Hello everyone! Here's a little something different than what I normally do but hopefully you'll still enjoy it. In case anyone is wondering, after this I have one other thing planned to be uploaded before Master Quest returns with regular updates.

A Diamond in the Rough


"That's a wrap everyone! Great work, Diantha, you're a natural!" the director shouted out as Diantha found herself exhaling. Placing the PokéNav down onto the table, Diantha slowly removed the white lab coat from her body as she hung it back up.

Looking around the room she took in what would arguably be the final time she would see many of the machines here. The young adult had been hesitant to accept the role back when her manager found it and yet now that filming had wrapped, a part of her was going to miss this laboratory. Walking away from the cameras, Diantha sat down for a moment in a nearby chair.

Parched, she grabbed the bottle of water that was stationed next to her and drank slowly from it as the crew began to take down the equipment. It had taken a week for them to set everything up which had allowed her a chance to explore parts of Hoenn such as Petalburg Woods and Verdanturf Town where she had managed to take in a Pokémon Contest. It reminded her of the Showcases they had back in Kalos, though the premise of it was slightly different and if she had more time she might have loved to taken part in it.

It had been nearly a month of filming as she worked on videos that the Devon Corporation planned to roll out. Some had been for orientation videos for new hires and others were for marketing their latest inventions such as the PokéNav. The device was a fascinating one as it had everything a trainer needed built into it between a phone, map and radio function.

To her fascination the entire set of equipment was taken apart in moments, not that it was the first time she saw a set come down but usually it took a little while. Of course, she had never filmed anything on location before as all of her previous works had been at a studio lot.

Placing the bottle of water down she smiled softly, hands folded atop her lap as most of the equipment was rolled away. Most of the staff were now gone, only a handful of custodians remained behind as they swept up the laboratory room. When she first arrived in Rustboro City to film she had been surprised to learn that they were using the actual Devon Corporation's building to film. Especially when she saw the various machines and equipment they had set up.

It had been an interesting experience for her, Diantha thinking back to how some of the filming was a bit boring as she had to pretend to know about the intricacies of fossil restoration. It was something she knew nothing of though after filming information about it she had gained a new interest in it, the Kalos native wondering if perhaps there was a way they could implement the technology in Kalos at some point. Especially as they had an abundance of fossils that were being excavated in Glittering Cave.

Though she admittedly felt more at ease during the filming of commercials. From the PokéNav to the various new Pokeballs such as the Luxury Ball or the Premier Ball she found herself able to sell their qualities much easier. Even when she filmed advertisements for Devon's own line of shoes she found it easier to get into character.

Looking down at her Holocaster for a moment she checked her itinerary for the remainder of her trip. After tonight she was to travel to a pier south of Rustboro to board a ship that would take her to the airport in Slateport City. From there it was to return to Kalos and hopefully earn enough badges to take part in their League Conference. That left her with enough free time for one final night to do as she wanted in the city.

A slight sigh left her lips, the woman shutting her Holocaster off as her eyes flittered up towards the ceiling. While she loved being both an aspiring actress and dreamed of becoming the Champion of her home region there were times she wondered if perhaps it would be best to focus on just one of her two dreams.

The sound of footsteps brought Diantha out of her thoughts as she wondered if the crew had returned. Instead she watched as a young man roughly her own age walked across the room. He was dressed in a black blazer, two stripes of purple running down both sides in a zigzag pattern. The collar of a white dress shirt could be seen popping up from underneath the blazer while a red ascot sat firmly around his neck. Black pants and shoes finished off the outfit as his light steel blue hair shined as the light overhead reflected off of it.

The man seemed familiar to Diantha though she failed to recognize him. Clearly he held some position of importance within the company as those who remained in the room greeted him warmly. Though it was his warm return of their greetings that surprised Diantha, the man stopping at times to talk with some of the custodial staff or even a few of the scientists who had returned. She struggled to understand the conversations though she could have sworn that at one point he mentioned something about a new fossil. It made her wonder if perhaps he was an archeologist of sorts that the company had hired.

The young man finished his conversation, now turning his attention towards Diantha as he approached her with a refined grace. Despite his young age his movements seemed like those from an aged man, as if it had been instilled into him how to professionally walk and talk. Upon reaching Diantha the man stopped a few feet away from her as he placed a hand over his chest. He bowed slightly, Diantha finding the action unnecessary though she had no issue with it.

