Heaven's Strike 3: Outskirts of Heaven [Lapidot AU]

Chapter 2: Mask of Distraction

A/N: so sorry, I was quite busy a bit... Oh and, for the last book, I think I will make it more details a bit about what happened, not rushing like last time.

***

"Slow the fucking down Pearl!!!" - Lapis screamed while holding for her life at the backseat of the car.

"No, this is fun!!"

And somehow Amethyst was really enjoy being in the shotgun while the others are still screaming.

"What did I do to be in this..." – The blunette looks like she wanna throw up now.

"Well Lars told us to watch out Sadie for him, he afraid she might party too hard"

"I get the point but why not just fly there, you do realize we have wings right?"

"Too mainstream, besides, it's a party, can we have a little fun?"

"Sure..."

As the car engine sung to the lone narrow roads, Pearl and Amethyst relished the roaring winds that whistled in their ears. Perhaps like time, it is only one-moment ever-present and not going forward or back. Lapis slumped down onto her seat again, the night was quiet yet her mind wasn't, I hope she's doing okay. Peridot was stressed lately and Lapis noticed it too, she has asked Garnet to give some advice for her fiancée, maybe it would ease her down.

After while a terrifying experience (for Lapis) they stop by the big house down the road, the place was crowded with people and filled with loud music.

"We're here"

The place got hundreds of conversations told in loud voices, all of them competing with the rock music that dominates the atmosphere. The crowd is young, students from the university for the most part. All of them make their way through the warm bodies to the bar and stay there for a while. Everything was ordinary, normal, they thought it would be 'just another night out' again, until...

A mystery girl walks in and immediately catches Pearl's eye. Her hair dyed a light shade of pink, a defined lip with a gray ring pierced on her lower lip. She has green eyes and wears dark gray eyeshadow and has thick eyelashes, one that has Pearl full attention. Amethyst and Lapis also spot her as well.

"Don't you think that girl, looks a bit like Rose?" – Lapis confused.

"I think Pearl already got eyes on her first" - Nudged her from the side, Amethyst secretly pointed at Pearl. She trying to approach the mystery girl, but accidentally fumbles and knocks over a stack of cups before she could say anything. The Mystery Girl glance at her, smirking then leaves the area to the back of the house.

"Urm, I'll be back soon, you guys stay here" - she told the other and turn to follow the girl.

Not that because she looks a bit like Rose, or whether if she like her, Pearl got a bit curious and also a very bad feeling. Eventually, she stops at the back of an alleyway, Pearl begins to worry, despite being a bit awkward.

"Sorry for bothering, but can I...ask you for a sec?"

"Maybe"

The mystery pink hair girl slowly turns around as her face, no, her whole body also change into another person. At first, she's still confused, but then she remembered, that person, who she thought that was supposed to be gone for a long time ago...

"I see that you haven't forgotten about her yet, am I right?"

"Why are you here Nora..."

Her eyes were glowing a deathly red glare that was freezing Pearl's body like she could feel a dagger cutting into her skin.

"Aw, couldn't give me at least a hug? Heh, but it's alright, I'm not really a hugger myself"

"Rose said she vanquish you already, how the heck could you be here again!"

"That's just one of the lies she told you Pearl. As you can see"

She took a step closer, grab one of Pearl's hand and places it on her own cheek "I'm right here, alive"

"What are you planning to do here ?..."

"Here? Hmm, nothing much, just making a few changes. And, I might need your help with it"

"Which part do you think I will agree to help you?!"

"Cause, it's a great deal that you might get only once in a lifetime. I know how much you miss her, and desperately trying to get her out of that ice cage. But you don't have to anymore. Join me and you can see her laughing again, just like old time" - as Nora cupped Pearl's face in her hand, mouth form a seduce smiled.

She frowned then let out a small growled, "Stop your lies and get out or I will finish what Rose has started with you"

She trying to manipulate you Pearl, don't fall for it.

"Oh, can you? Now that is the scene I would love to see" - Nora mused, she then let go of Pearl and walked to the nearby tree, "I'm not a liar, well, not as much as my mother. Although you of all the people who knows what I really am and what I'm capable of, and still doubt it?", she placed her hand on it, half of the tree has turned whithered while the other maintains lively.

The offer has Pearl rethink about all her choice, should she accept this, but if she did, who knows what would happen to the others...

"I'll wait for your answer. Remember where's your loyalty lies, Pearl. Rose need her partner to be by her side again. Until then." - as she finished her sentence, making a bow, light under the lantern flickered as Nora makes her way into the dark and disappear.

Once again fear found her. Yet this time it spoke to her as a familiar voice in the past. Told her to turn back at her friends, her heart ache as she walked back. Rose? Can I really see you again? Arghh what do I do, why now, why them...

Heading back to where Amethyst and Lapis were, they looked concerned when they saw Pearl face, pale, more than before and also... the fear that register she thought she could hide it.

"What is it, what's wrong?"

"Hmm, what?" - she startled, "Ah no, nothing, I ur, just need some fresh air, don't worry.... Urm, I think we should get back home now, it's getting late"

"A—Alright, you don't look so well either, best if we leave now"

Thoughts coursed through her mind again, Nora's voice echoes in her head.

Don't bother trying to warn the others, unless you want to see your precious one again. All I need you to do is to get me Lapis's ring on the day of the wedding and give me some time to 'exchange' with Peridot, that would be enough. I have faith in you Pearl.