23SteBen Universe: Let's Do Things Right!
What if you, an everyday SU fan, found yourself as Steven, in the very first episode?
Knowing what happens in the original show and in Future, and not knowing when and if you'd return to your own body, what would you change? What would you do?
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Chapter 1: Universe's Universe
I know that I'm on the right path.
I know change takes time.
But why must it be this hard?
If only defeating my inner demons could end as quickly as fighting a corrupted gem...
If only I could bubble these hardships away… these nightmares away…
I wish I was a kid again.
A normal, carefree, kid.
In a world where the Diamonds, the fighting, my mom – all of that – would not even exist…
What a nice thought.
I'd just open my eyes, and no longer be –
"Steven? STEVEN?!"
Someone was shaking me.
I raised my face, and spat a little – there was sand in my mouth...
I was not in my bed. I wasn't even laying down – I was sitting.
I raised my head from the sand… was I on a beach?
Before I could recollect any memories that would hint how in the world I got from my bed to outside – and by the sea –
Someone forced my head up.
"What's wrong?" the person in front of me asked.
...
Okay.
I saw what I saw.
But my brain didn't quite process it.
"Heh, now you have ice cream puke on your face." someone else commented – sticking their head in my line of sight.
It was finally processed – but still not registered.
It was insane.
I raised my back and slowly looked up…
Sure enough. The third one was standing tall, over me...
It didn't feel like a dream.
It was another level of insanity.
"I don't like this. We need to have you cleaned and rest. Come on."
The one that shook me awake grabbed me by the wrist and immediately got me on my… shockingly short legs.
And small feet wearing flip-flops.
Under a red shirt with a star on it...
Led onward by the person, I passed my chubby hand on my curly hair… and then on my stomach.
I hurried to look around at where I woke up.
Right by a mock grave, marked with a leaf. Not too far from there, was a small, broken freezer – still connected to a power cable.
The setting of season one… episode one of Steven Universe. 'Gem Glow'.
Looking again at the known, ultra realistic-looking bird-mom that made me go up the stairs...
"Am I in a Steven Universe... Universe?" I mumbled.
"Hmm?" she asked back.
...
I mean, that was Pearl. Leading me inside Steven's house. And following behind me, were Garnet and Amethyst.
It was real and surreal at the same time.
So vivid, that it was borderline distressing.
Don't get me wrong; I'd have loved to be in an ultra realistic dream with the Crystal Gems.
But it really didn't feel like a dream.
I tried really hard to wake myself up, and I couldn't.
Pearl wiped the curly hair on my head with her hand. I felt some of the sand falling off it.
"I'll go fill a bath for you."
She walked away, and then I felt an arm wrapped around my shoulders.
"Hey. Really. Good job today." the purple Gem said – god, that color…
That cartoon-ish, yet believable color. Her gem also looked very real.
"We're proud of you, Steven." Garnet rest her hand on my head.
I just couldn't bring myself to talk. I just nodded, and both of them walked away – to where the door to the temple was supposed to be. My jaw kept dropping on its own, and I kept on closing it when I noticed.
...
As a rational person, I knew very well that it could, in no way, be reality.
So was it just a very vivid hallucination?
...Whelp.
That's embarrassing.
Way to go completely nuts.
Are The Gems real, actual people?
If I talk to them, are they going to have me admitted – because I literally see them as characters from my favorite cartoon?
Was my mind really so fucking fragile, that now, when the show ended – my brain refused to let go so much, that it rejected reality and decided to submerge itself in the world of the show?
Nah.
That had to be temporary.
I mean, maybe I am under the influence of some sketchy drugs that I don't even remember taking, and it will just go away on its own in a couple of hours.
That makes sense, right?
...
...
...
...Right?
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A/N: I don't know how far I'll go with this story. This may be discontinued, but for now, I really want to write this.
I would love to read any constructive criticism!
If I have any grammar mistakes, or if a character sounds too OOC, or if you have any thoughts, suggestions and ideas – all is welcome!
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My other SU fic, "The Moon and the Universe", might be removed, because I'm thinking about rewriting it altogether.
Also trying practice drawing from zero, so it might be an ugly fancomic in the future instead. ;D
