Wow, this story got popular quick! I'm not surprised this story got a lot of views and faves but I still kinda am. I'm also really happy this show is becoming a big thing and is gaining a lot of fans and viewers because this is a show that definitely deserves them. I also love Steven and can relate to him on a personal level. One of the reasons I chose to write this, that and because I ship Connie and Steven. Speaking of which, not much of them in the chapters to come but it'll be there soon enough, just be patient. ;)

"Finn"'s still being worked on but I had to get this one on paper while it was still fresh in my head. Anyway, hope you guys like! :D

UPDATE: A new song has been added into this story written by my new friend PikaScootaloo with an added verse by me. The song is entitled "I Can Help You". Hope you enjoy it!

Good News

"Mayor Dewey! Mayor Dewey!"

The sound of the Mayor's vehicle complete with a creepy recreation of his head attached to the top was heard driving by. Steven and his father Greg were at the local car wash called It's A Wash! that the latter owned. It wasn't much, but it meant a lot to him, his son more than anything. It was around sunset and the two were just finishing cleaning up the Mr. Universe van when the irksome sounds of the Mayor became more audible.

"Oh, look, the Mayor." said Greg as he finished wiping down the van. "Wonder what he wants."

"Maybe he liked your design for the parade and wants to tell you the good news in person!" Steven exclaimed.

"Nah, I doubt it." Greg laughed nervously. "Besides, it's not very good. I'm sure he just wants a last minute wash."

The vehicle stops dead center and the noise disappeared. The Mayor stepped out and approached Greg.

"Hello, Mr. Universe." said the Mayor.

"Hello, Mr. Mayor." Greg replied. "The usual? I mean we're closed now but I can always-"

"Actually, I'm here to give you something." Mayor Dewey said, eyes closed and hands behind his back. "As you know, the Boardwalk Parade is this week and we're accepting all the floats promoting their businesses and hopefully gaining more tourism to shop here. So because of that, we're approving any and every float we can regardless of quality." He reaches into his suit and pulls out a small sheet. "So, yeah. You're in." He hands it to Greg.

Greg looks at it and reads it. Steven grabs on to his Dad's arm so he can read it to. Stars appear in his eyes. "Congratulations, Dad!"

Greg seemed confused. He looks back at the Mayor. "Uh, thanks, I guess, but don't these usually get mailed?"

"They do, but my secretary had the day off and none of these got sent like they were supposed to. But I suppose I can't blame her entirely since it wouldn't be fair, I guess. Anyway, that's all for now. Parade's at the end of the week. Float better be done by then."

The Mayor enters back into his van and drives away, the obnoxious sound of his name echoing in the distance.

Greg still looks at the invitation not sure what to think. Steven however is jumping up and down, excited at what's to come. "Oh my gosh, we're gonna be in the parade! I can't believe it!"

Greg laughs nervously. "Okay, calm down. First we gotta worry about the float and the parade is in a few days!"

"Don't worry, I'll help you out." Steven suggested. "And it'll be the coolest parade float you'll ever see in your entire life. People will come from miles to come see it and then you'll get more customers and the car wash will be a-boomin' and-"

"Alright, that's enough, ya goofball. You convinced me." He gives his son a little noogie making him giggle. "What do you say you help me out with it tomorrow?"

Steven gasps. "Deal! Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go tell the Gems the good news!" He runs back toward the Temple, waving at his dad while doing so. Greg waved back.

Steven enters his Temple/Beach house hybrid home and immediately starts looking for his other family. "Garnet! Pearl! Amethyst!" he calls out. Nothing. "Huh, guess they're still on a mission." He sighs and climbs the stairs that lead to his wall and doorless room.

"Wish I could go on one of their missions. Bet I could help them out in many ways. Then they'd want me to go with them all the time." He smiles at the possibility, then the realization hits him. "Too bad this thing doesn't work yet." He lifts up his shirt to reveal his Rose Quartz gem located where his belly button should be. "Least I think it doesn't work. Why else would it not be working?" He sighs again and lowers his shirt.

"Well, I'm sure they'll be back any second. I mean, it's almost dinner time." He picks up his ukulele next to him and tunes it before beginning to play. No real song or anything, just notes attempting to become sounds that ultimately lead to music and the beginning of a possible song. Lyrics start to come along into the mix, his current thoughts being turned into song.

So maybe I don't have any powers in my gem
Why should it matter when I just wanna try and help again?
All I want is the chance to prove to you
That I can kick evil's butt before the day is through!

I know I can't use a spear or whip or fist
But I'll probably get the gist of it
So if you give me a chance to show what I can do
Maybe you'll let me help take evil down with you!

You know I really wanna get in the action
And battle monsters like you wouldn't believe 'em!
Well, I guess you would, 'cause you fight 'em all the time
And if I can get the chance, I know I can do this just fine!

Please just let me prove to you all together
That whatever my mom could do, I can help you do even better!
And you know that I'm willing to help in any way
But I know this job you gave me just isn't the same...!

What am I to you?
Hopefully not just a burden to you.
What am I to do?
When I'm alone in a home
and without a single clue.

