Time machine

This article is about the device in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. For the Generation II mechanic for trading Pokémon to Generation I, see Time Capsule.

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Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
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The time machine (Japanese: タイムマシン time machine) is a large device created by Professor SadaS/Professor TuroV 10 years prior to the events of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, located in Area Zero's Zero Lab. It plays an important role in the main game and is mentioned in its The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion.

The time machine

The machine was built within a dome made of Tera crystals within the Zero Lab. It was powered by Terapagos's energy and used to bring Pokémon known as Paradox Pokémon to the modern world through time and space. The professor from the past claims these Pokémon could come from parallel timelines, while their AI copy claims they come from the ancient pastS/distant futureV. It's currently unknown how the time machine truly works. This energy was also used by the professor to create a device called the Tera Orb and a robotic replica of themselves. The professor named this energy the Terastal energy.

In the core series

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Background

The machine's controls

The time machine was only created thanks to a white book given to SadaS/TuroV by a child in an unfamiliar place to them, later on, it was used to bring out the very first Paradox Pokémon, a friendly Winged KingS/Iron SerpentV, who would be later renamed as KoraidonS/MiraidonV. Over the next 10 years, the time machine kept bringing Paradox Pokémon to Area Zero automatically, amongst them, a new, way more aggressive KoraidonS/MiraidonV. At some point, the professor created a program named the Paradise Protection Protocol, which was programmed to take over their AI copy and defend the time machine at any cost if necessary, including killing the ones threatening it.

The time machine after being turned off

The Way Home

In the present day, AI SadaS/AI TuroV tasks the player with traveling to the bottom of Area Zero so they can turn the time machine off since they can't do it themselves due to their programming. Once there, the player uses the Scarlet BookS/Violet BookV to deactivate the time machine, but the program takes over the AI. The time machine then activates and drops out a Master Ball with a newly caught Slither WingS/Iron MothV inside. It forces the AI to fight the player and stop them from deactivating the time machine. After their defeat, Arven, Nemona, and Penny arrive in the time machine room, witnessing the AI regaining control of itself, right before the Paradise Protection Protocol is activated, locking all Poké Balls in the room, except for the ones registered to Sada'sS/Turo'sV ID, and sending out their KoraidonS/MiraidonV to battle.

The player, however, uses their own KoraidonS/MiraidonV to fight off the other one. Using Terastallization, they manage to beat the other Legendary Paradox Pokémon and stop the program. After apologizing to Arven for leaving him alone for so long, the AI Professor makes a decision; since the time machine wouldn't turn off while they are present, they decide to use it to send themselves away into the ancient pastS/distant futureV they've dreamed of. After telling the children their goodbyes, the AI activates the time machine one last time and travels away with the Scarlet BookS/Violet BookV in hand, deactivating the time machine for good and saving Paldea as a result.

The Indigo Disk

When the player returns to Area Zero to find Terapagos with Briar, Carmine, and Kieran during The Indigo Disk expansion, they use the Indigo Disk on it, opening the lab's doors and redirect the facility's elevator to the Area Zero Underdepths, rendering the deactivated time machine room inaccessible.

Trivia

  • The background of the time machine during the final battle against the AI Professor is different depending on the game's version. In Scarlet, it is colored red, while in Violet, it is colored purple.
  • The time machine shares some similarities with AZ's ultimate weapon:
    • They were both built by humans who wanted to use them for their own selfish desires, but not exactly for evil means.
    • They're both powerful machines that posed a huge threat to their respective regions; Paldea for the time machine and Kalos for the ultimate weapon.
    • They're both powered up by energy connected to their respective regions' Legendary Pokémon; Terapagos and its Terastal energy for the time machine, and XerneasX/YveltalY and their Infinity Energy for the ultimate weapon.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 時光機 Sìhgwōnggēi
Mandarin 時光機 / 时光机 Shíguāngjī
France Flag.png French Machine temporelle
Germany Flag.png German Zeitmaschine
Italy Flag.png Italian Macchina del tempo
South Korea Flag.png Korean 타임머신 Time machine
Spain Flag.png Spanish Máquina del tiempo

Related articles

Project Games logo.png This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.