Alrighty! The Sequel to Jasper's Choice is here! In this little story Jasper will have to fight a different kind of battle to gain the trust of Peridot and Lapis. While one of them is willing to give her a second chance, the second one is a bit doubtful. However, when an old annoyance reappears, they have no choice but to put the past behind them to save their friend.
A New Reformation
Chapter 1
Jasper gave a sigh as she watched the sun slowly rise above the ocean, her mind in turmoil. She had finally gained full trust from Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Steven. Yet, her redemption wasn't over, she still had two more gems to prove herself too. And she knew that this wasn't going to be easy.
Heck, the last time she had approached Lazuli, she had been knocked out to sea. For some reason, that rejection had hurt, yet she knew exactly why it had been done. Their fusion...It had been nothing but pain, hurtful words, and twisted words shouted at one another. Not only had they suffered, but Malachite as well. They had been unstable, and ready to attack anything that crossed their path.
Not to mention, she had treated Peridot like a useless being. Taking charge when she had merely been muscle on her mission. She had treated her like she had meant nothing, and hadn't even listened to what she had to say when they had met later in the Beta Kindergarten. She could actually understand if they rejected her again, after all that she had done.
However, she was holding onto some hope. The others had been able to look past her deeds, so maybe they would be able to as well. Not to mention, Steven had said that he would help in any way that was needed. She wanted to try and approach them first, if that didn't work then she would see what Steven could do. If worse came to worse, she'd just have to swim back to shore and try again.
"Jasper, what are you doing out here so early? Usually the only time you're out here is when something is bothering you." Pearl sounded, causing her to give a sigh before turning to face her.
"Something is. I'm worried about Lazuli and Peridot." She muttered, feeling her body relax a little just by admitting it out loud, and watched as Pearl gave a nod and patted her shoulder in understanding.
"That's understandable, after everything you've told us about your time with them. Are you sure you don't want Steven to explain things to them first? At least that way there would be less of a chance of them attacking you." She stated, causing her to sigh and shake her head.
"If I want to make things right, then I have to be the one who approaches them first. To show them that I truly mean it, that I am changing for the better." She muttered, looking out at the ocean again, giving a sigh as the memories of her being stuck under the ocean. All of that time, and she actually thought that had been what she wanted, only because she had felt stronger, but that hadn't been the case. Sure, their combined strengths made them strong, but it wasn't worth the cost of their sanity.
"That's very admirable Jasper, perhaps the rest of us should go. Just as backup, or support..."
"No. Please, just me and Steven. If they still refuse, then I'll just relocate and protect the Earth from a different area." She stated, blinking when the door opened behind them and glanced back to see Steven standing there, not looking pleased.
"You really wouldn't just leave, would you? We...We still need to make sure that the healing process wont just fade away. Sure, it's held for two weeks, but will it last longer? If..If you leave then..." He rambled, and she quickly held up a hand. Giving a small smile, she crouched down and rested her hand on his head.
"Calm down, I'm not going to stick around if it means making them uncomfortable again. Even if it doesn't work out today, maybe some day I'll get them to change their mind. I'd still come around, just not when they're visiting." She stated, watching as he frowned before looking down.
"That will only happen if they don't accept you today, right?" He asked, and she blinked before giving a nod.
"That's the plan. I plan to gain their pardon sooner or later, but I'm not going to force them." She stated, watching as a determined look entered his gaze before he clenched his fists and took a positive stance.
"Then we'll have to make sure that today goes absolutely perfect! No mistakes! Because you're a gem now, and we will stick together!" He cheered, rushing back inside to get ready, and she could only stare at the closed door for a moment before giving a shake of her head.
"Looks like he has a plan to make sure that they do forgive you. No worries Jasper, I'm sure that you don't have to move away. In all honesty, I'm not sure if it would hurt you, or Steven, more if you did." Pearl stated, patting her shoulder once more before heading back inside.
Jasper gave another sigh before standing and turning toward the ocean again. It had been some time since she last saw Peridot and Lapis, and both times hadn't been the best of reunions. She could only hope that this one went better.
