"There are only these energy cubes left."
Gary crouched in the snow beside the giant Ice‑type Pokémon family, reaching into his pack. "I've only got one full box of Ice Energy Cubes. The rest are normal cubes—no Ice elements infused—but they still taste pretty good."
The three young Cetoddle squeaked excitedly as he opened the case. Their broad, curious eyes fixed on the glowing cubes. "Cetot! Ceto~!"
Gary laughed softly. "Alright, alright. Don't eat so fast this time."
Each baby chomped eagerly, devouring one cube after another until an entire box was gone. When they finally paused to breathe, they still looked unsatisfied, staring longingly at the remaining cubes.
The towering Cetitan, their mother, rumbled lowly from behind. Seeing her children happy—and unharmed—she allowed herself to relax. Slowly, with caution in every step, she approached Gary.
"Easy there," he said gently, lifting a second container. "Here, why don't you try one too?"
He extended his arm, offering her the box.
Cetitan's massive fin‑like flipper reached out carefully, taking a cube between two icy claws. She examined it with glimmering eyes, clearly curious. She had seen Trainers feed their Pokémon before but had never tasted something humans prepared.
The little Cetoddle immediately grew impatient, bouncing around her feet. "Ceto! Ceto!" Their chirps were almost pleading: Share, share!
Gary chuckled at the sight. "They've got bigger appetites than I do."
The Cetitan huffed softly—a sound almost like a sigh—and broke the cube into small pieces, handing each to her young. She kept only one fragment for herself and delicately swallowed it.
A faint shimmer ran down her body. She blinked, surprised by the flavor, then let out a deep, satisfied hum. "Ceeee‑taannn…"
Gary smiled warmly. "Glad you like it."
He stepped a little closer. "You really are amazing," he said softly.
Then, after a pause: "I'm a Trainer. I came here to befriend one of your children—to raise it strong. If you'll allow it, may I take one with me? I'll take care of it the best I can."
The Cetitan stilled. Snow drifted in silence between them. Her huge eyes flickered between Gary and her babies still nibbling their cubes. She hesitated, her heavy breath forming mist that curled around them like fog.
Gary waited patiently, saying nothing more.
Finally, after what felt like minutes, the Cetitan gave a solemn nod.
"Ceeee‑taannn…"
Gary's face lit up. "You agree?"
The Cetitan exhaled once more, then lowered her head.
Gary bowed gratefully. "Thank you. I promise I'll raise your child into the mightiest Cetitan in the world."
Wild Pokémon often cared for their young, but that maternal care rarely lasted. Gary had studied this as a researcher. Most wild Pokémon protected their children for only a few months before pushing them to survive alone.
Cetitan were no exception. After half a year, even the gentlest mother would drive her Cetoddle away. The cycle of survival demanded it.
Gary looked at the three little ones playing in the snow—each less than two months old. "Soon they'd have to fend for themselves anyway…" he murmured. "Better to travel with a Trainer than face the wild too early."
Pokémon were intelligent; some even seemed to understand his thoughts. The great Cetitan snorted quietly, as if agreeing.
She turned to her offspring and called softly. "Cee‑tooo."
The three Cetoddle chirped back, crawling closer to her. She looked them over slowly, then nudged one forward with her horn—a slightly larger one with a distinct silver‑gray sheen to its hide.
Gary's system pinged as he scanned:
Cetoddle (Lv 10· Potential: Champion)– Ability: Thick Fat– Halves damage from Fire and Ice moves.
"That's the one," Gary said quietly.
The Cetoddle stared up at him, blinking wide eyes that reflected the snow's pale light. It seemed curious rather than afraid.
Gary crouched slowly, extending his hand. "Hey there, little one."
It sniffed curiously, then bumped its cold nose against his glove. "Ceto!"
Gary laughed. "Friendly already. You'll fit right in."
The Cetitan watched unflinchingly, showing no signs of distress. She apparently understood it was time.
Gary clicked a button on his belt and drew an empty Poké Ball. "Alright, then. If you're ready…"
He pressed the ball gently to the Cetoddle's forehead. The red light enveloped the little Pokémon, and within seconds, the ball shook once—twice—click!
"Gotcha," he whispered.
Gary exhaled deeply, looking at the Poké Ball in his hand. "Welcome to the team, partner."
He checked the data immediately:
Pokémon: Cetoddle ♂
Type: Ice
Level: 10
Potential: Champion
Ability: Thick Fat– Fire and Ice damage reduced by half.
Moves: Tackle· Powder Snow· Echoed Voice
Egg Move: Icicle Crash (Pursuit Variant)
Friendship: 150 / 255
The Cetoddle's affection toward him was already fairly high—no doubt helped by the feast of Ice Energy Cubes.
"It's a bit of a shame about the Ability," Gary murmured to himself.
Thick Fat was a good defensive Ability, but on an Ice‑type it only erased one weakness—Fire—while leaving the three remaining weaknesses intact. Overall, it didn't have as dramatic an impact as a more aggressive Ability might.
Still, he wasn't disappointed.
Cetoddle's real value lay in its combination of traits. It could eventually have up to three different Abilities, and the other two in its line were excellent offensive and support traits.
More importantly, this one had inherited a powerful Egg Move: Icicle Crash. It was one of the rare physical Ice‑type moves with a high base power and flinch chance. Combined with Cetitan's natural bulk and the right Ability later on, Icicle Crash could unleash devastating force.
Gary released the newly caught Pokémon immediately, letting it stand beside its family one last time.
"Go on," he said gently. "Say goodbye."
The small Cetoddle turned toward its mother and siblings. "Ceto!" Its cry was cheerful, pure.
The others chirped back in unison, "Ceto! Ceto~!" Their voices echoed through the frozen canyon, bright as bells in the cold air.
The other two calves responded in kind, nudging their brother and chirping what Gary imagined were messages like, Lucky you, getting to go train and see the world first.
The Cetitan leaned her head down, nuzzling her child affectionately one last time before stepping back.
Gary felt a twinge of emotion watching the scene. He had expected tears or resistance—but instead, there was peace and acceptance.
He whispered, "Thank you."
The mother responded with a low rumble, "Cee‑taannn…" snow fluttering from her body like gentle confetti.
"Alright, partner," Gary said softly, holding out the Poké Ball again. "Let's go."
Mountains surrounded them in silence as the snow continued to fall softly around the empty patch of ground where the Cetoddle had stood.
Later that day, while making his way down one of Glaseado's lower cliffs, Gary spoke thoughtfully into his Pokédex recorder.
"Cetoddle are perfectly adapted for mountain life. Their round bodies let them roll or slide across snow like sleds, and when evolved into Cetitan, they can even swim through deep drifts. In Frost Village, villagers sometimes tame them to pull sleds—they make incredible transporters."
He smiled faintly. "Guess I'll need to train my new friend well enough not just to battle—but to survive anywhere."
"Brother, look—it's the Articuno!"
Gary flinched at a young voice calling from behind. He turned quickly.
"Huh?"
He spotted two figures trudging through the snow—a man in a bright yellow jacket, hair the same bluish shade as Luna's, and walking beside him, the tiny girl from earlier.
"It's her!" Gary exclaimed in surprise.