Maniacal Engineer's Crackpot Theory Corner: Cyrus Created the Mega Evolution Universe

[Maniacal Engineer]

Greetings Pokemon fans, Maniacal Engineer here. Some of you may remember me from previous Pokemon of the Week segments, namely Porygon, Ditto, and Metagross. Today, I’d like to try something a little different. I’d like to discuss some Pokemon Theories.
As you may have determined from my PotW segments, I enjoy a good game theory here and there, and sometimes come up with my own, slightly convoluted and insane, theories.

The theory that I’d like to discuss here is that Cyrus is the creator of the Mega Evolution universe, and I will outline a few of the basic points below for discussion.
When we last see Cyrus in Pokemon Platinum, we’ve just defeated, captured, or ran away from, Giratina. Cyrus is furious that we, seemingly, have thwarted his plans, and vows his revenge.

His last words are very haunting.

This, I promise you. I will break the secrets of the world. With that knowledge, I will create my own complete and perfect world. One day, you will awaken to a world of my creation. A world without spirit.

Cyrus’s goals remain exactly as they have always been, to create a more perfect universe. One without spirit. One day, he says, he will unlock the secrets of the universe and will use that knowledge to create a new universe.
The player character and Cynthia then leave this Distortion World, without taking Cyrus with them. This is a critical, and fatal, mistake.

This Distortion World, as Cynthia describes it, is a world where:

Time isn't flowing and space isn't stable. A world where the rules are broken.

In other words, this is a world where the basic laws of physics don’t apply. Merely progressing through the Distortion World will tell you this, as gravity is nonexistent, matter appears and disappears seemingly at random intervals with no concern for conservation of mass or energy.
More difficult to prove is that time does not pass while you are in the Distortion World. In fact, the Poketch does still display the current time, and your in-game playtime increases while you are in the Distortion World. However, I would argue that those are constructs of the real world, as you, the person playing the game, exist outside of the game in a different universe.

In any case, for the sake of this theory, let’s assume that Cynthia, an expert on Sinnoh mythology, actually knows what she is talking about, and that time doesn’t flow in the Distortion World.
Basically, Cyrus has been left alone in a world where the laws of physics don’t exist and he has infinite time and will never age. This certainly gives him the framework to build up the knowledge base to create a universe.

In my opinion, it is no coincidence that, a mere two generations after Cyrus was left in the Distortion World, we are given a brand new universe.

In the Delta Episode of ORAS, Zinnia confirms that ORAS take place in a completely different world than the Hoenn in RSE. AZ’s 3000 year old war, the ultimate weapon, and Mega Evolution are all constructs of the new universe.

Enter Team Flare, whose goal in creating a “more beautiful world” is strikingly similar to Team Galactic’s, or should I say Cyrus’s, goal of creating a “complete and perfect world.”

While Lysandre’s methods for achieving his goal are distinctly different from Cyrus’s, this is to be expected. If Team Flare are acting as agents of Cyrus, knowingly or unknowingly, they would use methods that are different from Cyrus’s initial plan, since Cyrus’s initial plan failed.

However, much like any form of craft, it is easy to create something on a macroscopic level. Actually building in the details is difficult. Cyrus was able to create a new universe but, as yet, has not mastered how to shape it. From my speculations, it seems like he can only manipulate certain events to change the direction of the universe in his favor.

Obviously, this theory is a work in progress and does have some holes in it. It is also constantly being developed as we receive new information from games like Sun & Moon, which further expands upon the idea of alternate dimensions, and, hopefully, we will receive Diamond and Pearl remakes (or, dare I ask for it, a Platinum remake), which will also help us determine what Team Galactic looks like in this new universe and, more importantly, what Cyrus himself does in this universe.

Here are some questions to consider to get conversation rolling. You don't have to answer all of them or any of them in your post as long as you're staying on topic and within global forum rules. As an added request, I would ask that, given that some people have not received Sun & Moon yet, or have not completed their playthroughs of Sun & Moon yet, please put all Sun & Moon spoilers in specifically marked spoiler tags.

