Fanfic / Steven Universe: Alternate Future

Here we are in the future, again! (Logo by Brydav Massbear)

"Steven believes he's all done with changing the universe, but he begins to realize he needs more changing than everyone around him as new threats to both his world and his mind emerge."

— Fanfic Summary

Steven Universe: Alternate Future is a Steven Universe fanfiction written by Lightyearpig, the creator of the Marvel Gems Universe, Fooly Falls and Gravity Soul, that serves as an alternate universe version of Steven Universe: Future, hence the title.

32 chapters have been released across four parts, each containing eight chapters (see here on the author's DeviantArt page) that expand on Future's stories while also featuring scrapped content and Original Characters. The story ran from December 7, 2020 to November 1, 2021.

The story can also be found on Archive of our Own, DeviantArt and Tumblr.

In September 2021, a reader who had been reading the series and giving detailed reviews asked the author if they could do a webcomic adaptation of the story, to which the author gave his approval of.

A few days after the story was finished, the author's Fanficton.net page confirmed that Alternate Future would be the start of its own Expanded Universe with a few additional stories planned to release. They consist of:

• The Black Pearl Brigade: "Born into a world that was soon to be conquered, five Black Pearls created to serve Black Rutile in her plot to conquer the Gem race now must find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy as mercenaries chasing their former master's allies." (March to July 2022)
• The Trial of Black Rutile: "Thousands of years of plotting were now completely wasted. Black Rutile has finally been defeated, and she must face the consequences of her actions across two worlds." (August 2022)
• Little Homeworld Life: "The world is saved once again and Steven is finally at peace with himself. But now that he's left Beach City, where does that leave the Gems of Little Homeschool? Utter shenanigans, of course." (Season 1: August to November 2022, Season 2: March to June 2023)
• Two Sides of the Same Gem: "In yet another attempt to get her revenge for losing everything, Black Rutile discovers worlds beyond the one she knows, including one where the Crystal Gems are the tyrannical rulers of Earth. Now, Jasper and White Topaz must follow Black Rutile to this other dimension to prevent her from allying with that world's Steven to conquer both worlds." (January to February 2023)
• Steven Universe: Snake Eyes: "Steven decides to return to Beach City for a visit, but something isn’t right. All Gem life has gone missing except for Black Rutile, who places the blame on the gladiatorial civilization of the planet Serpentes and its royal family; the Jörmungandrs. When Steven reaches the planet and is forced into a gladiator death match by these monarchs of the Slytherophidians in order to save the gems, he’ll learn there’s more to these reptiles than meets the eye, as something far more sinister is pulling the strings." (August to November 2023, Grand Finale of the AU)

