Steven Universe Of The Creek Chapters 22 & 23

Chapter 22 The True Swordsmanship Wisdom











Kelsey took Connie and the others to the only place where they can find wisdom for swordsmanship, especially with the learning experience that follows it. Out of nearly all the places she and her friends went to, the location was the least they’ve been from time to time. Steven, Connie, and even Lion took notice of the pink flowering trees from the distance.

“I’ve known about these trees.” Steven commented.

“You were by these trees when the Crystal Gems trained you?” Craig asked.

“Mostly for advice, but yes, I was by at least one of these trees.”

“There was one time where Pearl took me to a forest like this, but much bigger, every pink flowering tree around me to communicate with her in peace.” Connie replied.

“Good to hear.” Kelsey smiled. “Because the Ninja Kids do that at the Ninja Garden Waterfall.”

“The Ninja Garden Waterfall?”

“It’s not a big waterfall, but it’s the perfect place for wisdom, hopefully.”

Lion kept his sight straight ahead as he and the group got closer to the waterfall. The moment they arrived, he, along with Steven and Connie witnessed the Ninja Kids, meditating on the borders with the leader on top of the waterfall. When they opened their eyes, they looked down on Craig’s group, but what they didn’t expect was the pink Lion right behind them. The leader jumped off from the border, landing in front of the group which took Steven, Connie, and Lion by surprise.

“Foe!” Yustice shouted.

“We’re not doing anything suspicious!” Kelsey said, protecting Steven and Connie.

“I’m not talking about them, that animal!” She pointed at Lion. “He could take over our waterfall just like Xavier did!”

“That lion looks more intimidating!” Zatch commented.

“How did you even get a lion as a pet?” Prynda added.

“I knew something like this would happen.” Craig placed his hands behind his back.

“He’s not gonna hurt anyone, even though lions are dangerous, this one isn’t hazardous!”

“Believe her, expect he’s not her pet, it’s mine.” Steven chimed in. “We’re only here to do some sword training.”

“Sword training?” Yustice slowing getting out of her position. “You mean, with actual swords?”

“It’s hard to believe but, if you haven’t seen a sword fighter, your day has come.” Connie reached behind her shoulder to take her sword out of her scabbard. The kids stared at her sword, including Kelsey’s whose eyes sparkled. Her surroundings turned to black with a spotlight glowing above her with another above Connie and her sword.

“It’s the most beautiful sword Kelsey has ever seen!” She then took out her sword as Connie found her sword cute. “It’s destiny for Kelsey to be the most skilled master from the Crystal Gem’s sword fighter! The waterfall itself has more wisdom to succeed in swordsmanship…”

In reality, Connie and Steven saw Kelsey standing in place as they looked at each other. “Does she usually do this?” Connie asked, turning to Craig.

“Yes.” Craig answered. “Let her have her moment, she doesn’t take that long to snap out of it.”

“She really wants this badly.” Steven commented.

As Connie turned to the Ninja Kids, she got back on topic as they still stared at her sword. “That sword looks legendary.” Zatch said, eyeing it.

“I didn’t think they made swords like that.” Prynda added.

“Ninjas will never have a sword, this prestigious and beautiful.” Yustice added.

“Technically I never used this blade as much as the last one but, in a way, it does look like those things.” Connie replied. “Can me and Kelsey be on top of the waterfall?”

“Of course, you two are allowed to practice up there.”

“You just want to see what she can do with her sword right?” Omar guessed.

“Let them live their dream as much as Kelsey is right now.” J.P. added.

Kelsey and Connie both got up on top of the waterfall, swords in hand. Lion jumped in the air, landing behind Connie which surprised Kelsey. “I didn’t know he could do that.”

“He’s mostly with me at all times, it’s not the only thing he can do.” Connie smiled as she lifted her sword up. Kelsey looked at Lion as it stared back at her. He didn’t express any emotion, as if he wasn’t afraid that something could happen at any moment.

“He’s not really dangerous when he’s like that. It seems he convinced them he’s welcome here.”

