Disclaimer: I don't own anything

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Chapter 9: Getting Help

Dream

A 13 year old Lincoln is leaning against a wall inside a large hall with Wolfsbane standing protectively beside him. The room is spacious with many cushion beaches, along with him are many other people. There are kids younger and older than him, teenagers, and adults. All with different ages, outfits, and expressions, but with the same reason for being there. As Lincoln looked out at the group of people, he spotted a few he recognized and many new faces. The few he recognized did one of two things. They either glared and scowled at him, or smiled and gave him a wave or nodded their head. Lincoln simply smiled and waved back or nodded in return, waited for the event they were there for to begin.

Dream End

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Lincoln woke up from his dream feelings miserable. It was the weekend again and a week after Clyde and Ronnie Anne visited. He did enjoy telling his sister about Roxie last week and it reminded him of all the good times he spent with her. While the older sisters didn't like that the two of them already had sex and at a young age, they were all happy to hear Lincoln did find someone special. Lori was a little sad and angry that Lincoln and Ronnie Anne didn't become a couple, but she was still happy for him after hearing about him and Roxie. To her, the two of them sounded just like her and Bobby. She was worried that Bobby might break up with her once he finds out what happened, but she knew this time she was going to be on Lincoln's side instead of Ronnie Anne. Bobby did call and the two did have an argument, but after she explained to him about Lincoln and Roxie he understood. While he was upset his little sister was heartbroken, he now knew why Lincoln did what he did. His sisters approved of her even more when he told them that she was the one helping him with money for the last year, making so he didn't need to prostitute himself anymore. Overall all his sisters already loved her and wished they could meet her.

The week of school was better, but still far from good. While the teacher started to realize that he wasn't a troublemaker and a good student, they started acting more friendly with him, while the student body became worse. Rumors of Lincoln bribing or threatening teachers and other schools officials started from the teacher's change of attitude. Whenever he would step into a room, all conversation would stop and go deathly quiet. Many would only talk to each other in a whisper while he was in the room. Any sort of competition where students had to participate against the Loud boy like in gym class, the opposing team would lose on purpose out of fear. Any group work, the other students would do all the work and tell him just to relax and let them handle it. While Lincoln never did anything to anyone, other than Chandler and his goons on the first day, stories started flying around about what he did to other kids around Royal Woods or schools in other places. Lynn Jr. did what she could to dismiss all the rumors and continued to openly talk and hang out with her brother, it didn't make any difference. Clyde's and Ronnie Anne's silence on any of these rumors didn't help and made more rumors about him doing something to them. Basically Lincoln had taken over the school with fear and no student was going to go against him.

Now it was the weekend again and he was still grounded, not that he had any plans or people to see. He felt Wolfsbane nuzzling his side and gave her a thankful smile. Getting out of bed he started to gather his clothes and got ready to go have a shower. While he was stuck at home, taking care of all his pokemon kept him busy and he still enjoyed spending time with his sisters. However Lincoln started to feel trapped, like he was constantly chained up and was only allowed to move so far. This feeling was weighing heavily on his mind and he had no idea how to deal with it. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he hoped a shower might make things better.

Once he was fully showered and dressed he left his room with Wolfsbane by his side, though his mind and emotions were still heavy. As he walked down the stairs he heard 3 voices. "He's grounded for fighting on the first day of school" Rita voice said coming from the dining room.

"I know, but I say you are being too hard on him" another voice said. Lincoln recognized the voice but couldn't picture who it was. "The school only gave him a week and it wasn't like anyone was seriously hurt. Junior even told you that the other boy started it and that he had bullied Lincoln and his friends in the past. Besides we both know this is more about him showing his arm than the fight."

"We told Lincoln not to show his scars unless it was completely unavoidable" Lynn Sr. voice cut in.

"How long did you think you could keep scars like those hidden Lynn?" The voice asked in a confused tone. "The boy would have gym class, he would have to charge clothes for that and the kids would have seen them."

