On the way back to Earth the crystal gems did a recap of what happened at the zoo.

Then Steven pointed out, "I'm just glad no one apart from the quartzes knew we left... except for Holly. But you don't think she'll tell, will you?"

"No, not if she values her life," Pearl answered. "Apart from her, no one close to the diamonds saw us,"

Hearing this, Malley felt something tighten in her chest. She had yet to tell the others how she was spotted by Blue Pearl, but she knew she'd have to. She taps Garnet's shoulder.

"Yes?" Garnet asked.

"I have to tell you something," Malley replied.

"I'm listening," The fusion said.

Malley was about to speak when her words were suddenly caught in her throat and all that came was a hiccup. She blinked in confusion before clearing her throat and tried again. "I'm-... I'm – sorry I got caught." She stuttered. Her arms wrapped around Garnet's waist in a hug. Malley was bewildered, that wasn't what she wanted to say. Her thoughts were cut off by Garnet returning the hug before gently pulling her away.

"It wasn't your fault," Garnet said. "but now is not a good time to talk about this. I told you we can catch up later."

Malley was about to speak when Steven cried out, "We're home!" and the water gem nodded to the fusion.

Once the ship landed, everyone stepped out and the malachite ran straight into the ocean. Malley Kite uses her hydrokinesis to take some of that salty water into her hands, rubs it against her face, into her hair, and sighs. "Oh stars, it's good to be back." She suddenly heard a throat clearing and turned to see Garnet. Malley stood up straight. "I'm not running away again." She said.

"I know you're not," Garnet replied. "But after what's happen, I want you to stay close."

"Am I grounded again?" Malley asked with worry. Not wanting to lose her freedom again.

"No," Garnet answered. "It simply means I don't want you to leave Beach City without permission. Understood?"

"Understood," Malley replied.

"I have to join the others to see how Connie and the others were at protecting the town. You want to come?" Garnet asked.

"Ummm, can I just stay here on the beach?" Malley asked.

"Sure," she replied. "But then it's back into the house,"

"Yes, Garnet,"

Malley waits until Garnet and the others leave before running into the ocean. She plunges in and swims around in the water using her arms or wings to get around. Even though traveling around was fun... and crazy scary at times, it felt so nice to be back and be close to the sea again. She then lets herself sink deeper into the water and just sits there while the waves above her head.

Even though the ocean was once her prison for a time, there was something oddly comforting about being back under the sea. Plus things were better now, not only could she still see the sunlight, but being here was her choice and she was free to come and go as she pleased.

Speaking of choices, Malley suddenly remembered what happened in the ship.

'It was you, Malachite!' the water gem said in her mind, her eyes looking ahead. 'You stopped me from telling Garnet and forced me to hug her,' She waited for a response; a voice or a thought... but she didn't hear anything other than the waves. 'Malachite?' she thought again but there was still no reply. This both irritated and worried Malley at the same time. Was the other side of her so hard to reach out to now?

Malley stood, the ocean waters slowing her moves as she swims out of the water, and flies to the beach house. The gem went inside and straight to the bathroom. She sits in the tub, turns on the water, lies back, and starts thinking about her adventure in the zoo. It was fun meeting Jasper's kindergarten friends and she got to know more about Jasper. She wasn't planning on going back out in space anytime soon though, it was kinda stressful. Hiding from Holly Blue and the diamonds and that blue pear-

The young gem suddenly remembers Blue Diamond's Pearl and... Her gemstone glows behind her, the clam-shaped box pops into existence. It sinks to the bottom of the tub before Malley grabs it and she looks carefully at the grooves and edges of its design; her curiosity compels her to see what is inside. It becomes too much for her to bear and she slowly opens it. Her green eyes immediately widened in surprise when she caught sight of the stone in the shell. It was oval-shaped and smooth looking... except for the crack at the center.

"Pearl?" Malley thought aloud. "No, a pearl. But why? Why get rid of this?"

