Man, I got my work cut out for me. With these next two chapters, I'll have not only finished "Power", but I'll have also gotten half of my Infinity Stone stories squared away. At the same time, I'm going to be getting into more daunting stories like "Space", "Omni Force: ORIGINS", and the final ten chapters of "The Challenge of a Lifetime".

It's a lot, but there's plenty for me to work with in the process. And I'm excited to get the ball rolling eventually. For now though, it's time to get through these last two chapters. When we left off the last time, Steven had tried to gain control over his newfound abilities by training with Jasper, only to end up shattering her. Though he was able to bring her back, now he understands just what kind of danger he can be.

I'll let Xiaomei take it from here. Enjoy, everyone.

POWER

Control is something we all strive for. We want control over facets in our life, such as time, wealth, livelihood… and power. So what happens when that power you so desperately want to control can longer be contained?

Unfortunately, for Steven Universe, he's going to find the answer the hard way…

"Deku… what happened?" Atsuko asked of the One For All inheritor, who sat himself down on the couch. The look in his eyes was of absolute horror.

"I… could've stopped him…" he said, trembling in his seat as water dripped from his soaked costume. The others gathered exchanged worried looks.

"Stopped who?" Pearl inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Did you do something?" Diana questioned over to Katsuki, making him blink in surprise.

"Hell no!" he exclaimed as a response, "All we did was keep watch on the kid while he trained with that chick…" he pointed out, "At least until tonight…" he added grimly, glancing away.

"Deku," Garnet said, approaching the One For All inheritor and crouching down in front of him, "What happened between Steven and Jasper?" she inquired in a firm tone. Before anyone could say anything else, the bathroom door was slammed open, causing everyone to flinch in surprise.

"Steven?!" Pearl yelped out. Her eyes then widened as she looked to see Jasper step out. She glanced over and spotted the others. Reflexively, the Crystal Gems drew their weapons. "Wh-What are you doing here?!" the consort Gem stammered.

"More importantly, how'd she get in?!" Amethyst inquired, "I think we would've noticed…" she pointed out.

"Maybe… she got poofed, and Steven brought her here to recover…" Atsuko suggested.

"No…" Izuku said, getting her attention, "It's worse than that…" he confirmed.

"What?" the brunette-haired witch uttered, "What do you…?" she started to ask, only to widen her eyes with horror, "Oh no…" she said, looking back at Jasper, "Hey…" she called out, "where's Steven?" she asked, cautiously reaching for her holstered wand.

"Right here," she answered, stepping aside and performing a Gem salute. The others went over, looking inside to see the human/Gem hybrid. He had a horrified look upon his face.

"Steven…" Diana uttered out, wondering what caused him to have such an expression.

"Dude, what happened out there?!" Amethyst inquired as he looked up at the group.

"You can't run off for days without telling us!" Pearl reprimanded. Their words fell deaf on Steven, who walked past them.

"Steven, come on!" Atsuko cried out, "If something happened, you can talk to us!" she assured to him.

"My Diamond can do as he pleases," Jasper stated, causing everyone to look over at her in surprise.

"Wait, what?!" Amethyst exclaimed.

"Why are you calling him that?!" Pearl questioned vehemently, all while Steven trudged up the stairs.

"Steven, wait!" Garnet called out, only for him to keep going.

"Now where's he going?!" Pearl inquired in concern, hurrying up the stairs with the other Gems to follow him. Atsuko, Diana and Katsuki went after them as well. However, the former stopped as she saw that Izuku was still seated on the couch with a guilty look upon his face.

"Whatever happened, I'm sure it wasn't your fault," she affirmed to him, getting his attention, "Now come on," she beckoned, "We need to talk things out with Steven," she insisted firmly. Clenching his fists over his knees, the One For All inheritor took to his feet.

"Okay," he said, heading up after the others. Outside, Steven walked up to the conservatory, letting the sliding doors open as he went inside. As he was about to step onto the warp pad, the others hurried in after him.

"Steven, wait!" Pearl called out.

"You don't need to go," Garnet affirmed as the human/Gem hybrid put his left foot onto the warp pad. He glanced back at his friends, seeing them all gathered together with worry in their faces. Seeing Izuku's was even more disheartening. He remembered just how stunned he was after witnessing him shatter Jasper's gem. He let out a sigh of remorse. His body turned magenta as he stuck his left hand back, forming a connected barrier of hexagons in front of the others. They gasped in surprise.

"WHAT THE HECK?!" Amethyst shouted angrily.

"You guys…" Steven uttered, "I love you, but…" he confessed, turning to glance back at the group, "you can't help me anymore," he confirmed sadly, "I've been avoiding the only people in the entire universe who can," he affirmed as he glanced upward, "Please, don't follow me…" he requested of the others, who looked on worriedly, while Jasper smugly crossed her arms over her chest and smirked, "You too, Jasper," he added to her shock, "Find something better to do with your life…" he insisted as her eyes widened with disbelief and sadness.

"Darn it, Steven!" Atsuko shouted, slamming her fists against the barrier, "Just talk to us!" she yelled pleadingly, "I know you think we can't help, but we're here for you!" she affirmed, while Diana readied her wand in her left hand.

"Remember… we'll always be your family…" Garnet added as she placed her right hand up against the barrier. A hurt look came across the human/Gem hybrid's face. He didn't want to leave. But for the safety of his friends, he needed to.

"Steven…" Atsuko uttered as tears pricked her eyes. Just then, a hand grabbed her arm. "Huh?" she said, seeing Diana there with her wand raised.

"Akko, get ready," she advised to her surprise, "Vera Gurasare!" she chanted, disappearing with her in a flash of light, just before the glowing Steven warped away.

"A-Akko!" Izuku yelped out.

"Did they get on the pad before the kid warped?" Katsuki wondered aloud.

"I sure hope so…" Amethyst mumbled out, seeing the barrier before them come down, "Think it's pretty obvious where he's going…" she mentioned with crossed arms.

"We'll have to leave things to Atsuko and Diana for now," Pearl decided, "They can try to get answers from Steven himself, while we figure out the best way to deal with him," she explained to those in the room.

"Guess that's all we can do…" Amethyst realized worriedly. She looked over to Jasper, who still appeared distraught.

"Let's start with what happened between you and Steven," Garnet said, getting her attention.

"Huh…" she sighed out, "Fine," she said. Izuku walked up to the warp pad alongside Katsuki before looking up with worry. He clenched his gloved fists, hoping that things would turn out okay this time…

X

The light of the warp pad reached out and arrived on Homeworld, dissipating around the human/Gem hybrid as he was no longer glowing. He exhaled a deep breath, stepping down. But in that moment…

"Oh, no you don't!" Atsuko exclaimed as she grabbed Steven by his jacket, pulling him back in a yelp. He gasped with fright.

"A-Akko?!" he stammered out, "Wha—?! How—?! Why?!" he questioned on frantically.

"We teleported onto the pad just before you warped," Diana confirmed, much to his shock as he saw her approach, "You can't expect us to just be okay with you going off on your own again," she pointed out seriously, folding her arms over her chest.

"No, you shouldn't be here!" Steven insisted, his body flashing magenta as he grimaced, "It's already bad enough with what happened back on Earth!" he pointed out.

"You mean shattering Jasper?" Atsuko presumed, causing both him and Diana to widen their eyes as they looked over at her, "From what Deku said, that's what I figured happened," she told him, "But I know you would never mean to do something like that," she affirmed as she approached, "And you brought her back together," she mentioned, putting her hands onto his shoulders reassuringly.

"Huh…" he exhaled, "You still shouldn't be here…" he insisted firmly with a worried look.

"Well, I'm afraid you're going to have to accept the fact that we're here now," Diana advised in response, looking at their surroundings. Homeworld appeared a lot more vibrant than the last time she and her friends had come. "So, let's get to the Diamonds," she said, walking off towards the palace with Atsuko and Steven. They arrived inside, walking up to the throne room as some Gems were mingling about, with a Pearl giving a tour to a group that the trio approached.

"As you can see, this truly was the center of power in the Gem Empire throughout the second era," she told the Gems in her group, "When you walk through these storied halls, it's easy to feel as if you too have the power of a Diamond," she pointed out. Steven looked up at the thrones, grimacing at how his mother was one of the ruling monarchs. Atsuko noticed his discomfort, putting a hand onto his shoulder reassuringly. "Now, if you'll follow me this way to the gift shop," the guide requested, leading the tour group away. As they left, Diana took notice of Spinel standing there, looking up at the thrones herself.

"Spinel?" she uttered in surprise, getting the rubbery Gem's attention. She turned and gasped to see the trio there.

"Steven! Akko! Diana!" she exclaimed with hearts in her eyes. She stretched her arms out, latching onto the human/Gem hybrid before zipping over and giving him a big, exaggerated kiss.

"Spinel, what is wrong with you?!" he exclaimed angrily afterwards, with his body turning magenta again.

"Whoa, sorry!" the rubbery Gem apologized, "Got excited seeing you again after a while…" she admitted sheepishly, only to notice him glowing, "Hey, uh…" she started to say, "you doing okay?" she inquired, arching an eyebrow in concern. Both witches behind Steven stared at him sternly, wondering what his response would be. He calmed down thankfully, exhaling a sigh as he wiped his face with his left jacket sleeve, while his glow disappeared.

"I've… been better," he admitted, "Uh, so…" he continued as Spinel blinked, "how've you been since… uh…" he tried to ask, recalling one of their previous encounters.

"Since I tried to kill you?" the rubbery Gem guessed for him, "Eh-heh…" she chuckled out, "A lot better, actually," she confirmed, "Aside from those awesome shows with Akko, I'm here acting as everybody's best friend when times are tough!" she told Steven.

"Wait… huh?" he uttered in confusion, raising an eyebrow.

"In between shows, practice, and just hanging out, Spinel comes here to be a friend for the Diamonds," Atsuko explained.

"It was what she wanted to do, to make them happy," Diana added with a grin.

"So yeah, I've been up to the usual!" the rubbery Gem confirmed with outstretched arms, "I used to be such a wreck…" she admitted as she glanced off to the side, "but I am so much better now!" she affirmed with a big smile, "So, you three all here for a vacation?" she inquired, "Steven looks like he needs it…" she pointed out, "Uh, no offense…" she added, holding her hands up in a placating manner to the human/Gem hybrid.

"N-No, it's fine…" he stuttered in response, "I need to talk to the Diamonds," he told her, looking off to the side ashamedly. Noticing, Spinel's grin shrunk a little.

"Uh, no kidding…" she remarked in reply, "You never call, you never write…" she jokingly listed off, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah…" Steven said, uncomfortably grabbing his right arm, "I'm kinda goin' through something right now," he told her, "I've been glowing and swelling up…" he confessed, causing the rubbery Gem to blink in surprise.

"Oh, if you're having trouble with your physical form, I know just who you should see," she affirmed confidently, "C'mon!" she beckoned with a smile, waving for him and the others to follow her. As Atsuko and Diana walked up Spinel, she worriedly glanced back at the human/Gem hybrid. "I remember the glowing, but not the swelling…" she noted in a whisper, "How bad's it gotten since the last time I was on Earth?" she asked quietly of the witches.

