Bond ritual

The bond ritual (絆儀式 Bond Ritual) is a major aspect of being a Pokémon Trainer within the Xeno region. It was first created after the end of the the ancient war, when the region's citizens realized that the conflict had taken something of great importance from them: their connection with their Pokémon. Whereas before the war they were often equals, the battles against their fellow regions had reduced Pokémon in their minds to weapons, tools to be used. Frightened by this change, they sought to correct it and thus created the bond ritual.

It consists of different stages (ステージ Stages), each one designed to further a particular trainer's bond with their Pokémon. The end goal of the ritual is to achieve the state known as Aura Synchronization (波導同期 Wave Synchronization), where a Pokémon and its Trainer achieving the strongest type of bond. Along the way, however, they must master two additional stages: Z-Moves and Mega Evolution. Z-Moves are available to all Pokémon and represent the most basic type of bond between human and 'mon: the desire to achieve the same goal. This shared objective can power up ordinary moves beyond their usual limits. Once this has been mastered, a Trainer may then delve into the secrets of Mega Evolution; as the second stage, it requires a greatly increased bond between the two participants, and only a certain amount of Pokémon can utilize it. The exact reasoning behind this is unclear (though it is hypothesized that said pocket monsters open up their hearts to humans with greater ease than others). Through this technique, the Pokémon itself can power up to great heights, and can thus turn the tides of battle with ease. From this point, Aura Synchronization is the only remaining level, and only a very select number of Pokémon can utilize this powerful transformation (though it is less confined to species than its predecessor).

Completing the bond ritual is seen as a major goal for any Xeno trainers, equal to that of the Pokémon League. Young travelers are often gifted with a Bond Link (絆リンク Bond Link): a wrist band of sorts that can hold both Z-Crystals and Mega Stones, the collection of which signifies the given trainer's progress through the ritual. Those few who have reached the level of Aura Synchronization are often referred to as Aura Guardians (波後見 Aura Guardian), and those who have completed both the ritual and the Pokémon League become known as Bond Masters (ボンドマスター Bond Master).