"What do you want?" Ronnie Anne asked.
"Can we talk…please?" Stella asked back, careful not to provoke her.
"I'm listening,"
"Can we go somewhere private?"
"Fine, I was going to meet my friend, Sid, so you might as well come along,"
The two left with an awkward silence between them as they made their way to the skate park where Sid was waiting.
"Hey Ronnie Anne, hey, aren't you Stella?" Sid greeted.
"Yeah,"
"Alright, what did you want to talk about?" Asked Ronnie Anne.
"I'm sorry for everything, you were right the whole time, and I was too stupid and gullible to believe you,"
Ronnie Anne was surprised by what Stella had said but could see the sincerity in her eyes.
"Look, I appreciate you are wanting to make amends with me, but I'm not the one you should be apologizing to right now; that's Lincoln,"
"I don't know how to apologize to him in a way that won't have me come off looking as if I'm just trying to save face," Stella confessed. "I ruined our relationship, I ruined our friendship, and even when I realized that I was taking things too far, I let Rusty manipulate me into going farther, all because I couldn't see what an idiot I was,"
"Why did you even think he would cheat on you in the first place? Why was that so believable to you that you couldn't believe the picture was fake?" Asked Sid.
"When we started dating, he was so busy helping his sister's band we barely spent time together, then there were times I saw him hanging out with that girl Sam, and I don't know, part of me just felt maybe he found someone better,"
"You do realize that Sam is a lesbian, right, and she was dating Lincoln's sister?"
"I know, that's why I felt so stupid for thinking that; Lincoln even came and apologized for being so busy with the moon goats and promised to take me to Dairyland after his sister's concert was finished, but a few hours later, after making that promise that stupid photo showed up and it was like all my fears came true,"
"And you couldn't just give him the benefit of the doubt? Maybe look into it before jumping to conclusions?" Ronnie Anne asked.
"Wasn't it suspicious that after he made a promise to you, suddenly incriminating evidence just happened to be delivered to you? Didn't you ever wonder who took the picture in the first place and would want you to see it?" Sid added.
"I don't know, at the time, I was so upset, and Rusty took advantage of it. Looking back, now it's all so obvious, and makes me feel even worse. I'm not here to make excuses or justify how I acted because I can't do either; all I can say is how sorry I am." Stella confessed.
"Look, if you really want to make things right with Lincoln, then say everything you said to me to him when you get the chance, right now he's trying to make things right with his sisters, so if that goes well, then maybe he'll be willing to talk to you later. And if you want to be taken seriously, do it somewhere private. If you do it where everyone can see you, then you are just doing it to save your rep." Ronnie Anne advised.
Stella nodded, believing there was a chance to fix things with Lincoln, not just Zach and Liam too. Suddenly they all started hearing police sirens from a distance. Confused, they all watched as an armored car came shooting down the street, and behind it were several police cars.
"Dang it, I gotta stop that thing,"
"Hey, what's that?" Asked Sid.
Looking up, everyone watched as a fireball that came out of nowhere flew down like a meteor, smashing into the stolen armored car. All three girls were stunned at what just happened; the thieves were injured and laid unconscious among the rubble of their vehicle. To their surprise, the fireball did not extinguish but sat before someone emerged. The man was a man with a build similar to Shazam; he wore no shirt but had black pants and a cape. His eyes were fiery, and his hair was shaved down to a buzz cut, but you could see he had orange hair.
"Oh yeah, that's what happens to bad guys when Sabbac is on the job," he said, proudly flexing and pointing at himself.
"Who is this guy? Wait…. Sabbac?"
Ronnie Anne remembered a long-winded text she got from Lincoln about that name. Unfortunately, it was early in the morning, so she didn't read it thoroughly, glancing at the name before going back to sleep and telling herself to read it later. The police got out of their cars; none looked happy or grateful.
"Do you realize the damage you could have caused?" One cop asked.
"What are you talking about? I just saved the day," Sabbac asked, not expecting this response.
"Saved the day? You endangered everyone here with your little stunt,"
"They're just criminals. Lady Shazam does this all the time." Sabbac defended.
"No, she doesn't. Lady Shazam never destroyed anything or got anyone almost killed with her actions; what you did is just reckless."
"Hey, I was trying to help, so back up off me, dawg," Sabbac said, looking annoyed.
"Dawg? Rusty?" Said, Stella.
"Say what!?" Asked Ronnie Anne.
Sabbac's ear perked up, hearing a familiar voice; turning, he saw Stella standing with Ronnie Anne and Sid. Ignoring the police, Sabbac happily walks over to them.
"Hey Stella, fancy meeting you here,"
"Rusty, what is all?"
"Shhhh! Don't spoil my secret identity; meet me on the roof over there. I'll explain everything," Rusty said, flying off.
