Hey guys! Here's the next chapter! I'm glad you guys generally responded well to Rick, he's one of my favorite characters of all time and I really wanted to do him justice. As for some of the comments in the reviews- Rick will come back soon, don't worry. Also, the fic is not close the conclusion yet- we're probably about at the half way point I'm guessing, maybe a little less. There's a pretty major twist for Steven coming up in this story, so I'm curious as to how you guys will react to it. All I'm asking is, not to overreact. Other than that, hope you guys enjoy! Don't forget to leave a review if you have any comments!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rick and Morty, Gravity Falls, or Steven Universe

Tammy stared out into the galaxy with an indifferent look, appreciating its vast emptiness rather than the glittery stars. She had been raised outside of Earth since she was a child, but had been dedicated to destroying Sanchez since her earliest memories. She had been from one of many Earth's the Rick of C-137 destroyed; the man was a plague on existence and needed to be destroyed through whatever means necessary.

She recalled implementing herself into the group of friends of Rick's granddaughter, Summer, after she and the rest of Rick's family essentially blew his cover with the Mr. Meeseeks. What she didn't account for, was needing to follow the C-137 Rick and Morty into the parallel universe after those two idiots Cronenberged the place. That was a pain in the ass, but so was everything when dealing with Sanchez.

That was also what made Sanchez so frustrating- he was one man, but the Galactic Federation and an entire Citadel of Ricks were powerless against them. He completely destroyed them the last time they encountered the C-137 Rick, and Tammy was not taking any prisoners this time. And given their current invasion plan, she doubted there were would be a need. She smiled as the hyperdrive of their ship slowed down, indicating they were arriving in the desired galaxy.

Quickly putting their ship in stealth mode, Tammy held her breath as she waited for the accompanying Federation ships to follow suit. After watching several 'Homeworld Gem' ships pass by them, Tammy let out a sigh of relief and cleared her throat. "Proceed forward, but do not disengage stealth mode until we've entered the planet's stratosphere. And keep weapons concealed but on standby- we want to look opposing, but not threatening."

"Tammy? Phoenix Person wonders why these precautions are necessary, when invasion is imminent." Phoenix Person pointed out.

"Because working relationships give us more soldiers, and while warfare is fun- it wastes time and resources. If these Homeworld Gems are smart- they'll submit quietly and offer up several conscripts." Tammy explained.

"And if they do not comply with our terms?" Phoenix Person asked.

"Then we do as the Galactic Federation always does- we conquer and reform."

/

Steven knew he wasn't himself- he hadn't been for the last few months. The mounting pressure of Homeworld, combined with all the baggage of his mother, he barely knew who he was anymore. Steven knew in his gut that it may have been a bad idea to trust Bill, but he promised the two things Steven wanted more than anything: to meet his mother and guaranteed safety from Homeworld.

It was too good to believe, which is why he kept making deals with Bill. But as he did, he felt himself... change, and not in a good way. Over the weeks leading up to his discussion with Greg, Steven had been... snappy, to say the least. He acted in ways he wasn't sure he was capable of, and had caused his dad to be abducted by Blue Diamond. After witnessing the colossal Homeworld leaders, Steven couldn't help but notice how helpless he was... how helpless all of them were. Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl had been there with him, and even if they fused into Alexandrite, there was no way for them to beat either Diamond.

After returning to Earth, and trying to confront several issues about his mother- Steven just had it. The moment he found out something new about his mom, he was just met with more questions. His dad didn't know the answers, the Gems probably knew but didn't want to talk about it, and there were no more answers left on Earth. And that was really what ultimately led Steven to his decision to leave with Bill- there were no more answers on Earth, so he had to go find his own. He promised himself that he would return to Earth once he got his answers, and when he was strong enough to protect Earth from Homeworld.

He was on the verge of his answers- he could feel it! So why were Mabel and Bismuth standing in his way?

"No pain, no gain. That's what they say, right Mabel?" Steven asked serenely.

Mabel warily examined Steven, not missing the red tinge in his eyes. "Steven...? What's happening to you?"

"I don't know, honestly. I've been feeling different since I met Bill, but not in a bad way." Steven continued calmly. "Every time I make a deal with Bill, I feel myself getting more and more empowered! I'm no longer helpless!"

