Normal POV.

After weeks of travel Steven and company now fined themselves in the wasteland that was once Stevens personal sanctuary.

Lifeless, hollow trees were all they saw as they moved deeper and deeper into the dead forest. The once vibrant crystals that were strewn about were now lifeless gray husks. Rivers that use to run through the forest were now dried up with no signs of the water ever being there.

The sight of all of this had Steven gaping.

Steven:"*Shocked* H-How?"

Peridot:"It was like this when we came here"

Steven turned his head to her with a confused look on his armored face.

Steven:"What do you mean?"

Peridot:"After you were taken we tried to figure out a way to fined you. I summarized that the only way we could was from a sample of your gems energy and the only place that could have it was here. When we came here it was already like this, dead with no signs of life anywhere"

They soon came upon the clearing that had the remains of the tree man. Stevens eyes widened at the sight of them and he could help but gasp while Peridot looked on in sadness.

Peridot:"Only one of them survived long enough for me to get the sample we needed, but we made sure to stay with him till he passed on"

Steven approached one of the corpses of the tree man and, upon a quick inspection, found it to be Birchclaw. Laying a free hand on his dead creation he silently weeps.

Peridot:"Steven..."

She reaches out a hand and lays it on his thigh with Lapis, who just woke up, doing the same but on his chest. Steven was grateful for their support and made a mental note to repay them at a later date. After a few more moments of mourning for the lost he asked his two lovers a question that's been plaguing him for a while.

Steven:"How long was it before you went and searched for me?"

Peridot:"Hmm I remember us waiting in the alleyway until the sounds of gunfire stopped. Though the shooting didn't stop until nightfall and we didn't dare leave until the sun was up. After that we got the sample and Lapis flew us for six days straight before we found you"

After hearing this Steven begins to chuckle which catches his lovers attention. They look at him in confusion, wondering why he's chuckling but then he begins to laugh.

Steven:"I can't believe it; I've been dead for a week straight!"

He continues to laugh as he begins to realize why his sanctuary is the way it is along with his creations.

Steven:"The moment I died the life I had created died with me?!"

His laughter was getting louder and started to sound more distort causing Peridot to back up a little and Lapis to squirm. The corrupted and mutated were no better as they began to shake and whimper a little. This got worse as a pink aura enveloped Steven and he began to tear up.

Steven:"Did anyone back home even care that I was gone?! Did they even wonder if I was possibly alive or dead?!"

The two gems realize that their Steven is having an emotional breakdown. Peridot tried to think of a way to calm him down but stopped when she saw his eyes. They were glow brightly and she noticed that his pupils had changed into that of diamonds. This shocked Peridot to her core and judging by Lapis's expression she notice to.

Steven:"Maybe I should pay them all a visit and show them how I-"

He was cut off by Lapis slapping him across the face. Silence rang out as Peridot covered her mouth in shock and the hoard tensed.

Slowly Steven reached a hand up to his face and rubbed the area that Lapis had slapped. It didn't hurt, there wasn't even a mark, but the action itself was a surprise to the hybrid. He looked down at the water gem in his arm with a completely stupefied look.

Steven:"What-"

Lapis:"STEVEN"

Said boy shut his mouth immediately. Her voice wasn't warped like before, which was a surprise to everyone, instead it was a sing-song like voice and the tone she used promised great pain if interrupted.

Lapis:"I am only gonna say this once and if I have to repeat myself your going to know what it feels like to have an entire ocean dropped on you, UNDERSTAND?"

Steven nodded his head rapidly, terrified of his water angel. Let it be known that Lapis Lazuli can be scary when she wants to be.

Lapis:"Good. Now it doesn't matter what everyone else thinks, if they don't care about you then you shouldn't care about them. You should only care for those that actually care about you as well like me and Peridot"

She then reach up with both hands and held Stevens head.

Lapis:"Even when everything seems to be going down hill for you remember to stay determined. But always remember-"

She leaned in closer to his face and before her lips touched him.

Lapis:"To love yourself"

And she sealed it with a kiss.

Her words rang out in Stevens head as he stared wide eyed at Lapis. What she had said tugged a cord within him and the floodgates opened. Now while during his breakdown he was already shedding tears but they were of his overwhelming sadness. These tears were of happiness; happiness that poured out of him as he returned the kiss with as much emotion as he could.

