Terarium, polar zone.
All around was a world of white. Snow fell from the sky, piling on the ground and mountains. With sub-zero temperatures, one had to wear heavy winter gear to move around.
Wearing a snowfield outfit borrowed from a polar rest station, Lucas walked across dense ice. The boots' traction kept him from slipping.
Looking down, he could see shadows swimming beneath the ice—Pokémon living in the seawater below.
With every breath, fog swelled and faded. Surveying the surroundings, Lucas had to admit Blueberry Academy was impressive.
Never mind the technology needed to maintain four distinct climate zones—the mere construction cost of a structure this massive was astronomical, and the Dome was full of rare wild Pokémon.
Not far away, a group of Piplup were playing on an ice floe, watched over by their evolved Prinplup.
Piplup is an official Sinnoh starter, available from Pokémon Professors, with small wild populations as well.
Before setting out, Lucas had heard from Lacey that the Dome housed many Pokémon from all regions, including multiple starter lines, and that students and visitors could catch them freely.
Tempting as it was to stock up, he wasn't shameless enough to walk out with a truckload of Poké Balls—catching should consider the Pokémon's will and other factors.
In short, he'd look for Ice-types first, then use his tried-and-true method: lure them with the Poké Puffs he'd prepared.
From his gear he took a snow pole. It would help probe the path and avoid thin ice—and a sudden plunge into the sea below.
He looked toward the lofty snowy mountain in the distance. First, head for the mountain.
Ice floes drifted everywhere. He needed to avoid them and walk on solid ice.
He couldn't be sure if aquatic wild Pokémon would suddenly attack from below.
By his side was an eager Politoed. It had been training near the massive Damp Rock Swampert brought back, and its power over weather had improved a lot.
In this environment—besides Swampert—Politoed was the best companion.
Passing a drifting floe, Politoed tugged his pant leg and pointed. "Poli~!"
Lucas looked over and saw, on a floe carried by the current, several Dewgong and Seel basking and resting.
Their snowy coats concealed thick fat under the fur—adorably plump.
Lucas's eyes lit up. Seel is pure Water, but Dewgong is Water/Ice. Worth a try!
He crouched and carefully approached, a Puff ready in hand to tempt them.
But the vigilant Dewgong noticed him, barked a few times, then—without another glance—herded the Seel and slid into the sea, vanishing in an instant.
Lucas: "…"
Politoed patted his knee comfortingly. Those Dewgong just didn't have the fortune to enter the farm.
With them gone, he moved on, soon seeing the mountain's outline more clearly.
On the way, wild Pokémon did pop up to cause trouble. A Samurott blocked their way—blade drawn—to protect its young. A Kingdra burst up from below with a surprise ice-breaking attack.
These encounters made clear why he'd seen almost no Blueberry students in the polar zone.
It was just too hard to operate here.
He did see small teams of Blueberry students picking their way cautiously over the ice. Neither side approached; a glance was exchanged and each moved on.
Roughly three hours into the polar zone, the snow mountain loomed clearly. The ice underfoot gave way to ground covered in deep snow.
The snowfall grew heavier.
Lucas recalled Politoed and called to his shadow, "Mimikyu, your turn!"
His shadow wriggled and Mimikyu hopped out, tail like a stick wagging happily. It followed at Lucas's side, ready to challenge the mountain!
Riding Dragonite would be faster, but he might miss catches. He chose to climb on foot.
Climbing was dull and exhausting. Aside from glimpses of distant silhouettes, he didn't meet a single Pokémon in the first hour.
The wind and snow worsened, with signs of a coming blizzard.
Normally, the Dome's climate would be preprogrammed for safety—no intentional blizzards.
Perched on his shoulder, Mimikyu pantomimed frantically: "Mimi~"
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "You mean you sense a lot of Ice-type energy in this growing storm?"
Mimikyu nodded.
He scanned around but saw nothing suspicious.
It was likely some Pokémon—or a group—was stirring the storm. And it was trending toward a blizzard.
"Let's find shelter first, Mimikyu."
Decision made, they searched for a cave or windbreak.
A blizzard would blind them, sap body heat and stamina. Until they knew what caused it, caution was wise.
Near a grove of hardy plants, Lucas poked ahead with the snow pole—then froze.
He'd hit… nothing? Empty space?
Even with goggles, visibility was low.
He crouched and felt forward a few dozen centimeters, discovering a hole wide enough for a person.
He and Mimikyu exchanged a glance—lucky he'd used the pole, or he'd have stepped into it.
Examining the rim, he found the passage rough, as if dug by some creature—likely not a natural pit.
It sloped rather than dropping straight down—like it had been made for sliding.
