A young Garnet silently watched Greg and Rose dance on the lit platform, even as her third, ever hidden eye flicked through countless futures that could come of that single moment. She paused as Pearl complained about what she was seeing.

"It worked." Amethyst grinned.

"I think this one's my favorite." The toddler said. Pearl looked away, crossing her arms.

"I think he's her favorite too." Garnet placed a hand on Pearl's shoulder, causing the shorter gem to look up.

"Pearl," she hesitated, her purple eye twitching. "...please get Amethyst home. It's late." Pearl nodded and picked up the wild girl who changed into an owl to rest on Pearls shoulder instead. The fusion watched them leave and gave a sigh, sitting cross-legged on the sand. She silently took off her glasses and allowed her single consciousness to fade just enough for Sapphire and Ruby to communicate without unfusing.

"Ruby?"

"It's going to be okay Sapphire. It's only a possibility, right?"

"This was different Ruby, you know this. I don't...I don't think that was my vision. I've never seen that far into the future before. It had never had words like that. I don't think it was a vision Ruby, I think it was a prophecy."

"Do prophecies always come true?"

"I don't know."

"Should we tell Rose?"

"Tell me what?" Came a melodic voice. One red and one blue eye looked up at the pink haired woman, the purple eye remaining closed.

"Rose! " Tears began to stream from the blue eye, making the red one widen in surprise. "I, I can't-" The purple eye snapped open. Garnet grabbed her visor and placed it back on her face.

"Rose, I am not ready to be leader." Garnet said softly. Rose knelt holding out her hand to Garnet.

"So you've seen it then?" Rose asked, laughing softly when Garnet looked up in surprise. "Garnet, you are not the first Seer to be on my team."

"Is what she saw what made you change?" Garnet asked. Rose let her hand drop and sat down.

"No, I had been thinking about supporting the miniscule rebellion a few years prior. I was still unsure when she told me of the war that would ensue, but in the end," Rose took Garnet's hand. "The very last thing she saw in her vision was you forming and knowing you would bring the next great vision. When she described you Garnet, the fusion made of love, I was beside myself with happiness."

"You went through all those years of war for me?" Garnet asked, receiving a nod from Rose.

"The humans needed the Crystal Gems, and I love the humans. Perhaps I would have lead the rebellion anyway. Garnet, you have been like a daughter to me, every part of you. What is important now is that the humans are safe, and that you will be here to grow and understand them." Rose gave a small laugh. "You already understand humans better than I do. You understood what Greg wanted when I was just lost."

"You're not afraid? Of leaving us?" Garnet asked. Rose sighed and gazed up at the stars.

"I am not sure. I have been dreading this day, simply because this is the day I find out why you must be left in charge. Please tell me that it isn't Homeworld." Rose pleaded, her magenta eyes becoming haunted.

"No, it is not Homeworld. It is Steven." Garnet replied. Rose blinked a few times.

"I do not know a Steven." Garnet felt her eyes water behind her shades.

"And you unfortunately never will. Steven is born the day you leave us." Garnet drew a small baby with a mess of curls, and a gem for a belly button in the sand. "Steven is your son, half human, half gem. There never has been and never will be anything like Steven." Rose stared at the drawing in the sand, placing her hand against the drawings cheek.

"Steven..." Rose whispered. "Will he be okay?"

"I don't know. Holding Steven was the last thing I saw." Rose fell silent, tears glittering in her eyes. Garnet looked away. "All I know is that Steven will be very important." Garnet opened her mouth to tell Rose about the rest of her vision, which had involved strange creatures from a dimension that the Earth housed, but again her purple eye flickered. She closed her mouth and stood, offering a hand to Rose. Her leader took the hand, standing. "Please tell Greg that his sister misses him, he should try to get in touch with her. We will need a lot of advice on raising a baby."

"So Greg really is the one then." Rose said with a sad smile.

"Steven will also be a fusion of love." Garnet commented. Rose rested her hand on her gem.

"I am not afraid anymore."

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Greg burst through the door, supporting an aching Rose. "Guys! Its happening!" He shouted in alarm. The other three gems rushed out to see the alarm on his face. Garnet stiffened, frozen in place as Greg helped Rose lay on the blankets Pearl had laid out. Pearl called out to Garnet, who shook her head and walked back towards her room.

"Garnet! Where are you going?! GARNET!" Pearl yelled at her retreating form. Garnet let the door slide closed behind her. She placed her hands together, the cold gems touching. Tears streamed from the red and blue eyes, the purple remaining closed. She sobbed, her frame shaking with the pain of knowing the turmoil her team would go through for the next weeks. She fell to her knees as she thought about Steven growing without Rose, and how Greg was going to loose the woman he loved. With a loud cry of pure anguish her form disappeared in a puff of smoke. Two gems clinked onto the ground, unable to hear the pounding on her door, or Pearl's accusations of her cowardice.

