>>80083222Fusing with a different gem gives you special powers. I base this on 'The Answer', where Sapphire and Ruby did not appear to have their respective ice- and fire-abilities (or liabilities, I guess) before they had fused.
But the crackpot part is this: From this, I hypothesized that both Rose Quartz and Pearl were changed after they fused into Rainbow Quartz for the first time.
Rose was a quartz, a warrior, after all; in my mind, I see her with straight, spiky hair - being lovingly brushed by her obedient pearl.
How would a fusion happen? I don't know... maybe the warrior was given the pearl as a reward for some special act of courage, OR to teach her to be more careful, take better care of herself instead of getting poofed by being reckless on the battlefield, by giving her something - someone - to take care of. She grows protective of the pearl, whom, to her, personifies Gem society, which she ultimately lives to defend. And the pearl, of course, loves her back, because that's what she's for. (is she?)
So, one day after a particularly harrowing battle, they have a 'special' hug... and become Rainbow Quartz... and are forever changed. Rose's hair becomes a mass of bouncy curls and she gains healing powers, healing tears; while the pearl, our Pearl, finds within herself an unheard-of desire and ability to fight, to wield weapons, to defend those she cares about.
They had to keep it a secret, of course, and perhaps this tension even helped to push them into rebellion...
It's probably all poppycock, but I like it.
