The expertly crafted pink sword sliced through their chest. He looked down at his hands, gripping the crescent handle. His eyes traced upwards to her face. It was a mix of shock and disbelief . She looked down, almost hurt to see the length of the sword no where near their cave like gem.

"You should've shattered me back then.." they stated, avoiding eye contact if only for a second," at least if I was gone I wouldn't know how little I mattered to you… you didn't even tell them…"

Soft tears streamed down her cerulean skin. Hitting the ground and converting to a light steam in seconds.

"You bubbled me away Rose! You betrayed me! You betrayed the Crystal Gems!" Bismuth shouted loudly.

Steven didn't remember this at all. The correct memory was already permanently etched in his mind. Why was this different-

Bismuth began to advance on him. Breaking Point still in hand and Sword still embedded in their chest.

" Bismuth I'm sorry! Please stop! I'm not Rose! Please!" Steven shouted, trying to get the angry gem to calm down. He was still backing away, and he fully expected to take that one step that sent him into his burning demise in the lava circling the room. But it never happened. In fact the room had changed.

It was hard to notice simple things when someone was trying to kill you. Steven turned around, hoping to get away faster. But the sudden change of direction made him lose his balance and topple to the earth. It was hard and rocky. Nothing like the texture of the room he was sure he had just been in.

There was a loud heavy breathing imuting somewhere in front of him. He helped him to rest on his hands to see what was making such noise. It was not something he wanted to see.

Jasper was clenching her right arm which was spotted with an array of greens and blues. A spike or two growing out of her skin. The color began to spread rapidly. Down the rest of her arm, warping her fingers into sharp razors that dug roughly into the dirt. The dots continued to spread a cross her chest and along her back. Creating large spikes along her spine.

Steven lifted himself up onto his knees. He couldn't bare seeing Jasper suffering like this. He cried out to her.

"Jasper, please, let me help you-" he begged, stretching one of his hands towards her.

She looked up at him. Terror etched into her face. She removed the hand gripping her corrupted arm. Reaching forward and grabbing Steven's.

Steven panicked. Trying to get free of her grip. But she was far stronger. The corruption spread to her left arm and Steven could feel the fingers turn sharp and dig into his skin. He wanted to cry. Call for help. For Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst, his Dad. Anyone.

Jasper screamed only one thing. As their face was slowly consumed by the corruption.

"Pink DiamoND!"

She let go of Stevens arm. Leaving 5 red imprint marks behind. They grabbed their face. Roaring with such pain it shook the cavern.

Steven was panting, biting down on his lip to mute the pain in his arm. Jasper curled up, roaring into her cupped hands. Steven didn't have any time to do anything. As he felt the sharp tip of something metal on his lower back.

"You filthy hypocrite." Bismuth growled.

Shing.

Steven woke up in a cold sweat. He clutched his stomach, which was glowing a soft pink, but it faded away quickly. He kept one arm on his stomach and the other to his head. Panting heavily. He couldn't calm down. Tears rolled down his face onto the covers of his mattress. His blanket had fallen completely off the bed along with his pillow.

A crossed the room Steven heard the sound of a door opening. But not the normal house door. It was familiar sound of the temple door swirling open. Steven thought fast. Sliding off his bed and presuming a sleeping position amongst the scattered blanket and pillow.

He heard the footsteps come closer. He fully expecting it to be Pearl, but as he felt the sensation of being lifted back into bed he peeked slightly through his shut eyelids to see Garnet's familiar face.

Seconds later she had covered him in his blanket and resting nicely on his pillow.

He felt a soft peck on his forehead, "Sleep tight Steven."

He waited for the footsteps to disappear and the swirling shut of the door. Steven didn't move though. He didn't shut his eyes either. He just lied there.

Scared of what he might have to return to if he closed his eyes.

0-0

The sun rose over the ocean. Setting it with a ray of yellow and orange hues. Steven hadn't moved. The only thing that had changed was Stevens knowledge of how many crevices were in the wall he was facing.

He groaned, turning so his feet hung off the bed, pushing his blanket near the end of his bed. He wanted so badly to just lay back into his pillow and sleep. But he was still afraid. He forced himself off the bed and towards the kitchen. He let out a long yawn while stretching his sore body.

Opening the cabinet he saw a box of Dorrios' and Senior Munchies. He grabbed the Senior Munchies box. Examining the peppy looking man with a sombrero on his head and bowl of cereal in hand outstretched to advertise the the contents of the box. The box felt full enough for there to be enough for a bowl to eat so he placed it on the counter and entered the fridge. Grabbing a carton of milk and then next getting a bowl and spoon.

He spent about 5 minutes on each bite. Trying to keep his mind on something else for a while. It ended up leaving him with soggy cereal 4 bites later.

Usually he would make a big deal of this. Exclaiming it to Pearl who would just return with a confused remark. But today. He didn't really care. He just continued to eat it.

There was a swift opening sound as the door to the temple opened and eminated a soft cream glow. Steven glanced over the counter to see who it was. Pearls tall, thin figure came into view. She locked eyes with Steven and smiled.

"Oh! Hello Steven- I didn't expect you to be up so early-" Pearl exclaimed, but with a hint of confusion.

Steven swallowed a spoonful of cereal he had slowly started to eat, trying to think of an excuse.

"I uh- was just so excited about training today- I just couldn't sleep-" Steven lied, showing all the signs of it. But Pearl took it nicely.

"Oh! Yes, of course! I'm excited as well! I've planned a whole new subject to teach you about too!" Pearl said, a new level of excitement in her voice.

Steven put on a convincing smile and shoveled in another spoonful of cereal.

"There are clean clothes in a hamper by the couch" Pearl continued," You'll want to get ready, Connie will be here in about 3 hours."

"Okay, thanks Pearl." Steven replied. Finishing his last bite and placing his bowl in the sink.

She smiled and walked up to Steven's bed. Pulling the covers off and the cases off the pillows. With all that in hand plus Steven's blanket it she opened the window.

"I'm going to be washing your bed spread if you need me Steven. Okay?" Pearl said. The wind from the open window blowing her triangle shaped hair around behind her.

"Okay Pearl." Steven said. Heading to the hamper by the couch.

Pearl stepped out the window and onto the stone arm extending out to the place they'd stationed there laundry room since they didn't think to add one while the house was being built.

Steven grabbed a red shirt, the same yellow star on the front. And a pair of nice clean jeans.

He entered the bathroom. And exited with said clothes on. And pajamas draped over his arm.

He decided he needed some fresh air. He stepped out of the glass paned door and into the morning sun. The sun had fully risen and set a nice yellow glow on the ocean. Steven took a deep, relaxing sigh. Letting in the nice ocean air. Listening to the seaguls fly above. He made his way down the stairs to the beach. Not having put on shoes, the same instantly sank into his toes. But he didn't mind so much. It was a nice feeling.

He kept walking till he found a nice shady spot cast by a tall rock. The shadow was long and pointed towards the temple. He sat down. Enjoying the now cool sand. And looking up at the clouds.

It was all just so peaceful.

He just couldn't help but…

Close his eyes…

.

.

.

The point of impact sent a yellow mark in her chest. Cracking and etching outwards like breaking glass. They were falling. And as they were falling he met their eyes.

The visor was no longer there to hide their face. So their expression was easy to read. Scared.

As the yellow cracks made it to their face. And they disappeared in a cloud of smoke, alit by the moon and the invading ship.