ok so here’s my theory for pink diamond/rose quartz/steven universe

rose quartz was part of pink diamond’s entourage and first accompanied PD to her new colony earth

rose quartz and PD were close already or grew closer on Earth, and fused at one point

PD/RQ fusion was huuuuge (possibly the giant woman statue?) or as big as YD

the other diamonds were probably displeased with PD/RQ fusing and loving the earth, especially White Diamond

WD was the one who came to Earth and told PD to step out of her palanquin (as per Zircon’s theory from the trial)

WD tried to split or separate PD/RQ, and maybe at the same time tried to shatter RQ

Instead, PD (being the stronger gem) protected RQ at great damage to herself, so RQ lives and escapes from the scene while PD got poofed

Now, WD can’t have PD’s entourage running around and saying how WD tried to kill another diamond, so I wouldn’t be surprised if WD had mind-altering/mind-erasing powers, and used that on the gems present to have them think that RQ is the one who shattered PD, then destroyed PD’s remaining entourage (the big light that Centipeetle remembers perhaps?)

But what of Pink Diamond?

I imagine that fighting a Diamond, especially WD, is incredibly taxing, but perhaps PD is not dead but instead, has taken on another form in order to hide from the remaining Diamonds and regain her strength?

And what other being do we know of that has magical powers way above their paygrade, no discernible history or reason for how they got Earth, and is quite protective of RQ with incredibly floofy pink hair?

Lion.

Lion is Pink Diamond in hiding, or at least is in some way connected to PD.

(I know that apparently, Lion was a normal lion that died and was revived by RQ a long time age, but ehhhh, I find it odd that RQ is called a soldier-class gem, yet she has reviving capabilities that are never really mentioned by any of the Diamonds or Homeworld gems. It seems to me that the ability to revive a gem (aka power over life) is an extremely powerful ability, one that would be closely guarded and not be found in soldiers on the frontlines. that kind of power (which it seems like only RQ has) is one that i dont think is commonly found in normal gems, but would be found in a Diamond. And perhaps, in a war-mongering culture like the Homeworld Gems and since YD seems to have power over destruction (like her zapping ability that killed green zircon), maybe that is why YD doesn’t seem particularly fond of PD and doesnt acknowledge her authority as a fellow Diamond in the Jungle Moon flashback, because healing isnt all that great for fighting in war where making more gems is a dime a dozen.)

So anyway, there’s that thought, Pink Diamond and Rose Quartz were close beyond just royalty and her bodyguard, and Lion is either Pink Diamond in disguise/hiding, or is somehow related to PD beyond just being a normal lion that was healed and given magical abilities by Rose.