Beyond The Gem

Twenty One

     Dreams are curious. You're in a world in your mind that nobody else can feel, see, or imagine as perfect as you do. Everything is unique because your dream is yours alone, and nobody else has ever had it. I've only had one dream in my existence, and it was... disturbing, in the least, but I'm not talking about me here. I'm talking about Steven.

     Steven had a dream, a nightmare where we found the Tanzanite army leader and we were all overpowered and killed. He said that they tried to shatter his gem by using methods that had worked on us, but nothing worked because of his human side. Therefore, he was forced to watch the rest of us die while he was thrown into a life of torture and agony. He woke up screaming and crying, and instantly, I was by his side. He embraced me so tightly, sobbing violently in my arms. I didn't even know Why he was crying at the time, but I didn't care. I just wanted him to stop.

     He cried and cried and cried for so long that eventually, he couldn't cry anymore. He simply stayed huddled in my arms and breathed shakily, explaining the dream and sobbing dryly every so often. After I heard the dream, I simply pulled his head into my chest and held him tighter, like a mother holding a child. He and I sat there for a long time, so long that when I looked down at him, he had fallen asleep on my lap.

     I smiled and leaned on to my back on his bed, still holding him tightly. I stared at the ceiling, stroking the curly brown hair atop his head that reminded me of the many times Rose and I spent time with each other and the many times I'd stroked her perfect pink hair. I didn't even realize the sun had come up until Greg came in through the door with bags and I sat up, gently pushing Steven off my lap. Though he was in the middle of his bed, but I still wrapped the covers around him.

     Greg looked up at me. "Heya, Pearl. What are you doing in Steven's room?"

     "Oh," I stepped down the stairs and helped him with the bags, bringing them to the counter. "Steven had a nightmare last night. He woke up and cried for a while, but he fell back asleep in my arms." We both looked up to his bed. "I just hope he had a good dream this time."

     "Or no dream at all," Greg turned to the bags and pulled out items like bread and peanut butter. "I figured that it was about time I went grocery shopping for Steven, so I went early when they had just restocked." He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled. "If I'm honest, I'm so tired I think I would fall asleep while driving!"

     I smiled and gestured up to the bed. "Why don't you go and sleep for a few more hours? I'm sure Steven would love it if he woke up next to his father."

     Greg shook his head. "At least let me help you put these away, first-"

     I held up a hand. "I'll handle the groceries, you go and get some rest with Steven." He smiled and yawned.

     "Thanks, Pearl. I'll only be a couple of hours." He moved up the steps and laid down onto the bed next to Steven. Within moments, he began to snore. I unloaded the rest of the food items into various cabinets and shelves, then left the temple and rushed over to the Big Donut. Dewey was standing at the counter, his head resting on the palm of his hand. He smiled and stood up straight when he saw me.

     "Hi! What brings you here?" He asked. I stepped up to the counter and examined the doughnuts, but shook my head.

     "I have no idea what Steven gets here." I confessed. Dewey scratched his chin and snatched a bag, pulling out two chocolate doughnuts and sliding them in. I left the Big Donut. On the way, I glanced to the sky and noticed a small dot that I knew wasn't supposed to be there. I examined it, squinting my eyes and then rushing back to the temple as I realized what it was. Quickly, I put a plate out on the table and placed the two doughnuts on it, looking up to Steven and Greg. I smiled for a mere second because I knew that Lion would do his best to protect Steven. He slept near the television, Cat Steven on top of him. I turned and rushed to the door, slamming on it. "Garnet, Amethyst!" I said, loud enough for them to hear but quiet enough so the boys wouldn't wake up.

     The door opened, and Garnet stepped out. It closed and opened again, this time from Amethyst's room. I explained the situation to the two and they exchanged nervous glanced, but Garnet nodded and slammed her fists together, her gauntlets appearing. Amethyst pulled two whips from her chest, and I summoned my spear. We stepped on to the Warp Pad, and I focused hard.

     I let out a deep breath as we began to Warp, and after a few moments, we arrived exactly where I wanted. On that little dot in the sky, the one that wasn't supt to be there.

     Pink Diamond's ship. What was it doing here?