Ten Years Later

by krd4218

Not much has changed in the past ten years, and life has been pretty sweet to Steven Quartz Universe. However there is a darkness brewing in the south like a looming storm, and thing are beginning to change to Steven. Years of training have honed our hero into a bulking warrior, but things begin to get interesting when Garnet starts sending Steven on special "Secret missions"

Steven Universe - Ten Years Later: Part 1

There was nothing to do at the house that Sunday, and Steven was bored out of his skull. He had borrowed an entire eight part book series from the beach city library, unfortunately he devoured that story from cover to cover in a matter of hours. Amethyst, his sort of sister, was attempting to quell his stupor by shapeshifting into every manner of animal imaginable. This only mildly entertained Steven, so as a last ditch effort she attempted to morph into a giant, purple hippopotamus. She was quickly accosted however by their other Gem sisters, Pearl and Garnet, after inadvertently crushing a coffee table under her new found weight.

Steven laughed to himself as the three of them began to bicker as they always had; Pearl's polished, cream colored complexion contorted into a face of contempt; Garnet's deep red features were hidden behind a million walls her signature pair of sunglasses. Amethyst's bright purple hippopotamus body tried desperately to fit itself back into her short, squat frame; all the while she tried to defend away her brash action. This sort of thing was an everyday occurrence in Crystal-universe household, and at this point Steven had grown used to it. It wouldn't have felt like home otherwise.

He reached across the sofa and picked up his dad's old guitar, paying little attention to the commotion in front of him, and began to pluck away haphazardly at the stings. After a second or two those strings became notes; Steven had acquired several things from his father, but if one thing was more prominent than the others it was his inherent musical talent. And as if music were his first language, a wonderful melody began to take form. It was no tune in particular; it was just a song about friendship and trust.

It wasn't the most thought provoking piece of music he'd ever played, but it was enough to get the attention of the crystal Gems, who's bickering had stopped about halfway through the second chorus. Tensions had died down, and after a moment of awkward silence, the Gems went on about their business. Amethyst transformed back into herself; Pearl replicated a new coffee table from the Gemstone on her forehead; and Garnet just leaned against the wall, grinning to herself for reasons Steven had stopped trying to guess at a long time ago.

Life was good again; Steven sat down the guitar and walked across the room into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator door and pulled everything he needed to make a sandwich. Pearl had affixed the fridge with an automatic sandwich dispenser when Steven was no more than twelve, but sometimes he liked to do it himself. The fake-sandwiches, or "Framwiches," Steven complained, were too small for him, especially now with his bulking frame.

"Steven." Garnet walked over to him after the other two had left to their respective rooms, "Are you feeling up to another special, secret mission again?" She knew he always was.