Chapter I: Our Storm Forms Quietly
11th Cycle, Water-Type Month (February), 1191 Autumns After Departure

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The lucario grew weary from the ferocity of the icy gales this night. Winds rocketed across the mountain side at his left, fighting him at every step he took up the endless staircase. It blew an orgy of foreign scents across his nose, scattering his mettle with worries about which other villagers neared too closely. Dao planted his paw on the stony mountain side and kept his mind on the path upward. To bring such a dazed persona to the High Priestess was unacceptable.
His gaze trundled up the last of the many steps, his careful footing leading him to a smooth stone walkway. The moon light bore down on a blackened temple pressed against the mountain. Half of its floor settled on the same stone shelf that led up to its entrance, while the other half was held up by the mercy of supports that groaned in their battle with the raging torrents. What drew him to continue forward, rather than fleeing, was his knowledge of the building's history. For decades, it struggled on the ledge, and for decades, it resisted nature's every attempt to uproot it.
He knocked on the door, cursing the wobble in his hands. The door had a circular window at head height. He could thus see a lone mienshao praying at an altar, her back turned to him. She adjusted her clothes: a complex orchestration of deep red warding tags smacked upon the robes of a blood-stained shrine maiden. Sensing his aura, she carefully placed a group of green ribbons next to an arrangement of candles. "I suppose you have a reason for being here." She said, her long, dangling whiskers shaking with each word.
"He has noticed that your dog is missing."
"The sign at the base of my mountain stated that both Kuang, her substitute Ven, and everyone else is busy celebrating the Twentieth Founding Festival."
Silence engulfed them. Dao inhaled. "He does have another reason, an urgent one,"
"No one comes to me with reasons that are not urgent."
"Then his point is made doubly."
The High Priestess did not budge, her head still turned completely away from him. "My next appointment requires a calm state of mind, Dao. Make this quick."
The winds lashed more fervently, so much that the wind chimes at the temple's front clattered in agony. "His soul is plagued by constant dread and anguish." He stated. "His ears stand, his voice trembles. Even during our ceremonies, dull clouds roll into his thoughts."
She gave his words some time before responding, her long silhouette dancing in the candlelight. "In our times we have so many things to soothe the soul. Such a thing as 'constant dread and anguish' is impossible."
"He is not so nervous that he may die-"
"That he will die?" The accountant lifted and lowered the feelers on his head like the leaves of tree. She continued. "As you've said, the stress won't kill you, and as I've said, there is no such thing as infinite suffering."
"Most Holy,"
"Shenlong will fix your troubled aura during Dragon-Type Month, when most of the year is set in stone."
"Thank you, holy one," bowing. The lucario then rose awkwardly, twitching his feelers with a nagging thought. "She stated that there is an appointment for her, yet Kuang is off duty."
"You climbed all the way up here to ask about my personal matters." She stood, robes crinkling to match, but still did not face him. "The Supreme Commander has requested my presence. How good are your antennae in the dark?"
"My eyes are much better at seeing."
"Were we all so lucky," turning a milky blue eye towards him. As she approached, volleyball sized sooth bells dangling from her wrists and ankles dragged as she walked. Where she went, a tune followed. "Keep a wide berth, and keep your eyes peeled for any more signs."

