Steven POV
I stood there as I watched Amethyst and Corundum stare each other down. I wanted to prevent this fight from happening but I knew it was already too late. Amethyst had her attention squarely on Corundum as he lowered his head slightly.
"You don't want to do this, trust me" Corundum warned as his gem floated above his right shoulder.
Amethyst didn't say anything as she shifted her stance slightly.
"So be it, throw your life away. It doesn't really matter to me. But remember I won't go easy, so if I see an opening I won't hesitate to kill" Corundum said getting ready to start the fight.
"Fine by me, I never did like you that much anyway" Amethyst shrugged.
Corundum chuckled to himself slightly as he heard her.
"The feeling's mutual" Corundum said coldly.
Corundum looked up suddenly as his gem launched itself forward at Amethyst. Amethyst ducked down as she dodged the obstacle in time. His gem smashed into a wall of rock as little chucks flew out.
The wall was close to me as I shielded my face. I felt a tiny rock cut my cheek open slightly as the rest of the debris missed. Amethyst noticed how close I was to getting hit as she charged at him.
"I said don't hurt Steven! Yaaahhh!" Amethyst yelled as she punched at Corundum.
Corundum dodged the punches with fast reflexes as he jumped back. Corundum lunged forward as he threw a kick towards her head. Amethyst blocked the kick as Corundum's gem flew out of the rock it was imbedded in.
"The Son of Rose Quartz is a gem, he can handle it. If not he can just regenerate" Corundum replied to Amethyst as his gem flew towards her from behind.
Amethyst saw the gem coming as she dropped her block and spun around. The gem flew towards her as she readied her whip. Amethyst leapt from the ground as she wrapped her whip around his incoming gem. Amethyst lassoed the gem as she spun it around her head.
Amethyst used his gem against him as she spun it at him. Corundum smiled slightly as he jumped and dodged the makeshift mace looking weapon. Amethyst spun the gem at Corundum in the air as he saw it coming.
"Nice maneuver, using my gem against myself" Corundum said aloud as he fell from the sky.
Corundum flipped end over end as he kicked both of his legs at his gem with force. The gem rebounded back at Amethyst as she gasped in shock. The gem moved quickly as it smashed into Amethyst's head. Amethyst stumbled backwards dazed as Corundum fell to the ground.
Corundum's gem formed into the shape of a hand as it grabbed hold of Amethyst's whip. The hand yanked on the whip as it dragged Amethyst closer to Corundum.
Corundum dashed quickly as he let loose a flurry of kicks at dazed Amethyst. Amethyst got pummeled as Corundum's gem and himself knocked her back and forth. Corundum and his gem played pong with Amethyst as she got her head back in the game.
Amethyst blocked Corundum's kick as she suddenly shape shifted. Corundum looked on surprised as he must not have known she could do that. Amethyst turned into her Purple Puma form as she punched Corundum directly in the face. Corundum stumbled backwards as he tried to kick at her.
Suddenly Amethyst changed again as she transformed into a snake. Corundum's kick missed as Amethyst slithered under his feet and transformed back into her normal form. Amethyst summoned her whip again as she whipped Corundum in the back.
Corundum groaned in pain as parts of his cloak were ripped off. Corundum gem's suddenly got in the way as it summoned a flying drill. Amethyst rolled out of the way as she got some distance between Corundum. Corundum's gem idled by as he groaned and turned around.
"I forgot how good you were at shape shifting" Corundum laughed as he noticed torn pieces of his cloak on the ground.
"Maybe I'm not such a slacker after all" Amethyst said smirking.
"Hmph, I wouldn't say that. But since you seem so cocky I'll show you how outclassed you really are" Corundum said smiling.
"You're pure talent is nothing compared to how hard I have trained. The word talent just makes me mad, it makes you seem entitled" Corundum said explaining his hatred of the word.
"Are you gonna talk all day buddy?" Amethyst said impatient.
"Fine" Corundum growled at her persistence.
Corundum got into a stance as his cloak began to open up. Corundum's gem reached in and pulled off his sash as he dropped it towards the ground.
"This is the power of the Gem kind!" He yelled as he dashed at Amethyst.
His speed was incredible as he jumped and kicked at Amethyst. Amethyst blocked the kick as his gem suddenly came up from under the ground and produced a drill.
"Ah!" Amethyst said in shock as she tried to deflect the drill.
Many other drills flew out quickly as Amethyst couldn't deflect all of them. Some of the drills hit her body as she jumped out of the way. Corundum quickly appeared behind her as he held back his kick. He charged up his kick as Amethyst spun around and noticed him. Corundum let loose the kick as it sent Amethyst flying through the air.
Amethyst skipped across the ground as Corundum moved quickly after her. Amethyst stopped suddenly as the gem got in the way of her flight path. Amethyst gasped in pain as her body came to a jarring halt. The gem was lodged in her stomach as Corundum appeared from behind and kicked her in the back of the head.
