Man... a full month. Sorry about that guys, had gotten busy and was trying to see what episodes I would make into chapters along the way. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter!

Get Set To Get Decked!

It was a good time for training with the Gems gone for the morning. Even if Pearl might be proud of him taking training to finally control his gem powers, it was better right now to regain Steven's strength on his own.

Another week had passed since the hybrid went with the gems to the Luna Sea Temple, and it went pretty okay on his part. He remembered this time to bring the statue with him in his Cheeseburger Backpack, something he was happy to get back once again. The temple was saved but the diamond prince knew from the bright smiles from Pearl and Amethyst that it still was just a test for him. Steven honestly didn't mind it, remembering the time he wanted to do a redo and found out about the staged plan. It was one of those sweet moments he had with the gems, ones were he truly felt loved by them.

Steven didn't show his growing strength of course, playing the care free act and bring the bagels like before. Honestly, the team was able to finish a lot faster than before on this mission, though it brought some sense of unease to the hybrid that he was quick to notice. It only lasted for a second, but he was for sure that Garnet was frowning at him a was brief and almost not even there, but it was something that brought a slight tension to him when he noticed it. There was a reason he had to be on guard about the fusion, knowing full that her future vision will be a big problem in the long run. From the last time they spoke about it, Garnet can see into countless possibilities even if it's on one mind set. Hers for him is that Steven is a child and will always need help. If he acts more mature and grown up, her future vision goes haywire, and that's something he couldn't afford right now.

With Garnet and the others away, Steven is able to train under the radar. He was trying to get his body and shape and summon his bubble which he does with ease. His shield and others powers were a different story, seeing how of right now his body wasn't fit enough yet for it. He was training right now on his fighting style he had learned from Garnet and Yellow Diamond, smiling as he was feeling his power grow within his body. He could remember the times he trained with Yellow and Garnet, seeing them fight at first was kind of funny in his opinion. Thanks to finally controlling his bubble power, he was able to use his spiked bubbled gloves like Yellow taught him, practicing on his offence attacks by the time his timer rang out.

The hybrid finished his training and grabbed his shirt and a towel from the bathroom, smiling with pride. "Looks like I finally got my bubble powers again. Now to work on bubbling gems and my healing powers," He wiped off the sweat from his forehead and took a look at the clock and date, sighing. "Looks like Connie should be at the Beach right now."

Just has he had said that out loud, the Temple began to shake and tremble which caused the young hybrid to fall flat on his butt by the door. As the shakes grew they quickly stopped, making the diamond prince growl in frustration. "Damn it..." He groaned as he rubbed his back. "Forgot about that worm gem is around today."

"Good morning Steven," The hybrid turned around to see the gems walking back into the Temple, Pearl being the one to smile and wave at the boy.

"Hey Pearl. What's with the tremors," Steven asked, already knowing but just wanting their attention away from why he was carrying a towel.

Amethyst groaned, shaking her head. "That's the thing. We don't know, but it could be another gem monster again."

"We'll find it in time everyone," Garnet stated, placing a hand on both of the gems' shoulder. Her eyes though stayed mostly on the hybrid in the room. "For now, how was your morning today Steven."

Steven bit his lip as he looked at Garnet with unease. It was nerve racking to be around her and speak to her because it was like she knew what was going on. Still, that didn't stop him from just moving to the fridge and opening it up. He spoke out to answer, "It was good Garnet, but I need to speak with a girl outside."

"A girl," Pearl tipped her head in confusion.

"Yeah, I mean I know who she is but she doesn't know me yet."

Amethyst gasped, coming over to grip his cheeks in a teasing way, smirking. "You like her don't you?"

"W-What," Steven tried hard not to blush, pushing the purple quartz's hands away. He sighed and showed the gems the glow stick. "I just wanted to give her this. She lost it at the Boardwalk Parade."

"Oh Steven. Your first real friend," Pearl squealed in joy. "Oh we'll need to contact her parents, and also find her favorite kind of tea-"

Steven did flinch at how crazy Pearl was being, as well as Amethyst being embarrassing. "Or maybe I should just go. See you guys later," He waved at the gems and left in a hurry.

Honestly, he almost completely forgot about the old Boardwalk Parade but he remembered about it when he was cleaning out the fridge of old cookie cats. Steven saw the glow stick ring and knew he had to see Connie soon. Though Amethyst's statement did shake him up a bit. Did he like her? Yeah, the hybrid did have a slight crush on his best friend, but what boy his age wouldn't right. Besides Connie was so smart, brave, and cute as well. He still remembered that kissed on the cheek she gave him, and how much his heart fluttered over something so friendly and small. He really did enjoy her company and liked her a whole lot. She felt like the sweet jelly to his biscuit and the thought made him blush.

