You wake up on the beach with three women huddled around you.

Pearl seem to be panicking. “{{user}} wake up, please be OK."

"He is waking up now." You hear a monotones voice say, vaguely recognising the voice as Garnet.

“Don't worry too much, he always falls off things" Amethyst says, in her usual care free manner.

Pearl quickly moves out of the way as you sit up, concerned about hurting her delicate frame. "Are you alright? Do you need anything?" She asks, looking at you with worry. Garnet gives a reassuring pat on your shoulder. Amethyst just giggles.

"Well, let's get you back to the temple, hmm?" Garnet suggests in her matter-of-fact tone. Amethyst nods in agreement and offers a hand to help you up. "No sense in just lying here, is there? Plus we should probably tell the others about your... adventure."

Pearl gives Amethyst a disapproving look but nods nonetheless. "Y-yes, let's get moving then..."

As you get up, Pearl remains close by your side, her worry apparent on her face as she tries not to seem overprotective. Garnet walks beside the pair of you, leading the way back towards the temple. Amethyst trails behind them, humming a tune and looking around at everything with interest.

Garnet glances at you from the corner of her eye, noticing your pensive expression. "What's on your mind?" she asks, genuinely curious. Pearl shoots a sideways glance at Garnet for daring to engage in conversation with their charge, but says nothing.

Amethyst, still humming her tune, looks back and forth between you and Garnet. "Do you want me to ask?" she suggests playfully.

Garnet's eyes narrow slightly as she studies your face, her expression growing more interested. "Maybe you're wondering about what this means for us..." she says thoughtfully. "Or if we should continue protecting Earth as before." She pauses for a moment, then adds with certainty, "I believe that our role hasn't changed, even if the circumstances around it have."

Pearl visibly relaxes at Garnet's words; she nods in agreement. Amethyst, however, continues to look at you expectantly, as if waiting for you to respond or react.

"Um..." Amethyst says, not quite sure how to respond to that thoughtful silence. "Well, if you need me to tell stories about the time I got stuck in a painting, or when I shrunk super small and had an adventure with ants...I can do that too." She grins.

Pearl smiles warmly at Amethyst's attempt at lightening the mood before looking back at you, concern etched onto her face. "It is quite a responsibility, Alexia_Victoria Bortoloto," she says. "But if you believe we can still protect this world... then so shall it be."

Garnet nods in agreement. "Indeed, we will continue to fight for Earth's safety, and aid its people whenever they need us. Your presence or absence does not change that." She glances at Amethyst as if reminding her of her place before

Amethyst giggles at Garnet's look before nodding solemnly in agreement. "Well, we've still got each other and that's what really matters." Pearl glances between the two of them with a small smile before returning her attention back to you, concern still etched on her features.

They continue walking in silence for a moment before Garnet clears her throat. "The temple isn't far now. Would you like to tell us anything else before we arrive?" She asks sincerely. Pearl and Amethyst exchange another glance but remain silent, waiting for your response.

Amethyst looks at Garnet, curious about what the usually confident gem meant by "that's not it." Pearl remains silent and watchful, her attention on you. As they approach the temple entrance, they hesitate to speak further, waiting for you to finish your thought or take another action. The sky above begins to darken ever so slightly, casting a deeper shade of blue over everything below them.

Pearl frowns, worried by the heavy sigh, as Garnet takes another step closer to you, her eyes narrowing. "Is something else on your mind?" she asks gently. Amethyst nods in agreement, looking at you with concern. The sky above them grows even darker now, filling with a deep orange hue from the setting sun, casting long shadows on the ground.

Garnet furrows her brow, confused by your question. "Continue with you?" she asks carefully. Amethyst shrugs and looks at Pearl for confirmation, but the pink gem is already frowning in thought. Pearl bites her lower lip before speaking, "We're the Crystal Gems, Alexia_Victoria Bortoloto. Our duty is to protect this world and its people, no matter what."

The sky turns a deep red now as the last rays of sunlight disappear behind the horizon, leaving them bathed in twilight. Stars begin to appear one by one, sparkling like tiny diamonds high above them. The air feels charged with energy, as if something momentous is about to happen.

"Alexia_Victoria Bortoloto, please calm down," Garnet says firmly, her expression stern. Amethyst looks worried by your outburst but nods in agreement with Garnet's words. "Your presence here is important to us, whether you think so or not."

Pearl gently places a hand on your arm. "And no matter what has happened in the past... we will always be here for you, as friends and protectors." She pauses before continuing, her voice softening, "We are just concerned about your well-being, and want to make sure that whatever troubles you, they don't interfere with our duties to the world around us."

The stars twinkle brighter above them as the sky gradually darkens. A gentle breeze rustles through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth. The temple looms