Duality

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Duality: An instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something.

Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, despite not living at the same time, are frequently put at odds in your history textbooks because of their radically different beliefs about humanity from each other - the former believed humans were basically selfish, cruel creatures who required a higher authority of some kind to keep them in line, while the latter wrote about how humans were not only capable of good, but SHOULD pursue their own greater self-interest when the higher authority - most often a king at the time of writing, but always some form of government - could not or refused to properly provide for its constituents who, Locke said, were truly the ones that kept the ruling party in power. In this respect, Locke can be seen as one of the great early libertarians of the time, whereas Hobbes was more conservative, the more mainstream way of thinking of the time, reinforced largely by those in power so that they may retain it.

So why the hell am I telling you about the origins of the Enlightenment, anyway?

Well, it’s not really SIMPLE so much as it is interesting. Archie and Maxie, from Ruby, Sapphire (and their remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire), and Emerald can have multiple parallels drawn between them and these two English philosophers and writers, which is how I want to help compare and contrast the two Hoenn villains. While their actual goals and ideals were vastly different from Hobbes and Locke, their general views on humanity are somewhat alike, which is what drives each of them to awaken Kyogre and Groudon to try and make a better world for either Pokémon or people, respectfully.

Note that I will only be covering their appearances in the Gen 3 games and their remakes for this blog, as I either don’t know that much about the other adaptations of the characters or I think their inclusion was bullshit (Rainbow Rocket).

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Archie, the leader of Team Aqua, seeks to awaken Kyogre to make a better world for Pokémon because he feels people are doing too much harm to the ecosystem and the other beings that live in it. He’s a somewhat typical rough-and-tumble seafaring guy, which can be concluded based on how he talks to other characters and his manner of dress; meanwhile, Maxie is a calculated, purely logical man who uses an almost overbearing ego to obtain his designs. This is more apparent in their significantly more detailed Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire design.

...But what if I told you that this dynamic duo of an idealist and a truthseeker, each with an unshakable vision of a better world, were not necessarily polar opposites from each other, but from how they initially appear?

Sure, their roles within the games are similar; they both seek to awaken Groudon/Kyogre within Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, respectively - which is where I’ll be focusing from here on out since the two received improved treatment there from the original games - with the other team leader trying to stop their supposed insanity in their opposite game.

As an example to testify to this can be found below. This is a comparison to prove the point I made about ORAS being significantly nicer to these two in the characterization department. Here’s Maxie’s dialogue during the player’s first encounter with him in the Oceanic Museum in Ruby:

”I came to see what was taking so long to snatch some parts, and you simps are held up by a mere child? I am Team Magma's Maxie. Why on earth do you feel compelled to mess up Team Magma's plans? Pokémon, people, all life exists on land... That's why Team Magma is trying to expand the world's landmass. Don't you agree? What we are doing is a magnificent undertaking. Well, no matter... You're young. Your inability to understand our noble cause can't be helped... But, if you were to impede us ever again, you'll see no mercy from us! Keep that firmly in mind! Farewell!"

And Archie’s, in Sapphire, excluding the parts that were literally COPYPASTED:

"...I am Team Aqua's Archie. Tell me, why do you meddle in the noble affairs of Team Aqua? Pokémon, people, all life depends on the sea. So, Team Aqua is dedicated to the expansion of the sea... Ah, fine... You're still too young. It can't be helped that you do not understand our ideals. But, if you ever oppose us again, there will be consequences! Heed my warning!...”

Now, let’s look at the same encounter’s dialogue in ORAS, with Maxie’s listed first and Archie’s second - although I’ll summarize the main points below, because the excerpts are actually rather long, so feel free to skip:

"Now here I was wondering how you could be held up in the simple act of seizing a case. Do I take it you are being stymied by this child?"

"Hmm. Though you are but a child, your eyes tell me of your fierce determination. My heart is pounding in my chest... Yes, I think I can see why my lowly Grunts could not stand one minute against you. I am called Maxie. I stand as the head of Team Magma, a noble organization whose goal is to propel humanity to even greater heights of progress and evolution. Indeed. And you are one of the young persons who may shape our society's future. Considering that fact, I believe I shall educate you in the ways of the world. The land... It is the stage upon which humanity stands. The land exists so we humans might continue onward and upward, stepping into the future... For us to continue growing and evolving, humans require a grand stage upon which to stand. A land upon which we can stride forward... A land we can explore...develop...exploit... This is the basis for the growth of all human endeavor. That is why we, Team Magma, must increase the landmass of the world! Believe that this will lead to a future of eternal happiness for humanity... And consequently for all life!"

