Home World (Steven Universe AU)

Summary:

In which guesses are made some farther from the truth than others

Yellow sat down in her chair, a translucent screen materializing in front of her. She swiped through the star maps, scanning for the next viable planet. Her eyes narrowed, and she clicked her tongue in irritation. Concentration eluded her.

Corrupted gems. What a ridiculous concept for Blue to bring up. So what if they were from Earth? So what if they had survived the attack? They had it coming, whether they survived or not. Why was Blue so concerned about enemies?

Their unforgivable leader had shattered Pink Diamond. Why would Blue want to cure the very gems who had followed such a rebel? Even the original Blue Diamond hadn't wasted pity on them. This must be the fault of her organic side.

Yellow leaned back in her chair, fingers tapping the screen. "Is this some kind of tantrum?" she mused aloud, swiping idly at the interface. Blue had never had a tantrum before, but perhaps this was her version of one. Was she bored?

Yellow's gaze shifted down to her Pearl, who stood attentively nearby. "Pearl, why do you think Blue is so determined to heal those… corrupted gems from Earth?"

Pearl stiffened, caught off guard by the question. How in all the galaxies was she supposed to know the inner workings of Blue's mind? She didn't belong to Blue, after all.

"I—I don't know, my Diamond," Pearl stammered, her posture rigid. "Perhaps she believes they could be useful to us? Maybe the rejuvenator could… reset them." She faltered, unsure if her guess was sound.

Yellow hummed thoughtfully, her annoyance giving way to intrigue. That was a smart idea. A perfect one, even. They could reclaim the gems as usable resources. And perhaps, in doing so, they might locate their corrupted leader.

Yellow's smirk widened at the thought. She could shatter the rebel herself to ensure there would never again be a rebellion, setting an example for all. Originally, she had intended to destroy all the survivors from the war, but this idea had merit. Gathering the corrupted gems could be revolutionary.

And humans. Yes, humans might entertain Blue in the process. Yellow leaned back in her chair, feeling far more relaxed now. The cluster's delayed emergence might even work to her advantage. The peridot who had failed to trigger it might yet prove useful before meeting her end, likely via the cluster itself once its purpose was fulfilled.

"Perfect," Yellow murmured, a satisfied gleam in her eyes. She had been so fixated on destruction that she hadn't considered using the rejuvenator herself. It was such a logical solution. With the corrupted gems restored and no Rose Quartz to question her authority, the rebellion would be permanently quashed.

Yellow's thoughts briefly drifted back to Pink. Why hadn't she used the rejuvenator on the Rose Quartz who rebelled? Perhaps it was because Earth was her first colony, and she hadn't yet known how to handle such defiance.

No matter. Yellow had found a way forward. She finally settled on a planet for her next colony, resolving to prioritize it before sending gems to Earth. They would collect the corrupted gems and perhaps a few humans as well.

She glanced at the list of names the peridot had once sent her, smirking. Time to set her plans in motion.

=======

Blue flew through the air, slamming into the wall with a force that knocked the wind from her lungs. Dazed, her vision swam with stars, but she still had the presence of mind to summon her force field. Just in time, too—Onyx lunged toward her, claws bared, desperate to strike.

Through squinted eyes, Blue could make out the corrupted gem viciously clawing at the shimmering barrier. She held her breath, exhaled slowly, and fought to steady her breathing. With a flex of her fingers, spikes erupted from the shield, forcing Onyx to stagger backward.

Wasting no time, Blue slammed her palms onto the cold, cracked ground. Ice spikes surged upward, racing toward Onyx and slamming her against the wall. The final spike pierced through her form, and with a flash of light, the gem was poofed, leaving nothing but the core of her being behind.

Another failed attempt. Blue sighed, wiping a streak of blood from her cheek as she pushed herself to her feet. Onyx had become increasingly feral with each failed healing attempt. Maneuvering carefully through the jagged ice, Blue ignored the way the sharp edges tore at her dress, ripping it in places. It didn't matter—this dress could be discarded. A ruby could incinerate it later.

