#adel rambles

There are two main reasons and 1 extra ??? reason I believe this headcanon/piece of lore/etc would suck for him and it's:

1. Power Imbalance

2. Pride and his personality

3. Dark Mirror Shards or dark magic?

On the first point. I don't think the right term is power imbalance but it's the closest thing I got. Because him being revived by the heroes for example feels like 'oh I'm depending on Link' when his whole motive is behind separating and showing he could stand on his own and be a big threat even with or without Link.

It puts him in a 'oh do I have to forgive this person for reviving me after betraying my trust?' with Vio or 'She is another person of authority much like Ganon, do I have to obey/listen to her since she revived me?' with Zelda.

So it feels like some kind of imbalance, he can't ever view them fairly because that 'favor' puts him in a 'I owe you' position. It's sort of like a trap and EVEN if they don't want anything or are genuine, Shadow's pov and personality would clash and disagree with that sentiment.

Which brings me to my second reason:

Shadow being revived by the others does NOT guarantee he's a good guy. Sure he sacrificed and gave that whole speech, but 1 act out of desperation does not equal he is totally a good guy and would do the right thing always.

That feels like it strips away from his character. He had growth but what about the things we love about him? His cocky arrogance, his excessive show-off attitude, his pride? I know a popular take is him and Red being arson buddies, but if he's revived by Zelda.. would he risk burning things if it means the person of authority would be upset with him? I don't think so.

If he becomes dependent and has that 'oh they revived' take, then he will always have his pride threatened as well as sense of security. Because what does he do if he messes up? Does he always need their approval if he wants to live? Would his pride allow him to accept that state of life? Where is the line?

The take comes from not just 'oh I want him to have a chance to live' it comes from a 'oh I can fix him' perspective too.

Which feels.. like it would take Shadow's agency. It gives a 'oh they want me alive but not me, they're doing it out of guilt and want to change everything about me.' type of thinking and..

Would Shadow accept that? Accept ALL of that?

The answer I believe would be no.

And finally the third reason which is using the dark mirror or so to revive him. I definitely think this could be a bit messy for Shadow.

Using a mirror, something easy to break and lose, as his source of life? Something he tried to break?

Would he want something that can be stolen, broken, and easily gone if he lets out of his sight be his source of life?

Again, I don't think so.

Also I don't think the heroes would risk using dark magic to revive Shadow as much as they like him / want him back. (A whole other ramble 🏃‍♀️)

But does that mean Shadow stays dead?

Of course not. Wdym he's dead? No he's not. 🤨 who do you take me for?

So duh, I got an idea. Or a suggestion for what could revive Shadow and it definitely uses references from previous games.

After all, Shadow is a being of magic. So.. if not with the dark mirror.. and not the heroes or someone reviving him..

Then, what? Who? Just who would bring him back?

Or should I say, what would bring him back?

My suggestion is: Gratitude Crystals.

For context, gratitude crystals are a concept in skyward sword where Link has to do good deeds (helping others) and he would get these magic star-like crystals in return. After collecting 80 of them, he trades them to a sad monster who wishes to be human.

So in a way they're like wishing stars that have magic that is strong enough to change a demon to be human.

So if there's a solution made of magic, can't be easily broken, and does not take away Shadow's agency.. then I believe gratitude crystals could help offset the potential power imbalance.

And who was grateful / thankful at Shadow's sacrifice. The heroes. Green specifically.

So imagine with me, their gratitude forms that crystal for Shadow. He, being a creature of magic, attachs himself to those crystals instead of dark mirror. Separating himself from Ganon, Vaati, and Link.

Which brings me to the second point.

Okay, he's revived. He's alive. But what about his character? His motive?

I think it would change to being a good person.

Hear me out, Batreaux needed 80 to change from demon to human. So 1 crystal isn't enough to be someone's life source.

So what if it becomes a challenge for Shadow. Doing good deeds in exchange for the crystals and getting to live.

He gets to change as a person and grow with a genuine reason to why he wants to be good now without taking his agency away. Through that, I believe he would go to the heroes to make things right and they could have their slow-build in friendship or so.

And that is why I believe this is an idea worth exploring <3