Alternate Future contains the following tropes

A-F

• Adaptational Angst Upgrade:
  • Peridot gains a guilt complex over Steven's kidnapping that is further explored in "In Dreams."
  • The next chapter "Eye in the Sky" reveals that Nephrite still hasn't mentally recovered from her corruption, to the point where learning the name of a centipede makes her have a panic attack.
  • "Pumpkin Patch" confirms that Pumpkin suffered a Bus Crash after "Change your Mind", and most of the episode is dedicated to Peridot undergoing the Five Stages of Grief.
  • Jasper becomes a bit more insecure and introspective after Steven shatters her.
• Adaptational Badass:
  • Steg gets into a fight in "Bluebird", showing how he attacks with his guitar and Steven's shield.
  • According to Lars in "Black and White", he learned musti-yuddha (a form of Indian boxing) from Connie's dad during the time-skip. He finally gets to show off these moves in "The Warning".
  • Emerald finally gets a victory over Lars by stealing back the Sun Incinerator, but it comes at the cost of Lars stealing (and eventually destroying) the Destiny Destroyer.
• Adaptational Explanation: Many elements of Steven Universe that were left unexplained by the show's end are given an explanation here, especially during the original chapters.
  • Lapis and Peridot being on good terms again despite the events of "Raising the Barn" is touched on more, as are the whereabouts of Pumpkin after "Change your Mind". Lapis also states that she and Peridot have drifted apart in recent years due to their duties at Little Homeschool.
  • There's nothing in the mysterious treasure chest in Lion's mane, as it turns out. However, Steven believes there to be a metaphorical treasure inside.
  • Rhodonite's backstory receives its own chapter, and we get a bit of Fluorite's in addition.
  • At the end of "Why So Blue?", there's an additional scene before Nice Lapis comes to Little Homeschool where she debates on whether she and Mean Lapis should go. Such a decision would lead to Mean Lapis siding with Black Rutile.
• Adaptational Jerkass: Mean Lapis (or 1J9G-5KL as she's called in the story) is noticeably more controlling of Nice Lapis (aka 2F8D-9ZE and later Zuli), and even claims she has a different way of expressing friendship. She turns into an Adaptational Nice Guy after "Enemy of my Enemy."
• Adaptational Karma:
  • Emerald is poofed during the final battle of "Enemy of my Enemy" and her inactive gem remains on Earth, where the Crystal Gems suggest she'll be reformed through Little Homeschool.
  • Similarly, Holly Blue Agate, Navy and Morganite are put on trial for their allegiance to Black Rutile in "Growing Pains" and are found guilty in the climax. The author of the revamp says that these three would somehow escape and return to Earth to act as reenforcements.
  • In "Change your Heart", Emerald is seen again, now trying to escape Little Homeworld and find Black Rutile so they can work together to stop Steven. Unfortunately, the revamp implies that she is able to escape.
  • However, by the time "Everything's Fine" occurs, Emerald has mellowed out a bit and even plays chess with Demantoid. This is completely averted in the revamp.
  • Aquamarine and Eyeball are both separated with the defeat of Pietersite/Eagle's Eye by Orange Moonstone/Banded Onyx in "Love Like You.", and are both poofed by Peridot and Lapis Lazuli respectively.
  • Following up from this, the pair are enrolled in Little Homeschool in "The Future", but Eyeball and Navy have seemingly happily reunited with the other Rubies while Aquamarine remains by Black Rutile's side. Holly Blue also sticks by Black Rutile while also being used as a training dummy in a self-defense class taught by Jasper.
• Adaptation Expansion: The primary goal of the story. For example...
  • A new uncorrupted Gem named Teal Zircon is featured alongside Cherry Quartz as an Audience Surrogate in "Little Homeschool", before becoming a recurring character.
  • Characters like Aquamarine, Eyeball and Holly Blue Agate all answer to a new Big Bad named Black Rutile, who has formed a Legion of Doom made up of un-reformed Gems for the purpose of destroying Steven.
  • Additional scenes are implemented, some taking place outside of Steven's perspective.
  • One example of scrapped content being used is the Origins Episode for Rhodonite, which Word of God claims he could reduce its length to a reasonable amount compared to what the Crewniverse said it would be.
  • Multiple minor characters are given more screentime and lines, such as many of the corrupted Gems.
  • In "Pumpkin Patch", there is a flashback taking place in the aftermath of "Alone at Sea" that sets up Peridot and Lapis's scene in "Beta", giving further context to their improved relationship in that episode.
  • Most of Part 4 seems to be an extended version of "I Am My Monster", with the chapter named after it ending with Steven still a monster and going into original territory from there.
• Adaptation Name Change:
  • As stated above, the Lapis Lazuli twins are called 1J9G-5KL (Mean Lapis) and 2F8D-9ZE (Nice Lapis), while the main Lapis is dubbed 3E8C-4XF.
  • At the end of "Why so Blue?", 2F8D takes the nickname Zuli because it would be easier to remember.
  • As of "Enemy of my Enemy", 1J9G has started calling herself Laz.
• Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: Lapis is stated to be an Old Friend of Mean and Nice Lapis here unlike in canon.
• Adapted Out:
  • "A Very Special Episode" will not be adapted, per Word of God saying that while he did enjoy that episode, it essentially rendered itself non-canon by the end.
  • Subverted when it was included as a part of "Black and White", but it was a story told by Steven to Black Rutile.
• A Day in the Limelight:
  • "Eye in the Sky" for Nephrite and many of the corrupted Gems.
  • "Change your Heart" is one for Kevin, who dares Steven to try and find the good in him.
• Affably Evil: White Topaz is surprisingly cheerful and likable for the bodyguard of a Jerkass like Black Rutile, and has a love for shadow puppets in particular.
• Alliterative Name: Coach Matt Monroe from "Playdate."
• Alone with the Psycho: For the majority of "Gems' Night Out", Steven is left at home when Black Rutile breaks in to confront him.
• Alpha Bitch:
  • Mean Lapis, or 1J9G-5KL, was part of an elite trio of terraformers alongside Nice Lapis/2F8D-9ZE and the primary Lapis/3E8C-4XF that she was the self-proclaimed leader of, ordering the other two Lapides around, looking down on lower-class Gems and not taking kindly to being questioned.
  • Cat's Eye, a Homeworld aristocrat turned defendant that debuts in "Growing Pains" as the antagonist of its B-plot. As an aristocrat, she wears very fancy clothing, is incredibly rude & condescending to almost everyone; even other high-ranking Gems like Holly Blue, uses violence to force good behavior from others via her riding crop, and eventually loses her temper due to being shown up by Pearl.
• Alternate History: It's implied in "I Am My Monster" that Eduardo Suarez ran against a parody of Donald Trump for presidency and won.
• And Starring: Guest stars receive a "Featuring" credit in the cast lists in the author's notes of each chapter. If there are more than one guest stars, the last one will start with "And (insert guest star here)".
• A Nazi by Any Other Name: Lars directly compares Black Rutile's empire to the fascist regimes he read about, with their unwavering devotion to her cause and plots to destroy the Crystal Gems.
• An Offer You Can't Refuse: Said word for word by Black Rutile when she approaches Demantoid's Peridots and Bismuths in "The Warning". As a demonstration, she shatters a Bismuth with her bowie knife.
• Anti-Villain: White Topaz starts to show shades of this from "Fragments" onwards, objecting to her sociopathic master's plans while trying to help Steven by suggesting he get help. Black Rutile continues to shut White Topaz down with the threat of shattering her, and White Topaz has no choice but to obey.
• Amoral Attorney: Cat's Eye is this, despite knowing nothing about the law.
• Arch-Enemy: Word of God proclaims that Black Rutile is this to Steven, comparing their relationship to Superman and Lex Luthor, Goku and Frieza, Optimus Prime and Megatron, and Samurai Jack and Aku.
• Arc Words: "I'm with you till the end of the line." gets thrown around sometimes, usually towards Steven. The word "monster" also gets this.
• Ascended Extra: As part of the story's goal, many more characters get a spotlight shone on them compared to the original.
  • Bixbite gets speaking lines in Alternate Future's "Guidance" compared to the original episode.
  • Aquamarine & Eyeball were never heard from again after "Bluebird" despite flying off vowing revenge. In Alternate Future, they're major antagonists.
  • Steg returns from the movie to fight Bluebird.
  • Much like Bluebird Azurite, Mean Lapis is made a member of the Legion of Doom compared to her What Happened to the Mouse? status in the original.
  • After spending the entire franchise as either The Ghost or The Voice, a Citrine makes an appearance in "Rejuvenated".
  • Emerald makes her grand return in "Black and White" as a member of Black Rutile's alliance.
  • "Prickly Pair" ends with the implication that Cactus Steven will be forced to ally with Black Rutile. In "The Warning", they are turned into cyborg cactus minions of Black Rutile.
  • "Eye in the Sky" finally gives Nephrite her own Day in the Limelight.
  • Hessonite and Squaridot were previously characters exclusive to the Light series. Now, they make major appearances in the final few chapters of Part 2.
  • Similarly, Pyrope and Demantoid become Eleventh Hour Rangers for the Legion of Doom in the finale of Part 2.
  • Lemon Jade plays a bigger role in "Homeworld Bound", where it's revealed she's become an ambassador for cross-Gem fusions on Homeworld.
• As You Know: Steven lampshades this in "A Fusion Too Far" when Lapis reminds him and the audience of Malachite.
  Steven: I know, no need to remind me of stuff I already know.
• Author Appeal:
  • The author proudly admits in the notes for "Why so Blue?" that Lapis is his favorite character because of how much he could relate to her from past traumatizing experiences. He also calls her his "#1 Gem waifu".
  • He also says he's been raised on shows that thrive on Special Guests and Shout Outs like The Simpsons in the author's notes for "Gems' Night Out".
  • The author also admits to being a Lapidot shipper in the notes for "Pumpkin Patch".
• Author Avatar: In addition to Steven appearing as Stefan in his and Peridot's own Camp Pining Hearts reboot, Peridot takes the form of Pierre from the original Camp Pining Hearts series.
• Avengers Assemble: Parts 2 and 4 end with the Crystal Gems joining with their allies to save the day. In "Enemy of my Enemy", it was to stop Black Rutile. In "Love Like You", it was to save Steven.
• Awesomeness by Analysis: Black Rutile gathers as much intelligence on her foes as she possibly can to prepare for her invasion of Earth. Despite this, the Crystal Gems were still able to outsmart her the first time around.
• Bad Boss:
  • Morganite to her Pearl and Ruby, who would eventually form Rhodonite. Although she claims to be more reasonable in the present, it's all a cover for her true allegiance.
  • Black Rutile is also this to White Topaz, as first shown in "Black and White". She becomes even worse to White Topaz as the story goes on, even to the point of threatening to shatter her for refusing to follow orders.
• Backstabbing the Alpha Bitch: This happens twice throughout the story.
  • After getting a taste of the new peaceful lives the gems of Little Homeworld were living, Nice Lapis decided she had enough of Mean Lapis and chose to abandon her Only Friend to make some new ones. This decision was always enforced by how this curly-haired lapid always bossed her around and looked down on those she saw as being her inferiors.
  • A more dramatic example happens during the final section of the story where White Topaz finally realizes that Black Rutile may not be the friend she always thought she was and decided she has had enough of her twisted delusions and decided she was finally going to what is right and stand up to her abusive boss. additionally had she not betrayed her, Jasper would have never been able to defeat her and Bluebird by herself, and both Steven and the Earth would then be beyond saving.
• Badly Battered Babysitter: Black Rutile reveals herself to be both this and a Babysitter from Hell to Pink Diamond in "Gems' Night Out."
• Bad Future:
  • In "Enemy of my Enemy", Steven is shown one by Garnet where Earth is destroyed by the Cluster's awakening, Black Rutile has successfully conquered Homeworld, rebuilt the Gem empire in her image where the caste system is everyone else beneath her and has shattered every threat to her power, even the Diamonds.
  • In Part 4's "Fusion Frenzy", Jasper receives one where Connie, Peridot, Bismuth & Sapphire are the Sole Survivors of the Crystal Gems after Steven has killed them all, and they're forced to team up with Black Rutile if they want any chance of stopping him.
• Badass Cape:
  • Black Rutile wears a white one, and was a member of White Diamond's court before becoming a powerful revolutionary.
  • Hessonite, Squaridot and Citrine wear capes of their own in "The Warning".
• Badass Normal: Due to reverse-engineering the Destiny Destroyer's remains into anti-Gem weapons, the military take down the Crystal Gems pretty easily.
• Battle in the Center of the Mind: One waged against Negative Steven by Steven, Pink Diamond and Rose Quartz.
• Battle Trophy: The Bad Future version of Black Rutile has a massive bubble containing the shattered remains of all her foes hanging above her throne. The narration brings to attention some pink dust that was once Steven's gem as a memory of her proudest achievement. And it never says how she did it.
• Best Served Cold: Black Rutile has been plotting Pink's downfall for ages, but changed her target to Steven at some point between "Change your Mind" and Unleash the Light.
• Big Bad: Black Rutile has served as the Greater-Scope Villain of Parts 1 & 3 and the Climax Boss of Parts 2 & 4. While there were other antagonists, she's the Woman Behind the Woman for most of them.
• Big Bad Duumvirate: The Legion of Doom for the first two parts, then it gets reduced to Black Rutile, White Topaz, Aquamarine and Eyeball for the latter two parts.
• Big Bad Ensemble:
  • While Black Rutile is the main villain for much of the story, chapters like "The Warning" and "Growing Pains" have hinted at government interference coming into play.
  • "Mister Universe" reveals a voice in Steven's head that confirms in "Fragments" it has been there since "Gems' Night Out" that plays a bigger role in Part 4.
    • It also has been heavily implied by the author of the revamp that there will be even more bigger threats the Crystal Gems will have to face.
• Big Damn Heroes: Jasper assists Stevonnie in the battle against Lepidolite in "Enemy of my Enemy".
  • Rosemary De Mayo, Steven's mother in his dream world, comes to protect him from Negative Steven in "Be-All, Cure-All" before turning into Rose Quartz and Pink Diamond.
• Bilingual Bonus: Revanche 666 gets its name from a German word for revenge.
• Bitch in Sheep's Clothing:
  • Black Rutile presents herself as an Intrepid Reporter as a cover for her real nature as the leader of the Legion of Doom, plotting to destroy the Crystal Gems.
  • Similarly, Morganite presents herself as rather calm and reasonable to hide her true allegiance to Black Rutile.
• Blatant Lies: Steven lies about how his pink form is just a human thing that only he can do in "Enemy of my Enemy", when it's clearly not.
• Bolivian Army Ending: Citrine's final scene in "The Warning" has her faced with an army led by Holly Blue Agate & Morganite, and her response?
  Citrine: Go ahead. Bring it on.
• Bond Villain Stupidity: Black Rutile tries to avert this by dropping a boulder on Steven after tossing him off a cliff to make sure he's truly crushed to death, but she didn't account for Connie making it just in time to save him.
• Book Ends: Steven's first line in Steven Universe was a Big "NO!". In Alternate Future, his final line is "Yeah."
• Break Them by Talking: Black Rutile spends her entire screentime in "Gems' Night Out" doing this to Steven in the hopes that she'll turn him against his friends.
• Breather Episode: A few per part.
  • Part 1 has "Guidance" and "Snow Day", the former published before "Cracks & Buds", while the latter is sandwiched in between "Bluebird" and "Why so Blue?".
  • Part 2 has "Bismuth Casual" before "A Fusion Too Far".
  • Part 3 has "Change your Heart" after the very emotional "Growing Pains", and "Playdate" after "Gems' Night Out".
  • The final chapter of both Part 4 and the series, "The Future", is this compared to the rest of the part.
• Brick Joke: Larimar vows to make Steven scream one day in "Guidance". Thirty chapters later in "The Future", she finally does with help from White Topaz.
  • The fact that the Snake People, better known as Sneople are actually real can also be considered one.
• The Cameo:
  • Beckham Jordan & friends, Chloe & Yvonne, the Officer, Bane Jones, Neil Michaels, and Greg's parents appear in "I Am My Monster", watching President Suarez's speech.
  • "Made Me Realize" also features Lawrence Abrams, a news reporter who has made appearances in the Marvel Gems Universe prior to debuting here.
• Can't Take Criticism:
  • As stated in "Why So Blue?", 1J9G/Mean Lapis doesn't like it whenever what she says is questioned by others, like Steven or 2F8D.
  • Black Rutile also doesn't take kindly to defiance, which usually results in threatening to killing someone.
• Card-Carrying Villain: Aquamarine and Eyeball declare that they hate The Power of Love as much as they hate Steven.
• Cats Are Mean: Cat's Eye is described as similar to an Earth cat by Peridot.
  Peridot: Incredibly smug, loves making others mad solely for her amusement, and that grin on her face just rubs me the wrong way.
• Central Theme:
  • In addition to the established themes of the source material, an important theme is change and how to deal with it. Steven has to deal with everyone moving on with their lives except for him, while Black Rutile believes she can enforce her idea of change.
  • Another major theme of the story is consequences. Every action a person makes will always have an impact, and the story gives dozens upon dozens of examples.
• Chekhov's Gun:
  • Shell becomes this in Part 2, leading to the creation of the Black Pearls.
  • Priyanka's X-rays of Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl in "Growing Pains" become this for the government in Part 4, allowing them to find the Gems' weaknesses.
• The Chessmaster: Black Rutile turns Steven against Jasper in "Fragments", leading to Jasper's death. Bonus points for creating a holographic chessboard in the opening with her visor and placing a piece resembling Jasper in the middle.
• Cliffhanger: The first three parts end like this.
  • "Black and White" ends with Black Rutile meeting with her Legion of Doom and their plotting against Steven.
  • "Enemy of my Enemy" ends with Black Rutile, White Topaz, Aquamarine & Eyeball escaping into a cave deep within the woods, where Black Rutile begins making another plan.
  • "Fragments" ends with Steven crying as he tries to fix Jasper's shattered gem, and it cuts off there.
  • Part 4 seems to be full of these.
    • "Everything's Fine" ends on Black Rutile preparing Phase 2 of her latest plan after watching Steven transform.
    • "I Am My Monster" has Black Rutile begin Phase 3 after hijacking the president's address.
    • "Fusion Frenzy" ends with the Gems being arrested by the military as Black Rutile has the Diamonds, Steven, Spinel & Lemon Jade captured.
    • "Made Me Realize" ends with White Topaz, Spinel & Lemon Jade running away after Steven is set free, and Black Rutile finally snaps after White Topaz betrays her.
    • "Be-All, Cure-All" ends on Steven waking up and causing havoc just as a vengeful Black Rutile arrives.
• Co-Dragons: Also from the author's DeviantArt page, this meme implies that while White Topaz is Black Rutile's sidekick & bodyguard, Aquamarine is of much higher rank in the Legion of Doom. While not stated, it is implied some of her other Co Dragons include Emerald, Holly Blue Agate, and Cinnabar.
• Combat Commentator: Teal Zircon serves as this during the fight between Steven and Jasper, much to the latter's annoyance.
• The Comically Serious: Even Steven's darker side finds Spinel taking control of White Diamond to be very unnerving.
• Commonality Connection:
  • It turns out in "Rejuvenated", Rhodonite was first formed because her components shared a common dislike of Morganite.
  • In "Playdate", Beckham Jordan compares Spinel's Dark and Troubled Past to how he lived under an Abusive Parent.
• Complexity Addiction: Black Rutile's initial plan is implied by Mean Lapis to be this, making her wonder why they can't just go down to Earth and kill the Crystal Gems. Upon hearing this, Holly Blue shuts her down.
• Conveniently Timed Attack from Behind: White Topaz traps Black Rutile in a Bear Hug to save Jasper from getting shattered in "Love Like You."
• Cool Sword: Black Rutile has one that she uses to cut Cactus Steven to pieces at the end of "Prickly Pair". As stated by Word of God, it's a bowie knife that can transform into either a regular sword or Cloud Strife's Buster Sword.
• The Corrupter: The voice in Steven's head that first appeared in "Mister Universe" confirms in "Fragments" that it was created by Black Rutile's lies from "Gems Night Out".
