The underground Diamond Domain wasn't densely covered with dazzling diamonds as imagined, but was so pitch-black you couldn't see your hand in front of your face...
The experienced Steven was just about to turn on his headlamp when Lorze stopped him from the side.
"Mr. Steven! Using strong light might affect the Pokémon in the cave, right?"
"That's true, but if we don't turn on the light... wait, could it be?"
In his blurry vision, did Lorze seem to smile?
Because the young man patted the furry, small shoulder of the girl: "Braixen, I'd like to ask you to handle the lighting, is that okay?"
"Of course, since Master Zako is asking~"
"Mhm~ Braixen is the best!"
Praised by the young man, her cheeks flushed red. Fortunately, the pitch-black environment made it impossible to see, which perfectly covered up the fox girl's slight awkwardness.
Pulling out the spell-casting branch from her tail, Braixen closed her eyes and focused her attention—
Gathering the power of the Fire and Psychic types in her body to the tip, a cluster of gentle flames swayed lightly, illuminating the pitch-black cave just right.
Although the atmosphere was mysterious and romantic, Steven was a bit anxious: "But, Sir Lorze, burning an open flame in a cave..."
"Don't worry, Mr. Steven. This is not a real 'fire', but an illumination energy similar to a flame created by psychic power."
Braixen, wearing a large, pointed hat and holding the torch high, was a veritable magical (fox) girl!
Hearing Lorze's explanation, Steven sighed in relief. I really underestimated Sir Lorze a bit.
"Then we'll rely on you, Miss Braixen."
Holding Braixen's furry paw, Lorze and the fox girl led the way in front.
Obscure ores in the corners brushed past their vision. The ground, filled with potholed puddles due to dampness, often splashed water from inadvertent steps—Even so, let's abandon human equipment to calm our minds and feel it, let's have a natural and romantic encounter~
Stopping and going, the speed wasn't fast—because Steven had already begun studying the stones in the cave with great interest.
"Are there any interesting stones?"
"No... although there are indeed some ores, they are all considered common."
However, Steven wasn't in a hurry. His intuition told him this place would definitely be his paradise.
The cave was very quiet, and annoying Pokémon like Zubat didn't exist, until... a strange noise came from not far away.
Her keen ears twitched, and Braixen pulled the young man.
"Master Zako, be careful! There seems to be movement ahead..."
Mewtwo immediately shielded Lorze and Braixen. This formation made Steven a bit nervous too.
What exactly is...
"H-Help!"
Eh?
A slender girl's cry for help reached everyone's ears.
Kirlia's pupils widened slightly, and her body involuntarily trembled.
A dim cave, a helpless cry for help... a familiar scene flooded her mind.
Immediately executing Teleport to arrive at the source of the sound, at this moment, Kirlia even forgot about danger—
"Wait a minute, Kirlia!"
Perhaps because she could empathize too much with this fear, she subconsciously arrived beside that child.
"P-Please save me!"
So that's how it is. It's pinned down by a giant boulder.
Kirlia extended both hands, tightly closed her eyes, and executed telekinesis. She wanted to lift the boulder—
So heavy... No, I can do it!
The boulder suddenly became lighter, because Mewtwo and Lorze had already stood beside her.
Kirlia tucked her small hands away, looking very apologetic, as she had been too rash after all.
But contrary to her expectations, neither of them blamed her.
"Kirlia has already started taking the initiative to help others, you've grown into a good girl~"
"Of course, but next time you should also pay more attention to your own safety."
The girl, whose head was being stroked by Lorze, showed a shy smile: "Mhm, thank you Big Brother Lorze, Big Sister Mewtwo!"
"Sir Lorze, what exactly happened!?"
"This child was pinned by a boulder, so it sent out a distress signal."
As Braixen brought the torch a little closer, what appeared in the dim cave was a... with crystals growing on its body.
Stone?
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
It hurriedly nodded and thanked everyone repeatedly: "No! I was just pinned... Um, th-thank you for saving me!"
Looking at the scene before him, Steven was so surprised he was left speechless: A jewel-like Pokémon... can actually talk!?
One must know that there aren't many Pokémon that can talk. What exactly is this...
"This is a resident of the Diamond Domain—a Pokémon named Carbink. Mr. Steven, now do you believe I didn't lie to you?"
But the excited Steven couldn't hear what Lorze said clearly. Instead, he rushed in front of Carbink, squatted down, and took out a magnifying glass to observe Carbink up close!
"Wow, wow, this... this body structure... Wait, can the ores on the body also be mined..."
Being observed as if it were a dead object, Carbink looked bewildered and cramped, but these people had saved it, so it couldn't exactly be angry...
Seeing that Steven had already taken out his pickaxe and was about to get to work, Lorze quickly shielded Carbink behind him—
"M-Mr. Steven! Carbink is a Pokémon, not an ore. You can't do that!"
Steven resentfully put the pickaxe back, but his face was full of regret.
"Ah, oh, I'm truly sorry... but this is my first time seeing this kind of Pokémon..."
