3rd Person P.O.V.

Steven had contacted Bruce as soon as he heard about what is going on in Beach City. He said he would be there tonight. Steven has told the gems about this and they said they were going to look for them.

Steven's P.O.V.

I'm so nervous. My friends keep disappearing. Lars, Sadie, Connie, Onion, and Jamie.

How is it that only my friends are the ones missing? I don't mean I wouldn't care if somebody I didn't know was kidnapped, but it seems like this was directed towards me. If it's always targeting people I know, who's next?

Will it be Bruce? What am I saying?! He wouldn't get taken, he's Batman for crying out loud!

There's no way he could be kidnapped, he just can't. That, and he's at Gotham so the kidnapper couldn't go all the way there, unless they're that desperate to ruin my life. Oh, I hope Bruce gets here soon, he'll find them.

(???) Are you My Dad?

I heard a voice behind me.

A gem!

(???) Are you My Dad? I need to look for My Dad.

(Steven) Uh, no, but--

She started to fly away.

(Steven) Hey wait!

She was too fast and she got away before I know where she next.

[Radio] Steven, I'm on my way. Where are you located?

It was Bruce. I picked up the radio he gave me.

(Steven) I'm at the Boardwalk! Please, hurry!

[Radio] I'm going as fast as I can. I'll be there in a few minutes. Are you hurt?

Huh, that's new. He expresses concern, not much of a surprise since I displayed fear in my tone.

(Steven) I-I'm fine. Just scared.

[Radio] Just secure yourself until I get there. I'll be there soon, we'll handle this.

Wow, just hearing him say that makes me feel better. Hopefully, his words are true. Very soon after a few minutes, I heard something.

(???) Steven?

(Steven) (screams) DON'T HURT ME! Oh, it's you.

Goodness! If I was older, I'd probably get a heart attack. How did he sneak up on me without me seeing or hearing him?

(Batman) Sorry.

(Steven) No, it's fine. I'm just nervous.

(Batman) I can tell. There's five people missing?

(Steven) Yes.

(Batman) Any connections about the people? This is important.

(Steven) I know all of them and they're my friends. What does this mean?

(Batman) It sounds like they're kidnapping those you know on purpose. Or anyone they could find, this is a small town, afterall.

(Steven) If someone's kidnapping them to get to me, why haven't they done something about it already?

(Batman) They probably have something planned for you. Or they haven't collected enough of your friends yet. Either way, they're going to continue until things go according to plan. Anything else?

(Steven) No. This is an irrelevant topic, but I just saw a gem who said she's looking for her dad.

(Batman) Her dad?

(Steven) She said, "are you my Dad?"

(Batman) Strange, gems don't have parents, based on what you told me. And even if they did, it sounds like she forgot who her dad is, which is very unusual since gems have a good memory.

(Steven) This is all so confusing and stressful.

(Batman) Don't worry, I'll see what I can do.

(Steven) Okay, so what do we do now?

(Batman) We go to where the last known sightings of the victims to find any clues on where they went.

3rd Person P.O.V.

Funland

Batman and Steven were at Funland which was closed due to a person going missing there, and somebody broke in but didn't steal anything.

(Steven) Okay, the fliers Sour Cream had showed Onion being seen here before he was missing.

They both noticed there's a hole in the chained fence. Batman turned on Detective Mode.

(Batman) The fence has a huge hole in it. Whoever did that obviously wasn't small or average sized.

(Steven) What do you think?

(Batman) It may look like somebody used bolt cutters on the fence, but the cuts on the wires look rough, and bolt cutters leave clean cuts. Someone smashed through the fence. If they're strong enough to break through the fence, why not jump the fence?

Steven saw a piece of cloth.

(Steven) That looks like a part of Onion's pants.

Batman scanned it.

(Batman) Onion jumped the fence and somebody smashed through it. Someone was chasing him.

(Steven) It must be the kidnapper.

(Batman) Must be. I need to look for more evidence to be sure.

They walked through the the fence. Batman spotted footprints.

(Batman) There are two sets of footprints that was sand stuck on their feet and left a trail behind like breadcrumbs. One set is small and the other set is large. This must be Onion and his kidnapper.

They followed the footprints. Suddenly, they stopped.

(Batman) The trail ends here. The sand must've gotten off their feet. Now it's even more difficult to determine where they went next.

They looked around.

(Batman) They could've gone anywhere at this spot.

(Steven) Oh, no.

(Batman) So far, what we learned is that Onion was here before he was taken and the kidnapper is very strong. Is there anybody you know whose very strong in this town?

