Hugh is similar to Shadow in the respect that he's going to be an endless sass machine, except far more chill. XD

Chapter 2: Becoming Beast

Hugh sat at the edge of centre ring and watched Barker work on a project with a young mechanic. They wanted to invoke a werehog transformation with a phony moon. Hugh noted a strange sheen of another clear stone on top of the chalky white orb.

"Time to get into position," the two tailed fox said as he waved to Hugh.

"Ech," he grumbled and stood up from his front row seat.

Barker noted his employee's frustration. "I remind you, you were the one who offered to work here in the first place. Free of charge and not against your will, I might add." He leaned over and made sure Tails heard him. "I'm still trying to make sense of that," Barker said with arms folded out of confusion and slight boredom.

Hugh huffed. "I know. I'm not too thrilled about this working, because controlling the transformation means I have to transform back every morning."

Tails closed a panel and latched it shut. "The difference between Sonic's transformed state and yours isn't that vast. Apart from size and triggers, you both go through the process of your bones growing and shifting. Sonic said it's painful, but not as painful as you described. He said it's more like a full body feeling of a limb that's fallen asleep."

"I won't argue there, that's pretty close to how it feels. Transforming is fine; reverting back is the worst," Hugh said.

Tails held a finger straight up to make his point. "I have a theory as to why you experience such severe pain." He pointed at Hugh. "You use the first light of the day to turn back. Sonic and Amy sleep in a darkened room. There's no light until a door or window's opened. They tested it again this morning by waiting until it was nearly nine. We were right, he needs sunlight to change back." He shrugged. "It's only a hunch, but I'm hoping if we can get you to transform, the light of mid-morning eases the transition back." Tails readied his hand on the switch so he wouldn't lose it in the dark. "Ready?"

"Yes," Hugh said.

"Hit the lights," Tails requested.

The overhead lights powered down and the tent flaps were tightly shut by the stunt bears. Blackness was abound. "Not a damn shred of light. Fire it up," Barker said.

Tails flipped the switch and the big fake, gypsum moon atop the scaffolding was illuminated with the use of 'television stones' and UV light.

The black and red hedgehog glimpsed the obelisk that stood on the far side of the tent. With wide eyes, Hugh's body bulged and shifted. His fur grew long and tipped in red, rather than streaked. His teeth and claws lengthened to razor sharp points. Hugh had fully shifted into a werehog during the day. He rose to his feet and removed the dust form his lengthened fur with a dog-like shake. "How about that? Even the scientists at the lab couldn't figure out how to do that." He stood up tall on two digitigrade legs.

Barker had a flashback to the previous night when he had first stumbled on Hugh, with intent to catch him as a sideshow attraction. After a failed attempt at communication and darting the guy, he had the 'surprise' transformation sprung on him. Hugh's jaws being big enough to engulf his whole head was the last thing he recalled before he passed out. "Yep, still terrifying. The folks are gonna eat it up," Barker said and placed triumphant fists on his hips.

"The gang told me your form was bigger than Sonic's. They weren't joking," Tails said and went up to get a better look at werehog Hugh. "You easily tower a solid foot over Sonic. You're almost as tall as Eggman."

"I don't know who that is...but the name rings 'disappointment'," he said and looked thoughtful.

Tails turned to his wrist communicator and contacted a teammate. Their team leader had acquired the ability to transform into a werehog when he and Shadow raided Hugh's temple home the day before last. During which time they also disturbed Hugh's peaceful residence. However, Sonic wasn't having as easy a time has Hugh did.

The blue blur showed up in an instant but forgot to remove his footwear before looking at the fake moon. "Wait! No! Crap!" he yelled as he transformed into a slate blue werehog with white tipped quills. "AARGH! That's the third damn pair of shoes this week!"

The two laughed while Barker rolled his eyes.

Hugh knew Sonic had only transformed a couple times on his own. While his own form came during the full moon, it appeared Sonic was dealing with the werehog transformation each night. That moment marked his third transformation.

"I'm loving this new tape though," Sonic said as he held up his claws to show the tape had stayed in place. "It's stretchy; like my arms," he said with a grin.

"Your arms," Hugh repeated with confusion.

Sonic showed off his ability. He climbed to the top of the trapeze with a single extended arm. He swung around centre ring and back down to the ground beside them. "See? Heh, I take it you can't do that."

Hugh made an attempt. His arm stayed put. "No. That's news to me; I don't think any of the others could do that either."

Barker spoke up, "If you all don't mind, we need to set up for tonight's show soon. We haven't even rehearsed yet."

"Right, sorry. You both ready to go back?" Tails asked.

Tails got a nod and killed the machine's power. Barker flipped a switch and the tent recoiled into it's 'packed' state, bathing them all in near-noon light.

Sonic and Hugh reverted to their original forms simultaneously. Neither of them seemed too bothered.

"That's a lot better," Hugh said as he waggled his jaw back and forth. "I could never be in total darkness in the jungle, I suppose that's why I never noticed. The lab only used light brought in through fiber optic cords."

Team Sonic dispersed. Hugh, Barker and the rest of the circus began to pack up and move to the location of their first spectacle near the island's luau.

"Will we be attending the luau tonight?" Hugh asked as he cracked his neck. Easier transformation or not, it was still uncomfortable.

"I'd rather not. I'm trying to stay away from alcohol," Barker said.

"Good, me too. I'm allergic to the stuff anyway," he looked around for something to do. "What exactly is my job here?" Hugh didn't see anything beyond moving boxes that he could occupy himself with.

Barker thought about it. "Apart from being a horror attraction, you don't have much to do at the moment. You're free until we get set up and start rehearsing."

Hugh shrugged and looked off towards the sounds of chattering people. "Alright, I'm going to see the sights in town." He slipped on a pair of beige and hemp, thong sandals Amy had given him.

"We're going to be on the south side for the evening. We'll be in the empty lot near the 'nude beach'."

Hugh raised his eyebrows. "Nude beach?" He looked down at the only clothing he owned on his feet. "I think I'll see you there. It sounds like my kind of place."

Barker turned his nose up, folded his arms and looked Hugh over. "I suppose living alone in the jungle makes you impartial to social norms. I'll find you some clothes and get you up to speed on how to behave properly, when we're on the road."

"You're assuming I 'want' to behave. Besides, I didn't live alone, I had Dr. Shannon with me up until five years ago." Hugh walked off to see Hedgehog Village for himself.

"Huh, well then," Barker shrugged it off and went back to ordering his scant employees around.

Aww, Hugh had a friend this whole time. ^x^