DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these characters. I don't own Genshin Impact or Pokémon.

While I do have some knowledge of music theory, music production, mixing, etc. I am by no means a professional and there are definitely gonna be some mistakes or technical discrepancies.

Although, it's probably very unlikely that a professional music producer will be reading a mediocre Genshin x Pokémon fanfiction to call me out. You're probably an artist who hyperfixiates on your comfort characters, or someone chronically online who is constantly tweeting on your priv.

Probably both to be honest. Touch grass. If this isn't you, you can touch grass as well.

Haha, I'm just kidding. Hope this fic is to your liking.

"Aether! It's time to wake up. You slept through your alarm!"

Aether kicks off his comforter, shooting up hastily and looking around his dimly lit room in a drunken stupor. He hears his mother's brisk footsteps from outside his room. He yawns while he combs his fingers through his golden hair. Rays of morning light penetrate through the small gap between his blinds, illuminating floating dust particles like stars.

The young blonde grumbles, flinging his legs off his bed and stepping onto the carpeted floor.

His mother shouts again, loud and firm. "You're going to be late for school! Your Mathematics exam is today!"

He quickly pulls off his shirt and jumps out of his nightwear. "I'm up!"

Aether throws his clothes into the hamper located in the corner of his room, swiftly walking towards his cabinet where his school uniforms are hung. He weaves through the assortment of instruments and furniture that litter his room.

If he's not mindful of the countless wires that snake across the floor, he may trip and injure himself on one of his instruments. He steps over an empty guitar stand, only narrowly missing the rubber buckle by an inch.

He sighs in relief. "Shit, I should clean that up. That's a total safety hazard."

Aether gets into his school uniform, and grabs his khaki backpack which is hung on one of the cabinet hooks. The Hu Tao and Noibat keychains attached to his bag swing wildly as Aether slings his bag across his shoulder.

The teen pauses at his door and takes a quick look around his room before he leaves. He sighs, woefully eyeing his electric bass guitar that sat on a stand in the corner of his bedroom. A layer of dust had settled in between the pickups and on the headstock owing to the lack of regular maintenance.

The bass has been out of tune for months at this point, and the strings had already begun to rust.

Aether inhaled and opened the door, stepping into the hallway. He walks past the different rooms of his house and quickly walks down the stairs.

He finds someone impatiently waiting for him by the door. "You're late. That's new."

The person has her arms crossed, with a smug grin. "Not so perfect now are you, Mister Genius?"

Leaning on the door frame is a young girl of average height, with blonde hair, and glittering golden eyes. She's dressed in a well fitting uniform of similar fashion to his. However instead of the pants that Aether wears, she sports a black skirt that goes down past her knees.

Aether narrows his eyes in thinly veiled irritation. "You know how I feel about that nickname. And I never said I was perfect either. Come on Lumine, let's get going."

His twin sister blows air out of her mouth. "Says one of the most popular guys at school, who goes out partying and somehow still ends up with excellent grades. You're definitely some sort of genius."

The teenage boy slips on his shoes and walks towards the door. "I'm not. I just work harder than other people."

The two say goodbye to their parents and begin walking towards their school. As the two walk down the street, cars drive down the road with people out and about enjoying the warm summer sun.

Lumine adjusts her bag which is slung across her shoulder. "Have you had your report card signed by Mom?"

He reaches into his backpack and pulls out a rectangular slip of paper and hands it to his sister.

Her face distorts into a look of disgust. "As per usual, looking at your grades pisses me off. You're some kind of monster. 91 in English, 97 in Mathematics, 94 in History? You're in the top ten of the batch as well!"

She passes back the slip of paper and Aether carefully stuffs the paper in his bag.

He scratches his cheek with his index finger. "If you'd spend less time reading manga and fan fiction you might actually get even higher than me. Unlike me, you can actually pick up concepts without having to go over it several times."

The sight of his instruments flashed in his head.

Music has always been something Aether was passionate about. Seeing his favourite artists gain popularity around his age had made him want to follow in their footsteps and create music of his own. He spent hours and hours in his room locked up, practising. He reached out to countless musicians on Twitter, trying to ask for advice and learn from them.

Often they wouldn't reply. He didn't blame them though, he understood that they probably get countless similar messages everyday. Though occasionally some would reply and he would absorb everything they'd tell him.

He had prepared for months and was finally ready to release his first music video. He had edited the music video himself, commissioned someone for the art, and worked on the mix for hours.

