Arianna awoke to some heavy sounds of thunder, she reached beside her for another warm body for comfort, but instead of a body, her hand was met with hot searing metal bringing her from half asleep to fully awake and in pain. Which is when she noticed something was very wrong. She was alone and back in her hiding spot she had created for herself. Which meant only one thing.

Her meeting with Tenari never happened.

Instead of hiding Delabarte was out on the grounds, despite the warnings he felt he could take care of himself. He wanted this whole supposed 'race' to be over and done with. He wished Cyper was around so he could chew her head off for making them wait so long.

He was angered by the mere thought of trying to talk some sense into her, he actually missed being picked on.

A peculiar sound met his ears, followed by angry cursing from somewhere far off in the distance. Bored and in need of something to do Delabarte decided to investigate. He neared a large patch of trees before he realized he wasn't the only one who ventured out to take a peek at the action currently going on.

"He's been trying to break those balls for quite some time now." Sakki said as he stood beside him. "I'm not sure why though." Suddenly one of the orbs Urdu threw down went the wrong way and careened under the branches directly at their feet.

"Memory orbs…" Delabarte exclaimed. "The enemy has succeeded in attaining everyone's memories. These ones however." He kneeled down to peer at it better. "Are a lot bigger than last time."

"You mean-"

"Your little earth friend is in trouble, those are all the collective thoughts of her comrades that had just gotten restored. But what's with the massive size. And why is the enemy trying to break them?"

"I kind of feel sorry for the poor fellow."

"You wish to help?"

"Yes, but I'm afraid I won't be able to get my point across before he decides to slay me."

"You shouldnt be intimidated by someone barely the size of your talon."

"Hey may have powers I cannot shield myself from."

"Then why don't we bring a peace offering?" Delabarte said picking up the orb.

"You're willing to help me?" Sakki asked amused. "Why?"

"So I can get a certain someone off my back. But honestly, you don't need me you could do this yourself. Don't let the fear control you otherwise you'll have everyone using you as a sheet to wipe their ass with. Be brave and show them your the bad bird I know you to be."

"That was quite a pep talk Hune. Would you care for a ride?"

He had always hated being called by his first name, but due to the fact that Sakki trusted him enough to let him ride on his back stunned him into silence. "I'd be honored."

Delabarte picked up another orb. "Let's go give this man his balls back." Sakki cawed with laughter. They continued picking up a few more orbs before returning to the mountainside where Urdu now sat as he was completely drained of energy.

Urdu meanwhile was very very tired. He had lugged those things down every tall mountain imaginable, this was the highest of them all. And zilch happened. A sudden rush of wind had him look up to see one of the birds from his home flying at him.

He was alarmed. The creature then stopped and began screeching at him. Urdu was at a loss for words when the bird actually landed closer. Screeching continuing.

"What? You have a nest I'm not aware of or something?" He was amused when the bird looked a little irritated by his statement. He lifted his head, eyes traveling upward he cawed once. He lifted his talon revealing one of the orbs he had thrown down. "Oh…."

"This is getting us nowhere Sakki." He heard a voice say. "Set me in his sights." The bird called Sakki turned around to show someone on his back, who held more of the memory orbs. "It looks to me like you could use a little bit of help."

"Why would you want to help me?"

"Let's just say this one here." He remarked of Sakki. "Has a little earthen friend whose gone through quite alot thanks to these things. Speaking of which, why are they bigger?"

"Memories taken, memories modified to fit with the castors agenda."

"Why is this one the biggest one of all? Is this Tenari's by chance?"

"No, but it is a relation."

Suddenly Sakki turned his head to look at his companion and squawked. "Yes. That's my thoughts too." Delabarte looked from Sakki to Urdu. "That must be why her image was so frail the last time she had warned us from danger."

"For all the good that did."

"If his sister hadn't warned us then we'd all be dead now I'm sure." He turned back to his companion. "So let's get all their memories back so they can leave and we can get on with our race. Shall we?" Delabarte said. Sakki spread his wings and they traveled higher into the sky. "Fly further than you've ever flown before."

"This is as far as I can go." Sakki said

"Then let them drop." Sakki let him use his eyesight to watch as the balls fell. And watch in disappointment as they stayed in tact when they hit the ground. "Damn." They flew back to Urdu. "What the heck do we do now?"

"Find the girl. She may have a better solution." Except when they did find them Arianna looked a bit scared. "Why the long face?"

"Because we've been through this before."

"Veruka's been taken care of-"

"No! This! You've already come to me with this problem once already. Tenari will find-"

"There's an inscription on this."

"That! And suddenly all his memories are restored. We go kiss and make up while you-" She pointed at Delabarte. "Get disgusted and want to bleach out your brain. And then he-" Urdu. "Gives you advice you probably would rather have not everyone hear and then it starts over."

"That's not possible." Urdu pondered. "Unless the power dampener is broken." He gazed back towards where he thought Veruka might be some far distance away. "And if that's the case we're all screwed."

.