//------------------------------//
// Chapter 85 – Daybreak 
// Story: Pokémon Eclipse 
// by moviemaster8510 
//------------------------------//

Nanu continued to watch as Acerola ran in front of a surprised Twilight and Spike, sending her Dhelmise out to swing out and strike Dusk-Mane Necrozma in the face, this hit being strong enough to send it off its paws and throw it onto its side. Before it could get back up, Alice’s Mega Gyarados flipped forward and slammed its tail down for a Brutal Swing attack. Shining Armor galloped past Dusk-Mane Necrozma and scooped the still unconscious Celaeno with his horn from the street. As Kiawe returned his Marowak inside its ball, Kiawe helped walk Kahili out from the street to safety by Shining Armor and Celaeno’s sides. 

Behind Nanu, Guzma and Plumeria pointed their fingers out, their Ariados and Salazzle attacking Dawn-Wings Necrozma with Fell Stinger and Flamethrower. Even with Archeop’s Ancient Power and another Rock Slide and Fire Blast from Stakataka and Arcanine, Dawn-Wings Necrozma looked hardly fazed by either attack. Flapping its wings forward, it sent out a psychic pulse that crashed into all five Pokémon, hitting Ariados and Salazzle the hardest. The pulse also crashed into their four human trainers, knocking them off their feet. Guzma was swung backwards, his head hitting the back of the asphalt as his body suddenly went limp.

Plumeria, who fell and rolled onto her side, was quick to tell that her former boss was seriously hurt. “GUZMA!”

Nanu shot his eyes open, grabbing two Ultra Balls and tossing them both in front and behind him. With the ball he sent out forward, his Persian sprung out of the energy that came from it as it rushed to Dusk Mane Necrozma, who began to pull itself back onto its paws. Behind him, the second ball opened, letting his Honchkrow fly out and take to the skies at Dawn-Wings Necrozma.

“Persian, Dark Pulse!” he shouted. “Honchkrow, Foul Play!”

Persain opened its mouth as a black orb of aura formed before its face and with a bellow of a meow, the orb shot out and struck Dusk-Mane Necrozma in the face. Out behind him, Honchkrow picked up speed, a dark cone forming around its body from its beak. With a fast swing, the black bird slashed across Dawn-Wing Necrozma’s wingspan and chest, the attack finally pushing it back. From behind it, Gilda and Rainbow Dash swooped around as the griffon threw Applejack, the two ponies kicking it in the back. Being sent back forward, Skystar held Pinkie Pie, who held her cannon, allowing her to blast it into its face and send it shooting back once again. As Sam, Plumeria, and Flannery returned their Pokémon back, they smirked over the first signs of damage finally shown.

As Dusk-Mane Necrozma shot up, hoping to attack quickly this time, it found its head pounded down by the blue aura ball of a Dragon Rage attack from Mega Gyarados, forcing it to dig its claws into the street as it was pushed back. Now more open, Kiawe’s Talonflame dove down at Dusk-Mane Necrozma with its body on fire, crashing its body into it and washing the flames all over its back. Finally, Acerola’s Dhelmise shot up from a portal beneath its waist, the Phantom Force attack sending Dusk-Mane Necrozma high up into the air and sending it straight onto its back, leaving a shallow, but wide crater in its wake.

“That was awesome!” Spike shouted. “Good to have you with us, Nanu!”

“It was certainly a long time coming…” he agreed.

As Dusk-Mane Necrozma rolled onto its stomach, panting in mounting exhaustion, it perked up suddenly upon hearing the roar of Necrozma further into the city. From its spot, Dawn-Wings Necrozma turned its head left and looked over, its counterpart’s cry resonating with it. Suddenly, both creatures turned and looked straight on at their opponents at the same time. With a shrill cry from Dawn-Wings and a powerful roar from Dusk-Mane, the horrific cacophony forced the humans and Equestrians between them to duck down and cover their ears, their Pokémon immensely irritated by the noise.

Suddenly, Dusk-Mane Necrozma’s body lit up, alarming the humans, Pokémon, and Equestrians nearby it. Hopping up, it levitated high above the ground as a hot, flaming sphere formed around it, the creature barely visible within. The aura formed around it and with a push off of the air, it dove straight down toward Nanu like a meteor.

“Shit…” Guzma wheezed. “Everybody back–”

Dusk-Mane Necrozma collided with the ground, and as the resulting explosion began to rage out toward the Equestrians and humans, their Pokémon leapt in front of them to take the brunt of what came. Clefable, Nihilego, Dhelmise, Persian, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Gyarados were all swept away, crashing into Twilight, Spike, Nanu, Acerola, and Alice as they were scattered along the street. From the side, Shining Armor, Kiawe, and Kahili gasped as their friends flaccidly rolled to a stop.

“Twily!” Shining Armor took two steps of a gallop before Dusk-Mane’s extra black arms waved away the cloud of dust its attack created, its deathly glare keeping himself firmly in front of Celaeno, Kiawe, and Kahili.

Sam and several others looked back to see the aftermath of Dusk-Mane Necrozma’s attack. Sam choked on a breath as Alice lay still on the street, the aura around Mega Gyarados breaking off to reveal her fainted Gyarados underneath. Sam and Plumeria ran to their family and friends as Rainbow Dash swooped in to land near Twilight.

