Chapter 24: Endeavor

Summary:

In which Blue tries speaking up

"Are you sure you want to go?" His arms held her close, as if trying to keep her there just a moment longer. She knew he could see right through her—knew she was hesitating, that a part of her wanted to stay. He knew her too well by now.

"It must be done."

His embrace was as soft as clouds, his lips a fleeting escape from all her worries.

"Can we stay like this forever?" He had a habit of saying the oddest things, but even in bittersweet moments, he never failed to make her smile.

"I wish we could."

Blue would never forget the look in his warm, chocolate-brown eyes—the way their slight sharpness softened, pupils rounding like a kitten silently begging her to stay.

A sudden jolt snapped her back to reality. She sat up, heart pounding, eyes locking onto the sight of Homeworld. Her free hand clenched the edge of her armrest, ignoring the crack that formed beneath her grip. How was it possible to feel both relief and dread at the same time? She was finally home, back with the ones who raised her—yet she was about to face the one being she had never even met before.

The ship landed with a quiet hum, and in the center of the docking area stood White Diamond's ship. A wave of nausea twisted her stomach.

Then, on the screen, she saw them—two familiar figures. For a brief moment, all her worries melted away.

Tears welled in her eyes as she shut off the engine and rushed to exit the ship.

"Welcome home, my Diamond."

Pearl and Amethyst saluted in unison, their voices steady. Affection wasn't proper for a Diamond, but in that moment, she didn't care.

Leaping from her ship, she bolted forward, tackling Pearl into a tight embrace.

"I missed you so much."

Pearl giggled, returning the hug without hesitation. With her face buried against her elder's chest, Blue blindly reached out, grasping for Amethyst. The purple gem didn't need to be told twice. Without hesitation, she wrapped her large, muscular arms around them both, completing the embrace.

Their warmth wasn't the same as Steven's—but it was no less loving. This was family. A love as deep and steady as the earth beneath her feet.

But as much as she wanted to stay in their arms, something had to be done.

She pulled back, taking a breath. "I have to talk to White."

Both of them tensed, just as she expected. Protest was inevitable.

"I know it's not wise, but I have to try."

She saw it in their faces—pale, fearful, unwilling. She knew they would do anything to stop her.

"Please. I beg of you."

Amethyst's muscles flexed as if she were ready to pick Blue up and drag her away. But before she could, Pearl did something unexpected.

"I understand."

Amethyst turned to her in shock. But Pearl, ever perceptive, could feel the desperation in Blue's voice. Whatever had happened on Earth had changed her.

Pearl's gaze shifted to White Diamond's ship, towering and lifeless. It had been so long since White had emerged. Could Blue even get inside?

Blue offered a small, grateful smile.

"But remember what we warned you," Pearl said.

Blue nodded. She remembered all too well.

Straightening her posture, she stepped forward, toward the looming ship. With each step, the weight in her chest grew heavier. The closer she got, the worse the nausea became. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to turn back.

But she couldn't.

Her fingers twitched. Her palms were damp. Her pace quickened.

Were the ship's eyes following her?

There were no visible entryways—no doors, no windows, no scanners. Nothing.

So she did the only thing she could.

She knocked.

"White Diamond, we need to talk."

She pounded her fist against the ship's smooth, unyielding surface. Unlike Earth metals, Homeworld's structure did not bend to her strength. Even as she hit harder, there was no dent, no sign of impact. She wasn't trying to destroy anything—just make White listen.

"Please, White! Answer me!"

Behind her, Pearl and Amethyst exchanged wary glances, scanning for any sign of movement. Had the ship's eyes shifted? Was anything happening at all?

Blue's knuckles ached, but she barely noticed. Frustration burned in her chest, and she slammed her fist again.

"WHITE!"

Silence.

Pearl bowed her head, shaking it slightly. She had expected this.

The only question now was, how long would Blue keep trying before realizing it was futile?

Then—

"Pearl, look."

Amethyst nudged Pearl, eyes wide with shock.

At the very top of the ship, something was descending.

A bubble.

Dense, opaque, revealing nothing inside.

Amethyst yanked Blue back just in time.

