[Amid the chaos, Homeworld Ships hover in formation, relentlessly firing laser blasts at Obsidian.]
Obsidian: These ships don't pose a significant threat, but...
[Obsidian lets out a powerful roar, sending a shockwave through the air that pushes the ships back. They quickly regroup, though, and fire their weapons at Obsidian, causing them to stagger.]
Obsidian: There's just too many of them!
[Bluebird shivers in terror as she watches Obsidian face off against the Homeworld Ships.]
Bluebird: W-Well, uh... guess I kinda lost my cool for a second there, huh? B-But hey! I'm back on track now, so...
[Bluebird's voice trembles as she makes her ice sword disappear.]
Bluebird: I-I'll just let someone else handle this. Just... just this once, of course!
Lapis: *thinking to herself* What happened to that "I'll fight to the bitter end" attitude you had earlier?
Bluebird: *turns to Lapis* Alright, Lazuli, you're up!
Lapis: *confused* Excuse me?
Bluebird: Come on, you've beaten them before, right?
Lapis: Yeah, but this is a completely different ballgame. There's no way I can take on that monster alone. Maybe we should let the ships take care of them. Or better yet, call in Emerald. I hear she likes to claim she's the strongest in the universe... unless that's just an exaggeration.
Bluebird: Don't be ridiculous! E-Emerald's tied up with her own business right now, so it's up to us to handle this!
Lapis: Yeah, lucky us.
[Lapis crosses her arms, narrowing her eyes.]
Bluebird: Look, a fusion of five Gems is unstable. They won't be able to keep it together for long. Just keep them busy until reinforcements show up. I'll be cheering you on from here.
Lapis: ...
[Lapis falls silent, her suspicions only deepen.]
At The Same Time...
[Obsidian is brutally struck by laser beams and missiles. The attacks barely make them flinch, leaving no visible damage.]
Obsidian: Hey! I don't want to hurt you! Clear outta here!!
[The Homeworld Ships ignore Obsidian's warning, intensifying their assault as more reinforcements stream in from all directions.]
Obsidian: What?! More ships?!
Simultaneously...
[Bluebird watches in awe as the Homeworld Ships manage to keep Obsidian at bay.]
Bluebird: The ships are holding up. That should give you an edge--hm?
[She pauses, noticing a blue Gem ascending towards the top of the building where she and Lapis stand. It's Mean Lapis, who lands next to her, panting.]
Mean Lapis: Finally found ya.
Bluebird: Oh? So they let you go, huh?
Mean Lapis: Not exactly.
Bluebird: Well, whatever. You're just in time!
Mean Lapis: For what?! A Peridot's got my partner hostage; I need your help to get her back!
Bluebird: Are you serious!? Ain't nobody got time for your personal drama! We've got bigger problems going down!
[Mean Lapis snaps back, her voice laced with urgency.]
Mean Lapis: Nothing's more important to me than her!
Bluebird: Is that so?! How about that!?
[Bluebird points up to Obsidian, who's being relentlessly bombarded but remains unharmed.]
Bluebird: Neither your partner nor anyone else will be safe as long as that monster's still around! You two should team up and take them on together!
Mean Lapis: *grudgingly* Ugh, fine. Just promise you'll help me afterward.
Bluebird: Sure, whatever.
Lapis: I don't need this Gem's help!
[Lapis interrupts defiantly.]
Bluebird: What did you just say!?!
Lapis: She's just gonna get in my way. I mean, wasn't she and her partner hostages just a few minutes ago? Even teaming up with another Gem doesn't make her any less of a sorry excuse for a Lapis Lazuli.
[Mean Lapis's face twists in anger.]
Mean Lapis: Hey! Who the fuck do you think you are?!
[Mean Lapis snapped, stepping forward.]
Mean Lapis: Don't forget, I outrank you! I taught you everything about water manipulation! I deserve some respect!!
Lapis: Taught me? Pfft. You're not even worth learning from. I surpassed you in a matter of days, didn't I?
Mean Lapis: Why, you...!
Lapis: Just admit it. You're weak. You couldn't even save yourself back there, so what makes you think you can save her? That's just pitiful.
[Lapis sneers, her tone dripping with contempt.]
Mean Lapis: ...
[Lapis's words cut deep, and Mean Lapis struggles to keep her emotions in check. She clenches her fists and turns away silently, trying to stifle the tears welling up.]
Bluebird: That's it, Lazuli! Cut the crap!
[Lapis glares at Bluebird, her gaze cold.]
Lapis: You'd better keep that mouth shut, Azurite.
Bluebird: *angered* I won't tolerate you speaking to me like that, Lazuli!
Lapis: Oh, really? Let's see if you can live up to those words.
[Lapis steps forward, closing the distance and backing Bluebird into a wall.]
Bluebird: *trembling in fear* S-Stay away from me!
Lapis: *leans in* What's the matter? Just me standing here makes you tremble like a leaf? And here I thought you feared nothing.
[Bluebird just looks away, unable to muster the courage to retort.]
Bluebird: ...
[Lapis sighs, a touch of disappointment in her voice.]
Lapis: Hmph. Looks like my suspicions were spot on after all. I tried to convince myself I was wrong about you, that maybe I was just being paranoid. How naïve of me. Now I can finally see you for who you truly are.
Bluebird: ...Eh?
Lapis: You talk a good game, acting all brave, like you actually stand for something. But when it comes down to it, you just shrink back.
[She steps back, shaking her head.]
Lapis: You're nothing but a coward!
[Bluebird remains silent.]
Bluebird: ...
Lapis: I can't believe it took me this long to see through your little charade. What a letdown.
Bluebird: *angered* Shut up! You can't just pull this crap! You're not allowed to think for yourself!
Lapis: Oh, I'm sorry. Did I break the rules? How exactly? Wasn't it you people who drilled into us, day in and day out, that strength is the only thing that matters? I'm just taking those lessons to heart, that's all.
Bluebird: Tch...
Lapis: I actually have strength. You, on the other hand, just hide behind a mask of false power, pretending to be something you'll never truly be.
Bluebird: *enraged* Grrr! You'll regret this, you insufferable--
Lapis: *cuts her off* Oh? And what exactly are you gonna do about it? Face me?!
[Lapis grabs Bluebird by her shirt, lifting her effortlessly off the ground.]
Lapis: Go on, then!
[Lapis's voice is low and menacing, her grip tightening as she speaks.]
Lapis: I'd love to see you try.
Bluebird: ...
[Bluebird shivers in fear, unable to meet Lapis's gaze, her silence saying everything.]
Lapis: *snorts* Yeah, that's what I thought.
[Lapis just drops Bluebird to the ground like discarded trash, not even sparing her another glance.]
Lapis: *brushing her hands off* I'll deal with you two later. First, I've got that monster to handle.
[Lapis says as she turns away.]
Lapis: Try not to miss me too much, alright? *waves mockingly* See ya.
[With that, she takes to the air. The ground rumbles as a massive surge of water bursts forth, swirling around her and forming a giant figure of herself.]
Bluebird: Ugh! Damn it all! That bitch really crossed the line!
[Bluebird slams a fist into the nearest wall, her body trembling with frustration and humiliation.]
Bluebird: Lazuli... I swear I'll make you pay for this!