Episode 22: Steven's Birthday
At the Beach house, the Monks have decided that due to how close they must be for the drill, they would lend some extra hands. They began packing up the Wus and their stuff as they are set to live inside the barn for a bit. Dojo is a bit uncertain about it. "You sure this is a good idea, guys?" Dojo asked. "Well, what else can we do? Besides, we want to celebrate Steven's birthday with them. Plus, we can keep a close eye on the wus" Raimundo added. "Yea, and Peridot is likely more focus on making sure the Cluster is either deactivated or something like that." Clay added. "Plus, Earth is our home too. We are meant to save it." Kimiko added. Dojo softly nods. "Alright, sorry, just a bit anxious if this was even a good idea." Dojo said. The monks understand where Dojo is coming from but they are making sure the Wus are secured. The Monks and Dojo head outside and Dojo grows to his big size. "Alright, time waits for no man, woman, gem, or dragon." Dojo said. The monks hop on Dojo and Dojo began to fly towards the Barn.
Back at the Heylin side, Jack recently woke up, feeling refreshed and looking at the radar. He sees the Monks are on the move again on the radar, this time towards the barn. "Just as I figured, the Monks are heading to the barn again." Jack said. Wuya enters and sees the radar. "Wait, it only says four, right? Why didn't you include Dojo, or Steven's Lion?" Wuya asked. "Well, I consider them as transport animals. I mean, Dojo is not that powerful, even with his dragon form. Did you see Jasper knock out Dojo with one punch? As for Steven's Lion, he can be a threat but he's a bit inconsistent with helping out in battle. I'm more focus on the Gems and Monks. As for Connie, I've included her since she's training under Pearl." Jack explained. Wuya got her answer. "Okay then." Wuya said. She then notice an extra ping on the radar, also heading to the barn. "What, who is that?" Wuya said. Jack looks over and realized something. "I'm assuming that has to be Connie. But wait…if she's not at the Barn…WHO ELSE WOULD IT BE!?" Jack shouts.
"Simmer down, Jack" Wuya said. "Think about who could it be." "Well, If I may be frank, we don't know what happened to Jasper and Lapis, Peridot is poofed, possibly for good…wait, it must be detecting Ruby and Sapphire! Garnet is a fusion, remember? So, I'm theorizing that it could be Garnet that is throwing it off." Jack said. Wuya thinks a bit and it does make a bit of sense. Garnet is a fusion as they found out after Peridot and Jasper's arrival. Well, Jack knew thanks to Peridot's info before Wuya but still. As for Jack, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something is off on his theory. "I would need to double confirm it to make sure that is right. I might send a spybot to make sure I'm right on the money with the theory." Jack said. "Do it tomorrow, Jack." Wuya said. "That way it wouldn't likely be crushed somewhere." Jack nods. "Sounds good, Wuya." Jack said. Wuya began to walk away from Jack. Jack thinks for a second. "Hey, Wuya?" Jack said. Wuya turns to see him. "Thanks for voting to keep Peridot." Jack said. Wuya softly smirk and nods as she turns back and walks away. Jack looks back at the radar as he sees the Monks and Connie closing in on the Barn.
Back at the Barn, The Monk arrived at the Barn and Dojo landed with ease. The Monks get off with the wus in the bag and Dojo shrunk back down to his small size. Steven walks over to them. "Hey, guys. What is going on?" Steven said. "What, we can't celebrate your birthday, Steven?" Raimundo cheekily replied. Steven chuckles a bit. "Well, did you guys bring the wus just in case?" Steven said. "That we did, buckeroo." Clay said, holding up the bag full of wus. "Great to see that." Steven said. "Yea, we think ahead sometimes." Kimiko said. Steven nods as the van arrives and lets out a car horn. Connie gets out of the van, wearing a red party dress and a sun hat. She also had a suitcase. "Steven!" Connie said. "Connie!" Steven said. "Happy Birthday!" Connie said hugging Steven. Steven chuckles a bit. "Thanks, Connie. Welcome to the party." Steven said. "May I offer you some…refreshments?" he then pulled out two juice boxes. "Oh, Steven, how genteel of you." Connie said with a chuckle. "Click!" They said, touching their juice boxes together.
