I loved this episode so much, and I'm so glad Sadie and the Cool Kids finally got some screen time like this. Like I said before, although the chapters and episodes won't be cohesive in the order they aired, they will be as close to the canon storyline as possible before it branches into AU territory *SPOILER ALERT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THIS EPISODE YET, ALSO POKEMON AND STEVEN UNIVERSE ARE NOT OWNED BY ME*
The previous night Serena had texted Ash and requested that he walked her to work that morning for a talk. That morning he obliged her request and met her outside Jamie's home.
"So, what do you need to talk to me about?"
"I'm concerned about Clemont," she revealed. In the days since Ash, Steven and Clemont returned from Homeworld, Clemont had moved in with Jamie, Bonnie and herself. "He's been" she had to pause, the hurt in her voice evident "he's been screaming in his sleep Ash".
"Well of course he's got PTSD Serena, after seeing what he had to go through who wouldn't? I mean, Homeworld torchured him, cut off his legs, threatened his little sister, and forced him to kill innocent Gems and build weapons that will kill countless innocents. I'd feel guilty too. The best thing we can do now is be there for him. Hey, how's Jamie by the way?".
"He's been doing alright, even though he still blames himself for what happened. But I know better, it's my fault not his", she confessed holding back tears.
"Woah, woah, woah Serena, it's nobody's fault that what happened happened. I know that no matter what you did, or Jamie did or even what Lapis did, nothing was going to change. Aquamarine, Topaz, May and Dawn were going to take someone into space, me and Steven just made sure it wasn't you guys. It's actually weird, the only person who seems to be taking this whole thing well was Lars, and he actually got taken. Serena it's not your fault and I don't blame you. Now come on, you gonna get me some donuts or what?" he joked while opening the door to the Big Donut for her. Inside he saw Sadie completing a large order for Steven.
"Oh, morning Serena, Ash" Sadie addressed them looking absolutely exhausted.
"Hey Sadie, what's with the big order Steven?"
"Band practice, I've joined Buck, Jenny and Sour Cream's new band."
"Oh that's so cool Steven," Serena admired as she got behind the counter to assist Sadie.
"Yeah, we're still trying to find our style but it's still pretty fun to just play music with other people. It's also nice to have an outlet that doesn't involve space, and Gem stuff, and everything else that's been happening else going on" Steven explained with a sigh.
"I'd love to have that luxury bud."
"You guys should totally join us, we're all practicing at Sour Cream's place tonight. Feel free to stop by if you guys have time"
"That sounds awesome bud, let's do it!" Ash immediately volunteered.
"Thanks Steven, but I can't I promised I'd help Bonnie get Clemont back on his feet tonight, he hasn't left Jamie's couch in forever. Besides I'm the one closing tonight" Serena declined.
"I'll try," Sadie dreamily told him, "hopefully I can finish restocking napkins early before my shift ends. We're always running out for some reason"
"Huh, weird" Steven thought as he took literally every single napkin out from the dispenser before he and Ash left "see you guys"
Once the duo reached Sour Cream's house they were greeted to Sour Cream and Jenny sitting outside just playing around with their equipment, but as soon as she saw Ash, Jenny approached him with an angry scowl.
"Yo Ash! What's this biz I hear about you inviting Buck and his dad to your wedding but not us? I thought we were your friends!" she playfully hit him in the back.
"Woah easy there Jenny, I was getting to you guys! I was giving you specifically some time to adjust to your grandma becoming the new mayor, but you and Sour Cream are invited. In fact, now that you guys are in a band, think maybe you guys could play at it?"
"Can I?" Sour Cream excitedly said, as he began to play a dance version of "Here Comes the Bride" on his sound system.
"Awesome"
"Hey! Hey!" Buck exclaimed to them, running down the street to get their attention.
"What's up Buck?"
"Guess who's got a gig at Delmarva's number two music and seafood festival this weekend?" he excitedly asked.
"Chuchi and the Woo woos?" Jenny asked even more excited.
"Jack and the Frosted Tips?" Sour Cream asked.
"Sevenforce?" Steven asked.
Buck just looked at them, upset that none of his friends figured it out yet "no, us!"
"WHAT!?" they all asked
"But we don't even have a name yet!" Steven rose his concern.
"Or a setlist!" Jenny spoke up.
"Or even one single song to put on a setlist!" Sour Cream also said.
Jenny sighed "guess we've got a lot of work to do"
"We could cover a song from my world" Ash suggested, pulling out a CD from his backpack and giving it to Sour Cream to play "it's the most popular song on the planet of my world"
Sour Cream listened to Ash's song over his headphones and his eyes lit up "this is the single greatest song I've ever heard in my life, we HAVE to cover it!"
