Hello my fellow readers. For those who have stuck by and enjoy what I have to offer, allow me to welcome you all to the Season One Finale of Crystal Rainbow.
Now I would to clarify something. I love Steven Universe with all my heart and soul, and in the early episodes of Season One I understood that the Crewniverse didn't technically know what direction to go with the series. That's fine, because I too don't have a complete end goal with this series either, just gathering up what I think can work and keeping it going until I'm out of steam.
So, without any more delays, let us begin.
Episode 19: Defender Of Love
Up above the skies were covered in an array of cumulonimbus clouds. Crackles of electricity surged within them, bringing forth a collection of loud claps that could be heard from down below. Soon, small groups of water began forming right underneath the clouds until their weight was too much for them to keep hold of, resulting in the groups of water to be released.
Down below in Angel District a small blue car stood right behind a large truck. Inside the vehicle were Azurite in the driver's seat, Lepidolite in the passenger's seat, and Steven sitting in the back seat. Azurite kept both her eyes in while keeping both her hands on the wheel and her right foot on the accelerator. Lepidolite sat back in her seat with a lollipop in her mouth while she was scrolling through phone. Steven just remained quiet with his hands on his lap as his head turned to the window.
Outside of the window there were a batch of signs hanging among the buildings. Unfortunately for Steven he wasn't able to read them nor understood what they meant. That didn't really matter too much to him right now due to the...recent event that took place. It all happened so fast, but...Steven recalled it clearly and...his lips curved downward.
Turning his head he locked his eyes onto the back of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat. He opened his mouth, but no words were formed. Closing his eyes for a moment he reopened them and opened his mouth again.
"Azurite. Lepidolite." Steven said.
Hearing his voice Lepidolite pulled her lollipop out her mouth and looked up at the rear mirror.
"Yes, Steven?" Lepidolite replied.
"Is...is it also my fault that my mom went away?" Steven asked.
Hearing those words the sisters absorbed them into their ears and let them get play out in their heads. That...wasn't an easy question to answer, but that alone didn't mean Steven deserved to be lied to. Though...who were they to talk? They're lying to their younger brother. Ugh! And now...the situation was a lot more complicated than it already was.
Putting her lollipop back into her mouth, Lepidolite sucked on it for a moment before pulling it out.
"Sweetie. It's not your fault. None of us knew what was gonna happen when your mom was pregnant." Lepidolite said softly.
"Understand that we respected your mother, and she was excited to have you." Azurite added.
A small gasp exited Steven's lips. His eyes blinked as he took in what the sisters had told him. His lips lightly curved up, now being assured that his mom wanted to have him and that it wasn't his fault. But his light smile soon disappeared. Even though it wasn't his fault, what Pearl said to Kameron...that couldn't be negated from his mind.
"Thank you for telling me." Steven replied. "I just hope that...things can try and go back to normal after this."
"That depends on what will happen once we return home." Azurite addressed. "Hang onto that hope, Steven. I too hope that we will make it through this. I hope with all my soul that the spirits will provide an answer to this. For now, we must focus on the present. Understand?"
Steven nodded his head.
In front of them the soon began to move onward, allowing Azurite to slowly push her foot onto the accelerator.
Turning to the left on Heaven Road, droplets of water began falling right onto the car. Azurite turned her head to the left and started decreasing the speed of the car before turning the wheel, shifting the car into the parking lot. Coming up to a unoccupied space Azurite turned off the engine of the car as Lepidolite put her phone into her pocket while Steven unbuckled his seat-belt.
Unbuckling her seat-belt, Azurite got out of the car with Lepidolite and following after. Now out in the open the droplets from above began to fall right onto them, only...not a single one landed on them. One by one the droplets merely curved themselves once they reached the top of their heads and shifted their direction to the ground instead.
"Whoa..." Steven said in awe. "What's going on?" He added, looking at droplets passing by him.
"This is my doing, Steven." Azurite replied. "I would prefer if you were not to be soaked."
Whoa... Steven...wasn't completely sure on how to respond to that, but...how could he? Droplets were literally falling from the sky and not a single one was landing on him, Lepidolite, or Azurite.
Pushing onward, Azurite made her way toward the large store in front of the car. Once she, her sister, and Steven made their way under the roof the droplet splashed onto the concrete, surprising some the bystanders. Reaching her hand out Azurite grabbed onto the door handle and pulled it, allowing Lepidolite and Steven to go in first before she followed after.
Inside the store was slightly dim, yet visible to the standard eyes. In the upper corners there were two large red flags with five large yellow stars at it's center. To the left there were large shelves housing many different types of items and next to them were large fridges with a variety of drinks in them. To the right stood a large counter with a cashier standing on the opposite side, a large rack of vases, and a small group of containers filled with unknown substances.
"Wow. I've never seen a store like this before." Steven said, looking around.
"We will only be here for a short time." Azurite replied.
Taking a step forward Azurite walked over to the shelves with her sister and Steven following behind. Coming up to the second shelf the trio walked up to a selection of small containers filled with a variety of leaves. Right when Azurite reached out to grab one she turned her head to see a teen girl attempting to reach up for some containers but to no avail. With a wave of concern following through her mind, Azurite walked over to the teenager and stretched out her arm, grabbing onto the containers and taking them off the shelve before turning her body and handing them to the girl.
"Oh, thank you." The girl said, taking the containers.
Azurite smiled and nodded her head, "You are welcome."
Looking at her, the girl turned her head over to Lepidolite and Steven. Getting a good at them she glanced at the Gemstone above Azurite's bosom. The gears in her head started turning until her eyes widening. It's...them.
"Um, are you okay, miss?" Azurite asked.
Blinking her eyes, the girl raised up her hand and coughed in it before finding her voice.
"I'm sorry. It's just...are you one of Kameron's sisters?" The girl replied.
Both Azurite's and Lepidolite's eyes expanded at hearing their little brother's name. Steven merely looked at the girl while tilting her head. She knows Kameron, yet he's never seen her before.
"How do you know my little brother?" Azurite asked.
"I'm Elizabeth. His girlfriend." The girl replied.
Girlfriend... The moment Elizabeth said that both sisters immediately locked their eyes on her. It's her... This is the girl that Kameron's been talking about. The girl the family only knew by name, but now...here she was in the flesh. The girl that stole Kameron's heart.
Lepidolite stepped up and immediately wrapped her arms Elizabeth. A gasp exited Elizabeth's lips. Her cheeks started getting a bit warmer, though...it was a little strange getting hugged by her boyfriend's sister when they've first met.
Soon Lepidolite released herself from Elizabeth and smiled at her.