The door burst open, and three gems hurried inside.

"Oh my stars, my Diamond!" Zircon cried, tripping over a shattered ice spike on the floor.

Blue had just reached the Onyx gem and picked it up when Zircon's voice drew her attention. "Oh, Zircon, have you found anything?" she asked casually, bubbling the gem without glancing back.

Zircon scrambled to her feet, her wide eyes darting around the room. The walls were cracked and gouged, the floor littered with debris, and her Diamond looked nothing short of a disaster. Blue's once-elegant dress was shredded and smeared with crimson, her hair tangled and stained.

"We told you, our Diamond wanted to handle this on her own," Amethyst reminded Zircon, her tone calm but pointed.

"I did," Blue confirmed with a nod, sending the bubbled gem off to the containment area. She turned her gaze to the gems before her. "Now, Zircon, please—tell me what you've discovered."

Zircon hesitated, wringing her hands. "My Diamond, perhaps you should… clean up first," Pearl interjected gently, her eyes filled with concern.

Blue opened her mouth to protest but thought better of it. Cleaning up did sound appealing, especially after the chaotic battle. "Understood," she relented with a sigh, turning to leave the ruined room.

The trio of gems followed her closely as she made her way back to her quarters, their worried glances silently communicating what they didn't dare say aloud: their Diamond was pushing herself too far.

As intended, her tattered dress had been sent off to be incinerated. Blue now reclined in a water-filled tub, the warm liquid washing away the crimson stains to reveal unblemished skin beneath. Zircon, standing dutifully by the tub, silently observed the rapid healing process, a trait likely inherited from Blue's hybrid nature. She quickly dismissed the thought—there were more pressing matters at hand.

Clearing her throat, Zircon summoned a translucent file through her monocle, its contents projected into the air. "You were right, my Diamond. Pink Diamond's demise does, in fact, not make sense."

Blue tilted her head, her gaze fixed on the projected image of the infamous Rose Quartz. The figure depicted was identical to the portrait Steven kept on Earth, but there was a stark difference. In the portrait, Rose appeared serene, almost maternal. Here, she was combative, wielding a sword and shield, the epitome of a warrior.

Noticing Blue's curiosity, Zircon handed her a physical copy of the file. "As the record shows, Pink was shattered right outside her palanquin," Zircon explained, her tone steady but solemn.

Blue furrowed her brows, her eyes scanning the document. The weapon described was unmistakable—the very sword Steven's friend Connie now wielded. "But… how? And with so many witnesses?" Blue questioned, sitting up straighter, water rippling around her.

Zircon hesitated before handing over another file. "My working theory is that it must have been someone close to Pink," she ventured cautiously, her expression thoughtful but wary.

Blue's mind raced. Could it have been the original Blue Diamond? The elder had been notorious for her harsh punishments, even shattering gems without hesitation. Or perhaps it was Yellow? Zircon seemed to share the thought, nervously glancing at her Diamond before speaking again.

"…Another Diamond," Zircon added carefully, as though treading on dangerous ground.

Blue gasped, her head snapping up to look at Zircon, who braced herself for a reprimand, perhaps even to be poofed. Instead, Blue's voice was calm but firm. "Yellow would never. She gave me a rejuvenator specifically to handle insubordination without resorting to such extremes. She wouldn't risk another war."

Her defense of Yellow was resolute, yet it left her no closer to an answer. Blue returned her attention to the files, flipping through them with mounting frustration. "Perhaps… the original Blue Diamond?" she murmured aloud, considering the possibility.

But that didn't sit right either. Blue vividly recalled the dream she had of the Diamonds' attack on Earth, the fury and grief that radiated from her predecessor during that moment. The vengeance felt genuine—this didn't align with someone who would shatter a fellow Diamond.

"No, that isn't right," she mused aloud, flipping back and forth between the files. A realization sparked in her mind, and her gaze sharpened.