As the malachite was talking, the pearl started to glow blue, and a body of white light formed around the floating stone. Malley steps back and watches as the light morphs into a thin framed body with white skin with a tint of blue and had the same physical features as Pearl. This pearl was wearing a blue transparent capelet that reached her elbows, a solid blue sleeveless suite that stretched from her neck to her feet, and white, slim boots that stopped at her calves. Her hair was light lavender in a single bun.

The pearl lands on her knees against the bathroom floor and her whole body was shaking. Malley steps out of the water and takes a few cautious steps forward; she was about to reach out when the pearl moved again and lifted her head... her eyes had no pupils, only reflective lenses.

"Bette?" The pearl said. She turns her head side to side. "Bette? Where is my Bette?"

"Bette?" Malley wondered.

The pearl looks back at the malachite, shrieks, and then backs away in fright. "St-stay back," she stuttered.

Malley holds her palms out, showing that she was unarmed. "Hey, it's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm a gem, like you,"

The pearl stops as her back hits the door. "You... a gem?" she said. A look of incredulousness on her face. "You do look a little bit like a quartz, but your physique is much too minuscule."

Malley tilted her head, "My what is too what?" she asked.

"You look weak," Pearl answered deadpan and she stands up. "You must be a defect,"

Malley frowned and crossed her arms. "At least my gem isn't cracked," she snapped.

"What are you babbling about?"

"Look for yourself," the malachite suggested, pointing to the mirror, and stepping away.

The pearl seemed skeptical and she doesn't step any closer to Malley, but she raises her hand to the back of her head and grazes her fingers against her gemstone. She expected a smooth surface as usual... but instead. "That-... this isn't right," The pearl said. "I can feel it. How did this happen?" she falls to her knees again.

"That's what I'd like to know too," Malley steps closer to the pearl. "But you don't have to worry, I know someone who can heal your gem for you. I'm sure he'd be happy to help you... um, what should I call you?"

"Me?" The pearl shook her head. "No one calls me anything except 'Pearl'. For that is what I am, all that I am, and that is how it's supposed to be." She paused for a moment before saying, "But don't you try to distract me, whatever you are. What I would like to know is where I am because this does not look like any room in Pink Diamond's zoo."

"Oh, didn't I tell you? My name is Malley Kite. You can call me Malley if you want." The water gem explained. "And well, it's a long story but you're right, this isn't the zoo. You're on the planet earth."

The pearl stared back at Malley with her reflective eyes. "Earth...? Sh-Surely you don't mean Earth Earth, where humans come from."

"The very same. You're here because-" Malley tried to explain some more.

"What am I doing on Earth? I should not be here." Worry was heavy in the cracked gem's voice. In a blind panic, the blueish pearl grabs the door handle and runs out ignoring the malachite who tried to stop her.

"Wait!" Malley said, dropping the shell box on her way out.

The pearl ran into the living room and went for the front door. The pearl stopped at the stairs when she saw the blinding sun up in the sky.

Malley Kite stood and watched as the other gem suddenly sat on the stairs and curled into a ball. The water gem slowly approached the pearl.

"Hey, it's okay," Malley said sitting next to the pearl. "Earth isn't that bad."

"It doesn't matter what the earth is like," The pearl snapped not yet facing the malachite. "I'm not supposed to be here. I'm supposed to be with her,"

"Her?" Malley asked.

"My Bet-... I mean my Agate. I'm her pearl." She clarified.

"Oh~. I guess I should have known. You do look a bit like her. Hey, can I call you Holly Blue Pearl? Wait that's kinda long. What about Blue pearl. No, that's taken already." Malley thought about this for a moment before smiling. "I got it! How about Holly Pearl."

"You are not allowed to name me." The pearl said. "Only my owner can name me and you are most definitely not my owner."

"Owner?" Malley wondered before shaking her head. "No... no. I don't want to own you. I just wanted to help you and also make it easier to call you by name. You see, I already know another pearl, and calling you Pearl too would be too confusing."

"I could quite honestly care less about who you know or what you call me." The pearl said rudely. "If you really want to help me, you can start by telling me how or why I'm on Earth."

