Walter Naugus


 * For the version of this character before the Super Genesis Wave, see Ixis Naugus.

Walter Naugus is a character that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics. He is a powerful troll magician who seeks to become the ruler of the Kingdom of Acorn. During his time as King Acorn's Royal Wizard, he was banished to the Special Zone and was trapped for years until he eventually escaped. After escaping, Naugus became an immediate enemy of Sonic the Hedgehog who has regularly thwarted his plans to take over the Kingdom of Acorn.

Concept and creation
Naugus' redesign following Worlds Collide included a tail to make his appearance more troll-like. His updated attire was also meant to make him resemble more of a warlock.

Appearance
Walter Naugus appears as a tall, gruesome troll with bat ears, a rhinoceros horn emerging from his forehead, a long white beard, a gloved lobster claw in place of a left hand, and a thick tail. Originally, he wore a purple suit with a long black cape, glove on his right hand, belt, and boots. He later adopted a new wardrobe that included a purple tunic, purple pants, gray gloves and boots, a cape, and a stereotypical wizard/witch hat with a large brim and a point that falls to one side.

Early life
Naugus served as the Royal Wizard to King Acorn at the time when Princess Sally was a young child. However, his ambition led him to seek conquest of the Kingdom of Acorn, and he formed an alliance with renegade G.U.N. scientists Dr. Eggman and Dr. Julian Snively. The trio worked together in an effort to overthrow the kingdom by convincing the king that the United Federation intended to invade. Eggman's successes proved detrimental to his partner, as both Naugus and his former monarch were imprisoned in the Special Zone by the villainous doctor. He eventually escaped and, teaming up with his twin sister Wendy, ambushed both Eggman and Sonic the Hedgehog at the Egg Storm Chamber. Much later, Naugus sought to take over the Kingdom of Acorn for himself. However, his attempts to do so hit a snag when Dr. Eggman set off the very first Genesis Wave, the effects of which stripped him of his powers.

Countdown to Chaos

 * Note: From the readers point of view, this picks up from where Naugus' original timeline ended.

As a result of being stripped of his powers, Naugus was forced to steal Eggman's technology to enforce his reign, which also led to the imprisonment of King Acorn. Capturing the computer bound Nicole, Naugus ordered her to create a Super Ring with which he could restore his magic, despite her doubts as to her chances for success. Naugus' situation grew worse as the Tails Doll arrived in the city to take revenge for his thefts, swiftly followed by a returning Sonic and Tails. Naugus attempted to force Nicole to finish her work, but upon contact with her computer form, his mind was flooded with memories from an alternate timeline. Horrified, he fled the castle, running right past Sonic and Tails as he made his way out of the city.

Act Two
During the Shattered World Crisis that followed, he apparently obtained a shard of the Master Emerald that restored at least some of his powers, and joined forces with Wendy Naugus and her Witchcarters, and the pair of Trolls proceeded to invade Eggman's new facility of Eggmanland.

Eggman, accompanied by Metal Sonic, eventually arrived the scene to investigate the conquered Eggmanland. After a brief clash with the Witchcarters, the Naugus twins appeared on the scene and Walter revealed at by using Master Emerald Shards he was to restore some of his power. Soon both twins were able to subdue both Eggman and Metal Sonic, forcing Eggman to flee. The Naugus' occupation of Eggman's facility would not go unchallenged long, as Eggman assembled his entire complement of Egg Bosses to retake Eggmanland. Walter was later seen at the center of Eggmanland in front of the Dark Gaia Energy refinery, believing its energy belonged to Ixis, only to be mocked and informed by his sister that it was of the Dark Gaia. Before he could use the energy to help restore his power however, he was interrupted by an ambush set up by Eggman and his Egg Bosses. During the ensuing battle, Naugus sent Crystal Sonic (a crystallized Metal Sonic) to kill Eggman. However, the doctor survived using his Hard-Light Armor, which he then used to beat Naugus into submission. Afterwards, Eggman prepared to kill Naugus with a powerful energy beam. However, Naugus used Crystal Sonic as a shield, blocking the blast and used the commotion as a distraction to flee. Naugus retreated to a hidden part of the Mystic Cave Zone where he cursed Eggman's name and expressed anger towards Wendy, who became Eggman's newest Egg Boss. However, while his plans for Eggmanland failed, Naugus knew of other ways to restore his power as he began draining energy from a large gem resembling the Master Emerald.

Eventually, Naugus' location was discovered by Knuckles, Amy, and Team Dark who were all on the hunt for the alien Eclipse and the remaining Master Emerald Shards. Naugus hid in the shadows and quickly formed a plan after overhearing Rouge mention that Knuckles was the last of his kind. Naugus followed Omega and asked if he was affiliated with Eggman, to which Omega aggressively denied before Naugus crystallized him. Under his control, Walter commanded Omega to seek and destroy Rouge and Amy while he went after Knuckles and Shadow. Naugus then assumed the form of an echidna and confronted the pair, calming his name was Nixus and that he was also searching for the emerald shards so he can get to Angel Island. Knuckles was thrilled to met another echidna while Shadow questioned the convenience of his arrival and situation.

Personality
Naugus is ruthless, arrogant, and power-mad, willing to go to great lengths to obtain what he wants. He also dislikes being called "Wally," though the reason behind this is unknown.

Powers and abilities
Walter possesses Crystalmancy, which allows him to encase his opponents in crystal and control any crystallized robots within range. Walter can also shapeshift and control the minds of anyone with a weak will or weak mind.

Allies

 * King Acorn (formerly)
 * Wendy Naugus (sister)
 * Witchcarters

Enemies

 * New Freedom Fighters
 * Sonic
 * Tails
 * Eggman Empire
 * Dr. Eggman
 * Tails Doll

Trivia

 * Walter Naugus is based on Naugus from the Sonic the Hedgehog television series.
 * Naugus is one of three Sonic the Hedgehog characters to have their names added to/changed since the Worlds Collide crossover. The other characters are Muttski-now Ben Muttski-and Snively Robotnik-now Julian Snively.
 * Naugus' new name of "Walter" and disdained nickname "Wally" are intended to be alliterative with relatives of Naugus' in the new reality, which was later revealed to be Wendy Naugus.
 * Naugus was one of several characters featured in a "classic cartoon" depiction art gallery in Sonic Super Special Magazine #11, in which he was depicted in black and white as a magician with a wand and top hat.
 * In the original continuity where Walter Naugus was named "Ixis Naugus", Ian Flynn has revealed that, contrary to what was previously believed, the term "Ixis" was applied to Naugus in the Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon production materials, and not invented by Ken Penders. As such, it is still useable by the comics, which as of Sonic Universe #85, has been given to Ixis.