THE ADVENTURES OF LIGHTNING PRINCESS AMI: PART 1: MONDSTADT

THE ADVENTURES OF LIGHTNING PRINCESS AMI: PART 1: MONDSTADT

Groaning, Ami sat up and blinked bleary-eyed around at her surroundings. Where was she? It had been Aether and Lumine’s going-away party, and she’d only had one or two beers that Caelus and Stelle had snuck into the palace. Or had it been five or six? After the first two, it was hard to remember. 

“M-Murasaki-san?” Ami groaned as she clutched at her head, squeezing her eyes shut from the harsh sun overhead. 

A moment later, her familiar popped into existence next to her. “At your side, my lady.”

“Which way back to the palace?” Ami asked as she shakily got to her feet. The grey stones about her were cool, but not familiar, nor were the wooden and plaster buildings around her. This didn’t look like Tokyo.

“Ah. About that, Mistress. I am…currently unable to locate your abode,” Murasaki confessed. 

“Huh?” she blinked stupidly at Murasaki, who floated in front of her, looking slightly guilty. “What do you mean? Is your GPS not working or something?”

“I do not have GPS, Mistress,” Murasaki sniffed. “I merely use the Sakura Network to tap into ambient wifi and-” 

Ami’s eyes crossed slightly. She did that on purpose when Murasaki rambled on. 

“...and yes, I have GPS,” he admitted. She smirked. Of course he did. “However, it is…currently offline. I cannot locate the Sakura Network.”

“Huh? Are we not in Japan or something?” Ami crept down the alleyway and peaked out, Muraskai stealthily clinging to the wall just above her. They seemed to be in a street of some sort with cobblestones and wooden vendor stalls, where people called their wares. There were planters and barrels full of colorful flowers everywhere, and the clothing people wore looked like something out of Europe of the Renaissance period. They were speaking something that sounded a bit like German, but only if you were gargling while you spoke it. 

“Concentrate,” Ami told herself, closing her eyes. She channeled that spark of her mother that was always inside her now, then opened her eyes again and listened as hard as she could. 

“Fruit, fresh fruit! Here at Quinn’s stall! Get your Sunsettia and grapes, fresh from Dawn Winery!” 

“Flowers! Freshly picked! Calla Lilly, Lamp Grass, Cecilia, Windwheel Aster, and Sweet flowers! Get something for that special someone today!” 

“Smoked boar meat, from Springvale! We’ve got jerky, sausage, and steaks too! Get some before it’s gone!” 

Ami ducked back into the alleyway, and let out a squeal. “Murasaki-san! Do you know what this means!?”

“They appear to be speaking a dialect of German, my lady, but I do not recognize-”

“WE’RE IN TEYVAT! WE GOT ISEKAI’D!” Ami shrieked, grabbing Murasaki and spinning him about herself in delight. She stepped out of the alleyway on accident, and-

THUD. 

Someone who had been running down the street slammed right into Ami, bowling her and Murasaki right over. Dazed, and still rather hung over with the wind knocked out of her, Ami lay in a crumpled heap for a moment. 

“Darn it! My stupid luck! Miss, Miss, are you OK? Oh, do I need to get a sister or a doctor?! This would happen to me…”

Groaning, Ami let herself be helped up by an earnest looking boy. He had on a loose vest and shorts, and had on a thick pouch. He also had goggles from his forehead, and from his belt dangled-

“A Pyro Vision!? Then it is true! I have traveled to the Land of Teyvat!” Ami exclaimed, jumping to her feet. She posed dramatically, taking out an eyepatch and slipping it on. “Behold, the one who stands before you now is none other than the Inazuma no Himigimi, Raiden Ami! She who has traveled across time and space, and has appeared once more in the land of her forebearers! Speak, mortal, and give me your name!”

