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Like with Legendary, there is no clear consensus on what defines these. Because let's be honest, that's what they really are from an out-of-universe perspective, event-exclusives. More power to writers who can find a way to work with it and are willing to in the first place.
So I'll go over some things instead, as it's the best way.
Super brief summary
Mew: Yes, sometimes the "Mind" of the True Original One.
Celebi: Local deity, sometimes one blessed/chosen by Dialga.
Jirachi: Sometimes, god of wishes.
Deoxys: No, alien invader. Interesting for being a foreign Pokemon.
Manaphy and Phione: No, they're very common.
Darkrai: Yes, legendary over nightmares, see Cresselia.
Shaymin: Sometimes, god of flowers. Other times, just has standard Pokemon powers.
Arceus: Absolutely yes, but its name isn't as known as some throw around.
Victini: Yes, god of war and victory.
Keldeo: Not really, see Muskedeers. Legendary in-training to certain Pokemon?
Meloetta: Sometimes, deity of song and dance. Other times, too common.
Genesect: No, fossil restoration gone mad scientist.
Diancie: Sometimes, goddess of jewels. Other times, a Carbink relative: unknown evolution method?
Hoopa: Often not, it's powerful but few pantheons define it. Speculation: one blessed by Palkia.
Volcanion: No, what is this thing anyway? Were they even trying to make a cool Mythic here?
Magearna: No, mad scientist's creation based off another God-Fragment. Rarely yes for emulating it.
Marshadow: No, just exists.
Zeraora: No, they're just rare.
Meltan and Melmetal: No, just insanely rare.
Zarude: No, just an endangered species.
Monotheistic faiths
You're here, so you probably at least have an idea what this is. In the beginning, there was nothing, and all that. Religions that believe in a single God. These are commonly called Iseuan religions in my ficverse. Despite the name this encompasses all of the offshoots. The most commonly mentioned is Ceutholism. Most of these simply have them as the creators of everything. In these faiths, the Original One mentioned in other faiths is anything from a demiurge to a fragment of Him to actually being Him. However, the name comes from CEU being found on an ancient plate.
Pokemon also are generally monotheistic in the wild. The direct creations of the progenitor are the exception and will generally be revered, but not as much as the progenitor itself. Irreligion is not unknown.
The God-Fragment theory
This is a theory that the Pokemon known as Arceus is not the true form of the original one. It goes that it split itself into several pieces. This is also part of where the "Prime" theory comes from, especially since there are multiple Mews.
I've developed six so far that fit under this definition.
The Kannagi faith
A central faith of which main protagonist Prema Kannagi is the heir to. It was founded by three siblings, Yuku, Agnis, and Emu. It was the basis for how humans treat Pokemon in modern times. Under the Kannagi faith, all Pokemon are respected and treated equal. However, there are several noteworthy that are seen as having a closer connection to the Original One than most. Even some Pokemon know and respect their name.
Out-of-universe, it is a pure Shinto analogue without any Buddhism influences. In this sense, there are many gods that are respected as shaping Pokemon, humanity, and the world around them. They have always been a progressive faith that has adapted with the times, which has lost them some practitioners. The downfall of the Kannagi Family was a gradual bleeding out sort of process where direct descendants left for their own reasons over the years. While more are going to monotheistic faiths or are non-exclusive, the family members are still highly respected for their abilities.
There are certainly more out there than the two shown in fic, Prema and her father Haruto. Whether or not they show depends on if the writing goes in that direction. Super endgame is probably the shrine once more rising to prominence.
The Kannagis have ranks denoting position for those who take an active role in the shrine's day-to-day efforts: Acolyte, Monk/Maiden, and Priest/Priestess. Family members are...should figure that out, heirs are called Lord/Lady, and the head is the Master.
