Chapter 18: A Second Chance
STEVEN: Did I... Did I really just die!?
CONNIE: I hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but I expected that this would happen.
STEVEN: You expected me to die!?
CONNIE: Pearl wasn’t kidding when she said there were powerful Gems after you.
If you didn’t have this ace up your sleeve... You’d hardly stand a chance.
STEVEN: Ace up my sleeve!?  Wait a second…
(He turns around)
STEVEN: This is... This is the fish thing!?
CONNIE: I told you before that the yellow stars are save points.
This is what they save you from.
STEVEN: From death…
CONNIE: Since the Gem invasion began, it seemed that humans were at an insurmountable disadvantage.
Humans have no weapons other than the tools they create. They’re physically weaker and less durable than Gems.
But there is a rare ability that few of us possess. And it allows us to turn the odds to our favor.
That ability is known as DETERMINATION.
STEVEN: So how do you know about all this?
CONNIE: Err… This isn’t the first time. There was this incident during sword practice. Had nothing to do with Pearl! No! It was an...
STEVEN: This has happened to you before...
CONNIE: A few times...
STEVEN: Then why are you in my head again? I figured you were a ghost or something... But how can you be a ghost if you can cheat death like this?
CONNIE: I already said it’s embarrassing, OK. I made a series of poor decisions that led me here...
STEVEN: So I’m not dead. That’s good. But err...
Fused Quartz is still amazingly strong.
CONNIE: I gave you a quick overview of her stats. Her defenses are pitiful compared to her offenses.
STEVEN: Are you saying I should fight her!?
CONNIE: She’s a fusion. Fusions just split up when you hurt them badly enough.
STEVEN: Still... I really don’t like hurting people.
CONNIE: Steven, Pearl was right on one thing. It’s very unlikely that you’ll be able to get through the entire Underground without fighting back.
STEVEN: But...
CONNIE: I trained alongside Pearl, you know. If you need help I could lend you some muscle memory.
Specifically to help you aim for non-lethal weakpoints. Poofing’s easy enough if you know where to aim.
STEVEN: I’m still not sure about this... I got the sense that she really didn’t want to hurt me.
CONNIE: Well hurting you is her job.
STEVEN: Or is it... I’ve got one last thing I want to try, Connie.
CONNIE: If you insist. Worst comes to worst you’ll end up back here again.
(Steven leaves the screen. He checks the sign)
SIGN: NO OBSTACLE ZONE
SIGN: By order of the queen, it has been determined that it illegal to leave standing obstacles across the pass to the northeast.
Seriously. Why would you ever want to do something like that?
CONNIE: This is a really specific sign. And I’m not sure that Leggy read it.
(Steven turns right and spots Tiger’s Eye, confused)
STEVEN: Did she decide to jump back?
CONNIE: Oh! That’s one thing I forgot to mention about Determination.
By using it you’re not reviving yourself from death per se...
It’s more like you’re traveling back in time before you died in the first place.
STEVEN: Man. I’m not sure if I want to deal with her again.
CONNIE: She seems perfectly content to gaze into the abyss. It’s a staring contest the abyss is sure to win.
(Steven just heads north)
PADPARADSCHA: Leggy will come up with an ill-considered plan!
Have I had a prediction like that one before?
LEGGY: No. And this plan isn’t ill considered! It’s absolutely foolproof and will stop this human in his tracks!
STEVEN: No it isn’t, Leggy. For err... Multiple reasons.
MENU>GEM>Ad. Strength.
(Steven moves forward and punches the boulder.)
(The boulder falls apart and the pieces fall into the void)
(Leggy is shocked but Paddy isn’t)
LEGGY: Come on! I spent all afternoon setting up this trap!
PADPARADSCHA: But he got rid of the boulder with ease. Surely this proves that he’s a Gem!
LEGGY: He merely used the weakpoints in the stone and stuff. That’s a cosmic force move if I’ve ever heard one!
PADPARADSCHA: Why can’t you just let me win this one, Leggy!?
LEGGY: That’s rich! You know how long I’ve waited for an opportunity like this!?
PADPARADSCHA: Do you know how much danger you’re putting him in? Humans aren’t like us! They don’t just poof and come back later!