"Bad enough that he can't seem to control himself…" Diana responded.

"It's almost like his stress is showing…" Atsuko added.

"Well, he seems fine now at least…" Spinel commented, "Let's just hope Yellow can help keep him that way…" she mentioned nervously.

"Yellow?" the witches repeated in surprise.

X

Back in the Beach House, the Crystal Gems all had horrified looks upon their faces as they looked out at the trio of Izuku, Katsuki, and Jasper. They had just been told the story of what happened just before Steven's return, when he shattered the former Gem soldier. Amethyst was trembling.

"Th…This is a joke, right?" she inquired nervously, "Steven wouldn't do that!" she proclaimed.

"Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he did," the Explosion Quirk user confirmed, "Got so caught up in the fight, he didn't realize what happened until after the fact," he mentioned, glancing off to the side.

"Oh my stars…" Pearl uttered in disbelief.

"Then… how are you alive?" Amethyst asked of Jasper, who huffed.

"The bathroom," Garnet said, getting everyone's attention. Moments later, she and Izuku picked up the Diamond bottles left at the bottom of the tub. "They're empty," she confirmed upon inspecting them.

"He must've just thrown them in there…" Amethyst realized, clenching her fists as she gritted her teeth, "Look what you did, you big jerk!" she shouted to Jasper, who blinked in surprise.

"What I did?!" she questioned back.

"Yeah!" Amethyst yelled, "Steven could've left you in the woods, but he wanted to help you!" she pointed out vehemently, "He wanted to make sure that you'd at least have the chance to be a decent person for once!" she added to the former soldier's shock.

"I-I…" she stammered, finding the words caught in her throat. Ever since the human/Gem hybrid had left, she had no idea what to do.

"It's not her fault…" Izuku chimed in to the Gems' surprise as they looked over at him.

"Deku…" Katsuki said, folding his arms over his chest.

"The second he said he was fine, I should've taken him back to Omni Force Tower," the One For All inheritor admitted as he clenched his fists tightly, "Whatever happens now…" he continued as he grimaced.

"Izuku…" Pearl uttered, "We know it's not anyone's fault…" she assured, putting a hand onto his shoulder.

"Yeah, this is all just a big mess because Steven won't talk to us," Amethyst pointed out with crossed arms, "We've always poured our hearts out to him whenever we felt lost and needed help…" she recalled.

"And though we may have been stubborn, we still took the time to hear him out," Garnet mentioned, "He helped save us," she affirmed on.

"So it should be our turn to save him," Pearl stated.

"That starts by getting the kid back here, even if we've gotta drag him kicking and screaming…" Katsuki decided rather bluntly.

"Uh…" Pearl uttered.

"I'm sure Akko and Diana can help him calm down a bit more on Homeworld," Izuku affirmed confidently, "In the meantime, we need to handle this in a way that'll let Steven know we just want what's best for him," he advised of the group.

"From how things have gone so far, that's not gonna be easy…" Amethyst realized.

"Easy or not, we have to do what we can for Steven," Garnet declared, "Otherwise, we're no family to him at all," she mentioned grimly. At that moment, Jasper started to walk away.

"Hey, where are you going?" Amethyst asked of her. She stopped at the doorway, sighing.

"I made things worse without realizing it," she noted, "I doubt knowing now will make things any better," she affirmed, heading for the front door. She shoved it open, walking out onto the porch as the rain had subsided.

"Tch," Katsuki scoffed, "Typical…" he muttered.

"So, what do we do first?" Garnet inquired of Izuku. In the meantime, on Homeworld, Spinel led the trio of Steven, Atsuko, and Diana to the large yellow doors, which slid open. They looked ahead to spot Yellow seated at a desk with a pair of tweezers in her left hand, reaching them out to a bubbled cluster of gem shards. She grasped a small shard, pulling it out gently. The group took notice of another Gem seated at her desk, being beside a gemstone that was being pieced back together. The Diamond fitted the last piece she had into place, making the gem glow. Luminosity enveloped it as it floated up and reformed into a Gem whose limbs were stringy. She cried out for breath as she came down.

"Hey," the other Gem said, getting her attention as she put a hand onto her shoulder, "It's okay," she assured. Steven seemed shocked by the scene laid before him.

"Yellow, what are you doing?!" he questioned frantically.

"Oh!" the Diamond yelped in surprise, turning to spot him there, "Steven, you startled me!" she admitted, placing her hand over her gem, "I was just reversing one of my… awful experiments…" she told him with a regretful look on her face. She then picked up the reformed Gem, being a Flint, bringing her over to show the group. "I can't always find every piece, but watch this," she said. Bringing her right hand over the reformed Gem, she rubbed her fingers together before poking her. A yellow light enveloped her body before she glowed again, with her limbs returning to normal.

"Hey!" she yelped excitedly. She was then brought down back to the desk beside her fellow healed Gem.

"Welcome back!" she remarked happily before she shared a big hug with the Flint.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Atsuko complimented, making Yellow smile.

"After all the damage I've done, it's only right to use my powers for a little reconstructive work on the Gems I've hurt," she explained to the group, "Speaking of which, I've got to get to work to reconstruct the Gems inside the Cluster!" she realized as she whipped around, "Oh, and if any of you uncorrupted Quartz friends want their horns reduced, just send them straight to me!" she insisted as she stood up proudly with excitement, "I can permanently alter any physical form," she added assuredly.

"You can make cracked Gems feel brand new," Diana noted, "I must say, you've come a long way from just poofing them…" she mentioned with a grin. The Diamond laughed.

"Oh, do me!" Spinel insisted as she excitedly ran over to Yellow, who lied down on the floor.

"Uh, hey, I—" Before Steven could make his case, the rubbery Gem was already letting her body get altered by the Diamond, as the yellow light enveloping her made her arms grow quite muscular.

"She can make my arms really tough and big!" she pointed out happily, flexing her newly formed muscles.

"This is cool, but I—"

"And she can give me little teeny feetsies…" Spinel added after Yellow poked her again, shrinking her legs. However, the weight of her upper body almost caused her to trip as she stumbled. Fortunately, she recovered. "Ta-da!" she exclaimed, standing in a crouched position to keep herself from falling. Atsuko and Diana giggled. But Steven wasn't at all amused.

"Won't you just listen to me?!" he bellowed angrily in question, much to his friends' surprise. Yellow was admittedly a little shocked herself, arching an eyebrow.

"You have the floor, Steven…" she assured.

"My Diamond powers have been causing scary changes in my body," the human/Gem hybrid noted as he looked at his hands, "I've been growing really large and I don't know what to do," he mentioned thoroughly, sounding frustrated.

"Well, I can definitely help with that," Yellow assured in response as she leaned over, "Hold still," she advised, placing her right pointer finger upon his head. A yellow light enveloped the human/Gem hybrid's body as he shrunk down, with his height being up the knees of the witches beside him.

"Whoa!" Atsuko yelped.

"No! I don't want to be small!" Steven exclaimed in a squeaky voice.

"Oh, forgive the misunderstanding," Yellow replied, touching him again to enlarge him, making him taller than the witches as their eyes widened.

"Um… I don't think—"

"There," the Diamond said, interjecting Diana, "You can be as large as you want," she affirmed to Steven.

"I don't want to be large either!" he shouted as he grabbed at his head, starting to glow magenta, "I just wanna be ME!" he bellowed, stomping his left foot onto the floor, creating a crater beneath him. The force of the impact blew by everyone, as they all blinked in surprise.

"Steven…!" Atsuko exclaimed in a reprimanding tone. Yellow tapped him again, reverting him back to normal as his glow subsided.

"What has gotten into you?" she inquired as she stood up, holding Spinel in her hands, "If anything's out of proportion, it's your temper," she concluded, "You can be big if you want to, you can be small if you want to," she pointed out while changing the rubbery Gem's body as an example, reverting her back to her normal form, "but if you're going to be upset no matter what," she continued as Spinel hopped out of her hand, "then this problem isn't physical, it's emotional," she stated as she placed her hands onto her hips, "Go see Blue," she advised, "That's her department," she confirmed.

"Blue, Blue, Blue, Blue, BLUUUEEEE!" Spinel exclaimed repeatedly as she spun around her friends with joy. However, Steven was hardly enthused. Atsuko clenched her fists with frustration, remembering the promise she made with him about dealing with whatever new problems were coming up.

"Your powers have been causing you dramatic mood swings?" Blue inquired later, as the group had arrived in her room, where she was lying upon what looked to be a cloud, like other Gems that were floating about, "That seems awfully troubling, Steven," she noted in a relaxed tone.

"You don't seem troubled…" the human/Gem hybrid pointed out, rubbing the back of his head, while Spinel was bouncing in place excitedly.

"That's because of Blue's cool new power," she confirmed with a wink.

"Back before you came into my life Steven, I wanted everyone to feel the pain I felt," the Diamond confessed sadly, "I realized I must make up for my awful behavior by bringing joy to others," she told him, calmly leaning closer.

"Pathokinesis, right?" Atsuko presumed, getting everyone's attention.

"What's that?" Steven asked.

"It's the ability to change or control a person's emotions," the brunette-haired witch replied, "Like how being around Blue in the past used to make you cry," she pointed out.

"You're quite perceptive, Akko," the Diamond complimented with a giggle, "In that moment I came to my epiphany, my tears vaporized into these clouds," she pointed out to the group, "bringing pure joy to those who come into contact with them," she confirmed on. At that moment, a cloud brushed up against Steven.

"Huh?" he uttered before letting out a content chuckle.

"See?" Spinel said, getting his attention, "Just hang on and you'll be feeling the cheer in no time," she affirmed.

"Ugh…" the human/Gem hybrid said with disgust, shoving the cloud away.

"I think you'd like it," Blue assured to him.

"It wouldn't hurt to give it a try," Atsuko noted.

"Agreed," Diana concurred, "Besides, you seem like you need to relax a little," she added to Steven, who glanced down in thought. He watched as Spinel hopped aboard a cloud and floated away, followed by the witches hopping onto their own respectively.

Cold palace walls~…

And endless empty halls~…

Haunted by echoes of laughter~…

As she started singing, Blue lifted the clouds with Atsuko, Diana, and Spinel up into the air, disappearing into the larger cloud overhead. Steven remained down on the floor, grimacing from the clouds approaching him. He manifested hexagonal energy shields from his palms to shove them away.

You gave a pull~…

And suddenly they're full~…

You've thrown the gates open after you~…

A cloud came into form behind the human/Gem hybrid, picking him up. He started smiling as he was lofted upwards, joining the others above the large cloud overhead. It was a beautiful sight, with the glass dome shining over him.

And swept in with the throng~…!

Comes this wonderful song~!

Blue ascended above the giant cloud herself to join her guests, spinning around as she stood up, making the giant cloud dissipate. Atsuko and Diana looked on with amazement, watching as the Diamond approached Spinel. She grabbed hold of another cloud, squishing it in her hands to form several heart-shaped clouds that fluttered about.

My little reason why~…

I'll never make you cry~…

Spinel went ahead and swung herself over to Blue, latching onto her finger. She then leapt onto her head, giving her a loving hug. Atsuko and Diana watched on and smiled brightly, as the former teared up happily.

