So here's the thing: I originally had the chapter titles and summaries saved on my computer so that I can write the chapters, and, well, it got deleted because the ninety days were up. ^_^; But the good news is that I still remember what I want in the next chapters. This one is an exception because I actually had a plan on what this one is about, add the fact that I will add minor appearances for a few characters that appeared in one of Harmonix's games. :D As you read on, you'll maybe recognize them, except for one. ;) Thank goodness for inspirations!

DCFan4ever: I know, right? I love Dare's upbeat personality. I hope Oblio escapes too as well- oh wait. XD I'm the writer here!

MikuHatsuneLove: Who knows? XD Maybe wherever the road takes them, but still, Oblio's in Tan's captive, so you should think of how he will get out. ;)

Guest: Thank you. ^_^ I'm glad you understand my situation, and sort of for the fan art. I was thinking of the fan art that was made for Oblio's birthday, the one where Tan says that he lets him wear skinny jeans. XD I love that too much.

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~Chapter Twenty-Seven: Undying Friendship~

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Finally back at DCI, D-Coy, and Luce hurried to the secret elevator inside the building where DCI hides within. The brunette looked worriedly at her pink-haired friend. The blond DJ synchronized Luce's look and held his girlfriend close.

"We're almost there, Dare. You'll get the nutrition you need," MacCoy said to the Japanese-British girl. Luce ghostly traced her lips with two fingers, feeling the tingle of Oblio's lips that kissed hers when he was treating her arms from the robots' grasps. Her heart hurts every time she thinks of him, due to the fact that Oblio's still at Tan's. Luce wanted to lie saying that Oblio's life was threatened if he escaped with her, but Rasa is already worried about the fact that Tan could do anything to the law of dance. Maybe she might now see him at all since he's busy getting everything together.

Being honest right now is better than having to deal with punishment by telling a lie. As soon as the elevator made its stop in the DCI headquarters, the two head out and encountered not Rasa and Lima, but the rest of the crews except for Riptide. The five turned to see Luce, MacCoy, and Dare, and as if they did it on cue, sighed in relief. Miss Aubrey, Taye, and Lil' T walked up to them.

"We're glad that you got out of there safely," Taye said. "We all just found out about Tan and his plans, and that old doctor won't stand a chance now that we're all together!" Luce nodded in agreement, but it was a shame that she didn't even know Oblio is a part of her crew.

"Where's Rasa and Lima?" MacCoy asked curtly. He noticed how Dare is sleeping, but she still needs food and water. Aubrey walked away, but it was a way to instruct him to the two.

"Just follow me." Before they are out of headquarters, Luce asked the red-head,

"Where's Angel? He wasn't in here." From her back, the classy woman rolled her eyes, but not from Luce speaking, but what she spoke of.

"Who knows? He's around here for sure." As her new boots from her DCI agent outfit clicked, she left with the desperate DJ to find Rasa and Lima. Luce sighed, and from behind her, she heard two voices.

"Luce!"

"Diamond!"

It was Mo and Glitch respectively. Luce smiled and was surprised by the hugs she received from them. Her heart melted slightly since she was close to them and the fact that they are like her brothers.

"Girl, we were so worried about you! On camera, it was like a horror movie," Mo stated, releasing Luce from the bear hug. Glitch still hang onto the brunette, and she chuckled at him still hugging her.

"Diamond, don't ever go on without us, okay?" the Korean asked her, looking up at her. Luce nodded, and with that, Glitch unwrapped his arms around her.
"We just got done with our training, so do you want to go grab a bite or something?"

"I'm actually trying to look for Angel. Do you guys have any idea where he is?" Luce spoke up, after having to hear Hi-Def say what they need to say.

"He's working out in the gym in here. If you want, you can wait for him," Mo replied to Luce's question. Before he and his protegé left, he yelled to Luce, "If you want something, give us a call!" Luce nodded, and so she went to the purple leather couch and sat down, sighing as she goes into deep concentration.

After what happened, Luce doesn't know how she feels anymore. Oblio chose to stay back at the manor, but... why? He could have just freaking gone with her and everyone would be safe and sound. Luce's eyes flared, her teeth clenched, and her fists shook with anger. She could punch something if she had the guts to. So instead of getting up and taking her anger out, she tried to think of what could happen to his fate.

