Chapter 6

"Steven," A voice murmured. Steven's eyes strained open. He was immediately greeted by White Diamond, staring down at him.

"Is it morning already?" Steven groaned. White nodded. "The-the battle? When are we...gonna go?"

"Not for a little longer," White answered.

"You and Connie need to eat," Pearl replied. She stood a noticeable distance away from the pair. "We'll leave as soon as everyone is ready." Steven nodded, hopping onto the ground. He and Connie grabbed food from her backpack, quickly snarfing it down. There was no reason to wait any longer. Instead, the group made their way out of the tunnels. Everyone was silent. Steven trailed after Pearl, bunched in beside Ruby, Connie, and Amethyst. The Diamonds were in the lead, Blue and Yellow walking far behind White. There was no stealth to anyone's movements. It was their intention to be seen, they relied on that if they were to have a faint chance of winning. And they had to win. There was no other choice. Nearing the front of the city, the diamonds skidded to a halt. The throne room stood before them, as did two topaz guards.

"It's the diamonds!" One of them called. "Go get Morganite!"

"Everyone, get ready," Pearl whispered. Everyone in the bunch pulled out their weapons. In an instant, gems flooded from every building in site. Masses of them crowded the city. If Morganite was there, Steven couldn't see her. From a distance, it was hard to even make out any individual gems, as it just looked like a horde of colours.

"Well?!? A voice called from the crowd. "Aren't you going to attack?!"

"Aren't you going to attack?" Yellow called back. For a moment, time stood still. The two sides glared at each other from a mile's distance.

"Alright fine, gems attack!" That was definitely Morganite's voice. The source of it, Steven didn't know. Moments later, the horde of gems charged at them. There was a glow from the crowd and suddenly, a figure emerged from the fray: a giant Ruby. More glows followed, as did more giant fusions. Steven's eyes widened. The group was still until they were close enough to attack. Weapons clashed, forms dissipated, dust formed. Among the fray, Steven stood with Ruby, back to back. Ruby punched wildly at nothing in particular as Steven's sword clashed with another weapon. Summoning his bubble, Steven and Ruby were able to shield themselves long enough to slip from the fray.

"Follow me!" Steven called, already bolting. "I know where they're keeping Sapphire!" Ruby nodded, trailing after him. Suddenly, one gem slipped from the fray tall and purple with a spear in hand.

"Out of the way!" Ruby screamed.

Immediately, she flung herself at the figure. Her gauntlet slammed the Amethyst straight in the face and she flopped to the ground. Ruby took off again. Steven leaped after her, his eyes wide.

"Ruby, you didn't have to do that!" Steven exclaimed. Ruby didn't respond. Even dashing as quick as they could, Steven could still hear the thumping of footsteps behind them.

"THEY'RE STILL AFTER US?!" Ruby screeched.

"Just ignore them!" Steven called. "We have to keep going." Ruby gave a brisk nod. The two raced on before skidding to a halt in front of the dark prison. The footsteps behind them had continued. Finally, Steven and Ruby turned to face the challengers: two Amethysts.

"I'll fend them off!" Ruby ordered. "You go get Sapphire!" Steven nodded. Immediately, he turned to the door and flung it open. Light poured into the room. In the new glow, a small blue gem stood in one of the cells.

"Sapphire!" Steven called.

She turned to him. "Steven…" As he approached, Steven noticed that the bars of the cell were pure ice. With a flick of her hand, the ice fell to the ground, shattering to pieces. She stepped out of the cell. "Where are the others?"

"They're in the city...in a battle," Steven answered. "Ruby's outside...we gotta get back to the others now." Sapphire nodded, booking it toward the front door. Steven trailed after her. Outside, Ruby was getting flung back and forth between the two Amethysts. Even through this, she flailed around, failing to land a hit in her fit of rage.

"Ruby!" Sapphire called. Ruby shot a glance at Sapphire, her gaze softening.

"SAPPHIRE!" She cried. With a kick to the face, Ruby pried free from the Amethysts. She rushed toward Sapphire. The two embraced each other for a moment before they were both enveloped in light. Once it faded, Garnet stood in their place. The Amethysts stared with dropped jaws as Garnet lunged at them, summoning her gauntlets right as she punched them both right in their faces. The Amethysts slammed into the ground, their physical forms disappearing with a poof. Garnet landed with a thump, summoning her visor.

