Chapter Text
Jess was informed of the situation. Henry gave her the option to say no and run with Amethyst if she wanted, that he would delay these people from chasing them as long as he could. She said that she would at least try. If there was a chance for this war to end and for her and Amethyst to finally be free, she would take it.
They were led to the other side of a mountain with what could only be assume what was once a lighthouse on the top. On the other side was a statue of a giant woman that was crumpling apart. Clasp between its hands was what was once a house, situated at the very bottom of the structure. The Commander led the way into this place. At the back was what could possibly be the Temple door on the other side of a dais that looked similar to others that had been seen in their travels. The door itself had a star on it and in each corner of the star were dots, one in each point. Sitting next to the door was a blue woman who jumped to her feet when she saw the renegades escort Jess and Henry inside.
“Who are these people?” she asked Universe.
“Just some people who might be able to help us, Lapis.”
“And you think they can do what we can’t?”
“In a way, yes. Where’s Peridot?”
“Over here,” a nasally voice said behind them all.
Henry began looking around, trying to find the source of the voice. The sound of a throat clearing startled him as he looked down in front of him.
“Jesus! Where did this gremlin come from?” Henry exclaimed in surprise.
The entire room roared with laughter. Even the blue lady called Lapis gave off a snorting laugh at his reaction.
“Okay, I change my mind, I like these people,” she managed to finally say.
“How dare you call me a gremlin, you clod,” Peridot said in a huff as she went off somewhere.
“These two are Lapis Lazuli,” Universe motioned to the blue lady, “And Peridot,” she nodded her head towards the retreating little green lady who was grumbling about how this introduction brought to mind an episode from some long forgotten show.
“Peridot is our very skilled engineer who made our weapons designed specifically to take down Gems. We don’t know what we would do without her here.”
“Thank you, Connie,” Peridot said, her chest puffed out with a sense of pride.
“Now then, time to get down to business,” Universe said, clearing her throat.
She gestured towards the door.
“Jess, I want you to concentrate and see if you can’t activate the door.”
“I’ll-I’ll try, ma’am,” she stuttered out.
Jess then closed her eyes and concentrated on the task at hand. Minutes passed and nothing happened. She began to grow concerned for the safety of Amethyst and Henry should it fail.
“Don’t worry, Jess. If this has any chance to work at all, there is no other gem to accomplish it than you. If it doesn’t then so be it. No harm done,” Henry reassured her.
Nodding in understanding, she tries again with a bit more confidence. Gradually, her gem on her shoulder began to glow. One of the dots on the star began to glow as well in response. She kept pushing until the door finally opened to reveal a room of pools and fountains. The group began to cheer in triumph.
“You did it, Jess! You got it open!” Henry shouted, congratulating her.
“Alright, people, let’s move. We need to get to the bubble room and find Bismuth. Understand?”
“Got it, ma’am,” came the scattered responses from the band.
“And Ronaldo, if I find that you have pocketed anything, so help me I’ll use you for sparring training later!” she called out after them.
Before going in after them herself, Commander Connie Universe stopped to speak to Jess.
“Thank you for doing this for us. You had no reason to and even less of one since we pretty much threatened both you and your friend.”
She smiled in response, “I’m just glad to help redeem myself. And for what it is worth, I’m sure your Pearl would be proud to see how you have kept fighting like you are.”
Connie began to tear up a little at this comment. She did her best to hide it by making her way into the Temple but there was no denying that Jess’s statement meant the world to her. Wiping away the tear that began to form in the corner of her eye, she braced herself and prepared for what lay beyond that door. At that moment, it was not only a door leading to the interior of the Temple, but the doorway to a brighter future for earth. With her new comrades by her side.