Chapter 8: That Day
Steven saw emerging out of the car was an older version of himself. He looked like to be in his late 20s, maybe 28. He was as tall as Garnet now and had bit of muscle on him and his hair was slightly longer but still curly and had a light stubble beard.
Steven: Is that...me?!
Pearl: Steven!
Steven turned behind him and saw all the gems along with Revenger with them. The gems were approaching him.
Steven: Guys, hey what's going...
But when Steven tried to talk to them, they walked right through him.
Steven: On?
He saw they were greeting his older self. He tried touching them again, but his hand went right through them.
Steven: I get it now. This is another memory. They can't see or hear me and I can't touch them. But where's Gray?
Then Future Steven began to talk.
Future Steven: Hey guys. It's been a while hasn't it?
Amethyst: Yeah dude, you hardly visit nowadays.
Pearl: Why haven't you called me?
Garnet: Now, now you two. Steven has his own responsibilites being a parent. Speaking of which, did you bring him?
Steven nodded as from the passenger seat of the car, Connie emerged. She had long hair in a ponytail and wore a blue shirt with white shorts. She went to the back seat to get someone else. She brought a two year old baby out wearing a yellow shirt and blue pants. She held his hand and walked him to the others.
Steven: Gray?
The gems were all excited seeing him and kneeled down to him.
Pearl: ( gasps) Do I see little Gray?
Amethyst: Hey Boy Wonder, how's it hanging?
Garnet: Hi there cutie.
Bismuth: Let me get a loot at my uh...er...um, still haven't come up with a nickname for him yet.
Peridot: Oh wow...he's...so...cute!
Lapis: Welcome back Gray. Did you miss me?
Pearl: I call holding him!
Amethyst: No way P! Last time you had him, you wouldn't let us have him the whole day.
Pearl: Because he's mine.
Peridot: No way you clod. I'm getting my time with him. Last time this happened, Lapis nearly sent a tsunami at the town.
Lapis: And I will do it again if you don't share.
Pearl: You don't scare me, besides I'm more responsible with him. I'm his Aunt Pearl.
Garnet: Pearl everyone deserves to spend time with Gray.
Connie: You all will have time to play with Gray.
Future Steven: Okay but if we're going to choose first, I'd say...Peridot and Lapis.
Pearl: But...
Peridot: Yes! Thank you!
Lapis: Come on Gray. Let's go make a sand castle.
Lapis went to Gray to pick him up. Gray held up his hands to her wanting to be with her. Lapis picks up Gray and carries him to the beach as Peridot follows her as they walked past Revenger.
Lapis: Hey Revenger, want a play with us?
Baby Gray cooed and reached his hand to Revenger.
Revenger: I'll pass.
Lapis shrugged and walked away as Pearl watched with a frown.
Pearl: ( pouting) I would have liked to play with him.
Connie: You'll get your chance Pearl.
Bismuth: Hey come on now don't pout. There's someone else who needs attention you know.
Bismuth lifted up Pearl of her feet and held her.
Pearl: ( laughs) Bismuth you.
Bismuth carried her away.
Amethyst: Welp, I'm gonna get a soda. You want one lovebirds?
Future Steven: Sure Amethyst.
Future Steven: Is dad here yet?
Garnet: Not yet, we're still waiting for Acha, Kocha and Volleyball to come.
Future Steven got out his phone to check the time.
Future Steven: 12:55. He should be here soon.
Steven gasped when he heard his future self say the time.
Steven: 12: 55? Five minutes to 1:00. Wait is this...
Garnet: How goes parent life?
Future Steven: Well, I mean it's nice you know. Raising my own kid and soon teaching him things in life, it's nice despite changing his diapers and tending to him in the middle in the night when he cries.
Connie: And we're planning a lot for him.
Garnet: Like what?
Connie: Well for one thing, have him go to school.
Future Steven: Yeah, since he doesn't have a gem, he can co exist better with humans than I can. Plus I never got to experience school. He can participate in other activities too. Oh but definitley teach him to play an instrument. I'm still thinking whether the guitar or violin.
Connie: I was thinking violin. But I don't want to control him like my parents did. If he wants, he can take swordsmanship lessons from Pearl when he gets older.
