Author's Note:
Hi, apologies for the previous chapter—it was a draft! In fact, this one and the last one were meant to be a single chapter. My bad! Apparently, I scheduled it to publish, and by the time I tried to delete it, it already had around 28 stars. If I deleted it, people would get confused, so I tried to bring you this new chapter as quickly as possible.
I have a goal of 45 stars for the next chapter since it seems people aren't supporting this fanfic as much anymore, haha. If I see it can't even hit 30, I'll honestly drop it. Without further ado, enjoy the chapter!
Let's continue.
Days passed, and Bismuth adapted pretty well here. The ones she got along with most were Pearl and Garnet, along with Amethyst, who only really talked to her to learn a bit about her past.
And well... here we were.
We were looking at the forge. Everyone was there except Peridot, who said she was doing something way more interesting than "useless weapons from an outdated Bismuth"—though she said it sarcastically, apparently.
Lapis was beside me, next to Amethyst, while leading the pack up front were Pearl, Bismuth, and Garnet. The three of them were chatting animatedly as Bismuth opened up the forge, showing us every single corner.
We all stepped inside, but I noticed Lapis was looking a bit nervous.
"Is the heat getting to you, girl?" I whispered, tapping her shoulder lightly.
"Yeah, this heat is driving my Gem crazy," Lapis replied, watching her water wings start to release steam. Carefully, she drew them back in so she wouldn't suffer from the high temperature.
After walking for a few minutes with pleasant conversation—and Amethyst eating charcoal in a completely ungraceful manner—Bismuth stopped dead in her tracks in a semi-cave and made a grand gesture.
"It's the forge, boys and Gems! Welcome to my humble abode, which apparently still has the exact same lock," Bismuth said, throwing her arms open with pride.
"Furthermore..." Bismuth paused dramatically to build suspense for those who had never seen it before.
"It is right here in this very place where most, if not all, of the weapons and upgrades were created during the war," she added with a smile.
"Obviously forged by yours truly, your trusted Bismuth," she added with a wink.
"Unbelievable," Lapis said, looking around wide-eyed.
I've never actually seen a Bismuth since I was created, Lapis thought, feeling a touch of admiration for the work of this Gem who couldn't stop presenting herself.
"It hasn't changed a bit," Pearl remarked as she strolled around the area, tossing occasional glances at Bismuth.
Bismuth looked all around her as a smug grin crept onto her face.
"That's the best part," Bismuth said, walking toward a central pedestal and plunging her fists straight into the base of the forge.
"Feel that heat burn, baby!" Bismuth cheered.
Suddenly, a stream of molten lava surged forward, rushing across the floor until it reached the main workstation.
"Whoa," I said, feeling the heat rise instantly and making me sweat a little—actually, sweating like a pig because this shit was piping hot at a thousand degrees.
"Awesome, isn't it?" Bismuth said enthusiastically, immediately starting to melt down raw materials while explaining every detail of the process. Her mastery over blacksmithing was astonishing; every movement, every spark flying off the metal demonstrated years of practice and dedication.
"This... this is art. I always wondered what would happen without you in this forge," Pearl whispered, fascinated as she watched Bismuth shape the glowing metal.
"But now I know that with you here, this place will remain peaceful yet buzzing with life," she added with a smile, leaning against the wall as she watched Bismuth work.
Bismuth grinned.
"Oh, and we're just getting started," she said.
Quickly, Bismuth demonstrated how she transformed basic raw materials into weapons, tools, and upgrades that had been vital during the war. Each piece she created seemed almost alive—a true reflection of her strength and creativity.
"Blacksmithing isn't just about making weapons," Bismuth said, lifting a massive, red-hot hammer. "It's about giving a soul to every piece, making sure every weapon carries a purpose and a story."
Garnet and Pearl watched intently, nodding along with every explanation. Amethyst, though playing it a bit more casual, couldn't hide her fascination with Bismuth's craft.
Garnet, though silent, wore a visible smile as she looked at Bismuth without her shades; she was practically on the verge of tears.
"Look at how the metal behaves under intense heat," Bismuth continued. "Every alloy has its own character. A sword isn't just steel—it's patience, technique, and heart."
