Steven Universe: Chipped [Pearl x OC]

Chapter 0: Combat

Darkness. That's all I used to see for a long time. After what felt like forever of darkness, all I saw was light, blinding me. A name suddenly came to mind: Citrine. Was that my name? I look around as my eyes adjust to the light, and I see many Gems staring at me with looks of fear and disgust.

I look at myself, and notice my gem on my right shoulder is chipped, and most of my left arm is missing. That must be what they were staring at. The only one that stares with curiosity instead is a Pearl that I see in the distance. Just as soon as I notice her, she disappears from my sight.

A giant Jasper snarled at me, saying, "Listen, runt. I'm only going to say this once. Pink Diamond thinks you're worth being part of her court, so you're expected to report to her immediately."

I asked, "Where is Pink Diamond?"

The Jasper growls, and her eye twitches as she responds, "I'm expected to lead you to her. Citrines are rare, so you should do your best and follow the rules. Wouldn't want to be shattered on your first day, would you?"

My eyes widened at that, and I shook my head 'no'. She smirked at seeing my fear, and started walking away. She was more than twice my height, like most other gems around me, so I had to speed walk to keep up with her as she stomped over to a pink palanquin. She lifted the curtain, revealing Pink Diamond, a gem at least 4 times my height. I really am a small gem.

She looks shocked at my appearance, but waves her hand to send the Jasper away. She does a salute in the shape of a diamond before leaving. Pink Diamond looks at me, and I try to do a Diamond salute, only able to do half of it. Pink Diamond gasps at my right arm, and I feel myself getting nervous. I drop the salute as she starts speaking.

Pink Diamond says, "I was surprised to see how small you are, but I also wasn't expecting that chip in your gem to do... that. Admittedly, I wasn't sure if you would form at all."

As she talks, I see a familiar Pearl next to her, avoiding eye contact with me.

Pink Diamond continues, "Well, at least I finally have a Citrine in my squadron. We are in the midst of a war against rebel gems that call themselves the Crystal Gems, led by the traitor Rose Quartz. They wear stars, so they're easy to spot. I need more Quartz soldiers to be on the warfront fighting against them. There is nothing I can do about your arm, however. Gems have never been able to form with a chip, so we will need to run tests on you to see what you are capable of before sending you to battle."

My eyes widen at that. Tests?

I nervously ask, "What kinds of tests, my Diamond?"

Pink Diamond frowns, responding, "I am afraid that I cannot tell you. The Jasper that brought you here will be the one to test your physical capabilities, as she's the strongest Quartz soldier ever made."

Uh oh. I'm starting to get an idea of what kind of test this will be. She'll probably pummel me into the ground just for fun.

Pink Diamond notices my nervousness, and adds, "Don't worry. She has been instructed to not poof, crack, or shatter you, only to see how strong you are."

That was not comforting. She waves her hand, and I take that as my signal to leave. I do what I can of the Diamond salute before leaving. As I part the curtains, I see the Jasper once again. It looks like she's been just outside the whole time.

She growls, "Let's get this over with, runt. I doubt you'll last long against me."

She leads me to a warp pad, and we warp away to a training area where there are no other gems. After a short while, Pink Diamond warps in with her Pearl and Quartz guards, sitting on a pink throne.