Misty fog combined with white snowy mountains - everywhere was pure white.
Coming to Crown Tundra for the second time, Johan was already familiar with it, while Penny was filled with curiosity about this world completely covered in ice and snow.
Her father and sister came here to explore and investigate?
Getting off the train, Johan didn't enter Freezington but headed straight for Crown Shrine.
In the vast Crown Tundra, finding two people would be no different from finding a needle in a haystack.
Asking Calyrex was the fastest and best choice.
"Let's go, we're heading to the mountaintop." Speaking while stepping on thick snow with "crunch crunch" sounds, Johan walked ahead.
Beside him, Ninetales followed.
Penny didn't speak, just silently followed behind Johan.
A Poké Ball at her waist opened by itself, and a Glaceon landed on the snow.
"Glaceon~"
Glaceon obviously loved this environment, and when it saw Johan's Ninetales, its eyes immediately brightened, calling softly as it quickly ran to Ninetales' side.
"Oowoo~"
Ninetales' eyes curved slightly, its tail gently stroking Glaceon's head.
They were obviously familiar with each other.
"Glaceon~o(〃'▽'〃)o"
Glaceon's face reddened slightly, looking happy.
For it, Ninetales was like a legendary "goddess" - someone it admired and tried to approach and learn from.
Heading upward.
Even with Ninetales and Glaceon present, Crown Tundra still had many powerful Pokémon, and accidentally entering their territory inevitably caused some conflicts.
After all, Crown Tundra was to Galar region what Mt. Coronet was to Sinnoh region.
However, after witnessing Ninetales' or Glaceon's power, most wild Pokémon would obediently retreat.
Ninetales needn't be mentioned.
Even without borrowing the "Fairy Plate's" power, its strength had reached Champion level peak. With the "Fairy Plate" and daily energy intake, training, and battles, it would surely undergo qualitative change.
Penny's Glaceon was actually quite strong too, already surpassing ordinary Gym Leader main Pokémon strength.
This made Johan once again sigh at Penny's talent and ability.
Such strength at such a young age - at minimum she'd be Elite Four level in the future...
Eevee Elite Four?
That would be quite interesting.
Neighing—
When Johan and the others reached the mountainside, suddenly two high-pitched horse neighs came from above.
Then.
They saw two supremely magnificent horse-like Pokémon, one black and one white, one treading on snow and one galloping through mist, racing toward them.
Hoofbeats rapidly approached.
Clop clop, clop clop—
Noticing these two Pokémon, Glaceon and Penny's expressions immediately changed.
"Legendary Pokémon?!"
The legendary aura was unconcealed. Penny and her Glaceon immediately felt tremendous threat and pressure, showing careful and wary expressions.
But she wasn't particularly nervous inside.
After all, standing beside her was the man called "Legendary Pokémon Man," someone who could calm Groudon and Kyogre's conflict with just a few words - her teacher, Hoenn League Champion, Teacher Johan!
"Ka-kaah?"
Hearing the commotion, Gengar emerged from Johan's shadow, looking at the two galloping horses before immediately cupping its hands around its mouth like a megaphone, shouting loudly:
"Ka-kaah—"
Then vigorously waving hello.
Hm?
Seeing Gengar's reaction, Penny and Glaceon were both stunned.
Then they noticed not only Gengar, but Teacher Johan and Ninetales also showed no tension or seriousness.
"Don't worry." Johan smiled. "They're old friends."
These two horses, one black and one white, were naturally Calyrex's two beloved steeds, legendary Pokémon Spectrier and Glastrier!
Old friends?
"Ka-kaah~"
Suddenly.
Gengar mischievously floated up, flying toward Spectrier and grabbing the black reins hanging from Spectrier's body in mid-air, then with extremely skilled and synchronized movements, flipped onto Spectrier's back and pulled the reins.
Neighing—
Spectrier's front hooves raised high, neighing loudly.
Ghost and steed as one!
Gengar grinned, holding the reins and controlling Spectrier as it descended below.
Meanwhile.
Glastrier, carrying swirling snow, slowly stopped before Johan. The rolling blizzard quickly calmed as it stamped its hooves, snorted, and lowered its head submissively.
"Long time no see, Glastrier, Spectrier."
Johan reached out to pat Glastrier's neck. The white mane that should have been bone-chillingly cold became soft and cool without any cold sensation.
Checking his pocket.
He pulled out an ice radish.
Glastrier immediately rejoiced, taking it in one bite and "crunch crunch" eating it up.
Johan also took the opportunity to grab the reins, flipping onto Glastrier's back and gently stroking the white mane on its neck.
