Beginning of the Real Case

Steven and seven other sync pairs completed Lear's mystery game.

But once the game was over, someone stole Guzma's partner Pokémon!

Who did this?! Who took my Golisopod?!

Calm down, Guzma!

Don't tell me to calm down! Someone just STOLE my Pokémon!

Hm? Hold on, Guzma.

Wh-what is it?!

Don't move. There's something stuck to your back.

"Punishment of justice for the dark obstructer., The Phantom Imaginate"

Now then, what shall I steal tonight?

What do you think...

Partner?

"The dark obstructer"?

Huh? What's a "Phantom Imaginate"?

Hmm... Is this part of the game?

No, I know nothing of this!

So that means...Golisopod really was stolen?

In that case!

It's time for me, a member of the International Police, to step in!

Steven! After seeing your detective skills, I want to ask you something.

I'd like your help investigating this Phantom Imaginate person so we can catch them!

Of course! I'd be happy to assist.

I'll help, too! I was the culprit in the game, but I'll do my best to assist this time!

We'll help out, too!

You better be ready, Phantom! I'm gonna find you and crush you!

I've collected some information about the Phantom Imaginate. ♪

Did you come across anything that could be a clue?

Um... Let me tell you what I found, in order.

Apparently, the Phantom Imaginate is a recent urban legend going around Pasio.

They say anything you ask the Phantom Imaginate to steal will be stolen...

If you want to send a request, you give your letter to Thievul, the Phantom's partner Pokémon.

But whether or not they accept your request is up to the Phantom.

If the Phantom is accepting requests, does that mean they don't want anything for themself?

I've found something peculiar on my end, too.

I checked to see if the Phantom was involved in any prior incidents.

But the Phantom Imaginate doesn't show up in any theft reports.

Even though they leave messages? That's odd...

Based on what Shauna said, the Phantom's existence is questionable, which explains why there's so little information.

I know as much as Mister Looker. I've never heard of them before.

Their existence is questionable...but Guzma's partner Pokémon was definitely stolen.

We can at least confirm that there's someone out there calling themself the Phantom Imaginate.

Calling themself the Phantom, huh...

Aaaaaaahhh!

A scream?!

Let's go see!

Are you OK?!

... ... ...

Hey, wait!

That was...

Are you OK? What happened?

My Pokémon was stolen! *sob*

This again!

"Punishment of justice to the unsightly flame., The Phantom Imaginate"

"Unsightly...flame"?

The Phantom Imaginate?! Is that who we just saw?

Let's chase after them! Come on, both of you!

Y-yes!

Emma, look after the girl!

On it!

(Zinnia...are you the Phantom Imaginate?)

Looker, Shauna, and Steven chased the so-called Phantom Imaginate.

Argh, why did you take my partner Pokémon, Phantom Imaginate!

Steven! There's another message from the Phantom!

"Punishment of justice for a heartless galaxy., The Phantom Imaginate"

"Heartless galaxy"... I knew it!

Steven, Looker!

I wanna talk to the girl from earlier!

You noticed something?

Sure thing! I'll ask Emma to bring her here.

I brought her, Mister Looker!

Th-there's something you want to ask me?

I don't do well with police or detectives...

I want you to be honest with me.

You're with Team Flare, aren't you?

Wh-what? What's that? I don't know anything about that...

Hmm...

Go, Team Flare! Go, go, Team Flare!

F to the L to the A-R-E!

I knew it! She's from Team Flare!

Huh?! Drat!

Indeed! I'm from the stylish Team Flare!

How did you know she's part of Team Flare?

I noticed it when I read the Phantom's messages!

For Guzma, it was "the dark obstructer."

For the Team Galactic member, it was "a heartless galaxy."

The messages were referring to which teams they belong to...

So I guessed that "the unsightly flame" might be Team Flare.

Great job, Shauna!

That means the Phantom Imaginate is targeting people who belong to evil organizations?

The Phantom is quite infamous among people like us...

They're a pain in the neck who steals back things we stole.

That's why there aren't any reports of incidents caused by the Phantom...

So the stolen Pokémon were originally someone else's?

No! I caught my Liepard!

It's not easy for me to believe you...

I don't think she's lying!

She looked really sad when her Pokémon was stolen!

And you know Guzma really cares about his Golisopod, right?

Even if these people did bad things in the past, that doesn't mean they're the same now!

Shauna...

... ... ...

OK, for now, let's believe what this Team Flare member is saying.

But if that's true, then why did the Phantom change their mind about what they're stealing?

