Summary: Steven spends every night for a week experiencing dreams- or more accurately, memories- of a time not so easily forgotten, through the eyes of the person who started it. With each of Rose Quartz's memories, Steven becomes more and more depressed.

Disclaimer: Steven Universe is property of Sugar Rebecca~chan and Cartoon Network!

Steven POV

Chapter 1 - Sunday

"Rose Quartz..." the booming yet melodic voice began. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

A pink-colored diamond that I'd never seen before glared down at me with clear contempt. My heart skipped a beat as I realized who I was looking up at. Then, it skipped again as I fully digested what she said; "Rose Quartz". On the inside, I was backing away in shock and fear. However... on the outside I was glaring right back at her. She shifted her gaze over to someone standing on the steps to her palanquin. The "someone" looked a little different, but I knew who it was immediately. Pearl. Or, at least, an identical pearl (minus the clothes and hairstyle).

Pearl, was standing stiff as a board, sucking in her lower lip as sweat dripped down her brow. Her behavior scared me more than Pink Diamond's glare, because I'd never thought I would see Pearl so terrified. It was like the laws of the universe had suddenly become null and void. War must've toughened the shell around her heart.

Meanwhile, the faces of surrounding gyms were twisting back and forth between confused and fearful, eyes also shifting between Pearl and I.

"Pearl!" Pink Diamond shouted suddenly, making everyone except me jump- although my heart felt like it jumped. Pearl jumped two feet as her fingers and eyes twitched. "Why are you so nervous...?" Pink asked mock-sweetly. "Who is your enemy?"

"The-The rebel, of course, m-my diamond," she stuttered. The Rebel?

"Rea~lly?" the diamond asked in that syrup-y tone once more, except this time with a flirtatious lilt. Pearl blushed light blue as her eyes widened; her unconcious reaction to embarrasment.

My face warmed (on both the in- and outside) as well. Apparently, a gem standing near me took notice. She cupped her mouth with a hand and- with her eyes still glued to me- whispered to someone, "No matter who you are- whether you be a pearl programmed to serve, a sapphire gifted with foresight, or... even a quartz built for war- Pink Diamond is absolutely stunning."

Her gossip-buddy nodded and replied, "Even if she was in the midst of shattering a gem because her eyes were slightly wider than they should be, you would feel the draw of attraction."

Unaware of distant murmurs, Pink Diamond continued questioning Pearl. "Because it seems as though you're absolutely terrified... of me," she sneered with half-lidded eyes. "You... You brought her in here, didn't you?" OK, I was definitely confused. "Her"? "The rebel"? ..."Rose Quartz"? But I didn't see her anywhere in my peripheral vision. That's when I noticed the brush of hair reaching below my waist blowing back and forth against my back, as well as a strange outfit, that almost felt like what I'd imagine a dress would feel. Also, bare feet? And I feel somehow... taller...?

'No- it can't be!' I thought, stunned, as I pictured myself in my head. 'Am I my mom?!' A lump formed in my throat and my stomach twisted. Also, didn't Pink Diamond mention something about Pearl bringing me here? Suddenly, I felt really lightheaded.

And so seemed everyone else present. Gasps of shock, horror, and confusion immediately followed this accusation. If it wasn't a diamond doing the accusing, shouts of "Preprosterous!", and "No, never!", as well as even "How could you say such a thing?!" would probably be heard. However, given the circumstances, only reflexive noises of dismay were heard, before the gems covered their mouths with fearful eyes. I would hate to be so terrified of the guy in charge- or in this case, guyS. Or should I say girls?

Pink gave a malicious cheshire grin- sending a chill up my spine- before, "Well...? What do you have to sa- AGH!" Her smile turned to a mouth gaping in horror, as a spear pierced her gem, milliseconds after shimmering into existence.

Finally, my body was responding to my mind; my eyes widened in horror, before I released a blood curdling scream.

"PEARL!"

I shot up in bed, gasping for breath as I covered his eyes with a forearm. Tears that for some reason felt like they belonged to both me and someone else, raced down my face, escaping the pajama sleeve.

"What wa-was that...?" I sniffled, murmuring to myself under my breath. Still shaken up, I decided that I didn't want to risk falling asleep and into my nightmares (which I now suspected may be something more) again. Slowly sliding off of the left side of the bed, I looked up and out of the window, noticing the sun was rising; bathing the room in warm shades of orange.