Aside from Amerigo Vespucci, everybody in Clone High held the same opinion on another student who had also dropped out: Leif Erikson.
Back when he was still attending, he was almost always one of the first to arrive before the doors opened. At first glance, one might have thought that it was because he lived closer than most other students. The truth is there were as many classmates that live closer to Clone High as there were who live farther away from him.
The original Leif Erikson who he had supposedly been cloned from was credited by history as the first European to set foot in North America. Nearly five hundred years before Columbus came up with the idea to reach the eastern part of the civilized world simply by sailing west.
(Nobody back then believed the Earth was flat. They just didn't know how big it was.)
Alongside the knowledge of his clonefather also came with it how he grew passionate with viking culture and Norse mythology during his time as a child.
The term 'viking,' is not a title. Rather, it is an activity of going on a raid. These raids were carried out not by warriors, but mostly by people who worked in peaceful professions, such as farmers and merchants. In the late 11th century, the Viking age came to an end. Towns were able to better defend themselves while at the same time, Christianity became more widespread.
Today, in 2023, Leif is carrying out a personal raid of his own. It was almost as if God himself had sent him on a special quest. The kind of quest that when fulfilled, will reward him greatly in the Kingdom of Heaven.
It's what he looks forward to every day as he continues working for Replacement Rebellion. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't seem to fit in with anybody before them. There was only so much attention the people he once called his friends had to give him. Feeling lonely alongside an uncertain future staring right at him was enough for him to make him feel depressed during his last year in middle school.
He needed a friend, and Amerigo Vespucci was there for him. Ever since they were assigned to be partners on a project during freshman year, he found himself happier than ever when he's with him. Fast forward to today and now he has much more to fight for and that's the future of this country. God had introduced this group to the both of them for a reason. He has plans for them.
The word of God is clear: All those who engage in the practice of sin are worthy of death. The people in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah have been made examples of by the highest authority. Those who reject sin, on the other hand, will be on the merciful end of God's grace.
At the end of everything, when no more souls are left to send to Hell and only the saved remain, that will be when all will be perfect. Just like the Book of Revelation had detailed.
Right now, it seems that the world is on its way to The Great Tribulation. He is now hated by pretty much everyone. But as the old saying goes: It's better to stand with God and be hated by everybody than to stand with everybody and be hated by God.
Yesterday, he spray painted over Frida Kahlo's artwork supporting the LGBTQ+ and now he has his sights set on a bunch of miniature pride flags scattered all over the football field.
"I shall do as you tell me to, my lord." He spoke softly in a Norwegian accent. "I love you above all else."
With nobody looking, as it's still very early in the morning, Leif came out of hiding to vandalize the football field.
A can of red spray paint in one hand and a small bag in the other, he made quick work carrying out his raid. Most people will look at what he's doing and label it as an act of hate. But only those with the holy spirit will know the truth: This is an act of love.
Out of nowhere, he hears a voice call out to him. "I knew if I hung around here, you'd show your face eventually!"
He looks in the direction of the bleachers to see a tall figure giving him what he can only describe as a 'death stare.'
He doesn't doubt it. He's looking at Abraham Lincoln. Clone of the 16th President and founder of the Republican Party. Wasting no time, Leif dropped the objects in his hands and yelled back. "You're confronting the wrong man, Lincoln! If you'd read the Bible, you'd be joining me!"
Abe leaped off the bleachers; closing the distance between them. Leif estimates that Abe would have a height advantage over him. He's six-foot-four while he's only five-foot-seven.
But as the old saying goes: It's not about the size of the man in the fight, it's about the size of the fight in the man.
Amerigo fought JFK earlier in the week and won. So there's no reason that he shouldn't do the same to Abe Lincoln. Time however, isn't on his side. Whatever he needs to do, he needs to do it quickly.
Abe meanwhile, continues to stare him down. The fact that Leif can't see his mouth only makes him appear more menacing.
"You know… I don't believe that I'm gonna be rewarded after I die for doing good deeds in life." Abe said, subtly getting closer. "I also don't believe I'll get punished in the afterlife for commiting the worst crimes imaginable. But I still choose to be good. I don't need a God.
You're committing acts of homophobia while also being a part of a group that's about as close to a fucking confederacy as it can get. All this hate… it doesn't strike you as pointless?"
"What kind of question is that!?" Leif points at Abe. "You think you got it all figured out, don't you? Why don't you take a step back for once in your life and ask yourself what would the ORIGINAL Abe Lincoln do if he ever saw the sorry state of this crippled country if he were alive today!?"
Abe shut his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh before opening them again.
"If Abe Lincoln were alive today, he'd be a democrat."
That name, put together with those words, were enough to send Leif into a blind rage. How dare he say that about his clone father. Somebody needs to beat the shit out of him and there's nobody else around. "FUCKING FAG!"
Without thinking, he delivers a right hook straight into Abe's head. He moved exactly the way he expected him too, but didn't make any sound one would make if they were in pain.
Instead, he spoke. "Thank you. May I have another?"
Before he could do anything else, Abe kicked him in the stomach, causing him to lose his balance for a second. The pain that accompanied it was much more than he was expecting.
After composing himself, he went on to hit Abe again. This time trying to hit him harder. But it was no use. Every time he successfully landed a hit, Abe would counter with one of his own. He could tell they're both feeling pain right now, but Abe is the only one who's made peace with it.
After the seventh hit, Abe changed his stance, managing to trip Leif and have his back to the ground. Leif looks up at Abe, who is still giving him that look. He didn't react in time when Abe brought his foot down on his chest. Leif couldn't remember at any time in his life that he was in this much pain. He's even beginning to regret throwing the first punch.
Abe looks down at Leif. "For the longest time, I always thought to myself: In what way can I live up to the original Abraham Lincoln? Well Leif… I found the answer. Taking down people… just like you."
Whatever regret Leif has is now replaced with rage. People like him? He's trying to save the country, not destroy it. Abe's the one who's not seeing the bigger picture. "Get the fuck… OFF OF ME!"
Channeling his inner strength, he grabs Abe's foot and tosses him off of him. They both get off the ground at the same time and run towards each other. Leif doesn't stop yelling.
"They indoctrinated you, didn't they!?" He yells while throwing punches. Abe is throwing the same amount. "The fags! They ruin everything! It's too late for you! They got you already! We'll take it back, you hear me!? We're taking it ALL-AAAHH!"
And just like that, the fight is over. With Abe getting some assistance from Frida Kahlo, who broke her skateboard hitting Leif over the head with it.
With Leif on the ground barely moving, Abe nodded at Frida.
"Thanks for the assist… Uh, I'm sorry I made you break your board."
"It's no prob…" Frida sighs. "I was planning on getting a new one anyway."