Raimundo couldn't help but chuckle. "Man, you two are really like each other's company." Raimundo said. "Well, Steven and I are best friends." Connie said. "That is true. How else can you two fuse into Stevonnie so well?' Raimundo added. Steven and Connie chuckles from that. "I'm surprised that your parents let you stay for the weekend." Steven said to Connie. Connie chuckles a bit. "It wasn't easy, it was only after equipping me with every safety gear on the planet." Connie stated. "Hey, what should I do with the defibrillator?" Greg said, pulling the defibrillator out a bit. "You can leave it in the car for now." Connie said back. Omi was perplexed by it. "What is a defibrillator?" Omi asked. Kimiko whispers what it does to Omi and Omi softly nod. "Ah, okay then." Omi said to Kimiko. "Well, I'm glad you all made it." Steven said. "No problem, Steven." Raimundo said.
Just then, Greg arrived. "Hey, Schtu-ball. I see the Monks have arrived as well." Greg said. "Yea, we want to celebrate with Steven, too" Clay said. "Well, I would like to mention that Steven is growing up fast. Seems like yesterday you were a baby and now you are turning fourteen years old." Greg mentions. This causes Connie to do a spit take. "Steven! You're fourteen!?" Connie said. "Yea, what's wrong?" Steven said. "But, I'm only twelve and three quarters...you're older than me? I can't believe it!" Connie said. "Simmer down, Connie. I mean I'm fourteen, going on to fifteen in a few months time." Raimundo said. Greg then steps in with a book he pulled out. "Well, then check this out." Greg said opening the book. It reveals Steven's birthday years through his ages. First as an infant, then baby, then toddler, all the way up to present day. There was one problem. His appearance stagnated around 10 or so years old. "Woah, looks like you stagnated there a bit, buddy." Greg said. Connie turns to Greg. "Mr. Universe...could I...show you how the defibrillator works?" Connie said. "Oh, um, sure! Be right back, kiddo." Greg said as Connie and Greg heads to the van. The Monks thinks a bit and decided on something. "Hey, Steven, don't worry about it, just enjoy the party." Raimundo said. Steven remained quiet as he deep in thought. Raimundo, Kimiko, Clay and Omi part ways from Steven and each other as they began to enjoy the setting up of the birthday party.
Clay looks over to the drill and sees that it's still being worked on, just with Peridot by herself. Clay walks up to Peridot. "Hello, Peridot." Clay said. "What is it, Clay?" Peridot said. "I see you are working on the drill still." Clay said. "Well, the Gems are celebrating Steven's "Birthday" thing and tasked me to work on the drill so it stays on course for completion." Peridot said. "Well, good to hear that." Clay said. He began to look around the drill. He notices that the Heylin's escape pod that they used was being used as the cockpit. "That's actually smart, using the escape pod as the cockpit." Clay said. "Thanks, I guess." Peridot said. Clay tips his hat and began to walk away. Peridot continues to work on the drill.
