Andrew's jaw tensed as Steven closed the distance, his axe humming faintly with energy. The Colonel's sharp eyes darted to the fallen soldiers scattered across the room, then back to Steven. His usual composure faltered for just a second before he straightened, locking gazes with him.
Ashley, still gripping Andrew's arm, let out a sharp breath. "You're bold, I'll give you that." She muttered, glancing between Steven and the sealed exit. "But do you have a plan here, or are we just skipping straight to the part where we shoot you full of holes?"
Steven chuckled, twirling his axe once before resting it against his shoulder. "Wouldn't be the first time someone tried," he said casually, his voice low but filled with unmistakable menace. He tilted his head slightly. "But we both know I'm not here to fight, not yet, anyway."
Andrew scoffed. "Then what? You expect me to just hand over classified intel? Surrender?"
Steven nods. "Yeah, pretty much like that."
Fionna stood behind Steven in nervousness and fear. She slowly walks towards Steven and grip his arm. "S-Steven—"
"Not now, Finn." He interrupts. He looks back at Andrew and Ashley with anger. "I want first the truth."
Andrew's expression darkened. "Truth?" he repeated, voice edged with contempt. "What do you know about the truth?"
Steven's fingers clenched around his axe handle. "I know G.U.N. isn't just after me because I'm a 'threat to global security.' I know there's something bigger at play here." His eyes burned with intensity. "And you're going to tell me what it is."
Andrew clench his teeth and sighs. "... You truly have no idea, no? You're not human, Steven. At least, not entirely."
Steven's grip on his axe tightened. His breath hitched for just a moment, but he masked it with a scoff. "That's a hell of a way to dodge the question, Andrew."
Andrew's expression was unreadable, but the weight behind his words lingered in the air. "It's not a dodge. It's the truth. You're half human and half alien, a species we called 'Gems'."
Fionna's breath caught in her throat. "What?" She whispered, looking up at Steven.
Steven, however, didn't react immediately. He simply stared at Andrew, eyes unreadable. His grip on the axe didn't loosen, but he didn't speak. The silence stretched between them, thick with tension.
Ashley narrowed her eyes. "You mean to tell me he didn't know?" She huffed a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "Unbelievable. You'd think someone with powers like his would've figured it out by now."
Steven finally moved, he took a step closer, lowering his voice to something even more dangerous. "You're lying."
Andrew met his gaze evenly. "I'm not. And I can show you the reason we are trying to capture you."
Steven stares at them and sighs. He infuses his energy into the axe and break a hole through the wall. He looks at the Colonel and the Commander. "Show me what you mean."
Andrew nods and begin walking deeper into the facility.
Steven and Fionna follow him closely, the soldiers looking at them incredulous and even pointing their guns at them.
Soon, the four of them stand ahead to a steel door with a sign CONTAINMENT SECTOR. Colonel Andrew sighs and inserts a password into a terminal, making the door open.
In the section, dozens and dozens of cells. They walk into the sector, analyzing them.
Fionna looks around in awe and dread. "What is this…?"
Andrew looks at Fionna and clap his hands, making the lights turn on and revealing what's inside the cells: Several creatures with gemstones on their bodies, one in each. Most of the creatures look like animals and are clearly hostile.
Steven's breath hitched at the sight before him. Rows of containment cells stretched down the long, sterile hallway, each one housing a creature unlike anything he had ever seen. Their glowing gemstones pulsed faintly, embedded in various parts of their bodies, foreheads, chests, even limbs. Some resembled distorted animals, others were monstrous amalgamations of different forms, their eyes gleaming with raw hostility.
Fionna swallowed hard, her grip tightening on Steven's arm. "What… the hell are these things?"
Andrew stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back. His expression remained cold and unreadable. "These are what remains of the other Gems we've captured. Or at least, what we call 'Wild Gems'. Gems that have these animalistic features and no rational mind." Andrew pauses and look at one of the 'Wild Gems'. "We call them 'Wild' because we got evidence that there are sentient Gems, although we never have seen any… not until we discovered you."
