**Rebirth in Redemption**

Years had passed since Steven left Beach City, and he had spent most of them traveling, trying to escape the darkness that still lingered within him. The anger, the frustration, and the pain – they all still lingered, but he had learned to control them, to hide them behind a mask of calmness. He had grown into a strong and capable young man, but the scars of his past still haunted him. As he walked through the desolate wasteland, Steven couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched. He had been on his guard for days, ever since he had sensed a strange energy emanating from a nearby settlement. His instincts had proven correct when a figure emerged from the shadows, clad in a red hooded cloak. The figure charged at Steven with a swift and deadly strike, and for a moment, Steven found himself struggling to keep up. The attacks were relentless, precise, and calculated, as if his opponent had spent years honing their skills. Steven's training with the Crystal Gems had prepared him for battles, but this was different – this was personal. With a surge of adrenaline, Steven managed to hold his own, exchanging blows with the hooded figure. The fight was intense, and for a moment, Steven thought he might actually lose. But he refused to give up, drawing upon every ounce of strength and willpower he possessed. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Steven managed to gain the upper hand, pinning the figure to the ground. With a swift motion, he pulled back the hood, and his eyes widened in shock. The face that stared back at him was his own, but older, wearier, and etched with deep lines of sorrow and regret. The eyes, however, were what truly caught Steven's attention – they were his own, but with a deep-seated pain and a hint of madness. "Who are you?" Steven asked, his voice barely above a whisper. The older version of himself smiled, a cold, mirthless smile. "I am Red Diamond," he said, his voice dripping with malevolence. "And you, Steven, are a reminder of what I once was." As Red Diamond spoke, Steven began to understand the true nature of this alternate version of himself. He came from a future where Steven had succumbed to his darkness, where he had killed everyone he loved because he couldn't accept and love himself. The thought sent a shiver down Steven's spine. In a moment of panic, Steven's hand trembled, and his fingers closed around the device on Red Diamond's wrist. With a sickening crunch, he ended the older version's life. As the body went limp, the device on its wrist began to glow. Steven stumbled backward, horrified by what he had done. The device emitted a bright light, and Steven felt himself being pulled through time and space. When the light faded, Steven found himself standing in a familiar yet foreign landscape. He looked around, disoriented, and that's when he saw her – a small, pink-haired figure, sitting alone on a rock, staring at the ground. Spinel. Steven's heart skipped a beat as he approached her. She looked up, startled, and their eyes met. For a moment, they just stared at each other. "Hi," Spinel said, her voice soft and innocent. Steven smiled, feeling a sense of hope he hadn't felt in years. Maybe, just maybe, this was his chance to redo his life, to learn about who he truly was beyond being Pink Diamond's son. And as he looked into Spinel's eyes, he knew that he had to protect her, to prevent her from falling down the same path she had in his original timeline. The journey ahead would be difficult, but Steven was determined to make things right this time. What does Steven do next?