Episode 3: Traction
At night, deep within the bowels of city of Royal Woods. The dark, abandoned subway, to be precise. A meeting is holding here as we see three mob bosses holding a briefcase that full of money.
"Why are we meeting here? Everyone knows the kid is attracted to shadows." Mob boss 1 said, feeling a bit scared.
"Who Ace Savvy?" Mob Boss 2 asked.
"No, Eight of Spades." Mob Boss 1 answered.
"Wait, I thought Ace Savvy is dead?" Mob Boss 3 asked the two.
"Where have you been? The second one is, but apparently some kid took the role to be the third Ace. But this time he brought other kids to join his crusade." Mob Boss 2 explained to Mob Boss 3.
"Crap. I wish we could get rid of them." Mob Boss 3.
"And that's why I call you guys here. Greetings, gentlemen." The mysterious scientist greet himself, he wears a lab coat and small glasses, has messed up black hair, and has a big grin on his face. "Oh, good. You bring the money."
"Yes we brought it here. Why are we here?' Mob Boss 1 asked.
"I call you guys here because those brats have been ruining our operations and plans. But don't worry, I have the solution to our...problem. My second experiment, a former mercenary who volunteer to be the first human to enhanced my biotech. " The scientist explained.
"Okay, we're interested."
"Gentlemen, meet Pain."
A barefooted frail and scrawny young man in a long coat walks in from the shadows.
"You got to be kidding me. This skinny wimp will take down Ace and his lackeys?"
"I have to agree with him. He won't last ten seconds in a fight."
"Now, gentlemen, you make thing of him as a frail person. But once he's boast up, he'll bring the pain to Ace, his comrades, and everyone who will stand in his way." The scientist finished as he began to laugh.
Meanwhile, located beneath the home of the Loud's is a cave. The cavern features large computer displays and flashing blue lights the cave has assorted, the cave has assorted poles for Ace and The Full House Gang to change into their costume, a display case of old costume belong to the original Ace Savvy. We see Ace and Strong Suit are in combat training.
Strong Suit rushes in, a flurry of kicks and punches, landing each one in an undefended area, before flipping away. Next, she rushes back in and continues to pummel Ace with kicks and punches, before flipping away yet again.
Strong Suit continues this hit and run technique successfully, for a long time, before she finally starts to show signs of fatigue. Her breathing is getting heavier, and her attacks not as precise.
After another sequence, where Strong Suit's attacks have slowed down enough to allow Ace to block them, Ace, manages to counter an attack, with a swift kick to the stomach. Strong Suit staggers backwards, holding her belly, as Ace charges.
Strong Suit manages to dodge most of the attacks, but Ace is getting closer with each swing.
Eventually, one punch connects with her chest, forcing the breath out of her breath, and knocking her back into the wall. Ace takes another swing at Strong Suit's head, but she manages to duck at the last second, causing Ace's fist to slam into the wall with enough force to crack it.
Strong Suit takes advantage of the momentary widow to roll away, and make a made dash up to him and pin him on the floor. Ace struggles to get her off him but the timer went off before he completely do that. Strong Suit got up and help Ace up on his feet.
"Not bad, Lincoln. You manage to survived for a full hour." Strong Suit said, sitting on a chair to drink her water bottle.
"So, I win?" Ace asked.
"Oh, no. You still lose after I pin you on the floor. You still need more work on your combat skills." Strong Suit replies.
"I know, I know. Pass me a water bottle."
Strong Suit grab a second water bottle on the table and toss it to her brother as he catches.
"Thanks for training with me, bro. Usually the others don't want to train with me because I could go a bit rougher on them." Strong Suit said.
"It's no big deal. I can handle what you can throw at me. Thank god Luan isn't here other wise she'll come and say "That's what she said"." Ace groaned, stop drinking his bottle.
Strong Suit chuckles. "Yeah, I but she'll say that. You know that's what I like about, you're kinda look like me who is brave, tough, and loves to fart in the bathtub."