Guzma slowly pushed himself onto his feet, groaning as he looked back. As Sam and Plumeria helped pull Alice and Acerola off the ground, he saw as Spike and Nanu continued laying still. Rainbow Dash looked over Twilight, noticing that her right wing was oddly bent up. Just then, Twilight began to wake up, and as her wings twitched, her eyes jolted open and her teeth clenched the sharp pain piercing the injured spot.

“Easy, Twi!” Rainbow Dash helped pull her friend up by the wrists of their hooves. “You just broke your wing. We need to get you out of here.”

As Rainbow Dash helped escort her to the sidewalk, she saw as Spike, Nanu, and Tapu Bulu were left alone. Before Twilight could push Rainbow Dash away to rush back to her draconic friend, she noticed as Guzma, the back of his head stained in his blood, began to hobble over toward him. With Alice and Acerola brought safely over to the southern sidewalk with Twilight and Rainbow Dash, they returned their Pokémon into their Poké Balls as they watched Guzma painfully fall to his knees to allow him to pick Spike up into his arms.

At this, Spike began to stir awake. “Guzma… you–”

“Relax, kid.” Guzma forced a smile. “I got you.”

Behind them, Dawn-Wings Necrozma began to stretch its wings up to form a circular shape, six bright stars forming at an equal distance on the bars. Nanu and Tapu Bulu also began to wake up, looking up to see as the light from the six stars swirled into the center to form an even bigger ball of energy. Seeing what was happening, Tapu Bulu hopped up and quickly carried the fainted Nihilego over to the side with the others. Guzma began to turn around just as Dawn-Wings Necrozma fired its Moongeist Beam down, blasting it down the street right at him and Spike.

“Spike, NO!” Twilight instinctively unfurled her wings and leapt to fly, only to cry out and crash to the ground over the pain that it caused her.

“Twilight!” Rainbow Dash rushed to her friend’s aid again, watching as the beam came too close for her to save Guzma and Spike from.

As the beam approached, Guzma stared stoically ahead as his demise came barreling at him. Nanu clenched his fists as the beam got closer to him and the others. Just as Guzma spun around with all of his might to cover Spike with his body, Nanu felt a shot of adrenaline spring him onto his feet and run to the northern side of the sidewalk, keeping his eyes on Dawn-Wings Necrozma. With its eyes following him, Dawn-Wings Necrozma veered its beam in Nanu’s direction, coming just within inches of clipping Guzma and Spike as pieces of the street were blasted into his back, knocking them back down. The others then watched with sheer incredulation as Nanu took the full force of the beam, flinging him off of his feet and toward the corner of a building.

Hau and the other Kahunas neared the end of the alley to where their other friends were just as the bright burst of light of the Moongeist Beam’s strike flashed the area.

“Hau, stop!” Olivia’s hand grabbed hold of the collar of his jacket and yanked him to a stop just as Nanu’s body slammed through the corner of the building to their left.

As debris exploded at them, Tapu Koko flew in front of Olivia and Hau and enclosed itself in its shell, allowing the pieces of brick and glass to bounce and deflect off of it. Once the rubble settled, Tapu Koko floated back up, allowing Hau and the rest of his friends to rush out into the street. Despite their appearance, as well as the other three guardians, Dusk-Mane Necrozma and Dawn-Wings Necrozma simply stared at the spot they saw Nanu crash into. Up north, Necrozma’s battle with the rest of the trainers came to an abrupt stop as it turned to where Nanu was, ignoring those beneath it.

Acerola sprinted to the destroyed building, Tapu Bulu following close by. “Nanu! Nanu!”

With a shuddering breath, Twilight gurgled through her agony as she got to her hooves, cantering to follow Acerola with her broken wing dragging along the ground. Pinkie Pie and Applejack were let down off the ground by Skystar and Gilda, all of whom rushed over without any semblance of concern from Dawn-Wings Necrozma high above. They passed by Guzma, who furiously hopped on his good leg to reach where everyone else was headed. With an approving nod from Kiawe and Kahili, Shining Armor galloped off to leave Celaeno in their care, Rarity and Capper joining him. Finally, as Sun, Lillie, and Gladion also gathered around the building with the others, Lana, Mallow, and Discord slunk out from the alley they hid in to gather in, Plumeria and Flannery joining them.

As the dust cleared, Acerola and Sun both spotted Nanu leaning against the broken inner side of wall, his head slumped over with his arms hanging limp. Acerola gently shook her head, fearing the worst, but upon seeing Nanu’s fingers twitch, she let out an exalted breath that gave her new hope. Running to him, she grabbed a hold of his shoulders and began to pull as hard as she could.

Sun, among several others, suddenly heard a devastating squishing sound as Acerola began to get Nanu’s back off the wall, the hair and fur on them suddenly standing on end. “Acerola, wait!”

“Come on, you fat piece of shit!” Acerola grunted. “I can’t do everything for–”

Finally, with another pull, Nanu came free, accompanied by the drawn-out sticky sound of tearing flesh. Acerola went white as a sheet upon finally seeing the dripping bloodied metal rod that Nanu had been impaled from behind by. The others began to feel instantly woozy upon Nanu falling flat onto his side and rolling onto his back, barely clinging to the life that he was certainly soon to lose.

Acerola shook her head so fast that it appeared to vibrate, falling to her knees and crawling to him. “No… nononononono, no no!”