"So. You're my little brother's girlfriend. You are so adorable." Lepidolite squealed, squishing Elizabeth's cheeks.
"Um...thank you?" Elizabeth replied with a squished voice.
Lepidolite then released her cheeks and pulled out her phone, going into her camera app and taking numerous pictures of the cutie. "I know I should ask permission, but I can't waste this opportunity."
"Uh, excuse me." Steven said, walking up to the girls. "Did you say you were Kameron's girlfriend?"
Elizabeth soon turned her attention onto the young boy.
"I am. Who are you?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm Steven. I'm Kameron's little brother." Steven answered.
Little brother...? Huh, Kameron never mentioned he had a little brother. Though then again, their relationship was still new so maybe he would've mentioned Steven at some point.
"Well, it's nice to meet you all." Elizabeth replied. "How is he? I've been busy the past couple of days, so we weren't able to hang out too often."
The sisters turned their heads to each other with concerned expressions. She didn't know... It would be right to let her know rather than keeping it to themselves.
"It might not be the best time for this, but...perhaps it is for the best you come with us if you are not occupied at the moment." Azurite said.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at the sisters. She then turned her eyes onto Steven whom rubbed his other arm with a worried expression. She wasn't entirely sure what was going on, yet the expressions she was seeing made her heart thump. Something happened to Kameron. That she got the feeling of, though the remaining details were obscured. Still...whatever was going on she needed to know.
Elizabeth nodded.
Azurite returned her nod and made her way to the next collection of shelves. Not long after she alongside her sister, Steven, and Elizabeth gathered all of the necessary items and made their way to the front counter. Upon approaching it they directed their eyes to an elderly man behind the cash-register.
Spotting the group the elderly man smiled, "Ni hao." He said in Chinese.
Azurite bowed her head, "Ni hao, shushu. Ni hao ma?" She added in Chinese.
"Wo hen hao." The elderly man said kindly. Descending his eyes he looked at the items Azurite had placed onto the counter. " Zhe shi gei ni muqin huo xiongdi de ma?" He asked.
"Xiongdi." Azurite answered.
The elderly man hummed and placed the items into a bag before pressing some keys on his register. Tallying up the cost Azurite raised up her left hand with her second Gemstone glowing within it and brought out the required amount of money to pay for her items. Presenting the money to the elderly man he slowly took it into his hand and placed the money into his register.
"Hai youyi jian shi. Ni yiding yao jingchang qu baifang." The elderly man asked.
"Wo hui." Azurite replied as she took the bag of items.
"Hai youyi jian shi. Zai yiyuan guanijiao wo de zhizi." The elderly man asked, waving his index finger.
"Wo hui." Azurite replied, knowing what actions to take when she returns to her job.
"Hai youyi jian shi. Chuqu yao xiaoxin." The elderly man said, bowing his head.
"Wo hui." Azurite replied, bowing her head to him.
Turning her body Azurite, Lepidolite, Steven, and Elizabeth made their way out of the store. With everything acquired it was now time to go home.
In...and...out. In...and...out.
Little by little small breaths exited out of Kameron's mouth. His eyes slightly twitched before they started opening up. His vision was blurred, but started clearing up a little. Up above his eyes were placed onto the ceiling of his room. What was going on... What happened... He wasn't entirely sure. The last he remembered was coming home after a mission. After that...everything went blank.
"El carino~"
Hearing that familiar and nurturing voice, Kameron slowly turned his head to the left. On that side of his bed were his parents, most of his siblings, his uncle, and his aunts.
Huh...? Why was everyone in his room?
"M-Mama? Que paso?" Kameron asked in Spanish.
Christie smiled warmly at him. Raising up her hands she brought up a small towel and gently placed it onto her son's naked forehead. The moment it made contact with him Kameron cooed from the chilly sensation flowing through his skin.
"You collapsed after coming home." Christie explained. "I touched your forehead and you were warmer than usual. So I checked your temperature and it read a hundred and two."
"Citrine told us you, him, Onyx, and Pearl went to a very freezing area." Green added. "The moment you all came back you collapsed. Which is why we brought you to your bedroom."
Huh... A freezing area...? Collapsing when he came back? Guess that explains it best.
"Not only that, but when Steven came back by himself he told us what happened at the Kindergarten." Amber said, turning her head as both her and Pyrope glared at Pearl.
Pearl...lowered her head and covered her mouth with her hand. The guilt she received from the Kindergarten was now growing more and more by the second.
"Guys, can we please not do this right now while Kameron is sick?" Greg asked.
Amber and Pyrope turned away from Pearl, but kept their angered expressions. Though...Greg was right, but this was gonna have to be discuss as soon as possible.
*Knock knock*
Just when someone was about speak up a knock on the door came, making everyone turn their heads to the door. Without a word Charoite walked up to the door and opened it up, revealing Lepidolite on the other side.
Lepidolite lightly skipped into the room and turned her attention onto her little brother.
"Kameron~ we've got a surprise for you~" Lepidolite sang.
Kameron slightly turned his head to Lepidolite with a confused expression. A surprise?
Azurite and Steven then entered into the room. Right behind them Elizabeth came in, making herself known to the rest of the family. At first her eyes widened at the sight of Green and Citrine. It was kinda hard to believe that there were people who were both very big and very tall. Maybe there were others but...it was still unbelievable to witness with her own eyes. She then turned her head and saw Kameron in bed with a towel on his head. Seeing him in the state he was in added some weight onto her heart.
Right then and there... Seeing Elizabeth in his room of all places made Kameron's eyes greatly expand. His mouth started opening up while his entire face turned completely red.
"ELIZABETH!?" Kameron yelled, startling everyone in the room. "W-W-W-What are you doing here!? W-W-W-Why are you in room!? How did you find my house!? I never told you where I lived yet!"
Soon all were planted onto Elizabeth. Her entire face instantly turned red no thanks to the numerous eyes on her. A small moan exited her lips as she held both of her hands together while placing them onto her lap.
"W-W-W-Well... I was at the store getting some ingredients for a tea recipe when I saw your sisters and little brother there." Elizabeth started, rubbing her thumbs on her hands. "They told me what was going on with you and I wanted to come along."
Turning his head to the ceiling, Kameron let out a long moan from his lips. Great... The first time Elizabeth comes to his house and it's when he gets sick.
"La vida apesta..." Kameron groaned.
"Uh...what did he just say?" Amethyst asked around.
"He said life sucks." Elizabeth answered.
Soon after a collection of claps echoed within the room, making everyone turn to Christie as she stood up from the floor.
"Elizabeth. Does your parents know you're here?" Christie asked.
Elizabeth nodded, "Yes. I texted them as I was coming here."
"And are they okay with it?" Christie questioned.
