(This story was mostly inspired by me seeing some clips of Eggman/Robotnik's character in the Sonic The Hedgehog movie. And you know? Something honestly clicked with me. Not enough to spend money to see the movie, but what they did was actually pretty cool. Because in the movie, Robotnik doesn't start off as the bad guy we know today. But rather, they show him gradually evolving into that role like Simon Petrikov from Adventure Time. And I really like that! It adds some much needed depth to a character who has little to no backstory. So I thought I'd expand on this idea in a story of my own, making up some history for the Eggman from the games. So with that rant over, let's dive into it.)
Ivo Robotnik was born to a mostly normal family, on the planet Mobius. He grew up as any other child would, having a natural fondness for tasks involving creativity, or construction. But like most children, it was when he arrived at school that he deviated from the norm. While the other kids would be out playing in recess, Ivo spent his time inside. Nature was boring to him, and being out in the heat seemed like more of a chore than anything. Besides, he had everything he needed inside to make him happy. He liked to use the building blocks to make something nice, like towers, or other kinds of structures. Then, when the other kids came back, they'd all be impressed by what he made. And this recognition made him feel great about himself. Little did he know, that this good natured sentiment would turn sour later in his life. Ivo endeavored to get a perfect grade on all of his tests, accepting nothing less than an A. And his commitment to his studies won him gold stars, and honors all around. But it wasn't long before such attention started going to his head.
He started becoming a snob, being quick to chastise his fellow students on their lack of academic success whenever the teacher was too far away to overhear him. But as everyone knows, kids are terrible at lying, and so it was only a matter of time before he got caught. Being brought down to earth by the teacher struck his ego hard enough to tell him there was still much more to learn than just schoolwork. So to try and make amends, Ivo became a teacher's pet. Ratting out the other students when they did something wrong, and being a stickler for the rules. And while this did in part help him sweep his earlier transgressions under the rug, it also made his classmates dislike him. And so no one ever complimented him on his crafts. Telling Robotnik that, once again, there was some piece of this puzzle that he hadn't yet deciphered.
And so he internalized what could possibly make people dislike him. Unfortunately, he came to the wrong conclusion. He believed that by not taking part in the physical aspects of school, that he was breaking some kind of unspoken code. It didn't bring him much pleasure to step into unfamiliar territory, but if he was gonna restore his reputation, it was a necessary evil. And so he crossed the other side of the border, and tried to fit in with the others. But his impatience proved to be a huge buffer between him and the other students. In order to get the results he wanted, he eagerly insisted in participating in whatever activity happened to catch his eye. And though well intentioned, his approach at socializing came off as a tad... overbearing. This, combined with his already established infamy made his peers sick of him very quickly. So, at a dead end in his logic, he went to the one person he found worthy of giving him advice: his teacher.
The teacher explained to him that he should simply try being nice to them, and doing the stuff they like with them. Sound advice, but from his perspective, Ivo telling on them was his way of being nice. As he thought that it'd help them do better in the future. So he decided to latch onto that second half of his teacher's words. So he tried out a few games with them, like tag, or sports. But each and every time, he was reminded by his losses that this wasn't his area of expertise. And like some sort of cycle of spite, his competitors would take the opportunity to mock him for losing. By the time he made it to the 5th grade, Robotnik had endured his fair share of unnecessary cruelty from kids that just didn't know any better. It was long past the point of being karma, and becoming a strong case of bullying.
At this point, Ivo had had enough of trying to do things their way. All that it was doing for him was earning him sass, and ridicule. And at times, it felt straight up unfair, because schools in Mobius happened to teach humans and animals. And more than a few species of animals had a leg up on humans in physical prowess. So he ultimately chose to return to the basics. Perfecting the skills he was actually good at, like building and learning. Making friends felt like a waste of time to him, considering he hadn't had a good experience with people his age in a long time. His lack of exercise from that point forward would lead to his gut becoming more pronounced as the years went on. Something that would go on to earn him the nickname, "Eggman". But after a while of trying to discourage the insult, he eventually started adapting it into his persona. Because after all, if someone brandishing such a silly name could win out over his peers, that would only make the day he proved his worth even sweeter.
