Yang strides down the forest path until she gets to the hotspring, pausing to get some soaps they'd stashed in a pile of smooth stones. Then she starts undressing, starting with her gauntlets.

"Yang? Wait a second." Knuckles walks up the path after her.

Yang pauses, looking at his reflection in the smooth pour of water going into the hotspring.

"I... I'm sorry Yang..." He apologizes sincerely. "I know your hair is important to you... I just wanted to do something nice, like help with your hair..."

She closes her eyes, and then turns with a half smile, "Yeah... Sorry for the uppercut. I guess we all got stuff like that. I mean I got a better chance talking you into pawning the Master Emerald than anyone does of messing with my hair."

"Oh, I doubt that." Knuckles smirks.

"Don't push it," she says as she kneels, and pulls him into a hug.

He smiles and hugs her back.

She nuzzles him then stands, "Now can I be alone for a bit? I really do want a bath, but I'm not ready for you to see me naked yet."

He blushes a little. "O-of course. I'll save you some pizza."

She pecks him on the lips, "Thanks Sweety."

He smiles and hugs her tight before turning and walking back to the house.

On his way back he spots Neptune walking around the area where the shrine usually is, Sun next to him using a rock like a Hackie Sack.

"There you are." Knuckles tilts his head.

Neptune looks up, "Oh... Hey." Sun is too absorbed with his distraction to notice them.

"I can get you both some pizza... but you shouldn't come inside." Knuckles says.

Neptune bows his head, "I know... I just couldn't do that to her, try reconnecting like that. Then what about when I see Velvet again? Blake said you guys were working on the portal."

Knuckles nods. "Still, it could be a while. I suppose Shadow could try warping you with him when he goes over there again."

Neptune nods, "I'd appreciate it... Before Velvet decides to move on thinking I'm dead too."

Knuckles nods. "You need to keep quiet about being able to go there and back though. And be quiet about what's here. I'm pretty sure Weiss will know it's your fault if someone discovers a pathway between the worlds, or that we exist."

"Kinda late for that," Sun says, catching his rock. "Shadow told me that our pals in Team JNPR already know, but they're keeping quiet."

"And you need to be like team JNPR." Knuckles says.

Neptune nods, "Yeah... I got it, no worries."

"Good." Knuckles nods and opens the door, walking inside.

Weiss seems to be her normal composed self again, sweeping up the wasted flour. Ruby is crouched in front of the oven, staring intently at the pizza.

Blake looks up from a book, "You're back Knuckles, did everything turn out okay?"

"Yeah, she forgave me. Remind me to never talk about her hair again, would you?"

"I don't think you need much reminding," Blake says with a glance up at the hole in the ceiling.

"I suppose." He smiles.

Rouge bends over, checking the pizza. "Almost done!"

Shadow eyes her bare ass, wagging his tail.

As Blake walks past Shadow she lightly chops his head with the spine of her book, "A lady always appreciates a gentleman."

Shadow growls at her, rubbing his head.

She just keeps walking like nothing happened, and reads her book. Then just as Weiss is walking past Shadow to dump the bad flour out the door, Ruby lets out a shout that makes Weiss jump, and dump the dustpan on Shadow by mistake.

Shadow exhales from his nose. "Hello karma."

Weiss sighs, "Honest mistake, hold on this might be a bit cold."

She sets Shadow in front of the open door, and twirls a finger in a circle making a small Gliff between them. A blizzard wind blows from it over Shadow, but Weiss tries to minimize the snowflakes as it blows Shadow clean.

Shadow stays still, temperature never having really been a problem with him.

Weiss traces an X in the air, banishing the Gliff, "There you go."

Ruby blinks, "How'd you do that without your sword, the Chaos Emerald?"

"You're half right," Weiss says as she gets the broom to sweep the mess of flour out the door this time. "On Remnant using Dust in its raw form is an ancient practice, but we've seen Professor Goodwitch do it all the time. I wasn't trying to show off just now, just keeping in practice."

Shadow tilts his head. "You can do that with the Chaos Energy in the air?"

Weiss nods, "Yes, but nothing too extraordinary, there's only so much energy in one place at a given time. Though here on Angel Island it's especially potent." She looks over her shoulder, "So Ruby, what were you so excited about before I turned Shadow into a recolor?"