Oh, I have got the sweetest things to tell you every day~…

My little reason why~…

You make me want to try~…

Loving you~…

As she finished singing, Blue couldn't help but notice Atsuko wiping her eyes.

"Oh dear, did I upset you?" she asked of her.

"N-No…" she stammered with a sniffle, giggling afterwards, "That was just beautiful," she affirmed happily.

"This is amazing," Diana commented, "Instead of making Gems suffer like in the past, you're giving them this form of joy and happiness," she pointed out.

"I'd say I was inspired by a human from another world," Blue admitted, making Atsuko smile brightly. Spinel grinned herself, but then noticed something. Steven's expression was slowly shifting into one of sad realization.

"No…" he uttered, "No, no, this isn't right!" he proclaimed, getting everyone's attention. He then suddenly fell backwards through the clouds, losing his glow.

"STEVEN!" Atsuko and Diana screamed. Luckily, Spinel leapt down, stretching her arms out. She latched the human/Gem hybrid, twisting her legs and spinning her feet like the propeller of a helicopter.

"Hang in there, sunshine!" she remarked, arriving down on the floor with him safely. Blue descended with the witches afterwards.

"What's the matter?" she asked in concern. Standing up, Steven had a frustrated look upon his face, even more so than he did earlier with Yellow.

"You can't just magically make me feel better!" he pointed out, while Atsuko and Diana hopped down from their clouds.

"Yes, I can!" Blue retorted with a smile, "That's literally my new power," she noted on.

"I don't want to feel better, I want to be better!" Steven bellowed angrily.

"Steven, come on!" Atsuko reprimanded.

"From what it's looking like, your condition isn't meant to be some quick fix," Diana mentioned with her arms folded over her chest, "You're rushing something that needs time to process," she inferred.

"Yeah, that's what I'm thinking, too," her fellow witch agreed.

"Ugh!" Steven groaned loudly to their surprise, "I just… want things to be normal!" he affirmed in frustration, taking deep breaths. A wind suddenly breezed by him, causing him to look over to see that Spinel had shaped her left hand into a fan, propelling a cool gust onto him.

"Eh-heh…" she chuckled nervously, "Figured you needed to cool off a little…" she admitted with a sheepish grin. Blue narrowed her eyes worriedly.

"I found happiness," she noted, getting the group's attention, "If that's not something you think you deserve, then I suspect this may be an issue of self-worth," she presumed calmly, "I suggest you go to White for assistance with such matters," she advised of the human/Gem hybrid. He sighed, still a bit irritated. Atsuko, Diana and Spinel traded worried looks. They weren't sure where this would lead.

X

"Swelling?" a hologram of Sunset said, arching an eyebrow as she appeared above Izuku's MPG.

"Yeah," he responded, sitting at the couch in the Beach House with the Crystal Gems, "Right now, he's on Homeworld with Akko and Diana," he pointed out.

"We think he's trying to find a way to quell his new powers," Garnet chimed in, "Though we can't be certain," she mentioned in admittance.

"It seems like Steven has these reactions out of stress or anger…" Pearl noted aloud, "It's why we're going to wait before bringing him to Omni Force Tower," she told the Equestrian Magic user.

"Is that such a good idea to let him be for the time being?" she inquired back.

"If something happens, Akko and Diana'll let us know," Izuku affirmed confidently, "We'll get back in touch soon," he promised.

"Okay, sounds fair," Sunset responded, with her hologram disappearing as the call ended.

"You think Steven's just… embarrassed that all this is happening?" Amethyst inquired of her colleagues.

"Tch," Katsuki scoffed, "If he is, this is a hell of a way to show it…" he grumbled.

"Making assumptions isn't going to fix anything," Garnet pointed out seriously, "When Steven comes back, or when Akko and Diana contact us again," she continued, "we need to talk," she affirmed.

"Right," Izuku agreed as he nodded. Back on Homeworld, Atsuko, Diana and Spinel let Steven lead the way as they approached White's quarters. He was tense, craving answers to his problems even more than before. Seeing that, Spinel grimaced.

"So changes to the body didn't help, changes to the mind didn't help…" she listed off quietly, "Boy, he's really in a funk…" she realized.

"An issue of self-worth…" Diana said, repeating what Blue had inferred earlier, "Do you really think it's that simple, Akko?" she inquired quietly of her fellow witch.

"No," she answered with a shake of her head, "And that's the biggest problem," she added in a whisper, "Steven's trying to rush this whole situation rather than sitting down and talking about it with us," she noted, "I thought Blue was getting through to him earlier, but he's just so set in his ways…" she concluded, sighing with frustration. The group then arrived at the doors to White's room, as they opened to reveal the final of the three matriarchs. She was seated ahead of them cross-legged, appearing to have been meditating.

"What perfect timing, Steven," she remarked in greeting, "I've just gotten back from my recent charitable escapade," she pointed out as the group approached, "I've been going from planet to planet, giving voice to the little Gem," she told them.

"Huh?" Atsuko uttered in confusion as she raised an eyebrow, while the human/Gem hybrid appeared concerned.

"White Diamond's powers work in reverse now!" Spinel pointed out to them.

"What does that mean?" Steven asked, still worried.

"Why don't I show you?" White offered in response as she stood up, "May I, Spinel?" she requested. The rubbery Gem shook her fists giddily to the guests' surprise.

"Yes, please," she responded sheepishly with excitement. Spreading her arms, White made lights of different colors flash across the whole room. The others looked over to Spinel, wondering what was about to happen. And then…

"Guess who?!" White exclaimed as her voice and colors had changed, matching Spinel's.

"GAH!" Atsuko yelped in shock, while Diana widened her eyes.

"Wha…?!" Steven gasped out.

"Isn't it great?!" Spinel questioned as she leaned over to the human/Gem hybrid, her voice echoing from White as well, "Instead of taking control of other Gems," she began, "now she can channel our thoughts into her body," she pointed out, "so we can control her instead!" she confirmed, "Watch this!" she advised, energetically dancing about. Under her control, the Diamond did the same, shaking the ground as the guests yelped, trying to find their balance. "Ta-da!" the rubbery Gem exclaimed as she and White posed, having finished their dance. She looked over to see the uncomfortable expression upon Steven's face. Atsuko and Diana were still somewhat frightened themselves. "You don't like it?" Spinel presumed worriedly.

"It's… uh… something…" the brunette-haired witch stammered out.

"Y-Yeah, it's fine…" the human/Gem hybrid assured, exhaling an exasperated breath. White then returned her body to its normal colors.

"Oh, what fun…" she sighed happily, "Thank you, Spinel," she said in gratitude to the rubbery Gem, "But why don't you leave me and Steven alone for a moment?" she requested.

"Okay…" Spinel responded as she walked out of the room with a smile on her face, "Don't take too long," she insisted. She poked her head in curiously just before the doors closed in front of her.

"You two should probably wait, too," Steven advised of Atsuko and Diana.

"No," the former refused, "After everything that's happened so far on this visit, I'm not going to leave your side for a second," she affirmed with a shake of her head, "You can't stop me from wanting to help you, too," she mentioned. Another sigh escaped the human/Gem hybrid's lips. White gave off a look of concern.

"Now, what is the problem exactly?" she asked curiously, getting their attentions.

"I've been getting more powerful," Steven confirmed in response, "New Diamond powers are coming out every day and it's… it's scaring me…" he admitted, glancing off to the side in fright as he held his hands together.

"Oh Steven…" the matriarch uttered, "so many would dream of having your power, and yet it only worries you…" she pointed out as she gestured to him.

"I'm scared I'm gonna hurt people," he admitted to her, "I…I guess I already have…" he confessed on, looking away ashamedly.

"Steven…" Atsuko uttered sadly.

"Half a Diamond, half a creature of earth," White noted as she crouched down, "In all the universe there's no one else that could know what you're going through," she pointed out, "So maybe it's time you talked to yourself," she suggested, reaching her right pointer finger out to his chest, causing him to uncomfortably push it aside, "Would you like to try?" she offered kindly.

"Okay…" he responded after a moment. Standing upright, the Diamond made the room flash with colors again. Steven's gem glowed under his shirt as the witches beside him watched on nervously. After a few more seconds, he looked himself over… and found that he had control of White, whose body was mainly colored pink. "Whoa…" he and the Diamond uttered out simultaneously, "This is… so weird!" he admitted through a laugh, "I'm...I'm...I'm a Diamond…" he realized. Atsuko and Diana traded nervous looks from how he sounded. "This—th-this is the last thing I needed to see!" he stammered out in fright, "I don't want to be you, I don't want to be anything like you!" he shouted on, "Why won't you just GO AWAY?!" he bellowed as he swung his fists. Still in control of White, he accidentally made her punch a pillar, causing it to crumble.

"Steven!" Atsuko gasped, quickly grabbing the human/Gem hybrid and pulling him aside before a piece of the pillar could crush him by accident.

"Don't hurt me!" he pleaded out to White as he stepped back out of the brunette-haired witch's grasp. She and Diana shared a troubled look.

"Steven… calm down…" the latter advised.

"…She can't hurt me…" the human/Gem hybrid realized as he sweated, "I'm controlling her…" he pointed out, seeing her body mimicking his exactly, "So why am I so... afraid?" he wondered aloud. His mind flashed back to the memory of when White tried to remove his gemstone, and nearly wound up killing him. If it hadn't been for that, he likely never would've needed the Power Stone placed in him. If it hadn't been for that, these new powers wouldn't have started manifesting. If not for her… Steven scowled. "She's the one who should be afraid…" he affirmed in a low growl.

"Wait, what did you just say?!" Atsuko exclaimed in question. From her mindscape, White was witnessing a gigantic Steven towering over her, while she cowered upon the floor.

"What's… What's going on?!" she asked frantically as she looked around, still talking with his voice. The human/Gem hybrid lifted his right arm up. In turn, White was forced to lift hers. "What?!" she exclaimed in shock, followed by Steven raising his left hand to make her stand up. He was essentially puppeteering her. "No, stop it! I don't like this!" she pleaded to him.

"Too bad," he responded coldly, sticking his arms forward. He sounded very vengeful, steering her toward a nearby pillar.

"Let me go!" she begged as she stomped up to the pillar, clasping her hands to it, "Please… you're scaring me!" she pointed out pleadingly, grimacing with fright.

"This is for everything you put me through!" Steven bellowed angrily, making White rear her back as she was seemingly going to be forced to slam it against the pillar. And as she swung it forward…

"VEGA ARMAS!" Atsuko screamed, punching the human/Gem hybrid upside the head in reality to send him crashing into the nearby shrubbery in a flurry of dust. In doing so, White regained control of her body as Steven's coloration left her body. She gasped for breath.

"What… What was that?!" she questioned out of shock.

"Miss White, are you okay?!" Atsuko inquired as she hurried over, "I'm sorry, I should've done something sooner!" she apologized, "Diana, make sure Steven's okay, too!" she advised of her fellow witch.

"Right!" she responded, jogging over to the nearby shrubbery.

"I never realized just how… resentful Steven was…" White admitted, "I know what I did was terrible, but…" she continued, only for Atsuko to place her right hand onto her leg.

