Chapter 01:

A Beautiful Gig

When Luna received tickets to see one of the biggest, if not the biggest acts in rock history at this very moment, only a fool would say she'd decline it. She jumped for joy the minute she opened that mailbox, holding two vaguely-construction-paper contraptions tightly between her fingers. Her shouts were mind-blowing, and the air-guitars were strummed until their nonexistent strings could pluck no more.

They wouldn't have to, for all the playing would be done by the upcoming rock band sensation everyone in America knew by heart. Four friends from parts unknown, two pals and three gals as they would put it, working their instruments as if mind-controlling all their adoring fans. To some, they were called the latest plague of deaf-inducing teens the media sprung out from its dark recesses.

But for rockers like Luna Loud, they went by one name. "Abraham and the White Haired Warriors." All of them were true to that name, for each one sported that exact defining feature. No matter their personalities or appearance, they all had hair the color of snow, all natural and all mysterious. On their youthful bodies, it stuck out like a sore thumb, but come the moment where they played away their latest records, it was clear their looks had to be that way.

White haired warriors. Sounded so corny, yet catchy all the same. Luna fell in love with them as soon as she heard their first single over the radio. Abraham, so the title goes, was their strange ringleader, known for his hair perfectly running down his back, with one large strand covering his left eye, never moving even as the wind picked up. His stare was painful and tough, and even when a smile emerged against his pale face, it always seemed as frightening as the spiked-pads he covered his shoulders with. If it wasn't for the two-necked guitar strapped around his neck, one could easily mistaken him for a biker gang leader.

And no matter what song they sang, he always opened it the same. "Gudday, Ladies and Gents. It's time to rock your souls to the grave!" He belted out, hoarser than the mightiest of rock legends. One slam on the drum's bass pedal, and they were singing a genre Luna couldn't identify. Neither punk nor metal; not even alternative or even prog-rock was enough to define their sound. No matter the answer, though, it didn't matter. She loved hearing it, like a mesmerizing jingle that captured the brain, never letting go until the user was tired, and knowing her, that day would never come.

They were already her favorite band, but the day Mick Swagger officially endorsed them placed them higher on her list than any musician before them. His British accent spoke so highly of them, especially how relatable their lyrics could be. "Ay, luv, they may be young lads, but the music sounds dearie and tragic. They're true visionaries, I could tell!" was the exact words he used. If she wasn't the biggest fan yet, that transformed her overnight.

So when a tiny little contest appeared in Royal Woods, asking for contestants to play a lick of one of Abraham's songs on their preferred instrument, Luna immediately sprang into action. She played a few chords, prayed every dinner time, and waited patiently for those tickets to arrive. To think her new favorite band would even bother attending their small city was a dream-come-true. Endorsed by her idol and rocking the free world? It was perfect, and holding those tickets now made the young rocker nearly bounce out of her own body.

"Tonight's gonna rock! Oh man, this is the greatest day of my life!" She shouted as she ran through the halls of her two-floored home. It was certainly far from her first concert ever, but the feeling of adrenaline coursing through her veins made it almost as special. Her family knew her well; every event involving music might as well be an adventure of a lifetime. She was engrossed in that field, and now with context, it was only natural she would destroy everyone's eardrums before the first instrument started playing.

However, she quickly realized one small flaw in her happiness. The contest was clearly won, yes, but it came with a twist. In her hands were two tickets, and she obviously was the owner of one. However, the second one had to be used, or she would be shown the gate regardless. If she were to see Abraham that night rocking out Royal Woods, she would need a partner, and fast. With that, Luna sighed.

"Well, that shouldn't be too bad, right?" She shrugged with a powerful grin. "I mean, I got plenty of options! This will be a cinch!"

A cinch, sadly, that would never come. Her first inkling would be to call her girlfriend, Sam. It's been so long since they've been to a concert together, so to have another opportunity would be perfect. Sadly, their phone call ended that dream prematurely.

"What do you mean you're leaving for a little bit?" Luna asked, feeling dejected as she slumped against the chair.

Sam Sharp, her lovely bass player for her own band, as well as her girl for some time now, could only sigh, matching that same level of disappointment. "I'm sorry, Lunes. It's just... Dad's got a big gig over at the capitol, and we're kinda taking a mini-vacation to celebrate. Darn it, I wish I knew sooner, ya know?"

Luna tapped her foot on the ground, trying her best to sound supportive. "No, no, it's cool. I'm happy for the old man. Really! He deserves happiness! Just make, you know, sure he doesn't turn a whiter shade of pale when he gets the gig!"

Sam chuckled on the other end. "Heh, you got it! Hey, maybe one of your sisters would be interested? That band's pretty killer these days!"

