Anistar City was in chaos. As explosions detonated one by one around the Sundial, chunks of glistening pink crystal rained down upon the viewing area, like the spray from an ocean wave. Sirens blared as the city's rescue services were deployed, and stronger trainers rushed to the aid of citizens and others in the area. Linus took in none of this as he raced through the city, his whole focus being taken up by the safety of his friend.

Racing up to the monument, he caught sight of Holly's Skarmory, a glistening forcefield all around it, as crystals bounced off its Protect. "LINUS!" came the desperate cry of Holly, sheltering beneath the metallic wings of her Pokemon. Seeing his friend unharmed, he hurried over to her as another explosion rocked the great Sundial.

"Holly, what's happening!?" he cried out over the deafening explosions, quickly taking shelter under Skarmory's wings.

"I don't know!" she replied. "As the sunset hit the centre of the rock, instead of the light display, these explosions started going off! I don't think anyone's been badly hurt yet, but we need to get out of here!" Linus nodded. These explosions were far from a regular occurrence, and he was certain that they were not the work of any Pokemon either. "Who would do such a thing…?" he thought to himself.

Suddenly, he heard a voice from next to the Sundial, as the explosions suddenly ceased. "Eight! I told you that wouldn't be enough, idiot!" it cried. "I told you we needed more explosives, but looks like you're always right, aren't you?" Looking out from under the wings of Holly's Skarmory, Linus noticed two figures, a man and a woman; the woman angrily shouting at her associate.

Sighing, the man replied. "Look, it doesn't matter now. We still have some left over, and the boss doesn't care how we do this, as long as we can get it loosened up for him! Most of these cowards have fled anyway…" Suddenly looking directly at Skarmory, the man stopped, grumbling in annoyance. "Oh look… Trainers…"

Seeing that the explosions had stopped for the time being, Holly and Linus both emerged from behind Skarmory. "What do you think you're doing!?" she exclaimed, glaring at the two figures. "Why would you want to destroy this place?"

The woman laughed, walking towards them. "Why should we tell you our business? Little girls like you have no place in this, and should know when to butt out!"

It was at this point that Linus, who had been staring at the man during this conversation, spoke out. "You! You're one of the waiters at the hotel! What are you doing here?"

"Our job as waiters was just a cover-up so we could prepare to carry out our orders!" the man replied, grinning. "You see…" Opening his overcoat, he threw it behind him, exposing a bright orange suit. "We are part of the world's most powerful organisation, Team Flare! One day, the Kalos region will crumble benath us!" Slipping on a pair of sunglasses, he made a strange salute, resembling the letter 'F'.

Sighing, his companion shook her head. "You idiot, do you have to reveal everything to random strangers every time we're sent to do something? No wonder we never get promoted…" Turning back to Linus and Holly, she grinned. "Now that the cat's out of the bag, I suggest you scram!" The villains each grabbed a Pokeball from their pockets, releasing two Mightyena onto the field. In response, Holly and Linus, looked at each other, before in unison sending their own Pokemon, Skarmory and Umbra, into battle. "You want to play, huh?" the woman sighed. "Fine, but lose nice and quickly so us grown-ups can get to work! Mightyena, Crunch!"

As the large dog rushed at Umbra, fangs beared, neither Umbra nor Linus moved a muscle. Just as the Mightyena was about to attack, Linus shouted, "Dodge Umbra, then follow up with Payback!" Immediately, the Umbreon darted to the side, its opponent's jaws clamping on thin air. Umbra started radiating a purple energy, as it tackled the larger dog full in the stomach. The foe collapsed to the ground, rolling from the momentum, before sliding to a stop, unconscious.

The woman brought her hands to her head, pulling at her hair. "ONE HIT!? You useless creature!" she screamed, returning her Pokemon to its capsule. Looking over, Linus saw the man's Mightyena meet a similar fate, as Skarmory's steel-wing sent it flying across the battlefield. Recognising their defeat, the two villains began to back away, fearful of the powerful Pokemon and Trainers that stood before them. Smiling briefly to himself, Linus knew they'd won. "Get out of here," he told them, "and don't go causing trouble again any time soon!"

Suddenly, another explosion detonated behind the two fleeing opponents, causing them to flinch. A shower of crystals rained down on the square, causing Linus to hold his hands above his head in protection. With a loud shattering sound, the central part of the Sundial split, the large monument slowly toppling over into the sea behind it.

"My, my…" another voice said, the figure masked by the new layer of smoke. "Can't you two do anything right? It seems I have to do everything around here…" Chuckling, the figure stepped out of the cloud of smoke, like a ghost emerging from the mist. The man had neat black hair and piercing red eyes, and was wearing a tidy white suit. His hands in his pockets, he approached the two Trainers, a small smile playing on his lips.

"So you're the two causing all the trouble for us, hmm?" he asked, seeming mildly amused. "It's a pity really, you never can find decent grunts to do the dirty work these days. I don't like to get my hands dirty, but working with simpletons like this, you really do have to make some compromises." Turning to his associates, he looked disapprovingly at them. "Get the cargo ready, while I deal with these kids. You can do that right at least, can't you?" The two villains rushed off towards the smoking ruins of the once magnificent Sundial.

"Who are you, and what have you got to do with all this?" Holly shouted at him, shocked at the actions of the criminals.

"Even if I cared to answer your questions, I still would not be at liberty to give you those answers. Top secret information, m'dears." He tapped his nose, smirking as he spoke. "Now, I'll have to ask you to leave please. I'm on a very tight schedule and do not wish to be interrupted."

The two Trainers stood their ground, refusing to budge. "We're not letting you leave!" Linus replied, readying for another battle. Pulling out a second Pokeball, he prepared to throw it.

The strange man sighed, before chuckling. "Well, I did ask you nicely, so don't say I didn't warn you." In one swift motion, he drew out a small handgun, raising it to his eye level. Before Linus could react, the man pulled the trigger, smiling. The sound of a lone gunshot echoed throughout the city.