(This'll be a short chapter.)

"Log date, 3 1 2. This is Peridot, performing a search and rescue mission for ST-4967. It has been 46 days since he was sent to Earth for the progress report on Black Diamond's Cluster Project. He has yet to respond to any messages, but I pinpointed his location around a small chunk of land in the middle of the ocean."

The ship was rather...unique. Normally, the current Gem ships where modeled after hands,

But this one was modeled after the foot of a Limb Enhancer.

This ship landed on an island with multiple crystal clusters and geodes.

"Now on the island's surface, there seems to be no sign of intelligent life anywhere-"

(Slap Trap)"Hello!"

The green Gem spun around and nearly fired a plasma ball at the Scouting Eye. He was in much worse shape now. His brain casing was heavily cracked, his eye was flickering on and off, his wiring was sticking out from multiple areas, and it was apparent that he was missing both legs.

(Slap Trap)"Hey, P-dot! I got your message!"

(Peridot)"What happened to you...and what's that big machine you're in?"

(Slap Trap)"Gems happened, and I made this mech suit out of stuff I found in the garbage! Pretty cool, huh?"

(Peridot)"...Why am I not surprised? Did you at least complete the task you were sent here for?"

(Slap Trap)"Yep, got the scabbard right here!"

He showed her the black sheath tide to his back.

(Peridot)"And the Cluster?"

(Slap Trap)"Got that too, there was just a bunch of Gems keeping me from leaving!"

(Peridot)"Alright, just get in the ship and repair yourself."

(Slap Trap)"Kay!"

Still in the mech, he stomped through the door, much to Peridot's annoyance.

(Peridot)"You're tracking in sand and mud!"

(Slap Trap)"I ain't leaving this baby behind!"

(Peridot)"I swear, I'd rather be shattered than work with him sometimes..."

As she entered the ship, it levitated a few feet off the ground, then immediately shot into space. Slap Trap, laid on a green table, was having damaged plates and new pairs of arms and legs attached by robotic arms similar to his.

(Peridot)"So, what is the current progress on the Cluster?"

(Slap Trap)"About a month or two, good thing you showed up when ya did!"

(Peridot)"Wish I didn't..."

(Slap Trap)"Huh?"

(Peridot)"Nothing. And there's still a multitude of Corrupted Gems roaming the planet?"

(Slap Trap)"Yeah, but not just corrupted, there were those Crystal Gems still hoping around!"

(Peridot)"....What did you say?"

(Slap Trap)"Crystal Gems. Even that Rose Quartz gal's still kicking!"

(Peridot)"Are you sure?"

(Slap Trap)"Yep, she just changed her form into a kid called 'Steven'. I first saw them at the Kindergarten."

(Peridot)"Oh...oh my stars... We have to tell Black Diamond!"

The two ran for the control room, where they turned the newly installed Diamond Communicator to the two black sides.

(Black made the choice to give a few to the important Gems...don't know why Trap has one though...)

(Pearl)"Who is this?"

(Peridot)"This is Peridot Facet-2F5L Cut-5XG, we have an urgent report for Black Diamond?"

(Black)"Pearl? Who's calling me?"

(Pearl)"It's ST-4967's partner, she says she has something important to report."

His hand could be seen grabbing the screen and raising it up to his face.

(Black)"This must be important, I'm in the middle of something."

(Peridot)"My Diamond, first of all, I can assure you that ST-4967 has recovered your-"

(Slap Trap)"I got your scabbard back, Boss Man! And that Cluster thing is almost done, too!"

(Peridot)"D-Don't address him by that!"

(Black)"It's fine, I'm actually in quite a good mood so I'll allow that. Was there anything else you wanted to tell me?"

(Peridot)"Well, yes. You see, my Diamond, there's still...Gems on Earth."

(Black)"I know, I corrupted them all with Yellow and Blue Diamond."

(Peridot)"I-It's not like that, my Diamond..."

(Black)"What are you saying?"

(Peridot)"I'm saying that...R-R-Rose Quartz...she is..."

(Black)"She. Is. What?"

He was starting to get anxious by the very name of THAT Gem. What could she possibly be hesitant on telling him? Could it be that...no, that wasn't possible.

(Peridot)"Sh-She is...sill active on Earth. ST-4967 has said he encountered them at the Prime Kindergarten..."

(Black)"........What?"

(Peridot)"Yes, my Diamond. The...Crystal Gems are alive..."

(Black)"...Go to Homeworld at once, we need to have an emergency meeting."

(Peridot)"About Ro-"

(Black)"YES."

He ended the call, and just...sat there, staring down at the control panel of the base of his current colony. He could see the reflection of himself, his "scars", scars from the past, from the war.

(Black)"..."

(Pearl)"My...my Diamo-"

(Black)"DAMN YOU, ROSE!!!"

He finally snapped. The Diamond went ballistic on the desk, smashing it to pieces, then throwing the chair through the glass dome. Thankfully, the planet's moon had an atmosphere, so the two Gems weren't sucked out.

(Black)"DAMN HER!! HOW DARE SHE STILL LIVE!?! DOES SHE GET OFF ON MY OWN EXPENSE, IS THAT IT??!"

(Pearl)"M-My Diamond, please calm down!"

(Black)"CALM DOWN, CALM DOWN!?! I AM F*CKING FURIOUS! 6,000 YEARS, SIX-F*CKING-THOUSAND, PEARL! AND SHE HAS THE ABSOLUTE NERVE OF PRANCING AROUND LIKE SHE OWNS THE PLACE, WHILE I HAD TO SAVE A CRUMBLING EMPIRE!!!"

Not even acknowledging it, he repeatedly punched the floor at such speed and force, he went down to the ground level, and he would've went to the moon's core if he wasn't held back. With what little strength she had compared to the Diamond, Pearl latched onto his left arm.

(Pearl)"P-Please stop! Please, Black, you need to stop!"

She could see tears in his dark eyes. He didn't look angry anymore, just...hurt.

(Black)"......Get the ship ready, and call the Inner Circle...NOW."

(Pearl)"Yes...my Diamond..."

(Black)"Why? Why must you still haunt me, you...you devil...?"