Steven, Buck and Jenny took a listen to it, all agreeing that it was an amazing song, but Buck then spoke up "granted, this song is great. But there's already seven coverbands at this thing, I kind of want us to be original you know, but you could totally open for us Ash, we'll play the song only if you sing it"
"Yeah Ash! This song was made for you!" Steven agreed "plus you have an amazing singing voice!"
Ash blushed from Steven's compliment "we'll, you know what? YEAH! Let's do it!"
"Glad we've got that part squared away, but we still gotta find THIS band's original style, come up with an original song!" Jenny voiced her concern as well.
The group spent the entire day brainstorming, coming up with ideas and shooting them all down until it grew dark out.
"What if we go for a more, rap-abilly style?" Sour Cream suggested
"What's that?" Ash asked
"Hip Hop and Country"
"NO!"
"How bout something like…" Steven began strumming at his guitar "here we are our hearts combining. Music and friends our souls aligning"
"Hold on Steven," Buck said "you got a really cool sentiment going on that can resonate with a wide audience, I just feel this seafood festival needs to hear something challenging and provocative. Check this out!" he sat down and began to strum his own guitar "Doo doo" he paused. "Butt". He paused again "The government" yet another pause in his song "Corrupts".
"Hold on there Bucky D, I'm all for being socially conscience and waking people up inside, but people are gonna be at this seafood festival to have fun! Let's give them something they can dance to! Sour Cream, give me a beat!"
Sour Cream began to drop his own beat and the others played on their guitars to it. "And how bout some-" he said completely ruining the shared moment with an obnoxiously loud screeching noise.
"What the heck Sour Cream!?"
"What? Can't let your audience get too comfortable"
"Maybe we should just call it a night and try again tomorrow" Steven suggested.
"Hey guys!" Sadie exclaimed running down the driveway "sorry I'm so late, you all still practicing?"
"Sorry Sadie we just wrapped up, we were getting nowhere aside from covering a song from Ash's world we'll close the act with"
"Aw shoot, I really wanted to hear you guys. Well, let me know if you have another band practice when I'm not working, see ya guys"
"Bye Sadie" Jenny said as she walked off disappointed.
"She really needs a break from this whole thing, maybe we could do our rehearsal after she's done working?" Ash suggested.
"That's a pretty cool idea Ash. Well, goodnight"
After arriving home to the barn, he saw Lapis standing with Charizard, making him burn something and placing her finger over her mouth to tell the pokemon to keep quiet. "You getting rid of evidence?" he jokingly asked after sneaking up behind her.
Lapis quickly turned around, having been startled by his presence "no!" she very sternly protested "It's just a, a failed meep morp I didn't want anyone to see". Before he could asked her about it, she sprouted her wings and flew into the barn.
He looked at both Pikachu and Charizard confused, "what did she just make you burn?" he asked Charizard, who simply shrugged innocently. He knelt down and examined the charred remains of the object she didn't want him to see, and unfortunately she succeeded as he could only tell it was the size of his finger and was made of plastic. But he decided to trust her claim of it being an unusual meep morp and went to bed.
The next evening, after practicing Ash's song all day, the band began to follow Sadie home, surprising her at her front door.
"Woah hey guys, I just got home from work" she said completely of guard.
"We know how busy your schedule is, so we decided to bring the jam to you"
"Aww shucks guys, but my room is such a mess right now, okay just give me a minute to tidy up" after the five followed her inside to the basement, she began to grab a few ples of clothes and throw them into the closet.
"Dang Sadie you got so much space in here"
"Yo Sadie, you got any free outlets I can plug into?"
"Oh yeah, check over by the TV". with their equipment set, the band got ready to find their official style, all except for Buck, who struggled to get comfortable in the cramped space between Sadie's bed and the TV, so he got up and plopped down next to her, only to hear a loud crunching sound come from the mattress "aw doo doo, I think I broke your bed". Sadie pushed him off, revealing a pile of VHS tapes from below the sheet.
"Woah, scary movies" Sour Cream admired "hey Sadie you've got a dark side"
"It's more of a dork side"
"HEY! Is that The Lurch?" Jenny asked, picking up the case at the top of the pile.
"You know this one?"
"YEAH! It's a classic! I can't believe you have a copy! Guys, we have got to watch this!"
Sadie popped the tape into the VCR and everyone sat down to watch the swamp themed zombie movie.
"I can't believe you like this one, not everyone appreciates Bulgarian horror"
The only two people who weren't enjoying themselves were Steven and Pikachu, as both were covering their eyes with fear, Pikachu even holding onto Ash's arm tightly out of fear. "Guys, Steven said "don't we need to find our sound?"
"I kinda like this sound" Sour Cream said, getting up and recreating the movie's soundtrack on his equipment. Jenny followed suit and played along on her base, while Buck and Steven played their guitars.
"Now we just need some provocative lyrics"
"Tired from work" Sadie sang
"Nice" Buck complimented.