They gazed over at Gray watching Lapis make a sand castle with Peridot holding onto him.
Garnet: I'm sure he'll accomplish a lot like the two of you.
Steven looked around the memory. He saw how happy everyone was. He then saw his older self and Garnet walk towards Revenger.
Future Steven: Hey Revenger, glad you were able to come.
Revenger: Well, it's been a while of course and I don't get out much.
Future Steven: How's Little Homeworld going for you?
Revenger: Ok. I'm still new at it and haven't really talked to anyone.
Garnet: And you haven't gone to our school yet.
Revenger: I already know how to live on this planet, I don't need to be educated.
Garnet: There are still some things you don't know about Earth or co-existing with humans.
Future Steven: It's about time you unlock new doors. I can still help you know.
Revenger: You have a new responsibility now. Raising your kid.
Future Steven: ( nods) Yeah. But I can make time with all of you. Especially you. After what you told me I want to mak sure you're okay.
Revenger nods at him gratefully. Suddenly Future Steven felt Garnet hold onto his shoulder tight. He turned to her as she took off her shades looking up.
Future Steven: What is it?
Garnet: Something's coming.
Future Steven: What?
Garnet: Above us!
The sky then turned dark as if the sun was being being blocked off by something. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up. The clouds were clearing up and in the sky was a war ship. A familiar looking claw like ship. Steven got a good look at it. The bottom part of the ship opened and an orb came down. Once it landed on the ground it opened up and revealed some familiar faces. It was Viggo Stryker, Huntress and Snaptrap.
Steven: The Gara Droids.
Everyone was on guard seeing them after so long. They've been gone for years, why now do they return. That's what they thought, but Steven knew what this all was.
Viggo: Well, look who have here. Steven Universe, all grown up.
Future Steven: Viggo.
Revenger: You three should never have come back.
Huntress: It's been so long, we missed you.
Snaptrap: Hehehe, yeah and when she said that we missed you, she didn't mean we love you and all. No she meant we hated you and wanted get back at you and...
Huntress: He knows what I mean Snaptrap!
Garnet: What are you all doing her?
Viggo: What do you think? You really thought you defeated us all those years ago.
Huntress: After everything you've done and killing the love of my life, you expected us...expected me to quit and cry?!
Amethyst: Uh, we kinda hoped for that.
Bismuth: Come on guys, we can take em.
The Crystal Gems got together ready to fight while Peridot and Lapis were on the other side making sure Gray was safe.
Huntress: That's right prepare yourselves, but it's not us you'll be fighting. But we have a new member who would love to meet you.
Huntress stepped aside to show them Spinel.
Steven: Spinel.
Future Steven: Is that another gem?
Huntress: Spinel here told me she has some scores to settle with you.
Spinel: So, you're Steven Universe huh? Mind if I call you Stevie?
Future Steven: I'm sorry have we met before?
Spinel: No, but I know your mom.
Future Steven: Oh, this again. Look whatever they said, I'm not my mom. I'm just her son and...
Spinel: Yeah, yeah, yeah I heard. Since she's out of commission...
Spinel forms her scythe.
Spinel: You'll have to do instead!
?: Hold it Spinel!
Everyone heard another voice from the ship. But this one was new, it didn't sound familiar.
?: Don't start without me
Spinel: Oh... of course my king
Future Steven: Uh king?
Viggo: ( groans and speaks in a disappointed and annoyed tone) Of course. How can I forget to mention our new leader.
Peridot: New leader?
Another orb from the ship came down and it revealed five beings, with the one in the front being the leader. He looked like he was somekind of red dragon humanoid. He was as tall as Garnet with a muscular and athletic build. His body looked like the armor his followers had ( notably Skekung and Char) except it looked more organic and blended in with him, as if it that's how his body is. His chest was gold along with his crotch and shins while the rest of his body shoulders, arms, back, calves, neck and head were red. His shoulders were sticking out as if they were shoulder pads with three spikes on each of them, his feet looked like black boots that were attached to him and on his neck looked like a collar, one from a royal suit but again it looked like it was merged with his body. He had wings, curved horns, dragon ears and a long tail. There was something strange about the tail. It wasn't on the ground, but was constantly up and wagged in a very slow motion. His face was more humanoid. It was pale white with purple stripes running down each side of his face and had green eyes.
