Steven Universe: Chipped [Pearl x OC]

Chapter 1-7: Tiger Millionaire

We warp in from our most recent adventure, where we poofed another corrupted Gem on a Gem island which was covered with blood polyps secreted from the corrupted Gem. While fighting against it to poof it, Amethyst ended up punching a blood polyp. The gunk inside burst and completely covered Steven, and a small piece clings to Pearl's arm. The polyp erupting gave us the distraction we needed to poof the Gem.

We warp back to the Temple, and Pearl exclaims to Amethyst, "How could you possibly think punching a blood polyp was a good idea? Look at all the gunk you got on me!" She flicks away the tiny piece of gunk, then gestures at Steven, adding, "And look at Steven!"

The only part of Steven that isn't covered by gunk is his face, and he says, "It's not so bad once you get used to it."

Amethyst says, "See? He likes it."

I say, "Not once it hardens."

Steven starts to worry and starts waddling away, saying, "Uhh, what? Um, I'm gonna go wash."

Pearl says, "He shouldn't have been so close in the first place."

Amethyst asks, "How was I supposed to know they'd pop?"

Pearl exclaims, "You're always putting us in danger with your little outbursts!"

Amethyst puts her fingers in her ears and sticks out her tongue playfully.

Pearl exclaims, "Ugh, you are just... so... childish!"

Amethyst growls, "Yeah, yeah. And don't forget 'reckless', 'vulgar', 'lour mouth'..." She then yells, "And that's just what makes me so awesome! Right, Citrine?!"

I say, "I don't know, Amethyst. You have been getting awfully careless and hasty in battles lately."

Garnet shifts her visor, saying, "Amethyst, you are a Crystal Gem. You need to act like it."

Pearl crosses her arms, and Amethyst mirrors her, turning around.

She scoffs, "Fine."

The Temple Gate activates, and Amethyst walks into her room.

Pearl smiles, saying, "I think we really got through to her! Right, Garnet?" Garnet groans, and Pearl adds, "Citrine?"

We all walk outside, and I say, "Maybe we were too harsh on her."

Pearl says, "Maybe, but I think it's what she needs sometimes. She has been getting so out of control lately. I just can't stand it!"

I grab her hand, saying, "Pearl, we can't just go around policing her like this. You know it'll just alienate her from us. I may not be a Sapphire, but even I can tell where just bossing her around will get us."

Pearl starts tearing up and kneels down, hugging me tightly.

She says, "Oh, we used to get along so much better when Rose was here! If only we could be friends like that again. I don't want to lose her, Citrine, I just want her to be more in control of herself."

I wipe her tears from her right eye, and she stares at me in shock.

I say, "I know it's hard for you without Rose. It's hard for all of us, especially Amethyst. We're the only Gems she's ever known, and I don't think she's ever lost anyone before Rose."

Pearl stands back up, wiping the tears from her other eye. The two of us end up spending that night on the beach, sitting on the shore and sharing our favorite stories of Rose and Amethyst. By the time morning comes and the sun has risen, I can see Pearl's beautiful face smiling wider than I've seen in decades. Throughout the next week, Amethyst and Garnet start acting weird, like they're preparing each other for a non-existent fight and hiding things from us.