The Confrontation
Lars and Sadie were Opening the Big Donut when Peridot walked in. Lars was making the first pot of coffee for the day when Peridot walked up to the counter. She looked so cute in Steven's old clothes. It was one of the few things that brightened their dull uneventful career. After working years at the Big Donut the couple felt trapped and stifled.
"Peridot, what brings you in today?" called Sadie.
"I promised Steven a special breakfast but Amethyst ate all the food again. Do you have anything extra special?" replied Peridot.
"Well we've got lots of things, Steven's favorite is a six pack of chocolate donuts," said Sadie.
"I want something a little more substantial," replied Peridot.
"Well, we're more of a pastry store but we do have this," said Sadie as she pointed to a sign.
Peridot snorted as she looked at the picture of the dognut. Three donuts on a hotdog. She blushed and shook her head. As Sadie discussed the other processed delights of the Big Donut a strangely familiar but unwelcome hooded form came into the store. The form creeped up unnoticed by Peridot and Sadie. When it was close enough the form grabbed Peridot and turned her to face it.
"You got a lot of nerve stealing Steven from me," said Connie as she ripped off her hood.
"You make it sound like he is some sort of property," snapped back Peridot.
"We had a destiny together, fighting evil. It was all working out until you came."
"I don't believe in destiny. As for Steven I make him happy so back off."
"What you are doing with Steven is disgusting, it's pedophilia," snarled Connie.
"Steven is over 18 he's an adult."
"Just barely and you're what like thousands of years old?"
"Connie do you know nothing? I was created 16 years ago."
"So what? You're not a hero you're a monster who experimented on her own kind."
This was getting ugly. Sadie signaled to Lars.
"Connie, you have a lifetime ban on these premises," said Lars as he tried to pull Connie away.
"Mind your own business, Lars," shouted Connie.
Connie grabbed Lars' arm and threw him over her shoulder. The unfortunate landed with a sickening crunch. He started crying that his arm was broken as Sadie stepped out from behind the counter. She stared at the pair as they continued their screaming match.
"Who the monster now? My job was simply to watch the Cluster, I had no part in creating it."
"So what, all is forgiven? After all you did to Steven, the Gems?" Enraged Connie took a swing at Peridot.
The green gem dodged it easily, "That was war, Connie. You do horrible things to survive Steven knows that."
"Well as far as I am concerned the war is not over." The teenaged girl tackled Peridot. They two rolled on the ground. Connie did her best to hurt Peridot. The technician was much tougher than she looked.
"Is something there matter ladies?" said Steven as he pulled Connie off.
"Steven, I am so glad to see you," cried Peridot.
"Sadie called me. I came as soon as I could," said Steven.
"Steven how could you hook up with that thing? She's a soulless robot, incapable of love," sobbed Connie.
"So says the mindless fanatic who wants war," said Peridot scathingly.
Steven glared down at Connie "Now you take that back Connie. Peridot and I have a relationship. You just have to accept that."
Connie was still crying, "Why did you have to have sex with her? After what happened with Lapis she wasn't even a virgin."
Peridot's eyes widened. She bit her lip as she saw everyone staring at her. Sobbing she ran out of the donut shop. Steven called out to her only to be held back by Connie.
"Let her go Steven. She can't love you the way I can," pleaded Connie.
"Connie. Let. Me. Go," Steven was doing his best to control himself.
"No Steven you don't need her," Connie still held onto Steven's arm.
"I said let me go," snarling he flung Connie away. The girl went crashing into the wall. Not caring if he hurt her in the slightest, Steven ran after his lover.
He found Peridot under the old docks sobbing. She looked so small curled up into a little ball. As he got closer he could see it was not an illusion.
"Peridot, I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me?" said Steven softly.
"Because I felt ashamed," the tears and snot were flowing from Peridot's face. "Ashamed and dirty. After what happened I didn't want to talk about it. You must think so little of me."
The little gem looked like her old self, so small and vulnerable. Steven held her as he gently wiped her face.
"No I don't. Peridot you tried so hard to make Lapis understand you to reach out to her. The Gems may have valued her for her power but I far as I am concerned she was a waste of time."
"You really think so?"
"I know so. Peridot you are a smart, funny and brave gem. I would be a fool to let you go."
He then kissed her deeply. Their gems glowed and soon their bodies as they fused onto a single being.
Watermelon Tourmeline opened their eyes.
"So this is fusion?" they said. The fusion walked over to the water to see their reflection. The Peridot side of them gasped. Before them stood a large beautiful woman with pale green skin. She was tall, slender with dirty blonde hair and large beautiful green eyes. As her two gems glinted, the fusion stared at herself some more. Other than the layers of human clothes she was absolutely perfect.
