A/N: Wow, I didn't expect to finish this one so quickly. Hooray for days off and tons of inspiration!

The next chapter will sort of be the end of Part One (I think. I may stretch it for two more chapters). Then I may take a break and work on the one shorter fic. Hooray for Pearlidot and Amedot in this one as well as more Connie and Peridot friendship, Onion and Steven friendship, and Greg being #1 dad (he's seriously one of my favorite TV dads ever).

Thank you again for the reviews and favorites and I'm so happy that last chapter got people excited! Hopefully the next couple will stay that way!

Feel free to review!

-FourFaces

"So … why did you want me to come in here with you?" Peridot asked.

It had been a week since the incident at Funland and Peridot was extremely nervous. Pearl had led her into her room in the temple, shutting the door behind her before leaping to one of the watery towers. She had barely spoken a word to the confused gem, waiting for Peridot to make her way up to the same tower she rested on.

"I heard that you fused with Amethyst at Funland to go on a ride," Pearl started.

Peridot paled and stammered. "Um … It's not what you think! We thought it was a dangerous situation! It wasn't her idea! Don't punish her! I didn't know!"

Pearl blinked, "Wait? Punish her? I would never – The problem wasn't that you were fused, or even that you fused for the ride – It doesn't surprise me at all that Amethyst would be alright with fusing for that reason. I just worry that she showed you the wrong techniques. Sure, your fusion was stable enough to ride on a roller coaster, but she may not have been stable enough for battle. You will need a strong bond and respect for one another to fuse on the battlefield. You'll need to know that you are willing to protect each other."

Peridot breathed a sigh of relief before realizing what was going to happen next.

"Wait. Are you suggesting?"

"Peridot, listen to the music that is playing in this room. How soft and fluid. To match with my gem's frequency for fusion, you must be calm, like this."

Peridot watched as Pearl rose up and bowed to her, her gem glowing brightly. She was compelled to rise up and do the same, feeling a warmth that washed over her. She watched as Pearl began to twirl, like a ballerina that Connie had shown her one night on the television (something she wished they had on homeworld). Peridot tried to copy her moves, shyly looking away if Pearl glanced at her. Pearl smiled.

"It's alright to look at your partner when you're dancing," She chuckled.

Peridot looked at Pearl. She was graceful and the glow of her gem was beautiful.

Peridot was horribly confused now. Why on earth was she feeling that same fluttery feeling … for a Pearl? Much less, this Pearl? Yes, they had grown closer through all of the stress of creating the cluster, but she already was feeling those feelings for Amethyst. Why were these just as strong? What was wrong with this planet?!

Pearl gently grabbed Peridot's hand and twirled her around. Peridot blushed and her gem glowed. Pearl then spun her in close and Peridot felt her body come apart and reform.

She felt that same closeness with Pearl that she had felt with Amethyst. It was intoxicating. She looked down at her (their?) hands. She could tell that she was mostly a pale green. Once again, much like Fluorite, she only had one set of eyes and two sets of arms. She could feel Pearl's excitement over this. She could also feel Peridot's confusion.

Wait. Another fusion that's like the Opal? How?

She could feel a peal of laughter from Pearl. She was confused. Then she felt the emotions.

The love that Pearl had felt for Rose Quartz. That love was different than what she had felt as Opal. It was more uncertain. More frenzied. The love that Pearl had felt with Amethyst was a healing love. Healing from the pain of loving Rose. Healing from feeling wrong and bad because of the circumstances of one's creation. When Pearl was Opal, there was a warmth that filled her. When she was with Amethyst, there was that same warmth.

Peridot was feeling that now, much like she had with Amethyst.

It's alright.

No … I shouldn't be feeling this … This planet is so …

Calm down … It's alright. This is the most important emotion you could learn to feel on this planet. When you're honestly communicating with your partner, then you can strengthen the fusion's bond. Garnet is the way she is because of that communication between Ruby and Sapphire. They love each other so much, they can stay fused indefinitely. Opal can stay fused for long periods because of Amethyst and myself communicating. When you fuse properly and for the right reasons, you can get lost in each other. It might be scary at first, but after a while, it's one of the most wonderful things to feel.

She wanted to feel this feeling forever. It was as intoxicating as thoughts of being Fluorite. The fusion smiled, loving this feeling. She didn't want to stop being Aventurine. She wondered ...

And yes, triple fusions are possible.

