Chapter 14: Ambushed
Huntress: That can't be. You can't be Experiment SA-X. How do you even know about it?
King Salamandas: I know because I am it. It's what my father made me.
Huntress: Your father?
King Salamandas: Gien of course.
Snaptrap: Who are you really?
King Salamandas: I already told you Captain Snaptrap I am King Salamandas. Future leader of the Gara Droids and ruler of the Earth. But you probably know me as Experiment SA-X. I came from the future to stop the son of Steven Universe from destroying me before I was even born.
Snaptrap: Steven's son?
Huntress: How do you know so much about us?
King Salamandas: I know lots of things about the Gara Droids. I know how Gien was a gem made into robot after a near death accident. You were his pearl, also made into a robot. He built what was meant to be the most powerful army in the whole galaxy, until he lost to the son of Pink Diamond, Steven Universe. He died two years ago and now you guys are nothing. You have really lost your touch.
Snaptrap: You dare insult us!?
Snaptrap was about to attack Salamandas until Malaka stepped in. Using his psychic powers, he froze Snaptrap where he was and pushed him back.
King Salamandas: As I was saying. But I know Gien left the unfished project, SA-X for you. A project to create a single, perfect warrior out of the life of a planet. Unlike the rest of you, I am pure biomechanical. Viggo is finishing it as we speak. And these here are my reincarnations, spawned from drops of my blood planted in the ground. Char, Sargane and Malaka.
Huntress: Okay so you know about us. What have you done in the future to revolutionize us?
King Salamandas: ( groans) I didn't want to share so much about the future, but if it's the only way for you to cooperate. I've managed to kill Steven and most of the Crystal Gems. I have managed to bring the Gara Droids back to it's former glory and have taken over the Earth. We rule the Earth, with multiple Gartonium deposits, Gara Droit factories and humans are our slaves. However, there is only one problem. The resistance of humans and remaining gems. There top fighter, is Steven's son, Gray Universe.
Huntress: His son?
Salamandas then sets his attention to Spinel who was behind Huntress.
King Salamandas: It's you Spinel. But not the one from my timeline.
Huntress: Don't get any funny ideas with her.
King Salamandas: What? Of course not sister. Spinel is my best warrior of my army.
Spinel: I am?
King Salamandas: I sent you here with Skekung to track down Gray, yet the two of you never returned. I sensed Skekung's death and I'm afraid your future counterpart died as well.
Spinel: W-What?
Huntress: Okay hold up. So say we do believe you. Why are you here?
King Salamandas: After I sensed Skekung's death, I was able to track down the rebel base and their time machine. I know he told his father and the others about me and where I came from. We are on our way to Homeworld to ensure they don't change the future. But now that I found you, you can take me back.
Snaptrap: We're on a mission to gather more gartronium. We can't go back.
King Salamandas: You'll get an endless supply when we win. This is important. This is for all you.
Huntress: Set course back to Homeworld.
Snaptrap: Huntress?
Huntress: We can't take any chances if the Crystal Gems are involved. We must head back.
King Salamandas: You will not regret this Huntress. I promise you I am not lying.
Huntress: We'll see.
The ship turns back to Homeworld. Spinel stood with Huntress by the command chair, but she looked back and saw Salamandas. She approached him.
Spinel: Uh, excuse me.
Salamandas looked down at Spinel and smiled.
King Salamandas: Why hello Spinel.
Salamandas kneels down to her and places his hand on her hand.
King Salamandas: Have something on your mind my dear?
Spinel: Were you serious about how I'm part of an elite guard?
King Salamandas: My elite guard. Yes.
Spinel: Wow. Also uh... how do you know me?
King Salamandas: Oh Spinel. When I was born you as well as Huntress and Viggo were the first I saw. As they had me prepared for my mission, I noticed you and I'm amazed with your skills.
Salamandas placed his hand down her cheek to her chin.
King Salamandas: Your fighting skills are great and they way you incorporate you gem powers with it is amazing.
Spinel blushed and looked away.
Spinel: And you also said that you sent future me here.
King Salamandas: Yes but I have reason to believe she was shattered.
Spinel then looked scared.
King Salamandas: Rest assured though, I will make sure they will not shatter you. I will make sure you will be here with me in our perfect future.
