Chapter 36: The Fun We Have Alone Together

Summary: Getting our fusion on

"Alright people, let's take it from the top." Quartz sat awkwardly as the Gems stood around. "Now, the dancing sequence for fusion involves matching each other perfectly, understanding the other and mimicking their movements to align your thoughts and emotions." Pearl explained. "Some of us dance with grace and elegance as we treat the power with respect …" She turned to Amethyst. "And some gems are just problem children."

"She means some of us like to actually have fun while dancing." Amethyst retorted. "It's like next level shapeshifting, except you're sharing it with someone else, so you have to be on the same wavelength, or you'll end up a mess."

"Trust me, I know." Quartz shuddered, remembering the Blood Moon. "But I can't get held up with what happened before. If I'm going to be serious about gem stuff, I can't hide from fusion." It was a part of him that he needed, no, he WANTED to be comfortable with.

"So let's get you started with some basics." Ruby spoke up. "We'll hook you up with Amethyst first, you two have the easiest … 'wavelength' to work with."

"She means the two of you are the youngest gems here and thus are more likely to sync up." Sapphire added on. He swore the blue girl looked super invested in this, even if he couldn't see her eyes.

"Alright then." He started to grab her hands and dance like Kelly taught him to at the ball. "Now lets.."

"Dude, you got to relax more." Amethyst got out of the hold he put them in. "And what's with the ballroom stance? That's more what Pearl's about than me."

"Um … this is the only way I know how to dance." He admitted. "The silver bell ball is the only time I do it regularly."

"No prob, we just got to rework your brain." Quartz hoped that wasn't going to be literal. "Now, just copy what I do, and relax." 

Quartz did so, standing side by side as he watched Amethyst move. He raised his hand like she did, and moved his legs in the same motions, even if he felt completely out of place doing it. She then smirked, starting to roll her body around and lightly spin. Quartz tried to follow, but it still felt awkward.

"Okay, now synchronize!" Pearl called out to them, which apparently signaled Amethyst to pick him up, Quartz guessed him being in the air would've been the moment the fusion would've started, but Amethyst accidentally slipped and he fell to the floor instead. 

Amethyst started laughing. "Not bad for a first timer."

"Except it's not his first time." Kelly, watching from the side with Marco and Star, pointed out. "He kinda just did it the first time, with us laughing at how bad he was at dancing."

"I keep telling everyone Star's the better dancer." The boy grumbled.

"Maybe it's knowledge?" Pearl spoke to herself. "We might need to spend some time together."

"Maybe you guys are the problem." Star spoke up from her spot, uncharacteristically silent as she sipped a juicebox.

"We've been at this for millennia, and you think you know better than us?" Pearl spoke arrogantly.

"I mean you guys are made of light and Quartz is human, and he's only ever fused with Kelly so …" People really seemed to forget how smart Star could be at times.

"Fusing with organic beings shouldn't even be possible, I can't even imagine how much of their internals would still be intact from all the shifting around." Pearl rolled her eyes. He had a feeling she wouldn't believe Kurtz existed until she saw it for herself.

"If you want proof, maybe we could…" Kelly tried to suggest herself.

"No way, no how am I letting that happen." Tad popped up from her hair. "I know how personal this gets, and I'm going to make sure it never happens again."

"Yeah, I'm gonna go for someone else if I'm trying to get used to the concept." Quartz agreed for entirely different reasons. "Meaning my only options are …" He looked at Star and Marco.

"Don't look at me, this is too freaky for me, even for us." Marco backed away.

"And the idea of doing something this…intimate…with Star already makes me squeamish, so that's already off the table." Quartz shuddered. "I guess we can just put it off for another day…"

"I'll do it." Everyone jumped and pulled out weapons against … Jana?

"How long have you been sitting there?" Pearl asked, holding a spear to the chip eating girl.

"Ever since Amethyst started to do her sexy dance." She pointed to a gaping hole in the cave wall. "You guys still haven't fixed the mess from Sugilite."

"Eh, that's fair." Amethyst shrugged. "So, whaddya say, Quartzy? Are you up for it?"

