The sun had barely risen above the horizon, casting a soft golden light over the forest, but Tapu Bulu and Litten were already on edge. The events of the previous day still lingered in their minds—Tapu Lele’s unexpected appearance and the way it had whisked Ilios into the air without warning. Although Ilios had found the entire ordeal amusing, Tapu Bulu and Litten remained wary, knowing that the playful guardian could easily return.
As they ventured deeper into the forest for their morning walk, Tapu Bulu’s eyes scanned the trees with a newfound vigilance. Litten padded quietly beside Ilios, its ears twitching at every sound. The child, blissfully unaware of the tension in the air, babbled happily as he played with a small stick he had found on the ground, his innocent laughter echoing through the peaceful grove.
But Tapu Bulu couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.
Suddenly, a familiar cry pierced the morning stillness.
“Lele! Lele!”
Tapu Bulu froze, its heart skipping a beat as the eerie call echoed through the trees. Litten’s fur bristled immediately, and it let out a low growl, positioning itself between Ilios and the direction of the sound. They had hoped the previous encounter with Tapu Lele was a one-time event, but the mischievous guardian had returned.
Tapu Bulu tightened its grip on Ilios, lifting the child gently into its arms as it prepared for whatever was to come. The forest, once again, grew unnervingly silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the arrival of the island’s enigmatic guardians.
Moments later, Tapu Lele’s call was joined by two more distinct cries, each one just as powerful and commanding as the last.
“Koko! Koko!”
"Fini! Fini!”
The cries of Tapu Koko and Tapu Fini reverberated through the forest, their voices overlapping with Tapu Lele’s, creating a symphony of ancient power. Tapu Bulu’s eyes narrowed, its muscles tensing as it braced for the arrival of the other two guardians. This was no mere playful encounter—something significant was happening.
The air around them grew thick with a strange energy, humming with the presence of the Tapu. And then, just as quickly as the cries had filled the air, everything went silent. The forest stood still, as if holding its breath.
Tapu Bulu’s heart pounded in its chest as it scanned the treetops, searching for any sign of movement. Litten crouched low to the ground, its body coiled and ready to pounce at the first hint of danger. Ilios, sensing the tension from his companions, quieted for a moment, his wide eyes looking around curiously.
Suddenly, in a burst of dazzling light, they appeared.
From the treetops descended the other three Tapus—Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, and Tapu Fini—each one radiating a powerful aura that caused the very air around them to shimmer. Their wings, glowing with vibrant colors, fluttered gracefully as they landed softly on the ground in front of Tapu Bulu and Litten.
Tapu Koko, the guardian of Melemele Island, was the first to step forward, its bright yellow armor-like wings snapping open as electricity crackled around its body. Its eyes locked onto Ilios with a mix of curiosity and intensity, and it tilted its head, studying the child as if trying to understand the significance of his presence.
“Koko…” it murmured softly, its voice filled with intrigue.
Tapu Fini, the guardian of Poni Island, hovered just behind Tapu Koko, its elegant, aquatic form shimmering in the soft morning light. It remained silent, but its eyes never left Ilios, observing the baby with a calm yet unreadable expression. The water around its body swirled gently, creating a peaceful, soothing aura.
Finally, Tapu Lele, the mischievous guardian of Akala Island, twirled playfully in the air before landing beside Tapu Koko. It giggled softly, its gaze shifting from Ilios to Tapu Bulu. There was something different in Tapu Lele’s expression this time—an understanding, perhaps, of the significance of the boy it had twirled in the air so carelessly the day before.
Tapu Bulu stepped protectively in front of Ilios, its large frame shielding the boy from the watchful eyes of the other guardians. “Bulu…” it rumbled, its tone low and cautious. This was not a battle, but it was clear that the presence of all four Tapu at once was no ordinary occurrence.
The forest, now filled with the combined energy of the four guardians, pulsed with a powerful, ancient force. Tapu Bulu could feel it vibrating through the ground, as if the very island itself was aware of the gathering. It could sense the weight of history and destiny in the air, and it knew that something far greater than a simple visit was at play.
For a moment, none of the guardians spoke. They simply stood in silence, each one observing Ilios with different levels of curiosity and interest. Litten, though still tense, remained close to Ilios, ready to protect the child at a moment’s notice.
Finally, Tapu Koko stepped forward, its electric aura crackling around it as it spoke. “Koko… Koko…” it said softly, gesturing toward Ilios with one of its wings. It was not a threat, but a question.
Tapu Bulu understood. The other guardians were curious about the boy—about why Tapu Bulu had taken him under its care. Ilios was not of Alola, and yet, his presence seemed to draw the attention of all the island’s protectors.
Tapu Bulu raised its head, meeting Tapu Koko’s gaze. “Bulu…” it responded firmly, conveying its intent. Ilios was under its protection, and it would not allow any harm to come to the child.
Tapu Lele giggled again, fluttering closer to Ilios, but this time with more restraint. It hovered just above the child, studying him closely as if searching for something deeper, something hidden within the boy that even Tapu Bulu had yet to understand.
“Lele… Lele…” it murmured softly, its voice no longer playful, but thoughtful.
Tapu Fini, who had remained silent, finally spoke. “Fini…” it said, its voice like the calm ebb of a tide. It drifted closer, its water-like aura swirling gently around Ilios. There was a softness in its gaze, a recognition of something pure and untouched in the child’s soul.
The guardians were communicating in a way beyond words, exchanging their ancient understanding of the world around them. Ilios, though small and vulnerable, seemed to be at the center of something far greater than anyone could have anticipated.
Tapu Bulu, standing firm, knew one thing for certain: Ilios was now bound to Alola in a way that went beyond the bonds of family or fate. And though the other Tapu had not revealed their full intentions, it was clear that they, too, were now watching over the boy.
The gathering of the guardians was just the beginning of a larger story, one that would shape Ilios’s future in ways none of them could yet foresee.
