A Tricky Trap

Wait a sec, where's Paulo?

Huh? Oh no! He was just here a minute ago!

What? Did we lose him?

Darn... That's on me...

Wh-what can we do? Should we try to retrace our steps?

That's what I'd like to do, but...

If we turn around, they'll get us from the back. We've only got one option, and that's to keep on pushing forward!

Paulo will probably do the same...which means we can meet up with him further in!

OK! I'll give this everything I've got!

So...this is it?

I don't see anything worth noting, and we still don't know where Paulo is...

Paulo!

Paulo! I'm so glad you're safe!

I'm sorry...

No, I should be the one apologizing. I should've made sure we were all together.

But you did great, getting through all those grunts on your own!

Well...yeah, I guess...

That aside, what in the world is going on here?

This place is completely empty!

Hey! Over here!

Lt. Surge? What's wrong?

I ran here as fast as I could. I've got some bad news, kids.

While we were all out looking for Team Rocket...

Professor Bellis was kidnapped!

WHAT?!

By the time we got to her lab, nobody was there.

Darn... They pulled a fast one on us.

What do you mean?

We sent our strongest Gym Leaders and Elite Four members all over Pasio to find Team Rocket.

They must've been planning to raid the lab all along... They were just waiting until we were stretched thin!

Gathering a bunch of grunts here in the ruins must've been part of that plan.

N-no way...

Let's head back right away!

Blue... I have something to tell you.

Sure. What is it?

On my way here, I saw Paulo.

I noticed he was talking to one of those Team Rocket grunts.

Hopefully, it doesn't mean anything bad...but I thought you ought to know all the same.

Heh. You're as cautious as ever. I appreciate it, though.

We don't have a solid reason to confront him about it yet...but we can keep an eye on him for now.

I still trust him.

Well, well... Professor Bellis. I should thank you for joining us today.

Giovanni!

You did quite a number to my lab, ransacking it like you did.

Did you even find what you were looking for?

No, unfortunately. But that's why we've brought you here.

I don't have anything that would do you any good.

Sync stones.

You've been researching them, haven't you? That's what I want, your data.

You know the secret to using sync stones to draw out the power within Pokémon, don't you?

I'm sure you must have it written up somewhere.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Hmph. Fine. But just remember this...

We, too, are connected to our partner Pokémon. It's just a slightly more...nefarious connection.

If I can use sync stones to draw out even more power from my Pokémon, I can have the strongest army of underlings to do my bidding.

No way! I'm not researching sync stones for evil criminals like you!

There is no such thing as good or evil when it comes to power. There is only power...and those who are willing to use it.

You'll come to see that soon enough. And I don't care if you like it or not.