Stripped Down Chapter 3 Found Out
Back the real world the gems gasped as Peridot started to talk.
"Peridot Facet2F5L Cut 5Xg," the little gem droned.
"Look Peridot figured it out. Now it's got to stop," cried Amethyst hopefully.
"It's not we should get Connie's mother," said Garnet gloomily.
In Moonstone's dream world life Steven got worried when he hadn't heard from Peridot for a couple of days. Did she find him tiresome and lame too? That would be too much so he decided to go look for her. He found her in front of Beach City Fries sitting cross-legged in the middle of the boardwalk. She was chanting something it sounded more like her name rank and serial number but that was not the weirdest part. The people on the boardwalk just straight up ignored her.
"Peridot?" he asked tentatively.
The green gem sat up and slapped him full on the face.
"Peridot, ow, why did you do that?" asked Steven, more emotionally hurt than anything.
Peridot's eyes widened, "Steven you're actually real. I-I thought you were part of the simulation."
"Simulation?"
"Yes, this is a simulation designed to interrogate us. It's the only thing that makes sense."
"But what would they want? I mean you just know about the drill and I'm not allowed in most of the temple so what could they want."
"I don't know!" she said with a manic smile, "but Steven look at this."
Ronaldo came up to the front of the shop.
"Welcome to Beach City Fries," said Ronaldo.
"Ronaldo, I am so glad it's you," said Peridot as she giggled weirdly.
She then climbed up to the fat boy's shoulders and pulled his head off like a cork. There was no blood and no reaction. The body still stood up like if nothing had happened.
"Welcome to Beach City Fries, how may I help you," said the disembodied head.
The green gem then threw the head into the boardwalk garbage can. Steven's jaw dropped.
"Peridot how long were you sitting there?" Steven asked.
"About a couple of days, why?"
"Okay I accept this isn't real but what this is like a video game?"
"Video Game, Steven in video games you have a set goal to reach which you know about beforehand. I don't remember anything like that."
"Well what do you remember?"
Two days earlier in the real world Peridot had walked in at an unusual sight. There at the Big Donut sat Sadie smiling and staring into space while Lars was happily working away.
"Diamond Authority to Sadie, come in Sadie," said Peridot as she snapped her fingers in front of the human's face.
Sadie started as she got out of her fog, "Oh Peridot, do you want to get some donuts for Steven?"
"Forget about that I want to know what happened to you?" said the confused technician.
Sadie twiddled her hair dreamily, "Oh Peridot it was wonderful. I was just confronting Lars about his lax work effort when he confessed his feeling to me. 'I don't even like donuts' he said. 'The only reason I work here is to be around you.' Then he kissed me and we went under the boardwalk. Oh Peridot it was so romantic."
"Really hmm?" mused Peridot.
The next evening in the Beach house, Peridot took Steven by the hand. It was starting to get dark which according to Sadie was good.
"Steven come with me, I have something to show you," said the technician.
"Peridot, Connie's coming over any minute now," said Steven.
"It won't take too long, please this is important to me."
As they two children left. Amethyst could see where they were heading.
The purple gem smirked to herself, "Didn't think you had it in you. You go Peri girl."
A few moments later Peridot guided Steven under the boardwalk. The boy felt extremely uncomfortable as she led him deeper and deeper under the boardwalk.
"Where is it, where is it?" said Peridot.
"Where's what?" asked Steven.
"The beautiful site it's gotta be around here somewhere?" said the green gem as a soda from above poured onto her.
The little gem cursed. This was all wrong. This was supposed to be beautiful and romantic. Instead she stood by bits of debris and garbage from the boardwalk.
"Peridot, you don't understand what goes on here do you?" said Steven. "People come here to make out."
"Nonono this is so filthy. I didn't want to declare my love this way. Just like everything in my life it's all wrong." The technician was crying.
Steven held her in his arms, "Hey, hey it's all right. I know how you feel but-"
"You, slut," shouted out Connie. The human girl was absolutely livid. She had Rose's sword in her hand. The last rays of dusk glowed behind her balefully.
Steven tried to calm Connie down but she was having none of it. Peridot separated from Steven but that did no help in any way.
"Keep away from my boyfriend you alien scum. And Steven how could you do this to me," Connie said with tears in her eyes.
Peridot pleaded "It wasn't like that I-"
"Shut up," shouted Connie. "You are from Homeworld, not a real Crystal Gem"
"You don't even know what that means," shouted Peridot as she stepped towards Connie.
"It means you're the enemy," shouted Connie as she stabbed Peridot right in the chest.
Before she lost consciousness she saw out of the corner of her eye what looked like a corrupted gem monster.
"The boardwalk we need to get under the boardwalk," said Steven suddenly.
"But not just yet, how about we have a little fun," cooed Peridot.
"Great idea," agreed Steven.
Within moments the pair were roller blading in the throughout the town. Steven whooped and yelled while Peridot was not so joyous.
When they took a break Peridot turned to Steven," This isn't what I meant about having fun."
"What did you mean Peridot?"
What a clod. Well guess it is better to show him. Peridot cupped her hands round Steven's face and kissed him. Steven finally getting the clue wrapped his arms around her and opened his mouth as the kiss deepened. He brought one hand up to stroke her chest only to find it covered in sticky green gem blood. He stepped back in horror.
"Wha-what is going on?" cried Steven.
"What is going on?" cried Connie's mother in the real world.
She surveyed the scene before her. The Crystal Gems had surrounded a monster, Steven, the little alien girl and her precious daughter, lay on the ground, unconscious. Peridot had been stabbed but that was not the worst all three were attached to the monster by these tentacle things on their heads. Images flickered of the children on the creature's membrane.
"Yes Garnet what is going on? Explain," said Pearl coldly.
As Dr. Maheswaran stuck a fluid IV in both Steven and Connie. Garnet started to explain. She took off her glasses. It made Garnet look more human even though she had 3 eyes
"I've been having these visions, Steven's crushes for both Peridot and Connie were creating conflict. I saw many tragic futures if this was not resolved. I had brought the Dreaming Moonstone, that creature before you, to help Steven to resolve his choice before anything damaging happened. As you can see I was too late."
"Geez all we needed to do was have a little talk with Steven about this," objected Amethyst. "This seems overly elaborate and unnecessary. Why go to so much trouble?"
"Because I wanted Steven to make the right choice. I wanted him to be loved for who he is not what he is and in order to do that I had to strip him down. Steven is a valued member of the Crystal Gems influential even, he also lives in a world of magic and wonder. He rides a magic lion for goddess's sake. I wanted the one who would love him to be the one who loves him for being the kind, sweet person he is."
"Hear that. Moonstone," called out Pearl. "Steven already made his choice let them go."
Connie's mother stepped back as the thing spoke, "No that Peridot is Home world scum. It will be over when Steven makes the right choice."