“He’s always welcome when he’s with me and Steven.” She then lifted her sword in the air as Kelsey followed her movements. “By the way, I like your sword.”

“Thanks, my dad gave it to me. If only you stayed just a little longer, I would be happy to see you meet him.”

“You just don’t limit yourself, do you?” Steven called.

“She can’t help herself when the moment’s that good to her.” Craig replied.

“Let’s focus on the training for now.” Connie said. “Parry your opponent by blocking yourself like this.” She placed the hilt of her sword in front of her face as Kelsey followed her movements.

“Like this?” She looked at her position.

“Yes, it’ll give you a chance to turn it into an attack.” When Connie looked at Kelsey’s sword, she knew she would break it with her sword being more powerful than hers. “Is it better if we don’t fight each other?”

“Are you kidding? It will feel like we’re teaming up together! I never see you as the enemy.” Kelsey cheered as Mortimor flew off of her head, landing on Connie’s head.

“From the way your pet’s feeling, he can agree with you.” Connie smiled. “Okay so our next technique is to pose before battle.” She lifted her sword up with her hand, pointing it over her head with Mortimor looking at it closely. She used her other hand to reach, with only two fingers up.

Kelsey has always felt brave whenever she’s prepared for battle, but Connie’s pose became more epic. She memorized her pose with the same arm gestures. She lifted her sword above her head, while reaching with her other arm along with her two fingers up. As the group and Ninja kids watched her, she grew a smile on her face. With her and Connie being above the waterfall, she imagines herself in her warrior outfit she had in her fantasies with Connie, being in a swordswoman master outfit with their hair blowing in the wind. Petals of pink flowers from trees blow by them, with Mortimor by Kelsey’s side, while Lion is by Connie's side.

“You’re doing it.” Connie smiled.

“I am.” Kelsey replied. “Did Pearl give you more ways?”

“You wouldn’t be more surprised if I showed you my own ways.”

“What do you mean?”

Connie still didn’t forget that Steven almost fused with Craig, something she needed to talk to him about before leaving. But at the same time, with only Craig’s group and the Ninja kids, she wouldn't mind as she trusts them enough to give them a surprise.

“Steven, can you come up here?” She called.

Steven headed on top of the waterfall as Connie got out of her position, so did Kelsey. “Yes?” He asked.

“Should we show Kelsey that we’re close together?” She asked.

“Yeah, we haven’t done this in a long time.”

As Connie made Mortimor flow off of her head, she took Steven’s hand, causing them to glow just like before except this time, no one interrupted. The kids just stared at them, with Kelsey’s jaw dropped. Steven and Connie fused into Stevonnie, with the glow going away, they held their shield and sword, with the sun shining on them.

“Is it just me or did Steven and Connie turn into a supermodel?” J.P. blinked.

“They’re more than that.” Yustice added. “They’re a sword master.”

The Ninja Kids walked up to the waterfall as they knelt down, showing their respect to Stevonnie and even Kelsey. Kelsey still kept her attention on the fusion itself, as if she was meeting a master class sword fighter. “Unbelievable…and beyond majestic.” She spoked.

“This is what fusion really looks like.” Stevonnie smiled. “It’s hard to accomplish, as you need to have a close connection with someone.”

“Is that what you were trying to do with Craig?” She pointed at her friend. “Steven?”

With their thoughts shared in their mind, Stevonnie felt disappointed it didn’t happen. “Yes, but it wasn’t a way of showing off. It was a way…of figuring out his pink eye problem.” In her mind, Connie wished he didn’t do that, but for how it got more serious, she wouldn’t even figure out how to resolve it.

“It’s okay.” She looked up at the fusion. “There is so much I want from you…mainly your Connie self but…I didn’t really want to be fused. Just wanted some sword lessons.”

“I don’t blame you. Do you want to continue with this?”

This gave Kelsay an idea, knowing it could be another step for her best friend. “Yes but, can I have Craig up here?”