• Do you agree or disagree with this theory?
• What do you think Cyrus’s purpose would be in creating Mega Evolution?
• Outside of the main series Pokemon Games, what evidence can you find that either supports or disproves this theory?
• Would you like to see a story arc involving Cyrus in the Distortion World, and what became of him after you left him there?
• What other in-game evidence can you find that supports this theory?
• What in-game evidence disproves this theory?
• Would you like to see more theory threads in the General section?
• What are some of your theories about Cyrus’s fate after you left him in the Distortion World?

 

[Zexy]

Do you agree or disagree with this theory?
Disagree. I believe in the theory that there exist infinite universes with infinite possibilities, and any Pokemon game at any moment it is saved is such one universe.
What do you think Cyrus’s purpose would be in creating Mega Evolution?
I don't think Cyrus would create it deliberately as it reinforces the bond between Pokemon and Trainer, and thus spirit as well. If I were to accept this theory, I'd say it is a side-effect of the war 3000 years ago not having the outcome he desired (outright obliteration of humans and Pokemon).
Outside of the main series Pokemon Games, what evidence can you find that either supports or disproves this theory?
I think there is enough evidence inside the main series that disproves it.
Although the Pokemon Generations episode starring Cyrus and the Distortion World disproves it as well in my opinion. He got what he wanted and stopped there.
Would you like to see a story arc involving Cyrus in the Distortion World, and what became of him after you left him there?
Sure, hopefully we will get this in the Sinnoh remake.
What other in-game evidence can you find that supports this theory?
I don't think there is much else except of Cyrus' own word.
What in-game evidence disproves this theory?
Zinnia stating that there exist another Hoenn where Mega Evolution doesn't exist, the existence of the Link Cable in the Delta Episode and

Spoiler: Sun/Moon spoilers

Anabel's story about the Ultra Space and the Fallers.

Would you like to see more theory threads in the General section
Sure!
What are some of your theories about Cyrus’s fate after you left him in the Distortion World?
He'll just stay there forever, hopefully. I'd say he's happy about it, but he'd rather try not to let spirit influence him.

 

[Esserise]

Do you agree or disagree with this theory?

I disagree with it, because I personally don't think there needs to be any deep, dark secret origin for the Megaverse to begin with. Even before XY/ORAS, we had reason to believe that parallel worlds existed as natural formations that come about due to divergences in the timeline - we can observe this through the Cell Battery microplot in BW. So, I don't see it as anything particularly exceptional that the timelines might have also diverged at the point of the Kalos war and whether it ever occurred or not, which would of course lead to drastic differences between the resultant worlds. (Although I actually suspect that even the Kalos war isn't the true reason for the divergence - Fairy types would have existed before then, whereas they didn't in the Oldverse, and in the Megaverse, Hoenn is plagued by meteors that Oldverse-Hoenn was never bothered by at all. So there may be a more fundamental divergence point further back in the past - something that DP remakes could certainly go looking into.)

I also think that, while there are certain similarities between Cyrus's goals and Lysandre's goals, the two really couldn't be more different on an individual level. I don't think Lysandre would deny the power of spirit or bonds or emotions - it's just that he has come to feel that only a "chosen" few exist whose duty it is to lead the way for the plebeians, who cannot be trusted to make a peaceful world of their own accord. So while his view of the human condition is similar in that he thinks humanity is inherently flawed in some way, he doesn't equate that flaw with existential hopelessness as long as there is a higher class of human to show them the way. Whereas Cyrus has basically given up on everybody else and seeks a world solely for himself. The difference is really in their views of themselves - Lysandre wants to create an exclusive world, but not necessarily one for himself. There are those who he believes should have a place in his world, and from his warped perspective, everything he's doing is meant more for their sakes. All Cyrus wants to do is to take everything for himself, to create a universe by Cyrus and for Cyrus, because he feels he's the only person who can "get it right." Which is all to say, that I don't think Cyrus was acting through Team Flare.

What do you think Cyrus’s purpose would be in creating Mega Evolution?

I'd have to imagine that it wasn't his intention. It's basically the antithesis of his whole rationale - it's using bonds and the power of the spirit to attain greater power, whereas Cyrus believes that the presence of spirit makes things fundamentally weak and incomplete.