"W-what?! That never happen!" Ace said, blushes.
"When you were four, it happens when we share the bathtub. You always make me laugh." Strong Suit grin.
"I was just a dumb kid, I-I don't know any better."
"Sure you are." Strong Suit smiled and then laughed. It's nice they finally have time to talk alone, he usually talk to Clyde because he is his best friend and partner in crime. It was going good until Lynn started to feel strange, she sees Lincoln picking up his towel as he slowly wiping the sweat of his face, her face turn red when seeing him. Lynn know's it's the same problem she has when she was six.
"You okay, Lynn?" Ace asked confusing, see Lynn's face go red.
"...I."
Thankfully, Strong Suit is interrupt when the alarm went off in the big computer. The computer located the activity somewhere downtown of Royal Woods. Ace rush to his Ace Cycle, painted red with an Ace logo on it.
"Come on, Lynn!"
"You go on ahead. I got some...thinking to do."
"What kind of thinking?"
"Nothing for you to worry about and beside it could be those same bank robbers again, nothing you can handle. Now, get going."
"Okay?" Ace said, putting his helmet on and drove out of the cave.
Ace reach downtown and stop where the location is at. The location is happen to be under the subway bridge. Ace got of his bike and search the whole area to find the problem but didn't find jack.
"What gives? I don't see any danger...unless-"
"You've been baited." A deep voice said behind him. Ace turned around to find a barefooted frail and scrawny young man who wears a black leather clothes and a black gimp mask, and has two pistons on his back.
"Do I need to ask you why?"
"Defeat me. And I will tell you why?" Pain said.
"Very well, but I'll go easy on you. Even though you seem like a criminally." Ace said getting ready to fight.
Pain charges towards him to throw some punch but Ace easily block his punches. Ace grab one of his fist and throws him across the wall.
"You can start explaining yourself now." Ace said.
"I am Pain. And I exist to bring the pain to you, and this city." Pain introduced himself, he uses the biotech steroid pistons to enhance his body and musculature transforming him into a giant.
"Woah."
Pain growled as he charges him again but Ace jump over him. Pain quickly turn around and sees Ace coming close to him as he throws heavy punches at Pain but didn't do anything. The Pain grabbed Ace's fist and squeezed it hard but he didn't stop throwing punches.
"You're strong, child. But I'm stronger." Pain said and started kicking Ace. They continued fighting until Pain punched Ace next to his bike. Pain walked up to him and they started punching again. Ace tries to kick him but Pain grab his leg and toss him like a ragdoll. Then Ace threw a explosive Ace Card at Pain but he just stood there no damage. Just who is this guy?
Ace know that this threat is more dangerous then the other foes he have fought, so he's going to call Strong Suit for some extra muscle. "Strong Suit, it's not what you expect. I'm fighting a guy name Pain and could really used some backup." There is no response from her. "Strong Suit? Strong Suit!" Still no response, the only thing he hears is a message recording from him.
Pain then started choking Ace. Next, Pain punched him and slam him on the road hard. Then, slam him against a brick wall which injured his back. Finally, when Pain sees him unconscious, he threw him across another wall as bricks fell on top of him.
"You fought valiantly, child. That's why I'm going to let you live, so you can rethink your life. But if you do come back, I won't be merciful this time." Pain said, looking over at the injured superhero and then walk away.
The rest of Full House Gang return to the cave as they exited out of the Vanzilla. "Good work team. We really "crack" the case. HAHAHA!" The Joker laughed.
"I can't believe that Dr. Egghead was the one who killed all those scientists." Royal Flush said.
"Like why did he do it?" Eleven Of Hearts questioned.
"Revenge, Leni. The other scientists have mocked him for his brilliance, so in an act of rage, he hired thugs to kill the scientists to cover his tracks." Wild Card Willy explained to her.
