Author's Note: So it's been a while since anything happened with my stories, sorry about that. For those who do not know me on DA and Tumblr just know I did not have sufficient computer access for working on stuff. A lot of stuff happened during that time during which the most relevant for this chapter would be the new SU episodes and wow a lot has happened and while it doesn't affect a lot for Shades of Pink it is stuff to keep in mind as I go along. To be honest I'm more concerned with this chapter that's only 4 pages but it follows my plan and going any further messes up the way I have this spaced out. So with that said I hope you like this chapter. I do not own Steven Universe or the Ben 10 series in any way. Reviews welcome.

Shades of Pink

Chapter 9

Circle

Stevondlyn took a glance beyond her opponents to confirm that what she needed was really there.

It was.

The fusion then looked at the two before her ready to let loose and with Beach City right behind her that was not an option.

Thrusting out her right arm the gem on her stomach flashed and a pale pink energy swirled out from it and down her arm hovering before it and it resolved into Steven's shield.

The weapon glowed as Stevondlyn chanted "Hatrium Securitatum!"

Stevnodlyn thrust the shield into the ground impaling it and a huge blanket of light erupted from the spot and spread to cover the Temple and Beach City and with Steven's magic thrown into the mix what would normally look like a curtain of light now had crystal like qualities making the protection spell hard as a diamond.

With the town and its people safe the fusion leaped forward with a shout slammed into the ground sending up an explosion of dirt and Stevenodyln just fired at will sending mana bolts every which way which Malachite and Thought Twisters scrambled to avoid.

With a slight smirk Stevenoldyn held a hand crackling with electricity and put a palm to the ground releasing a short burst of light.

Then Stevenoldyn picked up off the ground and flew off to the left past Thought Twister and Malachite who startled slightly taken aback and then followed never noticing the glint of something pink lying on the ground…

Stevondlyn meanwhile flew along the curtain of light protecting the Temple and seeing her two opponents getting ready to pin her down she pointed and chanted "Kalecky Erupt" sending stone spikes protruding from the earth to collide into Malachite.

Thought Twister though had flown out of the way and was dodging mana bolts being thrown. Meanwhile from where she stood Stevondlyn raised her left foot crackling with electricity and pressed her heel into the ground creating another burst and with her right hand coated in light she threw the energy at the ground with a cry "Tur-bo!"

The magic thrown revolved into another pink whirlwind that expanded outwards and the fusion used it as cover once more to take out over open water.

By this point Malachite had gotten her second wind and formed several curls of water acting like ropes and sending them after Stevondlyn and the tactic nearly worked.

However, the fusion tucked her legs against her body and wrapped her arms around herself tucking into a ball and began to glow with mana. Then she spread her limbs wide and send the mana bursting out of her like a bomb in all directions.

Using the spray of sweater and motes of light as cover Stevondlyn flew out once more and had barely gone more than few meters when Thought Twister was in her face swing the Staff of Ages the skull crackling with magic.

Stevondlyn tilted sideways just dodging the strike and with her left hand she grabbed the shaft and immediately pink and dark orange mana began to swirl and conflict.

At the same time the fusion cold clocked the demon with her right hand and his body was yanked backwards as if by gravity but Thought Twister did keep his grip on the talisman.

Stevondlyn began pouring mana into the staff and the demon who by now managed to right itself reestablished his grip and was pouring mana into it and energy began to hum through the air. Malachite in the meantime had not been idle.

The giant had frozen the seawater under the spell casters and with a gesture sent the ice reaching up and entombed Stevondlyn in a spire leaving only her hands free which still gripped the Staff of Ages.

Thought Twister took this as an opportunity to strike and the demon removed one of its hands and that made a difference.

For Stevondlyn that is. Charms glowing bright the fusions form flashed pink and the ice spire blew up and blew Thought Twister away.

With the talisman back in the right hands Stevondlyn turned sharply to see Malachite right next to her halfway to crushing her between her giant hands.

The opposing fusion responded on pure instinct pointing the Staff of Ages Stevondlyn fired a beam from both eyes and that slammed into Malachite's head and sending her arms skyward but it did not move her any further.

Stevondlyn though was another matter as the attack served to propel her backwards and further her goal of getting distance quite well.

