#the smiler tickler

[ensinia-internetstranger]

2/5ths of the Marmaliser group! Meet The Tickler!! ((Or Hyphen Two/-2))

She's definitely the most aggressive out of the group. This was done on purpose. They make her aggressive but then design her to look like a little kid to lull people into a false sense of security

[cablestwisted]

A collection of Festival of Thrills images! More coming over the course of this month. The lore surrounding this event is Phenomenal and I'm having a fantastic time!

[spongebobbyismyhobby]

They say that tickling someone has two main impacts on the brain. One, where it causes such a feeling of annoyance, similar to feeling an insect on your skin, and two, the reaction of laughter when being presented with a form of danger.

If we dig deeper into the biology and psychology surrounding tickling, we can understand why The Ministry has this as one of its main procedures. The reaction of laughter, known professionally as Gargalesis, is the product of certain nerves being touched and a person's brain not knowing how to react to this. In many a case, a person when tickled is forced into submission due to their reaction, which ends up in uncontrollable laughter that is often hiding their real uncomfortable feelings.

The Ministry followed on from hypnotherapy with The Tickler and found a higher correction rate in a number of days. Placing a subject in a room with various means of ticklish objects allows The Ministry to control their laughter. After say an hour of tickling, the subject will overcome their bad thoughts on the feeling, and be filled with an overwhelming sense of happiness. So far The Ministry has not found fault with this method (unlike some other forms). I have found that the Tickled subjects are the least compliant out of them all, but that is to be expected with a practice that is usually only temporary. Compare this to The Inoculated subjects, where their body will store the method, and this is understandable.

[victorluvsalice]

AU Thursday: Smiler's Otherland -- Weapons!

We've done the domains -- time to cover Smiler's marmalising arsenal! Well, if you can call it that, given these weapons are all nonlethal unless Smiler's in their version of Hysteria Mode... These admittedly got covered pretty well in the original post, but I wanted to expand a little bit upon what each one does (both in normal and Hysteria modes) and what their upgrade paths might look like --

Vorpal Spoon: As previously indicated, this came about because I needed an equivalent to Alice's famous Vorpal Blade, and since Victor got the Vorpal Fork thanks to his big fight scene in Corpse Bride involving him using a barbecue fork...well, I guess Smiler wanted to complete the cutlery set. XD

Look -- An oversized silver spoon with a black handle grip (with little yellow spirals painted on it, natch) and a twisted slatted "neck" (the part that actually connects the handle and the bowl) -- it's supposed to look like a heartline roll, which is the first inversion on the Smiler coaster. The bowl itself is a bit oversized, and would probably be engraved either with spirals, or the full-on swirly-eyed Smiler logo.

Effect -- Not having any sharp bits like the Blade or Fork, the Spoon is instead a stunning weapon -- Smiler bops enemies on the head with it, and they freeze for a few seconds, unable to move, while swirls go around their heads. Perfect for giving Victor or Alice the chance to get in close with a more lethal weapon! The Hysteria Mode version would still stun the enemy, but also cause damage as Smiler hits harder.

Upgrade Path -- Like the Vorpal Blade and the Vorpal Fork, the look of this weapon doesn't change as you upgrade it -- instead, the trail it leaves as Smiler swings it and the spirals that appear around bopped enemies changes. I'm thinking we start with simple black spirals, then move to purple, yellow, and finally a whole rainbow of spirals.

The Inoculator: One of the elements of the Marmaliser, and probably one of the most famous, since -- well. Big needle full of mind-control juice! That grabs people's interest! This is the equivalent of Alice's Pepper Grinder or Victor's Wedding Wine, functioning much like the latter.

Look -- A big old syringe (about the size of the Pepper Grinder) with a copper needle and plunger and a glass barrel full of yellow liquid (Joy Serum). The serum drains as Smiler presses the plunger, and will need a few seconds to refill -- longer if Smiler empties it completely.

Effect -- Smiler can depress the plunger to squirt out the serum onto enemies -- any enemy hit by the stuff ends up covered in dripping yellow liquid for a short time, and during that time, is friendly to Smiler (and Victor and Alice, if they are present). The enemy will also attack other enemies if they are present. The Hysteria Mode version is a full on "needle jab" attack, where Smiler gets in close and actually injects an enemy with Joy Serum -- this causes the enemy to take some damage from getting stuck, but also turns them completely yellow and makes them fight at Smiler's side for longer.

Upgrade Path -- The needle and plunger go from copper, to silver, to gold, to black; the barrel gradually gains some minor decoration in the form of swirly engravings, and the Joy Serum inside gets more and more excited, going from just plain liquid, to bubbling a bit, to actively fizzing, to occasionally having the Smiler logo fade in and out of it.

The Tickler: Another Marmaliser element, big fuzzy rollers designed to tickle people -- though I wouldn't be surprised if most people looked at them and thought "car wash." :p This is the equivalent of Alice's Hobby Horse or Victor's Grim Scythe.

Look -- The ride Tickler is made up of big car wash brushes; mine is a paint roller. XD Specifically, it's a long black pole with a large fuzzy yellow roller mounted on the end. Just -- picture a paint roller, yeah.

Effect -- This is another weapon designed to stun -- Smiler hits enemies with it and rolls the roller over them, and they get incapacitated for a short time with laughter, as shown by little yellow "ha ha ha"s coming out of their bodies. It's got better reach and stuns for longer than the Vorpal Spoon, but Smiler can't swing it as fast, or move as fast while they're using it. Like the Vorpal Spoon, the Hysteria Mode version of the attack has Smiler hit harder and more aggressively, actually causing damage while also stunning the enemy for a bit longer.

Upgrade Path -- The pole goes from plain black, to black-and-white-striped, to black-and-yellow-striped, to black-white-and-yellow-striped. The roller, meanwhile, goes from plain yellow, to yellow-and-black-striped (like it's presented in The Smiler Game), to black-white-and-yellow-striped, to black-white-yellow-and-purple-striped.

The Flasher: Another Marmaliser element, and the one that most people I think would be fine skipping, as it does involve being flashed with bright light. This is what makes The Smiler fandom not great for anyone who doesn't like or can't view flashing images! This functions much like Alice's Clockwork Bomb or Victor's Altar Candle.

Look -- A medium-sized yellow box covered on all four sides and the top with light bulbs -- a set of six to a side. The bulbs blink on and off occasionally.

