In the middle of helping the town clean up, I saw Lars and Sadie arguing about something. They’re across the street so I can’t really hear them, and they seem to be whispering, but they’re clearly in some sort of heated debate. Now, the right thing to do would be to mind my own business and to continue helping fix the damages. However, the more interesting thing to do would be to try to sneak close enough to know what the big deal is.

Now, what should I do? Two choices, both have their pros and cons. Hmm, this is a toughie....Welp. Option two it is. It was a tough fight, but a winner came through. I obviously begin making my way closer nonchalantly. I decide to hide behind a piece of the giant eye that has yet to be removed from the middle of the street. Peaking could get me caught, so I just lean my back against the debris and strain my ears.

“-dangerous!” I overhear Lars yell-whisper. I didn’t catch the beginning of his sentence but I could enfer that they must be talking about what just happened. If he is, I can’t disagree, even if the Gems ended up handling everything ourselves, people still could’ve gotten hurt. If there was a single man or woman standing where I am when we blew up the eye...or even a child...a life would have ended today.

“Lars! We can’t just assume that this is Steven’s friends fault! It looks like they’re the ones who destroyed the thing in the first place. What if they weren’t here? Things could have gotten even worse.” Sadie defends...us? Is that bastard seriously blaming us for all of this? We saved him, we saved all of them! This...ungrateful...fuck.

“Oh really? Whose fault is it then huh? Does the shit happen anywhere else? Do you see, “Giant Eyeball above Chicago”? No! It’s only here, and it’s here, because they’re here! We wouldn’t need saving if that thing probably didn’t come looking for those freaks in the first place. You have to help me get them out of here, the town at the very least.”

“Oh really?” I ask while finally moving from my hiding spot. Nope. This shit isn’t going to slide. Not while I’m here. “Is that what you really think Lars? That this- all of this crap, is only happening because we’re here? If we weren’t here, do you know what would have happened? Even before the giant scrap we’re all cleaning up, if the Gems weren’t here, the aliens who attacked us would’ve-”

“Turned Earth into a colony? Yeah, I’m 17, I pay attention enough in school to at least know about the Thousand Year War. But that doesn’t mean anything! The only thing we know about why those freaks wanted to conquer Earth were things your friends told us. How do we know it wasn’t all made up? What if the reason the aliens came to Earth wasn’t to colonize, but to chase after you? What I do know is that people almost died today, and someone needs to accept the blame.”

...Huh? Hold on...what?! They teach about The Gem War here in schools? I don’t remember that ever being a thing in the show, no, I’m sure it wasn’t. I would have remembered something like that. What is going on here? I couldn’t have changed things that much that something that happened over 5 thousand years ago was affected. Am I in some kind of AU instead of the original universe?

“If you’re taught about the Gem War then you know how bad things could have been. Why would the Crystal Gems fight to protect this planet if they were only being chased? Wouldn’t they just leave once they were found out? Why risk their lives at all for people who they don’t know or care about if this rock we call home was nothing more than a hiding spot?” I ask in frustration.

“I-I don’t know. But-” before he could continue, Sadie grabs his wrist and shakes her head. “Lars that’s enough, even if you’re right, this isn’t Steven’s fault. He wasn’t even born when all that stuff happened and he helped save all of us anyway. Let’s just drop all of this alright? Arguing isn’t going to solve anything.”

“She’s right.” I say with a sigh. “Look, I can’t say for sure what happened back then but that doesn’t change anything. If you’re right, if you’re wrong, none of that matters now. Gems fought and died to protect this place. This is our home too, and we’ll keep protecting it as long as we call it so.”

“And if it’s not anymore? If we kick you out? Out of our town? Off our planet? What then?” he glares at me with gritted teeth. This caught me off guard, but it shouldn’t have. It makes too much sense to ignore. How do the Gems get money for food and stuff for Steven? They apparently have money, because Pearl went back to pay for the ice cream in episode one. Well, they probably made a deal with the local government. There’s no way the entire Earth could be at war for a thousand years and no one not know about it.