"I can safely assume that you're Diantha the star of these projects, no?" the man asked, standing straight up again as a simple smile rested on his face. Diantha nodded at that question, standing up herself as both individuals extended a hand. They grasped ahold of each other, Diantha surprised by his handshake. It was firm yet there was a calm and warming feel to it, he didn't grip too tightly to hurt her own hand yet it provided enough reassurance that the man held himself in high regards.

"I apologize for being unable to come sooner. I had some issues that I needed to take care of. Business tends to keep me busier than I would prefer."

"There's no need to apologize. Besides, everyone has their own responsibilities to take care. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly do you handle around here?" Diantha asked as she realized they were still shaking hands. She wasn't sure if they should have stopped by now and yet she found herself unable to release her grip even if she wanted to.

"My apologies. I've yet to introduce myself," the man stated with a small smirk. He released his grip on Diantha's hand now, the woman pulling her arm back and placing it by her side. Her eyes remained fixated on the gentleman however, watching as he once more bowed slightly. "Steven Stone, heir of the Devon Corporation at your service."

Diantha found a bit of surprise rising up within her from the statement yet kept herself composed. Standing before her was the son of the man who hired her for these shootings and she had failed to even notice. Though she found herself quickly defending herself, she had never even seen or heard of the Stone family until coming to Hoenn so how would she have known what the heir to the corporation looked like.

"Though to be truthful I have little involvement with the company and spend more time working on my own endeavors. Preferably the exploration of Hoenn to find any rare and valuable stones and fossils. In a sense you could argue my father started up the entire Pokémon Restoration division in hopes that I would take a bigger hands on role with the company."

"I take it that you haven't," Diantha asked with a quirked eyebrow. Steven chuckled at the question, shrugging before placing one hand in his pant's pocket.

"Much to father's disarray. I just prefer to explore Hoenn on my own terms. Though one day I'll be forced to take over the company so I might as well enjoy myself now."

Diantha nodded at that statement, understanding the importance and hardship of balancing multiple priorities. A soft smile formed on her face as she began to realize that there was a mutual understanding between the two adults.

"I'm just fortunate to have made it here before you left."

"Oh?" Diantha asked, her head tilted slightly. Steven nodded as one hand of his ran through his hair.

"Truthfully we were worried that you would pass on this job. The pay wasn't great and the exposure would be limited to Hoenn at best. We figured a rising star would look for bigger and better opportunities," Steven admitted. Diantha pursed her lips at that statement, unsure of what to say as her hands moved behind her back. Out of sight they played with the back of her dress, tugging on the end slightly.

"Please, calling me a rising star is too much. All my roles have been minor parts or were cut during post-production," she finally stated. She could feel her cheeks heating up slightly from the praise, having not heard much of it in the past. "Besides, any exposure is good for my career. It wouldn't be wise to walk away from any offers."

The two young adults remained silent for a moment, neither speaking as if they were both contemplating what to say next. Finally Steven broke the silence, extending a hand forward. "Care to continue this conversation over dinner? I have a reservation at one of Rustboro's finest establishments if you'd like to join me."

"Is that why you were glad to see me still here?" Diantha teased with a small smirk. Steven laughed at the question, Diantha finding it almost cute as the man quickly regained his composure.

"There was another reason though I feel the least I could do to repay you for all your work is to offer a nice dinner."

Diantha mused over the situation for a moment. She figured the offer was a good one as she hadn't thought about food for the night. Plus she would be able to build a connection with Steven that might help lead to new acting opportunities in the future. As the heir to the Devon Corporation he must have had connections elsewhere.

"It would be foolish to turn down the offer," Diantha playfully replied with a wink. Steven smiled at the response, leading the way out of the room and into the hallway.

The two young adults moved towards the elevator, waiting in silence as Diantha eyed a few employees walking past. They appeared to be discussing something related to Steven but she struggled to make it out completely. Within a few moments her concentration was brought back to the elevator as it opened up, a few workers wheeling a cart out into the hallway. Stepping inside the two adults waited as the metal doors slid shut in front of them.

"How's Hoenn compare to Kalos?" Steven asked as he pressed the button for the lobby. The elevator moved slightly, Diantha grabbing onto the nearby railing as the device lowered itself.

