It was another crisp and vibrant morning in Mondstadt, the perfect kind that made people want to get up early, stretch, and make the most of their day. Jean was up at the crack of dawn as usual, preparing for her duties as the Acting Grand Master. Today, however, her schedule had something special—a Pokémon training session with her Litleo and other members of the Knights of Favonius. Hiroshi had suggested that the knights learn more about their Pokémon, both to strengthen bonds and improve their abilities.
Jean arrived at the training grounds to find Amber, Kaeya, and even Lisa already there. Amber's Swablu was perched on her shoulder, chirping happily, while Kaeya's Zorua seemed to be trying its best to blend in by transforming into a miniature version of Kaeya himself. Lisa, on the other hand, had her Misdreavus floating lazily around her, occasionally letting out a small, mischievous giggle.
"Good morning, everyone! I'm glad to see such dedication," Jean said, her voice warm and encouraging.
Amber saluted, her enthusiasm almost tangible. "Morning, Acting Grand Master! I'm so excited! Swablu and I have been practicing some new moves, and we can't wait to show everyone! Right, Swablu?"
"Swablu!" the fluffy bird chirped in agreement, fluffing its feathers proudly.
Kaeya, ever the calm presence, raised an eyebrow. "Well, I think Zorua's more interested in showing off its disguise abilities than anything else," he said, gesturing to his Pokémon, who was now copying Lisa's stance and pretending to read a book.
Lisa chuckled, not missing a beat. "My, my, Kaeya. It seems you and Zorua are quite alike—always trying to pull one over on everyone else." Misdreavus giggled in agreement, floating around Zorua and causing the illusion fox to giggle back.
Jean couldn't help but smile. It was moments like this that made her appreciate the bonds that had formed between the knights and their new partners. "Alright, everyone. Today, we're going to focus on teamwork exercises. It's important that we understand our Pokémon and build trust with them. Let's get started."
---
The training ground was soon filled with laughter, concentration, and the occasional burst of energy. The knights were split into pairs, each working on different exercises designed to improve coordination with their Pokémon.
Amber and Swablu were practicing their aerial maneuvers, Amber giving enthusiastic instructions as Swablu swooped and dived through hoops that had been set up for the exercise. The bird Pokémon was quick, its light feathers catching the wind just right as it twisted elegantly in the air.
"That's it, Swablu! Now, let's try a Peck on that target!" Amber called, pointing to a straw dummy at the far end of the field. Swablu nodded and zoomed down, its beak glowing slightly as it jabbed at the dummy, hitting it dead-on.
Amber cheered, pumping her fist in the air. "Woo! Great job, Swablu!"
Jean observed from a distance, her Litleo standing attentively beside her. She turned to Litleo, kneeling down to its level. "Ready to give it a try, Litleo? Let's show them what we've got."
Litleo looked up at Jean, its eyes sparkling with determination. "Litleo!" it cried, its tiny roar full of enthusiasm.
Jean smiled and led Litleo to a similar setup, giving the command for Litleo to run an agility course. The small lion Pokémon dashed forward, weaving in and out of the markers, its paws light on the ground. Jean followed closely, calling out encouragements as Litleo completed each obstacle.
On the other side of the field, Kaeya and Zorua were doing something... a little different. Zorua, in its transformed state, was trying to mimic the movements of Kaeya himself, much to the delight of some of the younger knights who had gathered to watch. Kaeya, his arms crossed, smirked as Zorua tried to keep up with his footwork.
"It seems we have a miniature Kaeya on our hands," one of the knights joked, drawing laughter from the others.
Kaeya shrugged, giving Zorua a pat on the head. "What can I say? I make an excellent role model." Zorua responded by sticking out its tongue playfully.
Lisa, meanwhile, was having a more relaxed training session. She was sitting on the grass with Misdreavus floating beside her, both of them observing the other knights. Lisa was giving Misdreavus simple commands, focusing on improving its control over its ghostly abilities.
"Alright, dear, let's try another Confuse Ray," Lisa said softly, her voice gentle yet firm.
