#robotropolis

[archiesoniconline]

Sonictober 2024 Day 6! Theme: Honesty. "Geoffrey St. John..."? "Late of His Majesty's Secret Service..."? "Current Leader of the Rebel Underground..."? Well technically he didn't tell a single fib there...

Art by Hollie

[radiodormouse]

[atwas-gaming]

This is the best scene in Archie yet!

[fowlfish]

Good ol' Snively from Sonic Satam (and the Archie Sonic comics).

I tend to like lackey characters, and big dynamic cartoony shapes I can do for a character's nose are always a plus. So naturally this little guy grabbed my attention!

[chrismas95]

The Machine City in The Matrix

[boobachu]

How I feel this new year's

[murdercide626]

Exactly! Robotropolis was definitely based on Scrap Brain Zone. They're both dreary, polluted, mechanized city hellscapes that act as Robotnik's base of operations in their respective media.

Some of the interior shots, such as Robotnik's control room, even have that sickly green color from Act 2.

Then there's the other elements the show shares with the games, aside from the obvious green aesop, such as ancient ruins, mystical artifacts, time travel, and even interdimensional travel.

There's even an episode focusing heavily on a floating land mass with ruins from a long lost civilization which holds magical stones watched over by a guardian.

Sure the show isn't a perfect 1 to 1 adaptation, but the influence is clearly there and utilized well to serve the story.

Idunno if I can really buy the whole "SATAM is Sonic in name only!" shtick.

like...????

Robotropolis is basically just a glorified Scrap Brain Zone. :V

[plutonify]

Just had an epiphany

[ganymedesclock]

Hello! I hope your week has been kind to you. May I inquire of your thoughts about IDW Eggman written by Ian Flynn? I noticed his reference in one of your posts, and i would like to know how you feel about the direction Ian is taking the Sonic characters in in the Sonic franchise. I would also like to know what you think about Surge and Kit, the product of Dr. Starline's unethical experimentations. Mimic, the traitorous mercenary as well if you don't mind. Remind yourself to eat your meals regularly and to maintain a limber body!

I admittedly haven't gotten to sink my teeth in IDW- I'm currently following through @thankskenpenders' take on archie which I would like to finish before I start that. What I have seen is promising, but I don't consider myself educated to speak on those characters. I think Surge, Kit, and Mimic have very fun designs and seem to have a lot of potential, and I love the way the former two (and Starline himself) are nods to classic glitches.

As far as IDW Eggman, as I've said, I'm very interested in what Flynn and Stanley do with him! They're definitely a bit darker than I've always liked my take on Eggman- my formative Sonic game was Sonic Adventure 2, which featured Eggman as a protagonist in his own right, albeit a "dark" one. I've always liked the idea of him as half-honorable, and it's a balancing act to frame that with just how brutal and ruthless he can be. But I've grown to be fond of that- I think half-honorability stands out a little more when the other half is that... coldly efficient.

As I said in the post, I think it's interesting to take Eggman as someone who may have had noble intentions as a 'fixer' once but who's gone a good few strides further than that. In a warped way, he always 'helps'- but you may not appreciate his help. I think that plays well with him as a manipulator and a trickster who tends to play people against each other for his own profit and amusement- if he's always harmless or always terrifying that's a potentially fine character (there's much I like about SatAM Robotnik after all!) but it doesn't really hit me as Eggman in the same way.

Almost everything I've gleaned secondhand about the Mr. Tinker arc is fascinating to me because of that. Especially the way Sonic confronts Eggman afterwards, and makes it clear he isn't opposed to Eggman regaining his memory (Sonic is not someone who likes to take power or options away from even his worst enemies) but upset that Eggman threw away everything he had as Mr. Tinker, to which Eggman replies, almost wistfully, that that kind of life was "peaceful"- but he's got bigger fish to fry.

