Chapter 10: The Pleasure Castle on Fakery Way
Twinkle Park was quite the place of memory for Tikal... and not a nostalgic one. The first thing that she remembered as she passed through the gates in tow with Shadow, was badniks. And lots of them.
"Shadow... are you certain we should be doing this?" She asked apprehensively. When the hedgehog remained silent, she added: "I've been here before, and I'm afraid I didn't care for it much then."
He gently squeezed her hand. A sign of support and care or annoyance, she couldn't tell. Regardless, it send shivers down her spine and more heat to her cheeks. "We have to go through the park. It's the only way we'll get out." he said. "There's got to be an exit at the end or something."
"Still, that doesn't tell me why you said yes to that lady. To this... God, are you trying to punish me?" She cried out. The echidna stopped, pulling her hand from his. He turned to her, stern as always. He turned away from her, shutting his eyes. "Don't you have your Chaos Emerald with you? Anything like that? Please tell me you do,"
Running through her mind was Badniks and spikes and painful objects. The last time she'd been around, she'd only resided in her light form, and while it allowed for great travel, many Badniks had attacked her. While her body was a projection, it did not exempt her from pain. Every time a Badnik had attacked her, or she followed Sonic or Amy through the park, she felt it.
Slowly, she felt an embrace around her. Gentle, yet still firm enough. She could hear his heartbeat, slow and melodic, calming. A sign of life, a sign of him. She opened her eyes, focusing on his shoulder.
"I didn't know Twinkle Park would cause you harm. I never meant for that to happen. And I didn't mean to punish you." He said. His voice was muted, like a rumble. She felt him awkwardly smooth out her dreads and pat her back gently. "My Emerald gave off a weird energy and I wanted to investigate. However, if this is too much for you to bear."
She was quiet for a moment, gathering herself and thoughts. Tikal let out a gentle sigh. "I can always escort you back with the Chaos Emerald if need be." He offered.
She shook her head. "No." She forced out. Its... its all right." She said, cursing herself under her breath. She pulled away from him, gaze to the ground. "As long as you're sure there's shards here."
"By the way you keep squinting and rubbing your wrists, yes, I'm sure."
"I'm sorry?" She said, her brow furrowing.
"I picked up on it when you... found me outside Red Mountain. When you sense the Master Emerald, you rub your wrists... You squint too."
"You noticed that?" She asked, blushing again.
"Of course I did. I'm the ultimate lifeform." he said, beginning to walk ahead. She lagged behind, eventually stopping. furrowing. She kept her eyes downcast, her hands knot into small fists. The hedgehog turned around, his gaze heavy on her.
"Tikal?" he asked.
"It's just... The last time I was stuck in that park for days. I was attacked by Badniks while waiting for Mr. Sonic, Tails, Mr. Big and Ms. Rose." She said. Her voice was unusually weak, barely above a whisper. "Forgive me if I'm still a little hesitant.
He approached her, taking her hand once more. "I'm not going to leave you." He said, firmly. His hand touched hers, his gaze searing her. "I promise."
"And... promises are forever, right?" Recalling the words he murmured to her not long ago. Words so special to him. She wondered, were they special to him as well? Had he picked them carefully, aiming for comfort but hitting an act that was more special, more precious, especially coming from him...
Or was it something he had quickly thought of? Something off the top of his head to calm her down. He had said it so quickly, it very well could've been. Surely he had console training as a GUN agent. Either that or Rouge 's personable nature had rubbed off on him.
Tikal wasn't certain if his silence was a pause for thought or just to hold her in suspense. Frankly, Shadow was a tough one to read. He held her gaze before he straightened up. "Yes, of course." He said lowly. She met his gaze briefly before letting out a sigh. He took her hand and led her towards the entrance.
He walked slowly, keeping pace with her. An echoing voice chimed the words "Welcome to Twinkle Park!" overhead of the echidna and hedgehog. The large steel doors slide open with a heavy, automated sigh. Engulfed in light, the two stood in a bright blue lobby, spotlights gleamed brightly upon two signs hanging above doorways. To the left was Twinkle Circuit and Twinkle Park was straight ahead.
They paused for a moment, looking over both signs. "You're still alright," he whispered to her, trying for reassurance. The echidna blushed at this kindness. No, don't falter. She thought to herself. Shadow slowly began straight ahead, his eyes focused on the gates to the park. He narrowed his gaze as the doors remained shut.
