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Chapter Text

Steven and Connie were returned to the Isle of Armor upon returning to Earth, after changing out of their Zoo Uniforms and into their regular clothing, Steven was called in by Honey, Dojo Master Mustard's wife.

"So, while you were gone, Connie and Isabella's Pokemon were taken care of by us" said Honey "but we found Isabella's Espeon holding this" she presented to Steven, a Pokemon Egg. 

"Now, we don't like to accuse people, however, we do have security footage of your Sylveon running off with Isabella's Espeon, so we can assume that Sylveon is the father" said Honey.

Sylveon, was trying to present itself as innocent, but Steven knew better. "Anyway, since Sylveon's your Pokemon, he is your responsibility" said Honey "as such, we believe that you should be the one who will be looking after the egg."

Steven understood Honey's decision. When Steven and Sylveon were alone "Well, Bro, you have anything to say for yourself." Sylveon simply wrapped its ribbonlike feelers around the egg and said "I'm gonna be a daddy!"

Steven rolled his eyes "There's going to be no point scolding you for this, is there?" "Well, Duh, you did know me your whole life, Stevie, you ought to have figured that out by now" said Sylveon.

"Well, guess we'll be looking after this egg" said Steven. "Hey, look on the bright side, you've got an adorable new Eevee to look forward too!" said Sylveon.

Steven couldn't help but agree, the prospect of a new Eevee did sound cute. "Hey, Steven, I heard from Isabella what happened" said Connie.

"She's not mad at me for this, is she?" asked Steven. "Actually, she says she wishes she had that much luck finding a boyfriend, so, I don't think she's all that mad" said Connie.

"I'm starting to think she should seriously get her priorities straightened out" Steven commented.

"So, want to battle?" asked Connie "apparently there's a power spot in the backyard and I've been wanting to test out those Dynamax bands we got on our first day here."

Steven never said no to a Pokemon battle and ecstatically agreed. Steven and Connie stood at different ends of the battlefield.

The rules were decided to be a "one on one" format. Connie activated her Dynamax band and the Pokeball in her hands grew to a size similar to that of a soccer ball, she was overwhelmed by the sudden transformation.

But she tossed the Pokeball behind her and out came her Corviknight which grew and grew, taking on a vastly different appearance whilst bathed in a glowing red aura as the sky darkened around the battlefield.

Corvkinight's wingspan had grown disproportionately large compared to its body and had winged drones the size of small planes surrounding it. 

Steven then decided to use his Dynamax ability on Pyroar. "Oh, giving me a challenge, huh?" Connie said in a confident tone "don't think you're going to win just because you have a type advantage."

Their phones simultaneously got notifications, informing them of the attacks that their Pokemon can only use while Dynamaxed. 

"Okay...G-Max Wind Rage!" Connie commanded. Her Corviknight sent out a huge horizontal tornado towards Pyroar, with its feathery drones adding a special bladed edge to the twister.

"Okay, Pyroar, Counter with Max Flare!" Steven called back. "Pyroar unleashed a powerful Fire ball towards Corviknight, unleashing a direct hit and causing the sunlight to intensify.

Connie's Corviknight was still standing but its health was getting low "It's not over until it's over!" said Connie "Max steelspike!" Connie ordered as her Corviknight let loose several metal spikes growing out of the ground, hitting Pyroar!

Meanwhile, at Goldeen Forretress Prison, Lapis Lazuli was sitting in a conference room with several high ranking officials in the prison, including Warden Bruno.

"So, you rejected your initial opportunity for parole on the grounds that you felt you weren't ready" said Bruno "is this file correct?"

"Yes" Lapis simply said "I...it just didn't feel right to be let out so soon. I felt I should stay just a little longer."

"Indeed. And from what we have gathered from your permanent record, you've gotten along well with your cellmate. You didn't cause any problems, and participating in special recreational programs. All of this speaks well on your chances on being granted parole. Do you have anything you wish to share on why you think you're ready for parole now?"

"Because, through many of the programs you run in this facility and the people I've met here. I now understand how truly precious life is" said Lapis "I often think back to when I was in Alola, before I got arrested, when I saw those wild Pokemon, running around all carefree. I envied them, I envied their freedom, not being made for a purpose, when I think back to that I wonder if that could ever be me. On Homeworld, we had it programmed into our minds not to care for organic life, that all planets are just empty canvases for which the Diamond's could create something out of...but now that I actually had the chance to experience this world, I see the earth for what it truly is, and I want to be a part of that world."

The Parole board all murmured amongst themselves. Lapis held the Popplio on her lap tight, in anticipation. "Ms. Lazuli. Me and the parole board are unanimous. Parole...is granted" Warden Bruno slammed his gavel.

"Really?" Lapis asked in disbelief.

"Yes, but in order for your parole to be processed, we need to talk about the person who you wrote down as your guarantor, Steven Universe" said Bruno "he is only fourteen years of age, a proper guarantor must be at least eighteen years of age or older."

"So...what does that mean?" asked Lapis. "Under normal circumstances, we would not be able to process your parole, however, Steven's father, Greg Universe has volunteered in his stead. You just need to consent to him being your Guarantor."

Lapis had taken on some educational programs whilst in prison, she had learned what a father is through such programs. And if this Greg was related to Steven, perhaps he was worthy of her trust. 

"Okay...if it'll grant me parole and I get to see Steven again...I'll change guarantors" said Lapis 

Chapter Text

Today was the start of Lapis's parole, she started the day by saying goodbye to her cellmate, Lusamine and then she went to Lille, head of the Pokemon therapy program at the prison.

"You want to return Popplio? But why?" asked Lillie. "Well, I'm being released, Popplio's yours, isn't she?" asked Lapis. Lillie began laughing "No, Popplio's yours, silly!"

"She is?" asked Lapis. "Yes, that's the whole point of my program, to allow prisoners to bond with a Pokemon so that they can have a companion when they're released" Lillie explained "Reformed criminals often get ostracized for their past, and often times they're left all alone, it can be pretty easy for them to turn back to a life of crime because of it. But I thought, if a reformed criminal could have at least one companion when they get out of prison, it could keep them from going back to crime."

"So, I get to keep Popplio?" asked Lapis. Lillie didn't even answer, Lapis, deep down, knew the answer as she hugged the small Pokemon. 

"Bwark! Bwark!" Popplio cried happily. Lapis was led to the prison exit by the Warden, when they reached the main exit, he took out a small key and placed it inside the bracelet on Popplio's wrist, removing the inhibitor device.

There she saw Greg, whom Lapis was told was Steven's father and her Parole Guarantor. He was shaking hands with a long purple haired woman wearing a black suit.

"You must be Lapis, Steven's told me all about you" said Greg offering his hand to Lapis.