(Steven) No humans that I know. The only gems I know who are strong are the Crystal Gems. But they'd never start kidnapping humans, they wouldn't.

(Batman) This means the kidnapper isn't from here or they haven't been known in this town yet. Where is the next spot where someone went missing?

(Steven) Sadie. She went home, at least, that's what she was doing the last time I saw her.

(Batman) Take me to where you last saw her.

In the neighborhood

(Steven) We separated here. She went that way and I went this way. It was also dark so I wouldn't see where she was taken, if I saw her.

He scanned where Steven pointed.

(Batman) There's some footprints with dirt on them, meaning somebody stepped on some grass and left some dirt behind their footsteps.

(Steven) That's exactly where Sadie was at.

They followed the footprints and the trail went cold.

(Batman) Another dead end. Only this time, the dirt didn't slowly degrade into nothing, it was almost as if she was lifted off the ground, that's when she was taken. But I don't see anything else that determines how she was taken or where the kidnapper went.

(Steven) Oh no!

(Batman) If every single person was taken the same way Sadie and Onion was taken, then we might not find out who the kidnapper is. We need more clues to identify the kidnapper. This one thing that doesn't make sense.

(Steven) What?

(Batman) If the kidnapper took Sadie here, they would've carried her over their shoulder or put her in a vehicle. The vehicle is out of the question since I don't see any fresh tire marks on the road.

(Steven) Why doesn't it make sense that she was carried on the shoulder?

(Batman) Because if she was, she would've dropped something, whether the kidnapper knocked her unconscious or not. I don't see anything she could've dropped.

Batman formed a new idea.

(Batman) Where was the location where you found the gem?

(Steven) At the Funland arcade. Why do you ask?

(Batman) She's the only lead we have about this case.

(Steven) But she's really small, I don't see her being responsible for the kidnapping.

(Batman) How did she evade you before I got here?

(Steven) She flew away.

(Batman) If she's capable of flying away, she could have been responsible for taking the people from here.

(Steven) But what about the other footprints at Funland? They were very large and her feet looked pretty small.

(Batman) That doesn't mean she isn't a valuable suspect. Take me to where you last saw her.

At Funland

(Steven) She was right here and she grew water wings and flew away.

(Batman) Water wings?

(Steven) Yeah. Lapis can do the same.

(Batman) Then I can track her.

(Steven) Wait, you mean the gem? How?

(Batman) If she formed water, then part of it must've vaporized while she was flying or it drops onto the ground. Either way, I can follow the tracks she's made.

He turned on Detective Mode and set the scanners for any traces involving H2O in the last hour.

(Batman) We have a trail.

Batman follows the trail with Steven right behind him. They were lead up to a roof, which was no big deal since Steven can jump high and Batman has a grapple. Then, the trail went down onto the streets.

The trail was long and confusing, but it led to nothing but a bunch of circles.

(Batman) There's nothing here.

(Steven) But that's impossible, she should've been somewhere else. If she travels by flying, then we should be able to follow the trail right to her.

(Batman) She must've traveled on foot, but I don't see any footprints of any kind that would match to hers. We're back to square one.

(Steven) Hold on, I'm going to try something.

He tried calling Connie.

(Steven) Maybe by any luck, Connie would answer.

No answer.

(Batman) Let me see that.

Steven hand him his phone.

(Steven) What are you doing?

(Batman) Does Connie have her phone?

(Steven) I mean, she should have it on her. She keeps it in her pocket.

(Batman) As long as it isn't destroyed, we can find her.

(Steven) How?

(Batman) I'm downloading your contacts into my cowl so I can find and pinpoint Connie's phone. Which leads her phone to... Funland.

(Steven) But how? We were just there.

(Batman) But we weren't looking for Connie's phone. The kidnapper could be hiding them there.

(Steven) I'll go get the gems to help me find the kidnapper and help us save my friends. You can go without me. Hopefully, you find the kidnapper before we get there.

They split up. Steven hopes this is a good plan. It's not that he's worried about Bruce being kidnapped, he's worried about himself getting kidnapped.

He looks over his shoulder to see Batman already gone. He's getting paranoid. He quickly rushes back to the house.

(Steven) Guys! I have big news!

(Amethyst) Is it something good?

(Steven) No, it's terrible! My friends are getting kidnapped.

(Pearl) Oh, stars! Who's been taken?

(Steven) Connie, Sadie, Lars, Jamie, and Onion.

(Amethyst) Whoa, that's a lot of people.

