The Diamond Domain glittered like a dream beneath the earth. Endless walls of crystal and precious gems caught the faintest light and scattered it in a rainbow cascade, filling the cavernous halls with a glow that seemed alive. Each facet of diamond reflected another, until the whole place looked like a world built from starlight.
And in the middle of this brilliance ran its princess.
"Catch me if you can!" Diancie's cheerful voice rang like a silver bell. Her laughter echoed against the cavern walls. The young Jewel Pokémon spun with a twirl, sending a shimmer of pink sparkles trailing behind her.
"Lady Diancie, please—!" came the urgent call of Merrick, the stalwart Carbink who never let duty out of sight. He bounced after her, his gemstone body clinking faintly as he hopped along the path. His crystalline companions, Bort and Allotrope, hurried alongside him, their little voices overlapping in a chorus of exasperation.
"This is important!" Merrick cried, leaping forward with determination. "We are not playing a game!"
But to Diancie, everything was play. She looked back with a mischievous smile. "Oh, but Merrick, you look so funny when you're all serious! Come on, just a little longer!"
Her teasing only seemed to redouble his focus. He darted ahead, only for his gem-like body to catch on a loose pile of diamonds that had spilled across the pathway.
"Whoa—!"
With a clatter, Merrick tumbled headfirst into the glittering heap. The diamonds scattered like marbles, and Bort and Allotrope, unable to stop in time, crashed right into him. The three servants collapsed into a jumble, limbs flailing, buried under an avalanche of their own treasure.
Diancie covered her mouth, giggling. "Oh, my stars! You look like a pile of jewelry." Without waiting to help, she twirled away, skipping down the tunnel with sparkles at her heels.
Her laughter was still bouncing through the chamber when another voice, much deeper and slower, cut across the merriment.
"Princess Diancie."
The sound carried authority, like stone grinding against stone, aged and firm. The jewels in the walls seemed to still at the voice, their glimmers dimming in respect.
Diancie froze, the smile softening on her lips. From a side chamber stepped Dace, the elder Carbink. His body bore the dull patina of age, the brilliance of his once-pristine crystal form muted, yet his presence radiated wisdom and weight. His eyes, etched deep with time, regarded her with quiet gravity.
"Grandpa Dace..." Diancie's tone was half-innocent, half-guilty. "You always sneak up on me when I'm having fun."
"That is because fun is not what is needed now," Dace replied. His voice, though weary, filled the chamber like the resonance of a bell. "The Heart Diamond is our lifeblood, the source of the Diamond Domain's brilliance, and it is fading. Soon, its glow will die, and with it, our home."
The young princess blinked, her expression flickering between disbelief and discomfort. Then she giggled, shaking her head. "You worry too much, Dace. If you frown like that all the time, you'll lose your luster. And we can't have a dull gem, can we?"
The elder's face remained still. "This is not a jest, princess."
She shrugged lightly, unconcerned. "Okie-dokie!"
Dace narrowed his eyes. "A simple 'yes' will suffice."
Diancie pouted, her rosy cheeks puffing just slightly. "...Yes," she said, though the sparkle in her eyes showed she wasn't taking the scolding too hard.
Together they walked deeper into the cavern, followed by Merrick and the other Carbink once they managed to untangle themselves. The glow around them dimmed as they approached the heart of the domain, a vast chamber where a single monumental jewel floated at the center.
The Heart Diamond.
Once, it had shone with pure radiance, casting light strong enough to bathe the entire kingdom. Now, its glow was faded, weak pulses of light flickering faintly as though it were struggling to breathe. The chamber felt colder than the rest of the domain, the silence heavy and expectant.
Diancie gazed up at it, suddenly quieter. "It really does look... tired."
"Then you understand why I called you here," Dace said. His gaze never left the great jewel. "Only you can create a new Heart Diamond, Princess Diancie. The future of our species depends on you."
The young Jewel Pokémon lifted her small hands. Energy sparkled between her palms, pink light building in delicate threads. She closed her eyes, focused, and willed another diamond into being.
A shimmer of crystal began to form in the air before her. For a moment, the servants held their breath in awe. But the glow faltered. The half-formed diamond splintered like fragile glass and fell, shattering into a rain of useless fragments at her feet.
Diancie stared at the shards. Her voice came out small. "I... I can't do it."
