Chapter 8! This is the last chapter for this story, but no worries there is more to come! Next time I come to work, I plan to have the first chapter to the sequel made and ready to post. I hope that you enjoyed this story, and I bid you ado for now!

Jasper's Choice

Chapter 8

Steven couldn't believe it. His feelings...They had been right, and it hurt. Jasper was going to betray them, and kill him right in front of Yellow Diamond! He had opened up to her, and she was going to give everything away. He would never see anyone again. He didn't know what to do.

If he fought against Jasper, he'd be giving himself away to Yellow Diamond. Anyway that this played out, she would know about them one way or another. However, he would rather go down fighting, than standing by and doing nothing.

He got into a stance as Jasper lowered her head and formed the Diamond sign with her arms, and remained that way for a moment. He steeled his body for the attack as she lowered her arms and stared back up at the Diamond, who was smiling in victory before turning toward him and slowly approached him.

"Don't fight me." She sounded, causing him to blink and tense at the look in her eyes. They were filled with...Disapproval!? What right did she have to disapprove of anything that he did!? He was the one who was betrayed this time! He had trusted her with everything, and sure he had his doubts, but he hadn't wanted to believe them! So what right did she have in being disappointed in him!?

"Stay low, and do as I say." She mouthed, causing him to still and felt his eyes widen slightly as she raised her fist and swung it down. He gasped as she dented the metal beneath his feet, but missed him completely. He slid a few feet into the dented metal, his view of the room now blocked...and Yellow Diamond's view of him gone! Steps told him that Jasper was moving away, and he fell back against the metal as a cool laugh filled the room.

"Very good, Jasper. Glad to know that I was worried about nothing. Now, what was this matter that you were taking care of?" She asked, causing him to listen closely.

"I was trying to figure out why the Cluster had yet to emerge. From the way that you and that Peridot were talking, it should have already appeared and destroyed the Earth. As well as find the Peridot, when we crashed landed she seemed to disappear." She stated, and he blinked while giving a frown. What was she doing? They had already told her how he had bubbled the Cluster so it couldn't destroy the Earth. Not to mention, she already knew about Peridot's reformation as a Crystal Gem, even if Peridot didn't yet know about hers.

"I see. It is strange that the Cluster hasn't emerged yet, nor shown any signs of emerging as well. As for the Peridot, next time you see that useless gem, do us a favor and shatter her." Yellow stated, and Steven tensed, wanting nothing more than to peek over the side and see what Jasper was doing to that, but resisted. Jasper was already risking herself by not destroying him. So, she was doing all of this for a reason, one that he couldn't blow.

"Funny that you mention shattering, Yellow. Because, I've been thinking a lot about Pink Diamond since arriving here on Earth. It was supposedly the sight where she was shattered, as we both know." She sounded, causing him to tense.

"What are you getting at, Jasper? The past has nothing to do with this mission. You're starting to sound as bad as Blue. That vile Rose Quartz shattered her, and so the rest of them were bubbled and should be destroyed as well. If it wasn't for Blue..."

"Rose Quartz did not shatter her." Jasper interrupted, and Steven felt his entire being freeze. Moving slightly, he peeked out of the hole and stared as Yellow Diamond stared down at Jasper like she was something insulting and disgusting.

"What do you mean? White Diamond reported it herself that Rose Quartz..."

"She lied." Jasper stated, and Steven blinked before holding a hand over his gem as it heated up slightly.

"What. Did. You. Say?" Yellow hissed out. And he watched as Jasper straightened and glared at the Diamond before her.

"You heard me just fine, Yellow Diamond. White Diamond lied about that day. No, I don't have any proof, but I did know Rose Quartz. I fought against her once, and lost terribly. She could have shattered me just as easily as she shattered Pink Diamond, but she didn't. Instead, she said that she doesn't shatter gems. Something happened that day, something that White Diamond lied about, and I plan to find out what." Jasper stated, and Steven felt a smile coming to him as she crossed her arms and stared up at the Diamond with a defiant look.