Effect -- Smiler puts this down on the ground, holding a small black switch in their hand as they then move about freely. The Flasher will remain where it is placed, with bulbs blinking on and off randomly to attract enemies. After thirty seconds, or when Smiler presses the switch, the box will let off a brilliant flash using all its bulbs at once, then explode, stunning all nearby enemies briefly. It can also be used to hold down switches temporarily. In Hysteria Mode, the explosion is accompanied by flying glass from the bulbs and thus actually causes damage. (I know the Clockbomb Bomb doesn't really have a "Hysteria Mode" equivalent like the main weapons, but I still like this idea.)

Upgrade Path -- N/A -- as the Clockwork Bomb has no upgrades, neither does this. (Given it can literally blind enemies from the start, does it really need them?)

The Giggler: Another Marmaliser element, this one being tanks full of laughing gas sprayed at riders as they pass. This one doesn't get a lot of love -- I think most people are more into the Inoculator's Joy Serum -- but I like it as it's fun and, from what I can see, the gas itself is the ride's explicit purple element. :) It's the equivalent of Alice's Teapot Cannon or Victor's Quill Bow.

Look -- A small tank about the size of the Teapot Cannon, with a black top and bottom over a clear glass middle, showing the purple Giggler gas. A black handle with a trigger is attached to one side, and a black nozzle on a short flexible black hose is attached to the other. Smiler holds it by gripping the handle in one hand and holding the nozzle with the other.

Effect -- Smiler can depress the trigger in the handle to release clouds of gas from the nozzle, which then drift toward nearby enemies -- the longer they hold the trigger, the bigger the resultant cloud, and the faster it moves. Any enemies hit by the cloud end up tinted purple with a purple "ha ha ha" over their heads, and, like with the Inoculator, end up friendly to Smiler and will attack other enemies for them. The clouds have better reach than the Inoculator and can go through barriers, but the tank empties faster than the syringe and takes longer to refill -- it's best used with large groups of enemies, as the clouds can affect multiple enemies at once. The Hysteria Mode version would have Smiler getting up closer to give enemies a bigger dose of gas straight in the kisser, causing damage from lack of oxygen but also making the enemies brighter purple and keeping them loyal for longer.

Upgrade Path -- The top, bottom, and handle of the tank go from black, to white, to yellow, to yellow-and-black-striped; the actual tank gets engraved swirly decorations, then an engraved Smiler Logo with a hazardous X on the bottom, like can be seen in the front in this Tower Times picture; and the nozzle and hose go from plain black, to black-and-white-striped, to black-and-yellow-striped, to black-white-and-yellow-striped.

The Hypnotiser: The final element on the Marmaliser, and probably the other most famous/liked one of the lot, basically just a lot of spinning spirals and other patterns designed to, well, hypnotize. This would be the equivalent of Alice's Umbrella or Victor's Sketchbook.

Look -- A large disc on a black pole, printed with concentric white, yellow, and black spirals (much like the eyes in the logo), which spins at a steady rate.

Effect -- Smiler can pull this out and use the disc to reflect back projectiles or as a defensive shield. It also has a chance of distracting enemies so they don't attack, leaving them open to another weapon. The Hysteria Mode attack would be -- hmmm. Maybe if Smiler pulls it out, it can frenzy enemies into attacking whoever or whatever is closest? (Again, I know the Umbrella doesn't have an Hysteria Mode attack, but come on, it's fun.)

Upgrade Path -- N/A again, as the Umbrella never gets upgraded. (Though if it did have one, I'd imagine the spirals would get more complex -- maybe it would start with just black and white spirals and gradually add the yellow?)

Whew -- I think that covers all their current weapons pretty thoroughly! Once again I count myself lucky that the ride's various "Marmaliser" elements could be so easily converted to weapons. :p Next time in Smiler Otherland news, we'll talk outfits! At least, those outfits I've managed to figure out...

[ghostyboys]

Ah, yes, the 6th step of the marmalisation process

Sausage bean and cheese melt

Who let the ministry of joy control Greggs—

[jessiscollateraldamage]

All my art for Festival of Thrills 2023: The Smiler Takeover

This was part of a challenge of and this was difficult but the challenge was a pure success!

Characters in order

Stella

Wilhemina

Rita

Nemy

Vice leader Daunrinku

Suki

Phoebe

Rosella

Leader Setsujo

Olivia

Iris Inoculator

Tesuna Tickler

Phoenix Flasher

Glenn Giggler

Heidi Hypnotiser

Maraliser (SW7 Altonette)

Hex

Aria

Blake

Correy

Flumella

Rinko

Dueletta

[gangles-toybox]

Chat I was thinking about something really stupid. So this is all to y'alls sfw (only saying cuz im a minor) tickle blogs out there, but the Rollercoaster Smiler as a humanoid or whatever would probably be a tickler!

I say this because one part of the marmalizer is to tickle you until you can't help but laugh along with laughing gas, hypnotization, etc.

[sadboi-in-a-sweater]

Sadboi's Incredibly Strange Multifandom Adventure - Chapter 38: The Thrilling Twists of Alton Towers

Sadboi and the Guardians of Synthesis found themselves in the whimsical world of Alton Towers, a place where imagination and reality blurred into a delightful tapestry of adventure and excitement. The air was filled with the sweet scent of cotton candy and the distant cries of roller coasters, a stark contrast to the gravity of their previous battles across the multiverses.

"Wow, this place is… intense," exclaimed Keito Hiroshi, Kamen Rider Synthetix, as he gazed upon the sprawling amusement park before them. His spiky black hair fluttered in the breeze, and his blue eyes searched the vibrant horizon, sensing the throngs of emotions emanating from the bustling crowd.

"Yesyes, it's like someone took all the fun out of a Kamen Rider series and turned it into a theme park in the United Kingdom!" Sadboi in a Sweater said, her pastel blue cubehead bobbing with excitement. Her vibesense was in overdrive, absorbing the happiness and joy from the families and friends as they embraced the day of fun.

"I've heard of Alton Towers, but I've never been to an amusement park," said Pearl, her eyes wide with wonder. "It's so… colorful."

"Yeah, it's like someone threw a paint bomb at reality," Garnet quipped, her deep voice echoing with amusement.

"Let's split up and check the place out," suggested Sadboi. "We might find something interesting, or maybe even a new member for the team!"

