Now we have reached the turning point of the story. This will be a crucial chapter as it will determine the relationship between Lincoln and Viribus for the rest of the tale. Will Lincoln be horrified by the plans of his new ally, or will he agree with what his master intentions and remain loyal? You are about to find out, but whatever the outcome of this confrontation is, it will have serious ramifications for the rest of the cast. Let's just say Viribus is not the type to think too small…

Lincoln: "So, Jake, or should I call you Master Viribus like the others?"

Viribus: "Yes, you should. It's the ultimate sign of respect, respect I have earned and you must show me at all times!"

Lincoln: "What did you mean when you said I can't yet know about your true intentions?! What plans do you have exactly?! Apart from taking over my school?!"

Viribus was reluctant to tell Lincoln of the true extent of his plans, believing he had not yet converted the mentality of his newest recruit to the point where there was any guarantee of loyalty or compliance. While he had convinced Lincoln of the idea of standing up for himself and being a stronger and more 'assertive person', he hadn't informed him that his ambitions expanded to far greater lengths than that. Nevertheless, he figured the boy was smart and savvy enough to see through any lies, so he sensed he would have to tell the truth…

Viribus: "Lincoln, everything I have told you… I meant every word, and you know there was a lot of truth to what was said. Don't deny it. But I would be lying if I said my plans ended at us simply learning to be stronger and more willing to fend for ourselves in the world."

Lincoln: "Meaning?" he further questioned.

Viribus: "All of this. My efforts to create a group of people who would work with me to accomplish my greatest desires. All of the extensive and consistently intense training we have put ourselves through to become physically and mentally tougher than the rest of those vermin masses out there. It all serves a grander purpose. It contributes towards a vision I have, one which I have held for many years. We need to seize control of society and make the rest of the world fear and respect us! Only then can we finally live happy and prosperous lives!"

Lincoln was beginning to get freaked out by what his 'friend' was telling him…

Lincoln: "So, what?! Are you saying we go around physically beating and punishing people, including everyone who stands in our way, until people give in and just get on their knees and worship us every time we walk into a room?!" he questioned with a demanding yet sarcastic tone.

Viribus: "Pretty much, yeah. That's exactly what I had in mind."

That response flabbergasted Lincoln. At that point, all he could provide as a response was exactly what he was thinking at that moment…

Lincoln: "Are you crazy!? I can't believe I'm hearing this. You're completely out of your mind!" he insisted.

Viribus began to find Lincoln's questioning, opposing and insulting stance against him irritating. He realised he would have to silence the boy quickly, because he preferred to only require giving his newest friend a verbal rather than physical subduing.

Viribus: "Look, kid. The truth is just becoming stronger is not enough if you really want to make a difference! Those people out there, they're scum! Every last one of them! People will step on you, and walk through you in life if you let them! That's how this world works. And that's a life lesson I learned the hard way. If you want people to stop treating you like garbage, you have to force them to! You need to make sure they are afraid of you, that they know you will not let them get away with such treatment. Your sisters, your friends, your neighbours, your bullies. They all take advantage of your weak-willed nature because you let them! I should know… because that's what happened to me. All my life, I was mistreated, and practically TORTURED because I was different, and because I was weak! Because I allowed people to be that way towards me. And now I'm seeing the same happen to you and other kids like you out there. And I'm done letting that behaviour go on unpunished. As far as I'm concerned, it's payback time! We… are superior beings! We're better than the vermin out there that roam civilisation. I'm just making sure we get what we deserve! A better life. A place amongst the table of kings. That's what we are, and that's how others will come to recognise us. Lincoln Loud, join me in our quest to achieving true supremacy in society!"

Lincoln was utterly shocked at this point. He met Jake only recently, less than a week ago. Yet the two had bonded and become close allies, all during a time in which Lincoln was in need of a friend, and of emotional support. But while Lincoln initially believed his friend to have noble intentions, what he really had in mind was something far more sinister, far more radical, and far more extreme. Lincoln then realised a few things, and brought himself to speak his mind, despite being in the presence of his imposing, intimidating, and at that moment, infuriated 'friend'…

Lincoln: "Wait a second. Is this why you came along to help me? You never had any intention of helping me with my problems, or of turning me into a better person! You just wanted another soldier in your nutty 'quest' for power against a world that wronged you, or something crazy like that!"

Viribus: "It's not as crazy as you think, kid. If what I'm saying weren't true, would you have been in a position where you were alone and in need of help in the first place?"