(Steven) I also found a gem whose little and blue. She can fly like Lapis and her gem is under her left eye.

(Pearl) It... can't be.

(Steven) What?

(Pearl) It sounds like an aquamarine but she's one of Blue Diamond's personal guard.

(Steven) Do you think she's connected to the missing people?

(Garnet) I wouldn't say it's out of the question, but it's possible.

(Steven) Bruce found a lead at Funland about the missing people. I'm just worried he... might get kidnapped. Which is why I'm getting you guys to help if he is.

(Garnet) Let's go.

At Funland

(Steven) Br-- Batman! We're here! Batman?

He almost forgot to not say Batman's real name out loud where people could hear him. He calls out, but doesn't hear a response. Bruce must be here if he said the phone is located here. Has he found it already?

Is he now pursuing the kidnapper and didn't have time to inform Steven? The silence scares Steven. He took the radio Batman gave him and tried calling him.

(Steven) Bruce, are you there?

He wished he responds quickly. After a moment of silence, the radio spoke.

[Radio] I'm at Funland. I haven't found Connie's phone yet. Are you at Funland?

(Steven) Yeah, I just got here with the gems. I filled them in on whats going on. Pearl says the gem I saw was an aquamarine.

[Radio] An aquamarine?

(Steven) Yeah. Pearl said she's Blue Diamond's personal guard, one of them at least.

[Radio] If she's on Earth, she must've been sent personally.

(Steven) That's what Pearl thinks as well.

(Pearl) If she's here, she can't be alone. She would need an escort.

(Amethyst) Who?

(Pearl) I don't know. A few rubies? A amethyst guard? A topaz? Whatever it is, she must have muscle with her.

[Radio] Then that concluds the kidnapper is both of them. Aquamarine is the scout, while her escort carries the victims.

(Steven) But there's still us finding them and she's looking for her dad.

(Garnet) If she and her escort leaves Earth with the humans, they'll be gone for good. We can't let to take them.

[Radio] Everyone, spread out to cover more ground quickly. They won't get away with this.

Everyone listened to his order and they separated. Steven tried calling Connie's phone, seeing if it was on silent or not. If it wasn't, then her phone will tell everyone where she is.

[Phone Ringing]

It sounded like it was... right behind him. He turns around to see a huge bulk yellow gem with all five of the missing people's arms, legs, and/or heads poking out on the outside of her form. It was disturbing.

(Aquamarine) Oh, no, 🎶You found us!🎶

The little aquamarine mocked, she flew around the yellow gem. Connie, Sadie, Lars, Jamie, and Onion are scared and confused on what's going on.

(Steven) Let them go!

(Aquamarine) Don't pay attention to the Steven, Topaz. He's not part of the list.

(Steven) (thoughts) Where is Bruce? He should be here!

(Steven) List? What list?!

(Aquamarine) A list by Steven, given by a peridot cut 5XG.

(Steven) The list...

"There's tons of humans. My Dad, Sadie, Lars, Connie, the mailman, and Onion, I think."

(Steven) I gave them the list...

(Pearl) What do you mean?

(Steven) I indirectly gave them the list. Now they have 5/6 humans I mentioned.

(Aquamarine) Exactly. And now we need to look for My Dad. Why don't you be a sport and help us out??

(Garnet) Never.

(Aquamarine) Oh, well. We'll find My Dad eventually.

(Steven) No, you won't.

(Aquamarine) Yes, we will. You specified yourself that there's a My Dad.

(Steven) You misunderstood what I meant. I meant my Dad, as in, he's my father. Not his actual name.

(Aquamarine) The list said, "My Dad."

(Steven) (thoughts) Gems can be very stupid sometimes. This gem is an example, and those rubies we tricked into playing Baseball.

Garnet rushed in to attack but Topaz used a part of Jamie (which is his head) to make her stop.

(Jamie) Ah, Garnet, I moved on, I swear!

Garnet stopped and Topaz grabbed her and chucked her at one of the stands.

(Amethyst) What the-- That's dirty!

Pearl jumps.

(Pearl) My spear can hit them without harming the hostages.

(Aquamarine) Oh, you're so smart.

She used her bowtie on her head, which turned into a wand, to fire a beam that made Pearl frozen in place. Then, she threw Pearl at a nearby stand. This was difficult, Topaz uses the hostages as sheilds and Aquamarine uses her wand to stop anyone from getting too close.

She was about to use it again but it was knocked out of her hand by a strange object she isn't familiar with. Steven knew what it was.

It was a Batarang.

(Aquamarine) What the--?