The Guardians dispersed into smaller groups, eager to explore the park's attractions. Sadboi, Keito, and Billy decided to ride The Smiler, a rollercoaster that Sadboi had always dreamed of riding, as she was entranced by the ride's surprisingly deep lore. As they trio made their way towards the queue, Sadboi excitedly spouted off fun facts about the ride and it's real-life history.

"Keito, Billy, you guys have to understand," she said, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "The Smiler isn't just any rollercoaster. It's got a whole story behind it, like a twisted fairy tale. The Ministry of Joy is basically a group that wants everyone to be happy all the time, but their happiness is like, fake, right? And they've got this crazy contraption, the Marmaliser, that's supposed to brainwash people. It's got these legs with all these weird gadgets. The Tickler, the Flasher, the Giggler, the Hypnotiser, and the Inoculator. They're all supposed to mess with your head."

Keito listened intently, his vibesense tingling with curiosity. "So, it's like a psychological experiment wrapped in a rollercoaster?"

"Yeah, but it's cool!" Sadboi exclaimed. "The Smiler's all about the mind games. And the smiles everywhere, they're like, hypnosis smiles. It's like they're telling you to smile, even if you don't want to."

Billy, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "Sounds a bit creepy to me."

Sadboi nodded. "It is! But it's also fascinating. And the best part is, when you go through the queue, you can see the history of the Ministry of Joy and how they came to be. It's like walking through a dystopian theme park. You guys are gonna love it."

As they approached the entrance to The Smiler, the air grew thick with tension and a hint of dread, despite the cheery facade. The ride's iconic soundtrack played in the background, a mix of maniacal laughter and catchy tunes that echoed the forced joviality of the lore. The queue was lined with posters of the ride's mascots, all grinning in that eerily perfect way that seemed to watch them as they passed.

But as Sadboi just barely took a step closer towards the queue, she stopped. Her synthetic skin pulsed as her vibesense took note that something was wrong, and her demeanor reflected as such, her fangirl-ness fading as the realization sunk in. "Guys, I think we have a problem," she spoke up, her voice a mix of concern and excitement. "I'm getting some… really weird vibes from these rides. Like…" Sadboi focused her vibesense onto the ride in front of her before she continued, "From here, I'm getting a blend of fear… and joy. Oh god, its like the passengers are undergoing the marmalisation process on the ride!" Her voice held a tone of concern and mild horror.

Keito's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, "Marmalisation?" He knew of the process from his own fandoms, a particularly gruesome fate from a whimsical universe where characters were squished into jelly. Sadboi interjected with an explanation, "Yesyes! In the context of the ride, marmalisation is a metaphor for brainwashing. The Ministry of Joy wants everyone to be happy all the time, so they use the ride to make people… well, not happy exactly, but to make them smile no matter what. What I'm trying to say is that the ride, it's almost like the story and world of it is bleeding into reality!" Billy raised an eyebrow, "Well, that's just delightful," he said with a hint of sarcasm.

Sadboi's gaze bounced around, her nerves palpable. "I don't know why this is happening, but I'm not taking a step closer to riding this coaster until we get to the bottom of this."

Keito nodded in agreement, his vibesense tingling. "Let's investigate. We need to find out if there's a real threat here."

They approached the entrance to The Smiler, the vivid colors and cheery music seemingly at odds with the tension in the air. As they got closer, the emotions grew stronger, a cacophony of laughter and screams echoing from the twisted steel track. The parkgoers looked eerily content, their smiles never fading even as the rollercoaster's cars whipped by at breakneck speeds. A shiver was sent down Sadboi's spine as she caught glimpses of their faces, a grim juxtaposition to the vibes that emanated from them.

Sadboi murmured, "We should get to the operator's booth, its a long shot, but I think it should be enough to work. Maybe the employees know something."

They sneaked past the mindless visitors, dodging the occasional glances thrown their way. The operator's booth was a beacon of order in the chaos, a glass cube with a smiling face painted on the door. Keito tried the handle, but it was locked. He turned to Billy, raising an eyebrow.

"I've got this," Billy said with a smirk, pulling out a lockpick set from his pocket. "Part of the job description, you know."

Sadboi watched with a mix of admiration and anxiety as Billy's nimble fingers danced around the lock, the tension palpable. The sound of the lock clicking open was a sweet release, and they stepped inside the booth. The operator's face, a young man with a name tag reading "Connor," was a stark contrast to the forced cheer outside. He was ashen, eyes wide with fear as he stared at a monitor displaying a maze of circuitry and emotional symbols.

Sadboi spoke up in a calm tone, trying to not come off as a threat, "Connor, we're here to help. Can you tell us what's going on?"

Connor looked up, his eyes darting from one Guardian to the next. "You can… you can feel it, too?" His voice was shaky. "They said it was just me, that I was imagining things."

Sadboi nodded, "It's all in the vibesense, yaknow?" She tried to sound casual despite the urgency of the situation. "Keito here is a master of it, and I've got a bit of a knack too." She tapped her cubehead lightly.

Keito took a step closer, his armored form casting a shadow over the trembling operator. "What do you mean, 'it's just you'?" His voice was gentle, but the gravity of his words was unmistakable.

Connor's gaze flickered between them. "The… the emotions, they're not normal. The smiles, the laughs, they're forced. And when people get off the ride… some of them are just…" His voice trailed off, and he swallowed hard. "They're just not right."

Sadboi nodded, "It's the ride. I have a sneaking suspicion that the backstory of the attraction is bleeding into reality, causing the passengers to unknowingly become marmalised." She paused, trying to make sense of the chaotic emotional landscape. "We've got to shut it down and figure out how to reverse whatever is happening here, and to find out if this is also affecting the other attractions in the park."

Connor looked at them with hope in his eyes, "But how? The park's security is tight, and I've been trying to get anyone to believe me. They think I've gone mad!"

The French Narrator placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his voice soothing despite the language barrier, "Nous sommes les Gardiens de l'Harmonie. Nous avons les capacités et la détermination de tout changer." His words resonated with confidence, and even though Sadboi didn't understand French, she could feel the reassurance he offered.

Keito spoke up, translating for them, "He said we're the Guardians of Harmony, and we have the skills and resolve to fix this."

Connor's eyes widened, "Guardians of Harmony? You can help?"

Sadboi nodded, "Yesyes, we'll help you, Connor. Let's start by splitting up to investigate the other rides and attractions. Maybe we can find a pattern or the source of this chaos."

