[A/N] Look at that, I'm not dead. Sorry about that whole wait there. I'd love to say I had an excuse, but school's been easy and work doesn't get in my way much. I've been playing more games than I really should be during my free time instead of working on this, but at least it's here now.

It was getting pretty frustrating, walking through corridor after identical corridor. Michael had no idea what was the right direction, and the others weren't helping him much.

Their collective mood wasn't exactly great, either. Both of the boys wore scowls, and Pip was expecting another argument to break out any second.

She was right. The boys looked in two different directions at the same time when they came to a crossroads.

"You're trying to lead us in circles," Michael accused.

"I'm trying to find the girls," Jake retorted. "You might've forgotten, but that's a little important!"

"If we find the exit first, we can mark the way back and lead them there."

"And if we find the girls, then maybe they've found it already!"

"Our chances of finding a way out are still better if we're split up for now!" He put an emphasis on his next few words. "We can find them later. They'll be fine."

Pip was watching the whole exchange helplessly, afraid to say anything to interrupt.

"Fine," Jake said at last. "Have it your way, genius. But if anything happens to Tori, I swear, you'll live to regret it."

Michael rolled his eyes, and they went left. He made sure to leave a splash of ink on the wall.

He figured it would be better to let the whole thing go. Pip couldn't be very comfortable with this, he thought. He turned back to look at her. She was staring at the two of them with wide eyes.

Michael turned back to Jake and tried to catch his eye. When he did, he jerked his head back toward Pip. Jake glanced back at her and his expression softened.

"Sorry," he muttered.

"Say it to her," Michael told him.

Jake turned back to Pip again and repeated the word. Pip's expression didn't change, but she nodded.

"Do you know where we should be going, Pip?" Michael asked.

"N-no, I never really walked around here much," Pip replied. She was still a little wary. Hard not to be, considering everything she'd been taught about Inklings over the years. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

And so they walked. Occasionally, now, they would hear footsteps, and they'd have to hide in a room until they went past.

"Dammit, now it seems like we're going deeper!" Jake complained. "You think we should double back?"

Michael considered this point. "We're lost either way. It couldn't hurt."

They returned to a previous intersection, and went in a different direction this time. It didn't take long for them to pass a room that had a curious dotted line running out of it.

"Crap," Michael and Jake said at the same time.

"Looks like we'll have to go back again," Jake said.

Pip didn't say anything for a second. She was deep in thought.

The boys turned to leave at the same time before they realized Pip wasn't following them.

"I think I can distract him," she said.

Jake's eyebrows shot up. "You don't have any weapons."

"Don't need them."

The boys grinned, and Jake gestured for her to go ahead. Pip took a breath and stepped in the doorway.

They heard a deep gurgling voice saying something unintelligible, and a jet of magenta-coloured ink splashed over Pip's body harmlessly. Pip responded in the same gurgling voice, trying to sound friendly. A moment later, she stepped inside. After a few moments, Jake peaked inside.

The Octosniper had its back to the door, and was apparently talking to Pip, who could just be seen behind it. She flicked her eyes to Jake before returning her attention to the Octosniper. He gave her a thumbs up before sneaking past the gap. He motioned for Michael to follow, and he did.

A few minutes later, Pip finished her conversation and joined them outside. She breathed a shaky sigh of relief.

"That was awesome, Pip," Michael said.

She smiled at him in response. "Thanks…"

"What were you talking about?"

"I asked for directions."

Jake perked up at that. "Like to the exit?"

She nodded. "Let's see..."

She rattled off a laundry list of directions. The boys blinked in surprise.

"You remembered all that?" Jake asked incredulously.

Pip smiled shyly. "Follow me."

And off she went. The boys were close on her heels.

They passed all sorts of different rooms on the way, including another room full of respawn pads. It was full of Octolings, more than the room where Pip and Lilac were held. A few were pacing, but most looked idle. They all had a dejected look on their faces. Pip stopped and watched them sadly.

Jake noticed and put a hand on her shoulder. "We can't help everyone," he told her gently.

She barely seemed to hear him. "They're all just like me…" she whispered.

"I know," Jake replied. "But we need to keep moving."

Pip was silent for a moment as they walked away from the room. "It's not fair," she said quietly.

Michael looked at her sympathetically. "It's not," he agreed. "But trying to get everyone out of here would be suicide. Someone would be bound to recognize us."

Pip nodded. "I know… let's keep going." She trudged ahead. The boys shared a look and followed her.

They kept walking, and made the necessary turns. The boys continued to follow Pip, and they kept hiding whenever someone else came down their corridors. Some time later – it could've been minutes or hours, for all they could tell – Pip fell down. The boys hurried forward to check on her. She tried to get up, but failed.

Michael swore under his breath. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Pip's stomach growled audibly, and her eyelids fluttered. She didn't have to say a word.

Michael lifted her onto his back, and they entered a nearby room.

"She's hungry and tired," Jake concluded.

"Thanks, tips," Michael replied sarcastically.

Jake made a face. "I'll try and find something for her to eat. You stay here and make sure she gets to sleep."

"You're going by yourself?"

"Someone's gotta watch her. She's too important."

Michael nodded. "Try and be fast."

"Thanks, tips," Jake replied, just as sarcastically. With that, he left.

Michael turned his attention to Pip, who shivered a little. She was curled up in a little ball.

"D-did you guys make any turns…?" she asked weakly.

"Shh," Michael shushed. "Try to sleep. You need it."

Pip obediently closed her eyes, and then the room was silent except for her breathing.

Michael allowed her head to relax on his lap. He hoped Jake would come back soon.

{asterisks}

The room appeared to be a cafeteria of some sort. At least, that's what it looked closest to. He tried not to think about it too much. Jake snuck inside, carefully avoiding the gazes of a few Octotroopers. He would've preferred to just splat them, but that would leave evidence.

He made his way to the opposite end of the room and entered what appeared to be a pantry. There were heaps of cheap goods, but Jake had no time to be picky. He grabbed whatever he could carry that looked edible, and used the same route to leave the room. The second time was trickier, since he couldn't use his squid form without dropping all the food, but he was pretty sure he made it, even if the Octotroopers looked his way a couple times.

Once he was out of the room, he bolted back the way he came. He tried to make as few turns as possible on the way there so it'd be easier to find the way back after.

So far, so good. No one was following him. He turned a corner…

…and was greeted by an army of Octarians. He skidded to a halt. He whipped his head around, and saw another group behind him.

"Well, shit," he muttered.

A figure made its way to the front of one of the groups; Alanis, the Octoling lieutenant.

"What's this?" she asked. "A little mouse trying to scurry away with our food?"

"You watch too many action movies," Jake retorted.

She didn't bother responding to that. "Now, would you be so kind as to tell us where your little friends are hiding?"

Jake didn't respond to that. He stayed silent.

"Oh well," Alanis said, shrugging. "I'm a patient woman. I can wait until you decide to tell me. Or… maybe I can try to persuade you."

Jake bared his teeth and drew his Hero Shot as Alanis watched him smugly. He pointed it directly at her before dashing forward.