Disclaimer: The Loud House and associated characters belong to Nickelodeon and Chris Savino

Megumi no Jotai

(State of Grace)

By Lola Presents

Episode 4 - Forge of Souls - Part 3

It was almost three in the morning when the commotion inside the home at 1216 Franklin street settled, and after answering more questions than Lincoln had ever seen on an end-of-term exam, he and Megumi retired to their room for the night and tried to get some rest.

However, the night's proceedings weren't without objection by some. Despite everything discussed, the thing that stuck out the most was Lincoln's and Megumi's so-called marriage. Despite the impending doom that hung over their realm, they focused on the least of their problems.

Those family members who were more emotionally centered took no issue with their union. However, those with a more everyday outlook had a few words to say. Either way, the tension between them was palpable, and more than one had strong feelings about the issue.

Mr. Loud was vehemently against the notion of his underage son being married or consummating their relationship. However, after Rita reminded him that a veritable deity had handed down the decree, he reconsidered his position and accepted them.

After all, how could one argue with a being who transcended the material world and understood how things worked better than humans?


Lincoln yawned so profoundly that his body shook as he disrobed and climbed back into bed, hoping to get some bodily rest before he left for hell the next day. He wasn't about to show it, especially to Megumi, but he was scared shitless. It wasn't every day one ventured forth into the maws of the underworld, intent of facing off with the lord of chaos.

Megumi watched as her love entered his bed and shifted out of her faux clothing to join him. While she didn't need physical rest, she enjoyed being close to him. It wasn't merely from her obligation to protect him but because she loved him so deeply. Not only had he fallen in love with her without using her seductive powers, but he was a mere human, willing to brave the darkness on her behalf.

"Lincoln?" she cooed, standing near the edge of his bed.

"Mmmm?" mumbled the exhausted boy. "What is it? Do you sense something?"

"No," murmured Megumi, twiddling her fingers. "I think it's time."

"Time for what?" Lincoln sleepily asked, furrowing his brows.

"I want to show you my default form," his young wife told him. "Only, I'm afraid you'll find it horrific and change how you feel about me."

Lincoln propped himself up on one elbow and considered his young bride. He already knew that she was a shape-shifter and that how she appeared to him was born from his imagination. Lincoln had already seen her take other forms and doubted he'd be disturbed at this point. Besides, he'd fallen in love with who she was, as an entity, not at how she looked.

"Megumi," he informed her confidently. "I've seen you form a flail and trash a punching bag and worn you as both clothing and a suit of armor and was still in love with you," he continued, smiling at her. "I love you for who you are. I'm sure I can handle whatever you have to show me."

Megumi smiled at her lover's false confidence. Mortals tended to err on caution and self-preservation when met with something monstrous, and she feared the worst. However, Megumi needed full disclosure to ensure her husband's love was sincere, in case she needed to assume that form during their upcoming adventure, not wanting Lincoln to become pensive.

"Alright..." Megumi whispered, nearly a whimper. "Here I go..." she said shortly after.

Then, briefly turning into ebon mist, she soon reformed into her default form. Initially, Lincoln didn't seem much different in the dim light of the moon, as she mainly appeared as she already had. However, as his eyes adjusted, he noticed several significant additions.

Lincoln first focused on her eyes, which were now a glistening solid black with no pupils or whites. His gaze then focused on the two small, black, stubby horns protruding from her forehead, parting her hair into a little point that hung between them.

A set of tiny black bat-like wings had appeared on her back, waving gently in the night air, getting his attention next. And as Lincoln appreciated her naked body, he noticed her legs were now multi-segmented and ended in black hooves.

Lincoln smiled at Megumi as she stood there, continuing to nervously play with her fingers, which now bore slightly longer black nails than before. Then, a short, stubby tail flickered into view from behind her, and he couldn't believe what he saw. There Lincoln sat, fully expecting something horrific. Not this.

"Damn..." sighed Lincoln, unintentionally causing Megumi to drop her hands as she frowned in disappointment. "You're beautiful."

"What?" gasped the little succubus as she peered up at her husband. "Do you really mean that?"

"Of course," Lincoln chuckled, patting the mattress, and inviting her in. "Would I lie to you? Besides, you'd know the next time we merge. Now, come on, you cutie. We need to get some rest before leaving tomorrow."

