(Author's Note: Guess who's baaaaaaaaack? After WAY too long, and I'm sorry. Hopefully…things will be better.

So...I'm pretty annoyed. I was going to go wash clothes at the laundry mat...and virtually EVERY machine had been taken up by one guy. ONE guy! Like...the fuck?:/

Hope you guys enjoy:)

Chapter Twenty: Undie Pressure, A Battle of the Siblings

(3rd Person P.O.V)

It was nighttime, late at night in Royal Woods. And it. Was. Pouring down with rain. There was no thunder or lightning…but, it was a heavy rainfall.

Lana Loud (who was currently outside of the house, for…"personal" reasons) quickly ran into her home, literal "clumps" of mud in both of her hands. Not only did her siblings rest in the living room…but the Benson kids as well.

The two families were "hanging out" with one another just before it started raining. Victor and Rebecca were about to head out to do get a few "supplies/objects" from the store, ones that they had forgotten to get the last time they had shopped. Wanting to go off as well (as the couple hadn't been able to talk to their closest friends for a while), Lynn Sr. and Rita had offered to let the Benson kids stay with their children until the adults had returned. Truth be told, Victor and Rebecca weren't…thrilled by the idea. They've seen how "chaotic" their grandchildren could get, and.. they've seen how "chaotic" the Loud children could get.

Needless to say, they weren't exactly…"eager" to do this (especially since Victor was STILL upset about that "food fight" debacle from a few months ago). After…NO shortage of convincing from the patriarch and matriarch of the Loud family.. the two sets of parents headed off to the store, while the children stayed behind.

"Only a couple more hours, and this mud will be perfect to play in!" Lana exclaimed with a bright on her face…before burying her face into the mud in her hands.

Brock (who was leaning against the wall) took one look at the young blonde, and chuckled briefly, "You do you Lana, you do you." Suddenly…Brock and Barry shot past their eldest brother's feet, screaming and punching one another. "Hey! HEY! BREAK IT UP YOU TWO!" Brock yelled out, immediately chasing after them.

"I BLOODY love this song!" Luna yelled out in a British accent, HUGE smile on her face and a radio being "balanced" on her shoulder. "Sing it like you MEAN it, Mic!" She yelled out, throwing a peace sign in the air as she began walking around the room.

"OW!" Luna quickly turned off her radio, and looked down…to see that she had stepped on Brady's foot. Said Benson (who was sitting on the floor, with his back to the wall) took out one of his headphone buds, and looked up at the rocker with an exhausted expression, "Luna-."

Said girl chuckled nervously, scratching her head as a bare tinge of pink appeared on her cheeks, "Sorry about that dude."

"I'm trying to write here," Lucy spoke after suddenly appearing from within the fireplace, scaring the HELL out of the two older teens (although Brady was a lot "quieter" about it then Luna), "If you don't mind," without another word, the eight year old "melded" back into the darkness of the fireplace.

"Oh…absolutely, Bobby Boo-Boo Bear," Loti gushed, as she spoke to her boyfriend over her phone…while Leni painted her nails. Bailey (who'd looked up from her own phone) turned away and (silently) gagged, getting Lena and Brandon (both of whom were reading books) to quietly giggle and chuckle respectively.

Evidently, though…not quietly enough. "That's literally not necessary, Bailey," Lori deadpanned, turning to "glare" (but not really) at the Benson girl.

"Actually…I, literally, think that it is," Bailey shot back, sticking her tongue out at the older girl…before focusing back on her phone.

Loti rolled her eyes, "Whatever. You're just too young to understand the true love between me and my Boo-Boo Bear. Right Leni?" Lori asked her sister.

"Totally. You guys are gonna be together…for like, ever!"

"So," Brad suddenly called out, lifting himself off of the ground from doing sit-ups (ironic, that he was trying to show off…when Leni couldn't even see him), "While we happen to be on the subject of "together", you got anyone…like that, in your life hot-stuff?" Everyone in the room who was listening (including Lori and Lisa) rolled their eyes at Brad's complete lack of tack to subtly.

"Well…no," Leni admitted, with a small frown, "Not really."

"Well…I find that to be just plain crazy. Someone as great and charming as you? That's almost a crime."

"Oh stop it, shut your…stupid little face," Leni (quietly and bashfully) spoke, waving Brad off with a red face.

"Speaking of "forever", Lori," Lisa (currently writing on a clipboard) commented from her seat next to Lori, hoping to change the subject VERY quickly, "It has been SOME time since you last used the bathroom," she "explained", holding her clipboard up to her eldest sister.

"EW!" Lori gagged, shoving the clipboard back in Lisa's face (literally), "Lisa, there's NO way I'm gonna be apart of your…disgusting poop study!"

"You keep track of your family's bathroom habits?" Boomer asked, as he spun his basketball (black, with light blue lines running across it) on his finger.

"It's quite fascinating work," Lisa…defended?

"Wow. That's…DEEPLY disturbing," Bennett spoke, sitting cross-legged on the floor as he shuffled his "magic cards" on the table before him.

"I prefer the term "educational", personally," Lisa replied back, not even looking up from her clipboard.

"Disgusting is all I can think of," Bryce muttered to himself, after having moved as FAR from Lisa as she possibly could after Lori spoke of her…"studies". Ben (who was playing on a Nintendo 3DS) looked over to his older brother, and (gently) chuckled.

After that, the Loud and Benson siblings simply…hung out, each of them doing their own things. Everything was (fairly) calm…until…

"OH GOD!" Everyone in the room jumped at the sound of Bailey's yell, who'd dropped her phone and was currently covering her eyes. The "object" of her "disgust"? Lincoln, in his underwear.

Only his underwear.

"What's wrong, Bailey?!" Lincoln asked, completely oblivious to the problem.

"'What's wrong? What's wrong?! How about the fact that you're IN YOUR UNDERWEAR?!" Bailey howled out, pointing to the nearly nude Loud boy. She wasn't alone in her "opinion", however, as most of her brothers (and a lot of Lincoln's sisters) shared her sentiment.

"I do this, because I'm about to read some comics," Lincoln…explained, holding up his book for all to see.

"And you can't wear clothes for that, because?!" Bailey asked.

"Because I like to be comfortable while I read my comics," Lincoln replied…shaking his behind at the Benson girl (getting her eyes to widen), "Now…be a dear, and scooch," Lincoln waved his hand, before quickly taking a seat next to Bailey…who (literally) jumped/fell to the floor in response (getting Lena and Ben to flinch in response).

"Gross!" Bailey yelled, as she picked herself up from the floor, "Can't you do that in your room?! It's disgusting, and annoying!"

"Me, annoying?" Now, it was Lincoln's turn to glare at Bailey, "This coming from the girl who can't go five minutes without looking at her phone?!"

"You have circumstantial evidence at best," Bailey yelled back, (ironically) pointing her phone at Lincoln. "Besides, your family has NO to talk about "phone issues"…with Lori spending every waking moment talking to her "Boo-Boo Bear"," Bailey mimicked Lori's voice at the end.

"Do not mock our love, little girl," Lori all but snarled back (Bailey turning to glare at her for the "little girl" comment), "Besides," she shrugged, getting herself under control once again, "It's not like I'm the only elder with habit. Let's not even get into your brother Brock, and his constant yelling. And, coming from me?! You KNOW that's saying something."

"It's called "discipline", Loud," Brock shot back with a glare, "And don't act like you and siblings are SO perfect, anyway. You Louds couldn't last ten minutes without doing your annoying habits."

"We could last longer then you Bensons could," Lori shot back.

"I bet you couldn't!"

"Oh REALLY?" The eldest Benson boy turned towards the sound of Lola's voice, who had closed her handheld mirror and was staring at Brock with a…mysterious smirk on her face, "Care to make things a little more…interesting, Brocky-Boy?"

Brock's eyes narrowed, as they locked with those of the tiny princess, "I'm listening."

Her smirk growing, Lola jumped onto the top of the couch…and began pacing, "I propose a wager: the Louds versus the Bensons. A contest to see which of us can stop doing our annoying habits longer. If you do your habits, you're eliminated. And the losers…are left at the mercy of the winners," Lola finished, smirking "down" (ironic, isn't it?) at the eldest Benson boy.

All of the Benson siblings locked (narrowed) eyes with one another after Lola's words, before Brock waved his hand and they all huddled together. Lincoln quickly waved his sisters over, and they ALL huddled as well.

"Why're we huddling?" Lynn asked her brother.

"I don't know," Lincoln shrugged, "They're doing it." After another moment, the Bensons separated (the Louds following suit).

"Alright Louds," Brock called out, standing in front of his siblings with his arms crossed (looking older and a LOT stronger then a seventeen year old would normally), "My people and I have talked…and we accept your challenge. So…what are the "habits" we're not supposed to do?" Lola tapped on Lori's leg, and the elder girl knelt down so her younger sister could whisper in her ear.

And, after a few seconds…Lori stood up, and cleared her throat, "Your habits to give up for this contest has been decided," she spoke "professionally", getting some of the Bensons (and even some of her own siblings) to roll their eyes, "For this contest…Boomer can't play with his basketball-," Boomer pouted, and (begrudgingly) tossed said basketball to the corner, "-Bennett can't do magic with those cards of his-," Bennett rolled his eyes, before putting his cards away and taking off his magician's hat, "-Bruce and Barry can't fight with one another-," the Benson twins were pulling at one's another hair, before quickly pulling away and (attempting to, anyway) smiled sweetly, "-Brady can't listen to music-," Brady shrugged, pulling out his earbuds and putting them away, "-Ben can't play on his...system-," Ben shrugged, before turning turned off his 3DS and placed it in his pocket, "-Bailey can't be on her phone-," Bailey stuck her tongue out at Lori, before pocketing her phone, "-Brad can't speak (since we're all literally annoyed by his flirting with Leni)-", Brad raised an eyebrow at Lori…but smiled, and "zipped" his mouth shut, "-Bryce can't freak out, and act like a germaphobe-," Bryce blushed darkly at Lori's words, before crossing his arms and looking away…barely nodding his head, "-Brandon can't read-," Brandon frowned, but placed placing his book on the table, "-and YOU, mister," Lori poked Brock's chest, "Can't lecture, or yell at your siblings. At all."

Brock looked back to his siblings, and saw them all (including Bradley) give him a single nod each, "Fine," he spoke, "But," he emphasized, getting the Louds' attention, "If that's how it works…then, Luna can't talk in a British accent-," Luna covered her mouth with one hand, and turned off her radio with the other, "-Lynn can't do anything involving sports-," Lynn grumbled, barely muttering "Fine" under her breath, "-Luan can't tell jokes-," the comedian simply gave a thumbs up, "-Lana can't play in the mud-," Lana (about to race back outside) frowned, as she walked back to her siblings, "-Lola can't look at her reflection in that mirror of hers-," Lola (with a small "hmph") closed her pocket mirror, "-Lisa can't do her…weird studies-," Lisa rolled her eyes, as she placed her clipboard away, "-Leni can't say "like"-," Leni responded with a "Like, okay" (getting some of her siblings to sweat, and some of the Bensons to smirk), "-Lucy can't leap out and scare people suddenly-," Lucy (unsurprisingly) remained silent, "-Lena can't read either-," Lena poured, as she placed her book down (next to Brandon's book, incidentally), "-Lincoln can't (and I CAN'T believe that I actually have to say this) be in his UNDERWEAR-," Lincoln (with a nod) quickly put his pants and shirt back on, "-and YOU," he pointed to Lori, "Can't talk to your boyfriend on your phone, every waking moment of the day. Clear?" After receiving nods from her siblings, Lori shook her head.

"Clear."

"What kinda stakes are we talking about here, Loud?" Brock asked, not looking away.

