Chapter 2: Metal Gear Solid 3
The very next day, Steven immediately started digging through the box once more. After picking out another system, he got to work hooking it up. After once again getting all of the snacks and other things in order, he began looking through all of the games, and found one he thought would be great.
After pulling his head out of the box, Steven went to put the game in. As he did, he saw Peridot walking by and decided to flag her down.
"Hey Peridot, I'm gonna be playing a different game today, you wanna join?" he asked.
"If it's anything like the last one, absolutely not." Peridot said, disdain strong in her voice.
"Aw, come on." Steven prodded, "It has absolutely nothing to do with that game. It doesn't look like it, and it definitely doesn't play like it."
"Well, then how does it play?" Peridot asked, still unsure.
"You are Solid Snake," Steven said, reading the back of the box, "An elite soldier that must combine stealth and survival to save the world from the threat of the largest full-scale war it has seen, at the hands of a dreaded weapon of mass destruction. Going behind enemy lines in this riveting story of peace, love and betrayal... Or at least that's what it says on the back."
For some reason, Peridot was taken in by the way the game sounded. From what it sounded like, you wouldn't need to rely on combat in order to beat this game. It sounded like you needed to fall back on your wits. Maybe this was her chance to redeem herself.
"Alright," she said, "but if turns into anything like the last game, I'm not sticking around."
Steven smiled, hoping that this time around she would be able to get some fun out of it. After Peridot took her seat on the couch, Steven got to work getting everything ready for her. Even going so far as to give Peridot the manual so she had a good idea of how things worked.
"From what I heard people say, this game is pretty heavy. I don't know much else other than that though." Steven informed her as she read.
"As long as it isn't like the last one, I think I'll be fine." Peridot said, quickly reading through the manual in no time flat.
"Don't kid yourself." a gruff voice said. The two of them looked up, seeing that it was in fact Jasper once again. "Knowing you, you'll flip out the instant something doesn't work the way you want it to."
"Thanks soooo much for your support, Jasper," Peridot said, her voice heavy with sarcasm, "Why don't you pull up a seat, make yourself comfy, and continue to shower me with your riveting remarks."
"Don't mind if I do." Jasper said, taking a seat on the couch.
"Apparently sarcasm is lost on apes." Peridot remarked, rolling her eyes.
"Alright, enough guys." Steven said, breaking up the arguing, "We don't want a repeat of yesterday."
"What about yesterday?" they heard Pearl ask as she came into the room. Immediately when she entered, she was greeted with both Jaspers and Peridots bitter looks.
"Do you really need to keep that on?" Jasper asked, referring to the shirt Pearl received last night.
"Oh, come on you two, is it really that big a deal?" Pearl asked, taking a seat opposite of Jasper.
Peridot wasn't paying much attention, but Jasper simply stared at her resentfully as she leaned back into the couch and folded her arms. She knew this wasn't over. Some how, she would find a way to best Pearl.
"Okay, ready Peridot?" Steven asked, handing her the controller.
"I think so." Peridot said, looking at the controller whilst she recalled what all the buttons did.
"Alright, let's get started then!" Steven said excitedly as he hit the power button.
"What's she playing this time?" Pearl asked as the logos of the game started flashing by. Steven simply handed her the box, intent on paying attention to the story.
"After the end of World War II, the world was split into two – East and West. This marked the beginning or the era called the Cold War." the narrator said.
"Finally on October the 28th, The Soviet Union agreed to remove it's missiles from Cuba." the man said.
"This all actually happened?" Pearl asked Steven. Who only received a nod from the boy as he listened intently.
Just then, Amethyst walked into living room. The first thing she noticed was the snacks on the table, and immediately helped herself to some.
"Hey guys, what're you up to?" Amethyst asked. Only to be shushed by Peridot.
"We're watching Peridot play a game." Jasper answered, and was also shushed by Peridot.
"So what did the Russians really want?" another voice said from the TV.
"From what I heard, that isn't exactly the best idea." Amethyst said, only to be shushed by Pearl this time.
"I guess we'll find out." Jasper said, trying to keep her voice as low as possible.
After the story that Amethyst heard about yesterday, she was more than alright with having a seat and seeing if Peridot was actually going to loose it on the game. Taking a seat next to Jasper, she took a big drink of her soda and watched the screen.