Since he's still there, his father could brainwash him and lead him to some mind control helmet and take over his mind completely. He could make his own son go through shock treatment. The brunette sighed and shook off the anger. She loves Oblio so much, her demons within her can make her worry about him. Her heart began to race, and when she felt it, she clutch her heart with her hand and closed her eyes.

She doesn't fall in love easily, but when Oblio came into the picture, he was different from any other dancer. He was aloof and silent, but he was kind and full of emotion when it comes to the arts. When Luce grew closer to Oblio, and realized that he shared a dead mother just like her, she felt that he understood her emotions... better than Claire, and even Angel, her own best friend who's been with her since they were in Kindergarten. After getting to know each other and bonding over things that they have in common, such as favorite songs and artists, she ended up falling in love with him.

Luce felt blessed that he reciprocated his feelings, which is unlikely when it comes to teen movies or real-life romances from school. The only conflict that interrupts their relationship is Oblio's father. Even though she'll get the information on Tan's plan as soon as possible, she still wants to know why he wants to do this. What will Tan Step do if it succeeds?

"Listen, Luce," Lima said to the sulking brunette. Luce looked up, her eyes turning gentle after having her internal conflict about what would happen in the future. "Rasa and I have been talking through this, and we think that along with D-Coy, it would be best if you back out of this mission, and the others will take care of it." In a snap, Luce stood up and replied, having eye-to-eye contact with the older woman,

"But, Lima; Oblio's the reason why I'm here! The reason why D-Coy and I are here! When we were talking outside at the beach, I felt bad for not being more open to him, and now with my feelings for him, I will fight until Tan's judgment arrives! Even if the backup will provide more assistance, he's the reason why we're together: to stop Tan." Luce calmed down, but bit her lip, sounding careless and immature. Instead of arguing, however, Lima smiled back.

"You certainly have a lot of hope." The older woman thought of her next words carefully. "I've seen one of your mother's movies, and she just reminded me of you so much." She placed a hand on her shoulder, continuing, "After that rough event though, you and D-Coy can use a break. If you three needed to, take as much time as you need." With that, the DCI assistant walked away.

Luce blinked not twice, but three times. She was surprised that Lima understood her choice of words, using Oblio to back up what she drives for. Regardless, Dare and MacCoy need to recover from those long hours of hell. Now Luce has to wait until Angel finishes working out so that she can hang out with him.

"Hasta la vista!" Luce's heart stopped. Is it really him? She looked around nervously and heard a familiar voice... "Hey, Luce!" ...over there. She finally saw her best friend, smiling and waving. Unlike the others, he wasn't in his DCI outfit, since he said a farewell in Spanish.

"Angel!" Luce cried with a growing smile on her face. She could cry right now. The one friend that's been with her for over a decade, but who she didn't get to contact when she was with DCI, is finally here. Instantly, Luce ran to him and when his arms opened for an embrace, she did the same. Once they landed in each other's arms, the brunette can feel her eyes dampening.

She placed her head on his shoulder, while she can feel Angel's fingers caress her upper back. Her shoulders started to quake lightly, and her best friend noticed when his brown eyes stared at the brunette's head. Without leaving the embrace, he helped Luce to move her head so he can look at her. When their stare turned to one, Angel can see her eyes slightly red from crying.

"What's the matter, chica?" he asked Luce. Carefully, he removed her glasses and softly wiped her falling tears away before they would cascade down from her face. Luce sniffed, blinking two times to clear her blurred vision.

"I missed you. I know it's been like three days since I haven't texted or called you, but making you worry was making me feel guilty." Angel nodded, putting on her glasses for her.

"Is that all?" With that question, Luce shook her head and slightly looked away.

"Oblio and I were caught by Tan, and for a moment, I thought he betrayed me, but when my arms were cut by his father's robots, he nursed me and told me he has to stay behind." Luce sighed hopelessly, her eyes losing their shimmer as if she got sick. "I was afraid I'd never see all of you again. Bodie and Emilia saved D-Coy and me, but Oblio..." Luce sobbed and can feel her tears create multiple waterfalls. Angel frowned and held her tightly, placing a hand into her hair.