She opened her mouth to protest—to demand one more chance—but then she saw it too.

The bubble landed gently where she had just been standing.

It was… small.

"This isn't White Diamond," Pearl whispered, standing close beside Blue. Her eyes flickered between her Diamond and the strange white bubble before them.

Then who was it?

The unbubbling process felt agonizingly slow. Instead of popping, the bubble simply sank into the ground, revealing a Pearl.

At first glance, she seemed like any other—neatly styled hair tied into cute buns, an appearance fitting for a typical Pearl. But then Blue's gaze landed on her most striking feature: a deep, jagged scar where her left eye once was.

A broken Pearl wasn't unheard of. Blue had seen many before.

And yet—

Blue's breath caught in her throat.

Something was wrong.

Amethyst, sensing her Diamond's tension, released her and moved behind her, standing at attention as her status demanded.

This Pearl was entirely devoid of color, an eerie, ghostly figure. Her single lifeless eye locked onto Blue, her eternal, unwavering smile frozen in place—despite the cracks running jaggedly across the left side of her face.

A cold weight settled in Blue's stomach, spreading through her veins like ice.

She had called out to White. She had pounded on the doors, begged for an audience. And now, standing before White's Pearl, she found herself unable to speak.

She should be relieved—thrilled, even. This was still a connection to White. If nothing else, speaking to her Pearl might get White's attention.

Yet—

Silence.

A numb, hollow silence.

Staring at this Pearl was like staring at a blank screen. But instead of entertainment, all she felt was... emptiness.

Her hands trembled at her sides, sweat dripping down the sides of her face, but she hardly noticed.

"White Diamond cannot be seen at this time," the Pearl chirped in a light, sing-song tone.

It was all wrong. There was nothing happy about her voice.

Blue sucked in a sharp breath, feeling it catch in her throat.

"We understand," Blue's Pearl answered, her voice steady, controlled.

The moment the words left her mouth, White Pearl's smile widened. Her single eye shut in satisfaction.

"Good, good."

Without another word, the bubble reformed around her, and just as effortlessly as it had appeared, it phased back into the walls of White Diamond's ship.

For a long, weighted moment, silence hung over them.

Then—

Both Pearl and Amethyst exhaled sharply, releasing the breaths they hadn't realized they were holding.

"That could've gone better," Amethyst muttered.

Pearl nodded, her composure slipping.

Then she gasped.

"My Diamond!"

Blue collapsed to her knees without warning.

They were at her side in an instant, kneeling beside her, hands reaching out in concern.

But Blue wasn't with them anymore.

Her eyes were glazed over, unfocused, staring at nothing. Her mind felt miles away.

Nothing.

That was the only word she could grasp.

Nothing.

It wasn't just what she saw in White's Pearl—it was what she felt.

Hollow.

Empty.

Gems were manifestations of light, but every one of them had something inside them. Feelings, thoughts—sadness, joy, anger, contentment. Even Yellow, for all her walls, still felt. Even the Zoomens, the Amethysts, her Pearl—no matter how much they tried to hide their emotions, they had them.

But this Pearl—

She wasn't hiding anything.

She simply had nothing.

Blue clutched at herself, arms wrapping around her own body as she trembled.

If White's Pearl could make her feel like this...

She didn't even want to imagine what White Diamond herself would be like.

=======

Steven sat by the beach, absentmindedly twirling the fake flower Blue had worn at the wedding between his fingers. His gaze drifted upward, lost in the vast sky.

She had been so apprehensive about going home.

"I have to talk to White," she had told him, determination gleaming in her eyes.

At least she was persistent—even when she doubted herself.

Steven let out a wistful sigh. Maybe… maybe he should have gone with her. Just to be there. To support her.

But then again, he still needed to talk to the Gems about everything. He should have done it yesterday when they all gathered to ask Bismuth about making a room for Blue in the temple. Back when she was still on Earth and they had a ship.

Now? The Ruby ship was long gone—stolen by that one Ruby. Navy.

Oh. Wait.

He could just talk to the Gems now and call Blue using the Diamond Line. Ask her to send a ship.

That is, if she even answered.