Ruby perks, "Oh yeah, pizza's done!" She opens the oven, and in her excitement forgets all about oven-mitts. Weiss drops the broom when Ruby squeals in pain, recoiling while favoring her hands.

"Careful you dunce," Weiss says, hurrying over to examine her hands. She sighs, "Nothing serious, but it could have been. Try to think more!"

"Sorry," Ruby mutters with an expression that can only be described as a whipped puppy. Weiss stares at Ruby's hands, and seconds later snowflakes form to circle their joined hands. Ruby's pained expression fades, and she smiles as she watches the snowflakes dance.

Shadow tilts his head, watching Weiss work.

Rouge grabs the pizza, which amazingly didn't flip or hit the ground. She sets it on an insulated mat, patting her gloves with a smile.

Ruby sighs, "Thanks Weiss."

Weiss opens her mouth, looking like she's going to make another snide comment, but hesitates. "...You're welcome." Then she lets go of Ruby's hands so she can offer Rouge the pizza cutter.

Rouge accepts it with a smile, bending over and cutting the pizza into equal slices.

"Put some clothes on for crying out loud," Weiss snaps. "We get it, you have assets men find attractive, but save it for closed doors okay?"

Rouge blushes. "Hey, I'm not the one that wanted to be naked! Talk to Blake and Yang why don't you? I can't find my suit!"

"Yang smuggled it out when she went to the bath," Blake says.

Rouge scowls, crossing her arms under her breasts and lifting them a little. "I don't have any other outfits dearie. Unless you have any clothes you think will fit me, this is my new look." She blushes hard. "Even... to the movies later with Shadow..."

"Which I will not tolerate," Weiss says as she take ahold of Rouge's ear, and heads for the front door. "We're going to get your outfit back from Yang."

Ruby rubs her numb hands together, "Don't most Mobians go without clothes anyhow? Like Sonic, Shadow, and Silver?"

"If they have the fur to cover it." Shadow replies. "Most females have evolved to have less fur so they are more attractive to mates. Thus, most Mobian females have to wear clothes since their fur will no longer hide their private parts."

Rouge blushes, squirming against Weiss. "Hey! I'm not letting other guys see me! I can see Neptune and Sun out there!"

Weiss freezes in place, and frowns, "...Point taken..."

Penny comes up from the basement, and smiles, "I might have a solution."

Rouge turns to her, tilting her head. "Penny? Weren't you outside with Omega?"

Penny nods, "But we made an escape tunnel down this way. Also Tails helped me create my own workshop."

"What does that have to do with me getting clothes? You aren't wearing any..." Rouge frowns.

Penny smiles, and the air shimmers around her before her dress appears, "You're right, I'm not, but you couldn't tell even if you bumped into me on the street."

Rouge's eyes widen. "How'd... wha?"

Penny holds out her left arm, "Microscopic hologram projectors, they blend perfectly with the skin. And since bending light is the basis of a force-field we can even make the images tangible."

Weiss crosses her arms, releasing Rouge's ear, "Okay, I'm somewhat impressed."

"Just a small catch," Penny says, and pulls the end of a sleeve so hard it tears, then the entire sleeve dissolves into pixels. "The projectors are still in the prototype phase so the tangible projections aren't very strong, and if the projection breaks it requires one to two minutes to reboot."

Rouge frowns. "So... if they shut down I'm naked again?"

"Yes, but if any part of your outfit is damaged only that section will vanish." Her sleeve materializes, and she continues, "Even then it's only for a little while."

"Yeah, two minutes max." Rouge frowns. She sighs. "I'll try it though. I don't want to go out there naked. Does it feel like you're wearing anything?"

"Nope, your clothes are made of light after all." She heads back down, and comes up with a small vial, "Here let me. Oh, and try not to get wet either, they might be water-resistant, but they can still wash away."

Rouge gulps. "Great... well, I suppose I've done much more daring things than this..."

Penny pokes a finger in the vial, and then starts tapping points on Rouge. The front base of her neck, below her wings, a few in a diamond shape on her belly, several points on her legs, including between them.

"You've seen a net? Well think of the projectors as where the string meets on the net to make an X. The projectors need to interface with each other to best decide how to project the light around your body for the illusions."