Finally, Guzma forced his way through to the front, letting Spike go and allowing him to join Acerola’s side as she frantically tried folding his jacket up from underneath him to cover the puncture. Soon, Twilight, Guzma, and Plumeria all knelt down on the other side, certainly unsure what to do. Tapu Bulu floated above its Kahuna, holding its arms out in disbelief as it too shook its head.

“I’m sorry….” Acerola wailed. “I didn’t mean–”

Her futile efforts were stopped by the disarmingly firm grasp of Nanu’s hand on her wrist. Her crying stopped, and she turned to Nanu’s face, which was already looking at hers with sympathy and forgiveness.

“There…” he breathed out. “Now we’ve both seriously hurt each other…”

Despite his situation, Acerola couldn’t help but let out a chuckle as she clasped Nanu’s hand with hers, allowing him to hold on tight for as long as he could.

“Nanu…” Her sadness quickly returned. “I–”

“Don’t say anything.” He let out a weak cough. “I’ve done exactly what I always should have. I have no regrets.” He then looked to Twilight and Spike, whose eyes glistened with tears. “I can’t thank you two enough for coming into our lives. Please continue to be a light to others the same way you were to me.”

Twilight and Spike’s eyes immediately began to flow, unable to hold back a couple of painful, high-pitched sobs. Lillie hugged onto Sun and sobbed into the side of his chest, her friend still in too much shock to completely register the Ula’ula Kahuna’s demise. On either side, Dawn-Wings Necrozma and Dusk Mane Necrozma leaned in, almost as if they could sense his slowing heartbeat. Persian and Honchkrow finally arrived, and as a puddle of blood began to seep out around Nanu’s back, Honchkrow lightly pecked at its trainer nervously while Persian nipped, mewed, and nudged Nanu with its face, tears appearing in their own eyes.

Nanu weakly put his hand up to them, both Pokémon rubbing their heads onto the back, palm, and fingers for what would be the final time. “Sorry to do this to you, but this day was coming eventually. I love you both.”

Closing their eyes, the tears in them dripping out onto his shirt, the two Pokémon whimpered as their time with Nanu came close to its end. Finally, Nanu reached up at Guzma with his left hand, Guzma catching it and holding on tight. Above them, Tapu Bulu blinked, seeming to understand the gesture.

“You take care of her…” Nanu breathed out, hardly audible at this point. “Take care of them all…”

Guzma shook his head up and down, patting on the back of Nanu’s hand. “I will…”

Nanu smiled, almost as if feeling a euphoric weightlessness that he hadn’t felt in years. “Thank you. I just know you’ll be far better than…”

Nanu’s eyes began to close, and his grip on Acerola and Guzma’s hands began to let off until there was no strength left at all. Suddenly, Guzma and Acerola went completely still, a sudden vast emptiness filling their hearts.

“N– Nanu…” Acerola shook his arm. “Nan… Uncle Nanu?”

Guzma let Nanu’s hand slip out of his, collapsing onto all fours beside his body before his sobs completely began to break out from his throat beyond his control. Acerola picked Nanu up and hugged him close as she failed to hold in her grief in front of the man she had almost gotten used to hating for years. After only a few trembling whimpers from her, she suddenly screamed out at the sky and bawled as hard as she could, tears flowing down her face as hard as Nanu’s wound continued to bleed. 

Spike ran into Twilight, who caught him as she cried over his shoulder while he cried into her bosom. As Lillie continued her sobbing, Sun hugged her tighter as he put his head down on her shoulder, tears cascading down his own cheek. Save for Gilda, there wasn’t a dry eye among them, Pinkie Pie and Skystar giving each other their own consoling embrace. The three Kahunas and their three guardians also began to weep, the loss of one of their own immensely heavy on them. As for the other humans, a mixture of dread and despair began to form on their faces.

Over the eastern horizon, the top of the sun began to rise and give faint light to the city.

With the Kahuna finally slain, Dawn-Wings Necrozma and Dusk-Mane Necrozma shrieked up at the brightening night sky along with Necrozma up north, the horrible noise serving only to hurt their enemies even harder. The trainers, Pokémon, and Equestrians up north could only look to where their friends were, left to contemplate what could have possibly happened to leave Necrozma’s three thirds celebrating.

As the creatures continued to proclaim their victory, Tapu Bulu floated down to Nanu’s corpse, picking up the left arm that had fallen on his chest. With the inside ring of its hoof, Tapu Bulu picked the Tapunium Z out from Nanu’s Z-Ring, balancing it inside. It then faced Guzma fully, despite him still being blinded by his grief. It wasn’t until Tapu Bulu held up the Tapunium Z to him and it began to shine bright that Guzma could be bothered to look up at him. Suddenly, almost unnaturally, Guzma felt all his sadness completely evaporate away, the light of the Z-Crystal providing him with a comforting, assuring warmth.

Even with them crowded around it, the tears of everyone gathered around had stopped, and their own negative emotions became ones of confusion and mild awe. The light and energy of Tapu Bulu’s Z-Crystal also reached the Necrozmas, also left stunned by what they were seeing. Up north, the dire intrigue the humans, Pokémon, and Equestrians felt was now turning into total wonder. As Tapu Bulu rose up, Guzma did as well, his eyes staying upon the same level as where it held the crystal. Guzma and Tapu Bulu stared at each other for a few moments before Tapu Bulu reached its arms out, the Tapunium Z and Guzma’s new title his to take.

