Fusion Gems

Description
Alexandrite, an example of an unstable de-fusion. When Gems fuse, their bodies and minds become one. This creates an entirely different entity, as opposed to two minds sharing a single body. Fusion will cause the creation of a new Gem, however, does not necessarily mean that this Gem does not already exist. Existing non-fusion type Gems will look different to that of a fused Gem.

A fusion of multiple types of Gems is referred to as a Gem type other than those of the components. For instance, the fusion of Ruby and Sapphire calls herself Garnet. However, Garnets can exist without being fusions, and individual Garnets would look different from the fusion Garnet[1]. The same may be true of other Gem types that have only been seen as fusions so far.

Some dominant features in Gems can occur in their fusions, such as Pearl's nose shape. Malachite, Garnet, and Alexandrite, showed that one component Gem can take control of the fusion. It is also possible for different Gems to take control of different parts of the fusion, as proven by Lapis Lazuli's control of Malachite's hydrokinesis while Jasper was in control of the body. For Malachite and Alexandrite, the Gem in control's voice was layered over the fusion's voice to show control. However, for Garnet, this was not done; it was only the fusion's voice, although it is unknown whether this is intentional. Certain inflicted defects can be carried and spread through fusion, such as corruption.

As seen with Sugilite and Malachite, certain fusions will cause the loss of individuality between their fusing Gems if fused for long periods of time. A fusion of hatred is inherently unstable. Fusions retain all standard Gem abilities, such as fusing, shapeshifting, bubbling, and even more. An example of a stable de-fusion, Rainbow Quartz. Common memories from the fusing Gems are carried over to the fusion, such as Sardonyx, Sugilite and Opal knowing who Steven was. However, Gems who fuse together do not automatically share their memories with each other.[2]  For example, the second time that Garnet and Pearl fused into Sardonyx in "Cry for Help", she did not know that Pearl had secretly repaired the tower.

Formation
To fuse, Gems must be in perfect sync mentally, physically, and emotionally. Fusions are formed when two or more Gems perform a synchronized dance. Each fusion's dance is different. Same type Gems are able to fuse by physical contact. If successful, Gems transform into an amorphous mass of light before fully transforming.

During the process of fusion, the gemstones of the participating Gems are visible and will morph into their corresponding locations from their fusing Gems. However, Sardonyx was the first fusion Gem not to show Gemstones during fusion. If unsuccessful, Gems will be ejected before finishing the entire transformation. An example of a stable fusion (and de-fusion) was shown in "We Need to Talk", when Rose and Pearl fused into Rainbow Quartz. Garnet gives Greg a more literal explanation of fusing in a romantic sense, that the Gems turn into light and have to be trusting of the other Gem with their light. This isn't always the case, as Lapis Lazuli fused with Jasper, whom she did not trust; but fused with a purpose to stop her.

With Steven however, especially Steven and Connie, this formation is slightly different, as when a participant is a human or half-human, the gemstones aren't visible, and instead Steven's gem melds the physical bodies together. Smoky Quartz is possibly a fusion where Steven's body melds with Amethyst's light-based form.

Fusions are capable of fusing with other Gems, first exhibited in "Coach Steven", in which Garnet fuses with Amethyst to form Sugilite. The same Gems will produce the same fusion regardless of which order they combine in. For example, if Opal fused with Garnet, or if Pearl fused with Sugilite, or if Amethyst fused with Sardonyx, they would always form Alexandrite.[3]

Each fusion embodies a relationship between the participants.[4]  While some fusions like Garnet embody romantic relationships, fusion is not inherently romantic, and other fusions can embody other sorts of relationships[5] [6]  such as the social relationships between friends, allies or even enemies.

De-fusion
De-fusion is a process in which a fusion splits into its component Gems. During the de-fusion process, fusion Gems will reverse the fusion process. The fusion will turn back into a mass of light before splitting back into its original participating fusees. During the de-fusion, the gemstones of the participating Gems are visible (with the odd exception of Sardonyx de-fusing in "Cry for Help").

