Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

A/N: The P.O.V. Changes, the first Part would be Stevens and the Second part would be Normal Point of view. I hope no one gets Confused. Please enjoy.


A Man`s Thoughts and Regrets

I regretted my principles and rules. I regretted telling the truth. If I have lied to you in the beginning you could have been my scout, if not at least someone near me. But in the end you ended up being the apprentice of my best friend. He taught you and was always with you. You two have become so close to each other, while we still hardly know each other. Now I regret everything, I regret not having you.

The first time I met you in granite cave, I thought that you were just some trainer that was lost and so I saved you from the Mawile. I didn`t see you face but when I finally looked at you and saw your scarlet red eyes, I was captivated, they were like rubies, very rare stones. When you took pictures of your evolving Pokemon and disregarded your safety, I thought of you as a silly boy, but when I saw your pride for your Pokemon, your eyes shining with such intensity, I thought they were beautiful. I lied when I agreed that you know nothing about battling, for when you commanded your Pokemon I saw Power, I was drawn to that power, the power in your eyes.

When I grabbed your arm I really didn`t want to let go. I was so captivated by your beautiful eyes, those beautiful rubies, so rare and true. You may lie but in your eyes I could see the truth, your inner beauty, even though you`re already beautiful outside. When I asked for your age I was disappointed, you were too young and it was too dangerous. I could have lied but I couldn`t, even when it was too tempting I couldn`t risk you getting hurt. So I told you the truth that if you were sixteen I would recruit you and bid my farewell and left.

During the days I was getting ready for the time the two legendary Pokemon would awaken I thought of you, your beautiful scarlet eyes, the intensity, pride and power in those beautiful rubies. I was attracted to them like a magnet but slowly it wasn`t just the eyes, but to you, you as a person. I remember the way you felt when I held you, the warm; I remember those rubies that are your eyes and the pride on your voice. But I also saw the sadness and darkness that would impure your ruby like eyes. It saddens me but I know there is something weighing you down. We are the same, you and I, something is also weighing down my heart, My responsibilities as Champion, My responsibilities as the son of the Devon Corporation`s Chairman, and lastly as a Man in love with another man.

Yes I would call it love for slowly I always think of you, your well-being, your past, your future and even if we have a chance. I worry constantly for you; at night as I gaze at the firestone in my hand I would remember you. Why? Because they remind me of the fire in your eyes and the fire in my heart, the fire that made me love you. But this firestone isn`t as beautiful as those rubies which are your eyes, the rarest and most valuable stones I have ever seen.

My resolved became firm, I had to protect Hoenn, for everyone especially you. I could not let you die, I would rather end my life and see you lifeless, the rubies that would shine would grow dull and I would not have that. I was nervous but I was willing, I know controlling the three Regis would ultimately end my life but if your happiness and life was the reward for my death, then so be it. I have gotten ready, I gave Wallace the Champion cloak, for he was the rightful owner and I know someone was needed to protect Hoenn and it was the Champion`s duty to do also that. In those times I was hoping to see you, even just one last time, I wanted to see your Ruby like eyes and tell you how much I feel.

To my shock I saw you again and this time you were actually within this game of life and death. I was so worried, who would have known that you would play a big part in this game. The game I wanted to protect you from. The game that might end your life, the thing I ever dreaded. I watched as you tried to stop the two legendries, It pained me to watch you in pain, it scared me to watch you get thrown around and it frightened me that I might lose you.

In the end everything ended well, Rayquaza ended everything the legendries returned to where they came. Thanks to Norman, your father everything ended. I was relieved for at least one last time I could see your Ruby eyes but alas the last time I saw them, they were in pain for Norman was dying. The last thing I heard was you calling out to your father before everything went dark.

When I awake I was shocked to be alive, for I knew I would have been dead. I looked around and found myself in a bed, I noted a few more lumps resting but I was drawn to one right near mine. I flexed my hands and pinched my face, yes I was alive. I heard and gasp and the next thing I knew I was tackled by my friend and new Champion Wallace. He had tears in his eyes and was smiling, saying how worried he was and how stupidly reckless. I laughed whole heartedly and apologized. As I looked at him I frowned, he was bandaged up and his arm was held in a cast. I asked him what happened and he told me, you saved Hoenn, you save lives of many but most of all you restored my life.

After a check-up and argument with Wallace, he finally allowed me to walk around and the bed I was drawn too was actually yours. I smiled at your sleeping face, you were so cute, how I longed to see you open your eyes to reveal the rubies I`m obsessed over. Then my eyes widened, your eye twitched. I alerted everyone and a few more minutes we greeted you. I was so happy to see your beautiful eyes, I loved your eyes as much as I love you, I love all of you, I was drawn to you, I would give anything to have you in my arms, I swear I would sacrifice anything.