The boy scratched his head and gave Ami a shy grin. “Oh. Are you one of Fischl’s friends? I, uh, I read the Heilige Edikte der Verurteilung, but I don’t understand it all…”

“The Holy Edicts of Condemnation? Hmm, that sounds like a most fascinating tome. But, I note you have failed to introduce yourself to me, mortal! Do not think that this rudeness will go unnoticed!” 

“Oh!” The boy blushed and extended his right hand. “I’m Bennet! But you can call me Benny, everyone does.”

Ami took his hand and shook it in the Western manner with imperial dignity. Then she grinned like a maniac. “Tell me, Bennet of Teyvat, whence have I arrived!? I have traveled across stars and galaxies, between the very fabric of the universe itself, but I know not the name of the local in which I have landed!” 

“Uh, are you asking where you are? I really need to find Fischl…but you’re in Mondstadt City! Come on, I was just on my way to Good Hunter to meet Fischl and Mona for lunch, then we’re going on an Adventure! She can probably understand you.”

“Hmm. I will consent to break my fast with you, for I have not supped since I departed the far-off land of Earth Bet, the land of Gods and Demons, where the Sacred Sakura blooms under the care of my mother,” Ami said, once more striking a pose. 

“Uh, OK. This way!” Benny said, and headed up the street. 

Ami hurried after him, grinning widely around at everything they passed. She had always dreamed of visiting Teyvat! And now, to find herself in the domain of Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon! Wait…

“Tell me, Bennet of Mondstadt, you know of Lord Barbatos? Is he yet present in his realm?” Ami asked curiously. 

“Huh? I mean, I guess? You’d have to ask the Sisters about that one. Barbara would probably know,” Benny said with a shrug. 

“And what of the Raiden Shogun? Does she yet rule in Inazuma, or has she departed for realms unknown?”

Benny gave her a helpless look. “Uh, I don’t know? I could ask around, but- Oh, hey! Hey Fischl! I brought a friend, can you help her? I think she’s lost!”

“Hmm?” a girl who could have been Ami’s twin looked up from a menu she was perusing. Her hair style was EXACTLY like that of Ami, with twin pony tails on top, and long in the back. Her eyes were green instead of Ami’s purple, but her dark purple dress looked a lot like some of the costumes Ami usually wore, though at the moment she had on a red and purple kimono. “Sir Bennet, doest thou bring before us a supplicant, who seeks the wisdom of the Prinzessen der Verurteilung?”

Oh ho? Royalty? Ami knew exactly what to do in this circumstance. 

“BEHOLD!” she bellowed, stretching her hand to the sky and calling down a bolt of lightning to dramatically strike her fingertips. Murasaki-san heard his cue, and immediately grew larger, turning into a dog-sized qilin and rising up behind Ami while he crackled with power. 

“Oh Lord,” the woman in the big witch hat beside Ami’s twin groaned, burying her head in her hands. “There are two of them.”

Ignoring the comments from the peanut gallery, Ami continued, “I AM THE NIHON NO HIMEGIMI, RAIDEN AMI! SHE WHO HAS CROSSED GALAXIES AND STARS, AND WHO’S FATED ARRIVAL HAS LONG BEEN FORETOLD!” 

The girl who looked like Ami’s eyes sparkled, and her Electro Vision flashed. Not to be outdone, she leapt atop the table, making her companion scream in shock and frustration. “OZ, TO ME!” 

“AT YOUR SIDE, MEIN FRAULEIN!” a great raven declared, appearing in a burst of thunder and spreading his wings behind his mistress. 

“FUFUFUFU! BEHOLD, I AM FISCHL, THE PRINZESSEN DER VERURTEILUNG! SHE WHO HAS CREATED ANOTHER UNIVERSE, AND FOUNDED PARADISE!”

Both girls grinned like maniacs at one another. Ami estimated the Fischl was no more more than four years older than she, looking like a young adult instead of a middle school student like Ami. It was hard to tell with Vision Holders sometimes, but Ami was getting better at judging the age of souls, and that felt about right. 

