It’s been almost four months since the initial announcement of Pokémon Sun and Moon, and the hype and speculation is running rampant. The floodgates of news have finally opened, providing us Pokéfans something substantial to hold us over until November. With the starters, two new Pokémon, the full region map, and many other news tidbits to look through, the initial announcement trailer is practically out of our heads. Except, there’s one thing from that trailer that has yet to leave my mind: “It all comes together…”
Many fans clung to these words claiming them to be evidence that we’d finally be getting a game with all the regions. That’d be the perfect way to celebrate a 20th Anniversary, right? Wrong. It’s unlikely Game Freak will ever make a game allowing us to travel every region because that minimizes the incentive to play other games. So, if not all the regions, what exactly is “coming together” in Pokémon Sun and Moon? The plot line that began in X and Y and continued into Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire’s Delta Episode: Mega Evolution, Infinity Energy, Project Azoth, and… Alchemy?Wait. I don’t remember Alchemy being a part of X and Y or ORAS. This is where Sun and Moon fit into the picture.
The Alchemy Legendaries: Solgaleo and Lunala
With the little information we have so far about Sun and Moon, all signs seem to be pointing towards a plot focusing on Alchemy. One of the clearest examples of this is found within the mascot legendary for Sun version, Solgaleo. Solgaleo is stated to be “the beast that devoured the Sun.” This statement confused a lot of fans because they assumed the legendary for Pokémon Sun would embody the Sun, not eat it. Believe it or not, imagery of a green lion devouring the Sun is common throughout Alchemical texts. This green lion symbolized an acidic substance that could dissolve metals, including gold. The substance created from the dissolved gold is what Alchemists used to create more gold from base metals such as iron or copper. (In some texts, the molten gold was also compared to the elixir of life, but we’ll get back to that in a minute.)
With Solgaleo being clearly related to this alchemical symbol, I began to wonder the significance of the moon in Alchemy and if Lunala could fit into this theory. There is a lot of speculation around what Lunala is based around. Lions are often associated with the sun and masculine energy, so Solgaleo is an obvious connection—Lunala, not so much. Surprisingly, I found a possible inspiration for Lunala that fits into Alchemy: the Egyptian Goddess, Isis (Pictured Below). Isis was a goddess often associated with the moon, portrayed with long wings and horns on her head. She was also the goddess of magic and Alchemy. Further, in Egyptian mythology, Isis is known for raising her husband from the dead, garnering her the title: the protector of the dead. If Lunala is based off Isis, this title of “protector of the dead” could attribute to its Ghost typing. With Lunala likely being based of a goddess of the moon and alchemy, both box legendaries obviously have some sort of ties to Alchemy.
Project Azoth in Sun and Moon?
So, how does Alchemy help the plot line of X and Y “come together?” Ancient alchemists had two main goals: wealth and immortality. Alchemists believed they could achieve immortality and turn any substance into gold if they could create a philosopher’s stone. A bit of a speculative stretch, but the diamond shaped stones in the Japanese logos for Sun and Moon (and now seen on the wrists of our playable characters) could somehow be symbolic of a philosopher’s stone. Philosopher stones were said to contain the “elixir of life,” or, less commonly known as Azoth. In Alchemy, Azoth is essential to transmutation and transformation. It is the universal solvent and sometimes described as the universal life force—“the animating energy of the body [and the] … enthusiasm that moves the mind.” What kind of life energy do we know of from X and Y and ORAS that helps transform the body of Pokémon? Infinity Energy, the source of Mega Evolution.
While I do not have suggestions for names of the new evil team of the Alola Region, I do know this: they are going to attempt to achieve immortal life through using either Solgaleo or Lunala in combination with Infinity Energy, or Azoth. I also think that Sun and Moon might see the end of mega evolution as we currently know it. I know this sounds like a crazy statement since mega evolution has become an integral part of the Pokémon metagame. However, the stones seen on the wrist of our playable characters are definitely not keystones. I speculate these diamond stones will act like a keystone, but instead it will tap into Infinity Energy in a different way allowing for Pokémon to transform/mega-evolve without the use of a Mega Stone. I also posit the storyline of Sun and Moon will include many references to Kalos, which may or may not result in needing to travel to Kalos in the post game. AZ will most likely make an appearance because he was the first person to learn how to use Infinity Energy (the Pokémon Universe’s first alchemist). The plot lines of the recent Pokemon games are getting darker and more complex, so what’s to stop GameFreak from going all out in these games that are supposedly meant to “bring everything together?”
