Everything's Fine: *exists*
Me: I'm gonna pretend I didn't watch that.
Canon Monster Steven: *has only one pair of limbs and has bright pink skin*
Me: ... Yeah. I'mma change that too.
It was about dawn when Steven warped back into the beach house. Silently, he discarded his other sandal and walked back to his room. He made sure not to make any noise as he slipped through the slide door and gently laid on his bed.
He was still shaken up from everything he had done. Hurt his mother. Nearly killed his father. Killed his former enemy. Unable to get help, even from the Diamonds.
And if this wasn't corruption, what was it then? Steven continued to think, curling up into a ball and shivering. All he wanted to do now was go to sleep, he just wanted to wake up from this awful, vivid nightmare.
"Steven?"
Steven froze, his wide eyes still pink with diamond pupils. It was Spinel.
"Steven, are you up there?"
He didn't respond, still hugging himself tightly, his claws digging into his skin under his clothing.
"Steven, we need to talk. Please come on down."
But the teen instead grabbed a pillow and hugged it to his chest, trying to block it out.
"Please, Steven... You can't keep hiding or running forever."
Downstairs, Spinel stood by the staircase while Pearl, Amethyst, Greg, and Connie sat on the couch, Garnet standing beside them. Spinel sighed and walked back down to the living room, running her hand through her pigtail until she heard footsteps. Slow footsteps.
They all turned to see Steven, except more monstrous. He didn't make a noise as he walked forward, back facing the door and his head hung in misery and fear.
Spinel's expression softened, her voice calm, "Steven, I want to let you beforehand that we're not going to shame or berate you for anything. All we're going to do is figure out what's going on with you."
When Steven didn't reply, Connie stood up, "I told the Gems about you going to the hospital for help. I-I think... I think only the Gems could help you now."
"Son," Greg also stood up, "I know I said we would give you time, but seeing you like this, I really think you have a lot to tell us."
Steven took a step backwards, his heart pounding against his chest.
Spinel grabbed his hand, "No, Steven. You're not leaving." Steven finally looked at her, and she planted another hand on his, "Please... you're my son. You're a part of our family. You can tell us anything. We're not going to let you hurt yourself."
"Yeah, man," Amethyst agreed, "You gotta tell us."
Pearl held her hands together, "We can't help you if you don't tell us what's wrong."
Suddenly, everybody saw the warp pad activate and three newcomers appeared, and Steven saw that it was the three other Spinels.
Diamond held up a sandal, "Steven! We saw you lose your..." She trailed off as the others started at them upon their arrival.
Spade blinked, "O-Oh..."
"Is... this a bad time?" Club asked uneasily.
No one was able to respond, but Spinel ignored them and continued to talk to her son, "Steven, please. You can't let these problems overwhelm you. Greg and I have already forgiven you, you don't need to-"
"BUT WHAT ABOUT ME SHATTERING APACHE TEARS?!" Steven screamed in her face.
The whole room fell silent. Spinel stepped backwards, eyes wide with terror. Everyone, even the newcomers, just stared at Steven with horror.
"THERE!" Steven panted, "You happy?! I told you all what I did! I shattered Apache because I was mad! I didn't want to listen to her, even when she tried to help me!"
Spinel grimaced, "Steven-"
"In fact, the Diamonds tried helping me too. They did, really. But you know what? THEY COULDN'T DO A THING AND NOW THEY CAN'T DO A THING!"
"Steven please, stop-"
Steven began to smile and he slowly walked towards her, causing her to back up, "Why should I stop, Mom? You said you wanted to hear everything. And I am! I shattered somebody! And I can't bring her back! And I can't take back what I've done to you and my Dad! I hurt you all and I can't go back to fix it! But that fine, right?! You always like to say you'd shatter a Gem for me! And now, I DID! I did it for you, Mom! I did it all for you!"
He panted heavily, tears freely falling down his face as he stared the mortified Spinel down. Connie held her hand over her mouth, Greg, Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl looking on in complete terror. Diamond had her arms wrapped around Spade and Club, afraid of what was going to happen.
"... Steven... I-I..." Spinel whispered, her own tears trickling down her cheeks, "I-I never wanted you to shatter anyone. N-Not even her..."
