I thought i was done with this story but then my brain barfed out another 1000 word story based around Connie. I need to stop. I don't like this one as much though. I may just use this to collect short stories so if you like my writing, keep an eye out.

oh yeah i don't own steven universe seeing as this is fanfiction and not authorfiction. Enjoy!

It was a calm family dinner. The Maheswarens liked to do that at least once a week, when Dr. Maheswaren wasn't working late or Mr. Maheswaren wasn't working nights. Connie liked these dinners, and she usually had something to say, whether it be she learned something new at school or she read a new book.

Recently she'd been kind of distant at these dinners. It wasn't like she could casually bring up that she's been training to sword fight with her best friend's guardian. And she was getting good at it too. Her parents did notice the ripple of muscles starting to form under her skin and how she was eating a bit healthier. Not that she was ever really unhealthy.

They casually asked one night and Connie got defensive- she was exercising a little more. It wasn't a big deal really, don't make it a big deal. Jeez, it's her life, she can do what she wants.

Her parents assumed that it was just her start into teenagerhood. She was 12, so she was approaching puberty. She was going to get a little bit moody. It was biology. They didn't have any reason to be concerned. So they let it go

Her parents didn't notice when Connie was spending more time with Steven. They (mostly) approved of him anyway. They didn't notice when one afternoon she came home with a rather large long bundle. They didn't see her hide it behind a pile of books. They certainly didn't see it was a sword that she would practice fighting positions with in the middle of the night.

They had no idea until a family dinner went bad.

Most dinners were spent at home, and this one was too. Now, the Maheswarens lived a bit outside of Beach City, so the monster attacks frequent on the beaches were less so there. They still happened sometimes, but not very much.

But one night, the family was enjoying their dinners on a picnic table set up on the lawn. Dinner was simple- fresh salad with sandwiches. The talk was minimal and so everyone sat quietly, enjoying the cool spring air.

And then a monster sprinted down the street. It was pretty big, about five feet tall, with a head resembling a bear's. It stood on two feet, and was covered from head to toe in light, velvety fluff. On one arm there was a triangular spike made from some sort of gem. It was a deep shade of blue, and the rest of the creature was lighter.

Of course when it saw the Maheswarens, it lunged for them. Jaws snapped and its long crystalline claws slashed through the air.

"Connie!" Dr. Maheswaren yelled. "Get inside!" The whole family scrambled inside the door, but Connie kept running. She ran to her room and pulled a silver scabbard from behind a pile of books. Franticly She pulled a long iron sword from it, its hilt silver with some engravings. She ran back out of her room and toward the door. Her parents were standing, watching through the window with horror at the beast destroying their picnic table.

Connie ran past them and back toward the door.

"Where are you going? There's that thing out there!" Her mom yelled.

"Is that a sword?" Her dad gaped as he looked at the thing in his daughter's hands. "Where'd you get that?!"

Connie ran out the door, ignoring their protests. She turned and faced the beast, her eyes blazing. Both hands were firmly clasped on the hilt. At this point Connie had been training 14 hours a week (plus a little more practice at home) for over three months, and she was well past the 'jam buds' fiasco. She knew what she was doing and she was pretty darn good at it.

The gem monster looked at her for a second before charging. Connie expertly rolled out of the way and made a slash at the beast's back. It turned and let out an ear piercing wail before slashing with one of its forepaws.

Connie jumped back, and the attack barely missed her. She ran forward, ducking and weaving around the attacks. Look for an opening, Pearl always said, and then strike. The monster brought down its head and bit managing to catch Connie's left arm. It wasn't bad but it still hurt. She grit her teeth and saw her moment. It pulled up its head, taking its eyes off her for less than a second. She thrust the sword forward and up, though the monster's neck.

Time seemed to freeze for a second, and then the gem beast broke into a cloud of smoke. The gem spike previously located on it's forearm dropped to the ground, and Connie was left with her sword raised, panting. Blood slowly trickled down her non-raised arm.

Her parents were in shock. Their precious daughter just fought some monster- and won. It was crazy. Connie was the type of kid who read about fighting monsters, but she would never *really* do it. Her dad got to his senses first. He ran outsde and grabbed Connie, pulling her into a hug. Dr. Maheswaren followed soon after.

"What did you just do?! You could have died!" Mr. Maheswaren cried. "Where'd you learn to fight like that?"

"Oh, you're hurt! We need to fix you up, now." Dr. Maheswaren said. "And you can never ever do that again. I don't know where you got that sword, but I'm taking it."

Connie smiled a little. "Mom! It's okay, I've been training. I won't hurt myself with it."

"Who have you been training with?" Mr. Maheswaren asked. "We need to have a stern talk with them."

Connie waited a second, debating if she should tell them the truth. Eventually, she spoke. "Do you remember Pearl?"

"One of Steven's guardians? She's teaching you to sword fight?! Is Steven being taught too?" Her mom was near frantic as she asked. Her daughter was learning to fight! Surely in this day and age one didn't need to do that.

Connie shrugged. "She's really good! And I'm pretty good at it! And Steven doesn't really use a sword. He uses his shield and together we fight as jam buddies! I'm the jam and he's the biscuit!" She giggled at the inside joke.

Her parents looked really, really confused. "Let's just get you cleaned up and then you can explain." Her mom sighed.

"Okay."

Hope you liked it! As I said last chapter a review or favorite is really appreciated! I loved the reviews that I've seen, I've read them like 50 times.