However, this legendary, majestic Thunder God appeared incredibly disheveled at the moment; its golden feathers were dull, its spirit was listless, and most strikingly, a crude metal inhibitor, constantly flashing dangerous red light, was tightly clamped around its neck.
The inhibitor was clearly ill-fitting, digging tightly into its flesh, causing the feathers around its neck to almost completely fall out, revealing red, swollen, and even broken skin.
Zapdos occasionally struggled weakly, and a jolt of electricity would course through the inhibitor, making it emit a painful wail.
The leading man pointed to the cage triumphantly, shouting arrogantly, "See that? The legendary Zapdos! It's nothing special! It obediently became our collectible!
Lord Guardian, do you want to try battling it too? Hahahahaha!"
Chen Kai could tell that this Zapdos was likely not very old, and its level was just Master (Level 90).
He had heard that some Legendary Pokemon had offspring; while these offspring might not reach the power of the original Legendary Pokemon, they still possessed extraordinary innate talent. This Zapdos was probably just a descendant of the true Zapdos.
But this did not prevent Chen Kai and Acerola from being furious!
No creature should be tortured like this!
But to Chen Kai's surprise, Tapu Bulu, on the verge of rage, suddenly calmed down.
It gave a deep look at the tortured Zapdos in the cage, then at the group of fearless and well-equipped Aether Foundation members, especially the specialized instruments in their hands that were clearly designed for Pokemon.
Just as Chen Kai and Acerola were about to forcefully intervene, Tapu Bulu subtly moved, blocking their path.
"…Go." A deep voice, suppressing endless fury, echoed in Chen Kai and Acerola's minds.
Before the two could react, Tapu Bulu's body once again erupted with that strange pink light, and powerful Psychic energy instantly enveloped Chen Kai, Acerola, and her Pokemon.
The next second, with a flash of pink light, their figures on the cliff instantly vanished without a trace, leaving behind the stunned Aether Foundation members, the leading man's still-present arrogant smile, and the painful wails of the Zapdos in the cage.
The leading man sneered, "The methods of the people from a decade ago were ineffective. Hmph, now that I'm in charge here, I'll catch you too, sooner or later."
Then he said to the staff around him, "What are you standing around for? Do you want me to do your work for you?"
The white-clad staff did not dare to meet his gaze, quickly lowered their heads, and went to capture the Nihilego.
— — — —
As the pink Psychic light receded like a tide, Chen Kai found that the surrounding scenery had completely changed.
It was no longer the smoke-filled cliff, but a secluded and tranquil clearing in the woods on the other side of the island.
The trees were lush and leafy, isolating the outside noise, with only the crisp chirping of Pikipek and the rustling of wind through the Leafage.
Chen Kai and Acerola stood firm, both with clear confusion and lingering anger on their faces.
"Lord Guardian, why did we have to leave?" Acerola couldn't help but ask first, her tone urgent, "They treated Zapdos like that! Shouldn't we have saved it?"
Although Chen Kai didn't speak, his tightly furrowed brows and sharp eyes expressed the same question.
He looked at Tapu Bulu, whose massive body still heaved slightly with anger.
Tapu Bulu's huge head was bowed, and its azure eyes shimmered with complex light—a mixture of anger, helplessness, and deep weariness.
Its deep voice resonated, directly transforming into a language they could understand; though still resonant, it carried a rare, straightforward heaviness:
"Because that Zapdos's neck was shackled." It spoke concisely, its gaze sweeping over the two, "If I were to act, those humans would, without a doubt, forcefully drive that controlled Zapdos to fight me."
It paused, a hint of suppressed pain in its voice: "At that time, every move, every strike I made, would not injure those damnable humans, but that helpless Zapdos.
It has suffered enough; I cannot… make it endure more harm because of my anger."
Chen Kai still didn't understand: "So you chose to temporarily retreat?
But we could avoid attacking Zapdos and directly target the bespectacled man giving orders! Subdue or… eliminate him, and perhaps the control device would fail?"
Tapu Bulu, upon hearing Chen Kai's words, let out an even heavier sigh, as if accumulating decades of helplessness.
"It's useless." It shook its head, its tone filled with a certain weariness that saw through everything:
"Decades ago, we tried that too. Catch the ringleader? Heh… that bespectacled man is just a pawn following orders, a slightly higher-ranking employee.
If we caught him today, or even killed him, tomorrow the Aether Foundation would send another 'Doctor,' another 'Director,' with brand new equipment, more cunning methods, and commit even worse acts."
Its gaze seemed to pierce through time, returning to the distant past: "We even captured the behind-the-scenes boss of a corporation back then… and then what?
After one corporation fell, another Aether Foundation emerged. Even if we caught the Aether boss again, 'Alpha Aether,' 'Beta Aether,' 'Gamma Aether' would still appear!
As long as the greed and desire for control over Pokemon by the humans of the Unova region do not disappear, such organizations will never cease."
"And what is the result if we, the Tapus, repeatedly use violence to stop them?" It countered, its voice growing even deeper.
"The result is that we, the so-called Guardians, would attract more and more human forces. They would come with more and more powerful weapons and Pokemon to 'investigate,' 'conquer,' or 'negotiate' with Alola's ordinary Pokemon.
Ultimately, we would be forced to battle and fight wave after wave of initially innocent trainers and their Pokemon, who are merely following orders…
This land that we wish to protect would, because of our way of protecting it, be plunged into endless conflict and war."
Its massive body seemed to hunch a little, and the emerald glow on its horns also appeared somewhat dim: "Seventy years ago… we four Tapus finally understood this truth.
Violent confrontation does not solve the root cause; it only creates more harm and enemies.
We have done our utmost… there is truly no other way.
So, we chose to hide, to sleep. At least this way, we can prevent this land from being drawn into greater conflict because of us.
And in fact, that is precisely what happened; the Alola region has been relatively harmonious for the past few decades."
The air fell silent.
Acerola's eyes were a little red; she finally understood the heavy burden and sacrifice behind the Guardian's silence.
Chen Kai also remained silent.
Fragments of cold moonlight scattered down, barely illuminating Tapu Bulu's solemn face.
The deep night dyed every corner of the forest like ink. In the distance, the long and lonely cry of an unknown Pokemon echoed, and the land still breathed in the darkness, yet it seemed as if every inch of air was steeped in this cold and helpless weight that spanned decades.