History of the Pokémon world

This article contains fan speculation. There is no solid evidence for or against some parts of this article.

This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it. Reason: ORAS stuff, more info on Delta Episode

Below is a timeline of events in the history of the Pokémon world, primarily those established in the canon of the Pokémon games since these apply most to other forms of canon. There is also a separate timeline of events for the anime series as well as one for Pokémon Adventures.

There are many stories and legends surrounding the history of the Pokémon world. It is not entirely clear if legends are true or not, but there are many hints in the games, anime and manga that suggest that they are.

Please note that the below timeline is based on speculation and possible information from different aspects of the Pokémon franchise.

Timeline

Beginning of the universe

This information is based primarily on the mythology of both the Hoenn and Sinnoh regions.

Palkia, Giratina and Dialga

• In a vortex of complete chaos and nothingness, a single Egg comes into being, which then hatches into Arceus, the first Pokémon in existence. Arceus then creates Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina, giving them power over time, space, and antimatter respectively. Giratina, as punishment for its destructive nature, is sent by Arceus to live in the Distortion World. Dialga and Palkia then succeed in creating the universe and Pokémon world and retreat into their own dimensions afterwards, with a point of access being at the ancient Spear Pillar in Sinnoh.

• Arceus creates Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf, giving knowledge, emotion, and willpower to all living things that come into existence in the Pokémon world. The three dive into caves at the bottom of Lake Verity, Lake Valor, and Lake Acuity in Sinnoh, giving them the name "lake guardians".

• Kyogre is formed by the pressure in the deep sea trenches, Groudon is formed deep inside the Earth, likely from hardened magma and earth, and Rayquaza is formed by the minerals of the ozone layer. Rayquaza proceeds to fly around in the ozone layer, occasionally coming to rest at Sky Pillar.

• Kyogre and Groudon then proceed to fill the sea and create land, respectively. A chance meeting turns the two into rivals, and a conflict for dominance over the Pokémon world begins. This battle continues until Rayquaza quells it, causing Kyogre and Groudon to retreat to special caverns, where they rest until the events of Generation III many years later. The Red and Blue Orbs are created to prevent the reawakening of Kyogre and Groudon, and are left at Mt. Pyre for safekeeping. At this time, Mew may have been plentiful and lived in large numbers.

• Landmasses such as Mt. Coronet are created, and Regigigas moves the continents, forming the regions, and created the three golems- Regirock, Regice, and Registeel out of clay, ice, and magma, respectively.

• The Sinnoh region is created around Mt. Coronet. During this violent procedure, Stark Mountain is created due to shifts in the crust of the world and Heatran is formed in a pool of lava. Arceus creates the Adamant, Lustrous, and Griseous Orbs before falling into a deep slumber.

Prehistory

This information is based primarily on the study of Fossils and other archaeological remains. Some of this information is also based on scientific research.

Millions of years before Generation I:

• The earliest known prehistoric Pokémon existed at this time. It is possible that the Mew population may have decreased at this stage, as they slowly gave way to other Pokémon species. The first humans also appeared around this time.

• 300 million years ago: An ancient version of Genesect was born. Kabuto and Kabutops lived in the sea.
  • Team Plasma later used Genesect's DNA to create an infinitely stronger version of it with cybernetic technology.

• 100 million years ago: Species such as Aerodactyl, Lileep, Cranidos, Shieldon, Tirtouga, and Archen were supposedly widespread. They all ultimately went extinct, but not before Archen gave rise to bird Pokémon and Tirtouga gave rise to turtle Pokémon.
  • A fossil is found millions of years later in Hoenn and revived scientifically by the Devon Corporation.

• 10,000 years ago: During the last Ice Age, the Mamoswine population flourished, then decreased when the Ice Age ended.

• At some point in the distant past, the Magikarp population mutates due to unknown reasons and becomes weaker.

• At some point after the Iron Age, Regigigas is sealed away in the Snowpoint Temple, and Regirock, Regice and Registeel are sealed away at various points across the Hoenn region after years of human worship.

3000 years before Generation V:

• The Relic items are created.

3000 years before Generation VI:

• The Kalos war occurred, the ultimate weapon was created underneath Geosenge Town, and AZ was given eternal life. This sets a chain of events into motion that leads to the discovery of Mega Evolution.

2500 years before Generation V:

• The Relic Castle is built.

