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Rustboro was a bustling city, blessed with sunny skies on this particular morning. It was small in population, but it held its utopia. After all, it was the first city a novice pokémon trainer would visit in the Hoenn League. There resided the Rustboro Gym. Its gym leader, the Rock-type teacher Roxanne, could be challenged to receive the Stone Badge. A hallmark in one's journey to reach Ever Grande City - the apple of a trainer's eye.
However, there was something more influential to the city than the gym itself. It was home to the Devon Corporation. Hoenn's most powerful business industry, enough to rival Silph Co from the Kanto region. The company was at the heart of Rustboro — if anything, the city managed to thrive thanks to it. The head of the corporation was an elderly man, well-suited. Proper for a businessman. He sat at his desk, making calculations of this month's profits on the number of timer pokéballs sold around the region.
There was a knock on his office door. He paused himself from his paperwork and lifted his head, surprised by the abrupt tap. "Yes?"
"Mr. Stone, your son would like to see you," said his secretary from the door. The head of Devon Corp stiffened over the sudden visit of Steven. He had seen him not too long ago. What brought him to come here again?
"Hmm, I'm a little busy at the moment..." he trailed off. "...ah what the heck, let him in."
"I would also like to say that he brought his wife along... if that's all right with you?"
"Of course."
One click and the door opened. A well-dressed, young light blue-haired man in a suit held hands with a petite brunette in a white summer dress and shoes. They went in, and the secretary closed the door, leaving them with her boss.
Mr. Joseph Stone released a heartwarming grin at the young couple. "Steven, I see you are doing well."
"Yes, Dad. It's nice to see you again," greeted Steven in return.
"Jasmine," Joseph added, welcoming the woman with his son. "You look as beautiful as ever."
"Oh, it's — it's nice to meet with you again Mr. Stone," replied Jasmine bashfully. Her cheeks were rosy, slightly embarrassed by the compliment. Mr. Stone chuckled, Steven's wife was so shy.
"Just call me Joseph, my dear. You're my daughter-in-law after all. Anyhow, what brings you two to my office today?" Joseph inquired, changing the subject. "Is it important?"
"Well, not how you would see things Dad, but yes... it's important," explained Steven.
"Oh? Did you discover another rare mineral? You want to show me it before you end up putting it in the rock collection back at your house?"
"Dad!" cried his son, in surprise at his father's sarcastic commentary.
Joseph chuckled at Steven's flustered face. "Jasmine, do tell... how you put up with my son?"
Steven frowned at his father's teasing and shook his head. He hoped Jasmine would shrug off the statements. Meanwhile, she laughed uneasily. These types of bickerings between father and son were no stranger to the former Steel-type Gym Leader of Olivine City. She reminisced that her husband once said to her that his father was a difficult man for him to understand
"Ah, it's a different kind of discovery," she hinted. With this, it would end the light feud and move on with the purpose of their meeting.
Joseph raised his eyebrows, curiosity piqued. "I'm listening."
Steven regained his composure. He made a smile at Jasmine as he squeezed their hands together. "It's more precious than any stone I have ever encountered throughout my travels."
"What?" His father asked in disbelief, quite shocked. If he recalled correctly, his son was a huge admirer and collector of rare stones and gems. What could possibly be more important to him than that? Of course, there was his sweet Jasmine, but Joseph knew that his love for rocks was just as important.
"Well, what is it?" he added, willing to uncover the answer.
The former Hoenn Champion and Johto Gym Leader mirrored each other with a grin. They faced the president of the Devon Corp with warm expressions.
"We're having a baby," announced Steven.
Joseph's eyes widened at the announcement. There was a sudden bliss that came rushing into his head. The number of emotions swelled into pure euphoria. He once worried for his son — Steven mostly kept to himself from the public and focused on his travels. Not that he wasn't social, but he was too keen on the rocks he enjoyed collecting along with battling. Now, he was going to start a family of his own. A change that came when he left the single life.
One time, he feared what would happen to Steven if he would pass away. He was not immortal like the God Arceus, would he be all right? Would he be fine with being alone once he took over the Devon Corp? Who would care for him when he was ill or in pain? He dreaded that type of life for his son and hoped that he would find a companion one day. Only to find that many women who went after his son were not interested in his nerdy love for rocks and his silent, modest, persona. More for his looks, fame, and money... shallow reasons at best.
Jasmine was a pure-hearted girl from Johto who shared a major love of steel-type pokémon like his son. She even trained them. She was interested in traveling just as much as Steven, participating in contests. Willing to explore and feel the world since she stepped into the sands of Sunyshore City in the Sinnoh region once. When she heard of contests in the Hoenn region, she had to make a trip. It was there that she met her husband.
Joseph remembered when Steven first mentioned Jasmine during a trip to Lilycove City. Her eyes had set on Lilycove's lighthouse, bringing her gentle memories of Olivine's Glitter Lighthouse. It was a marvelous landmark along with the nearby Museum of fine art. At first, he had no intention of approaching her - but the beldum near her feet was difficult to ignore. Endless hours of talking about steel types in the night, making a soft stroll among the shores of Lilycove.
The next morning, he invited her for breakfast. Steven was impressed by the number of bowls of food Jasmine consumed in an hour. It had a unique charm to it, much when she found it endearing that he brought one of his prized minerals to the table.
They were a pair of lovable dorks, Joseph thought. He wondered then if they would grow close, seeing that Jasmine loved to hear about his son geeking out over the stones he prized. Rather cute. Steven invited her to explore caves throughout the region. Some, which she joined in... they even polished and trained their steel types together often. Their lives became so intertwined that it led to rings on their fingers.
That was five years ago, he did not worry anymore. Steven found someone who accepted him. Jasmine became his love not for his wealth and fame, but for himself, and would spend the rest of his life with her. Joseph suddenly rose from his chair and embraced his son, excited about becoming a grandfather.
"Congratulations. Steven, this might be your best find yet."