"You weren't ever before, Steven!" Bismuth yelled. "Remember! You beat me in the Forge! You told me about all the adventures you had with the Crystal Gems! Are you telling us that means nothing now?!"

"No! They mean everything to me! That's why I'm doing this! I have to protect everyone! Why can't you guys see that?!" Steam started to swirl around Steven, and he turned around to see Bill- almost as big as life itself- staring down at him. "Bill! I'm ready to make a deal!"

/

Garnet knew something was wrong the moment she and the others began the transportation process to another strange world, which was hopefully their final destination. Sapphire hadn't been able to see Steven at all in her recent visions- just this Bill person, along with Mabel and from what she saw- Bismuth! Considering the terms in which they parted, Garnet couldn't she was looking forward to seeing her old comrade again. But that could wait, for now they had to find Steven and Mabel!

Garnet's thoughts abruptly ended when she suddenly landed with a hard thud! She warily got up, and saw that her comrades and Gravity Falls team members had landed similarity. Looking around, Garnet was troubled when she didn't see any visions- all she was seeing was a cellphone.

"Ugh! I haven't had a fall like that since my stint in Vegas." Stan groaned. "Hey Ford, where-"

"Woah...!" Amethyst interrupted his thoughts. "What IS this place?"

"I'm not sure." Ford scratched his head and looked at the device Rick gave them- according to the data. "It seems like we're in some kind of void space."

"Void space?" Lapis repeated.

"I don't like the sound of that." Pearl said.

"And you shouldn't." Peridot stated. "We learned about these possibilities on Homeworld since hyperspace travel is so unstable. Void spaces are essentially crevices between universes that act as boundary lines between them."

"How does that work?" Dipper asked, looking around for any signs of Mabel or Steven.

"Simple. When a universe is created, it occurs due to a manifestation of matter from the collision of two atoms. This event is what you humans call a 'Big Bang', in which matter begins to develop into its own universe and ultimately create its own time-line." Peridot explained. "Essentially, we are in a space where nothing has come to exist yet."

"I thought the Big Bang didn't have a range limit?" Dipper asked, not that he knew much about the subject himself.

"There is no range limit per say, or one that has yet to be documented, so much as other 'Big Bangs' occur as well and the charges in the energy are the same." Peridot explained.

"So because the charges of the explosions repel each other, these dimensions are created in the spaces between the Big Bangs." Pearl finished.

"Astounding." Ford was amazed- he could never experience this phenomena up close before. "Your 'Homeworld' has studied Big Bangs?"

"Of course! How else do you think we can travel to different planets safely? Peridots like me need to understand and identify the nature of the universe's unique physical properties, and determine what stage of development it's at." Peridot explained.

"So what does that mean for us right now?" Garnet interrupted.

"Right! Sanchez stated that Steven and Mabel were in a space similar to this, yes? So we're most likely on the right track. Ford, what does the reader say?" Peridot asked.

"It says we're close, in fact- they should be here." Ford frowned, looking at the data.

"How do we know that Sanchez guy didn't send us on a wild goose chase?" Stan pointed out.

"No. Rick Sanchez is a mad man, but his inventions never fail. It's actually a point of pride for him." Ford answered.

"So where is Steven then?!" Pearl exclaimed.

"Calm down, Pearl! Let's go looking for him!" Amethyst suggested. "Steven! Steven!"

"Mabel! Mabel!" Dipper called out.

As they continued to call out, Dipper stepped on something hard and heard a distinct crack. Wincing, he looked down and his eyes widened at the object. "Guys! Guys! I found something Everyone ran towards the boy, who now was holding a Smartphone in his hand. "It's Mabel's cellphone! We're close to them!" The screen was cracked, but Dipper still managed to unlock the phone and growled at the low battery notification. "Ford! Peridot! I need something to charge the phone! Now!"

Rummaging through his coat pocket, Ford managed to find a nuclear energy charger and handed it to his son. "Will this work?"

"Yeah! Thanks!" Plugging the device into the phone, Dipper sighed in relief when it turned on. After typing in Mabel's password, the first four letters of Waddles name, he scanned through her phone to see if anything of relevance came up.

"Dude? Aren't you invading your sister's privacy?" Amethyst asked.

