Here we are, the final chapter. Let's end this story…
Lincoln and his many allies stood around a defeated and subdued Jake…
Lincoln: "Well, Jake. This is what you get for just being a violent jerk all the time!"
Ronnie: "You're going down for all this, lame-o!" she said as she used her typical 'Lincoln insult' and directed it at Viribus.
Fuming and full of adrenaline from the fight, and deeply shocked and enraged from his loss, Viribus decided that, despite his defeat, he would attempt one last time at getting the final word in, and a livid one at that…
Viribus: "YOU IDIOTS! BEATING ME WON'T JUST MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER! DON'T YOU REMEMBER THIS ALL STARTED BECAUSE OF YOU STUPID LOUDS BEING CHAOTIC AND SELFISH!? HUMAN NATURE IS TOXIC AND VILE! THERE'S NO ONE BAD GUY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD! YOU STOP ME AND EVERYTHING WILL CONTINUE TO BE TERRIBLE! CONFLICT AND PAIN AND MISERY IS ALL YOU WILL CONTINUE TO KNOW! YOU'LL ALL STEP ON EACH OTHER UNTIL NO ONE IS LEFT STANDING! YOU WILL ALL REGRET STOPPING ME TODAY!"
Lincoln: "Well, Jake. I think it's time you calmed down a little. There's a song called Let It Go, and I think you should listen to it." He joked, mocking the mad man.
Rita: "Yes, maybe a lifetime inside a prison cell will help!"
Viribus: "And you, Loud! You will be a scrawny little pushover, forever! AND YOU DESERVE IT! You're weak! Pathetic! Spineless! The next time you end up ganged on 10 against 1, betrayed by your friends, beaten to a pulp by those closest to you, kicked out of your house, shunned by the family over something petty, picked on by some dumb kid due to stupidity, or bullied and oppressed for no good reason, DON'T COME CRYING BACK TO ME ABOUT IT!" he directed at the white-haired boy, whom he was blaming for his defeat and downfall.
Lincoln then looked back at Viribus in disgust, ashamed in his fallen friend that the entire ordeal, including his defeat, had taught him nothing. He prepared to speak back, but his sporty sister then did that for him…
Lynn: "Oh yeah? Well, the way I see it, Lincoln was able to take all the hardship we gave him and he still came out of it a good person. While you just crumbled under the pressure and went crazy! For that, I'd say Lincoln is stronger than you'll ever be!" she told Viribus.
Lincoln: "Thanks, Lynn." He replied.
Lynn: "No prob, bro."
Viribus then rolled his eyes in disgust, but the verbal burial against him wasn't over yet…
Lynn Sr: "If I may say something, Jake, is it..?" he asked as he directly confronted the subdued wannabe warlord.
Viribus: "You will refer to me as Viribus, parasite!"
Lynn Sr: "I'll refer to you however I want! Now you listen here! You have no right to be calling anyone else out on any bad things they've done! You kidnapped and brainwashed my son into believing your psychotic nonsense! You manipulated his feelings into turning against us, his own family! You went around and terrorised all of Royal Woods, attacked and injured many people, put many more lives in danger, went after my family and friends, and now you're going to sit there and act all holier than thou?! You disgust me, kid! I'm glad my son has come to his senses, because I would never, EVER, want to see him turn out like you!"
Harold: "Well said, Lynn. Well said. Now all that's left is for the police to arrive and take him away!"
Lincoln: "And I suspect they'll be walking up here any sec."
Moments later, the police did arrive, and handcuffed the already tied up Jake before taking him away…
Cop: "Jake Kelly, alias Viribus. You are under arrest for acts of violence, kidnapping, oppression…"
Viribus: "OH SHUT UP!" he yelled, not wanting to hear a word of the officer's babble.
The cop then responded by taking out a pair of handcuffs and roughly placing them around the wrists of the criminal, which the onlookers thought was somewhat pointless in context…
Luna: "Um, dude. He's already tied up. Did you really need the handcuffs?"
Cop: "Hey, I don't tell you how to… play your metal music, do I?!" he responded.
Luna: "It's Rock N' Roll, dude!" she replied irritated.
As he was being taken, Lincoln went up to his former friend one last time…
Lincoln: "I hope you take the time you're going to spend in prison to reflect on yourself, and maybe seek self-improvement, Jake."
Viribus: "You've all made a mistake." He said with a surprising level of sudden calmness and collected emotion, as if he'd just lost everything, which he had, and had nothing left to lose.
He then turned away from Lincoln solely to stare at the entire group, and inform them…
Viribus: "You will all wished you just killed me." He simply stated, before being sent off.