"It'll be okay, Luce," he replied sweetly. "Rasa and Lima told us a plan that will stop Tan and get Oblio back. Everything will be all right, I promise." Luce nodded since he's always positive whenever a bad situation occurs. It may not be high school exams or dance events, but as long as everything's in tactic, it will go according to plan. "Come on, let's have a drink."

Removing his arms from her, Angel guided Luce to a vending machine and put in two dollars for the both of them. As soon as their drinks popped out, the elevator made a sound, and when Luce and Angel turned to see who is arriving, it relieved them.

"Riptide has returned," Lima said to Luce and Angel. She appeared from their left since it looked like she just finished a meeting with Rasa with the door opened slightly. "It's a good thing they are reliable for energy." Luce agreed with Lima, but on the look of their faces, they looked worn out. She hurried to them and carefully hugged Emilia. The Riptide dancer was surprised, but she smiled lightly and accepted the hug.

"Thank God you two made it out okay," Luce said to the brunette. Angel walked by and gave Bodie a pat on the back. Emilia pulled back and frowned.

"We're glad, too. When we defeated the robots, we convinced Oblio to come with us, but he told us that it will endanger himself and you. I'm sorry." Luce breathed in and out.

"I see... but don't worry, Emilia. It's fine," she replied. A vibration came from Luce's M.O.C. pocket that hangs around her skirt. She pulled out her phone and said, "Hello?"

"Hey, Luce!" Mo said through the phone. "Is Angel done yet?"

"Yep. Do you want us to meet you at the Groovy Smoothie?"

"Sounds like a plan for me! We got some awesome news for you!" As soon as Mo hang up, so did Luce. She looked to see Angel, Emilia, and Bodie talking, but the poor blond and brunette still sounds exhausted from the robots.

"Angel? Mo wants us to head over to the Groovy Smoothie." Angel turned to Luce and smiled. With a wave to the Riptide crew, Angel and Luce head up the elevator and into his car. From here to the restaurant, it would take only five minutes, so Mo and Glitch must have already eaten. "I wonder what Mo wants that can be news?" Luce asked Angel. He shrugged in response since he was trying to concentrate on the road.

When Angel found the place, he parked near the entrance, and with that, he and Luce got out of his car and headed inside Groovy Smoothie. They found the booth Mo and Glitch are at, so they walked over and sat down with Angel sitting beside Mo and Luce beside Glitch.

"Good thing y'all made it," Glitch spoke up. "Something's happening tonight, and I'd figure you two along with Mo can come with us."

"What is it?" Angel asked the Korean. Glitch smiled and showed the Latino and brunette what looks like to be concert tickets. Luce slightly shrugged, but she doesn't know the band name, so that's when Glitch continued to speak.

"Since DJ MacCoy is recovering along with Dare, the hangout where the band will be performing needed a DJ for an after-party, so I showed the manager my ability with a turntable and he awarded me with concert tickets to Knights of Hearts." That was when Luce stood still and stare at the protegé.

"T-They're my favorite band!" she said excitedly. "Not to mention, the guitarist used to be neighbors with me!" The African-American smiled at Luce's reaction.

"We're glad that you're excited. As soon as you two finished the food we ordered for you, we'll head over to Mitch's Bar."

"Isn't that a strip club as well?" Luce asked nervously.

"It used to be, but it's just a bar now," Mo replied.

As soon as Luce and Angel finished their food, they drove on their rides and hurried to the place. When they made it, the place was packed with people waiting in line to get in, but thanks to Glitch, he showed the bouncers their tickets and his proof that he was the DJ for tonight. They nodded in slow motion and let them in, blocking anyone else trying to get in without those kinds of tickets.

Since the place is a little bit empty, Luce, Angel, and Mo went to get their table and seats in the front, while Glitch met up with the owner and got the equipment settled. He caught up with them before the bouncers let them in to take their places to view the show. Then, in little over thirty minutes, the place became packed. It wasn't the first time Luce has been to a concert, but to be at her band's favorite, it's a first.

With the song they played, the drummer was the first to appear. She sported a Gothic appearance, with white and blue hair, a corset, a skirt, and high-heeled, thigh-high laced boots. Her name, or rather, stage name, is Pandora. She's known for her appealing drumming style, and she is considered wise when it comes to the band's music. She is currently number one in Lady Rock Magazine's Sexiest Drummer, and it was a great achievement for her.

