Guys, guys, guys! Dance Central Spotlight is announced. Oh my freaking Holy Christ (sorry, I'm just excited, as you can tell, so I hope that doesn't offend anyone) I am so hyped now! :D I am definitely buying an Xbone, since I have a summer job. That's also why I've been dragging in updates; I am working this summer, I'm a senior in high school, and I'm exhausted and lazy as always. XD Don't worry though, since there's hope for Dance Central, I have the urge to make up for lost time in this chapter.

Before I get to the quick author replies and the chapter, I would like to dedicate this chapter specifically to Agent Glitch/Aviator Dark. Honestly, if I haven't gotten her first review from chapters back, I wouldn't have a lot more motivation than I have now. Not only was she a great friend on here, her stories are amazing. This sounds like it's out of the blue, but it makes me sad when someone loses interest in a fan base. Leaving a fan base is like leaving family. Of course, she'll still be on here, but not a lot. So if you're reading this Aviator, I want to thank you for the many messages, the request fic you made me, and being supportive of this story. I only have four more chapters after this and then it's all over. :)

Alyssa: Having a mother die from childbirth is sad, but Oblio still has her in his heart. :) And Oblio is cool; he's the reason why I made this story; to show love for him, (even if there's an OC in here. :P) but make a hopefully decent story about his friendship, later relationship, with Luce.

MikuHatsuneLove: Thanks for waiting for me. XD I have to make the ending not 'happily ever after' with Tan in the picture.

DCFan4ever: That's really sweet of you. :D It was a feel moment from that chapter.

Enjoy!

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~Chapter Twenty-Six: The Crow's Regret~

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How can he do that to her? Why would Oblio betray Luce? Was this a trick so that Tan won't know that he was lying, or what?

When she felt the grips of the robots loosen, she freed herself and stood back away from them. As the three stand in the kitchen, Luce let out a gasp of pain, her forearms feeling warm and damp. Feeling what it was, Luce widen her eyes in shock, seeing that she is in fact, bleeding. Her hands are covered in her own blood, and she can slowly feel the blood running down to her fingers.

Oblio and his father went to the dining room, and the bluenette noticed Luce's arm bleeding. The distress in his eyes made him regret what he said when Tan captured him and Luce. His father noticed his reaction, and it made him curious. His dark brown eyes were attracted to the blood trailing down her forearms. For a moment, he smiled. The robots were tools of dance, but if they grab hold of someone in a certain amount of time, then they can cut through the skin of a human. For Luce, it was almost too deep.

"The robots did this to you, huh?" Tan said, his empathy obviously sounding fake. His eyes focused on the forearms the robots cut through and touched her forearms gently. The bluenette snapped, never wanting the bastard of a father to get near her.

"Don't touch her," Oblio yelled at his father. Luce squirmed, never hearing Oblio's tone sound like that. The brunette doesn't know if she should be relieved that Oblio cares, or if she should be scared of Oblio's anger.

"My son, is this a problem? Do you want her to bleed to death?" Oblio gave his father a death stare, and went to Luce, placing his arm around her waist, keeping her safe.

"If I'm helping you, Father, the last thing I want you to do is come close to her. I'll take care of her." Tan sighed.

"Very well," he replied. "56, follow them so that they won't escape." Once Tan removed his hands from Luce's forearms, Oblio grabbed onto Luce and took her to a bathroom where medication is at. None of them spoke of what happened. Oblio knew that trying to talk to her will make her afraid, after what he said to his father. Oblio opened the bathroom door, and before CYPH-56 can come in, he closed the door and locked it. When it comes to Oblio or Tan, the robot won't react to what they did, unless they command it. The bluenette picked Luce up and placed her in the free space between the sinks.

"Why?" Luce whispered shakily. The Asian got a good look at her, and she looked sad and hopeless.

"Hmm?" Oblio replied, trying to make her feel comfortable to talk.

"Why did you turn against DCI? Against me? What's going on?" Oblio wrapped his arms around the injured woman, placing her head on his shoulder.

"To be honest with you, I panicked when we were captured. I would never side with him, but since we're trapped, we- or rather, I can't escape." Oblio checked the cabinet for the first aid kit. "It will hurt when I treat you, so try to keep it down if your nerves react badly." Luce nodded. The bluenette opened the first aid kit and before using the medicine, he got a washcloth and dampened it. Gently, he rubbed the blood off of Luce's forearms and hands. While doing that, he looked at Luce's rose-colored lips.

