This is how it feels to be in Beach City, right now :
It was a pretty nice day in Beach City, well you know the usual.
People moving with their lives as always. Though nowadays it’s not only humans but thanks to his little buddy Steven, Beach City has now become even more crowded than ever before as Gems can now enjoy the same rights as earthlings to do whatever they want... Within reason of course.
Been quite a while since any devastations came upon Beach City... then again trouble came and gone. There were breaks in between too, judging by Beach City’s and by extension America’s history.
So he was sure break will be over sooner or later.
And he got it when a giant drill-like machine came from the sky above into his view.
“Wow the quest for freedom is also a heavy burden” Jamie said
‘Well what are you waiting for? Move your butt and help them!’
He could guess his internal voice demanded him to help.
He isn’t sure though, what can he do?
‘Oh spare yourself, Mr Universe is like you and even he can be useful’
He still hesitated but he couldn’t denounce that idea.
He remembered the same feeling of panic he had from what happened 2 years ago when he as kidnapped by Topaz and Aquamarine.
Back then he would've just run away without second thought, maybe he’d be right to do so but it still felt bad that he couldn’t be of any use.
‘So now you’ll do it again? What would your father say if he saw you now? Grow a backbone already, man up!’
That touched the nerve.
No... not this time... After what Steven and Garnet did for him...
‘DO SOMETHING!’
And so he did, he was on his way to the Beach house.
‘Good Choice, now go let’s have a blast’
At the Beach house
Jamie: Steven are you he-...?
Jamie sees Steven who was in thoughts looking at the gems on the table.
He immediately understood.
'So Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst are currently unavailable’
Steven then looked at Jamie.
"Ouh... hi Jamie sorry but it's really not a good time to talk about your next musical act".
Jamie shook his head
Jamie: No no I really just came to help a friend in need. What happened?
Steven looks surprised at him before answering blatantly
Steven: No idea.
Jamie : ...What?
Then all of a sudden, Mr Universe entered the house as well colliding with Jamie.
Greg : Ouch, sorry there.
Greg helped him get back up.
"Steven! I came as fast as I could! Are you ok? Jamie what happened?"
Jamie : Don’t ask me.
Greg looked at the table "oh boy, she really got everybody! Is that her?"
Jamie was puzzled on who they were meaning before he saw an unknown heart-shaped gem.
Jamie picked it up to look, it sometimes amazed him how well cut out the gemstones were. This one, felt somewhat heart-warming but disturbing too...
Steven: Yeah put her down please...
Jamie: Who is...
Steven: No idea okay?
Greg: Why did she...
Steven: No idea
Greg: Then how?
Steven then took something out of his jacket which at first seemed like stick but then turned into a scythe of a Grim Reaper.
'Guess Gem Reaper this time'.
Steven: It did something extra weird to me and now my powers aren't working right. Just look...
Steven tried to activate his shield... which only lasted 2 seconds before it disappeared.
Steven: Dad, Jamie there's something wrong with me. I just... I have no idea what is happening.
Greg:Well son now you get to know how we all in beach city feel almost all the time...
Jamie nodded. At Beach City or at life in general, no idea what to do.
Greg: ...but you know what else?Anytime moment now the gems will do that thing they do all the time when they glow, float in the air and reappear better than ever.
The 3 waited until the gem in Greg's hands started to glow
"See here she comes, good old Pearl"
Pearl's gem began to glow adnthen took form of a sea shell
"Woah that's new"
Pearl: Please identify yourself.
Greg didn't know what he should do.
"Any ideas Steven? Jamie?"
Jamie was puzzled but then he got close to Pearl and tried to speak up.
Jamie: Uhm... Jamie?
Pearl: Greetings Uhm Jamie, please state customization options.
Jamie was unsure "Wha? Wait what am I even supposed to say here?"
Steven: I-I don't know.
Pearl: Default setting selected . Please stand by.
Pearl's gem flew off took distance before it stopped and took form. She looked like Pearl but just different outfit.
Steven: Pearl! Pearl thank goodness you're back!
Pearl didn't answer however and instead she made her way to Jamie. She bowed and began to sing.
