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Connie caught up with Steven on his way back to The Beach House "Steven, wait! You can't just leave your father after that!" "Why should I? He obviously doesn't even think of me as human" Steven stubbornly answered. 

"Steven, that's obviously not what he meant" said Connie "it's well, okay, it's hard to explain, but you know he thinks of you as human!" "Then why did he never have that "human beings" talk with me?" 

"I...I can't answer that" said Connie. "Look, before now, it did seem like me and Dad got along...but many years back, Dad took me on a road trip, to try and help me find my path in life" said Steven. 

"A road trip?" "Yeah...he took a detour and he went to the neighbourhood he grew up, when I was a kid he told me he grew up in a prison, but it was actually a very nice house" 

"Is that why you're mad at him?" "No, not quite, anyways, Dad's parents were apparently on some vacation at a timeshare or whatever so he broke in and had me tag along" "He broke in to his parents house!?" 

"He wanted to show me the origin of the "Universe" name...it turned out it was some crappy song from the seventies" said Steven "all this time he grew up in such a nice home, I was expecting some genuine fatherly wisdom, but all I got was some stupid song!"

"Well, maybe there was some meaning in the song?" Connie suggested. "No! It was one of those generic, "inspirational", "you can do it" songs. You've heard one, you've heard 'em all" 

"That's no reason to fight with him, though" "The song was just the beginning, he went on about how he had curfews and schedules, me, I had to grow up with no friends and prep for a career as a crystal gem that didn't start until two years ago!"

"I know it seems like your father had an ideal childhood compared to yours, Steven" said Connie "but maybe when he said he grew up in a prison, it was metaphorical, he probably had very strict parents, possibly even more strict than mine. Maybe he was trying to be the polar opposite of his parents, and while that may not have worked out the way he thought it would, he did want what's best for you."

Steven said nothing. "We both know your father's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, but he's a lot better than most fathers in his situation, and he loves you, Steven...and I know you had some good memories with him."

"Yeah, we did have a lot of fun together when I was a kid..." Steven admitted "I just, when I realized all the things I've been missing out on...I just, I was so angry!"

"And I don't blame you Steven, I'd probably feel the same If I were in your shoes, but you can't just hold a grudge on him forever, you know that he's loving father, he's just a little..."

"Okay, yeah, like you said, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he meant well" said Steven "okay, maybe I did go overboard...I'll go talk to him."

As Steven and Connie made their way back to The Car Wash they ran into a young lady who appeared to be no older than eighteen. "Excuse me, does a Greg Universe live at that house?" she asked.

"Uh, well, he paid to have it built but no" Steven answered "why are you looking for him?" "It's well, kind of hard to explain, but I need to see him, it's important" The Young Lady answered.

"Why...?" asked Connie "wait...he's not your father, is he!?" Steven cringed at that question, his forgiving mood had shifted right back to anger. "Oh, no, no, no..." The young lady responded "as bizarre as this sounds, he's actually my older brother..."

Connie gasped, but Steven started laughing "Okay, okay, you got me, heh heh, good joke, good joke..." he noticed the confused look the young lady gave him "heh...heh..wh-what!?"

Steven and Connie had no idea how to respond to that, but this was not something to be taken lightly, so they led her to Greg.

"Daddy!" said Rebecca hugging Steven "we were worried!" "Steven, look, I really am sorry about-" "Uh, yeah, I get it but...listen...this young lady I met, here, has something to say to you."

Greg was confused for a bit and noticed the young lady with Steven and Connie and noticed some things he had in common with her "Hi, Greg, this is a little sudden, but...my name is Samantha DeMayo" the young lady introduced herself.

"D-DeMayo!? This...this isn't one of those scams where old people are tricked into believing a stranger is a relative, is it?" asked Greg. "No, Greg, here is a picture of my father" said Samantha.

She showed Greg a picture, the man in the photo was very elderly, more so than Greg, but he recognized that face anywhere "That...that is my old man, but how...?

