It's been about three weeks since Steven had last seen Connie, and just two weeks again from destroying a ride in FunLand. The only main difference being that this time it wasn't completely his fault for the destruction of the teapot ride, and being banned from the rides as well till his father paid for the damages.
No, in fact it was the fault of his supposed death smelling Master.
The hybrid remembered the event well, and something he had hoped to forget about the moment he saw the Tea Cup ride. Garnet had suggested the ride but Steven was trying his hardest not to get on. Even though he has gotten use to the rides like this back when he was fourteen, didn't mean that his body was used to it by a long shot. He knows most likely he will puke and either hit Mr. Smiley or cause another destroyed Boardwalk. He quickly declined it when the other gems got on, each giving him frowns of confusion and worry when he just stayed on the ground and enjoyed watching the rest have fun for a bit. His Master, who he was forced to call the creature, decided that his little punishment for some odd reason.
"What the hell did I do," Steven whispered back at the monster who took his shadow, ignoring the small look from the tall dark skinned man controlling the Tea cups.
The creature just chuckled raspy in his shadow, though the sound of it was really deep within his mind. "Nothing… You are doing nothing!"
Steven bit his lip, trying to hide a smirk he had gotten from Yellow Diamond when they went together to galaxy meetings. His gaze turned towards the shadow behind him as he said, "You never said I had to change everything so soon."
"Too slow… nothing happening… You are slow my pawn~"
The hybrid growled, feeling his gem spark with heat when hearing the sick nickname the shadow creature had for Steven. Before he could speak to the vile leech swallowing his shadows, he turned to see Mr. Smiley looking at him with odd confusion. He then saw how the tall man's vision moved over to his shadow that laid towards the left of his feet. He knew a while ago that no one else could see the creature but himself, so he only cased Smiley a confused look right back at him, making the man flinch slightly and turn back to controlling the tea pots. The young hybrid looked at the man in deep confusion, turning back to the shadow to see it morph and give him a slight twisted smile.
Steven glared at the creature as he harshly whispered. "What are you doing!?"
The creature grinned at the hybrid, making him shiver as it grabbed his leg. "Teaching you… not to make me bored… my pawn."
Steven watched in horror as his shadow grew slightly and crawled up his leg, the monster feeling deadly cold on his skin as a horrible feeling filled his body. The boy felt his body run cold, his skin quickly feeling clammy as he felt his breathing become nonexistent. His vision slightly blurred and his tongue felt heavy and tasting badly like copper and mud. He quickly began to realize that his body had returned slightly to his original state; sixteen years of age and as dead as a corpse. The creature on his leg was now clinging onto his gem, feeling not cracked and mind numbing painful. He tried to scream out in pain, but his shock and fear clogged his already blood filled throat. He did let out a choking noise, making Mr. Smiley look at him once more. He didn't see his face, couldn't really see anything through the fog in his eyes, but he did hear the old man scream bloody murder.
The citizens who were just in line for the Teapot ride all looked at Mr. Smiley in utter shock and fear as , to them, he was screaming out of nowhere. He started to point at Steven, who stood there looking just as shocked but otherwise fine. Still a short boy just standing and waiting for the gems to come back, pink shirt not ripped or bloody and as far as anyone knew the boy his gem still in tact. In their eyes, the boy was completely fine, but that didn't stop the dark skinned man to continue his screaming. He saw everything the creature lay bared to him, he was seeing the damaged image of Steven's soul. His eyes all milky brownish grey while they laid wide and unblinking. His hair was caked with mud and blood as the dried black mark of it streaked down his face. His mouth was opened and choking as he tried to speak to the man, seeing the old black glob that was his blood dripping out between his teeth and lips, flowing down his chin and ruined blue shirt. His gem was shown to be cracked and spilling blood as well, the boy looking older but deadly pale and covered in mud and blood. Gashes all over his arms and legs like he just was in an explosion. The corpse moved like a puppet on strings, a dark mist of death sprouting out of his back and hissing at the man. In short, Smiley saw a pure hellish nightmare.
He screamed as if he lost his sanity just looking at the boy, his arm gripping the handle of the ride so tight that when he pulled upwards the handle came with him. Steven shouted in shock, the touch of the creature vanishing as his vision cleared and he saw the Teapot ride lose control. Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl shouted in shock before jumping into action to save the humans who were now screaming on the ride. The cups now flying off the spinning motor and flying every which way. The hybrid watched once more as he looked around to see the Fun Land destroyed and some Beach City citizens now soaking wet or dizzy in shock from the ride.
