Ever since learning the truth about her diamond and regaining her mind and form Jasper had been left devoid of purpose. She was made to be a solider that served her diamond. That's all she ever wanted that's all she ever needed. Then the runt of Rose Quartz came along and she went from elite to loser. Then to top it all off she learned after her corruption and most embarrassing defeat that the war and no doubt all future wars were over and the runt was her diamond's son.
She'd refused to be involved with him at all and now months after his little visit where he actually put up a fight for once she finds him crying in front of him.
He'd been like this for nearly ten minutes. At first she'd just considered leaving him there or simply using her strength to toss him into town. But she'd changed her mind. Mostly due to the fact that when she got closer her scooted back turning pink and screaming. "Stop!" which sent out a pink wave not only knocking her back but actually preventing her from moving.
When she got back up and looked at him he wobbled a bit before falling forward exhausted.
She looked at him for a minute and for the first time felt something other then aggravation. For the first time she saw if only a little bit someone she could call her diamond. With one hand she scooped him up and flung him over her shoulder.
"Better get you someplace the others can't corrupt you back to a weakling."
It took her only a few minutes to reach her cave and place him onto the pile of pillows, mattresses and blankets she'd stolen and arranged into a makeshift bed. While she didn't sleep she would occasionally lay on them and think about her life.
From across the pile she stared at him.
Hard to believe that this little runt is actually a diamond. He's so small… even smaller then usual. But I can't deny he has the power of one. A single scream sent me flying.
For nearly three hours she watched him until his form began stirring he sat up stretching his limbs mumbling. "Morning grandma." Before looking up expecting to see the smiling face of White Diamond as usual. Instead he saw a nothing but cold rock.
Confused he looked around eventually finding Jasper staring back at him.
"Good you're up. Now tell me runt what's up with your new form? Trying to change like Rose did?"
Steven looked at himself not quite understanding before getting out of the pillows.
"Steven, my name is Steven. And I'm big for a five year old." He thought for a second his mind piecing together what he knew about Jasper.
"You're Jasper… and…you're the strongest?" For just a brief second Jasper felt her pride swell before she pushed it down again.
"Yes I am the strongest. The perfect quartz solider created to be Pink Diamond's solider."
By this point Steven was fully captivated and was barely holding back his excitement his confusion and fear turned to curiosity.
"Pink Diamond!? She was my mom. Mamma Blue told me that. And mommy Yellow and Grandma White. Said they used to be a family back on Homeworld. They always told me about her when I was with them. Then…" his mind drew a blank as he tried to remember what they told him.
Jasper however was already piecing it together and as he spoke more about his time with the Diamonds on Homeworld she came to a simple conclusion.
So he doesn't remember? Good, also seems the diamonds were brining him up on Homeworld at some point. This could work out well.
"Tell me Steven are you a diamond?" his answer would determine her next step.
Steven hearing this proudly smiled and said. "Yep! Mom was one and grandma said what was hers is mine. She even told me I can have my own planet someday." His innocent mind began to fantasize about it. "I hope it can be soon having my own planet would be so cool!"
For what was possibly the fist time in years Jasper smiled and crushed part of the rock with her hand in excitement as she got up.
Yes! He may be weak but he has the power and the desire! Finally I can fulfill my purpose again!
She looked down seeing a slightly worried Steven and not wanting to scare him calmed down. If her plan was to work she needed to be calm.
"Well if you're going to be a proper diamond you'll of course need a proper guard and who better then the gem made by your mother right here on Earth."
Steven bounced up in down much like any kid when they got a new toy. He rushed forward latching onto her leg and screaming. "Yes! My own gem just like mom! Does this mean we can have fun together?"
On any other occasion she would have refused stating something along the lines of "Fighting is the only fun I need" but as she looked down at the eager Steven happily hugging her leg she felt something besides a desire for combat. Something she can honestly say she never felt before.
"Sure Steven… whatever you want." So lost in this new warm feeling she didn't resist when he grabbed her hand and eagerly dragged her outside.
"What can we play first? Bubble ball? Bouncy Time? Oh! How about tag! Spinel and the Pearls always love playing tag with me!"
Spinel? Pink's playmate? Oh right I did hear she went to Homeworld. Guess she found a new best friend. Not that I blame her the kids is kind of adorable… I mean useful!
She felt Steven touch her arm before running off screaming "Tag you're it!"
Having never played anything besides war games she had no idea what "Tag" was but she guessed it was a simple chase and capture. Her gem swelling with old memoires of missions and seeing Steven trying his best to run she mentally counted down from five.
Five…Four…Three…two…One!
With a giant leap she took to the trees bounding on branches easily catching up to him in less ten seven steps and landing on a tree just above him.
He looked back smiling no doubt thinking he'd given her the slip before she dropped down and picked him up. "Got you."
"Yep! Now I'm it." She sat him down as he counted. She of course knew he couldn't keep up in his tiny body but at the same time she was having fun. Not as much as combat but still enough fun. So she took off in a slow and steady run toward one of the massive boulders in the area.
She reached the boulder just as he stopped counting and she prepared to be captured. What she didn't expect was to see him rappily bounding toward her his body sligltly pink. Before she could think or dodge he barreled right into her his hands wrapping around her waist as he screamed.
"Got you!"
His impact wasn't severe but it was enough to force the bounder behind her back a few feet.
Looking from the boulder to him she felt herself smile.
"Look at you go! So much power. Just like a proper diamond."
He let go and quickly ran off happily screaming. " You'll be it forever!"
And for many hours it seemed like she spent more time being the chaser then being the chased. Every time he was it he caught up to her in a few seconds. Sure she was holding back but now by much. And every time she tried to chase him he grew faster and more excited. At one point she was desperately trying to catch him as he ran around her.
It was by far the first time in her life she actually felt tired. But at the same time she also felt happy. When it was all over and he shakily swayed back and forth mumbling "tired" she scooped him up with both arms happily carrying him back. "Don't worry my diamond you rest up and then we'll play more."
He happily snuggled into her neck saying. "You're the best Jasper."
This single sentence made her smile wider then she ever had.
She'd been called the best before, many times in face. By elite gems and on occasion Yellow Diamond when she served under her. But hearing it from Steven, someone she could call her diamond made it truly special.
After setting him down on the pillows she excited her cave happily stretching her arms.
"Feels good to have purpose again."
So lost in this new feeling she didn't notice the spear until it embedded itself in the rock over her head and the five gems coming out of the forest. She recognized three of them as the diamond's Pearls who were looking worried and upset while the pink gem simply looked psychopathic with a large pink scythe gleaming in the night. Leading the pack was a very angry Pearl.
When she'd come into town after spending time with her human friends she'd been surprised to find the other Pearls and Spinel here. Sure they occasionally dropped by but that was usually at Homeschool or the pier. The moment they spotted her they broke down pleading to help them find Steven. She barely got any information between their sobs and stammers of "ran off" and "so upset." What had got her attention was when Spinel said. "We have to find him Pearl! Little Stevie can't use his powers as a kid!"
That had led to them seeking Garnet who simply told him they'd find Steven with Jasper. Along the way she'd gotten what she could out of the weeping bunch.
As they got close Jasper simply pulled the spear free and threw it back before calmly stating.
"Quiet, my diamond is sleeping right now."
Pearl however rushed past her finding a sight she thought she'd never see again but always secretly wished for. Her baby happily sleeping curled up on a pillow happily sucking his thumb.
