LOUDERTALE

by Superdimentio77

When Lincoln wins a free reservation at a resort, he of course invites all of his family to join him. But when said resort is standing next to a certain mountain, their visit up the mount might extend the Loud Siblings' trek by a little bit. What friendship and trials await them? Look out Underground, here come the Louds.

16. Loudertale Update

LOUDERTALE, WHERE ART THOU MY LOUDERTALE ?

I think that's an adequate title for the subject at hand. Especially after so much delay !

Hey guys, it's me. Your favourite jester author is here to talk to you, and about time ! Six months without an update from my favourite fanfic ? I'd be pretty worried too !

Contrary to some beliefs, I have, indeed, been writing this chapter during this whole time. But three incidents have gone against it, although I hardly can call the first one an incident, and the last one was just tonight. You'll have to forgive the hasty style, but I'm writing this in one go.

First off, for the entirety of the summer, I have been plagued by the worst bug of all that impedes an author's good work : LAZINESS. I just could not get to it entirely, only by sprinkling it there and then ! And with so many good episodes over the summer too ! I have no excuses for that, as my schedule couldn't have been clearer, save for a few family spots.

But with September approaching, I had full confidence that school would give me the kick back into shape I so desperately needed. My 1-page-per-day schedule would take hold again, and I would submit this chapter in a blaze of victory !

...

I wasn't wrong about the blazing part. Because at the start of September, my house burned.

This isn't a joke. In no shape or form, is this a joke. I'm alright, sure. And the damages were only partial, nothing that can't be fixed or paid for by the insurance. But when you see your childhood home go up in flames for reasons still mysterious to this day, it messes you up a good deal.

I didn't write about it, because I didn't want to be pitied after the horrendous summer I've put you guys through. Also, I thought the effects wouldn't be too long for me. I was right, but I was wrong. I got back to my keyboard little by little, trying to get my footing again. But I didn't give up, not when there's so much to be told still.

And tonight, was the latest development against this cursed chapter, in the form of a computer virus. My poor PC had to be refreshed, which meant I could still keep my files. And when I reopened it, all the files were fine... to the exception of just ONE. And you'll never guess which file was corrupted beyond saving.

Fortunately, I have a back-up file. Unfortunately, it's out of date, and a huge chunk of the ongoing chapter has thus been lost forever. It'll take time to rewrite all those 40 PAGES gone.

As such, it's only fair to ask : Is this the end ? Will there be no conclusion to the Louds' bizarre quest ? No Papyrus fight or date ? No Undyne, Alphys, MTT, or TEMMIE ?! Is it finally time to close this book, forever ?

...

...

No.

This can't be the end. In fact, this latest incident was a kick in the sheen I desperately needed. From now on, my schedule is going back into full-force, so I can set my hopes for this new chapter as soon as February-March 2019 ! I owe you guys that much ! Plus, the DELTARUNE craze helps a little...

But I shall not leave your thirst unquenched ! Have a peek to the Beta version of the next chapter's beginning ! The words in brackets are going to be changed, don't pay too much attention to those. Also, it's unformated. In any case, I leave you with those parting words you know me for...

This is Superdimentio77, wishing you the merriest Holidays, full of unparalleled DETERMINATION for the new year ! Toodles~

---

Down in the streets of (Casinopolis) at night, danger waited at every corner for the tender and unwise meat to cross its turf. Every shadow seemed out to get you, every wall was listening, and there was no such thing as a (refund) if you were down on your luck. And you could go down that spiral pretty quickly, especially if you met one of the many supervillains the city threw up in its streets.

But if (L)ady (L)uck was on your side, and it often was, you could hope to see one of (Casinopolis)' (renowned) heroes to swoop in to your rescue. Maybe Ace Savvy, the hero that never folded his hand ; One-eyed Jack, twice the luck with a single peeper ; or the ladies of the fearsome Full House, who brought the numbers, and the pain. Knowing that those twelve heroes – or their many allies that made great trading cards – watched over the city and brought justice wherever they went, the good citizens knew they could go on with their lives and rest soundly.

But the scoreboard had shifted these last few months, ever since monsters from Dimension U had found a portal that delivered them right at the edge of the city. Oh they weren't dangerous, not as a species. It had taken a few weeks to smooth things between the freaked out townsfolk and the equally terrified monsters, but the strange creatures proved to be a model of citizenship. They paid the rent, helped the city grow, and kept bringing many wonderfully (bizarre) (stuff) from their homeland. Why, a Spider Bakery had even opened last week, and business was booming, despite the very (dubious) nature of the pastries.

But a good batch often brought its share of bad apples, as they said. And because of a new villain amongst the peaceful monsters, the night was no longer sole soil for the worst of weeds to flourish. Because this villain preferred to strike at noon !

"Mwahahaha ! (Casinopolis), wake up and smell the roses of your DOOM !" thundered the awful creature under its dome of glass, and atop his gargantuan flower pot of destruction. Its shell of titanium cast away the remains of the streets the grossly large vines kept drilling into and turning into rubble. And on its sides, laser turrets to scratch the buildings it couldn't get, terrorize the fleeing citizens, and melt poor little kids' ice creams and nice creams.

A machine of such raw evil madness... could only be cooked up by a tiny little flower, who more than made up for his size with the length of his razorsharp toothy grin. Yes, this was the work of none other, than the horrible !

"Howdy ! Having a good day, people ? TOO BAD !" smugly shouted Dr. Carnation through his intercom, as one of his vines tore through one of the buildings. "This flower is not here to spruce up your day, but to ! I've heard you've all been feeling safe and jolly lately, everything going smoothly between humans and monsters. Bah ! That's not how it works ! You're supposed to be at eachother's throats, tearing your insides out, just like I'm tearing this water tower apart !" The machinery obeyed the words of its vegetal master, and opened one of the symbols of Monster-Human peace like a simple jar of pickles, before releasing its contents on the bad doctor, whose crazy smile immediately turned zen. "Okay, props for making that thing, you guys. Crystalline as if it was coming from the sources themselves, niiiice."

The mad monster's shower was interrupted by the town's police sirens, as an entire squadron of police cruisers arrived at the scene of the rampage. Immediately, the human forces started to fire at will, while their new beefy but fluffy recruit started chucking giant spears at the vines, effectively tearing them into ribbons. The townsfolk began cheering for the everyday heroes, but their hope came a little too early (to be fresh). For in a few seconds, all the vines had regrown as if they had never been cut down at all.

"No dice this time, boys and good boy. Not only is this alloy completely magic-proof, but I've packed up enough fertiliser to regrow my evil roots enough times to turn this entire city into my new wicked garden !" Dr. Carnation gleefully cackled, as he (blew) away the entire force in one thorny swipe. "And guess what ? That's exactly the plan ! Dismantling this city brick by brick, building by building, until nature rules supreme again, and me at the top of the oak tree. And I think I'll start with this useless cart !"

"NO ! My cabbages- I mean, my nice cream cart !" cried the blue long-eared youngster, his heart in great anguish at the sight of a smaller vine roughly picking up what could've been his (career).

"Time to paint this town strawberry red, and about 20 other flavours !" rejoiced the villain, aiming for the most expensive building in his radius.

But just before he could chuck it, a chiseling sound came to echo around the streets, its whistling-like noise loud enough to be quickly caught by Dr. Carnation. But not quickly enough, as the small projectile cut through the vine with astonishing ease. The cart and its treats were released for the monster merchant to grab, hug and run away, much to Dr. Carnation's newfound frustration.

"WHO DARES INTERRUPTING MY FUN ?!" he thundered madly, but listened carefully. Still a swishing sound. The cursed projectile's run had not ended, but it had certainly changed course, back to where it came from. All he had to do was to follow it to find its nature, its source, and just how he would grind the both of them into his morning compost.

A gloved hand caught it. Tight and blue like the sky. At the tip of its fingers, one proud playing card, displaying a single ace of spades, and the white initial of its (fantastic) owner.

"The cards have been cutted, doctor, and they're not looking good for you." spoke (Casinopolis)' greatest hero, his short white hair flowing in the wind, next to his mustachioed companion and most trustworthy friend.

Dr. Carnation's exasperation grew significantly just at the sight of the duo. "Oh, it's you two. Goody-goody Ace Savvy and his second fiddle, One-Eyed Jack. Why am I surprised ? It's never a party until you two come to crash it with your little card tricks !"

"Carnation, playtime's over ! The city will have a peaceful sunday afternoon to go to the park, or catch up on some cartoons !" swore the mighty Ace Savvy, pointing the finger of justice at the petaled fiend.

"Yeah ! Surrender now, and they might just get you a pot large enough to stretch your roots in prison !" followed One-Eyed Jack, his one good peeper looking fiercely ahead... and a good deal hungry too. "Seriously, surrender now. There is a (hoagie) back at the Poker Cave with my name on it."

However, Dr. Carnation was far from impressed by the two kids in tights, as he threw his head back and (cackled on). "BWAHAHAHA ! Really ?! I managed to give you the slip back at the harbour, and it was only little ol' me ! Do you seriously think that now that I have all THIS", he made a show of flexing one of his vines, making a bump the size of a small hill, "you two shrimps have a chance against me ?!"

"The cards don't lie, greenie." smirked Ace, as he twirled the razorsharp card still dripping with the green (sap) of the vine it had just severed.

The flower swiftly threw a dark glare, but snorted dismissively at the taunt. "Pfft, a lucky shot. That's all you are, Ace. Lucky. But lucky little buggers like you always reach the end of it someday, and today's your day ! I believe it is about time someone gets your feet back on the ground, while he shoves your head down six feet under !" said Dr. Carnation, as he regained altitude still encased under his dome. The vines grew thicker and thornier, while the bulk of the machinery plunged the two heroes in complete darkness. The fiend grew a vicious smile. "Let's see your luck get you two out of this little botanic lesson !"