It was middle school. Ivo had gotten used to his low social status, but it by no means meant that he was gonna let it stay that way. One day in his science class, he managed to see a name in the textbook that would change his life forever: Gerald Robotnik. His grandfather. He asked his teacher about him, but he couldn't think of much off the top of his head. Encouraging Ivo to do some research on the matter himself, if he wanted. And that's precisely what he did. He was able to find a documentary regarding Gerald's accomplishments on the internet. That said, he also uncovered how his life came to an end. He had, of course, known that Gerald was dead. But he assumed it was from old age. Despite the sour conclusion to Gerald's story, Ivo found himself inspired by his grandfather's legacy. Right up until the incident on the ARK, he was renowned as a genius! He put himself on the map! And yet now, his name was barely even known by the average joe!? No way for such a great man to be treated by history.
From this, Ivo had found the horizon he wanted to reach for. He wanted to be the new face of the scientific Industry, and to revive the good name of his family. It's at this point that a rift started to form between him and his parents. His father was a mechanic, and his mother was ballet instructor. Compared to Gerald, they were one giant conglomerate of wasted potential. They have the capacity for greatness, and yet throw it all away, in pursuit of a life shrouded in obscurity. This perfectly coincided with the "moody teenager" phase everyone goes through, so his parents shrugged it off as something that would pass. Ivo promptly signed up for his robotics club at school. Feeling like he's finally found his place in the world. And indeed, the world of robotics came easily to him. Something he was eager to rub in the faces of his classmates, even though they didn't care in the slightest. Furthermore, Robotnik started sinking deeper into his misanthropic mindset, as his robots became more and more complex. Robots did what they were told. They don't question, they don't complain. And they know their place in the world: to serve. It was something Ivo particularly liked about his chosen field.
He felt so good about himself, that he took a second try at expanding to new horizons. But he'd definitely need a plan of sorts, if he was ever gonna try out sports again. And the answer came readily to mind. Suiting up in a robotic exoskeleton, he proceeded to challenge the entirety of the school's track team to a foot race, and unsurprisingly embarrassed them with his technological advantages. But also unsurprisingly, they all heckled him for cheating. Something he denied, believing that if they were smart enough to build things like him, that they would stand a chance. Feeling there was no point in even continuing to dominate his competition physically, (unless in PE), he spent the majority of his free time tinkering away in his garage. By the time he made it to high school, his future seemed set in stone. His grades were unchallenged, and he mastered every honors class he took. He even chose the college he wanted to go to: the Robot Instintute of Technology. The best university in the country for his chosen craft.
All through high school, he was feeling pretty comfortable regarding where he was heading. And many of the people who had tormented him in the past, either failed to get this far, or were sent off to another school. As luck would have it, around his 10th grade year, his school was holding a science fair. And college representatives would be attending the event, looking for talented students. This was EXACTLY the thing Robotnik wanted: a chance to cement his place in the annals of history. He worked tirelessly in his garage, which he insisted was his lab to anyone who asked. Day and night, he sought to create something so incredible that everyone would want the chance to interview him. All the while, his relationship with his family had all but deteriorated as he didn't even try to hide his disappointment in their underwhelming career choices. And though they tried, desperately to reach the misunderstood little boy that was somewhere in him, when enough time passed, and that boy showed no signs of resurfacing, they just gave up. The household becoming very quiet, as no one talked to one another anymore.
But Ivo hardly even noticed. He had more important matters to deal with. From the many times he had read up on Gerald's findings when in need of a new perspective, he saw one reoccurring theme that from his perspective, held Gerald back. There were times where he could've become an even greater scientist, but his ambitions were denied because of a bunch of vocal tree huggers. Progress was the way to the future. To a better world. But no. Some overly sensitive people just can't sacrifice a bit of lumber, or handle a smidge more air pollution. Ivo didn't believe in climate change. Not because he thought it was groundless, but because he ultimately didn't care one way or another. If you stop on the road to think about all the ants you've squashed on the way, you'll never get to your destination, right? But anyway, barely taking the time to sleep, Ivo's creation was at last finished. He slept soundly that night, more than ready for what was to come.
The science fair was here. Robotnik was excitedly standing at his booth, anticipating one of the attendees to come over. His parents didn't drive him there. Not even wanting to look at the thing they had brought into the world. But it was just a minor inconvenience for our future Eggman. Even before the science fair, he had made a flying machine called the egg-o-matic. Something he used to make his esteemed entrance that night. Flying was so convenient to driving. Don't have to worry about traffic, and it happens to be a pretty swanky ride. Soon enough, a group of college execs walked up to him, and inquired about his invention. And Ivo happily explained to them what it was. It was called the Egg Robo. A complex spherical robot capable of near-human levels of movement. He was planning for it to be used for security purposes. You know, replacing security guards at malls, and such. They're bulletproof, capable of recognizing a threat on its own, and is even immune to EMP's, thanks to not being powered by electricity.
