The Wedding
All right the moment you've been waiting for Steven and Peridot's wedding is here. Don't worry folks this is not the end.
Home World
"What after months of being on the run alone, Peridot was captured by the Crystal Gems and stripped of her limb enhancers?" asked and incredulous Jaundice.
At the other side of the desk Jasper barked an affirmative. She gave a few more barks to tell the rest of her story.
"Then they set her to work on a drill and she destroyed the Cluster herself?"
Jasper barked some more but somehow Jaundice knew what she was saying.
"What do you mean you protected her innocence I never asked that question?"
A series of small yelps followed as Jasper realized her mistake.
"Don't worry Peridot's set into a beautiful young woman. That sounds more like she's found a paramour not kept her innocence. How is it that a rock head like you escaped but my apprentice got left behind?"
But before Yellow Diamond could ask any more questions her paramour burst right in. Tears streamed down her little blue face. "I had a vision, our pebble Peridot was being tortured. There was this male and he -he oh Goddess it happens every night. Jaundice the warp gates are back up we need to send an armada. We need to blow these Crystal Gems out of existence."
Somehow Jaundice was able to keep herself calm. "Jasper is Peridot still living with the gems?"
Another bark affirming it.
"Star I have a feeling Jasper isn't telling us the whole truth. Iwant youto use your past vision on her and find out exactly what happened."
The sight of a petite blue gem reaching for her broke something inside of Jasper. She whimpered backing herself into a corner. When she saw she had nowhere to go Jasper howled in despair. The sound made one of Yellow Diamond's best soldiers to burst in. Seeing such a display of weakness from a Jasper no less disgusted Jaundice.
"Guard take Jasper197 to Starview mental reconditioning center and kindergarten, then bring me Snowflake Obsidian."
"What do you wish of me my lady?" asked a slender black gem with white markings in her body. Her stone was located in the hollow of her throat.
Yellow Diamond said "Snowflake Obsidian I have reason to believe that Peridot is living on Earth with the Crystal Gems. I need your famous discretion to seek my apprentice out and effect a rescue."
"What of the Gemaforming project Yellow Diamond."
"You have been keeping up with intelligence. That project has been shut down thanks to the Crystal Gems. My paramour wants to send an armada in with canons blazing but obviously that action would more likely kill my apprentice than save her. The warp gate to Earth is now open I need you to quietly perform a discrete search and rescue."
"It shall be done Yellow Diamond."
Earth
Before leaving back home the lovers sat on a warp pad. With Jasper back at Home world the situation had changed.
"We should leave the galaxy warp open," stated Peridot.
"But that means any gem can now come now," said a bewildered Steven.
"Precisely, we may have less time now but that means it is less likely they will be sending an armada. Yellow Diamond would be willing and able to blow up the planet to get me let's not give her a reason."
"Still she will be coming and I have no idea what to do."
"I do it's a stupid idea but I can't think of anything better."
When they warped back to the beach house they came to a scene of complete chaos. Greg was frantically shaking a rattle in front of Malachite's face. The baby screamed as it sat on Pearl's lap. Sapphire and Amethyst were nowhere to be seen while Ruby wrung her hair in frustration as she sat in the least flammable part of the house. As it was the tiles were staring to glow a bright red.
"Pearl, did you just paint yourself green?" said a bewildered Peridot.
"Yes I did. It appears that somebody decided to stay out all night and poor Malachite was freaked out. I had to do something to calm her down."
"Yeah, we need to borrow the escape pod for a couple of days," said an embarrassed Steven. "Can you watch Malachite during that time."
The dead eyed stares directed at the couple answered the question.
"Okay it looks like we're taking Malachite with us to the communications hub," said Peridot with a forced smile.
Home World
Within hours of assigning Snowflake to Earth Jaundice received her first bit of intelligence.
"Are you on Earth already? That was quick," said Yellow Diamond.
"No but I just received a transmission that I think you must see," replied Snowflake.
The holoscreen flickered as Peridot's transmission appeared. The youngster was wearing a different symbiote a blue one and her limb enhancers were indeed gone.
"Dearest Matron Yellow Diamond," said Peridot. "I am transmitting to you on all available frequencies. I am presently residing with the Crystal Gems on Earth. They are treating me well. Seeing how I was trapped on this planet, the Crystal Gems and I destroyed the Cluster.