"Last time I was here," Tikal began. Shadow's attention quickly turned to her. Truth be told, she had not been able to explore the park as much as it had seemed she did. She was tasked with assisting Sonic, Tails and Amy whilst they continued on their respective adventures. "There was a blockade, like this one. I remember Sonic having to go through the circuit first."
"Damn." Shadow mumbled. "We'll have to go through the carts."
Shadow quickly turned on his heel, walking towards the gate of Twinkle Circuit. The door quickly slid open, revealing yet another corridor. Tikal followed him, albeit cautiously. The automatic door shut loudly behind her, catching her by surprise. She yelped and Shadow looked at her. She held up her hand. "Sorry." she murmured.
"Come on." he said as she hurried after him. They travelled down a long, bright blue tunnel, it was brightly lit. Almost too bright, Tikal thought as the light hurt her eyes. The walls were adorned with busy and bright signs advertising Twinkle Park's various attractions.
Another pair of automatic doors opened, displaying a room of bumper cars. Memories flooded back of Badnik drivers that cost Tikal and her friends so many rings. She grit her teeth as Shadow walked to the centre of the arena. The cars were lined up neatly in a circle, pointed towards the middle and the scoreboard. Tikal stood at the entrance watching as Shadow approached the solid door. He hauled back, granting himself a Chaos Spear and drove it into the exterior. The door didn't budge an inch, annoying the hedgehog.
"Shadow," she called quietly. He turned to her as she pointed at the carts. "We have to get in bumper cars."
The hedgehog turned to her with a confused expression. "Really?" He groaned under his breath.
"That's the only way the door will open. I assisted Mr. Sonic through this zone when I was first awakened." She said as she approached a car. She leapt in the air and landed inside the cart.
The arena made a chime, resulting in Tikal looking towards him to do the same. The hedgehog zoomed towards a cart, climbing inside. The arena chimed again, this time louder. The doors whined as they opened.
"How about a race to the finish line?" Shadow suggested, looking toward her.
"Well, we were sent here to have fun in the first place, right?" She said. "I suppose-" She was cut off by the roar of Shadow's bumper car taking off. The spirit smiled, hitting the gas and following the hedgehog.
The track was amazing. It comprised of numerous sharp twists and turns that required drivers to know the precise angle to turn and grind at. Jumps and breaks in the road required great attention and care for tricks. The entire track was space themed, asteroids and satellites props peppered against the backdrop of a beautiful night sky. The sky was filled with everlasting nebulae and cosmos that stretched to the ends of the universe.
As Tikal admired the skies above, Shadow sped past her, the hedgehog throwing a very rare smirk at her. It caught her off guard, one simple half smile. Her foot laxed against the gas. Suddenly, she snapped back to earth, narrowed her gaze and slammed her foot against the pedal. She bumped into a corner, narrowly dodging Shadow who was just a few feet ahead of her.
Then, the hedgehog turned back and sneered at her, calling, "You can't keep up with me!" Unfortunately as he did so, his car slammed into a wall, doubling over the guard rail of the track.
Tikal braked immediately as she saw Shadow wide eyed and clinging to the railing. She leapt out of her cart and hurried towards him. She grabbed him by the shoulders, summoning all the strength that she could muster. "Are you okay?" The echidna asked through grit teeth. She stumbled backwards before lowering him to the ground. His eyes were wide, as if he didn't realize what could've occurred.
The hedgehog snapped back, gaze narrowing upon her. "Yeah." He said quietly.
"Here, you can ride in my car." She said, getting up.
"I appreciate it, but I can run."
"But you really shouldn't. The cars were designed for the track and we can't afford any delays." She said, holding out her hand to him.
The ultimate life form took it as he and Tikal walked back to the cart. "How are we going to do this?" He asked. "The car is a one seater."
"You can drive if you'd like," she said. "Just make sure you keep your eyes on the road."
Tikal found herself giggling, her tension subsided slightly. The hedgehog's gaze focused on her, stopping her laughter. "But what about you? Like I said, the car is a one seater."
"I suppose that's a problem." She murmured before the hedgehog walked to the car. He leapt in before reaching over the ledge, holding his hand out to her. "C'mon."
Her brow furrowed. "I'm sorry?"
"You can sit on my lap for the rest of the ride." He proposed. Tikal's face turned red as her eyes immediately went downcast.
Sit... On a man's lap? Such a thing was scandalous and absurd! It would stain her honour and her chastity. If anyone from the Knuckles Clan saw that, hell, if her father had seen that, she would have been shamed for the rest of her life. No honorable warrior would want an unchaste lady!
