Aoi Hyoudou: Thank you for your continued support. It's always great to see readers enjoying the new series. It will be exciting to see how Ash interacts with the people and culture of Mondstadt. It might be a bit challenging for him to adjust to a world without Pokémon, but I'm sure he will find new and interesting things to discover in the world of Teyvat.
The Knights of Mondstadt
...
Inside the Knights of Favonius Headquarters of Mondstadt, Ash seemed to be resting comfortably in one of the guest rooms. As his eyes began to open, he let out a low groan and tried to clear his head. "Ahh..." Slowly, his vision cleared, and he found himself staring at the ceiling. It didn't take long for him to realize that he was in a room, and he quickly sat up, pulling the sheets off his body. He noticed that he was only wearing his white undershirt while his blue vest and hat were neatly folded on a table nearby. Ash let out a soft sigh, his mind lost in thought until he noticed that Pikachu was nowhere to be seen. His eyes frantically scanned around the room, searching for his beloved Pokémon. He was about to call out to Pikachu when a loud creak from the door caught his attention. Instantly, he fixed his gaze towards the entrance, wondering who could be entering the room.
Stepping inside was a tall woman with striking lime green eyes and long light brown hair tied up in a side ponytail with a blue rose hair tie. Draped in an ensemble of enchanting purples, her dress was a work of art. A piece of white fabric adorned the top, seamlessly blending into midnight blue for the majority of the dress, adorned with intricate black and gold embroidery. Open slits on the skirt revealed flashes of lavender sleeves with gold accents at the ends. A collar in the same deep blue as her dress added a touch of sophistication, while a purple necklace hung gracefully around her neck. Her hands were adorned with short black gloves, featuring pale purple lining and purple gems on the back, adding a subtle yet captivating detail. A belt with a beige rose hugged her waist, creating a focal point in the ensemble. Black shorts with pointed edges contributed a hint of edge to her look while gray transparent stockings added an extra layer of intrigue. Elevating her stature, she wore black high heels embellished with blue gems around the ankles, completing the ensemble with a touch of glamour. Atop her head sat a traditional witch hat, mirroring the color scheme and intricate details of the rest of her outfit, tying the entire look together.
Ash slowly raised his head to meet the woman's gaze. A gentle smile played on her lips, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort wash over him. "Hey there, cutie," she greeted in a soft, melodic voice, "it's good to see you're finally up." Her words carried a genuine tone, and Ash couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence. With a graceful movement, she shut the door behind her and began to approach Ash's bedside. "How are you feeling?" she asked with a friendly demeanor, her concern evident.
"I could be better," Ash replied, earning a chuckle from the woman. Ash hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Um, by chance, miss," he started, but was quickly interrupted by the woman.
"It's Lisa," she introduced herself with a smile.
Ash couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. "Oh, sorry about that, Lisa," he apologized.
"No need to apologize, cutie," she reassured him. "Is there something else you wanted to ask?" Ash felt a little more at ease now.
"Well, have you seen Pikachu?" he asked tentatively.
Lisa's smile widened. "Why, yes, I have," she replied. "I believe your little friend is with-" Before she could finish her sentence, there was a knock on the door, which drew their attention. "Ah, yes, I believe that's Amber right on cue," Lisa said, making her way to the door. She opened it to reveal Amber.
"Hi, Lisa!" she said enthusiastically. "How's he doing?" Lisa stepped aside to let Amber enter the room. "He's awake now," she said, gesturing to Ash. "Why don't you say hello?" Amber's face lit up at the sight of Ash.
"Thank goodness you're up," Amber said, placing her hand on her chest in relief. "We were starting to get worried." Her words made Ash a little curious.
"How long have I been out for?" he couldn't help but ask.
"Almost three days," Lisa said, and Ash choked on his saliva in disbelief.
"T-Three days?" he exclaimed. He couldn't believe he had been unconscious for that long.
"You were fortunate Amber and Paimon found you lying outside the front gate of Mondstadt," Lisa explained. "Or else the Hilichurls would've captured you," she warned.
