Chereads / Steven Universe: The Return / Chapter 6 - Gems Out

Chapter 6 - Gems Out

[Later - at Little Homeworld.]

[Steven is lying peacefully under the shade of a tree with his eyes closed.]

Steven: *lets out a relaxed sigh* Ah, this is the life. No stress, no fights, no worries, no potential threats to the Earth, nothing at all.

[Just then, Amethyst and a group of Gems with baseball equipment approach Steven.]

Amethyst: Yo, Steven, you got a moment?

Steven: Of course I do.

[Steven said as he opened his eyes and sat up.]

Steven: What's up, Amethyst?

Amethyst: These Gems and I were about to play baseball, but then we realized we need an outfielder, so we'd like to know if you have time to play with us.

Steven: I'd love to. Maybe some other time though.

Amethyst: Oh, really, man?

Steven: It's just, I'm in full relaxation right now, you see.

Amethyst: Aww, man--

Random Gem: *interrupts Amethyst* Excuse me, ma'am, would you mind if we get everything ready for the game in the meantime?

Amethyst: No, that's ok. You guys go ahead if you like, I'll catch up with you in a minute, ok? I have to convince Steven to play with us first.

[The Gems continue on their way as Steven and Amethyst continue with their conversion.]

Amethyst: Steven, are you sure you don't want to play?

Steven: Absolutely.

Amethyst: Dude, we haven't done anything fun for, uh, a whole year at least!

Steven: Yes, I know.

[Steven stands up and places his hands on Amethyst's shoulders.]

Steven: Look, I promise you that any other day I'll do anything you want, okay?

Amethyst: *sighs in resignation* Fine, you win. I just hope we can have fun together again, like we used to, remember, Steven?

Steven: Yes, I hope so too, Amethyst.

Amethyst: Ok, see you later.

[Amethyst waves goodbye and walks away, Steven closes his eyes again and lies back down in the shade of the tree.]

Amethyst: Geez, man, I still have to find someone who wants to be the outfielder-- *stumbles over something* Wh-what the heck? *looks down* Huh?

[Amethyst just found all the baseball equipment lying on the ground, she then looks around in bewilderment.]

Amethyst: I could have sworn I told the Gems to get everything ready for the game. *picks up a bat* Why would they leave all the equipment here lying arou--?

[The silhouette of a pigtailed Gem suddenly lunges at Amethyst from behind & slashes right through her with a green scythe-like weapon, poofing her and knocking her gem into the air.]

[The mysterious Gem grabs tightly onto Amethyst's gem in mid-air.]

??????: All right, I finally found one of them! *chuckles* This is just the beginning!

[The mysterious Gem leaps into the bushes to hide.]

[Later.]

[Lapis and Peridot--the latter on a trash can lid--fly around the Little Homeworld looking for Steven, who is still lying under the tree.]

[Steven stretches after getting up and yawns.]

Steven: Well, I think that's enough for today; I'm going home now.

[Lapis and Peridot land behind Steven.]

Peridot: Steven!!

Steven: *turns around* Guys, what's up?

Peridot: Well, you see...

Lapis: In the ring toss game booth at Funland there's a limited version prize of one of those green, big-headed plush toys that Peridot really likes, so she wants to get it no matter what.

Peridot: Yeah! The Smiley guy caught me using my metal powers to win the prizes and now the rings are plastic.

Lapis: I tried to help her get it, but I couldn't either.

Peridot: Now we don't have much chance of getting it because we don't have enough money left.

Lapis: And since you're back, we thought maybe you could help us. Plus we could've some fun like we used to.

Peridot: Steven, please!

Steven: All right, all right, I'll help you.

[Peridot and Lapis look at each other excitedly.]

Steven: Well...

[Steven takes twenty dollars out of his wallet and hands it to them.]

Steven: I think this will be enough, you have more chances to win now. *waves goodbye* Have fun, guys! See ya later! *walks away*

Lapis: Hmm, okay? Not exactly the kind of help we were looking for, but--

[Just then, something can be heard moving swiftly in the bushes behind Lapis and Peridot.]

Lapis: Peridot, did you hear that?

Peridot: What are you talking about?

Lapis: *approaches the bushes* I think I heard something moving in the bushes.

Peridot: Maybe it's just a rodent, there are a lot of those lately.

Lapis: Yeah, you're probably right. *turns her back to the bushes* Well, We'd better hurry if we want to win tha--

[Lapis is suddenly cut off as her physical form is slashed right through and cleave in half.]

Lapis: *weakly* Wh-what just hap--?

[Lapis suddenly poofs. Peridot watches in shock as her gem falls to the ground.]

Peridot: LAPIS!!!

[A pigtailed Gem strolls out of the bushes, a cold smile plastered on her face and a green scythe in her hands.]

??????: Aw, what's the matter, pebble? Miss your friend already? Well, don't worry. You're right behind her! *she said as her pupils jiggled like googly eyes*

Peridot: What the--?

[The mysterious Gem laughs maniacally and jumps into the air, then slashes downward at Peridot, poofing her instantly. She then picks up Lapis' and Peridot's gemstones.]

??????: Alright, that's make three. *chuckles* Only two to go.

[The Gem leaps back into the bushes.]

[At the same time - in the distance.]

Steven: Come to think of it, I haven't been to Funland yet. Peridot and Lapis asked me to go with them, but I... declined their invitation. Hmm. If I hurry, I think I can still catch up with them!

[Steven runs back to where Lapis and Peridot were.]

Steven: *looks around* No way.

[But it's too late, they're gone.]

Steven: *jumps to the wrong conclusions* They flew off to Funland without me! Heck! I wanted to go with them, but I think they were in a hurry. Whatever, I'll see them there anyway.

[Meanwhile.]

Pearl: *walks up to Garnet* Have you seen Amethyst anywhere?

Garnet: Nope. She's supposed to be done with her baseball game by now.

Pearl: Exactly! She didn't even bother to put the baseball stuff back in its place!

[Pearl pulls out her phone and shows Garnet a picture.]

Pearl: Just take a look at this picture I took, look at all the mess she left behind!

Garnet: *looks at Pearl's phone* Hmm.

Pearl: I've sent her so many messages but she hasn't replied or returned a single one of my calls, what did she get a phone for if she's not going to use it in the first place?

Garnet: Pearl. *she said in a serious tone*

Pearl: She just had to put the baseball equipment back in its place after her game, how hard is that? I did it, and single-handedly, you know?

Garnet: Pearl, something's not right here.

Pearl: What on earth are you talking about?! Amethyst has always been messy with her stuff!

[Garnet adjusts her visors.]

Pearl: I thought she had improved a little bit in that regard, but now I don't think she ever will.

Garnet: Pearl!

Pearl: She has to start taking her responsibilities seriously, not shirk them, no matter how small they may be. I mean, what example is she setting for the other Gems? She's a tutor!

Garnet: Pearl, listen up to me! Something's not right here, and I'm not talking about Amethyst!

Pearl: What do you mean then?

Garnet: *adjusts her visors* Oh, no! Pearl, this is bad, she's--!!

[The silhouette of a pigtailed Gem suddenly leaps out of the bushes, Garnet notices this in time, but Pearl doesn't.]

Garnet: Heads up!!!

Pearl: Huh?