A/N: 'Ello there, and welcome to my first Steven Universe fanfic. This piece is heavily inspired by Candy Jewel's video "Shattered" - (SUF -Fragments Animation), and AeroArtwork's video Steven Universe Future: Fragments Alternate Ending. I suggest that you check them both out as they are really nice animations. I also tried to put my own spin on things, which I hope that you'll enjoy.

Chapter 1

The clouds loomed overhead as thunder rumbled. Steven looked on until the dust settled over nothing but a pile of rocks. The teenager grinned and planted his feet on the ground. He approached the destruction he'd caused as the feeling of victory filled his being. He placed a foot atop a stone and let out a loud, drawn-out whoo.

"How does it feel, Jasper?! Who is the weak one now?"

There was no answer.

"Hello?" He scratched the back of his head, finding the lack of a response a bit unsettling. 'Did I–? Did I poof her?'

Curiously, Steven reached over to remove some of the debris. It took little time or effort until he saw a glimpse of the orange quartz. He let out a laugh of disbelief.

"I actually poofed you?" The teenager couldn't believe it, and yet, the proof was right in front of him. "Wow!" He stretched out his arm to remove the stone still stuck on top of Jasper. "I guess that I'll have to thank you after you–"

Steven's words cut off when he lifted the rock, and the gem fell onto the ground in pieces. A gasp left his lips as he fell backwards. He sat there, frozen and staring. It couldn't be. He must be dreaming, right? Yeah, this must be a terrible nightmare.

The teenager let his hand find his cheek and pinched it hard. He winced at the pain, closing his eyes briefly. When he refocused on the ground, his heart dropped back down into his stomach. The terrible sight in front of him hadn't changed.

Steven couldn't move. His breathing became erratic as his body trembled. There's– There's no way he– No. He couldn't have. And yet, the image persisted.

The rain that had threatened to fall for the past hour finally did. Along with it, came another rumble of thunder that resounded through the clouds. The noise tore into the teenager and startled him back into reality.

"No!" Steven scrambled to sit up and reached for the shards. 'I didn't just– There's no way I–' But the image of the broken quartz did not change. He took a breath. 'It's okay– I can fix this!'

The teenager placed each piece back together with care. He licked his finger once it looked whole enough and touched it. Nothing happened. The shards fell apart, unable to hold its form any longer. The sight made something inside Steven twist around as tears formed and ran down his cheeks.

"No... No!" He hastily stood up and grabbed his jacket. He needed to get back home. He must fix it.

…

The rain fell harshly from the darkened sky. Steven barely felt the droplets or the cold wind that tried to get his attention. His legs burned from running, but he pushed through despite the uncomfortable sensation. He couldn't stop. He needed to get back home.

Thankfully, it didn't take too long until he arrived at the house. He hurried up the steps and pushed the door open. Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst jumped at his sudden entrance. They tried to speak to him, but he couldn't afford to get distracted.

Not now. Not yet.

Steven went towards the bathroom and locked the door. He approached the bathtub to turn on the water. Next, he opened the cabinet above the sink and gathered up the three bottles only to dump them into the clear liquid. The teenager took a step back as the water changed colours. He pulled out his clenched fist from the jacket pocket and unfurled it. The orange shards lay across his palm. Carefully, he put them back together as he'd done earlier.

"Please. Please let this work."

Steven wrapped both of his hands around the broken gem and dipped it into the water. The tears from earlier resurfaced as he apologized and begged for Jasper to come back. Nothing happened.

"Please!"

The word echoed between the tiled walls of the bathroom. After a few minutes of silence, he cracked an eye open. The water swirled with the colours of blue, yellow, white, and pink. However, the orange quartz between his hands didn't light up. It remained in pieces.

"No..." Steven couldn't breath. "No!" He couldn't move. "NO!"

The teenager's body lit up in bright pink as a wave of power surged through him, and a loud shattering filled his ears. He wouldn't be surprised if it were the sound of his heartbreaking. He let out sobs and apologies tumbled out of his mouth. Too soon, he was interrupted by an insistent knock on the door.

"Steven! Are you okay?! What's happening?"

The gems. He couldn't see them like this. He couldn't let them know what he'd done. Despite the exhaustion coursing through his body and soul, Steven stood up. He left through the wide-open, broken window. The rain felt like pellets hitting his skin as he floated away from the house. He didn't have a destination in mind as he ultimately left Beach City. He just needed to escape.

…

Funnily enough, he ended up in the middle of the Gem Battlefield. The weather had let up quite a bit since he arrived. The rain had stopped entirely, and clouds parted to reveal an orange sky. Steven strolled through the fields of strawberries until he reached the place where he had once comforted Pearl. The view was still as beautiful as ever. It did little to lift his mood, though.

Reluctantly, Steven uncurled his fist for the second time that day. The shards of Jasper glinted in the remnants of the sunlight. It looked so beautiful.

The teenager collapsed onto the ground. He felt exhausted. His body was no longer able to support him. Many feelings coursed through his being. Sadness. Rage. Guilt. Disgust. How could he have been so stupid? So blind? If it weren't for him, Jasper would still be–

He glanced back at the shards that had spilt onto the ground. Jasper.

"I'm sorry."

Steven knew that it wouldn't help matters. Not any more. Still, he didn't know what else to say. What else could sum up how he feels? How sorry? How pathetic? How useless? He shook his head and refocused on the pieces.

What should he do now? What could he even do? The teenager had no idea. He couldn't go back home because of the gems. They would ask questions. He could try to avoid them, but not for long. Eventually, their patience would run out. He also couldn't go to Connie. She was great, but he didn't want to bother her. She had enough stuff on her plate. His dad was also out of the question. He wouldn't ask any prying questions, but Steven couldn't fathom being around him after he'd– After he'd–

The thought sent a shiver down his spine. No, this was his problem. An issue that he couldn't fix. He'd been too naïve to think that everything could be solved. If only he'd not gone to Jasper for help. Then she would still be around. She wouldn't be–

The tears built back up even though he didn't have the energy to cry any more. Yet, he let them fall and dug a hole into the ground with his fingers. He didn't make it big, only enough for the shards to fit in it. He looked away as he covered the pieces of the orange quartz. He smoothed out the soil once nothing but dirt remained.

Once he'd finished the shallow burial, Steven didn't know what to do. If he couldn't go anywhere, then what did that leave him with? That's right, not a thing. It suited him. He had nobody and had become nothing. It fit him perfectly. However, he knew that it wouldn't take long until the gems or someone else found him. He didn't want that to happen. For once, he wished that he could just disappear without a trace.

An unexpected thought crossed his mind. It left him giddy yet incredibly sad. But what choice did he have? He would sooner do it than face anyone. He couldn't control himself any more, that much was apparent. It would be better for everyone. If he were gone, then nobody else would have to suffer. He wouldn't have to suffer. It was perfect.

Steven took a deep breath and with a hollow smile, stood up. His legs protested immensely, but he didn't have to worry long about it. Soon it would be over. He looked over the edge of the small floating island. It was a long way down. The teenager had no idea if it would kill him. But it was worth a shot, right?

"Goodbye, everyone. I'm sorry."

He stepped out into the open air.