"Should I really strengthen it?"
Gary stood in the Pokémon Center's training chamber, staring at a gleaming white‑gold Pokémon hovering cheerfully before him—Gholdengo, his newest partner. The animated pile of coins rotated in lazy circles, spreading tiny golden sparkles through the air.
"Gho‑hoo~hoo!" it laughed, voice bright as wind chimes.
Gary crossed his arms, frowning at the shimmering Ability Strengthening Stone in his hand. "The system rewards these stones to expand Pokémon abilities… but they only work best on Pokémon with multiple Abilities. You've just got one—'Good as Gold.'"
He sighed with half a smile. "Still, boosting perfection probably isn't a waste."
He lifted the iridescent crystal toward Gholdengo. "Alright, shine a little brighter, buddy."
The moment the stone touched Gholdengo's body, warm golden light filled the room. Waves of energy pulsed outward, and with each beat came the sound of delicate chimes. Gary shielded his face from the glow.
[Ding– Ability enhancement successful!]
When the light cleared, Gholdengo hovered silently, coins realigning before clicking back into place. Its body gleamed even more brilliantly than before.
"Gholden‑go~!" it chimed proudly, striking a dramatic pose.
Gary flipped open his system to check its updated data:
Pokémon: Gholdengo
Type: Ghost / Steel
Level: 30
Potential: Champion
Ability: EX Good as Gold – Completely immune to all status and transformation moves; any that target it are reflected back to the user.
Moves: Astonish· Tackle· Night Shade· Substitute· Shadow Ball
Taught Moves: Reflect· Rest· Protect· Thunderbolt· Flash Cannon· Psychic
Friendship: 255 / 255
Held Item: Soothe Bell
Gary chuckled. "So it reflects everything now, huh? That's wild—basically a walking Magic Mirror with a smile."
Gholdengo gleefully twirled mid‑air. "Gho‑hoo‑hoo!"
"Yeah, that was worth it," he decided, recalling Gholdengo. "All right—on to the next target."
He pulled up the map display again on his wristwatch.
He wanted to capture an Ice‑type Pokémon unique to Paldea: Cetoddle, the "whale Pokémon," a chunky, land‑dwelling cetacean that thrived in frozen environments. According to the guidebook he'd read, wild Cetoddle lived in the northern part of the region, especially around Glaseado Mountain.
Conveniently, Glaseado Mountain also hosted one of Paldea's eight local Gyms. Gary planned to challenge them all eventually, partly for the Badges and partly to see what kind of system tasks they might trigger here.
Unlike Sinnoh, Paldea's Gyms were mostly tucked into smaller towns rather than large cities. Glaseado's Gym—officially known as the Glaseado Gym—was operated by Grusha, a former professional snowboarder turned Ice‑type specialist. Rumor said his Gym was the toughest of the eight, and every Pokémon he used was Ice‑type.
Back at the Pokémon Center, Gary placed a call to Professor Oak's Laboratory. With the Professor's help, he teleported Garchomp back to the lab and asked for a different partner in exchange: Articuno.
Given how bitterly cold Glaseado Mountain was, bringing Garchomp—a Dragon/Ground type with a quadruple weakness to Ice—would have been reckless. Articuno, on the other hand, was a Natural fit: an Ice/Flying‑type legendary that could control cold air with ease. Riding its back would feel like traveling with a built‑in climate system rather than freezing to death in the wind.
The transfer light glowed; in seconds, a Poké Ball pulsed on Gary's belt. He pressed the button, and a burst of blue‑white energy filled the room as his Legendary partner materialized.
"Cuuuno~!" cried Articuno, her wings spreading wide, scattering frost like glitter in sunlight.
Gary smiled up at her. "All set, Articuno. Destination—Glaseado Mountain!"
The next morning, clear skies blanketed Mesagoza as Articuno soared from the city's edge.
"Kreee‑ahhh!"
"Not bad speed for a non‑Jet Pokémon," Gary said, tightening his scarf as cold wind whipped past. "Still… I can feel my nose freezing!"
Articuno looked back, squawking mischievously, "Cuuuno~," and lowered the surrounding temperature even further.
