Trying to Smile Again Continued (Steven UniverseUniverse Fic)

Part Six Chapter Two: At The Fountain

Steven and Spinel stepped off the warp pad. They walked through the little garden, until they reached their destination. Rose's fountain. It was as beautiful as ever. The water glistened in the sunlight. The bushes danced with the breeze. Finally, Rose's statue cried out the water that filled the fountain. Steven led Spinel closer, who hesitantly followed.

"Are ya sure this'll work," Spinel asked.

"Yes," Steven said uncertainly.

They got to the bottom of the small structure, just a few feet from the water. Steven bent over to feel the water. It felt the same... does that mean it would heal? Steven turned around to Spinel, who stared in wonder.

"Go on," he said, catching her attention. "Hop in."

Spinel stepped forward, then paused. She stared at the glistening water below. She could see herself in the reflection once more. She traced a hand over her black cracks. They were still stained to her skin. She really wanted this whole fountain thing to work.

She finally stepped in, and sat down. The water was up to her mouth now, covering it. She hugged her knees and waited. Steven stared in concern as the seconds ticked by. Next it was minutes... still nothing. Spinel sighed, and got out of the fountain.

"Thanks for trying Steven."

He could hear the utter disappointment in her voice. The way it cracked as if she was about to break into tears right in front of him. He watched her start to walk away, but he couldn't let her leave yet. Maybe it just didn't work, maybe there was something else they needed to do. Yeah, that's it!

"Wait, Spinel," Steven yelled.

He caught up to her, grabbing her arm. She turned around to face him, on the brink of tears.

"We can't give up just yet! We got try some things... ok?"

She stared at him with uncertainty, but nodded slightly. He dragged her back down, and led them both into the fountain. He looked around, thinking of what to do. He glanced up at the statue... it was running fine. He glanced around at the bushes... they seemed alright. He glanced at the water... and that seemed the same as well.

"Steven..." Spinel pushed. "C'mon... it's not working."

"NO," Steven yelled. "It will work... just wait."

Steven didn't notice how mean he sounded. Spinel turned from him, eyes wide with fear. She didn't know why he suddenly snapped at her, but she knew he must have just been frustrated that the water wasn't working right?

"Come on, come on," Steven whispered, hitting the water. "Just work, please! I've got to heal Spinel! I've got to show I'm not like mom!"

Spinel turned to him, small amounts of tears on her face.

"What did you say?"

"Huh," Steven asked confused.

"You got to show you're not Pink?!"

"Wa-Wait! That's not what I-"

"I see..." Spinel said, getting out of the water. "So you did this just to show to yourself that you were 'not your mom'! I bet you didn't even care I was corrupted! Did you?!"

"Spinel I-"

"SHUT IT," Spinel yelled, crying profusely. "I don't care anymore. If you want to help me, go ahead! But if you're doing this just to prove to yourself that you're someone you want to be... than you're nowhere close to that reality!"

Steven's breath caught in his throat. He was completely taken off guard by her statement. What was she even saying?! How could she say this?! After everything he's done to get her back, and she's ungrateful?!

"ME?! What about you?!"

Spinel gasped, and took a step back out of fear. She didn't expect him to retaliate so harshly.

"You yell at me for not being who I am, HAVE YOU SEEN YOURSELF LATELY?! You look like a dismantled mess! You're breaking apart at the seems-you literally have CRACKS in your body!"

"Steven... you're scaring me-"

"I DON'T CARE!!!"

Steven stepped forward, eyes glaring at Spinel. Spinel gasped and took a step back. Something wasn't right here, she knew it. Whatever it was... it wasn't good.

"You say I'm the problem, that people and gems don't love you! Well I can't say you make it easy! You cry all the time! You're scared all the time! And you complain about being alone, FOR MORE THAN FIVE SECONDS!!! Then, after trying to help you, you go and-"

Steven hadn't noticed that through his outburst, Spinel was cowering on the ground. She seemed frightened... from something other than him. He tried getting closer, but she just backed away more. Steven was so concerned. He looked all around, but no one was there but them.

"Spinel," he tried moving closer. "What's wrong."

Spinel whimpered, and slid back more. She couldn't even look at him. He tried a final time to talk to her, but she wouldn't listen. She still cowered behind her gloved hands.

Steven reached out to her one last time. Then he gasped in shock and realization. There, on his hand, clear as day, were patches of purple splotches! He quickly retracted his hand, and inspected it closer. There were small and large circles of purple and pink hues! He quickly ran to the fountain, to stare at his reflection. He gasped in fright, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. There in the reflection showed himself, Steven Universe. Except, he had two small purple horns poking out of his head. He also had purple colored circles all over his body. His teeth were razor sharp. Then finally, his eyes were different. They were black, with a pink iris and a black, diamond shaped, pupil!