"We just hoped it would be longer before anyone else found out about the scars" Rita replied sadly.

Lincoln wanted to see who his parents were talking to walk into the dining room and was surprised. "Pop-pop?!" Lincoln asked with a smile growing on his face. The 3 adults looked towards Lincoln, with Albert, Rita's father, standing up out of his chair.

"Hey there my look-alike, come give your Pop-pop a hug" Albert said with a smile. Lincoln ran over and did what he was told. Wolfsbane slowly made her way over, eyeing the newcomer with suspicion. Albert looked at Wolfsbane, but didn't seem scared or taken aback.

"What are you doing here Pop-pop?" Lincoln asked, breaking the hug.

"I haven't seen you in over a year" Albert replied with a smile. "I thought I would spend the day with my grandson and talk about what he had been doing for the past year." Lincoln pale and looked nervous, but before he could say anything, Albert stopped him. "I already know the truth about where you really were, but I still would like to hear stories of your adventures there."

"But dad, he's still grounded" Rita pointed out with a frown.

"I know dear, but I think this might help my look-alike" Albert said in a soothing voice, but with a serious expression. "Just let him have the day with him. I know this is unfair to the rest of the girls, but trust me when I say he needs this. I'm not saying to end his grounding, just give him this one day to spend time with me."

Lynn Sr. and Rita looked at each other unsure about what to do. They didn't want to seem like they were giving Lincoln special treatment, but from Albert's expression and words made it seem there is something bigger was going on. Both nodded in agreement before Lynn Sr. spoke. "Okay Albert we'll allow you to take Lincoln for today, but only today and he is still grounded."

"That's fine," Albert said to parents before turning his attention to the Loud boy and pokemon. "Come on you two, we got a busy day ahead of us." Lincoln smiled and waved goodbye to his parents before following his grandfather. Wolfsbane talked to Sister Grimm before following their training.

Ketcham Park

Albert had taken the boy and wolf to the park and now all 3 of them were now sitting on one of the many beaches. "Now my look-alike, how about you tell me about your adventures on your trip?" Albert asked, giving the boy a smile.

"Are you sure you want to hear that?" Lincoln asked, slightly confused. "I mean we could go do something more exciting since I'm only getting today to spend with you until my grounding is over." Wolfsbane continued to watch the older man with suspicion, but didn't growl or get in-between her trainer and man.

"Of course I want to hear those" Albert replied, honestly and cheerfulness filled his voice. "Being in another world for two years, you must have some interesting tales to tell. So tell me some of them." Lincoln smiled and started to tell his grandfather parts of his adventures in Sinnoh and Kalos. He told him about a few of his gym battles, the different towns and cities, about the honorable and good trainers he met, how he traveled through different regions, and of course the big tournament at the end of each season.

They had spent a couple of hours on that bench, one who would talk and the other who would listen with the occasional question. Albert smiled and was happy to see his grandson smiling so wide while talking. However when Lincoln had finished his last tale, that smile turned into a sad one. "Lincoln there is a reason I wanted to spend the day with you" he started getting the boy's attention. "One of your sisters contacted me a couple of days ago, they told me that you had been unhappy the last week or so." Lincoln looked at his grandfather with shock and confusion, but let him continue. "She said that you have been hiding how miserable you are from everyone in the family. After talking with your mother and father, and talking with you just now, I have to agree with her. There is something else, she also told me about all the hardship you had to do to survive there." Lincoln pale and became nervous about where this conversation was going.

"Lincoln, I want to hear it from you" Albert said, with a calm tone while resting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Please tell me everything you had to endure there. I can tell you're holding a lot of things inside, let me help you by being an ear to listen." The Loud boy looked to the ground nervously unsure what to do. He then felt nudging coming from his side, he saw that it was Wolfsbane with a smile. She was nudging him and telling him to trust his grandfather. With a sigh of exhaustion, he caved in and told him everything. He told him about the prostitution, illegal fights, bullying, lack of money, beat downs, and sometimes ambushes. After an hour or two Lincoln was done talking and the 2 of them sat in silence. Albert said nothing while Lincoln talked while occasionally wiping a tear from his eye. Once Lincoln had finished, he had to admit that he felt better getting some of that off his chest. He looked at his grandfather nervously to see his reaction. Albert meanwhile stared off into space, sorting out everything he heard in his head.

