In the glory of Homeworld, within Pink Diamond's tower, Steven juggled the bubbled items, balancing on another bubble. Pink Pearl watched him and clapped for him. Then, Steven leapt over his Pearl and floated gracefully down to the crystalline floor. He blew a kiss to Pink Pearl, the servant continuing to clap until they heard footsteps.

Yellow Diamond peeked into the room angrily, seeing Pink Pearl getting her Diamond prepared for the ball. The Pearl saluted as Yellow Diamond stretched her neck to peer at Steven. The boy waved 'hi' to her. In response, Yellow Diamond was satisfied and retracted her neck before leaving.

Steven glared at Pink Pearl, mocking Yellow Diamond's glare and they began to laugh. However, Steven felt something rise in his throat and coughed into his hand.

It was... several strands of Rose's hair. But why...

Pink Pearl began to fade away, her laughter dying out as the room turned dark, White Diamond towering over him. Steven shrieked, but began to cough out more of Rose's hair, falling to his knees. The Diamond's smile widened as he threw up more hair...


Gasping, Steven awoke in a cold sweat.

"S-Steven?" Iris approached him, "Are you alright?"

The boy sighed, "I... I guess... Just a weird nightmare." His hand reached out for a pillow, and he clutched it close to his chest.

The purple Pearl tilted her head, not knowing what a 'dream' was, but was sympathetic towards him nonetheless, "Well, it's over, isn't it? Besides, the Pebbles worked on your requested bed all night. What do you think?"

Steven glanced at the bed, realizing it was feather-soft and the Pebbles gathered around him, waiting for his opinion.

He smiled weakly, "It's wonderful. Almost... like home. ... Almost..."


"A ball?" Yellow Diamond said in confusion, "We haven't had a ball in 6000 years."

"We haven't had Pink in 6000 years!" Blue Diamond

Steven kept his anger inside as he tried to smile, "I just thought a ball might bring us all together, and I could talk to White about how we need her help!"

"And," Blue Diamond added, "This can also mark the beginning of Era 3."

Yellow Diamond nodded, "You're right, it's brilliant."

Steven almost felt giddy on his toes, "Thank you, both of you! B-But... how do you Gems exactly start a party here on Homeworld?"

"Well, since White's coming, everything needs to be perfect," said Blue Diamond, "Say, you can borrow our Pearls if you truly feel lost. They'll help you with anything you need to know."

Blue Pearl warped into the room, already saluting, "At your service, Steven."

Yellow Pearl also appeared, her Diamond telling her, "Make sure you go through all of our customs with Pink, since she has so much trouble recalling her past here on Homeworld."

Steven gritted his teeth. If only they allowed any of my family to go free and help me...

"Yes, my Diamond." Yellow Pearl complied.

Iris clapped a few times in excitement, "Oh, Era 3! Sounds just divine, doesn't it, Steven?"

"O-oh, yeah. It does," Steven replied, snapping out of his anger.


"So, what did the Diamonds do when a party is thrown?" Steven asked the two Pearls since the Diamonds had left him to handle it. But as far as we know, he isn't so good at handling things all alone.

"It's simple," Yellow Pearl pointed out, "All four Diamonds sit on their elevated thrones, while each Gem from their individual court indicate to you that they're present."

Steven looked up to the thrones, hopping up to the pink one as Yellow Pearl continued to explain, "From here, you can accept or reject the members of your court whenever you wish. My Diamond shall do the same, as will Blue Diamond. And if we're so lucky, we'll be able to enjoy the impeccable judgement of White Diamond."

As his gaze shifted to the other thrones, Steven felt a little anxious about how he was going to talk to White Diamond, "So, I can't go up to talk to her?"

"Oh stars, no!" Yellow Pearl pinched the bridge of her long nose, "I forgot how silly you can be. Everyone stays where they belong."

Steven frowned, hopping down to where Iris and Blue Pearl stood. "So, there's no way I can talk to them?"

Iris shook her head as Yellow Pearl ran over to them, "I'm afraid so. I apologize, Steven, but these rules have always been this way ever since Pink first threw the parties."