Off to the side Peridot watched this with a small smile. She couldn't help but agree with all that Lapis had said, hell she even shed a tear of her own.

Then she noticed something peculiar.

The tears that fall from Steven hit the ground and said ground begins to glow pink. When the glow dimmed away the once dead earth was now lively with grass growing on top of it, there was even a flower growing back. As more tears hit the ground does more of the surrounding area begin to revive, already a nearby tree was showing signs of life returning to it.

Peridot couldn't help but marvel at what she was seeing, even more so when the thorns on Stevens body bloomed into roses.

Peridot:"*Awestruck* Incredible!"

Her words seemed to snap Steven and Lapis out of their kiss. The two look at her in confusion before seeing what she sees. They see the forest slowly regaining its former beauty as it heals.

Steven:"How is this possible?"

Peridot:"It's because of you Steven, your tears are healing the forest!"

He gives her a blank look.

Steven:"What am I, some sort of Disney princess?"

Peridot:"What's a Disney princess?"

Steven:"*Sighs* Never-mind, you wouldn't understand the reference"

Steven then feels Lapis wiggling in his arm so lets down. As the water gem stood on her own two feet Steven noticed that her appearance hand changed a bit.

The gold splotches that covered her right arm had spread to the rest of her body. Each of her exposed limbs had the gold splotches on them, even her torso had a few of the splotches. Her hands and feet were now webbed like a see creature and her digits are pointed into claws. Sharp fins appeared on the bottom of her forearms that curved upwards toward the shoulders and a pair on her back that curved downward with the gem in between. Her teeth have become more pointed like Stevens own with the ears being more like the sharp fins on her forearms. Another change is one of her eyes, the left eye was still the same dark blue like before but her right one was now a gold color. Her hair was still the same but just a bit wilder and the left side of her face had a big gold splotch that covered the eye and forehead.

Steven couldn't help but marvel at his lovers new appearance. He didn't dislike it at all, in fact he loves the new look.

Steven:"*Amazed* Wow"

Lapis noticed him staring and looked herself over. She spots the changes done to her body and fidgets a little.

Lapis:"*Nervous* I-I look ugly, don't I?"

Steven:"No Lapis! You look beautiful"

A bit of light shined within Lapis's eyes as she smiled.

Steven:"Besides I didn't fall in love with you because of your looks"

He leaned in closer and gave his lover a warm smile.

Steven:"It's the person that stuck by me through thick and thin. Even when I no longer looked like the little boy that freed you from the mirror you still stayed with me, and THAT is why I fell in love with you Lapis Lazuli"

Lapis stood there shocked as she proceeded his reason for loving her. And just like with Steven the words tugged at the heart strings. She couldn't help but give a wide, toothy grin filled with happiness.

Before she knew it Steven scoops her up into his arms and whispers in her ear how much this new transformation appeals to him.

Steven:"Plus this new look you have fits you and I'm happy to say I find it very alluring if you like to know~"

Lapis blushes deeply at his words and lets out a little giggle. Any thought of Steven being repulsed by her new look vanished with his words.

Then she remembers something VERY important.

Lapis:"Mind explaining why you have the eyes of a Diamond right now?"

At that moment Steven wished he was anywhere else on the planet. Both Lapis and Peridot, who moved closer during their little moment, were giving him questioning looks as they waited for an answer.

Steven:"*Sighs* Before I explain I would like to clarify that I didn't find out about my true heritage until my gem was literally torn out of my stomach"

With Lapis and Peridot both looking horrified by that last bit he began his tale.

He told them about how during his dissection the lady in charge spotted his gem and had the flesh around it cut before pulling it out by hand. How, before everything went dark for him, he saw that his gem was a Pink Diamond instead of a Rose Quartz like he originally believed.

Upon finishing his watered down explanation he saw how Lapis and Peridot had vastly different expressions from each other. The little green gem was shaking like a leaf and looking a bit scared while also concerned for him. Lazuli on the other hand looks ready to go into a violent rage and butcher something mercilessly with her newfound claws.

Steven was a little worried that Lapis might have a violent outburst from the fact that he was dissected or that he's basically a Diamond, his moneys on the former. Peridot seemed to also see how bad Lapis's mood was and made the smart decision to get the fuck away. At this point Lazuli was twitching and was letting out an animalistic snarl with her teeth bared.