Accompanying him were his four followers, Skekung, Char, Sargane and Malaka, who was some kind of reptilian bird like creature about at Pearl's height. He wore pale geen robes with brown shoulder pads and his posture was sort of hunched. He had blue skin with yellow eyes and beak with red claw like hands. Though despite resembling a bird he lacked feathers and wings and spoke with a raspy voice.
The leader slowly looked around the area, until he gazed over at Future Steven.
?: Are you Steven Universe?
Future Steven: Um, yes.
The figure smiled at him.
?: Excellent, yes. I've heard a lot about you and that you will give me the fight I want.
Future Steven: Fight?
The leader looked around he area, he saw Peridt on the right side.
?: Ah, its you dear sister.
Everyone was confused at what this monster just said. Peridot is his sister.
Lapis: Peridot who is this?
Peridot: I don't know. I never met this clod.
?: What? You don't remember me. You're baby brother?
Future Steven: Peridot who is this?
Peridot: I'm serious I don't know. This clods crazy.
Revenger: I don't care what your relation is. Just who the hell are you?
?: Ah of course, how rude of me. I am the new leader of the Gara Droids. I am the new ruler of this world. I am the king you will bow to. You may call me Salamandas, King Salamandas.
Steven: So that's Salamandas. But he's Peridot's brother? Why, because Gien made him as he did her?
King Salamandas: And these are my reincarnations. Skekung the Brawn, Sargane the Swordsman, Malaka the Psychic and Char the General.
The four reincarnations stood their leering at them and snickering with evil looks.
King Salamandas: Now then, lets get down to buisness. I heard a lot about you Steven. How you single handedly killed the old leader Gien.
Future Steven: I didn't do it alone.
Garnet: We all did.
Pearl: And we'll do the same to you.
Skekung: Let's get them now! I'll smash them!
King Salamandas: Hold it Skekung. I made it clear that the Crystal Gems were mine to deal with.
Skekung: But...but master.
Char: Skekung!
Skekung looked at Char who was nodding at him to not talk back.
King Salamandas: It's alright Char to make it up to you four, you shall destroy the town.
Future Steven and Steven: NO!
King Salamandas: Go play. Have fun.
Skekung: Hehe, that's sounds better. Lets' go, let's go.
Char: Don't hog it all Skekung.
Skekung: He, yeah, yeah.
Sargane: Malaka if you please.
Malaka: Yes, yes. Just stand next to me Sargane. I'll do the work.
Char: Let's make this quick. We have a lot of work to do.
Skekung: Quick? Let's make it last!
Spinel: And me my King?
King Salamandas: Stay with me Spinel, this is your fight as well.
Salamandas winked at her to which Spinel blushed. Malaka showing he has psychic powers formed an transparent red orb around him and his commrades and levitated themselves to Beach City.
Future Steven: NO!
Future Steven tried to stop them by throwing his shield at them, but it was shot down by an energy beam, shot from King Salamandas's finger. Future Steven turned to him as he slowly approached him.
King Salamandas: I cannot allow you to do that. You're fight is with me, yes. Let's make a little wager. If your team can beat me and only me, we'll leave and never come back. If you lose however we...well you know the answer to that. Yes.
Future Steven: Connie get Gray and go.
Connie nodded and ran to Lapis to get Gray. Lapis also ran to her to give him to her. King Salamandas turned to Spinel and motioned his eyes to Connie. Spinel stretched herself to them and blocked their path with her scythe.
Future Steven: Connie!
Future Steven turns to Salamandas
Future Steven: What are you doing?!
King Salamandas: She can't leave either. She too is part of my main kill list.
Baby Gray was wimpering of what was going on. Spinel turned her head 180 degrees and saw Gray in Lapis's arms.
Spinel: Aw, what a cute baby there. I can just eat him up!
Lapis kept Gray away from her, forming her wings and covering him.
Connie: Don't you dare touch him!
King Salamandas: Kill her Spinel, she's not going to give me much of a fight.