"You dare question a Diamond's words. That planet has gotten to you as well, I see. Nothing but a traitor. However, at least I know that a brute like you have no chance on gaining information from anything, even if there is anything to get. You crushed that human without a seconds hesitation. You aren't a threat." She hissed, and he blinked as Jasper huffed and turned around.

"Seems like you don't know me as well as you think." She stated, walking over to him and pulling him out of the dent before dusting him off and resting a hand on his head.

"This planet is more than all of you think, and I believe I'm going to take Rose's place in protecting it. So, let this be a warning to all Diamonds. If you want to keep your armies whole, then keep them off Earth. I'm not like Rose, I will shatter a gem if they threaten what is mine. That goes for you ruthless, disgusting Diamonds as well." She bit out, and Steven saw nothing but pure rage appear on Yellow Diamond's face before Jasper launched forward and slammed a fist into the communicator, shattering it before Yellow could even think of detonating it.

Jasper released a breath before turning to Steven and raising an eye. Watching as he stared at her before tensing as tears began to gather in his eyes and he quickly shielded his face.

"I...I'm so sorry. I..I doubted you. I'm no better than Onyx." He whimpered, causing her to blink before realizing what he was saying. The reason he had been so quiet since the doughnut shop, he had been having doubts, thinking that she would betray them. Just like Onyx had betrayed her...and he was blaming himself.

"Steven. No, I should have told you. All of you, my plan. I was just...unsure about how it would go. If she calls for war, I want it solely to be on me, not on all of you..."

"But you'd need us if she starts another war! We can fight alongside you! But, you were just trying to protect us, and..and I could only think that you were playing us. All because someone had me doubting you, I'm..."

"Enough. It's over for now. Besides, I understand. I've only been back for a few days now, to trust me right from the get go would have been nearly suicidal, you have your rights to doubt me. Especially after everything I have done. But, how about this, instead of focusing on everything in the past, let's start anew." She stated, watching as Steven stared at her while wiping the tears away from his eyes. Smiling slightly when he gave a smile and nodded before sticking out his hand.

"Steven Quartz Universe." He stated, and she caught his hand in hers before yanking lightly and picking him up to place him on her shoulders.

"Jasper, Beta Kindergarten. Hope you don't mind me staying on your planet." She sounded, beaming as he gave a chuckle and wrapped his arms around the top of her head.

"This isn't just my planet, it's yours too. You're welcome to stay as long as you want." He stated, and she gave a nod before stepping out of the control room with him still on her shoulders. Blinking as Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst stepped around the corner, a smile on all of there faces.

"Welcome to the team." Garnet muttered, causing her to blink before giving a smirk. That was right, she had just insulted the Diamonds, and betrayed them. Meaning that she was now...

"You're a Crystal Gem! Oh Em Gee! This cause for a celebration!" Steven called out, sliding from her shoulder and taking Connie's hand to rush out of the ship. Giving a shake of her head, she watched until he was out of sight, and then blinked when a hand rested on her shoulder. Turning to the side, she stilled as she came face to face with Garnet's three eyes.

"You'll be great with him, better than we could ever hope to be. Rose would be proud, and thankful." She whispered, before putting her visor back on and walking off. Leaving Pearl and Amethyst trailing after her, questioning her what she meant by saying that to Jasper.

"It doesn't matter to you two, it was something that Jasper needed to hear." Garnet sounded, and Jasper gave a huff. She was right, if she wanted Rose Quartz son to look up to her as a mother figure, she was going to have to play the part. As much as she could. Out of all of them, she had been alongside Rose for some time, she knew her compassion and strength. Something that she was determined to show Steven. Giving a sigh, she looked back in the control room, the shattered communication device laying shattered, and gave a nod.

She was going to watch over Rose's son, and clear her name from something she was beginning to believe didn't happen. Turning back around, she headed out after the others, her mind already planning her next step. There were still a few more gems she had to prove herself too, and that was what she would work on next.

Hope you enjoyed!