"Then let me call the whole class to attendance !" boldly claimed the cape crusader, whipping up and throwing down a certain set of cards.

As soon as they grazed the ground in perfect order, the call was answered. The sound of an engine soon roared in the distance, and the screech of tyres could be heard swallowing up the distance in mere seconds. Before anyone had the chance to draw breath, a white and electric blue van sprung up high in the air, blocking the sun for a second, before roughly landing next to the heroic duo, looking (no) worse for wear.

The spirits of the city soared when they took sight of the sparkling machine, and its tune-up of the four suits on every side of the vehicle. For those were the telltale sign of the Full House (Mobile).

The van's front window rolled down, revealing its daredevil driver. With her driving suit matching the colours of her four-wheeled charger, and a look that promised a road rage like none other, the High Card only had to give Budzilla one glance to get down to business.

"Looks like you've got one bad player at the table, Ace and Jack." smirked High Card, keeping her hand on the wheel.

"Do you think you could deal us a good hand ?" replied Ace with a friendly grin of his own.

High Card nodded. "Coming right up." She gave a sharp whistle, and the (van) back door swung open, to reveal the rest of the gang hot on their feet, with fierce smiles and scowls for their future butt-kicking target. The nine heroines struck a perfect superhero landing behind the Ace and his companion.

A shudder of fear crossed Dr. Carnation's eyes for a second, but he quickly casted it aside, and opted for a threatening grin instead. "Got your little army ready, I see. No matter ! I'll crush you all the same ! With most (delicious) glee !" cackled the flower, as he began his assault.

"Keep the green thumbs out there, lady !" one-lined Ace, before everyone jumped out of the giant vine's crashing path. Or in the case of the High Card, shifted in reverse. The other vines swayed around awaiting their turn, while the four laser turrets aimed for anything that moved and had a mask on.

The fight of the Titans was on.

"Hey, (Flower Freak) !" called the little lady of great pinkness. Her luminous tiara only matched her showstopping presence and assurance. Despite her very young age, she was not shy of her title of the Queen of Diamonds. She grabbed her diamond-incrusted tiara, and aimed to make the monster regret to have ever thought of attacking at noon. "Here's a sunbath, on the house !"

The powerful ray of light hit the fiend square in the eye, effectively blinding him for an instant. "Argh ! Betrayed by the sun ! You'll get yours, you traitorous gas ball !" he said, shaking a leaf to the sky.

The distraction was all the perkiest member of the bunch needed to act. The jumble of shapes on her yellow, pink, and black costume, and her twintails not unlike the hat of a jester, betrayed the zaniness of her ideas, and how she could topple the situation like a house of cards. If a bad guy was being tossed around as much as he was getting punned, you could be sure the Joker wasn't far.

"Winter was coming, but Spring is to be feared too !" cracked the punny heroine, as she set off her giant die-shaped spring, and (got) high enough to reach one of the turrets. Like the well-oiled engine it was, the turret took aim for a close and painful shot. The Joker answered with a giggle. "Now that's a close-up ! But I think it's time for a well-deserved lunch break !" Between her twintails, a hot-dog of all things popped up, and it was immediately stuffed right inside the turret('s) cannon.

And like the cartoonish heroine that had shoved it there, the snack clogged up the mechanism, which inflated like a balloon, and went up in a burst of metal and sulphur. Not only that, but the bun missile was ejected so quickly, it crashed into the adjacent turret, and took it out as well. Back on the ground, the Joker simply stretched a hand to catch her delicious weapon, and taking a generous bite out of it. She licked her chops. "Hmm, laser-grilled. A bit charred though, if I'm being frank."

As he was gaining his sight back, Dr. Carnation pestered. "Graah ! Do you know how much those cost to make ?! Money doesn't grow on trees, and I should know ! Augh, that's it !" Two of his vines stretched to the sky, and aimed for a "TIMBER" of epic proportions. "Time to lay down for good, you pesky kids !"

"It ain't nap time 'till we say so, right sis ?!" the other young blonde of the (fray) declared, to which the concerned member nodded with assurance. One should feel themself mellowed by her infantile appearance or her (overwhelming) cuteness – which nobody denied – her red mask and blankie cape gave her the same authority and heroism as all her big sisters. If bad deeds were your game, and a sensitive nose was your (blame), you did not want the Deuce as your opponent.

With little time to act, the Deuce snatched some ammo from her utility belt. And not just any ammo, two prime Taco Tuesday diapers from last week, with extra salsa. Enough to clear up an entire mall on the (peak day) of the Sales. She made a perfect throw to the base of the glorified flowerpot's cockpit. Fumes penetrated the small air breach, and wandered around the insides of the glass dome, leaving Dr. Carnation to fully go green.

"Urp ! This is rancid beyond belief !" gagged the monster, almost wiltering on the spot. "What kind of manure is this ?"

"Poo-poo !" replied the Deuce, and nodded to her big sister, who had just finished redirecting some underground pipeline with her special spanner. This was only one of the many tools at her disposal, that could fix up anything just as fast as it could take the bad guys down. She needed no gloves for her work, (traces) of dirt were only rightful battle scars for the Royal Flush.

"You look like you could use a bath ! But don't worry, the water will match the drapes." said the little plumber with a toothy grin. One sharp crank of her spanner, and a flow of water burst from the pipe to wash away the diapers and their horrendous odour. But clean water and the Royal Flush wasn't that good of a match, especially when she was on the clock. So instead...

"Sewage water ?! AUUUUGH !" cried Dr. Carnation, once again assaulted by a horrible smell, doubled by gunk attacking his machine's controls, and temporarily paralysing him. Not to mention the flies that somehow snucked inside, and acted up the mean flower head's (low-key) germophobia.

And because of the chaos, he didn't hear the sound of a jetpack coming his way. One that only needed hot tunes as its fuel. And its user was more than capable on delivering them on a (constant basis), along with a chill attitude, and a beating cranked up to the Danger Zone. If you heard Night Club coming, you said good-bye to your eardrums, and she said hello to a loud whoopin'.

"Sorry mates, but the laser show's cancelled !" bellowed the teen, and gave her square guitar a powerfull riff. The chords instantly lit up as white as Night Club's face, and produced a sonic wave that rippled through one of the remaining turrets, leaving only smoldering rubble. "Yeah, that's right ! Loud, I want to hear it loud !"

"Nice solo act, Night Club." commended Ace from his spot next to the sole turret still standing, which he had slinghotted himself to along with One-Eyed Jack. "But duos are still a great hit too, right Jack ?"

"Darn tootin' !" said Jack brazenly. The two stuck a pair of their calling cards, crowned with a (telltale) red dot on top of them, and quickly dove back towards the ground. Their descent was accompanied by a quickeing series of beeps, and their landing by a loud explosion that took the turret with it. A second was taken to admire their work. "Who said a pair never took the (pile) ?" added Jack, fistbumping his buddy.

His (poste de commande) smelling like barf and the soiled ground covered with fly corpses, Dr. Carnation was positively fuming at the bouts of insolence ruining his plans of destruction. But as mad as they made him, he had to admit, they were good. "Perhaps a change of field might even things out." he grumbled, and pressed a lot of flashing buttons in hopes to turn his machine around. But a powerful quake, along with a lack of movement all but indicated that this was not to be. "What is it now ?!" hollered the plant madly.

"Simple. I find the root of the problem, I bury it. It's just what I dig." monotoned the darkest, but not less heroic member of the Full House Gang. The shadows of a dangerous alleyway were her friends, as were the bats and crows that scourged the night and whispered the secrets of the city's shadiest corners under her dark hood. Armed of her trusty shovel, the Eight of Spades struck the just kind of terror in the hearts of her ennemies.

At the moment though, the raven-haired heroine was content to strike fury in Dr. Carnation's heart – if he even had one – by having one of his roots in the grave. Apparently, a minute or two had been enough for her to dig a hole as long as a lorrey, large as two, and deep enough to get most of the gargantuan vine inside it, keeping it steady for a long, long rest. All of that could seem-

"IMPOSSIBLE ! How did you even get it to fit ?! Why am I noticing this NOW ?!" boomed Dr. Carnation, flying off the handle like the mad flower he was.

"I've got a good poker face." replied Lucy nonchalantly.

"YOU'RE NOT EVEN MAKING SENSE !"

"And you are a dead hand. Such is the game. Such is life."

"RRRRRGH ! That still doesn't explain why that darn hole is holding up so well ! No human (building component) can resist my vicious greenery !" the fiend pestered some more, as he chomped on the handle of a lever, and kept cranking it back and forth, but to no avail. Not so much as a pebble would move from around the root.

"I believe I can shed some light on the subject." quipped a younger lass, but with brain power that shot far past her junevile appearance. She could read a casino's worth of guidelines as easily as she could the poor soul pitted against her. And if you were a cheater, well, you could count yourself out of the (game). Because the Card Counter would deal you a lesson you'd never forget. "As you can see, I've added some of my latest (ground hardener). A few drops well-applied onto any bare soil, and even quicksands will be turned into concrete even the richest of tars couldn't make sturdier. Not to mention, visually adequate." she purred, proudly patting the black (matter). "So smooth, even Death would take its time over that grave."

"Nice analogy." commended Spades.

"Nice hole." said Counter, returning the tiny smile.

Despite his blazing fury, Dr. Carnation cracked a crazy grin straight down at the two. "Oh ho ho, you like graves, don't ya ? Then please, allow me ! Yours are on the HOUSE !" was hollered, before he let one of his other roots go on a free dive for a little goody-goody shish kebab.

But before this story could be bumped up a couple of ratings, the cavalry arrived, in the form of one spiffy young girl, in her early teens and special (suspenders), bumping the root away with a clear headbutt. Her speed, while not the one of a speeding bullet, was on par with her bull-like strength, and her agility of which more than one (Olympic) gymnast would blush . She always was first on the crime scene, and the last one to fold in the face of danger, especially for her pals. Such were the convictions of the Strong Suit.

