It was a peaceful morning in Mondstadt. The sun had barely risen, and a fresh breeze rolled over the city walls, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers from the countryside. The streets were calm as the city slowly awoke. Hiroshi was already awake, sipping his morning tea outside his Pokémon shop, watching as the Mondstadt citizens began their day. Beside him, Zekrom loomed, its presence both intimidating and comforting at the same time. Hiroshi couldn't help but smile at the scene that had unfolded the previous day. It was satisfying to see people connecting with Pokémon, experiencing the joys and wonders they brought.
The calmness of the morning was broken by a sudden commotion. A figure sprinted towards Hiroshi's shop, her footsteps quick and determined—Jean, the Acting Grand Master. She had a stern expression, her Litleo trotting alongside her, its little paws making faint padding sounds as they hit the cobblestones.
"Hiroshi!" Jean called as she approached, causing Hiroshi to look up in surprise. Zekrom opened one eye, its gaze following Jean's movement.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, good morning," Hiroshi greeted with a polite nod. "Is everything alright? You seem in quite a hurry."
Jean caught her breath for a moment, giving Hiroshi a small smile. "Good morning, Hiroshi. Actually, there is something I'd like your assistance with." She looked down at Litleo, who gave a playful growl as if agreeing. "I've been training with Litleo, but I've noticed that it's a little too playful during drills. I was hoping you might have some advice on how to help Litleo focus."
Hiroshi chuckled softly, kneeling down to meet Litleo's eyes. The little lion cub stared back with wide, bright eyes, flicking its tail back and forth. "Well, Litleo is still young. It has a playful nature, but that can be used to your advantage. Maybe we can start with some basic exercises—something fun that'll keep its attention."
Jean's brow furrowed. "Fun exercises, you say? I'm used to strict training regimens, but I'll do whatever it takes to help Litleo grow."
Zekrom's deep voice resonated, surprising Jean. "Sometimes, Grand Master, you must let go of discipline to see the true spirit of your partner. Pokémon thrive on bonds, not just commands."
Jean blinked, looking up at Zekrom. "I suppose that's something I need to work on. I'm used to leading the Knights, but this... this is different." She looked at Litleo, whose eyes were now locked on a fluttering butterfly nearby. Jean sighed, a small smile appearing on her lips. "Alright, Hiroshi, where do we start?"
---
The three of them made their way to the outskirts of Mondstadt, near Windrise, where the grassy fields stretched out in all directions and the winds were calm. Hiroshi had explained that being outside of the city would help Litleo focus, away from the distractions of the bustling streets.
"Alright, Jean," Hiroshi said, pointing towards a group of wooden targets he had set up. "We'll start with something simple. Let's have Litleo practice Ember on these targets, but with a twist—we'll make it a game."
Jean raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical but intrigued. "A game, you say?"
Hiroshi nodded, crouching down beside Litleo. "Alright, Litleo, here's the deal. For every target you hit with Ember, you get a treat." He pulled out a small bag of Poké-snacks, shaking it slightly. Litleo's ears perked up, its eyes lighting up at the sight of the treats.
Jean crossed her arms, watching with a hint of a smile. "You're bribing it, Hiroshi?"
Hiroshi laughed. "Motivating, not bribing. Trust me, it works wonders. Now, Litleo, go ahead and try!"
Litleo, filled with excitement, faced the targets. It took a deep breath, then let out a small puff of flame—an Ember attack. The flames shot towards the first target, hitting it dead-on. Litleo turned back towards Hiroshi, its eyes wide, and Hiroshi nodded approvingly, tossing a treat to the little lion.
"See? It's all about positive reinforcement," Hiroshi said, smiling at Jean.
Jean knelt down beside Litleo, petting its head gently. "You did great, Litleo," she said softly, her stern demeanor softening. "Let's keep going, alright?"
Litleo roared—well, as much as a little cub could roar—and turned back to the targets, ready to continue.
---
Meanwhile, back in the city, Amber was having a very different sort of morning with her new partner, Swablu. The two were on patrol, gliding from rooftop to rooftop as Amber showed Swablu the best spots to catch the wind. Swablu chirped happily, flapping its cloud-like wings to match Amber's glides.
