Steven walks down the boardwalk, enjoying the beautiful day today. "Ah, you got to love Beach City, everyone's nice, so many familiar faces, and a wonderful, well… beach." Steven chuckles to himself. The boy walks by Mr. Smiley opening the newly built Funland Arcade. "Hey, Mr. Smiley, what's new," Steven says waving to him.
"Oh, hey Steven, just opening up the new Arcade." Mr. Smiley finishes opening the new establishment. "And there we go, the first day of the grand opening, anyone game of your choice is on me, if you're interested." The tall man says offering Steven some quarters.
"Thanks, but not now, I'll stop by later." Steven waves goodbye as he continues down. He passes by Fish Stew Pizza where he sees the Pizza Sisters, Kiki, and Jenny.
"Hey ladies, how's it going?" Steven asks, trying to act cool.
"Hey Steven." the sisters greet Steven back, giggling at his cute attempt at being charming.
Steven walks past Beach Citywalk Fries and greets his best friend, Peedee and his older brother, Ronaldo, who is typing something on his tablet.
"Sup Peedee, sup Ronaldo." Steven greets the brothers.
Peedee greets him back, "Hey Steven."
Ronaldo just gives Steven a quick peace sign before going back to his tablet.
Steven continues walking down the boardwalk, not paying attention to where he is going and inevitably bumps into someone knocking them both down. "I'm sorry." Steven apologizes. "I didn't see you there are you okay?" Steven looks up and sees the person he bumped into, a girl around his age that he has never seen around here.
"Yeah, I'm fine; I wasn't paying attention where I was going." The girl answers, she rubs her forehead and realizes something is missing. "Oh no, my glasses, where are they?" She gets on knees and hand as she begins looking around; Steven gets on the ground as well to help her.
"Found them," Steven says, giving them to her.
"Thank you." The girl gives Steven a little thankful smile.
"You're welcome." Steven answers. "I've never seen you around here before."
"My family just moved into town, I figured I would go around and see what the place is like." She answers. "The name's Connie." She states sticking her arm out to greet Steven with a handshake.
"I'm Steven, nice to meet you." The boy replies accepting the handshake.
"So how long have you lived in Beach City?" Connie asks.
"I lived here most of my life." Steven answers. "Ever since I was a baby, would you like me to give you a tour of the town?"
"Thanks, but not now. I was just on my way home." Connie states. "Maybe tomorrow does that work?"
"Sure, tomorrow works," Steven answers with a happy smile. "Meet you here at the boardwalk?"
"Sounds good; well, see you tomorrow then," Connie says as she waves goodbye to Steven.
The boy blushes a little before he continues his day.
Back at the Beach House, Carnelian and Steven's father, Greg, are chatting with each other, while listening to some soft-rock music on the radio and munch on some freshly microwaved popcorn; even though Carnelian does not need to eat, she enjoys the taste. The two of them talking about what they have been up to since they have not seen each other in a while. Carnelian just finishes telling him about how Steven almost summoned his Gem weapon and how he saved them from the Centipeetles.
Steven walks in through the main door, and notices his father, "Dad." Steven runs over to hug the parent, who gives him a hug back.
"Hey, there kiddo." Greg greets his son back, before releasing him from the hug.
"Hey Steven," Carnelian greets her little brother, "I was just telling Greg about what happened with the Centipeetles. He was really impressed."
"It was nothing really," Steven says humbly.
"So how was your day, man?" Carnelian curiously asks.
"Oh… it was just another day in Beach City." Steven answers but starts blushing again, remembering Connie.
Carnelian instantly notices the blush. "What's up with the red on your face?"
"Red, what are you talking about?" Steven placed his hand on his cheeks; and realizes they feel warm.
"Is everything all right Steven?" Greg asks his son.
"Well… it's probably nothing, but…" Steven pauses trying to think of what to say. "I did meet a girl…"
Carnelian's jaw drops, and eyes light up like stars. "Oh My Gosh!" Carnelian squeals as she scurries her way to Steven. "What's her name? Is she cute? I need details man!"
"What are you doing?" Steven asks the nosey red Gem.
