Reformed

[Open Ext. temple]

(Steven is sitting on the beach using an app on his phone.)

(The phone screen shows a picture of Sniffling Croissant.)

Steven: Sniffling Croissant! *smiles* You really know me, Internet. Hey, guys!

(Greg and Pearl are seen fixing Greg's Van in front of Steven.)

Greg: Yeah, Steven?

Steven: You guys should take this online quiz I found. It tells you what... (Pearl walks next to Steven to pick up a wrench.) *pauses* It tells you what character you are from "Crying Breakfast Friends!"

Pearl: *turns to see Steven, confused* Uh, why?

Steven: It's just fun to see yourself as a cartoon character, like Weeping Egg Cup, [Camera focuses on Pearl] who is neurotic and uptight; or Pining Grapefruit, [Camera pans to show Greg] the sensitive older one who wishes he were a better role model.

Greg: Uh, maybe we can do that thing after we fix the van.

(Pearl and Greg turn back to the van's open hood.)

Steven: *sighs* Okay, *cheerfully* I'll go find someone else!

Pearl: *to Greg* Do you understand that cartoon show?

Greg: *somberly* I don't understand anything anymore.

(Steven enters the Beach House panting, and smiles when he sees Amethyst.)

(Amethyst is seen browsing the refrigerator, holding a big pile of food and things on her right arm.)

Amethyst: Hey Steven! Is there any more engine oil? *turns to Steven* I need it for the sandwich.

Steven: I think that's for cars...

Amethyst: Well, *kicks the fridge's door shut* is there any more of it?

Steven: Dad's probably got some outside. Oh! But uh... you've gotta take this online quiz! *pulls out his phone* "Which Crying Breakfast Friend Are You?"

Amethyst: That show's really weird. *sits on a stool and puts all the stuff she's carrying on the breakfast bar* Who wants to watch a cartoon about people crying?

Steven: *with watery eyes and a broken voice* I do.

Amethyst: *rolls her eyes* Okay, okay! Uh, what's the first question?

Steven: *reading from his phone* Do you ever act without thinking?

Amethyst: Nope. *squeezes a mustard bottle until it explodes, covering the pile of food on mustard* Never.

Steven: *still reading* Are you afraid of taking risks and trying new things?

Amethyst: *eats the whole pile of food in one bite, with her mouth full* Terrified! *cleans the mustard on her face with her tongue*

Steven: *seemingly upset* Amethyst, are you taking this seriously?

Amethyst: *rolls her eyes and rests her head on her hand* Of course I am.

Steven: *happily* Okay. *taps the 'yes' button his phone's screen, which reads 'Are you taking this seriously?'* Are you insecure about your relationships (Amethyst suddenly looks troubled.) and how you are perceived by other people?

Amethyst: *unsteadily* No... yes? Eh... What's the right answer?

Steven: There is no right answer. You're just supposed to answer honestly.

Amethyst: Eh, I'm bored. *crosses her arms behind her back*

(Amethyst walks to the Temple Gate and activates it while Steven follows her.)

Steven: Oh wait, I have loads more probing personal questions to ask.

(The temple opens Amethyst's Room and Garnet looks back.)

Amethyst: *seemingly upset* Garnet, wha— (Amethyst and Steven walk through the door.) What are you doing in my room? (The door closes.)

Garnet: I saw a corrupted gem. *points upward toward a large gaping hole* I followed it through the tunnel it dug in the rock.

Amethyst: *looking off doubtfully with her arms crossed* Yeah right.

Steven: *curious* Where did it come from?

Garnet: It's similar to Pearl's description of the creature she saw slinking through the temple.

Steven: *shocked and excited* You saw The Slinker!?

Amethyst: I thought we agreed there was no Slinker, and we weren't going to call it *air quotes* The-Slinker.

Garnet: *arms crossed* Yes we did, *uncrosses arms* but now it's undeniable the creature exists, and that Steven's name stuck.