Needless to say, he had suitably impressed the crowd before him. But then came a question he was dreading they'd ask. If it doesn't run on electricity, what does power it? Though he tried his hardest to avoid answering the question, suspicion started to arise when the crowd heard some sort of clanging coming from inside the robot. Again, he tried to keep them from touching the robot, even trying to physically block people from getting close. But it was too late, as one of them had opened a hatch in the robot's chest to reveal a bunny, strapped to the robot with wires, and banging on the metal with its ears to get free. Everyone who saw the bizarre sight was horrified! When thinking of what to power his robot with, Ivo decided it should probably be something that is won't lose its charge over time. And as it happens, there were plenty of rabbits where he lived... certainly no one would mind if one or two go missing. After all, if the social order of his school life has taught him anything, the world doesn't care about what happens to life on the bottom rung. Why should he be any different?
It wasn't long until the police were called. Robotnik was subdued by the attendees until they arrived. He was sued for animal cruelty, forced to do community service, and worst of all, the incident went on his permanent record. His future had just gone up in smoke in the blink of an eye! And even if it doesn't affect his education, he could never let go of that one failure. It was humiliating, it was degrading. Even if he does become a second Einstein, that stain on his reputation will never go away. And given how the media tends to dig up any dirt they can find on famous people, it will no doubt haunt him no matter what...
Unless...
It was a long shot. It really was. But there was still one way he could secure his place as a notable figure in the world. One way to keep hold of the praise and attention he craved. He was tired of people having a choice in the matter. So why give them a choice at all? When he first started following this train of thought, he started laughing out loud. Of course! It was so simple, and yet solved all his problems effortlessly! He would take over the world. They could've had him as a scientist. They really could have. But if the world wants to deny him so badly, he's gonna show the world a lesson or two. And then HE'LL be the one calling the shots. Heck, maybe he can even write the history books to portray him as generously as he likes. Why, that would be something even Gerald himself couldn't do! He made up his mind. If the world wanted the Eggman, they would get him.
He dropped out of school, and went off on his own. Not even remembering to tell his parents goodbye. From there, he became a freelancing scientist. Working to secure the funds he needed for his schemes however he could. And as it would have it, there were plenty of crooked companies happy to have him on board. But while they thought they were using Eggman only to cast him aside later, the exact opposite was true. After worming his way into a favorable position, Eggman used his mechanical might to threaten his superiors into handing the reigns to him. Something they begrudgingly did. Soon enough, Eggman had all the money he could need. And while he was out, playing this game of chess with the underhanded world of business, he found his plan for world domination. The chaos emeralds. Believed to be a myth at the time, he was able to track down an informant about their location. Seven mystical gems that housed an almost limitless well of power. It was too good of an opportunity to dare passing up!
So Eggman built his lab in the nature-rich land where the chaos emeralds resides. And from there, he got to work at terraforming. He had a factory pumping out robots for his cause. And those same robots would capture more animals to turn into more robots. Nothing was safe in this once lush paradise from his genius! And soon enough, the chaos emeralds would be all his for the taking. And with them, the world would follow. However, his prolonged isolation from human society outside of his shady dealings had taken a toll on his sanity. Driving him somewhat insane. This was perhaps a factor in his creation of two robotic helpers of his: Orbot and Cubot. Orbot was built to simply do small tasks for him that Eggman himself felt was beneath him. And Cubot...? Well, Cubot was made simply to feed Eggman's need to feel smarter than someone. When Eggman found his first chaos emerald, the exposure to its incredible power resulted in his hair falling out, as well as giving him incredible running speed, that would slowly wear off over the course of his life. But his mustache remained intact.
Everything was going according to plan. It was only a matter of time before everything he ever wanted would belong to him... However, he did not count on catching the attention of a certain blue hedgehog.
It's hard to say whether or not Eggman's fate was his fault, or not. On one hand, he was a victim of circumstance, and misunderstanding. And on the other, he did make a series of poor decisions that lead to his downfall. And to this day, Sonic and his friends have no clue about how Ivo ended up becoming the Eggman. In all likelihood, they never will. And his parents would be ashamed, if they saw what he's become. Ironically, Eggman had become more of a machine than the very robots he was constructing. Unable to understand what it means to be human. But somewhere, deep down underneath the goofy behavior, and the walrus gut, there still remains a trace... of who he used to be.
(The song "Where Evil Grows" plays)