The Voice of Pearl

(Written during the long hiatus after Legs from here to Homeworld, to Diamond days.)

Chapter One

The Crystal gems followed Blue and Yellow Pearl as they made their way to the Diamond's court room, tense and worried about Steven's whereabouts. Blue and Yellow had said he would be safe, but it was still difficult to believe after everyone first saw White's Pearl. What had happened to her was clear, they all knew no gem could permanently leave a harmful mark like that other than a Diamond. A very powerful Diamond.

Connie held on to the straps of her backpack tightly as she walked behind Pearl, she was too busy examining the luminous hallway they were walking down to realize her hands getting sweaty from anxiety. The pale gem glanced down at Connie, frowning slightly as she put a reassuring hand on the girls shoulder, now walking alongside her. "Don't worry Connie, I'm sure Steven is safe.. and remember, Blue and Yellow are on our side now." Pearl smiled lightly as Connie looked up at her, feeling some of the tension in her body loosen. The human smiled back up at her mentor, nodding her head. "You're right, we can do this." She replied with determination in her tone and looked ahead, seeing a faint light shining not far from where they were. With each step they all took, the closer they got to the light.

Amethyst was so intrigued by all the fancy decorations and clean tiled floors, she wasn't paying attention to the path in front of her. Her head was tilted back and facing the ceiling as she admired the beautiful Diamond-Shaped chandelier. Her gaze was quickly broken when she bumped in to something, or more like someone. Garnet was in front of her, her fists clenched as she came to a halt. Amethyst walked around her to see her face, even though it was always hard to tell what kind of expression laid behind her reflective glasses. "Garnet, you ok?" The purple gem asked with concern and waited for an answer. "We are about to go in to a court room with all the Diamonds, I wouldn't say I'm ok. It just- still doesn't feel like Yellow or Blue Diamond is actually on our side." The taller gem went rigid, not wanting to put her guard down for even a second. Amethyst sighed, and looked away. "You know more about Homeworld and the Diamonds then I do, so at least you'll be prepared if anything happens!" She chuckled and tried to lighten the mood up even a tiny bit. Garnet sighed as she let her thoughts sweep over her, and her hands relaxed by her sides. "I see a lot of possibilities, and only two of them end in a fight." She finally continued to walk closer to the bright court room ahead, where Pearl and Connie had already gone in.

The group stuck close to each other and walked up to the centre of the room. Yellow and Blue were already sitting in their throne's as their Pearls rushed to stand a few feet behind the Crystal gems. Blue and Yellow Pearl stood side by side, glancing at each other knowingly despite Blue Pearl's eyes being covered by her silky baby-blue hair. They still found it unusual to see their old friend being a part of the Crystal Gems, and disobeying every protocol and formality a Pearl should have. The clothes, her hair, her less-submissive stance and cold eyes… Blue and Yellow Pearl still didn't know how to feel about her return. However, Pearl hadn't even cast a glance at the other two Pearls in the room as if not acknowledging their presence. She was too focused on keeping Connie safe, and making sure the Diamonds didn't try to play any tricks. Garnet on the other hand couldn't help but put on an angry expression on her half covered face as she watched Blue Diamond stand up and walk over to the gems and human in the middle of the huge room. She stopped a few feet away, and gazed down at their new guests. "White and Pink will be here shortly. Yellow suggests that you all refrain from saying anything during the meeting, since we don't exactly know if White's temper has cooled down.." Blue spoke softly, but to the Crystal Gems, it was loud enough. Garnet didn't like her at all, still. Sure she may be acting more kind to them then she would have a thousand years ago, but she still was the same Diamond that wanted to shatter Ruby for fusing with Sapphire. "Steven isn't Pink." Garnet tried to keep her composure as she spoke, meeting the Diamond's gaze. Pearl frowned and looked over at Garnet as if trying to silence her with her glance. The dark red gem wasn't even facing Pearl, and so she had to speak up, which was something no Pearl should do unless advised to by authority. "Garnet… Now isn't the time." Pearl said in a slight whisper, hoping that Blue Diamond wouldn't hear, but she was a Diamond.

