Meet an old friend Chapter 4
In the bustling Loud household, the usual scene unfolded: Lori was deeply engaged in a phone conversation with her boyfriend Bobby, while Leni was absorbed in the creation of a new dress design. Luna, with fervor, was composing her newest musical piece. Lynn Jr. was gearing up for the evening's baseball match, and Luan was honing a fresh joke alongside her ventriloquist puppet, Mr. Coconuts. In the tranquility of her space, Lucy was crafting her latest poem, and Lana was caring for her pet frog, Hops, in her room. Lola was captivated by a tea party with her plush companions, and Lisa was immersed in her latest scientific endeavor aimed at advancing human welfare.
As expected, the familiar pattern played out, yet Lincoln stayed confined to his room, a picture of ennui. It's been three months since he was grounded. Over the last five weeks, communication between Lincoln and his parents has dwindled to almost nothing after they denied him the chance to explain the toilet blockage, forbade him from leaving the house to assist someone at the Roar Flame residence, and avoided discussing his poor academic performance. His sisters mock him for emulating his admired hero, blame him for the toilet debacle, and cast harsh words his way. Meanwhile, his conversations with his friend have been sparse, limited to brief exchanges.
Lincoln rose from his bed and made his way to the desk, sinking into the chair. His gaze fell upon the book he fondly referred to as his 'Lincoln Loud journals'—a private repository for his innermost thoughts and secrets, never to be shared with his family. It was his outlet, a means to unburden his chest of secrets. "This is dumb," Lincoln muttered under his breath, ensuring his solitude remained undisturbed. His eyes then caught sight of his MP3 player on the desk. "At least they didn't confiscate this," Lincoln mumbled, picking up the device and retrieving his earphones to plug in. "Now, to find the perfect song I can..."
Breaking 4 Wall
"Stop, stop, stop! Lincoln, you're breaking the fourth wall again," exclaims the Shadow Clawer Reader, halting the story. "Can we pause for a moment and talk?" Lincoln asks his expression far from pleased. With a sigh, the Shadow Clawer Reader agrees, lifting Lincoln from the narrative and into a three-dimensional void. "What's the issue? Why must we halt the tale?" the Shadow Clawer Reader inquires, equally displeased. "Do you despise something about it?" Lincoln probes. The Shadow Clawer Reader, puzzled, responds, "What do you mean?" "Do you hate me?" Lincoln asks, a tinge of anger in his voice. "Lincoln, what makes you think I hate you?" the Shadow Clawer Reader questions, eager to understand Lincoln's concern.
Lincoln paused for a moment before he began to speak. I'm familiar with the story; my sisters tease me for dressing like Ace Savvy, but I've grown accustomed to it. However, when I opened the bathroom door, I was confronted with a clogged toilet, and immediately, blame was cast upon me. My sister Lola has a penchant for causing me trouble and running to tell our father. He invariably takes their side. Moreover, I needed to uncover the true culprit behind the incident, which turned out to be Lucy, who sought respite from her usual gloom. She was on the verge of confessing, but I chose to shoulder the blame instead. That's why I left the house, starting this narrative. Although I don't mind being labeled as the responsible party, I can't fathom why it had to involve a burning house—that was unquestionably perilous.
Indeed, I recall now that Lincoln used your character as an example in part of the narrative. Shadow Clawer Reader omitted to mention that the ceiling had collapsed on the trapped individual, and in the process of removing it, I sustained burns. Lincoln turned back to me, questioning the omission. "Why didn't you include that?" I replied, drowsily admitting that it slipped my mind. Shadow Clawer Reader acknowledged his forgetfulness in adding that detail to the story. However, I'm puzzled as to why you chose to document that I landed in trouble, resulting in a three-month grounding, compounded by Lisa broadcasting my academic failures. Moreover, that nightmare was truly unsettling; being devoured by my kin and transformed into a Colossal Beast was horrifying. Does your portrayal stem from animosity to the extent of suggesting my family's disdain for me?
Shadow Clawer Reader shakes his head no and starts speaking. No, I can't tell the main reason why I started the story like this but I can tell you this. The story I working on this because I don't like how your family has treated you in the past so I won't write a story to help Shadow Clawer Reader say. Plus I have liked The Loud House for a very long time when I was little and I am not the other fanmade writer that writes mean or evil stuff about the Loud House I am not a monster of what they write. Shadow Clawer Reader says to Lincoln. Lincoln got confused about what the Shadow Clawer Reader meant about that. What do you mean about that Lincoln looks more confused than ever.