He uploaded the video, and went to bed trying to manage his expectations. Despite this, a part of him was under the delusion that next morning, it would be a massive success. He believed that he would "make it" in the music industry. Afterall, he had worked extremely hard for months.

But life doesn't always go your way.

He woke up the next morning and checked his phone. Four views.

"It had shattered my delusion that hard work and perseverance will always be rewarded." He thought to himself.

"I know I'm not talented. I know I'm just a normal human being. I know that I can work hard to reach those talented geniuses. I know I should keep on working hard. But I just can't get myself to keep going."

Aether looks down at his Hu Tao and Noibat keychains. The two franchises have kept him occupied for the past few months. Both Pokémon and Genshin Impact were very beloved to him and close to his heart. They've given him so many good memories and have allowed him to become close with his current friends at school. He will always be thankful for that.

He snapped out of his own thoughts, intending to ask his sister if she had already eaten.

He looked up and turned to his sister. Lumine was staring ahead confusion painted over her face while pointing at something in front. "Oh what is that?"

HONK! HONK! HONK!

Aether gasped in surprise as he felt an intense pounding pain spread across his body. He couldn't feel his limbs and he couldn't tell where the ground was. It was like being underwater in pitch darkness.

FUCK IT HURTS!

Did I get hit by a car? Where is Lumine?

He caught a glimpse of something. It was a shattered windshield, behind it was a woman whose mouth was agape in pure terror. He could briefly see his own fingers which were broken, battered, and bloody.

He notices his sister seemingly unharmed a couple of metres away. She was staring at him, not having fully comprehended what had just happened just yet.

Aether then realises he was still in the air, spinning rapidly. Time had seemingly slowed down and he could see every shard of glass flying through the air. He couldn't tell which way was up and his body was feeling like it was being punched constantly.

Then he blacks out.

His time on Earth had come to an end. Nothing could have prepared Aether for what came next.

The young boy shoots up, gasping in ragged breaths. Beads of sweat form at his temple. He hazily looks around, there is a ringing noise in his ears and his eyes take a good few seconds to adjust to the light.

A wave of nausea washes over his body. His throat is dry, his limbs are sore, and he has a pounding headache.

He tries to remember what had happened. The first memory that returns is the excruciating pain he had experienced just a few seconds ago. But the pain is completely gone.

His eyes begin to come back into focus and Aether notices the blurred outline of a person's face.

"Hiya~! Anyone home…?" a girl's voice asks in an almost singsong manner.

Aether's vision begins to clear up and the ringing noise begins to dissipate. Confusion begins to grow within him. The confusion is quickly joined by disbelief. His eyebrows furrow as he stares at the person squatting on him.

The girl's eyes narrow and she playfully sticks her tongue out at him. "Good morning~! You had me worried there, blondie! I thought you were dead!"

Before Aether is a young petite girl with long brown hair, a warm friendly grin, and enchanting red eyes which had beautiful flower shaped pupils. The person is someone who Aether knows well. However, the problem is, meeting this particular person shouldn't be possible.

She's a fictional character from a video game. She was his favourite character as well!

She clasps her hands together. "It's nice to meet you! I'm Hú Táo~! I just moved to Liyue Harbour recently! Is it normal for city folk to nap in alleyways? If so, sorry to disturb you!"

Aether stares at her in stunned disbelief.

Not getting a reply makes Hu Tao frown and put her index finger on her lips. "Hmm.."

Suddenly, her frown disappears which is replaced with a large smile while snapping her fingers. "Ah! I get it! I'm sorry! You must not speak Teyvatian!"

She begins speaking in what Aether realises is Mandarin Chinese, however for whatever reason, he can understand everything she is saying.

"Can you only speak Liyuean? I had assumed you speak Teyvatian since you don't look like you're from Liyue."

Aether rubs his eyes. "Is this real…?"

The girl tilts her head to the side and changes back into English. "So you can speak Teyvatian?"

She shakes her head and grabs Aether's hands. "Anyway! Are you alright? I was taking a stroll then I found you unconscious by this dumpster."

The teenage boy looks at his surroundings. Two tall brick buildings flank him and Hu Tao. Past the brown haired girl, he can see people walking by and cars driving past. Behind him are several dumpsters and a chain link fence. The smell of trash and sewage water wafts through the air, invading his nose.

"Let's get you up on your feet, Mei give me a hand!"