That was definitely plan B, and with nine other ladies under the same roof, there was no way the odds were stacked against her. Her perfect grade in math certainly should've proven that.

So, why were the answers proving the opposite?

"What? Ew, no way. That lead singer's literally made of trash. He's disgusting!" Cried Lori, visiting from college.

"Ooh, I love white hares! They're so adorable! My favorite part's their fluffy tails, and...," railed Leni.

"Dude, the fact that I can't even make a pun is your answer!" Bemoaned a distressed Luan, rolling upon her mattress. "Abraham, huh? Might as well ask Lincoln, then." She chuckled realizing her opportunity, before catching her tongue. "But seriously, I'm just not into it. Going there would put us both into a hairy situation!"

Pun or not, Her younger sister brought up a good point. Her sisters didn't work, but what about their sole brother? Luna tiptoed her way to the room at the end of the second-floor hall, where sure enough, Lincoln Loud was busy playing against something in VR. She never enjoyed interrupting his game, but one horrific blast against his temples signaled that didn't matter anyways. The young lad threw the glasses down in anger, folding his arms.

"Dang it, that was a glitch this time, I swear!" He swore to no one.

Luna bit her lower lip, feeling a tad bit nervous. Their last concert they spent together was pretty rad, but would a second one be wise? Recently it seemed Lincoln was growing out of his "Smooch" phase, and his sister knew that feeling well. Once one band starts losing favor, the whole genre goes with it. Poor country-rap; never stood a chance against her interests. Still, couldn't hurt to try.

"Yo, brah! Busy tonight?" She asked, leaning against his door.

Lincoln stood beside himself, looking at the VR goggles in shame. He kicked up his feet against his mattress, taking a sigh as he looked to the dusty ceiling above. "Well, I'm supposed to, but suddenly Clyde had to leave with his parents to some 'I need to make sure my son isn't a serial killer' class. Dang it, we're so close to getting the high-score in 'Amigo-shoot-amigo's', too!" He placed his hands in his pockets. "Guess there's always next time. Oh, uh, why're you asking?"

He got rejected too, huh? Guess it ran in the family. Still, annoying or not, the fact that she had a perfect opening made Luna grin mischievously. Sure it freaked the poor boy out, but she just couldn't help herself. She stood tall, and presented the tickets, waving them freely in the air. "Ah, that sucks, brah! Well, if you got nothing else, I do need somebody to go with me tonight to a certain White-haired band's concert!" She leaned forward towards Lincoln, grabbing a small tuff of hair off his head. "White-haired and ready to rock!"

After failing with everyone else, her confidence had all but collapsed. She was ready to hear his reasons, like maybe Ronnie-Anne was in town, or maybe he suddenly had an influx of reading assignments that would take all night. However, upon spotting the beaming smile against his face, she knew she caught her prey. He looked at the ticket with saliva drooling down his mouth, failing to ever contain that weird animal-like instinct.

"Wait, seriously? You got tickets for Abraham's Ultimate Show? How'd that happen?"

Luna laughed against a closed fist. "Oh, you know. Got it from a magic man perhaps. Whatever the case, I think I know somebody who'd want to see them play live in Royal Woods. Do you?"

He was already in the process of leaving his orange polo behind, and replacing it with a dangerously-similar version. "Heck yeah! I can't stop listening to their songs! Rusty accidentally played one of their music videos, and I immediately felt like I belonged." He too played with some hair, looking at his sister with a strange, sarcastic feeling of pride. "To think they're other people out there with natural white hair! Dude, I'm not an outcast anymore!"

Luna couldn't help but smile at him. Somehow, even as he grew older, he always acted like a little kid. It was kind of cute, even for a hard-edge rocker such as herself. "You seriously still on that? Relax, Lincoln Logs! Your hair's awesome! Nothing wrong with it."

"Yeah, I know, but it still feels good!" Like a child receiving every perfect Christmas present at once, he ran over and hugged his sister with all his might. "Thanks, Lunes. Heck yeah I'll go with you! Man, the best part is that I don't even have to dye my hair! Man, this band's perfect!"

He ran off towards the bathroom, while Luna made a small fist-pump in the air. "Got'em! Made ya proud, Mick! Now, time to see if your recommended band's really all that awesome, which I already know the answer!" She cheered to herself.

Luna was happy. It was a night she knew she'll never forget.

FROM: Old article from newspaper dated sometime around the early 1900's

"For over a century, both the New World and Old World grovel underneath a mystery most baffling to the astute observer. Julius Loudson, he was so named, vanished without a trace upon the crack of dawn at the turn of the last century. A scientist that dabbled far too heavily in apocalyptical teachings and myths, he dedicated his time far from society, believing in his ailment that he could "bless" society for a better future. Back in the day, no one took him seriously, but after the American Civil War, many of his teachings began to receive new light..."