Steven stood frozen, his gaze locked onto the eerie sight before him. The creatures, Wild Gems, as Andrew called them, snarled and clawed at the reinforced glass of their cells. Their glowing gemstones pulsed erratically, as if reacting to his presence.
Fionna shuddered. "So you've just been… keeping them locked up? Experimenting on them?"
Ashley crossed her arms. "Containment is necessary. You've seen what they're capable of. We can't risk letting them run wild."
Steven turned his head slightly, his voice dangerously low. "And what exactly are they capable of?"
Andrew gestured toward one of the cells. Inside, a creature resembling a massive, wolf-like beast prowled restlessly. Its fur shimmered unnaturally, and a jagged gemstone jutted out from its forehead. "That one wiped out an entire recon team. Took fifteen heavily armed soldiers to take it down, and even then, it didn't die. It just… reformed."
Fionna stiffened. "Reformed?"
Ashley nodded. "They don't die like we do. Their bodies explode in mist leaving only the gemstone, and after some time, they return."
Steven looks at her in annoyance. "Yeah, like that one you sent to go after me."
Ashley smirks. "C'mon, it was necessary to tag you." She says playfully.
Steven rolls his eyes. "And what do you mean when you say I'm only 'Half-Gem'?"
Andrew's gaze turned cold as he spoke, his voice measured. "Because you are. We got exams with some strands of your hair a few years ago, and the exams showed you have human DNA, more specifically, you're a son of a man called 'Gregory DeMayo', but we have no sign of your mother. We believe you're a hybrid of a sentient Gem and this 'Gregory'."
Steven's mind raced, his heart pounding in his chest as Andrew's words hit him like a freight train. Half-Gem? The revelation was jarring, like a puzzle piece he'd never known was missing finally slamming into place. His grip tightened around the handle of his axe, his knuckles turning white. He wanted to lash out, to demand more answers, but the weight of the information left him momentarily speechless.
Fionna looked up at him, confusion and concern in her eyes. "Wait… you're saying you have alien blood in you?" She asked, voice barely above a whisper. Her words cut through the heavy silence, but they barely seemed to reach Steven's ears. His mind was still reeling.
Steven stands still, lost in thought, trying to process everything. He unconsciously grips Fionna's arm and puller her closer seeking something to ground himself.
The silence in the containment sector hung heavy, broken only by the muffled growls and screeches of the Wild Gems from their cells. Steven, still processing the bombshell Andrew had just dropped, barely registered Fionna's presence next to him. His thoughts were racing, memories and fragments of his life swirling in a chaotic storm.
Half-Gem. Half-alien. His very identity was now in question. The revelation sent a jolt of cold fear through his veins, but it was quickly replaced with a deep, simmering rage he couldn't quite put into words.
"Steven..." Fionna's voice cut through the haze in his mind. She was looking at him with a mix of confusion and concern. Her fingers gently pried his hand away from her arm, her touch grounding him.
He blinked, slowly looking down at her, his grip loosening. He hadn't even realized he'd been holding her so tightly. "Sorry." He muttered, voice hoarse. His throat felt tight, and his jaw clenched as if to keep the flood of emotions in check.
Before Andrew could say anything further, Ashley pulled him away from them out of the section and closing the door quickly.
The Colonel look at the Commander confused and serious. "Ashley, what is the meaning of—"
"Andrew, this is our chance!" Ashley protests, showing the control to the Wild Gems' cells.
Andrew's gaze flickered to Ashley, his brows furrowing as he processed her urgency. "What are you talking about, Ashley?" he demanded, his voice tight with suspicion.
Ashley glanced back toward Steven and Fionna before locking eyes with the Colonel. Her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. "Think about it. Steven doesn't know the full extent of his powers. He's been using energy on instinct, and we've seen how it affects the Gems. What if we could use him to control them? To harness their abilities for our own purposes?"
Andrew's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. "You want to use him as a weapon?"
Ashley nodded sharply. "Why else do you think we've been tracking him all this time? He's the key to something bigger than just an experiment. We've had success with the 'Wild Gems', but imagine what we could do if we unlock Steven's true potential."
Andrew clenched his fists, visibly torn. "We can't just use him like that. We can't risk letting someone like him get out of control."
