Prologue

Peridot let out a long and uneasy sigh as she looked at what was laid out before her. Gems, hundreds in variety, now nothing but severed limbs inside the shattered remains of once full and glistening gems. Some of the shards were nearly whole with only bits and pieces missing. While others were so tiny and fragile in this state that they were one flick away from being reduced to dust.

Scanning the collection she had to work with she selected one of the more larger bits and examined it. It's pinkish tint shining as she twirled it between her fingers

"A Tourmaline." She said to herself.

Looking around once more she found another large gem relatively around the same size but tinted a light green.

"Emerald."

Holding the two shards up she stared at them intently. Her mind starting to fantasize a bit on who these gems may have been before they were in the situation they were now.

She imagined Emerald as a strong and valued leader. Long and wild hair tied up in order to better display her Diamond's symbol, which she wore ever so proudly. Rarely ever talking, except when barking out orders to her crew, but keeping a disciplined tone that never strayed far from serious. A gem who held the firm belief of the phrase "Take action into your own hands" when her crew couldn't meet up to her already high standards. Her gem on the back of her palm and twin katakana as her weapon, she would fight till the end of her life or until every last of her opponents were crushed underneath her foot.

Then there was, as Peridot pictured, her total opposite Tourmaline. Tourmaline was more thought of as a peace advocator. Wanting to talk things out and come to an agreement rather than uselessly fight until one side won by default. Instead of the standard gem military uniform she would take on more flowy clothing while still keeping her Diamond's symbol the most flamboyant part of her attire. Her gem located on her neck made her always having her two cents to distribute in any conversation. Being bold enough to get all her words out to gems twice her size but ready to step down to a respectful tone of voice whenever one of the Diamonds spoke.

Maybe that was who they were or maybe it wasn't.

But as the image of them became more vivid in Peridot's mind one thought resurfaced that brought her back to where they were now.

They were shattered and soon to be a part of Homeworld's sick attempt at finishing the Earth off for good.

With tears starting to fill up her eyes Peridot gently tapped the edges of the gem shards together before setting them back down in the pile.

"You two wouldn't get along. You don't fit together."

Resting her head in her folded arms Peridot let out another sigh. She had been one of many assigned to the Cluster project and she loathed every second of it. Her assignment was to prepare the prototypes to be shipped to Earth as a test for the final product. Or as Peridot saw it, "Forcing gems into a bastardized version of fusion to defeat an enemy they were too weak to stop themselves." To her this wasn't right. Not only was this a possible betrayal, as there was the potential of them using gems that were on their own side. But this wasn't proper fusion. And no gem, traitor or not deserved this fate.

Peridot then remembered the time she had gone so far as to voice her opinion to her supervisor. The moment where she had snapped and finally released all the anger she had pent up about everything. Only to be brushed off and ignored with them believing her outburst stemming from her gem placement.

Maybe it was because her gem was on her stomach, or maybe it was some other reason entirely. But for all she knew and cared her opinion stood as strong as the rebels who, everyday, gave their lives to protect that dirtball.

This war should have never happened.

There should have been no fighting. There should have been no battles. There should have been no shattering. And she should not have to be doing this.

Slamming her head against the table, Peridot found a temporary relief from the growing anger that rose from her thoughts. Slowly her fists loosened and she found herself staring back at the pile of gem shards. She had to get this done or else she would end up joining the pile. Just as she was about to continue her work she noticed something. Three gem pieces, one larger than the other two, both with the same orange coloration.

"Sunstone." She whispered.

Sitting back up Peridot scooped up the two pieces and set them down directly in front of her. Thinking for a moment she then started digging around the pile. Her eyes perfectly focused on spotting shards of the similar color. But after checking each and every individual piece she was led to disappointment. Sitting back down Peridot rested her head in her hands while her mind scrambled to try and think of a new solution. Looking back up she found that in her haste she had mixed up some of the other shards with the Sunstone. More specifically a Jade that looked to...

Peridot's movements became more calculated as she pushed the Jade closer to the Sunstone. Then sliding one of the smaller shards into the triangular crack in the Jade. The pieces, through having small spaces, were passably able to fit together. The gears in Peridot's head didn't even need a moment to turn before she frantically started searching the pile. Trying each and every gem she could to find the right fit. Then about a third of the way through the pile she finally found it. A brown shard layered in color that looked to have been carved into a octagon.

"An Agate."

Going back to the previous shards she carefully slid the remaining pieces together. Hoping with all her might that this wasn't another dead end.

It fit. Right there on the table was a full gem that, while being a mix of a circle and an oval, was a full gem.

Peridot starred in a state of shock. Then a smile crept onto her face before she raised her arms up high and shouted joyfully.

"Yes! Yes! Finally!"

Several gems in the area spared Peridot a glance before returning to their work, but Peridot didn't care. All she could focus on was her work as the now tears of joy flowed freely.

"Finally. Maybe now they have a chance to...chance to live again." She said sniffing and wiping the tears from her eyes.

Careful as to not move the pieces she scooped the shards up and placed them into half of an incubation cylinder. Once placed inside the chamber instantly registered the object and closed around it to keep it still. This being to keep any of the shards from shifting while the pressure fused them together. Doing one final inspection of her work Peridot nodded to herself the secured the other half of the cylinder. Once twisted into place the line indication that the object had once been in two disappeared, leaving a smooth surface.

Now secured, Peridot paused and stared at the cylinder for what felt like a long time. Her optimistic smile having faded and replaced with a more worried expression. Biting her lip, Peridot rested her head on top of the cylinder. This was her gamble. Her hope that this was not to be destined as another failed experiment.

As she prayed for the best a single sentence escaped her.

"I sure hope that this works."