Chaorite

"DECLARE YOUR ALLEGIANCE!" 

Explosions and weaponfire rang through a crumbling courtroom. It was mostly abandoned, save for two lingering figures. Everyone else with any sense had fled. Dust, smoke and debris polluted the air, spreading a thick veil over the torn landscape. Warships rocketed through smoke-filled skies, tearing away enough smog for slivers of sunlight to trickle through- only to be smothered shut moments later. Occassional screams rang out as soldiers marched on. It was safe to say, chaos reigned.

"ANSWER ME! I won't ask again! Are you with us or against us?" An intimidating Milk Quartz was shouting, one of the two left in the courtroom, her broadsword raised in a striking stance towards her would-be victim. The aristocrat she was addressing- a Tiffany Stone- seemed unbothered. Hands clasped, she calmly turned her attention to a gaping hole in the wall. Conveniently, it provided a direct, albeit smokey, outlook to the battlefield below.

"I believe I'll wait to see who wins, thanks." Her soft boots made no sound as she padded nearer the new "window," still well within the view of her invading adversary. The quartz faltered.

"I... You... That's not how this works!" Milk Quartz shook her head and renewed her stance.

"Why not?" Tiffany stone turned back to her. "You just declared war on us. Those are your ships, your soldiers pillaging our colony, aren't they? We are at war. In war, the victor takes all. That includes the citizenship of the newly conquered gems, I would assume. So, if you win, you will have my allegience. However, if our colony's forces defeat yours..." warm pride resonated in her as she watched one of the enemy ships go down, "My allegience will remain to Lilac Sapphire."

"So... you're against us..." 

"For now, yes." The quartz seemed satisfied with that answer, and raised her sword to attack. Tiffany raised an eyebrow. "You mus have little faith in your troops, then."

"You have no CHANCE against my troops!" She roared. The sting of such an insinuation burned like fire in her eyes.

"If you're so sure, then why are you so set on shattering me? Upon your victory I would be sworn to your side. I am a perfectly capable Tiffany Stone. My skills are of value to whomever I serve, as are all gems. Seems wasteful to me," she shrugged. "But, if you're truly set on it..." With a resigned sigh, her hands fell to her sides. Her gem, embedded in her midsection, was exposed. "Do as you please." 

Milk Quartz seemed unsure. Tiffany doubted she had ever encountered such a reaction before. Her eyes darted between the tip of her sword and her vulnerable oval cut cabachon. She could practically see her gears turning- it was almost amusing. Slowly, the gem's weapon began to drop. 

In the milisecond the quartz let her guard drop, the ceiling above her collapsed. She never even saw the brick careening down on her head. Dust washed out from the explosion's center like a tidal wave. As it settled, a small, stout silhouette standing atop the mound of rubble peeked through.

"Ah, Ruby, thank the stars!" Tiffany Stone whisked past without flinching. "I don't know how much longer I could've kept up that diplomat act."

"We have to get out of here." The ruby, a dark purplish-red color, hopped down from the mound. She bore no weapons but her bare hands. Though, it seemed, she didn't need anything more.

"No no, we have to find Pearl," Tiffany shook her head, searching another pile of rubble. Tiffany's Pearl was more than a servant to her, but a dear friend and confidant. Ruby swore at the holdup, but searched with Tiffany, just as concerned.

"THIS Pearl?"

Ruby lept defensively in front of Tiffany, fists bared. Both heads whipped around to Milk Quartz, standing atop her throne of rubble. Pearly teeth bared a wicked smile. The gem had re-summoned her broadsword, prepared in an offensive stance. But nothing, not one show of dominance could have struck the same terror into Tiffany Stone as the single, poofed gemstone displayed in her fist. 

"Surrender, or I'll SHATTER HER!"

Any semblance of composure she had managed up to this point failed her. Fear, anguish, pain, and most of all, failure, welled up in her at once. Her loyal, faithful, wonderful pearl was about to be shattered in front of her own eyes, and it was all her fault. Her trembling form shook hot tears from her eyes. She just wanted to admit defeat. To give up.

Gentle pressure around her palm urged Tiffany to open her eyes. Looking down, she found Ruby, firmly grasping her hand. Small as she was, the gem practically radiated confidence.

"Everything's alright," she whispered. The gentle, comforting sound of Ruby's voice ushered a wave of calm over Tiffany. "I'm here." Tiffany smiled.

"Yes, you are." Ruby nodded knowingly, and Tiffany's smile grew wider. "And you know who else is here?" Beaming ear to ear, hands still clasped, they both turned to face the confused Milk Quartz. 

"CHAORITE!" 

Light exploded violently from the center of the room, knocking Milk Quartz off her feet and sent the pearl flying. The soldier snarled, shielding her eyes from the glare. Blinding light veiled the incoming attack that sent her flying across the room and the pearl from her hand. 

By the time Milk Quartz was steadied, she found herself face to face with a massive, four armed, four-eyed gem. She stood as tall as three soldiers; in a room with a ceiling any shorter she would have to duck. Purple in color, this gem shared an uncanny resemblance to the Tiffany Stone she'd been staring down before. And though she hadn't gotten a good look at the ruby, this gem's distinctly stringy hair looked familiar. One massive arm pinned her to the wall, and she squirmed hatefully, but she was too busy working out what had just happened to properly fight back. It didn't hit her until she noticed the faceted gemstone on her massive forehead, AND a smooth cabachon on her naval. 

"A... a FUSION?" the quartz screeched, kicking and biting. "That's not how this works! That's CHEATING!" 

"Oh, hush you." The quartz never managed to get another word out. With one powerful squeeze, Chaorite poofed the soldier, letting her gem fall to the ground with an unceremonious clatter. 

Once the ringing echo died down, the courtroom fell oddly silent. It was almost peaceful, save for the occasional bang of gunfire outside. Chaorite closed her four eyes, and took a moment to breathe. It had been a while since she had formed. It was nice to be herself again. 

Their eyes opened suddenly, realization hitting her. Thos eyes weren't Chaorite's any more, but Ruby and Tiffany's. 

"Pearl!" was the last thing Chaorite cried. In the light of their own defusion, Tiffany looked around the room for anything sparkling. It seemed like eternity, but she finally spotted the poofed gem yards away from where the quartz had stood with her. Tiffany lunged for the spot, tenderly dusting off the poofed pearl. She felt woozy with relief. 

"She's alright." She hardly dared to breathe on the gem, clutching it close to her chest. Inwardly, Ruby relaxed. It put her mind to rest knowing her friends were alright.

"Come on, my ship is outside," Ruby beckoned, offering her hand. With her free hand, Tiffany took it with a glowing smile.

"What would I do without you, Ruby?"