INT. BIG DONUT - DAY

The scene shifts to the Big Donut, where Itachi stands by Steven's side, observing his distress. They both look at the empty freezer with concern.

STEVEN: (despondent) This can't be happening! This has to be a dream!

ITACHI: (putting a hand on Steven's shoulder) I understand your disappointment, Steven. The absence of Cookie Cats is disheartening.

LARS; (rolling his eyes) Get a grip, Steven! It's just ice cream.

SADIE: (scolding Lars) Lars! be more compassionate.

STEVEN: (pleadingly) Lars, please tell me this is just a bad dream!

LARS: (irritated) Look, Steven, I'm busy stocking here. Snap out of it!

ITACHI: *glaring at lars* 

SADIE; (apologetically) I'm sorry, Steven. It seems like they've stopped making Cookie Cats.

STEVEN: (in disbelief) Stopped making them?! How could they do that? Cookie Cats are the most delicious ice-cream sandwiches ever created! Don't they realize there should be laws against this?

LARS:  (kneeling to restock a cabinet) Sorry, man. Times change. Nobody buys them anymore. They couldn't keep up with the popularity of "Lion Lickers."

STEVEN: (grumbling, walks over to the fridge of "Lion Lickers") Not "Lion Lickers"! Nobody likes them! They don't even resemble lions! Kids these days... I'll tell you what!

LARS: (chuckles mockingly) Well, if you miss your "wimpy" ice cream so much, why don't you make some with your "magic belly button"?

ITACHI: (stepping in glaring his shiragans flaring) Lars that's enough. You shouldn't mock Steven's feelings. Cookie Cats hold sentimental value to him.

STEVEN: (looking at Itachi with gratitude) Thanks, big bro! But That's not how it works, Lars. *looks to itachi* is it?

ITACHI: No it isnt Steven. But hey, you always appreciate the uniqueness of Cookie Cats. Their crunchy cookie outside and creamy icy insides... 

STEVEN: They were truly something special...

Sadie interrupts, feeling the need to address the situation.

SADIE: (Uncertain) Uh, Steven?

STEVEN: (lost in thought, hugging the freezer) Oh, sweet Cookie Cats. I wish I could take this freezer with me.

SADIE: (offering) Do you want to take the freezer home, Steven?

LARS: (leaning over, confused) Wait, seriously?

STEVEN: (determined) Actually, Lars, that's not a bad idea. Itachi, could you help me carry it?

ITACHI: (smiling) Of course, little brother. I'll gladly help you bring the freezer home.

They exchange nods of agreement, forming a bond of sibling support.

[Outside Beach House]

The scene opens with Itachi carrying the Cookie Cat freezer on his back as he runs towards the Beach House. Steven excitedly hums "Cookie Cat" along the way causing itachi to smile.

[Trans. Int. Beach House]

Steven; *bursts through the door of his home, catching the Gems' attention* (energetically) Hey, guys, you won't believe this!

Before anyone can respond, a Centipeetle suddenly attacks Steven, roaring loudly. In a swift motion, Itachi pulls out a kunai and expertly slices the Centipeetle, causing it to poof.

Amethyst; (smirking) 'Sup, Steven? Looks like you got yourself in a pickle there.

Pearl and Garnet can be seen fighting off more Centipeetles in the background.

Steven; (catching his breath) Wow, thanks, Itachi! These things are pretty tough.

Pearl; (grimacing) We'll get these Centipeetles out of your room. They were trying to get into the temple.

Steven; (optimistic) You don't have to get rid of them. They're really cool.

The Centipeetle Pearl is holding spits acid onto the floor, dissolving it into a hole. Steven and Pearl look at it with disgust.

Amethyst; (nonchalant) Um, you guys? These things don't have gems.

Garnet; (serious) That means there must be a mother nearby.

As Garnet speaks, a Centipeetle sneaks up from beside her, but she swiftly punches it away.

Pearl; (determined) We should find it before anyone gets hurt.

Steven; (enthusiastically) Oh! Oh! Can I come?! Can I?! Can I?!

Pearl; (softly while snapping a centipeetles neck) Steven, until you learn to control the powers in your gem, we'll take care of protecting humanity, okay?

Steven looks disappointed but understands.

Steven; (looking at the fridge) Aw, man. Hey! Get out of there! Go on! Shoo!