Elizabeth nodded as she brought up her phone and showed it Mrs. Evans.
[Elizabeth]: I'm going to my boyfriend's house.
[Mama]: What? Why?
[Elizabeth]: He's sick. I want to be there for him.
[Papa]: We haven't even met him yet.
[Elizabeth]: You will. You'll meet him soon, but right now I need to be there. Please?
[Mama]: *sigh* Okay, okay. You may go.
[Papa]: You make sure you don't get sick too.
[Elizabeth]: Gracias, Mama. Gracias, Papa.
[Mama And Papa]: Be safe.
Well...the proof was right in front her eyes. Elizabeth does have permission to be here. Though...a wave of uncertainty flowed through Christie's mind. This really, really wasn't the best time for this considering everything that was going on right now. Still...maybe Elizabeth being here is a good thing. She gets to meet her son's girlfriend, whom was adorable, and it could also decrease the tension that's surrounding the family.
"*sigh* Okay." Christie said. "For now, can you watch Kameron?"
Elizabeth blinked at Mrs. Evans and turned her head to Kameron, whom looked confused. The intentions of Mrs. Evans were unclear to Elizabeth, but even though they just met she was entrusting her son to her in his current state. So...Elizabeth nodded.
"Thank you." Christie replied as she turned her attention onto the others. "Everyone. Let's give them some privacy."
Without a word, mostly everyone started making their way out of Kameron's room. Steven was the last to leave, but he stayed for a brief moment to look at his big brother. With Elizabeth here, she'll help him get better. But...now there are other things to worry about too. He doesn't fully understand what to do about it, but...that didn't mean he could try something. Taking one last glance at Kameron, Steven soon went out the door.
In the living room Steven sat down on the smaller couch with his dad sitting next him. On the big couch Citrine sat down in the middle with his brother Pyrope sitting on his left and his sister Amber sitting on his right. Green took a seat in his own chair with his daughters Charoite and Lepidolite sitting on the chair's arms. Onyx merely at the entrance of the living room while Azurite and Christie went into the kitchen. Lastly, the Crystals...stood next to Onyx at the entrance of the living room.
Without a word, Pearl walked over to the center of the living room. All eyes then placed onto her as she held her hands together and intertwined her fingers. There was no running away from this. Even if she did, it would only delay the inevitable. Closing her eyes she gathered her thoughts before reopening her eyes.
"Everyone...I...I want to say...I'm sorry. I'm very, very sorry for what I to Kameron." Pearl said.
"Ya know we're the wrong ones yer sayin' this to, right?" Amber pointed out.
"I know. I just wanted to say it." Pearl replied. "I'll apologize to Kameron again, and...I...I was honest with what I said to him. It's just..." She admitted.
"Pearl..." Charoite said, gaining her attention. "It's been thirteen years. We all miss Rose...but...this needs to be put to rest."
Pearl tightened the grip on her hands. Rose... Just the name alone brings back so many memories, yet...now...they were painful to bring up. It's has been thirteen years... Thirteen...long...years...since Rose...left this life.
"Guys." Steven said, having everyone turn to him. "I wanna do some training."
Pearl, Amethyst, Garnet, and Greg looked at Steven with shocked expressions. He...he wants to do some training?
Steven then stood up from his seat and pulled up his shirt, showing his pink Gemstone where is navel should be.
"I never got to know my mom. But I have her Gemstone. I don't know what I'm capable of. But...I want to know what I can do. There are a lot of things I don't know. I want to know as much as I can so I can be a Crystal Gem too. Whatever is gonna happen in the future I want to protect those I care about. And that's why I want to train." Steven said strongly.
Green soon raised himself up from his and approached Steven. Descending his eyes, the youngest Crystal Gem raised up his head to his uncle, narrowing his eyes and puffing his cheeks. The look in Steven's eyes... Though his pupils remained normal a small spark ignited within them. The parallels were certainly easy to witness. This was the same expression Kameron made when he was thirteen.
"Very well. If that is what you want." Green addressed.
A small gasp exited Pearl's lips. She then reached out and pulled Steven toward her while giving Green a concerned look.
"Green. I'm not so sure that's a good idea. Steven isn't like Kameron." Pearl said.
"Of course he isn't. He isn't Rose either." Green replied. "However, he is now old enough to start making decision on his own. The cub is ready to bare his fangs and show his claws."
Pearl gave him a confused expression. The gears in her mind started turning as she looked down at Steven. Right then and there the words Green said started making sense, but...maybe the cub wasn't ready yet.
"I...I'm still not sure about all of this." Pearl said.
"Then let's make a bet." Amber said, making everyone turn to her.
"A bet?" Greg asked.
Pyrope's lips slowly stretched as he started to get what Amber was thinking. "Yeah. If you're worried about the little man, then how about you join him?"
"That sounds interesting." Amethyst said.
Garnet nodded.
"And exactly what are you trying to conduct?" Pearl asked.
Lepidolite then got off of her seat and approached Pearl and Steven. "Why not find out if you agree to the bet."
Pearl narrowed her eyes before looking down at Steven. He looked up at her and firmly nodded. Whatever this "bet" was entailing, there was no doubt that is was going to be dangerous. But...it was true. Steven is getting older, but...what if his powers act like Kameron's? No. Kameron and Steven have different Gem parents, so their abilities should be completely different. Still...at least she, Garnet, and Amethyst were getting involved.
"Very well." Pearl said.
Near the front door there was another door down a small hallway. On the other side Azurite's car sat right in the middle of the room. To the right of the car were a collection of ten bikes, each one comprised of a different color. In front of the car was a large black tool-table with a wrench, a screwdriver, and a hammer laid out. On the car's left stood a large metallic door with a symbol of a door at it's center.
Approaching the door Green raised out his hand, placing it directly onto the bird. In an instant the symbol glowed a green light before it opened itself up. Once opened he, his sons, his daughters, and the Crystals went straight forward.
On the other side of the door was a massive area. All around the walls were made of metal with streams of energy surging through all directions. Up above it was hard to tell if there was anything there due to a large cloud of darkness covering it. Down below was an entirely different story. One after the other the two factions began to descend upon a large scales of stairs. They kept going further, and further, and further with no real bottom floor in sight.
Steven locked his eyes onto the lights swarms on the walls. With each step he took numerous questions entered his mind. Where were they going? What kind of training was going to do? And...what kind of place was this? He wasn't sure which one to answer first, but right now he kept his thoughts to himself. It'd be best to let his uncle explain things when they get there.
Soon...both factions reached the very bottom of the area and continued moving on.
From left to right there were a selection of doors. Each door showcased a number, only...each number was in a different color. Straight ahead there was a door, but on both sides were also hallways. The door itself showed the number one colored bright green.
