Alright, so i'm not gonna spoil anything from what we've seen from the San Diego Comic Con trailer for the next season, but i've got to say, I'm scared. I'm scared for Lapis. You guys know that i try my best to work with the timeline of the show, and ultimately it's what Lapis does that seriously affects the story. And to tell you the truth, if Lapis does what i'm afraid she's going to do, i have no idea if i can rewrite Ash and Lapis's relationship around it. But i'll be damned if i just flat out abandon this story and all i've worked so hard for, not to mention it would be a complete stab in the back for you guys for sticking through it. Fortunately i have faith in the Crewniverse and i have faith in my favorite Gem. But no matter what, Ash's Universe is still here and i still have some solid chapters for you guys with some serious twists on the way. *POKEMON AND STEVEN UNIVERSE AND IT'S CHARACTERS ARE NOT OWNED BY ME*
The video Ronaldo texted him from the Funland security camera from the previous night was still being replayed over and over on Ash's phone. He continued to watch Dawn hiding in the shadows behind the group watching them.
"Have you been watching that all night?" Lapis asked him as she woke up next to him with worry.
"Of course i have" he told her. "She just stood there watching us for nearly four minutes and made no attempt to talk to us. I'm one of her most trusted friends yet she looks like she doesn't even know me. It's almost creepy that she just watches us in complete silence until we leave" he said as he rested his head on her lap
He suddenly picked his head up as his phone vibrated when it received a text from Steven, asking him if he wanted to get some coffee with him at the big donut. To be honest, that sounded like the best idea ever to him. After spending the past few days worrying about his two missing friends, as well as Jasper's abduction, that a cup of coffee with his friend was probably exactly what he needed. After he replied yes, they agreed to meet at the Big Donut.
"Morning Ash" Steven said with a smile at the front door "sleep well?"
"Nope" he said explaining what happened to him and James after Steven and the Maheswarans left, and showed him the video of Dawn
"You mean she was watching us the entire time?"
"Yeah, but that doesn't matter now. Right now, i just want to have a relaxing cup of coffee with my brother" he said opening the door to see Serena, Sadie and Lars all working the front counter
"Morning Ash!" Serena welcomed him
"Morning everyone" he said with a smile
"You guys are just in time," Sadie exclaimed as she presented them their drinks "we need you guys to settle something"
"Of course" Steven answered on their behalf
"Well, Lars over here has made something very special and doesn't think it's all that great, which is totally false. But we just need you guys to prove him wrong" she said presenting a pumpkin like cake in front of them. "So, how is it?" she asked as the two cut pieces off and sampled it.
"Be honest, but not TO honest" Lars snarked
"Pretty good" Ash reviewed
"It's pumpkin bread! And it's pumpkin-shaped, like a pumpkin! This is the best idea anybody has ever had!" Steven raved
"See, we told you, it's really good!" Serena told Lars
"Of course Steven likes it; he likes everything."
"Lars, did you make this?!" he asked
"No! Well, yes but it's no big deal"
"Secrets out Lars, feels good doesn't it?" Sadie asked
"Stop!" he groaned with an embarrassed blush
"Oh this is amazing! How'd you get it to look like a pumpkin?" Steven excitedly asked
"I just made seven small crescent-shaped cakes and used cream cheese icing to hold them together. Anyone with two hands and half a brain could do it. And you know, a recipe." he explained with a tone of annoyance
"That sounds rather tedious, but you know it works" Ash commented
The door to the shop opened and Buck Dewey entered and approached the front counter
"B-B-B-Buck Dewey!" Lars stuttered as he attempted to hide the cake under the counter.
"Hey, Buck" Ash addressed his friend
"Hey Ash, hey Steven, hey donut kids"
"Hi Buck, what's up? how's it going? what'll it be?" Lars asked in a fast, panicky tone and giving him an awkward smile
"I wanna order…. You"
Ash couldn't believe what he thought he was witnessing. Was Buck seriously just professing his love to Lars?
"To come to dinner" Buck finished his sentence "me, Jenny and Sour Cream are having a potluck. You know, like parents do. Except we'll be doing it, All of you should come, and Ash can bring Brock to. You should bring some food because that's what you do at a potluck. It's so funny."
"That IS funny Buck! It sounds great!" he said as he gave a thumbs up "Super cool! Can't wait, Bingo, Bongo!" he then said pointing finger guns at him with an even bigger smile.
Buck just looked at him expressionless before saying "cool" and exited the store.
As soon as Buck left, Lars threw his head down on the counter ""Bingo, Bongo?!" where did I even learn that?!"
