Shadows and Reflections

## *Worlds Collide*"Shadows and Reflections"

We're the Worlds Colliders, Cloakie. Mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.

―Steven, "Shadows and Reflections" | ”

"**Shadows and Reflections**" is the eighth episode of *Worlds Collide, and the 8th episode overall in the series.* It aired on May 31, 2020.

## **Synopsis**

The crew have to get through an underwater temple to find Lapis, but Junior is worried about his dad's choices and how he doesn't know the multiverse could end – turns out they need to fight a shadow monster whilst he has to hide his private thoughts and feelings.

## **Plot**

The episode starts with Junior and Steven drinking the water from a body of water. The duo's missions prevented them from being frequently hydrated. Junior suggests they should visit Peridot to see her latest invention. The Worlds Colliders take over an abandoned water base near the coastline. Peridot passionately presents her newest creation, swimsuits and intercoms - which they called walkie-talkies - specialised for deepwater expeditions. She tells them that the increased water pressure on the planet could kill any organic form that lives above land, but the armour can easily prevent it.

The duo equips the gear, and the others follow behind them as they dive to the depths of the ocean. Garnet tries chasing away the predatory sea life that tries attacking Junior and Steven. Spinel notices a strange light beacon coming from an underwater cavern and implies it could be the road to Lapis. The team explore the mysterious cave and see that it leads to a temple with open air. They run into a corridor with multiple hallways; Steven relies on Junior to make the decision.

Junior delays his response as his mind is distanced from the mission and focused on what his father put him through. Steven calls him again, snapping him out of his trance. Junior feels brainsick and makes a wholehearted decision to transfer the coordination of leadership to Steven. Steven empathises with him and accepts the role, he orders for him and Garnet to go one way, and Peridot and Spinel take another direction. He realises Junior is alone, but he tells them not to worry.

As Junior travels alone, he finds a strange book in a treasure chest. The book reads *"Junior, please help me... Down the stairs..."*. He assumes is communicating to him through inscriptions, and he follows the book's demands. He stumbles upon a dark and gloomy cave and the fractal silence bothers him. Among all the monsters attacking him throughout the cave, he finds another book. This book mocks him for taking the wrong turn. Junior has false interpretations on whether Lapis is writing the books or not, but he gives the book the benefit of the doubt.

He reaches a hallway with a large staircase leading to a spacious room. The final book he finds tells him to travel up the stairs in a very sinister kind of tone. He enters the room with high expectations and hopes, praying that Lapis is there. Instead, he hears a raspy and sinister voice that he recognises. It was Cloakie, his father's companion. His eyes widen in agony, knowing that he could not possibly fight him on his own. Cloakie tells him about how he and his father have been acquaintances for years, but Junior is disinterested in his past and wants to end the fight. Before Junior could attack, Cloakie encloses him in a shadowy substance, stopping him from breaking free. He laughs at Junior's pathetic attempt to attack and waits patiently for his teammates to follow behind.

Meanwhile, Steven and Garnet meet up with Peridot and Spinel, who have seen no sign of Junior. Steven begins to worry, knowing Junior could not handle the role of leadership before they separated. He tries contacting him through his intercom. Junior's intercom line disconnects because of Cloakie's attack, so Steven could not pass his message. The Worlds Colliders knew they had to find him, so they follow Junior's path.