Her shoulders drooped. For the first time, her usual brightness dimmed, uncertainty clouding her eyes.
"You will," Dace said gently. His expression softened, the sternness giving way to patience. "But not without help. You must find the one who can grant you strength you lack. The Life Pokémon, Xerneas."
The name echoed through the chamber like a legend spoken aloud. The younger Carbink exchanged awed glances.
"Xerneas?" Diancie whispered.
Dace inclined his head slowly. "Long ago, when I was young, a catastrophe befell Allearth Forest. It was destroyed... and I, too, perished in its ruin. Yet Xerneas shared with me its Fairy Aura. By its blessing, I live still, though my body bears the years."
The Jewel Pokémon's eyes widened, her earlier doubts replaced with wonder. "You mean... it can save the Heart Diamond too?"
"Perhaps. Its power is life itself," Dace said. "And you, Princess, must seek it."
Diancie's lips curved into a smile once more, her earlier despair forgotten. "That means... I'll finally get to see the outside world?" Her voice trembled with excitement.
Dace's gaze lingered on her for a long moment. "...Yes."
She twirled in place, unable to hold back her joy. "Okie-dokie!"
Dace gave her a familiar frown. "And what would suffice?"
She giggled, tilting her head in mock surrender. "...A simple Yes."
The Heart Diamond pulsed faintly then, as though acknowledging the vow. Its light flickered in and out, fragile yet still alive.
For the first time since entering the chamber, Diancie did not laugh. She gazed at the fading jewel, and in her heart—beneath the sparkle and the mischief—she felt something stir. A tiny ember of determination.
Later that night, the Diamond Domain lay quiet.
The Carbink servants busied themselves preparing small packs of essentials—polished shards for light, soft diamond-dust cloths, little parcels of energy-rich minerals. Merrick oversaw everything with his usual sense of duty, scolding Bort when he tried to hoard extra gems for himself.
Diancie, meanwhile, sat near the edge of a crystal pool, her reflection wavering beneath the rippling surface. She stared at her own face, the delicate crown-like structure atop her head, the luminous pink of her eyes. She looked like a princess, everyone told her so. But did she look like someone who could save an entire world?
She picked up a shard of diamond from beside the pool and held it to the light. For a moment, she imagined it glowing brighter, transforming into something grander, greater... into a new Heart Diamond. But the shard stayed small, ordinary, a pale echo of what was needed.
Her shoulders drooped. "What if I can't do it...?" she whispered.
The water rippled. Dace's reflection appeared behind hers, his aged form casting a long shadow. "Doubt is natural," he said softly. "Even diamonds begin as rough stones. They do not shine until they are shaped by pressure, by time, by trial."
Diancie turned to him. "Do you really believe Xerneas can help me?"
"I do," Dace said simply. "Not because I know. But because I have seen its power. When the forest fell and my light faded, Xerneas gave it back to me. That gift has lasted for centuries. If it could save one old Carbink, perhaps it can save us all."
His words sank deep into her. Slowly, Diancie smiled again, smaller this time, gentler. "Then... I'll go. I'll find it."
Her eyes sparkled with quiet resolve.
The elder nodded, satisfaction flickering in his tired gaze. "Then the dawn of your journey is upon us, child."
When the morning came, the Diamond Domain glittered with a strange mix of celebration and worry. Carbink gathered along the gem-lit corridors, whispering as their princess passed by. Some were wide-eyed with awe, others with fear, but all looked to her with hope.
Diancie twirled in the air, offering waves and smiles as if she were leaving for a festival rather than a quest of destiny. Merrick sighed but kept pace beside her, Bort and Allotrope trailing close behind. Dace followed last, his steps slow, his eyes fixed on the fading glow of the Heart Diamond above.
At the threshold of the domain, where the last of the crystal walls gave way to shadow and stone, Diancie paused. Beyond lay the outside world she had only ever dreamed of. Unknown, untamed, and waiting.
She took a breath. The air felt different here. Cooler, freer, like a promise.
"Okie-dokie!" she declared brightly. Then, catching Dace's pointed look, she added with a giggle: "...Yes."
And with that, the Jewel Princess stepped into the world beyond. Her journey, and the fate of the Diamond Domain, just beginning.