The temptation to kiss her again was painful, but healing her has to come first. The bluenette picked up the hydrogen peroxide and squeezed some into a cotton swab. He gently dabbed it on one of the forearms, and a yelp of pain escaped from Luce's lips. She covered her mouth to reduce the volume and shut her eyes to prevent tears from falling out of her eyes. Oblio used his free hand to caress Luce's cheek.

"I'm so sorry for all of this," he responded to Luce's reaction. Luce's brown eyes looked at his empathetic face, and she frowned. When Oblio put some more hydrogen peroxide on her other forearm, she winced this time. The Asian found some anti-bacterial cream and gauze long enough to cover Luce's forearms. He rubbed the cream on the bandages and carefully wrapped it around Luce's forearms. "Here's the plan, Luce: we contact DCI, and once they get back up, that's when you'll leave with them, along with getting D-Coy, and I'll stay here." Luce's pain turned to worry.

"I don't want to leave you behind. Who knows what Tan will do to you if you stay here? If he controls your mind or anything like-" Oblio stopped her speaking by pressing his lips to hers. His hands found her hips and his thighs were in the middle of Luce's legs. The brunette could have sworn that she felt his tongue against hers, but then again, the kiss was hasty but passionate.

"As long as you're back at DCI, I'll be fine," Oblio whispered with care. Luce flushed when he gave her one last chaste kiss, and gently pulled back. The brunette adjusted her earpiece and pressed the button.

"Luce! Thank God you picked up! Is everything alright?!" Rasa asked with fear hinted in his voice.

"Yes," the brunette breathed out. "Tan knows that we're here, unfortunately. We... we need backup. Immediately."

"Okay, Luce. We'll send in a backup. Whatever happens, just follow what Tan says and while he's busy with whatever he's doing, the backup will distract him. If you know where D-Coy is, that's when you can rescue them."

"Mm-hmm," Luce replied, turning off the earpiece. She sighed and looked at Oblio. "We have to be patient, I suppose. Let's get back to Tan." Oblio frowned, knowing that she'll be heartbroken when he has to stay behind. When they opened the door, the pink robot was still there, waiting. The couple went to the dining room, where Tan would be waiting for them.

As they made it to the dining room, the two caught a glimpse of what seemed the most weird combination ever: Dr. Tan cooking. That wasn't the icing on the cake, he was wearing an apron that looked about at least twenty years old, with a pale lavender fabric and mitts that match the said apron. He was whistling to a song that is indescribably too mainstream for his age. If you think Luce is surprised, Oblio's face describes his annoyance plus disturbed reaction. Luce went to Oblio's ear and whispered,

"So not only is your father this mad genius, but he's also insane in the head?" Oblio whispered back,

"Unfortunately, yes. That's why he's protective but also busy." As if he heard them, Dr. Tan turned his head back.

"So, you've finally taken care of her wounds, yes, Oblio?" Oblio sighed since it pains him that he and Luce will know sooner or later what he was planning to do with them.

"Yes, Father." After Oblio's reply, the doctor smiled, and when he turned himself around to put food on the porcelain plates, the view of him wearing that is so awkward, it made Luce want to knock herself unconscious and pretend that it never happened. Tan sat down on his signature chair, and he instructed his son and Luce to where they would be seated.

Luce and Oblio are across from each other, while Tan is at the end of the table, but near enough if he wanted to have a conversation with them. When he took a sip of his wine, he made a noise of satisfaction. The texture was wonderful, and the taste was magnificent. The brunette nervously picked up her fork and started to taste the peppered steak he made. As much as it pains her to act like she's accepted her fate, she said to Tan,

"My goodness, Doctor, what is your secret to this recipe?" After she asked that, she thought, Someone, anyone please hurry before I die from his weirdness!

As if he didn't get the sarcasm, the doctor replied to the brunette, after rubbing his mouth with a napkin,

"My wife made this recipe." Tan continued as if he knew Luce for a long time, and yet he was evil. "She earned a minor in culinary arts when she attended the same university as me. I shall pass down the recipes to Oblio, and he to your children."

Oblio coughed from swallowing his drink after immediately hearing his own father say that.

Did he just say, children? Is he messing with them? What in God's name did he think that Luce and Oblio are, married? Luce instantly turned crimson, while Oblio regained his posture, his face slightly red as well.

"It's a bit early to think about that, isn't it?"

