#I draw his shoes and gloves indentical to canon so I just didn't draw them. You know what they look like lmao

[sevilai]

Why yes, the horrors persist, but so do I

Just got done with a piece I can't share yet so I'm in sneaking some art that I wanna do before I reopen for commissions. And shockingly, at least TWO other human beings wanted to see him, too, so I made a little reference for my headcanon Shadow design! As a treat <3

Not part of an AU or anything this is just what he looks like in my heart

Some dumb assorted headcanons I have for him under the cut(should you want those):

The fifth inhibitor on his neck does much less work than the other four and can be removed safely for an extended time. He doesn't make a habit of removing it, though.

He's realistically only about 20% hedgehog, and that's being generous. His genetic make up reads something like, "16% hedgehog, 68% Black Arms, and around 16% various other animal DNA to bridge the gap between them. He exhibits very few hedgehog behaviors aside from curling up, raising his quills and making that godawful engine revving noise when he feels threatened.

Tail lashes when he's angry or focused.

He doesn't have 'true' spines. Where say, Sonic's spines would be a solid grouping of quills forming the shape, Shadow has something more akin to fleshy horns with fur and quills covering them.

Has a tapetum lucidum that reflects yellow in the light.

Oddly at home in the water.

His fur is only this shiny during periods he's taking decent care of himself (rare).

An amount of genetic editing was done to ensure he expressed softer traits; His scales are soft and smooth, his fur is sleek, and his quills aren't that sharp. Though he was required to be a weapon, the professor ensured he'd still be an acceptable amount of cuddly as Maria's medical support animal.

Can absolutely breath fire. He is Black Arms after all.