[Lapis desperately struggles to break free from Obsidian's grip, her face contorted with fear.]
Lapis: *voice shaking* L-Let go of me!!!
Connie: I don't get it. Why hasn't Lapis' appearance changed at all?
Peridot: Well, she hasn't glowed or cycled between her past forms, which means she hasn't gone back to her old self.
Connie: So there's still one crucial piece missing then, what do you think that might be?
Peridot: I'm not sure. Nothing comes to mind.
Lapis: *struggling* L-Let me go! Please!!
Obsidian: Calm down! I told you I wouldn't let you go until you're yourself again.
At the same time...
[Atop a crumbling gem structure in the distance, Bluebird, Mean Lapis, and Jasper observe the unfolding scene.]
Jasper: She's done. Can't fight anymore.
Mean Lapis: Yeah, well, she can go to hell for all I care.
Bluebird: You just don't get it, do ya?!
Mean Lapis: What?!
Jasper: Having her on our side would be way better.
Bluebird: Exactly!
[Mean Lapis crosses her arms, annoyed.]
Mean Lapis: So what? Weren't you gonna rejuvenate her once she was down?
Bluebird: Idiot! We need to take out that monster first! I stupidly thought Lapis would manage to weaken them, but she barely scratched them! And if she gets her memory back, we'll have two monsters to deal with! Have you even considered what you'd do if such situation arises?!
Mean Lapis: ...
[Mean Lapis ponders for a moment, realization dawning on her face.]
Mean Lapis: Tch. Fine. Let's go save her damn ass.
Jasper: The thing is, how?
[Bluebird smirks, an idea forming in her mind.]
Bluebird: Hmm, I think I've got an idea...
[Back at the battleground, Lapis struggles against Obsidian's relentless grip, desperation etched deeply into her features.]
Lapis: L-Lemme go!!
[Obsidian's concern shows in their voice.]
Obsidian: What piece of her puzzle are we missing?
Connie: Hurry up, Peridot, we're running out of time!
[Peridot is seen racking her brains, her face scrunched in deep thought. Suddenly, a realization hits her.]
Peridot: Hmmm... I got it! I can't believe I forgot!
Simultaneously...
[Bluebird has already explained her idea to Mean Lapis and Jasper, who are reacting with reluctance.]
Jasper: *outraged* Seriously?!
Mean Lapis: *disgusted* You've gotta be kidding me!
Jasper: No fucking way I'm doing that!
Mean Lapis: Neither am I!
Bluebird: Uh, and may I ask why?!
Jasper: Because that's a coward move! Goes against everything I stand for!
Mean Lapis: I-I want my first time to be meaningful, with a Gem I truly--
Bluebird: *cutting her off sharply* I don't give a shit about your excuses! Can't you see this is our only chance?! We worked our asses off to make this new empire thrive, but all that effort will go down the drain because you two refuse to do something so simple! Don't fuck with me!
Jasper: It's just--
Bluebird: Are you seriously going to let everything we've worked so hard for fall apart just like that?! Don't you want everything you've dreamed of to come true?! Is that really what you want?!
Mean Lapis: Of course not, but...
Bluebird: Lazuli, didn't you say you wanted to save your Lapis partner?!
Mean Lapis: *softly* I-I did.
Bluebird: Jasper, you love fighting, don't you?!
Jasper: Fighting is my life, that's what I was made for!
Bluebird: *exasperated* Why the fuck are you refusing then?! Lazuli, this is the perfect opportunity to save your partner, and for you, Jasper, to have the most thrilling fight you've ever had! It's a win-win for both of you!
Jasper & Mean Lapis: *hesitant* Yeah, but--
Bluebird: *enraged* No more "buts"! Time's running out, so get to it already! Unless, of course, you've got a better idea to take down that monster and the other Lapis! If so, I'm all ears right now!
[Jasper and Mean Lapis remain silent, unable to argue further.]
Bluebird: See?! Now, enough bitching and do it! That's an order!
[Mean Lapis and Jasper look at each other with resignation, knowing they have no other choice.]
Jasper: *grumbling* Tch.
Mean Lapis: *disheartened* This can't be true...
Meanwhile...
[Lapis continues to struggle, her desperation palpable.]
Lapis: Lemme go!
Obsidian: Lapis, calm down!
Peridot: *to Lapis* Jasper! Remember the time you fused with Jasper!
[Obsidian's realization is swift, their tone contemplative.]
Obsidian: Ah, Malachite. It's been so long I nearly forgot about her.
[Lapis's confusion shows in her voice.]
Lapis: Who?!
Obsidian: Well, she's--
[Unexpectedly, a giant turquoise Gem spin-dashes at Obsidian, striking them hard in the back and sending them sprawling.]
Obsidian: *startled* What the--?!
[Obsidian accidentally lets go of Lapis.]
Lapis: *exclaiming with excitement* I'm finally free! But wait, who helped me?
Obsidian: Well, well, look who we have here.
[Obsidian says as they stands up and looks at the newcomer.]
?????????: *grunting* You...
Obsidian: To tell the truth, I never thought I'd see you again.
[Lapis turns to see the Gem who just saved her from Obsidian. Her eyes widen in shock as she recognizes who it is.]
Lapis: N-No way.
[Lapis's voice trembles with disbelief.]
Lapis: Th-That's... Malachite!
[Lapis says as she flashes back to the time she fused with Jasper, recalling the months she spent fighting her to hold Malachite down with the weight of Earth's ocean.]
Lapis: ...
[Lapis then begins to glow, returning to her current self as memories flood back.]
[Bluebird's idea was for Jasper and Mean Lapis to fuse, and so it was done. Both Gems formed a new Malachite, let's call her Malachite 2.0. Of course, there are clear differences from the original Malachite, such as Mean Lapis' curly hair and Jasper's current horns.]
Obsidian: We don't have to fight. Just look at our height difference.
[In a hypothetical scenario, their height difference would be akin to seeing Jasper and Amethyst side by side, albeit on a different scale, obviously.]
Malachite 2.0: That doesn't mean anything!
Obsidian: Shoot, here we go again.