3rd Person Pov

~The day before~

"So, let me get this straight Jasper and Blare fused!" Amethyst yelled. Steven had just finished telling Garnet and Amethyst about the new fusion alongside Pearl. Connie having left not too long ago couldn't add her input on the story. "They were as tall as Rainbow Quartz. I didn't get to see much of him. He left without confronting us." Pearl added.

Unlike the rest Garnet had yet to say anything about the fusion, but in reality she was extremely worried. Was this like what happened to Lapis Lazuli. Had he forced himself into a fusion to protect them, but if that was the case why was this fusion roaming freely? Was he okay? "He appeared to be stable but there's no telling how or what they fused for so we can't let our guard down." Pearl said. Garnet simply nodded in agreement.

"Pearl's right, we don't know who's will is in control or how much of each of them shines through the fusion. If you encounter them stay on guard. We can't afford to under estimate them." Garnet said. Steven didn't say anything his mind focused on the uncertain look in the fusion's eyes, and how vicious they were when they fought the corrupted gem.

Regardless of how any of them felt about Black Diamond. They were all worried.

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Meanwhile in the Beta Kindergarten Carnelian bubbled the two gems that he had recently caught. Gently setting them in one of the exit holes he let out a shuddered breath he had been holding since he encountered Pearl, Steven, and Connie. A tear slipping from his left eye. The fear that flickered in their eyes hurt more than he thought it would. "I was wrong to think that seeing them wouldn't affect me as much, but I don't blame them I don't even really know what I am. I'm just an aimless experience. A relationship between two extremely protective parts made whole through a desire for understanding." He whispered.

Slowly his form glowed before he split into Black Diamond and Jasper. Both of them breathing softly as they relived the experience. If there was one thing they both agreed on it was that they were both unsure of what their fusion truly meant, but that didn't stop it from being an utterly breathtaking yet intriguing experience for them.

Jasper was in shock. Was this really what fusion should feel like. She thought to herself as every moment vividly passed through her eyes. She felt everything Black Diamond felt and understood it from his perspective. She felt like she finally somewhat understood him. However, she knew that she wouldn't accept the Crystal Gems like he did. It didn't feel right. A large part of her still resented them. Only a fraction of her being empathizing their connection to her Diamond.

But all of this was an eyes opener. Carnelian was so much more than the both of them but at the same time he wasn't. He amplified certain aspects of the both of them and suppressed other's forming him as his own individual being. It was nothing like Malachite who was just an unstable shifting mix of Lapis and herself.

"I think...I understand." Jasper whispered. Black's head snapped up his hair shifting from his eyes as he stared at her unsure if his ears were deceiving him. "Pardon?" Jasper frowned looking away from the diamond. Saying it the first time was hard enough, yet he stared at her with such disbelief as if she had told him that she loved this crumbling rock.

"It's different." Jasper answered refusing to repeat herself. Black chuckled knowing that he heard her right. Jasper frowned. "I'm glad that you can see things differently, but understand that I know that I can't change you. That's something that you need to accomplish on your own. I know that you don't like the Crystal Gems and I understand." Black told her with a thoughtful expression. Jasper growled in response but silently appreciated that he didn't look at her as something to be fixed. A barely noticeable smile made its way onto her face.

This was the start of a mutual understanding between the two. They both understood each other and knew that they would never be able to change the other. They were both different but similar at the same time. They knew how they felt about certain things and even though they didn't agree on everything. They knew that they would tolerate it.

Hours went by as the two reminisced over their fusion. Black smiling as Jasper went on and on about how perfect Carnelian was for combat. "Imagine it. We could hold three weapons at once. We could be unstoppable Black! Think about it you and I as Carnelian. No one could stand in our way." Jasper said her eyes glowing with a fiery passion that Black Diamond found himself enjoying.

"You know we can't just go around destroying things Jasper. The Crystal Gems would never get off Carnelian's case, and we both know that he can barely handle them as is." Black refuted. Jasper groaned knowing that he was right. If what she understood about fusion was right then Carnelian would be that way as long as the two of them were unsure of their fusion. However, on the brighter side that meant that over time it would get better. "Then we'll just have to get used to it." Jasper argued.

Black Diamond laughed at her enthusiasm. He had to admit he loved that his spark for battle was reignited when they fused. He would be lying if he said he didn't miss a decent fight. There was nothing like the adrenaline and thought or lake of thought that came with battle. It worried him just a little that they might get carried away in the heat of it all, but they could worry about that when they reached that bridge.

"I guess you're right." Black said holding his hand out to Jasper with a suggestive smirk on his face and a warm welcoming glint in his eyes. Jasper swiftly clasped their hands together. Her determined smile and eager eyes complementing his expression. Only for a split second the two questioned fusing again, but it paled against the ambitions both gems held for this fusion. Jasper twirled Black Diamond around before pulling him close, and in a bright flash of light they two began to fuse but it quickly faded. "Wait!" Black yelled. Jasper frowned in confusion. "I can't...I can't fight them. I'll come with you but I can't do it Jasper." Black looked away from the quartz solider silently waiting for her to become angry.

