Disclaimer: The Loud House and associated characters belong to Nickelodeon and Chris Savino
Megumi no Jotai
(State of Grace)
By Lola Presents
Episode 2 - Training Begins - Part 2
"Come on, Lynn," begged Lincoln, staring at her after she accused him of trickery or holding out on him. "Do you think I'd do something like that?"
"I don't know what to believe right now, Stincoln," Lynn spat. "But something fishy is going on here, and I refuse to go any further until I know what's up. So start talking."
"This is my fault," whispered Megumi sadly. "I wrongly judged how much a male of your age should be able to handle. What do you want me to do?"
"What do you mean?" Lincoln whispered back.
"We have two options, Lincoln," Megumi said. "We can erase her mind or tell her the truth. Remember, while we need her right now, telling her is a risk, both to her and us."
Lincoln didn't know what to do. Lynn had gone out of her way to help them but was left holding an empty coffer. Once before, Lynn substituted herself for her brother in a football season and got little to no credit. Lincoln didn't want to do that again, however, and decided.
"Lynn..." he said, furrowing his brows. "I'm going to tell you the truth, but I need you to swear something."
"Swear to what?" Lynn asked as she folded her arms defensively.
"Swear that no matter what I say or what you see, you will take it to the grave with you," instructed Lincoln. "This is important, Lynn. Lives may depend on it."
Lynn gave her brother a curious look. He'd said things like this in the past whenever he went off halfcocked in some delusional fantasy. However, something about his demeanor told the girl that things were different this time.
"Alright, Lincoln," she agreed. "But this better be good, or I'm out of here."
Lincoln came to a stand, rising from the bench, and locked the side door before returning to Lynn.
"Alright, Megumi..." whispered Lincoln. "Everyone needs allies; do they not? And I won't betray her trust by wiping her memories, so go ahead and show her."
As Lynn stared at her brother expectantly, a dark mist began spewing from his nostrils, merging into a female form by his side. As the fog swirled and came together, Lynn's eyes grew as large as saucers, and she began to back up, eventually making contact with the closed garage door.
"W-What the hell?!" shot Lynn, fearing for her life. "Did you just snot out a girl?"
"Hello, Lynn," Megumi said in her typically soft voice. "My name is Megumi, and I'm a succubus. Do you know what that is?"
"N-No..." stammered Lynn as she shook with fright. "I d-don't."
"A succubus is a demon from the realm of darkness," explained Megumi. "However, I got created with a soul, unlike my counterparts, and I fled. Lincoln, here, is my material host. The problem is, the darkness will come for me, and we must fight back or become lost. Or worse, dead. We need your help."
"M-My help?" mumbled Lynn incredulously.
The girl sounded sincere enough, but she was a demon, and they were supposed to be evil. Lynn wasn't sure how to proceed and began to panic.
"H-How do I know you won't betray us when we least expect it?" griped Lynn.
Megumi gazed around and spied one of Lynn's old sparring bags, then grinned. Extending her arm, it dissolved and reformed into a long flail, which she then used to obliterate the equipment, its contents exploding from the impact.
"If I had ill intentions for you," Megumi said, turning back to Lynn. "You would know by now. We succubi are not evil. We feed off the dreams of mortals to feed the master. That is all, and it is a path I have rejected."
"Y-Your real..." Lynn stuttered, slowly approaching the girl with her hand extended.
Megumi remained still as Lynn gently poked her belly. The girl certainly felt real, which gave Lynn a measure of comfort. If she had a body, she could be hurt, which meant she was vulnerable.
For all her power, the being before Lynn was at her mercy. She thought quickly and came up with a plan.
"Alright," Lynn sighed, releasing her fear but not her caution. "As you have gained Lincoln's trust, I'll trust you, for now. And I think I know how to help you, but we can't do it here."
"Then, where?" inquired Lincoln.
"The dump," Lynn said. "But, we may need Lana's help in getting in."