As I said in a previous post, at the end of the day, Eggman's meant a lot of things to a lot of people, and while I'll always have my own takes on the Sonic cast, the biggest thing I can hope for is that new versions of the story will experiment further. That willingness to try new things boldly is, in my opinion, one of the things that's kept the Sonic franchise as youthfully full of vitality as it is. I can't really find it in my heart to hate any version of Eggman- they've all got something going for them, from the silly to the horrifying to the aforementioned half-honorable to the completely vile.

[ramblingsonic]

Okay, so I guess the prior mentioned radiation poisoning is just from the city itself- I mean, Mecha Madness did nuke the place after all, so I guess it'd make sense some of that would linger in the sewers and underground (either that, or Eggman's started dumping waste underground and such). I guess that might also be why Kodos was so stupid with his whole "I wont need anyone" shit, when Arachnis was still actively working with him (that is to say: brain damage is a good excuse for stupid and arguably out of character behavior. I understand TF2 fans are familiar with that copout retcon explanation).

Anyway, what you thinkin' Nate, hmm???

[ftwkcomic]

The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog #2 page 10

Sally being the best wing-gal she can be. c: Portfolio: https://ftwkcomicbooks.myportfolio.com Discord: https://discord.gg/TQUA26Naj8

Socials and comms info https://ftwkcomic.carrd.co/

[happyfoxx-art]

Continuing to set up my Underground AU :)

Meet Manic. A lifelong resident of Robotropolis, he grew up under the care of the man who can get you anything(legal or not)- Farrell. He's a talented drummer and is wildly charming, everyone in town likes Manic. He's also stacked his slight-of-hand stats, he'll rob you blind and you won't notice till it's too late.

Manic is an empath. He uses that ability to choose his targets and almost never gets caught- lulling people into trusting him with his pull. He also grew up best friends with Amy Rose, and tends to lurk around her fortune reading stall to keep an eye on her.

His involvement with the Freedom Fighters starts and ends with the black market, providing supplies for them if they have the cash to pay. That will, much to his chagrin, be changing soon.

Original sketch of him under the cut :)

[radiantrookie]

SEGA Mandates explained with their exceptions (Old)

Edit: (Plan on remaking this with a better format and sources, along with ones I missed)

Edit 2: Here's the New One

Game characters cannot have family members unless they were established in the game canon (Because Archie went overboard).

Game characters cannot be killed off.

Sonic cannot cry or get too emotional.

Exception: Sonic Prime didn't follow this rule despite being canon.

The terms Mobius and Mobians are banned, during the early 2010s, Earth was called "Sonic's World" because they wanted to appeal to 90s Boomers who hate Sonic living on Earth without calling it Mobius, it died down later though.

Exception: Ian Flynn has stated SEGA recanonized Sonic Spinball, which takes place in Mobius, so it exists somewhere in game canon, Veg-O-Fortress even has a cameo in Sonic Origins, Ian also stated Spinball takes place in between Sonic 3 and Knuckles and Sonic 3D Blast.

The heroes must always win at the end.

Characters and elements from Non Canon media cannot be used, Cosmo and the Metarex were potentially allowed to appear but according Ian Flynn, they're off the table now, the Metal Virus serves as a replacement for Robotization, Eggperial City serves as a replacement for Robotropolis, Restoration serves as a replacment for the Freedom Fighters.

Exceptions:

Sonic liking Chili Dogs (90s Cartoons)

Eggman's "I hate that Hedgehog!" and "Snooping as usual" lines (Aosth)

Scratch and Grounder appear in Eggman's livestream in one of the covers for IDW 40

Sonic's "Let's do it, to it" line (Satam)

Sonic being referred to as the "Fastest thing alive" (Satam)

Sonic Spinball being canon again, somwhat canonizes Sally, Bunnie, Rotor, Muttski and Scratch, Ian Flynn has clarified they're just cameos for now but could be a backdoor to make them canon if SEGA chooses to (Aosth, Satam, Archie)

In one of the covers for IDW 31, Storm's mugshot mentions he was arrested by the Knothole Village Police (Satam, Archie)