"Hmm I understand. I would have hoped you would join me, but you actually care for that group of misfits." Jasper said. She wasn't surprised. Black didn't help her when she searched Lapis this was no different. It was their agreement. Black smiled sheepishly grabbing the two quartz gems. "I know we just met but I was hoping that you would assist me and my friend." Black whispered to the bubble gems. There was only silence at first but eventually they glowed softly in what Black took as agreement.

Swiftly popping the bubble Jasper and Black watched as the two corrupted gems reformed. Jasper walked up to the blue beast climbing on top before holding her hand out for her Diamond to take. Black smile putting his hand in hers. Jasper swiftly pulled him up waiting for him to get comfortable before she told the two gem monsters where to go.

________time skip________

Steven's Pov

Today was amazing Connie and I spent the entire day with Amethyst. It was nice to finally take a break from all the things that were going on. "Come on!" I heard Amethyst yell above the water. Smiling I swam back to the surface to see Connie was still standing by the shore. "Come on!" Amethyst shouted trying to get Connie into the water. "I didn't bring a swimsuit." She argued.

"In the heat of battle, you're not going to have a swimsuit Connie!" Amethyst pointed out. "By Joe, I guess you're right." Connie laughed running into the water stopping right next to me. "I don't think I've ever had this much fun in one day." Connie smiled. I couldn't agree more. "We should spend more time with Amethyst. She's the best!" I said. Connie suddenly splashed water on me, "You're the best!" I smiled before doing the same, "Nuh-uh you're the best." We both laughed enjoying the moment until everything began to shake instantly whipping the smiles off our faces.

The corrupted gem we had fought stepped out of the water shaking it off its body and effectively scaring Sour Cream. Connie and I stayed in the water hoping it didn't notice us, but as it sniffed in the air it suddenly turned to face us. "Uhh, I remember you too, buddy." I waved nervously putting a bubble around us.

Suddenly it jumped to attack us but before it could get close Amethyst's whip stopped it. Connie and I turned to see Amethyst surfing in to save us. Using the bubble as a ramp she launched onto the corrupted gem. We just watched as Amethyst wrestled with it as she quickly tried to poof it, but after a short struggle she finally poofed it.

I quickly put the bubble done so we could get to Amethyst and I could bubble the gem. "Amethyst, that was amazing!" Connie complimented. "Whoa, are you ok?" I asked her. She just sighed sitting up. "Not a pretty win, but I'll take it." She commented cool about it as usual. I just smiled glad that she was ok. "That was the monster we fought in the snow at least it looked like it was." Connie told her.

"I think you'd remember a face like that." Amethyst joked. "Well there were two of them." I added sending the bubble gem to the temple. The smile fell from Amethyst's face replaced with worry. "Two of them?" Amethyst asked. And as if on que a loud roar rang out from behind us revealing the second gem and Jasper!

"Rose." She called. "Jasper!" I yelled look at her as she stood on top of the corrupted gem. "Glad I found you. I've decided to build my own army. I've got one of your members but where's the rest?" She asked. I began to worry wondering where Blare was since they weren't fused, but as the thought crossed my mind. A dark figure came from behind Jasper before sitting right next to her. It was Blare. I smiled for a brief second, which I noticed he returned before it faded of his face. "They're not here right now!" I yelled back. Amethyst shushed me but it was too late. "So, it's just you lot?" Jasper asked with a confident smirk. "Does it matter? I'm gonna whip your butt all by myself!" Amethyst yelled snapping her whip at the corrupt gems feet.

It reared back in response Jasper and Blare jumping off before charging at us. We all jumped out the way avoiding the initial attack. "I got Jasper. You guys handle that dope." Amethyst told me. "What about Blare?" I asked. She just looked up at him. "I don't know." She answered just as conflicted about the idea of having to fight him.

I nodded as she ran off quickly summoning shield. Connie and Lion came to my side ready to fight. "Okay we get a second chance at this." Connie said. "Just stay together." I told them dodging the gems attack.

Black Diamond's Pov

"I came here to fight Rose, not some runt!" Jasper yelled. I was watching from the sidelines at the fight between the two quartz gems. "You think you can just keep showing up and pick fights with us! Ha! Why don't you get a life!" Amethyst yelled. "Fighting is my life! It's what I was made for. It's what you were made for too, runt." Jasper argued pointing at her. Amethyst just shrugged in response, "So? I've got other stuff goin' on. I can fight just... fine!" cracking her whip at Jasper. I smiled glad that the differences between them didn't affect her.

But my smile quickly vanished when Jasper caught her whip. "Well then let's see it!" Jasper tugged on the whip Amethyst lurching forward into Jasper's attack. Jasper kicked Amethyst away before rolling into a spin dash and crashing into her before she could recover. Each time Amethyst looked close to getting to her feet it was quickly crushed by another devastating spin attack.

