Aoi Hyoudou: Thank you for your continued support. It's always great to see readers enjoying the new series. This chapter will focus on engaging with the Fatui to retrieve the holy lyre and also showcase a little bit more about Ash's aura powers. And for those worrying about Aether and Paimon, they will appear in the chapter after being gone for a while with Amber on a mission.
Fatui
...
Ash, Pikachu, Lucario, and Diluc found themselves standing before an unremarkable boulder. Ash scratched his head, puzzled as to why they were focusing on a rock that seemed completely ordinary.
"Uh, Diluc, why are we staring at a boulder? Is it supposed to do something?" he asked, bewildered.
Diluc chuckled softly. "Of course. Let me handle this." With a confident smile, he stepped forward and activated a hidden switch on the boulder. To Ash's astonishment, the boulder shifted, revealing a secret passage leading to the Fatui hideout.
"Oh," Ash said, his confusion giving way to understanding.
The group followed the former Knight of Favonius into the clandestine hideout, stepping carefully as the passage closed behind them, ensuring their entry remained undetected. The air grew cooler and the atmosphere more tense as they ventured deeper into the hidden base, each step bringing them closer to the answers they sought.
Diluc led the way. "Stay close and keep quiet," he instructed in a low voice, glancing back at Ash and his Pokémon.
Ash nodded, his eyes wide with excitement. Pikachu and Lucario were equally alert, ready for any challenge that might arise. The dimly lit corridors of the hideout echoed with their soft footsteps, and the air was thick with the scent of damp stone and the faint hum of machinery.
As they navigated through the maze-like passages, Ash couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. They were getting closer to uncovering the truth behind the stolen holy lyre and the Fatui's involvement. And perhaps, in the process, Ash's own hidden potential would come to light, as Jean had suspected.
Soon, the group encountered a minor inconvenience: a path obstructed by rotating pillars spitting flames from all four sides, with a pit of lava below. It was clear that the Fatui had set this up to deter intruders from advancing further into their base. Diluc frowned, crossing his arms in frustration. This obstacle was a significant hindrance to their plans.
"What should we do now, Diluc?" Ash asked, concern evident in his voice.
"We can't turn back now. The only way to move forward is right through these pillars," Diluc stated with a groan, his annoyance palpable.
The group pondered over their options, trying to devise a way to navigate past the fiery pillars. Suddenly, Ash's face lit up with an idea. He glanced at Pikachu, who was perched on his shoulder.
"Hey, Pikachu," Ash said, catching his partner's attention. Pikachu looked at him curiously. "How about using Thunderbolt on those pillars? Maybe you can slow them down or disable them," the Pokémon Trainer suggested.
Pikachu nodded and leaped into the air, unleashing a powerful Thunderbolt at the first pillar. The electric attack struck the pillar, causing it to momentarily halt before it malfunctioned, flipping over to create a clear path.
"Impressive," Diluc remarked with a half-smile, genuinely impressed by Ash's quick thinking and Pikachu's power. "Your little friend managed to clear the way."
Encouraged by the success, Ash grinned and ordered Pikachu to use Thunderbolt on the remaining pillars. One by one, Pikachu's attacks hit the pillars, each malfunctioning and flipping over to form a safe passage for the group.
"Good work, Pikachu," Ash praised as his partner returned to his shoulder.
"Let's advance," Diluc stated, taking the lead as the group moved forward through the now-clear path.
As the group ascended through several sets of stairs, they eventually encountered a cowering Fatui guard who noticed their approaching forms. Upon seeing Pikachu and Lucario, he cried out, "Please don't eat me! I-I'll talk!" Pikachu and Lucario blinked at the paranoid Fatui guard, exchanging confused glances.
Diluc didn't waste any time, swiftly approaching the man. "Talk! Where's the holy lyre? We know you stole it!" he demanded.
The cowering guard hesitated. "H-How did you know the holy lyre was here?"
Diluc dismissed him with a threatening glare. "If you don't tell us where the holy lyre is, I have ways to make you talk."
Crumbled by Diluc's threats, the Fatui guard reluctantly began to speak. "The base is highly secured... because of the Abyss Order," he confessed.
Ash blinked at the unfamiliar name, but something about it felt ominous as if the group was indeed bad news if even the Fatui were afraid of them.
Diluc pressed on, "How do we advance into the ruins?"
"You need a key," the guard stammered. "One of my fellow guards has it, but I don't know who."
Growing impatient, Diluc loomed over the man, causing him to accidentally spill more information. "One of the Harbingers is in Mondstadt. Her name is Signora."
Diluc's eyes widened slightly while Ash blinked in confusion. "Signora?" he repeated.