Two older beings popped into existence a moment later. Ruby and Sapphire gazed at each other silently. They shared a hug and Garnet formed, also older, and wiser. She created a new pair of shades to cover her face. Rose's impending death had changed her mentality for good, and now she too was changed for good. The door slid open and Garnet emerged, moving to kneel next to Rose.

"Just breathe." Garnet said softly. Pearl and Amethyst stood off to the side, both upset and in awe. Rose smiled through her pain, bringing a hand up to caress Garnet's cheek.

"You will do wonderful." She promised, before grimacing in pain.

"You are doing wonderful." Garnet retorted, holding Rose's hand. "Three deep breaths, then push." Her purple eye blinked in rapid succession. "Greg camera. Now." Greg fumbled through his backpack, pulling out the camera. "Rose, once Steven is born I don't want you take your eyes off of him for even a second."

"Garnet, what-"

"Push." Garnet instructed, as she moved between Rose's legs. The next moment Rose gasped in surprise as Garnet handed her Steven. Greg took several pictures, wanting to capture the moment just right. Pearl let out a yelp of alarm as Rose's gem began to glow brightly and sink into her body. Rose did not take her eyes off of Steven, pushing the small curls he had away from his face. A pink light passed through the still intact umbilical cord, and the gem began to reform on Steven.

"Believe in Steven." She told them, right before her physical form faded away, leaving Garnet to catch Steven. Garnet cradled Steven to her chest.

"We will." Garnet whispered as Pearl and Amethyst began to cry in earnest, clinging to each other so tightly it looked painful. Garnet handed Greg his son, then flipped backwards to catch her companions gems before they hit the ground. She gently placed both on the floor and moved just as the two reformed, older, yet the age difference between the three of them seemed to have been preserved.

"Garnet, I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier." Pearl said. Garnet held up a hand.

"Your actions were understandable, I only hope you will act responsibly in the future with the maturity you have gained as a consequence of the events that have occurred today." Pearl nodded. Garnet turned to Amethyst. "Do not feel pressured or intimidated to alter your age on your own, it will not work. Our bodies' ages reflect our unconscious minds. You are fine just the way you are." Amethyst blushed and nodded.

"Garnet?" Greg asked. She turned to face him. "Do you think you can develop the pictures for me?" Garnet nodded and took the camera from him. Greg looked down at his son. "Alright, let's go home Steven."

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Garnet sat in her room, reading the latest letter Greg had received from his sister Maddie. She scanned it quickly. So far, Greg had heeded her warning about Maddie learning what Steven was and keeping the two lives separate. There was nothing in the letter that showed the battle ready woman that she had seen in her vision. Maddie merely expressed her concern of finally finding out that Greg lived with Steven in his van. She folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope. She decided to tell Greg that they would build a house around the temple, he would assume she had used her future vision. She heard the van rumbling in the distance and left her room. Pearl and Amethyst were already down at the beach greeting Greg and Steven. Garnet joined them a second later. Her mind was elsewhere until Greg mentioned that there was something Steven wanted to show them.

The little boy took a deep breath, and Garnet prepared herself for the worst. A barely noticeable tremor passed through her as she recalled the soul wrenching wail she had heard in her vision. Steven however, released no such wail, and began to play his ukulele.

"If you're evil and you're on the rise, you can count on the four of us taking you down. Because we're good and evil never beats us, we'll win the fight and then go out for pizzas. We...are the Crystal Gems. We'll always save the day, and if you think we can't, we'll always find a way." Garnet began to clap in time to the beat, encouraging the boy. "That's why the people of this world...believe in! Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. AND STEVEN!" The boy finished standing. She allowed Pearl and Amethyst to exclaim over Steven, while she took Greg aside.

"Steven is growing older now. It might be best if we began construction of a home for him here at the temple."

She saw Greg look over at his son. "You are of course welcome to stay as well."

"No, I'd only get in the way. Steven is going to be great one day, he doesn't need his old dad slowing him down." Greg said, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

"Greg, do not underestimate the influence you have on Steven's life. I understand your reluctance to live with us, and it is understandable. The last thing Steven needs is to hear people speak ill of his family. We will begin construction as soon as possible."

"Right..." Greg walked over to the group. Garnet smiled a bit as Steven tripped over his shirt.

"It cannot be you Steven, you are much too precious." Steven waved at her. She waved back. "But if you are not the halfa, who is?"

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"Amethyst, Pearl, fuse now!" Garnet shouted over the roar of the approaching ship. The two gems looked at each other hesitantly. Garnet lifted a rock and launched it at the ship. "What are you waiting for?" The reprimand sent Amethyst and Pearl into motion. With a flash of light Opal stood on the beach. "Fire!" She drew her bow and sent out several arrows towards the ship, all of which were deflected. Garnet gave a weary sigh. "At least Steven is safe."