The boy in Diamond's clothing humphed, "I bet Spinel made the balls not so dry."

To his surprise, the two Pearls froze.

"You don't suppose, you're referring to the Spinel we know?" Blue Pearl asked curiously.

Steven gasped, "You both know Spinel?!"

"Err... yes," Yellow Pearl glanced away, crossing her arms. It looked more stubborn than dislike.

"She never came to the balls beforehand," Blue Pearl explained, "But she only appeared after Pink gained her colony. She was such fun."

Yellow Pearl blushed just a smidge, "But when Pink left to save that planet, Spinel joined her and left. Things became... dull again without her light-hearted attitude."

"How is she these days?" Blue Pearl inquired.

"Oh, she's... Well, right now, she's in a bubble," Steven told them, "But other than that, she's doing amazing."

Blue Pearl smiled, "That's good to know. She wasn't doing so well when my Diamond took her from Earth."

"Really?" Steven tilted his head. He couldn't imagine what it was like for Spinel, stuck in her former friend's room against her will.

"Pink."

Steven and all the three Pearls were nearly startled as Blue Diamond appeared from seemingly out of nowhere, "Why aren't you getting ready?"

"I-I think we are, if all I have to do is sit on a chair and approve of my court."

"Are you really going to look like that?! Even at the ball?"

"W-White wasn't bothered with my appearance when she met me," Steven said, smiling nervously, "Besides, I can't really shapeshift."

Blue Diamond sighed, "Alright then. Make sure you bring your Pearl."

"O-Of course, Blue."

"And would you ring the ball then?"

"U-Uh... I don't know how to do that."

Iris stepped beside the boy, "I-I'll handle that if you wish-"

"No," Blue Diamond looked away, "I'll take care of it. I'll take care of everything. Come, Pearls."

The blue monarch left with her Pearl and Yellow Pearl.

Iris sighed a little, "Come on, Steven, let's get you ready." He nodded to her and they walked down the hallway back to Pink Diamond's room.

Oddly enough, Steven could've sworn he heard a faint echo of voices. Be he saw that down the hallway, it revealed to be a Fire Agate talking to a Citrine and a few other Gems he didn't recognize. They glanced over to Steven and smiled, saluting him.

Steven frowned at that.


At the night of the ball, Steven sat in Pink Diamond's throne, Iris standing nearby as the many Gems made their arrival. Quartzes, Jades, Rubies, Sapphires, and other unknown Gems saluted to him. He glanced up at a statue-like Gem, singing in a high-pitched voice.

"Pink Diamond!" Two Gems greeted him, "It's wonderful to be in your presence."

"O-Oh..." Steven smiled a bit, "Thank you."

"Wow! So radiant and sparkly!" The Gems left.

Another pair of Gems, identical to the previous ones, spoke, "Pink Diamond!"

"Y-Yep, that's me."

"Wow, so radiant and exquisite." The Gems left.

His smile faded as he sighed, "Man, when are the Diamonds gonna arrive?"

"Soon." Iris replied, "You're doing fantastic. White Diamond will be so impressed."

"Hope so..." Suddenly, Steven grunted a little as he felt a headache set in. The Gems below weren't even making a peep, but why was he...?

"Steven?" Iris asked quietly, "Are you alright?"

The boy sighed, "Yes, Iris. Just... the music's kinda making my ears ring."

"You'll get used to it, I'm sure."

Just then, Yellow Pearl appeared, "Everyone, behold! The daunting, beauty and elegance that is Yellow Diamond!"

The two Aquamarines pulled the curtains away to reveal Yellow Diamond, sparkling her radiance as she stepped through the ballroom. She stopped to glance at Steven, "Not a bad turnout, Pink."

Steven nodded politely, "I... a-appreciate your attendance, Yellow."

Yellow Diamond went to sit on her throne, Steven trying desperately to ignore the throbbing headache as he kept still.

"Ahem," Blue Pearl said gently, tears running down her face, "Everyone prepare yourselves emotionally for the overpowering elegance that is Blue Diamond."