He sniffed. Beyond the scent of snow, there was a faint, fresh fragrance—suggesting the hole's owner ate plants, or mostly plants.
With the storm raging, he thought a moment and said, "Let's go in and wait it out. The owner probably isn't aggressive. We can befriend it with berries and food."
Mimikyu nodded and leapt into his arms, eyes fixed on the hole.
Whatever was inside, it would protect Lucas.
Holding Mimikyu and making sure his gear was secure, Lucas took a breath and slid down.
The winding tunnel ran ten to twenty meters. A vertical drop would be bad news, but the curved slope was safe.
Aside from some scuffing on the loaner pants, they were okay.
Moments later, they emerged… into midair?
The tunnel opened into a small cavern, but the exit was four to five meters above the ground.
For many Pokémon, not a problem. For him—landing wrong could mean sprains or fractures. Headfirst, worse.
No time to survey; Lucas barked, "Mimikyu!"
From within his arms, Mimikyu's eyes sharpened. A massive spectral claw extended from beneath the rag.
Shadow Claw clamped into the floor, kicking up dust. That tiny body unleashed great strength, holding Lucas suspended, then lowering him safely.
Only then did Lucas take in the surroundings.
The cavern wasn't large—about the size of his farm's old warehouse. Its resident's body or group size probably wasn't too big. The whole interior was sheathed in crystalline ice that faintly glowed.
In a corner lay a nest of dry grass and leaves. Likely the owner's bed.
From the clues, he guessed the owner was an Ice-type.
But the cave was empty for now.
As he wondered what it might be, a rustling came from the hay.
He and Mimikyu looked over. A small head timidly peeked out.
At that instant, Lucas's pupils quivered; his eyes went wide.
"This is… hitting the jackpot."
A snow-white little fox Pokémon—round, blue-white gradient eyes shyly peering out. Fluffy white fur crowned its head and tail. Two tufts of thick fur framed dark-blue ear swirls. Pale-blue little paws hovered, hesitant to step forward.
An Alolan Vulpix—an Ice Vulpix—here!
Fluffy, soft, cool to the touch—simply the cutest creature in the world!
Lucas stared, as if bewitched by a snow fox spirit, his gaze reverent.
Vulpix was timid. It wasn't sure if Lucas and Mimikyu were hostile—especially Mimikyu; that brutal Shadow Claw scared it.
But it was very, very hungry.
Ever since it fell into this hole, time had passed and the little belly its elders had filled was now flat. The first true hunger it'd known left it scared and aggrieved, but in this strange place it didn't dare cry.
Tears glistened on its eyes. It looked pitifully at Lucas, wanting food but too scared to approach because of Mimikyu.
Lucas sensed the hunger. At first he thought this was its den.
But the deep claw marks in the ice and the Vulpix's soft, harmless-looking little paws made him suspect the truth.
It had likely fallen in and been trapped, starving, until he and Mimikyu arrived—giving it courage to come out.
Though thrilled inside, Lucas kept a gentle smile.
Under Mimikyu's exasperated stare, he swiftly took out a small box from his jacket pocket—inside, Poké Puffs he'd carefully prepared.
He crouched, the very picture of a suspicious uncle coaxing a child. "It's okay, we mean no harm. Want a snack?"
Mimikyu covered its eyes: Can't watch. Where did this fluffy pervert come from?
Perhaps truly starving—or enticed by the Puff's rich aroma—Vulpix blinked innocently and inched forward.
"Vuu~"
After triple-checking there was no attack coming, it reached Lucas's palm and nibbled in delicate bites.
Even while starving, it ate with such grace. Lucas's eyes gleamed as he endured the tickle of its little tongue on his palm.
Staring at the fluffy bundle so close, his free hand twitched.
Fluff! Must pet!
Little belly! Must rub!
Perched on his shoulder, Mimikyu of course noticed that feverish gaze.
Watching Vulpix already on its second Puff, purring softly as it ate, Mimikyu sighed.
Was this child naïve or just unguarded? Faced with Lucas's culinary assault, it surrendered in under a minute.
A pure, cute airhead. And Lucas fell for it completely—Mimikyu was even a little jealous.
Like Pikachu, Vulpix had a natural advantage in looks. Unlike itself, which could only hide under a rag…
Still, Mimikyu's old hang-ups had long resolved, and the emo only lasted a moment.
After Vulpix finally filled its belly, it looked up at Lucas with dewy eyes, timid but curious. Inside Lucas, tiny choirboys fell over from cuteness.
Under its puzzled gaze, he carefully reached out, aiming to stroke its little head.
Maybe because he'd offered a delicacy it had never tasted, Vulpix had gained some trust. It simply tilted its head, letting his hand sink into that fluffy white fur.