The Troubling Hourglass

"Please... promise me you'll protect him from harm."

"Of course... I won't let anything happen to him."

In a isolated beach house, conveniently on the beach, sat a young boy with chips in his hands. He munched on them hungrily as he stared at the far end of the house. This would be normal if it was the door, but the fact he was staring at a large, crystalline warp pad in a cave made it peculiar.

"C'mon, when are they gonna be back?" He muttered to himself, crumbs falling from his mouth messily to the floor. This was Steven Quartz Universe, Crystal Gem in training, and Cookie Cat specialist. Only twelve years old but master of the Lonely Blade... lore, not weapon, but still.

The warp suddenly lit up in a bright light, revealing four gems. The first gem was shorter than the rest, with long hair flowing down her back, and a light purple shirt. The next was a tall, slender gem with cream hair, a long nose, and a see-through skirt with shorts underneath.

After her was a tall squared-afro gem with shades and a bodysuit that had the side of a star on it. The last was the tallest, standing above the second gem. She had a curly pink afro, large light pink sleeves and a dark pink skirt cascading back behind her, stars adorning the front sides.

These four were the Crystal Gems, consisting of Amethyst, Pearl, Garnet, and Pink Diamond. The last protectors of Earth, and Steven's weird aunts.

"The gems are back!" He shouted as he put his fists in the air, chips falling from the bag in his hand.

"Hey Ste-man, have you been waiting for us the entire time?" Amethyst was the first to speak, while putting her hands on her knees and leaning forward.

Steven nodded excitedly, "Yeah! I wanna know what happened on your mission!" He fist bumped the air as the gems stepped off the warp and approached him.

"The Sea Shrine was… infested." Pearl said with a shiver. She hugged herself slightly in disgusting as Amethyst bumped past her.

"Yeah, but we got this thing!" Amethyst held out a small hourglass in her hand. Steven's eyes were glued to the small item, and his mouth fell open.

"Woah… Can I have it?" Steven asked as he unconsciously moved toward the hourglass. Before Amethyst could give it, or Steven could reach it, a pink gloved hand took it and held it up.

"Hold on now, we can't go giving the Time Glass away." The tall pink gem, Pink Diamond, said as she gave a sympathetic smile. Steven groaned before jumping up on the couch.

"Hey! When can I go on missions anyway? I'm super ready! I even made a song for us!" Steven quickly turned on his sandals and opened a white cabinet behind the couch. He grabbed a yellow ukulele and landed his butt on the couch. Pearl and Amethyst sat down next to him while Pink and Garnet stood at the side.

"Just let me get started." He strummed the strings and quickly stopped. "No." He stuck out his tongue before strumming them again. Then, he began playing and picking up an upbeat tune.

"If you're evil and you're on the rise~

You can count on the rest of us taking you down~

Cause we're good and evil never beats us~

We'll win the fight and then go out for pizzas~

We are the Crystal Gems~

We'll always save the day~

And if you think we can't, we'll always find a way~

That's why the people of this world~

Believe in!~

Garnet~

Amethyst~

Pink Diamond~

Pearl~

And Steven!~"

The gems clapped enthusiastically as the boy threw his hands in the air, giggling. He looked at the gems questioningly, "What do you guys think?"

"It was lovely, Steven! Did Greg help you with that one?" Pink Diamond asked as she put her hands together softly.

"No, I made it on my own!" Steven said with a light blush. He began putting the ukulele away as Pearl spoke up.

"Well, it certainly was nice, but I don't see how that's related to going on missions." She crossed her arms as Steven turned to her.

"I'm gonna play that song when we're in battle! I can give you moral support." Steven said while sitting down with a confident smile.

"I don't think that's gonna be much help. It would just distract us from the fight." Pearl argued while rolling her hand. Her words made Steven's face drop into a sullen look, and he glared down at the floor.

"Yeah Steven, she's got a point. You'd probably just look like a clown." Amethyst said while holding back a laugh. Pearl snickered along for the first time in a while as Steven's eyebrows furrowed.

An abrupt cough made the two gems take their attention to Garnet, "Don't make fun of Steven."

"Yeah, and there isn't anything wrong with being a clown." Pink said while crossing her arms with a glower. Pearl just rolled her eyes in annoyance and Amethyst snorted disinterestedly.

"Steven, I think it's a cute idea, but you still need to learn before you can begin going with us." Pink said in an attempt to comfort him. He sighed and looked around at them.

"I just want to help you guys, and be apart of the team. I know I don't have my powers, but I can do other things." Steven put his hands up slightly directed towards himself. The gems looked at him with sympathy before Amethyst got an idea.

"Well, you could help us by going to the Big Donut." She offered, making Steven brighten up slightly.

"Really?"

"Yeah, just get us a few donuts. Maybe not Pearl," Amethyst glanced at the pale gem, who tilted her head in agreement. "But just get some random ones."

Steven smiled and stood up, "Okay, I'll do it."

"Wait, if you're going, you're gonna need some money." Pearl interrupted and brought up a hand to her gemstone. It glowed before a stack of cash landed in her palm. She pulled out a few dollar bills and handed it to him.

