>>51341296In the past Peony chose to abandon his place as the steel type gym leader due to Rose's plan to confront the threat head on with the league. Rose not only feels he must prevent the disaster but he must do it on his own terms, completely in control of when it happens. He presses forward behind the scenes to initiate the return of Eternatus when he feels the time is right. Outwardly, Peony brushes off the "fairy tale" Rose is consumed with while drowning in fear of it on the inside.
Peonia, along with Bede, would take a more prominent role as a metaphor for the generational effects of tragedy. Both of them having Peony and Rose's views of the world pressed upon them. This would tie into the legacy themes of Sword and Shield although it would contrast the passing the torch motif seen in the relationships of Piers/Marnie, Magnolia/Sonia, etc.
Done in this way the titles and story of The Darkest Day would make more sense. Rose, lashing out at the world in grief, using his power and status as a sword to destroy anything he deems a threat to his goal. Peony ignoring the world around him, retreating to a fantasy to shield himself from pain. The threat of Eternatus looming over the story, acting as an allegory for the suffering they both hold just beneath the surface.
In the end, just as the heroes of Galar in the past, they must face Eternatus and The Darkest Day. Two brothers who are still living in the moment of their father's death, their Darkest Day.
