Chapter 8: A winding path.

The Moon hung high in the sky as the town began to close down for the night. Onyx Stood upon one of the Temple's hand and watched the moon as a small white light began flashing on the moon. Onyx hopped off to the entrance of what was Steven's room and looked inside. The sound of Steven's light snoring could be heard as he tried to open the screen door. Suddenly, the Temple door lit up and opened revealing Pearl who silently made her way over to Steven's bed. She sat down and intently watched him as he slept.

After a while...

Steven slowly stirred in his sleep causing Pearl to quickly run to the Temple door and quickly run into her room. Steven slowly rose and groaned as he dragged himself over to his bathroom and shut the door. Onyx saw this as a good opportunity to sneak in and rush over to the Warp pad. He pulled out a white rock and touched it to the pad and teleported out.

On a white rocky surface...

A white beam of light landed on a warp pad. Onyx walked off the pad and walked upon a very thin path that stretched out into horizon.

Back on Earth.

Steven yawned as he exited the bathroom. He was immediately met with the Gems who were gathered around the warp pad shouting amongst themselves. "Hey what's going on? And why is everything all noisy?"

"Steven? Did you activate the Warp pad?" Amethyst asked as they all fell quiet.
"I... I don't think so... I just came out of the bathroom." Steven groggily answered.
"That only leaves out one other Possibility. I thinks it's time we asked some questions." Garnet concluded as she examined a small amount of white dust that remained on the pad.

A few hours later

Steven was sitting in silence as Pearl set up a device that almost looked like a giant fly swatter up by the warp. "Whoa thats gotta be the biggest fly swatter I have ever seen! Where did we get that?" He then tried to touch it but Pearl quickly moved his hand away.

"Don't touch that Steven! I haven't coded your Gem sequence to it yet. I built it this morning to deal with the intruder we had this morning. So whoever hasn't had their sequence coded will receive a due punishment and alert us of when he returns." Replied Pearl as she took a little scanner and pointed it at Steven's Gem. The scanner beeped and the light on the swatter turned green. "Okay it's safe. Now did you need anything?"

"No… I was just wondering... Can I go hang out in the town?" Steven asked trying to give a puppy dog face.

"I'm not too sure... Maybe you should ask Garnet. I still have a lot of other things to set." Pearl answered before she got up and walked him towards the Temple door. They both walked inside and down into the Temple depths.

Back to where Onyx had gone.

As he continued on the path the light began to dim and the dark had begun to set. But as he walked he looked up to see that the Earth and sun were beginning to set in the horizon behind him, as it did a brighter light became visible in front of him. As he walked on a small white fortress of light came into view, he made his way over and held up the same white stone from earlier and a massive door opened to let him in. He walked in and through a large empty corridor. Inside sat a woman in a white suit she had a skin tone that was just as pale as the moon's surface and on the back portion of her knuckle sat a round gemstone which looked like a miniature moon itself. Atop her head was a hat that completely matched the suit she wore. "I've been waiting for you. That time is coming and he is nearly upon us. I know you have felt it too haven't you? When they come we are going to need to protect her again. Just ask Obsidian she knows."

Onyx Examined the room . "I know... Where is she?" Onyx whispered. He turned both ways and looked at the doors around the room they were in. There were no movement he could see so he became less tense.

"Yes she is resting right now. She is currently in the Observation Unit. So it's better we don't disturb her. How is Obsidian? I hope she is alright I had heard of what had happened... " Onyx only remained silent and faced forward. She sighed heavily as she began to talk again. "Now I need you to take caution. something is coming and you must be ready for it. I fear they are near... You will find what you need. Rose Quartz and her forces have taken what you require. You must retrieve it from them but, do not take it by force. They will be vital for what's next." Suddenly, a loud echoing noise from above Onyx caused him to quickly tense up.

Back on Earth.

Steven walked down the stairs and into Garnets domain. Pearl stopped him as the sound of two voices could be heard. "How did he get through without alerting us?" Said garnet In an angry tone. "I don't know... He just isn't showing up." She said in a calmer tone. "We need to catch him and have him tell us what he's up to. Its frustrating me so much." Said the angry voice. "Shh calm down somebody is coming down the stairs."

