The Ice Lord's Former Delinquent Little Brother — Baxcalibur!!
As Articuno's voice faded, Ethan found himself completely captivated by the breathtaking world of ice before him.
This underground ice world wasn't just beautiful—it was alive.
Countless Ice-type and Water-type Pokémon thrived here, forming a bustling hidden ecosystem beneath Antarctica. If Ethan hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he never would've believed such a prosperous Pokémon settlement existed beneath the frozen continent.
Meanwhile—
The Ice Lord stood still.
Compared to a century ago, the surroundings had barely changed.
For someone who hadn't returned home in over a hundred years…
The familiar scenery stirred something deep within him.
Memories long buried surfaced one after another.
Before Ethan could even speak, Mamoswine strode forward with swift, steady steps toward the tribal settlement etched into his memory.
Though Mamoswine were rare in the outside world, here in the underground ice world, they were numerous—well over a hundred.
Within a few hundred meters, the Ice Lord had already returned to his former clan grounds.
Dozens of Mamoswine appeared before him.
But—
None of them were familiar.
The clan quickly noticed the massive Mamoswine nearly twice their size.
Because they didn't recognize him, every single one of them turned wary.
Young Swinub were pulled to the back for protection.
In their eyes, this towering stranger did not look friendly.
Seeing the guarded expressions aimed at him, the Ice Lord's earlier excitement dimmed.
He had imagined returning home to cheers.
Not suspicion.
Just then—
A three-meter-tall Mamoswine stepped forward.
Though burly, he was still barely two-thirds the size of the Ice Lord.
Unlike the others, he did not show hostility. Instead, he politely asked about the Ice Lord's intentions.
This Mamoswine was strong.
Totem-tier.
But the aura emanating from the Ice Lord was Totem Peak.
And unlike other Totem Peak beings this clan leader had encountered—
The Ice Lord's presence felt deeper. Natural. Unfathomable.
He chose diplomacy.
The Ice Lord revealed his identity.
When the clan leader learned that he was the son of the previous-previous chief—
He froze.
The Mamoswine clan had developed for one hundred and fifty years since then. The Ice Lord's father had passed long ago. The next chief—this leader's own father—had died only a few years prior.
The story of the prodigious son who left and never returned was something he had only heard from his father.
And now that very legend stood before him.
The truth was simple.
The Ice Lord had once been the clan's designated heir.
But for reasons unknown, he had left the underground ice world and never returned. That absence allowed the current chief's father to inherit leadership.
When the Ice Lord later learned that this clan leader was the son of the one who had once crushed his confidence in battle—
He could only sigh at how quickly time had passed.
But he no longer carried resentment.
A century of wandering had long ago cooled his arrogance.
Instead, he gently shared his cultivation insights with the clan leader.
A powerhouse's training experience was priceless.
The clan leader was deeply honored.
To the Ice Lord, this was simply atonement.
With the Ice Lord now treated as a distinguished guest, Ethan naturally received royal hospitality as well.
Rare foods of the underground ice world were served.
Ethan had never tasted such cuisine before.
And—
It was surprisingly delicious.
Meloetta loved it.
Entei approved.
Since the Ice Lord planned to remain here for some time, and Ethan had nothing urgent to handle, he began wandering the underground ice world alongside Volcarona (Mo Yan Jr.).
He strolled here and there like a tourist.
Most Pokémon kept their distance—not from Ethan himself, but from Volcarona.
The overwhelming Fire-type energy radiating from him made Ice-types instinctively wary.
Ethan wanted to interact more.
But at an average temperature of negative fifty degrees Celsius, even as a psychic, he was still biologically human.
He had no intention of becoming a frozen popsicle.
Still—
There are always exceptions.
While Ethan wandered, a small Pokémon with a dorsal fin-like spine approached instead of fleeing.
It was adorable.
Upon sensing Volcarona's Fire energy, it let out a blissful sound.
"Viji~"
Ethan blinked.
He knew thousands of Pokémon species—
But this one?
He genuinely didn't recognize it.
Its body temperature was extremely low.
Definitely Ice-type.
Yet the absurd part—
It was actively absorbing Fire-type energy.
As the Fire energy flowed into its body, the temperature around it dropped even further.
Ethan was stunned.
He had never seen such a strange Ice-type before.
Just as the little Pokémon finished soaking up Fire energy and looked at Ethan with wide, curious eyes—
The system chimed.
[Ding! Detected Golden Opportunity — Frigibax]
[Please acquire immediately]
"Frigibax?"
"So that's your name?"
Ethan was genuinely surprised.
Golden Opportunity Pokémon were rare even for him.
Without system amplification, only Entei, Baxcalibur (his Hydreigon equivalent reference), and Meloetta had originally qualified as natural Golden Opportunities.
The Ice Lord and Yanhuang didn't count—they were already monstrous before meeting him.
Which meant—
This tiny Frigibax had innate Golden-tier potential.
Before Ethan could get closer—
A furious roar echoed across the valley.
"Baka!!"
A massive Pokémon, over two and a half meters tall with a sword-like dorsal fin, appeared.
Baxcalibur.
System scan: Champion (Early).
So this was Frigibax's evolution.
The mother.
She clearly assumed Ethan was kidnapping her child.
Though Baxcalibur radiated Champion-tier power, Ethan wasn't worried.
Even Volcarona could handle her.
Still—
He disliked unnecessary conflict.
"Kido," Ethan said gently to Frigibax,
"your mom's calling you home."
But Frigibax turned his head—
Then hugged Ethan's leg.
"Viji~"
Refusing.
Ethan couldn't help laughing.
Great.
Now he really looked like a human trafficker.
Baxcalibur grew angrier.
Just as she prepared to attack—
A cold voice interrupted.
"Baxcalibur. Stop."
"He's not someone you can handle."
"He has no ill intent. Your son simply likes him."
Articuno descended calmly.
Though once guarding the entrance, she had chosen to shadow Ethan personally while Regice remained in deep slumber.
She had no desire to fight him.
Especially not with that silver metal monster—Metagross—clearly itching for a reason.
At Articuno's warning, Baxcalibur halted immediately.
She knew better than to challenge Articuno.
Just then—
The Ice Lord arrived.
And behind Baxcalibur—
A larger Baxcalibur strode forward.
Totem Mid-stage.
Clearly the father.
He looked ready to defend his wife.
But the moment he saw the Ice Lord—
He froze.
He rubbed his eyes.
Then shouted excitedly.
"Baka!!"
Big brother.
The Ice Lord blinked.
Then recognition struck.
This Baxcalibur—
Was once his little delinquent follower from a hundred years ago.
Back when he'd been arrogant and wild, few Pokémon tolerated him.
This Baxcalibur had been one of the only ones who stuck around.
Mostly because he'd admired the Ice Lord's strength.
A former street punk idolizing a stronger punk.
And now—
They were reunited.
The Ice Lord's excitement was visible.
After introductions, Baxcalibur quickly treated Ethan as his own elder brother's boss.
Conflict dissolved instantly.
Later, Ethan asked Articuno something unexpected.
"Can I visit the sealed Sword of Ruin?"
Articuno hesitated only briefly before agreeing.
And so—
Ethan headed deeper into the underground ice world.
With a tiny Frigibax stubbornly following behind him like a baby dragon-shaped tail.
He wasn't sure whether the little guy liked Volcarona's warmth—
Or him.
But either way—
The Golden Opportunity wasn't letting him out of sight.
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