Steven: *proudly holds up his fist* Yes!

Amethyst: *defensively steps forward* Nooo! *walks behind Garnet* Look, why don't you just let me look for it?

Garnet: *starts to walk past Amethyst* Because you won't.

Amethyst & Steven: *hurry after Garnet panting*

Garnet: *lifts up a hunk of Amethyst junk, revealing another large tunnel*

Steven: *curiously holds his hand up to his cheek* How long's this thing been in here?

Amethyst: *excitedly squeals and picks up a gas mask* Ha ha, look, Steven! *wears the mask* I'm a pachyderm!

Steven: *laughs*

Amethyst: *takes off mask* Oh! *pulls out a skull from the mask* And there's a prize inside!

Steven: *covers mouth and gasp*

(Loud hissing is heard.)

Garnet: *holds a finger to her mouth* Sshhhh, keep quiet.

(Amethyst rolls her eyes and groans while Steven nods obediently.)

(The trio move to another section of the room.)

Garnet: *puts Amethyst junk down and continues walking*

Steven: *puts his hand on his cheek in admiration* Oh Garnet, stern but practical, just like spilled milk.

Amethyst: *visibly annoyed* You're still not on about that dumb cartoon are you?

Steven: *in sudden remembrance* Oh right, the quiz! *pulls out his phone and starts walking toward Amethyst* Do you get defensive when people ask you questions about the feelings you prefer to keep hidden?

Amethyst: *eyes widen and quickly turns around squinting her eyes* DON'T get all psych-o-logical on me, Ste-ven.

Steven: *backs up in surprise* Uhhh... sorry?

(The loud hissing is heard again.)

Steven & Amethyst: Huh?

Garnet: There! (She tosses away the junk she was holding and takes a large leap forward, then proceeds to fire her gauntlets in the direction of the hissing.)

(Her gauntlets fly into a pile of junk and explode on contact, she reaches the junk, smiling but then frowns in disappointment.)

Amethyst: *runs over to Garnet* WHOA MAMA! *looks up excitedly at Garnet* Did ya get it!?

Garnet: *looks at Amethyst* No. *holds up her wrists as her gauntlets reappear*

Amethyst: *looks disappointed, then jumps into the hole and starts looking for something* Aw man, I think my favorite round thing was in there.

Garnet: *sigh* I'll get you a new round thing.

Amethyst: Ugh, this is my stuff you're messing with! *kicks something over* If it's gonna get wrecked, I'm gonna be the one to wreck it!

(Some paper lands on The Slinker's tentacle and it moves.)

Amethyst: See, that's how it's d— (The Slinker pulls Amethyst into the pile and strangles her.)

Steven: *sees Amethyst's gem and gasps* Amethyst got 'poofed!'

Garnet: Slinker!

(Garnet looks around a bit, and Steven walks up behind her looking sad.)

Steven: *whimpers and holds up Amethyst's gem* Garnet?

Garnet: *turns around* Steven, remember, our bodies are only an illusion. Amethyst will be fine.

Steven: B-but Pearl took two whole weeks to come back, and I already miss Amethyst so much!

Garnet: Don't worry. She'll be back before you know it.

(Amethyst's gem starts glowing and floats into the air.)

Garnet: Literally.

Steven: *looks happy*

Amethyst: *reforms with legs for arms*

Steven: Amethyst's back! Amethyst's back! *hugs her*

Amethyst: *pushes Steven aside* Ugh. *looks at her foot-hands and gets confused* Huh?

Steven: Looks like you... grew a few feet since the last time I saw you, nyuck-nyuck-nyuck!

Garnet:  That was fast. Even for you.

Amethyst: Eh, it's no big deal. *stands upside-down on her arm-legs* I didn't wanna keep my biggest fan waiting!

(Steven laughs until Amethyst puts her foot on his head, then pushes it away looking mildly grossed out and continues laughing.)

