A/N: Hello everyone, I am back with chapter nineteen of this story. Here, both sides regroup after the events of last chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe
Following their victory, the Crystal Gems went back to the barn. There, they took the warp pad back to Beach City. Once at the Temple; Steven, Connie, Topaz and Peridot rounded up Pearl, Bismuth, Garnet and Amethyst. Lapis flew to Beach City and found the Off Colors hanging out with Lars. She brought them back to the Temple with Lars following. Once everyone was accounted for, the gems present retold their victory over the Homeworld forces.
"That's how it ended." said Steven.
"Oh my stars!" cried Pearl.
"We're okay." said Connie.
"Yes. You two are very strong." replied Pearl impressed.
"I wish we could have been there to you help guys!" exclaimed Bismuth.
"It's fine." said Topaz.
"Hey Garnet, how you doing?" asked Amethyst.
Garnet let out a groan.
"I should have seen this." said Garnet in frustration.
"Don't beat yourself up." said Topaz.
"We could have prevented this." said Garnet.
"Everything worked out." noted Amethyst.
"But, what if it hadn't?" asked Garnet.
"You can't dwell on that." answered Bismuth.
Garnet nodded in agreement.
"You're right." said Garnet.
An odd, tense aura hung in the air.
"Let's get back to the matter at hand!" proposed Pearl.
"I'm just glad we kicked their butts." said Peridot.
"Things where looking bleak until Topaz helped me get free." said Lapis.
"It seems that Aquamarine and Emerald's egos are too big to get along." noted Topaz.
"There arguing is what let Lapis and Stevonnie get to us in time." added Peridot.
"Then that gives us an advantage." mused Garnet.
"I can't believe you where almost captured." said Rhodonite horrified.
"If we stayed..." began Left Rutile.
"We would have been captured too." concluded Right Rutile.
Fluorite, who was outside and taking part thanks to the window, hummed.
"Did they mention us at all?" asked Fluorite.
"Not by name." answered Peridot.
"But, I'm sure they wanted you too." added Lapis flatly.
"Oh my stars!" cried Fluorite.
"The Homeworld Gems wanted to capture us too!" exclaimed Padparadscha.
"I'm so relieved we decided to spend time with Lars." sighed Right Rutile.
"It probably saved us." said Left Rutile.
"What do we do?!" asked Rhodonite terrified.
Rhodonite began to hyperventilate.
"You have to stay calm." answered Lars.
Everyone turned their attention to the pink human.
"Freaking out won't do you any good." continued Lars.
"Lars is right. We must stay calm." agreed Fluorite.
Rhodonite began to take deep breaths.
"Try this." offered Garnet.
Garnet showed Rhodonite the breathing technique she taught Stevonnie.
"Will it work?" asked Rhodonite worried.
"It works for us." answered Steven.
"Yeah." added Connie.
Rhodonite tried the technique.
"It worked!" cried Rhodonite.
"Lars is right! We must stay calm!" declared Padparadscha.
Lars patted Padparadscha on the head.
"Exactly." agreed Lars.
Lars turned to Steven.
"I want to learn how to fight." said Lars.
"What?" asked everyone, minus Padparadscha, in unison.
"You heard me." said Lars.
"Lars wants to learn how to fight!" gasped Padparadscha.
"Lars..." began Steven.
"I want to fight with you." said Lars.
Lars chuckled.
"Heck, I've already joined you." noted Lars.
"I don't know." said Steven unsure.
"Steven, I have to do this." stated Lars.
Steven gulped.
"This is very dangerous." noted Steven.
"I was killed by an ax." shrugged Lars.
"He's got a point." stated Amethyst.
Steven squirmed uncomfortable.
"Connie learned to fight." said Lars.
"She has become very skilled at combat." mused Pearl.
"Thanks to you ma'am." replied Connie.
Pearl blushed at this.
"Steven, I agree with Lars." said Connie.
"Thank you." said Lars grateful.
"I'd be willing to train you." offered Pearl.
"I understand why you're unsure. Especially with what you've been through. But, I think Lars should join us." said Garnet.
Steven looked at Lars.
"Welcome to The Crystal Gems." said Steven.
Lars smiled happily.
"I won't let you guys down." said Lars proudly.
"Do we have to fight?!" asked Rhodonite horrified.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
"We will fight." said Right Rutile.
"If we need to." said Left Rutile.
"You might need to." said Pearl uneasy.
'We can fight if need be!" declared Padparadscha.
"Padaparadscha, I don't think you should see combat." said Lars.
"Right. Her...special case might hinder her." said Connie concerned.
"Lars doesn't think I should fight." mused Padparadscha.
"No offense. I just worry for your safety." said Lars.
An awkward silence followed.
