Steven sat cross-legged on the couch, watching as Pearl knelt by the half-dissected green pod in the living room. The first rays of the morning sun warmed his face through the window, prompting him to squint as he watched.

"Whatcha doing?" he asked, absentmindedly kicking his legs agains the couch.

"Using the escape pod to track Peridot's use of the warp pads, of course," Pearl replied. "Remember when we tried to catch her at the Galaxy Warp? How do you think we even found her in the first place?"

"Oh yeah!" Steven took a bite out of his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chewing slowly. "Do you think we'll catch her this time?"

"Peridot can't keep running forever, Steven. I'm sure we've got her this time."

"Didn't we say that last time?"

"Well, that's just-" Pearl made a face. "This time's different."

"Because of Jack?"

"No, not because of-" The sound of a door swinging open suddenly turned Pearl's focus elsewhere. "Jack!"

Steven turned his head to see the samurai step inside. He seemed less rough around the edges, now that he'd had time to groom and sleep well, but there was still that same edge to his eyes, like steel.

"Hey, Jack!" Steven waved. "You ready to go Peridot-hunting?"

"Yes," came the clipped reply. Jack's expression softened, and he patted his stomach. "But... I also came to ask where I may find some food. I tried to fish, but there was nothing in the water, and I do not actually have money to buy a meal."

"Well, do you want to get some donuts?" Steven suddenly gasped. "Oh my gosh, I forgot we were supposed to get donuts yesterday!"

"Steven we don't have time to get donuts right this moment," Pearl said, sounding exasperated. "We still need to catch Peridot. You can get donuts after we come back."

"I do not mean to interject," said Jack, "but what is a donut?"

Steven made a horrific, strained sound, and slid to the floor. He slowly scooted over, his flops squeaking against the floor as he approached the samurai.

"You don't know what donuts are?" he whispered.

"No..." Jack replied slowly, eyes widened slightly. "Are you alright?"

Steven sat up. "Pearl, can I take Jack to get donuts after we catch Peridot?"

Pearl looked up from her work, seemingly off-guard. "I mean... well, if he wants to... aren't you worried he might cause a scene?"

"Why would he?"

Pearl sighed. "Well, alright. But we still need to-"

A beeping sound interrupted her, and she looked back down at the pod. Suddenly, she jumped up, arms raised.

"Yes! Garnet, Amethyst, I found her!"

Steven sprang to his feet in time to see Garnet and Amethyst spring out of their rooms. Jack brushed past him, hand on his sword's hilt.

"Where is she?" Garnet asked, arms folded.

"Here," Pearl replied, eyes suddenly filled with indecipherable Gem computer codes as a hologram of Earth popped up. "She's using the warp pad in Facet 12."

Jack peered closer with narrowed eyes, cupping his chin. "I believe I know this place. Why would she go there?"

"Who cares why!" Pearl exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "Let's catch her before she can do anything!"

Jack glanced back at Steven, a confused look on his face. Steven forced a smile, and shrugged slightly.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Amethyst said. "Let's move our butts!"

"Agreed," Garnet said.

The three Gems dashed to the warp pad, and Steven hopped after them. He squeezed between Garnet and Pearl, then turned to see that Jack was still standing before the warp pad.

"Aren't you coming?"

Jack blinked, as if roused from some hidden thought. "Sorry, I was just..."

He trailed off, then stepped onto the warp pad, right next to Steven.

"Everyone ready?" Garnet asked.

"Yes."

"Yep."

"Uh huh."

"Of course!"

Garnet nodded. "Let's go."

Finally, the warp pad began to glow, and they were off. The strange feeling of weightlessness returned, and Steven had to repress a giggle as he was surrounded by light.

When he glanced over at Jack, however, he saw that the samurai's eyes were tightly shut.

O

The first impression Steven had, right as they arrived, was heat. This was not the pleasant warm summer of Beach City, tempered by the sea breeze; this was the desert all over again, but muggy instead of dry.

He stepped off the warp pad, and looked around. Jungle surrounded him, with looming trees tangled in vine and low-lying bush for as far as the eye could see. What caught his attention the most, however, was the massive saucer in the distance, half-buried in the mountain. It had clearly been there some time; vines snaked their way up its shattered landing legs, and moss was growing in the massive rent torn into its side.

"Woah..."

