I'M BACK BABY! This time with an extra long chapter. Man I haven't done those in ages but since I haven't uploaded in two months due to personal responsibilities and my birthday which was in September. I wanted to give you guys something special after a hiatus. Plus this chapter is rather SPICY in terms of plot and things you've been ages for.
Announcement: I'm planning to make a Gumroad and/or a Kofi account. Nothing crazy. This functions as a tip jar and if you want more original content from me. I haven't made them yet but will do so in the future. Also I have a Twitter account under the name HeirofHades or HadesHeirof.
Get it? Got it Good. Now on to the reviews
Update(2023/11/09): The Kofi page is up and running. Check it out. Plus it's another way to communicate for updates as has been fickle lately. Furthermore, I'm working on something special. So sit tight until then.
NiteOwl18: Out of all the girls, Stella is in the lead but I have to give other girls a shot. Like with Evelynn
Everyone knows that there's some level of romantic interest between them. You can't tell me anything else. Plus the several episodes show that she greatly values Lincoln's friendship.
Haiku and Lincoln's moments are more on the sweet and wholesome side. Their plan and Lincoln's counterplan is likely the next main chapter. Ah yes, the Giga-chad Lincoln vs the Virgin Rusty,
I needed something for Evelynn's character development and to involve her in the story more. She'll have more moments where she sheds the Shy in her name.
Battle Bot isn't after Stella but is using her to find and track Lincoln. He will get revenge on some of the girls though. But that's a later story.
Pirohiko-Baltazar: I'll pin it on the board. It's quite impressive on how compatible
Mr. Haziq: Oh this is only the start for Battle Bot.
Guest: The storm is approaching and has arrived. I used these breather chapters as a way to set up incoming arcs. This way nobody will complain about certain arcs or moments coming out of nowhere and keep the tension. I'm trying to find a dynamic for Stella and Ronnie Anne as they haven't met up once despite 4 seasons.
Becky and Carol will make more appearances in the story. The QTs need more moments and development so I'm giving them all what I can. I already gave Panda QT, Karate QT, and Sweater QT moments. It's just the rest of them.
Pedro Alonso Buby Huayanay Zam: To answer your question, yes. For Shadow Stella, I wanted an excuse to make Stella slightly unhinged
Solon75: Their meeting is sooner than you think. Rusty not remembering Lincoln's sisters' names is canon. A lot of Rusty's characterization is canon but I amplified them such as recklessness.
Yep, Rusty's obsession with girls is going to increase throughout the story. Clyde has direct links to France due to his family.
Stella HAD to dress to impress in order to represent her culture. Yandere-ish Stella always seems like a fun idea to me. Besides Ronnie Anne, Stella is the most likely one to end up with Lincoln.
Mollie and Lincoln's moment will be after they do their revenge plan. A cook-off chapter? I'll implement other girls into it as well. There will definitely be some snark between them.
Lincoln knows that they're planning some but he doesn't know what yet. This was another moment that I planned in the early stages of the story. Lincoln being a model was a fun little addition to help liven the story and to make Rusty seethe a bit. Shy QT barely got any love in my story so I wanted to do her some justice.
The person watching Rusty will play a huge role in the coming arcs. Regarding Battle Bot, you'll have to read the chapter first.
It's Rita's and Lincoln's routine visit to Sunset Canyon. This time, Lisa is coming along for the ride. She's in the backseat playing on a handheld device. They arrived shortly and went to the front desk.
"Albert, Myrtle, you got visitors!" Sue bellowed, obtaining the two elders' attention. The couple beamed at the visitors.
"Yeah, we heard ya, so keep your blouse on," Albert retorted, ignoring the head nurse's frustration. "Come on, dollface," He smiled, tugging Myrtle to join the family.
Lisa rushed over to them. "Pop-Pop, Gran-Gran," She said in child-like glee as Albert held her up. Rita and Lincoln chuckled at the sight. They keep forgetting that Lisa is literally still a child. All of her inventions and research make it an easy misconception about her maturity. She's still a little girl who loves her grandfather. Lincoln and Rita got in on it, too.
"Geez, get a room, you four," Scoots groaned at the affection. She received multiple scorching glares from the residents.
"Maybe if you didn't cheat on your husband and loved your other children as much as your total bum of a convicted felon son. They'll actually visit you instead of waiting for you to croak," Myrtle shot off with a delightful smile. Jaws dropped at the brutal rebuttal as some covered their mouths, snickering at Scoots' gobsmacked expression. She needed to be humbled. Scoots tightened her jaw and grumbled before driving off. Quick question: does she have limited mobility, or is she just using the scooter to be a lazy bum?
"Sheesh. Enough of that, let's go, everyone," Albert winced before changing the topic as he ushered the family for a fun evening.
The Loud family was outside playing shuffleboard. It's Lisa's turn. She's calculating the best possible angle and the proper force for her stature.
Lincoln caught a familiar face from the corner of his eye. She was sitting at one of the nearby benches. "Hey, Polly," He waved to the roller skater. Her crestfallen mood perked up at the sight of her favorite white-haired boy.
"Lincoln," Polly smiled as she approached him. She's grateful that he's here after the crap she recently endured. The pair embraced as the adults smirked at the exchange. Polly's embrace had more pressure compared to previous times.
"Visiting your grandma?" Lincoln predicted her being here. They watched her face sink upon mentioning Scoots. Albert and Myrtle knew that Scoots wasn't the most . . . responsible or caring individual in Sunset Canyon. If one word could describe her, it would be hedonistic. Scoots does whatever the hell she wants to do if it suits her indulgences.
"Yeah, she's with my dad and granddad," Polly muttered, her eyes motioning to the building. They're still arguing at this moment. Her dad wanted answers, but she ignored them and brushed them off, claiming it was her business. And nobody else's.
"Not good," Lincoln deduced from her posture and tone. Her shoulders were slumped with downcast eyes, and she lost that cocky upbeat vibe in her voice.
"Yeah no shit Sherlock," Polly crabbed with a frown. Their glares and worried expressions revealed her folly. "Sorry but," She apologized as that was totally uncalled for. He didn't deserve her hate. "THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HER?!" Her rage exploded, and she raised her arms, frustrated, before pointing to the building. "That old hag lied to my granddad and dad for . . . only she knows for how long," Polly paused before continuing her fuming sentence. An uncomfortable heat rushed across her body.
"How so?"
"Scoots has an identical twin sister named Mopes," Polly revealed, her eyes motioning to the building.
"SHE HAS A TWIN SISTER?!" They exclaimed, frightening some birds in the trees. Myrtle and Albert shared a knowing glance. Scoots having an identical twin sister would definitely explain a few things.
Polly nodded. "Mopes would often swap places with her. Usually, for a weekend, doing god knows what. Probably scamming someone," She explained. They weren't surprised by it as Scoots is a notorious fraudster. Lola and Lana attempted to do similar things in the past. "One time it was a month in Vegas," Polly added. Their eyes exploded from their sockets. A month to go to Vegas?! I've been to Vegas this year, not my thing. It's too fucking crowded. "Another time, Scoots was gone for over a year. My dad was born during that time," She sighed as the deafening silence echoed among the family. Scoots. SHE ABANDONED HER FAMILY FOR OVER A YEAR?!
"Did T-bone find out?" Albert probed. Lincoln handed her his shuffleboard pole.
"Yep," Polly deadpanned, pushing a puck across the surface. "She got sloppy one time and got arrested for fraud or something. My dad said it was a freaking mess," She confessed. Everything revealed in the past hour seems like something you heard about after a funeral or when you're old enough to hear the family secrets. "Scoots took a plea deal. Only a few months in the local jail," Polly added as she focused on the board.
"Lucky her," Myrtle replied sarcastically with an eye roll.
"It was the 70s or 80s. Plus, she didn't rob a bank or anything," Polly shrugged as the laws for women were quite lax during that era. "My dad said she just left them with her lover after she got out,"
"Wait, Scoots just left?!" Lincoln asked, dumbfounded by her selfishness. "No note or divorce after everything she did,"
"Lincoln, she had her twin routinely switch places with her for long periods," Lisa remarked. "T-bone likely didn't know which one was legally his spouse," She analyzed the conversation.
