The alarm shattered the celebration's aftermath.
Sirens that Cinnabar maintained for exactly this situation filled the air with warnings that tourists might not understand but locals immediately recognized.
"Volcanic activity," someone shouted. "Eruption starting!"
The volcano hadn't exploded catastrophically.
The caldera they'd hiked to days earlier was releasing lava through secondary vents, not the apocalyptic event that disaster films portrayed, but dangerous nonetheless. Rivers of molten rock began flowing toward terrain that human infrastructure occupied.
"Research facility in the path," Kiyomi assessed, emergency response instincts overriding academic composure.
"We need to move," Sasuke decided. "Now."
The laboratory complex was chaos barely contained.
Scientists scrambled through corridors, equipment being wheeled toward evacuation points. Decades of research, the fossil resurrection technology, the breeding data, the irreplaceable specimens, threatened by geological forces that human construction couldn't withstand.
"The lava flow is approximately ninety minutes from reaching outer buildings," a monitoring technician reported. "We don't have time to evacuate everything."
"Then we redirect the flow," Sasuke said.
"Redirect? How?"
"Landorus!"
The Forces of Nature member emerged with presence that geological emergency seemed to recognize.
Earth manipulation was fundamental to Landorus's existence. The deity-level Pokémon understood terrain in ways that conventional Ground-types couldn't approach.
"Create barriers," Sasuke directed. "Channel the lava away from the facility."
Landorus rose into the air, its tail curling with power that the ground itself responded to.
Earth shifted.
Not randomly, deliberately. Ridges rose in paths that lava would follow. Channels formed that guided molten rock away from buildings and toward areas where damage could be contained.
"It's working," the technician breathed. "The flow is redirecting."
Miyuki's team focused on rescue operations.
"Salamence! Evacuation flights!"
The Dragon-type that had evolved weeks earlier now served purposes that its trainer had always intended. Salamence carried researchers from areas too dangerous to exit on foot, its fire resistance allowing approach that other Flying-types couldn't manage.
"Shaymin! Calm the panic!"
The Gratitude Pokémon's nature energy spread through chaotic crowds. Its presence, gentle, reassuring, inherently calming, helped frightened people think clearly enough to follow evacuation protocols.
"Relicanth! Help me understand the patterns!"
The ancient Pokémon's connection to geological time provided insight that modern instruments couldn't match. It sensed lava flows through methods that science hadn't documented, guiding Miyuki toward areas where intervention was most needed.
Kasumi's contribution came through crowd management.
"Gardevoir! Clear the path!"
Psychic force moved obstacles that physical strength couldn't shift quickly enough. Debris from minor structural damage that blocked evacuation routes was telekinetically relocated.
"Togekiss! Guide them to safety!"
The Jubilee Pokémon flew above the crowds, its natural grace providing visual reference that panicked evacuees could follow. Where words failed, Togekiss's calm presence communicated direction.
Kiyomi's approach was tactical.
"Ninetales! Ice barriers!"
The Alolan variant's Ice-type moves created obstacles that even lava couldn't immediately overcome.
"Freeze-Dry!"
Ice energy struck the leading edge of lava flows, not stopping them permanently but cooling them enough to slow advance. Every minute gained was equipment saved, people evacuated, damage prevented.
"It won't hold forever," Kiyomi reported.
"It doesn't need to," Sasuke replied. "It needs to hold long enough for Landorus to complete the redirect."
Mei appeared at the crisis's heart.
The Gym Leader moved with confidence that her specialty had earned. Fire surrounded her without threat, her relationship with flame extending beyond battle into genuine understanding.
"Magmortar! Control the secondary flows!"
Her Pokémon walked through lava as casually as others walked through water. Its arms manipulated molten rock with precision that seemed impossible, directing flows that Landorus's barriers hadn't yet captured.
"Wild Fire-types! Follow me!"
Mei called to the Magmar, Charmeleon, and Torkoal that inhabited the volcanic zone. They responded with recognition that went beyond trainer-Pokémon dynamics. She understood them. They trusted her.
"This way! Away from the danger zones!"
The wild Pokémon followed, their natural resistance keeping them safe while Mei guided them toward areas where the eruption couldn't reach.
Hours passed in sustained effort.
Landorus maintained barriers that channeled lava into containment areas. Salamence continued evacuation flights. Ninetales replaced ice barriers as fast as heat overwhelmed them. Mei's coordination kept wild Pokémon safe while her Magmortar assisted where Fire-type presence was essential.
Gradually, the volcano settled.
The eruption that had threatened catastrophe diminished to activity that monitoring could track. Lava flows slowed, then stopped. The crisis that had seemed overwhelming became incident that response had contained.
"Damage minimal," emergency coordinator announced. "Quick response saved the facility."
Dr. Blaine found Sasuke's group amid the post-crisis organization.
"You saved decades of work." The scientist's gratitude was absolute. "The fossil resurrection equipment alone, irreplaceable. If that had been destroyed..."
"We did what needed doing."
"You did what most people couldn't have." Blaine looked at each of them in turn. "Your Pokémon, the coordination, the capability, that wasn't luck. That was partnership at its highest level."
Mei approached as recovery operations continued.
Her appearance showed evidence of the hours she'd spent amid volcanic activity, ash-covered, exhausted, but satisfied.
"You four are exceptional."
The assessment carried weight that her reputation amplified.
"Tomorrow's gym battle, postponed." She raised a hand against Sasuke's potential objection. "The island needs ensuring first. Safety protocols, structural assessments, wildlife monitoring. I can't focus on official challenges until I know my home is secure."
"Take your time," Sasuke said. "We understand."
"Three days, probably. Then we'll battle. You've earned that much consideration." Mei's smile held respect that crisis response had built. "And based on what I saw today, you've earned a proper fight. Your Landorus... that was deity-level power applied with precision. I look forward to seeing what else you're capable of."
The three-day delay became contribution rather than waiting.
The group helped with recovery efforts that their capabilities made possible. Sasuke's team cleared debris that machinery couldn't reach safely. Miyuki provided medical care for Pokémon injured during the eruption. Kasumi assisted with supply distribution. Kiyomi documented damage patterns that future preparation would address.