People in the street paused and glanced at Ami and Fischel, and Ami half expected someone to scream for the guards. Instead, she heard, “Oh, it’s just Amy. Looks like she’s made another friend.”

“I heard she’s joined Bennet’s Adventure team. Good for her.”

Fischl blushed at hearing that, jumping off the table and landing in front of Ami. She too had on an eyepatch, though Ami could sense neither of them required one. “Hmm, and who art thou, child of distant stars? Have you heard of my wisdom, and come to seek succor and aid from me?”

“FUFUFUFU!” Ami laughed, putting her hand to her mouth. “I can see that you are wise and mighty, Princess Fischl! Perhaps my mother has sent me here, that I may learn your ways! But first, I must seek out Lord Barbatos, and receive his blessing, so that I might stay in his city!”

“Hmm, hmm, indeed. And who art thy mother, Princess Ami?” Fischel asked, grinning broadly. 

“Her Imperial Excellency, the Raiden Shogun!” Ami declared proudly, and thrust out her meager chest. Fischel was also a member of the Flat is Justice club. 

Fischl sighed, glanced around, and collared Ami suddenly, dragging her off to one side. 

“Look, I get it, it’s tempting to claim parentage from an Archon, or a Shade, or something cool like that,” Fischel whispered. “But, you just can’t do that. That’s why I picked Flowers for Princess Fischl for my background. Not a lot of people have read it, and you don’t get anyone angry. I did claim parentage from the Raiden Shogun for a week, until someone from Inazuma started throwing rocks at me for blasphemy. If that won’t do, look up an ancient god who’s been dead for a thousand years and has no more worshipers. That’s still really interesting as a backstory, but you’re less likely to end up with bruises.”

At first, Ami was a little confused by Fischl’s advice, but by the end of it, she was outraged. “But I AM the daughter of the Raiden Shogun! Murasaki-san, back me up!” 

“Hmm? Oh yes, Mistress, quite. So, does yours make you do her laundry as well?”

Murasaki, the little traitor, was sitting at a separate table with Oz the raven. Both had cups of tea in front of them, and were completely ignoring their rightful mistresses!

“Yes, and she’s terrible at putting it away, too. She’d just leave her dirty underwear everywhere if it wasn’t for me, and would never bother hanging up her dresses,” Oz the Raven confided to Fischl’s horror. 

“O-Oz!” Fischl gasped, going beet-red. 

“Sorry, Mein Fraulin. I’m on break. This most excellent gentleman and I have a great deal to discuss,” the bird said with a respectful bow of his head. 

“Murasaki-san! I, I do not make you- don’t tell anyone!” Ami said, feeling deeply embarrassed. 

“I have to proofread all of her fanfic. She’s terrible with grammar, you know. Years of schooling, but it’s in one ear, out the other,” Murasaki sighed. 

“I know what you mean. Amy is endlessly coming up with her adventures, and I am her ever present audience Lately, they’ve been quite steamy, you know.”

“OZ!” Ami shrieked. 

“On break, Mein Fraulein. You can manage without me for an hour or two,” Oz said, sipping from his teacup. Was he really using his wings like that? How odd. 

Ami and Amy slunk over to the table where Mona and Bennet were waiting for them. Both hid behind a menu, ears burning with shame. 

“So. Now you know what it’s like,” Mona said, looking smug. 

“Do your familiars betray you, too?” Fischl muttered.

“What? No, I meant…of course. That display brings no shame, but Oz mentions you make him clean your clothes for you…” Mona sighed, then glanced over at Ami, who was peaking over her menu. “And what’s your name, dear?”

“I told you, I’m Raiden Ami,” she muttered. “Raiden is my family name, Ami’s my given name.”

“You cannot honestly expect us to believe you’re the daughter of the Raiden Shogun,” Mona said, shaking her head, and Fischel gave Ami an “I Told You So” look. 

