The meeting at the Zero Gate
Once the three quests are done, Arven calls you: meet at the Zero Gate, the entrance to the Great Crater of Paldea, near Medali. Arven has recruited two reinforcements there: Nemona, the Master Rank Trainer, and Penny, the computer genius, who gets the power running again. Professor Sada / Professor Turo contacts you and asks you to join the professor at the bottom of the crater.
Once at the edge of the chasm, Koraidon / Miraidon hesitates to jump. Encouraged by its friends, it finally leaps into the crater with you on its back.
Area Zero
The bottom of the crater is a world apart: lush nature covered in Terastal crystals, the very source of Terastallization, where it is always daytime. Two centuries ago, an expedition led for a king of Paldea went down there; one of its members, Heath, drew the Scarlet / Violet Book from it.
The professor explains that the entrance to the lab, at the very bottom, is locked. To open it, you need to activate the terminals of the four research stations that line the descent.
The four research stations
- Station No. 1 — As you approach, a wild Glimmora attacks you. Beat it to reach the terminal.
- Station No. 2 — A Pokémon that looks like a known species attacks you… but it is not what it seems: Scream Tail / Iron Bundle (Lv. 62). The professor reveals the existence of Paradox Pokémon, and Arven entrusts you with the Book.
- Station No. 3 — You come across the Pokémon from the Asado Desert again, Great Tusk / Iron Treads (Lv. 63), which you fight with Arven’s help.
- Station No. 4 — In the great crystal cavern, the professor’s behavior becomes strange. Arven starts to grow suspicious.
What are Paradox Pokémon?
They are Pokémon from the distant past / a distant future, brought to our time by a time machine created by the professor. They resemble known species (Jigglypuff, Donphan, Misdreavus, Volcarona…), but in a ancient and wild / robotic version. Their Ability, Protosynthesis / Quark Drive, boosts their best stat under harsh sunlight / on Electric Terrain or if they hold a Booster Energy.
Scream TailFairyPsychicScarlet · relative of Jigglypuff
Flutter ManeGhostFairyScarlet · relative of Misdreavus
Great TuskGroundFightingScarlet · relative of Donphan
Brute BonnetGrassDarkScarlet · relative of Amoonguss
Iron BundleIceWaterViolet · relative of Delibird
Iron JugulisDarkFlyingViolet · relative of Hydreigon
Iron TreadsGroundSteelViolet · relative of Donphan
Iron HandsFightingElectricViolet · relative of Hariyama
On this first visit, only two Paradox species can be caught, in the great cavern leading to the lab: Scream Tail and Flutter Mane / Iron Bundle and Iron Jugulis. All the others will appear after the story.
In front of the Zero Lab
At the back of the cavern, the professor warns you: opening the lab door will release dangerous Pokémon. Arven suggests you bring out Koraidon / Miraidon… when a second Koraidon / Miraidon appears, aggressive, terrifying yours. The door opens, the second one enters the lab, and a wave of Paradox Pokémon (Lv. 64) surges forth: you fight one of them alongside each of your friends.
What comes next: the Zero Lab and the final battle.
Academy pop quiz
When does the Back to the Source storyline unlock?
The three main quests must be completed.
What do you have to do to unlock the lab?
Activate the terminals of the four research stations.
What are Paradox Pokémon?
Pokémon from the past (Scarlet) or the future (Violet), brought back by a time machine.
