Aoi Hyoudou: Thank you for your continued support. It's always great to see readers enjoying the new series. This chapter will focus on Ash encountering the Hilichurls for the first time, meeting the Abyss Mage and there will be a surprise that will Ash and his group against Dvalin.

Hilichurls, Mages and Dragons? Oh, my!

...

As Ash and his group trekked along the path to Starsnatch Cliff, they came across some curious, bobbling creatures. These slimy beings were undeniably cute, resembling Pokémon but with a unique charm. "Wow, what are those? They look so cute!" Ash exclaimed.

Jean took a moment to provide some guidance. "They may appear adorable, but don't be fooled. Slimes can be quite dangerous if you let your guard down."

Ash nodded, clearly intrigued but remaining vigilant. He kept a close eye on the little creatures, taking Jean's advice to heart.

In a bid to lighten the mood, Aether brought up a past adventure. "Remember that time when some Slimes tried to munch on Paimon? That was quite a spectacle!"

Paimon's cheeks puffed in indignation. "Hey! That's not funny!" she retorted, clearly irritated by the teasing.

Diluc grumbled, "Let's focus on our mission and not get sidetracked by every little thing."

Paimon shot Diluc an annoyed look. "Oh, like you're the model of focus!"

Venti intervened with a smile. "Come now, Paimon. Master Diluc just wants us to stay on track."

Jean added with a firm nod, "Venti's right. We need to keep moving if we want to reach Starsnatch Cliff on time."

The group continued to advance further on foot until, at some point, Ash, Pikachu, and Lucario began to notice some poles and banners in the area with strange markings. Unable to contain his curiosity, Ash asked, "Hey, what are these?"

Jean glanced at the markings and explained, "We're nearing Hilichurl territory. These markings are their way of staking a claim to this area."

Ash looked puzzled. "Hilichurls? What are those?"

Jean gave a brief lecture, explaining that Hilichurls are a tribal people in Teyvat who often act as enemies due to their aggressive behavior. "They might seem primitive, but they can be quite dangerous. They often attack travelers and adventurers."

After absorbing the information, Ash wondered aloud, "So, are we going to run into some?"

Jean nodded. "There's a possibility. We need to be prepared."

Diluc then stepped forward, his expression serious. "If we do run into Hilichurls, leave the fighting to Jean and me. The rest of you will provide backup support."

Paimon, clearly annoyed, piped up, "But Ash and Aether can fight too!"

Diluc's tone left no room for argument. "Follow my instructions or go back to Mondstadt. This isn't a game."

Paimon pouted but reluctantly kept her complaints to herself. Ash, noticing her frustration, comforted her with a gentle headpat, causing her to blush slightly. "H-Hey!"

No sooner had the group been talking about the Hilichurls when a group of common Hilichurls and Fighters, along with a Mitachurl wielding a massive club, noticed their presence and became aggressive. "Oh, great..." Diluc groaned, wishing they could have reached Starsnatch Cliff without any interruptions.

With a swift motion, Diluc whipped out his Claymore. Jean joined his side, her weapon at the ready. "Stay back," Jean instructed, her voice calm but firm.

Ash, Pikachu, Lucario, Aether, and Paimon watched in awe as Diluc and Jean engaged the charging Hilichurls and Fighters. Diluc's Claymore blazed with fiery energy, each swing unleashing waves of flames that engulfed the enemies. Jean, with her elegant yet powerful strikes, summoned gusts of wind that sent the Hilichurls sprawling.

Aether, wide-eyed, whispered to Paimon, "I've never seen them fight together like this before. They're incredible."

Paimon nodded vigorously. "Yeah, it's like they're perfectly in sync!"

Ash couldn't take his eyes off the battle. "Wow, they're really strong."

Venti chuckled quietly. "Indeed they are. It's quite a spectacle, isn't it?"

The Mitachurl, seeing its comrades fall, charged at Diluc and Jean with a roar. Diluc met its advance head-on, his Claymore clashing against the Mitachurl's club. With a powerful swing, he knocked the club aside and followed up with a fiery slash that sent the Mitachurl reeling.

Jean seized the opportunity, gathering a whirlwind in her hand before releasing it, sending the Mitachurl crashing to the ground.

Diluc finished it off with a series of fiery strikes, sending it falling backwards on its back in defeat.

