Aether woke to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the window, casting a warm hue across the room. The realization that [Name] and Paimon weren't in the room made him assume they were already getting ready. Deciding to join them, he took a quick, refreshing shower, relishing the feel of warm water after the events of the previous day.

Dressed in his usual outfit, he adjusted his gloves and, with practiced ease, braided his hair after using his wind powers to dry his hair. Which is quite useful in his opinion as he had to wait for it to dry on its own before. Once finished he made sure to put on his shoes. He made sure to lock the room behind him as he double-checked that he had everything on him.

Aether descended the inn's stairs, the aroma of breakfast guiding him. To his delight, he found [Name] and Paimon already engrossed in a lively conversation over plates of food. The clinking of cutlery on plates and the occasional laughter created a comforting ambiance.

"Good morning, you two," Aether greeted with a warm smile, taking a seat at the table.

"Morning!" [Name] replied, and Paimon waved with a mouthful of food, clearly enjoying her breakfast. He was glad that the tiny fairy decided not to open her mouth to talk.

"How you sleep, Aether?" [Name] asked as they took a sip of their drink.

Aether sighs wistfully. "Made me realize how I missed sleeping on a bed."

Paimon nodded rapidly in agreement causing the other two to giggle at the sight. She quickly gulped her food down and rubbed her mouth with a napkin.

Paimon asked, "By the way, when do we have to meet Amber at the Temple of the Falcon?"

Aether checked the clock that was hung on the wall, "I think we still have a bit. We can finish up here and head over there."

As the morning sun painted the town in golden hues, Aether, [Name], and Paimon set out from the inn, eager to face the day. Seeking directions from the gate guard, Aether skillfully marked the temple's location on the map [Name] had prepared earlier. With the warmth of the sun guiding them, the trio began their journey.

Paimon couldn't contain her impatience, her hovering feet finding the need to stomp in mid-air. Aether, the calm voice of reason, assured her that the temple wasn't far, calming her animated protests. Meanwhile, [Name] surveyed their surroundings, noting the absence of Pokemon. It wasn't a surprise; the creatures were likely in hiding, warned by others of the poaching dangers.

[Name] refocused on the mission, sensing that quelling Stormterror's rampage might coax Pokemon out of their hiding spots.

"Look it's right there." [Name] pointed at the temple that was coming into view.

"Woah!!!" Paimon exclaimed in happiness as Aether was right that the temple wasn't far as she thought. Soon, the group was greeted by Amber and Ponyta, patiently waiting.

"Amber!" Paimon's exuberant call reached her ears, and Amber looked up from petting Ponyta, a warm smile accompanying her greeting.

"Guys!" Amber waved, and Ponyta neighed in welcome as the group expanded. "You made it," she said with genuine joy.

"Morning," [Name] greeted, reciprocating the warmth.

"Got a good rest, you two?" Aether inquired with a smile.

Amber nodded, her attention on Ponyta. "Ponyta and I had a nice sleep and a good breakfast. I hope you guys did too."

"We did!" Paimon twirled, adding her gleeful endorsement. "The food was so good!"

"Expect a big bill, Amber," [Name] teased, setting off laughter from the trio as Paimon looked offended by their teasing.

"Is it possible that we can run into anything like traps?" Aether asked, trying to change the subject once the others saw how sad Amber looked at mentioning the latter part.

She nodded her gaze steady. "There's a chance there's a Pokemon, monster nest, or a hillchrul camp inside."

[Name] hummed, contemplating the potential Pokemon types within. The thought of encountering Dark, Ghost, Rock, and Ground types intrigued them. They had already checked the banner to see it was Larpas and the urge to pull flickered in their mind. They had their system bring up their profile.

[Profile:

Name: [Name] [Last Name]

Level: 22.1000 exp to level 23.

Current Party:

Level 32 Raboot

Level 24 Togepi]

"[Name]," Aether's somber tone drew their attention. "You're right. Stormterror was once Dvalin." The revelation hung in the air, casting a shadow over the excitement of the impending temple exploration.

Amber's eyes widened, registering the weight of Aether's statement. "What do you mean, Aether? You guys already knew that Dvalin and Stormterror... are the same?"

"[Name] and I were going through the history book Agatha gave us," Aether began, a gravity to his voice. "There's no mention of another dragon after Durin. It seems like Dvalin and Stormterror are one and the same. Well, that is what we assumed when talking about it together."

Amber's expression shifted to a somber understanding. "Dvalin, the dragon that once protected Mondstadt... now terrorizing it. You can hear the irony in it, right? I couldn't believe it when Lisa told me." Her gaze drifted, and a melancholy clouded her features. "He was supposed to be the symbol of freedom, flying in the skies with Lord Barbatos."

Paimon, who had been silent, chimed in with concern, "Amber, did you know about this?"

Amber sighed, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within. "I knew that Dvalin had disappeared after the battle with Durin, but I never thought he'd become a threat to Mondstadt. It was heart-wrenching when I was told that when Stormterror appeared all of a sudden. I only call him that because now...I don't think he deserves to be called his original name as he is causing panic to Mondstadt."

