The main focus was on Sonic-ifying her, while the secondary was making a design more reflective of her role in the game. Below are the references I used (wanted to bring in some more Italian/European inspirations).
The biggest flags for the Sonic Style are big hands, feet, eyes, and then round everything. I gave Teen!Elise the Rouge-treatment when it came to her hands, but I think Child!Elise succeeded more in reflecting the style.
I also tried to incorporate more subtle hints to Solaris, particularly with the the dress and sleeves(?) plus Teen!Elise's eyelashes having four wings. The eye and scars are supposed to be a more obvious hint to the player that something lurks within the Princess ("the eyes are the window to the soul" and all that, but with Iblis only being half of a god, it's only one eye that's changed.) The glow on the pupil is my own artistic style, as I imagine a more canon-friendly design would just have a normal green eye with only the tear burns being the hint toward something stranger.
Lightning can't transform in a Super state with Chaos Emeralds - (It's been stated by Takashi Iizuka that only male hedgehogs can go super with Chaos Emeralds.) - however, Lightning has her own way to trigger her Super form. She transforms into Thundering Lightning by overcharging her electricity powers over 1000% after taking off her inhibitor rings. In her Thundering form, her withe fur turns golden and her yellow pattern colors white. All her quills turn upwards, bending like the shape of bolts. Her yellow electricity turns to a shining white, her blue eyes colors a bright red, the iris glows white, while her pupils shape distorts like a star with several diffraction spikes. Lightning's inhibitor rings keeps hovering next to her wrists and ankles during this transformation, as if there is a magnetic force between them.
Thundering Lightning is Lightning's strongest form. In this state, all of Lightning's abilities far surpass her normal ones. She's able to stockpile an enormous amount of raw power, allowing her to significantly enhance all of her electrokinesis abilities to a superhuman level. This resulted in unbelievable levels of strength, speed, agility, and durability. She is also able to fly and is nearly invulnerable. However, this transformation consumes a lot of energy, meaning it cannot be maintained for long.
Twitter | Instagram | Deviantart | Lightning's Fandom Wiki Page
I found this reference for my Godling AU thing while searching for references and forgot to post it, I have no idea when I’m continuing this but I also have a Shadow reference ready is you are interested.
Here is Sonic’s opinion on some subjects:
In regards of the living:
“I wonder if mortals will survive this era? Don’t get me wrong, I love the humans and mobians alike, but I think that between Eggman, corrupted gods and interdimensional tsunamis, I can’t help to think it. Gods like Zep- or well, me, are literally waiting for their extinction…Again, I don’t want that…but is bound to happen sometime, right?”
About Zephyr:
“How do you describe someone who’s almost like you but not like you? Zephyr is my partner, he’s my everything and I am everything to him. Literally. He’s sometime a child in a men’s body. He’s extroverted in the way that he’ll interrupt me and take over when something excites him or angers him, so I’m obliged to control my emotions or he’ll go in a rampage. And believe me, last time that he didn’t got what he wanted…let’s just say that Anchor’s Cliff was a mountain really pretty before, a shame really.”
This one definitely took the longest. I was originally content with re-using my Mobian Mephiles design, but as I developed the story more, I realized I wanted something more personal. I'm super proud of how this came out.
This is technically "spoilers" since this is toward the end (Post-Forces), but I wanted a design that reflected Mephiles/Solaris' change. And I'm too eager.
This post will be updated as time goes on. New additions will be marked as (✨New!✨).
-> Dadphiles AU Masterpost
-/-/-/-/-
🔹When Mephiles recombined with Iblis the second time, Solaris regained empathy. His memories of his time with SSS suddenly weighed heavily on the god, but the destruction of time had already begun and Solaris still was not at full power. So, with the help of the Chaos Emeralds, Solaris sacrifices himself to fix his mistakes and ensure the safety of his sons.
🔹Following the events of Sonic Forces, Solaris is re-awoken... but still very weak. As he regains power, he avoids his sons, believing they do not wish to see him. They prove him wrong.
🔹With a second chance at being their father, Solaris assumes the body of a hedgehog—meticulously designed to reflect each of his sons—and simply becomes "Mephiles the Hedgehog". As a mortal, he is much more vulnerable and limited in his power, even if he were to fully recover from his self-sacrifice. Mephiles is willing to risk such a thing for his sons' happiness and trust.
