The sea breeze whipped through Liyue Harbor, sending salty air and the scent of freshly caught fish wafting through the air. The Crux Fleet's flagship, the Alcor, was anchored by the dock, its sails flapping gently in the breeze. Today was a day off for Beidou and her crew, and the bustling shipyard was alive with laughter and chatter as the crew enjoyed some well-earned rest.
Beidou stood at the edge of the dock, her hands resting on her hips, her face glowing with a broad grin. Perched proudly on her shoulder was Fletchinder, its bright feathers gleaming in the sunlight. Fletchinder was enjoying the breeze as well, its small chest puffed out, basking in the attention of Beidou's crew.
"Alright, Fletchinder," Beidou said, giving her feathered friend a gentle scratch under its beak. "Today's mission is all about fun. How about we show these sailors just what you're capable of?"
Fletchinder chirped in excitement, flapping its wings enthusiastically. It took off from Beidou's shoulder, soaring above the ship, performing loops in the air before diving back down to land perfectly on one of the masts. The crew cheered and clapped, thoroughly entertained by Fletchinder's aerial acrobatics.
"That's my bird!" Beidou called out, her voice filled with pride. She turned to the sailors who were watching from below. "Alright, who's up for a little competition? Let's see if you can keep up with Fletchinder!"
The sailors laughed, several of them stepping forward. One of them, a tall, lanky man named Chang, raised his hand. "Captain, how about we see if Fletchinder can help us with our target practice? We could use some excitement!"
Beidou's grin widened. "I like the way you think, Chang! Alright, Fletchinder, let's give them a challenge." She turned to Fletchinder, who chirped eagerly, ready for whatever task Beidou had in mind.
---
A makeshift target was set up at the far end of the dock—several wooden crates stacked one on top of the other, with a painted bullseye on the front. The sailors lined up, armed with practice javelins, while Beidou stood back with Fletchinder perched on her arm.
"Alright, here's how this is going to work," Beidou called out, her voice carrying over the sounds of the bustling harbor. "Fletchinder is going to fly around the target, and you lot are going to try to hit it. Don't worry, Fletchinder is too fast for you to actually hit—just try not to miss the entire dock!"
The sailors laughed, and Chang took his position, squinting at the target. Beidou gave a nod to Fletchinder, and the Pokémon immediately took off, flying around the target in unpredictable patterns—zigzagging, looping, and even diving towards the water before swooping back up.
Chang hurled his javelin, and it missed the target entirely, clattering harmlessly into the water below. The crew erupted into laughter, Chang shaking his head with a sheepish grin.
"Looks like Fletchinder's got you beat, Chang!" Beidou called out, her laughter booming. "Who's next?"
Another sailor stepped up, and then another, each one trying their best to hit the target while Fletchinder darted around it, effortlessly evading their attempts. The entire dock was filled with laughter, the sailors cheering each other on, and even passersby stopped to watch the spectacle, amused by the scene.
---
As the sailors continued their attempts, a familiar voice called out from behind the crowd. "Looks like everyone's having a lot of fun over here! Mind if I join?"
Beidou turned to see Ningguang approaching, her elegant robes flowing gracefully as she walked. Beside her floated Rotom, its electric form flickering with curiosity as it took in the scene before it. Ningguang's presence immediately drew attention, and the sailors parted to let her through.
"Lady Ningguang!" Beidou said, her grin widening even further. "Fancy seeing you here. Come to try your luck against Fletchinder?"
Ningguang chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I'm afraid I'd be no match for your Pokémon's agility. But I couldn't resist seeing what all the excitement was about." She glanced at Rotom, who was buzzing around her. "Perhaps Rotom could lend a hand, though. What do you say, Rotom? Want to give it a try?"
Rotom let out an excited buzz, its body crackling with energy. It floated towards the target, positioning itself beside Fletchinder, who eyed its new partner with interest.
Beidou raised an eyebrow, her grin turning competitive. "Alright then, let's see what you two can do together! Sailors, you heard Lady Ningguang—step up your game!"
The sailors cheered, clearly up for the challenge. Chang took another javelin, his eyes narrowing in determination as he focused on the two Pokémon darting around the target. He took a deep breath and hurled the javelin with all his might.
Rotom and Fletchinder moved in perfect sync, dodging the javelin effortlessly as it flew past them, missing the target by a good few feet. The sailors erupted into cheers and laughter, and even Ningguang couldn't help but smile at the display.
"It seems your Pokémon have quite the bond," Ningguang said, her eyes on Rotom and Fletchinder as they continued to fly around the dock. "They make a good team."
Beidou nodded, her expression softening. "Yeah, they do. It's amazing how quickly they adapt to each other. Pokémon are something special, that's for sure."
---
As the day went on, the games continued, with Rotom and Fletchinder teaming up to dodge the sailors' attempts. The atmosphere was light and filled with laughter, the crew enjoying the rare chance to relax and have fun with their Pokémon companions. Beidou watched, her heart swelling with pride—not just for her crew, but for Fletchinder, who had become an integral part of her life on the sea.
Later in the afternoon, as the sun began to dip towards the horizon, Beidou and Ningguang stood by the edge of the dock, watching their Pokémon. Rotom and Fletchinder had settled down, perching on a crate as they watched the sailors clean up the remnants of their target practice.
"Thank you for joining us today, Ningguang," Beidou said, her voice sincere. "It's not often we get to just relax and have some fun."
Ningguang smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at Rotom. "I should be the one thanking you, Beidou. It's moments like these that remind us of what's truly important—the bonds we share, not just with each other, but with our Pokémon."
Beidou nodded, her eyes on Fletchinder. "Yeah. They've really changed things for us. Made life a little brighter." She turned to Ningguang, her grin returning. "Next time, though, you're going to have to try your hand at the javelin. No excuses."
Ningguang laughed softly, shaking her head. "Very well, Captain Beidou. I suppose I'll have to prepare myself for that challenge."
---
As the day came to a close, Beidou gathered her crew, her voice booming across the dock as she gave them their final orders for the evening. Fletchinder flew back to her shoulder, nuzzling against her cheek affectionately. Beidou smiled, giving her partner a gentle pat.
"You did great today, Fletchinder. Couldn't have asked for a better partner," she said, her voice filled with warmth.
Fletchinder chirped happily, its feathers ruffling as it settled in. Beidou looked out over the harbor, the lights of Liyue beginning to flicker on, casting a warm glow over the water. She felt a sense of contentment—a feeling that, no matter what challenges lay ahead, she and her crew, along with their Pokémon partners, were ready to face them together.
And as the laughter and chatter of her crew filled the evening air, Beidou knew that this was just the beginning of something truly special—a journey where the bonds between humans and Pokémon would continue to grow, bringing joy, excitement, and a sense of unity to everyone in Liyue.