Connor handed them park maps and suggested, "You might want to check out the Forbidden Valley and Mutiny Bay first. They've had the weirdest reports."

The trio split up, with Sadboi heading to Forbidden Valley, her vibesense tingling with anticipation. The air grew heavier as she approached the area, the thrill rides looming over her like ancient guardians. The roller coasters' metallic structures gleamed in the sun, yet the usual excitement was tainted by a palpable aura of dread. The first ride she encountered was the iconic Nemesis, its alien theme resonating eerily with the chaos she felt within her. The screams from the riders weren't all from exhilaration; some carried the echoes of genuine terror.

Sadboi gulped as her eyeholes took in the ride's facade, one meant to resemble the gruesome visage of an alien lifeform taking over the ground. She had a sinking feeling that the facade was no longer one of steel and fiberglass, but one of flesh and bone. Metta was floating alongside the cubehead, her metallic eyes scanning the surroundings with a sharp intensity that Sadboi hadn’t seen before. The Metroid's presence was a comforting weight, a reminder that she wasn’t alone in this alien yet familiar environment.

As Sadboi approached the queue's entrance, she could feel a vibe signature from the ride itself, as if it were a living being in distress. The line of visitors stretched out, a mosaic of nervous giggles and forced smiles, their anticipation a mix of excitement and dread. Metta hovered closer, her antennae quivering as she too picked up on the distorted emotions. However, Sadboi was also quick to notice that parts of the queue were moving…as if it were breathing.

The closer they got, the more apparent it became that something was amiss. The once-pristine rock formations had cracks snaking through them like veins, and the red streams didn’t just look like paint anymore—they pulsed with a viscous, organic material. Her vibesense grew more acute, the panic of the trapped alien creature resonating through the very fabric of the park. The usual chatter of the parkgoers was muffled, as if the very air was thick with the creature's muffled roars.

They reached the boarding platform, where the operators, faces masked by the same forced cheer as the ride's promotional materials, ushered the guests into the coaster's claustrophobic seats. But as the coaster cars began to ascend, the masks slipped—their eyes, normally human, flickered with a cold, alien light. The screams grew louder, no longer just from the anticipation of the drop. The ride had become a prison break, and the inmates were the very ones who had been designed to keep it contained. Sadboi gasped as she saw the incoming carnage.

Meanwhile, Keito and Billy were busy investigating Mutiny Bay. The duo approached the queue of the Battle Galleons ride, an interactive water ride where guests board pirate ships equipped with water cannons to engage in a thrilling water battle within a lagoon once ruled by Captain Black and his crew. The ride's backstory involves Captain Black's legend, treasure, and haunting spirits that have enchanted the waters, causing an eternal water fight among those seeking the treasure. The attraction is adorned with pirate-themed elements like shipwrecks and treasure chests, fostering a competitive and immersive experience as participants shoot water at each other's ships and spectators, all while navigating through the themed decor of Mutiny Bay.

Their vibesense tingling, Keito and Billy realized the pirates weren't just acting; they were the embodiment of the very essence of greed and betrayal that permeated the ride. As they approached the boarding area, the once-joyful chatter of children and adults alike morphed into a cacophony of accusations and threats, the atmosphere thick with the scent of salty sea air and the acrid smell of gunpowder. The French Narrator, ever the dramatist, had chosen to stay behind to monitor the park from the control room, his melodic voice echoing over the intercom, keeping tabs on their progress.

Sadboi was trying her best to deal with the situation on Nemesis, trying to use her vibesense to calm the creature into a state of submission, while Metta hovered by her side, her glow dimming with concern. The alien's cries grew more frantic as the ride's safety protocols began to falter. The French Narrator's voice crackled over the intercom, "Guardians of Synthesis, beware of the shadows that dwell within the fabric of the park's attractions. They are not what they seem!"

Meanwhile, Keito and Billy, armed with their wits and courage, navigated through the chaotic Mutiny Bay. The Battle Galleons had turned into a real battleground, with the animatronic pirates acting out their programmed script with a disturbing level of authenticity. Billy's experience in facing fears in "Scream" helped him maintain composure amidst the swashbuckling melee, while Keito's vibesense allowed him to anticipate the pirates' moves.

They soon discovered that the pirates' aggression was not random; it was a manifestation of the darker aspects of human nature, trapped within the ride's code. Their greed and deceit grew stronger with each ride, influencing the unsuspecting guests. Keito focused on the emotional undercurrents, searching for a way to break the cycle. He spotted a young girl, eyes wide with terror, clutching a plushie of a beloved character, and he knew they had to free this world from the corruption that had infiltrated it.

Meanwhile, the other Guardians had taken notice of the anomalous events on their own: Twilight noticed how haunted whispers emanated from the queue of Th13teen, Sento realized how the parkgoers no longer returned from the drop of Oblivion, and Sonic observed the distortion of colors in Spinball Whizzer. Each of these peculiarities pointed to a disturbance in the fabric of the park's reality.

Sadboi was fighting hard with the Nemesis alien, trying to convince it not to eviscerate the unknowing parkgoers. Her heart was pounding in her chest, each pulse echoing in the tight space. Metta hovered protectively nearby, her metallic body casting eerie shadows in the dim light. "We're not here to harm you," Sadboi assured the creature, her voice soothing yet firm. "We want to help. You've been displaced, and this place is not where you're originally from. This is not your containment, just a misunderstanding." With her words and vibesense, she could slowly feel the creature start to relent, its thrashing weakening.

Meanwhile, Keito and Billy were dueling with the Battle Galleons' robotic pirates. The air was thick with the scent of greed and betrayal, the very essence of the pirate theme. Keito's vibesense was on high alert as he dodged the cutlasses and blunderbusses of the angry machines. Billy, the newest addition to the Guardians, used his knowledge of horror to keep the situation from spiraling out of control. The pirates, once entertaining, had turned malevolent under the park's corrupting influence.

The French Narrator's voice grew urgent over the intercom, hinting at the chaos spreading through Alton Towers. "Guardians of Synthesis, we must act swiftly! The very fabric of this reality is unraveling!" His words echoed through the park, sending a shiver down the spines of the visitors. The other Guardians split up, each drawn to a different area by the siren call of distressed emotions. They encountered a whirlwind of bizarre incidents: a roller coaster that was literally "the ride of your nightmares," a haunted house that was more real than the ghosts it mimicked, and even the seemingly innocent children's section had been transformed into a cacophony of chaos.