"Anything else," Rita added. Despite the troubling reveal, this would make an excellent plot twist for a book.
"Tons of drama," Polly avowed as she sighed with a heavy heart. "My dad's cousin could've been his sibling, but thankfully, they're cool. Got some awesome aunts and uncles with a few cousins here and there for her numerous marriages over the years," That's one good thing that came out of this mess. They were disappointed but not surprised at Scoots' lore. Albert knew it was a wild ride, but NOT LIKE THIS!
"How do you feel about all of this?" Lincoln asked. This was the most crucial question of this ordeal.
"It . . . It really sucks," Polly confided, taking a brief pause. "I thought maybe she would've mellowed out but nope," She muttered, feeling idiotic for even believing in an absurd possibility. "She knows what she did wrong but literally doesn't care! Do you know how many times she said my name wrong? Calling me Molly, Dolly, Margert, or Patricia. That hag can't even say my actual name right!" Polly snapped with swiping arm gestures.
"I thought Polly was your name," Lincoln asked.
"My legal name is Mary, but everyone calls me Polly due to Roller Derby," Polly grumbled before deeply sighing. "Damn it," Her eyes started to gloss.
"Lincoln. How about you take her inside for a bit and get her something at the lunchroom," Myrtle advised, motioning with her eyes. Lincoln understood. They left their shuffle stick with the adults and Lisa as the pair went inside. "Poor girl," Myrtle whispered as they nodded.
"Shit, I knew Scoots had some skeletons, but fuck," Albert mentioned before Rita and Myrtle smacked him for swearing in front of Lisa.
Polly and Lincoln were in a private corner near one of the halls. They quietly sipped their drinks.
"Are you okay?" Lincoln asked gently, giving her some space. Today was an emotionally exhausting day for her. He can't imagine what she's going through right now. Yeah, the Bad Luck incident was mainly his fault, but this incident with Scoots was more personal. Lincoln had the right idea, making Scoots a villain in one of his comics. What else would someone call her actions?
". . . No," Polly replied forlornly, averting his gaze as she finished her beverage and tossed it in the trash. Her arms were crossed as she stared at the floor. Lincoln closed the gap, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. That gentle nudge overflowed the dam, bursting in Polly's tear duct. Her body shook with quivering lips, attempting to stop the tide. No, not now. Not in front of him of all people.
"Hey, it's okay," Lincoln consoled. His voice was a welcoming breeze that pushed her over the emotional edge. She made a stiffening noise with moist, widened eyes as her body rumbled with sorrow. Within fractions of a second, Lincoln was tightly engulfed in her arms. It surprised him, but he returned the favor, letting her emotions leak out.
"Just fucking why," Polly pleaded, her tears stained the shoulder of his hoodie. She knows there's more to Scoot's horrible treatment of her family. Polly only caught brief crumbles when she walked out of the room. Scoots almost caused her family to be devoured by the debt she caused.
"I don't know, Polly," Lincoln comforted, patting her back as she deeply sniffed her sorrow. "Maybe Scoots and her sister went through some stuff," He suggested, using his comic book knowledge to craft a plausible explanation. Everyone has a story. They don't know about Scoots and Mopes childhood. Perhaps this was a learned behavior from their parents or a survival mechanism. "Or there's no secret ingredient with them,"
Polly chuckled briefly, his words brightening her mood. "Secret ingredient, really," She arched a teary brow. I checked when the first Kung Fu Panda came out. Holy crap, I was 7!
"Yeah," Lincoln replied as he uplifted the mood. "It's something my dad said. There's no secret ingredient," The ardent-haired boy repeated. "Somethings or some people are just how they are,"
"Scoots suck?" Polly commented, shooting him a tiny smile. Those two words brought relief to her confounding emotions. Scoots suck. She told herself again. Liberation warmed her body as the phrase looped in her mind. Scoots suck! It's as simple as that. For all Polly knew, her grandmother and grand-aunt had a normal childhood. But they turned out to be shitty people. It's not her problem to figure out their lore or why they're like this. She's not MatPat figuring out FNAF lore. SCOOTS SUCK!
"Scoots suck," Lincoln repeated. He was about to let go, but she held him in place. "Polly?" He asked, slightly surprised by this . . . affection.
"Can we . . . stay like this for a bit longer please?" Polly requested softly, reinforcing her embrace. Lincoln agreed, enabling the hug to linger. She needed one.
Myrtle nodded approvingly, hiding behind a corner. She left two alone. Lincoln and Polly watched several videos on his phone to pass the time. Her smile returned after a while, and resting her head on his shoulder. Some of her felt guilty about using this situation to get closer to him, but she isn't as bad of her sucky grandmother.
Polly's face flushed, glancing his handsome face. Oh no, she's getting developing full-blown feelings for him. But Polly's okay with that. She's not afraid of these emotions, but a potential beatdown from Lynn does. Polly will worry about that later. Right now she's enjoying this. She smiled. If only his sisters weren't a bunch of jerks during the Sadie Hawkins. No wait. It was great that they were jerks. Thanks to that, Polly met Lincoln and became closer as friends. Once Rusty gets off their backs, everyone will be fine. He got a new obsession called Rebecca or whatever the girl was. Polly's mind rushed to the potential future the two would have together. Her face burned. Marriage? Kids?! HAPPY LIFE TOGETHER?!
"Woah, slow down there," Polly told herself, easing her thoughts. "We'll get there when we get there," She vowed, glancing at his face again and smiling heartfully. Determination flowed through her body, declaring to be better than her grandmother.
The two returned to their family after a while. Turns out Kirby, the limo driver that Lincoln won, was Polly's father. Lincoln wondered if each member had their own transportation method. Scoots and her scooter. T-bone and his motorcycle. Polly and her rollerskates. Finally, Kirby and his limousine. The two families joined together for an enjoyable afternoon, ignoring Scoots. She had a new boyfriend. A young, tanned, muscular man named Tyler but doesn't appear that intelligent.
Whatever, it's not their problem. Hours passed with the sun gradually descending, announcing the mid-evening. It's time to leave.
"I'll see you later Lincoln," Polly said gently, her eyes shifted as weighed her decision. "And thanks," She hugged him again as he returned it.
"Don't worry about it," Lincoln grinned to the adults' delight.
"I would kiss you right now, but our families' here," Polly whispered with a smirk. "So you better keep those lips nice and warm for me," She purred smoothly before blowing a teasing air into his ear. Lincoln's body shuddered as the heat redirected to his features.
"Don't tell Lynn?" He muttered, aware of his older sister's . . . protectiveness.
"Please," Polly desperately pleaded. They released each other and left with their families. The Loud family returned home soon and were welcomed by the enticing aroma of dinner. Lynn Sr. was trying a more vegetarian-style meal tonight.
"Hey, mom, sup Linc," Lynn Jr greeted from the couch when they walked by. Her nose picked up a familiar scent from Lincoln. WAIT A MINUTE! She narrowed her eyes, hopping from the couch and startling Lincoln as she sniffed him like a DEA canine.
"Um . . . what are you doing doing?" Lincoln questioned, his face warped in confusion. Normally, this behavior was expected from Lana, but not Lynn.
"You were with Polly today," Lynn Jr. declared, staring at him with vigilantly hollow eyes. His blue eyes widened with an anxious sweat. How does she know that?!
"Uh. . .," Lincoln dragged, unsure of HOW THE HELL he was supposed to comprehend this situation.
"What did you two do together?" Lynn Jr. asked, tilting her head, prolonging her intense and empty gaze
"Nothing!" Lincoln defended. She didn't believe him.
"What did you two do together?" Lynn Jr. repeated, creeping up to him. His stomach tightened at her gaze. DID HER EYES FLASH RED JUST NOW?! There's one thing he can do in this situation. RUN!
"Literally nothing!" Lincoln yelled, sprinting away from his manic sister, who was hot on his heels.
Several exasperated groans echoed in Vanzilla. Rita looked over with a knowing smile.
