Guardian deities: Difference between revisions

The '''guardian deities''' (Japanese: '''{{tt|守|まも}}り{{tt|神|がみ}}''' ''guardian deity'') are a [[Legendary group|group]] of [[Legendary Pokémon]] from the [[Alola]] [[region]] who protect the archipelago. Each of the tapu protect one of the four main islands in Alola, with {{p|Tapu Koko}} on [[Melemele Island]], {{p|Tapu Lele}} on [[Akala Island]], {{p|Tapu Bulu}} on [[Ula'ula Island]], and {{p|Tapu Fini}} on [[Poni Island]]. Each deity has its own shrine or [[ruins]] dedicated to it on their own corresponding island. [[Island kahuna]]s are each chosen by their island's guardian deity and are known to serve and fight along side them if necessary.

The guardian deities can all pull their masks together and hide their bodies inside, creating an impression of a stylized animal. In its closed shell state, Tapu Koko resembles a rooster, Tapu Lele resembles a butterfly, Tapu Bulu resembles a bull, and Tapu Fini resembles a swordfish. When encapsulated in these shells, they are absorbing the energy of nature, with long periods of time causing them to become hard and sturdy. The deities are in this state when they perform their exclusive Z-Move, Guardian of Alola. The attack summons a giant, yellow headless humanoid energy-based entity from the ground. The guardian closes its shell and merges on top of the entity as its head. Each guardian's color corresponds with the island they represent. For example, Tapu Koko is yellow, whilst "Melemele" is Hawaiian for yellow.

In {{g|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}}, according to secret notes found in the Malie Library, a "{{ga|Necrozma|pillager of light}}" once invaded Alola, stealing all of its light and shrouding the region in darkness. The guardian deities fought against it at [[Tapu Village]] to regain the stolen light. Together with the assistance of a youth and the power of [[Z-Crystal]]s, the guardians were able to banish the invader, restoring Alola's light and freeing Solgaleo{{sup/7|US}}/Lunala{{sup/7|UM}}. This set of events are known to have been the start of the [[island challenge]] that many Trainers go on at the age of 11. The island challenge is another custom done in favor of the Tapu.

In {{g|Sun and Moon}}, Tapu Koko plays the largest role within the games' storyline, appearing before the {{player}} picks their [[starter Pokémon]] to save them after they fall from a broken bridge with [[Nebby]] in tow. Tapu Koko, in recognition of the player's bravery, gives the player a [[Sparkling Stone]], which is later refined by [[Hala]] into a [[Z-Ring]]. Tapu Koko later appears to defend Melemele Island against the then-unidentified [[Ultra Beast]] {{p|Buzzwole}}{{sup/7|S}}/{{p|Pheromosa}}{{sup/7|M}} alongside Hala. After becoming {{pkmn|Champion}}, the player and [[Lillie]] visit Tapu Koko at the [[Ruins of Conflict]] to give thanks to it, after which the player {{pkmn|battle}}s it. The player can choose to lose, win, run or catch Tapu Koko, with different dialogue depending on the outcome. Regardless of outcome, they will receive a [[Tapunium Z]].

Tapu Bulu first appeared at [[Po Town]], where it rescued {{adv|Sun}}, {{adv|Moon}}, and [[Anabel]] from an attacking {{p|Blacephalon}}. Sun was initially reluctant to give a Mirage Berry to Tapu Bulu, as he felt that it had no reason to help humans as one was responsible for the appearance of Ultra Beasts in Alola to begin with. Moon argued that if humans were the cause, then they should take responsibility by fixing the mess as well. Sun and Moon then give the Mirage Berry to Tapu Bulu, which it readily accepts.

The guardian deities appeared before Sun in ''[[PASM24|Play the Melody That Echoes in the Altar]]'', where they took him and Moon to [[Poni Altar]] to awaken Solgaleo and Lunala. In ''[[PASM34|Destroy!! Results of the Training!]]'', the guardian deities appeared at [[Mount Lanakila]], where they scattered the Ultra Beasts to their respective islands to battle them.