20A/N: Hello everyone, I now present the first chapter of this the third installment in the "War Is Hell" series.
Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe
The sun awoke in Beach Universe. Steven Quartz Universe awoke, showered and dressed. He popped his now 20 milligram Paxil and sat down for breakfast. The four gems where there with him.
"How's that new dosage of medicine been?" asked Pearl, uneasy.
"It's been an improvement." answered Steven nonchalant.
Pearl let out a sigh of relief.
"Good to hear." said Pearl relieved.
"Geez Pearl, is it really that big a deal?" asked Bismuth surprised.
"That medicine helps keep Steven safe." answered Pearl.
"I've been out for five thousand years so I'll believe you." shrugged Bismuth.
"Aquamarine hasn't been around and that'll help you." mused Amethyst.
"It has." agreed Steven happily.
"I'm surprised Aquamarine left her ship." admitted Pearl.
"Our ship know." pointed out Amethyst.
"She was so surprised she must have forgotten about it in her haste." explained Topaz.
"She didn't expect you punching her in the face!" laughed Bismuth.
"Yeah." agreed Topaz grinning.
Topaz looked at her hand.
"I'd do it again." stated Topaz.
"Yeah!" cried Amethyst enthusiastically.
"Where do you think Aquamarine is?" asked Steven worried.
"She is not bothering us so for the time being we will wait and see." answered Garnet.
"Are you sure we should be chasing her?" asked Steven.
"No." answered Garnet.
"Okay." relented Steven.
"We'll be fine." said Pearl soothingly.
"Yeah." agreed Steven accepting.
"So Steven, you and Connie seem to be doing well." said Pearl happily.
"I've never had a girlfriend before." noted Steven blushing.
"You're great together." said Garnet warmly.
The door opened with Lapis and Peridot entering.
"Hello!" called Peridot.
"Hello." replied Steven and the gems.
Lapis and Peridot walked over to the table.
"What's up?" asked Lapis nonchalant.
"Just talking about Steven and his girlfriend." answered Amethyst teasingly.
"I know that." chuckled Lapis.
Lapis knelt down and kissed Peridot on the forehead.
"So cute." said Garnet smiling.
Peridot took a moment to clear her throat.
"Yes." agreed Peridot.
"So...nothing from Aquamarine?" asked Lapis.
"Nope." answered Bismuth.
"She's afraid of us!" declared Perdiot.
"Can we please change the subject." requested Steven upset.
"No problem." said Lapis quickly.
"Yeah." said Peridot.
Steven finished breakfast and went outside to wait for Connie.
"Are you sure it's a good idea not to hunt for Aquamarine?" asked Lapis concerned.
"Yes." answered Garnet.
"What if she gets too far away?" asked Topaz concerned.
"She's not that far away. I don't know when she'll return, but she will." answered Garnet.
"So, we can wait and do nothing." said Pearl.
"For now, the answer is yes." confirmed Garnet.
Meanwhile, Connie and Steven walked along the boardwalk. They found many of the stores surprisingly closed. The two held hands and Steven stayed close by Connie's side. In town, they found a large group gathered. They recognized Mr. Smiley, Jamie, Lars, Lars' parents, Sadie, her mother, the Fryman family, the Pizza family, Onion, Sour Cream, Vidalia, Suitcase Sam and other town residents. Buck Dewey was next to his friends.
"What's going on?" asked Steven.
"My dad is giving a speech." answered Buck.
Buck looked at the two.
"Nice necklace Connie." said Buck.
"Thanks." replied Connie.
"It looks good on you girl!" declared Jenny.
"My mom gave it to me." revealed Connie.
"Cool." replied Sour Cream.
"Hey guys." said Sadie.
Sadie and Lars walked over.
"Hi Sadie. Hi Lars." said Steven.
Lars huffed.
"How are you Lars?" asked Steven.
"I'm cool." answered Lars bothered.
"What's wrong?" asked Steven concerned.
"Nothing." answered Lars defensively.
"How are you Sadie?" asked Connie.
"Bored. I feel like my life is in a rut." answered Sadie flatly.
"That stinks." said Buck sympathetically.
"Maybe she could help with our band." proposed Sour Cream.
"Yeah. You should totally help us." agreed Jenny.
"Sadie is a good singer." revealed Steven.
Buck Dewey nodded his head.
"We'll work something out." said Buck.
Mayor Dewey stepped up.
"Now, I am aware of some concern." began Mayor Dewey.
"We're constantly being attacked!' exclaimed Kofi.
"First, we had some alien army invaded leading to an all out battle on the beach!" continued Jamie.
"The that fairy thing kept attacking!" cried Mr. Smiley.
"Not to mention the effect it's had on the citizens of Beach City!: declared Mr. Fryman.
Steven flinched a bit, knowing Mr. Fryman was referring to him.
"I know none of us expected this." said Mayor Dewey.
"This has been happening for years!" cried Vidalia.
Mayor Dewey gulped.