Blue Diamond stepped forwards, her radiance dazzling as she walked towards the thrones, "You're doing great." She whispered.

"T-T-Thank you, Blue." Steven stuttered a bit.

The room suddenly went dark, and two spotlights centered at White's Pearl at the entrance, "To those in attendance of the Era 3 ball, White Diamond..."

Everyone all looked in awe, ready for the third Diamond to appear. Steven clutched his hands together as if he was praying.

"... Has more important things to attend to."

"WHAT?!" Steven nearly shouted, his headache getting even worse.

"Therefore..." Encasing in a white bubble and sunk into the floor, White's Pearl appeared on the large white throne, "I will be here to observe in her place. Welcome to Era 3!"

Groaning, Steven slammed his fist on the seat of his throne. Great, now how was he going to talk to White or free the Gems? For the next few minutes, his headache continued to worsen as the Gems below danced for them.

My baby... help me...

Steven's blood froze, his eyes visibly widening. What was-

Steven... help us...

I can't take being in a bubble much longer, man...

Please Steven... free us...

The Gems? How were they-

Steven... I don't want to be trapped again...

Free us... please...

You gotta help us... I'm sick of being in a bubble again...

We're stuck... help us now...

"W-What...?" Steven whimpered quietly, clutching his head, "I-I can't. I need more time, please. Just-"

FREE US! The Gems' voice turned into one, ringing in his ears like a caterwaul, except everything happening around him seemed to fade. Blood rung in his ears as the shrieking and screaming continued, FREE US NOW! FREE US! IT'S BEEN SO LONG! HELP US! NOW!

"Stop it!" Steven shouted, punching his head with his fist.

Unbeknownst to him, Iris was calling out Steven's name, the Diamonds and Gems all staring at Steven with confusion, fear, and concern. But it was as if Steven couldn't hear the Pearl as the voices of his family continued to scream.

"Please! Stop! Stop it! STOP IT! STOP IT!" Steven eyes welled up with tears, banging his fists against his head, "ENOUGH!"

When he screamed out, the throne beneath him almost shattered, the cracks spreading towards the staircase and to the pristine floor. The Gems standing too close all shrieked and backed away.

White's Pearl's smile lowered into a frown.

"Pink!" Yellow Diamond scolded, "What is wrong with you?!"

She and Blue Diamond were nearly taken aback by the burning rage in Steven's brown eyes as he glowered at the Diamonds, "FREE THEM! FREE THEM NOW!"

"T-Them?! Who are you-"

"MY FAMILY!" Steven cut Blue Diamond off, "UNBUBBLE THEM NOW!"

"Now Pink-"

"NO! YOU LISTEN TO ME!" Steven's cheeks blushed bright pink, his voice high-pitched and enraged, "SET THEM FREE NOW OR I'LL SHATTER YOU ALL!"

The room fell completely silent, a cloud of sheer horror spreading throughout the crowd of Gems. Blue Diamond was speechless, but Yellow Diamond was already clutching her fist in fury.

Steven stopped and realized what he just said, his blush fading away.

"M-My Diamonds!" Iris tired to plead, "I-I'm sure he didn't mean-"

In anger, Yellow Diamond fired her destabilizing powers towards Iris. Iris couldn't even move before she was hit.

"IRIS!" Steven screamed as the Pearl retreated into her gemstone.

The infuriated Diamond grabbed Steven roughly, "We refuse to tolerate this behavior, Pink!"


Yellow Diamond threw Steven into a dark room, "Stay there and think about what you've done!"

"Wait-!" Steven cried out before the doors were closed on him.

No... no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no NONONONONONONO!

Steven slammed his fists against the tall doors, begging and sobbing to be let out. He didn't want to be alone! He wanted to say sorry! He tried slamming into the doors with his shoulder, but it was pointless.

When he realized that, Steven hiccuped on his sobs, backing away into a wall and slipping down. He curled up into a ball, fingers digging into his scalp as he sobbed his heart out.

And with the voices gone, he was truly alone.


Voices. They ruin everything, don't they?