Hey guys! Just thought you should know, I've updated the last few chapters starting with "Playing With Fire". If you want any of this to make sense, head back a few chapters and reread!


"Training done for today?" Maya asked.

"Yeah." Eva groaned and sat on the bench, wiping her forehead. "Man, Rick's tough."

"I would hope so, I did train him after all," Maya said with a small laugh.

"That's right, I forgot you were his coach," Eva muttered, looking up at her.

"I taught Rick everything I learned." Maya smiled at her daughter and sat next to her. "And now he's teaching you everything he's learned. And someday, you'll pass on your knowledge to another pilot. That's how it goes. Pilots gotta look out for each other."

"If only that could be true everywhere," Eva said with a sigh.

"Don't worry, he'll come around eventually, just give him some time," Maya assured her.

"Are you sure?" Eva asked.

"Yes, he can't be mad at you forever," Maya said simply. "I'll make sure of that."

"Anyway, know who our next competitor is?" Eva asked. She grabbed a water bottle and opened it, gulping it down.

"Rush from Byrus," Maya answered.

"The giant with the ax, got it." Eva nodded, setting her bottle down. "Any idea if there'll be another 'special rule'?"

"Probably, it's been a while since the last one," Maya answered. "I'd be more surprised if there wasn't."

"Let's see, we've had traps, and an arena," Eva listed off.

"There was another race that had a maze," Maya added.

"Traps, maze, arena, what else could they have?" Eva narrowed her eyes, thinking of the possible targets that she would have to hit. She knew of the first, last, and the ones in the tunnel. But other than that, she didn't really know.

"Don't know, this is another planet, so there could be obstacles that we aren't even aware of," Maya said.

"Great, we just gotta prepare for the unknown then." Eva stood up, finishing her water bottle. "The race is about to start, isn't it?"

"Yes, they're already preparing the Whizzing Arrow," Maya said. "You might want to make your final checks as the pilot."

"Yeah, was just thinking about that." Eva said. They two were interrupted by loud singing. They turned around and saw Molly skipping towards them, singing to herself quite loudly.

"Morning!" She stopped in front of them, smiling brightly.

"Good morning sweetie." Maya bent down, kissing her cheek.

"Your pronunciation sucks," Eva said with a smirk.

"Hey! I haven't been speaking French for years like you!" Molly protested.

"That reminds me, have you been keeping up with your lessons?" Maya asked. Molly stepped back, the color draining from her face. "I'll take that as a 'no'."

"I've been trying, promise I have," Molly said, frowning.

"Does someone need to be grounded from watching my race?" Eva asked playfully.

Molly's eyes widened and she whipped around to look at her mother. "Y-You wouldn't do that? Would you mama?"

"Tell you what, show me what you you've completed and I'll see what sort of punishment awaits you," Maya said. She took Molly by the hand. "Have fun on your final run through."

"I will!" Eva smiled to herself and turned towards the Arrow II. "Alright baby, let's see what you can do."

Aikka bit his lip as he sat down on the stands. He shouldn't be here. If Toros were to find out that he was here, he would be furious. If Canaan were to find out, Aikka would be done for. But he couldn't help himself. Even though Eva now seemed to be afraid of him for whatever reason, he still wanted to see her win. He wanted her to stand with him in the top three, to go to Oban, with him.

Aikka sighed and lowered his head as he waited for the race to start. It was pointless, just false hopes and dreams.

"Hello." Aikka was startled out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Maya and Molly.

"Hello." He nodded in greeting.

"Hi Buggy Prince!" Molly greeted happily.

"Molly," Maya said. The little girl looked at her mother and frowned.

Molly turned back to Aikka, fidgeting. "Oh, um…B-Bonjur Buggy prince." Aikka raised an eyebrow.

"Almost, bonjour, not bonjur," Maya said. Molly whined, bowing her head. "You're the one that wanted to keep up with me and Eva."

"What are you speaking, if you don't mind me asking?" Aikka asked.

"French," Maya answered, sitting next to him. "It's an old Earth language. My family tree dates back several generations in the country of France. It's where I'm from. France is my home, and so is it's language. I taught Eva when she was young. Now Molly wants to learn."

"Oui!" The girl said proudly. Maya smiled and ruffled her hair.

"Eva speaks another language?" Aikka asked. His eyes widened. He didn't know that. Then again, he didn't know much about her if he thought about it.

"Yep, she sings to me in French," Molly said. "She sang to me last night before I went to sleep."

Her eyes widened. "Oh, uh, I mean….uh…Elle me ch-chante francais. Um, uh…" She trailed off, not sure how to continue.