So, what do you guys think? Do you agree that Alchemy will play a part in the plot line of Sun and Moon? What do you think of Project Azoth?
Achieving immortal life could lead to a really cool storyline! Maybe they could tie in the philosopher’s stone too somehow??
These seem like great connections, but I feel like the conclusion people make with these are often a stretch.
Awesome Joshua, now we’re finally able to read your article 🙂
I feel like Alchemy will play a role in SM, there are just too many hints towards it.
Woah! You killed it, great job! I enjoyed reading!
I loved the tie in between the Egyptian Goddess of Magic, Lunala, and alchemy.
I’ve heard a lot about Solgaleo’s tie in with alchemy, but not Lunala.
Mega evolution GONE!!! Well all good things come to an end yet i hope for the next Mega Evolution like power is used on Raticate and Flygon!
I dont think you’ve read the article. He isn’t saying megas are gone, he suspects the mechanic will be different..
I don’t even think you properly read or finished reading the article. He just said that the stone on the trainer bracelet might act as a Key Stone, which removes the necessity of Mega Stones to Mega Evolve Pokemon.
I know its not gone but I’m just saying if it is probably should have said that sooner.
OMG I do not have any word to describe how awesome this could be…
I wholly agree with the idea of the rhombus-shaped stone (it’s not diamond-shaped boi) allowing for the control of Solgaleo and Lunala and acting as the Key Stone of the new games. It’s similar to the stone used by the antagonist in the upcoming Pokemon Movie. I expect it to recon Mega Stones, but they have to balance the gaming mechanics to work without a Mega Stone. Maybe the items become inactive once you Mega Evolve. I just don’t want to see Synchro Evolution, which ever drunk PokeTuber thinks will happen.
I totally agree Syncro Evolution sounds like bad idea not to mention only a tiny amount of Pokemon could do it based on time limit!
What’s wrong with synchro evolution, look how awesome Ash-Greninja is, besides it could be then mega evolution.
I mean think about it Greninja is so far the only one do with time and creation they could only make about 10 if not that so they all would be overused!
How would it pan out in the games? Nobody wants it. I rather just keep it as an anime-only concept.
FINALLY
Anyone notice how the bracelet seems to have slots for more stones? Granted it could just be for looks, but you never know.
Nice theory but the only thing that doesnt fit for me is the legendaries being used by the evil team, as that is the way it has always been, but it was stated that solgaleo and lunala tie into the story in a way that is different from other ways done before. This theory is very elaborate and credible nonetheless, good job!
I wonder what it is because there has to be some ties to them or they’d be like Red, Blue, & Yellow
Pika by has a new cry in the battle royal footage: http://youtu.be/-bAFnyLLCIc
I wonder if they are updating the cries AGAIN
They’re not updating anymore cries. Someone has pointed this out before in some previous articles. Ledyba still has the same cry from X/Y. Anyways, I did notice Pikachu had a different cry from X/Y.
Speaking of Ledyba they said pokemon that are less common in other regions are coming back!
But there’s still the third mascot legendary (eclipse maybe) and there’s the third mythical fairy (along with diancie and magearna). So maybe when they are revealed things go a completely unexpected way, right?
What third Fairy? and i have heard about the legends of the islands I wonder if the Guardians are Rowlett, popplio, Litten, Iwanko or Solgaleo, lunala, unknown, and Zygaurd possiblly
diancie and magearna are both fairy and given they always go for a legendary trio it’s likely there is a third fairy to complete the team. just like those weird psychic things of the lake (don’t remember their names).
Some things wrong with that theory
1. They are from different regions and given that way
2. Magerna is Uknown how we get her (pun intended)
3. Not all trio’s have to have same type exactly
4. Diancie is apart of Hoopa, Volcanion, and Diancie trio
Their names are Mesprite, Uxie, and Azelf!
But you really think that the super similar design between diancie and magearna is just a coincidence? Highly doubt that.