Raimundo walks up to Amethyst as she reverts back to her normal size. He looks as Steven got the birthday outfit and goes into the barn, closing it with the help of Greg. "So, it looks like Steven is going to get a surprise?" Raimundo said. "Yea, well, we got a special cake for him and it is indeed a bit of a surprise." Amethyst said. "Oh, what is it?" Raimundo said. Amethyst walks over to the table to show the cake. It was a Cookie cat-shaped cake. "Wow, it looks interesting." Raimundo said. "Yea, it looks like a Cookie Cat that Steven had a lot of when they were still around." Amethyst said. "Oh, so they are discontinued then?" Raimundo said. "Yea, but we managed to get the last ones for Steven." Amethyst added. "That's nice of you guys." Raimundo said. Garnet walks over and picks up the cake. "Alright, get into position, everyone. That's include you too, Dojo." Garnet said. Dojo nods as he slithers on top of Clay's hat and everyone got into position. "Alright, Steven, open up." Greg said, knocking on the door and rushing back into position. The barn door opens. "Surpri-" Everyone started saying as the suddenly gasp for something. "Oh my." Pearl said. "Huh?" Greg said looking a bit perplexed. "Oh boy." Dojo said, wiping his eye to see what he is seeing. Everyone was stunned to see something. It was Steven, who was much taller than before, and he was smiling. He began to walk carefully with each step.
"Uh, Steven, are you okay?" Pearl said. "Looking good on you, Steven" Garnet said. "Oh, haha, thanks, Garnet" Steven said with his teenager voice. Just then, Amethyst notices something "Dude, your neck...you have one!" Amethyst said. "So wait, you just grew all of a sudden?" Connie said. "Yea, I had a magical growth spurt just now. Cool, huh?" Steven said. "Oh, it's very cool, Steven." Connie said. Raimundo sees that Lion was there as well. "Well, better get this party started." Garnet said as she blows out the candles. "Alright, let's eat this Cookie cake." Greg said. Raimundo smiles but couldn't shake off the feeling that Steven is doing this artificially. However, it's his birthday so can't do much about it at this time.
Back to the Heylin, Jack was making some late lunch but was in deep thought. Something was off about the radar. He does have the theory that it was Garnet but he was still suspicious about it. "I don't know if it's correct or not. They are at the Barn doing something." Jack said. Jack continues to think. He began to brew up a new theory. "Did...did they released Peridot just so they can make her sing like a bird about the Cluster?" Jack said to himself. He slaps himself. "There's no way they would do that. Well, maybe Steven but even then, that would be stretching it." Jack said some more. A bit later, Jack finished making his lunch and began eating it. He continues to ponder. "I really want to send a spybot to see what is going on but as promised, I got to wait till at least tomorrow." Jack said as he ate. "Maybe they are doing something with Steven or something like that. Whatever it might be, It's raising some red flags right now." Jack added. Jack soon finished his lunch and goes back to the radar. It still shows the Monks and Gems at the Barn. Jack continues to monitor the situation. "I still wish that I can protect Peridot one last time." Jack bemoans to himself.
Back at the Barn, The sun was starting to set and the Gems and Monk were dancing to a music that Greg provided. Raimundo was dancing fluently. He was starting to really enjoy the music. He looks over to Steven and Connie and sees Steven starting to straining a bit and sweating. 'Man, Steven is looking like he needs a breather' Raimundo thought. Just then, Amethyst arrived up to Raimundo. She was carrying a pinata. "Hey, Rai, Do you want to have some fun with the Pinata?" Amethyst asked. "Mmm...sure, why not." Raimundo said. He and Amethyst head to the barn side. Amethyst picks up a wooden bat and a blindfold, putting it on. "Alright, ready?" Raimundo said. "Ready as I can be." Before Amethyst would take a whack at the pinata, Steven runs over to the barn side that they were at. He shrinks back to his normal side. "Phew, That was close. At least if I can keep it up for the rest of my life, no one will suspect a thi-" Steven said to himself before seeing Raimundo and Amethyst stunned to see what they seen.
