Little Dude?! Are you really going to do this?! For what?! What did she do to you that would make you throw everything we fought for away?!"

"Stay out of this! This has nothing to do with you. I will not allow anymore reminders of Rose's mistakes to live on in my era. I'm not her. I am not Pink Diamond. I AM Steven Universe!" He proclaimed as he lifted Jasper's limp body by the fabric of her torn tunic. The young man aimed the Breaking Point at her glass nose, completely stone-faced. Jasper could see his mouth moving but couldn't hear what he was saying. She just wished he would get it over with and end her misery. "And I will not bare her burdens anymore."

Amethyst didn't even leave a scratch on the pink walls. She could do nothing but stare in defeat as she realized she was unable to stop him. In one last attempt to reach her friend and pull him out of his dark pit, she shouted. "What would Connie think of you if she saw what you were doing?!"

Steven froze at the question. He didn't see Jasper's bruised and battered face. He saw Connie's warm smile. He saw her thin cheek bones and ebony skin. He saw her joy, her passion, and her admiration for him. Trusting that no matter what, he would always do the right thing.

"You always had this weird way to save everyone... You always believed that no one was beyond redemption..."

"Connie..?" He whispered in shock. His skin went back to normal, and the Breaking Point fell on the floor as he dropped Jasper. He stared at his hands, stained with deep orange spatter. The more he looked at them, the more they reminded him of... that. Her blood was on his hands. Not White's. Not Pink's or Rose's. The blood was never on Jasper's hands. The blood was always on his hands, and his alone. "What- What have I done...?"

The bubble around Amethyst disappeared as Steven sobbed on his knees. The purple quartz rushed past him, many her way to Jasper. As much as Amethyst wanted to comfort him, she had to get Jasper out of here and to the fountain. She gasped as she suppressed the urge to vomit from surging up in her throat. She never got this close to her till now. She seen many dead bodies, and mutilated people. But those were during wars, not by a single person.

"Oh my... Jasper, what has he done to you...?" Amethyst had no time to waste. With all her strength, she lifted the taller quartz over her shoulder, careful not to put any more pressure on her gemstone and ran as fast as she could, shifting her form to make traversing easier for her frame. She could hear a faint croak coming from her company as she reached the Warp Pad.

"I'm... Sorry..."

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Amethyst and Jasper were sitting by one of the violet banks in the former's room. The latter was just enjoying the peace and quiet, not paying any mind to her shorter companion devouring the short tower of "food and drinks" she went out and brought back from outside The Temple. Jasper never could understand her fascination with "Human Cultures". To her, it all seemed pointless. Gems didn't need to eat, nor drink to survive, while humans did. So why bother with things that didn't benefit her? However, at the end of the day she wasn't going to complain (verbally) about Amethyst's weird habits. She enjoyed the company.

*Exaggerated Burp*

For the most part at least.

"Classy runt." Jasper remarked, not bothering to open her eyes to look at the purple quartz.

"Shit like that makes me question what you see in that failure." Her Other-self voiced disappointedly.

'Can I go a moment without talking to myself? I'm trying to enjoy the peace.'

"If you are going to be around her, then I'm going to continue to have my say in why I don't like it. Honestly, I don't get how you can tolerate her, much less like her."

'I find her entertaining. Besides, she annoys you. So, as far as I'm concerned, she's going to be around as much as I like.'

"You're hopeless. I don't know why I bother."

'I don't know why either.'

Jasper could hear Amethyst try to say something in response, but it was muffled by food matter.

"Don't talk to me with your mouth full. I don't ever understand what you are saying." She internally groaned at the display of her friend. A messy, overcooked, sweet and carefree runt. At least she was her runt if there was any consolation to her situation.

Jasper heard Amethyst take an audible gulp before she felt something being poked at her face. She craned open an eye to see the shorter gemstone offering her... something wrapped up in some branded paper.

"What the hell is that?" She questioned.

"It's a sandwich. I got it for you." Amethyst smiled at her taller friend.

"And what do you expect me to do with that?"

"I expect you to say, "thank you." Then you eat it."

"Well, sorry to disappoint, but no thank you. I'm not eating that crap." Jasper closed her eye and went back to resting in her peace.

"Come on." Amethyst said as she playfully shoved the sandwich in her taller friend's face. "Just try it. I want to know if you like it or not."

"For the last time, I'm not eating that crap runt!" Jasper said as she pushed the food away from her, though halfheartedly. The orange Quartz was always careful not to use all her strength, something that Amethyst loved to take advantage of. Ever since she moved in with her purple companion, it was always something "new and weird" that she couldn't help but want to get Jasper into, but she couldn't deny that she found those passions of hers to be endearing. However, with today being day 3 of Steven's month-long trip to Homeworld, she was now the primary subject of Amethyst's attention and time. At first, she was ecstatic about the idea of having Amethyst to herself for about 30 days. Although, after the first 2 days, there was that part of her that was becoming upset with the overcooked quartz.

