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Chapter 17
All That Glitters is Not Gold
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Among the busy and crowded parking lot; two figures wearing their hoods followed the two humans inside the mall doors. Seeming to observe with their 'no faces'. Their only communication with each other were random gurgles or hums. Steven had finally calmed down during the weird moment in the van, but once the mall's bustling noises reached his ears, his consciousness shifted to focusing on not running into anyone. 

"Why are we here again?" 

You shrug and throw your arm across his shoulder, "No idea. Just something to do and maybe later we can all head into the tourist part of the city. Just to hang out and relax."

There may have been something you realized. You weren't fond of crowds and possibly Spinel had felt the same. Though Steven and Nelly were social butterflies. Connie seemed neutral, especially the way she played tag with Nelly in the children's area. 

Connie laughs and spots you and Steven. "Finally! Took you guys long enough." She giggles as Nelly hops onto her back. "Spinel went to the ladies room." 

You and Steven raise a brow, almost thinking the same thing. "For what?" 

Connie shrugs while she and Nelly glanced at each before looking toward Steven. "Boop!" Connie boops his nose. "You're it!" Nelly and Connie laugh while running to avoid Steven. 

You cross your arms and watch with amusement as Steven tries not to trip over little kids and he pouts at the way Connie and Nelly move through the area with ease. 'Kids.' You thought and chuckled softly.

A tap to your shoulder made you look, but no one was there or near you until a gentle tug to your hair made you look behind you. 

Nothing. 

Although, a glimpse of raspberry colored strands gave you an idea who was behind the mischievous game. 

The cotton candy pink hand shoves you lightly in one direction before another tugs you backwards. This time, Spinel's giggle can be heard and the gem drapes her arms around your neck from behind. "Couldn't help, but notice how serious your posture was." She pokes your cheek.

You hum and tug on her pigtail, "Maybe it's because you weren't here a few moments ago, Bunches." 

Spinel whines after pulling away to fix her pulled hair. This gives you the opportunity to get a good look at her and- 'Oh dear heavens.' You thought and could literally feel your heart jump out of your chest. 

The heart-shaped gem changed her attire.

To her feet were the same pink converse shoes, but her clothes were denim. An overall denim dress with a white shirt. And her hair? It wasn't defying gravity like it usually does, her pigtails cascaded down in a fluffy manner. Not too tame, though enough to make her look…..innocently cute.

Normally, the crowded places would bother you greatly and you wanted to leave or just go off to another world. This time? Your full attention was on Spinel. She was excited by certain stores, especially the candy and toy stores. You let her tug you around. 

Unfortunately, yet, fun. You and Spinel had caused some trouble around the mall, causing you and her to get escorted out of the place. Steven, Connie, and Nelly had gone off somewhere during those times.

What had happened?

°◇°°♡°°◇°

"Sh-sh-sh!" Spinel tries to shush you behind her held back laughter. Her arm stretches to take off a hat from the mannequin as the store retailer fixed it up to put on display.

The woman raises a brow at the third hat missing that she had placed down. While she turned, Spinel grabbed a few exotic clothing for the mannequin and at a cartoonish speed threw an outfit together. 

"OH MY-!" The woman fell back into a few empty boxes at the sudden appearance the mannequin held.

Leopard print pants used as a scarf, silly glasses that made the eyes pop out, a rainbow afro wig, and a feathery blanket wrapped around the waist. 

You and Spinel burst out into laughter, giving away your hiding spot as the woman chases you two out of the store. 

°◇°°♡°°◇°

"Ready?" You smirk and hold up the giant purple ball. 

Spinel swings the plastic bat around herself before getting in a swinging position, waving to fingers. "Ready." Her magenta eyes glint with mischief and dramatic determination. 

Possibly being in a toy store stacked high with toys everywhere wasn't the best idea to play this baseball like game. 

You slam the ball down to the floor as it bounces up with 'tink' and falls toward Spinel. 

