I am so, SO sorry about my lack of updates! Wow, has it really been a whole month?! Jeez... Anyway, please enjoy!

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As she and the other Guardians flew through the cold air, Diamond couldn't help but grit her teeth in anger. How dare those alien freaks take her aunt. Their relationship may be rocky to say the least, but that was still her aunt. Nobody messed with her family. "Where do you think they are?" she asked as they touched down onto the ground.

Troy looked around. "When in doubt, always check the abandoned factory," he suggested, pointing at one. Diamond rolled her eyes as she and everyone else followed the boy inside. It was dark and quiet. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the walls. There was a ominous feeling in the air, like something bad was going to happen. Suddenly, everyone heard Ash cry out in pain before her screams became muffled.

"ASH!" shouted Ricky in alarm. "What happened!? Are you-?!" He didn't finish his sentence.

"Guys, this is insane," said Marty. "Maybe we should-" Silence.

"This is crazy!" exclaimed Troy fearfully. "We need to-!" Nothing more from him either.

"What's going on?" asked Tua. "What's happening to them? Guys? Are you alri-?"

Diamond began to hyperventilate, her heart racing. "Ish, please tell me that you're still here," she begged.

Ish grabbed her hand, keeping her from wondering too far away from him. "I'm here, Di," he assured her, turning on his Super Sight. "I won't leave you. Hold onto my hand so that we're not separated."

Diamond nodded and curled her fingers around his palm. She took a deep breath, calming herself. "Guardians, this is Diamond. Are you all okay? What happened to you?"

"I'm fine, Di," promised Ash over their communication link. "I think the ground opened up from under me. I'm with Ricky."

"Something strange is definitely going on here," stated Troy. "I got put with Marty. Tiny, you good?"

"I'm okay," answered Tua. "The Anticorians must be trying to separate us."

"I think so too," agreed Ish. "Tua, be careful. They rest of you, stay close together." Unconsciously, his hand tightened around Diamond's as he pulled her body closer to his. He noticed that she was shaking slightly and caressed the back of her hand with his thumb.

Diamond noticed this, but decided not to say anything about it. "Where do you think the Anticorians took them?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," Ish answered honestly. "But we'll find them."

Diamond nodded and moved closer to him, finding his presence comforting. "I know we will. You're here. Everything will be alright as long as we have you to lead us," she said honestly, blushing behind her helmet. Ish was touched by her confidence in him. He was about to say something when his Super Sight noticed some rocks about to fall on top of them. Acting quickly, he wrapped his arms around the girl next to him, pulling her out of the way.

Diamond was entangled in his arms as they both landed hard on the cement floor, breathing heavily. "Are you okay?" Ish asked.

Diamond nodded. "Y-Yeah," she stuttered. "I'm fine. You?"

Ish groaned. "Never better." He released her and stood up, offering her a hand. She took it and stood next to him, still breathing hard. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to cry in front of the boy she (might?) like. "I hope the others are having better luck than us."

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"Oh, I hope they're okay," said Ash as she and Ricky walked around aimlessly. "Whenever we're separated like this, something bad always happens to at least one of us."

Ricky gently took her hand in his. "I'm sure they're fine, chica," he assured her. "Don't worry. We'll all be fine."

Ash nodded when suddenly a tentacle wrapped itself around her other arm. "Ew! What is this?!" she exclaimed in alarm. It began to pull her in an opposite direction. Ricky's grip on her hand tightened as he used his other hand to grab her arm, pulling her towards him. He felt his hand slip as two more tentacles wrapped itself around both of her legs.

Ricky was forced to let go of her. He took a deep breath, focusing. I can do this. "Ice Blast Power Pass!" he shouted, freezing each tentacle.

Ash was able to break free of each tentacle. "Thanks," she said as she stood up, rubbing her wrist. "Okay, that was gross."

"Are you alright?" asked Ricky.

Ash nodded. "I'm okay. How do you think everyone else is doing in this..."

"House of Horrors?" guessed Ricky.

Ash giggled. "Yeah." She frowned. "Ricky, we have to get through this. Linda, Mrs. Taylor, every woman in there is in danger. They're counting on us to save them!"

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I know that was short, but I have writer's block! Please review.