Amethyst lunged forward as she yelled in pain. The gem moved out from under her as Corundum walked to the front of her. Corundum spun around as he kicked her on the cheek. Amethyst got sent flying back to where I was as her body slid to a stop. I rushed to her aid as she didn't move. Amethyst's eyes were closed as she was in pain.
"Did… anyone get the license plate of that semi truck?" Amethyst joked as she opened one of her eyes.
Amethyst laughed nervously as she coughed slightly. I stood back up as I saw Corundum suddenly there.
"Pathetic, simply pathetic" Corundum said shaking his head.
"Get up, we're not done yet" Corundum commanded Amethyst.
"Nah, I think… I'm gonna rest here for a bit" Amethyst joked knowing she was too weak to get up.
"I said now!" Corundum yelled as he kicked Amethyst in the ribs.
Amethyst clenched her side in pain but didn't get up.
"Come on prove me wrong?! Didn't you say you were going to prove me wrong?!" Corundum yelled at her as I backed up slightly.
I slowly backed up as I tried to escape from the scene.
"No resolve, no will to fight… you are a disgrace to the Gem kind" Corundum said as he turned his attention to me.
"Don't think about running" Corundum said coldly as I stopped moving.
Corundum walked up to me as he looked down towards me.
"You're coming with me Son of Rose Quartz" Corundum said as his gem floated next to me.
I didn't bother trying to run as I knew it was too late. His gem grabbed me as it lifted me from the ground.
"No, stop it!" Amethyst shouted weakly.
Corundum examined me as he noticed my cheek.
"W- What?!" Corundum said in shock.
"What is that?!" Corundum said noticing my cut cheek.
"Oh this, it's just a little injury" I said not sure where he was going.
"Only humans… bleed" Corundum said in shock.
He let go of me as he set me down.
"No, this can't be true. I thought you were a full gem!" Corundum yelled loudly.
"That means Rose… married a…" Corundum said looking towards the ground.
His face turned to anger as he realized what this meant.
"You're father's a human?! I refuse to believe it!" Corundum said in denial as he looked at me.
"It's true, his name's Greg. He's a cool guy" Amethyst said enjoying his breakdown.
"This explains so much!" Corundum said his gem changing into random shapes.
"This is why you lack in making progress! Humans are lazy and ignorant, that's why you share the same qualities. The environment around you has corrupted you and made you one of them. That's also why the gems here have lost their way, this planet turns you into slackers" Corundum said like he stumbled onto a dark secret.
"W- Why do you hate humans so much?!" I shouted angry at him insulting my friends.
"Steven, humans can never understand gems. They are too naïve and shallow minded, for example some workers at the donut store attacked me recently" Corundum said revealing an event.
"Lars and Sadie! What did you do to them?!" I shouted with tears in my eyes.
"I am guiltless, they attacked I defended myself. They're just humans Steven" Corundum said thinking it not a big deal.
"What do you have against humans? Are you going to destroy Earth?!" I asked again this time more frightened.
"Destroy the Earth? Ha that would be a waste of time and resources" Corundum explained.
"Humans are like ants my boy, inferior creatures that aren't worth anyone's time. Much like how humans walk past ants daily, gem kind does the same. Human's don't care about the impact an ant makes on the world, they just leave them." Corundum said trying to get me to understand.
"We leave them to their little wars and squabbles, because we know they will eventually destroy themselves" Corundum said portraying his dark view.
"You can't live amongst the ants, but you can try. It's time to stop living amongst the ants Steven, and it's time to go back home" Corundum said smiling to me trying to be friendly.
"H- Home?" I asked afraid.
"Yes, it's time for you to journey to the Gem Colonies. There I will teach you to be strong, without the lazy influence of humans. We can save all the corrupt gems… at the place where they actually matter. Saving corrupt gems here on Earth is just a waste of time" Corundum said standing up.
"What do you say? Are you willing to journey into space?" Corundum asked pretending to be a father figure.
"Don't listen to him Steven!" I heard Amethyst yell before I could answer.
Corundum groaned as he stood up and turned around. As he turned around as I saw Amethyst's punch land on his face. Corundum stumbled sideways as Amethyst stood there.
"Run Steven!" She said fearing for my safety.
"I can't leave you with him!" I said running to Amethyst.
Corundum came at Amethyst as he shoulder tackled her. Amethyst stayed on her feet as Corundum flung his gem at her. The gem pounded on Amethyst as I got in the way. I jumped on Corundum's back as I tried to take him down.
"Knock it off! Son of Rose Quartz!" Corundum said trying to shake me off.
He jumped backwards as he tried to get me off. His gem came to his aid as it threw me off. I slid on the sand as I stood up.
"Enough of this! This woman is a bad influence on you as well! I didn't want to kill one of my own kind, but I've been pushed too far" Corundum shouted to me.
Amethyst was barely on her feet as Corundum's gem began to glow. The ground around his gem shook and cracked as a large object began to emerge from it. Sand particles fly up as the tip of a black drill began to form.
