Superman/Steven Universe:

The Shield of Hope

Chapter 4:

Beach City, Steven's House, Three days after the canyon fight

Steven happily walked across the beach carrying a Pizza box from Fish Stew Pizza, it has been three days since the battle in the canyon and the gems have spent every second since they came back trying to figure out what happened back there. He walked up the stairs to his house and opened the door, Pearl was pacing in front of the warp pad with a chalk board to her side, and chalk in her hand. On the board there were scribbles and bullets points of every possible angle Pearl could think as to who those people were and any possible connection to Homeworld. Amethyst was sitting on a chair in front of the board she was clearly bored, as her eyes were half open and she gave off a yawn. Garnet was nowhere to be seen. As soon as they came back Garnet went into her room and hasn't come out since. Pearl said that she was meditating, trying to use her future vision to see the next step. Steven was worried about that whole experience, it was honestly terrifying. He faced down some pretty scary gem monsters, but that…. the needle, the gunfire, the explosion, this was totally new to Steven. After he woke up from the battle he ran to his father for comfort and spent the entire day with him, the experience was just scary he still wasn't completely over it but he didn't want the gems to worry about him.

Steven placed the box on the table sat down and began to eat a couple slices as he listened to Pearl talk.

"Okay maybe they're a breakaway faction of the diamond cult that was in the 1300's" Pearl said to Amethyst

"Weren't they killed off during that inquisition thing awhile back" Amethyst replied boringly.

Pearl went silent after hearing that, her right eye twitching a bit, an after a few seconds she let out an aggravated yell and using the chalk just scribbled and crossed off all the work she had done on the board before throwing the chalk to the ground. Pearl raked her fingers through her hair

"It doesn't make any sense why would humans take the injectors, and what was that weapon they used? It wasn't like anything used on this planet before" Pearl said clearly having a small freak out.

Steven worried about Pearl, finally speaking up

"Maybe you should take a break, you've been at this for three days, give your gems a rest" Steven said kindly.

"I'm down with that" Amethyst said as she got up from the chair and walked to the kitchen

Pearl gave an exhausted sigh as she followed. Steven had already put four pizza slices on his plate and pushed the box with the remaining slices to Amethyst as she sat down, she smiled and lifted the box folding it in half and bit into the box and the pizza within.

"You know that you're supposed to take the Pizza out of the box to eat right" Pearl said tiredly as she sat next to Amethyst

"I like to add an extra crunch to it" Amethyst replied as she continued to eat.

Steven put a cup with a tea bag in front of Pearl he then took a kettle from the stove that was still hot and poured the water in. Steven smiled as he handed Pearl a small spoon, Pearl smiled backed thanking Steven as she took the spoon and began to stir the liquid in the cup.

"Thanks Steven I guess I have been over working myself, I just can't wrap my head around this whole thing" Pearl said concerned as she took a sip from the cup

"Don't hurt your head with all this overthinking P, we'll get another shot at those jerks soon enough" Amethyst said optimistically as she patted Pearl on the back and took another bite out of the pizza box.

Steven was happy to see that his family was finally calming down though there was still some intensity in the air and it would not go away till they figured this whole thing out. Steven pondered a bit while he ate

"Maybe they're not associated with Homeworld, what if they were just regular humans who stole them to study or use" Steven said quizzically.

Pearl gave a small laugh "Well they could study them all they want, Homeworld technology is millennia beyond human technology now it would take centuries for anyone to understand how it works, and even more for them to use them" Pearl said finding that idea ridiculous.

Steven frowned a bit since his suggestion was shot down, but he did agree he wasn't going to call himself a genius so he not understanding the tech is not really a shocker. But he knew that the technology from Homeworld was on a totally different level, it worked in ways human tech couldn't, not only that but he was pretty sure only gems can use it thinking of the temple and his mother's armory.

"Still either way we have to find those injectors, when used improperly they are extremely dangerous and people could get hurt" Pearl said with urgency in her voice.

Amethyst finally finishing her Pizza box smiled and slapped Pearl on the back "Don't worry Pearl, we'll get a lead on them soon enough" Amethyst said optimistically.