Lori put a hand to her chin, and thought for a moment…before a smile broke out on her face, "How about this? If…we win, you all," she pointed to all of the Bensons, "Have to dress up in ANY outfits that we choose," she motioned towards her and her siblings, "while we get film it." Virtually ALL of the Benson siblings had their eyes widen, before they narrowed in anger/annoyance at the eldest Loud…who promptly ignored them, as she smirked confidently at the eldest Benson.

Brock's eyes narrowed slightly, and remained silent for a few moments…before, "Fine," he promptly ignored the stunned expressions from (most of) his siblings, "But," he emphasized, "If WE win…we get to shoot at you guys-."

"WHAT?!" All of the Louds yelled out.

"With PAINTBALL GUNS!" Brock yelled over them.

"Oh, yeah…Lara Croft style!" Bailey called out excitedly, a gleam in her eyes.

"Who?" Luan asked, to which Bailey simply face-palmed.

"Ignoring her," Brock waved off, as he locked eyes with his fellow elder. A smirk broke out on his face as he held out a hand, "Got ourselves a deal, Lori?"

The blonde girl's eyes narrowed for a moment…before her frown slowly morphed an almost identical smirk, before grabbing Brock's outstretched hand, "You're on, Brock." The two eldest teens continued to smirk, as their siblings cheered behind them.

The battle between the Louds and the Bensons…had begun.

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"Wait…like…how does this work, again?" Leni asked, getting just about all of her siblings to face-palm.

"Dude," Luna grabbed ahold of Leni's shoulders, "You can't. Say. Like."

"OOOOHHHH…right."

"Alright," Brock spoke, through gritted teeth, "The contest starts.. NOW."

"I'm, like, totally gonna win this," this time? All of her siblings face-palmed.

"Nope!" Boomer called out, "We'd given you a chance, one chance. That's two…you're outta here Loud!"

"Nice going Leni," Lucy monotoned…getting EVERYONE in the room to leap up in fright by her action. It only took a moment for Lucy to realize what she'd done, "Dang it."

"Deus. Deus!" Boomer laughed out loud, "Man. Contest has been going on for less then fifteen seconds…and, we've already taken out two of you. Without even having to do or say ANYTHING! The least you can do is TRY to make things interesting," Boomer bragged, getting the Louds to glare.

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(Five Minutes Later)

All of the kids were simply…hanging out, none of them doing their (agreed upon) annoying habits. It was asked (on both sides) why Lily and Bradley weren't participating, and how their crying would be perfect "habits" for them to give up.

Brock and Lori then had to "educate" their younger siblings on the "situation": Bradley and Lily were infants, less then two years old. Crying is essential for children their age…crying is how they let others know that something is (likely) wrong: being hungry, hurt, having a "messed-up" diaper, etc.

So…it would be stupid for the infants of the families having to "not cry", when it's pretty much a necessity for them (1)! So…the youngest members of each family will NOT be participating in the competition.

With a smirk on her face, Lola put on some of her lipstick…diagonally across her lips (with messed up mascara over her eyes), "See? I don't even need a mirror to put my makeup on," she bragged, blinking her eyes.

"Yeah…you look fantastic," Bailey teased, meeting Lola's (mocking) smile with one of her own. She then looked towards the white-haired boy sitting on the blue chair next to the couch, "How about you, pal? Comfy over there, Linky?"

"Oh…yeah, definitely," Lincoln, almost sounding…strained by the fact that he have to read comics with his clothes on, "Just about ready…to dive, into my…comic," Lincoln kept shifting his position, no doubt trying to make himself comfortable (getting Bailey to smirk deviously).

Suddenly…a ringtone began to ring, a wedding-themed ringtone. That was Lori's phone, who could see that it was Bobby. "Quite the…confident ringtone, Lori," Bennett chuckled, flipping a quarter in his hand to amuse himself, "You know…you should probably answer. Wouldn't want for him to get a…wrong idea, now would we?" Lori was now beginning to tremble, her finger moving closer and closer to the "Answer" button.

Just then, however…Lola sped forward, and pressed the "Decline button" on Lori's phone. "Control yourself, woman!" She "whisper-yelled" at her older sister, who simply sighed in response.

Lola's twin, on the other hand, was staring (longingly) out the window…gazing on how Cliff and Charles played in the mud outside. "It's really not very fair that you can't go out there, isn't it?" Barry spoke, as he and Bruce had (rather suddenly) appeared on the opposite sides of Lana.

"Yeah, we ALL know you'd want to," Bruce replied, before placing a hand on the dirty twin's shoulder, "Go to it, my child. Go to it," he whispered, causing the girl's eyes to widen…before she raced towards the door on all fours, panting like a dog.

Lola, however, suddenly "materialized" in-between her twin and the door, "Lana…HEEL!" The dirty twin moved up, and scratched at the door (while whining like a dog). Lola, however…wasn't having any of it, and pointed to the other end of the room. With another whine, Lana ran (on all fours, yes) to the other wall…and rested down with a frown.

Lola turned to glare at the Benson twins…who simply stuck their tongues out at the princess girl.

"Herdie, verdie, verdie," Luna spoke, in a.. Swedish accent, "Easy peasy. I just svitched to Svedish, ja?"

"You poor, fragile homosapien," Lisa shook her head in a "depressed" way. Just then…Lori's phone rang again.

"I vill take that, ja," Luna offered, as she took ahold of Lori's "phone hand".

The eldest Loud sibling quickly stood up, pulling her device away from her rocker sister, "No you vont! Dah, I mean won't!" The two Loud girls began wrestling over the phone, each one trying with all their might to pull the device away from the other. Pretty much everyone in the room either laughed at, or ignored the fighting of the two sisters.

As they did so, however…Luna bumped into the table. The process of this…knocked over Boomer's basketball (which Lori had placed on the table, since Boomer wouldn't stop complaining about how Lily and Bradley kept messing with it). The sound of the black and blue ball bouncing across the ground…got the eyes of the two sports "fanatics" within the room to SHOOT over to it.

"Basket…ball," both Lynn and Boomer spoke, in a "trance-like" state.

"DON'T DO IT!" All of the others called out (to their respective sibling), "DON'T DO IT!"

Ultimately…it was Boomer who broke first. He quickly took ahold of his basketball, and leapt backwards while yelling "THREE-POINTER!". Once the basketball landed in the laundry hamper (that Luan had used to fold laundry earlier), Lynn was quick to take it back…and shoot it back in, jumping back with a yell of "TWO POINTS!".

"WOOOOOOO!" The two "sporty" siblings cheered out loud, high-fiving one another as they leapt around the room. It took a full TEN seconds for the sport fanatics to realize what is was they've done.. to which, they each (in perfect synchronization) stomped their foot on the ground in frustration, "DANG IT!"

"Well…at least we've finally drawn the first Benson blood," Lincoln commented, as he (continued to) struggle(d) to read his comic in a "comfortable" position.

"I wouldn't get cocky if I were you, Loud," Bailey shot back, a similar smirk on her face, "Let's not forget…that we're still beating you, three to one." While the older kids argued, Lola was gritting her teeth in frustration. Bailey's statement…was not wrong, and the Louds needed a way to get the numbers on their side. Fast.

"She's right," Boomer commented, as he picked back up his basketball and began spinning it on his finger, "We're still winning."

Lynn quickly swiped the ball from Boomer's hand (or…finger?), "Don't get cocky, Benson," was all she spoke…before quickly racing away, the basketball in hand. Boomer looked on in confusion for a moment…before he quickly raced after her (their siblings ignoring that…and the later yells and "crashes" that came by later).

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A few minutes later, things had gotten back to.. relative "normalcy". Everyone was simply…hanging out, and watching some TV. Lynn and Boomer had stopped fighting, and were now tossing a tennis ball between the two of them (Boomer sitting on his basketball).

Lincoln had decided that he COULD read his comic in his clothes…but, that it was his pants that were the real problem causing his "state of distress". So (after an agreement between the two groups of siblings)…Lincoln had gone into the dining room to change into a different pair of pants from the laundry hamper.

THUMP! EVERYONE in the room flinched at the sudden noise, and turned to see a sight that you did NOT see everyday. A tan-skinned boy with black hair, a white shirt, green jacket, and blue pants had his ENTIRE body thrown against the window. "BABE! Why aren't you answering my calls?!"

Lori quickly raced to the window, slowly dragging her hand across the window with wide eyes…before she turned away, a hurt look on her face, "Forgive me…my love," with that…she closed the blinds, blocking the teen from everyone's view.

"Was that...your boyfriend? Bobby?" Brock asked Lori, an eyebrow raised.

"Yes. He…is remarkable, isn't he?" Lori replied, in a (unique) combination of joy and sorrow.

"He's creepy, is what he is," Brock deadpanned, to which Lori (rather dramatically) gasped.

"How dare you?! He is lovely!"

"He's a stalker," Brock corrected, "And…he's LUCKY that you guys "apparently" don't care about it. There're a LOT of places where doing that," he pointed to the (covered) window, "Would have gotten him shot. Especially ours." Before Lori could yell out a response…

"Lincoln…why are you wearing those? Aren't they Lori's?" Everyone turned when they heard Lena's question….only for ALL of them to widen their eyes when they looked upon the white-haired Loud boy.

"Lincoln," Lori started, "why are you wearing my leggings?" After she spoke, ALL of the Benson siblings began laughing at Lincoln's "predicament".

"What? The bet just said that I had to wear a shirt and pants…no one ever said that either clothing item had to be mine. Besides, these are SO comfy!"

"I don't think that's a good idea, Lincoln," Lori "advised" her little brother, "Those leggings are the ones that really…ride up on you."

Lincoln shrugged, "Don't worry Lori. I'm sure I'll, hellOOOO!" Lincoln suddenly flinched, trying to "fix" the leggings as he (slowly) walked back to the chair, "Yep…those are riding."

Bennett shook his head with a chuckle, as he (simply) continued to flip the coin in his hand. As he looked across the room…he noticed Luna's eyes widened, just before she began SLOWLY walking out of everyone's view. The young magician's eyes went down to the floor, barely holding in a smirk as he maneuvered his coin in-between his fingers.

"You Louds might as well give up already," Bennett suddenly addressed the room, "With a four to one advantage, you don't exactly have a good chance of winning."

"We'll see, about that…Benson," Lola hissed at Bennett, who simply met her glare with a smirk.

"Also…"four"? I'd advise recounting," Lisa commented. Bennett simply smirked at the toddler…before he held up three fingers. He then dropped it down to two…and then one…and then…-.

"HAND OVER THE BLEEDING TICKETS MATE!" The moment that everyone heard those words, Bruce and Barry quickly raced to the blinds and pulled them back…revealing Luna standing there, wide eyes and her phone in hand. She looked out, gazing towards the disapproving stares of her siblings…and the smirks of the Bensons. "Herdie verdie?" She spoke (quietly) in her Swedish accent, a sheepish smile on her face. The Bensons (excluding Brock, Brady, Bryce, Ben, and Bradley) simply smirked back, as they all gave a ("unanimous") thumbs down.

Meanwhile, the Louds' resident princess was snarling like an animal. Her family was down FOUR people…and, had only been able to eliminate a SINGLE Benson. This will not stand.

Suddenly, Lola's eyes widened…before they narrowed, her lips contorting into a dangerous smirk. Well then, Lola thought to herself, Looks like it's time…to play a little DIRTY.

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Nearly three minutes later, things had gotten back to…relative "normalcy". Luna got chewed out by her siblings (ESPECIALLY by Lola), but that (eventually) died down.

Now…the Louds' "princess" was sitting on the couch, plotting to herself. The Bensons were currently maintaining a 4-to-1 advantage on them, and they (the Louds) HAD to start taking them out if they wanted to win this.

What she needed…was a victim. Slowly, her eyes "grazed" across the room…until they landed on mister. Ben. Benson.