Raising his hand out, Green made contact with the door, causing the entire door to start glowing green before it opened itself up. Behind the door there were nine beds gathered into a circle. Within the circle...there was a humongous refrigerator with a big handle on it's door. But...right behind the refrigerator there was another door, only this one had an image of an hourglass at it's center.
"Damn. You guys have it good. This a break-room?" Amethyst said.
"Amethyst. Language." Pearl scolded.
"Crystal Gems." Green announced, making the faction turn to him. "This is a resting area." Turning his body he pointed his finger at the door with the hourglass on it. "Beyond that door lies The Void. We use it from time to time to better ourselves and keep our capabilities sharpened. Time operates differently in The Void then it does outside of it. We are to spend an entire month in there and outside only an hour will pass by. Are there any questions before we begin?"
Steven and the Crystals turned their heads to the door. A whole month of training in The Void and only an hour will pass outside of it... How does that even work? How is that even possible? But then again, both families have abilities beyond understanding, so it really shouldn't matter too much on what's possible or impossible anymore.
Steven then raised up his hand, "Uncle Green. Has Kameron used The Void?"
Green nodded at his nephew. "He has. It's one of the most convenient places he practices in."
Pearl then raised up her hand, "Is it safe?"
"If it weren't, we wouldn't be usin' it." Amber retorted.
"Alright! Let's do this!" Amethyst yelled with excitement.
"Just a moment." Green replied, approaching the Crystals but locking his eyes on Steven. Raising out his right arm his Gemstone glowed a soft green color before a small sphere of light erupted out of it. The sphere soon faded and within in was a small silver bracelet with a green sphere in it. "Take this."
Reaching his hand out, Steven took the item and placed it on his left wrist. "What is it, Uncle Green?"
"Until you are able to use your own abilities, this Energy Shield will be a substitute. Merely raise it up and focus. That will activate it, but make sure to use it when you need to." Green explained.
Steven gave him a nod as Green turned to his children. "Is there anything you all need before we begin?"
The siblings turned to one another and gave it some thought for a moment before shaking their heads.
"We're ready, daddy." Lepidolite replied.
Giving her a nod, Green turned his head to the door and approached it. Raising both hands out he placed his left hand onto the top of the hourglass while putting his right onto the bottom. Slightly gripping onto it he began turning the hourglass until it was on it's opposite side. Removing his hands he took a step back as the door started opening up. Without a word Green went inside with his sons and daughters following him. The Crystals soon followed them after, and once everyone went inside the door soon closed itself shut.
Within The Void...there was...nothing. That's...the simplest way of explaining it. All around the two factions was literally nothing... The only two things that were present within The Void was a completely white ground and up above was a blank white sky. No trees... No sun... Just...absolutely nothing.
"Whoa..." Steven said in awe. "There's...nothing here"
The rest of the Crystals took a step forward to what they were seeing. Garnet held no expression to the atmosphere she was placed in, though that couldn't say much about what was happening in her mind. Amethyst just stared out into the white space in front of her. Hard to tell what kind of place this really was, but...it also made her wonder how anyone could stay here for a whole month. Pearl...her eyes started shaking violently. She then turned around and her pupils shrunk. The door... The door that brought them all here...was gone.
"The door..." Pearl said, slowly walking up to the space where the door was. "W-W-Where's the door...? Where's the door?" Turning around she approached Green and grabbed onto his blazer, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO THE DOOR!?"
Green slowly raised up his hands and gently removed Pearl's hands from him. "The door will appear once our time is completed."
Pearl slowly took a step back and took in what he just told her. So...for a whole month...they're are trapped and only when a month has been reached is when the door will come back.
"Fer now, the bet is startin'." Amber addressed.
Onyx raised up his right hand and with the snap of his fingers two black portals erupted from beneath Amethyst and Garnet, making them fall into them without warning.
Steven gasped, watching them fall into the portals before they closed up.
Shortly after Onyx snapped his fingers again, erupting beneath himself, his father, his brothers, and sisters. One by one they all into the portals before they too closed up.
Now...the only ones left were Steven and Pearl. Together...but alone. Steven's lips curved downward. Half of the Crystal Gems were gone. The Rainbow Gems were gone. But...he closed his eyes and took a breath. Turning his head he looked at Pearl, whom held her arms and started shaking. The sight of her in that state added weight to his heart. Right now, it felt best to ease her.
"Pearl." Steven said.
Hearing his voice, Pearl slowly stopped shaking. Turning her head she looked to Steven.
"I'm not sure what's going on, but I think we should start walking." Steven suggested.
Turning her head away from Steven, Pearl locked her eyes onto the outskirts of The Void. Steven suggested they should walk, but...where? There's nothing out there. Still...it would be better than standing around until a month was over.
"Yes. I think we should." Pearl replied.
Side by side Steven and Pearl began walking. With each step they took the eerie silence lingered on. That much they could understand since there was literally nothing here to grab their attention or distract them. On one side this...felt kinda boring. With nothing around that could give you the opportunity to do whatever you wanted, but...what could you accomplish in a month surrounded by nothing? On the other side...maybe this was necessary. If you're training then you shouldn't get distracted. Gotta keep the mind focused.
As they walked Steven looked down at the Energy Shield his uncle gave him. To use it he needed to focus...but what does that mean? Narrowing his eyes, Steven locked them onto the bracelet. Squinting his eyes small moans exited his lips. His body started shaking while his pupils began to shrink. Gotta focus... Gotta focus... Gotta focus...
"Steven, you're gonna hurt yourself if you keep doing that." Pearl said.
Closing his eyes, Steven released a long sigh and lowered his arm. "But Uncle Green said I needed to focus to activate the Energy Shield."
"That's not the kind of focus he was implying." Pearl addressed.
Opening his eyes, Steven puffed up his cheeks. 'Then what kind of focus should I try?' He thought to himself.
Just as Steven was about ask Pearl the type of focus he should try, a gasp exited her lips.
"What's wrong?" Steven asked before turning his head.
Up ahead there were two figures standing in the distance. Without a word Steven started running toward the figures with Pearl following him from behind. With every step the figures in the distance started to become clearer and clearer until they could be fully recognized. It was Amber and Pyrope.
"Amber? Pyrope?" Steven asked, coming to a complete stop.
Amber raised up her hand and placed her fingers onto the edges of her hat, tilting it at the young boy. Pyrope crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the little man. The siblings then turned their attention onto Pearl who caught up.
"Where is your father?" Pearl asked.
"He's around. Fer now, yer first test is about ta begin." Amber replied with sparks flashing around her body.