“If we leave, forced or otherwise, to find a new place to call home-” I look up at him in the eye and smile. “Then it’s not our problem what happens here, now is it?” I hear Sadie gasp at my threat. “The Earth will have to fight its own battle against the entire galaxy. And I hope you’d all be ready to fight for a very long time, because many aliens out there are immortal. 1 of 2 things will happen. You get conquered immediately with how far Earth is behind the rest of the Universe, or a war begins that’s so long it’ll make the Gem War look like a school spat.”

I leave, and begin making my way home with a lot to think about. The humans know about the Gem War, but, well of course they do. It’s a war that had the entire world on the line, why wouldn’t they know about it. The question is, does this change anything? Lars was always a little shit, but was he also always so hostile and Steven just never noticed? He was a kid after all. Not to mention, Sadie probably kept him in check.

Another question that forms is if he’s actually right. I mean, I want to say he isn’t but anyone who actually watched the show can tell you that Rose really wasn’t the greatest person. She was an immortal child princess who had a human zoo, did she want to protect the planet because her views on life changed, or she wanted to keep her new favorite toy.

This is too much right now. If this actually is an AU then that means I’m fucked. Yes, life will be less predictable but that very same predictability was a safety net. I knew what was coming if it was important, now though? Anything can happen, and I’m not a man who likes surprises. I mean, unless they’re good. Then I don’t mind. But this situation doesn’t fit in that category.

I finally made it to my house and began making my way up the stairs when I realised some more bad news. In my anger, I totally broke character. Badly. Steven is supposed to be this sweet and innocent child, and I just got done threatening one of my supposed ‘friends’ with the destruction of the entire world if he made trouble for us. Which, admittedly is fine, I just wish Sadie wasn’t there. I need to talk to her sooner rather than later. Bad impressions tend to stick around a lot longer than good ones.

Shaking the bad thoughts away, I see Pearl and Garnet talking in the living room. I’m a little hesitant to approach the fusion after fucking up the script so badly earlier but if I don’t get my mind settles soon my head will explode. So with a deep breath for courage I approach them both with a smile.

“Hey guys, I was wondering if I could ask you some questions real quick. Won’t take up too much time, promise.” I casually say while trying to stay away from Garnet’s gaze as much as possible. Even with the shades, I can just tell that all three of her eyes are focused on me right now.

“Oh Steven? Sure. What do you need to know?” Pearl happily asks. I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. Things between me and her have been good lately. Or, I mean, better than usual. Not that I’ve been here long or anything but still. I always try to take at least an hour out of my day to talk to her about anything and everything. Sometimes our talks are the highlight of my entire night.

“Well, this has kind of gotten me worried. I mean, that giant eyeball thingy. The “Red Eye”, it came looking for us right? We stopped them this time, but will they stop coming that easily? No, sorry, that’s not it.” I say nervously while scratching the back of my head. “A friend and I were talking, and he said that this might be all our fault.”

"What? Who would say something like that? We've helped protect this planet for thousands of years." Pearl says appalled at the thought. I don't know if I should even bring this up to them right now, but I need more information. I need to know the history if I'm going to plan my future interactions with Gems and Diamonds.

"Who it is doesn't really matter much, but what he said did get me thinking. Why did the Crystal Gems come to Earth? Why here? Out of all the planets in the universe why choose this one? And what happened?" I ask, looking up at both of them for an answer. I notice Pearl stiffen a bit at the question. She knows, without a doubt she knows. She has been with Rose since the beginning after all, but it’s that very last question that I actually need an answer too.

"I wasn't with the group at the very beginning, but Rose was someone who believed all life is precious. And that they deserved the right to live and grow without being cut down. To be free to make their own decisions and choices no matter how odd the end result was. She saw what was happening here, and wanted to stop it. That is all." Garnet shrugs while answering.

I'll admit, it caught me off guard a bit. This has literally been the most she has ever talked at once since I've been here. I'm not that surprised though, to a fusion like her, this must be a passionate subject for the couple. And while I do appreciate getting an answer, she wasn't the Gem I wanted the answer from. Right now, the only person here that truly knows the truth, is Pearl.