Lola let out a diabolical smirk, which she was quick to cover with her hand (lest the other Bensons catch onto her scheme). Darting her eyes across the room, she noticed how none of his siblings were particularly…"close" to Brandon at the moment. Carefully stepping down from the couch, Lola took VERY slow and careful steps to behind the couch (ensuring that no eyes were on her).

Where Ben was.

"Hey Ben," Lola (quietly) greeted, her diabolical smirk replaced by a sweet smile (befitting of a princess). The third-youngest of the Benson clan looked over to Lola, narrowing his eyes as he leaned a bit back.

"Lola. What do you want?"

"I just want to talk," she sweetly replied, "Why? You don't trust me?"

"Not really, no."

"That's fair," Lola shrugged, before plopping down next to Brandon (getting the younger boy to narrow his eyes at her). "So…you must be PRETTY bored. I know I am."

"Where…exactly, are you going with this?" The Benson boy asked with narrowed eyes, and a "suspicious" tone in his voice.

Lola shrugged, "I'm just saying…it's easy for kids like us to get bored. Wouldn't it be great if...you had something to…alleviate your boredom?" She asked with an innocent smile, as she (tantalizingly) waved Ben's 3DS in front of his face.

Ben's eyes widened, before he quickly reached into all of his pockets…only to find EVERY last one of them completely. Empty. "How'd you get that?" He quickly asked, sweating a bit.

"It was sticking out of your pocket," Lola shrugged, "And I was…curious about it. It does look pretty fun. How you're managing to NOT is certainly beyond me."

"Stop it," Ben pointed, before holding his hand out palm up, "Now, give me back my 3DS."

"Wow…it's amazing," Lola commented with (fake) wide eyes as she (after a moment or two of fumbling) found the power button…making her face glow with the blue light from the "device", and inadvertently (or…not?) getting Ben's eye to twitch. "You SURE you don't wanna play?" She asked, slowly waving the device in front of Ben's face (his eyes following it intensely), "I mean…it IS just a silly contest we're doing. And, after all, I'm SURE that this game has been PRETTY fun."

Ben's fingers were twitching, and he was beginning to sweat (reaching up to "air out"). She wasn't wrong. Last Christmas, his sister got him a MULTITUDE of Pokémon games to use for his 3DS. He was current playing "Pokémon Platinum", and was JUST at the final (sorta) battle against the Pokémon League Champion: Cynthia. And she was SUCH a pain to fight, and he'd want NOTHING more then to just…beat her already! But…he couldn't just play, and (intentionally) lose this competition.

Can he?

The pink Loud princess was waving the game system in front of his nose, like a piece of meat. His eye was twitching at a quicker rate, and he grabbed ahold of his shorts to try and stop his twitching fingers. "One…little…game, couldn't possibly hurt."

I'm stronger then this…I'm stronger then this…I'm STRONGER THEN THIS! Ben yelled in his mind with closed eyes. And he truly believed he was…until he opened up a single eye, and look at his 3DS's screen. No I'm not. Without wasting ANYMORE time, Ben quickly took ahold of the device and began playing.

"AHA!" Lola called out (Ben not even registering the girl's words), "SECOND BENSON ELIMINATION!" All of the Loud and Benson children quickly moved to look behind the couch, the latter group groaning when they saw their brother playing his game…and the former (obviously) cheering.

"Ben," Bailey groaned out, running a hand down her face. Ben looked up, seeing his siblings looking at him with varying degrees of disappointment, depression, and annoyance.

"Pokémon. League. Champion, you guys. My nerves aren't made of steel."

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"Was that really necessary, Lola?" Lena asked her sister, a frown on her face, "Don't you think that was kinda…underhanded?"

"Oh, it's FINE Lena," Lola waved off, her makeup looking more messed up…and her hair starting to stick out, "We needed to start getting the Bensons out…and Ben was just first," Lola explained as she (once again) tried putting on lipstick, only further ruining her looks. Her little sister just frowned at her words…but, Lola wasn't listening.

Right now? Lola was trying to decide which of the Bensons should be her next target. Taking out Ben was a good start….but, she'll have to take out a LOT more Bensons for her (and her siblings) to win this competition. As she gazed across the room, her eyes landed on Bruce and Barry…both of them just lying on the floor, and sighing.

The Loud princess smirked, Looks like I just found my next targets, she thought to herself, rubbing her chin with a hand.

"Can I get a snack from the kitchen?" Bruce asked Brock, who simply pointed at Lori.

"Sure," the eldest Loud replied, "There's some chips, or pudding in the cabinets."

"One…not both," Brock interjected, pointing at his brother with (slightly) narrowed eyes. Brock gave a joking salute, before he began walking towards the kitchen. Spotting Lynn's tennis ball on the ground (having since been "abandoned" by her and Boomer), a diabolical smirk appeared on Lola's face. Carefully taking the tennis ball in hold within her hand, Lola's eyes darted from side to side…before she threw the ball towards Bruce (fortunately he wasn't too far away, as her "throwing" was quite bad).

THUMP!

"Ow," Bruce held the back of his head with one hand, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process. Seeing the tennis ball at his feet, Bruce picked up the ball (a confused frown on his face). Looking backwards, he saw Lola ("subtly") pointing at his twin. Bruce then glared at his brother in blue, before (literally) stomping over to him. He grabbed his twin by the hoodie, and pulled him close, "What the heck dude?!"

Angry and confused, Barry pulled himself from his brother in orange, "What are you talking about, Bruce?"

"What do you mean, what do I mean? I mean…THIS!" He held the tennis ball in question in Barry's face, getting his brother to fall back in surprise. "Why'd you throw this at me?"

Barry raised an eyebrow, "What're you talking about? I didn't throw that at you!"

"Got a quarrel going on there, boys?" Lola asked in feigned concern (getting Bailey to narrow her eyes ever so slightly at the six-year old).

Bennett (a tad forcedly) chuckled, "Of COURSE not. These boys are fine. Right guys?" Bennett (semi) whispered through gritted teeth…but, it didn't seem like either of them were really listening.

"Why would I throw a tennis ball at you?" Barry asked his twin.

"I don't know…there're a LOT of things that you do, and I question why. But you STILL do them!"

"Boys," Brock spoke warningly. When he saw Lori and Lola's smirk, he took in a breath through his nose and "creaked" his neck to the side, "Of course…it'd be just silly to argue about something like that. I'm sure that Barry was just joking around, probably trying to emulate Lynn and Boomer."

"But I didn't do it!" Barry yelled out, "Bruce is LYING!"

"Hey," Brady called out (getting the Louds, even Lucy, to jump in surprise at the sudden voice of his voice), "You know mama and papa don't let you use that word."

"Doesn't change the fact that it's true," Bruce grumbled with crossed arms, before turning back to his twin, "Why can't you just admit what you did?!"

"Because I didn't do anything!"

"Yes, you did!"

"You calling me a liar?"

"Well I ain't calling you a truther!"

"THAT'S IT!" Barry screamed out, before tackling his twin to the ground…the two of them "wrestling" (for lack of a better term) across the living room floor. All of the Louds and most of the Bensons quickly moved out of the way as the two boys punched and (literally) clawed at one another, rolling across the room. Brad and Brady were the first ones to react, moving to pull the two boys apart.

Despite the second and third oldest Benson boys being successful in pulling their brothers apart, the twins continued to yell and call at one another. As the other inhabitants of the living room either tried to get them to stop (like Bailey and Ben) or laughed (like Lori and Lynn), no one noticed how Brock's eye was twitching…gradually increasing in tempo.

Damn it, Brock practically snarled within his mind, before he suddenly stood up from his seat on the floor. Walking his way over to his brothers (none of them in question even noticing him doing so), Brock suddenly grabbed ahold of Bruce and Barry by their hoodies.

Bruce and Barry can (at times) have difficultly with specifically listening to Brad and Brady when they're trying to be serious (the former being considered too "jokey" and laid back for them to take seriously, and the latter simply not having the "energy/skill" to match the kids when they're fighting).

But, with their eldest brother? It was another story ALL together. As SOON as they saw who it was that picked them up, and the look in their brother's eyes? They were quite still, and QUITE quiet.

"Enough. Both of you. What is the matter with you two? You're not animals, and this ISN'T a zoo!" Before he could continue yelling at his younger brothers, he felt a tug on his pant leg. When he looked down…there was Lola.

"SO…I hate to be "this girl", but you and those boys are out." Brock's eyebrow raised, before his eyes themselves widened in realization at the princess' words.

He was left staring towards the ground, as the Louds began cheering around him. "What…w-what just happened?"

"You just got played by a six year old," Brady (bluntly) replied. Brock was about to make a comment…before he shut his mouth and closed his eyes, gently placing the twins to the ground.

"Bailey," Brock spoke lowly to his sister, "Could you come here a second?" Bailey did just that, before Brock dropped to a knee, "You…are a very smart girl. One of the smarter people in the family. So, what I want you to do is take in a deep breath," although confused, Bailey did what her brother asked by taking in a breath, "-then let it out," she let it out, "-and then…I want you to bring every last Loud left to their pale, white knees," Brock muttered lowly, a no-nonsense look in his eyes.

Bailey didn't respond, not verbally at least. She locked eyes with her brother, and simply nodded her head once. She then turned…to glare at Lola. So…THAT'S how you want to play it, princess? Fine by me. Game on.

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Bailey was sitting on the floor, her eyes closed as she leaned against the couch behind her. To her siblings and neighbors, she was sleeping.

In reality? She was thinking. Plotting. What started as a simple competition…Lola turned into a war. And it was a war that you could be dang sure the Bensons were gonna win. She just. Needed. A target.

First, she looked towards the Louds' resident princess and prodigy. They're off limits…for NOW. With Lola (clearly) being the most determined to win the contest and Lisa being the most intelligent of the Louds (by several times over), there's no doubt in Bailey's mind that they'll be the most difficult foes to defeat. Always save the boss for last.

Then, there was Lori and Lincoln. With Lori's…"love" for her boyfriend and Lincoln's weird desire of reading in his underwear, I think they'll grow easier and easier to eliminate over time.

Next, was Luan. She's a bit of a wildcard right now. Plus, I can't REALLY eliminate her in a "subtle" manor. "Subtly" and "Luan Loud" didn't EXACTLY mix.

Bailey then looked to Lena, to which her gaze then softened. She really liked Lena, she was like the little sister she always wanted. I'll…save her for last.

Then…her eyes fell onto Lana, who was banging her head against the wall (in frustration, no doubt). Perfect, a smile slowly made its way to Bailey's face. Lola's tomboy of a twin was weakening…now? It was time to strike.

Looking to the side, she saw Boomer…lying on the floor, as he tossed a tennis ball in the air. "Boomer," she spoke lowly, trying to make sure that no one else could hear her voice. When he brother moved towards her, she whispered in his ear for a few moments.

What neither Benson noticed…was that Lola was staring at them, her eyes narrowed (her makeup now smudged, and her hair sticking out from just about every end of her scalp). Boomer pulled away from his sister, nodding his head with a determined look on his face before he began slowly moving his way away from his sister.

As SOON as he was out of sight, Lola sped towards Bailey, "What're you up to, Benson?" Bailey just shrugged innocently, before she (once again) closed her eyes and leaned against the couch. That really annoyed Lola, it only being surpassed by that…FRUSTRATING smirk that the sole Benson girl had on her face.

"Oh please…I could take you to the ground with my hands tied behind my back," the princess suddenly heard Lynn's voice. Turning around in curiosity, she saw her sporty sister talking to Boomer (who moved quicker then she'd thought).

Boomer just chuckled in response, "Oh…I doubt that, little misses," that certainly struck a cord in the Loud's resident jock.

"Oh…you wanna go tough guy?!" Lynn rolled up one of her sleeves.