Needing something to take her mind off things and clam her down Steven racked his brain for a solution but was coming up with blanks. Just as he was about to resort to physically restraining her he saw his surroundings. His sanctuary was healing quite nicely thanks to his tears but it would still take time if left alone. Seeing a way to kill two birds with one stone he brought out his armor tipped vines from his back and plunged them into the ground. The vines pulsed with pink energy that surged into the earth itself and the results were practically instantaneous.

From where the vines were imbedded in the earth lines of pink energy spread out across the sanctuary. This energy caused the ground itself to revitalize with all forms of plant life on it returning to life. These weren't the only things that were effected as the dead crystals regained their glow but instead of it being their original color it was pink instead. Even the dried up streams had water return to them in a rushing torrent.

The sudden change in the environment was enough to distract Lapis as she gazes around in bewilderment. Acting fast Steven uses his chlorokinesis to sprout up a massive planet behind Lapis that starts releasing pollen. The pollen then starts to surround Lapis and, within moments, her eyes begin to droop. Unconsciousness soon followed for the corrupted Lazuli and before falling to the ground was caught by Steven.

Steven:"Hopefully when she wakes she's a lot calmer"

He then conjured up a massive rose with a cotton bed in the middle and sets her down in it. It was at that moment Peridot decided to come out from wherever she was hiding and stand next to him.

Peridot:"So... what now?"

Steven:"Now? Now we head to BeachCity. I have to pay a certain someone a visit"

Peridot:"And you think that going there as a 18 foot tall armored lizard is going to end well for you"

That gave Steven pause. What Peridot said was true, if he went there as he was now then panic would ensue. So this left him with only one option.

Closing his eyes he willed himself to change back to his original 8 foot tall self. He felt his body beginning to shrink and his armor shifting and changing. When it came to his tail it felt very strange as it shrunk/retracted into his body.

Once the process was complete Steven let out a sigh of relief, such a drastic change felt very strange to him. Heading over to a nearby stream he looked into the water to see his appearance.

His reflection showed that he looked quite like he did the day he first saw his transformation but with a few differences. One difference is that his armor looks even harder then before with the addition of little spikes on each piece. The other difference is that his horns remained but adapted to match his current size.

Steven:"Hm... that's new"

Not really bothered by this he makes his way to warp pad with Peridot in toe.

...

Once the warp stream died down Steven and Peridot found themselves inside the destroyed beach house.

Steven:"What the hell happened to my house?!"

Peridot:"*Nervous* This was my doing"

Steven:"Why?"

Peridot:"Those crystal clods wouldn't let me and Lapis leave to go find you, and in the heat of the moment I kinda... lashed out"

Steven:"Recking my house in the process"

Peridot just chuckles nervously while rubbing the back of her head. Steven lets out a exasperated sigh and headed for the door. Peridot went to follow but was stopped by Steven.

Steven:"Go back to the sanctuary"

Peridot:"What why?!"

Steven:"Cause if Lapis wakes up and sees that neither of us is there she will more than likely lose it. *Thoughts* And I don't want you to see what's gonna happen"

Peridot:"...Alright I'll go, but please promise you won't do something stupid"

Steven:"I... promise"

With that Peridot warps back to the sanctuary, leaving Steven alone.

Steven:"*Whispers* But some promises have to be broken"

He left the beach house and began heading for the city. It didn't take him long to reach his destination.

Beach Citywalk Fries.

Walking up to the counter he taps the ringer and waited. A minute later Mr. Fryman appears in front of him and stares in shock.

Mr. Fryman:"*Panicked* S-Steven?! What are you doing here?"

Steven:"I'm looking for Ronaldo"

Mr. Fryman:"If that's the case then you'll have to come back later cause I'm-"

He was cut off by Steven grabbing him by the collar and pulling him to his face.

Steven:"*Growls* Your going to tell me where that curly haired fuck is or else I'm gonna start breaking shit!"

To emphasize this he smashed his free hand through the counter.

Steven:"*Snarls* Your bones are next"

Fryman crack instantly.

Mr. Fryman:"Alright alright I'll tell where he is!"

Steven:"*Growls* Make it quick"

Mr. Fryman:"He's at the lighthouse! He told me that he was planning to do a livestream there for his blog"

Steven:"Thank you"

Steven then head butted the man, knocking him out. Dropping the body he turned and headed to the lighthouse.

