Ultra Necrozma, Lunala, and Solgaleo—these three are collectively known as the Legendary Cosmic Pokémon.
They are Ultra Beasts that hail from the mysterious Ultra Space, beings whose names appear throughout ancient myths and legends.
Cosmog, in ancient times, was called the "Child of the Stars." From ancient days to the present, almost no one knew of its existence—it was that small and fragile.
Cosmoem, the evolved form of Cosmog, was once called the "Cocoon of the Stars." In ancient times, the kings of Alola worshipped this cocoon of starlight and even built altars dedicated to it. When melodies from the Sun Flute or Moon Flute were played atop those altars, it was said that the Cocoon of the Stars would evolve!
As for Lunala and Solgaleo, legend has it that the two once fought evenly against the island guardians of Alola—a battle so intense that even the guardians themselves were forced to yield, acknowledging the two cosmic beings and granting the island deities their Z-Power as a gift.
Then there was Necrozma—the final one among them—known in ancient times as the Light Devourer. It was said that when Necrozma appeared over Alola, the entire world was swallowed by darkness. Even Solgaleo or Lunala were said to have been captured and absorbed by it.
The people were terrified. The Alolan king ordered all books and records concerning Necrozma to be burned, erasing all knowledge of the creature. Yet the fusion forms of Necrozma with Solgaleo and Lunala—known as Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings—remained whispered about in myth.
In Ultra Megalopolis, the people revered Necrozma as the "Radiant God." In the past, the light Necrozma emitted had provided them with life and illumination. But the people grew greedy—they wanted more. They seized the light that Necrozma possessed, stealing it for themselves and driving the once-radiant being into madness. Eventually, they constructed the Megalo Tower to imprison it within.
(AN: This is based on the in-game version of Alola's storyline. As mentioned earlier, the version of Alola depicted here follows the game's events—since the three different versions of Necrozma's lore each differ significantly.)
Such was the legend of the Cosmic Pokémon in Alola. As for Dulse—an inhabitant of Ultra Megalopolis—he didn't know the entire truth, but he believed in what was recorded in the ancient texts.
According to those writings, the relationship between Necrozma and the duo Solgaleo and Lunala was far from friendly!
And now, within the current Ultra Megalopolis, only Lunala remained.
So where had Solgaleo gone?
Perhaps it had traveled to another dimension. But Dulse suspected that, more likely, Solgaleo had been severely wounded by Necrozma before the latter was sealed away.
"If Lunala is here, we can stop these intruders... and then we'll need to question them properly—find out exactly where they came from."
Dulse let out a slow sigh of relief, his gaze turning deep as he studied Lucas and his companions.
Necrozma was far too dangerous—especially in its current state of madness, deprived of light.
And in such a state, what would it do?
Even without a clear mind, Necrozma would surely seek to absorb Ultra Energy to replenish its lost radiance.
And in all of Ultra Megalopolis, who possessed the greatest amount of that energy?
Without question—it was Lunala!
Thus, Lunala would never allow Necrozma to reawaken. The threat Necrozma posed to it was simply too great!
"Laaa!"
Lunala's crimson eyes glowed as it faced Lucas and the others, letting out a sharp, rasping cry.
It was a warning!
A warning not to interfere with Necrozma's seal.
"Are you... afraid of Necrozma, Lunala?"
Lucas slowly took out a Poké Ball, smiling as he looked at the great lunar Pokémon. He didn't seem the least bit tense at its appearance.
If anything—he seemed intrigued.
Lunala's eyes darkened, and the pressure it emitted intensified. Clearly, its emotions were not in a good place.
Was it afraid of Necrozma?
Perhaps not exactly fear—but it was certainly wary. Necrozma's power was simply overwhelming.
And the experience of being forcibly fused with it... was something Lunala never wished to endure again.
"I've already met the Child of the Stars. I think you should know of its existence, shouldn't you?"
The Poké Ball twirled lightly between Lucas's fingers. His tone was calm, yet every word carried clearly to Lunala's ears.
The Child of the Stars?
At those words, Lunala's ruby eyes contracted sharply. Of course, it knew the Child of the Stars!
That was the name humans used to describe its original form. And Lunala was fully aware—there could not exist another one in this world.
So, the "Child of the Stars" that this human mentioned...
Lunala already had a suspicion.
"The Child of the Stars... truly extraordinary." Lusamine's gaze flickered thoughtfully.
The "Child of the Stars" referred to the little Cosmog beside Lillie. Of course, Lusamine knew that. It had taken her extensive research to uncover even that much—but nothing beyond.
She was certain that Cosmog was far from ordinary. But now... it seemed that it was connected to Lunala as well?
And another thing—
Just how did Lucas know all of this?
Even she and the Pokémon League knew next to nothing about Ultra Space, yet he seemed almost intimately familiar with it.
"Human... you know where it is?"
A magnetic, slightly hoarse feminine voice suddenly echoed within everyone's minds.
It was Lunala's telepathy!
"Of course," Lucas replied smoothly. "Right now, it's in our world—the same place you once visited."
"Moreover, it's about to evolve into the Cocoon of the Stars. It won't be long before you're reunited."
He chuckled softly. He had known Lunala wouldn't be able to resist asking about Cosmog's whereabouts.
Though he lacked solid proof, Lucas was fairly certain—Lillie's Cosmog was either Lunala's child... or perhaps a once-devolved Solgaleo.
Either way, to Lunala, that Cosmog was of immense importance.
And he wasn't lying. Cosmog really was on the verge of evolution. Once it became Cosmoem, it could evolve through the altar into either Solgaleo or Lunala.
"...So that's why."