Quartz could've used this as the perfect time to say no and avoid fusion for the rest of his life…but that was the opposite of what he should be doing. Besides, Jana was usually fun to be around, at most if this didn't work, they'd have something to laugh about afterwards. "Sure, let's go for it."

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Pearl watched the two stand side by side, Jana picking out their music. "I still have doubts this will work." She muttered.

"Just wait then, I'd love to take a picture of your shocked face." Star smirked with mischief.

"Star." Sapphire spoke, walking up to the girl. "Whatever happens, you will be whatever the fusion needs … whether it be acceptance, a viewpoint … or responsibility."

"Responsible, this girl, I'd love to see it." Pearl rolled her eyes. She was half the reason why Quartz got into trouble as much as he did.

"I don't need responsibility, I have friends who have enough for everyone."

"Exactly." Marco spoke. "I'll make sure they stay out of trouble. Isn't that right guys?"

"Yes … absolutely true." Kelly spoke half heartedly.

"Alright, I think I got something. A bit of Techno Ballroom Remix." Jana placed down her phone, letting the music play out. "Shall I take the lead, good sir?" She spoke overdramatically.

"Why thank you, milady." Quartz responded to the sentiment with a light bow of the head as he offered out his hand to the most troublesome human Pearl has seen in recent years. The boy needed to be around better influences.

The music played, the two took on a classical dance, only offset by sharp and fluid movements whenever the music shifted right, Jana giving Quartz a twirl as he spun in place, before spinning with him around the cave. A mixed up leg resulted in them falling on each other, followed by laughter … and light … and shifting … oh stars they were fusing!

"Wow, that was fast!" Star held a camera up, ready to picture whatever came out. "Almost just as fast as Kurtz formed."

"Yeah, I never see Jana act that…normal before…as normal as this situation allows them to be." Marco commented.

"It's happening, it's happening, our boy is fusing, our BOY IS FUSING!" Sapphire said as Ruby shook her back and forth in excitement, the two Gems kept on smiles that refused to go away.

"This is incredible!" Ruby joined her. "Just look at them, this is gonna be amazing!"

Inside of the light stood a figure with colorful and casual clothing, their skin covered in pink. Hair was kept into a small bun, the face had a set of four eyes and a large grin. "Helloooo ME!" The fusion shouted out, arms extending far from the body, before snapping back in place. "Jeez oh my, would you look at this, a fusion! How incredible and fascinating and spectacular! Say, what should I call myself?"

They made their hand trail around their body, tapping their shoulder, turning around to see nothing, the free hand shapeshifted until it formed a perfect replica, with a whiteboard and lab coat. "Obviously, according to the laws of name calling." They drew the original's attention. "Quartz and Jana share the A, so make it Quana."

"Well why didn't I think of that?"

"You did, you were just too funny to think it through." They double pushed a small section of the head in, as they both laughed and shapeshifted back to their original state …. Oh stars, it was Spinel all over again. "Well, you heard the lovely voices inside my head! Say hello to the one and only, QUANA!" The being twisted herself into a striped red and white outfit with a cane in their hands as confetti flew out of nowhere.

"... Quartz's innocence and fun loving nature plus Jana's love of the weird and mischief." Marco spoke, his face a bit pale. "We're all doomed!"

"Oh don't be like that Marco, old buddy old chum!" They jumped over and gave him a hug. "We're not doomed yet, the lovely little sky is bright and sunny and the ocean isn't being stolen by a crazy mirror lady. Of course, there is the little thing behind you-"

"What thi-" Quana proceeded to use a third arm they grew to toss a water balloon in their face.

"Hah! Learn to live a little, Daniel-son. A little wax on, wax off treatment on your face ought to turn that frown upside down!" The fusion began squeezing the boy's face, actually making it shift and move like it was clay. "There, a pretty smile that'll have all the ladies named Jackie Lynn Thomas running to your door!" A large oversized mouth took over the majority of Marco's face.

"AAAHHH!" The boy grabbed his face, trying to put it back in place. "How'd you even do that?! Shouldn't you just have Quartz's powers?!"

"I do! I just know how to take them to the next level!" Quana laughed.

"You seem pretty easy going…" Kelly looked at the fusion with a bit of a strained look. 

