This and the next chapter will be a major turning point for the focus and direction of the story. Lincoln's decision to leave is essentially the first part of the narrative. You'll see what I mean, but the story takes a rather interesting extension following chapter 8. What you have learned is who Lincoln's new friends are and the fundamental reasons as to why they are aligned together. But what has not yet been explored is what their greatest purpose is, and what plans they have in store. This will all be revealed fairly shortly, but for this chapter, all you need to know is that they have Lincoln's back. As some of you have probably guessed, this will be the first big confrontation between Lincoln and the family since their conflict in chapter 2. You all probably have your own expectations as to how it will go down, but read for yourselves…

Lori Loud used whatever stealth skills she possessed to follow the figure she believed to be her brother, along with the rest of his group, back to their hideout close to the city. She saw the group enter the building and at that point, she began to analyse the characteristics of the area. The road name, the surrounding buildings, any nearby large buildings or locations which would be notable. All so she could provide directions to the rest of her family, so they could track her location.

Lori: "Mom, Dad. I've found where Lincoln is. It's this strange little, decrepit looking place in the middle of town. It's on this street called Requital Avenue. It's a street with some old looking apartments, a few convenience stores and it's around the corner from a tall, brown skyscraper building. Hurry, I don't like the look of the gang he was with!"

Lynn Sr: "Don't worry, honey! We'll be there right away with my satellite navigation!" he proudly stated, while his wife rolled her eyes, believing those devices to be worthless.

Luna: "So dudes, did she find our bro?" she asked concerned.

Rita: "She thinks so. She's given us a location and we've got directions. Now, let's go and get your brother back!"

And with that, the entire Loud family hopped into Vanzilla, and began to track Lori's whereabouts. The journey took a little longer than intended due to misdirection's and getting lost a couple of times. Lori began to grow a little bored waiting for her family to show up…

Lori: "Ugh! What's taking them?! I haven't got all week. They are literally the slowest…"

Before she continues her mini-rant, the van arrives…

Lori: "…nevermind, you're all here." She finishes, changing her demeanour from agitated to cheerful at the drop of the hat, so to avoid annoying her parents with a complaining attitude.

Lynn: "Alright. Which one's the house where Lincoln is, and who's butts do we have to kick to get him back?!" she aggressively asked as she and the other Louds exited Vanzilla.

Lori: "He's in that place across the street." She said as she pointed.

Lynn Sr: "Well, that looks like a fairly normal house."

Lola: "Ugh, are you kidding?! That place looks horrible! I wouldn't be caught dead near that house! It's all old and the design is just bleh!"

Rita: "Not now, honey. Let's just go over there and ring the doorbell."

They then went over and rang the bell of the house they believed Lincoln was in. Sure enough, someone did answer rather quickly, though they only opened the door very slightly, as to project a sense of unwelcoming nature to the visitors…

Sid: "Can I help you?" he asked coldly.

Rita: "Um, yeah, hi. We're looking for a boy named Lincoln Loud. White hair, usually wears an orange shirt and some jeans. 11 years old. One of my daughters here thought she saw him entering this building. Can you confirm this?"

Unfortunately for the Loud family, Sid and the others were given orders by Viribus to not provide details of the whereabouts of their newest recruit, as their master had no intentions of letting the family know he is in his care.

Sid: "I'm afraid I can't help you with that, mam!"

Lori: "Look, I saw my brother walk into this place with you and a bunch of other guys! We want to see him!"

Sid: "He's not here! We don't even know who you're talking about, so just get lost!"

Lynn: "Look, buddy! You let us see him or I swear I'm gonna break down this door and find him myself!"

Lynn Sr: "LJ, No! We can't just break into someone else's property like that, or we'll have the cops onto us!" he reminded his rash and aggressive daughter, who was sometimes more prone to violence and hot-blooded actions than rational thinking.

Lynn: "I don't care! Our brother is in there and this chump isn't letting us see him, so I'll give him 3 seconds to get out of our way, or else!"

Before the confrontation could escalate any further, Sid was called by his master…

Viribus: "Potens, who's that at the door?"

Sid: "Just a big group of girls asking about their brother."