“G… Guzma.” Acerola muttered. “You…”

Guzma looked back at Tapu Bulu, who nodded in respectful approval. Guzma took one breath, realizing fully the new weight that would be on his shoulders.

“Alright, old man. Promise kept.” Guzma reached forward and clasped the Tapunium Z, a torrent of light and gusty energy suddenly erupting from the spaces in his fist.

With this new light cementing Guzma’s status as Ula’ula Island’s newest Kahuna, all three Necrozmas immediately became enraged, roaring out at him amongst his dearest friends. Each half of the group gathered around Nanu glanced on either side of them as Dusk-Mane Necrozma and Dawn-Wings Necrozma prepared to attack once again.

“No!” Alice ran out at Dusk-Mane Necrozma, throwing out another Poké Ball.

Out from the energy spilling from the ball, her Noivern fell onto all fours, and stood in front of Dusk-Mane Necrozma, who reared back to charge. Running ahead, Noivern lifted its head up before throwing back forward, hurling a heavy Flamethrower attack that stopped Dusk-Mane Necrozma in its tracks. As it roared in pain, Dawn-Wings Necrozma swooped in lower, ready to attack with another Moonblast.

“Quick, Stakataka!” On Rainbow Dash’s call, her Pokémon picked itself up from the street and rushed over as fast as its small four legs could carry its massive box-shaped body.

Just as the beam was about to be fired, Sam quickly detached a Poké Ball and chucked it up. “Salazzle, Sludge Bomb!”

Sam’s own Salazzle shot out from its ball, and as it still hung in the air, Dawn-Wings Necrozma fired its Moonblast. Before it could fall back down, Salazzle hocked out a large toxic ball of phlegm and mucus, aimed to meet the attack halfway to its target. The beam struck the Sludge Bomb, which exploded out in a purple spray that also dispersed Dawn-Wings Necrozma’s attack. As the poison mist blew at Sam and his friends, Stakataka finally reached them first, setting itself down and allowing the cloud to hit it instead. Spinning its bricks on that side of its body, it sucked the mist in so that not a single droplet could reach those behind it.

“Nice going, dude,” Rainbow Dash said to it.

Guzma took a quick look at the Z-Crystal in his hand before placing it onto the face of his Z-Ring, quelling its glow. At the same time, the Tapunium Zs of Hau, Olivia, and Hapu began to glow brightly as well. At once, they took them off the bands of their Z-Rings and attached them to their face as they all briskly moved to the middle of the street. Upon their light fading away, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini shifted themselves to the right beside their Kahunas. The last to join the sacred circle was Tapu Bulu, proudly and eagerly punching its hooves together.

“Guys,” Guzma spoke, “let’s do this thing.”

Up north, Necrozma let out another scream of worry, flying out and away from the trainers and Equestrians beneath it. Though confused, the group wasted no time in rushing down the street after it. Hearing Necrozma’s cry and seeing it flying up toward them above the rooftops, Alice spun back to face her friends.

“Don’t let them get to the Kahunas or the Tapus!” she shouted. “If Necrozma kills any of them, it’s game over for good!”

“Copy that!” Gilda unfurled her wings. “Alright ladies, let’s end this!”

Gilda took to the sky toward Dawn-Wings Necrozma, Skystar and Rainbow Dash flying up to join her. Acerola and Sam faced them as well as she threw out a Poké Ball.

“Drifloon, Thunderbolt!” With her balloon Pokémon floating out, it tilted to aim its bottom at Dawn-Wings Necrozma.

A strong bolt of lightning fired out from it and struck the target in the chest, the sparks washing over its wings along with the rest of its body. Dawn-Wings Necrozma squealed weakly as it struggled to move its wings at its three oncoming flying enemies. Skystar and Gilda flew into its right wing as Rainbow Dash flew into its left, their combined force sending Dawn-Wings Necrozma far away from the city. It watched nervously as all four Kahunas and island guardians crossed their arms before their faces, activating their Z-Rings.

Shining Armor galloped to join Alice and Noivern’s side against Dusk-Mane Necrozma. Just then, Celaeno stirred awake, surprising the two trainers. Along with the Kahunas’ ritual farther down, her stomach churned over the sight of her missing pegleg.

“Easy there!” Kahili eased Celaeno back down. “You’re in no condition to keep fighting.”

“What’s going on?” the parrot groaned.

Dusk-Mane Necrozma roared at the three of them as it charged forward, the front of its head glowing magenta. Noivern breathed out another Flamethrower, but as the fires engulfed it, Dusk-Mane Necrozma charged through it. As it reached them, the aura around its head expanded, and with a stop and thrust of its head, its Zen Headbutt attack crashed into all three, throwing them all back and instantly knocking Noivern unconscious.

Right behind them, Sun, Lillie, and Gladion stood together, their Incineroar, Nidoqueen, and Lucario already charging it back. With its hands covered in dark-orange flames, Incineroar leapt out and spun at Dusk-Mane Necrozma, its Darkest Lariat slamming hard down onto its helmet, leaving a small dent in it. Lucario then followed up with an Aura Sphere thrown right at its face, further damaging its armor. Now completely disoriented, it could not defend itself as Nidoqueen tackled Dusk-Mane Necrozma to the ground, biting down hard on the side of its neck. The Kahunas and guardians then put their arms down and crossed them out, their movements completely in synch with one another.

