Chapter 3: ohana means family

At the hotel, Jake and Stitch—well, mostly Jake—were thinking about their next step to ensure that Jumba didn't capture Stitch.

"Alright, Stitch," Jake said, pacing back and forth. "We need a plan. We can't let Jumba and Pleakley find you."

Stitch nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Just then, Jake's mom, Sam, knocked on the door and entered. "Jake, is everything alright? You've been in here for a while."

Jake quickly nodded. "Yeah, Mom, everything's fine. Just... thinking about what to do with Stitch."

Sam looked at Stitch, who was sitting calmly on the bed. "He's a good dog, Jake. I'm sure you'll figure it out."

"Thanks, Mom," Jake said, smiling.

After she left, Jake turned back to Stitch. "Okay, let's lay low for a bit. Maybe we can explore the island and find a safe place to hide if things get too crazy."

Stitch chirped in agreement.

"Come on, Stitch. Let's go for a walk and clear our heads," Jake suggested.

As they left the hotel room, they decided to head towards the quieter parts of the island, away from the busy streets. They walked down a secluded path, the sound of the ocean waves calming their nerves.

"Jake," Stitch suddenly said, catching Jake off guard.

"Wait, you can talk?" Jake asked, surprised.

Stitch nodded. "Limited. Learning."

Jake smiled. "That's amazing, Stitch! We're definitely going to get through this together."

They continued their walk, planning their next moves and enjoying the peace of the island. They knew the challenges ahead were significant, but together, they felt ready to face whatever came their way.

As they kept walking, they saw a man trying to pull out a surfboard. He was tall and muscular, with tan skin and brown eyes. He had long, dark brown hair and was wearing board shorts and a white tank top. This was David Kawena.

"Hey, need some help?" Jake called out, noticing David struggling with the surfboard.

David looked up and smiled. "Yeah, actually. This board is giving me a hard time."

Jake and Stitch walked over to help. Together, they managed to free the surfboard.

"Thanks, guys," David said, brushing off some sand. "I'm David, by the way."

"I'm Jake, and this is Stitch," Jake replied, introducing his companion.

David gave Stitch a curious look. "That's an interesting-looking dog you have there."

Jake chuckled nervously. "Yeah, he's one of a kind."

"So, are you guys new to the island?" David asked.

"Yeah, we're just visiting," Jake said. "Trying to explore and stay out of trouble."

David nodded. "Well, if you ever want to learn how to surf, just let me know. The waves here are amazing."

"Thanks, David. We might take you up on that," Jake replied with a smile.

"By the way, we're having a lūʻau tonight. Bring your family," David said.

"We will. Come on, Stitch, let's go back to the hotel," Jake replied as they left.

Back at the hotel, Jake excitedly told his mom about the party.

"Hey, Mom, guess what?" Jake said as he walked into their room.

"What is it, Jake?" Sam asked, looking up from her book.

"We met this really cool guy named David, and he invited us to a lūʻau tonight! It's going to be so much fun!" Jake said, barely containing his excitement.

"A lūʻau sounds wonderful! It'll be a great way to experience the local culture," Sam replied, smiling. "What time does it start?"

"David didn't say, but I'm sure we can find out. Let's get ready and head over early to help if they need it," Jake suggested.

"Sounds like a plan. Let's get dressed for the party," Sam agreed.

Jake and Sam quickly changed into more festive clothes, excited for the evening ahead. Stitch watched them curiously, sensing their excitement.

"This is going to be awesome, Stitch. Just remember to stay close and try not to draw too much attention," Jake whispered to Stitch, who wagged his tail in response.

With everything ready, they headed out, eager to join the festivities and enjoy their night at the lūʻau.

That night, David was performing his fire juggling at a luau while Jake sat at a table with Sam and Stitch.

At first, David was doing very well, but then he accidentally burned the stage, causing Stitch to laugh.

"Alright, Stitch, we seriously need to fix your attitude. You are way too mean to other people," Jake said to Stitch.

"Jake, get your dog off the table. I'm gonna use the bathroom," Sam said before walking away.

Jake sighed and pulled Stitch off the table. "You have to behave, Stitch. We're trying to keep a low profile, remember?"

Stitch gave a mischievous grin but seemed to understand. Just then, David approached their table, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Hey, sorry about that. Guess I got a little carried away," David said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's okay. You were doing great until the fire part," Jake replied with a chuckle.

"Thanks for understanding," David said, smiling. "So, how are you enjoying the luau?"

"It's been fun," Jake said. "Stitch here seems to be having a blast."

David looked at Stitch and laughed. "He's definitely a character. You know, you should bring him by the surf shop sometime. I think he'd love the beach."

"That sounds like a great idea," Jake said. "Maybe we'll do that tomorrow."

As they continued talking, Jake felt more confident about blending in and keeping Stitch safe. With friends like David, things were starting to look up

"Hey, I'm back. Jake, get Stitch out of the seat," Sam said.