"No. 8 of the Eleven Harbingers. Goes by the name of Signora," Diluc explained, his tone grave. "She's bad news. The fact that she's in Mondstadt is even more worrisome."
The guard nodded fervently. "Please, don't tell anyone about the information I gave you," he begged before fleeing.
As the guard disappeared, Ash turned to Diluc. "Who exactly is Signora?"
"Signora is one of the most dangerous members of the Fatui Harbingers," Diluc explained. "Her presence here suggests that whatever they're planning, it's far more serious than just stealing the holy lyre."
Ash's determination hardened. "Then we need to find that key and stop whatever they're planning."
Diluc nodded. "Agreed. Let's move."
The group approached a cube panel near a sealed door. Diluc stepped up and tried to activate it by touching it, but the panel remained unresponsive. He sighed in frustration, stepping back.
Ash walked up to the panel and placed his hand over it. Immediately, it reacted, emitting a blue glow. The sealed door rumbled violently, then lit up with the same blue light before it opened like a puzzle, granting them access.
Ash and Diluc exchanged puzzled glances, wondering why the panel responded to Ash but not to Diluc. However, there was no time to dwell on it. They advanced into a passage that led to an open area with another cube panel in the center and a large sealed door at the far end. The area was flanked by other open rooms and sealed metal gates.
The group approached the cube panel. Ash, curious if it would respond to him again, placed his hand over it. When nothing happened, he sighed, realizing this one might require the key the Fatui guard had mentioned.
"No luck, I see," Diluc observed, noting Ash's disappointment.
Ash nodded. "Yeah, looks like we need that key."
Diluc sighed. "Guess we'll have to split up and search for it. One of these rooms must have a guard with the key."
Agreeing, the group split up to search the area for the key.
Ash, with Pikachu and Lucario by his side, cautiously entered one of the open rooms. It appeared to be a storage area filled with crates and barrels. They carefully checked each one, hoping to find a clue or the key itself. As they were searching, Pikachu's ears perked up, and it began to sniff around a stack of crates.
"Pikachu, did you find something?" Ash asked, following his partner.
Pikachu pointed to a crate with its tail. Ash opened it and found a small, locked box inside. "This might be it," Ash said. "But how do we open it?"
Lucario stepped forward, placing a paw on the lock. Using its aura abilities, it managed to unlock the box. Inside was a small, ornate key. Ash grinned. "Great job, Lucario!"
Meanwhile, Diluc was in another room, encountering a couple of low-ranking Fatui guards. With swift, decisive movements, he disarmed and subdued them. "Where is the key to the panel outside?" he demanded.
One of the guards, terrified, stammered, "I-I don't know! Only the elite guards have those keys!"
Diluc sighed in frustration, leaving the room and continuing his search.
Ash, Pikachu, and Lucario regrouped with Diluc in the central area. "We found the key," Ash announced, holding it up.
Diluc's eyes widened slightly in surprise and relief. "Good work. Let's see if it fits."
Ash approached the cube panel again and inserted the key into a slot on the side. The panel lit up, and the sealed door began to rumble and glow, eventually opening just like the previous one. Beyond the door was a large, dimly lit chamber.
"Let's proceed," Diluc said, leading the way.
As they ventured deeper into the ruins, the group encountered a lift with a cube panel, surrounded by barrels and sand. Ash approached the panel and placed his hand over it. Instantly, the panel emitted a blue glow, and the platform beneath them jolted before it began to ascend to the next floor. Upon reaching their destination, they stepped off the lift and entered a chamber. In the center of the room, they spotted the holy lyre resting on an altar, conspicuously unguarded. The sight was suspicious, but Ash, eager to retrieve the lyre, dashed forward with Pikachu and Lucario close behind.
"The holy lyre!" Ash exclaimed, his excitement overriding caution.
"No, wait, Ash!" Diluc tried to warn him, but his words went unheard.
As Ash and his Pokémon approached the altar, a metal cage suddenly descended from the ceiling, sealing the altar. "Oh, no!" Ash cried out, realizing their predicament.
An evil laugh echoed through the chamber, causing the group to look around in alarm. They couldn't pinpoint the source of the laughter until a sinister voice began to speak. "To think it was this easy to lure you rats from your hole."
"Hey, show yourself!" Ash demanded, his eyes scanning the room for the Fatui agent.
"As you wish, foolish boy!" The voice responded. Within a swirling red mist, Fatui Zamenhoff appeared, his weapon blazing with flames. The group braced themselves for a fight as the Fatui Pyro Agent stepped forward. Diluc drew his claymore, holding it firmly, and glared at their adversary.
