Episode 18: Marble Madness
Jack was working on something. It wasn't neither Project Morph nor Project Rebirth. Jack came up with a new idea in the intervening months as it was now March. Jack have been mostly by himself ever since Wuya's backstab. Ever since then, neither the Monks nor Jack got a shen gong wu activation. Jack grabs his metal mask protector and begins welding something. 'If Wuya ever shows her ugly face, I'll tell her to beat it in her face.' Jack thought. Jack isn't going to forgive nor forget Wuya anytime soon…if ever.
Right on cue, Wuya floats into Jack's basement. She slowly floats over to Jack. "Why, hello, Jack." Wuya said. "I'm…impressed on how you are working. Maybe something that could help us out?" "Beat it, Wuya. There's no us." Jack responds back, keeping his promise to himself. Wuya gasp. "Jack, that's no way to treat a friend." Wuya said. "Friend? HA! Your Mala Mala Jong went bust and you expect me to be your friend again? Forget it!" Jack said with a ferocious anger. "Come on, Jack. You do need me in some shape. Yes, Peridot is set to come here, but that could be long down the road. Besides, you need me to detect shen gong wu." Wuya mentions.
"That's where you are wrong on both fronts." Jack said, removing his metal mask protector. "I managed to create this!" Jack holds up a diamond shaped object with arrows on it. It began beeping a bit. "The Jack Spicer Shen Gong Wu Finder!" Jack said with a proud look. "The-The wha?" Wuya said, stuttering on what she heard. Jack presses a button and a new object appears, Jack's newly built Jet. He had built it during this time as well. "Look, you aren't the only one that can detect Shen Gong Wu is activating, but also this bad boy can find it in a heart beat." Jack said as he puts it on his ship. He begins calibrating it. "And what about this Peridot arrival?" Wuya mentions.
"Well, if you like to know, Peridot managed to convince her Diamond to do more research on Earth and also look into the Prime Kindergarten. Peridot managed to ask me if I would like to see old gem tech that I can use for further modernize my tech. Needless to say, I took the offer. Besides, she's my new business partner." Jack said with a smug look on his face. Wuya can't believed what she's hearing. Just then the Wu finder beeps as it completes it calibrating stage. Wuya began to look a bit down. "Face it, Wuya. It's over." Jack said as he pull his goggles over his eyes. He climbs into his jet. "I'm going to do a bit of a quick test run and I want you to be out of my sight when I return!" Jack said as the jet flies off. Wuya just looks out to see the jet disappear over the horizon. "Over, is it?" Wuya said. "We'll see about that." She floats out of Jack's HQ with an evil idea brewing in her ghostly head.
Back at Beach City, The Monk were doing some training on the beach with Connie and Steven watching. Kimiko was doing some flips and kicks against Clay in some improvise training sparing while Omi meditates on his head. Steven and Connie were very interested on how the Monks train. Connie remember something and grabs her backpack. "What is it, Connie?" Steven said. "Well, I brought you this." Connie said. She then showed a book called Unfamiliar Familiar. "Book! Wow, cool cover" Steven said. Kimiko and Clay stopped sparing and walked over to Steven and Connie. "What's going on with you two?" Kimik said.
"Well, I was going to show Steven my favorite series of books, The Spirit Morph Saga." Connie said with a smile. "It's about a girl named Lisa and she is a witch. I mean, she doesn't know it at first and she has a familiar, which is sorta like the spirit companion everyone has in the world. Hers is a talking falcon named Archimicarus." "That's sure is jam packed with mystery." Clay said. "Yea, mystery." Steven said. "If you guys like, I can read to all 3 of you." Connie said. Steven was on board, Kimiko pulls out her laptop while sitting down. Clay decides to join in. Connie begins to read as we pan to Omi. His concentration on the meditation was hard was we see flashes of the Reversing Mirror, Wuya, and Peridot. This cause Omi to snap out of his meditation state and scream.