"If we don't get Sokolov back before that weapon is complete, we'll be facing a major crisis. The clock is ticking." the man in th game said.
"I still can't believe that." Lapis said as she opened the door to the house, letting Garnet go in first.
"Yeah well it's true." Garnet replied, "I just can't believe, out of all of us, she was the one to go and do it."
Just as Lapis was about to reply, she looked into the living room to see everyone huddled together on the couch. She'd heard about what had happened, and really hoped there wasn't a repeat incident going on in front of her.
"What's going on here?" Lapis asked cautiously.
"Hey Lapis, hey Garnet." Steven greeted them, only to be Shushed by Jasper this time. "We're playing a different game today."
"Hopefully not like the last one." Garnet said in a warning tone, only to be shushed by Amethyst.
"It's been 5 years, 72 days, and 18 hours." The two heard the voice from the TV say.
Lapis and Garnet walked up to see what was on the screen, and saw that it was in fact a different game than yesterday. Garnet herself was in no mood to play another game after yesterday, but she figured that it would be best if she stayed and observed in case things got out of hand again. Lapis, on the other hand, was genuinely interested in what might happen. After the story that Garnet told her, she really wanted to see just how these things could effect people. So, both of them decided to take a seat and watch.
"So what's been happening so far?" Garnet whispered to Pearl.
Snake looked through the binoculars, seeing the nest of bees in the distance. He put the binoculars down, smiling at his luck.
"Oh, I see what he's thinking." Steven said.
"What?" Peridot asked, "What is he thinking?"
"Well, that thing is full of bees," Steven told her, "And if you get bees angry, they have a tendency to hurt things around them."
It took Peridot a second to understand what he meant, but she did get what he was hinting at. Once the cut scene was over, she flipped through her weapons and pulled out the silenced pistol. Taking her time to aim carefully, she put one round into the hive, causing it to fall. As the bees surrounded the soldier, he ran off, leaving Peridot very proud of herself.
"That's right, run away." Peridot said to herself, "Don't need anyone knowing I'm here after all."
"You better get moving." Jasper said, "He'll probably come back with more."
Peridot realized that Jasper was probably right and immediately bolted to the bridge.
Everyone watched as the man struggled to get out of the hold he was in, only to have his neck snapped in his fruitless effort. With him gone, there were no more soldiers to worry about. Everyone looked from the TV to Peridot.
"Skillfully done Peridot." Pearl complimented, "They didn't see you at all."
"Yes, very well done." Garnet said.
"Gotta admit, I didn't think that was even going to be possible." Lapis said.
"Well what can I say," Peridot said in haughty tone, "Some people are good at the brute force method of dealing with things, while others can be highly meticulous and figure out the best solutions to any given situations."
"Don't let that ego of yours over inflate. You might explode." Amethyst said, trying to take her down a peg.
"Well forgive me for indulging in the complements for a few moments." Peridot shot back.
"From what I hear, Pearl's the one who should be indulging herself right." Amethyst said, pointing to Pearl, "Completely destroying it yesterday."
"Oh... well," Pearl said, slightly surprised by the compliment, "Thank you, Amethyst."
"Come on Pearl, you know you've earned it." Amethyst said, "You showed them how it's done. By the way, nice shirt."
"Oh, thank you." Pearl said, "You know, I really have no idea where it came from-"
"Can we please move on from this?" Peridot asked, loosing her patience.
After everyone stopped talking, Peridot then proceeded to walk through the next door, only to be met with another cut scene.
"Remember the Alamo." Colonel Volgin said with a sinister smile on his face.
"Colonel!" Ocelot shouted, desperately trying to get him to stop, but to no avail.
The missile fired, heading straight for the abandon factory. The camera then cut back to Snake as he tried to get himself up. As he struggled, the bomb hit, setting off a massive explosion.
Everyone on the couch watched the scene, completely enthralled. Amethyst was mindlessly shoving chips in her mouth, Jasper was literally on the edge of her seat, and Pearl and Steven just sat there wide eyed.
"Wow," Garnet finally spoke up, "That was pretty intense."
"No kidding." Amethyst said with her mouth full, "Things just got a whole lot worse."
"There's no way they can just let this go." Jasper said, astonished.
"I certainly hope not." Pearl added, a bit of worry in her tone, "If something like this actually happened, there would be intense reprisals."
