37. Joining

Peridot and Augustus slowly climbed to the ground. The drill was very broken, it was on its last legs when they were able to get up.

--- August ! - as soon as they stepped out of the drill, the gems were instantly at their side and hugged them, so much so that they were gasping for breath.

--- You did it ! - Amethyst exclaimed loudly in August's ear.

--- Good job. You're doing great. - Garnet said in a calm voice as she tightened her grip on them.

--- Guys, that's enough. Peridot and I are suffocating. - Augustus barely managed to squeeze out a move before he was finally given back access to oxygen.

--- Sorry ! Are you okay ? - Pearl looked at him uneasily

--- Normal. Just don't squeeze me like you want to squeeze my guts out.

Pearl took him in her arms. Much softer this time.

--- Thank God you're okay.

--- I promised you.

They held each other in their arms. Their faces were facing each other, they were slowly getting closer, but...

--- That's enough ! --- Peridot separated them and blocked Augustus.

--- You ! How dare you, little one !

--- Who are you calling a baby ? What I want, I do ! The old woman !

--- You ! - they looked at each other intently. Lightning flashed between them. Think Augustus has seen this somewhere before.

--- Stop. - Garnet took Peridot and Pearl by the scruff of the neck and raised them to her level.

--- All later. First you need to celebrate the successful completion of the mission.

--- I understood Garnet.

--- So be it. Then I'll deal with this old woman.

Everyone began to prepare for the holiday. They tried to make something edible out of the leftovers. After all, it was a holiday. The earth is saved, the Cluster has calmed down, everyone is alive and well. It would be a sin not to celebrate.

--- August ! The table is ready ! Call Peridot.

--- Okay !

Where was Peridot? She hadn't been seen since the end of the mission. Augustus went to her permanent residence, at the end of the barn. He was still able to find her, but something was wrong with her. She went back and forth about the room, muttering something.

--- I need to call. No, you don't have to. But I have to go back. No, don't, I have everything here, and what do I have in my HomeWorld ?

Augustus took a closer look and noticed something. In the hands of Peridot was the same crystal that was at the lunar base ! But why would she want him ?

--- Good ! I've decided ! - she stopped abruptly and exclaimed.

She pressed the crystal and it floated. A holographic screen appeared from it and the waiting process began. After a while, a new stone appeared on the screen.

--- Yellow Pearl on the line. Who dares to call the diamond channel ?

Peridot came to attention.

--- You are concerned about Peridot.

--- Which one ?

--- Ummm

--- Which of..

--- Who's calling ?

A calm voice came from the other side of the screen. The stone on the screen immediately became concerned.

--- My Diamond ! Someone is calling from the diamond line.

--- Give it here

Whose huge hand raised the screen and it appeared to be her. Yellow Diamond. It was just like a mural.

--- My Diamond, you are concerned about Peridot.

--- Which one is it ?

--- F5 cut 5XG.

--- Why are you calling from the diamond line ?

--- I apologize for contacting you in this way, but I have no other option.

--- You were sent to...Earth. How is she ?

--- Full.

--- What happened to your escort and your ship ? Where are Jasper and the prisoner ?

--- Ship...crashed.

--- How did this happen ? - Yellow Diamond gave Peridot a careful look, which caused her to start sweating profusely.

--- This...it was my mistake ! I lost control of the car. Jasper and the captive were lost.

--- ... I'll report your mistake to your command. What is the current status of the Cluster ?

--- He...enters the stage of awakening.

--- At least one piece of good news. I'll send a ship for you. Be ready to go back.

--- My Diamond !

--- Did you want something else ?

--- I think destroying the Earth is a waste of resources !!

--- Explain yourself

--- This is the perfect place to create a kindergarten. If we just destroy it, we'll lose it...

--- Now listen to me - Yellow Diamond lifted the camera closer to her and plugged the Peridot.

--- You failed. You destroyed the ship, you lost your escort, you completely failed.

--- But...

--- Shut your mouth - Peridot's mouth closed instantly

--- This is my Cluster and I will do whatever I want with it. I want the Earth to be destroyed, burned to dust, disappeared from the star charts. DO.YOU.UNDERSTAND.ME ?

--- No !

--- You dare to challenge my authority ?!

--- Only your decision !

--- What do you know about Earth ? You little rock !

--- Yes, much more than you ! You're clod ! - Diamond's face became so funny that August couldn't help it.

--- Hahahahahahha !

--- August ?

He came out of hiding and was still chuckling as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

--- Excellent words Peridot. I haven't laughed like this in a long time.

--- What are you doing here ?

--- The table is set, it's time...

--- How dare you interrupt our conversation ? - Yellow Diamond stared at Augustus intently

--- ... there is. Everyone is waiting

--- But...

--- Let's go, otherwise...

--- Answer my question !

--- SHUT UP ! YOU BIG YELLOW BITCH ! - Augustus turned directly to the screen and shouted. He was sick of their conversation being interrupted.

--- Wha...

--- Shut up and listen to me ! You're nobody, and I can't call you anything. You're nothing to me, a fart after pea soup. Do you want to prove something ? Come here and kick my ass !

--- Yo...

Before she could finish, he broke the crystal. Shards of glass flew all over the barn.

--- Let's go. Everyone is waiting. - he held out his hand and smiled. She looked at him and took his hand.

--- Uh-huh. Let's go to our friends.

They came to the table where everyone was waiting. Before they could say anything, Garnet came over and hugged them.

--- You're doing great. - she pulled away from them and looked at them all, then turned to them.

--- From this day on, your internship is officially over ! You become an official member of the Crystal Gems !

She took the stars from somewhere and pinned them on her chest.

--- Congratulations. In accepted.

--- Congratulations !

--- Congratulations !

--- Congratulations !

From this moment, from this second. The countdown has begun. No one knows when it will stop, but what it has brought with it...no one will be ready for this.