"Even though you have a Pokémon, Luna, your Snom is still too weak to fight properly," Gary explained calmly, though his gaze softened. "If a strong wild Pokémon shows up, you won't stand a chance out here."
Luna's shoulders drooped as her tiny Snom sat in her arms, blinking innocently.
"Sno‑nooo…" the little Ice Bug cooed, trying to look braver than it was.
Gary smiled faintly. "Don't get me wrong—your Snom's cute, but its strength's barely above a Caterpie. Maybe it could handle a rookie battle back home, but wild Pokémon around Glaseado Mountain? They're usually level 20 or 30. That's survival of the fittest."
The chilly wind swept through the village, rustling snowflakes around them. Luna pouted, stamping her little boots. "That's not true! Snow Swallow — I mean Snom — is super strong!"
Gary chuckled. He could see the determination burning behind her blue eyes. "Then you want to be a Trainer someday, don't you?"
She nodded fiercely. "Soon!"
Gary took a breath, then shook his head. "And that's exactly why you can't go with me. You're still a kid. If we run into trouble out there, your parents would never forgive me."
"My parents won't mind!" Luna argued, lips pressed stubbornly together. "I go up Glaseado Mountain a lot. I'll be fine!"
Gary was unconvinced. "No, Luna. I can't take responsibility for you if something happens. You'll have to stay here."
Her expression hardened. "Fine! Then I won't tell you where the Cetoddle live!"
Gary smirked faintly. "It's a big mountain. I'll find them eventually."
He turned, walking away before she could argue further. Behind him, Luna's voice echoed through the snow: "Wait! Don't go!"
"Finally shook her off," he sighed once he turned a corner.
He wasn't oblivious. Luna only chased him because she'd seen Articuno and gotten excited—typical for a child who loved Pokémon. But no matter how much she insisted, Gary refused to trust a primary‑schooler's idea of "safety" on a mountain like this.
Cetoddle might be gentle herbivores that fed on ice and minerals, but Glaseado Mountain was also home to wild Glalie and Beartic. Those predators would absolutely attack humans if they were hungry enough. Cetoddle might not hurt her—but other wild Pokémon certainly wouldn't be so kind.
Outside the Pokémon Center, Gary adjusted his scarf. "That kid's got guts—but this isn't a playground."
He handed Articuno to Nurse Joy for a brief rest before preparing lunch for his team. The savory scent of Poké Puffs filled the air, crisp and sweet against the cold mountain breeze.
Joy returned a few minutes later, smiling. "Articuno's in perfect shape. The icy winds up there suit her perfectly."
"Good to know," Gary said, smiling in return. "Have you heard anything about Cetoddle sightings?"
Joy tapped her chin. "Ah, yes. Trainers often spot herds on the slopes of Glaseado Mountain, especially in the mid region caves. They graze near clusters of mineral ice."
"So they're not rare here." Gary grinned.
He confirmed that there were indeed Cetoddle living all over Glaseado Mountain—and in decent numbers. Finding them shouldn't be difficult.
By two o'clock that afternoon, Gary rode through the thin clouds atop Articuno, gliding in wide circles around the mountain's frozen ridges.
"There are so many Pokémon around Glaseado," Gary muttered, his breath fogging in the cold. Below, shapes of Swinub, Snorunt, and Vanillite dotted the snow.
"Cuuuno~!" Articuno trilled softly, adjusting altitude.
And then Gary saw them—five large Pokémon slowly foraging beneath a cliffside.
"There! Cetoddle!"
Their round, gray‑white bodies stood out against the snow. The gentle Pokémon were scooping up pawfuls of powder, eating it like shaved ice while their breath glittered with frost.
Gary smiled. "How they feed is fascinating… absorbing minerals and frozen energy directly from the snowpack."
He scanned them:
[Lv 27 Cetoddle–Quasi-Gym]
[Lv 25 Cetoddle– Normal]
[Lv 24 Cetoddle– Quasi-Gym]
[Lv 26 Cetoddle– Elite]
[Lv 22 Cetoddle– Gym]
"Not bad, but none are Champion potential." He closed the scanner.
Because when Top Ice Stone used on a Pokémon below Champion potential, it would raise that ceiling by one grade. When used on a Pokémon with Champion potential, it could push it all the way up to quasi‑Legendary potential.
"Let's look elsewhere, Articuno."
The Articuno nodded, wings flaring wide as they gained altitude again.
As they neared the upper ridges, the air grew sharper and whiter. Snow swirled like powdered glass around them. Then Gary spotted movement—a cluster of smaller Pokémon huddled near an enormous shadow.
"Ah!" His eyes widened. "That's no Cetoddle… that's a Cetitan!"
It was colossal—its pearly body glinting like silver ice, tusk‑like fins curving upward. Three young Cetoddle waddled beside it, making soft chirping sounds.
[Lv 51 Cetitan– Elite]
[Lv 05 Cetoddle– Gym]
[Lv 07 Cetoddle– Quasi‑Elite]
[Lv 10 Cetoddle– Champion]
Gary's heart leapt. "Found it! A Cetoddle with Champion potential!"
He lowered his goggles. "Articuno, take us down slowly—no sudden moves."
"Cuuuno~," the bird cooed, gliding gracefully to an open ledge.
The smaller Cetoddle watched curiously, chirping in unison. "Ceto! Ceto!" Their breath formed little snow clouds.
Their mother, the massive Cetitan, stepped protectively before them, letting out a low, rumbling growl. "Ceeeee‑taaaannn…" The warning echoed like thunder over the snow.
Gary raised his hands slowly. "Easy there—I'm not here to hurt you."
The great Pokémon narrowed its icy eyes. The spike on its head shimmered faintly, charging frost energy.
"Whoa, calm down!" Gary said quickly. "I just want to talk."
Articuno spread her wings in a non‑threatening gesture, a soft chill radiating outward.
The Cetitan hesitated. She was used to seeing humans from afar, but never one as composed as this trainer or a Legendary bird so close.
Gary reached into his pack. "You're hungry, right? Here—something for you and the kids."
He opened a metal container, releasing the crisp scent of ice and minerals. Inside were shimmering blue cubes—Ice Energy Cubes, a treat Gary had crafted when he'd studied breeding techniques.
"A custom recipe," Gary said proudly. "Infused with elemental Ice energy. It helps stabilize power flow in cold‑type physiology."
He tossed one gently onto the snow. It hissed faintly, releasing a puff of shimmering frost.
The Cetitan sniffed, but didn't move. The Cetoddle, however, all squealed in delight. "Ceto! Ceto!" They bounced forward eagerly, ignoring their mother's warning rumble.
The three young Cetoddle sniffed the air. Their eyes widened as the scent reached them, and they immediately took a few unsteady steps forward—ignoring their mother's low, anxious cry.
The Cetitan could only watch from where she stood. Her posture stayed defensive, but she didn't charge. If Gary showed any hint of hostility, she would throw her massive body between him and the calves without a second thought.
"Come on, you three," Gary coaxed, kneeling down. "Give it a try."
He gently tossed a few cubes toward them, timing the throw so they landed right at the babies' mouths.
The champion‑potential Cetoddle scarfed one down in a single gulp. The cube melted instantly on its tongue, releasing a wave of rich, invigorating cold that flowed through its body like fresh snowmelt.
"Cet—!"
"Ceto!"
"Cet!"
All three cried out at once, eyes shining. In a matter of seconds, the Ice Energy Cubes had completely won them over. Any lingering caution vanished under the onslaught of delicious, empowering cold.