Ash shuddered at the thought of what could have happened. "Thank you," he said, feeling grateful.
Amber scratched her head sheepishly and replied, "It was Paimon who found you. I was just following her." Ash looked at Amber in surprise.
"Paimon, huh..." he muttered, realizing that it was the floating little girl he had seen before he lost consciousness. "Speaking of her, where is she?" Ash asked, curious about the little companion who had saved his life. Before either woman could answer his question, another knock echoed throughout the room.
"Looks like you're popular today, cutie," Lisa joked before walking towards the door once more. Ash couldn't help but feel a little nervous as Lisa opened the door. Who could it be this time?
As Lisa opened the door, they all saw that it was Kaeya who stood on the other side with Pikachu perched on his shoulder and Paimon floating right next to him. "Hello, everyone," Kaeya greeted, his usual calm demeanor in place. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Lisa smiled at Kaeya.
"Not at all, Kaeya," she said. "Come on in." Kaeya stepped into the room, followed closely by Paimon. Ash couldn't help but feel a little surprised to see Pikachu on Kaeya's shoulder.
"What's Pikachu doing with you?" he asked, feeling a little confused. Kaeya chuckled.
"Well, I found him wandering around outside," he explained. "I thought he might belong to one of you, so I brought him here." Pikachu let out a happy squeak as if to confirm Kaeya's words.
Ash felt a surge of relief wash over him at the sight of his beloved Pokémon. "Thank you," he said, feeling grateful to the knight.
Kaeya nodded in acknowledgment. "Of course," he said. "I'm just glad I could help." As Kaeya noted the lapse in introductions, he smoothly rectified it. "Oh, where are my manners?" he said, his tone easygoing. "As Lisa here just said, I'm Kaeya, one of the Knights of Favonius and their Captain."
Ash's gaze shifted from Kaeya to Lisa and then back to Kaeya, his expression turning from curiosity to confusion. "Knights of Favonius?" he repeated. As he processed what was happening, he realized something was off. "Wait a minute... I don't think I'm in the Kanto region anymore, am I?"
Kaeya's chuckle echoed in the room as Ash came to the realization that he was no longer in the Kanto region. "While I'm not familiar with this Kanto region you speak of, you're here within the walls of Mondstadt," Kaeya explained, his amusement evident in his voice.
Ash shook his head, trying to process everything. He then turned to Amber, who was standing nearby. "You're a knight too, aren't you?" he asked, out of curiosity.
Amber's face lit up with a grin. "Yes, I am! I'm Amber, a proud member of the Knights of Favonius," she replied, feeling proud of her position.
Ash chuckled nervously, feeling a bit embarrassed by his own curiosity. He then turned to Paimon, the small fairy-like girl, wondering about her story. "And what's the deal with you?" he asked, hoping to learn more about her.
Paimon's expression shifted from friendly to offended as she heard Ash's words. "Excuse me? What do you mean 'deal with me'?" she replied, her tone sharp and defensive.
Ash was taken aback by Paimon's sudden change in demeanor. He didn't mean to offend her in any way. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. You helped me out and I'm grateful for that," he said, hoping to make amends.
Paimon looked at Ash, still with a pout on her face and her arms crossed. "Well, you could have been more polite. I'm not just some 'deal,'" she replied.
"I understand, and I'm sorry, Paimon," Ash said, clapping his hands together in a pleading manner, hoping that Paimon would forgive him.
Paimon looked at Ash for a moment before finally relenting. "Fine, Paimon will forgive you this time," she said with a smug smirk on her face, feeling a bit better now that Ash had apologized.
Kaeya let out a chuckle at their interaction, finding it amusing. "Glad that's settled. Now, there are some important matters we need to discuss," he said, his visible eye fixed on Ash. "Oh, that's right. We never caught your name, our honored guest," he added, turning to Ash with a curious expression.
"It's Ash," the reigning Monarch finally introduced himself. "And I believe you have already met Pikachu," he added, pointing at the yellow rodent on Kaeya's shoulder, who squeaked in response.