"Come on, let's go find the others," she replied. Steven nodded. He trailed after her but not before summoning bubbles around the fallen gems. The pair didn't have to go far to find the battle however as it found them. Garnet immediately lunged into the fray, gauntlets huge around her hands. Summoning his shield, Steven followed her lead. Unable to see what was going on in front of him, Steven blindly swung his sword in every direction. A few hits landed, others only struck the air. All around him, gems hurled themselves at each other in a mosh pit down below. Above them, were the Diamonds and fusions of many of the same types of gems. Rubies, Topazes, Amethysts, and many more. In the midst of it, Steven was smacked aside. He skidded the ground for a moment before jumping back to his feet. In front of him, stood Blue Pearl. Her teeth bared as she lunged at a much taller Topaz fusion.

"Bluey, what are you doing?!" Yellow Pearl gasped. She lunged behind Steven, shaking. The Topaz snatched Blue Pearl. She struggled, slamming her sword into the hand that encased her to no avail. The Topaz tossed her aside like garbage. Yellow Pearl gasped, whipping out her weapon. The yellow whip was flung toward Blue Pearl, wrapping around her and sending her plummeting into the Topaz. Thinking fast, Blue Pearl pointed her sword at her. The fusion's eyes widened just before the sword pierced her chest. She was gone in a flash and about five gemstones dropped to the ground like rain. Yellow Pearl's whip disintegrated. Beside her, Blue Pearl landed as graceful as a cat.

"Nice," Blue Pearl told her, raising her fist. Yellow Pearl accepted fist bump and the two lunged back into battle. Steven bubbled the topazes before did the same. He observed the rest of the battle. Amethyst flung opponents all over the place with her whips. Garnet stood in close range, punching several enemies at once. Pearl zipped across the battlefield, easily evading attacks and piercing gem's forms. Lapis and Peridot stood back to back, subtly protecting each other as they launched their separate attacks of water and metal. Bismuth's hands shapeshifted constantly in a blur of light. The Diamonds each tackled a fusion equal in size to them. Pink Pearl leaped above the fray, flinging her boomerang at the gems below. While airborne, a huge hand smacked Pink Pearl, prompting a shriek as she was thrust through the air. Steven gasped, running toward her. Nearby, White Diamond caught a glance of Pink Pearl. Shoving her opponent aside, White seized the tiny pink gem in her hands. The two shared a brief exchange that Steven couldn't hear before White gently placed Pink Pearl back on the ground. Steven smiled. Out of nowhere, a force rammed Steven into the ground. He didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. He knew that abrasive headbutt anywhere. Whipping out his shield, Steven used all his collective strength to throw Jasper away. The gem was immediately back on her feet, charging at Steven. This time he couldn't dodge. Jasper bowled over him, again...and again...and again...and again. From his place on the ground, Steven summoned his shield. Jasper rammed into it headfirst. Steven was knocked back, his feet dragging backward on the ground.

"Jasper, please!" Steven begged. "You don't have to do this. Do you really want to fight for Morganite?"

"Wh-what does that matter?!" Jasper exclaimed, charging at him. "She's the leader now, my orders come from her...regardless of what they are." Steven leaped to the side, stumbling upon landing.

"They don't have to!" Steven protested, summoning his shield. "You have a choice, you can help us fight for a better life here!" Jasper stood still. Glancing at the ground, her helmet vanished.

"You don't understand!" Jasper snapped. "Morganite will shatter anyone who opposes her. I don't have a choice, none of us do!"

"But we do!" A new voice insisted. Steven turned to see Connie, skidding to a halt beside him. "Jasper, do you want to live a lie or do you want to fight for truth?" Jasper stared at the two. Suddenly, her helmet reappeared on her head, as did a fierce look. Steven and Connie whipped out their weapons. However, Jasper ran right by them, her helmet ramming into a Topaz fusion right behind them. Connie and Steven exchanged smiles before jumping back into battle. Steven pointed his sword forward as he lunged at an Aquamarine. Her physical form was gone with one swing. Bubbling her gem, Steven leaped forward again. Sword hit sword in a blind flurry of slashes. Steven wasn't even fully sure of who he was fighting anymore. All thoughts had gone away as he slashed blindly. Suddenly, something sharp pierced his skin. With a scream, he was knocked through the air.