Lincoln was struggling to comprehend the conversation at this point, but verbally fought on anyway, certain that his opposition was a nutcase at this point and couldn't possibly be right…

Lincoln: "What are even talking about…!? Okay, look! I thought you just wanted to become a more strong-willed person, who could be reasonable and grounded in his thoughts, and also stand his ground when he needed to. And that you wanted to help me and those other friends of yours do the same. But no! That's not what you want! That was never what you really intended! It was all about getting people to fulfil your ridiculous fantasies about being some god amongst men or something. What you're saying is just nuts! There's a difference between learning to stand up for yourself and just being a cruel and violent psychopath! If there's one thing I've learned, it's that I'm actually happy I'm not a violent and vengeful person. Because hearing you now…"

Viribus: "Silence, boy!"

Lincoln: "No! Maybe you don't realise it, but by doing what you say you're gonna do, you're becoming exactly like the thing you hate! In fact, you're worse. You are the ultimate bully, Jake!"

Viribus: "Shut your mouth, Loud! I won't tolerate this blatant disrespect from the likes of you! You are just a small child! You don't know what you're talking about!"

Lincoln: "Well, I know what you're planning isn't right or fair!"

As the confrontation continued to progress, the heat of the situation kept rising. Every passing sentence caused both engaged in the conversation to increase their levels of rage and frustration. Both arguing very opposing and contrasting views and both not surrendering to the other. That last comment from Lincoln struck a nerve in the mind of Viribus. He believed his views and ideals to be right, meaning that from his perspective, Lincoln's claim was pure blasphemy. Furthermore, he came to the conclusion, through his harsh life experiences, that life simply isn't fair, and the fact that a small boy who he thought didn't know any better was against him based on the fact that what he intended to do wasn't fair… that pushed Viribus into a state of intense anger, which he then proceeded to lash out against Lincoln…

Viribus: "FAIR?! I'll tell you what's not fair! Spending your entire life as a victim of bullying, exclusion, condescension, disrespect, violent treatment, and discrimination! Then having to sit back and be alone and without appreciation or even acknowledgement for existing, while everybody else, including those who wronged you, living happy and fulfilling lives! Well, boy. Let me tell you something! All my waiting, preparing and dedication has finally paid off! The master plan I have devised is ready to put into practice, and I'm sure not going to let some weedy, skinny, moronic little runt RUIN IT FOR ME NOW!"

Lincoln stepped back as he was truly frightened at this point. Lincoln had been scared many times before. All the times he angered his family. All the times one, a few of, or even all of his sisters became enraged with him, ready to attack at any second. The times when he was confronted by bullies, such as Hank or Hawk, or even at a time, his friend Ronnie Anne herself. But this trumped any of those occasions. Lincoln stood before a fit and well-trained adult in his early-20s, who was armed, dangerous, had a number of minions at his disposal, and to top it all off, was clearly mentally disturbed and sadistic, and was currently infuriated with him. Lincoln tried to retreat from the situation, but quickly enough his adversary continued to speak…

Viribus: "Why won't you accept the life lessons I have taught you?! Have you learned nothing from our time together, boy?"

Lincoln: "Yes, and for what it's worth, some of your advice and guidance actually sounded pretty good to me. But this, this is madness! You may not be above it, but I would never violently lash out against people in a way that would seriously hurt them. I may be mad at my family right now, but I would never want to hurt them. Same goes for my friends, and even total strangers. Have you ever heard the saying 'an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind'? What you're talking about, what you plan to do.. it will only end horribly! I wanted to learn to fend for myself a little better, to not be so easily intimidated by others, but not to be a violent nutjob who just brutalises people out of pettiness. If you're what being strong is all about, then I wouldn't mind remaining a weakling!" He struggled to say, as he was still afraid of what the response may be, but he was following perhaps one of the few admirable pieces of wisdom Jake had given him, to stand his ground.

Viribus: "You see? That, right there. That is why you had it so bad that you felt the need to leave your house! That's why you're always the victim of poor treatment from your sisters, so called friends, and even other children! That's why you're constantly bullied, harassed and overpowered by everyone you come across! You're weak! And you accept it! That's why you're a pushover who gets trampled on by everyone you ever meet! That's why I win and you lose!"

Lincoln: "You're wrong! You're not strong or powerful. You're just butthurt, petty and sad."

Viribus was losing his patience with the Loud. He had hoped for subordination rather than resistance, but Lincoln was not backing down. Now he had passed his outburst of rage, he had come to a conclusion; Viribus did not wish to lose his newest recruit, so he changed his tone and approach and, after calming down a little, tried one last time to regain the allegiance of the white-haired child…

Viribus: "But that's the thing, I can help you. You admit you are weak, and I can fix that. Come on, Lincoln. Give my ideas a chance. In time, you will see that I was right. Come on, let's not let one petty squabble and a few heated exchanges spoil our friendship. We would be great together as saviours of society, Lincoln. After all, the world owes us for the way it has treated us over the years. The way I see it, we are due some compensation and it's time we worked together to make the world pay up! Stand by my side, Lincoln Loud, and together, we can ascend not only into strong and admirable individuals, but into TRUE GODS!" he let slip as he got carried away with his speech intended to convince Lincoln to remain loyal to him.

