[Steven floats up to get a better view of where the Battleship crashed.]
Steven: Good, they're not far off. I have to go help them!
Garnet *shouting* Steven, whatever you're thinking of doing, don't do it!
Steven: I'm sorry, Garnet, but I can't just leave them like this. I'll be right back, wait for me here!
Garnet: No, Steven! Get down here right now! This is our only chance to take White Diamond's ship! We can't afford to waste it!
Steven: *glancing back at the wreckage* I know, but those Gems... they need me!
Garnet: We knew this was a possibility! C'mon, we already discussed this!
Steven: ...
Garnet: They'll be fine! Trust me!
Steven: How can you be sure?
Garnet: We Gems are tougher than you think!
Amethyst: Yeah! Remember when Jasper and Lapis survived Peridot's ship exploding?! This is no different!
Garnet: We don't have time to argue! Get down here!
Steven: ...
[Steven hesitates for a moment, then sighs resignedly, floating down to land beside Garnet and the others.]
Garnet: Steven, there will be times when you won't be able to help everyone...
Steven: But there will always be a next time, I know. I learned that in therapy.
Garnet: Good. Now, let's go take that ship!
Steven: Right behind you.
[Steven, Connie, and the Crystal Gems sprint toward White Diamond's ship, only to stop dead in their tracks as the ship's door begins to open. Four familiar Gems step out.]
????????: *angered* Who the fuck is making all this noise?!
[The group gasps in shock at the sight of the Gems before them: Holly Blue Agate and Bluebird, with Lapis and Spinel standing just behind them.]
Bluebird: *smirking as she spots Steven* Well, well… what do we have here?
Holly Blue Agate: A sneaky little rat named Steven Universe.
Garnet: *adjusts her visors* Looks like we got it right. This is their base of operations.
Amethyst: How convenient.
Bluebird: I never thought you'd have the rocks to show your face, Steven. I honestly expected to find you curled up in some dark corner of Homeworld, crying your eyes out. It's what you're best at, after all.
Steven: Enough! We're putting an end to this madness—right here, right now!
[Steven and the Crystal Gems get into fighting stance, each summoning their respective weapons.]
Holly Blue Agate: *looking around* I've got to admit, I'm impressed. You lowlifes actually managed to take down every guard on this ship. It seems you poured all your effort into this operation.
Spinel: *pointing* Hey, look! They've got Lazuli and her partner as hostages!!
Bluebird: *mockingly* Ha! Only an idiot would let themselves get caught like that.
Holly Blue Agate: If you think you can use them to blackmail us, Steven, you're sorely mistaken. We don't negotiate with the likes of you.
Spinel: Then I suppose we should call for reinforcements, shouldn't we?
Holly Blue Agate: Obviously. I don't have my communicator on me, so I'll fetch Jasper's squadron myself. You're coming with me, Spinel. *turns to leave*
Spinel: That's convenient. *shrugs* I'm right behind ya--
[Before Spinel can take a step, Amethyst's whip coils tightly around her leg, yanking her back.]
Amethyst: Not so fast, you little creep!
Spinel: *startled* What the fuck?! Let go of me!
Amethyst: You two aren't going anywhere!
[Amethyst lashes her whip at Holly Blue Agate, but she dodges with ease.]
Amethyst: *gritting her teeth* Damn it!
[Taking advantage of Amethyst's distraction, Spinel shapeshifts her leg, shrinking it just enough to slip free from Amethyst's grip.]
Spinel: *grinning* Nice try, but you're gonna have to do better than that! *waving goodbye* Later, losers!
[With that, both Holly Blue and Spinel dash toward the Palace, disappearing inside.]
Amethyst: *frustrated* Tch. They're got away.
Steven: Doesn't matter, we'll deal with them later. The Gems we've got to worry about are right here in front of us!
Garnet: Steven's right. Prepare to fight!
Lapis: *stepping forward* Fine. Let's get this over with.
Bluebird: Don't even think about it, Lazuli! Stay put!
[Lapis ignores Bluebird and walks past her.]
Bleubird: Didn't you hear me!? Don't move another inch! That's an order!
[Lapis pauses, glancing over her shoulder at Bluebird.]
Lapis: What is it?
Bluebird: Don't do anything reckless. We just need to buy time until Holly brings in reinforcements.
Lapis: *snorts* Oh, please. You know there's no need for reinforcements. I can handle them on my own.
Bluebird: Is that so? Have you already forgotten what happened last time?!
Lapis: ...
Bluebird: You failed, destroying everything in the process... and all for nothing!
Lapis: *shrugging* So?
Bluebird: *fuming* What do you mean "so"?! Don't you realize you how long it'll take to repair all the damage you've caused?! And don't even get me started on calming down Emerald's wrath! *clutches head* Ugh, it's gonna be a nightmare! We'll be lucky if she doesn't end up killing us!
Lapis: Don't worry about it. I give you my word, I won't cause any more destruction. I've learned how to control myself.
Bluebird: Oh, really? And when did that miracle happen, if you don't mind me asking?
Lapis: Yesterday.
Bluebird: ... You little piece of shit. *sighs* Fine! Do whatever you want. But you'd better capture him this time. If you screw this up again, you'll be the one answering to Emerald, not me. Got it?!
Lapis: Loud and clear.
Steven: Oh boy, here we go again…
[Lapis turns to face Steven and the Crystal Gems.]
Lapis: We've got a score to settle, you and I. But let me make one thing perfectly clear before we begin: I'm not falling for your tricks this time!
[Lapis snaps her fingers, and the ground begins to rumble violently as it cracks open. A massive amount of water bursts forth, swirling around her and forming a giant figure of herself that she controls.]
Bluebird: Hey, what the fuck?! Didn't you just promise you wouldn't cause any more destruction?!
Lapis: This place was already wrecked, so technically... it doesn't count as destruction.
Bluebird: You... You're insufferable, you know that?!
Lapis: *narrowing her eyes* ...
Garnet: Steven, it's time!
Steven: I was hoping we wouldn't have to resort to "that" again... but it looks like we don't have a choice now.
Garnet: *to Pearl & Amethyst* Get ready!
Steven: Yeah... it's time to pull out our last resort.
Garnet/Amethyst/Pearl/Steven: *in unison* The form... Obsidian!!
[Peridot and Connie back away, giving space for Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Steven to perform their fusion dance.]