Pokemon: Cryo

Chapter 1: Arrival in Cryopeak

The cold wind of the Cryopeak Region bit into Ash Ketchum's face as he stepped off the plane. He pulled his scarf tighter around his neck and gazed out at the frost-covered landscape, awe lighting up his eyes. Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, shivered slightly but chirped with excitement, its cheeks sparking faintly.

"This place is amazing, Pikachu," Ash said, grinning. "Look at all the snow!"

"Pika-pi!" Pikachu responded, equally thrilled.

The bustling crowd led them toward the exit, where a man in a thick fur-lined coat awaited them. He had a sharp yet kind face, his glasses fogged from the icy air. He waved enthusiastically as Ash approached.

"You must be Ash Ketchum," the man greeted warmly. "I'm Professor Galidon, the regional Pokémon professor here in Cryopeak. Welcome to Hail City!"

"Nice to meet you, Professor Galidon!" Ash extended a hand. "I've heard a lot about this region. It's so...cold!"

Galidon chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Cryopeak is known for its harsh winters, but it's also home to many incredible Pokémon. And, of course, there's the legend of Cryom, the Ice-Dragon Pokémon who once protected this land."

Ash's interest piqued at the mention of Cryom. "Cryom? What's that?"

"Ah, a story for another time," Galidon said with a knowing smile. "For now, let's get you settled. I hear you're eager to challenge the gyms here?"

Ash nodded enthusiastically. "I heard there's a gym here in Hail City. I want to battle it!"

Galidon adjusted his glasses. "That would be the Flying-type gym. But, Ash, without a full team of Pokémon suited for this climate, I wouldn't recommend it. You'll need some Cryopeak Pokémon if you're going to stand a chance."

Ash scratched his head, laughing sheepishly. "You're probably right about that."

"Good! Then let's get you started. Follow me to my lab," Galidon said, leading Ash and Pikachu through the snowy streets toward his Pokémon Center.

---

At the center, Galidon gestured for Ash to take a seat. "I'd love to give you a tour myself, but unfortunately, I have research to finish. My son, Lidon, will show you around the city. He knows Hail City like the back of his hand."

Ash nodded. "That sounds great!"

After a short wait, a young man burst through the doors with an enthusiastic shout. "Dad! Is this the trainer you mentioned?"

Ash turned and found himself face-to-face with a boy around his age, wearing a blue jacket lined with white fur. His hair was messy but stylish, and his bright eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Hey, I'm Lidon!" the boy said, holding out his hand. "You must be Ash!"

Ash shook his hand firmly. "Yeah! Nice to meet you, Lidon."

"Same here! I'll be your guide today. But before we head out, I want to introduce you to my partner." Lidon unclipped a Pokéball from his belt and tossed it into the air.

"Come on out, Taph!"

In a flash of blue light, a small, serpent-like Pokémon appeared, its smooth, glistening body glowing faintly against the light of the room. Tiny wings fluttered on its back, too small to lift its body, but Taph flapped them excitedly as if it didn't care.

"This is Taph, a Water-type Pokémon. Cool, huh?" Lidon said proudly.

Taph chirped happily, its large, curious eyes locking onto Pikachu. Pikachu hopped down from Ash's shoulder and approached, the two Pokémon exchanging greetings with playful noises.

"Taph's wings might be tiny, but that doesn't stop it from trying to fly," Lidon added, grinning as Taph proudly puffed out its chest and flapped harder.

Ash laughed. "Taph is awesome! Pikachu seems to like it too."

"Great! Then let's get started," Lidon said, motioning toward the door. "I'll show you the best spots in Hail City!"

Hail City was a vibrant place despite the cold, with buildings designed to withstand the icy weather. The streets were lined with glowing lampposts, their lights reflecting off the snow-covered roads. The air smelled crisp and fresh, mixed with the occasional scent of delicious food wafting from nearby stalls.

"This is the main square," Lidon explained as they walked through a bustling area filled with trainers and townspeople. "It's where most trainers hang out before heading to the Flying gym."

They stopped by a shop with an intricate ice sculpture of a Froslass displayed out front. "This is Frosted Relics, a store that sells rare items for Ice-type Pokémon. They've got things like Never-Melt Ice and specialty Pokéballs that work better in cold climates."

Ash peered through the frosty windows, fascinated by the rows of shimmering objects inside. "I've never seen a shop like this before!"

Continuing the tour, Lidon led him to a small street lined with food vendors. "And this," he said with a dramatic wave, "is the Cryopeak Food District. You have to try the Snowball Dumplings—they're the best!"

Ash's stomach growled audibly, making Lidon laugh. They stopped by a vendor selling steaming plates of dumplings shaped like Pokéballs, and the two trainers devoured their meal while chatting about Pokémon.

Next, they visited an art gallery featuring paintings of legendary Pokémon. One massive mural depicted Cryom, a magnificent Ice-Dragon Pokémon with gleaming scales and icy wings that spanned the sky.

"That's Cryom," Lidon said, pointing at the painting. "Legend has it, Cryom saved Cryopeak from the God of Drought, Puoraxy, during a time of great peril. It froze the land to protect us, but after the battle, it disappeared. Some say it's still out there, sleeping beneath the ice."

Ash stared at the mural, his heart racing with excitement. "I'd love to see Cryom someday."

Lidon grinned. "Stick around long enough, and you just might."

As the day drew to a close, the two made their way back to the lab, sharing stories of their adventures. Ash couldn't help but feel exhilarated—Cryopeak was unlike any region he'd visited before, and he couldn't wait to see what lay ahead.