Chapter 19: Too Short To Ride
It was a peaceful day at Beach City. It's been a week since Gien's last attack. The Crystal Gems went on a mission but because this one wasn't very complex and also because Steven had plans today, only Garnet, Pearl, Bismuth and Lapis went. Steven, Peridot and Amethyst stayed behind at the house.
Steven gives Peridot a present.
Steven: Special delivery!
Peridot: Oh, wow thanks.
Peridot opens it revealing to be a tablet, but was unsure of what it is.
Peridot: It's a...a rectangle.
Steven: And a tablet.
Steven turns it on for her.
Steven: My dad bought it, but he decided he didn't need it. He said something about oversaturation of media being a plague to one's mind, so I thought you might like it. Here.
Peridot is awe-struck with the tablet as Steven demonstrates what it does.
Steven: You can use your fingers to work it.
Peridot: Like my old finger screens!
Peridot is scrolling through the content apps on the tablet.
Steven: But now you have the whole worldwide web to hang out on.
Peridot: Worldwide? Ha! I had the ability to search and retrieve data from across multiple star systems.
Steven: Hmm, impressive. But I can do you one better. TubeTube.
Steven touches the TubeTube app icon and is directed to a cat video.
Peridot: Why was this documented?
Steven : You can log your thoughts on the internet too. You just have to keep it under 140 characters.
Peridot is awe-struck once more.
Peridot: That's so many people.
Steven: I can make you an account so you can start logging as soon as you want.
Peridot: (Chuckles) I really, really like this, but it's a shame it doesn't come attached to your body. (Gasps) Oh wait!
Peridot runs to the storage inside the stairs and looks through it.
Steven: I'm gonna leave the profile stuff blank for you to fill in later. There.
Peridot snatches the tablet out of Steven's hands.
Peridot: Gimme!
Peridot puts tape on the back of the tablet.
Peridot: (Laughs) Behold! My innovation!
Slow motion scene with Peridot showcasing her innovation.
Peridot: CHA-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-CHA-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha. Haaaaa!
Puts tablet on tape and does various poses.
Peridot :Shing! Shing! Gwaaaaaaa! SHING, SHING! ... I've harnessed the power of your interlocking fabric strips.
Steven: (Chuckles) Good thing I grew out of those shoes.
Peridot: (Sigh) To have tech again. It feels good when everything is at your fingertips.
Amethyst walks into the room.
Amethyst: Yo. You guys look like you're having fun.
Peridot: Oh, Amethyst. (Shows innovation.) What do you think?
Amethyst: You look like a square.
Peridot: It's a rectangle.
Amethyst: Heh, truth. Anyway, you two ready to go or what?
Peridot: Go?
Steven: Yeah. Amethyst and I were gonna go out, and we wanted you to come, too.
Peridot: Hang out? Oh, yeah. That's a friend thing to do. So, where are we hanging out, friends?
Steven: Only the best place on Beach City other than the Big Doughnut. Come on.
They made their way out of the house.
Steven: I took Lapis about a month ago. I wanted her to come again, but she said she had to go help the others so I wanted to show you.
Peridot: Okay then, lets go to this best place on Beach City.
They walked throught the board walk, but they didn't know that they were being watched. They pass by someone sitting on a bench reading the newspaper but once they pass him, that person reveals to be Acha along with Kocha on his shoulder.
Acha: Ya hear that Kocha. The other Crystal Gems are on a mission leaving these three behind.
Kocha: Let's go see where they're heading.
Acha: Yes and then we attack.
Acha and Kocha follow them. The trio then make it to their destination.
Steven: Ta-da! Welcome to Funland!
Peridot: You brought me to a sign.
Amethyst: Nah, nah. You got to go inside.
The trio goes inside. Acha and Kocha were now outside the sign.
Kocha: What is this place? ( looks at the sign) Funland? What's so fun about this place?
Acha: I don't know, but it does look cool. Let's go see.
Kocha: Wait hold on.
Kocha floats up and pulls Acha inside a porta potty.
Kocha: You can't go in there looking like this. We'll draw too much attention.
Acha: Ah, you're right lassie. Let put on my disguise.
Outside of the porta potty we see it glow from the inside and Acha emerges out in his human form. He had black hair and wore a blue collared shirt with black pants. He had glasses and pencil stache.
