"Where are you taking me?" Rose said as Pearl escorted her up a steep hill by her arm.

"Oh you'll love it! It's one of my favourite spots!" Pearl squealed. They scurried up higher, dodging trees, shrubs and rocks until they finally reached their destination. The top of the hill ended with a sharp cliff, on the side of Beach City opposite where the temple was located. From there, they could see the whole town, and even make out the shapes of cars and people walking around, enjoying themselves as the afternoon started to fade into evening. "Now, I know it's nowhere near as impressive as anything from Homeworld, but it's remarkable that something as simple as humans could build a city like this. And they've built some even more impressive and elaborate than this one!"

"I guess it is pretty nice..." Rose said, staring off into the town. "It's been so long since I've seen a city.." she trailed off.

"Not impressed? Look a little farther!" Pearl shouted. "You can really see how vast Earth's oceans are."

"The same ocean from before? When I landed?"

"Yes, the very same! It's big and mysterious. This planet even has creatures that live down there, but can't breathe up here!"

"That doesn't make any sense." Rose admitted.

"Well, Earth is a strange place." Pearl agreed. "But that's what we loved about it!" Rose stayed silent, still staring out at Beach City below her. "Still not impressed? Hmm.." Pearl looked down, thinking for a moment. "What about behind us?" Pearl and Rose turned and looked at the gentle forest behind them. "Aren't the trees beautiful?"

"Trees...?" Rose looked curiously at them.

"Yes, oh what did Steven say he did for Lapis that made her stop hating us..." Pearl thought for a moment. "Oh!" she hurried over to a tree and grabbed a branch. She twisted her wrist and snapped it off, then presented the bundle of leaves to Rose. "These are leaves. They show how Earth uh...has...leaves?" Rose just stared back in confusion. "Oh forget it!" Pearl yelled, throwing the branch down and marching back up towards the cliff. "Maybe I should have just let Steven show you this stuff."

"Pearl," Rose said, sympathetically. "I'm not upset or anything. I'm just confused. Why is this really your favourite spot?"

"Well, the city is beautiful from here. But the real reason..." Pearl started to explain. "Before the city was even built, this is where Rose and I first...I mean, not you Rose, the other Rose, the old Rose. Well, not old but- The Rose who I...The one who..." Pearl nervously stammered and stuttered, trying to find the right words.

"Pearl, look." Rose said, with a hint of urgency in her voice.

"No no, let me explain, I-" Pearl continued trying to explain herself.

"Pearl, behind you."

"What? The trees? What about them?" Pearl shrugged.

"Pearl! Look behind you!" Rose yelled. Pearl finally turned around and saw what Rose was trying to warn her about. Standing in the trees, growling, was some sort of monster. The creature was blending in with its surroundings a bit, being mostly a mossy green in colour, with several lighter green streaks across its body. It stood tall, even on all fours, with muscular "arms" it kept on the ground, and boar-like legs that shaped into hooves at the back. Along it's back was a massive, pale green mane that ran down its back, forming a small tail. It's face was nothing but a mouth with razor-sharp teeth and a single horn that took up its entire head. "Pearl," Rose warned. She put a fist up against her gem, and light started pouring out of it, climbing up her arm and wrapping around to form her gauntlet. With a swing of her arm, the blade slid out to its full length. "Get behind me, I'll-"

"I'll protect you!" Pearl yelled, stepping in front of Rose, her spear already in her hands. She rushed forwards and jabbed her spear into the ground, using it to launch herself like a pole vaulter, slamming her foot into the monster's face, sending it stumbling backwards. The beast shakes its head and starts slicing with its claw-like fingers, but Pearl is able to dodge each one. Instead, the monster chopped at a tree, topping it and nearly hitting Pearl. She was unharmed, but it was enough to knock her off her feet and make her drop the spear. She reached for the spear but the beast's claws stabbed the ground between her and her weapon. The other claw came close to hitting Pearl, but the monster was forced back suddenly when something hit it in the face. Pearl looked up quickly and saw Steven's shield, flying through the air. She turned around and saw him standing in between Garnet and Amethyst, just in time for him to generate a new shield. He jumped high into the air, flying right over Pearl and blocking the monster's claw once again with his shield, giving Pearl enough time to grab her spear. The monster pressed it's deformed hand against Steven's shield as hard as it could, knocking him off his feet. Pearl knelt beside, to make sure he was okay. Amethyst was the next to rush into action. She dove forward, forming some sort of wheel with her own body, and rushed around the monster at blinding speed, easily wrapping her whip around its legs, forcing it to fall. Garnet hurried over and grabbed the creature by it's tail, then tossed it with ease incredibly high into the air. Pearl finished the fight by tossing her spear straight up, harpooning the monster and forcing it to disappear in a cloud of soft smoke. A green, hexagon-shaped gem fell from the sky, and right into Garnet's unarmed palm.

"That's a wrap guys." Garnet said with a smile, gripping the gem between her fingers, forming a small, translucent bubble around it.

"That...was..." Rose said nervously. "Incredible!" She ran over to join the Crystal Gems. "I've never seen a Pearl fight like that!"

"Well," Pearl scoffed. "Just for the record, I could have handled that myself."

"But Garnet said you might need some help," Steven explained.

"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best." Garnet suggested.

"Human, uh...Steven?" Rose smiled. "That shield of yours was amazing! I didn't know humans could do such things!"

"Well, half human." Steven laughed.

"And the Amethyst guard! I was wrong about you and your size!" She turned excitedly towards Garnet. "And whatever you are, I'm really impressed! You four make an incredible team!"

"Let's celebrate!" Amethyst cheered. "Steven, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Big doughnut?!" Steven yelped back. Amethyst nodded and rushed off. "If we get there right before closing, maybe Lars and Sadie will give us the leftovers for free!" he called out, chasing after her.

"What's a doughnut?" Rose asked. "And more importantly, what was that thing? Was that a gem?"

"Sort of." Garnet explained as they started walking down the hill.

"Well, if it's a gem you shouldn't keep it in a bubble like that." Rose scolded them. Garnet and Pearl shared an uncomfortable glance. "When are you going to let her out?"

"We'll explain everything later." Garnet assured her.

"Well, Pearl." Rose said, with a half-smile. "You were right. This planet has some things on it that I've never seen before..."