Chapter Four: The Months That Follow

It had been many months since Steven uncorrupted Cherry Quartz. He had begun to develop a new power that he had only seen once before. A Pink Transformation that reminded him too much of his other half. His Gem Half, devoid of emotion and personality. Only raw power. The resurgence of his other half began to plague his dreams. Night after night, he would relive the moments he had on Homeworld while trying to persuade the Diamonds. Then, it would all end with his Gem being ripped from his body. However, the dreams would never continue like he remembered it. He never fused back with his Gem. His gem would always leave him to die while it went on to shatter his loved ones. One by One…

"Why can't I just… move on?" He thought to himself as he woke up from yet another nightmare. "This power is just another new one that I haven't learned how to control yet, just like all of my other powers. Mom could do this too. It was part of her tantrums, I'm sure. It's getting worse, though." Steven's phone began to buzz violently on his nightstand, giving the hybrid quite the fright. He glanced over to its illuminated screen to find that it was his long time friend, Connie.

"Thank goodness, It's Connie!" He thought to himself. "I haven't heard from her in ages." He answered the phone as he walked down the stairs, spouting out a non-schilont "Hey, Connie!" as he made his way to his couch.

"Steven, how are you? I haven't seen you in forever!" Connie said through the microphone.

"I've been okay. I recently quit teaching at Little Homeschool, though. Other than that, I've been fine. How about you? How's college prep?"

"You quit teaching?"

"Yeah."

"But you seemed so passionate about it!" Steven froze at this comment. Connie had no idea what had been going on for the last months. He never said anything to her about teaching since his seventeenth birthday, and that was before he decided to quit.

"I was, but, I just needed some time to myself."

"I understand that…" Connie went silent as the thoughts in her head began to swirl. "Steven, I've been thinking about that day on Homeworld. When White Diamond… removed your Gem…" Steven's body began to glow the all too familiar pink that had haunted his dreams. Connie gasped at the sight of it, but decided to keep going. "I never really asked you if you were okay after that. You were split in two." Steven knew that answer, but didn't want to give it.

"I'm fine. Everything worked out, right?" Steven answered.

"Yes but, you haven't been the same since. Pearl has told me about the… 'Pink Outbursts. It reminds me of what your Gem did on White's Ship"

"Pearl told you about what happened at the Reef?"

"Yes. I've been worried about you, Steven."

"Well, it's nothing to worry about. I have it all under control, now. Just like all of my other powers." Steven finished this obvious lie with a slight chuckle, hoping to sell it.

"Steven, I'm not sure of that. I'll be coming by later to see you. See you then. Love you."

"Oh, okay. Love you, too." The phone call ended, leaving Steven alone with his thoughts once more, his pink hue fading away.

"I need to talk to White. Closure. That's it, I need closure." He said to himself. The door to his home burst open, revealing his father, Greg Universe.

"Hey, Stu-Ball. I was heading out of town for some business and wondered if you wanted to come with me." Greg asked.

"Sorry, dad, but I-" Steven paused, thinking about talking to the Diamonds. "Actually, yeah, I'll come with." Greg smiled at this, russling Steven's curly hair as they made their way to the van, catching up on things.

"Your hair is growing back nicely, Dad"Steven stated.

"If age couldn't kill the locks, I don't think a killer fusion could." Greg laughed. Steven frowned at this comment while he reminisced about that early morning attack. Another reminder that his morals almost got a loved one killed.

"Dad… I'm so sorry about that day when Bluebird attacked you." Steven sighed as the van began to move.

"It's alright, Steven. Wouldn't be the first time a Gem has tried to kill me."

"But we are in a time where that shouldn't be happening!"
"Unfortunately, not everything changes at the same time, Steven."

"But it should!" The Pink Hue began to return as Steven's thought swirled within his mind. "Is this how Mom felt?"

"I know we didn't get to see that side of her, but it doesn't define her, Steven."

"She wasn't a good person."
"Steven!"

"I'm just like her…" Greg slammed on the brakes at this remark, the never before seen anger in his eyes met the gaze of Steven's.

"Steven Quartz' Universe!" Greg started. "You are not a bad person, and neither was your mother! You both made mistakes and learned from them, growing as a person. It is what we do to become better!"

"You don't understand." Steven mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"I said you DON'T UNDERSTAND!" The shockwave from Steven's scream sent the van flying into the nearby telephone pole, shattering windows and metal upon impact. Both passengers were fine, but Steven began to run back to his house while Greg shouted at him to return. Bursting through the door, Steven was stopped by the Crystal Gems.

"Steven, why are you running in the house like that?" Pearl asked.

"I, uh, crashed the van with dad." Steven answered, still in his Pink Form.

"You crashed the van with Greg inside? Steven you know how fragile he is. These Pink Outbursts are getting out of hand."

"It's not an OUTBURST!" The walls of the house shake at this remark, settling after a few moments.

"See? This is exactly what I'm talking about! What is happening to you?"

"Nothing. It's nothing." Steven began to walk away, quickly being followed by Pearl as she spoke, "Steven, where are you going? We aren't done talk-" A diamond shaped wall stops Pearl in her tracks, leaving her more flustered than she had already been.

"Steven, drop this wall!" She shouted.

"Ah, Pearl! I'm trying. I just need some space, okay? I'll be in my room."

"Not so fast, my dude!" Amethyst proclaimed. "You've gotta tell us what's wrong!"

"It looks like Steven is avoiding a serious discussion about this." Garnet chimed in. The rage in Steven couldn't hold back any longer. The scowl on his face grew as he shouted, "NO, I'M NOT!" Another violent shake rattled the household.

"Steven, you have to calm down and talk to us!" Garnet boomed.

"Just, chill-out, man!" Amethyst cooed.

"We have got to do something about this before someone gets hurt!" Pearl cried. Garnet began to walk over to Steven, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Don't let this power control you." She whispered. "You're better than this."

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Steven howled. The shockwave sent cracks through the floor and walls, along with sending Garnet into the other two Crystal Gems. The trio looked up in awe and fear of what was in front of them. It was Steven, but not the Steven they knew. The tears began to swell in Steven's eyes. In one motion, he dashed to the Warp Pad, warping away from the scene he had caused.

"Diamonds. Please. Help me…" He cried to himself. "I don't want this."