"This must be what our child would look like," thought Steven.
The thought frightened Peridot and the two separated.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hold it," said Peridot in a small voice.
"Hey don't be it was wonderful," soothed Steven.
The young man then picked up his lover bridal style. As he carried her to the Beach House, Peridot grew in size. When he kicked open the door there was Amethyst watching TV. With a single look Amethyst left for her room in the back of the temple. Steven took Peridot up the steps to his cubby. It still had no walls.
He laid her gently on the bed as he slowly took off her clothes. Taking special care to make Peridot feel loved, he kissed every inch of her body. He made love to her slowly and gently. The couple made love several times over the day. It was dark when they finally feel asleep. By the time the night was over the couple would be closer than they could possibly imagine.
As Steven drifted off to sleep he stroked Peridot's hair. His lover had already fallen asleep on his chest.
"Peridot, what was life like for you," he said before closing his eyes.
He soon found himself floating in a black void. As he looked closer he could see a green speck. He drifted closer and closer the features coming into view. It was the curled up form of Peridot, tiny the size of a tennis ball. When he got close enough he cupped her in his hands. A flash of green light engulfed him.
It was dark where he was and he wanted out. He heard voices from somewhere and suddenly he was in a bright light. It hurt. Large hands pulled him out and started poking and prodding his green body.
"She's so small, even for a Peridot," said a black gem with ridiculous hair.
"This is a good sign, the incubator stops when the education logarithms have completed," said a one eyed Nephrite. "This gemling is smarter than the average Peridot."
"Excellent," cooed an Emerald with equally ridiculous hair. "You're going to learn to be a first class kindergarten technician yes you are."
In the Emerald's arms Peridot looked up in confusion. Steven saw even more of her life the intensive training, getting fitted for her limb enhancers and the slow road to recovery afterwards. Peridot's trainers took pride in her accomplishments. If the concept hadn't been so alien to the strange gem family, Steven would have used the word love to describe their feelings.
Finally the big day arrived. Emerald with her split hairstyle brushed Peridot's jumpsuit.
"Now mind you keep a professional demeanor, your logs will be monitored by Homeworld," said Emerald her eyes tearing up.
"You've accomplished so much. You should be fine," said Jet. Her gravity defying braids bobbing.
Peridot stood still on the warp pad. She landed on the Earth's galaxy warp with her robinoids waiting for her. Being as professional as she could she spoke into her logs properly as the robinoids swarmed her. One of the robinoids looked damaged. Peridot knew from experience that while a robinoid lost in transit was acceptable a damaged one returning was not, so she destroyed it. As she surveyed her surroundings she discovered an anomaly, some sort of icon was adhered to a warp pad. Had someone come here, were there gems still alive? This was beyond her training. She warped back home.
The next dream was of Peridot meeting Lapis Lazuli. As Peridot entered the cell she could see Lapis Lazuli. The blue gem sat with her shoulders hunched up at a desk. Peridot put out her hand with its floating fingers.
"Hello I am Peridot facet-."
The Lapis Lazuli screeched and drew away, "What are you going to do with me?"
What a coward, "If you don't cooperate nothing. You chose to assault that Ruby. You chose to barge in on Blue Diamond's meeting. As it is at the appointed time you will be broken unless you cooperate with me."
Lazuli licked her lips, "What is it you want me to do?"
"You will accompany on my mission to Earth, you will act as my informant. If your performance is satisfactory your sentence will be lightened and you will be reeducated to fit into modern gem society. Understand?"
Now Steven saw Peridot's fight for survival on Earth. The gems that he knew as kind and loving were seen as menacing and brutal. Increasingly Peridot's situation became more desperate until in an act of desperation she kidnapped Steven and was captured and poofed.
The next scene showed Peridot emerging in the bubble room. He felt her fear as she looked up at the damaged gems awaiting the barbaric and ancient process of harvesting. Now Peridot's fear and tantrums were understandable. If she thought she some of freedom bargaining with the Clods she was wrong. Around Steven the gems seemed patient almost kind, without Steven they were cold and distant. That was fine until the day of Steven's birthing day celebration.
"Why can't I take part in these birthing celebrations?" the tears in Peridot's eyes despite her resolve not to cry.
"Steven's friend is coming and the outcome of you meeting her, would not be- desirable," said Garnet.
"This isn't fair I've done most of the work. Why do you get a break instead of me?" shouted Peridot.
"Enough the only reason you're alive is because of Steven's kindness. I will not have you ruining his big day, understood?" said Pearl.