STEVEN: Err… Yeah! That’s right.
LEGGY: I’m not stupid, Paddy. But... There’s got to be something we can do. If I can convince Amethyst to be patient. Wait for time to do its job. Something like that.
PADPARADSCHA: I’m not sure that will ever happen, Leggy. Too many Gems want to stop it from happening.
LEGGY: ... Not like he’s going to last forever anyway. Paddy... If you keep doing this to yourself. You’re gonna get hurt again.
PADPARADSCHA: Is this what this is about!?
LEGGY: It’s about me being able to move on. It’s about being able to do something I’ve wanted to do for thousands of years.
PADDY: Well I am moving on. Because there’s still someone who needs my help.
And right now it’s not you.
LEGGY: Fine... Stupid rock didn’t work at all anyway...
(Leggy walks away, angry)
PADDY: Leggy will refuse to give up on her goal...
STEVEN: It’s OK, Paddy. I’m sure she’ll understand eventually.
PADPARADSCHA: Steven... I feel a sense of... Dread coming up. And I can’t help but feel...
Have we done this before?
STEVEN: ...
It’s your imagination, Padparadscha. You’ve done a great job protecting me so far.
I don’t see why you should stop now.
PADPARADSCHA: This is my second chance, Steven. This time, I just want to make it count.
(Padparadscha leaves)
(Steven heads southward at the bridge. He passes Tiger’s Eye on his way down. She stares at him for a moment before leaving.)
(Steven checks the sign)
SIGN: FUSION PSA.
For the first time in Boreal Forest history, we have a fusion in our guard.
Thus, we’ve decided to place a few warnings to help her stay stable through these trouble times.
Fusions are tougher than regular Gems, but they do have their limits. If you damage a fusion enough, she will fall apart, separating her components.
Conflict between component Gems can lead to a defusion. Even the two Gems that normally work together can separate due to deep seated disagreement.
Finally, trauma and stress can break apart a fusion. While a fusion can maintain enough willpower to keep herself together, sometimes trauma can lead to her falling apart.
Please remember to keep these in mind when interacting with our new officer.
STEVEN: Man. Why didn’t I read this sign the first time?
CONNIE: It wouldn’t have mattered. She got you before you could really do anything.
STEVEN: Well... It’s time. I’m heading up.
(Steven heads northward)
(Fused Quartz approaches)
STEVEN: Please... Can you just let me go?
FUSED QUARTZ: (O) Is he scared?
FUSED QUARTZ:(RC) It doesn’t matter how he feels. It will all be over soon.
FUSED QUARTZ: Sorry. I’m...
STEVEN: Recalibrating yourself. I know.
But why don’t you just agree to disagree... I mean... Agree to let me go! That resolves it, doesn’t it?
FUSED QUARTZ: I’m only doing my job, kid. It’s hard, but someone has to do it.
(Encounter starts)
CONNIE: Steven versus Fused Quartz. Second round.
ACT
CHECK  PLEAD
SING
ACT>PLEAD
STEVEN: I’m begging you! I don’t want to die! And I really think you’re better than this!
FUSED QUARTZ (RC): Nice try, kid! This is what better means! It means making your mark on history!
FUSED QUARTZ (O): Typical. Sacrifice your morals for fame and prestige.
FUSED QUARTZ (RC): How do you think we got this job!? We fought hard for these positions?
FUSED QUARTZ (O): So if you can fight so hard by yourself, why do you need me!?
(Fused Quartz defuses)
CONNIE: Rock Crystal and Onyx’s relationship is on the rocks.
ACT>ROCK CRYSTAL
CHECK SHAME
INFORM REFUSE
ACT>ROCK CRYSTAL> CHECK
CONNIE: ROCK CRYSTAL – ATK 18 DEF 1
CONNIE: It’s crystal clear that this Gem is a social climber. Her feelings are quite transparent.
ROCK CRYSTAL: I’m not fusing with you until you start taking this seriously!
ONYX: I am taking this seriously! I’m keeping him on his toes!
(Both of them summon their weapons)
(Rock Crystal attacks with her katana while Onyx fires orange attacks in the form of bullets)
ACT> ONYX
CHECK ENCOURAGE
RELATE REFUSE
ACT>CHECK
CONNIE: ONYX – ATK 18 DEF 1
An Off Color war veteran with principles. Her feelings are quite opaque.