PoKéFaN The Movie
Diancie and The Cocoon of Destruction
The streets of Avignon Town buzzed with energy. Cafés spilled chatter onto cobblestone lanes, and shopfronts glittered with polished windows under the late-morning sun. In the town square, however, all eyes were on one thing: a Pokémon battle.
Ash stood confidently at his end of the field, Pikachu poised on the stones before him, cheeks sparking with anticipation. Across from them stood Astrid, a calm but commanding Ace Trainer with flowing blonde hair and eyes that reflected sharp focus. By her side loomed Pyroar, its mane blazing in the sunlight.
"Ready, Pikachu?" Ash called.
"Pika!" Pikachu's tail snapped upward, sparks scattering in reply.
The battle exploded into motion. Pyroar lunged forward, its movements sharp and fluid, but Pikachu met it head-on. Sparks surged as the little mouse gathered strength and hurled an Electro Ball through the air. The sphere of electricity arced brilliantly, striking Pyroar in the chest with a crackling blast. The proud lion staggered, flames sputtering, and then collapsed.
Cheers erupted from the crowd. Ash punched the air. "All right! Nice work, Pikachu!"
Astrid's lips curved into a slight smile. Calmly, she withdrew Pyroar's Poké Ball and plucked out another. "Not bad. But let's see how you handle this."
In a flash of light, her Floette appeared, floating gracefully with petals swirling around it like a halo. Ash recalled Pikachu and reached for his next partner.
"Froakie, I choose you!"
The nimble Water-type bounded forward, bubbles clinging around its neck like a scarf. It crouched low, eyes locked on its opponent.
The clash that followed was a dance of precision. Floette's movements were light, almost musical, weaving through Froakie's strikes with effortless grace. Froakie darted along the cobblestones, leaping high, countering with bursts of speed and clever angles. Each exchange seemed to teeter on the edge of victory, but neither would yield.
Ash's voice cut through the tension, sharp and sure. "Hang in there, Froakie, let's push through!"
With a sudden surge of resolve, Froakie lunged, its final strike piercing through Floette's defense. The little Fairy-type faltered, then fell, its petals scattering across the battlefield.
Ash pumped a fist, the crowd applauding his grit. "Yes! Way to go, Froakie!"
Astrid's expression remained composed, but her eyes glinted. "Impressive. But the battle isn't over yet."
[Line Break]
Far from the square, another figure was approaching Avignon Town. Diancie floated delicately along the forest path that led into the bustling city, her gemstone body catching glints of sunlight filtering through the leaves. Her eyes sparkled with wonder at the world beyond her cavern home; so full of sound, color, and life.
But her awe was cut short.
From the shadows ahead, two figures emerged. One was a tall woman with piercing eyes, cloaked in dark garments. At her side stood a Delphox, its wand smoldering with embers. Beside her, a man with a calm, calculating demeanor moved like a hunter, his Greninja at the ready, blades of water shimmering faintly at its wrists.
Diancie gasped, backing away. She had no doubt, they were here for her.
"Stay back!" she cried, but her voice trembled more with fear than authority.
The pair didn't answer. With a commanding gesture, the woman sent her Delphox forward, flames twisting in its hands. The man followed, his Greninja darting with blinding speed.
Panicked, Diancie turned and bolted toward the city. Her body glittered with trails of light as she wove desperately between alleys and cobblestone streets. Shouts of surprise rose from townsfolk as the Jewel Pokémon zipped past market stalls, the hunters hot on her heels.
Delphox hurled bursts of fire that ignited sparks along her path, while Greninja bounded effortlessly over rooftops, its form melting in and out of shadow like liquid. Diancie's heart pounded, never had the outside world felt so large, so dangerous.
[Line Break]
Back in the square, Astrid lifted her final Poké Ball. "This will be your greatest challenge, Ash."
She threw it high, and a flash of light burst open. Absol landed gracefully on the battlefield, its scythe-like horn gleaming menacingly. Its crimson eyes burned with intensity.
"Absol, huh?" Ash muttered, adjusting his cap. "Then let's go, Hawlucha!"
With a cry, Hawlucha leapt into the air, landing in a striking pose. Its eyes shone with fiery determination.
For the first few exchanges, Hawlucha moved like a blur; swooping, striking, retreating with acrobatic flair. The crowd gasped with each daring dive, every close call against Absol's powerful counters. But then Astrid raised her arm, her wrist gleaming with an unfamiliar device.
