Episode 58: Perspectives

November 14th 10:00 p.m.

A full moon appeared above the night sky, shining her radiant light onto the Earth alongside her companion of stars.

At the Universe Residence Steven laid comfortably in his bed, letting out small snores every passing second. Below him on the couch was his father Greg, unleashing loud snores. Small murmurs exited Greg's mouth as he turned to his side, smiling and moaning from the dreams playing in his head.

On the floor next to the couch in a sleeping bag was Peridot. Despite the loud and annoying noises being displayed in the area she was calmly sleeping without an inch of her body moving. However, her eyes soon opened themselves while she raised herself up. Her eyes soon blinked as she unzipped her bag. Turning her head she grabbed her visor and stood up before heading outside.

On the porch Peridot's Gemstone illuminated. A small sphere of green light erupted out of it and revealed itself to be one of her arm Limb-enhancers. Placing it on her fingers started rotating at a rapid pace. Raising her arm Peridot lifted herself into the air and shifted her body toward the roof of the house. Descending onto the roof her fingers stopped rotating as she planted her butt onto the solid debris. Her fingers soon shifted themselves into a square, giving her a blank screen.

'Log Date: 5-14-7-9-13-1. Preparations to reach the Cluster are nearly complete. Two Earth days remain until the implosion of the planet. To be honest, I never expected to be placed in a situation such as this. It has been some time since my arrival. Jasper remains sealed away within the confines of the Crystal Gems. Though the thought of freeing her has been difficult due to my lack of empathy for her and knowing how perceptive the rebels are.

My beginnings on this planet have been...frustrating. Constantly avoiding humans and getting into constant conflict with the Crystal Gems and Rainbow Gems.

For a time, I was able to get away from them. Unfortunately, my attempts of escape had reached it's end when they captured me. Now... I am to help them prevent the destruction of their home.

To explain the corresponding applications of the rebels, I must dive into great detail about them.' Peridot thought to herself.

Closing her eyes her mind began to recall the rebels.

November 12th 11:00 p.m.

Within the confines of Kameron's secondary location underneath Destiny City, Peridot lifted a large translucent glass box and carefully directed it toward a large metallic opening. Setting it down Onyx walked over to the box and began connecting various tubes onto each side of it before connecting the ends of the tubes into a large engine in front of the box. Once the tubes were connected he stepped away as Azurite stepped forward. Raising her hands next to two buckets against her ankles two large streams of water erupted out and were soon directed toward the box. Little by little the box was starting to get filled right until the required amount was met, making Azurite lower her arms.

"Excellent." Peridot announced. "Though I will admit, I've never seen a system like this before. Are you both positive this is going to work?"

"Indeed." Azurite replied.

"Indeed." Onyx added.

Walking over to the box Peridot placed a finger underneath her chin. Small hums exited her mouth as her eyes shifted from one direction of the box to the next. Honestly, this truly was an unknown system in front of her eyes. Out of every machinery she's seen in her life she had never seen such a concept of using water as a power source.

"Exactly what kind of system is this?" Peridot asked.

Walking up to her side, Azurite stood next to the technician, "On Earth, this is know as hydraulics."

"Hydraulics?" Peridot questioned.

"Hydraulics are when you add pressure to liquids in confined spaces. Then the pressure that is added in makes the liquid flow rapidly, creating a source of power for machinery to operate." Azurite explained.

Peridot turned her head from Azurite to the box and vice-versa. Using liquids as a power source? Interesting.

Stepping away from the box Peridot walked over to the side and picked up a large pumping top before walking back to the box and placing it on top. Once the top was placed she connected two wires from the pumps toward the engine. Flipping the switch on the engine the engine released a large rumble right as the pumps on the box started up. Up and down the pumps went, making the water inside quickly decrease into the various tubes around it, sending it straight into the engine itself.

"Amazing." Peridot said in awe.

"Yes, though we are going to need a large source of water once the machine is complete." Azurite replied. "For now, let us return home for tomorrow."

