Highlights

  • Pokemon Day 2024 brings back Mega Evolution in upcoming game Pokemon Legends Z-A, linking it to Kalos region legends.
  • Pokemon Legends Z-A may delve into the origins of Mega Evolution, exploring connections to legendary Pokemon in Kalos and Hoenn.
  • The Kalos region theory ties Mega Evolution to Xerneas and Yveltal, while the Hoenn region theory links it to Rayquaza and Key Stones.

Pokemon Day 2024 delivered exciting news to Pokemon fans everywhere: not only is a new game on the way, but that game will bring back Mega Evolution. The trailer for Pokemon Legends Z-A ended with a simple, but thrilling animation of the rainbow DNA icon that denotes Mega Evolution, a mechanic originally exclusive to the Kalos region of Pokemon. Back in 2013, Pokemon X and Y took players on an adventure in the French-inspired Kalos region. Here, special stones can unlock a Pokemon's innermost potential and allow for fully evolved Pokemon to temporarily take on an enhanced, more powerful form during battle.

The people of Kalos, and by extension the players, know how Mega Evolution happens, but not why. Even those who study the phenomenon, like Professor Sycamore and Steven Stone, know very little about the origins of Mega Evolution. In Pokemon lore, there are two prevailing theories on the inception of Mega Evolution. Pokemon Legends Z-A may shed further light on the subject.

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The Kalos Theory: The Power of Xerneas and Yveltal

In Pokemon X and Y, the local Pokemon professor suggests that Mega Evolution is connected to the legendary Pokemon of the Kalos region, particularly Xerneas and Yveltal. Luckily for the people and Pokemon of Kalos, these powerful creatures are typically in a dormant state. According to Kalosian history, 3,000 years ago, the powers of these legendary Pokemon were used to fire an ultimate weapon created by a king named AZ. This weapon, although destructive, ultimately ended the brutal war raging at the time.

Professor Sycamore theorizes that when the weapon was fired by AZ, the power of Xerneas or Yveltal (depending on which game the player is playing) spread throughout the land. Naturally-occuring evolution stones (the kind that can turn an Eevee into a Vaporeon, for example) were irradiated with this power and became Mega Stones. Given that Pokemon Legends Z-A is all about the Kalos region, it would make sense if the game leaned into this possible backstory, focusing on Xerneas and Yveltal's connection to Mega Evolution and exploring AZ's war.

Kalos legends claim that the first Pokemon to Mega Evolve was a Lucario.

The Hoenn Theory: Rayquaza's Meteorites

The Hoenn region is home to a separate theory about Mega Evolution. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire introduce the Draconid people. This ancient tribe native to the region has lore related to Mega Evolution dating back to the "primal age", and according to their stories, the legendary Pokemon Rayquaza was actually the first Pokemon to Mega Evolve.

During a tumultuous time when meteors glowing with rainbow light pelted the homeland of the Draconid, the giant dragon Pokemon descended to earth and stopped the natural disasters. Rayquaza returned again over 1,000 years later when a huge meteor, one that's description seems similar to a Key Stone, hit the earth and awakened the legendary Pokemon Groudon and Kyogre. The people prayed to Rayquaza to save them and the Pokemon appeared again, this time transforming into a new, more powerful form to overcome the destructive power of Groudon and Kyogre.

In Japanese, the Draconid people are called the "Ryusei no Tami", which translates to "Meteor People." In English, Draconid refers to the Draconid meteor shower. In the games, the Draconid people call Rayquaza the Dragon Lord.

The prevailing interpretation of this story is that Rayquaza Mega Evolved because of the influence of the giant Key Stone that fell into the ocean. The location of the impact of this Key Stone-like meteor is now Sootopolis City. Key Stones are what activate Mega Stones; trainers must hold onto to Key Stones, usually attached to a Mega Ring, while the Pokemon holds the Mega Stone. Rayquaza, perhaps by virtue of being a legendary Pokemon, does not require a Mega Stone to evolve.

It's possible that both theories are correct: in Kalos, the power of Xerneas and Yveltal created Mega Evolution, while Key Stone meteorites in Hoenn allowed Rayquaza to Mega Evolve. Pokemon Legends Z-A has the opportunity to further elaborate on these theories, and perhaps introduce new Mega Evolutions for previously overlooked Pokemon. This highly anticipated addition to the burgeoning Pokemon Legends series could do a lot for the once-abandoned Mega Evolution, giving it a richer place in the franchise's gameplay and lore.