"I've never seen anything like this," Lapis said, stepping a bit closer, still impressed by the heat and scale of the forge.
"And the best part," Bismuth added with a proud grin, "is that all of this is still useful. Every weapon you see here could go right back into action if needed. Every upgrade, every detail, still has a purpose."
I just stood there watching, taking in everything Bismuth was demonstrating. It was more than blacksmithing; it was living history, a physical memory of what they had fought for and created to protect themselves. Bismuth's passion for her work was contagious, and for a moment, I even forgot about the intense heat and sweat dripping down my back.
"This is... simply mind-blowing," I muttered, watching Bismuth transform another block of metal into something that felt almost magical.
Even though I had seen this in the show, being here in person was a whole different story. Feeling the blistering heat emanating from the forge, the thundering impact of hammers on metal, the crackle of active tools... it was mesmerizing. Every sound, every wave of heat, and every scent of molten metal wrapped around me, and while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I kept it to myself, silently admiring Bismuth's craft.
"This one's yours, Pearl," Bismuth said, tossing a few metal spikes toward her.
Pearl reacted instantly, summoning her weapon and mounting the spikes onto it with precision. It was an almost instantaneous upgrade, making her spear far more versatile and lethal. Her eyes sparkled as she adjusted the final details, testing the shift in weight and balance.
"This is for you, Garnet," Bismuth continued, throwing two upgrades for her gauntlets. Now they had extra striking power and sharp edges, allowing her to hit with far greater impact without losing control. Garnet couldn't hide the ear-to-ear smile spreading across her face; she was thoroughly satisfied and impressed by the utility of the upgrades.
"And what do you three have?" Bismuth asked, turning her gaze toward us, inspecting each of us with curiosity and a spark of challenge in her eyes.
"I've got this whip," Amethyst said casually, summoning her weapon and twirling it with skill.
"This will work for you," Bismuth said as she searched through her supplies, suddenly tossing a few small spiked iron balls toward Amethyst.
"During the war, a Gem had something similar, just longer. Remember, this takes practice, but it's super useful once you get the hang of it."
I just watched it all unfold, evaluating how Amethyst combined the new attachment with her whip, noticing how every movement felt fluid, powerful, yet precise. Bismuth's centuries of experience showed in every detail: the balance, the weight, the way the spiked tip could control attacks without compromising speed.
"And you, son of Rose... what do you have?" Bismuth asked, turning to me with an intense look that felt like it was peering straight through me, judging whether I was ready for something more.
"The same thing my mother had," I said, summoning my shield. The metal gleamed with a warm pink reflection. The shield felt almost alive, as if recognizing my energy and adapting to my movements.
"Hmm..." Bismuth hummed as she observed closely, tilting her head slightly and measuring every detail of the shield.
"I think I've got just the thing for you," she added, rummaging through several components scattered around the forge.
Finally, she tossed five spiked attachments toward me. Each had a special gleam, a concentrated energy built into its design.
"Each spike creates the star pattern—you know, like the Crystal Gems. But... to be straight with you, avoid summoning all of them at once. They're retractable, assuming I built them right and remember correctly."
I bent down, picking up each spike and examining them carefully. The texture, the shape, the weight distribution... every single one was engineered to complement my shield, enabling offensive or defensive maneuvers without compromising my mobility.
"Each one has its function," Bismuth continued, pacing around us.
"It's not just about brute strength. You have to learn to feel the metal, be the metal, feel the metal, lick the metal..." she said, literally licking a hot piece of metal and causing a few sweatdrops to drop from my forehead.
After whatever that was...
I watched Pearl secure the spikes onto her weapon, Garnet test the force of her new gauntlet attachments, and Amethyst swing her whip with ease. Everyone was focused, but there was a spark of excitement in their eyes. Even I, holding the five spikes and my shield, felt a tingling rush of anticipation.
"Ready to test 'em out?" Bismuth asked with a satisfied grin.
"Remember, it's not just about using these weapons... it's about feeling them, knowing them, making them an extension of yourselves."
I nodded, looking at my friends. We were all ready, conscious that what we had just received wasn't just gear—it was trust, history, and concentrated power placed right in our hands. And as the heat of the forge wrapped around us, I knew something new had begun.