"Guys. What happen to Lincoln and Lynn?" Eight of Spades asked the gang. The gang look and see the cave is empty.
"What gives?! They were suppose to be on monitor duty!" Queen of Diamonds shouted.
"I'm literally going to kill them. What's this?" High Card noticed there is a audio message pop on the screen. She played it and the feedback is from Ace.
"Strong Suit, it's not what you expect. I'm fighting a guy name Pain and could really used some backup... "Strong Suit? Strong Suit!
The audio stop playing.
"Oh no, Lincoln! He's in trouble! Come On!" High Card said as she and the others follow to the van and drove out of the cave. While driving in the city, Card Counter used her scanner to locate Ace's bike and maybe we find him.
"Turn left." Card Counter said.
She turn left, drive straight until they found Ace's bike laying on the street. Everyone got out of the van to search the area.
"Anything?" High Card asked.
"Nothing, dude." Night Clubs replied.
"Everyone, come quick!" Wild Card Willy shouted.
The gang ran to where Wild Card Willy have called and are shocked to see Ace laying on the ground.
"LINCOLN!" High Card and the others get bricks of him.
"Is he dead?!" Eleven of Hearts asked, feeling worried.
"No, he's breathing. But he'll probably bleed internally if we don't get him to the hospital and fast." Card Counter said after checking his pulse.
"No hospital. We can't have the doctors to see through his disguise or this Pain character could could find and finish him off when he's defenseless. Card Holder, you have a medical license, can do anything to help Lincoln?" Wild Card Willy asked Card Counter.
"I'll see what I could do, but we have to hurry. Let's get him into the van." Card Counter said as she and the others carefully lift Ace into the van. They lie him down gently on the seat and drove off after the rest got in.
Meanwhile, back at the subway station:
"See what I mean, Gentlemen. My greatest creation has killed their leader." The scientists grin.
"I got say. He did a fine job of it." Mob Boss 1 said.
"I didn't kill, I spare what little life he has." Pain said.
"What? What do you mean you didn't kill him?! I gave you my biotech to kill him!" The scientist yelled.
"I only break his spirit. This will help him to choose the path to take, and I will be doing the same to his comrades." Pain said as he clutches his fist.
Back Home:
The Loud kids and Wilbur are sitting in the living room waiting for Lisa's result. Lisa walk down the stairs as the gang ran to her.
"How is he?" Lori asked Lisa.
"He's going to be okay. Just have to wait for his recovery." Lisa said.
Suddenly, Strong Suit return home in her civilian out. "Oh, hey guys. I didn't know you guys got home earlier." The gang glared at Lynn which got her confuse. "What? Is it something I said?" Lori walked close to grab Lynn from the color and pin her on the wall.
"Where the hell have you been?!" Lori asked gazing at Lynn.
"Did I do something wrong?" Lynn asked.
"Do something wrong? Let me show you!" Lori yelled.
Lori drag Lynn to Lincoln's room and show her Lincoln on bed who is still out. Lynn sees bruise and stitches on Lincoln.
"Wha-what happen?!" Lynn asked surprised.
"You answered my question first. Where the hell have you been?!"
"I..um.." Lynn stuttered looking away.
"Well?!"
"I-I can't..it's an personal thought I've been having okay." Lynn answered.
"What?!"
"Personal thought, now tell me what happen!" Lynn yelled.
"We found Lincoln unconscious at downtown after he leave message. He was trying to contact you but you didn't response because you were"thinking"."
"I-I-I thought it was just a bunch of robbers, I didn't know!"
"Well, you guess wrong. And because of you're stupidity, YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN HIM KILLED!" Lori yelled.
Lynn stared at her brother. Lynn had no idea that this will happen to him. She thought it will be something that he could handle but she was dead wrong. "What..what have I done? I didn't mean to mean." Lynn silently cried.
"We're a team, Lynn. Big or small, we never go face a super powerful criminal alone."
"I know! I know! I'm sorry!" Lynn sniffed.
