A/N: Hello. :) Without further ado, here it is! "Infinity Train: Book Two: Return to the Beach City Car"! As you already know, it takes place near the ending of the penultimate episode of "Steven Universe Future" called "I Am My Monster", which is also the name of the prologue below. Rest assured, there will be all kinds of surprises along the way. Enjoy. :)
Infinity Train: Book Two: Return to the Beach City Car
Prologue: I Am My Monster
It all started as the corrupted Steven was charging toward the gems and diamonds before Lapis flew around him again and lifted up a wave to stop and distract him.
"Sorry buddy, I need you to stay here!", Lapis shouted before Steven was stopped for a second by the wave and turned back to the beach.
The Diamonds were now running towards him while the gems and Greg are being lifted by clouds quickly with Bismuth being carried by Peridot while Garnet, who has grown to Steven's size, is leading.
"STEVEN!", Connie, Greg, the Crystal Gems, and the Diamonds shouted before the gigantic Garnet leapt up towards Steven.
"STEVEN!", Garnet shouted.
Then, a surprised Steven was caught in Garnet's arms and began to struggle as Garnet landed and held her arms tightly over him, giving him a hug as the corrupted monster roared.
"Steven, when I fell apart, you were there for me. I want to be there for you now. I'm here, Steven. I'm here.", Garnet spoke calmly as she hugged him closely before Steven stopped struggling and stood in the hug in a warm embrace as Lapis flew closer to him.
"This is working? You hear us? STEVEN!", Lapis shouted in joy before she came in and hugged him just as the Diamonds joined in for the hug too, with White having an awkward expression as the rest of the Gems and Greg make it in too, with Spinel coming in to tie them all in the hug together with her arms.
"I'm here, Schtuball! Whatever you need, I'll make it happen! You hear me?!", Greg assured.
"Steven! You never gave up on me for some reason I don't understand! I'LL DO THE SAME FOR YOU!", Peridot added.
"I know you feel bad! Believe me, I get it! Sometimes it feels like you're never gonna like yourself but... It's possible, man!", Amethyst cried while sniffling.
"Steven, I know how awful it feels to keep a part of yourself secret! You shouldn't have to hide anything from me!", Pearl shouted while tearing up.
Then, Steven grunted as The Cluster re-emerged, holding his hand before Connie appeared last, jumping from Lion's portal, and landed on his nose before she walked closer, hugging him.
"Steven... you must have been so afraid to show us this side of yourself. But we're not going anywhere. We're all gonna take care of you the same way you take care of us. You know what? I don't have your powers, but...", Connie assured with a sigh before she kissed him.
Then, it went black and showed a pink droplet appearing before then showing pink drops falling into the ocean, as Steven cried. Afterwards, Steven looked up into the sky and roared out a big pink beam up into the sky, the light prompting everyone to cover their eyes before the light dimmed down to show Steven's gem up in the air before shooting off into the sky elsewhere, blinking out like a star, much to everyone's shock and/or astonishment.
Meanwhile, at home, on a snowy day in December, Tulip was already working on a new video game on her own room, otherwise called "Good Guys poppin' Bad Guys 2: There Are More Bad Guys".
"Okay. If I remember right from last time...", Tulip spoke as she then put in the same code from last time and help the good guy pop the incoming bad guy with a particle beam in the game with a particle beam.
"Yeah. Still got it. I couldn't have done it without you, 'Coding is cool' guy.", Tulip grinned, speaking to the book near her.
"'I'm just glad my coding techniques were able to help you this far, Tulip.'", Tulip quoted before a pink glow emerged from the window, prompting Tulip to look out the window.
"What's that?", Tulip puzzled.
Outside, that glow came from Steven's gem, which then reformed back into his primal monster form as he roared. Upon looking closely at the gem that reformed, Tulip was utterly shocked.
"Steven?! How did he...?", Tulip puzzled before realizing what has to be done.
"I've gotta get through to him and calm him down.", Tulip urged before running outside toward the rampaging monster all while being careful so as to not get run over by stray cars, much less whacked or squished by the monster on the other side of the street where her house is before managing to sneak behind the monster and climb up his tail and back all the way to his head, although it was not without effort to stay on.
It was only after Tulip got on top of his nose that the monster began to calm down from the sight of her.
"Easy, Steven. It's okay. Whatever's happened to you, I can help you. I want to help you...if you'll let me.", Tulip assured before the monster again began to shed tears, this time out of joy before then picking Tulip up, setting her down gently and then proceeding to point at Tulip's belly while growling a bit before Tulip lifted up her shirt, getting the gist of what he wants seeing as she saw Steven's gem on his belly a few times during the first time she met him.
"You...you want me to look after you?", Tulip asked before Monster Steven nodded in growls.
"Well...if it's to help you out..., then so be it.", Tulip responded before Monster Steven's physical form glows completely, save for the gem and then disappears with the gem floating over to Tulip's belly button before gently placing itself there, causing Tulip's body to glow pink, surprising her.
"Whoa. That's new.", Tulip spoke in surprise before her body then stopped glowing pink just as quickly.
"Okay. So, how do I help him out. I know he's somewhere on the train, but it's not like I can get Lion to come here.", Tulip wondered before the same train that Tulip boarded the first time arrived unexpectedly, this time, in-between the snowy fields and her home with the sign saying "Beach City" instead of "Osh Kosh" like last time.
"Huh. I guess that works.", Tulip grinned just before she suddenly started going through a violent convulsion.