"Now, Absol! Let's show them."
The Keystone embedded in her bracelet shimmered, resonating with the Absol before her. Light engulfed the Dark-type, its body transforming, power radiating outward in waves. When the brilliance faded, Absol stood reborn, its mane longer, horn sharper, presence far more imposing.
Gasps filled the square.
"That's—!" Ash's eyes widened. "Mega Evolution?!"
The battle resumed with newfound ferocity. Mega Absol surged forward, its strikes sharper, heavier, its speed nearly impossible to follow. Hawlucha gave everything; dodging, striking, flipping through the air in a dazzling display of skill.
But against Mega Absol's relentless assault, even Hawlucha's spirit couldn't hold forever. A burst of dark energy erupted across the square, engulfing the Fighting-type. With a final cry, Hawlucha fell, defeated.
The cheers of the crowd slowly quieted as the referee announced Astrid the winner. Ash held Hawlucha's Poké Ball close to his chest, his jaw set but his eyes still burning with determination.
"That was amazing, Astrid," Ash admitted, stepping closer across the battlefield. "Your Absol... that Mega Evolution... it was incredible. But next time we battle, I'm going to win!"
Astrid's lips curved into a calm, knowing smile. She brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, her Absol standing proudly at her side, the light of its Mega form still fading.
"I'll be ready," she said evenly. "Anytime you want to challenge me again, I'll welcome it. I enjoy battling trainers with such spirit." Her gaze softened for a moment, then sharpened as she recalled a memory. "In fact, not long ago, I had a battle with someone else who showed the same kind of fire... a young man with a powerful Mega Charizard."
Ash's eyes widened. "Mega Charizard?"
Astrid nodded. "Yes. He wore a black outfit, with a light blue scarf around his neck. His Charizard was unlike any I'd ever faced; it carried a strength and presence that overwhelmed Absol, even in its Mega form."
At those words, Serena froze. Her hands tightened against her skirt, her chest tightening as though the air had suddenly grown heavier. "A... light blue scarf?" she whispered. Her eyes glistened faintly as memories surfaced. "That has to be... Alain."
Clemont tilted his head. "You know him?"
Serena nodded, her voice soft but steady. "Yes. We were both research aides under Professor Sycamore. But Alain... he left on a journey before I did. I... we haven't heard from him in so long."
Astrid regarded her with quiet understanding. "He spoke of his goal with a conviction that was hard to ignore. Alain wants to become the strongest Mega Evolution trainer. And from what I saw of his Charizard, he may very well succeed. He defeated Absol with ease."
Serena lowered her gaze, a mixture of pride and sadness flickering in her eyes.
Ash noticed. Stepping closer, he gave her a reassuring grin. "Hey, don't worry, Serena. If Alain's out there chasing his dream, then we'll definitely meet him. Maybe even at the Kalos League!"
Pikachu perked up on Ash's shoulder, "Pika pika!" echoing his trainer's determination.
Serena blinked, her lips parting slightly before curling into a faint, grateful smile. Ash's unwavering optimism lit something warm inside her chest.
"You're right," she said softly. "You're right Ash... we'll definitely cross paths with him."
Astrid glanced between the two of them, her composed smile returning. "Then I look forward to seeing where your journeys take you. Kalos has a way of bringing strong trainers together."
Ash's fists clenched with excitement. "I can't wait! Next time we battle, Astrid, I'll show you just how strong we've become!"
Astrid inclined her head gracefully. "I'll be waiting."
As the sun dipped lower over Avignon Town, casting golden hues across the square, Ash and his friends felt the weight of new possibilities. Mega Evolution had revealed a vast new horizon, and somewhere out there, Alain and his Charizard were waiting.
And somewhere in that same town, Diancie continued to run, chased by shadows that wanted her power.
[Line Break]
The evening air in Avignon Town was alive with the scents of street vendors and the hum of chatter. Ash and his friends walked along the lantern-lit streets, still buzzing from the day's battles. Pikachu balanced on Ash's shoulder, ears twitching as if listening for something beyond the noise of the crowd.
Suddenly, Pikachu stiffened. "Pika!" it cried, leaping down to the cobblestones.
"Pikachu?" Ash blinked. "What's up, buddy?"