2000 years before Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

• Hoenn is plagued by meteor showers. A meteor turns the homeplace of the Draconid people into Meteor Falls.
• The world overflowed with natural energy which Groudon and Kyogre, in their primal forms, fought over. They ravaged the earth and were only calmed by Rayquaza after the Draconid people summoned it using a wish on a meteor at Meteor Falls. The people of Hoenn begin to revere Rayquaza as a saviour.

1500 years before Generation I:

• The earliest known system for writing is developed and used at the Ruins of Alph, Tanoby Ruins, and Solaceon Ruins. Archaeologists are currently unsure whether the nearly identical Unown preceded or succeeded the writing system, but it is assumed they share some sort of connection.
• The Farfetch'd population decreases due to overhunting.

1000 years before Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

• A thousand years after the events at Meteor Falls, a meteor struck Hoenn, creating Sootopolis City. Groudon and Kyogre reawakened to fight over the wellspring of primal energy which came from it. The people of Hoenn wished on Rayquaza to save them, and using the meteor, Rayquaza performed the world's first Mega Evolution and calmed the two. Sky Pillar was built in Rayquaza's honour, and the Draconid people promised to pass down the prophecy that in 1000 years the meteor would return - causing the events of the Delta Episode.

1000 years before X and Y:

• Xerneas went to sleep in the form of a tree.
• Yveltal went to sleep in the form of a cocoon.

Recent history

This information is based on historic records.

Ecruteak City

Hundreds of years before Generation I:

• The legends of Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs's past.

c. 700 years before Generation I:

• Bell Tower and Brass Tower are constructed in Ecruteak City, and Lugia and Ho-Oh perch at their tops.

c. 500 years before Generation I:

• The first Spiritomb is sealed in the Hallowed Tower for its unforgivable misdeeds.
• The Cianwood City Pharmacy is built.

c. 400 years before Generation I:

• Azalea Town in Johto is struck by a long-term drought. After bringing the rain back once again by yawning, Slowpoke gains an honorable position in that town.
• The Pokémon move Toxic is invented by a ninja.

c. 300 years before X and Y:

• Parfum Palace was built.

c. 200 years before Generation V:

• Village Bridge is constructed by a man and his Gurdurr after the river flooded the area.
• The island that would become Liberty Garden was bought by an ultra-rich family and Victini was hidden in a backroom.

c. 150 years before Generation I:

• Brass Tower burns to the ground, killing three Pokémon inside. Lugia flees to the Whirl Islands, Ho-Oh resurrects the three as the legendary beasts and flies off in search of a pure-hearted Trainer.
• The first Pokémon League competitions take place.

c. 100 years before Generation V:

• The warehouses of Nacrene City are constructed.
• Klink begin to appear in Chargestone Cave.

c. 50 years before Generation V:

• Elgyem is seen for the first time when it appeared from far in the desert.

c. 40 years before Generation III:

• Lunatone is seen for the first time in a crater.

Dozens of years before Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

• Sea Mauville is decommissioned after the closure of New Mauville.

1969:

• First humans land on the Moon.

17 years before Pokémon Colosseum:

• Wes is born.

12 years before Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

• Brendan is born.
• May is born.

11 years before Generation I:

• Red is born.
• Leaf is born.
• The Litleonid meteor shower passes by Hoenn for the last time prior to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
• TV Mauville is founded.

10 years before Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

• Wally is born.
• Pokémon Centers in Hoenn are remodeled, removing the second floor and the Pokémon Cable Club.

Less than 10 years before Generation I:

• The ferry S.S. Tidal is constructed.
• The first Pokémon created by scientific engineering, Porygon, is created.
• Rotom inhabits an abandoned mansion in Sinnoh.

Contemporary history

From the Pokémon games:

Some years prior to Generation I:

• A team of scientists discover a new Pokémon (at the time) deep in a jungle in Guyana, South America on July 5. They name the Pokémon Mew on July 10. Mewtwo, a clone of Mew, is born on February 6. Mewtwo escapes from and destroys Cinnabar Island's Pokémon Mansion on September 1 and then goes to Cerulean Cave.
• Sabrina's Gym is declared the official Gym of Saffron City after a Pokémon battle between Sabrina and the leader of the Fighting Dojo.
• Giratina returns to the Pokémon world.
• The Battle Resort opens in Hoenn.
• Goldenrod Radio Tower is torn down due to being old and creaky. During the process, the Radio Tower Director comes across the Clear Bell, which he keeps for the time being. A new Goldenrod Radio Tower is built in its place.
• Construction of the Royal Unova begins.

