Based on a true story.


Chapter 01

Luna Eclipse

It should be noted to all those that are not familiar with her that Luna Loud can be described as many things: cacophonous, tough, smart, and above all else, the biggest lover of music this side of Mozart. Maybe she isn't the most confident of her large family, but she's definitely near the top, and has been that way for quite some time.

Rarely would one use "unwell" or "twisted" or even "frightened." None of those were perfect for the rockstar of the Louds. Even her worst moments were something that were thrown away quickly. A bad day was only that: twenty-four hours that she kindly redeemed the following one. It was honestly rare to see no smile upon that face, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

And no doubt, come one day in September, that smile nearly left that pretty face of hers. Over the past summer season, Luna got herself a few jobs to reach a goal she sought since the day she was born. Sure, she missed most of what could've been a great vacation, but that was nothing compared to the excitement of receiving enough money for her dreams. That final paycheck joined the rest in signing up for the perfect prize that arrived at the beginning of the school year.

The mail came noticeably late that day, but as soon as she put her bookbag down, she heard the envelope slip its way through the door. Scouring over hundreds of bills that probably told their own tale of woe, she finally found the yellow package screaming her name loudly. She had to hold herself back from squealing so hard. When she tore it open, she nearly allowed that pesky little ghost within her to escape off to heaven.

"Five tickets...," she practically wheezed, holding herself steady. Take a deep breath, and relax. Knowing her, however, she failed miserably. "... Five tickets to the ultimate show of ultimateness!"

Indeed it was the ultimate show. For the first time since they formed, Mick Swagger's rocking band and the grandness that was SMOOCH were finally teaming up, playing their way to rock-and-roll glory. All across America they were making waves, and it just so happened that the two decided that Royal Woods would be the ideal place to visit up in the northcentral states. Luna nearly collapsed hearing it, and before she knew it, she stood with those tickets in her hands, ready for the next best day of her life.

One for her, three more for the band that joined her on this quest for money. With a squeal powerful enough to shake the foundations of the house, Luna quickly ran to her room. Luan wasn't home for the moment (having herself setting up the auditorium for the new school year), so a little peace-and-quiet was all she needed. She jumped up to her bed, nearly smacking hard against the ceiling, dialing up the first person that popped up in her head.

Her beloved girlfriend Sam Sharp. A beautiful angel the Loud sister felt was too good and nice for this world. Being able to actually afford these tickets, especially ones so close to the stadium, made her heart sting with warmness. She honestly felt recently weak compared to her lovely partner, wondering if she really was the right one for a perfect goddess like her. Maybe this would finally snap her back to confidence.

Spinning the tickets between her fingers, Luna rolled her tongue in excitement as soon as her beloved picked up on the other end. "Hello? Lunes?" She heard Sam speak up, putting a pep in her words. Seemed like the delightful blonde had little to do prior to this moment. Even better for the Loud sister, who snickered imagining her partner's face on the other line.

"Sammy, you're sitting down right? Hopefully in a nice and safe place with no chance of the roof above you exploding?" She asked, barely containing her own enthusiasm.

A tinge of fear played against Sam's voice. "Oh no, what did Lisa do now? Seriously, how the heck did she find my house...""

"N-No, we already took care of that! Besides, those weeds were never harmful... I think." She regained herself, staring at the tickets like they were her own flesh-and-blood. "No, this is way more awesome than that! Like, more awesome than a jam session with, like, every member of the 27 club combined!"

"Holy... well smack, Lunes, what is it? If it's getting that amount of praise, it gotta be epic!"

Oh, it was. Dear lord, it was. Even if Sam couldn't see them, Luna playfully fluttered the tickets beside her other ear. "We got'em, Sammy. We got the greatest things ever!"

Sam was lost in thought. School-and-work had that way of diluting the mind, but Luna silently cheered her on. She got this. "Well, it can't be the new picks, we got those last week, and Sully's parrot came back from the vet last thing... they're doing fine, by the way... so what could... Oh!" The young Loud nearly jumped alongside her girlfriend, hearing the excitement nearly collapse her ears. "We got the tickets? They finally arrived! Oh my God!"

"Ding ding! We got'em, Sammy! All in their vaguely-laminated glory!" She wobbled them in the air. "We gotta meet up! Get the band together, and we'll discuss what we're doing. We got a whole month before we see the greatest thing since sliced bread. Since sliced bread, Sam!"

There was no denying the happiness within Sam's heart, though a tinge of sadness at last took over. "Ah, shoot, that ain't happening tonight, Lunes."

