A/N: Hello everyone, I am back with the next chapter of this story. This story and "A New Journey" will now return to be every other week with Diamond Days now passed us. In this chapter, the gang arrives on earth which results in adjusting and concern for the future.
Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe
The ship landed on the beach right next to the Temple. Seeing the ship coming down, a crowd formed to see what now was invading their city. When Steven was the first out, his father rushed over and they hugged. Connie was next followed by the three original Crystal Gems, Bismuth and the Off Colors.
"I'm so glad to see you Stu - ball!" cried Greg.
"I'm glad to be back." said Steven.
Meanwhile, the trio of Crystal Gem who waited on Earth arrived.
"Great to see you made it." said Bismuth.
Pearl hugged Bismuth.
"So, anything happened while we where gone?" asked Amethyst.
"Nope." answered Lapis bluntly.
"It was boring." added Peridot.
"We'd take that over what we went through." replied Garnet.
"What happened?" asked Bismuth worried.
"A bunch of gems led by an Emerald came after us." answered Pearl sheepishly.
"An Emerald!" cried Peridot surprised.
"Things got a bit tense, but we handled ourselves." said Connie proudly.
"You Crystal Gems are incredible." mused Topaz.
"Pearl, remember the time Tiger's Eye and Snowflake ambushed that brigade of Quartz?" asked Garnet.
"Or the time Biggs held off ten Quartz soldiers so we could escape an attack." answered Pearl.
Garnet, Pearl and Bismuth shared a sad laugh.
"Hey. If that Aquamarine showed up we'd have taken care of her!" declared Bismuth, trying to liven the mood.
"Hey, where are these new gems going to stay?" asked Lapis.
"No clue." shrugged Amethyst.
"They can stay in the country with us." offered Peridot.
"Fine by me." shrugged Lapis indifferent.
Suddenly, someone pushed through the crowd.
"Where's Lars?" asked Sadie worried.
Lars' parents came up.
"We want to see him." noted Dante, trying to be calm.
"Is he okay?" asked Martha worried.
Steven looked around and noticed Lars was missing.
"Where is he?" asked Steven confused.
"Might still be on the ship." answered Connie.
Steven walked over to the ship.
"Are you still in there?" asked Steven.
"Yeah. Give me a second." answered Lars.
Lars took a deep breath and emerged to the surprise of everyone.
"Lars...you're...pink." noted Sadie shocked.
"Looks good." said Buck.
Lars' parents noticed the cut on his shirt.
"What happened?" asked Dante concerned.
"I had a close encounter with an ax." answered Lars honestly.
Martha turned to Steven.
"You said you would protect him!" declared Martha distressed.
"Mom, it was my own doing." noted Lars.
"He saved my life." added Connie.
"Lars...that's amazing." cooed Sadie impressed.
"I just did what I had to." replied Lars humbly.
"I'm sorry for snapping." said Martha.
"It's fine. I understand." replied Steven.
"We're just glad to have you home." said Dante.
"Lars, I'm with you no matter what." added Sadie softly.
"So Lars, do you feel like you're acting like a phony?" asked Steven.
"No. I'm acting like Lars Barriga." answered Lars happily.
Time passed and life returned to normal in Beach City. Steven awoke and started his day. He showered, dressed and took his medicine. After breakfast, he departed from his residence. Steven headed down the stairs and made his way right to The Big Donut. He entered and sure enough Lars Barriga was working in all of his pink glory.
"Hey Steven." said Lars.
"How are you?" asked Steven.
Steven reached the counter.
"Ya know, I'm kinda getting used to this." answered Lars.
"Good to hear." replied Steven grateful.
"Here you go." said Lars.
Lars handed Steven several jelly doughnuts.
"On the house." said Lars.
"Come on, I have to pay." replied Steven.
"After what you did for me, you've paid more than enough." said Lars.
Steven took a bite of the doughnuts.
"How are the Off Colors?" asked Lars.
"They're adjusting." answered Steven.
Steven finished his first doughnut.
"Rutile and Fluorite are doing well." began Steven.
Steven took a bite out of a second doughnut.
"Fluorite enjoys the vast and open country." added Steven.
Steven finished the second doughnut.
"You've got jelly you on your hands." noted Lars.
Steven looked down and realized Lars was right.
"Rhodonite is loving the freedom to remain permanently fused, but is still a bit anxious about the Diamonds returning." continued Steven.
Steven licked the jelly off his hands.
"These doughnuts are delicious." said Steven.
"How about Padparadscha?" asked Lars.
"She's loving life on Earth. According to Peridot, she's really become close with Pumpkin." answered Steven.
Steven took a moment.
"Lars, how are you doing?" asked Steven concerned.
"I'm doing okay." answered Lars.
Lars snickered.
"It's kinda weed being a pink zombie with a magical portal in my hair." added Lars.
"You make it sound weird." replied Steven.
The two shared a laugh.
"I haven't had to eat, but otherwise I've returned to life as normal." said Lars.
"How are you parents handling it?" asked Steven.
"I'm pretty sure they'll never let me go into space again." answered Lars.
"You've really gotten a new sense of humor." mused Steven.
