Steven awoke on a grey beach to a green Gem with one massive eye looking down at him, "Huh. Didn't expect you of all people."

"What?" Steven asked.

"You gotta get back home!" The Gem exclaimed helping Steven up.

"Home?" Steven asked, "Ow... my head. How did I get here?"

"What's the last thing you remember?" The Gem inquired, brushing back her long white bush of hair out of her eye.

"I... recall mom... my family... I don't... I don't know how I got here. I was stepping on a warp to go somewhere but I don't remember where."

"Ah," The Gem replied, "Well, what's your name again?"

"Steven Beta Universe," Steven replied.

"I'm..." the Gem thought for a moment, "Centipeedle as you would know me, but call me Centi for short. Listen we need to go. Come on."

"Wait," Steven replied as he lifted his shirt, "My Gem. My Gem!"

Steven looked down to see his stomach totally flat. No Gem. No bellybutton. Nothing but skin all the way across.

"Oh..." Centi replied, "That's... not... great. Um... Yeah we really need to go right now then I didn't know it was that dire."

"What are you even talking about?" Steven demanded.

"You gotta get home," Centi explained, "Don't you remember?"

"Oh yeah mom's coming home!" Steven exclaimed, "Shoot! Yeah let's go! Sorry I just feel... weirdly out of it. Like I've just woken up and I'm still half in a dream."

"Oh don't worry it'll pass," Centi smiled, "So Steven, how's Jasper?"

"Oh she's swell!" Steven exclaimed, "She's just in the Garden. She loves her butterflies. She..."

An image flashed of Jasper's corrupted form, just for a moment as Steven groaned  "Ugh. Darn it what am I forgetting? It's there I see it but I can't... hold it..."

"Let's just get you home for now," Centi explained.

The duo continued as Centi told her story, "Anyways as for me if you wanna hear..."

"By all means," Steven smiled.

"I was a commander back in the war. Then I got corrupted and... it ended badly for me to say the least. Had a run in with some Gems. That's how I wound up here."

"I recall a Gem... white... and tall... glowing," Steven explained, "But evil. Her mind twisted by narcaccistic thoughts and her heart full of malice. What was her name? She... She sent me here. Right?"

"In a manner or speaking," Centi replied as the duo crested a dune or Grey Sand to see a golden staircase going up into the clouds where a Pink Gem sat in the sand beside them, "Well that's a way to a home if you want!"

"Where do these stairs lead?" Steven asked.

"Oh that's my stop but I wouldn't recommend going quite yet," Centi replied.

The Pink Gem looked up to see Steven and yelled, "Son! Oh my God!"

The Pink Gem rushed over and tried to hug Steven who glared and summoned a bubble, "It's you..."

"So you recognize me?" She asked.

"How could I not?" Steven hissed, "Pink... Diamond... wait... wait! Wait! You're... dead so that means... wait! I remember! Centi! Am I dead!?!"

Centi sighed, "Um... yeah. You... ate it buddy. You're... You're toast. I'm sorry."

"I've wanted to meet you for so long," Pink Diamond explained, "But... not like this. I'm sorry..."

"So what is this?" Steven demanded, "Hell?"

"Purgatory more like," Centi explained, "Now Pink he doesn't have long. For all he can tell this is a last burst or activity from his dying brain."

"If it was then wouldn't he not know what you look like?" Pink Diamond inquired.

"Mayhaps but how do we know he's just not trying to convince himself that this is real?" Centi asked.

"Is it?" Steven asked.

"Well I'm acting way nicer than you think I would," Pink Diamond explained, "So... I don't think your dying brain would do that so take that as you will."

"I died," Steven sighed sitting down, "I... I'm really dead. Spinel... Connie... Lapis..."

Steven began to cry as the reality set in for him.

"Steven..." Pink tried to comfort him but Centi shook her head, signaling the Diamond not to touch Steven.

"So..." Steven asked... "Pink... can you tell me... why?"

"Why?" Pink asked, "Steven... there's so much I could tell you but you don't have long here. Look. I just wanna say this. I'm going to Heaven or Hell sooner or later, and I'm assuming you think Hell. I did bad things but... I made you. Maybe you're the only good thing I ever made. I don't know. All I know is you've done so much good for the world and... even if I'm a bad person... I can at least have peace knowing you became so much better than me. I'll go where I deserve and... I'll have peace in that. As for why. I... thought the world deserved to have someone wonderful in it and I was right... thinking you would be so wonderful. I don't know if I'm a good or bad person but... when you do get to Heaven... I guess we'll know by then. I'll... I'll leave you be. I won't call you son. Jasper is your mom now, but I love you as if you were my son Steven."

With that the Diamond left into the wastes.

"So..." Steven asked, "Is this the point of life? To earn one's way into Heaven if this isn't my dying brain trying to give itself peace?"