"Signora isn't going to tolerate this kind of interference in our affairs," Zamenhoff sneered.
"Well, too bad," Ash retorted, his eyes narrowed in determination. "We are taking back the Holy Lyre, whether you like it or not!"
The Fatui agent chuckled darkly, clearly amused by Ash's boldness. "Very well. You've saved Signora the trouble of dealing with you herself. I'll be the one to handle you fools! Prepare yourselves!" he roared, raising his weapon as the battle began.
"Ash, you stay back while I deal with him!" Diluc instructed, leaving no room for argument.
"But I can help!" Ash protested. "Well, at least Pikachu and Lucario can!" His Pokémon nodded in agreement. "They can offer some support."
Diluc knew arguing was pointless, especially with a battle imminent. "Fine, but make sure they don't get in my way!"
Ash grinned as Diluc charged forward, gripping his claymore firmly. Pikachu and Lucario followed closely behind.
The Fatui agent managed to leap back from Diluc's powerful swing, giving Ash an opportunity to strike. "Pikachu, Electro Ball! Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
Pikachu quickly formed a sphere of electricity and launched it with its tail. Simultaneously, Lucario formed an Aura Sphere within its paws and launched it. Both spheres sped towards the Fatui agent, who chuckled darkly before creating several fake copies of himself. The illusions took the brunt of the attacks while the real agent emerged unscathed.
Ash's Pokémon looked surprised by the man's unexpected skill. He then charged forward with his blade engulfed in flames, swiftly striking both Pikachu and Lucario. Lucario, a Steel-type, was vulnerable to his fiery assault. The advantages and disadvantages of typing still applied, even in this different world. Pikachu and Lucario were hurled back in pain.
"Oh no! Pikachu! Lucario!" Ash cried out in distress.
Diluc gritted his teeth and charged at the Fatui agent. "Why you!" He swung his blade fiercely. The agent dodged, causing the ground to explode on impact as the claymore struck it.
Diluc and the Pyro agent engaged in a fierce battle, parrying and evading each other's strikes. The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed through the chamber. As a former Knight of Favonius, Diluc had the upper hand, pressing the agent back. He saw an opening to strike and swung his blade. However, the Fatui agent had another trick up his sleeve. As the claymore came down, he suddenly turned invisible, causing Diluc's eyes to widen as his blade sliced through empty air.
"Where did he go?" Ash muttered, scanning the area frantically.
The evil laughter of the agent echoed through the chamber as he began mocking the group. Diluc, irritated, muttered, "Such an annoyance." Using his head, Ash decided to change tactics. Since they couldn't see the man, perhaps they could track him and strike when he was off guard.
"Pikachu, Lucario, try sensing him by closing your eyes!" Ash commanded. Both Pokémon obeyed, closing their eyes. Pikachu's ears twitched, hoping to pick up any sudden movements, while Lucario focused on its Aura sensory ability to trace the man's aura signal.
The room fell into an awkward silence until both Pokémon detected the agent's presence at the far end. Noticing that his Pokémon had found the agent, Ash quickly barked his orders. "Alright, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt! Lucario, Aura Sphere, let's go!"
Pikachu fired a powerful Thunderbolt straight towards where the presence was detected. The invisible man gasped in surprise as the attack struck him. "Gahhhh!" he cried out. Immediately after, Lucario's Aura Sphere launched and exploded on impact, sending the agent stumbling backward. "Ughhh!" he groaned.
The frustrated Fatui agent gritted his teeth, trying to regain his balance. But he couldn't counter as Diluc sprinted toward him at lightning speed, swinging his claymore. The agent narrowly avoided a fatal blow, but the tip of the claymore grazed his shoulder. He leaped back, putting some distance between himself and Diluc, clutching his injured shoulder and falling to one knee in frustration.
"Damn these annoying insects," he growled under his breath.
Desperation dawned on the Fatui agent as his eyes darted between Pikachu, Lucario, and Diluc before settling on Ash, who appeared vulnerable. The evil Fatui man stood up and began sprinting towards Ash with a manic determination. "Damn it!" Diluc cursed, fully aware of the man's desperation. "Get out of there, Ash!"
Ash could only watch in fear as the agent closed in, weapon ready to strike. Pikachu and Lucario looked worried, their expressions urging their Trainer to move. "You're finished, brat!" the agent cackled darkly.
As the Fatui agent lunged at Ash, a familiar blue glow engulfed Ash's body, surprising not only the agent but also Diluc. "Is that...?" Diluc murmured, realizing that Jean's theory about Ash might not have been so far-fetched after all.
The blue glow around Ash intensified, creating a powerful force that knocked the agent off his feet, sending him hurtling backwards. "Gahhh!" the agent cried out in shock.
