#Spinball Speaks

[spinball-nonethewiser]

Hello!!!! My username is Spinball-nonethewiser, but you can just call me…hmm…how about,

None The Wiser!

…Or anything you can come up with.

————————————————————————

My Pronouns are She/Her, or They/Them.

I like using emoticons a lot, sorry :33

I do have ADHD, and it is still unknown if I have autism, so I won’t say I do.

My hyperfixations come and go, but they’re most likely to come back.

I love drawing art!! And I wanna get into fanfic writing sometimes soon.

I am a minor, but I’m not gonna say how old for privacy reasons. I am okay with interacting with adults, just…Don’t. Be. Weird.

Now…For Fandoms I’m in!!

————————————————————————

These are in no specific order:

Mouthwashing

Wander Over Yonder (WOY)

Cookie run

Bfdi, II, (I have yet to watch other object shows)

Alton Towers (yes. The theme park)

Pokémon

Hilda!!! ^^

Fandoms on the back burner (not super Hyperfixated on, but still looks in the fandom from time to time)

The Outsiders

Epithet Erased

Omori

(Feel free to talk to me about these fandoms as well, I don’t mind.)

————————————————————————

Other things you might want to know:

I LOVE being grammatically correct. If I’m not, I’m sorry. I have fat fingers or it’s autocorrect.

I am white, and American.

I am part of the lgbtq community. This space is a safe one!!!

No nsfw here. Don’t send it to me, don’t be weird.

If you wanna be mutuals, feel free to!! I won’t bite. (Unless you’re weird. Have I not elaborated on that enough?)

I do ship, and I like making fanchildren for my favorite ships, so if have a problem with that, then I’m sorry.

————————————————————————

DNI if:

You’re homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist, or anything else like that.

————————————————————————

That should be it! Have a good day/night and goodbye!!!! :DDDD

[th3realsp1nb4llwh1zz3r]

(this is directed at spinball)

(this is satire)

IlIÆÂÄẢË am the beast who claps the cheeks

"KSJWKKEMSKDMSMDJDJALLSL"

3/10

@florathegnarpian I know this is you

[cold-fire-yo]

If games like Sonic 3D Blast, Tails Adventure and Knuckles' Chaotix are not classic Sonic games then Sonic 06 is not Sonic Adventure 3.

[th3realsp1nb4llwh1zz3r]

we need this IRL.

me if I was hatsune miku

[staticflood]

---SPOILERS FOR SHADOW GENERATIONS---

Ok so hear me out.

I think all these npc choices are meaningful. Showing different ways Shadow lives/thinks or *could* live and think. Think of Shadow 05.

Orbot and Cubot are very simple characters and this game if recall correctly is the first one they've ever been in without Eggman. Which isn't too notable, but it does speak to the one nature of their characters. Mostly in that they serve Eggman.

Sonic Battle was one of the games that touched on this aspect of Shadow's character a lot too. His use as a tool, a weapon to be aimed. He is treated this way by Eggman too, in SA2, Heroes and Shadow 05.

Orbo and Cubone don't really have a place in the story. At this point in Shadow's arc, he is very much assured of his autonomy.

Big The Cat is a phenomenal character, and I will not hear otherwise. He embodies one of the core themes of not just the series but Sonic and Shadow specifically. To live freely and do as you please.

Shadow is defined by making his own decisions. Living by his own code. Big the Cat is him fr.

Shadow throughout this game displays his mean streak. You see him about to explode in anger for the whole first half, and while it slows down in the second half because of Maria, it never goes away. Omega feeds into it like a bonfire so they're best friends.

And friends is a good word. Omega isn't a one-note murder-bot. He's relieved when Rouge is safe. He tells Shadow about how he trusts him. This anger and violence are part of Shadow, but they still leave room for love and compassion.

Shout out to E-123 Omega being the funniest guy in the room in another game btw. Long held record.

