Chapter 12: Off into Space

Gray was inside the house, gathering remaining things he needed as they were about to head off to Homeworld to prevent the birth of King Salamandas. Just a little while ago, he had killed Skekung and his second arch enemy Spinel. He felt a part of his mission had been completed, but she was not his main target. But the only thing he could think of was Steven going soft on her. He was told how great a hero his dad was being the savior of Earth or defeated the Gara Droids before. But is that really true though he thought? How could he get upset of him killing Spinel who was a monster? She deserved everything that was coming to her, how could Steven think shattering her was wrong. This is war, that's how it is. Then he heard the front door open and saw his grandfather Greg coming to him.

Gray: Grandpa.

Greg: Hey Gray-ball, just checking to see what's up.

Gray: Just gathering the last few things I need for this mission.

Greg: Right, but I was referring if you were okay. You look a bit tense.

Gray: Because of what just happened?

Greg: Oh yeah, I heard what happened. You guys were attacked by Spinel and that big guy. But you won right?

Gray: The problem is Dad. He wanted to heal her and try to talk to her.

Greg: Well, that does sound like what he does.

Gray: You mean he does this a lot?

Greg: Well yeah, I thought you knew.

Gray: But why though? It makes no sense.

Greg: Look Gray, your Dad doesn't normally like to take drastic measures. He tries to do things peacefully, but if things don't go right than he has to do what needs to be done.

Gray: But I know Spinel, she's was a deranged killer.

Greg: And she probably was, but I'm just saying sometimes you got to find a peaceful route first. He was just trying to find the good in her. He tried that when Gien first invaded.

Gray: That's not how it works in my world.

Greg: I can't imagine what goes on there and you're probably right. I don't blame how you think.

Then Revenger enters the house.

Revenger: Gray. It's time.

Gray nods to him and took his helmet as he was about to leave.

Greg: But look all I'm saying is, trust your dad like everyone else does. He knows what he's doing.

Gray: ( sighs) Okay Grandpa. I'll try.

They exited out and saw everyone else outside near the ship. Gray approached Steven.

Gray: I'm ready now.

Steven: Alright Gray. Um listen, about a while ago. You know what you said about Spinel. It's not that I don't agree with you, it's just...

Gray: It's fine, lets just move on and get this done.

Steven: Yeah okay.

Steven then turns to everyone else.

Steven: Everyone this is it. The time for us to save the future. I know it involves going to Homeworld and I know some of you are really uncomfortable going back there and it could be swarming with Gara Droids and I get you may not want to come on this...

Bismuth: Whoa, whoa hold up Young Leader. Who said we aren't coming?

Pearl: This will be scary sure, but I'm not going to sit here knowing we'll all be killed in the future.

Amethyst: Yeah man, we're in this together.

Garnet: We've been a team since day one. Always have been, always will been.

Steven smiled at them.

Steven: Thanks guys. Is anyone else coming?

Connie steps up.

Connie: I'm coming of course.

Steven: Connie?

Gray: Mom, this is going to be dangerous.

Connie: You think I can't take care of myself? Besides I'm not letting my boyfriend and my future kid go out there alone.

Gray: Mom...

Connie: Gray as your mother I order you let me come.

Gray: ( groans) Yes mom.

Revenger: I've made my decision since day 1. I'm coming.

Lapis: Well you know I'm coming.

Peridot: And me too! Charlie you stay here with the others.

Charlie: You sure about that?

Lapis: ( petting him) Don't worry, we'll be fine. Someone needs to keep Pumpkin company.

Charlie: I'll do so.

Volleyball: Steven!

Acha: Hey! Wait for us!

Kocha: Wait for us!

Then they saw Volleyball, Acha and Kocha running to them.

Steven: Volleyball?

Volleyball: I'm coming with you.

Steven: But Volleyball...

Volleyball: I know but Spinel...the Spinel in this timeline is still out there. Maybe it's not too late to save her. Please let me come.

Steven turned and saw Gray placing his helmet on, but didn't notice their conversation.

Steven: Okay, I want to try and save her too.

Volleyball: Thanks.

Steven: But Acha, Kocha why do you two want to come?