Pearl" ~how do you do? ~My Jamiee. ~Thank you for bringing me into the world. ~I am at your eternal service. ~Welcome to yor new Pearl.
This took three man by surprise “WHAAAAT’S GOING ON?!
Greg: Could her Gem be cracked?
Jamie : Uhmm Pearl, I’m glad you appreciate my theathre management but ... it’s like an emergency right now...
Pearl : Is there anything that I could do for you~?
Steven looks closer to her gemstone, finds no cracks “ It looks fine to me”
Seconds later the other gem started to glow. This time it was Ruby.
Steven: Ruby are you okay?
Ruby: AH who are you?! You are not my assignment... and explain where I am even?
Greg: I could also really use an explanation here.
Jamie: Well it looks like a reset button of some sort was activated and-
Pearl: Allow me to eluminate!...~A ruby guard. ~But just a single one. ~They tend to come in teams of three or more...
Then a third blue gem took form.
Pearl: ~A precious Sapphire.~he sees the future *wink* ~That’s who are the rubies for.
Ruby: My sapphire. As my sworn duty and sole purpose, I will protect you with my life.
Jamie was impressed at her determination but then...
Sapphire: I know. That’s why I predict that you won’t last more than a day.
And the inspiration was gone...
Ruby: Huh?
Jamie: Uhh I am sure you’ll make it...it’s best not to think too much about it now c’mon I wanna talk to you two...
Sapphire: Of course come now.
And finally the 4th gem glowed and formed into a smaller version of a certain purple box star.
“Amethyst!...Hey Amethyst?
Amethyst: Hey amethyst?
Steven: What no! You are Amethyst!
Amethyst: What no! You are Amethyst!
Pearl: ~You must be right. ~ This is an amethyst. ~Except amethyst is big and strong~ This one is not the best example. ~Something is clearly wrong.
Amethyst was also copying Pearl’s postures...
Pearl: I do say something IS clearly wrong. What are all these gems doing here in this strange place?
Steven: Pearl don’t you recognise them don’t you recognise me?
Pearl :Hmm well I certainly recognise my selector and my master Jamie.
Greg: oh Boy
Jamie was dumbfounded at this moment “Yeaah... Pearl can you NOT call me a master?”
‘What are you doing? Many dream of having a housewife serving them!’
Jamie ignores his inner thoughts, rubbing his temples.
Pearl: Why of course my Jamie~
And then a final, unknown heart-shaped gem reformed before she tackles Steven.
“Hehe hohohehaho I AM SO EXCITED TO MEET YOU!”
Jamie thinks ‘A mouse gem?’
Pearl: ~This will be fun. Aren’t you the lucky one? Her cut is perfect and she is pink as well. She’ll bring you endless entrertainment. Your new best friend Spinel~
Jamie: Wow what a day ahead’
Steven didn’t respond instead protested his thoughts to Spinel.
“YOU! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO US?!
Spinel: Woop now it’s your turn
*shakes steven up and down*
Steven: Would you cut that out?
Spinel stopped in her tracks
“Um please?”
She does so before seeing Jamie next to her.
Spinel : Oh Heya! Wanna play?~
Jamie: Sorry ms... Spinel? But it’s not a good time for playing.
Spinel: Really why not? You can always find time to play!
Steven: Wait what? You don’t remember?
Spinel : Remember what?~
Outside Beach
Everyone went outside so spinel could see the injector with bulldozer-like sounds...
Jamie: Well anything?...
Spinel: Wow thing sure is big. Wanna climb up there?
Jamie: Thanks but later...
Steven: So nothing?...What about your words that I lose against your injector?
Spinel : I said what now? I could’ve misspelled something.
Jamie: Steven honestly I don’t think this’ll work...
Steven nodded, he sees Lion approaching them
“Well Lion, you make any sense here?”
Feline runts
Steven : *sighs* okay well I’m gonna store this in you too.
He took out scythe, tries to put weapon in Lion...which fails.
“What?! I can’t even store in lion too, like easiest thing I can!”