Ten minutes later he found himself before the lighthouse. Opening the door he creeped inside as quietly as his bulk would allow him. He could see Ronaldo at a desk typing away on his laptop, not even realizing the danger he was in. As Steven slowly got closer and closer Ronald had finished typing and smiled at the screen before turning to a camera.

Ronaldo:"Hello people of the world my name is Ronaldo. If your not familiar with me then here's a brief rundown of what I do. I run a-"

As he talked Steven was getting closer to the Fryman. He creeped through the room and ducked behind some cabinets.

Ronaldo:"With that out of the way let's begin! A few weeks ago my hometown was attacked by some sort of military group. Now it's sad to say that some people lost their life's that day but their deaths were not in vein. They had managed to successfully capture the towns monster!"

Steven was not amused by this.

Ronaldo:"That's right folks, BeachCity's has its own monster. It use to be a little boy named Steven Universe but then it shed its disguise, revealing its true self!"

Steven watched Ronaldo quickly type something on his laptop before returning to the camera.

Ronaldo:"This image is what the creature looks like. If anything its a crime against nature to even exist-"

THAT pushed some buttons.

Ronaldo:"But wait, your wondering how did this military group find out about this creature. Well it's simple really, I told them!"

The metal of the cabinet bended from Stevens grip.

Ronaldo:"That's right people I informed them about this monsters existence! I told them all I knew about it before they warned me about the attack. Thanks to that I was able to get my family away so they wouldn't be hurt"

Steven was now standing right behind Ronaldo with a murderous look on his face.

Ronaldo:"Thanks to their efforts the monster was-Huh? *Looks at comments* What do you guys mean there's a monster behind me?"

Ronaldo rolls around and his eyes widen as Steven stares back with his teeth bared and eyes glowing. Ronaldo didn't even have time to scream before Steven had his hand wrapped around his face and throwing him across the room. Ronaldo hit the far wall with a loud thud and he screamed as he felt his shoulder break upon contact.

Steven:"So you think I'm a monster huh?"

Ronaldo tried to look up but only received a fist to the face. The spikes on the armor dug into his skin and even pierced it, drawing blood.

Steven:"*Growls* You think I'm a crime against nature!"

A kick to the stomach sent Ronaldo back into the wall.

Steven:"*Growls* And you think the deaths of the innocent were justified by my capture!"

Steven grabbed Ronaldo again and hurled him into the cabinets. Papers went everywhere as the cabinets were busted open by Ronaldo's body.

Steven:"*Snarls* Because of you I was tortured by them and then killed as they cut me open and took whatever they wanted from inside of me!"

Ronaldo was a bloody mess as Steven stood over him once more.

Ronaldo:"T-Then how *Cough* are y-you still *Cough, Cough* alive?!"

Steven:"*Dark tone* Cause even death escapes me"

He the punch Ronaldo over, and over, and over. Rage of what had happened to him blindly fueled his attack as he pummeled Ronaldo relentlessly. With a roar Steven brought both fists down on Ronaldo's head, smashing it into mush.

As Stevens rage fueled mind subsided and a sense of calm returns to him the realization of what he's done dons upon him. Looking down at the now headless corpse he feels a twinge of guilt not for Ronaldo himself, bastard got what was coming to him, but what his father and little brother will go through.

Turning his head Steven could see the camera was still on and broadcasting, if the blinking red light was anything to go by. Moving towards it with blood dripping from his hands he stands before the camera with a hollow look in his eyes and grasps it.

*Crunch!*

The crushed remains fall to the floor with a thump. Steven then turns his attention to the laptop and sees that the streams comment section is buzzing with activity. Thousands of comments ranging from death threats to shock and surprise. There were also some that were... questionable/disturbing to read. Just wanting the day to end Steven smashes the laptop and leaves the lighthouse.

Once outside Steven could see that it was already late in the afternoon. Not wanting to head back to the sanctuary yet he decides to pay someone a long overdue visit.

...

After a long walk Steven finds himself in a familiar neighborhood. Everything seems to be the exact same as it was that stormy night.

Walking up to one of the houses he gives the door a few knocks and waits.

?:"Hold on I'm coming!"

Moments later the door opens and there stood a woman that looks at Steven in shock.

?:"Steven!?"

Steven:"Hello... Vidalia"