"I know, I know," She replied as Lynn focused on the road. It's that time again. Their routine visit to their Great Aunt Ruth. They're hoping, PRAYING, that this time will be better.
"Don't worry everyone, my brother and his family are visiting too so we'll leave in the evening," Lynn Sr. added, uplifting the spirits of the children. It's not a weekend visit this time! Plus they'll get to see some of their cousins as well. Chatter filled the van for a time until they arrived at a familiar salmon colored house. Each Loud child had a collective anxious gulp viewing the small army of cats. Lisa wondered if Ruth has Toxoplasmosis as the number of felines is excessive for the average person.
"Alright let's do this everyone," Lori announced upon exiting the vehicle. Few of them have gas masks and other heavy-duty sanitization products. Those cat smells are horrendous. They approached the door. Rita knocked on it while Lynn Sr. held Lily while Luan carried their dish.
Ruth opened the door. They raised their eyebrows at the condition. She looked . . . healthier. Her face lost a noticeable amount of fat as did the rest of her body. Overall, Ruth remained as a somewhat chubby woman. They knew she wasn't sick; otherwise, they would've received a call from herself or Albert. Nope. Aunt Ruth finally made the effort to take care of herself. Her skin gained a mild luster as did her hair. Looks like she combed it as well.
"Aunt . . . Ruth?" Rita questioned with a pause, scanning the older woman. Was this her?! It's the correct address. For as long as Rita could remember, Ruth preferred the all-natural hippie style. This is . . . This is new for her. The last time Ruth was close to this weight was during her and Lynn's wedding.
"Rita, you're right on time," Ruth hugged her before gesturing to them to enter. They shrug as they follow Ruth inside. Their jaws dropped, gasping at how clean the house was. They removed their mask and were welcomed by a wave of citrus.
Lana sniffed the air. "There's barely any cats here," She acknowledged, further shocking the family. Ruth loves her cats, easily having a dozen in her abode. Now, it's only a handful of them on the scratch tower. THE FUCK HAPPENED HERE?!
"Hey, um where's the rest of them," Rita asked. This house was usually stuffed with her pride of felines. There's not even half of them here.
"Alex visited a while ago," Ruth explained as they sat. Oh, that's Rita's cousin.
"He didn't call me?" Rita countered with a pout. They're basically siblings, granted he moved for work but a little call or text won't kill him.
"It was a surprise visit, and he was on an assignment," Ruth elaborated as her face sank. Their faces were wrapped with caution for their great aunt. "We . . . talked, making me really rethink my life," She confessed, sorrow and remorse trailing in her words. "So I had to get rid of most of them," Her eyes motioned toward the empty spots. It pained Ruth to do so but she had to. Thankfully, Ruth and Alex knew several cat lovers, easing her worries about finding them proper homes.
"At least we don't have to clean up that much kitty litter," Luna muttered to her siblings much to their relief. Several nodded while receiving harsh glares from Lana and Leni.
"Lisa," Lynn Sr. whispered, lowering himself to the house scientist.
"I know. I have my weapons and scanners on hand," Lisa muttered a reply before engaging in a fist bump. They can't be too careful nowadays. The family scattered, doing their own things while they waited for Lynn's brother's family to arrive. The majority watched television. Lana and Lucy played with the cats. Leni and Lynn Jr. advised Ruth on how to keep her new body with either style or workout tips.
Lincoln found a quiet spot to draw in his sketchbook. Drawing provided him with rare moments of peace in his chaotic house. His sisters had their own calming hobbies: Luna and music. Lucy and poetry. Leni and clothing. However, Lincoln can't shake this haunting sensation of wrongness. His stomach turned as if he guzzled a reverse Groundhog Day cocktail with heavy Deja vu. Instead of experiencing a Code Lyoko back to the past, Lincoln was a story character comprehending when the author changed the plot. Something in his primordial brain roared that something wasn't right. Lincoln knows this was a familiar sensation, his subconscious understood the alterations but won't acknowledge. Not this time.
Therefore, Lincoln focused on his sketches. The pencil glided across the pages, creating dynamic and familiar shapes with faces to make. He's in the zone, ignorant that his uncle and cousins were already here. His uncle Logan, Lynn Sr.'s younger brother was buffier, opting for a more physically active and demanding occupation. Abigail, his aunt, was a black woman of average height and build with a thin pair of glasses and a wavy ponytail. They had four children, equal parts boys and girls. The cousins embraced each other but the oldest girl asked where Lincoln was. It's impossible to miss him in a crowd. His family pointed to the nearby table. She smirked, crouching her way towards him.
(Okay so I'm looking at Lynn's brother's family via the leaked art and I was technically right as I said it months ago but didn't have it on me.)
Lincoln continued his work, pausing when a twin heavy masses pressed themselves against his back and neck. He sighed, aware of who it was.
"Hey, Bunny boy," She teased with a wide-braced smirk, wrapping her arms around him
"Can I help you, Lois," Lincoln deadpanned as she held him. THAT'S RIGHT! LOIS AKA THE LUGGIE KID IS HIS COUSIN!
"What? I can't say hi to my favorite cousin?" Lois beamed, holding him tighter as the warmth of her bosom rippled on his back hoping to get a blush out of him. It's not very effective.
"Right," Lincoln dragged as he rolled his eyes, not believing a word she said. Lois was virtually a carbon copy of Luan especially in personality with a few physical differences. Both were ruthless pranksters but Luan favored the arts like acting and media. Lois loved the chaos. They had identical outfits and hairstyles with Lois' having darker brown hair. Finally, puberty crashed into his cousin like an express freight bullet train at max speed. To make a long story short, her breasts are freaking huge for her age. Lois relished in using them to her advantage.
"I thought I was your favorite," Luan whined, looking over the couch.
"He's my favorite male cousin," Lois corrected smugly with an upturned nose.
"Lincoln's your only male cousin," Lynn Sr. answered. Shirly might have given born to a boy if she didn't decide to stop around 2 kids.
"That's why he's the best," Lois replied, nuzzling his soft snowladded hair much to the chagrin of his siblings. Their eyes yelled at her to hug her own brothers.
"Lois," They groaned.
Lois pouted with rolled eyes. "Fine, I'll let him go," She released him, taking a seat next to him. "What's on the drawing board?" Lois asked as the rest of the family went into groups. Some chatted, played games or watched tv as Lynn and Logan got the food ready.
"Just some Full House sketches,"
"Think you can draw me?" Lois boasted with a sly smirk. She can make a good character for his future comics.
"$50," Lincoln answered straightforwardly, shocking his older cousin. Hey, art supplies don't come cheap. Well they technically do especially with the whole AI art going around. If you have a pen, pencil and some random notebook in your house. You can do art.
"I am your cousin! " Lois exclaimed. She has the money, but what the hell, man!
"$45" Lincoln bargained after a short pause.
"Theft!" Lois accused, shooting a judgmental finger. She paused, remembering something vital. "So, Lincoln, can I ask you a question?" Lois requested, tapping her fingers on the table.
"And I might have the answer," Lincoln replied blankly, closing his book and giving his cousin her attention. "Proceed," He gestured for her to continue.
"So there's this boy . . . Axel," Lois whispered. Her voice lost that haughty, mischievous echo while both cheeks burned a modest crimson. "He likes Ace Savvy and I," She stammered, losing her cohesion.
"You want to get closer to him using Ace Savvy as a conversation starter," Lincoln predicted. She nodded sheepishly. "First thing is ask about what are his favorite comics," He started as Lois took notes on how to approach her crush.
The extended Loud family had a wonderful time together. They placed several rounds of cards with Lucy, Lincoln and Luan taking the lead. Some claimed that they were cheating. It's time for dinner. Lynn Jr mentions Lincoln's combat skills, peeking at Lois' interest. Of course Logan's family got invested in it, teasing him if he met any cute girls. Lincoln blushed, answering truthfully much to his sisters' enjoyment.
