The tremors beneath Indigo Plateau hadn't stopped. Instead, they had grown more insistent, pounding rhythmically against every stone underfoot. Groudon's awakening was no longer a distant threat—it was a living, moving force of nature, reshaping the land with each step. Alex surveyed the fissured plateau, Infernape's flames flickering nervously in the uneven wind.
"We can't handle this alone," Alex muttered, already reaching for his communicator. "Lance, Lorelei, Bruno, Karen—we need backup. Groudon's reacting to the amplifiers, and the battlefield's too unstable for a single team."
The reply was almost immediate. Lance's calm, commanding voice came through. "Understood. Prepare a perimeter. My Dragons are on their way."
Within minutes, the sound of rushing wind heralded their arrival. Dragonite's massive wings beat against the plateau's air, Salamence roared from above, Garchomp moved with precise ground coordination, and Latias shimmered as she descended. Elite Four members appeared from the communication portals: Lorelei with her Ice-types, Bruno with his Fighting-types, and Karen with Dark-types, each ready to tackle the Magma operatives and adapt to Groudon's emerging threats.
Alex exhaled slowly. Seeing their reinforcements, the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. "Good. Everyone, positions. Hydreigon and Talonflame continue scouting. Gym helpers, hold the flanks and Magma operatives. Siblings, maintain focus, and stay close to the helpers' perimeter. Core team, follow my lead. This is about coordination, not reckless strikes."
Tomas Vale sent Rhyperior and Onix forward, forming a defensive barrier to funnel approaching operatives into controlled zones. Sophie's Magmortar unleashed precise flamethrowers at distant devices, Flareon darting in and out to disrupt Magma's Pokémon. Eli's Alakazam levitated debris and small explosive devices, while Crobat harassed the operatives' flanks. Rina Holt's Vileplume and Ludicolo used terrain control and status moves to neutralize hazards while Venusaur provided heavy support.
Kai and Lila's Pokémon, Talonflame and Gardevoir, moved seamlessly in tandem. Talonflame intercepted advancing threats midair while Gardevoir used psychic energy to shield allies and lift debris out of harm's way. Arcanine bounded confidently through unstable terrain, protecting siblings' Pokémon and punishing any operatives that strayed too close.
Alex assessed the battlefield from a ridge. Groudon had fully emerged now, its massive form dominating the plateau, each step shaking the earth violently. Lava fissures appeared spontaneously around its claws, while the amplifier nodes still emitted dangerous energy pulses. This was a battle of precision, speed, and control, and Alex's mind raced, analyzing every possible variable.
"Hydreigon, Talonflame—observe Groudon's movements," he instructed. "Infernape, Ceruledge, Garchomp, Typhlosion H, Heatran—focus on controlling the nodes' residual energy. Gardevoir and Roserade, support the battlefield, protect allies, and contain environmental hazards."
Lance's Dragonite circled high above, scanning the plateau. "Alex, my team can intercept aerial threats and provide quick strikes. Salamence and Garchomp are ready for direct ground engagement."
Lorelei's Cloyster and Jynx positioned themselves strategically on ice platforms, creating defensive zones to block molten eruptions. Bruno's Hitmonlee and Machamp advanced cautiously, ready to counter Magma operatives and protect the more vulnerable teams. Karen's Umbreon and Bisharp took shadows and high ground, disrupting enemy coordination and supporting Alex's psychic strategies.
The first wave of Magma operatives surged toward the nodes, attempting desperate maneuvers to reinforce their machines. But the gym helpers and League members reacted instantly. Rhyperior's massive fists smashed machinery, Onix created barriers to funnel operatives, Magmortar's precise fire blasts eliminated key structures, Alakazam levitated hazardous equipment, and Ludicolo and Vileplume manipulated terrain to slow enemy progress.
The plateau trembled violently, and a geyser of molten rock erupted near Alex's position. Infernape reacted immediately, spinning into a controlled Flame Wheel to shield nearby allies, while Ceruledge slashed at the fissure to redirect the flow. Garchomp clawed trenches to divert lava, Typhlosion H exhaled precise bursts of heat to stabilize the rock, and Heatran radiated steady warmth, counteracting unstable thermal surges.
Groudon's eyes glowed, tracking the combined teams. Each movement of the plateau seemed to respond to its sheer force, and Alex realized the stakes: they needed the League's combined might to even survive this engagement.
"Keep the pressure on the operatives," Alex shouted, voice carrying over the roar of the plateau. "Every second we buy is a second closer to controlling these nodes. We're not letting Magma regroup!"
Tomas gritted his teeth, Rhyperior slamming the ground. "They won't escape!"
Sophie's eyes gleamed, Flareon charging through debris. "Time to show them what teamwork really means!"
The battle continued with escalating intensity. Groudon's tremors shifted entire pathways, lava flows blocked natural routes, and environmental hazards threatened to engulf the teams. But Alex's coordination, gym helpers' reliability, siblings' support, and the League's backup created a synchronized force, countering chaos with precision.
Even with this combined effort, Groudon's power was undeniable.