His gem summoned a huge drill as it floated above the ground. The drill slowly started up as it began to spin, soon enough it was at a fast pace. The drill was pointed at Amethyst as I knew he planned to launch it.
"Noooo!" I shouted as I lifted my hand up.
"Die!" Corundum shouted as the drill took off.
The wind gust was so fast I had to shield my eyes. I could see the drill flew at Amethyst as it gained speed. Amethyst was like a deer trapped in headlights as the drill barreled at her.
The drill was about to hit I saw a red dot jump in front of the drill. The huge drill stopped suddenly as it still spun at a high speed. I looked closer as I saw who it was.
It was Garnet! She had stopped the drill right in time!
Garnet held the drill at bay as I could see her struggling face. She was sliding back slightly as she held the drill back with her gauntlets.
"W- What?! No way! Incredible!" Corundum said in awe as he admired Garnet.
"Look at that power and control haha!" Corundum said excited.
Garnet got control of the drill as she lifted her hands up slightly while still holding the drill. Garnet then let go of the drill as it took off again.
The drill flew off into the sky as it was out of harms way. Garnet stood there as she cracked her neck slightly. Garnet looked unamused as she turned to Amethyst.
"That was amazing?!" I shouted as I ran towards Garnet and Amethyst.
I noticed Pearl was tending to Amethyst as she helped Amethyst walk. I ran up to all three of them as I hugged Garnet around the waist. Tears formed in my eyes as I could have been happier to see her.
"I- I'm so sorry for forming secret team 2" I said as I closed my eyes.
"It's alright" Garnet sighed as she put her hand on my head.
"This time we weren't hiding from each other, we were tricked by him" Garnet said looking towards Corundum.
I let go of Garnet as I turned my attention to Amethyst.
"Are you alright?" I asked feeling guilty.
"Yeah I'll be fine, I'm scrappy" Amethyst laughed in good spirits.
"That was very careless of you Amethyst!" Pearl scolded her friend.
"Geez I'm sorry P" Amethyst said shying away.
"You had me worried, never do that again" Pearl said softly as she hugged Amethyst.
Amethyst blushed slightly as she looked down. I looked back towards Corundum as I saw him smiling at Garnet.
"Haha what a move, I honestly didn't see that coming" Corundum said sincerely.
"Such strength and combat efficiency, it's no wonder you're the leader" Corundum said nodding his head.
Garnet stepped forward as she confronted him.
"I suggest you back down before things get uglier than they already are" Garnet said to him as she pounded her gauntlets together.
"Why do you waste such strength by protecting such shallow minded creators?" Corundum asked her interested.
Garnet didn't answer as he recognized the silence.
"Very well then, you don't have to tell me" Corundum said shrugging.
"But I know when I'm beaten; a good tactician has to know when to back down" Corundum said heeding Garnet's warning.
"I am no match for someone of your caliber" Corundum said bowing and smiling.
Something didn't seem right. As he bowed I saw Corundum kick some sand over something.
"I guess it's time for me to retreat" Corundum said ready to make his get away.
"This isn't the end Son of Rose Quartz, I shall return very soon. But next time I'll have more tricks up my sleeves" Corundum said looking up at us.
"And next time you will be coming with me" Corundum said putting his hood on over his head.
"There's no way you're getting away! You're coming with us!" Pearl shouted as she still held Amethyst.
Corundum chuckled as Garnet heard enough and took action. Garnet rushed at Corundum as suddenly multiple objects popped out from the sand around him. The objects were drills as they spun sand everywhere. The sand flung everywhere as everyone covered their eyes.
Garnet was unwavering as she lunged for Corundum through the sprinkler of sand. Corundum jumped upward as Garnet just missed grabbing his cloak.
Corundum's gem caught him as he used the stairway maneuver again. He used the distraction to his advantage as he jumped onto a rock ledge and quickly dashed away.
Garnet landed to the ground with a thud as she stared up at the ledge. Corundum had gotten away as the sand began to settle.
"Did you get him?" Pearl asked as she lowered her hand from her eyes.
Garnet shook her head as she turned back to us.
"But now we know he will be returning" Garnet said as her gauntlets disappeared.
"We should warn Beach City and inform them of his stay here on the beach, in case he comes back to this location" Pearl suggested thinking of the others.
"He already attacked Lars and Sadie, I have to see if they are alright" I said to the others worried.
"Don't forget Connie, she's still unconscious" Pearl reminded me.
"I'll help you take her into town tomorrow, if you want" Pearl said wanting to help.
"I'd like that" I said knowing I'd need the help explaining it to Connie's parents.
"We'll also search for him tomorrow, but for now it's getting late. We should rest" Garnet said as everyone headed back to the temple.
I looked behind me as stared towards the ledge thinking about Corundum. It was still hard to believe he was the enemy. Even though he hurt some of my friends I didn't want it to go down this way.
I still wanted everyone to be friends. Maybe I could still talking him out of it. His words rang through my head.
It's time to stop living amongst the ants Steven, and it's time to go back home.