"Here you go." She said politely as Steven took it from her. He looked down at the five dollar bill and smiled at her.

"Thanks, I'll see you guys later!"

He left the house from the front door and looked out at the beach. The waves reflected a soft blue glow, challenging the sky above. While walking down the stairs from the porch, he was stopped by Pink's voice.

"Wait! Hold on Steven."

The boy stopped and looked up at her. "What is it?" He walked back up as she got down onto her knees. Stopping in front of her, he gave her a questioning look.

"Here, you should have this." She said while opening his hand, and putting one of hers on top of it. He felt something hit his palm as she closed it back up. "Now, go get some donuts!" She smiled as he quickly nodded and hastily ran down the stairs.

Steven walked down the beach while humming a song from his favorite ice cream ad. He stuffed the money Pearl gave him in his pocket and looked into his hand.

"W-What?!" He gasped as he saw the hourglass from earlier floating near his palm. It glimmered a golden yellow as the sun hit it. Steven looked back in the direction of the temple and smiled widely.

His body felt uplifted as he began running to the Big Donut. Once he made it to the small donut establishment, he opened the door up quickly.

"Lars! Sadie! You won't believe what I got!" He yelled, capturing the attention of the only two workers there. Lars groaned annoyingly while Sadie actually showed a sign of interest.

"What is it Steven?" The boy ran up to the counter and displayed the floating hourglass. Sadie and Lars' eyebrows raised in surprise as they watched it defy gravity.

"What is that thing?"

"It's a... Uh... I don't actually know." He admitted while grabbing it back into his hand. "Also, I want a few donuts." Grabbing out the money from his pocket, he placed it on the counter as Sadie asked what he wanted.

"Just give me whatever. In fact, surprise me!" He pointed a finger daringly with a smile. Sadie began putting random donuts in a bag as Lars snickered.

"So, how are the Crystal Femmes? Aren't they a bunch of weird witches or something?"

"No, they're magical protectors of Earth Lars. And I'm one of them!" Steven said as he glared at the rude worker. Sadie placed the bag of donuts on the counter as Lars continued.

"Whatever, aren't they all a bunch of hot girls? You're not exactly a hot girl, Steven." Lars laughed when Steven huffed and grabbed the donuts, stomping away. Sadie punched Lars' shoulder as Steven walked out.

"Shut up Lars, 'not exactly a hot girl' Well, if I was, I wouldn't be talking to you!" Steven gasped. "Ahh! I should've said that! That's really good!"

Steven noticed a bright glow from his hand, and quickly opened it. The hourglass was glowing brightly, making him flinch when he looked at it. The sand inside it burned light blue before he closed his eyes.

He opened his eyes and saw that he was back at the counter, while Lars was insulting him.

"You're not exactly a hot girl, Steven."

Steven stuttered, "W-well, if I was, I wouldn't be talking to you!" He laughed triumphantly while pointing at Lars.

"Good one Steven!" Sadie said, going for a high five. Steven gladly accepted it, and slapped her hand.

"You're a joke! You know that? You're a big joke!" Lars said frustratedly. Sadie hit his shoulder again as Steven took another bag of donuts and stomped out.

When Steven made it outside, he looked down at the hourglass in his hand. "Did the... thingy let me make that comeback to Lars? Ugh, what's his problem? Calling me a joke... Must suck for you Lars, people actually like jokes!"

Steven gasped happily when the hourglass shined, and he found himself at the counter again.

"You're a joke! You know that? You're a big joke!"

"Must suck for you Lars, people actually like jokes!" Steven laughed excitedly as he took another bag of donuts and ran out from the place.

"Steven! You're on fire!" Sadie called to him as she laughed.

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

Garnet said as she crossed her arms and lifted her visor. Pink was next to her, looking worried. Amethyst and Pearl were sitting on the couch still, listening to the tall gem.

"What do you mean, Garnet. What do you see with your fu-"

"I'm back!" Steven cried happily as he opened the front door. The two gems turned their heads to him as he excitedly started explaining what happened.

"Guys! You won't believe what happened! When I was at the Big Donut, Lars was giving me trouble and he was like, 'You're a joke' and then the thingy," Steven pulled out the hourglass and held it up.

"W-Why do you have that?" Pearl asked with a horrified expression. She turned her head to Amethyst, "Did you give it to him?"

"No! She did it!" Amethyst pointed at Pink, making Pearl glare at the pink gem.

"What? He was feeling down! I thought it would make him feel better." She fumbled with her fingers awkwardly while smiling.

Pearl turned to Steven, "Steven, that device is very dangerous. It could attract... Gods only knows what!" Steven frowned before a loud shrieking roar stabbed their ears.

"Sounds like it came from the Big Donut!" Garnet said, making the others panic and run outside. Steven followed them, dropping the three bags of donuts he acquired. Running down the beach, they saw a large creature at the front of the donut shop. Lars and Sadie were watching it from the inside, looking horrified.

Its body was a skull, with two large green gems as eyes. A purple, green-tinted gemstone sat in the middle of its face. Light purple hair came from the sides of its skull, and had mallets on the ends.

