Dark Gaia is one of the primary antagonists within 2008's Sonic Unleashed and is the game's final boss, a primordial and malevolent force of nature that threatens the planet and who exists solely for destruction. Once every few million years, the time of awakening would take place. But when it was awoken prematurely by Dr. Eggman, the beast deity failed to take shape and instead spreads its influence over the planet and it's inhabitants while gathering strength. Since the hyper-energy organism's birth at the dawn of time, Dark Gaia has been in an eternal conflict with its living antithesis; Light Gaia. The two maintain a constant cycle of destruction and rebirth, of darkness and the light, that decides the course of the planet during every time of awakening. It would be defeated by the Journey's end, pierced through the brain by Super Sonic with the aid of Light Gaia. It lies defeated and slumbering within the core of thr planet, awakening the day in which the inevitable cycle of light and dark must continue again.

Tier: Low 2-C |At most Low 2-C

Classification: Incarnation of Darkness itself, Primordial Destroyer God

Powers and Abilities: Superhuman physical characteristics, large size (Type 2), conceptual manipulation (Type 3), incorporeality and abstract existence (Type 2. Dark Gaia is a hyper-energy organism spawned from the planet's core, with Professor Pickle theorizing Dark Gaia and Light Gaia are the planet's very will for the balance of light and darkness that Chip states has happened since the beginning of time. Cure Masters are referred to as phantoms, bats as ghouls, and frights as spirits), self-sustenance (Types 1, 2, and 3), immorality (Types 1 and 8), hive mind (Type 2, multi-minded) & multilocation (Type 1, incorporeal presence. After being prematurely awakened, it broke down into smaller fragments that manifest as the nightly Gaia creature and are implied to be born from Dark Gaia itself), energy manipulation and corruption (Types 1 and 2, physical & non-physical corruption. Dark Gaia's influence spread through both physical and non-physical means, from corrupting the emotions and actions; fears, doubts, anger, grief, quiet sighs, gossipy insults, and each word used to shout at others or talk about them behind their backs. Some Gaia creatures are even able to weaponize human sorrow and grief), possession (Mental & Spiritual. Dark Gaia nightmares manifest directly within a person's body and influences both their actions, and emotions), forcefield creation (Able to produce a momentary barrier of energy), plant manipulation (Dark Gaia's dark energy can be drawn up by ordinary flowers through soil, turning them into beings that split pure evil at passerby), animal manipulation (Through its energy, it can corrupt animals such as bees, bats, and phoenixes), negative energy empowerment (Stated to grow strong on the negative energies of the world), energy absorption (Stripped Werehog Sonic of his Gaia energy and absorbed it), energy projection (With some charge up, Dark Gaia can shoot a beam straight from its chest and launch smaller properties), bodily weaponry (Uses its claws and tendrils as means to attack), damage boost & aura (Can coat its claws and tendrils with energy to further enhance the damage it inflicts), resistance to magma manipulation (Its physical body emerged from magma unbothered), extreme cold, additional arms (Upon awakening to its Perfect form, dark Gaia grew several extra limbs), darkness manipulation (Covered the world in darkness upon awakening), breath attack (Can shoot a giant beam of energy from its mouth), invulnerability negation (Can bypass the invulnerability of a Super form with its attacks), enhanced energy manipulation (Perfect Dark Gaia can shoot a barrage of energy blasts), enhanced forcefield creation, electricity manipulation, status effect inducement, earth manipulation, magma manipulation, explosion manipulation, burrrowing, explosion manipulation/self-destruction, life creation, elasticity, healing, energy projection, shockwave generation, teleportation, electricity manipulation, fire manipulation, summoning (From Fright Master, which will endlessly summon Frights unless stopped), bodily weaponry, forcefield creation, freeze breath, air manipulation, shockwave generation |All abilities that Dark Gaia and Werehog Sonic share including;

•Aura

•Size manipulation

•Statistics amplification

•Forcefield creation

Attack Potency: Universe level+(Even ordinary Nightmares, one of the weakest  Gaia Creatures, cam brawl with Werehog Sonic, making Dark Gaia far superior to Modern Sonic. Absorbed Werehog Sonic's energy)|At most Low Complex Multiverse level (6-D. Vastly stronger than before, as it could contend with both Light Gaia and Super Sonic, although it was overwhelmed. Was stated by Tails to have power on par with The End's casual lasers)

Speed: Superhuman movement speed with Infinite reactions and combat speed |At most Immeasurable reactions and combat speed (Far superior to his imperfect self, capable of fighting both Light Gaia and Super Sonic at the same time)

Lifting Strength: At least Multi-Stellar (Dark Gaia can tear apart Sonic's Earth with little difficulty. Far superior to any and all of its Gaia creatures, many of which being able to wrestle directly with Werehog Sonic, such as Dark Guardian)|Immeasurable (Grappled with Gaia Colossus)

Striking Strength: Universe level+(Stronger than Modern Sonic base)|At most Low Complex Multiverse level (6-D)

Durability: Universe level+(Took blows from Light Gaia who is its equal)|At most Low Complex Multiverse level (6-D. Took numerous attacks from Light Gaia and Super Sonic), higher with forcefields

Stamina: Superhuman |Infinite

Range: Hundreds of meters through sheer size; Planetary with attacks, abilities and when awoken prematurely. |Hundreds of Meters through sheer size;  at least Planetary with attacks and abilities, likely far higher

Standard Equipment: None notable

Intelligence: At least High Animalistic (While not particularly noteworthy in terms of intelligence, it shows a level of awareness and can utilize objects like molten rocks as weapons), Gifted combatant (Dark Gaia has been in a constant battle with Light Gaia since the beginning of time, warring with the opposing deity every few eons. Pressured Light Gaia in the most recent battle in combat even when it had the aid of Super Sonic, and was able to fend off said hedgehog with forcefields and stall for time using energy tentacles to keep the field up)

Weakness: Dark Gaia is a huge target, and it's eyes are the main weak spot, which is also very large. Must fully mature before it is able to use its full power. Certain Gaia creatures, such as Titans, attack without regard for friend or foe.

Notable Victories:

Imperator Ix (Main Sonic Continuity) Imperator Ix's Profile (Perfect Dark Gaia and Super Imperator IX was used. Speed was equalized, battle took place on Angel Island and both were 50 meters away from each other)

Notable Losses:

Super Shadow (Game) (Main Sonic Continuity) Shadow's Profile (Perfect Dark Gaia and Super Shadow were used. Speed was equalized, battle took place on Angel Island and both were 50 meters from each other)