Author: Greetings! The story was limited by the author responsibilities of the author. However, it should be-

Greg: Uhh, I know its been a while but why are you talking like that?

Author: Thesis... thesis happened. I'm done with it though. Done with university!

Greg: Congratulations!

Pearl: Thesis?

Author: Its a long story. I'll tell you guys while the story progresses.

Greg couldn't be happier and he couldn't ask for more. He has a wonderful son, a caring girlfriend and he's surrounded by supportive friends. To him, his life was perfect and this day was perfect. It was a sunny day and they all decided to relax on the beach. Amethyst and Peridot were out in the water, Garnet was sunbathing and he, Steven and Pearl were constructing a large sandcastle. They were putting the extra details on the structure when Steven looked at him happily.

"Wow dad, you're really good at this!" He praised.

"I agree. Your sandcastle-building skills are superb, dear." Pearl agreed.

"I'm not that good..."

"Sure you are dad! In fact, you're awesome at so many things! You're the best dad ever!" Steven exclaimed.

"I agree! You're the best, love!" Pearl exclaimed as she hugged Greg from behind.

"Oh, uhh. Thanks... That really means a lot." Greg replied as he blushed slightly.

Greg felt as though he was the happiest man alive. He's life is perfect and to him, nothing can ruin it. He has been through a lot before and now its time for him to finally relax and not worry. Surely nothing can ruin his day-nothing can ruin his perfect life.

He suddenly felt a slight tremor. He chalked it up as a weak earthquake at first but it grew stronger and stronger. Everyone was on their toes; aware that this could lead to danger.

"It's the cluster!" Peridot exclaimed in a panicked tone.

"Wha- It's here!" Greg asked in disbelief.

"We have to get to the drill now!" Pearl exclaimed as she ran with the rest of the gems towards the direction of the barn.

Greg held onto his son in an attempt to stop him from following the others. The ground shifted below them and the gems lost their balance. A fissure formed beneath Pearl's feet. She was not able to react quickly as the crack suddenly grew and she plummeted towards the abyss.

"Pearl no!" Greg cried out.

More cracks formed beneath the other gems. Steven, upon seeing what happened to Pearl rushed to the other's aid to make sure they're okay. The ground shifted again and as a result he was slowly slipping towards one of the fissures. Greg rushed towards his son in an attempt to save him. Steven called out to him and the rest of the gems as he held onto the edge for dear life. Greg was just a couple of meters away from his son when his fingers slipped.

"Daaad!" Steven called out as he fell.

"Steven! Noooo!"

"Are you alright?" Pearl asked as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Greg woke up in a cold sweat. He was panting heavily and there were still some tears in his eyes. He stared at Pearl for a while before hugging her. "I'm so glad you're okay..."

Pearl, despite her confusion returned his hug. "Yes, why wouldn't I be? What did you dream about?"

"That I... I lost everything..."

"Oh Greg-" She was cut off by a slight shaking.

He looked at her worryingly. He recalled his dream. Is it really going to happen?

"Another tremor..." Pearl said under her breath.

"Another?"

"There was a slight earthquake while you slept. You were thrashing in your covers. You wouldn't wake up and I couldn't just leave you." She told him.

"Then stay..." He said weakly.

"You know I can't do that. Stay safe, Greg. I need to make sure Steven and the others are alright. That might be..." She stopped, unable to continue her statement.

"The cluster." Greg said in reply.

Pearl nodded before running out of the van.

Greg followed her with his gaze for a long while, unsure of what else to do. He eventually broke out of his trance and managed to get dressed and rushed towards the barn to make sure that his son is safe. However, just like in his nightmare,a huge crack forms in between him and his intended destination. He tried to find a way around it but the fissure kept growing longer with every second and he wasn't fast enough to catch up with it. He might be able to do so if he were to drive but the tremors could slow him down and besides, he has no time to get the van anyway. Jumping across it was not an option either; the break was too big and he will not be able to get a good footing with all of the shaking.

With no other options left, he ran back to safety. As he ran, he tried to recall all of the stories that his son has shared and how he managed to conquer all his adversaries before. His son has been on so many dangerous missions and he survived all of them without getting critically injured. He tried to take comfort in his knowledge that his son had faced dangers before, that the Crystal Gems will never let anything bad happen to Steven and the entire planet for that matter. Still, he couldn't help but worry. As a parent to Steven and as a friend to the Crystal Gems, he couldn't help but be concerned for their well-being.

He can't do anything to help them though. Except maybe to have hope and trust that they'll all pull through like they always do.

The shaking lasted a while. Greg tried to dodge the cracks that continuous to form beneath him. "It will stop soon. Steven and the others will resolve this..." He muttered under his breath.

The wait was grueling. There were some moments when he doubted that the ground would stop shaking and his world will really end. He had thought about that before-what he would really do and think if the earth were to be destroyed. He wouldn't really be able to do anything about it. If it was time, it was time. There are just some things that are beyond his control. He and the gems have already defied the 'natural order' plenty of times. The Crystal Gems did go against their intended 'purpose', he had a forbidden relationship with a gem-twice and in one of those he even had a son. True, humans and gems can defy their conditioning and define their destiny but they cannot control everything that happens. In this instance, the gems might, but he himself is powerless against fate. At least, he'll die happy. Sure, there are still many things he wants to do in life but he is satisfied. He's content.

The shaking soon stopped and it was then that Greg knew that the Crystal Gems did it. they stopped the cluster. He was unable to process what just happened. He couldn't believe it. They actually stopped it; they managed to save humanity once again. After registering it all. He rushed towards the barn once again. Surely nothing can ruin his day.

Author: Yep, there's the chapter. There's gonna be a few more in the future but I have already planned them all out.

Pearl: This isn't gonna take as long as last time, right?

Author: Hopefully not. I'll still be pretty busy though. With all of the job applications and all that. Ugh... It sucks being an adult.

Greg: Its necessary though. We all have to grow up sometime.

Author: Yeah... Well, if you'll excuse me I need to work on my CV.