• Cosmic Plaything: Jasper often wonders about her being this, such as "A Fusion Too Far" mentioning how she's done nothing but suffer on Earth compared to Lapis, and the final scene of "Homeworld Bound" where Jasper asks herself why Earth has it out for her.
• Cosmopolitan Council: President Suarez's cabinet contains an assortment of men and women of various races. Judging by the voice actors, they include a black man, a pair of Asian women and a Latino man.
• Creator Cameo: Rebecca Sugar makes an appearance as Steven's therapist Rebecca Sucrose in "The Future".
• Dance Battler: Black Rutile's fighting style is described as a mix of capoeira and gymnastics.
• Darker and Edgier:
  • The effects Era 3 had on Gem society are shown to be much grimmer than what the show implied, with multiple Gems outraged about the changes and even siding with Black Rutile to return to the old ways.
  • The first two chapters of Part 4 are adapted from "Homeworld Bound" and "Everything's Fine", but they are also far darker than those two. The scene in "Homeworld Bound" where Steven imagines nearly shattering White Diamond gets far more intense with the addition of Steven's evil half, while the ending of "Everything's Fine" once again brings up Black Rutile Gaslighting Steven before it escalates into a The Bad Guy Wins Downer Ending.
• Darkest Hour: In addition to Steven becoming a monster with seemingly no way to change him back, the Crystal Gems are arrested by the US military after the government is manipulated by Black Rutile into seeing them as enemies, and Black Rutile has Steven captured along with the Diamonds.
• Dark Reprise: After Steven leaves for Homeworld in "Homeworld Bound", Jasper sings one of her song from the previous chapter, "Get a Grip" as she returns to the bathroom to cry over being abandoned by her Diamond again.
• David Versus Goliath: The fight between Stevonnie and Chrysanthemum Stone is this. The former is about the size of a tall human, while the latter is huge in comparison.
• Debut Queue:
  • The first part slowly introduces most of the major cast over time. Steven, Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl & Jasper debut in "Little Homeschool", Greg in "Cracks and Buds"; which also features an Early-Bird Cameo by Black Rutile, Peridot, Lapis, Bismuth, Aquamarine & Eyeball in "Bluebird", White Topaz makes a cameo in "Rejuvenation", and Black Rutile & White Topaz make their first proper appearance in "Black and White", which is also the first appearance of Connie.
  • The other members of the Legion of Doom are given a similar treatment. Holly Blue Agate makes her debut in "Cracks and Buds", Mean Lapis/Laz in "Why so Blue?", Morganite in "Rejuvenated", Emerald in "Black and White", and Navy, Demantoid & Pyrope in Part 2's "The Warning".
• Decomposite Character: "Eye in the Sky" reveals that the Watermelon Tourmaline the Crystal Gems fought in "Beach Party" is a different one from the Watermelon Tourmaline fusion at Little Homeworld. The fusion differentiates herself by referring to herself as Bicolor Tourmaline.
• Deconstruction Fic:
  • Black Rutile calls out Steven for his pacifism proving more harm than good, as it allows enemies to either be Easily Forgiven or forgotten about so they can plot revenge on him.
  • When Jasper is first seen in "Enemy of my Enemy", she comments on how Steven could've just stopped at ending colonization instead of making Gems into a pacifist race.
  • As revealed to Lapis in "Made Me Realize", the events of "Ocean Gem" killed 550 people in three third-world countries, nearly drove many fishing villages out of business, and almost made many species of aquatic life extinct.
• Defeat Means Menial Labor: Holly, Morganite, Navy, and Cat are all forced into janitorial service as punishment for their crimes. It doesn't last long though...
• Defiant to the End: The Bismuth that Black Rutile shatters in "The Warning" tells her "Oh, they (the Crystal Gems) will find out about this. And they will stop you no matter what."
• Description Cut: From "A Fusion Too Far":
  Steven: But I still feel you two (Lapis Lazuli and Jasper) can make up somehow!
  [one line break later]
  Jasper: Absolutely not.
• Destination Defenestration: Shown twice throughout "Rejuvenated". First, Rhodonite attempts to throw Morganite out a window. The second occurrence is during the flashback, when Ruby and Pearl jump out the window to escape some Shattering Robonoids.
• Destructive Savior: The final battle against Black Rutile causes tons of damage to both the Crystal Temple and Beach City.
• Doesn't Trust Those Guys: After the events of "Room for Ruby", Lapis doesn't trust the Ruby Squad, especially Eyeball & Navy. She is neutral towards Doc, Leggy & Army though.
• Do Not Adjust Your Set: Black Rutile hijacks an Emergency Broadcast by the president via a hacking drone attached to a satellite to warn the human race about the Crystal Gems and Steven's monster form. Her ultimatum is that if the humans value their survival, the Gems must be dealt with or else. The message even extends to computers, smart devices, and even other parts of the world.
• *Drool* Hello: A non-drool example. Aquamarine and Eyeball are alerted to Lapis and Peridot's presence when they feel a few water droplets falling on them created from Lapis's water wings.
• Dying Declaration of Love: Pumpkin speaks her first, and last, words to Peridot before dying by saying "Mah, mah, mommy."
• Early-Bird Cameo:
  • Black Rutile gets two, both of them at the ends of "Cracks and Buds" and "Rejuvenated".
  • White Topaz's hand is shown at the end of "Why so Blue?", and then later shows up in person in "Rejuvenated".
  • "Playdate" namedrops a character that would later appear in Part 4 in the form of a picture of Beckham Jordan shaking hands with Secretary of Health Benjamin Rouleau.
• Earn Your Happy Ending: "The Future" not only has Steven recovering from his meltdown and Black Rutile being defeated once and for all but the Crystal Gems are also celebrated as heroes of Earth.
• Easily Forgiven: A frequent topic of discussion among the cast.
  • Rhodonite is not very happy to see Morganite again, to the point where she goes ballistic and tries to toss her out of her tower. By the end of the episode, Pigeon's Blood Ruby and Pink Pale Pearl still refuse to forgive her because they've already moved on with their lives. Morganite understands this and accepts it.
  • Black Rutile has a hatred of Pink Diamond because of how many times the Diamonds let her off with a slap on the wrist by giving her what she wants.
  • In regards to Lapis and Jasper refusing to get along in "A Fusion Too Far", Lapis says that "even when two enemies become friends, there's no chance that they'll instantly treat the horrible things they did to each other in the past like someone stole forty cakes or something."
  • During the restorative vs retributive justice conversation in "Enemy of my Enemy", Black Rutile claims that Steven could've avoided facing her and the Legion of Doom if his enemies were punished, or even shattered, instead of forgiven.
  • In "Change your Heart", Steven tells Kevin that the Diamonds have a lot of working things out to do.
  • It's outright said out loud in "Homeworld Bound" that the Diamonds haven't been Easily Forgiven by Steven, regardless of them trying their best to fix what they have done.
  • After she's finally defeated, Black Rutile begs on her knees for forgiveness and desperately tries to prove she can do this too. However, Connie declares she won't ever get off easy, which causes Black Rutile to once again yell about how her enemies are Hypocrites before finally getting poofed.
• Egopolis:
  • The Black Rutile-controlled Gem Homeworld is this in the Bad Future, if the Gems being tortured into building a giant statue of her is any indication.
  • As revealed in "Pumpkin Patch", Peridot suggested Peritropolis as a possible name for what would become Little Homeworld, but Steven turned down the idea because of how much it stroked her ego.
• The Ending Changes Everything: Word of God proclaims this about "Black and White" in the author's notes. Indeed, Black Rutile's interviews with the various characters she meets were all a front to gather as much information as possible for the Legion of Doom's upcoming attack on Earth.
• Enemy Eats Your Lunch: Black Rutile steals a Cookie Cat that Steven was eating in "Gems Night Out" and eats it. She doesn't understand why Steven loves it so much, however.
• Enemy Mine:
  • When Steven accidentally puts himself in danger by causing a rockslide when he turned pink, it's here where Lapis and Jasper finally decide to put their bickering aside to protect him.
  • A good portion of "Enemy of my Enemy" is dedicated to Jasper reluctantly joining forces with the Crystal Gems to fight the Legion of Doom.
• Enemy Within: Steven's inner voice becomes more prominent in Part 4, taking control of Steven at the worst moment and generally feeding him negative thoughts about those who care for him.
• Establishing Character Moment: Many of the original characters are introduced in ways that give readers a good idea about their characters.
  • Teal Zircon lets out a Big "WHAT?!" upon hearing that Rose Quartz was Pink Diamond and she died to give birth to Steven, establishing her as a goofy Naïve Newcomer.
  • Citrine is introduced with a stern expression on her face and a Brock Samson-like Twitchy Eye, but she softens up when Steven asks for a certain Morganite's whereabouts.
  • Black Rutile's introduction is described as confident and charming, contrasting with her true persona revealed at the end of her debut chapter.
    • Similarly, White Topaz turns the camera to face her and waves to the audience.
  • Cat's Eye introduces herself by strutting into the Diamonds' throne room, kicking her feet up on the prosecutor's table, filing her nails while ordering Holly Blue Agate to give her some space, and whipping Amethyst for laughing at her.
  • Bane Jones's introduction is, naturally as a James Bond Expy, one big reference to Dr. No.
  • Neil Michaels is very eager to see Pearl in person, but after showing her and Peridot his next movie, Neil becomes angry at Pearl's critiquing of the film's preview.
  • The Officer introduces himself as a cop without a precinct who wanders the country looking for people to help.
  • Steven's inner voice is revealed when he calls Steven a monster and thinks he intended on killing Greg by crashing the van.
  • President Eduardo Suarez wants to help the Gems, but is just as devoted to protecting his country and objects to any plans that'll harm others.
• Everyone Can See It: When Lapis is called Peridot's closest friend, Bismuth interjects by saying there must be something more than that. Fittingly, Lapis and Peridot receive a Relationship Upgrade after this is said.
• Evil Chancellor: Black Rutile is a highly esteemed member of White Diamond's court who has been plotting against her.
• Evil Counterpart:
  • Black Rutile may be billed as Steven's new Arch-Enemy, but she also shares similarities with Pink Diamond/Rose Quartz (bringing Gems together because of her anger at Homeworld society) and Bismuth (plans revenge against those she believes are more powerful in terms of status for the perceived betterment of others).
  • Likewise, White Topaz shares a few similarities with Pearl, as white Gems with an Undying Loyalty to their superiors, and Amethyst, as the Big Fun of her group with a complicated relationship with a more slender Gem.
• Evil Me Scares Me: Steven is very understandably terrified of his Negative counterpart.
• Evil Reactionary:
  • Implied to be the Lucent Gem's goal in the final scene of "Rejuvenated", judging by Holly Blue hoping the Big Bad's plans will let her have some peace and quiet.
  • When the group is first shown assembled in the final scene of "Black and White", Aquamarine declares they will take back Homeworld from "those delusional communists."
  • "The Warning" and "Enemy of my Enemy" fully show it, with the former revealing that tons of Gems also wish to restore the old ways and the latter showing a Bad Future where the Hive Caste System is reinstated, among other horrible things.
• Expy: Before the story was first released, Word of God made these for Black Rutile and White Topaz.
  • Black Rutile is stated to be inspired by Captain Hook, Frieza, Yzma, Dr. Nefarious, N. Tropy, the Hacker, Megabyte and Lord Dominator.
    • A post on the author's Tumblr not only compares Black Rutile to Dominator, but also likens early stages of her life to D'Vana Tendi and Kelsey Pokoly, all of whom are also voiced by Noël Wells.
    • This meme would later add Lex Luthor, Megatron, Aku, Bradford Buzzard, Senator Steven Armstrong, Handsome Jack, Lilith Clawthorne, Vergil, Grogar, Cinder Fall, Doctor Doom and Xemnas.
  • Likewise, White Topaz is inspired by Mr. Smee, Scorpia, Kronk, Harley Quinn, Gluntz, Lefou, Sonata Dusk and Pinky.
    • This meme would later add Lugnut, Soos, GIR, Ty Lee, Demencia, Free, Android 16, Norm, Whis, Knut, Buff Frog and Noi.
  • Also prior to the first chapter, Teal Zircon's personality was described as being a mix of Porky Pig and Robert E.O. Speedwagon.
  • Word of God revealed on his DeviantArt page that Citrine's design is based strongly on Brock Samson.
  • The new Malachite is said to take her split personality from Two-Face.
  • In writing Cat's Eye, Lightyearpig states that he was inspired by Cruella de Vil and Franziska von Karma.
  • The author's note of "Together Forever" directly compares the Officer who would later appear in "Gems' Night Out" to the Plumber from Ratchet & Clank. At the end of the latter chapter, the Officer gives some cryptic advice that would help the Gems in the future similar to A Crack in Time.
  • The author's note for "Everything's Fine" hypes up Steven's inner voice by comparing him to Nega-Scott.
• Fan Convention: One takes place in Los Diego during "Gems' Night Out" that Pearl and Peridot visit.
• Fatal Flaw: Teal Zircon may not realize it a lot of the time, but she can be Innocently Insensitive towards others, most notably when she shows Rose Quartz's painting to the Rose trio and when she assumes Nephrite doesn't like centipedes.
• Five Stages of Grief: Peridot goes through all five of them in the Whole Episode Flashback "Pumpkin Patch" in response to the death of Pumpkin. Steven even mentions the process partway through.
  • Denial: Peridot refuses to accept that Pumpkin is slowly dying, no matter how many times Steven tells her that death is a perfectly natural part of life.
  • Anger: Peridot vents her frustrations at a farm on a pumpkin patch, which earns the anger of the farmer tending to the pumpkins.
  • Bargaining: After escaping the farmer, Peridot begs Steven to save Pumpkin in exchange for her helping him with something.
  • Depression: After Pumpkin finally dies, Peridot spends the next week locking herself in the bathroom to mourn.
  • Acceptance: Lapis comforts Peridot and offers to be a shoulder for her to cry on, which leads to the two fusing.
• Film Felons: At first glance, it seems that Black Rutile and White Topaz are just a news duo trying to get the next big scoop from the residents of Beach City for their show: "Eye of the Era". However, once they leave the planet, it is revealed they were simply gathering additional information to help them take down the Crystal Gems by any means necessary. And what better way then that, then by going straight for the source.
• Fix Fic: Alternate Future addresses many criticisms fans had about the series.
  • There are frequent breaks from Steven's perspective and showing events that normally would've taken place off-screen, such as additional interactions between Peridot and Lapis.
  • Black Rutile is a proud Card-Carrying Villain who even Steven proclaims might be Beyond Redemption, a response to how many antagonists were Easily Forgiven. By contrast, White Topaz shows more reluctance to follow Black Rutile's orders starting from "Fragments".
  • Jasper gets more screentime than in Future, coming Back for the Finale of the first three parts, and becoming a major character in Part 4.
  • To many who consider Steven himself a Base-Breaking Character, his actions are called out multiple times, mostly by the villains. Chief among them, Black Rutile frequently objects to Steven's pacifism and how it creates a Superhero Paradox.
  • The fate of Pumpkin is finally addressed in "Pumpkin Patch".
  • Lapis and Jasper's relationship receives some closure in "A Fusion Too Far", where they recognize how mutually abusive they were before becoming Vitriolic Best Buds with each other.
  • Pink Diamond and Rose Quartz are portrayed in "Be-All, Cure-All" as regretting the choices they made, but recognizing the good deeds they did too, which one reviewer points out to be a response to their demonization in Future.
  • The treasure chest inside Lion's mane is finally opened during a flashback in "Love Like You" presumably taking place after "Change Your Mind." While it turns out there's nothing inside, Steven believes the treasure to be more metaphorical.
• Foreshadowing:
  • During Black Rutile's introduction, she hints towards several Gems that are/were part of her alliance, such as "Pearls free from slavery" (Pink Pearl), "proud Beryl commanders" (Emerald and Morganite), "Agates with no one to order around" (Holly Blue Agate), "Lapis Lazulis thinking they're lost in the world" (Mean Lapis) and "even a few fusions here and there" (Bluebird Azurite).
  • "A Fusion Too Far" has Jasper state that she'd rather be shattered than be friends with Lapis.
  • The Men in Black are shown cleaning up the remains of the Destiny Destroyer at the end of "The Warning", hinting at possible government involvement in the future.
  • Black Rutile calls Steven a monster as she escapes, as a response to his pink state.
  • The Officer tells the Crystal Gems before they leave Los Diego that "someone's gonna need a big hug soon."
  • The Officer makes a return in "Playdate" to help Steven and Spinel reunite Chloe with her mother, and says goodbye to Steven by telling him to "don't start cracking up too much". This could either refer to Steven's future Accidental Murder of Jasper or Black Rutile's weapon she was seen building in "Together Forever".
  • In "Why so Blue?", Lapis says that she doesn't want to fuse on accident with Steven like she did with Peridot. This is explored in "Pumpkin Patch", where the two accidentally fuse while comforting one another after the death of Pumpkin.
  • Also in "Pumpkin Patch", Steven promises Peridot that he won't leave her like Pumpkin is soon to do as she dies. How this will affect Peridot in "The Future" when Steven decides to leave Beach City is currently unknown.
  • After Steven crashes Greg's van in "Mister Universe", a mysterious voice in Steven's head tries convincing him he intended to do this because he wanted to live a normal life.
• Flashback Episode:
  • "Pumpkin Patch" reveals that Pumpkin did indeed die at some point during the two-year timeskip before the movie and shows how Peridot coped with it. The climax also features a Flashback Within a Flashback to the aftermath of the original series' "Alone at Sea" that sets up Peridot and Lapis's deepened bond in "Beta" and their remodeling of the Barn.
  • "Made Me Realize" features many flashbacks featuring Black Rutile. The first one centers on her hatred of Pink Diamond, the second on her reactions to Pink's shattering, the third on the formation of the Legion of Doom, the fourth on manipulating Pink Pearl into spying on her, and the fifth on Spinel being given the Rejuvenator and the Injector.
  • Also featured in "Made Me Realize" is a flashback to Rose meeting Harry S. Truman.
• Flip Personality:
  • Malachite is depicted with this, with the tone of her voice switching depending on whether Lapis or Jasper is taking control.
  • Lepidolite is a similar case with Black Rutile and White Topaz.
• Four Lines, All Waiting: "Gems Night Out" has four plots to follow. One focusing on Lapis & Amethyst, one on Garnet & Bismuth, one on Pearl & Peridot, and one on Steven. This makes for one of the longest chapters of the story yet.
• Forgotten First Meeting: Steven admits to barely knowing who Lemon Jade is since the end of "Together Alone" passed by so quickly for him.
• For Want Of A Nail: Instead of going for a camping trip in "Growing Pains", they were at Holly Blue Agate's trial
• Forgotten Friend, New Foe: Downplayed. Jasper barely acknowledges Eyeball in "Love Like You", though Eyeball never personally knew Jasper anyways.
• Freudian Slip: Black Rutile's verbal torment of Steven in "Gems' Night Out" eventually forces him to this, and he quickly regrets it.
  Steven: Yeah, I'm still sick of the Gems leaving me to solve everyone's problems because Pink Diamond happens to be the source of all of them! Sometimes, I'd rather live a life where Gems never existed and I'm just a normal human boy with a normal human life! [he quickly realizes what he just said] I'm sorry, I don't mean all that, honest!
  Black Rutile: Oh, don't be sorry sweetie. I know a liar when I see one.
• Full-Circle Revolution: The first Bad Future shows self-proclaimed rebel Black Rutile as supreme ruler of the Gems and a far crueler dictator than the Diamonds.
• Furry Confusion: When learning about Gems, Matt Monroe from "Playdate" shows Spinel a diamond ring from his pocket. When Spinel asks where he got it, Steven tells her it's best they don't ask.
• Fusion Fic: "Cracks and Buds" is a combination of "Volleyball" and "Rose Buds".
• Future Badass: Volleyball leads La Résistance against Black Rutile in the Bad Future. However, Steven and the audience only see Volleyball being shattered after her rebels meet the same fate.

