Lamp Entertainment presents…

Chapter 12: The Winter Shadow Strikes Back

"I can't believe this! Yellow exclaimed. She was pacing back and forth in the former Bubble Room of the Zoo. All the other gems had been sent away so the three Diamonds could discuss the new turn of events. "The Winter Shadow has made fools of us all!"

"Calm down, Yellow," Blue said. "We mustn't let fear and paranoia control us. Think for a moment; the Winter Shadow hasn't actually caused any real significant damage. There hasn't been a single attack since we increased security. The Shadow sending Holly Blue was probably a last-ditch effort to cause some harm. And see how that failed."

"Hm… you're right," Yellow admitted. "But I'm still worried that she might try something. We must not lower our guard!"

"We also must not cause a panic," White said. "Just the gems in this room finding out was bad enough, but if the rest of Homeworld found out that the Winter Shadow tricked us as she did… the fear might play right into her hands."

"True, true," Blue said. "So we'll have to make sure everyone stays happy and feeling safe, while also keeping the security up. After Operation Christmas has been completed we can worry about finding the Winter Shadow."

"That sounds like a plan," Yellow said.

xxXXxx

Said and done… a few dozen minutes later, a message was sent out to the entire galaxy, save Earth, of course.

"Dear gems everywhere!" White announced. "First and foremost, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas! We are only one day away from Operation Christmas becoming reality, and I must say, I am so proud of all you! Now, as you all surely remember, there was an attack orchestrated by a rouge gem calling themselves the 'Winter Shadow.' And I'm happy to announce that another attack was averted on the Human Zoo. While the perpetrator is still on free foot, she is sure to be alone and without resources, so her capture is just a matter of time. I urge every gem to keep an eye open for any suspicious activities. Thank you so much for your continued service."

xxXXxx

Yet a few more dozen minutes later, the trio found themselves back on Orapa Field, amongst a veritable sea of gems. The time had come to load all the gifts onto the delivery ships, which was done with a great deal of enthusiasm from everyone involved. As well as a lot of singing.

It should be a well-known fact by now, that gems love to sing. And there was no shortage of gems singing whatever Christmas songs they had picked up from Earth. The result was a symphony of chaos, various oddly matched voices belting out cheery tunes, clashing against the next group trying to outdo the other with another happy musical.

It was chaos incarnate. And in the midst of it stood the three Diamonds, watching over the beautiful mess. Occasionally, a gem would walk up to them, and shout "Merry Christmas!" or thanking them for introducing this wonderful holiday to the rest of gemkind.

"It's wonderful, isn't it?" Blue said, just barely holding back tears of joy.

"It is," Yellow agreed. "I must admit, this whole plan seemed far-fetched to me at first, but now… it really seems like anything is possible, as long as we all stand united." She tapped White on the shoulder. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"Hm? What did you say?" she asked. She seemed a bit… unfocused.

"I said, doesn't it seem like anything is possible as long as we all work together?" Yellow said.

"Oh! Of course," White said, and forced a smile.

She suddenly flinched and looked down at her feet. A small Ruby had tapped at her toes, trying to get her attention.

"HELLO!" the Ruby yelled as loud as she could. Even then, it was hard to hear over the constant buzzing and droning from the crowd.

"H-hi," White said. "W-what is it?"

"I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT BEFORE, I USED TO BE SUPER AFRAID OF YOU, BUT NOW I THINK YOU ARE REALLY GREAT!" the Ruby yelled. "AND ALSO, I MADE YOU THIS! She held up a small object made of glass.

"Oh, how nice," White mumbled. She reached down to try and grab the small glass object with the tips of her fingernails…

「CRACK」

…only for it to break and shatter into a dozen pieces.

"Oh!" the Ruby exclaimed.

"S-sorry," White stuttered.

"No, it's fine!" the Ruby said, still cheery as ever. "I should have made it bigger and tougher, like you!"

"S-sorry," White said again. Her gaze was dodging all around. There was a shade of green on her face. "I… I have some… I need to go and… look at something." She quickly began stumbling away from the field, towards her old Headship.

"What in the world…" Yellow muttered. "What's wrong with White?"

Blue put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "White is still not used to large crowds. I think she needs some time alone. We can go check on her once the crowd clears up here."

xxXXxx

Meanwhile on Earth…

It was nighttime and Steven Universe was fast asleep, lying peacefully in his bed. His slumber was deep, so deep that the soft creak of the front door opening wasn't enough to wake him.

A figure, dark as the night itself walked softly through the house. It whispered, poisonous words dripping of its lips.

"With any luck… they'll kill each other."

The Winter Shadow approached Steven.

Steven Universe, the one she hated above all others. There he laid, so vulnerable. Oh, how easy it would be to extinguish his life then and there. But no. He was going to suffer. They were all going to suffer.

The Winter Shadow started whispering venomous words into Steven's ear.

—To be continued…

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Thus, the Winter Shadow makes her move. Be very afraid.