When they looked at Craig, he froze in place, witnessing a fusion for the first time in his life. He didn’t forget what Steven told him this morning and the fact he almost fused with him with no problem, made him realize he’s getting closer to him. “Craig.” Stevonnie called to his attention. “Can you come up here?”

“Okay.” He replied as he got up, standing on the border in between Stevonnie and Kelsey. “I can’t believe this is what you look like when you fuse someone Steven.”

“Don’t call me that. In fusion, call me Stevonnie.”

“Is it wrong if that feels awkward?” J.P. called.

“You get used to it after a while.”

“Okay…Stevonnie.” Craig awkwardly smiled. “So why am I up here?” His eyes then turned pink as he looked down at the Ninja Kids, who look like Pearls in Craig’s vision.

“Ohh, that makes sense.” Stevonnie took notice of Craig’s eyes. “What are you seeing?”

“Pearls, three Pearls with different hairstyles.” He answered.

“Bet one of them trained you right?” Kelsey smiled at Stevonnie. “I may not see what he’s seeing, but it gave me an idea who I’m thinking about.”

“Yeah.” Stevonnie replied. “One of them did give me wisdom.” She looked at Yustice who’s the main Pearl in Craig’s vision.

“I’m not gonna lie, this doesn’t bother me like it used to.” Craig looked at Kelsey.

“But it is still creepy to look at.” Kelsey leaned back from her best friend. Then Lion walked up to Craig as it licked his face.

“It’s not bothering Lion. He’s growing to like him.” Stevonnie patted on Lion’s mane.

“Maybe if we have time left, we can find Wildernessa to help out with her goal. It’s the least we can do for her.” Craig smiled.

“We are gonna do my thing next, right?” Omar called.

“We will.”

Kelsey went back to sword training only this time, being trained with Stevonnie. Craig went back down from the waterfall with his pink vision going away. He can only imagine what Pearl really looked like if he saw her in person, not in pitch pinkness. Then again, it’ll be a miracle if that ever happened. For Omar, once the sword training is over, he’ll get his chance to take Steven to the person he wants him to meet. However, he’s unsure if he’s gonna find her in time.

Chapter 23 Walking On Water In Freedom








Steven and Connie un-fused after the group left Ninja Garden Waterfall with Omar taking the lead for once. He wished there’s a way for him to contact the person from his phone, but he doesn’t have her number. The only guess he has is the place where a few people from the other side of the Creek go to ever since the Capture The Flag war ended. He once went there with the person he used to be enemies with.

“Omar.” Steven replied. “You sure you know where you're going?”

“Yes, it’s just I’m trying to find one person who could be at another waterfall.”

“There’s another waterfall?” Connie spoked.

“Bigger than the last one.”

Craig can tell who he’s trying to find, but he’s not happy to meet her again. He’s unsure if she heard about Steven this morning, but he hopes she doesn’t do anything that could lead to disaster. Soon Omar started to remember the trail that leads to the waterfall itself. The more he continued following the trail, he heard the waterfall and so did the group.

When they arrived at the location, they witnessed the huge waterfall pouring down behind trees. “Wow!” Connie commented. “That’s a big waterfall.”

“That’s not it. Look down there.” Omar pointed to focus their attention. Not only there's another waterfall above, but also a lake that the waterfall is pouring into. “Some kids have their swimsuits on if they want to take a dip in there.”

“Swimming in there?” Craig replied. “If I had this in my map earlier, I would’ve offered to have you swim here Steven.”

“I would be happy about that but I was never in a swimming mood all day.” Steven crossed his arms. “This may bring me memories of when I went swimming back at Beach City and this place is wonderful, but last night has still been on my mind.”

“Still though, I would swim here if I had my swimsuit.” Connie smiled.

Omar looked everywhere to find the person, however, he’s out of luck. Then Lion walked up to him, getting a better view of the lake he found appealing. As he looked at Omar, he wondered what person he wanted to show his group, giving the history he had with her. “You wouldn’t believe what me and Craig went through in Capture The Flag.” He then looked away from him. “Even though what you, Steven, and Connie went through was a lot difficult, it was still a tough time before the war in the creek.”

