Well that was fast. I'm here because I immediately got a favorite and a follow from MrDemocracy, Sgt. Hat, karisay, and Randal435, who also left a review. I also got a lot of views like the instant the story was posted and got a follow from or-lan-do626 and Blackcat382. Maybe I finally did a good summary? Heh...

Disclaimer: I do not own Steven Universe

"So this is the place?" Matrix arched a brow at the city below the ship. He looked to the woman-shaped mountain.

Nothing has changed...

"I would think that you'd remember this place, Matrix." Jasper said in a mocking tone, standing behind Matrix.

"That was a long time ago, Jasper. Let. It. Go." Matrix glared at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Just make sure this doesn't stir up any old feelings, because sissy isn't here to save you this time." Jasper grinned, turning and walking away from Matrix as he watched beams of light shoot from the ground at the ship.

"Uh... Peridot, is that going to be a problem?" he glanced over at her, and she shook her head.

"No, of course not."

"If every pork chop were perfect, we wouldn't have hotdogs."

Four beams of light shot into the air at the giant green hand, but it simply lifted it's fingers, blocking the beams with it's palm.

"No effect." Garnet said, her hands clenching into fists with hidden frustration.

"What now?" Greg asked.

"We'll have to take them head on. The whole town might be in danger." Garnet said, watching the hand approach.

Steven reached for his phone, pulling it from his pocket and looking through his contacts. "I better make a call."

"Time for some... Political favors."

Matrix stood at the window, looking at the planet. He could see the city emptying. "Good. No humans will get in our way."

"What human could pose a threat to us?" Peridot asked, glancing over at Matrix.

"I just... Don't want them getting in the way..." Matrix said, his eyes lowering to the floor.

"Huh. And you told me to let it go." Jasper smirked, her back facing Matrix's.

Matrix said nothing, but his hands clenched into fists.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"

"Just... Shut up, Jasper.." Matrix turned, walking by her to the deck of the ship.

Opal pulled back her bow string, firing an arrow at the ship. It broke into other arrows, exploding on the ship. It burst from the smoke like nothing had happened.

"At least Steven in safe..." Garnet said, her shoulder's lowering.

"Hey guys!"

They recognized the voice immediately, and Opal defused in shock, landing on the beach as Pearl and Amethyst.

"You came back?!" Amethyst said in shock.

"What are you doing?! Get out of here!" Pearl yelled.

"But-"

"It's too late!" Garnet said over the noise of the ship landing. "Just stay behind us!"

Dust was thrown into the air as the ship landed, it's palm opening and a ball of green appearing over it.

The ball went back into the hand, revealing three gems.

Peridot on the right, Jasper in the middle, and Matrix on the left.

The Gem's eyes widened as they reached the third gem.

"M-Matrix..." Pearl stuttered, her eyes wide in shock as she stared at him. Amethyst had the same look.

"Well, it looks like they remember you." Jasper grinned over at Matrix, who said nothing. He just stared coldly at them.

Jasper pulled Lapis out from behind her. "This is there base?"

Lapis pulled herself from Jasper's grasp. "Yes..."

The four jumped onto the beach. "And neither of you saw Rose Quartz? Oh, what a shame. I'd hoped to meet her. I was looking forward to beating her into the ground!" Steven cringed at her words.

"But this is all that's left of her army? Some lost, defective Pearl, an overcooked Runt, and this shameless display?" Jasper shook her head in disapproval.

"... What is that?" She said, looking at Steven.

"It calls itself 'The Steven'." Peridot answered.

"Don't hurt him! He's just a human! He's no threat to you!" Lapis protested.

"I know what a human is." Jasper glared at Lapis. "You don't need me for this. Just blast them with the ship."

"Ugh, fine." Peridot rolled her eyes, her fingers spreading into a screen. One lifted, drawing a wide circle on the screen.

The ship lifted into the air, making a gun, a hand-gun if you will, and aiming at the Crystal Gems.

"Steven! Get out of here!" Garnet demanded, watching the finger charge a ball of green energy.

"No!"

"I won't let you risk your life!"

"But this is my home! And you're all my family!"

"Firing." Peridot said blandly.

"I-I..."

A beam fired from the ship, racing towards the Crystal Gems!

"I'M A CRYSTAL GEM TOO!"

Steven pushed past the Gems, jumping up as a his shield appeared to a much larger scale, blocking the beam!

Jasper stopped, turning around in shock. "That shield! That symbol!"

The shield collapsed, disappearing. Steven collapsed as well.

"Now do you believe that I needed an escort?" Peridot glanced at Jasper.

"... I'll take it from here. Jasper, deal with Garnet and the kid." Matrix suddenly shot off the ground, reaching into his hood and pulling out his spear.

"Since when do you call the shots?!" Jasper said as Matrix shot at the Gems, but he was already gone.

"Here he comes!" Garnet said, watching Matrix shoot across the beach. She was preparing to defend, when Matrix suddenly jumped over her!

He landed behind her, kicking Pearl directly in the stomach and sending her flying back.

"Pearl!" Amethyst exclaimed, growling as she began pulling out her whip. In the next instant, Matrix was thrusting his spear forward. Amethyst darted her head to the side, her cheek being caught and sliced open.

"Ow!" Amethyst winced before jumping, coming down at Matrix with an attempt to kick him with both feet.

Matrix stuck his spear into the ground, pulling it back. When Amethyst reached him, he let it go, letting it fling forward and smash into her, throwing her back.

"Amethyst!" Steven exclaimed in shock, watching her fall back, landing on her back.

"Kid, I wouldn't be worrying about her."

Steven turned in fear, seeing Jasper looming over him. "Not when you should be so worried about yourself!"