Lunala fell silent for a moment. No wonder it had searched all of Ultra Space and found nothing—Cosmog was in the human world all along.
"Human, you must understand—Necrozma cannot be allowed to awaken."
Suppressing its emotions, Lunala spoke sternly to Lucas.
After what he had just told it, it bore him no hostility—but Necrozma was another matter entirely. That creature had to remain sealed!
"I'm here to capture Necrozma," Lucas replied with an easy smile. "And I'm confident I can stabilize it."
Heh. Like hell he'd let anyone stop him from unsealing it.
At his words, Dulse and the others immediately panicked. Even Lunala itself had spoken out—how could this human still—!?
"HUMAN!" Lunala's telepathic voice sharpened, its tone heavy with command. "Perhaps you don't understand what Necrozma truly is. Its danger exceeds your comprehension."
"I understand perfectly well," Lucas said softly. "Better than anyone, in fact. And that's precisely why it shouldn't be left imprisoned in this tiny tower."
He smiled faintly, then added, "Still... it's not impossible to compromise. I do have one condition."
If Lunala had eyebrows, they'd be furrowed right now.
This human was negotiating with her?
Was the name of Lunala, the Moone Pokémon, worth nothing these days?
"If you agree to become my partner Pokémon, I'll leave this tower right now," Lucas said lightly, still smiling.
Silence fell.
The top of the Ultra Megalopolis tower went completely still—you could hear a pin drop.
Lusamine, Dulse, and the others all froze in disbelief. Even Blue and Marnie stared wide-eyed.
Was this... blackmail?
Good grief! To threaten a high-tier Legendary Pokémon like this... this man was truly one of a kind in history!
"H–How... utterly shameless!" Dulse finally exploded, jabbing a trembling finger toward Lucas.
Lunala was their last line of defense—and this damned outsider not only wanted to release Necrozma but now dared to set his sights on Lunala itself?!
Damn it all!
If only he could win against Lucas, Dulse would've already punched this lunatic into the floor.
The air grew thick and oppressive—Lunala's aura of authority filling the space.
Clearly, it was not amused.
"Human... are you mocking me?"
Its telepathic voice carried an unmistakable chill of danger.
This insolent man dared suggest that she—the majestic Lunala—serve as his Pokémon? Was this a joke?
"Since you're unwilling, then I won't press the matter."
Lucas shrugged casually. He hadn't expected her to agree anyway.
Though... if she had agreed, he wouldn't have minded delaying Necrozma's release for a few days.
Worst case? He'd just spend a little time sightseeing in Alola.
"But as for Necrozma—I'm unsealing it, no matter what."
His tone cooled again. Enough talk—it was time for action.
"So, you truly underestimate me."
Lunala's gem-like eyes glinted coldly. This human... he really wasn't taking her seriously at all.
Lunala hadn't bothered to gauge Lucas's true power, and having lived its life in Ultra Space, it knew little of the legends of the outside world—aside from Alola's four Tapus.
"Ah, so you want to fight? Then I'll entertain you."
Lucas smiled faintly and tossed his Poké Ball.
It burst open midair—and a magnificent white dragon descended, its elegant form radiating purity. The piercing blue eyes of Reshiram locked onto Lunala coldly.
This thing wants to fight me? Reshiram's expression seemed to say. How amusing.
Lunala's gaze hardened. The aura of this Pokémon... it was powerful. Terrifyingly so.
"A battle between legends," Lusamine murmured, feeling the crushing pressure in the air. Never in her life had she imagined witnessing such a scene.
When she had first invited Lucas to cooperate, she could never have foreseen this outcome.
Meanwhile, Dulse and his team quickly retreated to a corner—secretly becoming Lunala's cheer squad.
Yes—Lunala invincible! Lunala must win!
As for Green and Marnie, their flawless faces remained calm and composed.
Just a battle between legendaries? Big deal.
"Laaa~!"
Lunala struck first, its body gliding backward as a cold, silvery moon appeared behind it.
The next instant—a massive beam of moonlight burst forth, surging straight toward Reshiram.
Moonblast!
A wild Lunala has attacked you!
"Fusion Flare," Lucas commanded coolly. Smart choice, Lunala.
It might not recognize Reshiram specifically, but sensing its draconic aura, it wisely chose a Fairy-type move.
Reshiram growled lowly. A blazing orb of fire formed before it, coiling serpents of flame spiraling across its surface.
The cross-shaped blaze took form—and shot forth to meet the incoming Moonblast.
BOOM!
The two forces collided violently—but the Fusion Flare quickly overwhelmed the Moonblast, shattering it entirely before continuing onward toward Lunala.
A non-STAB Moonblast was no match for Reshiram's devastating Fusion Flare.
Seeing this, Lunala spread its wings wide, a deep void ripping open behind it. In an instant, it phased into the rift—
Shadow Sneak!
The fiery blast slammed into the wall of the tower instead, erupting with a deafening roar. Debris flew everywhere, and a gaping hole was blasted open in the structure.
"Really? You're a special attacker, yet you insist on pulling flashy physical tricks like that..."
Lucas shook his head with a sigh. Typical Lunala—always relying on Shadow Sneak.
In the anime storyline, after Necrozma awakened, it had pursued Lunala and Solgaleo relentlessly, trying to absorb their Ultra Energy to restore itself.
During their battles, Lunala had repeatedly used Shadow Sneak—landing a couple of hits that... frankly did nothing.
It was pure tickle damage.
Lunala wasn't weak in physical combat, per se—but her real strength lay in her special attacks. And Shadow Sneak? A physical attack.
Used sparingly, it could be called clever. Used constantly... it was just foolish.
(End of Chapter)