Every one of the Loud sisters were surprised to hear of Luke's self-imprisonment, and they didn't even see that one coming. "Wait, why would Luke even do that?" asked Lola.
"Has he lost his mind?" asked Luan.
Lincoln took a breath and he replied: "he tood the police about killing the former Nazi and accidentally killing that little girl, and about making me push Ronnie Anne down the stairs, he took responsibility for it. And yeah, I didn't see that one coming. There's going to he a trial for it in the next three days and the jury will decide if he's innocent or guilty."
"What if he is proven guilty?" asked Lisa
"Then he will spend six months in jail. And he is not guilty, then he'll he cleared of everything."
The sisters were a little silent and Lori asked: "do you still literally want him out of jail, or spend time with him?"
"I... he is cool, but what he made me do to Ronnie Anne was pretty low. Is he supposed to be the perfect godbrother I wished for from that star?"
"On one hand: most former Nazis deserve death. On the other hand: influencing you to push Ronnie Anne down a flight of stairs was... rather unacceptable."
"And I had no idea he would do this."
"Maybe he does care about you so much if he put himself in with the fuzz like that, Linc." Luna remarked.
"And what about our trip to Tanzania?" asked Luan. "Does that mean the trip is canceled?"
"We'll have to wait and see for the trial to come in three days." Lana said.
"We should probably tell mom and dad about this too." Lola remarked. "They should know about this."
"Maybe. But I wonder if I do want Luke as my brother after all."
"That's totally up to you, Lincoln." said Lucy, "we might not like that he made got hurt Ronnie Anme, but we saw how he makes you happy. And he did take the lie detector test."
"Yeah, and I appreciate a guy who literally owns up to his mistakes." Lori added. "But yeah, it's your choice, Lincoln. And besides, you have Clyde."
"I know. Clyde's always been there for me like you guys have. Still, Tanzania sounds very fun." Lincolm admitted. "I would be bummed if we couldn't go on the trip and see those animals."
"No argument there." Luna said. "I totally bless the rains down in Africa. But maybe Luke will he guilty at the trial. Crimes like pushing people down stairs on purpose don't really go unpunished."
"I agree with her, Lincoln." said Luan. "I think he might be guilty for the crime."
"You guys are right. I shouldn't get my hopes up. I mean, i should probably look at the trial. I was the ine who pushed Ronnie Anne down anyway. They should call me as a witness."
"You don't wanna do that." Lynn discouraged him. "We don't want you to be in jail, too."
"Yeah, maybe you're right."
"Technically, he wouldn't be in prison, because he is underaged." said Lisa. "He would go to a juvenile correction facility. Street name: juvie."
"Who's going to juvie?" asked Rita, who came in the living room with her husband.
Lynn Sr made a gasp and he said: "Lola, what did you do this time, young lady?"
Lola made a gasp of offense and she had her hands on her hips before replying: "mommy, daddy, I didn't do anything!"
"Mom, dad, it's not Lola." Lana stepped up for her. "We're talking about Luke. He's... in jail."
The parents made a gasp before Rita asked: "what? What did he do?"
Lincoln was the one who told the parents the whole story, and he sounded a little depressed. "He said he doesn't feel like the brother I wanted," he said, "I told him I forgive him for making me push Ronnie Anne, and Ronnie Anne and her family forgave him as well. Not just that, but about Germany, too."
Both parents didn't know what to say about this situation. "Well, that was surprising." Lynn Sr said. "I would... praise him for his nobility."
"It is noble." said Rita. "The polygraph did say he was telling the truth. So, I am a little shocked that he turned himself in. It... caught us by surprise."
"Yeah, but he trial is in three days. So we'll have to wait and see if he's guilty or not." Lincoln pointed.
"Well, I wouldn't expect him to be acquitted, son." said Lynn Sr.
"I know. Look, maybe I should just maybe hang out with Clyde for a while."
The sisters and parents gave him a sad smile. "That sounds like a good idea." said Leni. "That might cheer you up."
So Lincoln did just that, and invited Clyde over for a game of "Guitar God" and they were having some fun together. Over the next few hours, the house were having fun together and Lincoln was almost forgetting why he was a little bummed in the first place.
After they were taking a break and having some lemonade, Clyde said: "wow, that was fun, Lincoln. I wish Luke was here to see this."
"Well... he's in jail."
Clyde spat out his drunk hearing that. "What?! Jail, but how?"
Then Lincoln explained what had just happened with the Rogue Lion and why he turned himself over to the law. "So he said he was looking for redemption."
"Wow. I... I'm so sorry Lincoln." Clyde expressed sympathy.
"No. It's fine. The trial is in a few days so there's nothing I can do about it."
At last, three days have passed and the trial had begun. The Rogue Lion was in the courtroom, with his hands cuffed in front of him. Lincoln and his family were sitting in the benches behind Luke and there was the Rogue Lion's closest acquaintances and Alex sitting, along with his parents and a few other family members.