Lincoln was with Viribus when this exchange was taking place, and he overheard Sid's reply to that question. With very simple deduction skills, Lincoln realised it was his family at the door.

Lincoln: "It's my family. They've found me!" he stated.

Viribus: "Really…?" he said with a sense of devious curiosity.

Sid: "I'm just telling them to beat it!"

Viribus: "No, let them in." he commanded.

Sid: "Oh… ok." He retreated confusingly.

Lana: "Look, just let us in so we can see Lincoln!"

Sid: "You ladies are in luck. It turns out we can help you with this. Go right in."

Sid then stepped aside and allowed the family to enter the premises. Before they could get very far into the building, they came face to face with their brother and son, as well as his new allies. Viribus and the other kids of his all stood side by side with Lincoln, who held a very unwelcoming and bitter expression on his face, making it clear all was not forgiven simply because the family tracked him down.

Lincoln: "What are you guys doing here?!"

Lynn Sr: "Son, we've come to take you home."

Lori: "Yeah, you literally had us worried sick."

Leni: "Please come home, Linky."

Lucy: "My life has been filled with darkness and despair since you left."

The whole family then looked at Lucy with a confused look on each of their faces, as they thought that was completely normal for Lucy even without a missing brother…

Lucy: "More so than usual, I meant."

While the family did their best to ensure the message was conveyed that they were truly sorry and regretful over what happened, Lincoln wasn't having any of it. A few days ago, when he first left the house, he might have been more forgiving, but forgiveness was not a virtue as far as he was concerned. Viribus and the others had spent the last few days teaching Lincoln many lessons. First and foremost, to stand up for himself and not be such a doormat. But also other things, like not allowing bad deeds to go forgotten or unpunished, and making sure others do not take advantage of you. Given all of that, Lincoln was quick to turn to anger and give his family a piece of his mind…

Lincoln: "You… you think you can just win me over that easily? That you can just get me back because you came here and found me? Well, guess what? You're WRONG! If I go with you, you may all be nice to me and treat me better for a while, but soon you'll go back to being the same violent, selfish, ruthless, cruel sisters you always are!"

Luna: "Come on, bro! Don't you think that description's just a little harsh?"

Lincoln: "NO! You guys just don't get it! I asked for a little break from you people because I couldn't take it anymore. I asked for a little time and space alone to think about things, and of course, you fools don't listen and just come and find me and try to drag me back home anyway!"

Rita: "Come on, son. Can you blame us? You told us you were going to Clyde's house for the night, and they told us you never showed up. We thought you were missing, lost. We were worried about you!"

Lincoln: "Wow, that's a first. You guys… actually being worried about me. Okay, I admit it. I should have said something. Going to Clyde's was the plan at first. But then plans changed. I met my new friends here. And they've been good to me, taught me what's what, took care of me."

Lola: "Yeah, but you still could've told us where you were!"

Lincoln: "Well, my friend here said I shouldn't speak to you right now!"

Lynn Sr: "Oh did he?! Well let me ask your friend who on earth he thinks he is! You, sir, have basically just abducted my son, brought him back to somewhere he's never even been before, and restricted him from seeing his family again! I should call the police!" he said as he turned his attention to Lincoln's new friend standing beside him.

At that point, Viribus entered the conversation to have his say…

Viribus: "So, you're the family my newest recruit has told me about."

Rita: "Recruit!?"

Viribus: "Yes, I saw the boy wandering the streets, sad, lonely, angry and desperate for guidance. And I offered those things to him during his time of need. He's told me many things about all of you. He's told me about the time you introduced a ridiculous fight protocol into the house to settle petty disputes like fighting over a dress, and the consequences that entailed."

Lori and Leni then shamefully hung their heads down towards the floor…

Viribus: "He told me of the time you all locked him out of the house because you believed he was bad luck."

