Steven Universe: The Return [FanFiction English]

36. Retreat

[Stevonnie attempts to parry Jasper's spin dash attack, but fails and is sent flying through a boulder into another boulder, generating a cloud of dust.]

Stevonnie: *coughs from the dust* Th-this day can't get any worse.

[The cloud of dust clears to reveal Stevonnie stuck to the boulder in a humanoid-shaped crater.]

Stevonnie: Correction, it CAN be worse! Now I'm stuck!

[Stevonnie does their best to get unstuck, but to no avail.]

Stevonnie: I-I can't get free!

Jasper: *chuckling* You're right where I want you.

Stevonnie: Time out! I call time out!!

Jasper: Time out, my ass! Now I can punch you as many punches as I want!

Stevonnie: Wait, hold on! That's cheating!

Jasper: At what point did we set rules for this fight, huh?!

Stevonnie: You... You actually have a good poin-

[Stevonnie suddenly receives a punch in the face by Jasper, she then delivers a second stronger, wound-up punch into Stevonnie 's face, giving them a nosebleed.]

Stevonnie: *in pain* Jasper, would you min--

[Jasper then begins to punch Stevonnie hard and repeatedly right in the face, causing them to scream in pain. Stevonnie, after such a beating, begins to glow and then unfuse, separating back into Steven and Connie.]

Jasper: *confused* Wh-what the fuck is this?! Who are you?!

Steven: Jasper, please calm down and let's talk, okay?!

Jasper: Talk to my fists, you miserable bastard!

[Jasper prepares to deliver another blow to Steven and Connie.]

Steven: Oh boy!

[Steven reacts quickly and summons his bubble shield to protect Connie and himself.]

Jasper: What the--?!?!

[Jasper begins to pound incessantly on Steven's bubble.]

Jasper: Get out of there, you cowards!

【At the same time.】

[The Amethysts are being overwhelmed by the other Quartz Gems, as they were fewer in number.]

Amethyst: No way! Most of the Famethysts have already been defeated! We gotta help them!

Garnet: We haven't recovered yet, we need more time to rest!

Amethyst: But...

Peridot C'mon, you clods, bring it on!

[Peridot fires several energy blasts wildly, poofing many of the enemy Gems and thus preventing others from getting close to them.]

Peridot: *firing* Take some of this! And this! And this too!

[A Gem Quartz pops up out of nowhere and charges at them, but Peridot poofs her by firing an energy blast at her that passes just inches from the Pearl's head.]

Peridot: That was a close call!

[Pearl is seen covering her head with her arms.]

Pearl: It certainly was! Peridot, be more careful where you shoot! You're going to accidentally kill someone if you keep this up, and that someone could be one of us, just so you know!

Peridot: I'm so sorry! They keep popping up from everywhere! I don't think I can keep them away any longer!

Pearl: Garnet, Peridot is right. This is too much for her to deal with alone, she won't take much more! We've had enough rest, let's join the--

Amethyst: Guys, look over there!

[Amethyst exclaims, abruptly interrupting Pearl, she points to Steven and Connie, who are being cornered by Jasper.]

Amethyst: They're in trouble!

Pearl: We must help them!

Garnet: Fine, fine, you guys win. We haven't fully recovered our strength, but we have no choice but to fuse again!

[Garnet, Amethyst, & Pearl fuse into Alexandrite.]

Alexandrite: *roars* Everybody better calm down right now!!! *roars louder*

[Some of the enemy Gems are terrified to witness Alexandrite.]

Jasper: What the‐-!?

[At this, Jasper looks up at Alexandrite in awe.]

Jasper: Wh-what is that thing?! A fusion?!

Alexandrite: You too, Jasper! Leave them alone!

Jasper: Tsk!

[Jasper immediately leaps back, away from Steven and Connie.]

Jasper: There's no choice.

[Jasper shouts to the fellow gems.]

Jasper: All remaining Gems, listen up...! Retreat! Well, just for now.

[All enemy Gems quickly retreat from the battlefield.]

Alexandrite: You two, are you all right?!

Steven: Yes, I think so.

[Steven makes his bubble disappear.]

Alexandrite: Ah, finally...

[Alexandrite collapses to her knees in exhaustion. She groans as she begins to unfuse, separating back in Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst, who breathe heavily.]

Pearl: *panting* Well... I think you were right... We still need to rest some more.

Garnet: *panting* Yeah... it was too much effort for us.

Connie: We'd better find a safe place to hide as soon as possible, don't you guys think?

Pearl: Yes, that would be best.

Steven: In that case, let's go to the abandoned area of Homeworld, there are several caverns where we can hide.

Connie: Where is that?

Steven: It's underground, it's a barren area, very dark and receives little light.

Connie: Given our current situation, it's the best we have.

Steven: Yeah, we'll be safer there... I hope.