Placing Cosmoem at the very center of the altar, Damian stepped back a few paces.
"Damian, are you sure this is gonna work?"
Caitlin held the Sun Flute, curiosity flickering in her eyes as she looked at him.
Damian had asked her to help by playing the flute. She was more than a little lost—especially after hearing this was for Cosmoem's evolution.
Seriously now, playing a flute could make a Pokémon evolve??
"Of course. You still don't trust me?" Damian shrugged.
"It's mysterious, sure, but this method's been passed down since ancient times. Either way, let's try it first."
He spoke to the two girls.
"Alright."
"Mhm～"
Caitlin and Lillie shared a glance. Caitlin gave the Aether Foundation's young miss a gentle smile, then turned and walked gracefully to her position up ahead on the right.
Lillie blinked, watching the back of this refined, elegant girl.
This girl… seemed to have a very unusual relationship with Mr. Damian…
As that thought flashed through her mind, Lillie headed toward her own spot on the left.
Her steps faltered for a moment when she saw the small pool of water in front of her, but thinking of Cosmoem, she still stepped across and came to stand at the center of the square platform.
All was silent. Cool moonlight spilled down, blurring Lillie's reflection on the water's surface.
The stars glittered overhead. Aside from the faint chirping of insects, the entire altar was wrapped in deep stillness.
"As long as we play this song, Nebby will be able to evolve."
Lillie adjusted her breathing, then glanced to the right at Caitlin, who raised an arm in a "ready" signal.
Lillie nodded back and lifted the Moon Flute to her lips.
A soft, lilting melody floated through the night. The song of the Moon Flute and the Sun Flute intertwined and harmonized, soothing the heart and quieting the soul.
The entire Altar of the Moone was filled with their clear, beautiful notes.
The piece had been agreed upon beforehand, and though they'd never practiced it together, the two girls somehow played with surprising synchronicity.
"Beautiful song."
Arms folded, Damian tapped his fingers idly against his bicep, a smile tugging at his lips as he watched the duet of these two blonde ladies.
Of course, he'd also noticed the subtle changes in the altar itself.
As the Sun Flute and Moon Flute continued their performance, a massive cliff face directly ahead—etched with a moon sigil—began to glow with dazzling light.
A vast amount of energy flowed steadily into the carved lunar pattern, filling it in bit by bit until the entire cliff shone with overflowing power.
Lillie and Caitlin both noticed and blinked in surprise, but they didn't stop playing.
As the song neared its end, the moon sigil finally brimmed with energy. With a sharp crack, the "moon" split apart down the middle.
Boom!
A massive beam of energy blasted forth, slamming straight into Cosmoem at the heart of the altar.
The ritual had begun.
"This is…"
A fierce wind roared across the altar, whipping at Lillie's blonde ponytail and skirt.
She raised an arm to shield her face, watching the torrent of power with the corner of her eye.
This much energy… was all for Nebby's evolution? That was way too much!
Lillie wasn't a Trainer. She didn't know exactly what "strong Trainers" were truly capable of—but she could guess.
Power like this… even a Champion‑tier Trainer probably couldn't withstand it head‑on, right?
But Nebby was soaking it up like a sponge in water, devouring the massive energy without pause.
Nebby…
Lillie's heart pounded. Before coming to the Altar of the Moone, she'd researched everything she could about it.
Most of the ancient texts had been lost, but she'd still managed to find a few fragments.
And they all said the same thing—that the Altar of the Moone had a deep, profound connection to the legacy of a legendary Pokémon.
A Legendary Pokémon.
Was Nebby actually a Legendary Pokémon…?
Seconds ticked by.
The Altar of the Moone's stored energy slowly ran dry, and the beam pouring out of the cliff clearly weakened.
But Cosmoem's body was now blazing with a fierce, radiant light, like a glowing cocoon wrapped tightly around it.
"It's here."
Watching the sphere of light slowly rise into the sky, Damian's smile deepened.
Looked like it was that one after all—not that he'd really doubted it. This was the Altar of the Moone, after all.
The light grew ever brighter, for an instant illuminating the entire sky above them, too intense to look at directly.
All three people below reflexively turned their heads away, their eyes stinging from the glare.
"Lunala～"
A rough, ringing cry echoed through the heavens, as the night sky slowly dimmed again.
Lillie snapped her head up at once—only to freeze at the sight of the being standing proudly in the air.
A new moon hung high in the night sky.
Beneath that pale crescent, a stunning Pokémon raised its head, gazing into the distance.
Its body was a deep violet, its wide wings traced with golden lunar arcs.
Its head was small, crowned with a dark blue patch on which ever‑shifting constellations shimmered.
With its wings fully spread, the silhouette it cast was like a perfect full moon.
Though vaguely bat‑like in shape, it radiated no ominous chill.
If anything, it exuded an overwhelming sense of elegance and nobility—a breathtaking grandeur that washed over anyone who looked at it.
"Lunala."
Damian softly spoke the name of the now‑evolved Lunala.
Tapu Fini and Tapu Lele both wore distinctly human smiles, genuinely happy for it.
"So beautiful～"
Caitlin couldn't help but sigh from the heart. What a regal, gorgeous Pokémon.
Lillie tilted her head back, staring blankly at Lunala poised beneath the moon.
The moonlight was still cool yet gentle. Lunala dipped its head slightly, spreading its wings with a soft sweep.
A breeze brushed across the altar. Lillie's vision blurred for a heartbeat—and when it cleared, Lunala was already standing right in front of her.
Those eyes, like amethyst shot through with crimson, shone with boundless tenderness as they looked at her.
"N… Nebby?"
Lillie reached out as if to touch Lunala, but her hand stopped just short, hovering hesitantly as she called out to it.
Was this… Nebby?
She couldn't be sure.
Could the mischievous little one who'd always stayed by her side really have become this dignified, beautiful Pokémon?
"Lunala～"
With a low, resonant hum, Lunala leaned in closer to Lillie.
Its wings folded in, gently wrapping the girl in a careful embrace.
The slow, tender motion was filled with warmth. It remembered—of course it remembered.
The girl in its arms had once held it with that same gentle care.
It really was Nebby.
Lillie pressed her lips together, then cautiously rested her forehead against Nebby's chest.
A cool sensation seeped through, but all she felt inside was a rush of warmth.
Nebby… had grown up.
"What a beautiful scene."
Damian's smile broadened as he watched the peaceful moment, a rare sense of emotion stirring in his chest.
The bond between Pokémon and humans really was something special.
But…
He lifted his gaze to the horizon, where two figures were flying toward them at high speed.