"Ready to do this again?" Hilbert asked Spark excitedly. The small robot replied by curling into a ball. Hilbert pulled out a sci-fi looking barricade and hid behind it. Hilbert and Spark were now testing a new battery for magic. The battery was set up by them to gain sunlight, waiting to be enabled. Hilbert activated the battery remotely. Soon, the battery began glowing. It glowed more and more...before abruptly exploding.

"Crap," Hilbert tiredly put the barricade away. "How come this keeps failing?" He continued as the fire was put out magically on its own.

Spark let out a series of zaps, but before Hilbert could reply; the two heard someone approaching the room quickly. "Did something explode?" asked Johanna worriedly as she held the fire extinguisher.

"Relax, it's been taken care of," replied Hilbert calmly with a smile as he pointed at an air conditioner looking device on his wall. "Any fires are put out by that thing automatically even if it somehow runs out of magic, which wouldn't happen. It also doubles as an air filter for harmful gases."

"Hilbert, I'm get this is what you love doing; but please, stop creating these results. I don't know what I'll do if something happens to you," said Johanna with a soft smile as she kneeled to Hilbert's level. "How about you go out and explore the city a little instead?"

"But-"

"And PROMISE me you'll find a way to test things safely before you try another battery," she added firmly in a serious tone.

"Yes, mom." Hilbert conceded. His shoulders dropped down in dejection.

"Good, I'm going to go check on Hilda. Maybe you two can go out together," said Johanna happily as she left the room. "I'm heading out too, so get ready."

"Fine," replied Hilbert dejectedly.

As soon as Johanna left the room, Spark let out a series of zaps translating to 'She's does have a point. You should get out more often. Plus, with this amount of failures, you might get yourself killed.'

"I'm aware, hopefully a solution can be made at another time," Hilbert snorted before leaving the room.

Spark rolled his mechanical eyes before following his creator outside.

"Did you blow something up again?" Asked Hilda, her voice filled with boredom as she made way to their Trolberg house. Hilbert nodded silently. "Hey, at least you had an errand."

"It's better than the elves' attempts at replicating your machines that's for sure." Alfur sighed.

"Wait, they were following my example?" Hilbert sounded surprised.

"Yes, some of the elves believed our quality of life could be improved using some of your...less dangerous creations. So, they made many attempts to copy them," added Alfur cheerfully with a smile. "Sadly, only once became a success, and even then, it didn't last very long. After that, all experiments were stopped."

"Well, that's quite the tale," commented Johanna with a smile as she exited the house in her yellow coat.

"Why didn't you just ask about how to do it?" asked Hilda, raising a brow as she walked through the streets of Trolberg with her family.

"At the time, there were more elves in favor of having Hilbert leave than ask him for help." Alfur chuckled.

"I'm assuming they hated the explosions," Hilbert frowned.

"Yeah, that checks it,"

After Alfur spoke, a silence descended on the family. No one spoke as the three walked together until a grumpy Hilda decided that this trip had no excitement.

"Ugh, it's boring here in the city," she frowned.

"Don't be like that." Johanna tried to keep her mood up. "There's some things you could enjoy here."

"Such as?" asked Hilbert curiously.

Johanna proceeded to tell the twins about a parade that's happening in Trolberg in honor of the great raven. Hilbert got excited from her words. He always appreciated the beauty of craftsmanship, no matter how simple or complex. All his creations were made to be aesthetically pleasing, even Spark.

"I suppose that sounds cool," Hilda rubbed her arm.

"Yeah, that sounds reasonable." added Hilbert, hiding a smile from his mother.

"Why don't we go down and watch it together. You two might find it more fun than you think," said Johanna with a cheerful smile.

"Well, it still doesn't compare to the wilderness," Hilda grumbled.

"I think you'll find something more exciting over there," said Johanna with a mischievous smile.

"Where?" asked Hilda in extreme excitement not a second after her mother spoke. Only for Johanna to point at a small playground with kids in it. "Oh."

"Why don't you two go and make some new friends?" asked Johanna happily.

"Meh," Hilbert was not amused. Johanna gave him a 'of course' look.

Suddenly, the sound of thunder was heard. "Did you see that?" Hilda was spooked. "I swear I just saw lightning, but the sky is so clear."

"Don't change the subject," said Johanna with a hint of frustration as she pointed at Hilda. "You've always talked about how you can make friends with elves, trolls and giants," said Johanna with a smile before gesturing towards the kids. "Compared to that, talking to some kids should be easy."

