He Did It For Me: Steven's Legacy

Chapter 01: Here We Are In The Future

By popular demand, a continuation of "He Did It For Me," which will adapt "Steven Universe: The Movie."

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"Every moment you... you live. Every moment you... you love yourself. A part of me... will... will be with you. Lo... loving you b... back. I... love you... Connie Maheswaran." Those were the last words Steven said to her.

A nineteen-year-old Connie Maheswaran felt her seat bounce as the bus drove over the gravelly road outside Beach City to the newest town that neighbors it. She's changed a lot and wondered if anyone would even recognize her. She wore a white t-shirt with a pair of blue jeans and sneakers. About a year ago, she decided to have her entire left arm tattooed with many flowers of various designs and colors and a star near her wrist. She had no idea what compelled her to make such a decision, but she eventually grew comfortable with it. Her hair remained the same but was covered by a military cap she bought at a rest stop.

Several years have gone by since Steven's death. While life in Beach City resumed, the townies all still felt the loss of the boy who helped bring so much joy to the community. Everyone was heartbroken to learn about Steven's sacrifice. A great person who saw the best in everybody was gone. Never there to show off his optimism, or give support to those who needed it, again.

She saw the bus pass by a sign that read, "Now Entering Little Homeworld, a community for Humans and Gems. Constructed in loving memory of Steven Universe." Steven went to Homeworld to convince White Diamond to help cure the Corrupted Gems. So, that's what they were going to do. Connie wasn't about to let her best friends mission end there. Not after everything he gave to get as far as he did.

After they returned from Homeworld, Connie, her parents, the Crystal Gems Greg, Lion, Cat Steven, Pumpkin, Lars and the Off Colors, Sadie and the Cool Kids, Blue and Yellow Diamond with their pearls, Pink Pearl and all of Beach City's citizens had gathered around Rose's Fountain. Yellow and Blue used the power of White's poofed gemstone with their own powers, the powers of Steven's gem, and the healing abilities of the Fountain to undo the damage caused by the Diamonds.

With the Corrupted Gems healed, Yellow and Blue Diamond took White's bubbled Gem and left Earth. But not to return to Homeworld. They've felt they lost a purpose within this universe, and that the Authority is no longer the galactic power it once was and should be dissolved. No one has seen or heard from them since. Steven was later given a more proper memorial service and was buried at the top of the hill that overlooked Beach City. Connie placed her hand on her... Steven's gem. It still didn't feel right to have it or call it her own. She didn't want it, and yet she was stuck with it.

The bus then came to an abrupt stop, and the door swung as the driver asked, "Anyone getting off?"

Connie stood up and walked off, but not before she told the driver, "Thank you." She looked at the town meters away from her and took a deep breath in, then out. After Steven died, she couldn't stay in Beach City anymore, all it did was remind her of him. All of them needed to grieve in their own way, and that was hers. Her dad got a new job out of town, and the Maheswaran's moved. Connie went to a new school, met new people and graduated high school the year prior. It helped some, but not much.

Connie took a few steps toward the community but stopped as soon as she saw something approach her from a distance. As it drew closer, the young woman was able to identify the recognizable pink mane of, "Lion?" The giant feline stopped with his nose just a few inches short of her own. He then proceeded to give her a big, sloppy lick across her face. "It is you!" Connie hugged the pink beast. "I missed you too." Lion backed up a bit and lowered his body to offer her a ride. "Thanks, but I don't mind walking." Lion then gave the young woman a purr and big eyes to guilt her, like he used to do. "Oh, alright." Connie hopped on Lion back, and he dashed her to Little Homeworld as fast as he could.

Connie's jaw dropped, and her eyes widened as soon as she arrived in the community. It was small, but it was slowly becoming something beautiful. Little Homeworld had small buildings that were brightly-colored. In the middle of it, stood a still-under-construction central tower with two semi-circles on top, which rotated like helicopter blades. She saw many of the formerly Corrupted Gems aid in the construction and even caught sight of Jasper alongside the nephrite, Centi.

"Connie?!" The young woman looked to where the familiar voice came from. She spotted Amethyst with Lapis, Peridot, with Pumpkin in her arms, and Bismuth on top of one of the structures. "Connie!" The purple Gem spin-dashed down the building and tackled her friend off Lion with a big hug. "You're back!"

"Hey, Amethyst." Connie hugged the Gem back.

Amethyst got off the ground and helped the young woman to her feet. "We haven't heard from you in like forever, and here you are."

"She was gone for some time, yes," Peridot stated as she and Pumpkin levitated down on a trashcan lid, and Lapis flew Bismuth down. "But it was hardly forever. Though her physical appearance has changed very much, I might add." Pumpkin barked in agreement.

"We noticed you got some ink." Lapis pointed out.

"I missed you guys, too. I actually wasn't expecting to be greeted like this." Connie looked to the ground. "Since..."

"Hey, it's okay." Bismuth assured her friend. "We all get why you needed to leave. But we're glad to have you back, kid. Ha, probably shouldn't be callin' you that anymore."

"So, what do you think of Little Homeworld?" Lapis chimed in. "Coming along nicely, eh?"

"Yeah, it is." Connie looked down and privately wished Steven was here to see this. "So, where's Garnet and Pearl?"

"Oh, they're in Beach City with Greg." Bismuth explained. "The three of them are helping Mayor Nanefua with getting the concert set up."

"With help from Human Lars, the Off Colors, Pearl, Pearl, and Pearl," Peridot added.

"A concert?"

"Yeah! To help lift everyone's spirits. Considering what today is..." Amethyst's tone lowered for a moment, then turned back to the young woman with a casual smile. "I hope you can stay long enough for that. Sadie Killer and the Suspects are playing. And I'm the drummer and backup vocals."

"Sure, I think I can make it," Connie said.

"Well, we need to get back to work, so we won't take up any more of your time." Bismuth said and was about to return to her work but stopped and turned back around. "I almost forgot. I still have your sword in storage. If you want it back, that is."

"Thank you, but... I think it'll be better if I keep that part of my life separate for now."

"We understand. It's good to see you again."

"You too. Come on, Lion." Connie re-mounted Lion. "Let's go see Garnet and Pearl."

Lion let out a roar that created a portal and ran through it.

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Most chapters are going to remain relatively short. That way, I can get them out quicker and avoid burning myself out. Something that tends to happen when I write big chapters for big stories. Please review and critique.

Author's Note: Connie's appearance in this story is based on cubedcoconut's version of grown-up Connie.