A Centipeetle raids Steven's fridge, causing a mess. Suddenly, Itachi intervenes and skillfully slices the Centipeetle attacking the food, causing it to poof.

Steven; (amazed) Whoa! Thanks, Itachi!

Itachi; (smirking) Watch your back, Steven. Always be cautious.

Steven; (noticing the fridge contents) Wait, there's more Cookie Cats in here! How did you find them?! I thought they stopped making them!

Pearl; (closing the fridge) Well, we heard that, too, and since they're your favorite...

Amethyst; (grinning) We went out and stole a bunch.

Pearl; (giving Amethyst a disapproving look) I went back and paid for them.

Garnet; (serious) The whole thing was my idea.

Amethyst; (teasingly) It was everyone's idea.

Garnet: (looking at Steven) Not really.

Pearl: (sincerely) All that matters is that Steven is happy.

Itachi: (gently pulling Steven away from the acid-spitting Centipeetles) let's keep our distance from the acid spit brother. I'll help you replace the food destroyed during the battle.

Steven: (appreciative) Thanks, Itachi. You're the best big brother ever!

They share a smile, and Itachi offers a reassuring nod.

Steven; *starts singing* Oohhhhh! He's a frozen treat with an all-new taste! 'Cause he came to this planet from outer space! A refugee of an interstellar war But now he's at your local grocery store! Cookie Cat! He's a pet for your tummy! Cookie Cat! He's super duper yummy!

Itachi; (smiling)Your singing is quite catchy, Steven.

Steven; (grinning)Thanks, Itachi! I love this jingle. *goes back to singing* Cookie Cat! He left his family behind!! Cookie Caaaaat!

Itachi joins in the laughter and applause with the Gems.

Steven; (grinning) I can't believe you did this. I'm gonna save these forever!... right after I eat this one. *tears open the wrapper of a Cookie Cat* Hello, old friend. *bites into it*

Itachi: Or at least a few months. these do have a expiration date. 

Steven: Oh, so good!!!

Steven's gem begins to glow.

Amethyst; (noticing Steven's gem) Uh, Steven...

Steven; (confused) Wha-? 

Itachi: *points to the Gem* 

Steven: *lifts his shirt* My gem!

Amethyst; (encouragingly) Quick, try and summon your weapon!

Steven; (panicking) I don't know how!

His gem glow starts to fade

Steven: Aaaah, it's fading! How do I make it come back?!

Itachi;  (calmingly) Calm down, Steven. Breathe, don't force it.

Amethyst; (nods) Yeah, and try not to poop yourself either.

Garnet; (sighs) Please, don't.

Itachi steps closer to Steven, offering support and guidance.

Itachi; (assuringly) Steven, focus on the connection with your gem.

(Steven's gem's glow fades away, everyone collectively sigh.)

Steven; Ah, I was really close that time! Can one of you just explain how to summon a weapon?

Pearl; *singsong voice* Oh, I'll go first!

Itachi: i dont have a weapon besides my Jitsus so i will sit this out 

[Trans. Ext. Hill with a blossoming tree with falling petals]

Pearl; Pay attention to these petals, Steven. The petals' dance seems improvised, but it is being calculated in real time based on the physical properties of this planet. With hard work and dedication, you can master the magical properties of your gem and perform your own dance! *summons her spear from her gem* Like so.

Steven is in awe

[Ext. the Big Donut]

Steven; *tosses a bunch of petals in the air* Wuh!

Amethyst; Did Pearl tell you the petal thing?

Steven; Yeah, I need to practice really hard so I can dance like a tree... I think.

Amethyst; Listen Steven, all that practice stuff is no fun. Whenever I need to summon my weapon, it just happens. *summons her whip and breaks a nearby garbage container in two* See? Didn't try at all.

itachi: *was getting a bagel* was that nessary 

Steven scratches his head.

Lars *runs outside and drops trash bag* Aaah! Again?!

[at the top of the Crystal Temple]

Steven; So I'm supposed to work really hard and not try at all at the same time?

Garnet; Yes.

Steven stands here with his silence.

Garnet; Or... you could link your mind with the energy of all existing matter. Channeling the collective power of the universe through your gem, which results in... *summons her gauntlets* At least that's my way of doin' it.