But something inside her said to do this. This wasn't 4000 years in the past: her clan had been dead for many years. Those values had changed and been gone for ages. Maybe it was determination, focused on getting the shards of the Master Emerald back. Or maybe it was something else entirely. Maybe it was the slight shreds of admiration she held for him.
Tikal glanced up to him, his ruby eyes meeting hers. She held his gaze, reaching to his hand and feeling herself being lifted up. He was quite strong despite his slim appearance. Tikal tore her eyes from his, focusing on her blue bands. Yes. Those bands. A symbol of her importance and value as the chief's daughter. Blue, the colour worn by the priests and priestesses of her time, an indirect sign of purity.
He sat down, his hands slipping away from her body. She rested on his lap, her legs to the left. She fanned her skirt over them, clasping her hands together, eyes still on her bands. Shadow reached forwards, hands gripping the steering wheel. His foot eased onto the gas pedal. He drove with a steady pace: not speeding nor plugging along.
She blushed a little at how close they were. She kept her gaze downcast on her hands, attempting to block out the fact that she was sitting on the lap of a man. She had never been this close to another man before. Mind you, she had been protected as being the chief's only child. When her race was alive and thriving, many men of the tribe had lusted after her. A few of them had invited her to watch them participate in various sports or training, some even so bold to ask her to join them in a stroll around the city. However, they were always met with the refusal, and occasional punishment by her father's hand. It didn't bother Tikal much at the time, as it gave her an excuse to explore the jungle or be with the Chao and Chaos.
She thought of if she had been put in those situations. She wondered if she had been able to accompany some men if they'd given her any experience. Because at the moment, she could have really used it.
Eventually they reached the end, the track growing narrower. The car rockily jutted to a stop, causing the two to jump inside the cart. Tikal yelped as Shadow's hands found her sides, securing her against him. Her hands wrapped around his neck as she clutched him tight. The car rocked twice before meeting the ground. Tikal glanced nervously to Shadow before releasing her grip, as he did the same.
She cleared her throat, leaping off of him and landing daintily on the ground. He followed, his Air Shoes meeting the concrete with a soft clank. There was a small hole in floor. The two looked down onto it, streams of light emitting upwards.
"From what I recall, we must go down." She said.
"It's a pretty stupid entrance to a park..." He muttered before shaking his head. He held his hand out to her. "C'mon."
She glanced at it before taking his hand. He leapt down, pulling the echidna with him. The tunnel led them down until they both landed on hard seats. They both sat on the front seat of a roller coaster, the metal bar coming down across their laps. Tikal's eyes widened before Shadow grabbed her hand.
"Hold on," he said, gripping the bar.
The roller coaster took off, blasting away at an amazing speed. Tikal let out a yelp, lurching forwards. She squeezed Shadow's hand tight, her eyes shut. The coaster twisted and turned, rocking her all around. Her eyes opened slightly, watching as the cart zoomed past a castle's roof. The echidna gasped before clutching Shadow's hand even tighter.
"Welcome to Twinkle Park! The amusement park that's outta this world!" A voice said overhead. The coaster slowed to a stop before letting Tikal and Shadow off of the ride.
The echidna dizzily stood up, grasping onto the bar. Shadow steadied her, allowing her to hold his arm. "I forgot about the roller coaster..." She muttered. Shadow led her off the ride, the priestess blinking several times.
"You alright?" He asked.
"I'll be fine." Tikal said as she took a deep breath and stood tall. "Truth be told, the only time I want to be in the air is when I'm gliding."
The hedgehog smirked for a quick moment before fading back into indifference. "I suppose this is the park's attractions." He said.
The two stood within the entrance of the park: the foyer of a castle. The roller coaster track ended and in it's place, a red carpet rolled on. It led down the front steps of the castle. Tikal walked out of the park entrance and down the steps. The gardens were well kept and trimmed perfectly. Not a blade of grass was out of place.
Shadow kept pace with her. Usually he walked faster than her, but now he stayed by her side. "This park seems strange." He muttered.
"It's... topsy-turvy." Tikal said as they passed under a ring dispenser. A crown floated a few feet in the air, raining rings down upon the two. Tikal stopped under it, absorbing a few. Shadow shot her a look as she gave a nervous smile. "Can't be too safe. There were a bunch of Badniks around when I was here last."
"They've probably cleared them all out." Shadow muttered, stepping away from the ring dispenser. "You shouldn't worry too much, it's been a while since the Doctor was around here."
The echidna nervously nodded, following his lead. They continued down upon the stone path and Tikal recognized a bowling alley. She pointed ahead, touching Shadow's arm. "We need to knock down the pins or we can't continue." She said to him.