"Sorry, jerkweed, but I'm bumping that pot, and bumping it good." (said) the brunette daredevil with a crack of her knuckles. "Now let's go for a spin ! The lucky number's on... seven !" Unleashing her war cry, Strong Suit enacted an impressive series of jumps and somersaults that got her through the many vines that came after her. Sometimes she'd give them a hearty bump to remind them who was the beef around here, though she still paced herself.

But it was not to avoid a headache, or a scar. A day without one of those was lackluster, at best. No, the course was being carefully plotted, with some silent indications from the duo she had just saved, whom Dr. Carnation had completely forgot about. He also wasn't keeping much tabs on the knots and (intermittances) he was putting them through, too enthralled in this game of Whack-a-Hero. "C'mon, Carney ! There's a high-score name to write in that little (twerp)'s blood~!" sing-sang the doctor with a demented grin, that only got wilder when she finally stopped moving, as if to catch her breath. "I'VE GOT HER !"

*KLANG !*

He didn't get her. Mainly because of the heap of tangles that most of the giant roots had become, save for one lucky son of a petunia, still providing (wonky) stability to the giant machine. A bit of a downer for the (hyper hero). "Six out of seven. Oh well, it was a tight game anyway. Yo, time to rake (them) !"

"Coming~!" sang the blond beauty of the group, swooping by with the help of her ultra-(extensible) and multi-wash railbird scarf. Perhaps she wasn't the sharpest card of the deck, but when the game was on, she wasn't afraid to crack a nail or two to avoid the gambling of innocent lives. Her tenderness was what made her one of the most popular of the stack after all, and her name was anything but a ditzy mistake. For the Eleven of Hearts always had an extra one to share around.

"Hmm..." the fashionista of justice took a thoughtful expression. "Oh dear, so many tangles. Don't you know you've gotta comb your hair fifty times before bedtime ?"

"Hair ?! Where do you see hair on this head ?!" raged Carnation.

"Well, if you tried combing it, maybe you'd, like, be able to see it." she replied matter-of-factly.

"I WILL MURDER YOU FOR EVERY STRING OF HAIR YOU HAVE !"

"Yeesh, tough customer. But don't worry, a few ribbons here and there will fix everything !" squealed the Eleven of Hearts. With many more scarves up her sleeves, her boots, and even a couple hiding behind her bangs, she unleashed a true Ribbongeddon on the fiendish ceiling, but all while keeping it exceptionnally fashionable. Red and blue ? No siree ! But add a bold dash of purple, and you suddenly had miracle in the making !

A couple of snips and traps later, and out came the third biggest perm ever created. Every vine had been meticulously (ironed) and combed into a majestic flow of nature's prime (presentation). No tangle, no split leaves, and of course, no possibility for the bunch to wiggle its way out of this beautiful bush. To which one plant could only be slack-jawed at.

"Did... Did you just transform my (tool) of (doom) into a topiary from the 80's ?"

"Totes gorges, right ?!" chirped the blond heroine, one end of the ribbon rope firmly held in her grasp. But her sweet smile turned into mischief as she started reeling that rope back towards her. "In fact, I bet you're so excited... you can't stay on your seat !"

"Okay, first of all, I don't have a sea-" he began, but was cut by the impact of the green meteorite that had just been let loose. An impact so powerful, it uprooted him straight out of his soil. The villain only had time for a quick high-pitched scream, before his meek body hit the top of his (dome) with a dull, but mocking 'thump'. "Well, it can't get any worst than this."

Never gets old.

The roaring engine of (van?) echoed once again, and the confident grin harboured by the High Card by the window sent a clear message, but which bared repeating. "Guys, clean the carpets, I'm going all in !" All acted immediately, for they knew that a (van) sent at high speed was one that neither their abilities or luck would be able to stop.

Despite his face being squished against the glass, the fiendish plant emited a weak cackle. "You really think... this micromachine... can do jack against my collossus of steel ?"

The Full House Gang and the Ace Pair answered their enemy's hollow confidence with (complice) grins. "Oh it could, but it's not the vehicle you should be worried about." smirked Ace almost (arrongantly). "It's what ace it might have up its wheels."

Right on cue, High Card pulled a large lever right next to the (frein à main). The roof of the blue van lit up with three white panels, but the blank spaces were quickly replaced with rapidly spinning pictures of all sorts. The jingle of a slot machine only got faster as the spinning slowed down more and more. But instead of BARs, a fruit salad, or them lucky sevens... a grey cauldron was what appeared to be filling the slots one by one.

To say that Dr. Carnation was confused would be going back to a couple of minutes ago, because now he was as lost as a (pissenlit) in a field of sunflowers.

When the three pots aligned, steam rose from the white roof as it slid open, revealing not only its high-tech propreties, but also the weapon that was aiming to do its target in. It raised on a firing (rampe) that unfolded itself in a few seconds for a clear shot, with glowing cyan suit symbols on the sides. Finally, all could see the giant pot unveiled, or to be more precise, a glowing missile in the form of a giant pot, just as modern-looking as its launching pad.

Written dead on the front of that ? One word. Jack.

"I despise you all from the core of the seed I (budded) from." deadpanned Dr. Carnation, accepting of his fate.

"FOLD !" shouted the whole hero gang, as High Card pulled on the fuzzy dice cordon, and sent the cauldron flying at breakneck speed. The shock between metals was enough to get the biggest machine to topple over, but the explostion that followed magnified it, and got the machine to completely flip on the glass dome. The only remaining root was now stuck under it as well. As for Dr. Carnation, his body bounced off because of the quake, and splatted flat against the glass again.

With a certain victory in sight, the thirteen heroes (rounded up) the husk of metal. The Royal Flush had a giant plunger in her hand, hitting it against her open palm, with clear plans shimmering in her little eyes. "A few (squeezes), and I'll have that bad bud out of there in no time." she said with no little pride.

"Well Doctor, it looks like you're set to go from the green fields of evil, to the grey tiles of prison." quipped Ace Savvy victoriously, relieved that the day was over. "Don't worry, they'll know how to keep you busy there."

But the day was yet to be over, for the crazy daisy's disgruntled frown soon slithered into a sneaky grin. "Oh will they now ? Well then, I certainly hope I'll be able to practice my favourite hobby..." he chuckled lowly, all while one of his own roots stretched over to his control panel. "GARDENING !"

As soon as he smashed the biggest, roundest red button on his console, Dr. Carnation saw his creation thunder to life anew. Multiple panels opened from all sides, and out came a deadly bunch of chainsaws and tree trimmers. All of which already had their target.

"Mad whackers ! (Tail) it like white bunnies, dudes !" cried Night Club, prompting everybody to retreat hastefully from the sharp tools, that immediately attacked the very (béton) they had just jumped away from. Their course didn't stop there, however. They began cutting straight into the (bases) of the damaged roots, spilling red tree sap everywhere.

"Nooo ! My ribbons !" sobbed the Eleven of Hearts before her hard work reduced into pieces. "But wait, why did he cut them ? Isn't that, like, going to make moving even harder ?"

"Not if you count the fact that their cells can rapidly regenerate, it won't ! Look !" the Card Counter pointed fearfully at the reforming green (shrubs), eventually coming back as even thicker thorny vines. They planted themselves into the ground, obliterating the pavement, as well as (sending) the young heroes back. Before they could curse their luck, of which they were never short of, the machine of destruction was back on its vines, looking more menacing than ever.

"Hehehehehe, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !" cackled Dr. Carnation with sadistic glee. "How do you like them apples ?! Nature always takes its rights back, and with interests ! Try toppling it now, that'll be worth a good laugh ! But just to be safe..."

*CRASH !*

One of the fiend's mighty roots of destruction struck the (van), and totaled it into a carpet of scrap iron. And while High Card could count herself lucky to have not been in there anymore, the attack certainly left her distraught at the corpse before her. "MY BABYYYYYY !" she howled in grief.

"And presto !" the villain laughed at the eldest's misery, much to the rest of the gang's anger. The dome angled itself for him to look straight at the masked boy, who was sneering back. "This is it for you this time, Ace ! No getaway, no help, and no more of those lame little oneliners ! You had your chance calling it quits, but now it's time to pay full price !" Three of the vines uprooted themselves, transformed their tips into bigger versions of the razorsharp thorns (parcouring) them, and all aimed at the (landlubbers) below. "Well Ace ? Where's that ace up your sleeves now ?!"

"I'll be serving those, thank you."

Before he could even register the new voice, Dr. Carnation saw one of his giant sharpened roots getting homed and sludged by a missile out of nowhere. The incandescent nature of the sludge burned right through the green and melted it like butter in the sun. But the unknown wasn't the only surprising part about this. No, the smell that left the odd brown goo was just as bizarre. None of the putrid smell of chemicals clashing agianst some genetically modified sap, to create an absolutely repugnant concoction. Instead, the nearby audience, including the noseless plant, could pick up a strange note of...

"Cinnamon ?" grunted Dr. Carnation out of share confusion, which only grew when two other bombs nicked the two other roots. "Apple ? Cranberry ? What the (frick) is happening ?!"

"It's her !" gasped the Queen of Diamonds in pure elation.

"Our trump card has arrived !" rejoiced Strong Suit with a fistpump.

"And she'll be putting the heat in those sweets ! Hahaha !" guffawed the Joker.

"What are you annoyings pests blabbering now ?!" hissed the flower. A shadow fell over his dome. "Hmm ?"

Perched at the peak of a nearby building still standing, a figure observed the scene with her two crimson (pupils), hidden behind her hero mask. Her long white ears fluttered in the shy breeze, as did her rich blue cape, and her purple suit seemed to glow in the shadow of the Sun. She had gloves, that looked close to oven mitts, but she needed no shoes to make a safe landing down below. Finally, her symbol was (embed) on her chest, in the form of a burning heart, with wings that promised to carry out justice wherever she went.