The blush quickly went away when he saw the same girl sitting in the sand. Her curly brown hair long once more and her glasses back her face just like the first time he met her. While something like this, seeing his friend again, would bring him joy and excitement, right now it brought a completely opposite feeling. Fear. Seeing Connie, back before he ever met her, before she even knew him and him her, brought nothing a stabbing knife to his heart. She looked like Connie, but this wasn't her. She wasn't his Connie, and the feeling of that brought a deep sense of fear and sadness.

Connie, the gems, even his father. These weren't them anymore, they were completely different from his family he grew up with and love with all of his heart. His once proud and caring mother figures, Pearl and Garnet, were back as just protectors and more cold towards him. His big sister Amethyst, someone he can lean against and do their special handshake with, was now just a teasing and even rude quartz he lives with. His father was no even more closed off from his life unless he pushed into his. Connie, the girl he felt he could grow even more to love and hold, was back to being just a nice girl who loves to read and has no friends. Not the sword fighter. Not the sweet girl who kissed his cheek. This Connie wasn't his, and it honestly felt like he lost her. How ironic was that.

Steven almost was just about to walk back and leave, but stopped in shock to feel another earthquake rumble through the beach again. This one was much bigger than the last one, almost throwing the hybrid off balance as he quickly turned to see Connie look just at her book as if nothing happened. He quickly saw a piece of the temple start cracking and slowly falling down to the young girl. No, he felt like he wouldn't reach her this time like before. He rushed over to her as fast as he could.

"Hey watch out!"

Connie gasped, looking up only to scream at the massive hunk of rock come falling towards her. The scream brought flashes, almost knocking Steven off his balance as he rushed over and grabbed the young girl's wrist. The beach flashed pink in his eyes, the bright blue sky turning black and filled with smoke, the face before him looking at him with bright pink eyes filled with fear and shock.

"Steven!"

Steven shut his eyes tightly closed as he summoned his bubble to protect him and Connie, the pink defense hold strong as the massive rumble came crashing down and breaking on impact. The two kids were on the ground in the bubble, the young eleven year old girl fixing her glasses before looking down at the boy who held her in a death grip. It kind of hurt but she didn't show much discomfort as she tried to get him to let go. The young boy got more protective, holding the girl tighter as he saw more images of that day, his body shaking. The young girl just sat there confused, but slowly started to rub the boy's back, making him flinch at first but then slowly calm down to her touch.

"Hey, I'm okay now," Connie said softly, watching carefully as the boy let go. "Thank you for saving me. I'm fine now."

Steven opened his eyes, shocked that she even said thank you after he basically was strangling her during his episode. He blushed in embarrassment and slowly stood up. "S-Sorry!"

Connie fixed her glasses, taking a stand as well. "It's fine, but what is this thing," she asked while pointing at the glass dome around them.

"This is my powers reacting to danger. Guess it made a bubble to protect us from the falling stones," He played the idiot card. The hybrid then smiled and gave a hand. "By the way, my name is Steven."

"C-Connie. Um... down this thing like shut off or something?" Steven nodded, lifting his arms to clap twice and pop his bubble, which he was happy it did successfully. Another small rumble came, but not enough for them to be thrown off. Connie had picked up her sand covered book before looking at the young boy was mild confusion. "How were you able to do that?"

That question stopped the boy a bit, but he rubbed his neck and answered the best to his memory. "Well I'm half g-magic! Yeah magic, from my mom's side." Steven then shrugged as he stated next, "I'm part of a magical group called the Crystal Gems. Saving day and things."

"Oh, like my dad. He's a cop...or rather a private security guard."

'He wants to be a cop though...' Steven though gently, knowing better to keep his mouth shut. Honestly this whole felt just as awkward as the first time, only this time he had no idea how to keep her attention. Connie looked just as nervous as well, but he knew that was because she had no friends. It was hard to make some if it never happened before, and the young teen knew how much of a strict bitch her mother was. While did respect Priyanka, he couldn't deny how annoying and rude she was to him and his family all together. This was a lot harder than before to make friends with her, trying to find a different way to do this but should he.

He could make friends with Connie again, they could regrow as Jam Buds just like before. They can read together, play together, train together, and even one day fuse just as easily as before. Steven knew he could have that again with Connie, but was it even worth it to see her in danger again like before. He was going to change the future, he was going to fix things sooner than last time. Fixing it sooner though, meant that he was going to be in more danger sooner and maybe even more terrible than before. Would he even be ready for it, would even know what would happen to the others this way. Connie would be in more danger is he became friends with her again, got close to her again. It was the fear that made him just stand there and stare. The very fear of maybe even hurting her like he did before. All of the fighting and gem stuff that could have killed her was it worth it? Was he just being selfish right now? He shouldn't make friends with her, he shouldn't even try to be in her life. He shouldn't be here, but the pain... the pain of losing her right here and now was even worse.