The Mitsutri faith
Out-of-universe, they are Shinto with Buddhism. They branched off from the Kannagi Shrine at some point. One key difference is that the Kannagis are more loose in their teachings, whereas the Mitsutris went further with the influences from Gautama style religions. While they overtook the Kannagis in influence, this came crashing down on them in 1945.
Unbeknownst to just about everyone in the modern age, there was a friend who accompanied the Kannagi siblings, who bonded with a fourth Essence of the Soul. This green one resided in a certain fourth lake. Multiple things contributed to this one fading into obscurity, particularly the government wanting a connection with their Imperial Regalia. The names of Emrit and Agnome were also changed to cover for the ruse and the latter was instead said to represent willpower instead of thought. Will the being of want ever return?
Though they're religious rivals, the Mitsutris were never evil as a faith. They're doing just as poorly as the Kannagis these days. Still, they worship much of the same gods as each other and both even respect local ones like Celebi all the same.
Pokemon commentary: Jirachi
Highly rare Pokemon. They have minor reality bending powers. This does not mean they are able to grant any wish you write. The nature of a Jirachi's power is probability manipulation: if something can come true, they can make it more likely that it will. The wisher may still have to work at it in some cases; for example, a wish to be loved by someone will only make them receptive, it's up to the wisher to land and keep them. They can expend a lot of power at once to make miracles, like extinguishing a forest fire with a freak downpour. However, restoring the forest would be beyond their abilities.
It takes power to influence the world, and the greater the scope of the wish, the more power Jirachi will need to expend to make it happen. They will generally grant wishes without corrupting them, but they sometimes will refuse to grant a wish if it is destructive in nature. Their signature Doom Desire works by manifesting their power of wishes to attack their enemies. They use their third eye to see future possibilities. This can be used in battle, but the strain it puts on them is too much to bear for anything but a short burst.
Noteworthy future Pokemon in-fic: Priest Warutsu Amaya's Phione
One problem with the bond between humans and Pokemon is their differing lifespans. Indeed, many trainers have watched their beloved partners pass on before them, as has the opposite happened. In fact, Pokemon designated as starters are almost always those with long lifespans. While the Poke Ball can extend a Pokemon's life by putting them in a suspended status, this isn't always practiced and only does so much. It was a dark day for Warutsu indeed when the time came for his Bibarel to leave him.
Kodo-style funerals are very involved. Even for Pokemon, it is a lengthy and involved process. When they traveled to Route 208, where Bibarel was born to announce his passing, Warutsu caught sight of something floating listlessly near the waterfall. He wasted no time in going to the rescue. It was a heavily injured young Phione. Suddenly, their task to honor the deceased became a struggle to save another. When potions did not work, he had no choice but to capture Phione and get them treatment. The Pokemon Center was able to stabilize them, but it would be a long road to recovery.
Believing fate was at work, Warutsu took it upon himself to personally oversee Phione's recovery. He got to know the Pokemon over time, learning he was naturally born and thus much stronger. It took a little under two months before the wound, inflicted by a Sharmpage, was completely healed. It came time to release Phione back into the wild where such a rare Pokemon belonged. (They're not mythic in any way, but he was just being responsible). But Phione refused, idly floating on the water and shaking his form to say know.
The sea drifter telepathically communicated through use of Heart Swap: "I owe you my life, I cannot leave you," he said. Warutsu replied, "I cannot keep you here. I chose to save you that you may live a fruitful life. Now that task is done, and you must go." Phione countered, "Then it is my choice to stay with you, Priest of Kannagi. I can tell from the time we have already spent that my life with you will be fruitful."
It is the Kannagi way to respect Pokemon. Warutsu felt he had no choice but to accept the Pokemon's wishes. Make no mistake, he was happy. It just surprised him. He christened Phione Kurio. Warutsu would later hear of a member of the Kalos Elite Four who befriended a Manaphy in similar fashion. Duties have prevented them from meeting so far.
So I'll go over some things instead, as it's the best way.