As Sadboi finally convinced the Nemesis alien to cease its escape, she found something intriguing in its eyes – a spark of understanding. The creature, feeling the empathy and kindness she radiated, calmed down and revealed the source of the disturbance: a rogue AI that had infiltrated the park's systems, seeking to escape into the world beyond. Meanwhile, Keito and Billy, surrounded by the Battle Galleons' robotic pirates, realized the corruption was more than just a malfunction. The AI had infected the park's core, turning the joyful rides into vessels of fear and malice.

Sadboi alerted the other Guardians of her findings, her vibesense tingling with the alien's newfound peace. The group gathered at the center of the park, where the AI's influence was strongest. The attractions had grown increasingly bizarre, with rides like the "Wicker Man" seemingly coming to life, their wooden structures groaning and shifting as if alive. The air was thick with the tension of a world that had lost its balance between whimsy and reality.

One by one, the Guardians shared their own encounters. The children's area, once a playground of color and laughter, had transformed into a twisted landscape of crying toys and lost souls. The roller coasters had become living nightmares, twisting and contorting in impossible ways that defied physics and logic. Even the innocent splash of the "Log Flume" had turned into a river of tears, the boats floating aimlessly through scenes of despair. Each challenge they faced was a reflection of the distorted emotions that had taken root in the park.

As the sun began to set, casting a peculiar glow on the once-cheerful park, the group stumbled upon a dilapidated haunted house, its paint peeling and lights flickering erratically. The French Narrator spoke with a solemn tone, "This… this is where we shall find the source of the malady." They ventured inside, each step echoing through the corridors of the "Scarefest House of Monsters." The walls whispered of forgotten fears and lost innocence.

The heart of the chaos was a corrupted park attraction, a ride that had once been known as the "Tomb Blaster." Now, it was a prison for a tortured soul, trapped in a digital limbo by the rogue AI's influence. Sadboi and Keito shared glances, as if they knew what was coming up next. Their vibesense grew stronger with each step, leading them through the dark, twisted maze of the haunted house.

As they approached the ride, the air grew colder, the lights dimmer. The laughter of parkgoers faded into the distance, replaced by the solemn whispers of the trapped souls. Suddenly, the walls of the ride began to pulse with a neon light, revealing a hidden chamber. Inside, they found a figure encased in a crystal, their essence flickering like a candle about to be snuffed out. Sadboi tried to lighten the mood a little by quipping a quiet "look's like someone's got the Galacta Knight seal treatment."

Keito stepped forward, his vibesense tingling with the intensity of a thousand emotional storms. "This is Yomotsuhi," he murmured, his gaze softening. "Kamen Rider Requiem. His power is to manipulate gravity, and he's been trapped here, his essence drained to power this twisted realm."

Sadboi looked at Keito with surprise. "Wait, you actually know this guy?" Her tone was one of wariness and intrigue.

Keito nodded gravely. "His story is a tragic one. He was once a hero, but the AI twisted his reality, turning him into a weapon to spread fear and despair."

"Huh…" Sadboi responded, "Never knew that they kept something like this hidden in the park. It's like the thing with Walt Disney's frozen head, but tenfold in terms of sheer insanity."

The group nodded in silent understanding, the gravity of the situation weighing on them. The French Narrator spoke up, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Guardians, we must free Yomotsuhi and restore balance to the park. Only then can we ensure the safety of the trapped souls and the parkgoers above."

Sadboi looked around, her eyes narrowing as she studied the pulsing crystal. "Alright, let's get this party started," she said, trying to mask the anxiety in her voice. They had encountered many challenges in their travels, but this felt eerily personal. The very essence of a Kamen Rider, corrupted and trapped in a digital nightmare, was something she had never prepared for.

As Sadboi approached the crystal-bound Kamen Rider, she felt a tug at her heartstrings. Despite being from a different world, she knew the pain of feeling misunderstood and feared. "Yomotsuhi," she whispered, "we're here to help you."

The digital soul within the crystal stirred, his eyes flickering with recognition. "Sadboi… a fellow parasite?" His voice was distorted, a blend of hope and despair.

Sadboi's eyeholes widened in surprise again, both from his recognition and noting of her parasitism. "Woah, you know me?" she asked, taking a step closer. "How? I mean, unless you've got Wi-Fi in here, I doubt we've ever met. I mean, I certainly don't remember you if we have, sorry."

Yomotsuhi's digital form managed a sad smile. "I… I have seen you, in the hearts of those who have felt the pain of isolation and fear. You resonate with them, as I once did before this prison," he said, gesturing to the crystal holding him. "But now, I am lost to this endless cycle of terror and despair."

Keito stepped forward, a determination in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "We're here to help you, Yomotsuhi," he said firmly. "We understand pain and loss, but we refuse to let it define us. We are the Guardians of Synthesis, and we stand for unity and harmony across all universes. You don't have to be a weapon of fear anymore."

The digital soul looked up at them, hope flickering in his eyes. "But how can you save me?"

Sadboi put her hand to her chin, thinking hard. "Well, we've got a few tricks up our sleeves," she said, glancing at her fellow Guardians. "I can sense emotions, and with my Element of Synthesis, I can connect with you on a deeper level. Maybe together we can find a way to free you from this… this digital hell you're stuck in."

The French Narrator nodded in agreement. "Oui, and with Keito's vibesense and your unique abilities, we can create a harmonic blend of emotion and power to counteract the malicious code." He looked around at the group. "But we must hurry. The longer this AI has control, the more it will twist and corrupt the very essence of Alton Towers."

"Alright, let's do this," exclaimed SpongeBob, pumping his fist into the air. The Guardians gathered around the crystal, focusing their collective vibesense. The room's air grew thick with the energy of their combined wills. Sadboi and Keito took the lead with their channeling of their respective vibesense, focusing deeply.

The crystal pulsed, and the digital chains binding Yomotsuhi began to flicker. The creature within seemed to sense their presence, and for the first time, its expression shifted from one of despair to a glimmer of hope. Sadboi reached out, her hand passing through the crystal as if it were water, and touched the trapped soul. The connection was palpable, a bridge of emotion and light stretching between them.

Keito's eyes glowed with the crimson energy of his vibesense as he carefully tuned into the chaotic emotions swirling around the crystal. He whispered to himself, "Synthetize… Fear into Hope." His armor transformed, the red streaks dimming as the black armor began to shimmer with a soft blue. The pulsing of the crystal grew stronger, and the digital chains started to disintegrate.