"Yeaah, Bingo Bongo! This is gonna be great." Steven said
"Hey, yeah this is perfect. You won't believe us when we say we like your cooking, but, you'll have to believe it when it's coming from Buck." Sadie agreed
"I'm not going."
"What?! You just got invited to a party with Ash's friends! Isn't that what you've always wanted? If anyone shouldn't go, it's me, but they know you, they like you! Don't they Ash?"
"Well, i'm pretty sure they do. I mean, he did just walk in and invite you to a party" he answered
"Unh-unh. Nobody knows me. And nobody knows I can bake." he ignored his friend's insistence
"Well, we do" Serena said
"Yeah, Lars, you should make this your big debut."
Lars thought about what they were telling him, and lifted his head from the counter "well, then it HAS to be perfect"
They all made plans to regroup at Lars's house at four o'clock when the Big Donut closed to prepare for Lars's baking debut. After making it to Lars's home, they all went up to his bedroom in the attic to meet.
"How about a pie?" Steven asked as Lars began pacing back and forth around the room, Ash and Serena both stood as Sadie laid down on the only chair.
"No."
"Uh, baked Alaska?" Sadie suggested
"It might look like i'm trying to hard"
"What about a macaroon?" Serena asked
"No, Sour Cream's allergic to coconut" Ash revealed
"No, definitely something cream-filled. A bundt? A cannoli? Maybe some rugelach? Uah I don't know!"
"Well, maybe, we could, make a cake with your face on it" Sadie then suggested
"That's a great idea! You should make something that represents you!" Steven said from the bed as Lars reached under the mattress and pulled out a purple notebook
"Maybe this'll work" he said flipping through the pages before reaching the recipe he wanted "I used to eat this as a kid all the time."
"What's "Ubie" Ash asked as he read the title of the page
"It's ube." Lars corrected him
"What's that?" Serena asked, having never heard of the dessert
"It's you know, like a sweet potato"
"POTATOES CAN BE SWEET!?" both Ash and Steven asked with extreme interest.
"That sounds perfect!" Sadie exclaimed as she grabbed Lars by the arm and lead the group downstairs
After spending the next thirty minutes baking Lars's Ube, he presented the purple, creamy pastry to the four teens
"So, how is it?" he asked as they each took a bite
"AMAZING!" all four shouted with excitement as they all began to ravage the plate
"You're an amazing baker, Lars!" Steven said as he took his third bite
Receiving the rave reviews, Lars gave a look of pride and a wide smile "well yeah, of course i am" he then noticed that the others had completely devoured the Ube and there was now only an empty plate "guess i'll have to take your words for it"
"Me and Serena are gonna head out and get our stuff for the party. This is it! It's all happening! Lars and the Cool Kids! See ya there!" Sadie said
"See you tonight guys" Serena said as the girls left
"Bye, Sadie! Bye, Serena!" Steven said with a sigh "everything's all good"
"Yeah, too good" Lars stated as he began to remake the cake for the party
"What do you mean?" Ash asked
"Uh, never mind."
"Lars, you can tell us anything, after you went out of your way to make me feel better after Lapis dumped me, i know that we're friends. To tell you the truth Lars, when i first met you, i thought i hated you. I hated the way you acted, i hated the way you talked to Steven and Sadie, and i hated you're attitude. But after what i've seen from you lately, i see that you're a pretty decent guy, once i got to know you, i think it's safe to call you my friend"
Lars gave a soft smile from Ash's kind words, but then his troubles returned to him "I'm not worried about the cake. The cake is gonna rule. I'm worried about showing up with a cake."
"What do you mean?" Steven asked
"There's a reason I don't like telling anybody I like baking"
"Why?"
"Because it's lame, Steven! If I show up to this party with my family's weird purple cake and with Sadie, everybody's gonna know I love baking and everybody's gonna know I love…" he paused mid sentence and tried to change the subject, but Ash could tell he was about to say Sadie's name as the other thing he loves "This isn't gonna be an ironic potluck. It's gonna be, like, family, couple, neighbor, actual potluck, and I'm gonna be there being all bingo, bongo."
"These are your friends. They want you to come, that's why they invited you-"
"Stop it Steven! It's blatantly obvious that Buck was trying to invite you and Ash and only invited Sadie, Serena and I so it wasn't awkward!"
"No Lars," Ash added "there's been quite a few times when i've texted Buck, or Jenny, or Sour Cream, and your name's come up in a positive light. They, we, really do like you Lars."
"Lars! It's going to go so good! I got to get going and make my thing, but I'll see you there, right?" Steven asked as he began to go to the door
"Yeah. yeah i'll see you there!"
"Can't wait, see you then Lars" Ash said as he left.