"Trust me, I know," she assured, "Steven gave you a second chance, and you're doing your best to live up to it," she pointed out, "If he was in a better state of mind, then maybe he'd see that rather than judge you for your past," she inferred, while Diana approached the human/Gem as the dust settled. Her eyes widened.

"Akko!" she called out, getting her fellow witch's attention. She hurried over as White stood back up, gasping in shock. Steven's body was glowing, though it wasn't magenta anymore. It was starting to turn violet. He winced, opening his eyes as tears pricked them.

"A-Akko…" he stuttered out, "You…You hit me…" he realized, trembling all the while.

"Steven… do you even remember what you just tried to do?" Atsuko asked of him.

"I…I don't know—" Swelling interjected Steven's response as he gasped with panic, unable to control himself as he crawled upon the floor. White looked on in disbelief.

"Steven…" she uttered out, "this… is because of the Power Stone, isn't it?!" she presumed, "Do Yellow and Blue know?!" she inquired on.

"N-No!" the human/Gem hybrid stammered out, managing to stand up in spite of his body still swelling randomly, "I-I mean… it… it's not the stone!" he stuttered in claim.

"Steven, stop it!" Atsuko shouted, "You're only making this worse by denying everything around you!" she pointed out, "Everyone's trying to help, but you're not even letting them understand what's wrong!" she added emphatically.

"We need to take him to Omni Force Tower, now," Diana insisted, much to the human/Gem hybrid's shock, "If this persists, it's only going to get worse," she pointed out.

"No…" Steven uttered, "No, you can't!" he shouted, with shockwaves emitting from his voice as they blew by the witches, who flinched.

"We're just trying to help you, Steven!" Atsuko noted loudly, "Why can't you see that?!" she inquired. Still teary-eyed, the human/Gem hybrid turned around and fled, losing his violet glow. "Steven!" the brunette-haired witch cried out. On the other side of the door, Spinel twiddled her thumbs, awaiting the return of her friends. She hummed to herself contently, wondering how things were going. And then, the doors opened, with Steven sprinting out.

"Wait, Steven!" Diana's voice yelled as she and Atsuko chased after him. Yellow and Blue were also present, surprised to see the human/Gem hybrid leaving in such a panic.

"Steven!" the former of the two Diamonds yelped, seeing him pass by them, "Was White able to help you?" she inquired. Ignoring her, the human/Gem hybrid kept running. Spinel dashed after him as well, passing by Atsuko and Diana as her legs were a cartoonish blur.

"Hey, buddy!" she called out to the human/Gem hybrid, "Where ya goin'?" she questioned in concern. All of sudden, Steven came to a stop, enticing as she dragged her feet across the floor, screeching to a halt.

"Wait a sec!" he exclaimed in realization, turning around and grabbing the rubbery Gem by her shoulders, "You used to have vengeful thoughts!" he recalled, shaking her desperately.

"Oh, yeah…" she uttered in remembrance as she rolled her eyes a little, "But I don't get 'em anymore…" she assured with a smile.

"How did you make them stop?" Steven asked with pleading eyes.

"I met a little someone named… Steven Universe!" Spinel responded enthusiastically as her eyelashes fluttered, "And he told me…" she continued, "That I, I, I can make a change~! You can make a promise—!"

"Don't give me my own advice!" the human/Gem hybrid shouted back, annoyed by her singing the song he once sung to help her. His body glowed and swelled up again, with his head growing ever so slightly.

"Steven!" White exclaimed as she ran in with Yellow and Blue, astonished by his appearance, "Let us help you, Steven!" she pleaded to him.

"I can make a stand~…" Spinel sang on before the human/Gem hybrid ran off, which she noticed.

"Steven, stop!" Atsuko yelled, hurrying after him alongside Diana and Spinel, while the Diamonds followed. He was panting with panic. His body grew taller and his hair became puffier, resembling his late mother more and more. As he made his way outside the palace and down the steps, his left sandal fell off, though he didn't notice as he kept running, making his way to the warp pad he had arrived upon.

"Steven!" Spinel's voice cried out, causing him to stop as he looked back to the entryway, where the rubbery Gem stood with the Diamonds, while the witches ran down the steps.

"Let us help you!" Yellow insisted pleadingly.

"We're your family!" Blue affirmed on. The human/Gem hybrid looked back at them with tears in his eyes, which now had pupils that resembled diamonds.

"Please, don't follow me…" he requested,

"Steven, wait!" Atsuko screamed, only to watch him warp away in a flash of blue light.

"Steven!" White exclaimed.

"Where could he have gone?" Blue wondered aloud, "Back to Earth, maybe?" she suggested.

"Perhaps…" Diana replied, "Either way, this situation's gone from bad to worse," she admitted, "It's not just the stone corrupting his body, it's his psyche," she realized, "The Power Stone is exacerbating all of these reactions he's having to things nowadays, and…" she continued, only to stop as she saw Atsuko drop onto her hands and knees, whimpering with frustration. Spinel made her way over, putting her hands onto her shoulders in an effort to comfort her. She didn't say a word, letting the brunette-haired witch cry.

"How could we have not seen that these reactions were happening?" Yellow inquired as she placed her right hand upon her head, "It seems obvious that the Power Stone would be involved, yet we never thought of it!" she pointed out in frustration.

"What should we do now?" Blue asked. With a sniffle, Atsuko stood up.

"Wherever Steven is, we'll find him," she vowed, wiping her eyes, "Like it or not, he's going to have to accept the fact that he needs help before something bad can happen," she explained.

"…What can we do to help?" White inquired after a moment.

"For now, I guess you can head over to Earth," the brunette-haired witch replied, "Your methods might've not been a total fix for Steven, but it was a way for him to at least know you're trying to do something right," she told the Diamonds, who blinked in surprise.

"The methods might be no more than a stopgap, but that's much better than letting this continue," Diana added firmly.

"Alright then," White responded, "We will depart at once for the Earth," she declared. Meanwhile, Spinel stretched her right arm out to grab hold of Steven's missing sandal, reeling it in. It lied in the palms of her hands as she sighed.

"You and Steven saved my life," she noted to Atsuko, getting her attention, "even though there's times where I don't think I deserved it," she admitted on, "Steven's always helped others with their problems, their baggage, their fights…" she listed off in remembrance, "But… what happens when the guy who helped us doesn't want help of his own?" she wondered aloud. The brunette-haired witch blinked in surprise, followed by steeling herself.

"We will help him," she vowed.

X

By the time he arrived via the warp pad in the greenhouse, Steven was still glowing. He held his jacket in his left arm as he looked around, tiptoeing his way out. He made his way to the sliding door to his room, opening it and heading inside. With a sigh, he fell face first onto his bed.

His whole day had been exhausting. And it hadn't been good at all. Just then, he heard his phone ring. He pulled it out of his pocket, seeing that Connie was calling him.

"…Hey, Connie, what's up?" he greeted upon answering.

"Steven!" his girlfriend's voice exclaimed, "Good, you finally picked up!" she noted with relief, "I can't believe we haven't spoken since the hospital," she mentioned, sitting at her desk in her room, "How are you?" she asked.

"I'm great! Never been better!" the human/Gem hybrid claimed in response, though something about the tone of his voice made Connie slightly suspicious.

"Really?" she said, "Have you had any more issues with swelling and glowing?" she inquired on.

"Um… nope?" Steven responded unsurely from his bed, "Well, maybe, but how 'bout you? How's college prep?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Steven, that's, uh…" Connie stammered, worried from how he was sounding, "It's fine, but what do you mean, maybe?" she questioned of him.

"Look, there's nothing to worry about. I'm okay," he assured.

"Steven…" his girlfriend uttered over the phone in concern.

"I should go," he realized, "I don't wanna wake up the Gems," he pointed out, glancing off to the side.

"But they don't even sleep!" Connie pointed out.

"Uh, bye!" Steven exclaimed in farewell, abruptly ending the call. He groaned as he put his phone away, followed by looking down at his feet, the right of which no longer had a sandal upon it. He looked at his hands for a moment, hearing a buzzing coursing through his body as it kept glowing.

All of a sudden, he tensed up, grabbing his head in pain. Sweat trickled down his face. He didn't realize he was unconsciously turning on the television in front of him, playing back recent memories of him crashing his father's van, shattering Jasper, and nearly shattering White. He gasped as he looked up to see the TV on, getting up from the bed and going over to turn it off the second he could. But once he did, he was able to see his reflection. He gasped upon seeing his diamond-shaped irises. He grew even more panicked, looking closely at the reflection as he checked his eyes. They weren't changing. He fell back in shock.

"No! No-n-n-n-no!" he stammered out in denial, "Th-Th-This isn't happening…!" he stuttered on, "I didn't think about shattering White, I-I-I didn't shatter Jasper, I didn't fight with Dad, I…" he listed off quickly, trying to reject all that had happened. He then forced a smile. "I'm Steven Universe!" he exclaimed, looking over to a portrait of himself as a cupid with Garnet. He got up and walked over to it. "I'm fine…" he affirmed, "I'm fine!" he echoed again, only to wind up cracking the glass from his shout's force. He noticed and grimaced.

"Steven?! Is that you?!" Pearl's voice cried out in question, causing him to blink in surprise.

"Are Akko and Diana with you?!" Izuku's voice chimed in. He was the first to come up the stairs, only to widen his eyes in shock upon seeing the human/Gem hybrid's appearance. Amethyst ran in next.

"What happened?" she asked as she was followed by Pearl, who tripped at the top step, but thankfully didn't fall down.

"Are you okay?" she asked, with Garnet coming up after her. They all gathered together in front of Steven, evidently stunned by his appearance. But he was smiling.

"I'm fine," he assured, while the Gems gasped. It only seemed like he had gotten worse from his visit to Homeworld. And Izuku could immediately tell that he was feigning his condition. "Going to see the Diamonds was a waste of time," he claimed with a shrug, "I thought I needed to figure myself out, but I know who I am," he affirmed to the group, "I'm Steven Universe!" he exclaimed, "I help people, I don't... hurt them," he mentioned.

"Steven…" the One For All inheritor uttered out.

"Dude, what's going on?" Amethyst asked with a grimace, "You look really different…" she pointed out.

"Pfft, I'm still good ol' Steven!" the human/Gem hybrid responded as he scoffed.

"Steven…" Garnet uttered, tapping her shades to make them disappear, revealing her three concerned eyes, "we're worried…" she admitted to him.

"I'm okay," he assured with a nod, "Really!" he exclaimed. The Gems all shared a concerned look. And then, Izuku sighed.

"Sorry, but that's not going to fly by me," he stated apologetically.

"Wh-What?" Steven stuttered with a nervous grin.

"What happened on Homeworld?" the One For All inheritor asked as he approached him, "Why aren't Akko and Diana here with you?" he inquired on, "If nothing's wrong, shouldn't they be here to let us know you're doing fine, too?" he added in question. Almost unconsciously, the human/Gem hybrid clenched his fists. He took a deep breath.

"You know, everything's gone downhill since I quit running Little Homeschool," he pointed out, immediately dodging the questions and changing the subject to Izuku's shock, "I should head over there and make myself useful!" he decided, "I'll see you all there," he said, speeding out of the room as everyone else was in slow motion. He zoomed down the beach and into town, passing by the Big Donut. The donut sign on the roof leaned forward as he dashed past. He noticed and quickly went over to leap up, fixing it back into place. Back in the house, everyone looked to the stairs where Steven had gone.