Just because they are similar doesn’t mean it like all electric rodents have similarities yet their not a giant group
Nuff said
I’ve had an idea on a mythical for a while now a Grass/Electric type with Lanturns on its head that guides people through the forest!
Do you guys think that the four masks in the at the festival might represent Tapu Koko and the other three guardian Pokemon?
Possibly
What else would the rise be?
Wait wheres his nose
It’s the little rise on his face
Ken has already forgot what noses are. rf.
Demons ate it
I doubt it because it would be weird to have the other guardians represented in this island’s festival made celebrate its guardian, but maybe.
They are reminiscent of that Strange Souvenir in XY.
I would like to throw in a comment that was made before XY came out and after Megas were announced. “There won’t be any Kalos Pokemon with Megas within XY.” Yes we got Mega Diancie on ORAS but what I’m getting at is Sun and Moon have obviously been a work in progress for a while. I don’t think they would just suddenly get rid of them to introduce something new. Mega Evolution requires two stones to work but A LOT of time to gather the ites and nites and sparkles on the ground and such. This new stone is probably just going to allow Mega Evolution without stones, nothing else, but there will probably be a sacrifice of something to do so. Synchro Evolution and Burst Evolution just sound too complicated to throw into a game like Pokemon. Especially since it’s turn based.
Exactly i mean how many Syncro’s could they make in the time limit 5?10? Mabey next game after sun and Moon
If they switched to a combat system like in Xenoblade Chronicles I could see it but not right now.
Truer words have never been spoken. Synchro Evolution is just a stupid concept. I haven’t heard of Burst Evolution tho. I’m assuming it’s from Pokemon ReBurst, which is just ridiculous.
Funny enough, synchro, or at least something similar, has been seen before, and that’s in Pokken. Funny enough, it’s been stated that when a pokemon goes through synergy burst, the pokemon and trainer become connected, similar to Ash-Greninja http://imgur.com/YxWbBw0. There is also one thing people haven’t thought about with this form, the giant Water Shuriken. When a pokemon is in Synergy Burst they also gain a Burst Attack, a powerful move that is unique to the pokemon using it and they’re more powerful versions of moves they can learn, such as Weavile’s Sonic Slash being a more powerful Night Slash, or Machamp’s Dynamic Fury which of course is more powerful Dynamic Punch. The giant Water Shuriken on Greninja’s back has been pointed out to be an important feature in this form. It also seems to function differently from regular Water Shuriken, considering it only fires off once instead 2-5 times, and it deals a lot more damage than normal. So basically the Giant Water Shuriken is Ash-Greninja’s Burst Attack. As for how this works in the games, people think it won’t happen because then they’d have a lot of work to do with modeling in order have a pokemon look like it’s trainer, but take note when a pokemon is in Synergy Burst and can not mega evolve, they only gain slight cosmetic changes, similar to how people say that Greninja doesn’t look that much different. So what if the look to Ash-Greninja is anime exclusive? It’s still a Synergy Burst and would be in the games, but the fact it resembles it’s trainer is only for the anime to make Ash’s Greninja special. As for how this would work in battle in the games, there’s been hints that pokemon can possibly gain a 5th move. So what if that’s how it works? Like in Pokken the pokemon will not only power up, meaning stat boosts, but the pokemon will also gain a 5th special move that is unique to the pokemon, a Burst Attack? So when think of it this way, it all works out nicely. Let’s also not forget that the stones in the bracelets, greatly resemble synergy stones. But that still leaves to question, why would this mechanic be shown in Pokken, a spin off, first instead of Sun & Moon. Well there’s also the possibility that Pokemon Team told Bandai about the concept, and they decided to implement it into game and tweek the concept to make the game more interesting and have it fit. So in the real games it would probably be different in some aspects.
I still don’t like the idea of it in Sun & Moon
And why not? I think it’ll be a cool mechanic.
What would happen to Mega’s would they be gone and it’s to little time to make that many that it would be neat if only 10 or so got it wheres the fun in it?
Megs will still be around, if anything we’ll probably just get less numbers of them this time around.