"I'm so flattered you're worried about me." said Padparadscha.
"Garnet, what do you think?" asked Bismuth.
Garnet used her Future Vision.
"It won't be necessary for now." answered Garnet.
"We still need to move! They know where we live!" cried Rhodonite.
"Don't worry. Lapis, Topaz and I can take them!" declared Peridot.
"Not to mention the others." added Lapis.
"Oh thanks stars." sighed Rhodonite.
"Why don't you guys head back to the barn and unwind." proposed Garnet.
"That sounds like a good idea." said Fluorite.
"We've been catching them up on Camp Pining Hearts." revealed Lapis.
"Where in season four right now." added Peridot.
"That sounds nice." said Left Rutile.
"I still don't get why you don't like Pauline." said Right Rutile.
"Percy and Pierre is clearly the superior pairing." stated Peridot.
"I think they'd be really good together." said Rhodonite.
"Thank you!" exclaimed Peridot.
Meanwhile, the Sun Incinerator had landed. It was merely a few feet away from where it previously had been. The Sun Incinerator took off, but doubled backed once Emerald felt it safe. The ship landed hidden among trees. Emerald, Aquamarine and the Ruby Squad gathered. The purpose was simple: figure out what went wrong.
"I think it's safe to say the reason we failed is obvious." began Emerald.
"Quite." agreed Aquamarine.
"You're upbeat considering it was your fault." said Emerald.
"That's rubbish and you know it!" spat Aquamarine.
"Here we go." muttered Doc.
"You should have listened and gone after those clods!" declared Emerald.
"You should have listened and fall back!" declared Aquamarine.
"This is my mission!" snapped Emerald.
"I won't follow a folly order!" snapped Aquamarine.
"You need to calm down." said Navy.
"Stay out of it!" exclaimed Emerald and Aquamarine.
"Oh dear." said Leggy worried.
"Why did you abandon me?" asked Emerald angrily.
"You saw that...abomination arrive." answered Aquamarine.
"Having fought it before, I'm surprise you didn't have the will for this." cooed Emerald.
"It was better to fight another day." stated Aquamarine.
"You ran away like a coward!" cried Emerald.
"There is a difference between running away and fighting a battle you cannot win." huffed Aquamarine.
"I say we should have fought." huffed Army.
"See, they agree with me.." said Emerald.
"They're only Rubies." replied Aquamarine.
"I'm glad we left. That fusion thing was scary." said Leggy shaken.
"Not all of them agreed with you." said Aquamarine cocky.
"What happened to "They're only Rubies" huh?" asked Emerald.
"Piss off!" snapped Aquamarine.
The Ruby Squad rolled their eyes.
"I will be sure to tell the Diamond Authority of your cowardice." said Emerald.
"They will clearly side with me." scoffed Aquamarine.
"Isn't Yellow Diamond quiet...aggressive?" asked Navy.
"Yeah." answered Army impressed.
"See." said Emerald confidently.
"Blue Diamond understands my actions." stated Aquamarine confidently.
"Good look." chuckled Emerald.
"If things go bad, maybe White Diamond could be the final say." proposed Leggy.
The others gave her horrified looks.
"That is a terrible idea!" exclaimed Army.
"You do NOT get White Diamond involved." said Aquamarine.
"Why?" asked Army.
"She is..." began Emerald.
Emerald looks for the words.
"Have you seen her Pearl?" asked Emerald.
Aquamarine cringed at this question.
"No." answered Army.
"I did. It was my first mission with that traitor Topaz. She filled in for My Diamond. It was horrifying." said Aquamarine horrified.
Emerald cleared her throat.
"Look, I think we should break for now." proposed Emerald.
"Yes." agreed Aquamarine.
Eyeball stood up.
"Emerald, I fully agree with you!" declared Eyeball.
"Whatever." said Aquamarine softly.
Aquamarine left silently.
"Thank you." said Emerald.
Emerald turned and left.
"Pillock." huffed Aquamarine.
Aquamarine then left.
"This is a mess." mused Navy.
"What do we do?" asked Leggy worried.
"Crush the traitors" answered Army.
"I meant, what do we do about their arguing." clarified Leggy.
"Those two are are being a hindrance." muttered Eyeball.
"They are our superiors!" snapped Doc.
"Correct." said Eyeball.
"Those Crystal Gems seem happy without a superior." noted Leggy innocently.
"That's treasonous talk!" declared Army.
"Oh my stars! I'm so sorry!" cried Leggy.
"For now, we stay the course." decided Doc.
A/N: That's where we end things for now. So, Lars is joining on the combat while Emerald and Aquamarine still cannot get along. Also, Aquamarine talking about meeting White Diamond was a nod to my story "Off Colors". Next time, Lars learns to fight. Please review.