🔹As Mephiles was taken advantage of the last time he assumed a mortal form (ie. The Flame of Solaris), Mephiles is hesitant to let any others know of his identity, even the ones his children claim are trustworthy friends. Therefore, only those who were in Soleanna know the truth... for now.
🔹Mephiles is introduced to the rest of his sons' friends as their dad who raised them, but disappeared when they were kids. Mephiles admits that it was not a good decision, but explains that he was "injured" and "unable to protect them without risking their futures."
🔹Vector and Espio are the only ones suspicious of this random hedgehog that appeared out of the blue, not long after the War, looking perfectly like all three hedgehogs. Hedgehogs that they know aren't blood-related and who were separated by literal decades. However, since no one else seems to be suspicious, the Chaotix believe everyone else might be brainwashed somehow.
🔹Mephiles realizes their suspicions, but doesn't correct them. Both because he does not trust their intentions yet... and that it also amuses him.
🔹The SSS introduce Tails as their brother and Mephiles immediately accepts him and requests to take on the Prower name just as his sons have. Tails, who was worried about disapproval from his brothers' dad, may or may not have broken down in tears at the easy acceptance.
🔹Vanilla, happy to meet another parent of this rambunctious group, often enjoys sharing stories with Mephiles. Mephiles suddenly has to learn how normal mortal parents raise their children, all to continue his charade. Through her, he slowly learns what it means to truly embrace Parenthood.
🔹Vector is jealous of how friendly the hedgehog has gotten with Vanilla. Once again, Mephiles is amused.
🔹Mephiles enjoys messing with Vector, mostly by "coincidentally" appearing whenever he tries talking to SSS, gifting Vanilla different things, and saying some rather suspicious words. This, of course, makes Vector more paranoid.
🔹Despite looking like a normal hedgehog, Mephiles is composed of pure energy and therefore does not need mortal requirements. He can feign eating but it does nothing for him. He appreciates the flavor, however.
🔹As an entity of time, Mephiles is used to viewing all of time at once. As a mortal, that viewing window is smaller, but still means that sometimes Mephiles will use the wrong slang, terms, and translations or even reference something that does not exist yet or no longer exists.
🔹Mephiles is utterly focused on making the most out of this second chance and is willing to go to great lengths to protect all of his children... Even if it means using methods they may not approve of.
🔹Mephiles is the one who enabled Silver to remain in the past. He also later—by request—makes it so Shadow will age alongside his friends.
🔹Mephiles can communicate with the Master Emerald (and the Chaos Emeralds), often expressing his confusion over various mortal concepts. The Master Emerald finds his bafflement amusing, to his chagrin.
[There will be no romance as Mephiles/Solaris is completely focused on his relationships with his sons.]
I updated Sonic’s ref and I’m far happier with this design
This post will be updated as time goes on. New additions will be marked as (✨New!✨).
Last update: (Mar 6, 2024)
-> Dadphiles AU Masterpost
-/-/-/-/-
🔹When he was young (classic era), Sonic used simple twine to wrap his crystal. It snapped during a fight, leading to Tails discovering it. After hearing how important it was to Sonic, Tails fashioned the brace as a surprise gift.
🔹Tails only knows that Sonic used to have a family—two younger brothers and a dad—but that he lost them.
🔹Years down the line, Tails would insist remaking the brace—embarrassed by the amateur craftsmanship—but Sonic refuses, teasing that it’s perfect the way it is.
🔹Sonic didn’t have any mementos of his brothers, so he found other ways to remember them, mainly through Shadow’s rings and Silver’s crescent markings.
🔹The golden rings are extras from Amy’s own pair when she first got them. She noticed him staring and he explained that he liked them. Before she could make any comment about romance or marriage, Sonic continues by saying them remind him of someone he knew. Later that day, Amy surprises him by gifting her extra set.
🔹Sonic struggled for a long time finding something to remind him of Silver. He finally found gloves w/a design similar to Silver’s markings. When deep in thought, he’ll sometimes absentmindedly trace the pattern.
🔹Sonic never takes the leather brace off.
🔹Sonic hasn’t actually told any of his friends, aside from Tails, that he has other family. He knows it’s silly, but a part of him is scared that saying it out loud would also be admitting the possibility it was never real… that maybe it was just all in his mind.
🔹Sonic doesn’t remember much about his dad, just the bright green eyes similar to Sonic’s own. He does, however, remember the talks about time and freedom. It’s these talks that taught him not to worry about how much time he has, just to live every moment to it’s fullest.