Raising up his hand, steam started coming out of Pyrope's palm. Little by little the steam started growing more and more until he's entire hand was engulfed in flames. His eyes then glared at Steven, making the little man flinch.
"You ready, little man?" Pyrope asked.
Small stutters started leaving Steven's mouth. This is it. This is the start of his training, but...the way Pyrope was looking at him...started bringing shivers down his spine. Saliva began to go down his throat as sweat started appearing around his face. His body was getting warmer the more Pyrope's flames burned.
Steven opened his mouth to speak, but his words fell on deaf ears when Pearl placed her hand in front of him.
"Pyrope, I don't know what you're gonna do, but make sure-"
POW!
Pearl's words came to an abrupt halt when Amber rushed up to her and pulled her arm back before sending it right onto her cheek. On impact Pearl was pushed away from Steven, crashing right onto the white ground.
Steven's eyes widened at the actions that just happened. Looking back he saw Pearl just laying on the ground. It all happened so fast. Yet...he wasn't able to do anything.
"A-Amber...why did you-"
Steven's words soon dropped as Amber grabbed a hold of his shirt and twisted her body until she threw him straight toward her brother. Flying through the air, Steven let out some screams as he soared toward Pyrope.
Pyrope soon moved to the side as Steven was coming to him and watch the little man crash onto the floor. Small moans exited Steven's mouth as he slowly got up, but right when he turned to Pyrope the Red Berserker turned his burning hand into a fist and threw it at him. Steven's eyes greatly expanded before he quickly moved out of the way. Picking himself up Steven turned around and saw a unburning fist coming right at him.
POW!
On impact the fist went straight to Steven's nose before he got pushed to the floor. Hitting the floor groans started exiting Steven's mouth. Slowly picking himself up tears started swelling in his eyes while his mouth quivered. Raising up his hand he touched his nose and flinched before retracting it away. Lifting up his head he watched Pyrope walk up to him with a glare still on his face. Steven's lips continued to quiver as tears started falling onto his cheeks.
"Y-Y-You...y-y-you h-hit m-me." Steven sobbed.
"I didn't hit you that hard." Pyrope replied, getting down on one knee. Raising his hand out he grabbed onto Steven's shirt he pulled the little man up to his face. "Do you know why I'm so mad right now?"
Steven continued to sob, but he sniffled a bit before answering, "B-Because Pearl said bad things to Kameron?"
"Correct. I'm gonna have a talk with her when this is all over. Right now, you need to show me your fangs before I put my talons into your gut." Pyrope replied before pulling his arm back and punching Steven again.
Watching Steven roll away from him, Pyrope got up and started walking toward the little man.
It is pathetic for a man to be fighting kid, but this was one of the best ways to get Steven to unlock his abilities. Pointing his anger at him too was pathetic on Pyrope's part, but he couldn't go soft on Steven. He ain't soft on Kameron, so he can't be soft on Steven. Those boys were different, that Pyrope understood, but sometimes you need to be tough on kids to get them to learn. Sometimes...
-Meanwhile-
Amber narrowed her eyes with every step she took.
"A-Amber, please! I'm sorry I blamed Kameron for-" Pearl pleaded, but it went on deaf ears.
Dashing straight at her, Amber pulled her arm back and threw it at her. Watching the fist coming to her, Pearl rapidly rotated her body, spinning away from the fist and sidestepping herself until she stretched out her leg and aimed it at Amber's back.
The Lightning Gunslinger tumbled slightly from the sudden attack. Turning around she watched Pearl raised out her hand and placed it near her Gemstone, summoning her spear and twirling it before pointing it at her. Her eyes narrowed with tears forming in her eyes.
"I don't want to fight you." Pearl said.
Sparks began surging around Amber's body the more she looked Pearl. This... This ain't gonna solve anything. But...this was something that needs to happen.
Pushing her foot onto the floor, Amber dashed straight at Pearl. Pulling her arm back she then threw it right at Pearl, but right when it was coming to her Pearl pushed her body back, lifting one of her legs up and rotating herself into the opposite direction. Not letting the same mistake happen twice, Amber raised one of her arms right when Pearl's leg made contact with it and pushed it back. This only made Pearl rotate in the opposite direction so her other leg would get Amber.
Turning her body, Amber raised out her other arm and grabbed onto Pearl's other leg. Pearl's eyes widened right when Amber pushed one of her legs back and increased her hold on Pearl before twisting her body and throwing her away. Not wanting to give Pearl a chance to recover, Amber pushed herself forward and delivered a barrage of punches on Pearl's body. With each punch Pearl gasped while bouncing off of the ground until Amber pulled one of her legs back and threw it at Pearl's stomach, making the Elegant Spear gawk before was pushed further away.
Rolling on the ground Pearl let out some groans and began picking herself up. Using the opposite end of her spear her legs wobbled, but kept her steady as she looked at Amber walking up to her.
"Had enough?" Amber asked firmly.
Pearl shook her head. "I'm sorry. I am."
"Ah ain't the one ya should be apologizin' ta." Amber said angerly.
Pearl sniffled with fresh tears falling onto her cheeks.
"Besides, we ain't done yet." Amber said, raising up her hand to her Gemstone and summoning out one of her pistols. Lifting it up she pointed it right at Pearl's face, "Show me what yer really capable of. Do that and ah'll consider forgiving ya."
Looking at the gun, Pearl increased her grip on her spear. Lifting up her head she put her attention onto Amber. With the process they were on, not that much progress has been made. Though...her concerns were more on Steven and the actions Pyrope was putting on him. But...if she was gonna see him again she'll have to handle Amber first.
-Meanwhile-
Small sobs exited Steven as he laid on the ground. His face covered in bruises, though not too harsh. Here he was, ready for training, but it how he thought it would.
Standing in front of him, Pyrope crossed his arms while locking his eyes onto Steven.
This wasn't going anywhere... Five straight jabs to the face and the little man was crying his eyes out like a newborn.
"Get up!" Pyrope yelled.
Hearing his voice startled Steven, but he quickly got up before getting on his feet. Grabbing the ends of his shirt he raised it up to his face and started wiping his tears away. When he was done he raised his head up to Pyrope.
"Pyrope. *sniffle* Can we do something else?" Steven asked.
RING! RING!
The echoing rhythm soon entered Pyrope's and Steven's ears. Reaching into his pocket Pyrope pulled out his phone to see an image of a clock on his screen ringing.
"Time's up, little man." Pyrope replied, putting his phone back into his pocket.
Steven blinked at him, "Has it been a month already?"
Pyrope shook his head, "Nah, my time with you is over. Your next test is coming up." Placing his hand near his Gemstone it glowed a bright red light before a water bottle and a pear came out it. "Here. Get your strength up."