G-P

• Gaslighting: As foreshadowing in the closing notes of "Change your Heart", "Gems Night Out" features Black Rutile manipulating Steven into believing that no one ever truly loved him and that he should do the same. Despite Steven assuring himself that he's still loved at the end, it seems to be working.
• Gentle Touch vs. Firm Hand: A non-parental version with the newer, slightly more stable version of Malachite. Lapis's hands hold Steven tight while Jasper uses hers to punch away the rockslide.
• Getting Crap Past the Radar:
  • When Steven begs Greg to punish him for crashing the van in "Mister Universe", Greg mistakes it as Steven revealing that he has some kind of fetish and suggests that he isn't the best person to reveal it to.
  • While Steven is in the bathroom with Jasper's shattered gem in "Homeworld Bound", Amethyst says that if Steven has any urges he wants to let out, he better not gross out Pearl and make a mess of things. Garnet promptly tells Amethyst to read the room.
• Girl's Night Out Episode: Gem's Night Out is this. The title does absolutely nothing to hide that fact.
• The Golden Rule: This is the conclusion that Cat's Eye comes to in "Growing Pains". The Crystal Gems only show kindness towards those who are kind to them in return, while Gems such as Jasper have been treated with disrespect despite being just as much a victim of Pink Diamond.
• Good Colors, Evil Colors: Steven's primary colors are pink and blue, Black Rutile's are black (of course) and white, with a hint of green.
• Good Smoking, Evil Smoking: Despite the fact that Gems don't naturally have lungs, Cat's Eye carries around a cigarette holder to sell her aristocratic image that can turn into a riding crop.
• Go-Getter Girl: Black Rutile has risen up to the upper echelons of White Diamond's court through hundreds of years of hard work.
• Graceful Loser: Negative Steven admits that no one is truly Beyond Redemption before fading away.
• Greater-Scope Villain:
  • Black Rutile serves as this for "Cracks and Buds", "Bluebird", "Rejuvenated" and to a lesser extent "Why so Blue?".
  • The voice that appears in Steven's head during the final two chapters of Part 3 owes its existence to Black Rutile too, due to Steven being Alone with the Psycho in "Gems' Night Out".
  • Black Rutile would also be confirmed as the one who helped Spinel find the Rejuvenator and the injector before her debut in the movie, partially making her this to that as well.
• Guilt Complex: Steven begins to grow one of these over time due to multiple factors, mostly thanks in part to Black Rutile and her allies.
• Half the Woman She Used to Be:
  • Lepidolite is cut in half by Stevonnie in "Enemy of my Enemy", forcing her to defuse.
  • Later, Pietersite is defeated once and for all through being cut in half with her own swords.
• Ham and Deadpan Duo: The cute and energetic White Topaz is the Ham, her genius boss Black Rutile is the Deadpan. Their fusion Lepidolite is a full-on Large Ham.
• Hard Work Hardly Works: Heavily implied to be the reason for Black Rutile's vendetta against Pink Diamond. Black Rutile worked tirelessly to gain such a high status for a Gem of her type & class, while Pink often whines and complains instead of acting like what a Diamond is supposed to be.
• Hate Sink: Cat's Eye is deliberately written this way as a stuck-up aristocrat who uses her looks to get her way, whips Gems she sees as beneath her, and tries attacking Pearl for winning their last argument before getting poofed.
• Hearing Voices:
  • At the climax of "Mister Universe", Steven starts imagining a voice (played by Ron Perlman) calling him out for nearly killing Greg by crashing the van, and asks if this is because he wants to live a normal, Gem-free life.
  • This voice would make frequent appearances from that chapter onward, most notably in "Homeworld Bound" where he forces Steven to try shattering White Diamond and later makes him hit Spinel. The voice would become the main antagonist of "Be-All, Cure-All" and receives the name Negative Steven.
• Heel–Face Turn:
  • After Jasper of all characters saves her from getting shattered, Mean Lapis decides to remain on Earth as gratitude and learn to become a better friend. She also decides to start calling herself Laz.
  • "Made Me Realize" features one for White Topaz, who finally stands up to Black Rutile for her constant abuse and delusions of grandeur before deciding to help save Steven.
• Heel Realization: Jasper's final moments before getting shattered are written this way, with her final thoughts being My God, What Have I Done?.
• Hero Antagonist: After being foreshadowed during Parts 2 and 3, the government decides to take action against the Crystal Gems during Part 4. However, theyÂ’re still decent people who want to protect their country.
• Hero of Another Story: Hessonite's battles with Black Rutile are only touched upon in "The Warning" and "Enemy of my Enemy".
• Hero with Bad Publicity:
  • Black Rutile's manipulations of the current Homeworld society ensured that Steven would become a pariah for his actions.
  • As of Part 4, the Crystal Gems have become this to the Earth. Again, thanks to Black Rutile.
• History Repeats: A Gem who is angered by the current status quo of her kind gathers up allies who feel the same way in a plot to rebel against those she believes are oppressing them. Did we just describe Rose Quartz or Black Rutile?
• Hollywood Autism: The end of "Playdate" has Steven and Spinel meet a little autistic girl named Chloe and help her reunite with her mother. Though Chloe has autism, she doesn't show too many stereotypical traits, has a knack for memorizing phone numbers, and carries around a fidget cube that she gives to Spinel.
• Honor Thy Abuser: "A Fusion Too Far" is dedicated to Steven trying to help mend the bridge between Lapis and Jasper, even though they both refuse to listen. It isn't until Steven is put in danger that they're forced to work towards a common goal.
• How the Mighty Have Fallen: Black Rutile's ultimate fate by the story's end. She's lost her good standing with the Diamonds, all her assets and most of her minions, and is enrolled against her will to Little Homeschool. However, she still plans to get revenge.
• Hypocrite:
  • Cat's Eye from "Growing Pains" accuses the Crystal Gems for not practicing what they preach when discussing how they claim to practice restorative justice despite not lending a hand to her clients, Holly Blue Agate, Navy and Morganite. In Holly Blue's case, Amethyst is quick to point out how much she abused the Famethyst.
  • Black Rutile frequently calls Steven this, such as when she accuses him of not practicing what he preaches during the above mentioned "The Reason You Suck" Speech, which led to the formation of the Legion of Doom.
  • Steven's inner voice declares that Steven has essentially become his mother in how much he's kept secrets from others after years of making the Gems answer his questions.
• Hypocritical Humor: This exchange between Emerald and Squaridot.
  Squaridot: Fat chance! We will never let that happen you green one-eyed jerk!
  Emerald: Ha! Look who's talking about being green and having a single eye!
  Squaridot: What's that supposed to mean?! [beat] Oh, right...
• If Only You Knew: After Mean Lapis mocked Lapis for being friends with a low-ranking gem, Nice Lapis then jokes about an Aquamarine and a Ruby fusing despite their drastically different ranks. Except unbeknownst to them, that actually happened.
• I'm Standing Right Here: Peridot refuses to let a glowing quartz like Steven use his powers on one of her plants after learning of the incident involving Cactus Steven. As expected, the cactus quintet seem irritated by her remark.
  Cactus Steven: We're right here you know.
• Impossible Shadow Puppets: White Topaz likes to shapeshift her fingers into various characters whenever she does a shadow puppet show.
• Inadvertent Entrance Cue: When Pearl starts having a meltdown over Steven's whereabouts in "Fragments", Amethyst tries to calm her down and says panting & sweating won't mean he's going to barge in as soon as Amethyst finishes talking. Cue Steven barging into the beach house.
• Ink-Suit Actor: General Lloyd Waller has curly hair, a Cheshire Cat Grin and is stuck in a wheelchair because of a stroke that forced him into semi-retirement, much like Tim Curry.
• Innocent Beta Bitch: Nice Lapis before she ditches Mean Lapis.
• Innocuously Important Episode: Multiple episodes tie back into either of the two Myth Arcs in some way.
  • "Cracks and Buds" features the first ever appearance of Black Rutile, who's brief scene sets up her own army of Pearls revealed in "Black and White".
  • "Bluebird" confirms that Aquamarine and Eyeball have bigger plans for Steven than just pranking him as a form of revenge, leading to them becoming major villains. It also implies Peridot has a guilt complex over Steven's kidnapping that is confirmed in "In Dreams".
  • "Why so Blue?" ends with Mean Lapis encountering White Topaz after being abandoned by Nice Lapis. Like the "Cracks and Buds" example, she would later appear as a member of the Legion of Doom in "Black and White".
  • "Rejuvenated" is a Whole Episode Flashback centering on Rhodonite that ends with the revelation that their former Morganite is in on Black Rutile's Evil Plan.
  • "Little Graduation" ends on Emerald once again plotting to steal the Sun Incinerator from Lars, and she finally succeeds in "The Warning".
  • "Prickly Pair" shows Black Rutile collecting Cactus Steven's remains after cutting him to pieces to later turn them into cyborg cacti soldiers revealed during "The Warning".
  • "Eye in the Sky" foreshadows Steven's trauma by having him say he knows what it's like to experience things he can't recover from in seconds.
  • The Stinger of "Together Forever" shows Black Rutile working on what seems to be her own version of the Breaking Point that disentigrates Gems rather than shatter them.
  • "Gems Night Out" is mostly a Breather Episode except for Steven's plotline, which features him having a more personal confrontation with Black Rutile and revealing how he wished the Gems never found Earth.
  • "Mister Universe" has Steven repeat much of what he said to Black Rutile back in "Gems Night Out" during his argument with Greg at the climax, and it's implied Black Rutile was watching them the whole time. It also features the debut of an inner voice who plays a bigger role in Part 4.
• Inspirational Insult: Peridot twists Lapis calling her tape recorder garbage from "Barn Mates" into telling Lapis to stop hating herself for her past actions in "Pumpkin Patch".
• Ironic Echo:
  • Negative Steven says "One of the things that I embody is your childishness. What's your excuse?" to Steven during their battle, a clear echo of Steven saying "I am a child, what's your excuse?" to White Diamond.
  • Later on when Black Rutile, and Bluebird Azurite are cornered, the latter responds to the situation by saying "Welp, we're cracked." which seems to be a direct parallel to how Rhodnoite reacted to seeing the Diamonds on Earth.
• Ironic Name: Rutiles are said to give off an aura of safety and calmness. Black Rutile wants to destroy Steven and is said by Word of God to throw tantrums when things don't go her way.
• It's All About Me:
  • Morganite is very self-centered and when Rhodonite is born, she's worried they'll put her reputation on the line.
  • Black Rutile, full force. She greatly values her status and will stop at nothing to restore the Gem race's glory days so she can reign supreme.
• It's All My Fault:
  • "Bluebird" strongly implies Peridot possesses a guilt complex over Steven being kidnapped because of the humans he listed for her prior to her Heel–Face Turn. This would later be confirmed in "In Dreams".
  • The Crystal Gems and the Diamonds start blaming themselves for Steven's condition in "Made Me Realize."
• It's Personal: Mean Lapis vows revenge on Steven after Nice Lapis leaves her for Little Homeworld since he turned her friends against her. It's likely for this reason that she was accepted into Black Rutile's alliance.
• I Work Alone: Jasper insists she fight Black Rutile alone in "Love like You". While she does do pretty good at first, ultimately it's working with White Topaz that allows Jasper to win.
• Juxtaposed Halves Shot: The teaser poster for Part 4 has half of Jasper's face on the left side, and half of Black Rutile's face on the right.
• Kick the Dog:
  • "Prickly Pair" ends with Black Rutile attacking Cactus Steven and cutting him to pieces after he makes peace with Steven.
  • After nearly shattering White, Steven punched Spinel for singing the Change song like she did in canon.
• Killed Off for Real: Black Rutile shatters a Bismuth on-screen and orders for her remains to be disposed of.
  • This is subverted in the revamp
• Knight of Cerebus:
  • Black Rutile was hinted to be this before, but "The Warning" firmly establishes her status by showing her shatter one of Demantoid's Bismuths (on-screen, no less) and forcibly awakening Cluster Gems to add to her army. Then the climax of "Enemy of my Enemy" has her attempting to kill Steven by throwing him off a cliff!
    • Black Rutile's appearances after that play her as even more dangerous than we've seen her prior, from gaslighting Steven into turning against his allies to turning the human race against the Gems.
  • Negative Steven is also built up as a massive internal threat to Steven, which he best shows in "Homeworld Bound" and "Be-All, Cure-All" by nearly shattering White Diamond and urging Steven to give into his dream world respectively.
• Knight Templar: Black Rutile believes she would make a better leader than Steven and the Diamonds and says that she'll build a utopia once they're all out of the picture. However, the Bad Future implies that she would've become an even crueler dictator than the Diamonds ever were.
• Large Ham: Lepidolite, the fusion of Black Rutile and White Topaz.
• The Last DJ: Black Rutile refuses to accept Era 3 out of a belief that she would be a better ruler than the Diamonds or Steven, and assembles many like-minded allies.
• Leaning on the Fourth Wall:
  • The "Steven-only" perspective gets made fun of this way in "Little Graduation."
    Lars: Yeah, I mean, you can't just stick yourself into other people's lives like the universe revolves around you and things only happen with you around. Trust me; I know what that's like. Mostly the universe revolving around you part.
    [The crowd inside the dome was silent for a tiny bit, except for Jenny letting out a cough]
  • A few chapters later in "In Dreams", Peridot mentions how she's seen many cartoons that mainly rely on storyboards, much like Steven Universe does in the real world, for better or for worse, mirroring the Broken Base surrounding this beginning in Season 4.
• Legion of Doom: The overall main antagonists of the first two parts.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste: While the Crystal Gems are occupied throughout "I Am My Monster", Black Rutile uses this opportunity to turn humanity against them.
• Love Makes You Crazy: In many of the alternate timelines Garnet looked into where Steven proposed to Connie, quite a few of them involved Steven forcing Connie to fuse with him before going insane.
• Manipulative Bitch: Black Rutile plays others like a fiddle on a regular basis. She fooled the Crystal Gems into thinking she was a friendly Intrepid Reporter to hide her true intentions, has turned Yellow Zircon's electoral campaign into a mouthpiece for her revolution which she uses to gather more followers, gaslights Steven into thinking he was never loved in order to spawn negative thoughts that would culminate into turning him into a monster, and convinced the human race to turn against the Crystal Gems via hacking a US government satellite. This review for "Fusion Frenzy" puts it best:
  OMAC001: "Yeesh, Black Rutile knows how to play people. Of course, she only knows how to bring out the worst, instead of the best".
• Masquerade: As revealed in "Made Me Realize", a deal was made between the Crystal Gems, the budding FBI and the Truman Administration to keep the Gems out of government affairs and vice-versa. This deal was broken in the present day when President Eduardo Suarez had no choice but to arrest the Gems for failing to stop the events of "I Am My Monster".
• Meaningful Echo: Peridot says "I don't want your garbage" when Lapis starts calling herself a monster for how she treated her and Jasper. Unlike the last time this was said, she doesn't want to hear Lapis self-deprecating herself.
• Mistreatment-Induced Betrayal:
  • Among many other factors, this is one of the reasons White Topaz betrays Black Rutile halfway through Part 4.
  • Emerald, Demantoid and Pyrope's primary motivation for joining the fight against Black Rutile in "Love Like You". Or so they claim.
• The Mole:
  • Pink Pearl is forced to serve this until halfway through "Cracks and Buds" where she tells Holly Blue that she's leaving the Legion of Doom.
  • "Black and White" implies that a Ruby in service to Black Rutile has been planted in the Prosecuting Zircon's democratic campaign. If the above meme is anything to go by, it's Navy.
• Mockumentary: "Black and White". The author even claims he watched This is Spın̈al Tap for inspiration.
• Mooks: Black Rutile has an entire army made up of various Gem types like Quartzes, Rubies, Topazes, Citrines and even Pearls. The latter of which were created for her by Shell.
• Multinational Team: The trio of Beckham Jordan, Matt Monroe and Makoto Fuji are a white man, his Black coach and their female Asian friend.
• Musical World Hypotheses: "Wither the Rose" is a Diegetic version, with the fact that there is a song to begin with being lampshaded during musical breaks.
• My God, What Have I Done?: Jasper's last thoughts before being shattered in "Fragments" are this.
  "And for the first time in what felt like ages, as the spiked shield rocketed towards her, Jasper felt one emotion that she barely showed to anyone else. Pure, unadulterated terror. What had she done?"
• My Greatest Failure: Rose wished she didn't have to scare the Diamonds by faking her death, but she admits it was for the sake of Earth.
• Myth Arc: Steven's PTSD and Black Rutile's rise to power.
• Mythology Gag: "Pumpkin Patch" features Greg playing a song from Camp Pining Hearts that Peridot wanted to sing in Issue 21 of the comics.
  • Similarly in the flashback taking place after "Alone at Sea", Peridot mentions moving spoons with her mind and working on a Camp Pining Hearts essay, both of which are references to her Twitter account.
  • One of the fake memories used by Negative Steven shows Amethyst and Pearl picking on Steven for his song, which echoes a similar moment from the pilot.
• The Name Is Bond, James Bond: Bane Jones introduces himself to Lapis, Amethyst and the readers this way. Bonus points for being a parody of 007. The Gems then promptly try to copy him.
  Lapis: I'm Lazuli, Lapis Lazuli.
  Lapis: And the name is, uh, Thyst? Amethyst. Yeah, I really don't have a last name.
• Named by the Adaptation:
  • The jungle planet is called Aozul 2 here, a portmanteau of the Japanese and Spanish words for blue.
  • Likewise, the flower creatures on that planet are called Flower Buddies by Steven, the same name they were given in the "End of an Era" artbook.
  • "Bismuth Casual" reveals that the Mystery Girl from "Last One Out of Beach City" is named Sheena Synstylae. Sheena was the name the Crewniverse imagined for her, while synstylae is a species of rose, alluding to her physical resemblance to Rose Quartz.
  • Greg's parents from "Mister Universe" are named Thomas and Gloria.
• Never My Fault: Subverted in "Fragments", where Black Rutile admits that her large ego is just as much to blame for her failures as White Topaz's bumbling.
• Noble Top Enforcer: White Topaz is Black Rutile's bodyguard who is far nicer than her boss.
• No Name Given: Black Rutile's group hasn't been named until "Made Me Realize", where Black Rutile refers to them as the Rutile Rebels in a flashback, but was eventually changed to the Lucent Gems.
• No-Nonsense Nemesis: Black Rutile is said to be Crazy-Prepared via all the data she's gathered on Steven and the Crystal Gems, and is single-minded in accomplishing her goal.
• Noodle Incident:
  • Volleyball claims she was once accidentally hit with a Rejuvenator by Pink Diamond.
  • Amethyst reminisces on how she and Rose once TP'd Beach City after learning about it from Greg.
• Not in This for Your Revolution: Mean Lapis claims she only joined Black Rutile so she can get her friends back in "The Warning."
• "Not So Different" Remark:
  • Black Rutile claims Steven is this to Pink Diamond for forcing the Diamonds to do what he says. Though she's thankful he didn't get his way by throwing tantrums like Pink does.
  • Negative Steven also says Steven is no better than Pink for constantly keeping secrets from everyone.
  • Black Rutile points this out to Jasper during their battle in "Love Like You." Both refuse to move on, but Black Rutile wants to make her perfect future while Jasper insists on staying in the past. This makes Jasper declare "Your cracked"
• Not-So-Omniscient Council of Bickering: President Suarez's cabinet finds themselves arguing a lot to the point of Lampshade Hanging.
  Craig Levin: A lot of the time, we just bicker over the smallest of things.
• Not Worth Killing: Jasper declares Black Rutile to be this in "The Future."
  Jasper: I wish I could arrange that, but I don't think you even deserve death, you pathetic bully.
• Nuke 'em: Vice President Theresa Maxwell and Secretary of State Finn Ward's solution to Monster Steven. The Japanese prime minister also has the same idea.
• O.C. Stand-in:
  • Many characters who either had non-speaking roles, only made background appearances or both are expanded upon in Alternate Future, with the best example being "Eye in the Sky" expanding on many of the corrupted Gems inhabiting Little Homeworld. Examples include Orange Spodumene being a deep-sea diver with a love for collecting ocean life, Watermelon Tourmaline is friends with the other Watermelon Tourmaline from "Beach Party", and the Heaven & Earth Beetles originally joining the Crystal Gems out of boredom.
  • Same goes for Morganite, who would've received her own episode in Future before it was scrapped.
  • The Mystery Girl that Pearl had a crush on is given a name and a voice in "Bismuth Casual".
• O.O.C. Is Serious Business: When meeting Morganite again for the first time in thousands of years, Rhodonite flies off the handle and nearly tosses Morganite out of her skyscraper before Steven, Lars and Fluorite calm her down.
• Official Couple: Lapis and Peridot are revealed to have become this in the flashbacks during "Pumpkin Patch" for saying they love each other before kissing and fusing.
• Official Kiss: AS stated above. When Lapis and Peridot kiss, it becomes clear they have entered a new chapter in their lives.
• Only Sane Woman:
  • White Topaz points out how challenging Steven's ways could be risky and perhaps get the Diamonds' attention.
    • In "Fragments", White Topaz again demonstrates this behavior when she objects to Black Rutile's plans and calls her out for focusing so much on ruining Steven's life. However, Black Rutile threatens to shatter White Topaz for it and forces her to pledge her loyalty.
  • President Eduardo Suarez is this to his cabinet, trying to suggest more peaceful alternatives to dealing with the Gems.
• Original Character: Multiple are introduced, among being Teal Zircon, who is the uncorrupted form of the Tongue Monster from "Kindergarten Kid", Black Rutile, the new Big Bad, and her minion White Topaz.
• Original Flavor: Alternate Future has been praised for staying true to the spirit of Steven Universe while also making it darker and more epic without getting too bleak.
• Origins Episode:
  • "Rejuvenated" for Rhodonite, chronicling the first time she came into being all the way up to meeting Fluorite.
  • "Made Me Realize" for Black Rutile's Legion of Doom. One flashback taking place around the same time as the movie features Black Rutile gathering her future subordinates and giving them their assignments they would be seen in during the present day.
• Our Presidents Are Different: President Eduardo Suarez from Part 4 is the Personable and Minority types.
• Parents as People: Greg's parents are strict, but they (mostly his mother Gloria) still cared for their son. It's also implied that Greg's dad Thomas has a temper issue he's trying to work on.
• Parental Love Song: "Love Like You" reveals that the titular end credits song was a lullaby written by Rose for Greg to sing to Steven, which he sings with Rose & Pink after Negative Steven is defeated.
• Pacifism Backfire: Steven deciding to show kindness towards the Diamonds was what kicked off an entire Nebulous Criminal Conspiracy targeting him, the Crystal Gems, and everything they stand for. He doesn't take it very well.
• Patricide: Steven crashing the van in "Mister Universe" is framed by the voice in his head this way. At worst, Greg only gets a concussion from the crash.
• Polyamory: Pearl, Bismuth and Sheena seemingly become this at the end of "Bismuth Casual", when Sheena tells Bismuth she's okay with her having a crush on Pearl and even says "Maybe we can make room for one more."
• Positive Friend Influence: Many of the characters interviewed by Black Rutile have nothing but good things to say about how Steven has changed them. She starts to find it annoying after a while.
• Power Fist: White Topaz's weapons are a pair of brass knuckles, as revealed in "Enemy of my Enemy".
• Pragmatic Adaptation: The scene from "Rose Buds" where Steven accidentally plays Rose's video message to him for the Rose trio is cut from "Cracks and Buds" to later be used in the opening of "Everything's Fine."
• Professional Butt-Kisser: Navy to Black Rutile, as shown in "The Warning."
• Psychological Projection: Black Rutile is described by Hessonite as a "cunning, devious, opportunistic sociopathic monster." Black Rutile herself would later use these exact terms to describe Steven.
• Puppet Queen: Black Rutile is secretly in control of Prosecuting Zircon's campaign, through installing Navy as her campaign manager.
• Psychic-Assisted Suicide: Steven's darker self urges Steven to go through with killing White Diamond when he temporarily takes control of her. When the better man within Steven objects, the evil half decides to do it himself.

