Steven Universe: The Return [English FanFiction]

35. When Words Fail, Fists Fly

[Jasper charges at Stevonnie with her crash helmet, but they easily blocks it at full force with Steven's shield and knocks Jasper backwards.]

Stevonnie: You know, Jasper, you've gotta be the most stubborn gem I've ever met. I've told you already, I don't want to fight! But here you are, throwing punches like it's the only way to sort things out. Can we at least try to talk this out like reasonable people?

Jasper: *slamming a fist into her palm* Talk!? Nah, I'm a Quartz Soldier! I don't talk, I fight! That's what I'm made for!

Stevonnie: *sighs* Yeah, yeah. Same old, same old...

Jasper: For some reason, there's just something about you that makes me wanna smash your face in. *points aggressively at Stevonnie* So you better start taking this seriously, 'cause I'm not holding back anymore!

[Jasper rushes at Stevonnie, slamming her fist into the ground just as Stevonnie dodges in the nick of time. They counter with a punch to Jasper's cheek, connecting solidly before avoiding another of her strikes.]

Jasper: *panting* You're pretty good, better than most Quartz Soldiers. So why waste yourself on... whatever you're doing? Doesn't matter, though. I'm still taking you down!

[Jasper walks toward a pile of debris, sifting through it until she finds a large boulder. Grinning, she lifts it effortlessly.]

Stevonnie: *raises an eyebrow* Uh... what exactly are you gonna do with that?

Jasper: Catch!

[Jasper hurls the boulder at Stevonnie, then grabs more, launching them one after another.]

Stevonnie: Not sure what you're hoping to achieve here, but alright.

[Stevonnie swings their sword, slicing through each boulder in mid-air, the pieces shattering on impact. But as the rocks break apart, they create a thick dust cloud, swirling and obscuring everything in sight.]

Stevonnie: *coughing slightly* Ah, I see. Kicking up dust to block my vision, huh? Real clever. Too bad it works both ways, 'cause now you can't see me either.

[Jasper's laugh cuts through the dust.]

Jasper: Don't need to see you; I can hear you just fine!

[Jasper bursts out of the dust behind Stevonnie, landing a hard punch right to their liver, causing them to cry out in pain. Stevonnie immediately whirls around but catches only the sight of Jasper disappearing back into the dust.]

Stevonnie: Crap. She's fast. Didn't even hear her coming... Alright, focus up! She's using the dust to throw me off. Can't rely on just my eyes here...

[They close their eyes, honing in on every sound, every shift in the air around them. Footsteps, the subtle gusts of wind.]

Stevonnie: *smirking* Gotcha!

[They pivot sharply, throwing a punch to their left, connecting with Jasper's forearm as she blocks the attack.]

Jasper: *grinning* Not bad... But not nearly enough!

[Jasper grabs Stevonnie's arm, twisting it painfully. They wince, but manage to break free. Before they can strike back, Jasper vanishes into the dust again. As it finally begins to settle, Stevonnie's eyes dart around, scanning for her.]

Stevonnie: *rubbing their arm* Great, the dust's clearing up. But where'd she--!?

[Just then, they hear movement from the right. They turn sharply, only to find nothing there. Jasper seizes the moment, appearing from their blind spot on the left.]

Stevonnie: *eyes widening* No wa--

[Jasper delivers a crushing blow to Stevonnie's cheek, following up with a brutal uppercut that knocks a couple of their teeth out. Blood spraying from their mouth as they groan, clutching their face in pain.]

Stevonnie: Argh!

[But before panic can fully set in, their teeth regenerate, thanks to Steven's healing powers.]

Stevonnie: *sighs in relief* Oh, thank goodness for--

[Jasper wastes no time, delivering a brutal kick to Stevonnie's ribs, sending them sprawling onto the ground. Jasper then starts spin-dashing and runs over Stevonnie ten times consecutively, leaving them sprawled on the ground, disoriented, their sword slipping from their hand.]

Stevonnie: *dazed, looking around* My sword... where...?

[Jasper towers over Stevonnie, picking up their sword.]

Jasper: *inspecting the weapon* Nice sword. I think I'll keep it for myself.

Stevonnie: *barely lifting their head* Give it... back...

Jasper: *laughing* Finders-keepers!

[Jasper charges again, but Stevonnie rolls out of the way just in time, feeling the rush of air as Jasper drives the sword into the ground, the blade sticking deep. Jasper yanks it out, attempting another strike.]

Jasper: Hold still, you miserable!

[Thinking fast, Stevonnie sweep-kicks Jasper's legs out from under her, knocking her off balance. Jasper stumbles, growling.]

Jasper: You think that's enough to take me down!? Pathetic!

Stevonnie: Not really. But it's enough to buy me a second!

[Stevonnie springs to their feet with a kip-up, then delivers a crushing punch straight to Jasper's gut. Jasper gasps, winded.]

Jasper: *in pain* Ngh! You little--

[She lunges again, swinging the sword wildly. Stevonnie ducks and weaves, dodging each blow, quickly closing the distance.]

Stevonnie: You think you can beat me with my own sword?! Think again!

[With a rapid flurry of punches to Jasper's stomach, Stevonnie finally forces her to drop their sword.]

Jasper: Agh! Fuck!

Stevonnie: *picks up their sword* Finally! Got it back!

[Jasper collapses to her knees, panting heavily, disbelief written all over her face.]

Jasper: What... what the fuck are you? You've done some serious damage with those basic punches... How?

Stevonnie: *slinging their sword over their shoulder* Well, what can I say? Now, how about you throw in the towel? We don't have to keep this up, you know?

Jasper: *enraged* Not a chance!!

[Jasper charges at Stevonnie with her spin-dash combined with her comet charge. Stevonnie braces themselves, ready to parry Jasper's Spin Dash with their hands.]