Trying to Smile Again Continued (Steven UniverseUniverse Fic)

Part Four Chapter Seven: A Plan is in Order

"Hey Steven! I came as soon as I got your text."

Connie said, bursting through the door of the temple. Steven and the gems sat on the couch. Spinel was asleep at the end of the bed. Steven put a finger to his mouth, shushing his friend.

"Oh, sorry," Connie whispered.

Garnet signaled for them to meet upstairs. Once they were in the room, Steven shut the door slowly.

"Ok... let me fill you in..."

*One long explanation later*

"Wow... that's a lot to take in," Connie sighed.

Connie sat onto Steven's bed, holding her head in her palms and resting her elbows on her knees.

"So... uh, what's the plan than," Connie asked.

"I don't know," Steven grunted, slumping against his door.

"Don't worry Steven, you'll figure it out eventually," Amethyst said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, shouldn't we focus on the Diamonds... or the rebellion-G-Garnet! You know what to do right," Pearl questioned hastily.

There was an uncomfortable silence as Garnet leaned against the glass door. She shook her head in response, receiving worried sighs from the group.

"Too many possibilities... but," she started. "We could split up. Some of us could try to figure out stuff on Homeworld... but that could be risky."

Steven shook his head, disregarding her idea. "You're right, too risky. We need a coordinated plan. One that won't fail... something the Diamonds won't expect."

Everyone thought for a moment, before Steven beamed. "SPINEL! Spinel could help us!"

"What," everyone pondered.

"I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but hear me out! She has ties with a ton of gems there! She could get us in undetected and we could make new friends to help us!"

The room was silent, until Pearl spoke, "even if we could Steven. You and we all know that she'd be concerned. Not only for her safety, but all of ours. Plus... do we really know if you cured her corruption?"

"O-Of course we do! She's fine... right Garnet?"

"Well... most possibilities say yes, but," she fixed her visors. "There are a hand few that say no."

"Aww great! Another problem to possibly deal with," Amethyst whined.

Steven grunted, holding his head in his hands. "What am I gonna do guys?"

"Hey," Connie said, getting up to comfort the boy. "We'll be alright... we always figure it out in the end."

Steven smiled slightly, holding Connie's hand in his own. "Yeah... you're right." He straightened up, coughing to grab everyone's attention. "Ok! Here's the plan..."

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Spinel's POV:

"Hehe, tag! You're it," I laughed, running away from the boy.

Steven chased me endlessly down the beach, trying so hard to tag me. I felt bad for him, so I slowed down, letting him tag me.

"Tag... you're it," he said through breaths.

"Hehe, guess you need to start running more," I joked.

He laughed along with me-thank Diamond he didn't take that the wrong way. He lifted his head towards the moon. It shined bright, creating a hypnotizing ripple effect on the ocean below. It was beautiful! All the stars, and the lights flickering in the sky! There were so many of them... each one shining in it's own unique way.

Steven and I lay on the cold sand, gazing at the sky. I started thinking about myself, about how I'm like one of those millions of stars. I'm unique... yet... different. Steven told me, "you're different Spinel. That's what makes you unique!" But was it true? All the gems that see me for the first time look at me in disgust and bitterness. If not that, then they're turning away so they don't have to look at me.

"Steven..." I said, turning my head to face him. "Is it bad that... that I look like this... act like this... is it bad that I'm unique?"

Tears threatened to roll down my cheeks, but I held them back. Steven turned his body to face me, looking at me sincerely.

"Spinel, Luke I said before, you're individuality is what makes you special! If others see that as a bad thing, it's just because they haven't met you. I mean, look at me! Every gem on, or from, Homeworld thought I was my mother! Once they got to know me, they started to listen, and understand, and care!... That's just what you need to do... just let them get to know you."

Steven's words hit me like a brick. Tears were streaming down my face, but they were tears of joy. I held a crooked smile, delighted with his kind words. I closed my eyes, wiping away the tears with my knuckles.

"Th-Thanks Steven," I said, opening my eyes. "I'll try my... best?"

What! Where'd he go?! He vanished! He's not here! I'm alone! I'm all alone again! I looked around, but my surroundings began to fade, becoming images of nothing but static. I could whispers starting to form in my head. I sat up, pounding the top of my head, begging for the noises to cease... but they wouldn't! They just kept getting louder and louder! It was torture! I clawed are my face, trying to get it to stop.

The screams... the screams, which were once whispers. They were talking to me. Asking-Telling me to help them.

"H-How," I screamed, barely able to hear my own words.

I got no response. They just kept screaming, no longer asking for help. They sounded like they were in pain. They sounded like they were horrified! Tears rolled down my face from the pain of the noise. I couldn't take it! I let out long, broken screams. I could feel my form glitching, begging to hold together. I didn't realize it yet, but I was corrupting! I could feel my gloved hands turning into razor sharp claws. My vision became hazy, as I could feel my sense of sight slipping away. My body was trembling, and shaking. My teeth became jagged, and my eyes started to... to... ooze! I don't know with what... but it hurt! The screams clouded out all my senses. They were all I heard...

They were all I felt...

They were all I knew...

Then I woke up... wondering if it was all a dream.