The Loud House – Off the Charts
Chapter 1 – Cross Examination
Back at the Loud House, the four pets Charles, Cliff, Geo, and Walt were trying to obtain their treats before the family returned home. But, as they opened the door the pets were excited to see them. And Rita gave them their treats for good behavior. Before the family could go their separate ways, Lola spots the cross in Lincoln's pocket. "Hey Lincoln, what are you hiding from us?" she exclaimed. The Loud family draw their attention to Lincoln, who remained calm of the situation. He takes the cross from out of his pocket and shows it to the family.
The Loud sisters gaze in magnificence, Lynn Sr. and Rita looked with curiosity, even the pets were focused on the cross. "Where did you find that cross, Lincoln?" Lynn Sr. asked. "I found it on the beach washed up on the shore." Lincoln answered. "I don't think anyone today is looking for it." Lisa took a look at the cross and confirmed it. "Our elder brother seems to be on point. For this artifact is over 300 years old." "Any idea what this message means?" Lincoln asked as he showed the message. "Unfortunately, I'm not a historian." said Lisa. "But I know where we could find this information. You guys should go to the library, tomorrow." "Why us and not you Lisa?" asked Lana. "I still have overdue fees that I avoid paying." she replied.
The next day, Lincoln, his elder sisters, and his best friend, Clyde enter the library to find more knowledge on the cross. "I really appreciate you coming down to help us Clyde." said Lincoln. "You're welcome Lincoln, it would be like one of Ace Savy's detective cases." said Clyde. "And to have Lori with us as well-" Clyde soon breaks down and faints after Lori walks past him. Leni and Lynn pick him up and bring him to the front desk. "Good afternoon kids. What can I do for you today?" asked the librarian. Without drawing too much attention to the library, they show her the cross Lincoln found. "Do you have any books involving this artifact?"
As they showed the librarian, a young man about to check out a book took a glance at the artifact. He is shown to be wearing a blue t-shirt, gray pants, black shoes. He has short hair, a small scar on his left hand in between two fingers and a watch that doesn't work on his left wrist. "Excuse me, but is that the Saint Dismas cross?" he asked quietly. Lincoln turned to the young man, and allowed him to see it. "I think so, if that's what it's called." he replied. The young man takes the cross and smiles with glee. "Do you realize what you just found?" he asked. "No, what?" Lincoln replied. Not wasting a second, the young man took out a business card and gave it to Lincoln. "Come to this address as soon as possible, and bring whoever you can trust. We'll discuss more at this location. And whatever you do, do not lose that cross." he instructed. The young man takes his leave from the library and jumped with joy. "What was that about?" asked Lynn. "I don't know, but I think this guy knows more about this then we do." said Lincoln.
Later that day, Lincoln, his family, the McBrides, the Casagrandes, Carol Pingrey, Sam Sharp, Benny, Margo, Paula, Haiku, Rusty, Liam, Stella, Rocky, Darcy, Tabby, Polly, Giggles, and Maggie meet up at the location. "So lil dude found a cross, and this guy has an interest in this?" Bobby asked Lori. "It would seem so." said Lori. Lincoln knocks on the door, only for a butler to answer the door. "Welcome to the Olingway estate." he said. "Master Darrel is expecting you all in the study. Follow me please." The crew enter the estate seeing rare antiques in every square inch of the house. "Hot diggity dang! This guy is loaded." said Liam. "What does he do for a living?" asked Stella.
The butler opens the door to the study to find the young man sitting with two familiar faces. "Heya kiddos!" he said. "Pop-pop!?" said the Loud family. "This guy was so excited about something that he invited me and Myrtle over." said Pop-pop. "Apparently, this young man's grandfather and Albert were best friends in their youth." The young man stands up to shake Lincoln's hand. "Before we can start, I believe an introduction is in order. My name is Darrel Olingway." Lincoln shakes and smiles. "My name is Lincoln, and this is my family: Mom, Dad, Lori, Leni, Luna, Luan, Lynn jr, Lucy, Lana, Lola, Lisa, and Lily. Our pets, Charles, Cliff, Geo, and Walt. My friends: Clyde, his dads Mr. Mcbrides, Rusty, his brother Rocky, Liam, and Stella. The Casagrandes: Hector, Rosa, Carlos, Frida, Carlos 'CJ' Junior, Carlota, Carl, Carlitos. The Santiagos: Maria, Bobby, and Ronnie Anne. We also have Carol Pingrey, Sam Sharp, Benny, Margo, Paula, Haiku, Darcy, Tabby, Polly, Giggles, and Maggie."
