(Narrator's POV )
(Meanwhile back in Connie's Dark Aura Nightmare.....)
Connie sat on the ground of the bathroom as the horrible laughter from the Dark Aura school children continued to torment her. She was truly trapped in her own personal nightmare and Dark Aura Onyx had full control of it. She then quickly jumped up and ran out the bathroom, desperate for any type of escape or relief from this mental nightmare. And just when she was about to resign herself to being trapped her...
(Flash!)
A flash of light cut through the darkness as the Dark Aura school children all were vaporized by the light as Connie looked and saw none other than Steven, who looked confused and worried.
"Connie? What's going on? What happened? One minute I'm asleep at a hotel. The next minute, I'm here in what looks like a school and I've found you. What is this?" Steven asked as Connie hugged him to make sure he was real. She had to know if this was HER Steven.
And it was indeed. No doubt he used his Astral Projection ability and was drawn to her here. After letting him go, she explained the situation she was in, causing Steven to gasp. But before he could say anything in reply.....
(*What? So....you're Steven Universe. And from the looks of it, you're unaffected by my Dark Aura. Well this makes things more interesting.*)
"Who are you and why are you doing this to Connie?" Steven asked as Dark Aura Onyx chuckled.
(*You want answers? Then come find me in the real world. Come back to your home and face us, Steven.*)
"Steven, don't! These Gems aren't like anything we've gone up against before!" Connie exclaimed as Steven looked at her.
"If I don't, then you'll be stuck here. And I'm not going to leave you in this place. I don't have a choice, Connie. I'm coming home." The hybrid said as Connie nodded.
"Hey. Whoever you are, if you let Connie out of this, I'll come back home." Steven said as Dark Aura Onyx chuckled.
(*"Very well then. I shall set her free of my Dark Aura. I look forward to seeing you in person, Steven Universe.....*)
"I'll be there as fast as I can, Connie. I promise." Steven said as the Dark Aura Nightmare began to fade away as Connie smiled.
"I know. I love you, Steven." The girl said as Steven smiled back at her.
"I love you too." He replied as the Dark Aura finally faded away.
(Back in reality.....)
"A year?" Pearl asked as Connie woke up to the Gems and The Pantheon having a discussion. Apparently Dark Aura Onyx told them what had occurred in Connie's nightmare and this interested them enough to cease combat for the moment.
"Yes. That should be long enough for you to prepare, should it not? I had hoped to see Steven on this day, but now that I know he's immune to my Dark Aura, I need to formulate other methods of dealing with him." Dark Aura Onyx said as Garnet looked angry, but kept her calm, knowing that the last thing any of them needed was the fight to continue. At least they were being given a full year to prepare for the next attack.
"We'll be ready. I assure you." Pearl said in defiance as Cobalt laughed.
"Quite a lot of confidence for a Pearl. I can't wait to crush it out of you!" She said as Beryl shook her head.
"Enough, Cobalt. Let's go." She said as the Pantheon headed back to the Sun Incinerator and took off.
"We should head home and prepare for Steven's arrival." Garnet said as the Gems headed back to the Temple/Beach House.
(Later….)
When Steven arrived, not a single word was said before Connie embraced him, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed into the hybrid's embrace. Dark Aura Onyx made her endure a living nightmare based on her worst fears. No surprise that it broke her down like this.
Looking at his family, Steven sighed. He thought it was over. But just like with Spinel, he was wrong.
"Steven....I'm so sorry. This...this is my problem. Dark Aura Onyx. The Pantheon. All of it ties back to me and I dragged you back into this. I've....I've ruined your life again." Garnet said as Steven didn't say a word. He simply held Connie's hand as the two walked over to the fusion and hugged her.
"No you didn't. I've said it once and I'll say it again: There's no such thing as Happily Ever After. I'll always have work to do." Steven said as Pearl explained to the hybrid what was going on.
"So they gave us a year to prepare? They've gotta be pretty confident in what they can do. But I still can't believe what they did to Dad and the Little Homeworld Gems. Larimar, Cherry Quartz...all of them are gone. These guys are monsters..." Steven said, his anger rising as the Gems and Connie told him what happened, including the death of his father at the hands of Dark Aura Onyx.
But all that did was motivate him even more to defeat him and the rest of the Pantheon. He was going to train harder than ever, even if he only had a year to do so.
"So this means you and Connie will be training together again--" Pearl began to say until Garnet cut her off.
"No. You will train Connie, Pearl. I will train Steven personally. I know you won't like to hear this, but now is the time for him to truly understand what he can do with his powers." The fusion said as everyone smiled. Connie and Pearl looked a bit disappointed but still understood why Garnet wanted to train Steven herself.
"Not to bring up bad memories but we already did get a glimpse of what Steven's truly capable of." Lapis said, causing Amethyst, Peridot and Connie to shoot her angry looks.
"Exactly. Only a GLIMPSE. If you truly want to have a chance against the Pantheon, Steven, then you need to tap into the deepest part of your powers and do things you likely didn't even know you can do. To be honest? I actually wonder at times what you'd be like with full control of your powers and having fully tapped into them." Garnet said.
"It would certainly be a sight to behold. And one I'd be very proud to see. But for now, let's survey the damage outside." Pearl said as she, Steven, Garnet and the others headed outside.
So it looks like Steven's immune to the Dark Aura. Now that he's back and the Pantheon has given our heroes a year to prepare, will the tables be turned? See ya next chapter!
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The Pantheon
FanfictionAfter Steven's Departure from Beach City, Garnet is acting strange: She's far more reserved and quiet but unbeknownst to the others has also been having nightmares. When confronted by the others, she reveals her knowledge of 4 of the most powerful G...