Chapter 8: Betrayal part 2
Dear Lapis,
This is important. If you are reading this the plan has officially begun. I am working on a secret plan on stopping the Gara Droids with Steven and the others. Gien himself is here on Earth. It will involve them getting trapped, but I won't let anyone get killed. That's where you come in. I need you to follow the layout of the ship I also left in the envelope. I need you to follow the areas I have circled. The circled areas are the spots where someone is being held captive. Each Gara Soldier holds a key to the restraining collars. Also Steven is being held in a special cell since he can go throught the regular ones. A passcode is required and I know it, it's 75923. While you are doing this, I am placing disruptors around the ship in hopes we can get control of it. The location of the ship is located on layouts I left. Please hurry Lapis, we need your help.
Sincerely,
Peridot
Lapis couldn't believe what she just read. But there was time to think or waste. She formed her wings and hurried over there.
At the mountains near the base
Lapis was near the entrence of Gien's ship. From the note Peridot left her, they were all trapped inside there. She entered inside the cave. As she went in she saw two Gara Soldiers standing in front of the entrence. She hid behind a rock. She was scared of these soldiers, but she was more scared for Steven's safety. Now forming a serious face she jumps out confronting them. The Gara Soldiers see her and form there spears now coming towards her. Using her water powers, she can form some water of her own and formed some into ice stalactites. She throws it at them to impale them. It kills one of them, but the other dodges and opens its face to fire it's eye beams at her. Lapis gets hit and falls onto her back. As the Gara Soldier draws closer to her about to impale her with it's spear, she acted quickle and summoned more water into a big hand. The water hand grabs the soldier and crushes until it explodes into pieces.
With both the soldiers down, she went inside the ship. But not before she could find a key to the collars on one of them. According to Peridot's note, each Gara soldier carried one collar along with a key for it. But when she tried to open the door it required a hand print of a Gara Droid. So she took one of the broken hands and used it to gain access. She enters inside and followed the layout of the ship. She was in stealth mode and was not seen by any soldiers that were roaming the area. Soon she got to her first spot, which was the storage room. Steven's sword was in there. She enters inside as see's the sword on a table. She goes to get it, but then she heard foot steps coming towards the room. She quickly hid behind some boxes. The door opens and it was Gara Soldier getting more spears from the room. After it leaves, Lapis gets out of there. The next spot was Steven's cell. She entered the code and the door opened. In there she found Steven sitting on the floor.
Steven: ( smiling) Lapis.
Lapis: Steven.
Lapis runs towards to hug him.
Lapis: Are you okay? I heard what happened and it involved you being trapped and...
Steven: I'm fine don't worry. Do you have it?
Lapis takes out a key for his collar and unlocks it. He also gives him his sword back along with a layout of the ship.
Steven: Okay, so this where we're at right now. So now we have to get the others out too.
Lapis: Steven what is going on? This secret plan of yours. When did this happen?
Steven: Well, it all started four hours earlier.
Four hours earlier at the temple.
Peridot: I have some more information on Gien.
Everyone gathered around to hear.
Garnet: What is it? Please tell us.
Peridot at first was about to lie to them and follow Gien's plan. But after thinking about it hard, she couldn't do it.
Peridot: I, well, I...
Steven: What's wrong Peridot?
Peridot begins to tear up.
Peridot: I-I can't do this. I can't turn you guys in.
Steven: What are you talking?
Peridot: Gien himself is here and he wanted me to lure you all into his trap.
Everyone is then shocked to here this.
Steven: He's here?
Pearl: When did this happen?
Peridot: Last night while Steven was taking Lapis out.
Bismuth: Oh so now there leader wants to take us on face to face.
Amethyst: But what was that part about you luring us to a trap?
Garnet: And why did he come to you?
Peridot: Because...because he made me.
Peridot looked up and all the gems had surprised looks on there faces, but remained silent.