As the dust settled, Diluc and Jean lowered their weapons, their expressions calm and collected. "All clear," Jean announced, turning back to the group.

Ash, still in awe, approached them. "That was amazing! You two make a great team."

Diluc nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Thank you, Ash. Just remember to stay alert. There may be more ahead."

Paimon, finally recovering from her amazement, floated over to Jean. "You guys were awesome! Can you teach us some of those moves?"

Jean chuckled. "Perhaps another time, Paimon. For now, we should keep moving."

Ash turned to Venti. "Do you think we'll face more of these Hilichurls before we reach Starsnatch Cliff?"

Venti shrugged playfully. "You never know. Teyvat is full of surprises. But with Diluc and Jean around, we should be just fine."

Paimon hovered closer to Ash, still excited. "Did you see how Jean used her wind powers? And Diluc's flames! That was so cool!"

Aether nodded in agreement. "It's like they're in perfect harmony. I hope we can learn to fight like that someday."

Diluc turned back slightly. "Focus on honing your skills and understanding your strengths. With time and training, you'll find your own harmony in battle."

Jean smiled warmly. "He's right. Everyone has their own unique abilities. Learn to use them well, and you'll become a formidable team."

Pikachu cheered enthusiastically, and Lucario gave a firm nod, clearly inspired by Diluc and Jean.

...

Night had fallen, and the group decided to make camp. Sitting around the campfire, Jean handed bowls of freshly cooked stew to Ash, Pikachu, Lucario, Aether, and Paimon. Diluc was keeping watch, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, while Venti played a soft, melodic tune on his lyre.

Ash, curious about their progress, turned to Jean. "How much further to Starsnatch Cliff?"

Jean glanced over her shoulder at the cliff visible in the distance. "At the pace we're going, we should reach it in a day or so," she replied.

Their conversation was interrupted by Paimon, who was savoring the stew. "This is amazing! Did you make this, Jean?"

Jean smiled and shook her head. "No, the credit goes to Diluc."

Diluc scoffed, but the news of him being the cook stunned everyone except Venti who chuckled in amusement.

"Master Diluc! I didn't know you were a master chef," Paimon teased playfully.

"If you don't like it, then quit eating it," Diluc grumbled without glancing in her direction

"You're out of your mind! Paimon will eat it all!" Paimon declared, chowing down on her meal.

The group shared a light-hearted moment with laughter.

...

The next day, the group faced a daunting challenge as they encountered an unusually large number of Hilichurls, including Fighters and a massive Mitachurl. Aether, Diluc, and Jean immediately took action, showing off their impressive combat skills while the rest of the group watched anxiously.

Pikachu's ears perked up suddenly, sensing an additional threat. Ash glanced over his shoulder and saw another Mitachurl sneaking up on them. "Oh no! There's another one coming our way!" he warned.

The new Mitachurl roared in anger and charged forward. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded. Pikachu unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt, briefly stunning the Mitachurl.

However, the Mitachurl shook off the attack and kept charging.

"Lucario, use Aura Sphere!" Ash shouted. Lucario launched a potent Aura Sphere, but the Mitachurl swatted it away with its massive club, sending Lucario skidding back after taking the redirected Aura Sphere.

Jean, seeing the danger, cried out, "Ash, watch out!" She dashed away from her position, despite Diluc's urgent shout.

"Jean, stay in your position!" Frustrated, Diluc focused his fury on the Hilichurls before him, scorching them with fiery attacks. "I've got these, but someone needs to help Jean!" he roared.

Jean positioned herself in front of Ash, bracing for the Mitachurl's attack. "Stay behind me, Ash!" she instructed.

Paimon, growing increasingly worried, turned to Venti. "Can't you do something? We need help now!"

Venti, with a mischievous grin, replied, "Alright, let me take care of it!" He raised his hands and summoned powerful gusts of wind that lifted the Mitachurl into the air. With a series of Anemo attacks, he battered the Mitachurl until it was finally defeated.

"Ta-da!" Venti exclaimed with a flourish, landing gracefully.

Diluc and Aether regrouped with the others and watched Paimon, still fuming, float up to Venti. "You tone-deaf bard! You could've done this from the start! Why didn't you?"