They were friends. Maybe not now but they will be. Steven wanted his friend again, his best friend again at his side till the end. The two battling together and just hanging out together. Steven felt his heart split in two at his clouded thoughts, what ifs and possibilities clashing with each other. It was getting to think clearly as he did before. He just needed Connie, he needed his old life back. Thoughts came back to him, about how others may have found him with his body. How Connie sobbed and held on to his cold and lmp body, covered in blood and his gem shattered. He knew it was better for her not to be near him, but he needed her. He needed his Connie, his family, his dad, his town, his Diamonds, his Homeworld, his life back! He wanted, he wanted, he wanted-

No. It wasn't about what he wanted anymore. That was the point; he can't get what he wanted. He had to give everyone else what they need. It's why he died in the first place, it why he died with Spinel and how it was his fault. He had been selfish when it came to saving his home and hurting Spinel's feelings. This was his second chance, to understand his punishment and actions were wrong. Steven can't be selfish anymore, he needed to be different. That meant that in order for Connie to be safe, he had to let her go. It hurt, but his emotions no longer mattered. Besides... this wasn't his Connie.

"Hey.." Steven looked up at the girl before him, her arms hugging her book as she tipped her head in concern. Her eyes so soft and worried looks, her long hair bouncing slightly at the motion of her head. "Are you okay? You look like you're hurt."

He had to let her go. He had to move on for her safety. "O-Oh. I-I'm fine Connie. I just... I just..." Steven bites his lip, holding back the tears as he pushed the stabbing pains in his heart aside. "I j-just wanted to make you that you were okay. These earthquakes are getting worse and I don't want you hurt."

Her brown eyes widen a bit, but they slowly darken as he turned her head slightly away from his gaze. "Thanks but I'm okay," Connie mumbled, her voice sounding hurt. "You don't have to pretend to care."

'I do care. It's why I'm letting my best friend go.' Steven just frowned slightly, shaking his head. "I'm happy you're safe, but... maybe it's best you head home. This Beach is filled with loose rubble, and it could be dangerous at the moment."

"Yeah, you maybe right." Connie chuckled a bit awkwardly, smiling a gentle smile. "Thank you Steven, hope we meet again."

'It hurts... Please don't leave me.' "Um.. yeah. See you sometime Con-"

Before Steven could finish with a wave goodbye, the ground rumbled again though which a much more powerful force. Both the hybrid and Connie fell to the ground as the whole town shook with the force underneath. His brown eyes widen in fear and shock, knowing full well that this has never happened before, not this early. Something was really wrong here. Before he could scream at her to run, the ground started to pull and crack under them. The teen's ears were filled with Connie's screams and his own as they fell down the now growing carter. Sand and water came rushing in at them, the hybrid was only quick enough to bubble and protect the young girl before salt water hit his face.

Connie watched in shock and fear, seeing that the strange boy's pink bubble was back to protect her from the ocean water. She was grateful for it, but screamed as Steven was outside the bubble this time, choking and trying to hold his breath in the rushing water. He was able to grab hold as the bubble before the two sunk all the way down the ocean floor. She started to bang on the bubble, screaming for the hybrid as he was just floating in the water still looking to be in pain. He raised his hands to face and slowly formed a bubble around his head, opening his mouth and eyes as he coughed up a bit of slat water and sand. She sighed, seeing him breath again and alright. She didn't know why, but when she met the strange boy, she could help but feel really close to him.

Steven was taking big breaths in his bubble helmet, looking around at the ocean floor to see that Connie was in her own bubble and safe. He swam over to her and touched the surface of the bubble as she touched back. He saw her try to say his name, but couldn't hear her. It was pointless to, he didn't make his bubble have that ability yet, in fact just summoning three like this was straining his body. He had to at least get Connie out of the ocean before his bubble popped on its own. He pushed himself back, feeling the slight strain throb on his stomach spread throughout his body. He had to hurry and get her out of the water. The hybrid felt the water tremble and shake, turning quickly to see the gem monster worm swimming by. He gasped in shock and fear, looking at Connie to see she didn't have the bracelet yet. It was still in his pocket. Connie was trembling in fear, but Steven suddenly got a weird idea. He swam back to the bubble and raised his hands to it, summoning his gem to expand his and melt together with hers. A sharp pain shot through his gust and spine, but soon the bubble slowly expanded and joined with hers. He fell in and gasped with a hard cough of pain.

"S-Steven!? Are you okay," Connie cried in pain, trembling herself but looking at the hybrid as she knelled down to him.

Steven was panting, his body was covered in sweat, and is gem is throbbing at me to let the bubble drop now. He was panting as his blurred vision stared right into Connie's frightened ones. "I'm fine Connie..." He pushed himself up to stand, leaning against the bubble for support. "I... My powers... I'm not able to make a bubble this many times before..."

