The arduous journey through Mamoswine Road had been a long one. The trio had found a cavern to duck into for the night and were now trekking into Anistar City where the warmth of the suns rays greeted their weary bodies. The city itself was a marvelous sight, magnified only by the splendor of the sea that it overlooked, the mountains surrounding it, and the sundial that glistened in the sun as it sat on a pier on the north side of the city. The most notable thing about the city was that every single building and home ran on solar power.

"We finally made it!" Felicity exclaimed exhaustedly as she slid off the back of the Mamoswine she'd rented and set her feet on dry ground. "I thought that trail was going to go on forever..."

Seth too breathed a sigh of relief as he gave his Mamoswine a pat on the head before returning it into the ball that it was assigned. Turning around, he saw that Jamie had already returned his and was looking in the direction of the sundial.

"Didn't we learn about that sundial in class?" asked Jamie as he tried to recall the lecture Mrs. Rosseau had given him.

"Learn about it? We came here to see it our sophomore year," Felicity reminded him after returning her Mamoswine. "If I recall, she went over what the sundial was used for."

"Ah, that's right! It finds Mega Stones doesn't it? Rosseau said that during a certain time of day, the sundial will reveal the location of a Mega Stone!" Jamie exclaimed.

"Exactly. Even though we have one already, we can still find more if we desire to diversify our lineup," Felicity replied with a grin.

The sound of clapping could be heard from behind, prompting the trio to turn toward the sound. There, standing about ten feet away from the group, was Mrs. Rosseau herself along with Professor Sycamore.

"It appears that my lessons have stuck with you after all. But then again... it doesn't come as a surprise considering it's you three," Rosseau said with a light chuckle as she and Sycamore meandered up to the trio.

"Heya Teach, what brings you out here?" Jamie inquired, earning a raised brow from his former teacher.

"Still using that term aren't we?" Rosseau replied, smirking as Jamie showed signs of nervousness in his expression. "Relax Jamie, you're not a student anymore so I consider it endearing in a way. As for what I'm doing here, Sycamore here has invited me and my husband here for a research project involving the sundial. My husband is currently completing our dinner reservations at the moment so he will be joining us later. At any rate, how have you all been?"

"As you can probably tell, we're tired. We just arrived actually, and after taking the long way through Mamoswine Road, it's safe to assume we'll be taking it easy today," Felicity inputted.

"Is that so? I find that rather surprising considering who you have with you," Rosseau replied, giving Seth a knowing look. "I assume you'll just be soaking up the sun as well Mr. Da Silva?"

"In a manner of speaking," Seth replied casually. "I'd like to visit the gym, but I think a chill day would do me some good so I can get my bearings straight. We'll probably challenge the gym tomorrow."

"As I suspected. You wouldn't mind if I came along to watch would you? I would love to see how the three of you have progressed after all this time," Rosseau added with a hint of excitement in her voice.

"I'm sure you'll be most pleased with what you will see. We've all been working hard to earn our badges to compete in the league, albeit one of us is competing for something a little more valuable than a trophy," Felicity teased, getting a playful nudge from Seth in reply.

"Oho? There's a surprise," Rosseau chuckled into her hand. "I never thought I'd see the day where you'd actually put energy into something other than your training and school work. Tell me, Seth, when you stripped away her haughty exterior... did you find the diamond in the rough?" his former teacher asked with a knowing smirk.

Of course she had him figured out. Being his teacher for four years of his life, she knew exactly how his mind worked.

"There was more beneath the surface than I first thought, if that's what you mean," Seth replied smirking. "But you knew that already didn't you?"

A lot more than you know Seth, Rosseau thought as an amused smile worked its way onto her face.

The sound of footsteps behind her caused her grin to widen. "And here I thought my visit here today would be dull. And just when were you planning on telling me that you were here as well Mattie?"

"You've still got ears like a Noibat don't you Jolie?" Mathilde replied with a light chuckle as she walked up beside Jolie, a grin plastered on her face as she looked down at the petite instructor. "It's been a while, little Rosseau."