Without waiting, Pikachu dashed toward a narrow alley.
"Ash, wait!" Serena called, but Ash was already running after him, with Clemont, Bonnie, and Serena close behind.
The group burst into a quieter part of town, where the glow of lanterns didn't reach as strongly. And there, in the shadows, they saw it: Diancie. The Jewel Pokémon trembled as two imposing figures cornered her.
The tall woman—Merilyn—stood with a sly smirk, her Delphox at her side, wand crackling with embers. Beside her loomed Riot, his Greninja crouched low, eyes gleaming like blades in the dim light.
"That gemstone is mine," Merilyn purred, her tone mocking. "I'll be the one to claim it."
"Tch. You talk too much," Riot snapped back, his arms crossed. "You're nothing but a blabbermouth. She belongs to me."
"Excuse me?!" Merilyn's eyes flashed with fire as hot as her Delphox's flames.
As the two bickered, Diancie floated backward nervously, her diamond body shimmering faintly. "Please... I don't want to fight..." she whispered.
Ash clenched his fists, stepping forward without hesitation. "Hey! Leave her alone!" His voice cut sharply through their argument.
Both Merilyn and Riot turned, narrowing their eyes at the boy.
"This is your chance, Diancie!" Ash urged, glancing over his shoulder. "Go with Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie. They'll get you to safety."
Serena nodded quickly, reaching out her hand to the frightened Pokémon. "Come on! We'll protect you!"
Diancie hesitated for only a heartbeat, then darted toward Serena, who gently guided her back with Clemont and Bonnie flanking on either side.
"Pfft. Meddling kid," Riot growled, stepping forward. "Greninja—"
"Delphox, teach him a lesson!" Merilyn cut in, her smirk returning.
Ash stood his ground, eyes blazing with resolve. "Pikachu, let's show them what we've got!"
"Pika—CHU!" Pikachu cried, unleashing a brilliant Thunderbolt that split the alley with crackling light. The attack crashed into both Delphox and Greninja, sparks exploding as the two Pokémon cried out in shock.
"Delphox!" Merilyn gasped.
"Greninja—!" Riot snarled, glaring daggers at Ash as his partner collapsed beside Delphox.
Ash didn't wait for them to recover. "Come on, Pikachu! We're out of here!"
He turned and bolted, Pikachu sprinting at his heels. Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and Diancie were already racing toward the brighter streets ahead. Behind them, Merilyn fumed while Riot scowled at his partner.
"I told you, you talk too much," Riot muttered darkly.
Merilyn whipped her head toward him, sparks practically flying from her eyes. "And I told you I don't take orders from you!"
But their bickering was drowned by the fading footsteps of Ash and his friends, who were already leading Diancie to safety.
The group didn't stop running until they reached a quiet plaza on the far side of town, where the warm light of street lamps spilled across the cobblestones.
Ash bent over, catching his breath, while Pikachu panted at his side. Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie gathered around Diancie, who floated delicately in the air, her jewel-like body shimmering faintly under the night sky.
"Are you okay?" Serena asked gently, placing a hand against her chest.
Diancie blinked, her gem-like eyes glowing faintly. Then, in a soft, clear voice that echoed directly into their minds, she said, "I am very grateful to you all... for saving me."
Ash and his friends froze.
"Wha—?!" Bonnie gasped, eyes wide as saucers. "She can talk!"
Clemont adjusted his glasses, a spark of fascination flashing in his eyes. "Not exactly. It seems she's speaking through telepathy, projecting her voice into our minds!"
Bonnie clasped her hands together, her expression melting into pure delight. "That's amazing! And she's sooo cute, too!" She skipped a little circle around Diancie, giggling.
Diancie tilted her head, puzzled by the attention but not displeased. "Cute? I do not quite understand... but thank you."
Serena, still recovering from the surprise, quickly pulled her Kalos guidebook from her satchel. She flipped through the pages until her eyes lit up. "Here, look! This says she's a Mythical Pokémon. Diancie... 'the Jewel Pokémon.' It's said she has the power to create diamonds at will."
"Diamonds?!" Bonnie's eyes sparkled as brightly as Diancie herself. "That's incredible!"
Ash straightened, grinning in awe. "So you're Diancie, huh? That's amazing! I'm Ash, and this is my partner, Pikachu!"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu chimed, tail wagging.