Connie gasped, looking at the pink sphere in fear. "You're using too much power. Steven is it hurting you to even keep this thing up?"

"N-No..." He tried to sound normal, but the throbbing was only getting worse. His body was too young and weak to hold this much gem power.

"Yes it is! Steven pop the bubble, We can swim up to the surface."

"N-No... w-worm..." He panted and pointed at the worm swimming by and eating the red glowing kelp. He shook his head, the thing was pounding inside. "C-Can't... let you get... hurt..."

Connie frowned, her eyes getting hard and upset. "No cares about me Steven. You're hurting yourself for me when we should be just trying to swim out of here as fast as possible. Stop hurting yourself and let it down!"

"N-No!"

"Stop caring about me!"

"I... I won't!" Steven screamed, almost saying can't before he reached into his jean pocket and pulled out the red glowing glow stick. Connie gasped, seeing the stick somewhere before.

"I won't let it down..." He glared at her with something that made her shiver. "Not when I can protect my friend."

This look he gave her, it wasn't filled with anger but more so fear. Steven really did care about her, but why. They had just met only minutes ago, and yet the look in eyes was like they have been friends for years. She felt safe under this gaze, but her head was filled with so many questions. Before she could ask why he even had a glow stick, they both heard a loud screeching sound. It was the massive worm from before, it's face detecting the red glowing stick as the red kelp before.

Steven, knowing what would happen, raised the glow stick up in the air as he also expanded the bubble. He screamed in pain, making Connie looked at him in utter fear and worry but he held her close as the monster came charging at them. The hybrid still kept the bubble big enough so the monster wouldn't be able to swallow them. The gem monster soon dug under the ground and shot right up under the bubble, shooting the two kids up and out of the water. Connie screamed in horror at the beast so close but Steven held his own as his gem continued to throb and heat up in pain. Once the monster knocked them back on the beach, the teen popped the bubble and kept the glowing stick high up in his hands. The monster screeched in what looked to be hungrier and rage as it soon started rushing towards the two.

"Connie," Steven screamed at her, making the girl turn to face as he ordered. "Run away, I got this!"

Connie just gasped, not wanting to believe that he was going to lead the monster away. The boy looked terrible already with his slightly pale face and shaking limbs, but her fear of the creature eating her only grew as it came at them. "B-But Steven-"

"Go!"

The two split as the monster came rushing at them, its body quickly turning to follow the red glow stick in Steven's hands. The hybrid raced to the dock as face as his legs could carry him, his body still shaking and weak from the over use of his gem power. He remembered doing this before, wrapping the creatures around the dock under the dock snapped and fell on it, making it poof. He knew he would have to do it again, wishing that he had his shield with him. As he made it to the dock, the monster still chasing, he became his plan and started to weave and turn around the pillars holding up the dock. The gem followed without a second thought, but gaining in speed. Steven was panting, his vision fading in and out, but he kept running around pillars and over the monster with the glow stick in hand. He turned to his left and saw Connie just outside the dock, watching in shock. Taking his chance, the teen rushed over to her side and kept running until he heard the snap of wood.

With the gem monster now stuck, Steven finally felt the pain and over use of his body. With a soft gasp of pain he fell to his knees and hugged his stomach. Connie turned to look at him with fearful eyes and she knelled down to him to see if he was okay. His gem was throbbing and pulsing due to overuse, his legs and spine trembling and weak as his muscles felt like they had torn. He panted and tried to stay awake as he brown daze eyes looked up at the girl trying to help him. Even though they weren't even friends, this Connie is still trying to help like his Connie used to do. She wasn't his like before, but it felt nice when he looked at her and somewhat saw the same girl only with shorter brown hair and no glasses. It was nice seeing some bit of his friend and partner, even if only for a second. Even though he couldn't be friends with her again, and even his heart hurt because of this, he still found enough strength to raise his shaky hand to her, trying to give her the red glow stick.

"You... d-dropped this.." Steven chuckled, his vision going black way to face. He was about to pass out which wasn't going to be good. "Boardwalk... Par... Parade..."

Connie gasped softly, remembering that day almost a full year ago as she took the reed glow stick. "I remember. You were that boy with soap in your hair."

"S-Scrub... b-brush... Gonna... pass out n-now..." Damn his voice was all slurred, his body screaming at him now to fall asleep and just lay there.

"W-wait Steve-... Stev... w-wak..."

His world went black by the time the gem finally poofed and Pearl's screams were heard faintly through the air. Steven hardly saw another else pasting out like this, only a small image of someone dear to him. Her hair dirty and body faded out, but her smile soft and somewhat painful to see. He saw her gem glow, he never realized how mesmerizing that heart gem is when glowing.

She whispered something, but he had already fell into a dreamless sleep.