Disclaimer: I don't own The Loud House, the brand, as well as all of its characters and settings belong to Chris Savino and Nickelodeon, all rights reserved.
Chapter 23: GLUTTONY.
- I won't lie, I don't get the whole thing about, "golems" and what not, but I really dig the different biomes thingy! – Lola replied excitedly at her brother, thinking about the array of possibilities for fun adventures that the search for the diamonds could lead them to, that served as enough validation for Lincoln, as he passed the pen and prepared to read Lola's take on the journey.
She began writing, it was taking a long time, Lincoln prepared for a big reading.
Into the story:
"- Nearby eh? – The exhausted princess expressed with sarcasm to her knight, who was also starting to show signs of dehydration and tiredness.
"- Yeah, this planet could be bigger than I originally anticipated – The cowboy expressed with a feeling of frustration in his voice, having walked for what amounted to six hours in the dense, never-ending jungle, the sun was starting to set, and the screeching of dangerous-sounding creatures was starting to become louder by the second.
The couple knew that they had to find a water source first, so they went in the direction marked by the sound of a river nearby, as they approached the river, the visibility was starting to become non-existent, forcing the captain to turn on the lantern on his cowboy hat.
The river was found, and the scenery surrounding it was dreamy, almost fairy-tale like, a big pond surrounded by uniform rocks and beautiful flowering plants, with two small waterfalls that seemed to lead to thinner versions of the river that got lost on each side, and what appeared to be floating green light bulbs in the surface of the pond, belonging to life forms with a similar appearance to Fireflies.
- Yeah, I think we can make a camp here and refill our water bottles – The voice of the captain disturbed the environment, as a reminder that their current objective was to survive the night.
The duo spent their time constructing the camp, arranging as many free sticks and leaves that they could find to build the layout of a tent, the princess, of course, searching as many colored rocks and crystals to decorate the area, at last, the captain searched for coal-like substances and lit up a wood fire near the river to prevent predator attacks.
The two stood outside the tent for a while, grabbing their handmade nets to try and get as many aquatic creatures as possible for food reserves, while appreciating the dim lightning that the fire produced in contrast to the light of the firefly-like creatures, an entrancing sight to say the least, as the princess put her head in the chest of the brave knight and enjoyed the moment of pure joy, turning her face to see his eyes full of devotion and kindness, allowing for the faster beating of her heart and her visibly colored cheeks to become noticeable for the protective knight.
By the next day. The couple was already up and running, picking the reserves that they had obtained, as well as some hand-crafted protective gear for the desert made out of wet leaves, and following the direction of the radar, continued heading northwest to the appointed destination."
Back in the real world.
- Well I think it could use more action, but it was still pretty good – Lincoln said while taking a critical look at Lola's segment, she was definitely going to push the "romance" part of the story, but he already kind of knew this.
- Well sorry I couldn't think of a random basketball in space section In the middle of the story – she still replied defensively, earning a chuckle from her brother as a reminder of Lynn's part, as absurdly nonsensical as it was.
- haha, Don't worry I'm just messing with you.- Lincoln replied while looking at the half-annoyed face of the sister that was pressing her little head on his chest at the moment.
… Kind of like DeLola and Triton.
Lincoln quickly let go of the thought and took back the pen, as he began heavily focusing on the next arc in the story, where many things would be established for the flow of it, this one would be a long one.
Into the story:
"At last, after an additional 3 hours of walking through the dense forest, fighting snake-like mobs and combating the pests that would attempt to suck their blood, the sights of green were beginning to recede, as the mirage-like vision of a vast, open and plain area was beginning to take form in the eyes of the team.
- It seems that we are finally in the right track, agent – The captain quickly told the agent while holding her hand as her hopeful look gave him the remaining energy that needed to be used to overcome the forest, suddenly, as if programmed to come back to life, the radar that they had previously purchased from the greedy slug finally lit up, producing a beeping noise, as well as revealing a red spot on an area 13.2 miles ahead and 24º northeast from their current location, if the slug was to be trusted, this had to be the precise location of the supposed temple.
The pair could only hope for that to be the case, if walking in the forest was a taxing labor, then walking on the desert, even if only for a few miles, could completely debilitate them, dehydration was imminent, and if those legends were to be trusted…
They also had a giant golem to deal with.
