256 days until final report.

It's early morning in Ocean Town, and a thick fog fills the air. Jasper sits, awaiting the Crystal Gems. She looks back at the house, the cold air filling her with a sense of unease. She can't let them see Steven. If he learns the truth about her, about what she was fighting for in the war...

She tries not to think about it.

Steven wakes up early, having dozed off fairly early last night.

"Morning Jas," he greets.

Jasper decides not to say anything about the nickname. She kinda likes it.

"Morning Steve," she returns kindly.

The two look out over the foggy ocean, the waves brewing as if a massive storm will soon strike. A sense of dread looms over Ocean Town, and everybody can sense it. The boardwalk is empty, and the beach is free of tourists.

"Sure is gloomy today huh?" Jasper asks, just trying to make conversation.

"Eh," Steven replies, "what's a little morning fog?"

Jasper looks up at the sky, then back at Steven. She has to get Steven out of the house somehow. Anything will do, just something.

"Hey," she explains, "I need you to go do something."

"What is it?" Steven asks.

"You never got a weapon," Jasper replies, "so I was thinking I warp you back to the strawberry field and you find one. I'll be there you warp you back here in an hour."

"Works for me," Steven smiles.

"Great," Jasper replies with a smile, hiding her concern about the Crystal Gems, "come on."

Jasper and Steven warp to the strawberry field.

"I'll be back," Jasper explains, "be safe Steve."

"I will Jas," Steven replies.

Jasper warps back to Ocean Town. Lion approaches Steven, and rubs against him like a cat would rub up against one's leg.

"Hey Lion," Steven smiles, "I don't have any lion lickers this time, I'm sorry."

Lion lets out a short growl to indicate disapproval.

"I'm sorry," Steven replies, "I wasn't expecting to visit today. Hey, I need a weapon, do you have anything I could use?"

A pink sword hilt appears from Lion's head. Steven grabs it and pulls out a sword, Rose's sword. Lion grabs the scabbard and hands it to Steven. Steven puts the blade in the scabbard.

"Wait," he asks, "did this belong to Rose?"

Lion offers no response.

"I can't accept this," Steven explains, "Rose was a very bad gem. She shattered Pink Diamond."

Lion growls again, this time with shaper disapproval.

"Fine," Steven sighs, "but if anyone asks, I just found this by chance."

Lion lets out a soft roar, to indicate he acknowledges Steven's condition. Steven decides to go back to sleep for a while, and dozes off next to the warp pad.

Meanwhile, the Crystal Gems arrive. Garnet gets off first, glaring at Jasper.

"Where is he?" Garnet demands.

"Far from here," Jasper replies, "you shouldn't have come here, come then! Make it a challenge for me!"

Peridot and Lapis prepares for combat, the Crystal Gems lunge. The battle begins...