"Does garnet like talking to herself?" Steven whispered to Pearl but Pearl quickly hushed him. They continued down the stairs until they had met up with Garnet at the bottom.
"I finished installing the Warp Pad trap so once he shows up he wouldn't even know what hit him." Pearl happily explained. Garnet nodded her head and turned her attention to Steven.
"Morning Steven what are you doing down here?" She calmly asked the small boy.

"Can I go hang out in the town?" He smiled towards her.

"Steven... You know what you did yesterday was bad. You allowed a stranger access to our home. I know you didn't mean to but, it still means you need to be more cautious and contact us before you decide on something like that. I suppose you can hang out today. Take Amethyst with you and come home before five pm."

"Woo!" Steven yelled as he ran up the stairs pumping his fists in the air.

"Are you sure that was a good idea?" Pearl asked confused by her answer. "I mean what if the Black gem-"

"Onyx…. According to Steven his name is Onyx. I think it'd be wiser to not have Steven around. If this Onyx was like the others, I'm sure he would've been after a lot more than just the Warp pad." She crossed her arms and turned around. "Connie explained to me why he was escorting them yesterday and I have to admit. She was right, it was a really slim loophole in his punishment. So I'm just as much at fault as he is."

Pearl turned around and watched as Steven left with Amethyst toward the town. "Maybe I should tag along with them to make sure they're going to be alright."

"No we're going to need to be right here. For when Onyx returns. We need to find out what he's after and why he's here. This is the only chance we've got and I'd rather not have Steven here when we get him. We need to prepare." Said Garnet as she walked into the Temple.

Later… At the Big Donut

Sadie stood behind the counter reading through a magazine while Lars was in the back throwing donuts into the fryer grumbling as he did so. The door open and in came Steven and Amethyst walked in. "Oh hey Steven, Amethyst. What'll it be today?" Sadie asked putting her Magazine away.
"I'll get two of the usuals how bout you Amethyst?" Steven asked as he pulled out his wallet.
"I'll take an eclair. I need the sweet stuff right now." Amethyst answered as she pulled her eyes away from the assortment of the delicious pastries.

"Okay that'll be $4.50." As she opened the cash register Lars came running out and screaming with a burning apron.

"Sadie the Fryer is on fire again!" He shouted aloud and began to roll on the ground. Sadie Quickly grabbed the Extinguisher from underneath her counter and ran into the kitchen. She pointed and pulled on the extinguisher covering the Fryer in white Powder killing the flame and saving the rest of the kitchen. She turned back and walked towards the counter.

"Lars the fire is out you can stop rolling on the ground now." She put the Extinguisher by the door and examined the damage. "Oh man... Look at that... Hey Lars do you think you can find Onyx? I think he'll know what to do about this."

"Sadie you guys know Onyx?" Steven smiled as Sadie returned to her place behind the counter.

"Well yeah. He's been helping out with a few repairs and helps clean things up. He's been taking up odd jobs since he arrived here." Sadie explained handing the bag of donuts over to them.

"What kind of jobs?" Steven seemed heavily interested in the info while Amethyst seemed bored and more interested into the rest of the donuts.

"Well he's been working with Mr. Smiley, Fish stew Pizza, Yellow Tail, your dad, Mayor Dewey, the Library, Little Tykes and The Mini Mart. Well there's that and the Mayor has had him cleaning up after the big monster fights. Just yesterday a big green bat thing was out here and he popped it. Then Garnet came and picked up the Gem from it." Sadie continued to explain what she knew about Onyx. "Come to think of it, I don't think he collects gems like you guys. Why is that?"

"We collect them for a reason. We're trying to keep them from getting into the wrong hands." Amethyst replied. "I don't think he has a reason for them."

"Oh well, things have been swell since he started helping out." Sadie finished before checking on Lars.

"See what did I tell you guys. I told you all he was a good guy. I don't get why you guys are so Suspicious of him. Well other than the fact that he's a Gem." Steven happily exclaimed.