"Steven!?" Raimundo said while dropping the pinata. "What on earth are you doing?1?" Amethyst said. Steven then quickly ages up again "What are…you doing" Steven said as he transition back to his teenager voice. "Wait, wait, don't fool me, Steven. Have you been doing this all day?" Raimundo said. "No, I was just...slouching" Steven said. "Look, Steven, this isn't you. Why would you do this?" Raimundo said. "Because, Raimundo, I can't stay a kid forever! When Connie grows up and becomes president, what would it make me? First Boy!?" Steven said. "Look, Steven. You can't keep stretching forever. Hold it for too long, something bad would happen and you would really hurt yourself." Amethyst said. "Well, I'm half human, if you recall, so maybe it works differently for me. It's a wait and see." Steven said. "Look, Steven, sooner or later, Connie would find out. It's best to come clean now before the damage can be done. And if you don't, I hate to say it, but I will." Raimundo said. Steven leaves in a huff. Raimundo and Amethyst exchange a concerned look on their faces. "Are you really going to do that?" Amethyst said. "Only if Steven really pushes me to do it." Raimundo said. Amethyst nods. "I think it's best to let the monks know about it before something bad happens." Amethyst said. Raimundo agrees with it.
A good while later, The Monks were huddled up with Amethyst. "Wait, no way?!" Clay said. "Steven is using his gem ability to make himself look physically older?" Omi said. "Man, we should have seen it a mile away." Kimiko bemoans. "Yea, it's really concerning that Steven is doing this and he has been all day." Amethyst said. "Yea, and we're getting worried that something bad might happen." Raimundo said. Amethyst nods. "What do you think would happen to Steven?" Omi asked. "I don't know, but it could happen at anytime. Whatever it might be later today, tomorrow, or a few days. Steven can't hold it out forever." Raimundo said. Just then, Connie came rushing with a crying infant Steven. "Of course, it happens as I mention it." Raimundo said as they break the huddle. They arrive with Pearl, Garnet and Greg in tow.
"Wait, what happened to Steven?" Pearl asked. "I don't know, we were just talking and then all of the sudden-" Connie said. "Wait, so he turned into a baby?!" Pearl said. "YES!" Connie said. "See, I told you, Dude. Stretching out your body out for that long would do no good for you." Amethyst said. Steven could only speak in baby talk. "Sorry, I only speak in English and Portuguese, not baby talk." Raimundo quips. "Anyone can take over for this one?" Amethyst said. "How about you, Pearl?" "Oh, don't hand him to me!" Pearl said. "Hand him over to me, Amethyst." Garnet said. Amethyst does so and Garnet tries to entertain the infant Steven but with no success. "Mmm...my powers means nothing to an infant." Garnet said. "Okay, I think this is my department." Greg said as he takes Steven from Amethyst. "What are you planning, Greg?" Raimundo asked. "Don't worry, I will use my van to drive around Steven to calm him down. Connie, care to join in?" Greg asked. "I will, Mr. Universe." Connie said. "Alright, so the Gems and us will hunker down the Barn for the night. Sounds good?" Clay said. Everyone nods and Greg, Connie and the infant Steven gets into the van with Amethyst and head out. Raimundo walks over to the open and began to pitch a tent for them.
A bit later, Raimundo and the Monk pitched 3 tents, 2 for the Monks and one for Connie and Steven. For Raimundo, he is worried if Steven would revert back to his normal self. He also wondered if Connie would stick around for the night. 'Man, it was certainly a birthday to remember' Raimundo thought with a quip. 'I hope he can return to his usual self and grow up naturally.' Just then, Kimiko walks up. "Hey, Raimundo." Kimiko said. "Oh, hey, Kimiko. What brings you here?" Raimundo said. "I saw you were deep in thought and I figured you needed some company with Amethyst away." Kimiko said. Raimundo chuckles and nods. "Yea, well, Amethyst and I found out Steven's little secret when we were ready to whack the pinata." Raimundo said. "Besides that and the fact that Steven shrunk his age to baby, it was a mostly fun day." "Yea, sometimes looking on the bright side is the best option. We are also hoping Steven will be okay." Kimiko said. Raimundo nods. The following morning would show Steven would be indeed back to normal. He would have a small facial hair that he acquired. Thing were looking back up. Only the Cluster issue remains though.
End of Episode 22