Lois unwisely decided to poke the killer rabbit by challenging him. His family warned but she waved it off. Lincoln's family facepalmed as the two got ready with Lois gesturing mockfully for him to hit her with his best shot. Lincoln got into a stance. Her blood ran frigid. An armada of cautionary self-preservation sirens that kept humans alive for generations roared in her brain. It unleashes a rushing flood of scathing messages. Wait. Stop. Negotiate. What are you doing? Are you dumb or stupid? Reconsider your life choices up to this point.
Lois couldn't remember what happened, groaning as she woke up. All she knew was that she's in the family car. Her jaw fucking hurts like someone popping spicy firecrackers under her gums. Lois' family didn't reply, only having knowing looks telling her she deserved it. She'll be fine if Kaede doesn't hear about this.
Ketchum Park was holding a local event on this easygoing afternoon. Food vendors and local talent were eager to sell and show off their wares. Lincoln, his friends, and some of his sisters and family were enjoying the afternoon. His grandparents were there to chaperone while the rest of his family was out. They divided themselves into groups based on their desires. Some went to play games or go on the rides. Several had money to burn for items and food. Others simply basked in being surrounded by the park's calming natural scenery and the unity of their fellow humans.
"I'm getting some burgers," Lynn announced, gesturing to the food section of the park. They picked up the savory aroma of burgers and hot dogs sizzling on a grill.
"Don't endanger the local bovine population by overconsumption," Lisa warned, carving a few burgers herself.
"No promises!" Lynn yelled as she strolled to one of the grills before the lines got annoying. Lincoln, Lisa, and Albert strolled around the park, casually enjoying the festivities. They met up with Polly, and she joined their little group. Albert's old instincts activated, keeping his jovial expression for his grandkids. They were being watched. His grandkids became aware of it as well, but remained relaxed. Nothing happened yet.
Lynn Jr. returned with some food and shared it with her siblings. They were in an eating area with the rest of their friends. Lola and Lana were arguing over food when a bird snatched a fry from Lana's hand.
"Hey, that's mine," She complained with a glare. "Huh? That's a weird-looking bird," Lana acknowledged, tilting her head in confusion. It's shiny and has tentacles. "Lisa, is this one of yours?" She asked as the strange bird hopped on the table. Lincoln, Lisa, and Lynn's heads snapped toward the bird.
"THAT'S NOT A BIRD!" They yelled, startling the nearby tables. Lisa pulled out a ray gun, eliminating the mutated creature and putting it out of its misery. She examined it, noting the painful modifications on its anatomy. Some of these wounds and scarring were fresh. Their bodies tensed at the foreboding squawking in the trees. That's a lot of them.
"Get down!" Lisa raised her wrist, pressing a series of buttons on her watch. Everyone did so. If Lisa tells you to run or get down, you better get down. Her watch emitted an electrifying ear-piercing shriek. The avian's simple circuitry can't handle the mind-shattering pulse. They watched a migratory flock crash on the ground.
There's more. There's always more.
Albert's neck hairs stabbed his nerves, warning him of incoming danger. "Keep your heads down, there's more!" He reactivated his military voice, gesturing to multiple approaching crimson orbs. Lisa activated her personal barrier. Others dodged or took cover to avoid the projectiles, but some weren't fast enough. Mollie was one of them as she tripped, but Lincoln jumped in. His fist bashed into one of the orbs. He grunted as it pushed back but, with a resolute counter, returned it to the shooter.
"Woo," Lincoln muttered, shaking his hand to remove the shock. Mollie had starry eyes viewing the moment. Rusty rolled his eyes. He could've done the same.
"Bro, stop being a hero and get your head in the game," Lynn Jr demanded. Screams echoed throughout the park, sending their bodies into shock. This was a full-out attack! Who was attacking? Lisa supplied her siblings with weapons; it wasn't much, but better than nothing. They formed a perimeter, waiting for their foe to approach them.
"Hostiles inbound at 12 and 3," Albert announced, narrowing his eyes to get a clearer image. Were they doing a pincer strike? Their shadowy figures gradually became clearer and larger as the distance shortened.
"Ew," Lola cringed at their appearance. They were mainly dog-sized creatures crafted from discarded metal with insect-like aesthetics handled by old wires and layers of duct tape. These machines were simple in design yet complex in function. Jointed hindlegs scuttled the grass as they screeched with their blazing beady eyes. They had varying degrees of completion, ranging from a head, thorax, and legs to a head with tiny legs. Many emitted a noticeably pungent aroma as they drew closer. Security personnel directed civilians into established safe zones far from danger.
Lisa fired numerous shots as they jumped towards them, leaving smoking holes in their metal bodies as her family engaged in combat. Trickles of blue blood leaked from the openings. Just like Tentacle. Lisa's face analyzed the situation; this was Battle-Bot's work, but how. She pushed those thoughts away and got ready to fight again. The Loud family cleared a path for their friends and non-combatants to escape through.
"Crap, how many are these?!" Lynn grunted, bashing these hostile machines away. They've been at this for several minutes. Blue blood and other bodily nastiness stained them and the ground.
"Don't worry, elder sister, reinforcements are on their way," Lisa replied, firing off several volleys from her laser. She smiled, looking up as a cache dropped in their vicinity. Weapons. Lincoln signaled for Clyde to help out. He smiled as this was one of their codes and protocols. Lisa based her weapon designs on NERF guns as she enjoyed their aesthetic, and their colorful plastic toy-like design prevents the authorities from being called.
Clyde grabbed one, steadied his aim and hands, and opened fire on the machines. They were weak. Singular shots either totally demolished or significantly damaged them. Their true advantage was their numbers. More emerged. Clyde's focus swapped between dealing with the flyers and the somewhat larger land beasts. This won't be easy. Another volley eliminated a score, and he glanced at the source.
Stella and Polly were the ones to pick up arms. "I owe Bunny Boy one; my grandpa will kill me if I let something happen to him," Polly avowed with determination before blasting the freaks on full automatic.
"Same here," Stella remarked, a bloodthirsty fervor glimmered in her pupils holding one of the heavier weapons. Girl Jordan's friend group and Liam joined in.
Albert and Myrtle directed the children and other civilians. Rusty was at the head after an utterly embarrassing attempt to show bravery for gaining a fanbase. He panicked and offered Zach instead. Myrtle turned back, grabbing a weapon from the cache. She displayed a surprising degree of agility and lethal precision, shooting the mob square in their tiny eyes. Her physical skills were impressive, ripping and crushing them when they got too close.
"Woah. . .," The Loud Siblings muttered. Was Myrtle always able to do that?
"Here comes the calvary," Albert beamed, hearing the roaring engine of Vanzilla. Lynn Sr was in the driver's seat; he trampled them under the vehicle's heavy weight. The father switched gears, smacking them on the sides while performing donuts. He stopped. His sisters burst out with a battle roar, splitting into groups. Rita and Lynn Sr. get involved. The father tossed extra weapons and ammunition to them, gesturing for some of them to get inside the van for cover.
Everything went relatively smoothly, but they were annoyed by the never-ending numbers and their depleting ammo.
"These things are easy," Rusty scoffed while in one of the safe zones. "If they were tougher, I could've taken them," He bragged to no avail when several rhythmic tremors shook the ground.
"You just had to say it, Rusty," Kat grumbled with a facepalm and shook her head as he shrugged sheepishly. The horde gained new members as the destroyed machines accumulated into their reinforcements; they were hunched over human replicas. Their sizes ranged from a child to a grown adult. No standardization was commonplace among them as they fused, only a shoddy metallic framework. Multiple arms, spider legs, several heads on a singular body, and glowing laser eyes.
"Oh, now they remembered that they can fire back," Mollie complained as she and the others returned fire while scrambling for cover. Lincoln and Lynn Jr. advanced. Deflecting, evading, and countering whenever they could. Some of the beams hit their targets, but they weren't life-threatening, leaving a pulsating bruise. Lincoln twisted to dodge a volley, but his eyes widened in horror at where the lasers were heading.
"HAIKU!" Lincoln yelled manically, dropping his weapon while rushing over to her location. Lynn covered him. Haiku's body froze, eyes widening at the incoming crimson beam. Memories and potential futures soared through her gothic mind. Many things she wanted to do. Becoming a best-selling poet along with Lucy. Owning several book and flower shops. Being Mrs. Haiku Loud. Her face flushed at the idea, aware that Lucy and his mother approved of this potential union. She snapped out of it, viewing his orange back to her.
