Steven Universe: Beyond The Mirror

Lapis Lazuli

Steven's eyes narrow with a nod, understanding what he must do based on the projection. He turns the mirror over to reveal the cracked teardrop gem. He grasps it and he grunts as he attempts to pull it off of the frame.

He clenches his teeth, squinting his eyes shut as water seeps through the sand, forming the shapes of the glass frame with an octagonal puddle in the center. Steven finally thrusts the gem off the frame causing the water to splash around him.

The frame implodes, the back rebounding against the left side of his head just as he twists it away. The gem, despite its massive crack, glows in Steven's right hand. Steven lets go of it as it flashes, allowing it to hover away from him, floating in mid-air.

Lapis instantly reforms and gasps before she collapses onto the sand. Steven couldn't believe his eyes at the spectacle that just occurred before him. He rushes over to the Gem and he stops right behind her body. Steven takes a few small steps towards her as he takes in her appearance.

Lapis has ocean blue skin wrapped around in a dress that exposes her back where her gem lies embedded. Her hair has a darker shade of blue and her feet are bare. There is a knot on her back that holds the dress against her body. She lays motionless for a minute before turning her head with a grunt.

Her eyes reflect Steven's amazed face just like the mirror she was trapped in. "Thank you." She gets up, attempting to stand on solid ground after so long only to slip. "You didn't-!"
Steven catches her hands to support her as Lapis lifts her head up.

She gives off a thankful grin as she eases up to him. "You actually talked to me! You helped me!" She gets back up, this time without struggling. "It's Steven, right?" Steven nods and Lapis introduces herself. "I'm Lapis. Lapis Lazuli. Are you really a Crystal Gem?"

Steven takes the name with pride as he lets off his grandeur grin. "Yeah!" Lapis maintains her smile, her eyebrow slightly rising. "But...you set me free." Steven raises an eyebrow as he questions his action further. Is it a good thing that Lapis is free?

Garnet yells out to him, causing him to jolt and snap back to reality. He turns around to spot the Gems rushing towards him. They pull to a stop a few feet away from him and Lapis as they summon their weapons. Garnet's are gauntlets and Amethyst's is a whip.

Lapis grimaces as Steven runs towards them. "Wait!" Lapis stands up straight as she closes her eyes for a moment. The ocean water starts swirling and a giant hand gradually forms as it rises towards the night sky. Her hair and dress billows in the wind as her tone turns cold.

"You three knew I was in there...and you didn't do anything!" The palm of the water hand overshadows the Gems as it seperates its fingers. "Did you even wonder who I used to be?!" The palm slams down onto the beach as Steven charges towards Lapis.

Pearl and Amethyst fly away from the hand and crash down onto the sand with a grunt. Garnet grunts as the water hand compresses her body down. Steven's jaw drops as he looks around in horror. He turns back to Lapis with a weak frown crossing his innocent face.

"What are you doing?!" Droplets of water float around them as Lapis shouts out to her captors. "I'M LAPIS LAZULI AND YOU CAN'T KEEP ME TRAPPED HERE ANYMORE!" Lapis sighs as Steven looks back at his caretakers. "They're not gonna let us leave."

Steven turns back to Lapis, questioning his surprising alternative option. "Leave?" Lapis turns to the ocean, raising her hand to diverge two sections of water to form a clear passage in the ocean. She turns back to Steven as the water walls flow upward. "Steven, come with me."

Steven widens his eyes. "Where?" Lapis' eyes droop as she blinks them. "Home." Steven hesitates as he turns back to the Gems. What will happen to him if he stays with the Gems? He must've drawn the line too far that now, he has no choice but to leave. He has to go. He has to go "home".

Steven sniffles as a tear slips from his right eye. "Steven?" He turns back to Lapis with gritted teeth. He darts towards her as Lapis notices a tear rolling down his cheek. The Gems look over at the ocean just in time to see Steven turning tail on them. Lapis hurries behind him, panting as the water starts to lose its flow.

The Gems gasp as their eyes build up with tears. "STEVEN?!" Lapis enters the passage and she closes up the entrance as Garnet rushes towards her. "STEVEN!" Water surrounds Steven on all sides as Lapis steps towards him, her hands outstretched towards the walls.

"Don't worry about the water. I won't let it collapse on us. Just keep moving." Steven looks back at the entrance one last time as a tear lands on the sand.

He turns back to Lapis who puts a hand on his back with a reassuring smile. "Are you okay?" Steven sighs as he starts to regret his decision. But he has already made it and therefore, he will come with Lapis to go back. To go back "home".

OUR JOURNEY BEGINS...