"Okay... do I decide how they appear on me?" Rouge frowns.

"I do at the moment," Penny says, and Rouge's normal outfit appears on her. "Give me time, and I can make a device that will let you customize your appearance."

Rouge nods, looking at her outfit and seeing if there were any spots that weren't covered.

Penny walks around to do her own inspection, "Can you do me a favor though? Before you shower next wipe them off with a damp cloth please, I want to save as many of them as I can."

Rouge nods. "This... is so weird..."

Penny smiles, "How does it feel?"

"Like I'm naked... but I'm clothed... I swear if any pixels go into my vagina..." She growls.

"Then it'll simply appear that you have a cameltoe," Penny responds easily. "Just like if you weren't wearing panties. You won't feel anything I swear."

Rouge blushes and looks down, expecting to see it.

Penny holds up the vial, "Maybe I can minimize that chance by putting projectors more tightly bunched in that region, if you don't mind?"

Rouge shudders. "I don't think I want projectors down there... can they record stuff?"

"No," Penny replies. "And suit yourself. You may want some around your nipples though or you might end up with a few bumps on your outfit like you weren't wearing a bra."

She blushes. "That was what the breastplate was for... okay, put more there... my breasts are pretty perky, I think I'll need them..."

Penny just puts one about an inch beneath each nipple, "There you go! Are you sure you don't want me to fix your lower half?"

Rouge sighs. "I think you should... my outfit is supposed to be only slightly revealing."

Penny kneels, "Hm... Four, no five should be enough. Sorry if my touches seem embarrassing." She dips her finger back into the vial, and then touches a finger to Rouge's pubic mound.

She blushes and moans softly.

"The next four are tricky,"Penny says. "They go on your thighs, but in such a way they won't rub off when you walk. Two in front, two in back."

Rouge blushes more. "Which means... I gotta spread my legs?"

"A little yeah," Penny says. "The projectors can't conceal what they can't see."

Rouge nods slowly and sits, spreading her legs wide. She glares at the other girls. "Not a word of this to anyone."

Blake just shrugs while the other two watch enraptured almost as Penny applies the projectors.

"All done," Penny announces.

Rouge stands, looking at her outfit. "Not bad... It looks just like my old one..."

Ruby gulps, "Interesting..."

"It's so embarrassing... but invigorating... I feel free..." Rouge stretches her wings.

"Free from what?" Yang comes in rubbing a towel draped over her shoulders on her head.

"Nothing." Rouge says. She glares at Yang. "Where's my suit?"

"Someplace... Wait, aren't you wearing it?"

"It's a hologram." Rouge scowls.

Yang frowns in disappointment, "Dammit..."

Rouge walks up to her, scowling more. "Now, what did you do with my suit?"

"It... may, or may not have gotten blown off the island..." Yang says innocently.

Rouge scowls more. "Just wait until tomorrow. Who knows, maybe all your clothes will get blown off the island too."

Yang waves a hand, "Oh relax, I'll take you shopping for whatever you want."

"I will not relax." Rouge's ears twitch annoyedly.

Yang is about to reply when she spots the pizza, "...Argue later, dinner now!"

Rouge scowls. "I should deny you any pizza."

"Trust me, if you wanna keep what's left of a roof over your head you won't," Yang says cheerfully as she starts passing out plates of pizza.

Rouge hisses, but Shadow stops her. "Chill. I'm not defending you if you threaten to cut her hair."

Yang raises an eyebrow in their direction as she brings them pizza, "Huh? You say something Shadow?"

"Rouge would like you to try out the hologram thing for Knuckles as long as she has to. A dare, if you will." Shadow says simply, tugging Rouge to the table.

Yang rubs her chin as she looks Rouge over, "...Depends, how far off is Valentine's Day? Kinda have plans on that front."

"Only two days away." Rouge tilts her head.

Yang smirks, "Perfect, then I'll start wearing them three days from now."

"I'll keep record of how long I'm in them, then." Rouge states, serving the pizza.

Yang sits at the table with her own dinner, "So where's Sonic?"

"He's looking for Amy, I think." Knuckles responds, taking a bite of his pizza.

"There's a twist," Ruby says with a giggle.

...