Spinel: With pleasure!
Spinel raised her scythe at her, Pearl was near by and formed spear, blocking Spinel's attack.
Connie: Pearl!
Pearl: Don't worry I got you.
Spinel streched her leg and kicked Pearl down, knocking her and Connie. She was about to strike them down, but then Lion appeared in front of her and let out an energy roar, sending flying back, then Future Steven formed a hexagonal shield and threw it at Spinel, she gets hit and pushes her into a rock wall. She drops her scythe and traps her in between the the shield and wall.
King Salamandas: Oh ho! Fiesty are you. Yes. But set you attention to me. I'll be nice and let you have the first shot. I want you to hit me as hard as you can.
Future Steven: Fine. You want a fight, we'll give you one. You better...
King Salamandas: Now hold on, you might have misheard me. Not as half as hard, not as some abitrary percentage. I want you... to hit me...
King Salamandas smirk fades away and gave him a serious look.
King Salamandas: As hard as you can.
Future Steven clenched his fist and formed a bubble around it.
Future Steven: Fine then.
Future Steven ran up to Salamandas and punched him across the face as hard as he could. But it didn't really do much. Salamands didn't budge, flinch or even tried to block. He stood perfectly still with only his head turned just a little. Steven punced him again, but nothing.
King Salamandas: ( sighs) Pathetic.
Future Steven threw another punch at him, but this time Salamandas grabbed his arm and threw him at a rock wall.
Garnet: Steven!
Bismuth: Alright that's it. This uppercrust is going down!
Bismuth went up first to Salamandas. Forming her hands into hammers she tried to slam his head. Salamandas dodged her attacks effortlessly until he jumped up and landed behind her, punching her back. Then he grabbed her hair and punched her across the face.
Pearl: Bismuth! Let her go!
Pearl was about to stab Salamandas from the back. He heard her coming and with his tail he wrapped it around her neck, strangling her. He threw Bismuth away and set his attention to Pearl. With his tail still wrapped around her, Pearl struggled to get out. His horns began to glow blue with electrcity. His tail began to glow blue and started electricuting Pearl.
Amethyst: Hey back off Sal!
Amethyst formed two of her whips, both covered with energy. She whipped them at Salamandas, but he grabbed both of them before they hit him. He threw Pearl right at her.
Salamandas was making his way towards them, until he felt laser projectiles hit his back. He turned and saw Revenger with Garnet and Steven. Salamandas turned to him as Revenger fired at him again. The lasers didn't do much damaged to him. Garnet fired her gauntlets at his face, Steven formed hexagonal shields threw them at him and Lion also joined by roaring energy waves at him. Salamandas was pushed by all three attacks and was near the ocean. Lapis gave Gray to Peridot as she used the ocean to form to water hands to grab onto him. Salamandas gasped and tried to struggle out, but he was stuck. Lapis was holding him tight.
Lapis: I got him!
Future Steven: Guys, lets form the Crystal Cannon.
Future Steven, Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl got their weapons together and formed them into the Crystal Cannon.
Bismuth: Shoot him now!
They fired the Crystal Cannon at Salamandas. He stayed calm as the laser projectile was coming right at him.
Huntress: NO!
Snaptrap: It's all over!
Viggo: Rgh...Fool.
Spinel finally got free out of hexagonal shield and wall by strecthing her body thin and slipping out. She saw Salamandas about to be hit by the laser.
Spinel: No my King!
The laser was getting close to him. But then Salmandas smirked and his body suddenly bursted into flames, vaporizing the water hands holding him and deflected the laser with his hand, sending it into the distance. Everyone gasped of what just happened. Salamandas's fiery body dimmed down as the flames were all gone. He looked at with a cocky and confident look.
King Salamandas: ( silent chuckles) That I have to say was impressive. That move right there might have killed me if I'd let you win.
Future Steven: Wha...
King Salamandas: Did you really think you had me there. I could have escaped the moment she had me. I just wanted to see if things would get interesting. Hahahah! You should have seen the looks on your faces when I deflected that beam.
Salamandas laughed maniacally at them. Steven stood aside watching all of this and how scared his future self looked.