The ultimate life form huffed before approaching the dash panel. He curled into a spinball, charged up his dash and propelled himself forwards. The black blur knocked down several pins, uncurling from his spinball.
"SPARE!" A voice called overheard as a trumpet tooted. The echidna hurried over to him. The door opened with a gentle whoosh allowing the two to continue on.
"How did you do that?" Tikal asked in wonder. "You and Mr. Sonic and Guardian Knuckles can do it, it's amazing!"
"You mean the spindash?" He asked.
She nodded excitedly. "Yeah, the spindash! Even the name sounds cool!" The echidna said as they passed through the doors. They approached a small pond with a few platforms over it.
Shadow leapt forwards across what looked like lily pads. "I just do it. It's second nature." He called to her as she mounted one of the walls and glided across the water, leaving the hedgehog in her wake.
"That's so cool." Tikal said as she leapt down to the floor and waited for him.
"I suppose." He muttered as he leapt across stone pads on the water. "Although, I've never heard anyone call it 'cool'."
"Well I think it is." The two passed under another ring dispenser before approaching the same set of doors. Tikal's eyes widened as she turned to him. "Look, another alley. Maybe I could try?"
Shadow scoffed as Tikal cleared her throat. "I meant, Shadow, would you teach me how to spindash?"
His face hardened as he turned to her. "Why do you want to learn?"
"Because it's a cool move!" She exclaimed, quickly quieting herself. "You can always teach me when we get back to the island."
The hedgehog's gaze narrowed as Tikal gave him a smile. He let out a sigh before walking ahead of her, holding his hand out. "Follow my lead." He said.
"You're going to teach me? Right now?" She asked, surprised.
"Yes. Practical education is best." The echidna excitedly hurried towards the door. Shadow pointed at the dash panel. "Stand there." He said, taking a spot a foot away from her.
"Relax your body. Don't tense up. If you do, you'll hurt yourself." He said. "Clear your mind of everything."
"Okay." Tikal said as she took a deep breath and let her body go lax.
"Fan your dreads out like your about to glide." He ordered as the priestess shook her dreads behind her shoulders. "Bring your arms to your sides and make your hands into fists. Curl up."
The echidna followed his orders. Her knees met her chest and her dreads fanned back like makeshift spikes. "Hold that position tight. Start running and keep going until you've got enough momentum."
"Okay..." The echidna said uneasily. Her feet took off and she felt herself begin to roll. She became a blur of orange and green, rolling faster and faster.
"You've got it!" Shadow exclaimed.
"Great! Now what do I do to get out?!" She exclaimed, still in spinball.
"Just keep going." He said.
Tikal then felt something on her back. Hands. Shadow's hands pushing her. She rolled and rolled until she felt her body meet cold metal. She tensed a little, the muscles in her body tightening. She let out a wince.
"Shadow, what do I do?!" She called before feeling herself being projected forwards. She let out a yelp as she crashed into the bowling pins, knocking them all over.
She uncurled from her spinball, landing on her rear. Her hand flew to her head, gently rubbing it. Unfortunately her head had taken the brunt of the impact.
"STIIIII-RIKE!" A voice exclaimed.
She looked up confusedly before the doors opened behind her, with bright, multicolored confetti falling from the ceiling. The echidna gasped as Shadow approached her.
"Did I spindash?" She asked hopefully.
He nodded. "Yes... and for a first time, it went retty well." He added as she let out a squeal.
"That was a lot of fun!" She exclaimed as she shook her head, confetti falling from her dreads. The echidna smiled at Shadow. "Thank you for teaching me."
Shadow gave a nod of acknowledgement before trekking forwards. The echidna followed in suit as they approached a merry-go-round.
The hedgehog's content demeanor had shifted the moment he heard the annoying melody that came along with the ride. Tikal couldn't help but giggle as they sped past it. The two ran past a large pirate ship suspended on a metal hoist. It swung back and forth and would occasionally swing in a full circle. It was positioned over top a small yet deep pool. Tikal's eyes were drawn to the ride's seemingly endless cycle of swinging.
"C'mon," he murmured, gently touching her elbow. The echidna's eyes flew to his retracting hand. She sped up, keeping pace with him. They came to a dead end, where the doors had been locked shut with a spring to the side. Shadow simply leapt on a spring and was propelled upwards until he disappeared over head.