Next up is the bassist, Izzy Sparks. He's known for being a partying animal, not to mention, he's also a ladies' man. The blond is more of a heavy metal person, but since the band is around punk rock, he was cool with it. His skills with the bass are pretty extraordinary, due to the fact that the song the band's playing is heavily bass needed. A fan of Izzy, especially a female, would be grounded for listening to him play, but that's what makes him famous.

Then the singer and guitarist appeared together since the song has the instrument and vocals appear at the same time. The singer, Johnny Napalm, used to be a complete mess. He hailed from London, England, since his voice contained a British accent. His green mohawk is his signature look and looked taller than anyone Luce has ever seen. Before the current guitarist appeared, there was another, and she wrecked him, ditching the band as well. If it wasn't for the guitarist now, the band would be gone. Because of that Johnny, came to respect the black and cyan-haired woman.

Rose Thornz, or her real name: Rosetta Black, actually originated from the city Luce and Angel live in: Central City. It was short-lived, though, since Rose's father left her and her mother when she was six. Luce was sad, of course, but she still had Angel, who stayed best friends with her. From what she told the dancer, she said that they would be moving to California, where her mother originally lived.

Rose wanted to become a guitarist ever since she looked through and listened to her mother's collection of punk rock songs from Green Day, The Runaways, The Misfits, and The Ramones. She earned her guitar when she was a freshman in high school, and it helped her swim through her high school years. When she became the guitarist of the band, her life changed, and she never regretted it.

Luce checked on how the guitarist was playing her instrument. The solo was intense, and the chords she strummed with her right hand went fast and slick. What's peculiar about the way she plays is that she's playing the guitar right-handed, and from what Luce remembered when she hang out with her in each others' houses, she writes and colors left-handed. It doesn't really matter, because she's doing a badass job playing the guitar.

The band played for ten more minutes, and the audience was screaming for their excellent performance. Around seventy percent of the crowd left since they didn't have access to the after-party, so the rest were either up to dancing to Glitch's upcoming mixes or chilling out at the bar with a drink.

Angel suggested to Luce that she should go to Rose and see if she remembers her. The brunette cringed, since Rose is a rock star, and it would be awkward for her to come up to the guitarist and be like, "OMG we've met before! Like, we should hang out!" Shyly, Luce went to Rose, who was taking a sip of her drink on one of the tables up front.

"H-hey, Rose. You may not remember me, but we used to hang out with each other in the neighborhood before you and your mom moved out..." Luce bit her lip, not wanting to bring bad memories to the guitarist. Hopefully, for the brunette, she prayed that Rose isn't going to be one of those who won't be a bitch towards her like some friendships portrayed in the movies. In contrast to Luce, the black and cyan-haired woman's eyes widen a bit, and she instantly stood up and hugged Luce.

"My God, it's been so long, Luce! You'd think that I didn't recognize you through Twitter, didn't I?" Luce smiled and blushed. To their left, they heard heels clicking, and it was Pandora.

"Is this a fan of ours?" the drummer asked nonchalantly, using her laced hand to move her bangs away from her eyes.

"You bet! This is Luce." Pandora shook hands with the dancer, and afterward, she yawned.

"I'm going to be on the tour bus," Pandora said casually. "It was nice meeting an old friend of yours, Rose." And with that, she left the bar, her heels clicking softer until it can't be heard anymore. After the wise drummer disappeared, Rose and Luce sat down at the table.

"I hope she didn't sound offended. She needs her beauty sleep because there was this one time she stayed up all night because of this bastard of a former manager and she is cranky as an old woman." Luce laughed.

"It's okay. Besides from what I've heard in your interviews, Johnny's changed. Not to mention, you're also dating him," Luce said. It felt like she was interviewing her, but she was her friend. Rose smiled and took another sip of her Coke.

"Yeah... he was sort of brash and a huge drunk before I came into his life. Now he's a bit more soft and his drinking decreased a bit." Rose sighed but laughed afterward. "I swear, I just turned twenty and he told me that I will be having an alcohol party with him when I turn twenty-one. And with alcohol, I think you know what I mean." Luce felt her face heat up since she did not identify as asexual anymore.

