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Chapter III

"I. . . think she was a fusion. . .?" Steven said slowly, almost sounding as if he were unsure. "She hit all of us with this." Steven said, holding the object out before pressing a button on it, causing the object to form into a scythe. Greg gasped and backed away from the weapon with wide eyes.

Steven pressed the button again, causing the scythe to turn back into its smaller form, before placing it back into his pocket. "It did something extra weird to me, and now my powers aren't working right. . ." Steven's hand slowly slid down to his gem.

"Look." Steven summoned his shield, and both him and his dad watched as the shield glitched out before disappearing completely.

Steven sighed and lifted his shirt up, showing his dad his flickering gem. "There's something wrong with me dad. . ." Steven muttered as Greg gave his son a concerned look.

Steven sighed and walked into the kitchen and rested his elbows on the counter before burying his face in his hands. "I just have no idea what's going on." Steven told, running his hands through his hair.

Greg looked down at the floor in thought and sighed. He then walked over to his son and placed his hand on his shoulder, making Steven look up and turn his attention to him as Greg gave the boy a comforting smile. "Well, son, now you know how I feel almost all the time." Greg said, patting Steven's shoulder.

Steven smiled and laughed lightly. "Yeah, I guess. . ."

The moment was soon ruined, though. Steven hummed and looked down at the heart-shaped gem, only to see that it was no longer in his grasp. He gasped and ran around the counter and in the center of the room, sweating nervously. "H-Hey! W-Where's—"

He was cut off by a bright light in his face, causing both him and Greg to shield their eyes. Steven looked up, and his eyes widened once he saw the heart-shaped gem in the air, meaning only one thing:

She was regenerating.

Steven frowned and quickly ran in front of everyone protectively. He shoved the butterfly-shaped gem into his pocket and summoned his shield.

"Get back!" He yelled to all of them, when his shield suddenly disintegrated. Steven's eyes widened as he stared down at his hand, confused.

"Huh?"

The heart-shaped gem soon began to turn in the air, now upright. Then the shape of a figure formed around it, a figure that looked nothing like the gem that had caused all of this in the first place. Steven's brows rose in confusion. If the gem that had attacked them ealier was a fusion, why didn't she have any traits of this gem?

Before Steven could think any further, arms suddenly wrapped around him, and giggling was heard. Steven looked down at his torso, where he soon saw a pair of. . . noodle-like arms wrapped around him. . .? He rose a brow, confused, when a body suddenly slammed into him; causing him to fall to the floor.

"I'm so excited to meet you!" A childish voice exclaimed, making Steven open his eyes.

There, standing on top of him with a large, cartoonish smile on her face, was a pink gem with hearts atop her head of pink hair; which was a darker shade of pink than her light pink skin. With pacman eyes, and the outfit she was wearing, Steven would have thought she was a cartoon character from some show in the 60s.

It was then that Steven finally realized the situation that he was in. Using his arms to push himself up a bit, he asked, stuttering a bit,

"Y-You're not mad?"

The pink gem made a confused face and stepped away from him as she placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head to the side. "Mad?" She placed her finger on her cheek. "Why would I be mad at my B E S T  F R I E N D!" The gem exclaimed before giggling adorably.

Steven stood up and stared at her, confused, when Pearl suddenly twirled over to him and smiled; clasping her hands together excitedly.

This will be fun!

Pearl looked over to Steven as Greg walked up beside him, looking just as confused as him.

Aren't you the lucky one?

Pearl hopped over next to the pink gem, who was doing some silly dance as Pearl gestured to her.

Her cut is perfect, and she's pink, as well!

Pearl then hopped away from her, and what seemed to be a spotlight appeared on the pink gem as well as a pink background while the gem continued to do a silly dance.

She'll bring you endless entertainment~

The pink gem jumped over to Steven and smiled at him before spinning around into the middle of the room and striking a pose as Steven continued to stare at her with wide eyes.

Your new bestfriend, Spinel!

All was quite. Greg, Steven and the rest of the gems all stood next to eachother, and stared at the pink gem before them, who was giggling at their 'silly' expressions.

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"YOU!!"