So Xerneas creates life, and Yveltal destroys it, but what is their purpose? Pokemon are born and can die without their help, so what exactly do they do? Also, surely there must be a law or something that stops Xerneas from just randomly bringing things to life, and Yveltal from killing people it doesn’t like.

Well, I would imagine that being forced to sleep for a thousand years at a time is a good enough law.

On a serious level, anonymous, it’s difficult to say. If you believe in the Kalosean teachings, Xerneas and Yveltal are embodiments or guardians of their respective concepts, just as Suicune is the embodiment of the North Wind or Ho-oh is the guardian of the sun and reincarnation cycle according to Johtonian teachings. Thus, while birth and death do indeed happen regardless of whether or not either legendary is directly involved, they both are needed in order to maintain the balance and natural order of both.

Alternatively, their roles as the guardians of life and death are merely metaphors, and the actual pokémon merely possess abilities that coincide with those concepts. It would be akin to how arcanine was once worshipped as guardians of Heaven and wards against evil spirits thanks to their ability to use Roar against attacking pokémon. The difference is, of course, that all legendaries are significantly stronger than most ordinary pokémon, arcanine included, so if they are metaphors, they are such because their abilities are far more effective than anything out of “mortal” pokémon. Any dark-type can kill, for example, but Yveltal’s Oblivion Wing can do it the most effectively.

Finally, either way, it would still be difficult to say on the basis of how vague the concept of a purpose actually is. While I firmly believe that every creature has a purpose of one sort or another, it’s an intimate concept. It’s impossible for others to know what your own purpose is; only you can discover that for yourself. In much the same way, any legendary-class pokémon knows why it was created and what it was meant to do. We can only guess using our own culture, history, and personal beliefs. So perhaps Yveltal really is the guardian of death, Xerneas the guardian of life, and Ho-oh the guardian of the reincarnation cycle. Perhaps not. That would be for them to know for certain. The ultimate question is: what do you believe, all things considered?

Unova Legendaries, Part VI

Tornadus
The Cyclone Pokémon
Type: Flying
Official Registration #: 641
Entry: According to Unovan culture, Tornadus is the embodiment of severe winds. As such, this djinn-like pokémon is noted for flying through the air at speeds of over 250 miles per hour and creating hurricane-level winds wherever it goes. As a flying-type legendary, it is also gifted with powerful wind-based attacks, which it fires from its tail and which are capable of leveling a house in seconds. Given the fact that the author has just described a pokémon as being capable of generating powerful gusts of wind capable of destroying a house from its tail, he will now pause and allow his readers to get every remark they are most likely thinking about Tornadus out of their systems.

Thundurus
The Bolt Strike Pokémon
Type: Electric/Flying
Official Registration #: 642
Entry: According to Unovan culture, Thundurus is the embodiment of severe thunderstorms. As such, this djinn-like pokémon is noted for flying through the air at high speeds and striking the earth wherever it goes with powerful bolts of lightning. These random attacks have been known to cause intense forest fires throughout the region that devastate not only pokémon habitats but also human settlements. For this reason, although Thundurus is still respected as a legendary, it does not maintain a favorable reputation. On the other hand, it is said that a pokémon of equal strength may be sufficient enough to stop a rampaging Thundurus in its tracks, so in other words, there are times when only Mew can prevent forest fires.

Landorus
The Abundance Pokémon
Type: Ground/Flying
Official Registration #: 645
Entry: According to Unovan culture, Landorus is the embodiment of bounty and fertility. The actual reason why is because it apparently has the ability to bless the land and grant its inhabitants a good harvest, but given the fact that this bare-chested djinn fertilizes the soil by shooting energy from its tail, the author is just going to stop right here and allow readers to get every remark they are most likely thinking about Landorus out of their systems.

Unova Legendaries, Part V

Genesect
The Paleozoic Pokémon
Type: Bug/Steel
Official Registration #: 649
Entry: This insectoid pokémon had once been an apex predator in the dense forests of Unova during the, appropriately enough, Paleozoic era. Eons later, however, reports have surfaced that it had been resurrected from a fossil and modified to possess both steel armor and modern weaponry by Team Plasma … because nothing says “I care about pokémon freedom and welfare” like forcibly resurrecting one and welding a cannon to its back.

Unova Legendaries, Part IV

Meloetta
The Melody Pokémon
Type: Normal/Psychic
Official Registration #: 648
Entry: A humanoid legendary pokémon said to be the muse of song and dance. According to Unovan lore, Meloetta possessed the ability to influence the moods of human beings with her song and dance. She was capable of quelling the rage of the most bloodthirsty conquerors, as well as inciting the most peaceful priests and farmers into violent uprisings, all through the power of her songs. Other strange and mystical beings capable of doing the same thing: Kesha.

Unova Legendaries, Part III

Keldeo
The Colt Pokémon
Type: Water/Fighting
Official Registration #: 647
Entry: According to legends, Keldeo is known for two things: first, its ability to run across the surface of oceans and rivers by using its ability to emit jets of water from its hooves, and second, its desire to join the Swords of Justice. It wanders across the globe and battles using its highly acrobatic style in order to someday prove itself to the other three members of the legendary group. In that sense, Keldeo may be seen as a metaphor for pokémon training, including and especially regarding its journey to prove itself to figures who are questionable role models at best. And yes, this author is in fact referring to certain members of the Pokémon League who shall remain nameless but whose names rhyme with “Balder,” “Brimsley,” and “Hauntal.”

Unova Legendaries, Part II

Cobalion
The Iron Will Pokémon
Type: Steel/Fighting
Official Registration #: 638
Entry: Said to be the most charismatic member of the legendary group known as the Swords of Justice. Long ago, when Unova was engulfed in war, this goat-like legendary appeared to do battle against mankind and protect pokémon from human violence. Some say Cobalion had the right idea, and there are times when, quite frankly, this author can’t argue with that.