You don't look sorry at all! You're really impatient, Mr. Steven. This Carbink is just the tip of the iceberg of the Diamond Domain.
"Carbink, how did you end up pinned by a stone all alone? You should have companions, right?"
"Yes, but... because I was very curious about the outside, I sneaked out of the Diamond Domain alone... and then suddenly..."
So it's a mischievous and playful child. It was probably suddenly crushed by the collapse of a boulder that lost its support. However, Carbink's body is indeed hard, to actually not have a single scratch.
"We are travelers who want to visit the Diamond Domain. Could you please lead the way for us to the Diamond Domain?"
"Th-This..."
"Please rest assured. Although the uncle over here looks strange, we don't have any bad intentions. Otherwise, we wouldn't have saved you, right?"
His friend's teasing made Steven's brain buzz.
Strange uncle? No, no, no, I should be the strong and powerful Hoenn Champion... Sir Lorze!
But his words might have actually been effective. That Carbink coyly sized up the two young men, then looked at the kind-looking Pokémon beside Lorze.
I-I should honestly just lead the way...
"I-I understand! Please follow me!"
Following the bouncing Carbink ahead, Lorze, Steven, and the group walked deeper into the cave.
At first, the two didn't pay much attention, and Carbink didn't speak either.
Until they passed a corner, flocks of Carbink strolled leisurely among them, and the prosperous Diamond Domain unfolded before the group like a scroll painting.
And the magnificent pillars supporting the kingdom were dazzling crystal clusters of various shapes and forms—an ancient Roman city hidden deep underground?
Temporarily losing their words, only "Holy crap" could express his feelings. He presumed Mr. Steven felt the same...
Turning his head to the side: Eh!? Mr. Steven fainted!?
But those Carbink of the Diamond Domain, seeing Lorze and Steven bringing a Carbink, suddenly glared with wide, angry eyes—
"Intruders!? You dare to hold our compatriot hostage!?"
"Release our compatriot!"
"Everyone, let's get them together!"
The residents of the Diamond Domain united as one, gathering their energy to use moves. Sharp rock spikes fell like raindrops—
Facing the barrage of rock spikes like a thousand arrows fired at once, Lorze frowned and silently shielded Steven behind him.
Mr. Steven, you like stones the most. I'll give all these to you!
Steven: !?
—Just kidding.
The Hoenn Champion reacted with god-like speed and threw a Poké Ball. The silver-white Metagross landed fiercely, and together with Mewtwo, propped up barriers before the Carbinks' rain of spikes fell!
The Power Gem attacks tapped against the Protect barrier like raindrops, turning into powder and scattering in the air in no time...
Just as they were about to launch a second wave of attacks, Mewtwo, Metagross, and Latias simultaneously released their telekinesis, making the Carbinks float uncontrollably in the air—
Not satisfied with one round, you actually want a second round? I'll make you all fly!
Sensing the disparity in strength, the Carbinks squeezed their eyes shut. What lingered in everyone's heart was the haze of despair, and some even made preparations to welcome the end of their lives.
A Diamond Domain that couldn't even protect everyone, this is truly... shameful to Her Highness.
But the imagined severe pain never came. Instead, the solid ground beneath their feet arrived first—
A Carbink tentatively opened one eye, discovering that the "invaders" actually let everyone land steadily on the ground!?
The "kidnapped" Carbink on Lorze's side also hurriedly hopped over, shaking its ears very nervously:
"Everyone, stop fighting! This is a misunderstanding. I sneaked out to play by myself... These two humans and their partners actually saved me!"
"Eh!?"
At that time, Lorze and Steven also arrived in front of the Carbinks, looking down at them from a superior position.
"Fighting at the drop of a hat, so this is the simple and honest folk custom of the Diamond Domain!"
Hearing these words, the residents of the Diamond Domain bowed their heads one after another. This silence, however, played right into Steven's hands.
The stone maniac had already squatted down, taking out his magnifying glass and nimbly moving among the various Carbinks to observe them—
Although they all looked the same at first glance, careful observation would reveal that each one had its own unique characteristics!
"Sir Lorze! These Carbink..."
Steven pleasantly surprised shared his discoveries with his friend. For example, this one's ears were so short they didn't fold; that one's fluff was as thick as a large scarf; and there were even individuals with large chunks of diamonds exposed on their lower bodies...
The aura of the Hoenn Champion at this moment was like a completely different person from usual, but Lorze still stood aside, listening with a smile—What's there to be ashamed of? Men are boys until they die!
But if you ask me what makes me stay a boy...
The young man cast an ambiguous glance around at his beloved Pokémon, and they returned the gaze with sweet love.
Bewitching amorous glances danced and passed among the faintly glowing ores, gently stirring ripples in the lakes of the young man's and girls' hearts.
—That kind of thing, I can't say it out loud~
Before the farce here ended, an authoritative old man's voice came from the depths of the Diamond Domain.
"Who is making a scene in the Diamond Domain!?"