Centi shook her head, "No Steven. In fact, such an idea guarantees Hell. See, wether this is your dying brain or some afterlife is irrelevant. It's OK to believe in an afterlife, but even if one does, one should imagine there's no Heaven or Hell beneath our feet."

"Like that song by Yoko Ono?" Steven asked.

Centi nodded, "Wether you believe in an afterlife, one should live to improve the living world. Maybe let it bring peace of mind sure, but at the end of the day many use it as an excuse for apathy. To not care because they think they go to Heaven. This is Zealotry, a horrible sin. One should live as if their sole purpose is to make the world better, as such if they do so they'll go to Heaven if there is one. Heaven and Hell are not excuses, and are no more than little surprises at the end of life. They are a byproduct of our actions. Not a goal. Be good to help the living world, not because of where you end up where your dead, lest it twist your intentions and deeds into evil, Steven."

Steven nodded, "So making the world better is the point and the afterlife or lack there of doesn't matter."

Centi nodded, "While we are on the subject I feel it would bring you peace of mind to realize this. Gems, should this not just be your dying brain telling you this, do pass on to the afterlife when shattered. Think of the Gemstone as a brain. Much as an broken apart brain can techinally still send signals a shard techinally can still act, but the person, or Gem in this case, is dead and cannot be returned. Their soul has left when the Gem shattered so you need not worry about the souls of the shards. They already have peace Steven."

Steven looked off into the distance, "OK so... this is the end... I guess..."

Song: Sogar Rosen Welken (German for "Even Roses Wilt")

Based on: Komm Susser Todd (Evangelion)

The song plays as the duo watch the black ocean roll over the endless grey sands of Purgatory or Steven's dying mind. While Steven's voice sings the lyrics the duo do not move as the song plays.

"I know,
I let so many down.
I was a fool,
In the end.

Thought I would,
Defeat Yellow Diamond and be done.
But that would only continue,
The cycle of blood and pain.

A cycle that I need to break.
All evil is a loop,
And the only way to end it,
Ended up being drawing my last breath.

What's done is done and now I see,
I let my hatred blind me.
Vengeance doesn't break cycles,
It's just pain breeding pain.

I wish,
I could take it all back.
Back to before I decided,
To break the type and my true self I began to hide.

And now I suppose in the end,
All that I ever did,
Was become one of the very liars,
I so despise.

It's all ended in bloodshed.
And Homeworld crumbling down,
Crumbling down,
Crumbling down.

And the ones I never spoke to.
Down their faces tears streaming down,
Tears streaming down,
Tears streaming down.

I know back in Ocean Town,
Humans didn't treat me kind,
But despite bad towns,
Humans are overall good.

And I let my upbringing in,
A town that was an exception,
Blind me to the inherit good,
That all life holds.

And now I am dead.
I am dead.
I am now dead and my loved ones,
Won't be far behind!

No."

Steven stood up and began to glow Pink now singing, "I defy this fate.
I wanted to keep on living.
Please Centi there has to be a way.

Please I do not want to die.
At least an hour's enough time,
To make sure,
From White Diamond the ones I love are safe."

Steven began to cry as Centi hugged him, comfronting him as the instrumentals player until the song and Steven finished crying.

The song ended as Centi explained, "Well Steven, there is."

"Come with me," he pleaded, "I don't wanna lose any of my friends."

"I... can't," Centi sighed, "Steven... You're a good friend from this brief encounter but... unlike you I'm shattered. I... I'm headed to the Golden Gates at the top of the stairs."

"I can't lose anyone else," Steven pleaded, "Even if I do return somehow escape everyone hates me by now. Especially Pearl."

"Then who were you fighting for?" Centi asked.

"They all hate me," Steven sighed, "They would all rather me be dead."

"You are blinded by your hatred for yourself and unable to see the love of those around you," Centi retorted.

"Bullcrap," Steven sighed.

"Then what is your shield for?" Centi asked, "Who are you protecting?"

"Isn't the greater good something to fight for?" Steven demanded crying again, "Isn't that what I'm fighting for?"

Centi shook her head, "Although techinally yes as you hold the same inherit good all living creatures do, but the greater good is better fought for when one achives person happiness. One fights more efficiently when they have a smile on their face and love in their heart. Sharpen the saw and all. So, tell me Steven..."

Steven's Gem washed up upon the shore next to the duo, glowing with a powerful link light, "Who are you fighting for?"

Steven reached for the Gem but hesitated and asked, "I do have one final question."

"Shoot," Centi replied.

"How did you die anyways?" Steven asked.

"You remember that Gem you fought when you first revealed your powers and Lapis told you to hide them back in Ocean Town?" Centi asked, "That Corrupted centipede monster? Yeah. Jasper..."

Steven sighed, "I'm sorry."