Boomer smirked, being fully aware of what he was doing to her, "Bring it on…sweetheart."

That…was the straw that broke the camel's back. With a yell (practically a roar of challenge), Lynn tackled Boomer to the ground. What ensued was the two sporty siblings flying all across the living, punching and kicking and clawing at one another (Lynn being the more "enthusiastic" of the two).

"What the heck, you guys?!" Lori cried out, moments before she and Brock moved in to pull them apart. But…the two's speed and strength as they moved about did NOT make separating them easy.

Like…at all.

As more and more of the siblings were dragged into Lynn and Boomer's "squabble"…none of them noticed how Bailey was inching her way closer and closer towards Lana. "Hey…Lana " she tapped the :"dirty" Loud twin on the shoulder to get her attention. When she had it, she pointed towards the door, "Look…no one's blocking the dooooooor," she "sang" the last word.

Lana's eyes slowly widened, and she began (nervously) scratching her arm, "N…N…N-No. I, caaaaaaaan't-." Despite her words, Lana's eyes continued to widen as she gazed towards the door. Her eye began to twitch, as Bailey placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked to Bailey, who simply nodded.

When she looked back towards the door…that was pretty much it.

With virtually all of the other kids and teens too distracted to stop her (those that would have, anyway)…Lana SPRINTED towards the door, running on all fours and panting (like a dog). She burst through the door, shouting "MOMMA'S COMIN', MUD!" at the top of her lungs.

By the time the others looked towards the loud sounds…Lana was already lying (on her stomach) in the mud, rubbing the mud on her face and laughing all as she did so.

"LANA!" Lola screamed out at her twin, who promptly (and, rather gleefully) ignored her in favor of her mud. Quickly glancing around the room…her eyes landed on the smiling Bailey. Feeling the young girl's gaze on her, Bailey glanced toward Lola as well. The Benson girl's smile turned into a smirk, before she (mockingly) waved at Lola.

Before the Loud girl could scream, or attack…or do anything of the sort-…

"Babe!" A voice suddenly rang out…Bobby's voice. Lori's head snapped towards the sound of her boyfriend's voice, her eyes widening to the size of dinner plates upon seeing him.

Lola's head darted between the two teenagers, before they locked onto Lori, "Lori…NO!" Lola jumped towards her eldest sister's legs…but she promptly missed, falling onto her face as Lori raced towards her boyfriend.

Her and Bobby threw their arms around one another (Lori's arms around his neck, and Bobby's arms around her waist), "Oh…I missed you SO much, Bobby Boo-Boo Bear!" Bailey slowly turned her head to the fuming Lola…before holding up two fingers, the smirk never leaving her face.

Lola's was being to dangerously twitch, her hands clenching into fists (her messed up hair and makeup actually making her look pretty scary).

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"We need a plan," Lola said to her siblings, having gathered in a "huddle", "We're losing 6 to 4. At this rate, we'll lose this competition!"

"So, does that mean you have a plan?" Lori asked with a bored gaze, as she examined her nails.

"Maybe…I'd be able to come up with one at an easier rate, if YOU and LANA didn't RUIN our odds earlier!" Lola practically snarled, getting her twin and eldest sister to look away in embarrassment.

"Wait," Lynn suddenly called out, a smirk on her face, "I have an idea."

"Oh? And what brilliant idea would that be?" Lola asked sarcastically, before Lynn pulled on her ear and began whispering to her. As Lynn talked, Lola's eyes widened…before her face slowly morphed into a similar smirk as on her sporty sister. Afterwards, the two sisters shared their smirks…before their gazes slowly moved towards Leni.

Said girl was (absentmindedly) checking her nails…before she noticed how Lynn and Lola were looking at her, "Like, what?"

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(Five Minutes Later)

I…am…so…BORED! Brad practically screamed within his mind. By this point in time, Brad was just.. absentmindedly scrolling through his phone.

If there's one thing that ALL can agree on when it comes to Brad Joseph Benson…it's that he's a social creature. He likes to speak, and communicate with people. Which (surprise, surprise) is why this...particular challenge is so difficult for him.

Not in that he just CAN'T keep his mouth shut, but in that the process was so much more BORING then he would have thought. There'd been a few moments where things got slightly entertaining…unfortunately, they didn't last very long for it to really entertain him.

"Hey Brad," the Benson boy turned to his left at the sound of the sudden voice, where his eyes widened (only slightly) when they laid onto Leni. Seeing as how he wasn't allowed to speak, Brad just nodded with a smirk (placing his phone back into his pocket). "So…like, what's up?" Leni asked, leaning her head on her fist.

Before could…"comment" (for lack of a better term) however…-.

"Leni," his sister suddenly squeezed her way in-between, not noticing the annoyed frown on her brother's face (or, more likely, just ignoring it), "Whatta…whatcha got going on our here?"

"I'm just…talking to Brad," Leni answered.

"Really? That's pretty funny, given the fact that Brad isn't allowed to…you know, speak," Bailey quickly shot back, narrowing her eyes as she stared at Leni. "I can't help but wonder…why would you, a Loud and our opponent in this competition, be trying to get Brad to speak? I can't help but think…you wouldn't be trying to sabotage us, would you?"

Leni raised an eyebrow, and scratched his chin, "Sa…bo…tage? Ooooooh, is that a new clothing accessory? Is it cute?" Bailey's eyebrow raised, and she opened her mouth…but no words would come out.

"Hey there Bailey," Lincoln suddenly "materialized" beside Bailey, throwing an arm over her shoulders, "You seemed so…stressed. You should really learn to relax, like the rest of us."

Bailey noticed how Lincoln seemed to be trying to pull her away from Brad and Leni, which only made her even more suspicious, "First, of all…if you want to keep that limb, I'd get it off of me right now," needless to say, Lincoln moved his arm away very quickly, "And second of all…what're you planning, Louds?"

"Planning? Bailey, we're not "PLANNING" anything," Lincoln defended, but (based on her narrowed eyes) Bailey didn't buy it. For a moment.

Brad was just kinda…watching his sister and the Loud boy argue, moving his head back and forth (like he was watching a tennis match). The older Benson boy was smirking, and leaned his head back into his crossed arms. Now THIS, Brad thought to himself, is entertaining.

"So…Brad," the black-haired boy turned back to Leni, while their younger siblings spoke (or argued, in Bailey's case). In a moment, Leni quickly moved herself directly next to Brad (getting the teen's eyes to widen), "What's up?" Brad raised a single eyebrow, not…really seeing where the blond Loud was going with this. Not really able to respond her to (verbally, at least), Brad simply shrugged his shoulders in response. "Sooooooo…I was, kinda wondering-."

"No!" Bailey suddenly called out to Leni, her yelling (inadvertently) getting everyone's attention. She pointed directly into Leni's face, "I know you're up to something, Loud. I don't know what it is…but I do know that I DON'T like it!"

Lola scoffed, "Bailey, do you HAVE to be so…dramatic?"

"And that's not the pot calling the kettle black, because?" Bennett commented, getting Lola to glare at him (with Bennett simply smirking in response).

"DoyouwanttogooutBrad?!" Leni quickly spat out…before quickly covering her home, her eyes wide and her face red by the words that just fell from her mouth (despite already knowing what it was that she had to say).

While many of the Bensons (and even a few of the Louds) were very confused by what it was that Leni said….Brad knew. Brad heard. "Wait…what? Are you serious?"

"HA!" Lola cried out, pointing at Brad with a triumphant smirk on her face, "I TOLD you guys it would work."

Brad looked on in confusion as (most of) the Louds cheered on in excitement, "What?"

"You just got played by a six year old, bro," Brock replied, putting a comforting hand on his younger brother's shoulder.

Brad then to Brock, before looking to Lola, "That was low Lola…clever, but still low." The Loud princess shrugged her shoulders, before looking to Bailey out of the corner of her eye…smirking, as she held up a single digit (getting Bailey to narrow her eyes at her).

And, surprisingly…no one noticed how Leni frowned, rubbing one of her arms in thought.

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Bailey was sitting on the couch, using her hat to cover her face as she thought (in an attempt to keep the Louds from reading her thoughts on her face). She then felt a poke on her side, to which she removed the hat from her face…to see Ben sitting there next to her, a serious expression on his face.

"Is it done?" She whispered, moving her hat so that only her forehead and eyes were visible.

Ben nodded, giving his sister a thumbs up, "Ready."

"Good. Tell them to move out." Ben nodded, before quickly rolling away from his sister…and towards his brothers, Bruce and Barry. He moved in-between them, and began whispering to them…which caused their expressions to go from "normal" to (surprisingly) seriously.

And, with nods of their own…they were on the move.

The Benson twins were very careful to move silently throughout the room, ensuring that they remained off of everyone's radar. After ensuring that no eyes were on them…they dashed into the kitchen.

The Benson twins walked out of the kitchen about five minutes later, Barry with his hands behind his back (holding…something in his palms). They then (equally as carefully) began moving towards their intended target: Lincoln, sitting on the couch.

"Hey Link," Bruce tapped on the older boy's shoulders, getting the white-haired boy to look down towards him and his twin, "Hungry?" Barry moved his hands from behind his back, revealing…a sandwich, "Me and Barry made a sandwich…want half?"

Lincoln looked down at the sandwich in Barry's hand, "Really?" At the twins' nods, Lincoln shrugged his shoulders, "Sure, why not? I'm kinda hungry anyway." The white-haired boy took the half of the sandwich that Barry had handed him, and took a big bite out of it (easily taking out half of it right then and there). Lincoln chewed with a pleasant expression on his face, before swallowing…to which his eyes suddenly shot up. His stomach then began to make a "noise"…and NOT a "good" noise, "Uh…guys?" Lincoln asked the twins, as he held his stomach in his hands (his face looking a little green), "What did you put in that sandwich, exactly?"

Bruce and Barry looked at one another as they "thought". "Just the basics," Bruce replied, "Ham, cheese, and some mayonnaise."

Lincoln's eyes suddenly widened, "Wait…WHERE did you find the mayonnaise, exactly?" Surely it couldn't be…

"The tub we found on the floor of the pantry, to the right," Barry answered, "innocently". Lincoln's eyes widened in terror, before his stomach grumbled again (even louder this time).

"BATHROOM! OUTTA THE WAY!" Lincoln cried out, as he zoomed out of the living room and up the stairs.

Lisa stood up, and gasped from her location on the floor, "The missing link from my gastrointestinal studies!"

"LISA, NO!" Lola cried out, pointing a furious finger at her younger sister.

"LISA, YES!" The child prodigy called back, before she quickly raced up the stairs (her pencil and clipboard in hand). Everyone heard the bathroom door open and Lincoln's yell of surprise and embarrassment, before hearing Lisa yell out, "MOTHER OF ALL SCIENCE!" A few moments later, Lisa came down the stairs in a calm fashion…writing on her clipboard with an impassive expression on her face. She looked to the side, to see her siblings staring at her with varying degrees of confusion and anger. She simply shrugged in response, "I'm only human."

Lola's eye was beginning to twitch dangerously, and she all but THREW her head backwards to glare at Bailey…who responded by firing a finger gun at the six-year old, that smirk on her face all the way.

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"You want us to WHAT?!"

"SHH!" Lola called out, quickly covering Lori's mouth, "Quiet!" She whispered-yelled to her eldest sister, "As I told you, this will work."

"What you're sayin' is suicide, dude," Luna interrupted.

Lola rolled her eyes, "Oh, COME on.. don't tell me you guys are afraid of Brady?!" The pink princess pointed at said Benson boy, who appeared to be sleeping (sitting against the wall with an arm over his eyes).

"I am," Lena raised her hand after a moment.

"Yeah, me too," Lana replied along with her little sister.

Lola just scoffed at the "antics" of her siblings, "Would you two stop being such babies?!"