Steven's smile faded away, realizing what he just said. He backed away from Spinel, bumping into the door. He stared down at his trembling hands, pain swelling up from his sides.
"N-No... no no no no no no no no no no..." Steven whimpered, looking up at his terrified family, "Wha-What have I done? I-I hurt... everything I love... I..." He clenched his fists, hunching over, "I'm... I'm a monster..."
Suddenly, the mood shifted as two more clawed hands jutted out from his sides, a scream ripping out from his throat. The purple splotches covered his entire body and his horns, tusks, and spikes began to glow. Another smaller horn grew on his forehead in between the larger horns.
"S-Steven!" Spinel called to him, reaching out a hand to touch his shoulder. But Steven unleashed a pink shockwave that knocked everyone in the room over. Greg fell over on the couch like Amethyst did, but Connie fell onto the table face-first, causing her to groan loudly in pain, a trail of blood leaking out from her nose.
The hybrid flinched, his sclera turning pitch black as he ran out the door and even jumped down the porch onto the sand. More pain overwhelmed him, but he kept running.
You're a monster.
Steven whimpered out a sob, his tears flying out.
You're a monster.
"I don't... want to be a monster!" Steven cried, his body slowing down from the staggering agony.
You hurt people you love. You ARE a monster.
"I don't want to be a monster!" He screamed, falling to his knees, both of his arms hugging his stomach, his clothes feeling tighter.
It's too late now. You failed to be a true Crystal Gem. You took revenge and committed a crime. Accept your new form. It's been hidden away within you for too long. Say it. Say that you are a monster, and those worries will fade into obscurity. Say it.
"I... I..."
"STEVEN!"
He froze as he turned his head to see Spinel, Greg, Connie, Pearl, Garnet, Amethyst, Spade, Club, and Diamond running towards him. His gemstone began to glow, but not in a white light, now replaced with dark sparks flying around it. Steven slowly moved to all fours and glowered at his family.
Spinel motioned for everyone else to stay back, and she walked forward, "S-Steven, please... Please let us help you..."
"... Why should I?" Steven snarled, his voice deepened, "Why should you love me anymore? I'm not your son, Spinel. Not anymore..."
Say it, Steven. Say it like you mean it!
"I... ... " Steven spoke and his eyes glowed, "I... I'm a monster."
Before Spinel could say anything else, Steven's body began to grow. His clothing were shredded off his form, the three flower pins still attached to one piece of fabric and landed on the sand. His pained groans altered into deep growls, his hair swiftly falling out as he continued to grow in height and more spikes protruded out. His horns, tusks, and spikes glowed bright pink as Steven heaved and groaned, his eyes widening to reveal his pink diamond-shaped pupils surrounded by darkness. Even his own fingers and toes had changed into almost crystalline pale pink claws, and his mouth filled with large, sharp teeth.
All the Gems, Greg, and Connie all stood in place, their eyes following Steven's steady growth and transformation.
Just as soon as it was finished, Steven had grown to where he met the Temple Statue's size, dwarfing the horrified beings below. All the pain Steven felt immediately vanished when he let out terrifying roar that echoed throughout Beach City and Little Homeworld.
"W-WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?!" Peridot squawked, the ground almost shaking. The frightened Gems, along with Bismuth, Jasper, and Lapis all looked around in confusion until the four of them looked towards the beach, finding a giant monster roaring in the distance.
"What...?" Lapis asked aloud in disbelief.
Jasper straightened up when the ground stopped shaking, "Come on! The others might be in danger!"
"Right!" Bismuth, Lapis, and Peridot nodded.
Spinel and everyone else was unable to speak as Steven began to move, his four hands clutching the sand. He glared down at them, snarling deeply before he reeled back and lunged his head towards them.
"RUN!" Pearl screamed, her and everyone else running for their lives, but Spinel stood in place, paralyzed with horror.
However, a orange blur charged into Steven, knocking his head away and Steven staggered back, growling at the newcomers. Spinel shook herself back to reality, seeing Jasper, Bismuth, Lapis, and Peridot standing in front of her.
The orange Gem glanced behind her, "H-Hey, are you and everyone else okay?"
Spinel wasn't sure how to answer, "I-I..."
"Let's clobber that thing!" Peridot shouted.