"Hm? Why not? I know they wouldn't miss these tickets once we tell'em."

"I know, but Dad wants me studying for the test, and the rest? I heard Mazzy's helping her folks with a garden mishap, and even if Sully's parrot's okay, the poor guy got into a fight with someone named Sergio. Got me, but whatever. Maybe tomorrow at school? Probably before the bell rings, okay?"

Guess that made sense. Luna learned well living with a big family that plans rarely worked out, if they ever did in the first place. School would be the smart thing to wait for, even if her head really wanted to see those two jump high in the sky, coasting amongst the clouds like jets confused on their own aero-dynamacy. Well, maybe the same feeling will come about when they're at their lockers. Whatever works.

With a shrug, Luna nodded to the air around her. "Ah, that's life, I guess. Well, I'll just keep these babies safe then. Just don't tell them we got the tickets for now, all right? I really want to see their shocked faces!"

"Tch, you don't have to tell me twice." Her smile got her thinking on a small fact she recalled from the order. "Hey, what about the fifth ticket? Think of who to give it to?"

Only four tickets were needed, covering their band, but for some reason they couldn't just get four. Another one was added practically at no extra cost. A nice gesture, but for awhile, all of them wondered who the heck would their fifth guest be. They concluded Chunk would make the most sense, but apparently the ol' Bloke couldn't make the concert (October was the month he usually travelled to California to visit his Mum, who still thinks she lives in Britain), ruling out really their only real alternative. The others tried, but with no one interested, it all fell on Luna to determine that lucky soul. Took her some time, but to be honest, it really shouldn't have.

Her choice was pretty obvious. She nodded, keeping that excitement fresh. "Heck yeah, I did! Want me to tell ya, or should I leave another tease for ya?" She couldn't help but snicker. Even Sam laughed her head off on the other line.

"Oh, you always tease me! You don't have to be a big meany, you know?" She playfully remarked, before noticing the clock above her. "Oh shoot, I really got to hit the books. Dad really wants me to pass the first test of the year."

"What's he worried about? You're, like, the top student of the class!"

"And he really wants me to keep it that way. Look, I gotta go, Lunes. You better have a good night. Lots of love!"

She wished she could've talked all night, but then again, she had to hand off the extra ticket. At least it was a blissful defeat. "I hear ya. Okay, Sammy, good luck! Lots of love right back!"

With the phone off, she jumped off her bunk and walked back through the door. Four tickets rested on her mattress, while the extra one joyfully felt snug against her palms. It was about to be the perfect gift for a special somebody. A little person within that home of hers that always had her back, always cheered her up, and no matter what, loved the music she made the most. A soul as important to her as all her idols and friends. Her smile couldn't be contained; she already could see his reaction playing out perfectly in her mind.

A blissful stride brought her to the door at the end of the hall. On its exterior, a little note was made. "LINCOLN LOUD'S ROOM. IF YOU'RE READING THIS, LOLA, DON'T SMEAR THE KNOB WITH GLITTER AGAIN! YOU KNOW HOW HARD THAT IS TO WASH OUT?" Apparently some drama was happening; what she'd give to be younger again, finding herself trapped in weird plots like that. With a deep breath, she quickly twisted the door opened (already swearing under her breath how the younger Loud sister didn't heed the warning).

Inside the small room was the boy she sought. Lincoln Loud, the only boy in a family of eleven kids, was currently doing what most did at his age: hang upside down from the ceiling, silly tape securing his feet like he was a bat. To say his face showed disappointment and rage would be an undersell to the whole situation.

Luna rose an eyebrow, slowly making her question her decision. "Uh, is this a new fad or something, little brah? I know you like magic and all, but, er... wow."

"Look, Luan won't be home all day, so apparently she left me a little prank to hold me over. Hey, mind helping me down?" He begged, folding his arms, uncaring that blood was quickly rushing up his head. Wasn't a pleasant experience, but the rage was more than enough to dilute it all.

Trying her best not to laugh, Luna grabbed some scissors off his shelf (patting a megazord toy from those rangers shows beside it. Still a shame they were the only siblings who loved them) and climbed the mattress. She already regretted her motion of immediately slicing, hearing his quick calls of stop a little too late as he plummeted hard to the ground. "Oh jeez, sorry, Lincs. Probably should've put some padding...," she saw a note descend from the ceiling. Luan's handwriting: "Whoever saves him, why, I think he'll fall head-over-feet for you!" She looked down at her brother in that exact pose. "Yep, definitely Luan."

