shamanicshaymin | In which Puri loves the Alola games

I've almost caught up to where I stopped previously on Ultra Moon, and I've got a controversial opinion: I don't think the Ultra games "neutered" Lusamine like fandom says they did. Granted, I still haven't gotten to the post-game with Rainbow Rocket yet, but Lusamine's motivations and tragic past (which fandom seems to believe is Game Freak absolving her, which uh... it didn't?) were already alluded to, even brought up, in the original Sun/Moon games. Despite her noble intentions regarding Necrozma, she's still depicted as a narcissistic mother who abused her children for her own ends. Hell, Lillie literally spells out that Lusamine is a selfish person who believes she knows what's best for everyone. The game makes a point that shitty people can still do good things no matter their intentions. It also does a Fassad and the Mouse example where Plumeria tells the player and Lillie that Lusamine was the only adult who believed Guzma could be a champion, and that's why he's so devoted to her. One's Ghetsis could be another's Toriel; both can be true at the same time. Guzma, Lillie, and Gladion's feelings about Lusamine are validated. But I guess that's too Big-Brained for Pokémon's general audience. (siiiiiiigh)

That said, I do agree that cutting the cave scene with Lillie on Exeggutor Island was one of the Ultra games' biggest mistakes. Not only was the conversation between Lillie and the player absolutely adorable, it also shows how complex her relationship with her mom really is. The Singing in the Rain-inspired moment is one of the rare times Lusamine is actually a Good Parent (the "Before Times" if you will), and then everything with Mohn happened and... yeah. :(

I did fanart before comparing Lusamine, Lillie, and Gladion with Brad, Buddy, and Dustin. Except I find Brad way more sympathetic and redeemable than Lusamine, lol (Don't get me wrong, Lusamine is one of my all-time favorite Pokémon villains. But for all the horrible abusive shit Brad has done, he's also the biggest woobie in the universe, RIP)

I ran into a female Shiny Crabrawler while gathering berries and caught it! You can find shinies in Sword/Shield and Scarlet/Violet with the Shiny Charm and tons and TONS of patience, but finding a Shiny in the early gens? Now that is lucky. 8)