Garnet: Hmm.

Amethyst: Ok ok. We got a Slinker to slink! *cartwheels away*

Steven: *attempts cartwheel, but fails halfway through*

Amethyst: Hmm... Where would I go if I were a monster... *walks to a large hole in the wall* Hey! Over here!

[Int. The Hole]

(Steven and Amethyst are walking together in the hole.)

Steven: Your new form is really interesting.

Amethyst: Thanks, Steven.

Steven: I didn't even know you could come back this different!

Amethyst: *annoyed* Thanks, Steven.

Steven: So... why'd you come back with four legs?

Amethyst: *walks ahead off-screen* 'Cause I like walking!

Steven: Wow... I want four legs too!

Garnet: No, you don't! [Camera shows Amethyst walking as Garnet continues speaking] Amethyst rushed her regeneration, she should've taken her time.

Steven: *off-screen* Like Pearl? (Amethyst stops walking, offended. Cut back to Garnet and Steven, who stop walking.)

Garnet: Yes, Pearl put a bit more... thought into how she came back.

Amethyst: *off-screen for a second* Pearl! Pearl! Pearl! *now onscreen* You know I can *lifts up hair which reveals her oversized ear* hear you! I'm sorry I'm not like Pearl with her fancy form, and her clean room with no monsters in it!

(The Slinker crashes through the hole and makes another hole while Amethyst 'poofs', Garnet and Steven try to block it. Steven and Garnet look through the hole.)

Steven: Amethyst? (Garnet jumps down holding Steven, the duo then see the gem.) Amethyst's gem! *runs towards it* She got 'poofed' again! (Garnet walks behind Steven.)

Garnet: This is a good opportunity for her, now she can make a better form. *Amethyst's gem glows*

Steven: *gasps* She's coming back!

Garnet: *covering her shades* Hmm.

(Amethyst's gem continues glowing and the light takes a body-like form. She then looks like Pearl with a bigger and longer hairdo.)

Amethyst: Yeah right, *snickers* this is much better!

Steven: *giggles, points* She's doing Pearl! *puts finger down* *Garnet facepalms and sighs*

[Ext. Hole, Amethysts Room, The Slinker disappears in the background, Garnet walks forward, then Amethyst and Steven catch up.]

Amethyst: Hey Garnet, what do you think of my new look, Garnet? I'm more like Pearl now! Isn't it wonderful? Ha! I feel... *mimics Pearl's twirl and hits Steven and Garnet* practically perfect!

Garnet: We need to focus on listening for the creature.

Amethyst: Oh, but I can't focus, all these rocks are different sizes, we'll have to organize them by shape and color. Didn't anyone tell nature how I want it to look? *Steven giggles*

Garnet: *continues walking* Don't encourage her.

Amethyst: But I need encouragement, Garnet! I need everyone's constant approval, I need to loquaciously converse so I can show off... *annoyed* how smart I am.

Steven: Uh, you can converse with me. Let's finish that quiz! Do you need to plan ahead before you act?

Amethyst: Oh, thoroughly!

Steven: Do you obsess over little details?

Amethyst: Completely entirely!

Steven: Oh wow, you're so method. Next time, can you come back as me?

Garnet: *stops walking, turns around halfway* This is not a good choice for your form.

Amethyst: Lighten up, Garnet. Can't you take a joke?

Garnet: It's not funny, you made yourself ridiculous.

Amethyst: *shouts* Ridiculous?!

Garnet: Keep your voice down; the creature.

Amethyst: *growls, lowered voice* You wanted me to be more like Pearl, *shouts* and now I am!!

Garnet: *intense whispering tone* Pearl would've taken a regeneration seriously!

Amethyst: What do you care? My form is my business!

Garnet: It's my business when it affects the strength of the team!

Amethyst: So what, I'm not strong enough?

(The Slinker wraps around Amethyst and pulls her away, Garnet and Steven follow.)

