CHAPTER 1: Ocean breeze

I don't get it... Everything's supposed to be fine. Everything's supposed to be great now…

But it's not.

And It never will be…

. . .

Steven sat on top of the beach house's roof. He had his legs up to his chest and arms on his knees. The sun was setting, and he was starting to get drowsy. He sighed.

The ocean glimmered from the sun. Beach city was always silent by this time but then again, it was always quiet since there weren't many residents living there.

"Nothing's like it used to be," he sang quietly, "it's always dark, hard-featured... It's never pretty." He paused. He closed his eyes and the wind hit his face, his hair swaying in the wind. "But then again, it could just be me..." His voice went quieter. He hummed the rest of the song.

Footsteps were heard from behind him. He glanced to the side and saw Pearl.

"Steven," she had her hands clasped in front of her chest, "I hope I didn't upset you earlier." She sat beside him, mimicking his position.

He stopped humming. "You didn't," he lied.

"I'm sorry. I knew I shouldn't have brought her up—"

"You're fine. Don't worry about it." He tapped his finger on his arm.

She sighed, "Foods ready, if you want any."

"I'm not hungry."

She looked at him with a caring expression. "Alright. Well, I'll save some for you." She stood up and graciously jumped down from the roof.

He continued the soft song. "What's wrong… with me? Why can't I just speak… correctly?" He set his hands on his head and sighed. "And why… can't I just be normal?" Tears started to form in his eyes and he stopped singing. He looked back at the sun that was now more than halfway lowered.

The air started to become colder and he shivered. I guess I should go inside soon, he thought as he looked at the ocean one last time.

After a few minutes he stood up and set his hands in his pockets. He hopped down from where he was and onto the stairway that lead to his room and the garden dome.

He looked at the garden. He walked towards it and opened the doors. He glanced at the many ripped, dead plants. He stepped over the spilled soil, broken pots, and dead plants scattered across the floor.

He turned around as he heard a beeping noise. He looked at the keypad thing and stood closer to it. He pushed a button and it brought up his inbox which then played a recent message.

"Hiya, Steven!" Spinel said awkwardly from the recording.

He looked surprised. "S-Spinel?" he whispered.

"I, uhm, just wanted to check up on you," she blushed, "Everything's going pretty well here with the diamonds—" She stopped as Yellow Diamond stood beside her.

"Spinel, what are you doing?" Yellow said, bending down to peer at the screen.

"Oh, I was just saying 'Hi' to Steven, but it seems he is busy, so I'm just leaving him a..." She looked at the keypad. "Meesaugge? Massage?" she tried to pronounce the word.

Yellow chuckled. "It's pronounced message!"

"Oh, sorry," she smiled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Anyway," she looked back to the screen, "I gotta go but I just wanted to say, thank you. It's really great here. And… I'm enjoying it so much." She had tears in her eyes. "Well, bye!" She waved then the message stopped.

Steven looked at the screen for a bit before turning it off. He sighed, "At least she's happy." He shut down the console. He looked over at the destroyed plants then ran out quickly; the doors closing behind him.

It was dark since the sun had gone down; the air was even colder as well.

He set his hands in his pockets and walked to his room. He opened the screen door then closed it and glanced at the dark room. He shook off his sandals then lied on the bed.

He brought his legs up to his chest, his eyes starting to become heavy as he drifted off to sleep.

CHAPTER 2: Life Light

Steven sat up in his bed and groaned. He slipped off the bed and walked downstairs tiredly; it was dark and quiet. He rubbed both of his eyes as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

Suddenly, he bumped into something and he quickly looked up. Standing there was himself, but he was glowing pink.

Pink Steven had bright white eyes that illuminated the room.

Steven's eyes widened in fear.

Pink Steven opened his mouth and a huge storm of white butterflies flew out.

Steven covered his face and backed away. He tripped over something and fell to the ground.

Pink Steven looked at him with bright white eyes that illuminated his surroundings. He looked down at his normal self. "You don't need to help anyone. No one needs your help anymore," he said with a blank expression; butterflies diminishing from his mouth, but now coming out from the walls. It sounded like a million voices were talking, just like the cluster.

"What?" Steven gasped, "what are you—"

Pink Steven jerked and charged at his normal self, screaming an inhuman, horrifying scream.

Steven screamed in terror, the world engulfing in darkness.

. . .

Steven awoke with a yell, jerking up in his bed. He had tears in his eyes, and he was shaking. He put a hand to his head and felt sweat, he realized his whole body was covered in it. Including the fact that he was glowing pink.

Pearl quickly ran up the stairs. She looked worried. "Steven? What happened? Are you okay?" she walked closer to him.

He had trouble catching his breath.

"Y-yeah, I-I'm fine! I was just- It was just a dream," He wiped the tears from his face, turning away from her.

She sighed. "Steven, this has been going on for 4 days already, I'm starting to get worried about you—"

"I'm fine. It was just a dream; I was probably just cold." He said rubbing his head.

_-_-_-IN PROGRESS! Thanks for reading this far! Make sure to leave a like, favorite, follow, and comment! Thanks a ton bud!_-_-_