"Talk about a dodge…" Amethyst muttered out.

"It's obvious something's wrong!" Pearl affirmed as she smacked herself in the face, "Why won't he tell us?!" she questioned frantically.

"I'm not sure myself…" Garnet admitted with a shake of her head, "Deku?" she said to the One For All inheritor, who sighed.

"I can't say for sure, either…" he confessed, "It might be he's too prideful to admit he needs help or that he thinks this is all just natural…" he inferred.

"Uh, this is anything but natural," Amethyst argued, crossing her arms over her chest.

"It's a case of déjà vu for you, huh Deku?" Katsuki's voice chimed in as he walked up, getting the group's attention. His rival clenched his fists. Just then, a green portal appeared on the porch, causing those in the house to look over to see Atsuko, Diana and Spinel walk out from it. After a moment, they gathered inside, with the brunette-haired witch sharing a comforting hug with Izuku.

"I'm sorry we couldn't stop him…" she apologized.

"Don't be," the One For All inheritor insisted, pulling back to look her in the eyes, "With the way Steven is now, it'd be hard for anyone to try and stop him," he admitted.

"Brat's being all stubborn, too…" Katsuki muttered.

"That's the perfect word to describe it…" Diana agreed.

"Okay, so what exactly happened on Homeworld that made Steven leave?" Pearl inquired, chiming into the conversation.

"Did the Diamonds try to help him?" Garnet asked.

"Yeah, they all did," Spinel replied, getting the Crystal Gems' attentions, "Every time they tried to help, Steven just seemed to get… angrier," she recalled, clutching his missing sandal in her left hand, "And it was only worse when he went to White…" she mentioned worriedly.

"What does that mean?" Amethyst asked.

"White's new ability allows for Gems to take control of her instead of the other way around," Diana explained in reply, "Like talking to a mirror, for instance," she emphasized, "White let Steven take control and…" she continued, only to rescind as she grimaced a little.

"And… what?" Pearl uttered in confusion, awaiting an answer, but also dreading it.

"Steven freaked out because he was a Diamond, basically," Atsuko replied, "He got all worked up, probably because he remembered what White did to him the last time…" she mentioned, tensing up.

"So what happened next?" Katsuki asked. The brunette-haired witch tensed up again, recalling the moment where she and Diana were screaming for Steven to stop when he tried to shatter White's gem. Taking notice, Izuku put a hand onto her shoulder.

"It's okay," he assured, "You don't need to say anything," he affirmed reassuringly, "If Steven's not gonna talk either, he won't have to," he added on, "We're getting him back here, and then we'll go to Omni Force Tower," he decided firmly. Those in the room shared nods of agreement after a moment.

"First, we need to make sure we can at least get him here," Garnet noted, having her shades reappear over her eyes in a flash of sparkling light.

"We should probably have Greg come over, too," Pearl advised.

"Don't forget Connie," Atsuko mentioned, "I'm sure she's probably worried sick herself," she pointed out.

"Then it's settled," the fusion of the group decided, "Let's move," she said.

X

Things have only worsened instead of getting better. Through his insistence to help others, Steven's only shown signs of his powers growing ever out of his control. Yet he still smiles, trying to feign any sort of issue he may be having.

And thus, he's only made things more difficult for those around him. Between ruining Peridot's horticulture class with plant versions of himself to overdoing it at Bismuth's workshop by shattering an anvil in half with just a tiny hammer. Even when something went right, his excitement could shatter glass.

So now, it's come to the point where everyone knows that things are grim for our hero borne of man and Gem. And his friends have no time to squabble over the pettiest of details. It's time for a talk…

"Thanks for getting in touch with me…" Connie said gratefully as she approached the Crystal Gems and the multiversal guests, "I talked to Steven this morning and he sounded… off…" she admitted, "Is his body swelling up again?" she inferred with a concerned look. Everyone glanced to each other, wondering how best to approach the situation.

"…You should sit down," Katsuki advised after a moment. Greg was in the living room as well, drinking some water with Connie as their expressions showed worry.

"So… Steven went out to the woods after our trip, went to Homeworld…" the former of the two listed off, "and now he's come back… all puffed up?" he inquired, arching an eyebrow.

"Like he's been taking steroids, yeah," the Explosion Quirk user responded with a shrug, earning an elbowing from Atsuko in return, "What? I'm right, aren't I?" he inferred.

"We know that the Power Stone is part of these reactions," Izuku stated, "but it's not the main cause," he affirmed on.

"Then what is?" Amethyst asked. Before the One For All inheritor could answer, he and the others heard the whoosh of the warp pad, as the glowing Steven had arrived.

"Steven!" Connie exclaimed.

"Huh?" he uttered in surprise, seeing her there alongside the others.

"I knew it!" she noted aloud with fright, "You are swelling and glowing again!" she pointed out, "I've been trying to call you, but…" she continued, pulling out her phone, "I came as soon as I saw this," she confirmed, showing her boyfriend her device's screen. He was upon it, glowing and swelled up, all while dancing with a smile on his face.

"Steven's here to help! Steven's here to help! Steven's here to help!" he repeated.

"What is going on?!" Connie asked frantically.

"I… broadcast my subconscious sometimes these days…" Steven admitted in response as he approached, "It's really no big deal," he claimed with a shrug.

"Okay, but…" his girlfriend continued, "I can tell something is bothering you…" she noted, holding up her phone again. The message continued normally at first, but some static changed it.

"Help! Steven! Steven! Help! Steven!" the human/Gem hybrid's voice said repeatedly, switching between the two words in an almost frantic manner.

"Yeah, that doesn't sound like nothing's bothering you…" Atsuko chimed in as she stepped forward.

"Ah, I don't know what you're talking about…" Steven claimed dismissively, "I'm fine!" he assured as he put his hands onto his chest, "Awesome, in fact," he added as he glanced off to the side, "Come on, you've seen me when I wasn't doing well," he pointed out to the group.

"Not doing well is different compared to this," Izuku stated firmly.

"Steven, if being like this is what you want, then we'll support you one hundred percent," Greg told his son, "Whatever makes you happy," he affirmed on, "But, if you're not happy, if something's wrong—"

"Nothing's wrong!" the human/Gem hybrid interjected, holding his hands out, "Besides, I don't want you to worry," he mentioned to the group.

"We are worried!" Connie pointed out frantically.

"Steven…" Greg continued, "you know you can tell us anything," he promised.

"Yeah…" Spinel chimed in as she approached with his missing sandal in her hands, "We're your friends, right?" she said, giving him a grin. He looked down for a moment in thought, and then frowned.

"It's not that easy!" he suddenly shouted to everyone's surprise, "You know what? I don't have to deal with this!" he proclaimed, heading toward the door. However, he was stopped as Izuku grabbed him by his left arm. Amethyst, Pearl, Connie and Katsuki blocked off his way to the door, while Garnet, Atsuko and Diana stood behind him, preventing him from going to the warp pad.

"Hold up, dude," Amethyst insisted with outstretched arms.

"Steven, you have to stop running," Garnet insisted of him.

"Please," Greg pleaded as he stood up.

"It's not good for anyone if you don't at least talk about whatever you're dealing with," Izuku pointed out, "We can help you…" he assured on. The human/Gem hybrid appeared frustrated. And then, his body started seizing up, forcing the One For All inheritor to step back. His head swelled to the group's shock as they heard him groan uncomfortably, followed by it returning to normal.

"Steven, we should get you back to the hospital," Connie insisted.

"HOSPITAL?!" Amethyst and Pearl screamed simultaneously in shock.

"When were you in the hospital?!" the latter of the two inquired.

"You didn't tell them?!" Connie asked of her pained boyfriend. He groaned, swelling up yet again. His breath was quickening.

"It wasn't that important, you guys…" he claimed.

"Steven, you're not sounding like yourself…" Atsuko pointed out, "We'd always tell you if something happened or something went wrong!" she mentioned emphatically.

"We'd rather not have to take you back to Omni Force Tower over all this," Izuku added, "Please… just talk to us…" he pleaded to the human/Gem hybrid, who nervously chuckled.

"You're making a big deal out of nothing," he insisted in response, "Have I done some things wrong? Sure!" he admitted to the group, "I trashed the house today, I broke an anvil," he listed off, "What teenager hasn't?" he joked, though no one laughed, "Dad and I had a little disagreement," he mentioned as Connie and the Gems turned their questioning gazes onto him, only for him to shrug with confusion, "That's practically a rite of passage!" Steven proclaimed, "I mean, it would be weird if we didn't, right?" he presumed dismissively.

"Steven… hey…" Atsuko uttered.

"And maybe… I've had a not-so-nice thought or two about, like, you know, slamming White Diamond's head through a pillar," he confessed to the shock of everyone, especially Spinel and the witches, who didn't expect him to blatantly admit it, "but i-it's not like I actually went through with it!" he pointed out, laughing a little, "I only actually shattered Jasper!" he exclaimed. Everyone's eyes widened with horror. Pearl actually gasped. Even though she and Crystal Gems knew about what happened with the former soldier, she was stunned to hear Steven admit it himself.

"WHAT?!" Amethyst screamed, just as surprised as well. Spinel's eyes were widened, Diana put her hands over her mouth, Atsuko tensed up, Katsuki narrowed his eyes, and Izuku grimaced. Both Greg and Connie gasped as well.

"You're…You're joking, right?" the latter of the two stuttered in question, sounding heartbroken that her boyfriend would do such a thing.

"He's not…" Izuku confirmed in reply.

"Oh, don't worry! I fixed that too!" Steven chimed in, smiling all the while, "I can fix anything!" he proclaimed with a maniacal grin on his face, "I can just keep messing up and fixing things forever, and you'll never have to know or think about any of it!" he told those around him.

"Steven…" Garnet uttered in disbelief, reaching out to him. Everyone was left practically speechless. Putting his left hand up to his head, the human/Gem hybrid gasped.

"How messed up is that?" he questioned in realization, "That I've gotten away with this for so long…" he growled out, "You have no idea how bad I am!" he added with frustration.

"Steven, please calm down…" Diana pleaded, holding her hands out to him.

"Y-You think I'm so great, and I'm so mature, and I always know what to do," he listed off, while Pearl put her left fist up to her mouth in horror, Amethyst grimaced, and Connie's face remained frozen with shock, "but that's not true!" he exclaimed angrily, "I haven't learned a thing from my problems!" he proclaimed as he slouched, "They've all just made me worse!" he added as his father looked on, astonished by his ranting, "You think of me as some angel, but…" he continued as Garnet looked down and grimaced, "I'm not that kid anymore!" he yelled.

"Steven…" Spinel uttered out with tears pricking her eyes. No one dared to approach the human/Gem hybrid, whose scowl was unnerving. But then, his expression softened.

"I'm a fraud…" he said guiltily, falling to his hands and knees as a sob left his lips. He took a deep breath as he lied upon the floor. "I'm a fraud…" he repeated sadly.

"Steven, come on…" Izuku pleaded as he approached, "We only want to—" All of a sudden, the human/Gem hybrid's body started shaking violently as he grabbed his head with both hands, enticing the One For All inheritor to back away.