Kocha: There that's better.
Acha: Why aren't you in a disguise?
Kocha: I don't need to. People will think I'm a toy.
Acha: Fine, let's just go.
Acha and Kocha enter inside. Steven, Amethyst, and Peridot watch a roller coaster ride by with people screaming.
Peridot: A speed pattern transportation circuit.
Steven: And a roller coaster.
Amethyst: You've got to do the most fun thing in Funland first.
Peridot: Hmm. Bold. Let's follow this logic!
The three of them goes to the entrence of the ride where they meet Mr. Smiley.
Steven: Three please.
Mr Smiley: Sure, but we got some new rules first.
He pointed out to the height measurement sign. Steven and Amethyst weren't tall enough. Peridot goes up next, at first it seemed like she was tall, but Mr. Smiley wasn't so sure. He pushes down her hair, revealing that she was too short to ride. Peridot starts growling and screaming as she throws a temper tantrum.
Mr. Smiley: Ha-ha! Sorry, guys. Looks like this squad has some growing to do before you can ride.
Peridot: I do not have to grow. This height is indicative of my rarity and importance. I demand entry, you CLOD!
Mr. Smiley: (Clears throat) You kids want another lifetime ban?
Steven: No thanks Mr. Smiley.
Amethyst: Shorty Squad out.
The three of them leave the area.
Amethyst: Well that stinks.
Steven: (Sigh) We'll just have to maintain a healthy lifestyle in hopes we grow before the end of the season.
Amethyst: (slaps forehead) Ugh. Of course. Let's just grow.
Amethyst grows via shape-shifting.
Steven: (Gasps) Shape-shifting!
Steven shape-shifts his legs to grow longer.
Steven: Come on Peridot.
Peridot tries to shapeshift with them, but she couldn't
Steven: Uh, Peridot?
Peridot keeps trying, but can't
Peridot: Uh, I... I must be a little rusty. Why don't you two just go?
Steven: Aw, what?
Peridot: What?
Amethyst: You sure?
Peridot: Sure I'm sure. I can just look up what a roller coaster feels like. Just hurry up and go so you can hurry up and come back.
Amethyst: Oh, okay.
The two of them get onto the roller coaster and Peridot just watches as they ride on it. Soon they got off and meets up with Peridot.
Amethyst: So good!
Steven: What next? What next?
Peridot: Yes, what next that doens't involve and height restriction.
Amethyst: Uh, there.
Meanwhile with Acha and Kocha.
Acha: I think I saw them go on this thing.
Acha points to the roller coaster.
Acha: What is it?
Kocha: It looks like somekind of transport device. You said you saw them go in there.
Acha: Yes, lets see it.
Acha and Kocha goes onto the roller coaster and go on one of the carts, Mr. Smiley goes to them.
Mr. Smiley: Hello sir. You might want to put your doll in the pouch if front of you.
Kocha: What did you call me?
Mr. Smiley: You might lose it during the ride if you don't.
Acha: Oh okay. Thank you human.
Mr. Smiley leaves.
Acha: In you go Kocha.
Kocha: Don't you put me in there I want to see.
Acha: But what if something happens to you.
Kocha: Nothings going to happen.
Acha: Oh alright.
Acha places Kocha right next to him and the ride begins. As they went down the first drop it was so fast. Acha was enjoying it, but it flew Kocha out of her seat and out of the ride. She's flown into a trash can and the lid falls down trapping her.
Acha: Incredible. Humans have an amazing way of fun right Kocha? Kocha?
Acha looks right next to him to see that Kocha is gone. He gets off the ride and starts looking for her.
Acha: Kocha! Oh no uh, Kocha! Kocha!
Acha passes by the trash can that Kocha was trapped in, but didn't hear her.
Kocha: Acha! I'm in here. Acha, Acha!
Meanwhile at the House of Mirrors, Steven and Amethyst started messing around with the illusion of the mirrors with shape shifting. Peridot wasn't very amused.
Amethyst: Ha, this place is fun.
Steven: Yeah! It totally does live up to its name!
Peridot Googles "am I having fun?" which pops up the definition widget for "fun" and then sighs.
Amethyst: Let's see who can eat the most chili dogs before we go on the Tilt-a-Whirl.