Jolie held in a chuckle as she gave Mathilde a cross look. "Indeed it has Mattie. Tell me, are you and Arnaud finally settled on what's what concerning your wedding? I know Collette is still very busy being the maid of honor and all."

"Busy is an understatement. That woman won't relax even if I tell her to. But as her son is very aware, that's always been the case." Mathide looked pointedly at Seth who rolled his eyes. "Speaking of..." Mathilde paused as she walked up to her student. "How's my little lovestruck Lillipup?" Mathilde teased.

Seth arched a brow at his teacher. "It never ends with you, does it?" Seth asked with an exasperated sigh.

"Is that even a question?" Mathilde laughed. "In all seriousness though, it's been a while since the two of us had time to chat. If you wouldn't mind me stealing you away for a little while, I'd love to catch up on a few things," Mathilde said cheerily.

Seth knew, after ten years of training with her, what she meant whenever she asked to chat with him. Looking over at his friends he said, "I'll catch you two later. Just let me know where you guys are so we can meet up."

"Very well then. We'll be at the Anistar Diner in about an hour. See you there?" Felicity asked, getting a nod in reply.

"Awesome, see ya there bud!" Jamie said with a grin before walking off with Felicity, Jolie and Sycamore while engaging themselves in a conversation about the upcoming gym battle.

"You've really become close with those two haven't you?" Mathilde said as they walked out of sight.

"Well... they are my best friends. Had it not been for them, I would have had a difficult time getting through academy," Seth replied with a hint of pride in his tone.

"I know that feeling all too well. What I would give to go back to the days when your parents, Jolie and I were younger and laughed more instead of doing all this adulting," Mathilde sighed longingly. "One can only dream, right?"

"Know that I have the highest respect for you as my teacher when I say this, but I hardly classify you as an adult with all the shenanigans you pull half the time," Seth said bluntly, earning a snort of laughter from Mathilde.

"I don't know whether to be offended or flattered that you think I'm still very much a child," Mathilde giggled, giving Seth a pat on the shoulder. "I suppose I have your father to thank for that serious part of your persona."

Seth shrugged and then fixed Mathilde with a quizzical expression. "I take it you didn't pull me aside to simply catch up. Knowing you, there's a pressing matter that can't wait."

"Still as sharp as ever I see," Mathilde stated, her face taking on a more neutral expression as she spoke. "The gym leader you're about to face isn't like the others you've battled up until now..."

Seth arched a brow.

"I know the same could be said about the others, but this one will truly put your abilities to the test. You might say she's anticipated your arrival for quite some time," Mathilde added as she turned her gaze toward the Anistar Gym. "I assume you'll be facing her tomorrow?"

Seth nodded. "I'll need time to prepare for the gym match, so it's better that I wait until tomorrow."

"And it's best that you do, because you'll need most of the night to process what I'm about to tell you," Mathilde replied, turning to face Seth with a stern look on her face. "Tell me Seth... how much did you learn about the Great War?"

"Mrs. Rosseau had us do a research paper on it at one point. I remember something about a king named AZ who ended that war. But that was three thousand years ago though..."

"Yes... and like with all history, it has a funny way of repeating itself," Mathilde replied with a sigh.

"Why do I get the feeling you're about to tell me something concerning?" Seth asked as a nervous sweat trickled down the side of his face.

Mathilde gave Seth a look that could simply be interpreted as her telling him what he already knew to be true about her. What Mathilde proceeded to tell Seth was something he wasn't entirely prepared for. What disturbed him most was that everything that Olympia's vision described was something he could picture happening.

"As if knowing she was being targeted wasn't enough... now there's more to worry about?" Seth grimaced, rubbing his temples out of exasperation.

"It's not as if you weren't aware that there was more to it than what you already knew," Mathilde added, a hand on her hip as she spoke.

"I can't argue with that. I always knew there was more to them than they were willing to let others believe..."

You poor fool. Just like the others of this imperfect world, you will burn under the flames of our revolution! We of Team Flare will overthrow this world and subdue all of you inferior low lives!

Seth grit his teeth at the thought of what that Team Flare agent had said. If everything that Olympia had seen was true, then the world as he knew it was in even more danger than he first thought.