[The group crouches behind jagged rubble.]
Steven: *whispering* We're about thirty meters from White Diamond's ship... I think this is as close as we can get without risking being spotted.
Garnet: *whispering* Alright, everyone, listen up. We're splitting up here. Find a good hiding spot behind the rubble. Stay out of sight until we get the signal. And don't make any unnecessary moves, no matter what happens.
Steven: *whispering* Right. This is our last chance, we can't afford to waste it.
Garnet: *whispering* The Battleship is almost here. We're counting on you all. Disperse!
Everyone: *whispering* Roger!
[Steven's group and the Famethysts split up, each finding a hiding spot among the scattered rubble.]
Minutes Pass.
Garnet: *whispering* Waiting is the worst part.
Pearl: *whispering* Yeah, it's agonizing... every second feels like an eternity.
Steven: *whispering* You know... if things go wrong, this could be the last time we're all together. So, before anything happens, I just need to say... I love you guys.
[Steven's voice cracks, his eyes fill with tears as he looks at them.]
Steven: *whispering* You're my family. You've always been there for me, and I'm deeply grateful. I-I don't know where I'd be without you.
[Garnet smiles warmly as takes off her visors.]
Garnet: *softly* We love you too, Steven.
Amethyst: *grinning* Forever and ever, dude!
Pearl: *tears spill down her cheeks* Don't you ever doubt that. You mean the world to us, Steven.
Steven: *tearing up* Guys...
[The four of them pull into a tight, heartfelt hug, holding on to each other as if this were their last moment together.]
A Few Moments Later...
[Steven & his group peek cautiously from behind the rubble, only to be stunned by the sheer number of Gems standing guard around White Diamond's ship.]
Steven: Uh... is it just me, or are there way more guards than Amethyst mentioned?
Garnet: *adjusts her visors* Hmm, definitely more. I'd say there are over ninety now.
Amethyst: *in disbelief * What?! No way, that can't be right!
Pearl: *crossing her arms* Oh, but it is. You probably just didn't count them properly.
Amethyst: *offended* Bullshit! I'm positive I did!
Pearl: *sarcastic* Suuure you did.
Garnet: *holds up a hand, silencing them* Enough. You two can bicker later. A few more guards won't make much of a difference.
Steven: Garnet's right. As long as we stick to the plan, we'll be fine. Besides, I know those two Lapis Lazulis near the entrance. They're not nearly as strong as our Lapis, but their water control is still a serious threat. Underestimating them would be a mistake.
Amethyst: Wait, you know them?
Steven: Yep. Lapis and I met them a little over a year ago. They were terraforming planets back then. We had a tough time convincing them to stop.
Amethyst: I see.
Steven: We showed both of them the beauty of nature, hoping it'd change their perspective. Only one of them actually got it, though. And if I recall correctly, she later enrolled in Little Homeschool.
Amethyst: Huh, now that you mention it... I think I remember the freckled one graduating not too long ago.
Steven: That means Emerald or Bluebird must've rejuvenated her. And I'm guessing "Mean Lapis" met the same fate.
Amethyst: "Mean Lapis"?
Steven: I named them based on their personalities. "Nice Lapis" and "Mean Lapis."
Amethyst: Oh, right. Sort of like how you named the Rubies based on their gem placements.
Steven: Exactly.
Connie: But... don't all Gems already have their own names? So, giving them nicknames wouldn't be kind of unnecessary?
Steven: Well, maybe. But for me, it just makes it easier to keep track of who's who.
Connie: I get that, but it still feels a little weird.
Steven: *shrugs* I dunno, I just like doing it.
At The Same Time, On The Other Side.
[Around forty Topazes, thirty-five Agates, and twenty assorted Quartz Soldiers stand guard around White Diamond's ship. "Mean Lapis" and "Nice Lapis" stand at the entrance, keeping watch.]
Mean Lapis: *gritting her teeth* Tch. That insufferable Emerald... How dare she!? This isn't the kind of job for Gems like us!
Nice Lapis: *monotone* I agree.
Mean Lapis: I just don't get it! She doesn't let me into the meetings anymore, like I've done something to make her distrust me. But I haven't! ...Right?
Nice Lapis: *unsure* Uh... you haven't?
Mean Lapis: *snapping* Obviously not! She's shutting me out on purpose, assigning me these pointless tasks like she's trying to make me feel unimportant! It's so insulting, like a slap in the face!
Nice Lapis: Mhm.
Mean Lapis: *sighs* Well, whatever. Maybe it's better this way. More time to spend together, right? That's something.
[Nice Lapis gives a blank, indifferent nod.]
Nice Lapis: *monotone* Yeah.
Mean Lapis: *stares off, expression darkening* ...It doesn't feel the same, though. Not like it used to.
Nice Lapis: *tilts her head, confused* What do you mean?
Mean Lapis: *listlessly* Don't mind me. *waves a hand* Just... keep an eye out for anything unusual, or whatever.
Nice Lapis: *blinks* Uh, ok.
Mean Lapis: *muttering to herself* I just wish things would go back to the way they were... the way they should be. *lets out a deep sigh* Guess I'll just have to wait a little longer for that.
Nice Lapis: *squints up at the sky* What?
Mean Lapis: *distracted* I said don't mind me. I sometimes tend to talk to myself, which I consider perfectly normal.
Nice Lapis: No, that's not what I mean! Look at the sky!
[Nice Lapis points urgently to the sky.]
Mean Lapis: *looks up* Huh?
[Mean Lapis's eyes widen as two pair of bright lights appear in the sky, almost appearing like shooting stars.]
Mean Lapis: *bewildered* What... what is that?
Back With Steven's Group.
Steven: Guys, look at the sky!
[Everyone turns their heads just in time to see the Battleship descending through the clouds.]
Steven: It's here!
[In a split second, the Battleship's cannons fire, unleashing a devastating barrage of energy blasts. The blasts rain down like a meteor shower upon the Topazes below. Several are instantly poofed, while others are sent sprawling across the ground, their cries of pain cut short by the explosions. The shockwave hits the Agates and Quartz Gems, knocking some off their feet and leaving others disoriented & vulnerable.]
Random Quartz: *shocked* What the fuck was that?!
Garnet: This is it!! LET'S GO!!!