I don't think the Phantom is trying to take the law into their own hands.

If the Phantom Imaginate is who I think it is...

Hmm... I guess we can't tell what the Phantom's true intentions are, but we can't let them cause more harm.

We have to take them into custody as soon as possible...

I heard everything!

I think I can help you out!

Ta-da! I'm Lyra, the Team Rocket grunt!

Whoa, you look evil!

Don't worry, this costume isn't real. It's just pretend!

The Phantom Imaginate is going after villainous organizations, right?

I'll be a decoy and lure the Phantom out!

That's a good plan, but I can't put you in such a dangerous role...

Don't worry! Phanpy will be with me!

She might look small, but she's super powerful!

The Phantom won't know what's coming!

Hehe, how reliable. ♪

Are you sure?

Yep! Leave it to me!

We'll be here for support, but...don't push yourself too hard!

Steven and the others waited until dark to carry out their decoy plan.

Now...let's see if the Phantom will show up...

Oh, look!

Thievul! That means the Phantom is nearby!

Gotcha!

Everyone, now!

Got 'em!

All right! Just as planned!

Now, show yourself, Phantom Imaginate!

Your partner is already in our custody!

How dare you get in my way!

You?

Yeah, I'm the Phantom Imaginate! The one who brings justice by punishing evil!

Why would you stop me?! I'm saving Pokémon who're being forced to obey villains!

Being forced? Have you even looked at the relationship between those people and their Pokémon?!

Why would I? It's a Pokémon caught by a villain! Of course it's sad!

I'm in the right because I'm saving these poor Pokémon!

And all of you standing in my way are evil!

Wha... Those Pokémon!

Yes! These are the Pokémon I saved from those villains!

Now, go and retrieve Thievul!

Fight all you want! The only ones that'll get hurt are these poor Pokémon!

Grrr... How cowardly!

Hahaha! The tables have turned!

What are you actually trying to do here?

I can't feel any love for Pokémon from you... Saving them is just a front, right?

What am I trying to do? Well...

I bet it would feel really nice to be praised as a chivalrous thief!

The mysterious Phantom who punishes evil! Sounds cool, right?!

That's your reason?!

What do you mean, "That's your reason?!" Are you insulting me?

Hmph, enough! Let's finish this!

I agree...

Enough of your boring stories.

Zinnia?!

Who are you?!

You don't need to ask, do you? You of all people should know!

Right? Mister impostor?

You... You're the real Phantom Imaginate?!

What?! What's going on?

I knew it. You were the real Phantom Imaginate.

G-go, Pokémon!

*sigh* You don't get it, do you.

Wow! That stopped those Pokémon in their tracks!

The rest is your job, right? Get a move on!

Oh, r-right! Capture him!

D-darn it!

Thank you, Zinnia.

Because of you, we were able to get the stolen Pokémon back.

What are you talking about? Don't feel like you need to thank me.

I was only...

looking for this!

Ah!

I'll be taking this!

A Poké Ball?!

It doesn't look like Guzma's or anyone's Pokémon...

Zinnia! What did you take?!

Curious, are you? Then try to figure it out! You're good at deduction, right?

I'll be on my way.

W-wait!

Oh, one more thing.

You look better in that detective outfit than in your normal clothes, Mr. Rich Kid!

Wha?!

She's gone...

Steven! Your back! There's a message!

What does it say?

"You need some imagination., The Phantom Imaginate"

Ah, Zinnia...

Hey, Golisopod!

Liepard, I'm so glad to see you again!

I guess this case is closed!

But I wonder why Zinnia stole that Poké Ball from the impostor.

If the rumors of the Phantom are true, Zinnia must have gotten a request from someone, but...

Who? And for what reason?

Maybe the person who asked had a reason why they could only ask the Phantom...

Hehe...

I think I've got it. ♪

Hm?

Here, I've completed your request.

Rattata! I'm so glad you're OK!

You know...this one isn't the strongest, but it's my important partner.

I can't believe the Phantom Imaginate actually exists...

You sent me a request even though you didn't believe?

I had to believe after seeing all those messages and having my Pokémon stolen...

That's why I looked for Thievul and sent the letter saying, "I want Rattata back."

And it ended up getting to the real one.

Well, the impostor was never taking requests anyway.

Tons happened while I was chasing the impostor... Getting this wasn't easy, you know.

I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Hey, do you think it's weird?

What's weird?

That I do bad stuff but Pokémon are important to me...

Nah.

I don't think that's weird at all.

Oh...

We'll be going.

Yeah...

Shall we go as well, Rattata?