Dark Lands

The Dark Lands (Japanese: 暗い土地 Dark Land) are a special area located within the vicinity of the Xeno region. Only visible as a mysterious landmass from the region's shore, they were created by the victors of the Great War to prevent Xeno from interacting with the rest of the Pokémon world again. This purpose was foiled with the invention of modern transportation, which allowed living creatures to pass through the border while protected from whatever lived within them. This area can be considered in many ways the exact opposite of Nanten Island; whereas that was where Xerneas' power was used in order to begin the restoration of life lost in the war, the Dark Lands were created by harnessing that of Yveltal. Though the exact method the victorious allies used for both processes is currently unknown, the effects are undeniable.

They take the form of completely pitch-blank landmasses, billowy like clouds and filled with strange shapes and sights. The Dark Lands can be considered destruction incarnate, a perfect manifestation of Yveltal's power; it is an area that absorbs all life energy that comes near it. As a result, all of the apparent vegetation within them is either long dead or merely conduits through which the energy of passing lifeforms can be stolen. No life can survive for very long in the Dark Lands, and even Dark or Ghost-type Pokémon struggle with it (though Ghost types can apparently withstand the area's effects longer than others). The few bits of life that have managed to survive have been driven feral by the ordeal, and thus pose another danger to the few who would attempt to pass through on foot. Those who escape are notably weakened and some are even driven mad by the experience; all who pass through are never the same again. Those with the ability to sense Aura have noted that survivors of the Dark Lands possess a unique feeling to them that differentiates them from others.

Despite the incredible dangers of the area, a select number of people have managed to travel through or out of it. Hunter first discovered Xeno by battling his way through them, and Celeste seems to have even been born there, as well as escaped.

The area made its debut in Pokémon Aether, Nether, and Tether Versions, and as such plays a major role both within them and Pokémon ANT.