R-Y

• Reactive Continuous Scream: The first thing Lapis and Peridot do upon forming Turquoise for the first time is scream like crazy. Steven starts screaming in joy when he walks in on the fusion in his bathroom, and the two start screaming at each other.
• "The Reason You Suck" Speech:
  • A dream version of Aquamarine gives Steven one about Peridot.
    Aquamarine: Oh, poor little Steven. Don't you see? It's all her fault that I kidnapped you, that you had to learn all those horrible things about your mother! And yet not once did her blatant betrayal ever come up again.
    Steven: You don't know Peridot like I do, you little twerp! She's changed ever since we first met. She once tried to kill me like every other Gem's that antagonized me, but now she's become so sweet and funny!
    Aquamarine: Oh please, just because you like her now doesn't mean you should forget about all the ways she harmed you.
  • Jasper gives one to Lapis a few chapters later in "A Fusion Too Far."
    Jasper: Just look at you Lapis. Even years after we split, you keep on refusing to treat me with kindness.
    Lapis: What kindness? You never treated me like that, so what makes you think-
    Jasper: LET ME FINISH! You abused me, and what do you get? A nice life with that Peridot, being a member of the Crystal Gems and living at that stupid Little Homeworld! Meanwhile, I've spent my entire life neglected and tortured on this worthless planet, yet you get off with a clean slate for all the horrendous things you did! Let's face it, you may think everything's all okay, but I'm the only one who's seen you for the monster you are.
  • The justice debate between Steven and Black Rutile.
    Steven: Why are you doing this?! I brought peace to the galaxy, I ended the Diamonds' oppression!
    Black Rutile: And stripped all Gems of their livelihoods in the process. Look around you kid, these Gems came to my side because they have no status, no allies, no power over others! And now, they come to Earth for retribution against you!
    Steven: But this still isn't right! I understand that some may not be comfortable with what I've done, but that doesn't excuse you for all this.
    Black Rutile: Kinda like how you excused the Diamonds for all they did because they were sad, or something stupid like that.
    Steven: That's because they were! They were in mourning!
    Black Rutile: Mourning the so-called death of an annoying brat I had the displeasure of sharing a planet with! This all could've been avoided if you just put your enemies out of their misery, or at least punished them, rather than just excusing them with a stupid song and acting like everything was just water under the bridge!
    Steven: You're thinking of retributive justice, where the offender did something wrong and the punishment is just as severe in exchange. We Crystal Gems practice restorative justice, where we actually talk to the offenders and try to see how we can help them without using lethal force.
    Black Rutile: Well, whatever you're talking about, you can call me a proud supporter of retributive justice. As in, me and my pals are seeking retribution against you and your posse for what you did to our society, and will do so by any means necessary. Because you think everything can just bend to your will if you make everyone around you cry?! You really are no better than Pink!
    Steven: Well, I'm trying to be better than my mom, both Rose Quartz and Pink Diamond. But I'm pretty sure they'd both find a sociopath like you beyond saving.
    Black Rutile: Me, a sociopath?! You barely know me! Well, you're certainly right about me being a bit selfish, but look at you. I mean, you've made excuses for murderers, bigots and toxic friends, yet anyone who's just doing what they're made to do is instantly made a pariah just because they don't like you and your little sidekicks!
  • In "Gems' Night Out", Black Rutile gives one about Steven's friends similar to the one by Aquamarine.
    Black Rutile: You may not realize it, but I've been watching you. And although my hatred for you burns hotter & brighter than WR-102, the hottest known star in the universe by the way, I can't help but feel sorry for your pathetic self at the same time.
    Steven: Pity me how?
    Black Rutile: Think of it boy, nothing has gone right for you lately. Your girlfriend ditched you, that obese moron you call a father never once took you to see an Earth doctor before, and now your so-called guardians have abandoned you to slack off while leaving me to find you.
    Steven: You leave my dad out of this! And as for the Gems, it was my idea that they go have fun while I try to keep my powers under control!
    Black Rutile: Oh please sport, you and I both know that no one ever really cared for you.
    Steven: People care for me! Everyone in Beach City loves me!
    Black Rutile: Then why are they leaving you without even a goodbye? Like those so-called Cool Kids, for instance, Sadie Killer and the Suspects? They're breaking up and didn't even tell you until that silly little graduation ceremony from your prison camp. Or that Lars boy and his band of Off-Colors. He suddenly decides that living in space forever while leaving everyone here to just rot is a great idea since he's basically immortal now, and you didn't even learn that until also the graduation.
    Steven: Because they're all moving on with their lives. Though I really wish I was given a heads up beforehand. Still, there are others who won't leave me.
    Black Rutile: Do you have the slightest idea how little I care? Eventually, they're going to ditch you too! That Meema-swag-oon kid is going off to higher learning and that My-Dad is most definitely going to have the sands of time take his life one day! And what of the Gems? They're probably going to keep dumping all their problems onto you! If no one truly cares about you as a person anymore, then why should you keep doing the same?!
    [later]
    Steven: What makes you really think no one ever loved me?
    Black Rutile: Let's review some of the bad things that happened to you these past few years. Let's see, the Crystal Gems constantly toss you into harm's way regularly, a lot of their problems always trace back to you and Pink Diamond, that human girl who abandoned you after your first trip to Homeworld like an ungrateful brat for no real reason, and so much more. Yet, you let them off the hook out of a foolish belief that they still care for you even after all that. Trust me kid, and I'm saying this from experience, everyone has the potential to be completely irredeemable pieces of dirt.
  • And another one from Black Rutile and her allies in "Fragments."
    Black Rutile: Training with Jasper, Steven? Wow kid, you're not just one Spinel, you're an entire circus of them!
    Steven: What do you guys want with me this time?
    Aquamarine: We just came here to talk. As much as we would love to kidnap you and hold you for ransom, or maybe even kill you right here and now, we think hanging with a brute like her is much more fitting.
    Eyeball: Besides, we all know you'll just drive her away like you did to everyone else. Or maybe even something worse!
    White Topaz: Look, what we're trying to say is that you should just give up now and get the help you really need. We only want what's best for you, so you won't get in the way of my Rutile's plan!
    Black Rutile: Are you seriously trying to help our enemy here? I thought you were at my beck and call whenever I needed you!
    Steven: If you guys are trying to ruin my life again, it won't work. I know what you really are. You aren't the heros to Homeworld, you're just a bunch of callous bullies who will do anything to get what you want.
    Black Rutile: WAKE UP STEVEN, WAKE UP! You're a moron, a hypocrite! Refusing to save a dying pet because of the natural order when he refuses to accept everyone is leaving him! Who's the real villain between us two, my boy, hm?
    Steven: Still you.
    Black Rutile: You can't even begin to comprehend my current plans. Soon, everyone on this accursed rock will see you for the monster you truly are. I will reclaim what has been taken from me, and we will take great delight in watching everything you built up crumble and burn.
  • Once again thanks to Black Rutile, Pink Diamond gets one during a flashback.
    Black Rutile: Oh, here we go again. We have had this discussion tons of times before. You are a Diamond, yet you always act like you aren't ready! You're selfish, bad-tempered, and more importantly, there are far better Gems who are more deserving to lead.
    White Topaz: I wouldn't make her mad if I were you, my Rutile. Remember how one tantrum alone broke her Pearl?
    Black Rutile: That Pearl was easily replaced anyways, what do I care? As much as I hate to say it, I'm basically the only one who can take care of you [Pink] without losing my mind!
    Pink Diamond: Probably because you love being such a big bully. You constantly brag about how a mere Rutile like you was so dedicated and hard-working that White Diamond noticed and gave you such a high seat on her court, but you let it go to your head.
    [Black Rutile slaps Pink Diamond across the face]
    Black Rutile: Oh really, kinda like how you expect everything to go your way just because you're a Diamond? Newsflash you accursed pebble, crying, and whining won't get you everything you want! If you want respect from the other Diamonds, you must earn it! Keyword being earn!
  • Black Rutile finally gets one directed at her by White Topaz in "Made Me Realize".
    Black Rutile: And as for you, how dare you to betray your Only Friend?! After everything we have been through, after all, we have done?!
    White Topaz: You know what Rutile, you're a bad friend! You always treated me like garbage because I was too nice for you and never showed remorse for it, among all the other horrible things you did like manipulating, gaslighting, and even murder!
    Black Rutile: Oh please, we Gems were natural sociopaths before Steven came along, we never showed remorse for anything! We never cared then, why should we start now?!
    White Topaz: Well maybe that's true, but that doesn't excuse what we are doing! Besides, you were only using Steven's own trauma to your advantage so you can use him for galactic domination! [Gasp!] This whole rebellion was never about saving gem kind, was it? The only reason you did any of this was to restore your twisted legacy at any cost! Well, guess what BR! I am done playing your sick game, and I am done playing with you!
    Black Rutile: [appears shocked by what she said, but then lets out an Evil Laugh] You know something Topaz? You're right. I do deserve better minions, hence why gems like Aquamarine and Ruby have stuck by my side throughout all of this. So in other words, you're fired. Literally! [prepares to shatter White Topaz with the Breaking Point 2.0]
  • And last but not least, the opening of "The Future."
    Steven: Please, just stop. You've already humiliated yourself enough, and I don't even know what happened here. If you think you can still stop me, then you need to think again. We both refuse to grow up and move on, but I'm far more mature about it than you'll ever be, and more loved too. Heck, I even finally forgave my mom while I was a monster! [Black Rutile along with everyone else gives a puzzled look at Steven from that last statement.] Okay, that last part would only make sense if you were there, but that's besides the point.
    Black Rutile: Ha! You, mature? Let's not forget how you love shoving your stupid ideals down everyone's throat and go ballistic at the slightest hint of others thinking differently than you!
    Steven: Again, just like you. So tell me, why do you keep antagonizing me and my friends?
    Black Rutile: Simple, I wanted you all to suffer, to witness everything you've ever worked, fought, and hoped for die. Kind of like what you did with me since the dawn of this new era. I had a dream!A dream of a perfect society ruled by actions, not words! Ruled by strength, not compassion! Where power is in the hands of those that truly earned it, not those who think peace and love are being forced onto everything while those who object are punished! You and your empire are diseased, rotten to the core, and I selected myself as the cure!
• Red Baron: Black Rutile is referred to as the "Striking Shadow of the Rebellion" by Holly Blue in "Made Me Realize".
• The Resenter: Black Rutile has long resented Pink Diamond for her status despite her bratty behavior while Black Rutile's hard work earned her a high spot in White Diamond's court.
• Renegade Splinter Faction: Black Rutile's faction is made of Gems who formerly served the Great Diamond Authority until Steven came along and changed Homeworld's ways, infuriating Black Rutile and inspiring her to gather rebels to rise up against the Crystal Gems.
• Running Gag: Black Rutile constantly getting Connie's last name wrong.
• Say My Name: The final line of "Made Me Realize", combined with a Skyward Scream.
  Black Rutile: PIIIII-NNNNNK DIIIIAAAAMOND!
• Scare 'Em Straight: Fluorite is implied to be the subject of a cautionary tale on Homeworld, told to prohibit cross-Gem fusion.
• Self-Insert Fic: In addition to Stefan in "In Dreams", we also see Peridot turning herself into Pierre from the original Camp Pining Hearts series.
• Self-Serving Memory: Jasper firmly believes that she came out of her experiences as Malachite more mentally sound than Lapis, who is quick to disprove her.
• Sequel Hook:
  • The final chapter of Part 1 hints at many plots that would become relevant in Part 2, such as Sadie Killer and the Suspects breaking up prior to "Little Graduation", Black Rutile's alliance having their fingers on Prosecuting Zircon's campaign and the eventual battles against Black Rutile.
  • Similarly, Part 2's finale "Enemy of my Enemy" hints at Steven's future corruption while the final scene has Black Rutile plotting to turn humans against the Crystal Gems the same way she turned the Gem Homeworld against Steven.
  • The Part 3 finale "Fragments" has the voice in Steven's head forebodingly tell Steven that they'll be seeing each other again very soon.
  • The author also inserts set-ups for possible spin-offs in "Fragments", where during Black Rutile's speech, White Topaz brings up a group of Black Pearls who are fighting the forces of a Cinnabar in league with Black Rutile.
  • During the presidential address in "I Am My Monster", the Officer declares he knew Steven would become a monster someday while his eyes are replaced with snake eyes and his departure is backed up by a rattling sound, all but confirming that he's one of the Snake People disguised as a human.
  • "The Future" has three of these hinting towards future stories. Black Rutile plots her revenge on Steven with Aquamarine, Holly Blue and Cat's Eye alongside her, Francis von Bowling plans to make a phone call to a fellow criminal called The Sickle, and the Officer speaks with an unknown character about Steven while referring to himself as Aescul.
• Serial Escalation: Each succeeding part raises the stakes higher than the previous one. The author even compares the action to the first four parts of RWBY.
  • Part 1 was mostly slice of life stories with some hints of action until the Twist Ending of "Black and White."
  • Part 2 had a balance of both and ended on an epic battle between the Crystal Gems and Black Rutile's Legion of Doom.
  • Part 3 deals with the ramifications of Part 2 and is the point where the story becomes much darker and more intense.
  • Part 4 continues the high stakes of Part 3 and judging by the fake trailer, it doesn't seem to be stopping.
• Shadow Archetype: Black Rutile is this to multiple characters, particularly Steven, Pink Diamond, White Diamond, and Jasper.
  • Like Steven and Jasper, Black Rutile refuses to accept the current status quo. However, she has a far unhealthier way of doing so.
  • Like Pink, Black Rutile has a very high standing in Gem society and a bunch of attitude problems. While Pink Took a Level in Kindness over time, Black Rutile never changed for the better, leading her to become The Sociopath menacing the Crystal Gems.
  • Like White, Black Rutile believes herself to be a symbol of perfection and has the abilities to back that claim. She also seems to be what White could've been if she was Beyond Redemption like Black Rutile is started to be.
• Shamed by a Mob: After Eagle's Eye had been defeated, Black Rutile and Bluebird Azurite try to escape, but are only stopped when they realized they were cornered by the Crystal Gems, the Great Diamond Authority, Spinel's Gang, the Off Colors, Hessonite's team, Sadie and Shep, the residents of Little Homeworld, and the U.S. Government. Even Jasper and White Topaz are among them! All of which was glaring furiously at the two evil gems.
• Shark Pool: Francis lowers his enemies into one and leaves his loyal pet behind to make sure they die. However, it becomes far more complicated in the revamp as it is actually an Acid Pool that is filled with Robotic Alligators.
• Ship Tease: Jasper and White Topaz become each other's first true friend in "Be-All, Cure-All", but it's also implied there might be something more.
• Sky Face: The final appearance of Rose Quartz and Pink Diamond in the story has them taking the forms of clouds in the shape of their faces as Steven drives away from Beach City.
• Sleek High Rise Apartment:
  • Morganite is shown to reside in one that resembles a Japanese pagoda.
  • Beckham Jordan lives in one as well that he invites Steven and Spinel to.
• Slouch of Villainy: Black Rutile performs this in a cave after her defeat in "Enemy of my Enemy".
• Smart Jerk and Nice Moron: Black Rutile is an Evil Genius with Delusions of Grandeur, White Topaz is her sweethearted Dumb Muscle.
  • From "Gems' Night Out", Francis von Bowling's two henchmen Lennie & Milton are a similar case.
• Smart People Play Chess: Emerald /Smithsonite and Demantoid play chess while bantering about the relations between birds and reptiles. When Steven shows up, the topic is changed to whether he has PTSD or borderline personality disorder.
• Somebody Doesn't Love Raymond: A far darker example than most with Black Rutile manipulating multiple Gems into siding with her against Steven. Steven himself is left in complete shock and denial over this when he learns about it.
• Something We Forgot: "A Fusion Too Far" ends this way. After helping Lapis make amends with Jasper, Steven wonders how Teal Zircon and Zuli are doing. Meanwhile...
  Diopside: Uh, still need a little help here. Is there any way to turn this off?
• Spanner in the Works: Connie plays a big role in foiling Black Rutile's plans twice. The first one is saving Steven from being killed by Black Rutile in "Enemy of my Enemy", and the second being her Rousing Speech from "Love Like You."
• Spared, but Not Forgiven: Black Rutile and her allies are kept alive by the end of the story, but it will take quite a while for them to change their ways.
• Special Guest:
  • The episode list released on DeviantArt lists several, including Hayley Kiyoko, Noël Wells, Lauren Ash, Kristin Chenoweth, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hugh Jackman, Billie Eilish, Esmé Bianco, Catherine Tate and even Pierce Brosnan.
  • Rebecca Sugar is stated to be "the most special of special guests" in the author's notes for "The Future."
• Special Thanks: Towards the end of the credits, among those thanked are a few dedicated readers, the author's friends, family & teachers, a Lapidot-themed Discord server and the readers in general.
• Stalker Shot: Multiple per part, usually at the end of a chapter.
  • "Bluebird" ends on Jasper watching as Aquamarine and Eyeball leaving Earth.
  • The final scene of "Little Graduation" shows Emerald beginning her chase of the Sun Incinerator anew before contacting Black Rutile.
  • "Together Forever" ends with Black Rutile watching Steven vent to Garnet about his failed proposal to Connie through a spy drone while working on her shattering device.
  • Towards the end of "Growing Pains", a spy disguising as a doctor reports to his superiors about Steven's meltdown and announces that he's going to take the Gems' X-rays, which comes into play in Part 4.
  • "Mister Universe" ends with a satellite spying on Steven and Greg transmitting the information it gathered to Black Rutile's cave.
  • "Everything's Fine" ends with Black Rutile watching Steven turn into a monster and declaring she's won.
• Sticky Fingers: Hippie Rose takes multiple souvenirs from the Reef.
• Still Wearing the Old Colors: All Gems that pledged allegiance to Black Rutile retain the diamond symbols on their clothing. For example, Aquamarine still wears Blue Diamond's emblem despite being dubbed one of Black Rutile's Co-Dragons.
• Stronger Than They Look: Rutiles are implied to hold a low status in the caste system, but Black Rutile is far more capable than other Gems of her type.
• The Stations of the Canon: "Little Homeschool" and "Guidance" are adapted pretty faithfully with some changes, but "Cracks and Buds" is the point where the series starts going into more original content while making bigger changes to existing episodes.
• The Stoic: In comparison to the Faux Affably Evil sociopath with a bad temper, Black Rutile is completely emotionless throughout her entire speech after hijacking the President's address in "I Am My Monster."
• Subverted Sitcom: Steven traps himself in a sitcom-like dream world of his own creation to cope with years of trauma in "Be-All, Cure-All", in a deliberate nod to WandaVision.
• Sudden Principled Stand: Thought White Topaz has willingly gone along with Black Rutile's plans for most of the story, it was because she thought of Black Rutile as her best friend. However, the more often that Black Rutile berated White Topaz for showing signs of being an Anti-Villain, the more that White Topaz began reconsidering her loyalties before making her Heel–Face Turn.
• Suddenly Shouting: Black Rutile has a habit of doing this sometimes when she gets angry.
• Superman Stays Out of Gotham: A villainous example where Black Rutile explains she was too busy with her plan to help Demantoid and Pyrope.
• Supervillain Lair: The Legion of Doom makes its base of operations on a skull-shaped planet named Revanche 666.
• Surrounded by Idiots: This exchange between Black Rutile and Aquamarine in "Everything's Fine."
  Black Rutile: Tell me Aquamarine, why do all great geniuses surround themselves with idiots?
  Aquamarine: Your guess is as good as mine my Rutile.
• Suspiciously Specific Denial: After the Crystal gems came back from their trip to Los Diego. Steven, denies that he was visited by an unwanted guest that was convincing him to turn against them. They are confused by the remark, but they are too exhausted to question him about it.
• Tempting Fate: Jasper's final words before being shattered in "Fragments" are "Come on, come on! Show your master what you can really do!" Judging by the episode list however, this won't last long.
• The Sociopath: Black Rutile is called one multiple times, and shows it best through feeding lies about Steven to other Gems, showing little care for her subordinates when they're defeated, showing no empathy while the Diamonds mourned Pink Diamond, pretending to be all sweet & friendly to hide how evil she is, and believing herself to be a Well-Intentioned Extremist.
• The Starscream: During Black Rutile's Villain Song, she reveals that she'll be coming for the Diamonds once the Crystal Gems are destroyed. As shown in the Bad Future earlier, she would've succeeded too.
• The Stations of the Canon: Every chapter that was an episode of Future is adapted very faithfully with some major changes. For example, "Rose Buds" and "Volleyball" are merged into the chapter "Cracks and Buds", while "A Very Special Episode" is told through a story by Steven to Black Rutile during his interview.
• The Stinger:
  • "Little Graduation" ends with Lars and the Off-Colors flying through space again, unaware that Emerald was following them under Black Rutile's orders.
  • The next chapter ends on Cactus Steven being cut up by Black Rutile after he leaves Beach City and his remains gathered up for reasons unknown.
  • "Enemy of my Enemy" concludes on Black Rutile, White Topaz, Aquamarine and Eyeball, now all that remains of the Legion of Doom, escaping capture from the Crystal Gems and hiding in a cave deep in the woods. However, Black Rutile still refuses to accept defeat and moves onto a new plan: turning the human race against Steven.
  • "Together Forever" shows Black Rutile watching Steven vent his frustrations over Connie rejecting his proposal while working on a laser weapon implied to have the ability to disintegrate Gems, effectively rendering them Deader than Dead. And it's also implied she plans on using it on the Diamonds.
  • "Homeworld Bound" features Jasper sulking in the bathroom just as Steven returns to Earth from Homeworld.
  • "Everything's Fine" ends on Black Rutile declaring she's won after watching Steven turn into a monster.
  • "The Future" ends on a scene confirming that the Officer is actually named Aescul, whose name sounds like that of the Aesculapian snake, as he contacts his superiors about Steven.
• Sword/Shield Contrast: Black Rutile is revealed to have a bowie knife that can turn into a sword to contrast Steven's shield.
• Take That!: The author's note at the end of "In Dreams" proudly admits that the reboot of the Show Within a Show "United Defenders of the World" was meant to be one towards Darker and Edgier reboots such as Riverdale, Fate: The Winx Saga and The CW's upcoming The Powerpuff Girls series.
• Took a Level in Badass: Eyeball and Aquamarine develop new powers while training with Black Rutile prior to the events of "Everything's Fine." Aquamarine can now summon bubbles from her wings, while Eyeball can turn her chisel into a Flaming Sword.
• Trailers Always Spoil: The Zack Snyder's Justice League-esque trailer for Part 4 implies that the government will get involved somehow, the Diamonds will be captured, Black Rutile has an argument with White Topaz that presumably leads to the latter having a Heel–Face Turn, Black Rutile will fuse with Aquamarine & Eyeball, Jasper will fuse with White Topaz, Steven meets his evil inner self somehow, Emerald, the Lapis twins and Demantoid & Pyrope will serve as The Cavalry, Rose Quartz AND Pink Diamond will return somehow, and Steven will leave Beach City just like in Future.
• Transformation Horror: As Steven transforms into his monster form at the end of "Everything's Fine", the changes are a lot slower up until spikes begin bursting from his back. His teeth become sharper, his skin becomes pink & leathery, his hands became claws and his pupils turned pink.
• Trust-Building Blunder:
  • Most of "A Fusion Too Far" is spent on Steven getting Lapis and Jasper to do trust exercises like icebreakers, trust falls and walking through the forest with a blindfold. None of them really work.
  • The trust fall is especially amusing as Lapis was initally supposed to catch Jasper, but they both find themselves objecting to this because of the size differences. Yet despite switching places, Jasper moves out of the way and causes Lapis to fall to the ground.
• Tuxedo and Martini: Lapis and Amethyst stumble onto one of these scenarios in "Gems' Night Out", complete with former Bond Pierce Brosnan as the James Bond expy and his nemesis by Christoph Waltz, the latest incarnation of Ernst Starvo Blofeld.
• Ultimate Universe: Alternate Future is an Alternate Universe Fic retelling of Steven Universe Future that adds to the canon storyline with original ideas and scrapped material.
• Unseen No More:
  • After being mentioned in the original series by Rhodonite, Morganite finally makes her debut in Rejuvenated.
  • The same episode also features a Citrine, who would later become a recurring character.
• The Villain Knows Where You Live: Black Rutile actually has entered Steven's house in "Black and White", a fact which she uses in "Gems Night Out" when coming back there to intimidate Steven.
• Villainous Breakdown:
  • Cat's Eye goes ballistic when Pearl is able to outsmart her and debunk her claims in "Growing Pains". And the fact it was done by what she sees as a lowly servant, makes it all the more humiliating.
  • "Made Me Realize" ends on Black Rutile losing it and snapping her visor in two after being betrayed by White Topaz, and she shrieks Pink's name at the top of her nonexistent lungs.
• Villainous Underdog: The Lucent Gems are this. As White Topaz points out, Steven is not only allied with his surgote family but also the Great Diamond Authority themselves. isn't deterring them in the slightest.
• Villain Episode:
  • "Black and White" focuses primarily on Black Rutile, who's revealed at the end to be the long-foreshadowed Big Bad.
  • "The Warning"'s B-plot is about the Lucent Gems preparing for their attack on the Crystal Gems.
• Villain: Exit, Stage Left: Bluebird Azurite now serves the role of being Black Rutile and White Topaz's getaway flyer. And despite her small size, she is surprisingly strong.
• Villain Has a Point: Lightyearpig implies Black Rutile is intended to be this. She may be a sociopathic Evil Reactionary, but she does raise some good points about how drastically Steven changed the Gem race and the number of Gems cast out due to refusing to change with the times sided with her. Besides, if it wasn't her, then it would probably be some other gem.
• Villain with Good Publicity: Black Rutile presents herself as the true savior of Gems while Steven is demonized for helping begin Era 3.
• Villain Song:
  • "Wither the Rose" from "Enemy of my Enemy". It is a very catchy Motive Rant of not only Black Rutile, but also her fellow allies as well.
  • Jasper finally gets one in "Fragments" with "Get a Grip."
  • Black Rutile would later get a pair of unofficial songs created by a fan where she sings "Humiliate the Boy" and "Join Me at the Top" with his OC.
• Virtue Is Weakness: Black Rutile extols this philosophy at the end of "Gems' Night Out."
  Black Rutile: Kindness is a mere concept that can easily be exploited and turned against you. That is why I prefer power through fear and control. And you should start doing the same. When you think someone is deliberately doing something selfish without thinking of you despite you being dragged along, you must fight back! Got it?!
• Visionary Villain: Black Rutile believes herself to be a far worthier ruler of Gemkind than the Diamonds and will go to any lengths to prove it.
• Vitriolic Best Buds:
  • Aquamarine and Eyeball were already in canon. But here, it is far more developed as they seem to act Like an Old Married Couple.
  • What "A Fusion Too Far" ultimately amounts to. Despite their bickering while fused as Malachite, Lapis and Jasper admit that it was nice to have a common goal to work towards for once.
• Walking Armory: Black Rutile possesses many gadgets that she stores in her gem.
• Warts and All: This is how Rose Quartz, and by extension Pink Diamond, is ultimately remembered at the end. Though she wasn't as perfect as she was built up to be, Rose was still ultimately a good person who made her fair share of mistakes.
• Was Too Hard on Him: After Greg leaves home in a flashback during "Mister Universe", his mother and father debate on whether he decided to move out because they were too strict. Greg's mother Gloria agrees that they were a little much sometimes, but she considers themselves better than the Abusive Parents she had.
• The Watson: Throughout "The Warning," Lars frequently asks questions about the events of the Light games, which Hessonite readily answers.
• We ARE Struggling Together: Since Lapis Lazuli and Jasper are arch enemies, it isn't a surprise to know that these two don't get along, at all. They argue and bicker over the simplest of things, and are constantly messing with each other. Although, their relationship does improve as the series progresses.
• We Have Become Complacent: Black Rutile believes Steven has made the Gem race weak enough to be enslaved, which makes her believe she's more worthy to rule Homeworld.
• We Used to Be Friends: Black Rutile states that she and Hessonite were close before Hessonite was sent to Earth in Save the Light.
• Who Writes This Crap?!: Yellow Zircon is geninuenly confused by how her script is written.
  Yellow Zircon: With the loss of our caste system, our weapons, armies, colonies, and the Diamonds' complete control over us, our kind has become weak. Perhaps weak enough to be conquered. [stares at the speech in confusion and begins to mutter to herself] Wait, this is my speech?
• Wham Episode: "Black and White" features the full reveal of our Big Bad and strong hints about her plot going forward.
  • "A Fusion Too Far" features Lapis Lazuli and Jasper learning to be friendlier with each other to the point of being forced to form a more stable version of Malachite when Steven is put in danger.
  • "The Warning" reveals how deep Black Rutile's corruption of Homeworld runs and much of her Evil Plan, which Lars relays to Steven at the end.
  • "Enemy of my Enemy" is about the first battle between the Crystal Gems and Black Rutile. Mean Lapis makes a Heel–Face Turn and Black Rutile's Legion of Doom is reduced to herself, White Topaz, Aquamarine and Eyeball, but she refuses to let that get her down.
  • "Together Forever" reveals at the end that Black Rutile is working on a Diamond-killing weapon that has the power to disenigrate Gems entirely.
  • "Gems' Night Out" seems like an innocent Breather Episode, at least until Steven is left alone in the house with Black Rutile while the Crystal Gems are in Los Diego, and he lets slip that he'd rather live a life where they never existed and he was a normal human boy.
  • "Pumpkin Patch" confirms Pumpkin died off-screen post-Change your Mind and reveals the fusion of Peridot and Lapis, first foreshadowed back in "Why so Blue?".
  • "Fragments" has Steven shatter Jasper just like in the canon version, but it was all part of Black Rutile's scheme. In addition, the voice in Steven's head that first appeared in "Mister Universe" confirms he was spawned when Steven was Alone with the Psycho in "Gems' Night Out."
  • "Made Me Realize" reveals how Black Rutile assembled her organization, confirms why the government is only now acting through a flashback to Rose signing a contract that prevents the Gems from interfering with government activity and vice-versa, and White Topaz finally has a Heel–Face Turn courtesy of the Diamonds.
• Wham Line:
  • From "Cracks and Buds", we get the first hint of a greater threat coming.
    Holly Blue: The boss will like this.
  • Later on in "Why so Blue?", we get Steven and Lapis nearly fusing while showing the Lapis twins dancing. However, Lapis doesn't mention Jasper, but instead....
    Lapis: Wouldn't want a repeat of Peridot.
  • Speaking of Lapis, we get this line from "A Fusion Too Far."
    Lapis: Wait a minute! Let's fuse!
  • The final line of "Enemy of my Enemy":
    Black Rutile: Now, as you see, he (Steven) can't deal with his whole worldview changing, since learning how many Gems were against him shattered everything he knew about his actions. But what if we did the same, but we turn the humans against him and his friends?
  • The above-mentioned Freudian Slip from "Gems' Night Out."
    Steven: Yeah, I'm still sick of the Gems leaving me to solve everyone's problems because Pink Diamond happens to be the source of all of them! Sometimes, I'd rather live a life where Gems never existed and I'm just a normal human boy with a normal human life!
  • The voice in Steven's head confirms who it really is in "Fragments".
    Voice: I'm not directly working for her, but it's thanks to her that I'm even speaking to you now. Remember that night while the Gems were out in Los Diego? She helped me grow. But she wasn't the one that gave me my independence. Oh no, the one who you should credit for that is that Pearl. You know, the same one that entered your mind?
  • The final scene of "The Future" shows the mysterious Officer watching Steven leave, and it's seemingly confirmed who he really is.
    The Officer: This is deep-cover agent Aescul reporting. Yes, Universe is safe. Make preparations for the contest ASAP. His majesty wants a word with that boy.
• What Happened to the Mouse?: Despite Black Rutile saying all her assets have been seized, Cinnabar is nowhere to be seen, though this could change in the future.
• "Where Are They Now?" Epilogue: "The Future" ends on one.
  • A statue of Pink Diamond is unveiled on Homeworld as a symbol of how Perfection Is Impossible.
  • Bane Jones and G go out for drinks, with B joining them after reporting to President Suarez on Black Rutile's imprisonment.
  • Neil Michaels pitches a film based off the events of the past few chapters he calls "The Pink Beast of the Bay", starring Christopher Cage.
  • Chloe shows Yvonne a drawing of the Crystal Gems she wants to send them.
  • Francis von Bowling asks to make a phone call while in prison. He specifically asks to contact an old ally of his named The Sickle.
  • Black Rutile watches Steven leave while plotting revenge with Aquamarine, Holly Blue and Cat's Eye by her side.
• White Hair, Black Heart: Subverted with White Topaz, who's actually a Nice Girl with an F in evil.
• Whole-Plot Reference: Lapis and Amethyst's plot takes many cues from the James Bond series.
• Wolverine Claws: Lepidolite's weapons.
• Yank the Dog's Chain: The Stinger of "Prickly Pair" shows Cactus Steven on the verge of making a change after his battle with the Crystal Gems, only to be cut to pieces by Black Rutile and his remains later used to make new minions.
• You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Rose responds to Steven claiming he's a terrible person with this.
  Rose: Oh, stop beating yourself up so much, Steven. You have done so many remarkable things too. You helped so many people, both human and Gem alike. Heck, I don't even think anyone could've reached out to the Diamonds quite like you did!
• You Are Grounded!: Garnet threatens to ground Steven until he tells the Crystal Gems about what happened between him and Jasper in "Fragments".
• Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters: Black Rutile believes she and her Legion of Doom are fighting to free Homeworld from the Crystal Gems' oppressiveness, but how they do so makes it very hard to believe.