“From the looks of it,” Kiawe answered, “we’re winning.”

Necrozma appeared above from the tops of the buildings, floating straight over the Kahunas as they formed a heart with their hands and fingers. As it charged two triangular shapes of light in its hands, Plumeria tossed a Poké Ball at Stakataka.

“Quick Toxapex, Pin Missile!” Her thorny starfish Pokémon landed on one of Stakataka’s outstretched legs before it flung it upwards to Necrozma’s level.

With a spin of its body, it fired a slew of big, thick needles that pelted into Necrozma’s body, the outline of the pyramid shapes in its hands wavering. Finally, the black sphere of a Dark Pulse crashed into its head, fully breaking the concentration of its attack. Glancing out the corners of its eyes, it spotted Chrysalis and her Gourgeist hopping excitedly beside her on a rooftop, a complete contrast from the vengeful glare she delivered to it. Necrozma then looked back down, watching the Kahunas began to lift their legs off the ground and swing their arms out and then up.

With another shriek, Necrozma formed two orbs of psychic energy in its hands, shooting them both out to hit Toxapex, Chrysalis, and Gourgest, sending them flying out and away from it. Plumeria watched as her Pokémon soared off toward the ocean, leaving her to run out in the direction of the docks after it. Meanwhile, Chrysalis and Gourgeist were about to crash into the wall of a taller building behind them, only for Mina’s Wigglytuff to float down and catch them with its plush, air-filled belly. As the pink Pokémon carried them slowly down to the ground, Mina looked down over the edge of the building’s roof to see to Chrysalis’s safety, Molayne, Sophocles, and their two Magnezones linked together in front of them. 

A light glistened in Dawn-Wings Necrozma’s eyes, mustering all of its strength to fly its way back to the city against Gilda, Skystar, and Rainbow Dash’s forces. With a forceful psychic-charged flap of its wings, it shot the three Equestrians off of itself, the energy also striking Salazzle and Drifblim farther down, knocking them down and out instantly. Dusk-Mane Necrozma’s eyes also glowed brighter, prompting it to run at Sun and his friends with powerful, strong strides. With one set of paws hitting the ground just a few feet from them, a seismic shockwave and rupture of the ground underneath them blasted the three trainers and their Pokémon out of its path, clearing its way to the Kahunas.

Necrozma and Dawn-Wings Necrozma then dove down and at the Kahunas as the completion of their ritual was moments away. Necrozma reached down as hard as it could as Hau, Olivia, Hapu, and Guzma flattened their wrists to mimic tiny wings and kicked their knees up, the Tapunium Z glowing so bright now that all of its features were obscured. All three Necrozmas crashed into the gathered Kahunas and guardians, a bright flash engulfing all of them. As the trainers, Pokémon, and Equestrians from the north arrived at the southern street, they, along with the others, froze in fear as they awaited to see if their attempts to stop them had been successful.

Dusk-Mane Necrozma and Dawn-Wings Necrozma were promptly flung out to the sides off the dome that now covered the Kahunas and guardians while Necrozma was blasted straight up off of it. Both Pokémon crashed and slid to a stop, their bodies covered in whitish-yellow sparks. As it recovered and looked straight down, Necrozma’s eyes shimmered in tremendous fear as the ultimate weapon against it was soon to be summoned again.

Inside the dome, Olivia, Hapu, and Guzma looked at their arms and hands, mesmerized that their skin began to sparkle from underneath. Looking to each other, they couldn’t help but smile and laugh, knowing their efforts, those of the fallen especially, were no longer wasted. 

“Holy shit!” Guzma clapped his hands. “We did it!”

“Not quite yet,” Hau said with a confident grin. “Just one last thing left.”

One by one, the Kahunas and guardians joined hands, Hau and Hapu placing their palms on the outside of Tapu Koko’s shell to complete their link. With a determined look upwards, all eight of their bodies began to burst out with light, which soon engulfed their vision entirely.

The dome of light ruptured from the top, exploding a pillar of light skyward that Necrozma forced itself to back away from. Shouting up at the sky, its body began to glow a bright yellow. In response, Dawn-Wings Necrozma and Dusk-Mane Necrozma shone with the same color, the humans, Pokémon, and Equestrians standing near them backing away in fear. They then watched as Necrozma shot up alongside the Kahuna’s pillar, Dusk-Mane Necrozma and Dawn-Wings Necrozma wasting away into rays of light until they formed two whole beams that spiraled upward directly beneath their other third. As Ilima and the others ran to join with those from the southern group, Chrysalis, Gourgeist, and Wigglytuff emerged from the alley they were let off in as Mina, Sophocles, and Molayne were floated down on their Magnezones to gather with everyone else to watch the end of the battle unfold above them.

The two spiraling beams crashed into Necrozma and washed over it, the light expanding into a sphere before its features defined and Necrozma’s full form unfurled its wings, awaiting the Tapu Hydra’s transformation. The pillar of light shot off the ground and expanded and warped into its serpentine body, the top of the pillar aimed right at Necrozma as four necks grew out from it, each one also pointing at the ancient creature. As Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini appeared in the ends of the four necks, they quickly closed their shells upon themselves to create their animal-shaped forms. More light expanded off the ends of the necks, forming four fully-defined heads of an eagle, a butterfly, a bull, and a swordfish. As scales formed on its body, a pair of avian wings and insectoid wings sprouted out from its back as two muscular arms with cloven hooves formed on the side, finishing with the back end of the beam squeezing and flattening out to form a swordfish’s tail.

