


Shadow tells Eggman that for saving him, Shadow would grant one of Eggman's wishes.

At first he mistakes Shadow for Sonic, but them realizes that he is in fact another hedgehog altogether. After sneaking into the center of a highly fortified government base, Dr. Shadow made his first appearance in the videogame Sonic Adventure 2 for the Sega Dreamcast. Shadow made his first appearance in the videogame Sonic Adventure 2 and became Sonic's rival. Though just what exactly transpired is cloudy, what is known is that both Gerald and the escape pod that held Shadow were gathered by G.U.N., Shadow having to be put to sleep in a stasis capsule within Prison Island, and Gerald being incarcerated and charged with the crimes that happened aboard the ARK. Learning of his granddaughter's death, Professor Gerald soon went mad with grief, swearing vengeance on humanity for taking away the only thing that ever meant anything to him. soldiers storm into the lab, firing a shot which would forever change the hedgehog's life as it ended the life of Maria Robotnik. Wishing him goodbye, Shadow could do nothing as he watched the G.U.N. forces would be there at any moment, Maria convinced Shadow to enter an escape pod, her final wish to him that he give the people on the planet a chance to be happy. From there they went about doing damage control, shutting down everything, getting everyone off the ARK, and killing those who resisted if need be. Immediately they went after the Biolizard, which they thought was the successful "Project Shadow" prototype, and in the process of putting the creature into stasis, lost quite a few soldiers. troops descended onto the ARK, causing chaos and confusion wherever they went.

What happened next was nothing short of madness, as G.U.N. Afraid of the implications, it was decided to launch an invasion and put a stop to the work being done there. As ties between the ARK and the United Federation had already been strained, hearing the news of the dealings with an alien race scared those in charge. During the meeting between Gerald and the Black Arms, one of the other children aboard the ARK had accidentally seen what transpired and reported back to those in charge. how he was able to create the successful prototype. However, Gerald's progress was ruined when it was leaked to G.U.N. Gerald, meanwhile, made precautions for the return of the Black Arms, ensuring that the Eclipse Cannon - an extremely powerful laser built into the ARK - was compatible with the seven Chaos Emeralds, so that when they did return with the Black Comet, humanity would be able to defend itself instead of bowing to their whims. Once brought to life, Shadow immediately befriended Maria, and they became close during their short time together. Knowing that the Black Arms' intentions were less than desirable, Gerald made the deal regardless, albeit with preparations to defeat the Black Arms with the cannon built into the ARK, and was able to successfully create Shadow the Hedgehog. He offered his blood - which ended up being the key to perfect the ultimate lifeform - in exchange for the seven Chaos Emeralds, which he would collect the next time he passed through. Its leader, Black Doom, offered to assist Gerald in his quest. Without alerting anyone, Gerald decided to plea to the stars for help, contacting the Black Arms race, an alien civilization that lived upon the Black Comet, a celestial object that passed near the planet every 50 years. Going against his worries of stepping into territory man had no business playing with, the professor immediately began work, hoping that he could apply any newly gained knowledge to find a cure to N.I.D.S.Įven with the resources at his disposal, Professor Gerald was unable to make significant progress. Suffering from the incurable disease Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Maria only had a short time left to live, and Gerald was willing to do whatever it took to save her life. While Gerald had initial misgivings to the purpose of the research he was assigned to, he realized that his results might be able to save his granddaughter, Maria. Led by Professor Gerald Robotnik, it was a government-sanctioned initiative to create "The Ultimate Lifeform," an immortal being that could be used for the benefit of the nation, likely in a militaristic fashion. 50 years before the events of Sonic Adventure 2, a top-secret project known as "Project Shadow" had begun on the Space Colony ARK.