"And I'm Anabel. I'll be working as your parole officer. I'll be making sure you remain within the conditions of your parole" The Purple haired woman said "I will be visiting you once a week, we'll just be talking about how you're doing, nothing too serious."

"Nice to meet you" Lapis nervously answered and accepting Greg's offer for a handshake.

"Well, anyway, here's a printed list of all the things Lapis can and can't do and the perimeter in which she's allowed to roam free" said Anabel "and she can only leave said parameter if you're with her."

Greg looked through them all "This seems okay, Lapis, want to take a look." Lapis took a look at the paper, among the things she wasn't allowed to do was to use her powers on the ocean.

This seemed reasonable enough, most of the stuff on the list was actually reasonable. After a long chat with Anabel, and a ferry ride back to the Unova mainland, Greg and Lapis drove back to Beach City.

Lapis noticed in the vanity mirror on her side of the car, a picture of Greg and Steven was posted.

"So, I'm sorry Steven couldn't be here, he's on a field trip right now" Greg apologized "but imagine how excited he'll be when he finds out your out on parole!"

"Yeah, I'm kind of excited to see him myself" said Lapis. "Hey, I got an idea, how about we make it a surprise! He'll be staying over for the weekend when he gets back, Imagine I pull up in the van and then, ta-da! You're in the van with me!"

Lapis giggled a bit "That actually does sound like fun!" "Bwark! Bwark!" Popplio clapped its flippers. "So, that little one's from that Pokemon therapy thing, huh?" asked Greg. 

"Yeah, Popplio helped me out through my stay at that prison" Lapis said. "Yeah, a reliable Pokemon pal can help get you through some tough times, believe me, I know" said Greg.

"So, this Beach City we're headed too, what's it like?" asked Lapis. "Oh, well, it's a generally peaceful town" said Greg "the people are friendly enough. I run a car wash in the town."

"Do you have any Pokemon?" asked Lapis. "Yup! I got two, to be exact. I'll introduce you when we get to Beach City, Rillaboom and Toxtricity, we like to jam when we're not busy?"

"Jam? Like, you make make jam?" asked Lapis. "No, no, Jam, as in, play music" said Greg "when me, Rillaboom and Toxtricity get together, we make some pretty great tunes."

"Think you could show me, sometime?" asked Lapis. "Just try and stop us!" Greg said with a thumbs up. Lapis started to feel a bit more comfortable around Greg. 

He kind of reminded her of Steven just a tad. As Greg continued to drive on, Lapis looked out the windows of the car at the passing scenery. 

Many Pokemon were frolicking about freely. Two humans were even having Pokemon battles. They soon were entering Beach City limits.

"Now, Beach City may not be big, but there's plenty enough to do here" said Greg "so, I know you and The Crystal Gems have a lot of history, so, if you want to just chill with me rather than deal with them, I don't mind."

"Thanks. But you know what...maybe I can try to make things work with them" said Lapis. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with trying" said Greg "never be afraid to try something at least once...unless it's illegal, in which case, don't even try it."

Greg drove onto The Beach and parked right outside The Beach House "Well, here it is" said Greg. "Wow, it looks nice...but what's that statue?" asked Lapis.

"I have no idea, I asked Rose about it, she said it was the statue of Obsidian, but I never met a gem like that before" said Greg. "Doesn't look like any of the obsidians I've ever seen" said Lapis. 

As Lapis left The Van, she felt the gentle breath of the sea breeze, and really took in the beautiful sight that lay before her. Popplio was especially excited by the sight of the ocean.

"Heh, I bet you want to play in all that water, don't you?" said Lapis "just don't swim too far away!" "Hey! It's you!" said a nasally voice Lapis recognized, the voice of Peridot.

"What is SHE doing here!?" Lapis asked. 

Chapter Text

It was finally time for Steven to return home. On the plane back to Unova, he dozed off and had a strange dream. Three versions of himself stood before him.

One with yellow hair in a bowl cut and eyes closed. One with blue hair in a triangular hair style and eyes wide open. And one with pink long hair and a more empathetic expression.

He remembered this from the dream he had where he met Arceus. "So...any luck finding the other answer?" asked The Blue Haired Steven. 

"Indeed, Father is still awaiting your answer" said The Yellow Haired one. "The other answer...you mean..." Steven suddenly remember what he had talked to Arceus about.

If that dream of The Palanquin turned out not to be a dream then... "This is also real! You three are real! Arceus was real! He was contacting me through my dreams!" said Steven.

"Bravo, you figured that out yourself?" The Blue Haired Steven rolled his eyes. "Azelf, be nice" said The Pink Haired Steven.

"Well, as we speak, gems are being an ever present threat to all organic life all across the universe" said Azelf "or does mesprite "the being of emotion" not care about all the civilizations that could have been, that should have been?"

"Both of you, please calm yourselves" said The Yellow haired Steven in a meditative position "Father still has yet to make a decision. He preceives time differently than mortals like Steven, a long time for Steven is but a while for Father...but you must not forget your mission, Steven. Do you still believe Gemkind is worth saving?"

"Of course I do! I may have seen The Zoo, and I may have seen what The Diamonds are like...but there were other gems like Lapis, gems like Peridot who are capable of learning to appreciate organic life! Gems like my friends, The Crystal Gems, and Amethysts fellow quartzes!" said Steven.

"There, you have your first step all cleared" said The Yellow Haired Steven "all you need to do is gather enough evidence to fully convince father..."

"How do I do that?" asked Steven. "Believe, Steven, you just got to believe!" said Mesprite. Steven was awoken by the rumbling of the plane's landing gear hitting the runway as it landed in Mistralton Airport. 

Steven noticed he was leaning against Connie as he slept, he felt so embarrassed by it until he noticed she had been sleeping too and leaning against him, Connie also had just been roused from her sleep.

"Back home already?" Connie murmured. "Yup! That was a hectic first two days but that was a fun trip though" said Steven.

"I'm glad they extended the trip for the two days we missed while we were in space" said Connie. "Totally" said Steven "and thank goodness it's the weekend, we can just relax for two days before next class!"

"No need to tell me twice...anyway, Mom and Dad are both busy today, they don't like me being home alone, so, could I hang at your place until she comes to pick me up?" asked Connie. 

"Do you even need to ask?" Steven responded. When the two left the airport, they saw Greg outside in front of his van "Hey, you two, how about I give you two lift back to Beach City?"

"Dad! Hey!" said Steven running to give his Dad a hug "I see you kept the ponytatail." "Yeah, it actually does suit me, so, anyway, you two need a ride?" asked Greg.

"Yeah!" "Sure!" Steven and Connie both said. When they got into the van, they noticed..."Lapis!" Steven and Connie both exclaimed. "Surprised?" she asked with a giggle.

