Steven's Lion

is the tenth episode of Steven Universe in Season 1. It premiered on January 27th, 2014.

Synopsis
Steven befriends a magical lion.

Plot
The episode opens with the Gems and Steven trekking through the desert, littered with large sandstone columns which erect and dissipate at random. Garnet explains that the "power in the structure has turned aimless" and thus, was erecting stand alone structures at random. Suddenly, a loud roar interrupts their conversation and the Gems run off to investigate, leaving an exhausted Steven behind. Shortly thereafter a mystical pink lion with glowing eyes approaches Steven. Though initially startled, Steven quickly realizes the Lion means no harm and begins to pet and converse with the Lion. Not too long after, however, a large explosion captures their attention as the gems approach after defeating the monster which held the gem powering the structure known as "The Desert Glass", a red velvet pillow encrusted with a large Green gem(which Garnet claimed as hers since she delivered the killing blow). Pearl notes that she should take care as dropping it on sand would "rebuild everything". Upon seeing Steven with the Lion they quickly take up arms, only for Steven to assure them the Lion means no harm. Steven says his goodbyes as they exit the Desert and returns to the Crystal Palace.

Back at the Palace, Garnet and Steven nap under a pillow fort, topped with the Desert Glass when he hears scratching from the door. Much to his surprise, the Lion appears at his doorstep. Steven then attempts to play games with the Lion, but to no avail as the Lion appears largely apathetic to all of his games. Slightly disheartened, Steven believes he knows of something the Lion "has gotta like". And brings him to Fish Stew Pizza which Steven enters hoping to brag about his Lion. Inside Onion and Ronaldo Fryman are eating while Kofi and Kiki work the counter. Steven lets them know of his lion which Ronaldo is excited to hear while Kiki is very much reserved. Upon exiting the pizzeria, they find no such Lion (though Ronaldo believed it initially to be invisible) which elicits a bad lion pun from Kiki and an unsettling death stare from Onion. Steven finds the Lion back at his home, getting there just as he tears the door down and it becomes apparent that he is after the Desert Glass. This revelation angers and disheartens Steven who becomes frustrated with the lion and the pillow which he subsequently throws off the balcony onto the beach.

Suddenly the ground begins to quake and massive sandstone columns begin to erect around it. The Gems run outside and Pearl explains that the desert glass is attempting to "rebuild its castle". Meanwhile, the pillow engenders a massive stand storm and wall which not even Garnet can break through. Steven, being caught inside, realizes that he must take it from atop the central tower. Upon almost reaching the top, the sand structure morphs and forces Steven to fall a great height, only to be caught by the Lion. Steven realizes the Lion only wanted to protect them from the pillow and the Lion uses a magical roar to destroy the sand structures around them to reach the top of the sand tower, which they burst through and take the pillow. The sand structures thus, all dissipate and Pearl reprimands Amethyst for not "bubbling" the Desert Glass (in her defense, she forgot). Steven indirectly asks the Gems if he can keep the Lion, which they (specifically Garnet) indirectly agree to.

Characters

 * Steven
 * Garnet
 * Pearl
 * Amethyst
 * Lion
 * Ronaldo
 * Onion
 * Kofi (first appearance)
 * Kiki (first appearance)

Trivia

 * It is revealed by Steven that Gems do not have to sleep, they do, however, enjoy it.
 * Onion does not like being lied to. Like, at all.

Songs
TBA