- Come on, agent, we only need to walk a few more miles in this straight line – Captain Triton encouraged his companion to endure a perilous path for just a few more hours, the longest part of the journey was already past them.
- Just how long will it take? – She demanded an answer to calculate her own endurance, and the captain had to be honest with his answer.
- In a good pace? 4 more hours – He declared solemnly, but saw the despair in the expression of the undercover agent.
- If you want, you can climb up my back – The captain decided to come for a provisional solution, expecting the path to be a really though test of endurance for even himself.
The agent agreed, as she climbed to the captain's back, then proceeded their track through the blazing hot desert.
5 lengthy hours went in, both the captain and the agent where beginning to succumb to the heat, the water reserves already over, hope was dwindling and the famous, "mirages" where beginning to take a toll on their sanity.
Less than half a mile in according to the radar, the cowboy had a sinking feeling in his stomach, as everywhere he looked, there was nothing but sand, they had been tricked, and they were going to die at the spot.
- Captain, Look! – The princess on the top of his back reanimated his fading consciousness – Her finger pointing at a direction west to the spot that was being signaled on the radar, he followed her finger.
An oasis, for the looks of it, great, the fifth mirage today, he continued his path to the already dead spot that the radar was pointing to, if he had another life, he would no doubt go back to kill that lying slug.
- Triton, why aren't you listening!? – The agents's voice once again reached the wasted cowboy, as his legs felt like falling for him any time now, eventually, DeLola jumped out of his back, and using her own strength, grabbed the zombified Triton to the spot where the mirage was located, they were going to die in delusion, how great.
- See, I told you! Here, drink this – The princess gave the dying cowboy a bottle, he was ready to taste the sand.
He actually tasted precious, glorious water.
His senses re-awaken, the captain and the agent had actually found a genuine oasis in the middle of nowhere.
Furthermore, his eyesight renewed, the agent spotted a rocky building near the swamp, hidden under some falling leaves from the palms at the shore, with what looked like an inscription in an unknown language, using the laser at the top of his glove, he scanned the letters, the universal translator doing the rest of the work for him.
"Temple of Gluttony"
- Well, it seems that old scoundrel wasn't just a greedy scammer – The agent expressed her satisfaction, having confirmed the location of the first of the 7 temples.
- If this is just the first one, I don't want to imagine the rest – The still exhausted space cowboy replied in an already intimidated tone, having endured a near dead experience just trying to find the temple.
Then, as they approached the temple, the layout of what appeared to be a sealed entrance appeared visible to the duo, which was located sideways to a relatively big stone statue featuring a pig-like creature with a tray of fruit native to the planet, whatever that was, he was certain that if that statue was to wake up.
They'd be dead at the spot.
In the stone, an inscription, as translated by triton's device, read:
"Confess, control, overcome. Succeed and the stone of legend shall be yours, otherwise, the guardian of this sacred shrine will awaken"
-Mmm… this seems to be a riddle – The captain stood in the thought while touching his chin with his hand – Could it be… Wait agent, don't touch it! – He was immediately caught of his train of thoughts, as the princess, inspecting the structure, came in contact with the stone-sealed entrance.
The reaction was unexpected, as a small orifice, with what looked like a microphone device, showed out.
- Prin… er… agent, I think it needs you to talk, and for the looks of it, it wants to know – The captain finally got the pieces together.
- Have you ever eaten more than you should? –"
Back in the real world.
- Well, don't be afraid Lola, has your character eaten more than she should? – Lincoln replied with a half-lidded grinning expression, his intent to tease his little sister, knowing how the diva could get pretty self-conscious about herself for that oh so sensitive subject, he then unconsciously opened the bags of fries that Clyde had bought earlier in the evening as he watched his sister intently.
- Oh, I see what you did there Lincoln Loud – The blonde replied with a glare at her brother, she was going to get her revenge, that was for sure, but for now, she was just playing along, quickly stealing the pen from her brother, she began inputting the "answer".
Into the story:
"- I, Princess DeLola, confess that I have eaten more than I should in at least one occasion – The princess declared with an educated speech to the stone wall facing her.
[- Whoops! That's not going to be enough -]
[- Whaat? What else do you want me to write? - ]
[- The temple wants the specifics, Lols~- ]
[- Ugh Lincoln I swear… fine! -]
But the stone wall wasn't moving in the slightest, so the princess tried once again, being more specific.