“I would’ve been more enticing if I meant someone who’s part of that one, especially the former king.” Steven walked up next to Lion.

“Trust me, if those gems from last night were part of our war, on the enemy’s side, we would actually lose.”

“We wouldn’t be hanging around if Xavier took over the creek.” Craig filling in.

“I can’t imagine how you would feel if you came here that way.” J.P. added.

“I would take matters in my own hands, but forbidding my powers, just the more mature way.” Steven replied.

“You would probably not like the way he reacts when you talk to him.” Omar said. “His former BFF would tell you everything about him.”

Then Maya, who just hiked with people from the other side of the creek an hour ago, took off on her own as she arrived at the waterfall. The first person she noticed is Steven himself who heard her footsteps close by. “Is that his former BFF?” He pointed.

When Omar saw Maya, it made him relieved that he found her. “Yes, she is.”

Maya walked up to Steven while she crossed her arms. She didn’t say a word, she still remembers the photo she saw from her former BFF’s bedroom where Steven hugged Craig. She knows Craig’s around, but she’ll give him space knowing he wants nothing to do with her. Steven didn’t feel suspicious, but he’s still unsure if he’ll trust her if she changes after the war.

“What’s your name?” He asked.

“Maya.” She answered. “And you must be Steven.” When Lion looks at her, he also doesn’t trust her, but can see she isn’t pulling any tricks. When she looked at his pet, she wasn’t fazed, like Aquamarine and Ruby from earlier. “You’ve got to prove to me you have at least found another lion who’s pink.”

“No, he didn’t, nor did I.” Connie walked up to Maya. “How can we prove that to you?”

“Because I’ve been through weird things from kids that aren’t from the other side of the creek. If I meet more pink lions, nothing is really weird to me anymore.”

“You’re asking for too much, right?” Omar placed his hands in his pockets.

“I only came here to relax after hiking, were you trying to find me?”

“Yes.”

“I wonder why.”

Craig sighed while hiding behind Lion. He wanted to fill in who Maya is to Steven, but interfering in the conversation wouldn’t do him any favors.

“During the last minutes of Capture The Flag, I had a sword battle with her in the Overpass.” Kelsey replied.

“That is where I realize that the summers I had with Xavier were all a waste. I was in tears and if he won, I would’ve wasted more summers.” Maya lowered her head.

“You’re starting from scratch?” Steven asked.

“For the most part.”

“We agreed to hang out from time to time. Last time we hung out, we came here to this waterfall. It became her new comfort place in the creek.” Omar replied.

Maya then walked up to the edge of the waterfall as Craig went to Lion’s side. Maya looked down at the lake, with the others walking up next to her. “I don’t usually get comfort before the war happens, especially how Xavier used me. But this almost made me feel better.”

“I couldn’t imagine what he would’ve done if he won the war, while witnessing this place for the first time.” Connie said.

“He would definitely turn it into his personal swimming pool.”

“With only himself for company.” Omar added.

“Everyone would definitely go to the beach if they can’t go swimming here.” J.P. commented.

“I got to say Maya, if Xavier gave you more comfort, you would feel worse than you already have. I’ve learned that from experience.” Steven continued to look at the lake.

“Who are you referring to?” Maya turned to Steven.

“My mom.”

“Your mom?”

Steven nodded while Craig spyed on them while still hiding behind Lion. “If you’re willing to listen to everything my mom did, you would think I’m crazy.”

“I find Craig crazy whenever he talks to me, but the thing is, when I heard about…you know what from last night, those two gems are way more crazy than you.”

Steven didn’t retort, learning that she knows who Aquamarine and Ruby are. “You think they’re crazier than my mom?”

“If I knew your mother, no.”

“Do you know where they are?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

The group including Craig catched on to where the gems are staying. From what they heard from Omar, the kids hope the creek isn’t in danger in the future. “It is obvious and I’m not leaving until they’re gone from the creek, but me and Craig have our own problems tonight.”

“Is Craig around?”

“He’s hiding.” J.P. answered.

“Well that explains it.”