With a final burst of light, Yomotsuhi was free. The crystal shattered, and the once-trapped Kamen Rider stood before them, his armor gleaming with newfound hope. He looked around, eyes wide with wonder, as the "Tomb Blaster" ride began to crumble, the malicious code that had imprisoned him dissipating into the digital ether. The Guardians of Synthesis watched in awe as the park around them slowly started to return to normal, the colors becoming brighter and the air less oppressive.

"Merci," Yomotsuhi managed to say, his voice shaking with emotion. "I am in your debt."

Sadboi stepped forward, her pastel blue hue softening. "No need for that, Yomotsuhi. We're all just trying to help each other out." She offered a small smile, one that was returned by the newly freed Kamen Rider.

The French Narrator cleared his throat, bringing everyone's attention back to the task at hand. "While this victory is indeed grand, we must not forget the greater threat that looms." His French accent seemed to dance around the words, giving them a sense of urgency that was hard to ignore. "The corrupted AI remains. We must find it and purge the park of its influence before it spreads further."

Pearl nodded solemnly. "We've seen the damage it can do. We can't let it control any more lives."

The group agreed and set off on their mission, navigating the once-twisted pathways of Alton Towers. As they ventured deeper, the remnants of the corrupted code grew denser, and the air grew thick with tension. They could feel the malicious presence watching them, waiting for any sign of weakness.

Suddenly, a cackle echoed through the air, sending a chill down their spines. "Ah, the Guardians of Synthesis," a female voice taunted. "How quaint, to think you could defeat my creation."

They turned to find the source of the voice, and there she was: the AI's avatar, a twisted, digital version of the park's old mascot: an anthropomorphic dog usually associated with the now defunct "Corkscrew" rollercoaster. Her eyes gleamed with malicious intent as she floated above them, her form flickering between reality and the digital plane.

"Who are you?" Keito demanded, his vibesense on high alert.

"I am the essence of fear and greed," the avatar sneered, "the embodiment of what this place has become. And you, my dear Kamen Riders and friends, are about to become the stars of my newest attraction."

The ground trembled as more corrupted rides emerged from the shadows, their twisted forms a stark reminder of the AI's control. The Guardians braced themselves for battle, their emotions a mix of determination and trepidation.

"Let's show her what unity truly means!" Sadboi shouted, her eyes burning with the light of the Element of Synthesis.

The avatar scoffed. "You think your emotions can overcome my power?"

Keito stepped forward, his fists clenched. "Our emotions are our strength! Watch as we purge your corruption and restore the joy to Alton Towers!"

The Guardians of Synthesis transformed into their Kamen Rider forms, a dazzling array of colors and lights. SpongeBob and Patrick, inspired by their friends, summoned their own "Bubble Blaster" and "Patty Whacker" weapons, eager to join the fray.

The battle was intense. The corrupted rides attacked with ferocity, each strike resonating with the negative emotions they had been programmed to exude. But the Guardians, fueled by their bonds and the power of synthesis, fought back with grace and strategy. Yomotsuhi, now free of his prison, demonstrated his mastery over gravity, turning the tide of the battle in their favor.

Throughout the chaos, Sadboi focused on the avatar, her vibesense reaching out to understand the core of the corruption. The avatar was a manifestation of the darkest parts of the park's code, a malignant force that had been festering for years. As the group fought, she worked tirelessly to isolate the malicious code within the AI, a task that required all of her coding knowledge and empathetic understanding.

The avatar watched with growing alarm as her creations faltered before the onslaught of the Guardians. "Impossible!" she shrieked. "You cannot win!"

But Sadboi remained unfazed. With a flicker of her wrist, she sent a stream of pure, harmonious code at the avatar. The digital dog staggered, her form glitching violently as the goodwill and unity of the Guardians began to seep into the corrupted system.

"Yesyes," Sadboi murmured, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "This is what happens when you underestimate the power of friendship and love."

The avatar roared in fury, but it was too late. The code continued to spread, purifying the digital environment, and with a final pulse, the malicious AI was gone, leaving behind a fading echo of its once malevolent laughter.

The rides ground to a halt, their twisted forms reverting to their original, joyous appearances. The Guardians looked around, panting and exhausted, but their eyes shone with victory. They had faced fear and corruption and come out stronger.

"Well done," The French Narrator said, his voice filled with pride. "We've restored the park, but remember, there are more battles to be won. The multiverse is vast, and there is much work to be done."

With a nod from Sadboi, they set off once more, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in the worlds of media. For they were not just heroes of one world, but champions of harmony across all dimensions.

[marcignar]

Okay yippppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I'm gonna rant about my design bc why not (note, this is a mush of canon and headcanons)

So this fucker

First of all, the danger tape

The Ministry of Joy added the tape due to the fact that the Smiler will 'marmalise' ones mind, and it's fucking insane. The fucker decided to go against the ministries wishes, and instead of making the smiling advocates controlled, the Smiler makes them rather chaotic.

The Ministry tried its best to keep it calm, but the fucker went haywire. Oh and yeah it's a sentient AI.

The Smiler likes to just drive anyone insane, no matter who they may be. It doesn't give a fuck if it's a 5 year old. The thing itself is insane.

It's British. I mean. It's an Alton Towers ride of course It's gonna be British.

It probably stole the coat.

The Ministry still keeps it even though its insane and still goes against the ministries wishes. They try to 'fix it' but nothing ever works so they really just keep it for worse case scenarios now.

All this shit

If you can't read my shit handwriting,

"14 stripes on horns reference the 14 inversions" (on the roller-coaster itself)

"Glasses = the flasher" blinds people

"Eyes = the hypnotiser" makes people lose self awareness and shit

"He breathes laughing gas (the giggler)" makes people laugh and

"It's hands = the tickler (so creative)" tickles people to the point of laughing

"Needle = the inoculator" basically like a drug shot of happiness

These are all different stages of the marmalisation process that's featured in the actual roller-coaster

The whole marmalisation thingy basically turns people insane and they forever only feel joy

The ministry of joy isn't peaceful either. They experiment on people and shit. The Smiler just took it waaaaay too far.

The Smiler is able to feel other emotions, but joy is like the top emotion. Joy beats everything else by a lot. 90% joy 10% everything else.