Raising his arms out, Steven took the items and chomped onto the pear.
"You did okay, little man." Pyrope said.
"But I wasn't able to summon the shield." Steven replied, chewing through the pear.
"You're not gonna get it right the first time." Pyrope pointed out. "Put your focus onto what you want to do with it. But don't be too dependent on it either."
Steven moaned before swallowing the pear pieces in his mouth. So...focus on what he wants to do with the shield, but he can't rely on it too much either. How is he suppose to make that work?
Suddenly, a black portal erupted near them.
"Gotta go, little man." Pyrope said, heading to the portal.
"Wait!" Steven yelled, making him stop. "What about Pearl?"
"Her and Amber are leaving when they're done." Pyrope answered. "Just wait until your next test starts." He added before going into the portal.
Laying down on the floor, Steven stared up at the blank white sky.
He'd finish eating his pear and drank some of his water, but...now he was only left with himself. Over and over he replayed Pyrope's words in his head, but...he was worried about Pearl too. He was able to see what Amber and her were doing, but from the punch Amber put on her it didn't take long for Steven to put it together. What Pearl said to Kameron was hurtful, but...she wasn't thinking and...she was really close with mom.
Soon...another black portal opened up, making Steven raise himself up. His eyes widened at the person coming out of it before he smiled.
"Amethyst!"
Hearing his voice, Amethyst turned her head and saw Steven. A smirk spread across lips as she approached him, but as she got closer to him her smirk started to disappear when noticing the bruises on his face.
"Wow, dude. What happened?" Amethyst asked.
"I was training with Pyrope." Steven replied.
Well...that certainly explains things. Honestly, he now looked liked he got jumped twice. From Amethyst, she was concerned but figured Steven would manage. But oh boy, Pearl is gonna have a field day with this.
Turning her head she spotted the eaten pear and the half-drunken water bottle, "Ya gonna finish that?"
Steven turned his eyes onto what she was taking about and shook his head.
Walking up to the items, Amethyst just shoved both of them into her mouth and swallowed. A satisfied sigh exited her mouth while she rubbed her stomach.
"So...whatcha wanna do now?" Amethyst asked.
Steven lifted his arm and pointed his eyes onto the bracelet. Narrowing his eyes he turned his head and began walking.
Amethyst titled her head at Steven's silence, but she merely shrugged and followed him.
Keeping his eyes on the bracelet, Steven let out some hums.
Amethyst shot some glances at him before putting her attention onto the white sky. This kinda place is just so...weird. Spending a whole month in here should be more of a punishment rather than a training area.
Lifting his head, Steven locked his eyes forward and saw Citrine and Charoite in the distance. Picking up some speed both him and Amethyst ran up to the duo until they got close enough and stop in their tracks.
A sharp gasp exited Charoite's lips, "Oh my. Are you okay, Steven?"
Steven moaned as rubbed his cheek, "My cheek is still a little sore, but I'll be okay."
A sigh exited out of Charoite's mouth. Putting her hands on her hips she shook her head. Was it really necessary to give Steven this much pain? At least it wasn't overboard, but that doesn't excuse the bruises on his face.
"So...what's gonna happen now?" Amethyst asked.
Citrine stepped up and curled his hands into fists. Raising up his hands he started bashing his fists together. Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! "You and me, Amethyst. Charoite will take care of Steven." He added.
Amethyst turned her head to Charoite and then put her eyes on Citrine. There was no doubt in her mind Citrine was strong, but that didn't automatically mean he was gonna win. It's time for this lioness to show her claws to this Emu.
"Alright, big boy, Let's see what you got." Amethyst replied.
Turning their bodies both Amethyst and Citrine started walking away from Steven and Charoite. As soon as there was enough distance between the two groups, it was time to rumble.
Amethyst's Gemstone released a bright purple light before her whole body started glowing. She started getting taller and larger, then when the light disappeared more new features were added. Her hair got longer and she now wore a purple mask, had white chest-hair around her Gemstone, wore a black leotard with purple wristbands and white boots, and she now had a more muscular build.
"Oh, yeah! You ready for the Purple Puma, big guy?" Amethyst asked with rugged voice.
Citrine hummed and lowered his upper-body, "Let me tell you something, Purple Puma. You want a piece of me, you got it. But you just bit off more than you can chew."
Purple Puma snickered and lowered his upper-body. Soon after both him and Citrine charged at each other. Pulling his arm back, Purple Puma threw it at Citrine's face before throwing another fist.
One after the other Citrine took each punch thrown at him. But right when the next punch would connect he raised up his hand and grabbed the fist. Narrowing his eyes at Purple Puma's surprised expression, Citrine grabbed the rest of the arm and twisted his body before throwing him straight into air. Watching him fall, Citrine bent his knees and jumped straight into the air. Coming up to Purple Puma he grabbed him with one arm before using the other to put his back onto his own as they descended.
"Geo Tomahawk!" Citrine yelled.
THUD!
Landing back on the ground Citrine pulled Purple Puma's head and legs while the ladder released a long groan.
Letting go of Purple Puma and turning around, Citrine picked up Purple Puma and held his upside-down body before wrapping his arms around his midsection and keeping his arms locked.
"Atomic Pile-driver!" Citrine called out.
Purple Puma's eyes widened as Citrine bent his knees and jumped straight into the air. With his arms locked there was no chance for him to escape. Once they reached a certain altitude they started coming right back down. With almost no other way out, Purple Puma had to resort to the alternative. This wasn't an official match nor were there any referees, so...this was okay to do. In a flash Purple Puma's body glowed bright purple until he reverted back to Amethyst.
"Sorry, big guy. But I ain't tapping out." Amethyst said, grabbing onto Citrine's arms.
Flipping herself over, Amethyst pushed herself further into the air. Lowering her head she locked her eyes onto Citrine and placed both of her hands near her Gemstone. Pulling out two whips she began rotating her body and wrapping her body with her whips. Then as she was spinning, her body was then covered in purple flames, making her form bigger than it normally was before she pushed herself forward.
Watching her coming, Citrine quickly raised up his arms and crossed his arms near his chest. Little by little Amethyst was coming in hot until she made contact with Citrine, pushing them further and further down.
BAM!
-Meanwhile-
Step by step Steven ran. Breath after breath exited his mouth the more he ran. Turning his head he spotted Charoite running next to him. Raising up her hand a single kunai appeared in between her fingers before she waved her arm and threw it out, launching the kunai at Steven.
Watching the kunai coming to him, Steven added some extra weight to his next step before he jumped out of the way, making the kunai miss it's target.