A thrill of excitement almost sent Peridot out of the fusion. She immediately felt embarrassed to think of it. All of these feelings were so new and so strange.

The door to Pearl's room opened and in walked Amethyst. Peridot nearly fell apart again, but Pearl held her in.

It's alright. She knew we were going to attempt this today.

"Ooh lookin' good you guys!" Amethyst laughed. "Did you talk with her then?"

Aventurine smiled and nodded.

"We can try a triple fusion in a little while, after we talk some more," Aventurine smiled. "I think we might all benefit from it."

When they unfused, Pearl was holding tightly onto Peridot who cried tears of joy. Amethyst joined in the embrace. They would have a lot to talk about, but right now, they had each other.

"Wow. I had no idea my music would have that effect on people," The busker gasped as he watched the 8 foot tall woman form from the blinding light. Her skin was Green with patches of reddish brown mixed in and her brown hair formed a loose triangle above her head. A single gem rested on her forehead. She turned around to see the busker who was joined by an astonished Greg, Sour Cream, and Yellowtail.

"Oh. My. Stars ..."

Greg stood the closest to woman. He couldn't believe his eyes. He could easily see Peridot's features in the woman's face but someone else was there as well.

"Connie?" Greg gasped.

The fusion knew the name and knew it was a part of her. She was still so shocked by existing. She looked down at her arms and saw that she only had two.

But … usually fusions have multiple sets of arms or eyes or …

I think it's because I'm a human.

Peridot could feel the wave of emotions that Connie had been feeling right before Connie shut them away from her. Connie didn't want her to feel them as well.

Are these really the thoughts you've been having lately? I'm so sorry! I'm such a terrible friend that I didn't notice -

No! You're not terrible! I just have been shut off. It's not your fault!

The three Crystal Gems had shown up seconds later, Garnet alerting them to the possibility that something was going to happen at the boardwalk. They stood in awe of the tall fusion.

"P-Peridot?" Pearl stammered. "Connie? Did … did they?"

Garnet was grinning from ear to ear. Yes, this would confirm her suspicions nicely. Greg cautiously walked up to the two.

"How on Earth?" He asked. "But … you're fully human, right? How did this happen?"

The part of the fusion that was Connie was uncertain. The part that was Peridot was just amazed.

"What do we even call you?" Amethyst laughed. "I mean, usually, a gem fusion knows what type of gem they are from the component parts of themselves but this is unprecedented! Even with Steven, he was only half human!"

"I … I don't know," the fusion stammered. "I have no idea how this even happened."

"You look almost like a Unakite," Garnet finally observed, having contained her joy enough to speak. "They're not a gem that is produced on Homeworld, from what Sapphire can remember. In fact, I think they are a completely Earth created gem. Homeworld never attempted making any outside of the naturally occurring ones that were created by the earth itself. It seems fitting."

Amethyst chuckled. "Unakite … Maybe. Though it could be Peronnie! Connidot! Ha! I like that one!"

Pearl stared straight ahead at the fusion. It frightened and excited her. A human able to fuse with a full gem. And that Peridot was the one to fuse with Connie was even more amazing. She had been so proud watching Peridot grow and change from the moment they had first met her. She was beginning to love Earth just as much as the rest of the gems did. She had watched her overcome her previous prejudices and fears to become her own gem. Not just a Homeworld Peridot, but her own gem. Someone who was smart and free to feel emotions. Free to experiment with new things. Free to love. Free to care about others.

The fusion sat down on the boardwalk and stared at the ground. She could feel that they needed to stay fused to work through the emotions that both had been feeling. Peridot still felt responsible for Steven's possible death.

No … there's a chance he's still alive. Lion has been changing and Garnet thinks that this is a side effect of Steven regenerating.

What? But he's half human. He couldn't retreat into his gem!

He's half gem as well. Maybe something in Lion's mane could heal him.

I almost suggested we bring a vial of tears out in case either of you were injured.

It's alright, Peridot. I think he might make it out still.

This fusion could still feel the uncertainty between the two and she held herself tight.

"They – I – We need this," she finally said. "I think we need to stay this way for a little bit. There's so much guilt and hurt … We needed to do this."

Amethyst's face fell. She had been trying to be the humorous one and keep the mood light, but it was true. There was still so much pain that they needed to work through. She watched as Greg walked over to the fusion.

"Hey. None of you need to feel any guilt. It is a miracle any of you survived! I'm so happy that you did. And if Steven is regenerating, then he'll need all of you there for him when he returns!" Greg said, trying to lift everyone's spirits.