Tails being afraid of lightning (OVA)

Knuckles's cowboy hat (OVA)

Vector's crush on Vanilla (Sonic X)

Cream's favorite show, the NEXT Show (Sonic X)

The Chaotix Office building appears in the Sonic Channel Comics (Sonic X)

Sticks the Badger appears in the Sonic Channel Comics and is mentioned in English Sonic Frontiers (Sonic Boom)

The Eggnet has been canonized in both IDW and the Games (Archie)

The GUN Commander's name, Abraham Tower (Archie)

Bark being mute (Archie)

Bean and Bark working with Fang as a trio, Sonic even calls them the Hooligans (Archie)

Sally and Bunnie cameo in one of the Sonic Forces prequel comics with their Archie designs (Archie)

Shadow's Chaos Spear being shaped like an actual spear that he can throw or use as a melee weapon (Archie)

Badniks from Sonic Mega Drive appear in Classic IDW (Archie)

The term, Super Badnik (Archie)

Male characters that aren't humans, can't wear pants.

Exception: Tails Nine is allowed to wear pants.

Classic Era characters aren't allowed to appear in Modern Era and vice versa, during the 2010s there was the Two Dimensions retcon because of it, however they later removed it, Team Chaotix are also not allowed to appear in Classic because they considered Sonic Heroes to be their first appearance, however Knuckles Chaotix was recanonized in Tailstube, in the same episode, they acknowledge Mighty, Ray and Fang's Gang and teased a Modern Trip, recently, SEGA is considering retiring Classic Sonic after the disappointment of Sonic Superstars.

Exception: a Classic Froggy appears in various Sonic PICT artwork

Only one Metal Sonic is allowed, not multiple (They must really dislike Shard and Metallix)

Exceptions:

Metal Sonic 3.0 from Sonic Rivals 2

Chaos Sonic and Grim Sonic from Sonic Prime were allowed

Shadow: He has the most guidelines out of any character, most of them come from SEGA wanting Shadow to remain an Anti-Hero and not be too heroic, however SEGA has easied up on these with Shadow Generations

Knuckles: Knuckles is the only Echidna and only resident of Angel Island besides Chao and Baby Animals, (Ken Penders lol), Knuckles is also not allowed leave Angel Island without a reason now, prolly due to critiques with games like Heroes

Silver: Silver's Future is off limits, only SEGA can explore that, if they ever choose to

Super Forms: Male hedgehogs are the only ones allowed to go Super, this has been changed with Sonic Superstars and Otherworld Comedy.

Humans: Due to complaints from 90s Boomers, Humans besides Eggman weren't allowed until Shadow Generations

Romance: Characters can have crushes but they can't date or get married.

Money: Only Team Chaotix can talk about money

Rings: Ian Flynn was told Rings were no longer canon, however Rings appear in Sonic Prime and cutscenes in The Final Horizon, which Ian didn't know about

Special Stages: No longer canon and Fang's bio of living in the Special Stages is retconned

Off Limits Characters: These characters can only be used by SEGA/Sonic Team only:

Eggman Nega

Black Doom

Solaris (Mephiles and Iblis)

Infinite

[milolunde]

Triplets Born

Like most things, I started rewatching Sonic Underground for fun and nostalgia and ended up making a version of it for myself in my head. However, UNLIKE most things, I felt I needed to draw it immediately instead of keeping it in my head.

Welcome to the stage Sonic Subternion

There was a time when Robotroplis was beautiful, full of life and peace, a time when it was known as Mobotroplis. Mobians were free to take part in the glory the queendom had to offer. They were free to take charge of their future, build a home, explore the world. But, just after my children were born the evil Doctor Robotnik used his technology to turn our world into a place of terror. Capturing the great realm of Mobotroplis, Doctor Robotnik and his machines turned our paradise into a prison of concrete and metal. 

