Chereads / Steven Universe: The Return / Chapter 53 - Resolute Strength

Chapter 53 - Resolute Strength

In The Distance.

[Peridot and Connie are seen soaring over the area while the water gushing out of the ground destroys everything in its path, both watch in awe as the water gathers in the sky to form a colossal water sphere.]

Connie: Whoa! Lapis is draining an incredible amount of water.

Peridot: She must be planning to use all the planet's water, most of which is in the aquatic zone.

Connie: What are you talking about?

Peridot: I'm talking about a place made exclusively for Water Gems, such as Lapis Lazulis, Aquamarines, Larimars, and so on. It's located on the far side of Homeworld.

Connie: So the fastest way to get water from there to here is through underground, right?

Peridot: Yes, but doing so will only destroy the planet, more than it already is!

Connie: No way!

Peridot: Connie, we need to get even farther away from here!

Connie: No! We should go back and assist Obsidian!

Peridot: But how could we help?! Believe me, the way things are going, we'd just be in their way!

Connie: You know Lapis better than anyone! Talk to her and help her remember who she truly is. She's immobilized right now-there's no better opportunity!

Peridot: M-Making her remember her pleasant memories didn't work last time.

Connie: In that case, you'll have to make her remember her unpleasant memories.

Peridot: Hmm, o-okay, I-I'll do my best.

[Peridot says in a shaky voice. ]

Peridot: I can do it, I'm sure I can... I hope I can, rather.

Connie: All right, let's go then!

[Peridot and Connie quickly fly over to Obsidian.]

Meanwhile...

[The gushing water suddenly stops, for the colossal water sphere is now fully formed.

[The sphere, whose diameter is about 860 miles (about 1385 kilometers), can be seen from space.]

Lapis: This size will be more than enough.

[Lapis clenches her fist, she is using her powers, so immediately the surface of the water sphere begins to freeze.]

Lapis: Freezing the entire sphere at once isn't possible, it's nearly all the planet's water, after all. Freezing the surface will be enough to crush you, though.

Obsidian: Stop it! Don't you dare!

Lapis: *chuckles* Here you go!

[Lapis stops using her powers, dropping the water sphere.]

Obsidian: Oh boy...

[Obsidian catches the colossal water sphere on their shoulders, using their seven other arms to bear the immense weight, which makes their feet sink into the ground.]

Obsidian: Th-This thing is unbelievably heavy!!

[Obsidian struggles not to drop the sphere.]

Lapis: I-I can't believe it! How can you lift that much weight?!

Obsidian: *groaning* I-I-I ask you the same question, y-you don't have the physical strength for it.

Lapis: It's not all about physical strength, you know.

Obsidian: Huh?

Lapis: When you walk, do you consciously exert physical effort? You don't, do you? That's because it's natural for you, just like my control over water is for me. In essence, water is an extension of myself, akin to an extra limb.

Obsidian: ...

Lapis: The body, however, has clear physical limitations; once you reach its capacity, that's it. In fact, some Gems are made with physical disabilities, such as the inability to walk or shapeshift. In those cases, there is no choice but to resort to enhancers.

Obsidian: ...

Lapis: Do you get the point? Water has no physical limit, it all depends on my mental strength and how imaginative I am in controlling it. In other words, as long as my mind is clear, free of unnecessary and meaningless thoughts, I will have no limitations to do whatever I want! After all, the power of the mind has no limits!

Obsidian: Yeah, that's right. The mind is a powerful force. It can enslave us or empower us. It can plunge us into the depths of misery or take us to the heights of happiness.

Lapis: ...

Obsidian: But what good is that force if you have no self-control, if your emotions are stronger than your mind?! You will lose yourself every time!

Lapis: ...

Obsidian: If you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do! Much less if someone else is pulling the strings.

Lapis: *enraged* Shut up!!

[Lapis uses her hydrokinetic powers to push the sphere down, Obsidian does their best to push it up, but because of this their legs sink deeper and deeper into the ground.]

Obsidian: *grunts* Grrr, I-I can handl-- No!

Obisidian (Amethyst): This is getting out of hand! We gotta destabilize her form!

Obsidian (Steven): No way! We'd risk shattering her gem! We haven't fought seriously for a reason!

Obsidian (Pearl): There's no other way!

Obsidian (Steven): No, what we have to do is--

Obsidian (Garnet): Cut it out, it's getting unstable!

[Obsidian begins to unfuse, glowing for a moment, before stopping and retaining their form.]

Obsidian: *struggling* Grrr! I-I can do this!

Simultaneously...

[Peridot and Connie are seen flying towards Obsidian, but Peridot suddenly halts.]

Connie: What's the matter, Peridot, why are we stopping?! We're not there yet!

Peridot: Just gimme a second, please.

[Peridot uses her metal powers to pull a thick metal plate out of the rubble towards her, it's big enough for a person to get on.]

Peridot: Now, get on that.

Connie: Wh-what for?

Peridot: I can't carry you and use my right limb enhancer at the same time. I mean, I need it free for... you know what for.

Connie: I know, but still...

Peridot: I can't let go of the Lapis in my left hand either. Just get on.

Connie: A-Are you sure I won't fall off that thing?

Peridot: Pfft. Of course you won't. It's safe, trust me.

Connie: Not that I don't trust you.

Peridot: You've seen me use a garbage can lid to fly, right? It's like surfing, but in the air.

Connie: I... I've never surfed.

Peridot: That doesn't matter, I'm here to make sure nothing bad happens to you, Connie.

Connie: ... Okay.

[Connie gets on the metal plate.]

Peridot: Just hold on tight, okay? Just in case.

Connie: Hold on to what?! Anyway, the chips fall where they may! Now, let's go!

Peridot: All right!

[Peridot resumes their flight as Connie screams in terror and clings tightly to the metal plate.]

Connie: Ahh! Slow down, Peridot!