Chapter 0816: Solgaleo and Necrozma(Two-in-One)

On the journey to the Altar of the Sunne, Natsume decided not to travel with Ash.

First, he wanted to avoid triggering any unexpected story events. Second, it simply felt safer watching over Nebby himself.

After Cosmog evolved into Cosmoem, it weighed a massive 999.9kg—but could still use magnetism to levitate on its own.

Even if Cosmoem accidentally slipped, Gengar could pick it up instantly with Confusion and keep it safe midair.

Gengar, cap perched on its head and a tiny backpack on its back, looked every bit like a trainer about to set out on an adventure, eyes scrunched up with a goofy grin.

“Gengar~┌|*´∀｀|┘”

I'm ready to roll!

The backpack’s zipper was wide open, showing the sapphire-blue Cosmoem inside, its curious eyes flashing with energy as it peered all around.

A shadow suddenly loomed, Cosmoem looking up to spot a fearsome Tyranitar, crunching down on diamonds right in front of it!

“Tyranitar! (￣～￣)”

Cosmoem recoiled a little deeper into the backpack, only to watch Tyranitar dig out a huge bag of chips from behind.

Wait… is that for me?

Nebby wondered as Tyranitar brusquely nudged Cosmoem aside and shoved the chips straight into Gengar’s backpack.

“Tyranitar!┑(￣Д ￣)┍”

If you’re going on a trip, you’d better have snacks!

“Let’s get moving. We’ll reach the Altar of the Sunne sometime this evening.”

Natsume slung his single-strap bag over his shoulder. A Victini perched right on his head, radiating Infinity Energy—though having all that energy on his scalp hurt his hair a bit.

With a battle potentially looming, he stored up some Aura of Ripple and The Power of One in advance—a few aching hairs was a small price to pay.

He handed a macaron up to the Victini above, who let go with both tiny hands to grab the treat, face lighting up with surprise. “Victini~(oﾟvﾟ)ノ”

Natsume chuckled, tossing out the Poké Ball Nurse Joy had prepped. He called,

“Latias, we’re heading out!”

“Latias~” Latias mumbled bashfully—

I’d kind of like to try one of those sweets too…

“If you promise to fly slower, I’ll give you one,” Natsume bargained.

“Latias…” Latias nodded, albeit a bit evasively.

Then maybe… I’ll fly a little slower…

Ten minutes later.

Natsume landed in the Vast Poni Canyon, barely managing to stand as his knees wobbled.

“The trip’s supposed to take an hour, but… we made it in ten minutes…”

Natsume caught his breath and rasped, “Thanks, Latias.”

Latias smiled, eyes curving with pride. “Latias~”

Of course. When it comes to flying speed, I leave my brother in the dust!

Vast Poni Canyon was Poni Island’s famed landscape, with layer upon layer of jagged cliffs, mist swirling between them.

Natsume had checked the map; there was a little old village atop the cliffs, rich with history.

Camping out in the canyon overnight was risky. If Nebby didn’t evolve today, they’d just stay in the village.

A stream wound along the canyon floor—Natsume walked a stone path by the water, using the memory of his research trip here with Cynthia to guide him deeper toward the Altar of the Sunne.

Wild bushes grew along the cliffs, Pecha Berries and Sitrus Berries wafting their sweet scent. Victini gulped but remembered Blastoise’s advice—not to pick them.

Without realizing it, Blastoise’s steady approach had become part of the team’s instincts!

“Through this foggy path lies the Altar of the Sunne.”

Natsume pointed to a narrow trail ahead. “Sirfetch’d, will you hit us with a Defog?”

A beam of red light shot from the Premier Ball as Sirfetch’d nodded. “Sirfetch’d!”

With a mighty swing of its leek, fierce gusts of wind swept away the thick fog, clearing the view—a mysterious, grand altar emerging in the distance.

A colossal cross was hewn into the sheer rock wall; beneath it, a round altar with a central, square pool of clear water. A perfect depression waited in the center for the Cocoon of the Stars—Cosmoem.

Natsume and his Pokémon quietly went solemn. Cosmoem in Gengar’s backpack seemed to sense both comfort and sadness in this sacred shrine, sitting still in silence.

“It’s a long time since anyone’s come here to pray.”

Natsume said gently, “But this is your way home, Nebby.”

Cosmoem moved its gaze to Natsume; blue gems flickered and, at last, its eyes settled with resolve.

I want to… thank everyone for caring for me all this time.

So I want to evolve—and help everyone as much as I can!

Images flashed through its mind: meeting Ash, hiding in Lillie’s backpack, playing with the students, and Jirachi’s gentle smile.

Nebby was Lillie’s name for her; her real name was Cosmoem, her body brimming with overwhelming power. Still, she had to return to her own world—her true self was needed to chase away darkness and bring light.