"Ah! Wh-What's happening to me?! I think...I think I can feel myself...losing control! Whoa! Hey...this actually isn't half bad.", Tulip spoke as her whole body turned pink quickly, feeling a swelling pain as her body started swelling out of control before the swells stopped on certain parts of her body with the pain turning into comfort just as quickly with her teeth sharpening and her head growing the same horns that Monster Steven had on his face as well as spikes on her back, arms, and legs with those on her back concealed by her growing light pink hair.
"Oh, yes! This feels amazing!", Tulip exclaimed in wonder as she grew claws on her hands and feet, a tail, and sharp teeth before she started growing up to 9 feet tall, ripping off all her clothes, revealing her pink scale-coated body in its natural state.
"Whoa. Look how big I'm getting. When this is over, I definitely want to stay a half gem. Well, after returning the gem, that is.", Tulip spoke before then stepping aboard the train toward a portal.
"Aaaaand here we go again!", Tulip exclaimed as the portal headed toward her.
Chapter 1: The Kaiju Car
Later, the pink monster giantess woke up with a groan before looking up at a desolate brown sky and then sitting up to see a sort of monitor with a red button on its side.
"Huh. I wonder what that button's for.", Tulip puzzled before then turning it on to see One-One on the monitor.
"One-One?", Tulip puzzled.
"Welcome aboard, new passenger! I'm your conductor. One!", Glad One greeted.
"One...", Sad One added.
"Once you wipe those groggy little peepers, you'll probably have a lot of questions like, 'Where am I?', 'Why am I here?'", Glad One spoke.
"Where am I? Why am I here?", Tulip puzzled at the same time Glad One said the first two questions, mainly because she guessed that she is in a car that is most unfamiliar and desolate.
"'Are snacks provided'?", Glad One added.
"Uh, I'm pretty sure I didn't ask that.", Tulip grinned with a slight blush.
"For those of you talking to me like I'm there in real life, I'm not.", Glad One explained.
"I'm a cold, steely pre-recorded video.", Sad One spoke, making Tulip snicker a bit.
"Of course, you are.", Tulip sighed with a grin.
"And this is a train where you sort out your problems. How about that number on your hand, huh? Pretty cool and green.", Glad One spoke.
"Every passenger has one.", Sad One added.
"Yeah, I've been through all that before.", Tulip stated.
"The numbers are made by the train based on your life in order to help you have the most personalized experience we can offer. If you want to get home, get your number down to 0, and poof! Away you go.", Glad One explained.
"I'm a zero...", Sad One sighed before the video showed Randal and Atticus.
"But always remember, there are lots of denizens along the way to help you on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out.", Glad One grinned.
"Unless the denizen is one of those monsters with more teeth than body.", Sad One added.
"Remember: you can't spell escape without companionship. Uh, companion-shape? Companion-scape?", Glad One puzzled.
"By watching this recording, you've agreed to release the train of any liabilities regarding the loss of personal property or trauma, physical injury, death, or transformation. In other words, do not hold us responsible for anything that happens to you on the train.", Sad One finished before the video stopped playing.
"Huh. Compared to the last time I boarded the train, this actually seems pretty tame.", Tulip grinned before Pink Steven unexpectedly turned up and responded.
"Yeah, tell me about it.", Pink Steven spoke up, taking Tulip aback as she exclaimed in surprise.
"Aah! Steven? How'd you get here?", Tulip asked.
"I just came from my mom's gem, actually.", Steven explained.
"Yeah, but...how?", Tulip puzzled.
"Well, it's kinda difficult to explain very quickly, so I'm gonna put this as simply as I can. Thing is, I don't have much time left. Well, not my human body anyway.", Pink Steven explained.
"What do you mean?", Tulip puzzled.
"There is a reason you look the way you are now. And if we don't do something about it and fast, you could be stuck like that forever, or worse, stuck on the train.", Steven responded.
"What? I don't mind being this way, but I definitely do not want to get stuck on the train forever.", Tulip responded.
"And you won't. I'll explain more later, but as long as we pick up the pace, this should be a cinch.", Pink Steven assured just before someone shouted.
"Run! I'm out of breath, run!", an apparent building person shouted as he ran seemingly toward Tulip and Pink Steven.
"Huh? What's wrong?", Tulip puzzled only for the building to run past her and Pink Steven.
"Run for your lives!", the building person shouted.
"I wonder what that was about.", Tulip puzzled.
"Beats me.", Pink Steven shrugged before he and Tulip turned around and noticed One-One in the background.
"One-One!", Tulip spoke in surprise.
"He's really here? That's great! Maybe he can help us.", Pink Steven grinned.
"Yeah, but we gotta keep those monsters away from him. Look!", Tulip spoke, pointing toward the big shark and pterodactyl monsters with the latter having insect-like eyes.
"Oh, yeah. You're right.", Pink Steven agreed before he and Tulip ran toward the monsters as meanwhile, M.T. ran toward a mirror and spray painted it black for some reason before then peeling from above the wreckage.
"Until next time.", Glad One waved.
"Bye, or whatever.", Sad One added just before the pink monster girl held the pterodactyl monster back while Pink Steven lifted up the shark monster with super strength.
"Sorry, pal, but you're not getting anywhere near him!", Tulip grunted.
"Oh, look! There's Steven! But he's colored pink. And have we met that pink dinosaur before?", Glad One puzzled.
"No, there isn't a Pink Dinosaur Car.", Sad One responded.
"Oh, we should make one, then. That way, we can remember why this one is so familiar.", Glad One suggested.
"But we already have a Dinosaur Car.", Sad One retorted.
"Not a pink one.", Glad One argued.
"Oh, yeah.", Sad One agreed.
Meanwhile, Pink Steven jumped up and then tossed the shark monster aside before it landed away from the desolate city.
