Her form poofs, the entire scene scattering. The platform is gone, as are the mountains and dropship. We’re back in the Kindergarten. I’m kneeling, tasting my own tears. Mo’s stopped crying, staring at the cloudy sky. “I have thousands of memories just like that,” She says, her voice raw. “I’ve relieved each of them so many times that I can’t keep count anymore.”

I struggle to find my voice. “What… what was that?”

Mo chuckles, a pitiful sound. “I was created by accident, and I was worse than an Off-Color. I emerged without a purpose, no calling that gave my existence meaning. Condor’s job was to help me find where I belong. We never did. I don’t belong anywhere.” Mo laughed briefly, the painful breaths echoing throughout the canyons of the Kindergarten. “I’m so sorry for attacking you. I thought… I had an idea. If I couldn’t even be a Crystal Gem, maybe I was meant to be your enemy. It sounds so stupid, but it was my last choice. I felt horrible. I hurt you guys and it tore me apart. I’m so sorry.”

That’s why she attacked me? As ridiculous as it sounds, I can see her reasoning. If her life was a constant struggle to find someplace out of her reach, why wouldn’t she try to be the bad guy? Still…

“I’m glad you didn’t carry through,” I say, adding some pep to my voice. “You really kicked me around, and I mean that literally.”

In spite of her mood, Mo still managed a real chuckle that wasn’t born from pain. “You made it too easy.”

“Ouch. I’m going to be feeling that in the morning, along with the bruises.” I moved forward and placed my back against the cliff, settling down right next to her. “I know how you feel though.” When she didn’t reply, I pressed on. “Steven’s had a lot of trouble trying to find himself. With all the drama with his mother and the Diamonds, he didn’t know what he was supposed to be for a long time. And Amethyst had a hard time fitting in. It was difficult to relate to the other Crystal Gems since they had so much history and she was so new. When she learned about this place’s purpose, why the Kindergarten existed at all, she felt like a monster. It got worse when she heard that even then, she still came out ‘wrong.’ They had a lot to go through, and others didn’t make it easy. That’s where I come in.

“I came about when crud hit the fan and they both were trying to make sense of things they couldn’t understand. Even then, they had each other to lean on. I’m their comfort for each other. I’m a pillar holding them up. And I’m their collective pain and doubt rolled together. I feel everything about themselves that they wished was different and they want to understand. It can feel like drowning, but I’m also my own lifeline. Even if I’m floundering, I’m lucky enough to be made up of two guys that really look out for one another. I’m sorry no one ever did that for you. I just… What I’m trying to say is that I understand, at least a bit. And… I believe you and I’m here for you.”

“What does that mean?” Mo asked, curiosity and suspicion clear but loaded with weariness.

“After seeing that memory and hearing what you said, I don’t think you hurt anyone. Knowing that, I want to help you.” I placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. “And I can lend a helping hand. Or, I guess two, depending on what arm I use.”

Mo stared at me, looking for something to pick apart. Trying to find the lies. When she found none, a small smile turned her lips. A genuine smile that made her face bright and lightened her burden. “No one’s ever said that to me before. Especially the arm thing,” She laughed, high and clear, and I found myself smiling in turn. “Smoky… thanks. That… that…” Tears blurred her eyes. Before I could say something comforting, she hugged me, crying against my shoulder.

I was stunned, but I didn’t pull back. Instead, I rubbed her back as she let out her pain, a drop out of the bucket that had long overflowed. We stayed like this for quite a time. And when my time was done, I let myself come undone.

Mo nestled her head between Amethyst and me as we embraced her shaking body. Mo didn’t let go and neither did we. A few tears rolled down my face, but whether they were sympathetic or happy, I couldn’t tell. Amethyst whispered in Mo’s ear as she tried to soothe her.

Here in the Kindergarten, the sight stripped of its life, we held a Gem who’d been wandering alone her entire existence. And we let her cry until she exhausted herself. Today, in this lifeless place, we helped someone start again.