Should be obvious, but movie spoilers throughout this story.

Chapter 3

Faulty Reunion

For the better part of six months, the Louds have gotten used to unexpected arrivals from military-like vehicles. Be it giant Humvees or even a rather elongated limo, it was almost daily to watch them arrive to usually take the third eldest sister away. However, to see a flying craft this time was rather out of the ordinary. The rest of the neighborhood watched in shock as it landed on the street, pouring out a few soldiers from its backside.

Lynn Senior, gulping away the color of his skin, held onto the curtains of his window, shaking profusely. The last thing he wanted was the whole world staring at their house, and knowing all those judgmental eyes were upon him made him woozy to the stomach. Soon, his entire family joined him staring out at the small army surrounding the helicopter, all with their weapons drawn as if a war was about to break out.

His sweat was rather palpable. "O-Okay, nobody panic! It's just... just a strange thing that looks very scary and, uh, very very scary! Why are we panicking? Who's panicking?" He nearly shouted.

Rita shook her head while the family watched in awe. The only sister who refused to join in was Luna herself, walking away from the crowd and opening the front door, immediately alarming her parents. "Woah, Lunes, wait! You can't just go out there!"

Seeing a helicopter like this was of course suspicious, but Luna knew those outfits well. Camo like the army, but a little off at the same time. Darker greens against even darker blacks, with facemasks that showcased the image of a skull. Frightening to the untrained eye. For a girl like the rocker, though, it was becoming far too common to see. She grabbed the knob, giving her family a smile.

"It's them, guys. Don't worry."

"Don't worry?" Lynn exclaimed, "Since when did that jerk get a chopper? I thought he ain't, y'know, with the government! Where he getting the funds? Drugs?"

Luna shook her head. "Guess I'll find out. Might as well see what he wants."

Rita sighed. "Dang, just... be careful, okay?"

Luna stepped out into the cold, walking up towards an approaching man and woman, both who quickly took off the helmets against their heads. Even without revealing their identities, the young Loud knew exactly who they were. With this small army, there was only one couple that always stood out amongst the rest.

And the first revealed herself quick. Michelle, a former manager of sorts for Luna back in her "Hitmaker" days, allowed her long hair to flow in the cold, instantly regretting it. "Woah, yikes! Why is it so cold? Dougie, you said there was a heat wave going on!"

Her male companion let his helmet rest by his hip, rubbing down his shaven-down black hair. The face of Doug Strickland still held that innocent charm he had when Luna first met him, but the grizzled nature of his newfound job was certainly taking its toll. He pat his partner on the shoulder, trying his best to make a mocking smile. "Hate to say it, but this is it!" He then turned to the young lady before him. "Luna, how are you? Everything holding up well?"

Luna folded her arms against her chest. Constant training with the man made even the coldest weather feel like a lukewarm shower, but the constant running of the helicopter's propeller made her shiver wildly. She shot the man a tiny glare. "Well, was kinda fine until you brought a freaking chopper! What gives, dude? You're, eh, kinda freaking the folks out. Limo in the repair shop?"

Doug wanted to chuckle, but his emotions held him back. He propped his chin up, looking towards the house, witnessing the entire family staring back. He gave them a wave, and all they returned were closed eyes of frustration. "Well, normally I wouldn't make such a grand entrance, but uh... we got a problem."

Luna rose an eyebrow. "Problem? Like what?" She looked at the army surrounding the chopper, witnessing many members trying to calm the rest of the neighborhood down. "Not liking where this is going, Doug. You freaking everyone out gotta mean this is bad."

Michelle looked to the snow-covered grass below. "Well, bad in an... unknown way, so to speak."

"Unknown way? What, like we're in danger or something?"

Doug began to sweat. He heard Luna's voice begin to spike. Not even a foot in the house, and already he was worrying the young girl he vowed to keep safe. Then again, with the news he held, it couldn't be helped, he supposed. "Is Lincoln inside? We might need the whole family for this one."

Luna gulped. Doug didn't sound like he was joking, and neither did Michelle. Even in their worst of moods during training, they always found some time to banter and chortle, but right now their faces were growing just as pale as her father's. What on earth were they about to dispel on them? "Um... yeah, he's... he's here. Don't tell me he's.."

Doug rose his hand up. "I'll explain inside, if you don't mind? It be best for everyone to hear this, him included." He looked up at the darkening sky above; more snow was expected. They had to hurry. "How is he, by the way? He getting any better?"

"Well... in fairness to my little brah, I'm not much better myself."

Michelle sighed. "I wish we could help out more, but those freaks upstairs... dang, well, I promise this will be quick, okay?"

Still not sounding hopeful, but Luna played along. "Okay. Um, sorry if they ain't trusting you guys still."