Feeling rage and guilt, the young boy rushed over to Mr. Smiley who seemed to have pass out a bit from his fear of what the creature had showed him. "Mr. Smiley," Steven kneeled down to him and touch the man's arm. "Mr. Smiley are you oka-"
"S-Steven," Smiley shouted, the sound though not of shock or fear. The hybrid flinched when hearing nothing but pure rage. "Stay back! Get away from me!"
"Mr. Smiley please. I didn't do anythi-" Steven tried to defend himself, but the man just stood up and pushed the smaller boy back.
Smiley frowned and shook his head, fear was in his eyes but he looked more upset at the damage he could only blame the boy for. It was even more creepy since he the man was smiling. He shouted, "You are now banned for Fun Land forever! Get your freakishness out of my Boardwalk!"
The boy looked up at the man in shock, shaking when he heard the word freak spilled out of the man. "B-But Mr. Smi-"
"Out! Get Out now! You walking monster! Demon!"
Steven couldn't see past his tears, everything was blurry and hot now. The gems tried to come over and speak, shout, most likely beat up the old man, but he didn't care. With a choked sob, Steven pushed past Mr. Smiley and ran straight home. The gems called out to the boy, more so Garnet but he didn't listen. His eyes were burning and his ears rang with the words Mr. Smiley said, as well as the evil crackle of the monster inside of his shadow. As he made it to the temple, he cried and shook more, trying to block the monster as it whispered one finally statement into his ear.
"Fail to entertain me… and I won't stop myself from showing your family… what a monster you are my pawn~"
The hybrid snapped himself out of the memory, sitting up from his bed to see the gems coming out of the temple door as they spoke to each other. Steven looked at the calendar, seeing the date to be the corrected one. Exactly two weeks since that day, and he knew what he had to do now. He practices for those weeks, training his powers and bubble as best as he could. It was no better time than now to entertain his Master. He frowned deeply, blocking his anger for the monster as he got out of bed to go and greet the gems. Every since that day in Funland, he never blamed Smiley for the horror he saw. If anything it just fueled the hybrid to fight and beat the monster who brought him back more. He knew the creature was fowl and not to be trusted, even if it gave him and Spinel a second chance to live. He wound beat it, and this time he was taking his turn mindfully.
"Ah, Steven," Pearl clapped her hands as the three gems looked at the twelve year old coming down from his room. She smiled fondly at the boy before speaking a little softer. "How are you feeling?"
Steven smiled a bit, shrugging his shoulders. "Pretty good, just woke up from a nap. You guys going on a mission?"
Garnet nodded and answered before Pearl could. "Yes, and so are you."
"Garnet please…" The white gem hissed, her eyes looking to be worry in them. "He can't come."
Steven frowned a bit, but didn't look hurt by Pearl's comment. Honestly he didn't want to come. He knew this mission was leading them to the Strawberry Fields to beat that Primed Temple. As cool as it might be to go again, the hybrid needed this day to start the first root of his own mission. This was the only day the gems would be busy and leave him alone for hours for the next few weeks and he wanted to use this chance as much as he can.
"He's coming. Steven has already proven himself to be viable on a mission like back in the Luna Temple." Garnet turned to the two and smiled a little in her usually cold face. The comment making the boy flinch.
"This mission is even more dangerous than that one Garnet," Pearl bit her lip, waving her arm at the boy. "Plus, remember the Teapot incident. He won't focus on this mission."
"Uhh… guys," The two turn to Amethyst, who just placed her arms behind her head as she gave them a bored look. "As much as I would love to two see you two fight-"
Pearl rolled her arms as she placed her hands on her hips. "You love us fighting."
"Not really, puts me to sleep." She yawned and picked her nose for a bit before pointing at Steven. "But… it looks like Steven might not really want to go anyhow."
The two gems look at the hybrid in question as Steven just frowned at them and played a bit with his fingers. After about a minute of silence, he finally spoke. "Yeah… honestly I just want to stay home and play a few video games if you don't mind Garnet."
"I don't see why not," Pearl quickly replied, smiling proudly that her baby wanted to stay inside and protected.
Garnet though just frowned deeply, looks of confusion and upset rejection to the idea of even coming. She kneeled down to the boy, not noticing at first his tense and closed off look. She looked deep into his eyes and spoke a bit gentler, "Are you sure Steven? You won't be a bother to us if you do."
"Um… I'm sure Garnet," Steven put on his best convincing smile, trying hard not to look past her shades and see her three colorful eyes. "Besides, you would work much faster and better without having to watch me all the time. I'll be fine at home promise."
"Might as well. These trips get sort of boring," Amethyst commented as she walked back to the wrap pad with a bored look.