"Don't apologize to us. Apologize to Lincoln when he wakes and then we'll accept you're sorry." Lori said, leaving her alone.
Lynn stared at Lincoln. "I'm sorry, bro. I thought it will be something you can handle but I wrong. I should have gone with me but...I wish I could tell you but I can't. It something that you or the others will not improve. If you wake up, I promise I'll go with you whenever Clyde is not available." Lynn said with her head down in shame. Lincoln started to wake feeling dizzy as he started to wake up which surprises her.
"Lynn?" Lincoln moaned.
"Lincoln, you're awake."
"Yeah. Man that Pain guy really did a number out of me." Lincoln said with a slight smile
"I'm so, so, so sorry for what happen to." Lynn said looking him in the eyes. "I should have gone with you but I never thought it will be criminal who is that strong." Lynn had her head down again.
"Lynn, it's ok." Lincoln said trying to reassure her. Lynn faced Lincoln, "No it's not! We're a team! Nor big or small we should never let anyone of us face a powerful creep alone! And now look at you, I made you get hurt and..." Lynn said. Lynn stop talking when she sees Lincoln holding her hand which cause her to blush.
"It's okay." Lincoln smiled.
Lynn sat on his bed to carefully hug him tight. Lincoln is confuse at first but he doesn't mind his sister hugging him as he hug her back.
"Love you, lil bro."
"Love you too, big sis."
Lynn then realized that she's going to get payback from Pain. "Lincoln, I'm going to try to stop Pain."
"What?!"
"I know what I said, but I want to make up for my mistake. By pounding that S.O.B." Lynn said cracking her knuckles.
"At least bring the team with you." Lincoln said
"Not this time, bro. I have to do this alone this time. So, don't try to stop me."
"How will I stop you?"
"Oh, right. Wish me luck." Lynn said as she leaves his room.
"Lynn, wait! Dang it. Please be careful, sis." Lincoln said already feeling worried.
Back in the city, police officers have been shooting at Pain but has no effect as bullets bounce off of him. Pain growled as he picks up a police car and throws it at the cops but they got out of the way. Swat team open fire from behind but were easily knock away by his hand.
"Fools! The only pain you're giving is yourself!" Pain shouted.
Suddenly, he got hit by a trash can which only flinches him. He turn and see that is was Strong Suit who throw that trash can at him.
"I was hoping to meet the others but that's fine. You must be the strongest member of team, care to show me how strong you are?"
"I came here to beat the crap out of you for hurting Ace."
"Revenge I see. I gave him a choice to rethink of what's he doing and I'll be doing the same thing to you guys. Starting with you."
Pain sprinted forward smashing his fist into the wall just as Strong Suit ducked, saving her face from being crushed by the mercenary's fist. She somersaulted over Pain and struck, smashing her fist into Pain as he blocked the blow, grabbing Strong Suit's fist and throwing her across the street. Strong Suit managed to land on her feet and sprinted back as Pain ran over and smashed a wide blow into her midsection.
Pain suddenly felt something collide with his back and he whirled around to face them. The Swat team fired more rounds which still has no effect on him, he stumbled and swung his enormous arm, knocking the Swat Team out sending them to hit the ground and on the wall.
Strong Suit recovered and charge forward. Pain dodged kicked Strong Suit hard as the strong heroine tried to attack, the blow dazed him for a moment as she suddenly grab a broken light pole and struck Pain. The Mercenary flew back and hit the wall as Strong Suit follow.
"Is that all you got, big man!" She said, raining blow after blow upon Pain. Pain blocked with his elbow and grabbed Strong Suit by her arm. Strong Suit slammed her head into Pain; she looked up as the villain stared down at her completely unfazed by the blow. Strong Suit pushed against Pain, trying to find the advantage. Both refused to give in as they tried to overpower each other. Pain suddenly grabbed Strong Suit's arm with both hands, and swinging her around over his head, he hurled her away into a police car.