"I'm a monster!" he exclaimed, followed by massive pink spikes bursting out of his back, tearing through his shirt. Everyone stepped back, terrified. They had no idea what they were about to face…

X

Large thuds shook the ground. Everywhere from Beach City to Little Homeworld could feel the sudden tremors, including Peridot and Bismuth, who were cleaning up wreckage to the Gem sanctuary. Citizens looked toward the lighthouse hill, widening their eyes.

There stood a massive hot-pink humanoid saurian with white-pink spikes protruding from his back and elbows and four spikes on his face, two of which were like tusks and the other two like horns. He had a hunched back and muscular build with an armored carapace, a potbelly with a gemstone where his navel would be, digitigrade arms and legs with five dark pink claws on the end of each and a short tail with two more spikes. His face had a pig-like nose, dark eyes with small pink pupils and a mouth of sharp teeth.

"RRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" he roared loudly, his voice echoing across the land. From the tower at Little Homeworld, Lapis was witnessing the scene alongside a few other shocked Gems.

"What?" she uttered in disbelief, widening her eyes. Moments later, she arrived at the Beach House via the warp pad with Peridot and an armored Bismuth.

"Reinforcements are—! Huh?" the blacksmith uttered, interjecting herself out of surprise. She and her fellow Gems were shocked to see the gaping hole at the front of the house, which looked completely demolished. Outside, the monster stomped about. They walked outside onto the porch, seeing the others below on the beach.

"Just calm down, son!" Greg pleaded loudly, "Take deep breaths!" he insisted, "Deep breaths!" he emphasized. Garnet and Diana were standing by him as Pearl, Amethyst, Spinel, Izuku, Atsuko and Katsuki were on the sand with Connie and Lion, also trying to get things under control.

"Yeah! Relax, buddy!" Amethyst called out, only for the behemoth's claw to come down towards her and the others.

"Move!" Katsuki yelled, firing off an explosion from his palms to blast himself over and grab the lavender-haired Gem, yanking her aside in the nick of time before she could get crushed.

"What do we do?" Pearl wondered aloud, looking over to Izuku. He grimaced, having no answer. The monstrous creature then turned and roared again, louder than before. Those around flinched and covered their ears. Bismuth and Peridot leapt down onto the beach, as Lapis followed with her watery wings drawn.

"Let's hurry up and clobber that thing!" the ferrokinetic Gem insisted determinedly.

"Stand down, please!" Diana pleaded as she turned to them.

"What for?!" Peridot asked back, quite bewildered by the request.

"And where's Steven?" Lapis inquired as she looked around worriedly.

"That is Steven," Garnet confirmed to the group of Gems.

"WHAT?!" all three of them exclaimed in shock. Just then, Izuku felt a painful twinge in the back of his head, making him wince. He looked up to see the monstrous form of the human/Gem rearing his head back… and bashing it against the cliff of the Crystal Temple. The ground rumbled from the impact, with an avalanche of boulders falling towards those below.

"Everyone, run!" Izuku yelled, letting sparks of green bio-electricity crackle around his body as he leapt up, rearing his left foot back, "Shoot Style…" he began to bellow, "NEW YORK CITY…" he continued, swinging his leg up to fiercely strike one of the falling boulders, "SMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he roared, bashing the rock to pieces as they fell harmlessly onto the sand. Others were caught up in a turquoise, magical light that emanated from the tip of Diana's wand, who sent them down gently.

"He's not listening to us at all!" Amethyst pointed out as the group regathered nearby.

"What happened to him?" Pearl wondered aloud, "The Power Stone's one thing, but shattering Jasper and almost doing the same to White…" she continued, "And now, he's turned into… this thing!" she noted emphatically.

"We can change him back, can't we?!" Connie assumed in panic. Garnet's glance was lowered for a moment.

"As long as he believes he's a monster… he'll stay one," she responded. At that moment, Steven grabbed the sides of the hill as he roared yet again, clawing at it as more rocks tumbled down. Blasting himself up, Katsuki unleashed a flurry of concentrated bursts of explosive energy, destroying the rocks with ease. Still airborne, Izuku grimaced.

"Blackwhip!" he exclaimed, unleashing several black energy tendrils with teal outlines to wrap around the spikes of the monstrous behemoth, pulling him back, "Ergh!" he grunted, clenching his teeth, "Steven… snap out of it!" he insisted, "You're not a monster!" he affirmed, only for the beast to suddenly swing his left arm back, striking him and sending him flying toward the ocean as his tendrils dissipated in the process.

"DEKU!" Atsuko screamed, quickly drawing her wand before cloaking herself in a turquoise light. She sped towards the water before taking a mighty leap into the air, flying up and catching the One For All inheritor in a grunt. "Are you okay?" she inquired with concern.

"Yeah…" he answered as he grimaced, seeing Steven turn and move towards Beach City in the distance.

"We gotta keep him away from the town!" Bismuth insisted of her colleagues.

"Connie, do what you can to protect the townspeople," Garnet advised, looking over to short-haired girl aboard Lion.

"Right!" she responded, allowing for the pink beast to head off with her. The fusion Gem then turned to the trio of Peridot, Lapis, and Bismuth.

"You three, draw him into the ocean and hold him there," she instructed.

"We can help with that," Diana chimed in, approaching alongside Katsuki, while Atsuko and Izuku floated down.

"Sounds like a plan," Garnet concurred with a nod, "Let's go, guys," she beckoned to Amethyst and Pearl, touching their respective shoulders with her hands. A bright light enveloped them as they fused together. Meanwhile, Steven was trying to climb over the lighthouse and head toward the city, roaring all the while. The townspeople ran off, scared of the beast that threatened them.

Alexandrite then leapt up onto his neck, reaching her upper hands out to cover his eyes while using her lower ones to grab ahold of his neck. He roared and flailed, slamming his left arm against the cliff again. He then slammed the fusion up against the hill, causing her to come apart in a flash of light as Pearl, Amethyst and Garnet lied against the rocky surface. Before he could do anything else, Bismuth soared by, being floated thanks to Peridot's ferrokinesis. She struck him upside his right horn, making sparks fly.

"Hey!" Katsuki shouted from below, firing off explosions onto Steven's belly, "Come and get us, you big bastard!" he roared out.

"Murowa!" Diana chanted, having drawn her wand as it unleashed a pale green fireball from its tip, striking the human/Gem hybrid's chest, though it didn't seem to harm him at all as he roared again.

"Well, that got his attention…" Bismuth noted aloud.

"Sorry, Steven!" Peridot called out apologetically. The beast went down on all-fours, hopping after his flying foes.

"Hey, watch out!" Katsuki yelled in panic. Izuku leapt out in an instant, going high above the human/Gem hybrid. He grabbed his right fist with his left hand, shifting it slightly like a throttle for a car.

'Are you sure you want to use that?' the Second User's voice inquired of him through his mind, getting his attention.

"Right now, I don't think I have much of a choice…" he admitted in response, launching himself down toward Steven as he jumped out to the ocean, making Peridot and Bismuth scream with fright. A whirlpool was suddenly formed right under him, while the One For All inheritor reared his fist back. "Detroit…" he started to bellow, "SMMMMAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!" he roared, striking the beast fiercely. As he fell toward the water below, chains of liquid shot up from the whirlpool, wrapping around his wrists and shoulders as they pulled him down in a massive splash. He stood up and roared, struggling against the chains. At the shore, Lapis' fists shook as she was doing her best to maintain control over her water-formed bindings.

"I've got him, but I can't hold him forever!" she confirmed as Pearl, Amethyst and Garnet arrived, while Katsuki, Diana and Atsuko came over.

"Now what do we do?!" the lavender-haired Gem wondered aloud as Bismuth and Peridot came down alongside Izuku.

"We can't just leave him like this!" Pearl pointed out seriously.

"We need to reach him in there," Garnet noted as Greg approached, grimacing at the sight of his restrained son, "We need to bring out his humanity," she added.

"Huh…" Amethyst sighed, "You know who would be great at that?" she questioned of the group.

"Who?!" the others aside from the multiverse guests inquired frantically.

"STEVEN!" Amethyst exclaimed in response with outstretched arms. The human/Gem hybrid himself struggled against the chains, trying to break free. Spinel watched on in utter shock.

"…I did this…" she suddenly said, causing the others to turn to her.

"Spinel?" Atsuko uttered.

"The Injector… the Rejuvenator…" she listed off, "I-I used them against Steven and then… after that…" she continued, letting tears roll down her face, "this happened!" she exclaimed, gesturing toward the monstrous form of the human/Gem hybrid.

"No!" Atsuko exclaimed, grabbing her by her shoulders, "Spinel, this isn't your fault!" she assured emphatically, "Those bad guys were the ones who put you up to that, remember?!" she questioned of her.

"Makes you wonder if this was their plan from the beginning…" Katsuki inferred aloud, getting his rival's attention. At that moment, they saw Steven struggle harder against the water chains.

"Agh!" Lapis grunted, evidently strained, "Can… someone help?!" she requested desperately.

"On it!" the Explosion Quirk user responded, launching himself forward over the ocean with another blast.

"D-Don't hurt him!" Pearl stammered out. Katsuki condensed his blasts before unleashing them, propelling himself even faster toward his target. He first went over and fired off a blast onto the beast's right arm, then his left, forcing them to fall slightly under the tug of the water chains. He followed with one more explosion to the face of the human/Gem hybrid.

"RRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" he roared again angrily, having a purple light build up within his mouth. Gasping, the Explosion Quirk user blasted himself away before he could end up getting struck by the beam of luminosity Steven released, striking the water below, resulting in a massive explosion. Those on the beach widened their eyes with fright.

"This… is unreal…" Diana commented, utterly shocked.

"How can we even try to bring out his humanity when he's like this?!" Peridot inquired frantically.

"I… don't know…" Garnet admitted, looking down ashamedly. No one seemed to have an answer as to how to calm him down. And time was ticking. Suddenly, a shadow came over the group, getting their attentions as they looked up.

"Wait… is that…?" Izuku started to inquire. Atsuko smiled with hope.

"They made it!" she exclaimed, seeing the legless Diamond Ship land down beside the group.

"Wait, you told them to come here?!" Amethyst inquired of the brunette-haired witch, "Are you trying to make things worse?!" she questioned on angrily.

"No, they should be able to help!" Diana affirmed in response. As an opening to the ship formed, it allowed for the trio of Diamonds to exit. They all gasped upon seeing the monster submerged and chained in the whirlpool.

"What in the world is that?!" Yellow exclaimed out of shock, while Blue put her hands over her mouth. White had a hardened expression after a moment.

"We can worry about that later," she stated seriously, "Where is Steven?" she asked, "We're here to help him however we can," she declared.

"And whatever is that monster?" Blue inquired on, quite concerned.

"That monster is Steven…" Garnet confirmed in response, causing the trio of Diamonds to gasp.

"WHAT?!" Yellow exclaimed.

"Impossible…!" White gasped out.

"Is he… corrupted?" Blue wondered in a breaking voice.

"I think that's one way to put it…" Atsuko answered, looking back at the monster struggling against Lapis' water chains, "Between the Power Stone in his gem and the fact that he's been under a lot of stress lately, this looks like a really extreme reaction," she explained.

