36Epilogue: …Just Before Dawn!
Beach City…Three Weeks Later…
Steven was walking down the stairs from his bedroom to check on the Gems. Having already gone through the waiting period when Pearl was injured(1), Steven had been working with Connie on the first week to help master his abilities to keep himself busy! Unfortunately, Connie could not always be there because of tennis practice and 'school' (though Steven still had trouble grasping what she meant, but still hadn't worked up the nerve to ask her),though Connie did promise that she come by when she could to be there when the Gems fully healed! Still, Steven resolved to do what he could to improve his abilities, displaying the same 'never say die' attitude as the rest of the residents of Beach City!
You see, after the fighting died down, the residents who had fled returned to aid in the rebuilding on Beach City! True, property damage was devastating, especially after the fight between Titanium and Moonstone!(2) The crater was still visible, but most of the buildings were repaired in the following weeks, businesses reopening, and the residents returning to their homes. Mayor Dewey was doing everything in his power to get the city back up and running (especially with summer just around the corner)! Truly the residents of Beach City had the spirit to overcome any challenge!
All this was on Steven's mind, meaning he did not at first notice the Gems' gemstones glowing, signaling their return! Steven had kept the Gems wrapped up in the same basket Pearl was in during her last healing period. Now, a bright glow shined through the house, finally catching Steven's attention! Grinning widely at the return of his life-long friends, Steven watched as the gemstone floated into the glowing white, red and purple! Slowly humanoid forms of light appeared and then, in a final flash…the Crystal Gems were reborn!
As with Pearl's previous incident, the outfits of the Gems had changed during the healing process! Pearl's outfit was more or less the same, the only addition being what looked like fingerless opera gloves on her hands. Garnet's shoulder pads slimmed out while her jumpsuit changed in color, darkening the red and black, making the pink and magenta star more noticeable on her chest. Amethyst now wore a blue-black leather jacket, with stars cut where the elbows went, matching her black leggings, and her white boots had metal soles.(3) The Gems descend to the ground, eyes closed and in kneeling position…then their eyes shot open as one!
The Gems immediately summoned their weapons and grouped together in battle position, perhaps not realizing that the fighting had long since stopped! Pearl was the first to notice Steven, quickly leaping in his direction, grabbing him in a headlock and retreating back to the group! The Gems then proceeded to form a perimeter around Steven, which was only interrupted when Steven, finally shaking off the shock of being grabbed, shouted "Whoa, Whoa, WHOA! GUYS! THE FIGHT IS OVER!"
Shaking themselves out of their stupor (caused by their battle and protective instincts going on autopilot), the Gems turned to Steven, de-summoned their weapons…and gave Steven a heartfelt group hug! "Oh Steven! You have no idea, how worried we were! All through the healing state, I had nightmares about…well, the important thing is that you are all right!" Pearl speedily exclaimed, first tearing up, then calming herself down.
The Gems released the hug and proceed to get into a comfortable position. Garnet was leaning on a pillar while Pearl sat on the counter and Amethyst lay sprawled on the sofa. Amethyst then asked the question that was on all the Gems' minds, "Hey Stevie…how exactly did you beat Titanium?"
Steven smiled before he began his story….
STEVEN UNIVERSE
One lengthy explanation later…
"…and then I fired the Laser Light Cannon and shot Titanium back through the portal! After that it closed and everything started to go back to normal!" Steven finished explaining everything he saw from his point of view. All of the Gems were listening intently to Steven's story, in both worry when Steven was in danger and in awe at how he was able to beat the Armored Warrior Lord!
It took a few moments before one of them could muster up a response and that Gem was Amethyst: "So your dad actually went up to the most powerful being on the planet…and dissed him right in the face! Well my opinion of your dad just went way up!"
Though Pearl brief grimaced at Amethyst vulgar behavior, she eventually turned to Steven and asked, "So they didn't comeback at any time during our healing process?"
Steven shook his head and responded, "Nope! Connie thinks Titanium broke something when he went through the portal!"
Garnet nodded her head agreeing to Connie's theory and said, "We'll need to get ready. There is no telling how long the Riftgate will stay broken."
Pearl closed her eyes and nodded to Garnet's comment and said, "Well, Steven's bought us sometime at least! We'll have to work harder on training your abilities for when the Warrior's eventually return!"