Helping her brother up, Luna sat down on his bed, watching with a little pity as Lincoln dusted himself off. "Well, that's one way to start the school year. And I thought gym would hurt my head more!" He sighed, before sitting beside her. "So, why are you in my room, anyways? Oh, sorry about the glitter. Lola's been learning a little too much from Luan these days."

Luna sneered. "Course she is. Always the one who complains the most, right?" Fighting away that disappointment, she did her best to hide the ticket. "So, uh... got any plans for the first week of October? Asking for, er... one of your friends, yeah."

"Oh, Rusty? Yeah, he randomly likes to pry. Sorry if that bothers you." Luna cocked an eyebrow: guess she's a better liar than she thought. "I guess I don't. Then again, that's a month from now. Why? Oh no, Dad planning another 'Cowbell journey through Utah?' I still have the marks from that one!"

"Woah, I hope not! No, this is way better than that!" She brought the ticket up to her lap, but held it upside down. "What's that band that you like? I think it starts with an S, but jeez, I really don't remember. Got a clue?"

Lincoln pondered himself. "Well, I honestly been listening to this band whose leader's named Abraham, and-"

"Oh man, not them, dude! Think harder! You got this!"

Lincoln folded a leg over the other. "Well, my favorite group's SMOOCH, but you know that! Heck, you were playing their latest solo last night!" He smiled at her, before looking down to the floor. "They actually have a concert coming up, but those tickets... yeah, that ain't happening..."

She leaned close. "Oh really? A concert, you're saying?" He nodded in defeat. "And when's that concert, and are there any guests I should know about? Again, for Rusty, apparently."

A look of suspicion played against his face. "Well, if I remember, I think it's in...," his eyes grew wide. "... October. Like, early October. And Mick I think's playing with them... Lunes, where you going with this?"

She smiled slyly, before slipping the upside-down ticket to his hands. He looked confused at it before flipping it over. When he saw that text against the laminated background, he nearly collapsed onto his bed. "Holy... wait, is this... how did... I mean... Lunes, how'd you get this?"

Luna stretched out her hand, looking at those finely-tuned fingernails of hers. "Well, let's just say those summer jobs I took weren't just to inspire some lyrics."

"A-And you got one... for me?"

"We ordered four to cover the band, but they threw that one in, and I couldn't think of a better person to invite than you. You don't have to repay me or anything. Just think of it as a gift for being the greatest bro a rocker like me could ask for!"

Normally Lincoln acted like a tough macho man whenever he was presented with a gift. Around a bunch of sisters, there was no telling what any of them would say if he ever showed any emotion. So, to see him suddenly embrace her was probably the most shocking thing all day. She couldn't help but chuckle sheepishly, returning the gesture in kind. "Jeez, little brah, I knew you'd be happy, but wow!"

"Lunes, I had a bad day today. A little more embarrassing than I'd like to admit. Getting this, especially from you? That's literally... man, you really made my night. Thank you so much!"

She winked at him as she played through his hair, standing tall as she went towards the door. "You know I always got your back, dude! Just make sure you're all set come October! It's gonna be sick!"

"Heck yeah! I'll make sure of it! Thanks so much, Lunes. I'll make this worth it, I promise!"

Heck yeah, he would. She closed the door and slid her way down to the living room. Surprisingly it was vacant, giving her ample time to cheer her excitement. She pumped her fists in the air as she plopped down onto the couch, relaxing against its many fibers. The test tomorrow would no doubt be a drag, but having an awesome night like this more than made up for it. A happy girlfriend, soon-to-be happy bandmates, and even a happy brother? She was living large.

"You done good, Luna. We're gonna have the best night of our lives! Just gotta survive September. Woo, wake me up when..."

Her voice trailed at the sound of something rather depressing. Behind the living room was the door to their parents little corner. A room forbidden to enter unless absolutely necessary, and normally completely silent compared to the recklessness of the rest of the house. Normally she sometimes even forgot it was there.

This wasn't one of those times. Behind that wooden door, she heard the sound of a certain father crying. Curious and a tad-bit heartbroken, she silently tiptoed her way over, leaning her ear against the closed entrance. The sad tune became even more pronounced, sounding completely full of anguish and betrayal.

"Dad?" she whispered, biting her lower lip. What on Earth could've happened to make him sound so depressed? Perhaps it was in the muffled words that held the key.

Muffled words she wished she never heard.

"It's... music... it's always... why? The music... a problem..."

Nearly impossible to make out, but hearing those key words made her lean closer. Luna gulped. She really didn't like where this was going.

"Popstar...," she whispered sadly.