The gem swings, accidentally using too much force again which caused the ball to shoot into the elastic prison of the bouncing balls…..and they all shot out….bouncing in random directions and knocking down more toys. Or activating them. 

"Uh-oh." Spinel drops the bat in shock.

You see the toy store manager get hit with a giant ball and his hair piece falls onto a child's head. You couldn't help but snort and burst into laughter while grabbing Spinel's wrist to leave quickly. 

°◇°°♡°°◇°

The halloween mask is slipped over your face and you give a thumbs up to Spinel. She snickers while securely wrapping her arms on your legs. You two were sitting on the metal beams above the entrances of the restrooms and waiting for people to come in or out of the restrooms. 

"BLAH!!" Spinel would laugh once a person runs and screams. 

"RWAH!" You had done the same and lean against Spinel while laughing hysterically. 

Until you accidentally popped out in front of a security guard and a police officer. By "escorted", they literally tossed the both of you out the mall doors, so you two waited for Connie, Steven, and Nelly to come out. Connie and Steven weren't thrilled by that, but soon they let loose. 

The next stop had been downtown, the smaller buildings crammed perfectly in the middle of taller buildings. Street vendors, performers, and small businesses were joyfully busy. This raised curiosity with Steven as he looked at everything and so had Spinel. Along the way, you had bought a tiny basket full of berries which Spinel would munch on while her eyes wandered at everything. 

"This is like a whole other world!" Spinel skips beside you. "There's always new things to see, aren't there?" 

You nod, "Yeah. Tons of things, believe me. New things pop up unexpectedly sometimes." 

Spinel walks in front of you and grins teasingly, "Like you?" 

Your face heats up and you roll your eyes playfully. 

She giggles with her eyes closed then slinks over to cling to your arm. "Where to now?" 

Subconsciously, your hand reaches over to pat her head gently and causes Spinel to melt into your touch with a purr. "I think it's time to eat before driving back to Beach City. I did kinda lie to Connie's parents, so I might drop her off along the way." 

Connie and Steven were heading in your direction with Nelly sitting on Steven's shoulders. "Are we all hungry?" Connie asked and laughs, "Steven kept making his way to the food." This made the young teen blush. 

It didn't take too long to find a very peaceful and family setting restaurant. It held an outside patio which Nelly excitedly went out to. The area had tables here and there with a bigger space for most likely dancing. A stage stood out and it seemed random bands or volunteers played for fun. 

"Hey, (Y/n)? Steven sorta mentioned you're a traveler. That seems really cool, especially going by yourself.  I mean going around with Nelly and having fun at all the different cultures and experiences." Connie starts the conversation while Steven reads the menu to Nelly and Spinel. 

You knew she didn't mean no harm, though anything about you is a touchy subject. It brought a forced smile, "Well…. I didn't really take time to look around. I'm just there then I'm off again. I don't like staying in one place too long." 

"THEY HAVE SILLY STRAWS!" Steven and Nelly shout out cheerfully. Spinel followed suit, "I want one! Those look so awesome!" 

You and Connie see that the three of them have stars in their eyes while staring at a picture of colorful silly straws on the kids menu. You laugh in your hand at their childish outburst. 

Spinel blinks, catching the happiness radiating off you and she gets a smitten expression. 

You manage to take a glance at her and she turns away with a blush. Her right hand twine into her pigtail in a shy manner. 

Again, you literally felt your breath catch in your throat. 'Why is she so perfect?....No! You don't need this!' You mentally scold yourself. 'It'll make things much harder.' 

The pink gem excitedly holds in a squeal once her beverage is placed in front of her and it has a purple silly straw. 

'Who am I kidding? Spinel is too adorable for resistance.' Your brows furrow and you huff while looking to the side another band goes up to play. 