I always thought they would introduce one universal mega stone in future games. So instead of searching for Charizardite, Altarianite etc we would only need one mega stone that would work for all Pokemon. It seems to me like a much simpler method. Maybe this new diamond shaped stone on players wrist works with “universal mega stone” but it also has more functions as it could cause ash greninja like transformations.
I could not agree with you more. Not only because I don’t want this to happen but because this stupid Synchro stuff is way too complicated for Pokemon…..
I am hoping that they’ll include the Kalos region in some fashion, maybe as a post-game region? Although I think it’s very unlikely since they’ll have to remodel the entire Kalos region to fit S/M’s model style, if it does happen, the way they might link Alola to Kalos is through Zygarde.
They have stated that Zygarde will have a special role in Sun and Moon, which is cool and all but as far as we know, Zygarde has no ties to the Alola region. Zygarde’s pokedex entries even mention it revealing its secret power when the KALOS region’s ecosystem falls into disarray and the only way they could go deeper into Zygarde’s story is if it goes into its complete form which can only be achieved if the Kalos region is involved in some way.
I expect to see some post-game events with Zygarde, Volcanion, and Magearna. Something similar to the Delta Episode would make me happy. I just doubt we’re going to get into the Kalos Region.
yet Volcanion is a Mythical pokemon that cis supposed to be given in ORAS yet Ilike that idea very good Bravo (100% No sarcasm Honest)
A bit clickbait-ey and a little long, but I love this video. Ties up all the alchemy references we have so far and it’s awesome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrPKq4lk1NQ
What would synchro evolution even add that mega evolution doesn’t already? It doesn’t seem likely at all to me, more like a pointless game mechanic to confuse everyone and overcomplicate battles.
Other than a possible new Move Nothing NNNoooootthhhiingg!!!
Let it go people!
People keep bringing it up so…
I guess Mega Evolving sans a Mega Stone? Mega Stones were kinda dumb in the first place. Imagine having to collect 200 Mega Stones in Gen 10 or something like damn
Well it’s be fine if they were just renaming it I guess but fusing with a Pokemon is stupid
THATS WHAT IVE BEEN SAYING FOR THE LAST MONTH AND AHALF
I know, it’s just dumb.
Funny enough, synchro, or at least something similar, has been seen before, and that’s in Pokken. Funny enough, it’s been stated that when a pokemon goes through synergy burst, the pokemon and trainer become connected, similar to Ash-Greninja http://imgur.com/YxWbBw0. There is also one thing people haven’t thought about with this form, the giant Water Shuriken. When a pokemon is in Synergy Burst they also gain a Burst Attack, a powerful move that is unique to the pokemon using it and they’re more powerful versions of moves they can learn, such as Weavile’s Sonic Slash being a more powerful Night Slash, or Machamp’s Dynamic Fury which of course is more powerful Dynamic Punch. The giant Water Shuriken on Greninja’s back has been pointed out to be an important feature in this form. It also seems to function differently from regular Water Shuriken, considering it only fires off once instead 2-5 times, and it deals a lot more damage than normal. So basically the Giant Water Shuriken is Ash-Greninja’s Burst Attack. As for how this works in the games, people think it won’t happen because then they’d have a lot of work to do with modeling in order have a pokemon look like it’s trainer, but take note when a pokemon is in Synergy Burst and can not mega evolve, they only gain slight cosmetic changes, similar to how people say that Greninja doesn’t look that much different. So what if the look to Ash-Greninja is anime exclusive? It’s still a Synergy Burst and would be in the games, but the fact it resembles it’s trainer is only for the anime to make Ash’s Greninja special. As for how this would work in battle in the games, there’s been hints that pokemon can possibly gain a 5th move. So what if that’s how it works? Like in Pokken the pokemon will not only power up, meaning stat boosts, but the pokemon will also gain a 5th special move that is unique to the pokemon, a Burst Attack? So when think of it this way, it all works out nicely and makes sense to why Kukui is studying moves. Let’s also not forget that the stones in the bracelets, greatly resemble synergy stones. But that still leaves to question, why would this mechanic be shown in Pokken, a spin off, first instead of Sun & Moon. Well there’s also the possibility that Pokemon Team told Bandai about the concept, and they decided to implement it into game and tweek the concept to make the game more interesting and have it fit. So in the real games it would probably be different in some aspects.
why did you repost this?