As the source of Robotnik’s wealth, the aristocrats were left to play their tea parties and lavish masquerades, dooming my people to mechanical graves of servitude. Refusing to bend to Robotnik’s terror, he stripped me of my right as Queen, placing a bounty on my head… and the heads of my infant babies. Imprisoned in my own home, unable to aid my beloved queendom, I was left with a choice: Submit and forfeit Mobotroplis, or forfeit the life of my family. When all hope was lost, the Oracle of Delphius revealed to me a prophecy…

You must give up your children, separate, hide them from the evil that seeks their demise. Someday, you will reunite and overthrow Robotnik as the Lost Council of Four. But you must not act too soon. Cement your place in this destiny, for revealing yourself too soon will plunge your world into catastrophe. 

To give up my babies, to leave my queendom to the hands of Robotnik, then stand idle for years while the prophecy became realized. The Oracle laid before me a destiny where my worst fears were set in stone. Without a choice, I took my babies, smuggled myself and them out of the prison that was meant to be our palace home, and left them on the doorsteps to their true destinies… then fled.

Sonia “Sophia” Windermere

On the steps of House Windermere, Queen Aleena hesitated. The Windermere family had been sponsoring Robotnik since he first began the siege of Mobotropolis. Was leaving her darling daughter in the palm that fed Robotnik truly what destiny demanded? Looking at the lush garden within the tall fence, Aleena stepped through the dead grass to the gate entrance and left her daughter, her beautiful Sophia, cradled in her crib, and ran, imagining herself running with her children through the lush court grass to the grand fountain at the center.

Sonic “Oliver” Oakcrest-Hedgehog

Stepping carefully through the poison oak and already-dead pine saplings, Queen Aleena carried her baby boy through the woods strapped to her chest, arms curled around him in protection from the low branches. Upon hearing the rush of a waterfall, she took a breath and looked down at her baby. Wryly, she smiled at Oliver, who stared up at the sunset sky through the dead tree branches in awe. Untying the woven cradle from her back, she placed the sky-blue hoglet in the blankets, swaddled him tight, and gave him a final kiss before knocking on the cabin door and running back into the trees, arms shielding her face from the pine and twigs in her way. As she ran, she listened as the waterfall hushed and wondered what it would have been like to teach Oliver to swim.

Manic “Maurice” Roach

Fearfully creeping through the ruin of her queendom, the new city of Robotropolis, Queen Aleena held on tight to the handle of her basket. Draped in a cloth, she hoped to disguise the cradle as an ordinary basket for carrying groceries. However, the ornate design of the cradle could not be completely covered, and the shape undoubtedly gave away that it was anything but an ordinary basket. Hoping the shadows and late hour, fifteen minutes before curfew, would keep her hidden, she tread towards her destination. It was a humble home, its front door blocked off and relocated to the narrow passage between the home and its neighbor. She loomed in the alley, hesitating for a moment as the green light flickered above her. Her realm did not have shadows before, but there she stood, skulking through her own queendom. Blinking, she set the cradle down and uncovered it, heart swimming when she laid eyes on Maurice. She brushed his quills, kissed him twice, then soothed her hand across his body, watching as he drifted to sleep with his medallion in his mouth. Finally standing, she covered the basket, rang the bell, and fled to hide for the night before curfew officially arrived. She ran with her eyes forward, knowing if she looked back she would gather her son into her arms in an instant. Tears stung her eyes and she wondered if fulfilling a cruel destiny felt much like being watched: Fingers numb and quills on end as it peered through the back of her throat.

=================

That's it as far as origins go... Sonic does still end up with Chuck a few years after living with the Oakcrest family, and Manic is still super kidnapped after Aleena leaves, but I thought that would lend better to another post. That is, if I have the motivation to make another post lol. I really enjoyed making this one. It's refreshing to get my ideas out somehow rather than just letting them stir in my head until I forget about it. WELL please let me know, of you read this far, if you liked it! I plan to do more with this "rewrite" or "AU" or whatever it is. Not sure what form it will take, but I already have how they all meet typed out somewhere and I look forward to sharing it!

