Bluebird: En garde!
[Bluebird swings her sword, firing four ice projectiles at Lapis. Each one transforms into a replica of her sword as they speed toward her. But just before impact, they abruptly halt, hovering mere inches from her face.]
Bluebird: *stunned* What the--?!
Lapis: Wow, that was... pretty underwhelming, to say the least.
Bluebird: ...
Lapis: Don't tell me... you actually forgot I can control water in all its forms? Come on, that's just sad.
[Lapis waves her hand, sending all of Bluebird's ice swords flying away, including the one she's holding.]
Bluebird (Aquamarine): Ugh! Damn it, Ruby!
Bluebird (Eyeball): Oh, come on! You never let me take control!
Bluebird (Aquamarine): Maybe I would if you weren't such an idiot!
Bluebird (Eyeball): Oh, so now I'm just an idiot to you?!
Bluebird (Aquamarine): Yeah, that's right! You're just a damn idiot to me, plain and simple!
[Lapis watches Bluebird arguing with herself, clearly disturbed by the scene.]
Lapis: *thinking to herself* What in the world am I looking at right now?
Bluebird (Eyeball): Then why the fuck are you still fused with this idiot, huh?! Care to explain that?!
Bluebird (Aquamarine): What, you think it's because I actually enjoy your company and want us to stay like this forever? Ha! Don't flatter yourself! The only reason we're still fused is because we have to be!
Bluebird (Eyeball): Have to be!? What the fuck are you even talking about?!
Lapis: Alright, that's enough.
[Lapis clenches her fist, and the moisture in the air instantly condenses into a water chain that wraps around Bluebird, shackling her.]
Bluebird (Eyeball): Hey! Ease up, would ya?!
Bluebird (Aquamarine): We're right in the middle of something here!
Lapis: Yeah, I noticed. But honestly, I couldn't care less about your little lovers' spat.
[Bluebird blushes, clearly embarrassed.]
Bluebird: L-L-Lovers?! D-Don't be ridiculous! W-We don't have that kind of relationship!
Lapis: Uh-huh, sure you don't. Either way, you're coming with me.
[Lapis flies away, carrying Bluebird with her. Bluebird cries out in fright, her voice echoing through the air.]
Bluebird: NOOOOOO!!!
[A moment later, Lapis rejoins Peridot and Connie, both hovering nearby, waiting for her.]
Lapis: Got her.
Peridot: Nice work.
Connie: Well then, it's time to head back.
Lapis: Not yet. Look over there.
[Lapis says, pointing at the wreckage from the last battle. Holly Blue Agate and Spinel are scrambling through the debris, trying to reach a safer spot.]
Peridot: Wait, aren't those...?
Connie: Yeah, it's them.
Lapis: What do we do?
Connie: We take them with us.
Lapis: Roger that.
[Lapis hands the water chain restraining Bluebird to Peridot and Connie, then swoops down at Holly Blue and Spinel, catching them completely off guard.]
Spinel: *startled* What the--?!
Holly Blue Agate: You!? What the fuck do you want now?!
Lapis: You two are coming too.
[Lapis clenches her fist, and the moisture in the air instantly condenses into water chains that wrap around Holly Blue Agate and Spinel, shackling them.]
Holly Blue Agate: Let us go, now!
[Holly Blue Agate thrashes against Lapis's chains, but no matter how hard she tries, she can't break free. Spinel, on the other hand, laughs mockingly, her pupils wobbling like googly eyes.]
Spinel: As if this could ever hold me!
[She quickly shapeshifts into a smaller form, slipping out of the water chains.]
Spinel: Catch me if you can!
[Spinel springs away into the wreckage, disappearing from sight.]
Lapis: *enraged* Shit, she got away!
[Lapis hovers above the area, scanning for any sign of Spinel, but comes up empty. Peridot and Connie fly closer to help.]
Connie: She can't be far.
Lapis: Yeah, she's probably hiding out, just waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Peridot: Ugh, that Gem's abilities are so frustrating. Finding her is going to be a pain in the neck.
Connie: No kidding.
