A NOTE ON POKEMON CAPITALIZATION:

I don't want to be a part of the small war that's happening in the community. I've decided to capitalize the way that I want to. I own countless official Pokémon storybooks that I read to kids, and they capitalize Pokémon names and certain establishments, i.e. Pokémon Centers. I don't care if you do or don't. I don't care if it's wrong or right. Don't waste your time reviewing that aspect of my story. However, feel free to review my comma usage, any improper punctuation, and areas that could make do with more description, as I want to become a better writer and am always open to genuine constructive criticism. Debating over something as arbitrary as whether or not to capitalize Jigglypuff isn't gonna do that. Thank you!

TRAVERSING THE CROWN TUNDRA

Chapter 1 - Crown Tundra's Prince Denholm - Part 1

"Croconaw, use Hydro Pump!" Finn, a pale boy at the age of fourteen, called. He could feel the end of the battle coming, and if there was any Pokémon that'd help him out of a two-to-one disadvantage, it was his Croconaw.

Croconaw was exhausted from battling, but he still opened his maw wide and unleashed the blast of water down the field.

"Rillaboom, use Grassy Glide!" Finn's opponent, a teenage girl originally from Alola, commanded.

Rillaboom zoomed down the field as though he were on ice. He focused energy within his drum, raising it like a hammer. He easily moved around the blast of water, and within seconds, he was in front of Croconaw. With one swift strike, he hammered his drum into the side of Croconaw, sending the Water-type flying down the field. It was obvious that Croconaw wouldn't be able to withstand the attack, but Finn held out some hope that Croconaw would stir, get back up, and make a comeback victory.

But that wasn't going to happen for Finn. Not on this day.

The referee raised her flag. "Croconaw cannot continue! Rillaboom is the winner! Moving onto the next round of the Champion's Cup is Number 107, Lilo Kalani!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as his opponent's face was displayed on the screen. She was one of the favourites to win the whole tournament. Finn was considered the underdog, and unfortunately for him, he couldn't keep up.

Finn withdrew Croconaw and then walked across the big field to the hallway. He passed by a thin boy, no taller than him, and they exchanged glances. The boy had shoulder-length dark brown hair that he kept held back with a black headband. They simply nodded at one another, and Finn continued to the backroom.

"Headin' home, Finn?" a teenager with a wide frame asked. He had on a white and green outfit, and his hair was red. He was one of the more friendly competitors, and Finn had known him for a couple of years. They had battled earlier in the year, and Finn won, earning himself the Grass Badge.

Finn shrugged and then sighed. "I'm bummed out, but I can't be too bothered. I made it this far, and that's something to be proud of."

Milo smacked Finn on the back, probably with more strength than he had intended. "That's the attitude! There's always next year!"

Finn caught himself from falling and then recovered. He looked up at the screen where the next battle was beginning.

"Maybe," he said. "Anyways. I'm gonna change and then head back home. I don't really want to stick around."

"Heading all the way to Freezington?" Milo wondered. "It's so far. The train ride is gonna kill your back."

"I'll be fine," Finn said. He waved at Milo and then walked to his corner of the locker room. He removed his red jersey and looked at the back where the number 226 was embroidered in big lettering. He stuffed the jersey away in his trunk and put on his red sweater over his black undershirt. He changed from athletic shorts and tennis shoes to grey jeans and black loafers. Although it was summer, he put on his grey bobble cap, complete with red four-point star designs on the front and a white fluffy ball on the top over his curly brown hair.

Milo was correct about the train taking a long time, but Finn was used to it. He was quickly at Wyndon Station where he bought a ticket for an overnight sleeper train. He had time to kill, so he visited the Pokémon Centre and asked Nurse Joy to take care of his Pokémon. He didn't see himself getting in any battles on the train, but he still wanted to make sure his team was healthy.

Finn wanted to enjoy the shops and boutiques in Wyndon, but he was slightly embarrassed by his loss in the first round. Just from his small walk from the stadium to the station and then to the centre, he was recognized by almost everyone.

Finn was well-known in Galar by battling enthusiasts. And he had been on the news a few times for his adventures with Gigantamax Pokémon. But, he never enjoyed all of the attention. He just wanted to be good at Pokémon battling, which he, unfortunately, wasn't. Or at least, he had a string of bad luck.

When the time came, he boarded the train and waited for it to depart. He looked out the window and at the night sky. It was cloudy, and he knew with the soon-to-come fall weather, it'd get cold in Galar. Where he was going though, there was no such thing as different seasons, as the Crown Tundra was always cold. He was used to it.