Centi assured him, "You didn't do anything wrong and frankly I forgive Jasper."

"I'll see you up there right?" Steven asked.

"Of course," Centi smiled.

"Cya..." Steven realized and joked,  "Well hopefully not soon my friend."

"Yeah I hope it isn't soon," Centi chuckled.

Steven grabbed the Gem and disappeared in a ball of pink light. Centi stood up, and went up the golden to whatever lay beyond...

Steven's Gem began to rise into the air roughly two feet. At first it looked like Pink Diamond was reforming, then Rose Quartz, and finally...

Steven appeared. Totally pink in color. He saw a ship land and his family, or, his Gem family, emerged and fought off the mindless horde with the two Diamonds. They looked to see Steven, who walked, emotionless across the platform.

"You won't escape!" White Diamond screamed, "None of you will! It will all be perfect! Perfect!"

White Diamond and her possessed forces shot a final beam of light that pierced the veil Blue Diamond had created and they all finally fell. Save for Jasper, who, still corrupted, appeared immune.

"What?" White Diamond demanded.

"You can't break what's already broken," Steven replied numbly as he approached Jasper who carried Steven's body over to the apparataion. The apparataion took the corpse into his hands and closed his eyes. White Diamond glared and tried to attack only to be stopped by a pink shield as the apparataion and body began to glow and in a flash of brilliant light...

Steven's heart began to beat once more.

Steven summoned his shield as he glowed pink and glared at White Diamond, who cried out, "How dare you defy me! I am perfect! A Diamond! A God amongst these pebbles!"

"You are nothing," Steven glared.

"You were dead!" White Diamond added, "Dead!"

"Steven Quartz Universe died," Steven chuckled, "But Steven Beta Universe lives on, White Diamond."

White Diamond cried out and charged, throwing a punch at Steven who caught her first and shattered her hand, causing the titan to cry out in pain as she fell to her knees, "I won't fall here! I won't! I am God!"

"See," Steven chuckled as he walked forward, a pink aura deflecting beams of light for White and her army, "That's the thing White Diamond. All life holds inherit good but some twist their minds into evil. Words should always be a first solution and murder is not an option, but some people, mostly narcaccists like yourself, cannot be reasoned with and in that case..."

Steven pulled back his fist and yelled, "There's always justice!"

Steven threw one punch to end it all, a blow to the face with such force White Diamond's form rippled like water as it began to glow with a brilliant light that covered the planet and when sight returned to Steven...

All that remained was a simple white Gem, on the ground. Not special. Not a God. Just... normal. Poofed like anyone else.

The Gems were freed from her grasp and Steven laughed weakly as his body gave out, "Hey Centi... Maybe I'll see you soon after all..."

Steven collapsed and the last thing he saw was his family he loved so rushing to his aid...

"Steven!" A voice yelled, "Please! Wake up! Wake up!"

Steven awoke in a hospital bed to see Connie crying over him as he opened his eyes and asked, "So... I'm alive this time? This isn't Purgatory?"

Connie hugged Steven, "What are you talking about? You think I would be OK if you died?"

Steven asked weakly as he sat up, noticing the IV bag in his arm, "So... did... did we win?... What... what happened to my shirt?"

Steven's shirt, which as one may recall up to this point has the symbol of the Diamonds excluding Pink, of Era 2, now had a new symbol. Very much similar but instead the symbol had Pink Diamomd but now lacked White Diamond.

"Jasper got you a new shirt since the Diamond Authority changed," Connie explained.

"Oh so I am dead this is Heaven," Steven replied, "Cause Jasper's corrupted."

"She..." Connie explained, "Got better. Steven... you've been in a coma for two weeks."

"So..." Steven asked, "What happened?"

"White Diamond is imprisoned on Homeworld," Connie explained, "The Diamonds can cure corruption so that's how Jasper's OK. You do know they caused most corruption right?"

"I gotta brush up on Gem history," Steven sighed, "Short version?"

"Most Corrupted Gems on Earth were caused by the power of the Diamonds attacking Rose's forces to end the war," Connie explained, "And their power was needed to cure it. The Diamond Authority now supports freedom for all Gems, and... it's OK. It's finally over Steven. Your mom wanted to see you when you woke up. She hasn't left the hospital since you got here. I'll go get here, but Steven?"

"Yeah?" Steven asked.

Connie hugged Steven and explained, "You did the right thing. I'm sorry I doubted you."

"No," Steven replied, "Without you I wouldn't have seen what I was doing was so wrong. So, thank you for that."

"You're welcome," Connie replied, "Anyways, I'll get Jasper. She... she's been waiting for you to wake up."

Connie left and Steven hears Jasper yell at some doctors, "So what if I've been here for a week!?!"

A doctor replied, "Madam you need to leave it could be days before he wakes up!"