"What?" gasped Lincoln. "And get another sister involved? I don't think so. She's too young, and it's too dangerous."
"But, Lincoln," rebutted Megumi. "Did you not just tell me that everyone needs allies? Besides, youth has its advantages. The young haven't yet shed their disbelief and sense of imagination. Those are powerful tools when wielded correctly."
"Fine," acknowledged Lincoln. "But we only tell her the truth if we have to. Understand?"
"Agreed," said Megumi.
"Well, then," let me go fetch Lana. "Meet me out front."
As Lynn exited, Megumi re-entered Lincoln. After which, he made his way to the front yard and milled about the mailbox, waiting for them.
"Are you sure about this, Megumi?" queried Lincoln. "I mean, I understand getting Lynn involved, but Lana..."
"From what I learned about her inside your mind, she seems quite the tinkerer," Megumi explained. "Perhaps she would be useful in crafting rudimentary armor, don't you think?"
"You have a point there," sighed Lincoln grimacing. "But then again, she'd want to know why, and then we'd have to reveal ourselves again."
"Perhaps," Megumi replied. "However, let's take things one step at a time."
"Yo, Lana," called Lynn as she walked into her sisters' room without invitation. "Linc and I could use some help."
"Oh, yeah?" returned Lana, sitting on her bed and playing with Hops, her pet frog.
"Yeah, we need to gather some things from the dump for a school project," Lynn announced. "Could you get us in? You're on speaking terms with the owner. Right?"
"Hm, I suppose I could do that," Lana mused. "Although, he'll probably want me to tag along. Some areas are off-limits, you know. Health hazards, he says."
"I think we can work with that," said Lynn, motioning for Lana to follow her.
Soon, the two girls stood beside Lincoln, leaning against the mailbox post absent-mindedly.
"Yo, Linc," called Lynn, "we're ready." Then, facing her sister, "Lana? Lead the way."
"Boy, you guys are going to have loads of fun!" Lana chirped. "The dump is amazing! There are all kinds of neat things just laying around!"
"Well," said Lincoln, unsure what Lynn had told Lana, "we aren't doing this for fun, you know."
"Y-Yeah..." stumbled Lynn. "It's for a school project. Right, Linc?"
"Oh, right," Lincoln said, smiling and rubbing the back of his head. "It is."
About fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the town landfill and stood outside the maintenance office. Lana knocked on the door, and soon a fat man poked his head out.
"Oh, it's just you, Lana," the man said. "What brings you here today, and who are they?" he added, nodding toward Lincoln and Lynn.
"A scavenger hunt for a school project," replied Lana happily. "And these are my siblings, Lynn and Lincoln. They're doing the project, but I agreed to help them. I think they could both use some hands-on experience, if you know what I mean."
"Sure, kid," the man said. "But remember, stay away from the marked areas, or I'll lose my job."
"Got it, mister Barker!" Lana chirped. "Later!"
The man re-entered the small building, followed by a buzzing sound as the chain-link fence rolled back.
The group began wandering the piles of trash and compacted cars that waited to get molten into something new as Lana led them through the maze into a small clearing.
"This is where I come to forage," she announced. "I'm sure you'll find something cool in here. I just know it!"
"Listen, Lana," Lincoln said, turning to his little sister and laying a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for bringing us here, but do you mind if we browse by ourselves?"
"Well, uh..." stammered Lana. "I'm not supposed to have visitors, let alone leave them unattended, but for you, sure. I'll just mosey over to another spot. But I'll be back soon, so hurry up."
"Thanks, Lana," said Lynn as Lana wandered off through the heaps of refuse.
"Alright," said Lynn as she glanced around, spotting an old engine block. "First, let's see where your limits are. Try lifting that thingy over there," she instructed, pointing at the derelict debris.
Megumi once more infused Lincoln with her essence as he approached the engine. It looked cumbersome, and Lincoln had his doubts, even with Megumi assisting him. He had difficulty lifting a can of wall paint, for crying out loud.