"My little bro met a girl." Carnelian teases Steven, implying he has a crush.
"It's not what you think," Steven responds defensively. "I just met a new girl in town, and nothing else."
Carnelian still gives Steven a cheeky smile, making Steven blush even more. "I'm serious."
"Okay, whatever you say," Carnelian says jokingly.
"Steven it's okay; boys around your age start developing crushes." Greg tries to reassure. However, it ends up making Steven blush more, who still denies that he has a crush.
The warp pad then begins to glow as Garnet and Blue return. "Garnet and Blue are back," Steven states, hoping to get them off their current topic; the two Gems emerge from the beam of light, revealing themselves covered in mud, Garnets visor cracked, and Blue's hair messed up. The two of them notice Stevens father. "Hello, Greg." Blue gently nods at him with a small yet, welcoming smile. Garnet gives him thumbs up.
"Whoa, what happened to you two?" Carnelian asks the two Gems, a bit surprised to see them like this.
Garnet steps off the warp pad and answers the question in her usual clear tone. "Blue and I were just surveying some abandoned Gem locations when we ran into a corrupted Gem and a big one at that. We could not let it get away, so we spent the entire time going after it and it was a lot cleverer than we thought. We came back to get cleaned up and let you guys know what's going on before we go hunting."
Blue then steps forward and openly ask Steven and Carnelian, "So, how was your day?"
"Meh, I just sat back and relaxed with Greg for the day," Carnelian tells the two of them.
Garnet lightly chuckles to herself while she washed the mud off her with a rag. She tosses a wet cloth to Blue; who lifts her bangs to wash the mud off her face. "What about you Steven."
Steven, still with a slight blush on his face does not hear what Blue said. "You okay Steven?" Blue asks again, this time getting the boys' attention.
"Oh sorry, I was lost in thought." Steven apologizes, Carnelian still giving him a teasing smile. "Well, I just did my usual routine; I greeted the people on the boardwalk; Mr. Smiley, Jenny, Kiki, Peedee, and Ronaldo. Then I met… a girl."
"Really, who, might I ask?" Blue asks the boy
"Good luck; I asked him the same question," Carnelian states to the taller Gem.
"Come on Carnelian; Steven doesn't have to tell us if he doesn't want to." Garnet scolds the small red Gem.
"I don't mind telling you, I just don't want you guys to make a big deal out of it," Steven says still a little embarrassed.
"Okay, we won't make a big deal out of it, and I'll stop teasing." Carnelian apologizes. Carnelian takes a couple of steps back, giving Steven some room.
Steven takes a deep breath and exhales, clearing his thoughts before speaking to the Gems. "So, I did my usual routine like I said, and I accidentally bump into a girl. Her name is Connie, and she is new in town, we talked for a bit and I offered to give her a tour tomorrow."
"Wow, just met her and already has a date." Carnelian jokes.
"Carney…" Steven groans defensively.
"Okay, I'll stop for real this time." Carnelian apologizes again.
"Well, Garnet and I are going hunting tomorrow. So, we won't be able to meet her." Blue states, washing the last of the mud off her and pulls two twigs out of her hair. "Hope your tour goes well."
Garnet and Blue prepare the warp pad to leave. "Good luck tomorrow." A bright light surrounds the two Gems as they disappear.
The next day, Steven waits at the Boardwalk for Connie thinking to himself of where they should go first on their tour. Maybe stop at the arcade and see if Mr. Smiley's offer is still available, or maybe a quick meal at Fish Stew Pizza.
"Sup, dude." Steven jumps as Carnelian sneaks' up behind him, munching on something. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay; I'm just waiting for Connie," Steven tells the scarlet colored Gem.
"Right your tour. I recommend your first stop being Beach Citywalk Fries." Carnelian suggests. "They have this new thing, called Fry-Bits. They're super good." Carnelian takes another handful of her snack, the Bits she was recommending. "Mm, these are so good."
"Hey there Steven!" Steven turns to see Connie quickly walking towards him.
"Hey, Connie!" Steven greets the girl with a wave.
"Sorry I'm late; I needed to help my parents with something." Connie apologizes for keeping him waiting.