The sound of the temple door opening filled the room catching all three of their attention

"And I think that lead just came" Amethyst said happily as she leapt from the seat.

Garnet finally emerged from the temple and approached the three in the kitchen Steven's faced beamed

"Garnet you came out, how are you" Steven asked happily but with a hint of concern, Garnet smiled and ruffled Steven's Hair

"I'm fine Steven, thank you for asking" Garnet said kindly

Steven smiles at the remark happy that Garnet was finally out of the temple. Garnet's face went serious as she faced her two gems comrades

"I was finally able to get a clear enough vision, it was like something was trying to block it but I was finally able to get an idea of where we can begin our search" Garnet said seriously.

"Where do we have to go" Pearl asked facing Garnet

"The unfinished gem city, Aqua-Firma" Garnet said seriously, Pearls eyes widened upon hearing that

"Aqua-Firma… that's where we…" Pearl said slowly.

"We know where they are lets gets going, and kick some butts" Amethyst said eager and ready

"We are Amethyst, but we need to be careful this time" Garnet said trying to bring Amethyst down a bit.

"So when do we head out" Steven asked eagerly

Garnet kneeled down to Steven and placed a kind and gentle hand on Steven's shoulder

"Steven… I think it's best if you sit this one out for now" Garnet said in a kind motherly tone.

Steven's eyes widened in shock and sadness "W-w-what Garnet if you're worried about me don't I'll be fine, last time was just…." Steven said his voice slightly shaking

Garnet then embraced Steven in a loving hug "I know your scared Steven, I know your scared of that man, we were all scared when you told us what he was going to do to you, I'm asking for your sake and ours to please stay here, do you understand" Garnet said looking directly into Steven's eyes.

Steven looked at Garnet he can see her pleading eyes through her sunglasses, Steven smiled and returns Garnet hug "I understand Garnet, I'll have dinner ready when you come back" he said happily.

Garnet gave Steven a kiss on the forehead and walked towards the warp pad with Pearl and Amethyst following, they all waved goodbye to Steven and he to them as the warp pad sent them off. Steven stood in the empty house alone and worried for his family, but he was confident there was nothing that they couldn't handle when they worked together.

Garnet was in deep thought as they flew through the warp stream

"You did the right thing Garnet, it was probably best for Steven to stay at home for this, we don't know what would've happened if that horrible man got him again" Pearl said in a relieved and slightly worried tone.

Garnet with a stern look on her face replied seriously with "That wasn't the main reason I asked Steven to stay behind, I think there's going to be a battle ahead of us and it's going to push us to our limits".

Both Pearl and Amethyst were caught off guard by this

"What is more of those soldiers" Amethyst said cracking her knuckles.

Garnet looked towards the streaming light of the warp stream

"It's not the soldiers it's….something else…. Something strong" Garnet said seriously with concern.

Pearl was worried by this ominous warning, but Amethyst scoffed at it

"Come on it can't be that bad, I may not have been around as long as you guys, but we all have had our tough scrapes and were practically invincible when were together what could take on all three of us" Amethyst said with a confident smirk.

Garnet didn't reply she just continued to remember the flashes she saw, she saw the city of Aqua-Firma and men in military garb, but what stood out to her was the last image of her vision she was attacked by something fast and powerful she couldn't see the figures face, all she saw was red and blue and a symbol on his chest it was blurred out but she made out a diamond shape. The symbol felt familiar but it wasn't clear so she couldn't tell, all she knew that there was going to be a fight and they would have to throw everything they had this figure.

Metropolis, Daily Planet, Same time

Clark sat at his[DEM2] [DEM3] [DEM4] [DEM5] desk as he nervously chewed on his pen, he had to be conscious on how hard he was doing this, he could only use the exploding pen lie so many times and he did not like the taste of ink. Jimmy walked up to Clark handing him a cup of coffee and two doughnuts

"French Vanilla[DEM6] coffee, chocolate glazed, and the blue frosted one you like" Jimmy said happily as he leaned on Clark's cubicle wall.

"Thanks Jimmy" Clark said kindly as he drank his coffee

"So what's up you've been really focused the past three days, and no offense CK, you've never been focused" Jimmy asked genuinely curious.

