Steven Universe: Beyond The Mirror

Nothing Else Matters

The temple is dead silent as Steven stands across from the current leader of the Crystal Gems. He has his hands behind his back with his eyes casted down on the wooden floorboards in front of the kitchen. Lapis doesn't attempt to resist the grip on her wrists as she stares at Steven with somber eyes.

Garnet maintains her glare along with Pearl and Amethyst as they contemplate the probable catalysts to Steven's reckless behavior. Garnet folds her arms as Steven slides his right sandal back and forth against the floorboards.

"Well?" Garnet bends her head down towards the young boy. "What made you do it?" Steven sighs as he resists looking up into the visor. "Look, you heard her screaming last night and you wanted to take her away from me. I don't know why, but I wanted to help."

Garnet presses a hand to her visor with a groan, allowing it to dissipate to reveal three eyes. There is a blue one, Sapphire's on the left, Ruby's on her right and a purple one for the one above in between. "Steven, I know you want to help people, but not everyone deserves it."

Steven raises an eyebrow, putting his hands to his hips. "Why? Aren't we the Crystal Gems? Aren't we supposed to help anyone in trouble?" Garnet shakes her head. "Yes, Steven. But-!"
"Lapis was in trouble! I had to help her!"

Garnet's eyes narrow down on Steven. "By slapping my own hand across my face?!" Steven backs down a bit with a gulp, flashing back to the moment he physically injured Garnet in a foolish attempt to defend Lapis. "Steven, we just wanted to protect you!"

Steven's face scrunches as he thrusts himself forward to counter her. "How, Garnet?! By not telling me things that I should know?! By not telling me about Homeworld--!" Garnet's teeth clench. "Or the Kindergartens--!" Amethyst grimaces, her eyes bulging. "Or Pink Diamond?!"

Pearl gasps with her free right hand, covering her mouth. "Steven! You are mentioning things that you do not understand!" Steven growls. "I'm a Crystal Gem and YOU--!" He points a finger at Garnet. "Are a Crystal Gem! You knew about this stuff and I didn't!"

Garnet takes a step forward, causing Steven to retract his finger a bit. "You didn't know about all that because you didn't need to know about it! You are a Crystal Gem because you have your mother's gem and you go on missions with us! Nothing else matters!"

Steven clenches his teeth. "Nothing else matters?! So the safety of Earth doesn't matter and neither does humanity or anything else that happened before this, is that it?!" Garnet and Steven lock eyes on each other for a solid minute before Garnet puts her visor back on in a flash of light. "We're done here."

Garnet turns her head to Pearl and Amethyst. "Pearl, Amethyst! Watch over Steven and Lapis while I'm gone." They raise their eyebrows as Garnet steps over towards the front door. "Where are you going?" Garnet presses her left hand to the door. "I'm going to go...think about some things."

She pushes the door open and she heads out as the door locks itself shut behind her. Pearl and Amethyst turn to Steven. "So, I'm assuming your friend told you everything you needed to know about us?" Steven turns to face Pearl and Amethyst as Lapis stares down at the floorboards.

"Guys, why doesn't any of that stuff matter?" Pearl scoffs as she tightens her grip on Lapis' right arm. "Because it doesn't, Steven!" Steven folds his arms, rolling his eyes. "Look, Steven, the things that SHE is telling you isn't appropriate and you didn't need to know about any of it!"

Amethyst huffs. "Especially the bit about the Kindergartens! That was dirty!" Lapis clenches her teeth as she lifts her head up. "Hey! I thought you already told him about that!" Pearl yanks on her right arm, twisting her head towards her.

"He's only thirteen! His mind can't comprehend what has happened from the past millenia! He's not ready!" Lapis twists her head towards her. "To you he isn't! I've been with Steven long enough to know that he can handle this stuff! He is ready!"

Pearl gapes at her with widening eyes. "What do YOU know about Steven?! You've only known him for a day! I've known him AND his mother for as long as I can remember!"
"Is that so?! Well aren't you supposed to educate him about our history and our culture?! You known, being a mom?! Caring for him?!"

Pearl holds a finger up as her mouth hangs open. She grits her teeth as she lets go of Lapis, her hands balling into fists. She glares at her as she heads towards the temple door. The gem on her forehead glows as the stone on the door glows in unison.

The sides holding the door together diverge, allowing Pearl to step past the threshold. The door closes as she steps onto the water in her room. Lapis twists her head to her left towards Amethyst. She shakes her head. "I'll let you go, but I'm staying here until Garnet gets back." Lapis narrows her eyes as Amethyst lets go of her arm.