"Indeed," Luce agreed, still blushing. "I just started eating. Also, we're not married."

Tan laughed like Luce just told a joke. Luce looked at Oblio to mentally ask why he was laughing like a maniac. Oblio shrugged in response. When the doorbell rang, Tan re-obtained his composure and went to the front door. Opening it, he didn't realize that he would receive a false swipe to the neck, making him fall to the ground, slightly unconscious.

It's Riptide. Luce sighed in relief, glad that two of her friends are here to distract them. Emilia and Bodie found Luce and Oblio and ran to them.

"Go ahead and get Dare and MacCoy; we got this. When you get them, take my car and get the heck out of here!" Emilia told Luce. The brunette nodded and along with Oblio, ran to the elevator and back to the top where Tan's office is. Luce's heart hammered when she and Oblio made it to the elevator once again when they were so close to getting to D-Coy without Tan knowing.

Tan suddenly woke up and glared when his eyes viewed Luce and Oblio head into the elevator. Then he noticed two people heading his way as he stood up.

"Come on, old man," Emilia said, cracking her knuckles with a sneaky grin. "I don't want this new outfit to get sweaty." Bodie rolled his shoulders, preparing for what was to come with his crew partner.

"We're known for having the highest amount of energy in dancing," the blond added, adjusting his sunglasses. "Anything you give us won't stop us." Tan gave off an evil laugh, snapping his fingers. The two robots headed their way and prepared themselves for a dance battle.

"Let's see if my robots can defeat you. Then I will have two more dancers for my plan!"

When the Lightning crew made it to the top, they ran to the backside door and found Dare and MacCoy, trapped in a prison-like cell. The brunette pitied them the moment she saw them. They look a bit pale due to no sunlight for almost a day, and they looked a bit skinnier.

"Luce? Oblio?" MacCoy said, looking more hopeful than Dare's gloomy expression from hunger and possibly exhaustion. The bluenette found the key near the cell and unlocked it. Despite her weakness, Dare gave Luce a hug, and Luce did the same.

"Are you okay?" Luce asked the pinkette. She nodded, too tired to speak. MacCoy frowned and picked his girlfriend in his arms.

"We're evacuating, are you sure you can run?" Oblio asked. MacCoy grinned and nodded, giving him a positive answer. Oblio nodded back and so the three ran to the elevator, and then to the front doors. Oblio stopped, and it made Luce stop as well.

"It hurts to leave you," Luce said automatically. "Rasa will be pissed at you for staying here." Oblio just nodded, and when Luce went to turn around and hurry to D-Coy, the blunette spoke out to where only she can hear him.

"I love you." It made Luce turn around to see his face one last time. With tears streaming down her face, she ran to him and embraced him. His warmth is what keeps her safe and happy. His arms around her represent security, and his heart beating against her own resembles an undying love.

"I love you, too," Luce sobbed. Saying those words made her sad, and with that, she left the embrace and ran outside, leaving Oblio to admire the damage Riptide made destroying the robots. Seeing his father look defeated made him grin, but Dr. Tan's ego won't let him back down.

The brunette ran down the stairs as quickly as she can, but being careful as well, and ran to Emilia's Ford. MacCoy opened Dare's window and slammed on the brakes just so that she can get in the car easier.

"Luce!" MacCoy said, pressing the button in Emilia's car to automatically open the door for her. "Isn't Oblio going to catch up to us?" The brunette found herself slowing down, finally stopping. She panted softly, but when the blond asked that, Luce felt sad once more.

"No..." she said hopelessly to the DJ. MacCoy frowned, but Luce said afterward, "We need to head back to DCI before Tan catches up."

"I love you." The thought ran through Luce's mind again, and when she went into the car Emilia brought with D-Coy, Luce looked back at the manor and thought to herself,

I'll get you back, Oblio. And then... we can just have a normal relationship together.

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~Chapter Twenty-Seven coming soon...~

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Okay, so since Oblio has to stay behind, that means Luce will have to create a plan to stop Tan, but at the same time, save Oblio. :P I was originally going to put the Ninja crew in this, but since they have no dialogue, it would just be too quick for them to make a cameo. I hope this wasn't too graphic, especially Luce's bleeding forearms. And I apologize for the 2k words in this chapter. I've been feeling guilty for not focusing on this story the way I hope to. I've planned out what will be the fate of everyone, so you'll have to wait for the next chapter!