"He apparently had a divorce with his original wife, obviously sometime after you left and had met my mom, a freshman in college at the time..." she explained. "I...I don't believe it..." said Greg.

"D-dad...?" Steven stammered. "Wait, did you just call him "dad"?" Samantha asked. "Yeah, I know this is already awkward enough, but yeah, this gentlemen here is Steven, my son...and your nephew" Greg explained nervously. 

Samantha and Steven booth looked at each other awkwardly.

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"I have an aunt...who's twelve years younger than me" Steven commented "well, this is awkward..." "You think it's awkward, try having a brother who's an old man and being born an aunt" Samantha responded. 

"You know, I'm starting to see the resemblance between you two" said Connie, looking at Greg and Samantha side by side. Rebecca, who was watching on the sidelines, raised her hand "Uh, what's going on?" 

"Well, apparently, this young lady, Samantha, is your grandfather's little sister" Connie explained. "Your a grandpa too?!...wait, that's not shocking" said Samantha.

"Hi, I'm Rebecca!" Rebecca introduced herself "and next to me in the van is my baby brother, Joshua, he's just a baby so he doesn't really do much." Samantha giggled "Nice to meet you two."

"So, um, Steven was it?, I'm guessing this lady here's your wife?" "Yup, married seven years ago and still going strong" said Steven. 

"So, uh, you got any pictures of you and Dad together?" asked Greg. "Yeah, I got a couple" Samantha showed pictures of her and Greg's father at various points in her life.

"He looks so...happy" said Greg. "Here, he wrote this for you when he was in the hospice..." said Samantha, handing him a note. "H-hospice?" said Greg. "Yeah...that's the reason I came looking for you...he passed away last year" Samantha admitted. 

"Passed away? I mean, yeah, he would have been getting on in years but...still...wow..." a single tear made its way down his cheek.

"Before he passed, he told me about you, I wanted to come find you... just to meet you, but when he passed, I wanted to find you because, as his son, you have a right to know." 

"So, his last words to me, are written down in here...we had a pretty intense fight before I left him, I'm...I'm kind of scared" said Greg. "Hey, Dad, I'm here with you" said Steven.

Greg put on his reading glasses and looked at the last words his father ever wrote:

Gregory,

At the time of writing this, I am currently resigned into a hospice, I will most likely be dead.

If this is indeed the case, then I want to set things right with you before I go.

Your mother and I, perhaps we were to harsh on you. My siblings were accomplishing so many things while I was working my day to day insurance job and we tried to live out the success we couldn't get through you.

As for me and your mother, it wasn't because of you that we went our separate ways, to tell the truth, things between me and her had been going south even before you were born.

Gregory, I am truly sorry for putting such high expectations on you, I hope wherever you ended up that you are doing well for yourself.

And if your mother's alive, seek her out, it may be too late to get closure from me, but you still can from her.

As for me, I've been remarried and had a daughter midway through my sixties...

Anyway, Gregory, as hard as this is forgot to believe, I love you son 

Warm regards, Dad.

"Oh god...Dad..." Greg sniffled. "I'll leave you to process this" said Samantha. "Thanks, it was great meeting you, sis" said Greg "How did you manage to find me, anyway?"

"Oh, I'm studying to become a private investigator one day" said Samantha "I just utilized what I already learned." "Hey, how about we catch some breakfast tomorrow, my treat" Greg offered. 

"Well, I don't want to impose but...okay, but I pay for my own meal, deal?" "Yeah, sounds good" said Greg. "It was nice meeting you to, my nephew" said Samantha "just don't call me "Auntie Samantha" that'd be awkward." 

"Yeah, you and me both, so, where are you staying?" "At a motel near the outskirts of town, so if you wanna say any final goodbyes before I head for home moon Monday, it's room 05." 

Steven and his family waved goodbye to Samantha as she made her way to her motel "Oh jeez, look at the time, it's almost past dinner!" said Steven. "Oh gosh, you're right, how about we pick up something from Fish-Stu Pizza?" 

