Chapter 4: Word Spreads

Greg sat in his van just staring into space. How could this have happened, Steven his only son was dead. Tears welled up in his eyes, his body began to shake, as anger boiled within him. "WHY, WHY DID THIS HAPPEN!" he screamed banging on the walls of the van. His breath quickened as the tears fell from his face. This was his fault, he never should have allowed Steven to get invvolved with gem stuff.

Steven should have been going to school like all the kids at Beach City did, instead Greg never pushed the subject, mainly because the gems didn't think it was important. Of course he mainly thought they were worried about Steven's gem being a problem, or Pearl thought she would make a better teacher than any human. Still he was Steven's father, he should have made him go to school, do his homework, eat more vegetables, he didn't know anymore. Greg was supposed to be a father instead he just pushed all responsibilities on the gems and only took care of Steven when he was a baby. Once the kid turned about six to eight he lived with the gems, Greg could have bought a new house when he became rich so Steven could live with him.

Instead he just blew it on a vacation, and a telescope, sure Greg still had tons of money left, but he would trade every last cent just to have his Stu-ball back. "Hey Greg, are you okay in there?'" called Amethyst poking her head in. Her eyes were avoiding his, and she kept playing with her hands.

Taking a deep breath he got out of the van and faced her. "No I am not okay, I guess you're not either huh?" asked Greg.

"Why did this happen, he was just a kid, after everything he did and went through this, this is how it ends? Why him, why him?" asked Amethyst tears streaking down her face. Greg wrapped her in his arms and hugged her tightly.

"I don't know Amethyst, I just don't know," Greg said a tear running down his face.

"Please don't commit suicide!" Amethyst cried out.

"What?" asked Greg.

"I know you miss Steven, but he wouldn't want you to kill yourself," Amethyst said firmly.

"I am not doing that, as much as I am hurting you guys as well as Steven's other friends still need me around, I am not going anywhere at least hopefully for a while," Greg told her, trying to smile but it was a weak one. Just then his phone rang and Greg answered without thinking. "Hello," he said.

"Hey Greg, you bum, just kidding how is my favorite guy," said Andy happily.

"Oh Andy hi," Greg said trying to keep it together.

"Hi, that's all I get? Sheesh, anyways how is Steven, I bought him a new skateboard, does he have one, I wasn't sure," Andy said.

"Steven, no he doesn't have one," Greg said, realizing he will have to tell Andy about Steven.

"Good, got him a nice blue one even has a star on it, bet those hippie girls will approve, anyway I am going to swing by in a few days on my plane to give it to him, so let him know, that Uncle Andy is coming to town," Andy said.

"Listen Andy, I have to tell you something important, you may want to sit down," Greg told him.

"What is it Greg, spit it out, I can take it," Andy informed him.

"Something happened to Steven, he um he uh well," Greg said trying to say the words but he kept choking up.

"He what Greg, what happened to Steven?" Andy asked getting concerned.

"He died," Greg managed to say. There came a dead silence and Greg was afraid Andy didn't hear him.

"I am coming over, I am leaving now, be there in a few days," Andy said and the line went dead.

"Well one down, amyone else know about Steven?" Greg asked putting his phone away.

"Pearl went to tell Connie, and Ruby and Sapphire, along with Rose told Lapis and Peridot, I think no one else knows besided them," Amethyst explained.

"Ah geez, well looks like it's up to us, will you help me tell Steven's friends?" Greg asked.

"Of cousre anything for Steven, and you too," Amethyst said trying to maintain a brave face. They held hands and headed out to spread the news.

Meanwhile at the barn

Peridot was stroking Pumpkin, her head was swarming with thoughts and emotions. She couldn't believe Steven was gone, it just didn't feel real. Surely this was some joke, a mean one, yeah that was it, any minute now Steven would come racing up to her and hugging her. Saying, that the Rose they saw was Amethyst, who shapeshifted into Rose Quartz, and would apologize for the cruel joke. She stared intently at the door, but Steven never poked his head in, nor did he appear.

Her eyes gazed upon her new tape recorder, when Lapis broke her last one, Steven bought her a new one. He was always so thoughtful, showing her Earth, saving her from the gem monsters, she helped create, revealing to her, her new found power, getting Lapis to be her friend. Steven did so much for her and the one moment he needed her help the most, she was nowhere to be found. "I am sorry Steven, I am sorry I wasn't there, I would have helped you, you know that right? You were no are my friend, and I -I will never forget you," she cried.

"Peridot, it's okay," Lapis said seeing her friend in pain.

"Please Lapis, don't leave me again, I can't lose anymore friends," Peridot begged grabbing the blue gem's hand.

"I won't leave, I may not care so much for the Earth but Steven did and I will honor him and help protect this planet," Lapis said wiping her tears away. "I can't believe he is gone, he did so much for us, why just why, I don't understand why couldn't I save him? He always came to my rescue why couldn't I come to his?" Lapis asked hugging herself.

"I don't knw, it is so unfair, Rose Quartz is back, but Steven is gone for good, I don't understand why though and why now. Could she always have come back? Or is Steven truly gone? asked Peridot.

"From the looks of things he is gone for good," Lapsi said sadly. Just then a round sphere began to glow and once it opened Pink Diamond appeared.

"This is Rosa Diamond wishing to speak to Peridot and Lapis Lazuli, and Steven Universe of Earth," she called out in her holographic form.

"Greetung Rosa Diamond, this is Peridot of Earth speaking, what is this meeting about?" she asked.

"Ah Peridot good, how goes Earth, is everything thriving, it is my monthly inspection and I wish to hear from my ambassadors, on how things are going? asked Rosa.

"The humans and all life are flourishing, everything is going well Rosa Diamond," Peridot informed but she was shedding tears. Everthing is flourishing and thriving but Steven,, she thought sadly.

"What seems to be wrong I detect tears, are you sure everything is okay?" asked Rosa.

"No, everything is not okay Rosa Diamond something terrible happened to Steven," Lapis blurted out, tears stinging her face.

"What? Speak up what happened to Steven? asked Pink Diamond looking worried.

"We regret to inform you that he died recently and we just heard the news ourselves," Peridot said sadly.

"Say no more, contact Captain Lars and his crew along with the Crystal Gems and the residents of Beach City if need be, I and Blue Diamond are coming to Earth to investigate this sudden "death" of Steven Universe. Should arrive in a few days, over and out," Rosa said and then she was gone and the object was a sphere again.

"Oh no what do you think this means?" asked Lapis sounding worried, she didn't mean to blurt out Steven's death, but she was upset.

"This mean we need to tell the Crystal Gems and now," Peridot said as she grabbed Pumpkin and headed out the door.

to be continued...

Author's Note: I will explain why Pink calls herself Rosa in the next chapter or so, hopefully everyone is enjoying this story, I appreciate all the positive feedback I've been getting. If their is anything else you want me to add to this story please let me know and pleaxe reveiw.