Bunny Hop!

It feels like your ears have filled with water. There's a strange muffled sound as everything changes. You fight off unconsciousness as your mind starts fading to black--snapping out of it just in time to splash face-down into a steaming pool. You gasp for air as you stand up--clothed clinging to your body. You bring your hands over your face and back through your hair, but then the dizziness takes over. You immediately fall backwards, though somebody catches you before you do.

Lala holds you under your arms. She's just as soaked as you are. "Keep it together," she whispers. "You can do it. You can do anything. You saved us all after all."

"Wh-What?" you stutter. After steadying your feet, you glance around to see a familiar sight.

It's the royal bath chamber! You're standing right in the middle along with Lala. Near the edge is Vivi crawling her way out. She flops back, drenched from head to toe. Next to her is Fang sitting cross-legged, squeezing water from her hair. Delphi is limp over her thigh. She puckers her lips and spits out a stream of water before ****. Fang pats her on the back.

Something is clinging to your leg. You look down to see Mina with her face nearly underwater given her height. She looks up--pink cheeked--and releases you before stumbling back. Her arms flail through the water and she quickly scurries up to the opposite edge. She looks over the dress tightly clung to her figure before trying her best to wring it dry.

You sit down near her and let out a long sigh. "Oh god. I don't even know what just happened. Are we home?"

"I think so," Delphi mumbles from a distance away. "So that's your power, huh?"

"I guess." You look down at your hands. "Kitty Sense. Bunny Hop. I still don't fully understand how to use them, but I just sort of... thought about where I wanted to go. It was familiar enough. In the heat of the moment, I didn't know what else to do, so I leapt."

"Like a mouse backed into a corner," Mina says with a smile.

"You came with us, huh?" you ask.

"Yeah... Well, I didn't want to get arrested."

"You're free to stay for as long as you need. I think we all need to dry off, slip into something fresh, and rest for awhile."

"I'll just send word to Rose when I can. I don't think she'll mind me being away for awhile."

You don't know how to managed to do it, but you escaped. Not only that, but you're back in Castle Phoenix minus the travel time. You ponder what to do next when there's a knock on the door.

"Who is in there?" comes a familiar voice. It's definitely Amara. Hearing her again is soothing. "Hello?"

"It's me!" you call back. "Kyle. It's a long story."

"Oh my." She turns the knob and pushes the door open. Her eyes widen when she sees you.

"Huh? Kyle is back already?" Niki asks from behind. She butts in, nearly shoving Amara out of the way. "I didn't even see you come in."

Eva shoves herself in next, right between the others. "Wait, really?!'

The three look in awe at your group, but the surprise soon turns to relief and joy. Everybody smiles, and they welcome the girls back with eager arms. They embrace, though quickly realize they're soaking wet.

"It's been a long time," Lala says with a sigh.

"You look familiar," Eva says.

"... It's Rabbit's Foot. Lalarin," you stay bluntly.

"That's the luck hero?!" Niki shouts.

You rub your temples. "All right. I'm getting confused about who actually knows her identity. Also, was it not obvious? All she had to disguise herself was a mask over her eyes."

Fang shakes her head. "Nuh uh. She also had a tight spandex suit."

"But that doesn't--"

Eva leans down to meet Mina's gaze. "And who are you? You're a... squeakin, right?"

Mina nods, but can't help but stare forwards at the ample cleavage before her eyes. "Wow." She shakes her head and looks up. "That's right. Mina's my name, a member of Shadow Garden. I think we're allies now. That's what Rose said."

Amara tilts her head. "What is Shadow Garden?"

"We have a lot to talk about," you reply. "Let's all get changed and then we can talk all about it."