After attending TED Talks, Lincoln and Lisa head home and settle for dinner. After which, Lincoln resides to the living room and prepares to write down his story. With so much motivation from the talk that centered on possibilities of science and the universe that opened more doors in his imagination, Lincoln jots down his thoughts.
"In a galaxy far, far away, where no man has gone before, there was a ruthless Empire who runs the whole galaxy with an iron fist. Among those who try to stop the powers of the ruthless one is a rebel group, led by a princess with a mysterious past. But she gets caught by the Empire's most ruthless leader, clothed in sheer darkness and wrathful menace. Fortunately for the princess, she sends two faithful android servants to search for an old friend as part of a distress call to send an important plan to take down the Empire once for all. But lo and behold, at a desert planet they landed on, they encounter a young warrior who aspires to help his family out of the planet. He brings them to the 'old friend' they are talking about, who turns out to an old master who tells the warrior that he has future as a 'true warrior'. From there, the adventure of our young warrior begins..."
Suddenly, Lisa interrupts Lincoln, which startles him, "Sorry to interfere Lincoln but I just thought to assist you in your homework task."
"Really? You are offering to help me in making a story?" Lincoln replies.
"I may not be the most reliable assistant on the creation of new literary products of prose, but I can detect unoriginal works of art when I encounter one."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"The story, from what I heard currently, is nothing of original material."
"It is original."
"Oh yeah, what's going to be the next part?"
Lincoln then continues jotting down his story down to the paper. "Unfortunately, evil is lurking every corner. And the young warrior's family has perished. But the old man convinces the young warrior to join him on his quest with the androids..."
Abruptly, Lisa interrupts Lincoln and predicts how his story will go, "Then, the group meets this jerk in a cantina, and they convince him to take a ride aboard his spaceship called the Ten Century-Old Eagle and they go on a rescue mission for the princess to defeat the Empire and save the galaxy. Is that it?"
However, confronted with that intrusion of how his story is blatantly unoriginal, Lincoln tries to defend it, "Well, I was going to place a subplot where the Emperor arrives and tries to lure the warrior to a trap. And also a backstory for the jerk and a side story of how the rebel group was able to get the master plans to destroy the Empire. Also something about the droids and their encounter to a group of fuzzy creatures."
"Mmhmm. Sounds like those stories are done before," Lisa argues. "I would not go to this creativity direction if I were you."
"Well, how come you know these stories are done before? I thought you claimed you are 'never a penchant for pop culture mayhem.'"
"I stand by that. I just overhear college colleagues circulate in topics like that. So, I got my sharp observational skills handy."
"Well that's just the same as eavesdropping."
"While in class discussion?"
Having dropped that counter-argument, Lincoln is left speechless of how to outwit his 4-year-old sister.
"Knew it. So, let me help you or not?"
"Nope, I think I am perfectly fine."
"I do think your literary piece needs fine tuning of original work."
"Well, unoriginal or not, at least I got my story. It's not like I will get accused for plagiarism or what."
"My thoughts exactly."
"Oh, so you think you are the expert now"
"Hey, hey, I am just trying to offer assistance on your 'homework'. I already gave you inspiration for your work."
"And that's what I am doing." Lincoln then turns his head away from sister and returns to his paper.
Feeling slightly insulted of Lincoln dismissing her assistance, Lisa despondently utters, "Well, suit yourself not George Lucas. Hope your story is as good as that 'great' holiday special." After that, she walks away from the living room and to her bedroom.
Back to Lincoln, he jots down the next parts of his story, which, ironically enough, are how Lisa would have predicted would be. "The entourage composes of the young warrior, the old master and the two androids. After evading the Empire's forces, they meet a rogue chauffeur and his fur-filled assistant in a seedy tavern, hearing that he is the best escort in the business. The old master convinces him to take them for a ride aboard his spaceship called the Ten Century-Old Eagle to go on a rescue mission for the princess to defeat the Empire and save the galaxy. And after escaping the Empire's jet forces in an awesome dogfight, they venture out to the galaxy in full war speed..."
As Lincoln goes down to this part, he get distracted from a space-themed guitar rift being played on the background. It obviously turns out to come from Luna, who is strumming an impromptu tune with her electric guitar. "Oh yeah, that's a good beat..." she utters.
"Uhmm Luna, that's an awesome beat right there," Lincoln compliments.
"Why thank you bro. Didn't notice you there," Luna replies.
"Yeah, if you can, can you tone down the guitar beat for just a little?" he pleads.
Luna then notices her brother doing his homework. "Oh sorry dude, if I distracted you."