---

The Black Pearl Brigade consists of the following tropes

A-H

• Affectionate Nickname: Dalmatian Jasper and Zoisite call each other DJ and Zee, respectively.
• Anti-Hero: Cap declares that the Pearls are nothing like the Crystal Gems before poofing Fire Agate.
• Bat People: The Vamperas from Cavenousya are this. With two of the most notable members being the Vosania brothers.

• Big Bad Duumvirate: Season 2 sees Cinnabar teaming up with the intergalactic crime lord Torius Vosania to regain power over what's left of the Rutile Rebels.
• Bilingual Bonus: Púrén gets her name from the Chinese word for "servant".
• Breather Episode: The second half of the story, or what Word of God dubs "season 2", begins with the Pearls going on vacation to Little Homeworld after stopping Cinnabar.
• Cain and Abel: Torius and Batsputin respectively.
• Character Overlap:
  • The Crystal Gems and the main Rutile Rebels guest star in "A Little R&R".
  • While the Diamonds were recurring characters in the series, their final appearance in "Light the Way" takes place just before they arrive on Earth in Part 4 of Alternate Future.
• Chekhov's Gun: The tracking beacon that Sylvia Spectre gives to the Brigade at the end of "On A Clear Day, I Can See Justice" becomes key to calling her in the final battle of "Light the Way".
• Cliffhanger:
  • "Light the Way" ends with Cinnabar taking control of the Vosania Syndicate just as Torius Vosania is defeated, allowing her to conquer all of Homeworld.
  • "Shining Diamond, Part 1" ends on Cinnabar erasing the Pearls' memories with her Rejuvenation Ray, forcing them to once again serve as obedient drones while the event is treated as a public execution.
• Con Woman: Pyrite is described to be an ace con-Gem, best shown when seducing shopkeeper Grouper into giving her a makua motor and taking advantage of Braids' Horrible Judge of Character to give it to her. As a bonus, the chapter where she serves as its Villain of the Week is titled "A Fool and their Money".
• Cowboy Episode: Giddy Up is this as it takes place on a wild western-themed planet.
• Crapsaccharine World: Kyukanza at first glance seems to be a wonderful Paradise Planet that anyone would love to visit. However, it turns out the planet is actually quite dangerous as it is completely inhabited by Yōkai. While most of them are friendly, others are quite hostile. Even the mystical landscape can be harsh on those who are not careful.
• Dark and Troubled Past:
  • Zoisite headed her own black-ops team prior to meeting Dalmatian Jasper before they were all shattered in an attempt on the life of a king who refused to surrender his planet to the Diamonds. The narration states how devoted she was to making them into good assassins before Zoisite murders the king.
  • Sylvia Spectre lost her home planet and her parents to an invasion by the Diamonds, and has held a grudge against all Gems ever since.
• Darker and Edgier:
  • Zoisite's flashback in "Predator and Prey" solidifies this story as being a bit more violent than its parent story.
  • "On A Clear Day, I Can See Justice" shows the psychological effects the Gems invading a planet would have on any survivors, as depicted with Sylvia Spectre.
• Darkest Hour: The first part of "Shining Diamond" ends on a pretty intense note. The Pearls have been given a Mind-Reformat Death, Cinnabar has successfully taken over Homeworld, and every remaining threat to her power has been defeated, including all of the Off-Colors being poofed by Xenotime.
• Even Evil Has Standards: While Cinnabar doesn't hesitate to punish her subordinates who have failed at their tasks, even she has to admit sending someone to fight to the death for the amusement of others is just sick and wrong. And that's coming from a fan of violence!
• Evil Mentor: Black Rutile was this to Cinnabar in the past, and the two still work together in the present day with Cinnabar as one of Black Rutile's Co-Dragons.
• Expy:
  • Cinnabar is stated to resemble Raine Whispers cosplaying as Heidigger. Cinnabar is even voiced by Avi Roque.
  • Dalmatian Jasper and Zoisite are compared by Word of God to Lockdown and Molotov Cocktease respectively.
  • Bloodstone is also stated to basically be a Gem version of Ronaldo.
• Family of Choice: Pony believes the Brigade to be this, but Tails tells her to not jump to conclusions yet. By the end of "Hard as Stone", they finally call themselves this. Although, they were already this since they were a part of the same vein.
• Fantastic Racism:
  • The series explores the concept of many species not trusting the Gems due to their history of colonizing and genocide. The biggest example of this is Sylvia Spectre, whose Dark and Troubled Past is rooted in losing her home planet and parents to the Diamonds.
  • This was implied in "A Fool and their Money", where the citizens of Bopbe express fear around Braids and a shopkeeper declares "What a woman, for a Gem." after being swindled by Pyrite.
  • The king of Chazelle from "Predator and Prey" calls Zoisite's team "filthy rock people", refers to Zoisite as a rock-faced harlot, and entertains the idea of making her a part of the royal harem after killing the rest of her squad.
  • "Giddy Up" shows this in full force with the people of East Walleef fearing the Pearls due to the Diamonds' failed colonization of Sergione-29. After the defeat of Mr. Manco however, they do gain a newfound respect for the team.
  • Additionally, it is implied that many of these species do not like each other considering how diverse their cultures and ideals are. It wouldn't be a surprise if many of them were to have a grudge against each other.
• Fat and Skinny: Saturn is the fat one and Uranus is the skinny one.
• Futureshadowing: During the final chase of "Seeing Pink", Xenotime temporarily traps the Black Pearl Brigade in a time vortex that allows them to see multiple past, present, and future events, such as the eventual fall of Cinnabar, Jasper & White Topaz discovering a Mirror Universe where Steven is the tyrannical ruler of Earth, the main Steven fighting Black Rutile in a coliseum with some mysterious spectaters cheering them on, and then Steven & Black Rutile are forced to work together against a massive, holographic snake creature in said coliseum.
• Greater-Scope Villain: Black Rutile, the Big Bad of Alternate Future and Cinnabar's superior who mostly appears in flashbacks. Then in "A Little R&R", she makes an appearance as the Villain of the Week.
• Hero Antagonist: As an officer of the Coalition of Galaxies, Sylvia Spectre has the responsibility of arresting common criminals and defending the innocent. However, because of her prejudiced beliefs and bad history with gemkind, she actively tries to antagonize and put down the Pearls simply because they are gems, mistaking them for being allies of Cinnabar, a gem who very much retains her beliefs of conquest and domination.