You asked for the time, but I paid it no heed, my heart was so alive when I finally saw you again, so alive and full of life. But then that instant it was shattered when you called Wallace 'Master'. My heart fell and I felt so much jealousy but I seethed it and put on a fake mask. I couldn`t let you know, not now, I don`t want to ruin anything, especially now that I see it, the adoration you have for Wallace. I know you`ll never admire me like that, for Wallace is the person you want to be, your idol, he who has won so many competition just as you are aiming for. He is a lot better than me, a Rich man who could have anything he wanted but instead was stuck in caves looking for Stones.

Until this day I regret everything. Sure there are days when we are together and I learn little about you, but mostly you are with either Sapphire or Wallace, two people who are closer to you than me. Sometimes I see that Sapphire likes you more than a friend and sometimes I see your adoration for Wallace and sometimes I see the pride Wallace`s have for his student. I know you only saw me as a friend, if not someone who has save you once. I wanted to be closer to you, I wanted you to Love me as much as I love you. It was painful but I hid my pain from you, for I don`t want those beautiful gems to be filled with worry. I want you happy and if I would suffer for it then I don`t care anymore.

Ruby, you are the only Gem that I hold so dear and close to my heart, you are the rarest and most Valuable treasure I found and so I would treasure you and protect you. Oh Ruby, I love you, I love you so much. I want to tell you but I couldn`t, but still I wish to tell you how much I love you-.


"Steven?"

Steven Stone was shocked out of his reverie when he heard Ruby call his name. He slowly collected himself, he remembered that he was in Slateport, enjoy a rare time he had with Ruby and Wallace. He recalled that Wallace joined the Pokemon contest and Ruby went to watch while he decided to sit near the beach and get lost with his thoughts. He looked at the Scarlet eyes boy, the boy he loved so much. He gave him a smile as he stood and offered his hand.

"Well? Is the contest over already? If you want we could get some ice cream, my treat." His smile grew as the child took his hand.

"About that Wallace asked me to get you, he wanted to know what Ice cream you wanted." The child said as he pulled the former champion along.

He felt a pang in his chest but he ignored it and favour of talking to the one he loved the most. "Ah! I see, why is he buying? Did he win again?" he asked chuckling good-heartedly.

Ruby smiled and Steven felt his heart shatter when he saw how those eyes he loved so much burn with adoration at the mention of his Mentor.

"Yeah! He won! Man I hope I could be as successful as he is! I mean he just keeps on winning!"

Steven chuckled but inside he felt like dead, he smiled and dared ask, "You idolize him don`t you." The answer broke his heart even more.

"Of course! He`s the best! I mean he`s real awesome! I don`t know anyone else as strong and successful as he is!" the child beamed unaware of how much he is hurting the man he is pulling along.

Steven felt his heart crumbling, he knew that the child would never look at him the child would never see him the way he saw him, the child will never regard him as perfect or flawless as his master Wallace, he`ll only see him as a friend, as the person who saved him once. He bit his lip and did some calming breathes to stop the tears.

"There you are!" He heard Wallace call out as they approach. "So Steven what Ice cream would you like?"

Steven smiled, "Vanilla will do." He accepted the cold treat and followed the two towards a nearby bench.

"So Steven what will you be doing?" Ruby asked, "Will you be traveling again soon?"

Steven smiled and answered, "Yes I wanted to go to Mt. Ember in the Kanto Region. There`s a stone I`m searching for."

Wallace frowned, "You were there last week, don`t tell me it was the same stone you are looking for."

Steven smiled sadly, "sadly it is the same Stone, it`s very rare."

Ruby smiled encouragingly, "I`m sure you`ll find it!" then he smiled proudly, "Wallace is going to take me to Sinnoh to watch contest there! I`m so excited!"

"I`m sure you are Ruby." Wallace smiled as he patted his apprentice`s head.

Steven watched them interact, his heart breaking even more. How he wished he would exchange places with Wallace. The ruby he was looking for in Mt. Ember isn`t as Valuable as his Ruby, the Gem of his life. He would give anything for the Child`s happiness, he would willingly sacrifice his life, that`s how Valuable Ruby is to him. He regretted not taking Ruby as his scout, and Now Wallace has him as his apprentice and he feels like he`s father away from the boy ever before. He smiled sadly as he finished his ice cream. His heart already shattered into a million of pieces.

The Ruby he`s searching for in Mt. Ember would never be as Precious, as Valuable, as Rare as his Ruby.


A/N: Now you must be wondering why is there a Ruby in Mt. Ember, well I've read something that you could find a Ruby and FireRed and LeafGreen in Mt. Ember and given to Celio for the rainbow pass if the Sapphire is also given to him and then Trade between Ruby and Sapphire would be allowed.

Sad No? I`m so sorry I couldn`t help myself! I was reading Sad Tensaishipping/Isshishipping AND This suddenly entered my mind. This was my first Fanfic so please go easy on the reviews and please no Flames! Have mercy!

By The way might post Ruby`s thoughts as well or maybe even Wallace`s. But don`t get too Hopeful I`m trying to find inspiration.

(Edited: April 8 2012 (A/N: Tried to fix the mistakes pointed out anyway thanks for pointing them out))