Stable
A stable de-fusion occurs when the participating Gems have a mutual agreement on de-fusing.

This is shown in "We Need to Talk", when Pearl and Rose Quartz de-fuse from Rainbow Quartz, they smoothly shift apart. Another example of a stable de-fusion is in "Cry for Help" when Sardonyx de-fuses into a flash of light, leaving Garnet and Pearl holding each other. As well as that, in "Hit the Diamond", when Garnet figures out a plan to send away the Rubies, Ruby and Sapphire slowly fuse out of each other, holding hands.

Unstable
An unstable de-fusion occurs when the fusees have a very high conflict of opinion or one or all is experiencing an overwhelming emotion, causing a stand-out individual and the fusion to fall apart

This is shown by the fusees being thrown out of the fusion. The first example of this is shown in the episode "Giant Woman" when Pearl and Amethyst argue over the Heaven Beetle, causing the fusion to become un-synchronized and forcing them to de-fuse. This is also shown when Alexandrite argues over a bit of shrimp, causing de-synchronization and de-fusion. Similar incidents nearly occurred with Malachite as she was being pulled to the bottom of the sea and Garnet when she was facing a Cluster Gem.

Another unstable de-fusion through conflict was shown in "Keystone Motel". When Garnet's component Gems are arguing over Pearl's betrayal of their trust, Ruby ends the fusion by speaking through Garnet, saying "Then you can just go." This ends the fusion and ejects the fused Gems.

In "Mindful Education", Garnet explains that if at least one of the fusees is emotionally unstable during the fusion, it can cause the fusion to become "unbalanced" and lose touch with reality, hallucinate, and ultimately defuse. This was demonstrated when Stevonnie began hallucinating during a training session with Pearl, and it explained previous instances of Stevonnie hallucinating in "Alone Together" and "Beach City Drift". During Stevonnie's training, Connie is reminded of an event she is upset about, resulting in Stevonnie defusing. This occurs again in the episode, this time as a result of Steven's feelings to similar memories he has. He can re-fuse with Connie after she offers him perspective and understanding about the incidents.

Damaged
A damaged de-fusion occurs when the fusion takes on severe physical damage, as shown in "Coach Steven". When Sugilite is injured by her flail, she "poofs" back to Garnet and Amethyst. During a damaged de-fusion, the original Gems do not retreat into their gemstones to regenerate. However, the damage caused to the fusion will be carried on to the component gems, as Garnet and Amethyst were unable to move and had "a monster headache". Unless they are dealt in contact with a great amount of physical damage, or a Gem Destabilizer, the fusing gems will retreat into their gemstones to compensate for the damage to the fusion.

An example of this is when Jasper stabs Garnet with a Gem Destabilizer, causing Garnet's body to fall apart. She poofs back into her original Gems, Ruby and Sapphire. However, unlike Sugilite, the damage caused to Garnet's body also caused severe damage to both Ruby and Sapphire, forcing them into their gemstones to regenerate. The Gem Destabilizer effects shares common traits shown by Yellow Diamond's electrokinesis.

Appearance
Fusion Gems combine the designs of both/all Gems unless they are the same type of Gem, in which case they will just be a bigger version of their Gem design, as shown in "The Answer". Gemstones appear in the same locations and are the same cut of the Gems are composed of, but the type of Gem changes, and so does the color. The exception would be Stevonnie, whose single Gem remained as Steven's. Should two Gems with gemstones in the same location fuse, the gemstones would either be side by side or up and down on the resulting fusion.[7]  Each Gem involved in the fusion often contributes an additional pair of arms, showing that multiple pairs of arms are a common trait among fusions. Another common trait among fusions is having more than two eyes. Many fusions so far have had as many eyes as all of their constituent Gems put together. Opal, Stevonnie, some of the Cluster Gems, Sardonyx, Smoky Quartz, and the Ruby fusions have had fewer. Alexandrite's eyes have yet to be seen since a visor covered them during her appearance. The appearance of fusions do not necessarily represent stability or instability, but rather simply what is cool.[8]

Stable Fusions
A fusion is marked stable when the fusing gems remain a strong synchronization, while also keeping a strong bond between each other. Some fusions are stable due to how close in connection the Gems fusing are, such as Garnet, since Ruby and Sapphire are so romantically involved. Fusions like Topaz and the Ruby fusions can be considered stable.