[Name] gently spoke up, "We're here to help, Amber. Let's take out the leyline and put an end to it."

Amber nodded, her resolve returning. "You're right. Let's focus on the task at hand. The leyline should be inside the temple. Let's go in and take a look. Be careful everyone, the dragon's power is disturbing this area."

With resolute determination, the group focused their attention on the entrance of the wind-worn temple, bracing themselves for the imminent clash with whatever lurked within. It was Amber who, with a firm grip, pushed open the aged doors, prompting the entire party to cautiously step into the dimly illuminated interior, on guard against any potential ambush.

[Name]'s eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the sight of the crumbling structure, its walls etched with cracks reminiscent of scenes from an ancient epic. Positioned ahead was another formidable set of doors, tightly sealed, concealing the mysteries yet to unfold.

"Here, we use the console to open the doors," explained Amber, her hand gently resting on a time-worn stone statue adorned with a diamond-shaped insignia. With her touch, the doors transformed into a soft, ethereal blue, graciously parting to allow the intrepid travelers passage.

"Woah," murmured [Name], captivated by the magical display—something foreign to their original world. Meanwhile, Aether and Paimon regarded the scene with a degree of familiarity. The group proceeded, traversing the fractured interior of the temple, each step echoing with the weight of long-forgotten tales.

"Isn't it amazing?" Amber inquired, her eyes reflecting both wonder and a touch of melancholy. The group responded with silent nods, acknowledging the grandeur of the moment. Ahead lay a new challenge—a path obstructed by overgrown thorns, their menacing spikes a testament to nature reclaiming its space.

"Good thing we have fire!" Paimon exclaimed, gesturing toward Ponyta.

"Ta!" Ponyta nodded in agreement.

"Indeed! If she weren't here, I'd handle it myself." Amber grinned, patting the fiery Pokémon. "Can you use Ember, Ponyta?"

Ponyta, ready for action, unleashed a quick Ember, reducing the thorns to a smoldering pile of ash. [Name] couldn't help but smile, witnessing the seamless partnership between trainer and Pokémon. This harmony between humans and Pokémon was a spectacle they hoped to encounter more frequently.

As the group descended along the path, with a cliff to their right, Amber recalled Ponyta into her Pokéball, considering the descending terrain.

"See that hillchrul?" Amber whispered as she pointed to the floor below the group.

[Name] counted only one, but they noticed it holding a wooden shield.

"Just one," Aether remarked casually, anticipating a swift victory.

"True, but don't underestimate them. There could be more nearby," warned Amber, her golden bow gleaming with determination. With focused precision, she aimed her vision ablaze, releasing a fiery arrow that met its mark. A headshot, signaling Amber's marking skills. The lone hillchrul crumbled into dust, its wooden shield clattering on the floor.

A resonant horn echoed, signaling the arrival of four more hillchruls descending from the stairwell ahead. "Hillchruls often travel in packs. Watch out!" Amber cautioned, gracefully leaping from the ledge to the floor below.

"Here we go!" [Name] exclaimed, Pokéball in hand, ready for the confrontation. "Come out, Raboot!"

With a burst of energy, Raboot entered the scene, ready for action. Its ears perked up as it observed the approaching hillchruls. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the group prepared for battle.

Amber swiftly moved, her bow at the ready, while [Name] strategized with Raboot. "Raboot, use Ember to cover us. Aether, cover our front!" [Name] commanded, and Raboot responded with a fiery display, sending embers flying toward the oncoming hillchruls.

Aether swung his sword with precision, deflecting an incoming attack and creating an opening for [Name] and Raboot. Paimon hovered nervously, observing the unfolding battle. The teamwork between the travelers and their Pokémon was a dance of elements and strategy.

Amber's arrows found their marks, each shot calculated to weaken the approaching foes. The battlefield was a symphony of fire and steel as the hillchruls, though numerous, struggled against the coordinated efforts of the group.

As the last hillchrul fell, [Name] breathed a sigh of relief. The path ahead seemed clearer, but the ancient temple held more challenges. Amber's eyes glinted with determination. "This is just the beginning. Let's press on."

[Raboot earned 250 exp. 3400 more to level 33.]

"Let's proceed then," Aether declared as the group ascended the stairs, entering another chamber. The Outrider's keen eyes quickly caught sight of barrels nestled in the room's corner.

"Those are explosive barrels over there," she warned, her index finger indicating the potentially volatile objects. In the room, four more hillchruls lurked, blissfully unaware of the approaching threat. Amber, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, readied her bow. "Well... One shot should be able to blow them up!"

"Uh, isn't Amber a bit trigger-happy...?" Paimon quipped, casting an incredulous glance as Amber's arrow met its mark, transforming the barrels into a dazzling fireworks display, and the hillchruls into agonized howls.

"Raboot." The bunny Pokémon nodded knowingly, arms crossed.

[Name] chuckled awkwardly. "Seems so. You know what they say, the powerful ones are often the most eccentric."

"Look alive, here they come!" Aether's warning snapped everyone to attention.