"Good boy~"
Glastrier snorted, concentrating on eating the ice radish.
Penny and Glaceon beside them, watching Gengar riding Spectrier and Teacher Johan mounting Glastrier, couldn't help thinking—
There are only wrong names, never wrong nicknames.
Truly worthy of being "Legendary Pokémon Man" Teacher Johan.
Johan extended his hand toward Penny, smiling: "Stop dazing, let's go."
Penny's cheeks reddened slightly as she lowered her head, grasping Teacher Johan's hand. With a pull, she also sat on Glastrier's back.
Glastrier snorted disapprovingly again.
It was willing to be ridden by Johan, but that didn't mean just anyone could sit on its back...
But this newly expressed displeasure was eliminated after Johan stuffed another ice radish in its mouth.
Neighing—
As Johan and Gengar pulled the reins, Spectrier and Glastrier reared their front hooves and ran toward Crown Tundra's mountaintop Crown Shrine.
"Ka-kaah~"
Sitting on Spectrier's back holding the "bond reins," Gengar appeared very excited, relying on Spectrier's fast speed to run around in the sky, having a great time.
"Ghost and steed as one..." Johan shook his head with some teasing.
Previously when Gengar's strength hadn't reached legendary level, borrowing the "bond reins" and Spectrier's power could display quite exaggerated strength.
Now that Gengar's normal strength had already reached legendary level, combined with Spectrier, plus Mega Evolution and other enhancement methods...
His Gengar was truly becoming more and more unreasonable...
Crown Tundra, Crown Shrine.
"Johan, long time no see."
Sensing Johan and the others' arrival, Calyrex, who had sent Spectrier and Glastrier to welcome them, now stood before the dilapidated Crown Shrine waiting.
Seeing Johan, it smiled in greeting.
Penny, sitting behind Johan, inevitably looked at Calyrex with curious, surprised eyes.
This "cauliflower" seemed to be...
The wood carving she and Sonia had given Teacher Johan - its carved subject seemed to be this being before them.
Galar region's legendary ancient ruler, the god of abundance?!
But Penny's understanding of Calyrex was limited to this. She didn't even know Calyrex's specific name, just thought it looked somewhat like a rabbit and somewhat like cauliflower.
"Actually it hasn't been that long."
Johan smiled as he and Penny dismounted.
Gengar was still leading Spectrier around the sky.
Calyrex smiled, and seeing the airborne Gengar and Ninetales beside Johan, its eyes brightened.
"Grown stronger again?"
"Just lucky, just lucky."
Showing off before others was one thing, but before Calyrex... better be modest.
"This is..." Calyrex also didn't dwell on strength matters, looking at Penny instead.
"This is Penny, my student. Calyrex, might need to trouble you. The situation is..."
After briefly introducing Penny, Johan recounted their reason for coming to Crown Tundra again.
"I see..."
After hearing Johan's account, Calyrex nodded thoughtfully.
It had an impression.
Last time Johan had asked about Peony and Peonia.
But at that time it had just awakened and was still recovering, so hadn't "seen" them.
"Wait a moment."
Calyrex's eyes immediately showed psychic radiance, its deep pupils seeming to contain vast starry skies and countless world fragments.
Johan didn't speak, just waited silently.
Penny seemed to understand what Teacher Johan and Calyrex were doing, hope appearing in her eyes.
Honestly.
She and Peony weren't actually very close.
Peony and her mother had separated when she was very young. Sister Peonia went with Peony while she stayed with her mother.
Only a few years ago did she learn she had a father who was also Galar region's Champion.
But...
Penny's personality was already formed. She had no deep feelings for this so-called father.
But Peonia, whose personality was completely opposite - lively and cute - had quite a good relationship with her.
Her first Pokémon Eevee was a gift from sister Peonia, which began her love for Eevee-type Pokémon.
"Found them."
While Penny was reminiscing, Calyrex's eyes flashed as it pointed to Johan's pocket.
"Rotom, Rotom?"
Rotom Pokédex floated out looking confused.
What, what's happening?
But quickly, as Calyrex's psychic power infused it, Rotom Pokédex immediately switched to Galar region's Crown Tundra map.
"Coordinate information imported, Rotom!"
A red dot flashed on the map.
The location didn't deviate much from where Penny had previously tracked through messages.
"Navigation, Rotom." Johan immediately said.
"Understood! Beginning navigation, planning route..." Rotom Pokédex's map showed complex, intricate route lines.
But it planned for quite a while.
"Route planning complete, navigation activated, Rotom!"
"Proceed straight north one kilometer..."
