[Bluebird watches the fight unfold from a safe distance.]
Bluebird (Aquamarine): Look at Jasper and Lazuli. Just a few minutes ago, they were complaining about fusion, yet they pulled it off flawlessly on their first attempt. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Bluebird (Eyeball): Quit with the crap! You only made them to fuse so they'd do the fighting for us! You're just a coward!
Bluebird (Aquamarine): You've got it all wrong, my dear. This isn't an act of cowardice.
Bluebird (Eyeball): Then what is it?
Bluebird (Aquamarine): Knowing you, I doubt you'll grasp it, but I'll explain anyway. You see, there are numerous ways to get what you want, such as through deception or manipulation. Why bother fighting your own battles when you can persuade others to do it for you? It's just smart thinking. You ought to use your intellect and cunning more often, my dear; brains trump brute force, you know?
Bluebird (Eyeball): Huh, I guess that kinda makes sense--wait, what did you just call me!?
Bluebird (Aquamarine): *nervously* I-I-I actually, um, meant to call you stupid! "My dear" slipped out by mistake!
Bluebird (Eyeball): Twice, though?!
Bluebird (Aquamarine): Y-Yes! Now shut up! If anyone catches Bluebird talking to herself, they'll think she's gone stark raving mad!
Meanwhile, in the fierce battle between Obsidian and Malachite 2.0...
[An enraged Malachite 2.0 spin-dashes towards Obsidian. Yet, Obsidian catches her effortlessly in their hands.]
Obsidian: *in a deep, rough voice* This is nothing.
Malachite 2.0: Don't get cocky just because you have more hands!!
Obsidian: Apologies...
[Obsidian then throws Malachite 2.0 up in the sky.]
Obsidian: That wasn't intentional.
[Malachite 2.0 steadies herself high in the air with her water wings and grunts.]
Malachite 2.0: Danm it all--hm?
[Malachite 2.0 gasps in shock as she spots Obsidian aiming at her with Opal's bow and arrow.]
Malachite 2.0: What!?
Obsidian: Just like in the old days - Fire!
[Obsidian fires the arrow, which turns into a shape of Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Steven holding hands.]
Malachite 2.0: No way!
[Malachite 2.0 manages to dodge the arrow with great difficulty at the very last second.]
Obsidian: Impressive agility for this new Malachite. I guess these two are good for each other.
Malachite 2.0: *descends* I haven't lost yet!
Obsidian: Back for more, huh?
Malachite 2.0: Shut the fuck up!! *snapped angrily*
[Malachite 2.0 forms a pair of giant water hands that clamp around Obsidian, she then begins freezing the water hands, squeezing Obsidian.]
Malachite 2.0: You're gonna--huh?!
[The ice begins to melt gradually.]
Malachite 2.0: *confused* What the fuck?!
[Obsidian taps into their inner lava, the heat melting the ice away.]
Obsidian: Whew...
[Obsidian, now completely free of the ice, breathes a sigh of relief.
Obsidian: That was a close call.
Malachite 2.0: Grrr!
[Desperation etched on her face, Malachite 2.0 summons a water chain.]
Malachite 2.0: Gwaahhh!!
[Malachite 2.0 spin-dashes towards Obsidian, who quickly sidesteps and avoids it. Malachite 2.0 turns around and charges back at Obsidian.]
Obsidian: So fast.
[Obsidian continues to sidestep past Malachite 2.0 as she spin-dashes around them, creating dust clouds around them. Malachite 2.0 then stops, holding out her water chain.]
Obsidian: What?
[As the dust clouds fade away, Obsidian realized they're tangled up in Malachite 2.0's water chain.]
Malachite 2.0: Hehe...
[Malachite 2.0 then quickly tightens the water chain around Obsidian, causing them to fall over.]
Malachite 2.0: Prepare for--
[Obsidian abruptly lets out a big roar that pushes Malachite 2.0 back and breaks the water chain holding them.]
Malachite 2.0: Grrr!
[Malachite 2.0, for her part, doesn't seem to want to give up, as she charges at Obsidian in full force, to no avail, Obsidian effortlessly catches her attack head-on.]
Malachite 2.0: *shocked* Wha--?!