"Steven you just don't get it. Garnet and Pearl they know more about them than I do. And I know that they aren't always good news. Well from the ones I know." Amethyst replied. "Speaking of which I wonder if they caught him yet?" She covered her mouth before more could be said.

"What was that?" Steven turned to her suspiciously.

"Nothing... I meant hey look there's your friend Onion." Amethyst pointed towards Sour Cream as he walked on the sidewalk towards them.

"Hey Steven? Do you know where that Onyx guy is? We sorta need him to help us with the old warehouse. It's coming apart again." Sour Cream asked stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Well the last time we think we saw him was this morning. He used the warp pad and left." Steven calmly replied.

"Aww that sucks... Hey purple lady, do you know how to fix a warehouse?" He turned to Amethyst.
"Nope. I'm only good at taking them down. If you need a repair person talked to Pearl she's all about cleaning things up." Amethyst laughed. "But I think she's busy right now."
"Bummer..." He turned and walked away.

"Poor Sour Cream. I hope they fix that place up. I know when Onyx gets back that place is gonna be as good as new." Steven waved as Sour Cream turned the corner and vanished. "I wonder who else we can talk to."

Back on the Moon

"Onyx!..." A loud booming voice echoed. As it's owner approached Onyx. "You're so late!" The owner of the voice slowly walked in from the same corridor Onyx had entered through. In front of him was a little child before him. She jumped up into his arms and hugged him. "I missed you sooooo much! Why did it take you so long to come back?" She wore a bright white dress and had glowing white skin.

"Elest... I missed you too..." Onyx quietly responded hugging her back. He quickly put her back down and looked back towards the lady in the White Suit.

"Why didn't you say anything Heca?!" Little Elest shouted towards the lady in white.
"I wanted to keep things quiet for a little. That and I thought you were gonna try to kill him again." Heca said with a smirk.

"What are you talking about? I'm quiet!" Elest quickly responded. She looked rather angry.
"Now Elest... Me and Onyx need to discuss some very important information. Can you please go back to your room and you you could play with Onyx when we're done talking."

"You promise?" Elest wore a hopeful face as Heca nodded yes. "Yay!" She quickly dotted into another corridor she turned back to face the two. "Don't take too long!" She gave a wave and vanished.
"Now back to what is needed. You must explain your reason for your tardiness." Heca crossed her and motioned him to sit on the chair by a big window.

(two New Characters)

[Heca= Hecatolite an alternative name for Moonstone]
[Elest= Elestial Quartz]

Back in town

Steven and Amethyst walked all the way to the Board walk and watched as Mr. Smiley load a couple pieces of butler tin for the Warehouse onto the back of the Pizza car. He then waved as it drove away. "See you kids later." His attention caught onto the two Gems walking towards him. "Hey there Steven, Amethyst. What can I do for you two today? Except let you two back into the arcade, you're all still banned from there."

"Aww... Well, we wanted to see if you knew anything about Onyx." Steven frowned then smiled to matched Mr. Smiley's.

"Onyx? Why didn't you say so? He's helped me get this place back into full working order. He even managed to fix most of the games you and your friends broke. I mean look the Teacups are working again." He pointed up to a tower with cups on them.

Steven tensed up and his bubble shield immediately popped up. "Sorry about that." He dropped the shield and rubbed the back of his head.

"Hey wouldn't he have to have like a special permit or something to do all that?" Amethyst questioned wearing a mischievous smile.

"Yeah but that's only something humans need. He pointed out he wasn't human and besides he charged less than what a repair man would. Other than that the guy is quiet and keeps to himself." He turned back and looked towards the end of the boardwalk. "Which reminds me, can you tell him to give me a call. I tried his cell but he's out of area or something. We need him to help out tonight." Mr. Smiley Left them as he went to go back to the arcade.

"Wow everyone likes Onyx being here. You know I don't think he's that bad of a gem like you guys think." Steven smiled with stars clearly beaming through his eyes.

"You just don't understand Steven... It doesn't matter who they are! What they did was bad! And they know it was!" Amethyst struggled finding exactly what to say while Steven's expression turned one of a more upset nature.

