Author's Note: Hey guys, here's the final version of Chapter 1, I've tried to make it as great as possible. But before we begin, lemme reply to the one who took the time to review the preview!
Fallen Paragon: Thanks! He's actually inspired by Sans, kinda. I just hope that ain't gonna turn into a bad thing. But hopefully, it'll be clear that he's not a complete Sans clone. Crystal clear. *insert punchline drum here* I might consider giving his telekinesis or something silmar to Sans' attacks, but that most likely won't happen.
Anyways, without any futher ado, here ya go.
Tonight was a cold, wintery evening for Beach City. Winter had come sooner than expected, people were staying in to keep warm while kids were having snowball fights with snowforts. Steven was sitting on his bed, inside his 'bedroom' watching an episode of Crying Breakfast Friends.
"Aw, Pear... Everyone cares about you, even me!" Steven said to the programme, somewhat feeling bad for the character on the screen. But before he could continue the episode, he heard his stomach growling for attention.
"Well, looks like I better get a snack." Steven said, as he went down the stairs, but then stopped suddenly, after passing one of the house's front windows.
"Wait a second..." He said to himself, walking up to the window and looking through the glass. The snowy storm was blocking most of the view, but Steven could had sworn, that he saw something. A person, in fact. Steven was used to these sort of things happening when the Gems wasn't around, but still, this is very odd. Who would hang out in the cold like this, when they could be wrapped up warm inside?
...
Steven suddenly wanted to help the mysterious hooded figure, regardless of if it was human or not. He grabbed his winter kit and hamburger backpack, stuffed with things he may need. The boy headed outside the door, it sure was cold. Steven even felt slighty cold as soon as he reached the bottom of the staircase leading to the sandy floor below. The figure was still there, it seemed to stare out into the distance, deep in thought. Steven slowly walked up to the stranger, each footstep making a soft crunch in the snow. Steven stopped right behind this unknown creature and went to say something, but-
"Shouldn't you be inside, where it's nice and warm?" The figure suddenly spoke out, catching Steven off-guard. He paused for a moment before repiling:
"Well, I saw you outside in the snow, you seemed very lonely." Steven said, fidging with his fingers a little. The figure sighed and lowered their head.
"...While that, is indeed true... but that doesn't explain why you suddenly came outside like this." The figure said, with a hint of fear. Steven walked to the person and hugged them around the waist, hoping to make things better.
"Please? I don't want you to be so lonely and catch a cold." Steven begged, with puppy eyes. The figure sighed again and lifted their head back to normal height.
"Alright, I guess it won't hurt to try for once." The stranger said, as they turned around and put out one of their hands, as if they wanted a handshake. Steven took the hand and as soon as he did so...
A sound of air escaping from the stranger's hand emitted.
"Ha, the good ol' whoopie cushion in the hand trick. It's ALWAYS funny!" The stranger chuckled, with a smile on their face. They took off the hood to reveal their face. They were male, blue eyes, skin color that was like Pearl's, only more lighter, seemed to look like they were 16 or 17. They wore denim jeans that had some torn holes, a hoodie that had no sight of pockets, complete with a pair of black trainers.
"Always, you're a gem, right?" The teenager said, smirking. Steven slowly nodded to this question, as if they were unsure what to say.
"Cool. I'm Crystal. Crystal the Gem, but you call me Crys, if you wanna." Crystal said, as Steven had starry-eyes from hearing that.
"You're a gem?!" He exclamied, all excited. Crystal chuckled a little and nodded.
"I come here every night, when it's all empty to clear out my thoughts. It ain't really the best, being alone..." Crystal said, closing their eyes, smirking still. Then he suddenly snapped outta his thoughts in realization.
"Oh no, I better get you back home, before your parents get worried!" Crystal said in panic. Steven was about to say or do something, when suddenly Crystal grabbed them and lifted them into his back.
"Hold on tight!" Crystal said quickly, before taking off at the blinding speed. Steven let out a cry of "AAH!" as the gem did so. Before they knew it, they were outside Steven's house in a second. Steven was still adjusting to this and struggled to regain their senses.
"You ok, kid?" the teenager asked, a little concered. Steven nodded, still dizzy. Crystal knocked on the door, only to be answered by Pearl.
"Oh, Steven! There you are!" Pearl exclaimed, relieved to know Steven was safe. Steven had already regained their senses by this point.
"Hi, Pearl!" The boy exclaimed, embracing his carer. Crystal seemed happy for them and went to walk away, until Steven had locked his legs by wrapping his arms around it.
"Please don't go! We only just met!" He said, sad to see his new friend suddenly going. He only just met him!
"Come on, kid. I'm only invading your privacy if I stay here. I'm sure there's no room for me here." The gem sighed, looking down to the ground, at Steven, who was doing his puppy eyes again. He looked at Pearl, who seemed to be nodding to agree with Steven, somewhat.
The two of them walked into the house, Steven called for Garnet and Amethyst, but nobody seemed to answer back. Pearl told them, that they haven't come back from the mission, but she was sure that, they wouldn't mind meeting Steven's new friend.
"Wow, bud. You're lucky to have such nice people taking care of ya." Crystal smiled, but inside he wasn't feeling the same on the outside.
"Come on, Steven. You need a hot chocolate. Especially after going out like that." Pearl said, guiding Steven to the sofa. Crystal looked down at the floor, thinking.
"Kid's lucky. I haven't had this kind of luxury in like... ages. I probably won't have it ever again, after I'm gone." The gem thought, trying hard to not expose his feelings, not only for his sake, but Steven and everyone else's.
"Excuse me, are you okay?" Crystal heard Pearl's voice call out to him, he snapped out of it and shook his head. Pearl was standing right by him, she seemed concered.