"Really wondering how this is gonna be handled." Lapis said.
"Hopefully things will turn out for the best." Steven quipped, "You up for the task Peridot?" he asked, turning to her.
When he looked to her, he saw that she too was wearing a very shocked look. Her wide eyes staring at the screen as the theme song began to play. But, unlike last night, there was something more to that look. Steven just wasn't quite sure what it was.
"Peridot, are you gonna be-" Steven was promptly interrupted by her.
"She betrayed them!" Peridot shouted, "How could she do that?! He trusted her!"
"Peridot, I'll admit, I do agree with you," Pearl said, "But, we don't know that much about her. Maybe she had a good reason to."
"Like what?" Peridot demanded, "Join a rogue group that's whole intent is the destruction of the planet?"
"She doesn't seem like the type that would do it without reason." Garnet said to her, "Remember what she said, 'Yesterday's good might be tomorrows evil.' Maybe she started seeing things that she thought weren't right to her."
"I can't possibly see what could be gained from doing this." Peridot said, "You follow the orders you're given. That's what being a soldier is all about. That was something else she said."
"She also said having personal feelings about your comrades is one the worst sins you can commit." Jasper added, "That's why she was able to beat him so quick."
"But she's contradicting herself." Peridot said, "She was supposed to follow her orders, but instead she goes behind everyones back and doesn't even have the courtesy to tell them why. Even after I told off Yellow Diamond, I gave her real reason."
"Alright, that's enough." Lapis interjected, "How about we actually finish this thing before we start jumping to conclusions."
Peridot just looked at her, knowing she was right, but refused to actually say it. She readjusted herself on the couch, begrudgingly getting back to the game as the theme hit its crescendo.
"Catchy." Garnet stated, tapping her fingers on the couch.
"Why'd you defect?" Snake asked.
"I didn't. I'm loyal... to the end. To my purpose. What about you, Jack? What's it going to be? Loyalty to your country, or loyalty to me? Your country, or your mentor? Your mission, or your beliefs? Your duty to your unit? Or your personal feelings? You don't know the truth yet. But sooner or later, you'll have to choose. I don't expect you to forgive me. But you can't defeat me, either. You know me too well. Just look at that bandanna. If you can't put the past behind you, you won't survive long. If we meet again, I'll kill you." Boss said.
They wall watched as the horse reared up and one of its hooves came crashing down on Snakes hand. Steven cringed, though not nearly as much as when he saw Snake's arm get broken.
"Now go home!" Boss shouted at him.
"I don't get it." Amethyst said, "How can she say she's loyal?"
"Maybe she means she's loyal to her friends," Lapis suggested as she took a sip from the drink she made for herself, "Or maybe she's loyal to a specific cause."
"Doubtful." Peridot said plainly, "It's more likely that she's trying to mess with his mind. It doesn't matter what she once was, she's now with the enemy. Like I said before, she's hypocritical to her own words."
"Maybe." Jasper said, "Or maybe she's talking about her new mission from the group she's in now."
"I don't know, you guys." Steven said, "Something doesn't feel right."
"I agree with Steven on this one." Pearl said, "Even if she said she would kill him the next time they met, why wouldn't she do it then?"
"Like I said, hardly matters now. Gotta get moving before those sentries show up." Peridot said.
"Better be careful," Garnet chimed in, "remember that you don't have any weapons."
"I'm well aware." Peridot answered.
"The pain... the pain... the pain!" the man shouted before exploding, the words echoing through the cave.
"Oh thank the stars, it's over." Peridot sighed, relaxing back into the couch.
"I was afraid you weren't gonna get it for a minute." Amethyst said, "I mean, with the way you reacted when revolver guy started attacking you, I thought it was gonna be game over."
"I only died once." Peridot shot back, "I wasn't expecting to be in a straight up fight, this game says it's all about stealth and survival."
"If you don't get found, you only have to fight the bosses." Steven said, taking a bite of the pizza that they had ordered.
"Still, you handled it pretty well once you figured out his attack pattern." Pearl added, "Both of those fights were very unconventional."
"I'll say," Jasper said, chugging the last of her drink, "Using insects as a weapon, that's just straight impractical. That would be like if Lapis could control fish."
"Weird analogy, but I guess it fits." Lapsi said, "I just wonder how a human was able to control bees in the first place."