[The trio hovers over the wreckage of several collapsed buildings, searching for Spinel, when distant screams cut through the silence, drawing their attention. They rush to investigate, finding two terrified Gems picking their way through the debris, desperate to reach a safer place. But the instant the Gems spot Lapis and the others, they recoil in fright.]
Lapis: Easy… everything's okay.
[For a moment, both Gems hesitate, clutching each other, their eyes darting between Lapis and the wreckage around them. Then, without a word, the Gems turn and bolt, scrambling over the rubble until they vanish from sight, leaving Lapis hovering, her shoulders sinking as a somber, downcast expression shadows her face.]
Lapis: ...
[Peridot, hovering a little closer, notices Lapis's downcast expression.]
Peridot: Hey… are you okay?
[Lapis doesn't answer right away. Her eyes remain fixed on the rubble below.]
Lapis: I'm fine.
Peridot: Come on, Lapis. You don't have to pretend with us. We're your friends. If something's bothering you, you don't have to keep it to yourself.
Connie: Yeah, whatever it is, you can tell us.
Lapis: I just...
[Lapis hesitates, her voice caught in her throat. After a moment of silence, she finally speaks.]
Lapis: I just can't stop thinking about all the destruction I caused... all the innocent Gems who might've gotten hurt because of me... like those two.
[Her voice trembles.]
Lapis: Sure, I was brainwashed… but the truth is, that's just who I've always been.
[She takes in the devastated landscape around them, her hands trembling slightly.]
Lapis: All this devastation... it's just a reminder of the monster I am.
Peridot: Lapis—
Lapis: I'm a monster, plain and simple! I spent millennia terraforming planets, wiping out countless forms of life in the process… and now, just look at this place… it feels like I haven't changed a bit since then.
[Peridot gently places her hand on Lapis' shoulder, offering comfort.]
Peridot: Please don't say that, Lapis. You're not a monster. You've been through so much, but that hasn't stopped you from moving forward every single day and becoming a better version of yourself. That's what truly matters, and that's what we all see in you.
Connie: That's right. No one has the right to judge you just by your past. We've all done things we regret and wish we could undo, so don't be so hard on yourself.
Peridot: You're our precious friend, Lapis. And nothing will ever change that.
Connie: No doubt about that.
[Lapis stays silent for a moment. Her eyes glisten, a faint smile tugging at her lips.]
Lapis: ...Thank you, both of you. Honestly, hearing that makes me feel a little better.
Peridot: Just a little?
Connie: Hey, it's a start.
[They share a laugh, savoring this rare moment of calm, until it's abruptly shattered by Spinel.]
Connie: *shouting* Lapis, watch out!
[In an instant, Spinel appears behind Lapis, Gem Rejuvenator in hand. She'd been hiding in the rubble, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and this is it.]
Lapis: What the--?!
Spinel: *with a taunting grin* Gotcha!
[Spinel swings her Rejuvenator, its energy crackling as it slashes through the air, aiming straight at Lapis.]
Lapis: Damn it!
[Lapis grimaces, trying a desperate last-second dodge, but she's not fast enough. Spinel's Rejuvenator slashes through her water wings, cutting them off.]
Connie/Peridot: *alarmed* Lapis!!
[Lapis hurls the water chain restraining Holly Blue toward Connie and Peridot, who catch it. She falls toward the ground, wings gone, yet somehow lands on her feet.]
Connie: *relieved* That was way too close.
Peridot: Thank goodness that thing only works if it hits your actual body.
[Spinel lands in front of Lapis, slashing her Rejuvenator at her without hesitation. Lapis leaps back just in time, the blade slicing through the air just inches from her chest.]
Spinel: Tsk, almost had you there.
Bluebird: Come on! Don't let up now!
[From above, Holly Blue Agate and Bluebird cheer Spinel on.]
Holly Blue Agate: You've got this, Spinel!
Bluebird: Hell yeah! You're our last hope! Rejuvenate that damn bitch!
Peridot: *disgusted* Ugh… seriously? Do you two have any shame at all?
Bluebird: How about you mind your own damn business?!
Holly Blue Agate: Yeah, stuff it!