"Alright then tough girl," Lana stood up, glaring at her twin, "You go do it if you're so brave!" Lola's eyes widened at her twin's words, before they slowly moved towards Brady. Staring at the sleeping teen now was like staring at a sleeping bear…dangerous, and NOT something you wanted to awaken.

Especially not to provoke (which IS what Lola's "plan" would do).

After a moment…Lola turned back to her siblings, coughing awkwardly into her hand. "W-Well…it doesn't matter how I feel about Brady. Because Lincoln is the one who's gonna do it " She pointed at her brother.

"WHAT?!" Lola quickly covered Lincoln's mouth, to which he quickly slapped her hands away, "Why do I have to do it?!"

"Cause you're the big, tough guy.. now GO!" Lola yelled out, pointing to the slumbering teen.

"I'll have you know that's very sexist," Lincoln pointed out.

"JUST GO!" All of his sisters (minus Lena and Lily) cried.

"Fine," Lincoln hissed back. He took in a DEEP breath through his nose…before letting it out through his mouth. Then, with a determined expression on his face…he was off.

Lincoln began "tip-toeing" his way towards Brady, who was still sleeping against the wall. He gulped, pulling out the collar of his shirt in his "nervousness". He took a quick glance around the room, noting that none of the Bensons were gazing at him. When he turned to his sisters, he saw how most of them were "motioning" for him to keep going with the plan.

Lincoln sighed to himself, before shaking his head out…and staring forward at his target. He cracked out his neck, before dropping to the ground on his stomach. Ignoring the sounds (and smart-aleck comments) from his sounds, Lincoln began crawling (on his belly) towards Brady.

He was within inches of Brady within three seconds. Lightly sweating, Lincoln gulped before taking up his hand and reaching VERY slowly towards the headphone case he could see in Brad's pocket.

Just then, he felt an iron grip seize its way around his wrist. Lincoln's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, and his sweating only increased. His gaze slowly looked upwards…where he saw one of Brady's eyes staring at him from (partially) behind his hand.

"Lincoln," Brady spoke in a low tone.

"Y-Yes, Brady?"

"Care to explain what it is you think you're doing?" Lincoln found himself very freaked out by the…look in Brady's eye. Intentional or not, Lincoln found himself completely freaked out by the elder boy's "action".

Fortunately, though…one of his older sisters was there to save the day.

"Hey dudes!" Luna suddenly appeared next to both of them, her guitar in hand and a (seemingly…forced) smile on her face. She spun her pick on her finger, "Check this out!" Before either of them could even get a word in…Luna began playing her instrument, not holding back in her "talents" at all.

Brady quickly placed his hands over his ears, the sudden (LOUD) noise being SO close to him completely catching him off-guard. "LUNA!" He yelled out, his voice actually being drowned by the rocker's noise, "LUNA!" Again….nothing. The elder Benson's eye began twitching rapidly, his teeth grinding against themselves (in his own attempt to keep himself from cursing).

Just then…he couldn't take it any further. Pulling his headphones out of his pocket, Brady quickly put them on before attempting to turn up his music to try and drown out Luna's noise (2).

"SUCCESS!" Lola cheered as she jumped on the couch, "And another of the mighty FALLS!" Brady took the headphones out of his ears, and stared at Lola in confusion…before his mind processed what just happened, causing his eyes to widen."

"Yeah," Lincoln (half-heartedly) cheered, sweating a bit, "That was…totally planned from the beginning. I…distract Brady, and Luna comes into for the killing move. Yep, totally planned. Team effort." All of his sisters couldn't help but roll their eyes in disbelief (Lori, Lynn, Lucy, Lola, and Lisa), or shook their heads in amusement (Leni, Luna, Luan, Lana, Lena, and Lily).

Just then…Lincoln felt a chill run down his spine. Slowly turning his head, the white-haired boy found himself under the impassive stare of Brady. It wasn't exactly anger, but it was more then enough to tell Lincoln that the older boy was not pleased.

"Uh," Lincoln felt even smaller under Brady's stare, "I'm…gonna…go over there now." He quickly raced to the other side of the room, Brady's gaze remaining on him.

"Aw…COME ON now dude," Luna threw her arm around the taller boy's shoulder, "Don't be such a downer, man. Just a little harmless fun between friends," she joked. Brady responded by simply rolling his eyes, getting Luna to laugh louder then before.

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Lola sat (shut eyed) on the couch, clapping her fingers together in thought. Searching for her next prey.

Bennett, Bailey, Bryce, and Brandon. The final Bensons left in the game. The question was…who did she go after next?

In this kind of competition, Lola thought as her gaze slowly moved around the room…until they focused in on Brandon, It's best to target the weakest link, she finished her thought with a diabolical smirk. Her eyes darted side-to-side across the room, examining all of the room's inhabitants.

And, with the coast seeming clear…she was on the move.

She kept herself silent and close to the ground, as she inched across the carpeted floor. Her eyes continuously moved, ensuring to be prepared for anything and ever thing that could come her way.

Poke!

Evidentially…not everything. Lola slowly looked up, to see Bailey kneeling in front of her (eyebrows raised and a frown on her face). How the HECK did she get in front of me like that?! The princess panicked as she moved to meet Bailey's eyes.

"What EXACTLY do you think you're doing there, Lola?" The Benson girl asked, the tone in her voice making it clear that she had a VERY good idea as to what the answer was.

Lola's eyes darted from side to side, recognizing that look from her older siblings (and even her parents) all too well. Before the blonde princess could REPLY, however-…

"WAAAAAAH!" Everyone was caught off-guard, as Lily suddenly burst into tears. Being the closest to the blonde infant in that moment, Bailey (being the kind-hearted girl that she was) was the (first) one to go down towards her.

"Hey, hey, hey…what's wrong Lily?" Bailey picked the small one up from the ground, bringing her in close to her chest and holding her head in her palm.

What Bailey and NO ONE else in the room saw, however…was how Lily subtly looked towards Lola, and gave her a (slow) wink (3) Lola's own eyes widened for a brief moment…before they narrowed in "knowledge". Lola gave a (barely noticeable) nod to her youngest sibling (and made a mental note to make sure she gets EXTRA dessert either tonight or tomorrow), before she pushed herself BACK onto the ground…and was on the move.

Again.

With most distracted by Lily's crying, no one really noticed as the Loud's resident princess made her way towards her chosen prey: one Brandon Benson. She picked herself up, coughed a bit out, and "straightened" out her hair (as best she could)…before she quickly sat down next to Brandon (who was leaning against the wall below the staircase).

"Hey there Brandon," Lola greeted, smiling as she put on (what's since been dubbed her "cute smile").

The second youngest Benson turned towards Lola, actually flinching when he saw Lola's…face, "H-Hey Lola."

"Soooooo…how're you doing?"

"Uh…okay, I guess?" He "answered" (though, it sounded much more like a question).

"You don't feel…bored, or anything?" Lola asked, casually examined her nails (underneath her gloves).

Brandon, however (bless his heart), didn't seem to really "get" the tone that Lola was using, "A little…I guess," he shrugged.

"Well…what if I told you that there's something you can do to alleviate your boredom? After all, it's not like all of this is a BIG deal or anything."

Brandon tilted his head, "What do you mean?"

"That book you were reading earlier," Lola spoke nonchalantly, "Have you…read it before?"

"Yeah," the book she was referring to was called "Nevermore: A Final Maximum Ride Adventure", "It's the second-to-last book in the series. Papa and Mama said that I'll have to wait for either Christmas or my birthday to see if I can get the last one."

"Well, what would you say if I were to tell you…that you could read that book right. Now?" Lola spoke with a smirk and narrowed eyes.

Brandon looked into the (slightly) older girl's eyes, his expression being a unique combination of confusion, caution, and…curiosity, "What…what do you mean?" Lola held up a single finger…before she RACED up the stairs, at speeds that felt like she was nearly a blur.

In less then ten seconds…Lola was back, holding something behind her back. Brandon (truthfully) found himself…quite unnerved by the smile that was on Lola's face. "What…is it?" Lola giggled to herself (her "appearance" making this even creepier, in Brandon's opinion)…before she unveiled what it is that she was holding behind her back, getting Brandon's eyes to widen to considerate proportions.

Said item in Lola's hand? A book tilted "Maximum Ride: Forever", the FINAL book in the "Maximum Ride" franchise. The book that Brandon immensely wanted ever since he'd finished the eighth book."

"W-W-Where did you get that?" Brandon asked, holding up a shaking finger towards the book.

"It's Lena's," Lola answered, her smirk growing at the expression on Brandon's face, "She really likes these…," she quickly turned the book around, looked at the cover, and moved by to her original position, "Maximum Ride books, too," her smirk grew more diabolical, as she began (tantalizingly) waving the book in front of Brandon's face (further enjoying the way the younger boy's eyes followed the book wherever it went), "How long, exactly, have you been waiting for the last book in the series anyway?"

"I don't know," Brandon muttered, eyes still moving and glazed over, "A few weeks…a month or two?"

"Bet whatever it is feels like an eternity…especially with the knowledge that you're just ONE book away from finishing the series."

"You have NO idea," Brandon muttered, his fingers beginning to twitch.

At this point, Lola had to hold the book in front of her mouth just to keep her smirk from being seen (and, most likely, from freaking Brandon out). She cleared out her throat, before opening the book and reading the "tab" on the left (4), ""Disclaimer: This is a story of perseverance and hope, but it's also one of grief. I've seen things—terrible things—that no one should even know exist. I've witnessed the world's darkest days and humanity's ugliest moments. I've watched cities collapse, friends die. This is the hardest story I've ever had to tell". ounds quite entertaining, wouldn't you agree?"

Brandon then…stared at her for a moment, simply blinking. Then…his eye began twitching, announcing to Lola that his defenses were weakening, "I…shouldn't," he practically whispered, now trying to look away from the book in her hands.

"But…you kinda should, right?" Lola replied, a sweet (probably fake) smile on her face, "You've been SO patient in waiting, after all. And I'm sure you've been behaving a LOT since it came out. Right?"

"Right," he muttered, scratching his neck a bit."

"Come ON, Brandon," Lola bent down, moving her mouth to his ear, "I won't tell anyone," she whispered, BARELY able to keep her smirk under control. Brandon's eye began twitching again (quicker then before), before his fingers clenched into the carpet…which seemed to reflect his remaining strength "breaking".

His eyes darted to the sides for a moment…before he snatched the book from Lola's eyes, his eyes taking in every last word at near lightning speeds. "BRANDON, NO!" Bailey's voice suddenly rang out, having just placed Lily back to the floor. But…it was too late, her brother was already reading the book. She head SLOWLY turned, until she was glaring at the Loud's resident princess.

Lola was simply smiling like she was queen of the world, as she stood up and began walking into the living room, "Check…and mate. That's only…three left, if I'm correct," Lola spoke smugly over her shoulder, ignoring the way Bailey's eye was twitching (in anger, as opposed to Brandon's "tension").

"That was a dirty trick you did, Lola," Lola turned to the sound of the new voice…Lena's voice. She turned to see her little sister frowning (or…more like pouting) at her, with crossed arms.

"So what?" Lola shrugged, "It worked didn't it?"

"That was not fair at all," Lena argued, "Just teasing him like that, same as you did with Ben. That's pretty much cheating. Using MY book no less!" (5)

Lola rolled her eyes, as she began examining her nails (knowing her sister's "stance" on her methods), "Oh, calm down Lena. Don't blow things out of proportions. Besides…it's already done, and we're just even closer to winning. So…I'm happy."

"Well, I'm not," Lena shot back, "That wasn't fair Lola, and you know it!"

"As long as we win, I couldn't care less about "fair" Lena," Lola simply walked past her younger sister, before taking a seat up on the couch.