Would you like to see a story arc involving Cyrus in the Distortion World, and what became of him after you left him there?

Not particularly. Frankly, what I'd prefer is that they rewrite his ending to match the one we saw in Pokémon Generations, which I thought was much more satisfying (and bolder).

What other in-game evidence can you find that supports this theory?

Other than what you've already laid out, nothing really comes to mind, but it's harder for me to think of things that support it because I don't support it. That doesn't mean there isn't more evidence, though.

What in-game evidence disproves this theory?

I don't know that anything necessarily disproves it, but I think the general lack of a reason to think that there are nefarious reasons behind the Megaverse's existence, rather than it being the result of the series taking a bigger step into the Many Worlds Theory, certainly puts it on questionable grounds.

Would you like to see more theory threads in the General section?

I'd be down.

What are some of your theories about Cyrus’s fate after you left him in the Distortion World?

As it stands, I think he probably stayed there and sulked until the point that he realized that the Distortion World was as good a deal as he was going to get, and resigned himself to it.

 

[Ghostsoul]

• Do you agree or disagree with this theory?

I generally disagree, although Cyrus did say he was plotting to recreate the world, The Distortion world is almost a world of destruction and emptiness, I highly doubt Cyrus really had the 'resources' to continue his mission to create his own 'perfect' world. Plus, the distortion is purposely 'blocked off' from the temporal and spatial dimensions, where Dialga and Palkia reside.
Also, although Lysandre and Cyrus have the same 'ends' they have rather different 'means'. Cyrus couldn't handle his own emotions thus considered them an 'incomplete' part of him. Lysandre thought the world lacked emotion, and concern over others. The only way to stop selfishness was to stop everything. (Honestly the whole 'elitism' thing I personally saw as Lysandre's way of comfortably feeling as if somebody has 'given something back to him').
Although he does have almost near infinite time, with just the resources he has, it will take a while to create a new universe on his own, especially with nobody to give him information as to how he could do it without Dialga and Palkia. So unless some kind of in-universe ret-con/time shenanigans is involved, I doubt he would have much actual power to 'create', I feel like Cyrus has more destructive potential, if he had actually gained any power, than he does creative potential.

• What do you think Cyrus’s purpose would be in creating Mega Evolution?

I don't think Cyrus would have a reason for creating Mega Evolution, Although Cyrus is himself imperfect, both in his own mind and in reality, his creation will never be 'perfect' if he did get the opportunity to create again. I also doubt his universe would be reminiscent of the normal Pokemon universe, it is likely to be dark, disjointed and broken. Although if he did create something like Mega Evolution it could have been by ignorance or by accident, it strengthen the bond rather than destroy it, it'll be kind of ironic though.

• Outside of the main series Pokemon Games, what evidence can you find that either supports or disproves this theory?

The lack of resources in the near void of the Distortion World, as well as the confinement away from the real world Cyrus generally has. Although he may find information regarding ultra space and infinity energy, there would be very little he could do with it. Saturn is also the only character confirmed to know he is alive, just simply somewhere else. (The game extends this to also the player, and Cynthia but I doubt the player would want to think about Cyrus's wellbeing, I'm not sure about Cynthia) Although I doubt Saturn would actually tell anyone that Cyrus is alive, since Cyrus told him 'not to go looking for him' so I doubt anybody is going to find him or try to find him.

• Would you like to see a story arc involving Cyrus in the Distortion World, and what became of him after you left him there?

Of course! I think there are some things to be explored here!

• What other in-game evidence can you find that supports this theory?

Only the idea that Cyrus said he was still plotting to create his 'perfect world' but nothing really else.

• What in-game evidence disproves this theory?

Again, mostly his lack of resources and him being totally blocked off from everything else.

• Would you like to see more theory threads in the General section?

I absolutely would.

• What are some of your theories about Cyrus’s fate after you left him in the Distortion World?

I doubt he has done much, perhaps he still ponders on making a new universe, or has grown bitter, and thus even more self-hating. He could have changed form in some way, perhaps the lack of order has broken him down over time, although I somewhat doubt it.

My post here seems like an absolute mess, I'm sorry.