Chapter 80:

Endgame Part 2: I am my Monster


Both sides gazed up to Gien, now looking like a Diamond. The moment he rose up he just looked at his hands first and looked around his body. He did not look super enthusiased at first but was more surprised how he managed to survive that. Suddenly his face began to morph up a bit as he tried to get it under control. Much like Malachite, he was shown to be unstable. He got it under control and grinned as he looked down at the gems while the remaining Gara Droids stood aside and watched from the other side.

Diamond Gien: Tell me what do you think? This new form I have taken.

Amethyst: What's with his look? Why does he look like a Diamond?

Steven: He fused with them that's why.

Pearl: How? Just how can this happen?

Garnet: But he looks a bit unstable.

Diamond Gien: I hope you are all proud of yourselves. I've become the one thing I hate. A Diamond! But...

Diamond Gien formed an energy ball and looked around what to try it on. He saw a mountain far in the distance and threw it over there. It completely obliterated the mountain.

Diamond Gien: ( silent chuckles) But the power. I can accept that.

Huntress: Get em my love!

Viggo: Obliterate them.

Snaptrap: Yes! Crush them like the ants they are!

Diamond Gien: Incredible. I have the powers of all three Diamonds. That mixed with the radiated gartonium in my body, I still have a chance. To make my world.

Steven: No!

Garnet: Quick Steven, let's become Obsidian.

Steven: Right.

Steven, Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl fused together into Obsidian. She roared and ran to Diamond Gien. Obsidian who was once the largest fusion is now small compared to Diamond Gien who was twice her size. The two of them struggled a bit, but Diamond Gien knocked her down. She got back up and formed her sword and tried to fight back. When she swung the sword, Diamond Gien caught the blade with four of his hands. Obsidian tried to pull back, but he held it tight.

Diamond Gien: Ha! Is that the best you can do?

Diamond Gien with one of his free hands began to glow and formed a laser like aura around it. He karate chops Obsidain's hands that were holding the sword. She roared in pain and stepped back giving her hands a moment to regenerate, while Gien threw the sword away.

Diamond Gien: Was that it? I expected more out of you.

Obsidian's skin color began to turn pink and with high speed she ran at him to throw a punch, however Diamond Gien saw it comming and caught the punch. He grinned at her and chuckled. She tried puching him again, but he caught the next one. She started blowing a multiple punches, but he kept blocking them all.

Diamond Gien: Hahahaha! Not bad fusion. You're pretty good. But your new power is not enough against me.

Diamond Gien formed Blue Diamond's aura around the area, making Obsidian fall to her knees tearing up.

Diamond Gien: Oh don't cry, you haven't experienced true pain yet.

Diamond Gien shot from two of his hands Yellow Diamond's destabalizer beam. This caused Obsidian to unfuse as Steven and the gems fell to the ground. Diamond Gien laughed as they fell.

Steven: Ugh...guys are you alright?

Amethyst: No, he just kicked our butts like we were nothing.

Garnet: He's too powerful

Diamond Gien: That was your most powerful fusion? Even with you new powers you still couldn't beat me.

Diamond Gien continued to laugh until suddenly he felt a rumbling from the ground and emerged from the ocean was the Cluster.

Steven: Cluster!

Diamond Gien: You...

The Cluster tried to grab him, but Diamond Gien with his extra arms grabbed each finger of the Cluster and wrestled it, taking it down.

Peridot: I don't believe it. He's even stronger than the Cluster!

Diamond Gien: I created you and this is how you repay me!?

Diamond Gien using his electric touch had an advantaged against it. He began by tearing out of it's fingers.

Viggo: Amazing. With the three Diamonds combined with his enhanced features, our lord and master has become stronger than that fusion and the Cluster.

Huntress: That's my Gien there! You can take him down all you want but he will always return stronger.

Bomber: Break that Cluster! Do it now master!

Snaptrap: Yes! Give it hell!

Diamond Gien putting his foot on the palm of the Cluster added pressure to it that it couldn't get up. He tore off another finger and finally formed six of his arms together and blasted through it's hand with an electric beam, causing it to destabalize and return to the ground.

Peridot: He just took it down.

Acha: I thought the Cluster was supposed to be indestructable.

Kocha: Well clearly it wasn't.

Revenger: Nothing is indestructable.