Grinning from ear to ear, Megumi lunged forward, stuffing herself under the covers and nestling up to Lincoln, folding her wings behind her.

"I love you, Lincoln," she cooed, closing her eyes as she snuggled against his bare skin.

"I love you, too," Lincoln reassured her as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as they drifted off together.


"Oh, my, God!" exclaimed Megumi as she sat upright in bed at the crack of dawn.

"What?!" barked Lincoln, startled into waking by his love's screech. "What is it?" he asked, seemingly always on the alert.

"I slept!" the little succubus declared, staring at Lincoln in disbelief. "And I had the weirdest dream..." she told him, drawing her knees up to her chest, hugging them. "I think your wash basin was trying to eat me!" she muttered, her black eyes wide.

"Okay..." chuckled Lincoln, wiping the sleep from his eyes. "That's a new one. But, don't worry, it's only porcelain. It can't eat you," he told her, crawling around her to leave the bed. "Besides, it's a bathtub, not a wash basin."

"Oh," sighed Megumi, following him with her gaze. "So, what are we going to do until noon?" she chirped, forgetting about her strange dream.

"Well..." sighed Lincoln as he put on his clothes. "I have about two hundred dollars saved," he told her. "So, I was thinking, how about we catch Leni at breakfast and go shopping? I did promise you some real clothes."

Megumi hopped out of bed, delighted at his suggestion, and hugged him.

"You're so thoughtful!" she beamed at him before giving him a quick kiss. "Now, let's go eat," she said. "I'm hungry for human food."

"Hehe," laughed Lincoln, running his fingers through her hair before holding the door shut. "Uh..." he stammered. "Clothes first?" he suggested. "After last night, I'm not sure my family could handle seeing you naked."

"Oh! Right," exclaimed Megumi. "What about my form?" she then asked. "Shall I revert to a more human appearance?"

"It doesn't matter to me," shrugged Lincoln, grinning and winking at her. "I love both. But..." he conceded, "in public, you'll need to be in human form. I'm pretty sure we'd get lynched otherwise."

"Alright," Megumi replied, peppering Lincoln's cheek with little kisses. "I rather like being in my natural form," she informed him. "Maintaining another form is a drain on my energy."

"Well then," nodded Lincoln as he opened the door and boldly walked out with his wife, now seemingly dressed. "Let's go eat."


Forks and spoons hit dishes, and food fell from his sibling's mouths as they walked into the kitchen, holding hands. Rita spun at the noise and gawked at Megumi, who stood before them, still sporting her natural state, despite her faux clothing. And for several moments, nobody said a word.

"Y-you really are a succubus," gasped Lucy, ending the silence as she stared at Megumi's form. "I mean, I knew that already. Only, you didn't look like one before now."

"Yup!" chirped Megumi, moving her tail out of the way to take her seat at the table. "I sure am. You're not too far off yourself," she added, trying to get to know her siblings better.

"So, what's it like, Lincoln?" asked Lucy as the others slowly began to eat again, the event paling from last night. "You know, being in her seductive aura? You must be eternally horny."

"LUCY MARIE!" shouted the goth's mother, scolding her daughter for her language. "You know better than that!"

"No," reassured Lincoln. "It's alright, mom," he replied. "I anticipated such questions, and the matter of the fact is, I've never felt it. Part of the deal was that I had to fall in love with her without it," he explained, taking his seat and scooping some scrambled eggs onto his plate.

"Still," responded Rita. "That's not an appropriate mealtime discussion. Now," she said, directing her attention to her son and daughter-in-law, "eat up. You'll need all the energy you can get today. Remember, you have that meeting at noon," she reminded them.

Surprised at his mother's acceptance and seeming lack of concern, Lincoln knew otherwise. Having noticed she'd left out the part about going on a perilous crusade in hell, he understood that she was avoiding the subject, and he decided to follow suit, sparing her feelings.

"Hey, Leni," chirped Lincoln after the meal got underway. "Would you mind taking us into town before noon?" he asked. "I want to get Megumi some outfits, and I could use your advice."

"Oh, em, gosh, Lincoln!" cried Leni ecstatically. "You had me at shopping! But I thought she could 'poof' her own into existence. What do you need me for?"