Acha: We can help.

Kocha: We can help you find where SA-X is hiding and we know his lab from the back of our head. We know other parts of the lab.

Steven: You guys really have changed. Alright you can come.

Gray: Is that everyone then?

Greg: Sorry guys. I mean I'd come but...

Steven: It's fine Dad, this might be intense. Lion stay here with him just in case.

Lion nods and goes to Greg. Steven goes to hug his dad.

Greg: Come back safe son.

Steven: I will.

Steven lets go as Gray approaches his grandpa.

Greg: Hey Gray. Just do me a favor and look after your dad for me.

Gray: Sure Grandpa. I'll do that.

Greg hugs his grandson tight which Gray did so in return. With that everyone enters inside the ship. They made it to the control room which was the main room.

Amethyst: Dude...

Pearl: It's been years since I stepped forth in here.

Bismuth: Never thought I'd enter inside an uppercrust's ship. I mean not saying Pink was an uppercrust but...eh you get what I mean.

Steven: So how do you fly this thing?

Pearl: I can do flying, but I just need you to launch. Step on this platform here.

Steven saw the platform in the center of the room and stepped forth on it. Once he did it activated and a light covered his legs in a pink light. He was now able to move the legs of the ship.

Steven: Whoa, okay this is a little awkward.

Pearl: Just get a running start to launch.

Steven controlling the legs and ran into the ocean to get the running start. Then he jumped up and the ship launched into space.

Connie: No way. We're actually in space.

Steven: I bet when mom took off, it was pretty graceful huh?

Pearl: Ha, no. Not really.

Gray looked out through the windows of the ship as Revenger stood with him.

Revenger: Are you ready?

Gray: I've been ready.

Revenger: If there is anything my future self taught you, don't ever let your guard down even if this seems easy.

Gray: I know.

The ship keeps flying as they now set their destination to Homeworld, to defeat the remaining Gara Droids and prevent the birth of King Salamandas.

Meanwhile in the future.

Future Bismuth, Lars and whatever surviving rebels were barricading the doors as best as possible as Bismuth kept building thick layers of a wall at the door.

Bismuth: Don't stop keep on going.

Lars: We used the last of the stones to barricade the door.

Sapphire: I knew it wouldn't last forever.

Bismuth: We can't let him get to the past.

Peridot: I know.

Peridot got into position and faced the time machine.

Peridot: I'm going to destroy it.

Connie: What? No! Gray is still there.

Bismuth: We can't let Salamandas get to the past to stop him.

Connie: But he'll be trapped there.

Peridot: Connie listen. I promise you Gray will be fine. If he succeeds he will fade back into our world.

Connie: Are you sure?

Peridot: Trust me. He's our only hope.

Connie: ( sighs) Do it.

Sapphire: Do it fast. He's almost here.

Peridot tried using her metal powers to destroy the time machine. It began to shake as she began tearing it to pieces. She managed to do so as the time machine was destroyed and reduced to scrap.

Boom!

But then the door and walls covering it explodes. The smoke cleared up and entering the forge was King Salamandas and his followers. Everyone stared at him as he looked around the forge, hardly amused.

King Salamandas: So this is where the magic happens. Quaint. I can't believe it took me this long to find you rebels, but never late than never. Now then let's get down to business. What have you done with Skekung and Spinel?

Bismuth: You have no bismuth here.

Peridot: Really, you're going to do you pun now?

Bismuth: Hey, it's what I do.

King Salamandas: Oh Bismuth, are you trying to fight me just how your friends did? You know I still remember when I killed your Pearl. You remember? How I slowly twisted her gem off and her screams.

Bismuth was getting tensed up of him mocking Pearl's death.

King Salamandas: You do remember don't you? Yes.

Bismuth: AAAAAAH!

Bismuth ran at him to attack him. But then Char appeared before her and kicked her across the head and on her back. Bismuth fell to the ground as Char's hand began to glow orange and jabbed it into her back and into her gem.

Char: You know it's against the law to scream at the King.

Bismuth poofed as he held her gem in his hands and crushed it.

Connie and Peridot: Bismuth!

