Pokemon: Lord of Fear

"Hello, Miss Diantha." Edward greeted the freshly made-up Diantha on the set.

Given Diantha's age, she needed some makeup to convincingly portray the stepmother in Silent Dread.

"Hello, Mr. Edward. I'm delighted to be part of your project," Diantha said with a smile. Her curious gaze studied Edward, the young man whose script had left her astonished.

"You're too kind, Miss Diantha. I've watched many of your works, and having such a talented actress like you in this film is truly an honor." Edward spoke with calm elegance—a quality ingrained in him as the youngest member of the Devon family, where he had been trained in etiquette from a young age.

When Edward chose to, he could charm anyone with his poise and grace.

Edward wasn't lying, either—he genuinely admired Diantha's work. As a celebrity with immense popularity, her Champion-level trainer status had granted her unparalleled fame in the Kalos region.

Even in the Hoenn region, Edward had seen numerous ads, movies, and TV series featuring Diantha.

"Mr. Edward, I'm curious—how did you come up with such an outstanding script for Silent Dread?" Diantha's eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Initially, Diantha hadn't planned to act in a Hoenn-based movie. But coincidentally, she was in Hoenn filming a commercial and happened to hear about the auditions for Silent Dread. Intrigued, she decided to take a look.

After reading the script, she immediately agreed to join the cast.

Edward scratched his head. The crew was still setting up the scene, so he decided to use the time to chat with Diantha.

"Actually, the inspiration came from some horror films I've seen. But I always felt they weren't quite scary enough." Edward spun his tale effortlessly.

After all, this world lacked the iconic horror films of his previous life. Even if he claimed the idea came to him in a dream, no one would suspect otherwise.

Diantha nodded thoughtfully, her gaze turning slightly contemplative.

As a renowned actress from the Kalos region, Diantha had a keen sense for scripts. She predicted this horror film could become a box office hit, propelling Edward into the spotlight as a rising director in the Pokémon League.

With that in mind, Diantha decided to strengthen her rapport with Edward. As an ambitious actress, she sought to star in more exceptional films.

After exchanging pleasantries and contact information, the set was ready for Diantha's first scene.

Edward settled into the director's chair, his eyes fixed on the world through the camera lens.

Unlike the real world, the lens captured a uniquely stylized realm. The gloomy weather perfectly suited Edward's vision. The dim tones would heighten the oppressive atmosphere, aligning with the movie's chilling theme.

"Director, the weather team is ready," Deck whispered beside Edward. He nodded, understanding the message.

One of the perks of filming in the Pokémon world was the ability to control the weather. Rain, snow, sunshine—even sandstorms—were all options at their disposal.

"The current weather is perfect," Edward gestured. The camera began rolling, focusing on the protagonist Jamie. The shot pulled back to reveal a hauntingly eerie mansion.

Edward watched intently.

The male lead's acting was impressive. Edward had walked him through the script earlier, emphasizing the protagonist's complex emotions—grieving his wife while returning to his hometown to uncover the legend of Mary Shaw.

The camera zoomed in as Jamie knocked on the door. From inside came soft, measured footsteps.

Edward raised an eyebrow. Diantha's choice for the footsteps was interesting, but he made no comment. The scene was progressing smoothly and didn't need a retake.

"Jamie! My deepest condolences for your wife's passing," Diantha said, opening the door with a sincere smile that radiated warmth and joy.

"Cut!" Edward called out, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

Diantha's performance was flawless, her expressions and demeanor perfectly capturing Ella's early attitude toward Jamie. The issue lay with Jamie himself.

Perhaps nervous about working with a star of Diantha's caliber, the actor playing Jamie was flushed and visibly flustered.

"Jamie, right now you don't look like a man uncertain about a stranger claiming to be his stepmother. You look like a shy boy with a crush," Edward quipped, suppressing a sigh.

In the current take, it seemed like Jamie had romantic feelings for Ella—definitely not the tone Edward wanted for the film.

"S-sorry, Director! I'll adjust right away!" The actor bowed his head in apology, took a deep breath, and slapped his cheeks to regain composure.

Seeing this, Edward let it slide, reminding him to stay focused on the film. They resumed shooting the scene.

Diantha quickly got back into character. The second take was even more compelling, with her expressions and subtle glances truly captivating. Edward clicked his tongue in admiration. With acting skills like hers, Diantha could easily have been an award-winning actress in his previous life.

In the Pokémon world, several prestigious film festivals existed, with the annual League Reel Film Festival being the most esteemed.

"...I suppose you could call me your stepmother," Diantha explained earnestly. This time, Jamie's performance improved significantly. His expression perfectly conveyed confusion and skepticism, no longer the awkward shyness from before.

"Cut!" Edward called again, though this time the issue was with the lighting. Jamie's face appeared overly bright, as if he'd been hit with a spotlight.

(End of Chapter)