"That explains things…" Yellow concluded, putting a hand onto her chin, "Steven would've never lashed out at us if he knew we were trying to help him…" she presumed.

"Whatever events he's been through, it's damaged his humanity and made him… that beast…" Blue realized, tearing up a little.

"Never mind that," Izuku chimed in, turning to face the human/Gem hybrid in the whirlpool, "We need to change him back somehow," he advised of the group, clenching his fists.

"Leave it to me," Yellow insisted, rubbing her hands together as her sparking, electrical aura flickered upon her fingers. She held her right one out, firing an energy ray toward the subdued beast. It struck his head, causing it to start shrinking. However, the aura itself immediately dissipated as he reverted his head back to its full size, roaring afterwards.

"What?!" Diana exclaimed, having remembered how easily Yellow had changed Steven's form back when they were on Homeworld. She herself was just as surprised.

"With my new power, I should be able to alter his physical form…" she noted aloud.

"He's resisting," Blue realized, taking on a hardened expression herself, "Maybe he needs to feel better first," she suggested, "I can help with that," she affirmed, conjuring up a cloud over her left hand.

"The hell's a cloud gonna do?" Katsuki inquired, arching an eyebrow.

"That should work!" Atsuko exclaimed, "Blue can calm Steven down if she hits him with her clouds, like being sung a lullaby or something!" she explained. The Diamond blew the cloud out toward the entrapped beast, who took notice of it. He roared again, forcing it back directly at Blue.

"Look out!" Yellow yelped as she shoved her fellow Diamond aside, taking the cloud as it struck, bursting apart. And then, she burst out laughing. "Wow!" she exclaimed in between laughs, putting a hand onto Blue's shoulder, "Your new power didn't work, either!" she noted with a few more giggles.

"Oh, now what?!" Amethyst exclaimed with frustration.

"The longer we leave Steven like this, the more likely he is to stay this way…" Pearl noted with panic in her tone, "We can't change his form or his mood…" she mentioned on, "What else can we try?" she wondered aloud.

"Enough," White said as she stepped forward, "I know exactly how to help," she affirmed confidently, walking toward Steven as she waded through the ocean water, "If I connect with him, and he speaks through me," she began, "maybe we'll understand what he's going through," she inferred, standing at the edge of the whirlpool as the beast looked down at her.

"White, are you sure?!" Atsuko called out worriedly, "What about what happened the last time?!" she inquired aloud. The Diamond smiled, turning to glance back at her and the others.

"It's alright, Akko," she assured, "Now then…" she continued, "Do you hear me, Steven?" she questioned of the human/Gem hybrid, letting her own gemstone glow as it and the colors of the atmosphere around them changed, "Just relax and let me in," she advised as she closed her eyes. The changing colors only seemed to further anger the beast, who roared as he continued struggling against the chains around his wrists. "Wait…" White uttered, starting to sound strained. Her eyes opened as they flashed a bright magenta. "Ahh!" she shrieked, falling backwards.

"White!" Yellow cried out as she and Blue ran over to catch her before she could fall into the water.

"What happened?!" Blue asked as they sat their fellow Diamond up.

"Oh…" she groaned out, followed by widening her eyes with horror, "That's not Steven anymore!" she exclaimed, much to everyone's shock. The beast roared, raising his arms as the water chains trembled.

"I-I can't hold him much longer!" Lapis stuttered out, her arms shaking as sweat trickled down her face.

"Kacchan, let's go!" Izuku insisted of his rival, enticing him to follow as they both leapt out towards the human/Gem hybrid. However, he took notice of them, making his eyes and spikes glow a bright purple. Both heroes widened their eyes. The beast then let out big, furious roar, with shockwaves of energy blasting out and sending the water away from him in an instant.

The blast's force was enough to knock Izuku and Katsuki away, with it also crashing onto the Diamonds, the Gems, Greg, and the witches. They were all blown back. Even as Garnet tried to withstand the shockwave's force, she found herself swept away along with the others. The Diamond Ship toppled over as well, lying on its side.

The water rushed back toward Steven, splashing over him. He didn't pay it any mind, glaring ahead. Garnet tried to stand back up, but suddenly unfused into Ruby and Sapphire, who lied upon the sandy beach.

"Agh…" Atsuko groaned as she pushed herself up onto her hands and knees. She looked around with widened eyes to see everyone downed around her. Izuku descended from above with Katsuki held in his arms, landing beside the brunette-haired witch.

"He's way too strong…" he pointed out, setting his rival down as he fell to his knees with a grunt.

"It's that damn stone…" he muttered with a grimace, "If it weren't for that, maybe those giants' powers would've worked…" he grumbled on.

"I don't even think the stone's a factor anymore…" Atsuko chimed in to their surprise, "Steven's just… too far gone…" she admitted as her lips quivered, "All that frustration… guilt… stress…" she listed off.

"And the stone's only making it worse with his powers…" Katsuki concluded, looking over to Izuku, who grimaced. They watched the beast wade through the water towards them. But as it stomped onward, lights began emerging from the cracks on the seafloor, coming together. Those on the shore looked on and widened their eyes.

"Is that…?!" the One For All inheritor gasped out. Steven turned to see the form of the Cluster taking the shape of a large arm. It reached out and wrapped around the human/Gem hybrid, trying to pull him back. Clouds overhead veiled the sun as shadows were cast onto the beach.

"Agh…" Diana groaned as she awoke with Pearl. They both looked up to see the geo-weapon now present as it pulled against Steven.

"Guys! Look!" Amethyst cried out as she ran over, "The Cluster is trying to hold Steven back!" she noted as the beast struggled against the geo-weapon, while everyone else managed to regain consciousness.

"I can't believe it!" Peridot exclaimed with fright, "He's even stronger than the Cluster!" she yelled.

"Don't let your guard down," Bismuth advised with clenched fists, "He could break free at any moment," she pointed out.

"Deep inside this… monster…" Pearl began as she watched on, "Steven must be in there, so angry…" she realized.

"I knew something was going on from the day he went to try and help Jasper…" Amethyst mentioned, "I, uh- why didn't I do something?!" she screamed angrily in question as she grabbed at her head.

"Pearl… Amethyst…" Atsuko uttered out.

"If we don't get through to him," Sapphire began as she was crying into her hands, with her wife standing by, "he'll stay like this forever!" she proclaimed, sobbing with Ruby in anguish, while Lapis watched on, just as mortified and saddened by the thought. Greg took a few steps back with a scared and worried look on his face. Amethyst ran over to stop him.

"Dude, you should get outta here before you get hurt!" she insisted of him.

"NO!" he shouted, stomping his left foot down, "Every time Gem stuff happens, I run the other way!" he pointed out, "This is my son!" he affirmed as the human/Gem hybrid roared, "And he's right to be angry because I didn't protect him!" he mentioned firmly.

"Mister Universe…" Izuku uttered.

"You didn't protect him from us!" Blue cried out with anguish, having tears in her eyes, "He's like this because of us!" she whimpered on.

"We're the source of Steven's suffering!" Yellow sobbed out, trying not to cry herself. On the ground, Spinel cried into her hands, pulling her pigtails over to her face to blow her nose out.

"This is my fault!" she proclaimed sadly, sobbing on.

"Spinel…" Atsuko whimpered out.

"Spinel! Don't be silly!" White insisted as tears pricked her own eyes, "Everyone knows that all of this is because of me!" she proclaimed, "I'm the one who removed Steven's gem and made his friends grant him the Power Stone…" she pointed out, sobbing into her hands.

"NO, it's because of ME!" the rubbery Gem argued as a retort, "I tried to wipe his friends' memories, so he would die alone on a barren world!" she pointed out, "And in the end, I just wound up making that Power Stone go crazy and do all this to him!" she mentioned sadly, letting tears streak down her face.

"But that was because you were angry with Pink!" White retorted back, "And if Pink hurt you, it was because I hurt her!" she whimpered out, "Like I hurt Yellow, and Blue, and Steven, and everyone in the entire universe!" she listed off as her tears flowed down her face, "This is all my fault!" she sobbed out.

"Everyone…" Izuku uttered. It seemed like most of those on the beach were feeling hopeless. With how Steven looked, the Gems there all thought that any efforts they could try now would be for naught.

"YES, IT IS!" Connie's voice suddenly bellowed from afar, getting everyone's attention as they turned to see that she had returned aboard Lion, who jumped down onto the beach from the top of the hill.

"Connie!" Atsuko exclaimed.

"Yes, you hurt him!" she pointed out, specifically towards White as she blinked in surprise, "But this isn't the time to make this all about you!" she shouted in frustration, "That is not helping!" she affirmed, "Maybe Steven would care how sad you are because he always puts everyone else's feelings first!" she mentioned on as the sky started clearing overhead, "But he can't do that for you right now, because he needs us this time!" she noted emphatically, "We all had Steven when we needed him," she kept going, "but the only person who's never had Steven is Steven!" she declared, "He's always been there for us, so…" she continued, letting out a sigh as she held her hands over her heart, "How can we be there for him NOW?!" she questioned of those on the beach. Hearing all of that, Izuku slightly widened his eyes in realization. He balled his gloved hands into fists, which Katsuki noticed.

"Deku?" he said, seeing him turn to face Steven, who continued struggling against the Cluster.

"This whole time, I never realized…" the One For All inheritor confessed, "Steven and I… we never really understood each other…" he admitted on, "That's why we were never able to fuse like him and Akko or Connie," he mentioned, taking a ready stance, "But now I understand… what I have to do," he assured.

"You're not planning on trying to fuse with him now, are you?!" Yellow inquired in shock.

"He'll kill you before you get the chance!" Blue proclaimed out of fright.

"I'll be fine," Izuku assured, "Besides…" he continued, "Steven knows that," he mentioned, dashing forward and flying over the water in an instant.

"Deku!" Atsuko screamed. The One For All inheritor flicked his fingers, propelling up into the air as he floated over the human/Gem hybrid. He then rocketed down, rearing his right fist back as an aura built up around his arm.

"Seventy Percent…" he began to bellow, "TEXAS SMMMAAAAASSSSSHHH!" he roared, slamming his fist upside the beast's head, making him cry out in pain.

"Ah!" Pearl gasped out.

"Hey, don't hurt him!" Amethyst yelled, only for Izuku to fly around to the human/Gem hybrid's back, unleashing a pair of black energy tendrils from the sights of his gloves to wrap around the spikes upon his target. He tightened their hold before launching himself forward like ammo from a slingshot.

"SEATTLE SMMMAAAAAASSSSHHHH!" he exclaimed, striking Steven hard and making him falter slightly. He actually gave off an angered look, letting out another powerful roar with a shockwave, blowing the One For All inheritor back. However, he managed to catch himself in midair thanks to the energy tendrils he still had latched to the human/Gem hybrid's spikes. Clenching his teeth, he launched himself at him again. "SAINT LOUIS… SMMMMMMAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he roared, landing a fierce roundhouse kick that forced the beast onto his hands and knees while also allowing the Cluster to get a better grip on him.

"Is this really… the only thing we can do now?" Blue wondered aloud.

"No…" Atsuko answered, getting her attention, "Deku's just doing the easy part for the rest of us," she pointed out, "We need to be the ones to reach out to Steven like Connie said!" she insisted.

