A Fractured Reflection

Chapter 27 Homecoming

Normal POV.

After weeks of travel Steven and company now fined themselves in the wasteland that was once Stevens personal sanctuary.

Lifeless, hollow trees were all they saw as they moved deeper and deeper into the dead forest. The once vibrant crystals that were strewn about were now lifeless gray husks. Rivers that use to run through the forest were now dried up with no signs of the water ever being there.

The sight of all of this had Steven gaping.

Steven:"*Shocked* H-How?"

Peridot:"It was like this when we came here"

Steven turned his head to her with a confused look on his armored face.

Steven:"What do you mean?"

Peridot:"After you were taken we tried to figure out a way to fined you. I summarized that the only way we could was from a sample of your gems energy and the only place that could have it was here. When we came here it was already like this, dead with no signs of life anywhere"

They soon came upon the clearing that had the remains of the tree man. Stevens eyes widened at the sight of them and he could help but gasp while Peridot looked on in sadness.

Peridot:"Only one of them survived long enough for me to get the sample we needed, but we made sure to stay with him till he passed on"

Steven approached one of the corpses of the tree man and, upon a quick inspection, found it to be Birchclaw. Laying a free hand on his dead creation he silently weeps.

Peridot:"Steven..."

She reaches out a hand and lays it on his thigh with Lapis, who just woke up, doing the same but on his chest. Steven was grateful for their support and made a mental note to repay them at a later date. After a few more moments of mourning for the lost he asked his two lovers a question that's been plaguing him for a while.

Steven:"How long was it before you went and searched for me?"

Peridot:"Hmm I remember us waiting in the alleyway until the sounds of gunfire stopped. Though the shooting didn't stop until nightfall and we didn't dare leave until the sun was up. After that we got the sample and Lapis flew us for six days straight before we found you"

After hearing this Steven begins to chuckle which catches his lovers attention. They look at him in confusion, wondering why he's chuckling but then he begins to laugh.

Steven:"I can't believe it; I've been dead for a week straight!"

He continues to laugh as he begins to realize why his sanctuary is the way it is along with his creations.

Steven:"The moment I died the life I had created died with me?!"

His laughter was getting louder and started to sound more distort causing Peridot to back up a little and Lapis to squirm. The corrupted and mutated were no better as they began to shake and whimper a little. This got worse as a pink aura enveloped Steven and he began to tear up.

Steven:"Did anyone back home even care that I was gone?! Did they even wonder if I was possibly alive or dead?!"

The two gems realize that their Steven is having an emotional breakdown. Peridot tried to think of a way to calm him down but stopped when she saw his eyes. They were glow brightly and she noticed that his pupils had changed into that of diamonds. This shocked Peridot to her core and judging by Lapis's expression she notice to.

Steven:"Maybe I should pay them all a visit and show them how I-"

He was cut off by Lapis slapping him across the face. Silence rang out as Peridot covered her mouth in shock and the hoard tensed.