Pushed Too Far (Evil Steven AU)

Test of Genuineness

Steven's P.O.V

In the blackness of my mind, I stand alone with my blade out and blood smeared on both it and my face. Then, slowly, one by one, they appear. Pearl. Ruby. Sapphire. Priyanka. All of them stand in a semicircular formation in front of me. None appear mad, nor do they ever when I dream. Always do they look sad, as if they can't bear the fact that I'm like this. Still though, I interact with them, seeing as it's all I really can do. It gives me no comfort whatsoever to do so and with what I have yet to do, those four won't be the last of those I'll see in my dreams. It's not so much dread that I feel when bearing that thought in mind, but more acceptance of the inevitable, despite it being less than pleasant.

"Back once more?" I say to them in a questioning tone, my face solid.

"Steven, please, just stop this" Sapphire pleads, her hands clasped together in front of her, "It's not too late".

"She's right, Steven" Pearl agrees.

"No, Pearl. She's wrong. So, so, wrong, in fact" I correct them, "I started down this path of my own accord and intend to stick to it until I've finished. Nothing more, nothing less. Simple as that".

"But is this really you, Steven?" Priyanka asks.

"I'm not quite sure what you mean, Priyanka. I've always been me and that won't ever change. I'm not completely nice but also not incredibly malicious or evil. Something you don't understand is that everyone is like that. A mix of good and bad. Those that are classified as "good people" or "bad people" merely show which part of the mix is dominant over the other" I explain.

"Then what does that make you?" Ruby asks.

"Neither. And also both. I'm in full control of the good and bad within me while, at the same time, never letting one overshadow the other. I spare those that are worth it and willing to be forgiven and eliminate those that aren't worth sparing and would do their heinous acts again if given the chance. All of you fell under the latter, for reasons you and I both know" I elaborate.

"And how many more lives do you intend to snuff out before it comes enough for you?" Sapphire demands, though her tone remains tearful.

"Those that continued to wrong me will have their times come in due time" I say in a simple manner, raising my arm and holding out the red-coated blade, "And their fates will be determined once I meet them".

The four of them then grow silent, nobody else speaking up again. They don't even bother looking at me anymore. Turning my back to them, I gaze into the darkness surrounding me and let my thoughts get lost in it. Is what I do something that's considered "wrong" by society? Yes. But society also lets criminals and evil people off easy with corrupt systems and a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' should they have enough money, so it certainly seems like they aren't the ones that can preach and dictate what's "right" or "wrong". Will I do this forever? No. Only a set number of people remain and after they're dealt with, my blade will be buried in the sands near the ocean and never touched again.

I can then feel myself starting to wake up, my surroundings disappearing. I would say some parting words to the echoes of those I've killed, but since I'll see them when I next fall asleep, I don't really see a huge need to. Everything fades away and my eyes open, the ceiling of Kevin's house slowly becoming clear. I immediately go to sit up, but a weight next to me in the form of my newly referred to girlfriend Alesha keeps me anchored to the bed. A small smile crosses my face when I look down at her. She's so cute when she's resting and is all around quite beautiful. I slowly peel her off of me, her hands grabbing a pillow and holding it tightly in her sleep.

It's a quiet morning with little to no sounds at all, which is a welcome change from the excessive noise of last night's party. Speaking of which, the party-goers have all left, most of the food, drinks, and tables having left with them apparently. I do find it odd, though, that nobody came in to check on Kevin after him being inside for a while. Guess it says something about him, that being that people care more for his parties than him as a person. In any case, I get up from the bed and head downstairs to make a nice little surprise breakfast for my girlfriend. As I pass by the front door, though, after making it to the bottom of the stairs, something is caught in my peripherals that gives me cause to pause. I then turn and ease my way to the door itself, planting myself lightly against it while very carefully peeking out the side window.