Peridot quickly shut off the engine right as Onyx summoned a portal.

So far the hydraulics are working well and not a single issue had risen from the three working together.

However, a myriad of questions immediately began to enter Peridot's mind. Though the Crystals and Rainbows were large groups who would complete the machine before the official day arrived, there were certain...aspects about them that needed to be looked into.

"Wait." Peridot called out, making Azurite and Onyx look at her. "There are questions that I need to know."

Azurite and Onyx glanced at each other and returned their attention back to Peridot.

"What is it that you need to know?" Azurite asked.

"I understand why you all betrayed us and abandoned The Cause. Though has there ever been a point in which you make a mistake? Why fight when there is the possibility of you losing?" Peridot replied as she narrowed her eyes.

Neither Azurite nor Onyx spoke a word. Each took a glance at each other as Onyx closed the portal before opening a new one next to his side.

"If you wish to know the answer, follow us." Onyx said as he walked into the portal.

Azurite soon followed after. Peridot stood where she was for a brief moment and quickly jogged into the portal.

November 12th 11:11 p.m.

Exiting out of the portal Peridot was brought to a large open field. Azurite and Onyx stood in front of her, but as she approached them she immediately took notice of the tombstones in front of them.

"W-What is this?" Peridot asked.

"These are the resting places of our fallen comrades." Onyx replied.

Walking up to them Peridot's eyes started to slowly widen. From left to right there were so many tombstones of fallen Gems.

"This is why we keep fighting." Azurite addressed. "No matter what stands against the planet, we will protect it."

Peridot opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could she say from seeing something like this?

November 13th 6:06 p.m.

Raising both of her arms out Peridot fired a large beam at the massive engine. Lifting her arms she carefully brought the engine off of the ground. Step by step she slowly walked up to the machine and quickly stopped in place. Gently lowering her arms she soon placed the engine within the entrance of the machine's hood.

Deactivating her beam Peridot grabbed some wires and hooked them onto the engine. Once they were on Amber grabbed the end of the wires and began sending huge surges of energy through them.

"That's great, Amber. You're almost there." Pearl called out.

A few grunts left Amber as she increased her surges. She then began to slow down until her electric surges came to a halt.

"That outta be it." Amber said as she dropped the wires.

Pearl walked to the hood of the machine and pulled off the wires connected to it. As she did Pyrope came up to the other side and helped her close the hood. Once it was closed Pyrope raised his hand and placed it onto the edge of the hood. Heat began to generate out of his hand, melding the metal together as he slid his hand down. Removing his hand he walked over to the other side where Pearl was and repeated his actions.

"Thank you, Pyrope." Pearl said.

"One of the benefits of being a living welder." Pyrope replied.

"Okay, let's take a break everyone." Pearl announced.

With that said Pyrope, Pearl, Amber, and Peridot stepped away from the machine and made their way toward the center of the area. When they got there they each sat down on a couch or chair made completely out of crystals.

Reaching into the cooler in front of them, Pyrope opened it up and grabbed two bottles. He then passed one to Amber before they both opened them and took a few sips.

Both siblings let out a long sigh of relief as they sat back on the couch.

"Why are you both drinking fluids?" Peridot asked.

"'Cause we can." Amber replied.

"But why? Our kind doesn't require it." Peridot informed.

"It's optional, Peridot. Plus me and my sister want to." Pyrope replied. "Want a bottle?" He added, pulling out a another bottle from the cooler.

Peridot shook her head, making Pyrope put the bottle back.

"I would like to ask you all something." Peridot said, making the other place their attention on her. "The Great War. When I was born I learned from the rest of the Diamonds how it transpired. Green Diamond rebelled against The Cause and seven Gems of different classes banded together to help him and prevent the colonization of Earth by killing Pink Diamond. What I want to ask is how you all saw it."

Silence soon enveloped the area. For a moment, neither Amber, Pyrope, or Pearl said a word.