Ashley's eyes flared with impatience. "It's already too late for control, Andrew. The question is whether we can control him before he figures it out himself."
Steven and Fionna, unaware of the conversation behind the doors, stood in tense silence. Fionna kept her eyes on Steven, her hand hovering near his shoulder as if ready to steady him at a moment's notice.
Steven's thoughts were still spinning from the revelation. Half-Gem? Alien blood? The information felt like a heavy weight-bearing down on him, threatening to crush whatever sense of identity he had left. He could feel his emotions bubbling just under the surface, anger, confusion, betrayal… all jostling for attention.
Fionna watched him closely, noticing the tight set of his jaw, the way his fists trembled as if wanting to lash out at something, anything.
"Hey..." Fionna whispered, her voice low and gentle. "Are you okay?"
Steven exhaled through his nose, trying to steady himself. "I don't know." He muttered, his voice hoarse. "I don't even know who the hell I am anymore."
Fionna looks away and hesitantly put a hand on his shoulder. "W-Well… At least for me, you're Steven…" She smiles at him shyly.
Steven glances at her in silence. This simple sentence and gesture made all the weight feel much, much lighter. His expression softened, and his voice sounded quieter. "... Finn…" He suddenly pulls her for a tight hug. "... Thanks."
Fionna was caught off guard by the sudden embrace, her breath hitching for a moment. But she quickly relaxed, her arms hesitating before they gently wrapped around Steven. She could feel the tension slowly easing out of him, even as his heartbeat was still erratic, like a storm still raging beneath the surface.
"You're welcome." She whispered softly, her voice warm and steady despite the chaos that surrounded them.
Andrew and Ashley watch from the door window. Andrew sighs and start typing on the terminal to open the door and go talk to Steven and Fionna, but Ashley quickly stops him and opens the cages of all the Wild Gems.
The heavy clank of locks disengaging echoed through the containment sector, followed by the slow hiss of reinforced steel doors sliding open. A moment of silence stretched between them, tense, foreboding. Then, the Wild Gems moved.
The wolf-like creature Andrew had pointed out earlier was the first to react, stepping cautiously from its cell, its glowing gemstone pulsing in response to the change. The other Wild Gems followed, creeping into the open with twitching limbs and glowing eyes. Some moved on all fours, others upright, their forms unnatural and unsettling.
Fionna stiffened. "Uh... Steven?" she whispered, her fingers instinctively gripping his sleeve.
Steven turned toward the cells just in time to see the first creature snarl, its gemstone flaring brighter. His entire body tensed as realization dawned. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
Andrew turned sharply to Ashley. "Ashley, what the hell are you doing?!"
Ashley smirked, stepping back toward the door as her hand hovered over the terminal. "Like I said, Colonel, control. Either he stops them... or they tear him apart."
Andrew's eyes widened in horror. "You just put the entire facility at risk!"
"Correction, I put him at risk," Ashley said coldly. "And if he really is the key to all of this, he'll survive. If not… well, at least we'll have our answer."
The creatures let out a chorus of guttural growls and hisses as their predatory eyes fixed on Steven and Fionna. One of them, a massive feline-like beast with jagged crystalline claws, let out an ear-splitting screech before lunging forward.
Steven barely had time to react. He shoved Fionna back, raising his axe just in time to block the creature's swipe. Sparks flew as the claws clashed against the charged weapon, the force of impact sending a shockwave through the air.
Fionna stumbled but quickly regained her footing. She looked in fear and desperation. "Steven, what do we do?!"
Steven gritted his teeth as the feline-like Wild Gem pressed against his axe, its crystalline claws screeching against the energized metal. The pressure was immense, but he forced his muscles to hold steady.
Without him noticing, another Wild Gem comes and slashes at him, sending him back.
Steven grunted as he hit the ground, pain jolting through his body. His axe skidded across the floor, landing just out of reach. The Wild Gem that had struck him, a reptilian creature with jagged crystal scales, let out a guttural hiss, its gemstone pulsing ominously.
Fionna gasped and scrambled toward him. "Steven—!"