Not a single creature amongst the massive group to the south could keep their mouths closed, mystified and overcome by the Tapu Hydra’s majesty. To the north, Kaj, Mohn, and Grubber looked out at the tremendously hopeful sight of Necrozma, who had once dwarfed them, now outsized by the Tapu Hydra.

Grubber hugged Fizzlepop’s head to his chest, tilting it to look up in the same direction as he was. “If only you could see this, Fizz…”

Charging its mouth with a bright yellow energy, Necrozma fired its sparkling psychic orb at the Tapu Hydra, who effortlessly clamped onto it with its hoofs and detonated it, the energy exploding in all directions. Though the energy blew hard onto the group directly beneath it, forcing them to huddle close to keep from blowing away, the Tapu Hydra was easy able to withstand it, staying right where it levitated. At once, Sun, Lillie, and Gladion called Incineroar, Nidoqueen, and Lucario back into their balls.

“Everyone, back away!” Sun shouted. “Let’s not get ourselves in their crossfire!”

As the rest of the trainers and Equestrians called their Pokémon back into their respective Poké Balls, they all began to make a collective dash to the east. As Necrozma and the Tapu Hydra continued staring each other down, they shot up higher into the sky just beneath the clouds. Necrozma swung around and prepared to fly straight into Tapu Hydra, who swung around in the same direction to evade it. Finally, both of them straightened themselves out and crashed into each other’s forces, blasting both away from each other.

As the others reached the end of the street, they all looked up to watch as Necrozma and the Tapu Hydra repeated this process several times, each of their clashes producing a sharp clanging sound and a flash of light where they collided. On the precipice for another smash, Necrozma narrowed itself into a large spear of light as it shot at the Tapu Hydra, its form too fast, sharp, and narrow for the Tapu Hydra to avoid. As the Smart Strike hit the Tapu Hydra, it was slammed downward toward the ocean, resulting in many gasps, shouts, and in Fluttershy’s case, screams of worry. The Tapu Hydra managed to recover and pull back up well before reaching the surface of the water, Sam, Alice, and all of their friends cheering loudly for their resilience.

“Mess ‘im up!” Rainbow Dash bellowed.

“Kick its ass!” Acerola screamed.

Sam and Alice stood completely silent, too completely focused on the battle to notice how hard they were squeezing their fists. As the Tapu Hydra got back to Necrozma’s level, it quickly transformed itself again for another Smart Strike, the Tapu Hydra now holding its arms out in preparation. Necrozma shot forward at the Tapu Hydra’s chest, its hooves suddenly swinging in and catching Necrozma at the tip, the point of its spear form just a foot or so from piercing in. With Necrozma still trying to force its way in, the Tapu Hydra quickly and discreetly yanked its tail up and lifted up at Necrozma’s center, the tip of its fish’s fin striking and pushing it up and away. After a violent crackle of bright, psychic sparks, Necrozma returned to its original form, its wings weakly splayed out. Just barely hearing the faint cheers from the Kahunas’ friends down below, it flapped its arms out and looped downward, facing the Tapu Hydra at its level directly above the main street of the city.

Its body began to slowly glow brighter and brighter without any sign of stopping. As the morning sun continued rising, even its bright light suddenly began to dim, suddenly removing any of its light from the atmosphere and returning it to night. Those huddled together watching the battle glanced nervously around, stunned beyond belief that such an attack would extinguish the sun itself. At the same time, the Tapu Hydra opened all four of its mouths, a ball of pure white energy forming before each of them. The light filling Necrozma seeped out of every point on its body and formed a small bright sun in front of itself, ready to make its final attack.

Both creatures fired their beams at each other, Necrozma’s singular, wide, and jagged, while the Tapu Hydra’s converged between its four singular beams, soaring out in a graceful spiral. Both beams struck precisely at the midway point between them, neither of them overpowering the other. Every soul in Hau’oli City looked up from the streets or out their windows from the safety of their homes or shelters, watching as neither beam would give way, sticking them in a tense stalemate.

Lillie glanced between both creatures, her nervous expression implying that this impasse would not last long. “They’re just as strong as it is!”

Sun took a moment to tear his eyes from the fierce, climactic battle and glanced down at the extra set of four Poké Balls given to him hardly an hour ago. Returning his focus to the battle, he stepped out from his group of friends and tore each Poké Ball ball off of his belt, holding two in each hand. With as hard a throw as he could muster, he sent all four balls flying up into the air.

“Guys, attack Necrozma!” he shouted.

At the same time, Malamar, Gardevoir, Xatu, and Reuniclus all appeared from their balls, glancing up at the deadlock Necrozma and the Tapu Hydra were in. Feeling a sudden kinship in Sun, Malamar and Xatu soared out at Necrozma as Reuniclus and Gardevoir carried themselves on their own telekinesis. As Malamar reached Necrozma first, its body became covered in a black aura as it crashed into it, its Foul Play attack causing visible discomfort and a small break in its concentration from its attack on the Tapu Hydra. Gardevoir arrived next, shooting out a Moonblast attack from the horn in its chest, further hurting Necrozma. After Xatu jutted out with an oncoming Air Slash, Reuniclus hurled a Shadow Ball in Necrozma’s direction, both attacks hitting it in quick succession. Necrozma’s grunts and moans could be clearly heard throughout the city, but even as the beam of its ultimate attack wavered, it still managed to hold the Tapu Hydra’s off.