"Hey! That's colder!" Gary laughed, shivering. "Alright, alright—you win!"
Three hours later, white peaks appeared ahead: Glaseado Mountain, the highest and most treacherous in Paldea. At its base nestled a small cluster of houses—Frost Village, where hardy locals endured the snow year‑round.
Articuno descended gracefully, snow spiraling around them. Gary landed softly just beyond the village, crunching into the powder below. As he reached for Articuno's Poké Ball to recall her, an excited voice rang out.
"Whoa! Articuno!!"
Gary turned to find a small girl standing barely ten meters away. Her bright blue hair matched the icy scenery, and her eyes sparkled with childlike wonder.
When Articuno folded her wings, the child gasped, "It's so beautiful! Is she yours?!"
Gary smiled quietly, pressing the Poké Ball's button. "Come back," he said, and red light enveloped the bird.
The girl blinked, wide‑eyed.
Then she hurried forward, cheeks pink from the cold. "Hi! My name's Luna! I live here in Frost Village!"
Gary chuckled softly at her enthusiasm. "I'm Gary."
"Gary!" Luna repeated in awe. "You're from another region, aren't you?"
"That's right. Kanto Region."
Her eyes went round. "From Kanto? That's so far away! We never get outsiders here!"
Gary raised an eyebrow. "Really? Paldea's full of tourists."
"Not up here!" Luna explained seriously. "Only snowboarders and Ice‑type specialists visit Glaseado Mountain. Everyone else thinks it's too cold."
He smiled. "Guess that makes me crazy, then."
Luna giggled, covering her mouth with a mittened hand. "Crazy strong, maybe! By the way, Brother Gary, are you here to challenge the Glaseado Gym?"
"Actually," Gary said, brushing snow from his coat, "I'm here to find a Cetoddle near the mountain base—and maybe challenge the Gym leader after."
Her little face lit up. "Oh! I know where Cetoddle live! They roll around in caves near the icy lake."
Gary's interest sharpened. "You've actually seen them?"
Luna nodded eagerly. "Lots of times! I can show you."
Gary frowned slightly. "There are wild Pokémon on the mountain. Is your family really okay with you going alone?"
Even in this world, where ten‑year‑olds often set out as Trainers, Luna looked very young—six or seven at most. And Glaseado Mountain was home to some dangerous Ice‑types. A wild Glalie or Beartic could seriously injure someone if they weren't careful.
"It's fine!" she said, puffing her chest proudly. "I have a partner Pokémon!"
She took a Poké Ball from her wool pocket and tossed it forward. A soft pop of light revealed a tiny, snow‑white creature with a glossy, larval shape.
"Sno‑nooo~!" chirped Snom, its antennae glowing warmly against the cold.
Gary knelt, inspecting the Pokémon. "Ah, Snom. An Ice and Bug‑type. You've got a great companion—adorable and useful."
Luna beamed. "Her name's Snow Swallow! Isn't she cute?"
The little Pokémon wiggled, leaving little trails on the icy ground. "Sno‑noo!"
Gary scanned Snom:
Pokémon: Snom ♀
Level: 15
Potential: Gym Class
Ability: Ice Scales– Reduces damage from Special Attacks.
Moves: Powder Snow· String Shot (Stretch)
On paper, Snom's base stats were even lower than a Caterpie's. But its movepool—and more importantly, its evolution—were where its true potential lay. Right now, it only knew two techniques: a sticky Thread‑like move to hinder opponents and a simple Ice‑type attack. Even so, those were more than enough for survival on the slopes.
Once Snom evolved into Frosmoth, its Special Attack and utility skyrocketed. Frosmoth's signature ability, Ice Scales, could halve the damage of incoming special moves and coat enemies with frigid powder, making it incredibly tanky on the special side.
Giving a kid a Snom with that kind of future…
Gary's gaze lingered on Luna a bit longer. Whatever her family background was, it clearly wasn't ordinary. Most normal households couldn't casually hand a child a Pokémon with future Gym‑Leader‑tier potential and call it a "pet."