(Cover by Grace Kraft)

"Steven!" Lapis's voice rang from high above, "Hold on!"

Lapis yanked Steven up and away from the abyss that had opened up underneath him, flying away from the rift to land on solid ground.

"Steven, Steven I remember. This... isn't our world. Something happened; I don't know what, but... but how do we fix it?" Steven gave a quick exhale to steady himself.

"Rose- told me to go back to the beginning, she meant my beginning. The-the place I came through as a baby. I can fix everything. I just need to go into the portal and pull out the shield. That'll turn it off and everyone will come back safe and sound." His voice was wavering slightly despite his seemingly confident facade.

"W- But you'll come back too, right? Steven, you have to come back..."

"I have to do this, Lapis. This... is my destiny."

"Steven, what... no, this isn't it!"

He frowned, "But... it's the only way to fix things..."

Lapis chuckled darkly, "Steven, do you want to know a secret?" He only stared, so she continued.

"I am... a coward,"

Steven stood there, shocked, "What? Lapis no-"

"I've always been the gem who stays behind. Peridot was the brave one. I always stayed behind, letting her make the hard choices, letting her be brave for me. I loved her so much, Steven. I told myself I was being responsible by keeping an eye on everyone and staying to the side, but, Steven, I was just scared." She pauses to wipe a stray tear, "And then I met you. You inspired us. You inspired me. Not because it was your destiny, but because you never let fear stop you. And now I choose to be brave."

"No! Lapis, wait!"

Nothing Steven can or would say would stop her, she was done sitting around. She neared the shield and looked back once more.

"Take care of each other."