Darrel was impressed with the amount of people he can trust. "Would your guests like something to drink, sir?" his butler asked. "Of course Geoffrey, any requests?" he asked the group. "Can I get a protein shake?" asked Lynn. "Some coffee please." said Rita. Geoffrey took his leave to the pantry, while Lincoln shows him the cross. "I'm impressed that you found the Saint Dismas cross, Lincoln." Lincoln gives the cross to Darrel and turns it over to read the inscription. "Digna Factis Recipimus." he announced. "It's Latin." said Carlos. Soon Darrel and Carlos said the message at the same time. "We receive the due rewards of our deed." "I'm surprised you know Latin." said Lisa. "Being the grandson of a wonderful historian will teach you many things." said Darrel as he fetched a book from a shelf. He shows a white book with the initials MT on the cover.
"Does the name Henry Avery sound familiar?" Darrel asked the group. CJ jumps with joy, "He's a pirate captain!" "That's right." said Darrel as he opens up the book. "My grandfather spent years researching on Captain Avery. History tells us that he pulled off the Gunsway Heist, stealing 600,000 pounds in gold and jewels" "The convergent rate of that lost treasure today is up to almost 114 million dollars." said Lisa. Lola squealed with joy, along with others in the group. "But I don't understand. What does Saint Dismas have with the connection to Henry Avery?" asked Clyde. "Growing up in Sunday school taught me a thing or two about stuff like this." said Darrel. "During the crucifixion, Jesus was placed between two thieves. One mocked Jesus. But the other, Saint Dismas, accepted his punishment with grace. And within that acceptance, he found paradise with Jesus. History and bible tales labeled him as the penitent thief. Avery believed himself to be the same type of thief."
"Okay, how?" asked Sam. Darrel takes a hammer from the fireplace, and smashes open the tip of the cross to find a scroll hidden inside. "So that's what it was." Lincoln said. Darrel opens up the scroll to find Avery's sigil, more Latin, and numbers written on it. "What did I tell you." said Darrel. The group gather to see the message. The message says, "Hodie mecrum eris in Paradiso." Carlos translated the message, "Today, you will join me in Paradise." "Look at these numbers," said Lucy. "They're dates: 1659, the year Avery was born, and 1699, the day history believed Avery perished." "Good call Lucy. How did you know that?" asked Darrel. "Goth perks." she and Haiku said in unison.
"It can't be a coincidence that the last sighting of Avery was in Scotland right?" asked Lisa. "You're right it can't." said Darrel. He looks above the fireplace to see the family portrait of him, his parents, his sisters, his father's sister's family, and his grandparents. He sheds a tear out of guilt knowing his grandfather isn't seeing this. "Darrel, are you okay?" asked Lincoln. Darrel looks down with his eyes closed. "You don't know how great of a man my grandfather was. He searched for this treasure for a year, and then gave up when he met my grandmother. His sacrifice gave him the best treasure of all: Family. He used to tell me stories of his grand adventures. His discoveries, tales of legends. I wanted to believe them more than anything, that he could one day show me that some of his findings were true. But he passed away almost two years ago." Lincoln gives him a pat on the back. "I'm so sorry Darrel. Do you still think that his discoveries were true?" Darrel looked up to the portrait again and said, "If I could bring back just one shred of proof, that would be enough for me. He told me and my family, 'Our lives are remembered by the gifts we leave our children.' His book of discoveries is his gift to me."
As Geoffrey walks in with the beverages, everyone took a glass. Lincoln looked to himself and realized something. He wanted to make this summer one to remember before going to middle school, so maybe this treasure hunt is just what they need. "Maybe you can." he said to Darrel. "We can help you finish what your grandfather started, find Avery's treasure and get the proof you need." Darrel looked to the white haired boy who's willing to help a friend in need. "Helping people is what we do best." said Clyde. Darrel smiled with joy, "Thank you Lincoln Loud." "Now hold on son." said Lynn Sr. "We don't have the money for an expedition as big as this." "No need to worry Mr. Loud, my grandfather left behind a small portion of his money for something like this." said Darrel. "Are you sure about this, Lincoln?" asked Rita. "I'm sure mom, maybe you can write a book about this too. Besides, Darrel wants to prove his grandfather's findings were true, and I want to help him." said Lincoln. "Aw. How very nice of you Linky." said Leni.
Darrel looked to Lincoln's crew who smile at him with determination. "Well now that the whole crew is assembled, I think it's high time we get started." said Lincoln. Darrel opens his grandfather's book to the last placed he searched for the treasure. "His last stop was Scotland, so that's where we are going." said Darrel. "All in favor of finishing what my grandfather started?" The crew unanimously shouted, "I!" Darrel smiles, "Then it's official, we are going to Scotland!" "Yes! Sweet treasure and fabulous jewels, here we come!" cheered Lola. "Yay! We're going to see pirates!" cheered CJ.
And so, Lincoln and his crew set off to find the Lost treasure of Henry Avery. Their first stop is Scotland, at the Saint Dismas Cathedral.
