"There it is," Kiyomi said, photographing the screen. "The incident that caused shutdown. Let me pull up the detailed logs."
She navigated the archaic interface with surprising competence, apparently archaeological training included dealing with obsolete technology. After several minutes, she located the incident report.
The screen displayed a text document, writing style formal and technical:
INCIDENT REPORT - FINAL ENTRY
Date: [50 years ago]
Time: 03:47
Massive electromagnetic surge detected in Generator Chamber 3. Unknown Pokemon entity appeared within facility. Visual confirmation: yellow avian, approximately 6 feet tall, generating electrical discharge estimated at 100,000 volts.
Entity's presence overloading systems. Attempted evacuation protocol. Generator 3 reached critical temperature. Entity vanished before catastrophic failure. Facility shut down for safety assessment.
Local population refers to entity as "The Thunder God." No classification in known Pokemon database. Recommend facility remain offline until entity's behavior can be predicted.
"Avian, yellow, massive electrical output," Sasuke read the description. "That's Zapdos. One of the Legendary birds of Kanto."
The others looked at him with surprise.
"You recognize it?" Miyuki asked.
"I've seen Legendary Pokemon before. During Crown Tundra training with my father." Sasuke studied the report thoughtfully. "Zapdos is the Electric-type Legendary bird. Generates storms, lives in high-altitude locations, extremely territorial. If one made this power plant its home fifty years ago, that would explain the electromagnetic surges."
"Is it still here?" Kasumi asked, looking around nervously.
"Probably not. Legendary Pokemon don't stay in one place long unless there's a specific reason. It was likely attracted by the facility's power generation, caused problems, then moved on when the plant shut down." Sasuke continued reading the report. "But the local legend suggests people think it stayed. Could be wrong, could be true. Hard to say with Legendaries."
"Should we leave?" Miyuki suggested. "If there's even a chance Zapdos is still around, we're in danger."
"Agreed, but let me copy these logs first," Kiyomi said, connecting a storage device to the ancient computer. "This is valuable historical data. Give me five minutes."
While Kiyomi worked, Sasuke explored the control room more thoroughly. Maps on the walls showed the facility's layout. He located Generator Chamber 3, the site of the original incident. It was deep in the facility's core, accessible through maintenance tunnels.
Something about the situation felt wrong. The chain that had been too easy to break. The backup power that still functioned after fifty years. The wild Pokemon that seemed nervous despite their established territory.
"Kiyomi, how much longer?"
"Two minutes. This computer is incredibly slow by modern standards."
A sound echoed through the facility, distant but distinct. Machinery activating. The building's lights, which had been dim or off in most areas, suddenly blazed to full brightness. The hum of electricity filled the air, growing louder.
"That's not good," Sasuke said.
The wild Pokemon reacted immediately. Magnemite scattered in panic. Voltorb began rolling away from areas where electrical discharge was visible. The Electabuzz that had been observing peacefully now looked agitated, sparks flying from its fur.
"The plant is activating," Kiyomi said, staring at the control console in alarm. "Someone's powering up the main generators!"
"Who would do that?" Kasumi demanded. "This place has been shut down for fifty years!"
"Someone who doesn't care about safety protocols or the facility's history." Sasuke was already moving toward the door. "We need to find whoever's doing this and stop them before the generators overload. An explosion here would be catastrophic for the surrounding area."
They ran through corridors now fully lit by restored power. The sound of machinery grew louder as they descended into lower levels. Wild Pokemon fled in the opposite direction, clearly frightened by the sudden energy surge.
The maintenance tunnel leading to Generator Chamber 3 was where they found them.
Six people in white uniforms worked around sophisticated technological equipment that looked completely out of place in the retro facility. The equipment was modern, plasma screens, wireless interfaces, electromagnetic capture devices that looked military-grade.
And in cages stacked nearby were dozens of captured Electric-type Pokemon. Magnemite, Voltorb, Pikachu, even a Jolteon. All looked frightened, some showing signs of injury.
One of the white-uniformed figures noticed Sasuke's group. "Civilians. This is a restricted operation. Leave immediately."
"You're the ones who need to leave," Sasuke shot back. "This facility is unstable. Activating the generators could cause an explosion."
"Calculated risk. We need the power output to operate our capture technology." The figure, apparently the leader based on insignia, gestured to his team. "Continue the operation. And deal with these intruders."
That's when Sasuke noticed the logo on their uniforms. A stylized foundation symbol he'd seen before in Mt. Moon.
Aether Foundation.
"You were at Mt. Moon," Sasuke said, recognition clicking into place. "Trying to capture Clefairy. We stopped you."
"Minor setback. This operation is far more important." The leader sent out a Magnezone. "Secure the area. No witnesses."
The other Aether operatives released Pokemon, more Magnezone, several Electrode, a Galvantula. All Electric-types, probably chosen specifically for this environment.
"This is wrong," Miyuki said, staring at the caged Pokemon. "You're hurting them!"
"Necessary for progress. The Foundation requires Electric-type specimens for critical research." The leader's tone was cold, clinical. "Your objections are irrelevant."
Sasuke's hand went to his Pokeballs. They were outnumbered six to four, and the Aether operatives clearly had combat-ready Pokemon. But letting them continue wasn't an option.
"Miyuki, Kasumi, Kiyomi, get those caged Pokemon out of here. I'll handle these guys."
"You can't fight six trainers alone," Miyuki protested.
"I don't need to win. Just need to buy time and disrupt their operation enough that evacuating with the captured Pokemon is possible." Sasuke sent out Raikou, the Electric Legendary materializing with a roar that made the entire chamber shake. "And I have advantages they weren't expecting."
The Aether operatives stared at Raikou with obvious shock. Legendary Pokemon weren't supposed to be caught, they were forces of nature, not training tools.
"That's impossible," the leader stammered. "Raikou is-"
"Mine," Sasuke finished. "And he really doesn't like people who hurt Electric-types."
Raikou's mane crackled with thunder energy. The Legendary Pokemon's fury was palpable, these humans were capturing and hurting his kin. That was unacceptable.
"Stop them!" the leader shouted to his operatives. "All units, engage!"