Steven Universe: The Return [English FanFiction]

36. A Call To Retreat

[Stevonnie attempts to parry Jasper's spin-dash, but misjudges the force. Jasper slams into them with a bone-crushing impact, sending them flying through one boulder and slamming into another. A thick cloud of dust kicks up around them.]

Stevonnie: *coughs from the dust* Th-This day seriously can't get any worse...

[The dust slowly settles, revealing Stevonnie stuck against the boulder in a humanoid-shaped crater, looking disheveled and dazed.]

Stevonnie: Okay, scratch that. It CAN get worse! Now I'm stuck!

[Stevonnie struggles, trying to pull free, but the rock holds tight around them.]

Stevonnie: Oh, come on! This is the last thing I need right now--

[Then, a shadow looms over them. Jasper steps forward, arms crossed over her chest, her grin smug and menacing.]

Jasper: *chuckling* Well, well... look at this. How convenient... for me.

Stevonnie: Whoa, time out! I'm calling a time out!

Jasper: Time out, my ass! Now I get to bash your face in however I want!

Stevonnie: *nervous* Wait, wait! That's cheating!

Jasper: *smirking* Cheating? We never laid down any rules, did we?

Stevonnie: You... okay, you actually have a fair po--

[Jasper cuts them off with a brutal punch to the face, snapping their head back. Blood trickles from their nose as Jasper winds up and slams another fist into their gut, knocking the air out of them.]

Stevonnie: *wincing in pain, breathless* Jas--

[Jasper doesn't let up, delivering punch after punch, each one harder than the last. Stevonnie screams in pain as their body starts to glow and destabilize, the brutal hits breaking their fusion, separating back into Steven and Connie.]

Jasper: *blinking in confusion* What just--!? Who the hell are you two?!

Steven: *raising his hands, panicked* Jasper! Hold up! Just-just calm down, okay?! We can talk this through!

Jasper: Talk to my fists!

[Jasper winds up for another punch, Steven's eyes widening in terror as the fist swings toward him and Connie.]

Steven: *panicked* Oh boy!

[Reacting instinctively, Steven summons his bubble shield to protect Connie and himself. Jasper's punch landing with a thunderous thud against the barrier.]

Jasper: *shocked* What the--?!?!

[Jasper furiously pounds her fists against Steven's bubble, cracks starting to spider across the surface with each hit.]

Jasper: Get out of there and fight me, cowards!

Meanwhile, not far away...

[The battlefield is a chaotic mess, with the Famethysts struggling to hold their ground. Homeworld Quartz soldiers surge forward, overpowering them with sheer numbers. Their desperate cries mix with the clashing of weapons.]

Amethyst: *frustrated* No way... They're gettin' crushed! We gotta help, Garnet!

Garnet: Not yet. We haven't recovered from the last fight. Rushing in now would only get us shattered.

Amethyst: But--

[A Homeworld Quartz suddenly rushes them from the side; Peridot barely manages to poof her with a quick energy blast, the shot grazing Pearl's head as she ducks just in time, startled.]

Peridot: *firing wildly* Bring it on, you clods!

[Peridot blasts multiple energy beams in rapid succession, poofing several enemy Gems in quick bursts and keeping others at bay.]

Peridot: That... that was close.

Pearl: *hands over her head, trembling slightly* It sure was, Peridot! You better watch where you're shooting! You could take out one of us if you're not careful!

Peridot: I'm trying! But they just keep coming from all directions! I don't know how much longer I can hold them off!

Pearl: Garnet, she's right. We're outnumbered, and it's too much for her alone! We need to get back into the fight, now! I think we've had enough rest!

Amethyst: Guys, look! Over there!

[Amethyst's shout cuts through the noise, her finger directed at Steven and Connie, who are getting cornered by Jasper's relentless assault.]

Amethyst: They're in serious trouble!

Pearl: *alarmed* We have to help them!

Garnet: Fine. We haven't fully recovered, but we have no choice. Let's fuse!

[The three of them exchange a nod. In a flash of light, Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst fuse, forming Alexandrite]

Alexandrite: : *roaring* EVERYBODY CALM DOWN!!!

[The battlefield falls silent for a moment. Both friend and foe alike freeze in place, staring in awe at the massive fusion. Alexandrite's mere presence strikes terror into the enemy Gems.]

Jasper: *stunned* What the...?!

[Jasper stares up at Alexandrite, her eyes widening at the sight of the giant fusion.]

Jasper: What in the world is that thing?! A fusion?!

[Alexandrite points down at Jasper, a fierce glare in her eyes.]

Alexandrite: You too, Jasper! Back off! NOW!

Jasper: Tsk...

[Jasper immediately leaps back, retreating from Steven and Connie.]

Jasper: Guess there's no choice.

[Jasper shouts to her fellow Quartz Soldiers, her voice rising above the battlefield.]

Jasper: Listen up, everyone! RETREAT!!

[The enemy Gems obey without question, retreating swiftly from the battlefield one by one. Alexandrite watches them go, ensuring they are truly retreating before addressing Steven and Connie.]

Alexandrite: You two all right?

Steven: *nodding* Yeah... I think so.

[Steven says as he makes his bubble disappear.]

Alexandrite: Good...

[Alexandrite collapses to her knees in exhaustion. She groans as she begins to unfuse, separating back in Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst, who breathe heavily.]

Amethyst: *face-planting onto the ground* Eurgh... I'm alive... barely.

Pearl: *breathing heavily* You were right... We weren't ready for that.

Garnet: *panting* Yeah, that took... way more out of us than I expected.

[The team quickly regroups, worry on their faces.]

Connie: *nervously looking around* We need to find somewhere safe to hide. This place won't stay quiet for long.

Pearl: Agreed. We need to get out of sight asap.

Steven: I know a place. There's an abandoned area of Homeworld nearby. It's underground... dark, barren. No one goes there anymore. There are caves where we can hide and rest.

Connie: Given our current situation, it's the best bet. Let's move.

Steven: Yeah... we'll be safer there. At least, I hope so.