Before she could reach him, another Wild Gem, a hulking bear-like beast with a jagged amethyst embedded in its shoulder, lunged between them. It let out a deafening roar, its massive claws swiping dangerously close to her. Fionna barely managed to roll out of the way, her heart hammering in her chest.
Andrew cursed under his breath and reached for his sidearm, but Ashley grabbed his wrist. "Ah-ah, Colonel. Let's see what he does first." Her tone was smug, but her eyes gleamed with sharp interest.
Steven gritted his teeth, pushing himself onto his knees. His pulse pounded in his ears as the creatures closed in. His fingers twitched, instinctively reaching for his axe, but it was too far. The reptilian Wild Gem slithered closer, its crystal fangs gleaming in the dim light.
Steven glances at Fionna and widens his eyes at the sight of another Wild Gem lunging at her. In a surge of energy, he props himself to his feet and rushes at Fionna, dodging other Wild Gems that try to strike him.
At the last second, he manages to strike a charged swing from his axe at the creature, cutting its head and puffing it. Steven quickly grabs Fionna and goes inside an empty cell, using his energy to lock them inside.
The Wild Gems swarmed the containment sector, their glowing gemstones pulsating like sinister beacons in the dim light. Some prowled the perimeter, their twisted forms barely distinguishable from the shadows, while others stalked closer, their hostile gazes locked onto the sealed cell where Steven and Fionna had taken refuge.
Steven exhaled sharply, his back pressed against the cold steel wall of the cell. Fionna clung to his sleeve, her breathing unsteady. Outside, the Wild Gems prowled, their low growls reverberating through the air. The gemstone fragments left behind by the fallen one shimmered briefly before vanishing into mist.
Fionna's grip tightened. "Steven, what now? We're trapped!"
Steven ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. His body still buzzed with the aftershock of channeling his energy into his axe. He hadn't even realized he could do that until now. His eyes darted toward the other creatures, still lurking outside the cell. He gulped and glanced at Fionna in anxiety. "Finn, I'm sorry. I didn't want to put you into this. I'm so, so sorry. I…" He groans. "I wouldn't have put you into this if I knew. You're an incredible person, brave, intelligent and kind, way too kind for someone like me." He looks to the ground, to avoid her gaze.
Fionna blinked, stunned by Steven's words. For a moment, the chaos outside the cell seemed to fade into the background. She stared at him, watching as he clenched his fists, his jaw tight with frustration. The way he avoided her gaze, as if ashamed, sent a strange pang through her chest.
"Steven…" She hesitated, then took a deep breath, steadying herself. Her hands curled into fists before she reached out, gently touching his arm. "Stop. Don't do that."
Steven finally looked at her, confusion flickering in his stormy eyes. "Do what?"
"Talk like you're some kind of burden," Fionna said firmly. "Like I shouldn't be here. I chose to follow you, to help you. You didn't force me into anything. And honestly?" She let out a breathless chuckle, shaking her head. "For a guy who just took down a monster with glowing axe magic, you're really bad at seeing your own worth."
Steven's lips parted slightly, his expression unreadable. He had no idea how to respond to that.
Fionna smirked despite the situation, nudging him slightly. "Besides, I'm not 'way too kind' for you. If I were, I wouldn't be here, would I?"
Steven let out a short, shaky laugh. He ran a hand through his hair before exhaling sharply. "You're insane, Finn."
"Yeah, well, takes one to know one." She grinned.
He grins back at her and hugs her tightly. Suddenly, their bodies glow for a fraction of a second and a black mist explode from them, filling the cell.
The Wild Gems keep trying to break in when the door was suddenly launched, hitting some of the creatures and poofing them. As the black mist dispel, a figure comes from the cell. A tall figure with long, dark-blonde hair, light-brown skin, diamond-shaped pupils and Steven's diamond on their forehead, wearing a black and white hoodie with a pentagram star in the center, a black leather jacket over it, and jean shorts over black pants.
Andrew and Ashley look at the figure through the cameras. Ashley widens her eyes. "Who is this one?"
Andrew hesitates but shakes his head. "It isn't just one… I think it is Steven and Fionna… I think…"
Andrew pauses to think.
"I think they fused…"
[TO BE CONTINUED]