Steven: Alright, first things first, we need to gather all the gemstones of our poofed allies. And yeah, that includes the enemy Gems too.
Everyone: Okay!
[They spread out, combing the area. Among the wreckage and debris, they carefully pick up the gemstones scattered around the ground. The battlefield is eerily quiet now, just the sound of footsteps crunching debris underfoot.]
Steven: By the way, how many Amethysts are still around?
Amethyst 8XL: Just five of us left standing, last I checked.
Steven: That's... a lot less than I'd hoped.
Amethyst 8XL: *shrugs* Eh, no worries. The rest'll reform soon enough. When they're back, our team's good to go again.
Connie: Yeah, and once the rejuvenated Gems get their memories back, we'll have more people to back us up. We just have to hang in there a bit longer.
Steven: You're right... *calling out to the group* Okay, guys, we’re done here! Let’s get moving!
[The group begins their trek away from the battle site. Steven leads them, but there’s a heaviness in his expression. His mind seems elsewhere.]
Connie: *quietly, walking alongside Steven* Steven... are you okay?
Steven: *forcing a smile* Yes, I'm fine... Sorta. It's just... I won’t feel at ease until I hear from Lars and the other teams. I need to know they’re okay.
Connie: *softly* I see...
[They press on in silence for a bit, the landscape growing darker and more desolate the further they go. The sky above fades as they approach a cavern.]
Steven: Almost there...
[They walk into a cavern, its entrance dark and foreboding. The light barely penetrates the darkness inside, so they illuminate the way with their gems as flashlights. The group moves cautiously through the cavern with Steven as their guide, the echo of their footsteps filling the silence as they descend deeper into Homeworld's forgotten underground.]
Steven: This way...
[Eventually, the group arrives at the end of the cavern, where a massive cliff overlooks a vast expanse of pillars, each full of humanoid-shaped holes.]
Amethyst: *gaping in awe* Whoa...
[Everyone stands frozen, awestruck by the sheer scale of the place.]
Connie: What is this place?
Steven: A Kindergarten... A really, really big one.
Pearl: *looking around* This must be where you and Lars found the Off Colors, right?
Steven: Yeah... It’s even worse than I remembered.
Amethyst: *shivers* This place gives me the creeps.
Connie: *grimacing* Yeah, no kidding.
[They keep walking, finding a small tunnel that leads into a room inside one of the pillars, where they finally sit down to rest.]
Steven: *exhaling deeply* We made it. Let’s rest up for a bit. We won’t stay long, though. We've still got stuff to sort out up there.
Connie: We should check in with the other teams first. We need to know where everyone is.
Steven: *nods* Right.
[Steven hands Connie a communicator as he takes his out.]
Steven: I'll try to get Lars. You check in with the other teams.
Connie: On it.
[As Connie taps on her communicator, Steven focuses on his own, trying to contact Lars while.]
Steven: *to himself* Come on, Lars... Pick up. Please...
[After a few seconds of static, Lars’ voice crackles through the communicator.]
Lars: *distorted* Yo, what's up?
Steven: *relieved* Lars! Oh, thank the stars! You're okay!
Lars: *distorted* Steven? Yeah, I'm good. What's the deal, dude? You sound kinda tense. And wait, weren't you fused last time we spoke?
Steven: Long story. Where are you right now?!
Lars: *distorted* Well, uh... I'm kinda in the middle of something. You see, after getting my crew back to their old selves, we thought, hey, why not steal the Sun Incinerator again?
Steven: *shocked* WHAT?!
Lars: *distorted* The ship's on the other side of the planet, but we're almost there.
Steven: No, no, no! Lars, you gotta stop! Abort the mission, now!
Lars: *distorted* Uh, why should we stop? We're so close, man, just a few blocks away.
Steven: Plans changed! I can't tell you the details just yet, but trust me! Don't go for that ship! We need to regroup first--!
[The signal cuts in and out, Lars' voice becoming more distorted.]
Lars: *barely audible* Ste-Ste-Steven... can't... h-h-hear...
Steven: What?! Lars! *shouts into the communicator* Don’t go for the ship! Lars, head for the abandoned area! Do you hear me?! Lars!
Lars: *barely audible* Wh-wh-what... Ste-Ste.... y-y-you sa--
[Communication is abruptly cut off. Steven lowers the communicator, staring at it in disbelief. His hands tremble slightly.]
Connie: *noticing* Steven? What happened?
Steven: I lost him... The connection just cut out.
Connie: It's probably because we're so deep underground. The reception down here has gotta be awful.
Steven: Tsk. We should've done this before we came down here.
Connie: What's strange, though, is that Lars picked up right away. I've been trying the other teams for a while now, and... nothing. Not a single response.
Steven: Seriously? Oh man, That's not a good sign. I hope they're alright.
Connie: There's one Gem I haven't contacted yet, though. Our informant at the palace.
Steven: Then what are you waiting for?
[Connie taps a few more buttons on her communicator. After a brief pause, the line connects. But instead of the voice she was expecting, an unfamiliar one comes through.]
Connie: Finally someone--
????????: *through the communicator* Hello, how may I help you?
Connie: *startled* Wait... who is this? You're not who I was expecting.
????????: *with a faint laugh*Oh? Is that so?
[Connie's eyes widening as she recognizes the voice.]
Connie: No... It can't be. That voice... You're...
YOU ARE READING
Steven Universe: The Return [English FanFiction]
FanfictionIt's been nearly a year since Steven set off on a journey across the country, fully committed to therapy to address his emotional struggles and rediscover himself. During this time, he hasn't seen his loved ones in person, and the longing to reunit...
![Steven Universe: The Return [English FanFiction]](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/223296272-64-k530356.jpg)