"Nahh it's okay."
"What is homework anyway?"
"Oh, I'm supposed to write my own story."
"Cool, how is it going?"
"Kinda great. I got the whole story at hand. It's about a young warrior who goes on a journey to save the galaxy, with the help of an old master, a rogue shooter, his hairy assistant, two androids and a space princess, from the evil Empire."
Having heard of his proposed story, Luna comes up with a suggestion of her own. "Hmmm you know what your story needs? Cool villains."
"Cool villains? I never thought it that way. I mean I have the dark leader," Lincoln replies.
"Well make him the most menacing thing you have ever seen. Have him a helmet for his head, a black cape for his body and an inhaler for his lungs. But give him telekinetic powers to choke those who offend him."
"Sounds menacing enough."
"Do it bro. Also you can add a way eviler overlord with a freaky face, a sneaky bounty hunter and a humongous blob creature like a boss."
"Hmmm..." With that, Lincoln takes consideration of his rocker sister's astounding suggestion.
After meshing the suggested villains to the story, Lincoln gets to the rescue mission part. "The old master uses his resurrected telekinetic powers to trick one of the Empire soldiers to help them sneak in the Empire's intergalactic fortress to rescue the princess. As they enter one of the secret hatches, a commander recognizes the old master and orders his unit to hunt them down..."
Suddenly, while picking on the chocolate cake in the fridge, Lana notices Lincoln doing his story in the kitchen. "Woah Lincoln, I think I heard an awesome story coming from your mouth."
"Oh yes I am doing one, Lana," Lincoln brags.
"Really? What's it about?" Lana asks.
"Well, a hero's journey of one mighty warrior to save the galaxy."
"That sounds awesome! There might be some action in there!"
"Well, I was going to put in some parts."
"Here take note. On the awesomest sci-fi ever, there has to be awesome action. Have the hero do karate moves. Or a wise old guy do the karate moves. It is important that every character gets to have a fight scene to make it look awesome. And have tons of shootouts. They rule the big screen."
"Geesh, sounds like you watched too many movies with dad."
"But it's true. So, what you think?"
Lincoln then ponders on his sister's suggestion if it is plausible to place it on his story. But considering that he almost runs out of ideas after Lisa points out the unoriginal elements of his story, the 11-year-old jots that down.
However, Lincoln remains stuck in the rescue mission part. He gets bothered with the lack of character development from his story that makes the payoff for the fight scenes lacking. This time, he retreats to his room to help him focus. "Okay, then the young warrior, the rogue chauffeur and the furry assistant disguise themselves as soldiers to rescue the princess. Does that sound original?"
Out of the blue, Lynn bursts from the door and interferes Lincoln. "Lincoln, there you are!"
"Lynn, will you stop bursting from the door like you're the SWAT team?!" Lincoln pleads.
"Sorry. Anyway, have you seen my ping pong paddle?" the athletic sister asks.
"Nope. I thought you gave it to Lola. And I think she made it a paddle ball."
"Oh, thanks anyway. Sorry for disturbing bro."
"Well you better be. I am trying to write down my story."
"Oooh, what's your story about?"
"About a hero. In a hero's journey in space. He has to save the Empire from their evil deeds."
Just like Luna and Lana, Lynn comes up with her own suggestion. "Hmmm sounds good. But your story needs something engaging."
"Like what?"
"A twist."
"A twist? You need it's kind of cliche to put one."
"But this will put the readers at the edge of their seat. How about let an evil guy reveal that he is the father to the hero? How does that sound?"
For Lynn's suggestion, Lincoln finds it unnerving to place it on his story. But then he realizes that this trope (and his story for this matter) to be derivative. Nevertheless, he considers Lynn's story idea. "I guess I can place it in the story."
"Do it. It will sound cool."
Lincoln then nervously raises his two thumbs for guarantee. It is clear that he is pressured on coming up with his full-on story.
After the room, Lincoln retreats to the dinner table to focus evenly. But as he tries to find ways to integrate the villains, the action and the story twist to his story, he suddenly gets interrupted by Leni and Luan.
"Hey Lincoln, we heard from Lana that you were doing your story. And we just hope that we can help," Leni offers her assistance.
"Yeah, we have story ideas in mind too," Luan adds.
"Uhmm sure guys, what you have?" Lincoln hesitatingly allows.
"Okay, I just think this could be marketable, and I don't know what that means, but I think you should place a love story," Leni suggests.
"Love story? Why would I need a love story in my science fiction story?" Lincoln argues.
"Because every movie has one."
"I am not doing a movie, Leni."