"Yeah! I missed you, Lapis! How did you get out so early?" asked Steven. "I'm out on parole, anyway, it feels so good to see the both of you again!" said Lapis.

"Bwark!" Lapis's Popplio chimed in. "Oh! They let me keep the Popplio from Pokemon Therapy! So, get used to seeing her!" said Lapis. 

"Hey! Nice to meet you!" said Steven to Popplio as he pet it. "So, how long have you been out?" asked Connie. "Well, it's been for most of the week...here's what happened..."

A week ago

"Lapis Lazuli! Long time no see! Humans, right? Can you believe they still use wheels?" asked Peridot. "What are you doing here?" Lapis asked angrily. 

"Well, as you may not have noticed, I, The Great and lovable Peridot, had volunteered my services as the leader of The Crystal Gems...but they foolishly denied me the position, and so, I started a better Crystal Gems, Peridot's Objectively Superior Crystal Gems! And lucky for you, we're short a few members! Care to join me for old time's sake?"

"Old time's sake? I was kept as a prisoner aboard your ship..." said Lapis "I wasn't helping you out because I wanted to. It was because I had no choice...I just wanted to be back home, I never asked to be bought back here by you!"

"That's an odd way of saying yes" said Peridot. "I am not staying with her" said Lapis. "Um, technically, she kind of lives under the house" said Amethyst who had just come out of the house to see what all the ruckus was.

"Hey! Don't give out my base of operations! Knowledge of its location is for P.O.S.C.G members only!" Peridot grumbled. 

Lapis then noticed a hastily built structure under the Beach House made of scrap metal, altogether it looked like a child's handmade fort. "So, she just lives in there?" asked Lapis.

"Pretty much, she makes her "Objectively Superior Whatever" seem like a bigger operation than it is. It's literally just her and Ogerpon, some weird Pokemon she's friends with." said Amethyst.

"Well, I guess living here won't be so bad if she lives in a separate building underneath this one" said Lapis. "Yeah, me, Pearl, Garnet, we mostly stay in our own rooms" Amethyst shrugged "most of the time the rest of the house is yours. Except on weekend's Steven's back home on weekends."

Lapis was beginning to like the idea of living here. That's when Bismuth suddenly came back "Oh, hey, you must be that Lazuli I've heard so much about.

Memories from when she got captured began swirling around in her head "Oh no...absolutely not!" Lapis grabbed Popplio and flew away to the top of the cliff. 

it seems to me like you're experiencing some sort of trauma.

Chapter Text

Lapis leaned against the lighthouse, breathing heavily, when she heard Popplio's cry of "Bwark?" Lapis looked into Popplio's innocent gaze, it knew something was wrong with Lapis and it wanted to help somehow.

Lapis took the little Pokemon and hugged it. Popplio usually enjoyed the occasional hug from Lapis, but this hug felt off, Lapis felt sad. The hugs Popplio was used to were usually shows of affection.

But as a therapy Pokemon, Popplio wasn't about to give up on Lapis, its job was to make Lapis feel better somehow.

"Popplio really cares about you" said a voice coming from behind the lighthouse. Lapis recoiled, thinking it was Bismuth at first, but it wasn't, it was a green haired bearded man. 

"Who are you?" asked Lapis. "Me? Why, I'm just an old lighthouse keeper" said The Lighthouse Keeper "I keep the lighthouse running, which serves as a navigational aid for ships." 

"Now, your Popplio detects something's wrong with you and it wants to know why you're sad" said The Lighthouse keeper. "How do you know that?" asked Lapis.

"I can hear the voices of Pokemon, or rather, what's in their hearts" said The Lighthouse Keeper "It's a rare ability that so few are born with. Apparently all humans used to have this ability, but that was thousands of years ago..." 

Lapis looked at the worried gaze in her Pokemon's face "I'm so sorry for worrying you Popplio...it's just, I knew that gem...I knew that bismuth...I mean, I guess there may have been many bismuth in the crystal gems but...that one, that one in particular..."

"Sounds to me like you've got history with her" said The Lighthouse Keeper. "Yeah...when I first came to Earth...it was her, the one who poofed me...left me abandoned on the battlefield" said Lapis.

"Hmm, a battlefield, sounds like there may have been a huge fight" The Lighthouse keeper commented. "Not a fight, a war, I was just sent there to scout...I never saw her coming" Lapis continued.

"A sucker punch...effective, but a cowardly tactic" said The Lighthouse Keeper. "It all started with her...everything I've been through, all I had to suffer, it was because of her!" Lapis growled. 

"Indeed, it does be like that sometimes" said The Lighthouse Keeper "one bad action can have a domino effect, one bad thing happening after another. Can't even begin to imagine what you must have gone through." 

"Yeah, I don't think you can, but I appreciate you talking to me about it, sir" Lapis said, smiling slightly and wiping a tear off her eye.

"Well, this job of mine does get lonely from time to time, it's nice to have someone to talk to" said The Lighthouse Keeper "feel free to stay up here for as long as you need...although you should get down to the Beach from time to time, your Pokemon does have a desire to play in the ocean."

"Yeah, come on, Popplio, lets get you to the ocean" said Lapis. Lapis made her way down the hill, and Popplio was excitedly wriggling in her arms, eager for some playtime in the ocean.

When she reached the Beach, she saw Bismuth waiting for her. Lapis was about to sprout her wings out again "No, wait! I just want to talk! That's all!"

Lapis kept her wings sprouted, she was calm but wiry. "I just want to apologize for attacking you all those years ago back in The Gem War..." said Bismuth "Pearl sort of filled me in on what she learned about your case."

Lapis kept her guard up, but she kept listening "On the battlefield, anyone who isn't your friend is a foe, that mindset is what kept me going in battle. I wasn't thinking about who or what I was attacking, I just kept up the pressure...Ah, look, I'm getting off topic here, I'm not really good at apologizing, in fact this is my first time doing it...anyway, I really am sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me right now...or ever. I just want you to know that I do feel bad about what I put you through. That's all I wanted to say."

Lapis didn't say anything, memories of her past kept flooding in her head. Behind Lapis came The Lighthouse Keeper.

"Forgiveness, sometimes its an easy road to travel, sometimes its long, and sometimes it stretches on forever. Some wounds don't heal as easily as others. There are some people who remained anchored to the past, some try and run away from a horrible memory, but true growth comes from confronting your trauma and growing from it, even if it is difficult." 

Bismuth and Lapis looked at each other. "Sorry for butting in. As a lighthouse keeper, I don't get to do much during the day, sometimes I just can't help myself" The Lighthouse Keeper Admitted.

"Bismuth...I don't forgive you...but I accept your apology" said Lapis. "That's good enough for me" said Bismuth "look, It's gotta be hard for you to see me after what I've done, so, you don't have to talk to me or even pretend to be nice to me if you don't feel comfortable around me, okay?

