So you all know the Sonic Channel art of Shadow and the blue slippers
I know there has been some (very valid) criticism of Shadow only reacting to things that are centered around his memory of Maria. But my hc for this picture is that this is the first time in a while that Shadow has thought of Maria, and he realizes that.
Like, he's gotten more accustomed to his life on earth, and while he'd hesitate to label anyone as friends, he has other people that he's around and involved with to some extent. What used to be living constantly in the memories of Maria's kindness, and later death, now he's just living on earth as his own being, and gradually shifted his focus from the past to the present.
So when he sees these shoes in the shop window, it's not just that he's reminded of Maria, it's that he's reminded that he hasn't thought of Maria in a long while, where he can't really remember the last time she's lived inside his head, the memories of which dictated his every thought and action. It's bittersweet, but I don't think he actually resents himself for that. Instead, he realizes that he's finally moving on.
god just. maria robotnik. youre a 13 year old girl and youre terminally ill and you know youre going to die and youre tired all the time and you just want to go home to earth (have you ever even been?) but suddenly you have this little baby brother and you love him but the doctors keep taking him away for tests and you dont get to see him all day and when he comes back hes scruffy and bruised and doesnt want to play or watch cartoons. but you love him so so much you make the decision to die at 13 years old to give him a chance to live. you put your baby brother in the escape pod and theres a soldier pointing a gun at you and you know youre going to die but its worth it if it means he can live. he's your baby brother and you love him so much that at 13 years old you choose to die so that he can live. just. maria robotnik.
I don't know if this is an actual attempt at finally making something or just my mind demanding me to do something with the hyperfixation.
Either way, I ended up with this kind of Post-Pizzaplex-burned-the-fck-down AU and an OC I guess, also because I want to see my faves interact, let me be funny for a bit.