[Obsidian and Malachite 2.0 remain locked in combat.]
Malachite 2.0: Let's see how you handle this!
[Malachite 2.0 slams her fists into Obsidian's chest over and over, but it's like punching a wall of solid stone. Her knuckles throb with pain as she stumbles back.]
Malachite 2.0: *panting heavily* Dammit... not even a scratch. What the fuck are they made of?! No matter how hard I punch, they don't even flinch! This is unreal!
Obsidian: *in a deep, rough voice* And yet, you keep coming at us. Why don't you just give up?
Malachite 2.0: Give up!? That's not even an option! I've got too much riding on this!
Obsidian: Stubborn to the core, huh? No doubt Jasper's the one in control. She'd sooner die than admit defeat. But seriously... you need to rethink that mindset. We don't want to hurt you.
Malachite 2.0: *enraged* Yeah? Well, too bad... because I DO want to hurt you!
[Malachite 2.0 readies to attack Obsidian, but before she can move an inch, the ground beneath her suddenly breaks open. Water chains shoot up, grabbing her wrists and ankles.]
Malachite 2.0: *take aback* What the...?
[The water chains instantly hardens into shackles, and more chains wrap around her torso and neck, pinning her in place.]
Malachite 2.0: Nhg! Agh!
[Malachite 2.0 groans in pain, struggling desperately to break free. Obsidian looks on, clearly confused.]
Malachite 2.0: *in pain* Wh-what's going on?!
Obsidian: Beats me.
[A small shadow falls over them. Obsidian looks up and spots Lapis hovering above, her eyes locked on Malachite 2.0.]
Lapis: You're not going anywhere.
[Malachite 2.0 strains to lift her head, eyes widening in terror the moment she sees Lapis.]
Malachite 2.0: Y-You?!
Lapis: I'd like to say it's nice to see you again... but honestly, that would be a lie.
Malachite 2.0: *thrashing* What do you think you're doing?! Let me go right now, or else...!
Lapis: Or else what!? I'm not afraid of you anymore! Your threats don't mean a thing to me now!
[Lapis raises her hand and swipes it sideways. Instantly, the moisture in the air forms a storm of sharp water blades that slash across Malachite 2.0's body, dealing severe damage.]
Malachite 2.0: *screaming in pain* AAAARGHH!!
Obsidian: Lapis, that's enough!
Lapis: Hm? *turns to Obsidian* What is it, guys?
Obsidian: Seriously, cut it out! You're going way too far!
Lapis: You guys aren't even taking this seriously, are you? So why don't you just let me end this nonsense once and for all?
Obsidian: What are you...?! Look at her, she's badly hurt! If you keep this up, you could actually kill her!
Lapis: ...Not like I don't want to.
Obsidian: What did you just say?!
Lapis: I'd never actually go through with it, though. I'm not that kind of person, and you know it.
Obsidian: Hmph.
Lapis: Just leave this to me, alright? I've got everything under control.
Obsidian: I'm not completely convinced, but fine. Just be careful.
Lapis: Yeah, yeah, whatever...
[Malachite 2.0 thrashes violently against Lapis's water chains, snarling.]
Malachite 2.0: Grrr! Let me go, now!
Lapis: Yeah... I think it's about time.
[Lapis raises her hand, and the moisture in the air rapidly condenses, swirling together into a massive water spear.]
Malachite 2.0: *frightened* Wh-what are you doing?!
Lapis: Don't even think about coming back!
[Malachite 2.0 trashes harder, desperation taking hold.]
Malachite 2.0: *terrified* No, stop it!! Don't you dare!!!
Lapis: Goodbye... Malachite!
[Without a second thought, Lapis hurls the water spear straight at Malachite 2.0.]
Malachite 2.0: *panicked* NOOO!!!
[Malachite 2.0 watches helplessly as the water spear speeds toward her. She shuts her eyes, bracing for impact. The water spear pierces right through her body, which begins to inflate, then explodes into a big turquoise cloud.]
Obsidian: Told her to be careful, but she didn't listen. And now...
[The cloud slowly fades away, revealing Jasper and Mean Lapis, now defused, lying motionless on the ground.]
Obsidian: ...Never mind.
[Jasper stirs weakly, still conscious.]
Jasper: *in pain* Shit... that hurt like hell.
[Jasper grimaces, pushing herself to her feet despite the pain. For some reason, she refuses to give up.]
Jasper: *in pain* Nngh... D-Damn it...
[Her body gives out, the effort was too much. She collapses face‑down onto the ground, unconscious. Mean Lapis lies beside her, still knocked out since they were forced apart.]
Lapis: *sighs* It's over.
[Just then, Peridot approaches, with Connie hovering behind her on a metal plate controlled by Peridot.]
Peridot: Lapis, you okay?
Lapis: Yeah. Honestly... I've never felt better. Oh, and by the way...
[Lapis eyes Peridot from head to toe, her expression showing clear discomfort with Peridot's limb enhancers.]
Lapis: Those things... they've never looked good on you.
Peridot: Huh? You really think so?
Lapis: Yeah, definitely. You should ditch them. You look... *blushes slightly* You look way nicer without them.
Peridot: Wow, thanks!
Lapis: *thinking to herself* Plus, they kinda bring up some pretty awful memories for me.
[Suddenly, Connie calls out urgently, breaking the moment.]
Connie: Lapis!! Peridot!!
[Startled, both Lapis and Peridot snap their heads toward Connie, instantly alert.]
Peridot: Connie, what's going on?!
Lapis: And hey, no need to shout. We're literally right here, kid.
Connie: That Gem's flying away! Over there, look!
[Connie points toward the horizon, where a winged Gem's silhouette is just barely visible, getting farther and farther away.]
Peridot: Whoa. Sharp eyes, Connie.
Lapis: Any idea who that is?
Connie: Pretty sure that's Bluebird! That silhouette matches Steven's description exactly!
Peridot: No doubt about it.
Lapis: We're not just gonna let her get away... right?
Connie: Heck no. We need her.
Lapis: Then leave it to me.
Peridot: You sure you've got this?
Lapis: Come on. Easy peasy.
Peridot: Alright then. Go get her.
[Lapis speeds through the sky, the wind whipping her hair back as she closes in on Bluebird.]
Bluebird: Hm?
[Bluebird glances over her shoulder, alarm flashing in her eye.]
Bluebird: Crap! I've been spotted!
[She tries to accelerate, her water wings beating frantically. However, Lapis is faster, suddenly appearing right in front of her, cutting off her escape.]
Lapis: Where do you think you're going?
[Bluebird smirks, trying to mask her nerves.]
Bluebird: Gotta admit... you're faster than you look. But don't get the wrong idea.
[Bluebird's eye narrows as she summons her ice sword, her Ruby's showing.]
Bluebird: *defiantly* I'm not going down without a fight! I'm a soldier, and I don't back off for anyone!