She got punched right in the face by Batman who came out of nowhere. She falls to the ground and he grabs her with one hand. His hand almost covers her entire body.

He then clenched his fist, trying to poof her.

(Aquamarine) (weakened) Topaz...

Before Batman knew what was next, he saw a yellow fist hitting his face and he let go of Aquamarine and was sent back about 7 meters.

(Steven) Batman!

He gets back up quickly and drew a Batarang.

(Aquamarine) You know, Topaz, I seem to have forgotten about a minor detail. Did Homeworld specifically to bring back the specimens alive?

Batman didn't move an inch, still holding the Batarang.

(Steven) (gasp)

(Aquamarine) You know, I don't think they did.

Topaz grabbed Jamie's head.

(Jamie) St-Steven?!

(Aquamarine) I'm actually a little curious on what's inside a humans head. Batman, was it? Is that what the Steven called you? Well, Batman, throw that little custom-made blade thing of yours, and we'll find out what a human head looks on the inside.

Batman reluctantly put the Batarang inside his belt.

(Aquamarine) Good. Now, since you both care about these humans, why don't you tell us where to find My Dad and we'll be on our merry way.

None of them can reason with her about how My Dad doesn't exist. Batman can't attack them since they'll kill someone if he does. Steven can see the restraint Batman is displaying by standing still, not moving.

Steven has to play his only card left. He stepped forward.

(Batman) Steven, what are you doing?

(Steven) I'm My Dad.

(Batman) What?

(Amethyst) What?!

(Garnet) What?

(Pearl) WHAT?!

(Aquamarine) I know what you're thinking, Topaz. It's strange how My Dad is also a Steven. But if it means we're going back to Homeworld, then I'll believe it.

Steven steps forth and the Topaz unfuses, revealing two of the same topaz' only different gem placements.

(Batman) Steven, do you have a plan?

(Steven) Yes.

The topaz's fuse again, with Steven inside of them. Aquamarine calls in a ship and Topaz jumps into it.

(Aquamarine) Well, it was nice meeting you, Batman. It's interesting to know Earth has it's own defects, like Homeworld.

He threw a Batarang at her but missed.

(Aquamarine) (blows raspberry)

She flew up the ship.

(Batman) We can't let them escape with Steven and the others.

(Garnet) We need Alexandrite to stop that ship.

Batman had an idea on what they're about to do so he backs up and allows the gems to fuse into Alexandrite. Then, she grabs the ship snd opens the door by force. Batman could catch a glimpse on what's going on inside.

Steven freed himself from the Topaz fusion and he and Connie are trying to fight the two topaz'

(Batman) Steven, get the humans out of there!

Some of the humans made it to the door, but they were too scared to jump.

(Batman) Wait!

Alexandrite gave Batman a puzzled look.

(Batman) Hover the ship over the water.

She listened to his instruction. The humans jump off except Steven but all the humans and Alexandrite were frozen in place by a blue beam. It looks like she found her wand again.

Batman should've destroyed it.

(Aquamarine) Not so fast! We aren't allowed to go back empty handed.

This was insane. There seemed to be no way to evade them, and they're powerful enough to manipulate them by force. Steven, again, has a compromise that seems like the only choice.

(Steven) Stop!

(Aquamarine) I don't think so. We're behind schedule and we need to follow our objective.

(Steven) I have something that overrides your priority. I am Rose Quartz, the gem who shattered Pink Diamond!

Aquamarine let go of control of everyone and Alexandrite unfused.

(Aquamarine) What? Ugh, how many identities do you have?!

(Steven) I lied about being My Dad because he doesn't exist!

(Aquamarine) How do I know you're not lying?

He lifts up his shirt.

(Steven) I have her gem! And her powers, look!

He summoned his shield.

(Steven) Just let them go, and you can take me back to the Diamonds.

He turns around to look at his friends and his hero.

(Steven) I'm sorry, this is the only way.

(Garnet) You're wrong, get down here!

(Amethyst) I'm gonna kick your butt if you don't come down here now!

(Aquamarine) Hmm... Based on their reactions, it seems he's telling the truth.

(Connie) Steven, no!

(Steven) I can stop all of this and fix what was done because of Rose Quartz.

(Pearl) Steven...

(Steven) I love you guys...

That was his final words before walking into the ship.

(Connie) No! STOP!

(Amethyst) DON'T DO IT!

The ship zoomed off into space.

(Connie) STEVEN!

Bruce stood there, now feeling partially guilty.

(Batman) I hope you made the right choice...

End of Chapter 4

3/4/2021