It was like watching cat fight a bear. "You're not even trying." Jasper laughed walking up to Amethyst. "Is it because you know you're already a failure? You're a Quartz Solider just like me. But you're not like me, are you?" She asked. "You're small." Jasper pointed out tossing Amethyst up repeatedly punching her. "Amethyst!" I heard Steven yell my gaze briefly flickering to him.

"Are you that desperate for troops Rose that you keep a defect like this!" Jasper yelled. "That's enough Jasper!" I yelled. "Rose said...I'm perfect the way I am." Amethyst told her struggling to get to her feet. "Then she had low standards." Jasper said. I just stood there in shock. The fight reignited by Amethyst's rage. What should I do? I told Jasper that I wouldn't help her, but did that mean I didn't help them either. I have to stop this.

"You...could have been me." I heard Jasper say. When I looked up she had kicked Amethyst into the air. "And what are you instead?" She asked as she fell harshly on her head. "Amethyst!" I yelled hearing Connie and Steven call for her too. In that brief second, I saw it her eyes filled with a hopelessness I had seen in the eyes of many gems.

By the time I realized what was happening I was running to the pair. "Just a joke." And as she said that she poofed Amethyst! My eyes widened as I jumped on her a bright light engulfing our forms before everything went black.

Carnelian's Pov

When I opened my eyes, I was holding Amethyst in my hands. I sighed in relief for Black Diamond. "Ahhh!" I turned to see Steven and Connie running towards me prepared to fight. Oh no. "AAAAAAHHHH!" They jumped at me and in a flash of light I was kicked away Amethyst's gem flying from my hands.

"Stevonnie, a human gem fusion." I whispered slightly in shock at her appearance. I knew the name but not the perso-fusion. "I don't want to hear anything you say unless it's, "Sorry." "I don't want to fight you." I told her putting my hands up slightly, but wasn't having it, summoning Steven's shield. I heard Lion and roar and the corrupt gem was tossed at my side.

Scrambling to her feet she went to flee, but I stopped her. "Please stay something tells me we won't get out of this so easily." I pleaded. She stared at me for a moment before kneeling to let me get on her back. "I'm sorry." I whispered to her before reaching and pulling her gem from her form. As I turned to leave a sword cut the cloud. "AH!" I yelled in shock the blade only centimeters from my torso.

I jumped back summoning Jasper's helmet and Black Diamond's sword forming my mace. Grabbing it with my tail I got into a defensive stance. When the cloud I could finally see her standing in front of me with lion not too far behind. I instantly started to regret poofing my friend, but at the same time it was for the best I didn't want her to get hurt in this fight.

Stevonnie charged at me with a loud battle cry. I sat and waited for her to get close only moving to dodge when her blade almost cut my form. Each series of calculated attacks she unleashed I swiftly dodge. The moment she paused I dropped down sweeping her legs out from under her. She was very skilled in combat but even then, it was Steven and Connie. I was glad I didn't have to use my weapon.

I opened my mouth to say something, but the glow of Amethyst's gem distracted me. In that moment I felt a hard kick to my torso. I stumbled back only for Steven's shield to smack into me before I could recover. Falling onto my back I looked up to see Stevonnie standing over me her blade to my chest. The silence between us was gladly interrupted by Amethyst. "Steven, Connie, I'm back! Uh, everything is gonna be fi- "She stopped the moment her eyes landed on the two of us.

Stevonnie didn't look back though her blade no pressed to my chest. Suddenly there was a loud roar and the clawed paw of the corrupted gem swiped at Stevonnie forcing her to jump back. I quickly got to my feet. I smiled in relief thanking the corrupt gem. She growled softly in response kneeling down for me a second time. I quickly got on to her back before turning back to the fusion. "Though I doubt it. I hope next time we meet under different circumstances." I said before we walked back into the ocean.

3rd Person Pov

Stevonnie just stared at the spot where the fusion use to be. "What are you doing Blare?" She asked. "You guys...won?" Amethyst asked standing next to them. "Amethyst!" Stevonnie cheered unfusing. "You're Back!" "You're okay!" Steven and Connie cheered in relief. Steven instantly hugged Amethyst glad that she was okay, "Thank goodness!" Connie smiled brightly off to the side sword in hand equally as happy.

"Uh, thank you guys." Amethyst said unsure of what she should say. "Did you see us?" Steven asked excited about their win. "It was just like you said. You were in trouble and we just had to fight!" Connie exclaimed equally as excited and happy about the battle. "Everything we knew just came together." Steven explained. "We fused!" Connie cheered her hand on her head the adrenaline still coursing through her. "We won!" Steven cheered jumping into the air. "I can't wait to tell the others." Steven said excited to retell the amazing battle. The duo laughed as they made their way back to the temple with Lion.

Amethyst however couldn't help but feel weird about it all. "Oh, good...you didn't need me at all." She whispered dejectedly. All this time she had felt good about being able to help them when they needed it, but in reality, they never really needed her from the start.