The Gems stood by the barn, observing the results of months of hard work. Finally, after so long - and too many setbacks - the drill was complete. The barn had been rebuilt as well, but the drill was their pride and joy. With this they would finally reach the Cluster, and protect their planet once again.

"Alright, let's party!" Amethyst threw her hands up in the air and jumped over to the other side of the barn. Steven and Greg had brought "snacks" for them which Amethyst had been ogling it for a while now.

"No, it's not ready yet!" Greg ran after her, fearing for his snacks. Steven went after the two, concerned for his father's safety. Left behind were the three other gems, Pearl, Peridot and Garnet. Pearl was still messing with the outside of the drill, cleaning it of any dirt and fixing every little dent.

"I can't believe it's already finished," Pearl finally said, wiping her face. "This would've taken us ages to complete by ourselves," she looked at the small green gem, who was distracted by the screams coming from the other side of the barn. "Thank you, Peridot." A light smile graced her face.

"No need to thank me. I merely did what I had to do to survive," she seemed dismissive, but she was flattered deep down.

"There's still one last thing to do before we go back to the temple," Garnet stated. "We've got to get rid of that robot of yours, Peridot."

Peridot had argued countless times with them. She wanted to keep the robot. It had been one of her greatest achievements, to build something so grand with the few resources she had. But the other Gems had destroyed it all. She argued that she could fix it, but it was too time-consuming. And time was something they didn't have.

"I suppose." Peridot finally conceded. She knew they'd regret this decision anyhow. At least she'd be right in the end.

"Let's go, then." Pearl said. They had left it by the roadside. Peridot thought the humans would've tried to take it, but the Gems told her that they were used to these sorts of things happening all the time, and had learned to stay away from them.

"Hmmm," Garnet murmured. "Go on without me." She looked over to the barn. Pearl figured she had seen something bad about to happen, and went on ahead to try and stop it.

"We'll be right back," Pearl headed on ahead, and Peridot followed after. She had also learned not to question certain things.

The way to the robot was a silent one. Neither Peridot nor Pearl knew what to say to one another, now that the drill was finished. They had bonded through their mechanical prowess, teaching each other new things. But that was all they ever talked about. Pearl had tried to change that, but Peridot never really responded. She didn't know how. She never gave too much thought to Pearl. She was grateful for her help, and amazed by her skills, but that was about it. She wasn't as fun as Amethyst, nor as interesting as Garnet. And so, they silently went their way.

The sight that awaited Peridot when they arrived was enough to break her heart. She screeched as soon as she saw the robot. Or rather, what was left of it. She had never realized how bad it actually was. Her fine work was now a useless heap of green metal. She approached the green pile and scavenged for any bits that were still salvageable. Sadly, there were none.

"We really did a number on it." Pearl whispered as she hunched over next to a distraught Peridot.

"Yes, you did." Peridot couldn't disguise her contempt.

Pearl giggled. "It's a shame too," she glanced over at Peridot. "It's a fine robot."

"It was." Peridot corrected. Pearl hadn't quite realized how much it had meant to her.

"We can always build another one," she said, placing a caring hand on the Peridot's shoulder.

"I guess," Peridot paused, slightly flustered. "We could."

Pearl got up with a satisfied smile on her face, only to be quickly replaced by concern. "How are we going to take it back to the barn?"

"Easy," Peridot said, puffing her chest. "We fuse." The gem extended a nonchalant hand at the other.

Pearl was taken aback. "Oh," she gave her her hand, but paused before they got into position. "Is this OK with you? Really?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?" After fusing with Garnet and Amethyst, she felt more than ready for this. And besides, there was a task for them to complete.

"Alright then," Pearl let go of her hand and stretched. She couldn't hide her excitement. "Let's fuse!"

"Yes." Peridot grabbed her hand again.

This time, unlike the other two, Peridot chose to take the lead. Pearl happily let her, fully trusting her. Peridot grabbed her two hands, and Pearl lift her legs up in the air, spinning and turning by the rhythm of a soundless song. Shortly after, they were fused.

It really was easier this time around. The fusion almost immediately regained her senses. Only two arms awaited in front of her four eyes.

"Alright!" she spoke. With her two arms, she split apart the robot and ran towards the barn. The path that had taken several minutes had now been done in seconds. She set the broken halves inside the barn, and in flash, unfused.

Pearl and Peridot appeared, both in their original positions. It was the first time Peridot had unfused so gracefully. They were greeted by an overly excited duo - Steven and Amethyst, both looking particularly worn out. Garnet and Greg sat by a fire, waving at the other two. Greg looked worse for wear - his hair and clothes slightly singed - but still had a smile on his face.

