Holes in the ceiling of the cave let in a bit of water from the passing storm, but it also illuminated the caverns when the sun did return. Shining in different directions, the warm rays hit all sides of the shelter, but was primarily aimed at the figure lying on one of the countless flat shelves, who covered her eyes with her arm at the abundance of light. It was the first time in a long time that Lapis had spent her energy relaxing rather than battling, so she was somewhat thankful for the change in scenery. But she could feel only a little bit of her strength returning, and her attempts at sleeping offered no results despite trying the multiple positions that she remembered. Her thoughts would not quiet, especially every time she thought she heard Peridot's footsteps enter the cave. She really didn't trust her. Appearing out of nowhere, offering to take her to homeworld—the real homeworld—it seemed like something suspicious. Her heart ached at the memory, but a voice also reasoned that their couldn't be an old homeworld, not after all these centuries; not after the Rebellion. Destroying Peridot didn't bother her, but with being as weak as she is, she wasn't sure just how easy it would be to take her down; the gem was in her element last time, but now she was stuck on land.

"I need to reserve as much of my strength as possible; she hasn't done anything yet." It wasn't the wisest choice to wait; she would be at the mercy of the environment. But she would rather see what exactly Peridot had in mind before she made any attempts at her life. "Who knows? Maybe that strange alien really has something to offer?" She let her arm fall from he face and onto her chest: another dull pain was making a nest inside of the cavity, clawing at the walls. She bit her tongue to keep the tears from emerging.

"I just-want to go home."

Meanwhile, a certain green gem was making the best of her time. Trudging through the dense jungle, she made no effort to conceal herself as she rummaged about the brushwood; it wouldn't surprise her if something came out to investigate, but she was far more invested in her green data screen to care.

" Hmm...the warp pad should be around here somewhere." Eyes returned to the monitor in front of her face, information pulling up to answer to the gem's thoughts. She circled a small code of coordinates, before following the directions out of the vine grotto. Back in the view of the space ships, she saw the warp pad sitting a few feet away from her, underneath a bunch of leaf litter. She swept the leaves and twigs aside to reveal the crystal surface, appearing undamaged to Peridot's relief. It would be an incredible nuisance if those clods broke any more warp pads.

Checking off the notes in her display, she returned her fingers to her hand and began to walk back down to the ocean; she needed to get her plan into action. Lapis wasn't a fool, but she was ruled by her emotions; it's only because of the fact that she misses her home so much that it has allowed for Peridot's plan to become feasible.

"What a joke, that Lazuli. Falling right into my hands—can this be any easier?" She scoffed, kicking a pebble down a hill. "Once im done fixing my pod, even she won't be able to defeat me." The gem was weak—she was unsuspecting, and most importantly—she thinks she is safe now that Jasper is gone. Warrior or not, she would never suspect Peridot of having any skills—and that would be her downfall. An evil smile surfaced on her lips," She really will be at my mercy."

Of course Peridot didn't have weapons like the gems save her technology, but she thought of herself as much too intelligent for the likes of them. Why attempt to fight and possibly be damaged when all you have to do was use your head a little? The Crystal Gems had no real way to catch her—and Lapis, now away from her watery abode, had as little of a chance at destroying her as do her foes. Gleefully, she assured herself that she will always be one step ahead. No one can stop her now, not earth-and certainly not the earth gems.

The sea caves were visible now; black, jagged shapes revealing empty caves below. Reaching the cliffs, she could see that the water was unusually rough, and wondered if her water companion was the cause. Pausing to see if she could make a jump down to the sand, Peridot was confident that the distance was not to great, and launched herself into the air, landing on the loose sand near the caverns. She never knew which cave was the one she had been resting in with Lapis, so decided on calling out to her instead.

"Lazuli!" The voice was silenced by the waves, crashing against shore.

" Lazuli! Tch—Lazuli, respond already!" No figure appeared. Peridot scanned the horizon for any sign of the blue gem, biting her fingers as she felt her nervousness grow. " Has she abandoned me? Has she seen through my plan?!" Restless, she began to scale up one of the cliffs, and ran to the front to look over the ocean. If she has left, then all of her planning...all of her strategy...it would be for nothing! How can she fail a plan that wasn't even put into action?

" Lazuli!" Filled with urgency, she called out again, more frantic this time.

" LA-ZU-LI!"

The ocean waves grew smaller, until they completely stilled, as if the breeze from behind her had calmed the sea's wrath. Her paranoia had quelled, it couldn't be anybody but the blue gem she was searching for. The slow stream of bubbles under the water were coming towards shore, and Lapis exited the water before stretching her arms behind her back.

" I heard you the first four times." She retorted, eyes lazily following Peridot as she climbed down the wall.

" Well why didn't you answer?!" The gem threw her hands up furiously.