Clemont gave a polite nod. "I'm Clemont, and this is my little sister, Bonnie."
"And I'm Serena," Serena added warmly. "It's really nice to meet you."
Diancie hovered closer, her eyes soft. "Ash, Pikachu, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie... I shall remember these names. You have already taught me much. For example..." She paused, her voice carrying a note of curiosity. "Those two people who pursued me, you called them thieves. That means... those who try to take what is not theirs, yes?"
Clemont nodded. "That's right. They were trying to capture you by force."
A quiet shimmer passed through Diancie's body as she considered this. "I see. Then I have already learned much of this outside world. It is vast, and frightening... but also full of kindness." Her gaze lingered on Ash and his friends, a soft glow radiating from her diamond core.
Bonnie clasped her hands again with a dreamy sigh. "She's so amazing..."
Ash stepped forward, giving Diancie a reassuring grin. "Don't worry. As long as you're with us, we'll make sure no one can hurt you."
For the first time since leaving the Diamond Domain, Diancie felt a flicker of safety, and perhaps, the beginning of true friendship.
[Line Break]
Later that evening, Ash and his friends gathered in a cozy restaurant on the edge of Avignon Town. The warm glow of lanterns illuminated the wooden tables, and the delicious aroma of Kalos cooking filled the air. Plates of steaming food arrived one by one, and for the first time in her life, Diancie sat at a table surrounded by friends.
"This is so exciting," Bonnie said, bouncing in her seat. "Diancie, you've gotta try some of this stew!"
Diancie tilted her head, then delicately lifted a spoon. She took a careful sip, her gemstone eyes widening as the flavors washed over her. "Such... richness of taste," she said softly. "It is unlike anything I have ever experienced."
Ash grinned. "See? Told you food tastes way better when you're sharing it with friends!"
Bonnie hopped up eagerly. "Come on, Diancie! Let's go get seconds!"
Diancie set down her spoon, folded her hands with surprising grace, and bowed her head slightly. "Very well. I shall accompany you in this endeavour."
Everyone blinked at her formality, then chuckled. Serena smiled warmly. "She really does have the manners of a royal princess, doesn't she?"
"Yup," Ash agreed between bites. "She's definitely one of a kind."
But just as laughter filled the table, a dark shadow crept outside the window. A muffled whisper floated through the night.
"Now, Jessie, James, Meowth! We strike while they're distracted!"
With a flourish, Team Rocket leapt into the restaurant, a giant sack in hand.
Before anyone could react, Meowth and Wobbuffet lunged forward, yanking the sack over Diancie. "Gotcha!" Meowth cackled. "The princess gem is ours!"
"Diancie!" Ash shouted, leaping from his seat.
But Team Rocket was already making their getaway, slipping through the streets with the sack wriggling in their arms. Ash and his friends gave chase, Pikachu sprinting at Ash's side.
They trailed the trio all the way to the looming silhouette of Avignon's clock tower. At the top, Team Rocket dumped Diancie out of the sack, circling her with greedy eyes.
"Now, Diamond-Maker," Jessie purred, "be a dear and whip up some jewels for us, won't you?"
"Yes, yes!" James added, rubbing his hands together. "Great, glittering, gorgeous diamonds!"
Diancie had a confused expression. "You want me to create diamonds? But please don't be disappointed." She says in a sad voice. Then a magenta hue starts radiating around her. Diancie continues to concentrate and gems start to form around them.
"We're rich! Rich, I tell ya!" James howled.
"Finally, a payday that sparkles!" Jessie cackled.
But as they reveled in their ill-gotten treasure, a new voice rang out.
"That's enough."
A young woman stepped from the shadows of the tower, her long hair flowing behind her. At her side stood a towering Chesnaught, its spiked shell bristling with power. With a single command, Chesnaught smashed through the diamonds, scattering Team Rocket off their feet.
"Wha—?! Who are you supposed to be?!" Jessie screeched.
The girl ignored them, extending a hand to Diancie. "Come with me. Quickly."
Diancie hesitated for only a moment before nodding. She floated toward the stranger, who shielded her with Chesnaught's massive frame as they made their escape down the tower.
Minutes later, Diancie reunited with Ash and his friends in the plaza below. She was trembling, but her eyes shone with relief. "I am safe... thanks to you all once again. And to that mysterious young woman."
