Another au interlude chapter. This time being an Actor au! We used the real names of the voice cast for both shows for this one. This one came about since Vee and Amethyst have the same actor, and something I found out recently is that the voice of Skara is the voice of jasper. Like wow, would have never been able to tell.

Michela smiled as she walked to the stage. "You know, it's weird." She noted. "This is the second time I got casted as a shapeshifter."

"Maybe it's because you're so expressive?" Zach suggested. "Either that or you're so hopped up on sugar you just sell the animal face."

"I can't help if I'm just that naturally cute." She laughed. The acting business was a busy and often slave laboring occupation, but Michela wasn't one to give up. Almost any and all opportunities that came her way, she jumped at the opportunity to grab them. "Thanks for coming with me, Zach. It helps to have a familiar face around during practice."

"Well it was either this or read more scripts about how my fake mom caused another tragedy." The dude rolled his eyes. "And the writers portrayed her as such an awesome person too."

"This is coming from the group mom." She smirked. It was kinda true, with how he acted off set and in character. 'Steven' may have been the mom to the 'Crystal Gems', but Zach was the mom to everyone off set as the lone responsible one. "Anyways, I figured branching into a new show, I'd start with something that had a few similar themes so I'm not completely out of my comfort zone."

"Let me guess, fantasy elements, plucky optimistic main lead, and a slightly slice of life episodic structure that reveals a more complex story and lore as it goes on?" Zach guessed.

"You only know because once upon a time, we were the frontrunners of that bandwagon." Mischela smirked.

"Hey, once you start a trend, it becomes a nation." The boy laughed. "At least I'll have someone to share the misery of waking up so early and going to bed so late while they deal with being called for every episode, along with fans being psychopaths." He retorted. "Seriously, they don't have to be so harsh on the fourth season. Yeah, beach city episodes aren't the best, but Rebecca's trying her best."

"I like the Beach City episodes." She shrugged. "Steven needs the mundane nature of his life in order to drown out how fucked up it really is." Can't people just let these kids have fun and peaceful times now and then?

"I dunno." He responded as they got to the designing booth. "I kinda like it when Steven gets to let loose and have fun." Yeah, cause people called you awesome on the forums.

She glanced over to some of the other actors getting makeup done. "You know, it's amazing that nowadays a third eye can look completely natural." A red head smirked, turning to her. "You the new chick?"

"Yeah, Michela. I'm playing who the fandom calls 'scary Luz'." She chuckled. Fan speculation was always a riot to read outloud.

"Oh, that'll be a fun little surprise." The chick smirked. "I'm Eden, the school bully known as Boscha." They pointed over to a buff chick adjusting glasses. "This is Tati, who's my personal victim Willow."

"It's ironic, because in bed the complete opposite happens." They responded without any shame. Honestly it kinda reminded her of DeeDee, and that was hilarious.

"Well it seems like your fellow cast members are already getting along pretty well. That's a good start." Zach gave her a pat on the shoulder. "You're going to need that for the days you can't stand each other."

"Oh trust me, we already have days we wanna throttle each other." Another boy laughed. "I'm Issac, the only boy actor that's not just a voice and a costume."

"Welcome to the club, buddy." Zach laughed.

"Alright guys I got the water." A chick came back with a tray of drinks, looking at Zach. "Wait, he looks familiar …"

"Sarah, glad to see you." Michela looked at her fellow co-star. "This is my friend and co-star from my other show."

"Oh yeah, Kevin Galaxy, right?"

"Close enough." Zach gave a lighthearted laugh as he took the tray off Sarah hands in assistance. "Name's Zach. I'm just here to give my 'shorty mom' moral support."

"Aww, you have a short mom? All I got was a worried nurse and an old lady."

"Luckily for you, that means the mother issues your plot will give you will be far and few in between." Zach snickered. "It helps in the long run, trauma builds up faster than you think for your characters"

"You want to talk about trauma? This show was originally supposed to take place in hell." Eden said in between taking sips of her drink. "It only takes place in another dimension now because no other studios would accept a half hour episode length, and you know how infamous disney censors are."