What if she was too caught up with White Diamond? What if she confessed the whole truth to Yellow? What if Yellow punished her for keeping such a huge secret?

Would she even do that?

Steven didn't know Yellow Diamond personally. He'd only seen her once—when Peridot called her a clod. And Blue hadn't said much about her, either. Something about being strict but loving? So… maybe she wouldn't punish her?

He sighed, bowing his head in frustration. Maybe he should talk to Garnet.

"Hey, Steven."

A voice broke through his thoughts. He glanced over his shoulder to see Bismuth approaching, her usual wide grin in place.

"Hey, Bismuth," he replied, turning his eyes back to the sky.

She frowned, scanning the beach. He was alone. That was unusual. Ever since reforming, he and Blue had been practically glued together. She even thought they were about to fuse at Garnet's wedding.

Was something wrong between them?

She leaned against the stone hand instead of sitting next to him, giving him space. "What's wrong?"

"Blue went back to Homeworld," he said.

Bismuth bolted upright.

"WHAT?!"

Her outburst startled him, and he shot her a dumbfounded look.

"I thought she was a Crystal Gem! I thought she left Homeworld to fight against it—just like the rest of us!" she exclaimed, frustration clear in her voice.

Oh.

Steven realized the misunderstanding immediately. She probably thought Blue had defected permanently—tried to fix things back on Homeworld, failed, and then fully joined their cause.

"Blue's not done fighting," he explained, shaking his head. "She went back to try and talk to White about curing the corrupted Gems. We need all the Diamonds to fix them."

Bismuth's expression remained tense, still trying to piece it together.

Steven chuckled at the irony. "Blue never abandoned Homeworld. She just came to Earth to take a break and rethink her strategy on how to deal with the Diamonds."

He fell quiet, his eyes drifting back to the stars.

"She wants to stop colonizing planets," he murmured. "But she doesn't think Yellow will let her."

A bitter laugh escaped his lips.

"Not that I blame her. I mean… look at what happened to my mom."

History was repeating itself.

And Steven had no idea what to do about it.

Bismuth took a slow breath, letting the weight of Steven's words settle.

So, in short, Blue had been secretly helping him all this time—while still tied to Homeworld.

She grimaced. If the Diamonds hadn't listened to Pink, a full-fledged Diamond, then Blue had even less of a chance. Especially since she was half-human, and gems—at least the ones still loyal to Homeworld—had little respect for organics. They probably only followed her because she was part-Diamond and happened to look just like her mother.

No wonder she fled to Earth.

Bismuth barely held back a sly grin. There was probably another reason Blue came to Earth, and that reason was standing right in front of her—this little meatball who was clearly missing her. During the entire wedding process, she'd seen the way those two acted. Just like Ruby and Sapphire, with their kissy faces and long, longing gazes.

Ruby and Sapphire couldn't stay apart for more than two seconds. At least Blue and Steven managed to function separately, though they still stole glances and light kisses whenever they could.

Steven lifted the fake flower to his nose, inhaling the faint traces of Blue's perfume. The memory of her anxious face flashed through his mind. He should have gone with her. Even if he didn't know Homeworld as well as she did, he could still help.

"I need to talk to the Gems," he murmured, brows knitting together. And then he needed to find the Diamond Line.

He turned toward Bismuth, his expression suddenly determined. She blinked, taken aback—whoa. That was unexpected. Curious, she subtly stood straighter, waiting for him to speak.

"Are the Gems still inside?"

"Yeah," she answered, following as he headed toward the beach house.

Inside, Pearl was putting away dishes, Amethyst was immersed in a video game, and Garnet—who had been about to retreat to her room—paused, sensing Steven's approach.

Future Vision. Scary sometimes.

"I need to tell you guys something," Steven announced.

Everyone turned toward him. Well, Amethyst didn't stop playing, but she did flick her eyes toward him in acknowledgment.

Steven took a steadying breath. In the short walk from the stone hand on the beach back to the house, he'd thought long and hard about what he was about to say.

"Since I'm half-Diamond… how would you feel if I went to Homeworld?"

The reaction was instant.

Pearl dropped the pot she was holding. Amethyst's character died on-screen.

Garnet remained physically still.

