June 4th, 2026

"'on the latest attack of super powered individuals, who were spotted in-"

"-have been various reports and video footage of what seems to be one of these so called Phenomenons, the name that has been-"

"Members of the White House have been recently making some mysterious changes-"

"These freaks, these monsters, will be the death of us normal people. Where is the necessary-"

"-related to the attack of a Vial Corp facility in Colorado. As of yet, there has been no comment from-"

Luna switched the TV off. "No mention of Lincoln, but us. They see us as threats."

Lynn was displeased. "They'd be grateful, if they knew we fucking saved the world."

Lola and Linka were on the floor, with the older diva combing her hair.

Lynn looked to her watch. "I'm worried about him."

Luna stripped the watch from her wrist. "He's fine. But he made it clear, he's-"

Linka moved her head to Luna's direction.

"-he's going to be gone for awhile..."

"Hold still, Linka." Lola redid the back of her hair. Linka played with her fingers.

"Is he going to come back?"

"Of course he is! Don't you worry a thing! Wanna hear a joke?" Luan placed herself in front of Linka, who smiled for one.

Lana, Lori and Lucy were in the kitchen. Lucy was sharpening the knifes, in the corner, humming softly.

"Why are you doing that? You're creeping me out." Lori gave Lana the signal. The knives in Lucy's hands were swiped away.

"I'm just... Give them back, damn it."

"No. Stop it." Lori groaned. "DAMN IT, WHERE THE HELL IS HE?"

Linka jumped from the shout.

""This isn't okay."

"I'm not doing another run. We've been at it for days. I couldn't find any trace. Neither did Lola."

Lynn turned the TV back on.

"-and if there are bad ones, there could be good ones. Let's take a look at the latest incident here;" The camera switched to the very same scene where Older Lynn instructed them to hit Vince, once and for all. "The dead here, were reported from some secret terrorist organization that we have not know about. Obviously, the government has their secrets, but I praise the person or persons responsible. Let's not jump to conclusions and point out that all freakshows are bad. We can't go around antagonizing them. This is just like-"

"Wow, maybe not everyone will see us as menaces."

"We aren't, but Lincoln..."

"I want ice cream." Linka got up from Lola's lap.

"Well, excuse me, then. Hmph!"

"We could probably use some grub, dudes. I'm in, let's go. Linka, invite the others. We'll all wait out."

Lana set the knives down in the sink.

"You're really giving me shivers, Lucy." Linka skipped happily into the kitchen.

"Luna said we're all heading out. Hurry, I want some ice cream!"

Lana exited the kitchen, taking Linka by her hand. Lori pinned the deadly goth to the wall. "No funny business. Whatever you were doing, stop it."

Lucy nodded. "Yes ma'am."

Later

The gang were muching down at a Burpin' Burger restaurant. Linka was already on her cone, while mostly everyone was still wrapping up with their fries.

Across the street, three huge, muscular men back parked into a 7-11 with a pick-up truck. They stared at the ATM just outside.

"Remember, Cletus, just keep a lookout while Earl and I take that big money doohickey."

"Yup yup!"

The look out exited the truck, firing away with the rifle he had in his hands. "Nobody try nothing, or you'll get it!"

The civilians around scattered for cover. The cashier inside was shot dead, trying to call the authorities. The two others hooked onto the ATM. "Is it perfect?"

"Yes! Dagnabit, that was fast as babies being born, yeehaw! Cletus, get in!"

The truck pulled away, only to go slowly. "What, what is this? What the hell-"

Lana revealed herself outside the driver's window, waving. She held up a tire.

"My baby!" The driver grabbed the rifle, and smashed it through his window. "Billy Bob, what im tarnation are you'se doing?"

Lana phased Cletus from the truck, delivering ten punches in the same second. Billy Bob fired from behind. Lana ducked and sped off.

The truck started off again. Lana removed the hook from the ATM, and swung it up high. It found its way through the windshield, and made hard contact with Earl's skull. The gun in Billy Bob's hand went through his stomach. "Holy moly!"

Lana opened the door. "Give up, and surrender yourself."