"I didn't get a chance to see much but what I did was beautiful. The entire region is full of life," Diantha admitted as she found herself fixing her hair. The elevator began to slow down, the machine rocking to a stop as the doors slid open slowly.

"I managed to catch a Contest, it's quite the unique competition. It really helps showcase the bonds between trainer and Pokémon."

"Yes they are quite an experience. Though personally it isn't for me, I feel like my Pokémon wouldn't be too accepted there," Steven stated with a chuckle. Diantha pondered just what his Pokémon may have been like though Steven never expanded on it. Instead he walked out of the elevator as Diantha followed behind him.

The young adult waved goodbye to the security guard at the entrance, Diantha smiling at him as well before walking out the door. Upon hitting the streets of Rustboro City Diantha heard the familiar traffic as cars whizzed past the Devon Corporation. Streets were packed as employees of both Devon and other businesses made their way to leave for the night. Traffic lined the paved roads as Steven made his way onto the sidewalk, Diantha following behind him as she noted once more that people were staring at Steven.

Biting the inside of her cheek, Diantha wondered just what these people were talking about, though she figured it had to do with Devon. The duo crossed the street, a few cars letting them pass by.

"I apologize for the long walk," Steven admitted as the duo traversed the city. Staring off into the distance Diantha noted the various buildings between the small shops that lined the streets to the apartment complex that rested further away. She even noted a school of sorts as a group of children exited the building. "You see, I usually have to go the long way to ditch any unwanted guests."

"Quite the popular individual, huh?" Diantha teased as Steven turned down a side street. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a flash, the sound of a shutter echoing in her ears as she finally understood him.

"Believe me, it can be quite an annoyance."

"It's nothing I don't know. I may only be an aspiring actress but there are still times I can't seem to go out in public," Diantha responded. Reaching into her purse she fished around for a moment before pulling a pair of glasses out. Placing them on her face the woman smiled as she now moved to stand next to Steven on their trek. "Sometimes the tiniest of disguises can work. Fortunately I'm not too well known in Hoenn so I've been able to walk around in public."

"I feel like our situations are a bit different if I'm honest," Steven stated. His voice lacked the cheerful and playful tone it had since he first appeared, Diantha questioning just what he meant. Opening her mouth, she prepared herself to question his statement but couldn't bring herself to do so. Instead she sighed out quietly, her eyes resting softly on Steven as they exited the side street.

Before them now was a rather plain looking building, a few individuals leaving as a small smile crossed Steven's face. Through the front window Diantha could make out a few tables and booths as customers sat down and ordered their dinner. The location surprised the young adult, when Steven had explained the location she figured it would have been something else. Especially considering he was the heir to Devon. Though something about it seemed homely, inviting almost as Steven took the first steps towards the entrance. Opening the door, Steven held it for Diantha as the actress entered the establishment

It wasn't eloquent yet Diantha enjoyed the interior of the building. A black and white checkered floor lined the interior as tables and booths were seated atop of it. The booths were cushioned as they were stationed next to the windows. The tables meanwhile had red and white checkered tablecloths atop them as four chairs surrounded each table. Right in front of the duo, however, was a hostess. The woman smiled warmly at Steven as the young adult returned the affection. Grabbing two menus she motioned for Steven and Diantha to follow her as she walked off towards the back.

Diantha watched as a few patrons of the restaurant stared at them, or more accurately at Steven. Apparently to them she wasn't even visible as all eyes rested on the young heir. Passing by a counter, she stared at the opening in the wall that gave a glimpse into the kitchen. An older gentleman stood in the back, his back the only thing visible as he cooked over a stove. Diantha noted a few other individuals as a young boy, no older than twelve walked through two twin doors with a tray of food in his hands.

Their trek through the restaurant came to a conclusion as they approached the backside of the establishment. The area was slightly different than the front, an older feel as the walls were painted with old murals. One of which looked to be an ancient depiction of a war of sorts, it reminded her slightly of the war in Kalos all those years ago yet it was clearly different as two titans appeared to be fighting.

There was also a lack of seating arrangements back here, a single booth present as the hostess placed the menus down on it. Steven slid into one side of the booth while Diantha sat opposite him. A small smile sat on his face as the hostess left the duo alone.

"I can tell this isn't what you quite had in mind. My apologies if it's underwhelming," Steven stated as he grabbed one of the menus. Opening it, he flipped through the pages. Slowly, Diantha picked up her own menu and looked over the options.