"But how?" Yellow asked. At that moment, Ruby and Sapphire looked to each and nodded, holding hands and then fusing into Garnet in a flash of light.

"I know how," she declared, swiping her right hand across her eyes as her visor was summoned over them. A rumble caught the group's attention, causing them to look over. Steven was overpowering the Cluster, throwing the enormous arm down onto the water in a huge splash. After a moment, it completely fizzled out, retreating back underwater into the ground. The human/Gem hybrid then turned and started charging toward the beach. However, he was again intercepted by Izuku, who shifted his right fist into place. He slammed it into his stomach just above his navel.

"TRIPLE…" he started to echo, "DETROOOIIITTT…" he continued, "SMMMMAAAAAAASSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he roared fiercely, sending the beast sliding back along the water. He actually gave off an angered expression, unleashing a massive beam of purple light into the air, blowing any remaining clouds away as the sunlight shone through the sky. The One For All inheritor breathed heavily with exhaustion, keeping his fists clenched.

"Okay, no time to waste!" Garnet exclaimed as she stood up with the others, "Yellow, make me as big as him!" she requested of the Diamond to her right.

"Right!" she responded, taking on a determined expression.

"Blue, lift everyone up!" Garnet advised of the Diamond to her left.

"Of course!" she replied.

"Everyone, get in line!" the fusion instructed of the others.

"You got it!" Greg responded with a salute.

"Katsuki and I will stay here just in case something happens," Diana affirmed, while the Explosion Quirk user scoffed, "Akko, you need to go with them," she insisted of her fellow witch, making her look over at her in surprise, "You're one of the closest people to Steven," she affirmed, "If anyone can help get through to him now, it's you," she added confidently.

"Right," Atsuko agreed as she nodded.

"It's time to show Steven… some love," Garnet declared. The human/Gem hybrid had restarted his charge toward the beach, with Izuku still looming in front of him, ready to counterattack when necessary. However, Lapis suddenly flew over, soar just over the water. Looking back, the One For All inheritor saw that the rest of the group was preparing to make their move. He quickly made the outer layers of his gloves jolt forward, flicking his fingers to unleash pressurized blasts of air onto the beast's face, making him recoil. That allowed for the hydrokinetic Gem to build up a large wave of ocean water.

"Sorry, buddy!" she apologized in advance, letting the wave splash onto Steven, "We need you to stay here!" she yelled, flying off alongside Izuku. With an angered roar, the human/Gem hybrid turned back to charge toward the beach again. But just then…

"STEVEN!" Connie and Atsuko's voices cried out. The latter of the two was flying through the air with a turquoise aura around her form as she, the Diamonds, the Crystal Gems, Spinel, and Greg were all heading towards him, with Bismuth flying thanks to Peridot's ferrokinesis, and Amethyst, Pearl, Spinel, and Greg aboard Blue's created cloud. Garnet was leading the charge, enlarged to the same size as the human/Gem hybrid. Everyone was crying out for him, joined by Izuku and Lapis. The fusion was the first to leap toward him.

"STEVEN!" she exclaimed, causing him to blink in surprise before he wound up tackled into an embrace by her. He struggled against her as she held him tightly, growling and roaring all the while. "Steven…" she uttered calmly, "when I fell apart, you were there for me," she pointed out, "I want to be there for you now," she affirmed, keeping her grip on him firm, "I'm here, Steven," she assured, "I'm here…" she repeated, hugging him closely. His eyes slowly widened as he stopped resisting. His body stood still as the sun beamed down onto him.

"I think it's working!" Atsuko exclaimed with a smile, flying over, "STEVEN!" she cried out, hugging the side of his head, "You showed me that there's always a chance to find the good in people, even ones who don't deserve it," she remembered, "If it weren't for you, I would never be as good of a witch as I am now," she confessed on as tears pricked her eyes, "Please, you're my friend!" she pleaded to him, "I don't want you to suffer like this!" she affirmed, shaking her head. Lapis, Blue, Yellow, White, Bismuth, Peridot, Pearl, Amethyst and Greg followed suit with the embrace, as Spinel went ahead and stretched her arms out around the group, holding them all together. White had an awkward expression upon her face, but she was happy to be of help.

"I'm here, Schtu-ball!" Greg cried out to his transformed son as tears pricked his eyes, "Whatever you need, I'll make it happen!" he promised loudly, "You hear me?!" he yelled on, banging his fists against the beast. The human/Gem hybrid gave off a heartfelt, saddened look.

"STEVEN!" Peridot screamed, "You never gave up on me for some reason I don't understand!" she pointed out, "I'LL DO THE SAME FOR YOU!" she vowed.

"I know you feel bad!" Amethyst chimed in, "Believe me, I get it!" she affirmed sadly, "Sometimes it feels like you're never gonna like yourself but…" she continued, letting out a sniffle, "It's possible, man!" she assured with a smile.

"Steven!" Pearl cried out as her eyes were filled with tears, "I know how awful it feels to keep a part of yourself secret!" she noted to him, "You shouldn't have to hide anything from me!" she affirmed to him. He grunted, his hands trembling. The Cluster then reemerged in its arm-like state, holding his right hand gently. A long moment passed.

And then, a pink portal appeared, with Lion emerging from it as Connie was still upon his back. She jumped off of him in a yell, landing on her boyfriend's nose. She looked up at him for a moment, seeing his shaking eyes as she walked forward and hugged him herself.

"Huh…" she sighed, "Steven…" she uttered, "you must've been so afraid to show us this side of yourself," she realized as tears pricked her eyes, "But we're not going anywhere," she promised, letting the tears flow down her cheeks, "We're all gonna take care of you the same way you take care of us," she affirmed on, "You know what?" she said, breathing out a laugh, "I don't have your powers, but…" she continued, kissing him gently. A pink droplet fell into the ocean, followed by more. They were the tears of the human/Gem hybrid, who whimpered from hearing everyone reaching out to him. Almost everyone. Below, Izuku floated over, approaching the navel of the beast. He rested his hands upon his gem, exhaling a deep breath.

"You know… I never regretted what I did that day," he told his friend, "I wanted to save you more than anything," he pointed out, "so I was willing to sacrifice the stone for that," he confessed further, "I think I understand why we could never fuse before," he mentioned, "It wasn't about us being comfortable or about me wanting to just pull the Power Stone out," he noted, "You were scared that… we wouldn't stay together," he pointed out, "I promise, though," he continued, "I'm always going to be in your corner," he vowed, giving off a smile, "After all, what kind of hero would I be if I couldn't save my own friend?" he questioned rhetorically. Steven's gemstone started glowing, with the One For All inheritor feeling his hand sink into it as he yelped. However, he blinked in realization. He moved himself into the gem as the whole body of the beast glowed, enticing everyone to move back from him. His body shrunk down, enticing the Cluster to hold its palm out for him to stand upon.

Opening his eyes, Izuku found himself in a starry void, looking around curiously. He then spotted Steven himself, who was gazing at his surroundings as well. He took notice of the One For All inheritor, widening his eyes.

"Deku!" he exclaimed, running over to him. He was dressed in his black shirt and jeans, still having one sandal. He panted as he approached, tearing up. "I…I…!" he tried to whimper out, only for the freckled hero to hug him warmly.

"It's okay," he assured calmly, "I know," he affirmed. Hearing that, Steven sobbed into his shoulder. Unbeknownst to either of them, they were being watched from afar by Xiaomei, who smiled. In reality, the others watched in awe as the light around the shrinking form the human/Gem hybrid faded, revealing the tall and well-toned fusion of him and Izuku. He had messy and puffy greenish-black hair, wearing a pink-and-green version of the latter's hero costume, as his black cape had a gold star upon it. His gemstone rested at the center of his navel, which was showing.

"Deku…? Steven…?" Atsuko uttered as she approached the fusion, causing him to open his eyes, "You… fused…" she realized, letting off a little smile.

"Aha…" the fusion known as Steku chuckled out, looking at his hands, "Yeah… we did…" he affirmed, taking a deep breath, "Just… one more minute, okay?" he requested to the group's surprise. Back in the fusion mindscape both Izuku and Steven were in, the former let go of the human/Gem hybrid, stepping back.

"You ready?" he inquired of his friend.

"Yeah," he responded softly with a nod, lifting up the hem of his shirt to reveal his gemstone. Reaching out to it, the One For All inheritor let his fingers sink in before he took hold of something. "You got it?" Steven guessed. Izuku smiled, giving him a nod. As he pulled his fingers away, the starry void around them brightened in a flash of light. In reality, their fusion came apart, with the human/Gem hybrid no longer glowing or swelled. He opened his eyes, seeing that he stood on the open hand of the Cluster.

"Huh?" he uttered as tears pricked his eyes, only for Connie wipe one of them away. He saw everyone around smiling at him with relief. "Wha… I…" he tried to say, tearing up as he sat down, "D-Did I-? I'm-!" Before he could speak further, Lion came into his vision and licked his face affectionately, making him chuckle. "Lion…" he uttered, hugging the pink beast and laughing, "Lion!" he exclaimed happily as tears streaked down his face. He sniffled and sobbed, finally letting out his emotions after so long. It was such a relief for everyone involved.

"Hff…" Atsuko sniffled, wiping her eyes free of tears as she walked over to Izuku, "So… you got it?" she asked of him.

"Yeah," he replied, opening his hand to reveal the Power Stone, though it had no glow.

"Curious…" Yellow said upon noticing, putting her left hand onto her chin, "Could that whole event have drained it of its energy for the moment?" she presumed.

"Perhaps…" White inferred, "But worrying about that can wait," she said to everyone's surprise, "Right now, we need to be here for Steven," she affirmed with a soft smile.

"Agreed," Blue concurred, wiping away her tears. As Greg helped his son back onto his feet to receive warm hugs from some of the Gems, Peridot perked up upon overhearing something.

"Hey… what's going on at the beach?" she asked, getting the group's attention. They looked over to see explosions and magical rays emanating from the shore. There, Katsuki was blasting himself away from a pursuing red Gyarados, who roared before unleashing a fiery beam of energy from its mouth, searing narrowly by him as it struck the ground afar in a powerful explosion. Meanwhile, Diana was running from side-to-side, evading the rays of light shot towards her as she readied her wand.

"Menkarehu Tornare!" she chanted. All of a sudden, a giant fist of rock appeared in the air, slamming down onto the ground and blocking off the incoming rays. Those on the water watched with shocked expressions.

"Whatever is happening over there?" Blue wondered aloud. Izuku's eyes widened. Standing on the beach across from the pair of Katsuki and Diana were Lysandre and Salem.

"Wait…" Pearl uttered, widening her eyes in realization, "Those two are—!" Her exclamation was cut off as a purple portal suddenly opened upon the Cluster. Everyone backed away, witnessing a few figures walk out from it. They were Acnologia, Akande Ogundimu, and Eon.

"Well… it seems we've arrived at just the right time…" the latter of the trio realized, letting off an ominous grin.

END

Uh oh. Just when you thought things had finally settled down… we're taking quite the turn. In all seriousness, I'm super happy that I got this chapter done. And now we've got one more to finish things off for what I hope was an enjoyable story.

Thanks for reading, folks! See you next week!