Chapter 8: In the Jungle
The Lunar guardians finally arrived back home.
"Okay guys, Emerald will lead you in training, until we delploy again," Rose ordered.
Rose Quartz turned to Garnet.
"I'm really going to miss you..."
"I'll be back as soon as possible Rose,"
Rose Quartz nodded and turned to Imperial Topaz who was knelling before her sister's statue.
"Good luck you three! And Topaz, were you here the whole time!?" Rose shouted.
Garnet turned to her new team of gems. "This may be a long journey, so I'm going to need Citrine to get as much water from the spire as you can, Amethyst, grab some nightshade while we're here,"
Garnet ordered.
Her two teamates took off in different directions whe sge walked up the spire to talk with Lady Moon.
"Oh hey Garnet! What are you up to?"
"Rose said their's a temple in South America that may be able to help us,"
"Is it the Aztec?"
"Yes,"
"Be careful in there Garnet, that place is no joke,"
"I will,"
A light from an ancient warp pad lit up in the middle of the jungle, revealing Garnet, Citrine, and Amethyst with two gem horses.
"Well, there's plenty of jungle to cross," Citrine observed.
"You got the map G?" Amethyst asked.
"Yes,"
"Well how far is it?"
"That way," Garnet pointed upward, past the mountain.
"Ah geez, I should have asked Turquoise for a horse," Amethyst complained. "Its okay Amethyst, you can ride on mine," Citrine offered.
"Lets move, " Garnet ordered.
The small trio of gems began their trek through dense forest. The two horses trotted calmly through the underbrush. Light from the top canopy rained down on the trio of gems. Suddenly the birds were quiet, and the usual noises of the forest went silent.
"Something doesn't feel right..." Citrine worried.
As the group trekked on through the forest, a jaguar leaped at Amethyst, dragging her off the butt of Citrine's horse.
"Garnet we have a problem! "Citrine called while turning her horse after Amethyst.
Garnet was far ahead of Citrine, her war horse charging like an angry bull after the purple gem. Inside the mouth of the jaguar Amethyst was pocking its eyes, and trying to pry its jaws open.
"Just...let...go..." Amethyst said as she struggled to break free.
At that moments, Garnet stood up on her horse, and jumped at the jaguar, grabbing it's tail. The jaguar clawed the tree, but was no match for the strength and weight of Garnet. She dragged the jaguar down to earth, and slammed it's body into a tree. Citrine quickly jumped off her horse and pried the cat's mouth open with her hooks. Once Amethyst was free, Garnet summoned her gauntlets, and pounded the cat until it didn't move. When she was finished, she got back on her horse, and rode off. Amethyst and Citrine exchanged confused looks, and followed Garnet. Citrine caught up with Garnet, and matched her pace. It was after sunset, with the temple not even in their sights. After the scare earlier that day, Amethyst has become more jumpy than usual.
"Let's take a break," Garnet offered.
"Yeah..."
Garnet and Citrine hitched their horses to a nearby tree while Amethyst started a campfire. The forest was still as loud as ever, even in the middle of the night. Amethyst stuck closer to Garnet for protection, as the gems surrounded the fire.
"Soo Garnet, have you ever seen the temple?"
"Rose has showed me pictures,"
"What does it look like?""Big,"
"I wonder what's inside of the temple, "Citrine added.
"Probably a new gemstone," Amethyst suggested.
"Or, maybe, its a huge special gem beast that Garnet can only control!"
"What do you think Garnet?"
The red gem remained silent and stared into the fire with her two heterochromian eyes. Garnet was lost deep in thought.
"Well, whatever it is, its going to be so cool," Amethyst said squealing
Citrine simply shrugged.
"Just think how cool it would be to own whatevers in there,""Probably the sun living inside of you..."
"Why that?" Amethyst asked.
"I don't know, I guess that's just how I think it would be like, "
"I wouldn't be surpirsed if Garnet leaves the temple flying,"
"Ha, that would be cool,"
"Alright gem, let's get a move on," Garnet ordered.
Citrine quickly unhitched the horses and climbed on, with Amethyst trailing. The forest was dark, but it felt alive as the three gems traveled through.
"Soo...Garnet...You've been strangely quieter than usual," Amethyst commented
"Just... Thinking,"
"about?"
"What's going to happen when we get inside..." Garnet grimly stated.
"Oh...I bet its going to be easy-,"
"Shhhhh... You guys see that?" Citrine pointed out.
A bright flash in the distance, curved towards the earth and hits the ground, creating a shock wave of energy.
"Run!" Garnet yells.
Her horse dashes through the forest, acting as a bulldozer by running through trees. Citrine and Amethyst struggle to keep up with Garnet and her tank for a horse. After a couple hours, Garnet stopped dead in her tracks. In front of her a large yellow temple stood before them. The temple was over grown with moss, and falling apart.
"We're here," She stated.