"W-Wait! Don't!" Spinel tried to stop them, but the four of them started to attack her son. Lapis flew up, holding Jasper by the arm and she flung her towards Steven's face. Jasper did another Cosmic Charge, only for Spinel to punch her away. Lapis flew down to catch her, Peridot hovering up and carrying Bismuth.
"Take this you-!" Bismuth began, but Spinel had punched Peridot as well. Steven gave out a loud roar, this time not just shaking the ground, but it actually was powerful enough to knock the four Gems away, sending them to the ground along with everyone else. Spinel couldn't even stand her ground, landing next to Pearl and Greg.
The giant monster let out a angry grumble before running off towards the city. Below, the already scared citizens screamed and yelled out in terror as the dark purple monster stumbled into town, crushing houses and roars in its wake.
Steven, in his blinded fury, failed to recognize what he was doing. All he was doing was give into his primal fury towards everything he had been through, yet now, he didn't want to care or worry anymore. He just wanted to destroy, so he wouldn't have to worry ever again.
"It's getting into town!" Bismuth yelled.
Lapis flew up with her water wings, "We've got to stop it before it does any more harm!"
"Wait! Stop!" Spinel blocked their path, joined by Greg, Connie, and the other Gems, "That's Steven!"
"STEVEN?!" The four of them shouted, but they saw the look in the group's eyes and realized they were serious. Adding with the fact that Steven wasn't among them.
"T-Then what do we do?!" Peridot questioned frantically.
Spinel curled her legs into a spring, "I'll try to talk to him! The rest of you get everyone else to safety!"
"Wait!" The pale Gem protested, but Spinel had sprung away from the group, landing onto one of Steven's spikes on his back. Pearl, worried for Spinel's life, ran after her, followed by Amethyst, Jasper, Lapis, Peridot, Bismuth, Diamond, Club, and Spade. Garnet stayed behind to keep Greg and the still bleeding Connie safe.
Angered, Steven felt something land on his back and he turned left and right, trying to find the source. When he did, he nearly stumbled until he was out of the crushed city, now standing close to Little Homeworld.
"Steven!" Spinel slowly climbed up Steven's back, "You have to listen to me! You're not a monster! I forgive you for everything!"
Unfortunately, Steven didn't listen to her, reaching his clawed hands back to try to grab her. He continued to growl and roar in fury, the Gems below running out of the little city they created, screaming and yelling out in fear.
In the city, Pearl and everyone were busy helping any citizens that could've been hurt. They all looked up to see Steven roaring and reaching behind him, trying to grab Spinel. But she clung on tightly and climbed up the spikes, avoiding the claws.
"Go Spinel!" Club cheered.
Spade held her fist up, "Yeah! You can do it, sis!"
Steven grumbled, infuriated. So it was Spinel. Pathetic. He made one final attempt and he did grab Spinel. When he felt that he got a hold of her, he tossed her away and down onto Little Homeworld. Now, he had a new target.
"STEVEN!" Spinel screamed the moment she got up, ignoring the pain while the other Gems ran away, "STOP! THIS ISN'T YOU! SNAP OUT OF IT!"
She's lying to you. She doesn't know what it's like. To be unable to take your anger out on anything. Go ahead, burn everything down. All of your troubles will be over...
But before Steven could do just that, he heard a noise behind him and... the Diamond Mech flew down to the Beach.
"Spinels!" He heard White Diamond call from the mech, "Don't leave without us knowing!"
Even in the distance, Steven could see the three Diamonds walking out, gasping at the sight of him. He stared back for a moment, then a strong sense of burning fury swelled within him.
They can't do anything for you. They hurt you. It's your time to hurt them...
Steven listened to the voice, his eyes and spikes glowing pale pink, brighter than before as readied himself. Everyone barely had a chance to react or speak until Steven unleashed a beam of purple fire, firing a straight line through Beach City until he stopped at the cliff. The fire spread through out town, and everyone, human and Gem, ran out before they could get hurt by the flames.
The Crystal Gems and the three Spinels were able to get the people out of the burning city, watching Steven with eyes wide as moons, some nearly falling over or trembling.
"STEVEN!"