Lynn Jr then joined her two eldest siblings as she too began to feel regret and guilt…

Viribus: "And he informed me about all the times simple, minor conflicts got out of control just because you're a bunch of violent and chaotic nutjobs. Does the battle over the sweet spot in your family van ring any bells? How about the time you all fought over some hidden money? Oh, you know the funniest one he told me? The time you all went Anime on each other over the last slice of pizza. Pathetic! And the neglectful and inactive parenting methods, too. Everything about your family just reeks of stupidity and instability! Come to think of it, maybe I should call the police!" he ranted as he became increasingly condescending, beginning to show signs of holding back laughter as he made it no secret he found the pettiness of the squabbles between the siblings pathetic.

The rest of the family then hung their heads down, too.

Lincoln: "Jake, I think that's enough." He pleaded. Even when angry, Lincoln did not like taking it too far when it came to opposing his own family.

Viribus: "First of all, you will refer to me as Master Viribus. Secondly, this is something they need to hear, Lincoln!" he bit back.

Lincoln then turned away as Viribus continued to dish out a verbal burial against the Loud family…

Viribus: "I'm not surprised the boy snapped. I'm more surprised he didn't run out of patience sooner. You people are despicable! It's cretins like you that make lives miserable for people like us! That's why we do what we do! We're fighting back against all the unfair treatment the rest of the world gives us. I didn't abduct this boy. I saved him! I saved him from all of you!"

Lynn: "Hey, you have no right to say that! I'm probably more guilty than anyone in this family of being a bad sister at times! We're not perfect, and we've done some rotten things, but we're not monsters! We love Lincoln and we're willing to do whatever we need to put things right! And I don't see what right you have to be calling us out over it! It has nothing to do with you!"

Viribus: "Oh really, doesn't it? I have no right to say these things!? Well, maybe you would be more conforming if your brother was the one giving you what you deserved!?" he challenged.

Viribus then grabbed Lynn, turned her around so he was behind her, and pinned her arms behind her back. Despite the athletic prowess of the sporty Loud teen, she was still no match for the adult. He then called to his newest recruit…

Viribus: "By the sounds of it, you were the worst sister of all! Lincoln, come over here and teach your sister a lesson!"

Lincoln then turned around to face his sister. He had a conflicted expression on his face. Part of him remembered all of the occasions when Lynn wronged him in some way, mainly by physically harming him. But despite that, he was reluctant to hurt his own sister, even after all the physical and mental lessons Viribus had taught him.

Viribus: "Come on, boy! She's bullied and abused you for years! She's had this coming for a long time! Come on, no mercy, no forgiveness, just pain and punishment! Hit her, pummel her, brutalise her!" he demanded to his newest student.

For a moment, temptation sunk in. Lincoln raised his hand, actually considering hitting his sister. Viribus looked on in anticipation and excitement, as he was hoping to see his teachings reflected through Lincoln's actions, and find out if he had really moulded the psyche of the young boy in his image. Lynn Jr had a look of pure dread and fear as she prepared for a beating, and her family held the same feelings…

However, in spite of the influence of his new friends, Lincoln just couldn't bring himself to hit his own sister. He didn't have it in him to hurt his loved ones. He lowered his fist and began to walk away, but not without stating…

Lincoln: "Never mind. She's not worth it anyway. I'm done with this family."

As Lincoln retreated and walked away from the front room, further into the building where he just was, Viribus struggled to hide his disappointment in his student's lack of ability to dish out a beatdown. It almost seemed as if Lincoln's final statement of cold rejection towards his sister was just his way of making an excuse for not attacking his violent sibling.

Viribus: "A pity. I was looking forward to watching that."

He then turned his attention back to the Loud family to give them one final statement and warning…

Viribus: "Okay, Louds. Here's the way it is. You heard it from the kid himself. He doesn't want you in his life anymore! He thinks you're disgusting, despicable creatures and I don't blame him! From what I've seen and heard, you people need help. The boy is better off with us, so you might as well just get out of here! Until you learn to be better sisters, as well as more responsible parents, you don't deserve to have this boy in your lives! Now get out of my building!"

While the sisters tried to stand their ground and continue opposing his stance, the parents took note out of the line he just gave them, regarding their need to be 'more responsible parents'. In a moment of uncertainty, shame, regret, sadness, and defeat, Rita and Lynn Sr gave in.

Lynn Sr: "Come on, kids. Let's go."

Lana: "What!?"

Leni: "But what about Linky?"