Steven noticed Pearl not mentioning something and asked, "Well, what about Connie? She's gonna need mystical training too, right?"
The Gems looked between each other in concern! The truth was they had nearly forgotten about Connie's…metamorphosis during their healing rest! They did not have any idea of what to do with this new variable! Connie required training of a different sort than that needed for a Crystal Gem! So…they did not know what to tell Steven in regard to this situation!
Garnet stepped up to tell Steven what was on the Gems' minds, "Steven…we truthfully only know how to train Crystal Gems. We might know how to fight Forged Warriors, we just don't know the basics of their powers: what activates them, how form they take. I just don't know what we can do about…Connie."
Steven looked glum after Garnet's explanation. Now that Connie had magical abilities, it meant he could spend even more time with her! At least…that had been the idea! Now it seemed like all such hopes were dashed on the ground! The Gems noticed Steven's depressed state of mind, so Amethyst walked over put her arm around his shoulders with an encouraging grin!
"Hey, hey! Don't be glum! Just cause we don't know, doesn't mean we can't try! Hey Pearl…wasn't there some guy who said 'those who don't know, teach!'" exclaimed Amethyst trying to cheered Steven up.
Pearl giggled at Amethyst's misquote and replied, "It's actually 'those who can't, teach' but I think we all get the general idea!"
Steven laughed a little, not so much at what Pearl said as what this meant. It meant his plans with Connie were back on! Amethyst decided to give Steven a 'welcome back' noogie, while Pearl watched on laughing along with Steven. Generally speaking, the mood was bright! Only Garnet looking out the window at the sunset showed any sign of ominous thought. They'll be back…and we'll be waiting! confidently thought Garnet, before she turned back towards the good times being had!
STEVEN UNIVERSE
Back at the Clockwork Citadel…a few days later….
Titanium sat on his throne, his face looking at the holo-screen in front of him with all the expressiveness of stone! Slowly, Titanium looked down the list, which was names of various plans and projects the Warriors had been working on before his imprisonment! As soon as the Riftgate was fixed, Titanium planned on restarting and/or finishing the projects on the list! Among the names listed were as followed: Damocles, Echidna, Gilgamesh,(4) and so on…
As Titanium was finalizing his first choice, a door open revealing Electrum, with a nervously concerned look on his face. Not taking his eyes away from the list, Titanium calmly asked, "What is it?"
"Sir, the Seer's Glass has report some…rather strange activity back on Earth." stated Electrum, in a tone hinting at unpleasant news.
Intrigued, Titanium summoned the Seer's Glass after minimizing the screen he was watching for future reading. Now the Seer's Glass is not a true mirror, as Titanium had insinuated with Greg.(5) It is a spell, which summons a window in which to gaze across great distance, whether interstellar or inter-dimensional! In front Titanium, a small circle of reflective metal appeared, before expanding outward to about the size of a vanity mirror! It showed Titanium's reflection for a moment before distorting the image and replacing it with what could only be described…as a tower of water made from the Earth's oceans!
Startled by the sight, titanium nonetheless continued to watch the events unfold!(6) As the events drew to a 'happy end,' Titanium began to shake…not with fury as before…but with fear and dread! "Steven! What have you done?!" asked the Warrior Lord as he collapsed into his throne, ignoring the cuts he received from the weaponized throne!
Coming Soon: Illumination
Disclaimer: I do not own Steven Universe or any characters or elements that are contained in the series. I only own this story and the original characters (i.e. villains and monsters) and concepts that go with it. Hope you liked my foray into the Steven Universe…because after this next one-shot 'Illumination', it will be a long wait for more! Unfortunately I have to do a SheZow/Danny Phantom crossover I have been delaying and a How to Train Your Dragon story to start! So it maybe a few of months after I have finished with 'Illumination' before I get back to Steven Universe! Trust me…it'll be good! I'm hoping to get it done by Halloween! As always, please read and review!
1 Reference to the episode "Steven the Sword Fighter"
2 Referenced in the last chapter for the full battle damage
3 These outfit changes are less…obtuse, because I was nervous! I am not an expert on fashion and any criticisms will go towards improving the outfits in future Steven Universe stories!
4 Spoiler alert: These are hints at future Steven Universe stories!
5 See previous chapter.
6 i.e. Watch the episode 'Ocean Gem'