"Sure, hey, Dad, wanna come with?" asked Steven. "Yeah, but, before we go...Steven, I'd like to talk about earlier" said Greg. "Dad, look, I..."

"No, Steven, the reason I never had that "human beings" talk with you is because, well, I thought you knew that already Steven, I thought you knew I was there for you if you ever needed a break from gem stuff, so I didn't think I'd need to." 

"Wow...I guess I must have misunderstood you, now I feel bad about getting all mad about it..." said Steven. "Don't be, your feelings are valid, Steven, no matter how silly they may seem to some" said Greg, 

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Steven, his family and his father all enjoyed a meal, taking in this sudden revelation of Greg having a younger sister who was twelve years younger than his son. 

"I always thought aunts were supposed to be older than their nephews" said Rebecca. "Well, not necessarily, an aunt just has to be the sister of your parent, age isn't a factor in this case" Connie explained. 

"There have been people who were born aunts and uncles" said Greg "It's not a common occurrence but it does happen." "It's still weird" said Rebecca. "Yeah, I'm with her on this one" said Steven. 

"Yeah, but, as bizarre as this may seem, I'm sort of happy to have a little sister" said Greg "you know, when I left my hometown, I left my family behind..." "Just like Cookie Cat" said Rebecca. 

"Yes, just like cookie cat, and when I did, I was leaving it all behind, I was fresh out of family before I came here" Greg continued "but then I had a son, then he met someone and married her and then he had two kids and suddenly, I had a new family." 

"Yeah, and you were pretty much my own relative until I met Connie" said Steven "you know, you never told me about your relatives, Dad. I've always wondered about where you came from." 

"Well, I'd be a long story for now, I'll talk about it in the morning, I usually hit the hay around this time...night everybody" said Greg.

Steven and his family waved goodbye to his father. He then noticed something "The gems haven't gotten back from their mission yet...Amethyst isn't back...the last slice of pizza is up for grabs!" 

Steven, Connie and Rebecca all eyed each other, Amethyst always swooped the last slice of pizza before they could, but now they can get it! But who will get it. 

"Rebecca, Connie, I love you both so very much, but that last slice will be mine!" said Steven. "No, Steven, it will be mine! That coveted last slice, I must have it even if I have to fight the people I love to get it" 

Suddenly Steven and Connie noticed a slice of pizza being held by a familiar pink gauntlet connected to a light pink wire swivelling past them and to Rebecca "While you distracted, I made by move" said Rebecca. 

She quickly ate the slice of pizza, much to her parents dismay, it was hers. "I'd be frustrated, but I cannot help but respect Rebecca's quick thinking. She may very well grow up to smarter than me." 

"Indeed, that girl is so smart, it's dangerous" said Steven "intelligence, combined with cuteness, let us keep an eye on that girl. Rebecca simply giggled in response. 

"I wonder what Amethyst is doing now, she'd be pissed if she knew someone other than herself ate the last slice of pizza" said Steven. 

Amethyst and Pearl were on a boat in the middle of the ocean "Ugh! This isn't getting us anywhere!" said Pearl. Amethyst noticed the bags under her eyes "What's the matter Pierogi? Tired?" 

"I don't get tired, I get results!" said Pearl. Garnet emerged from beneath the surface "nothing" she sighed. "I don't believe this, it feels like we've been searching for lightyears!" Pearl complained.

"Uh, light years measure light, not years" Amethyst pointed out. "And I'm sick of these life diapers!" said Pearl trying to rip off her life jacket. 

"We're not in international waters, Pearl, state laws require us to wear them in order to operate a small boat" said Garnet "the only exception is ships, it's for safety reasons and safety is our job."

"I know, but we're gems, we don't drown!" "I thought you like rules, Pearl" Amethyst teased. "You two, we need to focus, we must find Jasper and Lapis, as it stands, their fusion is a ticking time bomb."

"You think Jasper's gonna start taking control of Malachite eventually?" asked Amethyst. "Lapis had control when she used her power to drag them into the ocean, but a fusion like theirs is unstable. Bound together on anger and mistrust, if that bond snaps, their rage will take over and destroy!"