"Hate, my job. I really oughta be in mourning. But i've got another shift this morning. Everyday feels like it's never ending. What's the point of all this time I'm spending here, at this dead-end job! Oh, we are the working dead! And we lurch for minimum wage. But I'd really rather be, eating your brain.
Look at you, you seem so bright and healthy. And your minds are full of joy and wonder. Stay a thousand miles from the condition that I've got from all the stress I'm under. Don't come near me or you might encourage all these terrifying sudden urges. Seeing you makes skipping work so tempting, don't you know at night I'm temping here, at this, dead-end job!
Oh! We are the working dead! And we lurch for minimum wage. But I'd really rather be, eating your brain!"
Throughout her song, Ash could hear the contempt in Sadie's voice and lyrics, a contempt he never saw of her until now. But the angst actually brought a sense of investment into the music, and added a personal level that challenged the audience.
Amid the applause from her friends, Buck joked "you're not Sadie Miller, you're Sadie Killer"
"THIS IS IT!" Jenny excitedly proclaimed "this is our sound! Sadie you should be our frontman!"
Sadie's eyes lit up from that idea "really? Wow I, wait no I can't, I have to work tomorrow. Actually, you guys should probably pack up, I've got to get some rest before my shift". She explained disappointedly.
"Aw doo doo" Buck complained, "looks like we're back to just covering Ash's song"
Soon the weekend came, and with it came the festival. News that Ash Ketchum was preforming spread across town and it's citizens were very excited, all except for the band he was performing with for they lost their originality. Nevertheless, they were determined to perform their hearts out with Ash and went through with his cover.
"Alright, you guys know the drill, Lapis and the others are gonna be in the audience so I'm dedicating our performance to her" he explained as they all met up at Fish Stew to go.
"So no Sadie Killer huh?" Jenny asked Steven, who previously that day gave one last attempt to convince Sadie to join them.
"Afraid not, she's just too busy with work"
"Aw man"
"This gig won't be the same without her"
"Alright Steven, you're gonna have to up your scary game to fill Sadie's shoes" Buck explained
"Got it!" he then gave an adorable little roaring noise like that a five year old pretending to be a dinosaur would make.
"He can't help being cute no more than I can help being cool" Buck evaluated, let's just try to focus on Ash.
They loaded into the pizza mobile and Jenny began to drive them "buckle up y'all" she commanded.
"Hope the seafood at this place is good" Sour Cream said in the back of the car with Ash and Buck.
"So where is this place exactly?"
"I wrote it down for you" Ash told her.
"Oh on that tiny piece of paper? Where'd I put it?" she asked parking the car and looking around.
"Did it fall under the seat?" Steven asked
"Yo, what if this is all a dream?" Buck suddenly asked.
"Buck what the heck do you mean by that?" Ash asked him extremely confused.
Before he could answer, Sadie's voice came from behind them, and the short teen came running towards them.
"SADIE!" they all excitedly exclaimed as she jumped onto the trunk of the car and into the back seat with the other boys.
"I can do it! I can do the show! And I can practice, and the next one, and the next, and the one after that!"
"But, don't you have work?"
She smiled at Ash smugly before tearing off her Big Donut uniform and throwing it to the ground "I QUIT!"
"But, what about Serena?" Ash asked a little worried for his friend now working completely alone.
"I talked to her about it, she's getting that Clemont guy to replace me! Now let's do this show!"
After parking the car, they dropped Ash off to keep his performance a surprise so the Sadie Killers could perform and he'd close their act. He eventually found his housemates seated at a table, Brock trying and failing to flirt with other women, Peridot and James getting into a heated discussion about Percy and Pierre on Camp Pinning Hearts, and Misty eating shrimp to her heart's content. "Hey guys" he said sitting with them next to Lapis, who had decided to try eating some of the seafood. As he grabbed a bucket of crab legs and began going to town, he looked at his fiance looking glumly at her plate. "What's wrong, did you make friends with that lobster the last time you were in the ocean?" he joked.
Lapis acknowledged him with a shy smile, "no I'm just feeling a little off right now. But I'm still having a good time here don't get me wrong". He couldn't help but think that the object he saw her burning was troubling her still, but seeing how troubled she appeared to be despite smiling happily and resting her head on his shoulders, he decided to leave well enough alone for now.
"Yo Ash!" he heard Amethyst shout to him, leading Garnet, Pearl, Greg, Serena, Jamie and Clemont from the opposite side of the arena. "See I told you they'd be here"
"Hey guys, Garnet it's a rare sight to see you and Pearl out of the Temple"
"Oh, we wouldn't miss seeing Steven perform on that stage for the world, and do I hear that you will be performing with him?" Pearl asked
"Wait, you're singing?" Lapis asked him "why didn't you tell me?"
