Trying to Smile Again Continued (Steven UniverseUniverse Fic)

Part Four (continued) Chapter Four: Back, and With Bad News!

(Like I said in the A/N, this is continuing from my story [Trying to Smile Again]. If you have not read that, than please do, then come back. Anyway, on with the story!)

Steven was in his room, watching reruns of his favorite show, Crying Breakfast Friends. Although he had the tv on, most of his attention was on the heart shaped gem at his side. It's been a day now. She still hadn't come back and it worried him deeply. What if they did something to her? What if she doesn't reform? He couldn't do much to help, besides wait.

He let out a sigh as his show ended. Even the wonderful world of cartoons couldn't distract him. Also, it was probably a bad idea to watch cartoons, since Spinel looks and resembles much of an old rubber-hose cartoon. He left his room, Spinel's gem in hand. He walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water, hoping to clench his thirst. He saw a flash of light, and almost spilled his drink. He turned swiftly, expecting to see his friend. Instead he saw a non-reformed gem. Then he jumped when he heard thunder, followed by a flash of lightning (probably the cause of the light). He slumped onto the counter, putting his head in his arms.

"Why can't you come back," he said, hoping she could hear him. "We miss you... and we could really use your help." He got no response, which of course was expected. "Please come back," he sighed.

Suddenly, his hopes soar high when he saw a new light... a pinkish light! The pink gem flew to the air, and materialized a silhouette of Spinel. It glitched once, showing some weird looking version of Spinel. Steven seemed to not notice, he was too happy to have her back. She floated softly to the ground, as her color and texture came to light.

"Spinel," Steven yelled, wrapping her in a hug, almost knocking her over. "I'm so glad you're back!"

Spinel chuckled lightly, "good to be back. I guess."

Steven let go of her, going to the couch and taking a seat. He pat the seat next to him, signaling her to join him.

"We need to talk," he said.

She joined him at the comfy couch, playing with a string of hair nervously.

"I know what you want to talk about," she whispered.

"Yeah," Steven sighed. "What happened out there?"

Spinel drew in a breath. She looked at the ground, nervous to speak. Finally, she sighed, and shook out the nerves.

"Well... I'll start near the beginning." Steven nodded, getting comfortable for the story ahead. "I visited Homeworld, because I had a bad dream that White took over Pink Pearl again. She was actually fine... for a little. Turns out," Spinel said, starting to get choked up. "My dream w-was a vision. And it... I... I made it c-come true!" Spinel hunched over, rubbing away multiple tears with her palms. Steven tried comforting her, but it didn't really work. "Then... well. Then I r-ran. I ran and ran, until I felt like I w-was gonna poof. Finally, I found a p-place to rest. But then..." Spinel paused, wondering if she should tell Steven she was going to shatter herself. "Then... White Diamond showed up," she decided to skip it. "She showed up with an Obsidian gem, and they were talking about a new weapon. It's just like the rejuvenator I used... but this... this c-corrupts gems!" Steven's eyes grew wide with shock. He couldn't believe it, they haven't changed at all!

"WHAT?! How could they jus-"

"I'm not finished," Spinel interrupted. "I saw her use it... I saw her cold, evil grin. She enjoyed testing it on that gem... I was so scared...After seeing them, I ran away... but my stupid shoes made too much noise!" She said, while slamming her fist onto the couch. "White heard me and sent another Obsidian guard after me. I managed to slip away for awhile. I discovered a hidden room in this temple I was in... it wasn't good." Spinel grabbed her arms tightly, an expression of fear coming to her face.

"Spinel... are you ok?"

"Y-Yeah," Spinel lied, snapping out of her trance. "I found some Peridots, accompanied by what looked like, one or two Topaz fusions. I peeked into the room... and," Spinel gulped hard, eyes still wide. "They has a Tanzanite gem. Except... it was shattered. But... they... they f-fixed it! The Tanzanite managed to reform, good as new! Then, I was spotted by a Peridot... and everything is hazy from th-Steven? Steven?!"

Spinel snapped Steven out of his frightened trance. He shook his head several times, looking back at his now worried friend.

"Oh no... you're scared aren't ya?!" She didn't even give Steven a chance to speak, instead she let out all of her thoughts. "If you're worried, then it must be bad! Why wouldn't it be?! They just brought the dead back to life! That's no big deal, it's just that they can never, ever die now! We can't win! We can't fight that! What do we do, what do we do?!"

Spinel started to clench her gem really hard, almost proofing herself. Steven grabbed her shoulders and held her steady. He stared into her eyes, trying to hide his doubt.

"I'm not scared... I was just shocked. That's all-I know we can win!"

Spinel stared at him blankly, still clutching her gem. She put on a fake smile, hoping it would pleas him. It did. He stood up, placing out a hand to help her up as well. She felt a bit better, but still had a painful feeling in her stomach. And a soft ringing noise in her head. She smiled through it though, wanting to be happy. Wanting Steven to be happy. Little did she know, he was really scared.

"We need to tell the gems this. C'mon," he said, making his way to the warp. "They're at Little Homeworld. You should come with me," he said, smiling at his friend.

She nodded in agreement, stepping towards the warp. She still heard the painful noise in her head and gem. It was low, but it hurt. She shook her head, causing the pain to cease... for the moment. She put on a happy face, pretending everything was fine. She felt bad to have lied to Steven, but she didn't need-no! She didn't want him to worry. She might've left out ... one major detail of her trip. Shortly after being noticed by the Peridot, the Obsidian found her. And she had the new rejuvenator in her hand...

Then...

Everything...

Went...

BLACK!