"Yeah...yeah that makes sense. That sounds like Mom. Not that I actually knew her or anything, but it sounds right y'know?" I ask with a big smile and laugh. I'll have to talk to her alone. I should have known not to expect a real answer while we weren't by ourselves. Luckily, Garnet gloves a silent nod before heading into her door.

Immediately I take the hand of the only woman who can give me the answers that I want, and lead her upstairs to where my bed and tv was before sitting down with a sigh/groan. Pink Diamond's true nature is not something I want to talk about so soon in the timeline. It's obviously a touchy topic for everyone, but my hands are being forced.

"Oh Steven, is it alone time?" She asks, not resisting at all before sitting beside me and closing her eyes for a kiss. Our talking sessions all begin like this, never going much farther, but enjoying each other. Using tremendous force of will to refuse the clear intent of a make out session with the adorkable girl, I push her back a bit and get a little distance from her.

"No, not right now. We have to talk." I say in a stern tone. Well, I hope it's a stern tone, being in this kid's body kinda makes being taken seriously a challenge sometimes. Scratch that, almost all of the time. It doesn't help that before I took over, Steven was rightly childish. My point seems to have gotten across however as clear disappointment shows on her face before she schools her features.

"Alright, is this still about why we decided to come to Earth? Garnet already explained-"

"Don't lie to me." I say simply, cutting her off with a little bit of anger in my tone. I shouldn't be too upset with her, I know, but I just can't stand being lied to. I hate it with a passion.

"W-what do you mean?"

"You know something. You know something the others don't and you're not telling anyone. Why? What is it?"

"Steven, I swear I-"

"Don't. Lie. To. Me."

"....."

"Out of everyone else, you're the one I see most in my dreams. Before Amethyst and before even Garnet, you're almost always there. You've been with her longer than anyone. And when I first came in, I saw you tense up when I asked the question."

"I- Steven I- I'm sorry. I'm sorry but I can't-"

"You can." I interrupt once more. Man I'm a rude little child aren't I? I would laugh if I wasn't still freaking out about this maybe being an AU. I place a hand on her cheek and pull her closer. "You’re my Pearl, I trust you without question or regret, there should be no secrets between us. But...if you really think I shouldn’t know right now I’ll believe in you. And while I’m upset, I know you’d never hurt me.”

“Thank you...I’m so sorry but it just isn’t the time.” she says while enveloping in a hug. I could feel tears fall onto my shirt while I pat her back. “Please don’t be too angry. I’ll tell you. I swear it, I just need time.”

“It’s alright. I promise. If we can’t talk about Rose, what about the war? What happened Pearl? How do we pay for things or even have money? How does the rest of the world view or think about us?” This is what I really wanted to know anyway. It makes me mad that she’s hiding things from me but I can’t really do anything about that at the moment.

“Well, back when we all landed on this planet it was different. The people here weren’t really civilized and it was hard to get them to understand what was happening. A lot of the time, we unfortunately had to...force the people of Earth to help us in the war effort. I know it’s distasteful but if we lost then the entire planet would be destroyed.” she says while averting her eyes.

“How do you get them to understand you? I mean, I’m assuming we’re speaking english because we’re in America, but this wasn’t always the official dialect. Wasn’t there a language barrier for one group of people? Yet alone the entire world?”

“Well of course not, our Gems treat words and writing sort of like cyphers. When we hear enough, it automatically decodes the language and lets our bodies speak for us. While they may hear english or whatever else, we still hear Galactic Standard.”

“Galactic Standard? Of course the Galaxy has its own official speaking system. Can I do that? I mean, my Gem?” I ask with high hopes. This makes sense. I never really noticed watching the show, but why were the Gems speaking english, even the Diamonds?

“We’ve been speaking in Galactic Standard the entire time…” she says with a smile.

“What?! But..but I’m hearing english?”

“Hmm, then that means you must use this as your own official language. You may hear english, but that’s your Gem translating. Watch my mouth move closely. Not only listen to my voice, but observe. Our Gems do a little smoothing over so what we’re saying and our body movements aren’t entirely out of sync but if you focus you’ll see.”