"No worries, you ready for the tour?" Steven asks, Connie nods, eager to see what Beach City has to offer.
"I'll leave you two then. Good luck." Carnelian wishes to her little brother, as she leaves.
"A friend of yours?"
"Sister."
"Seems nice; so where should we begin?" Connie asks ready to start the tour.
Steven shows Connie around Beach City, starting with the restaurants Beach Citywalk Fries and Fish Stew Pizza, where Steven introduced her to Peedee, Ronaldo, Kiki, and Jenny. The four of them welcome her to Beach City by offering a small order of Pizza and Fries on them. However, she humbly declines the offer. "Thanks, but I'm not feeling hungry now. I'll stop by later with some money of my own."
The next site of their tour takes them to Funland Arcade; Steven introduces Connie to Mr. Smiley and asks him if his offer from yesterday is still available. "Sorry, offer expired yesterday. Though, I'm willing to make an exception for my favorite customer and his friend." He hands the two of them four quarters each.
The two kids enter the arcade, with Steven trying to decide what game they should play first. Connie then admits to Steven that she is not very good with video games. "I'm more of a book-worm than a gamer."
"Don't worry about it," Steven reassured her; he looks over her shoulder and notices a newly installed rhythm-based dancing game. "That one looks fun." The two of them check out the new game placing their quarters in, and the game begins. They follow the dance moves the game lays out for them and both do exceptionally well. Connie cracks a smile, having fun with her new friend.
Their last stop was at the beach. The two of them admiring the scenery; the sun reflected off the water, the warm sand beneath their feet, and the cool tide that would rush in. The two of them walked along the beach until they came across the Crystal Temple. "Whoa, what is that?" Connie utters, starry-eyed at the marvelous structure.
"Oh, that's my house." Steven plainly tells her.
"That's your house?" Connie asks turning to Steven with a look of un-believability.
"Yep," Steven answers. "Well, the Beach House actually, but yeah. I live there with my family; my sister Carney, who you already met, Blue and Garnet."
"Are they your parents?" Connie asks.
"Well, sort of." Steven answers. "They look after both me and Carnelian, and they're fun to hang out with."
Steven turns to his friend. "So, what do you think of Beach City?"
"It's a nice little town. I think I'll like it here." Connie answers honestly. "And I wouldn't mind getting to hang out with you again."
Steven blushes slightly at the response. "Well, I'm glad you'll like it here."
"Sup dudes!" Carnelian shouts from the Beach House. "How was the tour?"
"Hey Carnelian," Steven greets the Gem. "The tour went well!"
"Good to hear," Carnelian answers back, making her way down to the two kids. She clasps Connie's hand and shakes it. "Nice to meet you Miss Connie, Steven was really looking forward to giving you the tour."
"Well, I can definitely see why," Connie answers complimenting what the small town has to offer.
Steven smiles at Connie's kind remark and then turns to his sister. "So, have Blue and Garnet returned yet?" Steven asks, wanting to introduce Connie to them.
"Nothing yet but this is Garnet and Blue, they're probably okay," Carnelian answers again, trying to reassure Steven.
"Are they at work or something?" Connie asks Steven, curious about what he and his sister mean.
"Sort of, it's hard to explain," Steven says rubbing the back of his head, not sure how to answers. "My family is… complicated."
"Well, that's one way to put it." Carnelian sarcastically agrees with Steven.
Suddenly, the ground begins to shake slightly, knocking the three of them down on the ground. "Was that an earthquake?" Connie asks. "Does Beach City get earthquakes?" The tremors get faster with each second. Then out of the sand, a giant worm-like monster, emerges from the ground.
"A corrupted Gem," Carnelian shouts then turns to Steven and Connie. "You two find somewhere safe!" Carnelian reaches for her gemstone on her arm and pulls out her shock-whip. "Get going."
Steven grabs Connie's hand and pulls her two some cover. "Come on, this way." Steven and Connie hide behind one of the broken off pieces of the temple, watching the battle that was about to unfold from afar.