"Something about highly advance experiments, that's pretty much all I heard." Garnet said.
"Well, I just hope there aren't many more fights like that." Peridot said, going back to the game.
"You're definitely gonna be fighting lightning guy." Amethyst said, scarfing an entire slice of pizza.
"The fear! The fear! I see it! The fear!" the man shouted before exploding , sending hundreds of darts flying. Snake was only just able to avoid being hit.
"Yeesh," Lapis said, "You go through all of that undetected just to be ambushed by that creep? What was up with his limbs?"
"Yeah, that was pretty gross." Steven said, "Good job though, Peridot. You figured him out pretty quick."
"And you managed to get through, not just the jungle and swamp, but that building without anyone noticing you." Pearl complimented.
"Well, thank you." Peridot said, trying to seem humble, "It's all about correct anticipation. Though I am wondering what that old man dressed in green is going to be about. He didn't look threatening at all."
"Well, you know what they say." Garnet said, tilting her shades down, "Looks can be deceiving."
"Ain't it the truth." Amethyst said, shape shifting into Garnet.
"You know, it creeps me out when you do that." Jasper said to Amethyst, "I keep thinking that one of these days you're gonna punk me... that's how you say that, right?"
"I probably will." Amethyst said, changing back.
"Can you two plot on each other later?" Peridot interrupted, "I'm about to get moving, and I have a feeling that you don't wanna miss it."
Both Jasper and Amethyst rolled their eyes, letting Peridot have her way. Once they were silent, Peridot again pressed on with the game.
"I beg you, grant me the strength to take this final prey. Let me linger in the world just a little longer. I have already slept enough for one lifetime... enough for an eternity. You have my thanks. I have to thank you for waking me. If you hadn't shown up... my sleep... would have been eternal. Do you hear me, Snake? I am The End. I am here to send you to your ultimate fate. You'll make a fine quarry for my final hunt." the old man said, his eye pushing out really far.
"This is bad." Peridot said, her eyes wide.
"Well it's definitely not good." Lapis said.
"Good thing you've been practicing all that stealth stuff, because it looks like it's test day, and the grader's not gonna go easy." Amethyst said.
*5 minutes later
"Where is he, where is he, where is he?" said Peridot in a hushed, almost panicking voice.
"Calm down, Peridot." Garnet said to her, "You're definitely not gonna find him by panicking."
"She's right." Pearl said, "This is going to require patience and careful planning, something you've been doing pretty well at so far. Now, show him what you're made of."
Peridot steadied herself, knowing they were right. She had managed to avoid detection the entire time and adapt to any place she went. She could handle this.
Flipping through her equipment, she pulled up the directional microphone. After a few slow spin arounds, she finally heard something. It sounded like... breathing.
"There you are." she said, mostly to herself.
*10 minutes later
"There." was heard, a shot ringing out less than a second later. Peridot, however, managed to roll behind a tree in just the nick of time.
"Okay, that was really close." Steven said, on the edge of his seat.
"Don't get complacent." Pearl said, her tone very serious, "You may have found him before, but that doesn't mean he can't find you too."
"I know," Peridot whispered, "But if I don't move quick, the thermal signature of his foot prints will fade and I won't be able to follow him."
"Well, I'd say you know where he is now." Amethyst whispered back.
"Why are we whispering?" Jasper asked.
"Look, just shut up." Peridot said, still whispering, "I found him, and he's going down this time."
*5 minutes later
"I've got a present for you." the man said, a flash bang going off as he ran.
"What the?" Peridot exclaimed as the screen flashed, and a high pitch ringing was heard, "Cheap trick."
"All's fair in love and war." Lapis said as she watched Paridot try to keep up with the old man.
"No, she's right." Jasper quipped, "If he had any integrity, he would face his attacker like a real soldier."
"Jasper, when you're trying to win, anything goes. Doesn't matter how dirty it seems." Amethyst said.
"Go ahead and run." Peridot said through gritted teeth, seemingly have ignored the others, "You don't have much left in you. Next time we meet, you're through."
*10 minutes later
"Spirits of the forest... I thank you." The End said, as he laid there, "The Boss... would be proud of you... The time has come... for a younger generation to rise. I've been wandering for more than a century, and now my journey comes to a close. What a splendid way... to end it all." The leaves on his uniform began to turn brown, and he let the parrot that landed on him fly away, "I have no regrets. I can return to the forest at last." He then died in the same fashion as the rest, his name echoing through the trees.