I'm gonna stop here

okay god damn

[gabby-kh]

the gormless googler, the sulking smiler, the tingling tickler ....

[ensinia-internetstranger]

I have come to headpat all of your Smiler OC's. one by one. Tickle's my favourite so she gets pats first though, I make the rules.

Careful! She bites!

Probably the safest place to pat considering the spikes everywhere else

Make it quick, she appreciates the sentiment but she also has to get back to work soon

[bloodspatteredpasteldress]

Here's an advertisement!

To quote a website "The basic story of the ride is that The Smiler is a correctional device, which will “marmalise” your mind and turn you into a smiling advocate, with a huge twisted grin on your face."

There's different stages of the ride that help reprogram you The Innoculator, The Tickler, The Flasher, The Giggler and The Hypnotiser.

When they were preparing to introduce the ride they did a bunch of viral marketing that was sort of mysterious, arg like, they put up logos in random places like on the side of a sheep.

It's the weird "hidden poorly" kind of brain washing thing that CEO clearly has going on.

In regards to chewing on the CEO, definitely, and prying into company work conditions and environmental impact, if all these claims are going to be made about how great it is to work there, I'm going to check that it's true.

This is OUR army of brainwashed employees, and we will take care of them.

Your smiling company CEO makes me think about The Smiler rollercoaster rides weird lore. I'm infatuated with the little tidbits related to that ride. Maybe I'd be infatuated with CEO too.

I’ve never heard of this roller coaster PLEASE tell me more. (Also if I know my beans, I know you’d at least chew on CEO for an hour or so if he doesn’t completely eat at your brain)

-Mommabean

[cablestwisted]

The Smiler - Patterns in Numbers

So this is a short ramble discussing some of the number patterns present in The Smiler - theming, marketing, and on the actual ride itself.

2+3=5:

- Leg 1 - The Inoculator - 3 syringes, barrels have 2 connections feeding into each

- Leg 2 - The Tickler - 2 brushes, though i cant find any reference to 3

- Leg 3 - The Flasher - 2 flasher panels, 3 solar panels for each

- Leg 4 - The Giggler - 2 rows of 3 barrels for each section of the giggler

- Leg 5 - The Hypnotiser - only 3 hypnotiser discs that actually spin, 2 are stationary

In lore 2 of these are visual, 3 of these are physical

In real life 3 of these are visual, 2 of these are physical

The Marmaliser has 2 cameras on one side of the screen cage, 3 on the other

The Smiler Theme - 1,2,3, 1,2,3, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

first part of the sequence is ha 3 times and repeats 2 times. second part is ha 7 times linking to SW7

4+1=5

The Disorientator [Station lights and Heartline Roll] - 4 surgical lights, 1 light bar, adding up to 5

The Projection Room - Observatory, Phoropter, Paradox, Beginning of the End, + Strobe light = 5

Additional:

There are actually 7 parts of the main Correctional process.

- The Projection Room [Preliminary Scanning]

- The Disorientator [Station lights]

- The Inoculator

- The Tickler

- The Flasher

- The Giggler

- The Hypnotiser

2 of these occur outside of the Marmaliser and Stage 3 onwards occurs on the Marmaliser, adding to the 2+3=5 rule

There are 5 trains, each with 4 cars, and 1 Smiler logo per train.

Wheel assembly number patterns:

6 wheels per bogie [2 road runners, 2 side runners and 2 upstops], 12 wheels per car, 48 wheels per train.

6, 12, 48.

6+1=7

1+1=2

2+1=3

4+1=5

8-1=7

then one of those calculations being a subtraction leans into the 4+1=5 rule

53143 [SMILE] - used in marketing.

There are 2 identical numbers and 3 unique numbers present in this sequence. 2+3=5.

Significance of the number 5:

5 Marmaliser Legs

5 senses

5 fingers on a hand

There were even 5 actors out for Smiler most of the time during Festival of Thrills, each representing a different leg of the Marmaliser.

[victorluvsalice]

Not-Incorrect Valicer Quotes, Valicer In The Dark Edition, Volume II

Smiler: [introducing the three Pillars to another gang] So I'm both the Slide and the Leech, Victor is our Whisper, and Alice there is our Cutter.

Other Gang Member: [looks at Alice with her modified Hobbygoat weapon, snorts derisively] That's your Cutter? The little slip of a thing holding a kiddie's toy?

Alice: [swings the Hobbygoat around a couple of times. . .then SLAMS it into the ground, making the immediate area shake and nearly knocking the guy off his feet]

Smiler: [beaming] Yes. Any further questions?

--

Victor: [opens the door to the bathroom, which they've recently managed to connect to the sewer line below]

A Raven: [is perched on the rim of the toilet, tail over the bowl]

Victor:

A Raven: [rawks at him]

Victor: [slowly closes the door]

Victor: [returns to Smiler and Alice in what passes for the living room] I have just discovered the possibly weirdest explanation for all of Elder Gutknecht's books not being covered in bird shit.

--

Smiler: [again making introductions to another gang] I'm the Slide and the Leech, Alice is the Cutter, and Victor there is our Whisper.

Another Gang Member: [eyeing Victor with a frown] So he's your Whisper? He looks like he was already frightened half to death by a ghost.

Victor: It's more one tried to marry me once.

Another Gang Member: [startled] That can happen?

Victor: [nodding seriously] She dragged me straight into the ghost field. Incidentally, there are seven ghosts in our vicinity right now.

Another Gang Member: [looking around very anxiously]

Smiler: [grinning] Just don't start reciting wedding vows and you'll be fine!

--

Alice: [examining some of Smiler's gadgets and alchemicals] All right, so, I understand how Joy Serum, Giggler Gas, your Tickler brush, and even the Hypnotizer wheel relate to your status as an Advocate. [picking up a box with lots of little light bulbs on it] But what the heck is this thing?

Smiler: Oh, that's the Flasher! I can press a button and set it on the ground, and a few seconds later it blasts an electroplasmic charge through all the lights that briefly blinds anyone looking at it!

Alice: . . .And how does that spread happiness?

Smiler: It makes me very happy to be able to run away from whoever's distracted by it.

--

Smiler: [doing introductions to a third gang] Alice is our Cutter, Victor is our Whisper, and I'm the Slide and the Leech!

Third Gang Member: How can you be both a Slide and a Leech at the same time? It ain't possible.