"Well, I'm kind of stuck in the surrounding Beach City Area, so, I'm going to have to deal with you whether I want to or not...so, I might as well try and make an effort with you."

"Are you sure?" asked Bismuth. "Yeah" said Lapis.

*Present time*

"So, how are things with you and Bismuth now?" asked Connie. "It's complicated" said Lapis "I have a long way to go before I can forgive her...but I will say this, if not for her, I wouldn't have been able to meet you and Steven. I mean, that's something positive, isn't it?"

"Well, yeah. And you know what, at least you're trying to get along with Bismuth, even if it is difficult" said Steven. 

Chapter Text

Steven and Connie spent the rest of the day catching up with Lapis. As they continued to hang out and show her around town, Lapis began to smile more and more until she felt completely at ease.

They showed her to the amusement park, taught her how to play video games at the arcade, introduced her to the amazing flavor disks commonly known as pizza. 

At the end of the day, they decided to hang out at The Beach. Popplio was happily playing in the water, making happy sounding "Bwark! Bwark!" noises. 

"Steven, I've been meaning to ask, but what's that thing Sylveon's carrying on its back?" asked Lapis. "Oh, that's his egg. He's going to be a father soon" said Steven.

Sylveon simply sat and admired his egg "Just you wait, little Eevee, when you hatch, I'm going to teach you essential survival skills, such as manipulating Steven and Garnet into giving you extra treats!" 

For the time being, Lapis was going to be staying at the car wash with Greg, who had introduced her to the wonderful world of television. 

"I've gotten really into this show called Unova's Funniest Home Videos" said Lapis as she turned on The TV. Breaking news appeared to be on the horizon. 

"The recently formed "Pokemon World Government" movement headed by famed Pokemon Trainer, Red from Pallet Town, has been gaining traction lately. Many sympathizers joining out of disillusionment with the Pokemon Assosiation, saying that their outdated ways and leniency had allowed for many terrorist organizations, such as Team Rocket, to come out of the woodwork over the years."

"Yeesh, the news is getting heavy as of late" said Greg "Red used to be a childhood hero of mine. I wonder what happened."

Just then, Red at a podium was shown on TV "This is something I have never addressed publicly, but it needs to be said, when I put a stop to Team Rocket's takeover of Silph Co. I was sent upon by many Team Rocket Loyalists, even after Giovanni disbanded the organization, for three years, I had to look over my head. I figured, that being the Indigo Plateau Champion, I could speak with the Pokemon Assosiation and they could grant me sanctuary somewhere, perhaps on some witness protection program, but no, they didn't want to get involved with an organization of Team Rocket's size! They left me to fend for myself, looking over my back every five minutes, for three years! I had to seclude myself on Mt. Silver just to be safe. I seek a reform to the Pokemon Association, form it into a more disciplined, modernized organization, and make a world where children don't have to fix issues made by adults!" 

Greg decided to change the channel to something more pleasant. After a few hours, it was around the time when Connie's parents were supposed to come pick her up.

Dr. Maheswaran, Connie's mother, was often a punctual woman. When she says she'd show up at a certain time, she'd show up at that exact time and not a second sooner. 

But today, she was being unusually late, which she usually calls Connie in the event that she were to be late. Steven and Connie kept waiting but not a sign of Dr. Maheswaran's car or a call from her.

The sun was starting go down "Want to go back to my house and wait?" asked Steven. "Yeah, I'll just text her and let her know I'll be there" said Connie.

And so, they waited for Connie's mom at Steven's house, but she still hasn't shown up "Hey...maybe she had to perform an emergency operation that only she could do?" Steven suggested in order to try and comfort her. 

"M-maybe you're right. She is a surgeon after all. Perhaps someone needed an emergency lifesaving operation?" said Connie, feeling a little comforted "th-thank you Steven..." 

Steven placed his hand on her shoulder "I know what it's like to worry if someone will come back or not. Back when I couldn't go on missions with the gem, it was just me all alone for hours, sometimes even days..."

Just then, Dr. Maheswaran came in "Connie! I'm so sorry I'm late! There was an emergency surgery and I had to cover for Doctor Feldman, and then a patient took my Rotom Phone..."

Connie just hugged her mother "It's alright, I'm just glad you're okay!" "Thanks Connie, and thank you for letting her stay late, Steven" said Dr. Maheswaran.

"Night Steven!" "Night Connie!" The two said the farewells to each other. Steven then decided to make himself some dinner as it began to rain outside.

He gazed longingly at the portrait of his own mother "Sometimes I wonder if it's really you up there, smiling all day and night. I wish I could know the real you, not the one everyone tells me about."

"Pagos!" Steven heard Terapagos cry as it crawled onto the Warp Pad and tried jumping on it "Heh heh, silly Terapagos, only gems can use that." When suddenly, the warp pad activated, warping Terapagos away.

Steven scrambled out of his seat in surprise "Terapagos! But, that's impossible! He's a Pokemon, not a gem....right? No! I got to go after it!" Steven ran onto the warp pad and warped away.

Sylveon then looked at the bowl "Now, My Egg, you are about to learn another important lesson...take the unguarded food bowl!" 

The Warp Network took Steven to the top of a mountain somewhere "Terapagos! Are you here? Terapagos!" Steven called out. "Pagos! Pagos!" Terpagos called back. 

"Terapagos! Since when could you warp?!" asked Steven. "Pagos! Pagos!" pointed its forearms to a clearing in the mountaintop. "Are you...trying to lead me somewhere?" Steven asked.

Out of curiosity he went where Terpagos was pointing. There was a huge mountain spring, with huge crystals like the ones in Area Zero  at the very bottom of this huge small lake at the top of this mountain.

He then remembered a history class he took last year, this was The Crystal Pool in the land of Kitakami. According to myth, it is said the spirits of the long departed could show up here. 

Terapagos led Steven closer to the water, afterwards it began to glow and a strange sparkly, crystal mist surrounded Steven.

"Hello? Is anyone there? Hello? Hello?" a woman's voice called out. Steven could make out a large silhouette of a woman, coming in from the mists. 

It was a tall pregnant woman with cotton candy pink curly hair, and a radiant white dress, and a star shaped hole in the dress, revealing a gem where her navel should be...one just like Steven's...because it IS Steven's!

Chapter Text

Emerging from the crystal mist was Rose Quartz, founder and former leader of the Crystal Gems, Steven's mother! But that was impossible! She gave up her physical form to give birth to Steven.

Just what on Earth was going on here!? "Wh-where am I? Excuse me, do you know where this place is? I was supposed to be on The Beach with Greg...there's something I need to tell him!" she said.

"Mom..." Steven said in a stunned silent tone. "Wh-what did you call me?" asked Rose. "But, this is impossible! How are you here!?" asked Steven.