/after that trainwreck/ 

Steven; I think my best bet is to recreate what happened the last time my gem glowed. So... *points as he directs the Gems* Garnet and Amethyst were here. Pearl was next to the fridge. Hmm. Amethyst, I think your arms were crossed?

/after that fail/ (didnt wanna do the rest of it.)

Itachi: *caught the shield before ot hit the tv* careful steven. 

Steven: sorry itachi! 

(The house begins to rumble. Silhouettes of Centipeetles can be seen outside the window.)

Steven What was that?

[outside the Crystal Temple]

(he Gems run out of the house and see a Centipeetle, biggest of all, crawling up the temple.)

Garnet; It's the Mother! *leaps towards it*

Pearl & Itachi; Stay in the house, Steven!

Steven; No way! I'm coming, too!

(Steven goes back to grab several Cookie Cats and the Cookie Cat freezer. Garnet begins her assault at the Centipeetle Mother. The battle descends towards the beach, as the Crystal Gems brace themselves for battle. The Centipeetle Mother sprays a stream of acid towards them, which they dodge out of the way and take refuge behind a broken hand statue of the temple on the beach. The Centipeetle Mother continues spraying acid, dealing considerable damage to the hand statue as it begins to melt.)

Amethyst; We could really use Steven's shield right about now!

Itachi: my shurikens arent affecting it! 

Steven; *chucks pebble at Mother* Hey! *plants the freezer into the ground* Leave them alone!

Garnet, Pearl & Amethyst Steven, no!

Steven Cookie Cat Crystal combo powers, activate! *eats a Cookie Cat and lifts his shirt*

(The Centipeetle Mother stares maniacally as nothing happens.)

Steven Uh-oh. Aaaah! *retreats a distance away with the freezer*

Itachi; We need to save Steven! *dodges an attack from the Centipeetle Mother's tail pincers*

Amethyst; Can we save ourselves first?!

Steven; (grieving) Goodbye, my friends. *Steven weeps as he continues eating Cookie Cats, but nothing happens* Why isn't it working? *dodges a spray of acid from the Centipeetle Mother*

Garnet; (urgent) Steven!

(Garnet grabs hold of the Centipeetle Mother's pincers, drawing her attention. Steven notices the Cookie Cat freezer destroyed from the acid attack and gasps in horror.)

Steven; (devastated) No... Oh, no, no, no, no, no! 

*Steven's emotions build up, and he suddenly remembers the Cookie Cat jingle*

Steven; (energetic) Cookie Cat, he's a pet for your tummy. Cookie Cat, he's super duper yummy!

He picks up the destroyed freezer aggressively

Steven; (determined) Cookie Cat, he left his family behind! COOKIE CAAAT! (He chucks the freezer at the Centipeetle Mother's back, electrocuting her and causing her to screech in pain.)

Steven; (frustrated) Now available... nowhere...

Itachi: *comforts Steven* you still have them

Amethyst; (excited) YES!

Garnet; (commanding) weapons!

The Gems summon their weapons and burst out of cover from the hand statue. Itachi also stands ready with his kunai.

Itachi: (in unison with the Gems) Let's do it.

(Itachi skillfully throws a kunai, hitting one of the Centipeetle Mother's limbs, immobilizing it.)

Steven;  (emotional) Farewell, sweet Cookie Cats. *Steven buries a Cookie Cat wrapper in the ground*

Steven; (whispers) I'll always remember the time we spent together. 

His stomach rumbles

Steven; (trying to comfort himself) Shh... Hush now.

Itachi: steven the packaging says your only suppose to eat one of these they can cause gastro intestinal distress if too many are eaten. hun. i guess thats why they got discontiuned... 

Amethyst; (observant) Are you crying?

Steven; (defensively) Only a little! 

Amethyst; (teasingly) Well, I guess your powers don't come from ice cream.

Pearl; (optimistic) Of course they don't come from ice cream. but Don't worry, Steven. I'm sure someday you'll figure out how to activate your gem.

Garnet; (encouraging) Yes, in your own Steven-y way.

Itachi; (nodding) Indeed, Steven. Your power will awaken when the time is right.

Steven; (recovering) I'm okay, guys. I just-

*His stomach rumbles again*

Steven; (chuckles) Ugh, I think I ate too many Cookie Cats.

The Gems start laughing and Steven joins in, feeling more at ease.

The star iris zooms in on Steven as he bends over and retches, ending the episode with itachi rubbing his back.