A/N: Sorry these last few Chapters have been kind of late! I've been kinda clutching them out...

Anyways, enjoy!

Ninten had no idea what to do.

Being stuck in a cave — which, by the way, happened to be suspiciously convenient — was not his idea of fun. Granted, they were kind of just resting, but still. They didn't know if this place had traps or not. Or if now Starmen were waiting outside to kill them.

Actually, Ninten highly doubted that. Starmen would probably capture them, not kill them. If anything, that orange haired kid had the highest chance of killing them.

Then they might actually be safe for once in the past two days. Or... three years? He didn't know, didn't really care.

But for once new person didn't seem dangerous; at least not when all they were doing was staring worriedly at his brother. Ninten kind of felt bad for yelling at him the day before. He only yelled because he was scared — as stupid of a reason as that was. He almost wanted to apologize.

But then the orange-haired kid (Claus was his name, right?) would send a cold glare at Ninten, and all his courage would disappear as he awkwardly averted his eyes. Why did "Claus" have to be so cold to them? It was usually much better to stick together, especially with their theory of PSI users being hunted.

...Of course, Claus didn't actually know any of those things because he wasn't with them. Why did Ninten think they were still on a "journey" anyways? Everything would probably return to normal after this. Or how it was before he met the twins.

But his family was probably still missing. What was he supposed to do about that?

...Not that there was much to do but wait. All there was outside was trees, trees, and more trees. What was he even thinking that he could be some kind of great hero? There was no way that could happen.

He didn't think he could save anyone anyways. He didn't have any offense PSI, for goodness sake. He would need someone to help him, and it's not like Ness or Lucas would agree to go on a death mission. He barely even knew Lucas. And he didn't want to ask his best friend to risk his life for him.

Having no offense PSI kind of sucked, especially when you tried to do... well, basically anything to a.) help anyone and/or b.) do something for yourself. Not such a great situation.

He was kind of useless, to be honest.

Before he continue his (according to himself, pointless) thought-rambling, something shook. More accurate: the cave shook. For a second his mind raced with (very bad) possibilities, then remembered that, hypothetically, nobody wanted to kill them. Was that comforting? Not really, but at least-

"We're not going to die," Ness suddenly interjected, looking directly at Ninten. Ninten stared back, somewhat incredulous.

"I-I never said we were going to-"

"Your face says differently."

"W-Well." Ninten sighed. "Don't you think it's suspicious that we're right next to that factory that's filled with Starmen that were trying to kill us?"

"That-"

"And this cave is oddly convenient?"

Ness seemed to give up trying to fight Ninten as he rolled his eyes. "Okay. But I think you're just freaking out too much. It could've just been a stray earthquake-"

"Really? An earthquake here in all places?"

"Okay yeah, stupid idea." Ness shrugged. "I was just trying to get rid of your paranoia."

"I'm not paranoid." Ninten walked to the entrance of the cave. Luckily, there seemed to be nothing there. Yet. "Well, I guess we're safe for now. There's nothing there."

"We're fine. Really. And yes, you are paranoid."

Ninten simply shook his head. "Whatever. I'm checking out there."

"Wh- Wait a second." Ness grabbed Ninten's arm. "If you're going out there, I'm coming with you."

Ninten sighed. "Alright. Hopefully we don't meet something trying to kill us."

"Paranoiiid."

"I'm not!"

"Anyways." Ness turned back into the now-suspicious cave. "Is-"

"I'm staying," Claus (that really was his name, right?) replied, his voice flat and monotone. His face said "Get out of my cave", which wasn't right since it wasn't *his* cave. Actually, Ninten changed his mind. He could think that all he wanted. The cave was probably cursed or something anyways.

"Ninten, let's go." Ness pulled Ninten's arm, making him stumble outside the cave. Ness ran, and Ninten followed after him, more confused than he had been in the last few days. Suddenly, Ness stopped, Ninten slowing behind him.

"What the heck was that for?!" Ninten yelled to Ness. "You're gonna give me an asthma attack, I swear!"

"And you're going to get yourself killed," Ness replied, walking back to Ninten.

Ninten had thought he couldn't get more confused. Well, he was wrong.

"What do you-" He started, but Ness cut him off.

"I thought the air was going to explode the way you two were glaring at each other."

"I was glaring?"

"For a minute, at least. How do you not notice that?"

"Uh..." Ninten stared at the ground. "Okay, if I was glaring, it wasn't for a minute."

"It felt like forever."

"But it wasn't actually forever!"

"Seriously, Ninten." Ness crossed his arms. "Don't make him hate us more than he already does."

Ninten sighed. "...Fine. But I really don't care what he does," he added, muttering.

"Ninten, I really mean it! We don't know how much longer they'll be with us. And it's not good to make enemies anyways."

Ninten didn't respond; instead, he stared at the ground, silent, reminded once again of their dilemma. Their family was still missing.

He didn't want to think about it.

"Let's go," he finally replied, walking forwards. Then he stopped. "Wait, where are we?"

"Near the factory." Ness appeared beside him. That was one of the things Ninten liked about Ness: no matter how much they yelled at each other, they never became any less of friends. Seriously, Ninten was sometimes surprised Ness was still friends with him. "It should be riiight- Found it!"

Ness disappeared through the trees, and Ninten followed (through apprehension). And what would you know; the factory was actually there.

"I remembered a path." Ness grinned.

"Thank goodness you did, because I still don't know where we went to get here." Ninten stared at the factory. "So... What do we look for...?"

"I thought you would know."

"How would I-?"

"Because you're paranoid?"

"I'm not!"

"You know what? Let's just go in the factory." Ness walked off once again.

"Wha-? No! That could kill us!"

"I think that's called... paranoia." Ness smirked. "Plus, this was your idea."

"I hate you," Ninten mumbled before following Ness into the factory. Luckily, there seemed to be nothing at the entrance. That didn't exactly help on the eeriness, but oh well. You could only expect so much from an already creepy, now suspicious factory filled with robotic creatures that either wanted to kill or capture you.

Ninten had wished that they wouldn't take a long time in factory. Well, he was wrong. There seemed to be actually nothing in the factory. So an earthquake was starting to look like the answer to the cave shaking problem. He wasn't happy with that answer because that still left the factory open to suspicion, but then again if it was the cause was the factory it became very suspicious.

Great.

Ninten suddenly froze. Something had made a weird creaking sound, and it wasn't them. He glanced around a corner. And of course a door hung open, if just barely.

"Why," He muttered, going back around the corner. "There's a door open. Great great great great great. We are so screwed-"

"You said there's a door open?" Ness asked. Ninten nodded. Ness walked around the corner. "Then let's go check it out."

"What?! No! That's the most stupid idea you've had all day!" Ninten rushed after Ness, but it was already too late; Ness was in the room. Ninten ran in after his friend, and froze once again as the door closed behind them.

And then the floor dropped out.

In those few seconds, Ninten realized a couple of things. First of all, the doors had been unlocked. And they just waltzed right in without questioning anything. Second thing was that they had been set up so easily. What was wrong with them?

Third: they were huge idiots.