At first, Damian had planned to catch Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu before leaving Alola.
But thinking it through, it wasn't worth the hassle.
Catching them would only add two more Legendary Pokémon to Team Rocket's "trophy list." Damian had no intention of training either of them himself.
If he took them, he'd have to feed them, house them, and keep an eye on them so they didn't bolt the first chance they got. It was easier to leave them alone.
First, letting Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu keep managing the four islands would lower the tension with Kukui and the others. People like compromise.
Team Rocket "taking" all four Tapu would cross a line. Taking only two didn't hit that psychological threshold that would push Kukui or the island kahunas into open war.
Second, Ultra Beasts really did appear at random across Alola. With guardians like Tapu Koko still on duty, the casualties and damage would drop a lot.
Tapu Koko—and the other one—would handle the mess.
Ultra Beasts harmed Alola's interests, and by extension Team Rocket's interests, so having the Tapu on patrol was basically free labor.
"Tch… good thing I didn't move," Damian muttered, clicking his tongue. "Otherwise I'd end up releasing them later anyway. What a waste."
With the Tapu gone, the three of them left the Altar of the Moone. It was already late, so they decided to stay the night on Poni Island.
As they walked, Lillie glanced at Damian.
"You recognized Nebby's current form, didn't you?"
"Yeah." Damian nodded once.
"Lunala. Psychic and Ghost-type. The Moone Pokémon.
"Ability: Shadow Shield.
"Known as the Beast That Calls the Moon. It sustains itself by converting light into energy."
He recited the Pokédex entry without missing a beat. And while he was at it, he made a mental note: before he left Alola, he needed to talk to Kukui about Lunala.
"The Beast That Calls the Moon…" Caitlin said, thinking. "That's one of Alola's Legendary Pokémon, right? I've heard the name."
"Exactly," Damian said. "The Beast That Calls the Moon and the Beast That Devours the Sun are both recorded in ancient literature."
Lillie nodded, quiet, her gaze a little unfocused. She truly hadn't expected Nebby to be that figure from the old texts.
Since ancient times, it has been revered as an emissary of the moon. In awe, the ancients called it the Beast That Calls the Moon.
What kind of existence… have I been taking care of this whole time?
They were all "Legendary Pokémon," but the four Tapu and Lunala weren't in the same category.
Put simply, Lunala's place in Alola's history carried the kind of weight Ho-Oh or Lugia had for Johto, or Dialga and Palkia had for Sinnoh.
That comparison was about cultural significance and historical presence—not combat power.
Lillie's eyes sharpened as a thought caught up with her.
"Did you know what Nebby was from the start?"
"Not really," Damian said, shaking his head. "At first, I didn't think much of it. But after Nebby evolved once and started looking like the 'Star Cloud' described in old books… I had a decent idea."
It was a lie, delivered smoothly.
Lillie went quiet again, but relief warmed her chest. Otherwise—even if she didn't want to think that way—she would've had to wonder whether Damian had approached her and Nebby on purpose.
They kept talking until they reached a nearby town. There, they booked three rooms at a local inn.
"Hey, Father."
After a shower, Giovanni called at just the right time.
"The three Legendary Birds have been captured," Giovanni said calmly, like he was reporting they'd caught three Pidgey. "Do you want to train one?"
"Oh?" Damian raised an eyebrow. "Sabrina and the others moved fast."
The "Three Legendary Birds" of Kanto meant Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. Giovanni had handed that mission to Team Rocket's three top executives.
"My party's full," Damian said after a moment. "Keep Zapdos and Articuno for now. Send Moltres to the ranch to be raised."
He wasn't particularly interested in the birds for himself.
"You want to send one to Selene."
Giovanni didn't even phrase it as a question. Damian asking to keep two made the intent obvious—Damian was never stingy when it came to Selene.
"Ha." Damian exhaled. "Nothing gets past you."
"Damian," Giovanni said, and his tone lowered slightly, "are you sure Selene will be able to accept your identity?"
Giovanni sighed. He'd spent months with Selene the previous year. He knew exactly how exceptional she was.
Without exaggeration, Giovanni believed Selene's talent as a Trainer wasn't inferior to Damian's at all—if anything, in some areas she surpassed him.
Two "monsters" like that existing at the same time made Giovanni feel like common sense had been tossed out the window.
The upside was obvious: one was his son, and the other was his prospective daughter-in-law.
Giovanni liked Selene. But the real issue remained—could she accept Damian's role in Team Rocket? If she couldn't, Damian would be raising a future super-boss with his own hands.
"You don't get it, Father," Damian said, voice steady. "This is the bond between us."
He sounded completely certain.
Even if his identity was exposed, Damian believed Selene would only become more convinced that the Pokémon League was the corrupt side for forcing him into the shadows and blacklisting him.
"…Fair enough." Giovanni laughed softly.
"By the way," Damian added, "I've caught a lot of Ultra Beasts. Want to train a couple? Their base stats are impressive."
"Any Ground-types?"
"No."
"Then wait until there's a suitable Ground-type," Giovanni said, taking a sip of tea. His core team was already set.
He was devoted to Ground-types and had little interest in anything else. Even Legendary Pokémon at the level of the three birds didn't tempt him.
He trusted the team he'd raised with his own hands. In his view, it wouldn't be inferior to Moltres.
Originally, the "Artificial God" created by Team Rocket's genetic research had been meant for Giovanni—but Damian liked it, so Giovanni had let him take it.
"Fine." Damian didn't push. He already had ideas about what he'd prepare for Giovanni later.
"The work here in Alola is basically done," Damian said. "I'll head back to Kanto soon."
"Mm." Giovanni's mature, slightly severe features eased into a faint smile.
"Damian," Giovanni said, "I've applied for the Kanto Elite Four Challenge at the end of the year."
Damian froze.
"Father… are you serious?"