[Obsidian begins to swing Malachite 2.0 around and, with a swift motion, hurls her through the crumbling remnants of a gem building, the debris cascading around her.]
Obsidian: We'll never get anywhere this way.
[A pile of rubble starts to move, and Malachite 2.0 emerges out of it, panting heavily and limbing.]
Malachite 2.0: Ugh! Auh... *falls to her knees* Don't think you've won.
Obsidian: This fight is pointless. Just throw in the towel already.
Malachite 2.0: ... Wha- what the fuck is a towel?
Obsidian: ...
Malachite 2.0: ...
Obsidian: *awkwardly* Okay, um... how shall I put this?
Malachite 2.0: Whatever, I don't care. I-I'm not done yet!
[The new Malachite said as she struggled to get up.]
Obsidian: Look, just give up. It's best for both of us.
Malachite: No way! I'll keep fighting as long as I'm still standing!
Obsidian: Really? Just look at you, you're on your last legs. It's over.
Malachite 2.0: *shouts* NO! It's not over YET!
[Malachite 2.0 turns to a bewildered Lapis, who is standing on a nearby gem structure.]
Malachite 2.0: Hey! I didn't save you just for you to stand there looking at me like a retard!
[Malachite 2.0 calls out to Lapis, hoping she'll join the fight and make a difference.]
Malachite 2.0: Get your ass down here and help me out! I can't beat them alone!
Lapis: *frightened* Wh-what?!
Malachite 2.0: Huh?
[Just then, Malachite 2.0 notices something off about how Lapis looks right now.]
Malachite 2.0: No way, her appearance changed! Is she back to her old self?
[Malachite 2.0, frustrated, slams the ground twice.]
Malachite 2.0: Tch. If she gets involved, I'm done for. In that case...
[Malachite 2.0 suddenly flies off to Lapis, ready to take her down.]
Malachite 2.0: I'll take her out first!
[Obsidian intervenes, lashes Sugilite's flail at Malachite 2.0, wrapping it around her.]
Obsidian: HEY! Don't forget about me!
[Obsidian then yanks Malachite 2.0 in, slamming her down into the ground and creating a gigantic crater.]
Malachite 2.0: *groans in pain Gahh!
Simultaneously...
[Malachite's sudden reappearance left Lapis startled, triggering a flood of awful memories from when she was fused with Jasper that she can't shake off.]
Lapis: Wh-Why?!
[Lapis trembles, fear in her voice.]
Lapis: Why is this happening again?!
[Peridot flies up Lapis in order to calm her down.]
Peridot: Lapis, listen to me!
[Lapis turns to Peridot, trembling.]
Lapis: P-Peridot?
Peridot: You don't have to be scared anymore.
[Peridot says as she places her hand on Lapis' shoulder.]
Peridot: You're not trapped anymore, not in the mirror, not as Malachite. No one can hurt you now, least of all her.
Lapis: But...
Peridot: There's no greater torment than suffering every day because of something that happened in the past, even though you've got friends around who really care about you now and will always have your back in the future, no matter what!
Lapis: Peridot. *she said captivated*
Peridot: Lapis, you--
[Lapis, now calmer, suddenly envelops Peridot in a crushing hug.]
Peridot: *confused* Huh?
Lapis: I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me, Peridot. *hugs her tighter* Thank you for always being there.
[Lapis states as she tears up.]
Peridot: Don't mention it. You're not alone anymore, and you never will be again. I promise
[Peridot whispers as she reciprocates Lapis' hug.]
Peridot: I'll always be by your side.
Lapis: You can't imagine how much I've missed you, Peridot.
Peridot: I missed you too, more than words can express. I'm so relieved you're back. And, um, about all that mean stuff I said earlier, I'm truly sorry. Didn't mean to hurt you.
Lapis: No worries, Peridot. I know you didn't mean any of it. Nobody knows you better than I do.
Peridot: We just gotta get through this all together
Lapis: Yeah... together.
Peridot: So, should we join the fight?
Lapis: Definitely.
[The end the hug. The air around them feels lighter, almost as if the tension has lifted just a bit.]
Peridot: Hold up, though. You really think you're ready to face Malachite?
Lapis: Why wouldn't I be? I'm not a part of her anymore. No reason to be afraid of her, right?
Peridot: That's the spirit! Let's go for it!