"Okay. That's one monster.", Pink Steven shouted just before Tulip's spikes glowed bright pink before her eyes turned into the same color as Monster Steven's with which Tulip then roared while firing a pink blast at the pterodactyl monster, sending it away from the sky, before panting as her eyes turned back to normal, but with her eyes being pink instead of black.
"Are you okay, Tulip?", Pink Steven asked before Tulip turned around and gave a thumbs-up, giving a slight chuckle and giving Pink Steven relief as he smiled.
"Aw, thank goodness.", Pink Steven sighed in relief before Tulip picked One-One up.
"Hello, are you from the yet to be built Pink Dinosaur Car?", Glad One asked.
"If not, it's now copyrighted so don't get any ideas.", Sad One added before Tulip laughed as she picked him up with her claws.
"You're just as silly as I remember, One-One. It's me, Tulip.", Tulip grinned.
"Miss Tulip! When did you become a dinosaur?", Glad One exclaimed in surprise.
"How are you not extinct?", Sad One asked.
"Wait. That pink monster is Tulip Prime? What happened to her?", M.T. puzzled to herself.
"Well, it's kinda hard to explain right now. Let's just say I'm trying to help Steven's gem recover.", Tulip responded as she then set him down.
"This is great. I even remember giving you a special symbol, too.", Glad One spoke.
"Wait. You gave me what?", Tulip puzzled.
"Try checking your hand.", Glad One responded before Tulip looked at it and noticed that her hand now bares the a Infinity symbol on her hand.
"Whoa. I never had that number before.", Tulip spoke in surprise.
"Of course, it wasn't easy considering that you still had to get your own number down to 0 before it activates. It should be simple enough, though.", Glad One added as Tulip looked below the symbol to notice that her number says 1,000.
"What does that mean, One-One?", Pink Steven asked.
"It means that once her number goes down to 0, Ms. Tulip can decide when to get off the train.", Glad One explained.
"Wow. I never saw that before.", M.T. spoke in surprise.
"Really? That's great. But still, I'm not going home just yet. Not until I help fix whatever's going on with Steven's gem and give it back to him.", Tulip responded.
"And that's actually just as well. As of right now, my human body only has about 36 hours left before it dies. The gem has to be returned back to my body and uncorrupted by then, or else Tulip could lose herself to the gem if she's not careful and and be stuck like this and/or on the train forever.", Pink Steven spoke.
"How would I lose myself, exactly?", Tulip puzzled.
"Remember that burst you got just now trying to hold that monster off?", Pink Steven asked.
"Yeah. Why?", Tulip puzzled.
"Every time you experience something like that, it leaves you susceptible to anger and rage. Too much of that can really make you lose control, and I should know.", Pink Steven responded.
"Oh. That bad?", Tulip asked.
"Yes, Tulip. That bad.", Pink Steven responded.
"Well, I guess it kinda makes sense why you showed up as a big monster. No offense, though.", Tulip guessed.
"None taken.", Pink Steven assured.
"Still, any ideas on how we can help fix it so that it gets uncorrupted?", Tulip asked.
"Hey, I just came out from the gem earlier.", Pink Steven responded.
"I know that. Still, we gotta figure out someway to fix the damage.", Tulip responded.
"I know. Maybe Atticus can help.", Glad One responded.
"Although, there is a good chance that he knows just as much as us right now.", Sad One added.
"That's actually a pretty good idea. Can you call him?", Pink Steven asked.
"Of course. I can call him up.", Glad one spoke as he went over to Tulip's pod and then worked the apparent wires to call Atticus before he appeared on the monitor.
"Greetings, One-One. What is it?", Atticus asked.
"It's Ms. Tulip! She's gone back on the train! Isn't it great?", Glad One grinned.
"Tulip's back? But how?", Atticus asked.
"I'll send a special pod for you to get you where she is in a jiffy.", Glad One assured.
"But don't blame me if it malfunctions. It's still in beta testing.", Sad One added.
"Thank you, One-One. It would be much appreciated.", Atticus spoke before the monitor turns off.
"So, all we gotta do now is wait for him, right?", Tulip guessed.
"For a minute, yes.", Glad One responded as Tulip looked up at the wreckage where M.T.'s head wasn't shown to be visible.
"Or three minutes. Or maybe even an hour.", Sad One added.
"Hey, you! You can come out! It's okay.", Tulip assured before M.T. cautiously came out and made herself present.
"Tulip Prime...? Is that really you?", M.T. asked.
"Yeah. Of course, it's me. Who else would it be?", Tulip grinned.
"Hey, I know you. You're the rare foil version of my friend, Tulip.", Glad One recognized.
"I'm not Tulip and I'm not foil.", M.T. responded in annoyance.
"Hey. That's the reflection you told me about, isn't it?", Pink Steven guessed.
"Yep. Except she's her own person, now.", Tulip responded, making M.T. grin a bit.
"Well, that's good.", Pink Steven grinned before a special pod just arrived with said pod opening up to show Atticus inside before he looked up and was extremely surprised to see Tulip's gigantic size.
"Hi, Atticus.", Tulip greeted.
"Good heavens! Is that really you?", Atticus asked.
"Yep. As for what happened to me, it's...kind of a long story.", Tulip responded.
"Well, all that matters is that you're here. But the question is why?", Atticus responded.
"Because...I need to help get Steven's gem uncorrupted and then give it back to Steven's human body.", Tulip responded.
"And all before my human body's 36 hours are up, too.", Pink Steven added.
"And it's a good thing because apparently, this car is even further down the train than the Beach City Car was when Amelia sent it away. With any luck, we should get back to it in no time.", Glad One assured.
