The others waited as Lalna and I watched the sun. They also watched it too, apart from Ridge. He seemed to be content with floating around his fountain. He gently ran his hand through the water, a little spray hitting the four of us. Nilesy glanced back at Ridge, a look on annoyance on his face for a split second. That was before he remembered the power Ridge had. He decided it was just one of his ways of having fun, shrugging it off. Ridge stood on top of the fountain as we turned to face him.

"So, adventure?" He asked, winking. "See, I think you three should go around to the various bases you've all created and try to find some supplies." He explained. This...was the adventure? Picking up random crap from various locations? "Oh, don't look so excited now, Sjin!" I could tell he was mocking me. "Look, this is important. Lalna and I will need whatever you can find. I mean, the Jaffa Factory hasn't been touched in years! Who knows what was left there? I suggest you start there, first." He explained.

"Right...Girl Gui—I mean, Honeydew Inc.'s Jaffa Factory. Alright." I nodded. I glanced at Lomadia and Nilesy, who also seemed to be ok with the idea. Although it seemed like it would take years to reach it, at least we had a job to do now. That's when Ridge proved me wrong. He gave each of us a flying ring. They were a little old and outdated, but they still did the trick. This made me wonder if Ridge used one...but I couldn't see one on him. "Where did you find these, Ridge?" I asked curiously. Ridge twirled before he shrugged.

"I just kept them, I guess. For an occasion like this!" He smiled. He was always so happy. It confused me, from time to time. I slipped the flying ring onto my wrist before I looked at Lalna. I felt sad, even though I'd see him again. I guess because we've been on this journey together...now we were going separate ways for now. Lalna gave me a gentle hug before he let go.

"Don't get yourself killed now." He smiled. I pulled him in for a second embrace, gently moving his goggles off his eyes. Those eyes that sparkled back at me... I smiled, gently rubbing under his bruised eye with my thumb. Soon it would heal, and they would look even more handsome.

"I don't plan on it." I placed the goggles back over his eyes, as I could see he was about to cry. We then separated from each other as I joined Lomadia and Nilesy. "You two ready to go?" I asked. The two nodded. We turned to face the demi-god and scientist. They both wore smiles on their faces. I smiled back, before the three of us took to the skies. While Lalna and I were having our moment, Ridge had told Lomadia where to go. He didn't bother telling Nilesy, as he'd just get us lost anyway. I glanced back at the ground, watching the two fade into the distance. This trip will be tough. I can feel it.

"Are we there yet?"

"If you ask that one more time...!" I wanted to punch Nilesy so badly. I even knew he was doing it to piss me off. "No! We're not there yet! If we were, WHY WOULD WE STILL BE FLYING?!" I replied, near enough shouting it at him. It seems my temper was beginning to disappear. I felt a hand on my shoulder, glancing at Lomadia. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

"There's no need to be fighting each other when we need to fight the taint." She pointed out. As always, Lomadia was right. She had her womanly intuition for this, and she was more thoughtful. Though, that didn't mean she couldn't kick ass if she wanted to. "Anyway, I don't think it's that much further." She added, glancing at Nilesy. For some reason, even though it wasn't a glare, Nilesy didn't bother me anymore. We flew together, soon seeing the large factory ahead. "See? Just like I said." The three of us landed in front of the factory. It was overgrown and overrun by various plants and trees. All the buildings were buried, with only the signs poking above ground.

"Wow. Those plants sure took over quick enough." Nilesy murmured. I moved closer to the factory before I stopped. Something was...off. I quickly grabbed Nilesy before he walked forward. "Hey! What's that for?" He asked. I glanced around again, still feeling something.

"I feel...a magical presence..." Practicing magic with Lalna came in handy. I was beginning to be able to sense magic. Lomadia nodded. She felt it too. I knew she was practicing magic! "We should dig in from the side, not the front. I think there's a teleportation field." I continued, as I began mining into the side. Lomadia and Nilesy soon joined me before we made a large enough hole in the wall. I lead the way, being followed by the other two. Inside was just as overgrown as the outside. "Geez...who knew a couple of years could do THIS?!" I muttered. "Well, let's just get the supplies and get back out. We don't want to be staying here too long." The three of us split up, choosing different levels. Nilesy stayed on the ground floor, Lomadia went on the second, and I went straight to the pent house. It seemed the least changed level. There were a few mushrooms scattered around the room and vines on the walls. Apart from that, everything was unchanged, if not just tattered from time. I walked over to Honeydew's car bed, smiling a little as I ran my hand along the fabric. It was old and dirty, but it still held memories. I could almost imagine the little dwarf sleeping in there... I noticed the hot tub, walking over. There was water inside, but I imagined it was stone cold by now. I didn't have time to test it anyway. I had to find supplies. For Lalna... The cold air hit my bare back, freezing me slightly. I shivered, glancing at the open wall. There she stood. I instinctively jumped. Why was she here?

"...Sjin. I've been looking for you." She didn't sound possessed or evil. Just...normal Nano. "Where's Lalna? He's not hurt, is he?" She moved towards me, and I moved back. The taint had gone, but something told me she wasn't safe. I didn't want to be lulled into thinking she was 'ok' before she betrayed me. "I'm not going to hurt you, Sjin. I promise." Another step forward, another step back. Another step both ways. Then my back pressed against the wall.

"S-Stay back, Nano!" I stuttered, my voice quiet. When she kept moving, I repeated it but louder. "I said stay back!" The sword easily slides out from its sheath as I grip the handle. I hold it out in front of me, my hands shaking a little. This time she does stop. "L-Look...you're not ok. The taint still h-has you..." I whispered. Nano sighed, running her hand through her black hair. It falls in front of one side of her face, leaving one eye watching me. Her mouth was set into a slight frown, watching me with her dull eye.

"How do you know that?" She asked. "You're just guessing. Being irrational." She murmured. The blade in my hand dipped slightly. Maybe she was ok...

"...How were you cured, then?" I asked hesitantly. "I mean...we've tried so many times..."

"It let me go." This set me off. My fear and hesitance quickly changed to anger.

"Tch, like you think I'd believe that!" I replied, angry. I knew, deep inside, that the taint was just using her. This pissed me off. "Why would it just want to let you go? It needs you. It wants EVERYTHING. Why would it just make it more difficult to have that?" I asked, my voice rising with each word. Anger and hate lined every single one. "Just stop trying to mess with me already!" In the end I was shouting. That's when I noticed the smirk on Nano's face. Just like Xephos had. I blinked, confused. 'Do they...want me to be angry?' I thought, my anger faltering. 'Why would that help...?' Nano began to back away, the taint materializing onto her skin. I knew it. She WAS still under the taint's influence.

"Come kill me, then. If you're so angry at me, kill me!" She retorted. A sudden rush of anger filled my body. Finally, this is my chance to kill it. Destroy the taint... My arm moved up, with the sword firmly in my grasp. I had no hesitation now. My gaze turned into a glare, running towards the very thing I hated. The taint. I would end it. I promised.

"Sjin, no!"

A/N: I just realised what I did. When I wrote 'This trip will be tough', I had no idea that I was then going to write the scene above. It fits so well...and I didn't even plan it! I love when stuff like that happens. Also this is getting so much love! It's amazing! Thanks everyone :D