Hilda, realizing that Johanna was right, took a deep breath before approaching the other kids.

"C'mon, go with her. Make some friends." Said Johanna with a soft smile to her son. "Who knows? Maybe you'll like it."

Hilbert hesitated, but then they were approached by a familiar kid.

"Heyo! Haven't seen you since last time," said the red-haired girl. Hilbert recognized her as the same girl from the last time they went to Trolberg. She was currently wearing a green sweater.

"Oh, you know each other?" Johanna asked the girl cheerfully.

"Not really," Hilbert shook his head.

"We had a conversation back at the school playground," said the red-haired girl cheerfully as she extended her hand to Johanna. "The name's Vivian by the way; but I prefer to be called Vivi."

"Hello, Vivi" said Johanna with a smile while shaking the girl's hand.

"I'm here to show him around," Vivi said as she pointed at Hilbert. "Unlike his sister, he doesn't look like the most social person."

"You don't even know my name that well," Hilbert crossed his arms.

"Well, I did, but I ended up forgetting it," Vivi was embarrassed. "Was it Henry, Harry, or…"

"His name's Hilbert," said Johanna, causing Hilbert to glare at her with a look that said 'bastard!' "And, if it's not too much trouble, you can go show him around."

"Great! Let's go right now!" Said Vivi before she pulled Hilbert away without mercy. Johanna smiled at this, causing Hilbert to glare at her.

"So, how ya liking Trolberg?" asked Vivi cheerfully as if it was the most normal thing ever.

"What do you mean?" asked Hilbert, trying to avoid having to answer the question. "Can't you just let me go?"

"C'mon, I know you know I know you know what I know about me knowing what you know about what I know you know I know...you know?"

Hilbert blinked several times. "Are you high?"

"Not enough!" Vivi was hyper. "Now, are you ready to admit? I thought I was the only one!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Hilbert muttered.

"You got no idea what I'm referring, do you?" Vivi clapped her hands. "You have no chance of beating me in a conversation."

"Okay, I'm like you. Can you at least tell me where we're going now?" Hilber rolled his eyes.

"I have no idea."

Hilbert blinked. "You're joking."

"I was so excited to meet you, I just wanted to pull you away as fast as possible," she added with slight embarrassment. "How about we talk about something else? What was your life before...you kn-"

Hilbert frowned at her words; he didn't want to think about that life...ever again. The boy looked at her hand that was currently dragging him around and spoke in a very agitated tone. "DON'T. ASK."

She shrunk a little at his words. "That's understandable." She laughed nervously.

"Look, why did you even bring me here?" asked Hilbert with a deep frown.

"To be friends," said Vivi with a hopeful, almost desperate, smile.

"For the record, we just met. Even with that brief meeting we had the other day, I don't really think that considers us as friends," The boy sighed. "I don't enjoy going on crazy adventures and I would rather sit around doing my own thing."

"I can't consider that awf- what's that?"

Hilbert looked at where Vivi pointed and saw Spark. He turned to Vivian to explain, but before he could say anything, he saw the starry look in her eyes. "Oh, boy."

"Did you really have to follow me today?" Hilbert asked Spark tiredly as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Spark let out some zaps that translated to 'Just curious, also wanted to explore more of Trolberg.'

"It talks?" asked Vivian in awe as she hugged Spark who was very much enjoying the attention minus the 'it' part.

"Firstly, 'him' not 'it'. Secondly, yes, he does." said Hilbert with a frown.

"Oh, sorry," Vivi answered sheepishly as she pets Spark. "How did you even get the materials for this?"

"Magic. If it can turn a full-grown man into a bug, it can turn rocks into metal," said Hilbert calmly. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to go find my sister."

As Hilbert was walking away, Vivian said "Uh, can I come with you?"

"Don't you have your family to watch the parade with?" asked Hilbert raising a brow.

"Don't worry, I'll just be a little late," Vivian shrugged "Plus they will be pleased to know I finally got a friend."

Spark let out a few zaps, expressing their approval. This was enough to make Hilbert facepalm. "Oh, God."

Knowing that she had won, Vivian cheered in celebration. "Oh, yeah!"

Later, the two kids were outside a restaurant, eating food on a table. Vivi was eating steak while Hilbert ate salad.

"So, you guys from Jersey?" Vivi drank her soda.

"Really, Vivi?" Hilbert narrowed his eyes.