Pearl: That's right, if the Cluster can still get hurt, he can too.

Diamond Gien: Me die? Ha, don't you see, everytime I almost die I return new and improved. Yes...

Diamond Gien silent chuckled as he realized what he did and grinned and raised his arms in the air.

Diamond Gien: I have conquered death! I return more powerful than ever! More powerful than the Diamonds or the Cluster combined! I have become...a god! Tremble and kneel to your new God of Destruction.

Garnet: We will never kneel and tremble to you?

Steven: That's right you don't scare us.

Diamond Gien: You should be. Perhaps you need another taste of my power. And you know what, I liked you all better when you were corrupted. Allow me to fix that!

They all gasped and had horrified looks as Diamond Gien formed two of his hands together making it into a white light.

Garnet: He isn't.

Pearl: No...not again.

Revenger: What's happening, what is that?

Bismuth: The same attack that corrupted our friends.

Viggo: Yes! Hahaha!

Bomber: Shouldn't we worry about that?

Viggo: The attack only works on gems. We are machines, technically we're not real living things. We'll be fine.

Diamond Gien: And this time, there will be no survivors to ensure you never return!

Pearl: No...I can't go through this again.

Peridot: He can't do that, not after everything we've been through.

Steven: He won't corrupt anyone.

Steven got up front and jumped up in the air as he floated their and tried to form a giant shield.

Connie: Steven, what are you doing?

Steven: I said I wasn't going to let him or the Diamonds corrupt you guys again and that's what I'm doing!

Garnet: Steven no! You can't form a shield big enough for all of us.

Steven: I have to try!

Pearl: No don't Steven!

Steven kept on trying to enlarge his shield to cover all the gems behind.

Diamond Gien: That's it! Use that shield of yours, you won't last against my power!

Connie: Steven wait!

Connie tried to run to him, until she is stopped by Revenger who grabbed her arm.

Revenger: Don't do it Connie!

Connie: But Steven needs me!

Revenger: You'll only get in the way. Everybody take cover, he's about to fire!

Diamond Gien: Say goodbye!

Diamond Gien fired his corruption blast at Steven's shield. It was a powerful blast as Steven tried his hardest to hold. Diamond Gien notices this and added more power with his free hands. Now it was much harder for Steven.

Steven: Gotta...hold it...can't give up...

Steven then noticed his shield was starting to crack. He couldn't hold it much longer. Any second now, that shield would shatter and he will get blasted by the corruption beam.

Steven: ( in his mind) Is this it? Is this really the end for me? I failed...I failed...no...as long as they don't get hit, I'll accept my fate.

Finally the shield was shattered and Steven took the whole blow from the beam as everyone watched in horror, they couldn't do anything to help but watch as he was starting to corrupt. Steven took one last look at the gems and Connie and a small smile formed on his face. Atleast he knew they were okay.

Steven: ( in his mind) I'm sorry I couldn't stay as me you guys. I'm sorry, but...please keep on going. For me...I love you.

Finally he exploded as everyone covered up from the smoke and power.

Gems and Connie: STEVEN!

Withing a few moments, things started to settle down as the smoke started to clear up.

Connie: Steven, Steven are you there?

But then they felt the ground shake along with loud footsteps. Finally the smoke cleared up and in Steven's place was a giant monster. It was just slightly taller than Diamond Gien. It was a reptilian monster with a long neck, claws and teeth, pink scales and had white spikes from the neck to it's back and tail as well on it's elbows and arms. It had horns on its head and tusks. It let out a roar ( stock early Heisei Godzilla roar). The gems looked up with horrified and some ( Garnet, Connie and Pearl) had sad and tearful looks.

Connie: N...No...

Lapis: Is that Steven?

Garnet: It was...

Pearl: What has Gien done to him?

Acha: My God...

Revenger: No, that can't be him.

Garnet: It is. Look at his gem.

They didn't want to believe it but it was true. They can see the gem on him. That monster is Steven, or it was. Connie stepped forward to Monster Steven as he looked down at her.

Connie: Steven it's me! Can you hear me?

Monster Steven stood there and glared at her.

Connie: It's me Connie! Do you recognize me?

Monster Steven looked down at her, his glare softend and looked at her as if he recognized her, but shook it off and let out a growl and raised his foot. He was about to stomp her until Lion came and got her out of the way.

