Professor Gerald Robotnik

Evil-doer
Full Name	Gerald Robotnik
Alias	Professor Gerald Robotnik Professor Robotnik Professor Gerald The Professor (by Shadow) Grandfather (by Dr. Eggman and Maria)
Origin	Sonic Adventure 2
Occupation	Scientist Grandfather of Dr. Eggman and Maria Robotnik Creator of Shadow the Hedgehog and Biolizard
Powers / Skills	Advanced scientific knowledge High intellect
Hobby	Spending time with his granddaughter Maria. Researching. Inventing.
Goals	Create the Ultimate Lifeform (succeeded). Protect Earth from the Black Arms (posthumously succeeded). Avenge the death of his granddaughter Maria Robotnik by destroying Earth's human populace (failed).
Crimes	Attempted genocide
Type of Villain	Tragic Scientist

“	All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me, will feel my loss and despair!	„
	~ Gerald Robotnik's most famous quote.

Professor Gerald Robotnik is the posthumous overarching antagonist of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, appearing as the posthumous overarching antagonist of the 2001 video game Sonic Adventure 2 as well as the "Shadow Saga" of Sonic X. He also then appeared in Shadow the Hedgehog as a supporting character.

Gerald was a brilliant, but tragic scientist who once used his great intellect for good, but then plotted to destroy humanity as revenge for the death of his beloved granddaughter, Maria. He is the one who created the Biolizard, and one of the co-creators (alongside Black Doom) of Shadow the Hedgehog, both of whom attempted to complete Gerald's revenge on his behalf until the latter redeemed himself. He is also the grandfather of Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik, and the indirect cause of his turn to villainy.

He was voiced by the late Chikao Ōtsuka in the Japanese versions of the games, and in the English versions by Marc Biagi in Sonic Adventure 2 and Mike Pollock in Shadow the Hedgehog.

History

Biography

Long ago, Gerald Robotnik was a respected researcher, considered by many to be one of the greatest scientific minds in the world. At the personal request of the president, he was offered a position onboard the Space Colony ARK by the United Federation, who wished to create "The Ultimate Lifeform", a being that could live forever. The military hoped to use the discovery of an "immortality formula" for weapons research, but Gerald refused the offer, believing that they were crossing the moral boundaries of nature. However, upon discovering that his beloved granddaughter, Maria Robotnik, was terminally ill, he changed his mind and accepted the position, in the hopes that he could use the research to discover a cure for her disease. Many researchers did not believe the creation of the "Ultimate Lifeform" to be possible and named it project 'Project Shadow' due to its apparently unreachable goal, as well as the level of secrecy the project required. Gerald apparently liked the name, and it stuck.

Early Work

Professor Robotnik initially experimented on the legendary Chaos Emeralds and researched the results of applying Chaos Energy to living beings. The experiments proved successful and resulted in the creation of the Chaos Drives, which were used by the military as a power source for their robots. He also learned about the history of the Knuckles Clan and the destructive water being, Chaos. Fascinated by the legends, he created the Artificial Chaos series and even built the ARK's core like a shrine similar to the one on Angel Island in order to fully harness the power of the emeralds.

Progressing on the next stage of Project Shadow, Gerald began experimenting on lizards, due to their ability to regenerate limbs. The result was the prototype Biolizard. Initially showing all desired traits as it matured, the prototype required a life support system fueled by Chaos Drives in order to survive, and it lacked to strength to even walk, despite the strength in its tail and neck. Possessing the mind of a primitive animal, the Biolizard became more unruly and difficult to control as it continued growing. With no other choice, Gerald had to encapsulate the creature.

Later, Gerald also came across an ancient robot called a Gizoid and took it to the ARK, where it eventually went on a rampage that destroyed most of the space colony. After failing to destroy it, Gerald decided to program the robot with a "soul" similar to Maria's, so that it could become more than just a weapon.

Creation of Shadow

Following his recent failures, Professor Robotnik came at a roadblock in his research. However, he somehow came into contact with Black Doom, the supreme leader of a malevolent alien race known as the Black Arms, which inhabited the Black Comet that passes Earth every fifty years. Sensing Gerald's desperation to complete his research, Black Doom agreed to help him in his next attempt to create the ultimate lifeform, and in return, Gerald promised Doom that their creation would bring him all the Chaos Emeralds in the next five decades, despite not knowing what the alien lord would want with them. Using Black Doom's blood, Gerald was able to create a far more advanced being than the Biolizard: an anthropomorphic black hedgehog with red markings (the same colors as the Black Arms), whom the professor named after the project which resulted in his birth and considered a rousing success. Upon his birth, "Shadow" became like a son to him and a good friend to his granddaughter. He even aided them in containing a crisis where the Artificial Chaos series went on a rampage.

