Steven and Freshwater exchanged a look before rushing over to help the fallen gem. "You actually talked to me! You helped me!" The blue gem said, shocked. Straightening up, she looked between them. "It's Steven and Freshwater, right?" Steven nodded in confirmation. "I'm Lapis. Are you two really Crystal Gems?" Lapis asked, tilting her head to the side.

Freshwater frowned. Was she a Crystal Gem? Yes she was serving them, but it felt more like an alliance, and truthfully she didn't feel part of the group. "Well, I am, but I think Freshwater is still on the fence." Steven explained, offering Freshwater a small smile. "But, you set me free." Lapis said, confused.

Steven arched an eyebrow, confused. Why was that weird? Weren't the Crystal Gems the go-

"Steven! Freshwater!" The gems in question jumped at the sound of Garnet's furious voice. Gulping, Freshwater turned to see the leader, Pearl, and Amethyst rushing up to them, summoning their weapons when they skidded to a halt. "Wait!" Steven shouted, immediately running over to them. "You." Freshwater looked back at the sound of Lapis's cold voice. "You three knew I was in there." She growled, a large hand made out of water coming up behind her.

Shaking, Freshwater, watched in horror as the hand continued to raise. "And you didn't do anything! Did you even wonder who I used to be?!" She demanded, slamming the open hand onto the beach. Freshwater cowered and squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for impact. Instead, however, the arm avoided her and Steven, instead slamming down on the gems.

"What are you doing?" Steven asked, turning to the furious gem. "I'm Lapis Lazuli! And you can't keep em trapped here any more!" She yelled, not answering the question. She then turned to the ocean and pushed a hand out, making the waves part. "They're not going to let us leave." She paused before continuing. "Come with me."

Steven cocked his head to the side, confused. "Where?" The gem's eyes softened at the boy's question. "Home."

Freshwater looked between Lapis and the Crystal Gems. Return to Homeworld? She couldn't do that. Her new orders were to stay here and protect the Gems. Freshwater froze

Her orders.

She had disobeyed the gems. She'd gone on her blind instinct, made a foolish decision, fuelijg into Steven's antics - why? She didn't know this gem. It held no importance in her life up until today. She shouldn't care what happened to it.

Freshwater groaned as she fell to the ground, clenching her fists. This wasn't like her. Disobeying orders. What would Holly Blue Agate say? Oh she'd shatter her on instant, no doubt about it. Freshwater brought her hands to her pounding head as the words of the Agate suddenly rushed back to her,

"You be as perfect as you can be for the gem you serve. No exceptions. Mistakes will not (and should not) be tolerated by your master."

This was it. Her big mistake. The gems were going to-

"Freshwater!" Freshwater gasped as her eyes shot open. The gems were standing over her worriedly. Glancing to the side, she noticed that the gem from earlier had disappeared. "Freshwater." The Pearl's eyes returned to the leader and she immediately scooted backwards. "Please don't shatter me! I'm sorry, I was foolish. I swear it'll never happen again. Give me another chance, and I swear I'll do better!"

Garnet looked shocked as she watched the gem cower under her. Backing up, she turned to the others. "Pearl, I think you can handle this better than I. Steven, Amethyst, let's go back to the temple." She sighed and rubbed her temples. "It's been a long day." Pearl nodded at her leader's instructions as the gems stood to leave, Steven, shoving his hands into his pockets as he followed Amethyst and Garnet.

After the gems had left, Pearl turned to the blue gem, who was still curled up in a ball, visor a few feet away. "Freshwater." She soothed, squating and resting her hands on her knees. "I'm not going to hurt you." She promised.

Freshwater shook her head furiously. "But I disobeyed an order! I freed a gem, and I didn't give the mirror back to Garnet. I didn't protect you, or Steven. I couldn't fulfill my purpose! I...I should be replaced immediately." She said, squeezing her hands into tight fists around her hair.

Freshwater glanced up when she felt a firm hand on her shoulder, grounding her. Looking up, she saw the pale gem's eyes for what felt like the first time. They weren't angry like the Agates, and were instead full of…..warmth? Lowering her hands from her face, Freshwater slowly pushed herself to a sitting position as Pearl spoke.

"Freshwater, listen to me." She paused before backing up. "That is not an order. You may tune me out if you like, but it is highly suggested that you listen to me." She corrected herself, bringing her other hand to rest on the gem's shoulders so that she would be forced to look her in the eye.

"I know how you were treated on Homeworld." She paused, choosing her words carefully. She wanted to make sure that Freshwater was taking all of this in. "Actually, no I don't fully know. I served a very powerful gem, but I was a Pearl nonetheless. While I was high ranking among Pearls, I am still nonetheless a Pearl. That being said, I am the closest gem you have to understanding you. You're confused, scared. You feel like by not serving, you are useless, and so you find use in the tasks you are given. You feel like by failing those tasks, you yourself are a failure." Pearl grit her teeth at the memory of her own mentality flashing back to her, clear as day. "But believe me when I tell you, that is not the case. It isn't the tasks you perform, but the gem you are, your beliefs, your core values. Not about fulfilling the tasks of some 'master'."

Freshwater stared at Pearl as she spoke to her, her eyes never leaving the Pearl's. She could tell that the pale gem was speaking from the heart, that she really did understand. "But….I'm defective." Freshwater said sadly, looking down sadly. Pearl took the gem's face in her hands, forcing the gem to return her gaze. "No, you're different. After all, if every Pork-chop were perfect, we wouldn't have hotdogs." Freshwater couldn't keep a small giggle from tumbling out of her mouth as Pearl repeated the phrase she heard Steven say every now and again.

When she realized what she had done, she covered her mouth and tried to stay serious. Pearl, however, removed her hand from her face and laughed as well. "You were right about one thing, however." She said, squeezing Freshwater's shoulder and standing, offering a hand to the blue gem. Freshwater cocked her head to the side, confused, as she took her hand and was lifted to her feet.

"You do need to learn to defend yourself."

(Hey guys! Super glad y'all are liking my story. i see your reviews and I'm loving the feedback. It feels good to know that people are actually interested in my work. Anyway, yeah things are about to really pick up, so get ready for a wild ride!)