She reaches from behind her and pulls out a red and white ball that has a small button in the middle.

Aether's eyes widen once again, unable to keep up with what is happening. "Is that…"

Hu Tao smiles and nods. "Ah yes! I'm a Pokémon trainer! I'm here to join the Liyue Gym Circuit! This is my partner Méihuā!"

The sphere grows larger as Hu Tao holds it out and it snaps open. A beam of white light shoots out from the Pokéball beginning to form a small pale yellow bipedal creature with something that appears to be black hair.

No, it wasn't hair. It was a pair of black jaws that emerged from the back of its head.

The blonde teen recognizes the Pokémon instantly as a Mawile. A Generation III Pokémon that is both Steel-type and Fairy-type. As the light fades, the Mawile regards Aether coolly with deep red eyes. She then looks at her trainer, who has a big smile plastered on her face.

"Mei, this is… Oh my goodness! I have completely forgotten to ask for your name!"

Aether who was still processing what he had just witnessed is flooded with several emotions at once. A mix of both fear, confusion, and excitement bubble within him. He shakes his head to momentarily clear his head. "Ah… I'm Aether Viator. I'm sorry, but I'm not dreaming am I…?

Hu Tao grins mischievously and playfully squeezes Aether's cheek, making the blonde boy jolt. "Does that answer your question? It's very nice to meet you, Aether!"

He rubs his cheek and blinks. "Well... ah… it's nice to meet you too..."

Studying Hu Tao a bit more, Aether realised that she didn't wear her usual outfit that she wears in game. Instead she had a modern look, wearing a red hoodie, gym trousers, and some white running shoes. Assuming he wasn't hallucinating, this indicated that Aether's personal theory of what was happening is even more plausible. It seems that he's been reincarnated in an alternate version of Teyvat.

Mei walks closer to Aether, studying him. He stares at the Pokémon nervously yet excitedly, still quite unable to believe that he is seeing a Pokémon in real life.

The Pokémon offers the boy a hand, which Aether takes hesitantly. Both Mei and Hu Tao help Aether up slowly. His legs are still shaking and unable to support him properly. The teenage girl dusts Aether's clothes and fixes his collar.

Hu Tao tilts her head like a curious puppy and looks into his eyes. "Anyway, where are you from?"

He stares at Hu Tao for a few seconds, thinking very carefully about how he'd approach the next few questions. He scratches the back of his head. Lying that he can't remember anything from before this point would probably be the best choice, and it wouldn't exactly be far from the truth. Conversely, declaring that he wasn't from this world may potentially attract unwanted attention.

"I really don't want to have to explain that she's a video game character and I'm not from around here." Aether thinks to himself.

"Video game character? Not from around here?"

The two stare at each other in silence for several excruciatingly long seconds. Hu Tao stares at him with a look that Aether cannot pin down, a mix of both confusion and curiosity. The boy raises his hands as if to say something, but words don't leave his mouth.

Aether panics internally, wondering how she heard him. "Sorry, did I say that out loud?"

Hu Tao puts her hands on her hips, confusion welling up even more. "What do you mean, video game character?"

He laughs nervously while waving his hands dismissively. "N-no, it's really nothing. It's just me rambling."

"Just tell me."

He lowers his hands and goes quiet for a few seconds, avoiding direct eye contact. "... You wouldn't believe me."

The teenage girl laughs softly and gives the blonde boy a confident smile. "Try me."

He stares at her for a what seems feels like an entire minute. The whole time, both Hu Tao and her Mawile look at him expectantly. He shakes his head and sighs. "...Alright, if you say so…"

Here goes nothing.

Hu Tao and Mei stare at Aether in stunned silence. The brown haired teen says nothing, seemingly in deep thought. Sitting on the foundations of the brick apartment building that sandwiches the alleyway, she supports her chin with her hands, staring at the opposite wall. While her partner Mei stares at Aether incredulously.

The blonde boy starts to regret saying anything, shifting nervously. His heart begins beating faster and faster.

"She's gonna call the police on me. I must seem like some raving nutjob who's probably had too much to drink."

"It seems like you're not lying."

Aether stares at Hu Tao in silent surprise, who still didn't meet his gaze.

Relief floods Aether's body, he stares at the girl in bewilderment. "You seriously believe me?"

Hu Tao lets out a soft laugh. "Yes, I do. For two reasons."

