"Bzz!"
Beedrill swiftly returned to Guo Yi's side, its scarlet compound eyes fixed grimly on the sudden intruder, Tapu Koko.
Strong.
Incredibly strong!
From Tapu Koko, Beedrill felt overwhelming pressure—something it hadn't experienced since gaining strength under its trainer.
"Woooh!"
A sudden insectoid cry came from beside Guo Yi.
Turning his head, he saw Weedle had emerged from its cocoon after Su Qingxue's healing.
The reborn Weedle had a darker, night-like coloration, and was now excitedly calling out toward Tapu Koko.
[I did it!]
Guo Yi finally understood.
No wonder in the original timeline Tapu Koko had intervened to save Weedle—it seemed these two already knew each other.
Tapu Koko nodded at Weedle, then turned its gaze to the remaining three Elite Four-Level Pokémon.
[Leave!]
A simple command conveyed its meaning clearly.
Facing the overwhelmingly powerful Tapu Koko, Electabuzz and Luxray dared not argue, immediately fleeing the valley.
But Zebstrika, unwilling to let go so easily, snorted in protest. Its impending breakthrough was at stake—how could it back down?
However—
Tapu Koko had no interest in debating. Turning into a blur, it slammed into Zebstrika, knocking it away.
Among the island guardian deities, Tapu Koko was known for its volatile temper. If it could solve a problem with force, words became unnecessary.
With resentment, Zebstrika cast a final glance at Tapu Koko and Beedrill before reluctantly departing. Both were beyond its ability to challenge.
Its earlier protest was just venting its dissatisfaction—and it had been promptly disciplined.
After these Pokémon departed, Tapu Koko refocused on Beedrill.
[Fight me!]
Tapu Koko's voice suddenly echoed inside Guo Yi's mind.
Seeing Tapu Koko's appraising gaze fixed on him and Beedrill, a thought flashed through Guo Yi's mind.
Tapu Koko is unquestionably strong...
But judging by its behavior, this seems more like a test. Otherwise, why bother speaking—wouldn't it just attack outright?
And if I pass this test, perhaps I'll even obtain a [Z-Ring] and a [Z-Crystal].
From what Guo Yi knew, no one had publicly demonstrated a [Z-Move] yet.
After a brief pause, he accepted Tapu Koko's challenge.
"Qingxue, step back," he instructed. "The fight ahead might get intense."
As he used his [Power of Viridian] to restore Beedrill's energy, Guo Yi warned Su Qingxue.
Test or not, facing such an opponent, Guo Yi had to ensure Beedrill fought at peak condition.
"Yes, Teacher!" Su Qingxue responded swiftly, carrying Weedle and retreating to a safe distance.
She wasn't sure why, but she sensed something unusual in her teacher's voice just now.
He seemed...excited?
Of course he was.
Facing a Legendary Pokémon like Tapu Koko, how could Guo Yi not feel thrilled?
Though Tapu Koko was Master-Tier, Beedrill had maxed out its attack buffs, giving it a fighting chance.
"Bzz!"
Facing an opponent of Tapu Koko's caliber, Beedrill didn't dare hold back, instantly unleashing its full Champion-Tier aura.
"Is this...Teacher's true strength?"
Watching Guo Yi's sturdy back, Su Qingxue's eyes sparkled with admiration.
She still couldn't fully grasp how strong Beedrill was.
After all, Elite Four-Level was currently the peak of her understanding. But the aura Beedrill radiated now had already surpassed even her mother's Nidoqueen.
"Wooo!"
Beside her, Weedle stared admiringly at Beedrill, its future evolution that looked like an absolute forest tyrant.
[Can I become that strong too?]
Weedle daydreamed happily.
It didn't know much about Tapu Koko. Their encounter had been purely accidental.
Due to the [Thunder Crystal] shards inside Weedle's body, lightning frequently struck near it. Once, misjudging the weather, it nearly died in a violent storm until Tapu Koko had saved it.
So Weedle knew just one thing clearly: Tapu Koko was incredibly powerful.
If Tapu Koko considered Beedrill a worthy opponent, then Beedrill's strength had to be outrageous.
"Beedrill, [X-Scissor]!"
Guo Yi seized the initiative to attack.
"Bzz!"
Beedrill crossed its twin lances, gathering intense Bug-type energy, forming a glowing cross symbol in midair.
Wings vibrating at high speed, it launched directly at Tapu Koko.
"Kooo!"
Tapu Koko's shells gleamed with a metallic sheen as it countered head-on with [Steel Wing].
Though Beedrill had attacked first, Tapu Koko's incredible speed allowed it to strike faster.
BANG!
Their collision sent powerful shockwaves rippling outward, kicking up dust and debris.
"Beedrill, [Poison Jab]!"
Guo Yi decisively shifted tactics. Against a Fairy-type like Tapu Koko, Bug moves weren't very effective.
"Bzz!"
Locked in close combat, Beedrill's lances abruptly glowed deep purple, lethal toxins concentrating at their tips.
A sudden flash of cold light—then the lance thrust forward like a striking dragon!
Beedrill's charged [Poison Jab] drove Tapu Koko backward.
"Kooo!"
With Beedrill's aggressive strike, Tapu Koko finally grew serious.
Countless bolts of electricity surged from its body, instantly enveloping the battlefield in electric currents.
[Electric Terrain]
This was Tapu Koko's special ability—[Electric Surge].
Like [Sunny Day] or [Sandstorm], [Electric Terrain] prevented grounded Pokémon from sleeping while boosting Electric-type move power by 50%.
Thus, Tapu Koko's following [Discharge] became as formidable as [Thunder] itself!