"Okay, fine. Sorry, Stitch," Jake said, lifting him up so he could sit down.

Growling, Stitch struggled until Jake sat him down on his lap, confusing him.

"Would you rather I sat on your lap?" Jake raised an eyebrow.

Stitch growled before noticing what looked like an alien turkey leg on the ground. Climbing off Jake, he crawled towards it before it was pulled into someone's bag.

Reaching in, he was about to eat it when the holder of the bag, revealed to be Jumba wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mustache, grabbed him.

"Aha! Gotcha! Get the cuffs!" Jumba yelled.

Next to him, Pleakley, dressed as a woman .

"Hold still, you little—" Before Pleakley could finish, Stitch bit down on his head, making Pleakley scream in pain.

"What the?" Jake turned to see the commotion and jumped. "Whoa! Hey, let go! You do not do that!" Jake yelled, running over and ripping Stitch off Pleakley. "I am so sorry, ma'am. Are you okay?"

"Oh, please, just go about your business," Pleakley said.

"Yikes, your head looks swollen," Jake cringed.

"Actually, she's just ugly," Jumba said.

"Excuse me!" Jake turned to see the manager of the Luau walking over. "Is this your dog?"

"Sorry, sir," Jake cringed.

"I think it's best if you and your family leave," the manager said.

Sighing, Jake nodded. "Fine."

As they left the Luau, Jake walked ahead with Stitch in tow, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. Sam caught up to him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Jake. We'll figure this out," Sam said.

"I just don't understand why they keep coming after Stitch," Jake said, glancing down at Stitch, who was grumbling under his breath.

"They must really want him back for some reason," Sam replied thoughtfully.

"Hey, let's go to the beach. Maybe we can think of a plan there," Jake suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

"Good idea. A change of scenery might help," Sam agreed.

As they walked towards the beach, Stitch's ears perked up. He seemed to relax a bit, enjoying the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

"Okay, Stitch. We need to come up with a plan to keep you safe from Jumba and Pleakley," Jake said, sitting down on the sand and looking at Stitch intently.

Stitch nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any potential threats.

"Maybe we can find a place where they won't look for you," Sam suggested. "Somewhere they'd never think to search."

"Yeah, but where?" Jake wondered aloud. "We need somewhere that's hidden but also where you can blend in."

Stitch suddenly stood up and started digging in the sand, pulling out a seashell and presenting it to Jake.

Jake laughed. "Thanks, Stitch. But I don't think a seashell is going to help us hide you."

Sam chuckled. "Well, it's a start. Let's keep brainstorming."

As they continued to discuss, Jake noticed a group of surfers nearby, including David Kawena, the man they saw earlier. David was effortlessly gliding over the waves, his long, dark brown hair flowing in the wind.

"Hey, what about hiding Stitch at the surf shop? It's usually pretty busy, and people might not notice him as much," Jake suggested.

Sam considered it. "That's not a bad idea. We can talk to David and see if he can help us out."

Jake nodded, feeling a renewed sense of hope. "Alright, let's do it."

They made their way over to David, who had just finished a surf session. Jake approached him nervously.

"Hey, David. I was wondering if you could help us out," Jake began.

David looked at them curiously. "Sure, what's up?"

Jake quickly explained the situation, trying to convey the urgency without revealing too much.

David listened carefully, then nodded. "Alright, I get it. You can bring Stitch to the surf shop. I'll help keep an eye on him."

"Thank you so much, David," Sam said, relief evident in her voice.

"No problem. Just make sure he doesn't cause any trouble," David replied with a grin.

Jake smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "We'll make sure of it."

As they headed to the surf shop, Jake looked down at Stitch, who seemed more relaxed now. "Looks like we have a plan, buddy."

Stitch barked happily, and for the first time that day, Jake felt like things might just work out.

At the surf shop, Jake looked around the place before putting his bag down.

"Hey, Stitch, you stay here, okay? I'm going to use the bathroom real quick," Jake said before leaving.

Stitch was sniffing around the place when he noticed Jake's bag was open. Looking inside, he took out a picture. "Ooh." Climbing up onto the counter, Stitch looked at it.

"Hey!" Jake turned to see Stitch grab the picture out of his paws. "Don't touch this. It's very important."

Stitch looked at him with confusion because he didn't know what he did wrong.

"I'm sorry. This picture means a lot to me," Jake said, showing him the picture of him and his dad. "He died a long time ago when I was five. He told me 'ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten,' but he left me behind, and I'm trying to forget him," Jake said sadly.

Stitch listened intently, his ears drooping slightly in understanding. He nudged Jake gently, offering silent comfort.

"I miss him, but sometimes I wonder why he had to go," Jake continued, his voice filled with a mix of longing and frustration. "He loved the ocean too. He used to take me surfing when I was little, just like we're doing now."

Stitch sat beside Jake, gazing at the picture and then back at Jake with empathy in his eyes.

