Episode 16: Alone at Sea
Omi and Steven were leading Lapis towards the Beach City Pier. Lapis was covering her eyes with her water wings. Lapis was told that there was a surprise for her. Lapis was curious about the surprise for her and played along. As they get closer and closer, she began to wonder what the surprise is. "You sure this is going to be good, you two?" Lapis asked them. "Oh, definitely, Lapis, We really want it to be special." Steven said. Soon, they arrived at the pier and to a ship that Greg was standing by. "Surprise!" All 3 said. Lapis…was mildly unenthusiastic. "Uhh…" Lapis said. "We got a boat that we rented." Omi said. "Yea, I may be rich but to buy a boat is going a bit…overboard." Greg said with a pun. Steven chuckles from that. Omi was a bit amused by it. "So, uh, who are you?" Lapis asked Greg. "Oh, I'm Greg Universe, Steven's dad." Greg said with a smile. "Lapis Lazuli, nice to meet you." Lapis said. Greg nods as he heads onto the ship to start it up.
Lapis was a little uncertain about this. "Something wrong, Lapis?" Omi asked. "I don't know about this, you two. I mean…" Lapis said. "Look, I know you were fused with Jasper for a long time at the bottom of the ocean. But you can't let that cloud your judgment. Besides, we name the ship after you." Omi said. We are shown that it was taped over the actual name and was called the S.S. Lil' Lappy...only for it temporary fall off to show that it was called the S.S. Misery. Greg quickly patches up. This did amuse Lapis a bit. "Alright, I'll give it a chance." Lapis said. Omi nods as they get everything ready for sailing, even pulling the rope from the bay. "Alright, looks like we are ready to go." Steven said. Greg began to sail out with minimal issues. Lapis looks out to the ocean, uncertain on how things would go. Omi was keeping a close eye on Lapis.
Back at the Heylin, they were wondering where Jasper went and what was her plan. Hannibal was drinking some water while Chase was pacing back and forth. Hannibal notices that Chase was acting a bit out of place. "Chase, why are you so worried about Jasper?" Hannibal said. "Well, it's just… Jasper is our only counter to the Crystal Gems at this point. She goes down, we don't have a strong enough counter against the Gems. They got Laps, Peridot, The Monks, Amethyst, Steven, Pearl and Garnet. I don't exactly know what is going on with Jack at this point in time but I fear that he might sing like a bird to the monks if he does decide to switch sides." Chase said. "While I can understand you worrying about Jasper's potential demise, Jack… I doubt that he would ally with those Monks. Even if he did, they would not trust him right off the bat. Plus, why would he sing like a bird to them?" Hannibal said. Chase ponders a bit. "Well, he did care about Peridot." Chase said. Hannibal raises an eyebrow. "How much so?" Hannibal asked. "Like…they could potentially be really close together…almost like they are dating one another." Chase said. Hannibal just laughs it off. "Them? Dating? If they date then I'm the freaking pope." Hannibal said. "I wouldn't laugh it off, Hannibal." Chase said. "Wuya mention that ever since her backstab against Jack, he's relied on Peridot more than before. From the time I saw them till Peridot's capture, she and Jack were close allies…a clique if you will." "Well, I doubt that it would be enough for him to switch sides." Hannibal said as he finishes his water and stands up. "Besides, we got more pressing issues to resolve." Hannibal then walks out, leaving Chase by himself. Chase sits down and ponders something. Was this a right call to trust Jasper at this point? She is valuable but with the alliance being fairly loose, it could backfire on them if done incorrectly.
Back at the boat, Lapis was sitting on a lounge chair when Omi and Steven came up to her. "Man, talk about getting some fresh sea air." Steven said. "Oh, yes, it's very good that smell is." Omi said. Lapis looks longly out the ocean. Omi sat next to Lapis. "What is on your mind, Lapis?" Omi asked. Lapis sighs. "I know you two are trying to get me out of that funk, but I still feel…off." Lapis admits. "I mean, Jack seems like a saint at this point in time when compared to my actions. I broke your dad's leg, I tried to steal the ocean, I feel like I'm a mess." "Lapis…" Steven and Omi said at the same time. "I feel like I'm a bad guy and I don't know how I can redeem myself." Lapis said as she clutches the chair's cushion. Omi places his hand on Lapis' shoulder. "Look, Lapis. Master Fung told Raimundo a quote that most rings true to you as well. You can't dwell in failure…or you can't leave it at all." Omi said. Lapis was a little uncertain on what it means. Just then, the yacht shakes and a soft clunk sounds off. This perplexed all 3 of them. They head over with Greg and soon discover some bad news. "Shoot, the engine is knocked out." Greg said. "Well, we might need to call in Jack, but he might be busy with his projects." Steven said. He pulls out his phone but the signal was barely there. "Shoot, not much of signal out here. I might be able to text one of monks to tell Jack about it and send him to us. I'll send one to Kimiko." Steven said as he began to text. Lapis was a bit disappointed about this. Lapis began to walk away but Omi notice this. She walks over to the front of the deck. "Maybe I should give her some time to calm down." Omi said to himself. Omi sits down and meditates a bit.