" I was looking for that thing that attacked us."

Peridot's face grew still, then formed into one of confusion, before finally sighing.

" Jasper's dead, she couldn't have possibly survived."

" Well then where did it go? It should have stuck around if that were the case."

The alien snickered, waving her hand irritably. " You are worrying over nothing." Peridot spread one hand out and opened up her screen, starting to move towards the jungle. " You can keep looking, but you're wasting time."

Lapis frowned at her convictions; its not as though she had absolutely no reason to worry. She may have escaped, but what was the likelihood. " Is it to much just to make sure?" Then again, if anyone is the most paranoid about Jasper returning, it would probably be Peridot. She seemed the most likeliest to break out in full panic, as seen a few minutes ago. So if the erratic alien wasn't worried, why should she be? Contemplating the green gem's statement, Lapis gazed back at the ocean once more, before she followed in pursuit of Peridot, who was already insulting the plant life for being too widespread.

They didn't exchange many words as they muddled about the rainforest. But quite a couple of questions were nagging at Lapis's mind as they scaled a hill.

" What exactly do you need me for?" The water gem clasped her hands around her dress to keep it from catching on the branches.

Peridot whacked another tree branch before probably for the third time, it smacked her in the face.

" Those crystal gems have my pod. They don't trust me, so I need you to convince them that im no threat." Her nub like fingers rubbed her cheek.

The uncertain feeling returned, biting at Lapis's insides with more insistence.

" Are you really?"

"Really what?"

" Not a threat?"

Peridot's chest tingled viciously, as if in a panic. "Has she caught on?" She bit her lip, but didn't turn her head to the blue gem's face her as she stomped onward. Suddenly, she felt sweatier than before, despite the dryness. The blue gem awaited a response, and the technician was starting to feel the pressure build on her mind. "Think of something/ something convincing." Her throat was becoming dryer by the minute. She swallowed hard before she opened her mouth to answer.

"I..." She hesitated as the words started to form in her mind.

" I...had managed to call Yellow Diamond."

Lapis stopped and stepped back, her fingers clenching. " Was I right? Is she leading me on?"

The green gem finally looked back and saw Lapis's defensive posture, finding her voice shake a little as she continued.

" And... she sent me a reply."

"Oh? And what was the reply?" Lapis could feel the fury reach her tongue, ready to spew whatever words come to mind.

" She won't be coming for me."

The answer was not what she expected. Her anger subsided, but switched in for suspicion.

" Huh?"

" She...said that ive...failed the mission. There will be no rescue coming." The jittery feeling in Peridot's limbs had quieted, all of her anxieties released—instant relief filled her. It was going accordingly.

" So why are you trying to get home then?" Rather curious as to Peridot's reasoning—and still somewhat uncertain of her honesty.

"Be-be-because! Im not going to stay and live out my existence on this cruddy planet!" She folded her arms defensively, face full of zealous pride. " I would rather die there and at least get to see my home before I perish. Besides, I would get to see my leader and fulfill my one true wish: to see her sit atop her throne and recognize me!"

" You must really hate earth if that's how you feel." Lapis had already been a good couple of yards ahead who wasn't interested in Peridot's rant. Yellow Diamond was of no concern to her, and it somewhat disturbed her that she would put her own life at risk just to see her boss. Something about the idea made her irritated. Risking your life for a heartless superior...maybe Peridot was the foolish one.

The green gem smirked as she trotted behind the blue nymph. " Yes, Yellow Diamond is the absolute best! She is cold and calculating...her gaze can turn a gem to stone if she wished it!" At this point, she wasn't even rambling to keep up the story, she was beaming at the thought of her leader. The gem really did respect her, and was honored when the queen had selected her for this all important mission. Butterflies flew about her stomach as she was practically skipping." No one can match her superiority, her grace, her intellig—" her face smacked straight into Lapis's back. Holding her nose, she uttered something inaudible before sneering in her direction.

" Lazuli! What is the meaning of this!? Why have you—" Lapis's fingers wrapped around the collar of Peridot's shirt and pulled her down into the bushes, all in one smooth motion.

" What is the meaning of—?" The blue gem's face was close, and it made Peridot slightly self conscious; she was too close for her liking.

She lifted a finger to her blue lips, eyes shifting to the plateau that was just beyond the trees. Peridot followed her gaze and saw the outline of five moving shapes on the ground. One was a tall, six legged creature that appeared reptilian in nature. " A corrupted gem...just how many of these are there?" Her eyes narrowed; it was lucky they weren't seen.

"But wait, who are the other four gems...?"

They didn't have similar, hideous forms like the giant. Small, and most of them looked humanoid. It could only be one thing.

It couldn't have been anybody else but them.

"The Crystal Gems!"