"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU GUYS DONT WANT TO TELL ME ANYTHING!" Steven angrily yelled as he stepped away from her. "All you guys ever do is tell me that you can't tell me. I'm going home to find things out." He then stormed off towards the Beach.

"Steven wait you can't go there without me and Pearl and garnet said to make sure you didn't come back home until they were done catching that black gem guy!"

"They're doing WHAT?!" Steven shouted before he ran even faster than before.

"Steven wait!" Amethyst as she began to chase him in pursuit. She pulled out her whip and jumped way over him. "Steven Stop. Pearl and Garnet said it's gonna be dangerous. They don't want you to get hurt."

"I'm not gonna let you guys bubble him forever. The people here love and need him!" Steven shouted back as he quickly passed her.

"I'm sorry Steven..." Amethyst whispered as she cracked the whip back and swung it wrapping itself around Steven's midsection. "Cmon Steven just let it go."

Steven quickly crossed his arms and quickly spread his arms. "No! Good people aren't meant to be bubbled up and put away." He erected a bubble that managed to squeeze itself out of the whip and launch him far away from her.

Back on the moon.

Onyx and Hecatolite remained in the same room from earlier "I see... Well that's a dang shame. But I guess you are excused. For all the lost time. But thankfully we know where the Temple Artifact is and the last Whereabouts to where Rose Quartz was. She vanished about a decade ago but her signature is in this region." Heca explained as onyx looked out the window only to see Elest looking inside as she floated around the outside with what appeared to be an American flag. She waved and launched herself away by kicking off the wall of the fortress. "All we can do is hope we don't get detected by the home world nor the others." Heca finished before standing up. "I'm going up to the Observation Unit now I'm sure Elest will be happy to have some fun with you... Just don't wreck anything." Just a she left Elest came in by walking on the roof and jumped down towards him.

"Onyx Come and play over here!" Elest am Smiled as she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him along until they reached a small door. "This is my room. I changed it a whole bunch since the last time you saw it." As soon as she opened the door, it opened up to what looked like a castle in a fairy tale. "I've been watching those Earth Movies. They're awesome!" She continued to talk about Earth things as she pulled a small table as well as a tea set ready. "Hey do you think you can get me a Tv one day? Heca won't get me one."

"Why not?" Onyx quietly asked as Elest poured what he presumed to be tea.

"I think she said there's no way we could get a cable line out here... But wait there's satellite so it should work." Elest smiled as she drank from her tea cup. "You know I am going to this planet soon right? Maybe you can take me on vacation when we do." She then took a sip of her tea and sighed. "Wanna see how strong I've gotten since then?" Onyx waved his hands answering no. "Aww but I even made this new weapon and everything." She clapped her hands and a massive war hammer materialized in front of her. Despite her size she waved it around with ease. "Look at how big this one is. It's not as big as the sword but, this one hits harder." She took the hammer and slammed a portion of the wall into the distance.

Back on Earth

Steven continued to bounce within the bubble as it moved further away from Amethyst. It landed on a few pieces of pavement before it came to a stop on the crest of the hill going to the lighthouse. Steven sighed that the intense ride was over but started to scream as the bubble began to now roll down the hill. "Noooooo!" Steven yelled as the bubblel's rotation held him down against its wall. But just before he could roll back, the bubble popped. He let out a sigh of relief.

"Steven! Don't! Garnet is gonna ground you forever!" Amethyst shouted from where she had launched him.

Steven quickly ducked Into the light house and hid behind a crate. Amethyst opened the door and stepped in. He watched as she made her way towards the stairs near him. He quickly ducked just as she looked his way and noticed a little pencil close to him. "I'm sorry Mr. Pencil." He picked it up and threw it towards the ladder leading to the top of the light house.

"So you're up there eh?" Amethyst excitedly said aloud before climbing up the ladder.
Steven quickly made his way out the door while Amethyst remained inside whipping at the boxes. He made his way down the hill an towards the steps to the house. Lion was standing there waiting for him.