As soon as Finn had been given the opportunity, he had left the Crown Tundra and went to the warmest place he could think of, Alola. He wasn't cut out for intense gym battles, so the island challenge was a perfect fit for him and his creative mind. Unfortunately for Finn, he had gone up against one of the strongest trainers that he had ever met, losing in the Top 16.

Finn enjoyed the heat, but he didn't want to get lazy and stay in Alola for another year. His next destination was Hoenn where he finally had a crack at battling gyms. He had barely made it through, managing to make it to the Ever Grande Conference where he lost again, this time in the Top 8.

He had hoped that his virtues would change this year and he could make it to the Top 4 or even the Top 2 of the Champion's Cup in Galar. After finally getting his sponsorship to take on the gyms of Galar, he knew that he couldn't waste the opportunity. But, unfortunately for him, there were trainers entering the Champion's Cup who were just as hungry for victory.

"First round," he muttered. He closed his eyes and sat back as much as he could in his seat. He put his large bag against the window and used it as a pillow. In only eight hours, he'd be home.

Finn shivered violently, enough to wake him up. Drool had crept its way out of his mouth and onto his bag, getting all over his cheek in the process. He slowly sat up and his bag fell to the bottom of his small cabin, letting in the piercing light from the sunrise.

There was snow as far as Finn could see. It covered everything, and Finn couldn't come up with any reason why anyone would want to move to the Crown Tundra. His ancestors were crazy, and he must have been just as insane, as he was returning to the frozen hellscape.

When the train pulled into the station, he groggily exited. The air in the Crown Tundra was much different from the city. He could smell pine, and although the cold nipped at his sin, he enjoyed the atmosphere.

"Home," he mumbled.

He left the station and looked over the forested area. The snow was white, meaning that it had just recently fallen, and the nearby river was frozen solid, as he had remembered. But, the sky was clear. His house was only a half-hour away on foot. His loafers were thick, and they were supposed to keep his feet warm, but the snow and negative temperature always won that battle.

He trudged through the snow, passing by his favourite tree and rock; he didn't have a very exciting childhood in the Crown Tundra. The walk wouldn't be full of sights or people, but he'd find it relaxing, and that was exactly what he needed after months of nonstop training and battling.

And within the thirty-minute mark, he arrived in Freezington. It was the second smallest town in Galar, and Finn was reminded of this when he saw his old kindergarten and trainer's school, which only had roughly five students in each age group, leaving the school with a maximum of forty kids. They waved at him through the window as he walked by; he couldn't help but smile.

He came to the centre of the village, where mounds of dirt made their way through some of the snow. The elders of the village still tried to grow crops, no matter how fruitless the weather made it. But what interested Finn wasn't the dead leaves and roots. It was a statue that had been there all of Finn's life. He didn't quite know who had built it, or when, but he loved looking at it. However, there was something different about it from what he remembered so many years prior.

He rubbed his hand on the bottom of the statue. The stone was rough and cold, lifeless. Just like Freezington.

He tucked his hands back in his black jacket pockets and then continued forward. In only a matter of minutes, he was on the front doorstep of his home, which was right in between the mayor's house and the one inn that they had in the village. He tried to walk in, but the door had been locked, which was odd for his mother to do.

He sighed and unlocked the door with his old key. He didn't like fumbling around for the cold steel when it was so cold, and if his mother happened to not be home, he knew that the inside of the house would also be freezing.

Sure enough, as soon as he walked into the house, he felt a cold breeze hit his face. This was different though, as it wasn't fresh air. He kicked off his loafers and then tucked them in the closet nearby the door, making sure to not get snow on his mother's carpet.

Finn shuffled around the room with his arms tucked at his sides, turning on the different heaters that they had. Surely his mum knew he was coming home? He didn't tell her that he was, but what about mother's intuition?

He stopped shuffling when he reached the kitchen, finding a note with his name scribbled at the top.

Finn, I've gone to Postwick for fresh ingredients. I'll be back in a couple of days. Please have the leftover soup in the fridge. Don't get snow on my carpet. Also, you have post. Love, mummy, Finn read.

"Back in a few days?" he wondered out loud. He looked at the letter that he had received. Sonia was written out in cursive on the front. He wasn't too eager about opening it up and reading it.