Cop: "Alright, that's enough. Get moving!" he demanded before shoving the accused villain forward and forcing him to walk.
And with that, Jake was taken to prison…
Afterwards, the entire Loud family rushed over and hugged their brother and son. The others present simply looked on and smiled, happy for the family and viewing the occasion as heart-warming. After all they were put through, the Loud family was one once again.
Rita: "Lincoln, we're so glad you're back."
Lynn Sr: "And safe!"
Lori: "We're literally as sorry as we could ever be for how we've behaved, and not just recently."
Luan: "Yeah, we've been out of whack for years, and we're sorry."
Lynn: "Some of us have been worse to you than others, I'm sad to say. But we promise, we'll all be better sisters to you in the future!"
Lucy: "We won't shroud your life with unending darkness anymore!"
Lana and Lola: "Please come home, Lincoln!" they pleaded, as they weren't present when Lincoln declared to his older siblings that he was returning home.
Lincoln: "Of course, girls! I've missed you." He replied.
Lisa: "Understand, we won't take you for granted again!" she insisted.
Lincoln then smiled as he had his family back, but then went on to say his own piece…
Lincoln: "No, guys. It's okay. I've never been the perfect saint, either. Many times, I've also been a selfish, bratty little boy who took his family for granted. I've manipulated and schemed to get my own way. We've all made mistakes. But we all love each other, and behind all the fighting and yelling, I know you will always be there for me when I need you."
Lucy: "Likewise."
Lincoln: "Lucy, Lana, Lola, Lisa. Since you weren't there when I came home, I just want to let you know, I'm back and I'm staying for good. In fact, I wish I never left."
The younger Loud sisters then began to weep, though happily, as they processed that statement.
Rita: "Maybe we could all learn from our mistakes. We need to be better parents, for example. We need to know when a situation is getting out of hand and when to put a stop to the fighting."
Lori: "I could stop being so commanding and condescending when a situation doesn't need it."
Luan: "And maybe I could tone down my April Fools pranking sprees."
Lynn: "And I could stop being too rough and competitive with you guys."
Lisa: "And perhaps I could restrain myself from using you siblings of mine as test subjects for my experiments."
Lincoln: "Look, I'm not saying any of you need to change who you are. You're all great sisters, and I love having you all as my family! I'm just saying it might be worth controlling our anger and temper sometimes, and also not let our selfish urges get out of control. That goes for me, too."
Loud family: "We love you, Lincoln!" they said as they hugged him.
Lincoln: "Aw, I love you, too." He returned as he welcomed the embrace.
The others looked on a gave a collective 'aw' at the sight. Ronnie Anne, being against all that mushy stuff, initially rolled her eyes, but then lightened up and also came to view it as a warming sight, especially since she could appreciate what the family had just been through and what it meant for them to be reunited and safe again.
Ronnie: "Well done, lame… er, Lincoln." She said to herself, before Carlota triggered a conversation.
Carlota: "So, Ronnie Anne. It IS true that Lincoln is your boyfriend. I KNEW IT!"
Ronnie's face then blushed out of embarrassment as Carlota brought up that subject. She was in for an awkward experience on the way home. The rest of the Casagrandes crowded behind her after Carlota said that, interested in the subject matter.
Ronnie: "We can talk about it later. Right now, let's just be happy for the Louds. They've just been through so much, after all." She said as she tried to take her family's mind off the romance topic, hoping they would forget about it.
The Casagrande's then shifted their attention back to the Louds, who had resolved their affairs and were ready to depart, which was fair enough, considering how exhausted they were after the events which had transpired. Bobby specifically wanted to quickly share an embrace with his girlfriend, whom he hadn't seen or heard since his capture. And throughout the previous half hour, everyone had been caught up in all the commotion that the love birds didn't have a proper chance before the current moment to really reunite and embrace. But once the conflict had been resolved…
Bobby: "Lori!" he shouted to the eldest sibling.
Lori: "Bobby Boo Boo Bear! We haven't spoken in days!" she cried as the two ran up to one another and shared a hug.
Bobby: "I know, I was only stuck in the principal's office with that Viribus guy for like a day, but without your sweet, tender voice to listen to…"
Bobby and Lori in unison: "IT FELT LIKE FOREVER!" they screamed.
Everyone else present on the roof then rolled their eyes…
Bobby: "We NEED to catch up on things. How's about a super romantic dinner date tonight?"
Lori: "Oh, that's so sweet of you, I'd love to…" but before finishing her sentence, she developed a concerned facial expression as she turned back around to face her reunited family.
Lori: "…But maybe it can wait until another day. Today is about family, and mine is in one piece for the first time in too long." She reasoned.