Kaeya chuckled once again, finding the situation amusing. "Well then, Ash and Pikachu, now that the introductions are out of the way, our esteemed Acting Grand Master wishes to see you, Ash," he informed, his tone serious once again.
Ash raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Acting Grand Master? Who is that?" he asked, curious about the title.
Kaeya sighed. "The Acting Grand Master is the current leader of the Knights of Favonius. Her name is Jean," he explained, hoping to clear any confusion.
Ash nodded, understanding the situation. "I see. Well, I'm ready to meet her," he said, feeling excited about meeting the leader of the Knights of Favonius. A loud rumble came from Ash's stomach, indicating that he hadn't eaten anything since he regained consciousness. A faint blush spread across his face as he sheepishly scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
The knights and Lisa had a good laugh at Ash's expense, but Lisa soon suggested a solution. "How about you get some food in you before you meet with Jean, Ash?" she said, smiling kindly at him.
Ash nodded gratefully. "That's a good idea. I am a bit hungry," he admitted, feeling relieved that he wouldn't have to meet with the Acting Grand Master on an empty stomach.
...
After enjoying a satisfying lunch and getting dressed, Ash and Pikachu followed Kaeya through the hallways of Knights of Favonius Headquarters to meet with Jean. Pikachu perched on Ash's shoulder as they made their way to Jean's office, and soon they arrived at their destination.
"Here, we are," Kaeya declared their arrival by walking up and knocking on the door a few times with his knuckle. After a few moments of awkward silence, a gentle female voice answered back from inside the room.
"Who is it?"
Kaeya let out a good chuckle and replied, "It's me, Jean." He then added, "Our special guest is finally up."
"Really?" she asked. "You can come inside. The door's unlocked," she added, inviting them into her office.
Kaeya wasted no time in complying with Jean's orders, reaching for the doorknob and turning it before pushing the door open to allow access to Jean's office. As the knight stepped inside, followed closely by Ash, they were greeted by the sight of a beautiful woman with grey eyes and blonde hair tied back in a ponytail with a black bow. She was seated behind her desk, surrounded by stacks of paperwork, and appeared to be diligently working through each one. Jean's outfit consisted of a white frock with open shoulders and a blue and white bow in the front, as well as a blue and white cap, white tights, and ankle boots.
Jean momentarily shifted her gaze away from her work and greeted her visitors with a warm smile on her lovely face. "As promised, Jean, I brought your esteemed honored guest to you," Kaeya announced with a hint of humor in his tone, causing the acting Grand Master to roll her eyes playfully. She found it amusing that Kaeya would still have the time to joke around, even in the midst of their duties.
"Well, thank you, Kaeya," Jean replied with a hint of humor in her voice. "I always knew I could count on you to get the job done," she added, remaining calm and collected despite the chaos of her workload.
"You're too kind, Jean," Kaeya said with a chuckle as he walked up to her desk and took his place, standing next to her.
Jean redirected her attention to Ash and Pikachu, hinting that she had some questions for them and vice versa. "It's good that you're finally up," she offered a soft smile and continued, "I know you have so many questions to ask, am I right?" Ash nodded in agreement, confirming her suspicions. "Well first, let me introduce myself. I'm Jean, currently the acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius," she introduced herself and explained the situation revolving around her current position. "The actual Grand Master is currently away on a mission, so I'm temporarily in charge while he's away." Ash nodded again, understanding the situation. Jean motioned over to Kaeya. "And I do believe you've already met Kaeya. Hopefully, he didn't cause you any trouble," she said with a playful jab.
"Jean!" Kaeya exclaimed, feigning offense and clutching his chest. "You wounded me with such false allegations," he added playfully, responding to Jean's remarks. Jean, meanwhile, rolled her eyes yet again, seemingly unimpressed with Kaeya's dramatics.
Ash chuckled at Jean's concern and spoke up in defense of Kaeya. "Nah, you don't have to worry about Kaeya. He's been good to us," he reassured her, using Dawn's phrase. Kaeya's lips twitched into a smile at Ash's words. "Anyway, I'm Ash," he introduced himself, then gestured to his partner. "And this here is Pikachu," he said, introducing his loyal companion. Pikachu let out a cheerful squeak in response, seemingly happy to have been acknowledged.
