The early morning mist lingered over the bridges of Liyue Harbor, shrouding the vibrant city in a gentle fog. Keqing stepped out of her residence, her Purrloin stretching lazily beside her. Today was going to be busy—there were still countless tasks regarding the integration of the wild Pokémon ecosystem, especially with more Mondstadt travelers arriving to explore Liyue's ever-growing variety of Pokémon habitats.
"Alright, Purrloin," Keqing said, looking down at her partner. "Today, we have a lot of ground to cover. And no naps in the middle of official business, okay?"
Purrloin looked up at Keqing, eyes half-lidded, and meowed in what sounded suspiciously like defiance before continuing its stretch. Keqing rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips.
Meanwhile, over in Mondstadt, Amber was getting ready for her own day. She had a plan—one that involved showing her Mondstadt friends more of Liyue's evolving Pokémon ecosystem. After the recent expedition into Whispering Woods, Amber had been inspired to see how the Pokémon had spread to other parts of Teyvat. With Swablu chirping excitedly on her shoulder, Amber made her way toward the Knights of Favonius headquarters to round up anyone willing to join her on her next big adventure.
---
Back in Liyue, Keqing made her way to the harbor to check in with the various merchants who had recently arrived. It wasn't long before she ran into Zhongli, his Slowpoke following at a relaxed pace. He was deep in conversation with a merchant from Mondstadt, discussing the fascinating properties of some glowing berries that had recently started growing in Liyue.
"Good morning, Mr. Zhongli," Keqing greeted, giving him a polite nod. "I see you're already busy. What are you discussing today?"
Zhongli looked up, a small smile on his face as he acknowledged Keqing. "Good morning, Yuheng. We were just discussing some of the changes that the Pokémon have brought to Liyue's flora. The glowing berries, for example—our friends from Mondstadt have never seen anything quite like them."
The merchant nodded in agreement, a look of curiosity on his face. "It's true. It's fascinating how these Pokémon seem to interact with the land itself. It's almost as if they're bringing something magical to it."
Keqing smiled, nodding thoughtfully. "I agree. The Pokémon have definitely had an impact on the landscape, and I think we need to keep studying these changes closely. They may offer benefits that we haven't even discovered yet."
Slowpoke let out a lazy yawn, and Zhongli chuckled. "Slowpoke agrees, though at its own pace, of course."
Purrloin, who had been lazily eyeing the glowing berries, suddenly darted forward, swiping one and playing with it between its paws. Keqing gave an exasperated sigh but couldn't hide her smile. "Purrloin, behave. These are not your toys."
The merchant laughed, clearly amused. "It's all right. These Pokémon seem to have a mind of their own, don't they?"
Zhongli nodded. "Indeed. It's a part of what makes them so intriguing."
---
Later that day, Amber arrived at Liyue Harbor, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she looked around the bustling market. Swablu chirped happily, taking in the sights and sounds of Liyue. Amber quickly spotted Ganyu, who was organizing some documents near one of the market stalls.
"Ganyu!" Amber called out, waving as she made her way over. Ganyu looked up, her expression softening as she spotted Amber.
"Amber, it's good to see you," Ganyu said, giving the Outrider a warm smile. "What brings you to Liyue today?"
Amber grinned, adjusting her bow. "I wanted to see more of Liyue's Pokémon! I've heard so much about all the new habitats that have appeared, and I thought it'd be fun to bring some of my friends from Mondstadt over to explore. Plus, I figured we could make a day out of it!"
Ganyu's eyes lit up. "That sounds wonderful. I was just finishing up here—why don't I join you? Snorunt has been curious about the new Pokémon as well."
As if on cue, Snorunt appeared from behind a crate, blinking up at Amber and Swablu before giving an excited hop. Amber laughed, reaching down to pat Snorunt on the head. "Looks like we've got quite the group already! Let's go explore."
---
The group, now joined by Beidou and her Fletchinder, made their way toward the hills of Dihua Marsh. Along the way, they passed by several wild Pokémon—Budew resting beneath the shade of trees, Lotad happily floating in small ponds, and a curious Growlithe that seemed to be following them from a distance.
Beidou noticed the Growlithe and grinned, motioning for it to come closer. "Hey there, little one. Want to join us?"
Growlithe hesitated for a moment before bounding over, sniffing at Beidou's hand. Fletchinder chirped in greeting, flapping its wings to say hello.
Amber watched the interaction, her heart swelling. "It's amazing how friendly they are. It's like they know we're here to learn and explore."
Beidou nodded, petting Growlithe's head. "They're smart, that's for sure. And they seem to trust us. I think they can sense our intentions."
As they reached the marsh, Ganyu led them to a clearing where the wild Pokémon were most active. There, they saw a family of Buneary hopping around, playing amongst the glowing flowers, while a few Diglett popped their heads out of the ground, curious about the newcomers.
Amber knelt down, her eyes wide with wonder. "Look at them... they're so full of life. It's like they've brought a new kind of magic to Teyvat."
Ganyu nodded, her expression filled with warmth. "I feel the same way. It's a reminder of how much the world has to offer—if only we take the time to explore it."
Beidou grinned, giving Ganyu a nudge. "And it doesn't hurt to have a little fun along the way, right?"
Ganyu chuckled softly. "No, it doesn't."
---
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the marsh, the group decided to head back to Liyue Harbor. They were tired, but their hearts were full—filled with the joy of discovery, the beauty of the wild Pokémon, and the bonds they had formed along the way.
Zhongli was waiting for them at the harbor, Slowpoke sitting lazily beside him. He looked up as the group approached, his eyes softening as he took in the sight of their smiles and laughter.
"Welcome back," Zhongli said, his voice calm. "I trust your exploration was fruitful?"
Amber nodded, her eyes shining. "It was amazing, Mr. Zhongli! We saw so many Pokémon, and they were all so... alive. It felt like we were part of something really special."
Ganyu smiled, nodding in agreement. "The Pokémon have truly brought a new kind of magic to Liyue. It's something that we're all still learning about, but I think it's a wonderful change."
Beidou crossed her arms, her expression determined. "And we're going to keep exploring, keep learning, and keep growing. Together—with our Pokémon by our sides."
Zhongli nodded, his eyes filled with a gentle wisdom. "Indeed. This is only the beginning of our journey. There is much yet to discover, much yet to learn. And with each new step, we grow closer to understanding the bond between people, Pokémon, and the world around us."
Amber grinned, raising her hand. "To more adventures, more discoveries, and more fun with our friends and Pokémon!"
The group cheered, their voices ringing out over the harbor as the lights of Liyue twinkled in the distance. And as night fell, they knew that the journey they were on was one that would continue to bring them closer—to each other, to the Pokémon, and to the endless possibilities that awaited them in Teyvat.