Later
Reluctantly Stella, Sid, and Ronnie Anne went to the roof, where they found Rusty flexing in his new body as if there were invisible mirrors all around him.
"Aw yeah, someone has been working out, dawg,"
"Rusty?"
"Hey ladies, check out these guns," He said with a smirk, showing off his biceps.
"Save it, Spokes; how did this happen?" Said, Ronnie Anne.
"Hey, what can I say? I was chosen, so I decided to be a superhero like Shazam,"
"Oh, you're no hero," said Ronnie Anne.
"How would you know?" Said Rusty, getting annoyed.
"Look at the damage you caused,"
"Hey, I'm new at this; I'll get better,"
"Rusty, this is crazy; whatever you did to turn into this, you need to undo it now!" Said, Stella.
"Why? I'm a superhero now, and once everyone sees how cool I am,"
"Then what?" Asked Ronnie Anne.
"Well, I,"
"I knew it; you're doing all of this because you think playing hero will get everyone to stop being mad at you, and Stella will take you back," accused Ronnie Anne. "You think it's that simple to win everyone's trust back?"
"Why shouldn't it be?"
"After everything, you still haven't learned a thing, Rusty," said Stella, sounding disappointed.
"Hey, I'm a superhero now!"
"No, you're not; no matter what you look like on the outside, Spokes, you're still the same loser who stabbed his friend in the back over a girl and refused to take responsibility for his actions," said Ronnie Anne. "Which is why you could never be a hero like Shazam and Lady Shazam, so suck on that," dissed Ronnie Anne.
Rusty felt his blood boiling; a fire burned inside him, a voice in his head. Without warning, Rusty grabbed Ronnie Anne by her hoodie and threw her like a football into the horizon, much to everyone's horror.
"Oh my god Rusty, what did you just do!" Screamed Stella.
"You monster!" yelled Sid.
The evil grin on Rusty's face switched to horrified at what he had done.
"Oh my god, Stella I…I didn't mean to!"
"Get away from us, you murderer!"
Hearing that broke something in Rusty's mind as he dropped to his knee, screaming in pain before suddenly stopping and began quietly laughing.
"Rest, boy, I will take it from here," said a voice.
"Rusty?" Asked Stella.
Rusty got to his feet, staring menacingly at Stella and Sid, noticing the much darker change and Rusty's demeanor as if something more sinister was staring at them now.
"Rusty is no longer here, child,"
"Who are you?" Sid asked.
"I am the true champion of magic with the Strength of Satan, the Body of Aym, the Wisdom of Belial, the Powers of Beelzebub, the Courage of Asmodeus, and the Flight of Craeteis. I am SABBAC!
"What have you done with Rusty?"
"The boy has been given the privilege of being my new vessel; through him, I will conquer this world, starting with you two!"
As Sabbac created a fireball in his hand, ready to turn Sid and Stella to ash, he failed to notice the lightning bolt in the distance. Ronnie Anne came flying back in powered up as Lady Shazam, punching Sabbac in the back, sending him flying.
"I was wondering who was throwing young girls across Great Lake City,"
"Wait, my friend, is she…?" Asked Sid, acting unaware.
"A little shaken up, but she should be fine,"
"Lady Shazam, listen, that guy is really a kid named Rusty Spokes; he's possessed by some demon called Sabbac," Stella informed.
"Figures Rusty's bad karma will come back to bite us all in the ass," thought Ronnie Anne. "Get out of here now. I'll handle this!"
Sid and Stella ran to the exit while Ronnie Anne readied herself as Sabbac landed. Angered, Sabbac quickly noticed the lightning bolt, realizing who she was.
"I see that those wizards have chosen their own champion; I can smell the stink of their magic on you and another individual far away. Too old and weak to fight me themselves; they send a woman to do their dirty work," mocked Sabbac.
"Who the hell are you supposed to be?"
"The true champion of magic wench, and the rightful ruler of this world,"
"Oh really?"
"This world would have flourished under my rule, but those accursed wizards destroyed my original body, and those blasted Sins bound my soul to any vessel they deemed useful, believing I'd be easier to control, but each time I fought to reclaim what was mine until they locked me away,"
"Oh, cry me a river,"
"Mock me all you want, woman; once I've eliminated you and taken your power, I will have more than enough power to exact my revenge on the sins, and then this world will finally bow down to Sabbac,"
Sabbac began laughing. Still, suddenly, his laughter turned to a cry as he looked up, begging for help.
"Lady Shazam, please help me…" cried Rusty.
"Rusty?" Asked a confused Ronnie Anne.
"Please help. I don't want to hurt anybody else. I don't want to—Be quiet, boy, you should be honored to be my host, now where were we?"
"Ezeerf!" Ronnie Anne shouted.
