Ten Carat Hill.
Gladion had originally wanted to talk Ash out of it.
Because of the Nihilego attack he and Lillie had experienced as children,
Gladion naturally harbored a hatred for Ultra Beasts.
To Gladion, Ultra Beasts would bring disaster upon the entire world. They should never have existed in this world.
But Ash's words had shaken Gladion's worldview.
Because Ash had actually said that Tapu Koko had entrusted Cosmog to him.
Yet the four Island Guardians, including Tapu Koko, were themselves responsible for fighting Ultra Beasts.
Gladion truly struggled to understand that.
And Ash had also said that Li Wei clearly didn't reject all Ultra Beasts outright.
Both Li Wei and Professor Kukui knew that Cosmog was an Ultra Beast, yet neither had taken any action.
But in the end, Gladion still stood by his position.
"I won't do anything to Cosmog now, but if it ever reveals its true nature as an Ultra Beast, I'll defeat it without hesitation."
At that, Ash couldn't help looking at Cosmog, who was fast asleep alongside Pikachu in the shade beneath a tree.
"It won't. Cosmog is different."
Although he couldn't explain why, Ash still had reason to believe it.
Gladion said softly, "I hope so too."
At that moment, a question arose in Gladion's mind.
Gladion leaned forward slightly, fixing Ash with an intimidating stare.
"Who exactly are you?"
Ash pointed at himself in confusion.
"Huh? Who am I? I'm from Pallet Town..."
Gladion pressed him. "Then why did Solgaleo and Lunala entrust Cosmog to you? And why did Tapu Koko give you a Z-Ring?"
That was an excellent question. Ash didn't know the answer himself.
Ash scratched his head with a smile. "But lots of people have told me that a lot of Legendary Pokémon like me."
The answer was