Bobby: "Of course, totally understand. Tonight is about your family. Go and spend some time with them. Mine is going to do the same, now that we're out of those ropes!"
Lori: "Oh, Bobby. You're so understanding." She commented in admiration.
Lori and Bobby then walked back to their respective family circles, as they prepared to go home…
Lincoln: "I'm happy to have you guys in my life." He cheerfully said to his family.
He turned to the rest of his friends…
Lincoln: "All of you. You're all the best family and friends a little boy could ask for."
Lynn Sr: "Come on, son, kids. Let's go home."
And with that, the Louds walked away. The others present like the McBrides and Casagrandes then followed, and with that, the roof became empty again.
They went down the stairs, and walked through the hallway of the school, where they could see the aftermath of what their fallen foe had done. The police had taken Viribus and his followers away. No doubt, they would be taken away to Juvie for their actions, much like how their master was heading to a prison cell. The children outside had stopped fighting, thanks to the intervening of the police and their parents. Many parents were hugging their kids, as they had only just reunited with them after Viribus had held the children as hostage inside the school. The Loud family were not the only ones separated by the whole ordeal which had just transpired.
As Lincoln and the others looked on at everything, they came to appreciate their own family bond even more. Often, it's your mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who will serve as your moral and emotional anchor in life, and it is they who shall enable you to become a strong and proud, but also sensible, caring, and altruistic individual. Viribus and his followers threw all that away, and judging what happened to them and everyone around them, that's not a good thing to do.
Lincoln (to audience): "Boy, am I glad this is all over and done with! Now we can all go home and get on with our lives. I guess there is a silver lining in all this. This has taught me to value and appreciate what I have, and while our family relationship isn't perfect, I know first hand just how important they are to me. I'm lucky to have them in my life!" he declared as he smiled out of pride.
The Loud family then walked through the playground, and joined the large amount of other families who were doing the same as they were. Re-joining one another and preparing to go home themselves. The Louds took one last look at the building, knowing they would never look at the Elementary school the same way again, considering what took place inside it…
Finally, they got into Vanzilla and drove off to return to their home as the sun began to set in Royal Woods. Their chaotic, disastrous, lovely home.
…
Epilogue:
The Louds continued to work towards being a better family. They had learned plenty from the whole ordeal and did not want their trouble with Viribus to be in vein. Lincoln was happier and more comfortable in his house with his family than before. His sisters and his parents were just glad to have him back.
Lincoln (to audience): I'm glad to be home. To be with a loving and caring family again! I've learned that I should never underestimate the value of that. While not perfect, I wouldn't trade this for the world. It certainly beats being a revenge-filled screw loose, that's for sure."
Just then, a football flew in to Lincoln's room and hit him in the face, knocking him over.
Lynn: "Oh my gosh! Bro, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, the ball just went out of control." She apologised with genuine intent.
Lincoln then calmly got back up and replied…
Lincoln: "It's cool, Lynn. It was an accident. You didn't mean to do that."
Lynn: "Thanks, Stinc… I mean, Lincoln." She said, before giving him the thumbs up and running back out the room. She almost by instinct referred to her brother by his insult-based name, but then remembered and acted on the fact that she was aiming to be a better sibling.
Lincoln (to audience): "See what I mean? Sometimes it's just easier and better for everybody if you forgive them, instead of holding a grudge." He remarked before laughing off the event.
Lincoln then walked downstairs to what he thought was another scuffle before the twin sisters…
Lana: "I wanna watch that show about the lizards!"
Lola: "Well, my pageant show is on now!"
But just as it looked like another brawl was about to erupt…
Lincoln (to audience): "Oh man, here we go agai…"
Lana: "Why don't we take it in turns? If I let you watch your prissy pageant show now, next time we have a scheduling conflict, I get the remote." She suggested.
Lola: "Deal." She agreed as they shook hands.
Lincoln (to audience): "Wow, negotiation. They're really making an effort."
Then as Lincoln walked away from the twins, he accidentally bumped into Lori, who was far more easy-going about it than expected…
Lori: "Lincoln! I… am sorry. I should have looked where I was going. Are you okay?"
Lincoln: "Yeah, thanks for asking. Sorry, by the way, I wasn't looking where I was going."
Lori: "That's okay." She replied before walking off.
Lincoln (to audience): "This is actually pretty nice." He said cheerfully.
Lori: "Oh, Lincoln." She called to him before he could walk off.
Lincoln: "Yes?" he replied.
Lori: "I'm driving over to the city to see Bobby later. Did you want to come with me and hang out with Ronnie Anne?"
Lincoln: "Er, that's cool, Lori. Hanging out with Ronnie Anne's great, but I got plans for today."
