"We have a new mission?" Steven yawned as he lugged his small suitcase out.

"Yeah," Ryder smiled. "In Barkingburg this time."

"For... erm, Mission Paw?" He tried to remember the name of this particular mission.

"Yeah," he nodded. "We'll arrive in a few hours, so you should get some shuteye."

"You should be the one taking your own advice. Your eyes look like literal pandas," Steven shot back, concern clear in his eyes.

"It's normal," he waved it off.

"Okay then...?" he frowned.

"But anyway, we're also going to be celebrating our 7th anniversary there!" Ryder smiled, hoping to light up the mood.

"I'm honestly very excited! It's my birthday too!"

"Wait, the PAW Patrol was formed on your birthday?" Steven blinked. He hadn't expected that at all!

"Not really," he stopped. "My birthday is a week from now, but it's tradition for it to be celebrated on the anniversary."

"That's kinda difficult," Steven frowned. "Personally I would have had it on the day. There's just something nicer about celebrating it on the day rather than before or after."

"It wastes less resources," Ryder shrugged. "Anyway, come on! We're going to be late!"

"Alright then," Steven smiled before the two got on to be greeted with the scene of a lot of pups (and a cat) chatting away. Steven recognised the usual six, Tuck, Ella, Rex and Wild Cat, but he didn't recognise the other two.

"Oh Steven!" Skye quickly waved him over as she looked up from her discussion with the unfamiliar people. "This is Everest and Tracker! They're the members you haven't met yet!"

"Nice to meet ya, Steven! Heard tons of stories about you!" Everest smiled, her light blue hat swaying with her movement.

"Hola!" Tracker smiled. "I'm Tracker!"

"Steven Universe," Steven grinned back. "Nice to meet you all!"

"Alright, formalities can be for later," Ryder laughed. "Let's head off now!"

"Yay!" they cheered, and they soon got comfy on their seats as Robo-Dog drove them out of the Bay.

Steven sat at the front with Ryder, and he opted to watch the scenery pass by. He felt healed and happy seeing all the green and houses that they passed. So close yet so far from Beach City, he reflected.

With a quick start, he realised then that he felt at home here. He wasn't judged, he wasn't looked down, he wasn't lied to, he was just... loved. And even though he knew that his friends back home loved him too, here... it felt genuine.

He didn't know why, but a part of him wanted to stay here. Sure he would miss his friends, but he wanted a fresh start, and Adventure Bay provided him with just that. It was just... perfect.

Plus, there was another reason why he wanted to stay; a brunette with a kind heart...

His face flared up. He had grown to like Ryder romantically, even though he had sworn not to after he and Connie broke up on friendly terms due to his fear of not being good enough for her. His feelings for her had waned a lot too ever since the entire turning-into-a-monster thing. He didn't know why, but they had promised to stay Jam Buds and to be the best man/maid of honour for the other's wedding--

WAIT HOW HAD HE GOTTEN THERE!?

His face flared up in total embarrassment, but as he looked away to avoid Ryder's gaze, his eyes caught two familiar figures rushing off with a new person following them.

The new guy turned around, and their eyes met for the briefest of moments before he turned back and rushed to catch up with his friends.

Steven frowned. A new person? What was this all about?

"Steve, what's up?"

"Oh nothing!" he turned back. "I thought I saw someone I noticed around in town."

"Oh, you mean the newcomers like you?" Ryder asked. "I have heard about them from the townspeople. But their English is very shaky."

"They speak Korean," Steven offered. "I've heard them talking."

"You know Korean?" Ryder looked surprised.

"Yeah," Steven smiled a bit. "I learned it during my travels."

"That's so cool!" Ryder laughed. "What other languages do you know?"

"Chinese, Japanese, some Italian too!"

"Woah! That's awesome!" Ryder praised.

"You think so?" he bashfully smiled. "Thanks!"

And then he flushed scarlet, "N-Not that I was hoping to brag about it or anything."

Ryder laughed, "It's fine. You deserve it anyway!"

At that, Steven's face went red, "H-huh?!" What was he saying?!

Upon realising what exactly he had said, Ryder went completely red too, "I-It's nothing! I-I'm going to check my bag!"

He then ran to the back of the vehicle to check on his bag, his face undeniably scarlet.

The pups noticed, and the girls squealed over how cute that was.

"Why won't they just get together already?" Tracker complained.

"I know right!? I've never seen anyone make Ryder this flustered before," Everest nodded in agreement.

The original six all laughed, but deep down, they knew that they had seen Ryder get this flustered before... over Carlos.

How that crush had faded out...

They repressed a shiver.

They had been there. And they knew that Carlos remembered. Remembered how Ryder's mom had whispered his incompetence. Made Ryder think that he was not entitled to love.

And it hurt so hard.

