Professor Pickle

"How dare they call this culinary concoction food? Look here, do you see this sorry excuse for a sandwich? The bread should be no less than 3/4 of an inch thick. Upon it, one tablespoon of mayonnaise and a pinch of black pepper. The contents: FRESH cucumber sliced THINLY if you please! Am I quite right, Tails?"

- Professor Pickle

Professor Pickle (ピックル教授) is a supporting character in Sonic Unleashed. He is a human academic based at Spagonia University and a renowned expert in ancient literature. When Dr. Eggman sought to harness the power of Dark Gaia, Pickle was kidnapped by Eggman for his knowledge about the creature. After having his research data stolen by the doctor, Pickle was imprisoned in Eggman's base in Mazuri until he was freed by Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails and Chip. Pickle then assisted Sonic and his friends in their mission to put the Earth back together after it had been shattered by Dark Gaia by guiding them to Gaia Temples, which were needed to restore the planet and other important pieces of information.

Early Life
Not much is known about Pickle's early life. Over 80 years prior to Sonic Unleashed, Pickle met Otto and became a life-long friend of his. At some point in his life, he was inspired by Otto to embark on a research career. Eventually, Pickle became a professor in ancient literature at Spagonia University, where he would teach students in a number of classes. He also became an expert scientist on the Gaia Manuscripts and made a number of research finding on them. He later on met Tails and came to known him quite well.

Sonic Unleashed
Shortly before the events of Sonic Unleashed, Pickle was kidnapped from his lab by Dr. Eggman, who sought his research and the Gaia Manuscripts to awaken Dark Gaia and use the beast's power to complete his Eggmanland project, and a pack of his robots. After being kidnapped, Pickle was carried off with his lab data by Eggman and was flown to Mazuri, where he was imprisoned in a holding cell in Eggman's local base.

Some time after the Earth was split apart by Dark Gaia after Eggman awoke it, Pickle noticed that Tails, Sonic the Werehog and Chip had arrived when he was fussing over his food. After voicing his complaints about the food, Pickle heard from Tails that they had come to rescue him. Upon being freed, Pickle wanted to complain to the cook about his food, but was conviced to leave the base. Before leaving, however, Pickle had Sonic and Tails retrieve the Gaia Manuscripts from a nearby vault, before accepting some chocolate from Chip as they left. After getting back to his lab, Pickle explained about how Dark Gaia was responsible for breaking the planet and told Sonic from what was written in the Gaia Manuscripts  that he could bring the planet back together and seal away Dark Gaia by restoring the currently-drained Chaos Emeralds in the seven Gaia Temples scattered across the globe.

From there, Professor Pickle remained in his lab to research the Gaia Manuscripts, where he provided Sonic, Tails and Chip with info on where the Gaia Temple were located and gave info on the status on the planet. While reseaching the Gaia Manuscripts, Pickle learned from them that Dark Gaia's Minions could possess people and make them act erratic. To counter this, Pickle designed the "Uncanny Camera", a device which could free Dark Gaia-possessed people and passed it onto Tails and Sonic. Shortly after Sonic had received his camera, Pickle witnessed Sonic perform his first exorism from a distance. After Sonic had completed the exorcism and left, Pickle stepped forth and complemented his work, where he met Amy, who asked him to tell all he knew about what Sonic was currently doing. Despite finding himself dragged with her, Pickle gladly complied to Amy's request and explained everything he knew.

After telling Amy his story, Pickle was aided in his effort by her, who had decided to help him. Following that, Pickle continued researching the Gaia Manuscripts to aid Sonic. When Sonic and Chip returned to Pickle after restoring the fourth continent, Pickle had pinpointed the next Gaia Temple in Shamar and revealed to them that he that he would join them on their trip there to make his analysis more efficient. Moving his lab to his research facility in Shamar, Pickle met with Sonic and his friends there, where he continued researching the Gaia Manuscripts.

After Sonic, Tails and Chip went to Eggmanland to restore the final continent, Pickle contacted Tails over his Miles Electronic when Sonic and Chip restored the continent, where he reported that the continent was returning to its proper place before he was interrupted by an attack on Tails' Tornado-1. When Perfect Dark Gaia then began casting the world into darkness, Pickle and Amy got outside to see the darkning sky, where Pickle recognized the phenomenon and gave into despair despite Amy's belief that Sonic would save them, believing it was end of the world. However, Super Sonic and the Gaia Colossus managed to defeat and seal Perfect Dark Gaia away, which Pickle praised as a miracle as the world returned to normal. As Pickle admitted to Amy that she was right about Sonic, he reflected on how Light Gaia and Dark Gaia were a natural part of the planet's will for balance, but was shortly after dragged away by Amy to prepare Sonic's coming-home party.

Personality
Pickle is wise, calm and well mannered, but also sometimes absent-minded as he fails to realize the serious danger he is in inside Eggman's base and is instead more interested in complaining about his food.

Pickle's favorite food is cucumber sandwiches and will happily share his knowledge over them. He is somewhat of a perfectionist about cucumber sandwiches, as he has a very firm and precise opinion on how they should be and will fuss over the smallest of details.

Memorable Quotes

 * "I'm half-starved after those terrible sandwiches." - When leaving Eggman's base.
 * "My, My! Why, don't mind if I do!" - When Chip offers him chocolate.
 * "It's just as the Gaia manuscripts foretold!" - At various points in the game.
 * "How rude of me!" - Professor Pickle when he found out that he was going to be rescued from being Dr. Eggman's hostage.

Trivia

 * Professor Pickle makes a cameo (along with Big the Cat) in the instructions guide for Sonic Tweet.
 * Professor Pickle is among the most well-received human characters besides Dr. Eggman himself.