[Bluebird watches the fight between Obsidian and Malachite from a safe perch atop a building.]
Bluebird (Aquamarine): Hah. Look at those two. They were dead set against fusing, and yet somehow pulled it off perfectly on their very first try. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Bluebird (Eyeball): Oh, cut the crap! You only made them to fuse so they'd do the fighting for us! Just admit it, you're a coward!
Bluebird (Aquamarine): A coward? Hardly. Why risk yourself when someone else can take the hits? That's just smart thinking, my dear.
Bluebird (Eyeball): Hm... when you put it that way, it does sound kinda smart.
Bluebird (Aquamarine): Naturally. That's the difference between us, I actually think things through. You might want to try it sometime, my dear.
Bluebird (Eyeball): Yeah, maybe I shou... hold up, did you just call me "my dear"?!
Bluebird (Aquamarine): *flustered* Wh-What! N-No! I-I was being sarcastic, obviously! I meant to call you an IMBECILE! That "my dear" just slipped out by mistake!
Bluebird (Eyeball): You said it twice!
Bluebird (Aquamarine): Y-Yeah? Well... shut up! If anyone sees Bluebird arguing with herself, they'll think she's cracked in the head!
Meanwhile, down below, the battle between Obsidian and the new Malachite rages on.
Malachite 2.0: DIE!
[Enraged, Malachite 2.0 charges at Obsidian with her spin dash, but they catches her easily in their many hands.]
Obsidian: *in a deep, rough voice* Is that all you've got?
Malachite 2.0: Don't get cocky just 'cause you've got more hands!!
Obsidian: My apologies.
[Without warning, Obsidian hurls Malachite 2.0 high into the sky.]
Obsidian: Didn't mean to sound cocky.
[Malachite 2.0 steadies herself mid-air using her water wings, letting out a grunt.]
Malachite 2.0: Hm?
[Her eyes widen in shock as she spots Obsidian drawing Opal's bow, aiming an arrow straight at her.]
Malachite 2.0: What's that!?
Obsidian: Just like old times... Fire!
[Obsidian fires the arrow, which morphs mid-flight into the shapes of Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Steven holding hands.]
Malachite 2.0: No way!
[She twists aside at the last second, the arrow just grazing past her.]
Obsidian: Not bad for this new Malachite. Seems like these two really are good for each other.
[Malachite 2.0 descends from the sky, landing hard before Obsidian.]
Malachite 2.0: *glaring up at Obsidian* I'm not done yet!
Obsidian: Back for more, huh?
Malachite 2.0: *grunting* Fuck you!
[Malachite 2.0 forms a pair of massive water hands that clamp tightly around Obsidian.]
Malachite 2.0: *laughs* Serves you right for underestimating me!
[She begins freezing the water hands, squeezing Obsidian even tighter.]
Malachite 2.0: This is the end fo--
[Before she can finish, Obsidian lets out a powerful roar, shattering the ice encasing them and sending Malachite 2.0 hurtling back.]
Obsidian: Nice try, but you'll have to try harder than that.
[Malachite 2.0 scrambles back to her feet, furious.]
Malachite 2.0: RRRAAAAAHHH!!!
[Refusing to give up, Malachite 2.0 lunges at Obsidian once more, but they effortlessly intercepts her mid-attack, seizing one of her arms.]
Malachite 2.0: *shocked* What the...?!
Obsidian: You never learn, do you?
[Obsidian swings her around six times, making her scream, then flings her into a nearby Gem building. The structure collapses on impact, burying her beneath a mountain of rubble.]
Obsidian: This isn't going anywhere.
[For a moment, all is still. Then, the rubble begins to shift. Malachite 2.0 claws her way out, panting heavily and limping.]
Malachite 2.0: *in pain* Ugh... Nngh... Don't think...
[She falls to her knees, trembling.]
Malachite 2.0: *in pain* Don't think... you've won.
Obsidian: *sighs* Still don't get how pointless this is? Just give up, alright? It's for the best, for both of us.
Malachite 2.0: *in pain* N-No... not a chance...
[She forces herself to her feet, her whole body trembling. She can barely stand, but she refuses to back down.]
Malachite 2.0: *in pain* A-As long as I can still stand... I'm not DONE fighting!!!
Obsidian: You're already on your last legs. If you keep pushing yourself like this, you'll end up dead. Whatever it is you're fighting for, it's not worth dying over. Just think about that, okay?
[Malachite 2.0 remains silent, not responding.]
Malachite 2.0: ...
[Her eyes scan the battlefield, desperately searching for a way to turn the tide in her favor. Then, she notices Lapis standing atop a nearby Gem structure, looking bewildered.]
Malachite 2.0: *thinking to herself* That's it!
Obsidian: Do you finally understand? It's over.
Malachite 2.0: No! It's far from over!
[Malachite 2.0 shouts up to Lapis, hoping she'll step up and change the course of the fight.]
Malachite 2.0: Hey! Don't just stand there! Get down here and help me! I can't take this monster on alone!
Lapis: *startled* Wh-what?!
Malachite 2.0: *noticing* Wait a minute... her appearance's changed! Is she... back to her old self?
[Frustrated, Malachite 2.0 slams her fists into the ground twice.]
Malachite 2.0: Dammit! I'm no match for this monster, and if she joins them... *panic creeping in* I'm done for! What am I supposed to do now?!
Simultaneously...
[Malachite's sudden reappearance shook Lapis to her core, unleashing a flood of painful memories from when she was fused with Jasper, memories she couldn't seem to escape.]
Lapis: Wh-Why?!
[Lapis trembles, fear in her voice.]
Lapis: Why is this happening again?!
[Peridot quickly flies up to Lapis, trying to calm her.]
Peridot: Lapis! Hey, look at me!
[Lapis turns to Peridot, still trembling.]
Lapis: P-Peridot?
Peridot: You don't have to be afraid.
[Peridot gently places a hand on Lapis' shoulder.]
Peridot: You're not trapped anymore. Not in that mirror, not fused as Malachite. No one can hurt you now. Those days are behind you.
Lapis: But... it feels like I'm right back there.
Peridot: I know. But you're not. You're here, with us. And every day you keep moving forward, even if it's just a little, that's what matters. Just look how far you've come. You've got people who care about you now. People who love you, and who'll be there to catch you every time you fall. I'm one of them. And I'm not going anywhere.
Lapis: *captivated* Peridot...
Peridot: You're not alone anymore, Lapis. And you never will be again. I promi--
[Now calmer, Lapis throws her arms around Peridot in a tight hug.]
Peridot: *taken aback* Huh?!
Lapis: Thank you, Peridot. *hugs her tighter* Thank you for always being there for me.
[Tears well up in Lapis' eyes as she speaks.]
Peridot: Don't mention it.
[Peridot whispers, returning the 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. And, um... about all that mean stuff I said earlier, I'm really sorry. I never meant to hurt you.
Lapis: Don't worry, Peridot. I know you didn't mean 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.
[They slowly pull apart, the weight in the air noticeably lighter now.]
Peridot: Hold up, though. Are you sure you're ready to face Malachite?
Lapis: Why wouldn't I be? I'm not a part of her anymore. There's no reason to be afraid of her, right?
Peridot: That's the spirit! Let's go for it!