Weary of the spring, Tikal instead mounted the side of the castle and quickly scaled it. She leapt over the edge, landing with a pound on the castle side. Shadow hadn't stopped and simply went forwards. Using the tops of the multiple tower roofs, the hedgehog had gunned it, running and leaping from edge to edge.
Tikal glanced over the edge of the building's roof, looking down. The towers stood over a twenty foot drop down to the gardens below.
I suppose gliding would be the safest option. I can easily see myself falling down there and having to climb all the way back up. And besides, we've got a schedule to keep.
"Hurry up, Tikal!" Shadow called from ahead.
"Coming!" The echidna called back as she leapt in the air, fanned her dreads out and glided over the towers. She landed against a wall, scaling it up and throwing herself over the edge.
Her eyes scanned the horizon, seeing Shadow charging ahead. The echidna smirked before breaking into a run. The castle's ground broke into a thin path that continued upwards. Spiked balls peppered the small path. The echidna leapt over them gracefully, catching up with Shadow.
He shot a look towards Tikal as she smiled at him. "This feels like a race!" She exclaimed as they both hit a spring. The spring bounced them upwards, landing the both of them on a edge of the castle's roof.
"Do you want it to be one?" He asked.
"Only because our last one failed fantastically." Tikal smirked.
Shadow pointing to the large doorway. "Race you to the castle entrance." He proposed.
"On my mark. One, two, three!" The echidna exclaimed.
The two took off: Tikal to the air allowing herself to glide along the side of the roof, and Shadow leaping on a button and using his Light Speed Dash across the small trails of rings. The spirit grit her teeth as she came up to the end of the castle's roof. A line of springs sat before the brick wall. The echidna leapt onto it and then glided towards the grand entrance of the castle.
She felt a gust of wind trail under her as she glided. Her eyes trekked down, noticing Shadow skating past her. He zoomed up the carpeted steps and stood in the doorway of the castle, arms crossed. A gentle smirk crooked in the corner of his mouth.
Tikal landed, standing before the stairs. "I see why they call you the 'Ultimate Life Form' now." She said, smiling. She squinted ahead.
"Sense a shard?" He asked, approaching her.
Tikal nodded, rubbing her wrists. She watched as he produced his Chaos Emerald. The jewel pulsated with light, confirmed the spirit's notion. "Go on, I'll follow."
Her eyes shut, her feet beginning to lead her towards a decorative set of bushes. Her eyes opened wide as she pushed away the bushes and dug around. Branches hit against her arms, scratching them as she dove inside. The hedgehog hurried towards the bush, glancing worriedly before Tikal leapt out of it, a smile on her face.
"I found it!" She exclaimed as she held out a large chunk of the green jewel.
"I guess this wasn't a complete waste of time after all." Shadow remarked, holding out his hand to her. She took it as he pulled her out. The echidna brushed herself down, her eyes trekking back to the castle.
"Isn't there a train or something outta here?" She asked, pointing to the castle.
The hedgehog shook his head. "There is, but that's the exit," he said, pointing behind her. She turned to face a large orange and blue balloon with a red star in the centre of it.
"Well. I feel foolish. I should've remembered that... It's how Miss Rose escaped before." The echidna muttered.
"All that matters is that it's our ticket out of here." He said, taking her hand. Tikal felt her face heat up. His grip was firm and she felt herself weaken slightly at his touch.
Wait. What? Weaken? Why was she weakening? Was she going to fall over and faint because a male took her by the hand? He had done that over a dozen of times before on this adventure. And... hadn't she just sat on his lap about an hour prior? That was more deserving of flushed cheeks and weak knees than a mere hand-hold.
Yes she had and yes she was. For now he held her close to him. Her eyes grew wide as he held her tight.
She didn't know why everything was so different now. He had held her close before when they visited the Chao Garden, so why did she feel so off now? Damn emotions.
"Hang on." He muttered as his gaze shifted upwards. Her eyes followed his before recognizing what was overhead: the balloon.
No, right. Its just like in the Garden. It was for convenience. She thought to herself as she wrapped her arms around his midsection.
With one arm clutching Tikal tight, Shadow leapt in the air and took hold of the balloon. The two began to float to the exit of Twinkle Park, the park becoming a spec as they veered closer and closer towards the stars.
"Well. That certainly was odd." He muttered. Tikal, still blushing, simply nodded in agreement.
A/N:
HIT DOUBLE DIGITS HELL YEAH BOI POP A BOTTLE! Also we hiT 35+k BABY IM A PROUD RU RN!
Yo hit up dreamwidth (url is in my bio) for the notes on this chapter!
Thanks for reading~!