Werehog Sonic

"Sonic the Werehog" is a transformation that appears in Sonic Unleashed. It is a bestial, werewolf-like form of Sonic the Hedgehog. According to the game manual, this transformation was created when Sonic was infected by the negative energy of the Chaos Emeralds inside the Chaos Energy Extractor, though the transformation itself would only activate at night and remain inactive during the day. Sonic permanently lost this form when Dark Gaia absorbed the energy that caused the transformation in order to accelerate its maturation into Perfect Dark Gaia.

In this form, Sonic loses his speed in exchange for incredible strength and extendable arms. He also acquires a slightly more savage and bestial demeanor, like a werewolf hedgehog, including a slightly deeper and raspier voice, a tendency to roar and howl, occasional quadrupedal movements, and a more irascible temper. However, even when Sonic transforms into this form, his heart remains the same, meaning he is still the fearless hero who seeks to protect the innocent by thwarting Dr. Eggman's evil plans.

In this form, Sonic resembles a werewolf, gaining more muscle mass and weight. He grows slightly taller, with a wider torso, a longer snout, larger hands, and longer, more muscular arms. His fingernails become claws, and his teeth become fangs. His ears also become more pointed and thinner. His peach-colored skin turns pale blue, and his fur becomes a thick, heavy, dark blue coat. He also grows fur in places he doesn't normally have it, such as his arms. Traces of white fur also appear on his wrists, at the tips of his quills, and on his chest.

In his outfit, Sonic loses his white gloves, leaving his hands exposed, and his socks are partially torn at the back. The white stripe on his shoes is replaced by a gray metal one with three spikes on its surface. The bottom of each of his soles is now metal and covered with eighteen small metal spikes.

Sonic first gained this form when Dr. Eggman used a machine to forcefully extract the power of the Chaos Emeralds from Super Sonic. By reversing the polarity, the positive energy became negative, and Eggman used this energy to charge the Chaos Energy Cannon and fire it at the planet, releasing and awakening Dark Gaia, who lay dormant in the planet's core. During the process, due to his proximity to the Chaos Emeralds, the negative energy they emitted infected Sonic's body, causing his transformation. The transformation is triggered at night, when Dark Gaia's presence can move freely and affect people. Upon transforming into the Werehog, a cloud of purple smoke envelops him. Shortly after his transformation, Sonic was ejected from the Chaos Energy Cannon space station and plummeted to Earth, his Chaos Emeralds completely drained. Sonic's fall was temporarily interrupted by a mysterious power, though he still landed headfirst on Windmill Island. There he met Chip, who informed Sonic of his new monstrous form. However, once Sonic learned that Chip was suffering from amnesia and couldn't remember who he was, Sonic agreed to help him regain his memories, silently blaming himself for Chip's amnesia. Soon after, the sun rose, and Sonic returned to normal. Sonic finally assumed his Werehog form again during the following evening, which helped him understand the nature of his transformation. He also discovered his form's ability to stretch his arms when he grabbed an ice cream cone that Chip dropped. Shortly afterward, Sonic saved Tails from some of Dark Gaia's minions before heading to Spagonia to find Professor Pickle. Following the professor to Eggman's base near Mazuri, Sonic, Tails, and Chip freed Pickle from Eggman's captivity and returned to Spagonia, where Pickle presented them with a

The plan of action to repair the planet and stop Dark Gaia was to find the Gaia Temples and insert the Chaos Emeralds into them, which would heal both the Chaos Emeralds and the planet. Meanwhile, Sonic searched for a cure for his Werehog condition. After traveling the world for a while, Sonic and Chip returned to Spagonia, only to be found by Amy. However, she didn't recognize Sonic as Werehog and therefore left them. Seeing that Amy didn't recognize him (which wasn't helped by Chip's comment) made Sonic feel bad about his condition. Despite this, Sonic persevered and eventually helped Amy when she became entangled with people possessed by Dark Gaia. After exorcising them, Sonic couldn't face Amy and left before she could speak to him. However, she eventually learned about Sonic's condition.

Continuing their adventure, Sonic and Chip finally found the Gaia Temple of Chun-nan. There, they rescued Zonshen, and Sonic defeated the Dark Gaia Phoenix, possessed by Dark Gaia. Afterward, the duo restored their second Chaos Emerald and their second continent before bidding farewell to the restored phoenix. Later, upon finding the fourth Gaia Temple near Holoska, Sonic defeated Dark Moray and restored the fourth Chaos Emerald and its associated continent with Chip's help. Afterward, Sonic and Chip went to Shamar, where Sonic defeated the Dark Guardian. Then, he and Chip restored the fifth Chaos Emerald and the fifth continent. When Chip regained his memories and told Sonic that he was Light Gaia, Sonic transformed back into Werehog as night fell. He believed it was Chip's influence that prevented him from going berserk like the other people possessed by Dark Gaia, but Chip revealed that it was Sonic's own will that kept him pure, even in his Werehog form. Afterward, Sonic promised Chip he would help him finish the job of sealing Dark Gaia once more. However, after restoring the

In the Chaos Emerald finale at the Gaia Temple in Eggmanland, Sonic and Chip were attacked by Eggman in his Egg Dragoon. After a heated battle that led to the planet's core, Sonic defeated the Egg Dragoon. Dark Gaia appeared and blasted Eggman away before attacking Sonic and Chip. Sensing the negative energy emanating from Sonic's body, Dark Gaia forcibly drained Sonic's negative power to accelerate his maturation, thus permanently depriving the hedgehog of his Werehog form and returning him to normal.

Because his transformation grants him increased muscle density, Sonic's physical strength is significantly enhanced, allowing him to open sealed doors and entrances; effortlessly pick up objects; throw and swing large enemies and objects; destroy metal vaults with a single punch; and even knock down creatures several times his size, such as Titans and the Dark Gaia Phoenix. While he loses his super speed, Sonic can still outrun the average human by sprinting on all fours. He also retains his lightning-fast reflexes and normal agility, and a small degree of his jumping abilities.

In this form, Sonic is able to extend his arms great distances in an instant. The exact extent of his extension is unknown. Sonic primarily uses this ability in combat, allowing him to increase his attack range, grab enemies from long distances, generate momentum for his attacks, and create various combat moves using Dark Gaia's energy. He can even extend his arms and hands to further increase the power and reach of his attacks. Besides combat, Sonic can also use this ability for travel, such as grabbing ridges and swinging from pole to pole.

Sonic the Werehog is able to harness the negative energy of the Chaos Emeralds for various purposes. He can use it in melee combat to enhance his attacks, create a powerful energy shield to protect himself, and tap into the excess power of Dark Gaia. Gathering enough energy allows Sonic to enter Unleashed Mode, a temporary state that increases his strength, speed, and durability.

In this form, Sonic is slower compared to his normal form, making him less able to outmaneuver his enemies and forcing him to adopt a new fighting style. Sonic is also unable to control this transformation, as it automatically activates and deactivates according to the sun. He also cannot ride rails due to his lack of speed. The Werehog form often struggles to communicate with humans, as people are usually afraid of him because of his appearance, and therefore he cannot be very social, leaving Sonic feeling depressed and somewhat unable to face those he knows, as seen when Amy doesn't recognize him while he's a Werehog. Sonic also develops a temper in this form, as seen in "Night of the Werehog."