A/N: Here's Chapter One, a little earlier than I said it would; hey, it's only an hour and a half before midnight! I'm liking the reception this story is receiving! I would like to thank Shtammred for following this too. :3
So yeah, here it is! hope you enjoy it!


The Off Color Ruby
Chapter One: Fate

"This is so exciting!" a bubbly voice echoed throughout the nature. It would belong to a pale-skinned, large woman, with pink, bouncy curls and long ringlets. She wandered through the woods, eyes starry. A cotton candy fusion, and a slender pale-skinned lady followed, sword in hand. The latter smiled at her, admiring how happy she was. "We're finally protecting this place!"

"It's.. it sure is nice, Rose Quartz!" the skinnier Gem had similar thoughts, smile turning into a grin.

"Isn't it?!" the Quartz Gem turned to look at her, grinning back. The fusion couldn't help the smile spreading across her face.

But then a massive sound alerted them, like something had crashed into the ground ahead of them. Rose summoned her shield without hesitation and pulled out her blade. They had just gotten through fighting a horde of Blue Diamond's forces to get her to leave Earth, but what if they had actually gone to get reinforcements?

"Stay here.." the large Gem whispered.

It was automatically met with a protest. "But Rose-!"

"Please, Pearl."

The fusion didn't question this, still somewhat confused, and Pearl huffed, disappointed.

9XA had landed on the harsh but grassy ground not too far away, behind a brush. She groaned softly, lifting her head and rubbing at her gem. Wincing, she pulled her hand away and bit her lip. Was it cracked from the fall she'd taken? she was surprised she wasn't shattered. Guess that was one perk to being a Ruby.

She was glitching, soon enough. Gazing at her hand, she could see it. "So I am cracked…" she muttered, taking it better than any Gem. And then she started to cry. Guess she wasn't.

Soon, 9XA was alerted to voices, and she hopped onto her feet, eyes wide and dripping with tears. She saw, beyond the brush, three Gems. She gasped, hands clasping her cheeks. "Rose Quartz..! the renegade Pearl..! and…?" she couldn't recognize the last one, coated with blues and pinks. Must be a fusion. "A fusion..!"

She couldn't help trembling. That was the rebellion, that was for sure, but she couldn't run. She started to, but her leg glitched and rendered her unable. She was helpless. And the large one was coming closer, fully armed. 9XA eventually found the strength to clutch her chest, grab the insignia and rip it off, revealing a hole there, tossing it away. She didn't wish to be associated.

Rose Quartz stepped forward, menacingly due to how slow she was going, cautious. She took a deep breath, pausing before the tall brush, and held it. And then she looked in.

If she didn't know any better, she'd say she found a human. But no, this being had red skin. It was most certainly a Ruby. But who did she serve? and.. her gaze became soft.. the Ruby was glitching out.

Rose put away her sword and vanished her shield, and the red Gem expressed confusion. So did Pearl and the fusion, who exchanged glances behind them. She knelt and picked her up, looking for her gem. She didn't see anything, and 9XA was practically frozen with fear. Meanwhile, Rose was freaking out. "I don't see your gem. Where is your gem?!"

Somewhere, Laz swore. She just needed to do it the hard way then…

"Mm…" 9XA was growing unresponsive. Not good.

"Pearl! Garnet! please!" Rose called for them, and they were at her side immediately. The fusion wanted to ask questions, but Rose had told her no more questions. "Where is her gem?!"

Pearl and the fusion looked over 9XA too, but couldn't find a gem either. The renegade asked, blue eyes wide, "Is this some kind of human being?!"

"No.. definitely a Ruby.." the large Quartz sniffled. "But where could it be? I can't heal her if I can't find it..."

A tear dropped from her eye, and Pearl wanted so desperately to wipe it away. But it fell and hit the Ruby dead center on her forehead, melting past her hair. A glow formed there, and the trio's eyes went wide. That.. wasn't possible...

Just before the gem broke too, thank goodness, and the growing crack healed like it wasn't even there. 9XA opened her eyes, her innocent, large eyes, and smiled. "Thanks…"

And to think she feared them before. It was nice to know they were so kind.

"My pleasure…" Rose bit her lip. Rubies didn't naturally have forehead gems.

Did they?

If she recalled correctly, ruby gems were all every other place but the forehead. No wonder she was out here.

Pearl sneered slightly, blushing, and turned her head away. She should be the one held. 9XA noticed and raised an eyebrow. Rose put her down, and the fusion, known as Garnet, examined her. The two within, Sapphire and Ruby, were having a debate, which largely consisted of shouting, excited or confused.

"Why do you hide your gem?" Rose asked, kneeling down to 9XA's level. Her navel gem showed itself in its full glory. Which made her wary.

She lowered her head, hands behind her back, muttering something.

"What was that?" Pearl barked slightly, brow furrowed.

"Pearl.." the Quartz admonished her quietly for her tone. The tall, slender Gem winced apologetically.

9XA spoke up, a little louder, "I don't want to be seen as weird…"

Rose had a flashback just then. She was never like the other Diamonds, being the runt and all. They never really respected her. She sighed, and placed a hand on the Ruby's shoulder, "State your designation…"

9XA jumped a bit, and looked up finally. She saw authority in Rose's eyes, and became entranced. "Ruby.. Facet 4A2L.. Cut 9XA.."

"Ruba…" the Quartz began, and that name resonated with 9XA, newly-christened Ruba. "You can't spend your life worrying about what other people think of you. Expose who you are," she smiled brightly, tears coming to both their eyes, "let your gem shine."

Ruba opened her mouth to speak after she let it all sink in, when suddenly a navel Lapis Lazuli swooped in on her water wings, cutting the forehead Ruby down. Rose and Pearl gasped as the Lazuli caught the gem before it hit the ground wearing such a sick grin, but Garnet was quick to act. Somehow, she summoned a single gauntlet around her right hand, charged and punched. Laz was down in an instant, and the fusion caught both gems carefully. She was quick to bubble the blue gem, and handed the other to Rose, who took it gracefully.

She wondered what a Lapis would want with a Ruby. What had this Ruby done? she wanted to find out now. She wanted to find out everything. So she bubbled her, and sent her home, looking down. Pearl and Garnet were quick to comfort her.

However.. none of them would get a chance to find out about Ruba until several, several years later. With the rebellion on their minds, all they could think of was that. And then there was Greg. Rose never got the chance, and the gem stayed bubbled in the Burning Room.

But someone would…


A/N: And that's that! Chapter Two is currently in the works, I guess. I hope you guys enjoyed this!