<Nora>

 

It’s good to be back.

A quick scan of the environment was enough to confirm her arrival.

Nora was back on Earth, at least the Earth of the Steven Universe series.

‘I wonder if my past self exists in this reality?’

The likely answer was no. After all, it wasn’t like she had ever heard of gem sightings when she was alive. There had been no paranormal activities on her Earth.

‘Still…. It would be fun to go’

Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. Visiting her old home in this world would be pretty interesting regardless of if she actually found anything. Nora would lose nothing, not even time, doing it. Being an immortal warrior had its perks, you know?

Anyhow, it would be best to focus a little.

Now, where was she? Ah, yes.

The Gems.

Currently, assembled in front of her were various gems with various deadly weapons. They belonged to either one of two groups. The Crystal Gems or the Diamond Authority. The formerly opposing factions stood before her united.

‘So remarkable!!’

Nora felt the urge to clap.

If she wasn’t already aware of their struggles, she wouldn’t have been able to immediately guess they were former enemies. A few cracks showed up here and there, but it wasn’t so notable to the point one may think that.  They were all clearly really trying to make it work for the sake of peace.

Saying all that, though, no one had decided to speak after Nora greeted them so graciously. No friendly waves or smiles.

‘Ha’

Was this the mark of people of peace? They were all staring, seemingly at a loss for words. Didn’t they know Pink Diamond had lots of secrets? Nora's arrival should be hardly something new to them.

“You stupid book… Is this really Earth?” (N)

Deciding to give the gems a moment to collect themselves, Nora chose to banter with the book.

“Blasted brat… sigh, yes. This is Earth as far as I can tell.” (L)

Looking around, Nora commented.

“Wow, this place is a real dump. Are you certain?” (N)

Buildings and roads lay in ruin all around. It was like a small natural disaster rolled through before abruptly disappearing.

The place looked nothing like Pink Diamond’s memories.

‘Is this the work of Spinel?....I wonder how long it’s been since she came’

“You know this is my first time here too, right? I am as certain as you are.” (L)

“Tch, useless.” (N)

Although the book lacked facial features, Nora could feel it make a frown. It floated closer to her, likely ready to retaliate, until a voice called over.

“Who… who are you?”

The subtly commanding voice belonged to one person, Yellow Diamond. She stood beside the other Diamonds, wearing a rather hard expression. Well… to be fair, it wasn’t just her wearing such an expression. Everyone around seemed on guard. Their gazes were hostile yet uncertain.

“Who am I?” (N)

Lifting a hand up to starch her cheek, Nora pretended to think.

“I often get called by so many other names I tend to forget…” (N)

A short silence filled the space.

Nora pondered and pondered before continuing to starch her cheek.

“Oh, yes! I remember now. It has finally come back to me!!” (N)

In an excited yet calm tone, Nora answered the question sat before her. Duly making sure to wear an amicable smile.

“I am Nora, the current Pink Diamond.” (N)

 

 

Sitting down on the warp gate, Nora crossed her legs.

“Impossible!” (Y.D)

"Pink is gone." (B.D)

The collective reaction of everyone present was anything but pleasant. Though most had yet to voice their opinions, their expressions spoke volumes—her words were instantly rejected. They seemed poised to dismiss Nora's claim outright, yet something held them back, forcing them to think twice before responding.

Doubt was present.

A strong, overwhelming doubt was present among them.

“Impossible? I assure you what I say is true.” (N)

Is such a situation impossible? No, not really. Pink Diamond was known to bear a lot of secrets. Nora’s existence shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. If anything, it should be at least expected to some extent, no?

‘Why are they acting so weird about it?’

While Nora wasn’t an avid viewer of the series, having only seen it through clips online, she was still somewhat familiar with the cast. And, she knew, they weren’t acting like she expected. She expected a breakdown or two, sobbing and then finally acceptance. Steven and his buddies should’ve lowered their weapons by now while the Diamonds looked on aghast.

None of that happened.

Instead, not only did the gems not lower their weapons, they actually raised them! The Diamonds did not watch ghast but calmly collected themselves!!...In fact, it wasn’t just them but everyone present!!! They all were rather cool and collected.

It was disappointing.

Nora came looking for some light entertainment, you know?

This was just disappointing…

“I’ve come looking for—” (N)

Beckoning the book forward with a gaze, Nora waited till it flew in front of her, letting its pages fly open. After skimming through a couple of finely documented words, she spotted what she was looking for. Written on parchment too white for the old book were the words “Communication Orb”.

Nora stuck her through the book.

Half her hand disappeared into the book before her finally felt the orb.

‘Man, this is too convenient.’

Yanking her hand out of the book, Nora gave thanks to the beings above for the storage dimension. It was the only useful thing the book possessed.

“—the sender of this message.” (N)

Nora tapped the orb and let it play.

The orb played a message.

A message Nora has heard countless times.

Nora listened patiently to every word. Making sure to absorb its content to the best of her ability. She stared at the incomprehensible project, likely broken down in quality to the orb's age, with a set gaze. And, before she even knew it, she found herself at the end of the message.

A sudden temptation clawed at her mind.

She ignored it. Since she has already arrived on Earth, there was no point in listening to it again.

The people she was eager to see were already before her.

“Have you happened to have met anyone going by the name…  Steven?” (N)

There was a visible stir amongst everyone present. The once hard but uncertain expressions switched rapidly to open hostility. Weapons were gripped tighter. The gems as a whole reinforced their battle formation as they drew in themselves, protecting something.

“Guys, stop!”

The middle of the formation suddenly split. A body flew… floated up from within and proceeded to descend ahead of the pack leader, Garnet.

“I can do this… I know I’m not alone.”

Nora knew that body, that person standing before her.

“I am Steven…” (S)

With that short, thick, stocky build and curly brown hair, it was hard to mistake him. All of it was familiar except the plain voice he chose to speak in and the aggressively firm look on his face.

“Hi there.” (S)

Behind Steven, Garnet stepped forward, her voice calm but edged with steel.

“Steven, be careful. We don’t know what she’s capable of.” (Garnet)

Amethyst snorted, spinning her whip lazily.

“Yeah, careful. I’m sensing real bad vibes from her, man!” (Amethyst)

Pearl’s voice trembled slightly as she tightened her grip on her spear.

“I agree. This... this Gem is clearly not okay.” (Pearl)

Steven gave a wide smile to those behind before turning and facing her.

Nora closed the book in her lap and threw it away.

“You are the son of the former Pink Diamond?” (N)

A nod confirmed Nora’s question.

Standing up, time slowed around Nora. Power coursed through her body, and, at a leisurely pace, she walked up to Steven, stopping right before him.

Time abruptly resumed its usual flow.

A light punch was sent Steven’s way.

“Nice to meet you, brother!” (N)

A shockwave echoed across Little Homeworld.