Huntress: So he was just playing them?
Snaptrap: HA! I knew all along. I wasn't worried at all you know I was just uh...playing along with the plan.
Viggo: Hmmm.
Spinel: Yay, yay, yay! I knew you had it under control my king.
Salamandas's laugh began to quiet down. He settled down and formed a serious face again at them.
King Salamandas: But with all seriousness, we should get back to buisness. I'm done playing now. Steven, I can tell you're not giving me your all.
Future Steven: Is this a game to you?
King Salamandas: Is a fair challenge too much to ask? Show me your power.
Future Steven got into position and tried to activate his pink powers. But he couldn't. It's been so long since he last used them that he forgot how. Salamandas was looking impatient.
King Salamandas: You're not motivated enough are you? AH! I know! This should get you motivated.
King Salamandas pointed his finger right at them and bright light shined from it. Steven was about to form his shield but then he heard a gasp. He looked behind him and saw Amethyst breathing heavily and a hole through her gem.
Amethyst: Guys...
But then Amethyst's body poofed and what was on the ground was her gem...shattered.
Future Steven and Steven: Amethyst!
Future Steven kneeled down and held her shards. Pearl covered her mouth, Garnet took off her shades with a horrified look and Bismuth looked just as shocked.
Pearl: ( tearing up) Amethyst...
Garnet: How was this possible?
Future Steven: That projectile came so fast. I couldn't even see it.
Future Steven turned to Salamandas. He had hot tears in his eyes for what he did. Salamandas tilted his head to the right. King Salamandas ran at him and puched Steven across the face, knocking him down. Revenger tried to cut him with is wrist blade. Salamandas dodged his attacks kicks him across the head. Garnet and Bismuth tried to punch him, but he tail whipped them both. Pearl came from him from behind about to stab him with her spear. He saw her coming and grabbed her by the neck. Then with his free hand he grabbed Pearl's gem. Pearl yelled as he held a tight grip on it.
Bismuth: Pearl! Let her go!
Bismuth tried to attack Salamandas, but again his tail swiped her across the head. He began twisting Pearl's gem. She began to scream until he ripped the gem off her forehead and Pearl poofed. He turned to them and showed Pearl's gem in his hand and then shattered it with his hands.
Future Steven and the gems: Pearl!
They were saddened to see Pearl shattered, especially Bismuth. Tears were coming down from her eyes. Her body was shaking, losing the one gem she loved all her life.
Bismuth: You...you...HOW DARE YOU DEMON!
Bismuth tried to get him again, but to no luck. He was about to hit him again until he punched her in the stomach and grabbed her neck and lifted her up?
King Salamandas: Demon? Demon...hmmm I like that. Demon King Salamandas! Really puts a ring to it.
Future Steven: Why? Why did you do that?!
King Salamandas: I'm only helping. You're having trouble activating your powers and I think killing your family one by one will add a say adrenalin or make you angry enough to fight back. So, are you ready to fight back yet?
Future Steven tried to activate his hidden gem powers again, but still struggled.
Revenger: Come on do it!
Future Steven: I'm really under pressure right now!
King Salamandas: Not angry enough are you? Alright then, Spinel go witht he others. This might be intense.
Spinel: Oh, yes my King.
King Salamandas flew up in the sky. He clenched his fists and looked like he was charging an attack. Spinel hurried to the others as Huntress held her close to her. Viggo took out a remote control and activated the orb which surrouned them took them up in the air.
Snaptrap: Wait what is he doing now?
Viggo: This attack will be extremely powerful and deadly. We must stay clear.
The others saw the Gara Droids evading.
Revenger: They must be evading for a reason.
Connie: He's charging an attack.
Steven: What is he...
Future Steven: Guys, come to me now!
Connie: Wait Gray!
Lapis was with Gray and Peridot. She grabbed them both and flew up.
Lapis: I got em.
Future Steven: Everyone get behind me!
Connie, Garnet, Bismuth and Revenger got behind Future Steven and formed a bubble. Salamandas was about to use his attack, but before he did his eyes turned black, but not a color change but rather a shield like membrane in his eyes.
King Salamandas: Atomic Death...
