**The Shattered Facade**

Spinel's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes fixed on Steven. "I...I was created for Pink Diamond," she said, her words hanging in the air like a challenge. "As a playmate, a friend for her to play with. But she left me in the garden, all alone, and I was just...left there." Pearl's face went white, and she took a step forward, her mouth opening as if to interrupt Spinel. But Steven's sharp glare kept her quiet, and she froze, her eyes darting to the ground. Spinel continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what happened to her," she said. "But I've been alone for so long...I just wanted someone to talk to, someone to play with." Pearl's response was almost reflexive, her voice laced with a mix of fear and submission. "Yes, my Diamond," she whispered, her eyes still fixed on the ground. Steven's eyes narrowed, his mind reeling with the implications. He turned to Pearl, his voice firm. "What does she mean, Pearl?" he asked. "What does she mean by 'my Diamond'?" Pearl's face twisted in a mixture of pain and resignation. She took a deep breath, her eyes locked on Steven's. "I...I belonged to Pink Diamond," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was one of her soldiers, one of her most trusted guards." The room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the Crystal Gems. Amethyst's eyes were wide with shock, while Garnet's face was set in a determined expression. Steven's eyes never left Pearl's face. "And Rose?" he asked, his voice gentle. "What about Rose Quartz?" Pearl's face crumpled, and she looked away, her voice cracking. "Rose...Rose was Pink Diamond," she said, her words tumbling out in a rush. "She was the Diamond, masquerading as a Quartz. She created the Crystal Gems, using us to fight her wars for her." The room erupted into chaos, with Amethyst and Garnet exchanging shocked glances. Steven's mind reeled with the implications, his eyes fixed on Pearl. He felt like his whole world had been turned upside down, and he didn't know what to believe. Spinel, still clutching Steven's hand, looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Steven," she whispered. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble." Steven's eyes softened, and he pulled Spinel into a gentle hug. "It's okay, Spinel," he said. "You're not in trouble. You're just...telling the truth." As the Crystal Gems struggled to come to terms with the revelation, Steven couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden beneath the surface. And what would happen now that the truth was finally out?