Chapter Text
After everything that happened in Homeworld I decided to take up my dad and the gems on their offer to get a little vacation. So my dad decided to go in a little travel in van trough the country…having still 9 million dollars guaranty that we could forgone work for a few days. Pearl, Garnet and amethyst were also traveling with me. I was locking trough the window to see the forest of oak and hickory.
-hey Stuball, got something in your head?—mu father asked.
-Humm… just everything that happened, Lars is trap in the deeps of homeworld, I got all of my friends trapped by topaz for some dumb thing I said to Peridot once—I took some air—and on top of that… there is something that I learned in the trial that just leaved with even more questions—I said one hand over y left cheek.
-It wasn't your fault Steven—Garnet suddenly said, pecking her head trough the space between the seats of the van.
-yeah Steven, that is in the past, now just chill—said Amethyst pecking also from the space.
-Although, Steven Is right to be concerned…what if the diamonds learn that he is here?—Pearl asked trying to squeeze herself trough the space left in the seats.
-Hey, hey let's not press Steve—said Greg a little anxious that it was gem stuff what was bothering his son—this travel is for relaxation and frankly, I think you are ruining the vive here—he said to the gems.
-and also Connie getting mad with me…—Steven began to say.
-oh Stuball, she forgives you… I wish she could be here, but her mother said that battling monsters occasionally was not reason to let her girl in a country trip… or something along those lines—he said a little nervous. Connie mother really was strict on her girl education.
After a time of traveling the night caught up with them…fortunate forthem there was a town.
-So, Springwood—Greg said while looking at the map and to the welcome sight to the town. It looked pleasant; a couple and their girl looking out in the distant sunny place, a small sight read: "Springwood a nice place to live".—maybe there is a nice motel where we could pass the night—Greg told to the gems and Steven.
After they drove a little they found a little motel where to pass the nigh: "The springwood inn".
-sheesh guys this place needs to be condemn—Amethyst said after looking at the motel.
-Now, now amethyst, maybe they have fallen I hard times I does not mean just…-the moment that Greg laid eyes more clearly in the place he understood. The single floor building looked old, not just old in the sense that it was aged… it looked like nobody had used it for some time. But there it was the lights on and clearly a person inside who was looking where they were looking from the car.
-maybe is just rustic?—he offered. Only then amethyst gave him a "really "look—ok is a little old but is just for the night he said.
-It does not look very sanitary for Steven—commented wearily Pearl.
-I will be good pearl, after all you will be there—Steven piped looking at pearl.
-Fine… but I will check the room first—pearl concede.
After getting out of the car and moving to the lobby, whe meet the owner. He was a man in his 50s; his once blonde hair was white with light streaks still blonde. Dressed in jeans and a simple blue shirt button up. But what baffled Steven was his expression. He was smiling at them without the smile ever reaching his eyes. He would have looked friendly enough if it wasn't for that stare that saw without seen.
-Good night Mr.…?—he draw at in friendly voice, even happy but somehow empty.
-Universe, Greg Universe—he said giving him his card and putting his right elbow in the counter, putting his hand like a gun and winking his right eye… a gesture that fell flat on the guy. It was not the first time that such thing happened.
- Right Mr. Universe… oh and who we have here?—he said leaning to see better Steven.
-oh, this little man is Steven—Greg said hugging whit his left arm Steven who gave the owner an awkward smile and moved his hand saying "hi".
-I have a kid like him… a beautiful kid, maybe tomorrow you could play with him and be friends…yes… a kid—he said still looking at Steven like it was solid gold.
-That will be good—Greg said completely ignoring the awkwardness of the situation.
-well, here is your key, room 4—he said without blinking or losing his smile…while looking at Steven like he was a lost forgotten rarity.
The room was actually neat. There were 2 beds in one side and a couch that we soon discover could be converted in an extra bed. Pearl began to prepare the bed for Steven and greg changed to his Sleeping clothes. Amethyst for her part decided to hog the couch-bed and sleep soundly there. Garnet and Pearl not needing the rest decided to keep watch outside. Greg before sleep come close to Steven and told him after he kissed his forehead.
