Sorry for the long wait. This is a short chapter but is needed for a filler. I ran into a writer's block and needed to get this out so I could think of something better. Thanks for the support and keep on reading. Next update will probably be this weekend.

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Nick opened his eyes and slowly sat up.

"Mngh...W-what's going on?

Blinking a few times, the fox shook his head and realized he was sitting on a velvet rug. Slowly standing up, he looked around confused.

"Where...Where am I?"

As he tried to figure out where he was, Nick quickly turned around hearing a loud whistle.

A door materialized in front of him and as it opened, a fox with a black suit and blood red tie walked out and closed the door. What made Nick worried was the green eye and the evil purple eye.

"Ah~ There you are. I've been looking around for you Nick Wilde."

Nick tilted his head but kept the card poised, ready to be thrown.

"Who are you. Where am I?!"

Nick grew slightly annoyed as the fox simply chuckled.

"Right. This is the first time we met. My name is Lord Erebus. You are...In your...Well...Our mindscape."

"Our mind scape? Are you me?"

Erebus shrugged.

"Sort of. You helped me exist! So thank you for that."

Nick was taken back.

"I helped you exist?.."

Erebus nodded and then smiled showing off his sharp fangs making Nick very uneasy.

"That's right. You helped me. How doesn't matter. I have a small request."

Nick watched as Erebus held out his paw and a small cube appear. The cube expanded and light bursted out. Nick watched as it started to form into a picture like hologram. It expanded out showing the tie that Nick wore.

"This is the anti-surge charm that you have. I'm sure that Fate gave it to you."

If Nick wasn't worried, he was now. There was no way Erebus knew his name, Twisted Fate's name, and knew about the anti-surge charm.

"Who are you Erebus. You know a lot about me." Nick said with a suspicious laced in his voice.

"Twisted Fate is a criminal. He abandoned his only friend just to gain the magic and blessing of the spirits. Did he ever tell you that Nick? Did he ever tell you that he only gave you powers just to make himself feel better after leaving his friend to die?" Erebus continued to say ignoring him.

Nick bristled, his hackles rising. How dare this mammal talk trash and lies about Mr. Fate.

As he was about to send the card flying, Erebus snapped his fingers.

"Hrk!"

Erebus was smiling and held a flintlock pistol. The barrel was pressed against Nick's forehead, the cold steel making him shiver.

"Well that's not nice. I'm trying to tell you the truth and you try to throw your little playing cards at me. Now listen to me."

Erebus tilted his head as Nick slowly lowered his paw the card disappearing.

"Good. Now before I was rudely interrupted. Twisted Fate abandoned his friend in order to get the blessing of the spirits. He is a criminal, stealing, robbing, and even killing mammals for money. Oh? He didn't tell you? His paws are stained with innocent blood and he thinks that it's all fine. That anti-surge? It was made to hold you back. He didn't teach you enough on how to control your massive power so he decided to give you this instead so you couldn't use your full potential."

Nick let out a low growl.

"Careful Erebus. I don't know who you think you are trash talking my teacher. You have no proof anyways…"

Erebus smirked.

"How about some proof?"

The hologram changed into a scene. There, it showed a young coyote wearing dirty clothes. Looking closely, the coyote's eyes were a light blue and around his neck was a necklace made of copper. Standing next to him was another mammal who had a paw on the coyote's shoulder. The mammal was wearing similar clothes and the fur sticking around the clothes seemed to be a tan color. The head of the mammals seemed to be blurred out with black making it impossible to see the species.

"You see this mammal? That was Twisted Fate. His best friend right next to him and they stole small stuff in order to make a little money. One day, he thought it would be a good idea to try to steal something bigger. When it all went wrong, Twisted Fate escaped by himself leaving his good friend behind. The police caught his friend and subjected all the charges to him. Prison, and since the judge and jury were against him, he had the highest sentence and sent to the worst prison. Good ol justice system. I would tell you more but, I think that's enough to keep you on edge Nick. Twisted Fate isn't a good mammal. If you think he cares about you, just watch your back because one day you'll find a knife! "

Nick stumbled back as the room started to tremble. Erebus simple closed his paw and glared at the fox.

"Understand Nick. You want to keep your friends safe? You come to me. You can't trust Fate. If you want more proof. Come to some coordinates. Bring your little Fennec Fox but not that damned rabbit. I cannot stand her. If you're not convinced. Why don't you try using your card magic now without the anti-surge…."

The room trembled even more now, violently shaking as Nick tried to stay standing. The floor started to crack and crumble around him before breaking, the fox falling down. Letting out a yell of panic, Nick tried to channel his Destiny Gate but found himself unable to focus due to how much he was panicking.

"The truth will set you free Nick. I wouldn't lie to the mammal who created me would I?"

Just like that, Nick's vision went dark.

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"AHHH! OH GOODNESS!"

Nick snapped his head up as he woke up with sweat pouring down his head. Panting loudly and gasping for breathe, finding himself on the bed. Feeling a paw grab his shoulder, Nick snapped his head.

To see Finnick's worried face.

"Nick! Calm the fuck down!"

Nick held his breath as Finnick hugged him tightly.

"You fucking scared me man...You wouldn't wake up...You just wouldn't wake up…"

It slowly turned into sobs as Nick hugged Finnick tightly patting his head.

"H-hey buddy. I'm right here...S-shhh...Don't worry…"

Nick pressed his head against the smaller fox and closed his own eyes.

"Shh...I'm right here Finny…"

He didn't even notice Judy watching by her bed who had a look of relief seeing Nick awake.

Nick sighed letting his paws run through Finnick's fur. He was so. Confused. Erebus telling all those lies about Mr. Fate….

Right?

'If you're not convinced. Why don't you use your card magic now?'

Nick shook his head as Erebus' voice echoed through through his mind.

"You ok Nick?"

Judy had a worried look as Nick slowly nodded.

"Yeah...I'm good. Just a little...Confused...Where are we…"

The rabbit walked out of the bed and sat across from Nick.

"Nick. There's a lot to tell you. All of it is important."

Nick straightened up and sighed preparing himself.

"I'm listening Judes. What you got."

The rabbit took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"Nick. There's something trying to get you and Finnick."

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Sorry for the long update and a short chapter. School is pretty chaotic and I ran into a writer's block. No cryptogram this time so sorry! I will make sure the next chapter is longer so don't get too upset at me! Thanks for being patient and sorry again.