"Lincoln?!" Haiku gasped at her determined knight guarding her from the front. Her mortal heart sank. IS HE USING HIMSELF AS A SHIELD?!
"Anchor: Tortoiseshell," Lincoln said, raising his forearms to cover his face. His body stiffed like iron. Form steady. Both feet became sturdy anchors prepared to hold the line. He grunted as the beams crashed into his arms. His teeth gritted from the pressure, but he can't let up. Lincoln pushed back as his feet forced themselves forward. Can't back down. Hold. As much as. Possible.
Heat scorned his arms as the onslaught continued. Haiku's heart ached to see him in pain for her sake. And what is she doing?! Sitting there like a frightened statue in a cemetery. She could've run away, but a coward's chain held her there. Lincoln's arms shook, barely able to keep them once the beams stopped. He sighed, getting ready for another fight, when a familiar voice caught his attention.
"Have at you, you bucket of bolts," Hugh interjected, delivering a haymaker creating distance between them. The children's eyes widened at him. "Hello there, you old chap," He greeted with a smirk.
"Hugh?" Lincoln smiled at his former tutor's appearance. His arms were singed. "What are you doing here?" He asked, his face hardened at the horde.
"I was in the area," Hugh replied humbly; he gestured to Adora, Ty Lee, and Todo, helping out and rescuing some of the civilians. Lincoln hoped Pandora and Alexandria were here. It would've helped tremendously. "Now get your lady friend out of here while the adults handle this," The Englishman ordered, getting into a boxing stance. Lincoln nodded, grabbed Haiku by the hand, and ran to the safe zone. The beast rushed after them, only for Hugh's left hook to crash into its face plate. He watched it spiral to the ground. One of its eyes shut off, roaring before charging at Hugh.
His form was tight. Face stern. He bounced on his heels, evading each wild strike before counterattacking. His punches broke its exoskeleton, raising his brow at the machine's structure. These were cheap. Whoever made them focused on quantity over quality, hoping their overwhelming number would get the job done. But what is that job? Nevermind that. Hugh sidestepped, delivering a brutal cross-punch, skyrocketing its head and vertebrae into the tree line. He briefly smirked, but his face hardened as more galloped to him. Hugh counter-charged. He's a scholar but not a coward.
Lincoln got Haiku to a safe zone where those unwilling to fight to reside. "Are you alright?" He asked, concerned, waiting for her to answer.
"I'm . . . okay, thank you, Lincoln," Haiku replied with a pause. Her body chilled as her hands shook. Lincoln grabbed her hands, giving them a comforting squeeze. It comforted the goth. She smiled, but it became a straight line, gazing at Lincoln with tender eyes. Is this what he's dealing with?
"Stay here," Lincoln consoled, releasing her hands before charging back into the fray. She reached for him but retracted her hand, obeying his words. Haiku wasn't that much of a fighter. Her lips quivered as her desire to help echoed like a funeral bell. She forced herself to stay, preventing Lincoln and the others from becoming distracted.
Lynn Jr. tossed a staff to Lincoln as he rejoined the battle. The siblings covered the other's back, becoming a whirlpool as incoming beasts drowned in their fury. Their ears caught the pleading screams of the twins. They're surrounded!
"Lola, Lana!" Lincoln and Lynn Jr. yelled. Their familial instincts activated but were held up by the swarms. Lincoln made a breakthrough, sprinting to the twins' location, but more machines pounced on him. He bashed and tossed them, but there's ALWAYS more. Clyde, Stella, and Polly bombarded them with suppressive fire, but it wasn't enough.
Evelynn's heart raced a mile per second as she weighed her decision behind the safe zone. Is she really doing this?! Come on, she has to do something. Anything! Her breathing hiked. Blood rushed to her taut stomach. She didn't want to be Shy QT anymore and wanted to make more of an impact in her life. This might be her only chance. Her body shook as she made a crucial decision.
"DAMNIT!" Evelynn bellowed, much to the shock of everyone. She's rushing across the field as some beasts focus on her.
"Covering fire!" Albert ordered. Clyde, Stella, Mollie, Polly, Rita, and others distracted the machines with a volley.
Evelynn's legs pounded the grass with tense eyes as she continued to run. What are you doing? What are you doing? What are you doing? She demanded of herself as she barely dodged swipes and lasers. Evelynn was confident some made their mark as she stumbled, but it wasn't enough to stop her.
She kept running.
Their barrages helped keep them off her. Evelynn snatched the twins, sharply making a U-turn back to the safe zone. One of the scrap machines was right behind her, but she couldn't look back. Evelynn's seen too many horror movies. Luna, Luan, and Leni intercepted the charging beast, allowing Evelynn and the twins to swiftly return to the safe zone. She collapsed. Her lungs burned. Muscles screamed in pain. She gazed at Lincoln's thankful expression before he focused on the larger beasts. Evelynn smiled. Totally worth it.
The battle raged yet diminished to a simmer. They've dealt with most of the horde, leaving a few fodder units and command machines. Evelynn's boldness inspired some of them to take action. A literal fraction remained. Tremors cracked the earth, forcing them to halt their assault.
"What is that?" One of them muttered. Several narrowed their eyes at the new threat. That must be the leader. It was huge, almost twice as tall as a man, and ugly. A sloppy ape-like amalgamation, the alpha of the scrap heap lording of trash and discarded items. They've seen glitchy AAA games that were better put together than this time. The shoddy metallic frame was barely held by duct tape and degraded wires. Despite all of that, it still posed a threat. They unleash an overwhelming barrage at the beast, preventing it from causing further damage. It roared as a faint shimmering light cocooned around it.
"It has a shield!" Lisa announced to their dismay. This freaking thing has a shield?! "Overload it," She intensified the power output of her laser, as did most of them. More shots penetrated. However, the accumulating heat was excessive on the weapons, causing them to short-circuit. They fled as others covered their retreat. Myrtle and Albert shared a knowing look. The elders ran together, using a pincer maneuver. Each takes out one of the legs, causing it to crumble to its knees. It swatted at Albert. He blocked with his forearms while tumbling across the grass. Myrtle climbed on its back, callously ripping the command beacon and shield node from its neck and back. She jumped off with a content sigh, remembering the good old days. The other machines either shut down or went rogue. It started to stand as some of the automatons fused with it, conducting repairs.
Albert dusted himself off. They need to finish this now. "On me!" He ordered, directing several of them to him. Lincoln, Lynn Jr, Lisa, and Rita were beside him. Albert, Lincoln, and Lynn Jr charged. Lisa and Rita conducted a suppressive fire, keeping the ramble pinned down. Lynn Jr. was first, crushing the rib open, making the ape groan in metallic pain. Lincoln followed up, blasting six holes in its chest, abdomen, and head, disabling its mouth laser. Albert finished the job, his burly hands grabbing the ape's head and neck, yanking it clean after a brief struggle.
"Let's finish the rest," Lincoln acknowledged as their job wasn't done. They turned to find a brutal corpse field of metal and animal viscera. "Um?" He muttered, pondering who and what could've done this.
"All done, Linky," Leni answered with a cobalt blood-stained smile on her delicate features. Did she beat all of them? No. Stella and Haiku were with her. One of them weakly moved before she brutally stomped its life out with a hauntingly blank expression. "Missed one," She whispered.
"Was Leni this unhinged?" Lynn Jr. spoke with wide and anxious eyes
"I won't be surprised if she committed murder," Lincoln retorted.
"All clear," Lisa broadcasted via her watch. Relief and exhaustion spread among themselves as they collapsed and found resting places to recover.
Hugh was a mess, his face bloodied, and his clothes, especially his shirt, were delicate ribbons. Adora supported him on her shoulder, giving him a small kiss as a reward. Ty Lee and Todo were fine as well. Security personnel divided them into groups, ushering them to safety and evaluating the situation. Some of them scouted the area for any remnants. Lincoln lumbered to one of the areas when Evelynn helped him out.
