Gerald Robotnik
Professor
Gerald Robotnik is a fictional character in the
Sonic the Hedgehog universe. The grandfather of
Doctor Eggman, Professor Gerald Robotnik is the creator of
Shadow the Hedgehog and was introduced in
Sonic Adventure 2. He also created the
Space Colony ARK and was noted as "one of the most brilliant minds of all time."
Professor Gerald loved his granddaughter,
Maria Robotnik, and was always working on a cure for her, until
G.U.N. came. According to the comic, Maria was killed by G.U.N. while assisting Shadow in escaping them.
Sonic Adventure 2
Prof. Robotnik had just launched the
ARK. The current president of the
United Federation came forth and requested his expertise on a project involving prevention of death: an immortality formula. Gerald was outraged by the thought and told the President that he would not work on such a project, for fear it would be easily abused. However, his granddaughter
Maria Robotnik had been suffering from a fictional illness known as "NIDS" (Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome), which had no known cure. Knowing that otherwise she might die, Gerald reluctantly agreed to work on the project.
While he himself called it the Ultimate Life Form, his doubtful coworkers frequently referred to it as "Project Shadow", due to its nigh impossible goal, akin to catching one's shadow. The name stuck, and eventually Gerald officially referred to the project as Project Shadow. During this time, he also came across an ancient robot known as the
Gizoid, which was able to copy melee and weapon abilities and use them. The government and its military organizations became uneasy about Project "Shadow", believing that is could be a potential threat to
Earth. To buy some time, Gerald gave them the Gizoid to use for their own purposes. However, this did not change their feelings about "Shadow", and eventually attacked the ARK. Maria was killed, Shadow was launched toward earth, and the Professor was captured and imprisoned.
When the professor found out that Maria was killed by G.U.N., he lost his grip on sanity. At some time, he created a program that would smash the Ark into the Earth, destroying it. In order for the program to work, it needed to be powered by the seven chaos emeralds. Whether or not he completed the trap involving Biolizard as punishment for humans stealing the life of his beloved Maria and destroying everything he had ever worked for at said time is somewhat debatable, due to the fact that his final recording in
Sonic Adventure 2 was done while he was in custody (and moments from execution). Some speculate that he took the time during the military's invasion to 'program' Shadow for the destruction of humanity, while others suspect it was done in secret during Professor Gerald's time in prison.
"All of you ungrateful humans who took everything away from me will feel my loss and despair." - Gerald Robotnik
Shadow the Hedgehog
In the storyline of
Shadow the Hedgehog,
Black Doom reveals to Shadow that Gerald teamed up with him to create the Ultimate Lifeform. Shadow's purpose was to serve both of them, as part of an agreement: Gerald would have Shadow to further his research, while Black Doom would have Shadow to collect the Chaos Emeralds for his own sinister purposes: to use Chaos Control to bring the Black Comet down to Earth and conquer it.In the last story, the Chaotix active a lost video in the ARK that is played in numerous places (GUN Headquarters, Black Comet...) and it says the following:
Shadow, my son...If you're listening to this, then the worst has happened... you need to know the truth. The government plans to shut down this research facility...The government plans to cease all of our research... and imprison all who know about you. I made a terrible mistake, Shadow... It's all my fault... making contact with that Comet...Now listen very carefully...In fifty years, the Black Comet will return... They plan to harness its powers to destroy this planet! The only way to stop them... was to develop a way to use the very power THEY intended to use AGAINST them.Shadow... it's up to you and only you can stop them! I developed the Eclipse Cannon... It's the only weapon that can destroy that Black Comet. ''Shadow, you are the only hope to save mankind as we know it... The future of this planet depends on... you!''
It turns out that before Gerald went insane, unlike his grandson, he was actually a kind hearted person, like Maria. It wasn't until her death that he abandoned his original intentions for the Eclipse Cannon and decided to use it on the Earth.
Here is listed the robots and lifeforms and other things that Professor Gerald created.
Artificial Chaos
Artificial Chaos are Gerald's first noteworthy creations. They resemble
Chaos from
Sonic Adventure and are most likely modeled after him as Maria states that Gerald created them based on "a god of an ancient culture". The Artificial Chaos are made up of a core (the head) and trillions of nanobots that both protect the core and provide the body for it. When first created they began acting out and attacking the ARK, but Shadow soon stopped them. They were later fixed, and then adopted by the government to protect the ARK. In
Shadow the Hedgehog when the Black Arms invade the ARK, Doom's Eye calls the Artificial Chaos "the legacy of Gerald" and then announced that they belonged to the Black Arms now. They are several types of Artificial Chaos that are listed below.
Artificial Chaos P-1
These A.C., which are believed to be the first prototype of the series (hence the name), are tall, stationary, and are able to pull their head into its body to protect itself. They had the ability to cling to any surface and attacked using either a laser built into its head, long tendrill-like extensions from its body, or a combination of both.
