When they got back to Salamandastron, they found Pearl, Sapphire, and Major Perigord standing on the beach waiting for them.

"Ruby!" Sapphire cried, running up to Ruby and hugging her.

Pearl saw Lapis. "What's she doing here?"

"She just helped us fight off a bunch of Centipeetles!" Tammo said. "You should have seen her. She blasted them all with a giant wave of water!"

Major Perigord pointed to the bundle in Tammo's arms. "What's that you're holding?"

Tammo showed him. "It's a baby badger. Ruby found him lost in the woods."

The major winked. "Aha, what did I tell you? Sooner or later, a badger always finds Salamandastron. And the five of you saved him from the mutants? Good work. Mentioned in dispatches, wot wot! We'll inquire around and see if he has any parents looking for him, but if no relatives turn up, we'll raise him here."

"Just like how Garnet, Pearl, and me raised Tamm after his parents died," Amethyst said.

"What are you going to name him?" Joshy asked.

Major Perigord spread his arms wide. "He shall name himself. The first word that he speaks with his own lips will become his name!"

Just then the badger said, "Nut!"

Perigord reddened. "Okay, forget that stupid idea. I'll just name him Russano."

Joshy approved. "That's a good name, wot."

Tammo said to Pearl, "Lapis wants to stay here with us and become a Crystal Gem. That's okay with you, right?"

"I suppose," said Pearl. "As long as she behaves herself."

"I will!" Lapis promised.

Sapphire was apologizing to Ruby. "I never should have told you that we didn't matter anymore. I shouldn't have pushed you away like that."

"Naw, you were right," Ruby said. "Someone else told us we were the answer. But I don't believe that anymore. At least, not till I hear it from you." She held out her hand to Sapphire. "Sapphire… will you marry me?"

Sapphire was caught off guard. She chuckled nervously. "What? Marry you?"

"Yeah!" said Ruby. "This way, we can be together even when we're apart! This time, being Garnet will be our decision. What do you say?"

Sapphire smiled. "Of course."

"Yee-haw!" Ruby exclaimed. She hugged Sapphire tightly.

"I've been waiting to kiss your cute face!" Sapphire kissed Ruby on her cheek. Ruby lifted Sapphire up and spun her around, and they began laughing together in joy.