As the everyday monster, she was only Toriel, the kind baker that always had a slice of pie for the good children that crossed the (palier) of her little shop, and who had an odd fascination towards cephalopods of all kinds. But when more dangerous games were to be played, she was...

"The city and myself have had quite enough of your ruckus, child. Now, you have Hot Hand to deal with !" announced the new hero of (Casinopolis) as she struck a pose.

Carnation's leaves hit his console violently. "BLAST IT ALL ! How many of you termites are going to crawl from a rock to eat away the foundations of my evil genius ?! Oooh, that's a good one, gotta write it down..."

"Yay ! Go Goa-" began the Eleven of Hearts, but caught herself right on time. A big heart she had, but she had little resilience to spilling secrets like a carton of soy milk. "I mean, Go Go Hot Hand ! You've got him in a pinch of sugar now !"

"Nice save, brah." thumbsupped Night Club.

Hot Hand spun around for dramatic effect – and for that cape twirl, couldn't get enough – and pointed a stern finger at the flowery fiend. "This is your last warning, young man ! Surrender peacefully, or else !"

At that, Dr. Carnation only snickered mockingly. "Or else what ? Up to bed with no dessert ?"

Behind her latex mask, the goat lady of justice returned the smirk. "On the contrary, child. You'll get more desserts than your stomach can handle."

"Then joke's on you ! I'm a flower, I've got no stomach ! But what I do have, is about ten non-melted arms that would be delighted to grind you and your dishes into delicious compost for my future experiments ! SIC 'ER, GIRLS !" barked Dr. Carnation, and the roots followed through on the double.

"Watch out, Hot Hand ! Mean and green coming your way !" warned One-eyed Jack, with concern for the old lady behind the costume. But Ace was quick to reassure

"Jack old pal, don't worry. She's got more than a few good cards on her side..."

Hot Hand shook her head in (disappointment) at the incoming roots. "Very well. Time to send this game to red-hot levels !" she declared, materialising a bright red flame around her gloved paw. Inside the (goutte), a round object seemed to be cooking up. Left with little time to get it to the right temperature, Hot Hand leaped from her (stand), just as a root struck the side of the building. Her position was perfect. She aimed and shouted, "Open wide !", before throwing down her simmering weapon.

The impact was smaller, but far more violent, as the red goo didn't just stick to a part of the root, but ate its way up to about three quarters of it, burned everything in its path, and then stuck around to prevent it from regenerating.

Hot lava ? Think again.

"Cherry jam ?! What kind of pyromancer are you supposed to be ?!" growled Dr. Carnation, more confused than anything else.

"Pyromancy is part of my abilities, yes, but..." trailed on Hot Hand, as she landed back on the building. Her two hands lit up with a purple flame and a blue flame, and out came two delicious looking... pies ? "... I prefer to cook up fiends with some Pie-romancy instead, hehe !"

"Good one, double H !" laughed the Joker.

"You said it." (added) the Eight of Spades, a rare content smile as she sucked on her finger covered in now benign cherry jelly. "Life just a little bit sweeter... and I like it."

"Oh for green thumb sake- PULVERIZE HER AND HER TARTS !" hotly hollered Dr. Carnation, going for another swipe. An attempt that proved unfruitful, as Hot Hand rolled out of the way, and prepared her own next shot.

"Pies, dear. Toasty, yet fresh, like this blueberry (delicacy) !" said the heroine, before throwing down the blue pie at one of the roots. The blue flames laced around the (tige), eating it on the inside, but they threw an immediate 180° when (stakes) of ice emerged all over it.

"That's right, put him on ice !" encouraged High Card, still mighty (miffed) by the destruction of her precious van.

"And a blackberry slice for this one !" Hot Hand warred on, and launched her next pie. Upon impact, dark bubbles appeared all over the root like some kind of (gangrene). And with each pop, entire chunks of the green root went away, reducing it to a dripping husk. Despite his buttons being pushed, Dr. Carnation kept pushing the ones before him.

"I'm making GOAT KEBAB tonight !" he pestered madly, sending more roots ahead.

"Careful, sizzling (compère) ! Three bad weeds at 8 o'clock !" warned ever-watchful Card Counter.

With this new info, but not a lot of space left on the roof, Hot Hand leaped forward for a quick descent. The roots didn't back down however, and called onto the pursuit. But Hot Hand was always prepared for a customer rush.

"Such a sweet tooth you have there ! However, let us try something a little more... sour." A wrinkle dared to manifest itself on the furred hero's forehead as she put a little more focus in her next flame, this time as ebony as probably was 's heart. The pie that appeared at the middle of the pitch black embers seemed to contain the darkest of culinary arts within it. She only had to let it go to unleash them, in the form of the pie bcoming a sudden (black) vortex which engulfed the roots, and sucked them in their entirety. The chopped parts gained the colour of death as well.

As she landed, Hot Hand cracked a smile. "Hehe, few are the fans of black licorice."

"But she makes it awesome !" cheered the Queen of Diamonds.

Dr. Carnation finally began to feel the nervosity coming up his sweating petals, as his trump card, hidden behind the element of surprise, was starting to shrivel away, big time. With only a half of his roots to support his machine, and the other half permanently out of commission, things were looking rather dire. As such, there was only one thing left to do, according to any good villain's credo : Scram away to plot another day.

"G-Golly, this has been so nice fighting with y'all. But, I think I've left a mudpie in the oven ! So... see ya !" said the fiend, before turning the right knobs to start scrambling away.

But Hot Hand certainly was not done teaching this naughty weed a lesson. As one of her hands came (alit) with a new blaze, the (wildest) so far, she wagged her finger at his (lame plan). "My apologies, but you simply cannot. Not until you taste my pie de résistance..." The dark pink inferno expanded higher and higher still, while its (contours) began to spin rapidly, building up a true twister of flavour and power.

"Is anyone feeling like lunch after that ? Because I just totes want to stuff my face with something sweet right about now !" drooled the Eleven of Hearts, enthralled in the powerful smell invading the block.

"Poo-poo !" agreed the Deuce.

"It's her final technique ! She's upping the ante for real now !" one-lined Ace through the growing storm.

Just before the tasty storm could get out of control, Hot Hand regained just that. The fire opened into a large hand, that clenched around the spinning pie inside. The area fell silent, an instant of (peace) before the big finish. A fleeting moment that stopped Dr. Carnation in his steps. Indeed the (tantalising) smell had paralysed the plant in its escape course, despite his mind screaming at him to proceed with it, and URGENTLY SO !

She then carefully reared up her hand, balanced herself on one feet, and aimed for the mother of all pitches. (?) "I hope you've got room for my Raspberry Swirl, because here it comes !" Hot Hand clamoured mightfully.

And the sizzling projectile was off. The (crépitante) raspberry filling kept rotating at high speed around it, producing the high-pitched whirring sound of the (incandescent) circular saw it was. Said saw immediately went for the roots of the problem. It went back and forth at incredible speed, slicing every last (standstill) into black ribbons. Of course, their bases were effectively charred to crisps.

So naturally, logic took its course, in the form of gravity, as the now defenseless metallic hub started its inevitable descent back to solid land. But it didn't meet that ground. Yet. For the Raspberry Swirl had yet to complete his mission.

As Hot Hand was spinning her still blazing index in a short circle, the velocity of the pie picked up the pace even more, with a new course in around the falling saucer. When it became to the point where only a pink circle could be seen, a vortex of (pink) flames erupted to the skies above. One passing bird almost got himself (cooked). Dr. Carnation could only scream in apt terror as he was both flung around his machine, and slowly cooked to a crusty, but ultimately sour flavour.

"Yeah, things are cooking up for that guy ! Get it ?" cracked the Joker, to nobody in particular. Ignore the white boxes, they were already there.

"Hmmm, this looks fun and tasty." said the Royal Flush with a lick of her chops. "That guy's getting in all the good fun. Kinda unfair, if you ask me."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH !" cried Carnation like a sissy little tulip. "I YIELD ! I YIEEEELD ! LET ME OFF THIS THING, I'M BEGGING YA !"

"Is the lesson learned then, young man ?" (asked) Hot Hand, arms crossed for the answer, but her finger still spinning.

Dr. Carnation was tempted for a last bit of snark, but when one of his petals inexplicably produced a big pop-corn (bit), he surrendered. "YES YES YES ! I'LL NEVER ATTACK THIS STUPID CITY AGAIN ! NOW PLEASE, I'M ABOUT TO HURL MY LUNCH ! AND WE BOTH KNOW WHAT I EAT FOR LUNCH, AND WHY IT SHOULDN'T COME BACK UP !"

"I still haven't heard the magic 'S' word~"

"I'M SORRY ! WANNA HEAR ME SAY IT IN 27 LANGUAGES ?! I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRY !"

Hot Hand's sly smirk flipped to motherly and warm in a flash. "That's all I wanted to hear." With a flick of her fingers, the flames dissipated into nothingness, both around her paw and those tempesting about. And without the violent gale to swing it around, the hunk of metal resumed its dip towards the concrete. The whole thing shattered upon impact, due to the many scraps and (shocks) it had sustained from the whole deck of heroes, and the dome quite litteraly ended up in pieces.

Dr. Carnation, no longer with any soil nor plans to root for, soared in the air like an eagle, and fell down like a brick. His mind was foggy, his (stem) felt queasy, and his wiltered stance on the ground wasn't doing him any favours. "At least the sun's still shining..." he mumbled to the ground, with his megaphone lost among the wreckage.

A thick veil of shade encompassed his prone form. He could now sense high amounts of smugness lingering around. "Son of a seed..." the villain all but whimpered.

"Ready to drop the cards, Carnation ?" asked the bombastic hero of the white hair.

The puns and the numbness in his entire (body) were getting unbearablequick , so the flowery fiend simply took out a small white flag, and waved it. "Mercy..." he pleaded.