-I love you Stuball, never forget that, you could be traveling across the cosmos and I will still love you—he told him.
-I love you to dad—Steven answered back…and after a little while he drifted to the land of the dreams.
Inside of the land of the dreams, and entity that was once a man. Sited in the middle of a place dark but lighted by a red light was thinking. After all those years, he succeeded. He not only had under his power the sons of the ones who stopper his fun in life, he took from this town every single one of their children. They were his children know every single one of them; nourish him with their fears and souls. He was now indisputable a god…in springwood. There laid his problem, without more children, his vast reign of terror was pointless, the adults had gone mad, only empty shells not worth the effort but to be cattle to strengthen him, but why he would need more strength when head effectively trapped every single one of them, broke them, crushed they will to live… but now he was king of a barren land. No more fun for him if there was no one to be scared, no joy if they were not there to be hunted and no point in being here if there was no one to had some fun… but then it happened. He feels it. There was a dream warrior in springwood, someone fresh, someone who was his ticked out of here. He opened a portal to springwood to look at who could have entered in his dominions. A little butterball. He smiled at this; this little boy was his way out… he just needed to waken his defenses. He then detected it; an old fatass was sleeping close to the boy. He now had a plan... And what he need is to just give this kid a proper welcome to springwood.
Greg slept soundly and conformable besides his son bed. It was a recurring dream that he had at the moment. He was sitting while Steven played with Connie in the beach and besides there was… still alive, the love of his life.
-Do you think that? Our grandchildren will love me?—he asked to his wife.
-Greg, I am sure they will appreciate you as much as Steven and I do—she said leaning close to him, hugging him while they looked at Steven and Connie laugh… the she added squeezing his arm a little—which is nothing at all—she said leaving his side and beginning to laugh.
-what?—he asked completely confused about this affirmation of her wife which hurt him greatly.
- Oh Greg—Rose said classing her hand at the front and leaning to the front in a coy way—what used you are to Steven? He doesn't need you—she said in a sweet sing tone—he can't relate to the old has never been—she said letting a bigger laugh which sunk Greg spirit further—oh Mr. universe—she said leaning a little to speak to Greg ear—you simply were and had always be a worthless loser—said in deep guttural voice.
-!WHAT!?—he screamed more for the sudden change of voice than for the hurtful words.
There was no answered…nor he was in the beach anymore. He was inside a huge room full with pipes and steam going out of them. Looked like an old factory of some kind. He walked trough only route to walk, a slim corridor.
-hello, is there someone there?—he asked to no one, he could only hear water dripping and some steam coming out of the pipes and ducts. The silence was really maddening. He decides to climb through a ladder that was at the end of the corridor. Climbing trough a series of ladders to see better the way out he realized… this place had no end. In front of him there was a series of tubes ad boiler without end I sight…then I heard it. Slowly first but little by little it became clearer, there was a laugh. Cold like the metal of the pipes and raspy as rocks on the beach. It was a men laughing while walking towards him.
- Hey!—he shouted to the man—know how to get out of here?—he asked hoping to get far from this scary place.
-Leave?—the man asked getting closer with his head lower, like minding his step—why so soon? Don't you like my little…special place?—he asked sounding mockingly hurt.
-oh no is just that...—he stopped when walking towards the man he saw it. In his right hand there was a glove. Looked like a gauntlet of some medieval armors that he had seen in some photos. What make it different was the fact the at the point of his fingers there was four blades. He also finally saw the man clearly. Slim but broad shouldered, with a sweater that looked old and worn out. He wore a old brown hat and the brim covered his face a little, mostly because he was looking down.
-I insist, have a SIT—he yelled.
Greg felt something hitting the back of his legs, forcing them to bend. He sat in a chair that there was not there before. Then is hands were trapped by wires in the arm of the chair, the chair fused to the ground immobilizing him. He was frankly freaked out right now.