Mercury sighs, "Remind me, why am I carrying the bags again?" He holds up the shopping bags hanging from his arms with a raised eyebrow.

"Because, Emerald and I need our hands to pay for everything!" Amy giggles.

Emerald walks over with her hands behind her back, "Hey Amy, I got us a little treat..."

Amy turns to her. "Oh boy! What is it?"

"Well it's part for now, and part for later." Emerald says, revealing two plastic bags. "The first is just some Chinese takeouts since it's about time to eat, and the other is... Well, can you keep a secret?"

Amy giggles. "Of course!"

Emerald grins, and whispers, "Well I walked into this gourmet chocolate shop to have a look around, and the prices were so ridiculous you'd think that they were robbing the customers... So I beat them to it."

She opens a bag showing off a wide assortment of chocolates.
Amy giggles. "Emerald, stealing is wrong..."

Emerald ties the bag shut, and puts a finger to her lips with a wink. "So shall we head for the food court?"

Mercury checks his watch, "Getting kinda late don't you think?"

Amy looks at his watch and gasps. "Uh-oh! We'd better get back!"

As they leave the mall Mercury says, "You know, a car would be a nice investment..."

Amy giggles. "You should get Extreme Gear! A lot faster and cooler than a car!"

Emerald nods, "Yeah, sounds like a plan."

"After our next job, you two spent everything I earned on this little shopping spree," Mercury says, sounding a bit annoyed.

"Amy forgot her purse," Emerald replies. "You know that."

Amy giggles. "Sorry... I'll pay you back, I promise."

Mercury smiles gently, "Ah... Alright, fair enough. It's not that long a walk with these anyways."

They arrive at the apartment, and Emerald starts putting food on the table while Mercury drops his bags on the couch.

Amy runs off, coming back with her purse. "Let's see..."

"Sonic used fifty rings for this week's groceries," Mercury says. "I'll cash a check for 200 at the bank tomorrow, and start an account."

Amy nods. "So then... two hundred rings?" She fishes out a ten Star Ring bottle.

Mercury smiles as he takes it, "Thanks Amy... You know, I'm glad we met you. Hard to find nice folks."

She giggles. "Yeah... Especially Overlanders... they're so self-absorbed sometimes..."

"Thanks," he deadpans, but his smile tells her that he's not offended really.

Amy giggles. "Just telling it like it is."

Emerald hugs Amy from behind, "Never had a friend like you... I'll be sad to see you go, everyone leaves eventually."

Amy blinks startled. "Why... would you say something like that?"

Emerald lets her go, and turns her to face her, "Nothing lasts forever Amy, I'm just being realistic. I just know in my bones there's going to be a day where we won't get to see each other again."
She brushes her hand over Amy's head, "When that day comes, we'll pack our bags, and head out into the world."

"At least when it happens we'll have some excellent memories to take with us," Mercury says as he fills a bowl with some rice.

Amy smiles gently. "Still... it's not nice to think about that..."

Emerald gives her a sad smile, "I know, but it helps me numb for when it comes time to say goodbye."

Amy sighs and hugs her softly.

Emerald hugs her back, and rubs her shoulders, "I'll never forget you Amy..."

"I'll never forget you either..." She wags her tail softly.

In the dining room Mercury pretends to sniffle, and wipe a tear from his eye. "Me without my camera... Oh wait!" He whips it out of his pocket, and aims it at them, "Say cheese!"

Amy giggles and wags her tail a little.

Emerald turns so they're both facing the camera, and winks at the camera. As Mercury pushes the button Emerald sticks out her tongue while nuzzling Amy.

Amy giggles and sneakily reaches up, grabbing Emerald's top and yanking it down, her breasts springing free.

Emerald rolls her eyes, and Mercury looks regretful. "Aw, that rack is just out of the shot! If only I'd zoomed out more."

"Shut up," Emerald says playfully, smothering Amy in her boobs. "Let's just eat, Sonic better hope he get home before it gets cold."

Amy giggles and grabs the food, sitting on the couch.

Emerald joins her, and Mercury sits between them with an arm around them both. Then he snaps a foot in a kick, kicking the TV remote into the air where Emerald snatches it. "Here," she says, passing it to Amy.

Amy catches it with a giggle, switching to an action movie before pushing the remote between Emerald's breasts teasingly.