Lars: Everyone get down!

Lars came running in with a rocket launcher and aimed it at Salamandas. Everyone took cover as he fired it at him. Salamandas was hit, but when the smoke cleared up, he still stood unharmed.

King Salamandas: Was that all?

King Salamandas pointed his finger at Lars as a purple beam shot from it and into Lars's shoulder, making him fall back.

King Salamandas: Now I'm sure most of you are smart enough not to oppose me and I might let you off easy if you tell me now. What is all this?

Peridot: It doesn't matter anymore. You're too late.

Huntress suddenly appeared in front of her and grabbed her by the neck.

Huntress: You tell me where Spinel is or I will shatter you.

King Salamandas: Hold it Huntress. Bring her here.

Huntress did as he said and brought Peridot to him.

King Salamandas: Come now sister, you really want to make this hard for you.

Peridot: I am not your sister. You and I maybe made by the same guy, but you two are not family I'd ask for.

King Salamandas: How mean? But we can discuss our issues later. What is that you destroyed and where is the boy at?

Peridot: I'll never talk.

Malaka: Master, please allow me.

Malaka approaches Peridot and places his hand on her head. His eyes began to glow green as he was extracting information out of her.

Malaka: Ah, you're very sneaky you rebels you. They were building a time machine.

Huntress: Time Machine?

King Salamandas: I knew it. I knew you were planning something behind my back.

Peridot: That's right we were. But you're too late. Gray is already there, the time machine is destroyed and there is no way for you to stop him.

Malaka: Is that so?

Malaka approached the the time machine remains. Using his telekinetic powers and information he got from Peridot, he was able to put back and mend the broken pieces back together, fixing it and looking like new.

Peridot: But how?

Char: Incredible

Sargane: You sneaky rats.

King Salamandas: I have to admit, that is impressive. Yes. Malaka, activate it.

Malaka: I'm setting it to the last destinated coordinates.

Connie: No!

Connie got out her sword and ran at Malaka to stop him. But then she felt her prosthetic leg get cut off and fell to the floor. It was caused by Sargane who drew out his sword.

Sargane: I cannot allow you to do that. How ironic I cut off the same leg of yours twice.

Connie crawled in hopes to stop this until she was looked down by Salamandas.

Connie: ( teared up) Please, he's my son. He's all I have left.

King Salamandas: That's not a good enough reason to spare him. Because he is the kingdom's top criminal, he must be punished just like his father was.

Then he felt someone grab his leg. It was Lars barely alive.

Lars: No...

King Salamandas: Such heroic nonsense.

King Salamandas took a deep breath and breathed regular fire at him, incinerating Lars to ash.

Connie: Lars!

Sapphire: No!

Peridot: Stop!

King Salamandas: I have no more use for her. Huntress.

Huntress threw Peridot to the ground and stomped her foot on her back. She aimed her monical laser eye at Peridot.

Peridot: Huntress...

Huntress: Sorry Peridot. But you just had to pick the wrong side.

Huntress fires at Peridot and then stomps on her gem shattering her.

Huntress: Shall we go sire?

King Salamandas: You will remain here and dispose of the remaining rebels. We shall return after we deal with Gray.

Huntress: But how?

Malaka: The information I gathered states we will fade back here if we make a major change in the past. But we want things to stay the way they are, so maybe we force past Peridot to make us a time machine.

King Salamandas: Let's go then.

King Salamandas goes to the portal.

Connie: No...sto...

Connie gasped when she felt something go through her back. It was Sargane again who stabbed her in the back. Connie slowly drops her head to the floor and dies. He pulls his sword out and wipes the blood off the blade.

Sargane: That finally silenced her.

Sapphire: Connie!

Huntress grabs hold of Sapphire to keep her from getting away.

Sargane: Shall we then?

Sargane, Char and Malaka gathered together with King Salamandas as they approached the time portal.

King Salamandas: I'm coming for you Gray. And this time you're going to give the fight I've been waiting for. Yes.

To be continued...

Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. Just trying to keep up with this one more just so I can appease those who are still interested. If you liked this chapter, be sure to follow, favorite and review. As always, thank you and until next time.