Super brief summary
Mew: Yes, sometimes the "Mind" of the True Original One.
Celebi: Local deity, sometimes one blessed/chosen by Dialga.
Jirachi: Sometimes, god of wishes.
Deoxys: No, alien invader. Interesting for being a foreign Pokemon.
Manaphy and Phione: No, they're very common.
Darkrai: Yes, legendary over nightmares, see Cresselia.
Shaymin: Sometimes, god of flowers. Other times, just has standard Pokemon powers.
Arceus: Absolutely yes, but its name isn't as known as some throw around.
Victini: Yes, god of war and victory.
Keldeo: Not really, see Muskedeers. Legendary in-training to certain Pokemon?
Meloetta: Sometimes, deity of song and dance. Other times, too common.
Genesect: No, fossil restoration gone mad scientist.
Diancie: Sometimes, goddess of jewels. Other times, a Carbink relative: unknown evolution method?
Hoopa: Often not, it's powerful but few pantheons define it. Speculation: one blessed by Palkia.
Volcanion: No, what is this thing anyway? Were they even trying to make a cool Mythic here?
Magearna: No, mad scientist's creation based off another God-Fragment. Rarely yes for emulating it.
Marshadow: No, just exists.
Zeraora: No, they're just rare.
Meltan and Melmetal: No, just insanely rare.
Zarude: No, just an endangered species.
Monotheistic faiths
You're here, so you probably at least have an idea what this is. In the beginning, there was nothing, and all that. Religions that believe in a single God. These are commonly called Iseuan religions in my ficverse. Despite the name this encompasses all of the offshoots. The most commonly mentioned is Ceutholism. Most of these simply have them as the creators of everything. In these faiths, the Original One mentioned in other faiths is anything from a demiurge to a fragment of Him to actually being Him. However, the name comes from CEU being found on an ancient plate.
Pokemon also are generally monotheistic in the wild. The direct creations of the progenitor are the exception and will generally be revered, but not as much as the progenitor itself. Irreligion is not unknown.
The God-Fragment theory
This is a theory that the Pokemon known as Arceus is not the true form of the original one. It goes that it split itself into several pieces. This is also part of where the "Prime" theory comes from, especially since there are multiple Mews.
I've developed six so far that fit under this definition.
- Arceus: The avatar. The body, an empty husk like Kyurem.
- Mew: The mind. Possesses knowledge of all moves.
- Regigigas: The arms, or possibly the right arm. Shaped the world.
- Zygarde: The eyes. Watches over the world.
- ???: The heart. It's what Magearna is based on.
- ???: The ???, or possibly the left arm. This is why Orre is in such a sorry state.
The Kannagi faith
A central faith of which main protagonist Prema Kannagi is the heir to. It was founded by three siblings, Yuku, Agnis, and Emu. It was the basis for how humans treat Pokemon in modern times. Under the Kannagi faith, all Pokemon are respected and treated equal. However, there are several noteworthy that are seen as having a closer connection to the Original One than most. Even some Pokemon know and respect their name.
Out-of-universe, it is a pure Shinto analogue without any Buddhism influences. In this sense, there are many gods that are respected as shaping Pokemon, humanity, and the world around them. They have always been a progressive faith that has adapted with the times, which has lost them some practitioners. The downfall of the Kannagi Family was a gradual bleeding out sort of process where direct descendants left for their own reasons over the years. While more are going to monotheistic faiths or are non-exclusive, the family members are still highly respected for their abilities.
There are certainly more out there than the two shown in fic, Prema and her father Haruto. Whether or not they show depends on if the writing goes in that direction. Super endgame is probably the shrine once more rising to prominence.
The Kannagis have ranks denoting position for those who take an active role in the shrine's day-to-day efforts: Acolyte, Monk/Maiden, and Priest/Priestess. Family members are...should figure that out, heirs are called Lord/Lady, and the head is the Master.