"Well..." began Mayor Dewey.
"What are you going to do?!" asked Barb Miller.
"Um..." stammered Mayor Dewey.
"Do you have a plan?!" asked Mr. Smiley.
"Of course." answered Mayor Dewey confidently.
"What is it?" asked Kiki.
Mayor Dewey paused like a deer in the headlights.
"He doesn't have a plan!" cried Jamie amazed.
"What kind of mayor doesn't have an emergency plan?" asked Vidalia accusingly.
Mayor Dewey gulped anxiously.
Onion gave Mayor Dewey a very unsettling glance.
"I..." stammered Mayor Dewey.
Mayor Dewey began sweating profusely.
"We're waiting!" called Mr. Fryman angrily.
"They're turning into a mob." warned Connie.
Connie jumped forward.
"It's not Mayor Dewey's fault. He has no control over this." said Connie.
"Oh good." whispered Mayor Dewey
"He still needs to be prepared!" exclaimed Mr. Smiley.
"His job to protect us!" cried Peedee.
The crowd continued on this when a whistle interrupted things.
"Mayor Dewey is clearly unprepared and I think it is time for a change!" cried Nanefua.
The other citizens voiced their agreement.
"No! Change is scary!" declared Mayor Dewey.
The citizens gave their Mayor an "are you serious" expression.
"Oh geez." sighed Connie.
"I think it's time for a new Mayor!" cried Nanefua.
The Beach City citizens voiced their agreement.
"I accept." stated Ronaldo.
Ronaldo received dead silence.
"Fine! Live with your heads in the ground sheeple!" cried Ronaldo.
"I say Nanefua should be mayor!" declared Barbra Miller.
"I second it!" cried Vidalia.
"Nanefua! Nanefua! Nanefua!" chanted the people.
No! No No! Mayor Dewey! Mayor Dewey! Mayor Dewey!" cried the Mayor.
The citizens left with Nanefua chanting her name.
"Are you okay?" asked Steven.
"I guess." answered Mayor Dewey flatly.
"We don't blame you." noted Steven.
"I know." replied Mayor Dewey, with a faint smile.
"So, what's going on exactly?" asked Steven.
"My citizens think I'm letting them down and they're out for blood." answered Mayor Dewey.
"It's not like they're a lynch mob." noted Connie.
"Maybe Onion." shrugged Steven.
"Good point." admitted Connie.
"What can I do?" asked Mayor Dewey worried.
"What does it take to challenge for Mayor?" asked Connie.
"You need to pass a certain number of supporters." answered Mayor Dewey.
"It seems like Nanefua has that." mused Steven concerned.
"You'll have time until the election." shrugged Connie optimistic.
"The City Council can call a snap election." revealed Mayor Dewey.
"But, it's possible they won't." said Connie.
Steven nodded his head agreeing.
"If Nanefua has enough support then they are required to hold snap elections." sighed Mayor Dewey.
Connie and Steven shared glances.
"What am i going to do?" asked Mayor Dewey worried.
"It'll be okay." answered Connie gently.
"I've been mayor for decades. I don't know how to do anything else." explained Mayor Dewey.
"Oh boy." said Connie gently.
Mayor Dewey began to sweat again.
"We can help you." offered Steven.
"Yeah. We're do everything we can to help your re-election campaign." agreed Connie.
"You mean it?" asked Mayor Dewey hopeful.
"Yeah." answered Connie.
"Of course." added Steven.
"Thank you so much!" declared Mayor Dewey.
The mayor hopped into his van and left.
"Think we can do this?" asked Steven unsure.
Connie smiled confidently.
"Sure." answered Connie.
The two then relaxed for a while before it was time to part. They shared a kiss before they had to part. Lion took Connie back home. Steven went back home where they gems where. One there, Steven recounted his day with Connie. Of course, he talked about his promise to Mayor Dewey.
"So, how are you going to help him?" asked Amethyst.
"Don't know." answered Steven flatly.
"I don't know. I find that man to be creepy." admitted Pearl.
"Is it because he likes you?" asked Amethyst teasingly.
Pearl made a disgusted grunt.
"Garnet, you three have been around for centuries. I was hoping you could help me." said Steven hopeful.
"Sorry, but we are exactly knowledged enough to help you." admitted Garnet disappointed.
"We stayed out of human affairs as much as possible." added Pearl.
"I understand." said Steven.
"Are you upset?" asked Amethyst concerned.
"I've got Connie." answered Steven.
"Sorry, but I was bubbled." said Bismuth.
"And I just got her." said Topaz.
"Plus, Lapis was trapped in the mirror and Peridot is new too." noted Amethyst.
Steven took a deep breath.
"I can do this." said Steven.
A/N: That is where we'll end this chapter. This takes place during that whole Connie and Steven mini-arc after he got back. I know Mayor Dewey facing Nanefua was later, but, I've moved it up because things will pick up soon. Next time, the election. Please review.