"Nice to meet you, Ash, Pikachu," said Jean with a friendly smile. "Welcome to Mondstadt, one of the seven regions of Teyva. We worship Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon and God of Freedom," she explained. Ash and Pikachu were amazed by this new information. It was all so foreign to them, and they realized they weren't in Kanto anymore. The concept of Archons was entirely new to them.
"I see," Ash said quietly, trying to process the news they had just received.
"So, Ash," Jean said, trying to catch Ash's attention, "Can you tell us more about Pikachu? We have never seen a creature like him before in Mondstadt," she added, curious to know more about the yellow creature.
Ash and Pikachu were both surprised by Jean's question. They wondered if Jean and Kaeya were not familiar with Pokémon or if they belonged to a region where Pokémon did not exist. Nevertheless, Ash didn't mind sharing some information about Pikachu. "Pikachu is actually a Pokémon," he explained, but his response only seemed to confuse the knights even more.
Ash understood their confusion and was happy to explain. "Pokémon are creatures with unique abilities that inhabit the world. They come in different shapes, sizes, and types, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses," he said, hoping to shed some light on the matter.
Jean and Kaeya listened intently, fascinated by what Ash was telling them. "So, Pikachu is a type of Pokémon?" Jean asked, trying to understand.
Ash nodded. "Yes, Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon. He can generate electricity and use it to power up his attacks," he explained.
Kaeya seemed intrigued. "Interesting. So, do all Pokémon have unique abilities like Pikachu?" he asked.
Ash smiled. "Yes, that's right. Each Pokémon has its own set of unique abilities and moves that make them different from one another," he said. "Although, if my friend Brock or Professor Oak were here, they would have definitely explained it better than I ever could," he said, feeling a little humble.
Jean and Kaeya looked at each other and then back at Ash. "Who are Brock and Professor Oak?" Jean asked, curious to know more about Ash's friends.
"Brock is my friend and a great Pokémon breeder, and Professor Oak is a renowned Pokémon researcher. They both have a lot of knowledge about Pokémon and have helped me and my friends on our journey," Ash explained, feeling proud of his friends' accomplishments.
Kaeya smiled. "It's always good to have knowledgeable friends by your side," he said, nodding in agreement.
Ash quickly rummaged through his vest until he found his Rotom Phone. "Maybe this can help you guys understand a little bit more about Pokémon too. Give me a second!" he said, scrolling through his phone to find an image of Pikachu.
Jean and Kaeya looked at the phone's screen with curiosity as an automatic female voice beeped from the Rotom Phone, startling them both. "Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon!" the voice announced. "When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity can build and cause lightning storms," it finished its analysis of Pikachu.
Jean and Kaeya looked at each other in awe, impressed by the technology of the Rotom Phone. "That's amazing," Jean said, feeling grateful for Ash's help in understanding Pokémon.
Ash smiled. "The Rotom Phone is a great tool for Trainers like me. It helps us keep track of our Pokémon, gives us information about them, and even helps us communicate with each other," he explained.
Kaeya nodded. "It seems like a useful tool to have in the field," he said, feeling impressed by the technology.
"Does that mean you have other Pokémon like Pikachu?" Jean's curiosity was piqued, and she asked.
Ash nodded, "Yes, I have many more Pokémon with me. Let me show you guys," he said with a grin. Ash reached behind his belt to take out his Poké Balls. However, he noticed that all but one were missing. He wondered if the mysterious woman had something to do with it. But he decided not to worry about it now and detached the single sphere from his belt. He enlarged it with a single click, drawing Jean and Kaeya's attention. "Come on out, Lucario!" he shouted as he hurled the Poké Ball into the air.
As the colorful display of bright lights faded, a blue bipedal, canine-like Pokémon emerged from the sphere. Jean and Kaeya were surprised by the Pokémon's unique features, almost as if they had seen this creature before or something similar to it in an ancient book. The Pokémon let out a growl before shifting its gaze to its Trainer.