Spinel: And, I'll help you anyway I can.
Huntress looked over at Spinel with Salamandas. She didn't like how she was interacting with him. That's when they heard a beeping noise.
Snaptrap: Something's on the radar!
Huntress: What is it?
Leozack: Checking.
The ships computer opened up and it showed the ship on screen. It was the ship Steven and the gems were in.
Leozack: That's uh...uh...
Snaptrap: That looks a Diamond ship.
Spinel: Not just any. It's...it's Pink Diamond's ship.
Huntress: But why is it here? It should be on Earth.
King Salamandas: He's there. Set course to that ship.
Huntress: I'm in command of this ship. Set course to that ship!
The ship makes it way to Steven's ship ready to attack.
Meanwhile.
We cut Steven and others in the ship, still on their way to Homeworld. Steven still stood on the platform to keep the ship activated as Pearl stood by him flying the ship. The others stood around the ship in different areas. Bismuth sat with Peridot and Lapis, looking like they were anxiously waiting to get there. Volleyball was with Acha and Kocha looking like they were playing a card game, as Kocha won again.
Kocha: Ha! Ah yeah pay up Acha.
Acha: Come on! Third time really?
Then we see Connie sitting with Garnet who sat perfectly still as Amethyst was laying right next to her, with her hair covering her face and seemed to be taking a nap. Connie got up and approached Gray who leaned against the wall with Revenger.
Connie: You okay?
Gray: Yeah, I'm fine mom. Just waiting to get there.
Connie: Don't be scared. We'll make it.
Gray: I'm not scared. I was trained not to be afraid.
Connie: ( places hand on his shoulder) Okay, you brave little kid.
Gray looks way with a silent chuckle. She then approaches Steven.
Connie: You okay?
Steven: I'm good yeah.
Connie: I can't believe you're actually flying this.
Steven: Well, Pearl's actually doing all the work.
Pearl: Maybe but I still need you to activate this.
Connie: Are we almost there?
Pearl: Should be another hour. Just can't believe we're really going back, but of course things aren't the same and I'm really not looking forward seeing the Gara Droids.
Steven: ( sighs) None of us are. But it's for the future and for Gray.
Connie: Yeah, for Gray.
Suddenly the alarm went off.
Steven: What's happening?
Pearl: The ship has detected another ship coming this way.
Steven: Another ship?
Pearl: I'm putting it on screen.
The ships main screen then shows the Gara Droid ship coming towards them.
Amethyst: Uh guys. That's not who I'm thinking it is. Is it?
Garnet: Gara Droids.
A laser harpoon from the Gara Droid ship fired at theirs as a bridge formed.
Garnet: ( forming gauntlets) Everyone prepare to fight.
Everyone else formed their weapons ready to fight. Peridot and Lapis stayed with Volleyball, Acha and Kocha to cover them. Then they heard a loud thud from the outside. The wall blew up and entering inside the ship were Gara soldiers, Black Knights, elites Leozack, Gungan, Kanedama, Kamero, Cyclonus, Thundercracker and Dart Shot. Coming in last were Huntress, Snaptrap and Spinel. The former looked around at the gems.
Huntress: Well, I never thought I'd see all of you here.
Steven: Huntress. Spinel?
Gray tensed up seeing Spinel with her. Huntress sets her attention to Steven.
Huntress: Steven. My it has been a while. You've grown so much the last time I saw you. So it is true then. You are here for Experiment SA-X.
Steven: So you knew? But how?
Huntress: Let's just say we got a tip from the future.
Garnet: Then you know we can't let you unleash Salamandas.
Gray: That's right. We'll stop what your doing.
Huntress: Hm. I'm sorry I don't think we've met before. Who are you again?
King Salamandas: That's the one I was telling you about sister.
Finally coming in was King Salamandas followed by his reincarnations. Steven and everyone looked awe, they couldn't believe who was here. But Gray however looked shocked the most.
Peridot: Is that?
Acha: Experiment SA-X.
Steven: It's him.
Gray: Salamandas. It can't be. You can't be here.
King Salamandas: Ah Gray. At last I found you. You really have been a thorn on my side lately. Yes.
Gray: You can't be here. How are you here?!
King Salamandas: Please. Your resistance couldn't hide from me forever. I found your base and your time machine. So you thought about killing me in the past to change the future?