"That's why we gotta find them!" said Pearl. "Indeed, we must keep looking, but we need to regroup and strategize, we cannot keep searching in the direction where they sank."

Rebecca was helping Steven do the dishes before going to bed, she wanted to stay up late tonight, and Steven did allow it on the condition that she helped with the dishes tonight, were she to accomplish it, she might get a later regular bedtime. 

Rebecca yawned. "Ah, can't quite hack it, can ya? Your small girl metabolism is calling out for sleep" said Steven. "No...I can stay up! I will, and then that later bedtime shall be mine" said Rebecca. 

"We shall see" said Steven. Just then the gems came back "Oh hey guys, how goes the search?" "Not good, I wanted to keep searching but Garnet said we should return and collect our thoughts, all my thoughts are neatly organized!" Pearl complained.

"You guys look like you need some rest" said Steven commenting on the extremely exhausted looks on the gems faces. "We look awesome..." said Garnet. "No, you look like crap" said Steven. 

"I don't look anything like excrement" said Pearl "I don't even have anything close to its consistency either!" "Figure of speech, Pearl" said Steven.

"Hey, you guys cannot shy away from sleep until you've tried it" said Rebecca "it feels really good!" "Oh, so you admit defeat?" asked Steven. "Unfortunately, the call of the bedroom has bested me" Rebecca admitted.

She suddenly grabbed some cushions off the couch "Uh, Rebecca, what are you doing?" "The gems are too unsure about sleep, so I'm gonna add some fun into the mix, with a slumber party!" said Rebecca.

"Fun?" asked Pearl, visibly disgusted and exhausted. "Yeah! All of us dozing off together! It'll be like there isn't some big nasty green monster with my blue best friend buried within it lurking in the ocean!"

"How do you know about Malachite?" asked Pearl. "She was there when Jasper coerced her into fusion, remember?" Steven reminded her. Garnet placed her hands on Amethyst and Pearl's shoulders.

"Rebecca is right, you two should stay here and relaxed, but I'll keep searching, because I am always relaxed" she said with clenched teeth. "Yeah, those clenched teeth are a total sign of relaxation" Steven commented on.

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"But Garnet, you couldn't possibly search the whole of Earth's oceans by yourself" Pearl protested "let me-er, let us help you! We're a team!"

"No, right now, you're a party, a slumber party" said Garnet "Rebecca, get these gems to bed, don't stay up too late, there's snacks in the fridge, Steven you will chaperone, good night." 

"Wait...chaperone!? B-but, it's Friday night! That's when me and Connie usually...uh, well..." Steven blushed and stopped himself. "It's okay, Steven, we can save it for tomorrow" said Connie "besides, after what happened earlier this evening, it'd be kind of hard to get in the mood, isn't it?

"Yeah, I guess so..." said Steven. "What happened? Did you two get into a fight?" asked Pearl.

"Nah, I just found out I have an aunt who's twelve years younger than me, apparently my dad's dad managed to score with someone half his age" said Steven.

"Whoa, Greg's Dad must have been as old as Greg is now when that happened, I can't believe he managed to do that" said Amethyst "imagine being a dad of a baby at that age, the mom probably had trouble figuring out who needed a diaper change, the baby's or the dad's."  

"Probably not till he was older, I mean, Dad's in his sixties and he doesn't need diapers, thank goodness" said Steven. 

Later on Rebecca was changed into her pyjama's and the gems were gathered into her room "Now, before we get our slumber party started, would anyone care for a slumber buddy?" Rebecca was holding up a tray of stuffed animals. 

"I'm good" said Amethyst as she laid down on her stomach and began snoring. "How about you, Pearl?" "I'll pass on the slumber pals" said Pearl.

Just then Steven came in "Steven, you were in the bathroom for an awfully long time, are you ok?" "I'm fine, I just...well, there's something Connie helps me with that I had to do myself tonight, that is all" said Steven. 