Steven: Amethyst!

Amethyst: *shouting* Are you saying I'm weak?!

(The Slinker takes her in and her gem flies and lands in Steven's hands.)

Steven: *whimpers, takes the gem* Is it weird I'm getting numb to this?

(Amethyst's gem glows and floats into the air, the light making a body figure. It then lands, and is turning into a wave, Steven goes near Garnet and clings to her. Garnet puts her gauntlet on Steven's back. Amethyst regenerates into a bulky-like figure with unkempt hair.)

Amethyst: Okay, you know I wasn't feeling this at first. But I think I might be... coming around! Ha! Yo Steven, my seams straight?

Steven: Does that new form... hurt you? *looks more scared than worried*

Amethyst: *looking upset* No. *changes to happy* Hey, Garnet, how'd you like to mix up with this? *laughs, cut to Garnet* Just a little something I put together, you know.

Garnet: This form isn't sustainable, Amethyst.

Amethyst: *worried look* But... *sighs, blushes, shouting tone* You're the one who said I needed to be stronger! (Hissing is heard again, the trio look around, Amethyst puts down her fist.) Okay, if it's my monster then I'll deal with it!

(She runs toward a pile of junk, punches it out of her way, debris falls and Garnet and Steven follow her.)

Steven: Amethyst!

[Int. Amethysts Room, crunching is heard, Garnet jumps and lands where she heard the sound.]

Garnet: Stay behind me! *runs in a hole and lands in another part of Amethyst's room, looks around* Amethyst!

(The Slinker creates debris that Garnet dodges. Pan to Amethyst fighting the Slinker. Steven gasps.)

Steven: Amethyst!

(Amethyst is fighting the Slinker, laughing, holding it while it's shrieking, then bends it. She grunts and the Slinker pushes her away, then grabs her, putting a tentacle on her face. She growls.)

Garnet: *off-screen* Let it go!

Amethyst: No! You wanted me to be stronger, I'm doing it! I'm being what you want!

Garnet: I don't want this! *Amethyst's fist deforms*

Amethyst: *pushes the Slinker against the wall* Well, what do you want? Just tell me and I'll do that!

Garnet: I can't tell you, Amethyst! You have to figure this out for yourself! *Amethyst screams*

Steven: She can't! She doesn't want to think about herself! *Garnet turns around*

Amethyst: What?

(The Slinker eats her, she 'poofs', Garnet punches The Slinker, her gem flies and Steven catches it again.)

Garnet: Good catch.

[Trans Int. Beach House, with Steven holding the gem in his hand]

Pearl: I knew that thing was real! When Amethyst gets back we have to go find it! *walks over to Steven* How long has it been?

Steven: 4 hours...

Pearl: 4 hours?! She's never taken so long! What do you think she's doing in there?

Garnet: *with her arms crossed* I'm not sure, I was too hard on her.

Steven: *sighs, Amethyst's gem glows* Oh, oh, she's back! (Amethyst's gem floats in mid-air.) All right, everyone be supportive.

(Amethyst's gem continues glowing and Amethyst is back with a new outfit. She lands on the table and stretches.)

Amethyst: What?

Steven: *disappointed* Aw, you barely changed.

Pearl: Steven!

(Garnet walks over to Amethyst, both look at each other.)

Garnet: It's perfect.

Amethyst: Eh, whatevs. It's just what feels right.

Garnet: That's why it's perfect.

Pearl: It is a marked improvement! You finally fixed that shoulder strap that's always bugged me!

Steven: *gives her a hug* Welcome back!

Pearl: *gives her a hug, too* Well done, Amethyst!

Amethyst: *blushing* Knock it off! *Garnet hugs her too* We gotta go find the Slinker!

Steven: No, it's hug time.

Amethyst: Ugh, this is so dumb.

[Star-shaped iris closes on Amethyst, who cutely smiles and sighs in satisfaction, ending the episode.]

[END]