Puppet

First Impression

"Again," Blue Diamond said softly, eyes narrowed. One of the younger Jaspers from the group gathered before her stood alone before the others, swallowing with some difficulty and approaching the center of the arena. Blue Diamond stood there, tall, lithe, and regal, looking critical and unamused. She waited. The Jasper before her closed her eyes and clenched her fists. A helmet formed around her head and she launched herself at Blue Diamond, diving forward and rolling at her in a flashing, crackling ball of energy. Blue Diamond held out her hand with a bored expression and froze the Jasper in her tracks. Blue Diamond casually lifted her into the air with a flick of the wrist before unceremoniously dropping her to the ground. The smaller gem whimpered and scrambled to her feet.

Jasper watched in fear, knowing her turn would come sooner than she would be ready. Each of her counterparts threw themselves at their leader one after the other, giving her everything they had to no avail. Blue Diamond dodged every blow, foiled every attack, and countered every strike flawlessly and without effort. Her brows slowly drew closer together as the unsuccessful onslaught continued, and Jasper gulped as she stepped up to the front of the line. The gem before her limped away and Blue Diamond turned her sharp gaze on Jasper. She looked bored, annoyed, and full of disappointment. Jasper was used to that expression.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She summoned her helmet and bent her knees. She waited. Blue Diamond sighed and looked away. Jasper launched into motion and dove at her, veering to the right just as she reached her opposer. Blue Diamond reached out to stop her, but Jasper was behind her. She leapt into the air and hurled herself at the tall, thin gem. Before she could make contact, however, she found herself frozen, unable to move, floating in midair. Blue Diamond was smiling ever so slightly.

"Finally," she said. "At least one of you has some sense." She released her hold on Jasper and she fell to the ground, flushed. She had done something right, somehow. She gazed up at Blue Diamond with a silly grin on her face. "Go on," the leader said. Jasper nodded and stood, trotting out of the arena. The next contestant stepped up and threw herself at Blue Diamond, and battle continued from there.

Jasper couldn't stop smiling as she walked away. She couldn't believe she had been even somewhat successful. Maybe she would be rewarded for this. Maybe things would get better. Maybe she would even make some friends.