Four Carbinks walked out from behind the ore pillars. Leading them was an individual with thick fluff resembling a beard—Dace, the Carbink minister from the Diancie movie!
And the three followers behind him were exactly Majma, Knight, and Joke, who escorted Diancie all the way in the movie.
I'm really sorry, Mr. Steven. When it comes to recognizing different Carbink, it just so happens I can do that too!
A Carbink hurriedly threw itself to Dace's ear and said something to him. That guy's expression gradually changed from authoritative to shocked. It was very spectacular.
After finally confirming with the Carbink involved, the Carbink minister respectfully bowed to Lorze and Steven.
—Although they couldn't bend their waists at all, so they just leaned their whole bodies forward slightly to show respect.
"So you are guests visiting the Diamond Domain? Thank you so much for saving a citizen of my Diamond Domain! Our previous actions were very disrespectful, we were truly rude..."
Although the face-changing speed was incredibly fast, Lorze and Steven didn't mind. As long as the misunderstanding was cleared up, it was fine.
And compared to that, wasn't selling a favor more convenient for getting the Carbink minister to help them: "Since that's the case, could you let us meet the Princess of the Diamond Domain, Diancie, as compensation?"
These words made the Carbink minister's ears stand upright and his body tremble, almost stumbling and falling to the ground.
The two people in front of me actually know about Princess Diancie of the Diamond Domain!? Just what is their background...
However, the Carbink minister shook his head: "I am very sorry. The previous Lord Diancie passed away naturally, and currently, a new Her Highness Diancie has not been born."
Eh? I didn't expect we came at the wrong time?
Diancie mutates from a Carbink. Waiting here is not realistic...
It seems the plan to bring Steven to see Diancie has fallen through. Lorze looked at Steven with a somewhat innocent expression: Gomen, Mr. Steven!
But the Hoenn Champion didn't mind. He just stood up, smiled, and bowed with his hand on his chest: "Sir Lorze doesn't need to blame himself. This journey has already been an unexpected delight for me!"
Although his current action was somewhat uncoordinated with his mining uniform, the young man still breathed a sigh of relief with gratitude.
"Well then... since that's the case, take us to visit your country's Heart Diamond."
!?
His eyebrows twisted into an inverted V-shape, and the Carbink minister almost fainted: Are you, are you here to cause trouble!? Why do you keep bringing up things that pry into another country's secrets!
You bastards, I won't tell you anything!
—If it weren't for the female Pokémon around that guy glaring at him with fierce, murderous looks, perhaps Dace would have been a bit tougher.
"Please follow me."
Steven and Lorze strolled through the underground Diamond Domain behind the four Carbinks. Occasionally, they would encounter groups of two or three Carbinks transporting ores.
Seeing that they were about to fall due to an unstable center of gravity, a huge metal arm hurriedly supported the long strip of ore.
"Metag—" (Be careful.)
"Th-Thank you, my lord!"
Dace, leading the way in front, introduced the place to the two in a slightly raspy voice:
"As the two of you can see, this is the underground Diamond Domain. The citizens of our country have engaged in mining activities here for generations. And the key to our survival is—"
Following the direction he faced, surrounded by gem pillars hanging from the cave ceiling, was exactly the foundation of the Diamond Domain's existence—the pink Heart Diamond!
At this time, the Heart Diamond still looked dazzling, and its rotation speed was much faster than the one in the movie. It should still be in its prime stage.
"Plop!"
The sound of Steven falling to the ground came from the side. How many times is this today!?
In order not to disturb the actions of the Diamond Domain residents, Lorze and Steven found an open space to start their lunch.
After spreading the picnic mat and taking out the prepared Poffins to distribute to everyone, they found one person missing.
"Huh, where's Kirlia?"
"She said she went to find a friend... Don't worry, that child knows what she's doing."
"Big Brother Lorze—"
Oh, oh, looks like she's back?
It wasn't just Kirlia who returned. Following behind her was the Carbink they had saved just now.
The little guy followed behind the girl very coyly, poking its head out to look at Lorze and Steven...
"Big Brother Lorze! I want to invite this Carbink to eat with us, is that okay?"
"Of course."
"See! I told you so, Big Brother Lorze is the best!"
Pulling Carbink over to sit in a circle with everyone, the girl offered half of her favorite Poffin.
"This is very delicious! It was personally made by Big Brother Lorze. Kirlia can share half with you~"
"Really? Thank you!"
At first, Lorze didn't realize the severity of the matter, until he noticed that the Poffin Kirlia shared with Carbink looked familiar...
Wait, isn't that my specially made Poffin!? The filling inside is the "milk" I produced myself!
"Carbink, you can't eat that!!!!"
But it was too late. Carbink had already sent the Poffin into its mouth and chewed, the fishy smell of the filling piercing through its esophagus—
Although it was a bit disgusting at first, a steady stream of power flowed into its body, and its own body... became a bit strange!?
It was a light similar to the light of evolution. Under the dumbfounded gazes of Lorze and Steven, Carbink mutated into the pink-themed Princess of the Diamond Domain—Diancie!