Lois walked up to Clark's cubicle

"Yeah spill the beans Smallville, you have a look on your face I didn't think you could have when we first met, the look of a reporter with passion for their work" Lois said confidently.

Clark looked nervously at both his friends he never did like lying and he just couldn't tell them that he believed a boneless monster burned down the Star Labs Facility, so he did something he could always rationalize as not being 100% dishonest, Half-Truths.

"Well After that fire, I looked over the story and somethings didn't add up" Clark said in a low tone so no one else could hear

Lois's eyes Sparkled at Clarks words "Ah sabotage, now that's my forte what you got Kent" Lois said excitedly.

Clark blushed at seeing Lois's excited face she was like a kid who just heard they're going to the amusement park

"Well after talking with one of the guards he told me that he was assaulted by a mysterious figure who was attempting to make off with one of the crates in the facility" Clark told his two friends.

The gears instantly began to turn in Lois's head

"This wasn't an accident, or sabotage, someone wanted to cover their tracks" She said as it just hit her.

"Okay so someone wanted to steal something and not be found out, did you find out what they stole" Jimmy asked very interested in the conversation.

"I don't know, but I have someone looking into that" Clark said as he faced his computer and began to type, suddenly Clark phone rang as it shook on his desk.

Clark grabbed his phone quickly, but not too quickly he looked at his phone and his eyes widen

"Uhhh… sorry guys I need to step out a sec, this is for me" Clark said nervously as he stood up and walked towards the back of the room.

Lois focused on Clark as he turned the corner, she then began to follow him

"You're not planning on stealing Clark's story are you Ms. Lane" Jimmy said with a raised eyebrow

"Of course not Jimmy, Clark got that story fair and square…. But it would help to get a little info for a backup piece" Lois said as she ran off to find Clark.

Clark hid in the break room and closed the door, Lois slowly approached the door and opened it a crack enough to see Clark and hear a bit of what he was saying.

"Yeah I'm fine…. Yes I am getting my nutrients…. No, I am not infected with earth borne pathogens…. Yes I am sure" Clark said in a tone that sounded like he had this conversation a million times.

"Is Kent talking to his mole or his mother" Lois thought as she listened in

"Everything is… I-is just fine, I'm fine okay what did you find out about the storage facility….okay….okay so that's the missing one…. found in New Mexico alright, anything about the contents… Still working on it huh…. No, I'm not upset I waited this long and I can wait longer" Clark said in a kind and friendly tone.

Lois immediately began to put the pieces of Clark's conversation together

"This person is definitely a friend not family his tone would've been softer otherwise. It appears the crate stolen was something recovered in New Mexico by Star Labs, and whoever this person working with Clark is, they are good. It takes my best informants a week, they did it in three days" Lois thought intrigued by this mystery person.

"Also did you find anything about that other thing…? Okay so you just found something similar…. And it moving… towards the Atlantic, alright I'm heading out now you can guide me on the way" Clark said hurriedly as he shut off his phone and made his way to the door.

Lois quickly moved away from the door as Clark exited the room, they're eyes met and they just stared at each other for 15 straight seconds. Lois was the first to talk

"O-oh hey S-smallville I was just going to get some…. Coffee and…. Donuts" Lois stuttered nervously

Clark looked at Lois just as nervous and slightly confused

"Yeah…. Donuts, hey Lois do you mind telling Mister White, that I had to leave out early to get on that… football piece he wanted" Clark said not as nervous as Lois.

"Uhhh… Yeah, right you get on that I'll… tell…. Perry" Lois said awkwardly

The silence continued for a 10 more seconds until at the same time Clark went down the Hall and Lois went into the break room.