"Crisis averted." Garnet said once everyone joined them. Apparently, Amethyst wanted to start a fire big enough that it would swallow the barn in seconds, so that the snacks would be cooked faster. Thanks to Garnet, they were able to stop it before it went out of control.

They all sat by the fire, Steven, Amethyst and Greg, munching on whatever snacks they had brought with them.

"Peri, try this out!" Amethyst scooched closer to her, pointing a stick with a white snack on the end.

"Are these the so called "snacks"?" Peridot examined it, unimpressed.

"Yeah, I guess. This thing's a marshmallow. Try it, it's pretty tasty!" She waved it around Peridot's face again.

Peridot took the marshmallow from her hand, and ate it. With her mouth full of the white substance and small splinters, she spoke. "This is tasty!" Her face lit up as she ate the rest of it.

"No, not like that!" Steven seemed genuinely distressed. Amethyst was in stitches.

Once Peridot finished eating whatever Amethyst told her to eat, Pearl turned her attention to her.

"Would you mind if I talked to you for a while?" Pearl seemed slightly uncomfortable. "In private." She pointed towards the barn.

"Yes, what is it?" Peridot asked, as they sat by the barn.

Pearl was gazing at the moon."Do you still think Rose's battle was for nothing?" She looked straight at Peridot, anxious for her answer. "That our rebellion was for nothing?"

"Objectively speaking, if we are unable to save Earth from the Cluster, then yes. It was a wasted effort," she paused to look at Pearl. She was mad, but still listening. "But."

Peridot had learned many things since she first arrived on earth. Not only about its climate and topography, but also about its dwellers and history. She had seen how much life there was out there, and how much potential there was in that small batch of land.

"But, if we destroy the Cluster," she paused, carefully choosing her words. "Then, it won't have been for nothing."

Peridot had only read about the battles that had occurred in this place. The reports depicted Rose as a "vile traitor", one to be broken on sight. And Pearl was nothing but a "defective", and was barely even mentioned. They had chalked up their struggles as something futile, even silly. To fight against the all powerful Diamond Authority, for a single, miserable planet. When written like that, yes, it did seem pointless. But Peridot only understood why they had battled so after seeing the planet, after living in it. In fact, Peridot was even starting to feel... glad. Glad that this planet wasn't destroyed ages ago, before it could even grow into what it is today. She was glad that she had the chance to see this place. Even if it had been against her wishes.

Pearl was in tears. She tried to hide them, but they wouldn't stop. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. I'm merely saying what I think," she paused to look at Pearl. "And I would like to apologize." Peridot finally said.

Pearl held Peridot's shoulder, a faint smile on her lips. "No need."

"But I-"

"No, not yet," Pearl took a deep breath. "I know what you're about to say," she turned her head to meet Peridot's gaze. "And I'm not ready to accept your apologies. Not just yet."

Peridot sighed. "Ok, then."

But she understood. She knew she had deeply offended her, she felt it in her punch. She could even relate to it now. After that final communication with Yellow Diamond, she was starting to realize how disposable she was. Much like the Pearls back in the Homeworld.

"I guess..." Peridot looked up at the stars. "We're not too different, are we?"

Pearl giggled. "Indeed, we aren't."

And on that note, they got up to head back to where the others were, around the fire. Steven and Greg had fallen asleep, while Amethyst and Garnet gazed at the night sky. Pearl joined them, but Peridot went back inside the barn. As soon as she found a comfortable spot to sit on, she took out her well-worn recorder.

"Log Date 7 29 1. We spent most of today fixing up the rest of the drill. It has finally been completed. To celebrate this, Steven and his progenitor brought "snacks" for us. Specifically, marshmallows, which seemed to be a stick with a soft white substance on the tip. Steven said that I wasn't supposed to eat the stick, but I found it tasty- as Amethyst puts it. Today, I also fused with Pearl. It was less stressful than the others before, but not as insightful. It seems that I will have to continue talking with her to fully understand her," a pause. She was unsure if she wanted to record her full thoughts. "But I did learn a lot these past couple of days. Fusion isn't as terrible as the Homeworld makes it. Not only is it a fast way to become stronger, it is also a way into another's mind- if they let you. Especially if you fuse with a stronger gem. I have yet to understand exactly why the Homeworld sees it like that. In fact, there are many things I have yet to understand. Why is fusion seen as something terrible? Why did Yellow Diamond want to destroy Earth despite its endless potential and resources? Why did they have to betray Homeworld for this planet? I don't know. But in time, I will know. With the help of the Crystal Gems."