"Let's see what you got, fish bait." Carnelian whirls her whip around, charging its electric blast and throws it at the monster, successfully hitting it and getting its attention. The monster charges at the red quartz and dodges it, causing the creature to slam into the side of the hill. Carnelian spin-dashes at the creature and smacks its head, dizzying it. With the creature now stunned Carnelian summons another whip from her Gem, wrapping both of them around the monster's body, her eyes glow a light blue, and her hair stands up as she sends jolts of electricity through the monster. The corrupted Gem lets out a painful roar, before flinging its body around, taking the red Gem with it; it throws itself in random directions trying to wriggle free. Tossing Carnelian around, who is still holding on tightly to her whips. Slamming her into rocks, the side of the hill and the temple, as well as the sand of the beach, but still continues to hold on to them and electrocuting the monster.
Steven and Connie continue to watch from their cover, seeing Connie in a mixture of astonishing disbelief and sheer terror. "What is happening?"
"I told you my family's complicated," Steven says, not knowing how to explain this in a few words. He looks back at the fight, still seeing Carnelian still being rag-dolled. "Is that all you got you overgrown maggot!" Carnelian taunts the creature.
"I'll explain everything later," Steven assures her.
The monster continues to fling the small red Gem and eventually gets her to release the whips. Carnelian slams into a rock, making her moan in pain. The corrupted Gem untangled itself and charges at Carnelian, knocking into the side of the temple, and continues slamming her into the walls.
"Carnelian!" Steven shouts; watching as his sister continues to take the thrashing. Steven does not know what to do, he does not have a weapon, and he could end up putting Connie in even more danger if he messes up. Steven notices Connie get out of the cover, and she pitches nearby stones at the monster, trying to get its attention. "Get away from her!" She successfully gets the monsters' attention and decides to go after her. Steven and Connie run the opposite as fast as they can from the creature. As the corrupted Gem got closer, the ground began to shake harder until the two kids lost their balance and fell on to the sand. Creature charges at the two of them, ready to go in for the kill. Steven's navel area then begins to glow a bright pink and out of instinct raises his left arm in defense as a large, bright-pink shield manifests, protecting himself and Connie and knocking the creature back.
"A shield," Steven says, awestruck by his Gem weapon. Connie gets up seeing Steven with his light-based weapon. "I didn't know you could do that."
"I didn't know I could do that," Steven admits.
The Gem monster gets back up and charges at the two kids once more, Steven with his shield ready for a fight. Before it could strike, two shock-whips wraps around the creature, electrocuting it, Steven quickly shields himself and Connie from the flying sparks. A still recovering Carnelian amplifies whips electrical output, inflicting greater damage than before to the corrupted Gem. The red quartz jumps into the air, high enough to put her above the monster, she prepares her spin-dash while in the air, surrounding herself with electricity, creating a blue sphere of voltaic energy before slamming herself downwards on to the creature. Steven expands his shield to protect themselves from the blast, after the mixture of smoke and sand clears, there is only a small crater where the corrupted Gem once was. A bruised Carnelian crawls out of said crater holding a translucent, red bubble, holding the creatures' gemstone, with a pleased smile on her face, before sending it to the Burning Room. The red Quartz notices Steven with a shield, "You were able to summon your Gem weapon. Nice bro."
"Thanks, sis." Steven accepts the compliment, as Steven calms down from the battle; his shield disappears.
"That was pretty amazing." Connie compliments as well.
"Are you okay?" Steven asks her, with some concern. "I didn't mean for something like this to happen."
"That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen," Connie answers ecstatically.
"You were brave too." Steven states blushing somewhat, "Trying to help Carney like that."
Connie chuckles to herself a bit. "But not as cool as you summoning a shield. I think I'm really going to enjoy being here in Beach City." A ding goes off, as Connie reaches into back pocket, pulling out a cell phone, her eyes widen when she realizes what time it is. "It's that late already. Sorry, I need to get home." Before she leaves, she takes out a pen and a small notepad and writes something down. She hands the paper to Steven. "This is my house and cell number if you want to hang out again."
"Oh, thanks." Steven accepts the paper, before Connie leaves, waving goodbye.
Steven looks at the phone number and silently admits to himself, to avoid any teasing from Carnelian, that he may have a small crush on her.