Venti shrugged casually. "Oh, Paimon, there was no need for me. Master Diluc and Jean had everything under control."

Paimon's frustration boiled over. "You're such a bad liar, Venti! You were just being lazy!"

Venti's grin widened. "Cruel words from Paimon! But tell me, why didn't you join in?"

"Don't you dare turn this on me!" Paimon snapped, her face flushed with anger.

The group sighed as they witnessed the bickering between Paimon and Venti.

...

Night had fallen over Teyvat, and the group made camp as they neared Starsnatch Cliff. They were now just a day's journey from their destination. Resting around a small fire, they prepared for whatever challenges awaited them, especially if they encountered Dvalin, also known as Stormterror.

Jean distributed bowls of hearty stew, and Diluc kept watch while Venti played a soothing melody on his lyre. The atmosphere was tense but calm as they gathered their strength for the final leg of their journey.

Unbeknownst to the group, a Cryo Abyss Mage hovered in the distance, watching them intently. Its fiery gaze studied each member of the group until it fixated on Aether. The Abyss Mage let out a sneering noise. "To think Her Majesty's twin is among these annoyances," it muttered. Its eyes then shifted to Ash, and its tone grew more menacing. "A living Rotarian descendant... This will make things easier if I eliminate them both," it hissed. "Everything is going according to plan," it chuckled evilly before vanishing into the night.

Around the campfire, Aether glanced at Ash, who was busy eating his stew. "Tomorrow's the big day," Aether said, trying to break the silence.

"Yeah," Ash replied, looking up. "I wonder what we'll find at Starsnatch Cliff."

Paimon, floating nearby, chimed in, "Hopefully not more Hilichurls! I'm still tired from today's fight."

Jean smiled reassuringly. "Rest well, everyone. We'll need all our strength for tomorrow."

...

"Whoa..." Ash exclaimed in awe as he, Pikachu, and Lucario gazed up at the towering cliff before them. After a long morning of trekking, they had finally reached Starsnatch Cliff, and its sheer size was breathtaking.

"Alright, enough sightseeing. We need to get going before we miss our chance with Dvalin," Venti said, snapping the group back to their mission. "Follow me!" He took the lead, prompting a groan from Paimon.

"Ugh, that tone-deaf bard knows how to ruin the moment," she muttered irritably.

"Hey, I heard that, Paimon!" Venti called back playfully.

As they began the ascent, the climb proved to be treacherous. Narrow paths and loose rocks made each step a challenge. Suddenly, a boulder dislodged and came tumbling down towards them.

"Look out!" Ash shouted. Pikachu and Lucario sprang into action, blasting the boulder with Thunderbolt and Aura Sphere, shattering it into harmless pieces.

"Nice work, you two!" Ash praised, giving his Pokémon a thumbs-up.

"Impressive," Jean commented, her tone both surprised and admiring.

The climb continued, each member of the group contributing to their progress. Aether used his wind powers to steady the path ahead, while Jean cleared obstacles with her sword. Diluc's fiery strikes lit their way through darker passages.

"Almost there," Venti encouraged, glancing back at the group with a smile.

Finally, they reached the summit. "Finally!" Ash exclaimed, collapsing onto the grassy plateau with a sigh of relief. Pikachu, Lucario, Paimon, and Aether joined him, all exhausted from the climb. A cool breeze swept by, making the atmosphere much more pleasant.

"That was a workout," Aether said, wiping sweat from his brow.

Jean giggled at their silliness. "You all look like you could use a break," she said, smiling warmly.

Diluc nodded in agreement. "Rest for a moment. We'll need our strength when we encounter Dvalin."

Ash looked up at the sky, taking in the serene beauty of their surroundings. "This place is amazing," he said, breathing deeply.

"Yes, it is," Aether agreed, sitting up and gazing around. "But we need to stay focused. Dvalin could appear at any moment."

Paimon floated above them, casting a tiny shadow on the ground. "Paimon agrees! Let's not forget why we're here."

Venti, who had been gazing out over the edge of the cliff, turned back to the group. "Don't worry. We'll be ready for Dvalin. Just make sure you're all prepared."

The Acting Grandmaster narrowed her eyes at Venti, her gaze filled with curiousity. "That reminds me—how do we know Dvalin is actually coming here?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. Venti's lips curved into a confident grin.