"I have an idea," Blue said suddenly, her voice filled with determination.

"What about her Pearl?" Blue asked, glancing back at her own Pearl, who was carefully selecting soap for her Diamond's hair.

"She was very loyal to Pink," Pearl informed the two detectives, her voice calm but tinged with reverence.

Blue turned her gaze forward, her mind racing with possibilities. Could Pink's Pearl have been involved somehow? Perhaps she had shape-shifted into a Rose Quartz to join the enemy? But no, Blue dismissed the thought almost as quickly as it came. She vividly remembered the dream of Pink asking her for a colony, with her Pearl standing faithfully nearby. If there was one thing Blue could count on, it was that her Pearl had never lied to her.

Pearl moved closer, gently working the soap into Blue's hair. The soothing sensation helped clear her thoughts. "Could someone have shape-shifted into Rose Quartz?" Blue asked aloud, her tone contemplative. "There are many gems capable of such a thing."

"It's very likely," Zircon confirmed, her voice steady but analytical. "Rose Quartz has been considered a significant threat for centuries. It's entirely possible that during the chaos of the war, someone could have shape-shifted to frame her—or worse, to pose as someone Pink trusted and lure her out of her palanquin."

The theory was plausible, yet frustratingly vague. Who could have done such a thing?

"I'm sorry, my Diamond," Zircon said ruefully as Blue handed back the files. "That is all I was able to gather regarding Pink and Rose."

Blue offered a bittersweet smile. "Thank you nonetheless."

Though she now had more questions than answers, the investigation had provided a few critical leads. Where was Pink's Pearl now? Had she been shattered to keep her silent? The questions swirled in Blue's mind like restless tides. Still, there was some solace—this was something she could share with Steven, when the time was right.

"Now, about the corrupted gems," Zircon said, swapping out the files for a new set. "As you know, the cycle of gemkind is deeply tied to the Diamond essence. The corruption, caused by the Diamond attack, can only be cured by a Diamond. However—" she paused, summoning a diagram that depicted the silhouettes of all four Diamonds— "to make the healing process permanent, we would need White Diamond's help."

Pearl paused mid-motion, her hands frozen in Blue's hair. Blue, however, remained impassive, her eyes fixed on the files in front of her.

White Diamond. Blue had heard the name countless times in passing from Yellow and had seen the imposing ship that bore her insignia. Yet, despite her existence being ever-present, Blue had never once met White Diamond in person.

The revelation settled heavily in her chest. She had assumed the healing process wasn't working because of her hybrid nature, but Zircon's explanation made all too much sense. The corruption had been caused by all four Diamonds; logically, all four would be required to reverse it completely.

Pearl resumed washing her hair, and Blue couldn't help but feel a pang of self-reproach for not thinking of White Diamond earlier. It was so obvious in hindsight, yet it had eluded her.

"I'll need to prepare for a meeting with her," Blue murmured, her tone resolute, though there was an undercurrent of uncertainty. This meeting would be no small undertaking.

Zircon nodded silently, her expression a mixture of apprehension and determination.

She placed a finger on the pink diamond in the diagram. This must have been an old file—one that showed the cycle of gemkind. Most of the gems depicted were imperfect, likely due to Blue being half-organic. It must have been flawless long ago, back when Pink was alive. She shook her head; it didn't matter now. All that mattered was curing the gems.

"We should talk with White," she said, returning the files to Zircon as Pearl began rinsing her hair.

Zircon tensed. "That's not wise," Pearl advised, feeling equally anxious. Eyes tightly shut to avoid soap, Blue questioned them. "Why not?"

Pearl grimaced. White hadn't left her head-ship in eons. Even before her demise, the original Blue Diamond couldn't speak with White, as the eldest Diamond never allowed anyone in.

"White is… difficult to talk to," Pearl explained, ensuring all the soap was rinsed from her hair.

Blue brushed the wet strands from her face, blinking a few times before glancing over her shoulder at Pearl. "But she helped with the corruption," she reminded them, uncertain of what Pearl was implying.