Ash nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Diancie. As long as we're here, you'll never be alone."
Diancie's expression softened. Then, after a pause, she spoke with deliberate weight. "There is something you must know. My true objective in leaving the Diamond Domain is to find Xerneas, the Life Pokémon. It is said that its Fairy Aura may grant me the power to create true, everlasting diamonds."
"Xerneas?" Clemont adjusted his glasses, eyes wide. "That's incredible... Xerneas is said to embody life itself!"
Bonnie tilted her head curiously. "But... you just made all those diamonds in the tower."
Diancie shook her head solemnly. "Those diamonds are not real. They shine brightly for a time... but then, they vanish."
Almost as if on cue, at the very top of the clock tower, the heaps of jewels began to shimmer and crumble into dust. Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet shrieked in despair, their laughter turning into wails.
"Noooo! Our diamonds!" Jessie wailed.
"Gone in a puff!" James groaned.
"Talk about false advertising!" Meowth growled.
Their cries echoed through the night as Diancie turned back to Ash and his friends.
"I must seek Xerneas," she continued in her soft but regal tone. "But... if you would accompany me, I would be most honored."
Ash pumped a fist, grinning ear to ear. "Of course we'll go with you! Right, guys?"
"Definitely!" Serena said warmly.
"It sounds like an amazing adventure," Clemont agreed.
"And we'll be with you every step of the way!" Bonnie added, hugging Dedenne close.
Diancie lowered her head gracefully. "Then I shall entrust my journey to you. You have my deepest gratitude."
Ash blinked at her formality, scratching his cheek. "Wow... you really do sound like a princess sometimes."
Serena giggled. "That's because she is like a royal princess."
Bonnie twirled with delight. "The prettiest princess ever!"
[Line Break]
Far from the glittering lights of Avignon Town, a massive, shadowy vessel drifted silently above the treetops. Its sleek design reflected no moonlight, cloaking it in darkness. Inside, glowing screens tracked movements across Kalos—one feed showing Diancie and Ash's group, another monitoring Merilyn and Riot's failed attempt, and yet another displaying Team Rocket sulking over their vanished diamonds.
At the center of it all sat Argus Steel, reclining lazily in his chair, his sharp eyes half-hidden behind the dim glow of the monitors. In one hand, he held a half-empty box of fine chocolates, picking through them with deliberate slowness. Each bite was measured, savored.
On one screen, Jessie tripped over James, and Meowth shouted something about "refunds." Argus chuckled, his voice low and rumbling. "Team Rocket... pathetic. They're the least of my worries."
The sliding door behind him hissed open. Millis Steel stepped inside, her boots soft against the metallic floor. Chesnaught followed silently at her side, its imposing figure casting a long shadow.
"Father," Millis said in her calm, measured tone, "I've returned. Diancie escaped the clock tower, but she is with the boy now. She's making progress."
Argus popped another chocolate into his mouth, closing his eyes as though the taste mattered more than the report. He chewed slowly, then finally nodded. "Good. Very good. Every step she takes in the outside world brings her closer to her potential. And closer to us."
Millis crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You seem more focused on those chocolates than on her."
Argus smirked, lifting one of the pieces delicately. "Ah, but these, my dear, are not just confections. Each one is crafted with precision, using only the finest ingredients. This one—" he held it up theatrically "—is filled with a rich ganache that melts perfectly on the tongue. That is quality. Just like the diamonds Diancie will one day produce."
He popped it into his mouth, savoring it as though it were the rarest treasure in the world.
Millis frowned, her voice carrying a note of concern. "Father, you've been eating far too many of those. You know your health can't handle this obsession."
Argus let out a deep laugh, patting his chest lightly. "Yes, yes, I'm aware. My health, my age, my vices. I know them all. But some temptations... even a wise man cannot resist." He plucked another chocolate and bit into it without hesitation, his eyes glittering as though the sweetness fueled his thoughts.
Millis sighed, glancing at Chesnaught, who grunted disapprovingly. "One day, your weakness for sweets will catch up to you."
Argus only smirked, leaning back in his chair as the monitors continued to flash with images of Diancie and her new companions. He licked a trace of chocolate from his thumb.
"Perhaps," he murmured. "But until then... Diancie is the real prize. And I'll savour every step she takes... just as I savour these chocolates."
