Witnesses believed that they saw Rose Quartz shatter Pink Diamond, and yet a mural on an ancient gem battlefield tells a very different story. How do these two narratives fit together?

(Based on a post by @cheshire-kitty-babe that has been floating around. Featuring what may be the most irredeemable version of White Diamond possible.)

“If this was your plan all along, Rose Quartz, why the deception? You had Pink’s court quite convinced you had shattered her.” White Diamond towered over the Quartz soldier who stood before her. In Rose’s hand sat a bubble containing the intact gem of Pink Diamond.



“I wanted the Diamonds to know what the cost of this war has been. For all of us,” replied Rose.

“Why not just shatter her then?”

Rose was taken aback. White had asked it so matter-of-factly, as if they weren’t discussing the fate of a fellow Diamond. She considered her words for a moment. “I started this war to protect life. I didn’t want to end it by taking one.”

White nodded solemnly, but otherwise betrayed no emotion. Rose took a moment to steal a sideways glance at her lieutenant. Pearl knew White Diamond better than anybody in the rebellion – possibly better than anybody in the entire empire – but her eyes remained fixed on the gem matriarch.

“Well,” answered White Diamond finally, “I’d say you have made your point. Yellow and Blue do understand what this war has cost us. Finally.”

Rose tried to swallow the growing unease inside of her. This wasn’t going how she’d expected at all. When she set up this rendezvous, she had expected White Diamond to be elated by the news that Pink was alive. This reaction was nothing short of unnerving.

“As it happens, Rose Quartz, you may very well get your wish. I don’t believe that anymore gems need to be shattered to end this war.”

Rose struggled to keep her voice even. “What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing that you need concern yourself with,” replied White Diamond, turning away from the two rebels. “Come along, Pearl.”

Pearl took half a step forward before her whole body seized up, trembling to resist the command she had been given.

White laughed airily. “Oh, so sorry. Old habits are so hard to break. I’m sure you understand.”

Pearl’s eyes glistened with rage, but she stared defiantly at White Diamond.

“Anyway,” said White, “This has been fascinating, but I must be going.”

“Wait!” shouted Rose, “What about Pink Diamond?” She held out the gem in front of her, almost pleading for White to take it with her.

“Keep her,” said White Diamond coldly. “She will be more useful as a martyr than she ever was as a Diamond.”

“White Diamond-“

“Enjoy your planet, Rose.”

“WHITE DIAMOND!”

But she was already gone, with only the fading shimmer of the warp network betraying that she had been there at all. Rose looked to Pearl, hoping to find some sign of encouragement and found only fear. The two of them stared blankly at the captured gem in Rose’s hand. What was going to happen now?