Clark made a beeline for his desk and grabbed his duffel bag, he then ran toward the stairs and straight for the roof. He quickly changed into Superman or (his outfit) hid the bag and flew out of the city. After he was a few miles out he took out his phone (or cell or cell phone), on it he was sent coordinates that led further out to sea. So he followed them and continued to fly, after a few minutes of flying he finally saw something that he couldn't believe. It was a city, a city in the middle of the ocean. There were buildings that were a magnificent blue and sparkled almost like they were made of crystal, there were pipes and other lines attached to the side the city that looked like they were supposed to bring in water and power but they looked unused and finished. In fact the whole city looked unfinished like all the workers who were building it just stopped suddenly. Before he could ponder this any further he heard a yell, he instantly used his super vision to scan the area he saw people running, they looked like armed soldiers and scientists

"Is this some kind of government operation" Clark thought confused about this situation.

He suddenly heard someone cry

"GUYS WAIT, HELP"

His head snapped toward the center of the city where he saw a person he was on the ground clearly terrified of something. Clark adjusted his vision to see what it was, his eyes widened when he saw three figure standing only a few feet away from the man, one short and stocky, one tall and thin, and the last being the tallest and very broad similar to him. And all three of them were just like the thing that attacked him in Metropolis, light condensed into the shape of people the light coming from things or objects on various parts of their bodies

"There's more than one" Clark said shocked, as he continued to survey the scene.

Clark's eyes once again went to the man as the man begged for his life, Clark's eyes narrowed on the location and he flew with all his might towards them he focused on the tallest one increasing his speed he heard a loud boom signaling that he just broke the sound barrier as he raised his both his fists and prepared for impact.

Aqua-Firma, few minutes ago

Two soldiers stood in front of a giant machine it looked like a giant tesla coil with an antenna on top, rooted to the ground, surging with electricity as it let out a low humming noise. The two soldiers stood in silence while other scientist and soldiers scurried about doing various things around the base, Soldier 1 decided to break the silence

"Soooo…. Why are we here" he asked genuinely confused about their current situation.

"Do you mean in a metaphysical sort of way or as in right now in this place" the 2nd solider said,

"Right now" Soldier 1 quipped.

Soldier 2 let out an exhausted sigh "Did you pay any attention to the briefing before we came here"

"No I didn't, listen man I just wanted to get out of the base so I jumped on the easiest assignment I could find, guarding a machine fit that bill, though I wasn't expecting to be brought to Atlantis so yeah I'm a little curious now, what's this thing supposed to do" Soldier 1 said slightly agitated.

"Okay, I don't know exactly but it's some kind of electro-magnetic thing it supposed to help block something" Soldier 2 said

"You mean like radar" Soldier 1 asked curiously.

"Probably not this place seems to do that by itself, none of our equipment could find this place they had to send like 20 drones to find all this" Soldier 2 said

"It took 20 drones to find a neon blue city sitting in the middle of the ocean" Soldier 1 said in disbelief.

"Well this place was kind of invisible before we found it" Soldier 2 replied

Soldier 1 was surprised by the statement "Whoa invisible, you mean like the predator, what the hell is this place"

"Supposed to be some kind of ancient city meant to bring in sea water looks like it never got finished" Soldier 2 said as he looked around.

"So what like some old super advanced civilization" Soldier 1 asked

Soldier shook his head "Nope, get this the report say this city was built by aliens over 5,000 years ago" Soldier 2 with a spooky voice trying to scare his comrade.

"Aliens you mean like little green men and brain sucking" Soldier 1 said a little bit scared

Soldier 2 laughed realizing he was scaring his comrade "Yeah something like that, apparently there are places like this scattered around the world" Soldier 2 said.

"Wait if these things have been around for thousands of years how we are only now discovering them?" Soldier 1 said in disbelief

"How the hell am I supposed to know, if humans can go for thousands of years believing that lighting came from a bearded man in the sky, I think it's possible for us to ignore some weird buildings, don't underestimate humanities ability to write off things that stray from the norm" Soldier 2 said nonchalantly.

Soldier 1 shrugged agreeing with him

"So what are we looking for the next nuke here" Soldier 1 asked,

"Probably, they found what the higher up was looking for yesterday and sent it to Metropolis, we're here for some last minute cleanup and retrieving anything that might be of value" Soldier 2 said.

Soldier 1 nodded finally understanding this situation

"So what are we hoping to find lasers, bioweapons, maybe some kind of…?" Soldier 1 was cut off by the sound of gunfire and suddenly an alarm was sounded off and voice spoke over the intercom

"This is a red alert all personnel are to fall back towards the helicopter this area has been compromised, all soldiers are to give support and hold off the enemy" the voice said.

