Chapter 7 Debating with Swords
Because they had to redesign the drill the Crystal Gems were kept very busy looking for rare and valuable parts. Progress quickened immensely when Peridot built a 3D replicator and scanner. The work then passed quickly and there was time to build side projects too. Since the news of the Cluster morale was at an all-time high. That came crashing down on near Valentine's day thanks to Garnet.
Amethyst did her best to hold Peridot and Pearl away from Garnet. It was like a Peridot temper tantrum squared. The cube headed gem had broken Peridot's replicator for no apparent reason.
"You clod, why did you keep destroying my things?" yelled Peridot.
"You've set back the drill project by months why?" shouted Pearl as she tried to claw past Amethyst.
Garnet was unmoved, "You were abusing the replicator, making dangerous items for fun. I didn't need future vision to see that Steven in a rocket powered pogo stick was dangerous."
Amethyst frowned Garnet had gone too far this time. She was no longer behaving like a leader. The purple gem wanted to launch herself and beat up Garnet too but instead using all her self-control she shoved Peridot and Pearl into the car locking them in.
Garnet sighed in relief, "Thanks Amethyst in their state of mind I could have – wait what are you doing?"
Somehow Amethyst had handcuffed the fusion without her knowing. "I'm tying you up to the fence as punishment. You endangered the project with that stunt. And for the record that was my rocket powered pogo stick. Mine!"
Amethyst turned to call Steven. The boy stared bug eyed at the sight of Garnet handcuffed to a fence.
"Steven C'mon get into the car. Garnet's on a time out."
The Purple gem drove the car back to the Beach house. Steven had the back seat to himself while Pearl, Peridot and Amethyst were wedged in front.
When they got there the gems literally tumbled out. Steven was about to join them when Amethyst stopped him.
"Leave those two alone Steven. We're going to break another milestone in becoming a man," said Amethyst smiling weirdly.
Steven gulped in fear. It ended up he didn't need to be afraid. Anyone who was travelling that country back road while Steven took his first driving lesson were the ones that had to be afraid.
"Woo hoo I'm having the time of life," called out Steven as he drove breakneck speed on the wrong side of the road.
Pearl still was very angry once Steven and Amethyst left. With a dark look on her face she turned to Peridot, "Peridot lets you and me continue your combat training."
The little gem twiddled her fingers and sweated, "I don't want to Pearl. You're kinda making me afraid right now."
"Fine if you won't fight me I'll get someone else to fight."
Connie was going through the motions of her violin practice when she received the call.
"Pearl, hey no I'm not busy," a lie she had pottery class to go to." You want to go the Sky Arena and practice sword fighting? No that would be great. Bye"
She found Pearl and Peridot waiting for her on the warp pad. Both Pearl and Peridot looked mad. It must have been something the green goblin did. When they warped to the sky arena Pearl pulled out her sword. It looked sharp and dangerous.
Pearl began, "Alright Peridot is going to be watching us fight so we'll"
"Actually I will fight the Connie today. I've created some holograms that will allow you to let off steam safely for everybody," said Peridot interrupting Pearl.
From her gem emerged black cube like images. When Connie looked closer she could see that they were faces of Garnet. Pearl hacked and slashed viciously into the boxes. Screaming and cursing as she did so.
"That leaves just you and me. Draw your weapon human," said Peridot pulling out a frying pan.
"Your weapon is pathetic," sneered Connie
"Why do you take every opportunity to put me down? Enough just pull your sword out and fight."
"With pleasure," said Connie as she charged at Peridot.
The little gem blocked Connie's blow easily with the frying pan.
"You still haven't answered my question why do you take every opportunity to put me down?" Peridot's blow missed.
"You are the enemy." This time Connie cut her cheek.
"Liar! That isn't the reason and you know it!" The green gem wiped the blood away.
"Steven's and the gems are my only friends!" Connie charged again.
"Only friends that's pathetic. Do you mean to say that on this entire planet you have no other friends?" Peridot managed to hit her in the stomach.
"No! And you're no better," Connie quickly recovered.
"Yes I am. Even though I spend all my time working on the drill I have other friends." Another frying pan to the leg this time.
"Name one friend then." Connie managed to cut her arm.
"Mr. Smiley." Peridot aimed the frying pan at the human's head.
"Mr. Smiley is a dork," said Connie pushing Peridot's arm away.
"What! Mr. Smiley isn't good enough for you." Peridot tried to hit her again
"That's beside the point! This is about Steven," Connie aimed for the gem's heart.
"Well what about Steven?" Peridot dodged it.
"He's my boyfriend and I love him," Connie was waving her sword wildly.
"I've tried respecting that but I love him too," Peridot dodged another slash.
Connie kept right on stabbing and slashing. Peridot may have not got a lot of blows in but she knew how to dodge. Something Pearl could have told Connie if she cared to ask.
"You don't even know him. Steven is awesome, He has magic powers and a destiny. He fights monsters and saves the world regularly. He is the son of the great Rose Quartz and I will be by his side," to make her point Connie kept stabbing and stabbing as the green gem weaved and dodged as best she could.
"I don't care about who he is or his powers gemetically speaking he's nothing special. I've seen other gems much more powerful than he is," Peridot grabbed Connie's sword arm.
"Then why do you like him?" Connie shook off Peridot.
"I don't know. Home world gems form relationships based on the strengths of their partners but I'm a gem doctor I don't need a healer.
Steven looks wrong, ugly like all humans yet I find myself thinking about his face. His voice sounds wrong yet I love to hear him speak. He has no wealth or special skills yet I appreciate everything he has done or given to me," Peridot launched herself at Connie going on the attack this time.
"You're not even human you don't know what love is." The two beings grappled before Connie shoved Peridot away.
"Maybe I don't but I care about his wellbeing and I enjoy being around him. I also want to form a deeper connection with Steven." Peridot charged at Connie again.
"You can't he's mine. Admit it you've been sabotaging out relationship since day 1." Connie swiped wildly with her sword.
"I don't need to. You're doing that perfectly well on your own. Connie every lie you spread, every time you try to hurt me you drive a wedge between him deeper and deeper. Yes, I want Steven but I was never going to damage your friendship." The frying pan clanged on the sword
"And why should I believe that." A stabbing motion which Peridot easily dodged
"Because I could wait 80 years for him." The frying pan knocked Connie's sword out her hand
"You're not even human. You're a monster," said Connie as she scrambled for her sword. Peridot kicked it away.
"Neither is Steven. And from my point of view you're the monster. This world is confusing and frightening. I needed friends and a helping hand yet you take every opportunity to hurt me. I never asked for any of this why can't you just let me be Garnet." Peridot slammed down the frying pan hitting Connie in the face.
Connie was felled like a tree. Tears were in Peridot's eyes as she straddled the human and prepared to give another blow. Pearl finally out of her rage took the frying pan out of Peridot's hand and held her.
"Thank you very much Connie you can go now," said Pearl coolly.
Peridot sobbed loudly into Pearl's shoulder.
"I think she hurt me," Connie said.
"You hurt her much more and I have a vial of Rose's tears."
As the bruises formed on Connie's face the human had enough sense to keep quiet while Pearl consoled the young gem. The silence was interrupted when Pearl's cell phone rang.
Pearl sighed "Hello Amethyst, you're at the county jail? What happened this time? No license and registration? Well actually that's mild to what we've been through. I'll pick you and Steven up."