“You don’t have to leave in a hurry,”

Natsume smiled, “Once you evolve you can still be with us awhile—and you’ll be able to move on your own!”

“Cosmoem~” Cosmoem’s face pulled into a gentle smile.

When it comes to evolution, Pokémon make their own choices.

Ash’s Pikachu, Natsume’s Togepi, never evolved—maybe because they wanted to always be by their trainers’ side, just the way they were.

Cosmoem chose evolution out of gratitude for everyone’s company and care, and to shoulder her own mission.

She was everyone’s Nebby.

The Altar of the Sunne was vast and magnificent. Sylveon used Fairy Aura to project a majestic pressure, keeping wild Pokémon away.

Arcanine stood proud and alert, its mane blowing in the wind. Its dark eyes reflected a rare solemnity, noble and brave—except for its constantly wagging tail, which made it a little goofy, too.

The Cosmoem was gently placed in the depression ahead.

Natsume’s eyes lit up.

Then, with the help of Meloetta’s “universal melody” and the power of the Poké Flute, he played the “Evolution of Solgaleo” theme!

……

Pokémon School.

Kukui walked into the classroom and immediately picked up on the unusual mood, smiling as he called out,

“What’s with all the long faces? Come on, let’s see that Z-Move spirit!”

“Professor…” Lillie whispered.

Lana’s eyes flickered. “Now that Nebby’s gone…”

“Does that mean she won’t ever come back?” Mallow worried.

Kukui was taken aback. In just two months, the students and Nebby had formed a precious bond.

He looked at the distracted boys, the downcast girls, and smiled again,

“You have to believe—when there’s a bond between you and a Pokémon, even if you say goodbye, you’ll always meet again!”

“That’s the tie that connects us.” Kukui linked his hands, “Trainer and Pokémon—Pokémon and Pokémon—believe in that feeling, and Nebby will absolutely come back to see you!”

The students’ eyes brightened, their sadness eased a little.

“Professor,” Sophocles piped up, “Natsume-sensei won’t be back tonight, will he?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because… to evolve into Solgaleo, you need sunlight, right?”

Sophocles scratched his head. “My cousin at the observatory said there’s going to be a solar eclipse starting this afternoon—it might be impossible for Nebby to evolve, right?”

Kukui blinked, nodding. “Exactly; if there’s a solar eclipse today, Nebby won’t evolve until tomorrow morning with sunlight. You’re sure it’s this afternoon?”

“I—I’m not sure. My cousin said not to tell anyone—didn’t want everyone freaking out. The data’s unstable; a solar eclipse might not happen at all…”

“A solar eclipse, huh…”

Kukui rubbed his chin, frowning as he thought about Alola’s ancient legends.

“Alright, self-study for the rest of class!”

He strode out, leaving a room full of restless students.

“Sophocles, what exactly is this solar eclipse thing?” Mallow blurted.

“Yeah, you should’ve just told us,” Kiawe added.

“It’s because the data’s so unreliable, I can’t just tell anyone!” Sophocles argued, turning red.

“But you told us anyway~” Lana pointed out, “How about giving us all the details?”

“Uh…” Sophocles made up his mind. “This afternoon, only Poni Island will be able to see the eclipse—and it’s going to be a very narrow area, right near the Altar of the Sunne!”

“What if…” Ash’s eyes lit up, thinking boldly.

“While we have free time, let’s go to Poni Island!”

“Huh!?”

“We just got our Ultra Defense Team outfits, and flying partners. We can visit Natsume-sensei on Poni Island—maybe get to see Nebby one more time!”

Everyone agreed—if the eclipse really happened, Nebby wouldn’t evolve until tomorrow.

Tonight might be their last chance to see Cosmoem.

“Let’s do it.” Lillie, golden hair in a high ponytail, eyes sparkling, said bravely, “We’re going to find Natsume-sensei and Nebby!”

……

Space Research Institute.

Burnet frowned at the towering display—Alola’s four islands mapped out.

Each island’s green glow reflected its aura’s strength. Normally, these would recover over time even if low.

But now, all four islands’ aura was rapidly leaking away, like a popped balloon, the lost energy flowing into some Ultra Wormhole.

“Is this another leftover from last time?”

Burnet’s brow furrowed. “Besides Guzzlord, Alola’s overflowing aura is attracting an even stronger Ultra Beast…”

And this Ultra Beast seemed able to absorb both aura and light itself.

The hair on Burnet’s arms stood up as she thought of an ancient legend—one elders called by name.

But—no, it couldn’t be. “The Radiant Lord” was the deity who brought Alola light—there’s no way it would take that light away!

BEEP BEEP BEEP—

A call made Burnet jump—she answered to Kukui’s voice.

“Burnet, is the eclipse really happening tonight?”