A group of soldiers ran passed the two, one of them yelled

"You heard them we gotta fight come on" he yelled as he ran to join the others,

Soldier 2 was the first to react "Alright let's go" Soldier 2 yelled as he ran to follow them.

The first soldier didn't follow because he was still surprised by everything that was happening, but he quickly snapped himself out of his stupor and followed. He was way behind his other soldiers, but he could hear the gunfire and various voices of other soldiers. He finally came to where all the soldier were gathering the center of the city, as he entered what he believed to be a central plaza another soldier flew over his head and landed on the ground behind him giving a pained groan. He turned around to see a large group of soldiers fighting what appeared to be three women and getting their butts handed to them. The women or whatever moved so quick that nobody could actually shoot and one of them was actually able to deflect bullets. They took away and destroyed their guns and when they attempted to fight them with their fists they just dodged and pushed them aside like they were plastic. All the soldier could do was watched as his friends were tossed around, then the intercom spoke up again

"Attention all soldier fallback to the escape choppers, I repeat fallback now" soon enough all the soldier were running out of the plaza towards the one soldier.

The soldier was caught off guard and was knocked down by one of the retreating soldiers, he hit the ground hard but immediately rolled out of the way so that he wouldn't be trampled. Before he could get onto his feet he felt something wrap around his ankle, there was a strong tug that pulled him away from the group "GUYS WAIT, HELP" he yelled as he was dragged across the floor. When he finally came to a stop he gasped grabbing his ankle it was sprained. It, finally let go of his ankle then he heard a voice speak from in front of him

"Hey pal sorry about the ankle, but me and my friend's kinda need some questions answered" Amethyst said standing above the soldier.

"Amethyst what are you doing with that human" Pearl asked in an annoyed tone

Amethyst turned to Pearl "What you told me to grab someone so we can question him" Amethyst said in a matter-of-fact tone

"Yes, but I told you to grab one of the scientist the people in white, the people who are researching, the people who know what's going on here" Pearl said annoyed.

Amethyst scratched the back of her head embarrassed she missed the last part of that, while they were talking the soldier was able to unwrap Amethyst's whip and get to his feet, it hurt to put pressure on his ankle but he began to make his way from the gems. That was until he walked right into Garnet and fell on his butt Garnet glared at the soldier her gaze could be felt through her shades,

"I suggest you stay put, there may be some questions we have that you can answer" Garnet said sternly.

The soldier freaked out by Garnet for appearing out of nowhere and her towering appearance slowly crawled away from her

"L-look I'll tell y-you anything you want, j-just don't hurt me" The soldier whimpered scared for his life.

Garnet let out a sigh as she looked at the soldier he was terrified, he thought that she was going to kill him but she and her gems would never cross that line. She saw that his ankle was hurt and began to walk towards him to help him up

"Look sir were not here to hurt you or your fellow soldiers we just…." Garnet began to say but suddenly stopped her eyes widening.

She realized that this was the moment the flash she got in her vision, she standing right here, Amethyst and Pearl over there, the soldier frightened at her feet, which meant there was one more piece on its way. The sound of a bomb going off filled the area Garnet turned as quickly as she could only to see the same blue and red blur from her vison, the blur hit her with the force of a tank missile right in her mid-section sending her flying through a building. From Pearl and Amethyst point of view it looked like a bomb went off right where Garnet was creating a huge cloud of dust with small rock flying up then falling back down to the earth.

"GARNET" both Pearl and Amethyst screamed concerned for their leader

The soldier coughed as the dust began to settle he looked up not to see the towering figure of the woman who single handedly fought off dozen of soldiers, but to see a new figure. He easily towered over the soldier and was as broad as the woman, from his shirt, jeans, and boots he looked like a guy you would pass on the street, but there was something about him, something ethereal that he emitted that made him appear larger than life. The man kneeled down to the soldier and offered his hand to him his eyes were kind

"Don't worry Sir I'm here to help" Clark said kindly.