[Steven's voice crackles through the communicator in Bluebird's hand, his tone desperate, pleading.]
Steven: Bluebird! Please stop this right now!
Bluebird: *mocking* Aww, Steven, how sweet of you to beg. Truly touching. But you should've learned by now… your words mean absolutely nothing to me.
[Bluebird turns to Lapis, who stands calmly by her side, arms crossed.]
Bluebird: Yo, Lazuli.
Lapis: Yeah?
Bluebird: Did those morons spill anything useful yet? Any new info for me?
[Lapis tilts her head, her tone icy as she replies.]
Lapis: Hmm, not really. They didn't give up anything we didn't already know. Still, I did pick up one thing worth noting.
Bluebird: Oh? And what's that?
Lapis: A significant number of the Quartz Soldiers deserted recently. All Amethysts, to be exact. They've thrown their lot in with Steven Universe, now backing him up.
[Bluebird taps a finger against her chin, considering the information.]
Bluebird: Hmm... interesting. Not exactly a revelation, though. Jasper already informed me of that earlier. Which means... these pathetic Gems are utterly useless as they are right now.
Lapis: So, what's the plan for the Amethysts? We can't just let those deserters roam free, right?
Bluebird: We'll deal with them in due time. Right now, there's something far more important to take care of.
[Bluebird's malicious gaze shifts to the captured Gems. They tremble in fear, their eyes darting toward each other, silently pleading for mercy. Steven, still listening through the communicator, shouts in desperation.]
Steven (through the communicator): Hey! What are you planning to do?! Don't you dare hurt them!
Bluebird: No need to fret, Steven. These Gems may be useless now, but… after a little "rejuvenation", they might be of some use again.
Lapis: *raising an eyebrow* Rejuvenation? Why bother with that? Wouldn't it make more sense to just shatter them and be done with it?
[Before Bluebird can reply, a door creaks open and Spinel steps in, glancing around before speaking.]
Spinel: Pardon the interruption, ma'am. I was just passing by and couldn't help overhearing your conversation. And, uh... I gotta say, I agree with Lapis Lazuli. Shattering seems like the more efficient option. No need to drag this out.
Topaz 1: *nodding* Makes sense.
Topaz 2: Definitely.
[Lapis leans casually against the wall, her confidence unwavering.]
Lapis: See, ma'am? We're all on the same page here--
[Lapis' words are cut off abruptly as Bluebird slams her fist against the wall, her voice booming with anger.]
Bluebird: *shouting* ENOUGH! I don't recall asking for your opinions!
[Spinel freezes, a nervous smile still on her face; Lapis straightens, her confident demeanor faltering. Even the Topazes flinch back in fear, their eyes wide.]
Bluebird: I'm the one in charge here! I give the orders, and you MUST follow them WITHOUT QUESTION!! NEVER forget that you are FORBIDDEN from thinking for yourselves!!! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!?!
[The room falls into an oppressive silence. The four Gems bow their heads quickly, trembling under Bluebird's piercing gaze.]
Spinel/Lapis/Topazes: *in unison, stammering* Y-y-yes, Your Highness! Please forgive us for our insolence!
[Bluebird huffs, her rage melting into a smug, self-satisfied smirk.]
Bluebird: Good. Don't forget your place. I won't tolerate insubordination again. Understood?!
Spinel/Lapis/Topazes: *bowing low* Yes, Your Highness! As you command!
Meanwhile...
[Steven listens to the exchange through the communicator. Beside him, Connie leans closer, whispering.]
Connie: Why do they fear her so much? I mean... they're stronger than she is, right?
[Steven shakes his head, his voice barely a whisper.]
Steven: I don't know. Maybe it's the brainwashing... or maybe Bluebird's got some other power over them.
[Back with Bluebird, who exhales sharply, her attention snapping back to Spinel.]
Bluebird: Anyway, you couldn't have shown up at a better time, Spinel. I was just about to call you.
Spinel: *nervously* Uh... w-why me? What do you need me for?
Bluebird: *snapping* What do you think for!? You've got a rejuvenator, don't you?!
Spinel: Y-yeah.
[Spinel hastily nods, her hands trembling slightly as she pulls a rejuvenator out of her gemstone.]
Spinel: Got it right here.
Bluebird: *chuckling darkly* Excellent. Well then, let's put it to good use. How about starting with our little "snitch" over there, hmm?
[Bluebird gestures disdainfully at Peridot 9XL, who lies barely conscious on the ground, her body trembles in terror as she tries to shrink into herself.]
Spinel: You got it, ma'am!
[The rejuvenator hums ominously as Spinel activates it.]
Spinel: ...
[Spinel hesitates for a split second before swinging it downward. The rejuvenator slices cleanly through Peridot's neck, severing her head from her body in one fell swoop. Peridot 9XL poofs into a green cloud, leaving just her gemstone, as it falls to the ground.]
Steven (through the communicator): NOOOOOO!
Bluebird: Haha! The show's just getting started, Steven! Don't you dare hang up now! *laughs* Come on, Spinel! Don't stop now! Give him a performance to remember!
[The remaining captured Gems, still trapped in Lapis's water chains, try to run away, their terror evident in their frantic movements.]
Lapis: Don't even think about it!
[Lapis tightens the water chains with a flick of her hand, forcing the prisoners to their knees. The water chains solidifies around them, pinning them in place.]
Lapis: Stay put! You're next!
[Spinel twirls the rejuvenator in her hand as she strolls toward her next victim.]
Spinel: *in a sing-song tone* Eeny, meeny, miny moe…
[She points the rejuvenator at a random Gem, whose entire body quakes under her gaze.]
Spinel: …you.
[Spinel leaps high, twirling midair as she swings the rejuvenator downwards. The Gem barely has time to gasp before the rejuvenator slices through her neck. The Gem's head falls off, and poofs instantly.]
Steven (through the communicator): No! Stop it!!!
[Spinel swings the rejuvenator, slashing through one Gem after another. The room fills with a chorus of anguished cries as each Gem loses her physical form, leaving only their gems behind.]
Steven (through the communicator): I... I'm begging you, please, stop!
[Back with Steven, his hands clutch the communicator tightly. His entire body trembles with fury and anguish.]
Steven: Please... no more!
[Despite Steven's desperate pleas, Spinel continues her relentless assault. The cries of the Gems and Bluebird's cruel laughter send shivers down Steven's spine. He feels powerless, his heart breaking with each scream.]
Steven: *covers his ears in anguish* I... I can't...
[Steven's body begins to glow pink, his emotions spiraling out of control.]
Pink Steven: I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!
[An enormous shockwave bursts from his body, the force is so strong that it knocks Connie and the others off their feet, sending them sprawling violently across the ground.]
Pink Steven: *groans loudly* STOP IT, BLUEBIRD!!! STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!!!
[Steven unleashes another burst of energy, causing a massive crater to form under his feet. The entire cavern shakes violently as chunks of debris rains down. The walls and ceiling groan under the strain, threatening to collapse entirely.]
Pink Steven: *clenches his fists* Grrr...!!
[Steven glares furiously at the communicator in his hand.]
Pink Steven: *voice seething* I'M DONE WITH THIS!!!
[In his rage, Steven hurls the communicator against a boulder, damaging it. Its screen flickering as the cavern falls silent once more. His friends slowly rise to their feet, their faces a mix of awe and concern as they stare at him.]