Jamie: So no powers no shield no memories... Are there any other gems who can help? Anyone who isn’t um well reborn, or should we call in the police and military?
Steven gave a big no no to that.
Steven : Oh no we won’t involve them here. We can sort this out ourselves.
Steven gave thought to former idea and looked at little homeschool
“And luckily we can yes. C’mon guys let’s find out how to fix this...Guys? Are you coming?
Pearl: Allow me my selector. *forms an umbrella* Amethyst took Greg’s form
Jamie face palms
Steven: Ruby, Sapphire?
Ruby: She’s not going anywhere with you.
Sapphire: Well I do see the future of us accompanying them.
Ruby: Nevermind then.
Greg: Wait don’t leave with these two.
Jamie found the two somewhat funny as Amethyst turned into Pearl which confused the original.
Steven: Just keep an eye on them for now c’mon Jamie.
Jamie: Uhm Pearl just be with Mr Universe until we come back.
Pearl : As you wish, my Jamie.
Jamie was somewhat uncomfortable with her calling him ‘my’ jamie but they don’t have time for that.
As they walked to Little homeschool, Jamie couldn’t help but watch Ruby and Sapphire. He surely was on their wedding as weird as it looked... but seeing them like this feels like their first meeting.
‘Well strangely it is your first meeting, don’t mess it up’
Looking at them, Jamie understood where Garnet gets it from. Ruby was passionate yet stoic despite being a single and small-sized while Sapphire was very elegant and beautiful.
Jamie shakes his head .
‘No such thing as love at first sight’
He really was rushing things... look before you leap.
Sapphire caught him staring at her
“You seem troubled”
Ruby: Got something to say to her?
Ruby asked roughly
Jamie was nervous not to offend them or to get punched so he decided to be honest.
“Sorry it’s that you two are pretty brave in this situation and...very cute too~ It’s just hard to appreciate, for someone like me especially”
Jamie rubs his head
The two gems stopped blushed a little.
Sapphire: Well that certainly is interesting.
Ruby: Aah you are not so bad too for a human
Jamie : I can be a big mouth myself sometimes sorry. I guess it’s not good of me to talk like that.
Sapphire: Your words sounded fragile. Are you... afraid of us?
‘Yes you are, aren’t you?’
Jamie : What?! No, I’m not!
He was raising his voice before toning it down.
Spinel: Heey, what everyone talk about~?
Ruby : Do I look cure? My sapphire absolutely. But do I?
Spinel : Hehehe you definitely do.
In Little Home-school
Peridot: She rode in on that?
Steven: Yeah she said my human half won’t stand a chance.
Lapis: What oes that mean?
Jamie: Well we don’t know. That’s why we came here.
Peridot: Why did you come along again?
Jamie : Helping a friend in need. Plain and simple.
Peridot : Oh okay, then why don’t just ask her yourself?
Steven: Well here is the thing... Where did she?
Spinel: SURPRISE!!!
Spinel came out startling them.
Steven: Here is my “best friend” spinel.
Spinel: A pleasure to meet you.
Bismth: I thought she tries to kill you?
Jamie: That’s the issue, she doesn’t remember wanting or doing it.
Peridot: Wow she outranked us! It took me a month to stop try kill Steven.
Bismuth: I say it took me a day or two.
Lapis: Hah I’m still on the fence.
Jamie: Wow what a dark humour you have.
He somehow fails to see any fun in that.
Peridot: Why thank you. Now, Steven let me see what she used to hit you?
Steven gave a laser scythe to Peridot “Wow is it some laser or-
Bismuth : Be careful with that... it’s a rejuvenator. Homeworld used these against gems who stepped out of line. One hit with this and you are back to how they made you.
Ruby: Uhm you”Jamie’ what is she looking at?
Jamie: ...uuh Nothing she just checks on you that’s all.
Sapphire: That’s very watchful of her.
Peridot: Wait I touched it! My character development can disappear!
Jamie: I really doubt that. I mean you have to be hit with it-
Peridot: Wait if that’s true then how did Steven survived that?
