Patton Universe: A Sanders Sides/SU AU

Part 1: The Borrowed Gem

Do you understand? Why we're doing this?

Yes. I understand. I just don't want to do it.

There's no other way. Because you see, what we are about to do, is going to change everything.

"Patton! Breakfast!"

"Coming!" the boy cheered as he smoothed his bedsheets down until they were reasonably straight. If he wanted to avoid a lecture later it was probably best that things look at least relatively clean now. He stepped back and looked around at the past 5 minutes' handiwork. It looked pretty good for such a rushed spree of tidying and the pile of toys crammed under the bed could only be seen if you were performing a proper inspection. Running down the stairs the sickly sweet smell of what was simply known as "Pancake Surprise" became thicker and thicker until it entranced his mind into an eager state. "What is it today, Roman?"

The man stood at the kitchen counter was busy placing the finishing touches on his new invention. Patton gleefully hopped onto the stool before him and stared in awe at the stack before him. Every time that Roman prepared a meal it was always... unique. He had produced such wonders as macaroni and cheese with shredded duck sprinkled in there as well as chips garnished with chocolate sauce. They all sounded unappealing, sure, and even looked off sometimes but once you built up the guts to try them, miraculously, they were pretty tasty. This time it seemed that the 'surprise' was a topping of maple syrup, popcorn, whipped cream, and even a strawberry on top.

"I was going to do waffles, but we're out so pancakes it is."

"Can't you just magic more out of your gem?" Patton asked, glancing at the glistening red gem on the man's chest. They were always doing such amazing things and pulling all sorts out of them so surely waffles weren't such a challenge.

"You know that's not how gems work, Patton. You can't make something out of nothing. Anything we take out is something we put in there beforehand."

"Oh yeah," he remembered, "I sorta forgot." 

Laughing away to himself, he paused to observe his own gem. A topaz on his right palm. There was so much to remember about what they can and can't do that he struggled to keep track of everything. It's not like he could put any of the knowledge he did have into practice as his gem... well... was useless. Seeing the forlorn expression slowly consuming the boy's face, Roman gently nudged the plate towards him and showed his signature charming grin. "Eat up before it goes cold. When I make something that looks somewhat edible, you know you're in for a treat."

He was certainly right about it being a treat. The different flavors all melted together to form a sugary yet savory taste that made your entire mouth feel alive. Patton began to wolf it down, bit by bit with Roman also helping himself to a few mouthfuls along the way and after about 15 minutes the meal was reduced to crumbs. "Where are the others?" the boy chirped as he swallowed down the last spoonful.

"Logan left a few hours ago to go find this artifact we've been searching for. He'd been going over all the old records when he suddenly had what he called a "revelation" before warping out. Amethyst, on the other hand, still hasn't made an exit from his room."

"Still? It's been 3 days now. I miss him!"

"You know what he's like, Patton. Unreliable." There was noticeable irritation in his voice.

"Are you going on a mission too?"

"Yeah, but shouldn't be a long one. There have been rumors of a 'creature' running round a tropical island. Could be nothing but I don't want to take that chance."