Chapter 0797: The Night Before the Proposal, Wishing Star of Seven Nights(Two-in-One)

The laboratory was in shambles as Professor Burnet connected to the central control panel, her fingers flying over the keys.

“I’ve used the remaining Nebby energy to keep the expanding Ultra Wormholes in check,” Burnet said with a frown. “But to completely control the Ultra Wormholes, we’ll need to make Cosmoem evolve.”

“But… I don’t think Cosmoem necessarily wants to evolve!” Ash argued, still holding the one-ton Nebby in his arms.

Natsume understood his perspective. Ash was a classic ‘no-evolution’ trainer who respected his Pokémon’s wishes.

His own Togepi was similar to Ash’s Pikachu, so he never forced Togepi to evolve either.

Kukui ruffled Ash’s hair with a smile:

“In Alolan mythology, Solgaleo and Lunala are Nebby’s true forms.”

“So you don’t need to worry—Nebby won’t forget about you after it evolves.”

Seeing his students’ eyes flicker with sadness, Kukui added cheerfully,

“Nebby is a friend to all of us.”

For Nebby to evolve into Solgaleo, it had to be taken to the Altar of the Sunne, where the Sun Flute was to be played.

Natsume and Cynthia had already investigated the Altar of the Sunne. While they didn’t have the Sun Flute, they did have Meloetta, who could master any melody.

Clever as always, Professor Kukui quickly understood, and turned his gaze meaningfully toward Natsume-sensei.

Kukui: (☆_☆)

Natsume: "...Why are you looking at me like that?"

Burnet: “Natsume-sensei, could you please take Nebby to the Altar of the Sunne one more time?”

So that’s what they call being a supportive couple.

Kukui and Burnet shared a knowing smile.

Natsume’s expression was complicated.

As Nebby’s caretaker, there was no real problem with the task.

The real issue was, the moment Solgaleo appears, it’s bound to draw Necrozma’s attention.

After losing its “light,” Necrozma needs to devour the Sun God and Moon God, then evolve into Duskmane or Dawn Wings form.

Unfortunately, both of these forms are extremely aggressive—using Digimon terms, it’s “incorrect evolution.”

The true form requires absorbing “light” to become Ultra Necrozma.

Ultra Necrozma is the embodiment of light and benevolence, praised as “The Radiant Lord.”

Natsume looked around. Everyone’s eyes fell on him.

Come to think of it.

Natsume’s mood was delicate.

Other than himself and Ash, there really wasn’t anyone else capable of protecting Nebby from Necrozma!

“The catch is, I can’t even pick up Nebby now,” Natsume said honestly.

The Pokédex lists Nebby at a ton, but in reality, it must weigh much more—after all, even Wailord is under a ton in the Pokédex.

Natsume guessed Nebby was like a small asteroid—completely breaking the laws of physics. Newton would roll over in his grave.

“Let Ash go with you,” Professor Kukui said with a smile. “He’s about to start his next Island Trial on Akala Island anyway!”

Natsume paused, glancing at the happy-go-lucky kid. Ash grinned, showing perfect white teeth.

Ash: “Heh~”

Heh, my foot!

Last time I teamed up with Ash, we ran into both the god of X and Y.

The time before that, it was Hoopa.

Natsume broke out in a cold sweat.

I’d rather team up with Gold the Fifth—at least he could tank and draw aggro!

Wait... maybe Ash is useful after all.

During the City of Wastes incident, he even almost eliminated the “possessing super demon god”...

Natsume glanced at the unconscious Faba, then at Lusamine being supported by Lillie and Gladion.

Forget it… As Captain of the Ultra Defense Team, I carry the mission of becoming the light and calling forth the dawn.

“Mr. Handsome, arrest Faba. Anabel, you take Lusamine into custody pending trial.”

“Yes, Chief!” both replied in unison.

Lana, Mallow, Sophocles, and Kiawe stared at Natsume-sensei’s back in awe.

“What’s going on with Natsume-sensei?” Mallow whispered.

“I don’t know, but he’s super cool,” Sophocles’s eyes sparkled.

“Natsume-sensei seems like Island Kahuna Nanu—he’s also with the International Police,” Lana whispered.

“Oh! I’ve decided—I definitely want to join the Ultra Defense Team too!” Kiawe’s eyes blazed.

Anabel noticed, walking over quietly. Kiawe immediately shut up and stood stiffly.

“The Ultra Defense Team is recruiting.”

Anabel handed over her business card, her tone calm: “You, and all of you, can apply for an interview.”

“Really?!” The students cheered as one.

Anabel nodded slightly. The students erupted in cheers: “That’s awesome!”

Natsume shot Anabel a look, but she wore an indifferent expression, clearly not having checked with her superior.

After all, Natsume opposed Ash and the others joining the Ultra Defense Team—who knew what mess they could cause.

But now, a subordinate dared counter her superior!

Natsume eyed the buzzing Kiawe and friends, suddenly understanding.