This makes Leni question what she just suggested. "Oh shocks, sorry. You should do a love story instead."
"I'm not doing a love story, Leni."
Luan then butts in, "Well, while you're at it, you need to a comic relief to your characters. The hero needs someone to feel relieved by through his jokes. That will com-ic handy. Hehe. Get it?"
"I don't know about placing a comic relief as a character," Lincoln points out worryingly.
"You need them. They are marketable. But I don't know if they'll end up annoying," Luan replies.
Suddenly, Lori passes by them. "What's literally going on here? And why are you occupying the table? Need to practice setting up a Continental dinner setup."
"Oh, Lincoln was just doing his story. So we thought to help him," Luan answers, to which Leni agrees.
"What's the story about?"
"A soap opera about two star-crossed lovers," Leni answers with flair.
"It's a space opera, Leni," Lincoln corrects her.
"Oh, what was I thinking?" Leni grunts to herself, "I mean a soap opera about space."
"Hmm, space opera you say? Well, it won't literally click if you don't talk about important issues," Lori argues.
"Why would I need to do that? I am just doing my homework," Lincoln clarifies.
But Lori continues, "Like diversity, gender politics, or literally environmentalism."
"When did you start talking about those stuff?"
"Right when Bobby talked about that to me. He was literally serious about them."
But Lana overhears them and defends her own suggestion. "Hold it right there! There's no time for complex issues when you have a lot of action going on. And I think fights with giant alien robot monsters would be good for your story."
"Lana, I don't think it fits in my story," Lincoln says.
"It will. Just have them blend in the background since it is awesome to imagine giant robots fighting!" Lana explains.
But surprisingly, Lola butts in to the situation and gives her own argument. "Nope. Giant robots?! They're nonsense..."
"Phew, thanks Lola," Lincoln responds.
"Hold on Lincoln. I'm not done. You can have giant robots, but you need to have powerful, independent heroines. They are good material for science fiction."
"But my story has a princess now..."
"Then give her powers or strength to overthrow the bad guys."
"She will."
"But make her a main character! She deserves it! And every story does!"
"When did you start thinking like a feminist?"
"Right after Frozen! Besides, female characters need more character."
Suddenly, a voice utters from behind, "If that's the case, why don't you go deeper and darker?" This scares Lincoln that he leaps onto Lola's arms. Of course, it is Lucy who shows up from behind with that suggestion.
"Why would I go darker if you would appear from the darker edges of the house?" Lincoln berates.
"Sorry. I just overheard the discussion. And I was thinking, it is integral that heroes need to deal with their dark backstories."
"Lucy, not every hero has a dark backstory."
"Then make the story dark and gritty. That is what makes it mature and important."
"I don't think a story has to be dark."
Suddenly, Lynn pops from behind, having overheard of Lucy's argument. "It doesn't have to be bro. You don't need it to be. It just needs an 80's soundtrack and the guys kicking butt while the soundtrack is playing."
"How does that engage the story?" Lincoln asks.
Luna then pops out of nowhere and defends on Lynn's argument, "It will pump up the story with teen spirit."
"Yeah, and you should the characters get conflicted by their different issues to make it pumping," Lori interferes.
"But put them into action!" Lana butts in.
"But the girls first!" Lola follows up.
And with that, Lincoln's sisters overwhelmingly throw him story ideas that he has a hard time picking up. Each idea overlaps one another, making some hard to understand. Even Lily butts in with her idea - a chosen one named Neo who has to fight clones of Men in Black. As his sisters surround him, Lincoln sneaks away from the table and escapes.
Suddenly, he trips over, at the sight of Lisa. "I see your creative team has pitched a lot of story ideas at you."
"Lisa, I'm glad you're here. You're the help that I need."
"The help that you need? I thought you have people to do it for you?"
Lincoln then looks back at his sisters, to see them huddling like zombies seeking for brains to eat. With no other choice, he utters, "Well, it is better from you than them."
"Not so fast. First, you need to sincerely apologize of your mistake."
With a sigh, Lincoln directly admits, "I am sorry that I disregarded your help. I know you want to offer your help. But I never consider it."
"Such sheer authenticity. But I have to admit I am not the best person you can turn to for literary advice. But I'll do my best." With that, Lisa takes her brother to her room for a brainstorming session.
Apologies guys for this belated chapter. I have to announce that I will be on a week-long hiatus. Commitments on work, on family, on career and on preparation for my next stage in life start to add. So, I need to take a break from fanfic writing. But I will try my best to follow up on them.
Expect stories and followups to pop out next week, starting on March 26. And hope I can have a helping hand. Thank you guys!