"Alright, so what if we make it look like you're saving me from something...Like..Like..Oh! Like Lion is going to try and eat me but you step in and tame him!" Steven shouted, looking up at Jasper as they stepped off the warp pad closest to the barn and started walking. A low growl from Lion told him that wasn't going to be happening, but he wanted to see what Jasper thought about it.
"Quartz Child, we're not putting you in reckless danger, just to show them that I want to change. I want them to know that my words alone are true." Jasper sounded, causing him to pout and look down. However, more ideas flitted through his mind. It wasn't that he didn't think that Lapis and Peridot wouldn't accept Jasper, but...The last time they had seen one another, Lapis had knocked Jasper back into the ocean and Peridot had poofed her. Just from past meetings alone, he didn't think this one was going to be any easier.
"Alright, so that ones a bust. Then, how about I talk to them first...Not telling them that it's you, but just saying that we have a new member on the team and a new friend?" He asked, already knowing that she would refuse when she looked down with a raised eyebrow.
"Steven, I need to do this myself. I want to show them that I truly mean what I say...If things start to go rocky, then you can step in. But not until then. Now..."
"Steven!? What is Jasper doing out of her bubble!?" The call had him looking up quickly as Peridot jumped down from the truck and extended her hand, causing a few sharp, metal objects to float around her.
"Step away from him!" Lapis called out, gathering water out of the pool and shaping it into a fist. Steven glanced up at Jasper, willing to keep his promise not to say anything, and watched as she nodded in return before facing the other two.
"Please, just...Hear me out. I know I've done some terrible things in the past, but I've changed. Steven healed my corrupted form, and has even opened up my eyes. I've actually been out of the bubble for a couple weeks now...I..I wanted to apologize to you two. I did some pretty terrible things, especially to you two. I..I don't know exactly how to make up for it, but if you give me a chance I'm willing to try anything." She stated, and Steven bit the inside of his cheek as he stared from Jasper to the other two. Relaxing slightly as Peridot lowered her metal objects, and then looked to Lapis, not liking how she had her head lowered.
"Steven...Can she really be trusted?" Lapis suddenly asked, looking up and catching his gaze. He blinked before looking back up at Jasper, who had a bit of hurt in her eyes, and he cleared his throat.
"I think so, yes. However, you shouldn't trust her on just my words alone. You should try to give her a chance and come to trust her yourself." He whispered, watching as Lapis frowned before facing Jasper.
"Then...I won't trust you, but I guess I can tolerate you." She muttered, releasing the water from her hold and Steven frowned as she stepped into the barn. Leaving an awkward silence around the rest of them. A silence that was broken when Peridot cleared her throat.
"Well...Uh..Jasper..I'm more than willing to give you a second chance. Just...Well...You might want to..."
"I'll limit my time around Lapis. I understand her reluctance. However, I do thank both of you for allowing me this, especially since I really don't deserve it." She whispered, and Steven waited as he watched the interaction between the large gem and much smaller one.
"Everyone deserves a second chance, Jasper. That's something you'll come to learn here on Earth. And don't worry, I'm sure Lapis will come around. Heck, it took a bit of work on my part for her to even talk to me. However, not even she could resist my charm and persuasive personality." Peridot stated, only to give a shout of pain as a ball was thrown from inside the barn and collided with her head.
Steven gave a smile before waving as Peridot rushed inside to argue with Lapis, and then turned to face Jasper. Blinking as he noticed that she was staring toward the barn with longing.
"Jasper?" He asked, watching as she came out of her trance and looked down at him.
"I'm fine. Lets...Go on back home. I shouldn't force my presence on them for too long." She whispered, turning around and heading back toward the warp pad. He gave a sigh, the reunion had gone better than he had expected, but not as well as he had hoped. Giving a nod toward Lion, they followed Jasper.
And there's chapter one! Hope you all enjoy and the second chapter will be up hopefully in a few days. Until then!