"'En français'." Maya corrected. "That's enough for now." Molly sighed in relief. She perked up and turned towards Aikka.

"Are you here to watch sissy race?" she asked excitedly.

"I am here to watch the race, yes," Aikka nodded. "But not because of Eva." Lies. Oh Canaan would be so disappointed in him right now. A Nourasian prince is never supposed to lie. Well, there are a lot of things a Nourasian prince is never supposed to do, and Aikka's done a lot of them.

Molly tilted her head, considering his answer. "Okay." She sat down next to him, waiting for the race to start.

"Aikka, if you don't mind me asking, could you watch over Molly?" Maya stood up. "I have to help Eva with her race." Aikka was about to decline when Molly turned towards him with bright, wide eyes.

"O-Of course." Molly cheered and scooted closer to him.

"Thank you dear." She turned towards Molly. "Behave."

"Oui maman!" Molly cheered, watching her leave. She turned back to Aikka. "Why'd you lie?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Aikka looked at her curiously.

"You're here to see Eva," Molly clarified. "Why'd you lie?"

Aikka took in a sharp breath before releasing it in a soft sigh. "It is complicated, young one." He patted Molly on the head and turned back towards the arena. He frowned. "Things should be easy, but they are, in fact, far from it." Molly nodded, acting as if she understood what was being said.

"We now call forth the Earth Team!"

Eva flew into the arena, resisting the urge to do a barrel roll. She had this race in the bag! Target race! As long as she got to the targets first, she would win, no problem!

"And their opponent, Rush from the planet Byrus!"

Rush's large metal ship pulled into the arena. The large bolts and rusted metal warmed Eva's heart. It had been so long since she had seen Rush, much less his ship. She was fond of the large man, she was sure that wasn't going to change.

"Ha! That fat Santa doesn't scare me!" Jordan said. As if hearing him, Rush swung his ax around with a loud laugh. "Well, not much."

"Oh please, he's just like the bikers back home," Eva said, rolling her eyes. "No matter how tough and gruff they look, they're really just big teddy bears."

"And this race will include a special rule!" Eva smiled as the Scrub judges reached in the jar. They pulled out a bright green ball. "The Memory Circuit!"

"The what?" Eva had to hold back a scream of frustration. Oh Canaletto just wants to make her life hard, doesn't he? Eva hit her head against the handle bars.

"Is everything okay?" Maya asked.

"Yeah, just peachy." Eva huffed and shook her head. She brushed back the hair that landed in her face and sighed, starting up the star racer. "Let's just get this over with." The stone pillars dropped and both her and Rush raced forward. She kept her eyes open as she drove forward.

"Stan, any ideas?" She asked.

"None, sorry Eva," Stan said. "We're trying to gather data, but we're not getting much."

"How much has the track changed?" Maya asked.

"Not at all," Koji answered. "The only thing different is there's a screen at the next left turn."

"A screen?" Eva repeated.

"Well, I think it's a screen. That's kinda what it looks like," Koji said. Eva made the turn and narrowed her eyes at what she saw. The track ahead of them was shimmering and shifting, changing every second.

"What's happening?" Don asked.

"It looks like the track is changing, but can't decide on what," Eva said. She sped up her racer and past through the screen. She gasped and her eyes widened as the track disappeared and she slammed into something.

The Whizzing Arrow II flipped through the air and landed harshly on the ground.

"Hey dad, can you hear me?" Eva asked. Her father refused to answer. "Mom? Rick? Can anybody hear me?" She didn't get a response from them either. "Oh great." Eva groaned as she started her racer. She closed her eyes and pushed forward slightly, trying to adjust her course as she hit something.

"What's wrong with sissy?" Molly frowned as she watched Eva crawl through the race. Rush was a few feet ahead of her, but he was bumping into the obstacles as well.

"I do not think they can see the track," Aikka said. "Or their opponent for that matter."

"But why?"

"The Memory circuit tests your memories of the track. How well you've been paying attention and what you've retained is a key component." The Scrub judges announced.

"Oh no! Eva's doesn't have a good memory!" Molly gasped. Aikka narrowed his eyes as Eva hit another obstacle. The Whizzing Arrow came to a stop, hovering midair.

Eva took a few deep breaths. She leaned back and tapped in a command. The cockpit darkened and she relaxed, closing her eyes. "Hey, Jordan?"

"What is it?" Jordan asked.

"Relax," Eva told him.

"Relax? What for?" Jordan asked.

"I'm about to do something, and you might not like it," Eva answered.

"What are you gonna do?" Jordan gripped his handles, bracing himself for the answer.

