Trying to Smile Again Continued (Steven UniverseUniverse Fic)

Part Five Chapter Seven: Round Two

The Crystal Gems readied themselves for a fight. The crowd of Homeworld gems fled as soon as the ships arrived. There were three. Two green ones, and one blue one. Steven was certain it was Aquamarine. Looks like he didn't have to wait to find Spinel after all. Now all they had to do was fight back... but... why would she arrive now? She just left, what could be so great that she decided to crawl right back? Whatever it is, they were about to find out. A screen projected from the blue ship, showing nothing but static. Finally, Aquamarine appeared on screen.

"Hello Crystal Gems," she announced.

"Aquamarine," Steven shouted angrily. "What are you doing here? And we know you have Spinel!"

"Oh, you do," Aquamarine sighed. "That was supposed to be a surprise. Whatever, I can still work with this."

Steven thought to himself. What could she be talking about? I can still work with this? Was this some plan of attack? Using Spinel for something? What is he thinking, of course that's what it means.

"As you know, yes, we have Spinel. Oh, and can I just say once more, thank you dearly for lending us Spinel so nicely like that. I mean, if I was her I would certainly be heartbroken, and never trust you again!"

Steven slouched his shoulders slightly, falling for her tricks again. He was filled with the memory of those few moments. How easily he believed Aquamarine, and how easily he abandoned Spinel. He could see the absolute betrayal and sadness in her eyes. She truly was heartbroken... once again.

"Anyway-"

"Shut up," Garnet shouted. "We're not falling for any tricks this time," she gave Steven a quick glance under her visors. "If you have something to say, get down here and show us you coward!"

"Yeah," all gems shouted in unison, besides Steven.

Steven stood awestruck at how quickly Garnet and the others stood up to her like that. How stupid he was to start to fall into her trap again. He's 16 now, why isn't he smarter?! Why was he so dumb?! Why is he like his mother?! The ringing sensation came back, quickly dying as fast as it came. He couldn't focus on negative thoughts right now, they had to save Spinel.

"Well," Aquamarine scoffed, looking pissed. "Last time we met, I believe I won! Oh, wait what's that? Got nothing to say now huh?! Well then, I guess what I have in store for you pebbles will be a surprise! Emerald! Jasper! Shatter them... but not Steven... I need him alive."

On cue, the two green ships shot a blast directly at the group. They quickly evaded the attack, and steadied themselves again. After the smoke cleared, they all glared at the army before them. There stood Emerald, Jasper, and a couple gem soldiers, ranging from Tanzanites to Amethysts. This was gonna be tough, but they had to win... for Spinel!

"Attack," Jasper screamed.

The hundreds of gems rushed the Crystal Gems, all pulling out their weapons. The Crystal gems ran at them, ready for their toughest fight yet! Garnet and Bismuth were able to poof some gems at the start, but started to get outnumbered. Several gems fought Lapis and Peridot, who acted as the perfect duo, fighting off their enemies with the power of metal and water! Lapis could find spots of water here and there, and used that to poof several of the attackers. Peridot used her metal powers to move some things she pulled from her gem, easily poofing several gems as well. Peridot was almost poofed, until Lapis quickly reacted. Punching the gem with a water hand.

"Woah... that was close, thanks Lapis," Peridot said.

"Don't thank me yet," she replied, as tons more gem soldiers approached them.

Garnet fought Emerald. The fusion landed a couple hits on the green gem, dodging the destabilized she held in her hand. Emerald got frustrated and started to get sloppy, Garnet saw this as an opportunity. She snatched the device and broke it.

"No more of those please, they're against the rules," she laughed.

Emerald squealed slightly, buy pulled out a sword, ready to stand her ground... for once.

Bismuth fought Jasper, settling an old score. She made her fists into axes, swiping at the orange gem. Jasper caught her hand, and threw her against a building. Bismuth shook her head, noticing the charging Jasper running towards her. She catapulted off the building, leaping over Jasper, and coming back down with her fist as a hammer. It dealt a devastating blow to Jasper, hitting her clean on the head.

"Heh heh, is that all you got?! I beat you before, and I'll do it again," Bismuth shouted.

"Please, save the talk," Jasper retorted. "You got lucky I wasn't after you!"

"Well, you're after me now, and this time I won't let you lay a finger on my friends!"

"Hahahaha," Jasper cackled, as they rushed each other again.

Steven and Amethyst fought multiple gems. They were getting beat, til they fused into Smokey Quartz! Smokey was now able to fight three times as before, because of the three arms of course. They were poofing gems left and right. Smokey caught a glimpse of Aquamarine's ship and glared at it.

"I got to get up there! She has Spinel," Steven said.

"Are you sure dude, she could kill you," Amethyst told him.

"She won't, she said so herself. She wants me alive."

"Be careful up there," Amethyst sighed.

Smokey leaped high in the air, causing several of the attackers to fall. They unfused once close, and Amethyst threw him towards the ship.

"Go get her dude," she shouted.

Steven smiled as he saw her descend back to the battlefield. He didn't want to think about it much, but this may be the first conflict that he could only solve threw violence. Although, it doesn't mean he can't try to talk. He covered himself in a spiked bubble, bracing for impact. The bubble successfully broke through the glass at the cockpit of the ship. He dematerialized the bubble, readying himself for battle. But... no one was there but Aquamarine. Steven gasped when he saw the small blue gem playfully tossing a bubble gem. It was Spinel!

"Took you long enough! I thought I'd have to beam you here myself," Aquamarine said calmly.

"Let go of her," Steven shouted.

He had to talk it out, but he was just full of rage. She wanted Spinel, but she's just bubbled. Why?! What did she want with her?! But he shouldn't be mad at her, he should be mad at himself!

"Please... let's talk about this," he said, quickly calming down.

"Hmm... no!"

Steven gasped, taking a step back. Her quick and certain answer caught him slightly off guard.

"P-Please! I don't want to fight you!"

Aquamarine laughed maniacally, "Ho oh, I know. I don't neither," she said.

What?! This caught Steven even more off guard. If she didn't want to fight, why was she doing all this. Why come here with an army?! Why play with Steven's mind?! It didn't make sense to the boy.

"But I know someone who has been dying to fight you," she smirked.

She popped the bubble above her, letting the heart-shaped gem fall to the floor below. Steven's eyes widened, he dropped his shield and quickly ran over to catch the gem. He dove forward, but never felt the gem reach his hands. And he never a shatter. He looked up, smiling widely. Spinel was reforming! Her silhouette came into view, tinted with a pink hue.

"Spinel! You're b-"

He stopped, the words got caught in his throat. Something was wrong. Her form glitched, then started to change. Her gloved hands became claws. Her hair elongated into what resembles bunny ears, only longer. She reformed, dropping to the floor. She then glared at Steven with her black-oozed lifeless eyes. She roared, causing ooze to spurt from her mouth. Steven couldn't help but gasp at her appearance. She fully corrupted... and it was all his fault!