[purrpletestingfacility]

@thehouseofivo

Masane sighs as she wanders through the city streets. She's definitely not in Tokyo, any more. Nor is she still in New York. That place was nice enough, but it feels like she's somehow wandered to another world without meaning to. The brunette glares down at the artifact on her wrist. "I had a place to stay, at least for a little... Quit tugging me around."

She looks around. "...Well, the first step to survive in a new place is to make sure you get food. I'm sure I'll find some place or another that can spare something. Not the first time I've had to use that tactic..." Masane slips her hands into her pockets and continues walking along... Of course, she's been seen by all sorts of eyes and cameras, as a new entry to Robotropolis.

[eggs-attorney]

CASE 1: TURNABOUT ASSEMBLY

8:00AM - Egg Quarters: Judge's Office

Eggman: Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.

???: No! I, uh... Thank you for the opportunity.

???: (How can I be saying this? After everything he's done!?)

Eggman: Well, let's make this quick, as I have a lot to attend to today - why don't you tell me about yourself?

Reiker: Well... My name is Reiker Strait, I'm 26 years old, and a recent graduate from the Acorn Kingdom's School of Law. I've volunteered at-

Eggman: The Acorn Kingdom, hm? Why come to Sunnyside?

Reiker: ... Sunnyside?

Eggman: You don't know the city's name?

Reiker: Oh, everyone outside of this place has been calling it Robotropolis... That's what this island was called before it became Eggmanland, wasn't it?

Eggman: Heavens, no! I gave up on that concept a long time ago. This one is entirely new!

Eggman: ... [Ahem]

Eggman: Regardless, you have yet to answer my question. Why come here?

Reiker: Uh... Let's just say there aren't many opportunities for new lawyers in the Acorn Kingdom. I was hoping some positions might become available once the Restoration was finished with their cleanup. I guess now that everything's settled, most people just want a return to form.

Eggman: Hm, I see. I wont lie, this city itself is new blood - only a year old - but we're a bit desperate in the legal department. We can actually start you today.

Reiker: Oh! Like, agreeing on a salary? Setting that up?

Eggman: No, I have a case for you to defend. If you meet my expectations, I'll sign you on full time.

Reiker: WHAT!? There's been a crime already!? I've only been here 30 minutes!

Eggman: No, no... This case has been on hold for quite a while. We simply haven't been able to assign a suitable lawyer for the defendant.

Reiker: ... You're kidding.

Eggman: I wish... The last buffoon ran off weeks ago. I've tried to reach out to other "well respected" lawyers, but most people don't trust a man hellbent on world domination who waged a global war and destroyed their livelihoods to hold a fair court of law.

Reiker: Oh, yeah... So I just-?

Eggman: You're due on stand at approximately 9 AM. You will find your client in the defense lobby.

Eggman: ... Oh, you'll also be needing this.

Attorney's Badge has been added to the Court Record.

Eggman: That badge will grant you free access to the judicial areas of the building. That being said, I'll see you in an hour.

Reiker: ... Wow.

Reiker: (I guess I got the job... But is this really happening? I'm still not sure of what I'm doing, but he's just... Tossing me into the deep end.)

Reiker: (... Is this a trap? Is this how I get roboticized?)

Reiker: (Well, I better get going. Definitely shouldn't no show on my first case... That wouldn't look good on my record, if it ever leaves this island.)

Reiker: (This must be the defense lobby. Now where is-)

???: ...

Reiker: (Is this... My client?)

???: ... Oh, um... Hello.

Reiker: (Gah, I'm freezing up! I need to say something...)

Reiker: Uh... Hi?

???: .........

Reiker: (Oof, that's no good... Why am I blanking now?)

Reiker: (Think, Reiker. You can be personable! Just take a breath. Ground yourself, visualize your Thought Pool and... Jump!)

Reiker doesn't always know what to do or say. That's when he needs help from his Thought Pool (that's you guys)! Simply reply to this post with what you think he should do next (actions, statements, questions, etc)!

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