The kingdom of Riksent is currently at peace. It's people are carrying out their everyday lives. For now, the kingdom is not facing any major threats unlike during the time of the Neo Divine Crusaders' occupation of Riksent itself.

In the kingdom's city, Princess Shine Hausen, Riksent's leader, was walking around the city's streets with two companions. They are Sanger Zonvolt and Elzam V. Branstein, also known as Ratsel Feinschmeker. As the trio walked the streets, people greeted Shine and she greeted them back in return.

In truth, Sanger and Elzam are not accompanying Shine merely for leisure purposes. They are to guard Shine in case something happened to her. This is because recently, Shine had received premonitions of a dreadful event. Hearing this news, Sanger and Elzam decided to drop by Riksent to guard her. Additionally, Elzam had contacted Kai to seek the latter's help in gathering more people to guard Shine and her kingdom.

"Are you feeling alright today, Princess Shine?" Elzam asked Shine who was just greeting a child waving at her.

"Yes, Ratsel. Aside from the premonitions, I am fine," replied Shine. "But, I thank you for your concern,"

"We must not let our guard down," stated Sanger. "Given our past experiences, the chances of danger befalling Princess Shine and Riksent are high,"

"You are correct, my friend," replied Elzam. "But, let us not worry too much," Elzam pointed towards a café. "Shall we perhaps lighten the mood with some tea? I heard that the tea in that café is quite satisfying,"

"Oh, yes, that would be a great idea," Shine smiled. Sanger nodded in approval with Elzam's words. The three then walked towards the café. As they walked, a man in dark clothes approached them from the front. Suddenly, the man pulled a gun out and pointed it towards Shine!

"Princess Shine, look out!" Elzam said as he and Sanger quickly moved in front of Shine to protect her. The people who saw what was going on became horrified. As the armed man was about to fire his gun, two short figures wearing brown hooded robes over their clothes appeared behind him and kicked the back of his legs. This caused the assailant to fall down. Though surprised at the current turn of events, Sanger and Elzam wasted no time. They quickly pinned the criminal down to the ground while Shine called for the police.

"It's rude to point a gun at a fine lady, mate," said the first figure as he and his companion stood in front of the criminal.

"Who the **** are you?!" the criminal shouted at the two figures while struggling with his captors. "You dare interfere with my killing?!" As soon as he finished speaking, the other figure took out a mechanical-looking sword and pointed it towards the criminal's face. At this, the criminal was surprised and became silent.

"If you struggle any further, we will have no choice but to subdue you with much more force," said the figure with the sword. "For now, stay still and wait for the police to pick you up," Soon, the police arrived and took the criminal away. After that, people cheered Sanger, Elzam and the two figures for protecting Shine. As the people cheered, Sanger, Elzam and Shine approached the figures.

"Thank you for what you had done earlier," Shine said to the figures. "But, who are you two?"

"The pleasure is mine, luv," said the first figure who had a metallic rod kept at his back. "And we are just a pair of passersby,"

"I do not mean to be direct but, would you please take off your hoods? We would like to see your faces," Sanger said to the two figures.

"Yes, of course," said the second figure. The two figures brought their hoods down, revealing their faces. Shine, Sanger, Elzam and the people around them were surprised upon seeing the figures' faces. The first figure appeared to look like a black and white skunk with white hair. The second figure looked like a squirrel and had auburn hair.

"Who… are you?" Shine asked the figures. The figures turned towards Shine after she spoke.

"I'm Elias Acorn. Call me Elias," said the squirrel.

"And I'm Geoffrey St. John," the skunk smiled. "It's a pleasure, luv,"

(scene change)

At the SRX Team's headquarters, the Freedom Fighters were giving the SRX Team, Kai, Tetsuya, Eita and Adzuki a tour of the Sky Patrol. During the tour, Ryusei enthusiastically took pictures of every single part of the ship much to the amusement of everyone.

After the tour, the Freedom Fighters were given a tour of the SRX Team's ship, the Hagane, as well as shown the team's Personal Troopers. Sally, Tails and Antoine were even offered to try out the simulators used for piloting Personal Troopers which they did. Once the tours were over, everyone headed to the cafeteria in the SRX Team's HQ for lunch. As they ate, the group chatted among each other.

"How did you like the Sky Patrol, Ryusei?" Rotor asked.

"It was amazing!" Ryusei replied. "Your ship has almost everything a man would dream for! A simulation room, a comic book and video game room, surfboards that fly in the air… I think the Sky Patrol would leave a man speechless!"

"I would say the same thing for the Personal Troopers," commented Nicole. "In fact, upon seeing them with my own eyes, I cannot help but feel fascinated. Their designs are in such a manner that they match the personality of their respective pilots. Just looking at them alone would make one think that the Personal Troopers are perfectly attuned with their pilots. I must say that the Personal Troopers are truly an outstanding work of technology,"

"Woah, Nicole! Yer on a roll right now!" Bunnie said.

"Just sharing the wondrous results of my analysis," Nicole smiled.

"Looks like you've got another otaku friend here, Ryusei," said Raidese.