Gray: We will finally put an end to your tyranny.
King Salamandas: Is that so. While you were out playing hero here, you left your friends vulnerable.
Gray: No. What did you do to them?!
King Salamandas: Believe they tried but they had to have known going against me is futile. Yes. They had be reminded the hard way, especially your mother.
Connie gasped as she looked back at Gray. She, Steven and the others saw the tensity shaking from his body.
Connie: Gray?
Steven: Gray? Gray!
Garnet: Gray, you need to stay calm.
Pearl: Gray, shh easy.
Gray: You bastard!
Gray let out a yell as a green aura formed around his body and flew at Salamandas, trying to punch him. However he is hit across the face by his tail and fell back close to Connie who checks on him.
Steven: Hey!
King Salamandas: Steven Universe! Hahaha! It's been years old friend. I have to say you look a little younger now, yes much younger then before when I killed you.
Steven: So your the one behind all this.
Huntress: Excuse me, he wouldn't exist without us.
King Salamandas: Indeed. Now originally I was only going to just kill Gray there, but seeing how you all know too much I can't allow you all to live. This might alter things in the future, but as long as I am still King of the Earth I will settle.
Snaptrap: Enough talk already. Let's kill em now.
Huntress: Attack!
The Gara Droids ran at the Crystal Gems about to fight Garnet faced off Dart Shot and Snaptrap after dealing with two Black Knight droids and four soldiers.
Snaptrap: Hehehehe! Hello again fusion! I will avenge the death of my comrades. Fire!
Snaptrap fired with his shoulder cannons as Dart Shot fired with his gatling gun tail. She blocked the attacks with her gauntlet as she went up and punched Dart Shot. Snaptrap snarled and tried to bite down onto her. She grabbed him by his jaws, keeping him from biting onto her.
Garnet: And you're still sloppy as usual Snaptrap.
Garnet picked him up and threw him at a group of Black Knight Droids.
Char: Not bad, but anyone can deal with a fool like him.
Garnet turned and saw Char looking at her with his arms folded and with a smirk on his face.
Char: We know what you gems did to Skekung, our brother.
Garnet: He attacked us with no remorse.
Char: Still, I will avenge my brother.
Char's eyes widened and shot a red eye beam at Garnet. She dodged the attack and went up to him to punch him. He blocked her attacks and he tried to kick her across the face. She blocked his kick and punched him across the face. He stepped back a little rubbing his face. Garnet tried to punch him again, but he caught her arm and placed the palm of his hand onto her chest and shot out a red beam at her, making her hit the wall.
We then cut to Bismuth and Amethyst fighting Leozack and Kanedama. Leozack took out his laser gun and fired at Bismuth and Kanedama shot out coins at Amethyst. Bismuth blocked the attack with her hammer hands and hits across the face and Amethyst spin dashed at Kanedama knocking him down.
Bismuth: Ha, two years and these uppercrust scapheaps aren't much different.
But then they felt the bodies freezing.
Amethyst: Ah, uh dude why can't I move?
Suddenly they were floating as it was caused by Malaka's telekinesis powers.
Malaka: Don't be so over confident now.
Malaka threw the two at a wall and then picked them up again.
Amethyst: Dude! That's cheating.
Malaka: It's not cheating, it's my power!
Malaka rammed the two gems together.
Malaka: I'm not very physically active, but I am not as brittle as I look.
Malaka used his other hand and used his power to pull out a power cable and slowly brought up to the two as it shot out electricity.
Malaka: Now then, let's get rid of your forms so I can shatter your gems easy. Hahahaha!
But then a wave of water formed by Lapis hit him making him let go of the two.
Amethyst: Phew, thanks L.
Bismuth: Really saved our butts.
Lapis: Don't mention it.
Malaka: ( coughing out water) Ah, you! How dare you!
Lapis formed a large stream of water in the shape of a fist coming at Malaka. He rose his right hand and stopped the attack with his power. He tried to hold it as Bismuth again came from the right side to attack. He stopped her with his left hand, but then Amethyst wrapped him up with her whip and then whiplashed as an energy wave came at him and got hit by the blast.
We then cut to Steven, Gray, Connie and Pearl as they were approached by Huntress, Spinel, Sargane and Gungan. Gray set his attention to Spinel.