Misdreavus nodded, a ball of ghostly energy forming between its spectral tendrils before it released it towards a practice dummy. The dummy began to sway, its limbs flopping about as if confused, and Lisa smiled approvingly.
"Very good, darling. It seems you're getting stronger every day," she said, giving Misdreavus a gentle pat.
Jean, noticing the progress everyone was making, called the group together for a break. They gathered in a circle, sitting on the grass with their Pokémon beside them.
"You all did wonderfully today," Jean began, her tone full of warmth. "It's clear that you've all been working hard to understand your partners, and it's paying off. Pokémon training is about more than just battle skills—it's about trust, friendship, and growth."
Amber nodded enthusiastically. "I feel like Swablu and I are becoming more in sync every day! It's amazing how much closer we've grown since I got her from Hiroshi."
Kaeya smirked, Zorua now napping in his lap. "Yes, and Zorua here has certainly found its way into the hearts of our fellow knights. It's been quite entertaining."
Lisa smiled knowingly. "Entertaining, indeed. Though, Kaeya, I must say, you might need to work on reining in that mischief just a little bit."
Kaeya feigned shock, putting a hand over his heart. "Me? Reign in mischief? Impossible. That's what makes things exciting. Right, Zorua?"
Zorua, eyes still closed, let out a sleepy yip in agreement, causing the group to laugh.
As they sat together, sharing stories and snacks, Hiroshi approached the training grounds with Zekrom by his side. The mighty dragon Pokémon floated above the group, its eyes glowing faintly as it looked over the scene.
"It looks like everyone's making great progress," Hiroshi said, smiling. "I brought some Pokémon treats for all your partners as a reward."
Zekrom handed out the small treat bags to each trainer, its massive form surprisingly gentle as it interacted with the smaller Pokémon. Pikachu eagerly accepted its treat, munching happily, while Litleo gave an excited roar of thanks. Swablu fluffed up its feathers in delight, and Zorua, despite being half-asleep, immediately perked up at the sight of food.
Paimon, who had been watching from the sidelines, floated over. "Hey, where's Paimon's treat? Paimon worked hard today too!"
Hiroshi chuckled, handing her a small cookie. "Of course, Paimon. I wouldn't forget about you."
Paimon took the cookie, grinning. "Now that's what Paimon's talking about! Thanks, Hiroshi!"
Jean looked over at Hiroshi, her expression thoughtful. "Thank you for helping us, Hiroshi. These Pokémon have brought something truly special to Mondstadt. I see so much potential in them, not just for battle, but for bringing people together."
Hiroshi nodded, his gaze shifting to Zekrom. "That's the idea behind the [Pokémon Popularization System]. It's about creating bonds, strengthening communities, and helping everyone grow together. I'm glad to see it's making a difference here."
Zekrom, its voice resonating like distant thunder, added, "The power of bonds is what makes both humans and Pokémon strong. I see that potential in all of you."
The group fell into a comfortable silence, the sound of the breeze rustling the leaves above them. It was a simple moment, but one that felt significant. The Knights of Favonius were more than just protectors of Mondstadt—they were becoming something greater, thanks to the bonds they were forming with their Pokémon.
---
As the day came to a close, the knights began to disperse, each heading back to their respective duties. Amber waved goodbye, Swablu perched happily on her shoulder. "See you all tomorrow! Swablu and I are going to practice even more!"
Kaeya gave a lazy salute, Zorua back in its small fox form and napping in his arms. "I'll be sure to bring more surprises next time," he said, his tone teasing.
Lisa smiled, giving Jean a nod. "Take care, Jean. I think Misdreavus and I will head to the library for a bit of light reading."
Jean watched as her friends left, Litleo by her side. She looked down at her Pokémon partner, who gazed up at her with bright eyes. "You did wonderfully today, Litleo. Let's continue to grow together."
Litleo purred, rubbing its head against Jean's leg. Jean smiled, reaching down to scoop the small lion into her arms. Together, they made their way back to the Knights of Favonius headquarters, the setting sun casting long shadows across the training grounds.
Mondstadt was changing, little by little. And Jean knew that with the help of their Pokémon partners, they would be able to face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.