After Ash returned to the barn to get Brock and Pikachu, they went to the local supermarket to get bags of chips and mini sandwiches, as they had absolutely no time to make anything. Afterward, they made their way to Jamie's house to walk with Serena.
"Why can't i go to the party with you guys?" Bonnie pouted as they began to make their way to Sour Cream's house
"Because this party's for big kids only" Jamie told her "come on kiddo, let's go make some ice cream sundaes while we continue the movie"
"You sure you can keep an eye on her?" Serena asked
"Yeah, yeah, we've still got two hours left on Dogcopter 2 to watch, i think me and Bonnie can keep ourselves busy while you're gone. You guys have fun"
"Look at Uncle Jamie saving the day" Brock remarked as the three of them began their short walk
"Yeah, he is really sweet" Serena agreed
"So, how much would you say you liked him?" Ash asked, Pikachu riding on his shoulder
"What? What do you mean?" Serena asked with a blush, one that Ash was keen to take notice on.
"Well i mean, he seems like a pretty caring guy. He's almost like a dad to Bonnie" Ash began to elaborate before Brock jabbed him in the back with his elbow, implying him to stop.
They met Steven at the edge of the house's driveway and rang the doorbell
"Hey guys" Sour Cream welcomed them to his home, directing them into the living room with an assortment of food on the table "i brought the soda" he said sitting down on the couch
"I brought the pizza" Jenny stated as she joined them
"I brought the assorted fruit" Buck explained
"Well, me and Brock brought chips and mini sandwiches"
"I brought cookies" Serena presented a basket of cookies
"I can't wait for Lars to get here. He made a - wait, wait, I shouldn't tell you. It's a surprise" Steven said excitedly
"That Lars is full of surprises" Buck stated "earlier today he did this thing, what was it? Oh yeah" he remembered as he made finger guns "bingo bongo. It was transcendent"
"That is so creative" Jenny agreed with him
"Bingo bongo" Sour Cream said as he imitated Buck. All of a sudden, the doorbell rang.
"That's him!" Steven shouted as he ran to the door, only to return with Sadie and no Lars
"He's not here yet?" Sadie asked disappointed
"He's probably still working on the cake. This is his ube debut, after all" Brock reassured her as they lead her into the living room
"Oh, hey, it's donut girl." Jenny welcomed her
"You guys remember Sadie right?" Ash asked his friends, who nodded
"So, tell us, Sadie, what did you bring to our very cool potluck?" Buck then asked intensely
"Sorry, I didn't bring any food. Just these paper plates. It's just, uh, they're for Lars' thing, and he's not even here. Actually, I probably should just show myself-"
"Did you say plates?" Sour Cream interrupted her, turning off the lights, then tossing a handful of yellow, blue and pink glowsticks from his pockets cheering. Once his celebration was over, he turned the lights back on "Now I don't have to do the dishes." he explained sitting down
"Wow, I never thought anyone could get excited over paper plates. I guess they are biodegradable. But I'm still worried about Lars."
"Me and Ash can go find him" Steven volunteered "you guys get started"
Immediately, they went to Lars's home, but his parents told them that he had already left. They eventually encountered Peedee and Mr. Smiley who hadn't seen him at all.
"If only there was some way to contact him with my mind. Oh, wait, or with my phone!" Steven said as he gave Lars a call while they began to make their way back to the party. "La-a-a-a-a-rs! I mean, Lars, hi. This is Steven. Uh, I was just wondering where you were. The potluck is going really great. Everyone's having a nice time, and we're all excited for you to come join the fun. Or maybe I just missed you and you're already back at the party... and that's the sound of you enjoying music with all our friends"
Ash then felt like he needed to open the trash can in front of Sour Cream's house, only to see that the Ube was smashed inside it at the top.
"Or maybe you decided not to go inside. Th-That's okay, though. Guess I'll see you later." Steven sighed as he hung up the phone
As the two reentered the house, they saw the rest of the teens were sitting around the table, Buck on a guitar and Sour Cream on his laptop singing.
"Pizza potluck Potluck, potluck" he sang
"Potluck" Sadie then sang "Po-ot-lu-u-u-u-uck. Po-o-otluck. Potluck"
"Yeah, Sadie. That was fresh. Oh, hey, it's Steven and Ash"
"Hey guys, we've been having such a blast over here. Did you find Lars?"
"Uh, yeah. He - he can't make it tonight. Something came up."