I-Y

• Interquel:
  • "A Little R&R" is implied to take place during "Fragments" from Alternate Future.
  • "Light the Way" ends just as the Diamonds and Spinel leave for Earth, setting up their appearances in Part 4 from "I Am My Monster" onwards.
• Meaningful Rename: The Pearls give themselves names to better identify each other. Cap and IQ are named for their respective roles in the team, while Pony, Braids, and Tails are named after their hairstyles.
• Mind-Reformat Death: Black Rutile's override command functions similarly to the Rejuvenator, where anyone hit with it will be reset back to their original function. However, she was able to modify with the special sand grains used by a Desert Rose who can effectively rejuvinate a gem while making it imposible to restore their original personalties. Cinnabar uses this on the many Black Pearls she finds and eventually converts them into a her lo.
• Octopoid Aliens: The Intelliga all seem to resemble humanoid cephalopods albeit with six limbs instead of eight, and have four eyes.
• Penal Colony: The Rutile Rebels' headquarters on Revanche 666 has been rebuilt into one following the end of Season 1, now holding every Gem that the Black Pearl Brigade capture during their missions, including Xenotime. Other prisoners include Holly Blue Agate, Morganite, Navy and Cat's Eye.
• Planet of Hats: Some of the planets the Pearls visit have a specific theme to them. For example, Sergione-29 has a wild west theme, while Teslein is very technologically advanced and Kyukanza is inhabited by creatures that are basically Yōkai.
• Project Blank: IQ reveals that the construction of the Reef was known as Project Nacre. The reason was that it served as the base for the gem of the same name who was known as the Mother of Pearls. It turns out that she was imprisoned into the Reef's systems and became Shell.
• Proud Scholar Race: The Intelliga is this as their name implies. They are a race that takes great pride in their superior intelligence and will often challenge other aliens to compete in the Mind Games to see just how smart they truly are.
• Put on a Prison Bus: After being defeated, Torius, Bobbite, and the Brickhead brothers are all arrested by Sylvia and are then sentence to a galactic prison.
  • The same goes for Cinnabar and her lackeys who are all locked away in the Treasury.
• Red/Green Contrast: Cinnabar and Emerald respectively.
• Redhead In Green: Both Anyolite and Bloodstone have red hair and wear green clothing.
• Required Spinoff Crossover: Due to being a spin-off of Alternate Future characters from that story make frequent appearances, such as Lars and the Off-Colors showing up in the final two episodes of Season 1, and the Crystal Gems appearing in "A Little R&R".
• Riches to Rags: As shown in her flashback, Pyrite made a living as an Arms Dealer who sold weapons to both Homeworld and the Crystal Gems during the Rebellion, and later sold weapons to colonize planets. But when Era 3 banned all non-summoned weapons, Pyrite's products were returned and she was left destitute before joining Black Rutile.
• Right Behind Me: Upon seeing her fellow Pearls stare at something in front of them in shock, Cap realizes there is someone behind her. That someone is Dalmatian Jasper.
• Ruder and Cruder: Compared to the original series, this one has far more profanity in it. This is made even funnier when you realize many of the aliens probably have different forms of profanity which are all unique to them. This is averted in the revamp.
• Sibling Rivalry:
  • Saturn and Uranus spend most of their screen time arguing with and belittling each other.
  • Additionally, Torius has a vendetta against Batsputin since he inherited the crown from his parents.
• Simultaneous Arcs: The first chapter begins prior to "The Warning" from Alternate Future, and takes place almost simultaneously with the second half of its parent story.
• Spaceship Girl: The Servant's artificial intelligence Púrén.
• Space Western: Sergione is this.
• Surrounded by Idiots: Phoneix Lapis says this word for word when she realizes her allies are more focused on bickering with each other than they are on trying to survive.
• Trash the Set: "Hard as Stone" ends with the destruction of the Rutile Rebels' base.
• Troubled Backstory Flashback: We get one of how Anyolite lost her crew. It isn't pretty in the slightest.
• Villainous Friendship: Dalmatian Jasper and Zoisite are remarkably friendly to each other to the point of being Heterosexual Life-Partners.
• Villain of the Week:
  • Between the second and sixth chapters, each of them centered on one member of the Brigade with one of Cinnabar's minions serving as the antagonist.
    • "A Fool and their Money" featured Braids and Pyrite.
    • "Predator and Prey" featured Tails and Dalmatian Jasper & Zoisite.
    • "Brain Brawl" featured IQ and Bloodstone.
    • "Giddy Up" featured Pony and Kyanite and by extension Mr. Manco.
    • "Hard as Stone" featured Cap and Cinnabar and her Concretes.
  • Season 2 sort of adopts this format as well so far.
    • "A Little R&R" features Black Rutile as the main antagonist, with White Topaz, Aquamarine, and Eyeball acting as supporting antagonists.
    • "On a Clear Day, I Can See Justice" features Torius Vosania.
    • "Through the Fire and the Flames" features Envyrno.
• Wild West Armadillo: The Xenarths, the dominant species of Sergione, are humanoid aliens that look have armor, claws, and ears that resemble armadillos. But have faces and a general body plain that is more similar to that of sloths. Also, many of them are based on many wild western stereotypes.
• Witch with a Capital "B": After being Forced to Watch as Xenotime, Bloodstone, Emerald, and Morganite poofed all the Off-Colors in "Shining Diamond, Part 1", Lars yells "YOU WITCH (ES)!" before trying to fight her/them.
• Yōkai: There is an entire planet populated by them.
• You Have Failed Me:
  • Downplayed. Cinnabar often punishes her subordinates who have failed her by locking them away in destablization cells. The only who was spared from this punishment was the Doctor who Cinnabar still needed to work on her latest project.
  • Similarly, according to Torious, Envyrno has failed to accomplish several of her assigned missions in the past because she got distracted with the chaos would love to create. And after finally loosing his patience, he decides to let her express that chaotic energy in the Slytherophidian's Torment Tournament. She doesn't take the news well.

The Trial of Black Rutile contains the following tropes

• All Therapists Are Muggles: Black Rutile is assigned one in the form of James Brenner, a criminal psychologist who graduated from the University of Jayhawk with a P.H.D.
• Amoral Attorney: Once again, Cat's Eye serves as this.
• Beyond the Impossible: Sadistic personality disorder is no longer listed in the DSM-5, yet to Brenner's shock, Black Rutile seems to qualify for it.
• Courtroom Episode: It's Exactly What It Says on the Tin.
• Glassy Prison: Black Rutile finds herself trapped inside of one. When she tries shattering the walls with her knife, she then realizes it was regenerating.
• "Just Joking" Justification: Black Rutile claims she would shatter Eyeball if she were to betray her. But she then adds to this by saying she was just kidding, and that she would "never kill one of her most loyal subordinates."
• Never My Fault: Eyeball once again brings up that Steven and the Gems left her to rot in space, ignoring that the only reason they did this was that she tried to kill Steven.
• One-Shot Fic: This one-shot fills in the blanks on Black Rutile being exiled to Little Homeworld and Eyeball's apparent Heel–Face Turn.
• Origins Episode: We finally get Black Rutile's backstory through her telling it to a criminal psychologist assigned to analyze her.
• Pilot Movie: Described as this to the follow-up "Little Homeworld Life".
• Triangle Shades: Black Rutile now wears a red visor that is shaped like a pointed v.
• Wham Episode:
  • Why was White Diamond so lenient on Black Rutile breaking out of the caste system and becoming an important member of her court? It amused her. Black Rutile does not take the news well at all.
  • It's also confirmed that Eyeball and Navy were ordered to infiltrate the Ruby Squad and take it over from the inside, serving as an explanation for their reunion in "The Future".

Little Homeworld Life contains the following tropes

• Academic Alpha Bitch: Black Rutile's human counterpart, Ruth Black, is president of Crystal High's Absurdly Powerful Student Council who regularly mistreats the students she sees as beneath her. Ditto for the rest of the student council, who are made up of the human versions of the Lucent Gems.
• Acquired Situational Narcissism: Amethyst and Peridot thrive on the Crystal Gems' celebrity status in "It's Tough To Be A Star." Unlike most examples, they're called back to Beach City before they can let the power get to their heads.
• A House Divided: The premise of "A Temple Divided" centers around this, with Black Rutile using Bismuth poofing Lapis in the Rebellion as a way of dividing the Crystal Gems so she can take them by surprise.
• All Just a Dream: "To Err Is Human" was actually a dream White Topaz had after watching many teen movies.
• Amazon Chaser: Jasper and White Topaz encounter these in "Date Night", much to Jasper's irritation and disgust.
• Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other: Despite the fact they come from different cast roles and are almost always bickering with each other, Aquamarine and Eyeball are this because do indeed genuinely care about each other, as they are surprisingly similarly in more ways than one.
• The Baby of the Bunch: Beryl is this to the Crystal Gems of her era and to many Gem aristocrats prior to the Rebellion. This caused her to endure All of the Other Reindeer because of this.
• Back from the Dead: Zoisite's old strike team from her flashback in The Black Pearl Brigade episode "Predator and Prey" are brought back to life in "A Temple Divided
• Breather Episode: Or rather a breather series. Compared to the previous stories, Little Homeworld Life is a Slice of Life sitcom-esque story that's more reliant on humor. Word of God even credits shows like Community, 30 Rock, The Middle, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Arrested Development, The Good Place, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Office (US) as inspirations. But he also says there will be times when the series gets dark.
• Bowling for Ratings: "The Big Lazuli" is partially this, due to being a Whole-Plot Reference to The Big Lebowski.
• The Cameo: Dalmatian Jasper and Zoisite make one in the first flashback of "Two Birds on a Wire" to escort Aquamarine, Eyeball, and Holly Blue Agate.
• Chekhov's Gun: Peridot's limb enhancers were revealed to have been recovered by The Sickle prior to "From Russia With Hate" and repurposed into weapons.
• Darker and Edgier: "Two Birds on a Wire" is this compared to the first episode, being a Villain Episode focusing specifically on Eyeball and her relationship with Aquamarine.
  • The two-part episode "From Russia with Hate" focuses on the prejudice the Crystal Gems face in Russia and how their actions led to the creation of two of the episode's villains.
  • The penultimate chapter "A Temple Divided" focuses on Black Rutile turning the Crystal Gems against each other by exposing Bismuth as the Gem who poofed Lapis, while Eduardo Suarez fights for his life against a bunch of Right-Wing Militia Fanatic supporters of Black Rutile. The chapter ends with Lapis making a Face–Heel Turn after being convinced by Black Rutile to join her and she helps turn Little Homeworld into an Ominous Floating Castle.
• Discontinuity Nod: One of the dimensions that Black Rutile shows her team is one that takes place in the pilot continuity. They are appropriately weirded out by the strange art style.
• Draco in Leather Pants: In-Universe. Somehow, Black Rutile is able to gain a fan base of several humans that actually agree with her beliefs, with most of them being the worst that humanity has to offer. She isn't even aware of this until her allies point it out.
• Dream Intro: The first episode of the series begins with one. And it is anything but pleasant.
• Engineered Public Confession: At the climax of "Hostile Takeover", Sally Grove's Villainous Breakdown is live-streamed by Ronaldo for his website where she confesses to all of her crimes. Afterward, she's put under house arrest for supporting Black Rutile and presumably canceled on all social media platforms.
• Everyone Went to School Together: "Somebody To Lean On" reveals that Steven's therapist Rebecca Sucrose went to college with childcare book author George Ikari, and their teacher was Black Rutile's psychologist James Brenner.
• Hazy-Feel Turn: As revealed in "Somebody To Lean On", Emerald, Morganite, Pyrope, and Demantoid are this. Emerald still retains her grudge against Lars, Morganite is still uncomfortable around cross-Gem fusions, and Pyrope & Demantoid's relationship is still very rocky. Naturally, Black Rutile plans on taking advantage of this, which comes to fruition towards the end of the series when she convinces the four to rejoin her side.
• High School AU: "To Err Is Human" is the author's take on a human Gems AU, set primarily in Crystal High. It turns out to be All Just a Dream at the end.
• Hypocrite: As pointed out by Pearl in the final chapter "Hostile Takeover", despite Black Rutile declaring the Crystal Gems as oppressive tyrants, she's no different through her use of Loss of Identity to expand her army.
• Gladiator Revolt: Albite and Tiger's Eye are gladiators turned Crystal Gems.
• Karmic Butt-Monkey: Holly Blue Agate becomes Jasper's unwilling teaching assistant for her self-defense class. And by a teaching assistant, she's really just a punching bag. Given how much of a Jerkass Drill Sergeant Nasty Holly is, she absolutely deserves to be an Asshole Victim.
  • And what makes it humorously ironic is that the Quartzes that Holly used to mistreat and belittle were made on Earth and looked down upon the two off-colored Betas, Carnelian, and Skinny Jasper. Then, there is the fact that Jasper is a perfect Quartz soldier who came from the same kindergarten as those two off-colored Quartzes. Talk about Laser-Guided Karma!
• The Multiverse: This series introduces the idea of the stories in the Alternate Future universe as taking place in the same multiverse as Steven Universe, with the introduction of the Vortexxer.
• Multiversal Conqueror: Black Rutile reveals at the end of "Enrollment" that the Diamonds almost became this with the assistance of a portal machine called the Vortexxer. However, the plans were scrapped due to numerous setbacks and the device was left abandoned for Black Rutile to steal in the next episode.
• Must Have Caffeine: Black Rutile becomes a coffee addict by the first episode of "Little Homeworld Life", and she describes it as slowly realizing how it's one of the only things keeping her sane now.
• Myth Arc: This time around, it's Black Rutile finishing work on the Vortexxer to find another universe to ally with.
  • The second season's main story arc is Black Rutile gathering followers through the Internet, and trying to free Flipso.
• Nightmare Sequence: The first chapter "Enrollment" opens with Black Rutile having a nightmare about Steven turning all the Gems except for her into a Hive Mind, which causes her to wake up screaming.
• Official Couple: Jasper and White Topaz, as of "Date Night".
• Pass the Popcorn: During the civil shipping war over Camp Pining Hearts, both Amethyst and Eyeball watch the chaos from afar while munching on their own bags of popcorn. And neither of them wishes to share with the other.
• Pay Evil unto Evil: After having enough of Aquamarine's taunts, Laz decides to throw her into the sea as punishment. It Goes Horribly Wrong when she realizes the beryl can't swim.
• Power Trio: Upon meeting Serpentine again, Black Rutile reveals that the two of them, along with Bloodstone from The Black Pearl Brigade, were lab partners who cooperated on many projects together. However, as "Two Birds on a Wire" proved, Black Rutile was the least ethical of the trio due to using Pearls as test subjects for their experiments with no regard for their wellbeing. It is implied that this greatly infuriated Nacre at the time.
• Ring of Power: Or rather a bracelet of power. When the Crystal gems were planning on making a commercial, Teal Zircon equips herself with a device called a mirage band which essentially makes the user become a Master of Illusion.
• Significant Name Overlap: Just like in the film it's parodying, the plot of The Big Lazuli hinges on Lapis being Identical Strangers with a girl who looks exactly like her and shares the name Lazuli.
• Take That!: Pearl mentions a Crying Breakfast Friends fan who was bullied into nearly committing suicide because she didn't draw Sad Spoon correctly, a blatant nod to the infamous Zamii070 incident that the author implies he wanted to do for a while.
  • "It's Tough To Be A Star" contains a few to cancel culture, which Black Rutile plots to utilize against the Crystal Gems.
• The Bus Came Back: Season 2 reintroduces a few characters from previous stories, such as Beckham Jordan & friends, Chloe & Yvonne, Dr. Rebecca Sucrose, and George Ikari.
  • "Seeing Black" sees the reintroductions of the Black Pearl Brigade.
• The Stinger: Just like in The Black Pearl Brigade, the final scene of the story has the Crystal Gems being watched by the Snake People, and their leader tells a mysterious being he calls the Lapidarist that "its children" will soon be returned to them.
• Throw the Dog a Bone: White Topaz's primary motives for becoming Jasper's girlfriend. She believes that after all Jasper has been through, she deserves a bit of happiness.
• Token Good Teammate: Eyeball initially seems to be set up as this due to her newfound questioning of Black Rutile's ideals following their defeat at the end of Alternate Future. However, any chance of a Heel–Face Turn is dropped as soon as Eyeball realizes that she and Aquamarine are the only friends they have left, and regains her faith in their master.
  • This trope is played straighter with Tanzanite/Tiffany Stone. A former Crystal Gem and protege of Pearl. She defected to the Lucent Gems upon learning of who Rose Quartz really was. Despite this, she still clings to her morals and is against most of the atrocious actions of her new teammates.
• Ungrateful Bitch: Despite being saved by the new lifeguards, Aquamarine refuses to thank them. However, this is justified considering they were the ones who put her in that troubled position in the first place.
• Whole-Plot Reference:
  • "The Big Lazuli" takes many cues from The Big Lebowski.
  • The following chapter "A Fandom Divided" is stated by Word of God to be a near-perfect recreation of the Amphibia episode "Civil Wart".
  • "From Russia with Hate" is described as a mix of the James Bond films From Russia with Love and The World Is Not Enough.
  • "A Quick One While I'm Away" is described as taking a few cues from A Hard Day's Night.
• You Mean X Mas: The series's Halloween Episode and Christmas Episode take place on and are named after what the author describes as the Steven Universe equivalents to them, Samhain Night and Snowfall Feast.

Two Sides of the Same Gem contains the following tropes

• Age Lift: The alternate versions of Steven and Connie are implied to be fifteen years older than when they made their first appearances in Steven Universe.
• Alternate Universe Reed Richards Is Awesome:
  • After defeating the Diamonds, the Crystal Gems proceded to conquer the Earth as the center of their new empire, a far cry from the Crystal Gems who mostly isolate themselves from humanity.
  • Emerald is also a legitimate threat rather than an Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain too.
• An Arm and a Leg: At some point during her imprisonment, Connie lost an arm.