🔹Sonic’s dad always had a strange hatred toward humans, leading Sonic to avoid them and prefer the company of wildlife for many years. It’s only when Shadow describes the moments of kindness from Maria that Sonic actually tries approaching them. They turn out to be nice and so Sonic asks his dad, telling him that “humans aren’t bad.” His dad responded that humans aren’t bad, just unpredictable. When Sonic later met Eggman, he understood.
🔹Sonic got his growth spurt first and lorded his (minuscule) height difference over his brothers. Grown up, he ends up as the shortest actually, a fact Shadow and Silver then tease him about.
🔹Everyone thinks Shadow is the eldest since he's so mature, but really it's Sonic.
🔹Prior to SA2, Sonic and Shadow (and Silver) genuinely believed all three of them were siblings by blood. After learning that Shadow is 50 years from the past, they really start wondering what happened that last day they were all together.
🔹Like his brothers, Sonic does not remember what his dad looks like or even his name, beyond his eyes and voice. This causes regret in Sonic, believing his younger-self did not value his dad enough to remember.
🔹(✨New!✨) Following Shadow 05, Sonic legally goes by Sonic Prower, like his brothers.
🔹(✨New!✨) Following Shadow 05, the Prower family gets a bigger house using both the funds Sonic and Tails have amassed over the years as well as some help from the G.U.N. commander. They intentionally get one with more bedrooms, hoping to one day share it with the rest of Sonic and Shadow's family.
Technically Silver 2.0 since I wasn't happy with his old design. Now he's far more snazzy.
Silver's eyes glowing aren't a unique feature of this AU, by the way, it's just how I draw him.
This post will be updated as time goes on. New additions will be marked as (✨New!✨).
Last update: (Mar 6, 2024)
-> Dadphiles AU Masterpost
-/-/-/-/-
🔹After receiving his dad’s crystal, young Silver was always on the lookout for something to help hide it, knowing the shard would be something a bandit would try to steal. He got into the habit of stuffing it in his chest fur.
🔹Eventually, Silver would find twine to wrap around the crystal and wear as a necklace. As Silver grew older, the twine got smaller. Pre-06, Silver couldn’t take the necklace off even if he wanted, as it could no longer fit over his head. Not without cutting it.
🔹While wearing the crystal, Silver is ignored by Iblis and its monsters for reasons unknown to him. This has led Silver to establish a sort of safe haven for other survivors. Silver’s clothes and cuffs are hand-made gifts from the survivors out of thanks. With Silver’s input, the designs are dedicated to his lost brothers, even with the limited resource options.
🔹 Silver has enhanced sight, mainly being able to see better at night than a normal hedgehog. This is a combination of evolution and his practice of working in darkness. However, his pupil does give off an iridescent glow.
🔹Due to his appearance (blue glow, near-white fur, crescent markings) and his preference for working in the darkness, the survivors of his haven call him “Moon Child”.
🔹Silver only trusts Blaze with the knowledge and, eventually, shares the protection of his father’s crystal.
🔹Like his brothers, Silver believes the three are blood-related. That Sonic is on the other side of the world--far from Iblis' destructive path and a place full of green and blue--and that Shadow is somewhere "made of metal". When his family disappeared, Silver grew determined to find them. Inspired by his speedy brother, he began traveling the world. Yet as the years passed and he found nothing but wastelands, doubt began to creep in. While he never completely gave up, Silver shifted priorities to building a safe haven, not unlike the one he was granted as a kid.
🔹 Also like his brothers, Silver does not remember what his dad looks like or even his name, beyond his eyes and voice. However, he believes this is for his father's safety, who obviously has a powerful ability others would hunt him for. Silver finds this theory perfectly normal.
🔹Silver cannot actually read or write fluently. He recognizes some words, having been taught by Blaze, but it was difficult to find free time between shifts to do so.
🔹Silver had noticed that Blaze was always very poised when standing, sitting, or moving. She explained the concept of “proper manners and etiquette” to him, which only confused him. Regardless, Blaze would often catch Silver trying to emulate her posture.
Post-06 Facts:
🔹(✨New!✨) Silver is far more forgiving of Mephiles' actions than his brothers, mostly because his definition of "wrong" is skewed from living in an apocalypse. His brothers end up having to explain a lot more to Silver than they initially beleived.