He walked to the sink and turned on the faucet. Most of the time, the pipes were frozen, so it'd take a while for any water to come through, but when it did, he let it pour into a kettle, which he then put over a fire to boil. He was half expecting hot cocoa when he arrived home, but since his mother had gone off, he'd have to do it himself. It wasn't too much of an issue though.

Once he had his mug full of chocolate and melted marshmallows, he neatly opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.

Dear Finn, Congrats on winning the Champion's Cup! Finn read before sighing and putting down the letter. Sonia would have had to have posted this a couple of days earlier, but he knew that she knew he wasn't going to win the whole thing. It was some kind of sick joke. He took a sip from his cocoa and then returned to the letter.

I hope that the train ride treated you well. I wanted to write to inform you that I will be going to the Crown Tundra in a few days. I'll be staying at the Freezing Inn. I'm going to be researching some of the Pokémon in the Crown Tundra, and if you have time I'd appreciate your help and guidance. I've been sent by my grandmother.

Finn knew that she added in that last bit to help coax him into helping her. He would never willingly help Sonia without some kind of reward, but he respected Professor Magnolia more than anyone else. If it was a job for Magnolia, then it'd be harder to turn down.

I hope to see you soon. Love, Sonia, he read.

"Love Sonia," he repeated in a mocking tone. "I guess it gives me a couple of days to relax. Can't hurt to do it." He looked at his wrist and the scar that he had received from surgery a couple of months prior. "Or, it could."

The next couple of days consisted of Finn relaxing on the couch with Croconaw, Delibird, and Boltund. They watched the different conferences from around the world, and although Finn wasn't planning on competing anymore, he still took notes on all of the top contenders.

To his delight, the boy that had defeated him in Alola won the conference in Kanto, and the girl that defeated him in Hoenn won the conference in Johto. He was proud of them both, as he considered them two of his best friends, even if they were always oceans apart.

One day, Boltund suddenly leapt off the couch and began to bark at the door. He swung his tail wildly, which meant that the person on the other side wasn't a threat. But Finn knew better. He locked the chain and then slowly opened the door. Sonia, her skin white as snow and hair orange cheekily grinned.

"Let me in, champ!" she exclaimed.

"Shut it," Finn snapped back. "What's in it for me? I've thought over your little invitation, and I think I'd like to retire."

"Retire?" Sonia wondered. "You're fourteen! You got plenty of years ahead of you. Are you saying you don't want to do research anymore?"

In Finn's first year as a trainer, he was unable to get a sponsorship for the gym challenge. During that time, Magnolia offered him a position as a research assistant, and he would have been lying if he claimed that he didn't cherish that time. Sonia, who was three years older than him, had just quit Pokémon training and started intensively studying at that time. The two had been research rivals since, but Sonia treated Finn less like an equal and more like a younger brother. Finn loved researching, but not alongside Sonia.

"Maybe I'll take up graphic art or game design!" he exclaimed, saying the first thing that came to mind.

Sonia's shoulders slumped. "What a waste of a big head! When you get changed out of your pyjamas, come and visit the inn! I'm sure you won't refuse when you hear me out."

"Don't hold your breath," Finn said before closing the door and letting out an exasperated sigh. He looked down at Boltund, who was happily breathing with his tongue hanging from his mouth. He had received Boltund as a Yamper from Magnolia, as he had already received a starter Pokémon in Totodile from his father. Yamper was considered a gift for helping her out with research.

He rubbed the back of his head and groaned. "Fine. Fine! I'll go and hear what she has to say."

Boltund barked happily.

"No barking. You'll wake up mum."

Finn quickly changed out of his pyjamas and then walked over to the inn. There were only three rooms available at the inn, and they were usually always empty. However, they were all uncharacteristically booked. Finn didn't need to look for Sonia, because as soon as he entered the small inn, she met him in the lobby. She poured herself a cup of black coffee and waved at him. He sighed and shook his head.

"Coffee?"

"No thank you."

"Cool! C'mon back with me. I have some stuff I want to talk to you about."

Finn nodded and then followed her back to one of the rooms. It was a quaint room complete with a desk, television, and a queen-sized bed. The walls were covered with faded red wallpaper, and the carpet had almost been completely worn out.

"Living it up," he muttered.

Sonia put down her coffee on the desk and then turned to look at Finn. She had a curious expression on her face. "So, I heard a story about you, Finn."

"From who?"

"My grandmother."

Finn shifted his eyes, avoiding Sonia's gaze. If she had heard something from Magnolia, then it was probably true.