"Foolish little girl," Pain sneered. "You cannot beat Pain!" He brought his fist together and brought them smashing down on the asphalt, leaving a large crack in the concrete. Strong Suit quickly recovered, jump out of the way, dodging the hole in the hole in the road as the police car fell in and charged forward to throw more punches.
Pain block every punches she thrown until he manage to back hand her as she crash on the ground. Strong Suit struggles to get up, but quickly fell to her knees, placing her hands on the ground and panted heavily. It was in that moment that she knew that she wasn't strong enough to beat him.
"You really care about you're leader don't you? Maybe when I break you, I'll go looking for your boss by tearing the city inside and out to find him and permanently paralyzed him so you can watch." Pain laughed.
Strong Suit clutch her fists.
"This is what happen when you guys play heroes. But don't worry, I'll make sure you won't forget." Pain was about to finish her off by delivering a powerful punch. Strong Suit grab his fist and started cracking it which surprises him.
"Don't. you. DARE!" Strong Suit yelled.
Pain was really surprised by this. Something inside of her had triggered making her feel even stronger. Pain doesn't know what's going on but he doesn't care as he swung his fist at the right side of Strong Suit's torso. But it has no effect. He tried again on the left side. It gave her no amount of pain as the other side. She became indestructible.
"It's..it's not possible." Pain said.
She managed to push Pain down to the ground hard. She then picked him up and threw him to the ground again. She tried slamming down her fists, but Pain rolled away, dodging them.
"Where do you think you're going?" Strong Suit asked. Strong Suit ran towards Pain and hit his chest with her fist. Then, Strong Suit punched Pain in the face. Pain tried to punch her in the face. Strong Suit ducked and dodged. She hammered her fist onto Pain's abdomen. It did not impale his stomach. She punched Pain in the head, knocking him unconscious.
"That's for Ace." Strong Suit said looking over Pain as he shrinks back to his normal size.
Strong Suit calm down as she pants on her victory. Suddenly, she hears a van approaching. It was Vanzilla and she already knows that she's in trouble.
"Damn it, Lynn! What did I say to you earlier about not facing a super powered villain alone! What do you got to say for yourself?!" High Card asked angrily.
"Got any water?" Lynn joked.
"Leave the funny business to me, Strong Suit." The Joker said.
On top of a building, the scientist from the beginning of this chapter saw everything through his binoculars. And he doesn't sound so happy.
"Damn those, brats! Looks like it's time to go back to the drawing board." The scientist said as he leaves.
Back Home:
"How you holding up?" Lynn asked Lincoln.
"Not to bad. In four weeks, I'll be back on the street and kick some crime's butt. How about you?" Lincoln asked.
"After fighting Pain and taking to custody, the team ground me for disobeying. But it's fine, the pounding Pain gave me to teach me a lesson to not send you out alone when facing a powerful foe." Lynn said.
"Lynn, I have already forgive you. There's no need for you to get yourself hurt because of me." Lincoln said.
"I know. But still." Lynn said feeling sad.
Lynn then felt her hand touch by Lincoln's warm hand which makes her blush. Lynn gazed at his eyes as her stomach feels like there butterflies flying in her belly, she quickly stood up.
"T-that reminds me. I should make you something to eat. Be right back." Lynn blushes as she quickly leaves his room.
"Lynn."
Lynn got spoke by Lucy's out of nowhere present. Lucy noticed her sister's face is still red. "Is something the matter?" Lucy asked.
"Nothing, it's nothing! I'm..uh, going to get Lincoln something to eat that's all." Lynn nervously answered.
Lynn ran downstairs to make him lunch. Lucy then begins to suspect about Lynn's behavior, she now wanted to know about her "Personal thought" that she mention earlier.
Did You Know...
- Pain's power and name is very familiar to DC Comics Villain Bane
- Lynn is acting strange towards Lincoln. Find out in future stories.