Unstable Fusions
Some fusions can be unstable due to the way their participants' personalities combine. In "Coach Steven", Garnet and Amethyst lose themselves in Sugilite, going on a rampage and refusing to split up. Because of their desire to stay fused, Sugilite began to lose her rationality. Malachite, holding together, despite Jasper and Lapis Lazuli's conflict. While most unstable fusions fail upon fusing or during the fusion, Malachite is the only example of an unstable fusion remaining fused. This is due to the pure willpower of Lapis Lazuli, holding the fusion together with all her strength while fighting Jasper to keep the fusion together (as seen in "Chille Tid"). However, it is revealed in "Super Watermelon Island" that both gems began to identify as Malachite, beginning a violent rampage.

Forced Fusions
The unknown Gems that formed the Cluster Gems is an example of an artificial fusion. Through being buried underground and fusing due to extensive pressure, it is possible to force Gemstones or Gem Shards into fusing. This method of fusion is usually incomplete and often against their will, simply binding fragmented Gemstones together on the edges instead of changing their colors, as shown in complete fusion. The Cluster Gems are a result of an artificial fusion, and in "Keeping it Together", it was shown that Gem Shards could be forced to fuse. The physical bodies of these Gems usually embody the incomplete fusions, with limbs being stuck together at seemingly random places. More examples of artificial fusion were later shown in "Nightmare Hospital" and "Gem Drill".

Gems in this category are so shattered they are utterly unaware of themselves nor at what is happening around them; only seeking out other Gems in an attempt to find their missing pieces.

Corrupted Fusions
The Corrupted Jasper Fusion. Uncorrupted Gems can fuse with Corrupted Gems without the consent of the corrupted Gem. However, the corrupted Gem can escape the fusion if it fights back hard enough. The process of fusing damages the uncorrupted Gem's gemstone, eventually fully corrupting it.

This was first shown in "Earthlings", when Jasper fused with the corrupted Snow Monster and later became corrupted herself.

Same-Gem Fusions
A fusion of five Rubies as seen in "Hit the Diamond." Whereas different Gems fusing creates a new Gem with a new personality, fusions among Gems of the same type simply create a larger version of the Gems that are fusing. Because of the lack of individuality of mind and physical construct, there are no new personalities. Because all the fusing Gems are naturally synchronized, each Gem feels as themselves but they are actually all together as one, shown for the first time in "The Answer".

If two Gems are of the same type but are not identical, they would still form a larger version of themselves in build, but with a combined color palette and outfit, as displayed with the five-Gem Ruby fusion [9].

Due to the natural synchronization resulting from their similar personalities, Gems of the same type do not need to form using a complex dance (whereas two different Gems usually must perform a fusion dance to synchronize). This is shown in "The Answer" where three Rubies quickly fused after simply forming a pyramid.

Permanent Fusions
A fusion of two Topazes as seen in "Are You My Dad?." Permanent fusions (or "perma-fusions") exist when two Gems remain fused with no intent of being split apart.

First coined by Peridot when referring to Garnet, it is later revealed that fusions similar in nature exist on Homeworld. These permanent fusions are only seen as acceptable for some Gem types, and only among those of the same type.

As shown in "Are You My Dad?" and "I Am My Mom", though more directly admitted in "Stuck Together", Topaz is revealed to be two Topazes fused together indefinitely. Evidence of these Topazes being a permanent fusion is their choice to remain fused when leaving Earth despite having no hostages inside of them (and, thus, no purpose for remaining fused).