"Yikes." Michela winced. "We're still pushing the LGBT angle at cartoon network."

"Luckily, we didn't have to follow the leader this time around." Zach shrugged. "Adventure time had … a LOT of subtext in the early days."

"Oh yeah, I could see that." Tati agreed. "I do have to question if you're gay though."

Zach blinked. "Um … no?"

"Then unlike Isacc, you should probably leave the girl's changing room." Hah, this was alreadyfeeling like a fun time.

"Scraaawww!"

"Light Glyph!" 'Luz' tapped the symbol … as nothing happened.

"Cut!"

Wendie let out a groan. "Hey, you don't get to complain." She heard Bradly growl. "I haven't had a day to rest my throat all week."

"I'm the one carrying the giant and heavy bird suit with heat absorbing feathers, so until we invent air conditioning in these things, we'll call it even." Wendie was under the impression that the suit was going to be CGI, but Sarah had a hard time reacting to where the beast's face was supposed to be, so they had to go practical. "I had an easier time wearing a rubber horse suit on Bojack Horseman."

"Sorry about this Wendie." The girl apologized. "If I just focused better I could-"

"Kid, as long as you bring those sweets your mom makes, never apologize for anything." They'd kill a man for a couple of those. "Alright, so are we taking this from the top or…?"

"Bradly, you're on the Steven Universe set in five minutes, and the Phineas and Ferb set in ten." A stage crew member called out from the side.

"Seriously!?" The voice actor called out. "I only do animals on those shows, can't they just use old recordings?!"

"Hey, you're the one that thought it was a good idea to sign up for three shows at once, live with the consequences!"

They all turned to Dana, who sighed. "We're ahead of schedule anyway, one episode being late won't make a difference. We're done for the day people!"

"Great, now someone get me out of here, I can't reach the back." Mostly because she was quadruped in this state.

"I gotcha Wendi, no problem." Sarah volunteered as she got behind her. "So Wendie, as someone who's had a long career such as yours…which performance do you regret the most?"

"So far, the only one that comes to mind is playing the principal on the Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel." She was low on cash and nothing long term was coming in. She needed a quick grab. "The two mill was not worth it. You'll find soon enough that there are times where you dignity comes second to your career."

"Meh, it could have been worse." Alex came by, holding the muppet that went into the glorious cuteness of King. "You could have been 'Steve Eagle' from the Angry Birds movie."

"How did you survive?" Sarah asked semi seriously.

"The one thing that can always save your career, kid. Quotes so amazing they're memed for eternity."

"Please, you voiced one of the most terrifying disney villains of all time. That alone overshadows almost everything we do." Wendie rolled her eyes. "It's hard enough making this show without people calling it 'another' gravity falls."

"I thought they were just calling it 'another' amphibia?" Alex always had to have a wisecrack, didn't he?

"It's better than being called another Star vs." Sarah shuddered. "So much potential that went down the drain."

"That's what happens when the power of the fandom takes over a show too much." Dana called out to them from the directors chair. "There's a balance that needs to be made between fan demand and writing what's best for the story."

"I thought you made up the story as you went along?" Alex questioned.

"Yeah, but even then, I need to keep things consistent and write what comes naturally, no matter how much Lumity content I want to put into the show as early as possible."

"Lumi-what now?" Sarah questioned with adorable innocence that hadn't been tainted by the corruption of shipping.

"Something we're going to explore more in the second season, don't worry too much about it." Dana looked over her script. "Now let's see if I can figure out the best time for another owl beast scene without giving Bradly too much trouble".

"Bradly! You're supposed to be on the clone wars set in two minutes! You're LITERALLY the only actor that's on set today!"

"Can I tell them to go fuck themselves!?"

"Not if you want to be banned from future Disney productions due to profanity around a younger aimed set!"

"Oh yeah, because the show that shows guts, beheadings, and multiple signs of psychological abuse is clearly aimed at seven year olds!"