All hope is not lost, the Cluster prototypes and several corrupted gems currently reside on the Earth. I will use my skills to treat them and make them battle ready."
Jaundice could hear a male voice off scene, "She wants you," it said.
Peridot placed an underdeveloped gemling on her hip. The thing was green and had Jasper's markings. What in the name of the lady was going on?
"This is Malachite, the offspring of Jasper and Lapis Lazuli. I am acting as this gemling's guardian as Lapis died during extraction and Jasper was in no condition to care for her. Presently I am using my robiniods to rebuild the infrastructure of this planet. I have grown to care for this place and have found some measure of happiness."
It must be some sort of trick. Her pebble was cold, ruthless and efficient. This Peridot was actually thoughtful and caring. With a firm line set on her mouth Jaundice marched towards Starview.
Earth
"Wow," said Greg. "That was, I can't describe it. How will this make things better?"
"She was coming anyway. This way she might not blow this planet to oblivion," said Peridot coldly.
"Is the Galaxy warp active again? Oh no! We are so dead. We gotta destroy it," panicked Amethyst.
Steven said firmly, "No far from it. If we destroy the galaxy warp they will send ships and we barely held ourselves with a small scout ship crewed with only 2 people. No, we are going to relocate the temple gems to the prime kindergarten and then Peridot and I are moving there. That should give you some time to escape."
Pearl was shocked, "Steven the Kindergarten is a desolate hell hole. It will take weeks to make it habitable and to move all the bubbled gems."
"It is also a safe distance away from any human habitation. Time is of the essence we need to work quickly," said Peridot firmly. "Here's what we're going to do….."
As so Peridot told them of her plans to ensure their safety and to convert the Kindergarten into a modern medical facility. Steven listened with half an ear if he was to have any life together with his lover he needed to plan for his future.
On the other side of the world Snowflake and her army of surveillance equipment landed on the planet earth. When the black gem left the warp pad she immediately set to work.
Snowflake spoke her assorted robiniods, "Unit alpha get into low Earth orbit and scan for any gem based activity, beta squad scan the immediate area and find a suitable location to set up base. Gamma scan any Earth based transmissions. We will convene in one Earth rotation at the new base."
Home world
Jaundice the scalpel marched straight into Starview. The sight of an angry diamond made the staff shudder. Ignoring the stares Yellow Diamond went right up to the receptionist. She barked an order to locate Jasper and when the poor gem a fluorite stammered a reply the angry matron marched right on in.
When she got to Jasper's room, she burst right through the door. Jasper was undergoing some sort of treatment as she was wrapped in a healing cylinder. The now doglike creature had the sense to be afraid.
"Tell me Jasper in your time with Peridot who was the citizen and who was the minor?" asked Jaundice coolly.
Jasper whimpered not even trying to communicate this time. She shuddered in cylinder.
"Because I've just received a transmission from Peridot. It seems she's now an adolescent matron taking care of your offspring. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
You were supposed to escort my apprentice to Earth and back safely. Instead she's all alone and trapped on Earth by the enemy. You're lucky that Peridot was able to disable the Cluster or you'd both be dead right now.
Did you know my paramour Star Sapphire is crying right now? She's being assaulted of visions of our pebble being tortured. She's defective so her future vision only works on people she loves. Can you imagine how she must feel right now?"
Jasper gave a few whimpers in reply. The doglike creature looked even smaller.
"Enough of your lies. I heard the same thing from Peridot's transmission. When we retrieve my apprentice we will determine your fate. I didn't even want to send you to Earth there was another Jasper I had in mind. One more intelligent than you but younger. You may be an idiot but you were right about one thing. Peridot has set into a beautiful young woman. Something as her Matron I should've seen."
Earth
Snowflake's eyes widened as she read the report. The speckled gem had found an abandoned farmhouse and set up camp there. Now set up in a comfy work chair she could see the results of Alpha unit's work. There was gem based activity all over the North American continent thanks to Peridot's robiniods. The technician had been very busy. The black gem tried a different tack.
"Blue eyes, stealth mode scan for minor Peridot using the image from the Earth based transmission," ordered Snowflake. "Alpha unit scan Earth transmissions and set up language files on the dominant language here."