Sometime later, Gerald realized that Black Doom wanted the Chaos Emeralds in order to teleport the Black Comet into Earth's atmosphere to release a paralyzing neurotoxin on the planet's inhabitants, allowing the Black Arms to feed off them. Thus, Professor Robotnik secretly developed the Eclipse Cannon, a weapon powered by the Chaos Emeralds to be used to destroy the Black Comet the next time it visited Earth. Knowing that the government planned to shut down his research for his involvement with the Black Arms, as well as the destructive events caused by the Biolizard and the Gizoid, he also left a video for Shadow, instructing him to use the cannon to save the world.

Tragedy, Madness, and Death

As Gerald predicted, the government concluded that his experiments were far too dangerous for humanity, and sent G.U.N. to the ARK to neutralize them and everyone involved. Gerald managed to survive, but was immediately captured by the government and sent to Prison Island, where he was forced to continue his experiments under their control. The government then used him as a scapegoat, publicly declaring that the ARK had been shut down due to a devastating lab accident he had caused. G.U.N. later managed to retrieve Shadow's capsule, which was ejected from the ARK by Maria just before being shot by a G.U.N. soldier and sent him to Gerald.

When he discovered Maria's name among the casualties of the raid, Gerald was then stricken with grief over how his own research claimed the life of his beloved granddaughter, despite the fact that it was meant to save her. Losing all sanity as well as his will to live, Gerald began to lose control over his thoughts, with his mind being filled with ideas on how to destroy everything, which terrified him. These thoughts eventually consumed him and he became obsessed with exacting revenge on humanity for betraying him and his family. Scribbling calculations on the walls of his cell, he secretly created a program that would take control of the ARK and send it on a collision course with the Earth and destroy the planet once all the seven Chaos Emeralds were inserted into the Eclipse Cannon. He even altered Shadow's memories to make him believe that Maria's dying wish was a request for revenge, when in fact she wanted him to forgive and protect humanity.

The government feared that Gerald would soon retaliate and had him executed, but allowed the mad scientist to leave one final recording, in which he explained his plan for revenge.

Post-Mortem

Though Gerald's name fell into disgrace, his grandson, Ivo Robotnik, looked up to his grandfather as a hero and desired to emulate him by becoming a scientist himself. However, instead of using his genius to benefit mankind as Gerald did, he instead used it to become a supervillain and conquer the world (likely out of revenge for the government branding Gerald as a madman), though all of his attempts led to failure thanks to the interference of the fast-traveling hero, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Revenge from the Past

50 years after the tragedy aboard the ARK, Ivo Robotnik, now rechristened as "Dr. Eggman" by his mortal foe, somehow learned about Project Shadow and how the government sealed it away out of fear. Curious to see what his grandfather created, Eggman stormed Prison Island, where he found and awakened Shadow the Hedgehog from his cold slumber. Still reprogrammed by Gerald to seek revenge on humanity, Shadow instructed Eggman to meet him on the Space Colony ARK, where he introduced Gerald's descendant to the Eclipse Cannon, which Eggman planned to use to conquer the world. Their plot was joined by Rouge the Bat, a master jewel-thief who was also a government agent sent to spy on the evil doctor. When Sonic was arrested by G.U.N. for Shadow's crimes, he was taken to Prison Island and locked in the same cell that Gerald once was. This cell had many scribblings on its walls about Gerald's reprogramming of the ARK, which were noticed by Amy Rose when she broke Sonic out of prison.

Upon Eggman inserting the last Chaos Emerald into the Eclipse Cannon, Gerald's program finally activated, taking control of the ARK and hiding the Emeralds deep within it. Gerald's final recording was also broadcasted around the world, explaining his plan for revenge to all its inhabitants. However, Gerald's plan was opposed by Sonic, Eggman, and Rouge, as well as Tails the Fox and Knuckles the Echidna, by using Master Emerald to negate the power of the Chaos Emeralds. Upon remembering that Maria truly wanted for humanity, Shadow also helped by fighting off the Biolizard, which was programmed to guard the emeralds. When the Biolizard attempted to finish what Professor Gerald started by attaching itself to the ARK, Sonic and Shadow fought it off in their super forms, and then used Chaos Control to place the ARK back into orbit, thus foiling Gerald's revenge completely.

Black Arms' Return

Despite failing to get revenge on humanity for the death of Maria, Professor Gerald's plan to save it from the Black Arms did not end in such a way.

When the Black Comet returned to Earth 50 years after its last visit, the Black Arms launched a full-scale invasion of Earth. At the beginning of said invasion, Black Doom contacts Shadow, who currently had no memories of his past, to fulfill Professor Gerald's end of their bargain by collecting the Chaos Emeralds for him. Shadow, desiring the answers to his origins, decides to obey Doom for the time being. During his hunt for the Emeralds, Shadow was hounded by G.U.N. under orders by the Commander, who holds both Shadow and Gerald responsible for the deaths of Maria and everyone-else aboard the ARK because of their ties with the evil aliens ravaging the planet.