"Well of course I am!" They grabbed the girl in a hug, holding their faces cheek to cheek. "Life is so short, beautiful and amazing, we should explore it!" The fusion gasped. "Let's go on a joyride!" They laughed, spinning their legs fast enough to sound like car tires as they sped off.

"They look like they're having fun." Star smiled at the whole thing. "No awkwardness at all."

"I know, it's such an amazing bond they have." Ruby grinned widely. "They're just love and fun for everything around them!"

"Yeah….so much….fun." Kelly's eyes were twitching. "There's no hesitation with her at all.." The girl grumbled a bit bitterly.

"They truly are amazing …" Sapphire smiled as she turned to Star. "You should probably go after them, I foresee fifteen destroyed buildings."

"And my face won't stop smiling!" Marco shouted, obviously in need of help. Maybe they should get a couple of Rose's tears from the fountain.

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Amazing, incredible, spectacular, fun. These were the words to describe everything! The sun was warm, the breeze was cool, the people said the silliest of lines.

"Watch it, you rubber hose reject!" Someone from a car when they landed in the middle of the street.

"Rubber hose you say, what an excellent idea!" Quana ripped a fire hydrant in half, absorbing the water, turning their hand into a hose as they shot the man with water. "Better straight then up, don't need rain on a parade!" They laughed.

It was incredible, everything around them just looked so incredibly wonderful to experience, they just needed that extra push! Looking at the nearest building, Quana made their legs springy and jumped atop of it, making the building itself feel as plush and soft as Lion's mane.

I still don't get how we do this. It's just your mind that's limited, I'm an expanse.And I know it all. So as long as we have fun, we can do anything? That's what I'm getting at here. Say, that giant donut looks delicious.

Grinning, Quana opened their mouth comically wide and took a big chunk out of it, chewing it around in their mouth. "I taste steel, paint coating … with a hint of copper." Such a lovely palette.

"Hey, crazy!" Quan blinked, looking down at the yelling man. "Get off there, and pay for the damage!" Right, they couldn't just get free food, paying was a thing!

"How silly of me, I almost forgot." They extended a finger into Lars's wallet, pulling out money. "Forty five, forty six … that should cover it." Smiling, Quana gave the man a wedgie, laughing as they jumped away. "Try not to be a jerk anymore, Lars!"

Wow, that felt better than I thought it would. It always feels better when they actually have it coming. It was amazing to actually have someone to talk these things out with. Being alone together…it felt great!

"Quana!" The fusion looked, seeing their friends running up to them. "You run … way too … fast." Star panted.

"So we need transportation!" Quana realized. "Let's see … oh, that car looks fun. Everyone get on, I'll put it in neutral and we can speed on through the town Tokyo Drift style!"

"Do either of you even have a license!?" Marco said with the pretty smile they gave him still on her face.

"Why yes." She shifted her finger and tossed over a card. "Licensed in fun and happiness, spreading joy to the dull lives of these amazing and wonderful people!"

"Everything here just says fun fun fuuuu-" They grabbed Marco, giving him a spin.

"Loosen up buddy, come on, take a chill pill!" They got an actual pill that was emanating frost and shoved it down the kid's throat.

"So cold…everything is so cold." The boy turned blue, falling to the ground shivering.

"Now no one can't say you're not the coolest guy in town." Quana jumped on the car they made and turned their hands into cannons. "Let's light the sky on fire!" They shot purple bubbles from them, and pretty fire started to fall all around them, just like Star's wand day! No wonder why she kept making rainbows!

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Star looked at the pink fusion of her brother driving away, setting the sky on fire, and her best friend, who was smiling while frozen. "Alright, this has gone too far." She held up her wand. "Crystal Rainbow CHAINDOWN!" Thankfully, the thing decided to work for a change, creating crystals that held down the combo.

"Aww, what gives!?" They shouted, turning their head one eighty. "We were just about to ride the waves of cotton candy and play with laser puppies!"

"You're out of control!" Star shouted at them.

"Objection!" They formed their free hand into a lawyer. "You're out of control! My client is innocent I tell ya."

"I'm in complete control! My magic isn't setting people on fire!" For once.