"I swear, if you don't get her to stop, I'm going to throw her across this temple." Her inner voice warned.

"Come on, Jasper. Just... one... bite... WOAH!" stumbled on top of Jasper, causing them both to collapse onto the rocky floor below them. Amethyst sat up on top of the orange goliath while she was rubbing the back of her head as she shook off the dust.

"I swear, you just don't know how to take no for an answer, do ya?!" Jasper growled, grabbing Amethyst by the hips. She looked up at her shorter mate and a blush edged itself across her face as she realized their position. Jasper was mesmerized by the half-grin Amethyst displayed as she just laughed at her.

"You think this is funny?! You're the fucking idiot that threw yourself on us, and you have the nerve to laugh at me?!"

'I mean... It is pretty funny when you think about it. Besides, it's not like it hurt me or anything.' She said as her eyes wandered from her face to the purple gemstone between her bosoms. Jasper heard Amethyst speak, but she simply ignored her. Her mind traced the way her tank top seemed to curve and stretch around her violet chest. The way her body bounced as she laughed was hypnotic. Jasper's golden eyes caught the soft, round, bruises that peppered Amethyst's skin. 'Damn. Steven...' The orange Gem constantly forgot about the fact that Amethyst was his consort. Before, she would have questioned why one of the Diamonds would make a stupid choice of companionship with her. Now, she was her friend. Her focus of admiration. Her drive to keep moving. Her very own Purple Diamond.

"UGH! I'm going to gag if you keep on with this... Wait, is that jealousy I sense from you? [chuckles] Oh my, you really do got it bad for her, that dumb, overcooked, runt."

Jasper didn't want to argue with herself right now. She didn't want her anger to become any more visible, or Amethyst might see it. To her, it wasn't fair that someone as special and kind as her runt was taken by someone so monstrous and vile as that half-breed. He didn't deserve her attention. He didn't deserve her love. He didn't deserve her body. Nor her smiling face.

'He doesn't deserve you at all, my runt.' Her calloused hands slowly tightened on Amethyst's waist.

"You know, he won't be back for a while. Why not give in, and let me take over for a few?" That tempting voice teased in her mind. "No one else is here. It's you and her. Why not indulge in your desires? She would be more than willing to let you. She just requires enough force, just like many of your other problems. After all, you can't deny that you want to take her. Escape your pain and let it out on her. She never takes no for an answer, so why should you?"

Jasper hated how right that voice was. She wanted to do everything with Amethyst, but she didn't want to make her do it. Amethyst had to want those things too. Jasper's grip on the purple Gem loosened. She couldn't... She wouldn't let her give into that side of her. The side of her that was constantly angry and spiteful. The part of her that didn't care about anything but the fulfillment of her cravings. That sadistic monster she never wanted to be. Jasper swore that day Amethyst rescued her that she would work hard to be better. To not be that villain that everyone else saw her as. The villain she saw herself as. Amethyst didn't see that. Amethyst only saw her for what she was now and what she strived to be. Better than she is now. Better than her past self.

"Amethyst, I-" Jasper said before having that sandwich shoved on her lips, causing her to lose her train of thought.

Amethyst held her attention with her soft eyes, and short smile. Jasper stared longingly into them. "Please, just take one bit. For me." She pleaded.

Jasper's eyes never left her companion's and took a bite. She found it to be both dry and oddly wet, as if there were a different sensation each time she chewed. It was a weird feeling.

"You are a disappointment. To think I almost found something worthwhile in you. Making me eat this crap."

"So, what do you think?" Amethyst asked expectantly.

Jasper, feeling she had chewed it enough, swallowed. "It's all right. Feels strange though."

"Yeah, that's kinda how it was the first time I tried it. I can't say whether it'll grow on you though." She hated lying to Jasper. Amethyst was somewhat disappointed that her bulky friend didn't immediately fall in love with food like she did. She was studying her face as she ate to see any form of emotion. There was no surprise. There was no hate either. It was just a blank stare that never blinked. "Well, I better get up then. Sorry again for knocking you over." Amethyst stated. However, before she could make a move, she felt Jasper suddenly pull her closer to her by her hips. The purple Gem was shocked, letting a small cry in surprise.

Jasper didn't know what came over her. She didn't want Amethyst to leave. Not yet at least. "Actually... Can I have one more bite, please?"

'Ha, gotcha hooked on it' Amethyst thought to herself, showing off a toothy grin. "Sure. I'll even feed it to you if you want."

"I'd like that very much." Jasper said as she let her friend push part of the sandwich in her mouth. Amethyst joyfully giggled as her roommate's lips grazed her thumb.

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"...Gems of Homeworld! Gems of Earth! Gems from every stretch of the Universe! Rejoice in our era of peace! Celebrate it with glee and remember those that sacrificed themselves for the sake of our tomorrow! Let that not be in vain! Honor them with your freedom! All shall live long in the Lustrous Age! Thank you for your time and may the Diamond Festival Begin!" Steven declared as he concluded his 10-minute speech.