"Or we could still die of old age before we even see it again.", Sad One added.
"Uh, do you even age, One-One?", Pink Steven asked.
"That's a good point.", Glad One concurred.
"I see. Well, then, it's a good thing you have me along. The king of Corginia shall aid you all once more.", Atticus assured.
"Thanks, Atticus.", Tulip grinned.
"This is perfect! The old gang is back together again.", Glad One grinned.
"Possibly for the last time, though.", Sad One added.
"All right, guys. Let's get to it.", Pink Steven grinned determinedly.
Later, the group was going through car after car as they were now in the car with big jellyfish as M.T. fell through one before she later landed on the grass with Tulip and the others near the farm where carrot people were having a shindig of sorts before one of them offered her to join in only to earn M.T.'s polite refusal before she then turned the infinity-shaped knob and then opened the door with Tulip and the others following her before eventually arriving at a sort of car with fluffy, heart-shaped decorations, even one wanted poster of M.T. as she noticed it and then grabbed it before stuffing said poster into her pocket just in time to overhear One-One's message to another of his recent passengers.
"Welcome aboard, new passenger! I'm your conductor. One!", Glad One greeted.
"One...", Sad One added.
"Once you wipe those groggy little peepers, you'll probably have a lot of questions like, 'Where am I?', 'Why am I here?'", Glad One spoke.
"Where am I? Why am I here?", the lunch lady puzzled at the same time Glad One said the first two questions.
"'Are snacks provided'?", Glad One added.
"I didn't ask that.", the lunch lady responded.
"For those of you talking to me like I'm there in real life, I'm not.", Glad One explained.
"I'm a cold, steely pre-recorded video.", Sad One spoke, making Tulip snicker a bit.
"Isn't that the same video you saw after you woke up, Tulip?", Pink Steven asked.
"Yeah. Let's move on. I already saw this before.", Tulip suggested.
Later, as Tulip, M.T., Pink Steven, Atticus, and One-One walked into the Black Market area of sorts, M.T. was quite surprised.
"Oh. So, that's how you got home, by having your number go down to 0?", M.T. puzzled.
"Yeah. It took a lot of personal growth, but I know better now.", Tulip responded.
"It turned out that One-One was the real conductor all along, but he was forced out by Amelia, who tried to pass herself off as the conductor so she can create her own dream car.", Pink Steven explained.
"She even turned me into a monster for it.", Atticus added.
"Now, that is messed up.", M.T. commented.
"I know, right? Still, Amelia must've realized by now that what she was doing isn't the right way to go about it. And I'm willing to bet that she's doing her best to get her really big number down to 0 as we speak.", Pink Steven assured.
"Well, there's hoping.", M.T. grinned just as they approached a snail-like merchant.
"Hey, sweetie. You look shiny. Let me take a closer look.", the merchant spoke as she took out a looking glass which was apparently a bad thing for M.T. as she gasped.
"No!", M.T. exclaimed as she then whacked the small glass away from the merchant only for a familiar arm to pop up through one of the shards of glass and then propel its owner up out of the glass, joined by his partner before the two flecs named Agents Mace and Sieve landed on the ground.
"Hello, sliver.", Mace sneered.
"Not you two again!", Tulip exclaimed as Atticus growled.
"You guys know them?", Pink Steven asked.
"We sure do. They tried to hurt her just because she wanted to be more than my reflection the last time we met them.", Tulip responded.
"They're relentless like bounty hunters", Sad One added.
"You two are not going to lay a finger on her, sliver or not!", Atticus urged.
"I don't think you have a choice, denizen.", Mace retorted as he and Sieve stepped closer.
"Hey, the name is Atticus! Remember that!", Atticus retorted.
"Criminal, halt!", Sieve shouted before trying to sand her only to miss as M.T. ran only to get cornered by Mace.
"Gotcha.", Mace spoke before he tried to sand her, too, but missed again before Sieve tried again but missed, causing a tarp to fall on him.
"Come on, guys! This way!", Tulip urged as she led M.T., Pink Steven, Atticus, and One-One away from the flecs as Mace gave chase while Sieve lifted a tarp off him.
"Huh?", Sieve puzzled before he caught up with Mace as Tulip and the others ran as best they could until they noticed two slug citizens.
"Guys, hop on!", Tulip urged as she knelt on all fours before Pink Steven, Atticus, M.T., and One-One hopped onto her with Tulip then jumping over the citizens before landing and then turning left as she ran just as Mace tried to get in-between the two citizens, only to notice that M.T. was nowhere to be seen as he only saw puzzled slug denizens before Mace sighed as Sieve offered his condolences.
Meanwhile, M.T., Atticus, One-One, and Pink Steven got off Tulip in an alleyway.
"Is it clear?", Pink Steven asked whisperingly.
"Let me go check.", M.T. whispered before checking the reflection on her hand to see one of the slug denizens blowing her cover.
"Right there.", the denizen spoke before Mace and Sieve turned around to see her, causing her to gasp.
"Run!", Pink Steven exclaimed before he, Tulip, Atticus, One-One, and M.T. made haste as they fled up until they reach a dead-end.
"Dead end, sliver.", Sieve spoke.
"Get away from her.", Pink Steven glared.
"That's not your concern, denizen.", Mace retorted as he only stepped closer, preparing to sand her.
"I said...GET AWAY FROM HER!", Pink Steven shouted before giving off a shockwave of pink energy, sending Mace and Sieve back and taking them by surprise before Pink Steven calmed down.
"Phew. Tulip, do you think you can get us up by that rooftop?", Pink Steven asked.