"I'm going to race with Aikka again." Eva said. She started the racer back up again and ran the race back in her mind.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jordan asked.

Eva's memories caught up with the turn and she sped forward. She began twisting and turning the Whizzing Arrow II, avoiding the unseen obstacles.

"She's recreating one of the last races," Maya said in awe.

"Little Mouse keeps on surprising me." Rick smirked. "She's dancing with the prince again."

"But she lost that race," Stan muttered.

"That may be, but it was her smoothest one. She didn't hit a single obstacle, nor did the prince hit her." Koji pointed out. "If she hadn't had the panic attack at the end of the race, she would have won."

"So, why did she have a panic attack in the first place?" Stan asked.

Eva smiled to herself as she flew through the course. With the barren track out of her sight, she was able to think clearly. Thoughts of the prince vanished from her mind and her body began to move naturally. She spun into a tunnel, dodging the poles that were placed in an attempt to slow her down. She pulled back and leaned to the side, passing an imaginary obstacle.

She opened her eyes staring at the black screen in front of her. Her smile softened as her body relaxed more. She could hear a soft humming from somewhere behind her. It was really nice and slow.

"She's falling asleep!" Stan shouted in horror.

"Her brain activity is speeding up! She's having a nightmare!" Koji shouted. Just as he said that the Whizzing Arrow slammed into a rock outcropping, flipping through the air. It landed safely but began to jerk through the race.

"She's lost her place in the dance," Maya hissed. "If she doesn't find it soon, she'll wreck the Arrow II!"

"Calm down, I'm sure she'll find her place soon." Rick assured her.

"Stan Koji, how's Jordan?" The mechanics brought up Jordan. The gunner's head was hanging back and his chest was slowly rising.

"He's dead asleep, not even the tumble woke him up!" Stan shouted.

"Is there anyway to wake them up?" Don asked.

"Not that we can see. But Eva needs to snap out of this soon, Rush is gaining on her!" Stan announced. "She can't hear us, and we don't have anyway to control the Whizzing Arrow II."

"Eva! Please wake up!" Don shouted.

Eva's eyes widened as the scenery around her changed. She was sitting in dark cage, hanging high in the air. A pool of water gave off an eerie red glow. Soft as it was, it was enough for her to see the cage in the center of the room. And the figure inside it.

"Canaletto," Eva breathed. Canaletto turned towards her, narrowing his eyes.

"Ah, Eva, my precious creation, how sweet of you to visit me." Canaletto hummed. Eva narrowed her eyes and backed up. She gasped as her back hit the bars of her cage.

"Why did you call me here?" Eva asked, steeling her nerves.

"You are setting something in motion, child. Something that I do not approve of," Canaletto growled, pointing at her.

"I'm not doing anything!" Eva growled. "All I'm doing is racing to win the Ultimate Prize and keep you the hell away from it!"

"Valiant efforts as they may be, but that still won't stop me," Canaletto warned. He plucked out his feathers and tossed them, turning them into orbs. Images of Rick, Aikka, and Maya appeared inside the orbs. They all looked worried. No doubt watching her race. "You try to keep your mother safe, but still she is in danger. You tried to keep the human male out of racing, but still he found his way to you. You try to keep your sweet prince away from the Crogs, but still they chain him."

"Stay away from them!" Eva shouted.

"But they crafted you," Canaletto said. "They turned you into my perfect creation." Canaletto raised a hand, his claws glowing red. Eva gasped as she felt energy tighten around her, binding her. Pain streaked through her body, crisscrossing around her stomach and arms. She cried out as the pain increased.

"They have nothing to do with who I am!" Eva screamed. "Let them go! Please, let them be happy! They deserve it more than anyone!"

"On the contrary, my sweet child, there is only one who deserves happiness that you cannot give her." Another feather floated through the air, traveling closer to her before it showed it's image.

"Molly!" Eva gasped. Her sister looked afraid. She was clinging to Aikka's side, tears in her eyes.

"There is nothing you want more than to ensure the happiness of this child, but you cannot give it to her. If I cannot create my perfect pawn through you, then I will chose another!"

"No! Leave her alone!" Eva surged forward, only to cry out as her bindings tightened and she fell to the ground. "Molly!" Her eyes widened as the sphere broke. Aikka's sphere reacted. Aikka turned away from whatever he was watching, focusing on the little girl beside him.

Molly screamed, clutching her chest.

"Molly!" Aikka wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. "What is wrong."

"My chest," Molly whimpered. "It hurts!" The audience around them pulled themselves away from the race, focusing on the small human girl. Molly cried out again, screaming over her chest. "Make it stop!"

Aikka narrowed his eyes and placed a hand over her chest.