The judge looked mighty and powerful and so did the jury, which contained random citizens sitting and deciding the fate of the young man. It was just time for the judgement to be passed on him, for the jury were having a discussion that went on for two hours in the conference room.
"I don't know if I will he acquitted for this, guys." Luke said. "The jury looks very serious, and they might make me guilty."
"And, you didn't have to do that for me, Luke." Lincoln said to him. "I know you meant well, but turning yourself in to the police like that?"
"As crazy as it was, Lincoln, I was thinking about you, and everyone I care about. And besides, if I do get passed down as guilty, don't worry about me." the Rogue Lion bowed his head. "I wish I have never made you push your second best friend down the stairs."
"Alright," said the judge, "the conclusion of this trial, is about to begin." he looked at the twelve people on the jury stand. "Has the jury reached the defendant?"
an African-American with bald hair in front, but hair on the back of his head stood up with the papers, and he replied: "we have your honor." he began saying the number of the case and cleared his throat to announce the decision. "We, the jury, in the action, find the defendant: Luke M. Leroy..."
Sweat was pouring down on the Rogue Lion's face, and his heart was beating like a fast drum. It was silent for ten long seconds and then, as more sweat dripped from Luke's face, the man announced: "Not guilty for the crime of accidental murder of two year old Anna Friedrich, and the crime of assault on Ronalda Anne Santiago, a human being as follows."
Luke was rather surprised to hear this. As with everyone else in the courtroom that was sitting in the benches behind the two tables for prosecutor and defendant.
"Well, cleared of all charges, it is." said the judge. He placed the gavel on the pedestal and the trial was over. Luke felt rather happy to be acquitted like this. Although, him being acquitted like this had to do with sheer, dumb luck on his side. Everyone that didn't know Luke exited the courtroom, and the ones that Luke did know came up to him, and Dimartino hugged him.
"I.. can't believe you've been cleared." Lincoln said.
"Me neither. I didn't expect it either." the Rogue Lion agreed. "Although they said I have to pay a compensation to fifteen-thousand dollars to Ronnie Anne and her family for influencing you to almost... accidentally kill her."
"Where will you get the money?"
"I have ways."
Suddenly, the lady in her business garb hugged Luke so tightly after Dimartino had let go of him. "Oh Luke, I am so glad that you are not going to jail."
"Mom, not in front of them." Luke grunted as he pushed her away. "Please. I'm not a little boy anymore."
"Sorry."
"Guys, this is my mom: Sylvia Leroy."
"Sylvia Leroy?" asked Leni. "Where have I heard that name?"
"She's... the president and CEO of Sylvia's perfume and women's cosmetics."
Lori, Leni, and Lola made surprised gasps hearing that. "No way!" Lori said. "You're literally her that created the perfume and makeup kits?"
"Yep. That's the one. And I'm just glad you're acquitted Luke." she hugged him again, and Luke growled.
"Mom, that's enough." the young man groaned.
"Look, I know you and your dad aren't still very happy to see me, but If it makes you feel any better, I'll help you pay for the family that you made angry."
The human sighed and he replied. "Thanks mom. I appreciate it."
the woman smiled.
"So, do you guys still think Luke is a bad influence on me?" Lincoln asked his family curiously.
"Well, of course." Rita replied. "But, do you still want Luke to be your brother?"
Lincoln had a look of doubt, and he said: "Well... I don't know anymore."
"I wouldn't blame you for saying that, Lincoln." said Luke. "If you don't want me to be your new big brother anymore, I understand. I actually thought it would be good between us. I mean, I almost got your friend killed by accident, and... I even went to church and begged for forgiveness before I turned myself in to the cops."
"Well, I need to think about it. I mean, we can still hang out, right?" Lincoln asked
"Of course. I mean, if you want." said the Rogue Lion
"Yeah, we can still hang out, Lincoln." Lekan added. "Even if you don't want him to be your godbrother anymore. We can always have some more guy time together, and Clyde tag along as well."
"Well, you guys had good times together." said Lynn Sr. "And Luke hasn't really done anything bad since Ronnie Anne. So, I guess it's fine with me."
"And me too." Rita added.
"And are we still up for Tanzania?" asked Luna
"Yes, we can still go to Tanzania." the father replied. "As long as we stay together and that we're all going."
The kids all cheered and they couldn't wait to go to Africa for the first time. "But, please promise us you will keep Lincoln safe, Luke." Leni said
"I promise. You have my word. I will never let anything bad happen to him for as long as me and him both live." the Rogue Lion swore with his left fist on his chest. "And don't worry about me paying for Ronnie Anne and her family. My mom said she will help me with it."
"Good," Lincoln remarked
"Well, I need to collect my belongings and my clothes and I need to settle back home. Mr. Grouse was more than happy to take care of the pets at home. They're probably missing me right now."