Sabbac's body went rigid like he was encased in ice. He fought against it, feeling the magic fight him back.
Acting quickly, Ronnie Anne took out her staff and pointed it at Sabbac. "Shazam!"
Lightning flew out at Sabbac.
"Sabbac!" Sabbac called out, a pillar of fire summoned around him. The fire acted as a shield, deflecting the lightning away.
Ronnie Anne was surprised. 'I might need to get Lincoln for this. But I'll have to act fast to keep this guy contained long enough for it.'
The fire faded, and Sabbac was mobile again, and he came at her throwing a fist. Ronnie Anne managed to block, but the force still sent her flying into the wall of a nearby building. Noticing the reflective surface near her, Ronnie Anne called for Mary, who appeared.
"Mary, I need your help, contact Lincoln and tell him I need help, now!"
"He can't help you now,"
"What? Why!?"
"Because right now, he needs your help more!"
"WHAT!?"
"He's fighting the…."
Before could finish warning Ronnie Anne, Sabbac came flying in with another blow, but Ronnie Anne dodged it, but the reflective surface was shattered, cutting it off from Mary.
"Damn it; Lincoln is in trouble too; I have to figure out how to end this so I can help him!"
Sabbac punched Ronnie Anne in the gut; despite being winded, she countered by smashing her head against his chin.
"What are you doing? We're supposed to be the good guys!?" Yelled Rusty in Sabbac's head.
"Be silent, boy, there's only room for one champion around here, and I'm sure as hell not going to let it be her or the other one!" Sabbac yelled back.
"But we're supposed to be heroes and save people,"
"You foolish boy, I don't know what's more ridiculous; you believe I would waste my powers protecting these weak fools when I could be ruling them, or you believe you could actually be a hero. I've been inside your mind, boy, and I've seen everything you've done. The people you hurt, the friends you betrayed, the family you shamed, and the lives you ruined, all in the name of lust, envy, and pride." mocked Sabbac. "Your reasons for being a hero weren't pure either; those girls are completely right; you really were only into it just to satisfy your own ego; now tell me, boy, do you still think you're a hero?"
Rusty's voice had fallen silent inside Sabbac's mind; he knew Sabbac was right and had nothing to stand on.
"That's what I thought, boy,"
Sabbac's inner conversation was interrupted when Ronnie Anne cracked him across the jaw; however, it soon became apparent that while the punch hurt him, it wasn't enough to stop him, meaning he was more durable than her. However, as Sabbac tried a counter-attack, Ronnie Anne also realized she was faster as she dodged him quickly.
"Stand still, woman, so I can teach you your place,"
"On behalf of all women everywhere, I say no thanks,"
Sabbac tried multiple times to hit Ronnie Anne but failed to land a blow each time. Suddenly Sabbac noticed Sid and Stella on the ground watching when an idea formed in his head.
"You might be able to dodge my attacks, but let's see if they can!" Roared Sabbac as he launched a fireball at Sid and Stella.
"No!"
Ronnie Anne flew down, intercepting the attack with her lightning; however, this was the opening Sabbac needed as he grabbed Ronnie Anne by her hand. Everyone watched in horror as Sabbac began Hulk slamming Ronnie Anne, destroying the pavement in the process.
"Let this be a lesson to all who try to defy me,"
Sabbac then threw Ronnie Anne a few blocks causing her to land in front of the Mercado.
"Ow, that actually hurt." She said shocked.
Sabbac wasn't done yet as he came flying in, stomping Ronnie Anne through the street, much to her family's horror as they watched. Ronnie Anne countered, kicking him back through the hole into the air. Ronnie Anne climbed out of the hole, visibly injured.
"There's no stopping this guy, and I still have to help Lincoln with his crisis too!" Ronnie Anne thought. "Wait, if he's like Lincoln and me, then, duh, I know his weakness,"
Sabbac came flying back in, locking hands with Ronnie Anne. The two began pushing each other back, but Sabbac slowly gained the upper hand.
"Impressive wench, perhaps I won't end your life; instead, I'll make you a member of my harem," Sabbac offered.
"Ew, what makes you think I'd ever agree to something like that, you creep?"
"Because it's the only way I will let you live,"
"I'd rather die,"
"Then you just used up your one chance to live. Maybe I'll at least use your nice body before I kill it if I'm in the mood."
Sabbac began pushing harder, bringing Ronnie Anne to her knees.
"Shit, there's no other way I hope this works," Ronnie Anne thought. "RUSTY SPOKES!" Called Ronnie Anne.
"Huh?" Said Rusty in Sabbac's head.
"Be silent, boy!"
Distracted, Ronnie Anne used this opportunity to kick Sabbac in the stomach, knocking him away before talking again.
