Size-changing Gems try to be normal in society: the novel series.
"Follow Hematite, a new Harvester Gem, and the Diamond Authority as they try to learn how to work together."
— Fanfic summary
The Harvester
is an ongoing Steven Universe Alternate Universe fanfic by VT and Corriezodori. Its first chapter posted January 1st, 2016, and it is still updating regularly. It is the first in a trilogy of fanworks. The first chapter can be found here. The entire series can be found here.
This story is written from Homeworld's perspective, and follows Hema, one of a batch of 15 experimental gems, Hematites, as he attempts to work with the Diamond Authority. It features some canon characters (Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, and, technically, Rose Quartz) from Steven Universe, but is mostly reliant on original characters made by the two authors. The Diamonds also are much different than their Steven Universe counterparts.
This page contains some unmarked spoilers! Read at your own risk.
Tropes present in this work:
- Abandoned Area: After Pink Diamond/Rose Quartz's betrayal of Homeworld, the Pink District is abandoned. Plant life is taking over and buildings are falling apart, and the entire place is teeming with gem monsters- making for a very unsettling atmosphere at times.
- Accomplice by Inaction: Peridots and guard Gems often turn a blind eye in the Kindergarten when tensions rise between the Hematites or lower-ranked gems.
- Accuser of the Brethren: Hemmi, Mite and Mati accuse Hema of being too lightly punished for attacking Yellow Diamond, and try to dish out their own punishment.
- Achievement Test of Destiny: In the beginning, all the Hematites take a big test that determines their future positions and jobs.
- Bad Liar: Two gems at Morgan's bar punch Hema and claim he attacked them with poorly-veiled lies.
- Ballad of X: "The Ballad of Cinders".
- The Conspiracy: There's a plan going on behind the Diamonds' backs to get Hema executed, one way or another. This plan is carried out by General Topaz and a small group of their soldiers that are sworn to secrecy, even at the cost of their lives.
- Gentle Giant: While many of the Hematites could fall under this, as of chapter 77, Hema is the best example. Hema is particularly careful with smaller Gems when they're not his targets, and shows precise physical caution, even when at giant sizes. He, and gems like Meta especially, are perceived by other Gems to be dumb and violent because of their size, when this is not the case.
- Hitman with a Heart: Hematite is, as a harvester, a sort of 'hitman,' or 'assassin,' against rebels. However, his tendency to be gentle with smaller Gems often gets in the way of his job, even going to far as to make him mess up some jobs or put himself in harm's way.
- Imaginary Enemy: Hema is this to Yellow Diamond because she's afraid he'll attack her again. This goes so far that she starts to hallucinate a sort of nega-Hema.
- Impossibly Graceful Giant: The Hematites ignore many laws of physics for not only the sake of story/plot, but because Gems as a race break a lot of laws, being projections of light.
- Job Title: The work is named after the arena name/occupation of the main character.
- Lilliputians: Unlike the current canon of Steven Universe [as of April 2015], The Harvester contains many classes of tiny 'micro Gems', which usually stand around six to eight inches tall. These Gems either work alongside regular Gems, or hide from them like borrowers.
- The Lost Lenore: Cinnabar and Beryl's deaths hold lasting effect on the story. They're both lost loved-ones to main characters. Morganite shows resistance to being romantic with other Gems. Topaz's loss drives them to seek revenge against the one that took their loved one from them.
- The Power of Acting: Hema and Topaz are uncannily good at acting, even under pressure. Hema's acting manifests itself in diplomacy or intimidation on their missions, or against Yellow in 'The Incident', while Topaz's acting manifests itself in unnervingly convincing lies.
- Sizeshifter: All of the Hematites have size-shifting abilities. They can get as small as a few inches tall, and as big as 300 feet, in 'Big Guy's' case. This shifting is dictated by energy levels in their forms. They shrink down when tired-out. Mago's size shifting is reversed, where she has to be big when tired, and shrinking takes up energy. Sometimes the size shifting 'breaks' if a Hematite is emotionally compromised or stressed-out. Hematites also have special rules where they can shape shift longer than normal Gems.
- Straight to the Pointe: Ti is almost always on her tiptoes when dancing or walking.
- Voluntary Shapeshifting: Gems in general do this, but are limited by their natural color palette. They also cannot hide their gemstone. Hematites can size-shift at-will, and, unlike other Gems, their gemstones will change size to match their scale. However, their gems still shrink to normal when destabilized.
- We Need to Get Proof: Blue Diamond and Jasper do this on behalf of Hema when they are put on trial for being accused of a crime punishable by death, by bringing out Emerald as proof that they were framed.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Many other characters believe that Hema is a good person and skilled in many things, even if he doesn't believe it himself.
- You Are Not Alone: Even if they don't show this outright, Hema's friends will help him if he needs it, and vice versa.
- Your Days Are Numbered: The Hematites are acutely aware that their clocks are ticking, because of a flaw in their genetic coding.