"That's easy. Leave that to me," he said, pulling out the holy lyre with a flourish. After tuning the strings, he began to play a hauntingly beautiful melody that seemed to weave itself into the very fabric of the wind.

"That sounds beautiful," Jean admitted, her stern demeanor softening as she listened.

"It does." Even Diluc couldn't help but nod in appreciation of the melody's elegance.

As Venti's song grew more intense, a powerful gust of wind swept through, almost toppling the group. They looked up, their eyes widening as a massive silhouette appeared against the sky. Dvalin soared overhead, his immense wings casting a shadow over them.

"There he is!" Paimon exclaimed, her voice a mix of awe and anxiety.

The group tensed as Dvalin glided toward the edge of the cliff behind Venti, who was lost in his music. The dragon's voice echoed telepathically in their minds, deep and resonant, "That song... That song... Is that you, Barbatos? Why have you summoned me? You know you cannot undo what has been done!"

"Then why are your eyes filled with sadness? Answer me!" Venti's plea was laced with desperation, hoping to reach his old friend.

"They're actually communicating?" Jean thought, piecing together Venti's true identity. Her revelation was cut short as a sudden Cryo spell struck Venti, causing him to cry out in pain and drop the lyre, which clattered to the ground.

"Oh no! Tone-deaf bard!" Paimon's cry was filled with worry as she and the others rushed to Venti's side. He clutched his shoulder, visibly shaking from the Cryo attack.

The same Cryo Abyss Mage from the previous night appeared beside Dvalin, its malevolent presence chilling the air. "Barbatos is lying to you, dear dragon! Your dear friend is being controlled by that filthy Rotarian standing there," it hissed, its voice dripping with venom.

"Don't listen to him! Those are lies!" Venti shouted desperately, trying to clear the confusion. "Ash is my friend! Don't be deceived!"

"How dare you, Barbatos! How dare you betray me with an evil Rotarian!" Dvalin roared, his eyes blazing with fury. His gaze shifted menacingly towards Ash. "To think a descendant of the Rotarian Kingdom dares to walk among Teyvat. You will feel my wrath!" With a thunderous roar, Dvalin lunged towards Ash, his massive wings beating fiercely.

"Ash!" the group shouted in alarm, their voices echoing with concern. Pikachu and Lucario sprang into action, positioning themselves protectively in front of Ash. His auburn eyes began to glow with a familiar, blue light in the face of danger.

Just as Dvalin was about to strike, a blinding Hyper Beam shot from the sky, slamming into the dragon and sending him staggering back. The sudden attack drew everyone's attention.

"Where did that come from?" Jean exclaimed, her eyes scanning the sky.

"Who dares attack me?" Dvalin roared in outrage, his attention shifting.

Ash's eyes widened in surprise and joy as he looked up. Descending from the clouds was a familiar draconic figure with light orange skin, tiny wings, and antennae on its head. A broad grin spread across Ash's face as he shouted, "Dragonite!"

Dragonite roared in response, hovering protectively in front of Ash. The sight of Dragonite was a welcome relief, but Dvalin sneered in defiance. "A cursed dragon doesn't make a difference. You all will feel my wrath!" he roared, his voice filled with fury.

Dvalin began to dive toward the group, preparing for a fierce assault. The group braced themselves for the battle ahead. Pikachu and Lucario stood firm, their eyes blazing with determination.

"Everyone, get ready!" Jean commanded, her voice steady despite the danger. "We need to protect Ash and Venti and hold Dvalin off!"

Meanwhile, the Cryo Abyss Mage watched with sinister glee. "Excellent, hehehehe!" it laughed maniacally. "Everything is going according to plan. The Rotarian descendant will be crushed, and the dragon will be defeated! Then no one will stand in the way of the Abyss Order! Her Majesty will be very pleased!"

...

Finally...at last! Another one of Ash's Pokémon appeared! And yes, his Pokémon Journeys lineup will be in the story and moving forward. Also, it's no surprise that the Abyss Order has been pulling the strings rather than the Fatui and knowing the whereabouts of the Rotarians. Rotarians had many enemies in the past including the early days of the Abyss Order. Anyway, saving Dvalin will be a two-parter event before the arc comes to a close. Prepare yourselves!