"Pretty much. How was the rock star life when you first auditioned at their place?" The punk rocker smiled, using her hand to brush her long bangs out of her right eye.

"It was like a roller coaster. You may think that this sounds crazy, but our former manager Lou was... well, let's just say that he did help us in a way, but then he turned out to be something that isn't likely in this world. If this was a movie or story, then it'd be supernatural shit. The whole thing traumatized me to the point I saw things differently, and when we got back, we were saved by a different record company."

"Is that so?" Luce said, chuckling. As much as it sounds ridiculous, Rose seemed genuinely honest. "I'm wondering, how did you and Johnny get together?"

"Hmm..." Rose hummed, trying to think. "Before we went to Japan, he almost kissed me, but the bitch Casey Lynch broke up with him weeks before, so I was afraid of becoming like her. It's been a whole year since I met him and the others, but I guess after we had a mini concert for the record company, we ended up making out and decided to be boyfriend and girlfriend."

Luce chuckled. She turned to see the crowd, and she can see Angel and Mo dancing better than anyone else on the floor. On the other end, she can see Izzy and Johnny drinking alcohol and talking. "You know," Rose said, interrupting Luce's gaze, "I can introduce you to them. They won't bite." Luce shrugged, so she stood up and with Rose, she went to the other side of the bar. The guitarist motioned Luce to stay put for a second, and behind Johnny, she wrapped her arms around the singer.

"Hey, love," Johnny said. "You ready to go?"

"Not exactly, I have an old friend here to introduce you to," Rose replied, unwrapping her arms. "You too, Izzy." With that, the two band members turned around to see the brunette.

"Hello, Luce," the British singer said, his accent sounding attractive.

"Well, aren't you cute?" the blond bassist said, placing a hand on Luce's cheek and smiling at her. He's a ladies' man, for sure. Luce flinched and moved slightly.

"I-I'm sorry, Izzy, but I have a boyfriend," Luce declared. Izzy grinned despite her statement.

"Is he in the crowd, because I'll challenge him to a dance-off if I have to." Johnny laughed and shook his head.

"He's at... home," was all Luce said. Oblio would kick your butt if he sees you flirting with me.

"All right then, he must be lucky to have you," Izzy stated, which made Luce smile.

"Hey, Luce!" Angel's voice picked up, so the brunette turned around. "Want me to take you home?" Before she could answer him, Luce told Rose and the others,

"The concert was really fun, and you were just so damn awesome." Rose giggled and hugged the brunette one last time.

"Well, we're glad that we rocked your night. You better come to our concert when we come back here." Luce nodded, and as soon as she left the embrace, she headed to Angel so that he can take her back home. She hasn't seen Claire since she and D-Coy met up with Oblio at the beach. Not only will she see her bodyguard again, she met an old friend who was successful.

In the end, Luce was happy to see her favorite band and old friend. It just goes to show, that some friendships never die.

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~Chapter Twenty-Eight coming soon...~

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I didn't think that this chapter would be longer than the last one, but it's better than short, right? XD I got the inspiration for Glitch being the DJ at the club where Rose's band and Luce and the other two were hanging out from a recent picture for Dance Central Spotlight. It was originally going to be Luce and Angel at the concert, but I thought I add Hi-Def because I love them. :P Even though I'm bummed that Oblio, Angel, and Kerith aren't gonna be in the game, Glitch so far has an awesome design; he looks older and there's blue highlights in his hair. It's in silhouette right now as I typed this, so it may be released tomorrow or whenever.

So that was fun adding the four Guitar Hero characters (one being referenced more like) and OC in this. It does sound like a crossover, but then again, their world in this is the same. If I did a timeline for Guitar Hero and Dance Central, then my GH story would come first because Rose is a grade higher than Luce and the others (except Oblio and Glitterati), and that story takes place in 2012, while this is in 2013.

To top it all, I enjoy writing this chapter, even if Oblio's sadly not in this one. I just missed Angel and Luce hanging out since they've known each other for so long. :) I love Guitar Hero (and DJ Hero) as much as I love Dance Central. In the next chapter, Luce will be at DCI training for Tan's plan, which all of it will be revealed then. And maybe I might add an appearance for someone else that hasn't appeared in a while. See you soon!