Peridot stops when she noticed the prizes on the game " Ring some Lose some." They were steriotypical little green alien plushes with a bow tie and a top hat. For some reason it reminded her of herself.
Peridot: (Gasps) Steven, Amethyst! Look at this being! Its large head, swollen with thoughts! Those compassionate eyes. It understands. I need it. NOW!
Steven: Peridot, that's a prize. You have to win it first.
Steven rings the bell, which calls Mr. Smiley as he runs towards the booth.
Mr. Smiley: Hey there Steven.
Steven: Mr. Smiley, you're working the ring toss, too?
Mr. Smiley: Yeah. You can say we're a little "fun-derstaffed."
Steven: (Chuckles) I get it.
Mr. Smiley: I'm glad you seeing the humor in it Steven, because I haven't seen a bed in six days!
Steven: Oh. (Chuckles nervously)
Peridot grabs a ring and throws it at the bottles, but misses and hits something else.
Peridot: I win!
Steven: Um, well...
Amethyst: You have to land the rings first, broski! Shorty Squad throw!
The trio tries to throw the rings into the bottles, but no luck.
Amethyst: Okay last chance. We got this.
The three of them throw their last rings, but miss.
Three of them: uuuoorrggh!
Amethyst: This biz is rigged!
Peridot: I didn't save Earth for this.
Steven: Sorry Peridot.
Amethyst: Hmm. No. We're gonna get you that prize. Hey Mr. Smiley, is that Onion trying to light the roller coaster on fire?
Mr. Smiley: I'm not falling for that one again. Oh!
He see's from the distance people screaming as Onion was holding two cotton candy torches as he was about to se the roller coaster on fire...again. Mr. Smiley runs to stop him.
Mr. Smiley: NO! I'm still paying off the last lawsuit!
Amethyst: Huh, neat.
Amethsyt takes the last ring and extends her arm and places the ring on a bottle.
Amethyst: Now we wait.
Mr Smiley runs up to Onion still holding the torches.
Mr. Smiley: No come one please! Don't do this again!
Onion goes closer to the roller coaster.
Mr. Smiley: No, no, no please. How about we trade?
Onion stops to look at him.
Mr. Smiley: I'll give unlimited access to Funland.
Onion is not satisfied and goes closer to the roller coaster.
Mr. Smiley: Wait! Uh I'll give you 50 bucks.
Onion is nods his head horizontally and goes closer.
Mr. Smiley: Come on! Do you like my watch? It's gold.
Onion is still not satisfied. Mr. Smiley walks back trying to think, when he accidentally knocked down the trash can Kocha was trapped in.
Kocha: ( gasps) Oh, finally out.
Mr. Smiley picks up Kocha and offers her to Onion.
Mr. Smiley: How about this little robot toy?
Kocha: Wait what?
Mr. Smiley: I never heard of a toy that talks like this before.
Kocha: Yeah I'm a rare varrient. Screw you human!
Mr. Smiley: So how about it?
Onion takes a moment and agrees. He blows out the torches and takes Kocha from Mr. Smiley and runs out of Funland.
Kocha: Hey put me down! Where are you taking me? Acha! Acha!
Acha hears Kocha's screams.
Acha: Kocha? Where are you?
Kocha: Acha!
Acha turns around and see's Onion running off with Kocha.
Acha: Ah! Hold on Kocha, Acha is coming!
Acha chases after Onion and as runs he morphs back into his original form. Mr Smiley returns to the booth, but didn't see them cheating.
Mr. Smiley: All this running around and I'm not even in a union.
Amethyst: Yo Mr. S. While you were gone, Peri got a ring.
Peridot: I did?
Amethyst: ( whispers) We're lying.
Peridot: Oh, uh, yes, I did land the ring. I also do not steal Steven's cloths when he's not looking.
Steven: What?
Mr Smiley: Would you look at that. And I thought this thing was rigged. Here you are kid.
Peridot closes her eyes and opens her arms for the alien plush, but when she opens her eyes again she looks and see's she only got tiny alien toy that you put on your finger.
Mr. Smiley: It's a little sister.( laughs)
Peridot: Um, excuse me but you're wrong. I'm supposed to win that one.