One year prior to Generation I:

• Professor Rowan goes to Kanto to research the myths of the region.

Generation I/III/:

• The events of Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire:
  • Red leaves Pallet Town on his Pokémon journey after his rival, Professor Oak's grandson, Blue. After getting the eight Badges of Kanto, and defeating Team Rocket along the way, he then challenges Kanto's Elite Four, then its current Champion, none other than Blue himself. After defeating Blue, Red becomes the Champion, then ventures to the Sevii Islands to eradicate Team Rocket and help Celio to connect his Pokémon Network Center to the Hoenn region.
  • Brendan/May leaves Littleroot Town on a Pokémon journey shortly after moving to the Hoenn region from Johto by saving the local Pokémon Professor from an attacking wild Pokémon. At first, there is a deep-seated rivalry with Professor Birch's daughter/son, however, later on, the rivalry is with Wally instead. After defeating Hoenn's eight Gym Leaders and calming Groudon or Kyogre, released from their banishment by Team Magma and Team Aqua, respectively, he/she challenges and defeats Hoenn's Elite Four and current Champion, becoming the Champion him/herself, much to the astonishment of Birch's child. He/she then saves the world from an incoming meteorite during the Delta Episode.

Between Generation I/III/ and Generation II/IV:

• The events of Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon Ranger occur.
• Eruption of the volcano on Cinnabar Island causes destruction of the island's settlement, except for the Pokémon Center. As a result, Blaine, the Cinnabar Gym Leader, relocates the gym to the nearby Seafoam Islands.
• Blue takes the position of Gym Leader in the now empty Viridian Gym, succeeding the former Team Rocket leader Giovanni.
• Red retreats to Mt. Silver, training day and night, leaving Lance to act as Champion, while Lorelei returns to her home in Four Island, and Agatha retires from her position as a member of the Kanto Elite Four. This leaves three vacancies on the roster for Elite Four.
  • Two of these vacancies are filled by Karen and Will. The other is filled by Koga, who abdicates his position as Fuchsia City Gym Leader to his daughter, Janine.
• Extensive research confirms the existence of Steel and Dark types in the region of Kanto.
• Baoba leaves Kanto when his Safari Zone is closed and begins planning to open a new Safari Zone in Johto, as a replacement.
• The Pokémon Tower is converted into a Radio Tower.
• A Pal Park is opened in place of the Kanto Safari Zone.
• Groudon and Kyogre retreat to the region of Fiore to rest after their battle.
• Giratina returns to the Distortion World.
• A new Battle Frontier is built in Sinnoh and Johto.
• Professor Rowan returns to Sinnoh after four years.

Three years after Generation I/Generation III/ (Generation II/Generation IV):

• The events of Gold, Silver, Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs:
  • Ethan/Kris/Lyra leaves New Bark Town on an errand for Professor Elm, bonding with his/her starter Pokémon on the way. A red-haired boy steals one of Elm's three Pokémon, and challenges him/her as Ethan/Kris/Lyra's journey across Johto continues. A revived Team Rocket, using plans formulated three years prior, enrages many Gyarados, including a red one, at the Lake of Rage as they proceed to take over the Goldenrod Radio Tower in a desperate attempt to contact Giovanni, their former leader. They are defeated, and the new leader vows to never again re-form Team Rocket, and Ethan/Kris/Lyra continues to gather Johto's Badges, eventually gaining all eight and traveling to the Pokémon League at Indigo Plateau in Kanto. After defeating the Elite Four and their Champion, Lance, Ethan/Kris/Lyra then heads to the Kanto region to challenge its eight Gyms, which have changed from three years prior. After gaining all eight of their Badges, for a total of sixteen, Professor Oak declares him/her ready to travel to Mt. Silver, where he/she meets and challenges Red.
  • Lucas/Dawn and Barry leave Twinleaf Town in an attempt to see a Pokémon like the recently reported red Gyarados in the nearest of Sinnoh's lakes, Lake Verity. After being attacked by a wild Starly at the lake, and using one of Professor Rowan's Pokémon to fend off the attacker, their journey begins in earnest, and both Lucas/Dawn and Barry challenge the Sinnoh region's eight Gyms to gain the Badges necessary to challenge the Pokémon League. Along the way, however, Lucas/Dawn is brought into many conflicts with Team Galactic, whose leader, Cyrus, wishes to remake the entire universe in his image with the powers of the legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia. Defeating the team and calming Dialga/Palkia/Giratina, Lucas/Dawn challenges Sinnoh's Elite Four and Champion, Cynthia, and becomes Champion him/herself.
• Hayley, a friend of Bebe, opens up a Pokémon Ranch.

