The dense Johto forest thinned as we moved deeper, giving way to jagged cliffs and uneven volcanic terrain. Steam rose from fissures in the ground, carrying the acrid scent of ozone and molten rock. The anomalies had escalated. Sparks danced across the jagged stones, small lava flows met pools of water, and wild Pokémon were scattered, panicked and disoriented.
I crouched beside Infernape, who flared a small ring of flames around us, illuminating the path forward. Hydreigon circled overhead, wings slicing through the charged air, scanning the chaotic landscape. Talonflame hovered near a cliff edge, flames flickering as it assessed potential hazards. Garchomp's claws dug into the uneven ground, while Ceruledge floated in place, blade humming faintly. Heatran radiated controlled warmth, stabilizing the surrounding terrain. Typhlosion H exhaled a steady plume of heat, preventing small magma eruptions from spreading.
"Core team," I said, voice low but firm, "we're approaching the epicenter. Every action counts. Hydreigon, Talonflame, map anomalies and report dangerous surges. Infernape, Typhlosion H, Heatran, control fire and magma. Garchomp and Ceruledge, stabilize terrain. Trainers, deploy Pokémon to assist, but maintain formation. Any mistake could escalate the disruptions."
The six League trainers nodded, releasing their Pokémon instantly. Jolteon sparked, ready to direct energy safely. Manectric's mane flared brightly, Ampharos pulsed steadily, Venusaur adjusted vines to shield small fires, Breloom reinforced unstable soil, and Flygon hovered as an aerial scout.
I allowed myself a brief moment to assess the situation. Red nodes pulsed like beacons on my holographic map, each indicating a primary anomaly. It was clear now—the disturbances weren't random; they converged on a single locus, a place of extreme energy fluctuation at the heart of the terrain.
"Hydreigon, take point. Talonflame, cover aerial approaches," I commanded. "Infernape, Typhlosion H, Heatran, maintain containment perimeters. Garchomp and Ceruledge, keep the path stable. Trainers, assist as needed."
Hydreigon arced low, scanning the ground ahead. Talonflame flitted between cliffs, guiding energy flows. Infernape and Typhlosion H moved with precision, nudging panicked Pokémon to safer zones. Heatran radiated steady energy, keeping magma flows controlled. Garchomp reinforced weakened terrain, and Ceruledge deflected falling debris. The supporting trainers' Pokémon mirrored our movements, forming a seamless operational network.
A sudden quake rattled the cliffs. Steam hissed from a fissure, and the ground split wider, revealing a glowing chamber beneath. Sparks and molten rock collided violently, and I caught movement in the center—a Legendary Pokémon, Raikou, affected by the anomalies, its fur bristling with unstable electrical energy.
"Hydreigon, Talonflame—observe patterns. Core team, containment only! Do not engage aggressively unless absolutely necessary!" I barked.
Infernape flared flames in controlled bursts, creating a safety perimeter around the wild Raikou. Typhlosion H guided minor magma eruptions away from the Legendary. Heatran radiated calm energy, stabilizing surrounding terrain. Garchomp reinforced jagged edges, and Ceruledge hovered, blade positioned to intercept falling debris.
The trainers' Pokémon acted instantly. Jolteon directed dangerous arcs to grounded channels. Manectric contained excess electrical energy. Ampharos stabilized minor surges. Venusaur and Breloom shielded terrain and affected Pokémon. Flygon relayed Raikou's movements to the rest of the team.
The Legendary's growl echoed through the cliffs, sending a shiver of electricity down my spine. Its movements were erratic, reacting to overlapping magma and electrical anomalies. Every strike it made risked causing a chain reaction.
"Infernape, guide it back toward the safer zone! Typhlosion H, stabilize the ground near lava flows! Ceruledge, Garchomp, block debris and maintain terrain!" I called.
Infernape darted forward, nudging Raikou toward a calmer section of terrain. Typhlosion H flared heat precisely, diverting minor lava bursts. Ceruledge deflected rocks and scorched debris, while Garchomp reinforced unstable ground. Heatran's pulse radiated calm energy, grounding the chaotic mixture of electricity and magma.
Supporting trainers maintained synchronized control. Jolteon's sparks connected safely to the ground, Manectric directed excess energy away, Ampharos stabilized nearby Pokémon, Venusaur and Breloom contained vegetation, and Flygon observed Raikou's behavior from above.
Minutes passed in tense coordination. Raikou gradually calmed, energy spikes decreasing as anomalies were isolated. The epicenter of the disturbances seemed to stabilize under the combined effort of the core team and supporting trainers.
I exhaled, crouching beside Infernape. "Zone stabilized… but only temporarily. Raikou will need monitoring, and there are likely other affected Legendaries nearby. The anomalies aren't random—they're converging on multiple high-energy sites across Johto."
Hydreigon circled overhead, wings cutting through residual sparks. Talonflame perched nearby, flames low but vigilant. Ceruledge floated in orbit, blade humming softly. Garchomp flexed claws. Infernape nudged my shoulder, flames flickering in acknowledgment. Heatran radiated calm energy, and Typhlosion H maintained controlled heat pulses.
I turned to the trainers. "Excellent work. This was a controlled operation under extreme conditions. Observe, report, and maintain formation. Our next step will require simultaneous management of multiple high-risk anomalies. Johto's heart is unstable, and we'll need precision at every level."
The Jolteon trainer smiled faintly, exhaustion clear but determination in their eyes. "We'll follow your lead, Alex. We're ready."
I allowed a brief, quiet nod, keeping my gaze forward. "Then let's move. Core team, lead the way. The anomalies won't stabilize themselves, and Johto depends on us."
Infernape surged ahead, flames dancing. Hydreigon arced overhead. Talonflame flitted between cliffs. Garchomp and Ceruledge stabilized the terrain. Typhlosion H and Heatran radiated controlled energy. Supporting trainers followed in perfect formation, Pokémon aligned and ready.