Cause I didn’t think it would get as much attention since it was a reply, so I deleted the old one and put it down as a comment instead.
Maybe try to use paragraphs next time. Makes it a lot easier to read lol
I for one would like them to just stop giving pokemon with lots of potencial mega evos instead of regular evos. Absol to me was one of the big losses we colud’ve had. I’ve always thought it would evolve again reversing the color pallete (all black with hints of white, since its a dark type), it would’ve being epic.
Mega absol is super ugly and randomly designed tbh. It gets angel wings out of nowhere. I usually forget it even exists.
I think he was supposed to have a sort of a guardian angel design, since Absol does warn people of danger.
Well he’s still ugly. Maybe it’s the emo bangs
After seeing some of your other comments. I take it you never really liked stuff in Gen 6 in general.
Mehhhhh I like some of them a lot (aurorus, xerneas, florges, goodra, talonflame, yveltal, few more) but I think some of the final evolutions and Megas were floundered and unfinished.
He is mixed
Regarded as a harbinger of disaster or savior of people
But honestly it works out for it I have to say
But still I hate those who think it could fly or should be a Fairy
Some need regular Evolutions but some need Mega’s like ones who have hit all stages of Basic, Stage 1, Stage 2. Like Flygon and some just seem that adding a regular it would be to much why Raticate Needs a Mega
Flygon would make a neat Bug/Dragon. Or maybe a Ground/Bug.
Umm it won’t drop a Type
For starters Ground – It is a Desert Spirit capable of creating Sandstorms with one tail movement and Considered some type of Deity of the Desert
Dragon- It looks very Noble and Majestic like a Dragon.
So it won’t drop its types
*shrugs* A’ritey. It doesn’t even learn any Bug moves by level-up, minus Bug Buzz as Vibrava.
Perhaps a mega ability that boosts Bug-type attack power.
Why has no one mentioned Mega Raticate it could be Normal/Dark type ability: Huge Jaws
Design: Darker color with clumps of fur fallen off, Larger Teeth
http://imgur.com/a/09TBM
Damn….
Yeah, we really need to keep our minds open about stuff, before we make ourselves look silly.
Yeah good luck with that
I think it’s kind of obvious that we are getting something akin to synchro. They wouldn’t have been so weird and secretive about the diamond during E3 if it was a weird mega stone redesign and its really random to just have ash greninja out of nowhere. i dont know how it will fit in with mega evolution or what but I think it can be interesting
It could be attuned to Solgaleo and Lunala
I mean technically in ORAS the red and blue orbs were teased and they were solely for Groudon and Kyogre Primal Reversion
Who’s honestly to say that anybody is getting a slice
But the Red and Blue orbs were key items that weren’t on the trainers person.
But that still doesn’t change that they were only for Groudon and Kyogre
Yup, as hold items for the pokemon. But these are something for the trainers to use.
That honestly doesn’t change anything
Kind of does. Hold items for pokemon and Trainer items are very different. Especially since the gems are where the keystones are supposed to be.
I don’t believe so, it’s just the inhibitors but not the full key
My point exactly. I’m keeping my standards a bit low to the obvious choice.
I’m guessing all Pokemon can achieve Synchro but if a Pokemon has a Mega form, Mega evolution would trigger instead of Synchro evo
Hmm me Fused with my Dedenne hmmmmmmmm?????
Looks like smaller more adorable version of me ?
The only way I’d be 100% behind Synchro evolution is if the Pokemon recieves NO cosmetic changes. The anime can keep Ash-Greninja, those side burns are ugly.
Let’s split the difference and get rid of greninja altogether. Better yet, all of the kalos starters
I happen to love my Chesnaught
And if anyone is going to take him away I’ll personally beat you to a pulp
You cannot stop meeeee
*cracks knuckles*
Me too! but if you can even think you can take my Dedenne away you will be destroyed!!!!!
I’m about to use Greninja in X/Y as my starter. I love the Kalos Starters. Their mythical design of a Ninja, Knight, and Wizard is the perfect combo!
I like the concepts but not the execution as much.
Did I ever tell you of my Mystery a Dungeon game idea
Dungeons and Dragon Types?