Without another word, and a long silent star at the hybrid, Garnet finally pulled back and walked with Pearl to the wrap pad. Steven waved to them a see you soon smile as they wrapped away, his tense shoulders finally dropping slightly to see them gone. He wasn't fully relieved though, knowing full well what the fusion was doing when she looked at him for so long. The hybrid bit his lip, his hands clutching a few times into fists as he felt a bit of frustration.
He knew that Garnet could tell the fusion, and right now she was seeing into his. What possible outcomes he might be taking, seeing if he was lying about staying home or not, every possible and impossible thing she could fine when the first future of him coming became nonexistent. Now he was stuck on what to do. Should he continue his plans or just stay home to try and cover up his plan and secret? There was too much at stake if Steven chose the latter. He needed to start the first bit of his plan before anything else. He didn't want history to repeat the same anymore, not when there was a chance to save everyone from his mistakes. He hoped the fusion didn't see this future coming, cause right now he wasn't going to stop.
With a nod and determine look in his eyes, Steven rushed over to his bed to grab his Cheeseburger backpack and gather supplies. He grabbed his journal, flashlight, snacks from the kitchen and plenty of water. He sighed and packed everything that he needed before walking over calmly to the wrap pad. He knew that it was going to be challenging since he had much trouble with it his first life time. Still though, he wasn't the same naive boy as before. He knew his powers, he knew what he could do and how to do it. He was mature even if selfish at times. He knew he could get it to work for at least today. With a deep breath to calm his slowing speeding heartbeat, he placed his left foot on the wrap pad then the next. He let his mind flash an image on where he wished to go, he knew the name, he knew where he needed to be. With his eyes closed, he raised his hands and felt the pad glow under his feet.
In a flash he started to wrap, a smile spreading to his face as he felt himself controlling where he wanted to go. Steven kept his arms outward through since he felt the small strain in his gem for doing this. Once he felt another hard surface touch his feet though, he placed them down and opened his eyes to see his location.
"The kindergarten," He stated out loud, looking at the dark and gloomy place he wished he hardly ever had to come back to again.
The place was still gloomy and lifeless as before in his first lifetime, the only difference here was the lake of Quartz who had once came to visit the place. When he was fifteen back in his first life, during the first four months of the Era 3 liberation for gems, Amethyst and the young Diamond had set the kindergarten up to be a nice hang out for the quartz. It still couldn't grow life, but they set up as a battle arena for the quartz just to blow off steam, it was even a place just to try sleeping for the first time back in the same holes they were made from. It was weird to the hybrid, but even Amethyst had got him used to sleeping in the group after the Femathyst made him his own hole. It was a weird but fond memory he had of his many sisters. Steven couldn't help but smile at the memory as he touched some of the holes he now carried which of his Amethyst sisters.
Getting back on track though, Steven pulled out his flashlight and looked at the ground of the kindergarten to find the latch for downstairs. After walking a bit a ways to the second section of the place, he felt his sandals step on metal rather than dirt. Smiling, the boy kneeled down and placed his hand on the metal, seeing it shine pink as the old four Diamond symbol lit up and opened the hatch down stairs. His smiled dropped though as he stepped onto the platform, moving down to the lower lever of the kindergarten.
Stepping down once the platform stopped, the boy walked down the aisle as he flashed his light around the dark and echoey place. When he made it to the main controls, Steven sighed and placed his hand on the hand plate set for the controls. Without any delay, the plate glowed green, bringing the place to life as he kept his hand on the plate control.
"Alright Peridot…" Steven mumbled, lifting his left hand as a small version of the massive hands he saw the green gem used to use before when she was an enemy. It responded to his left hand movements, so he looked down at the pad and spoke clearly. "Control Patel, lock sync with my right hand."
[Locking system to right hand My Diamond.]
With a nod he left his right hand, getting the second massive gem tech hand to activate as well. He saw his hand glow green, and he grew a serious look in his eyes. "Okay, now let's look on those force fused gem mutants."
The Gem mutants were a topic not even pleasant to the Diamonds. It was a time for them that they let their blind hate and sorrow cloud their minds and make them do such a terrible act. Steven remembered the times that Yellow shook and cried at the force mutants she had created due to blind rage. It was the only time he had seen the normal cold cut Diamond of the four cry, and after that scene they had ordered to have them all shattered once more and lay them to rest. He knew the Diamonds didn't want to make these monsters, but now he had gotten an idea on what to do with them.
As he moved the gem hands, he started working on getting them all out of the dirt and mud test tubes containing the mutants. Steven was careful about it though, learning from Peridot how they can still form early if removed from them too hastily. The hybrid knew now how to work the gem tech on both Homeworld and earth, feeling confident when he finally had gotten on thirty test tube dirt out in the open air. All of them surrounding the boy as he turned off the hands and turned around to face them.