If it had been years ago, Pearl would have scoffed at Greg. After all, back then she couldn't believe that a human could know anything. Now though, Pearl smiled at Greg and approached him, setting a hand on his shoulder.

"You're right, Greg," she smiled. "He's going to come back and he's going to need our help … especially if he's going to try and help us heal our allies."

"So, you came to a decision then?" Greg asked.

"Yes," Garnet started. "If Steven comes out in the next two weeks, we'll see if he can heal any of the shattered gems. If he can, then we'll have our allies back … and maybe the enemy gems will be on our side as well if we heal them. Steven seems to have amazing power in that respect. If he doesn't return, then we will need to start harvesting soon. We'll start with the Homeworld forces that were shattered. Then move to those that gave their lives for the earth. They would most likely rather power something that would protect the cause they fought for than a state of separation for an eternity … We're holding out hope though."

Greg smiled and then gasped at the memory.

"Oh! Onion has a gem with him! Maybe we can convince him to give her to you to see if she'll regenerate! She was one who wasn't shattered in the battle. You might still have an ally!"

Pearl and Amethyst stared at Greg. Garnet shuddered.

"Wait?" The new fusion asked. "Onion has a gem with him? And it hasn't regenerated?"

Is that bad?

If it's the type of gem that I think it is, it's extremely bad …

Onion sat on his doorstep. Sour Cream was supposed to be back with his dad soon and he wanted to show off his new prize. It was currently inside on his bed, resting calmly. He had left it there because he kept getting strange feelings from the gem. The other night, he even had a dream of taking the gem to the beach and receiving a new friend. It troubled him how forceful this gem was in the dream so he left it inside. The pull still called to him. He had to wait though. He didn't want to listen to this gem. After all, it had attacked him.

He eventually decided to try and walk away from the house, trying to escape the pull from the gem. He could hear soft setar music drift towards him as he walked brusquely away from the house. He tried to focus on something else. Anything else.

"Hey, Steven, is it alright if Onion sits in on a training session? Mom can't watch him today and he's been banned from Funland Arcade ever since he was caught prying open the ticket machine."

Steven looked to Connie and Pearl uneasily.

"Of course!" Pearl exclaimed. "Perhaps you can show him just how well you've all been doing!"

The training sessions had been a regular thing, ever since the "Cool Kids" had seen Connie and Steven take down a Calcite that had been rampaging near Dead Man's Mouth. They soon learned just what Steven's "magical destiny" was and decided to help their friend as well. All three had found something exciting and new in these training sessions. Something different that they could do together. Something much more fulfilling to them than what their parents wanted them to do. Even though they were adults now, they still worried about the disapproval of their parents. Pearl was glad that Steven had been influenced by them while he was growing up. He could have done much worse in terms of older, human friends.

Onion was still a quiet kid, eager to follow Steven around, much to his chagrin. He was still a little creeped out by the kid, but he tried to not say anything to anyone about it. Connie thought it was cute, that someone looked up to him so much. Steven was still sure that Onion wasn't completely human.

The training session began with a sparring match against each other. Onion watched, fascinated, by Steven's movements as he was paired with Connie. The practice swords ensured that no one would be injured by anyone, something Pearl had to promise Priyanka about after the incident at the hospital. These sparring sessions would usually involve Steven and Connie sparring against their older friends as they learned to work together.

Onion wanted to join in with them. He was content to sit and watch, for now.

Soon, it was time for training against holopearls. The three young adults were matched up against some lower level holograms, having only started their lessons recently. It would take them a long time before they would be anywhere near as proficient as Connie.

Connie and Steven were matched up against seven much more aggressive holopearls. They fought bravely against all of them. Onion watched as they knocked the sword away from one before poofing it. The sword skittered towards Onion. He picked it up and examined it. It was real.

He looked back up at Connie and Steven as they faced the remaining three holopearls. They spun and Connie swiped at one while Steven deflected a blow. The third one turned to flank them.

They could get hurt!

Onion didn't think before running at the pearl with the sword held out.

Poof!

Pearl stopped all holograms immediately and ran out to her students. All eyes were on Onion as he held the sword up, eyes screwed shut.

The holopearl's sword had clattered to the ground.

He opened his eyes to see everyone staring at him.

"Onion! You could have gotten hurt, bro! Mom would have killed us!" Sour Cream exclaimed.