Connie: Why...why did he do that?

Garnet: He doesn't recognize you.

Pearl: That's what happens when gems are corrupted. They don't remember who they used to be or who their friends were.

Lapis: But we can change him back right? Peridot you can do it.

Peridot: I would except that one I need more blood from him and two the fountain isn't big enough for him either.

Lapis: So what can we do then, we can't leave him like this!
Monster Steven roared again, looking mad. Unsure who to attack first, he sets his sights to his biggest target, which was Diamond Gien. Speaking of which, he just stood their amazed.

Diamond Gien: ( in his mind) Look at that, he took the entire blast and made him into a mindless monster. Hmph look who's the smart one now.

The other Gara Droids down below watched as well.

Huntress: He's...he's been turned into a monster.

Viggo: The fool tried to save his friends but ended up getting corrupted himself.

Snaptrap: Wait, he's heading towards our master!

Monster Steven was making his way at Diamond Gien for being a big target to him.

Snaptrap: He will not pass. Seatrons, form into King Poseidon!

Viggo: Snaptrap no!

The Seatrons from into King Poseidon and blocks Monster Steven. He was joined by Tripredacus for the two of them being the biggest.

King Poseidon: You must take on us before you fight our lord.

Diamond Gien: King Poseidon! Tripredacus! Stand down!

King Poseidon: Let us handle this Master. We will take down this beast for you.

Tripredacus: Fire at him with all you got.

King Poseidon and Tripredacus fired at him with their projectile attacks, King Poseidon from his master trident and Tripredacus's shoulder.

Garnet: Stop it!

Lapis: You're hurting him!

Acha: So he's a giant monster, that doesnt' mean you have to kill him!

They kept attacking Monster Steven but it didn't seem to do much damage to him, instead it sorto of agitated him. Monster Steven roared as the spikes on his back began to glow. Finally he shot out a heat ray from his mouth at both combiners. This did big damage to them as the both fell. Monster Steven stomped on Tripredacus and then grabbed him. He tried struggling out but it was no use, soon he was ripped in half by Monster Steven as he used his heat ray again to destroy the remains. King Poseidon got back up and tried to hit him with his trident, but Monster Steven grabbed it and tossed him aside, while he had the trident and broke it in half. Monster Steven went to King Poseidon as the two struggled, but then Monster Steven bite down onto King Poseidon's shoulders as his spikes began to glow again. Using his heat ray, he blasted King Poseidon into pieces. Falling near Viggo, Huntress and Bomber was Snaptrap, barely alive.

Huntress: Snaptrap?

Viggo: I told you not to go out there.

Snaptrap: My...my men. Where are they?

They watched as it rained bits and pieces of the remaining Seatrons.

Bomber: It seems you were the only one who made it.

Snaptrap: No! My whole team, King Poseidon...gone!

Monster Steven roared as he was being fired upon by generic elites and soldiers. Monster Steven tailed whipped them.

Diamond Gien: Cease fire! Cease fire you fools!

They stopped firing, but the spikes on Monster Steven's back light up again.

Huntress: He's about to fire at us.

Snaptrap: I don't like the looks of this.

Viggo: Everyone move!

Monster Steven blasted more Gara Soldiers. Many soldiers were annihalated and elites, Dart Shot, Gungan and Kanedama were killed in the blast. Suddenly Monster Steven felt something hit him from the back of his head. It was Bomber in his missile form as he changed back.

Bomber: I will not allow you exterminate us.

Bomber started to build up energy as an electric aura formed around him. His body flashed and he was in his super form.

Super Bomber: I Super Bomber the Great will destroy you!

Super Bomber formed his hands into rocket launchers and fired missiles at his eyes, blinding him temporarily. He flew down and shot out a wire and tied around his legs, causing him to fall back. Super Bomber kept firing at him with his laser cannons.

Super Bomber: And now, to finish you off. Missile Mode

Super Bomber transformed into his missile form and launches himself Monster Steven's face. However Monster Steven saw him coming and using his heat ray, he blasted Bomber as he transformed back into robot mode.

Super Bomber: What?!

Super Bomber was engulfed by the heat ray as he slowly disinergrated from the blast.

Super Bomber: DA...DAMN IT ALL!

