The Angel's Share tavern buzzed with evening chatter as merchant captain Henrik slammed his tankard on the wooden table. His weathered face bore the excitement of someone with an incredible story to tell.
"I'm telling you, these creatures are real!" Henrik insisted to the gathered crowd. "Saw them myself in Liyue Harbor. One of them controlled lightning like Razor, but without a Vision!"
At the bar, Diluc paused in his glass polishing. He'd been to Liyue recently, seen the Pokémon House firsthand. This wasn't a tall tale.
Charles, the bartender, leaned closer. "What did these creatures look like?"
"One was yellow with red cheeks. Small thing, but when it got angry—" Henrik spread his arms wide. "Lightning everywhere! The shop owner called it 'Pikachu' or something."
Kaeya paused mid-drink. The Cavalry Captain's single eye narrowed with interest. "This shop owner. Describe him."
"Young fellow. Brown hair, built like a warrior but dressed like a merchant. Had this way about him—confident, you know? Like he owned the world."
"And he was selling these creatures?"
"Pokémon, he called them. Each one different. Some breathed fire, others moved earth." Henrik's voice dropped to a whisper. "I heard rumors he has legendary beasts. Things that could rival the Archons themselves."
The tavern fell silent. Diluc set down his cloth deliberately.
"That's not a story," the tavern owner said quietly. "I've seen the Pokémon House myself."
Every head turned toward him. Kaeya raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"You've been to Liyue recently," Kaeya observed. "And you didn't mention this because...?"
"Because it seemed impossible until now." Diluc's expression remained stoic. "But if multiple merchants are reporting the same thing..."
Henrik pointed excitedly. "See? I told you! What did you think of them?"
"Remarkable creatures. Intelligent. Powerful." Diluc met Kaeya's questioning gaze. "And completely loyal to their trainer."
Kaeya stood, dropping coins on the counter. "Interesting story, Henrik. Diluc, put his drinks on my tab."
As the Cavalry Captain left, Diluc caught Charles's questioning look. "Send word to Jean. She'll want to hear this."
Dawn broke over Mondstadt's cathedral as Jean reviewed the reports scattered across her desk. Three separate merchant testimonies. All describing the same impossible creatures in Liyue Harbor.
Plus Diluc's firsthand account from the previous evening.
A knock interrupted her thoughts. "Come in."
Bennett bounced through the door, his small orange Torchic perched on his shoulder. The Fire-type chick chirped happily, tiny flames dancing around its beak.
"Morning, Acting Grand Master! Torchic wanted to visit the cathedral today. Something about sensing familiar energy signatures?"
Jean looked up from her papers to study the young adventurer's partner. Even after weeks, seeing a Pokémon in Mondstadt still felt surreal.
"Bennett, how did you hear about the Pokémon House originally?"
"Oh, that's easy! Albedo mentioned it after one of his research trips to Liyue. Said he'd seen the most fascinating creatures there." Bennett grinned. "When I finally saved enough Mora to make the trip, Torchic chose me on the first day!"
"And Albedo's impression of this Manager Shinzō?"
"Super smart guy, apparently. Albedo spent hours talking with him about elemental theory. Said the Pokémon represent something completely new in terms of energy manipulation."
Another knock. Lisa entered with her usual languid grace, but Jean noticed the spark of curiosity in the librarian's eyes. "Oh my, such interesting bedtime stories reaching our little city," Lisa said with a knowing smile. "Though I suspect they're not stories at all, considering our local evidence."
She nodded toward Bennett and his Torchic, who had started practicing small flame attacks near the window.
"You've heard about the merchant reports?"
"Darling, I hear everything. Plus, I've had several fascinating conversations with young Bennett here about his adorable partner." Lisa's eyes gleamed with scientific interest. "These 'Pokémon' are far more complex than simple elemental creatures."
Jean rubbed her temples. "The reports are consistent. Too consistent to be fabrications."
"Which means?"
"Investigation is warranted." Jean met Lisa's knowing smile. "The Knights of Favonius need to understand any potential threats to Mondstadt's security."
"Threats?" Lisa's laugh tinkled like wind chimes. "Jean, honey, you sound like you're planning a military operation. These creatures seem perfectly peaceful."
"According to merchants who probably saw a demonstration designed to impress customers." Jean stood, moving to the window overlooking Mondstadt's plaza. "What if hostile forces acquire these Pokémon? What if they can be weaponized?"
Lisa studied her nails with theatrical boredom. "What if they're just adorable pets that happen to shoot lightning?"
"Lisa."
"Fine, fine." The librarian waved dismissively. "I suppose someone should investigate. Lucky me, I've been terribly bored lately."
Jean turned. "You'll go to Liyue?"