"Use Agility, then into Double Kick, Raboot!" [Name] commanded as two hillchruls charged toward them, prompting Paimon to squeal and take refuge behind [Name]. Amber and Aether faced their own adversaries. Raboot, following the orders, executed an agile leap, dodging the first swing. With a swift stomp, he sent one hillchrul crashing into the ground, disintegrating it into dust. Using the other hillchrul's bat, Raboot elegantly leveraged himself to deliver a powerful kick, launching the creature into the air.

"Finish it off with Ember!"

"Raboot!" The Pokémon cried out, releasing a burst of Ember that engulfed the airborne hillchrul, causing it to scream in defeat before crumbling to dust. The room fell silent, save for the crackling embers, marking the group's victory over the unsuspecting foes.

"Phew, Paimon is glad we got that over with," Paimon sighed, placing a hand on her temple.

"I see another path," Aether observed, pointing to the left. The group followed his gaze, only to discover that the building was split in two, with no bridge in sight. However, a monument at the dead end caught everyone's attention, adorned with a Pyro insignia.

"A monument?" [Name] squinted, examining it closely.

"A Pyro monument," Paimon corrected. "We need to use Pyro to activate it!"

"You'll see these around a lot, and sometimes you can't activate them since you need a specific element," Amber explained, crossing her arms.

[Name] nodded and looked at Raboot. "Think you can light it up with Ember, Raboot?"

The Pokémon gave them an offended look, as if insulted by the simplicity of the task. Raboot harrumphed and unleashed an Ember straight at the monument. [Name] gasped in awe as the stone structure activated with a soft glow, summoning a strong wind current.

"Must be our way up," Aether claimed, eyeing a taller building a few yards away.

"Yeah! That is so high up," Amber agreed, hands on her hips.

"And we gotta ride the wind current, huh," [Name] stated more as an observation. They took out Raboot's Pokeball and turned to him with a smile. "Thank you for all your hard work today, Raboot. I'll have your favorite snacks later, okay?"

Raboot nodded, a sound of happiness at the promise of treats. [Name] giggled, pressed the button in the middle of the Pokeball, and stowed it away.

"Shall we go?" [Name] asked, looking at Amber and Aether, as Paimon prepared to fly up. The two nodded, and the trio, plus fairy, ascended and reached the ledge leading into the building.

[Name] sighed as their feet touched the stone path, storing away their wind glider, still not quite used to it.

"Wow," Aether said in amazement, observing a radiant blue oval bathed in a blue hue—the Dragon's Breath. The others could feel its power even from a distance.

"That must be the Dragon's Breath! It must be where the power we've been feeling is coming from!" Amber exclaimed, shading her eyes for a better view.

"Can we even get close to it?" [Name] asked cautiously, concerned about the potential danger.

"No, we shouldn't. Lisa had already told me before I came here," the Outrider explained as the group ventured into the dilapidated building. True to her words, [Name] felt no adverse effects from being close. All they sensed was an intense energy rolling in waves.

"We need to smash it then. I assume that is how we weaken Stormterror," Aether speculated as [Name] examined the Dragon's Breath in awe.

Amber nodded. "Yup. You got it." She grinned cheekily and turned to Aether. "Want to smash it?"

He burst out laughing and shook his head. "Sure." With a swing of his sword infused with Anemo, the Dragon's Breath shattered into millions of pieces, disappearing into a shimmer of blue. The anticlimactic moment left [Name] dryly thinking that they somewhat expected something more dramatic to happen. Although, during the whole time they haven't noticed any Pokemon and chalked it up to the Dragon's Breath keeping them away. Now they should be flocking into here after destroying a fraction of Stormterror's power.

Amber sighed in relief. "Phew, I am tired," she confessed, wiping sweat from her forehead and smiling at the others. "But, at least we've helped Jean out. In the past, we were able to defend the city and keep it safe. This is, of course, thanks to Jean. However, since Stormterror has been attacking the city, 'the winds change, so too our tactics.'"

"Someone told you that?" [Name] inquired, finding the phrase a bit poetic for Amber.

She chuckled. "Lisa said that. If you want to hear more of our history, then go to her! She is the librarian and is more knowledgeable than an Outrider, right?"

[Name] chuckled in response, and her face glowed pink. "Sure, Amber."

"Speaking of Lisa, we need to meet with Kaeya at the Temple of Wolf, right?" Paimon suddenly remembered.

Amber nodded. "Yes. Don't worry; I will mark it on your map and point you guys in the right direction."

"Thanks, Amber."

With that, the now-trio made their way to Kaeya's location for the second phase of Jean's plan after saying goodbye to Amber who set the group off with a wave and a "good luck".

I am back again. Sorry about that LOL. I hope you guys like this chapter and know that Kaeya and Lisa will be getting their own chapters <3. I would love to read any suggestions on what Pokemon MC should catch! I don't have a set list, but I did allude to one coming soon :). Until next time~

My other works:

Who You Are [My Hero Academia x SakuraKinomoto!Reader]

Scarlet Vision [Twisted Wonderland x ScareletWitch!Reader]

Prince [Blue Lock x Akashi/Kuroko!Reader]

Roam [Genshin Impact x PokemonTrainer!Reader]

Star [Jujustu Kaisen x LucyHeartfilia!Reader]

Story Ideas