Rambles That Noone asks for Day 2:
Todays topic: Vidow Development? (I guess)
I noticed something common, not just in the FS fandom either, often times in other Zelda fandoms or Just in general, that a lot of people ignore the character development and instantly jump to The conclusion of toxicity in the relationship because they saw one glimps of a commonly used scene and refused to see it any furthur.
The one development i notice, most commonly skipped over, is Vio and Shadows redemption arch.
Shadow may have outwardly attacked out of anger that vio would betray Lord vaati and his trust, but on the inside i feel it was also personal, past the trust. Vio took a hammer to the dark mirror, had he smashed the glass shadow would have died and or been weakened severely (depending on how badly vio damaged it). In retaliation Shadow attempts to execute vio. Betrayal of trust. Protection of self. I feel his brain process was "eliminate the threat" its like an animal, if you threaten an animal who is known for its sharp claws and holding grudges, its going to attempt to alleviate its pain and eliminate its threat.
The end of the manga, Shadow took Vios disguise. He could have turned to any link, as evident by the manga beginning when he pretended to be whole link to fool Links dad.
He helped the heros rather than going on a foot stomping tantrum and raving through the tower to sabatouge them. Zelda had helped a little with this by showing him light wasnt that bad and he too was a hero.
He smashed the mirror on his own accord, used it to see VIO one last time, before ultimately putting himself through his demise. (Which in reality i think it only killed his physical body, evident from when the sword is returned and shadow gives a thumbs up) (i say its vio because the side by side comparison matches)
Green even, said youre one of us, a friend. Then the light shimmered on him and he poofed (rip shadow.)
Vio then states: he wasn't evil, he just wanted attention of which he doesn't receive as a shadow.
"He wanted to be with us...to be with his family"
Shadows are put behind people, always to weakly follow like pawns to a game, no one (except maybe kids) turn to acknowledge what is there, they just keep their eyes forward to the warm sun.
I feel the statement "wanting to be with his family" can be taken two ways! Shadow wanted to be accepted and attentioned by the links, the very thing he branched from when born from darkness, Or, The links are his brothers and we're just blind as bats (I doubt this though, it would have been explained if it were so.)
All In all, Vidow is only Toxic if you make it toxic. It's funny that If the iconic trust betrayal scene never happened Vidow would probably be a very rare ship and or a dead ship because it wouldn't have that uniqueness that we all fell in love with 18(?) years ago.
Anyways, Its 3am I have no idea what I'm rambling about. Day 3 will be about Fic rewrite progress.