Kimiko and Clay quickly get up and rushes to Omi as he lands face down. "Something wrong, Omi?" Kimiko said. "You look more pale than Jack Spicer." Clay said. Omi slowly gets up. "I-I saw an unknown Shen Gong Wu, Wuya, and Peridot. Wuya looked like she had an evil grin and Peridot...I don't know. She looks intimidating, looking down at something." Omi said. "That doesn't sound good." Kimiko said. Omi can't shake off the feeling that these are meaning something. Something big happening. Just then, the ground rumbles. This disturbed Steven and Connie's story. "What was that?" Steven said. "No clue, but that didn't sound goo-" Connie said a massive splash of water is heard. A moment of silence was felt as a green orb thing rolled up to the beach. The Monks are on guard as the Gems rushes out to see it as well.
"Oh no! It's that Marble Robot" Steven said. "A what?" Connie said. The robot begin to form legs and began to march towards Connie and Steven when both Clay and Garnet stopped it in it's track. "Not so fast, robot. You got to get past all 6 of us." Clay said. "Amethyst, Pearl, Now!" Garnet said as Pearl and Amethyst began to launch a massive strike on the machine. It takes a critical hit and destroyed, with a massive green goo in trail. This left Amethyst in a complete green goo, Clay, Kimiko, and Omi having some goo on them while Steven, Connie, Pearl and Garnet were not cover in goo, Steven and Connie of which were in Steven's bubble. Steven dispels his bubble while Connie was amazed by what she saw. "You okay?" Steven said to Connie. "I really love hanging out at your place." Connie said with a big smile. Kimiko walks up to Pearl. "So, do you think it was-?" Kimiko asked. "Peridot's machines, no doubt about it. The only thing...we never seen something that big before." Pearl said. Amethyst walks up, all gooey. "Or this gooey" she said. She then tries to hug Pearl but Pearl runs off. Clay and Omi walks up to Kimiko. "That's the third one this week." Clay said. "Yea, but who knows what Peridot is planning on" Kimiko said. "It is most strange that Peridot sent three orbs to earth. Why would she do that?" Omi said. Kimiko ponders something. "Hmm...I guess maybe try and see where it might go. I'll talk to the Gems about it." Kimiko said. "For now, we need to get hosed down." Clay said. Kimiko and Omi nods.
The next day, Jack was on the radio again. "What do you mean it hasn't arrive yet?" Jack said. "Look, I'm assuming the Gems and Monk are interfering with it. Keyword, assuming." Peridot said. "If not, then the Robonoids are crashing into bad spots." "Well, maybe try to get it close to a warp pad and warp it before the Gems and Monks know what's going on…that is if they know." Jack said. Jack is grown a bit paranoid that they knew the Spybots but was mostly keeping his composure at this point. "I doubt they know me or anything." Peridot said. "If they did, it would compromise the mission." "I don't want you to fail because of me. I assure to you that they are out of the loop." Jack said. "Well, you are a smart kid and I will give credit where credit is due." Peridot said. "Besides, you did provide a lot of info for me and their location." Jack smiles a bit. "Alright, Send another one. Keep sending till they get tired or the robonoid gets to the kindergarten." Jack said. "Okay." Peridot said. "Just have the webcam on standby." Jack ends communications with Peridot for now.
Jack sits back in his chair and ponders. 'With Wuya now gone, Peridot is my best bet…but why do I have a nagging feeling that this is going to end so badly.' Jack thought. He looks back at the Chase Young poster and begins to think. He imagines him and Peridot training with Chase Young, becoming stronger, faster and better. Jack then imagines that Chase Young is commending both of their efforts and says that Wuya is wrong on Jack, also saying he's so full of potential. However, he soon snap out of it. "Chase isn't around, Jack." Jack said to himself. "He's long dead. Why would he train you when he's gone?" Jack stands up and begins to walk. "Even if he was alive, why would he take me under his wing? I doubt that he would appreciate me expelling Wuya." Jack thinks a bit more. "However, I might persuade him with Peridot and the ideas of Project Morph and Project Rebirth could be just the recipe for success." Jack sits back down and looks over his Project Morph and Project Rebirth. "All I need is Peridot approval and these bad boys will go into production." Jack said some more. He begins drawing up more of his projects and wait on both Peridot and the shen gong wu activation.
