- "It's... remarkable. Astounding. That's my genius grandino!"
- ―Doctor Eggman to Gerald Robotnik[src]
The Space Colony ARK[1] was a space station designed by Gerald Robotnik as part of his revenge plot.
History[]
Creation[]
Gerald Robotnik completes sketches of the Space Colony ARK
- "I must hand it to G.U.N. They built her to my exact specifications."
- ―Gerald Robotnik to Doctor Eggman[src]
To secure his freedom, Gerald Robotnik struck a deal with the leaders of G.U.N., offering to create the Eclipse Cannon, a powerful weapon capable of targeting a wide radius, connected to a space station. While sketching designs on his cell walls, Robotnik intentionally integrated elements of his revenge plot against humanity for the tragic accident that claimed his granddaughter, Maria Robotnik.
Once his designs were complete, Robotnik gained his independence. G.U.N. constructed the station, unaware of Robotnik's true sinister intentions.[2]
Shadow and Gerald Robotnik's Revenge Plot[]
Infiltration into G.U.N. Headquarters[]
The ARK emerges from the River Thames
- "Welcome to my masterpiece."
- ―Gerald Robotnik to Doctor Eggman[src]
In 2024, Robotnik, allied with his grandson, Doctor Eggman, and Shadow the Hedgehog, obtained the final Eclipse Cannon keycard to activate the Eclipse Cannon. They were transported by Shadow to the Space Colony ARK, leaving Robotnik impressed as he praised the station's design. Eggman admired the craftsmanship as well but was even more astonished when Robotnik unveiled his new nanosuits. Despite warnings from his assistant, Stone, Eggman obeyed Robotnik's orders and activated the ARK using the keycard. The station emerged from the River Thames and transported Team Robotnik into space to execute the final phase of Robotnik's plot.
Shadow the Hedgehog energizes the core of the ARK
As the cannon deployed, Shadow gazed at Earth from the station, reflecting on his actions. He questioned Robotnik, asking if destroying the planet was truly the best way to honor Maria's memory. However, Robotnik, exploiting Shadow's emotions, convinced him that humanity must pay for the accident. This manipulation fueled Shadow’s desire for revenge, driving him to run around the ARK to energize its core with his Chaos Energy and prepare the cannon to fire at the planet, as the ARK revealed its structure, resembling Robotnik's face.
As the weapon continued charging, Robotnik explained to Eggman while walking through the ARK that once the cannon was fully energized, they could destroy the planet, killing themselves along with it. Eggman rejected the idea, proposing instead to use their intellect to rule humanity. This enraged Robotnik, who scolded Eggman with disdain, expressing his deep hatred for humans. His harsh words shattered Eggman’s feelings, as Robotnik revealed he had merely used him as a pawn in his plot, even comparing him unfavorably to Maria. Shadow successfully powered the cannon, much to Robotnik's satisfaction. Seizing the moment, Robotnik activated a countdown timer on the ARK, giving it 10 minutes before the cannon weapon would fire.[2]
Battle for Earth[]
- "The reactor core is overloading. It's only a matter of time before it blows."
"So, what does that mean for Earth?"
"A radioactive atmosphere. Rain that kills the crops and melts your flesh. Other than that..."
"We're not done here. You try to stabilize the reactor. Buy me some time. I'll push the station away from Earth before it explodes. This is our last chance, to do the right thing." - ―Doctor Eggman and Super Shadow[src]
Suddenly, Shadow and Robotnik noticed something approaching the ARK. To their surprise, it was Super Sonic, who swiftly shattered a window of the ship and launched himself at Shadow, seeking revenge for seriously injuring Tom Wachowski. After closing the hatch, Robotnik and Eggman tried to watch the duel between the two hedgehogs. However, angered by his grandfather's insults, Eggman betrayed Robotnik and headed to the ARK's command center to stop the cannon. This led to a conflict between them, with both using the nanobots in their suits to battle one another.
When Super Sonic and Super Shadow teamed up to stop the cannon, Robotnik became disappointed by Shadow's betrayal and deployed a horde of Gun Hunters from the ARK, which were swiftly destroyed by the duo. Robotnik confronted Eggman, who was hanging from a railing on the ARK, and mercilessly threw him into space by opening a hatch. However, Tails and Knuckles the Echidna opened a ring portal, saving Eggman. They transported back to the ARK and launched Robotnik into the air with one of Sonic's quills, disintegrating him in the field of Chaos Energy. As the cannon fired, Super Sonic and Super Shadow stopped the laser, while Tails, Eggman, and Knuckles diverted its trajectory from the ARK, successfully saving the Earth. However, their efforts caused a large portion of the Moon to be severed.
Eggman stabilizes the ARK's core before its explosion
Suddenly, Tails and Knuckles noticed that Sonic lost his transformation, and they quickly made a hole in the ARK to dive in and rescue him. Since the cannon had not fired at the planet, the core of the ARK overloaded, and if it exploded, it would cause a radioactive atmosphere harmful to humanity. This concerned Super Shadow, who ordered Eggman to stabilize the explosion while he moved the station away. Super Shadow removed his limiter rings to push the ARK, with Eggman managing to delay the explosion for a while. Taking advantage of this, Eggman made one final livestream to say goodbye to Stone. Successfully, Super Shadow and Eggman sacrificed themselves, seemingly perishing as they managed to move the ARK away, which eventually exploded in a spectacular display visible from the planet. However, Shadow survived and made his way back to Earth.[2]
Trivia[]
- In the video game series, the Space Colony ARK is a space station on which Gerald Robotnik worked on Project Shadow. The station was raided by the Guardian Units of Nations after said project was deemed a hazard, which led to the death of Maria Robotnik and Shadow the Hedgehog's imprisonment on Prison Island.
References[]
