Snowy Valley.
This was the first stop on Naoki and Calyrex's journey.
A cool stream wound through the snow-blanketed land, its gentle gurgling the only sound in the serene valley. Naoki and Calyrex stood side by side at the edge of an open field, surrounded by quiet beauty.
Naoki crouched down, scooping up a handful of soil with a small shovel. He sifted it through his fingers, comparing it to the soil from his ranch.
"It feels tough and compact," Naoki observed. "Probably because of the environment—frozen solid, unlike the soft soil back at the ranch."
Curious, Naoki took a closer sniff. Then, on impulse, he put a pinch of soil in his mouth.
"Hm… It tastes like regular soil," he muttered, before grimacing slightly. "But there's a sharp, icy energy in it."
Feeling the frosty tingle spreading from his mouth to his nose, Naoki spat out the dirt and rinsed his mouth with water. As he pondered the peculiar qualities of the soil, a thought struck him:
"This land is saturated with ice-type energy. Could that be why the carrots here mutate? The energy must infuse the seeds and turn them into the snow-white carrots Glastrier loves."
Calyrex floated nearby, his serene gaze fixed on Naoki. "Have you discovered anything?" he asked.
Naoki nodded. "I think so... If we could infuse soil in other places with the same ice energy, maybe we could grow these white carrots elsewhere."
Calyrex considered this for a moment before replying, "When I ride Glastrier, I can channel ice-type energy through it using my powers. Let's try infusing the soil here with that energy."
"Sounds good." Naoki grinned, eager to test the theory.
Meanwhile, Glastrier showed little interest in their conversation, focusing entirely on the field. It impatiently scraped at the ground with its hooves, snorting clouds of frosty air from its nostrils, eager to see the white carrots it loved so much.
Calyrex sighed, the affection in his voice unmistakable. "My beloved steed has always been this way."
Naoki chuckled as he rummaged through his bag, pulling out several packets of carrot seeds. With Koraidon's help, he carefully planted the seeds across the snowy field.
As the last seed settled into the soil, Calyrex floated to the field's edge. He raised his hands, channeling a wave of shimmering blue energy.
The light spread across the field like a tide, the ice energy merging with the soil. When the glow faded, the field was bursting with rows of plump, snow-white carrots.
Glastrier neighed joyfully and trotted toward the crop, its hooves clattering rhythmically against the frozen ground. Lowering its head, it eagerly began munching on the frosty carrots.
Across the field, Spectrier watched quietly. Its usually composed expression softened with a hint of envy as it observed Glastrier enjoying the feast.
Naoki plucked one of the carrots from the ground and examined it closely. It was pure white, like freshly fallen snow, and cool to the touch—radiating a faint, icy chill.
Naoki took a curious bite of the snow-white carrot and was surprised by the experience—it wasn't just cold on the outside, but the flesh was icy too. The taste was unusual, laced with a distinct chill as if it carried the essence of ice-type energy.
This strange discovery confirmed Naoki's earlier theory, but further experiments would be needed to fully understand the properties of these unique crops.
Once Glastrier had finished munching down every last white carrot from the field, Naoki and Calyrex mounted their Pokémon—Naoki on Koraidon and Calyrex on Spectrier—and set off toward their next destination: the cemetery.
Though much of the Crown Tundra was covered in snow, the southern parts gave way to vast wilderness. By mid-afternoon, they had crossed the snowy expanse and reached a landscape full of greenery, dotted with trees, lakes, hills, and caves.
Standing atop a hill, Naoki squinted toward the distant south and spotted something incredible—a colossal tree that towered at least fifteen meters high. Near it, another field stretched out, dominated by a vibrant, light-red fruit tree.
Even though Naoki knew about the giant tree from the games, seeing it in real life was awe-inspiring.
Calyrex followed Naoki's gaze and gave a thoughtful nod. "That tree has stood here for many, many years. Its fruits sustain the Pokémon of this land, drawing powerful creatures to its trunk. Many great Pokémon have rested beneath its boughs over the ages."
