Trying to Smile Again Continued (Steven UniverseUniverse Fic)

Part Four Chapter Five: That Feeling... It Hurts

Steven and Spinel stepped off the warp. They took a moment to admire the scenery. Steven had completely forgotten how beautiful this place was now that it was finished. Spinel remembered this place as well. Last time she was here, it wasn't great. Although this time, she knew better. The tower, and gold-crusted star stood out the most in this beautiful town. All the houses were pretty and unique, they resembled the gem that lived there. All the gems loved Earth, and Steven was proud of that.

They ran towards Bismuth's Forge, hoping that the gems would be in there. Steven knocked on the door, and the two waited patiently for an answer. The door opened, revealing their rainbow haired friend.

"Hey guys! What brings you here," Bismuth asked.

"Bismuth! Nice to see you. Do you know if Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl are in there," Steven asked.

"Sorry Steven. You just missed them."

Steven sighed in discontent, Spinel patted him on the back for comfort.

"Buuut," Bismuth started, catching the attention of the two pink gems. "I do know where they're headed. They just left with Lapis and Peridot. They're going to the top of the central tower."

Bismuth pointed to the tower, with the spinning object on it, in the middle of Little Homeworld. Steven and Spinel smiled, both of them thanking the blacksmith.

"See ya Bismuth," Spinel yelled, as they ran to the building.

"Later Spinny! Don't be a stranger," Bismuth yelled back, waving goodbye.

The two gems made their way to the tower. They got to the elevator, but couldn't use it, since it was at the top. Steven hunched over, catching his breath.

"What... are we... gonna do now," he asked through breaths.

"I don't know," Spinel said, stretching her arm to scratch her head cartoonishly.

Steven noticed her funny demeanor and cracked her a smile. Spinel stared back in confusion, waiting for an explanation.

"What," she asked nervously.

"Spinel, you have super strong stretchy powers! You could stretch, or spring us up there!"

"W-What?! But I-Don't you have floating powers?!"

"I'm too tired to jump that high," he lied. "It has to be you!"

He really wanted Spinel to bring them up there. It may lift her spirits even more, and make her feel appreciated. He smiled at her, as she thought her choice over in her head. Finally, she sighed. She cracked a small smile, and wrapped her arm around the boy.

"Ok... I'll try my best... actually... what if I don't make it-you'd be so mad. Or what if I drop you and you shatter?! I-I can't-"

"Spinel, it's going to be ok," he reassured her. "I believe in you."

Spinel blushed lightly, smiling that small adorable smile. "Ok."

She held him tight, and coiled her legs into a spring. She boosted off the ground, soaring into the air. Then they descended towards the roof, and Spinel stuck the landing.

"That was great! You did it," Steven told her.

"Aw gee... it was nothing," she said, releasing him from her grip.

"STEVEN," Pearl yelled, rushing over to inspect the boy.

"I'm fine," he laughed, hugging her.

The other gems walked over as well, although they were less worried.

"Howdy," Garnet said.

"Hey, I know you're alright. Spinel can really stick a landing," Amethyst said.

"Uh... I guess," Spinel said sheepishly.

"What are you guys doing here," Lapis asked.

"Well-"

"Obviously they're here to see their best friends! Ain't that right Steven," Peridot gleamed.

"Well... actually, I have bad news."

This caught everyone's attention. They all stood and stared in silence now, ready to listen. Steven looked at Spinel, then back at the gems.

"Ok. After Spinel reformed... do you want to tell them?"

Spinel clutched her arms. She shook her head and made a small squeak, signaling a no. Steven felt like she should tell the others, but he respected her decision.

"After Spinel reformed, she told me what she found at Homeworld. She said she," Steven shuddered at the memory that Spinel told him. "She said that... White Diamond had made Obsidian soldiers... as you know."

"We didn't know that," Peridot screamed in shock.

"Oh... right. Anyway, that's not the only thing she made. She got the Obsidians to... to improve the rejuvenator!"

"What do you mean by that Steven," Garnet asked.

"N-Now they just don't poof gems, they corrupt them!"

Everyone gasped, obviously taken back by this. The Diamonds truly hadn't changed, not one bit! Now they're trying to fight back! Spinel flinched at the mention of the device. She hated the idea of corruption. Being all alone... trapped... helpless... abandoned. And at these thoughts, a small noise came back to her head... the annoying noise from earlier!

"That's not all... they got some Peridots to, somehow, make something that can bring back shattered gems!"

No one knew what to say. Peridot, winced at the thought of other Peridots being forced to bring back gems... or worse, what if they did it willingly?! Garnet walked up to Steven, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's gonna be ok. We'll figure it out."

She hugged the boy, who hugged back. He was on the verge of tears. Everything he worked so hard for, was for nothing. It meant nothing to the Diamonds! What could they do now?! Did he really have to resort to violence?! The other gems joined in to the hug. None of them noticing Spinel.

She was over in the corner, holding her head tightly, fighting the urge to pull her hair. She heard the noises again, it was louder. It sounded like a loud ringing noise that just kept playing. As if it was on loop! She didn't want to listen to this over, and over again (like my call back :). She looked to the ground, crying profusely. She didn't even notice the gems were talking... she couldn't even hear them. She hit her head, several times, trying to settle the noise. But instead of softening the sound, it got louder... and louder... and LOUDER!She wailed in pain, trying to scream for help.

"IT HURTS! IT HURTS!"

She clawed at her face, at her gem, and at the ground. The noise was less of a ring now, and more of a scream. Millions of screams, screams only she could hear. She hit her head on the ground, which caused pain... but it didn't even compare to the sounds in her head. She didn't even know that the others were next to her, trying to comfort her. She could see her vision becoming black, until there was a bright, white, flash!