Peridot let out a long sigh, allowing herself to finally relax. A few of the others followed her example, leaning back into the couch. There were no words said for a good while.
"Of all the enemies faced so far," Peridot said, breaking the silence, "He was the best of them... The End."
"Even if I don't agree with this method of fighting, he really was one of the best." Jasper told her.
"A fierce fighter, even at the verge of death. Truly, he was an honorable enemy." Pearl said.
"I definitely wouldn't want to face him in real life." Garnet said.
"It's no wonder he got his name. He really would be the last thing you never see-" Lapis said, before being interrupted.
"Okay, am I the only one who thinks the mood was killed when his teeth flew in the air?" Amethyst said.
"Amethyst!" someone said, who turned out to be Steven, "He was great soldier."
"Who's death scene was ruined by something I would expect from a clown." Amethyst said jokingly.
"Amethyst, does one five second scene really ruin the entire thing for you?" Pearl asked.
"Uh, yeah, kinda." Amethyst responded.
"It doesn't matter." Peridot said, so stoic that you might confuse her for Garnet, "While he died honorably, the mission isn't over. I'll remember this fight, but I have to keep going."
"I see the Earth." The Fury proclaimed as he rocketed upwards. After hitting the ceiling, the structure began to collapse all around Snake, and a giant flaming face appeared in The Fury's place.
Snake quickly rolled out of the before bolting for the exit, the face exploding behind him as The Fury's name echoed.
"Well, I guess you could say, he got a little heated." Steven joked, only to be smacked in the face by a pillow.
"No." was all Jasper told him.
"Oh come on, Jasper. No need to get, hot under the collar." Amethyst said, and was then punched into wall.
"Anyone else?" Jasper asked, scowling.
"Was that really necessary?" Pearl asked, shocked.
"Yes." Jasper answered in a matter-o-fact tone, "That disease would have spread, and they just would have kept getting worse and worse.
"Would it have spread like a wild fire?" Lapis asked, snidely.
"That's it." Jasper jumped up, ready to strangle Lapis, only to be stopped by Garnet.
"Alright, alright, that's enough." Garnet said, making Jasper sit down again, "The puns are dead on arrival as is, we don't need to add one of us to the list."
"I have to say, that boss fight was disappointing." Peridot said, "Maybe it's just because of The End, but I feel like that was far less of a challenge."
"I can see what you mean." Pearl said, "Though you probably are right in thinking it's because of the last boss."
"Well, it's still not over." Garnet said, sitting back down, "You still got The Boss, and Colonel Volgin to deal with."
"True." Peridot answered, "There are no more Cobras to defend them now."
"Ow," Amethyst said, walking back in and sitting down, "Thanks a lot, I really wanted to put a hole in the wall."
"You're welcome." Jasper sneered.
"You made him a soldier, and now you will unmake him. Yes, it will make for a touching display. He's all yours. Do it! Ruin him. Just as he did the Cobras." Volgin ordered.
"She wouldn't." Pearl gasped.
Everyone watched as Boss drew a knife, and ripped the bag off of Snake's head. She raised the knife, aiming for his left eye.
"She would." Amethyst rebutted.
Peridot simple watched, her teeth clenched tight as the blade drew closer and closer. Would this really be it?
"Stop!" Tatyana said, grabbing the The Boss's arm. Everyone on the couch let out a collective sigh, thankful they would not have to watch, and Pearl took her hands off Stevens eyes.
"I actually thought she was gonna do it." Lapis said, her hand over her chest.
"Me too." Jasper said.
"For a moment, so did I." Garnet agreed with them.
"I can not imagine how painful that would be." Pearl said.
"Can't be much worse than Jasper giving you a nose job." Amethyst said, not even trying to be subtle.
"Uh oh." Peridot said, not seeming to have paid attention to anything they said.
Everyone looked to her for a second, and then looked right back at the screen.
"Here we go." Ocelot said as he began to juggle his three revolvers.
Once again, everyone was on the edge of their seats. They watched as he flipped the revolvers before firing on of them. He continued on until the third shot, which Snake deflected by swinging his body into Ocelot. This caused the fired round to miss Tatyana, but also caused Snake's right eye to be shot out.