I’d be with subtle changes like added frost on Weavile; something to say hey I’m more powerful now but I still look 95-99% the same
Quiet all of a sudden
I think this will be the last Pokemon games we get.
Doubt it. Too soon to end it now.
Someone doesn’t know what a franchise is…
Sure I do. I work in business. I’m not saying we will never get a Pokemon game but I don’t think we will get a new region and new Pokemon and new characters and stuff. This is of course if they continue to go on the whole fact that all the games will come together or something.
Deep inside, I kind of wish that was true. I’m a big fan of closure. Then again, I want to see the day when we get our 1000th Pokemon.
Now that’s when I’d expect the series to end.
Go sit in the corner and think about what you’ve said.
And wear this jacket made of old barbed wire
They say that this region will be ‘full of life’, that could mean we get to the 200th this region. I don’t want this to be the last game though.
I swear, if they ever stop putting old Pokemon in the new games, I will consider it the death of the franchise.
Dude…pokemon is the second highest grossing video game franchise. It’s not ending anytime soon.
My one wish get to one thousand than. Let’s make 2000!!!!
I think we are guaranteed one more region at least, because of Yungoos.
Also I NEED MY DP REMAKES.
Everyone either thinks The Bracelets Are for either synchro, or to mega evolve Pokemon without a mega stone
I seriously don’t want synchro to be a thing, and I would rather have them keep megas.
But wouldn’t that make megas overpowered if they’re allowed to have items as well? And wouldn’t that make Rayquaza less “Special”
What if Synchro looked more on the lines of this
http://www.serebii.net/pokken/characters/burst/weavile.jpg
or this?
http://www.pokemonmillennium.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/pokken-machamp-ultrarisonanza.jpg
Does Tournament even do Synchro Evolution?
Synergy technically is.
I said this is what it will be a while ago. Synergy Evolution in a similar manner to how it happens in Pokkén.
Oh you thought so too?
Yeah haha. http://pokejungle.net/2016/03/17/sun-moon-speculation-pokemon-synergy/
Oh. Then my theory is sort of the same as yours, but the only difference that they’ll probably add these forms for the burst attacks as a 5th move, which is plausible at this point.
I don’t think there will be a fifth attack. If you look at the image where people speculated a 5th attack, there’s not actually enough space, given the placement of the first attack.
If you’re talking about list with Ledyba, the first attack is on a separate row. And there is a total of five rows. And if you mean the battle screen, there is a huge empty space to the left.
It’s a bit blurry but I don’t see how a fifth move can fit under Disarming Voice.
BIG. EMPTY. SPACE. TO. THE. LEFT!
How’s that significant? Lol there isn’t any clue as to why that’s even there hahaha. For all we know, it could be where the mega button will be, assuming mega is here to stay.
You ever thought, that where the can put two types buttons? You just agreed that you can put things in that empty space. Doesn’t it make sense?
Where’s the evidence? If me agreeing that GF can put something there is your evidence, then they might as well put in 4 more moves to fill the screen up lol.
If it popped up on e3, then you claim becomes plausible. With no evidence, even my claim for a mega button isn’t justified.
If I’m proven wrong, I’ll be more than happy to apologize. I don’t have a problem owning up to whether I’m right or wrong.
But if it were to be like Ash-Greninja how they going to do that? And how many could fuse?
No fusion. 😛
I think they’re simply for Solgaleo and Lunala to use their phase change for their special attacks
One of my favorite parts of Pokemon is the Safari Zone. It’s fun encountering old Pokemon and using them against new ones during the story. I really hope Sun and Moon have a robust version of this zone. I’m kind of skeptical, seeing as how you can get all 721 Pokemon within Gen 6 already, but I don’t want to go back in order to go forward. I want these games to be a complete experience too!
That’s a feature that is totally overlooked. I remember hunting for Chansey in Pokemon FireRed with no luck! The mechanics were fun, but I feel like the Pokemon Bank basically made it useless. Also, we don’t see anywhere that looks like the Safari Zone on the map. Yet, it’s only a overall map, so not everything is on there! There is still a possibility.
When I first saw it I thought that japanese garden on the rightmost island might be a safari park. I’m not sure how much I believe that possiblity anymore, but it would be really cool methinks.