Trying to Smile Again Continued (Steven UniverseUniverse Fic)

Part Five Chapter Six: White Problems

White Pink Pearl's eyes drifted towards Steven. She shot a big, wicked smile. Steven took a hesitant step forward. The white gem didn't move a muscle. The air was tense, and hundreds of other gems watched, gathered around in a circle.

"Steven," White Pink Pearl spoke, except with White Diamond's voice.

"P-Pink Pearl?! D-Don't worry, I can help you again. You just got to fight it," Steven spoke sincerely.

The white Pearl laughed evilly, still not moving a muscle. "Haha... oh Steven. Pink Pearl isn't here at the moment, but if you'd like you could talk with me."

"No! Pink... White this isn't right! You can't do this to whoever you dislike!"

White Pink Pearl laughed again. "Of course I can Starlight. You think that everyone can just get along so easily... but you're wrong. Just look at your little friend Spinel," Steven froze at the mention of his abducted friend. "That's right, I heard about your little agreement. I have to say, I'm quite impressed. I didn't think you had it in you Starlight! Although, I'm a bit upset you didn't offer her back to us."

"Shut up," he yelled.

"Manners Steven, you're in no place to act all tough!"

Steven clenched his fists, and teeth, fighting hard not to erupt with anger. He couldn't be manipulated again... not again.

"Yeah? What about you?! You have a messenger to talk for you... you're not brave enough to be here yourself!"

"That's where you're wrong," she scolded. "You see, I'm not here because I have a little surprise in store for you Steven."

Steven raised a brow, but didn't drop his intimidating demeanor. "What are you talking about?"

"You'll have to wait and see for yourself... Pearl... capture him."

On cue White Pink Pearl charged Steven, taking out a one of the upgraded rejuvenators from her gem. Steven quickly reacted, blocking the attack with his shield. The other three Crystal Gems quickly joined him from the crowd of spectators. Each of them whipped out their weapons. Steven managed to push the Pearl away, giving Garnet an opening. She jumped high, slamming down on the white gem with her gauntlets. Pearl followed up, ready to attack with her spear, but White Pink Pearl quickly evaded the attack. She swiped at Pearl, barely missing her. White Pink Pearl rushed Pearl, trying to hit her target this time. Amethyst easily caught the attacker in her whip, throwing her away towards Garnet. Garnet caught the Pearl, and uppercuts her into the air.

"Wait, we need to help her," Steven quickly shouted while they had a moment to speak.

"There's no time right now," Garnet retorted.

Pearl ran at Garnet, who boosted her into the sky. They could barely see the two gems, as they were high in the clouds. They heard a poof, and saw the slightest hint of smoke.

"Yeah, go P," Amethyst cheered.

"Wait," Steven said, running to catch the falling gem.

The crowd of gems gasped when they saw the Pearl who was nose diving back towards the gems. It was White Pink Pearl! Steven leaped our to catch Pearl's gem, letting out a sigh of relief. He quickly kissed it, hoping it would heal her corruption before it took over. He put the gem in his pocket, and ran back to assist his friends. Garnet held the rejuvenator in her hands, playing a tug of war with the other gem for control. Amethyst saw Steven running back to help them, and ran towards him. Steven nodded, and Amethyst pulled out her whip. She latched it on Steven, and hurled him at the white gem.

"I'm sorry," he yelled, pulling out his shield in front of him.

White Pink Pearl didn't have time to react as Steven bashed her with the shield, poofing her. He saw it stay a white hue, so he picked it up and kissed it. He could see the color slowly changing back to pink... luckily. He slumped his shoulders, pulling out the other Pearl in his pocket. Amethyst and Steven joined him, taking a look at the two gems in his hands.

"Don't worry... she'll be alright," Amethyst said, but not entirely sure herself.

Steven sighed, rising to his feet. He held one in each hand, keeping them safe. He turned to his friends and hugged them, until they heard cheering. They quickly backed out of the hug when they noticed the crowd of gems around them. They forgot they were there.

"Woah, woah, thanks but, please we don't deserve this," Steven said rubbing the back of his neck.

"That was awesome," a gem shouted.

"Incredible," another cheered.

"You saved us," one more announced.

"Guys," a familiar voice shouted above the rest.

The trio perked up when they saw their familiar friends run out of the crowd.

"Bismuth, Lapis, Peridot," Steven cheered.

"What happened to stealthy," Lapis joked.

"We... had some trouble," Amethyst whispered just loud enough to hear.

The three gems raised a brow, unsure of what she meant. Steven held up the two poofed gems in his hands, looking away in shame. The three gasped in shock.

"What happened," Peridot cried.

"Pink Pearl attacked us-but not because she wanted to! White had control of her again... and she got Pearl." He looked at the friend in his hand. "She got hit with rejuvenator," he added hesitantly.

"What," the three shouted simultaneously.

"Is she ok," Bismuth asked.

"I-I don't know," Steven sighed. "I kissed her gem as soon as I could but... I don't know if it worked," he said, starting to tear up.

"Wait, let me see the rejuvenator," Bismuth said.

"Uh... ok," Steven said, quickly finding it on the ground.

He gave it to Bismuth, who inspected it over. She hummed in thought, handing it to Peridot.

"Peridot, could you-"

"Of course," Peridot cheered.

Peridot pulled out her iPad that she always held in her gem. She scanned the rejuvenator, and smiled at the results. She double checked the weapon and her device, nodding in excitement.

"Don't worry about Pearl, this is a first model rejuvenator! Spinel probably gave it to her. Meaning, Pearl is not corrupted!"

Steven teared up with joy, grabbing his friends into a group hug. They laughed with joy, and hope.

"Ok," Steven said, as they pulled away from the hug. "Did you find Spinel," Steven asked.

The others shook their head. There was no luck with anyone. They couldn't find a trace of Spinel anywhere.

"Ok, then that means Aquamarine took her somewhere... what are we gonna do?!"

He started to get scared, not knowing where his friend could be. The friend he forced away. The friend he didn't trust because of a lie. The friend he abandoned. He cried, hugging Garnet tightly.

"It's ok Steven... we'll figure it out, we always do. Until then," Garnet wiped away a tear from his face. "Think of what you're going to say when we find her."

Steven sniffed, and wiped away his remaining tears, "yeah... alright."

Garnet smiled, but it quickly dropped. She let go of Steven, and pulled out her gauntlets. The others pulled out their weapons too, but they didn't know why.

"What's happening Garnet," Bismuth asked.

"We've got company... and they have Spinel!"