A wave of nausea ripples throughout his body. He feels something exit his body from his chest, running down his leg as if water was poured on him. Looking down, Aether watches as a shadow runs across his shoes and dashes into Hu Tao's shadow.

She lifts one finger and exhales. "I have to apologise, Aether. While you were unconscious I had my Shuppet enter your body via possession. Not to harm or exploit you, but just as a safety precaution in case you had bad intentions towards me."

He looks at his chest, then at his palms, then at Hu Tao's shadow, looking for any signs of the Ghost-type. Hu Tao's shadow began to rise from the floor, slowly morphing into a ball shaped creature with a single horn on its head that seemingly had a piece of cloth covering its whole body.

Its multi-coloured eyes glared at Aether intensely, making him feel a disturbing sense of dread.

Hu Tao smiles and gestures towards the Ghost-type. "Aether, please meet Shuppet. The second member of my team."

The Pokémon tilted its head and closed its eyes, imitating a friendly greeting. Aether gave the Pokémon a wave in response.

"Now while Shuppet is inside of you, he can seize control of your body. It can also relay vital information to me. Like whether or not the host is lying."

Already starting to understand what Hu Tao was saying, Aether nods his head. From what he recalls of Shuppet's Pokédex entry, it is capable of sensing the emotions of people. It usually seeks out negative emotions such as malice or envy, it makes sense that they'd be able to detect when a person is lying or has ill will.

"So I'm assuming you can hear my thoughts then?"

She shook her head. "No. It is extremely draining for my Shuppet to pry into the host's thoughts. Snippets of sentences are pretty much all I get. Think of a walkie talkie with a bad signal, that's the best way I can describe the sensation."

She then raised another finger. "You also seemed genuinely surprised seeing a Pokémon. While that isn't nearly as conclusive as my Shuppet's reading, it would be rather difficult to fake your reaction. And usually, I have a good read on people."

She finally opens her eyes and stares directly at Aether with a sheepish grin. "That being said, I have to admit that what you're saying is still a bit difficult to process."

Next to her, Mei looks up at her trainer, putting her hand on Hu Tao's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

Giving her an apologetic smile, he shrugs. "Yeah, I'd think I'd feel the same way in your shoes."

She shakes her head and gets up, walking over to Aether who's seated across her.

"Well, honestly this doesn't change much for me. I've never really been one to dwell on existential topics. Video game character or not, this is now the reality we are both living in."

She gives the blonde boy a big bright smile, reaching out her hand. "Once again, it's nice to meet you, Aether Viator from another world~."

Aether shakes her hand and gives her a small smile back. "I have no idea what happened. I don't know if there's even a way for me to get back home. I'm nervous and honestly very afraid. But, this isn't so bad at all. I'll enjoy this dream for the time being." He thinks to himself.

"Hey, look at that! Look at your waist!"

The teenage girl lets go of his hand and points down towards his hip. Aether looks down at the spot she had pointed at.

A leather belt had been strapped around his waist hidden beneath his school blazer. Attached to the belt were two metal discs that sat on each hip like gun holsters. Each disc had three empty slots for small spherical objects, and on his right hip, a single shrunken Pokéball takes up one of the three slots.

Unlike Hu Tao's Pokéball, the red lid was clean and shiny. Not a single scratch, indicating it was brand new.

The girl crouches down to his waist, examining the belt. "Wow! You have a Pokémon and a holster! I've never seen this design before, there's no brand either."

Aether stares at the Pokéball attached to his hip completely awestruck. "I didn't notice it, I have no idea where this is from?"

Hu Tao looks up from the Pokéball holster excitedly. "Let's see who's inside~!"

The blonde boy reaches down for the Pokéball on his hip, both unsure and eager about what waits within. He grasps the sphere and pulls it off the holster, which releases it with a mechanical click.

He studies the ball, staring at his reflection in the glassy red metal. Pressing the centre button once, the Pokéball expands in his hand.

Hu Tao clicks her tongue. "Right! One press, toggles the Pokéball between travelling mode and release mode. Watch! This is how you send out your little buddy! There are other functions, but that can come later."

Watching Hu Tao use an empty Pokéball as reference, Aether let the Pokéball gently drop to the floor. As it bounced on the floor, the lid snapped open and a beam of light shoots up into the air a metre or two above their heads.

The two look up to see the light form and promptly fade into a small winged figure with two large ears circling above them.

The bat-like creature screeches. "Noi!"

"What the fuck?"