Chapter Text
The laboratory was filled with terrariums, each one with spiders of different colors, sizes, and species. Each one was waiting its turn to be experimented on by the mad scientist, Dr. Ivo Robotnik, or as he’s most commonly known, Dr. Eggman.
Eggman had been trying to come up with new robot designs and powers using arachnid components to help him defeat his archenemy, Sonic the Hedgehog. The blue, supersonic, anthropomorphic hedgehog has defeated Eggman time and time again, always succeeding.
The doctor had been working on his plan for weeks, trying to perfect the genetic code he needs. Now, he is sure he’s close to a breakthrough
“Hurry up, you mechanical morons!” Eggman yelled at his two robotic henchmen, Orbot and Cubot, who were carrying a barrel of a highly radioactive substance. “I can’t begin my experiment until you dolts pour the substance into the tubes!” He gestured to the two large glass tubes that lead from the floor to the ceiling.
“If I may, sir,” the red, orb-shaped robot began, “Cubot and I have been busting our mechanical backs all day. We could really use a short hiatus to help recharge our power supplies.”
“Yeah!” yelled the yellow, cube-shaped robot. “And we could really use a break, too!”
Dr. Eggman growled. “Oh, I’ll give you a break…” The robots smiled. “When we defeat Sonic! Now get back to work, or I’ll recycle you for scrap!” Terrified by the doctor’s threat, the two glided as fast as they could to dump the barrel’s contents into the tubes.
The cyan-colored, radioactive substance traveled up the tube and illuminated the lab with a soft blue glow. The substance filled a large canister that was hooked up to a large laser. The doctor went to a control console behind the laser and typed in a few simple commands.
Eggman turned to his henchmen. “Well don’t just stand there! Go get me the next test subject!” The robots saluted and grabbed a terrarium with a small, brown, spider inside. Orbot took the spider out of the terrarium and placed it in a glass canister in front of the laser.
Dr. Eggman smiled. “Test #345, begin!” He pushed a large red button on the laser. It began to charge up, the barrel of the laser glowing a bright blue. A light blue energy beam shot at the spider, causing it to convulse and writhe under its intense energy.
Eggman laughed maniacally at his experiment, but soon stopped as he saw the warning light flash and the tubes above crack. “It’s gonna blow! Abandon the lab!” he shrieked as he ran for the door. The two lackeys followed their master as the lab began to shake. The three ran outside, got into Eggman’s Eggmobile and got as far away from the lab as they could.
Orbot looked behind at the lab, only to see it explode in a fiery inferno. He jumped, and Cubot hugged him in terror. “Boss?” Orbot asked, looking at his master. “Do you think any of the specimens survived?”
The doctor looked back at the lab. “Unfortunately, I don’t think any living thing could survive that,” Eggman said, sighing. “We will just have to find a new, nonradioactive way to destroy that blue buffoon.” The Eggmobile floated further away from the lab until it was out of sight.
— — —
Inside the now deserted and destroyed lab, all the specimens were either burnt to a crisp or reduced to ash, except one. The brown spider, now red and blue, emerged from the canister and scurried away to hide in the rubble.