“...I’m adopted,” Ami mumbled, hot tears coming to her eyes. 

“Aww, come on guys, she’s lost! I think she’s really from Inazuma, I recognize her clothes. They were clothes like that in Inazuma,” Bennet said with a helpful grin. 

Ami shot him a grateful look, while Fischel harumphed and stuck her nose in the air. “And here I had come to believe you and I shared a special bond, Sir Bennet! Now, a new floozy flounces in front of you, and all thoughts of what was between us vanish in favor of the new flower that has caught thine eyes?”

“Huh?” Bennet turned to Mona, who was sipping at her own cup of tea. 

“She wants you to ask her out, that’s why she agreed to join your team in the first place,” Mona said primly. 

“Wait, really? But, that can’t be right,” Bennet said, even as Fischel made choking sounds and stretched her fingers towards Mona as if to strangle her. The witch crossed her legs and steadfastly ignored the antics. “I always have bad luck…”

“Hmm, well, things do seem to be turning around for you. Now, shall we eat? I was told that this lunch would be charged to the team expense account,” Mona said primly. 

“Oh, yeah! I got a budget for it and everything,” Benny said, digging out a bag of clinking coins. He glanced at Ami, who was still feeling wounded, and smiled shyly. “Uh, you can join our team too, if you want. Are you an Adventurer? Can you fight?”

That offended Ami on a spiritual level. She lept back to her feet, reaching between her breasts, and grasped before pulling. “YOU DARE QUESTION THE MARTIAL MIGHT OF SHE WHO IS THE DAUGHTER OF THE LIGHTNING GENERAL!?”

With a flourish, Ami drew out her Mother’s sword and held it high. The sky overhead darkened, and purple lightning flashed while thunder rumbled. “BEHOLD! THE MUSOU ISSHIN! THE DIVINE BLADE CRAFTED BY ETERNITY! I AM THE DIVINE VESSEL OF THIS BLADE, CHOSEN BY MY OTHER TO ADJUDICATE HER WILL UPON THE MORTAL REALM!” 

She pulled down some lightning, which roared down and struck the blade, coursing through Ami as she grinned in delight at the looks of sheer shock on her companion’s faces. She dismissed the storm overhead with a wave, then grinned broadly. Using her sword, she sliced off a bit of bread from the loaf on the table, using lightning to toast it at the same time. She then flipped the toast into her hand, and took a bite.

“I have been known to be somewhat skilled at combat, yes,” she said with a wink. 

Fischel swallowed, then stood up slightly shakily. Then her resolve firmed. With a flourish, she produced a purple and ebony bow from her Vision. “This is the Mit­ter­nachts Waltz! Carved from the branches of the tree of time, and forged under the broken moon, it was made to serve the Prinzessen of the Immernachtreich!”

Ami nodded approvingly. She could tell it was quality workmanship, though obviously not nearly so potent as her own sword. Not wanting to shove it back into her chest just yet, it always tingled when she did that, Ami leaned the sword against her chair and sat back down. 

“Uh, Mona? Are you…are you sure she’s not, you know, what she says?” Bennet said in an overly loud whisper.

“I…I could Scry her, I just…it’s so ridiculous. Surely, it’s like what Fischl says.”

“Huh?” Benny blinked at Mona, when just then, Ami sensed a presence and turned. 

A familiar bard in green garb was puffing as he jogged up, looking rather worried. He spotted Ami’s sword and his eyes went wide. Blushing, Ami hastily picked up her mother’s blade, then hurried over to the bard and fell to one knee, bowing her head. 

“Lord Barbados, this humble one requests your forgiveness for her…exuberant- YIP!” 

Ami squeaked as the Anemo Archon grabbed her and hauled her into a nearby alleyway. “Hey, Benny, Fischel, Mona! Sorry about my friend, just gotta have a quick chat with her!”

“Venti? What are you doing to that poor girl?” Mona said, half standing. 