Amber soon stood up while handing her brother her bottle. "Ta answer ya question, Peridot, it was horrible. When we got ta Earth Ah thought Ah set things right and leave when all was set and done. Unfortunately, that never happened."

"What do you mean?" Peridot asked.

"Durin' the War our ship was damaged, preventin' us from leavin'. Fer a time, Ah was agitated. But that didn't stop me from makin' a new start." Amber explained.

"Same for me." Pyrope added. "In war, everything is off the table. I've known that for a long time. The violence. The massacres. From how I see it, they were necessary so that I and my family could move on from what we were doing."

Confusion overlapped Peridot. She then turned to Pearl whom placed her hands into her lap as she opened her mouth. "To be honest, I truly didn't want to be separated from White. My time with Pink was...very, very complicated. With everything I could think of I tried to ease her, but every attempt failed. She acted like a child with every decision she made, making me correct her on occasion. Then one day..."

Pearl soon stopped speaking, firmly gripping her hand into the other. Collecting her thoughts she opened her mouth again, "One day...she finally snapped. Once she did...I had to get away from her until I met Rose. Then during the War we protected each other to the best of our abilities. Many Home-World Gem refused to fight me for who I was, but I didn't give them that choice. It was horrible day by day, night by night until it finally came to end when Rose...did what needed to be done."

Peridot remained silent as Pearl took a breath. She herself has never experienced war since she is a technician. She's read several reports of various warriors engaging in combat. She herself was also forced into combat, but from the expressions Pearl, Amber, and Pyrope were giving off she could see the scars in their eyes.

November 14th 1:13 a.m.

With a wrench in hand Charoite began turning it onto a large nut in front of her. Adding in a few more turns she managed to tighten it enough to make it hold.

"That should do it." Charoite said to herself. "Lepidolite. Is everything okay on your end?"

"Everything's going well...for the most part." Lepidolite replied as she tightened a bolt.

Right next to Lepidolite were Peridot and Amethyst. Neither of them spoke a word as they both were tightening nuts and bolts into the metal. Despite the silence there was some animosity in the air and it wasn't hard to understand who was giving it off.

"I think we've tightened it enough. Peridot, what do you think?" Lepidolite asked.

Removing her wrench from the bolt Peridot lifted herself up and took a step back. Placing her hands on her hips she began to hum. She nodded her head a few times and turned it toward Lepidolite, "It's coming along very well. We're making really good progress."

Lepidolite clapped her hands. "Good. And since you've been a good girl, you deserve a little treat."

Peridot tilted her head, "What kind of treat?"

Putting her wrench down Lepidolite stood up and walked toward Peridot. Taking her hand she guided her toward the crystal couch. Right behind her Charoite followed her sister just as Peridot took a seat. Side by side both sister sat down next to the technician. Raising her arm Lepidolite's Gemstone began to glow and a small pink sphere came out of it before it soon formed into a small ice cream cone.

"Here." Lepidolite said, offering the cone to Peridot.

Peridot softly took the cone and held it in both hands. "What's this?"

"Ice cream. It's a type of Earth food. Try it." Charoite replied.

"But...Gems don't need-" Peridot said before getting cut off.

"Yeah, yeah. But it's delicious." Lepidolite replied.

Peridot wasn't too certain about any of this, but...this was her treat for her good behavior. So...might as well indulge in it.

"How exactly do I consume this "ice cream" in front of me?" Peridot asked.

"You use your tongue and lick it." Charoite replied, sticking her tongue and licking it upwards.

Peridot gave her an expression of unease, but if that was how to consume this type of Earth food then she have to do it.

Sticking her tongue out Peridot slowly made contact with the ice cream cone. Upon contact her eyes lit up, turning her pupils into diamonds. Licking upwards she soon removed her tongue and swallowed the small amount of ice cream on her tongue. Her mouth was left agape as she locked her eyes on the cone.

"This... This... This is...unlike anything I've ever had before. Though I've never fully eaten anything before until now." Peridot said in awe as she continue licking her ice cream.