"I don't see the big deal, I watched it when I was four." Sarah shrugged. That answered so many questions Wittney had.

Zach ran through the door, closing it behind him, listening to multiple bodies slamming into it. He ran to a chair and used it to prop against the door, buying time as he jumped through a window.

"Get out of there, Callison! You'll pay for not making Lapidot canon!"

"First off, I neither played either of those characters or wrote the story!" He shouted out. "Second, Peridot is clearly asexual!" Even Shelby herself confirmed it. It was one of the reasons why they didn't do any intimate scenes with that character.

"Not according to my headcanon, which is based on MY experience from watching the show!"

Zach sighed as he finally made his way through the window, continuing to run. All he needed to do was make it to the set, and he was home free. No more haters, and no more. "Eeehh! Zach Callison!" … Fangirls.

"Look ladies, I'd really, really appreciate the support, but I need to get to the set right now, so bye!" He bolted faster than he ran from the haters.

"We loved your latest album!"

"Interlude IV was so intense! Did you and Connie break up? It felt so real and angsty!"

"What?! No! First off, that wasn't a Steven Universe related project, so we weren't those characters. Second, we're not dating in real life!"

One girl gasped. "That means you're single!" Of course, add fuel to the fire. He was turning more into Steven every day. Yeah, he was always going to be grateful for the role, it was the biggest one he's had in his entire career, but his entire life didn't revolve around one character, unlike the mindset of most of this fans.

He finally made his way onto set, letting security fight off those girls (he will reward Steve's sacrifice one of these days) as he made his way into the trailer and slammed it shut, catching his breath. "You know." He heard a familiar voice speak up. "I sometimes think I could be famous, but I see you and think I'm lucky I'm not."

He rolled his eyes, turning to Sarah as she drank some juice on his couch. "Maybe so … what brings you here?"

"Came for Michel, she got tired from the walk and passed out in your bed." Zach sighed, walking forward and placing a blanket on the woman as he fluffed her pillow. "Wow, she wasn't kidding about the set mom."

"What can I say? When you spend pretty much your entire teenage life playing a character that's constantly taking care of adults that don't know how to handle things, you pick up a few things here and there." Zach smiled fondly, remembering it like it was yesterday. "I was pretty much the exact same age as Steven when I started playing this role, the character's just a part of me now I guess."

"I really hope that doesn't mean I find 'Amity' attractive one day." Sara shuddered. "She played Katara in Avatar, do you know how long ago that was?"

"I was like, around five to seven when that show was airing." Zach recalled. "I do admit it was kinda funny they didn't tell you until the kiss on the cheek, where you proceeded to pass out irl."

"I had absolutely no idea what all the fanart the mail kept sending me was all about until that day." Sarah grumbled. "Seriously, I get wanting me to keep in oblivious character, but they could've at least given me the same script as everyone else so I would've known the day of."

"Meh, we play jokes like that all the time." Zach grinned. "They didn't tell me about the Pink Diamond reveal until on stage, I screamed for an hour when everything connected." He faintly recalled shaking Rebecca for half of that time.

"Oh yeah, I remember watching that episode." She snickered. "I remember the extreme amounts of hype from all the fans that loved their theory was confirmed. It picked you guys out of the slump season four brought on."

"Then TV history was made with the Garnet wedding, where we gave a big middle finger to the overseas's censors by putting Ruby in a dress so they couldn't downplay what was happening." The crewniverse held a gigantic toast that day. "Then we got people mad again when they realized we were going to pacify the Diamonds."

"What's wrong with a happy turn around?" She asked. "Not many shows can make it work … although I do find White Diamond debatable, if only because Christine can put on a terrifying performance." The girl shivered.

Zach could sympathize, he had a nightmare that night. "A Lot of people can take the message of being empathetic to people as just 'forget the horrible things you did'. When that's simply not true. Steven's not forgiving them, it's just making peace for the sake of earth and gem kind."

Sarah smirked. "Just wait until Luz reforms Oldalia, I betcha it's gonna be wild." The girl stared up. "We still get some flack for the first season for it being just a 'weaker' gravity falls."