Then it was the day Steven and the gems were leaving the barn. Peridot was getting to pack her few things. Before she knew it, Amethyst knocked the paint cans out of her hands.
"Stop packing nerd, you're staying right here," ordered Amethyst.
"But I'm a Crystal Gem too," shouted Peridot.
The other gems surrounded her.
"Oh we only said that to humor Steven. You think we would let someone like you into our team?" said Pearl dismissively.
"But I've proven myself and this barn is uncomfortable," whined Peridot.
"Your comfort is not our concern," said Garnet imperiously. "Lapis Lazuli is. You will win her over convince her to join the gems and only then will we consider taking you back to the Beach house."
So Peridot held her tongue. Doing her best to ignore Lapis's putdowns and cruel words. The first time Lapis hit her was after her boat trip with Steven. Peridot had been playing with the tablet Steven had given her when she heard Lapis's wings. She turned around and saw Lapis looming over her.
"Hey Buddy boat trip turn out not so good?" she asked nervously.
Pain blossomed on her cheek. Shocked Peridot touched her very wet cheek.
"Shut up, this all your fault. I would have never been stuck on Earth and never fused with Jasper if it weren't for you," shouted Lapis.
Peridot had enough, "Blow it up your skirt Lazuli, you chose to break the law. You chose to fuse with Jasper when you easily could have beaten her. Don't blame me for your mistakes."
"I will do whatever I like," snarled Lapis.
The beatings happened more and more frequently. Once while Peridot was hugging her stuffed alien Lapis shoved her into the silo tank. Peridot had to use her metal powers to escape but Lapis kept her alien in the tank to remind Peridot of her place.
Peridot captured Crazy Legs. Instead of keeping her in a bubble Peridot decided to train her. Things got a little better now that she had a friend, the beatings stopped for a while. Then came the final straw Lapis was angry about something. Peridot didn't care. She stopped caring long ago. She ignored Lazuli's screaming and that enraged the blue gem. The aristocrat slammed her into the ground over and over again. Crazy Legs seeing this charged to her rescue. Lapis didn't even bat an eye as she cut through Crazy Leg's gemstone.
Peridot screamed and cried. Lapis merely turned and smirked.
"Oh I'll give you something to cry about."
Knowing what Lazuli meant Peridot rolled herself into a ball but it wasn't enough. Spears of ice impaled her body yet she didn't poof. Peridots could take a lot of damage. She vowed to make Lapis pay before she blacked out.
Then she was walking down the road holding Crazy Leg's remains. It was dark when the car hit her. A human female screamed. Then she was in a white room while another older female looked down at her. The female used the term sexual assault as Peridot struggled to stay conscious to stay formed. If she poofed with her cracked gem Peridot knew she would be corrupted. She lay waiting in a bed until she heard a crash.
"I said let me see her," shouted her only friend. He came charging into her room. When he saw her, tears formed in his eyes.
"Don't worry Peridot. I'll make all better," he promised as he kissed her gem.
She felt her gem heal as Steven cried tears of relief. Then the other gems came in the room.
"Steven, can you leave us alone for a few moments. We need to talk to Peridot," asked Pearl.
As Steven left Garnet turned to Peridot.
"You really messed things up this time. We needed Lapis' power to fight in the coming war," said Garnet.
"Lapis was hurting me," whispered Peridot.
"Then you should have taken it. Honestly did you think we didn't know?" said Pearl.
"I hate you," said Peridot as she blacked out.
He awoke in a cold sweat. He was in Peridot's body. He headed down to the kitchen. Steven opened the fridge to get a drink. As a green hand reached out for a soda Steven made sure to get Peridot's favorite drink. This body was thirsty after losing so much fluids. As he closed the door he saw Garnet glaring at him. As he turned around he saw Pearl and Amethyst surrounding him. Wearing Peridot's body and his T shirt he was aware of how vulnerable he was right now.
"Peridot I want you to leave," said Garnet.
"What about what Steven wants?" asked Steven playing along.
"It doesn't matter you are damaging our relationship with Steven," said Garnet.
"All he wants to do is hang around with you," said Amethyst.
"He no longer talks to us or trusts us," accused Pearl.
"Well what do you expect? You've been hiding things from him," Steven answered.
"You cannot understand it was to protect him. We love him," Pearl was almost shouting.
"I love him too and he loves me. Me leaving the house won't change that" argued Steven.
Garnet stepped closer she snatched the bottle from Steven's hands, "I don't think you understand when I said I wanted you gone. I want you to leave this town, leave this planet, get out of our lives."
Steven felt a hot rage come bubbling up. Peridot was in here with him, "You think you can push me aside like last time? Hmm, well things are different now. Steven is not the naïve boy he once was. He's gotten stronger and he's gotten smarter. You think he'll forget about me? Well think again."
