A Disturbance at the Beach

...Do it.

The next morning...

Unbelievable.

I can't believe our entire hideout is gone, just like that.

Darn it all! Who's the lousy punk responsible for this?!

We were away for only one night. How'd they do it?

Sorry... This is all my fault!

This wouldn't've happened if I put someone on watch!

Calm down, Archie. Blaming yourself solves nothing.

To think the same thing happened to you...

Wait, this happened to Team Magma, too?!

Indeed.

And just as with Team Aqua, it was while our members were gone.

We let our guard down just the slightest, since Pasio has been quiet lately, and this is the result.

(Team Magma and Team Aqua don't have the motive to fight each other right now.)

(What's going on?)

I see. So everyone's taking shelter in a different hideout?

Yeah. I'm glad we built a second one just in case.

Luckily, no one was hurt, including Pokémon.

But that just means they were waiting for us to leave our hideouts, doesn't it?

I suppose so.

Perhaps they wish to hide what they're using to do this...especially if it can wipe out a hideout overnight.

A weapon of destruction, huh. Or maybe a Pokémon!

Then...you suspect someone is behind this? That it wasn't an accident or natural phenomenon?

RARGH! They've got some nerve messin' with us...

You two were not behind it, then.

You! You're that guy from Team Galactic!

Team Galactic's hideout has also fallen victim to the same type of damage.

And if Team Magma or Team Aqua were behind it, I'd planned on paying some revenge.

You jerk! You thought it was US?!

Yes.

Only so many people have the technology or Pokémon strong enough to destroy a hideout in such short time.

So... Cyrus, you think the culprit is someone from one of the villain organizations on Pasio?

Precisely.

Team Rocket... Team Plasma... Team Flare... All have strength comparable to ours.

It is entirely possible to order a Legendary Pokémon, or use a weapon of destruction, to destroy a hideout.

Well, then what're we waitin' for? Let's get 'em to confess...

Wait, Archie. Don't jump to conclusions.

Without proof, we may just make more enemies.

Just like how you almost started a fight with Cyrus a few moments ago.

Hmph! Then what SHOULD we do?!

I'll investigate this.

You, Paulo?

Yup.

After all, I have been sort of like an apprentice to the International Police lately.

Paulo began investigating why hideouts were going missing.

Did you notice anything unusual at the beach yesterday?

Unusual?

Even something small could help.

Did you see anyone suspicious? Or hear anything?

Come to think of it...

You remember something?

Last night, when I was out swimming...

I heard a loud noise.

It sounded a bit like Red's Snorlax when it's munching on a snack.

I thought maybe someone was feeding their Pokémon or something.

I'm not sure if this is related...

But we did get readings indicating the presence of an Ultra Beast in this area.

We were looking into it heavily, thinking a new Ultra Wormhole might have opened, but...

In the end, we didn't find any trace.

Which means...

there were traces that a UB was here...but it wasn't wild. Is that right?

I believe so.

(Hmm. The sound of something eating... Ultra Beasts...)

Oh my. Someone is eliminating villain organizations' hideouts? How scary.

It's almost like those companies that do everything they can to eliminate competitors.

That's how it sounds to me at least, having lived in the business world.

True. If competitors disappear, you can monopolize the market.

Yeah. Everyone else from the targeted organizations said the same.

I'm pretty sure you're right on the...

Looker! What did you learn?

Paulo! About the case you're investigating, with the missing hideouts...

It's likely they were eaten by UB-05, Glutton...a.k.a. Guzzlord!

I knew it!

Guzzlord?

What kind of Pokémon is that?

It's a UB that has gobbled mountains and swallowed whole buildings, according to reports.

Whoa! If it gobbled up my company's buildings, we'd be in trouble!

Well researched, Paulo!

I've a bit of a history with Guzzlord myself, so I knew immediately that's what it was.

Glad I could help!

Now, the most crucial thing to determine is who's behind all this.

Yeah. But I think I know who's pulling the strings.

And I also know their next target is probably Team Plasma or Team Flare.

If it really is who I think, I'm sure Team Plasma is higher on their list.

I'll hold a stakeout near Team Plasma's hideout!

Understood!

I'll also head to Team Plasma's hideout, to help apprehend the culprit!

And I can send backup to Team Flare's, just in case!

I have some contacts who can help us, so leave that to me!

Heh. You caught on quicker than I expected.

And I see you've even brought a few Champions. How cautious of you.

So it was you all along, Giovanni!

You got your hands on a UB the last time you caused trouble, didn't you!

It seems you've already guessed how and why I'm getting rid of these hideouts, haven't you.

Yeah.

You've been ordering Guzzlord to eat other organizations' hideouts to weaken them.

And as for motive, I'm pretty sure at least half is because you want revenge against those who got in your way last time.

Giovanni! You're using Pokémon to do your dirty work again, aren't you!

Using, you say?

It's true the orders came from me. But that was just to sate the creature's appetite.

What?

If you truly care for Pokémon, I advise you not to interfere with Guzzlord's meals.

You sure are good at coming up with excuses.

Either way, the moment you start harassing others is the moment we step in and stop you!

Give up! Your schemes will go no further, no matter how hard you try!

And we'll crumple those ambitions of yours no matter how many TIMES you try!

Heh. Very well.

The more you burn with the flames of justice, the better for Team Rocket.

You're just posturing!

Justice and evil are intertwined.

The angrier you are at Team Rocket, and the more you fan justice's flames...

the more Team Rocket's evil will grow.

Each time we oppose each other, we're forced to grow bigger and stronger!

Even when evil and justice are properly served, our appetite for them will rise again!

Human greed never ends...just like Guzzlord's hunger for everything it sees!

One day, Team Rocket shall devour all of Pasio.

You think we'll just let you do that?!

Heh. I dare you to stop me.

Time to feast, Guzzlord!

We won't let you!

Oh? So those are arc suits... This is my first time seeing them.

Give up, Giovanni!

Dragonite! Hyper Beam!

They're gone!

He was only pretending to face us head-on. He ran for it at the first opportunity.

He got away!

(We didn't get you this time. But I won't give up, either.)

(I will stop you! Not with brute force...but with power that comes from the heart!)

UBs are indeed creatures of superb power.

However, my appetite knows no bounds. I can never have enough power!

Even if such power...

comes from a Pokémon considered a deity!