🔹Despite being the youngest of the trio, Silver is also the tallest. Coupled with his psychokinesis, it's easy to keep things out of his brothers' reach, much to their annoyance.
🔹Due to a lack of proper food in the future, Silver cannot handle any spices. Sonic is incredibly gutted to learn his brother doesn't like chili dogs.
🔹Silver has a bit of a hoarding problem in the beginning of his life with his brothers, still not used to so much being simply available. This leads to his brothers finding random piles of food and clothes stuffed in odd places around the house.
🔹(✨New!✨) Silver lives in the past with his brothers and cannot travel through time, like Canon!Silver can.
🔹(✨New!✨) Between the events at Soleanna and the loss of his brothers' crystals, Silver grows far more protective over his own crystal.
🔹(✨New!✨) Following Sonic Unleashed, Silver legally goes by Silver Prower, like his brothers.
Ref is a bit misleading by the way. Shadow’s design is post-06, his locket is pre-Heroes. ;)
This post will be updated as time goes on. New additions will be marked as (✨New!✨).
Last update: (Mar 6, 2024)
-> Dadphiles AU Masterpost
-/-/-/-/-
🔹Shadow is technically only about 5-years-old, having been grown in a tube for four of those years. It was only due to close calls—promptly followed by Shadow vanishing into a plume of smoke—that it was delayed for so long. Gerald and the other scientists were left confused and never found an answer to the strange events.
🔹Shadow has enhanced sight, mainly being able to see better at night than a normal hedgehog. His eyes are highly reflective because of this.
🔹Due to Shadow having been "raised" by his father and brothers, he's less angry and brooding all the time. More quiet and anxious in the beginning, only growing in confidence through Maria. Confident enough to one day strike up a conversation with another boy on the Ark. Wonder what happened to him...?
🔹When Shadow was first separated from his brothers, he fell into a depression of sorts. Maria comforted him and he eventually told her all about his family in the shadows. She surprised him a week later, gifting him a wrist locket, one big enough to conceal his crystal. Can’t let the scientists find it, after all.
🔹Shadow’s locket has a lavender engraved in it.
🔹 The locket actually was a gift from Maria’s grandmother to her, but it was broken. She asked her grandfather if it could be repaired just for Shadow.
🔹Following the reveal of Gerald’s revenge plan, Shadow has conflicted feelings on the man. Yet his locket is the only photo he has of Maria, and so he doesn’t dare alter it.
🔹 Like his brothers, Shadow does not remember what his dad looks like or even his name, beyond his eyes and voice. Shadow was never bothered by this fact when he was younger, but following the events of SA2, he wonders if Gerald found and messed with those memories as well.
🔹(✨New!✨) Shadow does not believe Black Doom at first, stating that he knows who his father is. Even after learning the truth, Shadow refuses to listen to Doom and instead sticks with the family he chose.
🔹(✨New!✨) Following Shadow 05, Shadow legally goes by Shadow Prower, like his brothers.
🔹(✨New!✨) Following Shadow 05, the Prower family gets a bigger house using both the funds Sonic and Tails have amassed over the years as well as some help from the G.U.N. commander. They intentionally get one with more bedrooms, hoping to one day share it with the rest of Sonic and Shadow's family.
🔹(✨New!✨) Shadow does not join G.U.N., now confident in the relationship he has with his brothers. Instead, he focuses on adapting to modern times. However, he does help Rouge from time to time, sometimes by the Commander's unofficial request.
Post-06 Facts:
🔹Shadow never really saw a need to change his gear from those given to him on the Ark. However, following the reunion with Silver, Amy tries to cheer the brothers up with a shopping trip! …Some mistakes were made and Tails offered to just make the gear in the end.
🔹Shadow’s shoes have retractable jets, making it easier to walk in. They are also reinforced on the top (stronger roundhouse kicking :D).
🔹Knuckle-guards and plating on his hands + arm guards along his ulna.
🔹Shadow was a bit enamored when Sonic explained what parkour gloves were. Shadow is frequently impressed with inane and random modern inventions, a sentiment Silver often shares.
🔹Shadow puts a photo of his new family opposite his late-family in the locket.
I feel like I improved a bit in sonic art and wanted to do an updated kind of ref sheet with some more expressions I've been wanting to draw of her! I had so much fun drawing these!!
Twitter | Instagram | Deviantart | Lightning's Fandom Wiki Page