I looked over at Lapis who, for obvious reasons, had explained to Bismuth earlier that there weren't any Lapis Lazulis fighting in the war, so Bismuth promised to make her something different another day.
"I'm totally cool with that," Lapis said smoothly.
"Though..." she added quickly, "I'll show you a few really cool tools later that you might use as a reference."
Bismuth smiled and nodded.
"Oh darling, absolutely! I'm always open to suggestions," she said, pointing to a few frames on the wall showing somewhat rough weapon schematics.
"Every single one of those," Bismuth noted, "were suggestions from past Gems, so knock yourself out."
Lapis nodded enthusiastically.
Looking at her, I could pretty much guess what was going through her head.
I swear to God, I hope she doesn't suggest a Minecraft sword... I thought, a massive sweatdrop appearing on my head.
With that, we headed out to an arena area where we could spar a bit.
Hours passed as we all tested out our upgraded weapons. Honestly, I didn't remember the original Steven having spikes on his shield like this, but these were fully retractable—forming a neat inner ring inside the shield that I could deploy from the inside whenever needed. It was a perfect blend of defense and offense.
Training went on like that until everyone retired for the day, except for Bismuth and me. She wanted to give me something extra, though Pearl tossed me a look before leaving that clearly said: "Be nice to her or I'm not cooking for you, you little shit."
Now we were standing in an area surrounded by flowing lava, and I could feel the heat starting to get to me.
"Hey, not to complain, but I'm half-human. If I stay here too long, I'm gonna get dehydrated," I said with caution.
Bismuth gave a distracted nod as she continued searching through tools and materials around the forge.
"Hey, I've got a question," Bismuth suddenly said.
I just raised an eyebrow, gesturing for her to go on.
"Do you... do you remember anything about Rose? About her Gem?" Bismuth asked, her tone much more serious than before.
I saw where this was heading and decided to answer honestly.
"I remember bits and pieces... it's not a complete memory. It's like... you know when you watch something on TV? Sometimes you experience it in first person, other times in third person," I explained.
Bismuth nodded, not fully grasping how that comparison made sense.
"I remember you from back then... but to be honest, I didn't actually see how she bubbled you," I added, looking into her eyes and noticing her body tense up slightly.
Bismuth took a deep breath and relaxed her posture just a bit.
"That doesn't matter. It was just a disagreement," she said clearly, implying she didn't want to dig any deeper into that topic.
I nodded, understanding her position completely and respecting the boundary she set.
A comfortable silence settled between us for a few seconds as we watched the glowing embers and sputtering lava around us. It was a strange moment, suspended between residual tension and genuine curiosity. Bismuth kept searching through her tools while I stayed alert, aware that whatever came next depended entirely on her choice.
"You know," Bismuth finally said, "there were a lot of things I didn't understand back then... but now I can try to help you out the best way I can."
"I know," I replied calmly, watching her hands move through materials with focused precision. "I just want to learn and understand... and I think I can do that with you."
She gave a small nod.
As the lava crackled around us and the intense heat enveloped the room, we both knew this moment marked the start of something bigger. There was no rush, no judgment—just the present, and what we could build together from the remnants of the past.
Then, a sudden question pulled me out of my thoughts.
"What do you think about shattering Gems?"
I looked up and saw Bismuth holding a weapon I recognized instantly—the Breaking Point. I had seen it before, though never this close.
"Shattering Gems?" I asked, playing dumb.
Bismuth nodded slowly.
"Yeah. Let's say Homeworld comes back... would you shatter their Gems?"
I stared at her for a few seconds. It wasn't a hard answer for me to give.
"No," I said firmly.
Bismuth opened her mouth to ask why, but I cut in before she could start.
"Not long ago, some Homeworld Gems came here," I continued. "You met Peridot, right?"
Bismuth nodded immediately.
"Well, she was one of them."
I could see the shock register on her face—not because of the fact itself, but because of how easily we had managed to bring someone from the enemy side over to ours.
But I wasn't done yet.
"The other Gem... Jasper," I said, casting my gaze down slightly. "Let's just say she wasn't the friendliest visitor to Earth."
I remembered the pain all too clearly, and it made me clench my fists while cursing whatever higher power made this version of Jasper such a brutal menace.