"W-What are you?!"

Before Billy Bob got out, an unseen force shoved him back inside. The truck itself rose into the air, and then landed on its back, exploding on impact. Lana was less afraid, knowing already who had done this.

"Something you need, Lupa?"

The white haired girl, accompanied by Lacy, who had a cast on her left arm. "We need to crash with you for a few days." Lana grabbed them both, running behind Burpin' Burger. "Come on, then."

"Its nice to see you three again so soon. What brings you by?"

"We've been chased out. Lacy here has been caught using her powers to stop a robbery." She pointed to the other side of the street, which was now filled with police. "Like that. We did this right by where we were living, and then we got an angry mob on us. We left quietly. So, we want to stay with you guys, but, some of you clearly don't know the word 'subtle'."

"Told you to not intervene, Lana."

"We needed to show people we're not harmful."

Lupa laughed. "You killed a guy, you know."

"Uhhh... No comment."

"Liby is scared. And we've run out of- Don't tell hasn't returned yet?"

Lacy and Liby eyes Linka. "Are you okay?"

Linka smiled at them.

"Alright, dudes. I guess him gone makes space for you three. We can always use another Luan." Luan kicked Luna from underneath.

Liby and Lacy both cheered.

"We'd better go now. Looks like they're going through witnesses. Twins?"

"Liby! Lace!"

Carol Pingrey threw Lacy outside the window. Lupa, badly beaten and bruised, limped with all her might to the window. She raised her good hand, and ensured Lacy landed safely. Carol grabbed her by the hair.

"You'll never win!"

"I think I just did!"

Carol's arm shapeshifted into something like a sword.

"W-wait. Who are you?"

"The death of you." Carol inserted her hand into Lupa.

Lupa looked at the scar. "Fuck me."

"She's still alive. And we're putting them back in danger, again. We can't stay here."

"No." Lupa had made up her mind. "If we unite, we may have a chance. I wish Lincoln was here."

And Lucy won't be, for long. Come on, whoever you were, blondie. Come kill us now.

"I need a smoke."

Lucy appeared from behind.

"Hey, mother. I'm surprised you're still here. Care for a smoke?"

"No. Any day now, they'll be here right? Was it the right choice?"

Lupa puffed. "No, not it wasn't. You made the right call, summoning them. One last time."

"Wait, did you just call me-"

"Don't get used to it."

Linka was on the front lawn, laying in the grass. A blonde woman appeared, wearing a blue shirt and black skirt. "Hello there!" The woman greeted.

Luna sat on the porch, looking on. Linka sat up. "Hi, I'm Linka!"

"Hello, Linka. I'm Riley. How old are you?"

"Linka, your favorite cartoon is on!" Lynn opened the door for the quick moving girl.

"Yay!" She yelled.

Luna stared at the woman. This Riley chick, she not only looked familiar, but felt familiar. She waved at Luna, before leaving out of sight.

Luna checked the sidewalks. Riley had vanished.

"Do you ever wonder what the other captives from Vial are now doing?"

"Sometimes. I hope they're all fine." Luna remembered her own roommate in her time being a prisoner. "I can only hope."

"Things will change, Luna. We're just as victims as we are capable."

"We're putting her in school. She has to attend."

Lynn and Lori nodded. "You're right."

Liby, Lacy and Lupa were alone in a room. "But, one of us will have to tell them. About that girl, whoever that was."

To be Continued in; The Pingrey Protocol.

AN: Connections, characters, and additions. I've just went ahead and added two more arcs for the fic. I'm still writing the first chapter of ATD. Ugh, man, the difference in mood and tone from that one to this one is strangely fast and noticeable.

Is Riley Carol in disguise? Was this too soon for a one shot? Will I regret this, or are you getting aroused enough? Are you... getting riled up? XD

This was just about how they're seen publicly and by the big guys. Then, it changed. I don't know how. For the first time, I had no idea where I was going with this.

It just stepped on another level of hard, trying to memorize who's where and who knows what; but I shall not give up/cancel this, which was almost possible, twice.