"Well, yeah you could say that," said Ryusei. "By the way, I just had a cool idea,"

"An idea?" Aya asked.

"Wouldn't it be cool if the Sky Patrol could transform into a robot?" said Ryusei.

"A robot?" the Freedom Fighters spoke in unison. They soon imagined in their minds the Sky Patrol turning into a robot and blasting the Eggman Empire with it's weapons. After they finished imagining things, the Freedom Fighters sweatdropped.

"That might be a bit too much…" stated Tails.

"Err… Oh, I see. Anyway, I was just saying," said Ryusei.

"I got to hand it to you, Ryusei," said Rotor. "You've got quite a good imagination,"

"Hey, thanks, Rotor," Ryusei and the Freedom Fighters laughed a little.

"I see that you all are having fun," stated Kai. "Now, if you all do not mind, I would like to share with everyone here about something important,"

"Is this regarding the matter you wanted to tell my team about?" said Viletta.

"Yes and the Freedom Fighters may want to listen to it as well. That is, if they do not mind doing so,"

"Oh, we don't mind," Sally said.

"What is it that you want to tell us anyway, Major?" said Sonic. Kai paused briefly before he spoke.

"Recently, I had been informed by Ratsel that Princess Shine is having another series of bad premonitions. Ratsel asked me to gather people to head to Riksent in order to ensure nothing happens to the princess," Kai turned to the Freedom Fighters. "And for your information, Princess Shine is the leader of the kingdom of Riksent. It is a kingdom which I along with the SRX Team and several friends of ours have gone to before,"

"So, we're going to see a princess?" Amy looked amazed.

"Correct. Two of our friends, Sanger Zonvolt and Ratsel Feinschmeker, are already in Riksent. Before we toured the Sky Patrol and Hagane, I had also contacted the ATX Team, the crew of the Hiryu Kai as well as some people from the Tesla Leicht Institute and requested them to go to Riksent,"

"And you also would like to request for the SRX Team to go to Riksent, Major?" asked Tetsuya.

"Precisely, Captain Tetsuya," said Kai.

"For my brother to make such an arrangement, this is clearly a matter which cannot be ignored," Raidese stated.

"Who's your brother, Mister Raidese?" said Cream.

"He is referring to Ratsel. Ratsel is only an alias. His real name is Elzam V. Branstein," Nicole's statement surprised the SRX Team.

"How did you know that?" Aya asked Nicole.

"My apologies. During our tour earlier, I took it upon myself to download information about the SRX Team and their friends from the Hagane's database," Nicole replied.

"But, how could you possibly do that?" Eita asked.

Nicole showed her handheld to the group. "This handheld is able to download data into itself as well as transfer the said data into my consciousness. Aside from that, I hope you do not view my action as a form of intrusion, Captain Tetsuya,"

"Oh, no, Nicole," said Tetsuya. "In fact, I must admit it was impressive,"

"Well, she is a super A.I…" said Mai.

"That aside, to put things simply, Major Kai, you want us to help you along with your friends to protect Princess Shine?" Sally said.

"As a matter of fact, yes," replied Kai. "But, perhaps this might be a bit too sudden for you and your team, Sally. You all might feel bothered for having me to push this matter into your hands. Especially since you all need to get back to your home world quickly…"

"Bothered? Don't worry about it! We're alright with this!" said an enthusiastic Sonic.

"Yeah! I'd like to see what the kingdom of Riksent is like!" Amy spoke happily.

"Plus, it will be nice to meet this Princess Shine in person," said Rotor. "We also have a princess in our team," The SRX Team and their company became puzzled.

"Who… are you referring to?" asked Tetsuya.

"That would be me," said Sally. "I didn't tell you this earlier but, I'm actually a princess myself,"

"For real?" Ryusei was surprised.

"Zat is correct, Monsieur Ryusei," said Antoine. "She is ze princess of ze Kingdom of Acorn, led by her father, King Maximillian Acorn,"

"That's amazing!" Adzuki exclaimed.

"It is an honor to meet you then, Your Highness," Raidese said to Sally.

"There's no need for formalities," smiled Sally. "Like I said, just call me and my teammates by name,"

"Really? Very well, then," said Raidese.

"So, when do we leave for Riksent?" asked Tails.

"Shortly after we're done here," said Kai. "Also, just for you all to know, the ATX Team and Hiryu Kai might arrive at Riksent later than us as they are busy with work. In addition, the trip to Riksent will take a few days,"

"Understood," said Tetsuya. "Does anyone have things to clarify regarding the trip?"

"Excuse me," said Adzuki. "I actually have something to ask though it's not related to Riksent…"

"What is it?" asked Tetsuya.

"This question is for Tails," Adzuki looked at Tails. Even the Freedom Fighters looked at their vulpine friend.

"Me?" Tails frowned.

"Yes, it might be a little embarrassing though…" Adzuki began to look a little hesitant.

"You can ask anything, Miss Adzuki," said Tails. "I'm all ears," Hearing this, Adzuki paused for a minute before she posed her question to Tails.

"Can I touch your tail?" The Freedom Fighters looked at Adzuki and blinked their eyes twice.

"Huh?"