Lena turned to glare at her sister, almost like she was trying to burn a hole in her head…before she simply took in a breathe, before letting it out. "Fine then," she commented, with a small shrug of her own, "I quit."

Lola's head practically SPUN around to glance at Lena (neither one noticing how pretty much EVERYONE did the same thing), "Excuse me?!"

"I quit," Lena repeated…before she walked over to Brandon, (gently) took the book from his hands, and had her eyes scan the page for a brief moment…before she closed the book (with an audible "SLAM!"), and huffed at her sister. "Yes…I quit. I've read the book, I'm done."

"You can't DO that!" Lola screamed out, getting her younger sister to flinch at her sudden increase in her voice…before (trying) to straighten herself.

"She just did, though," Bailey spoke out, stepping besides Lena, "While it's obvious that none of us would normally do it, it's not like any of us said that we couldn't eliminate ourselves. If we wanted to," the Benson girl pointed out, putting a hand on-top of Lena's head, "She was told not to read, and she read…she's out, and YOU'RE down to three," Bailey didn't even try to keep the smirk that was growing on her face at her words.

Lola's body was trembling with rage, her anger being so intense that Lena actually moved behind Bailey's legs. She was about to say something (scream at them, really)…before she simply stopped, and stomped over to the couch (no doubt planning to get them both back later).

Bailey then knelt down, and wrapped an arm over Lena's shoulder, "I know you didn't do it for our sake, but thanks Lena," the Benson genuinely spoke, a smile on her face.

Lena smiled back, "You're welcome."

"Hey…Lena?" Both girls turned to the sound of Brandon's voice, who stood in front of them…the book in his hands, and a nervous expression on his face, "Would it be...alright if I…read the book right now?"

Instead of reacting in anger and taking the book from him (like he thought would happen), Lena simply gave him a sweet smile, "Oh course, Brandon. Feel free to," she then moved to his ear, and whispered, "I remember how much I wanted to read the book when it came out too." The smiles shared by the two kids, couldn't help but bring a happy one to Bailey's face as well.

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Bailey held her cap downward, so that the bill hid her eyes from "outsiders".

Don't worry, she wasn't planning anything. Oh no…this Benson girl? Already HAD a plan set within her mind. Bailey lifted her hat up, smirking as she took notice of her chosen target: Lincoln Loud.

Said white-haired boy was reading his comic book. Or, rather…was ATTEMPTING to, based on the way he groaned as his body twisted and contorted (Seriously, Bailey thought, How can it be THAT difficult to actually WEAR your clothes indoors?).

"Feeling alright over there, Linky?" Bailey (rhetorically) asked, a cheeky smirk on her face, "You're not looking so well."

"Oh, you won't have to worry about me Bailey," Lincoln shot back (doing the best he could to "straighten" himself), "I'm doing GREAT. I hope you and your brothers won't be easily embarrassed, because we're gonna win this thing," Lincoln smirked towards Bailey, before he looked back towards his comic book.

The smirk on Bailey's face, however…remained, "We'll see about that, buddy. Don't get too cocky, though. Wouldn't want for you to crack under the heat, after all." Out of the sight of ANYONE else in the room…Bailey lifted her hand (hanging off of the couch) by a few inches, and held out two fingers (pressed closely together).

The only one who noticed Bailey's "action"? Brad, who was leaning against the wall behind her. Upon noticing his sister's sign, Brad looked around to see if he was being watched…before he reached behind him, and pressed a button (multiple times) on the thermostat he was covering.

In only a few moments, Lincoln began to feel…warm, as sweat began dripping off of his head. The white-haired boy pulled out the collar of his shirt, before wiping the back of his hand on his forehead.

"Whoa," Lincoln muttered, "Is…is it getting hot in here?"

"Nope," Boomer answered, tossing his basketball in the air. He looked, seeing his older brother standing near the thermostat and the grey sweats that Lincoln wore…before a smirk grew on his OWN face, "If you're feeling warm Lincoln, maybe you should…strip down," Boomer had to keep himself from shuttering at the words that just came out of his mouth.

"He doesn't need to," Lola suddenly called out, before turning to glare at her brother, "Right, Lincoln?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lincoln waved off, as he tried cooling himself off with his comic book, "I'm…fine. It's, NOT a problem," he spoke, quickly pulling on his collar in rapid succession, "You kidding? I LOVE the heat, anyway!"

Is that a fact? Brad thought to himself, a downright diabolical smirk gracing his lips. Well then…let's test that theory, shall we? With careful movements, Brad reached behind him and began turning up the thermostat even higher then it already was.

But this point, everyone in the room could feel that the room was getting hotter. But…outside of a look of confusion and a small moment of fanning themselves, no one really "reacted" to it.

That is, of course, excluding one Lincoln Loud…who was beginning to sweat at a MUCH more intense rate. His body was twitching, and he just knew that there was a gigantic sweat spot on the back of his shirt.

He also knew that he wasn't going to be able to last much longer at this rate, evident by how simply looking at his comic made his skin feel…itchy underneath his clothes. Despite the fact that he could FEEL the gazes/glares of his sisters practically trying to bore holes into his head…Lincoln was going to break. He knew it, and he didn't think that he was going to be able to stop it.

BUT…that doesn't mean that I can't go down without a fight, Lincoln thought to himself, as his eyes landed on Bryce (narrowing slightly in the process).

"Aw man!" Lincoln suddenly called out, pulling at the collar of his shirt with both hands, "I can't take it anymore!"

"Lincoln Loud! Don't you DARE!" Lola yelled out, leaping towards her brother with an animalistic snarl.

"I can't do it anymore, Lola!" Lincoln replied, while simultaneously trying to hide how freaked out he was (seriously, that face…combined with Lola's temper made her look downright demonic), "I QUIT!" The white-haired boy exclaimed, as he (rather dramatically) removed his shirt from his body.

"BOOM! Another one down!" Brad laughed out loud, his siblings not being very far behind (especially once they saw the glares/frowns on the Loud girls' faces). What neither side noticed, however…was how Lincoln was moving closer towards the glasses-wearing member of the Bensons (who was too busy laughing to notice).

"Oh," Lincoln called out (again, though…dramatically), "Curses. I have lost. Oh well…I least I don't have to wear these anymore," he called out (making sure that everyone could hear him), before he removed his pants…and literally jumped onto the couch, landing directly next to Bryce in the process (actually leaning on the boy's arm).

The reaction…was almost instantaneous.

"AHH! Offoffoffoffoffoffoffoff!" Bryce practically screamed out, jumping up and crawling away from Lincoln…until he (eventually) fell off of the couch.

"What the-?" Boomer was interrupted before he could finished.

"Ha! That's another Benson down," Lincoln laughed, shooting out finger guns at everyone, "I know…skills."

"W-What was that?!" Bailey called out, "Did you actually just pull some kind of…kamikaze move on Bryce right now?!"

"I believe…that's exactly what I just did," Lincoln replied, smirking as he leaned against the couch with his arms behind his head.

"Well…that was a devious trick, to say the least," Lola commented, "Not bad. I'm impressed, big bro," she said with a smirk.

"I learned from the best, little sis," Lincoln replied, a similar smirk on his face. ALL the while this was happening…Bailey was glaring at the both of them, eyes narrowed.

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Lola sat in the couch, pressing her fingers together as she contemplated her next "plan". It was down to just her and Luan, with Bennett and Bailey as the only remaining obstacles standing between them…and victory. They needed to end this…and they needed to end it quickly, before that Benson girl could come up with another plan.

As her eyes scanned their remaining opponents, they slowly moved down towards the cards he had in his pocket (that he used for his magic tricks, that he was forbidden to use for the duration of the competition). Just then…that devious smirk slowly made its way on her face, her next idea already forming in her skull.

"Hey, Lucy," Lola called out to her black-haired sister.

"What?" Lucy replied in her usual monotone voice, getting Lola to jump and scream at her sister's (usual) sudden appearance.

Lola quickly "steadied" herself, brushing out her dress and cough into her fist a bit, "I need you to do me a favor," she motioned for Lucy to move closer (to which she did), before she whispered into her ear. She pulled away after a few moments, to which Lucy simply nodded before she walked away (seemingly blending into the room like a chameleon). After only a few seconds of time passed…Lucy returned to her sister, holding out her hand to her.

In said hand, you may ask? Bennett's cards, which Lucy had (silently) taken from the Benson boy's belt.

"Thank you, dear sister of mine," Lola spoke, taking said cards from Lucy's hand (who promptly "disappeared" back into the background). She held them in the palm of her hands, "flipping" through the cards with a (slightly) impassive expression on her face.

Each card had a picture dead set in the center of them. These pictures ranged from elements (like fire and lightning), animals (like a snake and a horse), and even weapons (like a sword and an axe). Lola…didn't "get" these cards. Like…at all, she didn't see much of the purpose.

Granted, though…that's probably because she's never actually seen him use these cards for a trick before (what with them being a recent purchase for him, and all).

"Whoa!" Bennett's voice suddenly rang out, before it was by Lola's side in a second, "What, is it that you think you're doing?" He asked the pink princess, a rare frown on his face.

Lola looked up towards the older boy, a sweet smile on her face, "Oh…come DOWN, Bennett. I'm only examining them, just trying to see why they interest you so much. Is it really that big of a deal?"

"It IS, when you steal my cards," he shot back almost IMMEDIATELY, his arms crossed, "As shocking as it night be for you to believe…I tend to not like it when people steal my stuff. Why did you take them, anyway?"

"Like I told you, I just wanted to see them for a bit. Based on how you treat them, they MUST be interesting in SOME regard. Is that a crime?" Bennett narrowed his eyes EVER so slightly at the younger girl, but…he didn't make any moves to take the cards away from her at the moment (which she took as a total win). She held the cards in front of her face, "spreading them out" in her hand (raising an eyebrow as she took another glance at the pictures of the cards). She took about a third of the cards in one of her hands…before a "maneuver" with her hand causing them to spill onto the floor.

"Hey!" Bennett suddenly called out, quickly picking the fallen cards up, "Easy with that. What're you doing?"

"What? Isn't that like those "tricks" you always like to do?"

"That's not the way you do it," Bennett emphasized by pointing the picked up cards in her face, to which Lola simply snatched them away. Just then, however…Lola's eyes widened, before a diabolical smirk slowly appeared on her face.

"What ever do you mean, Bennett?" Lola "innocently" asked, as she stared on at the cards in her hands, "No one's good at something on their first attempt, they have to TRY," she kept maneuvering the cards in her hands, ignoring how she constantly dropped cards onto the floor.

Bennett, meanwhile, had his eye twitching the entire time. He bought those cards with his own money, and they were not cheap either. He'd become rather…"protective" (for lack of a better term) of his cards, preferring to not even letting any of his siblings younger then Bailey even touch them.

In case it wasn't already obvious…Bennett did NOT like other people touching his magic cards (especially since he was 85% positive that this kid was doing it on purpose).

Lola, on the other hand, was humming contently to herself as she messed with the cards in her hands. She examined them thoroughly, them "accidentally" falling from her hands. Then…she took about half a dozen cards in one hand, and began bending them with the other.

As it turns…even some as calm and as easy-going as Bennett Benson had his limits.

"That's it!" The older boy suddenly called, getting EVERYONE in the room to flinch. At speeds that seemed impossible for a normal human, Bennett quickly picked up all of his cards…the ones on the floor, and the ones in Lola's hands (getting the six-year old to blink in confusion, it seemingly like the cards had suddenly disappeared from her grip). He couldn't help but roll his eyes, maneuvering the cards ("stretching" them out constantly, and tossing them into the air with flawlessly catching them) in ways that impressed even the most dismissive/impassive of the Louds and his siblings, "If you're gonna do it, the least you can do is do it right. It's called "respect for the craft", try it some time," Bennett muttered.

"You…DO realize that you just eliminated yourself, right?" Lori asked the magician.