Mr. Smiley: You mean the big guy? Sorry, but that's ten rings.
Peridot looks down in dissapointment.
Later they sat down on the bench, Steven and Amethyst were having corn dogs while Peridot looked more on her tablet.
Steven: That toy you won is really cool Peridot.
Peridot: You mean that Amethyst won, with shapeshifting. Maybe they should call it shapeshift land. Because it's the land where you go to shapeshift.
Amethyst: What's wrong with shapeshifting bro?
Peridot: You mean besides being an insult to your intended form?
Amethyst: Okay, what's really wrong with it?
Peridot: I can't do it...at all.
Steven: Well, we can help you try.
Peridot: What?
Steven: I didn't ever think I could use my powers, either, but then the Gems helped me out. We can help you, too.
Amethyst: Yeah man. We'll give you the shapeshifting lowdown.
Amethyst gives Peridot a noogie.
Amethyst: Shorty Squad style.
On the beach Steven and Amethyst tried to show Peridot how to shapeshift. They were demonstrating simple ways like trying to extend their tounge. Peridot tried to mimic it, but couldn't.
Then they tried shape shifting into cats. Amethyst turns into a cat and Steven turned one of his fingers into a cat finger, but quickly dunked it in water not wanting to go through that experience again.
Then Amethyst turned into a ball and Steven extends his arms to catch Amethyst. Steven throws Amethyst onto the ground to make them bounce at Peridot. Peridot fails to catch Amethyst and gets a direct hit in the face which leaves her laying on the ground face first.
Amethyst: Uh, okay. Maybe we just have to activate it manually. You grab her feet. I'll grab the arms.
Steven: Okay.
Amethyst: Ready? Pull.
Steven and Amethyst start pulling Peridot. Peridot is in pain from the pulling.
Peridot: Ow.
Steven: Is it working?
Peridot: Ow.
Amethyst: I think so. Pull harder!
Peridot: Ow.
Steven: I think I just heard a crack.
Peridot: Ow.
Amethyst: That's her powers opening, Steven.
Peridot: Ow, ow, ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow! Drop me now!
Amethyst and Steven drop Peridot on the ground.
Peridot: This isn't going to work.
Steven: Maybe if we keep trying...
Peridot: No.
Peridot moves away and sits down.
Peridot: My lack of skill is an objective fact. I'm just a clone of Gien. He made me how I'm supposed to be. Even if I wasn't, Homeworld doesn't have the resourses to make gems like they used to. That's why they gave Gien the approval to make the Gara Droids and why they give era 2 Peridots technilogical enhancements, because we don't have powers. And because of this, I couldn't even save Lapis from Nova or stop Gien last week.
Amethyst walks up to her.
Amethyst: Per, I'm gonna be really real with you for a sec. This whole time we've been here, you've just been focusing on what you can't do. There are many things you can do. You're really smart and Lapis told us about those attack drones you made to help. You did what you could. Of course you're not having any fun. You think that all you are is who you could be, but we don't hang out with you because of who you could be. We like you.
Peridot ignores Amethyst and continues using her tablet.
Amethyst: I know you just heard me.
Peridot continues the act. Showing frustration, she types numerous clods on her comment.
Amethyst: Stop playing with that thing.
Peridot still ignores.
Amethyst: Urgh! Give me that!
Peridot: No!
Amethyst takes Peridot's tablet and the two of them pull on each end like a tug of war.
Amethyst: You don't need it.
Peridot: You don't know that.
Amethyst: Yes I do!
Amethyst now has the tablet and throws it into the ocean.
Peridot: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! No! It's all that I am!
Peridot reaches out for her tablet and that's when she realized her power.
Steven:( stars in his eyes) Peridot...metal powers!
Amethyst was amazed that this was not what she had in mind, but was still proud of Peridot. Peridot couldn't believe that she had the ability to control metal.
Amethyst: Dude, awesome. You didn't know you had this?
Peridot: Gien never told me about this.
Peridot tries to bring the tablet back to her.
Steven: Do you know what this means? You can open really tight jars. You can remove staples without a staple remover. Or open the doors without touching them after you was your hands.
Peridot: No, I know exactly what I can do.
Amethyst: Help us fight the Gara Droids and get back at Gien for numerous times he tried to kill us and lying to you about not having any powers?