The guitar strummed softly before going into a steady beat. The young man and his partners began to sing, "Hip, Hip….." The drums follow the beat, "Hip, Hip…." The bass came in, "Hip, Hip…..When you're on a holiday~ You can’t find the words to say~ All the things that come to you~ And I wanna feel it too~" 

Spinel looks up at you when you stand up and hold your hand out. "Hm?" 

"On an island in the sun~ We'll be playing and having fun~"

"Come on. Let's dance, Bunches." You gently yank her up toward the dance floor. "You know how to dance right? I'm not an expert, but-" You shrug sheepishly. 

"And it makes me feel so fine~ I can't control my brain~" 

Spinel nods happily and moves her body in a crazy manner, until she stops when you snort. She chuckles in embarrassment and taps her fingers before hiding behind her pigtails, "Was I doing that right?" 

"Hip, Hip~"

"You were, but let's tone it down a notch, yeah?...Here." Your hands slip into hers and you sway with the song, "Wave your arms. Up." You lift your arms on one end then motion it down toward the other end. "Then down." 

"When you're on a golden sea~ You don’t need no memory~" 

Spinel follows your movement and giggles, while moving her body side to side. "So this is toning it down?" You nod and sway your body with your shoulders, side to side and Spinel copies. 

"Just a place to call your own~ As we drift into the zone~" 

Before, the gem could react, you take one of her hands and spin her around. This caused Spinel to lean against you and she gazes up to lock eyes with you. Your hand now resting on her sides and her arms now draped around your shoulders.

"On an island in the sun~ We’ll be playing and having fun~ And it makes me feel so fine~ I can’t control my brain~ We'll run away together~ We'll spend some time forever~ We'll never feel bad anymore~"

Spinel squeaks when you suddenly lift her up and twirl before her feet lands gently on the ground. She laughs happily and ends up picking you up with the same move. The both of you sway again from side to side, opposites of each other. 

"Hip, hip~ Hip, Hip~" 

You twirl her out again, only this time? You touch noses with her and faintly give her an eskimo kiss. Spinel's eyes widen and her blush appears brightly. The gem had no idea what to do, except let you lead her into a twirl. 

"On an island in the sun~ We’ll be playing and having fun~ And it makes me feel so fine~ I can’t control my brain~"

Spinel slows your dancing and glances down at her feet in confusion. Whether it was all the spinning or not, this situation made her feel...relaxed and happy.

"We'll run away together~ We'll spend some time forever~ We'll never feel bad anymore~" 

"Spinel? What's wrong?" You ask cautiously and self-consciously let her go.

"Hip, hip~"

The gem looks at you and grins warmly, "Nothing." 

"We'll never feel bad anymore~"

"Nothing at all." Her arms wrap around your shoulders. No one, not even Spinel could see it, but she felt her gem glow.

"On an island in the sun~"

You hum and lean your forehead against hers, "That's good." 

"We'll never feel bad anymore~"

"Swell." Her eyelids droop slightly while leaning in closer. 

"As we drift into the zone~"

"GUYS!" "LOOK OUT!" Steven and Connie yell. 

*~°♡°~*

Immediately, the moment ceased to exist and Spinel took quick action to push you away as a lion shaped mutant rams into her. The gem mutant screeches and forcefully holds Spinel down.

"HEY! What are you DOING?!" You're restrained against a faceless mutant gem, it's hood now down. It gurgles and leaps away from the area with you. 

Spinel glares and coils her arms around the lion mutant, tossing it to the side with power. "(Y/n)!" 

"Nelly!" Steven was now taking on the Lion, but that left Connie trying to protect Nelly as another faceless mutant gem grabs the small spinel. 

"Seriously?! I love surprises, but your guys are really gettin' annoying!" Spinel slink between the mutant and kicks it away while holding Nelly close. "Here." She holds Nelly out to Connie, spotting the mutant that napped you. 

"Wait! Spinel don't go-"

Unfortunately, Spinel didn't bother listening to Connie and springs up high onto the buildings. Parts of the building made easy places to hide behind and it gave enough cover. Spinel peaks around the corner to see the mutant holding up a weird looking weapon, possibly what humans call a gun? 