Ace Savvy shared a (victorious grin) with his allies of all kinds and suits."Don't worry. You'll get the sunniest corner of the big house."

"Yeah, you'll be rooted to the spot when you'll see it. Litterally !" mocked High Card, to which everyone laughed joyously.

"I'm not laughing."

Everyone that mattered, and had hands, laughed joyously.

"...No need to be mean about it."

…

It took a good couple of minutes for the municipality forces to arrive on the scene of a new villain's degeneration at the hands of the city's protectors. The protectors themselves didn't mind the wait, as it gave them plenty of time to shake hands and bask in the gratefulness of the inhabitants. Some took the pose for pictures to be unleashed on the Web, while others were handing autographs by the dozen, whether on paper or on body parts that would never be washed again. Ace Savvy was of course the main attraction, his flamboyant leadership inspiring and catching the eye of many, especially some of the ladies.

But the vote of the children had to go for Hot Hand. Then again, when you could snap yourself a slice of scrumptious pie for everybody, popularity was pretty much a guarantee. Even Dr. Carnation got to be in a selfie or two, to his growing (annoyance).

A crane first arrived to drag the small mountain of metallic rubble away – courtesy of the Gang tying the many rusty remains together – promptly followed by a tow truck, here to get the (van) to a place where it could get the (treatements) it needed.

"I'm dreadfully sorry for your vehicle, dear." amended Hot Hand, carressing the shoulder of an upset High Card. "If I had made my entrance sooner, perhaps..."

"Oh, don't worry about it, Hot Hand." reassured High Card, wiping away incoming droplets. "She's survived way worse than that. Besides, we'll make sure that every last dollar for its (entretien), plus a couple of enhancements here and there, are squeezed out of the good doctor's secret account. Isn't that right ?" she purred devishly.

"I hate everything." spat Carnation. And he did.

But High Card certainly didn't hate the next arrival. A police van, driven by Inspector Roberto Santiago, ever the kind, but just upholder of justice in the crime-ridden city. Always by his side was his tough-as-nails partner, who had the means to be persuasive against any kind of lowlife (crawling) the streets, but still a delicate blooming flower in the eyes of his protective big bro, (Constable) Ronalda Santiago. But you didn't get to call her Ronalda. Not without an extra spine busting.

"Great job as usual, Full House Gang." commended Inspector Santiago, tipping off his greasy fedora, especially towards the swooning High Card. She just loved a man in uniform. "The city's jailhouse has this new kind of fertilizer that should hold him where he belongs. We'll have him grounded for a long time, I can guarantee that."

"HA ! If you think that your second-rate manure can keep me behind bars – the greatest genius (town?) has ever known ! – you're in for some disappointement, coppers !" spat Dr. Carnation, his rancid identity apparently still in one piece despite his (shaggy) appearance. Fortunately...

"Oh, I wouldn't count on it, weedy the weirdo." sniggered the tough gal, as she squeezed a main grip around the fiend's stem. That shade of (cerulan) growing around his face was simply divine. Constable Ron looked him dead in the eye, and pulled on one of his petals. "Or you'll be left in the care of (Lazlo), our hound. And she loves to have her daily share of flower heads to munch on. It makes her fur glisten in the sun."

Dr. Carnation blanched and wisely shut his trap. His roots were promptly stuffed into a metal flower pot. The security kicked in immediately, and a disc closed around his stem, preventing any escape. The mad doctor could only mutter profanities under his breath as he was thrown into the back of the van. He would have sworn vengeance on those cursed kids, and their mangy goat ally, but he had already (égosiller) too much for one day.

"Welp, it was a pleasure seeing you again, but we've got a delivery to make." saluted Roberto with solid professionalism, which didn't last. "And I've got to call my beautiful girlfriend. It's Date Night, and I'm taking her to that new japanese place. I hope she'll be surprised !"

"She won't believe her ears, am I right ?" snickered Strong Suit, playfully elbowing High Card, who was trying her best not to swoon, less she wanted to reveal her secret identity to be revealed the world. One-eyed Jack on the other hand, threw a pretty threatening death glare with just one eye.

"Oh ! Before you go, please, you must have a snack for the road !" exclaimed Hot Hand, extending a hand, and summoning forth two big slices of pie wrapped in her own magic packaging material, capable to keep any hot snack as (crunchy) as when it left the oven, or an ice-cream cake as cold as when it flew off the shelves of the freezer. "You two look simply famished, and I'm sure your loved ones won't mind a little dough on those bones."

"Gosh, you sound just like our (abuela)." playfully huffed Constable Santiago, and busied herself pushing her drooling (kin) back into the car. Before taking the driver seat however, she threw a (brisk) smile in the white-haired boy's direction. "Though next time, try to leave us a slice of the action instead. We've got your back, any time."

Ace Savvy returned a brisk wink. You always needed an ace up your sleeves, and this particular Ace counted himself lucky for Ms. Savvy to always be near. Very, very near indeed...

A 'click' brought Ace out of his reverie, and observed in horror the motherly hero putting a small camera back in her robes' pocket. "This is precious. Absolutely precious !"

"You're giving her your best play, Romeo !" teased the little Queen to the scarlet-faced hero.

"This is a bet worth placing your hopes into. And that's coming from me." said Spades with a little grin of her own.

"Easy win, easy gooooo smooch (you) some cute chica !" guffawed Night Club.

With embarassing playfulness bumping him on all sides, and his snickering buddy not being very helpful on the matter, Ace was thankful that no villain was there to see the weak slappy motions he was using to push back his meddling teammates. "Rrrgh, shoo shoo ! Stop hovering over my shoulder, you vultures ! And, um, Hot Hand, could I get that film, please ?"

Ace begged for his dignity. It wasn't very effective against the goat lady. "And deny the scrapbook its rights of keeping precious memories warm forever and even after that ? I think not, my child." was Hot Hand's final word on the matter, completed with a sympathic pat on the head. Ace Savvy resigned himself to his small stain on his luck steak.

"Aww, you two are one pair of a kind ! I just, like, don't know any bester couple than the two of you !" brightly smiled the Eleven of Hearts.

Suddenly, the Royal Flush, with her (surhumain) skills in the world of (mécanique), heard the squeak of tyres getting closer. She peered as best she could down the street, and recognised a van of local news. When she recognized its otherworldly customizations, she knew just whose van that was.

"You might count your cards before playing them, Hearts. 'Cause boy, have I got news for you." quipped the little blonde as she tried to hold her laughter. Then couldn't help herself when the sweet hero's face lit up like a Christmas Tree when she too, saw the vehicle. Her gloved hand dug into her bag, and rummaged through it frantically.

"My eye liner ! WHERE IS MY EYE LINER ?!" The poor girl was having a five-second meltdown. But she was no vain girl. This was not for the cameras, but for the man working the camera.

Or rather, the monster working it.

And she found herself out of time pretty quick, for the van closed the small distance in a heartbeat, and landed – yes, LANDED – near the heroic group with a crash, but still made a perfect parallel-parking. The sliding door on its sides opened immediately, so fast that it almost ripped itself from its hinges. And there he appeared. A reporter whose charisma and popularity had soared beyond anyone's expectations, and who had all of Eleven Hearts hammering for him.

"Sweetie, you're drooling." whispered Hot Hand, wiping the trail away with a handkerchief.

"AH, THE SCENT OF THE ACTION IS STILL FRESH !" exclaimed Papyrus, skeleton of the field and journalist extraordinaire. "SANS, IS THE CAMERA READY TO ROLL ?!"

"ready as it can be." nodded the stout cameraman. His camera not in hand, for it resided on a bycicle. "it should make it to detroit easy. it's got some dope lenses."

"SANS ! WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT YOUR HORRID PUNS ?!"

"not outside the comedy club. also, don't talk about the comedy club." Sans wisely advised, before picking up his camera. "alright, for real this time. we go live in five. four. three. twoooooo..."

"GREAT BREAKING NEWS, NYEH HEH HEH !" hollered Papyrus. His loud enthusiastic voice was one of the subtle (advantages) that had landed him the job in the first place. No need to record an intro ! "HELLO, YOU AMAZING AUDIENCE YOU ! IT IS I, THE GREAT REPORTER PAPYRUS, STANDING ON THE AFTERMATH OF A TRUE BATTLE BETWEEN A GOOD DECK OF HEROES, AND A PIECE OF GREEN SO ROTTEN, THE VEGETOIDS WENT ON STRIKE !"

"reports say the march's vegetating now that he's behind bars." added Sans. The Joker gave it a thumbs up, and Hot Hand a small giggle.

"ANYWHO... WE ARE IN LUCK, DEAR VIEWERS ! FOR WE'LL NOW BE INTERVIEWING OUR GREAT SAVIOURS, THE DECK THAT LAYS DOWN JUSTICE, AND (?) : ACE SAVVY, ONE-EYED JACK, AND THE WHOLE FULL HOUSE GANG ! SAY HELLO TO THE CAMERA, GANG ! SHE WORKS A HARD JOB, SO SHE NEEDS ALL THE CONFIDENCE SHE CAN RECORD !"

The heroes held a brief moment of confusing stares, but rolled with it. "HI CAMERA !" The edges of the lenses reddened a bit.

"ACE SAVVY ! YOU MIGHT HAVE HAD THE HOME ADVANTAGE, BUT YOU STILL THREW IN THE 'DAVID VS GOLIATH' OF THE 21ST CENTURY ! NOW WITH MORE LASERS ! TO WHAT DO YOU (OWN) THIS AMAZING VICTORY ?!" asked Papyrus, lowering his mike for the young (justicier) to speak into. And to check out the craftsmanship. A good Papyrus reporter was nothing without accessories at his own effigy.