- I, princess DeLola, confess to eating the remaining slices of pizza from the fridge while I told the royal family about fake discounts at Luigi's –
Back in the real world.
- Ok, let me see if the temple accepts that answer – Lincoln said while quickly grabbing Lola's pen, earning a – Hey! – from her part.
Into the story:
"The walls start to crumble, a few cracks becoming visible through the previously impenetrable looking stone fortress, suddenly, a braille-like series of dots are revealed through the place where the inscriptions were found previously, a total of three become present, with the first one becoming lit with a faint green light, two remaining.
- Agent, it seems that your confession made the first key open, but in order to continue, you must also endure a test of willpower – The captain said, expecting the trouble ahead to test the ability of the agent to control her appetite -.
Suddenly, through the lower side of the stone wall, a bag of galactic federation fries came out of a dispenser-like device, becoming a potent lure for the princess and the cowboy, who had already exhausted what little they could fish moments prior to their quest in the desert.
Suffice to say, they were hungry."
Back in the real world.
- Come on Lincoln, that's easy – Lola said while subconsciously reaching for the bag of fries that her brother was holding.
- Ohh, is it? – Lincoln then said while taking away the bag from Lola's reach, making the little girl protest.
- Hey, not fair! – Lola exclaimed, her anger growing by the second.
- Oh I thought it was an easy feat princess – Lincoln then teasingly replied while grabbing another chip and eating it in front of her.
- Ugh, You'll see Lincoln – The annoyed blonde finally gave up on trying to eat the fries, allowing her brother to take the victory, as she forcefully snatched the pen from the albino's hand and continued the story.
Into the story:
"The princess simply grabbed the bag of fries, drooling at the thought of taking just a small bite, having endured an excruciating trip through an empty and hot desert, even the living flesh of a random creature looked appetizing, but regardless, she looked at it for a moment, and in a quick, painful decision.
She threw it away, to the nearby pond, where it was promptly eaten by an aquatic creature.
Back in the real world.
- There, what else, "Captain"? – The annoyed sister threw the pen on her lap, beginning to not enjoy the tale as much.
- Glad you ask sis – Lincoln quickly grabbed the pencil with his oily hands and began writing.
Into the story:
"The action committed by the princess, while reckless, still proved successful, allowing the second hole to lit up with a green color, only one left.
- Agent, I think, for the final test, you must promise that whatever action that triggered the original sin has to remain forever sealed within your memory, never to be repeated - The captain once again took a shot at interpreting the final riddle, overcome."
Back in the real world.
- Well, Lols, could you please tell the captain and the royal family to never do it again? – Lincoln then gave the pen one last time to the visibly irritated girl who had stopped putting her head on his chest for a while now.
- You know what? fine, I don't need that anymore in my life, my pageant goals depend extensively on me maintaining my perfect shape – Lola then replied sassily, showing her commitment to not fall prey to unnecessary eating temptations, she then just grabbed the fat-filled pencil from her brother with disgust and proceeded to write her answer.
It was also time for her revenge.
Into the story:
"- I, Princess DeLola, hereby declare, upon the judgement of the guardian that keeps this temple safe, that I will never again lie and scheme against my family just to ensure more food than what is being measured to satisfy my necessities. – The princess solemnly stated her promise in front of the entrance, meaning to abide by it for the rest of her life.
With this declaration addressed, the third and final hole from the mysterious wall lit up with the same green color as the others, creating a strong quake in the ground below the duo, as the shaking subsided, more cracks became present on the wall, starting to grow in size, revealing the contents of the chamber right across as the stone wall collapsed.
[ - Congrats Lols, you passed the test haha, now let me just… -]
[ - Quiet Lincoln, I'm not done yet -]
As the duo made their way in, they noticed how the inside of the building had engravings of all sorts of food types from the entire universe.
Then they noticed it, the shiny yellow gleam of the first of the seven diamonds, which was being held in a small, transparent box.
On top of a plate with another inscription.
- This one says: "The ambition of a wish cannot be shared by two individuals, to prove us wrong, repeat the ritual done by your partner at the entrance of this sacred shrine, shall you succeed, the stone of legend will be yours, otherwise, the path to your deepest desires will be sealed forever" – Sir Triton repeated the engraving, slowly coming to the realization as he went.
It was his turn."
