On Homeworld, a trial used to be done to see which gems could heal well, not so well, and not at all. A certain batch of gems called emeralds were made that had exceptional healing powers however one was falling behind. She tried her best to heal things that were broken, but if they were going to die, her powers didn't cover it. The gem also lacked the ability to speak due to her gem malformation being so close to her vocal center. Other gems of her type laughed at her ability except for one emerald, who understood what she lacked. One day, her friend was caught helping her and broken in front of her eyes. She desperately tried to heal her gem but it only cracked more.
"It's okay, I am going to die anyway…" the emerald paused, "You will be sent to the Kindergarten to work there, find my shards and bury me somewhere nice someday, okay?"
"Yeah," the other emerald let tears fall out of her eyes, "I will…"
"Oh my, you can communicate telepathically…" the emerald paused, "Emerald, find others to help you rebel. Good luck…"
After she finished her last words, Emerald stopped her healing and let her friend break into pieces. The gem put her face to the ground and sobbed heavily as she was jolted to her feet. She walked into the ship unsure of her future, but was determined to get her friend's shards.
The ride seemed like forever, but eventually Emerald felt the ship land. She hopped off and wandered into the crowd of gems that now surrounded her. They were malformed, but she treated them as equals.
Two small gems tackled her to the ground, "Hi! My name is Citrine!"
"And my name is Blue Topaz!" the blue skinned one pushed herself off of the Emerald who was in shock.
"Well, hello there…" Emerald said slowly, "Aren't you supposed to be working right now?"
"Yeah, but we know you aren't strong so maybe you can shape shift," Citrine smiled.
"I can try…" and with that Emerald turned herself into a giant green creature resembling a wolf.
"Think you can pull this plow?" Blue Topaz asked gently.
"Yeah," Emerald did as she said until the end of the day.
All of the gems had collapsed onto the ground beside her, retreating to their gems. Citrine and Blue Topaz lay next to Emerald, cuddling in her soft fur. For some reason shape shifting was easier for the green gem to perform. It just felt comfortable to be something other than a failure. She closed her eyes and placed her furry head onto her paws.