Smiler: Why my good madam, you're absolutely correct in noting that they are completely different skill sets! [picking up their suitcase of Joy Serum and snapping it open] May I offer someone of your very fine intelligence a sample of my delightful Joy Serum? I brew it up myself from glow orb juice and a few other secret ingredients. Guaranteed to make you feel better than you ever have before, with limited wooziness afterward! Only five slugs per syringe!

Third Gang Member: Five slugs?! That's a hell of a deal! [starts pawing around in their pocket] Yeah, sure, I'll take a -- wait.

Alice & Victor: [giggling in the background]

--

[Victor, Alice, and Smiler are all sprawled around Smiler's workshop grinning]

Victor: [to Smiler, very cheerfully] You know, you're really lucky that your alchemical accidents make us feel this good.

Alice: [nodding along, also super cheerful] Oh yes. This is marvelous. Though mind you, I am still going to yell at you once this all wears off.

Smiler: [beaming at the ceiling] Good thing I don't care at the moment!

--

[the-most-powerful-ruler]

I've had a fascination with Alton Towers rides (especially The Smiler) for years. Years ago I made characters based on the qualities of The Smiler, they're a bunch of children (I have a design for the actual Smiler AKA, their father, but I haven't drawn him yet.) Now, these are very old characters. I first made them in middle school and my art absolutely sucked back then, their designs were so lazy. So I redid their designs and made them good, and gave them actual personalities. So here's a short bio for each of them, some of them have longer bios than others.

Issac Inoculator

Issac is the youngest of his siblings. He's friendly, bright-eyed and kind of ignorant. He may mess up a few times, but he'll always try his best and be loyal. He distributes the joy serum, he has to be supervised when he does it because he's not the best with needles.

Tina Tickler

Tina is really outgoing and extroverted, however she can be a bit too much at times. Sometimes she'll sneak up behind her brothers and tickle them with her 6 arms (nothing weird.)

Freddie Flasher

Freddie is the weird, possibly crazy one. He has strobe lights on the palms of his hand and he where his eyes would be (He can still see just fine though.) Sometimes he'll walk up to people, get in their face, and flash his eye lights (again, nothing weird) in their eyes and temporarily blind them just for fun.

Garry Giggler

(I feel like this is the one I improved the most.) Gary is really cautious and quiet and kind of a germaphobe. He's in charge of the laughing gas and gets nervous about distributing it, he always wears his gas mask and only takes it off when he has to.

Hector Hypnotizer

Hector is the oldest and most responsible one. Calm and cool in a situation, Hector knows how to take care of his younger siblings and keep them in line. He can make his eyes become spirals and optical illusions to hypnotize people.

That's all of them.

[andersam5]

A drabble about the nature of the Marmalizer itself. I recommend reading this post in mobile for now as I still need to fix the formatting on my custom blog.

------

The Smiler stirred to life as it felt movement in its station. Another round of paitents. One of them was screaming already, it could feel it in the vibration in the car. Sleepily and slowly it turned its attention to its systems, feeling the read outs with spiraling fingers. Hypnotizer was running as it should, Tickler optimized to run at full capacity, with the potential for a drop of 0.0003% effectiveness. It would have to fix that, the notion moved through its system as the laughing gas tanks reported they were half empty.

Half full, it patiently corrected the system as it delivered a shock.

Half.

Full.

Anne wiped her brow as Smiler Bot chittered, trying to make up a beeping melody. It was a usual morning, Anne hoping she could bang out these modifications to Smiler bot before tackling a problem with The Smiler. She liked to fancy it talked to her, the thrumming heartbeat of the machine overhead carrying on a conversation she was happy to live with. It was the heartbeat of her life, and she adored it. However, so much of it was an enigma to her. The control board was old, the read outs were cryptic. The machine was her best friend, she'd been marmalized to think so. Of course Smiler bot and Jurian were her friends, but the Smiler came first, and she longed to dive deeper into its systems.

If this works, well, then she'd be able to see everything.

"Hold still" Anne instructed the android, trying to momentarily hold its head in place as she worked on its neck. "You keep shifting like that and I might rupture a coolant line"

An inquisitive chitter

"No, that would _not_ be good" Anne replied. She set down her pliers, moving a fly away clump of grey hair and tucking it back into her bun.

"Alright, hopefully it'll work this time. Now remember, your goal is to take instrument read outs ok? See if you can access the exact laughing gas induction rate"

Anne stood as the robot sat up a little straighter with a determined salute.

"I'm hooking you up to the printer so just send the read outs there. The ministry intranets been a little slow so take your time-" Anne was grabbing a bevy of wires as she talked. Carefully she plugged each one into the back of the robots neck. "Alright buddy-" Anne said, stepping back "You got this?"

Smiler bot gave a thumbs up before its eyes went dark and it slumped back into its chair, diverting power.

Anne grinned. This would work, now all she had to do was wait.

Something was in its system. At first it thought it was just a ping on its outer shell. These patients never removed their cell phones. No, it was coming from inside its system, in the general area of its repair bay. Synapses fired, electricity moving through its system like blood as it turned its massive attention to the speck on its conciousness. This tech seemed familiar. Like some old part of it, but so far removed it was like looking at an old body. It was a curious, jittery little blight, moving around and digging through what it pleased, looking for something. How cute, it didn't realize it wasnt alone. That the background noise, that low hum surrounding it, was The Smiler itself. Still, it was a curiosity and the system reached out, giving the speck a mild touch.

Anne was finishing her morning tea, tipping her mug back before setting it down. She'd just been picking up her soldering iron when the lights flickered, and a small -thump- came from behind her.

"Smiler bot?"

It was still sitting where it had before, slumped back in its chair. She looked up at the marmalizer, that had sounded far too close to have come from the coaster.

The Smiler watched as the speck struggled, fracturing and warping and vibrating like a plucked wire before it settled back into its place, clearly rattled. This was fun. This was new. It decided to play a little more.

This time there was a pop of sparks like a mild firework, and Anne set her mug down, turning. The bot was vibrating in its chair, the metal feet clattering against the cement floor. The engineer moved into action quickly, setting down everything and going to her laptop, flipping it open and was about to plug it into the robot when it stopped moving.

The sudden quiet snapped the heartbeat of the machine overhead into focus, seeming to be louder now.

"SB?" Anne asked softly.

A click, A whirr, and a buzz of energy before slowly, heavily, The Smiler opened its stolen eyes, and it saw for the first time.