"AH!" Steven shouted, covering his own eye, almost as if feeling the pain himself.
"Oh my god!" Lapis shouted.
"How is he even still alive!?" Pearl questioned.
As Peridot looked away from the screen, she had the biggest cringe on her face.
"This does not bode well." she thought out loud.
"Sad... so sad... a host of sorrows. And you are one of them. I am The Sorrow. Like you, I, too, am filled with sadness. This world is one of sadness. Battle brings death. Death brings sorrow. The living... may not hear them. Their voices... may fall upon deaf ears. But make no mistake... the dead... are not silent. Now you will know the sorrow of those whose lives you have ended." The ghostly figure said.
"Okay, this certainly just took a turn for the unusual." Pearl said.
As the cut scene ended, Peridot readied herself. But, when the fight started, she was confused to see that the boss had no health of stamina.
"What's going on?" Peridot asked, "How am I supposed to beat him?"
"Maybe you don't." Steven answered, "Maybe he's already gone."
"He said you will know the sorrow of those you've killed." Garnet said, "Maybe he means you have to endure seeing every life you took in the game."
Peridot wasn't sure how to respond, so decided to just push forward. As she did, she saw all the ghostly figures of every single person in the game she killed. Even the ones of the boss fights. She began to grow very uncomfortable, especially when the screen would flash showing disturbing images. Every time this happened, she jumped.
Eventually, The Sorrow showed up again.
"Go back to your own world!" he spoke in a hushed, breathy voice. Seconds after he said that, Snake dropped dead. Peridot just stared at the screen, wondering what happened.
"What just happened?" She question.
"You died, that's what happened." Amethyst said smugly.
"What! What did I do wrong? Oh, this is such-" before she could finish, she accidentally tapped one of the buttons, which brought up her inventory.
Upon seeing this, Peridot started scrolling through things, but none of them were usable. None of them except the revival pill. Not wasting a second, Peridot activated it. Just she she did, the screen faded, and returned to the game.
"Yes!" Peridot exclaimed, "Thought you could trick me? Well think again! Game: Zero, Peridot: Infinity!"
"Don't go celebrating just yet." Garnet said, "You've still got a ways to go."
"Why must you always spoil my victories?" asked grumpily.
"Fried by a bolt of lightning... a fitting end. It's finally over." Snake said as he watch Volgin's corpse burn.
Peridot was panting heavily at this point. The last hour had been rough, but she pulled it off. After seeing this in front of her, she slumped back into the couch, almost mentally exhausted.
"WOOHOO! You did it!" Steven cheered to her.
"Masterfully done." Garnet said with a smile, giving her a thumbs up.
"That was a lot of trial and error, but I knew if anyone could do it, it would be you!" Pearl congratulated her.
"Master Peri in the house!" Amethyst shouted.
"That's our master tactician!" Jasper said, giving her a light tap on the shoulder.
"Way to go Peridot! You really earned that victory!" Lapis said smiling.
Peridot looked around and smiled, blushing slightly at all of the praise. She took one final breath before speaking.
"Thanks everyone. That was not easy."
"Well, you deserve it." Garnet said, still holding her smile.
Peridot simply returned the warm smile, and held it as she turned her attention back to the game.
"Let's make this the greatest 10 minutes of our lives, Jack." The Boss said as she loaded her weapon.
"Boss!" Snake begged.
"You're a soldier! Finish your mission! Prove your loyalty!" she ordered him, and he drew his knife and pistol.
"Face me!"
Everyone looked to Peridot, who's mouth was slightly agape from what she just heard. They knew just by looking at her that she had definitely been effected by Boss's words.
"Peridot?" Pearl said, getting her attention, "Are you ready to do this?"
For the first time, Peridot actually was not sure. She let her head hang for a second, thinking over everything that had happened since she started this adventure. How so many things had changed. However, she realized that she could think forever, but none of it would matter. There was only one of two things she could do: Accept defeat or finish her mission.
She lifted her head and furrowed her brow. Steeling herself, she spoke in a firm, confident voice as she spoke one simple word.
"Yes."
With one final grapple, Snake brought The Boss down once and for all. As the cut scene began to play, Peridot let out a soft sigh. It was finally almost over. Everyone watched in silence as the two conversed one last time.