They knew that Ryder deserved it. And he needed it more than ever.

They could only wish that he would realise that in time...

"Woah, so this is Barkingburg!" Steven gaped in amazement.

Ryder grinned, "Awesome right?"

"You bet!" He cheered. "It's really awesome!"

"Thank you for the compliment," a slightly regal voice answered, making them turn to see a girl around 14 years old walking their way, a smile on her face.

"Steven, this is the Princess of Barkingburg," Ryder introduced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess," Steven bowed. "Steven Universe at your service."

"The pleasure is all mine, Steven. I have heard countless stories from the grapevine regarding you. You have worked hard for the sake of everyone on this planet, and I offer you my gratitude," she smiled back.

"It's really nothing," Steven waved it off. "Anyway, what's the problem this time?"

The Princess blinked, confusion clear in her face as she said, "I don't know what you're talking about, Steven. We did not ask for the PAW Patrol's assistance. Frankly, when you told us you were heading over we were perplexed but waved it off."

"Wait, what?" Steven's eyes widened.

"But you... you gave me a text!" Ryder showed it to her.

"Ryder, that was by no means us," she confirmed after reading it. "We never requested your help."

"That doesn't make sense..." Steven frowned. Something felt off now. If it wasn't her, who could have sent it? And why?

"Well, maybe it was an error?" Ryder offered. "Either way, the celebration is today, so at least there's nothing to worry about?"

"Excellent point. We have already prepared the items. It is late morning, so I expect everyone to be ready by evening," she turned around and walked back into the castle. "Come along now. I will lead you to your rooms."

"Thank you, Princess," Steven smiled.

"No need to thank me," she held her right hand up.

The team soon separated into rooms, and Steven quickly showered as he thought about this. He had solved some cases across his travels and he knew when something felt fishy.

Who had done this? Could it have some correlations to Rosie and Taeyang plus their new friend?

He rubbed his temple and quickly got dressed before he stepped out of the bathroom.

He would figure it out, he promised to himself. He would get to the bottom of everything.

But first of all, he would have to deal with the clothes he had to wear.

He quickly put them on and smiled. He had retained his pink jacket, but with a white shirt and black jeans which matched his grey running shoes. It sure made him feel happy.

"Alright, time to go and celebrate an anniversary!" He told himself, and he stepped out of the room.

Well, more like he was about to if he hadn't gotten a phone call from Spinel, of all people.

He blinked, and picked it up, "Hey Spinel! Look, I'm sorry, but I can't talk now, the celebration's about to begin—"

"Steven, this is not the time!"

"White?!" He gasped. "What's wrong?"

"We heard about your little plight from Spinel, and we have done our research. Galaxy Weapon 6 is the strongest of the Weapons, having created the other five, but its user is also very prone to corruption!"

"What!?" He shot up.

"There was a king on a planet called Unicorn who wielded both the first and the sixth Galaxy Weapon, but legends say that he fell prey to the power and was lost in the darkness. Demonseu is the one searching for these things, and he's the darkness! He does not hesitate to twist anyone to accomplish his own goals!"

"Wait, wait, why are you calling me now? Is there something urgent?"

"I'm afraid so! We managed to track down the energy the sixth weapon is emitting, and it is in the castle with you! It has been claimed by your friend Ryder, Steven!"

His eyes widened, and Steven stumbled slightly as his knees felt like jelly, "What?... Ryder... with that... When he's suffered so much!?"

"What are you—"

"He was abused at home, White!"

White went quiet on the other line, before a tone of horror entered it as she shouted, "Steven, you MUST get to him in time! The darkness has begun taking over him! He was already very susceptible to Demonseu's corruption, and he is now allowing it to swallow him!"

Steven went paler than ever before, and he quickly made an earpiece so he could talk to White before he ran out of his room and began sprinting for the throne room, yelling, "White, what's triggering it?! Can you find out why it's overtaking him!?"

"I am with Garnet at the moment. She is looking into it!"

"Great!" He quickened his speed, praying that either he arrived or the reason would come out.

The second was faster, "Steven, apparently, a group of kittens and their owner are there! I do not understand, but it appears that Ryder is feeling a huge bout of emotions! None of them are good!"

There was only one person who would probably trigger that response in him.

"Humdinger!" He snarled.

"Who now?!"

"I think he's Ryder's dad!"

"WHAT?! Steven, if he's there, he's bound to aggravate him more! It won't be long until Demonseu takes over!"

"I know that! And I would never let that happen!" He yelled back as his footsteps quickened. "Thanks for the information, White!"

"Do not fret about that! Just go save him!"

He soon arrived at the door to the throne room and slammed the door open just as a dark burst of energy spread throughout the castle the same time a screech filled with so much sorrow and pain echoed.

And that was all Steven needed to know that he had been too late.