The Disaster Combo takes its ultimate form!

The sensible thing would be to go back to the Temple and get the others now that they know Jasper’s hideout.  But Amethyst is the opposite of sensible in this case, so Shorty Squad Vs. Jasper it is!

Jasper: You take orders from me now. You used to be a quartz, too. What happened to you? Disgraceful. I can’t believe I’ve resorted to recruiting you freaks! You’re almost as bad as that crystal runt. Just look at you. This planet ruins everything – well, except for me!

It’s not quite clear how soon she became aware of their presence, but it’s definitely earlier than Amethyst thinks.

Jasper: I’ll never let this planet twist me like it twisted you. Weakness embarrasses Homeworld. You suffer because it’s what you deserve. We all get what we deserve – right, Amethyst? What do you want, runt? You here for a rematch?

Amethyst: I’m here to win!

Jasper: You were fated to lose, the moment you came out wrong!

Then Jasper elaborates on the utilitarian philosophy of Homeworld.

Jasper: Rose, of course. Your lackeys never stray far. Why would they? They have no place on this or any other world.

Steven: What do you mean?

Jasper: Every Gem is made for a purpose, to serve the order of the Diamonds. Those who cannot fit inside this order must be purged! To come out misshapen, to reshape yourself outside your purpose, and to defend this ruined, worthless planet, is a disgrace!

Peridot: This planet isn’t all bad.

It actually makes sense that Peridot would be the one to come up with a rebuttal (once she actually gets the nerve to speak), since she came out of the same culture and had to reconcile it with her current situation.

But her metal powers aren’t nearly as useful (or threatening) as could be desired.  And then Amethyst decides to literally push her friends away so that she can take on Jasper one-on-one. Because that worked out so well last time!

Jasper: Is it sinking in yet?

Amethyst: Are you serious?

Jasper: You never had a chance.

At least Steven is able to (briefly) separate them so he can talk some sense into Amethyst.

Amethyst: Steven…I can’t win. No matter what I do, no matter how hard I work, she came out right, and I came out wrong.

Steven: That’s just what Jasper thinks. She’s the only one who thinks you should be like her! […] Stop trying to be like Jasper. You’re nothing like Jasper! You’re like me! Because we’re both not like anybody! And yeah, it sucks. But at least I’ve got you. And you’ve got me. So stop leaving me out of this!

Because what’s the point of having friends if you won’t let them help you out when you’re in trouble?

Amethyst: Us worst Gems stick together, right?

Steven: That’s why we’re the best.

When you’re weak, you learn to rely on others for what you lack.  When you think you have everything you need, you never struggle, and so you never grow.

So naturally, they fuse so they can take on Jasper together.

Jasper: Is fusion the only trick you Crystal Gems know?

Smokey Quartz: I’ve got plenty of tricks. Ever see Sink the Dink?

Because they combine the whip and the shield to form a yoyo, as you do.  And also use lots of lame puns.

Jasper: I will not be beaten by another fusion!

So Jasper fuses with the nearest Gem – the snow monster.  And it is horrifying on so many levels.

But despite their fearsome appearance, their bond is so weak and forced that Smokey Quartz takes them down pretty effortlessly.

Jasper: Nobody I fuse with ever wants to stay.

You know Jasper, maybe it has something to do with how you always force yourself on people (or at best coerce them with the threat of force)!  Sorry, I just have no sympathy for this character.

Then the corruption starts to show.  And of course Steven wants to do something about it.

Steven: Jasper, it’s okay. I’m here.

Jasper: Rose…

Steven: I’m not Rose, I’m Steven. I just want to try and heal you.

I initially assumed the corruption was “contracted” from the corrupted Gem she fused with, but nope, she’s just losing her mind in hate and despair.

Jasper: I see how you do it now, Rose. You want Gems after they’re worthless. You wait until after they’ve lost. Because when you’re at the bottom, you’ll follow anyone that makes you feel like less of a failure. Just look at this one. You’ve stripped her of everything! Her limb enhancers, her status, her dignity.

Peridot: I still have one of those things!

Jasper: How can you side with Rose Quartz? Why? Why protect this useless shell of a planet?

Peridot: It’s not a shell. There’s so much life, living here. That’s what I’m doing, living here! I’ve been learning new things about myself all the time, like how I can make metal do my bidding. The point being, Earth can set you free.

Jasper: Earth…is a prison. I got out because I’m better than this place!

Steven: Try not to move!

Jasper: You can’t manipulate me, Rose Quartz!

Steven: I-I’m not manipulating you! I’m trying to help!

Jasper: Help? Help? I’ve been fighting from the second I broke free from the Earth’s crust, because of what you did to my colony! Because of what you did to my planet! Because of what you did to my Diamond!

Steven: I…Yellow Diamond?

Jasper: My Diamond! Your Diamond! Pink Diamond!

Then she goes full-on beast mode, but Peridot manages to stab her with a beam before she can do any damage.

This is the first we’ve heard of Pink Diamond, but one thing that’s clear is that Jasper was, in some sense, born to fight Rose Quartz, which certainly helps explain her fixation (and maybe why she succumbed to the corruption rather than being indebted to “Rose”).

Amethyst: Come here, sis.

They’re all creatures of Earth – Peridot by choice, and Jasper emphatically not by choice.  But in some sense they’re all related in an occasionally messed up way…

Until next time…