The Cluster


 * "The Cluster" refers to the specific Cluster Gem named as such. For the type of forced fusion, see here.

"But these were just prototypes for the final product, a singular giant artificial fusion, comprised of millions of Gem shards... The Cluster."

The "Cluster" is a massive Cluster Gem currently incubating deep within Earth's core.

"Jail Break"
The Cluster was first mentioned by Peridot in "Jail Break". Arriving on Earth and checking on it was the primary objective of her mission to Earth, with Jasper as her escort and Lapis Lazuli as her informant.

"Catch and Release"
It was later mentioned in more detail in "Catch and Release", when Peridot was cornered and finally captured by the Crystal Gems. When she was released by Steven, she reveals that the "hatching" of The Cluster would be a catastrophic event that would shatter (kill) everyone on Earth.

"When It Rains"
Peridot explains that after Homeworld no longer saw Earth as a viable colony to mass-incubate Gem warriors, they started doing experiments with the Gem shards, fusing them together to create an artificial fusion as a type of "Gem geo-weapon". She reveals in the Prime Kindergarten Control Room that the forced Gem fusions they were fighting were prototypes for the Cluster, which was revealed to be a giant forced Gem fusion at the core of Earth composed of millions of gem shards. She mentioned that it will be much bigger than Earth if it emerges and takes its physical form, and could destroy the planet once it does so.

"Back to the Barn"
Peridot mentions the Cluster to the Crystal Gems, revealing the details of what the Cluster actually is. The Crystal Gems then decided to build a drill to try and reach the Cluster before it finishes its incubation period, however, no shown progress has been currently made.

Trivia

 * Peridot is utterly terrified of the Cluster, as she knows what it is and what it is capable of.
 * She often uses her knowledge of the Cluster as leverage to prevent the Crystal Gems from harming her, but it functions as a stalemate at best.
 * The plan to hollow out the Earth was foreshadowed by Ronaldo's conspiracy theories in Keep Beach City Weird.
 * Peridot refers to the Cluster as a "Gem Geo-weapon". This is a play on the term "Bioweapon", Bio- referring to organic life while Geo- referring to rocks and minerals. This is appropriate, seeing as how Gems are a race of sentient gemstones and are not organic.
 * Many fans thought the four armed cluster gem in "Keeping it Together" was the cluster, and its wiki article was labeled as such until it was confirmed otherwise.

Cultural References

 * The concept of the Cluster itself guards a great resemblance with Lavos, the main antagonist of the Chrono Trigger video game. Both of them are extraterrestrial creatures that absorbs the energy from their host planet, and they become a global danger if they are released/awakened.