Prior to the release ofPokemon SwordandShield, a rumor began circulating about its ties to its predecessor,Pokemon XandY. It featured the Kalos region, whileSwordandShieldis placed in the Galar region. However, at the initial unveiling of the newest installment, some fans theorized thatSwordandShieldwould feature both regions. Though Kalos didn’t make a return to the main game, this theory isn’t quite dead yet: while the first DLC ofSwordandShielddraws inspiration from the Isle of Man and the second upcoming DLC entitledCrown Tundraconfirmed to be based on Scotland, a third rumored DLC still has the possibility of bringing players back to Kalos.
While the main purview of the mainPokemonseries is to battle gyms and beat the Elite Four, the games have always introduced some lore in each installment, tying the history of the fictional universe into the origins of its legendary Pokemon.Pokemon SwordandShieldis no different, and looking at the histories of both Galar and Kalos can unveil some deep connections between the two regions.
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The Kalos War
As apart of thePokemon XandYstory, players discover the Kalos War that occurred 3,000 years ago, sometimes referred to as “The Great War.” For players that don’t already know,Galar is based on the U.K., and Kalos is based on France. Just before the incitement of the Great War, it was thought that Kalos was a strong civilization respected by other regions. Some fans theorize that Galar may have been involved in this war, with some unconfirmed sources calling it the “Kalos-Galar” war that resulted from a disagreement between the two nations. It’s thought that the Kalos War involved Galar as a reference to the historical conflicts between England and France.
But it is confirmed that the war broke out between Kalos and another nearby country, and many believe it to be Galar, though it hasn’t been confirmed canonically yet. During this time,Pokemon were being used as mere weaponsby their masters in the war. AZ, the former king of Kalos, ended the war after his beloved Floette died by creating a weapon that would destroy many Pokemon and restore life to his own deceased one.
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The Ultimate Weapon & The Darkest Day
After the war continued for what some sources say about a century, AZ created the Ultimate Weapon 3,000 years prior tothe events ofPokemon XandY.The weapon was powered by Infinity Energy and was used to wipe out Pokemon on both sides of the war. Not only that, but AZ also gained immortality as a result of the machine and Floette’s life was restored, but the Pokemon left AZ, disgusted by his actions.
Also 3,000 years before the events occurring inPokemon SwordandShieldwas the event known as the Darkest Day. The Darkest Day, which Sonia is searching for information on through the game, is the origination ofPokemon’s Dynamax and Gigantamax abilities. The black storm was a result of the legendary Pokemon Eternatus absorbing Galar’s energy in an attempt to stay alive. Again, there are conflicting sources on some pieces of information, but inSheila, it’s confirmed that Eternatus came to Earth in a meteorite 20,000 years ago.
Some sources say that Eternatus wasn’t awoken until 3,000 years ago following its arrival to Earth, causing some fans to theorize that the legendary Pokemon was awoken by the use of the Ultimate Weapon and forcing it to absorb Galar’s energy. Some fans also say thatthe red light emitting from Dynamax energyis a result of the Ultimate Weapon as well.
Either way, it looks like Eternatus is tied to the original use of the Ultimate Weapon 3,000 years ago, and perhaps inthe rumored upcomingPokemonDLC, fans will get some closure on how the two regions are tied together. If true, that rumored third DLC might bring trainers from train stations in Galar to the mysterious Couriway station in Kalos said to bring “trainers from a long way away,” mirroring the real-world train ride between the U.K. and France.