The crowds below the prismatic tower surged into a frenzy. The cheering grew louder as it spread throughout to every one of the inhabitants of the planet. The cries for his love felt as if it would shake Homeworld. He could hear them calling directly to him.

"Steven! Steven! Steven! Steven!" The cacophony of Gems shouted. Steven even heard some chant Pink Diamond's name. Others called him the Light of Rose Quartz. To him, it was all the same. Thousands yelling love to him in one area. Millions of voices carried by the air, calling for his protection all over the planet. Billions upon Billions giving him their love all over that Galaxy. It was enough to make him shed tears as he raised his hands in the air. For he felt nothing from it. No happiness. No joy. Not even a sliver of fulfillment from the devotion of the entire universe at his word. He'd gladly trade away all of this a thousand times over, if it meant she was still here with him.

"Never forget her sacrifice..." Steven said silently, before retreating to the palace.

But Pearl heard him through it all. Standing by his side, she wiped the stray tear that rolled down her cheek and smiled loving at her leader as she followed. "If only you could see him now, my pupil." She said to the heavens above them. "Perhaps you be the only one that would have said it was worth dying for. Perhaps you'll live on through the peace we gained. Through the graceful majesty of Steven's rule, you will live on in all of us, Connie. I wish you were here at his side at this joyous event. See him finally getting that happy ending he wanted for Amethyst, for Garnet, for me and all of us. I really do think you've improved all of us just by knowing him. For that, I thank you dearly."

"They adore him, Sister." Blue Diamond said with blissful melancholy. She had never felt so much love for one individual in her entire reign as a Diamond. There was no fear. Not even an ounce of doubt in their hearts for their idol. She couldn't contain the tears that flowed down her cheeks. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"It's almost sickening, Blue." Yellow passively replied, carefully watching her much shorter "brother" as he walked down the corridor with his rebellious Pearl. She monitored his steps with great attention, not even blinking as he shrunk into a small dot in her irises. "I will never understand it."

"Yellow..." Blue sighed. "It's been over 5 years since he met White."

"And 4 years since he brutally murdered our Mother, Blue." Yellow interjected. "A fact you seem to gloss over as you join these oblivious Gems in celebration of that... monster's conquest of our species."

Blue gave her older sister a few minutes to calm down before continuing. "You seem to forget that he is also our brother too. I've come to terms with the loss of Mother White. I loved her, and still do my sister, but you must admit that she wasn't always kind. Nor was she as flawless as she would like us to believe. We all have our faults. But when I first met Steven, he taught me that if we work hard to correct our mistakes, then there is redemption for even the worst of individuals. Even us." She passionately affirmed. "We do our best to stay in his good graces. Besides, look at our people. They finally love us, Sister."

Yellow barely paid her any mind, never letting her gaze fall until he turned down another hallway. "They love him, not us my dear sister. And as far as I am concerned, he is no "brother" of mine. Just another tyrant, only worse than White's reign. Yes, she may have ruled over all of us with fear. But Pink's offspring has manipulated everyone, into believing that he is a benevolent ruler. Disappointedly, even you, my own sister Gem." The Blonde Gemstone turned her glare at her younger sibling. Blue looked away, shrinking back. "But his façade of "change" will not fool me. I know what he is capable of. I know what he truly is. If there was one thing that he inherited from our Mother with his brief time under her tutelage, it was her merciless wrath. We have seen the Sleeping Dragon awaken before." Yellow said before walking away from Blue, who was now in tears at the memory. "And I will continue to set countermeasures in place, so it doesn't happen again."

"Yellow..." Blue began to plead with her sibling. "... I implore you; Please, just give him a chance. He isn't like that anymore. He is better now. We can't hold on to the past anymore. What you are doing... it could be seen as rebellion. Treasonous if discovered. What if Steven finds out?! I don't want to lose you too!"

Yellow Diamond spared no glance at Blue, instead stopping for a moment. "You have made your allegiance clear as the Gemstone in your chest my sister. I suggest that you stay out of my way and speak not of what you know to your liege. Come Yellow, I wish to retire in my chamber for the rest of the day. All this noise is giving me migraines."

The blonde pearl stumbled, as she rushed over to her commander. "O-of course, My Diamond."

Blue Diamond stood there, doing her best not to break down. She never wanted such discord from her lineage. Especially between her two siblings. Why couldn't Yellow see things her way? Things were peaceful. Their people were happy. They were free to be whoever they wished to be, with whomever they wanted to be. Vendettas only caused strife and pain for all involved. Blue Diamond remembered the pain they caused from their senseless conquest and war on Pink.

"My Diamond?" A small voice squeaked. Blue Diamond looked down to see that her own pearl was standing at her feet. "Do you wish for me to take you to your chamber, so that you may retire as well?"

The taller Gemstone smiled at her companion before scooping her up in her hands and lifting her up to admire. She planted a kiss on the pearls blue hair, causing a smile and a blush to appear on her face.

"No, my dear. I can find my way. But could you relay a message to Steven for me?"