"Barn."
The next day Pearl and Peridot were still working on the Gem Drill in attempt to stop the Cluster. To keep her nerves intact Peridot took out her recorder.
"Login: It's the twenty second rotation of the Earth since I've been working on the drill to stop the cluster, the Steven, the Amethyst and the perma Fusion are not currently resided here… Not like they would be much help on the drill anyway…."
"Peridot get off that thing and help me!"
Peridot had to put down her recorder and help rewire the brakes for the drill, while Pearl held her up. Pearl saw an unusually grumpy Amethyst.
"Hi Amethyst, how was wrestling?"
In all honesty Pearl could care less but knew that her friend always enjoyed talking about her victories.
"I don't want to talk about it…"
"What's wrong did you miss your match?"
"No I kinda, umm, well I-"
"Just spit it out you clod!"
"FINE I LOST!"
Pearl looked shocked for a moment.
"What did you mean you lost? Was Garnet participating?"
"No some guy in pink beat me..."
Pearl couldn't help but give out a small laugh that came out in the noise of a snort.
"Hohoh*snort*hehehe!"
"It's not funny P!"
"No, no, no it's not but how could a gem a CRYSTAL GEM, loose to a human in hand to hand combat? You must have really been holding back."
"No I wasn't. I gave it everything but the guy just danced around me, now that Tao stole my ticket to free food for a month."
Upon hearing the name Tao, Pearl instantly dropped Peridot having her fall on the ground.
"Oof! Hey what the big idea you clod!?"
Pearl didn't even react to Peridot she quickly grabbed Amethyst and pulled her in only inches away from her eyes.
"DID YOU SAY TAO!?"
"Uh yeah…."
"Did he have a thin mustache, a pony tail, and a pink robes with this symbol on it?"
From her gem Pearl projected an image of Tao's symbol.
"Yeah but P what-"
Pearl began to hyperventilate.
"What's he doing here?! How is he still alive let alone fighting?!"
"P! What is your deal!"
Pearl calmed down a bit to try to explain herself.
"Look I once fought Tao long ago, despite being a human he was far more powerful than any human should be."
"How'd you end up fighting him P."
Pearl felt ashamed of her story but knew she couldn't keep it a secret forever.
"A few thousand years ago after I completed Rose's training I felt that I had to prove my strength to her, so I went out to fight a wanted assassin. I was young and foolish he completely overpowered me in seconds, then Rose came to my aid, she fared a little better but the results were the same, the only reason we lived is because he didn't even bother wasting any more time. To him I was nothing more than a common breeze easily passed over and forgotten."
"Wow he really beat Rose too?"
"Yes but now he must be back to finish what he started."
"Well no need to worry P, Rose is Steven now, and you just need to stay here so he won't find you."
"Yeah I suppose you're right but- no…"
Pearl was suddenly hit with a realization like lighting to the brain.
"What now P?"
"If Steven has Rose's gem then, then…."
"Then what?"
"Then he"ll go after Steven!"
Pearl, Amethyst and even Peridot were terrified about this. Peal grabbed Amethyst and started running to the warp pad until she gave Peridot some orders.
"Peridot go into town and find Steven!"
"Wait you're letting me go to town alone?"
"Just go!"
Peridot was surprised by the volume in her voice even in their fight Pearl usually spoke soft and quant.
"Hey P, where are we going?"
"We're gonna get Garnet so our chances our a little more in our favor, let's just hope that monster isn't causing any harm to the town…"
"The big-donut"
Lars was unnaturally happy, telling his coworker all about the match.
"You should've seen it, this guy was incredible, not only did he bet the Puma but he did it with one hand! HAHAHA He was so cool!"
"Hahaha sounds like a fun time dude…"
Before their conversation could go any further a certain assassin walked in.
"Yo were closing soon so "GASP" it's you!"
Tao walked toward the register and took out his gift card.
"May I have the Beach City espresso with two cups of cream?"
"Lars why don't you take this one? Lars?"
Lars was in total shock that Tao was right in front of him ordering coffee from him. Sadie quickly made the coffee then handed it to Tao.
"Here you are sir, that'll be 2.45."
"I have a gift card."
Sadie ran it through the register while Tao looked at the stunned Lars.
"What seems to be his problem?"
"Oh don't get me started… Here's your card sir, have a nice day!
"Thank you."
When Tao left Lars feel over in shock and amazement. Sadie looked over her stunned friend.
"I should probably call a doctor…."