The wind carried a strange heat across Indigo Plateau, though it was early morning. Alex's boots pressed against fissured stone as he surveyed the valley, Infernape pacing beside him, its flames flickering softly against the dawn. The red pulse beneath the earth was stronger now, a subtle tremor that shook the ground with every heartbeat. It was an ominous prelude, and Alex could feel the weight of it in his chest.
"Something's off," Kai muttered, Talonflame circling above him. Its wings cut through the wind with a sharp cry, sensing the disturbance in the air. Lila's Gardevoir hovered, psychic energy radiating faintly, mirroring the tension that prickled at everyone's nerves.
Alex exhaled, eyes scanning the horizon where faint glows marked the final amplifier nodes. "It's Groudon. The tremors are its heartbeat. And Magma is defending their nodes harder than ever."
"Looks like we're not the only ones worried," Sophie Ardent said, her Magmortar firing a small, controlled flamethrower into the air. Sparks danced briefly, a warning flare. "I can feel the heat coming off the earth. This isn't normal."
Tomas Vale released Rhyperior with a heavy thud. The ground trembled under its weight. "Normal?" he asked dryly. "We've faced Magma before, but this… this is on a whole different level. Defensive positions are ready, and we've mapped escape routes if the terrain decides to betray us."
Eli Mercer's Alakazam floated in front, eyes glowing as it scanned the nodes with psychic precision. "We'll know the moment anything shifts," he said. Jolteon crackled beside him, electricity dancing along its fur. "They won't surprise us."
Rina Holt's Ludicolo swayed gently, water droplets sparkling on its leaves. "And I'll keep the field safe, control any surges, and support recovery," she said, Venusaur nodding behind her, vines rustling. "We can cover each other."
Alex nodded, gratitude tempered with urgency. "We move carefully. Hydreigon and Talonflame scout ahead. Infernape, Ceruledge, Garchomp, Typhlosion H, Arcanine, Gardevoir, Heatran, and Roserade—focus on the nodes. Gym helpers, protect the flanks, neutralize reinforcements, and manage terrain. Siblings, keep ready to adapt. Let's move."
The group descended into a shallow ravine, fissures cracking beneath every step. Magma operatives appeared almost instantly, Camerupts and Torkoals patrolling aggressively. They weren't expecting the combined strength of Alex's teams, but they were desperate, using machines to reinforce the amplifier nodes.
"Positions!" Alex called, his voice calm and decisive. Infernape leapt forward, Flame Wheel spinning, melting minor barricades. Ceruledge slashed reinforced panels, while Garchomp tore through unstable rock. Typhlosion H released controlled bursts of heat, stabilizing cracks and keeping the core team safe.
The gym helpers acted immediately. Tomas's Rhyperior smashed a reinforced barrier, Onix creating rock walls to funnel Magma operatives. Sophie's Magmortar unleashed precise fire blasts, Flareon darting in to strike unguarded positions, Torkoal bracing against molten hazards. Eli's Alakazam lifted fallen debris, Jolteon short-circuited Magma devices, Crobat swooped in to harass flanking operatives. Rina's Vileplume and Ludicolo manipulated the terrain to prevent accidents and ensure safe zones.
Kai and Lila synchronized perfectly, Talonflame sweeping through Magma ranks while Gardevoir shielded allies psychically and lifted obstacles. Arcanine bounded into molten fissures, drawing fire away from siblings' Pokémon. Every movement was coordinated, precise, and effective.
But the tremors grew stronger, and a low, rumbling roar reverberated through the valley. Alex froze, sensing it immediately. "That's no machine…" he muttered. The earth beneath them shifted violently as a massive shadow emerged in the distance, red-orange light outlining the jagged form of Groudon. The legendary Pokémon's massive claws dug into the plateau, and the valley seemed to shrink under its presence.
Magma operatives faltered, some dropping their devices. Groudon's eyes glowed, scanning the battlefield, and the red pulse from earlier transformed into a deep, resonating thrum. Every Pokémon and human on the plateau felt it—the ground itself responding to a colossal force.
Alex's heart pounded, but his voice remained steady. "We've slowed them so far, but we need a new plan. Groudon knows we're here. It's reacting to the amplifiers. Gym helpers, hold the line—do whatever it takes to protect the nodes. Core team, prepare for direct engagement, but stay mobile. We can't let it single us out."
Tomas gritted his teeth. "We'll do more than hold the line. They'll regret underestimating this gym's reach."
Sophie grinned, flames flickering across her Pokémon. "Let's give them a show."
The rumbling intensified as Groudon's movements shifted the plateau's terrain. Fissures widened, geysers erupted, and debris tumbled from cliffs. But Alex's teams adapted. Hydreigon darted above, monitoring Groudon's position. Talonflame swooped to draw attention. Gym helpers used every tool, every Pokémon, every tactic at their disposal.
As the sun rose higher, casting long shadows across the valley, Alex took a deep breath. He knew this was only the beginning. The full battle against Groudon—and the remnants of Magma—was coming, and soon they would need more than strategy and teamwork. They would need reinforcements from the League itself.