Meanwhile after doing a preliminary scan of the prime kindergarten the young technician had returned back to the beach house. Her lover was busy on the computer while Malachite played quietly on the floor. As she kissed him he turned round.
"I've just found a university near the prime kindergarten and am applying to enter there," said Steven. "Dad's trying to sell the carwash."
"Well I'll leave you to it. I'm going to take Malachite for some clothes shopping after which we'll go down to that new coffee shop. I'm going to see if they have anything approaching hot Jalla there."
Vidalia looked out at her new coffee shop surveying the scene. Her life had changed so much in the past few months since the world broke. From the disappearance of her abusive husband, to the rebuilding of her hometown and acquiring the Mommy's Mocha she owed so much to the gems. In front of Vidalia new mothers sat and played with their babies while they socialized and drank coffee. The bulb haired woman was proud of her baby themed place and that for once in some small way she was helping out her community. If only something like this existed when Sour Cream was born.
One young mother interested her in particular. The green gem Peridot sat on a chair sipping her coffee while her striped daughter played on the floor with the other babies. As the door opened she could see the new improved Steven. The young man had literally grown up overnight. He was now tall, hairy and burly. His hair was now long and caught up in a man bun making him look very sexy. He bent down had said something in gemmish to his lover. As the couple talked softly Vidalia couldn't couldn't hear everything but thanks to her old friendship with Amethyst she understood a lot. Words such as future, moving out and time. When they kissed she knew she had to do something to help them and she had just the thing. Ignoring her young son Onion as he raced out of the coffee shop, Vidalia's head spun with romantic wedding plans.
Little Onion ran as fast as he could to the beach sobbing. He had always found Steven to be cool and when he saw Peridot, Onion fell in love. Though they pair had gotten big and were now a mommy and daddy he couldn't believe it. At least not until they kissed. It was so gross and the little boy's dreams were dashed. When he found an isolated patch of sand he started bawling. As he was curled up on the sand he felt a shadow fall on him. Looking up he saw a huge pink lion, one of the many reasons why Steven was so cool.
"I can help you, you know," stated the lion.
Unbelievable it talked. Onion wiped away the tears and snot away. He looked up now interested.
The lion continued, "I can make you like Steven and then Peridot will love you instead. You can become Malachite's daddy. Come with me and I'll tell you more."
And so the young vulnerable boy followed Rose Quartz into the second stage of her plan.
As they were walking home Steven whispered in Peridot's ear "How about after we put Malachite down for the night I get out the shag rug."
Later on in Steven's bedroom Peridot lay on a thick shag rug in her symbiote trying to look as seductive as possible. She heard the door open. Getting ready she turned over on her back and closed her eyes.
"Dr. Feelgood, your patient is ready for her treatment."
She felt Steven's head rest on her belly and his hands poke and prod. That was new. Opening her eyes, she saw not Steven but Lion. Peridot screamed sending the entire household running to hers and Steven's room.
"Peri what's, bad lion, bad," scolded Steven. He grabbed Lion by the scruff of his neck and forced him outside the house.
Outside after the doors had closed and the entire family was inside. Rose walked a little distance away out of sight, shifted back into her true form and did a little dance. Peridot was pregnant and the baby was doing very, very well. It was like technician was designed to give birth which of course she was.
The next few days were busy for all concerned. Peridot when not tending Malachite, she was busy making designs for the new hospital in the old prime kindergarten. While the rest of the gems prepped the bubbled gems for travel to their new home. Greg himself went to the real estate brokers and then got the carwash ready to sell. Meanwhile Vidalia with stars in her eyes set her plan into motion.
"Hello Mayor Dewey," said Vidalia through the phone. "What with all the recent tragedy what this town, hell the world, need is something to celebrate. I've got just the thing…" and Vidalia told the mayor of her romantic plans of a surprise wedding for Steven and Peridot.
Because of the fact that he was one of few people Captain Riley was already well on his way to Beach City in the USS Maryweather. When it became obvious that Peridot's robots held great potential the president herself ordered the Captain to complete relief work on the Falklands and make contact with Peridot's family in Beach City.
"Do whatever you can to befriend the young gem," she said. "You are the first authority figure she has ever seen. Use that to get her restart her reconstruction efforts in America at least. Remember the nation is depending on you."