"Thank you, Evelynn," He smiled thankfully. Her face, hair, and clothes were messy and dirty after her daring rescue.
"You're welcome," Evelynn's face heated as she supported him and sat him down with their friends and classmates.
Cookie and several others provided medical support during the aftermath. Her focus was Lincoln. He suffered, thankfully, only minor injuries, but his face and clothes were a mess. The primary injuries were to his hands and forearms.
"I swear, Lincoln," She grumbled, securely wrapping bandages around his arms before grabbing some wet wipes.
"Sorry, Cookie," Lincoln replied. She had a combination of emotions within her. Anger, worry, and gratitude. It reminded him of his sisters.
Cookie pulled one of his cheeks. "Remember I said to call me Courtney," She declared sternly, getting close to his gentle features.
"Ow, ow, ow, I'm sorry, Courtney," Lincoln pleaded, strained as his cheek was tightly tugged.
"Mh," Cookie scoffed before gingerly cleaning his face. Her face softened as she did. How long has he been doing this? She knew about the Tetherby incident the next day it occurred, but now this? Those robots had a grudge against him or Lisa. It has to be Lisa because how else has the means to garner such an adversary. Maybe it was one of Lisa's old robots that got pissed about being replaced and outdated, and it's plotting for revenge. Who else would have been? How did they find them? Did they have help?
Cookie's face hardened as her eyes scanned the park, wondering who it could be. She wouldn't be surprised if Rusty had something to do with it to prove something or impress a girl. Cookie paused. Then, she shook her head. No way. There's no way someone will be that dumb and reckless. (Hey, that's called foreshadowing)
"Hey, Stinklin, I snatched a few burgers," Lynn commented, holding a few doggy bags as she sat down with them on the grass.
"You mean you stole them during the mess," Cookie countered. She was technically correct.
"Not so loud!" Lynn Jr hushed as her eyes bounced around before passing one to Lincoln and Cookie. They ate the food because everyone loves free food, making it taste better. More of them came over after receiving their medical evaluations.
"Got any mayo?" Cookie asked.
Lincoln reached into one of the bags, pulling out a clutch of mayo packets. "Here you . . .," He yawned. "Go," The girls look at him in concern. He's been through a lot in the past hour. Cookie watched his head bob like a drinking duck. She caught Lincoln before his face, kissed the grass, and pulled him onto her lap. Her expression brightened, watching Lincoln sleep. He deserved this.
"Lucky," Several girls grumbled. Some pouted at the sight, wanting that for themselves. Lynn rolled her eyes while chomping on a second burger. She's the older sister, so it's her job. Her eyes caught Rusty RUMMAGING THROUGH LINCOLN'S BAG!
"What are you doing, Rusty?!" Lynn demanded, standing urgently as the group focused on the redhead.
"Nothing," Rusty fretted with a heart-pounding sweat, holding something behind his back. Evelynn stomped towards him, grabbed his wrist, and raised it for all to see. "Hey," He exclaimed as they gasped and sneered at Rusty for what he was holding,
"That's Lincoln's sketchbook," Evelynn declared gravely. "Put it down. Now," She demanded, dangerously narrowing her eyes.
"Sheesh, relax; he won't mind if we take a little peek," Rusty rolled his eyes, glaring back at her. Just because she has a new hairstyle doesn't mean she can boss him around like that. He's a man.
"Rusty. I don't think you understand how much of an invasion of privacy that is." Haiku warned, her eyes burned with disgust at his inconsideration
"It would be for your best long-term interest if you don't do that," Clyde exhorted, his eyes gesturing to the mob of irate girls ready to send him six meters in the dirt.
"But . . . ," Rusty faltered in his attempts to speak. His face paled, and blood chilled at their ferocious faces as they hoarded around him. Rusty viewed himself as a lion crowded by a pride of lionesses. Individually, he was stronger but couldn't handle all of them at once. Rusty released the book, allowing it to slip back into the bag.
He sniffed exaggeratedly while backing away, raising his hands in mock surrender. Unable to see what the big deal is. Evelynn handed it to Clyde and Haiku, who passed it to Lynn. She placed it on her back for safekeeping until Lincoln woke up. For all the shit Lynn put him through, it's the least she can do. The group relaxed but still shot foul glares at Rusty while keeping their distance from him. Rusty shuddered at their frigid stares and thus attempted to do some damage control by bragging about what he claimed he did during the attack. Zach and several of them called him out on it. Evelynn did more than him. Rusty gave a quick disgusted snort with crossed arms as his muscles tightened and heated. He watched Evelynn with contempt as she rebraided her hair.
'Should've kept the old hairstyle, you mismatched eye bitch,' Rusty thought to himself. Minutes passed as they finally relaxed. Cookie played with his soft hair. Stella and Evelynn scavenged their parts for future projects. They can't waste good scrap metal. Lincoln's family returned to their group. His sisters cooed at his sleeping forms and took a few pictures. They thanked Courtney for keeping him safe, making her blush from the praise. Lynn Jr. took him from her, giving him a piggyback ride. She grunted about him being heavier than usual. More went home, having enough excitement for the day.
Although some of Battle Bot's scouts were still around, observing the battle and collecting data for future engagements. One of them zoomed in on the frowning Rusty.
Interesting.
Luna awaited at Lincoln's door with Sam by her side. Both girls arrived at the same conclusion. Luna knocked on his door. "It's open," Lincoln responded before they entered. Thankfully, he wasn't in his underwear this time while playing on his handheld.
"I . . . we kinda need your help, dude," Luna started before correcting herself with Sam's glance and arched brow.
"With what exactly?" Lincoln probed, briefly glancing over his gaming device. Luna never had any insane requests for him, but life is unpredictable cacophony. Perhaps she'll surprise or disappoint him.
"We have a performance coming up, but I messed up my wrist rock climbing," Sam explained, holding her bandaged wrist with a supportive black cast.
Lincoln winced at the revelation before saving his progress. That's got to hurt. "And you want me to help you guys out," He predicted after a quick analysis of the situation.
"Yes!" Luna exclaimed. "You play the Cello, so it'll be easy for you to learn the bass,"
"Those are two different instruments, but whatever," Lincoln deadpanned, shrugging as Luna had a fanatic glimmer in her pupils. He knew better than to attempt to convince his sisters when they had that look.
Luna unleashed a fangirl squeal before tightly embracing her brother. Sam rolled her eyes with a smile. "YES! Have I told you that you're rocking," She boasted, holding him tighter while slightly nuzzling him
"Not recently," Lincoln commented, patting her back.
"Well, you are!" Luna. "Oh! I know a place we can go, come on!" She announced, dragging Lincoln and Sam along. They reported their outing to Rita, who told them to return before dinner. The trio traveled on the bus, and Luna was utterly giddy.
They arrived at a plaza near the mall. Luna directed them to a shop called 'Sweet Beats.' "This is my go-to store for my musical needs," She beamed, gesturing to one of her favorite stores. Her phone buzzed during the ride with irate messages from the older sisters. Luna didn't care; it fueled her ego. Right now, she's currently the alpha and favorite sister.
"She has tons of store credit, and the manager owes her a favor," Sam whispered. That's how the Moon Goats got some of their equipment.
"Sweet," Lincoln commented as they entered the establishment. It's a cozy store with each section filled under various genres. Instruments covered the walls detailing what genre is the most preferable. Some even had sample songs for customers to play. Rock music was the most popular genre, with rows of albums. Lincoln examined the sub-genres as they strolled to the counter. Classical, punk, grunge, pop, and gospel.
Luna went to the cashier. "Hey, Blake," She greeted. Lincoln raised his brow at the worker. Either they're a handsome woman or a gorgeous man. He glanced at the black, purple, and yellow pin on their shirt. Oh. Technically, it's both or neither.
"Hey, Luna," Blake smiled. "Need a new album or test out a new instrument?" They asked. Luna is one of their best customers. She is always trying out new instruments or listening to obscure artists to broaden her musical horizon. Plus, it's good for their business.