"Leave him alone!" Garnet shot forward, pulling back one gauntleted fist and throwing it at Jasper, she caught it in one hand, grinning.

"Alright, let's play."

Matrix pulled his spear from the ground, raising it into the air as Amethyst tried desperately to stand.

"You go first." He was aiming for her gem as he thrust the spear downward at her, but was surprised as it came to a stop. He glanced over at Pearl, who had stopped his spear with her signature blade-spear.

"You..." Matrix's teeth grit as he stared at her.

"Still holding a grudge, I see..?" Pearl gulped, jumping back. The two circled one another.

"You... You did this!"

Matrix snarled, rushing at her, his spear held high. The two collided, spear against spear.

Pearl held Matrix back for a moment, but he suddenly swung a foot under her, trying to sweep her legs out. Pearl jumped, back flipping and staring Matrix in the eyes as she did so.

"Matrix, please! Calm down!"

Matrix stabbed at her, and she blocked with the side of her spear instead of the blade. There was a moment of stillness, and then the spear broke!

Matrix's spear shot through, and Pearl was forced to try to move as fast as she could. It wasn't fast enough.

"GAH!"

"Pearl!" Amethyst said, climbing to her feet. Her eyes widened.

Matrix was staring into Pearl's wide, pain filled eyes coldly, his spear going out her back.

"M-Matrix... I never meant to..."

Matrix pulled her close, grabbing her by the face, his hand over her mouth.

"I don't want your excuses."

Matrix placed a foot on her chest, his other hand on the spear as he yanked it from her body!

Pearl's scream of pain was muffled by Matrix's hand, and he dropped her, watching her explode into a single gem as she fell.

"P-Pearl..." Amethyst backed up slowly as Matrix slowly approached her, blood dripping from his spear.

He was grinning.

"Y-you're a monster..." Amethyst stuttered, holding her whip shakily.

"It's what they made me, no, what they made us to be." Matrix lifted his spear.

"N-no... I'm not like you! I changed! And you could've changed too! Just let it go, Matrix! It was so long ago!" Amethyst's back hit a wall.

Matrix snarled, shooting at Amethyst. "You don't know what it's like!" Matrix roared.

"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"

All went silent, and everyone turned in the direction of the yell.

Matrix's spear was going through Amethyst's skull! Her eyes were wide in terror and pain as blood trickled down her forehead and face. The rock behind her was cracked and broken.

Matrix was panting heavily, staring into Amethyst's eyes as she suddenly exploded into a gem, falling into the sand.

"A-Amethyst..? Pearl..?" Steven said with wide eyes, staring at Matrix. He fell to his knees.

Matrix walked slowly towards him, leaving his spear stuck in the rock.

"Steven! Run!" Garnet turned from her grappling match with Jasper to look at Steven.

Suddenly, her eyes widened. A crack ran through her body, and she fell, breaking into pieces before exploding into two gems!

"Garnet!" Steven said, jumping to his feet. He looked as if he were about to run towards her, when a thud was heard.

Steven fell to the ground, Matrix standing over him. Matrix had karate chopped him in the back of the neck, knocking him out.

"Hm." Jasper smirked. "Nice work, Matrix. Maybe you've finally redeemed yourself."

"Whatever..." Matrix picked up the KO'd Steven, walking towards the ship. "Let's just go home."

Jasper nodded, picking up Garnet's gems along with Amethyst's and Pearl's.

Matrix dropped Steven in a small room, staring at him for a moment before stepping back, a wall of yellow energy making the fourth wall for the room.

"... You aren't Rose, are you? No, you're too... Human. Something about you..." Matrix stared at Steven.

"I understand, Matrix. Go, protect her."

"I-..." Matrix shook his head, turning to walk away. "It's a good thing she wasn't there... I don't think I could have faced her after what I've one."

Matrix shook his head, walking slowly away from the cell.

Matrix watched as Jasper walked away from a cell holding an rather disgruntled Pearl. She had woken up, and retaken her physical form.

Matrix walked by Jasper, who stopped him, smirking.

"Y'know... I wouldn't mind you 'calling the shots' some place a bit more... Private." She grinned.

"Uh..." Matrix stood there, almost baffled. "I'll... Keep that in mind."

She walked by, and Matrix gagged, shivering. "That's a disturbing image..." He muttered.

"It certainly is, yes." Pearl said, smirking lightly as she looked at Matrix through the wall of yellow.

"Are you really in a position to be mocking me?" Matrix questioned, leaning against the wall next to her cell.

"Probably not, no. But as of right now, I'm in here, and you're out there. And as of right now, I know that you want me alive."

Suddenly, Matrix's spear was right next to Pearl's face, just outside of the yellow wall. Pearl jumped back, but after realizing that it couldn't get to her, she took a deep breath, regaining her composure.

"I don't want you alive. They want you alive. Keep that in mind."

"Then what are you here for? Are you going to kill me?"

"No. I want answers."

Singing rang across the ship, and Steven's eyes snapped open with a gasp. "Where..?"

He sat up, looking around. "Pearl?" The image of her being stabbed flashed before his eyes.

"Amethyst..?" Her impaled head flashed before his eyes.

An image of Garnet exploding into two gems flashed before his eyes, and he shot up.

"Garnet!"

So that's the chapter! A bit darker than the last one, huh? It's rated T for a reason, guys. But that's why I threw in that one joke that you may or may not find disturbing. Anyways, thank you all for the explosive feedback! I never expected the first chapter to go this well. In fact I think this might be the best one of my stories has ever started. I hope that it stays that way, even though now that I've said that it probably won't.

Anyway, please review, favorite, and follow!

XWolf26, out