"Death and resurrection will do that." shrugged Lars.
"But, I would like to know." noted Steven.
"They're struggling. It's not like they're used to all this magic shit." said Lars.
"Even though they've lived in Beach City." said Steven surprised.
"You'd think they'd be used to it." said Lars.
"How are things with Sadie?" asked Steven.
"She's gotten used to it and we're good. She's still rocking as a musician." answered Lars.
"Awesome!" declared Steven happily.
"I'm actually taking cooking classes." confessed Lars embarrassed.
"Good for you." replied Steven.
The two remained silent.
"I'm glad everything worked out." said Steven softly.
"Hey, I can sneak along whenever you need me." said Lars with a wink.
"I have to go." noted Steven.
"Hey, I've got work to do." noted Lars.
"Bye Lars." said Steven warmly.
"Bye Steven." said Lars warmly.
Steven walked to the stairs below his home to wait for Connie. Connie arrived soon after and they two shared the jelly doughnuts Lars gave Steven. The two talked about Steven's talk with Lars and more general things as they ate. Once they finished, the two walked up the stairs and headed inside. Pearl, Garnet, Bismuth, Amethyst and Topaz where talking when the two arrived.
"Hello Connie." said Pearl.
Steven and Connie reached the gems.
"Hi." replied Connie.
Amethyst noticed the bag.
"Awe, you had doughnuts." groaned Amethyst.
"You can have the bag." offered Steven.
"Yeah!" declared Amethyst.
Amethyst took the empty bag and ate it.
"Nice." said Amethyst happily.
"I guess you got those from Lars." said Garnet.
"Yup." confirmed Steven.
"I wasn't sure about him joining you, but that kid really proved himself." admitted Bismuth.
"He was amazing." agreed Topaz.
"He and the Off Colors are doing well." noted Steven.
"Good to hear." replied Topaz happily.
"Yeah, but we can't forget that Aquamarine is still out there." noted Bismuth.
The mood quickly dropped.
"Damn Bismuth, you really killed the mood." said Amethyst.
"I was just bringing up a fact." replied Bismuth.
"Bismuth is right. Aquamarine will return." stated Garnet.
"We will win?" asked Pearl.
"I can't see an outcome right now." answered Garnet flatly.
Most of the group became a bit worried.
"We'll just kick her ass like we did last time!" declared Amethyst.
"We can't underestimate her." warned Topaz.
"Plus, she's seen Stevonnie enough it really won't catch her off guard anymore." added Connie.
"We can take her." stated Amethyst.
"Well, we need a plan." said Pearl.
"Good idea." decided Garnet.
"If we team up, we can take her." said Steven.
"That did work before." shrugged Amethyst.
"We cannot rely on the same tactic." noted Garnet.
"If we poof her, we can stick her in the Burning Room where she can't be a problem." said Bismuth.
"That would be the plan." confirmed Garnet.
"Aquamarine might be strong, but there more of us." noted Steven.
"That is our biggest advantage." said Pearl.
"We've also got the four new gems." stated Amethyst.
"I don't think they can fight." replied Topaz.
"Pearl can train them." said Amethyst.
"She did a great job training Connie!" declared Steven.
Pearl blushed at this.
"I hate to ask, but is there any chance Homeworld will come after us for our rescue?" asked Connie.
"Yes." answered Garnet.
"Oh great. We've got two threats at once." sighed Pearl.
"Well, Lars offered to help." said Steven.
"He's done more than enough." replied Pearl.
"Maybe you could train him to fight." proposed Connie.
"I guess..." mused Pearl.
"It's more likely we'll make a fighter out of him than the Off Colors." said Garnet.
Garnet took a moment.
"No offense to them." added Garnet.
"It's like Steven always says..." began Amethyst, "we are the Crystal Gems."
"And we'll always save the day." finished Steven.
Hours passed and night fell in Beach City. Just outside, a twinkle occurred in the sky. The Sun Incinerator came out of the atmosphere and approached its destination. The Sun Incinerator arrived landing in the same location where Steven and the Cool Kids found Peridot's escape pod.
"We are here." noted Doc.
"Are there any life forms around?" asked Emerald.
"No ma'am." answered Navy.
"Should there be?" asked Leggy worried.
"No matter. We shall find them." answered Emerald.
Emerald leaned back in her chair.
"I'm lucky the Diamonds showed me mercy after my failure. If I fail here, I'll surely be shattered." thought Emerald.
Emerald shook her head.
"I want you to descend and scout the area." ordered Emerald.
"Yes ma'am!" declared the Ruby Squad.
"I'll destroy them!" declared Army.
The Ruby Squad began to leave with one trailing behind.
"Rose Quartz...I shall avenge my Diamond." vowed Eyeball.
A/N: That is where we'll end things for now. So, Lars and the Off Colors are adapting well to their new lives. However, trouble returns in the form of Emerald and the Ruby Squad. I chose the Ruby Squad instead of some other gem because the Ruby Squad have been established and there's more to work with. Next time, Steven visits Doctor Trudeau while the Ruby Squad continue their scouting with a big bombshell. Please review.