"Um Sekai hera tel!" A blue glow surrounded his hand. Molly's whimpers slowed, but she was still in pain. She gasped as it became harder to breathe.

"Eva!" She cried out. "S-Sissy, help me!"

"Please, stop it!" Eva cried. Tears fell from her eyes as she watched her sister's body twist in pain. "Stop it! Leave her alone!"

"On one condition, child," Canaletto said. He held up one talon, his face twisting into a smile.

Eva grit her teeth. She didn't want to submit herself to this monster, but if she didn't. She glanced back at Molly and sobbed. "Alright!" She screamed. She lowered her head and sighed. "Alright, what do you want me to do?"

"Good girl." Canaletto hummed. "I have a gift for you."

Eva's eyes snapped open. The cockpit brightened and the track came into view, as well as Rush. She narrowed her eyes and quickly input a command. The hyper drive activated and Eva shot forward. She twisted around Rush and began to quickly dodge the rock outcroppings. The canyon ended and she made a wide turn. She twisted the handles. The closer she got to the finish line, the more her heart slammed against her chest. She disengaged the hyper drive and pulled into the arena.

Eva made a rough landing and barely paid attention to the gong announcing their victory. She stood up and looked around the crowd of cheering faces. Her eyes stopped on Molly. The young girl was smiling cheering wildly. Aikka was beside her, clapping politely. She blinked, taking a step back. She opened the cockpit and jumped out of the star racer.

"Where are you going?" Jordan asked, jumping out as well.

"I have to check on Molly," Eva said. She raced up the stone steps, pushing past the aliens congratulating her. "Molly!" She shouted, once the girl was in view.

"Sissy!" Molly cheered and ran over to her, jumping into her arms. Eva sighed in relief, holding her close. She fell to her knees, trying not to cry.

"Are you alright, Eva?" Aikka asked.

"She's fine," Jordan told him, narrowing his eyes. Eva ignored them and pulled away from Molly.

"Are you okay?" she asked. Molly blinked and tilted her head.

"I'm fine, why?" Eva's eyes widened.

"Eva, what's wrong?" Jordan asked.

"Are you sure?" Eva asked, ignoring him. "No pains in your chest?"

Molly pouted, thinking it over. After a moment she shook her head. "You hugged me a little hard, but I'm not in any pain." Eva's eyes widened in shock. After a moment she sighed in relief, pulling her close again.

"I'm sorry, I just had a bit of a nightmare," Eva told her. "I was so scared that you were hurt and in pain."

Molly shook her head. "Even if I was, Buggy Prince is here! He would have helped me and kept me safe!" She smiled brightly, turning back to Aikka. Aikka blinked and smiled back. His smile was tight.

"Well, it's what your mother asked of me," Aikka replied. Eva nodded. She stood up.

"Jordan, can you take Molly back to the pit? I gotta fly the Whizzing Arrow back."

"Yeah sure." Molly laughed and grabbed his hand, smiling up at him. "Hey, you sure you're okay, partner?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I promise." She smiled and turned around, running back down the steps. She narrowed her eyes as she climbed back into the star racer.

Eva growled as she punched the wall over and over again. After she had returned to the pit her mother and father had crowded around her, worrying and smothering. She had managed to convince them not to take her to the hospital again. But that still didn't stop their incessant hovering. Even Rick stayed closer to her than usual.

Which led her to where she was now. Rick watched as she continued to punch his wall, barely holding back her screams. Red energy pulsed around her fist and created a large dent with her next punch. She narrowed her eyes, glaring at her fists.

"So, Canaletto gave you a gift before he let you leave?" Eva nodded stiffly, her eyes not leaving her hand.

"He 'blessed' me with some of his powers," Eva said. "It's probably allowing him to keep a closer eye on me so I don't disobey him."

"So, he has a direct link to you now?" Rick asked.

"I don't know, and I don't really care," she grumbled. "He made me think that Molly was in pain, and that she was going to die. But when I landed, she was perfectly fine, nothing had happened. It terrified me."

"Perhaps we'll have to play it safe from now on," Rick said.

"Yeah, probably." Eva nodded.

"Hey, Little Mouse, what are those?" Eva turned towards him raising an eyebrow.

"What are what?" Rick pointed at her stomach and arms. Eva looked down, her eyes widening. Long angry red marks wrapped around her torso. She rushed over to his mirror and took her shirt off. She turned this way and that, her eyes widening at the number of marks on her body. Her arms suffered the same fate. She frowned and wrapped her arms around her body. "Hey Rick…can I sleep here tonight?"

"Sure thing Little Mouse, make yourself comfortable."