"Humph. I suppose the concept may still be too difficult for a child to comprehend. Is that the case? At least I have tried to open your mind. I will take my leave for now. I suggest you take care that you never again stand against Team Magma. I will not be so lenient next time. I implore you to that."

"We are done here."

"What do we have here? I came to see what was taking so long just to steal a few parts, and I find you simps getting beat by this kid?"

"Heh! That's quite a fierce expression for such a wee little scamp. That face tells me you're not just another mindless Trainer brat. The name is Archie. The rough-looking lot you see here are of my team―Team Aqua. So tell me, boyo/girlie… Do you know that Pokémon, people, and all life in this world depend on the sea for life? That's right. The sea is an irreplaceable treasure for every living thing on this planet. But with our selfish extravagance, humanity dirties the great ocean, destroying this source of all life… Day by day, we're all destroying our most precious resource! If we humans suffer from our actions, well, maybe we'll end up getting what we deserve. But what about the Pokémon in our world? The Pokémon that no longer have a place to live because we stole and soiled their seas? The Pokémon that won't have a place to raise their young and watch them grow? We are creating a world in which innocent Pokémon suffer as a result of our actions… And that is something that I can't forgive! That's why I came to a decision, see? The foolish actions of my fellow humans, the seas we have blighted, nature itself… I will return everything to its unspoiled beginnings!"

"… Heh! It's not like me to talk so much. Never mind, little scamp… I'll withdraw for now and leave you be. But understand this… Get in my way again, and you won't walk away unscathed next time. that, at least!"

"We're moving out, lads!"

This is SO much better. And now, I’m going to break down both excerpts.

First, Maxie’s dialogue. His ego becomes evident in how he speaks of himself and his Team Magma, as well as their mission to expand humanity’s “stage”, as he puts it. His desire to help humanity improve by giving them “a land we can explore...develop...exploit…”,and stating that “this is the basis for the growth of all human endeavor”. If the game had voice acting, I’d probably be able to feel the tone of conviction and aura of unshakable confidence in this lofty goal - this ideal. More on that last bit later.

Archie initially starts talking like the pirate he seems to be dressed as, but quickly drops what now feels like a facade when he gets to the ‘why’ of his own mission - to stop humanity from destroying the world upon which it stands for the sake of all the Pokémon within. One specific part of what he says - “If we humans suffer from our actions, well, maybe we'll end up getting what we deserve.” - indicates that he may have lost faith entirely in humanity as a result of constantly being exposed to the truth of how it is - uncaring people jeopardizing the future of all those who will follow.

Where these two are at odds is a combination of their own convictions and a complete disregard for those of their counterpart. And the conviction that leads them all the way to Groudon and Kyogre becomes their very downfall, as they fail to listen to reason when it matters most. They are both driven by a dream they will literally chase to the end of the world and the bottom of the sea

Upon being defeated by the player, Maxie and Archie’s number two, Tabitha or Shelly, will approach their leader and plead with them not to unleash the super-ancient Pokémon upon the world. Archie disregards Shelly as a combination of losing faith and a failure to understand what he sees as the unspoken and otherwise unchangeable truth of humanity, whereas the so-called Great Maxie perceives Tabitha’s plea as an attempt to hijack Team Magma from his control and feels betrayed upon realizing his ideal - a world where humanity strides forward, unfettered by the “cooperation” between people and Pokémon.

In both cases, they proceed with the awakening. And in both cases, they are horribly wrong to do so, of course. Wouldn’t have stakes within the game otherwise, would we?

When their idealized stride forward towards a better humanity or truly well-intended attempt to bring everything back to how it was for the sake of all Pokémon goes awry, their dream is shattered, and they begin to mourn not only the loss of their visions, but what they believe to be the world as well. After the respective legend is caught, they each resolve to move forward with the help of the other and try and make a better world in a better way.

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In short, these characters are very similar - which makes sense, since they were basically version-exclusive bosses to start to correspond with the game’s respective Legendary. However, it’s because of this that they are so fascinating when put together - alone, they lack proper footing, but with each other’s presence, they overcome their inability to only see their own goals and gain a new perspective on life.

A lesson that even today, many people have yet to learn.

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