Steven sends the others out to rescue the humans of Beach City while he confronts Spinel alone. Refusing to listen, Spinel punches Steven (receiving a bloody nose in the process) and expresses her rage by nearly dropping Steven off of her injector. Not understanding why his powers aren't working, Spinel mocks Steven as to how he used to save the entire universe. However, Steven finally realizes why his Gem powers have not yet returned: his desire for an unchanging "happily ever after" has left him resistant to the very notion of growth and change, which he needs to re-experience.