...She’s right. She's totally right! I had to really pay attention but there’s almost this...lag that’s unnoticable if you aren’t looking for it. This...this is Amazing! I can automatically understand anyone and anything? I could watch anime raw! I could go to Japan!! I could….stop being such a dork. Oh my god, I can’t believe those were my first thoughts. I guess I’ll always be a weeb, even in an entirely different universe.

“Well, that’s certainly good to know. But how could humans from back then it was at least 2000 years ago right? Without guns or technology, I don’t see how they would be useful.”

“5000 years ago actually. And while the humans may not have had great weapons back then, they did have very fierce warriors. Some of them were even able to beat me. After gaining their help, whether through communication or more violent means, we would supply them weapons to help fight the war.”

“There weren’t any revolts?” I ask surprised.

“Yes,l there were a few in the beginning. There were countries with immense amounts of Pride that revolted, like Greece, but when the invasion began in full, they all realised we were right. Any betrayal didn’t last long. When the war finally ended, we went somewhere secluded to settle down. We decided to not get involved in human affairs unless we needed to.”

“Did you ever need to?”

“Only a couple of times. When humans tried to claim Gem areas like the Communication Hub or the Kindergarden. But otherwise, no. Eventually Humans got the point that these places were off limits and left them alone. Though every few hundred years or so a country does seem to forget once a while. Anyways, we the original Mayor of Beach City found us here, struck a deal with him once we realised he wasn’t going to go away. We would protect this place from intruders who wished it harm and we would get the financial aid needed to buy things we wished for. We were going to protect the town that sprouted up around our hiding place anyway, and saw no real need for money until recently but he didn’t need to know that.”

“So that’s where our money comes from huh? Does the federal government know that we’re here?”

“They do. We had to warn them off a few areas. There were a couple scuffles here and there but they backed off eventually. A lot of our missions actually used to be given by them, they would need help clearing out corrupted Gems and we would go there and tidy things up. Though oddly enough we haven’t been contacted for a while.”

What does that mean? Why? Could we have taken care of the majority of them? Or maybe normal humans have found a way to fight back on their own. Do bullets even work on us? Well, on them anyway, my body is still made of flesh and blood. Somehow I doubt it, but I don’t know for sure and that’s kind of worrying.

Not only that, but the world all of a sudden expanded explosively. I’ve gotten so used to the world looking like a cartoon, feeling like a cartoon, and sounding like a cartoon that I’ve forgotten that this isn’t a cartoon. Not anymore at least. This is real, these people that I’ve designated in my mind as side and background characters have their own thoughts and feelings outside of Steven.

If crazy things begin to happen or have happened in the past, those around it will react. Positively? Negatively? That depends on person to person, but they won’t act like it never happened the next day and prepare themselves for the next “Episode”. Actions have consequences. Obvious, I know, but something I needed verified.

“Are you alright?” Pearl asks with a hand on shoulder. I guess she sensed my mood. “I’m sorry we had to hurt some humans, but it was necessary to protect them. They just didn’t understand the stakes. Please believe me.”

“I do. I do. I just need time to think. And some sleep, it’s been a long day. I’ll talk to you tomorrow alright?” I say while heavily hinting I wanted to be alone. I needed to think. If despite all the magical bullshit in this universe, Logic still exists, I need to think about the reactions of the human race. What’ll change. What’ll stay the same. Or if anything will change at all. I just needed to think. But most of all, I needed rest. Too many twists and turns today.

“Oh...alright.” she relents and leaves saddened. I’ll have to talk to her too. Might as well make a list. Sadie, Lars, and now Pearl. The moment she’s out of sight, my body crashes and I fall back on my bed with a sigh. I’ll deal with all of this tomorrow. Tonight...tonight I need rest.

.

.

.

.

My eyes flutter open.

Darkness.

Can’t see anything.

It’s still night.

Forcefully woken up.

Why?

Who?

“Steven. We need to talk. Now.”

.

.

.

Garnet…..