Heaven's Strike 3: Outskirts of Heaven [Lapidot AU]

Chapter 1: Preparation

What is your ideal 'Paradise'? Is it to be with someone you love? Family or just simple yourself and the whole world. For those who fight with great effort, they found it sooner than the other, as for Lapis and Peridot, their 'Paradise' is to be with each other. Officially.

After 2 months, everyone was expecting the wedding day, the Crystal Gems Celestial's Temple is finally rebuild, while Pearl, Amethyst, and Garnet was busy focus on preparing for the big day, the other has some rest while most of the threat was eliminated, with the help of Yellow Diamond, everything was at state, the aisle is almost ready too.

One problem is......"Peridot??! Amethyst, where is she?"

"Do I look like a babysitter to you Pearl...? The last time I saw her was over the Pedal"

"Urgh, she's getting nervous again" – Pearl shook her head, hand still adjusted the sheet on the table.

"Stop freaking out, Lapis is looking for her"

"Jeez, hope she will calm her down a bit, the time is near. And...Pumpkin please stop chewing that chair..."

Pumpkin stopped bouncing up and down when Pearl turned at him, his eyes wide and mouth already partly open just to drop the remaining part of ... whatever it is.

"This is going to be a long day..."

After getting out of the craziest time of crisis, Peridot found herself trailing along the path to the Bakery, hoping to find a fine place to buy the 'main' cake..., it's not necessary for them but it still vital in the wedding anyway.

Chocolate, Vanilla, With layers or not?... Hm, I wonder, what would she like? Argh, I can think of anything...

Standing there for a while, she then gave up and make her way to the nearest park, sitting on the bench, her feet kicking in the air as if she wished she were on a swing.

What's wrong with me...Why acting so strange. Maybe... I'm not ready yet, but, no I want to marry her and I will, stop worrying Peridot!!!

The unease was blocking her mind when she couldn't realize, someone was there right by her side too. Peridot was now peculiarly conscious of the mystery girl sitting next to her. In the warm light of early summer, the mystery girl's raven hair glowed, her skin was fair, tumbling in the black matte dress, she turned, giving her a heartful smile. "Trouble?"

Peridot looked up, confusing but still answer to the question anyway, "It's... my wedding day, I got nervous and..." As she spoke, her face looks in the distance. "I don't know what is wrong with me", her voice lower, desperately needed for a right answer, or at least a way out of this...nonsense feeling she was having.

"Need some advice? You can tell me, if anything that a close one couldn't help, then maybe a stranger could"

'Stranger', that what she said, but is it? Peridot somehow agrees to our stranger, she didn't say much about anything too personal—or rather did not know what to say more, her condition, why she should have had this thought, cause she doesn't want to waste most of her time for this any longer.

"But you wanted this, right? That's why you propose to your loved one. Then what are you stalling for?"

"I—should I? I don't know if I can make her happy? Or will there be something happen in the future...if something would happen, and tear this apart, it would break my heart just to see her crying again, I don't know if I can promise her a better life than she has before"

Peridot cupped her face with her own hands, hiding her current facial to the mystery girl then continued. "The feel of losing one important person of my life...I couldn't bare just to watch when it comes once more. I couldn't protect my sister-- how can I make sure that I could protect my love at this point"

She could sense it, the dark power, one powerful, wicked is coming and it's haunting in her dream every night...

"You worry too much about the future dear, loosen up a bit, it's not like the end of the world, getting married is a big step, but is there any term to say that you have to protect her? She didn't ask you to either, decide and work together, you're not on your own anymore, alright?" – She put her hand on Peridot's shoulder, comfort the blonde one, as her gaze now turn deep to the 'stranger'.

"Hmm? Something wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?"

"No, it just, you sound like someone I knew that would say the same thing to me, amazing. Thanks... I think I have clear my mind a little"

"Glad I can help. And for one last advice, you can't control everything in your life, be aware of the things around, with full cautious" – A grin has spread across her face, yet she then stands up, "Oh! Order that Blue and Green Ombre cake from the old Bakery at the west side of this City, I think it suits for both of you. Gotta go now, best wishes to your wedding"

"Wait, how did you?--" - She didn't finish her question, the mystery girl has already left, leaving her alone again, while Peridot was still confusing, Lapis has appeared to her side.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Lapis?! I—ur, no one...How can you find me?"

"Please, I know you, it's my one and only special talent"

"Right... my perfect girl. I..urr, sorry for the trouble, I just went out to order the cake, have to check it myself"

"That's very sweet of you--"

Without any intention, Peridot pulled Lapis against her chest. She let out a tiny gasp and squirmed uncomfortably. "What is it?" She felt Peridot's lips softly graze her neck, looking up as she meets her gaze, she asked.

"Are you sure you ready for this? We can call it on hold if you want to"

Peridot clutched her hand, her voice raises a little as her determined "No... I'm sure", her hand reach out and intertwine with Lapis's "Very sure"

"Then let's go home"

***

Far away from the rooftop of a building across, the mystery girl was watching over them, yet it comes with a different vibe. White Pearl slowly emerge behind her.

"I see you've met one of the main brides"

She scoffed - "Didn't I tell you to stay at White Palace? Your wound didn't really heal back from where Aquamarine has done"

"Forgive me, but I couldn't let you out here alone either"

"No worries, I appreciate your concern, but don't risk it again. Hmm, besides... your intel is right, this one is pretty interested. Keep her alive for me would you? And for the rest of them, I don't care, do as you wish"

"Whatever you say my Queen"

Only fools will still continue to believe and hope.

Let's play a game together Peridot, whether your 'believe' win, or my justice win.