"When she told me to come here and do my research, she gave me some information about the Pokémon in the Crown Tundra. Apparently, there are a ton of legendary Pokémon that make this place their home."

Finn remained silent. He had heard stories of legendary Pokémon in the tundra. He assumed that if any legendary Pokémon were around, it'd be a good place to get away from people. No one ever came to the Crown Tundra, and less than two hundred people called it their home.

"She told me that you've shared an encounter with one of them, Finn. Can I ask you about it?"

Finn clicked his tongue. "It was when I was young. I got lost in the snow, and I should have died. However, something-I'm not sure what-saved me. Could have been human or Pokémon. Could have been legendary or a motherly Nidoqueen. I don't know."

"You don't remember anything?" Sonia asked.

Finn looked at the ground and at his black loafers. "I just remember feeling cold. And then I remember feeling nothing, as though I had died. Next thing I knew, I was in my bed. My mum had sent people out to look for me, and she doesn't remember anyone bringing me back."

Sonia crossed her arms. "Interesting. Well, I'll keep all of that in mind. There are many legends to research in the Crown Tundra. For the sake of the Pokédex, I'd like your help."

Finn took in a deep breath, but before he could answer, the door cracked open, and someone walked through. Finn was surprised by the person, the boy that he had passed in the hallway at the Champion's Cup.

The boy removed his Poké Ball bobble hat and looked at Finn curiously. He wore a black fleece jacket and thick bottoms.

"It's cold," the boy muttered.

"You two know each other? I can feel the tension," Sonia stated while she pretended to wipe sweat from her brow. "Oh yeah! You both lost in the first round of the tournament!"

"We actually haven't met yet," the boy said. He put on his black headband to keep his long hair back. "I'm Ethan Patricks." His accent was thick and southern, like Finn's, but he could tell that he was from the mainland in Galar. He would have recognized him if he was from Freezington.

"Finn Denholm," Finn replied.

"The Prince of the Crown Tundra!" Sonia exclaimed. "It's quite the nickname they gave you. Ethan is from Wedgehurst."

"Pleasure to meet you formally," Finn said. He stuck out his hand, and Ethan shook it without a word.

"This is awkward," Sonia said. "I can feel it! Anyways, Ethan has agreed to help me with my research. We've booked this inn for a few weeks, but I think I'll be happy if we find a single legendary Pokémon. Finn, if you're not busy, what do you say to join our little expedition?"

Finn glared at Sonia and then turned to Ethan. "Mate, you should know that you've got roped in. Sonia won't be doing much. She'll cosy up in here while you're out there doing the dirty work."

"That's not true!" Sonia exclaimed.

"I've found some traces like you asked," Ethan interjected. "I sent the pictures to your Pokédex."

"Thanks, Ethan."

Ethan looked at Finn and cocked his head. He had brown eyes, and he seemed too uncomfortable to look at Finn directly. "I think that after losing as I did at the Champion's Cup, it could be interesting to look for a legendary Pokémon. Wouldn't it be nice to go in the history books as someone who discovered an ancient Pokémon?"

Finn's shoulders slumped and he gripped the bridge of his nose. "The problem is that she's gonna find a way to take that credit. I'm not saying she's a snake, but don't get your hopes up."

"You speak so harshly of me," Sonia teased. "Are you saying you won't join us?"

Finn turned around and then shrugged. "Give me a couple of days to mull it over. I'm busy studying. I'll only get involved if you're also getting your hands dirty."

Sonia raised her hands, revealing her nicely done nails. "Promise!"

Finn glanced at Ethan once more, sighed, and then left the room.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Alright, so a new story! It's my birthday today, so that's why I've decided to start posting this! This is something I've wanted to work on for a few years, but a few things got in the way. I had also reached out to a few of my readers to give me OC's for this story because I thought that the Crown Tundra DLC would be mostly Dynamax Adventures. I was wrong. I'm excited to write this story! I'm changing up details from the actual DLC, but I've tried to weave together something cohesive and interesting.

While Finn is the main character, there will be four other characters that I'm considering main character status. Ethan is one of them (submitted to me by UKEagleClaw). Finn made appearances in Healing in Hoenn, and he was the lead in one of the Kokoro Chronicles that UKEagleClaw wrote.

Next chapter: Finn runs into another person who is eager to find some legendary Pokémon! And Ethan continues to investigate on Sonia's behalf, which leads to a dangerous encounter!