Terrakion
The Cavern Pokémon
Type: Rock/Fighting
Official Registration #: 639
Entry: Said to be the brawniest member of the Swords of Justice, capable of toppling castle walls with a single blow. Long ago, when Unova was engulfed in war, this legendary is said to have protected pokémon that had lost their homes to human violence … by destroying entire settlements, villages, fortresses, and other establishments of human civilization. Terrakion then went on to become a symbol of the Unovan military philosophy, because if there are two things no other institution can do better than the Unovan military, it’s seeking out the least productive methods of solving problems and missing the point entirely. (On that note, the author would like to announce his acquisition of several ground-types to Lt. Surge, former officer of the Unovan Army.)

Virizion
The Grassland Pokémon
Type: Grass/Fighting
Official Registration #: 640
Entry: Said to be the swiftest member of the Swords of Justice, whose battle style consists of confounding opponents with ultra-swift moves. Long ago, when Unova was engulfed in war, this legendary is said to have focused completely on protecting its pokémon friends, rather than going after humans or human settlements directly. Because of this interest in the well-being of its own kind and its focus on actual strategy, certain pokémon experts wonder if it is a native to Unova at all.

Unova Legends, Part I

Victini
The Victory Pokémon
Type: Psychic/Fire
Official Registration #: 494
Entry: According to Unovan lore, Victini is the legendary of luck and victory and thus has the ability to grant both power and fortune to whomever trains it. It is said that if sent into any battle, no matter the odds, Victini and its allies will always come out victorious. Unless, of course, Victini comes up against Kyogre, Manaphy, a mega slowbro, most ground-types, most other water-types, the slightest affront to Unovan sensibilities, and—despite its native region’s history as a former colony—British cuisine, slang, general culture, and roundabouts.

Hello Bill! I went through the entire database you have posted here (I love your work by the way!) and I have come across the realization that you do not have an entry for the fabled Pokemon Kyurem. I have heard it can easily generate freezing cold temperatures and is said to be vicious, so if you go to investigate, be careful! Be sure to post your findings as well.

Thank you!

It’s very true that I have yet to cover many of the Unovan legendaries, and I do agree that the legend of Kyurem is especially fascinating. However, I must say that it would hardly do the legend justice to cover only Kyurem and not the other two dragons associated with the story, so without further ado, the dragons of Unova:

Reshiram
The Vast White Pokémon
Type: Dragon/Fire
Official Registration #: 643
Entry: According to Unovan folklore, Reshiram flew across the region on feathery, white wings and wielded powerful flames to fight in the name of truth. According to Unovan memes, however, the most interesting aspects of Reshiram are its species name and the pointed organ between its hind legs, and because of this unfortunately placed interest, this blog’s staff finds it necessary to clarify that the name “Vast White” refers to Reshiram’s height, the organ between its hind legs is a set of feathers that assists in navigation, and the author is immensely disappointed in anyone who assumes otherwise for any of this.

Zekrom
The Deep Black Pokémon
Type: Dragon/Electric
Official Registration #: 644
Entry: According to Unovan folklore, Zekrom flew across the region on leathery, black wings and wielded powerful bolts of electricity to fight in the name of ideals. More specifically, Zekrom sided with anyone who sought an ideal world by hiding in anvil clouds and striking the earth or its trainer’s opponents with lightning. Because nothing says “Unovan” quite like establishing your concept of an ideal world via liberal application of excessive force, preferably from above.

Kyurem
The Boundary Pokémon
Type: Dragon/Ice
Official Registration #: 646
Entry: According to Unovan folklore, Kyurem fell to Earth thousands of years ago, and in the process, the energy contained within its body split in two and evacuated to form Reshiram and Zekrom. In the absence of both its thirst for truth and passion for ideals, Kyurem became an icy shell: empty within, save for the power to exude supercold air capable of freezing anything within a mile radius of itself. In other words, Kyurem is a hollow being, devoid of all its hopes and dreams but in possession of an icy heart—which, in other words, means that this pokémon is a rather accurate depiction of adulthood.

Arceus

In honor of the official registration of new legendaries, we at The Pokédex would like to present you with the following special entry. As always, Request … Week … ish … will resume as scheduled tomorrow. Please feel free to continue sending in asks and requests in the meantime. Thank you for reading! —LH

Arceus
The Alpha Pokémon
Type: Normal
Official Registration #: 493
Entry: According to the Sinnohan culture, in the beginning, Arceus sprang from an egg and created the Universe. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.

Jirachi

It seems we’ve hit a milestone, dear readers. For that, I would like to take the time to thank all of you who have joined me thus far. It’s an honor to be able to share my wealth of information and experiences (…largely experiences) with all of you.

As a gift to you, a special entry, concerning a very special pokémon to my very patient editor. We hope you enjoy!

Jirachi
The Wish Pokémon
Type: Steel/Psychic
Official Registration #: 385
Entry: A legendary pokémon that, according to Hoennian lore, possesses the power to grant any wish. Many other legends are attached to this particular pokémon, most notably the story of how it will sleep for a thousand years, only to awaken for one week as a particular comet passes over the sky. It is also said that the way to awaken Jirachi from its thousand-year slumber is by singing to it in a voice of purity. The latter is quite possibly a little closer to the truth than the former, as it has been noted that the last time Jirachi has awakened was in 2003, not long after the release of the first solo album by a certain artist who shall remain nameless here but who the rest of the internet seems to know very well. (A hint: Scientists are not entirely certain which song on the album might have awakened Jirachi, but most theories lean towards “Me, Myself & I.”)