Finally he began to breathe fire at the ground. The fire was powerful once hitting the ground it spread all over. Steven freaked out for a moment until the fire went right through him. He kept forgeting he was only in a memory. Everyone else was protected as the flames could not get them, but the house however was destroyed, though the temple still stood. But it wasn't over. Salamandas kept on breathing the fire, but then it turned purple. The flames started to convert instead into an purple energy beam. He aimed it all over the place. It was destroying the temple. The beam burnt right through it, causing the temple to collapse. The whole cliff and lighthouse was started to collapse with hit. Lapis was in the air dodging the depris falling. But Salamandas focused the beam at them. The beam was about to hit Gray and Peridot, Lapis couldn't allow it and shielded them by turning away and flying, but she felt burning pain on her back. She got hit by the beam. Not a direct hit but she didn't dodge in time and it severly burnt her back through the side, hitting her gem. The others saw them falling to the ground, disappearing in the smoke and fire.
Connie: NO!
Future Steven: Gray! Peridot! Lapis!
Then they saw the beam coming to them. Once it hit the bubble, it didn't last long. In seconds it bursted. It was too powerful to shield. The bubble bursted into an energy explosion, everyone was on the ground but Garnet unfused and Ruby was on the ground with the others.
Bismuth: Come on, we got to get out of here!
Future Steven: Bismuth, find the warp pad.
Connie: I can't leave without Gray!
Future Steven: I'll go look for him and the others.
Ruby: Wait, where's Sapphire!?
Ruby looked around and saw Sapphire a little far from her. She was getting up, but saw the energy beam coming towards her. She didn't have enough time to react, but Ruby did and ran to save her. She pushed Sapphire aside, but in the process, she got hit by the beam.
Sapphire: Ruby!
Ruby reached out to her, but was disintergrated by the beam. Her gem or shards were no where. It was completely gone.
Sapphire: NO!
Future Steven: Ruby!
Revenger: Steven we must move and find your son! Sapphire go with the others!
Future Steven didn't have time to mourn Ruby, he had to go find Gray, Lapis and Peridot. But then they felt the ground shake, out from the ocean floor was the Cluster, feeling the Atomic Death's impact on the Earth.
Steven: The Cluster.
The Cluster was about to attack Salamandas, until he turned around and fired the Atomic Death at the Cluster. The beam sliced right through the Cluster instantly, causing it to retreat back into the Earth.
Future Steven: CLUSTER NO!
Finally Salamandas closed his mouth and stopped the attack. He slowly landed backd own with his body a little shakey. The orb the Gara Droids and Spinel were in landed back down and met up with him.
Spinel: You okay my king.
King Salamandas: That move takes alot from me, but I didn't over do it.
Huntress: Impressive King Salamandas. You practically destroyed their base.
Viggo: Yes, but Steven...
King Salamandas: Relax I'm getting to that.
He and Spinel walked through the beach as they followed them. There was smoke and fire all over. The house and temple was destroyed. They walked through until they heard a baby cry. Gray was on the ground crying, Peridot poofed but her gem was still intact, but Lapis didn't look so good. She was lying her back on a rock and can tell her gem was on the verge to being shattered. She can feel pieces of it falling off. But she turned her attention to Gray who kept crying. With the last bit of strenght she reached her hand to him. She held his face trying to wipe his tears.
Lapis: Shhhh...don't cry...don't cry I'm here...
Gray stopped crying for a moment but wimpered. He set his attention to her and held her hand. He felt slightly better being with her. Lapis smiled at him and held him close to her as a tear fell down from her face. She felt more pieces of her gem falling apart. She knew her time was about to end.
Lapis: Be safe...
With her last words Lapis finally disappeared and her shards were on the ground. Gray started to cry again with her gone. His cries were heard by both his dad and Salamandas. Salamandas, Spinel and the Gara Droids got to him first. He stared at him with an intimidating face and gazed at Lapis's shards and Peridot's gem.
King Salamandas: Looks like Lapis Lazuli is no more and sister Peridot can join her.
Spinel: Okay but what do you want to do with the brat?