—

Kuishi Prefecture
Dao led the High Priestess through the nation's practice warzone. Eventually, they reached a thin set of stairs shaving a line of trees off the side of a hill. Atop it, a prayer shack hid in swaths of overgrowth. The bright lanterns shining within it gave only the slightest hint of the guards lurking nearby. Dao's only warning of one such pokemon's approach was a shimmer of obsidian hairs in a bush. A luxray caught him.
"Easy times I hope," the solider said. "My lord expects one person. Unless you have a letter of permission, you will leave!"
"This lowly accountant only aids my arrival," the mienshao stated.
"Is it so? Then he knows what to do next!" The lucario bowed and quickly left. The solider offered his back, the High Priestess set her paw onto it, and soon, she was lead to the shack's entrance. Entering, she felt packed earth below her feet. The roof was of glass, and hung from its wooden support ribs, was a long line of emerald lanterns forming a makeshift Rayquaza. Hurried measurements of the very stars above were scribbled on scrolls along the walls; the shelves bowed under the weight of superstitious statues and charms. The owner of the shack was a senior lopunny clad in a high-ranking samurai's armor. He was the Supreme Comander, Yazi. His pale, wiry eyebrows dangled down the sides of his face, and he carried an unsettling countenance about him. He tapped his claw on a large bowl with smaller plates surrounding it. His guest followed the sound of that to a mat laid on the other side of the bowls.
"You've prepared a number of meals, Supreme Commander. I smell something with the dust of ruby in it."
"These are gifts." The priestess felt a wax slip be pressed into her hand. She pushed back the note.
"A thousand thanks for your generosity but accepting red money for any reason—my acolytes would send me to heaven. Could this woman suggest you send it to needy hands?"
Yazi nodded. "Hmph. I hoped to carry a more appropriate gift," he said with a certain tiredness. "But the clouds, they blanketed the moon."
"Might we discuss your worry over this fine meal?"
He placed his hands upon his knees and bowed. A respectful silence came as they dined on the food before them. The dishes were light snacks such fried oran berry slices and seeds. They were eaten not to satiate hunger, but to break their fasts. After ending their meal with a prayer, the lopunny unstrapped a pocket hidden in his armor. He revealed a sacrificial knife, examining its blade.
"The question has bothered me for a time. Which day is the kindest to announce a eunuchs demise?" Chi froze. If she could properly give a glare, she would have.
"Supreme Commander, may you recall the news two cycles before? Could the same boy have sought shelter there, failed to find it, then stumbled here?"
Yazi sat up. "His reason for invading does not matter. Her Royal Majesty's mind is concluded."
"The Fire Pot has threatened to secede for years. If the Empress is worried that he was swayed by their reasons—"
"Those heathens think because they have Groudon, they control the Way of Heaven! Furthermore, they wrapped their city in a large energy barrier some months ago. What reason is there for this if they do not seek to defend themselves from attack? There is no if in this conflict, only a when!"
"This blind lady still fails to see the danger in this invader-"
"He is one of you."
A silence followed. Yazi tapped his claw on his plate. "The Dragon gave us His mantle, Chi. We should not have to make an example of you Shaolin twice."
"Does the wise Supreme Commander know what she aims to do with the boy?!"
"She will toss him at the Fire Pot's 'Chancellor'. Hopefully the invador can find that move," scratching his chin, "they call it 'Hail' I could then temperature-shock their entire city. If he fails it is no great loss; my generals can clean them up within an afternoon. However, His jade orb would halt all chariots. Maybe the Empress can tax ice in peacetime."
Chi pressed her lips tight as she felt her stomach fall ten stories. She was helpless in every sense. "May this Shaolin disgrace beg for his assistance searching the Underground?"
"If it is not too dangerous," he clarified. "My men know only as much about those haunted caves as she. A final thing, holy one. Our war wiped most psychic pokemon, but a single one could ruin this plan," the Supreme Commander said. "The new Shaolin cannot know his purpose, but he must know what he needs to do. Simply show the invader to your Kuang, and she will reveal her yearning for the move. He will have his own reason to get it, one that leaves the true purpose of the move unknown to him."
"When do you plan to release him?"
"Tomorrow."

—

Author Notes:
Welcome! I hope you enjoyed my work so far. I'd like to give context to this story so you are aware of what to expect. I wrote Erimo Dynasty to answer one question: "How would a Chinese dynasty look if pokemon ran it?" The premise itself forbids complete historical accuracy. That being said there are many historical and cultural touches to this story. If you want clarification, or just want to mention something, drop a comment.