Is Steven great because he is great or because he was given power? A theory on the Phoenix Force/Pink Diamond
Given that Steven harnesses the absolute power of the Pink Diamond (not the character Pink diamond though there seems to be some residual memories of that persona of the Pink Diamond. Instead, consider Pink Diamond like the phoenix force.) Does this make him more or less important?
i mean, we root for the underdog. When he was just "Rose Quartz the renegade" there was more power in that. The little guy rebelling against the empire. Batman learning and training to be stronger and better than the supped super heroes with powers far exceeding his own. The plucky team that takes down the tier 1 player? but now, hes just the kid who was granted the all powerful power of the gods. Of course he can do anything. Of course he can win everyone over. Of course he is stronger than his whole mediocre team. Of course of course...because while he had to learn how to use his abilities, it all came easier for him because he was never a rose quartz, he was always a holder of the Pink Diamond. A rose quartz has no impressive powers. ((this is a side note but if Rose was always PD and Pearl KNEW THIS then why was she always shocked and surprised when Steven has all the powers of Pink Diamond vs a rose quartz and how evidently other than Amethyst, no one knew/recognized the Pink Diamond's powers?))
If he were NOT the holder of the PD, the diamonds would have come down and crushed him, crushed the crystal gems and crushed the earth. It is only because he hold PD that they spared him and his. By this I mean, had this been Rose Quartz, A normal Rose Quarts who stood up to tyranny...they would have lost. No one would have cared and no one would have mourned. He thinks hes strong because of who he is but its majority because he was born into power he didnt know he had yet. If he wasnt holding the PD he would have confronted all the challenges hes had in the show (healing and helping) and realized he couldn't do it. The PD holds the emotional feelings of the diamonds. Sure, each has emotions obviously and Blue is able to extend her own and make you "feel" hers but PD is different. the PD enhances YOUR emotions and enhances your realization and compassion for others around you. This is why Steven can "sway even a diamond". Its not Steven's, generally mediocre attempts at friendship (Im an actual child ((is 14)) whats your excuse) its that the PD is manipulating the emotional connection and disconnection of those he interacts with.
Maybe white diamond was right. PD does naturally attract weaker gems who have no where to go because it craves the need to "help" them. It needs to naturally expel that power to function. PD power is just not in your face or evidently noticeably that it is being used. It gives LIFE to the lifeless and enhances the emotions, the compassion, the empathy that have gone dormant.
The Pink diamond can be taken by anyone, or it can choose to be anyone (Pink Diamond, Rose Quartz, Lazangy, Pink Steven). Its obvious that the entity that was "Pink Steven" was NOT steven and it was NOT "Pink Diamond" it was the Pink Diamond's essence made real and its choice made real. It is the true power of choice that Blue and Yellow were not given (Because choice requires the need to understand its consequences like emotions). Steven, as we saw very clearly, is next to useless without the Phoenix Force...Pink Diamond.
But, does that make Steven, not steven with a gem but Steven, less important? I would say, generally, no. Because of steven's existence and free spirit the Pink Diamond was able to realize there was more to being "alive" and that it wanted to be alive with this entity - Steven. Steven influenced the Diamond so much that it CHOSE to be with him and keep him safe vs being its own "body" again (Pink Diamond character or Rose Quartz)
But maybe this isnt a story about the underdogs winning or changing the feelings of the empire. Maybes its just about Identity and how no one respects Steven then why do we ignore the Gem’s identity?
The gem IS a separate entity from Steven regardless of how we want to think of it. All the gems are their own people. Greg and Pink didnt Make a child as one entity was "lost" but when that entity was literally plucked out of steven's body it was able to exist outside of Steven. It was able to act and react without his input. The "dying" steven had zero actual ability to change what was happening and it all *was* happening. It may have been meant to be an allegory towards asserting your identity and while it can be utilized in that way it doesnt change the fact that when the Pink Diamond was removed from Steven it could exist entirely without him while he could not with out it. It was a part of him and it preferred this existence vs being its own person. They are one in some ways but can also obviously be two if for a short time.
if the feeling is to indicate that this is about accepting identities, why then, do we ignore the identity of the Pink Diamond in place of everything needs to be steven 24/7? Did the Pink Diamond have no choice then? Is choice not important as long as everyone accepts Steven/someone elses identity?
With everyone thinking Steven is his mom or Pink Diamond its fair to say that its a story about getting everyone to get their shit together and realize Steven is Steven, but is Steven still Steven without the Pink Diamond (not the character) = probably yes. But is Pink Diamond also Steven in the same sense?
Given how all the other gems function, even when shattered to some extend, if Steven's body were to die would the Pink Diamond die as well or would it continue on and have to relearn who it is?
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