"I guess that's why I love surfing so much. It makes me feel closer to him," Jake said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks for listening, Stitch. You're a good friend."

Stitch barked softly in response, nudging Jake's hand with his snout. Jake chuckled, patting Stitch's head affectionately.

"You know, maybe that's why you like the ocean too, huh?" Jake mused, looking out at the waves crashing on the shore. "Maybe you're here to help me remember him."

Stitch tilted his head, almost as if he understood. Jake smiled, feeling a warmth in his heart he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Come on, buddy. Let's get back out there," Jake said, tucking the picture safely back into his bag. "We've got some waves to catch."

After Jake was done surfing because Stitch couldn't do it due to his dense molecular structure, which causes him to sink, they started building sandcastles. Jake finished building his.

"Beat that," Jake said with a smirk.

Stitch looked around curiously and, using his forearms, started to build a scale model of San Francisco out of sand.

"Whoa, San Francisco," Jake exclaimed when Stitch began stomping through the fake city, acting like the monster he saw in the movie, destroying everything.

Just on the hill overlooking them, Jumba and Pleakly made camp.

"Ha! This human is hilarious, trying to control 626's destructive behavior," Jumba mocked.

Jumba looked over to see Pleakly putting on his wig again. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing!" Pleakly said quickly, taking it off.

"Let me try it on," Jumba said, reaching for it.

"No! You're just jealous because I'm pretty!" Pleakly retorted as Jumba yanked the wig out of his hand and put it on, causing Pleakly to gasp. "A mosquito has chosen me as her perch." Suddenly, a whole flock surrounded Pleakly, and before he could realize what was about to happen, they stung him.

Back at the hotel, Jake was sitting on his bed, looking at his phone, checking for any text messages from Luz. Stitch was looking around the room until he saw a book on the shelf, picked it up, and gave it to Jake.

"Hey Stitch, what have you got there?" Jake asked as Sam walked in and saw Stitch handing Jake the book. Jake opened it to reveal a duckling crying and saying, "I'm lost."

"I remember reading that book to you when you were a baby," Sam said.

"That's 'The Ugly Duckling,'" Jake said as he sat next to him. "You see, he's sad because he's all alone and nobody wants him." Jake turned to the next page. "But on this next page, his family hears him crying, they find him, and then the Ugly Duckling is happy because he knows where he belongs."

Sam just looked at them before leaving and shutting the door behind her.

Stitch watched Sam leave, then turned to Jake with a curious tilt of his head. Jake smiled warmly at Stitch, patting the space beside him on the bed.

"Come here, Stitch," Jake said gently. "Let me tell you a story." He flipped through the book, showing Stitch the pictures as he narrated. "See, this is the Ugly Duckling when he was sad and lost. But then, his family found him and took him in. They loved him just the way he was."

Stitch sat closer, his eyes fixed on the images in the book, seemingly entranced by the story. Jake continued, "The Ugly Duckling learned that being different doesn't mean you're not loved. It just means you're special in your own way."

Stitch let out a soft noise, almost like a sigh, as if he understood the message behind the story. Jake smiled, placing a hand on Stitch's back reassuringly. "We all have our place, Stitch. And you've found yours with us."

As they sat together, the room quiet except for the soft sound of Jake's voice, it felt like a moment of peace amidst the chaos of their adventures. Jake glanced at his phone once more, then put it aside. He was content in that moment, sharing a story with Stitch, feeling a connection that went beyond words.

Outside, unnoticed by them, Jumba and Pleakly were still dealing with the consequences of their failed attempts to capture Stitch. They were unaware of the quiet bond growing stronger between Jake and the alien experiment, a bond that would continue to shape their journey together on Kauai.

Theme song for "Stitch and Jake: Adventures of the Boiling Isles":

Oh, in the Boiling Isles, where magic's alive,

Stitch and Jake, on a wild, daring ride.

With creatures bizarre and witches so grand,

Together they'll fight, hand in hand.

(Chorus)

This is their tale, ohana in their hearts,

Through every challenge, they'll play their parts.

Stitch and Jake, a bond that won't break,

In the Boiling Isles, their adventure awaits.

(Verse 2)

From towering peaks to valleys so deep,

Their courage shines, no challenge too steep.

With friends by their side, they'll conquer it all,

In this magical realm, they'll stand tall.

(Chorus)

This is their journey, with spirits so bright,

Through darkness and light, they'll find their light.

Stitch and Jake, forging paths anew,

In the Boiling Isles, where dreams come true.

(Bridge)

Through storms they'll weather, and mysteries unfold,

Their story's written in legends untold.

With hearts of heroes, and dreams so wide,

Stitch and Jake, together they'll ride.

(Chorus)

Oh, this is their tale, ohana so true,

In the Boiling Isles, where skies are blue.

Stitch and Jake, their hearts open wide,

In this magical land, they'll conquer with pride.

(Outro)

Stitch and Jake: Adventures of the Boiling Isles!