Summary
Pokemon Legends Arceustook players into the feudal version of the Sinnoh region, which was then called Hisui by the locals. The time-traveling protagonist witnessed how the relationships between people and Pokemon had changed since this bygone era. The newly announcedPokemon Legends Z-Aoffers another opportunity to dig into the past, and perhaps the future, of how Pokemon shape the world.
Fans have been waiting to return to Kalos for a long time. After the release ofPokemon XandYin 2013, players were expecting a third installment calledPokemon Zto tie off loose ends and follow in the footsteps ofPokemon Diamond,Pearl, andPlatinum.Pokemon Legends Z-Ais not preciselyPokemon Z, but it will take place entirely within the streets of Lumiose City, the Kalos equivalent of aPokemonParis. While further details are scarce at the moment, fans should be assured that the Kalos region has much to offer by way of history, lore, and Mega Evolutions.
The Kalos Aura Trio: Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde
The Legendary Pokemon of the Kalos region are Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde, collectively known by fans as the “Aura Trio.” Legendary Pokemon typically serve as foils to one another, each representing a certain element or aspect of nature or the world. In the Sinnoh region, for example, Dialga represents time, Palkia represents space, and Giratina represents antimatter. In Kalos, Xerneas represents life because of its ability to give life, Yveltal represents death or destruction because that’s what follows in its wake, andZygarde is the guardian of the environmentor “Order Pokemon” that keeps the aforementioned two in check.
Usually,Xerneas and Yveltalare sleeping. They hibernate, Xerneas in the form of a tree and Yveltal in a cocoon, for thousands of years at a time. Zygarde does not sleep, and is instead split into parts called cells and cores that are scattered across Kalos. In this way, Zygarde is able to keep an eye on the environment. If the balance it protects falls into disarray, then it might emerge from its cave and transform into its mighty Complete Forme which is reputed to be stronger than even Xerneas and Yveltal.
Zygarde has three forms: a dog-like 10% Forme, a serpentine 50% Forme, and the ultimate Complete Forme.
Pokemon Legends Z-Amight be the perfect opportunity for Zygarde to shine. Therumored, but never releasedPokemon Zwould have given the limelight to this Legendary Pokemon, which was previously overshadowed by Xerneas and Yveltal. Therefore, the upcomingLegendstitle is the ideal stage for a Zygarde-centric story. That said, it is still likely that the other two members of the Aura Trio will be featured in some shape or form in the forthcoming adventure. The powers of life and death, and their connection to the ultimate weapon, are too significant to ignore.
AZ and the Ultimate Weapon
The Kalos region once played host to a horrible war some 3,000 years before the events ofPokemon XandY. There were many casualties, including a cherished Floette that had belonged to the king of Kalos. Legend says that this king created anultimate weapon in Kalos, which just so happens to look like a Floette flower, that not only resurrected his Pokemon, but also granted him immortality as a side effect. He then used the weapon to fire upon the Kalos region, destroying both sides of the war and stopping the conflict altogether. Since the ultimate weapon harnessed the power of Xerneas or Yveltal, it took the life force from many Pokemon to work. With the knowledge of this sacrifice, the now-immortal Floette left the king.
The bodies of the Pokemon sacrificed in order to activate the ultimate weapon were petrified. Their graves line Route 10 in the original Pokemon X and Y.
Players meet this undying king, the nine-foot-tall AZ, on Route 13 in the Lumiose Badlands outside the city inPokemon XandY. Nothing has been officially said, yet, about his inclusion in the upcomingPokemon Legends Z-A, but considering the game’s name and his influence on the history of Kalos, fans have assumed his inclusion is a given. His sad story comes to a happy end after he battles with the newly crowned Champion player. He is reunited with Floette, who sensed his change of heart during the battle.
AZ and his Floettecould be included inPokemon Legends Z-Aregardless ofwhenthe game takes place. They are, after all, immortal and have been hanging around Kalos for the last 3,000 years. Likewise, the ultimate weapon has incredibly destructive and restorative power and thus is likely to make an appearance.
At theend ofPokemon XandY, the ultimate weapon was buried in a crater under Geosenge Town.Pokemon Ultra SunandUltra Moonbriefly resurrect the weapon due to the actions of Team Rainbow Rocket, but the player is able to deactivate it after defeating an alternate-universe version of the Team Flare boss Lysandre. He was also left buried under Geosenge Town, but could possibly make a comeback for the new game.
Mega Evolutions
Pokemon XandYare notable for many reasons, but the introduction ofMega Evolutionswas a new twist that took the world ofPokemonby storm. In the Kalos region, even fully evolved Pokemon can unlock untold powers and temporarily evolve into a new, more powerful form. This can only be done through the use of Mega Stones, mysterious stones that are theorized to have previously been regular Evolution Stones. When AZ used the ultimate weapon, the power of Xerneas or Yveltal (depending on which version of the game one is playing) spread throughout Kalos and irradiated these stones.
A legend from the Hoenn region claims that Rayquaza is actually the first Pokemon to ever have Mega Evolved, rather than the Lucario that evolved via Lucarionite in Kalos lore. Regardless of which came first, it will be exciting to see how Mega Evolution will be explored in the new title. There are currently 48 different Mega Evolutions, and fans are clamoring for more.Pokemon Legends Z-Ahas a great opportunity, perhaps even a responsibility, to give some solid answers to the mysterious origins of Mega Evolution. The trailer for the game gave a special tease of the mechanic at the very end of the announcement, so it is safe to say that Mega Evolution will be central toPokemon Legends Z-Agameplay.
In order to Mega Evolve, the player must be holding a Key Stone and their Pokemon must be holding their Mega Stone. For example, a Gengar must hold Gengarite to Mega Evolve.
The new game promises a trip back to Kalos; home of Mega Evolution, the immortal king AZ, and the terrifyingAura Trio of Legendary Pokemon. IfPokemon Legends Z-Ais anything likePokemon Legends Arceus, then players will be treated to a new perspective on the old legends of Kalos, as well as a nostalgic trip to Lumiose City. ThePokemon Legendsseries makes great use of already-explored regions of thePokemonworld, giving them new life and, hopefully, some new Pokemon.
Pokemon Legends Z-A
The sequel to Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A takes Pokemon trainers back to the Kalos region’s Lumiose City.