Approximately two years after Generation II/Generation IV:

• Cipher and Team Snagem return to the Orre region, and create XD001, a supposedly unpurifiable Shadow Pokémon, but their plans are thwarted by Michael. Meanwhile, Dr. Kaminko and Chobin invent Robo Groudon and Robo Kyogre, and Professor Krane invents the Purify Chamber, where Shadow Pokémon can be purified more easily.

Between Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and Generation V:

• Construction of the Royal Unova is completed.

Between Generation II/IV and Generation V:

• The Team Rocket Grunt who stole the Machine Part in Kanto returns to Unova, intending to reform Team Rocket there despite its second defeat, as he previously stated. He later falls in love and has a son, moving to Icirrus City.
• Caitlin leaves the Sinnoh/Johto Battle Frontier and returns to Unova, becoming an Elite Four member.
• Team Plasma, under N, creates Genesect in an attempt to create the strongest Pokémon in existence by altering an ancient insect Pokémon with cybernetic upgrades.
• Team Plasma steals Hugh's sister's Purrloin, and Hugh swears to one day get it back.

A few years after Generation II/Generation IV (Generation V):

• The events of Black and White:
  • Hilbert/Hilda along with their friends Cheren and Bianca receive their very first Pokémon in the bedroom of Hilbert/Hilda's house in Nuvema Town from Professor Juniper. The three decide to leave Nuvema Town and go on a journey across their region of Unova, with Cheren wanting to learn as much about every kind of Pokémon possible and Bianca going against the wishes of her dad. Upon arriving in Accumula Town they encounter the nefarious Team Plasma who announce their plans for Pokémon liberation to separate Pokémon from humans. Hilbert/Hilda then battle Team Plasma's leader, a mysterious man known only as N who claims Pokémon are his friends. Hilbert/Hilda make a journey across the land of Unova challenging all eight Gyms and earning all eight Badges. After earning the eighth Badge, they travel to the Pokémon League where they defeat the Elite Four. Upon defeating the Elite Four, they discover that N has already defeated the Champion Alder and promptly summons his castle, destroying the Pokémon League Castle. Ghetsis, one of the members of the Seven Sages reveals that he had the plan to separate people and Pokémon so that he could be the only person in the whole world with Pokémon. After defeating N and Ghetsis with Reshiram/Zekrom N becomes sorry for all his wrongdoing and flies off to distant lands on his dragon of legend. Hilbert/Hilda, Cheren, and Bianca continue their journey in Unova and get recruited by an undercover officer codenamed Looker to discover and arrest the remaining six of the Seven Sages. After the arrest of all six, Hilbert/Hilda returns to the Pokémon League, re-defeats the Elite Four, then challenges and defeats Alder, becoming Champion of Unova.

Between Black and White, Black 2 and White 2 and X and Y:

• Hilbert/Hilda leaves Unova with his/her Dragon to look for N.
• Bianca officially becomes Professor Juniper's assistant.
• The Pokémon distribution of Unova changes drastically.
• Cilan, Chili, Cress, Lenora, and Brycen retire as Gym Leaders to train.
• Cheren, Roxie, and Marlon become Gym Leaders.
• Alder retires as the Champion, and Iris takes his place.
• Five of the Seven Sages leave Team Plasma, and Ghetsis and Zinzolin form a new Team Plasma solely dedicated to conquering Unova.
• A landslide seals off Route 10 and a majority of Victory Road, forcing another Victory Road to be built. Another landslide seals off Challenger's Cave.
• Significant construction occurs in Unova:
  • The Cold Storage in the south of Driftveil City is replaced by the Pokémon World Tournament.
  • A section of the mountain near Undella Town is constructed into a new town called Lentimas Town
  • The Riches house in Undella Town is demolished, with new villas built in the town.
  • The Marine Tube is built between Undella Town and Humilau City, connecting the two.
  • The Castelia Sewers are made accessible on Thumb Pier, which lead to Castelia's park, or when flooded, to Castelia's back alley.
• Calem/Serena moves to Vaniville Town in Kalos with their mother.