Steven didn't check Bismuth's reaction. He didn't need to.

"Are you serious?" Amethyst sat up straighter, her game completely forgotten.

"Steven, you can't," Pearl protested, rushing toward him. "You don't know that place like Blue does."

Steven frowned as her strong, bony hands gripped his shoulders.

They all knew he was a Diamond now. Pearl had known from the beginning, and yet she still undermined him.

"Blue needs me," he countered, stepping back from her grasp. "She's trying to tell the truth to Yellow and White, but what if she needs proof? She's helped us so much—what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't have her back?"

Silence.

He'd made a point they couldn't counter.

Except… why did Pearl look paler than usual?

"Steven," she said, voice quiet as she stepped closer. "I very much doubt even Blue has met her. White Diamond isn't like us. She isn't even like Yellow. Neither of you know what she's capable of."****"

A visible shudder ran through her. The idea of Blue going alone against White clearly terrified her.

Steven clenched his fists. "I still have to try."

Pearl bit her lip, then turned to Garnet, silently pleading for support.

Garnet stood as still as a statue for a solid minute. Then, she adjusted her visor.

"Call her."

That was as close to permission as Steven was going to get.

He exhaled in relief. "Thank you. I'll be back."

Steven hurried up the stairs to his room, where the Diamond Line rested on his dresser beside his charging phone. He grabbed the larger device and rushed back downstairs, the air thick with tension.

With practiced ease, he twisted the Diamond-shaped communicator.

They waited.

=======

Hunched over the waste bowl—toilet—with her hair held back, Blue heaved. Tears formed in her eyes before she emptied what little remained of her dinner.

Pearl, unfazed by the display, calmly rubbed Blue's back. "It will pass," she reassured gently.

This was all part of being half-organic, though Pearl suspected White's Pearl also had something to do with Blue's current state. The young Diamond remembered what that Pearl once looked like. It was tragic what had happened to her.

By the doorway, Amethyst hovered awkwardly, torn between comforting the sick girl and suppressing her own gag reflex. This wasn't the first time this had happened, but that didn't make it easier to stomach.

When nothing was left, Blue rinsed her mouth before resting in bed as instructed.

"I have to talk to Yellow," she said as Pearl handed her a cup of steaming red liquid. It wasn't exactly tea—not from Earth, anyway—but it came from a plant.

"Pink faked her shattering. My mate is her offspring."

She lightly blew on the drink before taking a sip.

Pearl stiffened. Next to her, so did Amethyst.

So this was why Blue had been so desperate to talk to White—before being intimidated by White's Pearl.

Amethyst opened her mouth, likely to ask something—Holy stars, that's a secret NO ONE saw coming—but Pearl shot her a sharp look, silencing her.

Blue was sensitive during these times. Pushing her would only make things worse.

But calling Yellow right now wouldn't help.

For one, Yellow might not believe her.

For another, Yellow knew Blue was in her organic cycle. She might dismiss everything Blue said as emotional instability. Or, worse, she might not answer at all—too busy managing her own colony.

Oblivious to Pearl's internal debate, Blue set her cup down and sifted through her mountain of pillows and blankets, searching for the Diamond Line. Finding it, she retrieved it with steady hands, though she was still shaken.

But Yellow was nothing like that Pearl.

That thought alone gave her confidence.

Pearl wanted to object, but this wasn't a battle she could win. Let her Diamond do what she feels is right. Help her with the aftermath later.

With a sigh, she tugged Amethyst aside and whispered something to her as Blue twisted the diamond. Amethyst nodded and slipped out just as the yellow screen activated, static flickering before stabilizing.

Pearl appeared first, her expression shifting from stern to submissive the instant she saw who was calling. She turned away, saluting.

"My Diamond, Blue Diamond is on the line."

Muffled words—Yellow responding, likely focused on something else. Then the screen blurred as it moved, refocusing on Yellow herself.

"What's the matter, Blue?"

She barely spared Blue a glance, her sharp eyes scanning something offscreen. Her expression crinkled slightly—something she saw displeased her.

Blue inhaled deeply. "I want to talk about Pink."

Yellow's gaze snapped to her, irritated.