Ash smiled at the Pokémon. "Lucario, it's good to see you," he said with a cheeky smile.
Jean and Kaeya looked at Ash in amazement. "What kind of Pokémon is that?" Jean asked, intrigued by the creature's appearance.
Ash grinned. "Lucario is a Fighting and Steel-type Pokémon. Lucario's one of my strongest Pokémon and has helped me win many battles," he explained, feeling proud of his Pokémon's abilities.
Kaeya looked at Lucario with interest. "It looks like it could take on any opponent," he said, impressed by the Pokémon's intimidating appearance.
Lucario let out another growl as if to show off its strength. Ash chuckled. "Don't worry, Lucario, we're not here to battle. We're just showing Jean and Kaeya what Pokémon are," he reassured the Pokémon.
Jean couldn't help but feel drawn to Lucario, finding it strange that the Pokémon seemed so familiar to her. "Jean?" However, Kaeya's interruption brought her back to reality and she quickly refocused her attention on him.
"Yes, Kaeya?" she replied, trying to hide her momentary lapse in concentration.
Kaeya noticed her lingering gaze on Lucario and quipped, "Don't tell me you're a Pokémon fan now?"
Jean laughed, "No, not really. I just find it interesting."
Ash then chimed in, "I'm glad you think so!"
"Guess that confirms you're not from Mondstadt," Jean commented with a smile, amused by Ash's lack of knowledge about her hometown. Ash grinned sheepishly, realizing that he had inadvertently given himself away as an outsider.
"Yeah, you could say that," he replied, still a bit embarrassed.
Jean nodded understandingly, "Well, you're certainly welcome here in Mondstadt. We're happy to have you." Ash smiled gratefully, feeling relieved that Jean and Kaeya were friendly and welcoming. "Since you're going to be here for a while until we figure something out, how about you take a tour around Mondstadt? You might actually like it," Jean suggested, hoping to make Ash feel more at home in her city.
Ash's eyes lit up at the suggestion, eager to explore a new place. He turned to his beloved Pokémon and asked, "What do you guys think? Do you want to take a tour around Mondstadt?" Pikachu and Lucario nodded their heads in agreement, excited to see what this new city had to offer. "Sounds great! Thank you so much, Jean," Ash replied with gratitude. Jean smiled warmly, happy to see Ash and his Pokémon excited about exploring her city.
Sensing that Ash and his Pokémon were excited about touring Mondstadt, Jean turned to Kaeya and asked, "Mind having Amber and Paimon show Ash around Mondstadt, Kaeya?"
Kaeya nodded in agreement, "Of course, it would be my pleasure." He then turned to Ash and said, "You're in good hands with Amber and Paimon. They know this city like the back of their hands."
Ash smiled gratefully and turned to his Pokémon, "Looks like we have our tour guides, guys!" Pikachu and Lucario cheered in response, excited to explore the city with Amber and Paimon.
Jean silently watched as Kaeya led Ash and his Pokémon out of the room, feeling a sense of wonder and curiosity about their encounter. As she walked towards her room window, she couldn't help but think about the possibility of fate and destiny. "Lord Barbatos, did you bless us with this fate encounter?" she muttered to herself, her mind racing with thoughts and questions. She looked out at the clear sunny sky, feeling a sense of peace and serenity wash over her. "To think a great descendant of the once-famous lost Aura Kingdom could be upon us..." she pondered, wondering if Ash could be related to the long-lost kingdom that had disappeared from history. It was a far-fetched idea, but Jean couldn't help but wonder. She shook her head, trying to dispel the silly thought, but the idea persisted. She looked up to the sky once more, seeking guidance and wisdom from the spirits of the past. "I wonder what you would have done, Vennessa?" she asked aloud, addressing the former founder of the Knights of Favonius. She knew that Vennessa would have had the wisdom and insight to guide her through this uncertain time.
...
Share your thoughts about the Lost Aura Kingdom idea and its connection to Ash. I'm excited to see how the story unfolds in the next chapter with the introduction of familiar characters like a certain bard in Mondstadt.