Ash playfully shrugged "what can I say? I wanted it to be a surprise"
"Thank you so much ladies and gentlemen!" Sadie proclaimed from the stage to a roar of applause "we are the Sadie Killers, but before we go we have one more song sung by someone incredibly talented and awesome! Without further adue, here he is, the man who brought Pokemon to our little world, who's defended this city with all his heart and soul for the past year! Please welcome my good friend Ash Ketchum to the stage!" he quickly pushed through the crown and boarded the stage, accepting the microphone from her and taking center stage.
"How's everyone doing tonight?"
The audience cheered.
"Alright, these guys are about to close out the show with me and will perform a classic song from my home universe, ladies and gentlemen please give it up fro the Sadie Killers! On the keyboard, he's the man behind the killer beats tonight it's Sour Cream!" Sour Cream accepted Ash's hype by blasting an incredibly powerful bass drop, much to the audience's delight.
"Now on bass she's sassy, she's classy, she'll break your heart just as fast as she can deliver a pizza, give it up for Jenny Fishtew!" Jenny strummed her bass as hard as she could in a blatant display of showmanship.
"And of course on acoustic, he's the coolest guy you'll ever met, the man with a plan, he's Buck Dewey!". In response to his individual hype up, Buck strung his acoustic guitar with lightning fast speed, signaling to the cheering crowd with his fingers.
"Next up, you know her, you love her, she's got a voice an angel would be jealous of, on backup vocals and frontman of the band, she's Sadie Miller!". With her reintroduction to the crowd, she waved and took her place at the second microphone.
"And last, but certainly not least, he's my brother in every way but blood. My partner in crime and is one of the greatest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, on the keytar, you know him, you love him, give it up for Steven Quartz Universe!". Steven came to his brother's side and hugged him in a tight "bro hug" before both of them raised their fists in the air. "This song is dedicated to the love of my life in the audience tonight, ladies and gentlemen let's hear it for my beautiful fiance Lapis Lazuli!" The person running the lights moved the spotlight above Lapis and the crowd cheered for her, which she awkwardly smiled in response. "Lapis, I've said it once, I'll say it a thousand times and a thousand more after that: you are my soulmate, you are my heart and soul, I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with you, this song is for you." he saw she was beginning to tear up and clutch her chest for his dedication. "NOW LET'S DO THIS!"
"One, two, one two three" Sour Cream exclaimed, slamming his hands down on the sound system and beginning the electric drumbeat, Steven began the piano tune on his keytar, while Jenny and Buck started on their guitars. Clutching the microphone, Ash began to sing, making eye contact with Lapis the entire time.
"I wanna be, the very best. Like no one ever was! To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause! I will travel, across the land, searching far and wide. Teach pokemon to understand the power that's inside!"
Sadie and Steven provided the backup chorus for him "Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all"
"It's you and me, I know it's my destiny. Pokemon! Oh, you're my best friend, in a world we must defend! Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all! A heart so true, our courage will pull us through. You teach me and I'll teach you. Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all!"
"Every challenge along the way, with courage I will face. I will battle every day to claim my rightful place"
He pulled Lapis from the audience and onto the stage with him, taking her by the hand singing to her.
"Come with me the time is right. There's no better team. Arm and arm we'll win the fight, it's always been our dream."
"Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all!"
"It's you and me! I know it's my destiny. Pokemon! Oh, you're my best friend, in a world we must defend! Pokemon gotta catch 'em all! A heart so true, our courage will pull us through. You teach me and I'll teach you! Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all! Gotta catch 'em all. GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL! YEEEAAAAHH!"
In his pause, Sour Cream turned the volume up on his sound speaker and boosted the drumbeat, Steven also put a greater emphasis on his keytar for the piano melody. Then Jenny began her guitar solo with a charismatic grin to the crowd. Ash leaned in and kissed Lapis during Jenny's solo, becoming illuminated and fusing into Lash. once Jenny had finished, Steven and Sadie got ready for their finale with Lash.
"Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all! It's you and me! I know it's my destiny! Pokemon! Oh, you're my best friend, in a world we must defend! Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all! A heart so true, our courage will pull us through! You teach me and I'll teach you! POK-E-MON! Gotta catch 'em all! GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL! POKEMON!"
With their song finished, Lash quickly brought down the house by throwing Charizard's pokeball into the air, allowing the fire type pokemon to blast a flamethrower attack for a pyrotechnical spectacle. Finished up with a thunderbolt attack from Pikachu, creating a show of fire and sparks for the audience's delight.
Steven rushed to Lash and grabbed her in a tight hug, one they were happy to return.
"That was really cool, even for me" Buck admired the group as they all celebrated backstage.
"That was awesome! I mean when you brought out Charizard AND Pikachu like that Ash!?" Jenny fangirled.
"Let's hear it for the Sadie Killers one more time ladies and gentlemen!" the host of the festival announced bringing them all back onstage for one final bow.