Steven Universe AU

The Waiting Game

Steven looked at the color changing Diamond and sighed. "There's nothing to do when you aren't here." He got up setting Zircon carefully on his TV. "You'll be back soon." He sat there staring at the red bubble and sighed again. "I wonder what you do in there.."

    Zircon looked around and sighed. "This is borinnngggg!" She started walking and looked at the huge hole in her chest. "If I can find these pieces I'll be good as new!" She put her hands on her head and laughed. "I'm gonna be here a while.." She started running through the white like purgatory "what color is it this time?" She looked over and saw a golden brown diamond shard glowing and floating in the air. "Aw gross, this color?" She went over to it and touched it making it explode and sway around her. "Let's get this over with." She started running again collecting the bright Diamonds as she went. "I wonder how many I have to collect." She stopped and slid off the edge into a thick bright tropical forest. "What-!?" She fell in the trees getting stuck in the vines as she fell down. "There's another part again?" She sighed and pulled her way out of the thick luscious vines, and dropped on her feet walking towards the large mossy trees still searching for the remaining crystals.
   "Better off I don't really run down here, huh?" She started carefully walking around still searching for the crystals. "Sure would be nice if I had something to tell me how many I have left!" She started walking again still; searching for crystals. "This is going to take so long!" Steven stood there staring at the red bubble. "This isn't fair Amethyst. Zircon should be having fun with us and not stuck in a bubble. "Ah she's fine Steven! If you just think about it all the time she won't come back as fast." Steven put the bubble back on the TV and sat back down.

    "Maybe you're right." "So..what's up with this crying food again?" "Its something you wouldn't get Amethyst, Zircon would get it and totally be into it." "You saying she understands you more than us?" "No! She understands the show better." "I was getting worried there Steven." Steven rolled over on his bed and sat there queitly. "Can I at least shorten this a tiny bit?" She started running again still looking ducking and dodging the trees as she got faster. "If you're gonna change color give me blue! give me blue! give me blue!" She slid on the sand and looked at the orange Crystal. "Lamee!" She walked up to it and hit it as she kept walking.

   "Hey...Pearl?" Pearl looked down at Steven and smiled. "Yes, Steven?" "Can I ask for a past story?" "Oh...why not! What would you like to hear?" "Your story about you and Zircon, how you met to be exact." Pearl stopped smiling for a brief moment and sighed. "When I first met Zircon she was a very fearless Diamond. She was crucial to all of the Diamonds and had many opportunities to rule over them, but refused as she was not ready to rule over anyone. Later she then turned into the home worlds favorite Gem Hunter! Hunting down all who opposed the order. I who decided to join the rebels got caught by some roaming guards coming face to face with her and her dusty scythe blade. 'The Gem Hunter.' I said looking at her with my nose turned up. 'You must be Pearl, the one trying to rebel against the order.'
     She waved her hand making the two large guards bow and walk out leaving us alone. As they left I heard snickering and them mocking me for how I was. 'What do you plan on doing to me?' She walked up to me and loosened my ties allowing me to summon my spear. But instead of her flinching when I swung down at her she swung her arm and broke it in two grabbing my face, pulling me closer to her. 'Why attack when you know you can't win?' She said to me making my face burn red with embarrassment. 'Don't blush Pearl it was only a joke.' I kept my eyes on her watching her every move as she walked around the large shining room. 'Why haven't you shattered me yet?' 'Because you aren't here to be shattered yet, you're here to be judged.' 'What? You're telling me I have a chance of freedom?'

   'No, not really, its either shattering or banishment.' 'Then what's the point?' 'There is no point. Its just there to make you have a false sense of safety if you choose banishment but really they'll chase you down when you're weak enough and still shatter you.' She snapped her fingers making the rope wrap around my wrist slightly loose. 'I'll see you there Pearl.' She turned around facing her chair letting the guards take me out of the room. 'The order isn't fair and you know it!' I yelled as they dragged me out. 'Quiet in the judging room!' I was pushed in the middle of the room surrounded by the Diamonds and their followers getting judged and taunted every moment I stood there.
     Then Zircon walked in and stood right by my side making the bickering die down. 'Blue Diamond, my Diamond.' 'Yes Zircon, whatever is the purpose of you interrupting?' 'I came to a conclusion for you three.' 'And that is?' 'Let Pearl go with me. She'll learn not to do anything brash or idiotic like join the Rebellion.' 'It is not idiotic!' I said to her angry. 'We can't just let you do this to the ear-' everyone in the room gasped in shock as she quickly put her scythe to my throat keeping me quiet. 'I will watch after her quiet well Blue Diamond.' The three looked at her closely then agreed to her arrangement. 'You can have her but if she tries anything..' 'Immediately destroy her, yes I know.' Blue Diamond smiled at Zircon and nodded her head.
    'Promise me you will never betray your own kind like her.' I looked up at Zircon seeing the worry in her eyes as she agreed reluctantly. 'I promise, my Diamond.' " Steven hugged Pearl and looked at her with a warm smile. "She was willing to protect you even if it meant risking her own life. That's so sweet!" Pearl hugged him back and smiled. "I guess it is." "please don't tell me this is all I was missing out on." They both looked up at Zircon and let each other go looking at her in shock.