Turning her head Amethyst looked over to see Peridot enjoying some ice cream. To her, Peridot didn't deserve anything and should've just been placed in a bubble the moment they saw her. And how she felt about her hasn't changed in the slightest. But...for some reason, seeing her eat her treat and enjoying it soften her glare on her, but not enough to make it go away.

Reaching the end of the cone Peridot started licking it until she planted her teeth on it and took a small chunk out of it. Small moans exited her mouth as she bit off more of the cone until she consumed it entirely.

"Did you enjoy your treat?" Lepidolite asked.

Peridot shook her head before swallowing.

"Keep being a good girl and there will be more where that came from." Charoite said as she petted Peridot's hair.

This was...strange. Both sisters showed affection and rewarded her with some Earth food. Peridot couldn't help but smile at the affection she was receiving.

Perhaps...being on Earth isn't so bad.

November 14th 5:00 a.m.

With both arms Citrine and Bismuth lifted the massive gear and placed it right onto the front of the machine. Giving it a quick turn they managed to fit it in properly.

"There. That should do it." Citrine said.

"Wow. Can't believe we're nearly done with this." Bismuth replied. "Only one part remains."

Citrine nodded right as they walked over to the final remain part of the machine: The spiral drill.

Peridot and Garnet walked over to the drill and everyone soon took a side. Raising both of her arms out Peridot shot the spiral drill, encasing it in a large green beam. Citrine, Bismuth, and Garnet approached the spiral and bent their knees while getting a good grip on it. Together the muscle Gems and Peridot slowly guided themselves to the front of the machine and firmly attached the spiral drill onto the front.

Once it was completely attached Peridot disabled her beam, lowering her arms while the muscle Gems finished the job.

"There." Garnet said.

Removing their hands the muscle Gems took a step back to take a good look at the machine.

This machine was entirely massive, and for good reason. The Tungsten wasn't easy to find, but thankfully Citrine remembered an old stack of it his boss was trying to get rid of for some time. Now it's going into a good cause. Seventeen seats were placed within it. Each one housing a set of peddles, making everyone have a purpose in operating it.

Bismuth let out a whistle and smiled at the hard work that was placed into the machine. "If the world wasn't ending I bet this beauty would be great for miners."

"If it remains in tact we'll sell it. But that depends on what we're gonna face." Citrine replied. "Though some of her designs wouldn't be possible without Peridot."

"True." Garnet added.

Peridot looked over to the others as her cheeks started to burn. She then coughed into her hand as she smiled, "Well, even though this is the first time I've created such a machine, I am very greatful for your compliments."

"You're still an Upper-Crust though." Bismuth pointed out.

The joy of Citrine's compliment soon died out. Peridot adverted her eyes and groaned.

"The last group will take care of the finishing touches. Let us head back." Garnet said.

"Wait. What do you mean by "finishing touches" when it's already complete?" Peridot replied.

"You'll see when it happens." Citrine said.

"Why not tell me now?" Peridot replied.

"That would ruin the surprise. It's best to wait for certain things to happen when they come instead of rushing it." Garnet said.

Wait for things to come instead of rushing it? They're already done. What else is there for them to do?

November 14th 9:01 p.m.

Stepping up to the drill Kameron brought up his can of spray paint. Giving it a quick shake he pointed the can at the machine and began spraying it. Moving his arm in various directions he carefully watched the angles of his spray, making sure they were going to where he wanted them to. Releasing his hand from the top he took a step back.

"Steven. You're up." Kameron called.

Jogging over to his brother Steven took off the top of his spray-can and approached the machine. With a huge smile across his face and his pupils shaped into stars, Steven immediately began spraying. From one direction to the next he kept spraying and spraying right until he came to a complete stop.

Stepping away from the drill Steven looked toward Kameron who nodded at him.

"Lapis. You're next." Kameron called out.

Without any delays Lapis summoned her wings and flew toward the drill. With two spray-cans in hand she popped the tops off and started spraying the sides. Swirling around she continued spraying the drill while avoiding her paint from intertwining with Kameron's and Steven's work. She then stopped spraying and raised herself into the air before calmly descending onto the ground.