Maria and Gerald are very interestingly framed in this game. Shadow's first instinct on seeing them is to protect them. To save them from whatever impending disaster is coming. In what is a very character defining play, Shadow ignores this, squashes it immediately. There's something bigger going on here. And only when he sees them again, the big bad is out of the way does it all come back. That hope, that dream...

Talking to Maria throughout the game does a great job painting a picture of The Ark without the grief-stricken lens of Shadow and Gerald. We get to see the center of a tragedy talking about her home.

Maria shows so much love and honesty that you can see why the grudge about her fate lasted so long. She becomes such an emotional battering ram for Shadow all while she's just happy to talk to her friend.

And interesting point to note, at many times in the game, Maria is horrified by the anger that Shadow displays. What Omega encourages him to do is unfathomable to her, and hammers the point home for Shadow that he isn't theirs.

Their presence reflects what Shadow used to be. Before all of his mew experiences. Which brings us perfectly into who's sitting between Maria and Omega, Rouge.

Rouge is beautiful in this game. She Flys in at the last world and becomes an emotional rock for Shadow. And eventually, who he leaves white Space with. Back to the real world.

Rouge represents his current life. His family, the ones who care about him. Rouge offers the love and acceptance of Maria, with a tacit understanding and respect of his power and brutality.

I love this game. I want more of this. Give shadow his own franchise. Put him in everything. Shadow Frontiers. Shadow Colors. Shadow Spinball

[sandbees]

I saw Mario! Yuu. And now I'm just thinking of Sonic! Yuu. An alien like hedgehog from another planet who runs really fast, fast as the speed of sound, loves adventure and the feeling of freedom, cocky at times but has a heart of gold who helps others.

Well, you know what they say: GOTTA GO FAST-

No but seriously Sonic! Yuu would totally spinball into Overblots.

But speaking of running really fast, I think Sonic!Yuu would join the Mountain Lovers club and not the Track and Field Club. Not because Sonic! Yuu would sweep the competition, but because they want to explore the new world. And hey, being in the Mountain Lover's club would allow them to explore...even if they have to join with Jade...

Speaking of, Sonic! Yuu is going to suffer during Chapter 3. They are so allergic to water and will die if they do, meaning they can't help. So they're back at NRC trying to help the others with anything else.

Ace and Sonic! Yuu have levels of cocky that can't be competed with. These two would insult each other so much everyone would think that they hate each other or they're extreme rivals. But no. They're rude to each other, but if you insult one of them you know the other is going to jump you.

I'd like to think that Sonic! Yuu and Savannaclaw get along well, but they get into brawls TOO many times to count. It's like a challenge - whoever beats Yuu in *insert challenge here* gets bragging rights for the week. There have only been a handful of members to have achieved this, including the Savannaclaw trio.

But at the same time, Sonic! Yuu's world is a little messed up?

Sonic! Yuu: Oh, and Dr. Eggman! He's my enemy. Tried to turn my friends into robotic slaves once. That was not a fun time.

Idia: I'm sorry, WHAT?

Sonic! Yuu: I know right? Anyways, if someone turned a robot into a super death machine I'd totally kick their ass. *Stares at Idia*

[saysike-skedoodles]

Coaster Modes

[BTW- if you're an account that does NSFW/ Fetish content, I kindly ask for you to not interact with my work. Please don't take this the wrong way, I respect your interests, but I'm uncomfortable with that content and wish to not engage with it :] ]

---

Spinball seems to become more easily frightened in this "Coaster Mode" that happens between the 3 ride spirits. They tend to be more quick in their movements. Running away at the slightest sound that startles them. Sometimes, they're briefly seen by arcade machines before they're suddenly gone, and pixels are only seen in place of Spinball.

---

Unlike the more timid nature of Spinball. The Smiler is more "mad" in her mannerisms. She tends to be more giggly, sometimes unable to control herself when she's laughing. Her eyes when she's in this coaster mode can only put someone in a daze, however. She's pretty harmless when she doesn't have anything to marmalise anyone, as she can't do much without it.