Sliding on the ground after landing, Steven watched Charoite slide before shifting her body to face him. Face to face... A cub vs a hummingbird...
Slightly spreading his legs out, Steven slowly lowered his upper-body while keeping his eyes on Charoite. Raising up his left arm he curled his fingers into a fist. 'Focus... focus...' He thought to himself.
Charoite's lips lightly curved upwards. The little cub was putting on a brave face, but she see the small ounces of fear in his eyes. His fangs were fresh; his claws were dull; this cub couldn't growl just yet. But she'll do what she can to bring out that growl.
Raising her hand another kunai appeared in Charoite's hand. Waving her arm back she soon threw it out, aiming it right at the cub.
Putting his eyes onto the kunai, the sphere on Steven's bracelet started to glow green. He want's to be a Crystal Gem just like Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. He want to protect the planet just like his mom. It's a simple wish, but the reality of it was harsh. If so, he'll face face them. Whatever the future holds, he'll show his claws, sharpen his fangs, roar like the king of the jungle.
The glowing sphere glowed even brighter than before until a small rectangle erupted from the top and started rotating, getting bigger and bigger until it went back to the top and took the form of a circle.
The kunai soon came into contact with the green shield and got deflected. A gasp exited Steven's mouth as he lowered his arm. Looking at the shield his lips curved into a large smile.
"I...did it... I did it!" Steven cheered. He then turned to Charoite, "Charoite, I did it!"
The kunoichi's lips smirked as she approached the little cub, but as she got close to him the shield then disappeared.
"Huh?" Steven said, looking at the bracelet with confusion. "What happened?"
"You lost focus, honey." Charoite explained.
Steven then puffed his cheeks. Man... Just when activated the shield it stopped working the moment he lost focus.
Steven's cheeks then deflated when a soft hand was placed on his head. Raising up his head he saw Charoite smiling at him. Her smile soon made him smile. He managed to summon the shield, that's should be good enough.
RING! RING!
Removing her hand from Steven's head Charoite reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, seeing an icon of a clock ringing.
"Looks like my turn is over." Charoite said before putting her phone back into her pocket. Reaching into her other pocket she pulled out her hand and presented it to Steven. Uncurling her fingers Steven looked into her palm and saw...what looked like a red bean.
"What's that?" Steven asked.
"This'll help restore your stamina." Charoite replied.
Raising his hand out Steven took the red bean and put it in his mouth. The moment it made contact with his tongue a moan exited his lips. Chewing on the bean more moans exited his lips. Swallowing the pieces his eyes widened while he started jumping up and down.
"Wow! Thank you, Charoite! That tasted really good, Charoite. I'm feeling my energy coming back." Steven said joyfully.
Charoite giggled at the cub right when a large black portal appeared.
"I gotta go now, little cub. You're last test will start soon. And don't worry about Amethyst, she's okay." Charoite addressed.
Steven nodded and stopped jumping while watching Charoite leave.
With a big grin across his face, Steven started running.
Thanks to the red bean Charoite gave him, Steven had a huge surge of energy flowing through his body. There was one way to get rid of the extra energy, and that is too let it all out by running. With each step he took a plethora of giggles exited Steven's mouth. He himself didn't even know why he was so happy all of a sudden, but he didn't care. There wasn't even a destination he was going to. He just felt so...free.
Being in The Void didn't even feel so strange anymore. He can just keep going and going and going until he go no more. HA! HA! HA! His giggles turned into laughter as he raised up his arms and kept on going.
But...luckily his laughter started dying down as he started slowing down. Coming to a complete stop Steven lowered his upper-body and placed his hands on his knees while giving out heavy breaths. Raising himself up he let out one more ounce of heavy breathing until he lifted his head to the sky.
"Wow... That felt good." Steven said to himself.
Turning his head, Steven saw a black portal erupt near him. Coming out of it was none other than Garnet with her stoic expression present. A gasp exited Steven's mouth before he started toward her.
"Garnet!"
Hearing his call, Garnet turned her body and saw the lovable cub coming toward her. Once he came in close he wrapped his arms around her, putting his head onto her stomach. Garnet put one hand on his shoulder and the other on his head, rubbing it through his hair.
Once their embrace was over Steven smiled at her while his pupils turned into stars.
"Garnet! Guess what! I figured out how to use the bracelet!" Steven said pointing at his wrist.
"That's fantastic." Garnet replied nonchalantly.
Right when Steven attempted to speak again another black portal appeared, only this one was a lot bigger than the others. Coming out of the portal were Green, Azurite, Lepidolite, and Onyx. Soon as the portal closed behind them the remaining Rainbow Gems approached the duo.
"Congratulations, Steven. You've made it this far, but now it is time for your test." Green said. "Keep in mind that is will not mean that your training is over. This is a only a prologue of what's to come, understand?" He added.
Steven nodded.
"Good. Now. For the finale, myself and Azurite shall be facing Garnet. You, Steven, are to face Lepidolite and Onyx." Green addressed.
Steven nodded again.
With how the groups were gonna go, Green and Azurite walked up to Garnet and passed her before she herself began to follow them. With what may transpire, it is for the best that they kept their distance.
Soon all three Gems came to a complete stop and turned around to see that they were in a good enough distance away from the other group. With that out of the way, Green turned his head to his daughter, "Would you like to go first, Azurite?"
Azurite turned to her father before turning her attention onto Garnet. Garnet gave her a nod to which also nodded to her father. With the decision made, Green turned around and walked several feet away from the two before turning around again.
"You may proceed whenever you wish." Green said.
Hearing those words, Garnet summoned out her gauntlets while Azurite slowly raised up her left hand while putting her right hand next to her waist. She lightly pushed her left leg out and placed her attention onto Garnet.
On opposite sides both Gems locked eyes in silence. Either one of them could make a move. At any moment at any given time either Gem could begin their clash, but...their silence and stillness remained. The one who conducts the first move shall ensure their victory or fall right into a trap. No matter what happens, it mainly depended on the most determined.
Pushing her foot further into the ground, Garnet sprinted on and raised up her arm before throwing right toward Azurite. Watching the fist coming to her, Azurite closed her eyes and rotated her body, making the fist pass her as she swiftly moved around until she was behind Garnet. Stomping her foot on the ground, Garnet turned around and pushed herself forward again while pulling her arm back. Narrowing her eyes, Azurite put some weight onto her left foot before taking a step forward with her right and pulling her left arm back. Then as both women were in close range they pushed their arms forward.
On contact a small shockwave erupted from their clash. Though Green remained standing where he was, he did take a step back from the sheer force that was displayed.
Garnet's gauntlet-covered fist was placed within Azurite's exposed palm. Both women raised their heads to one another before pushing themselves back.