Yelling his final words, Super Bomber was finally destroyed. Monster Steven got back up and looked at Gien and made his way to him. He roared and charged at him, but Diamond Gien grinned as his eyes began to glow. A white beam from White's powers shot from his eyes and into Monster Steven's eyes. Monster Steven roared as his eyes were being shot by it.

Connie: No! What is he doing to him?

Pearl: It's from White Diamond's power. The ability to control someone.

Finally it stopped, Monster Steven opened his eyes and gazed at Diamond Gien.

Diamond Gien: Step back.

Monster Steven did as he said and stepped backward.

Huntress: Did...Did he just do what he said?

Viggo: Incredible.

Diamond Gien: Come to me.

Monster Steven did as he said and came to him.

Diamond Gien: Kneel down to me.

Monster Steven kneeled down to Diamond Gien.

Diamond Gien: ( silent chuckles) Amazing. Looks like I got myself a new pet. Now rise up.

Monster Steven rose up to face Diamond Gien as the latter took a look at the gems behind Monster Steven.

Diamond Gien: Those gems behind you. Crush them. Every last one.

Monster Steven nodded and turned to the gems and roared at them as he charged at them.

Lapis: He's coming towards us.

Garnet: He's going to attack!

Monster Steven made it to shore and roared down at them. The spikes on his back began to glow, charging for another heat ray.

Bismuth: Let's run for it!

Revenger: There's no time.

But moments before he blasted at them, Lion and Charlie got in front and both shot out a portal combined big enough to absorb the heat ray and quickly formed another at Diamond Gien. Monster Steven breathed the heat ray at the portal. The blast went through the portal and out through the other one towards Diamond Gien. Diamond Gien simply deflected the blast into the horizon. He just chuckled and continued to watch.

Monster Steven raised his foot and was about to to stomp on them but they all got out of the way. The other gems tried fighting him, but their attacks were nothing against him. He tailed whipped most of them away and picked up boulders threw at them.

Garnet: Steven stop! This isn't you!

Monster Steven roared and threw it at them. Most of them got out of the way, however once the boulder crashed to the ground it broke into smaller boulders and one of them was heading towards Volleyball, that was until Acha pushed her away and he got hit instead.

Volleyball and Kocha: Acha!

They ran to get him, once they got close they saw his body was dented and his legs were missing. The others went to go check on them.

Pearl: Are you alright?

Acha: Don't worry, I've been through worse.

Pearl: He's getting out of control.

Garnet: Let's fuse.

Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst formed into Alexandrite. Even though she was a lot shorter than him, she was quicker. Monster Steven tried to hit her with his tail. She grabbed the tail and spun him around into the cliff wall. Monster Steven got back up and tried to ram his head into her. But she jumped over him and grabbed onto his head, holding it into a lock as he tried shaking her off. Diamond Gien and the Gara Droids watched in amusment.

Snaptrap: Hehehehe! Look at that, we have the most powerful enemy as our ally now. He will give them the same treatment as he did to my men.

Viggo: Yes...making him unknowingly kill his friends is a great punishment for him after all he did.

Huntress: That's great and all, but have you all forgotton our plant to reformat this planet is gone.

Diamond Gien: I can hear you three from here.

The trio turned to him.

Diamond Gien: The destruction of the Planet Reformatter is just a minor set back. I can still change this world myself.

Diamond Gien levitated in the air. He formed his hands together and his eyes began to glow white. With his eight hands he began charging up an whiteish yellow energy ball.

Diamond Gien: While my monster is taking care of those gems, I just need some time to charge up my own reformation cannon to fire at this planet. Everything is still going as planned.

While Diamond Gien was charging up for his own reformation cannon, we cut back to Alexandrite still holding onto Monster Steven.

Alexandrite: Calm down! It's me. We're your friends.

Monster Steven roared and grabbed onto her as he threw her down. She tried to get up, but he kicked her down and stomped onto her. His spikes began to glow and fired his heat ray at her. Alexandrite got hit and was forced to unfuse, now leaving Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl lying on the ground barely with any energy left. They looked up and saw Monster Steven about to attack again until Connie got in front of them and tried to shield them.

Connie: Steven don't do this. We're your friends and family!

