I am Lapis Lazuli

Homeworld Gem

A/n: In order to avoid spoilers, I recommend you watch Steven Universe, The Message, before reaching this chapter. Thank you.
My feet touch down on familiar soil. Or should I say, un-familiar soil. Homeworld has changed.
The planet I used to know has disappeared. The technology is so advanced I'll have an even harder time trying to understand it. I shudder to think of what would happen if the Homeworld gems decide to unleash an attack on Earth now.
I look around, expecting to see more gems, but the streets are empty. After walking around aimlessly, I spread my wings and head for the only place I can actually remember.
I land I front of a strangely shaped building. At first I wonder if I flew to the right spot, but my memory is right and I'm not surprised that the place I used to call home is now reduced to nothing.
An orange gem walks out of the building. They look me up and down and then continue walking. Suddenly I recognize them.
"Topaz, wait!" I exclaim.
They turn around with an even more mystified expression.
"Please...I'm sorry to bother you, but could you tell me where I can find Peridot?"
Like everything else I can barely identify the building when I arrive. Taking a deep breath, I step through the doorway.
The interior is completely dark. I take a few more steps when I hear a small click.
"Scanning identity." a disembodied voice says.
I freeze.
"Gem not recognized, intruder alert."
Crap.
"Peridot! It's me, Lapis!" I shout.
A panel in the wall slides up to reveal a tall green gem. My heart rate suddenly picks up.
"Who are you? Identify yourself." Peridot says nonchalantly.
"Peri...don't you remember me? It's Lapis."
"L-lapis? What happened to you?" She looks just as mystified as before.
I can't help myself and suddenly I rush forward to embrace her.
"Oh, Peri it was terrible." I take a step back, wiping the tears from my eyes. "After the war I was imprisoned inside a mirror, by the Crystal Gems." I spit in disgust. "But what happened to Homeworld? I don't recognize any of this technology; it's so hard to understand..."
"With our new technology, including the all new Gem Destabilizers, the Crystal Gems won't stand a chance protecting their precious little earth." Her words are laced with venom.
"You were there as their prisoner...then you must have information regarding their base's location." Her fingers fan out into an octagonal grid where she starts jotting down notes.
"Um...I...I..." I stutter.
"You, you, you what?! You are one of us, aren't you?" She turns back to the grid.
"Yes."
There's a moment of silence, and then...
"Well then I expect you to abide our wishes."
"I understand."
There's something...off about her. She's not the same gem I used to know. The gem that I fell for.
"Their hideout is in a town called Beach City." I say, rubbing my arms. "It's located on the eastern coast of the United States, and somewhere on the Delmarva Peninsula."
Peridot nods, writing down a few more notes. "Anything else to add?"
"The inhabitants that I am aware of are Pearl, Amethyst and Garnet. I did not see any other gems during my containment."
"Yes, yes, I'm well aware of those three. What about Rose Quartz? Was she there?"
My skin begins to crawl. "N-no, well I'm not sure exactly. I don't quite recall seeing her but I definitely sensed her presence."
"And the one known as Steven? Did you see him there as well?"
I avert my eyes to the floor. "No. I've never heard of the one known as Steven."
Peridot raises an eyebrow. "Very well. If that is all then I must resume to my research." She hesitates, and then scratches her head, "You, uh...you're welcome to stay here. I mean, since you don't really have a place to stay."
I blush. "Thank you."
Peridot walks through another panel that closes behind her.
How did I get into this mess?
I sit down on a chair and put my head into my hands. My body is trembling; I try to calm myself.
Why is Peridot so different? Why can't I understand any of this technology? Not that I understood much of Peridot's work before.
Why was she so interested in the whereabouts of the Crystal Gems? Are the Homeworld Gems planning another invasion?
My head starts to spin. I lay down on the cool floor and curl into a ball.
I feel like an alien on my home planet.
A while passes before Peridot returns. She walks around the room not paying me any attention. One of her drones rolls out of a dark corner towards me. I chuckle and sit up. Four stubby legs pop out and it begins walking back and forth in front of me.
"We have a special visitor coming soon." Peri says with her face in a computer. "They are of high superiority, so you should probably compose yourself."
After a moment of silence I ask a question that has been nagging me for quite some time now.
"Peridot? Have any gems been to Earth since the war?" I ask.
"Yes."
"Who?"
"Me." She snaps. "Why are you so curious?"
"Oh," I say in a small voice. "No reason."
I suddenly hear footsteps approaching outside. Peridot hisses.
"She's here!"
I jump to my feet and brush off my clothes.
"Come in!" Peridot calls.
A tall, looming figure hunches through the doorway. Once inside they tower above me, with a shining orange gem at the center of their face.
"J-jasper!" I gasp.
"Lapis! Long time no see!" The tall gem smiles wickedly.
I turn to Peridot. "What's going on?" I demand, shaking a little at the gem's presence.
"Jasper is going to escort me to Earth so I can continue my research and hopefully reactivate the Kindergarten without any further trouble."
The Kindergarten. I shudder at the name.
"Yes, as you can probably tell, I am quite eager to see Rose Quartz again so that I may give her a piece of this." Jasper flexes her biceps.
"Also," Peridot continues, "Since you have information of the Crystal Gem's whereabouts, you will be coming with us."
"I-I see." Why was this all planned without my knowing? "When are we leaving?"
"In a few hour's time. Will you give us a few moments?" Peridot and Jasper step into another room to discuss information.
Crap, I have to warn Steven! I'm afraid they might not be able to defend themselves from an attack. I care about Steven; he showed me the true meaning of friendship down on earth, and trusted me even though we were strangers at first.
I scan the room quickly. There has to be some sort of messaging device that I know how to work. There! A wailing stone.
I rush over and pull it out. What is this? There appears to be some sort of taping device attached to the wailing stone, unlike the voice transmitting ones I'm familiar with. I don't have much time before Jasper and Peridot return.
I fumble with the device, trying to work it. Come on, come on you stupid machine! I flick a button and a green light appears. A tiny screen blinks on showing my face. This must be the screen that receives feedback. Hopefully the Crystal Gems posses a wailing stone of their own, and hopefully it is advanced enough to pick up my signal.
I take a deep breath, putting my thoughts together, and begin.
"Steven, I hope you're able to hear this. There is a gem that's looking for you. She even knew your name. I don't know how...I didn't tell her, I swear! She's on her way to Earth, and she's not alone. Steven, Homeworld...its not the way it used to be. Everything here is so advanced, I can't even understand it. There's no way anything on Earth can stand up to it. Please, don't put up a fight, it will only lead to devastation!"
I hear a panel slide open behind me. I quickly press the send button before Jasper lunges and pins me against the wall.
"What do you think you're doing, brat?" She snarls.
I wince.
"Jasper, come on. Stop making a big deal." Peridot crosses her arms.
"ANSWER ME BRAT." She bangs me against the wall again. "Why were you using the wailing stone?!"
"Jasper! Lay off! We'll deal with this later!" Peridot yells.
Jasper drops me. "Fine. But I'm keeping an eye on you." She whispers to me menacingly.
I sit there in the floor rubbing my arms where Jasper grabbed me. Her and Peridot converse a bit more, but I don't pay any attention. My body is trembling fiercely. Finally they announce our departure.
Jasper grabs my wrist and hauls me to a standing position.
"Jeez, Jasper. You don't have to be so harsh with her."
"Well who knows what this dirty little traitor was doing, messing with the wailing stone."
I'm sorry Steven. I hope you're prepared for the worst.