Float Type Artificial Chaos
These ball-shaped A.C would float in mid air and wait for someone to come within range and then either attack with a powerful eye laser or two tendrill like extensions from its body.
Artificial Chaos P-100
This type of A.C, which are believed to be the final prototype for the A.C line (hence their name), have the ability to split up the nanobots that make up its body into dozens of smaller A.C-like robots called "Cells". This, however, left the head open to attack and easy to destroy. When the head was destroyed, all the Cells that it spawned would self-destruct. These are also believed to be the version that Shadow destroyed when they ran amok on the ARK.
Artificial Chaos Cell
When the A.C. P-100 splits its body up, the pieces turn into small blob-like cyborgs that are referred to as its "cells". In
Sonic Adventure 2, the cells would crawl on the ground and try to surround you, at which point they would start to self-destruct. In
Shadow the Hedgehog, they would emerge from the body of the P-100 when struck, would float around the body for a few seconds, and then re-merge with the head. The cells would all be destroyed when the head is taken out.
Biolizard
*
Main article: Biolizard
Prototype of the Ultimate Lifeform (In other words, Project Shadow, a prototype of Shadow). It is a gigantic powerful lizard that runs on a life support system. After Gerald went insane he created a program to activate the incarcerated Biolizard (along with making the ARK go on a crash course to Earth) when someone got all the Chaos Emeralds and put them in the Eclipse Cannon to get revenge on earth for shutting down the ARK, halting the research, killing Maria and capturing Shadow. The Biolizard was injured by Shadow, giving Sonic and Knuckles time to reach the shrine and put the Master Emerald on the podium, but it used Chaos Control to fuse to the ARK to become The Final Hazard. Shadow then teamed up with Sonic and, using their super forms and Chaos Control, defeated the Biolizard once and for all. However, Shadow fell to Earth when he exhausted his Super form and lost all his memories. Later in
Shadow the Hedgehog, after about ten minutes of battling Devil Doom, Dr. Eggman tells Shadow that when he fell to Earth one of his robots saved him.
Shadow the Hedgehog
*
Main article: Shadow the Hedgehog
Perhaps Gerald's most brilliant achievement, this was the finished result of Project Shadow, the Ultimate Lifeform with an unknown purpose. He has an uncanny resemblance to
Sonic the Hedgehog, most likely from Gerald's research of ancient echidnaean ruins. He couldn't have been copying Sonic as he wouldn't have been born yet, as was stated in the
Sonic Heroes instuction booklet, Sonic is 15 and Shadow is well over 50.
Shadow was
created with Black Doom, who
infused Shadow with his own blood ("the Ultimate Life Force"). Shadow is technically 55 years old, but has a physical age of about 15 years old because he was in stasis until awoken in Sonic Adventure 2.
The Space Colony ARK
*
Main article: Space colony ARK
The former home of Gerald, Maria, the commander of G.U.N, and various researchers/solders, where great research was performed. The entire place also works a life support system for Maria. While Gerald made inventions for the good of mankind (such as the Heal Unit), little known devices of mass destruction were being made (The Ultimate Lifeform and the Eclipse Cannon), mostly under the influence of Black Doom. Others who lived aboard the ARK were Shadow (who protected the ARK from danger until it was shut down), the Biolizard and Emerl (who was at one point transported to G.U.N's fortress). When Shadow failed to protect the ARK from an inside attack , the ARK was shut down. Many died (including Maria) and Gerald himself went insane. The ARK was at one point a temporary base for Eggman.
Heal Units
Portable devices that replenish health and is still used to this day by G.U.N. The Heal Unit may have inspired the creation of the Heal Cannon, a
Bazooka-like weapon that fires shots with the same healing capabilities. Maria Robotnik feels it's Gerald's greatest creation.
In SA2, Gerald had written a diary on his computer and put it on a disc. This is what he wrote:
"I don't quite know what happened or what went wrong. Was it a mistake to create the ultimate lifeform? I thought it would be something that would benefit mankind. But then the military guards landed on the colony that day. They were sent to destroy the research project that I had been working on. My colleagues at the research facility, my granddaughter, Maria, I hope you are all safe. The colony was completely shut down, probably to keep the prototype from falling into the wrong hands.The ARK was shut down under the premise that there had been an accident. I found Maria's name among those who died when the ARK was shut down. She meant everything to me and I couldn't bear the thought that she died because of my research. I lost everything. I had nothing more to live for...I went insane. All I could think about was to avenge her...somehow, someway. I got scared as I no longer was able to control my thoughts. All I could think about was that I wanted it all to end."Based on my original projections, I was able to complete my project: Shadow. I designed its mind to be perfect, pure. I will leave everything to him. If you wish, release and awaken it, to the world. If you wish to fill the world with destruction..."Eggman had read this before the story's events and then decided to free Shadow from the military base in order to conquer the world.
