Ecko, Preston, Jerome, and Cody were actually in the resistance before Dan ever came to earth. They were recruited mostly by Squid. Ecko may look formerly corrupted, but he’s not. He just looks like that and keeps the spots and horns on his form to scare off any potential corrupted and act as camouflage. Yammy came as a scout sent by Homeworld, like Peridot, only instead, due to her pink colors and shapeshifting prowess, she shapeshifted into Lizzy/Rose Quartz to deceive all the rebels because she was curious about gems still inhabiting Earth. Her gem was hidden by all the hair. She doesn’t exactly care for Homeworld, she was just sent to check on the Cluster, which exists, but… not in the way you think. After realizing the Earth is worth protecting, she joins the rebellion as a quick fighter and bonds with Tiff almost immediately.

SB is relatively in the place of Jasper. He was also sent because of the Cluster and the fact that Homeworld was catching on to the fact that maybe the Earth has gems here and should just be rid for good. Ecko slowly starts to change his perspective on things, and suddenly, SB doesn’t really know how to feel about all this anymore. He never really goes back to Homeworld, instead staying close by to the rebellion, but not really joining. He’s kind of an anti-hero, so to say? Idk I’m still figuring it all out, but Scalyfeathers is a thing in this au. Why not.