The Pantheon

The Pantheon's Assault

(Narrator's POV)

Not waiting for them to make the first move, Lapis struck and used multiple water hands to hold the Pantheon in place as Greg got the Little Homeworld Gems in the van and began to drive off....just as the Pantheon broke free!

"Heh. It won't be that easy." Cobalt said as she sent Lapis back with a punch! Bismuth tried to help, but was stopped by a telekinetic blast from Beryl!

While all this was going on, Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst tried to stand against Dark Aura Onyx and Fire Agate. But even with the numbers on their side, the 3 Crystal Gems were no match for the Gem Commanders as Dark Aura Onyx unleashed a wave of dark energy that sent all 3 crashing into nearby trees!

Seeing Greg's van in his sights, Fire Agate lept into the air before firing a massive blast of red energy right at the vehicle!

"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Garnet screamed as...

*BOOOOOM!*

All anyone could do was watch as Greg's van was now a smoldering wreck. And while the Little Homeworld Gems were no doubt shattered, Greg used what little life he had left to crawl out the wreckage...only to see Dark Aura Onyx looking down at him.

"You should feel honored: You're the first human in quite a while to experience my Dark Aura. I wonder what you will see that will drive you mad?" He asked as his hand glowed and he grasped Greg's head, imbuing his mind with dark images....

*In Greg's Mind....*

*What? Where am I?*

"D...Dad? Dad!" A voice called out as Greg saw Steven.

*"S-Steven! You're alright!"*

"Why do you care? You never cared before. I guess it's because you think it was harder for you growing up, right? Oh how horrible Meatloaf and braces were. That's way worse than having your mom's family want you dead." Steven said, his voice becoming even darker.

*Please Steven. Help me. You know I didn't mean that the way you think I did.*

"Then how did you mean it, Greg? What excuse could you possibly come up with this time for your incompetence?" Another voice said as Pearl then came up from behind Steven.

*I didn't mean it!*

"Excuses Excuses. That's all you're good for, Greg! Yeesh, why did Rose waste her time on a sad excuse of a man like you?" Another voice said as Amethyst then appeared.

*It's not what you all think! It really isn't! Please hear me out!*

"We've "heard" enough, Greg. That's your problem: All talk. No action. You say you want to be a good father to Steven. But where were you at times when he needed you? Why did you always expect US to do your job for you?" Another voice said as Garnet appeared.

*No! Please! It's not like that at all!*

"You failed in being a father to our son, Greg Universe. I can't believe I saw any redeeming qualities in you." Another voice said as Rose appeared to a tearful Greg.

*I'M A GOOD FATHER! I TRIED TO BE A GOOD FATHER! PLEASE LISTEN!*

(Back in the real world….)

"Greg! No!!!" Bismuth exclaimed as Dark Aura Onyx began to manipulate Greg's body like a puppet, using his Dark Aura to cause the elder Universe to walk straight towards the beach cliff!

"No. Don't you dare!!!!" Garnet exclaimed as Dark Aura Onyx caused Greg to walk off the cliff and fall to his death. And while this was nothing short of tragic and infuriating for the Gems, Greg wouldn't be The Gem Commander's only victim as Connie was doing her best to hold her own against Cobalt. But unfortunately the teen girl was getting overwhelmed by the Gem Lieutenant.