Just give me a chance to show you
What I can do to help you!
o-o-o-ooo! o-o-ooo!
I can fight with you guys too!
o-o-o-ooo! o-o-ooo!
If you'd only give me the chance to
I'm sure that I can help you!
o-o-o-ooo! o-o-ooo!
o-o-o-ooo! o-o-ooo!
o-o-o-ooo...! o-o-ooo...!

The light of the warp pad shines a bright light and three silhouettes quickly form; one tall, one small, and other somewhere in between but skinnier than the others. The light disappears and the forms are shown with details and figures. The tall one, Garnet is carrying a handful of gems in her massive gauntlets, many of them green.

"Well, that could've gone a lot better." the thin one, Pearl, said.

"Hey, at least we beat their butts into submission!" the small purple one, Amethyst, replied.

"Only because you brought them to us and had us surround by a bunch of those things! You're the worst attack coordinator I've ever seen."

"Hey! I'm just doing my job! And thinking's overrated, whatever happened to just doing things!"

"AHEM!" The two gems stop bickering and turn their attention to their leader, Garnet.

"Let's just be grateful we came out of that one still intact." She said calmly. "Maybe next time Amethyst coordinates the plan; we should pay a little more attention to her." Amethyst stuck out her tongue at Pearl.

"HEY, YOU GUYS!" Steven heads downstairs and runs towards his caretakers.

"Hey, Steven! How's it going?" Amethyst high-fives him.

"You guys, I have the bestest news ever!" Steven was jumping up and down trying to contain his excitement. "My Dad and I are gonna be a part of the Boardwalk Parade this Saturday!"

"Wow, that's great, Steven!" Amethyst exclaimed.

"Think you guys can make it then?" Steven asked.

"We'll see, Steven." Pearl added. "We just got rid of a handful of these creatures and they may or may not be more. We still have a gem amulet to collect and we're not sure how long it'll take for us to get to it."

"Aww..." Steven looked down in disappointment. Then he remembered the other thing. "Oh, speaking of which, you think I can come with you guys on your next mission? I mean not this one since you got this one all covered but maybe the next one!"

Pearl takes a deep breath and looks down at the small Crystal Gem boy. "Steven, you know we're still working on getting your gem to work so for the time being, we need you to stay here where it's safe."

"I know, but can I at least just-"

"I'm sorry, but that's the rule."

"Oh, okay." Once again, young Steven looks down and heads back to the living room to sit down on a couch.

"Poor Steven." Amethyst commented.

"Here, take care of these." Garnet hands the gems over to Amethyst... who then hands them over to Pearl and leaves.

"Here, take care of these." Pearl collapses in the weight of the gems.

"AMETHYST!"

Garnet goes over to Steven and sits down next to him on the sofa. "Steven, I know you want to go with us badly and I assure you, I want that as well. But until we can learn how to activate your gem, you're here for now."

"I know, but what if it never happens?"

"Give it time. In the meantime, look at it this way. Your job for now is to befriend the people of Earth. Be kind and gentle to them. Get to know them properly so that when the time comes, you will be able to protect them and they will love you for it."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Steven smiles. "Thanks, Garnet."

"You're welcome, Steven. Congratulations on the parade, by the way."

"Thanks!"

"So you're gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, I think I'll be."

"Good, cause dinner's gonna be ready in a bit. Need to make sure that little belly of yours is okay." She pokes him in the belly. Steven giggles.

"See you in a bit?" Garnet continued.

"Definitely." Steven nodded.

With that, Garnet got up and left for the sole door located at the end of the room. She planted her palms on the red gems, making them glow red and blue for some reason, and she entered the domicile. Steven was alone once again. Well, his thoughts were there with him at least. He thought about the people he knew, the residents of Beach City, and the ones he talked to on occasion. Lars and Sadie at the Big Donut, the Frymans' at the Board Citywalk Fries Shop, the Pizza family at Fish Stew Pizza and... that's about it. Acquaintances. That's all he really had, not an actual friend friend. Not someone he could talk to about what's troubling him or play with or go on adventures with or someone he could actually be there for and vice versa. How was he supposed to protect the people of Earth when he didn't know them properly let alone have a reason to save them? Pretty big thoughts for an eleven-year-old. Still, it would be nice to have at least one friend, doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl, just someone, anyone. Not many kids lived in Beach City and the ones he did talked to were teenagers or older. Not many his age, well, except for Peedee, but he's always working at the fry shop. He sighed, and remained in that thought zone for a bit.

Suddenly, his mind shifted gears. "I can worry about that later. I have a parade float to work on!" And with that, all of Steven's worries went away.

A/N: Wish I could write songs, but alas, I can't. Thought it was a cute scene though. If anyone would however like to come up with a song for Steven, they're more than welcome to send in what they have. If I like it, I'll add it into the story, and credit the author as well. Also, Garnet is my fave Gem so I just had to write a scene with her talking to Steven. :3

UPDATE: Thank you, PikaScootaloo, for answering the call. You're the best! :D

Anyway, more of the story to come soon. Looking forward to writing the next one! :D