Malley felt the need to bring out her ice shard and slice this pearl in half, but she tried to stop thinking it. Instead, she spoke bluntly. "I was at the zoo before I got out of the zoo. But before I escaped, someone gave me a shell-shaped box and I took it. My friends helped me escape back to Earth and when I found the time to care, I opened the box, and now here we are. Does that answer your question, HP?"

The blue pearl was silent, taken aback by the malachite until she brought herself back to reality. She was about to speak when they heard the hum of the warp pad in the house.

Malley saw the light shine in the house, and, in a moment of panic, she grabs the pearl's hand, drags her under the house.

"Oh, stars!" Malley said. "They're back already,"

"Unhand me," Holly Pearl said hotly. "You're going to damage me,"

"You're already cracked," Malley pointed out.

"Precisely, any more damage and you're going to break me!" The pearl said loudly trying to pry the malachite's hand off her wrist.

But Malley only tightened her grip and put a hand over Holly Pearl's mouth. "Don't tempt me," she said lowly. "Just stay down here until I get back." She lets go of the other gem and makes her way back to the steps.

Though the pearl was a little afraid, she had to ask. "Wait, what are you going to do?"

The malachite stopped and looked back at the pearl. "I'm just gonna grab the crystal gems and introduce you to them." She answered but missed the shock on the pearl's face as she assumed back to the stairs.

"Th-the Crystal Gems..." Holly Pearl muttered.

Malley went into the house and finds Connie packing things into her gym bag.

"Oh hi Malley," The girl greeted. "Did you have fun at the beach?"

"Yeah, lots. Where are the gems?" Malley asked quickly.

"Well, the gems are helping mister Universe with his new carwash sign and Steven is in the bathroom," Connie answered.

"Do you know how long they'll be- wait, where's Steven?" Malley asked.

However, the answer to her question came when the half gem teen stepped out of the bathroom, a content look on his face. "Hey hey Malley, how goes it?" Steven said.

"It's going great," Malley replied. "I actually have to tell you something,"

"Oh yeah sure but give me a minute. Connie, did you get everything?" Steven asked.

"Yes."

"Well, what about this pretty box?" Steven held out the shell-shaped box and the malachite gasped in her hands while Connie looked confused.

"That's not mine," The girl admits. "But it is pretty. Where did you find it?"

"It was on the floor in my bathroom," Steven explains. Then he opens the box and sees the oval-shaped hole. "Huh? That's weird. It's kinda shaped like a round gem." At the corner of his eye, he noticed the Malley Kite and her worried look. "What's wrong Malley?" he asked.

"Um... that's mine." Malley confesses. "It's actually what I wanted to talk about,"

"Oh, really," Steven said passing the box to the water gem. "It's nice but what is it for?"

"It's... it's for holding a gem. I wanted to tell you guys while we were in the ship, but I got... distracted. Anyway, I got this box at the zoo and craziest thing." The gem chuckled, trying to break the tension she was feeling. "Inside was a cracked pearl and she's here, right now,"

Steven and Connie's eyes were wide from surprise. "What? Where?" they asked at the same time.

"She's under the house," Malley said before the teens went running out the door. Malley followed behind them, "Just be careful with her," she said. They made it but when they got there... the pearl was gone. "No, no no no, I left her right here,"

"Are you sure Malley?" Steven asked.

"Come on Steven, I wouldn't make this up," Malley replied. "And I told her to wait here. Where could she have gone?"

"How long has it been since you left here her?" Connie asked.

"Literally seconds before I walked in through the door,"

"Okay, then she couldn't have gone too far," Connie theorized. Then she saw thin tracks along the sand. "Could these be hers?"

Steven bent down and examined the footprints. "I've seen Pearl's footprints on the sand before and these definitely look like hers," He said. "Let's follow them,"

"Hop on, I can fly us ahead," Malley said. She summons her water wings, Connie carefully climbs on the water gem's back while Steven holds onto Malley's arms, and the gem starts flying in the direction of the tracks.

The tracks lead in the opposite direction of the city, they had only flown for five minutes before they noticed the tracks stopped by the edge of the forest. Steven let's go of Malley and starts walking while the water gem flew low.

"There's something I don't understand," Connie said.

