Malachite swings with a baseball bat made of water, sending me into a nearby tree. I slam against its rough surface and I plunge down towards the ground below. I'm definitely going to poof from this. Suddenly, I feel fingers catch my body. "I've got you!"

I open my eyes for a moment to see Eyeball. I smile before I close my eyes. I look into Malachite's mind once more. But this time, I'm not entering it. I can see Lapis and Jasper, worn out and exhausted. They're both beaten up, panting and somehow, they are smiling together.

I raise my eyebrow as I stare at them. They laugh as they slump down into the ground. "Wow! You really throw quite a punch, Lapis!"
"Heh, yeah, I'm not really your average aristocratic Gem." They sigh.

"Why is this fun?"
"I don't know. Maybe you just like fighting?"
"No. Well, sort of. But that's besides the point. Can we do something else besides hurting each other?"
"Right now?"
"Sure."

"I don't know what we can do." Jasper presses a hand against the back of her head. "Uh...we could...uh...dance?" Lapis looks over at Jasper. "Dance? In here? Inside Malachite?"
"Yeah. But nothing crazy though! How about I just stand up..." Jasper gets up. "And offer you my hand."

Lapis hesitates for a moment. "Uh..." Lapis takes Jasper's hand and she thrusts her off the ground and onto her feet. "Whoa!" Jasper places a hand on Lapis' waist. "Where did you see this?" Jasper shushes her. "Just move along with me."

She moves one foot to the left...and Lapis follows. "Okay. Left...now right. Up...then down." Lapis chuckles. "Seriously, where did a brute such as yourself see this?"
"Let's just say, I had a feeling that I should do it."

Lapis laughs as Jasper moves in different directions with her in a slow pace. They make ripples in the water that they're standing on with each passing step they take. "Okay. Now we can change it up if you want."

Lapis looks away, frowning. "No. I like this." Jasper frowns. "Lapis, is something wrong?" Lapis glares in the opposite reaction. "I wish we could stay like this."
"What's wrong with this?" Lapis sighs. "Malachite." Jasper looks down.

"Oh."
"Why is this our fusion? Why can't she be pure and nice to look at? Do you think that maybe...in another world, we are actually together? I mean, in a good way?"
"I believe so, Lapis."

"It's not fair. I lost a stupid coin toss and look at where it got me. I really am desperate and terrible, aren't I?"
"No. Lapis, don't say that." Jasper slips her hand under Lapis' chin. "But...I wanted you to hurt me."

"Why?"
"I hate myself for what I've done. I let Peridot die." She sobs into Jasper's chest and Jasper puts her hand on Lapis' cheek. "I loved her. I don't understand why I gave her away like that."
"What happened before that?"

"We had a few arguments. One ended up in..." Lapis holds her tongue. "I can't!" Lapis struggles to handle herself from going deep into her depression. "I just...left her to die. She was drunk and she kept talking about how much-!" Jasper shushes her.

"I'm sorry. I'm just...so confused. Things weren't supposed to be this way...we're they?" Jasper stokes Lapis' cheek and Lapis looks up into Jasper's eyes. "I don't know. But it happened. We lost a Pearl, Peridot, and...Rose."
"Steven."
"Steven."

"Steven died in Amethyst's hands. It can be assumed that he drowned in the ocean from the events of Hurricane Amethyst."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Wh-What do you mean?"

"Steven is the offspring of Rose Quartz. She was clever and she knew how to save and protect herself along with her entire army of rebels. Her tactics in the Gem War were remarkable. It was like nothing I could've thought of or the Diamonds. Who knows? Maybe he'll come back."

"Maybe. But I don't know if he should really come back though. I want to see him again but..."
"Lapis?"
"I don't know if that's going to be a good thing or not. Maybe I'm overthinking it."

"Lapis, no matter what happens to us, we'll always be close...no matter what. But now, we must unfuse. Malachite is hurting our friends and family...and my sister." Jasper's eyes well up. "Should we?" Lapis moves her face towards Jasper's. "I'm ready if you are."

Jasper moves her face towards Lapis. They close their eyes and they brush each other's lips. Their gems glow and then their bodies glow. The space around them flashes and I close my eyes as a single sound resonates throughout it.