"You're a wonderful man. Kill me. Kill me now. Do it. There's only room for one Boss... and one Snake..." The Boss pleaded. Slowly, Snake pointed her gun at her, but he didn't pull the trigger.
Everyone waited for a few seconds, but nothing happened. They then looked to Peridot, still transfixed on the screen.
"You have to do it." Garnet said, getting Peridot's attention. "You have to pull the trigger."
"What?" Peridot said in shock. She simply looked at all of them as they waited for her to do it. Then Steven put his hand on her shoulder.
"You have to Peridot. It's her last wish." Steven said to her, his large eyes breaking through her resistance.
Turning back to the game, Peridot hovered her thumb over the button. After a short time, and a lot self protest, she tapped the button. A shot rang out, and Peridot let her head hang briefly.
"She may have been a traitor," Peridot said softly, "but she had passion. Passion for what she really believed in, passion for the ones she called her friends, and passion for any mission she was given. While I still don't fully see eye to eye on her reasons, I can at least respect them."
"Wow." was all Lapis could manage to say.
"Good work." Garnet said to her, "That's not just a good step for understanding the game, but also a good step in real life as well."
Peridot simply nodded to her, and then got back to what she hoped was to be the last of the game.
"But I think she wanted you of all people to know the truth. She wanted to live on in your memory. Not as a soldier, but as a woman. But she was forbidden to tell you herself. And that's why she told me." Eva's voice said.
Everyone stared at the screen, each with their own unique range of emotions and facial expression. Some still not able believe what they were hearing.
"Snake, history will never know what she did."
Pearl placed her hands over her mouth as tears formed in her eyes.
"Her story... her debriefing... will endure only in your heart."
Garnet let her mouth hang open slightly as she leaned in closer.
"Everything she did, she did for her country."
Amethyst simply sat and let tears freely run down her face in silence.
"She sacrificed her life and honor for her native land."
Jasper was trying her absolute hardest to force back the tears, but it was a loosing battle.
"She was a real hero."
Lapis was bit one of her fingers, trying to focus on something other than the sadness.
"She was a true Patriot." Big Boss saluted the tombstone, a tear running down his face.
Steven sniffed loudly, wiping the tears from his face.
"That really was something." Steven said, and then looked to Peridot.
Peridot's eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open, and large trails of tears were running down her face. She proceeded to stand and gently placed the controller down. After allowing her shoulders to slump low, she started to slowly walk away from the group.
"Peridot, where are you going?" Steven asked her, tears still in his eyes.
"I'm gonna go cry for a few hours," she mumbled, and then proceeded to start talking to herself as she sobbed, "I was completely wrong. She was never a traitor at all."
As she walked away Steven looked to all the other gems, which none had changed their expressions.
"How in the world could anyone do that?" Pearl said, her voice hitching several times.
"She gave up everything for people who didn't even care about her." Amethyst said, now openly crying.
"That took a lot of power... more than any of us have... that's for sure." Jasper said, trying and failing to keep herself composed.
"Paying the ultimate price... and everyone hates you for it. It's so wrong." Lapis sobbed.
Pearl, Amethyst and Lapis all stood up and started walking in the direction that Peridot went.
"Where are you guys going?" Steven called to them.
"To join her." Pearl said with out looking at him.
"The greatest of heros are the ones who are okay with being forgotten." Garnet said, finally breaking her silence, "But this... to have your name constantly be associated with treason and crimes... all for the sake of greed... it just feels like kicking someone when their down."
Steven then saw a tear start rolling down Garnets face. It was on the right side, so he already knew who it was, but then he saw the other side as well. He honestly didn't expect Sapphire to be effected by that.
Suddenly, Steven heard a door slam. He looked around, wondering where it came from. He thought for a moment, then his eyes went wide in a bad realization. He then bolted to the bathroom. He tried the knob, but it was locked... and he could hear soft crying coming from the other side.
"Guys, can you open up? I've been holding it since The End." Steven called to them.
"No." he heard a soft voice whimper, instantly recognizing it as Peridot.
"I have something for you." Steven said, holding something up to the door.
The door opened a bit, revealing Peridot's sorrow filled face. She looked down to see him holding a shirt... and on the front it read "The Boss". Immediately Peridot snatched the shirt, and then closed the door.
Steven waited for a moment, thinking she would open up like before... only to hear the door lock again.