"What? I can't make a joke in the middle of our first outing together? That's how I roll."

Spark, who had no idea what's going on, just rolled his eyes. Hilbert noticed Vivi smiling at his robot pet. "I take it you really like him, huh?"

Vivi petted Spark. "Who's a good boy?" Spark let out a few zaps of happiness between their horns in response to this.

Hilbert was annoyed with this. Later, the group walked around the area. They made it to Hilda's home.

"So that's your home. It's different from what I expected."

"Yeah, my thoughts exactly," Hilbert nodded. "Now, stay here for a minute. I'll go up and grab some stuff for the day."

"Oooh, like potions that explode?" asked Vivi excitedly as she jumped in her place.

Hilbert stared at her silently for a few seconds with a tired expression before letting out a sigh. "Yes." That one word caused her to squeal in excitement. Hilbert ignored her and headed inside.

"Hi, mom," said Hilbert as he entered the house.

"You seem happy. Did you enjoy spending time with your new friend?" asked Johanna with a smile.

"Well, turns out we have a lot in common," said Hilbert calmly as headed towards his room. "I'll go out again in a bit. I just need to grab some stuff for the parade."

"A lot in common? I didn't expect that," Johanna was confused at first but then became happy.

"SOME things in common. It's just a figure of speech, mum." Hilbert rolled his eyes.

"Okay, okay. I'm just happy for once that you made a friend that's not made of metal," said Johanna with a bright smile. "No offense to Spark, of course."

"Yeah, yeah." Said Hilbert as he ran into his room. He looked through his shelves, drawers and cabinets for anything he that could help him watch the parade without interruption.

"Floating platform, camera, walkie talkies, small flying drone and it's controller. Okay, I think this will be good." Hilbert spoke to himself as he put said items inside a black backpack.

"Hilbert!" Hilda called from outside the room. "I need your help."

Hilbert was surprised to hear that since that kind of stuff occurs rarely. "You need my help?"

"Yes, do you have something that could bring back lost memories?" Hilda asked.

"Who's it for?"

"A friend," she said quickly. "If you have one, can I borrow it?"

"Well, it depends. Are they human?" Hilbert got suspicious.

"Does it matter?" asked Hilda, raising a brow.

"Pretty much. No clue if it works on non-humans. I can't exactly go to the library to learn about brains that aren't. Not to be an ass, but I can't guarantee this will work for your friend. Assuming they're not human, of course."

He wasn't lying, he did make a device to recover memories and even one to erase them, if required, but the brain was a sensitive thing; he didn't want to destroy it or the memory by accident, so he put a large amount of safety measures in the device and made sure it had as little side effects as possible.

"Those safety measures do work on some animals and bugs, but probably not on a size shifting bird that lets out lightning. Just wanted to make the precautions."

"Don't you have any other thing that can work?" Hilda's patience was running out.

"Unfortunately, not," Hilbert deadpanned before approaching Hilda with an unamused expression. "I suggest trying to jog up their memory the normal way. Anyway, I must get going. Good luck getting your friend's memory back!"

Hilda watched as her brother quickly left the room before turning to the room itself. She stood in her place silently thinking of the possibility of finding that device on her own. She jumped just as she was about to touch her brother's belongings.

"And don't even think about raiding my room for that device, you rat," Hilbert rolled his eyes. "You can't expect to always get your solution by ransacking others' properties."

"Ugh, just don't keep your friend waiting." Hilda shook her head; clearly frustrated by her brother's words.

Hilbert left the house, but not before giving Johanna a walkie talkie in case she needed anything from him. But just as he was about to exit the apartment, his mother spoke up.

"Hilbert, wait. Me and Hilda are coming with you," Johanna chirped. Hilbert was about to protest, but then Johanna continued. "Vivi can join us too, if she wants."

Hilbert didn't have a reply to that. He sighed and waited for his mom to take them to the parade. Though before she could go with them through the door, she had to go get the 'wallet' she forgot.

"Oh, you're back!" exclaimed Vivian happily as she held Spark affectionately.

"Why are you projecting the alphabet on the ground?" asked Hilbert in confusion as stared at the alphabet made by Spark on the ground.

"Your pet teaching me Morse code" the red-haired girl replied before cooing over Spark who very much enjoyed the attention. Vivian soon saw Hilda behind Hilbert. "Hey there, looks like we are seeing double."

"This is my sister, Viv,"

"Whoa. Twins! Never thought I'd live to see the day," Vivian said to herself before introducing herself to Hilda. "I'm Vivian. I'm your brother's friend."