Emerald rolls her eyes, "What's with you, and my breasts? You can't keep your hands off them!"

Amy giggles. "I love them!" She kisses them softly before taking a bite of her food.

Emerald smiles, and starts on her meal. "So what movie is this anyways?"

"It's called Robocop. I think it's the newest version." Amy smiles.

Mercury moans urgently through a full mouth, and then swallows, "Saw the first two of the original saga, part of the third. Impressive for the special effects of their time."

Amy smiles. "This is the reboot then."

Mercury shrugs, "Oh well, let's see how badly they raped the legacy. Remakes almost never work out."

Amy giggles. "He's so brave..."

"For a brain, and a spine piloting a titanium body," Mercury says.

"Kind of like Omega..." Amy giggles softly.

Across the bottom of the screen rolls an emergency news bulletin telling viewers to switch to a certain channel for an announcement from Station Square.

Amy pouts. "Aw, just when he's about to become Robocop..." She grabs the remote from Emerald's boobs and flips the channel over to the news.

"As many of you are aware," the anchor says. "This new group calling themselves The Guardians has accused the "Good Samaritan" Roman Torchwick of crimes on the planet of Remnant, and demanded his surrender to the Guardian Unit of Nations. We come to you now, having received his reply which we shall play shortly."

"So not a Live speech this time," Mercury says.

"Bet he doesn't want to get shot live on the news." Amy says with a scowl.

Roman appears on the screen, and hangs his cane on the podium with a smile. "To the people of the world, or those of you that watch the news at any rate, thanks for watching. Word has probably spread by now of the accusations against me, of how I'm a thief, con artist, and other stories probably being made up by the public as we speak. Well, here is my response to these allegations..."

He takes off his hat slowly, and his expression turns somber, "...They are true."

Amy blinks. "He's... coming clean?"

Roman steps around to the front of the podium, "I know this news is shocking to many of you... Yes, back on Remnant I was a thief, of of the best. But here's a news flash, to the people here in Station Square this is old news."

His expression changes to one of determination, "I knew that there was always a chance my past might be tried to use against me, so I've never tried to hide it. Instead, I own my sins, I am a thief... But that was back on Remnant."

He gestures around him, "Here, on Mobius, I could have done anything with my resources, but what did I do? I gave it all away. I made a friend in Doctor Ivo Robotnik to build what I had, and then gave it to the people. Why? Because simply... Grimm."

He paces the stage now, "Wars on Remnant are scarce because we've all grown up with one fact. You can be a king, a beggar, a whore, or a thief... But when it all comes down to it we all want to live. So yes, I've stolen much, but when I came here I gave more than I could ever take!"

His expression is bordering on angry as he looks into the camera, "I've given you people a fighting chance! A chance to survive while the Creatures of Grimm multiply across your world like a cancer! So to the Guardians, and the GUN, I will let the people decide my answer!"

He beckons off to the side, and Neo steps onstage with a smile. Roman says, "A poll was taken the minute the Guardians made their broadcast. Neo..."

Neo pulls a scroll of paper out of her jacket, and unrolls it for the cameras. On it is the words, "Should Roman Torchwick be arrested?" Underneath is a green 13%, and a big red 87%.

Torchwick nods, and turns to the cameras, "So there is my answer Mobius. Guardians, looks like you're on your own now since GUN no longer has authority to arrest me. If you want me you'll have to get your hands dirty yourselves. Or are you just like the politicians across Mobius that have refused to even attempt to help the people of Station Square?"

Amy scowls. "Why that dirty..."

"He's not wrong," Mercury says.

"That doesn't put him in the right," Emerald growls.

Roman puts his hat back on, "So while you make up your minds Guardians, I've got some protecting of my own to do. Ladies, gentlemen..." He picks up his cane, and walks off the stage with Neo.

"How long before a response to his response?" Amy tilts her head.

"No idea," Mercury says. "Since this was a recording instead of live I'm willing to bet he's expecting an attack, the extra time for him to build up defenses."

"Well, he's smart." Amy crosses her arms. "He knows the Guardians are a threat."

Emerald punches a fist into her hand, "I want so badly to be the one to break that jerk's nose..."