Monster Steven stopped what he was doing and looked at her again. His glare faded for a moment with soft eyes, feeling like he recognizes her again. But the monster part combined being congrolled by Diamond Gien made him shake it off and glared at her again, roaring and about to stomp on them. But then he felt laser projectiles hit him in the back of his head and someone hitting him on the horn. He saw and it was Revenger and Bismuth who had Peridot on her back so she can help her fly.

Bismuth: That got his attention.

Peridot: Sorry Steven!

Revenger: Quick get him to the ocean.

They flew and had him follow them into the ocean. Once he got in, Lapis formed water chains and got a hold of him holding him down. He was about to use his heat ray on her, until she formed another one which shut his mouth. He began to struggle, trying to break free.

Lapis: Sorry buddy, but I'm doing this for your own good.

The team got back to better on the beach.

Amethyst: Okay so now what?

Peridot: Well I don't know how to cure him like this.

Bismuth: Are we gonna have to poof him and cure him later?

Garnet: There won't be a later. Gien is charging up his attack. We have to stop him soon.

Amethyst: Yeah how with Steven trying to kill us?

Pearl: He's not doing this on purpose. He's not only corrupted but Gien has him under his control.

Connie: We have to get through to him.

Revenger: How are we supposed to get through to him?He's out of control.

Connie: You guys saw how he kept resisting when we tried to talk to him.

Pearl: That's right, deep inside this monster Steven is in there. Being forced into doing all this.

Lapis: So there's a chance to save him?

Garnet: It's slim. I don't about curing his corruption now, but we have to try and atleast get through to him, it might break his link with Gien.

Revenger: That's suicide.

Peridot: Do you have any better ideas?

Revenger: ( groans) None that I can think of.

Garnet: Everyone, Steven has always been there for us. Now it's our turn to be there for him. If we all try, we can break free his humanity. But I can't guarntee we'll make it.

They all looked at each other as they exchanged faces and nodded.

Connie: I'll help him.

Amethyst: You know I'm always there for my number one fan.

Bismuth: I ain't leaving my young leader behind.

Pearl: Neither will I. I'm getting my baby back even if it kills me.

Lapis: I promised Steven I wouldn't let anything bad happen to him. He helped me and now I'm helping him back.

Peridot: I am too. I'm not leaving him behind.

Revenger: This plan is crazy, but I'll regret leaving him behind.

Garnet: Acha, Kocha, Volleyball.

Garnet turned to the three, but they were attending to Acha.

Acha: I'm sorry, but I can't.

Kocha: We really want to but...

Volleyball: We can't leave Acha like this. We have to stay and keep him out of the battle field.

Charlie: But be careful and save Steven. He's a good kid.

Garnet: Thanks and it's okay. Alright everyone, it's time.

Monster Steven was starting to break loose and he saw the gems comming towards him. Connie, Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst were riding on Lion who can walk on water. Peridot was flying with Bismuth while Lapis and Revenger flew on their own to him. Once they got close, Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl jumped off of Lion and grapped and held onto his front neck, the way they grabbed onto him was like they were hugging him. Monster Steven roared, raising his hand about to crush them.

Garnet: Steven when I fell apart you were there for me. You accepted me no matter what. I along with Ruby and Sapphire love you.

Amethyst: You've alwasy been my number one fan! We've been buds since day 1. I won't let you down.

Pearl: Steven, you made me stronger than I ever could be. I know there were some tough times, but you've always made me so proud of you!

Monster Steven listened as he lowered his arm, his glare was softening as he let out soft growls. The others finally got close.

Lapis: Is it working? You hear us? Steven!

Lapis flew to the side of his neck and hugged him. Bismuth, Peridot and Revenger joined in next and hugged him as well.

Lapis: Steven! You've done so much for me! After everything we've been through together I won't let it end like this. I love my Beach Summer Fund Buddy and I'll save you like you saved me!

Bismuth: Steven, even before you discovered your powers I always believed in you. You brought so much joy to us in tough times. Come back to us young leader!

Revenger: I'm not very good at these things, but Steven you're much wiser and stronger than me. I've done so many reckless and stupid things and only thought about my needs. Despite my arrogance, you along with everyone were still by my side. You showed me how important life on this planet is. Stay with us my friend!

Peridot: Steven! You were the first real friend I made in my life. You gave me a chance after everything I did and even after you learned about my past. You're my Steven, please come back!