"Eh, haters come and go, the best thing to do is to just do your best and keep going, and hope what you turn out in the end makes someone happy." Zach offered up. "If I had a nickel for every youtube video for 'steven universe is garbage and here's why'."

"You could probably afford a yacht." She chuckled. "Hey, when you bring Michel over tomorrow, make sure to bring flowers."

Zach raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Cause otherwise this would seem weird." The girl walked up, planting a peck on his lips. "Later Zach." And left before he could even process that little tidbit.

"I've had your little message to the universe on loop!" Deedee, or as she was known on set, Pearl, looked up as Broadway actress Sarah Stiles, aka Spinel, recited her lines while sticking out her foot, signaling Zach to roll over backward for when the cgi stretched out the leg.

It was an exciting day for everybody. Today was the first day of the shooting of Steven Universe: The Movie. A rare opportunity given by the network after five full seasons completing the main story. And they were having fun with it so far, even if her throat was getting sore from all the musical numbers. "I just looove that part, where Pink Diamond spends the rest of her days on this MISERABLE planet, with a bunch … of … nobodies!"

Luckily right now the majority of the spotlight now rested on the broadway star, who in an impressive feat of athleticism, jump from her height and managed to land without hurting herself, flipping her way to the group with a mischievous and playful manner that held in years and years of malice and ill intentions. The act chops on her were nothing short but top notch

"Cut!" Rebecca called out, instantly shutting off the momentum. "Great job everyone. We'll throw in the cgi, get some laying down shots set up, and move onto the next scene after. Sarah, go to the soundbooth, it's time for your voice to shine."

"Oh good, I still have enough time to make it back to the owl house studio." Michela began wiping off the face paint.

"This is why you don't double book Michela. Luckily for me, I only have to stay on one set all day." DeeDee smirked.

"You double book too! Your on Craig of the creek."

"A minor role that I've only had to perform once so far." She corrected her. "Besides, same studio, it's literally across the lot."

"This is why I stick to short films and one off roles when I'm not busy." Zach let out a little laugh. "And the kid that turns into Shazam once or twice."

"I really appreciate my time in Fatal Affair." Estrella responded as she bit a cupcake. "Most of the time people either ask for me to play as myself or Garnet. I find it fun to wear a new mask every once in a while."

"And I love you guys!" Strella gave DeeDee a squeeze. "It's so awesome being on set with the crewniverse! All the action, chaos, and jokes."

"Glad to have you on board too, Sarah." Rebecca laughed. "Maybe if the movie does well enough we'll be able to snag you back for another episode or two."

"Another episode?" Zach asked. "I thought we finished the main story already. The movie kind of feels like a finale in of itself."

"The studio's debating an epilogue." She shrugged. "I could go either way to be honest."

"What would we even do, we have peace." Michela asked as she tried to change her outfit into something that wouldn't get her mobbed.

"Well I did have this idea where Steven realizes his life's purpose was built around helping others for so long his mental health begins deteriorating at an exponential level as his powers begin to malfunction, making it worse and worse as the problems his childhood brought him bring to a forefront a long series of issues he needs addressed."

"... I thought she was a nice director." Strella hid behind Zach with a shiver.

"She usually is…although you should've seen her when the cn directs told her to tone down the gay." Michela laughed.

"I think she set fire to that one man's car." DeeDee chuckled.

"Now now." Estrella raised her hands. "Remember … allegedly." The entire group began to laugh.

"Hey, if Adventure Time can have an overly saturated ship with PB and Marceline, and OK KO can just show off those kinds of couples without making a big fuss, then I say why can't I?"

"Don't you work closely on both those shows? Your even married to the creator of OK KO."

"Exactly, completely crazy I tell ya." The woman shook her head. "Although I have noticed a problem …being that someone's been bringing the other Sarah on set during rehearsal lately." Rebecca stared at Zach.

"We've just..been getting to know each other lately, comparing notes since the characters we play have a few similarities." Zach chuckled with an unconvincing tone.