Couldn't be helped. The two knew that. "Well, after today, I wonder how much that'll change..."

Luna opened the front door, bringing along the two former managers that nearly tore her worldview apart. After the nightmare on the mountain, it was clear the rocker was fully forgiving of them. Even Lincoln warmed up to them. The rest, though? Lana's reaction of pure rage was more than enough to prove that, her teeth gnashing hard against each other. "So, ready to ruin her life again, bub and bubbette? Where you bring her now? Nam?"

Rita tried her best to control her daughter. "So sorry, guys! She accidentally stayed up last night and saw a war film!" Even still, her own glare was powerful. "Now, Luna... I know you trust them, but I thought we agreed-"

Luna looked at both Doug and Michelle. "That I wouldn't invite them in. That they aren't allowed for as long as they live, right?" Saying it out loud made her mother flinch, but not more than the duo before them, both wondering now if this was the best idea. The rocker took the stage again. "Well, I know you guys don't trust them..."

"Don't trust them? Of course we don't! They stepped all over you!" Luan yelled.

Luna shook her head. "And they saved my life. They saved all of us, sis. I wouldn't be talking with ya if it wasn't for them helping me get out of there. Same goes for Linc."

Lori shook her head. "Yeah, and they also keep pulling you away to do things you don't want to do!" She glared at Michelle specifically. "You think it's funny to keep taking her away, when she should be home, you know, literally forgetting about that thing you still aren't telling us fully about?"

That hit the former manager hard. Michelle looked down at her helmet, trying to hide that stumbling lower lip. "I... I know, but we need to make sure-"

"Whatever your stupid mouth's about to say, can it! You should be protecting her, not making her do... soldier stuff!" Lola scolded.

Things were getting ugly fast. Even Doug, who definitely had more confidence these days as a soldier, couldn't do anything to combat a horde of angry sisters, along with parents that sadly agreed with them all. It could only be solved with the work of a young rocker that was having enough of the conflict. "Enough!" Luna shouted, stomping her foot down. Just like that, the entire room silenced itself, bringing the spotlight back down on her.

Leni looked on with downtrodden eyes. "Luna, we just... we want you safe, you know? It's scary when these guys show up!"

"I get that, but listen to me. Whatever these people did in the past, that means nothing now. They proved themselves to me, and I'll cherish that until the day I die, ya dig?" She brought her arms up to the air, pointing towards her newfound teachers. "I know I don't like training. Frankly, I hate it, but I get why I do it. I... I saw what this world can do, and if they think I need to prepare, then I'm not gonna argue. If it means I can help protect all of you, I'll do what it takes."

The mountain did more than scare young Luna. Her siblings noted how selfless she started to become. Whatever happened that night definitely forced something deep wtihin the teen. Rita let out a defeated breath, still looking out towards the helicopter. "Luna... you... dang it. Just...," she couldn't say any more, and turned her attention back to the two. "If she can forgive you, I suppose we can too, but please tell us why you're here then."

Doug drew a sigh of relief. Once again, Luna for the save. He walked up towards the lot, scanning their faces. "Well, I'll work hard to earn your trust. I promise I will!" he proclaimed. During this, He counted all the girls and the parents, but a notable omission was present. "Don't mind me asking, though, but... where's Lincoln?"

Didn't take long to find out. During that whole speech, the young boy was coming down from the stairs and looking on in horror at the two adults now part of the household. Like Luna, he really did forgive them for what happened so long ago, but it didn't mean he liked being with them. Just knowing they were around brought fear to his heart. After all, they took his sister away, leaving him alone to fight his demons. His gulp brought everyone to his presence.

"Um... hi?" He sheepishly spoke.

Doug saw his messy hair, and immediately felt guilt. This was gonna suck. With a sigh, the former manager shot the young kid a salute. "Lincoln, I hope you're doing well."

The young boy responded with a frustrated frown. "What's going on? Just tell me!"

The duo knew they had to. Looking at one another in fear, they finally relented. "Well, let's discuss in the dining room. It's... big, so to speak," the man replied.

Everyone shuddered. Lincoln wanted to scream. For Luna, however, she simply stared an empty look. After all, before a single word of it came from Doug's mouth, she figured a day like this would come.

And she was far from ready.

FROM: An unidentified source close to Scotland, translated to English for your convenience

"There's been a lot of rumors recently about a strange discovery found close to that Loch Loud place. A small little cave was discovered in the marshlands, completely obscured by all the fauna and nature that have since reclaimed the land. Nothing out of the ordinary, or so it seemed. One cautious look proves, however, that this cave is more than just a natural landmark. A discovery of a crypt has been made, and one that leads to so many questions! It is known that the royal family that owned this land long ago were ousted, and thus no remains should be present, and yet, within this small little alcove, that belief is now being disputed..."