309 days until final report.

Steven looks at his gem. It hasn't glowed since the incident with the corrupted gem. He hasn't had the chance to talk to Lapis about honestly doesn't want to. He doesn't want Lapis to worry. He decides to head down to the boardwalk to see Lion.

It's lightly raining in Ocean Town today, just a light, calm drizzle. Nothing that would deter someone going outside, but just enough to be noticeable.

Steven goes under the boardwalk. "Lion!" He yells. There's no response.

Steven opens a lion licker, which would normally get Lion's attaention, but there's no response. Steven hears a voice from the dark part of the underside of the boardwalk.

"Steven!" Peridot yells, "there's a corrupted gem! Go get my destabilizer!

"What kind?" Steven asks.

"It's a pink lion!" Peridot explains, "quick! Go get my destabilizer!"

Steven yells to Lion. "Lion!" He yells, "I've got a lion licker, just come here!"

Lion stops attacking Peridot, but doesn't stop glaring at her as he takes the lion licker from Steven's hand.

"What?" Peridot asks, "did you tame that thing?"

"Kinda," Steven replies, "I just feed him and he doesn't attack. He's not very obedient though."

"He's corrupted," Peridot replies, "we should shatter it."

"I'm not even sure it's a gem," Steven replies, "I mean, do you see one?"

Peridot examines Lion, looking for a gem, but can't find one.

"No," Peridot replies, "but we can't just leave him here under the boardwalk. I mean, if you can tame it, that's fine, but if Jasper finds out..."

The Lion scoops up Steven onto his back and picks up Peridot in his mouth before teleporting via one of his portals.

"Woah woah woah!" Peridot exclaims, "put me down!"

The trio arrive at a strawberry feild. Peridot wrestles out of Lion's grip.

"You filthy clod!" Peridot growls, "I should blast you right now!"

Lion stares at Peridot as he prepares to fire with mild indifference, and then yawns and lies down.

"You're not even worth it," Peridot sighs.

"Why did Lion bring us here?" Steven asks.

"Wait," Peridot realizes where they are, "you shouldn't be here. We have to go!"

"What are you talking about?" Steven asks as Lion gets back up behind his back and begins searching for something.

"Why do you guys always hide things from me?" Steven asks, "Lapis is the only one of you guys who's actually nice! You and Jasper just glare at me for something, I don't even what it is, and you treat me like I'm some object! Aren't we friends Peridot? Don't your trust me?"

Peridot remembers one of her orders.

Don't get attached, but looking at Steven, his kindness, his determination for answers, Peridot can't help but to get attached. Peridot decides that her diamond doesn't have to know Steven has some relation to Rose Quartz, she can make a mistake. Who would ever know if they were wrong? Peridot decides to protect Steven over her mission. Even if it means lieing in her final report.

"Of course we are," Peridot replies, "but as your friend, I ask you to trust me. We can't be here. If Japser learns of any connection between you and her she'll..."

"Does this have something to do with Rose?" Steven asks, "I don't know Rose. You know more about Rose than me! Why are you so intent on hiding Rose from me? Why is she so important?"

Lion nudges Steven, holding a pink scabbard in his mouth.

Peridot's skin crawls. She had seen that scabbard in older reports. That scabbard held the sword of Rose Quartz.

"Steven," Peridot speaks calmly trying to not upset Lion, "step away from the big pink clod slowly."

"I thought we agreed," Steven replies, "the Lion is fine, just not in Ocean Town. I mean it's not like-"

Lion lets out a low growl and hands Steven the scabbard. "What is this?" Steven asks.

"Don't touch that!" Peridot exclaims.

"Rose Quartz, right?" Steven asks, "I want answers Peridot. What happened here? Why do you hate this scabbard so much?"

"First," Peridot demands, "how do you know that name?"

"I overheard you saying it when you were recording some audio for whatever you use your weird tech hands for," Steven replies, "so what's the deal?"

"Fine," Peridot sighs, "I'll tell you everything you need to know. Rose Quartz was a gem, a very dangerous gem that started a war in which thousands were shattered. During this war, she shattered Pink Diamond. The one she was made for. Listen, Japser hates Rose. I can't say why, but she does. Please, don't bring this up to Jasper, OK?"

"Sure," Steven replies, now with many more questions than before. What happened to Rose? Who is Pink Diamond? Why was there a war? Yet, he decides not to let any further. He decides to let it go for now. The two head to the warp pad.

"Oh," Peridot stops Steven, "best be leaving that behind. If Jasper see you with that scabbard..."

Peridot trails off, thinking about what could happen.

"Fair point," Steven replies.

Lion gently takes the scabbard from Steven and lies down in the strawberry feild.

"Guess he's staying here," Peridot explains, "let's go."

Peridot and Steven leave, returning to Ocean Town via the warp pad.

Later that night...

"This is Peridot with a mission report," Peridot begins, "Steven shows little to no relation to Rose Quartz. However, this mission may long run. I, Peridot, request permission to terminate The Cluster..."