Spinel's shrill voice rung through the air, and the monster turned to face her. More and more thick tears fell onto the ground as Spinel continued to scream, "STOP IT! PLEASE STEVEN! LISTEN TO ME! YOU'RE NOT A MONSTER! YOU NEVER WERE!"
She's wrong. Completely wrong. Destroy her. Kill her now.
"STEVEN! PLEASE LET US HELP YOU!"
She can't do anything more for you. She only loved you when you were weak and helpless. K̶̍͜į̴̞͂̄l̵̬͌l̷̫̹̂̾ ̵̦̝̿͠h̵̲̆̀e̵͓͐̎r̶̩̊͠...
With one, final roar, Steven let out another breath of fire to Little Homeworld, engulfing the Gems' home in purple and white flames.
"NOOOOOOO!" Pearl shrieked, reaching out desperately. The other Crystal Gems, Spinels, Diamonds, Greg, Connie, and the citizens watched in horror as Steven stopped, staring into the flames.
Except, all his anger faded when he saw that Spinel was still alive, but covered in wounds and burnt scars. She laid on the ground, her breathing ragged and she coughed, her tiered dress nearly torn, and her eyes were closed.
Sorrow and guilt stabbed Steven's heart, harder than anything he felt before. What had he done to his mother, who was simply trying to help? What had he done to the people who had done him no harm? With a miserable whimper, Steven ran away from the burning cities, away from Beach City, away from Delmarva, away from the home he was used to for his whole life.
No one would forgive him. No one.
Spinel groaned the moment she woke up, met with immediate pain, and a tight hug.
"O-Oh my stars, Spinel! You're alright!" Pearl sobbed, holding her wife close, "Y-You're okay!"
Blinking a few times to clear her vision, Spinel saw that were several people surrounding her; Connie, Greg, Amethyst, Jasper, Peridot, Lapis, and the three Spinels.
"Wha... What happened?" She rasped, Pearl helping her sit up.
The white Spinel told her everything, and introduced herself as Diamond, and the two others were named Spade and Club.
"N-New Spinels? Since when?" Spinel asked.
"Some time ago," replied Spade, "And wow, we never knew how tough you are!"
Club nodded in agreement, "You didn't even retreat into your Gem. The Diamonds helped heal you a little when you got burned by-"
"STEVEN!" Spinel screeched, loud enough to make Pearl back away. She tried to stand up, yet pain came to her when she did. She nearly fell over, though thankfully Lapis caught her.
"H-Hey, calm down," Lapis assured her, "You need to rest."
Jasper crouched down beside them, "You took a massive hit. We don't even know how you survived that."
"They're right," said Peridot, "It's also been less than an hour since Steven's departure. You still need to rest."
"No... I can't rest until I know Steven's okay," Spinel insisted, shaking her head. She brushed away the pain and stood up. Looking around, she saw that they were back on the beach, surrounded by worried and still shaken people and Gems. Thankfully, most of the weren't too injured, but they too were slightly wounded from Steven's destruction.
Over to her right, were the Diamonds talking to Garnet and Bismuth. Taking a step, Spinel sighed and walked towards them, "Garnet? Bismuth?"
Bismuth looked over to her, "Spinel? You're awake?"
"That doesn't matter. Where's Steven now?"
"I... We don't know, but I know he ran away from Beach City-"
"Then we have to look for him. Now."
Garnet stared at her, "But Spinel, you're badly injured and I don't have Steven's location right now. Please understand, we need to wait until everything's calmed down and everyone's safe and healed."
"You're saying we have to leave Steven out there, scared and confused? No Garnet, I won't let my baby suffer anymore." She turned away, "I'll do it all by myself if I have to."
When she began to walk away, a large white hand blocked her path, "Now now, Spinel. You should listen to your friend."
"You're terribly hurt, and these humans and Gems are as well," Yellow Diamond added.
Blue Diamond leaned in closer, "We've already made a plan to find Steven ourselves, you poor dears don't need to worry."
"R-Really? You'd do that for us?" Spinel asked, looking up at them.
Smiling, the Diamonds nodded. Spinel looked over to the rest of her family staring at her, Pearl walking over to her and hugging her gently. Sighing, Spinel reciprocated it.
Don't worry, Steven, She thought, her half-lidded eyes shimmering with determination, We'll be there before you know it.