Instinctively, Ash held up his palm, and a concentrated aura-like sphere formed within it. With a determined expression, he fired the intense sphere towards the Fatui agent. The sphere shot through the air, hitting the agent and engulfing him in a massive explosion. The blast rocked the hideout, causing the structure to shake violently.
KA-BBBOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!
Diluc, Pikachu, and Lucario shielded themselves from the shockwave, their eyes wide with amazement. As the dust settled, they saw the Fatui agent lying unconscious on the ground, his weapon shattered and his body scorched from the explosion.
Ash stood there, his palm still extended and glowing faintly with residual aura. He looked at his hand in disbelief, then turned to Diluc. "Did I... do that?" he asked, his voice shaky.
Diluc approached Ash, a mixture of astonishment and admiration on his face. "It seems you have more power than any of us realized," he said. "Jean was right about you."
Pikachu and Lucario rushed to Ash's side, nuzzling him in support and relief. Ash smiled, feeling a newfound confidence in his abilities.
"Let's not waste any more time," Diluc said, snapping back to the task at hand. "We need to get the holy lyre back to Jean and inform her about what happened here."
Ash nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "Right. Let's go."
...
Inside Angel's Share, Venti and Jean were discussing the situation with Aether and Paimon, who had just returned from a mission with Amber. Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when the door swung wide open, drawing everyone's attention to the doorway. Lucario stood there holding the holy lyre, with Pikachu by its side. But what really caught the group's attention was Diluc, who was carrying an unconscious Ash on his back.
"Ash!" Jean cried out, rushing over with the others. "Diluc, what happened?" she demanded, her worry evident in her voice.
"Don't worry, Jean, he's just a little tired," Diluc reassured her, his voice calm yet serious.
"But what happened?" Paimon asked, looking up at Diluc with wide, worried eyes.
Ignoring Paimon, Diluc shared a meaningful look with Jean. "Your theory was right all along, Jean."
Jean blinked in confusion, her eyes narrowing as she tried to process what Diluc was saying. "What do you mean?"
"Ash is definitely a Rotarian descendant," Diluc confirmed.
Jean's eyes widened in shock and realization. "So, the power he used..."
"Yes," Diluc nodded. "He managed to tap into a powerful aura ability, something only a Rotarian could do. It saved us back there."
Venti, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up. "Well, this certainly adds a new twist to our story," he said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Looks like we have more than just the holy lyre to worry about."
Aether and Paimon exchanged glances, trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Amber, who had been standing quietly, finally stepped forward. "What does this mean for us now?" she asked, her voice steady.
"It means Ash has a crucial role to play," Jean replied, her voice firm with newfound resolve. "We need to ensure he understands his heritage and trains to control his abilities. His power could be the key to saving Mondstadt from the Abyss Order and the Fatui."
Diluc nodded in agreement. "For now, let's get Ash some rest and then plan our next move. We need to prepare for whatever comes next."
...
Meanwhile, back at the Fatui hideout, the Fatui agent was slowly recovering from his encounter with Ash, his Pokémon, and Diluc. He groaned in pain, clutching his injured shoulder, but his attention was quickly drawn to the sound of heels clacking against the stone floor. He glanced up to see Signora, the Harbinger, approaching him.
"L-Lady Signora!" he gasped.
Signora scoffed at the sight of her pathetic minion. "To think you have disgraced the Fatui by losing to a bunch of weaklings! How disgraceful," she spat, her voice dripping with contempt.
"Please, Lady Signora, let me explain. That boy...he's a r—"
"Silence!" she growled, her light gray eyes narrowing. "There's no place for weaklings within the Fatui. You've served your purpose."
The air around the Fatui agent grew cold, frost forming on the ground and creeping up his legs. He looked down in horror as his body began to be encased in solid ice. "P-Please, Lady Signora! Give me another chance!" he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.
A cruel smirk plastered on Signora's face as she snapped her fingers. The ice encasing the agent suddenly solidified completely before shattering into a million pieces, sending frozen shards scattering across the floor.
Signora admired her handiwork with a satisfied smile. "Failures have no place in my plans," she muttered, turning on her heel and striding away from the scene. As she left, her thoughts turned to the boy the agent had mentioned. "A Rotarian descendant, huh?" she mused to herself. "Interesting. It seems Mondstadt is hiding more secrets than I anticipated. This could be useful."
...
You didn't expect Signora to appear so soon, didn't you? What a twist! Also, Happy Memorial Day! I managed to finish this despite having a stomach bug. Anyway, the next chapter is a downtime filler to get Ash and the others ready to confront Stormterror for round 2.