Then a straight line appeared on the map between Crown Tundra's mountaintop and the coordinates.
Following the line's direction, Johan looked and his mouth twitched.
That was a damn cliff!
Rotom seemed to finally realize this, hurriedly saying:
"Replanning route! Route planning... route planning..."
Bzzt, bzzt—
Electric arcs jumped on Rotom Pokédex.
"Alright, alright Rotom, stop navigating or you'll crash." Johan quickly called a halt.
Crown Tundra had few paths to begin with, and map information was pitifully scarce. This was quite difficult for the little guy.
"Hooray, Rotom..."
Rotom immediately breathed a long sigh of relief.
That route planning had consumed ten percent of its power.
"Take Glastrier and Spectrier along. With them, there are no obstacles within Crown Tundra's range." Calyrex said.
Pausing, it looked at Johan and continued:
"That place is not peaceful."
Not peaceful?
Johan had some guesses.
After all, this seemed to be something even Peony couldn't handle.
But he didn't believe there was anything in Galar region that two Champions present couldn't handle.
Unless Eternatus revived.
But obviously even if Eternatus revived, it couldn't appear in Crown Tundra, on Calyrex's territory.
"Good!" Johan nodded, accepting Calyrex's goodwill.
"By the way Johan, how's your Snivy doing?" Calyrex suddenly asked.
Snivy?
Last time Johan had asked Calyrex to help look at Snivy, learning about Snivy's "Forest's Blessing" from Calyrex.
"It's evolved, now it's Servine." Johan smiled.
Then he took out a Poké Ball, summoning Servine.
"Servine?"
Servine's eyes were haughty, arms crossed.
"Evolution is good." Calyrex said with some relief.
Hm?
Though evolution was indeed good, but...
Why did Calyrex's words sound strange?
"Johan." Calyrex's voice suddenly became somewhat heavy. "While helping you sense your two friends' location, I saw some images."
"Images?"
"Darkness will once again shroud the land..."
Johan's heart jumped.
Darkness?
Shrouding the land?
"Darkest Day?"
Eternatus?!
"You know?" Calyrex was somewhat surprised.
"That, it shouldn't be now, right?" Johan interrupted Calyrex's words, asking tentatively.
Calyrex shook its head, making Johan sigh in relief.
Right.
Logically Eternatus shouldn't awaken now.
Though Galar region's Galar Particles were already quite active, and he'd seen Dynamax wild Pokémon appear more than once, those were just signs of Eternatus awakening.
"Within a few years, it shouldn't happen." Calyrex said.
A few years...
In a few years, it would be about time for Ash's journey.
By then Johan should have resigned as Champion and started early retirement.
"However..."
Calyrex's expression became hesitant and conflicted.
It looked at Johan seriously, taking a deep breath before saying: "As Galar's King, should I just watch that disaster descend again?"
Johan remained silent.
He actually wanted to say—
Calyrex, thousands of years ago you were Galar's King. After thousands of years, Galar region's people have long forgotten you, even...
But Johan didn't say it aloud.
He saw responsibility in Calyrex.
Regardless of whether others remembered it, it wouldn't forget its identity.
League Champions were the same, weren't they?
He himself was Champion!
Resolve Eternatus's threat in advance?
Looking at the current situation...
This would be touching Rose's reverse scale.
Angering Rose would be tantamount to declaring war on all of Galar region.
Actually.
The current Johan, though still wary of Eternatus, no longer feared and worried like before.
On one hand, due to his own strength increase. As his little ones grew stronger, even facing legendary Pokémon, even legendary first-class gods, they weren't without fighting power.
On the other hand, he had more friends. If worst came to worst, he could call more people to help.
The difference was just how much destruction and impact it would cause to Galar region.
"This matter is quite troublesome and tricky. It involves not just the 'Darkest Day' but many other aspects." Johan said.
Calyrex nodded.
"I understand. I just mean this and tell you about possible dangers. After all, I've been... out of touch with Galar region too long."
It wasn't a hothead, it was wise!
Based on observations and understanding of Galar region after awakening, it guessed...
If it went out now, it would probably be treated as a legendary Pokémon creating disaster and danger, hated by everyone.
Temporarily parting with Calyrex, Johan and the others mounted Glastrier and Spectrier again, heading toward the coordinates Calyrex provided.
Riding on Glastrier's back, holding the reins, Johan was expressionless but his mind raced.
Calyrex had sensed Eternatus's revival, even possibly "seen" those images.
Johan wasn't surprised by this.
Because this would happen anyway.
What he pondered was Calyrex's words—
Since they knew disaster would occur, must they wait for it to happen before facing and resolving it?