Jamie really didn’t thought of that and looked at Steven
“I don’t know my human half didn’t poof but my powers are like when I was a kid again, I can barely control them...How can we reverse all of this. Do I need Diamonds again?”
Jamie: Steven we were in such scenarios before, I’m sure we’ll figure something out.
Lapis: That’s right. If anyone can fix this it’s you.
Steven: Perhaps isn’t helping. For first time in years, everyone is in danger and I’m useless. Bismuth, what should we do?
Bismuth was usually the Garnet in this situation to pick up the pieces but even she wasn’t very certain here unfortunately.
“Sorry Steven. I don’t know”
Steven looked at Jamie
Look on his face tells it all, it’s the other way around now...
“Steven...maybe the way I see it, we have to both turn that giant drill off... And return their memories back... “
Like in books, sometimes you need something more to refresh memory.
“Simply words and explanations won’t do, something similar from past experiences for some deja vu...”
And that gave Steven the idea, only way to do this.
Steven: If I’m not mistaken, Ruby saved Sapphire when they were in danger. So...
Jamie: Love from danger? Classic. What do you propose?
Steven: Jamie you go there and make sure they don’t go anywhere. We’ll come right away with somehing.
Jamie: Alright... Miss Ruby, Miss Sapphire...
Sapphire: Jamie What does ‘miss’ mean?
Jamie: It’s formality which means should show respect when I talk.
Ruby: Really? So Miss Sapphire would do for me too?
Jamie: Yes of course.
Sapphire : Jamie, are you afraid of us?
That question again...
When he first learned of gems, they were pretty much an urban legend... them he fell for one of them... which was now in front of him in two components...
The absurdity of whole thing made him puzzled most of the time so he barely paid attention to other feeling he felt.
Fear.... Fear of their bone breaking power... mystery around them living here for thousands of years... if they were even friends...
But that fear was minimal.
He chuckled
Jamie – I did once but that was before I started to figure you out properly... a friend of mine told me to know them before judge them.
Ruby – Maybe on your planet but on Homeworld, Diamonds decide who to judge. You have to obey.
Jamie – On that, she definitely would disagree.
Sapphire – What else can you say about that friend-
They heard some sounds and turned to see Steven with some giant chainsaw.
Jamie: WOW WOW STEVEN WHAT IS WRONG?!
Steven: I’m trying to provoke a reaction.
Sapphire: Don’t worry I predict he’s pretending.
Steven would love to retort but alas.
Steven: AAH she’s right, I can’t do it even if we are pretending.
Ruby: Jamie did you see that? My Sapphire was right.
Jamie: That’s uhh great?
Ruby: What do you predict will happen next?
Sapphire: Well the spinel will pick up that device out of curiosity and hijinks would ensue
Jamie: Yes wait what?
Steven: Spinel don’t touch that!
It was too late as Spinel already tuirned it on and uncontrollably wrecked everything around. Luckily Jamie was pretty quick adn managed to dodge hem as could others.
Bimuth: MY PRECIOUS SCAFOLLDING!
Ruby: What happens next?
Sapphire: In a moment scaffolding falls on all of you.
Jamie and Ruby: WHAT.
Pillars crashed but Jaime and Ruby dodged them.
Jamie: Hah, not bad foresight.
Ruby: And you are amazing.
Sapphire: Hm next. Peridot and Bismuth will try prevent the scaffolding from falling but fails. Lapis will save the two small gems nearby just in time.
Spinel: Is it over?
Jamie: I think so. Right?
Sapphire: THE SAW WILL CONTINE TO CUT AND ENVIL WILL FALL.
Ruby: Huh AAAAAAAH
Jamie : Ruby get out of there!
Sapphire: I TOLD HER SHE WOULDN’T LAST A DAY
Ruby: Well...I’m glad fate allowed me to meet you
Jamie didn’t wanna hear it to this and run at her as fast as he could “NOOOO”
Steven’s shield began to fade as Sapphire and Jamie jumped to Ruby, throwing them three out of the harm’s way.
And then the two gems began to glow in his arms until finally Garnet appeared on top of Jamie. Jamie could only say “So much light...”
Garnet: Who?...What am I?