Steven Universe: The Return [English FanFiction]

74. The Perfect Diamond

Emerald: In this universe you have to know how to fend for yourself, but you... You dedicated your whole existence to saving people, to helping them with their problems, and for what? If you fail once, no matter what you do after that, you'll never look good to anyone again.

Pink Steven: ...

Emerald: Why bother? In spite of everything you've done for them, in the end it won't mean anything and they'll end up hating you.

Pink Steven: NO! My friends wouldn't... I'm sure they...

Emerald: What friends are you talking? I don't see any around here. *chuckles* I can tell nobody cares about you, otherwise they would have come to save you by now. No, wait, I almost forgot, the savior here is YOU. *laughs mockingly* What good did it do you to save so many people in the past? That's right, nothing! You ended up alone, abandoned and at my mercy. What a pathetic ending, man.

Pink Steven: My friends did want to help me, I just... didn't want to involve them...so they wouldn't get hurt.

Emerald: Oh, I see. So you're the one who doesn't trust them at all, huh?

Pink Steven: What?

Emerald: You see them as helpless, inferior beings who need a savior always by their side because they can't fend for themselves, don't you?

Pink Steven: ...

[Every word from Emerald makes Steven doubt, causing him lose his self-confidence and motivation to keep struggling. As a result, the green color spreads faster through his body, even though he was managing to keep it at bay with his pink powers.]

Pink Steven: I'm aware that I'm no longer needed, okay!? I'm just- I'm just doing the right thing!

Emerald: Doing the right thing? *laughs mockingly* You're pitiful, dude. This is all YOUR FAULT!

Pink Steven: What?! No, it's not!

Emerald: Of course it is, you just don't want to see it.

Pink Steven: You're wrong! I know you're wrong!

Emerald: Oh yeah? You really think you've made a difference? For starters, what made you think we Gems needed your help in the first place? You just assumed we needed it and that's it! No one asked you to do anything! You're nothing but a damn busybody!

[Steven doesn't know what to say and just looks away.]

Emerald: Just admit it, Steven! You love to stick your nose into other people's business, you get a kick out of it! As far as I know, you've always been like that. You just play the hero in front of everyone to get noticed, to stand out!

Pink Steven: ...

Emerald: I kinda understand you though, you know? It's gratifying to have a crowd cheering your name with devotion. "Steven! Steven! Steven!" It feels good, doesn't it?

Pink Steven: D-Don't group us together! I'm nothing like you!

Emerald: Yes, maybe so. Since for you, Steven, that's the only way you have to feel loved, adored, useful and NEEDED!

Pink Steven: ...!!

Emerald: I, on the other hand, don't need any of that.

Pink Steven: You're just talking nonsense.

Emerald: *chuckles* Is that so? Just look at the way things are going, Steven. If it weren't for your relentless urge to help and feel needed, none of this would've ever happened! You just had to be a good lower lifeform, do nothing and stay out of the Gem stuff.