"Hey guys!" Steven called out. Opal turned, her form shimmering before she unfused. Garnet turned in alarm.

"Steven!" Garnet shouted.

"You came back!" Amethyst exclaimed.

"What are you doing?! Get out of here!" Pearl said in a panic.

"But-" Steven began looking lost. Garnet took a quick glance at the ship. Perhaps Steven was the halfa meant to destroy the world. Maybe the world didn't refer to Earth, but rather homeworld. She made a decision.

"It's too late! Just stay behind us!" Garnet yelled as the ship began to touch down. She allowed her third eye to travel the pathways as Peridot and Jasper spoke to each other. She frowned when each path suddenly cut off after seeing a strange device. She refocused her attention on the duo.

"Looks like another waste of my time..." The orange gem said with a sigh. She suddenly glared and grabbed behind her. "Hey, get over here!" From behind her she pulled Lapis forward. The blue gem yanked her arm free of Jasper's grasp.

"Lapis!" Steven cried. Lapis gave him a glance before looking down in shame.

"This is their base?" Jasper asked with a scoff.

"Yes..."

"You need to leave immediately!" Garnet warned. Steven was not ready to take on a threat this big.

"Yeah, step off!"; Amethyst agreed.

"This is not a Gem-controlled planet!" Pearl stated, yielding her weapon. Garnet looked for any future where she could get her friends to safety, but there were none. Just the device over and over. Garnet feared the worst regarding her fate.

"And neither of you saw Rose Quartz? Oh, what a shame. I'd hoped to meet her. I was looking forward to beating her into the ground!" Jasper taunted. Garnet felt a righteous fury ignite within her. She heard Steven make a small noise behind her. "But this is all that's left of her army? Some lost, defective Pearl," Pearl took a startled step back. ",a puny overcooked runt," Amethyst glowered. Garnet stared at Jasper, not willing to fall for her mind games, whatever she might say about her. ", and this shameless display?" Jasper glanced at Steven. "What is that?" Garnet prepared her weapons, and saw her teammates do the same.

"It calls itself the Steven." Peridot informed, giving no indication of whether she wished the boy harm or not.

"He's just a human! He isn't a threat at all! He's not one of them!" Lapis cried out desperately.

"I know what a human is. You don't need me for this. Just blast them with the ship." Jasper said in irritation, walking towards the ship.

"Ugh, fine" Peridot agreed..

"Steven! Get out of here!" Garnet shouted. She had been wrong, very wrong. Steven was not ready. Steven was important. Steven was her family, and he needed to be safe.

"No!" Steven shouted back, tears forming in his eyes. Garnet was in turmoil.

"I won't let you risk your life!" Garnet responded. A vision was not going to stop her from protecting Steven.

"But this is my home! And you're all my family!" Steven declared. His gemstone began to shine. Garnet felt her eyes widen. At the moment Steven looked more powerful than ever.

"Firing." Peridot said in a bored tone, which made Garnet wonder if she had hoped Steven would escape in the extended time it took her to complete her task. The beam shot out of the ship's finger heading straight towards the three.

"I- I'm a Crystal Gem too!" Steven shouted, leaping in front of them. The biggest shield that Steven had ever conjured up appeared, glittering pink with his mother's- no his- insignia in the center. The blast hit the shield and was stopped in its tracks. Jasper turned in shock.

"That shield, that symbol!" Steven let the shield fall and collapsed to the ground. Garnet was furious. The water gem had betrayed Steven. Steven who had been her friend, who had freed her, allowed her to get back to Homeworld, and this was how she repaid him. Peridot who was so indifferent to everything, had actually seemed to be touched by Steven when they had conversed in the Kindergarten, yet now she did nothing but follow orders, not willing to stand up for Steven. Jasper she vowed to take on herself. No one spread such slander to the woman she had seen as a mother. She saw Peridot sweep a finger across her screen and pushed Steven out of the way, and unfortunately right into Jasper's sight.

"Rose why do you look like that? Why are you so weak?" Garnet clenched the sand between her hands. Steven was not weak. Rose was gone, but at the same time, was a part of Steven. "Yellow Diamond needs to see this thing." Garnet launched herself at Jasper with an angry yell. Jasper smirked. "Good."

Jasper summoned her weapon and the two clashed with a tremendous force. Garnet quickly recovered from being forced back, her purple eye flickering in a frenzy. She cursed mentally, something she would never do aloud.

"Steven run!" She rushed towards Jasper again, not slowing even as she saw the device that ended all her visions. Jasper struck her right in the chest. She felt herself come undone, and as she fell she gave a final look to Steven.

