Hiroshi, who had only just begun to acclimate to the strange and fantastical world of Teyvat, found himself standing at the entrance of his newly established shop. The large, wooden sign above the entrance read "Pokémon Emporium" in a flowing script. Its location, nestled on Liyue Street, had attracted curious glances from the locals passing by. The shop had a distinct allure; its vibrant façade stood out amidst the more traditional Liyue architecture.
He sighed as he looked at the hustle and bustle of Liyue Harbor, the excitement and chaos of people coming and going from their daily business. The shop's doors were open, and Hiroshi could only hope that his little piece of otherworldly magic would be embraced by the residents.
"It's almost time," he muttered, glancing at Zekrom, his first Pokémon and protector, who stood by his side.
The imposing black dragon-like creature, towering over Hiroshi, gave him a calm nod. Though intimidating in appearance, Zekrom's presence was surprisingly comforting. The [Pokémon Popularization System] had granted Zekrom to Hiroshi with a very specific purpose: to protect the shop and assist Hiroshi in the mission to popularize Pokémon across Teyvat. And thankfully, Zekrom could communicate with Hiroshi, which made things considerably easier.
"Are you nervous, Hiroshi?" Zekrom asked, his voice resonating deeply in Hiroshi's mind. Despite its fearsome tone, Hiroshi could sense the genuine curiosity behind the question.
"A bit," Hiroshi admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, it's not every day that you're tasked with introducing an entire new concept—let alone entirely new creatures—to an unfamiliar world."
Zekrom nodded sagely, his gaze sweeping across the street. "They will learn to love Pokémon, Hiroshi. You just need to give it time. This world is full of magic and mysteries—it won't be long before they see the wonder in what we have to offer."
Hiroshi took a deep breath, straightening his back. Zekrom was right. There was something special about Pokémon, something that felt like it would be a natural fit in a world filled with magic, adepti, and elemental visions.
As he prepared for the day, the small silver bell above the door chimed, signaling the arrival of the shop's first customer. Hiroshi quickly turned to greet the newcomer, his eyes widening as he recognized her—it was none other than Xiangling, the young and enthusiastic chef of Wanmin Restaurant.
Xiangling's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the shop's colorful displays—the Pokéballs arranged neatly on the shelves, the bags of Pokémon food lining one wall, and most of all, Zekrom, who loomed behind the counter with an unmistakable aura of power.
"Whoa!" Xiangling gasped, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What kind of place is this? And what is that big black dragon?!"
Hiroshi smiled, stepping forward. "Welcome to the Pokémon Emporium! My name's Hiroshi, and this is Zekrom. We sell magical creatures called Pokémon, and Zekrom here is one of them."
"Magical creatures?" Xiangling repeated, tilting her head in curiosity. She approached Zekrom with a fearless glint in her eyes, clearly fascinated. "Can I touch him?"
Zekrom looked down at her, his expression almost amused. "If you wish," he rumbled, bowing his head slightly.
Xiangling grinned widely and reached out, patting Zekrom's leg. "Amazing! He's so cool!" She turned back to Hiroshi, her eyes gleaming. "So, what do you mean by magical creatures? Are they like familiars or adepti beasts?"
Hiroshi nodded, excited to explain. "Sort of! Each Pokémon has unique abilities, personalities, and skills. They can help in battles, assist in daily activities, or just be wonderful companions. And each one forms a bond with its trainer."
"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" Xiangling's enthusiasm was palpable. "Do you have any that might like helping out in a kitchen? I think it would be so much fun to have a Pokémon partner while I'm cooking!"
Hiroshi's eyes lit up. "I think I might have the perfect match for you. Let's see..." He moved towards a section of the shop that contained several Pokéballs. Picking one up, he turned back to Xiangling. "This one should be a great help to you. Come on out, Charmander!"
He pressed the button on the Pokéball, and in a flash of red light, a small orange lizard-like creature with a flaming tail appeared. Charmander looked around curiously, blinking up at Xiangling.
Xiangling's eyes widened in delight. "Aww, it's adorable! And it has fire abilities, right? That's perfect for cooking!" She knelt down, smiling warmly at the Charmander. "Hi there, little guy! Would you like to help me cook delicious dishes?"
Charmander tilted its head for a moment before giving an enthusiastic nod, its tail flame flickering brightly. Xiangling's grin widened even further as she looked back at Hiroshi.
"I'll take him! How much do I need to pay?"
Hiroshi chuckled. "Well, it's not just about the payment. With every Pokémon comes a Pokedex, which is sort of like a smart device that provides information about your Pokémon, their abilities, and even helps you bond with them. You'll also receive six Pokéballs and will need to buy some Pokémon food to keep Charmander happy and healthy."
He handed Xiangling a sleek, smartphone-like Pokedex, and she took it eagerly, turning it over in her hands with awe. "Whoa, this is amazing! And I get all this just for partnering with Charmander?"
Hiroshi nodded. "Exactly. The goal is to help people of Teyvat get to know and love Pokémon. It's not just about buying them—it's about forming a partnership."