"Steven!" Before Steven could hit the ground, two hands surrounded his entire body. One hand recoiled, revealing a pair of grey eyes. "Steven, are you okay?! Are you hurt?!"

"I...I don't know," Steven whimpered, gripping his own stomach. Pain scorched his entire body to the point where he could barely move without feeling a sting. White's eyes were full of concern.

"Remove your hands," she instructed. Steven nodded, his hands flopping down to his sides. White let out a shriek.

"O-Okay...okay...I can fix this. I-I hope." She lifted her other hand. "Just...sssstay still and...I'll-" White's hand shook just above Steven. He was about to snap when she finally rested her finger on his stomach...right on his gem. Suddenly, strange energy began to course through him. The energy flowed through his veins and skin. It felt almost like a fireplace, warm and soothing. After a few moments, White removed her finger. Whatever pain Steven had felt earlier was a distant memory.

"Is that better?" White murmured. Steven nodded. "Oh thank the stars." She sat down, gently placing Steven back on the ground.

"Hey, wait. Why were you so reluctant to touch me?" Steven asked. It was a weird question, but he needed that answer. White glanced back at him.

"What?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"You really think I haven't noticed? What's been going on?"

"Okay, I admit I've refrained from touching you because…" White gazed at the ground with a sigh. "I'm afraid of hurting you."

"What?"

"The last time I touched you, I ripped out your gem," White glared at her own hands as if there were blood on them. "You almost died because of me...aren't you bitter about that?" She asked, her head hanging low. "Or at least scared of me…like everyone else is?"

"I was…" Steven admitted. "But I know you're not like that anymore." White met his gaze, her eyes wide. "White, I forgive you. Do you?" Stunned silence followed. After a few moments, White's eyes teared.

".....yes." She whispered, a small smile forming on her face. White held her hands out in front of Steven. He stepped on. Faster than lightning, White pulled Steven as close as she could, pressing him against her cheek. Steven froze before leaning in. Suddenly, the pair were enveloped in light. Their forms began to mesh together. Before they knew what was going on, there was a huge explosion from their spot in the city. Windows shattered, buildings destabilized. Straining his eyes open, Steven let out a groan. He looked around, but White was nowhere to be seen. Glancing at his hands, Steven staggered back as he saw that not only was his skin light pink but he had four hands now. Two of the arms rested on their head and stomach. Two gemstones were there!

"Ah! I'm so sorry! I'll unfuse-"

"No. It's okay, Steven. This is okay." Two of the arms wrapped around their own body. After a few moments, they stood up, their eyes narrowed with determination. "Now...I have a battle to win!" They made their way back into the battle, which really wasn't far. Yellow poofed a huge Ruby fusion in one blow as Blue wrestled with an Amethyst fusion. Both of them froze, their eyes glued to the new fusion.

"What in the cosmos?!" Yellow exclaimed. An Amethyst approached her Yellow didn't take her eyes off the fusion of White and Steven as she poofed the Amethysts in one blow. Blue meanwhile stared at the new fusion with bright eyes.

"Hey everybody!" They greeted. "I'm Star….Bright...Diamond!" Their expression molded into one of disgust. "Seriously?"

"Steven, White, you two look ridiculous!" Yellow replied. Blue rested her hand on Yellow's shoulder, gazing at her with the same brightness.

"Ooh Yellow. Can we do that?" she pleaded.

"Is it really necessary?" Yellow groaned. Star Bright Diamond summoned their weapons, a white sword and a pink shield. Just fusing them set off another burst of light that knocked gems into the ground. Blue turned to Yellow. "Well...there's my answer." The two clasped hands, staring at each other in confusion. "What do we do?" Yellow asked.