If it were the former Johan, he would definitely try to avoid such trouble.
But after so many events, Johan gradually understood - some things couldn't be avoided.
Especially as his strength grew, the less he could avoid them.
Because when the sky fell, the tall ones held it up, and he was now one of the "tall ones."
In that case...
"Before I lacked strength and ability, but now it's different."
Still wait for disaster to come knocking?
"Better to... give 'disaster' a house call..."
Rather than wait for disaster to erupt, better to trigger it himself. The harm caused would be less and more controllable.
This was Johan's first time actively seeking "trouble."
It had to be said, this was also change brought by changes in strength and status.
"But to deal with Eternatus, it's best to have the sword and shield dogs present - that would make fighting much easier."
After all, in original history, Zacian and Zamazenta together defeated the powerful Eternatus.
Perhaps Calyrex and other assistance were also involved.
"Moreover, with the sword and shield dogs present, their identity as 'legendary heroes' could largely eliminate negative impacts from possibly angering Rose..."
For Calyrex, Galar region residents had mostly forgotten, but for the legendary 'heroes' who supposedly saved Galar region from 'Darkest Day'...
Well, they didn't know much either.
And there were some deviations.
Most Galar region residents vaguely knew of 'heroes' who saved Galar region, seemingly humans wielding sword and shield.
This was the fault of the "credit-stealing" Galar royal family.
"So if conditions allow, first need to clear the names of sword dog and shield dog?"
Too troublesome.
Johan pressed his temples.
"If worst comes to worst, learn from Flint and just charge through." He couldn't help complaining aloud.
"Charge?"
Penny, sitting behind Johan, saw her teacher's worried expression and thought her sister and father were in great trouble, feeling somewhat worried.
Hearing Teacher Johan say "charge," she couldn't help asking.
"Uh, nothing."
Johan waved his hand.
Anyway, the biggest problem was—
Rose was Galar League Chairman, viewing Eternatus as the "savior who could save Galar's future." How could they bypass Rose to resolve Eternatus without it going berserk?
Better take down Rose too!
I choose Leon as the next Galar League Chairman - he says he'll take us to the moon! (crossed out)
Neighing—
"This is it, Rotom!"
At a snowy area in Crown Tundra's northern foothills, Rotom Pokédex stopped navigation.
The temperature here was actually much warmer than Crown Tundra's mountaintop.
According to the map, continuing north would enter a vast forest - this dense primeval forest separated Crown Tundra from true Galar region.
Passing through this primeval forest northward would reach Galar region's "starting town" Postwick.
Or Slumbering Weald!
At this moment.
Everything was plain colored, snow-white. The eye couldn't detect anything special.
"Ka-kaah~"
Then Gengar emerged from the thick snow ahead, dark purple body dotted with some snowflakes and ice crystals.
It showed an exaggerated expression, pointing beneath the thick snow.
It was ruins!
"Ruins?"
Johan was somewhat surprised.
"Ka-kaah!"
Gengar returned to Spectrier's back, tightening the reins.
Neighing—
Spectrier reared its front hooves high, neighing loudly.
As its hooves came down.
Bang!!!
The ground shook slightly as large amounts of snow began collapsing and sliding, clearly about to form an avalanche.
"Neigh!!!"
Glastrier intervened then, extremely cold aura surging from its body, frigid air sweeping toward the about-to-slide snow.
In just a few breaths, the about-to-slide snow solidified again.
This was legendary Pokémon power - they could invoke nature's might, something ordinary Pokémon couldn't match.
Regarding cold air or strength, Johan's Ninetales didn't fear Glastrier and could even dominate it.
But for this about-to-collapse snow, though Ninetales could also stop it... it wouldn't appear as effortless as Glastrier.
This wasn't about strength but legendary Pokémon power.
After most snow was solidified by Glastrier and a small portion collapsed, it revealed an ancient ruins entrance.
"If it's this kind of avalanche, it could indeed trouble Peony." Johan said softly.
Ruins built from gray-white bricks, yet those seemingly ordinary bricks faintly showed metallic luster.
"Cha?"
"Tyranitar?"
Tinkaton and Tyranitar ran out on their own, looking at the ruins with different expressions.
One gripped its hammer while lightly rubbing, the other silently swallowed.
Seeing these two's reactions, you knew these bricks definitely contained metal elements and minerals.
"Show some restraint."
Johan recalled these two with their Poké Balls.
Normally it would be fine.
But don't demolish the ruins and bury her father and sister while the daughter's watching.
But then Johan wondered.