She paused. “Mount Hokulani Observatory did submit data, but the errors are huge—there’s every chance it’s a false alarm. Why?”

“Could it be caused by a Pokémon’s interference? I mean—”

Kukui drew a steadying breath. “Could this ‘eclipse’ be something a Pokémon is causing?”

Burnet, staring at the rapidly fading island aura, weighed it all with Kukui’s idea.

“Maybe you’re right, Kukui…”

“Not just a Pokémon—an Ultra Beast… one that devours the light and brings the darkness!”

……

Altar of the Sunne

Light and shadow subtly shifted as the day marched on.

Evolution did not go as smoothly as Natsume had hoped.

He set Nebby in the slot for the evolutionary stone, played the ancient evolution melody on the Poké Flute—but the Cocoon of the Stars just sat there, no response.

More than an hour drifted by, edging close to four o’clock.

Cosmoem lay in the stone cradle, staring up at Natsume with a helpless, anxious look.

“I’m stumped too… what’s missing?”

Natsume wondered. “Is the fog the problem? Arcanine—Sunny Day, let’s go!”

“Arcanine!” Arcanine gathered up a blinding ball of white light and fired it skyward.

The sun burst through the clouds, shining full-force down on Cosmoem, triggering a strange reaction.

“It’s working!” Natsume perked up.

Of course—it wasn’t the melody or the altar that mattered most. To evolve Cosmoem into Solgaleo, sunlight was everything.

“Arcanine, pile it on—Sunny Day, keep it going!”

“Arcanine!! (｀0′)” Arcanine howled.

“Meloetta ~”

Meloetta chanted the “Song of the Sun,” Natsume joining in with the Poké Flute.

Brilliant sunlight bathed Cosmoem’s sapphire body, weaving faint rainbows as the Evolution Light began to shimmer. Gengar and the others stared, eyes wide.

That was definitely the Evolution Light!

As the sun poured down on Cosmoem, its form began to change—as if a massive creature was breaking free from the Cocoon of the Stars.

All attention was locked on this epic moment.

Even Natsume failed to notice as darkness crept back across the sky—the sun growing gnawed away, a black spot spreading over its face.

The Evolution Light receded like the tide, and before the little ones stood a mighty lion.

It gleamed like the sun itself, white mane rippling in the wind, each limb strong and graceful, face radiating majesty and warmth!

The sun god—Solgaleo!!

Solgaleo towered even higher than Arcanine, but having evolved just now, its strength was only Champion-level.

With time, as it absorbed more sunlight, Solgaleo would grow stronger—but right now, it was at its weakest.

“Solgaleo!” Solgaleo let out a deep, lion-like rumble, affectionately nuzzling Natsume’s hand before swiping a giant tongue across his face.

“Congratulations, Solgaleo—no, Nebby.” Natsume smiled.

“Solgaleo!”

Nebby was no tiny puffball anymore—she was all muscle and dazzle, four paws steady, white mane shining.

“Gengar~” Gengar, not to be outdone, licked Natsume’s cheek from the other side.

Rotom Pokédex zipped around Solgaleo, snapping photos from every angle.

“Beep… We just recorded a priceless pic, Rotom!”

It really was priceless—the first HD Solgaleo footage in modern Alola history—a shoo-in for a research prize.

Natsume was still basking in Nebby’s evolution when Gengar tugged his sleeve and pointed to the sky.

“Gengar!”

“Hm? What is it?”

Natsume looked up, handsome features darkened as an unnatural gloom swept over him. His pupils reflected a truly bizarre celestial scene.

Daylight was vanishing like an ebbing tide. Even their shadows had disappeared. The lower edge of the sun grew jagged, then melted away, swallowed by darkness as the air went silent and wild Pokémon scattered in panic.

All natural light vanished, leaving only the glow of Solgaleo and Arcanine behind.

Natsume squinted upward: the sun had vanished—replaced by a gigantic, black sphere. Its rim leaked an oily darkness, the center twisting into a jet-black Ultra Wormhole, wavering as some unknown Ultra Beast shrieked from within.

With Nebby’s evolution, new prey had arrived—drawn by Solgaleo’s birth.

Among the legends, it was “The Radiant Lord” who lost both sunlight and moonlight, seeking out Solgaleo and Lunala to reclaim the light!

The wind howled, lashing at Natsume’s coat.

Natsume stood in front of Solgaleo and gazed skyward, where the solar eclipse’s inky Ultra Wormhole began to open. From its black heart emerged a terrifying, crystal-armored Ultra Beast, draped in darkness.

It unfurled jagged claws made of black crystal; its prism scales fractured the stolen light; and its spiked, menacing crown shone with rainbowed, merciless eyes that stared down at Natsume!

Codename UB: Black—the legendary cosmic Pokémon, Necrozma!