"Daddy, do you want a slumber buddy?" asked Rebecca. "Well, since you're offering" said Steven taking a stuffed rabbit. "Lion's gonna be my slumber buddy" said Rebecca, patting Lion who was already nestled on Rebecca's bed. 

Lion had been sleeping on Rebecca's bed with Rebecca since they first got him. Rebecca enjoyed the company, she says Lion scares away bad dreams. Steven was always impressed by how well Lion got along with his kids. 

"Okay, so, Pearl doesn't need a slumber buddy, neither does Amethyst, but me and Daddy are well equipped" said Rebecca. "So is your mother, she took Joshua into bed with her tonight" said Steven "she's gotten used to having me next to her in bed since she moved in with me."

"And since he looks like you, Joshua was the next best thing" said Pearl. "He sure is, well, it's time we got some shut eye!" said Steven.

Pearl sat cross legged with her eyes half closed "Is this...right?" "Nah, you've gotta lie down" said Steven "like this" Steven demonstrated by lying down on the air mattress he had set up.  

"Oh! I get it now" said Pearl as she lay down on her chest with her chin on a pillow "is this the correct way?" "Close enough" said Rebecca "but you gotta close your eyes all the way."

"Okay" Pearl closed her eyes "I'm sleeping now. Sleeping." "People don't normally talk in their sleep, unless they're having a nightmare" said Steven. Pearl opened her eyes and glared at Steven "how is this supposed to work!?"

"Whoa, whoa, relax, Pearl, that's the whole point of sleeping" said Steven "you just lay down, get all nice and comfy, close your eyes, let your mind...go...blank..."

Steven's Dream Productions presents, in association with Steven's subconscious desires: The Normal Steven Show! The Normal Steven Show is filmed before an imaginary studio audience.

Pearl, as a human dressed in a maid outfit, places a nicely cooked ham on the table for the Universe Family, who was all dressed in fancy aristocratic garb "Why Pearl, this looks divine" said Steven " there's nothing I like better than a plump, succulent, perfectly glazed ham."

"Well, sir, you are what you eat" Pearl replied in a snarky yet disciplined tone, prompting Rebecca and Connie to laugh. Steven stood up "One of these days, Pearl, one of these days...Pow!" Steven wanted to make a punching motion, but accidentally hit Pearl square in the jaw, much to everyone's surprise!

"Oh! Pearl, sorry, I-" "I guess today was the day, huh, Daddy?" said Rebecca. There was a one second silence followed by snickering evolving into laughter from everyone in the room. 

"But in all seriousness Pearl, I am terribly sorry for what happened" said Steven. "Nah, it's fine, In fact, I think you may have fixed a toothache" said Pearl. 

From up the stairs, a human Amethyst on a skateboard grinded down the banister of the stairs, almost knocking down a painting "Amethyst! You almost knocked down that painting, that's an authentic Vidalia, you know!"

"Did I do that?" Amethyst said innocently. "Amethyst, have you been hanging with that Urkel kid a few blocks south? You know that kid's a bad influence" Steven scolded. 

"Okay, unca Stevie, Bunga-Cowa!" said Amethyst, skating away. There was then a knocking at the door, Steven answered it and there was Lars as a postman. "Hello Lars..." He said in a cold tone. 

"Hi, Steven..." He answered in a similar tone, but with a snarky edge. "You know, Lars, it's odd, I got a call from my credit card company about an overdue payment, but I never received my bill" said Steven.

"I wonder how that happened" said Lars sarcastically. Just then a tall darker skinned woman came by and pushed Lars to the side. "OW! Watch it!" said Lars. "Chille tid" said Garnet. 

"Ah, well if it isn't my number one editor at my comic publishing company" said Steven "what brings you over here?" "You haven't forgotten about the office birthday party for Phil in accounting, right?" 

"Nope! I've got everything planned" said Steven. "Good, let's hope today is one Phil won't soon forget" said Garnet, politely waving goodbye and closing the door.