Viribus then extended his hand out to the child. Lincoln thought about the offer for a second. He asked himself if Viribus was actually correct in his beliefs. But that moment quickly passed, and Lincoln rejected the offer, concluding…

Lincoln: "I'm sorry, Viribus… Jake. If this is how you think, then… I can't be your friend anymore." He struggled to say, as he did so with a strong sense of sadness and slight regret.

Viribus then hung his head down after Lincoln told him that. While Viribus had a passionate hatred for most people, there were a few he considered close friends. Those whom he genuinely felt a connection with and honestly cared for. Through his bonding with the boy, Viribus came to see Lincoln as a close friend and valuable ally. As such, Lincoln's rejection actually hurt the man. For the first time, Lincoln saw, just for a brief moment, a hint of emotional vulnerability in Viribus. He was visually distraught by the refusal to shake his hand. As if he were genuinely hurt that Lincoln had terminated his friendship with him. He felt betrayed; after having taken the boy in, taught him valuable life lessons and offered him a chance to improve his life, the boy turned away his friendship because of one disagreement. And because of that, he became livid and vengeful towards the Loud child…

Viribus: "If you're not with me, boy, then you're against me!" he stated as he aggressively grabbed Lincoln's arm and pulled him away.

Lincoln: "Let go of me!" he shouted as desperately tried to break free from the grip, but the strength applied against him by Viribus was far too great for his efforts to not be in vain.

Viribus then dragged Lincoln to a dark, cold and desolate room, which appeared to resemble a prison or dungeon. While clearly angry at that moment, Viribus committed to imprisoning Lincoln while containing a slight level of regret on his face, not wanting for their conflict to have come to this…

Viribus: "It's a shame you had to find out about my plan this early on, kid. You were not yet ready to comprehend the true extent of my intentions. Still, maybe this time alone in here is going to give you the chance you need to reflect on things, and come to realise that my way is best."

He then shoved the boy into the cell and sealed him inside. Lincoln then screamed for his life…

Lincoln: "YOU MONSTER! Let me out of here! Locking up children is illegal! You can't do this!"

Viribus: "Actually, Loud, I can. I can do anything I want. That's one of the perks of being god. And if you come to your senses, you'll see that you can be a god, too."

Lincoln: "You're insane, and you're not a god! You'll pay for this! You'll never get away with it!"

Viribus: "And just who's going to stop me?! Nobody knows you're here. You left your family and then, as far as they're concerned, you disappeared. Then when they came to your rescue, you rejected them. Your friends have no idea where you are. Face it, the world has forsaken you. I'm all you have. So hopefully, you'll soon come to accept my ways and join in my conquest for humanity. I'll give you some time to think about it."

As the mad man walked away from the cell, Lincoln then fell on his knees, closed his eyes and began crying as everything had crumbled around him, it seemed. He began to feel as if all hope was lost, and to top it all off, he knew of Jake's plans to violently and ruthlessly terrorise and take control of his local area, and beyond. This was a true low point for the Loud boy…

But Lincoln Loud wasn't as alone as he might have thought at that moment. He had many friends and people who cared about him, and one way or another, the people who loved him would come through for him at his time of need. But how would they save him now…?

Wow. The protagonist went from becoming independent from his family and being a welcome member of this group of new friends he has just met, to becoming their prisoner all in one chapter. That goes to show the kind of power Viribus has over him. This chapter was written as the turning point in the story, as now things will divert away from being about Lincoln joining a new group or cult, and move towards what said group intends to do in the name of their beliefs and philosophy. It was also written to portray the contrasts between both Lincoln and Viribus. Viri is far less forgiving and much more resentful of the world's hostility towards him than Lincoln, and has far more radical ideas concerning how he aims to change the world for the better, at least in his mind. While Lincoln isn't necessarily the type to hold massive grudges, and genuinely loves his family and friends despite sometimes receiving the short end of the stick, Viri takes things very personally and loathes everybody for, in his own words, making his life a misery. Essentially, Viri is what Lincoln would be if he held a grudge forever inside him and never let it go, if he had no sense of love, compassion or forgiveness in his heart. If he let every little time someone wronged plague on his mind, and responded with violence and hatred. Oh wait, am I still talking about Viribus? Anyway, the next chapter should be uploaded soon.