"Oh yes. Academic curiosity, you understand. These Pokémon might represent an entirely new form of elemental manipulation. The research applications alone..." Lisa's eyes gleamed with genuine interest now.
"Take Amber with you."
"Absolutely not. That dear girl would turn a reconnaissance mission into a three-day festival." Lisa stood, smoothing her robes. "I work better alone. Less... explosive."
Jean hesitated. Sending Lisa anywhere unsupervised usually resulted in complicated situations.
"Trust me, darling. I'll behave." Lisa's smile was anything but reassuring.
Three days later, Shinzō was organizing inventory when the system chimed urgently in his mind.
Foreign delegation detected. Approaching establishment. Analysis: Mondstadt Knights of Favonius. Threat level: Minimal. Recommendation: Standard customer service protocols.
Through the shop's windows, he spotted an elegant woman in purple robes examining his storefront with obvious interest. Her calculating gaze reminded him of Ningguang, but with less commercial focus and more academic hunger.
The door chimed as she entered. "Good morning. You must be the famous Manager Shinzō."
"Just Shinzō is fine. Welcome to the Pokémon House." He studied her carefully. "First time in Liyue?"
"How perceptive. Lisa Minci, Librarian of the Knights of Favonius." She extended a gloved hand. "I've heard the most fascinating stories about your establishment."
"All true, I hope."
Lisa laughed, the sound genuinely amused. "Oh, I certainly hope so. May I?" She gestured toward the habitat portal.
"Of course. Though I should warn you—my partners can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors."
They stepped through the portal together. Lisa's composure cracked slightly as she took in the expanded ecosystem. Blaziken was sparring with training dummies, each movement creating small whirlwinds. Tyranitar lounged near a pile of boulders it had been reshaping for fun.
But it was Zekrom that made Lisa stop entirely.
The legendary Dragon-type floated above the habitat's center, electricity dancing between its claws in patterns too complex for human understanding. The very air hummed with power.
"Barbatos preserve us," Lisa whispered. "That's not just a creature. That's a force of nature."
"Zekrom is gentle despite appearances," Shinzō said. "Though I wouldn't recommend getting too close without proper introduction."
Lisa's academic instincts overrode her caution. "The electrical patterns—they're more sophisticated than anything I've studied. How does it generate such controlled output without a Vision?"
"Pokémon don't need Visions. They generate elemental energy naturally."
"Impossible. The elemental system in Teyvat requires—"
Thunder rumbled overhead. Both looked up to see Kyogre rising from the aquatic section, water swirling around its massive form in gravity-defying spirals.
Lisa's knees wobbled. "Two legendary-class entities. In one location." She turned to Shinzō with newfound respect. "You're not just a merchant. You're harboring powers that could reshape nations."
"I'm harboring friends," Shinzō corrected firmly. "Pokémon aren't weapons or tools. They're partners."
"Partners that could level cities."
"So could Vision holders. So could Archons. Power exists everywhere in Teyvat." Shinzō met her gaze steadily. "It's how that power is used that matters."
Lisa studied him for a long moment. Then she smiled—not her usual playful expression, but something genuine and considering.
"The Knights of Favonius would very much like to extend an official invitation," she said formally.
"Acting Grand Master Jean requests your presence in Mondstadt for cultural exchange discussions."
"Cultural exchange?"
"Your Pokémon represent something entirely new to our world. Mondstadt prides itself on freedom and discovery. We'd like to learn more about these creatures and their potential benefits to our citizens."
Shinzō considered carefully. Expanding beyond Liyue had always been part of his long-term plans. But leaving his established base felt risky.
The system chimed softly: Expansion opportunity detected. Mondstadt market analysis: High potential for Pokémon integration. Recommendation: Accept diplomatic contact.
"I'd need guarantees," he said finally. "My Pokémon's safety is non-negotiable."
"Of course. You'd travel as an honored guest of the Knights. Full diplomatic protection."
"And I'd bring my partners."
Lisa's eyes widened. "All of them? Including...?" She glanced toward Kyogre and Zekrom.
"Especially them. You want to understand Pokémon? You need to see them as complete beings, not just their individual abilities."
"That... might complicate transportation arrangements."
Shinzō smiled. "Leave that to me. The Pokémon House has some travel accommodations you haven't seen yet."
As they returned to the main shop, Lisa examined the healing machines and Pokédex displays with professional interest. "When would you be available for this visit?"
"Give me a week to arrange coverage for the shop. Ganyu can handle most operations, but I'll need to prepare my partners for travel."
"Excellent." Lisa produced an ornate letter sealed with the Knights' emblem. "Official invitation and diplomatic papers. Jean will be pleased."
After Lisa left, Shinzō stood in his shop holding the invitation. Through the windows, he could see the familiar bustle of Liyue Harbor—his home for months now.