Why would these ruins' bricks contain metal elements?
One or two blocks would be fine, but seemingly every block contained quite a bit.
Clang clang clang—
Tapping lightly.
The stone bricks actually produced metal-like sounds.
"Interesting."
Perhaps this was why Peony and Peonia entered these ruins.
Peony was a Steel-type Champion after all - he'd be quite curious about ruins filled with metal elements.
Having come this far, naturally they had to go in and look.
Rumble—
The door slowly opened, very heavy with harsh metal scraping sounds.
As soon as the door opened and light entered, they saw...
A tiger-headed Lairon standing in an incredibly wide, huge hall, turning its head to stare blankly at Johan, Penny, and Gengar appearing at the entrance.
"Lairon!!!"
The slow-to-react Lairon suddenly shivered, as if startled, running toward a hole in the wall corner.
Bang!!!
But obviously the little guy panicked too much, stumbling face-first after just a few steps.
And seemingly because the floor was very slippery, it slid some distance.
Only after stopping did it get up again and run into the wall corner's hole.
That cute appearance made one want to laugh.
"Places rich in metal elements are paradise for Steel-type Pokémon." Johan said.
"So big..."
Penny stared blankly at the incredibly huge hall before them, much larger than any ruins she'd seen.
Like a dwelling built for giants.
"Indeed not small, even bigger than Split-Decision Ruins." Johan nodded in agreement.
Split-Decision Ruins sealed the ancient giants Regidrago and Regieleki - already considered large ruins, but this one was even more exaggerated.
Bang!!!
As the two entered, the door that had been pushed open a crack slowly closed.
The huge hall immediately fell into darkness.
"Gengar."
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar rubbed its finger, producing a heart-shaped flame.
Weak light barely illuminated three meters around them.
This brightness...
"Teacher, should I have Jolteon..."
Before Penny finished speaking, Gengar mischievously swallowed that flame.
Next second.
Hum—
The purple fatty became like a lightbulb, body glowing white and illuminating the entire hall.
Penny: "..."
Gengar-brand flashlight?
"Rotom! (_)"
Watching this, Rotom's eyes lit up.
What was this?
This was a top-tier fill light!
Even Johan couldn't help his mouth twitching.
"'Flash' Gengar..."
This was real flash!
Spectrier beneath Gengar felt like a lamp stand.
"Teacher, the signal is completely blocked."
Recovering, Penny looked at her laptop.
"It's fine."
In the huge hall, walls were carved with many patterns, appearing quite mystical.
Though there were many large and small holes around, probably left by wild Steel-type Pokémon, the real passage was only one, leading to unknown directions.
"Let's tour the ruins first. If we can't find them, then check these passages wild Pokémon created."
Johan spoke while walking toward the passage over ten meters high.
He also reminded:
"Penny, stay close. If even Mr. Peony finds it troublesome and tricky, this place might be more dangerous than imagined."
"Mm!"
Penny pursed her lips, staying close behind Johan.
Entering the passage.
They could clearly see obvious bite marks and scratches on both walls - traces left by wild Pokémon.
This ruins was like a buffet restaurant for Steel-type Pokémon.
"Cha~!"
"Tyranitar!"
Tinkaton and Tyranitar ran out again.
This time Johan didn't recall them since both had regained "rationality."
With Tyranitar's appearance and its tyrant aura released, many wild Pokémon with curious, malicious, or friendly intentions all stopped their thoughts and disappeared into holes on both sides.
Saving trouble.
Smooth passage.
The ruins' size exceeded expectations.
"Map creation, Rotom~ Map creation!" Rotom Pokédex diligently outlined the ruins' map.
After walking about an hour through various halls and chambers, Johan and the others reached what should be the ruins' deepest room.
"Wait."
Johan stopped Penny and the Pokémon about to continue forward.
Facing Penny's puzzled look, Johan gazed at this huge room, looking at the patterns on surrounding walls with amazement and realization.
"Unown."
"Unown?" Penny was stunned.
Johan didn't explain, muttering to himself: "If it's Unown, that would make sense..."
With Unown's bizarre, mysterious abilities, without sufficient understanding or preparation, even Champions could get lost in dreams and illusions Unown created.
"Ka-kaah!"
"Flash" Gengar suddenly pointed toward a corner of the huge room.
There, a Pokémon with metallic luster throughout its body, seeming both liquid and solid, with shoulders, palms, feet, chest, and head all appearing as various-sized nuts, stood there.
Emanating fearsome aura.
Seeing this Pokémon, Johan exclaimed in surprise.
"Melmetal?"
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Powerstones?
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