Peridot: That and something else.
They went back to the ring some lose some game at Funland and since the rings were made out of metal she was able to manipulate them. Mr Smiley was fell asleep since she took a while. But finally Peridot got the last ring on the bottle.
Peridot: ( ring the bell) Ten! That's ten!
Mr. Smiley wakes up.
Mr. Smiley: Wah! That's ten alright. Looks like you won fair and square. Or fair and triangle, becuase you head looks like a triangle.( laughs ) Here you go kid.
Mr. Smiley gives Peridot the alien plush and she hugs it when she got it.
Steven: You did it Peridot.
Amethyst: You deserved it Per.
Peridot: Thank you Amethyst.
Amethyst: ( rubbing the back of her head and frowns) Listen I'm sorry for throwing your tablet. I didn't mean to be cruel, I just thought if something you loved was threatned your powers would activate. I was actually expecting you to shapeshift your arms, but this was even better. I know it wasn't the best plan I had.
Peridot: No it wasn't. But it works and I should thank you for it.
Peridot hugs Amethyst. Amethyst hugs her and then breaks free to places and arm around her shoulder.
Amethyst: Give it up for P-Pod!
Peridot: No, give it up for the Shorty Squad.
Meanwhile, Onion takes Kocha to his house and enters through the garage.
Kocha: Put me down already! Where are we? And why are there portraits of the Amethyst all over the place?
Onion straps her down on a table. Then he goes to get something from the cabinet.
Kocha: What are you doing?
Onion takes out what appeared to be a headless robot toy. He points at Kocha and then points back at his figure.
Kocha: What? You're going to put my head onto that?
Onion nods.
Kocha: Come on. You don't want to do that. I'm a rare varrient, remember?
Onion nods but proceeds to remove Kocha's head. He tried pulling it off, but can't.
Kocha: Ha, nice try. But it's going to take more than pulling my head.
Onion goes throug the cabinet again, this time taking out an electric buzz saw.
Kocha: Me and my big mouth.
Onion plugs it in and turns it on. He walks towards Kocha and slowly lowers the buzz saw to her neck.
Kocha: No, no, no, no! Don't do this! Stop it! Stop it! Help! Acha! Acha! Help! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!
Acha comes in and quickly unplugs the buzz saw. Onion turns around to see him. Acha get's Kocha off the table.
Acha: Are you alright?
Kocha: That kid is a freaking phsychopath! He was going to saw my head off and put it on this toy of his!
Acha: This little guy?
Kocha: Yes!
Acha: How dare you mess with us human? We are the prime elites of the Gara Droids and by the order of Lord Gien I...
Before Acha could finish they heard another voice enter the room.
Vidallia:( with a shotgun) What is going on in here?
Acha: Ah!
Onion runs over to her goes behind her.
Vidallia: What did you do to my son?
Acha: Nothing.
Onion speaks to Vidallia.
Onion: Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma.
Vidallia turns to Acha angry at him.
Vidallia: You were harrasing my son?
Acha: No, no, no, no, no! He was harrassing us.
Vidallia: Don't lie to me! That's what creeps like you always say.
Acha: Human I can assure you that we...
Acha walks towards her, but then Vidallia pulled the trigger and shot Acha. He was still alive, but had a hole on his chest.
Acha: Ow! Oh that hurts so bad.
Vidallia: Eat lead creepazoid!
The scene cuts to outside of the house and four gunshots are heard. Acha and Kocha are running out of Onion's house.
Acha and Kocha: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!
Vidallia: Come here again and I'll put one through your head!
Acha and Kocha ran away and hid in an alley. Acha had gunshot holes all over his body.
Kocha: These humans are insane.
Acha: This is what these Crystal Gems are protecting? What is wrong with them. They chose this over what we have back on Homeworld? ( overly dramatic) This place is a mad house. A MAD HOUSE!
Kocha: You finished?
Acha: Pretty much. Let's just get back to base I really need repairs.
Acha and Kocha teleport back to base for repairs.
To be continued...
Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. Sorry I took a bit for Peridot's powers to come, but I was waiting for the right time to do it here. Next will be the arc of the story. Special thanks to Lady Shadow92 for some of the ideas. Please read and review. Thank you.