"Even better!" Luna beamed with starry eyes. Blake raised an interested brow. What could be better than what they offered? "My brother's filling in for Sam during our event," She grabbed Lincoln, pulling him in a loving headlock. "He needs a guitar or bass,"
"Damn, I thought he was impressing a girl. Well, I lost that bet," Blake said. "I think I have some for you guys," They directed them to a room while another employee took over the register. Lincoln, Luna, and Sam followed Blake to a room where a row of guitars and basses was appropriately sized for Lincoln. They went with the Bass due to its simplicity. He had only had barely over a week to perform. Of course, Lincoln picked the orange one.
"See a song you like," Luna asked.
"I think so . . . oh, there it is," Lincoln answered before selecting it. He pressed the play button. His fingers played a steady yet familiar melody, which was followed by a drum. Their eyes widened at the song.
"SMELLS LIKE TEENAGE SPIRIT?!" Luna yelled, figuring out the song. It's a classic. "How do you know that?"
"It's one of the first songs you showed me," Lincoln replied bashfully before pausing.
"Bro. . . ," Luna whispered with heartful, teary eyes. She rushed and tightly hugged him again. It's official: Luna is the favorite older sister. Lincoln hugged her back. Usually, Leni was the hugger among the sisters.
"I take it you want this one?" Blake questioned with an amused brow.
"YES!" Luna exclaimed, holding up some cash. They all went to the cash register to complete the purchase. Luna's gigantic store credit reduced the price to a literal fraction. She bounced out of the store with Lincoln and Sam traveling behind her.
Luna and Sam coached Lincoln on various songs and strings for the performance. He's mainly focused on keeping the beat and rhythm as Luna sings. They were impressed by his skills and asked him how he could learn so quickly. Lincoln replied he watched Luna's fingers while she practiced. Sam made a teasing about Luna's fingers, forcing a blushing Luna to aggressively cover her mouth. Lincoln narrowed his eyes and left the garage. That's one of the things he absolutely DIDN'T want to hear.
The Moon Goats were getting ready to perform at the community center. This was one of their more significant events, and they were pumped. They were checking the instruments for a final system check. Mazzy warmed up on the drums. Mully checked his keyboard, ensuring that the right notes were played. The Loud siblings were tuning up their strings and practicing their vocals.
"How you feeling, dude?" Luna grinned, absorbing the electricity in the air. One of her biggest dreams is coming true. FINALLY! Performing with her little brother on the big stage!
"Kinda nervous," Lincoln admitted. He's in standard punk rock attire: a black shirt, jeans, and sneakers. The Moon Goats provided him a few accessories to help him fit in. Wristbands, a stubbed belt, and a moon-shaped necklace.
Luna arched her brow. "Really, dude? You went an entire afternoon battling mutated robots without flinching, but this makes you nervous?" She questioned, listing off his recent feats.
"I need some weaknesses," Lincoln shrugged when Sam poked her head through the curtains.
"We're up," She announced, getting them the right mindset.
"Tonight, everyone, we have the Moon Goats featuring Lincoln Loud," The announcer introduced the band. The Moon Goats were calm and experienced in the field, while Lincoln gave a shy wave. His family and friends were in the crowd, cheering and applauding in support. The lights slowly dimmed as Luna gave him a look with a grin. It's showtime.
Lincoln started them off with Mazzy counting down her drumsticks.
"How many times can you look me in the eye. Tell me everything is fine. When I know it's not. I don't even know what I should say now. I can't speak. I am such a freak," His silvery voice resonated via the microphone.
"Yeah, you're a freak, alright," Rusty mumbled venomously. No one heard his vitriol under the Moon Goats' music. He invited Rebecca, hoping to score with her and get other girls' numbers. The Rustman needs more options, just in case. An Alpha wolf must have his pick of females. You can never have just one female in your roster.
(You guys have no idea I'm struggling to NOT smash my head in my wall after writing that sentence)
"Trapped in a box. Feeling so small. Can't feel a thing. Can't feel it at all. People they sat. Laughing at me. Pointing my face. Call me a freak," Lincoln continued, remembering the numerous rehearsals. The audience cheered as he sang. Several praised his parents for raising talented children. "This world is not my own. I was meant to be alone. And there is nothing I can do to save me now."
"How many times can you look me in the eye? Tell me everything is fine. When I know it's not. I don't even know what I should say now. I can't speak. I am such a freak," Luna jumped in, adding her bombastic voice to the melody. The siblings repeated their vocal rhythm as they swapped between verses. It worked amazingly. They kept this method as the song concluded. However, Lincoln amplified the tempo of bass leading up to one of the Moon Goats' original songs. He didn't know the words. Only the beat and the rhythm while providing back vocals.
He occasionally peaked at the crowd, giving them a smile. His ears picked up feminine swoons. Was that from his friends and classmates? But from whom? Pandora and Alexandria were there. Polly too. Wait, Cristina's in the crowd? Definitely, Haiku because Lucy likely invited her, but she was more on the quiet side. It won't surprise him if music gets her blood pumping. There's the Yates. Various classmates and schoolmates are giving him . . . weird looks but are clearly smiling. He couldn't see from here but sensed a new emotion from them.
This sensation prolonged throughout the next song as well. Raging on a Sunday. The song swapped between slow and sensual with spikes of exhilaration as Lincoln's pleasant voice chilled their bodies. His blue eyes glanced at the crowd again before sharply widening. Wait, was that? He cracked a smile, hoping that he was true. They performed the final note before taking a break, leaving their instruments on the stage. The lights brightened.
Lincoln searched through the crowd. He knew he saw her, but where did she go? "Hey, Lame-o, over here," A familiar voice called out to him. His smile widened as he turned to her. There she was.
"Ronnie," Lincoln beamed, seeing his best friend from Great Lake City. They didn't hesitate to embrace each other, relishing in the other's warmth. Ronnie held him tighter than usual, enjoying his newfound musculature. "I didn't know you were here," He stated as they eased their hold on each other.
"Lori told Bobby, who told the rest of the family," Ronnie Anne explained with a smile, gesturing to the rest of her family. "Plus, I didn't want to spoil the surprise," She giggled. They chatted while someone viewed them with a hollowing, empty gaze. Stella, holding drinks in her hands, went to find Lincoln only to witness this scene.
"WHO THE FUCK IS THIS BITCH?!" Shadow Stella roared with fangs and flames in her eyes.
"That's Ronnie Anne Santiago," Stella replied dully, tilting her head. "His best female friend," The drinks wailed under her hands' accumulating pressure. Ronnie Anne Santiago! That's the main threat and obstacle to HER Lincoln Loud.
"Well, don't stand there like a fucking cuck! Go to him. She already has a lead over you!" Shadow Stella demanded, gesturing to Lincoln. The light turned to Stella's eyes as she calmed down. Lincoln doesn't need to see such an ugly face.
Stella fixed her face as she approached them. "Hey, Lincoln," She said with the most genuine fake smile she could muster. "I got us some drinks," A water bottle was in her hand.
"Thanks, Stella," Lincoln took it and took a swig of it. He wiped his mouth. "Ronnie, this is Stella Zhau. Stella, this is Ronnie Anne Santiago," The snow-haired boy introduced the girls to each other.
"I know you mentioned her a few times," Both girls remarked, exchanging acidic lightening between their eyes. They held their tongues to avoid making a scene. A Jaguar and a scorpion challenged the other for one white rabbit. They eyed each other.
Ronnie Anne sees why Lincoln's friends fought over Stella when she was the 'New girl.' She was radiant, tall, and slender with shiny charcoal hair and smooth, tanned skin.
Stella had mutual thoughts as well. Ronnie had a confident aura about her yet slightly cautious and gentle around Lincoln. She was shorter than Stella, but that was a given. Her skin was a few shades darker, and she had black hair. Ronnie Anne had more meat on her bones being more . . . developed. Insecurity hummed in Stella's mind, but shoved those thoughts away. She was still, at least hopefully, Lincoln's type.
"Nice to meet you," The girls roughly shook their hands with a strained voice, quietly evaluating each other. Lincoln raised his brow, sensing a mild animosity between the two. He did reveal to Stella that Ronnie Anne used to bully him, Which definitely soured the relationship. His brain rapidly searched for any common ground to unite the two.
