Backstage Protection

A Steven Universe Fanfiction

Prologue

A/N: Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I posted anything on here, but fear not, I am back to it now. This is going to be circled mostly around Lapis, and you will see very little of the main four. Expect there to be Lapidot in later chapters, and maybe my headcanon for a Lapis and Peridot fusion.

Lapis Lazuli had not realized it, but she had gained a whole new mission when she decided to side with the Homeworld gems; to protect Steven Universe.

Yes, the little half-human had grown on her in the short time she'd known him; he had freed her from her mirror prison and healed her gem. He had gotten her home, which was all she really wanted at the time. So when Jasper had given herself an opening for Lapis to capture her and protect Steven, had there really been any question that she would take it?

Even if it left her stranded at the bottom of the ocean, trapped in the most intimate form any Gem could ever take with someone she hated...

No, she did not like being a half of Malachite. Not at all. She was having to continuously remind herself why she was keeping Jasper from breaking free and causing hell to break loose.

For Steven. For Steven. For Ste-

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH!"

The ocean gem was startled out of her thought process when her lips – no, not hers, Malachite's – suddenly moved and let out an outburst. This was the first time she'd been overpowered mentally by Jasper's consciousness.

"What are you doing?!" She replied, slightly panickedly, feeling herself being ripped away from the larger gem. She tried desperately to merge herself with Jasper again.

"SHUT UP, YOU LITTLE RAT! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU KEEPING ME DOWN HERE IN THIS HELL YOU CALL AN OCEAN!"

And with that, the small blue gem found herself being flung through the water as her enemy broke free. She landed on her back, a few bubbles escaping her lips as she hit the ocean floor with an oomph. Several fish that had been nearby hurriedly fled the scene as Lapis, dazed, slowly sat up and rubbed her forehead.

She didn't notice Jasper lumbering towards her with a massive piece of rock until it was nearly too late, quickly rolling out of the way just as the stone smashed into the ground inches from her head.

She quickly tried to stumble backwards away from the other as she tried to haul the makeshift weapon from the sand. But...

Wait. This is my zone, not hers. I can beat her.

Lapis hurriedly created a massive current to burst herself up to the surface, exerting her powers nearly to the limit to sprint across the water as fast as she possibly could.

She would have to stop her former superior, of course, but she would worry about that when she didn't also have to worry about getting her head pummeled in.

In her rushed panic, wondering how much time she had to hide, one thought crossed her mind.

Peridot.

She had to find Peridot. The green gem was probably not as passionate about protecting Steven, but she knew that she liked her more than either of them had ever respected Jasper. Peridot would help her.

But where was she?

To the north. That's where she fled from.

And so Lapis Lazuli headed in that direction, her fear being replaced with determination.