• Bittersweet Ending: The universe is saved and the Crystal Regime is finally defeated, but Steven fails to convince Lord Steven to change his ways before he's subject to an Uncertain Doom.
• The Bus Came Back: Steven and Connie make a Big Damn Heroes moment in the fourth chapter to help stop the Crystal Regime.
• Crossover Cameo:
  • Uncle Grandpa appears as one of the many universes Lord Steven plots to conquer, and he even recognizes Steven from the events of "Say Uncle", even though he declared that episode to be non-canon. Though with Uncle Grandpa, you can never guess what he'll do.
  • There are multiple other cameos from other Cartoon Network shows in the final chapter like Ben 10, Teen Titans (2003), Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, Dexter's Laboratory, SWAT Kats, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Adventure Time, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and Villainous. The first chapter also includes references to the author's other works like Marvel Gems Universe and Fooly Falls, along with cameos from Rick and Morty and the Doctor.
• Dead Alternate Counterpart: The Diamonds, Bismuth, Greg, Cinnabar, and Connie's parents are all dead in the alternate universe.
• Evil Counterpart: All the Crystal Regime members serve as this to the Crystal Gems.
  • Steven's counterpart is a Knight Templar.
  • Garnet's counterpart is an unstable mess.
  • Amethyst's counterpart is a bullying Sadist.
  • Pearl's counterpart is a sociopathic Sycophantic Servant.
  • Lapis's counterpart is an Ax-Crazy Psychopathic Womanchild.
  • Peridot's counterpart is a Nihilistic Mad Scientist.
  • Jasper's counterpart is a meek Reluctant Warrior who turns out to be The Mole.
  • While Bismuth's counterpart is dead by the beginning of the story, the narration confirms that she built Weapons of Mass Destruction For the Evulz.
• Evil Me Scares Me: Garnet and Lapis are absolutely terrified by their alternate selves. With one being a monster, and the other being a psychopath.
• Good Counterpart: Like the Regime, the Lucent Gems are this to the Rutile Rebels' initial roster.
  • Black Rutile is the noble but eccentric leader of La Résistance.
  • White Topaz is a Servile Snarker.
  • Aquamarine is a Nice Girl.
  • Eyeball Ruby is The Soft-Hearted Warrior.
  • Holly Blue Agate is the Team Mom.
  • Emerald is a No-Nonsense Nemesis.
  • Morganite is a Trickster Mentor.
  • Laz is swapped with Zuli.
  • Pyrope is Spoiled Sweet.
  • Demantoid is a Ditzy Genius.
  • Cat's Eye is a Cool Cat Girl.
• Heel–Face Door-Slam: Just when Lord Steven has a Heel Realization in his fight with the regular Steven, Black Rutile puts a wrench in that after remembering Aquamarine telling her that no matter the universe, Steven Universe will always be Steven Universe. And she does so by sending a now crazed altered Jasper at Lord Steven who proceeds to rip out his stone.
• Meme Acknowledgement: The beginning of chapter 3 features Cat's Eye playing a parody version of Steven in a reference to memes such as this making fun of his pacifist ways.
• Mirror Universe: The primary setting is a world where the Crystal Gems are the supreme rulers of Earth and Black Rutile leads La Résistance.
• The Mole: The alternate Jasper is revealed to be spying on the Crystal Regime for the Lucent Gems in chapter 3. However, considering how she was treated, it should have been obvious.
• Multi-Part Episode: The story is advertised as a four-part special event that serves as the culmination of the Vortexxer storyline running through season 1 of Little Homeworld Life.
• The Multiverse: One of the main themes of this installment. In particular, Word of God confirms that when Cat's Eye was used as a guinea pig for the Vortexxer, she was taken to the world of the canon Steven Universe series.
  • Many other universes are revealed in the final chapter to be made up of other Cartoon Network shows.
• Other Me Annoys Me: Most of the Crystal Gems and the Crystal Regime have a rather low opinion of their alternate counterparts for their significant differences, and inevitably come to blows over them.
• "The Reason You Suck" Speech: With the exception of Garnet, the Crystal Gems and the Crystal Regime give these to each other, pointing out their flaws and differences with each other.
  • First, there's Amethyst.
    Amethyst: Y'know me, I'm amazed at how big and strong you are, but you should really stop being a big bully and use your strength correctly.
    Regime Amethyst: Since when was there ever a correct way to be strong, you fraggin' runt?! What, you gonna sing about being strong in the real way or something?
    Amethyst: Who knows, maybe if you tick me off enough. [Beat.] So, this is what I could've been like as a perfect soldier, huh?
    Regime Amethyst: And this is what I could've been like as an overcooked geek. But since I'm such a fair opponent, I'm gonna give you till the count of ten to turn and run with your tail between your legs. One, TEN!
  • Next is Pearl against her Regime counterpart.
    Regime Pearl: Ah, my doppelganger shows herself at last. Have to say, not very impressed. I mean, just look at what you're wearing! And while I do mourn your loss, I will not sympathize with what you've done to cope with it! Like leaving your child to die multiple times, for example.
    Pearl: I was under stress; you wouldn't understand! Besides, have you ever regretted all the horrible things you've done, or maybe even allowed your Pink Diamond to give birth to Steven?!
    Regime Pearl: Yes, I must admit, I thought it was a bad idea. But in the end, Steven was a perfect means to ensure Pink's legacy would survive. We all molded him into the monarch he is today, but I took the most credit for his belief that he is genuinely a good person helping his empire. Pink would be proud of me!
    Pearl: PROUD?! Are you saying his tyranny can be traced back to you?! You truly are a monster! Possibly the worst out of this entire Regime!
    Regime Pearl: Please, this kind of behavior is normal to survive in my world. And besides, you're one to talk, little missy! Black Rutile told us all about your crimes! Like forcing all Pearls to break out of their status quo when they didn't even ask!
    Pearl: Oh, this again? Listen, there are better ways to cope with loss than manipulating a child into becoming a fascist tyrant! And I won't allow this any longer!
  • Then, there's Lapis and Peridot versus their Regime selves.
    Peridot: We won't let you take over our home!
    Regime Peridot: Your home? You call this miserable planet your "home"? What does it matter anyways? If we don't destroy this world, someone else will. Life never lasts. Surely once upon a time, you believed the same, correct?
    Peridot: Yes, when I served Yellow Diamond, I didn't think much about anything else. All that was on my mind was being an obedient little technician, at least until I was saved by Steven. And then he showed me just how beautiful life can really be. And how much it can change a person.
    Regime Lapis: And then he turned you into an annoying little gremlin! I mean, come on! Hiding away in a barn doing absolutely nothing except making art out of junk and watching dumb TV shows, never once called on by the Crystal Gems even though they call you a member?! I mean, where's the fun in that?!
    Lapis: Hey, leave her alone, you freak! You don't know her like we do!
    Regime Lapis: Oh, have I got a lot to say about you! Gems like us are some of the strongest around, yet you barely put in the effort to terraform! What happened to the Lapis who would tear apart planets and drown entire civilizations?! I mean, look at me! These aren't just any ordinary bloodstains; I got them from controlling people's blood and turning them into big fountains of gore! [draws a bloody Glasgow Grin on her lips] Isn't it great to have no restraint?!
    Lapis: No, the real strength comes from having patience with others and trying not to fly off the handle! Believe it or not, you're not the first Lapis Lazuli I wanted to teach this to. [suddenly gets grabbed by the Regime Lapis's water hand]
    Regime Lapis: You know, Other Me. You'd be real funny if you weren't so pathetic. [Beat] Oh, what the heck? I'll laugh anyways! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
  • And finally, there's Steven versus Lord Steven.
    Steven: And you must be that evil me. Figured you'd have the facial hair to go with being from a mirror universe. And I hear the Crystal Gems have conquered your Earth too.
    Lord Steven: Crystal Regime, to be exact. I hear from Black Rutile that you've basically enslaved the Gem race of this world and stomped out any resistance to your tyranny?
    Steven: Me, a tyrant?! I can accept that not everyone's going to like what I've done with the place, but Black Rutile is a terrorist who tried to kill me who knows how many times out of a vendetta towards Pink Diamond and me! Then again, many Gems hate me, which led to Black Rutile forming the Rutile Rebels.
    Lord Steven: Black Rutile was only trying to do what she believed was right, much like I. However, despite your good intentions, it has led to nothing but pain and suffering for everyone, even you.
    Jasper: Just shut up and let's fight already!
    Lord Steven: However, we can still make a change, Steven. Think of it. With my superior experience and your unnatural charisma, the two of us could become rulers of the multiverse, and possibly even the omniverse as well!
    Steven: But this is wrong; these people should be free to live their own lives away from conquerors like you!
    Lord Steven: But you don't understand, Steven, if you really want to make a difference, to change the system instead of patching it, you cannot be subtle. You must step into the sunlight and take over like we did.
    Steven: Well, if you won't listen to me, then I guess you leave me no choice. Besides, if you're so powerful, why waste your time with a little guy like me?
    Lord Steven: You will not stop me; I am far more powerful than you can ever imagine!
    [later]
    Steven: They'd love what you've done with your place, wouldn't they? You know, your parents, Rose and Greg?
    Lord Steven: I never knew my father when I was young. As soon as I was born, the Gems saw him as a mere disposable human slave, and he had to be gotten rid of so he wouldn't be a bad influence on me. From there, they taught me the values I stand by today.
    Steven: Values that allowed you to seize power and become a controlling monster! Can't you see that you're hurting people all over because of what you're doing?!
    Lord Steven: You still don't get it, do you? Think of it, a world with no crime, no victims, no pain!
    Steven: And no choice. Who elected you to be the ruler of your universe?
    Lord Steven: Well, who elected you to become the Diamonds' master? That's the problem with politics. They almost always elect the one who'll turn out to be the most authoritarian idiot.
    Steven: You're the tyrannical idiot here!
    Lord Steven: My forebearer simply chose more extreme methods of peace, not unlike your version of Bismuth. Frankly, I'd have a lot more fun with that one rather than the deranged maniac who committed acts of terrorism as a hobby with her superweapons.
    Steven: You grabbed power!
    Lord Steven: And with that power, I've made a world where we can never live in constant fear of violence and oppression ever again! Isn't that what you wanted?
• Sequel Hook: Black Rutile loses the grimoire at the end, but she managed to keep one page of the book for a later plan.
• Wham Line: The first part ends on Jasper and White Topaz encountering the last person they'd expect to lead La Résistance in the Mirror Universe.
  Rebel Leader: My name is Black Rutile, leader of the Lucent Gems resistance force against the forces of the Crystal Regime. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Snake Eyes contains examples of the following tropes:

• A Birthday, Not a Break: The first chapter states that Steven's returning to Beach City to celebrate his 18th birthday. However, he arrives just after the Crystal Gems have all been abducted and taken to Serpentes.
• Alas, Poor Villain: Steven slowly thinks this of Black Rutile during their rematch and even declares that her troubles are all his fault. Everyone else, especially the Crystal Gems, just think Black Rutile is lying.
• An Aesop: "Everyone can change, but everyone changes differently."
• Beethoven Was an Alien Spy: It's revealed that Christopher Columbus was a Slytherophidian scout who, just like Earth, the people of Serpentes don't like to talk about because of the horrible things he did to the natives.
• Brutal Honesty: Greg decides to be upfront with Cobralan and call out how his mediocre parenting of Nosiop and Naja has led to the former becoming a megalomaniac and the latter being so insecure.
• The Bus Came Back: The story features the return of many characters who previously appeared in The Black Pearl Brigade.
  • Chapter 6 involves the return of Inner Steven.
  • Chapter 8 reintroduces Mr. Manco and the Vosania Syndicate, now as heralds of Squamata who want to use his power for their own plans.
• Commonality Connection: Black Rutile bonds with Nosiop once they discover they're both ignored Visionary Villains.
• Continuity Nod: Among the many prisoners of the Slytherophidians are Sylvia Spectre and Envyrno from The Black Pearl Brigade, who were last seen in captivity in that story's post-credits scene.
• Crossover Finale: Snake Eyes serves as the Grand Finale of Alternate Future and as such, brings together characters from pretty much every prior story minus Two Sides of the Same Gem.
• Crying Wolf: When Black Rutile tries telling the Crystal Gems that she was nearly sacrificed to Squamata, nobody believes her and automatically assumes she's lying based on their past history together. The only one willing to hear Black Rutile out is Steven, and even he nonverbally agrees it'll be hard to believe someone like her.
• Double-Meaning Title:
  • The term Snake Eyes not only refers to how the Slytherophidans have snake eyes, but also the term means the worst possible outcome. And out of all of the mishaps the Gems have endured, this one is by far the worse.
  • The sixth chapter is titled "Folie a Deux", or madness for two in French. This alludes to not just Black Rutile's Villainous Breakdown that turns her into a full-on Tragic Villain, but also Steven giving into his anger as Inner Steven makes his return.
• Drama Bomb: "Gods and Monsters" reveals the secret origins of the Gem race and their connections to the Slytherophidians.
• Enemy Mine: To rescue the Crystal Gems and the Rutile Rebels/Lucent Gems from the Slytherophidians, Steven and Black Rutile are forced to team up.
  • The same also goes for all of gems and aliens held captive when they realize they have to find a way to escape.
• Et Tu, Brute?: Twice in the climax of the story. Pyth reveals himself to have betrayed Cobralan for Nosiop before trying to kill him, and Nosiop attempts to sacrifice Black Rutile in order to release Squamata.
• Evil Versus Oblivion: The Rutile Rebels turn on Black Rutile after learning that she plans to use the Lapidarist to start a species-wide Death of Personality so Nosiop can have an army of Gems, and they later team up with the Crystal Gems to stop Squamata.
• Given Name Reveal: The mysterious sheriff from "The Big Lazuli" is given the name Murinus in "Gods and Monsters".
• Grand Finale: Promoted to be this of Steven Universe Alternate Future overall.
• Heel–Face Turn: The author has basically confirmed that Black Rutile will eventually get this at the climax of the story. Compared to other examples of this, though, it's said that "she won't just need Steven to forgive her because he's got enough issues as is, what she needs is to forgive herself for forcing her to become the Gem she is today and keep moving forward to a brighter tomorrow."
  • The same also goes for the rest of the Lucent Gems as they realized now that their quest for revenge and restoration just isn't worth it anymore. All it has brought them is humiliation and suffering. And with that, they are now willing to at least stop harassing the Crystal Gems on a daily basis, and are more willing to turn over a new leaf.
• How the Mighty Have Fallen: Black Rutile once again is presented as this, to the point where her own minions believe that she's to blame for all their failures.
• Hypocrite: Black Rutile calls out the Crystal Gems for this when they believe her to be Crying Wolf.
  Black Rutile: You pride yourself on accepting everyone, even the ones you don't understand, yet I'm the outlier here?! I am in legitimate distress here, and you're just turning away from me just like that?!
• Internal Reveal: Steven learns that the Officer is a Slytherophidian spy named Aescul.
• The Prophecy: Pyth observes a prophecy that implies Steven and Black Rutile will reach an understanding in time for an event known as Ragnarok, where they shall team up to face a giant snake creature.
  • "Gods and Monsters" further elaborates on that prophecy through the Lapidarist implying that the snake monster, now named Squamata, can only be defeated by a two sides working togther, belived by them to be a fusion. But the Crystal Gems are left wondering who it will be.
    The Lapidarist: Enlightened warriors of clashing kinships come from afar to banish the Eclipse. Only when united in heart and mind, can they stop the worlds from being aligned.
• Real After All: To Ronaldo's delight, the Snake People, or Slytherophidians as they prefer to be called, turn out to exist after all.
• Running Gagged: As of Crossroads, Black Rutile is finally able to pronounce Connie's last name correctly.
• Spectator Casualty: Apparently, even the audience aren't safe from the carnage as some of them have been Squashed Flat, while others are set on fire.
• The Starscream: Angered by Black Rutile's constant failures, Andesine names herself the new leader of the Rutile Rebels with Cinnabar as her second in command. It doesn't last long once Black Rutile finds out, and she promptly retakes control of the group.
• Superpowered Evil Side: When Inner Steven takes control of Steven's body in his fight with Black Rutile, he becomes a far more ruthless opponent who even nearly kills Black Rutile. However, Steven regains his humanity in the nick of time and decides not to go through with it.
• These Hands Have Killed: The Crystal Gems try to avoid this in their fights at the Contest of Champions. Unfortunately, as the Slytherophidians are a race of Proud Warrior Race Guys, this doesn't make the Gems very popular with the audience.
• Tournament Arc: The first half of Snake Eyes is centered around the Contest of Champions where the Gems, along with several other aliens are forced to compete against each other.
• Tragic Villain: Black Rutile has fully transitioned into this by the time of Snake Eyes, eventually leading into her below Villainous Breakdown.
• Unseen No More: Velhallen Beo finally makes a physical appearance as one of Squamata's heralds.
• Villainous Breakdown: Black Rutile has her biggest yet in "Folie a Deux", to the point where she even starts crying Berserker Tears.
  Black Rutile: No, this isn't just a battle. It's a message. A message about how you ruined countless lives with your worthless pacifism, but none more than mine. Before I met you, I was the ideal servant! Proud, ruthless, ruling by intelligence and charisma alone! Under my gentle guidance, entire armies of Gems made civilizations tremble before the Diamonds' might! But then you came along, a mere human boy from a pathetic little ball of dirt thought long abandoned by the Diamonds, a boy who stripped me of my honor and pride that I built my entire identity upon. It was at your hands that I suffered my greatest defeats and was forced to live life as a commoner after giving up everything I had worked for. You could not begin to imagine the disgrace I felt when I was exposed as a mere victim of White Diamond's sense of humor in front of everyone on your world!
  Steven: But you still don't understand! You were this way because the Diamonds gave you everything you could've ever wanted, and you still selfishly wanted more! Has it ever occurred to you that you're more like Pink Diamond than you think?!
  Black Rutile: Don't you dare compare me to that overgrown brat! I had suffered for centuries because of her, and now it's because of you that I lost everything! I admired the Diamonds so much, but it's all their fault I'm reduced to a shell of my former self! Why do I have to keep chasing after a blasted mongrel who always knew what to do to ruin my life?! Why do you keep getting so strong and winning at everything, and even be acknowledged by the Diamonds as one of them, but why was I the one always getting pushed aside?! Why can't you just accept me for who I am?!
• Wham Episode: "Gods and Monsters" was promised by Word of God to be one of the biggest bombs dropped in his fanfictions ever since he revealed that Haruko Haruhara was saved from her destroyed home planet by Rick Sanchez and eventually betrayed him for Atomsk before meeting Dipper and Mabel Pines, and he delivers. It turns out that the Gem race was created by the last of a race of Precursors and the progenitor Gem, later known as White Diamond, would create more of them to take advantage of a Loophole Abuse when the first king of Serpentes forbade her from leaving the planet. Also, there's an Eldritch Abomination referred as SQUAMATA who is sealed away within Serpentes, and Nosiop plans to release them as part of his Evil Plan.

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"Something weird might may be something familiar viewed from a different angle. And that's not scary, right?"

— Rebecca Sugar

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