“Oh, let him take the little show off. How’d she manage that trick with the sword?” Fischl muttered, looking distinctly unhappy.

“I think your bow is pretty cool, too,” Benny offered, and Fischel immediately brightened and leaned closer to the poor boy, who blushed and stammered as she cooed for further compliments. 

Ami, on the other hand, was shoved into the Alleyway, where a curtain of wind sprang up to keep away prying eyes and ears. 

“Right, first things first, welcome to Mondstadt!” Venti said brightly.

“Um, thank you, Lord Barbatos,” Ami said, clutching her mother’s sword tightly. 

“Second, and I do mean this in the most polite way possible, but what in the name of the Four Shades do you THINK YOU ARE DOING!?” Venti hissed, leaning in close to Ami, who shrank back. 

“Um…introducing myself?” Ami offered hopefully. “It just…it seemed appropriate…”

Venti looked at her for a moment, searching her face. Then he slammed his palm into his face and slowly dragged it down, ruining his features. “Ei, you are killing me. Is this your idea of diplomacy?”

“Um, I don’t think, that is…my mother maybe doesn’t…know I’m here?” Ami squeaked. 

Venti gave her a flat look. “Of course, she doesn’t. I assume you just stole her sword and wandered over to Mondstadt?”

“What?! No! Of course not! She gave it to me to keep it safe for her!” Ami said, aghast. She then blushed, and hastily shoved the sacred blade back into her chest. “She, um, she maybe didn’t want me to, ah, use it to show off and make myself toast…”

“Probably not,” Venti sighed. He shook his head. “Look, I’m not Lord Barbatos. I’m Venti the Bard. Understand?”

Ami shook her head. “Aren’t you both?”

“I…how do you know that, anyway?”

“You were on TV?”

“Fascinating. I can tell this is going to be delightful! I do mean that seriously, by the way. Well, since you’re not here to level my city, maybe keep the sword put away. Try and use something less… wrath of god and more wrath of you. Also, I’m Venti. Me being Barbatos…I try to keep that quiet, understand?”

“Of course, Lord Venti.”

“Seriously, it’s just Venti.”

Venti snapped his fingers and the wind curtain vanished, and he escorted her back to the table, where Benny grinned at them, Fischl glared daggers at Ami, and Mona rolled her eyes. “Hey everyone! Thinking of going on an Adventure?”

“Yeah! We were going to clear out a Hilicurl camp!” Benny said excitedly. 

“Mmm, it does pay well,” Mona said, sipping at her tea.

“Great! Well, I have an idea: How about you take a commission from me!” Venti said brightly. 

“From you? You’re the town drunk. Whyever would we take a commission from you?” Mona said, looking utterly bored by the prospect. 

Ami looked at Mona with sheer horror. “You would disrespect Lord- Um, Venti? Knight of, er, Eurovision?”

Venti winced at first, then laughed as Ami struggled to pick up the ball. “Yep, that’s me! Knight of Eurovision! Listen, my friend Ami here has wandered far from home, and she needs to get back. I was thinking of paying the three of you to escort her there.”

“Really? A quest?” Benny said excitedly, and Fischel glared at him before smiling sweetly at Venti.

“Oh, Venti, we wouldn’t dream of-”

“Hold on a moment. Before we do anything foolish, I’m scrying the girl,” Mona said firmly. “Give me your hand, dear.”

Ami held out her hand, which Mona casually examined while sipping at her tea. Then she got a better look at the palm, and the teacup slipped out of her hand and clattered to the table, spilling its contents everywhere. She stood up, grabbing Ami’s hand and yanking it closer as she looked at it front and back. Then she frantically dropped Ami’s hand and searched through her bag until she found a blue orb, into the depths of which she peered. 

“No, no, no, that’s impossible, it can’t be!” Mona muttered, her hands fluttering over the orb. 

