Who Are The Metals?

What is a Metal? A being similar to a Gem in power and special abilities, but with many big differences. The biggest difference between them being that a Metal is an artificial life form.

During the war of the Gems there were too many casualties early on, and so the Homeworld created a project that would not only increase the numbers on their army, but also strenghten the gems on their side.

The same kind of technology and machinery used to create Kindergarten was used to create the Mines. These deep underground versions of Kindergarten were the birthplace of the beings called Metals. Male in gender, they were as powerful and inteligent as the Gems, but were also more violent and were fully loyal to their creators.

The Metals have each an unique weapon much like the Gems, but they do note have the ability to perform Fusion no matter how strong is their bond or how perfect is their synchronization. The Metals do possess an ability that the Gems don't: through syncing with a Gem (usually the Metal's master), a Metal is able to become Armor.

To become Armor means to become pieces of gear, both offensive and defensive, to be worn by the Gem that the Metal chose to synchronize with. Instead of becoming one being, as happens in the Fusion, the Metal loses it's own will and consciense and becomes little more than a tool for the Gem to use.

Near the end of the Gem's war, the leader of the Metals betrayed the Homeworld and his master, allying himself with the Crystal Gems. The Metal leader's betrayal was vital, as it helped in turning the tide of the war against the Homeworld and it's army. The Crystal Gems succeeded in protecting the planet Earth, but the Metal leader died in battle.

As a consequence of the Metal's betrayal, the Mines were destroyed and most of the Metals were executed. Unbeknownst to the Homeworld Gems, there were survivors, though only a few, who were scattered across the universe.