You're in front of it and glaring up at the faceless mutant gem.

Without thinking, Spinel took the opportunity to lunge at the mutant. 

Your eyes widened when the mutant sharply took notice and shot. "NO!" You try to push the futuristic weapon down, but the glowing shot already zoomed at Spinel. 

A blinding light hit right where Spinel's gem is located and the force made the pink gem tumble roughly onto a vent. 

Spinel groans in pain and tries to move with the heavy dizziness keeping her from full balance of the ground. "Owie…" Something grips her shirt and holds her off the ground. With one eye barely open, Spinel narrows her eyes now at the other mutant gem. "You guys...are in BIG trouble." She lifts up an arm and swings weakly, but her hit didn't even reach an inch to the mutant's head. "Huh?"

She tries to hit again or at least stretch her arm to coil the gem.

Nothing.

"Wha-?" Spinel growls in frustration and wills her limbs to stretch, only to wear out her muscles. A panic in her chest rose when the mutant gem began walking toward you and the other mutant. 'My abilities aren't working. Wait! My scythe!' She taps her gem and swings.

There's a small smack to the mutant's head.

Spinel blinks at the lack of her weapon and the slap made the mutant gurgle angrily. "Uh…." She laughs nervously with a shrug, "Hey, ya know I was just kidding about being in trouble. Aha…." Her pigtails droop more. 

You grew very cautious and wave your hands down carefully, "Hey, let her down gently. Alright? There's no need for-"

A pink shield appears out of nowhere and knocks the faceless gem a few feet away, taking Spinel with it. 

"AH!" Spinel is thrown from it's grip by the force of the shield and skids across the stone floor of the rooftop. She hisses at the pain in her shoulder and head. Clumsily, she stood and lost balance again, resulting in tripping over her own feet. 'Really, Steven?!' "HEY UNIVERSE! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE THROWING-" 

Your heart jumps out of your chest and you reach out to Spinel when the back of her shoe hits the edge of the roof. She disappears downward. "SPINEL!" You shout. 

Luckily, Spinel caught a hold of a random piece of the building.

The high altitude wind made her raspberry colored pigtails slap against her face. Down below, a few stories down was the slightly busy streets and there was no telling how high the gem dangled. 

"Rrragh!" 

Her muscles weren't very strong and at the last attempt to pull up, she lost her footing and gasped when one of her hands slipped as well.

"Come--ON!" 

Spinel grew frustrated. Her abilities weren't working and she felt helpless. She had no idea what happened, but one thing's for sure, Spinel wasn't going to give up- "Do something!" She comically yelled at her body. 

Suddenly, her grip slipped when the fight above made the building shake. "AHHH-AUGH!" Spinel shouts in pain. Slowly, her magenta eyes caught sight of something slowly running down her arm where a piece of metal cut her pink skin. 

The black liquid glitters like stardust. 

"B-blood?"

Usually, humans bled red, but in Spinel's case? How was it possible? 

"Well, ain't that a twist." Spinel gulps and immediately she felt her breath catch in her throat. The last of her strength had vanished and so had her grip on the side of the building. Spinel's body went ice cold at the thought of falling and not able to catch herself or even survive a fall. 

Fear blanketed the pink hearted gem. 

Until….

….a rough landing…..

...into a body. Their arms grasping in a tight hold around Spinel. "I've got you." They whispered in reassurance. 

The voice was familiar to Spinel, but her full attention was on the very deep cut on her arm. The black glittering substance flowed a bit too much. 'That doesn't look-' She began to shiver and a heavy nauseous feeling built up in her stomach. This was all too much for a gem. 

Inside of poofing, Spinel passed out in dead weight. 

"Spinel? SPINEL!" The voice shouted in panic and faded out as their last words went through Spinel's head. "That Kid better help you."