“Mona?” Fischl asked, turning to peer into the orb. However, Mona hastily put it away, then folded her hands and smiled at Ami. Only one of her eyes was twitching, and she appeared to be having a panic attack.

“Y-Your royal, um, highness. How can we of Bennet’s Adventure team be of service today?”

“I wish to join you in your crusade to destroy this hilichurl camp!” Ami said immediately. 

Venti sighed. “I suppose a young woman has to have some excitement in her life…alright, but just one, mind. I’m writing a letter to a certain old man at a funeral parlor. Then tomorrow, you’re heading to  Liyue harbor, and we’re getting you back to Inazuma as fast as possible.”

“Mona?” Fichl said, tilting her head to one side. “What did you-”

Mona grabbed Fischel and hauled her under the table, though everyone could still hear what she was saying. 

“Look, she’s not interested in your future husband!” 

“Future- what!? Mona, you said-”

“Stop acting like an alley cat in a bag! She’s the real deal! She’s not pretending!” 

“What do you mean? She says she’s Raiden’s Adopted daughter!”

“SHE IS! I just scried her, and suffice to say, THAT ONE is going to become a god in a very short amount of time. Just like her mother! The Raiden Shogun!”

Ami immediately grinned. “Ha! I knew it! You won’t be the only one in the sky, Tsu! I shall become the goddess of stars, streaking across the sky in-”

Mona popped her head up. “No! No, you will not! You’ll- never mind. I won’t spoil it. Just…ugh. Forget what I said.”

“H-Husband?!” Benny said, looking as pale as a sheet. Fischl suddenly locked eyes with him. 

“Mona,” Venti sighed, massaging his forehead with his fingers. “Should you really be telling your friends which of them are going to hook up?”

“Normally, no, but I’m a tad bit worked up, Venti! The next thing you know, Lord Barbatos himself is going to come down and demand to have tea with me!” Mona huffed, crawling back into her seat. 

“Hmm,” Venti said, and sipped at his teacup. Ami let herself grin. Oh, this was very funny. No wonder the Hydro Archon was hiding herself. 

…Maybe she could do it herself too. The problem would be Murasaki. Maybe if he were Red like Mushu? Not uncle Mushu, cartoon Mushu.

After lunch, paid for by a very flustered Bennet, they did indeed go and clear out a camp of Hilichurls. 

“Right, everyone, Benny’s Adventure team, assemble!” Bennet said as they stood before the crude wooden gates. 

“Oz, to me!” Fischel said, stepping up beside Benny. Oz, however, was still on break, and Fischl blushed when she remembered. 

“The tides of Fate turn against our foes,” Mona said, then winced at her own words. “Barbatos help me, you lot are rubbing off on me.”

“WITNESS NOW, THE FINAL CALAMITY!” Ami bellowed, and drew her mothers sword. “SACRED ART: MUSOU SHINSETSU!” 

Ami had, sadly, not mastered the sublime art of the Musano Hitotachi.

That was fortunate. As it was, the entire hillside that the hilichurls had made their camp on was carved in half. Then it exploded. 

“Ha!” Ami grinned, and turned to her three companions, who were staring at her, gobsmacked. “That was easy! They barely put up a fight! Come, let us see if we can find another!”

“Do you believe me now?” Mona muttered as Ami strode merrily along towards the next hilichurl camp. 

“Maybe she really is the Raiden Shogun’s daughter,” Fischl said with a shake of her head. 

“How are we gonna find any treasure if she just obliterates it?” Benny said, scratching his chin. 

Back in Monstadt, Murasaki sighed, and shook his head as the ground shook and the sky discolored. “At it again, I see.”

“She seems like quite the handful,” Oz observed. “Just like mine. Always in trouble, that one. Did I ever tell you about the time we traveled to a mysterious isle, and her evil twin plunged my people into darkness and chaos?”

“No, do tell,” Murasaki said.

Finally, someone who understood.