Monster Steven had softened look and made soft growls. He felt a hand on his shoulder, it was Cluster who came back to be there for him as well. He began to remember now. He remembered so many moments in his life like when he thought he got his powers by eating ice cream, meeting Connie, freeing Lapis and healing her gem, comforting Pearl after her breakdown, Jasper and Peridot coming to Earth to invade but also learning Garnet is a fusion, making a truce with Peridot and facing the Cluster and all the times he faced off the Gara Droids and fusing with his friends.

Finally from above, Connie jumped off of Lion and got on top of his snout and made his way to his face, in betwen his eyes.

Connie: Steven... without you, my life wouldn't be the same and be so empty. I know your confused and scared right now, but you're going to be okay. We're all going to take care of you, the same way you take care of us. You know what? I don't have your powers but...

After cutting off her sentence, Connie kisses him. Monster Steven closed his eyes as he began to tear up. His tear drops were falling into the water as it began to turn pink. Suddenly he began to glow and the light engulfed everyone holding him, except the Cluster who let go before being engulfed.

Meanwhile

Diamond Gien was just moments away of reformatting the Earth.

Diamond Gien: Any second now, it will be done. In a few moments, the Earth is mine!

He began to laugh in victory until something happened.

( Queue Eren's epic transformation/ Armored Titan theme)

He saw a light where Monster Steven was. It blew out as shined the whole area as everyone covered their eyes.

Acha: Did that work?

Kocha: They got through to him?

Volleyball: I think so.

Viggo: Now what's going on?

Huntress: It's so bright.

Snaptrap: What's up with that light?

Diamond Gien gazed at it. He was confused what was happening? He was so focused on that, that he forgot to continue charging. He couldn't tell what was happening because it was so bright. That was until something was coming from that light, it was some figure. A large figure about his size. Before he could react, the figure jumped up and punched him across the face, causing him to lose focus on his attack, canceling it and falling to the water. Diamond Gien rubbed his face as he tried to see who punched him.

Diamond Gien: Who...Who did that? AH!

The light dimmed down to show this figure was a fusion. Propably the biggest one yet. She had an athletic build, eight arms which were a metallic pink, hair like Amethyst except it had a rainbow color like Bismuth. Her clothes was a midriff shirt of Steven's, had Pearl's jacket, her pants was like Garnet's and had her shoulder pads. She had water wings like Lapis on her back. Her face much like Obsidian had a secondary face like mask, but it looked more like Revenger's face, but with four eyes. Her real face had a slight resemblence to Stevonnie, except it was pink and had Amethyst's lips. The eyes had a violet color to it, but they were covered by a star visor. She of course she had the gemstones of all the gems. Steven's gem on the belly, Garnet's gems on the first two hands. Amethyst and Bismuth's on he chest. Lapis's on the back. Peridot's gem on Revenger's mask and Pearl's on the forehead of the real face.

Diamond Gien: Wha...What is this?

?: Gien...we settle this now.

Diamond Gien: No! I command you to stop!

?: It won't work. The Crystal Gems freed Steven from your control, breaking your link.

Diamond Gien: Let me fix that then.

Diamond Gien fired his eye beams at her to control her, however she saw it coming and deflected the beam back at him. He acted fast and tried to block with his hands, which he did and caused him to fall back.

Diamond Gien: You...you just deflected my control beam like it was nothing. Who do you think you are?

The fusion smirked at him.

?: I'm the combined love, trust and friendship of Steven and his friends. I am Imperial Rainbow and this is our home...you're not welcome here!

Imperial Rainbow let out a roar as she ran head on at him as the final battle begins.

To be concluded...


Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. I tried retell I am my Monster since I have been getting requests to bring Monster Steven into the story. But I am aware it's not much better than the actual episode ( then again the actual episode felt rushed). But also I thought it would have been cool to imagine Monster Steven with the Heisei Godzilla roar from 1989-1991. I like to thank Lady Shadow92 for help on bringing Monster Steven and for the idea of Imperial Rainbow. Also as I said before to some of you, I cannot answer some of your questions involving bringing back other characters now since it will involve spoiling it to everyone. This is it, next time will be the final chapter of Advent of the Gara Droids. If you liked this chapter, be sure to follow, favorite and review. As always thank you and until next time.