Before Salamandas could say anything, a spiked shield came to him. It did cut Salamandas's cheek. He didn't seem to care much though and just touched the blood from his cut. Future Steven and Revenger arrived as he quickly picked up Gray and Peridot's gem.
Future Steven: You stay away from him!
King Salamandas: If you don't want anymore of your family to die then give me the fight I want. Show me your true power.
Future Steven handed Gray and Peridot to Revenger.
Future Steven: Get out of here.
Revenger: What?
Future Steven: Take Gray and Peridot to the others and get out of here.
Revenger: And leave you here? Out of the question.
Future Steven: I'm the one he wants! I can't afford to lose anyone else! Just...if I don't make it, take care of everyone.
Future Steven looked at Gray and placed his hand onto his head.
Future Steven: I love you son.
Revenger: You better come back.
Revenger holding Gray and Peridot ran to the warp pad with the others leaving Future Steven behind with King Salamandas.
Spinel: They're getting away. I'll cut them into dog meat!
King Salamandas: Let them go.
Huntress: Hold on what?
Viggo: You're just going to let him go?
King Salamandas: I'm tired of killing the weak links. I hate wasting my powers on low lifes. I prefer to fight the strong. Revenger has limits, Peridot isn't much of a threat and his son...it's just a human child. He's no threat to us.
Viggo: That's no the point! You're made to kill the whole Crystal Gem family!
Future Steven: Made?
Viggo: I order you to kill...
Suddenly Salamandas's tail wrapped around Viggo's neck, brought him up to his face and slowly crushing his neck.
King Salamandas: Let's get one thing clear. I take orders from no one. I decide who dies now and who dies tomorrow. I play the game my way and I rule my way. If you can't accept that, you know the price to that.
Viggo: I...yield...
King Salamandas: That's better.
King Salamandas threw Viggo hard on the ground. Huntress and Snaptrap helped him up.
King Salamandas: Don't you ever interfere me again. You worthless piece of slag. ( clears throat) Anyway, what's it going to be Steven? Will you show me the power you have?
Future Steven tried to activate his pink powers, he kept flickering but couldn't keep it. Salamandas frowned.
King Salamandas: What a shame.
Salamandas saw Connie in the distance with Sapphire, Lion and Bismuth who was digging to find the warp pad in the rubble. He smirked and pointed his finger at her.
King Salamandas: Looks like she'll have to...
But before Salamandas could fire at her. He felt a had grab his arm. He turned and got punched in the face. He stepped back and saw Future Steven in his pink form. Salamandas grinned at him and chuckled.
King Salamandas: Now that's more like. Don't hold back.
Future Steven: I don't intend to.
Future Steven charged at Salamandas, throwing a barage of punches at him. Salamandas blocked every attack. Salamandas punched Future Steven across the face and then the stomach. Then he tried to hit him with his tail. Future Steven grabbed his tail and began to spin him around and threw him to some of the rubble of the temple. Future Steven jumped up and formed his bubble and began to bounce onto Salamandas. Salamandas tried to get back up, but Future Steven bounced on him again, forcing him onto the ground. After doing it three more times, Future Steven then formed many hexagonal shields and surounded Salamandas with them, holding him down. Salamandas tried bursting into flames to break it off, but it had no effect. He tried struggling out but was unable to, in fact the more he struggled the tighter the shields were on him. Future Steven jumped in the air and formed a gigantic spiked wall formed by many hexagonal shields.
Future Steven: This is for everyone you killed!
Future Steven yelled as he pushed down the spiked wall at Salamandas. Salamandas just looked up as he was about to be crushed. The wall finally came down onto him, crushing Salamandas. Future Steven landed back down as everyone saw what happened. Steven stood by with his future self. It looked like it was done, but it couldn't be over because he was supposed to die. Was this really a memory or a dream? But then he saw the rubble move. Future Steven formed his shield getting ready. Then a burst of energy erupted from the rubble, blowing it away. King Salamandas was standing there, barely scratched up.
Future Steven: What...how?
King Salamandas: Was that all?
