Just a sidenote, I started writing this way back whe Can't go back aired, so at that time I didn't know White Diamond's powers

-So Peridot…right? What do you think it is? _Doug asked.

-Well, from the information we have, it might be… THAT.

-What do you mean? _Steven asked with curiosity.

-…It was a project ordered by White Diamond. When I was on Homeworld it was just beginning development. Unfortunately as I was not part of the Project, I know very little about it.

- ANY information will be appreciated. _Priyanka replied

-They were looking for a way to control all the minds of the gems so a rebellion wouldn't happen again.

-So you are saying that all those corrupted gems that are acting weird is because something is controlling their minds, but ...that means that I… Oh no _ Connie's fears had been confirmed.

She began to shake, her mind was clouded with thoughts of her losing control. What will happen if she ended up attacking her family and friends? Then Steven and the Maheswarans got closer to support her

- Don't worry, we are here _Doug put his hand on her shoulder.

-Thanks… to everyone _she calmed down a little and smiled at them.

-But wait. _Steven realized something_How is it taking more time with Connie than with the corrupted gems?

Peridot took a moment to think.

- Maybe it is because it wasn't designed for humans, and it probably didn't expect that the bite would infect her. They are both struggling with each other. That would explain the headache and the decrease in her temperature.

Peridot prepared herself to saythe next sentence.

-But one thing is for sure, it will not stop until you have taken full control of its host.

Peridot's words were discouraging, but none of them was going to give up.

-And how do we help her? _Priyanka asked.

- …Like I said, I don't have much information. I know what it does…not how.

All of them looked at each other with dejected eyes. They knew what was happening but they didn't know how to stop it. Doug finally spoke.

-And why is it here? To conquer us?

-I think it is more like a field test… You see, a thing capable of this needs too much energy, just as in a Kindergarden it would have to consume the vital energy of the Earth and unfortunately, I don't know the scale of this, but the organic life of this planet could be in danger.

Everyone froze in place, things kept going from bad to worse.

-Garnet, we have been searching for hours and we haven't found a single clue. _Amethyst said a little tired.

-We must continue Amethyst. We promised Steven that we would get to the bottom of this. _Garnet replied

-Besides, if this is something from Homeworld, the whole planet could be in danger. _Pearl claimed

-Fine…fine

Suddenly, a smoke-like creature attacked them. At first they thought it was a corrupted gem, but when they hit it, their weapons passed through it. When they looked at it carefully, they realized that it had no gem and its body wasn't made of smoke but the same black dust they had seen before.

-WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?

-We don't know, but we have to stop it.

Lars had been exploring the tunnels for about an hour. He tried to call Steven but there was no signal down there. He could return, but he wanted to continue until he found something. Besides the vines didn't seem bothered by his presence.

-Wow, this is like a giant maze. How big will it be? _He told himself

But Lars was so distracted that he did not realize he had stepped on one of the vines. This immediately went crazy and attacked, followed by others that were near by.

-HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? LEAVE ME ALONE?

He tried to run, but one of them took him by the foot and fell and when he was about to shout to make a portal, other one covered his mouth. He soon found himself held to the floor by several vines. He tried to call for help but it just came out as muffled screams.

Connie jumped in place. She was startled by the vision she just had.

-Connie, what's wrong?_Steven said, concerned

-… Lars is in trouble.