Cedar huffed as he peered into the room. Crawford was arguing with Crepe, who was tiring from the constant fighting. The others were practically asleep as they listened. Dijon finally asked Crepe to shut up, which made the room go quiet. Clearly he couldn't keep listening. Crepe whispered a 'sorry' before shooting a glare at Crawford. Cedar chuckled darkly, gaining the attention from the whole building.

"Who's there?"

"Oh sweetheart, it's your mother with cookies." Crawford physically stopped to register his words. The rest of the room paused as Cedar waited.

"What?" Cedar held back a laugh as Dijon muttered something. It echoed through the air due to the space.

"Whoever is over there is taking my ideas. They need to stop. I already played that card..." Cedar frowned as Crawford spoke.

"What does that mean?" Cedar hissed.

"It means someone doesn't have a clue about helping their fellow allies out." Cedar sent a card around the corner and a bright light hit the field. He stepped out and panic hit the group. Crawford paused as the light faded.

"How'd you get in?"

"The same way you're getting out." Crawford growled.

"Leave. Now."

"No. It may not seem like it, but you're nothing for a villain."

Crawford huffed before Cedar slammed into a wall. The hiss of pain that followed made the group panic.

"Should've known there were more VKs. Honestly, when will they learn?" Cedar gulped as he stood up. The air got cold as he took a deep breath.

"Crawford, you're angry, I get it
Believe me I know what it's like
But you are making a mistake

The path of hate is a dangerous track
You take one step and it's hard to turn back
It pulls you along
And though it seems wrong it feels right

Don't you see this path you're on leaves a permanent mark
It feels good at first, then it slowly turns dark
With each passing day
You're further astray from the light"

He ran to get in front of the darkened ally, only to get his back. He gulped as he continued.

"Suddenly, you lose your way and lose the thread
Lose your cool, then lose your head
Every loss is harder to excuse

Then you'll see you'll lose your faith and lose your soul
'Til you lose complete control
And realize there's nothing left to lose
Nothing left to lose

Craw, trust me
Becoming the villain isn't the answer-"

Crawford whipped around at that and made the VK fall onto the ground as he snapped, continuing the sound.

"Is that what you think I am?

The path I'm on is a path paved in black
I'm taking that road and I'm not looking back
Each twist and each turn
Leads straight where I'm yearning to go"

He was raised up by a crystal platform as the sound continued.

"Yes, it's true, my path is dark but I see where it ends
My rivals will fall as my power ascends
Despise me, that's fine
I'm taking what's mine even so

Not like you
You lost your nerve, you lost the game
But you and I, we're not the same
I'm not lost, this fate was mine to choose"

He raced down a slide and raised his styler up with some crystals. He turned away from it as the sound continued.

"So I chose to lose my doubts and lose my chains
Lose each weakness that remains
Now that I have nothing left to lose
Nothing left to lose"

He went to destroy it when he saw it had vanished. He looked around as Cedar huffed breathlessly, holding the styler. Crawford hissed as Cedar kept the sound going.

Cedar: "You have so much to hold onto"

Crawford: "I only want my rightful dues"

The duo met eyes as the sounds collided and a gulped escaped Cedar. He was not going to lose this.

Cedar (Crawford): "Listen please, you've lost your grip
And lost your mind (I'm not gonna lose)
All's not lost, don't be so blind (I refuse)
Cut your losses, drop the IOUs (I refuse)

Oh-oh, choose"

Crawford looked away and to the balcony nearby as it showed the Ranger Union. He narrowed his eyes.

Crawford (Cedar): "I lose no tears and lose no sleep
What I want I'll take and keep (It's time for you to choose)
You can't stop..."

Both: "the turning on the screws"

Crawford quickly grabbed Cedar in a grip of some crystals and huffed.

"You'll stay in that cage until this is done
And just in case you think of escaping"

He sent the grip into the air, causing panic from the others. With a single snap, a glass crystal cage circled the grip.

"Now I have nothing left to lose"

Crawford jumped up to the level above, making the others call out to him. Cedar looked at the styler and gulped. At least something was done.

~~~

Cedar huffed as he eyed the others. It had been an hour of silence from the darkened friend and the group was freaking out. Cedar opened his mouth to say something when Crepe, with a huff of distress, stopped him with a soft tune. Midnight stopped and looked at him, eyes widened.

"Ukuthula

Kulumhlaba we zono

Igazi like Jesu lin yenyez'

Ukuthula"

Midnight joined him and they blended instantly.

"Usindiso

Kulumhlaba we zono

Igazi like Jesu lin yenyez'

Usindiso

Ukubonga

Kulumhlaba we zono

Igazi like Jesu lin yenyez'

Ukubonga

Ukutholwa

Kulumhlaba we zono

Igazi like Jesu lin yenyez'

Ukutholwa

Ukunqoba

Kulumhlaba we zono

Igazi like Jesu lin yenyez'

Ukunqoba

Induduzo

Kulumhlaba we zono

Igazi like Jesu lin yenyez'

Induduzo

Ukuthula

Ukuthula, Kulumhlaba we zono

Igazi like Jesu lin yenyez'

Ukuthula"

The others paused as they faded off. Crepe sighed.

"Thank you, Midnight, for assisting me with that..." Midnight hummed as he looked around. "We're not going anywhere for awhile, so relax and rest. We'll work on getting out later. I bet Crawford went to bed already. So stop the noise and relax." Crepe laid down in his little cage and relaxed. Cedar frowned.

"Whatever..." He turned away as the others sighed. This would be a long night.

---

I know... another short chapter, but we'll get there. Be ready for more. Enjoy and have a great day. Mlm out.