"Listen to me; you're the only one who can stop him; you have to take back control of your body and say the word Sabbac to turn back to normal,"
Sabbac was annoyed at Ronnie Anne, figuring out his weakness but not worried. "Well, I am impressed you figured out my one weakness; I doubt you'll be able to exploit it,"
"Why is that?"
"1. Even if my host manages to call my name, they'll be burned by the hellfire that spawned me, and 2. Each time the burns will worsen until they are cremated alive; why do you think I've had so many hosts in the past?"
"Damn it,"
Sabbac flew at Ronnie Anne while she prepared to fight more; however, Stella stepped in the way, stopping Sabbac.
"What are you doing? Move!"
"No, Rusty, I'm not letting you do any more damage,"
"I…have…no…choice," struggles Rusty.
"I said be silent, boy,"
"Everything has been your choice from the very start, Rusty. You chose to make that photo and frame Lincoln, even after he helped clear your name after you were framed. You chose to manipulate me, Zach, Liam, and Clyde into turning on Lincoln. You chose to let me take the fall for that photo when it didn't work anymore. And now you're choosing to let this demon in your body win. No one made you do any of that. When are you going to start making the right choices, Rusty?"
Enraged, Sabbac attempted to burn Stella, but Ronnie Anne quickly summoned her staff.
"Tcetorp reh!"
Pieces of pavement sprung up before Stella, taking the hit for her like cement shields. In that brief moment, Ronnie Anne grabbed Stella and teleported her to the Casagrandes, who were watching.
Weakened and distracted, Ronnie Anne was unprepared as Sabbac tackled her, sending them both crashing into the Hi 'n' Buy. Crashing into self-checkout while the customers fled, Ronnie Anne collected herself as Sabbac stood over her with a flaming scimitar.
"You've annoyed me long enough; once I eliminate you, the other will be next, then I will burn this world until all bows before me!" Sabbac said, getting ready to stab Ronnie Anne.
"No!" Yelled Rusty.
Sabbac found himself struggling to move as he tossed his scimitar away.
"Let go of my hand, you brat; this is my body now,"
"No! I've lost my life, friends, and respect; I will not lose my body too!" Rusty protested.
"Idiot, what good is a body to someone with nothing left to live for?" Sabbac challenged.
"I'm still not letting you use it to burn the world," Rusty yelled.
Sabbac and Rusty continued struggling for control; Rusty somehow gained the upper hand as Sabbac smashed through the store. Sabbac knew he was losing control and was becoming desperate to keep it.
"Wait, boy, listen; we can work together; I will give you everything you want, including that girl,"
"Don't listen," said Ronnie Anne.
"Be silent, wench!"
"Everything?"
"Not only the girl but revenge on all those who crossed you, like that boy Lincoln Loud the one who betrayed you and ruined your life."
"You mean it?"
"Join me, and everything will be ours; what do you say?"
"I say…"
SABBAC!
"No!" screamed Sabbac as the ground opened up under him. "You wretched boy, This is not the end. I will still be within you; eventually, you'll call on my power again, and when you do, this world will be mine!"
Suddenly a pillar of fire shot up like a geyser as it blasted through the roof, encasing Sabbac; when the fire cleared, Rusty was standing in Sabbac's place; however, he was covered in first-degree burns as he collapsed. Moments later, Ronnie Anne walked out of the store carrying an unconscious Rusty before handing him off to the arrived paramedics.
"This boy needs a hospital immediately,"
As the paramedics took Rusty, Ronnie Anne prepared herself to fly off before being stopped by Bobby.
"Wait, Sis; you've just been through the wringer; you need time to rest and recover,"
"I can't, bro, Lincoln is in trouble, and now I can sense it; that guy was fighting with blocking me, but now I can sense Lincoln needs my help now!"
Ronnie Anne took off as her family watched, flying to Royal Woods; Ronnie Anne felt slower as her body recovered.
"C'mon faster!"
As reached Lincoln, she noticed him lying on the ground, unconscious as Shazam. Ronnie Anne saw eight figures surrounding him; however, she was struck by a fast-moving object that knocked her aside before she could intervene.
"What the hell was…?"
To Ronnie Anne's shock, she realized the object that just hit her was Lincoln's house rocketing into the sky. Ronnie Anne could hear the Louds screaming inside; faced with a choice, Ronnie Anne flew after the house, and in the corner of her eye, she could see Lincoln and the figures disappear.
"Sorry, Lincoln,"
Ronnie Anne tried catching up; however, the injuries sustained from her battle with Sabbac made it hard. By the time she was close to catching up, the house had reached the exosphere and began glowing as if energy was building up when suddenly, the house exploded. The blast knocked Ronnie Anne back into the thermosphere before she regained her bearings. Ronnie Anne could only look in horror as there was nothing, but dust was left of The Loud House.
End Of Ch. 26.