"My points stands," Bennett replied simply and blatantly, before he sat against the wall (messing with his cards yet again). While the Louds celebrated and the Bensons sighed in annoyance/frustration at their brother's antics…none of them noticed the lone female Benson. Or the "thoughtful" expression on her face.

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(Seven Minutes Later)

Bailey was simply…examining her nails, having not spoken a SINGLE word since Bennett had been eliminated. She was actually on her way back from the bathroom (the Louds being INSISTENT on her NOT taking her phone with her), virtually lost in her own thoughts.

"Sure you're not ready to give up, Benson?" Bailey suddenly heard Lola's voice ring out, being caught off-guard by how quickly/suddenly she'd arrived in the living room.

The Benson girl, however, was quick on the comeback, "I wouldn't get cocky if I were you, sweetheart. One on one against a six year old? You're as much of a challenge as you seem to think."

"Check your math there, Bails," Luan spoke out, "It's the two of us, versus the one of you."

"Not for long it won't be," Bailey replied, not even trying to keep the smirk off of her face.

"Oh? And how's that?"

With shut eyes, Bailey continued, "No offense Luan…but, you won't be as difficult to eliminate as you may think."

"Oh, really?" Luan raised a single eyebrow and crossed her arms, a rare frown on her face.

"Yeah, really," Bailey replied almost immediately, "Because all I'd have to do to get you out is a little of this. Hey, Barry," her blue-clad younger brother turned to, before she knocked on the living room table, "Knock, knock."

"Who's there?"

Luan (a smile on her face) put up a finger…only for Lola to IMMEDIATELY clasp her hand over her elder sister's mouth, "Don't you DARE answer that joke, Luan!"

But…the damage had already been done, as evident by the smirk that was plastered on Bailey's face. "Like I said," Bailey "nonchalantly" commented, "Not that difficult."

Barry couldn't help but chuckle at his sister's antics, "Wow…you're right Bailey, it IS pretty easy. And I can't imagine Lola being better afterwards," he whispered (somewhat) to his twin, to which they both laughed.

"WHAT'D you say about me?!" Lola suddenly called out, getting almost RIGHT in Brady's face. As a response, however…Barry simply blew a raspberry in her face, getting the blonde princess to all but leap back in disgust. After wiping her face off, she glared murderously at Barry…before letting out (what could ONLY be described as) a battle cry, before tackling Brady to the ground.

"Wow," Bailey commented, watching the two six-year olds scrabble with one another across the floor (Lola being more on the "offensive", whereas Brady was defensive), "Those two really going at it," she then turned her gaze back towards Luan, "Hey Luan…if they rolled into a door, do you think they could open it?"

"Might you be asking…how many kids does it take to open a door, dear sister?" Brad asked, a smirk on his face.

"Why…yes. Yes I am, brother of mine," Bailey replied with a similar expression.

"LUAN!" Lola screamed out, currently on-top of Barry and pushing his face into the carpet, "Keep your mouth SHUT!" Despite her sister's yelling, Luan was NOT doing well with doing that very action. Her eye was twitching quickly, as she scratched furiously at her arm (how she wasn't breaking any skin was a mystery to everyone).

"Say…Bailey," Bennett spoke up, "Have you ever wondered about…instances of how animals who are capable of crossing stuff? Like…roads?" Bailey tilted her head a bit to the side, stumped by what it was that her brother was talking about. After a moment or two, however…it clicked within her mind, her smirk quickly reappearing.

"Oh yes, I have. It's quite an odd thing, isn't it? Most people imagine things like the forests and the oceans, whenever they think of the crossing of animals. None ever think about them crossing streets," she spoke, noticing how Luan was squirming out of the corner of her eye (and enjoying every moment of it). "If we're talking around here," she continued her tortu-speaking, "What kind of animals would we be talking about?"

"Cats and dogs should be at the top of that list," Bennett (casually/quickly) answered, "You know…primary pets and whatnot. Maybe a few "unconventional" pets, like snakes and birds too."

"And that's not EVEN including the wild animals," Brad interjected, "Rabbits, squirrels, maybe some deer-."

"What about…chickens?" By this point, it took ALL of Bailey's self-control to keep herself from bursting out in laughter at the way Luan twitched and itched (knowing that it was only a matter of time till she exploded), "There're a few places around Royal Woods with animals like cows and horses on their property. Pretty I've seen them having a few chickens," out of the corner of her eye, she was pleased by the tense look on Luan's face…it was time for the final move, "Who's to know how, or even WHY, that (hypothetical) chicken would cross the road?"

That…that was it.

"To get to the other side. To run away from the cook! TO PROVE HE'S NO CHICKEN! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Breaking free of Barry's hold, Lola pounced at her elder sister and tackled her to the ground…but, it was already too late. The damage had been done.

Luan was breathing heavily, Lola on her back and pushing her head into the coffee table, "Ah…sweet comic relief." By this point, Lola was vibrating in rage (BARELY able to keep herself under control).

"I DO believe…that's number ten," Bailey chuckled, "And now…there're only two combatants remaining. The Benson Lady of Order…versus the Loud Princess of Chaos."

Slowly but surely, Lola composed herself…placing her fists on her hips, a smirk growing on her own face, "You may have been able to outlast those amateurs, Bailey. But now? You've gotta deal with a REAL PROFESSIONAL!"

When Lola turned around, it took EVERYTHING Bailey had to keep herself from flinching at the younger girl's appearance. Between the lipstick and mascara smeared on her face, her hair that stuck out like she'd been electrocuted, and the way the light made it look like she lacked pupils…she looked like the spawn of Satan and the Joker.

Still…she caught her breath and steeled herself, taking a step forward and bending down to look Lola in the eye, "Bring. It. On, little girl." Lola simply smirked larger, while all of their siblings looked on in anticipation.

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(Three Minutes Later)

The atmosphere in the Loud House (6) was…tense (to say the least). Neither Bailey nor Lola even so much as looked at their opponents, simply pretending as if they weren't even there. All of their siblings simply…watched, examining and trying to figure out which one would make the first move (Lynn had even gone into the kitchen and microwaved a bag of popcorn, and was passing it around).

"You may as well give up now Bailey," Lola suddenly spoke as she filed at her nails, "While I'm deciding to still be nice."

"Oh…so this entire competition was you being "nice", was it?" Bailey asked.

"Exactly." Bailey simply rolled her eyes, taking off her hat and examining it (probably in a "mocking" state).

"Oh…I'm shaking in my boots over here sweetheart."

Lola narrowed her eyes at her opponent. Oh…you WILL, she thought in a rage. She placed her hands underneath her nose, took in a DEEP breath…before letting it out. Calm down Lola…she's the last Benson standing, the LAST one you need to take down to win. DON'T screw up now.

Looking around for a few brief moments (making sure to focus in the brief moment where no eyes were on her)…Lola quickly hid behind the chair she was sitting in (out of sight).

After making sure that no one was focusing on her (her and Bailey's siblings having gone back to their own devices after a few moments)…she was on the move.

Her eyes locked onto Bailey's pocket, where she'd last seen the older girl place her cellphone when she used the bathroom earlier. She had to get Bailey to use it if she wanted to win, that much she knew.

Lowering herself so that her stomach was pressing against the carpet (inwardly trying to figure out when the floor had last been cleaned), Lola began crawling across the floor like Charles or Cliff.

Now, it wouldn't normally be easy for a six year old in a pink dress crawling across the light green carpet. But…with NO ONE focusing on her, it was considerably easier for her to move about then she would have expected.

Just then…she heard a giggling sound around her. Looking upwards…she noticed how Lily was standing in front of her older sister, smiling and giggling like how she always did. "Lily!" Lola whispered-yelled, pulling her sister in close. "SHHHHHH!" She (again) whisper-yelled at her sister…mere moments before Lily did the EXACT same thing (albeit quieter). "Good girl," Lola praised, patting her younger sister on her head. "Say…can you do me a favor, little sis?"

"Fava?" Lily tilted her head in confusion, before Lola leaned down and began whispering in her ear.

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(One Minute Later)

Bailey had her hat down, covering her eyes as she shut them for a bit (partially in thought, mostly to rest…when she suddenly felt someone messing with her shorts. Picking her hat up…she saw Lily (having climbed up to the chair from its armrest) nudging at her waist.

The Benson girl smiled, "Hey there, little one," before picking the infant up in her arms, "What exactly is it that you're trying to do there?" Lily just babbled on in her "baby language", giggling as she smacked at Bailey's face (who laughed at the infant's antics as well).

What she DIDN'T notice, however…was how Lily had (carefully) removed Bailey's cell phone from her pocket, and tossed it to the floor. Lola was quick to pounce on it like a starving hyena, looking up to her sister as she took it…who promptly and subtly gave her the barest and quickest of winks, before going back to playing with Bailey like nothing had happened.

She's more devious then I thought, Lola thought (impressed by her baby sister), before she slowly crawled backwards…a smirk on her face.

After a few moments of playing with the blonde infant (being ignorant to Lola's presence), Bailey noticed how Lily was trying to grab ahold of the floor, "Alright, alright…I'll put ya down kid, just hold on." The moment Lily's feet touched the ground, she waddled away (making those same adorable sounds she always did). Bailey couldn't help but chuckle at the infant, "Eh…kids these days." As Bailey leaned back in her chair…she suddenly froze when her hands (inadvertently) touched her pockets.

Why, you ask?

Because…she realized that her phone was MISSING. Bailey quickly patted her pockets down frantically…but came up empty-handed. "What the-…," just then…Bailey's eyes widened, before they suddenly narrowed in suspicion/frustration. "Lola," she hissed, her eyes darting around the room to find the blonde princess…only to turn up empty (which surprised her, as Lola wasn't exact the "subtly" type).

Just then, however...the corners of Bailey's lips turned upwards, Bailey having to cover her mouth to prevent people from seeing her smirk. Alright Lola, she thought, You wanna play dirty? I can PROMISE you…that decision WILL be a mistake.

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Lola was walking down the stairs, having recently returned from the bathroom…only to pause, noticing the way Bailey smirked as she spun her cap around her finger. A white cloth over her neck.

"Bailey, what're you doing?" Lola asked, confused (and slightly suspicious).

Said girl turned towards Lola, "Hm. Oh…well, I was just thinking about how much I appreciated you guys and your parents letting us stay here in the storm. And I wanted to show that appreciation…so, I polished every surface in the living room. So shiny you could see your face," she spoke nonchalantly (laughing like a maniac on the inside).

Lola suddenly froze, her eyes widened as the slowly moved to the (shining and mirror-like) banister.. before she suddenly slapped her hands over her eyes, "AHHH! Must…not look.. at self. Beautiful, beautiful self…AHHHH!" She promptly ran into the kitchen.

"Oh yeah," Bailey called out, "I also waxed your kitchen floor. The reflection is AMAZING."

"AHHHH!" Lola RAN out of said kitchen as quickly as her legs could carry her…only to suddenly face-plant against the back of the chair that Bailey was sitting in. "THAT'S IT!" Suddenly, she LEAPT on top of the couch…Bailey's phone in hand, "Come on, Bailey…just give it up already! You KNOW what it!" Just then, she LITERALLY jumped on Bailey's head (who yelped, and promptly tried getting her off), "Just TAKE it!"

"Let GO of me you little…spider-monkey!" Was Bailey's only reply, their respective groups of siblings simply…watching, as the two girls "wrestled" with one another (some of them even laughed at their "interaction".

"You…know-," Lola spoke through gritted teeth, clinging onto Bailey like a lifeline, "You should REALLY just take your phone, Bailey…wanna hear a fun fact?" She moved herself down, so that her mouth was no more then two inches away from Bailey's ear, "I had Lisa hack your phone…so it's unlocked, and I have FULL access to EVERYTHING there. You should REALLY just give up."