Back at Beach City, Steven was on the phone while the Monks and Gems are discussing something. "You sure that's a wise idea." Pearl said with nervous tone. "Wh-what if it was doing something truly bad?" "Then we can attack it before it does something bad." Kimiko said. "However, I doubt it'll attack us before it does it mission." "Besides, if it arrives again, that would be the FOURTH one this week." Clay added. Pearl and Garnet began to ponder. It is starting to get a bit grating on them and this is starting to sense a pattern. "Hmm...I guess we can't argue that much. We'll follow the next one that arrives." Garnet said. "If Rai was still here, he would mention "oh, that will take like forever" and then it would enter the atmosphere like right now." Kimiko said.
Just then, the building rumbles. "And now he would have said "of all timing..."" Kimiko added. They soon rush outside to see a shooting object in the sky. Garnet realized the trajectory. "It's heading to Mask Island! We need to rendezvous there now." Garnet said. "I'll call you back Connie." Steven said as he hangs up. The Monks and the gems stands on the warp pad and warp away. While in the Warp stream, Clay looked at Garnet. "Remember, we follow where it needs to go. Do not destroy it." Clay said. "I know, Clay...I know." Garnet said. "I just don't know about it, Clay." Pearl said. "Well, we got to wait and see, Pearl." Kimiko argue back. Just then, Dojo popped out of Clay's hat with a yawn. "What is going on here?" Dojo said while rubbing his eyes. "Dojo? Why were you in my hat?" Clay said. "What, I need someplace to rest where it's nice and dark enough for me." Dojo said
Soon, they arrive at the Mask Island and see the Robonoid already nearing the warp pad. "Wait, it's heading to the warp pad we are on?" Pearl said. "Was all this time looking for the warp?" "Apparently so." Kimiko said. The Robonoid made no effort on attacking and just got on the warp pad with the Monks and Gems on it. It begins to activate and they warp away. In the warp stream, they slowly climb on top of the robonoid to make sure it doesn't get too far on it mission. "Yee-haw. Riding it like a cowboy" Steven said. Clay could only chuckle. Soon, they arrive at the kindergarten. "What is it doing here in the Kindergarten? Isn't this site damaged enough?" Pearl said. "Well…I think it needs to go somewhere that isn't harmful?" Steven said. "Garnet?" Clay said. "Steven's way." Garnet said. Pearl groans.
The Robonoid jumps down to ground level and begins to walk some more. The Gems and Monks are still on it. "Nothing bad beyond the Kindergarten's shape." Clay said. "Hey, this is my place, you know." Amethyst said with a reminder. "Yea, Raimundo did mention it when you guys returned." Clay said. "It is most haunting to see it first hand…no offense." Omi said. "Eh, you get used to it." Amethyst said. Just then, the Robonoid stopped. "Why did we stop?" Pearl said. "Something is happening." Garnet said. Garnet quickly grabs the Monks, Pearl, Amethyst, and Steven and jumps off the Robonoid. It then shapeshift to a pyramid shape and opens up a pyramid shape hole. It slide and fits perfectly in the hole. "So, that's where it was heading." Kimiko said. "Come on, we must follow it!" Omi said. The rest would follow quickly.
Back at Jack's HQ. Jack was still working on Project Morph and Project Rebirth blueprints. He was drawing up on how each of the plan can be executed when approved. "If the gem tech is as hyped, then I might be more advanced than the Gems and Monks will ever get." Jack boasters. Just then, he hears the radio going off. Jack quickly turns the radio on. "Peridot! Any updates?" Jack said. "Got some news and they are indeed good. The Robonoid has arrived at the location. Prepare for webcam communications." Peridot said. "Great." Jack said as he starts setting up the webcam. He was starting to get a bit gitty from the idea of possibly getting a lot of high tech stuff and knowledge.
At the Kindergarten, they arrive at the bottom and sees a hand pedestal. A small robonoid squeeze out of the bigger robonoid and climbs the hand pedestal. The room begins to glow as it activates. Two screen began to activate. The Gems and Monks quickly hide as Jack and Peridot show up on screen. "Yes! It works!" Jack said with a victorious tone. "Calm down, Spicer. We still got some work to do." Peridot said. Peridot opens up her notes. "Connected to the Prime Kindergarten with one Jack Spicer in Facet Five. Will check the status for the Kindergarten." she said.