"Hey Lion! I need you to do something for me." He said before whispering into the big cat's ear. "If you do that I'll get you more ice cream." Lion backed off the steps and allowed Steven to climb up to the door. He looked inside and saw that nobody was there. "Doesn't look like Onyx is back that's good." He ducked as the door lit up and opened.

"Where in the world did he go? This is takin far too long... You don't suppose that thing he used could've brought him to home world?" Pearl asked as Garnet exited the door behind her.

"No that's impossible, he would've drained all the energy from the temple." Garnet explained as they both examined the Warp pad. "That means he's still somewhere close by."

"Where could he have gone then? He's not at any of the Warp pads that are still functional. Trust me I looked."

"Out of all the other temples here where could he have been hiding?... I can't see where he could've been." Garnet crossed her arms and continued watching.

"I SEE YOU STEVEN! Get away from there!" Amethyst suddenly, shouted from up atop of the cliff. She jumped down towards them but was suddenly teleported away by Lion. Steven turned his head back as a loud clatter came from inside. Amethyst had been teleported inside and into Pearl's trap knocking it off of the Warp pad.

"Amethyst?! What are you doing here? And my trap!" Pearl shouted as she ran over and attempted to pull her out of it.

"Where's Steven?" Asked Garnet without turning away from the Warp pad.

"I'm here." Steven answered from outside before he slowly opened the screen door and stepped in.

"Amethyst you were supposed to keep him away from here. It's far too dangerous for you to be here Steven... He might be after the Temple, he could be after one of us or he could even be after you." Garnet turned and walked over him. "Steven, you really shouldn't be here... If Onyx was to fight us seriously, chances are we may actually lose... He's far more stronger than anything we've faced. What if you were to get hurt? We wouldn't know what to do"

"I know first aid..." Pearl blurted out as she continued in removing Amethyst from the trap.

"That's not helping... What I mean is, Steven we don't want you to be in our way... No offense." Garnet explained "While we catch him I mean..."

"No! You guys just don't understand! I want to help." He shouted as everyone stopped moving including Amethyst who remained in Pearl's trap. "Nobody is gonna listen to you if you're always waving a weapon in their faces!"

"I've met him! Connie's met him! Almost EVERYONE in town knows him. He isn't like what you all think. He helps everyone and acts normal... Way more normal than we do. Well aside from having super cool Gem powers that could easily beat you three but that's besides the point. Let me talk to him. I know I can find out what he's after."

Back on the moon

Onyx walked out back into The main room of the fortress with Elest sitting on his shoulders while pieces of concrete debris fell off them and vaporizing with each step while Heca sat back on her chair with her legs up on the desk. "I see you guys completely destroyed the Mind chamber again... I hope the fight was worth it..."

"It was awesome I almost smashed him this time! But he's too fast for the hammer... But don't worry I'll make something that'll definitely get you next time." Elest happily cheered from atop her perch. "Can you come again next week?"

Onyx nodded yes. "That's only if he can accomplish his current mission. Once he does, we'd be both free to go down to Earth with him."

"REALLY?! C'mon Onyx hurry up and finish your mission!" Elest screamed as he playfully smacked the top of his head. Onyx nodded yes and let her down.

"It's time to go. So, once you get back to Earth be sure to find Rose Quartz and get the module back." Heca pointed out from the desk.

"You mean the Black pyramid controller thingy?" Elest turned towards her. "I told you we were gonna need that!"

"I know... I know..." Heca replied as she cocked her hat back. "None the less though you best get on home before it's too late to." Onyx nodded yes and began to walk to the entrance.

"See ya next week Onyx." Elest waved as Onyx opened the door and exited.
Onyx walked further away from the fortress and took one look back at it and smiled. He turned back towards the path and continued on his way.

Back on Earth

The gems continued to fight amongst themselves when suddenly the warp pad activated and Onyx appeared on it. They gasped and froze in place except for Garnet who immediately prepared move in but Steven erected a bubble shield around himself and the other Crystal Gems. Confused by the situation Onyx began to walk towards the door "Wait!" Shouted Steven as they turned towards the little half human. "I need to ask you something! Meet you at the boardwalk tomorrow?" Onyx nodded yes and walked out the door.