"Well," laughed Lincoln, "'poofing' her clothes into existence drains her energy. She needs some real clothes to keep her energy up."

"Oh," sighed Leni. "In that case, we'll leave after breakfast! I already have a million cute ideas for her!"

"A million?" gasped Megumi, forgetting to swallow her orange juice before speaking. "I do not require that many. I only need a few changes."

"Nonsense," chirped Leni, devouring her oatmeal. "A girl can never have too many clothes! Besides, you'll need duplicates of everything so I can alter one set each to make openings for your wings and cute little tail."

And with the acceptance of Lincoln's family, Megumi knew that she had found her home and place in the material world. Overjoyed that she did not have to hide her true self, she finished her meal with an eternal smile as she and her new siblings' chatted about everything under the sun.

The shopping trip was more for Lincoln's sake because he felt obligated to provide for her. However, Megumi was just as excited for herself as she wanted to learn more about human ways and become the woman Lincoln deserved. Though, she didn't understand the need for clothing.


After breakfast, Megumi dismissed her inhuman features and, together with Lincoln and Leni, piled into the family van and headed for the mall. While the ancient vehicle didn't seem as efficient as teleporting, it was certainly faster than walking. However, the occasional sputter of the engine and the occasional plume of thick smoke it emitted worried Megumi.

"Are you sure this method of transportation is safe?" she asked of any who would answer.

"Of course, silly," chirped Leni, always the optimist. "Lana keeps it in top shape."

"Our seven-year-old sister?" gasped Megumi, her mouth contorting into a squiggly line in worry.

"Uh, yeah," laughed Lincoln, rubbing his arm. "But don't worry. She could teach adult mechanics a thing or two. It's Leni's driving that you have to watch out for."

"Hey!" spat Leni. "I've had my license for several months now! I hardly crash at all anymore!"

"Look at it this way," suggested Lincoln, giving Megumi's hand a little squeeze, "at least it isn't like facing the darkness."

"You have a point," conceded Megumi, snuggling up to Lincoln.


The trio shopped for over an hour, hitting all the boutiques and shops Leni thought might satisfy the wayward demon. And like her siblings, Megumi became over-stimulated at the choices and tended to run off, selecting things herself. Keeping Megumi close proved difficult, though Leni had both experiences in management and babysitting and got the job done.

The fitting rooms were another matter altogether. While Lincoln toiled about outside, pacing until Megumi showed up to model her outfits, he frittered his time away, thinking about their upcoming quest. As time passed, he grew increasingly nervous, thankful for the occasional distraction as his wife emerged from the dressing rooms.

"What do you think of this one?" Megumi asked as she twirled about in a cute pink and white sundress, complete with a little white hat bearing a flower and a pair of white sandals.

"It's cute!" Lincoln replied. "I like it!"

A few moments later, she appeared again, wearing designer jeans, purple high-top converse shoes, and a floral patterned blouse.

"Oh, now that's darling!" he chirped as she beamed at him.

Things continued through five more outfits before she emerged wearing her final selection, a black leather bodice, gloves, and boots, and Lincoln nearly had a heart attack. While sexy as hell, she was beginning to garner some stares from nearby shoppers.

"Okay..." he muttered. "That's the best yet. It certainly suits you. But, let's keep that for home. Alright? Human girls your age don't wear that kind of thing."

"Spoilsport," Leni scolded. "I was only thinking of her natural disposition when I suggested it. Besides, I thought you'd like it since you're married."

"Oh, I do," stammered Lincoln. "It's just..."

"Hey, Lame-o," barked a familiar voice. "Whatcha' doin' in the women's department?"

"Ronnie Anne!" exclaimed Lincoln, spinning on his heels after palming his face. "What are you doing here?"

"Not much," the girl sighed, stuffing her hands in her pockets as Megumi glared at her. "Bobby came to see Lori, who is supposed to be getting home soon on vacation," she informed Lincoln, "and I thought I'd hitch a ride and see how you were."

"Uh..." stammered Lincoln. "I'm fine," he offered nervously. "How are you?"

"Meh," shrugged the Latina. "A little lonely and bored. Do you want to go on a date later? See a movie, maybe?"

"No, he does not," Megumi interjected, having seen the girl in Lincoln's memories. "Lincoln is no longer available for bonding!" she spat, growing defensive. "Now, please, leave."