"What does that mean?" Clay whispers. Pearl thinks then gasp. "I think she's trying to reactivate the kindergarten!" Pearl whispers. "And with Jack, who know what forces they'll make!" "I doubt that they'll do anything at this time." Dojo softly peeps out. "Besides, with the tech that Jack has, it would be most unwise to interfere with their mission. If they succeed on establish a strong connection, then we would be in most trouble." Omi said softly. "Alright, when they are distracted, attack the power source." Garnet said. Everyone nods. They look over to see Steven already climbing upward. "Are you kidding me" Kimiko whisper shouts.
Steven walks on the around the control room while Jack and Peridot were distracted. "Let's see if this archaic gem tech still works." Peridot said. "They look modern to me." Jack mention. "Super modern to you, but old to me." Peridot said. "I don't know, they look cool to me." Steven said. A brief silence. Jack is sweating. "D-d-did I hear that correctly?" Jack softly whisper. Peridot's screen turns to see Steven just standing there. "Hi." Steven said. Peridot screen lowers to Steven. "Uhh...who are you?" Peridot said, trying to play dumb. "Oh, my name is Steven." Steven said. Steven looks up to see Jack's back of his head. "Hey, Jack. Fancy seeing you here." Steven said with a tone in cheek tone.
'Shoot. He knows I'm here.' Jack thoughts. Jack turns his screen to face Steven. "So...what are you doing, Jack?" Steven said. "None of your beewa….actually." Jack said. He then had an evil smile. "Well, since the cats is out of the bag. Why not?" "What are you planning, Jack?" Peridot said. "Steven, this is Peridot, Codename 5XG." Jack said. "Why now?!" Peridot said. "Well, it was going to be out sooner or later." Jack retorts. "Ugh…fine." Peridot said. Jack then realized something. "Are the Gems and Monks near by?" Jack said. "Nope." Steven said. "So how many human are still kicking around?" Peridot said. "Oh, there's plenty. My dad, Connie, Lar, Sadie, the mailman, Onion…I think. Lots of people. Including Jack." Steven said. Jack rolls his eyes. "Can we just crush him?" Jack said. "Alright, fine…" Peridot said. One of the hand forms into a fist and tries to crush him. However, Garnet and Clay with his fist of tebigong managed to dispel it.
"Oh, Come on!" Jack said in anger as Peridot is stunned. Just then the rest appear. "Just when things couldn't get any worse." Jack bemoans. "Great…But I do have these Crystal Gems and these Xiaolin Monk to be on record." Peridot said. The Monks and Gems gulp but still stood strong. "Why must you guys interfere with out partnership?!" Peridot said. "And why is the homeworld warp pad down again!?" "Because we are the Crystal Monks and we will still stand to defend earth and all shen gong wu." Pearl said. "Wait, wait, the Crystal Monks?" Peridot said. "Why that name?" "Oh…Crystal Gems, Xiaolin Monks. They merged the names together." Jack said. "Ugh…really." Peridot said with an uninterested tone.
Dojo then peaks out. "And we know of Peridot. We saw Jack and Wuya talking to you at the warp pad." Dojo said before realizing what he said and face palming on himself. Jack… well, he was seeing red now. He realized that the Monks and Gems knew of his Spybots before it got destroyed, knew of 5XG before today and even knew of his plan ever since he and Peridot first met. All that and with the Wuya mention made Jack snap. "ARE...YOU...KIDDING?!" Jack shouts. "YOU LOSERS KNEW ABOUT MY SPYBOTS AND PERIDOT BEFORE TODAY?! AND YOU DESTROYED THE WARP PAD AFTER PERIDOT AND I LEFT?! GGGGGGGRRRRRAH! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" Jack turns the video signal off and lost connection with Peridot. "Jack, Jack?!" Peridot said as Amethyst launches a hand to the power supply. It destroys it and Peridot signal ran out but not before Peridot said she'll report this.
The monks and Gems walk to Steven. "Sorry, I may have taken a step too far." Steven said. "Well, it was the Monks idea and it did have some perks." Garnet said. "Yea." "Plus, seeing Jack getting all red was funny." Kimiko said. "The way we played him may have angered him but that is some good schadenfreude" Clay said. "It was most amusing to see Jack get really red." Omi said with a big smile. "But there were a few draw back. Now Jack is pretty much wanting revenge and Peridot is going to report everything to someone." "Aw man." Steven said. "Well, we got no other choice but to wait and see." Clay said. We pan to the destroyed power source a spark of energy pops off.
End of Episode 18