"Thank you, Papyrus, but there was no one David here. If I had been alone down there, fighting for my life against that crazy (weed), this would have been my last hand for sure." chuckled Ace in a quite rare display of humbleness. He hooked an arm around Jack's shoulder, and let the others crowd around him. "I (own) everything to my fantastic team. I may be an ace, but to win the tricky game that is the poker of justice, you need the best (support) to scoop the bad guys. Suits of all kinds, jacks of all trades... and some pretty neat company."

Everyone around Ace 'awwed' to his uplifting speech, and the girls seized him in a warm hero embrace. Made even warmer by Hot Hand (putting her arms around) the whole gang, and lifting them up in a hug that had all the fuzzies. The adorable sight made the sympathetic reporter melt into tears.

"NYEEEEEH ! SUCH LOYAL AND UNWILTERING CAMARADERIE ! IT BRINGS TEARS TO THIS SKELETON'S EYESOCKETS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN !" bawled Papyrus like a baby. Then professionalism kicked in, and his bright smile was back in a flash. "I THINK WE'VE SEEN ENOUGH FOR THE MOMENT ! JOIN US IN A FEW MINUTES, WHERE WE'LL BE SHOWING THE CEREMONY FROM CO-MAYORS RITA AND LYNN, TO CONGRATULATE OUR HEROES EVEN FURTHER ! THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED WITH A LONG, HEART-TO-HEART INTERVIEW, BETWEEN ME, THE GREAT REPORTER PAPYRUS, AND ONE OF OUR HEROES ! BUT WHOM WILL IT BE ?!"

"SHE'LL DO IT !" exclaimed the heroes minus one, as they shoved the Eleven of Hearts forward. Flustered at first, the hero of fashion realised what invaluable chance was being offered to her at the moment. "Y-Yeah, what they said." she murmured, before her mind crashed on itself when the (television man) took her arm.

"SPLENDID ! TO THE NEWS MOBILE, AND ITS SMALL, TIGHT COUCH FOR US TO SEAT TOGETHER !" pounced Papyrus with zeal. Leni didn't need to be told twice, letting herself be (traîner) alone the ride with the smile of bliss in its purest form. Her companions watched the van depart with pride in their chests.

"Someone's going to sleep well tonight." High Card snickered good-naturedly.

"It will be quite the marvel if she ever halts her grinning for the remaining of the month." nodded the Card Counter, just as amused.

"Righteous. So, are we movin' to that fiesta, or what ?!" shredded Night Club. "You heard him, the party's in a few minutes, dudes !"

Hot Hand gave a soft gasp. "Oh my, to make pies for the whole town ! Normally, I'd be overjoyed, but a few minutes might be cutting it a little (thin), even for me." Her worries were put to halt when she felt a small tug at her dress, by an equally small hand. "Do you have an idea, Deuce ?"

When the heroine of a thousand stinks lifted up a toy whisk and put on a little chef's hat, in spite of being one of the deadliest heroes when on a raging battlefield, the assembly couldn't help but melt under her infantile charm. A tear rolled from under One-Eyed Jack's eyepatch. "This little lady stirs up emotions that shouldn't even be possible..."

"It's a deal, my little assistant." cooed the Pieromanceress while taking the Deuce for a little flight that filled her with all kinds of giddyness. "Will any more hands assist me ? My assistants always get to lick the spoon~"

"MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEME !" raved the children like rightful madmen who didn't have some of Toriel's treats rolling around their mouths.

"TO THE BAKERY, LIGHT SPEED !" whooped High Card, already wearing her baker's apron, somehow, with 'Kiss the Pâtissière ! (to your own risks)' written on it. With no time to loose and no reason to do so, the hero bunch made a beeline like a pack of raveneous wolves in the bakery's direction. All but one, noted the (tarmac) burner. And the most important one of all. "Ace ? Are you coming ?"

Ace didn't answer immediately. His mind had forgotten all about the sweet promise, and instead focused on a strangely familiar sight. A pair of red eyes under a mop of brown hair, peering at him from a (dusty) alleyway. Ace's mind was unravelling at its seams the longer he looked at the mysterious entity. Until at last, Lincoln remembered, and understood just where he was. Knowingly, the child retreated to the shadows without a word.

"I'll... I'll catch with you later Lor- High Card ! You can have my spoon lick." Lincoln waved absent-mindedly. The comic book heroine wasn't about to wait for him to change his mind, and ran right along to Nirvanas of sweet spices and sugar. On his end, Lincoln went on the mysterious child's trail, and followed them down the alley. He kept going for a minute or two, without coming across any wall or tall fence to block his way. In fact, the other walls soon vanished, along with his superhero attire, all swallowed by darkness. A darkness unlike Toriel's basement hallway, or one of the Loud House's monthly blackouts.

This was a darkness he felt he recognised, and could trust wholefully, no questions asked. It was surreal. His kind of surreal for the last few days. And he knew who had the keys for it.

"Hello ? Ghost kid ?" called Lincoln into the darkness, the echo reverberating across his own noggin', in and out. "Did you want to tell me something ?" Nobody answered. Lincoln put on a small smile. "Do you wanna scold me again, with cryptic talk that makes my head hurts ? I know you love that !"

*Pain isn't amusing.

A squeak of surprise escaped Lincoln, and he half-expected to find a pale frown waiting for him as he swung around. Instead, he saw a dim column of light shining down from an inexistant ceiling, piercing the black void with severe hopes of catching someone's attention. And sitting at its base, with their unmistakable sweater on and their head resting on their knees, the mysterious Ghost Child was waiting.

"Well there you are !" exclaimed Lincoln with a buck-toothed smile, as he skidded his course to a stop at their level. "I saw you back there, you know ! I didn't say anything at first, because I wasn't all there yet, but when I took a good look at you, everything just clicked ! A lucid dream, just like last time ! Duh !" chuckled the boy with a snap of his fingers. "Although, I've gotta say, this one was much better. Hey, did you see me out there, being all heroic and stuff ?!" He began mimicking action poses. "One minute I'm on the ground, and the next, I'm up there planting bombs on a fifteen stories tall robot ! And then-"

*And then Flowey cornered you. You all stood helpless, until Toriel arrived, and made everything better. Just like last time.

The share cynism dribbling from this little review broke through Lincoln's frenzy like a (severe) punch through a flimsy comic book. He put on an annoyed frown, and mixed it with the colour of his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "It's nice to see you too." he grumbled while rubbing his shoulder. The ghastly guide pushed on.

*It's just that this dream clearly shows that you are taking him too lightly as a threat. You may have the numbers and your bond, but he's got ambitions and the power to make them happen. He's got Determination...

Lincoln winced. "And that's... bad, right ?"The child spared him a quick glance, and went on, the grip on their sweater sleeves increasing dramatically by the end.

*He could have killed all of you back then. Perhaps not in one swoop, but he could have. Then he would have exploited the loop, over and over, just like he said. That killer that has more Determination to kill than you have to forgive him ? He was was referring to himself.

*Though I can think of one other person. Or two...

"That does sound like something that psycho flower would do." nodded Lincoln fervishly despite his dread, as he plopped up besides the (entity). "I mean, what's the next step ? Trying to kill us in our sleep ? Hahaha !" Beat. "He wouldn't dare go that far, right ?"

*Of... course not, never. How do you come up with that nonsense ? Get real.

"...At least we're making good progress on our quest, very good progress ! Just like I promised !" said Lincoln with all the positiveness he could muster over another rant about the many ways he or his sisters were going to die down in the Underground. "We had to say good-bye to Toriel, which was almost harder than fighting her."

*She's done it before. Many times in fact.

Lincoln sighed. "I know..."

They shook their head. *You don't. You really don't...

"Can I share my feelings of the day without having you biting your cryptic (hullaballoo) into everything I say ?!" huffed Lincoln, giving them a meaningful glare. The strange child receded with a shrug, and allowed him to continue. "Thank you. So yeah, it was a sad sent-off for everybody, especially Lori. I had no idea she had all those feelings eating her up inside, until it was too late !" They looked like they had something to note on that last point, but he had their word against it. "Good thing we got a second chance. It was a real life-saver, and with impeccable timing ! Can you imagine if we('d been) forced to live on with that horrible mistake hanging over our heads forever ?"

They didn't need any word to avoid adding on that last part.

"But even though we can never forget that (atrocious) image, and it nearly destroyed our spirit, in the end, it made us stronger than ever, on every point possible. And without having to earn a single EXP !" boldly smiled Lincoln, that pumped-up feeling flowing across the veins of the fists he was clenching. A pulse of red lit up the walls of the dreamscape, and the mysterious child's eyes glowed a little brighter, both physically and in (affirmation). "Heh, and it didn't hurt for what came next. Maybe it's the huge gap since we fought anyone talking, but boy, those monsters' attacks got really brutal ! Ice Cap's icicle rain, the Snowdrakes' feather disks, Jerry, and Greater Dog, who just wouldn't give up ! It took so many turns to get him out of the battle, and he was just playing around !"

*...

"I mean, this all does feel like a big game, but the consequences are real, consarnit !" vented Lincoln while flailing his arms about like (jelly sticks), with the walls around him reacting accordingly, thundering and beast-like echoes plaguing the whole place. But after sighing the frustration that had been building up all day, the volatile dreamscape crawled back to its smooth darkness. "But even that wasn't so bad. The puzzles were fun, even if they were way too easy. We made so many friends in one day, and at least half of them didn't want to kill us !"

Mysterious child raised a hand. Then raised his thumb. Then went back to staring aimlessly into the void.

"Papyrus was the coolest of them all, for sure ! Did you see that costume ?! If I had it, I'd never stop wearing it, even for a shower ! I sure hope Leni gets her chance with this guy. I know we're supposed to aim for home, but I just want one kiss to happen before we go, even on the cheek will do ! And Lola and Ice Class, not seeing eachother again ? It just cannot not be a thing that doesn't happen !" said Lincoln with a squeal that would have made his sisters proud. His mind went blank when he realised that fact. "Huh. So that's how it feels to ship people in real life. I think I owe my sisters an apology." But the memory of a black eye severely downgraded that motivation. "At some point."