The only known Perma-Fusions are currently Rhodonite, Garnet, Fluorite, and the dual-gem Topaz. Any Perma-Fusions made up of different types of Gems are immediately rejected by Homeworld, and the Diamonds, as shown in "The Answer".

Realms
Lapis and Steven in Malachite's Realm. The hostile Malachite fusion has an internal fusion realm where Lapis Lazuli and Jasper struggle for control. It is not known whether this is a general property of fusions, an unusual property of Jasper and Lapis' hostile fusion, or Steven's perspective on Malachite as viewed in his dream.

Another instance of a similar concept is when Garnet seems to converse separately as Ruby and Sapphire before starting to de-fuse in "Keeping it Together" and "Keystone Motel", giving light to their opposing opinions.

In "Mindful Education", Garnet and Stevonnie, using a meditative technique, can enter the same fusion realm. The two fusions witness their fusees confront their negative feelings.

Culture

 * Fusions are frequently pictured, especially as statues, throughout the abandoned Gem monuments in the show (e.g. the Lunar Sea Spire and Gem Homeworld).
 * The Crystal Temple has the appearance of a typical fusion. The gemstone placements suggest that the temple is a fusion of Rose, Amethyst, Garnet (Ruby and Sapphire), and Pearl.
 * In "Jail Break", Jasper describes fusion as a "cheap tactic to make weak Gems stronger", while Garnet states that she fuses out of love.
 * Pearl implies fusion is rather intimate in "Coach Steven" and "Alone Together"; she tries to cover Steven's eyes while Garnet and Amethyst perform their dance, and says Stevonnie might be considered "inappropriate". In "We Need to Talk", Pearl says fusion is the ultimate form of bond between Gems. Garnet has also stated in "Keeping it Together" that fusion is considered sacred and to her, it is a choice.
 * On the Gem Homeworld, fusions are primarily used only in battles and as weapons. Being fused outside of a fight is seen as disgraceful, as Peridot is originally constantly uncomfortable around Garnet, calling her a "perma-fusion" and a "filthy war machine".
 * The Homeworld stigma surrounding fusion when not used for a specific purpose (such as fighting) could be because in a sense it is changing the fusee's form to something outside of their "purpose," which according to Jasper is defiance to the Diamonds.
 * According to "Guide to the Crystal Gems", when Ruby and Sapphire first fused with each other, it was unusual for Gems of different types to fuse with each other. This is because Gems only fused with other Gems of the same type (Rubies with other Rubies and so on).
 * Fusion between Gems of different types was also seen as 'disgusting' and 'reprehensible' by Homeworld Gems in "The Answer".
 * In "Stuck Together", Aquamarine claims that most fusions end up becoming "sentimental", implying that fusion is kept purely for a purpose so that gem fusions don't become distracted and overly emotional.

Abilities
The abilities of Gem fusions vary based on the two Gems who fuse. Whenever a Gem fuses to make a weapon, they combine their original weapons to create a new one composed of those two or more weapons. If a Gem possesses significant other abilities, such as Sapphire's future vision, that may also be incorporated into the fusion's abilities.

Weapons
Fusions may wield the weapons of the Gems that compose them but can combine them into a singular weapon. These weapons typically harness the abilities of the weapons that were fused, an example being Opal's weapon, a recurved bow. Pearl's spear not only makes up the recurved bow, but the arrows are visually similar to the energy blast the spear can emit, and the spear itself. Meanwhile, Amethyst's whip acts as the bowstring.

Sugilite's flail uses Garnet's gauntlets as a mace head and Amethyst's whip as a rope. Sardonyx's war hammer is composed of Pearl's spear as the handle and Garnet's gauntlets as the head. Smoky Quartz's weapon combines Steven's shield and Amethyst's whip, forming a yo-yo.



Garnet's Gauntlets.



Opal's Recurve Bow.



Sugilite's Flail.



Sardonyx's War Hammer.



Smoky Quartz's Yo-Yo.



Topaz's Pugil Mace.