"Hah!" Pearl exclaimed, hopping off the warp pad. "She must be desperate if she's holing up in there! We've got her!"

"But what is it?" Steven asked.

"A Gem colony ship," Garnet replied, walking past him.

"See?" Pearl said. "We-"

"Let's just get this over with." Garnet began to stomp her way through the bush, swatting aside the occasional sapling.

Amethyst went first, her usual jovial pace somewhat subdued. Steven frowned at the sight, then glanced over to see Pearl following after the other two, shoulders slumped and head held low.

"I guess we should get going, Jack," he said, quietly. A moment passed, then he turned to look over his shoulder. "Jack?"

The samurai didn't reply. Instead, he knelt close to the ground, gently laying a splayed palm over the soil. His brow furrowed slightly, and he suddenly looked up.

"Wait."

The Gems stopped in their tracks. Garnet turned, her face more of a mask than usual.

"Is something the matter?" she asked.

"Yes." Jack rose to his feet and dusted off his hands. "There seems to be two sets of footprints."

"Does that mean there are two Peridots?" Steven asked.

Garnet shook her head. "No. It means she may have gone elsewhere. We'll check the ship. Steven, you and Jack follow the other trail."

Stars formed in Steven's eyes, and he looked over at Jack with a giddy expression. Jack's eyes simply widened.

"Garnet, are you sure that's a good idea?" Pearl asked. "Sending the two humans... well, one and half humans-"

"Jack can handle himself," came the terse reply. "Let's go."

The three Gems disappeared into the underbrush. Steven looked their way for a few moments, then turned back to Jack.

"Yeah, I know, it's kinda weird."

Jack rubbed his chin. "Did something happen?"

"I'm not sure if I'm the one who should say." Steven looked down at his feet. "I was hoping that maybe they forgot when they saw you."

A slight nod. "I understand. Perhaps they will tell me, when the time is right."

"So... are we gonna go look for Peridot, now?"

Jack smiled slightly. "Follow after me."

The two then began to walk away from the warp pad, along a small dirt trail, and disappeared into the jungle.

O

Even in the shade of the trees, the heat seems almost boiling, but he pays it no heed. He has been in jungles many times before, just as he has been in every other environment. After all this time, the muggiest jungle bothers him no more than the driest desert, or the coldest of tundra.

"So... hot..."

Of course, that applies only to him.

Steven catches up to him again, sandaled feet dragging in the loam. The boy wipes his forehead clean of sweat, then groans.

"Are you alright?" Jack asks, turning his head to look at his new companion. "We have only been walking for a few minutes."

"Yeah, but it's also really hot," Steven replies.

Jack raises an eyebrow. "I assume you don't go on many missions, then."

"Nope!" Steven manages a smile. "I didn't even start training until a few months ago. I don't think they like having me in danger."

"No, I suppose not."

"When did you start your training? To be a samurai, I mean?"

He thinks back to a moment long past, when the Chieftain had him train in staff fighting. Even now, he can still remember how sore he felt, after every session.

"When I was a child," he finally replies. "I had many teachers, like you, but they were all human."

Something catches his attention, and he stops. Steven does as well, nearly tripping over his own feet.

"What is it?" the boy asks.

Jack points to a seeming boulder, standing a good ten feet in height and covered in vines. He steps forward, then reaches out and begins tearing away the vines. Steven joins in, then gasps as the last of the overgrowth falls away.

A great stone head looms over them, its faded countenance still carrying an aura of respect. Even after millennia, there is no mistaking just what it is.

"Wow..." Steven breathes. "Is this more Gem ruins?"

"No." Jack stands up, and peers through the brush. "I know this style. I know this place."

He can see it, now- the remains of a place long-forgotten. The streets have disappeared under centuries upon centuries of soil and undergrowth, and many of the walls of the smaller buildings have crumbled before the tide of time, but he can still recognize it.

"The Olmecs," he says.

"Olmecs?" Steven asks.

Jack doesn't reply at first. In his mind's eye, the brush fades away, revealing straight-laced waterways that serve as the city's roads, and the stone buildings are restored, brick by brick, their beautiful murals restored.

"The Sky People come for this city," he tells a gathering of pipiltin. Tlahuicole stands to his left, arms folded. "To them, we are pests, and this city is a nest. All the peoples of this land must band together if we are to survive."

Then he shakes his head, and the illusion is dispelled.

