Chapter 534: Terror

In the end, it was as expected.

The Flash Cannon, wrapped in Pure Steel Attribute Energy, surged forward like a hot knife through butter, encountering no resistance, and hammered Tapu Koko's body.

A thunderous blast erupted, and dazzling silver light instantly engulfed the battlefield.

Tapu Koko didn't even have time to scream; the entire Pokemon was blasted by a terrifying thrust and slammed onto the distant grass.

When the dust cleared, Tapu Koko's limbs were splayed, lying motionless on the ground, completely unable to fight, and fell into a deep coma.

"Yay!"

From the hidden grass nearby, Ash couldn't hold back and shouted excitedly.

But that single sound instantly shattered the forest's calm.

The newly evolved Silver Companion Battle Beast, highly alert, twitched its ears, immediately turned its head to fix its gaze on the direction where Ash was hiding, its body tensed, energy subtly circulating, instantly assuming a full defensive stance, its aura sharp.

"It's fine, Silver Companion Battle Beast."

Gladio quickly raised a hand to stop it, his tone calm, "It's Ash and his group; no need to be on guard."

Having received the Trainer's command, the Silver Companion Battle Beast's tense aura eased slightly, but its gaze remained locked on the grass, never fully lowering its vigilance.

Red sighed helplessly, slowly rose from the grass, patted Ash's shoulder, and whispered, "Let's go out and greet Gladio."

The two stepped out of the hiding thicket, one after the other.

Gladio stood quietly beside the Silver Companion Battle Beast, watching Red and Ash approach, his expression calm, and politely nodded.

Before Red could speak, Ash rushed forward, darting around Gladio and the freshly renewed Silver Companion Battle Beast in a quick circle, his eyes full of wonder and excitement.

He turned to look at the unconscious Tapu Koko on the ground and exclaimed joyfully, "Gladio! If I recall correctly, Tapu Koko is Alola's final Guardian Deity, right? That means you've already defeated all the Guardian Deities and completed the ultimate challenge of the Island Pilgrimage!"

Gladio gently raised his hand, lightly stroking the Silver Companion Battle Beast's head, a faint smile lifting his lips.

"It's merely that we've simply defeated the Guardian Deities," he shook his head, his tone steady and modest, "The final stage of the Island Pilgrimage still requires the approval of all Island Captains before the Trial is truly complete."

As his words faded, he lowered his gaze to the Silver Companion Battle Beast standing beside him, his eyes full of certainty, "However, the Silver Companion Battle Beast and I have absolute confidence we can complete the Final Trial."

Regaining his composure, Gladio looked up at Red and asked proactively, "Chi Hong Ge, you showing up here must mean you came looking for me, right? What's the matter?"

Red felt slightly embarrassed by the words, lifted a hand to rub his nose, pondering how to respond.

But at that moment, a sudden anomaly erupted.

The Silver Companion Battle Beast beside Gladio jolted violently, its fur bristling instantly, its previously calm aura suddenly heavy. It snapped its head up, staring rigidly toward a certain direction deep in the jungle, its gaze extremely vigilant.

Everyone instinctively followed its line of sight.

At the far end of the deep, silent forest, a pure, sacred, blazingly bright golden light slowly surged and rose.

The light bore no trace of fire or violence, yet carried a supreme pressure that commands all things, gradually parting the forest mist and slowly advancing toward the group.

All the wind, insect cries, and bird calls in the forest fell completely silent at that moment, the very air seeming to solidify.

"What... what is this thing!"

Ash's pupils contracted sharply, his body frozen in place, his voice full of incredulous shock, his whole being exuding an inexplicable oppression.

Gladio instantly stripped away any smile, his expression gravely serious, his nerves taut, staring intently at the approaching golden light.

Only Red, standing at the front, saw his complexion instantly become exceedingly complex and heavy.

His heart hammered, his breath suddenly stalled, his right hand involuntarily pressed tightly on the Pokeball at his waist, his fingertips trembling slightly, a massive wave of emotion roiling within.

His Adam's apple rolled, he lowered his voice, whispering almost in a murmur, uttering the supreme name that echoes through the entire Pokemon World: "Ar... Arceus..."

Huo La had never explained the secrets of Arceus to Red before, but through long observation and following, he had some conjectures.

Within the golden holy light enveloping it, Arceus's form gradually became clear.

From start to finish, he never gave Red, Ash, or Gladio more than a single glance.

A pair of cold, indifferent eyes, devoid of any emotion, from beginning to end, locked firmly on the sole Silver Companion Battle Beast in the arena.

As Arceus took slow steps, an intangible terrifying pressure thundered outward.

Red, Ash, and Gladio instantly went rigid; their blood, muscles, and nerves were all bound by the unseen force, their feet rooted to the ground, unable to move a single inch.

They could not open their mouths or move, even their breathing became labored, only able to watch the golden silhouette draw nearer, their hearts swelling with profound awe and dread.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Arceus's stride was even, neither hurried nor slow, stepping steadily to the very front of the Silver Companion Battle Beast.

The Silver Companion Battle Beast could no longer support its body, trembling violently, its limbs going limp; under the absolute divine suppression, it finally collapsed heavily to the ground, its head pressed flat against the earth, not even worthy of lifting its gaze, utterly submitting before the Creator God.