"I'm looking for anything that might tell us where they are, not reading diary entries." Dipper snorted. He then noted that her alarm clock had gone off like it was was supposed to for school, and that it had been paused before the battery ran out. Clicking on the video, Dipper's eyes widened and quickly showed his uncles the phone. "Grunkle Stan! This is proof you have a niece named Mabel!" Without another word, Dipper played the video on the phone.

"My name is Stan and I was Wrong! Now I'm singing the Stan-Wrong song! I shouldn't have taken this chance! Now I have to do this dance!"

After a moment of silence, Garnet spoke. "What was that?"

"It's a video Mabel and Wendy shot last summer in Gravity Falls. Grunkle Stan and Mabel made a bet with each other to see who ran the Mystery Shack! After Grunkle Stan lost, he had to do the dance in the video!" Dipper explained. "Grunkle Stan! Please! Tell me you remember Mabel!"

"I..." Stan was racking his brain around this, with images a girl in oversized sweaters with different themes coming to mind. "Mabel... she made me sing the 'Stan-Wrong Song'! She made me hate colors more than ever!"

"What?" Pearl asked.

"She blinded me with a rainbow when I said I hadn't seen a rainbow before." Stan explained and gasped. "Mabel! I remember her! Kid! I remember her!"

"Stan? Are you sure?" Ford asked in disbelief.

"Oh she's real Ford! And you should know- if Mabel hadn't had so much faith in me, you never would have been rescued from whatever dimension you were trapped in!" Stan told him.

"What?" Ford clutched his head, after images of a happy girl who loved unicorns flooded his mind. "You're right... she was also the one who collected the unicorn hair... it gave us vital protection against Bill! Oh my- Dipper! I am so sorry! I don't know how I could've-"

"It's okay guys!" Dipper hadn't realized he started crying, until he ran to hig his uncles. Finally, they remembered Mabel. "Let's just find her together!"

"Okay, that's all well and great that you remember Mabel and everything, but how do we find her and Steven?" Lapis asked.

Suddenly the grown started to shake violently! No, not just the ground! The entire are was shaking, with cracks appearing everywhere.

"What's happening?!" Pearl exclaimed.

"The void space is collapsing! It was must be colliding with a collapsing universe!" Peridot explained.

"I thought you said these spaces existed so universes didn't destroy each other!" Amethyst shouted.

"Yes, but it's different when a universe reaches the end of its life-cycle! The charges reverse and the dying universe takes out surrounding galaxies and spaces with it!" Peridot shouted.

"Which means?" Lapis asked for clarification.

"It means we're about to get caught up in a Big Rip!" Peridot exclaimed.

/

Mabel and Bismuth had to steady themselves as the ground around them begin to shake, and could only watch as Steven and Lion were lifted up into Bill's clutches.

"STEVEN NO! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!" Mabel tried shouting at him.

"Listen to her! Whatever you think you need to do, you don't have to! We can figure out something else to fight the Diamonds!" Bismuth also shouted.

But Steven wasn't listening. He just reached out his hand and said, "I'm ready to meet my mom!"

"Great! All it will cost you is your pet there!" He pointed to Lion. "You're probably due for a new one anyways!"

"How long will you get Lion? Will you make him better?" Steven asked.

"Hey now! I can't imagine you want a time limit to spend time with your mom! So how can I put an estimate on that?" Bill reasoned.

"Steven! He's not specifying terms! Don't let him-" Bill sent a lightning bolt down at Mabel, which Bismuth shoved her away from. But shoving her proved to be insufficient, as Mabel was at least stunned by the strike.

"Oh no! Mabel!" Bismuth ran over to her, and wasn't sure what to do. She didn't know how to check to see if a human was breathing. "Come on deep cut! Stay with me!"

"Ugh..." Mabel rubbed her head. "I don't feel well."

Bismuth growled and yelled up at Steven. "You see what he did there?! Your mom may not have prioritized war, but she NEVER would have let something like this happen to her comrades! Especially not in front of her!"

"She bubbled you away for centuries, and left the Crystal gems next to no instructions for me. She didn't' do anything to prepare us for the messes she left." Steven stated. "With this deal, she'll have to resolve these problems herself. I'm sure mom was a great leader, but she had no idea how to deal with her problems. She just keep them to herself, hoping they'd go away eventually. Right Bismuth?"

