In Petalburg City a crowd has gathered to watch Sapphire struggle to free a Castform from a fountain. Gabby and Ty watch as Mr. Stone begs Sapphire to wait for the authorities. However Sapphire refuses, because it would be too late if they waited. Instead, Sapphire has Rono chew the iron pillar of the fountain so she can easily rip the top part off, freeing Castform. With Castform freed, she has Chic warm its body with its flames.
The crowd celebrates Sapphire's rescuing Castform, but Mr. Stone asks if her Rono is all right after eating all of the iron. Sapphire explains that Rono's favorite food is actually iron, and that he has a big appetite. Realizing that Mr. Stone is the president of the Devon Corporation, Gabby has Ty go interview Sapphire due to it having the potential to be a great news story. Sapphire, not liking television, decides to turn down the interview option and leaps onto a lamppost.
Nearby, three people in maintenance personnel uniforms watch the scene in frustration. They explain to their boss via their Pokégear that they had sabotaged the fountain as a trap for Mr. Stone. Since he strolls with his Pokémon here every day, the plan had been to lure him in by trapping his Pokémon in the fountain, then disguising themselves as staff and kidnapping him when they arrived to "rescue" his Castform. However, thanks to Sapphire's interference, they've been foiled. Their boss tells the three that while he would have preferred for them to kidnap Mr. Stone in secrecy, it still has to happen today, and that he doesn't care what they do as long as the mission is successful.
Back at Sapphire's location, Mr. Stone introduces himself to Sapphire and requests that she come to the next town with him so that he can properly express his gratitude. Sapphire immediately jumps down and reveals that something else is inside of the fountain. Suddenly, three Pokémon leap out of the fountain and attack.