Still, he braced himself, bent at the knees, and clasped his hands around the bottom of the mass. With one massive heave, he pulled and came to a stand, lifting his arms. The block flew about ten feet into the air, stopped, then headed straight back down. Lincoln side-stepped out of the way so fast that Lynn blinked to ensure she saw correctly.
"Okay..." Lynn muttered, possibly realizing that her brother far outclassed herself, perhaps in pure astonishment.
Either way, Lynn was intrigued and selected her next target.
"Try that car over there," Lynn instructed, pointing to a nearby Volvo.
"Now you're just being ridiculous, Lynn," Lincoln laughed as he positioned his hands underneath the edge of the rusty car with his back against it.
Lincoln closed his eyes and heaved upward, putting everything he had into it. Slowly, he rose and opened his eyes only when he came to a complete stand. Glancing behind him, he realized he had successfully lifted the car onto its side.
Surprising himself, he leaped away from the upended vehicle as it came crashing back down to the ground in a plume of dirt. Lynn rushed over to his side to make sure he was alright.
"Let me see your hands!" Lynn demanded as she looked them over for bruising or cuts, which could be severe if rust had gotten in them.
"Lincoln!" Lynn gasped, surprised at the absence of lacerations or bruising. "Y-You aren't hurt."
"Of course not," Lincoln said. "It wasn't easy, but I did it."
"Alright, so..." Lynn began saying as she dropped Lincoln's arms and began pacing. "If the average car weighs around two thousand pounds, and you could manage about half that, we should start your weight training at a thousand. Now, for fighting..."
"Fighting?" queried Lincoln. "What's to fight out here?" he asked, looking around.
"No, I mean building the accuracy and strength of your punches," Lynn muttered, still thinking to herself in tandem with conversing with Lincoln.
"Okay, I hope we don't regret this because if you get hurt, I'll never forgive myself," announced Lynn. "But try to punch the door of the car. Lightly at first, and build up as you go. But stop if it starts to hurt. I need to see how hard you can punch."
"I don't know, Lynn," retorted Lincoln. "Lifting a hunk of metal is one thing, but hitting it is another. The impact could split my skin!"
"Possible," whispered Megumi. "Though not as easily with me present. Give it a try. Lynn seems to know what she's doing."
"Come on, Linc," prodded Lynn. "It's the only way to know for sure what your limits are. Skin heals."
"Fine," sighed Lincoln as he clenched his fists and took a stance in front of the car door.
Throwing his first punch, he made contact with the surface, creating a small bang, but nothing happened. Alternating hands, he tried again, somewhat harder. This time, he managed to dent the door. Looking at his knuckles, which showed no sign of wear or tear, Lincoln focused on the door once more, hitting it repeatedly.
A look of disbelief crept upon Lynn's face, and Lincoln pounded the door, both his pace and his force increasingly dramatically. Soon her brother was moving nearly too fast to discern as he bludgeoned the vehicle, its form beginning to cave. Lincoln peaked but kept wailing on the object before him, unaware of the sound that rang across the yard.
"Lincoln!" yelled Lynn, afraid of drawing attention to themselves. "You can stop now!"
Lincoln ceased his assault and gazed in wonder at the result, then quickly looked at his hands. Although his breath was heavy and deep, his body sustained no injuries.
"That..." Lincoln said calmly. Then, with added excitement, "...was amazing!"
"Well, you got me beat," Lynn conceded as she stepped beside him. "I think I have a good idea now of where to start, but I'm going to have to buy heavier weights and get Lana to make a sturdier punching bag."
"Speaking of Lana," Lincoln added. "Maybe we should call for her," he said as he looked at the sky. "It's getting late. Dinner will probably begin soon."
"Oh, right," Lynn agreed, not wanting to be caught out after curfew.
"Lana!" they yelled several times, scanning the refuse.
"What the hell did I just see?" Lana muttered to herself as she perched atop a nearby heap. "Was that Lincoln, or did I fall asleep."