"Cr-aaaaaaaaap! It's Phil's surprise party today and I've forgotten to do anything to set it up!" Steven panicked "it's been a rough year for him too, the divorce, losing the house, he's just one disappointment away from suicide! I gotta do something! But it's not like a miracle would come knocking at my door!" 

Just then, a knocking did come to the door he opens it and finds that it is dark out and at the door was non other than Lapis! "Lapis?" asked Steven. Lapis's eyes were empty sockets and her mouth was open and water was gushing out of each of those orifices. Behind her a huge tidal wave rose above them, casting a shadow upon the mansion quickly crashing down!

Steven woke up with a fright, sweat dripping down his face! 

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"Are you okay?" asked Pearl, noticing Steven waking up suddenly. "Oh man, I had this weird dream. I opened the door and Lapis was there and-" "Well, that doesn't make any sense, Lapis is fused with Jasper at the bottom of the ocean." 

"You've never had a dream, have you, Pearl" said Steven. "Uh...I don't think so" said Pearl.

"Well, Pearl, dreams don't always make sense" Steven explained "when you dream, all your thoughts get mixed up into a weird movie, and they're really hard to explain. Like, for instance, I was going into the big donut because there was a sale of, well, something, but the door led into the back of Dad's van." 

As Steven was talking, Amethyst woke up and looked around as Steven was talking "and instead of my dad, Lion was in the drivers seat, driving, and he was really good at it" Steven continued. 

Pearl was looking bored and was yawning "and so I said: Lion, how are you so good at driving?...you can't even...fetch me...my..." Steven collapsed back onto the air mattress and began sleeping again.

Steven found himself in a field of clouds with nothing but blue skies above him. There were to female angels that looked a lot like Connie, one was reclining on a recliner couch, the other was holding a hot dog in one hand, standing next to a barbeque. 

"Whoa, who are you two?" asked Steven. "I'm The Angel of Good Times and No Hassles" said the angel on the couch. "And I'm the Angel of Readily Available Food & Refreshment" said the Angel next to the barbecue.

Suddenly a third angel that resembled Connie came in, wearing a skimpy black outfit that covered the important bits but exposed so much skin it was like, what's the point?

"I am the Angel of Carnal Desire, you can do whatever you want to me and I won't scream...unless you want me to" she said seductively. "Wow, all three things that I like in one, this truly is heaven!" said Steven.

All three Connies laughed. "Hey, Angel of Carnal Desire, can the other two angels join in on this?" "Only if you want to" she responded. Steven was grinning ear to ear when he noticed something in the distance.

A cloud was approaching, which turned into Pearl's head. "Oh no! It's the Demon of Nagging!" said The Angel of Good Times & No Hassles. The Pearl head opened its mouth as it came ever so closer.

"Ah! Pearl! Don't eat me!" said Steven. The Pearl head then sighed "Drunk again, Steven? Why? Why do you do this to yourself, and at such a young age too" said Pearl.

Steven noticed a mirror and saw himself at sixteen "Oh well, I guess it can't be helped, come on, let's get you to bed, Steven. I'll have some hot cocoa for you in the morning" the Pearl head continued.

Pearl's head transformed into a bed "Wait, that was Pearl leaving hot cocoa out for me every morning after I got seriously hammered?"

Another Pearl head appeared before him as the bed began flying "Oh Steven, I know I have been a bit...too dedicated to your mother, and I have been trying to mold you into her..." as Pearl talked Steven's body went right back to adulthood.

"It's just, your mother made me feel like I was everything, she inspired to be more than what I was made to be, I guess I wanted you to feel the same..." said Pearl "I hate it when I ruin any progress we make towards getting back to how we used to be...I'm supposed to be here for you, but It's just so hard to move on from losing her, but it's not your fault...and I'm so sorry for making you feel like it is..."

"Did Pearl say those things while I was sleeping...perhaps I should just be more patient with her..." said Steven. As the bed continued flying, he noticed Amethyst riding a mini humpback whale.