"I was about to ask you the same question, how did I get here?" asked Rose. Both Steven and Rose were equally confused by all of this, was this Terapagos's doing?

"You...can't be real, can you?" asked Steven. "What are you talking about, of course I'm real, why would you ask that?" asked Rose. 

"But, you can't be! I mean, I have your gem!" Steven lifted his shirt, revealing his gem. Rose was in utter shock "That, that IS my gem, but how would you have it, unless..." Rose looked down at her baby bump.

"Am I in...the future?" she asked. "I...I think you might be, but how?" asked Steven.

"I remember there being a shrine in a forest somewhere, dedicated to a Pokemon that can travel through time" said Rose "but I was nowhere near it...but, you..."

Rose immediately embraced Steven "I can't believe it, I...I thought I would never be able to meet you, to touch you..." Rose began sobbing. 

Steven was taken aback, his mother's embrace, which he had never felt before, he could feel it, it was so warm, so gentle.

Rose soon composed herself "Sorry, it's just that...after what Garnet had just told me, well, I thought I would never get the chance to meet you." 

"After what Garnet had told you?" Steven asked, but then remembered about Garnet's future vision "You mean, you didn't know you would have to give up your physical form in order to have me?"

"Of course not, I mean, until me, gems didn't even have babies, let alone get pregnant with them. There was no way of knowing what could happen, having babies is uncharted territory for gems" said Rose.

All this time, Steven had been under the assumption that his mother knew she would have had to give up her physical form right from the get-go, but now that the real deal was right in front of him, telling him that this had been something she had found out during her pregnancy with him.

And the more Steven thought about it, the more it actually made sense. "From the looks of it, you appear to be a boy, so, I'm guessing your name is Steven?" asked Rose.

"Yeah, but, how did you know?" asked Steven. "It was one of the two names me and your father picked for you, silly. Of course I'd know!" said Rose. 

"One of two names?" asked Steven. "Yes, "Steven" if you were a boy and "Nora" if you were a girl" said Rose. "Wow...you really put a lot of thought into this, huh?" asked Steven.

"Not as much as you might think" Rose admitted "truth is, I kind of make a lot of big decisions without thinking of what the consequences..."

This caught Steven's interest "Mom...truth is...I've been going with Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl on missions and a lot has happened since I started."

"You...went on missions...no...that's...that's not what I wanted" said Rose "you...you were supposed to live as a human! I never wanted you to get wrapped up in what I started!" 

"But, I do live as a human! I even go to school and everything" said Steven, noticing how distraught his mother was getting over him being a crystal gem. 

Steven was beginning to realize what his mother wanted for him, why she had him. She simply wanted to be a mother. She wanted to have him, just for the sake of having him.

There was no grand magical destiny she had planned for him, but is that such a bad thing? To simply exist just because your parents wanted to have a child? 

She wanted to give him new life and had intended for his life to be a blank slate and it was up to him to make something out of it? Sure, that'd be a lot of pressure, but he'd be doing it for himself.

"Is that true? Do you really mean it?" asked Rose. "Yeah, I even catch Pokemon, battle other trainers. Heck, I'm only fourteen and I already have a girlfriend!" Steven added.

"Well, I suppose if you still live as a human, I suppose you going on missions isn't so bad..." Rose supposed. "Yeah, I can't exactly ignore my gem half" Steven agreed.

"So...what did you mean when you said a lot has happened since you started?" asked Rose. "Well...Homeworld's trying to come back..." said Steven.

Steven went on to explain everything, including Bismuth, including what he knows so far about Pink Diamond.

Rose went spine chillingly silent. "Mom...is it true what happened...did you really shatter Pink Diamond?" asked Steven. 

Rose put her hand on Steven's shoulder "Steven...I told you before, I made some decisions that I thought were for the best...decisions I made without ever thinking of the consequences. I never meant for the gems left on Earth to become corrupted, I didn't think for a moment that Homeworld would come back, I didn't even think Blue or Yellow even cared!"

"You didn't think Blue or Yellow cared? What does this mean? Is this about Yellow Diamond and Blue Diamond? What did you think they didn't care about? Pink Diamond?" Steven asked "Mom, please, tell me. Is there something more to Pink Diamond that I should know about?" 

Rose was hesitant but she then answered "Steven...I...I don't ever want you to think ill of me...as my gem is now yours, you have a right to know...but I feel my time here is growing short."

The mist was beginning to lift a tad "But before I go...you wouldn't happen to have a video camera do you?" "I have one built into my Rotom Phone!" said Steven "here, let me set it up for you! Just hit the red button on the screen to record."

"Oh, humans have figured out touch screens" said Rose, she pressed the button as instructed and recorded a video with herself in view "Pearl..." she then whispered the remainder of the message she intended to record.

She then handed the phone back to Steven "This is for Pearl's eyes only, show this to her and then she can tell you the rest." The mist had begun to clear even more.

"Steven, one more thing" said Rose "I love you. I always have. From the moment you had begun to grow inside me. And no matter what anyone tells you, you will always be you, and you are more than anyone thinks you are, because you and only you get to decide who you are! Whatever happens, wherever you go and whatever you do, don't ever forget that!"

The mist cleared fully and his mother was gone. Steven looked down and there was Terapagos. "So...I finally met Mom...she's a little like what everyone's told me" said Steven "and yet, there's more to her...Terapagos, did you lead me here just to show me this?"

"Pagos! Pagos!" Terapagos cried proudly. "You're like a baby, yet you know all these things, you are truly an enigma Terapagos...but thanks, thanks for bringing me here" said Steven.

He knelt down and opened up his arms, to which Terapagos happily climbed up and accepted the offer for a hug.

Chapter Text

The Gems were away on a mission when Steven got home, and he had no time to join them, he had school in the morning. So, he went and rested up for tomorrow.

When morning came, The Gems were still gone. He had wanted to show Pearl the video his mother made on his phone, he would have looked at it himself, but he felt he should wait until Pearl came back.

So, instead he made himself breakfast and took the train to Blueberry Academy for his morning classes. It was a pretty average day in school.

Attending classes, exploring the Terrarium, eating lunch in the cafeteria. But at the back of his mind, he still could not believe he actually spoke to his mother.

She may not have been exactly like the gems and his dad said she was, but, he had no doubts that she really did love him.

At the end of the day, Steven adjourned to his room and took some time to relax. He let out his Pokemon out their Pokeballs. Pyroar suddenly began to gag.

Steven and his Pokemon all looked at Pyroar in concern until Pyroar yakked up a key, a pink key made in the same motif as Rose's sword. 

Steven and his other Pokemon all looked at Pyroar in surprise "Pyroar, just what on Earth did Mom feed you?" asked Steven. He then picked up the key and inspected it.

