Been thinking about the various "What if Shadow was made with different alien DNA instead of the Black Arms" AU's that are out there and realised they all have one thing in common. They never change the fact that he looks like Sonic. In universe there's no reason I know of that he looks like Sonic even though he's meant to be the perfect life form, so if he was made with different DNA he could look like anyone and that got me thinking.
What if every different alien DNA AU made him look like a different member of the Sonic gang?
Different DNA, personality and narrative around it all. Shadows main motivation is anger and vengeance in the first game so each one would have different motivating emotions.
What if he was made with Wisp DNA, was called Twilight and looked like Tails? Having the ability not only to jump into living beings, but also to jump into machines. Being used by gun for various purposes to help progress prototypes, only to be told by Gerald not to help them if he's captured because it is prototype weapons he's been helping them build. Feeling used and angry after the death of Maria he goes on to help Eggman controlling larger and larger machines to fight Sonic and his faker Tails. Only to talk to Amy by the end and realize the error of his ways and help power up Sonic super form to prevent the destruction of Earth. The character arc being a dark mirror of tales feeling like a sidekick to sonic and thinking what he would be like without him, the moral being no man is an island.
What if he was made with Seedrain DNA, was called Thorn and looked like Amy Rose? Having the ability to control plant life led to the Ark becoming a modern Garden of Eden. With a relationship more like a sister too Maria she took her death harder and although still angry her defining character traits were sadness and apathy. More so going along with Doctor Eggman's plans out of a lack of care mixed with vengeance. That is until speaking to her faker Amy upon the ark and realising the error of her ways. Still going super to try and stop the beam, but not being strong enough to completely stop any damage. Falling to Earth into the crater that is left and overtime Sonic team arrives it has became an overgrown garden just like what was on the Ark. Amy cares deeply for everyone and her dark mirror should present the lack of that care affecting the individual along with the world around them. There character arc becoming learning how to care again.
What if he was made with Zeti DNA, was called Knight and looked like Knuckles? Having the ability to disrupt technology around them as well as incredible strength. Meaning The Ark was built to not only measure Knight's strength but to withstand his electrical outbursts. All of the extra protection along with Maria's wish to see the earth led to an inpatient and impulsive personality. Frequently being told off by G.U.N. for the destruction of property led to him fostering a dislike before outright hatred after Maria's death. So when Doctor Eggman wanted to go up against them he was more than happy to and being considered more of a hindrance for the help due to his powers he was kept at Arms length in less over a computer screen. This leading to him meeting his faker Knuckles earlier and ending in a fight as you would expect. After speaking to Amy and realizing the truth he would go on to have a super form to try and stop the Ark. Eventually falling to Earth and losing their memories except for their hatred for robots after Doctor Eggman's betrayal. A major factor of knuckles is his patience as the Guardian of the Master Emerald so his dark mirror should be impatient in all ways seeking immediate gratification and revenge without thinking before learning the error of their ways.