"Yeah. I think so.", Tulip responded as she then lowered her hand so that Atticus and One-One can get taken to the rooftop while M.T. climbed up the gutter railing on the way and jumped off it toward the rooftop.
"Wow.", Tulip spoke in surprise.
"Huh. That's one way to get up there. Good thing I have my own method for that, too.", Pink Steven grinned before jumping up toward said rooftop as Mace and Sieve recovered.
"Huh?", Sieve puzzled before he and Mace ran up in time to see Pink Steven joining Atticus, M.T., and One-One.
"Looks like it's just you and me.", Tulip smirked.
"Maneuver 406.", Mace spoke.
"Got it, buddy.", Sieve understood before he ran off as Mace ran toward a puddle with Tulip noticing it.
"No!", Tulip exclaimed before she tried to stop him, but failed as Mace managed to jump into the puddle, making her groan in slight frustration before figuring out how they get by.
"Wait. If the mirror police can jump through any reflection, then...", Tulip spoke before gasping in realization.
"I have to hurry, and fast!", Tulip shouted before running to try and catch up and help if Mace and/or Sieve find them.
Meanwhile, M.T., Atticus, One-One, and Pink Steven were running across the rooftop as the first former looked behind her to see no one coming from the puddle before turning back ahead with a smirk.
"So, this is what a real chase scene is like.", Glad One spoke.
"And considering the last one with those dog-roach monsters, that's saying something.", Sad One added as Pink Steven noticed Mace popping up from one of the puddles ahead.
"Look out!", Pink Steven shouted before Mace grabbed M.T. by the shirt and then smashed her against the ground.
"Leave me alone!", M.T. shouted.
"Not until you're ground into dust.", Mace responded before she kicked him in the chin in response.
Then, Mace tried to jump on her only for Atticus to snarl as he bit into his pants to keep him at bay.
"Thanks, Atticus.", Pink Steven grinned before he, M.T. and One-One took off as Atticus let go of the pants and followed.
"Much obliged.", Atticus responded as he caught up.
"Hey, watch it!", Sieve spoke while trying to get past the denizens without being rude as quickly as he can in pursuit on M.T. only to trip into a crate of orbs, tearing his suit a bit before looking up to see a rope of chains nearby before heading towards it and jumping into it.
Meanwhile, the group of four were running across the rooftop to notice not only strings of lanterns, but also an exit door nearby.
"If we can lose them fast enough, we should be able to make it through that door.", Pink Steven spoke.
"But what about Tulip?", Atticus asked before he turned and then saw Tulip's pink hair as she was moving forwards.
"Knowing her, she's bound to catch up.", Pink Steven assured.
"Then, let's hope she catches up fast enough.", M.T. responded before Mace appeared and dashed toward the group.
"Everyone, dive, dive, dive!", Atticus barked before he, M.T., One-One, and Pink Steven scaled the lanterns their own way with Mace not far behind.
Just then, Tulip caught up and noticed the lanterns have reflective surfaces.
"Right there!", Tulip spoke before she grabbed the lantern that M.T. would've grabbed on, causing Sieve to pop his arm out from the lantern's reflection before Tulip crushed it and then tossed it toward Mace to get him to lose balance.
"Guys, this way!", Tulip shouted before proceeding toward the door, squeezing herself in without breaking it, given her 9-foot height, with Atticus, Pink Steven, One-One, and M.T. following her with Mace and Sieve popping up from the lantern to notice only the red door.
"We can't lose her, not again!", Mace growled.
Meanwhile, Tulip and the others entered a sort of fall-season car with only a deer and tree in the area.
"Huh?", M.T. puzzled.
"Well, this seems peaceful enough.", Tulip grinned.
"Yeah, but it won't be that way for much longer if those guys catch us. We need someplace to hide.", Pink Steven spoke just before the door started opening.
"And we need to do it fast!", Pink Steven added panickedly before Tulip, Atticus, Pink Steven hid behind a tree while M.T. and One-One hid behind the deer.
"Why did I hide behind the deer?!", M.T. spoke before it turned invisible.
"Huh? Hm.", M.T. spoke in surprise.
"Maybe because he's a magic deer?", Glad One grinned before M.T. shushed him just before Mace and Sieve opened the door.
"No escape, Sliver. We got you cornered, and I just love cuttin' corners.", Sieve spoke as he readied his sander before Mace only stopped him for a moment and looked around but saw no sign of her.
"Humiliating. She's gone...again.", Mace growled flicking away his toothpick.
"Don't worry, Mace. We'll get her.", Sieve assured.
"I know that! Slivers are weak, think they're above the law. She made her choice. But they all get tired and let their guard down, think they're safe. They're never safe.", Mace spoke as he knelt down and got out another toothpick while M.T. grew worried about getting caught as Pink Steven gave a glare at Mace without being seen as did Tulip, whose eyes turned the same color as Monster Steven's like last time.
"Well, I guess we should get on through this car and...", Sieve began before Mace interrupted against it.
"Nope. Your suit is compromised.", Mace spoke as he stood up.
"Oops. Oh, yeah. Thanks, buddy. If this tear gets too big, I'm a goner.", Sieve spoke as he noticed the tear on his shirt.
"I'm fully aware. We'll do one more sweep, then head back to the station.", Mace spoke as One-One and M.T. peeped from on top of the invisible deer's back.
"Well, on the upside, the last couple of months tracking her have been a great, truly great bonding experience.", Sieve spoke as Mace opened the door.
"Enough.", Mace responded.
"Yeah. I should shut up. You got it, buddy.", Sieve agreed as he and Mace left before the door closed while Tulip's eyes changed back to its pink color with white sclera.