Blue brought her wrist up to her mouth and laughed slightly similar to how Sardonyx usually laughed. "Does that call itself.. a Garnet?" She raised an eyebrow and put on a malicious grin, looking down at the fusion as if looking down at a lowly peasant. As soon as the words left her mouth, Garnet let out a very low but aggressive growl as she went back to clenching her fists. Amethyst looked over at Garnet with an awkward expression spread across her face, knowing very well that she wanted to punch the Diamond in front of them. Or even worse, un-fuse. Thankfully as if on cue, a white bubble came down from through the ceiling. Blue Diamond stepped back as the bubble hovered inches from the ground in front of the Crystal Gems. It immediately popped, and Steven stumbled on to the carpeted floor. "Ow! I'll never get used to this.." The half gem got up on his feet, annoyed as he dusted himself off.

"Steven!" Pearl rushed to his side as the boy turned around. "Pearl! Garnet, Amethyst, Connie! You're ok!" He smiled as Connie ran up to him and gave him a quick hug then stepped back. "So what was she like? White Diamond?" Connie asked curiously, and Steven sighed. "I don't think she understands that I'm not Pink Diamond!" The boy said as Pearl put a hand under her chin and pondered. She really had thought White would be smart enough to know that Steven wasn't Pink, but then again, she has never been in this kind of situation ever since her existence. Her thoughts were interrupted by Amethyst's silly laughter. "Yeah I can see that! Nice outfit!" The purple gem commented as she pointed out Steven's new clothing. He was wearing Pink Diamond's clothes, and thankfully they were made to fit him perfectly. Not that Steven liked what he was wearing, but it was better than having to wear a very loose-fitting outfit. The boy blushed crimson as he looked down in embarrassment. "I didn't have a choice! Yellow Diamond told me to make myself look presentable- and I went in to this shower-room like place and when I came back I had nothing to wear but this!" Steven faced his palms up and moved his hands towards his body, referring to his new clothes whilst cringing slightly. Their small discussion about Steven's uniform was interrupted by Blue, who cleared her throat to make her presence known. "Pink, you're a Diamond so you have to separate yourself from these… gems." Blue said as she lowered her hands in between the group and Steven, pushing him away from the others. Everyone but the Diamonds seemed startled by this, especially Pearl. She wanted to be beside Steven, to protect him, but Blue was right. It was absurd in their culture for a Diamond to be standing on low ground amongst low ranked gems- which was basically ever gem on Homeworld that wasn't a Diamond. "You could sit on your throne-" Blue suggested, but Steven was quick to reply. "No! I-I mean… I think I'm ok here." He smiled uneasily as Blue nodded her head. "Very well." She moved her hands away before looking over at her Pearl, who was hiding a hologram-drawing pad behind her back. Blue Diamond sighed and spoke to her in a booming voice. "Pearl, I didn't ask you to start logging the meeting yet." Blue said as Blue Pearl quickly made the drawing disappear, and bowed so elegantly. "Forgive me my Diamond.." She spoke just as soft as her Diamond, keeping her head lowered to show her status. "Pearl, come and stand by my side." Blue Diamond said as she turned her back and went back to her throne. Blue Pearl smoothly followed, and stood like a stature beside the left of the large Blue throne.

"Pearl, you too." Yellow said as the other Pearl smiled happily and perked up as she made her way beside her Diamond, standing on the right side of the Yellow throne so she was once again, side by side with Blue Pearl. Sure they were a few feet away from each other, but it was enough to be able to talk to each other with nothing but glances and facial expressions. Blue and Yellow Diamond both looked at Steven as if waiting for him to say something, and the boy started to panic. "Uhh… am I supposed to do something..?" He asked nervously, emitting a long sigh from Yellow Diamond. "Its only a formality to ask for your Pearl to stand beside you. Only privileged gems get to have Pearls, and you are a Diamond." Yellow responded coldly, but caring in a way since she was still making sure Steven would be able to fit in more in Homeworld. "Oh.. right.." He said as he looked over at Pearl, who had a knowing smile on her face, letting him know it was ok. Which did in fact make him feel a little better. "Pearl.. uh.. can you stand next to me?" He once again, said so nervously. The pale gem smiled. "Of course." She said as she left the group and walked over to Steven, standing by his side. Garnet, Amethyst and Connie all felt like they lost a piece of themselves as Pearl made her way over to Steven. None of them liked this set up at all. The three Diamonds on the far side of the room, while Steven and Pearl were over on the left centre of the room while they were on the right. It was like having three groups that were all going to be on a different page. Something just didn't feel right.

"Thank the stars you're all here!" White Diamond entered the room as her heels clicked on the tiled floor.