"Just dance!" Star called, slashing her new ax through a Topaz fusion. "That usually works for Steven!" Blue and Yellow looked back at each other, still holding hands. Star turned back to the Topaz. Shoving the fusion away, Star sliced through her repeatedly. The Topaz disappeared in a flash. Another fusion approached them. This time an Amethyst, much taller than the previous fusions. Star took a few steps back. Their back pressed against something and they turned to see a massive green gem backed up against them. The gem had two diamonds on their chest and Yellow's helmet. The two turned back to their opponents. They kept their backs to each other as they slashed at their opponents. Suddenly, Star felt a small weight on their shoulder. Kicking away their opponent they turned just as the weight disappeared. Pink Pearl leaped from Star's shoulder, toward an Amethyst fusion that stood dangerously close to Star. Pink Pearl slashed the Amethyst's face, landing on her head. The Amethyst disappeared with a poof just as Pink Pearl flashed a smile at Star. They returned the smile. Star whipped around, baring their weapon and snarling. Three more fusions hobbled toward them, their forms constantly flickering like a light switch.

"Come at me!" Green Diamond snarled. Star pressed closer to her, swinging their ax like a propeller.

"Steven?! White?!" A voice exclaimed from below. Star glanced down. Amethyst and Pearl stared up at them with dropped jaws.

"Woah, guys is that you?!" Amethyst gasped. "You-you fused?!"

"Yeah," Star replied.

Garnet paused beside them. "Huh, you two look...good."

"Garnet, did you know this would happen?!" Pearl demanded.

"It was a very unlikely possibility," Garnet admitted.

"Forget that we have a battle to win!" Amethyst exclaimed, flinging her whips forward. Pearl and Garnet leaped to her side. The three flung themselves at a huge fusion, only to be kicked away like a football. Star leaned down, catching the three in their hand. They jumped back to the ground.

"Maybe we should do this together," Amethyst suggested.

"Good idea," Pearl replied.

"I'm in," Garnet replied. The three began their dance. Pearl jumped and twirled, grace in her every step. Amethyst and Garnet were a stark contrast: Garnet's arms moved in all sorts of directions while Amethyst shook her hips. The three joined in the center, their bodies lighting up upon touching. The light blurred together into one figure: Alexandrite. The fusion leaned against Star. Alexandrite in comparison was maybe half of Star's height if even that. A small figure also hovered beside them. Star squinted. Peridot sat squarely on Lapis's shoulders, their arms wrapped around each other. Blue Pearl, Yellow Pearl, Pink Pearl, and Connie jumped to their shoulders. Jasper stood at the diamonds' feet. They all bared their weapons. Rows of same gem fusions surrounded the group at every side.

"Come at us!" Star added, winking up at Green. The Crystal gems dashed forward. The same gem fusions stood their ground. Weapons clashed, forms poofed, gems fell to the floor. Star thrashed their weapon around, slicing through an innumerable amount of gems. However, they were still careful to bubble each gem. This was a battle to save gems, not destroy them, no matter what side they stood on. With two diamond fusions, however, the tables had very clearly turned. Massive gems were going down in seconds, even with the advantage of higher numbers. Star observed the battlefield. Suddenly, they caught something pink out of the corner of their eye. Gazing into the city, Star noticed a pink figure, standing by an open window of a distant building.

"Morganite!" They exclaimed.

Suddenly, Star separated into two forms. Steven gasped as he plummeted down. Before he could hit the ground, a bright hand appeared below him.

"Steven are you okay?!" White exclaimed.

He nodded. "White, I need you to throw me at that window."

"What?!" she exclaimed.

"I'm going to break through it with my sword and fight Morganite head-on," Steven answered. "It's the fastest way to end this!"

"Are you sure you can take her on all by yourself?" White asked.

"I have to try," Steven replied. "It's my fault any of this is happening. I have to make it right again!"

White's expression softened. "Very well. Just be careful. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, Steven." His eyes watered before he nodded. White's hand slowly raised. "Are you ready?" Steven pointed his sword at the distant window.

"Yes," he nodded.

"Okay…" White raised her hand more.

"Wait!" A new voice called. Steven and White both glanced at the ground. Connie stood far below, waving her arms wildly.

"Connie!" Steven called. He glanced up at White. She immediately lowered her hands to the ground in front of Connie. "I saw Morganite in the window. I'm going to fight her, head-on."

"On your own?!" Connie exclaimed. "No way. If you're going, then I'm going too!" Connie leaped beside him. White stood up, careful not to drop them.