Lowering her left arm, Azurite closed her eyes and spread both of her arms out while her Gemstone on her chest started glowing. Soon after, a large pair of wings made of water appeared on her back. With one flap Azurite reopened her eyes and descended them onto Garnet down below. In the air she spread her wings out wide and gave them a huge flap. Upon doing so she released a barrage of water droplets at Garnet. Watching them come Garnet raised up her hands and started to rapidly throw them at the droplets. One after the other Garnet unleashed a barrage of punches, popping every droplet that came to her.
Spreading her wings once more, Azurite gave them a huge flap, sending another array of droplets. However, unlike the last attack, the droplets started turning to ice just before they went to Garnet. Without any delays, Garnet released yet another barrage of punches. One by one the ice shards were all shattered in a matter of seconds until Azurite stopped firing them.
"I'm impressed. You are very strong, Garnet." Azurite commented.
"Thank you. You are as well." Garnet replied.
With a flap of her wings, Azurite soared higher into the air and rotated her body upwards until she was right-side up again. Pulling her wings back, she gave them a large flap and directed all of her focus onto Garnet. Wrapping her wings around her body, Azurite was engulfed in her water and began spinning, increasing her water by the second.
Watching the gargantuan amounts of water coming to her, Garnet smirked and began to bend her knees before leaping straight into the air. Pulling her right arm back her gauntlet was soon engulfed in a pink glow until it's size started to increase. Soon enough the gauntlet was now as big as a boulder. Pulling it back, Garnet let out some grunts until she threw her massively huge gauntlet at Azurite.
BOOM!
On contact Azurite's water soon burst up like a crashing wave and knocked her right out of her attack as well as greatly pushing Garnet back. Both women bounced right off of the ground until they landed back down and got hit by the remnants of Azurite's water. But the water didn't stay for long as it slowly began to turn into steam and ultimately vanished.
From afar Green solemnly stood in place as he watched everything that happened.
'Impressive. They're both on equal footing.' Green thought to himself.
-Meanwhile-
Up and down Lepidolite jumped from where she stood. After the tenth bounced she spun her body and pulled her back before throwing it out, sending her fan flying toward Steven.
Lifting up his left arm Steven activated his shield right when the spinning fan was coming right at him. On contact the fan bounced right off and tumbled onto the ground.
"Good. Glad to see my daddy's shield still works, but let's just see how much it can handle." Lepidolite said.
On cue, Onyx summoned his scythe and made his way to Steven. Coming up to him he raised up his scythe and slammed it right onto the shield, making Steven release a few grunts before he got pushed back a few inches. Twirling his scythe, Onyx slammed it once again onto the shield, making Steven get pushed back several more inches. Taking a step back, Onyx increased his grip on his scythe and began charging at Steven.
Watching him come, Steven held up his shield again. Onyx is pretty tough, though the more Steven looked at him coming, the more shivers went down his spine. Without his knowledge, Steven's Gemstone started emitting a soft pink glow. Soon enough when Onyx approached him Steven's Gemstone started glowing even brighter until he got engulfed in a large pink bubble. Watching Onyx swing his scythe, the weapon pierce right into the bubble, bring out several on it, yet the structure wasn't complete destroyed.
"Whoa..." Steven said in awe, gazing at the bubble surrounding him.
-Meanwhile-
On opposite sides Garnet and Green locked eyes. Without any words they charged at one another before pulling back their fists and throwing them at each other. On contact their fists connected to each other before they separated and threw them again.
Again, and again, and again, and again, and again their fists clashed back and forth. With each strike their speeds increased in seconds and neither side aimed for the face or any other section of the body, just connecting fists.
Soon...they pulled their fists back once more and took a big step on the ground until they threw it at one another, unleashing a large shockwave burst from them.
Pulling their arms back, they both took a step back as Green cupped his hands together while a surge of energy began to form within it.
"My apologizes, Garnet. But let see how much you can handle this." Green said.
Realizing what he was gonna do, both of Garnet's gauntlets started glowing pink and began to get bigger and bigger until they were both the size of a boulder.
Pulling both of his arms to his side, Green soon threw them right at Garnet, unleashing a huge burst of energy from his palms.
Seeing it coming, Garnet stretched out her gargantuan gauntlets and kept her feet locked onto the ground. Little by little the blast was coming right at her until it made contact and started pushing her back without any effort. Grunts started to exit Garnet's mouth as she was getting pushed further and further away.
'Maybe...I should've dodged it instead.' Garnet thought to herself.
-Meanwhile-
"Okay, Steven. Are you ready for the finale?" Lepidolite asked.
Steven nodded.
Taking a breath while pulling her head back, Lepidolite soon threw her head forward and opened her mouth.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
In no less then second, Lepidolite release a large siren scream. The echoing screams raged themselves toward Steven and in no time made contact with him and his bubble.
Steven covered his ears and kept his eyes on the bubble. For the most part the bubble was still standing, yet small cracks were starting to form. Geez, he thought nothing could get pass the bubble, but it looks like anything sound related was a work-around.
In little time Lepidolite's siren scream was starting to decrease until she ultimately closed her mouth. Both her and Onyx looked at the bubble and saw that after getting pierced and hit with sonic waves, it was still standing.
"Wow. That's a pretty strong bubble, Steven." Lepidolite commented.
Steven soon removed his hands from his ears and continued looking at the bubble. However, more and more cracks started to form until the bubble eventually popped.
"Whoa..." Steven said as he pulled up his shirt and looked at his Gemstone.
"Are you okay?" Lepidolite asked as her and Onyx approached him.
Steven raised up his head and nodded. "Yeah. It's just...I didn't know I could make bubbles. Was my mom able to do that?"
Both siblings nodded, "Pretty much, but it looks like you'll need to work on it for a while." Lepidolite added.
Steven nodded as his shield soon deactivated. "What are we gonna do next?"
"Next, you must rest. Then resume training." Onyx answered.
"We've got a lot of time on our hands, but when we're all done you'll have a handle on your powers. Plus you can tell Kameron about all the hard work you did." Lepidolite added, winking at the cub.
Hearing that, Steven's pupils shifted into stars. Yeah... Yeah... That'll be another goal to work on. And he'll be able to go on missions too.
Narrowing his eyes, Steven lifted his head to sky with a big grin on his face. "Oh yeah! Watch out, Kameron! I'm gonna bear my claws and you my fangs!"
End Of Episode 19.
Wow... Just..wow. I have never written something this long before, but it was so worth the long hours.
So yeah...this is the Season One Finale of Crystal Rainbow. Hope you enjoyed.
Season Two will be right around the corner, but for now my bed is calling me and I can't ignore that.
See you all soon.