Pearl grabbed another soap and began washing Blue's back. "White might not listen. You're… half-human, and she might…" Pearl hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

Zircon interrupted, her anxiety spilling into her voice. "White hasn't let anyone close for centuries! She might think you're fooling around, not take you seriously. Even if you got into her ship, she wouldn't understand that you're Blue Diamond's offspring—not just Blue Diamond in a new form, trying to cope or something!" Zircon's voice rose as she rambled, almost shouting.

Blue sighed. Their arguments seemed valid enough, and she didn't like it. "Why is this so complicated?" she complained, sinking into the tub.

The gems watched in confusion as she lay at the bottom, her knees bent to the surface and bubbles floating up around her.

Yellow wouldn't listen, offering no answers about how Pink was shattered. Now, discovering that White was also unlikely to help with the corruption simply because Blue was half-organic and White refused to let anyone in—it was disheartening.

Wait a second.

Blue sat up abruptly. "What if White is grieving too? Has she always been in isolation?" she asked urgently, turning in the tub to fully face Pearl.

Blue wasn't naïve; she knew her creator had grieved for thousands of years over Pink's demise. Gems talked—a lot. And Blue could sometimes sense Yellow's negative emotions, too. It only made sense that White might be grieving Pink's loss in her own way, through isolation.

"Not before Pink's demise," Pearl admitted, recalling those happier times. The moments when all the Diamonds laughed together, Pink saying silly things that brought joy to everyone, singing, dancing, and throwing extravagant balls. Those were the days before Pink was finally given her own colony.

"I apologize, my Diamond, but I don't think it would make a difference. Not with your current form, and not with a subject you weren't there for," Zircon gently informed her.

Blue hadn't been born during the war. Even if she managed to reach White, her half-organic nature and lack of firsthand knowledge about the war meant she couldn't truly relate to losing someone precious. It would likely be a waste of everyone's time.

Blue curled up, drawing her knees under her chin. She was a Diamond; she was supposed to have everything under control. But this—this corruption, Pink's demise, the inability to connect with Yellow or White—none of it was going her way. Everything felt so far out of reach, and it was deeply frustrating and unfair.

"It is mealtime, my Diamond," Pearl announced gently.

"Understood," Blue replied, yielding. She finished her bath and stepped out.

=======

Blue lay in her bed, unable to sleep. She held the stuffed animals she'd brought from Earth close, curling up and sinking deeper into the piles of pillows. "What do I do?" she muttered, squeezing the toys and covering her face with them.

A flashing light caught her attention from the side of the bed, just beyond the canopy. There was only one person who would contact her outside the control room. Did she really want to talk to him right now? She wasn't in the best mood and didn't want to worry him. Then again, he always managed to make her smile.

Blue crawled toward the flashing diamond line, grabbed it, and slumped back onto the bed before answering. As expected, his face appeared on the screen, and she cracked a small smile.

"Hey, you," Steven greeted, the sound of waves in the background suggesting he was outside.

"Hello," she softly replied.

Steven frowned, noticing how tired she looked, much like the last few times he'd called. "Still no progress on the gems?" he asked, though it wasn't really a question.

"Progress on information, but not results," she admitted, clutching a stuffed whale close to her chest. "I've been informed the corruption can be permanently cured with the help of White Diamond, but…" She grimaced, recalling what Zircon and Pearl had told her. "Being a hybrid has its setbacks. White won't understand that I'm an offspring of Blue Diamond. She won't take my concerns seriously, much less allow me to speak with her in person."

Steven's frown deepened. He knew how hard Blue had been trying—she kept him updated whenever she could. "I'm sure we'll find another way."

Since Blue had started working on curing the gems, Steven had redoubled his efforts, revisiting old methods, but neither of them had made progress.

"I've been thinking," Steven said, leaning back against what looked like stone. "My mom was the only gem with the ability to heal. Have you looked into the Rose Quartz files back on Homeworld?"