ROCK CRYSTAL: I’ll believe you’re taking this seriously when you stop slowing down your shots.
ONYX: I’m having an off day, OK?
(Two rolling ball attacks. Onyx’s attack is once again orange, and has curves running along the side)
ACT>ONYX>ENCOURAGE
STEVEN: It’s OK. If she really cares about you, you can tell her how you feel.
ROCK CRYSTAL: Why are you listening to the target?
ONYX: Because! Someone has to stand up for the little guy!
(Rock Crystal attacks with crystal shards, and Onyx with orange outlined dark stones)
ACT>ONYX> RELATE
STEVEN: It seems like both of us are kind of in the same boat, huh?
ROCK CRYSTAL: Stop talking to this brat, Onyx!
ONYX: You know, I’m well aware what it’s like to be targeted because of my differences.
(Spin attack)
ACT> ROCK CRYSTAL> SHAME
STEVEN: You’re not being very sympathetic to your partner.
ROCK CRYSTAL: You may have noticed, but I’m just as Off Color as she is. That’s why I need to get ahead!
ONYX: You only can get ahead because you’re a Crystal Gem!
(Katana and orange bullet attacks)
ACT>ROCK CRYSTAL> INFORM
STEVEN: The Crystal Gems were born to protect humans and weaker Gems! That’s what they’re all about.
ROCK CRYSTAL: Well... Yeah. But...
ONYX: It’s an objective fact of history, Onyx!
(Rock attacks, white from Rock Crystal, Orange from Onyx)
ACT> ROCK CRYSTAL> REFUSE
STEVEN: How about you apologize? Get back together, you know.
ROCK CRYSTAL: I... I’ve had this dream for a long time. We’d stay together, make the best life we could for ourselves. We’d go and live on the surface, as Fused Quartz.
Because we deserve the best. Nah… You deserve the best.
(No attacks)
ACT> ONX> REFUSE
ONYX: Crystal... You’re always so open about what you want. But me... I’m sorry it’s been so unclear.
I’ve known humans during the war. They were like me. Small, weak, deemed useless by Homeworld. If my life is worth something, so is theirs.
So let me make this clear. I’ll refuse with you, if you refuse. Refuse to use our power to hurt him, or anyone else weaker than us.
ROCK CRYSTAL: God. You’re so corny when you’re being honest. But you have a deal.
(They embrace and refuse)
FUSED QUARTZ: It’s so nice to be of one mind again. Thank you Steven for clearing this up.
STEVEN: Err...
Thanks.
No problem.
MERCY>FUSED QUARTZ> SPARE
CONNIE: You won!  You gained 15 gold, 0 XP, and 20 EMP!
FUSED QUARTZ: I apologize. This fight was probably terrifying for you.
STEVEN: It was. But it’s also kind of exciting, you know?
FUSED QUARTZ: You’ve never met someone like me before I take it.
STEVEN: I kind of have. But it wasn’t pleasant...
FUSED QUARTZ: I hope that if you meet her again you’ll be able to make her understand.
STEVEN: I think I can. I believe everyone deserves a second chance, you know?
FUSED QUARTZ: That’s a good policy to live by. But that reminds me... We need to change how things work around here.
STEVEN: That’s a good idea. But how are you gonna do that?
FUSED QUARTZ: Well it’s a matter of enforcing the laws on the books better. Assuming a certain kitty cat doesn’t get her way.
STEVEN: Tiger’s Eye?
FUSED QUARTZ: She’s running for mayor. And she truly believes we can only win if a human loses. Not that I can really judge her for that...
STEVEN: It’s OK.
FUSED QUARTZ: I should get going. I’ve got the rest of my patrol to do. Other ways to look.
STEVEN: See you later, Fused Quartz.
(Fused Quartz leaves)
STEVEN: See? I told you that I could handle this.
CONNIE: You’re lucky she was already so conflicted. I don’t think Tiger’s Eye will be so easily swayed.
STEVEN: It’s nothing I can’t manage with a little grit and determination!
CONNIE: The bad puns! They’re contagious!
STEVEN: Ha ha ha ha...