"Aww come on, it's so fun!" Quana wiggled their way out of the binding. "We get to have fun, no mom, no gems, no rules, just freedom and chaos!" They laughed.

"Yeah, and the collateral damage you leave behind." Kelly sided with Star, ready to pull out the sword.

"Oh come on." They waved off, turning their hand into a fan. "We haven't set the entire town on fire." The rainbow colored smoke was saying otherwise. "..as much as we could've."

"No, either calm down or defuse! That is your only option here, buster!" Star threatened.

"Okay, there's just one thing I gotta tell you…" Quana stretched their neck out and whispered into Star's ear. "..Whatya going to do about it!?" Quana twisted their body free, now wearing a tacky yellow suit with a matching hat. "Somebody stop me!" They playfully shouted before running off.

"Warnicorn STAMPEDE!" Star shouted, riding one of the creatures she summoned after the enemy, Kelly following suit.

"So it's that kind of game we'a play'n now, partner?" Shifting into a cowboy outfit, the fusion used its arm like a lasso and swung onto one of the street lamps. "Might wanna say your prayers, little fellas. This town ain't big enough for the three of us!"

"There's four of us!" Tad came out with … was that a gun!? "Brought this so I wasn't useless!" He was shooting her brother and friend from Kelly's hair!

The fusion looked down at the holes inside of them. "Well … talk about a quick draw." They laughed, filling them back up, and pulling out a ROCKET LAUNCHER! "My turn partna!"

"Aaaaah!' Kelly screamed, bracing for impact…only for it to never come when it just hit Tad instead with pie.

Quana laughed. "You should have seen the look on your faces, pftttaa, priceless."

"Alright, you asked for it!" Star charged up. "Rainbow Sparkle Prison BOMB!"

"Then I should probably get serious too!" Quana stretched her arms out behind her by thirty or so feet, encasing her fists in purple bubbles. "Slingshot bubble bazooka!" 

The explosion that resulted from it blew everyone back, Star being just a little too close, with a pebble or two scratching her face.

"How was … that?" Quana stared at Star's face with worry. "... You're hurt … I didn't mean to-" Their body was covered in light, two forms ejecting from it.

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Jana came back to her senses, groaning and laughing. "Other than overdoing it … that was amazing!" She was so weird and pink and happy, all at the same time!

"Star, I'm so.." The girl didn't even give the kid the chance to feel sorry for it as she hugged him in a tight squeeze.

"It's cool, just a scratch, you're back to normal, and i'm not the responsible kid anymore!" Star sighed. "I have no clue how you put up with me."

"Because, in small doses, it can be the funnest time I could ever have." Despite how it ended, Quartzy's smile was the biggest she's ever seen. "Sorry for putting you guys through so many problems."

"We're just glad to have you back, Quartz." Kelly got a little too close for someone that had a boyfriend to be this intimate.

"Thanks…But it's Steven now." Huh?

"Wha?"

"Hmm?"

"That's my name, right? Steven Quartz Universe Butterfly."

"It definitely suits you." Jana reassured with a back pat. "A one of a kind name for a one of a kind person."

The boy smiled. "Thanks … oh, is Marco okay?"

"He's fine … probably." Star spoke. "We kinda left him behind in the chase."

"Let's hope the changes we made faded with Quana." Q-Steven and the group made their way over, but Jana was stopped when Kelly got in her way.

"So…you and Qu-Steven?" Kelly asked. "You seem so…chummy together."

"I mean why not." Jana shrugged. "You already have a boyfriend, and he's a single guy. So we're just pals having fun together."

"Yeah…friends having fun together…" Kelly muttered. "Having fun…alone together." 

"Hey, you know he needed this. I was in his head just like you were." Jana rolled her eyes. "He just needed time to melt away all those worries."

"Who knows." Tad shrugged. "Maybe we can fuse at some point."

"Heheha, yeah that's not going to happen, ever." The sweet kid could surprisingly be bitter towards people.

"I was talking about me and Kelly! You know, I'm sure gem plus magic equals some type of substitute or something."

"Whatever." She shrugged, going back to the rest of the group. Today was one of…no, THE best experience in her life, and she was going to cherish it for as long as possible.