"Excuse me, bimbo?" Ronnie barked, forming up in front of Megumi, noticing her leather outfit. "Who are you to talk to me like that?"

"Whoa, whoa..." pleaded Lincoln, coming in between them. "Listen, Ronnie..." he stammered, rubbing his head. "We should talk. But not right now," he suggested. "In the meantime, let me introduce you to my, uh, girlfriend, Megumi. Megumi, Ronnie Anne."

"Girlfriend?!" gasped the tan girl, stifling a laugh, looking Megumi up and down. "If I'd known all it'd take is a little leather, I'd have taken Carlota up on her offer. She has an outfit in my size a lot like this one."

"No, Ronnie..." Lincoln sighed. "Stop, please. You had your chance. I offered to entertain a long-distance relationship, but you declined. Besides, Megumi is my soul-mate."

"Hah!" laughed Ronnie Anne. "You sound like you're already married or something. What's up with that? You're only thirteen!"

"Megumi..." conceded Lincoln, turning to his sweetheart. "Take Ronnie into the stalls and 'explain' things to her, please?"

"If you believe that best," she responded, unsure about his decision. Still, he hadn't guided her wrong yet, and grabbed the girl by the hand, dragging her into the fitting room.

Things remained quiet for several minutes as Lincoln and Leni waited patiently and nervously outside. Then suddenly, they heard Ronnie Anne's voice from within.

"Oh. My. God. You weren't kidding, were you?" gasped the lonely Latina.

A few more moments of silence later, Megumi led the girl out of the stalls in her usual attire, smirking proudly.

"I think she understands now," she informed Lincoln, folding her arms and beaming at Ronnie Anne's deflated expression. "I 'explained' things as you requested."

"Well, Lame-o," sighed the girl as she approached her friend. "I guess I can't compete with that," she admitted. "Congratulations, I guess? Wings and horns, huh..." she stammered, still in total disbelief. "Best we not tell Abuela about this. She'd only try to exorcise her."

"Heh, yeah," chuckled Lincoln. "Thanks for understanding, but we need to check out and go. Sorry for the shortness, but we have someplace to be."

"Yeah..." sighed the girl in the purple hoodie. "I'll, uh, catch up with you later," she said before leaving them to their business.


Leni pulled up to the warehouse five minutes before noon to drop Lincoln and Megumi off but couldn't say goodbye without first stepping out to give them each a lingering hug. While she might not have fully understood what they were about to do, she knew it was dangerous and essential.

"Lincoln," she cooed, holding him at arms, length and gazing at him. "You be safe. Alright?" she requested with a tear in her eye. "Don't do anything stupid and come back in one piece."

"I won't," declared Lincoln. "I promise."

"As for you," Leni chirped as she hugged Megumi and looked at her. "I haven't known you that long, but you're my sister now, so please, come back safe. And, look after my little brother. Okay?"

"I will," asserted Megumi, nodding politely. "Always and forever."

"Alright," whimpered Leni. "You be good now. And I'll try to have the alterations done before you return."

Smiling, Leni let them go and sighed with worry as she watched them disappear into the warehouse.


"There ya' are, chief!" exclaimed Flip, visibly relieved to see them. "We were about to go looking for ya'!"

And, as Lincoln began to explain to his comrades in arms, already suited up and ready for battle, a bright light obscured the warehouse floor momentarily as Divinity made her appearance with M'Kael by her side.

"It is good to see you all here today," she said once the light faded. "Are you prepared?"

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, ma'am," chirped Flip, banging his fist against his sentient armor.

"Let's get this over with," declared Agnes, nodding with folded arms.

"I'm with Agnes," sighed Norman. "I just want things to get back to normal."

"We'll be ready in a moment," announced Lincoln as Megumi wrapped her form around him, creating his armor.

"Very well, then," sighed D'Vin. And, stepping back, D'Vin clapped her hands dramatically, filling the entire room with light. And, after the light faded, the warehouse stood empty.

note: We are now a third of the way through the first season, minus the season finale. I hope you continue to enjoy the story. As always, reviews and comments help me determine how to proceed. Please don't be shy about leaving reviews, even if it's every chapter. It isn't spamming to me if it's helpful in some way.