"Dude, it's cool, I get you." 'Spinel' patted the boy on the back with a teasing grin of her own. "Lots of people have my name, it's awesome."

"If you ever need a big sis to explain how to get past first base, let me know." Estrella smirked.

"Come on, I just want to take things slow and casually, you know? We're both busy and her show's just getting started." Zach responded. "I don't want to step on any toes and get in the way of anything."

"Dude, we're just teasing you." Michela cackled. "I remember you all ganging up on me when I got a date."

"Sure we did." DeeDee giggled as she ruffled their hair. "Now come on, all the talk made you ten minutes late to your double booking."

"Damn it! You're all lucky you're too likable or else I'd be more mad!"

Sarah slowly gained consciousness as she noticed the world around her. "Dang it." She was invited to celebrate 'Steven Universe Future's' Finale with Michela, and Sarah, along with everyone else, all passed out in the set. She vaguely recalled drinking about two kegs worth before she started seeing stars and pink elephants. Who knew that out of all the drinking references, Dumbo would be closest to what she experienced?

Sarah gently made her way up, slowly crawling over the unconscious bodies of her crewmates and friends. "Sorry, sorry, watch your step, hope you weren't planning on using that hand today." She walked up, heading to the food table to grab any leftover water to cover the raging hangover she was experiencing now.

"Is this why mom says I shouldn't drink even when I'm an adult?" She asks herself. Great, now she had to pee. She pushed through the mental pain, making her way through the studio. Where was the bathroom … this hall? No, that hall …

Sarah stopped, seeing a light on. "Hmm … I guess Dana's still workin." Such a workaholic, she didn't need every detail set in stone, she could just ask for help or take a break from time to time.

"Guess it wouldn't hurt to check on the old girl." Sarah shrugged, going into the room. "Hey Dana, you missed a wild party last night. Quick note for the future. When we eventually have our wrap party, I want to have it on a yacht with a jacuzzi full of melted chocolate-" She stopped talking instantly, noticing the small tears leaking out of the woman's tears as she talked to someone on the phone.

"Come on, this isn't fair. We had a fanbase, we didn't flop like so many other things. We were just starting out, it's too soon." The woman spoke morsley into the phone. There was silence for a moment. "Oh, so your brand is more important than your money. Jeez, your marvel and star wars collection begs to differ." Even more silence. "We're still working on season two, you can't shut us down!"

Sarah didn't like the direction the conversation was going, but it didn't feel like this was the best time to interrupt, so she kept quiet as Dana kept talking into the phone. "Three episodes? That's all you're willing to give us? You're still forcing us to cram in another season's worth of content in what amounts to six episodes! No I can't just cut down-there's a certain direction everything needs to go! That's called being a good creator, something you obviously don't know anything about!" There was another bout of silence. "I can't do this, please don't make me …" They stopped … slowly lowering the phone.

"Fuck." Dana slammed her head into the table. "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck …" She muttered. "What am I gonna do … what am I gonna tell the others …" The woman spoke to herself.

"Dana?" Sarah finally made herself known, entering the room cautiously. "Is everything alright?"

"Sarah!?" Dana almost fell out of her chair. "Ah! I didn't hear you come in. You practically gave me a head attack."

"Don't you mean heart attack?"

"Same difference, vital organs and all that." She waved off. "How's the party going?"

"Everyone's passed out drunk and I'm nursing a hangover." Sarah answered bluntly. "I'd say you should've joined us…but it sounds like you had a busy night yourself."

"You could say that…such a busy…fucking night." The director slammed her head on the desk. "Disney gave us the boot. We're getting canceled."

Sarah had a lot of emotions to feel right now … but she kinda remembered what Zach said about people getting influenced by their characters … and felt like pulling a Luz was what was needed right now. She sat down, gently rubbing Dana's back. "I'm sorry it ended up like this."

"You're sorry?" The woman let out a broken chuckle. "You were the star, this could've launched your career."

