Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's third trailer was a great way for The Pokemon Company to promote Gen 9 games, revealing enough about their features to entice players without revealing too much about new Pokemon and forms. According to alleged leaks, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will feature Paradox Pokemon, which are critters from other generations that are capable of traveling through time to appear in the present Paldea region. These Pokemon allegedly come with ancient or future forms that change their appearance and possibly the way they can be used in battle, essentially acting like regional forms.
According to one leaker who talked about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's expected Pokedex size, there will be a total of 16 Paradox Pokemon in the base game, likely split into two groups of eight that also become version exclusives. However, another leaker states two Paradox Pokemon were cut from the base game, and could instead be added through DLC for Gen 9: Suicune and Virizion. If Suicune ends up getting a past form in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, this could hint at a Pokemon Legends game set in the Johto region.
Why a New Suicune Form in Scarlet and Violet Bodes Well For Johto
Since Pokemon Legends: Arceus came out and more fans got to experience it, players have been vocal about their interest in a series that explores the past of some regions outside Sinnoh and Hisui. Two main suggestions include a Gen 5 Pokemon Legends game that delves deeper into the myths of the Original Dragon that once were Zekrom and Reshiram, as well as a game set in Johto. A Johto Pokemon Legends game could cover the events that precede the Burned Tower's fire, or maybe explore the lore surrounding Celebi.
The possibility of a Gen 2 Pokemon Legends game being set in the past is particularly interesting because Pokemon Gold and Silver's lore, and by extension Pokemon Crystal's, tell the story of the Brass Tower. This tower stood as tall as the Bell Tower, and it's said that Lugia used to stand atop it before moving to its lair. However, the Brass Tower was hit by lightning 150 years prior to the events of the Gen 2 games, and it burned down.
During the fire, three unnamed Pokemon were killed, only for Ho-Oh to revive them in the form of Suicune, Raikou, and Entei - commonly defined as the Legendary beasts. As such, if Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduce a past form of Suicune, it could be the Pokemon that eventually perished in the fire, adding subtext to the lore of Johto as a region and the Pokemon franchise as a whole. Showing what Suicune looked like before the Brass Tower burned down could be a hint that the same design will be used again, this time in a Pokemon Legends game.
Having a game that's dedicated to the myths and legends of Johto after Pokemon Legends: Arceus could be a great way to bring back one of the most beloved regions in the franchise, while also allowing fans to learn more about what happened in the past. Even if this doesn't happen, a new Suicune form would still be interesting and leave fans wondering what the remaining two Legendary beasts could have looked like before the fire. A Pokemon Legends: Arceus sequel doesn't need too many excuses to happen in the first place, as the original had great sales, but a good story setting would absolutely help.
PokemonScarlet and Violet release on November 18, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch.