Peridot: I lied. I'm not a real Peridot, I am a clone of him.
Pearl: A clone?
Peridot: Yes, thousands of years ago when the rebellion was at it's peak, you three along with Rose Quartz were supposedly there when you broke into his lab. He was a Peridot labeled XJ9.
They tried to remember for a moment until it rang a bell to them.
Garnet: I remember now, he was that same Peridot that attacked us with that droid.
Peridot: Yes and you all tried to kill her.
Pearl: She attacked us first and Rose actually tried to save her after she was injured.
Peridot: Wait what? Gien told me that you left her there to die.
Bismuth: No it's true, I was there. Rose didn't want to leave her, but more were coming and I had force her out of there.
Peridot: Well he certainly wasn't completely honest with me.
Steven: So he cloned himself so you would be his follower?
Peridot: Yes, I served him, I was his apprentice. I helped him expand his Gara Droid army and helped him take over planets. He taught me everything I know.
Steven: Why didn't you tell us before?
Peridot: Because I was too scared to tell you and I was ashamed for what I did. After everything we've been through trying to deal with the Cluster, I felt like I really belonged. I know we started off bad, but you all grew on me and I was happy to be apart of this team. But I felt that if I told you where I really came from or what I did, you would reject me and maybe bubble or shatter me. That's what he told me last night. He was trying tell me that I don't belong here, that you guys were never my friend and were just using me and that because he made me that I should only listen to him. I almost went through with his plan, but i can't do it. I understand if you guys hate me now for this.
No one said anything at first. But then Amethyst stepped up to talk to her and places her hand on her shoulder.
Amethyst: Per, listen to me. I know what's that like. I wasn't made by a psycho, but I was made from a dark past as well. You know that I am what's left from the kindergarten. Because of this, sometimes I don't consider myself a Crystal Gem. I often wish I was with them when the rebellion started. But despite where I was from, that doesn't mean that I want to go taking over planets. This is my home and these are my friends. It's who I choose to be and that is what matters.
Then Pearl stepped up.
Pearl: I was a servent to the Diamond court. I wasn't aloud to think for myself or say anytning unless permited. That changed when Rose came. But sometimes I think that no matter how hard I try I am still just a pearl and that I'm useless on my own.( looks at Garnet) But I soon learned that it shouldn't defy who I am. I am my own gem and I belong to nobody.
Garnet nodded for what she said. Now Bismuth stepped up.
Bismuth: I was made to build areans, sphires and towers. I couldn't build anthing else until Rose showed up. She asked me what I wanted to build. Gems don't usually hear what they decide to be. That's why I chose to build weapons to take down those uppercrusts.
Finally Garnet stepped up.
Garnet: I am a fusion of two different gems in a relationship. Cross fusion is forbiddon on Homeworld. But as Ruby and Saphirre spent time on Earth, they chose to stay fused, not for power, but because they loved each other. You see Peridot, there's nothing wrong with where you came from. I am glad you told us this and just because we know what you really are, it doesn't mean we'll hate you for it. If you didn't tell us anything about the Cluster, the Earth would have been destroyed and Gien would have won. It doesn't matter where you come from, the only thing that matters is that who you choose to be now and you chose to be yourself and to be a Crystal Gem. I'm glad you stepped away from the dark path. Don't ever let others decide who you are. He may have created you, but that doesn't mean that he controls you or owns you.
Peridot is taking in all the words now feeling good about this and looks at Steven.
Steven: You're one of us now Peridot. We couldn't be more proud of you.
Steven then hugs her and she hugs him back.
Peridot: ( sniffs) Wow, thanks.
Then they let go.
Garnet: But you said that he's expecting you to betray us right?
Peridot: Yes and he gave me the location of his ship.
Garnet: So then why don't we trick him into winning and take him down from the inside?
Then they all smirk on the idea.
Steven: So what's the plan?
Peridot: I think I have one, but it might involve you all being captured.