"How does it look?" She asked.

"It has a nice touch. Good job." Kameron replied.

Lapis' cheeks began to burn at his compliment. She soon picked up her tops and placed them back onto the spray-cans before taking her seat on the crystal couch.

"Wow, Lapis. It looks amazing." Steven said, examining Lapis' work.

"Just being myself." Lapis replied. She then shifted her attention onto Peridot, making her eyes narrow, "It's your turn."

Without giving a response Peridot got off her seat and approached the drill covered in paint.

"Exactly why are we doing this to the drill?" Peridot questioned.

"It's to add some style." Kameron replied.

Peridot cocked an eyebrow at him and shrugged before going up an unoccupied area of the drill. Popping of the top of her spray-can. Giving a good shake she brought the can up and began to spray. Up and down she sprayed her can, moving it horizontal, vertical, and diagonal. Reaching a stopping point she removed her finger from the top and took a step back.

"I present my form of art." Peridot said.

The others gathered around her to see her creation. They each tilted their heads and scratched their hair.

"Uh...Peridot. What is that exactly?" Steven asked.

Peridot cocked an eyebrow as she turned to him, "Isn't it obvious? It's from the cover of the "cereal" you consume every morning."

Taking a better look at it Steven tilted his head at the illustration. Blinking his eyes he let out a small gasp, "Oh! I see it now!"

"Looks more like a first draft." Lapis said with crossed arms.

"Ditto." Kameron added. "Now that the drill has style let's head back. Tomorrow's a big day."

Steven and Peridot held hands while Kameron and Lapis did the same just before the quartet warped away.

November 14th 10:00 p.m.

'...And so...after engaging in various activities with the Crystal Gems and Rainbow Gems in constructing the drill, I have reached a plethora of conclusions.

Despite my capture and being forced into helping them save the planet, interacting with them has been...unusual. To elaborate, Azurite and Onyx have presented me with the location of Gems who have died during and after the Great War. Both were somber and distant to further explain the deaths to which made me keep my distance. Back on Home-World it's an everyday occurrence when a Gem dies and we simply move on from it, but on Earth special care had been taken.

Charoite and Lepidolite gave me a treat: Ice Cream. Since birth I have not consumed any kind substance, making my first attempt difficult to proceed, but I managed to engage in it. To my surprise, it was very delicious. As I consumed the Ice Cream both Gems comforted me. The experience has made me...calm and comforting. Although Amethyst hasn't forgiven me from my offensive comments. She may never forgive me, but...I wish for her to.

When asking about the Great War to Pearl, Amber, and Pyrope they provided with interesting answers. Both Amber and Pyrope have explained the grueling aspects of it, which isn't too surprising considering their former occupations. However when asking about it with White's Pearl she explained her time with Pink Diamond and her own personal experience with it. These views are rather interesting to listen to. A far cry from what I always knew.

Working with the Gems of great strength wasn't terrible. Citrine had complimented me on my work, making me happy of my accomplishments. Bismuth still dislikes me and Garnet only responses when she wants to. Not too difficult, yet still unusual.

Lastly were Kameron, Steven, and Lapis. Together we've added some substance on the drill called paint to give the machine "some style" as Kameron has called it. My attempt at it has been successful, though was giving criticism from Lazuli and Kameron.

In conclusion: My time on Earth is still...new to me. I am acquiring new types of knowledge from the rebels. The drill is officially complete and tomorrow is the day we reach the Cluster. I am...not sure what to expect, but...I guess I will have to wait. Log Date: Completed.'

Dismissing her screen Peridot lowered her arm and raised her head up to the night sky. Placing her actual hand on her Limb-enhancer she slightly gripped onto it as her eyes began to shake.

"Yellow Diamond. I am going against your orders. You may not forgive me, but...I think I'm starting to like this planet." Peridot said quietly to herself.

End Of Episode 58.

Next Time:

The Cluster Part 1