Back in the real world.
- Really? Everything is a competition for you Lola? – Lincoln said while trying to make a dignified face.
In truth, he knew that he had it coming.
- Ohh I'm so sorry "captain", who would have guessed that actions have consequences? ~- Lola then used her best interpretation of an innocent girl for the biggest deal of sarcasm that Lincoln had ever received in his life.
- Well whatever, I can do it easily too – The annoyed albino then grabbed the pen as he began thinking his lines.
- Oh, and I'll take this in the meantime – The blonde triumphantly snatched the bag of fries that Lincoln had in his other hand, eating a chip in the process.
- Of course you do – The older brother exclaimed in protest, but ultimately couldn't do anything about it, It was his turn after all, well, at least the adorable girl was back at putting her head in his chest.
Into the story:
"- I, Sir-Captain Triton of the galactic federation, Confess to have eaten the Flippees of DeLola and Lisabot while they were distracted arguing with each other, then put the blame on Ribbon – He finished with shame in his voice.
[ - Ahhh, so it was you! -]
[ - Yeah.. sorry Lols, and also tell Lana and Lisa that I'm sorry for that too - ]
- I would also like to add that I ate the fries that Sergeant Cloud McStrife left in the base before leaving for failed mission 1389 – The captain added with regret, admitting that he was just eating out of habit, rather than true hunger, having previously rejected King Lynnester's food before.
- As a result, I humbly apologize to my dear companion, princess DeLola and to my loyal sergeant Cloud McStrife, for my actions, and promise to never frame other people for my mischief, as well as to take advantage of their belongings without their permission – The captain finished with a serious expression, also ensuring that every word out of his declaration had real meaning."
Back in the real world.
- I forgive you, Linky – Lola said while hugging me warmly with her small frame, allowing me to share the hug back, causing a small, adorable giggle to come from her.
Following the heartfelt hug, she grabbed the pen for one last time, and began writing the last part of this arc.
Into the story:
"The plate with the inscription began emitting a blue light, causing one last quake to hit the chamber and creating a smoke screen of powder and sand, the princess and the cowboy retracted while coughing at the event, when the dust settled, the clear box surrounding the diamond was no longer there, the plate had been sucked back into the ground and the diamond was finally within reach.
- Well, it seems our first treasure hunt ends here – The princess happily said while looking at her knight.
- Not quite – The knight encouraged the princess with a courteous wave – We still have to grab it – he said while inviting the princess to do it.
As she approached the shiny stone, she could notice that the bright yellow luster was so potent, it might as well illuminate the area itself, revealing that the diamonds were indeed holders of a sacred power beyond the point of comprehension.
She grabbed it, they finally had one out of seven, now all they needed was to endure the pathway through the desert again, but she knew, that with her royal knight by her side.
They could do anything together.
Back in the real world.
- Well, that was fun! – Lincoln finished the narration, as he finally closed the book, the time was 2:30AM, far beyond the point where they had to already be asleep.
- Guess time really does fly when you are having a lot of fun – He thought to himself, he saw his sister, still resting in his chest, and quietly lifted the blanket as he shrunk under it, careful to not disrupt the blonde's resting spot.
- Linky, that was amazing! – Lola said, enjoying the feeling of laying her head on Lincoln's chest while he pulled the blanket up, covering her figure, but not in a suffocating way.
- Yes, I think we definitely can make a fantastic story out of it – Lincoln agreed with the little girl.
- I really think we should do this more often, I already have some great ideas for the next thing they do! – Lola excitedly announced her enthusiasm to Lincoln, making him curious about the extent of her creative power.
- As do I – He simply agreed, having some other ideas to explore in the future – Ok Lols, good night – Lincoln finally stated, following the urge to yawn.
- Good night Linky, don't forget to kiss your princess – The little girl reminded the sleepy brother, making him give one last response with what little energy he had.
- Sure thing, my lady – The tired albino gave one last roleplay as he went on to give a small peck on the top of the blonde's head, before allowing the arms of Morpheus to embrace him for today.
While the exchanged occurred, a shadow, who was hiding this whole time in the air conductor at the top of Lincoln's room, watched with intrigue at the activity that her two siblings had engaged today, for what she could only assume, was neither the first, nor the last time that they would do it.
- Interesting – She thought to herself, before retiring back to her, and Lynn's room.