The Mitsutri faith
Out-of-universe, they are Shinto with Buddhism. They branched off from the Kannagi Shrine at some point. One key difference is that the Kannagis are more loose in their teachings, whereas the Mitsutris went further with the influences from Gautama style religions. While they overtook the Kannagis in influence, this came crashing down on them in 1945.
Unbeknownst to just about everyone in the modern age, there was a friend who accompanied the Kannagi siblings, who bonded with a fourth Essence of the Soul. This green one resided in a certain fourth lake. Multiple things contributed to this one fading into obscurity, particularly the government wanting a connection with their Imperial Regalia. The names of Emrit and Agnome were also changed to cover for the ruse and the latter was instead said to represent willpower instead of thought. Will the being of want ever return?
Though they're religious rivals, the Mitsutris were never evil as a faith. They're doing just as poorly as the Kannagis these days. Still, they worship much of the same gods as each other and both even respect local ones like Celebi all the same.
Pokemon commentary: Jirachi
Highly rare Pokemon. They have minor reality bending powers. This does not mean they are able to grant any wish you write. The nature of a Jirachi's power is probability manipulation: if something can come true, they can make it more likely that it will. The wisher may still have to work at it in some cases; for example, a wish to be loved by someone will only make them receptive, it's up to the wisher to land and keep them. They can expend a lot of power at once to make miracles, like extinguishing a forest fire with a freak downpour. However, restoring the forest would be beyond their abilities.
It takes power to influence the world, and the greater the scope of the wish, the more power Jirachi will need to expend to make it happen. They will generally grant wishes without corrupting them, but they sometimes will refuse to grant a wish if it is destructive in nature. Their signature Doom Desire works by manifesting their power of wishes to attack their enemies. They use their third eye to see future possibilities. This can be used in battle, but the strain it puts on them is too much to bear for anything but a short burst.
Noteworthy future Pokemon in-fic: Priest Warutsu Amaya's Phione
One problem with the bond between humans and Pokemon is their differing lifespans. Indeed, many trainers have watched their beloved partners pass on before them, as has the opposite happened. In fact, Pokemon designated as starters are almost always those with long lifespans. While the Poke Ball can extend a Pokemon's life by putting them in a suspended status, this isn't always practiced and only does so much. It was a dark day for Warutsu indeed when the time came for his Bibarel to leave him.
Kodo-style funerals are very involved. Even for Pokemon, it is a lengthy and involved process. When they traveled to Route 208, where Bibarel was born to announce his passing, Warutsu caught sight of something floating listlessly near the waterfall. He wasted no time in going to the rescue. It was a heavily injured young Phione. Suddenly, their task to honor the deceased became a struggle to save another. When potions did not work, he had no choice but to capture Phione and get them treatment. The Pokemon Center was able to stabilize them, but it would be a long road to recovery.
Believing fate was at work, Warutsu took it upon himself to personally oversee Phione's recovery. He got to know the Pokemon over time, learning he was naturally born and thus much stronger. It took a little under two months before the wound, inflicted by a Sharmpage, was completely healed. It came time to release Phione back into the wild where such a rare Pokemon belonged. (They're not mythic in any way, but he was just being responsible). But Phione refused, idly floating on the water and shaking his form to say know.
The sea drifter telepathically communicated through use of Heart Swap: "I owe you my life, I cannot leave you," he said. Warutsu replied, "I cannot keep you here. I chose to save you that you may live a fruitful life. Now that task is done, and you must go." Phione countered, "Then it is my choice to stay with you, Priest of Kannagi. I can tell from the time we have already spent that my life with you will be fruitful."
It is the Kannagi way to respect Pokemon. Warutsu felt he had no choice but to accept the Pokemon's wishes. Make no mistake, he was happy. It just surprised him. He christened Phione Kurio. Warutsu would later hear of a member of the Kalos Elite Four who befriended a Manaphy in similar fashion. Duties have prevented them from meeting so far.