"No, it's perfectly fine. I just figured someone like you would have other places to eat at. Please excuse my assumptions," Diantha admitted. A waiter now arrived at their table as he brought two glasses of water. Placing them down he quickly excused himself before heading off to a different part of the restaurant.

Steven paused at Diantha's words, chuckling slightly as he placed his menu down. The young adult stared off into the distance. "This restaurant holds some special memories for me. My grandfather used to bring me here all the time when I was younger. It was sort of our special place to the point he helped finance their reconstruction. This booth is the last one from their original restaurant."

"I see," Diantha replied softly before taking a sip of her water. A small smile rested on her face, hands now folded as her elbows rested against the edge of the booth. "Well I think that's lovely to have such a relationship with your grandfather."

"Mmm," Steven replied while sipping his own water. Placing his glass down he leaned lazily against one palm. "Truthfully my grandfather was a great man. Unfortunately many people lost faith in him from one mistake. Fortunately those who truly knew my grandfather knew the man he was."

"How big of a mistake could he have made?" Diantha asked. She felt it was too personal a question to ask and yet she wanted to know. Steven sat up now, hands strumming against the table as he released a deep sigh.

"Since you're from Kalos you may not have heard of it but recently there was an incident on the Sea Mauville," Steven began to explain. The sound of footsteps brought an end to his train of thought as the waiter returned to their table. Checking in on them, Steven gave his order of a dish of pasta. Diantha hadn't really looked at the menu but chose to order the same thing so that the waiter wasn't held up.

Taking the menus from the duo the waiter took his leave once more. Steven sighed at that now, hands still strumming the table as Diantha found herself reaching across. Her own hand now atop of his as she cast a smile towards the man.

"I may not have met him but from what the employees within Devon has said, he was a wonderful man. And I'm certain his legacy will be remembered positively."

"I wish I could think the same way," Steven admitted with a hint of worry. "The Sea Mauville was meant to be a way to further develop a new source of infinite energy, a source we wanted to develop so that the region and hopefully the entire world would never need to worry about a lack of energy.

"To do so we agreed to a partnership with one of our rival corporations, the Greater Mauville Holdings corporation. The project was moving along quite well, with my grandfather overseeing it all. Unfortunately one day things just went wrong in every way possible."

Diantha quirked an eyebrow at that, Steven pausing as he stared at the painting that depicted the ancient events. For a moment Diantha wondered if he was going to say the events depicted there happened in some way but she figured it was near impossible for those titans to have fought in the one location they were situated in.

"There was a problem with the reactor stationed at Sea Mauville. My grandfather flew out there immediately to check on it but even he couldn't figure it out. Fearing the worst he told everyone stationed there to leave, unfortunately there wasn't enough time," Steven explained as Diantha started to piece things together. She closed her eyes for a moment, having her own moment of silence for all those lost that day.

"The entire location was caught in the explosion, those still aboard the Sea Mauville, my grandfather included, perishing from the release of all that contained energy. A lot of great men and women were lost that day and the moment the news broke the Greater Mauville Holdings corporation wasted no time in painting it as our fault.

"They used my grandfather being there as a way to pin all the blame on the Devon Corporation. It felt like a slap in the face, not only did I lose my grandfather but our competition and at the moment our partners took it as a way to gain the public's support. Unfortunately a lot of people believed them and the public lost our trust. They now take any chance to try and expose us."

"So that's what the media was following you for," Diantha admitted. She pursed her lips at that, pulling her hands back as one was placed under her chin. "I had a feeling you were avoiding them but I couldn't figure out why. Now it all makes sense. I'm sorry you've had to deal with it all."

Steven shrugged at that, his fingers strumming the table for a moment. He smirked softly as his eyes looked around the building. "It is what it is, you know? I'm just fortunate that those who really knew my grandfather knows that it wasn't entirely his fault."

"So what's next? For the Devon Corporation of course," Diantha asked. She took another sip of her water, stirring the content of her glass slightly as the ice cubes clinked about. Steven leaned back in the booth at that question, his back pressed up against the cushion.

"We're planning to regain the public's trust starting with our new advertisements. That's why I was so worried you would have declined the offer like the others."

"So I wasn't the first choice after all," Diantha playfully teased, a playful smile on her face. "How many others were asked before you turned your attention to me?"

