American Dragon's Gem

The Long Weekend

Alaska got permission to go camping with Jake, as long as her dad went with her. He was getting nightmares again about when he got corrupted, so Connie thought it'd be a good idea for him to go relax. 

Trixie and Spud were going too. 

Jake helped Alaska pack the bags in the back of Steven's van, it was probably the only car that could fit everyone. "So, your dad gets nightmares?" 

 "Everyone gets nightmares, Jake. My dad's nightmares are like memories of what happened, flashbacks, and his mind putting in scenarios that could've happened. So, mom thought this might be good for him." 

Jake and Alaska looked back at the two friends they had. "Thanks for coming, you guys." 

"No, thank you. Camping rocks. It is only in the cloud of nature that we can hear our own souls." This made the half gem blink in surprise; she didn't take Spud as the nature boy type. "Bring out the s'mores!" That was until he brought out a bag of marshmallows. 

Steven came out and placed his bag in the trunk and making sure they had everything. 

Trixie greeted him. "Hey, Mr. Universe, how've you been?" 

"I've been better, Trixie." He looked really tired, bags under his eyes and he yawned as he turned around. 

Alaska noticed this and held her dad's hand in comfort. "Dad, did you get any sleep last night?" 

Steven sighed and shook his head. "Couldn't sleep." 

It was then that Mrs. Long, Haily, and Connie came out of the apartments. "Well, have fun kids. Me and Haily are off to our weekend at the spa. Steven, thank you for going with them." 

"It's no problem. I'm gonna go say goodbye to Connie before we hit the road." The half diamond walked over to his wife to talk to her. 

"I'm going to say goodbye too. Save me a seat, Dragon." Alaska kissed Jake's cheek and walked over to her mom, giving the woman a hug. "I'll see you when we get back, mom." 

"I'll miss you both too. The gems and I are going on a training retreat, Jasper's even coming." 

A large woman then came out of the house with Amythyst. She had orange striped skin, and her gem was her nose as long cream hair flowed down to behind her calves. She even had small horns and spots. 

"Aunt Jasper!" Alaska hugged the large, muscular woman, getting picked up and tossed onto Jasper's shoulder. 

"There's my little Ice Spike!" The woman had a surprisingly warm aura until he looked to Steven. "You better be taking care of her, Steven." 

"I-I am." Jasper then put Alaska down and she waved goodbye as her niece and Steven went back to the van. 

Mr. Long was outside now, he was wearing some kind of scout uniform. "Look what I found, gang! It's my old cougar scout uniform." 

Alaska came over to Jake. "I didn't know your dad was in a scout unit." 

"I never really told you." The dragon rubbed the back of his head, and everyone got in the van. 

Trixie and Spud were in the back, Alaska and Jake were in the middle, and Steven and Mr. Long were in the front. Steven let Mr. Long drive since he didn't know where they were going, and he was still tired. 

Steven put in a CD into the radio and a familiar song started to play as Mr. Long drove.