-Oh Mr. Universe…don't you understand…here—he whispered the last word—I am GOD—he shouted while he grabbed his face with both hands forcing him to look at his face.
Greg could not help but scream at what he saw. In front of him was a horribly burned man. The cruel smiles show teeth that were sight or burn. What was left of his ears was a little melted. Then there were his blue eyes. Never had he been seen with such coldness in his life.
-shss you rock fucker—he said teasingly—for once in you worthless life you will be useful.
-WHAT DO YOU MEAN?—Greg squirm to not look at his face.
-The son of your pink fat bitch will be my way out of this town—Freddy told with a smile in his face.
-Steven?...what do you want to do with Steven?—Greg Asked.
-he is a living portal… a door to other dreams…to other places…-he said and began to laugh—and you, you are just—he said beginning to deepen his voice—the first step to my plan—he finished with his bladed index finger pointed to him
-I...I will never let you get close to Steven!—Greg said voice trembling but full of resolution.
- Oh but you already did it—he said sing mocking him—after all…-he pause and put his glove hand over his chest—you gave him YOUR HEARTH—he said and then he pulled his glove back and penetrated his rib cage.
Greg screamed in pain as his gloved hand played with his insides.
Pearl was walking the motel parking lot making guard…then she heard a blood curling scream that she wished never had heard. Running she came to the room and violently opened the door Garnet having come to the room at the same time.
-Steven—Screamed Garnet.
-Steven are you alright what…-Pearl began and then stopped.
Trashing in the bed there was Greg, grabbing his chest. Steven was horrified screaming "dad". Amethyst was freaking out asking to Steven then to Garnet and Pearl what she need to do. Finally Greg stepped out of the bed and walked to Steven…then he collapsed over Steven hand still in his chest. Steven was now beyond shocked. He looked at Garnet, then to Pearl who was covering his mouth horrified and Amethyst still freaking out. He tried in a desperate attempt to put his tears and spit on his father…maybe it will happen what Lars got…but nothing happened. He then he screamed in genuine pain for he knew… his father was gone.
Garnet picked Greg and rushing while pearl carried Steven to the van, amethyst close behind they boarded the van. Pearl at the wheel searching for the local hospital while amethyst moved Greg and Steven sobbed in the back part of the van. After 5 minutes they found the springwood hospital. Garnet carrying Greg Rushed inside while pearl guided Steven to the waiting room. Garnet returned and signaled to Pearl to come to her side. Pearl Stood and walked to Garnet who grabbed her by her right arm and guided her out of Steven hear shot.
-Greg is gone—Garnet said in a flat but sad tone.
-The doctor told…-Began pearl but Garnet stopped her by taking his glasses off.
-I am sorry—she said, her blue eye was crying. She had seen…that Greg truly was gone.
Pearl cover her face with her hands and began to sob…how they will explain this to Steven.
-How this happened? This was supposed to be a vacation for Steven—Pearl began to said
-It happened is part of human Life—Garnet said.
-Do you think that someday Steven could…- but she stopped her question…it was too painful to ask.
The night was spent filling paper work to make sure Greg was properly prepared to be buried. Garnet fill everything for them while pearl tried to get enough courage to talk to Steven. Steven for his part sobbed until he fell asleep… no one tried to bother him. Amethyst was hit nearly as hard as Steven and wandered for the Streets.
In the morning Garnet came out of the hospital carrying Greg Body and Casket…they paid extra to get him ready for travel. She gently deposited in the back f the van and let pearl the driving. She tried to used future vision to see how they could deal with this back home…then she locked something disturbing. There was a figure laughing at the top of Beach City Lighthouse. She did not recognize the man nor know who he was, but the vision disturbed her. In the back Steven was looking at his father coffin. Pearl trying to comfort him embraced him and told him to sleep a little while they drove to home, deciding to join him in the floor of the van. Comfortably Steven closed his eyes and shed some tear while pearl passed one arm over him. Inside Steven mind, there was someone that relished in the success of his plan.
-Soon…sleep you little shit…you just marked me free—Said Freddy from the now weakened mind of Steven.