*...

"And Sans... wow, Sans." Lincoln scratched his neck (sheepishly), trying to put the lazy bones in words. "He's like a bizzare combination of Sunday me, how Luna is like when she listens to some blues, and Luan on a really creative day. All wrapped up in a short little bundle of enigma and ketchup stains." A shiver from the SOUL ran down Lincoln's spine, and across the ground. "But with that look he gave us ? I wonder if it's a mystery worth solving. By the way, why did you call him a liar before ?"

*Because he keeps smiling.

"..."

*...

"Am I ever gonna get a straight answer out of you ?"

*When you stop asking questions that can't have any other kind of answer than a straight one.

Thumb and index came to delicately pinch the tween's nose bridge, while he worked up a sigh of frustrating acceptance. He had learned before, through a lot of pies chucked at his face, that he wasn't an expert on people, that there weren't (patented) speeches that could be given to get someone to act one way or another. He just wished that of all people to hit a roadblock with, it didn't have to be the one that was always on his mind in the most litteral way possible.

If there was to be cooperation between him and them for the sake of this quest – and Lincoln wanted nothing more than that – there had to be a basic sense of trust. He had followed their tips and bouts of (talking) to the book since the very first day. What did he get in return ? Not even a name drop ! Trust 101 ! Even Flowey knew to...

Lincoln halted that train of thoughts, and set the tracks ablaze. If Flowey appeared as a positive parallel anywhere in the mix, then it was time to change the subject. "All in all, rubbing elbows with monsters has been pretty fun so far." Lincoln nodded fervishly. "It's not easy, and they are all shades of weird, but there's just something rewarding about getting to know them, you know ?"

The dreamscape, as if to drive his point home, lit up with many little floating screens. The sudden pouring of light startled the white-haired boy, but didn't even get a blink out of the mysterious child. His vision recovered, Lincoln found himself witnessing the events of those many days replaying before his very eyes. Some reflected the mix of purple and red of the dusty Ruins, while others showed delicate layers of white snow of the Snowdin (environs). And in every film, the Underground's colourful cast played their parts exactly as he remembered, down to the exact curve in Napstablook's pitiful frown.

Lincoln felt his heart flutter as misunderstandings and magic volleys slowly morphed into peace and laughter from both sides. Monsters and humans together, hand-in-miscellaneous-appendage, having a good time despite their differences ; their SOULs shine in perfect synch. "This is pretty great, don't you think ?" asked Lincoln, his voice coated in a wistful aura. He got no answer from his partner in mind, but a shivering bottom lip. "It just gets you thinking, though. What on Earth happened for those super nice folk to go to war with the humans ?"

*BECAUSE HUMANITY DEMANDED IT.

Lincoln, despite having been the target of Lucy's wrath more times than he was comfortable with, only now just found out how much venom could fit in just a whisper of four words. Enough to stop his heart. He could see the fury creeping back into their blood red pupils, the same they had displayed when humanity (was) brought to the table last night. It was especially frightening when he, a human since birth, was aimed at by their gripping glare of absolute contempt, and the (peaceful) images on the screens fell into static.

*A monster can be violent, but they never NEED to be. Not humans. Humans are constantly at war, often amongst themselves, fighting over the pettiest of issues.

The screens came back on with a change of scenery. Namely, a scenery of violence that still rang familiar to Lincoln. He saw two guys fighting in an alleyway on one screen, a monster truck making metal pancakes out of cars on another, and even Rip Hardcore (gratuitiously) headbutting a moose, which Lincoln realised didn't look so good from this point of view.

*Every generation of humans saw the birth of worst 'monsters' than the ones they imprisonned. And as I found out, always finding more and more ways to spread the fight. To spread the Genocide.

The screens were now blaring pictures straight out of history manuals and Lisa's research archives. Lincoln didn't recognise all those men, but he knew the weight of their atrocities lingering behind their (figé) stares. Finally , a much bigger screen deployed itself, stretching along the two children's entire field of vision. The black-and-white display showcased an island from afar, peacefully resting in the middle of the ocean. The sound of the waves peacefully mixed with the cries of the seagulls, but bothered by the whistling of an almost imperciptible object falling down.

Suddenly, a blinding flash, followed by a deafening sound, shattering the tranquil atmosphere. In just an instant, the island was gone, along with every speck of life that was proliferating there. No tree stood erect on its grounds, as they didn't stand a chance against the rising cloud in the shape of a mushroom. A parasite blown to the size of buildings, that only aimed to destroy and infect. The wager of the most destructive war the world had ever known.

*Do you get it now ? It's the same thing. To work together, humans need a common enemy that upset their narrow-minded standards. They have to pour their whole hatred onto that little totem of spite, so that they can feel satisfied, appeased. Monsters were that enemy, so humans casted them away. Simple as that.

Lincoln felt his stomach drop in his shoes, as his guilt soared past the dreamscape's (unseeable) ceiling, despite having no part in those (crimes) apart from learning about them in class and seeing them on TV, mostly when the resident little genius owned the remote. When you looked at it this way, humanity as a whole seemed pretty horrible. Peering down at his hand, a wave of shame encased his heart. Those five (sausages) could be descending from the hand that banished monsterkind over nothing ! At least... it seemed that it was for no reason at all.

But then, Lincoln looked closer at this little hand of his. A hand that had opted for the path of Mercy, instead of a path of mindless destruction. He raised his head, and caught his reflection in the static of the floating screen. It seemed that it could only show the truth, (realised) Lincoln with a soft smile, that he addressed to the brooding entity next to him.

"But... what about us ?" he inquired, earning him a cold but expecting side glance. "We're humans, in the flesh and mind, and we don't hurt monsters. Not to defend ourselves, and definitely not for the heck of it. The option was there on every fight, but we never dared to take it ! Except for that one time, but, yeah, we both know where and how that left us." Lincoln chuckled grimly, keeping his head down to avoid that fleeting memory. The sound of the blade ripping across fur was painful enough to (endure). "So... where does that put us ?"

*Well, that's easy to answer. You are... You are just... A-All of you... Okay, maybe you're not so easy to place. You're a weird bunch, okay ?!

"...Thanks ?" said Lincoln, a little amused. Down there, that was more of a compliment than anything else.

*It's true, I don't understand you. I mean, I've been digging through your memories non-stop-

"With my permission, of course." mumbled Lincoln, seeing another breach in what little privacy he still had.

*-and I've seen your dynamics. All your fights over that 'remote' thing, your squabbles for a treat, the trail of destruction you leave for a seat in your vehicle. You are every bit as violent (?) I know humans to be, and spiteful too. Today was quite the display of that.

"Wha ? You mean Goat Mom ? But we fixed it ! We went back in time, remember ?! Lori made peace with herself, and everything's better now !" (cried) the clearly upset Loud brother. "It's guaranteed : with that kind of power under our belt, we can't leave any (damage) behind !" He was so sure of himself, he didn't bother checking out the faint display of his sisters' SOULs around his own. The green one in particular seemed to have lost quite some lush and (petulance).

*Yes. You fixed 'everything'. And that's... quite the mystery to me. For your Determination to take you back for those selfless reasons, even after she lied to you, and betrayed her vow to protect you all.

"But we know she didn't really mean to-"

*THAT'S NOT THE POINT ! She almost killed you, and you forgave her ! Many monsters tried to end you, some even as their job, and you forgave them all ! Made friends with them ! Developped inane crushes ! Made them part of your family ! HOW ARE YOU, A PACK OF VIOLENCE ADDICTED HUMANS, SO DARN FORGIVING TO CREATURES YOU BARELY KNOW, WHEN YOU JUST FELL DOWN FROM A HOLE ONE DAY, AND CAN BRING NOTHING BUT MISERY THEY'LL NEVER HEAL FROM ?!

Lincoln was impressed that the volume alone he hadn't been blasted straight back through (Casinopolis), from one end of the city to the other. But combine it with this sudden explosion of anger, and it was a miracle that he hadn't gone around four or five times in a row ! However, the ringing of his eardrums wasn't the main thing Lincoln became immediately aware of. The wrath he had felt in his mindmate's (declaration) was different, he just knew it. Like the difference between how he felt when Luna embar(r)assed him in front of Christina, and... when the Suit Incident went too far. He had exploded with rage in both cases, but the latter came from much more than the present (mistake).

There had been tears, anguish, a freedom that didn't feel liberating at all. It had made him miserable, kinda how they...

"Are you crying ?" asked Lincoln softly. For the first time, the boy saw genuine (distraught) in his sort-of-companion's eyes, before they hid their expression in the comfort of their knees. Lincoln hastily tried to (rectifier le tir). "H-Hey, it's alright to cry ! I mean, you have no idea how much I've cried in my life, sometimes for nothing at all !"

*No, I know. You once cried over a bunch of comics getting soaked. Not even a good arch.

"The 'Muscle Fish : Lost Chronicles of the Red Abyss' series was a timeless treasure, and it was lost to the inane games of war !" wailed Lincoln, cursing his bad aim with that water pistol for the hundredth time since the start of the summer. He then caught on that he was getting way off course, and plopped his behind back on his seat. "Sorry about that. Me and comics, you don't know how much... Oh right, you do."

*Lincoln ?

'Did they just say... my name ?' Lincoln gasped internally, but lost no time taking the chance of forging a bond with the cryptic spirit. "Uh, yeah ?"

*Do you think... that even the worst person can change ? That they can be a good prson if they just try to be one ?

"U-Um, I'm not the best for existential questions, but... yeah, I guess so ! If they put the effort into it, I see no reason for it to fail."

*Ha... ha ha... what a stupid question. Here's a better one.

*If someone is born a mistake, lives on an accident after the other, and dies through failure... why are they allowed a second chance at all ?

