The moonlight glistens off ocean waves as they pull in and push out in front of a panting blue figure coming into consciousness. She opens her eyes as Steven rushes up to her from a distant gasp. Steven's precense reflects off from the figure's eyes as she turns to face him, groaning.

"Thank you." She gets up in a daze, nearly collapsing in front of Steven. "You didn't-!" Steven catches her hands to keep her from landing back on the sand. The figure smiles as she lifts her head up. "You actually talked to me! You helped me!"

She pulls herself back up on her feet, gaining her balance. "It's Steven, right?" Steven nods. "I'm Lapis. Lapis Lazuli. Are you really a Crystal Gem?" Steven smiles. "Yeah!" Lapis' eyes droop. "But--you set me free." Steven raises his eyebrow. "But--huh?"

"STEVEN!" Garnet rushes up from behind him with Pearl and Amethyst by her side. She stops as the Gems immediately pull out their weapons from their gemstones. Lapis grimaces as Steven hurries over to the Gems, his hand extended out. "Wait!"

Water starts to rise behind Lapis as she glares at them, her voice unsteady. "You three knew I was in there, and you didn't do anything!" The water forms a giant hand attached to an arm, overshadowing the Gems.

"Did you even wonder who I used to be!" The palm of the water hand crashes down on Garnet as the impact sends Pearl and Amethyst flying and crashing down into the sand. Pearl lifts her head up. "Steven, run!" Steven rushes up to Lapis, looking from Garnet to his volatile friend.

"What are you doing!" Lapis lifts her head up towards the Gems, crying out into the night. "I'm Lapis Lazuli, and you can't keep me trapped here anymore!" She huffs as she turns back to the ocean. "They're not gonna let us leave." Steven turns to Lapis, gawking. "Leave?!"

Lapis raises her hand as she extends it out towards the ocean, causing it rise and diverge to form a path to the great beyond. She turns back to Steven. "Steven, come with me." Steven gulps. "Where?" Lapis' eyes droop, frowning. "Home."

Steven hesitates, taking a step back. "But--but I-!" Lapis grits her teeth. "Steven, I can't hold them off forever! Are you coming or not!" Steven reproaches Lapis, stomping the sand. His hands ball into fists as he flashes an unstable glare.

"Lapis, I don't understand! I thought you wouldn't be like this towards the Gems! I really thought they would understand--and I get it. You're scared. They couldn't understand you--but I did. I can help you!" Garnet breaks free of the water hand, knocking back the palm with a heavy punch.

Lapis gasps as the water flies past her and Steven, catching wind. They take an abrupt step back as they watch Garnet rush towards them, panting. Lapis clenches her teeth as she launches another water hand towards Garnet. "How can you?!" Garnet combats the water hand, digging her feet into the sand for support.

Steven turns to look up at Lapis who doesn't dare to face him. "Well, maybe if you stop fighting, the Gems might give you a chance!" She growls. "Steven, you don't know that!" She grunts as she stands her ground. "Look--just come with me! I'll explain everything on the way!"

Steven shakes his head. "Lapis, I've been with the Gems for my entire life! I want to come with you-!"
"Then let's go!"
"But they need me more!" Garnet vanquishes the water hand and she reaches Lapis before she could launch a third water hand.

The two Gems grip each other' hands, wrestling each other in front of Steven through clenched teeth. Steven grimaces as Pearl and Amethyst hurries over to aid their leader. "Guys, please! Stop!" Garnet whirls Lapis around and sends her flying into the sand. She grunts as the sand hisses upon impact.

Garnet gets down to wrestle Lapis on the sand as Pearl and Amethyst join her, aiming their weapons towards their threat. Steven rushes over towards Amethyst who stands in front of him, readying her weapon. "Guys, you don't have to do this!" Amethyst flashes a glare towards him, causing Steven to stop in his tracks.

Steven takes a step back as he gapes, his eyes drooping. He watches as Garnet pushes Lapis further down into the sand. Pearl and Amethyst yell as they strike the tips of their weapons down on the helpless invader. She shrieks as she implodes into a sparking dust cloud.

Garnet pulls the gemstone out of the sand in her gauntlet as it flashes off her hand. Steven's eyes well up as the Gems turn to face him. He remains speechless as the Gems let up on their glare with a heavy sigh. "Oh, Steven." Pearl steps up to him as he takes a few steps back.

"You need to understand that not every Gem is on our side. If you let them run loose they could put us in great danger. We can't let this happen again." Steven casts his eyes down on the sand. "She just wanted to go back home." The Gems exchange frowns as Steven shoves his hands in his pockets.

"Why couldn't we just let her go? She wasn't gonna hurt you! So why did you hurt her?" The Gems look down at the Gem as Garnet bubbles it. "I'm sorry, Steven." She lifts her head up. "But we can't take anymore chances." She taps the top, causing the the bubble to dissipate. "We can't let it happen again."