Chapter 63: It's About to Awaken
"Looks like they were drawn here too."
Mammon looked at the two Pokémon flying in from the distance and smiled, not at all surprised.
Caitlin slowly walked over and also saw the two Pokémon hovering above.
"Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu?"
She stared at the two island guardians—it was indeed Tapu Koko, guardian of Melemele Island, and Tapu Bulu, guardian of Ula'ula Island.
The two had arrived upon sensing Lunala's emergence, coming to offer their congratulations.
That said...
Tapu Koko glanced at Tapu Fini. As the guardian of Poni Island, the altar was located right on its territory.
Lunala had appeared—Tapu Koko was pleased—but the fact that Tapu Fini hadn't informed them left it quite unhappy.
Though they were all island guardians and technically equals, Tapu Koko, being the strongest among them, was seen as the de facto leader.
"Ma xi?"
After sharing a moment with Lillie, Lunala turned and gently floated upward, casting its regal gaze upon the four guardians and motioning for them to leave.
All four bowed slightly in submission, and Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu turned to depart.
But...
The moment they saw Mammon and Caitlin take out Poké Balls to retrieve Tapu Fini and Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko's mind went completely blank.
"???"
Three big question marks seemed to appear above Tapu Koko's head. Wait, when were Fini and Lele caught?
Why didn't it know?
Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu exchanged a glance, both seeing the same confusion and bewilderment in each other's eyes.
Still, Lunala had ordered them to leave, so this wasn't the time to ask questions.
Tapu Koko was left utterly puzzled. After thinking for a moment, it decided to stick around nearby. They were island guardians, after all—had Fini and Lele abandoned the honor of their duty?
It needed answers!
Mammon, of course, had no idea what Tapu Koko was thinking. He was actually feeling a bit disappointed—after all, both Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu had appeared together.
But trying to catch two Pokémon who had come to celebrate, and doing so right in front of Lunala, just didn't feel right.
Even though it had only just evolved, Lunala's power was already clearly overwhelming—no doubt a result of all the energy the Altar of the Moone had poured into it.
"Ma xi~"
As Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu departed, Lunala floated slowly down to Mammon, its gem-like crimson-violet eyes still stunningly beautiful.
"Congratulations on your evolution, Lunala." Mammon smiled and offered his blessing.
Lunala… so that was its name?
Caitlin was curious and subtly studied the magnificent, bat-like creature now hovering close by.
No matter how she looked at it, this Lunala felt incredibly powerful.
The psychological pressure it gave off was something she had never experienced before—not even Cynthia's ace, Garchomp, had affected her like this.
This Lunala was terrifyingly strong!!
"Ma xi~" A gentle smile appeared in Lunala's eyes as it lowered its head and leaned closer to Mammon.
It remembered him—this human who had always treated it with kindness.
"You've grown so big, but you're still just as fond of being spoiled."
Mammon's lips curled into a soft smile as he gently stroked Lunala's face. Lunala closed its eyes slightly in contentment.
Clearly, it still retained its memories from when it was Nebby—and they were still vivid. Perhaps it had matured through evolution, but a trace of childlike innocence remained.
Which was just as well.
As Mammon looked at Lunala up close, he couldn't help feeling a ripple of emotion. This was the legendary "Beast That Invites the Moon"—Lunala!
One of the cover legendaries from the Sun/Moon version—one of the apex Pokémon in the entire Pokémon world.
"Want a treat?" After a moment, Mammon took out a piece of candy and smiled at Lunala.
Lunala tilted its head slightly.
Mammon unwrapped the candy and offered it to Lunala, who accepted it. Its gemlike eyes curved into crescent moons.
"So cute~" Caitlin's eyes sparkled. That mismatch between its elegant exterior and adorable expression was just too precious.
After finishing the candy, Lunala slowly drifted into the air.
"Nebby?"
Lillie came running over, gazing up at Lunala.
"Ma xi~"
Lunala looked down gently, its voice still magnetic and soft.
"It says it's going to look for its companion—the one who's been waiting for it to return," Mammon translated for them.
The "companion" Lunala referred to was undoubtedly Solgaleo.
"Nebby… you're leaving?" Lillie pursed her lips. She knew she should wish it well, but she still felt a twinge of sadness.
'I'll come back.'
A graceful, mature woman's voice suddenly echoed in all three of their minds.
"Telepathy," Caitlin murmured, quickly realizing what it was—Lunala was speaking through telepathy.
"Nebby?" Lillie looked toward Lunala immediately. Her instincts told her that voice belonged to it.
'Lillie and Mammon are also my companions. Once I find it, I'll come back.' Lunala said gently.
"Mhm! Nebby will always be my partner!" Lillie said, holding back the sting in her eyes.
"We'll meet again," Mammon smiled up at Lunala.
'If you ever need my help, play today's tune—I'll hear it.'
The Sun Flute and Moon Flute shimmered with blue light and gently returned to the ground before the two of them.
"Goodbye, Lillie. Goodbye, Mammon."
A white Ultra Wormhole opened above, and Lunala's figure flew into it and disappeared.
The Ultra Wormhole slowly faded away, and the night sky returned to calm.
"It's gone…"
Lillie looked up at the deep crescent moon, her heart swirling with complicated feelings.
"Don't worry—Lunala said it'll come back."
Mammon reassured her, though he too felt a little disappointed. He had really hoped to catch Lunala.
But Lunala's power was clearly overwhelming. Even if it offered him the chance to challenge it, the odds of winning—and catching it—were very low.
Still, he had at least formed a good relationship with Lunala. There would be opportunities in the future.
Besides...
Mammon thought of the message Sakaki had sent him. It was almost about to awaken!
Once things wrapped up in Alola, he'd head back to Kanto. Even if it hadn't fully awakened yet, its strength was sure to be incredible.
If he could persuade it, he might finally gain a truly powerful ace.
(End of chapter)