"Aaaaand the dream has lost all meaning" said Steven. "I'll say" said a familiar blue flying gem. "Lapis!" said Steven. "Steven, hi! How's Rebecca doing?" said Lapis.

"She's sleeping right now. She won't say it, but I know she worries about you" said Steven. "I know, I'm sorry, but I did what I did to protect her" said Lapis "what are you doing here, anyway?"

"Oh, I'm dreaming, I know, it's weird, but don't worry about it" said Steven. "What? No! Steven, I'm trying to concentrate here!" said Lapis. "Huh? What, are you okay!?" asked Steven. 

"Steven, please, I-" Amethyst's laughter in the background begun to get all distorted as her huge mouth was about to engulf them both

Steven awoke to hear Amethyst and Rebecca laughing at a bright blue light. "Huh? Wha-what are you laughing at?" asked Steven. Amethyst was pointing to Pearl, who was fast asleep, but her gem appeared to be projecting an image.

It was an image of Pearl with her arms around Rose's waist, riding a giant slice of pizza like a surfboard over a huge tide. "Ooh, Rose, this is wonderful! I'm having such a wonderful time, Rose! Forget about Greg, let's travel the galaxy together!" 

"Pearl...thank you..." said Rose as her voice became noticeably deeper "...for helping Steven fix my van!" Rose turned around revealing Greg's face. Pearl screamed in horror as a slice of pizza began sliding out of his mouth. 

Pearl jolted awake "Aaaah! It was horrible!" said Pearl. 

Chapter Text

"Pearl, there's something I need to talk to you about" said Steven. "Oh, what is it?" "This is gonna sound crazy, but I had another dream about Lapis" said Steven.

"You were dreaming about Lapis? But Daddy, she's my friend" said Rebecca. "Well, that's alright, Rebecca, like your father said, dreams are mixed up movies about your thoughts" said Pearl.

"Yeah, but this one was different, I was actually talking to her...like we somehow had some telepathic link" said Steven. "Wait, how do you know?" asked Pearl.

"I don't know, it was...just a feeling, she seemed upset, distressed...which is what I'd imagine she must be feeling given her current predicament" said Steven. 

"I'd feel the same way if I were stuck fused to that Jas-hole" said Amethyst. "Language, we have a child present" said Steven, gesturing towards Rebecca. "I said Jas-hole not...ah, forget it" 

"Well, what did she say? Is she still in control?" asked Pearl. "That, I'm not so sure of" said Steven.

 "So, you say you have have used your dreams to connect to her mentality" said Pearl. "Can you do it again? Maybe Lapis can just tell you where they are" Amethyst suggested. 

"Guess I'll have to go back to sleep" said Steven "Pearl, quick! Tell me about your dream!" "M-my dream, wh-wha?!" Pearl exclaimed. "Come on, Pearl, it's for the greater good" Amethyst teased. 

"Ugh, if I must. In my dream I was-wha?" Pearl noticed that Steven had fallen asleep within seconds. Rebecca giggled "Daddy's silly."

Steven found himself in a strange palace, it seemed otherworldly, almost alien. "So, is this a dream?" said Steven. Steven noticed a big red door behind him that was open ajar.

In there, a tall feminine figure had a gem of unknown origin on her lap as she brandished a dagger, although from the figures size it was more like a sword from the perspective of Steven.

"Wh-what did I do?" asked the gem in fear. "You did nothing, nothing at all..." the mysterious figure said as she plunged the dagger right onto the gem's gemstone, shattering it, a strange light emanated from the shards and into the figure.

"Oh my god!" Steven blurted out, immediately covering his mouth. The figure shot its gaze up, staring directly at Steven. The irises were red and the pupils were diamond shaped. Steven immediately backed away out of view.

"RRGH! What are you doing, snooping around, you brat! You saw, didn't you!?" The figure said, bursting out the door. The graceful feminine figure now had a more grotesque, monster like appearance. 

Steven immediately ran away "Ah! I'm sorry, I promise I'll forget what I saw!" he automatically said but didn't understand why, it was almost as if what he said was scripted.