---

Galactica doesn't seem too affected when her coaster mode is active. She seems to float a bit, with stars and constellations orbiting her. She speaks more quietly, only The Smiler and Spinball Whizzer can really hear her. She's seen to be with The Smiler and Spinball Whizzer while they're in their coaster modes. Almost as a guardian of sorts for the 2.

---

Here's the first ever look at one of the (many) AUs I have! I made a TMM AU of the trio being ride spirits for certain Alton Towers rides :D. Basically I made this AU last year cuz I thought it would be cool to see what the trio would be like. I mainly chose the rides they would be based off of personality, and also what they would like if they themselves went to Alton Towers :]. Also to clarify, Bex, Silly and Stacy still have their names, it's just that the 3 chose the names themselves in this AU, and everyone else (like park characters and such) would know them by their 'coaster names' if you get me. I'll talk more about them once more art and such is made- but for now- here's their coaster modes! :D

---

Deviantart

Tumblr

Art Tumblr

Youtube

TMM Official Tumblr

Newgrounds

---

[all content I post is automatically 13+ if not stated in the title or the content itself]

[xdestiny-doodlesx]

Hiya guys I thought it was time to introduce you all to my Alton towers OCs and let them take over my Tumblr so let me introduce everyone One by One. 

First, we have Tiffany Talbot or Towers depending on the situation, she is the “ruler” of all the wonder and magic that makes the park so magical, she is independent, and very smart but can be headstrong and stubborn but at the same time, she holds quite a lot of grief as well within her.

Next, We have Sonya Spinball the protector of Spinball Whizzer, Stellar Smile’s older sister, opposite her younger sister Sonya is very calm and acts like the cool tough girl but when it comes to video games her childlike side comes out full force. 

Then we have Gale’s night secret weapon 4 also known as Galactica, she is the main protector for this ride, Gale is very shy and introverted but once she comes out of her shell she will talk your ear off all about space and the stars.

Now we have Nex Red, Secret Weapon 3 Protector also known as Nemesis, Nex was a failed experiment by the Phalanx, he became an experiment to help with his poor mother failing health but things went wrong even to this day Nex won’t speak about the horrors he witness and went through, he is very brooding and overprotective of his fellow protectors, he is very much the big brother to all his friends.

Onto the last lot of character, I Promise.

Here comes Roxy, we don't know Roxy last name but you will never meet a more energetic and caring girl in your life, she is fast if you don't see her near Rita she will be running around the park speaking to all her friends and greeting all our guests. 

Ivy Vines is our shy and anxious protector of Secret Weapon 6 Thirteen, she spends most of her time in the woods of her ride making sure all the plant life and trees are getting enough water and sunlight, she also helps Tiffany on her days off do gardening for the ruins of the tower, In her coaster form though ivy becomes something that nobody should witness with their own eyes.

And lastly, for the moment, we have Oliver’s Abyss the protector of secret weapon 4 Oblivion, Oliver is not a very big people person he prefers to be left alone with his paperwork and not around his fellow coasters but with stellar he gets anything but piece, but hidden underneath this all he is worried about all his friends and the guests but Mainly Everly Haunt who has became very unstable since her ride has changed over. 

And there we go guys that is everyone, ill be posting more of these characters and adding more as I go and in the coming weeks, everyone will have their Coaster forms. 

But if you guys have any questions for me or my Characters the ask box is now officially open so ask away all. 

[ninjapotatohead]

Sonic Chronicles, a Sonic RPG from Bioware back when they still had a perfect reputation & is the closest we got to a game based on the comics continuity. It got B's & 80%s from various review sites & magazines. What could possibly go wrong?

Oh God it hurts, please make the hurting stop.

