#ttl!shadowfire

So, first;

Thunderfur

Honestly my main inspiration here was that theory of Darkrai, from the end of Eos, becoming the human that later becomes the protag, but because I already had different plans for Winterfoot, going "Okay... but what if I had them be a different protag...' so.

Thunderfur starts out with incredibly patchy memories of their last life, meets Shadowfire at the start of the game- and upon realizing that they seem to be here to help people, they obviously must be the hero from their memories- the one that used to be human, who went through all that for their partner and to save the world. Because, well, here they are, clearly meant to save the world again- what kind of fool would send the enemy to help?

The accusation that they're the human that did those horrible things to a partner pokemon... doesn't line up with any of their fragmented memories, so they're pretty sure they're not true, but the accusation that they might've been a terrible person pre-memory-wipe... rattles them, considerably. (Because what if they weren't the hero? What if...) But their partner needs them, came along with them in their banishment despite everything, so they have to ignore it.

Ninetales reassuring them that they aren't the human from the legend... almost helps, if it wasn't worded so specifically. They already somewhat knew that- but the only question is, who were they? Gardevoir doesn't quite seem to know either, just that they were a soul, lost, pulled to this world to do good. And that... honestly, that helps more than anything. That regardless of who they were, their soul wanted to do good. To help. Maybe it doesn't matter who they used to be.

By now, they're very, very attached to Shadowfire. That's the only 'mon that stayed with them, even when everyone else- themself somewhat included- thought they were a terrible person. They want, desperately, to find a moonstone and evolve, they want to be strong enough to protect Shadowfire from everything, so nothing can hurt either of them like that again. (They're still... somewhat hesitant to sleep in the house they built, now. The town apologized, sure, said they 'believed them the whole time', but when they turned on them so fast... it's hard to feel safe.)

...But when they actually evolve. When they see their own reflection in the pond's water, see icy blue eyes instead of a cool, saltwater blue... they were going to do this as a surprise, wake up Shadowfire in the morning to show off, but now? Now that they know exactly which pokemon they are in their memories? They can't keep their partner safe. Not with who they were. Who they are. The pokemon who aimed to drive a god mad and plunge the world into darkness can't protect anyone.

So they leave. Leave their gear behind, vanish into the wilderness, not leaving so much as a note behind. It's cruel, they know it is, but they suppose that's who they are.

Next,

Shadowfire

Before Thunderfur ever fell on their doorstep, long before, Shadowfire wanted to be a rescuer. They wanted to explore, find new places, help as many other pokemon as they could along the way. They even found a team partner- and they got along great, built an entire team base, and it was home.

But when the natural disasters started, Shadowfire's partner was scared. They signed up for mystery dungeons, sure, but not ravines, not the ground shaking under their feet- not natural disasters like this. They wanted to leave the continent entirely, find a place to live that wasn't falling apart. Shadowfire refused, knowing there were more pokemon that needed help now than ever, this was exactly what they signed up for...

They couldn't come to terms about it, and Shadowfire's partner left. They... couldn't really stay at their old base, after that. Had too many memories.

When this strange new pokemon landed at their feet, though, willing and even excited to jump into a ravine mystery dungeon, with basically no reservations? Of course they were ecstatic about it. Somewhat nervous, sure, they wanted to do this right, and it has... been a while since they've been part of a proper team... Arceus above, they're just scared of losing this so easily again.

But as their journey continues, Shadowfire starts to once again trust their partner, trust Thunderfur, completely.

And, as a result, their Dimensional Scream ability starts to work again.

The visions help a few times- help them avoid pursuing teams (...almost entirely...) in their escape, help them know where to go to find Ninetales- not that Shadowfire outright tells Thunderfur about them, since they seem a bit touchy on their past.. ...Shadowfire, on complete accident, gets glimpses. They get flashes of a dark, desolate future, maniacal laughter, madness.

They also get flashes of a soul-crushing loneliness and grief.

They... understand why Thunderfur might not want to talk about any of that, so they just... never bring it up, really.

The vision that scares them, though, is one they get just a single day before they discover the evolution spring is open; one of themself, fully evolved, purple flames abound- and Thunderfur, in front of them. Their form is different, they've evolved, and they look too much like who both Shadowfire and Thunderfur feared they once were, but Shadowfire is much more concerned about the fact that their partner looks terrified. Not even of anything they might be facing- Thunderfur looks terrified of Shadowfire, in that vision.

So Shadowfire evolves, once- makes the excuse that they just want to wait for their final evolution until Thunderfur can evolve,too, just to try and delay that terrible vision for as long as they can.

.....And then, one morning, when they wake up, Thunderfur is just... gone.

Shadowfire looks for them, of course they do, but despite their best efforts, their partner is once again nowhere to be found.

...And it feels... terrible. To be abandoned again.

But at least they have an idea of why. And, quite frankly, if they're right? They think Thunderfur's reason for leaving is complete and utter nonsense. So what if they used to suck? They're Shadowfire's rescue team partner now. And you know what? Maybe they're overselling it! Maybe they weren't actually that bad to begin with!

So Shadowfire, determined, finally decides then and there to evolve. Because even if they have to meet Thunderfur scared, at least they'll meet at all,

And then?

Then Shadowfire goes digging for answers. They need to know who Darkrai was. Why they were like that. How they became who they are.

Because, at the end of the day, no matter who they used to be?

They just want their partner back.