Rita: "He's made it quite clear he doesn't want to be with us right now. Maybe these guys are right. We need to improve ourselves as people before we're ready to get him back. For now, we've just got to give him the space he needs to figure things out. And during that time, we can also work on being a better family."

As the Louds headed for the door, the aggressive, cocky and egotistical Eddie decided to taunt the saddened family…

Eddie: "Yeah, that's right. You losers better go back to that dump Royal Woods where you belong!"

Lynn: "Hey, watch it! Before I go over there and shut you up myself!"

Eddie: "Hah. A little girl? Shut me up?! That's funny." He chuckled.

Lynn: "Alright, you're asking for a knuckle sandwich!" she replied as she raised her fist in anger.

Luna: "Alright, Dudette. That's enough! Let's go." She said as she held back her smaller sister. Everyone present knew both kids were aggressive and prone to violent outbursts, so a fight between them was a certainty if not broken up quickly. The Louds had no intention of letting that happen, so they broke it up before it could go down.

The Louds then all retreated back to their van and began to drive away. As the van was pulling off, the Louds glanced back at the building one last time. All of them were heartbroken that Lincoln had abandoned them, but they knew why. There were problems concerning their family relationship, and the behaviour and treatment they emitted towards one another. They knew Lincoln and Viribus made some good points about what they were saying.

Meanwhile, Lincoln was upset about what had happened. He hated the whole confrontation which had just transpired. He didn't know whether to be furious that his family tracked him down and just thought that all was suddenly forgiven, or feel sorry for them because of how much Viribus verbally berated them and got in their faces. One thing he knew, however, was that his new friend was disappointed in him for showing restraint when given the opportunity to strike his sister down.

Lincoln (to the audience): "I don't know, guys. Am I being too harsh or unforgiving towards them? I know they're not perfect, but they're my family, and I know they love me. Maybe it doesn't always show, but they are not bad people. I'm… not sure. I'm sure that I'm in for it now, though. Master Viribus won't be happy with me that I disobeyed his orders!" he stated as he began to display signs of worry.

He then got up and began to walk back towards his master and friends, but as he was approaching them, he started to overhear a conversation taking place between them. He then stopped as he was curious as to hear what they were speaking about…

Wayne: "So, a little annoyed that Lincoln didn't obey your orders, Master?"

Viribus: "No."

Hilary: "But he went against your teachings. Everything we stand for here."

Eddie: "Yeah, I thought he had changed for the better, but it looks like the guy's still a complete wimp!"

Viribus: "He's still new to all this. He's still adjusting to our ideals and our way of life. He'll come around eventually. He's just not ready to fully embrace our directives yet."

Sid: "So, should we make sure we don't spill the beans about our upcoming plan to take over Royal Woods Elementary School to him yet?"

Viribus: "No, the boy is not ready to find out about our true intentions for Royal Woods and beyond at this time."

At that point, Lincoln's alertness and suspicion grew, and he made his presence known to the others…

Hilary: "Got it. We'll keep quiet about our upcoming plans to Lincoln for now."

Lincoln: "And what plans might those be?!"

Viribus and the others then turned around, shocked and surprised, to see Lincoln emerge into the room, having heard every word they had just spoken. Having been caught, Viribus knew he would have trouble explaining to Lincoln. Now the white haired boy was onto his case, and was demanding answers about what his greater intentions truly were…

So, the bad guys have unintentionally revealed too much information to the protagonist. How will Viribus be able to explain himself to the Loud boy? Or will this be the part of the story where Lincoln realises the error of his ways? Or will he agree with Viribus when he hears what he has to say? I wouldn't want the outcome too obvious, would I? Anyway, since there are some spoiled plot synopses for upcoming LH episodes later month, I'm going to take a very temporary break from writing more on this FanFic so I can fulfil my obligation to get reactions/reviews done for each episode. After I've worked on my predictions post for my DeviantArt and Wikia accounts, I should be able to resume work on this story until the next wave of new episodes are released. I will try to keep some sort of consistent rate of progress going on this story if I can. Hopefully, on average if I can get about one new chapter uploaded per week, I'll call that satisfactory.