Dr. Gerald also had a journal, which was revealed in
Sonic Battle. It is shown when the characters' stories are finished again.
-
Entry #1"I have uncovered a most interesting specimen from the warehouse. I believe it is some sort of puppet or robot made by ancient people. At first, I didn't think anything of it, but when I was experimenting on a Chaos Emerald it began to move. This suggests the possibility that even the ancient civilizations could harness the power of the Chaos Emeralds.
When I was researching various papers related to the power of the Chaos Emeralds and this robot, I discovered that there was a possibility that this robot was something incredible. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but this robot may be the cause of the destruction of the Fourth Great Civilization. I'm not sure I believe it just yet, though.''"
-
Entry #2"I am no longer able to ignore the possibility that this robot did in fact destroy the Fourth Great Civilization. I have discovered a stone tablet that explains as much. According to the tablet, 'When the figure falls from the heavens, and the Stone of the Gods is joined, all that exists will become one again.' Though it is difficult to believe, this robot has been watching my movements, and mimicking all that I do.
I was amazed by my scans of this being. Surprisingly, reams and reams of data scrolled and caused my most powerful computer to crash. More intriguing was that the data was all about melee combat and weapons of that age. Eventually, if this being is ever restored to its former state, it will put all that data to use, and recreate all the weaponry and combat abilities that it once had... And that's not all. If my guesses are correct, it will also have the ability to absorb modern weaponry as well. What have I done? I have uncovered a horrible weapon.''"
-
Entry #3"I now understand why this being was named 'Gizoid'. In the ancient tongue, it meant 'everything'. According to the stone tablet, if the Gizoid establishes a 'link' with someone, the Gizoid will swear loyalty to that person. Perhaps it still lacks Chaos Emerald energy, but it has still been saying the word 'Link' to me in broken tones. It went on to explain, 'Show me your true strength and I shall obey. I am all things, and all shall belong to me.' So as it suggested, I brought before it my collection of model guns, and fired them all. Then, suddenly, it said, 'I shall follow your every command, and never leave your side.' And since then, it refuses to listen to anyone but me. While it still remains under my control, at least it won't be used for evil. However, if someone with evil intentions ever forms a 'Link' with the Gizoid... I don't even want to think about what will happen. I must research how one can re-establish a 'Link' with the Gizoid."
-
Entry #4 "The upper echeion is going crazy. Perhaps they aim to freeze Project 'Shadow'. Soon the ultimate life form, 'Shadow' will be completed... The application to my granddaughter is also innocent. I cannot just let them stop my study at this point. Because I am the only on who can save my granddaughter's life."
-
Entry #5"The higher-ups are threatening to shut down this research facility. I had no choice but to hand them the Gizoid to buy more time for my research. I tried to be careful and commanded it to never absorb any dangerous technologies. However, I have heard that other researchers have been makng the Gizoid absorb weapons. Apparently, the way to cause the Gizoid to form a new 'Link' is to show it power that surpasses any of its former master. While this poses immense danger, I cannot risk losing Maria."
-
Entry #6"My worst fears have come true. The Gizoid has absorbed enough weaponry and technology that it has started to go out of control. The resulting rampage resulted in the destruction of most of the Ark.
...I have deciphered the rest of the stone tablet. It says, 'When the Gizoid had all that could, it became a god of wrath, and all was destroyed.' The researchers somehow managed to subdue the Gizoid and sealed it away. Luckily, it only had one Chaos Emerald installed. If it were to have all 7 Emeralds installed, it might destroy the whole planet. The Gizoid is too much of a liability. I tried destroying its core, but nothing I did worked. I understand too little of the technology that built him. My best hope is to try and reprogram its AI into a free-willed, emotions-based AI...''"
-
Entry #7"I have heard there was an accident at the research facility... ... ... Everything...Everything is gone. My own Maria's name was among the list of casualties. My beloved granddaughter... They tell me her parting words were 'Bring hope to humanity.'
I have decided that the keyword to activate the Gizoid's free-willed emotions-based AI program will be those very words. 'Bring hope to all humanity.' My poor, poor Maria...''"
-
Entry #8"A heritage of the past I dug out, 'Gizoid'... And the ultimate life form I created with my own hands, Shadow... I have equipped both with a heart.
If all powers are not what is to be obtained for oneself, but what is to be born from hearts that yearn for someone, I believe all conflicts should cease to exist.
Please...If there is anyone listening to my prayers... bring hope to humanity."
*In Sonic Adventure 2, Gerald was played by
Marc Biagi, who also played
Espio the Chameleon.
*In Sonic X and Shadow the Hedgehog, Gerald is voiced by
Mike Pollock, who also plays Dr. Eggman.
*
Space Colony ARK*
Shadow the Hedgehog*
Black Doom*
Doctor Eggman*
Sonic Adventure 2*
Maria Robotnik