But I calmed myself down.
"She gave me the absolute worst beating of my life," I added. "She forced Peridot to fuse with two corrupted Gems."
Bismuth's eyes went wide. She clearly recalled the corrupted Gems she had seen back in Garnet's room.
"That's disgusting... I mean, what the hell?" she said with obvious revulsion.
"I know," I replied, looking back up at her.
I stayed silent for a moment before continuing.
"Believe me, the thought of shattering her crossed my mind," I confessed. "But no... I don't want to do that."
The lava flowed past us, slow and steady, and my eyes followed the glowing liquid as I spoke.
"I have my reasons," I added calmly.
A few seconds passed before I spoke again.
"I feel their pain."
Bismuth looked at me, visibly confused.
"If you were to shatter here right now," I continued, looking straight into her eyes, "I would feel your shards desperately trying to pull themselves back together. Begging each other, wanting to become whole again... without ever being able to."
Bismuth's eyes widened even further, this time with a different emotion. It wasn't just shock—it was genuine unease.
"I wouldn't wish that end on anyone," I concluded. "Not even my worst enemy," I said, looking up toward the ceiling.
Silence swept across the entire forge.
It wasn't uncomfortable. It was heavy. Dense. As if even the rushing lava had lowered its rumble to listen to us.
Bismuth didn't say anything right away. She simply looked down at the weapon in her hand, as if for the very first time she was doubting its weight, its purpose.
And standing there, I understood that this conversation had left a mark. I didn't know if it was good or bad, but it was real. And sometimes, that was far more important than any definitive answer.
"You're different from your mother," Bismuth finally said as she stowed her weapon away, the Breaking Point she had been holding firmly now resting at her side. Her voice carried a softer, almost reflective tone, as if weighing every word before letting it out.
I raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you were her," she said, trying to mask the mix of surprise and relief she felt. "I thought you were just pretending, but with an answer like that... well, now I know she really is gone."
Bismuth lowered her gaze for a few seconds, as if sorting through her thoughts. Then she looked back up, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Sorry about that... I just wanted what was best for everyone. For you... I mean, Rose... not to leave something like that unresolved." Her voice hitched slightly at the end, as though talking about the past was still difficult.
"Did you think she was capable of it?" I asked, crossing my arms as I studied her expression, trying to understand her perspective.
"Yeah," she answered without a second thought, firm and direct. Her eyes shone with the certainty of someone who had seen too much, someone who had survived the impossible while keeping her moral compass intact.
I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh and shake my head. It was curious, I thought, how every Gem I had met possessed that inner strength that made them unique. And Bismuth was no exception.
"You're staying here, right?" I finally asked, wanting to confirm what I already suspected.
"I like it here," Bismuth said, her eyes wandering across the forge, the tools, the warmth of the nearby lava, and the metallic scent filling the air. "Though don't doubt for a second that I'll head up to the main base later. I've got unfinished business, and I hate leaving things unchecked."
"Got it," I replied with a casual wave—a simple gesture of agreement and respect. For a brief moment, we both stood in silence, listening to the crackling lava and the echo of our breathing, the atmosphere heavy yet peaceful.
I realized that, unlike so many other times, there was no tension between us. No conflict, no judgment—just mutual understanding.
Finally, Bismuth squared her stance, her posture relaxing as a small smile tugged at her lips. "Thanks for trusting me... even with your complicated family history."
"It's just something I have to accept," I answered. "And you're a part of this now, even if it's in a different way. That's why I wanted you to know how things stand."
She nodded in full understanding, and both of us remained silent for a few more seconds, watching the lava drift slowly past, sharing the same peace we had sought so many times back at the Temple and the sky arena.
With that, I knew the conflict—at least for now—had been resolved. I took a few steps back, letting Bismuth settle in and take a breath. There was no need for extra words; everything was clear. Trust had been established, and mutual understanding paved the way for an unexpected calm.
"Well... see you around, Bismuth," I finally said with a relaxed smile.
"I'm sticking around here... for now," she replied with a light chuckle escaping her lips.
And just like that, avoiding any unnecessary conflict, the situation resolved itself quietly, trusting that the future would bring its own answers.
End of Chapter 68.