Amethyst: That's cool, not the first time we've been placed into space jail.
And so Peridot discusses the plan to everyone to take down the Gara Droids.
Back to the Present in Gien's Ship
Steven: So here we are at this point of the plan.
Lapis: So where's Peridot now?
Steven: She's placing the disruptors on certain parts of the ship. Maybe we can take control of it when it launches. But we can't waste time now, we got to find the others.
Lapis: Right.
Steven and Lapis exit out of the room and heads towards the prison room where the others are being held.
Meanwhile Peridot was going around the ship and placing disruptors at certain areas. As she kept moving forward she overheard an arguement and took a peek from the halls.
Bomber: WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE ESCAPED?! WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THIS HAPPENED?!
Acha:( sounding scared) W-Well you, you see B-Bo-Bomber the Great I-I...
Bomber: SHUT UP!
Bomber then started punching the walls until his fist went through it.
Bomber: Morons! I'm surrounded by morons!
Bomber than fires his arm cannon at them, but they dodged before the blast could hit them
Acha: But, but you see it, it wasn't my fault. I mean Kocha here was the one supposed to watch.
Kocha: Don't blame me for this, you were supposed get the Gara Soldier to watch.
Acha: And who's fault was that for not waiting?
Bomber than grabbed the both of them by throat and brought them to his face.
Bomber: ( in a calm tone) Listen you two, you will go and find the boy and bring him back here. If you don't I will use the both of you for target practice. (now screaming at their faces) UNDERSTAND?!
Acha and Kocha: ( in a scared tone) Yes Bomber the Great.
Bomber lets go of them and they run off to find Steven. Peridot continues to find spots for the disruptors, but she didn't notice Bomber saw her and so he followed her.
At the prison area two Gara Soldiers were guarding the prison room where the others were in. The heard a noise and the two soldiers went to go investigate. The only thing the gems could hear was brief fight. But thirty seconds later, Steven and Lapis entered the room. Smiles then formed on their faces.
Steven: Hang on guys, we're busting out of here.
Meanwhile Peridot continued placing disruptors.
Peridot: Last one.
But before she could place it, Bomber along with four Gara Soldiers snatched it away from behind.
Bomber: I'll take that. What do we have here?
Bomber examins it.
Bomber: A disruptor? Why would you place these in the ship? I sense a traitor among us.
Peridot acting quickly tried to fire her limb enhancer laser, but Bomber moves her arm away and punches her in the stomach. Peridot then falls to her knees.
Bomber: I knew you'd betray us somehow. Let's see what your master thinks.
The Gara Soldiers grab Peridot by the arms and they take her to see Gien.
Meanwhile back with Steven.
Steven: Alright, everyone's all here?
Amethyst: Yeah dude.
Pearl: Well I have to say it was kinda fun pretending to lose.
Bismuth: Yeah, but now lets show those uppercrust scrap heaps we mean Bismuth.
Ruby: You ready to fuse.
Sapphire: Only if you are.
Ruby and Sapphire fuse back into Garnet.
Garnet:( placing her shades back on) Let's find Peridot and stop Gien.
Steven: Right.
They made there way to Gien's control room. Steven was in front of him and as he mad a turn in the hallway he bumped into Acha and Kocha.
Acha: Ah ha. I found you lad. Now be a good boy and come with me or I'll use this gem destabilizer on you.
Steven: Do it then.
Kocha: Did you not hear him? He said he'll use it on you. It's painful.
Steven: Not for me it isn't.
Acha: You're bluffing.
Steven opens his arms wide.
Steven: Then do it.
Acha: You asked for it.
Acha uses the gem destabilzer on Steven, but has no effect. In fact it tickles him.
Steven: Hahahahaha that tickles.
Acha: What the?
Acha uses it again.
Steven: Stop it, hahahahaah, I'm gonna pee.
Acha uses it again.
Steven: Hahahaha, stop, hahahahahaha.