"Are you really sure about this?" White asked. "I mean...you humans are fragile and all."

"I'll be fine," Connie replied, pulling out her sword. White let out a sigh. As she raised her hand, Steven and Connie grabbed each other's hands.

"Ready?" White murmured. They nodded. "Alright." With one swing, Steven and Connie zipped through the air. They pointed their swords at the window. Eyes closed, they prepared for impact. Steven's eyes popped open at the sound of glass shattering behind them. Morganite turned with a gasp.

"Oh come on!" she exclaimed. "I just got that window repaired."

"Morganite!" Steven put away his sword. Connie copied him. "We don't want to fight. Just listen to us!"

Morganite let out a cackle. "And why should I listen to you? You are all beneath me, pathetic underlings!" A light emitted from the back of her head. "I'm putting you all in your rightful place." Suddenly, her flail swung toward the pair.

"Watch out!" Connie gasped. Leaping in front, her sword brought the flail to a screeching halt. The spike slammed to the ground, leaving a dent in the floor. Sliding toward Morganite, Steven drew his weapon. Morganite turned to him. Her flail twirled in the air before swinging at him again. Connie slid toward them. Just before Morganite's flail could hit, Steven's bubble materialized around him and Connie.

"Did you actually have a plan?" she asked.

"I wanted to reason with her," Steven replied, struggling to keep the bubble up. Morganite was swinging wildly at the pink forcefield. At this rate, it would surely pop. "But if she won't listen...we'll have to poof her."

"We'll need to catch her off guard," Connie murmured. Drawing their swords again, Steven allowed the bubble to drop. Morganite swung her flail. They jumped to each side, narrowly avoiding the spikes. Connie dashed toward her. She leaped all around Morganite, dodging each attack flawlessly yet never managing to land a hit of her own. Steven leaped toward Morganite, on the opposite side of Connie. Even with two opponents, Morganite still never got hit. It was an endless cycle. Morganite let out a screech before swinging her flail around in a circle. Steven jumped back, the spikes narrowly missing his gem. A yowl erupted from beside him. Steven turned to see Connie, sliding over the floor.

"Connie!" he gasped, immediately booking toward her. "Connie, are you okay?!" She sat up with a grunt, gripping her side.

"I'll be fine," she replied, her eyes still clearly filled with pain.

"Give up yet defects?!" Morganite taunted. Steven glared at her with more rage than he had ever felt in his entire life.

"Never," he growled.

Morganite's eyes narrowed. "Then make your last words good." She charged at Steven, her flail dragging behind her on the ground. Thinking fast, Steven jumped above Morganite, the blade of his sword pointed over her head. In one swift movement, he sliced through her. A horrible screech filled the air as Steven landed. Morganite's eyes were wide with horror. Her physical form glitched and filled with cracks before disappearing with an explosion. Her gem fell to the floor with three clanks. Three...but Morganite isn't…When the smoke cleared, Steven let out a gasp of horror. Before him, laid three pink shards.

"Steven, what did you do?!" Connie gasped. Steven couldn't muster up a reply. All he could do was stare at the shards. The only thing that remained of Morganite, a living being, was a few useless shards.

"Steven!" Pearl called.

"We're here! We're coming to help-" The three gems skidded to a halt.

"Where's Morganite?" Pearl asked. "Did she get away?!" Steven took the shards in his hands. Turning to Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, he revealed them. They gasped.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Steven's eyes began to water.

"It's fine Steven." Pearl's voice was soft.

"No, it's not!" Steven exclaimed. "I shattered someone!"

"It was prolly the only way to end it, dude," Amethyst admitted. "She didn't seem like the peaceful type."

"That doesn't mean she deserved to die!" Steven cried.

"No one does," Garnet replied. She took the shards, instantly putting them in a bubble. "But now, we can end all of this." Garnet left the room with the shards.

Pearl kneeled down, resting her hand on Steven's shoulder. "Steven, there's no use dreading on this. It's already done. Nothing you can do will change that."

Suddenly, another thought hit Steven. "Connie….Connie! She's hurt!" Connie was leaning against a wall, still gripping her side.

