Author's Notes

Present

Flashback

Dream, Thoughts or Italic letters

Welcome to chapter one of "Welcome Home, Little Pup". There will be a new story coming soon about Steven growing up. I hope you enjoy J

Chapter One: Abandoned Animal

Steven was walking down the road, while feeling upset. He felt upset because the Big Donut closed and he planned to get a donut but was too late. "Maybe the Gems got one for me," he said quietly. He passed the road and heard a HUGE YELP. "What in the world was that?" he asked himself, walking closer to the sound. It sounded like a small animal, calling for help. If it's an animal, I'd better go help it. Maybe it was Onion, playing a prank again. Maybe not.

He saw a puppy crouched in a ball on the floor. Steven's stomach fell and he lost his appetite immediately. The puppy was whining while licking a gash on its paw. It was a huge gash at that. Steven started crying. Why was the puppy in so much pain?! Steven checked his pockets for any snacks or food. He found some leftover CHAAAAAAPS. He fed the dog a few. It ate the chips hungrily, licking its lips. The dog looked terrible. It seemed to be starved, and it had chunks of fur missing. It smelled like when Lion had eaten out of the Fish Stew Pizza garbage can, and it had random gashes. Steven picked it up. The poor thing needed a home. He ran to the car wash, to find an exhausted Greg drinking some coffee.

"Hey, Schtoo-ball," he said, handing a donut to Steven. Steven declined politely, and showed him the poor puppy. It was yelping, looking terribly sick and ill. "OH MY GOSH," Greg said, spitting out coffee. "WE'RE GOING TO THE VET, NOW." He took his cage he originally had in storage and put the puppy in there. He put a water bowl and a whole steak in there as well to give the puppy some dinner. It gnawed hungrily, chewing off every corner and whimpering as it ate. He put it next to Steven in the van, and they drove to the vet.

As they were driving home, Steven shivered terribly. He felt really bad as the puppy pawed at the newspapers Greg added in when the puppy had an accident in the van (they let her out of the cage for a little bit). She seemed to blush, because she looked embarrassed. Steven had no idea why. It wasn't like she did anything to be embarrassed. But then Steven saw her trying to get out of the cage. Sudden realization: she wants to get on my lap. Steven let the puppy crawl into his lap. What should I name her? ALEXANDRITE. SHE SHOULD BE ALEXANDRITE. "Alexandrite," Steven said. "C'mere, Alexandrite," he said. The puppy looked surprised but crawled next to him instead.

The poor thing was exhausted. Steven felt really bad for her. Even though she looked healthier now, she might still be hungry. Greg was kind enough to give her a pizza slice. As she gnawed through the crust, Greg and his son laughed heartily while Alexandrite growled and yipped, eating all the way.

"Aww, she's so hungry!" Steven said as they headed into the diner. Alexandrite whined and yipped when she heard the word "hungry". She smelled the scent of garlic bread, oozing and melting cheese, spicy meat, such as sausage or pepperoni, and marinara sauce. She barked, clawing at the towel Steven gave her. "Play with the towel, please," he said. Alexandrite cocked her head sideways and continued playing with the cloth.

Greg came back with a box of pizza. "Let's eat in the van," he said. They left the diner, and went back to the trusty van. Steven wasn't hungry, so he pretended to eat a few slices but slid them into Alexandrite's cage instead. "Wow," Steven whispered as she ate. Greg saw her eating (from that mirror drivers use to peer into the back seat) and laughed heartily. Steven joined as well. Even Alexandrite seemed to be laughing as Greg drove home (he finished dinner).

Steven gave her a honey bun he found in his jacket pocket (still nice and fresh!) and slid it into the puppy's cage. It was surprising how she woke up immediately and ate it, but then she looked well fed and ready for anything. Steven smiled. But then….he got reminded of something. Alexandrite. The gems. THE CRYSTAL GEMS! He looked a bit worried. Pearl would probably most likely not let him keep that. Amethyst would like it if the puppy made a mess in the place. Garnet would probably let him keep it, though. "Alright, Steven," Greg said when they arrived back at the carwash. "I'll drop the dog's supplies off at the temple later. You can go on ahead — I'll drop off the dog, too." He laughed. Steven ran to the temple. He knocked on the door.

Pearl answered. "Hello, Steven," she said. "Good evening. Did you have a good day with Greg?" "Yes!" Steven replied. Pearl stepped out of the way so he could come inside. "Hey, little man," Amethyst said, smiling all the way. "Hello, Steven," Garnet said. Even though she tried not to use future vision, Sapphire inside of Garnet had used it and told Ruby Steven was going to surprise them. They promised each other not to spoil it. "Keep that promise," Sapphire told Ruby inside of Garnet. "Don't worry, I will," Ruby said. Sapphire kissed Ruby. Garnet had a slight blush on her cheeks. Amethyst and Pearl looked confused, but they decided not to question. Now was probably not the best time, anyway.

"Oh, how are you guys doing?" Steven asked. They simply said "Good, thank you for asking," and Steven replied, "You're welcome!". Now he simply had to plan how to surprise them with the puppy. He grabbed some papers to start jotting down some ideas, but then he smiled and shook his head.

They will love this surprise.

I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter of "Welcome Home, Little Pup". I had felt joy as I wrote about the puppy having fun with Greg and Steven. Imagine how much fun Alexandrite will have with the Crystal Gems :D

Stay tuned for chapter two coming soon!