"What's that?" Steven replied.

"Malley, how and why did you get a box with a broken gem inside it?"

The malachite stopped and landed on her feet, the human girl had to slide off.

"That's... actually a good question. You said you got the box from the zoo. How?" Steven asked.

Malley rubbed her arm. "I um-..." she stuttered.

"It's okay Malley, you can tell us the truth and we won't get mad," Steven said. "You know me, it's almost impossible to make me mad,"

Malley stopped rubbing and started walking ahead. "When we were trying to escape the zoo, I accidentally ran into another pearl. But this one was blue and wearing a long skirt. She said that I was a defect and that her diamond was hiding me in the same room with all those pink bubbled gems."

"What? You ran into Blue diamond's Pearl!?" Steven asked with worry

"What if she tells her about you?" Connie added.

"I was worried about the same thing, but the blue pearl told me she wouldn't if I took the box away from the zoo," Malley explained. "She something about not wanting to "dispose" of it herself,"

"So she probably knew about the cracked gem inside and the diamonds wanted to trash it," Connie said. "And all because she was broken?"

"Weirdest thing yet. Turns out this pearl used to be Holly Blue Agate's." the malachite said. "And I think she cracked her own pearl herself," she parted a bush and looked around for any sign of Holly Pearl.

"I- I still can't believe gems would do something so cruel like that to each other... First Holly cracks this pearl and then the diamonds get their own pearl to throw away one of their own," Steven said sadly.

"Me neither. Anyway," Malley said. "So I took the box and hid it in my gem. I didn't plan on really doing anything with it at first but then I got really curious about what was inside so..."

"You did and that's when she appeared?" Steven guessed.

"Yes," the malachite replied. "Now all I want is to help Holly Pearl heal, that's what I thought of nicknaming her, and if she wants to, find a place for her here on earth."

"And if she doesn't?" Connie asked.

"I-... I don't know but she's on earth now, she can choose what to do now,"

Suddenly they all heard leaves rustling and stood together. They looked in the direction of the noise and from out of the shadows and a tree, the broken Holly Pearl stepped out. She stared back at them with pupil-less eyes.

"Um... how long were you hiding behind there?" Malley asked.

"Long enough," Holly Pearl answered. "and I heard everything. But are you truly certain they wanted to discard me?"

The malachite nodded quietly.

"And that everything you said wasn't an elaborate ruse to trick me?"

"Malley wouldn't do that, and neither would the crystal gems or me," Steven said. "We really do just want to help gems and live freely on earth,"

"But they have always told us that the crystal gems were merciless rebels who wanted to disrupt our perfect order and would even shatter diamonds to get their way. And that the earth was destroyed along with the crystal gems as a result of the war." Holly Pearl said.

"That's not all true," Steven said. "The earth is still alive and so are the crystal gems. I can't deny that gems were shattered during the war, including Pink Diamond, but the crystal gems are not willing to shatter any more gems. And the crystal gems don't want to break any "perfect" order, we just want to live our own way of life. A life that lets us be whatever or whoever we want to be... We just want to be free. And you can be too if you want, Holly. What do you think?"

The cracked pearl stood there for a moment in silence, she shuts her eyes and hugs herself. "Let's say that I decided... Not to follow your philosophy of freedom. What would you do to me then?" she asked.

"Well I'm not gonna throw you away if that's what you're wondering," Malley answered. "and we can't really take you back to the zoo. But no one has to decide for you anymore. Once we get your gem fixed, you can make your own choices."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple," The pearl said taking a cautious step closer. "I still belong to someone,"

"No, you don't," Malley said. "Agate isn't here to boss you around,"

"You don't seem to understand, so allow me to explain." Not taking her eyes off Malley's, Holly Pearl continued. "If what you said in your story of the exchange between you and Blue Diamond's is correct then according to the ancient and wise laws set by our diamonds, I am now your pearl."

Malley stood there in temporary shock. "What?" she asked.

"My fate," The pearl stooped down and knelt before Malley on one knee. "Lies wholly in your hands, my Malley Kite,"

The malachite took a step back, her face showing surprise and she gasped.