If he, Anabel, Handsome, and Colress were the “earth defense squad,”

Then Ash, Lana, Kiawe, and Sophocles were the “Springfield defense squad”...

Maybe it was good—it’s never wise to underestimate the next generation.

No matter how weak a Trainer Ash is, he’s still a Champion.

Natsume stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Nebby was still asleep.

So evolving Nebby and closing the Ultra Wormholes didn’t have to be rushed.

There was one more important thing before then—traveling to Ula’ula Island.

Not only did Sylveon aim for her “Battle Legends” achievement,

I’d also heard the famed Hokulani Observatory on the island was considered the holy land for proposals.

With work temporarily complete, Natsume’s eyes flickered.

Standing at the observatory, you could see all of Alola’s starry sky…

…

Nihilego, after five years of research and almost losing its head, had pitifully returned to the Ultra Wormholes.

Despicable humans... I’ll never come back to Earth again!

Faba was apprehended; Lusamine, misled, bore lighter responsibility; Guzma fell under International Police scrutiny and was ordered to disband Team Skull.

Meanwhile, in the Alola Region, rumors of “forming a league and breaking Aether’s monopoly” spread, gaining massive public support.

This was a pleasant surprise for Professor Kukui. Even though Guzma was reluctant, he had no choice but to consider a new career.

Naturally, this was the work of Matori and the “Matori Matrix.”

In her words, sometimes investing works better than battling.

That’s also Giovanni’s style—when he was young, he ran Team Rocket, the Viridian Gym, and Silph Co., controlling business, crime, and the Pokémon world.

Every villain who came after looked like a Squirtle next to a Blastoise in comparison.

Yet because of the chaos caused by Faba, both the lab and the Research Institute were sealed off.

To close the Ultra Wormholes, the strength of the Sun God was needed.

Once Nebby awakened, Natsume-sensei would take it to the Altar of the Sunne to evolve into Solgaleo.

Because someone had to carry Nebby… Ash and Natsume-sensei would travel together.

“I still wish I could have teamed up with Steven,” Natsume mused privately.

For Lusamine, learning her husband wasn’t dead, and reconciling with her children, was a relief.

Although Aether Foundation might shut down due to multiple violations, at least she had some closure.

Lillie would continue her studies at the Trainer Academy.

Gladion would join the Ultra Defense Team (struck out: Springfield defense squad) as Natsume-sensei’s student to fight Ultra Beasts.

He told Natsume-sensei:

“I don’t want to see anyone else shedding tears like Mother did.”

“That’s a fine ambition.”

Natsume smiled. “You and Silvally will grow even stronger together… Remember what I taught you?”

“Mhm.”

Gladion nodded, golden hair swaying, “To study… Arceus’s battle style.”

“In battle, swap memory discs based on your opponent’s type, so Silvally can be immune to almost every attack!”

Natsume nodded in satisfaction.

Silvally can switch between 18 type discs to change its own type.

As the saying goes—Arceus has the nickname ‘Silver Battle Partner!’

……

Mossdeep City, Space Center.

On the Hoenn coast, Mossdeep was home to Hoenn's largest observatory, planetarium, and rocket launch center—as well as Steven Stone’s residence.

Natsume had once traveled from here, with Rayquaza, to smash a massive meteorite in space.

It was a meteor shower gift for Cynthia.

The records were stored at the Space Center and almost unknown, but cosmic research never stopped.

“Mr. Steven.”

A researcher in a white coat pushed up his glasses, addressing the tall, well-dressed, blue-haired man:

“A large Ultra Wormhole appeared today over the Alola Region—big enough to swallow a human. Should we send someone to investigate?”

“Alola...”

Steven’s sapphire eyes glinted, deep in thought. “I remember… Champion Natsume is in Alola right now, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

The researcher smiled. “He’s teaching in Alola after retiring. I watched his tide-pooling video the other day… And you know, Alola’s beaches really are something!”

“Is that so.” Steven smiled warmly. “With him there, there’s no need to send anyone to Alola.”

Whenever it came to that man, Steven’s trust was unshakable.

It was the kind of revolutionary friendship forged through many life-and-death battles.

“One more thing, Mr. Steven.”

The researcher continued, “In recent years, due to time-space turbulence and dimensional disturbance... all kinds of stacking effects have caused drastic environmental changes.”

“Sensing a survival crisis, formerly dormant Pokémon are awakening earlier than expected.”

Steven frowned: “Are you referring to… Kyogre and Groudon?”

They’ve awakened two or three times already… Is it going to happen again?

The researcher shook his head. “It’s unlikely for them this time. As the Rainbow Meteorite energy fades, their Primal Reversion state is disappearing.”

“In other words, Groudon and Kyogre will appear again, but only in their original forms.”

Steven: “So you mean…”

“Some Pokémon from space will also awaken early.”

The researcher became serious:

“We’ve detected a meteor shower, which will arrive over Alola. Hokulani Observatory is the best observation site.”

“Among many small meteors, there’s a particularly bright comet.”

“According to ancient Toran legend, it’s known as the Wishing Star of Seven Nights!”