"Okay. The coast is clear now.", Pink Steven sighed in relief.
"Phew.", M.T. sighed before the deer turned visible again with Atticus, Tulip, and Pink Steven joining her and Tulip.
"Uh...thanks for the save.", M.T. cautiously thanked.
"Yeah. Thanks for helping us escape death.", Sad One added.
"Your assistance is much appreciated.", Atticus added.
"Well..., bye.", M.T. spoke to the deer before she and the others left to go look for the Beach City Car as the deer looked on.
As M.T. walked forward, she and the others that were nearby looked up at the sky only to hear the deer getting closer before the group turned around to see the deer now nearby.
"Uh, sorry. I gotta do this alone.", M.T. spoke.
"Plus, we're on a time-sensitive mission over here. It could be dangerous, so can you please stay here?", Tulip asked before she and the others pressed onward only to quickly get tripped by the deer almost immediately.
"Hey, come on! I'm walking! You go do your thing and I'll do mine!", M.T. shouted before then standing up.
"Why are you still here?", M.T. asked before the deer only puffed out from his mouth and wiggled his ear in response.
"Oh, maybe he's hungry.", Glad One guessed as M.T. grinned.
"You like this stuff, huh?", M.T. guessed as she bent down, picked up a couple of leaves, split them in half, and gave one of them to the deer, who started chewing it.
"So..., what's your deal?", M.T. asked.
The deer did not answer as it was chewing, but she and Pink Steven can tell.
"Oh. So, you're kinda like a loner here, huh?", Pink Steven guessed.
"And a majestic and magical one at that.", Atticus guessed.
"I hear that. You from around here?", M.T. asked.
The deer only turned around and bent down to eat more leaves.
"I think it is, but it also wants to know if you're from around here, too.", Pink Steven guessed.
"Huh. Glad he asked. Nope, I'm not. I'm from a place called 'the chrome car'.", M.T. spoke to the deer.
"Yeah. I remember that.", Pink Steven responded.
"Well, that's what Tulip, my prime, called it. It's actually called the mirror world.", M.T. explained as the deer continued eating more leaves.
"Wow. It's actually called that?", Tulip puzzled.
"I guess that would explain what happened in that car.", Atticus guessed as the deer lifted its head up and turned its head slightly.
"Yeah, don't go there. It sucks. That's where those flecs are from. Hate those guys.", M.T. spoke to the deer, who was looking around for some edible leaves before turning back to M.T. and then sitting down next to her as Pink Steven spoke up.
"I can see why you don't like those guys. Why were they chasing you?", Pink Steven asked.
"They've been chasing me just 'cause I don't want to live the rest of my life as somebody's ref...", M.T. began before the deer laid hits head down on M.T.'s laps.
"I think he likes you.", Glad One spoke before M.T. sighed with a grin and stroked its head gently.
Later, Pink Steven climbed up the tree and came across two leaves.
"Okay. Which leaf do you want? This one? Or that one?", Pink Steven asked before the deer gave no answer.
"Yeah, how about I bring you both?", Pink Steven guessed before plucking a branch with two leaves off before then getting off.
Then, the deer began trying to bite at the small stump on the tree, but was stopped by the pink monster girl.
"Okay, let's not do that.", Tulip spoke as she gently moved him away from the small stump.
Then, as the deer ate leaves, he turned blue.
"Nice. What other colors can you...?", M.T. began before he turned back to his normal color.
"Huh. Okay. Brown again.", M.T. spoke.
Later, Tulip, M.T., Pink Steven, Atticus, and One-One were walking with the deer to look out the horizon at the sunset.
"This is a fine place to live, my friend.", Atticus spoke to the deer.
"It even has a nice sunset.", Glad One added.
"So nice, it could even bring me to tears.", Sad One added.
Later, all 6 were now asleep by each other as the deer's body resembled the night sky with the moon in view.
In the morning, though, M.T. was asleep when she and the others suddenly woke up and noticed that the deer wasn't there.
"Deer? Hey, come on, where'd you go?", M.T. puzzled.
"Where did he go off to? ", Pink Steven puzzled.
"Good question.", Tulip agreed.
"The deer must've went someplace else in this car to look for more leaves to eat.", Atticus guessed.
"But where would the most edible ones be at this hour?", Sad One puzzled.
"Well, we'll just have to look for him to find out. Deer? Deer! Deer!", M.T. shouted while looking for the deer.
"Oh, yeah. Lookin' good.", a voice spoke out from nearby.
"Huh?", M.T. puzzled.
"What's that voice?", Tulip puzzled.
"You think it could be a new passenger?", Glad One asked.
"Or maybe a stowaway.", Sad One added.
"Well, whatever it is, we're just gonna have to find out, but quietly.", Pink Steven responded.
"Okay. Now, just...don't move.", the passenger with an Arizona sweat jacket on spoke as the deer now had sunglasses, peeving M.T. as she growled while puzzling the rest.
"I was right. It was a passenger.", Glad One grinned.
"Well, he does have his own number.", Tulip agreed as she noticed the number in his right hand.
"Wait, is that guy...putting his sunglasses on the deer? They don't even fit.", Pink Steven spoke.
"I guess he's trying to stylize the creature. But apparently, not doing a good job.", Atticus stated before M.T. decided to speak up at the passenger as she stood up.
"Hey, what are you doing?", Pink Steven puzzled.
"Hey, leave him alone!", M.T. shouted to the passenger.
"And she blew our cover...", Pink Steven sighed.
"Whoa. Hi, I'm Jesse. What's your na...", Jesse began before M.T. angrily interrupted.