Acha: Urgh! This is impossible, you're supposed to poof after one touch. How is it not working?
Garnet: Because he isn't a full gem.
Acha not paying attention gets the destabilzer taken away by Garnet and she breaks it.
Garnet: Alright you two, play times over.
The others than stand behind Steven glaring at them.
Kocha: Do something stupid.
Acha: Uh, I, uh, I think I left the tea pot on.
Acha takes Kocha and runs away. The others just stand and watch for a minute.
Pearl: What would he make tea for?
Bismuth: I'm surprised he even knows what that is.
Amethyst: Who wrote this guys dialogue?
Garnet: Let's focus, we have find Peridot.
As the Crystal Gems raced through the ship to find Peridot, they came across the containment area where the corrupted gem was.
Steven: Wait, look.
They saw through the glass door the chameleon gem monster chained and hurt.
Steven: She looks hurt.
Lapis: This is wrong. Being bubble is one thing, but being held captive against your and being tested on is another.
Bismuth: Should we go in and poof her?
Steven: How about we just let her go?
The gems for a moment didn't understand what he mean, but moments later they did.
Meanwhile in the control room, Peridot is tied up and Bomber tells Gien what she was doing. Gien then approaches her.
Gien: I am very disappointed in you my apprentice. You were trying to take over my ship.
Peridot: I am not you're apprentice anymore.
Gien: Excuse me?
Acha and Kocha burst into the room.
Acha: My lord! The prisoners have escaped!
Kocha: And the Lapis Lazuli is with them too!
Gien: What?
Then he turns around to face Peridot.
Gien: You planned this all along didn't you?
Peridot: Yes I did. They were pretending to be betrayed so we could stop you.
Gien: What possible reason do you have to betray me? I am your master. I am your creator!
Peridot: You may have created me, but you are not my master. You do not own me or decide who I am. You've lied to me from the start. All my life you told me how the Earth is horrible place and how the Crystal Gems are evil when really the only thing horrible and evil are people like you. Or I shouldn't learn to love because it's unfitting emotion. What's wrong with that? You are a sad excuse for a Peridot. I am my own gem and I don't serve you anymore. My name is Peridot and I am a Crystal Gem!
Gien's red eyes open and hits her across the head and she falls to the ground. He slams his foot onto her head slowly beginning to crush her gem.
Gien: Stay down traitor. You've broken the prime rule of the Gara Droids.
Peridot: I am not a Gara Droid.
Gien: No you are not, you are a low life scum that should die for your crimes, but I think I have one last use for you.
Scene then jumps to the Crystal Gems breaking into the main control room.
Gien: Ah, you're here at last.
Garnet: This is the end of the road for you Gien.
Gien: Oh but it is not fusion. You see I have my own trick up my sleeve. Behold!
From above them was Peridot hanging, still tied up and then the floor below her opened and there was a pit down there.
Gien: You see here your friend is about to be dropped into this pit of acid I made specifically to dissolve gems.
Lapis: Peridot!
Steven: You can't do this. You made her.
Gien: And she betrayed me and the Gara Droid cause. She is to be executed. Besides, I'll make another clone, one that is more obediant than this one.
Pearl: Is that how you see her, an expandable gem that can easily be replaced?
Gien: It didn't have to end this way. Now put down your weapons or she dies.
Peridot: Don't do it. Nevermind me, save yourselves.
Gien: Weapons, now!
Bomber: You heard him.
They turned around to see Bomber along with an army of Gara Soldiers. At first it looked like they were surrendering until Garnet lift up her hand with three fingers.
Bomber: W-What are you doing?
Garnet: Three, two, one.
Suddenly the room began to shake and behind the army of Gara Soldiers was the corrupted gem attacking them.
Bomber: The corrupted gem, it's loose.
Acha: Oh no, I'm not going to be lunch again.
Bomber: You come with me, the rest of you destroy them!
