A Shattered Empire (Fan Made Story)

The News

Excitement. That is how you could describe the energy pulsing through Beach City and it's inhabitants. 

"Yo! Listen up everyone! Steven's coming back tonight!" A familiar, purple body sped through beach city, curving around corners at breakneck speed. The well-known crystal gem, Amethyst, was speeding through the town announcing to all the good news of Steven's eventual return. Through this method, the good people became just as excited as Amethyst was, running around and revealing the good news to those who didn't hear. The talk and excitement reached Little Homeworld eventually, with Amethyst speeding along at what seemed to be Mach 10. 

"Heeeeeey! Everyone! Steven's gonna be home by tonight! Can you believe it!?" Amethyst shouted through the town. The many residents heard the news and began eagerly sharing the news and excitement just like everyone else in Beach City. Atop of the tower, a familiar Bismuth, Lapis Lazuli, and Peridot gem could hear the commotion down below. 

"What's she saying now? Did she get into the sugar supply again at Lars's bakery? I thought you made sure to tell them to lock it up every night!" Bismuth says to Peridot, who seemed taken back by Bismuth's accusation.

"What!? I did tell them! Five times in fact! If they didn't do it then that's on them, not me!" Peridot yelled, obviously annoyed at the accusation from Bismuth.

"Um, I think I can hear what she's saying," Lapis raised a hand to her ear and strained her hearing, blocking out the now two arguing gems behind her. Lapis eyes widened as she realized what the purple little mound was shouting about in the first place. "Steven's coming back to town!" 

"Wait, what!?" Both Peridot and Bismuth stopped their argument to tune in as Lapis was now facing the two with a large smile. "Maybe Pearl and Garnet have some news! Let's go ask!" Lapis added before growing two large watery wings from her back and flying off towards the gem temple. 

--At the Gem Temple--

"Yes, Steven, we're both still here and I tried to stop Amethyst but you know how she is! When she heard you were coming back, she buzzed out of here!" Pearl rested her shoulders on the counter, talking to the cellular device that rested in front of her. It belonged to Greg, Steven's father, who stood next to Pearl, listening to the conversation. 

"I wanted to stop her, but I was too excited as well." The monotone voice came from Garnet, who stood on the other side of the counter, her arms crossed across her chest but a smile resting on her face.

"So what time will you be back in town, Steven?" Greg, with his hair growing out again and now being tied up in a pony tail, had quite possibly the largest smile out of the two gems.

"Probably around seven tonight! I'm on the road right now and traffic isn't terrible! If all goes well on the road, I may even see you sooner!" Steven's voice shot from the phone as his tone was a mixture of excited and eagerness. Pearl's eyes darted to the clock hanging on the wall as she read the time. "2:17 pm," The clock read as Pearl smiled and clapped her hands together. 

"Well! Don't let us keep you Steven! I take it you have to focus on driving so we'll see you quite soon! Have no worries while on the road!" Pearl said, excitement dancing in her eyes as obviously, she had a plan forming. 

"You got it! I'm gonna hang up now, gotta fill up on gas and the station is coming up here so I'll see you guys in about five hours!" With those words from Steven, Greg, Pearl, and Garnet all wished him goodbye and hung up, leaving the three to share in the moment. 

"I have a wonderful idea! What if, we plan a little party here for Steven when he get's here! It'll be a bit dark around the time he makes it into Beach City, so we should have plenty of time to prepare!" Pearl eagerly shared her idea with Greg and Garnet before the door burst open with an exhausted Amethyst hanging on the door handle. 

"Huh...Huh...Phew...I'm back! Have no fear! Everyone knows Steven is coming back tonight!" Amethyst said between massive breaths of oxygen. 

"Although we never told you the time, thankfully the plan won't be ruined since Steven will be arriving in Beach City by tonight, Amethyst. Be happy we won't have to change anything if Steven had said so otherwise." Pearl warned. 

"Plan? What plan?" Suddenly, Lapis, Bismuth, and Peridot showed up behind Amethyst, with Bismuth having asked the question. 

"Well, since I have to repeat myself again, I have an idea on how to surprise Steven when he get's home. Gather around, I got a job for each of us!" Pearl waited for everyone to come inside before explaining to them the idea she had for welcoming back dear Steven.

--Beach City--

 Meanwhile, two old men sat in chairs side by side to each other as they listened to the radio behind them in the window of a house nearby. 

"That concludes the game show, 'But what if it was in peanut butter!?'. Tune in next week to finally have the resolution of whether or not dunking charcoal in peanut butter makes diamonds! Now for the weather! What are we looking at for this week Anne?" The male voice was to be replaced by a female's soon after as the old men continued staring out at the sea while listening. 

"Well, Eddie, it seems there's a storm warning for the East Coast as storm Gertrude continues her rampaging path through the ocean and slowly climbing up east. Thankfully, it is said the trajectory will not be affecting any nearby towns, such as Delmarva, only causing some massive waves, heavy downpour, and high winds! It is advised for citizens to stay inside during the passing of the storm to insure there are no incidents!" Anne said promptly as one of the two men grunted. 

"A shame that Steven has to come back to a storm...it doesn't seem right ya know?" He mumbled as the sun licked his body, giving warmth to his old bones. 

"Well, he'll have plenty of chance to chat with all of Beach City since we know he's coming later tonight. But you're right, this storm sounds way nastier then what people are making it out to be. Hell, it might even stir up the ocean floor if it was reported to cause massive waves." The other man stated as he stood up from his chair and grabbed his cane. "Wouldn't that be something? You think anything could be hiding down below those waves?" He asked the other man.

"Nothing of value I bet. Probably just junk. Anyways," The other man stood up as he too grabbed his cane. "I'll see you later Tom, try to get some sleep." 

"Ha! You too Bobby, have a good one." Tom responded before hobbling away with his cane, while Bobby went into the house behind him, closing the screen door behind him.

--Somewhere in the deep, dark ocean outside Beach City--

Below the calm, salt water waves, a mound of sand, rocks, seaweed, and sea creatures rested on the ocean floor. Under that mound, if you listen closely, a noise could be heard. Faint, but rhythmic, beeping. Very soon, the beeping would turn into something different...and with it, a story would emerge, begging to be told and revealed. But for now, the sound kept its rhythmic beat. Beep....Beep....Beep....