No Such Duel
Chapter 2: The Trap
Back with the Loud Family,
They were continuing to walk miserably through the streets. The walk was not at all kind to them. Along the way, they all got splashed seven different times by passing cars, Lori had lost all the charge on her phone, Lola lost her tiara in a sewer drain after getting splashed. Needless to say, the Louds were NOT in a good mood. They were passing an electronics store, where they saw Lincoln on the TV, with some kind of device on his arm.
"To all you duelists in Royal Woods, I am holding an open tournament for anyone who wants to challenge me for my title as the Royal Woods Duel Monsters Champion! If you think you have what it takes to defeat me, then come to the Royal Woods Dome later today to get signed up!" Lincoln said. His family was shocked, and not in a good way.
"WHAT?! What is Lincoln doing, playing that horrible game?!" Lynn Sr. exclaimed.
"Eh, what difference does it make to us? He's Bad Luck, and is therefore, not any of our concern," Lynn Jr. stated, not wanting to get mixed up in her brother's affairs.
"I don't care if he's bad luck, good luck, or no luck, in this family, our golden rule of 'No Duel Monsters' is the law! We're heading over to the Royal Woods Dome, end of discussion!" Lynn Sr. declared. His daughters didn't like that idea, but they could tell by his tone that he was serious this time.
"One thing does puzzle me," Lisa commented, thinking about the commercial.
"What is it?" Lori asked, sounding like she didn't care.
"Lincoln is usually pretty careful about keeping secrets like this, especially considering he knows how our father unit feels about Duel Monsters," Lisa replied.
"Run that by us again, in actual English this time, and not in nerd terms?" Lynn Jr. asked rudely. Lisa was rather irked by Lynn's rudeness, but maintained her composure.
"I'm saying that Lincoln may have made that commercial as a means of WANTING us to come find him. I think he might be baiting us into a trap," Lisa clarified, only to be laughed at by her sisters.
"Do you honestly think Lincoln could EVER be smart enough to bait US into a trap? I mean, it's Lincoln!" Lori laughed.
"Besides, even if what you're saying is true, it would just prove he's bad luck!" Lynn Jr. added. They soon arrived at the dome, where a large crowd of people were gathered.
"Man, we'll never get in now! And I was looking forward to getting more footage for my channel," Luan said in disappointment.
"We're going to get in, regardless!" Rita said, as they approached.
"Move aside! We're Lincoln Loud's parents!" Lynn Sr. yelled to the crowd. Just then, some reporters rushed over to the family.
"Are you truly young Lincoln's family?"
"How does it feel being the proud parents of one of the best Duel Monsters players in the city?"
"Are any of you planning to take up Duel Monsters yourselves?"
"We are indeed his family, and we are NOT proud of Lincoln's place as a Duelist! There isn't going to be an Open Tournament, because he is going to be spending a LOT of time at home, grounded!" Lynn Sr. said, as they pushed past the crowd.
"If you want to interview a REAL winner, then how about me? I'm the best athlete in all of Royal Woods!" Lynn Jr. boasted, only to go ignored by the reporters.
Meanwhile, in the Champion's Quarters,
"What's the deal with that public announcement, Lincoln? We all know how much your Dad hates Duel Monsters," Clyde asked his best pal, who looked like he didn't have a care in the world, as he went through his cards. Lincoln's other friends, Ronnie Anne, Rusty, Liam, Zach, and Girl Jordan were also present.
"It's all part of my true plan," Lincoln simply replied. Just then, some commotion was heard from outside.
"Sorry folks, but you can't go inside. Authorized personnel only," they could hear one of the security guards say.
"Well WE happen to be Lincoln Loud's family, and we're going in to confront him!" the voice of Lynn Sr. yelled. The sound of the guard grunting and some crashing sounds were heard, as the door was opened, to reveal Lincoln's family, none of whom looked to pleased.
"Lincoln Marie Loud! Do you have any idea how much trouble you're in?!" Rita yelled, as she and Lynn Sr. stormed over to him. Lincoln's friends all got out of the way.
"Hate to burst your bubble, but you all are in FAR more trouble than I could ever be in," Lincoln spat back. Lincoln's friends were shocked. They never thought Lincoln would ever mouth off to his own parents.
"Lincoln, we are NOT playing games here! You are in more trouble than ever before!" Rita yelled.
"She's right. You literally aren't going to get away with this, twerp," Lori added, as she and the rest of her sisters got their phones ready to film the fireworks that were about to go off, little knowing that those same fireworks were going to blow up in their faces.
"Funny. I was about to say the same to you, Lori," Ross said, as he stepped out from behind a door.
"Uncle Ross? What are you doing here?" Luna asked.
"My job," Ross stated, a look of extreme disappointment on his face.
"Then do it elsewhere. This has nothing to do with you, so butt out!" Rita snapped. Ross didn't even so much as flinch, when his walkie-talkie went off.
"Ross, it's Randy... we just finished up our end of the operation, and Lincoln was right. They did sell off his furniture and the rest of his possessions. Not to mention, there are a lot of safety violations in this rundown shack of a house," Randy's voice said. Now, the Louds were puzzled, as were Lincoln's friends.
"Ross, what is Randy doing in our house?!" Rita demanded. A squad of cops came in, and subdued Lincoln's sisters, while some more restrained the parents.
"Tell me something Rita, are you aware that what you did to your son was not only cruel, but also illegal as well?" Ross asked.
"Wait, what is this all about?!" Ronnie Anne exclaimed.
"You'll find out soon enough," Lincoln replied nonchalantly.
"What are you talking about?! There isn't any law against locking a jinx outside of the house, right?!" Lynn Jr. exclaimed.
"On the contrary, there is. What we did can be considered child abandonment, abuse, and neglect," Lisa explained.
"Rita and Lynn Loud Sr., you're both under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You also have the right to an attorney. If you can't afford one, then one shall be appointed. Get them out of here!" Ross ordered. The cops all dragged Lincoln's family out. All the while, Lincoln looked like he couldn't care less.
"Lincoln... what is happening?" Zach asked.
"All in due time. Let's just say my 'family' crossed the line, and now they have to pay the consequences," Lincoln replied.