When Black Doom finally acquired the Chaos Emeralds and initiated his plan to devour the Earth's populace, Shadow attempts to stop him but was stopped by Doom's mind control. However, thanks to the meddling of Team Chaotix, he and the rest of the world see the recording of Gerald explaining the true purpose of the Eclipse Cannon and his desire for Shadow to defeat the Black Arms, which gives him the strength to resist Black Doom's control. After Super Shadow defeats Devil Doom and uses the Eclipse Cannon to destroy the Black Comet, both the Commander and the President admit that they were wrong about Professor Gerald, and decide to honor his memory by working toward a better future for humanity. Aboard the ARK, Shadow holds a picture of Gerald and Maria before tossing it aside, showing that he had finally put his past behind him.

Television

Prof. Gerald Robotnik also makes an appearance as the true antagonist in the Shadow Saga in the animated TV series Sonic X. His story is very similar to the story in Sonic Adventure 2, but with some differences. Some differences include; being unclear if Gerald Robotnik came in contact with Black Doom to create Shadow the Hedgehog.

Quotes

“	Gerald: "Shadow, my son. If you're listening to this, then the worst has happened. You need to know the truth. The government plans to shutdown this research facility. The government plans to cease all of my 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 50 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." Maria: "Don't worry, grandfather. Shadow and I will protect this planet. Right, Shadow?"	„
	~ Professor Gerald Robotnik's recorded message to Shadow instructing him to destroy the Black Arms and save humanity.

“	MARIA!	„
	~ Professor Gerald Robotnik to his late granddaughter Maria as he was taken away by G.U.N. officers.

“	I don't quite know what happened or what went wrong. Was it a mistake to create the ultimate life form? I thought it would be something that could benefit mankind. But then the military soldiers landed on the colony that day. They were sent to destroy the research project 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 it 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 else 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 it's 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.	„
	~ Professor Gerald Robotnik's diary.

“	Gerald: "This is a death sentence for every human being on Earth. If my calculations are correct, the Space Colony ARK will impact the Earth in 27 minutes and 53 seconds. All of you will be destroyed, along with your beloved planet Earth. I plan to give you a taste of my revenge once all the seven Chaos Emeralds are collected. Once I initiated this program, it cannot be disabled. All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me, will feel my loss and despair!" Unknown: "Is there anything else you want to say?" Gerald: "No." Unknown: "Ready!"	„
	~ Professor Gerald Robotnik's last recorded message to the world before his execution.

Gallery

Professor Robotnik

A photo of Gerald Robotnik with his granddaughter, Maria, in Sonic Adventure 2.

Gerald and Maria in Sonic X.

Professor Gerald's recording in Shadow the Hedgehog.

Professor Gerald in the Archie comics.

Gerald Robotnik explaining his plans in Sonic Adventure 2.

Gerald Robotnik explaining his plans in Sonic X.

Trivia

• In the photograph of him and Maria on Sonic Adventure 2, he was skinnier than his grandson. However, in the photograph of him and Maria on Shadow the Hedgehog, he is shown to be much bigger.
  • Also, his glasses on the photograph in Sonic Adventure 2 are smaller, but on Shadow the Hedgehog, they are bigger and take up nearly twice the space.
• There seems to be a continuity error involving Gerald. G.U.N. raided the ARK to either kill or imprison everyone on board. They somehow captured Shadow on Earth, but on the day of the raid, Gerald is imprisoned and stripped of all use of money and technology. This makes it impossible for him to record his motives in his diary, reprogram the ARK to fall to Earth, reprogram Shadow's brain to think he has to destroy the world or produce a 50-year-old video of his own execution.
  • It is most likely that during his stay on Prison Island, he was ordered to reprogram Shadow to be loyal to the government. But instead, he altered Shadow's memories to make him think that revenge was what Maria wanted and secretly stored the revenge program on his person, which he uploaded onto the ARK once he returned to it 50 years later.
• Gerald bears some similarities to Professor Hojo from Final Fantasy VII:
  • Both are brilliant scientists who delved into biology under the support of major organizations. (Or in Shinra's case, a corporation)
  • Both have created beings meant to be perfect (Shadow the Hedgehog and Sephiroth respectively) and are drawn from the blood of alien life forms. (Black Doom and Jenova)
  • Both have relatives that were crucial to their research: Maria Robotnik and Lucrecia Crescent.
• Otherwise, the two characters are massively different from each other:
  • Gerald's descent into madness was the result of his granddaughter's death, while Hojo was insane from the very beginning.
  • Gerald genuinely loved Maria and did everything he could to save her, while Hojo never showed such love towards Lucrecia. It is even implied that he married her only because of her appearance and intelligence.
  • Before going insane, Gerald legitimately wanted to use his scientific abilities to benefit mankind. Hojo only cared about his experiments and nothing else; viewing everyone around him as test subjects.
  • All in all, while Gerald was a Tragic Villain, Hojo was a Complete Monster.

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