Chapter Text
Deep in the ocean, an unstable fusion was chained to the floor. It was Malachite; Lapis was struggling to keep Jasper down. Keeping control, she let her mind wander briefly. Her thoughts eventually led her consciousness to find Peridot.
Peridot looked up from what she was doing. "Lapis?!" Lapis rubbed her eyes. "Peridot!? Wha-"
Peridot stood up. "What happened to you?!" Lapis took a step back. "I'm fused with Jasper at the bottom of the ocean. Why?"
Peridot looked startled. "Wait, you what?!" Lapis looked grim. "We're Malachite now."
Peridot was still confused. "W-What?" Lapis clenched her fists, looking upset. "I'm going to keep her trapped on this miserable planet!"
Peridot started panicking. "Lapis no! You can't do this!" Lapis briefly turned away. "She's my prisoner. You can't stop me!"
Peridot started tearing up. "You can't do this forever! You're gonna get yourself hurt!" Lapis looked at her sadly. "I was a prisoner my whole life! Now I'm the captor and I'm never letting her go!"
Peridot stepped toward her, tears in her eyes. "Lapis, please listen to me!" Lapis shook her head. "No! I'm protecting Steven!"
"But who's gonna protect you?!" Peridot shouted, reaching for Lapis' hand. She pulled away. "I don't need any protection!"
"Please, just tell me where you are! I can help you!" Peridot tried to come closer, but Lapis pushed her away, yelling. "No! I can do this on my own!"
"I can't let you get hurt!" Peridot was crying. Lapis looked away, and whispered, "You sound just like Steven."