"Could this key have anything to do with what Mom's hiding?" he wondered. Pyroar simply fell asleep on Steven's bed...and since it's a single, not a king size like he has at home, Pyroar took up the whole bed.

"So, we gonna go on a magical Legend of Zelda style quest?" asked Sylveon. "Probably...but what if..." Steven looked at Pyroar and climbed into its mane.

Feeling through the savannah inside Pyroar's mane, he reached the treasure chest next to the huge tree. He went to put the key in, but the lock was too big for the key to fit in.

he suddenly felt like he couldn't hold his breath any longer and ran down the hill and dived out of Pyroar's mane. 

Steven was gasping for breath once he got out "Well, nothing in there..."

"Have you ever considered putting a bubble around your head so that you could breath in there? You know, like a space helmet?" asked Sylveon.

"You could have told me that before" said Steven. "You didn't give me a chance" said Sylveon.

"All right, Pyroar, wake up, we got to use your power and find the secrets to the key!" said Steven. Pyroar groaned and got up out of bed. "Without the attitude" Steven chided. 

Pyroar first warped Steven to Rose's Armory. He put his hand on the pedestal and touched himself in various places (Get your head out of the gutter) in order to go through each of the weapons Rose had stashed away in there.

"Welp, nothing here to unlock" said Steven as he hopped back on to Pyroar, who then warped Steven to Rose's Fountain. "Maybe if I throw this in here" Steven tossed the key into the fountain.

He stood there for a few moments. Sylveon looked at Steven in confusion. "Yeah, even I don't know what I was thinking" said Steven. Steven then leapt up back onto Pyroar's back and warped to The Beach House.

"Why are we back home?" asked Sylveon. "Maybe the answer is in Mom's room" said Steven. He entered the pink cloudy room of his mother.

"Alright room, give me something that this key unlocks!" said Steven. Poof! A huge padlock appeared in front of Steven "Well, this isn't what I had in mind" 

"Maybe the answers are inside me" Steven began to aim the key towards himself "Nah, that sounds stupid..." Steven left Rose's Room.

"Pyroar, you know something about this key" said Steven "you must know what it unlocks, and I want to be there!" Pyroar lifted its paw and put it on Steven's head, forcing him onto the floor.

"Come on! Pyroar! Be cool!" Steven complained. Pyroar rolled its eyes and lifted its paw off of Steven. Steven and Sylveon got on Pyroar's back and it warped off.

They wounded up near Route 13 in Kalos. "Hey, this is where I found you!" said Steven "is what we're looking for here?"

Steven rode Pyroar through the vast desert in the center of Kalos. Travelling off the beaten path, where most trainers dared not go...mostly because the power plant set up fences preventing passage.

But Pyroar easily leapt over them, passing by one of the four power plants in the area. Until two large pink structures appeared in the distance.

When they got close enough, Steven saw a huge wall with a lock on it in between the pink structures "You could have saved me all the trouble if you bought me here earlier, you know?"

Steven put the key into the lock and twisted it, causing the wall to split into two and opened up like a set of doors "Whoa, what is it, could it be treasure? Am I going to be rich? Maybe even richer than Dad!?"

But instead, it was another pile of various Knick-Knacks. "It's just a trash heap! Geez, Mom's almost as bad as Dad when it comes to hording her old stuff...but not nearly as bad as Amethyst" Steven groaned. 

But that's when he noticed an old video tape, it was similar to the one that Rose made for Steven, he picked up the tape and it read "For Nora" on the cover.

"Wait...Mom said she chose the name Nora for me if I had been born a girl...let me guess, this is the same video she made for me just with the name Nora in it instead of mine" Steven deduced.

"Well, that was anticlimactic..." said Sylveon. "Yeah, I agree, let's go back to our dorm" said Steven. 

Chapter Text

Steven and Connie were out on a date, it had been a hectic couple of days so they just took it easy by hanging out by the Beach, eating fry bits. 

Sylveon was sitting down with its egg on its back looking up at Steven and Connie "Drop one. Drop one. Drop one. Drop one." The Fairy Type muttered.

Connie's Samurott was simply basking in the sunlight. Steven was telling Connie about what happened at the Crystal Pool in Kitakami.

"What bothers me is, was that really my Mom, or an illusion?" Steven wondered.

"Well, Kitakami legend did state that spirits of the long dead do appear near there, perhaps the legend is true and Terapagos as something to do with it?" Connie suggested.

Just then, Terapagos came out of its Pokeball. "Heh, must have known you were talking about it" Steven commented. 

"Hey you! Drop those fry bits!" A voice over a megaphone coming from a police car shouted at Steven. "Ah! Sorry! I didn't know ordering off the menu was illegal!" Steven apologized.

Steven dropped the bag of fry bits, which Sylveon did not hesitate to bury its head into the bag to munch on Steven's fry bits, quick as a flash! It's cheeks were now filled with fried potato-y goodness!

"Ha! Just kidding!" said Doug Maheswaran, Connie's father, getting out of the car. Out of the other end of the car came a Riolu. 

"Relax Steven, it's just my Dad. He likes lame pranks like this" said Connie. "Oh! Hey, Dr. Maheswaran" said Steven. "Hello, Steven! I got you good, didn't I?" Doug said with a chuckle "but seriously, don't eat too much fried foods."

"Oh! Dad, is that a Riolu?" asked Connie. "Yup! Finally got an E-0 unit!" said Doug. "E-0?" asked Steven.

"Yeah, as in "Lucar-E-0". Heh heh, but, I've got to train and befriend him until he evolves into a Lucario before he's fully certified." Doug explained.

"Police have recently started using Lucario because their ability to read auras turn out be an asset when it comes to crime investigation and finding missing people" said Connie. 

Riolu ran up to Connie and leapt up into her arms "Heh, looks like Riolu has recognized you as my daughter!" Doug commented "so, yeah, until he's ready to become my partner, Riolu's my little buddy! He's comes with me on assignments such as security detail, which is what I'm doing tonight!"

"Security detail? Can police do that?" asked Steven. "Yeah, we sure can. Although in this case, Mr. Smiley should seriously consider hiring an actual security guard" said Doug. 

"Is there something going on at Funland?" asked Steven. "Yeah, he suspects there may be trespassers at night" said Doug "so, I've been assigned to stakeout, hoping I'd catch them in the act."

"Whoa, a stakeout! That's so cool, Dad!" said Connie. "Cool? You think that's cool? Well, maybe you and your boyfriend would like to join me?" asked Doug.

"No way! Really!?" asked Connie. "Yeah, thanks Mr....wait...did you just call me?" "What, you think I didn't figure out you were together?" Doug responded. 

Connie had wanted to keep her relationship a secret from Steven until she got her parents to trust Steven enough and convinced her that he was as good as she said he was, but apparently her father had figured it out.