Naoki's heart skipped a beat. "Wait… are you talking about the Galarian forms of the legendary birds?"
He recalled that, in the games, the legendary trio—Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres—had visited the giant tree. And it wasn't just them; other legends, like the Regi Pokémon, had also made their presence known here.
"Yes, they are among the many Pokémon drawn to this land," Calyrex confirmed. "But not only the birds—other ancient giants rest here as well."
They traveled further, soon arriving at the remnants of an ancient stone ruin. Cracked pillars and worn carvings hinted at its immense age, and a heavy sense of mystery hung in the air.
Calyrex's voice was soft, filled with reverence. "This ruin is known as the Giant's Bed. Long ago, ancient Pokémon slept here. They have slumbered for centuries, guarding this land."
"The sleeping giants..." Naoki murmured. "You mean the Regi Pokémon?"
His heart raced at the thought of encountering these powerful beings—Regice, Registeel, Regirock, Regieleki, and Regidrago.
"Can I open the ruins and take a look inside?" Naoki asked eagerly, his excitement getting the better of him.
Calyrex, however, shook his head with quiet caution. "I would advise against it. These giants rest peacefully now, but waking them could provoke their anger. Such a disturbance would not only endanger us but also the nearby Pokémon."
Naoki nodded in understanding. "Right... It's best not to mess with them, then."
As they continued onward, Calyrex glanced ahead and pointed toward a patch of dark soil. "There—this is where the shade root carrots grow."
Naoki looked up and saw a deserted field nestled between graves.
The area was scattered with crumbling tombstones, casting an eerie, ominous atmosphere. A faint chill lingered in the air, making the place feel as though it could easily be haunted.
'Ancient cemetery… The people buried here must be from centuries ago, right?' Naoki thought to himself.
He silently whispered an apology in his heart for disturbing the resting souls, then walked forward with his Pokémon trailing behind.
Calyrex floated beside him, observing the field. "Do you plan to continue your investigation here?"
Naoki shook his head almost immediately. "...No, thanks. Humans can't sense ghost energy the same way Pokémon do."
Calyrex gave a slow nod, understanding his reasoning. "Very well. How do you intend to proceed with your experiment?"
Naoki pulled out a small pouch of carrot seeds from his backpack. "Let's see if this soil can grow shade-root carrots."
"I see," Calyrex replied, his voice calm and supportive.
Working with Koraidon, Naoki planted all the seeds into the blackened soil. The seeds disappeared beneath the earth as he gently patted the ground, completing his task.
Once finished, Calyrex floated forward. A soft glow surrounded him as he raised his staff, channeling his energy.
In an instant, the seeds sprouted, transforming into a patch of dark purple carrots. Their eerie color glistened against the black soil, giving them a peculiar appearance.
Naoki turned to Spectrier with a gentle smile. "Alright, Spectrier, these are for you. Go ahead and eat."
Spectrier stared at Naoki for a moment, snorted quietly, and then stepped forward with elegance. Its movements were slow and deliberate as if savoring the atmosphere. Lowering its head, it began nibbling at the freshly grown carrots with refined, measured bites.
Unlike Glastrier's messy, ravenous eating, Spectrier's approach was calm and methodical, as though it was savoring every bite. The Pokémon's graceful demeanor made it seem as if even eating was an art form.
Naoki watched, glancing back and forth between Glastrier and Spectrier.
And now, the real question loomed in his mind: Which horse should he ride in next year's Pokémon race?
Wherever Glastrier passes, the ground freezes instantly. Its immense strength and destructive power are undeniable, but its personality is rough, prideful, and battle-hardened.
In contrast, Spectrier carries an air of tranquility. It never initiates conflict with other creatures and moves with graceful elegance, its hooves treading lightly on ethereal, ghostly mist. Its calm demeanor and sleek form give it an otherworldly beauty, like a fleeting shadow in the moonlight.
Naoki scratched his head, caught in a real dilemma.