Lori: "That's okay. You enjoy yourself." She said cheerfully before walking off.
Lincoln (to audience): "Well, that was refreshing." He remarked over what just happened.
Lincoln roamed across the hallways of the Loud House, and all was calm, orderly and tranquil for the moment…
Lincoln (to audience): "I really do have a great family. They're being so reasonable, and pleasant. It's awesome. Sometimes, you don't need to go to extremes to influence positive change. I mean, look at this place, it's so quiet and peaceful." He concluded.
Though despite the fact that he loved the violence and conflict being toned down to a more reasonable level, deep down he knew it could never be completely removed from their family dynamic. They are siblings, after all…
Lincoln (to audience): "But something's missing." He observed, as he looked on at the peaceful yet uneventful household he had come back to.
Rita: "Kids, your father and I ate a pizza, and we left a slice. Which of you wants it?" she asked innocently but obliviously.
All 10 sisters in unison: "I WANT IT!"
Lincoln (to audience): "There it is!" he said, before preparing to race towards the last slice of pizza.
And with that, the equilibrium was restored, with some necessary modifications, of course…
…
Meanwhile, Royal Woods Elementary School returned to its calmer and orderly self. Much like The Great Flood of 2012, the business with Viribus and the Disciples was deemed an infamous event from the past, and one which was considered best to never be spoken of again, by faculty members or students.
After being freed from being held prisoner inside their own workplace, Principal Huggins and the teachers came out of the situation more concerned and dedicated individuals. After witnessing how messed up someone can grow up to be if their worries are not dealt with, the teachers became more proactive in producing a friendly and welcoming environment for the students, though also more productive at taking measures to decrease instances of bullying between the student body. They wanted to make sure their school was never responsible for producing a screwed-up criminal as bad as Viribus.
Lincoln's friends also returned home. Clyde went back to the McBride's, who showered him with care and attention after having been kept away from him for some time. Ronnie Anne, Bobby and the Casagrande's went back to the city, where they resumed their city lives, no longer having to worry about the burdens that plagued the area of Royal Woods. Though they did worry that if Viribus ever escaped from prison, their home, along with the Loud House, would be one of his first targets. Though they were confident they were ready to deal with him if he ever visited their home a second time.
The Disciples of Viribus were sent to juvie where they were each given 2-year sentences. In addition, they had to take anger management classes, therapy sessions to deal with their issues and warped mindsets, and had to undertake 100 hours of community service. The intention being that these children's minds and lives could be repaired after the damage that was inflicted upon them by the teachings and guidance of their former master…
…speaking of which, Viribus was sentenced to life in prison for everything he had done. However, this was not the end of his reign of terror. In fact, this fallen nutcase considered it to only be the beginning…
Viribus (to himself, inside his cell): "They thought it was over when they subdued and arrested me. They think I can do no harm from inside the confines of this small room. Well, they're mistaken. As long as I'm still breathing, I will do everything in my power to make this world suffer for its wrongdoings! Especially the Loud family! They may believe they have won, and that they've seen the last of me, but even in here, I can do a lot of damage! And one day, I will escape and be free again!"
Prison Warden: "Hey, lights out!" he shouted to the ranting prisoner before switching off the lights to the place.
But that didn't stop Viribus from finishing his speech…
Viribus (to himself): "And then I'm coming for you, Loud House!"
VIRIBUS WILL RETURN
And… that's a wrap. 20 chapters long, and over 70k words in length. A fairly big story, but it's finally over. I've hugely enjoyed writing this piece of FanFiction for The Loud House and look forward to inevitably writing a sequel to this story (in fact, I already have a narrative concept formed, and it's just a matter of time until I begin writing it). I'll probably give it a while if I do write another story, however, since I've just finished this one and would like a break from it. Plus, I have my reaction and review posts to get back to on my DeviantArt and Wiki accounts.
Well, this is the part where I thank everybody who has followed, faved and reviewed this creation of mine, and tell them how much I appreciate the support that they have provided. For those interested in providing feedback on this story, now is the time to do so. With this story finished, now would be the time to send me your overall thoughts regarding this story, if you wish. Factors such as what you liked about it, what could be improved on, what questions you have regarding the narrative, and so on would be most welcome. Anyway, I hope you've all enjoyed Pushover or Payback, and I hope you stick around for any of my future works. As I've mentioned previously, I have accounts on other websites (I usually go by the name JustSomeOrdinaryDude), so if you would like to follow me on those, that would be cool.
But for now, I guess it's Au Revoir. It's time for me to resume my focus on reactions and discussions concerning the show itself. What a convenient time, too, since a new batch of episodes is coming out this week. So, that concludes this project. But I'm sure I'll be back…