Gray: You...
Spinel: Huntress. Why is he looking at me like that?
Huntress: Just remember what I taught you.
Sargane takes out his two swords out from his shoulder pads.
Sargane: Welcome to your doom Steven!
Connie: We got him.
Connie and Pearl steps up to him
Gray: Mom, Pearl wait! Sargane is extrememly skilled with the swords.
Pearl: He's not the only one skilled with sword fighting.
Huntress took out her machete attacked Steven, who blocked the attack with his shield. Gray kicked her off of him.
Gungan: How dare you!
Gungan raised his sword at him, but is shot by Revenger from his shoulder cannon as he ran to deal with him.
We cut to Connie and Pearl tag teaming against Sargane. Despite being two against one, Sargane was very skilled as he kept blocking their attacks. He kicked Connie to the ground and was about to stab her until Pearl shielded her and slashed him across the chest, though hit he didn't appear to be injured with his armor.
Sargane: You two are very well skilled with the sword. But it's not enough against me. I killed you once Connie, I'll do it again.
Connie's eye's widened about the fact he was the one who killed her, but then formed a serious look and got up.
Connie: Well you shouldn't have said that. Because now I'm going to make sure that won't happen.
Pearl: And I'll be there to ensure it.
The two of them ran at him and hit at the same time, but he blocked them both. As he did, electricity started forming around his blades. He pushed the two off and formed his swords into an X and shot a lighting beam at the two, barely missing them but were blown by the blast.
Huntress continued fighting Steven as he tossed his shield at her. She jumped up avoiding the attack and was about to strike him down with her machete but was blocked by Gray's naginata.
Gray: Huntress!
Huntress: Oh so your his little brat huh. I'm told how skilled you are. Show me what you got then.
Gray tried to decapitate her, but she ducked down as the two continued to fight. Spinel sprung at Steven and tried to cut him with her scythe but he blocked the attack with his shield.
Steven: The Spinel of this timeline.
Spinel kicked Steven and tried to attack him again as he kept blocking.
Steven: Wait, we don't have to fight.
Spinel: Oh really. Why should I believe you Stevie? Ha, Stevie that's a good nickname.
Steven: Listen to me. The path you're taking will lead you to your shattering. Stop while you can. I can help you!
Spinel: Liar! Huntress, Viggo and Salamandas told me about you! You're an enemy to the Gara Droids and you ruined their chances of a great future. All the elites see me as weak, but I'll show them by killing you!
Spinel stretched her arms and punched Steven to the ground. Volleyball saw this and gasped seeing Spinel and ran to her as Acha noticed and followed.
Acha: Volleyball! Come back it's dangerous.
Kocha and Peridot: Acha!
Steven tried to get up as Spinel raised her scythe at him.
Spinel: Really, that's all you had. You're not so tough.
Steven: That's because I'm not trying to kill you. I'm trying to reason with you.
Spinel: Okay fine. Reason this!
Spinel was about to strike him down when suddenly Volleyball shielded him.
Volleyball: Stop!
Spinel quickly stopped and lowered her weapon seeing Volleyball.
Spinel: Pearl?
Volleyball: Spinel.
The two looked at each other for a moment. But as this was happening, we cut to Salamandas who has been standing aside the whole fight and watched, not wanting to waste his time in a meaningless fight to him since none of them with the exception of maybe Gray was a worthy opponent for him. But he looked like he was getting bored.
King Salamandas: ( groans) Okay enough of this. Yes.
Salamandas waved his hand across the ship, shooting a red laser and splitting it into two. The two legs of the ship were splitting apart and drifting away, causing the team to split up.
Connie: Steven! Gray!
Steven: Connie!
Gray: Mom!
Huntress: Spinel!
Spinel: Huntress!
The leg Steven, Spinel and Gray were in was flying off crazy as the scene fades to black.
Later.
Gray: Dad? Dad! Dad can you hear me?
Steven was opening up his eyes. He sat up and rubbed his head.
Steven: Gray.
Gray: Are you alright?
Steven: Fine, ow my head. Where are we?
The two looked around and saw one of the legs of the ship has crashed into what looked like a garden, but it was all withered and dry. The ship was sticking out from the dome of it and seemed to be damaged.
Steven: What is this place?
