Cipher created each Shadow Pokémon from his lab located close to the center of the Orre region. In the lab, Ein tried to perfect the formula for a Pokémon that was not afraid to attack other trainers. Once he found out that each Pokémon's heart could be locked away, he used this to create the Shadow Pokémon, perfecting his formula. However, due to the amount of corruption flowing from the Pokémon, it is possible to tell the difference between a normal "Pure" Pokémon and a "Shadow Pokémon". Only certain eyes can catch the strange, dark aura coming from them. Cipher took the S.S. Libra in order to take the Pokémon onboard and take them to the Cipher Key Lair to turn them into Shadow Pokémon.