The people of Riksent resumed their daily lives after the Einst's attack on the city earlier. Some of them were still fearful of the incident but, they were quickly assured by their friends that things will be alright. This is because word about the Mobians helping to fend off the Einsts had spread around the kingdom.

In the city, Amy and Honey were visiting a boutique, checking out it's selection of clothes. The two were accompanied by Cream, Cheese, Blaze, Elias, Geoffrey, Aya and Mai who were watching the duo. Some of Riksent's residents present in the boutique were looking at the Mobians.

"This dress looks amazing," Amy commented on a red dress of her size. "Maybe I should wear this and show Sonic…"

"Hmm..." Honey examined the dress. "It does look nice. I could go with this design for my Oriental Fantasy series,"

"And you might want to make it romantic, luv," Geoffrey walked towards Honey and placed his arm around her. "Like the two of us,"

"Aw, Geoffrey, you're so charming," Honey said.

"Wait a second, you two are getting lovey dovey with each other already?" Amy frowned at Geoffrey and Honey.

"But, of course, luv. Besides, Honey has the appearance of an angel. And it's only natural for an angel like her to receive love from a man like me," Geoffrey gave Honey a charming look.

"Oh, stop it, Geoffrey, you're making me blush," Honey giggled.

"Is he always like this?" Mai asked Elias.

"Well, he is the 'Hitman' so that's correct," replied Elias.

"Aside from my title, I must also say that Miss Aya and Mai here are angels as well," commented Geoffrey.

"R-Really?" Aya looked flattered and placed a hand on her cheek. "You make me sound like a princess actually,"

"Aya?!" Mai was surprised at her sister's behaviour.

"Oh, I was just kidding, Mai. Don't worry about it," Aya smiled at Mai. However, Mai looked doubtful and thought in her mind, But, you were doing that on purpose, weren't you?

"And it would be of my greatest honour to date two of our beautiful princesses, Princess Blaze and Sally-" Hearing this, Elias and Blaze glared at Geoffrey. Seeing the looks on Elias and Blaze's faces, Geoffrey raised his eyebrows.

"Is something the matter?"

"Geoffrey, please don't even think of hitting on my sister," Elias said, a purple menacing aura emanating from him.

"And if you dare do the same to me, I'll prepare a hailstorm of fire for you," Blaze said, a fiery aura radiating from her. Aya and Mai stared at Elias and Blaze. Amy sweatdropped at the current situation. As for Cream, she held Cheese close to her.

"Miss Blaze and Mr. Elias are being scary…" Cream said in a scared tone.

"Chao, chao…" Cheese said fearfully.

(scene change)

At a beach located a certain distance away from Riksent's city, Axel and Knuckles were engaged in a sparring match. The two continuously launched a barrage of punches towards each other. At one point, their fists collided with such force that both were pushed backward. After that, they decided to stop for a moment.

"Good match," Knuckles bumped fists with Axel. "You got some nice punches, Axel,"

"Yours aren't bad either, Knuckles," replied Axel. "With your skills, you could pilot a Personal Trooper of your own,"

"Sounds interesting but, I think my fists alone are enough to take down my enemies," Knuckles then added, "That aside, want another round?" Knuckles entered his battle stance.

"Sure, why not?" Axel entered into his own battle stance.

"Hey, guys!" A voice called Axel and Knuckles. The duo turned their heads and saw Sonic, Sally, Nicole, Antoine, Bunnie, Big, Froggy and Sanger coming towards them.

"Oh, you guys. What are you all doing here?" Knuckles asked Sonic's group.

"Well, you see, Big wanted to go fishing with Froggy. We thought of accompanying him and here we are," said Sally.

"And Suga-Twan is gonna have a duel with Sanger right here," Bunnie said.

"You're going to duel with Antoine?" Axel said to Sanger. Sanger replied with a "Yes," "That's interesting," Axel then replied. "Knuckles and I are in a duel of our own as well. How about the two of you join us?"

"A 2 on 2 match, you say?" Sanger said. "That will be fine,"

"Bon. Monsieur Axel's suggestion sounds interesting," said Antoine.

"Well, Sonic, Sally, Nicole and I should be going with Big and Froggy here to a fishing spot now," said Bunnie. She then pecked Antoine on the cheek and added, "Ah'll see ya later, hon,"

"You too, mon cheri," Antoine pecked Bunnie in the cheek. As Sonic, Sally, Nicole, Bunnie, Big and Froggy left, the rest of the group prepared for their spar.

"Now then, shall we?" Antoine looked at Sanger and drew his sword out partially.

"With pleasure," replied Sanger who did the same.

(scene change)

At another part of the beach, Storm and Lightning were sitting on a rock next to the shore, their backs facing the shore itself. The two Raiju ninjas were closing their eyes and meditating. Behind them, a group of four human boys were playing with a plastic beach ball.

As Storm and Lightning meditated, one of the boys accidentally hit the ball away from his friends, making it fly towards Storm's back. As if she had eyes behind her head, Storm grabbed the ball and held it in her hand. At that moment, the boys quickly ran towards Storm and Lightning.