Bailey's eyes SHOT open at Lola's words, the idea of Lola being able to control (for lack of a better term) just about anything and everything in her phone was VERY concerning to the Benson girl. Very much so.

"You wanna talk to ME about giving up?! PLEASE! You'd give up right now if you could see what's wrong with your FACE!"

Lola's face went from confident (and slightly crazed) to concerned/shocked in an instant, "WHAT?!" She quickly turned to her siblings, "Guys…is there something wrong with my face?!" All of her siblings began shaking their hands and denying Lola's "accusation", doing all that they could to calm their sister down…but, to no avail, "LIES! GIVE, ME A MIRROR!" Lola sped away from Bailey to find said mirror, dropping the phone in the process (which Bailey promptly caught and held close to her face).

Then…the blonde princess saw her reflection in the shining banister.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" No less then two seconds after she saw her own reflection, Lola raced up the stairs as quickly as her legs could carry her (almost like the Flash)…returning only a moment or two later, looking as perfectly as she did before the competition began, "Ah," she breathed in relief, "That's better." Just then, however…she noticed how Bailey practically had her nose buried in her phone (her eyes frantically searching the device to ensure that Lola did NOTHING to her phone), "AHA!" The six-year old called out, racing out to grab ahold of Bailey's wrist, "You used your phone…you LOSE! LOUDS WIN!" Lola's siblings began cheering behind her.

"Uh…the HECK you do!" Bailey yelled back, "You were the one who broke first. Bensons win!" A chorus of "Yeah!" emerged from her brothers.

What happened next was nothing short of a SCREAMING session between the Loud and Benson children, with even its more quiet members not holding anything back. Their yells only increased in volume with each passing moment, the house practically vibrating under the intensity.

The only REAL way to describe what happened next was just to say it for what it was…the twenty-four children and teenagers all but tackled one another, "forming" what could ONLY be described as a literal whirlwind of pure chaos that tore its way through the living room.

Mere moments later…the patriarchs and matriarchs of both families chose that moment to walk in, where they had to immediately backtrack in order to keep themselves from getting caught up in said whirlwind.

"What on God's green earth is going on in her?" Rebecca yelled out, immediately getting all of them to stop moving entirely (the Benson kids weren't bold enough to outright defy their grandmother like that, and the Louds have quickly learned as well).

In an instant…virtually all of the kids started screaming at once, not caring how their voices "clamored" over one another.

"KIDS! KIDS, ONE AT A TIME!" Lynn Sr. yelled out, but was fighting a losing battle against the children. Just then, Victor put a hand on his friend's and mouthed "I got this". As the Loud patriarch stepped back and the kids continued to yell, Victor put two fingers up to his mouth…and gave out a LOUD (no pun intended) whistle, a piercing sound that cut through everything. A sound so loud that the kids AND adults had to cover their ears immediately.

With the exception of Rebecca, who already had her ears covered BEFORE her husband whistled. "Thank you sweetheart," she pecked her husband on the cheek before turning back to the kids, her sweet smile going to a more…impassive frown, "Now…would someone, CALMLY, like to tell us what's going on?" When it became clear that they were all about to start yelling again, Rebecca held up a single finger (signaling them to be quiet), "Brock," she turned towards her eldest grandson, "Explain please. Calmly."

Brock took in a DEEP breath in…before he explained EVERYTHING to the four adults that had recently entered the house. He explained the competition, the rules, the penalties…and the "problem" at hand.

As Lynn Sr. and Rita sighed, Victor and Rebecca shared a knowing look. The two elders seemed to have their own mental communication with one another, a "skill" they'd gained throughout their many decades of knowing one another.

"And," Rebecca spoke up, after a few moments of silence, "Are you SURE that's how you set up the rules? I mean…specifically?" Brock was about to reply…but, found that he didn't like the "look" in his grandmother's eyes.

"YES!" Lola answered for him, "Those were the rules, and your grandkids lost because Bailey dropped out before I did." Before another argument could break out, Victor gave out another (slightly quieter) whistle to get everyone's attention.

"Now," he spoke (a little louder then normal, to be sure that everyone listened), "I hate to be "this guy, but-," the kids automatically decided that they didn't like where he seemed to be going with this, "-technically speaking.. you all have to be punished."

"WHAT?!" The kids yelled out in shock.

"Well…according to Brock, you never specified that the winner would be determined by the last person standing. All you guys said was that if you performed your "annoying habit", you'd be eliminated. And, since you all performed your acts-."

"-that means that you were ALL eliminated," Rebecca finished, "Meaning…that you'd ALL have to do whatever it is you chose for punishments."

And, despite their absolute BEST efforts…the four adults couldn't help but laugh out loud when the saw the stunned looks on the children's faces (wide eyes, dropped jaws…the works).

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(The Next Morning)

Even now, the Loud and Benson adults were struggling to hold in their laughter at what was happening before in Lynn Sr. and Rita's backyard. As per their agreement…the Bensons had to wear WHATEVER outfits were chosen for them, while the Louds had to allow themselves to be shot with their neighbors' paintball guns.

And…that's what was certainly happening.

The Louds sister thought that it would be HILARIOUS to dress up the Benson boys like they were little dolls…putting them all in dresses, high-heel shoes, jewelry, and makeup. The girls were laughing for nearly ten minutes straight after everything was finished, getting glares from them in response.

As for Bailey…she was made as what could only be described as an "amalgamation" of many members of the Louds' look. This included a black t-shirt with a white skull on it (Luna), a (fake) flower on her chest (Luan), a football helmet (Lynn), eye-shadow and lipstick (Lola), mud on her cheeks (Lana), and much more. Truth be told, Bailey was FAR more as a living doll to the Loud sisters then her brothers.

And she hated ever moment of it.

"Aw…don't you guys look absolutely fabulous?" Lori asked/spoke sarcastically, taking pictures on her phone every three seconds. "OW!" She cried out, as Bailey landed on her leg. She, however, did not let this deter her from her photos (and gloating).

Having to stand there, in the outfits that they were forced to be dressed in…needless to say, virtually ALL of the Benson kids were thoroughly enjoying being able to shoot at the Louds with paintball guns…was VERY good for them. Lynn Sr. and Rita were a tad against the "paintball idea" when they first heard it, but Victor and Rebecca assured them that any pain their children will feel will be minor. A slight sting, at best (or…worst?).

So…yeah, that's how the groups of siblings were spending their morning. While the Louds laughed as they took pictures of their neighbors, the Bensons responded by shooting at their friends as accurately as they possibly could (and probably enjoying it just a LITTLE more then they should).

Things went…just about as "well" (for lack of a better term) as one would expect. Until, however…something different happened.

"Hey Brad," Leni spoke, moving towards the boy when no one was looking.

"Hm?" Brad turned to the blonde girl, "Oh…hey Leni. What's up?" Unlike most of his siblings, Brad hadn't really been AS bothered by the "dress-up" as…anyone would have expected. He actually took the whole thing in stride and with confidence that was quite expected (and, more then a tad disappointing to some of the Louds).

The blonde girl couldn't help but smile, letting out a small giggle as her eyes wandered over Brad's form, "I knew that purple would work well on you. It totally compliments your eyes," she laughed out, talking about the light purple dress that Brad had been made to wear.

Instead of acting with ANY form of embarrassment…Brad simply smirked, placing his fists on his hips (even shaking his head out a bit), "Yeah, I know…I do look pretty damn good, don't I? Between you and me," he moved closer, whispering to Leni, "My siblings are pretty jealous and upset by the fact that I'm able to handle this situation a LOT better then they could," he finished his sentence with a wink, which only made Leni laugh even more.

But then…Leni remembered exactly what it was that she wanted to talk about, coughing a bit into her hand (her cheeks turning a little pink), "Um…Brad? Can I…talk to you about something?"

Picking up on the tone of Leni, Brad turned…and frowned, when he saw the expression on her face. This was serious, "What's up?"

"Um," she pressed the tips of her index fingers together, intentionally keeping her gaze on Brad's chest, "Earlier…in the c-competition, when you were eliminated and…the thing I said-."

"Hey," Brad interrupted, "It's fine. I won't lie…it WAS a pretty dirty move. I'm actually impressed by the kid," he commented with a wistful smile, before he turned back to Leni, "But…don't even worry about it. I know that your siblings made you-."

"That's just it though!" Leni suddenly yelled, quickly covering her mouth soon after. "I-I mean…they wanted me to just say something to you, something to try and make you talk. Lynn was…kinda the one who thought of it specifically. But, what if…MAYBE, that wasn't ENTIRELY made up?"

Brad's eyes narrowed a bit, and a confused expression appeared on his face…before his eyes widened, the barest tinge of pink appearing on his cheeks, "Wait…are you, asking me out?"

"I-I mean…if YOU want, that is. Maybe, kind of…an "I'm sorry" for how Lola and Lynn played the game," Leni tried to give a smile at the end of her sentence, hoping that she was blushing AS much as she thought.

PS…she was.

"Uh…sure," Brad answered, a smile growing on his own face, "I think that be awesome."

Leni seemed to look almost…shocked by Brad's answer, "R-Really?"

"Yeah. I mean…," Brad scratched the back of his head, feeling…strangely nervous about the entire situation (7), "I feel like I've already made MY opinions on…you, pretty clear," Leni's cheeks erupted in a darker blush, "I think…that'd be awesome," he finished his sentence with a smile (hoping that it wasn't as "wobbly" as he thought it was).

"Great!" Leni called out, a bright smile encompassing her face (making Brad happy himself, as he never liked seeing her upset). Just then, however…Leni giggled (making Brad tilt his head), before pulling up her phone and began taking pictures of the Benson boy's "outfit".

Brad rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but chuckle, "You…do realize that I gotta shoot you now, right?" He (playfully) held up his paintball gun.

"You gotta catch me first!" Leni teased, before she bolted across the backyard. With a laugh of his own, Brad chased after her (struggling and cursing a bit, due to the heels he was forced to wear).

(Author's Note: Annnnnnnnnd scene!

(1): A compliant I had with the ACTUAL episode…infants are SUPPOSED to cry. Yeah, it CAN be annoying…but, it's a total DICK move to tell them to "knock it off". Or, how about the fact that she was crying…and NO ONE CARED?! Seriously messed up:/

(2): Brady is normally a very intelligent kid. Because he's a quiet person, however, he tends to REALLY dislike loud noises…like what Luna just did. In those moments, he's quick to drown/block out the noise…even if his "method" isn't the most logical decision he can make in the moment.

(3): The show has "shown" to us that Lily IS smarter then you'd expect for a fifteen month old. So…yeah:/

(4): You guys know what I mean, right? Those kinds of books that are covered by those thin sheets of…plastic (literally the ONLY word that I can think of:/)?

(5): Lena…does NOT like cheating. You know that old saying "Cheaters never prosper"? That's how Lena lives/believes. And while she's EASILY the shyest and most soft-spoken member of her family, her personality can become quite fierce (like flipping a switch) when it comes to something she believes in VERY much (Lynn Sr. says she's like her mother in that regard;)).

(6): Shout-out!:)

(7): Brad has NEVER been very subtly about his attraction to Leni, but he's feeling as he does because Leni has never flirted BACK with him. The idea of Leni being the one to ask HIM out…it's serving as a shock to him, and making him more nervous then he would have been otherwise. I hope that makes sense.

NOT an easy chapter to accomplish, so I hope you guys enjoyed it. Now…NONE of this chapter was in Lena's P.O.V, not something I've done before. I just felt that the "Undie Pressure" episode and plot would be easier to do from an omnipresent . Now…I want to mention that this is NOT going to be a common occurrence. No less then…95% of this story will be from Lena's perspective, that's not going to change.

Constructive criticism ONLY please, no flames allowed.

Review, favorite, follow, and I'll see you guys next time:)