"I don't know, Steven! Maybe that's the case, maybe not! But you can't possibly think working with this thing, will bring anything good!" Bismuth argued. "Look at yourself! Can you even call yourself a Crystal Gem at this point?!"

"I don't know, but I need to take responsibility for this situation either way." Steven answered solemnly. "Bill! I'm ready to make a deal! I'm ready to meet my mom!"

"It's a deal!" Bill blinked and a large lightning bolt struck Steven and he began to feel faint.

Bismuth and Mabel could only watch in horror, as Steven's small pink gem fell to the floor.

/

Steven blinked and found himself in a room similar to Rose's room, surrounded by pink and space.

"Steven?" The boy shakily turned around and was stunned to see none other than Rose Quartz. His mother! In the flesh- sort of!

"Mom...?" Steven warily approached the figure. "This isn't an illusion or anything right? We're not in your room, so I think..." Steven reached out a tentative hand to touch the large pink woman, she reached out in turn. Both were stunned to see that they could touch, and that neither were illusions of the mind. "MOM!" Steven launched himself into the big pink woman, and hugged her for all it was worth. "It's really you!"

"...Steven? How is this possible?" Rose hugged back hesitantly. "What is going on? How are we both here?"

"Aren't you happy to see me?" Steven pulled back. "And where is here, anyways?"

"Of course I'm happy to see you!" Rose hugged him tightly and then placed him down. "But we're inside my gem, Steven. Each gem is a place recovery for us, it's our safe place Steven. It was originally my safe space- the fact that you're here, means your physical body has been destroyed." Rose Quartz explained seriously. "Steven, what has happened? Why are you in here with me?"

"A lot's happened mom, and I have so many questions to ask you!" Steven answered. "But I don't think we're short on time, Bill-"

"Steven, you don't understand!" Rose Quartz interrupted. "Unless if a gem is bubbled, it can't remain in stasis for very long! Steven! You have to tell me what happened, so you can reemerge correctly!"

"I made a deal with an all powerful triangle God or something, so I could meet you! I have so many questions mom! Do you have any idea the messes you left behind, when you had me! Could I have communicated with you this whole time, by going inside our gem?!" Steven demanded.

"Steven! That's not important right now! Look at your body!" Rose Quartz ordered.

Pausing, Steven did as he was told and was surprised to see that he was fading. Fearfully, he asked: "Mom... what's happening to me?"

"We cannot exist at the same time Steven, and from the looks of it, I will be forced to emerge again!" Rose explained.

"Then, I'll just come back out when you don't want to be out... for some reason." Steven finished awkwardly- wondering why his mom would give up her chance.

"It's not that simple Steven! We're not a fusion! We're one gem! My consciousness and being were deactivated to give you life! To give you the chance to grow and evolve into your own person! That's what I loved most about having you! The fact that I had no control over what you would be!" Rose explained hastily.

"I'm glad you're happy with how I turned out, cause I hate it!" Steven's outburst surprised Rose. "You left me and the Crystal Gems with so many questions! You made Pearl feel like you didn't trust her! You never told them about Bismuth! And Pink Diamond- why mom?! Why?!"

"Steven..." Rose said sadly. "I'm sorry, I never meant for you to carry so many burdens."

"I love who I am, mom... I just hate what it means sometimes. And lately, it's just became too much. I had to meet you, to answer all my questions... so believing Bill seemed worth it." Steven smiled sadly, noting that he was suddenly feeling very tiered and faint. He also noted his skin was becoming increasingly pale and faded, not the pasty sunblock color he was used to.

Rose caught her son before he fell, she had tears streaming down her face. "Steven! Please tell me what you did, so I can reverse it! The Crystal Gems need you!"

"No mom... they need you..." Steven muttered, falling into a peaceful sleep.

/

Bismuth could only stare in bewilderment at the gem of her former leader, while absentmindedly steadying Mabel. Even as the reality around them was collapsing, it felt like that stone stayed perfectly still. After a moment, the gem levitated and began glowing. Bismuth frowned when the familiar silhouette appeared in a pink glow, and unveiled the person she most loathed. "Long time, no see Rose Quartz."