A Brief Aside For Sugilite
Sugilite is a lot of fun.
Not the kind of fun you would want to have all the time, but once every century so it’s good to let loose with her. At least, it is until Sugilite takes over, refuses to unfuse, overexerts their bodies to the point they can’t move afterwards, etcetera.
It isn’t just Ruby and Amethyst’s fault that Sugilite is so crazy, either. Their two personalities riling each other up is definitely a part of it, yes, but Pearl and Steven would never believe it if anyone told them how much Sapphire adds to the mix.
Sapphire is calm when she’s with Ruby, and her chronic mistrust and thirst to prove herself become moot because with Ruby, the most loyal, trustworthy person she knows, she doesn’t have anything to prove. Ruby doesn’t tend to value herself, and it’s only too easy for her to become overemotional, but when she’s with Sapphire, who values her above all else and isn’t afraid to interrupt the vicious cycles she stumbles in to, she becomes peaceful and clearheaded. Together as Garnet all of their insecurities are fully addressed and set aside, and there is more time to focus on missions and logic.
However, as soon as Sapphire’s mistrust and eagerness to prove herself combines with Amethyst’s self-indulgence and partially unresolved self-hatred, things become a little toxic. Once you add in Ruby’s impulsiveness and easily overwhelmed bluster, you get—well, Sugilite.
Sugilite holds herself above all else—because if she doesn’t, who will? The immense strength and size that comes from being a three-gem fusion makes her valuable, and she’s always quick to jump on the tasks that make it obvious. She prefers to work alone, mostly because her only other choice is Pearl, who is a complete snore fest. She enjoys her strength and massiveness; the sheer power that makes up her physical form is delectable.
And, when she first meets Steven, Sugilite wants nothing more than to show him that she’s the best thing to happen to fusion since it was invented. She does a pretty amazing job of it, if she says so herself. The stars in that boy’s eyes! Ah, she can’t get enough of it.
Of course, Pearl or one of the other Crystal Gems always finds a way to defuse her, which leaves her components with the hangover of the century and a great reluctance to fuse again. That’s why Sugilite is so adamant about not splitting up—because once, just once, she’d like to stick around and let everyone gawk at her in awe a little longer. Is that really so much to ask?
Why, yes. Yes, it is. Because, as much fun as Sugilite sometimes is, it’s always better when Garnet is herself afterwards; nothing else feels like home.