So when he got an unexpected call from the mayor of Beach City, the grizzled veteran of 2 wars was intrigued.
"Hello is this Captain Mitchell Riley," asked the mayor. The man sounded like a fool. "Yes, I'm Mayor Dewey of the famous Beach City. We would like you to take part in an important wedding celebration for Steven and Peridot."
"Wedding celebration? But the last time I looked they were the equivalent of 14 years old," said Riley.
"Alien kids these days. They grow up so fast. Did you know that they've also had a baby as well?"
Well that would explain why Peridot had stopped reconstruction efforts. The girl was probably too busy with baby to do any work. Still he had his orders.
"Tell me more," smiled Riley diplomatically.
Home world
Jaundice sat ramrod straight at her desk awaiting the next report from Snowflake.
"This is Snowflake Obisidian reporting from abandoned gem colony Earth," said the view screen as it flickered to life. "Due to the aborted emergence of the Cluster the planet has been devastated resulting in a set-back in my search minor Peridot."
"Has Peridot been keeping a low profile and avoiding the natives like I trained her to?" questioned Yellow Diamond.
There was an uncomfortable silence. On the other side of the Galaxy, Snowflake looked at a small statue of Peridot sitting on a robiniod. "Not exactly. It appears that Peridot has taken it upon herself to rebuild this world piece by piece. All the gem based activity on the planet seems to be Peridot's robiniods and they are everywhere."
"Well then find the area that was reconstructed first," ordered Yellow Diamond through the communicator. "Many changes have happened to my apprentice but one thing I do know the pebble likes her comfort."
Earth
Amethyst was freaking out. Oh sure finding out Peridot was a space princess and that Yellow Diamond was her matron was bad enough but it was the behavior of the townsfolk that got her on edge. Everywhere the purple gem went people were smiling and waving at her. She could hear the whispers of the townsfolk as she passed almost as if they were plotting something.
And she wasn't the only one Peridot noticed something was off as well. Out of the blue Connie Steven's old girlfriend had invited the green gem to try on some dresses. And then there was the arrival of the USS Maryweather in Beach City's harbor. The Captain had this big smile on his face and acted all chummy-chummy. Man, would she be glad to go home tonight.
As soon as Amethyst got home she poured her heart out on the rooftop during evening coffee time. All the gems looked shocked except for Peridot.
The green gem stroked her chin, "Hmm I've been noticing the odd behavior too and I find it disturbing. Steven when the Kindergarten is habitable we should move to Kingsport right away."
"Well I've got good news on my front. I finally sold the carwash," said a flustered Greg.
"I've found a place for us to live," stated Sapphire. "How does a small romantic Mediterranean island sound?"
Ruby squealed in delight, "Malta, I love Malta. Greg you are going to love it. There are white sand beaches and a small romantic temple there. It has all the comforts of home and best of all the inhabitants speak English."
"Oh and Steven I'm setting up a patent for a fusion generator so we won't be short of money," chirped Pearl.
Steven smiled, "That's great Pearl. Peridot and I have hollowed out a holding chamber for the bubbled gems. We can transport the gems to the Kindergarten now."
Snowflake took Yellow Diamond's advice to heart. Very quickly she found the Crystal Gems' hideaway in a small fishing city. As she surveyed the city she could see that Yellow Diamond's apprentice was very busy indeed. Thanks to the youngster's efforts rebuilding this Beach City the town had a happy almost festive appearance. The townsfolk were grateful indeed. There beside a ruined temple stood a large building where Peridot, her pet humans and the crystal gems lived. It appeared the rebels were mobilizing an evacuation and would be ready to leave any day now. She had to act fast.
"Hey I have never seen anybody as beautiful as you," said a voice behind her.
Snowflake turned around to see a young adult male. The human was pale skinned and had unusually sharp features.
The human continued, "And those markings they are so beautiful. My name's Sour Cream what's yours?"
Snowflake was flattered. On Home world her flaws were seen as a sign of her mortality that she wasn't worth the time. Never before had she been called beautiful even when she was a brothel dancer.
"My name's Snowflake. Tell me is there some sort of celebration happening here?"
"Oh yeah, my Mom's organizing this surprise wedding for Steven and Peridot as a way of thanking them. This may seem very forward but would you like to be my date for the event?"
"I would be honored to and I'll even help with the festivities."