Pearl's eyes widened. "Oh no!" She rushed toward Connie, frantically pulling bandages out of her gem. Steven fell to his knees. He stared blankly at the ground, Connie and Pearl's conversation barely registering. His thoughts were rushing with guilt.

"Steven!" a new voice called. Steven's head barely titled as he glanced up. White was peering through the window. Behind her, stood Yellow and Blue. "Garnet told us what happened."

"Yes, you won!" Yellow exclaimed.

"Won?!" Steven growled. "I-I shattered her!"

"Isn't that a good thing?" Blue murmured.

"Good?!" His eyes blazed with fury. "She's gone, never coming back! She could've been a better gem but now we'll never know...because of me!" Steven could feel his heart pounding when he stopped.

"It was for the good of Homeworld," White replied. "If she had continued to rule, who knows how many innocent gems she would've shattered."

"I agree," Yellow added, "Even if you think shattering is extreme, it's good for all of us that this is over." White glanced at Yellow, her eyes wide.

Blue stepped forward. "White...we wanted to talk to you."

White was silent for a good moment. "Okay."

"We're still not over you mind controlling us," Yellow grunted.

"I wouldn't expect you to be."

Yellow took a step closer. "But, we know you won't do it again." Both Steven and White's eyes widened.

"We're sorry we acted cold before," Blue replied. "We do love you White, we always have."

"I guess we're saying that…" Yellow paused.

Blue stepped closer, resting her hand on Yellow's shoulder. "We forgive you."

"I...I…" White's cheeks glowed bright pink. Yellow and Blue exchanged a glance before stepping forward and wrapping their arms around her. White's eyes were wider than lakes. She glanced at Steven, who gave a small nod. Shaking, White returned the hug. Steven couldn't resist smiling. After a few moments, the three backed out of the hug.

"Come on Steven," White held out her hand. "The rest of Homeworld will want to hear of your victory." With that, Steven's smile immediately disappeared.

"Right...victory." He stepped onto White's hand. As the group walked, Steven's mind wandered back to the shattering. What was I thinking, striking her like that?! Of course, she was shattered, her gem was on the back of her head!

"Steven?" Flinching, Steven glanced up at White. "What's wrong?"

"I don't really want to face all of Homeworld right now," Steven sighed. White's gaze softened.

"I'll take you back," she offered. "Blue, Yellow, you can go on ahead."

"Steven," Blue turned to him, her eyes filled with worry. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Steven lied. "Just not up to...you know...being in front of people." White leaned toward Yellow and Blue and whispered something. She looked back at Steven. Steven avoided White's gaze as she walked them back.

"Steven…" White placed Steven down somewhere high up. He looked up, right into her ocean eyes. "Can you...tell me what's wrong?" Steven still didn't reply. "Are you still thinking about Morganite?"

Well it did just happen. Steven bit back the reply. "Yeah…" he sighed. "I know shattering her ended the war but...there had to have been a better way. Shattering is just...wrong." Steven fell to the ground on his knees. "How am I any better than her? We both did the same thing except...I'm deemed a hero for it." White lifted Steven's chin with her finger, practically forcing Steven to look into her eyes.

"You are nothing like Morganite," She insisted. "She shattered gems simply for existing...you shattered her to save all of us. Even if it was extreme, what's done is done. There's nothing you can do now."

"But that doesn't make it right."

White nodded. "Not every action is completely right or wrong...Steven, even if you did a bad thing, it doesn't make you bad. Please don't beat yourself up over this. If you're going to hate anyone, it should be me. I shattered countless gems, but you don't hate me. So why should you hate yourself?!" Tears were forming in White's eyes.

"Woah...White…are you okay?" Wink a blink, puddles of tears poured from White's eyes.

"I'm fine," she answered, wiping away her tears. "I'm worried about you, Steven. You're so young...and you've been through so much. I wish you didn't have to go through any of this but since you are, I want you to know...that I'll support you no matter what. I'll be there for you...in the way I should've been for Pink."

"White…" Steven's eyes were now watering. "You don't have to-"

"I know," she interrupted. "But I want to." She held her hands out in front of him. Steven stepped on. Pulling him close, White pressed Steven against her cheek. He could feel her smile as he extended his arms.