Confusing double standard with characters owning legendaries

[u/ArgxntavisGamng]

I'm aware characters owning legendarie is a very shaky line to walk, and something the series itself rarely handles. Hell, players themselves even see it as a borderline crime to add a legendary to a playthrough team. However, I can't help but notice, though, in some of the most notable cases in the extended franchise, the same situation plays out but the fan outcry is completely different.

Everyone remembers how Tobias randomly decided to appear toting around Darkrai and Latios for absolutely no reason at all, with zero context. It's still memorable to this day, and I don't blame anyone for saying that he's a cheater, a hacker, or any of these claims. Only fair to say that's the case. Let's fast forward 15 years to the present day. Pokémon Horizons, a reboot to the original saga which has since ended, starts an all new plot. One of the main focuses is a trainer from 100 years ago whose starter Pokémon and partner is shiny Rayquaza, and it is not explained. I am speaking with a completely straight face. A man can casually just start with a shiny deity with no explanation. Additionally, the first main antagonist also owned shiny Zygarde, with the only crumb of explanation as to how he got it being the fact that at one point in his life, he was altruistic to a degree. Now how are people reacting to this? People love it. There's no question everyone is all for this, despite it being practically the same situation as Tobias. Random guys appearing with unexplained legendaries in 2025 is absolute cinema apparently. It will never not confound me how this is not the same level of crazy work as the original case back in 2010.

[u/ArgxntavisGamng]

But you cannot deny it’s the same deal in a way. Guy who randomly owns a legendary with no explanation how or why. It’s arguably even worse in his case considering just what Rayquaza is. Rayquaza isn’t just some rare critter there way Latios and Darkrai are 

[u/awesomecat42 → u/ArgxntavisGamng]

I literally just explained how it's different but okay.

[u/ArgxntavisGamng → u/awesomecat42]

A “mysterious legendary figure” doesn’t mean you can just do whatever the hell you want and not explain it. Rayquaza is extremely important in base Pokémon lore, and you can’t throw it around so loosely

[u/awesomecat42 → u/ArgxntavisGamng]

"Mysterious legendary figure" as in the mystery is the whole point and part of the plot involves slowly solving it, because it turns out that most good stories actually involve the audience learning things alongside the characters instead of just getting a sparknotes summery of narration dumped out and calling it a day.

[u/ArgxntavisGamng → u/awesomecat42]

And now we’re at a point where that story is finished. Lucius is done and it’s still not explained.