"Alright, Swablu, let's see if you can keep up!" Amber shouted, diving off a rooftop and catching an updraft. Swablu followed, its tiny wings flapping furiously to match Amber's speed.
Amber laughed as she looked back at her partner. "You're doing great! I think we make an awesome gliding team!"
Swablu chirped in agreement, but as it flew, it noticed something shiny on the ground below—a glimmering coin that had rolled away from a vendor's stall. Without warning, Swablu veered off, diving towards the coin.
"Hey, Swablu! Wait!" Amber called, panicking slightly as she watched her partner plummet towards the busy street. She quickly adjusted her glider, diving after Swablu. The two of them swooped down, narrowly avoiding a collision with the vendor's stand.
Amber landed awkwardly, stumbling forward as Swablu grabbed the coin in its beak and landed gracefully beside her. "Swablu, you can't just dive off like that! You'll give me a heart attack!" Amber scolded, though she couldn't help but smile at the little bird's proud expression.
The vendor, an older man selling apples, chuckled at the scene. "Is that your new friend, Outrider Amber?"
Amber nodded, patting Swablu on the head. "Yep, this is Swablu. Still learning the ropes, but we're getting there." She handed the coin back to the vendor, who waved her off.
"Keep it, keep it. Consider it a reward for the little one's keen eyes," the vendor said, smiling warmly.
Amber laughed, giving Swablu a thumbs-up. "Hear that, Swablu? You're a natural treasure hunter!"
Swablu chirped in delight, flapping its wings as if in celebration. Amber couldn't help but laugh at her partner's antics. "Alright, let's get back to patrol. But no more unexpected dives, okay?"
---
Back at Windrise, Jean and Litleo were making progress. Litleo had successfully hit all the targets with Ember, each time getting a treat and a head pat from Jean. Hiroshi watched, impressed by how quickly Jean had adapted to a more relaxed style of training.
"You're doing great, Jean," Hiroshi said. "See? Litleo responds well when it's having fun. It's all about building that bond."
Jean nodded, looking down at Litleo, who was now lying on the grass, panting happily. "I think I understand now. It's not just about commands and discipline. It's about understanding each other, finding a rhythm that works for both of us."
Zekrom, who had been watching silently, rumbled approvingly. "You've taken the first step towards truly understanding your partner. Well done, Grand Master."
Jean looked up at Zekrom, a small smile on her lips. "Thank you, Zekrom. I still have a lot to learn, but I think we're on the right path." She looked at Hiroshi, her expression sincere. "Thank you for your help, Hiroshi. I'm grateful to have you here in Mondstadt."
Hiroshi smiled, giving a small bow. "It's my pleasure, Jean. I'm just happy to see people connecting with Pokémon. That's my mission, after all—to spread the joy of Pokémon to everyone in Teyvat."
---
As the sun began to set, the group made their way back to Mondstadt. Jean carried Litleo in her arms, the little Pokémon having tired itself out from all the training. Hiroshi walked beside her, Zekrom following closely behind, its eyes scanning the horizon.
When they arrived at the city gate, they were greeted by Amber, who was waving enthusiastically, Swablu perched on her shoulder. "Hey, Jean! Hiroshi! How did the training go?"
Jean smiled, looking down at the sleeping Litleo. "It went well. Litleo is making great progress, thanks to Hiroshi."
Amber grinned. "That's awesome! Swablu and I had quite the adventure too. Isn't that right, Swablu?" Swablu chirped in agreement, flapping its wings.
Hiroshi laughed, shaking his head. "It sounds like everyone had a productive day. I think Mondstadt is going to be a perfect home for Pokémon."
Jean nodded, her eyes softening as she looked at the bustling city, the people going about their evening routines. "Yes, I think so too. Pokémon bring something special to our lives—a sense of wonder and companionship that I think Mondstadt truly needs."
Amber raised a hand, her smile bright. "To new friends and new adventures, right?"
Jean, Hiroshi, and even Zekrom nodded in agreement. "To new friends and new adventures," Hiroshi echoed, feeling a warmth in his chest as he looked at the people around him—people who had opened their hearts to Pokémon and the magic they brought to Teyvat.
And with that, the day ended on a high note, the city of Mondstadt filled with the promise of new beginnings and the joy of discovering what it meant to have a Pokémon by your side.