Xiangling's smile softened as she looked down at Charmander, who was now playfully inspecting one of the Pokéballs Hiroshi had given her. "I think we're going to be great friends," she said, her voice filled with warmth.
The bell above the door chimed again, and Hiroshi looked up to see another familiar face entering the shop—this time, it was Chongyun, the exorcist. His eyes scanned the shop, widening at the sight of the various Pokémon merchandise, before landing on Charmander and Xiangling.
"Xiangling? What is this place? And... what is that creature?" Chongyun asked, his curiosity piqued.
Xiangling beamed at him. "Chongyun, you have to check this out! This is the Pokémon Emporium, and Hiroshi here sells these amazing magical creatures called Pokémon. Look, this is Charmander—my new cooking partner!"
Chongyun blinked, taking a step closer to inspect Charmander. "Magical creatures, you say?" He turned to Hiroshi, a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "Are they dangerous?"
Hiroshi shook his head. "Not unless they need to be. Each Pokémon is unique, with its own temperament and abilities. They're more like companions than anything else. For example, I think I have one that might suit your line of work perfectly."
He reached for another Pokéball and released it, revealing a small ghostly figure with a single glowing eye—a Duskull. The ghost-type Pokémon floated eerily in the air, its gaze locking onto Chongyun.
Chongyun's eyes widened, and he seemed momentarily taken aback. "A ghost...?"
Hiroshi smiled. "This is Duskull. It's a ghost-type Pokémon, which means it has abilities related to spirits and the supernatural. I think it could be quite helpful for an exorcist like yourself."
Chongyun studied Duskull for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I see... It could indeed be useful. Very well, I'll take it."
As Hiroshi handed Chongyun his own Pokedex and Pokéballs, Xiangling couldn't help but laugh. "Looks like we're both getting new partners today, Chongyun! I can't wait to see what kinds of adventures we'll have with our Pokémon."
Chongyun gave a small smile, nodding in agreement. "Indeed. This is... quite different from what I'm used to, but I'm willing to give it a try."
Zekrom watched the interactions with a pleased expression, his deep voice echoing in Hiroshi's mind. "See, Hiroshi? They're already starting to understand."
Hiroshi couldn't help but smile as he looked at Xiangling, Chongyun, and their new Pokémon partners. "Yeah... I guess you're right, Zekrom. This might just work out after all."
The bell above the door chimed yet again, and Hiroshi turned to see who else might be curious enough to enter the shop. This time, it was Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing herself. She walked in with an air of curiosity and authority, her sharp gaze sweeping across the shop before settling on Hiroshi.
"I've heard whispers about a new shop selling magical creatures," Ningguang said, her tone measured. "I'm curious to see if these rumors are true."
Hiroshi swallowed nervously. It wasn't every day that someone as important as Ningguang walked into your shop. He quickly composed himself and gave her a respectful bow. "Welcome, Lady Ningguang. The rumors are indeed true. We sell creatures called Pokémon, and they each possess unique abilities and characteristics."
Ningguang raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to Zekrom, who gave her a polite nod. "Fascinating," she murmured. "And what sort of abilities do these creatures have?"
Hiroshi gestured to the shelves. "There's a wide range, from elemental abilities like fire and water to more supernatural powers. Each one is different, and they can be quite helpful in various aspects of life—from assisting in daily tasks to providing protection."
Ningguang considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. Show me one."
Hiroshi selected another Pokéball, releasing a small, floating, plasma-like creature with a mischievous grin—a Rotom. The electric ghost-type hovered in the air, its body crackling with energy.
"This is Rotom," Hiroshi explained. "It has the unique ability to possess electronic devices and control them. It could be particularly useful for someone who deals with a lot of technology."
Ningguang's eyes glimmered with interest as she studied Rotom. "Interesting... I believe I could find a use for such a creature. I'll take it."
Hiroshi handed Ningguang her Pokedex and Pokéballs, feeling a surge of excitement. This was it—the beginning of something incredible. One by one, the people of Liyue were starting to embrace the concept of Pokémon, and Hiroshi could only imagine what kind of adventures lay ahead.
As the day continued, more and more curious customers entered the shop, each one leaving with a new Pokémon partner and a Pokedex in hand. Hiroshi couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment as he watched the people of Liyue interact with their new companions. There was laughter, curiosity, and even a few surprised yelps—all of it contributing to the growing excitement surrounding Pokémon.
By the end of the day, Hiroshi was exhausted but happy. He looked at Zekrom, who gave him an approving nod.
"You did well today, Hiroshi," Zekrom said, his deep voice filled with pride.
Hiroshi smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Thanks, Zekrom. I think we're off to a good start."
Zekrom nodded, his gaze softening. "Indeed. The people of Teyvat will come to see the wonder of Pokémon—one step at a time."
Hiroshi looked out at the bustling streets of Liyue, the sun setting in the distance. He knew there was still a long road ahead, but for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt hopeful. The Pokémon Emporium was just the beginning, and he couldn't wait to see what the future held.