"Are you a wedding planner?"
"Well let's just say it's my job is to fix things."
Under Obsidian's care the wedding plans went quickly. By day Snowflake was helping with the wedding, designing dresses and helping set up the perfect ambush. By night she was doing her real job of reporting to Yellow Diamond and monitoring the Crystal Gems.
Home world
Jaundice and Star Sapphire sat on their quarter's floor waiting for Snowflake's report. Both matrons were frazzled with the emotional strain of the past few days. Suddenly a holo screen jerked to life.
"This is Snowflake Obsidian reporting from Crystal Gem occupied settlement Beach City. The Crystal Gems are preparing to evacuate in preparation for your arrival. Presently they are residing in a human domicile beside their ruined temple.
As for Beach City although there are 2 military units on site. The humans' primitive technology should only provide minimal resistance. The atmosphere of the place is festive as they are planning a formal cohabitation ceremony for Peridot and her human mate. I have infiltrated the planning committee and have made plans to incapacitate the Gems and prepare an ambush right at the ceremony itself.
I'm sending you my plans now. The ceremony and ambush should happen a little over one tral. Snowflake Obsidian out."
Earth
After all the bubbled gems were safely in the kindergarten, the Crystal Gems took a much needed break. Steven was getting ready for an early night when Peridot came in.
"Steven I was practicing shape shifting and I discovered this," said Peridot proudly.
His lover looked so different. Somehow she had changed the color of her skin to a pale greenish white. If not for the gem on her forehead she looked exactly like a human.
"This means I can now hide in a crowd. We can go wherever we like without being bothered by anybody now," continued Peridot.
"C'mere you this calls for a celebration," said Steven as he hauled her onto the bed.
Snowflake set her plans into motion. First she made sure that the real estate office had called Mr. Universe and his son over to the old human's carwash. Then she had the patent office call the defective Pearl over. Ruby and Sapphire were presently taking a walk together so they would be easy to deal with. That left Amethyst and Peridot herself to be dealt with. No matter she had a plan for that as well.
Vidalia beamed as she phoned her old friend, "Hey Girlfriend it's been awhile. How about you come over to my new coffee shop with Peridot and her baby. I think I perfected a recipe for hot jalla."
When Greg and Steven reached the old carwash they found the mayor smiling at them. On the door of the old carwash was a bright red bow.
"Steven it must be so hard living with your parents right now and you must be thinking about the future," said Dewey smugly as he guided them inside.
"No, oh no," said Greg softly.
The townsfolk had taken it upon themselves to set up an apartment in the old carwash. A small dingy apartment despite the white walls and decorations. There was a tiny crib in the single bedroom, this was the future that the citizens of Beach City had planned for his son.
Steven clearly uncomfortable said "Mr. Mayor, this is really nice but-"
"Yes it is really nice now you have a job and a place to live with your new wife," interrupted the mayor.
"I'm not married," protested Steven.
"We'll fix that right now," signaled Mayor Dewey.
And with that two large men forced father and son into two tuxedos.
Ruby and Sapphire were walking on the street when two women pulled them aside forced them into two matching white suits. Ruby was getting ready to attack them until Sapphire stopped them.
"The mean no harm Ruby just humor the locals and it will all be over," said Sapphire coldly.
Pearl got the same treatment when she went into the patent office.
Lastly when Amethyst and Peridot went to Mommy's Mocha they found Mrs. Maheswaran, Connie and Vidalia smiling and holding a bridal gown as well as a nice dress for Amethyst. This was too much.
"Vidalia, what is the meaning of this?" said an outraged Amethyst.
As the Maheswaran women swarmed Peridot a dark figure smiled and slunk off.
"This is Snowflake Obisidian I have incapacitated the Crystal Gems and proceeding with phase 2. Here are the coordinates of the wedding, the galaxy warp is open and awaiting your arrival."
Home World
Yellow Diamond stood with her best soldiers at the warp pad. Her face was set in a grim line. "You heard the Obsidian soldiers what are you waiting for a written invitation? Go, go, go."
In no time flat they were at the ruined temple.
"Agate 1572, activate your super bubbles over the army camp and the battleship. The rest of you follow me," barked Jaundice.