Albert came back to earth and broke the silence. "Even though your sister told me what you did, it's still hard to hear straight from the person" he said, still in that calm voice. "She never said anything about ambushes, I'm guessing you never told any of them that?" Lincoln simply nodded since he didn't trust his voice. "Why didn't you tell them?"

"I was scared," Lincoln replied, looking at the ground. "After I told them about the prostitution, they all started acting different around me. Sure we straighten things, but I still hurt them. They don't say it but I know that they blame themselves for what happened to me. Them finding out I was ambushed a few times will only hurt them more."

Albert put an arm around Lincoln and pulled him close to his side. "I see now," he said trying to comfort the boy. "Do you blame them for what happened?"

"No! Of course not!" the trainer replied looking up at the older man. "What happened was an accident and unfortunate events. I chose to become a trainer, chose to do all that for money, and didn't pay close enough to the dangers around me. They are my mistakes and the others shouldn't have to feel bad because of them."

"I'm glad to hear you don't blame your family for what happened," Albert said with a smile. However his face and voice suddenly became serious. "Now I'm going to ask you an important question and I need you to answer me honestly, understand?" The boy nodded and focused all his attention on him. "If you had the chance to return to that world, would you?"

Lincoln opened his mouth to deny that he would, but stopped and started to seriously think about his answer. A conflict grew inside the boy's heart and mind. In his mind one side told him that his place was in this world, while the other said the other world was better to take care of his pokemon because it had the resources. In his heart, the love for his family battled against his love for Roxie. He stared off into space trying to figure if he had the chance, would he stay or would he go. He finally snapped out of his trance and turned to his grandfather to give his answer.

"I don't know," he answered sadly. "I know I belong here with my family and all, but I found something that I enjoyed over there. Being a trainer was so much fun, sure it had its up's and downs but you'll find a way through. When I was on my journey, I thought about the family everyday and missed seeing them so much. I know they were hurting when I was gone and I don't want them to experience that again. However there is someone over there that I miss so much, it hurts that I can't even talk to her now. If I had the chance to go, I don't know if I would. Both choices just hurt someone and I don't want to hurt anyone."

Lincoln broke down in tears and clung to his grandfather, Albert simply hugged and held onto him letting him cry it out. Meanwhile Wolfsbane was sitting to the side happy her trainer had someone other than his pokemon to talk to about these things. After a couple of minutes Lincoln's tears had stopped and he looked at the older man. "Thanks for listening Pop-pop" he said with a grateful smile.

"No problem kiddo, I'm happy to help any of my grandchildren" Albert replied with a large smile. "Now let's get you home, I have a feeling you're exhausted from today." The boy simply nodded in agreement, the two got up and started to walk back to the Loud Residents with Wolfsbane following beside them.

Loud Residents

Lincoln, Albert, and Wolfsbane made it back and the young boy went straight to his room exhausted from his talk with his grandfather. Wolfsbane meanwhile went elsewhere in the house and Albert went to find the Loud parents.

"Welcome back dad, how was your day with Lincoln?" Rita asked when she saw come into the kitchen. She was talking with Lynn Sr. while he preparing everything for when he needed to start dinner.

"It was good, very...eye opening" her father replied trying to keep his emotions in check.

"Did you want to stay for dinner or did you want Rita to give you a ride back to the retirement home?" Lynn Sr. asked, noticing the older man.

"Actually I was hoping I could talk to both of you and all the girls" he said with both a serious expression and voice.

"Why dad? Is something wrong?" His daughter asked with a worried tone.

"It's complicated, but it's very important and it involves Lincoln."

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