Here's 3 quick facts about me: A. I can play Sonic games B. I can play RPG C. I can't play rhythm games to save my life

Which of these 3 facts would you say is the most important to playing a Sonic RPG? Well it turns out the answer is C because every damn attack & spell requires the player to do some Elite Beat Agents bullshit to work. Made worse that the you-did-it-wrong sound effect sounded more like a you-did-it-right SFX to me, so I didn't realize how badly I was screwing up for the longest time.

In fact, the audio top to bottom is just terrible Shadow's "voice" is the falling-down-the-tube SFX from Sonic Spinball. & the music, Hoolee Moolee the music. Apparently Bioware ran into legal issues with their soundtrack in the 11th hour or some other shit & at the last minute replaced most of the tracks with MIDIs from a fan site. The results weren't pretty.

Story is.............ok. To Bioware's credit, they've done some homework & tied previously unconnected threads from multiple past games together to form this game's backstory & this was probably the last time any Sonic game remembered the Master Emerald. However, some of these callbacks don't really amount to much in the long run. OK, so the Dark Brotherhood built the Gizoids from Sonic Battle, what of it? The gizoids in the game might just as well have elite Brotherhood troops for all the difference it makes. If Gemerl from Advance 3 made an appearance they could've gone somewhere with it but he doesn't so nevermind.

Speaking of the Dark Brotherhood, the other disappointment is that this is like the only Sonic game to incorporate elements from the archie comics canon, except not really. Instead of the Dark Legion/Julie Su/Dimitri, SC has the store brand knock-offs Dark Brotherhood/Shade/Ix. It's like getting Kylo Ren instead of Jacen Solo. I hate to imagine a sequel having substitute Freedom Fighters if Bioware kept going.

Dialogue choices seem to be there for the sake of Bioware tradition, not to actually add anything of note. You can either choose from sarcastic Sonic or serious Sonic, but the results the same regardless. This probably would've been a better game to work in a custom player avatar instead of Forces, Bioware at least could've done more with it. Tails is so insufferable about reminding the player to save the game, he continues to do it even after telling him to stop. That's how inconsequential choices are.

Stats are so weirdly implemented. Damage output is not a visible stat, you can equipped items that increase your damage but they don't show by how much. There's an "Attack" stat that you can see, but it actually refers to the attack's accuracy, which I didn't know for the longest time & was hella confused at why I was doing so little damage. You give party members protection from different elemental attacks, but there is no single enemy in the whole game that even deals any sort of elemental damage so the shields are pointless.

In short, it's a game where every facet of it fails. Crap graphics, terrible audio, lousy controls, half-assed gameplay, weak story, & a cliffhanger ending that'll never get resolved thanks to a lawsuit from a dumbass ex-writer. It may not be the worst Sonic game ever but it was the 1 that broke my heart the most.

Though, to be fair, Chronicles also sold like shit. If memory serves me, there were special "Viral" Chao that were supposed to be given out at special events, but they never were due to poor attendance from the players.

Chronicles is only just barely passable as "baby's first RPG", but it's when the game is shown to someone who's played many better RPGs that the game's many glaring flaws are laid bare for all to see.

[golfsimulatorguide]

Skytrak+ Golf Launch Monitor

Video Created By SkyTrak

Skytrak+ Launch Monitor

The newest launch monitor from SkyTrak, the ST+. Bringing major advancements in the core technology, the Skytrak+ adds  a dual doppler radar system and updated software to provide unmatched accuracy. With the added radar system, the SkyTrak+ is now able to track club data without the use of club stickers. 

The SkyTrak+ brings multiple improvements not only in software and tracking but with functionality with the Shot Optimizer. The ST+ also allows for outdoor & indoor use, take it to the range or use it as your own personal golf simulator.

Speaking of golf simulation, the SkyTrak+ can integrate with E6 Connect, WGT, TGC2019, and others, giving you access to over 100,000 simulated courses! 

