Before I step any further, I am warning my fair readers that I am about to jump head first into the plot of Pokemon Sun and Moon. If you have not finished the primary plot of the game and hate spoilers, then stop here. If you have? Read on.
The main plot of Pokemon Sun and Moon is great. I loved it. One of the most fascinating elements is the character of Lusamine. Lusamine is the seemingly benevolent leader of the Aether Foundation when you first meet her. She introduces you to the concept of Ultra Beasts early in the game upon first meeting her. She’s bubbly and giggling at Hau commenting on how young she looks. The next time you meet her, things are different.
You discover a few new things about Lusamine. She is Lillie and Gladion’s mother. She has been working with Team Skull, specifically Guzma the entire time. She has kidnapped a number of Pokemon, left them in a state of suspended animation, and is trying to open up a portal to another dimension. She wants to create an Ultra Wormhole and become one with the Ultra Beasts. She has fallen into madness.
Lusamine put her obsession, her career, her Pokemon above her children. Her singular focus on the Ultra Wormholes and the Ultra Beasts made her lose her humanity. She no longer cared about her children. She no longer cared about her friends. She no longer cared about the Aether Foundation that she created. She no longer cared about innocent Pokemon. She no longer cared about anything except for her focus and became blinded by her goal. Everything that mattered at one point was cast aside for her to achieve her ultimate goal. Madness has completely consumed her when we finally approach her after traveling through the Ultra Wormhole. It is through all this, we somehow see a shining example of grace. Not from Lusamine, but from her daughter Lillie.
Through all of this, Lillie never once doubted the humanity of her mother. She was concerned. She wanted to help her mother through the madness. She was angry, certainly, for what Lusamine did, but never once did she stop loving her mother. It is weird, in this Pokemon tale the roles are reversed and Lillie in many ways acts as the Father from the parable of the Prodigal Son.
In Luke 15:11-32, Christ tells us this tale. The prodigal son threw aside everything that mattered to seek what he wanted first and foremost. In the Biblical parable, that thing he wanted was earthly freedom, money, and lustful satisfaction. In the case of Lusamine, that thing she wanted was to be in the presence of the Ultra Beasts. Lillie then shows the love of a parent – forgiving, trying to help her through it, and unending love. Its this love that shines through the character of Lillie. When the game ends and she leaves Alola she does so selflessly for her mother, to save her mother. As a Christian, I know we have one who loves us like that – Jesus Christ.
We have a Lord who is ready to embrace us, who is ready to love us in spite of our past actions. Christ is there doing all the work, dwelling among us in the flesh and later sacrificing Himself on the cross to save us. Jesus did all this based on His undying love for us. His love is above all and pure as a parent’s is supposed to be. Lucky for Lusamine, despite her failings as a parent she has a daughter who loves her like that.
As a parent myself, I have to ask myself daily if I would turn into a madman or would I love my children. Would I give up my career for them? Would I give up my freedom for them? Would I give up that which makes me comfortable for them? I am called to do so by my example, the Lord. Lusamine fails each of those tests. I know I am imperfect too. I pray for the strength to become a better parent, to be more like my Father in Heaven.
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