Lana had been scouting an old refrigerator that she could turn into a racer if she found the right parts when the girl heard the calamity coming from where she left Lincoln and Lynn. Concerned, she returned to their location to take a look. What she saw unnerved her.
"Lana! It's time to go home!" they called again before seeing the messy girl emerge between two piles of trash.
"Um, are you alright?" asked Lynn as her sister approached, noting her flushed expression.
"Uh, y-yeah," replied the little girl. "I'm f-fine. I thought I saw something, but I must've fallen asleep."
The walk home was eerily quiet, and Lincoln caught Lana stealing the occasional odd glance in his direction. Lincoln began to wonder if she suspected or saw them practice. If she had, she was being tight-lipped about it, and maybe that was for the best.
Soon, they walked into the house together, smelling a bouquet of scents. Their dad was home and had made dinner! Lincoln's stomach growled, and Lana's hunger stripped her of all concerns. New prey was afoot, and the little girl was going to catch it, hell or high water!
The three visited the kitchen to wash their hands before they ate and ran into their mother making tea.
"Well, hey, kids!" Rita cooed. "I was beginning to wonder what happened to you. Where were you?"
"At the dump!" chimed Lana. "Where else?"
"What? All three of you?" questioned their mother.
"Yeah, well..." Lincoln began.
"School project," finished Lynn.
"Oh, well, okay, then," Rita concluded. "Go have a seat. Your plates will be out in a moment."
Lincoln, Lynn, and Lana took their places beside their siblings as their parents served dinner. Those who got plates first began eating, not wanting to wait on the others. Tonight, Lynn, Senior, prepared meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and corn.
"Hey, bruh," mouthed Luna, stuffing her face. "What was with you this morning, anyway?"
"Oh, well, I had something to do," Lincoln said as his mother placed his meal in front of him.
"Oh, yeah!" interjected Lola. "You weren't kind of weird yesterday too. "Running out of the house all stupid like."
"Really?" asked Lincoln. "I think that's just your imagination."
"Mmmm," mumbled Lola. "I don't think so. Lana saw it too, didn't you, Lana?"
"Uh, well..." Lana said nervously. "I'm not sure what I saw."
"Oh, for crying out loud," Lola exclaimed. "Something is going on here, and Lola's going to find out what it is!" she added, referencing herself in the third person.
Luckily, Rita sat down before Lincoln could reply and began asking the kids how their days went. Typical of the evening meal, their parents tended to poke their noses where they didn't belong. At least, that was what the kids thought, and every one of them dodged essential issues, offering generalities instead.
When Lincoln finished his meal, he excused himself, took his things to the kitchen, and went upstairs to relax. Once inside, he locked the door, and Megumi materialized before him.
"You know..." Lincoln began, sitting on the edge of his bed. "It sure is becoming a challenge keeping you a secret. I wish there were a way I could introduce you as a friend from school or something. That way, people would get used to seeing you around and not think anything of it. How long can you go without needing to recharge or whatever you do?"
"Roughly every two hours," Megumi said softly. "Though, as we get stronger, the longer I'll be able to maintain my form. Perhaps it would be a good idea to foster some familiarity with your family."
"Then, would you have any reservations about coming home with me tomorrow after school?" Lincoln suggested. "You know, as yourself?"
"Considering that Lynn is the only sibling who attends your school, I see no issue," Megumi agreed. "She already knows about me and should not be surprised to see me. However, the others would benefit from an introduction."
As Megumi finished her statement, Lincoln's neck hair began to stiffen.
"Megumi!" Lincoln gasped, reaching back for his sword but stopped short of grabbing it.
"I sense it too, Lincoln," confirmed Megumi. "It's still distant but coming closer. I believe this one to be an imp. Troublesome, at the least, they thrive on mischief and tricks. We'll be up against more than just power with this one. It appears to be coming down the sidewalk. We should investigate. Prepare yourself..."
Lincoln squinted his eyes and nodded.
"I'm ready," he said with resolve.