What’s Included

SkyTrak+ Unit 

Power Cables & Brick 

User Manual & Quick Start Guide

SkyTrak + Features

Measures Club & Ball DataIndoor / Outdoor Unit Does Not Require Marked Balls or Club StickersMultiple Golf Simulation Options New & Improved Shot Optimizer InterfaceShot Scoring Comparisons

Click Here to Read More

The New & Improved SkyTrak+

SkYTrak vs SkYTrak+

One of the biggest differences between the SkyTrak and Skytrak+ is the implementation of a dual doppler radar system, allowing the unit to track club data such as: Club Head Speed, Smash Factor, Club Path and Face Angle. 

The SkyTrak+ has also improved the photometric camera system, allowing the unit to perform better in an outdoor environment. 

 Key Improvements: 

Roughly 40% larger hitting area to give golfers more flexibility to capture a full range of shots

New on board processor for faster shot to show ability as well as easy and secure connectivity to a wide range of PC and mobile devices

 Added 5Ghz Wi-Fi capabilities for faster and more stable connectivity

USB Type C Charging options for port stability and rapid charging

No special balls needed

No stickers on clubs needed

Improved Shot Optimizer & Tutorials

The new and improved Shot Optimizer allows the golfer to view and analyze club and ball data while also comparing it to optimal launch conditions. Using color coding, your data will appear red, yellow, or green, depending on how close your numbers are to the best players in the world. 

One of the newest features of the SkyTrak+ is the tutorials housed in the user interface. Nick Clearwater (Golf Digest #22 Teacher in the World) explains the data parameters and why they are important to improving your golf game. 

Track Data Indoors & Outdoors

The improved photometric camera system gives golfers the confidence to practice indoors or outdoors.

Ball Data: Launch AngleCarry DistanceTotal DistanceTotal SpinBall SpeedBackSpinSide Angle & SpinMax Height Descent Angle

Club Data: Club SpeedClub PathFace to Path Face to Target

SkyTrak Software Options

Basic Software (Included)

Included with your SkyTrak+ is a basic range where you can dial in your club and ball data.

Game Improve Software (+$149 Yearly Subscription)

 Adding the Game Improve Plan also grants you access to features that will help you track & improve your game. You will also gain access to connect your SkyTrak+ to Golf Simulation Software. 

Play & Improve Software (+$249 Yearly Subscription)

The Play & Improve plan now includes:

15 E6 Courses (iOS & PC) – Aviara, Belfry, Sanctuary, Wade Hampton, Stone Canyon, Bandon Dunes, Oakmont, Torrey Pines, Troon North, Prairie Dunes, Banff, Barton Creek, Loch Lomond, Pelican Hill, Cabo Del Sol

15 WGT Courses (iOS) – PGA National, Pebble Beach, St Andrews, Bethpage Black, Olympic Club, Ocean Course at Kiawah, Chambers Bay, Erin Hills, Pinehurst #2, Congressional CC, Merion GC, Wolf Creek, Royal St Georges

The Golf Club 2019

Over 150,000 Courses

Practice & Play 24/7

4 Player Multiplayer

Real Life Physics

E6 Connect Course Play (iOS/PC)

27 Real World Courses

4 Modes of Play + Mini Games

Multiplayer (Local & Online)

Enhanced True to life Physics

Click Here to Read More

[centralcitylibrary]

Central City Library's Tiers of Canonicity

With a franchise going on as long as Sonic, with as many different writers handling the reins, inconsistency isn’t just likely, it’s to be expected. So how do we, at the Central City Library, handle canonicity?

Well, the best explanation is always the most consistent one, so let’s begin with an objective metric to organise priority for entries. This will be handled by way of “tiers”, so to speak.

