(Narrator's POV)
Swords clashed in the Sky Arena as Connie and Pearl trained. While Connie was still clearly rattled from the Dark Aura, she was trying her best to push past it. But she was finding it rather difficult trying to stay focused, something that wasn't lost on Pearl.
"Connie, please. If you're still feeling the effects of what Dark Aura Onyx did, please let's rest for a moment. You've done well enough, so..." Pearl began to say.
"No! I...I can't. I won't sit this one out. I know I'm not at 100% mentally but I can still swing a sword just fine. What that monster did to me shook me but I'm not going to let it break me. I need to push through this. I have to." Connie replied as Pearl looked at her. There was more to this. She could tell.
"Connie. There's more to why you feel that way." She said as Connie chuckled.
"How did you guess? Was I that obvious?" She asked as Pearl smiled.
"I raised a young man who's very good at hiding his feelings as you very well know. Unfortunately for the both of you, I can see right through you. Now what's wrong?" She asked as Connie sighed.
"I've never felt like I can help Steven. Even with all of the training over the years, I feel like I only get in his way. This is going to be the most brutal fight either of us have dealt with and I still don't think I can be what Steven needs me to be. Look how weak I was when Dark Aura Onyx had me. Steven had to save me again." She explained as Pearl looked at her before hugging her.
"You may not be as strong as Steven is. But now more than ever, he needs all of us. This won't be a fight that will be easily won. The Pantheon are deadly foes beyond anyone we've encountered. But if we all pull together, we may just have a chance. Now shall we continue?" The Pale Gem said as she and Connie continued their training.
(Meanwhile on Homeworld)
Steven and Garnet had arrived on Homeworld. And while the Diamonds and Spinel were happy to see Steven, they weren't as pleased to see Garnet, a fact the fusion chose to ignore due to the looming threat of the Pantheon being much more important than the petty attitude of the Diamonds.
"Steven, it's good to see you. But why did you bring....her?" Blue asked as Garnet glared at her. But before Steven could reply....
"Blue, I don't have the time or patience to listen to you right now. There is an urgent matter that Steven and I need to speak to two specific Gems about and we need to know where they are." The fusion said as Blue simply chuckled.
"You're actually asking me for assistance, fusion? Especially after that little snide remark you just made towards me?" She said as Garnet growled under her breath. While she was indeed furious, she also knew that there wasn't much she could do but take it. Even now, she still held a strong fear of Blue Diamond and knew better than anyone how dangerous making the normally serene of the rulers angry was.
"Blue, please. We need to know where Jadeite and Hiddenite are. Something has happened on Earth and we need their help." Steven said as Blue and the other Diamonds looked at him for a moment.
"They are in the monastery. That's mostly where they spend their time during Era 3. But why do you need to speak with them? What's happened, Steven?" Blue asked as Steven sighed.
"It's a problem that needs to be dealt with and we believe Jadeite and Hiddenite can help us." The hybrid said as Garnet smiled and led the way to the monastery.
"I know that was difficult to do, but you did the right thing, Steven. The Pantheon are already enough of a problem on their own. We don't need the Diamonds tearing through Earth as well." The fusion said, knowing how much Steven disliked lying to others.
As they arrived at the monastery, a pair of voices called out to the fusion.
"Garnet, is that you? It's been years. And judging by what we've heard, that must be Steven with you." A voice said as a Gem of medium build walked out. Her hair was similar to Bismuth's though it was snow white rather than rainbow colored. She had a body that was a mix between Lapis and Bismuth: Lapis' build with the perfect touch of Bismuth's muscle with her Gem on her chest.
"Hello Jadeite. It's good to see you after all this time. And yes, this is indeed Steven." Garnet said as Steven looked at Jadeite.
"It's nice to meet you, Jadeite. So you battled with Garnet against the Pantheon?" The hybrid asked as Jadeite smiled.
"That I did. Though it's not something I like going back into. Hiddenite and I both survived Dark Aura Onyx's Dark Aura and lived to tell the tale. I'd be shattered in peace if I never had to encounter them again and Hiddenite feels the same way." She said as another Gem came out of the monastery. This one was the same height as Jadeite but with her Gem on her navel like Steven. This one also had Lapis' build but instead of muscle like Bismuth, this one had curves like Amethyst. Her hair was also a mix of straight and messy.
"Ah so you weren't just out here talking to yourself, Jadeite. It really is Garnet! And this one with her must be Steven! Ah it's so good to finally meet you! I'm Hiddenite!" She said as Steven smiled. While Jadeite was definitely polite, she didn't seem to have the positive attitude that Hiddenite seemed to have.
"It's good to see you both. But this is urgent: The Pantheon is back. They attacked us on Earth and gave us one Earth year until they come back again. But we do have one advantage: Steven is immune to the Dark Aura. But I was hoping you could help us by training him. He'll be the key to us defeating them and we need him at his best. And I know you both can bring it out of him. Especially you, Hiddenite. You're known for bringing out the hidden potential of warriors." Garnet explained as Jadeite and Hiddenite looked at each other before the former looked at a scar on her arm.
"I haven't forgotten what Dark Aura Onyx put us through. And I vowed to never allow anyone to ever go through what we did ever again. But be honest with me, Garnet: Is this just to train Steven? Or are you seeking revenge as well? We are well aware of your history with Dark Aura Onyx." Jadeite asked as Garnet went silent for a moment.
"It is. I….. refuse to be weak anymore when it comes to Dark Aura Onyx. He's tormented me for far too long. It's long past time I finally get the chance to end him and this nightmare he's put me through once and for all. So please, you two. Will you help us?" The fusion asked as Steven looked at her. She was truly at her wits end with Dark Aura Onyx. It was clear the Gem Commander had scarred her in ways that Pearl and the others likely had no idea about.
"Very well then. We'll help you. Let's head to the training area." Jadeite said as she and Hiddenite led Steven and Garnet to the Homeworld training area to begin preparing for the next round with the Pantheon.
See ya next chapter!
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The Pantheon
FanfictionAfter Steven's Departure from Beach City, Garnet is acting strange: She's far more reserved and quiet but unbeknownst to the others has also been having nightmares. When confronted by the others, she reveals her knowledge of 4 of the most powerful G...