Sadie sighed "Well, that's okay. Let's keep playing music"
After spending the next few hours singing and socializing, everybody acknowledged that it was getting very late and decided to all go home. Ash, Steven, Sadie, Serena, Pikachu and Brock all stepped outside, wishing the group a good night and beginning their walk home
"So, he decided not to come, huh?" Sadie asked as they reached the intersection
"Sadly, yes" Ash said
"Maybe we should've tried harder to get him to come." Steven added
"Ugh. He wants to be in with them so much. It's funny. I never thought I'd be the one hanging out with them. You know, they really are cool. Like, not like he thinks, but, like - like, they're actually cool people. How's he going to realize that if he doesn't give them a chance? I wish I could just force him to be happy. Oh, no. I sound like my mother. Maybe I should be trying to fix my life instead of his."
"It's alright Sadie" Serena comforted her "we can give him a piece of our minds at work tomorrow"
"Bingo, bongo." Ash joked in response
After, Serena decided she would walk Sadie home while the boys decided to walk together.
"See you tomorrow ladies" Ash told them
"See yah Ash" Serena said as the two groups split up.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Serena asked Sadie as they walked alone in the night.
"Yeah, i'm more angry at that idiot than sad. It's just so frustrating that he went through all that and didn't do anything about it. They really do like him. I just wish he could like himself. Do you know what it's like to have somebody that dense about something that important?"
Serena laughed "believe me Sadie, i know exactly what that's like."
"Are you, Sadie and a Pokemon trainer?" they suddenly heard a young sounding girl ask from behind them
"Yeah, why do you ask?" Sadie told the source of the voice as the two turned around, neither girl knowing the absolute horror both of them were about to endure.
The boys eventually reached the boardwalk and got ready to go their separate ways for the night.
"I still can't believe Lars wussed out" Brock said just before they split
"It's not his fault that he's scared" Steven tried to defend him
"Well, in our world cowardice is something that is basically unforgivable" Ash reminded Steven "my people are very prideful, and if you're challenged to a pokemon battle, you've basically got no choice but to say yes. I can't believe I thought Lars had changed. A coward is a coward. And i guess they-"
"OH MY ARCEUS! ASH LOOK ON THE BEACH!" Brock suddenly interrupted him pointing at something on the beach. Ash and Steven looked in the direction he was pointing and both gasped at the sight of two bodies lying face down on the sand. Ash instantly recognizing both of them as May and Dawn.
They ran down to the girls, with Ash stopping at May while Brock checked on Dawn
"Oh thank Arceus she's alive!" Brock said as he checked Dawn's pulse. Ash then checked May's and found that she to was alive.
Steven opened the front door to the Temple as Ash and Brock each carried their unconscious friends towards the couch and loveseat. They waited there for nearly an twenty before the girls began to wake up
"Ash? Brock?" Dawn asked as they both sat up
"Hey guys" Ash told them in a comforting way "don't worry, you guys are safe"
"Where are we?" May asked as Steven began making some soup for them. Ash and Brock explained the entire situation with the Crystal Gems and how they all had a place in saving the worlds thanks to Arceus. The entire time, Ash wanted to ask them what May's bag was doing in the desert, or why Dawn was in Funland the previous night. But he found himself wanting to give the girls some space as Steven delivered them their soup.
"So, we're at war huh?' Dawn asked as she gingerly sipped her soup
"From what i've seen, yes." he explained, he then noticed May was just staring at her bowl "May you should eat"
"No thanks, i'm not hungry" she answered him, taking him and Brock by surprise. At the Mauville City buffet they ate at once, Ash remembered her eating at least eleven bowls of ramen noodles and somehow still had room for three helpings of dessert. May wasn't a person who "wasn't hungry"
Ash suddenly felt a tug at his shirt to see Pikachu was asking him something. That's when Ash noticed something else was wrong "Dawn, where's Piplup?"
"Oh, i kept him in his pokeball" she answered quickly answered him removing a pokeball. This also set Ash the wrong way, Dawn never kept Piplup in his pokeball. Dawn released her starter pokemon.
"PIP PIPLUP!" the penguin pokemon began to exclaim as he recognized Ash and ran over to him, tugging at his pant leg as if he was trying to tell him something with a desperate look on his face.
"Pika pika?" Pikachu asked him
"Ok mister you are being very rowdy" Dawn scolded him and returned the pokemon "it seems like he's not taking the sudden change very well" she said as May just watched
"Well you guys are more than welcome to stay for as long as you want" Steven said not picking up on the girl's strange behavior.
"Thank you Steven, and it's been a pretty long day, i think i'm just gonna sleep" Dawn spoke as May just stood up without a word and entered the bathroom
"Alright, we'll check in on you guys in the morning and try to get you two more familiar with the rest of the city and the Gems" Ash said as they began to return to the barn, both he and Brock concerned about their friend's odd behavior.