"They were a people who lived here, many years ago." Jack continues forward. "Come."

They continue through the ruins, climbing over crumbled walls and faded courtyards, until a great earth mound comes into sight.

"This was once a pyramid, covered in gardens," Jack muses. "There may still be a way in."

"Do you think Peridot's in there?"

Jack grasps the hilt of his sword. "It is possible."

They make their way over to to a cavernous opening at the base of the mound. Jack peers inside, and is greeted by the sight of a long hallway, lined with stone. Slowly, he steps inside, tightening the grip on his sword.

"Is it safe?" Steven whispers loudly from behind.

Jack nods, and gestures for him to follow.

The air inside the hall is cool and dry, compared to the oppressive jungle heat. Jack glances at the walls, and realizes that there are faded murals painted in the familiar Olmec style, newer than expected. He sees stylized paintings of saucers over the cities, feather-clad soldiers marching against an enemy army, and...

"Who is that guy?" Steven asks, pointing at the man wearing the skin of a jaguar, club held high.

O

Smoke rises over the jungle, the scent of burning cities on the wind. He stands by the side of the waterway, watching as boats upon boats of terrified people sail past. A few scattered warriors remain, atlatls and bows at the ready as they wait.

"They cannot go any further," he says. "Too few of them remain."

"Too few of us remain," Tlahuicole retorts.

"I have fought armies before, my friend. We can prevail together if we fight together."

"And what of the people? What if a hidden contingent sets upon them? They will be defenseless if we all stay." Tlahuicole turns to him. "Go, Jack. Protect and guide them on the long road."

"I will not leave you to die!" He draws his sword and enters a stance.

"I have been away from my family for too long," comes the gentle retort. There is something almost pleading in his friend's eyes. "Do not deny me this."

Jack closes his eyes, teeth gritted. Then, slowly, he sheathes his sword, and draws a weary breath. Straightening, he places a hand on Tlahuicole's shoulder.

"I will protect your people."

"Take the other warriors with you." The mightiest of the Tlaxaltecs draws his macuahuitl, and turns to the treeline. "I will do this alone."

"Farewell, my friend."

"Farewell."

Jack gestures, and the remaining warrior begin to follow as he guides them through the pyramid. Already, he can hear the ground rumble as the Gem warriors emerge from the treeline.

The last he sees of his friend, as he risks a glance back, is of a jaguar on the battlefield, blood pouring from a dozen cuts, each swing of his macuahuitl ending another foe.

O

"An... old friend," he finally replies. He looks away. "We must keep moving."

He continues forward again, Steven following after him. Eventually, the hallway gives way to a great chamber, with a intricately carved stone in the middle. A ceremonial dais, he recalls, where they would make their offerings to the gods.

It is there that he sees something familiar, hidden amongst the vines that strangled the dais.

A macuahuitl, broken at the middle.

He closes his eyes, and sighs.

A hand suddenly tugs the sleeve of his gi. "Uh, Jack, do you hear that?"

Jack opens his eyes again, and strains his ears. Faintly, he realizes he can hear a feminine voice speaking.

"Nyeheheheh, you Gems really are dull as dirt."

"That's Peridot," Steven hisses.

"Then we must go where she is." Jack draws his sword, and begins to run.

"Hey, wait up!" Steven lags behind him, huffing and puffing. "Wait for me!"

Jack turns into one of the hallways, then stops upon seeing a figure standing in the hallway. He steps back, then crouches behind a crumbled column, watching.

"-can you speak louder?" the figure says, looking at a green screen floating before her. "Some of these communicators are gunk."

This must be the Peridot that Steven spoke of. Jack slowly draws his sword, gripping the hilt tightly as he prepares to lunge.

Then Steven suddenly leaps over his head, landing in an awkward crouch, and points at Peridot. "I knew you weren't actually in the ship!"

The Gem turns with wide eyes. "Ah! Steven! Why aren't you with the rest of your clod friends?"

Steven puts his hands on his hips. "That's because I made a new friend."

"What are you talking about?"

Jack steps over the column, and stops at Steven's side.

"Oh." Peridot takes a step back, her strange robotic hand shifting shape. "Uh... is this also a Steven?"

Jack draws his sword. "They call me Jack."

"Jack, huh? Well I don't see how-" Peridot turns silent as her gaze falls to the sword, and her eyes widen. "Uh oh."

Then, she runs.