Mercury rubs his chin, "Hm... You know... We might get our shot. He's expecting the Guardians, but the last thing he might expect from anyone is a pair of bounty hunters. At the very least we can be in the city for emergency backup."

Amy stands, determined. "I'm coming too!"

Emerald puts a hand firmly on her shoulder, "No, you're too closely connected to Sonic. You'll be spotted in an instant, and who knows what Torchwick might do to you if he thinks Sonic is gunning for him by you being there."

Amy pouts and sits down again. "I wanna smash his face in..."

Mercury ruffles her quills, "Well if Emerald, and I capture him we could delay turning him over long enough for him to have an accident or two..."

Amy smirks. "That's a good idea..."

Emerald kisses Amy, and winks, "We'll head out first thing in the morning."

"Now in more urgent news," Mercury says. "...Think we should split Sonic's share? The dude barely eats anything but chilidogs anyhow."

Amy giggles. "That's why I grind vegetables into the chili so he gets his nutrients."

Emerald rubs her back, "You'd make a great wife."

She blushes and giggles happily. "I hope so!"

On Angel Island, the next morning, Penny holographically shows them Torchwick's press conference.

Knuckles growls, "So we have permission to deck him now, right?"

"He as good as rolled out the red carpet," Weiss confirms. "He just confessed to carrying out crimes on Remnant, and if GUN won't oppose us then he can't say we're enforcing law outside our jurisdiction."

"Good." Knuckles cracks his namesakes determinedly. "Alright, same group as before. Let's ready up!"

"We should wait," Blake says. "At daybreak they'll be most relaxed. After a whole night of jumping at shadows, and possibly fighting Grimm they'll be prime targets."

"Very well. But we should still prepare." Knuckles nods.

Penny walks up to him, "Just tell me what you need, I'll see to t while the rest of you get your sleep."

Knuckles nods. "Thanks."

"Well, since we're not going on the mission, I think Shadow and I will stay out late." Rouge grabs Shadow's hand, and almost drags him out the door happily.

Ruby watches them go, and Weiss turns to Knuckles, "Excuse me... I need to ask a favor."

Knuckles blinks and nods. "What is it?"

Weiss takes as breath, "Shadow is planning to take Neptune back to Remnant right? Before they go I want a word with Neptune. Just... Not quite yet..."

Knuckles blinks, but nods. "I'll make sure."

"Thank you," Weiss says, and spots Ruby getting crumbs all over her face as she stuffs her mouth full of cookies. Weiss sighs, and pulls a handkerchief out of her pocket to wipe away the crumbs. "You're hopeless Ruby."

"At least she doesn't chow down on Chili Dogs. Then she'd be a female Sonic." Knuckles chuckles. "With Shadow's colors."

Ruby swallows her treat, "Thanks Weiss."

Weiss smiles at her, and then heads over to the Dust to see what they might need. Meanwhile Blake whispers to Knuckles, "Call me crazy... But the way Weiss acts around Ruby is different... It feels different."

Knuckles nods. "It's like... Shadow and Rouge."

Blake frowns, "You know... They used to hate each other, or rather Weiss couldn't stand Ruby for a time while Ruby was a bit scared of Weiss. Even during our initiation to Beacon they could barely tolerate one another, which took a Deathstalker, and a giant Nevermore trying to kill us."

Knuckles smiles. "Sounds like Rouge and Shadow when Shadow was first brought out from stasis. Shadow was a lot colder than he is now, he barely dealt with Rouge. But after the Metal Sonic fiasco, they started working closer."

Blake shrugs, "Not sure what happened with Ruby, and Weiss exactly. Just one day after classes Weiss started making an effort to be nicer until it came more naturally... Now she's being downright... gentle..."

Knuckles smiles. "Well, whatever the reason, it will help them be even better partners."

Blake raises an eyebrow, "Partners? Why do I sense a double meaning...?"

Knuckles tilts his head. "Double meaning?"

Blake crosses her arms, "For a moment you implied that Weiss, and Ruby..."

"They're partners, aren't they? Like you and Yang." Knuckles blinks.

"Oh, I thought you had implied a different kind of partner, as in you and Yang."

He blushes a little. "I see... well... it's not like we're gonna stop them if they swing that way, are we?"

"No," Blake replies.

Knuckles yawns. "Well, I'd better see what we need before bed."