Pearl was someone who prided on the thought that she knew Rose the best. There were countless things stored in their memory that were about Rose that only she knew. One of these things was Rose's fascination with this planet and its residence. These humans were just so needy and barbaric at times that it seemed to Pearl that Rose thought of them as pets. However, as she stayed with her, Pearl saw that Rose authentically loved them for their spirit and how lively they all seem. Although she herself didn't have any love for these beings, she understood why Rose loved them because it was just so Rose. She wouldn't have expected anything else from her.

When Rose brought her to her secret place and told her of the dangers of joining her army, Pearl did not hesitate. Even if the physical words brought her shock and dread, she was expecting this development to be arriving at any moment. What was happening to this Earth was atrocious, and if Pearl had the same capacity of love as Rose, they would have done the same. Rose wasn't like a closed book. She was simply a locked book that Pearl had the key to, and Pearl prided herself for having the key to Rose's mind. Some may even say that they were friends.

What a load a dust.

Some friend she turned out to be anyways. Pearl began repeating the event over and over in her mind. It was the highest point of the battle. Rose and her were together in battle. It was a high probability that they were the last few on their side, but the other side wasn't looking too great either. Everyone knew the unspoken facts. Whoever won this battle would be the victor of the war. Time slowed for them, just so history would have enough to record this event.

Without warning, the enemy took the initiative. Rose came up to block the attack with her shield, and Pearl took that as he sign to follow. She leapt up with her spear and charged downwards. It is said that a spear was a third of the speed of a sword, so by her calculations, their attacks would be synchronized.

The enemy gems, Pearl could hardly remember their names at this point, were strong, but they didn't have the synergy she and Rose had. All it would take was one firm blow, and then they would win. Then a thought shocked through Pearl.

Did she want to win?

Pearl thought about all that she would miss. Rose had warned her of this, and yet, it hadn't really hit her until now. Yes, she had Rose, but at the same time, she would be losing everything else. Her heritage, her home, her culture, everything that made Pearl proud of who she was would disappear with this strike. For the first time in this battle, Pearl hesitated. And she would regret that hesitation for the rest of her life.

"Pearl!" she remembered Rose screaming at her. Pearl, as if in a trance, saw Rose running towards her but made no movement in reaction. Why did she do that? Didn't she want to save the humans? Why was she trying to save her too?

Before she could even process what was even going on, all Pearl could see was a blade piercing Rose. Her beautiful Rose looked afraid but not for herself; instead, it was for her. It wasn't long before Rose's physical form collapse, and Pearl honestly didn't want to remember what happened afterwards. All she knew was that it was a draw. She and her opponents were the last standing, and there was no way that she was going to let Rose's sacrifice go in vain. At the end of the day, Earth was saved. She was in her gem to be able to gain energy to reemerge in her physical form, but at the same time, Pearl didn't know she wanted to.

What honestly was waiting for her there? Would Rose even accept her again after that moment of cowardice? Pearl could reemerge any day now if she wanted to, but was there any point in doing so?

Pearl didn't know how long it was between the battle and the present, but during the interim, she began to be hearing her voice. It was quiet at first, as if she was talking to a small Earth child. However, as time passed on, the voice began regaining its strength. It spoke sweet nothings to her as if to comfort her in this dark space. Then it began having conversation with her. For the longest time, Pearl wanted to speak with it. She wanted to talk to Rose again.

It was around the sixth conversation that Rose said something that stuck with Pearl forever.

"I'm sorry Pearl," she had said. When she had said this, Pearl was in shock. Why was she apologizing? She had been the coward, and is still the coward. After all, that's why she was here. She was too scared to face her new reality.

"I should have known that our relationship would almost force you to side with me. There was no way that you were going to fight against my side, and there was no way that you were going to just let me be, was there?" There was an air of fondness in the latter half of the sentence that would have made Pearl blush had she been physical there.

"You're probably scared now about what you did. I don't blame you. Garnet, that's Ruby and Sapphire's fusion you know, saw no reason to go outside either. However, this Earth is just full of life and beauty," Rose paused for a second, as if admiring the sounds around her before beginning again. "If you would allow me, I would like to show you. I want to truly show you what this place has to offer, and I hope then you can make your own culture. That's what these humans do, so why can't we?"

Had Pearl been there, tears would had been running down her face. How could a Gem so full of love like Rose exist? There was so many things that Pearl knew, but the few things she didn't know Rose could teach her. She could teach Pearl how to love like she did, she could teach her how to admire things not for their strength but for their spirit, and she could teach so much more.

She could teach her how to be a Crystal Gem, just like what Rose called herself.

Rose had said that was what her army was called, but a Crystal Gem wasn't an army. They were protectors of this Earth. Pearl could perfectly imagine the star from Rose's dress cut out after that disaster of a day. That star, Rose had claimed, was the symbol of the protectors of the Earth. Never before had Pearl wanted to become a star more than this.

She took a hold of this want and felt herself becoming heavier. It was finally time to come out.

In a blinding light, she felt herself change. Her clothes she once wore took on a more Earth-styled sense. She looked more like a dancer she saw at a show Greg took them to. They had grace, poise, and elegance, and if that was the height of human culture, Pearl was going to be ready to embrace it and make it her own. However, she didn't forget the most important part.

Before Pearl could even open her eyes, she could feel strong arms wrapping around her. It seemed such a long time since she had contact with another gem. It felt nice. The next thing she realized was that Rose was crying.

"Rose!" she exclaimed when she saw this.

"Pearl!" she exclaimed, "I thought you weren't going to come back. I thought you hated me for making you go through all of that. I'm am so sorry."

Pearl, at that moment, realized what pain she had put her friend through. Even when Pearl thought Rose would be angry at her, Rose, at the same time, was worrying if Pearl was angry at here. She calmly rubbed her friend's back as she calmed down and settled.

Before long, Rose took a good look at her friend and gasped.

"Pearl, that outfit," she began, but had a large grin on her face.

"Fit for the star of this planet's story, right?" Pearl joked. Whatever the planet had for them, Pearl and Rose and the rest of the crystal gems would be ready.