"I mean, the way she talked about you, she either had a crush or you two were together" said Doug "don't worry though, Connie, not a word of this has been said to your mother. We both know she's more protective of you than I am." 

"So, uh...what are your thoughts, Dad?" asked Connie. "Well, I've met Steven before and he seems nice enough, so I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt" said Doug "besides, when I became the father of a girl, I knew boyfriends were going to happen someday. Which is another reason why I wanted you to tag along with me, so I can get to know Steven better."

"Well, okay! Let's go on a stakeout!" said Steven. "Alright! In the back, you two!" said Doug. 

Later that night, Steven and Connie were in the back of Doug's police car. Riolu was sitting in the front with Doug, wearing a police hat that was too big for its head.

"Riolu looks adorable with that hat on, Mr. Maheswaran" Steven commented. "Yeah, it may be too big for him now, but when he evolves, he'll grow into it!" said Doug.

Riolu flexed its little muscles, trying to look like a brave police officer. "So, what do we do on a stakeout?" asked Steven.

"It's mostly just sitting in the car waiting for something to happen" said Doug "I must warn you, it can get pretty boring, but even so, we must be vigilant!"

"Dad! Look over there!" Connie pointed to the windshield. A silhouette had cut a hole in the fence! "Good eye, Connie! Good eye!" Doug praised "now, stay behind me, you kids and watch me book a perp!"

Doug leapt out of the car with Riolu in tow. Sylveon stayed behind, watching its egg.  Steven and Connie followed along as Doug inspected the fence. "Hmm, this doesn't look like the work of wire cutters..." said Doug.

"Think it was a Pokemon?" asked Connie. "It is possible, though we didn't hear the sound of any Pokeballs...so if it was a Pokemon it was probably a wild Pokemon" Doug deduced. 

"I guess we can rule out vandalism?" asked Steven. "Indeed. However, a wild Pokemon running loose in a theme park could be a public safety hazard" Doug advised as he went back to the car and got some nets and an aerosol can.

"What are those?" asked Steven.

"Specialized equipment for temporary rogue wild Pokemon. If it is a wild Pokemon we're after, it could endanger itself and others in the area, so what we do is capture it in the net, spray it with this harmless knockout spray and release it back into the wild." 

When they got back to the hole in the fence, Steven noticed something on the fence, a red piece of fabric "Hey! Look over here! I think I found a clue!"

"Ah, good find, Steven, good find!" Doug praised "perhaps there is a human involved in this, or this could be ripped off a piece of clothing some people dress their Pokemon in...it could also be a very strong human..."

Doug handed Steven and Connie flashlights "It's going to be dark and dangerous in there! I know it's an amusement park, but if you step on the wrong thing blindly in the dark, you could activate a ride, nothing more dangerous than moving parts that can't see coming!" 

Riolu took the charge as everyone went through the hole in the fence into an amusement park. Riolu got down on one knee and raised its eyebrows.

"What is Riolu...?" "Shh! Sorry, Connie, but Riolu is still learning its aura reading abilities, it needs absolute concentration" Doug whispered.

Funland was a different place at night with all the lights off, what once bought feelings of joy was now giving him feelings of dread

Riolu pointed to the south, leading Steven and Connie. They then noticed the shape of someone running from one of the food catering stands. 

"Stop right there! You're under arrest for trespassing operating a deep fryer without a license!" Doug called out to the potential suspect.

"I thought it was just the owner of the facility with a working deep fryer than needs a license for one" said Connie. "Well don't tell them that, but quickly, they're going into the UFO ride!" said Doug.

They all ran into the ride, there were two doors open, one for entrance, the other for exit. In the exit, they saw the silhouette of a person on the other side.

"This...doesn't look like a regular person" said Connie. "It could be a Homeworld Gem" said Connie. "You mean like those cool aliens Steven and his guardians fight!? Awesome!" said Doug "erm, I mean, if it is we must stop him!" 

The figure then pulled a lever, causing the ride to activate! Steven knew this ride, it forced riders against the wall, which it did right now.

Connie, Steven, Doug and Riolu were being pushed to the wall by centrifugal force. "Hold on! I can shut this off!" Doug took his flash light, trying to throw it at the main control at the center of the ride.

But the warped gravity being caused by the centrifugal force caused Dougs plan to go awry as the flashlight bumped and bounced all around. 

Riolu managed to hop in spite of the centrifugal force and captured the flashlight before it could hit Connie's face, being bathed in a white light as its body began to grow and develop.

Riolu was now a Lucario, it's evolution being triggered by its desire to protect its assigned partner. "Yeah! You did it! Good job Rio...no, Lucario!" said Doug. 

Lucario raised its paw towards the center of the ride and fired off an Aura Sphere at the controls causing the ride to shut down. Steven, Connie and Doug all breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good job, partner, you are now a certified E-0 unit..." Doug shook Lucario's paw. The doors to the exit then quickly opened "Quick! The perp had time to make some distance between us!"

Running outside they saw the silhouette of the perp they were chasing, immediately running away as soon as it saw everyone. "Stop in the name of the law!" Doug ran after them.

The perp knocked over several gumball machines. Lucario dashed ahead and kicked the knocked over gumballs out of the way so that they wouldn't be a tripping hazard.

The chase continued until the perp had reached a dead end. "Alright you, that's the end of the road!" said Doug as he shined a flashlight at the perp revealing it to be...

"Onion!?" Steven exclaimed. "Steven, you know him?" asked Connie. "Yeah, he's the youngest kid in town" said Steven "he's often up to all sorts of mischief."

"So, what is it you were trying to do!?" asked Doug. "Muh! Muh! muhmuhmuhmuhmuh!" Onion murmured. "What did he say?" asked Connie.

"I don't know, he and his dad, Yellowtail, often murmur like that" said Steven. "Sounds like he's speaking fisherman..." said Doug "I don't really speak it but I know someone at my precinct who does..."

"Muh! Muhmuhmuhmuh!" Onion said in a panicked tone. "Sounds like something's scared him" said Connie. "Probably because he's in big trouble" said Doug.

"You know, he seems to have learned his lesson, maybe we should let him off with a warning?" Steven suggested "I mean, he is just a kid after all"

"Fine! This will be your only warning! But if I catch you here again, I'm going to have a word with your parents about this!" Doug scolded. 

Doug, Steven and Connie walked off with Lucario right behind. "Aw, I was hoping it was one of those gem monsters Connie told me about, that would have been cool" Doug sighed.

"Why? Why would have wanted it to be a gem monster?" asked Connie. "Aw, well, this is kind of embarrassing to admit but...I just wanted to look cool in front of you, Connie" said Doug "I mean, you're around that age when most kids stop seeing their parents as these amazing people, wanting to hang around kids their age more than their parents..."