"Wha-? OH! Y-yeah, just deep in thought is all." The teenage gem smirked, hoping the other gem would fall for it. Thankfully, she did and went to make the hot chocolate.
"Phew! That was too close." He thought in his mind, but he noticed Steven raising his eyebrow at him. "Oh shoot." Came to Crystal's mind. The kid knew something was up. Crystal sat down on the sofa beside the young boy, trying to act like things were normal. The pair of them were taking glances at each other when the other wasn't looking, they both knew something was wrong, one of them had to speak up.
"Hey kid, you alright there?" Crystal said, trying to make a conversation. Steven crossed his arms and stared down to the floor.
"I... don't want you to lie to me." He suddenly spoke out, Crystal sighed. He really didn't want to, but he couldn't bother the kid with the truth, it could worry him... But he didn't want to dissapoint the kid. He looked into the kid's eyes, they were starry-eyed as well, which seemed to be his weak-spot.
"Alright, kid... You got me, I'll tell ya." The teenager said, putting both of his hands up. He may as well tell him what's up.
"A long time ago, when I was first created... I was confused, looking around me, wondering where I was. Some strange people were there, they seemed to look the exact same, apart from some minor differences. I asked who they were, they simply said they were 'Homeworld Gems'. I tried to get along with them, make friends with them and even ask about them, but they either completely ignored me or told me to be quiet." The gem told, now staring at the floor, his face slowly becoming to match how much he was hurt on the inside. Steven felt upset for his friend and wanted to help, but decided to wait until after the tale was told.
"They ran some kind of tests on me. Speed, strength, agility, everything. It didn't seem to be too bad. Until one day... I was at the final test. It was to summon a weapon. I tried and tried. Over and over again. But I couldn't do it. They noticed this, they failed me. I wondered what was gonna happen. Was I going to get a second chance?" Crystal continued, before stopping to get a short break and then remusing the tale.
"No, there was no second chance or anything of the sort. I was simply brought out, they tied me up. They were going to smash my gem." The teenager said, as he showed the gem on his neck. It was a grey-ish white 4 pointed star with circle in center of the gem itself.
"I was scared out of my mind, looking for a way out and fast. I struggled and struggled... but there seemed to be no sign of mercy or hope for me. Just as I was about to meet my end and accept it. It... didn't come. In fact, I found my self away from my captors. I knew this must be some kind of ability that I didn't gain until then. I didn't waste any time to run and hide. I chose this very city as my 'safeplace', they never found me ever since." By the time that, Crystal was done, he was completely slient. Steven now understood why he had be trying to hide this backstory. The young boy put his hand on the teenage gem's shoulder, with an reassuring smile on his face.
"But, those bad memories don't have to bother you." Steven said. Crystal turned to the kid, confused about what he's talking about.
"You have us now. We can let you stay here, welcome you like a family. I'm sure they won't mind." Steven said, he didn't want the gem to be alone and scared anymore. He was sure the gem truly didn't want that either, despite him trying to not admit it. Crystal lowered his head, he was speechless.
"I can ask Pearl if you want!" Steven said, still trying. Eventually, the teenager slowly nodded. Crystal had decided. He was going to stay, he was better off being here than feeling sorry for himself far away. Steven got up and went to speak to Pearl about Crystal's past and then most likely to ask if he was allowed to stay.
"I don't think anyone could have me stay here, I'd be-"
"She says you can stay here!" Steven exclamied excitedly, interputting Crystal's thoughts. Crystal was shocked, were these people more kind than he had thought so? He was speechless, unsure what to do or say next.
All of a sudden, he rushed to Pearl in a blink of an eye and hugged her. He was greatful for this, never would he had thought, this would happen in a million years. Pearl returned the hug, but had to lower herself a little to reach him, due to being taller than him.
"I-I don't wanna let go..." The white gem thought, as he took in the hug. He had no other way to express how thankful he was to his friends, that was now his family. The gem eventually let go, Pearl didn't seem to mind, in fact, she seemed happy?
While Steven was drinking his hot chocolate, him and Crystal talked about several things. He also noticed that Crystal seemed to be more happier, Steven was glad to know that. Even after Steven had finished the drink and Crystal cleaned it up and everything, they continued their conversation.
"So, I guess you could be my cool-winter-fun buddy!" Steven exclamied, smiling. Crystal chuckled a bit.
"Nah." The gem spoke out, Steven gasped.
"I'll be your bro." The teenager said, winking with a smile, causing Steven's eyes to go starry. Crystal was glad to see Steven like this, it only meant that, it confirmed that, they were to be brothers to each other, even if they were different from each other. Steven yawned, the white gem picked up the kid.
"Come on, bro. Time for bed." Crystal said, carrying the young boy to bed, not bothering to use his super speed.
"I'm... not.. tired.." Steven yawned, trying to stay awake.
"It'd be bed for your health, if you stay awake any longer." The gem joked, trying hard not to laugh. He put Steven into bed. Steven yawned yet again.
"Night... Crystal." The boy said.
"Night, bro." Crystal's voice said, sounding futher away from where he had been a second ago. The gem was lying on the couch instead, relaxing. Steven was surprised to see him there so quick, but was too tired to even ask or get up, so instead he drifted into slumber.
"Have sweet dreams, bro. I know I won't." The gem thought, as he laid down, staring the celling down, until he got bored and eventually went to sleep as well.
Author's Note: And that's all for Chapter 1! By the way, Crystal's speed is inspired by Sonic's. I do plan to have him show off his 'Peelout' move, because since Sonic never actually uses it anymore, why not give it to Crystal? Now you know why I said, I most likely won't give any of Sans' abilities to my OC. It could make him OP. Anyways, feel free to suggest any episode/chapter ideas and I may use it and credit you. Until next chapter, see ya.