"I don't care who you are! Why are you putting sunglasses on a deer?!", M.T. interrupted.
"Okay, simmer down there. We'll take it from here.", Pink Steven spoke to M.T. as he moved M.T. back a bit.
"Wait. You're here, too?", Jesse puzzled.
"Well, yeah.", Pink Steven responded.
"Wow. I didn't think I'd see a pink dude in here. You actually look kinda cool like that,", Jesse grinned.
"Uh, thanks.", Pink Steven thanked.
"So, what's your name?", Jesse asked.
"Well, that question used to be more than I can take, but now, I can answer with confidence that I'm Steven Universe. But you can just call me Steven.", Pink Steven responded.
"Steven, huh? That actually sounds like a better name than Dracula, that's for sure.", Jesse commented.
"I'm not sure how I feel about that, but thanks for that, too. Okay, guys! It's safe to come out now.", Pink Steven assured before Tulip, Atticus, and One-One came out.
"Hurray!", Glad One spoke as he hopped out while Atticus jumped out from the bushes.
"It is nice to meet you.", Atticus greeted.
"Wait, One-One? And the corgi from the video's here, too?", Jesse spoke in surprise.
"Greetings, Jesse. I am Atticus, king and uniter of the cardigans and the pembrookes.", Atticus greeted.
"Aw. Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?", Jesse cooed while stroking his fur before realizing something.
"Oh, Wait. That's right. Your majesty, may I have your permission to stroke your fur?", Jesse asked.
"First off, I'm a good man. And secondly, of course you can stroke it, so long as it's gentle.", Atticus assured.
"Cool. Okay, let's try this again. Who's a good man? Who's a good man?", Jesse cooed while stroking him again before Tulip stood up.
"Wow. Way to stroke, Jesse.", Tulip grinned, taking Jesse aback.
"Aah! Giant pink monster!", Jesse exclaimed.
"No, no, no, no, no, Jesse! It's okay. She's with us.", Pink Steven assured.
"Hi. I'm Tulip. And I can assure you, I don't normally look like this.", Tulip assured.
"Oh. Uh, hi, Tulip.", Jesse greeted nervously.
"And, as you already know, I'm your conductor, One.", Glad One spoke.
"One...", Sad One added.
"It's actually a good thing you're here, actually. I have so many questions, like, 'Why am I here?', 'How did I even get here?', and 'How do I get out of here?'", Jesse spoke.
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to save your questions for the end of this adventure.", Sad One responded.
"Aw...", Jesse groaned sadly
"But there is something I could ask you, Jesse.", Pink Steven spoke.
"Yeah? Like what?", Jesse asked.
"Like, why were you putting your sunglasses on the deer?", Pink Steven asked.
"Because it's funny. Look at him. Look at you.", Jesse spoke in response.
Then, just as the deer turned around, M.T. realized how the flecs would find her and then grabbed the glasses quickly and smashed it.
"Oh, come on, those are mine!", Jesse exclaimed before M.T. spray-painted the broken shards.
"All the cars here are really bright.", Jesse groaned.
"Well, maybe you just need to use your eyes outside the glasses more.", Pink Steven suggested.
"Glasses are statistically proven to weaken your eyesight.", Sad One added.
"Still, he didn't ask for glasses. He's just living his life.", M.T. added.
"But he's my deer. I've hung out with him for an hour. Maybe even a little more.", Jesse retorted as he stroked the deer's fur.
"That part is true, except you don't own him.", Atticus responded.
"Atticus is right. He's free. He's his own deer. But if he was anyone's deer, he'd be my deer, because we've hung out with him longer, like two days!", M.T. responded.
"Are you sure? I got all these pics with him.", Jesse spoke as he held out his phone that then showed four pictures of him with the deer today.
"That's nothing. I've got pictures, too, but from yesterday.", Pink Steven responded as he got out his own phone that then showed pictures of him, the deer, M.T., Tulip, Atticus, and One-One.
"I think I was a little goofy on that one.", Pink Steven added.
"Also, this deer can change color.", Tulip added.
"Oh, well, this guy doesn't change colors. He's got laser eyes.", Jesse retorted before then imitating the laser sounds and laughing.
"Seriously? Laser eyes?", M.T. puzzled.
"Yeah. Well, laser vision, uh, heat vision. What...what do you call it?", Jesse puzzled in response.
"My money's on Laser vision.", Sad One spoke.
"Okay. So, let's say that the deer we each hung out with was actually the same one. Technically, we still don't know exactly what it can do.", Pink Steven responded just before the deer's legs suddenly stretched up, allowing it to reach for it by stretching up its neck, bite on the faraway leaf from the tree and eat it.
"Does your deer do that?", Tulip asked.
"No...", Jesse responded before the deer hiccuped and fired small lasers from his eyes and then stretching down back to normal.
"Aha! I knew it was the same deer we've been hanging out with.", Pink Steven grinned.
"Have you been getting two dinners?", M.T. asked.
"Oh, he's friends with all of us! Now, we're friends, too! By association! We're travel friends!", Jesse spoke excitedly.
"What? No!", M.T. groaned.
"I don't think we should go that far.", Tulip spoke.
"Yeah, we all just met.", Pink Steven added.
"On the other hand, it does seem like a catchy song. My singing outside my people's language could be a bit rusty, mind you. And a-one, two, three, four...", Atticus began before he and Jesse sang.
Atticus and Jesse: 🎵Travel friends,
Brought together by the sheer majesty of an incredible, super powered deer, and...🎵
"No!", M.T. interrupted.
"No? But it was catchy...", Sad One groaned.
"Yeah, but a little bit rusty like Atticus said. Not bad, though.", Pink Steven grinned.