Earth
The humans had really done it this time. After the manhandling of the Maheswarans Peridot found herself in a frilly sleeveless gown like the one Rose Quartz used to wear. They had even shaped her hair into long ringlets just like Steven's dead mother. It was tasteless in the extreme. To make matters worse Captain Riley took her firmly by the arm. He must have been in his dress uniform.
"Captain Riley we need to discuss something" said Peridot.
Only to be cut off by Riley's finger to her lips, "Later we have your wedding to attend."
So this was what the humans were planning all along. Oblivious to her protests the grizzled captain marched her down to the reception hall. The entire room was decorated with flowers and streamers no doubt the humans' idea of romantic. Inside it seemed like the entire town stood expectantly waiting as the reluctant bride was marched down the aisle. At the end Steven and the rest of the gems in some sort of formal wear stood waiting for her.
As she was placed beside Steven she heard him whisper, "They set up the carwash for us."
Peridot turned her head with a start, ignoring the sanctimonious mayor's speech. It was time to stop this.
It was time to stop this outrage. Jaundice and her soldiers moved through unchallenged to the reception hall. When they got there they found the entire building guarded by one stout blonde female. The stupid creature smiled up at her not realizing the danger she was in.
"I am Yellow Diamond Matron ruler of the Gem Matrix, Matron to technician Peridot" announced Jaundice.
Another stupid smile, "We are honored you could come to this Joyous event of Steven and Peridot's wedding. Tell me would you like the fish or the chicken for the reception dinner?"
Tears streamed down Greg's eyes as he was forced to watch. This was the last thing he wanted for his son. While it is true Peridot was his son's true match Greg did not want his son to be married so soon. The entire town had decided to set the young couple up in his old carwash and planned their entire life together.
Peridot looked bewildered and frightened as she wore a white dress similar to the one his first wife first had when Greg first met her. It did not suit her.
He could barely hear the sermon that Mayor Dewey gave after Riley gave Peridot to Steven. The boy and he was still a boy was terrified.
"…and if any objections to why these two people should not be joined in matrimony let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Peridot pulled the microphone from Dewey's hand, "I do. Citizens of Beach City you have gone to a lot of trouble to set up this ritual but I realize now that in order for any relationship to work it must be based on the truth and not some pretty fantasy. You see I am not some great hero who decided to save the Earth out of the goodness of my gem. I helped save the world because I was stuck on this planet nothing more. And while I love Steven with all my being, Malachite is not my daughter she is the child of Lapis Lazuli a gem who died in childbirth. Look it up in Keep Beach City Weird people.
Captain Riley I know the US military is trying to weaponize the robiniods in preparation for the Gem Matrix. Stop it, the Gem Matrix has weapons capable of destroying entire star systems. We could have taken over this Earth many times over but we saw no reason too. If you attack you will force my people's hand and you will start a war you can't possibly win.
This isn't even what we want. Steven got a full scholarship a Miskatonic University. He wants to become a psychiatrist and I will support him but not as his wife, not yet. I myself am a -how do I put it- a medical technician. I had planned to treat the corrupted gems in the temple. Steven's father Greg sold the carwash to help raise money for his son so that we could have somewhere to live in Kingsport.
Lastly I am not just some minor technician who somehow got trapped on Earth. I am the apprentice to Yellow Diamond herself ruler of the Gem Matrix. You had all created this beautiful fairytale where the young hero rescues the princess and they all live happily ever after but this is reality. Life keeps going on and the adventure never stops. Just let us sort our own life out."
"Spoken like the heir to my title," said a tall yellow gem. "Guards retrieve my apprentice and take the crystal gems into custody."
Ruby and Sapphire tried to fuse only to be stopped by the clothes they were wearing. In desperation Ruby heated herself up.
"Sapphire my suit's made of asbestos," cried Ruby as the guards seized them.
When Peridot was brought before her Matron Jaundice looked at her apprentice. "So you formed a sexual alliance with this young male in order to survive."
The young technician blushed.
Jaundice added softly, "Good girl, you took my orders to heart. Tell me who is this young man you bonded with."
Peridot fiddled with a strange ring on her finger, "Nobody, he's just some kind human."
Tears formed in Steven's eyes as Peridot left the building and his life.
Not the end people. There will be more. I know this is no longer canon but I tried to put the gems in the worst case scenario. And what could be worse than having a vengeful mother out for your blood.