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Sapphire awoke alone in a cell, not flinching as she noticed Jasper right outside the barrier.

"Well it's about time!" Jasper complained. Sapphire gave a huff of indifference. "Listen, I'm willing to cut you a deal. I've been looking for a Sapphire to add to my team, all you gotta do is tell me everything you know about the Steven."

"He loves cookie cat ice cream, can't pronounce the word bologna correctly, and thinks dreaming is like going to the movies for free." Sapphire told the orange gem with a smirk. Jasper slammed her fist against the wall.

"Do not make a mockery of me!" She roared. Sapphire floated up so she was at the same height as Jasper.

"Steven will bring the destruction of your world one day. Perhaps you are the one who should be pleading to be on my team."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jasper growled, though Sapphire did notice the spark of fear in her eyes.

"Beware the phantom that hides in the shadows. Laughing with glee as you fall to the gallows. Holding a power you cannot hope to defeat, this is a warning I will not repeat. Hiding amongst you, half human half not. The halfa will watch as your world starts to rot. This will bring forth the era of the dead. Where ghosts will rule your home instead. Beware the phantom who hides in the shadows, Beware because of what it knows." Sapphire recited from memory. "Steven is the son of Rose Quartz, half of her still lives on as half of him. A phantom you could say."

"You are lying!" Jasper responded.

"Are you afraid Jasper? Afraid of all the gems you have destroyed over the years coming back to destroy you? Steven can almost heal the corrupted gems your armies left behind. What will you do once he can?"

"The Steven is loose." Peridot announced, causing Jasper to turn quickly.

"What?! How?!"

"I do not know. I went to check up on him, and his cell was empty." Peridot reported, though she was quickly writing on one of her holoscreens. Sapphire could just barely make out the words of the prophecy.

"You didn't open the cell did you?" Jasper growled. Sapphire smiled to herself. Peridot looked offended.

"Of course not! I would not fall for such tricks." Jasper turned back to Sapphire.

"Are you afraid now Jasper?"

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"We have a problem." Garnet told her teammates, while Steven made himself lunch in the background.

"What is it G?" Amethyst asked as she hopped up onto the counter. Pearl took a seat on one of the stools.

"Greg's family is coming to visit."

"Whaa? Really!" Steven exclaimed in excitement. Garnet nodded. Pearl shook her head.

"Oh no, this is no good at all. What are we going to do about Peridot?" Garnet held up a sign and then went and placed it on the door. "I suppose that could work...what about us?"

"Pearl, mine and your color schemes makes us appear the most human out of the three of us. Come up with a way to hide your gem and you will pass for Steven's tutor." Pearl nodded, turning away to project a miniature version of herself with different styles. "Amethyst you act the most human out of the three of us, but unfortunately-"

"I'm purple." Amethyst said deadpan. Garnet nodded.

"Makeovers!" Steven shouted, placing his hands on the table. "I can ask Connie!" Garnet pursed her lips as she thought about it. Steven bounced on his toes, his grin growing wider with each second.

"Okay."

"Aw yeah!" Amethyst cheered, hugging Steven. Garnet hid her smile.

"I would recommend calling now, they will be arriving tonight." Steven left the kitchen to call Connie, who informed him that she had already been on her way over and was at the boardwalk.

"Come on Amethyst, lets go!"

"Steven, wait." Garnet said. She pulled a photo out of one of her gems. Steven looked down at the photo before hugging Garnet. "Amethyst has to match that color. No one but you can see that alright?" Steven nodded and dragged Amethyst away.

"What did you give him?" Pearl asked. Garnet ignored her in favor of walking to the bathroom door.

"Peridot listen up!" She called through the door. "There will be a lot more people here the next few days, all of them taller than you. If you come out of that bathroom, I will not hesitate to lock you in a dog crate. If you hurt anyone, I will not hesitate to crush your gem and dismiss you as a infestation. Understood?"

"Whatever, you clod." Garnet clenched her fist.

"Is this acceptable Garnet?" Pearl asked. She was now dressed in light yellow capri pants, with her normal blue shirt, only now it was tucked in. Her hair style was no longer swept back, but now fell to her shoulders, bangs covering her gem. Garnet nodded and adjusted her clothing as well. She wore form fitting jeans, and a shirt similar to Steven's except it had no sleeves. Pearl started to laugh. "You look like Steven." Garnet grinned.

"Nah. I look cooler." She said, adding a black leather jacket, and fingerless gloves to hide her gems. "Help me build a temporary wall to hide the temple. We will pretend it is our quarters." Pearl nodded and began to make a plan. Garnet gave a final glance at the bathroom door. "Here goes nothing."

Just a quick preview . I wrote the first six chapters of this story before gem drill came out so I had to go back and make a few edits. Vote on my poll or review if you would like me to continue.