Two years after Black and White:

• The events of Black 2 and White 2 and X and Y:
  • Nate/Rosa receives his/her first Pokémon from Bianca in his/her hometown of Aspertia City. Together with Hugh, who hopes to take back his sister's Purrloin from Team Plasma, the duo takes on the new lineup of Gyms in the Unova region. After earning their seventh badge from Drayden, Team Plasma attacks Opelucid City, covering the city in unbreakable ice. The Shadow Triad takes the opportunity to steal the DNA Splicers from Opelucid Gym. Nate/Rosa and Hugh chase Team Plasma to Humilau City, where after earning their final badge, they confront Zinzolin, Colress, and the Shadow Triad at the Giant Chasm. After the Triad releases Hugh's sister's Purrloin, now a Liepard, Hugh tells Nate/Rosa to go ahead and confront Team Plasma's leader, Ghetsis. Just before Ghetsis freezes Nate/Rosa alive with Kyurem's Glaciate, N flies in on Reshiram/Zekrom, saving him/her. However, Ghetsis uses Kyurem's power to turn Reshiram/Zekrom back into an orb, then uses the DNA Splicers to turn Kyurem into Black/White Kyurem. Nate/Rosa knocks out Kyurem, causing the two Dragon Pokémon to separate, then defeats an enraged Ghetsis. Thankful, N suggests that Nate/Rosa proceed to the Pokémon League. Heeding his words, Nate/Rosa ascend Victory Road, defeats the Elite Four, and emerges victorious in battle with the new Champion, Iris. After returning home, Hugh's sister thanks the player for helping her big brother, and tells Nate/Rosa that she has been dreaming of a Zoroark calling Nate/Rosa's name. At Hugh's suggestion, Nate/Rosa returns to Victory Road, finding a Zoroark that leads him/her to the ruins of N's Castle, where N and Reshiram/Zekrom challenge them to battle. After being defeated, N says goodbye to his dragon and releases it by asking it to turn back into an orb to give to Nate/Rosa. Nate/Rosa climbs to the top of Dragonspiral Tower, and faces Reshiram/Zekrom again, this time, in an attempt to capture it.
  • Calem/Serena leave his/her home in Vaniville Town meeting Shauna and Serena/Calem who invite them to join them for a meeting in Aquacorde Town. Calem, Serena and Shauna receive their first Pokémon from Tierno and a Pokédex from Trevor on behalf of Professor Sycamore. After delivering a letter to his/her Mom from Professor Sycamore, they head on an adventure traveling across Kalos challenging eight Gyms in order to earn eight Badges to then challenge the Pokémon League. Along their journey they come into contact with Team Flare, an organization whose goal is to create a "beautiful and better" world while making money. They try to do this by stealing fossils from Glittering Cave, siphoning electricity from the Kalos Power Plant, stealing the Pokéballs from the Poké Ball Factory in Laverre City, and attempting to agitate and capture an Abomasnow. Calem/Serena also encounters a mysterious giant called AZ on several occasions, first being on Kalos Route 13. After earning their seventh badge from Olympia, Calem/Serena are contacted by Lysandre, a man introduced by Professor Sycamore, who reveals himself to be the leader of Team Flare and his intention to use the "ultimate weapon" to eliminate all life in the world. Calem/Serena battle Lysandre first in Lysandre Labs and again in the Team Flare Secret HQ, before making their way down to the basement where they find Xerneas^X/Yveltal^Y and battle them, before battling against Lysandre once more. Even though Lysandre is defeated, and Calem/Serena and their friends reason with him, he still fires the ultimate weapon. The blast the weapon omits destroys it and buries Lysandre and the HQ, ultimately disbanding Team Flare. Calem/Serena then heads to the Pokémon League where he/she defeats the Elite Four, becoming Champion of Kalos. After becoming Champion, Looker contacts Calem/Serena to help him fight crime in Lumiose City.

Trivia

• The chronology of the games was confirmed by Toshinobu Matsumiya on Twitter in May 2014.^[1]
• In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Zinnia suggests the existence of another Hoenn region, indicating a multiverse with parallel timelines.

References