"Sorry," the boy who hit the ball apologized. "Could we have our ball back-" The children suddenly became surprised as Storm and Lightning turned around to look at them. As Storm and Lightning came down from the rock they sat on and faced them, the children began to look slightly afraid due to the Raiju ninjas' appearances.

"Is this your ball?" Storm held the ball she caught in front of the children.

"Y-Yes," one of the children said nervously. There was a moment of silence as Storm's serious look penetrated the children. Then, much to the children's surprise, Storm gave a kind smile and handed the ball back.

"There is no need to be afraid," Storm spoke. "We may look different but, we share the same hearts as you all,"

"You two look like animals," said another child to the Raiju ninjas.

"We're lynxes," smiled Lightning.

"Um… Can I ask what are your names?" one of the children asked Storm and Lightning.

"I am Lightning Lynx," Lightning introduced himself. "And this is my wife, Conquering Storm. We're members of the Raiju clan of ninjas,"

"What are your names, young ones?" Storm asked the children.

"I'm Yushiro," said the boy who asked for Storm and Lightning's names. "And these are my friends, Yuki, Yuta and Eiji,"

"You two are ninjas?!" Yuta exclaimed excitedly. "That's awesome! I've only seen in them in TV and now I get to face them for real!" Yuta then approached Storm and Lightning. "Hey, can you teach me how to become one? I've always wanted to be like a ninja!"

"Yuta, aren't you being a bit rude making a sudden request like that?" Yuki said.

Storm chuckled at Yuta's enthusiasm. "Becoming a ninja requires intensive training. You can only do that when you're older, Yuta,"

"Aw," Yuta began to look sad.

"But, if you want, we can demonstrate our skills to all of you," Storm said to the children.

"Really?!" Yuta's enthusiasm returned. Even his friends began to share his enthusiasm.

"I would say that sounds interesting, Storm," Lightning stated. "Shall we then?" With that, Storm and Lightning prepared to spar with each other. While the Raiju ninjas did so, Sonic's group was approaching them. The group then stopped in their tracks upon seeing Storm and Lightning with the children.

"Hey, isn't that Conquering Storm and Lightning over there?" Sonic pointed to the Raiju ninjas.

"And they're with human children too. I wonder what they're doing?" said Sally. Sonic's group then saw the Raiju ninjas amazing the children with their fighting skills. Both Storm and Lightning displayed lightning based powers in their sparring match.

"Now that's something I'd never expect from Storm," said Sonic. "First, she's married to Lightning and now she's wowing children with her skills,"

"Sonic, why don't you go ahead with Sally, Big and Bunnie?" Nicole said. "I'd like to talk with Storm and Lightning,"

"I'll go with you, Nicole," Sally said.

"Sure, catch you girls later," Sonic, Big, Bunnie and Froggy then left. Sally and Nicole walked towards the Raiju ninjas and the children.

"Excuse me," Sally said as she and Nicole reached Storm and Lightning. The two ninjas stopped their match and looked at Sally and Nicole. Even the children looked at them.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your match but do you have a minute? We'd like to talk with you two," Sally said to Storm and Lightning.

"Who are they, Storm?" Eiji asked. "Are they your friends?"

Storm then smiled at the children and said to them, "Yes, they are my comrades. How about you children go somewhere and play first? Lightning and I will come back to you all afterwards,"

"Sure, come on guys," Yushiro and his friends moved to another spot. As the kids left, Storm put on her usual serious expression and together with Lightning talked with Sally and Nicole.

"Is there something you need?" Storm asked Sally and Nicole.

"That was pretty nice of you being with those children," Sally stated.

"We were just entertaining them," said Lightning. "Those children were eager to see our skills,"

"I must say, Storm," Nicole said. "You've changed,"

"Changed?" asked Storm.

"You were originally a person who cared about strength above all other things. Things like love were of no relevance to you. Yet, I see that you are married with Lightning, the man whom you banished twice in your previous life. On top of that, when you talked to those children, you had the look of a kind soul," Hearing Nicole's words, Storm and Lightning became silent.

"First and foremost," Storm then said to Sally and Nicole. "As you had said, I do not know of my memories of the previous reality which you spoke of. However, I will say one thing-Right now, my past is not my concern. My only concern is to assist everyone in recovering the Sol Emeralds,"

"What do you mean by your past is not your concern?" Sally asked Storm.

"Regarding that," Storm's voice seemed to have a hint of sadness in it. "That will have to wait for another time. Now, if you excuse me, Lightning and I should be going back to the children," Storm walked away from Sally, Nicole and Lightning. As Lightning was about to join Storm, he stopped in his tracks and looked at Sally and Nicole.

"I will say this," Lightning then said to the two. "Storm may appear to be serious on the outside. However, despite her serious exterior, my wife does show kindness towards others. Do please understand,"

"A-Alright" Sally said. With that, Lightning bowed down and joined his wife. Sally and Nicole looked at the Raiju ninjas as the latter re-joined the children.

"Did you notice how Storm sounded a little sad earlier?" Sally said to Nicole. "That's not like her at all,"

"She must have a past which she prefers to remain hidden from those aside from her and Lightning," replied Nicole.

"She really has changed, hasn't she?" Sally and Nicole saw Storm and Lightning playing with the children.

"Indeed, Sally,"