Seeking Strength

Those Rockets really had a plan this time. How tricky...

We heard that they ransacked the professor's lab. Do you know what they were after?

I imagine they'd be after the professor's research on sync stones.

She's been studying sync pairs and their bonds here on Pasio.

And she's also been analyzing how the energy within sync stones can affect Pokémon.

I see... So they probably couldn't find the data and took her instead?

I'd imagine so. By the time we got back, she was nowhere to be found!

We tried looking for clues on where they might have taken her, but we didn't find anything.

Tch. So we're back to square one.

And we still haven't heard from Red, either... This isn't looking so good.

Paulo!

Where are you going?

There's a nice breeze tonight, so I thought I'd go for a walk...

With such a gloomy look on your face?

... ... ...

Paulo...

I have to get stronger.

What I'm doing now isn't working... It's not enough. I have to change my approach.

Did something happen back at the ruins?

When we were battling today, Blue had to cover for me quite a bit.

So I think I know how you feel. I want to be stronger, too.

If you don't think what you're doing now is helping, I'd be happy to brainstorm ways we could both get stronger. We can do it together!

Together?

It's hard to improve on your own, right?

When I traveled around Alola, I faced so many challenges...and it was help from my friends that gave me the strength to get through it all!

If you need some help, I'd be more than happy to help you in any way I can!

Would you mind sharing with me what you're thinking right now, Paulo?

Lillie...

I know that relying on others might be one way to get stronger...

But I don't think it's gonna work for me.

Should we stop him?

I know how he's probably feeling right now... Being so fixated on strength that it makes you anxious...and reckless...

Yes, it reminds me of a certain rascal I used to know...

I suppose we should let him make his mistakes now. He'll be fine, as long as he ends up back on the right path in the long run.

Paulo...

We're Pokémon Trainers... If he does end up going down the wrong path, I'll be right there to stop him...with a Pokémon battle!

OK! Let's get back to work, then!

There can't be too many places where Team Rocket could hide. If we search the island, we're bound to find 'em!

I'll keep eyes on the ground. Lorelei, you can search from the water. And Blue, could you get us a bird's-eye view from above?

We'll find them before daybreak.

Yeah!

You better not have lost, Red...