"There's nothing to talk about." Her tone was cold, clipped.

Even through the screen, Blue felt the anger brewing.

"But it's important." She pressed on. "I've been to Earth, and I found—"

"You went to Earth once." Yellow interrupted, exasperated. "Don't tell me you went back just to collect moreplaymates?"

Blue's silvery-blue hair bristled. Perhaps she should have started with Pink wasn't shattered.

"You're not listening." Her voice rose. "Pink was not shattered. She—"

"Everyone saw it, Blue." Yellow's voice hardened.

Blue could feel the yelling coming, but she refused to back down.

"I understand, but what you—"

"ENOUGH OF THIS, BLUE!"

Frustration boiled inside her.

Why won't she listen?!

Onscreen, Yellow's expression turned to stone. She was done entertaining this conversation.

"Do not call back until this 'menstrual cycle' of yours is over." Her voice was flat, dismissive. "Clearly, you can't think straight when this organic cycle occurs."

Heat rose to Blue's face—not from embarrassment, but from rage.

Yes, she was on her cycle. But that had NOTHING to do with Pink! NOTHING to do with the truth she was trying to tell!

Her eyelid twitched. "JUST LISTEN—"

The screen cut to black.

Yellow had hung up.

The Diamond Line dropped onto Blue's lap. She stared at it, frozen in shock.

She had tried. She had prepared herself. She had hoped that speaking the truth would get Yellow's attention.

But she never even got to speak.

A shaky breath hitched in her throat.

Pearl sighed quietly. Right on cue, Amethyst returned, carrying a pink whale plushie. Without a word, she handed it to Blue, who clutched it tightly as frustrated tears spilled down her cheeks.

Pearl gently took the Diamond Line away, then silently left the room, giving her Diamond space to cry.

She had known this would happen.

Yellow never liked talking about Pink. She liked talking about the original Blue Diamond even less.

She had lost one loved one. Then another. And the only way she knew how to cope was by throwing herself into work.

That didn't mean she didn't care for Blue. She did.

That was why she demanded Pearl send updates on the young Diamond's biological well-being whenever she was away. It was Yellow's way of making sure nothing bad happened to her.

But that same overprotectiveness made her dismiss everything else.

She didn't know Blue had gone to Earth.

She didn't know Blue had fallen in love.

Because Pearl had intentionally left those details out.

The Diamond Line flashed again.

Pearl doubted it was Yellow, but she answered anyway.

The screen lit up with Steven's face. He smiled and waved.

"Hi, Pearl."

"Hello, Steven," she greeted politely, though her expression remained reserved.

"Is Blue there yet?"

Pearl frowned. "It's not the best time."

Next to her, Amethyst popped into view. "She got spooked by White Diamond's Pearl, and Yellow won't talk to her."

In the background, the faint sound of muffled sobs drifted through the halls.

Steven grimaced.

Guess Crystal Gem Pearl was right.

"Is White really that bad?" He hesitated, thinking back to what they said earlier. White's Pearl had spooked Blue—not White herself.

What exactly had she done?

Pearl's expression darkened. "You don't know half of it."

Steven swallowed. "Yeesh."

Still, he wanted to go to Homeworld.

"Is there a way I can get there? Maybe she needs proof—"

"NO WAY!" Amethyst yelled.

Pearl elbowed her hard in the stomach, shooting her a glare.

"Simply put, none of us want to put you in danger," Pearl said, rubbing her temple.

So Blue had told them the truth. At least that was one less thing to explain.

Steven exhaled. "I just want to help her."

The two Gems exchanged glances. Stubborn. Just like Blue.

But it wasn't their call.

"Call back in seven days," Pearl coaxed. "Our Diamond will be in a better state of mind by then. We can discuss this again."

Steven sagged in defeat. At least it wasn't an outright no.

"I get it. Hope Blue feels better."

He ended the call.

What had happened on Homeworld?

And what was he supposed to do now?

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

"We have to leave."

He turned to see Garnet approaching.

"There's a corrupted gem in the north."

Right.

The wedding was over.

Time to get back to work.

Steven, Bismuth, and the others stepped onto the warp pad.

In a flash, they were gone.