Bomber and quarter of the Gara Soldiers fought the monster while the rest of them fought the gems.
Garnet: Lapis, get Peridot down from there.
Lapis: I'm on it.
Lapis flew up and got Peridot down and untied her.
Peridot: Lapis?
Lapis: Are you okay Peridot?
Peridot: ( smiling at her) I'm fine, thanks.
Lapis smiles back at her.
Peridot: Look out!
Peridot pulled Lapis away from Gien's eye beams.
Gien: ( red eyes open) The both of you will die at my hands.
Lapis threw ice stalactites at Gien, but he used his eye beams to destroy them. He went up to Lapis and grabbed by her neck and started to electrocute her.
Lapis: AAAHHHH!
Gien: Hahahaha! Yes let me hear you scream my dear.
Peridot: Leave her alone you clod!
Peridot took one of the spears from the floor and activated the destabilzer part of it and stabs Gien with it.
Gien: AAARRGGGHH!
Gien drops Lapis and falls to the ground. Peridot tries to help her up, but then Gien gets back up and takes the spear out of him and attempts to stab them both. Steven see's this.
Steven: No!
Steven tossed his shield at Gien's head sending him falling back into the acid pit, but as he fell, he grabbed Peridot by the ankle taking her with him.
Peridot: ( falling) AAAAAAHHHHH!
Lapis: Peridot!
Lapis flew down there as fast as she could reaching for Peridot's hand. She caught her, but Gien was still holding on and Lapis couldn't carry all the weight and being dragged down as well.
Gien: HAHAHAHAHA! If I go down I'm taking the both you with me!
Peridot: No yo're not!
Peridot then detached her leg limb enhancer and is free and they watch as Gien falls into the acid.
Gien: ( as he falls into the acid) NOOOOAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!
Gien finally lands into the acid. They shut there eyes at first and all they see left is his limb enhancer arm reaching out and sinking.
They flew back up and caught up with the others. Steven ran towards them.
Steven: Peridot, Lapis you guys made it.
Peridot: Don't worry about us Steven. Nobody messes with us.
Lapis: Exactly.
Peridot removes her limb enhancers and throws them into the pit.
Steven: Peridot, are you really okay with that?
Peridot: I don't need them Steven. I never did.
All the Gara Soldiers in the room have been destroyed while the remaining ones are taking on the gem monster.
Pearl: That's the last of them.
Bismuth: Let the others deal with that gem and we get the heck out of here.
Garnet: Let's move out.
So everybody ran out of Gien's ship and made it back to the temple by the end of the night.
Steven: Oh man, that was insane.
Amethyst: Ah yeah! We showed those Gara Droids who's boss!
Bismuth: That's right. We fooled those Gara uppercrusts good. They really thought they'd win that easy. But nobody messes with the Crystal Gems.
Pearl: Alright you two, let's not go too crazy. We haven't really taken down all of them.
Garnet: Pearl is right, Bomber is still there and as long as he's there, they will still attack us. But congratulations everyone for a job well done.
Steven: Whoo hoo! Let's celebrate with pizza.
Amethyst: Yeah, I'll have six pizzas. One with peanut butter and clams, one with chocolate sprinkles and clam sauce, one with butterscotch and onions with anchovies and three with chocalate sauce, sardines, chili peppers with plenty of whip cream on top.
Pearl: Amethyst that's disgusting.
Amethyst: It's called taste Pearl, you wouldn't understand.
Pearl: ( blushing) Ugh!
Lapis: Hey Peridot, mind if I have a word with you in private.
Peridot: Sure Lapis.
The two of them went outside.
Lapis: I um, well I got my present.
Peridot: Oh, well I'm glad you did. I knew how much you loved Steven and I thought what if I made you a book with him in it. I wanted to surprise you myself, but this whole mess came and then I had to leave that urgent note to you. Do you like it?
Lapis: No.
Peridot gasps.
