The Mistake
"I know I'm not that tall."
"I know I'm not that smart."
"But let me drive my van into your heart."
"Let me drive my van into your heart."
He didn't think he'd hear that song again, but he just happened to found it and... Thought it would bring a bit of nostalgia.
Steven looked out ahead. He was currently driving through a sort of national park. Large forests and a few lakes, and this one single asphalt road that cuts through it.
No one seemed to be here other than him. Gave him some time to think.
He sighed. Just a few weeks ago, he had nearly ravaged beach city as a whole. And now, he was by himself, driving on a journey for self Discovery, taking every Saturday to have a session with his therapist.
You know, not everything in life is perfect, but, this was good enough. Everyone is still at home, and hopefully he'll visit again. Connie's probably studying, Dad and Sadie are on their adventures along with Lars on his voyage. And the gems finally have someplace where they're all useful and happy.
He didn't know what was to come next, but, he had high hopes. Most conflict is over And he just hopes he doesn't have to come back to save the day again. Not yet at least.
But as he drove on, he began to reminisce...
...back to when he was a kid. Back to a simpler time. He smiled.
He was just a kid. The gems were like, the coolest thing ever. Magic ladies who were like moms, who always cared for him and had cool magic.
Cookie cat was still his favorite snack ever. He was still obsessed with food-based bags and he barely had any friends in Beach City.
Even then... It felt simpler. He didn't know about his Mom... Or of the Diamonds... Or the Cluster, or the Fusions. The Gem War. Corruption. Homeworld. Shattering. Invasion. Tyranny.
It was then that he came to a screeching halt as he narrowly missed a deer, his car swerving violently as he comes to a stop on the side of the road, his car nearly tumbling down a slope.
He took deep breaths. His whole body was glowing pink. He felt on edge.
No... No no... He's letting it take over him again.
He took a moment to just breathe, and think happy thoughts. His glow slowly died down, before he looked around.
He was fine. There was just one issue.
Trying to start the car again, he realized it couldn't get back up on the road. It was stuck trying to get up.
Great... Just great. He looked around. He could probably try and push it back up? No, he's not That strong. Or at least, he's rusty. Maybe he could call for a tow truck? He'd need to get a signal though...
Deciding the latter was probably more possible, he stepped out of the car with his keys in hand and locked all the doors before getting on the road.
Looking left and right, he saw no cars approaching. He kinda hoped he could hitch a ride to the nearest town. But, seeing as that probably won't be the case, he pulls out his phone to call.
Damn. No signal. Not even a single bar. Maybe...
Trying to think of something... He focused... Thinking of the gems...
And before anyone could see, he jumped up High above the trees. Yes! About one bar of signal.
He looked around. Maybe be could also spot like, a gas station?
That's when he saw... It.
It looked like the side of a hill. A sort of sheer drop. But on it, just as he floated back down, he saw... A door?
He landed back on the road, and paused for a second. It didn't seem... real for a moment? But, no... It had to be, right?
He looked back at the car, then his phone, and finally at the direction of the hill.
...one small detour isn't an issue, right? Right. He could just take a small moment to go and explore. He'll get to a motel soon enough.
Opening the trunk and, surprisingly, wearing something other than just sandals, he outfitted himself with socks and hiking boots before making his way over.
It was as he feared.
The large, metallic, crystalline door stood before him with an old, yet still somewhat noticeable diamond insignia, the original four-diamond design. It had old graffiti on it, mostly spray paint and mud marks.
He was unsure if he should proceed. It had been years since he had gone on adventures through ruins. And even then, there was always at least one gem with him. But he was alone this time.
...well, this shouldn't be an issue. He's Steven Universe. He'll be fine.
Approaching it, he noticed a hand symbol. Instinctively, he pressed his palm against it and the door opened. Looking inside, it seemed like an ancient base alright. Kinda reminds him of the inside of a Gem colony ship.
This one however, was different. Aside from a few corridors here and there, long since abandoned, yet surprisingly preserved, he noticed many murals with what looked like hourglasses. He felt a chill run down his spine.
To think Gems somehow managed to make something capable of altering time on a whim. You'd think such a thing would be used to, say, "Save" Pink Diamond. Maybe they forgot? Or maybe... they tried and failed?
Still, he went onward through the ancient halls, finding the lack of traps concerning as he came upon what seemed like workshops and labs. Nothing remained, or what was there served a purpose he could not understand. Some parts were dark, and he had to use his phone's flashlight as he kept exploring.
Finally, he found the end of the base where he found one last door. He tried opening it, and seeing that it was stuck, he channeled his energy... before summoning, and Wedging his shield into the crack of the door, forcing it open. And once he stepped through, what he saw just... Bewildered him.
It was a giant hourglass, with a metallic frame and what looked like some kind of shiny, blueish sand at the bottom half. It was set up with a shrine, what with the murals, and the platform it was on. He always thought the Gems were beings based on tech. So why they made stuff like this... he could never understand.
He sighed, and sat down on the floor. This wasn't... What he expected.
Sure, he didn't Want to get hurt. But... This was so... Boring.
No traps, No monsters, No gems, or Anything interesting. Back then, there was always a threat. Even just crystal slugs.
He looked at the hourglass... and sighed. Sometimes, he just... Wished things were back to normal. Back to simpler times. Back when he was too naive to think things through. Back when he was too in the dark to see the weight being pushed down upon him. Back before he was forced to save the universe, and could just be a regular, boring old human being...
...the lights began to turn on, And he noticed. They flickered on, and the hourglass began to slowly tip.
The door shut and locked itself. Steven was startled and quickly got up. What the Heck was going on?!
The hourglass tipped and tipped until it flipped upside down. The shiny dust began to flow down, and Steven saw his gem glow.
He could feel a slight tingle in his body as his gem began to glow brighter and brighter, to a degree he had never seen before. It became so bright that he had to cover his eyes! But even that only did so much.
It was then that he noticed it. His sleeves seemed longer? They were over his hands. Even his pants started to sag?
"What the-!" He then covered his mouth, wide-eyed. His voice! It's... Squeaky again!
No no no no no! What's going on!? He's... He's becoming...!
A bright flash of light consumes him as reality itself disappeared. And for a split moment, he is gone.
Time itself has been changed to an unprecedented degree. His reality seizes to exist as only a mere memory of what once was...
...the waves gently crashed into the ocean shores, sweeping the Sandy beaches as seagulls fly overhead...
He opened his eyes, yawning, looking around.
...strange. He didn't... Bring a bed with him. Did he already get to the Motel?
Rubbing his eyes, and stretching out, he slowly uncovered himself, and sat on his bed, feet slipping into his sandals as he looks at...
...
What.
...was he dreaming?
He looked to his left. There was a small, boxy television with an old game console and a few miniature figures next to it.
Looking forwards, he noticed he was on a raised area, and below was a sort of living room and kitchen combo.
And looking to his right... Was that painting of her mom, Rose Quartz...
...and just like the day his favorite ice cream sandwich was gone, he Screamed out in Pure Panic:
NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Hey there, fellow reader. While this fic can be read on its own, I encourage you to try and read these alongside their respective episode, if only to see how things originally played out and/or why I made certain changes in the story. Other than that, enjoy!