Dark, ugly thunderclouds rolled in as electricity surrounded the monster. The gems faced the creature as Steven grabbed at his face, dread rolling in his stomach. 'I caused this! This is my fault!'

"That creature must've been drawn by the power of the Time Glass!" Pearl deduced, her gemstone glowing. She pulled out a long spear from her gemstone, and held it close.

Amethyst pulled put a long, multi-tailed whip and Garnet summoned two large gauntlets on her hands. Pink summoned a longsword close to her size with a pink and white star insignia near the hilt from her gem and a hexagonal shield next to her forearm.

Steven watched them and tried summoning anything. He lifted his shirt and looked down desperately at the pink Rose Quartz gem on his stomach.

"Steven, why are you such a butt face." Garnet turned her head to him with a frown. He gained a hurt expression and gritted his teeth.

"W-What?"

The attack started abruptly when Pearl tried striking it with her spear. The Electric Skull, as we'll call it, grabbed her with a tendril of hair and sent electricity at her. She began screaming as Amethyst wrapped the creature with her whip, but was sent flying up into the big donut sign above them.

Pink rushed up to help Pearl, and deflected a shot of electricity. Garnet ran past her and punched Electric Skull on the side. The monster let go of Pearl, causing the pale gem to fall. Pink caught her, but was smacked in the face by one of the hair mallets. She and Pearl were sent a few feet away, with Pearl groaning in pain.

Steven watched in horror as they were beaten. "Amethyst! Pearl! Pink!" He cried while rushing in. He saw the big donut sign begin to fall, and he pushed Amethyst out of the way. He crawled over to the other downed gems and ducked down.

"Steven, you gotta get out of here. This is dangerous!" Pink said painfully as she leaned up, pushing Pearl away slightly.

"I-I can't just leave you guys! You're hurt! This is all my fault!" He said as tears welled up in his eyes. A hand landed on his shoulder and he was brought into a small hug.

"No... It's mine. You didn't do anything wrong, but... maybe you can help us now." She pulled him back as he shook his head.

"H-How? I can't... I'm just a... butt face." His eyes widened in realization before he took out the hourglass. "A butt face. I-I need a comeback!"

Pink raised an eyebrow as the boy began thinking up different comebacks. "What?"

"That's how I used the thingy! It took me back when I made a comeback! Hurry, I need something!"

"What about, I know you are but what am I? No, that's bad." Pink slapped her head as Steven became more desperate.

"Come on! What about... Butt closed? That doesn't make any sense!" Steven looked over and saw Garnet get shocked, electricity running around her. Steven let out a yelp and looked back down at the hourglass.

"What... I... can't help it, what's your excuse?" Steven muttered, making the hourglass shine brightly. Pink's eyes widened as she smiled.

"Steven! You di-"

She was cut off as Steven found himself looking up at Garnet. "Steven, why are you such a butt face?"

"I can't help it, what's your excuse?" Steven said, his eyes watering. Garnet gasped and smiled, "You did it."

"Get back!" He yelled before tackling Garnet. The Electric Skull slammed on the ground in front of them, sending Steven in the air. He caught the edge of the Big Donut's roof and climbed up.

"Up here! Quick!" He yelled at them, making the four gems jump up to him. They hid behind the large donut sign, and looked to Steven.

"Okay, we can't get near it. But we gotta take out its hair!" Steven explained while throwing his hands around, emphasizing his words. He looked back at the monster before glancing at the sign.

"Wait, push against this!" The gems listened to him and pushed against the donut sign with their hands. The wood holding the sign up began breaking before snapping from force. The sign finally fell over and landed on the Electric Skull, causing it to shriek and freak out.

Lightning shot out of its mouth and its hair spiraled around, before the skull exploded in a large green cloud. The gems hopped down from the roof, while Steven was carried under Garnet's arm. She put him down and reached into the crashed sign. A red light came from the sign before she lifted up a red-tinted bubble, with a green gem inside.

Steven climbed onto the sign and gave a victorious laugh, "Haha! I saved you guys! I finally did it! I wish I could've tell you that this 'clown' was gonna save your life!"

After he said that, the hourglass shined brightly, making him freak out. "No! No! No!" He tried covering it up, but it was ultimately useless. After opening his eyes, he was in the house again.

"You'd probably just look like a clown."

"Noo!" Steven yelled as he threw down the hourglass, shattering it and making its sand turn a deep black against the floor.

"What the?" Pearl muttered, looking down at the sand on the floor. The others ignored it and continued talking.

"It's okay, Steven. You'll be our clown." Amethyst said nonchalantly while leaning against her hand.

"Yes, a very hilarious clown." Pearl said, chuckling lightly. She was stopped by Garnet coughing.

"Hey, don't make fun of Steven." Garnet said while putting her hands on her hips, and smiling at Steven.

"Yeah, and clowns can be cool, too." Pink said, crossing her arms too.

"Exactly! Cause one day, this clown is gonna save the world!" Steven said while pointing at his chest. He smiled brightly as the gems around him kept talking, and he looked out the window to the bright sky.

'Save the world.'