Thought Twister meanwhile was back in the air and Malachite had recovered too. Working in tandem a huge wave charged with dark orange lightning was sent her way.

Pointing the talisman towards Stevondlyn focused and Steven's gem glowed.

Then from below the sea water burst out shapes made of solidified mana and guided by Steven's magic they took the form of giant briar thorns plans that coiled, spiraled, and looped towards the attackers breaking through the wave and onwards.

The two went to work immediately shattered the plants into pieces of pink crystal which dissipated into the air.

Not that Stevondlyn was paying attention as right after sending the plants after them a wave of the staff sent a pink lightning bolt to the ocean floor and she took off, again at an angle.

Thought Twister finished clearing enough of the plants for Malachite to clear off by herself took after Stevondlyn.

Stevondlyn meanwhile had reached her next destination and pointed the Staff of Ages at the water below with Steven's gem glowing once as she chanted "Vitalis Eruptum" and this time from the water below seaweed emerged and restrained Thought Twister's arms and legs holding him in place.

The distraction though allowed Stevondlyn to send one more lightning bolt below and took off for the shore of Beach City again.

As she reached the shoreline Malachite intercepted her and the fusion decided to try and do something. She lit up the talismans head with pink fire and flew right up to Malachite's head and bashed it with the artifact but no one expected what would happen next.

The Charm of Luck, the Keystone, and Steven's gem all flashed as they called upon a talent Steven had yet to discover as a beam of light engulfed both fusions and within that single moment something else began…

It was white at first that's what they all saw first then the colors bled through. Bright pink, pale pink, deep blue, and vivid orange swirled around in the white and yet in between them there was another color they couldn't quit make out…

They floated in a circular space and Steven, Connie, and Gwendolyn quickly realized they were themselves here.

The girls looked at Steven who quickly shrugged he didn't know what was going on.

Then they heard it. A faint moan from higher up. The trio looked up and saw a blue figure suspended above them.

Steven started then he cried "Lapis!" Moving his arms like was doggy paddling Steven moved up through the air towards his friend, and after a moment Connie swung her arms to properly swim after him.

Gwendolyn stared after them for a moment then narrowed her eyes.

There was another object past Lapis Lazuli and it was approaching fast. Really fast.

Giving a start Gwendolyn called "heads up!" Steven reacted just in time as he dodged the orange blur which whooshed past him. Connie though stopped in place and just froze.

Seeing this Gwendolyn flew up and grabbed Connie and moved to the side as the blue went past them before it stopped and unrolled revealing Jasper glaring up at them.

Steven and Connie stared and Gwendolyn tossed a look at the girl with short blue hair, skin, and wearing a matching blue skirt and top with a teardrop shaped stone on her back. Her eyes were closed shut and she had a dark orange ring around her lower torso binding her arms in place and another circling her gem.

"We must be in some sort of mindscape." Gwendolyn said.

Connie and Steven looked at her. "How?" Connie asked.

Gwendolyn shrugged "beats me."

After a moment Steven said "then this is one of those situations where strength and magic don't matter but imagination and willpower like in the TV shows, comic books, and stories?"

Gwendolyn looked at him and nodded "that sounds accurate enough."

"I'm gonna crush you Crystal Gems!" An angry roar from below interrupted them. Steven and Gwendolyn looked between her and Lapis both needing to get to her but with Jasper in the way…

Luckily for them though Connie floated in front of them and said "go on I'll handle Jasper."

Steven and Gwendolyn looked at her "are you sure?" Steven asked.

Connie looked over her shoulder at them with a smile and thrust out her right hand. Seconds later a light appeared over it which revolved into Rose's sword.

Gwendolyn smiled and looked up at Lapis saying "oh yeah she has this."

The sorceress flew up to Lapis and Steven tossed a smile and a nod at Connie saying "break a leg" before he flew up to join Gwendolyn.

Connie meanwhile launched herself across the mindscape sword bearing arm trailing behind her and Jasper calmly rose to meet to what she thought as an insignificant threat.

Needless to say Jasper wasn't expecting Connie to roar when she struck.

"THIS IS FOR GIVING STEVEN THAT BLACK EYE YOU JERK!"

Connie swung the sword.