"There were two actors prior to you, both declined the invitation as they didn't want to be linked to our company. Though it should be noted that they were both my father's choices," Steven admitted as he pulled his hands off the table. Diantha watched as they moved within his pockets, moving about as if they were looking for something. "You might not believe it but I had pushed for your hiring from the very start. I felt someone like you would be perfect for our situation."

"Someone like me, huh?"

Steven coughed at the remark, one hand now pulled out of his pocket as it reached for his glass of water. He sipped it slowly as Diantha watched him compose himself. "I meant entirely on your career and the fact you've had no controversies. Truthfully I saw you in a stage play a few years back when I was on a business trip to Unova. The way you acted it felt like you were speaking to me directly, like there was no one else in the room.

"I figured if anyone would manage to perform in our ads well enough it would be someone with the skills and grace such as yourself."

Diantha felt her face heating up slightly as she waved off the compliments. Despite everything that Steven had told her about the issues that he and Devon as a whole faced she could easily discern no ill intentions from them. It only helped to support his story. Smiling softly she responded.

"I'm honored to be thought of so highly by someone like you. And if the Devon Corporation ever needs my assistance again, I'm but a phone call away."

"We're grateful to hear that," Steven stated as his second hand emerged from his pocket. Diantha noted a small box within his hand now, the young adult unable to discern just what it might have held.

"Though we're sorry for the small payment. As you now know we're facing a financial hardship but any of the items you helped advertise are yours for the keeping. That includes the newest PokéNav model.

"But there was one other reason I had wanted to meet with you before you returned to Kalos. I guess you could say this is the final bit of payment for your services. Not from the Devon Corporation but from myself, as I feel I'll never be able to thank you enough for helping the company my family has worked hard to build up," Steven stated as he placed the small box on the table. Sliding it halfway across the booth, he left it alone as Diantha eyed it. From the looks of it alone it wasn't large enough to contain something huge and yet the box almost seemed to call to her. Her hands slowly reached forward for it, her fingers wrapping around the object as she pulled it towards herself.

Inspecting it, she lifted the cover slowly as her eyes widened at the object that rested within it. A necklace sat perfectly within the box, though it was the object in the center of it that had caught her attention. Nestled perfectly within the center of the necklace was a small stone, shining from the light of the restaurant as Diantha lifted the necklace by its string. The object spun slowly before her, the sphere being confirmed as what she assumed it had been.

"This is too much..." she muttered before grabbing ahold of the necklace to keep it from spinning. She had been hoping to find her own Keystone, especially after her latest Gym Battle with Gurkinn though she never imagined that one would have been gifted to her. "How did you ever find it? Why didn't you keep it for yourself?"

As if expecting the question Steven pulled a small ring from his pocket, the same stone lodged in the top of it. A smirk rested upon his face as he kissed his Keystone softly. "I'm always finding rare and valuable stones during my excursions. Though your partner, Gardevoir, they're known to Mega Evolve but I couldn't find her Mega Stone. But I figured the Keystone was still a sufficient compensation alone."

Diantha smiled, holding the necklace close to her chest. Her decision to take up the offer had worked out in the end, proving to be a better opportunity than she could have imagined. Moving slowly, she placed the necklace around her neck as the stone could be felt against her skin. It was a warm feeling, one that brought calmness to her as she felt Gardevoir's pokeball rock softly. With this Keystone she had a feeling that they were only going to grow even stronger now.

"It's been an honor to work for the Devon Corporation, Steven. And I'm wishing for nothing but the best for you and your father."

"I'll be rooting for you in both your endeavors, Diantha. I hope to hear about your acting career soon and best of luck in the Kalos League. I'll be competing in the Hoenn League myself soon. Who knows, maybe the next time we meet we'll have plenty of stories to discuss."

"I would like that," Diantha stated with a pause. Extending her hand forward she waited for Steven to grip it with his own. The man understood exactly what she meant, taking her hand within his own as they shook once more. With a pause they continued to hold onto each other's hand, neither ready to pull away until they finally did as Steven and Diantha both spoke the same words.

"To a new friendship, a partnership and new beginnings."


A bit different than usual. Though to quickly explain, I wanted to have a story with the two that took place before they were world famous between their careers and being Champions. So pretty much the events here are taking place as they're looking to challenge their respective Leagues.

Thank you to everyone who read the chapter and supports this story. Please leave a review letting me know what you enjoyed and how I can improve the story.