Onion looked at the sword and then at Steven and Connie. The pair stared at him amazed before Steven let his shield de-materialize.

"SavedyouSteven!" He smiled, finally, lowering his sword. "Thatwasreallyscarybutreallyfun! Iwanttotry!"

Pearl breathed a sigh of relief before gently ruffling Onion's hair.

"Maybe when you're older, Onion. Your mother would not be happy if both of her sons were risking their lives."

Onion pouted and then gripped onto the sword's handle tighter.

"No! Trainme!"

It took several weeks of Onion forcing his way into training sessions (occasionally egged on and assisted by Amethyst who just wanted to give Pearl a hard time), but eventually, Onion was allowed to spar with the gems. He was almost as dedicated to Steven as Pearl had been to Rose.

And that frightened Steven.

The setar music cut through the memory. This time, it was almost deafening. Onion looked up and saw he was back in front of his house.

He ran inside and grabbed the gem. He wrapped it in a sock and shoved it in his pocket. The music was painful and barely muffled by the fabric. He had to get it out of the house. Everyone would hear it and they might take it away from him!

He wasn't sure where to go with the gem. He needed to get it away. He could only hear and feel the setar music now.

Soon, he found himself at the edge of the beach. The setar music was getting louder.

He pulled the green gem out of his pocket and unwrapped it, staring into it.

He lifted it over his head.

I guess we can watch something while we're waiting for them to get back.

What would you like to watch?

I don't know. Anything but that Sad Food Pals show or whatever it is.

Oh my god, right? I love Steven to death but that show is horrible!

The fusion smirked as she sat on the bed, her legs curled up so she could fit. Lion still lay next to her, the faint stripes in his fur fading and returning occasionally. The fusion enjoyed the sensations she got from Peridot and Connie. The warm friendship and reassurances. She could get memories from both of them of the other fusions they had been part of. The feeling was definitely different from Stevonnie, Aventurine, Fluorite, or Lepidachrosite, but it was a nice feeling, nonetheless. She wondered how she was possible as she searched what she knew about being a gem. Connie should not have been able to fuse with Peridot.

She was happy that she did though. And she wanted to keep existing.

So, how is this possible?

I'm not sure. Gems can fuse by merging their light forms together to become one being. Humans shouldn't be able to do that at all, but Steven was able to fuse with you. He tried to fuse with me once, but it didn't work out as well and wasn't as stable. His fusion with Garnet was better, but I think it was because she just exudes safety and comfort. But we should not have been able to fuse at all.

It's nice though.

Yeah. I feel better, honestly.

Me too. It's been a terrible month.

Yeah.

The fusion finally found a station and smiled when she saw what was playing. It was the live action film adaptation of "Unfamiliar Familiar", a movie that both Peridot and Connie bonded over, especially after Connie read the book to Peridot during her first, impromptu sleepover at the beach house. Steven had been watching them from the loft bedroom as Connie read to Peridot on the couch. The three of them had gone to see the movie when it was released and, even though it took liberties, it was one of their favorites.

So, is it love that you feel then?

Yeah. I didn't tell him.

You will.

I know. I want to.

I think he loves you too.

I know.

It's torture isn't it?

The worst!

The two of them were soon wondering who they should be. This fusion was obviously stable, able to exist without the need for combat. Garnet had called them Unakite, and they did enjoy that more than Connidot or Peronnie. She chuckled at the thought of it. She wondered again how she could exist.

You know, you do feel a little like Steven did when we tried to fuse.

Yeah?

I wonder if it has to do with you fusing with him so often. Maybe there's some energy being left behind from him.

Maybe … So, it's making me half gem too?

I don't know.

She sat in silence again, watching the movie. The two who made up her fusion were about to talk again when they heard a loud bang outside the beach house. She sprang to the window and looked outside . Connie had heard Steven talk about something like this happening after they first met. It was after he first met his lion and he had called her excitedly. She had worried that this was the gem. When Steven was first working with corrupted gems, this was the most unpredictable. Sometimes, she would be cooperative and helpful with creating walls to block any blasts or launching sand built projectiles. Other times, she would not cooperate at all and would instead turn on the Crystal Gems. She was always the last resort and had only been released when it seemed she needed to help during that fateful battle on the beach.

"It's her," Unakite whispered.

They thought all of their allies had been shattered.

Not that she completely counted as an ally.

The fusion leaped out of the window, not noticing the sudden awakening of the glowing eyed Lion behind them.