Steven Universe: The Diamond Legacy

Two Hearts

They hid me in a cabin somewhere in the southwest, surrounded by pines and canyons. I think we may have been close to a National Park, because we'd often see humans hiking in the canyons below, and there was a busy town several miles  north of us where we could get food for Grandpa and I.

He was also with me for safety and Hanami too, who found a spot to sunbathe out on the windowsill. I was heavily guarded. Aunt Bismuth had called Peridot and Lapis Lazuli for protection and we retreated here in hiding while  Dad remained at the temple with the Big Three, ready to confront the Remnant Gems once and for all.

Mom remained with me too, with Lion at her side and Skyla. She had a bandage wrapped around her left arm, and when I asked her worried about it, she reassured me it wasn't serious.

 I never felt more safe with most of my family by my side.

"What are we up against?" Peridot asked me." A giant orange clod with a big heckin' sword and sinister transparent clod with the power to bend your bones." I explained. I was the only other person she allowed to use her signature insult. Peridot knew me since my early days and understood how my mind worked because hers worked almost the same way. We were still very close despite me not seeing her for two years. I only wished we saw each other again under better circumstances.

I was never alone in the cabin. Throughout the hours the Gems and Mom patrolled the canyon forest, leaving me and Grandpa with a guard. Most of the scouting was done solo, with the exception of Skyla and Lapis. It was interesting to see two of the same Gem type together, and though Gems didn't age, you could instantly tell Lapis was far older than Skyla. She had a weariness to her, a hidden melancholy, and her eyes held inner strength and experience of someone who lived thousands of years, while Skyla's soft features and pure eyes held the mind of a child. Well, more like teenager trying to find their place. I wondered if she looked up to the older Gem.

When it was Selene's turn to scout out, I begged her not to go. "It'll be all right." She squeezed my hand. "I'll be back soon, I promise."

Except she didn't.

Hours passed and Selene didn't return. "We have to go look for her something's wrong! I know it!" But they would not leave me unattended, and I was not allowed to leave the cabin. They went out in small search parties but couldn't find her. When I urged them to keep looking Mom said they looked everywhere they could and we had no choice but to wait until she comes back.

That's when I decided to take matters into my own hands. At the crack of dawn, before Aunt Bismuth returned from her scouting (she promised me she'd take extra time and look for the missing Pearl), and while the rest of the group was asleep, I snuck out of the cabin and descended into the canyon below. It was the only place nobody looked.

"Selene!" I called out. "Selene where are you!"  My heart leaped with relief hearing a familiar voice cry out. Thank the Stars! "Selene I'm coming!"  I ran the fastest I could, the trees blurred  from my speed booster. Why didn't she call out before? Why did she wait until I was looking for her to call for help? Something didn't sit right with me  but I didn't care. I needed to find her.

When I found my dear friend, I  instantly regretted it.

"You should've listened to your instincts girl." Aragonite growled with her arm locked around the Pearl in threat. "If you try to run or scream, I'll shatter her on the spot."

"Nora!" Selene gasped. "Forget about me, get out of here!"

 Aragonite squeezed her mouth shut. "Quiet you traitor." She made a sinister chuckle. "Looks like our trout caught the bait. That was a brilliant idea Gypsum, luring our prey to us instead of crashing through that measly fort and dealing with her entourage. We've got her right where we want her, alone and undefended."