“We won’t let you win!” As Ilima ran off to the open, his Komala and Gumshoos followed him out.

Ilima looked up at the sky, crossing his arms before his face, activating his Z-Ring and synching up with his Gumshoos. As the two continued their motions, Molayne and Sohphocles threw out their balls, sending out their Skarmory and Vikavolt. Together, they crossed their arms before their faces and activated their Z-Rings. As Kiawe and his Talonflame and Mina and her Wigglytuff worked to summon their Z-Powers, Sam and Alice then tossed out their last Poké Balls, sending out Drampa and Lycanroc.

As Ilima, Kiawe, Molayne, Sophocles, and Mina finished their motions, Z-Power shot from their bodies one by one and filled their Pokémon with energy, pumping them up. Without even requiring instruction, Wigglytuff, Smeargle, and Lycanroc hopped upon Drampa’s back, the other three Pokémon awaiting the dragon’s ascent to deliver what would hopefully be their final moves. Just then, Lady and Comfey managed to snuffle their way on, Starlight and Fluttershy appearing by Sam and Alice’s sides.

“You seriously think we got this far for us not make the final move together with you?” Starlight’s sly words brought a grin out of Sam.

“Alright, Drampa, let’s roll!” On Sam’s call, Drampa soared up and out toward Necrozma and the Tapu Hydra, Talonflame, Vikavolt, and Skarmory right alongside.

Soon, all Pokémon were now waiting beside the Tapu Hydra, who paid them no mind as they continued their struggle against Necrozma. With a spiteful, eternally hateful glare, Necrozma roared through its anguish as it continued exerting every ounce of energy to keep its attack up.

“That should be enough!” Ilima clenched his fist. “Gumshoos, Breakneck Blitz!”

“Talonflame, Inferno Overdrive!”

“Skarmory, Corkscrew Crash!”

“Vikavolt, Gigavolt Havok!”

“Wigglytuff, Twinkle Tackle!”

A yellow aura surged off of Gumshoos's body. Talonflame fanned the fires of a massive fireball forming before its beak with its wings. Skarmory’s body shimmered like diamonds as Vikavolt’s body was ravaged in a coat of sparks. Finally, with Wigglytuff’s pink aura forming on its body, each Pokémon took their turn. Swinging off of Drampa’s neck and pushing off its chest, Gumshoos launched itself at Necrozma, hitting it hard enough in the gut to send a bright shockwave of light across its stomach where Smeargle’s attack landed.

Kaj and Grubber pumped their fists as they observed from right below. “That’s it!” she shouted. “You got this in the bag now!”

Talonflame rocketed through its fireball and raced at Necrozma, crashing into it hard and forceful enough to create a sizable explosion. Skarmory flew straight as its body spun about, the tip of its beak hitting its mark as it continued running into Necrozma like a drill. Vikavolt shot a massive beam of lightning at its target, Skarmory flying away before the electricity could completely envelop Necrozma’s body. Finally, Wigglytuff soared out on a tail of bright pink dust as it checked into Necrozma, hitting it hard enough back to put more distance between itself and the Tapu Hydra. By now, only half of Necrozma’s beam remained, gradually dwindling.

“Ready?” Alice looked to Fluttershy and Starlight, who both nodded in approval. “Okay, Lycanroc! Accelerock!”

“Drampa, Dragon Pulse!”

“Lady, Moonblast!”

“Comfey, Draining Kiss!”

Alice’s wolf Pokémon disappeared off Drampa’s back and appeared beside Necrozma, slashing its claws across its throat. As it fell to the street, the awaiting Wigglytuff caught it farther down, Ilima’s Gumshoos's claws hooked on the pink Pokémon’s tail. With an increase in speed, Wigglytuff joined Talonflame, Vikavolt, and Skarmory to return to the city.

Orbs of silver and blue energy formed in Lady and Drampa’s mouths as Comfey pressed the ends of its arms over its lips, ready to blow. At the same instant, all three Pokémon launched their attacks, combining with each other to create a shimmering blue beam with hearts bursting and popping out from it. The fused attack struck and exploded off of Necrozma’s chest, and with a roar of pain completely breaking its focus, its beam was overpowered by the Tapu Hydra’s which blasted through Necrozma’s face, causing the rest to explode in a burst of light that washed over across the land and sea, quickly returning the morning’s sunlight to the sky.

Every creature across the city shielded their eyes at the sudden return of the natural light, but they were quick to adjust, allowing them to see the aftermath of their success. The Tapu Hydra, along with Drampa, Lady, and Comfey beside it, were the only ones left in the air, the spot where Necrozma was now replaced by a bright star that dispersed all of the energy it gathered back to where it belonged.

Gladion, his hand serving as a visor for his eyes, made a small, toothy smirk. “They did it. We’re saved.”

Sun and Lillie stared up at the star, noticing three shapes begin to float down from them.

“It’s them!” Lillie shouted. “We have to get over there now!”