Then he heard Amethyst's groans.
Steven: Amethyst?
The two ran over to where they could hear Amethyst's groans and found her underneath some debris and dug her out.
Gray: Hang on Amethyst. We got you.
Amethyst: Hey Boy Wonder. Did we win?
Gray: Not yet. Let's look who else is here.
The three of them split up around the wreckage of the ship and remains of Gara Droids that crashed in it. They looked around and found Revenger, Lapis, Peridot and Ruby, Acha and Volleyball.
Steven: Okay first off is everyone alright?
Lapis: I'm alright.
Peridot: Oh trust me I've dealt with worse.
Acha: Has anyone seen my arm.
Volleyball: ( hands his arm) Here it is.
Acha: ( reattaches) Thanks Volleyball.
Ruby: Got split up by the blast but Sapphire and I...Sapphire? Sapphire! Oh no, where is she?
Steven: Did we look everywhere is no one else really here?
Gray: Searched high and low.
Revenger: That means the others have been taken.
Steven: Sapphire, Bismuth, Kocha, Pearl...
Gray: And mom.
Gray took off his helmet and sat down covering his eyes.
Gray: He killed mom. And the others.
Lapis, Ruby and Steven went up to him to try and comfort.
Steven: No, they have to be alive still.
Gray: I meant in my timeline. I left them alone and he killed them all.
Lapis: You had to come here.
Ruby: It's not your fault.
Gray: Of course it is! I failed again just like before!
Revenger: Stop crying! We need to move.
Amethyst: Dude! Give him a moment!
Peridot: Yeah lay off.
Gray: No he's right. ( wiping his tears) We have to keep moving and save the others.
Acha: Yeah but how though. The ships totaled.
Steven: Can you fix the ship Peridot?
Peridot: It completely demolished. Plus I would need help from Pearl and Bismuth.
Then they heard another emerging sound from the debris.
Steven: We missed one. Connie? Pearl?
But then coming out was Spinel.
Spinel: ( coughs) That was a close one.
Volleyball: Spinel.
Spinel turned to the group hearing Volleyball's voice. Gray tensed up seeing Spinel and formed his nagitana about to attack.
Gray: Spinel!
Volleyball: Gray wait! Don't hurt her.
Gray: Volleyball get out of the way.
Steven: Gray wait!
Gray: You too dad?
Steven: Let us talk to her.
Gray: Talk to her? She's with the Gara Droids, she works for Salamandas!
Volleyball went up to Spinel as the two looked at each other. Spinel teared up and hugged her tight as Volleyball hugged her back.
Spinel: It's really you Pearl. I missed you so much.
Volleyball: I know, I missed you too.
Spinel: When did you get fixed? Where have you been?
Volleyball: I'm so sorry it took me so long.
Steven: We found her and her memory has been fogged up for a while.
Spinel stepped back and raised her fists up seeing Steven.
Spinel: It's you. You're Pink Diamond's son.
Steven: Easy Spinel. I don't want to hurt you.
Spinel: Why should I believe you? I heard of what you're like.
Volleyball: Spinel listen to him. Steven is my friend. He can help you. We can take you home.
Spinel: I am home, on Homeworld with the Gara Droids.
Volleyball: But they're plotting to bring ruin to the Earth. We live there.
Spinel: Well now that I found you, you can come with me. I'll introduce you to Huntress and I can have all my friends again.
Gray: There's no reason trying to get through to her. She's a follower to Salamandas.
Steven: Gray your not helping.
Gray: I'm telling you of what she is. She's a psychotic murderer! I know what she's like and I'll never forgive what she and Salamandas have done.
Steven: About her following his tyranny.
Gray: More than that.
Steven: What else happened?
Gray looked away.
Lapis: Gray?
Revenger: Gray. Is this about me?
Gray still didn't answer.
Revenger: Gray, how did I die? Tell me.
Gray: ( balling his fist) I never wanted to talk about that day. Never again.
To be continued...
Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. Sorry it's been so long. I know, I know you heard this multiple times. But I am sorta getting back in the mood here so I'm going to try and update this story regularly again. One week I do this and next one I do my Owl House story, which I recommend those who haven't read that one to check that out since it's much better written than this. If you liked this chapter, be sure to follow, favorite and review. As always thank you and until next time.