"What? Dad, why would you even think that! I still think you're pretty cool. Even if it was just a kid causing mischief, the way you handled everything up until then was amazing!" said Connie.

"Yeah! It was like you were prepared for anything!" said Steven "and how about your new Lucar-E-0 unit? It saved us!" "Rio!" Lucario proudly barked.

"Oh, stop it, you two! You're making me blush!" Doug bashfully said "but...thanks." 

Meanwhile Onion looked around all scared, not noticing the ominous shadows being cast behind him. 

Chapter Text

Steven was finishing up class when a missing persons report came up on his Rotom phone. Onion had gone missing. Steven couldn't believe it. He had just seen Onion last night! 

He did seem afraid when he saw him, but he had assumed it was because Doug Maheswaran caught him in the act of trespassing, but was there something else he had been afraid of?

Maybe it was a gem monster, or worse, a Homeworld Gem! He had to investigate as soon as possible, and it just so happened to be the end of classes for today. 

He took no time getting home, he got back to Beach City as fast as he could. Going around town, he ran into Sour Cream.

"Steven, hey!" said Sour Cream "have you seen my little brother?" "No, but I got the missing persons report broadcast on my Rotom Phone" said Steven.

"Oh...well, if you see anything, please let me know" said Sour Cream "we've searched all his usual haunts but found nothing!" 

"You bet I will! In fact, I was just coming into town to help search for him!" said Steven. "Thanks, Steven, you're a true MVP, man!" Sour Cream gave Steven a thumbs up. 

Steven began searching around town, Steven knew of Onion's secret routes to get to various places, such as one leading to his house to steal his prized Chaaaps!

That's when he bumped into to the old Lighthouse keeper. "Mr. N! Are you searching for Onion too?" asked Steven. 

"Of course, word travels fast in a small town like this" said N "That kid pops by my lighthouse a lot. He usually causes mischief by stealing the odd bag of chips from the vending machine...he doesn't eat any of it, he just throws it away or destroys the chips...which is for the best, that vending machine's older than I am, and so is everything in there." 

Steven nodded and decided to look around The Car Wash "Hey, Dad! Lapis!" that's when he noticed the police officers talking to Greg and Lapis.

"What makes you so sure it's not Ms. Lazuli, she fits the description of a blue gem with watery wings" said one of the police officers. "And I'm telling you, I've been here all night!" said Lapis.

"I guess now's a time to whip up the footage of that new security system I had installed" said Greg as he opened up his Laptop and opened up the Security System's app.

"So, he went missing around the evening hours, huh?" asked Greg as he rewound the footage to around the time perimeter of when Onion went missing.

The footage was just Lapis watching TV while Greg was working, and then fastforward to when Greg turned in for the night as Lapis continued watching TV.

But that's when Lapis looked up to the sky and had a horrified look on her face, she immediately ran into the car wash bathroom and closed the door.

"Mr. Universe, is there a window in that bathroom?" asked One of the officers. "No, it's just a lone toilet stall and a urinal with a mirror & sink" Greg explained "there's also a vent with a fan in it...but it doesn't really help the smell..."

"Say, Ms. Lazuli, when you ran into the bathroom, you looked like something spooked you" said Another one of the officers "care to explain what?"

"It was a ship...a homeworld ship! It's a newer looking one, but I recognized it" said Lapis "and you said it was a blue gem with watery wings right?" 

The officer looked at the eyewitness description and noticed something he missed "Yeah...and a bit shorter than you!" "Then...that sounds like an Aquamarine!" Lapis realized.

"What's an aquamarine?" asked Greg. "They're an administrative gem type in Blue Diamond's court...sometimes Blue Diamond has them do small tasks for her that aren't worth her time" said Lapis.

"And what do you think they want here?" asked Greg. "I-I don't know...but I don't want to them to see me. I can't go back to Homeworld! I...I just can't!" Lapis said fearfully.

One of the officers put his hand on Lapis's shoulder "take it easy, miss, all we want is some answers, we're not going to let them capture you, if anything, we're going to capture them."

Lapis then gave a description of what the average aquamarine looked like. "And if this "aquamarine" gem was involved in the missing child's case...why do you think she would kidnap a child?" The Lead officer asked.

"I don't know...when I came back to Homeworld for the first time in thousands of years, everything was different, I didn't understand anything anymore..." Lapis lamented. 

"I felt the same way when I turned thirty" Greg whispered to Rillaboom. "Well, thanks for the information you DID give us" said The Lead Officer "even if this does turn out to be unrelated to the missing child's case, this information is actually very good to know."

Steven ran up to the car wash when the police officers were gone. He first asked what the police were doing there, then Greg and Lapis explained everything.

"So, the police now suspect Homeworld's kidnapping humans?" asked Steven. "Yes, but I don't know what for" said Lapis. Steven thought about this too, when he had an epiphany.

"The zoo! The Diamonds still think the cluster is active! They don't know it's dead!" said Steven "Blue Diamond is probably thinking of "saving" as many humans as she can! I've got to go stop her! Lapis, I won't ask you to come, but if you could help..."

"I'm sorry, Steven...I want to help but...I'm scared" Lapis admitted. Steven gave an empathetic nod. Sylveon then used its ribbonlike feelers to hand its egg over to Greg.

"Take care of my egg, human Dad!" said Sylveon. "Ah, going to help Steven and want me to egg sit?" asked Greg, not understanding Sylveon's speech "leave it to me! I looked after you when you were in an egg!" 

Greg happily accepted the egg and held it close to his chest, so his body heat could help warm it. "Well, come on, Sylveon, let's go look!" said Steven. "Roger!" Sylveon said, following along.

Meanwhile, Trainer Red and Nate were both watching the same thing. "Well, how about we capture Aquamarine before them?" Nate suggested. 

Red was silent as he took out a cigar and put it near the flames on his Charizard's tail. "Nate, have you ever bought out a weaker Pokemon so that you could use a revive on the fainted Pokemon you're counting on before?"

"Yes I have but...wait, you're not saying...you're going to use these kidnappings as a means of leverage in our cause are you!?" Nate realized.

Red took a puff of his cigar "Right now our World Government idea is merely a movement with only a few supporters. We need to fully convince the public of the inefficiency of The Pokemon Association's lazy bureaucratic ideals."

"But...you're saying we should just let people get abducted when we could easily prevent it just to prove a point!? That's sick!" said Nate. 

"Once we are in power, we can put all resources into saving them as our first act, giving people the confidence that they made the right decision by supporting us" Red said in an apathetic tone.

"You can't! This...this is wrong! Don't you see you're being no better than the people who refused to help you all those years ago!" Nate argued.

Red didn't even say anything, but simply glanced at him with a piercing glare that sent a shiver up his spine.

He remembered something Red had told him before...having a target on your back for three years from the age of ten can do something to a person.