At this, Lincoln found himself truly stumped. He was no Lisa, but he had his fair share of experience when it came to read between the lines, and boy, there was one messed up chapter he could discern right now. He opened his mouth, not even sure if words of comfort or a (throw) of questions was going to pour out (en trombe). He just wanted something to come out ! But he slapped a hand against his lips at once. The mysterious child, their hunched form completely still, looked as fragile as an eggshell. The last thing they needed was for him to smother him with (unfeeling) meddling.

Only one thing would work then. The truth.

"Because they deserve it. Whatever mistake they did, it's a chance to be happy. They should take it, and make a ton of friends, and have lots and lots fun !"

A truth that was every bit of cheesy as it could possibly get. Lincoln's face lit up with embarassement for saying something so sickeningly corny. Had his sisters been there, he would never hear the end of it. But instead of a full-blown laugh mockery, he perceived a weak snort. A spark of happiness. Lincoln was not going to let it die so easily !

"Look, I don't know what humanity did to you, and I can't say I understand all that you've been through, I really don't. But if there's one thing I've learned in a family as big as mine, it's that being lonely should never be a fatality. I mean, if they hooked you up with me, a guy who can't be alone if he tried, then it must really not be your destiny !" cracked Lincoln, with another snort signaling that he was (on a roll). "And personally ? I don't think that brooding and mysterious schtick all the time really fits you. That narrative of yours had some really silly bits."

*P-Pff ! I read the audience, that's all.

"Then there was that passionate side when you helped booing Jerry."

*It's Jerry. He's got a face even Toriel couldn't love.

"Aaaaand things went zany when those chocolate chips got involved~"

*Well of course ! Who can stay stoic when there is chocolate involved ?! Madmen, that's who !

"Yeah ! See that ? You look so much nicer when you care !" rejoiced Lincoln, doing a little jig. However, he quickly caught the deadpan stare of his spirit companion, which made him (shyly) realise that this wasn't much of a compliment. "U-Um, not that you don't look good all the time, I love the rosy cheeks, honest. A-AND, I mean that as a friend, of course ! Pure platonic, I've got a girlfriend that I love very, very much, and I am so digging my hole deeper the more I talk, so I'm just gonna start smiling awkwardly without a word now !"

The mysterious child's glare intensified, amping up the annoyance to seemingly punch a hole straight through Lincoln's pearly whites, and finish the chip in his largest one. What the sweating boy couldn't guess, was that the scowl was only a (façade), a flimsy dam trying to hold in a (torrent) of euphoria. And it crumbled right away, gracing Lincoln's ears to their first honest laugh. One they had been holding in for quite some time, it seemed.

At first, Lincoln was overjoyed to see a positive breakthrough in his mindmate's attitude. But as the hilarity dragged on, without interruption or any sign of slowing down, his bashfulness steadily grew, before getting the (better) of him. "Hey, come on ! When I say it's good to have fun, I don't mean at my expense !" argued the pouting youngster, but it only made them cackle harder. It was another minute before they finally could place three words together without falling into another laughing fit.

*Hoo hoo... whoo... I'm sorry, it's just, *snort*, your unnatural levels of dorkiness remind me of someone I used to mess with, a lot. He was even easier to trigger than you, if you can believe that.

Lincoln rolled his eyes with a snicker. "Pshh, have you really been digging through my memories ? Living with ten sisters get you a pretty thick skin, you know." His attempt at playing it cool fell flat on its face when a finger poked at his ribs, and made him giggle. "Not there please, i-it's my secret weak spot to tickles !"

The mysterious child's smile grew wistful, as they kept their merciless assault at their host's abdomen, and sent him chortling and begging for a ceasefire. Of all the humans to be tagged with, their brother in SOUL, they had certainly been sent an odd (one), surrounded with an even (stranger) family.

With white hair as a bonus. It felt like it was just yesterday...

But just before the Treaty of Tickle(stricht) could be signed, a warbling echo descended from the pinpoint of light shining above.

"...coln... Lin...o... Wake u... incoln, get up, sleepy..."

*It seems you are needed elsewhere.

"W-What ?" wheezed Lincoln in a heap of soreness. So sore in fact, that he was just noticing the feeling of weightlessness taking over his body, and pulling it off the ground. The light was calling for him, in a myriad of voices he instantly recognised, and the situation was crystalline.

"Looks like it's time to wake up." said Lincoln matter-of-factly. Knowing he couldn't fight his (envol), he turned to look back at his companion, for whom he had high hopes to have engaged the (whirling cogs) of a beautiful friendship. "I have to go ! Rememeber, if you need someone to speak to, or if you want some Loud brand of fun, just ask, okay ?! Our group's got plenty of (place) to share ! And my sister Lucy would be on dark cloud thirteen if she could speak to you ! Well, take care, buddy !"

Such blind faith in them. The lonesome child had many names for it. Naive. Childish. Hazardeous. And just plain idiotic to begin with.

But the word that was hammering around their own mind at their moment, was 'Endearing'. And it felt only natural to give some of that trust back.

*Lincoln !

The boy, just as the (light) was about to swallow him whole, peered down once more. Time seemed to slow down to a crawl as he locked his gaze with theirs. The contact had been made. A bond had been created, beyond time, beyond space, and beyond the SOUL.

A bond of DETERMINATION.

*My name is...

…

"Lincoln ! It's time to get up bro, we've got a lot more exploring to do today !" said Luna for what felt like the eleventh time.

Despite the lack of sun rays tickling their eyelids, the Loud siblings had grown accustomed to it due to the few days spent at Goat Mom's humble abode. A few additional luxes was all it took for them to tell a sunrise apart from the darkness of the night. As such, the girls were already out of bed, even sleepy little Lily, who was currently tucked in Leni's arms. But she wasn't any sleepier than their brother, who despite their best efforts, was still deep into slumber.

"We've been calling him forever ! Why won't he wake up ?!" complained Lola, pulling another (rolls) out of her hair. No one knew where she got them from, and they felt safer not asking. Annoyed, she began rolling the (curl) against his cheeks, and eventually into his nose. "Wake up, will ya ?! Your princess commands you !"

"Really ? You think that's going to make him snap out of dreamland ?" deadpanned Lana.

Lola huffed at her twin's rudimentary remark. "If he's dreaming, then my voice will be magnified, and so will be the fear of repercussions for crossing me ! He wakes up, and I tell him I completely forgive him, even though I wasn't even mad in the first place."

"Devious. But practical." acknowledged Lucy, making Lola's (curls) pop off in fright.

"Not practical enough, it seems." pointed out Luan with a concerned frown for the strange bouts of tossing and mumbling her assistant was currently going through. "He's still sleeping like a rock. Anyone's got a boulder plan ? Hahaha, get it ? Man, five minutes awake, and I'm already cragging myself up !"

"Keep the material for Sans, Luan." Lori stated in a dry tone that begged for any hot beverage or food to invade her taste buds, and truly wake her up. Back then, the smell of the pie-cakes waiting for her were all she needed to get a spring in her step. Still, she would not let (tiredness) get her down from her role. "Okay, let's go for an easy plan. Like-"

"(Mimicking) Ronnie-Anne's voice, and her tough love ?" grinned Lynn with a crack of her knuckles.

"Hitting a note on my (instrument) only dogs can hear ?" offered Luna as she swiftly spinned her harmonica on a finger.

"The obvious solution ?" quipped Lisa, her eyes rolling and her pocket defibrilator sparking up for some instant, if slightly charred, (reality-awakening).

'Need coffee. Need it so, so bad.' groaned Lori internally, already spent before the prospect of the long, tedious, and mind-throbbing day her siblings alone were making today to be. "I, was thinking of something along the lines of cold water splashed into his face ? Like a normal person would do ?"

"Oh ho ho yeah, that makes more sense." "You're the boss, sis boss." "I'll keep the pads warm just in case."

Lori allowed herself a small sigh of relief. At least they were receptive. But before she could even stand up to get a glass from the (tap), the action was rendered useless by Lincoln's awakeing. His eyes exploded open, and his frazzled look added confusion to his sisters' collective relief. His brow drenched in sweat, his short of breath appearance, his hands shaking ever so slightly. But no fear seemed to (ripple) across his wide eyes, only a strange kind of wonder.

"Well, it's about time, sleepyhead ! Wasn't yesterday's snowball show enough for ya ? You're trying to beat your big sis' nap record too ? You sneaky overachiever, you !" Lynn smirked merrily, then armed her fist near her brother's face, waiting for a reaction. But Lincoln hadn't even registered her presence. "Aw man, you didn't flinch ! Um, you aren't blinking much either. This is a bit freaky, not gonna lie."

"Hey, is everything alright, bro ?" fussed Lana as she snapped her fingers before his face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Gasp ! Maybe you have." quipped Lucy with an unmistakable peak of interest, that came along with a fanged smile of excitement. Breakfast could wait until she could hear some news from the other side of the gasket. Or in this case, the other side of her brother's psyche. "I'd bet my collection of baby teeth that you were meeting with the mysterious entity again. Have they told you their goal ? The reason why they chose you as their host ? Or perhaps have they shown you the blood-soaked tapestry of their tragic origins ?" she breathed in absolute Goth bliss, before seizing her brother by the shoulders. "Up and at 'em, brother, give me the juicy stuff !"

"Chara."

Everyone stopped. Everything stopped. Any conversation on the side, nail filling, or pun crafting had been put to an immediate halt, in favour of a word that was sending chills through their whole body as it bounced against the walls, as well as the most hidden recesses of their minds.

It was Lynn who found the courage to spell out everyone's thoughts down to two words. "Come again ?"

A hand on his steady chest, Lincoln lifted his chin to gaze at his sisters. None of them could have missed the red dot in his pupils, before it blinked out of existence.

"Their name... is Chara."

Beldam broke out before breakfeast.