With a series of yips sounding off behind them, the group turned around to find Plumeria’s Toxapex hopping atop a long, wide, and symetrical raft made entirely of Wishiwashis. Plumeria smiled, happy for both her Pokémon’s safety and its ingenuity.

Kaj, Mohn, and Grubber looked up wonderously as Necrozma, Dusk-Mane Necrozma, and Dawn-Wings Necrozma all gently drifted down toward the street, all of them completely and clearly unconscious. The fish-raft reached the sands of the beach, the Aether Yacht still wrecked upon it now spilling with smoke. As several Equestrians and humans began to step off onto the beach, many of their winged friends landed on the street beside Kaj and Mohn to await them. With their injuries still stinging and sore, others, such as Twilight, Kahili, and Celaeno, were slower to join the others already heading up the stairs, the latter using a weakened Capper as her crutch. Among the first humans to reach Kaj, Mohn, Fizzlepop, and Grubber were Sun, Lillie, and Gladion, looking straight up to get a far better look at the three fragmented forms of Necrozma as they continued to descend.

The Tapu Hydra looked down as more creatures arrived, only to face the three Necrozmas upon their bodies beginning to change. The armor covering Dusk-Mane and Dawn-Wings Necrozma began to dissolve into gold sparkles before fading into nothingness, revealing Solgaleo and Lunala underneath. Sun and Lillie gently whimpered to see their dearest Pokémon in such a state. As Sam, Alice, Starlight, and Fluttershy arrived, Drampa flew back down toward them. Before it could land, Lady hopped off onto the street and Comfey flew faster down, being hugged by the two ponies upon their arriving. As Drampa came down before Sam and lowered its head, Sam hugged its face, proud of what it had accomplished.

Sun, Lillie, and Gladion’s eyes stayed on Solgaleo and Lunala, whose bodies likewise dissolved away to reveal two identical tiny Pokémon appearing to be small, nebulous beings with small black faces. As they drifted to the ground, Lillie reached out at them before their bodies gently landed, only for them to break apart in a spread of cosmic glitter that seeped into the street, disappearing from their world.

Lillie clasped her hand, breathing out in a final, bitter acceptance. “Goodbye, Nebby…”

As Necrozma was about to come down, Wigglytuff, Talonflame, Skarmory, and Vikavolt returned from the south, carrying Lycanroc and Smeargle with them. Getting let down, Smeargle and Lycanroc spotted and ran to their trainers, receiving loving hugs and pets from Ilima and Alice. Finally, Necrozma drifted down, weakly catching itself and supporting itself on its hands and knees. Finally, the features of the Tapu Hydra began to wash out by its brightness as its form collapsed into a tight sphere near where its heads were. Floating back down on the other side of Necrozma, the sphere set itself down upon the street until it was a perfectly semispherical dome once again. Once the light of the dome faded away, revealing the four Kahunas and the island guardians, the humans looked at their bodies and then around them, becoming accustomed to their surroundings.

They, along with the guardians, then looked down on Necrozma, who no longer appeared to have any will or ability to fight any longer. With the matter almost settled, Sun began to slowly walk over to the defeated creature. Soon, other humans and their Pokémon, who had hid within the safety of the buildings, began to slowly pour out until they filled the northern street, soon leaving the most sparsely populated spot the one occupied by Sun and Necrozma. Now standing within a few feet of it, Necrozma managed to pick its head up just enough so that it could look up at Sun.

Sun reached for the Master Ball still clasped on his belt, Necrozma now eyeing it. “Back then,” he mused, “the natives could only do what they could to seal you away from this world and every other world that’s out there. This time, you will not be so lucky…” Sun pressed the center button, the ball expanding in his hand. “Goodbye, Necrozma.”

With a gentle, almost half-hearted toss, Sun sent the ball out at Necrozma, who suddenly tried to fall back away from it. With a single, final, and futile roar as it failed to escape the ball’s path, the Master Ball hit Necrozma atop the head, opening it up and converting its body into energy to get sucked into. Once all of it was brought into the open ball’s center, it closed before it fell to the street, all eyes tracing it. Sun stared solemnly at the ball as it shook once, contrasting the tension everyone else surrounding him felt as it shook again, and then a third time. Finally…

*CHRIK*

A burst of sparks appeared around the Master Ball as it latched closed, trapping the primordial tyrant inside forever. Even then, the crowd remained silent as Sun walked up to the ball, squatted down, and picked it up in his hand. After staring at it for what felt like two eternities, he finally held the ball up for as many creatures to see as possible.

Necrozma had been captured.

An instant wave of triumphant roars and cheers erupted from the crowd, friends and loved ones both human and Pokémon alike embracing each other or crying into each others’ arms. Among the group of saviors, their celebrations were muted by their complete and utter exhaustion, most of them breaking into tears or crying as they hugged each other.

Sam looked out at the amount of people cheering them on, his eyes wide as he forced himself to stay awake, his surroundings beginning to feel too dreamlike. Alice put her hand on his shoulder, unable to hear her as she more than likely said something supportive and congratulatory. Sam decided that he could no longer take it, and with an apparent buckle in his legs, he fell into a seated position.

“Sam…” He could clearly hear his sister call his name out of sudden concern, but he smiled, almost condescendingly so. “Sam?!”

The only thing he could think to do in this moment was nod before he fell over onto his side, falling into a long-deprived sleep mere moments after the side of his face laid upon the ground.