[Line Break]
The hum of the engine filled the air as the bus rumbled steadily down the winding road, trees and hills blurring past the windows.
In the very back row, Ash and his friends sat together, with Pikachu perched comfortably on Ash's lap. Diancie sat primly beside Bonnie, her gemstone body catching faint glimmers of the overhead lights, her posture as refined as a princess attending a banquet.
Suddenly, Diancie's eyes widened ever so slightly, a faint shimmer rippling across the pink diamond crest on her forehead. She turned her gaze toward the window, her voice soft yet resolute. "I can sense it... the Fairy Aura. It lingers, leaving a trail, like light footsteps in the air."
Serena tilted her head curiously. "So... this means we're on the right path?"
"Yes," Diancie replied with a graceful nod. "The Fairy Aura is not constant, it is fleeting. But the essence of Xerneas lingers in its wake. If we follow it carefully, it will lead us to the one I seek."
Clemont adjusted his glasses, clearly intrigued. "Fascinating. It's almost like a natural energy signature. To think you can sense it so clearly..."
Bonnie leaned forward, smiling brightly at Diancie. "That's amazing! You're like a magical compass!"
Diancie folded her hands in her lap, her tone formal but gentle. "I was taught that honesty is a virtue. I would never mislead you. To lie is... unbecoming. Truth is a light that must never be hidden."
Serena's lips curved into a soft smile. "You really do talk like a princess, Diancie."
Ash grinned, rubbing Pikachu affectionately on the head. "Heh, with someone like you guiding us, there's no way we'll get lost. Right, Pikachu?"
"Pikaaa!" Pikachu chirped happily, leaning into Ash's hand as his cheeks sparked faintly with delight. The little Pokémon's eyes closed as Ash scratched just the right spot, his tail wagging contentedly.
The bus continued its steady journey down the road, the sense of anticipation quietly building as the trail of Fairy Aura beckoned them onward.
Night had settled softly over the forest clearing, the bus long behind them. A small campfire flickered in the center of the group, its embers glowing faintly before Clemont carefully doused it with water.
One by one, the group drifted to their tents, leaving the quiet hum of the night to cradle them in sleep.
Diancie, however, sat alone on a smooth stone, her gemstone crest shimmering faintly in the moonlight. She extended her arms, concentrating with all her strength. Brilliant sparkles of light gathered at her fingertips, forming the beginnings of a Heart Diamond. But as the shape began to take form, it shuddered—then collapsed into scattered fragments of fading light.
Her shoulders sank. "I still... cannot," she whispered softly to herself.
As she lowered her gaze, something bright caught her eye. A streak of silver light cut across the night sky, a shooting star, trailing like a diamond blazing through darkness. Her breath caught in awe.
"Beautiful, huh?" a familiar voice said gently.
Diancie turned to see Ash, rubbing his eyes as he stepped out of his tent. Pikachu was draped lazily over his shoulder, still half-asleep but twitching his ears at the shimmering sky.
Ash walked over and sat beside her, following her gaze. "That's called a shooting star. You know what people do when they see one?"
Diancie tilted her head curiously. "I do not... enlighten me, Ash."
"You make a wish," Ash explained with a smile. "They say if you wish hard enough, it might come true."
Diancie blinked, processing the idea. "A wish... something one desires in their heart?"
"Yeah," Ash said, nodding. "Something important. Something you want more than anything." He looked up at the star, his expression softening. "Go on. Try it with me."
Diancie turned back to the sky, her eyes reflecting the streak of light. Closing them briefly, she whispered her wish silently to herself.
Ash, in turn, pressed a fist against his chest. "I wish... that one day, Diancie will be able to make the most amazing diamonds she's ever made."
Diancie's eyes widened, touched by the sincerity in his voice. For the first time that day, her lips curled into a genuine, almost shy smile. "Ash... thank you."
From her tent, Serena watched quietly, the flap lifted just enough for her to peek through. The soft glow of the shooting star lit both Ash and Diancie's faces, their laughter light and unguarded. A tender warmth filled Serena's chest as she rested her chin against her hand.
"He's always so kind," she murmured softly, her eyes shining with admiration.
The star faded from the sky, but the quiet bond it left behind glimmered brightly in the night.
Continued in part 2