"The term 'friend' is being used very loosely here" grumbled Hilbert with a frown.

"I'm Hilda," replied Hilda with a bright smile. "I didn't expect Hilbert to make a friend like you."

Vivian giggled a little after hearing that, causing Hilbert to frown. "Oh, I seem to know that. He's the alone type of guy, is he?"

Hilbert took Spark from Vivi. "Yeah, I don't like socializing; no need to rub it in."

Spark let out a few angry zaps in Hilbert's hands. Hilbert glared at them, causing Spark to go silent.

"Got my wallet." said Johanna as she waved her wallet. "Let's go. Vivian, would you like to come with us?"

"I'd be glad to," said Vivian with a smile.

And with that, they headed into the city.

"Maybe I should get out more," said Hilda cheerfully as she walked through the streets of Trolberg. "I could go out tomorrow on my own?" As Hilda was about to take another step forward, Johanna pulled her back slightly, stopping her daughter from being hit by a car.

"I think it'd be better if I showed you around first," said Johanna with a smile.

"Yeah, otherwise she'd become roadkill," Hilbert stifled some laughter.

"At least I get out of my room voluntarily," countered Hilda with a frown.

Before Hilbert could reply, Johanna stopped the two.

"No! We are not doing this crap today." Said Johanna firmly as she stood between the siblings. "You two have to promise me that you won't fight today, no matter what. Just for today."

Knowing that they couldn't really make a good argument, the twins looked at each other before nodding to Johanna in unison. It was then that Vivian realized that a mad scientist and an adventurer don't mix very well.

"Tadaa! Trolberg's famous bird parade," said Johanna as she gestured to the people in costumes, the decorations and more. She continued after something quickly caught her eye. "Ooh, it's the sparrow scouts! Let's go meet them. I was a sparrow scout when I was your age."

"I'm not joining them," deadpanned Hilbert as Johnna and Hilda moved towards the Sparrow Scouts.

"I get it. I refused to join too." Vivi commented.

Hilbert raised an eyebrow. "You got to be pulling on my leg,"

"No, I'm serious. That kind of stuff never appealed to me."

"Well, what do you like to do then?" Asked Hilbert raising a brow as he put his hands in his vest pockets.

"Oh, I like writing stories and novels," Vivi explained. "But my dream is for one of them to be animated."

"Hmm, that sounds inter-" said Hilbert with a hand on his chin before he was suddenly pulled away by his twin sister. "What's up with you?!"

"The great raven is in my room back home and if we don't bring him back before the parade, all hell breaks loose," Hilda panicked.

Suddenly, Hilda's mother pulled her daughter. "Where are you two going?"

"Mum! I think the great raven is in our house! He's lost his memory!"

"You didn't find the great raven, you just found a raven," Johanna explained. "And I had to kick him out. You can't leave random birds in the house."

"What?! He's not random! H-he talks!" Hilda was flabbergasted.

"Well, he didn't say anything to me,"

"Mum, if you were a creature that talks even though you're not supposed to, would you talk to every person that you encounter?" Hilbert lectured.

"No, I don't thin-Oh crap." said Johanna calmly before the realization dawned on her.

"C'mon, c'mon. We gotta go!" Hilda started running back to the house, causing her family to follow her.

"Sorry, Vivian! Need to cut this short!" Hilbert waved to Vivi before turning to Spark. "Spark! C'mon!"

Vivian waved back, in her mind a plan to watch the whole thing happen. Soon, the family made it back to the apartment. They were out of luck, as the raven was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh no! He's not here!" Hilda exclaimed in a worried manner. "He must've gone into the city."

"Do you have any idea where he might've gone?" Johanna asked.

"He said he remembered something about a statue of a tall bald man with a beard," replied Hilda worriedly.

"I know where that is," Johanna snapped her fingers.

"I'll search from the sky," said Hilbert as he pulled a flying drone from his backpack and a controller. "I'll inform you if I find him."

Johanna nodded as she and her daughter ran back into the streets. Vivian and Spark followed them very closely.

"How do you know your way around here? All the streets look exactly alike," said Hilda in confusion as she walked through the streets of Trolberg.

"You know? Some people say the same about rocks," Johanna informed.

"Are you drunk?" replied Hilda, "Every rock is different."

"You two can find your way around?" Hilbert considered.

