In The Future (Steven Universe)

○Spinel's Palace●

It didn't feel like home to her anymore. It felt like she was trapped in some sort of cage. Homeworld used to always be her home, even while she was trying to destroy the Earth. But for some reason, this time, she felt like the outcast.

The light from the warp pad dissapeared and the first thing Spinel saw was a confused looking Blue Diamond. "Spinel! There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you!" Blue rushed over to her, putting her hand out for Spinel to hop onto.

"I was just running some errands," she wasn't technically lying.

"Oh my stars. I was just so worried about you when White told us Steven wanted us to make a speech about your little problem. I thought something terrible happened to you. I went looking for you but I couldn't find you," Blue said as she lifted Spinel up higher to eye level. "I was afraid you were shattered. But while I was looking for you I got the best idea to protect you. I want you to have some Quartz guards with you at all times."

Spinel lowered her head. It didn't matter how many guards she had. These gems would never stop trying. I mean, Lapis attacked Spinel and Steven was only a few yards away. "That sounds perfect, Blue," Spinel said. "But can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" Blue asked in a soft tone.

"Why did you guys allow me to help you with Homeworld? Yes, I'm flattered and all, but I'm not a Diamond. I'm supposed to entertain not rule an entire colony!"

Blue laughed as if it were a joke.  "But Spinel, you are doing so well. You've changed into a perfect little Diamond!" Blue set her down with a cheesy smile on her face. "Don't tell anyone I said this, but you are doing a bit better than Pink."

Spinel blushed a little bit. Yes, the comment was harsh. But it flattered her in a way. Spinel still never forgave Pink Diamond for what she did and being better than her, being said that from a Diamond, was even better. "Thank you, Blue. I guess I better get back to... my duties?" Spinel questioned weather it was actually her job since it was so easy. Since no gems had to be in order anymore it was just a free for all. Maybe that's why the Diamonds are out so much because she have so much free time now.

Spinel made her way through her palace. There were many parts of it she never went to because she hated the memories of her and Pink playing there. Like she takes the long way to the throne room in the center of the palace to avoid hallway #58. All of the Diamond's palaces were connected, with the throne room right smack in the middle.

Spinel headed there, she never went when there was a large group of gems there. She feared that if she did the gems would gang up on her. And now that Lapis told her one of the Diamonds wants her dead, she needs to be more careful. "If it was Blue, she would have shattered me right there! No one else was around... it would have been so easy. I was literally in the palm of her hand," Spinel said to herself.

A fusion walked past Spinel as she made her way through the hallway, but she was too deep into thought to notice the fusion. 

"Aw, you didn't recognize me?" the fusion said from behind her.

Spinel turned around, not recognizing the fusion. Though she did look familiar. "No? Who are you?" she said getting ready to fight.

The fusion smiled, unfusing herself into two gems, one bigger, and one smaller. Spinel gasped when she noticed who it was. "Howlite! How did you-"

"My sweet gem you never let me finish what I was telling you," Howlite said, then turned to her Pearl. "Make sure nobody is coming. This needs to be personal."

"Yes, my Howlite," the Pearl said and rushed off.

Spinel put her fists up and growled.

"Hohoho, relax. I'm not going to hurt you, if I did, I would wind up being shattered," Howlite said, approaching the smaller gem. "Just listen to me, Spinel."

"Fine! I'm listening, but if you get any closer I'll poof you!" Spinel threatened.

"Fair enough," Howlite frowned a bit. "Do you remember what I was saying about Steven?"

"That he's like Pink Diamond. Yeah. I remember. And I still don't believe you," Spinel lowered her fists a bit. "I don't know why you're still trying to convince me to believe you."

"Because. Anyone with Pink Diamond's gem is plain evil. That simple," Howlite went from calm to angry, like deep down inside she was about to rage. "You weren't the only gem she hurt. She even hurt her own friends. I had a little spy go and pretend to be a Crystal Gem to get feedback on how useless that whole war was between Earth and Homeworld. Thousands of gems, shattered, for Earth- for Pink Diamond. A liar and a fake!" Howlite slammed her foot on the ground, making Spinel jump in the air and land on her back.

Howlite continued, "It was the worst. She promised me everything. She promised me a whole new world and... I never got it," she wrapped herself up in her arms, holding the tears back. "I was a rebel. After what I saw Pink do to you many times, I certainly believed she was going to kill Earth. I saw the beauty in it during my missions. And I didn't want some evil scumbag to ruin it. A few months after I heard about Rose Quartz and her rebel Pearl I just had to join in. I gave up my whole life for a fake. I was such a fool. Before the war, I was very nervous. I was having second thoughts about Earth, maybe Homeworld wasn't so bad after all. I thought, I can still have a chance to go back to Homeworld and start a new life. But than Rose told me that after the war, everything would be okay. That we'd win. We would start a whole new life together. That... gave me hope. But during the war the three Diamonds used their powers to corrupt all the gems on Earth, ending the war. I... was one of those corrupted gems. I remember being so confused and terrified. I couldn't remember who I was-" Howlite's voice began to crack, thinking about it was too hard.

"I-" Spinel didn't know what to say. "I'm so sorry that happened to you. But... you're fixed? And now you have a happy life."

Howlite shook her head. "N-no. I'm not happy. I was fixed in some sort of fountain. All of the Diamonds were there chatting like what they did was nothing. They wasted thousands of years of my life and they were just laughing. I tried to live on Earth like some of the gems are doing now. But I can't stand to look at Steven and think, that's Pink Diamond. I can't stay on Earth, the world I fought for, because he is there. The liar, the fake. I FOUGHT FOR THE WORLD I CAN'T STAND TO LIVE IN!" Howlite punched the wall near her, shaking the building a bit and leaving a huge crack in the wall.

Spinel jumped backwards, surprised by how strong she was. Spinel tried to find words, but was too shocked and she found herself just standing there with her mouth half open.

"Now... do you see?" Howlite said after she calmed herself down. "What I see? How can a gem be so cruel and not have it pass down to their... what is it called... kid?"

"But Steven doesn't do that to people! He cares and loves for them!"

"That's what Pink Diamond did too! She did everything she could to have you on her side. Only tell you the good things and nothing of the bad. I can't watch a gem like you fall into her trap like I did! So please-" Howlite sighed. "Don't fall for her trick like I did."

Spinel swallowed hard. "...get out..."

Howlite lowered her head, feeling defeated. "Fine. But just so you know, when he does, I'm coming to save you."