Sonic Team canon: the core games (platformers developed by (or in collaboration with) Sonic Team). That list includes the following:

Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis/Mega Drive)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis/Mega Drive)

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles

Sonic 3D Blast: Flickies’ Island

Sonic R

Sonic Adventure

Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure

Sonic Shuffle

Sonic Adventure 2

Sonic Advance

Sonic Advance 2

Sonic Pinball Party

Sonic Battle

Sonic Heroes

Sonic Advance 3

Shadow the Hedgehog (NGC/PS2/XB)

Sonic Rush

Sonic Riders

Sonic the Hedgehog (PS3/360)

Sonic & the Secret Rings

Sonic Rush Adventure

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity

Sonic Unleashed (both the PS3/360 and PS2/Wii versions)

Sonic & the Black Knight (technicality, as part of the storybook subseries)

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

Sonic Free Riders

Sonic Colours (both versions)

Sonic Generations (both versions)

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode Metal

Sonic Lost World (both versions)

Sonic Free Runners

Sonic Mania (explicitly ties into Sonic Forces)

Sonic Forces

Team Sonic Racing (explicitly referenced in Sonic Frontiers)

Sonic Frontiers

SEGA themselves appear to agree with this as taking the highest priority, going by the Steam page of The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. Yes this is an April Fool’s game, but they still give us a specific indication of its canonicity outside of the “everything is canon” gag.

Games canon: all official games not developed by Sonic Team, specifically those not rendered non-canonical. No list provided due to volume.

Expanded canon: all official alternative media, specifically those not rendered non-canonical. This list includes:

Sonic Forces (promotional comic)

Sonic Mania Adventures

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW comics)

Sonic Prime (Television series)

Sonic Channel short stories

Miscellaneous shorts released on the Sonic the Hedgehog Youtube account

Miscellaneous canon: all official information put out that isn’t in a story in and of itself, including

Miscellaneous videos on the Sonic the Hedgehog Youtube channel

Miscellaneous information on the Sonic Channel website

Information books such as the Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-Speed-Ia

Miscellaneous tweets on the official social media accounts - primarily stuff like SonicPict, the gag posts are likely of little actual relevance.

Non-canonical information, the primary reason this isn’t excluded entirely is because sometimes it can be interesting to talk about these sources despite their non-canonicity. This list includes:

All Word of God statements (given the franchise is in constant flux, secondary WoG statements have suggested ignoring WoG as a legitimate source before, and, sometimes, people are just wrong)

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball & Sonic the Fighters (makes irrevocable errors to the continuity, namely putting in more Chaos Emeralds than what actually exist)

Sonic Chronicles: the Dark Brotherhood (one of the few games to be explicitly confirmed non-canon without a WoG statement)

Games with no story (such as a majority of the Sonic Cafe games)

Media set in alternative continuities will not be mentioned primarily because if it comes up it would be as part of their own dedicated lore pieces.

But even within each tier of canon they’re going to be conflicting evidence, so here’s some more information on what takes priority:

Information that’s presented within the individual games/[primary medium] takes priority above all else, as those are the actual stories as they exist

Attached media (such as game manuals) would take the next highest priority, as it is indeed directly attached to the media.

Official books relating to the media (such as official game guides) come next.

Both English and Japanese will be used, due to the writers for various games in the series being Japanese or English first and (by extension) having their stories written in English or Japanese, though the original language will be given automatic priority.

Non-Japanese sources prior to Sonic Adventure (released in 1999 outside of Japan) will be discarded due to the three main regions (Japan, USA, and the UK) having different continuities outright.

Within even these tiers, the most consistent explanation (that is to say the information with the least contradictions) takes the next highest priority.

And lastly, if multiple pieces of conflicting information are equally consistent, the most recent explanation takes priority.

I hope this makes our stance on the subject of canonicity clear for the present and future.

[undeadentropy]

Speak for yourself. 8 year old me could kick my ass on Sonic Spinball. I beat the whole game back then. I can't even get halfway through the first level now.