“Craig, come on out.” Steven called as Craig popped his head behind Lion. “Come here.” He walked up to them as Steven placed his hands on his hips. “I don't want you to make amends with her, but you don’t have to hide from her.”

“It's more embarrassing than stupid.”

“Maya, when I took Steven out in the Creek during the whole day, I wasn’t even planning on taking him to the other side of the creek, which included meeting you.” Craig replied.

“One of your friends did that for a reason right? Just like how a grown up like Steven’s spending his time with you?”

“A person who never went to school, unlike us? And who’s seventeen years old still planning out his future?” Steven felt offended which took Craig’s attention. “I didn’t mean that Steven.”

“I know, but please don’t say that again.” He sighed.

“You should understand it’s hurtful when he doesn’t have the same life as me.” Connie replied.

Maya kept her words to herself, not trying to be hurtful unlike her former king. “I really don’t know what I would do if we did something as friends, Steven.”

“Not that I wanted to hang out with you but…” Steven then turned to Lion, remembering he has an ability that will blow everyone’s mind. “...do you want to ride on Lion?”

As she looked at Lion, he looked at her back. “I’m not really much of a pet person.”

“He won’t hurt you, just hold onto his mane. At the very least, you can give my friends a demonstration when they get a ride.”

“Not that I wanted to, but what can he do that’s unbelievable?” Maya hopped onto Lion, grabbing on his mane with her hands tightly. Lion looked at her briefly while not hesitating, jumping off the cliff much to her surprise. “Whoa!” She reacted as she saw Lion diving into the lake. She closed her eyes before she splashed but when she and Lion reached down, they stopped without a single drop of water splashing on them.

When she opened her eyes, she’s in the middle of the lake. She looked down at Lion’s feet standing on the water. From above, the jaws of Craig and his friends dropped with Steven and Connie closing them. Maya lifted her body up slowly, all the while still shocked in the position she’s in. “Unbelievable.” She blinked. Lion then ran in circles on the lake while Maya still held onto him. It wasn’t difficult but soon Lion ran faster to the point she almost lost her grip. But she grew a smile, way more than the last time she went to her comfort place. “This is way better than anything Xavier would ever give me!” She cheered.

“Were you two shocked when he walked on water?” Craig spoked.

“Yes.” Connie answered.

“This isn’t even the only thing he can do.” Steven smiled. “It’s getting close to sunset.”

“You wanna see another trick he can do before the day’s out?”

“Big time.” Craig replied. “I got to have my sister meet him. What I’m really thinking about is how Wildernessa would take it if she meets him.”

“For a girl who adores animals, she would search high and low to find another pink lion…where there's only one.” Omar smiled.

Back on the lake, Lion slowed down with Maya laughing in satisfaction. “I don’t believe you nor Steven are crazy. You and him are awesome.” Lion looked at her again after listening to her. “Whatever those two gems are, I bet they don’t stand a chance against you and Steven.” She patted his head. Lion roared, causing a beam to come out from his mouth with a portal appearing, catching Maya by surprise. They went through it as it disappeared, then another portal appeared from above the edge they dropped off. Everyone got out of the way as Lion flew out of the portal while landing on the ground. Maya jumped off while crossing her arms. “Walking on water isn't crazy, especially along with portals.”

“We’ve already seen he can do that.” Craig awkwardly grinned.

“Trust me, it’s not his portal. Something part of him you couldn’t believe is possible.” Steven leaned down.

“Anyway, I’m gonna head home for the day. Chances are, we might meet again before you leave.” Maya walked up to Steven.

“We'll see what happens then.” Steven gives Maya a handshake.

“And Craig.” She turned to him. “Don’t explode when you see me hang out with Steven.”

“I wasn’t thinking about it.” He responded.

“Just don’t push it.” Maya leaves the waterfall as the sky turns orange. The group has enough time before the timekeeper of the creek alerts everyone before dinner arrives. As they leave the waterfall, their final objective of the day is to get Jessica and find Wildernessa. Steven will look forward to what he has in store for Craig just before they head home.