"There's always other roles. This is your show, Dana, you baby. It's not something anyone can do everyday." Sarah affirmed to the woman. "You created this world and all its characters. If anyone has the right to be upset, it's you." She turned the patting into the hug. "Will we be able to finish the main story at least?"

"Kinda … but we're not gonna be able to fill out the backstories on everyone." She muttered. "I'm gonna have to shaft Mattholomue's story with Steve, get rid of the third Basilisk plot line with Vee, and Hunter's life changing Zuko adventures aren't going to be for everyone."

"Yeah, that is a shame." There was just so much more lore that could've been expanded. "Hey, if we're going out, then let's at least go out on a high note. Let's make these last few episodes so amazing that it'll force those hardass execs to admit they fucked up."

Dana paused, looking contemplative. "Hmm … well, how would you like to fight a childish deity while having a slowmo kiss with Mae?" She asked. "And avenge Flapjack and Wendie's arm while you're at it."

"The lumity fanart us never going to stop coming, is it?"

"Not if I have anything to say about it." The woman cackled. "FUCK YOUR BRANDING!"

"So now I'm stuck in eternal limbo." Nicholas finished his tale. "The show was building up to me fighting to avoid the void in an epic movie, and now I'm stuck in a metaphorical one thanks to the genius of HBO max."

"We still feel the effects of the great animation purge to this day." Jeremy shivered. "And I thought with the four specials my show got HBO Max would've treated the rest of us with respect."

"I got semi canceled then outright canceled cause of them." Owen admitted. "I wasn't the main character, but I had power as the conductor, and it was fun."

"I thought streaming services would be the savior of animation, not it's slayer." Richards sighed as the old timer drank his coffee. "The only hope now is independently funded shows on YouTube."

"On the plus side, they have a lot more freedom with those works." Sarah shrugged. "Richard, your show Helluva boss is basically what Owl House would have been if Dana had full creative liberty."

"And to think it's only the spin off of Vizi's passion project…satan help us that streaming services don't screw over Hazbin hotel." Richard groaned.

"Believe me, I've been around the block more times than I'd like to be." David groaned. "Ninth grade ninja, duck tales, and tmnt. All cut before their time."

"Hey, at least you got to star in one of the only few good live action video game movies ever, your status is cemented forever."

"Wait, are we calling Sonic good?" Sarah asked. "I personally thought Tomb Raider was the only good one."

"Okay, the first one's iffy, but the second one is leagues above over half of them. Especially Detective Pikachu." Nicholas said. "As a character who's show is full of video game references, I would know."

"You didn't like Detective Pikachu?" Jeremy asked. "I thought it was kinda faithful yet humorous enough to get people into the anime."

"At this point I can't tell if any of us are fucking with each other or not." Owen mumbled. "The point is, HBO Max is the devil, and we need a way to set it on fire."

"It's on the internet, and unlike my show, we can't beat it up." Nicholas regrettably answered. "And it's not like we can suddenly just quit. Executives care less about us than they do about our shows." He was the third actor for Gumball after all.

A sudden beating on the door turned everyone's attention to the entrance, where Zach burst through. "Sarah, did you read the news?! Disney finally admitted their screw up!"

"Seriously?" The girl gave a feral grin. "Oh that's awesome! Dana you crazy woman, you did it!" Glad to see someone came out on top.

"What's going to happen now though?" Jeremy asked. "It's not like they're just going to uncancel the show by this point."

"Well, the first thing we'll do is watch Disney eat crow as the Owl House finale gains more and more popularity." Sarah smirked and sat down with a satisfied expression. "After that, party all night."

"Now that's the spirit!" David chuckled. "It's always awesome to watch the fans and studios duke it out with each other instead of the crew. Now I'm just hoping Rise gets picked up for that third season."

"Ah, they're making another animated turtles movie…and it's being made by Seth Rogan." Nicholas hesitantly told the man.

David stared at him for a moment, before taking a deep breath. "THAT SLIMY LITTLE-" Yeah, life could be more awkward than fantasy … but it had its enjoyable moments here and there.