"Alright," Steven sighed, looking at all of them in a grim look. "I need to place you all somewhere where I can watch you and keep you safe till… till the day we shatter you." He flinched, the thought of shattering even the mindless mutants to be painful.
He gently touched one of the dirt tubes in front of him, his gem slightly glowing as he wield a bubble to form around the dirt. He frowned, hissing slightly as he looked at his bubble. "Damn it," He spat in frustration. "Removing the dirt will most likely awaken your form. Still, I need to bubble all of you."
Steven thought hard before twitching his fingers slightly on his right hand towards the bubble. He felt his gem respond and the small bubbles formed the spikes outside the bubble. Thinking and pushing his body, he twisted his wrist and closed his hand into a fist. The act forced the spikes inside the bubble and stabbed into the thick dirt tube. The act crumbled the dirt to pieces as a middle of shards came out. He frowned in disgust at the sight of the blue, red, and green shards that were once full gems. It looked so similar to crystals that grow in caves, spiked and uneven. It made him want to puke but his willed his stomach to hold his lunch down. He had to keep going.
Once he finally managed to form a bubble for the shards, feeling his gem cool just slightly from doing a much easy task though still taking three tries. After he bubbled the first, he looked at the forty nine left, frowning in worried. He may not be able to get all of them with his powers like this. Still, the hybrid at least had to try. One problem to remove from the equation of one big total underneath his feet. Looking at the first ten, he raised both hands and pushed his body to make pink spiked bubbles on each and everyone, his body shaking slightly before he took more control over the gem power flowing through his body. With a deep growl he pulled his arms inward and made all the spikes stab through the mud capsules once more. He bubbled each one of the misshapen fused gemstones, his heart rate speeding slightly but he ignored it. His gem kept heating up, his body ejecting the power, but Steven kept pushing. He got to the third rows of capsules above, repeating his motions with much harder force to shatter the dirt around the soft but stuck shards. As he came to the last nine and completed the same process, the boy fell to his knees and felt so close to passing out.
"Stars… T-That h-hurt… b-big time…" Steven panted, falling to the ground and letting his body and gem cool down a bit more. When he felt was able to move a limb again, the fire numbing feeling slowly dropping to a damp sweaty cool, he looked over the fifty pink bubbles."I… I can't take them all to the temple."
If anything, his best bet would be just leaving them here. He feared though that Garnet will most likely try to find this place when she realized what possible path he had taken. Peridot wouldn't find these guys for another year, so he had plenty of time to handle her and these mutants then. Once he let his whole body cool down, and had a snack with some cold water to help the sick feeling in his gut, the boy got up and want towards the control panel.
"Control panel," Steven placed his hand on the panel, feeling the room come back to life. "Do not let the room open unless for Peridot5XG and Pink Diamond in one Earth year's time. Command code Lock Down."
[Command Code: Lock Down. Closing hatch in five minutes.]
As he felt the place shutting down, Steven raised the bubbled to stay in one place above the control panel. When he removed the rest of the mud capsules, the diamond hybrid left the room before it shut down and locked on the one year timer. He smirked a little, knowing that Garnet and the others couldn't get in to it even if they knew he had been in there. With his backpack put back on his shoulders he headed back to the wrap pad, pulling out his journal as he whipped out a pen.
He began to mumble to himself. "I need Peridot to make the drill once she shows us, giving us plenty of time to do it on my own with her. Lapis though… might be an issue since I'm not friends with Connie," He sighed and gave a sad and grim frown. "I might need to make friends with her, it's the only possible reason to convince Pearl to even give me the mirror. Then Jasper… she's going to be a bitch if I screw up with Lapis. The Moon base is another issue. I can't destroy it, but I might need it for something. I can make friends with Centi through once I can get into boiling room without Garnet there."
He wrote as he spoke, mumbling to himself as he landed on the wrap pad. After a second of more writing, he stopped and groaned. "Oh fuck, I'm becoming Deku." He sighed. "I need to stop watching anime…"
With that he wrapped back home and quickly went to put his things away, moving to take a shower since he knew the gems would be home any minute now. Once he takes everything, thinking up every plan he needed to succeed as he started the hot water, he growled and looked at his shadow on the ground. His eyes flashing pink as he looked down at the dark shade.
"Happy now Master…" He spotted in pure hate, hate even worse than his hate for Kevin would ever be. "Just know that you owe me. You that much for your little pawn…"
Even though the shadow stayed as his, he could hear the vile creature's chuckles.