He turned a corner and hid. He peeked as the mysterious figure came lurking around the corner "Piiiiink, oh Piiiiiiiink, come out, come out wherever you are, your ever so loving twin just wants to taaaaalk." 

"What the hell is she talking about?" Steven whispered "this is all kinds of messed up!" Just then he heard some laughter around the corner, much like a hyena.

A disheveled looking gem that resembled Pearl, but with messy long hair and tattered clothes came crawling on all fours. She was sniffing around like a hunting dog. It stopped and looked in Steven's direction.

"There! There!" the Pearl like gem said, sounding like barking dog. The huge figure turned its gaze towards Steven. "Oh crap!" said Steven. The figure suddenly appeared in front of Steven "this'll keep you silent for good" the figure proclaimed.

"AAAAH! NOOOO!" Steven cried out. "Red Diamond! What are you doing!?" a stern authoritative voice exclaimed. "Rrrrgh! You got lucky, Pink!" The mysterious figure suddenly disappeared and the Pearl like gem disappeared. 

"She disappeared! Where did she go?!" A more gentler yet authoritative voice said. "I'll go look for her, you check up on Pink, make sure she's okay" The stern voice instructed the gentle voice.

Steven suddenly found himself sinking into the wall, as he found himself in a dark green room now. Steven turned around and saw Lapis pulling on a pair of water chains.

"Lapis! There you are!" said Steven. "Steven, why do you keep coming back?!" asked Lapis "I can't get distracted, I'm trying to hold us down with the weight of your planet's ocean! I've got to keep her...!"

"Lapis, where are you? We can help you!" Steven tried reasoning with her, but the force Lapis was struggling against got stronger "I said no!" she snapped. Lapis then shrieked as she was pulled below the surface of the watery floor. 

Behind her, Jasper erupted from the surface, landing on all fours. She looks up at Steven "...You!" "Jasper!" Steven growled. "You...you...YOU!!!!" Jasper crawled towards Steven, when suddenly "Guh-GAAAAAAH!"

Jasper was suddenly pulled back by the restraints binding her "Noooooooooo!" she cried as she was dragged back below the surface. Lapis then reemerged gasping, looking all worn out.

"Lapis!" Steven cried out in concern "Can't you see?! I can't stop, not for a second! Do not look for me, I don't want your help!" said Lapis.

"But-" "Steven, I love Rebecca, just let me do this for her!" Lapis interrupted. "Aw, Lapis..." "I'm not Lapis anymore, We're Malachite now..." Lapis lamented, a whirlpool began to swirl around her.

Steven got swept around and around as Lapis and Jasper's fusion, Malachite shows up, "GO!" They said, forcing Steven awake!

Steven gasped awake "Lapis!" "Daddy..." said Rebecca, hugging her father. "Steven, it's okay, we're here" said Pearl. "Did you see her?" asked Amethyst.

"Yeah, and they're still fused" said Steven "Lapis is still in control, but I don't know for how long..." "Lapis..." said Rebecca.

"Rebecca, Lapis says she loves you, and that's why she's gonna stay in control for as long as she can" said Steven. "But I don't want her to have to do this for me" said Rebecca "I just want her..."

"Someday you'll learn that we all do crazy things for the people we love, honey" said Steven "even if those things may not be what the ones we love want. But don't worry, we'll find them, and beat Malachite and get her back." 

"This is a weird party" said Garnet who suddenly entered the room. "Garnet!" said Rebecca, hugging Garnet. "Steven and Rebecca are still awake" said Steven. 

"Oh Garnet, I had managed to make contact with Lapis through my dreams" said Steven "but before that, there was this weird nightmare and these strange pair of gems, and-" 

"I know you and Rebecca are worried" Garnet shushed "but there's nothing we can do right now, so let's take it easy. I'll show you how it's done." Garnet fell flat on her face. "That's pretty convincing" said Pearl.

"Um, Garnet?" asked Steven. But all he could hear in response was Garnet snoring.