Video games were harder because we were children

[th3realsp1nb4llwh1zz3r]

❒︎⬥︎♒︎◆︎♐︎♒︎❖︎ ♒︎❍︎♎︎❖︎❑︎♒︎◻︎

"r︎w︎h︎u︎f︎h︎v︎ h︎m︎d︎v︎q︎h︎p︎"

[switch]

i enjoy sonic battle and spinball’s instrumentation but i understand that the “someone trying to run an electric guitar through a broken paper shredder” sound isn’t everyone’s thing

[viacursecasting]

Sonadow Scenario #58

He hated Valentine's Day.

Shadow found it to be a frivolous occasion. Why is only one day dedicated to partners when it should be every day? Why give in to corporate greed and capitalism? Why give the single Pringles like himself a bitter reminder that he's forever alone?

Absolutely despised it.

He was sick of all the stupid love songs. Sick of all the pink and red shit. He wanted to shoot every heart-shaped thing that crossed his path.

Worst of all, he was sick of all the couples shoving their love in his face.

In a way, he was kind of glad one of Eggman's robots sent him crashing through a row of carnival stalls.

The pain helped him forget the emptiness.

Groaning, he clumsily attempted to reload his pistol, blinded by the blood that spilled from the cut on his eyebrow.

But the robot stomped on his forearm, forcing him to cry out and drop his handgun. He tried to break free to no avail.

His quills flared. If he had to perform Chaos Blast to free himself, destroying half of Twinkle Park in the process, then so be it...

Suddenly an azure spinball rammed through the robot, crushing the metal as if it were paper. It toppled over with a creak, emitting one last spark of electricity as a dying breath.

Confident the bot was out of commission, Sonic immediately ran to the lifeform's aid. "Shadow! Are you okay?" He brought out a handkerchief.

But Shadow swatted the blue blur's hand away as he got to his feet. "I'm fine. Your concern is unnecessary."

Sonic huffed stubbornly, holding the agent's wrist to keep him still. "My concern is absolutely necessary. You're bleeding, for Chaos' sake!"

Shadow froze, taken aback that someone dared to contest him. His vision was impaired, but he could feel Sonic's firm yet gentle touch blotting away the mess on his face.

No one's... ever touched him like that before.

"There," Sonic said upon finishing his handiwork. "Now you look less like a serial killer."

Shadow grimaced, but he muttered his gratitude anyway.

"You sure you're okay, though?" Sonic asked once more. "You seemed kinda distracted."

Even as the hero said it, Shadow spotted a couple kissing, grateful for each other's safety.

His heart stung.

Sonic followed his gaze, and he seemed to understand. "Y'know, Shads, Valentine's Day isn't just about romantic relationships." He saw the agent's ear perk up, so he elaborated, "It can also be about relationships that are familial, platonic, and... whatever we have." He chuckled.

But Shadow wasn't amused. He held up his wrist, which the hero still clutched. He leaned close, his tone a threat. "And what exactly do we have, hedgehog?"

Sonic flushed, immediately releasing him. "I... Uh—"

Suddenly a park employee approached them, waving for their attention. Once he caught his breath, he expressed, "Thank you for taking out those robots."

Then he saw how close the hedgehogs were standing. Realization hit him. "Oh. Did you know couples get free admission today?"

They burned red, backing away from each other as they uttered:

"I beg your pardon—"

"Oh, w-we're not—"

It was too late, for the employee stuck some tickets in their palms, giving a farewell wave before helping some other patrons who looked lost.

The hedgehogs glanced at the tickets, then at each other before averting their gazes.

Sonic was the first to speak up, rubbing his neck as he eyed one of the carnival games. "I've kinda... always wanted one of those prizes on the top shelf."

Shadow smirked, gesturing for the hero to follow him. "I'll show you how a pro gets it done."

[th3realsp1nb4llwh1zz3r]

DO NOT PUT THAT IMAGE IN MY HEAD 😦

what if i was horizonzal...