Jasper barged into the room as she yelled back, "I don't care! I've got all the time in the world!"

Jasper froze when she saw Steven looking back at her and, after collecting herself, rushed to hug him.

"You're OK!" She exclaimed.

"Mom?" Steven asked, "You're really back?"

Jasper smiled, "It's OK Steven. I'm never gonna leave you behind again. No one's ever going to lie again."

Jasper smiled, "Your family loves you Steven and always will..."

THE END

Author's Notes

Well dang man! This took forever to write holy crap I've been writing this since God knows how long!

OK so the themes let's discuss. The theme of family love VS blood is very clear. For family is not blood, but love. Blood ties hold no inherit value aside from some worthless excuse used by child abusers to justify their abuse to their victims. This is why Steven renames himself, it is him severing his false blood ties for the family he loves.

Another theme is lying. Lying only makes the the truth more painful when it comes out. Funny thing is, my therapist lied to me for 3 years and I learned the truth just a few months ago which is why lying becomes a much larger part of seasons 4 and 5 as I experienced first hand how painful and traumatic it can be.

...

I miss my friends.

Anyways, there's also the theme if justice VS vengeance and all pain being a cycle. I think that speaks for itself. I don't think I need elaborate.

And finally there's the existential themes of afterlife which I think speak for themselves as well.

As for the plot itself it was originally gonna be only like 2 seasons when I wrote chapter one but by the end of season 1 I decided it was gonna be longer. Wish I had given Shorty, Skins, Pheonix, and maybe Lapis more screen time in the later seasons but their character arcs are mostly done. The only ones I feel are unfinished (correct me if I'm wrong) are Skins and Shorty and... well we'll come back to that. Point is I think everyone got a complete character arc and a good amount of closure. Season 4 was crunch time for the human cast though! That's why each one got an epsiode I wanted to show the humans but didn't wanna drag it out so they all got their own little side stories as we saw Steven's mental health decay, which is also a major theme. Anyone can heal with time and proper help, but it does take world, but you can fully heal so don't give up. I believe in you!

Aside from that wanted more Sadie x Spinel. Might do some one shots on that. Might do bonus epilogue "episodes". Think of them as little shorts that would be posted online after the end of the show if this was the show.

As for White Diamond, strait up I hated White Diamond being redeemed. The show just didn't seem to understand that a few people won't listen to words and must face justice. It's an unfortunate truth. Believe me when I say you can't reason with some people. Especially narcaccists. White Diamond would've been perfect to show this theme, so show justice as a necessary component of bettering the world, and the show just ignored this aspect so I just kinda... did it myself. I have immense respect for Steven Universe and believe it has done tons of good for the world added tons of "acceleration" to "natrual progression" as I like to call it, but I do find this aspect of the original show flawed.

I looked at the idea of the butterfly effect a ton for this story. The Red Eye arriving early (as seen in Rose's tape to Steven in the season 2 finale) is the single event that sends ripples that make the story. I didn't just wanna go "it's different cause it is" I wanted to ask "But why is it different and how would these characters react to the ripple effects." This is in my opinion a great writing style for AUs and general fiction alike and a trick I recommend. When making a book or an AU, imagine a pebble that causes the plot, and ask what ripples throwing it in would cause. That's how I wrote this and it worked great!

I think that's everything.

Oh and Lapis is about on par with Jasper as a mom in my opinion in this AU.

So yeah.

...

Oh.

"What about Steven making amends with Pearl? The rebels? White Diamond?"

Well actually...

After Credits Scene

"Woah guys the war's over!" Pheonix pleaded, "Why are you taking the Zoo?"

Skins glared, "What are we supposed to just forgive the Diamonds."

Shorty added, "Fat chance after what they did to Jasper!"

"You don't have to do this anymore," Pheonix pleaded, "We're-"

"Not done until we..." Shorty grinned as she turned to the rebels.

"Shatter the Diamonds, polish the Quartz!" The other rebels who joined the extremists cried.

"You go run off with the rest of the cowards," Skins added, "Take your little Garden. It's not our problem you won't finish the job."

"I thought we were friends," Pheonix sighed.

"No no we don't mean to imply we hate you!" Shorty exclaimed, "We'll always be friends we just... disagree on this."

"We do wish you all only the best," Shorty sighed offering a handshake, "OK? Don't ever think different."

"I understand," Pheonix sighed as he shook the Gem's hand.

With that the two Gems took their forces and left into the cosmos with the Zoo as their base.

Pheonix sighed to those who stayed, "He's been through enough. Unbubbled our prisoners, and nobody tell Steven what happened... we aren't lying we're... protecting him."

Some people never learn...

END OF STEVEN UNIVERSE MOMSWAP

COMING MARCH 6TH: STEVEN  UNIVERSE MOMSWAP: FUTURE