Lapis: I love it.
Peridot:( sighs in relief) Don't scare me like that.
Lapis: ( giggling) I had to.
Peridot: Well, Steven has more pictures of him coming and most of it is from the night you two went out.
Lapis: ( getting excited) Oh I can't wait for them to come I really want to add them.
After being excited, Lapis frowned a bit.
Lapis: Listen I just want to say that I'm sorry for being mean to you.
Peridot: You had every right reason to. I did horrible things.
Lapis: I did horrible things too. I stole the Earth's ocean and nearly drowned Steven, yet he still forgave me and healed my gem. I couldn't let go of my anger towards you even when you changed.
Peridot: Are you still upset with me?
Lapis: Of course not. After what you gave me and saving my life back there, you really a good person.
Peridot: I want to thank you for risking your life to save me, we both could've died back there. Does that mean we can be friends?
Periodot reached out her hand for a handshake. But Lapis instead hugged her much to Peridot's surprise.
Lapis: Friends.
Peridot hugs her back and then they let go. Steven then enters.
Steven: Hey guys, what's happening?
Peridot: Oh nothing really, except that Lapis and I are finally getting along now.
Lapis: Oh Steven, did you print those pictures we took last night yet?
Steven: Not yet, I"ll go print them out tomorrow moring.
Lapis: Good, because I want to take one more picuture, with you and Peridot.
Steven: Alright, come on Peridot.
Peridot: Um, okay.
The three of them got together and Steven faced the camera on his phone to them and took the picture.
Peridot: Wow, great photo.
Steven: Yeah. Peridot, have really seen the last of Gien?
Peridot: Who can say Steven? In this vast universe anything is truly forever.
Steven: I mean, he wasn't anything like we encountered before. I tried reasoning with him and his motives. But he wouldn't listen and all he cared about was destruction and death.
Peridot: Steven, he's one of those individuals that you can't reason with. Sometimes there those that kill for no reason. He's an insane psychopath, not like us who just need a true friend guide us out of the errors we made.
Steven: I guess so. But if he ever returns, we'll all be here to stop him.
Peridot: It's what we do.
Lapis: Hey Peridot what was that show you were talking about that Steven showed you?
Peridot: Oh yes. It's called Camp Pining Hearts. I don't know why but that show is so intriguing, let me tell you all about it.
Meanwhile at Gien's Ship
Acha and Kocha looked down at the acid pit. Bomber finally took down the corrupted gem again and walked right next to them.
Bomber: This gem will no longer give us trouble.
He drops the gem into the acid and watches it dissolve.
Acha: ( sad) My lord. Our one true master is gone.
Bomber: Hahahaha! Perfect, with Gien out of the way, I Bomber the Great declare myself as the new leader.
Kocha: Wait look!
They look back down and they see a limb enhancer arm reaching out from the acid.
Kocha: He's still alive.
Acha: Quickly get him out of there!
Bomber:( in his mind) Why can't you stay dead?
Acha and Kocha activates the crane to reach down to pull Gien out. The crane pulls Gien out and not a single scratch or any sign of acid marks on him. Gien is then placed down.
Acha: My lord. Are you okay?
Gien: I am fine Acha. I made that acid to dissolve gems only. Not us droids.
Kocha: Ah, very clever my lord.
Acha: We regret to inform you that the Crystal Gems along with Peridot have got away.
Gien: Let them have there victory. They may have won this time, but they haven't seen the true power of the Gara Droids.
Bomber: So what now?
Gien: Contact the Diamonds. It's time we let the Gara Elites do their job.
To be continued...
Author's note: That's it for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. This story is not over yet. We still have a whole lot more to show. Stay tuned for next time for we will be introducing more Gara Droids along the way. Again thank you Lady Shadow92 for the ideas on this two part story. I do not own Steven Universe. Steven Universe belongs to Rebecca Sugar. Please Support the official release. Please read and review. Thank you.