The ridge was quiet, almost serene. The heat of the magma veins had cooled to a manageable warmth, and the occasional steam hissed lazily from fissures still humming with residual energy. Infernape crouched beside me, flames low but alert, tail flicking as I ran final scans on the stabilization we'd accomplished. Hydreigon circled above, wings cutting through the thin morning air, monitoring energy dispersal across the veins. Talonflame hovered near the perimeter, scanning the horizon for anything unusual. Garchomp tested the rock beneath my feet, claws tapping lightly. Ceruledge floated in a ready posture, blade humming faintly as if sensing the environment itself.
The scanner beeped, displaying the final readings from the ridge. "Not bad," I muttered, kneeling to study the network. "Energy flows are stable, residual tremors minimal. Heatran is synchronized… but there's a small anomaly here."
I tapped the screen, zooming into a minor energy pulse that didn't belong to the natural magma network. The reading was faint, irregular, and extended far beyond Kanto's borders. My brow furrowed.
"Infernape," I said, voice low but firm, "stay with me. Hydreigon, focus on air currents—trace that pulse if you can. Garchomp, Ceruledge, Talonflame—prepare for rapid deployment. We may need to act fast."
Infernape's eyes glinted with understanding. His flames adjusted, small but focused, like a compass pointing toward our next problem. Hydreigon swooped higher, wings slicing the air, scanning for subtle shifts in energy. Garchomp flexed claws against the ridge floor, testing for vibrations. Ceruledge's blade hummed in acknowledgment. Talonflame hovered, flames low, ready to react instantly.
Minutes stretched as I tracked the faint pulse through the residual energy network. The anomaly was faint, almost imperceptible at first, but consistent—a ripple in the natural flow, moving outward from Kanto toward Johto. My mind raced, calculating distances, propagation speeds, and possible environmental impact.
"Not natural," I muttered. "This isn't just magma activity… something else is interfering."
Hydreigon let out a low growl, circling closer. Talonflame's wings flicked rapidly, sensing a rise in electrical energy in the surrounding air. I froze, noting the spike. The anomaly wasn't just thermal—it had an electrical component as well. The environmental data suggested interference with Pokémon habitats, even minor tremors beyond the ridge.
I crouched beside Infernape, placing a hand on his head. "This isn't just about stabilizing magma," I said softly. "This could affect everything around us—Pokémon, humans, even entire ecosystems. We're not finished, partner."
Infernape nudged my hand with his nose, flames flickering lightly as if agreeing.
I activated the remote communicator, sending a detailed report to Looker. "Energy pulses extending beyond Kanto, magma-stabilization anomalies interacting with electrical activity in nearby regions," I reported. "Suggest cross-region monitoring. May require direct intervention."
Looker's calm, analytical voice responded through the communicator. "Acknowledged, Alex. We've seen preliminary reports of unusual Pokémon behavior in Johto and Hoenn. Minor disturbances, but consistent with what you're detecting. League support is available if you need it, but your assessment is key."
I exhaled slowly. "Understood. I'll begin mapping the propagation path. If this anomaly continues, it could escalate quickly."
For hours, I traced the faint pulses, cross-referencing them with historical energy flows in magma veins and natural Pokémon habitats. Hydreigon circled overhead, wings adjusting airflow to reduce interference in our immediate environment. Talonflame hovered, scanning for thermal or electrical spikes. Garchomp and Ceruledge reinforced the ridge where tremors remained subtle but present. Infernape moved fluidly beside me, flames casting soft light over the scanners.
"Faint signature… spreading northwest," I muttered, eyes scanning multiple screens simultaneously. "Johto first… then possibly Hoenn if unchecked."
Hydreigon's wings tilted sharply, catching a new disturbance—stronger than the previous pulse. Talonflame adjusted flight to match the detected thermal fluctuations. Garchomp's claws dug into weak rock, alerting me to a minor fissure forming on the ridge edge. Ceruledge intercepted a small molten fragment sliding toward a weak point.
"Contain locally for now," I ordered. "Infernape, push minor lava flows into stable channels. Garchomp, reinforce fissure edges. Ceruledge, deflect debris. Talonflame, monitor peripheral fluctuations. Hydreigon, track that new energy spike."
The Pokémon responded seamlessly, each action precise and preemptive. Lava flows were nudged safely, fissures stabilized, air currents adjusted. The anomaly pulse weakened locally but remained present in Johto.
Later, I reviewed the scans, noting patterns in Pokémon behavior. Several species were acting erratically—wild Pokémon were leaving usual habitats, becoming aggressive or unusually restless. The anomalies seemed to affect not just energy networks but natural instincts.
"This isn't a natural event," I said quietly. "Someone—or something—is manipulating Pokémon behavior across multiple regions. And if it's coordinated… this could get worse fast."
Infernape nudged me again, flames flickering higher, sensing urgency. I tapped the communicator to Lance.
"Lance," I said, voice steady, "I need regional support. Disturbances in Johto may escalate, and we're seeing electrical interference alongside magma anomalies. Your Dragon-types could help with monitoring, and I'll coordinate containment."
Lance's confident voice came back, calm as ever. "Understood, Alex. You'll have my full support. Dispatch when ready, and remember—coordination is key. We trust your judgment."
The afternoon sun rose higher, illuminating the ridge in soft molten light. I crouched over the main console, issuing commands. "Hydreigon, map energy nodes leading into Johto. Infernape, remain alert for environmental surges. Talonflame, monitor the perimeter. Garchomp, reinforce weak points. Ceruledge, stand by for debris interception. Heatran, if you detect further magma or energy fluctuations, intervene with controlled pulses."
Heatran shifted nearby, massive form glowing faintly. The legendary Pokémon's presence alone seemed to stabilize minor disturbances. Its gaze followed the energy ripples, and a subtle pulse radiated through the ridge, harmonizing small tremors.
I exhaled. "Alright, team. We've stabilized Kanto, but the real challenge is just beginning. Johto… Hoenn… we need to understand the full scope before anything gets out of control."
Infernape nudged my shoulder again, flames flickering brighter as if agreeing. Hydreigon circled overhead, Talonflame hovered, Garchomp tested the rock, Ceruledge hummed softly, and Heatran's presence radiated calm but immense power.
The ridge was quiet now, but the distant anomalies pulsed faintly across the map, a reminder that the real mission had just begun.
I straightened, scanning the horizon. "Time to pack up. We leave for Johto tomorrow. Pokémon ready yourselves. Precision, coordination, and observation—that's how we handle this. No mistakes."
The Pokémon responded with silent understanding, flames, wings, and claws ready for the next operation. This was no longer just Kanto. This was multi-region strategy, and we were leading the charge.