"Thank you.", Atticus thanked.
"The point is, we can't stay here for long. We are on a mega-important, time-crunching mission here, and the sooner we get out, the better.", Pink Steven responded.
"Yeah. We're leaving, so goodbye, and enjoy putting your sunglasses on random animals!", M.T. grunted while trying to move the deer, but failed as she then tripped.
"Dracula's not random, he's my friend.", Jesse responded.
"Wait, you seriously named a deer Dracula?", Tulip puzzled.
"You cannot name a deer Dracula!", M.T. complained.
"Yeah. He's not even a vampire.", Pink Steven added.
"Although, come to think of it, the black markings on his lower lip kind of look like fangs.", Atticus stated.
"Oh, yeah. I kinda see that, too.", Tulip spoke.
"I just hope he doesn't suck blood...", Sad One spoke.
"Let's ask the deer. Hey, deer, what do you want to be called?", Jesse asked before the deer did not reply before Jesse moved his mouth with his hands and spoke as if the deer was talking.
"'Draculaaaa!'", Jesse, posing as the deer, spoke.
"See? Dracula.", Jesse laughed a bit before the deer puffed at him.
"No.", M.T. refused.
"Hm, yeah. I guess you're right. Maybe we should go with something everyone would be into. What's everyone's favorite name. Oh, Alan! It's Alan.", Jesse spoke.
"That's kinda better, actually.", Pink Steven grinned.
"Personally, I would've preferred 'Blacktooth'.", Atticus added.
"Those all sound like good names to me.", Glad One commented before Jesse came up with an idea.
"Wait. That's it! Alan Blacktooth Dracula! Or just Alan Dracula for short. Let's try it out. 'Hello. Have you met my deer, Alan Dracula?' Oh, yeah. Sounds like something I'd say. Good idea, chrome girl.", Jesse grinned before M.T. only gave a furious look that showed that she was fuming and about to explode.
"Oh, man! I don't think you should've called her that.", Pink Steven spoke worriedly before M.T. started yelling at Jesse.
"No! That's not his name and it's not my name! You can't go around deciding names for people without asking. It's their choice to...!", M.T. shouted.
"Guys? Don't look now, but...", Tulip spoke before pointing to the deer, which then suddenly fell down through an apparent hole, earning gasps from the group.
"Alan Dracula!", Jesse shouted as he, M.T., Atticus, One-One, Pink Steven, and Tulip went over to the hole and looked down through it.
"No!", M.T. shouted before the aptly named Alan Dracula landed on a few branches with the group getting worried.
"Wow. Now, that's a long way down...", Pink Steven spoke in slight worry.
"You took the words right out of my mouth.", Sad One responded.
Back at the station, Mace and Sieve's boss, Officer Shard, was furious.
"You mean to tell me that you two failed to catch her again?!", Shard shouted as he smashed his fist against the table.
"Clearly, we've underestimated her. She's more elusive than we first thought.", Mace exclaimed.
"Still, with all due respect, Officer Shard, we'll catch her.", Sieve assured.
"Are you sure about that, Sieve? Because it's been two months now, and that sliver is still on the loose at who knows where! Since the two of you are unable to capture Tulip Prime's reflection for two months, I'm going to have to discuss your punishment.", Officer Shard threatened as he raised his sander and started it up, putting the two agents in unease.
"Or...I'll just have you two work with Bane.", Shard added as he stopped his sander.
"Bane?", Mace puzzled.
"The Special Agent Bane? You can't be serious. I mean, come on. Isn't he more like a freelance assassin, now?", Sieve asked.
"That may be true, Agent Sieve, but the way I see it, at least he does have better methods of hunting slivers that currently rival Mace's own skills at this point.", Officer Shard responded, making Agent Mace growl angrily.
"Now, now, I know how you feel, Agent Mace, but with the way things are right now, desperate times call for desperate measures. You understand that, too, don't you?", Officer Shard asked.
Then, Mace sighed before responding.
"Transparently.", Mace responded.
"Good. Just as long as we're on the same page. The point is, if even my best men are unable to capture that sliver, then it is my job as officer to intervene.", Officer Shard spoke before leading a button on the intercom.
"Yes, Officer Shard?", one of the flecs asked through the intercom.
"Cancel my 2:00 patrol and schedule us for...an emergency meeting with Special Agent Bane.", Officer Shard spoke through the intercom.
Later, the three were in Bane's presence.
"So I heard you want me to help these two idiots catch a lousy sliver. If that's true, then I want double my usual pay.", Bane spoke.
"As less of a concern as your price is, I believe your services are needed for this job.", Shard spoke.
"I'm listening.", Bane responded.
"So, as you've not doubt heard, the escape of Tulip Prime's reflection has brought many difficult changes and while most of us have adapted quite well, I realize some of us are still having a bit of trouble.", Officer Shard explained.
"And how difficult is this sliver?", Bane asked.
"Quite. We'll fill you in with the rest of the details on your way for preparations with the means provided for your mission, or your big job, as you might call it, should you decide to accept it.", Officer Shard assured before Bane looked up with a smirk.
"You've got a deal.", Bane smirked.
A/N: And there we have it, the introduction to Officer Shard, voiced by Steven Ogg for his voice for Professor Venomous and Shadowy Figure from "OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes!" and Special Agent Bane, voiced by Corey Burton for his voice role as Cad Bane from "Star Wars: The Clone Wars"! Dun-Dun-Duuuuun! Kinda suspenseful and surprising, isn't it? I'm sure things will get surprising along the way based upon your suggestions for what could happen a bit differently in the next episode. Until next time. :)