"I'm thinking about adding some new characters to my comics, but I'm having an art block," Lincoln suggested, hoping for some cooperation. Both girls had treasure in their eyes upon hearing his request. The trio went to work designing this new character. Rusty's blood boiled like an overheated pot of tomato sauce, ready to pot and spill over to create a frustrating mess. He mocked whatever they were saying and just gobbled on the food while tossing the wrappers and empty containers on the floor.
"Hey, bro, stop flirting and get back on stage," Luna teased, calling Lincoln out on the microphone. The trio blushed as Lincoln sprinted back on stage while others laughed. He glared at his smirking sister as he strapped on his bass. Mazzy started them off again, reenergizing the crowd. The Moon Goats played Take It Out on Me by Thousand Foot Krutch. Ronnie Anne sneaked her way to the front row. She had earplugs just in case. Lincoln warned her about how intense Luna's sound waves were when performing. Therefore, Ronnie Anne earnestly enjoyed the show, especially Lincoln's performance, watching him with a content expression as she cheered for him. Lincoln met her gaze; his heart briefly stopped but smiled.
Time to show off.
Luna shared a look with her band and sisters. Lincoln flowed more energy into the lyrics, electrifying his fingers while pulling on the strings. Was he trying to impress someone? They followed his gaze and smirked. Oh . . . looks like he's got a fan in Ronnie Anne and is singing to her. Luna didn't comment on it and continued their performance. They played a final song, concluding with thunderous applause from the audience.
Ronnie Anne was the first to congratulate him, acting as a pseudo-bodyguard for him against the girls. They pouted, but there was nothing they could do about it. Ronnie and Lincoln had a special bond. Annabelle and Cristina joined with Sully waving to them. Sully was Cristina's older brother, explaining how Lincoln and Cristina met. Ronnie glared dangerously at the redhead, burning holes in her forehead. Lincoln calmed her down, explaining they were cool now. Ronnie Anne accepted it, edging closer to him, using his shoulder as an armrest. He's gotten taller since she left.
Rebecca swaggered over to him, pushing others aside to reach Lincoln. She had a charming smile as she attempted to flirt with him by praising his skills and how great he looked while doing it. Her smirk expanded at the indignant expressions of the other girls. Rebecca was confident that she had Lincoln around her finger. She can finally ditch Rusty.
However, there was one tiny problem. Lincoln didn't buy it. Lola and several of his sisters used that same smile to persuade him to do something for them. Lincoln politely thanked her and ambled away with Ronnie Anne. Rebecca stood there like a mannequin with an overwhelming brain freeze as they snickered at her. She blinked owlishly, snapping her head in Lincoln's direction.
NO WAY THAT JUST HAPPENED?!
That's not how things are supposed to work. Lincoln should've blushed or stammered, even if it's just a little bit. Nothing! Just walked away without a sprinkle of a reaction. Rage steamed before she put a lid on it. Lincoln was a harder nut to crack, and Rebecca loved that. Making it all the sweeter when she wins. She grinned and went away. Rusty fumed with crossed arms.
The crowd dispersed once the musical event concluded as workers cleaned the setup. Lincoln and Ronnie Anne chatted, using this opportunity to catch up. They prefer this face-to-face interaction over their usual video chat. The soothing chime of their laughter. How the moon shone on their features.
"Are they dating?" Liam asked Clyde. He knew Lincoln, the best outside of his sisters.
Clyde paused to think. "I . . . honestly have no idea. But I won't be surprised if they were," He answered truthfully as the rest nodded to confirm.
The crowd gradually diminished, hopping in their rides or carpooling with their friends. Lincoln and Ronnie Anne embraced each other again, wishing them a good night. Their families and friends viewed this scene in teasing amusement. Except Rusty grumbled under his breath as if he tasted bitterly sour and soapy pill. He stomped to the bike rack, kicking over a few trash cans as he did while securing his helmet before riding off. The chilly night breeze did nothing to soothe the corrosive heat boiling inside him as he pedaled home. Foul and irate thoughts buzzed in his mind like flies on a trash heap.
Of course, Lincoln showed off with music. OF COURSE, the ladies praised him. Of fucking course, Ronnie Anne appeared, making Stella and the other girls jealous, forcing them to crowd him. OF COURSE, FUCKING LINCOLN PLANNED THIS OUT! Or at least some of it. He snorted upon arriving home. Rust slowly accumulated on his bike chain but he ignored it. Ambition and women were on his mind as he rushed through the internet.
A singular putrid green eye viewed through his window. Its command node manipulated Rusty's search algorithm, aiding in his ambition. He paused. How to be an Alpha male? Rusty smiled and clicked on it. The drone buzzed as it filtled away.
Algorithmic alteration complete.
Good. Follow with the next phase.
Affirmative. The drone continued on its route, evading obstacles like trees, power lines, and birds. However, it struggled to keep afloat, but the drone couldn't fail.
Low Power mode activated. Speed decreased. Non-essential functions deactivated. Focus on the target.
The drone didn't know how much time had passed, but the signal gradually amplified. Getting close. Can't . . . fail . . . now. It floundered in the air, desperately holding on to what power reserves it had. Battle Bot created this drone with the bare minimum, callous to what the machines desired, only focusing on what he desired. Close to the signal. Almost there. Its green eye rapidly flickered as it crashed into the junkyard. They were closed for the night and won't be open until tomorrow.
Destination arrived. Power low . . . shutting down.
The drone deactivated in the middle of the junkyard. But its mission wasn't done. One of the piles rumbled as a slimy massive tentacle slid over, dragging the drone back to its abode. Someone saw it. A derelict observed the sight with widened eyes and slack jaw. They snuck in, scavenging for any valuables, and were ecstatic about seeing the drone. Drones are quite expensive and incredible to resell. However, this WASN'T what they expected. They need to run. Dropping their haul, deciding to come back another day. That's what they've done their entire lives. Never staying in one spot as their failures and responsibilities won't catch them. They sprinted for the fence. Their blood pumping. Muscles burning. A tentacle wrapped around their ankle, causing them to slam face-first into the flirty dirt. Pained goans escaped their mouth before chilled blood snapped them out of a daze. IT'S DRAGGING THEM! They yelled and screamed, hopelessly digging their fingers into the soil and pleading for someone. ANYONE! To help them. As they're dragged into the scrap mountains.
No one came.
They awoke with a startle. How long have they been gone? Seconds? Hours or Days? Another haunting question popped into their mind. Are they dead? Relief washed over them, experiencing their heartbeat. They moved to get up. They can't. Horror dominated their mind as their panicked eyes searched for information about their location. They were looking up, but there wasn't any light. Hollow rocky dirt was underneath them. That thing placed the derelict underground.
The drifter's eyes frantically for more information. A light? They smiled. Someone found them! More lights appeared in the cave. Their hearts dropped at the increasing numbers. These aren't human. The majority were mutated robotic animals, but a scant few of them were fully automatic. One of them approached him, scanning him for whatever purpose. This must be the leader.
"Specimen evaluation. Waiting for diagnosis," It spoke coldly. The drifter's heart quaked as they emptied their bowels in terror. This wasn't the leader. An echoing silence filled the room. "Specimen . . . unsuitable," The robot spoke, turning its back to the paralyzed human. "Dispose," It signaled. The flock pounced on the derelict before they could scream again, filling the cave with feral noises.
Until there was silence.
Junkyard workers returned for work hours later. Some of them yawned as they gazed around for any disturbances from the previous night. One of them found a misplaced bag but thought nothing of it. The beautiful sun rose again for a brand day. Like never nothing ever happened.
Damn, I think I really cooked this chapter with the tension, suspense and moments you've been on the edge of your seats.
Ronnie Anne and Stella meeting up for the first time. Myrtle, Hugh and Evelynn showing up to the rescue. More development for Polly. Battle Bot is cooking up something sinister as well eyeing Rusty to potentially help him out. Another reason to hurt Scoots and more.
You guys deserve after a long break.
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