Future Steven threw three spiked shields at him. King Salamandas flew up to dodge them. But Future Steven jumped up to get to him. But he was going at high speed, causing everything around him to slow down. He thought he could sneak behind Salamandas to attack. He was above him now and was about to toss down a spiked shield at him. But then Salamandas looked up at him like normal. Future Steven's eyes widened and Salmandas flew up at him. He was able to catch up with his speed. The two of them moved so fast while everything around them was slow. Slamandas clawed Future Steven across his face, leaving claw cuts on his cheek.
King Salamandas: Fool, you can't escpape me with your speed.
Future Steven tried to punch him in the face. But Salamandas grabbed his arm and with his other arm, elbowed Future Steven's arm, breaking it. Future Steven yelled in pain until Salamandas tail whipped him, sending Future Steven to the ground. The enviroment started to move normal again. Future Steven tried to get back up, but Salamandas flew down and landed hard on Future Steven's leg, now breaking it. Future Steven yelled again. Salamandas wrapped his tail around Steven's neck and lifted him up. He began punching him all over his body, breaking his internal organs and bones. Future Steven coughed out blood and got it onto Salamandas's face, which he simply licked it off.
Future Steven: Sal..( coughs)...Salamandas...stop...
King Salamandas: No Steven. I won't stop. Not now, not ever. I'm very disappointed. You're attacks hardly did anything. I was told you were this powerful foe that killed Gien. But you're no where near that threat level. So I'm taking my anger out by beating you to death.
Salamandas slashed Steven's chest, then grabbed his arms, clawing into his flesh and then bit onto his shoulder. Future Steven kept yelling. Revenger finally made it to the warp pad with the others. Bismuth just got the last bit of rubble off.
Revenger: Let's go now!
Connie: We can't leave Steven, I have to help him!
Revenger: We'll die if we stay longer.
Connie: He's dying!
Connie tried to run to save Steven, but Revenger grabbed her arm.
Revenger: If you go there, you'll die. You're son needs you!
Connie looked at Gray who was wimpering. She took him off Revenger's arm and held him close.
Connie: I'm sorry.
King Salamandas continued to beat Steven, but he was getting bored.
King Salamandas: I've had enough of this. Spinel, it's time to finish him.
Spinel: Oh yes.
Spinel got her scythe ready with a twistied smile.
King Salmandas: First me.
King Salamandas jabbed his hand into Future Steven's stomach. He grabbed hold of his gem, and ripped it out of his stomach. Future Steven's gem was in Salamandas's hand, covered in blood. Future Steven looked down at his bloody stomach and covered his hand over it. He reached his other hand out for his gem.
Future Steven: No...please..I...I need it.
He saw his gem glowing, about to form his pink counterpart like before, but Salmanadas acted quickly and crushed the gem with his bare hands. He showed Future Steven the shards of his gem. Future Steven just barely touched his shards. He was too weak now. He knew he was about to die and failed everyone. Salamandas released him from his tail and grabbed him from the back of what's left of his shirt.
King Salamandas: I've had enough. Spinel, you may have the honor of his death.
Spinel: Oh, you're too kind my King.
Spinel raised her scythe about to decapitate Future Steven's head. With his dying breath. He took one last look of his family at the warp pad.
Connie: ( crying) Steven...no...
Future Steven: Be safe...
Spinel raised her scythe up and brought down, Steven watched in horror, witnessing his own death and couldn't take it anymore.
Steven: Stop it. Stop, just let me...LET ME OUT!
The entire memory flashed before he could see his decapitation.
Suddenly Steven woke up. He was breathing heavily and looked around the area. He was back in the past, the present to him. Back home in his room. It was still dark outside. He looked down beside him and saw Gray, still sleeping soundly. Steven now knew what he was going up against and what Gray has been dealing with. Seeing the death of most of his family and his was just...horrigying. He had no idea how Gray survived this long, but it showed how horrifying and powerful King Salmandas is.
Steven: I'm really sorry I failed you Gray. I promise to get stronger for you and everyone. And for me as well.
To be coninued...
Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Done with moving for now, so I might get back in track. I've been trying to think how to show this scene and thought this was the best way, although I didn't intend on showing King Salamandas till lil later. But I hoped I distinguished the present Steven and the Future Steven well and no one got confused. If you liked this chapter, be sure to follow, favorite and review. As always thank you and until next time.