Johanna giggled a little at her son's words before speaking "Well, the houses are different just like rocks,"

The mother goes on to show the twins that there are differences between each house, which Hilda quickly picked up on. Hilbert didn't bother as he already knew his way around the city. "See, you're adjusting already," said Johanna happily before turning to her son.

"Yeah, don't get me wrong; Trolberg still isn't as interesting as a rock, but close."

Johanna raised an eyebrow. "And you look like you already know what to look out for,"

"It's...nothing; not a big deal. Heh." Hilbert laughed nervously.

It wasn't long before the bells of Trolberg rang, signaling for the raven that was supposed to arrive. Hilda and Johanna decided to go find some higher ground to look from while Hilbert continued looking around using his drone. Hilda and Johanna made up onto a roof with some coin operated binoculars without Hilbert.

"He has to be here somewhere!" Hilda muttered with worry.

Hilbert was curious as to what they'd talk about. So, he flew the drone to a location near his mother and his sister where they wouldn't notice it and looked from there. After the conversation was halfway done, he turned the sound off with a sigh. Spark gave him an odd look and asked how he was and why he was bothered by what he heard. "It's okay, I'm not annoyed or anything. Just a bit...lonely now that they're up there." Hilbert responded.

'Why didn't you go up with them there?' asked Spark worriedly, sensing his creator's sadness.

Hilber didn't answer. It was a simple conversation between a mother and her daughter, nothing that should upset him; yet it made him feel bad when he thought about it. It gave him the feeling that now they were in Trolberg, things would be different. But something felt odd. Before Hilbert could answer, Spark suddenly let out a loud zap, snapping Hilbert out of his trance. 'I located the target, he's in a cage,' they zapped out in morse code.

"Spark, get there as fast as you can and try to let the raven out," Hilbert ordered quickly, knowing his sister needed to find him.

Spark curled up into a smooth metal ball and sped towards the raven like a wheel. Hilbert followed closely. Soon he made it to a bridge where Trevor was trying to avoid Spark. Hilbert, who was exhausted from running towards here, ran up to Trevor and tried to pull the raven away.

"Ugh, you again?!" Trevor complained. "You won't get ahold of this bird! You made me look crazy out there!"

"You must be drunk to assume that!" Hilbert argued. "Give me the bird!"

"Gladly," Trevor smirked and pulled out a certain finger. Hilbert was unamused.

Spark climbed onto Trevor, trying to reach the cage where the great raven was. Trevor, feeling that something was climbing onto his body, dropped Spark and the cage into the water below in a panic.

"Damn!" Hilbert's eyes widened as he saw Spark drop into the water. Spark was waterproof, but only enough to wash them without trouble. Being dropped in a lake could destroy Spark. "No!" Without thinking, Hilbert jumped in after them; barely hearing his mother shout his name out loud.

I am screwed. Hilbert was exhausted and didn't know how to swim. He clutched Spark tightly as he heard Hilda shout to the raven before she jumped in as well. Then he saw something red and green approach him in the water before he passed out.

"Hilbert!" Hilbert heard his mother's worried voice.

"Ugh, what's-" Hilbert woke up groggily to a tight hug from his mother "Mom?"

"I'm so glad you're safe," said Johanna tightening the hug even further. "I was so worried."

Hilbert hesitated for a second before returning the hug with a large smile. Soon, he remembered something.

"Wait! Where's-"

"Right here!" a familiar cheery voice came. It was Vivian, who was soaking wet from jumping into the water, and she was holding Spark in her hands. She pointed at the sky to some lighting and continued. "And over there."

Hilbert went silent as he stared Vivi, he wondered if she...had saved him.

"Did you...?"

"Can't let my first friend drown, can I?" Said Vivian with a bright smile as she put Spark on the ground. The mechanical pet hopped in agreement.

"Thanks," Hilbert was pleased.

"No prob, and hey? Don't let the bad feeling set in, okay?" shouted Vivi as she ran away. "I gotta get back to my family, see ya next time!"

Hilbert immediately understood what she meant by 'feeling'. She saw him hesitate to hug Johanna back. "Feeling?" She was confused.

"It's nothing to worry about," said Hilbert with a smile. "Should we go watch the parade and wait for Hil- A-CHOO!"

"Sure, but before that," Johanna agreed as she took off her coat to wrap around her son. "We got to get you warmed up." Soon, Hilda got down from on top of the raven so she and her family could sit together and watch the parade together. Completely ignoring the fact that Hilbert's drone completely disappeared.