Blue nodded. "I've tried, but for some reason, those files are locked. None of my subjects can access them, and I suspect Yellow has something to do with that," she guessed.

Ever since then, she'd entertained the idea of sneaking a Rose Quartz back to her chambers and unbubbling her to learn the truth directly. But the thought was risky—far riskier than sneaking onto Earth. The idea of poofing a gem just to hide her felt wrong. The gem would be confused and upset, and Blue didn't want to subject anyone innocent to such a fate just for a bit of information.

"It's hard," Blue admitted softly.

Steven's lips curled into a smile. He didn't like seeing her so gloomy. Blue might be her name and color, but she looked far better smiling and happy.

"Well…" he began, lifting something from below the screen, "I have a song I think might cheer you up."

A guitar appeared in his hands, and Blue's eyes widened, entirely unprepared for the surprise.

Steven adjusted the tuners, a look of concentration on his face. The song wasn't related to their current struggles, but he'd been working on it for days, and now seemed like the perfect time to share it. Maybe the melody could lift her spirits, pulling her mind away from the hardships she'd been wrestling with.

Blue sat up straighter, her curiosity piqued. She hugged a pillow and her pink stuffed whale close to her chest, staring intently at the screen.

Then, the room filled with a wonderful melody, soft and heartfelt. Steven's singing followed, tender and full of emotion:

*"You and me

We may be so far apart

And I miss you so, but at least

You have my heart.

We'll be together through many galaxies,

And I won't have to see you in just my dreams.

Oooooh hoooo,

I love you so much, it's true.

I love you so much, nobody but you.

I see the stars reflected in your eyes,

And I don't mean that ironically."*

His voice was majestic, sweet, and caring, every note and word brimming with affection. Blue found it utterly calming, like waves washing away the footprints of her frustrations on the shore. She could listen to him forever. Her cheeks grew warm, her heart light and fluttery as the lyrics wrapped around her like a comforting embrace.

Steven continued, his passion evident in every chord:

*"You and me,

We may be so far apart.

And maybe part of this is hurting me,

But you have my heart.

And it's not love without a little tragedy.

Ooooooh hoooo,

I love you, and I just can't deny.

I love you, and it feels like I'm

Flying high.

I know you love me too,

My precious Blue."*

Blue's chest tightened, her heart swelling with emotion. Steven's song swept away her worries, leaving only warmth and the sense of being cherished. She smiled, her gaze soft as she watched him, feeling a little less alone and a lot more loved.

Blue smiled serenely, clasping her hands together. "Oh stars, that was so beautiful," she praised. Steven had been right—it truly cheered her up.

Steven returned her smile, noticing how her eyes seemed to shine, almost as if they were glowing. Was that because she was half-gem? Did his own eyes do that? He opened his mouth to say something romantic but paused, his brow furrowing as a distant sound caught his attention.

"Is that screaming?" Blue asked, her expression curious.

Steven hesitated, realizing she was right—he wasn't imagining it. Before he could answer, a loud crash came from somewhere behind him. He jumped up, disappearing off-screen momentarily, only to return just as quickly.

"I'll call you back. I think a Ruby just fell from the sky," he said, his tone urgent.

Blue blinked, startled. "O-oh. I see. Goodbye, then."

She turned off the diamond line, now holding it idly in her hand. Sinking back into her mountain of pillows, she let her thoughts drift, replaying Steven's beautiful song in her mind. It had truly lifted her spirits, leaving her feeling lighter and happier.

Staring up at the roof of her canopy, her thoughts wandered. Maybe she should visit Earth for a few days. But then again, she wasn't sure when Yellow would leave, and she couldn't return to Earth without answers—answers about Pink's demise or a permanent solution to curing the corrupted gems.

Though she'd been trying for days with little success, maybe she was missing something. Maybe she was doing it wrong.

Steven was the only person she could turn to for guidance. Perhaps if she saw how he tried to heal a gem, it would help her figure out how to improve her own methods.

It was worth a try.