Garnet laughed, "Oh he'll forget about you. A crisis here and there, a little memory manipulation and we'll have our old Steven back. You'll be just a bad memory."
Then Peridot's form started laughing. The gems looked at each other. This was not the outcome Garnet predicted. The green goblin's face twisted into a familiar expression.
"You really are the clods Peridot said you were," said Steven.
"Steven are you in there?" asked Pearl fearfully.
"Give the big nosed gem a prize. Yes, I am in here. I was thinking about Peridot when I fell asleep. I entered her mind and the sifted through her memories. I discovered many things."
Garnet knelt down "Steven we had our reasons-"
"Can it Three Eyes. I know that you saw that Lapis would hurt Peridot and you did nothing to help her. All this time you weren't trying to protect me but your interests. You wanted a good little soldier who didn't ask questions. Well I'm asking the questions and I don't like the answers."
"Garnet don't hurt Peridot while Steven's in there you could lock them both in Peridot's gem," warned Pearl.
"I don't believe Steven's in there," said Garnet through gritted teeth.
"Garnet don't risk it. Steven if you're in there please go back to your body you're freaking us out," pleaded Amethyst.
Steven's vision blackened for a little while. Moments later he found himself sitting up in bed. He had to act quickly as Garnet pulled Peridot by the front of her shirt.
"Stop! Let Peridot go this instant!" ordered Steven as he leapt out of bed.
"Whoa Steven put on some pants," said Amethyst laughing.
"Steven what are you doing?" asked Pearl.
The young man oblivious to his naked state, was shoving clothes into a suitcase, "What does it look like? I'm packing. Come on Peridot, get your things."
"Steven don't be stupid, you have no money and nowhere to go," said Garnet.
"I have money," piped up Peridot.
"And we'll be staying at my Dad's. I can't stand living here any longer," replied Steven.
The gems watched silently as Steven and Peridot packed their things. They said nothing as Steven and Peridot got into the bathroom to shower leaving the suitcase by the door.
"This is all your fault, Garnet," shouted Pearl.
"Well your plan of showing Steven the error of his ways didn't work well either," said Garnet.
"Well, excuse me. Here's Garnet the perfect gem with the perfect plan let's threaten Peridot again because that always works," shouted Pearl.
"Guys fighting isn't going to solve anything," said Amethyst.
"It makes me feel better," growled Pearl.
"And that has been your quest for the last 20 years," said Garnet contemptuously.
"That's it, I'm sick of your putdowns!" shouted Pearl as she pulled out her spear.
Garnet formed her gauntlets. As Pearl charged Amethyst tried to push them away. Her reward was to be knocked aside. Enraged Amethyst slammed then both into the bathroom door, crashing them all through. Suddenly in the middle of the fight all three gems found themselves floating in the air. Out stepped a very angry and very soapy Peridot followed by Steven. The green gem floated them out to the living room and dropped them with a thud onto the couch.
Peridot glared at them. A pool of water forming underneath her naked body.
"You held us up in mid-air but how?" cried Pearl.
"Simple I concentrated on the metal in your gems. Now stay still. Steven and I want to have our shower in peace," explained Peridot. "And if you clods try anything I will bubble you myself. Is that clear?"
"You better go first. I'll make sure they don't kill each other," said Steven.
He watched them for the next five minutes. As the sun rose there was a distinctly chilly air, finally Peridot came out fully dressed. Steven made a show of kissing her as he went and had his shower. Peridot watched the gems like a hawk.
"Would it have really been so bad to welcome me into your group?" said Peridot sadly. "To actually try and understand me, maybe even learn something. I don't know if you realize this but you actually hurt Steven. And I don't know if he'll ever truly recover from this."
The gems just sat there looking ashamed.
It was 1 am and Harold Smiley was closing up shop. As the locked up his arcade he heard a soft moaning sound.
"W-who's there?" he called out.
The moan came again. This time it sounded like it came from the back. As he followed the sound into an alley he saw a limp form. The bald man turned on his flashlight and saw Connie Maheswaran lying on the ground. The girl looked beaten up, bruises covered her face and her clothes were torn. It also looked like she had been stabbed. As Smiley rushed to her aid Connie whispered one word. "Steven."
Steven walked slowly up to his suitcases ignoring his old guardians. As he took Peridot's hand, there was a violent knocking at the front door. Steven flung open the door to come face to face with his Dad.
"Steven you gotta leave town," his father looked frightened. "Connie was found by the boardwalk stabbed several times. She's at the hospital and she's claiming you did it."