A bit later, Omi finished meditating but notice the clouds were starting to roll in, making it a bit gloomy. Omi stands up and walks over to the deck. He sees Lapis still standing there. "Lapis, you okay?" Omi asked. Lapis was not responding. "Lapis…" Omi asked again. "Omi… I feel like… I don't know what to think anymore." Lapis said. "Look, your mind must be really clouded. You need to quiet the storm inside of your mind, as Master Fung would tell Kimiko about it." Omi said. Lapis walks over to the chairs and sits down. "This Master Fung must be an important person to you." Lapis said. "Oh, yes, Master Fung…well, he taught me very well in martial arts and a good amount of Wu history. Plus he can make sure to give valuable quote to remember." Omi said. Lapis thinks a bit. "Question… do you still carry the Orb of Tornami with you?" Lapis asked. Omi nods. "Good. If we do get attacked, we at least have a wu on stand by." Lapis said. Steven walks up. "So…Jack is set to arrive in 15 to 30 minutes to repair the engine with his jackbots." Steven said. "Alright, the message was sent out." Omi said. Lapis nods tentatively. Suddenly, the yacht rumbles again just as it started to rain. An arm reaches out of the front deck and someone was climbing onto it. It was Jasper. "Gotcha!" Jasper said with an evil smirk. A thunder sounds. "Jasper!" Omi, Lapis, and Steven said. "Never thought I would catch up with you!" Jasper said. "Wait, you've been tailing us" Steven said. "No, I've been following...her." Jasper said as she points to Lapis. Lapis gasp in horror. Jasper began to march towards her.
Omi and Steven steps in front of Jasper. "Stand down." Omi said. Jasper chuckles loudly. "You sure about that. You should be fearing HER." Jasper said. "I thought I was a brute...but you...you truly are a monster." Jasper then tosses Omi and Steven a side. "Guys!" Lapis said. Before she could do anything, Jasper grabs Lapis. "Let's refuse back to Malachite." Jasper said. "What?! Why would you want that?!" Lapis said. "Think about it, you made me feel wrong about fusion...we were stronger, better, bigger, and with the Heylin, we could be the ace in the hole against those Crystal Monks!" Jasper proudly proclaimed. "No…no, I was terrible to you, This is not healthy, Omi and I have more kinship with one another. You and I… I never had faith in it working. So just leave!" Lapis said. Jasper was flabbergasted. She growls and began to charge towards Omi. Omi quickly pulls out the Orb of Tornami. "Orb of Tornami...ICE!" Omi said as he quickly stopped and freeze Jasper in place. Lapis then uses her water abilities to get Jasper and launches her into the ocean, pretty far away from the yacht. "There we go." Steven said with a big smile. Lapis lets out a big sigh of relief. "Omi… I really think that you and I… are…" Lapis said before Omi interrupted. "Don't worry, Lapis, I feel like we do have a good kinship together as a water based team…great friends even." Omi said with a smile. Lapis chuckles and smiles back.
A bit later, Jack arrived and just finished working on repairing the engine and gave them the good news and bad news situation. "Okay, good news, the engine is fixed. Bad news, fuel leaked out and would need to be towed back to the pier." Jack said. "At least you came by with your own boat." Steven said. "That is true." Jack said. Jack hops onto his boat, hooks up both boats and began to tow. Lapis walks up to Jack. "Jack… I know you were just told about Jasper's arrival, but…Was this a plan of her or something like that?" Lapis asked. Jack ponders a bit. "Maybe, it isn't out the realm of possibility of her allying with the Heylin to get an advantage over us. However, I can try to predict that we will best her… sooner or later. Hopefully sooner." Jack said. Lapis nods. Lapis is now gaining a bit more trust in Jack and others, but still is holding reserves on the future. Jasper is now high tailing it back to the Heylin and things might get dicey for the Heylin from here on out.
End of Episode 16