Shadow Clawer Reader extended his hand, revealing six distinct dimensional lines. "What is this?" Lincoln asked, his eyes wide with astonishment. "These are different dimensional timelines," explained Shadow Clawer Reader. "This is not my timeline, but some of them are too horrifying to witness. If you're wondering why I started the story this way, then take a look, starting with this one." He pointed to the first timeline. Lincoln peered into it, stepped inside, and within a minute, he dashed out, terror-stricken. "What was in that dimension?" Lincoln asked, trembling. "That is the Two Sentence Dimension," Shadow Clawer Reader replied, glancing at Lincoln. "It reveals all the terrifying tales involving your family and the misfortunes that befall you." He gestured to another timeline. Taking a deep breath, Lincoln entered, only to emerge screaming, fleeing from the second-dimensional timeline. Once safe, he asked in a quivering voice, "What did Luan do? Why did she...?"
As he neared completion, Shadow Clawer Reader interjected with a knowing tone. "This is the dimensional call, 'The Final Joke'," Shadow Clawer Reader declared, then resumed speaking. She harbors madness in all her beliefs and has slain all her siblings, simply to orchestrate a prank, unable to contain her eagerness for the foolishness of April Fool's Day—a holiday she adores. I've always detested that day intensely. Luan's insanity is known, yet I never imagined she'd reach such extremes. Lincoln, gripped by fear, had yet to witness the extent of Luan's madness in other dimensions. Shadow Clawer Reader revealed a third-dimensional timeline, split into two, bewildering Lincoln. "Why does this timeline split in half?" Lincoln questioned. The timeline was bifurcated, and understanding the events that transpired within it was crucial. Bracing himself, he ventured in once more, this journey lasting approximately eight minutes. Moments later, Lincoln emerged, his expression etched with profound terror.
"What the heck?" Lincoln exclaimed, collapsing to his knees, gasping for air. "That's the dimension known as 'Birthday Surprise' one and two," Shadow Clawer Reader uttered, voice laced with fear and terror. Luan had lost her mind, driven by a desire to harm you, Paige, and your family. However, you stood your ground and emerged victorious, resulting in Luan's incarceration and permanent estrangement from the family. Yet, the sequel brought drastic changes: your friend abandoned you for confronting Chandler, your parents divorced, splitting the siblings. Lori, Lynn Jr., Lola, and Lisa sided with Lynn Sr. and Rita, leaving Leni, Luna, you, Lana, and Lily in turmoil. Luan escaped, committing heinous acts and targeting you, Girl Jordan, and your family. Despite her efforts, she was defeated, suffering a grave injury and ultimately passing away. Honestly, I empathize with Luan and forgive her for her actions," Shadow Clawer Reader confessed. Lincoln, bewildered, faced Shadow Clawer Reader. "You forgive her? She went insane. Why on earth would you forgive her?" he demanded, his tone seething with anger. "She was in pain and needed support," Shadow Clawer Reader explained calmly. "Had Luan received help sooner, none of this would have happened."
Lincoln was on the verge of retaliation, believing he was always correct. If only they had assisted Luan with her pranking issues and exercised self-control, none of this would have occurred. "Lincoln, I will show you only two timelines," Shadow Clawer Reader began, shaking his head with the knowledge that the last one would terrify Lincoln. "What happened to the last one?" Lincoln inquired. "Let's begin with the fourth one," Shadow Clawer Reader suggested, prompting Lincoln to nod in agreement. Once more, Lincoln entered another timeline, and it took him about 30 minutes to emerge, his hand covering his mouth as if he were trying to suppress his fear-induced nausea. "Yes, it's the dimensional timeline known as ABC Catastrophe," Shadow Clawer Reader explained, tears welling up in his eyes. "I feel terrible for Lisa. It's not just that her invention turns people into the food they consume, or that she lost the trophy and scholarship, but she also ended her own life." Shadow Clawer Reader placed a comforting hand on Lincoln's shoulder, acknowledging the tragedy of his sister's fate in that dimension.
Tears streamed down Lincoln's face as he grappled with the pain of what he had witnessed. He was aware that Lisa could sometimes abandon someone in need, but this situation left him at a loss for words. The uncertainty of what might occur if he encountered 'the last one' haunted him. Would it spell disaster? Could his family perish, or suffer harm? These thoughts weighed heavily on him as he faced the Shadow Clawer Reader, who seemed to anticipate Lincoln's fears and knew what was to come. "Lincoln, are you..." began the Shadow Clawer Reader, but Lincoln interrupted, needing to understand the fate of 'the last one.' With a nod, the Shadow Clawer Reader acquiesced and revealed the final timeline to Lincoln. Taking a deep breath, Lincoln stepped forward and entered the last timeline. An hour later, he emerged hand over his mouth, eyes brimming with tears, the image of utter desolation. Staggering a few more steps, Lincoln collapsed to the ground, overcome by grief. The Shadow Clawer Reader approached, offering silent companionship in this moment of sorrow. "I am so sorry, Lincoln," the Shadow Clawer Reader expressed, gazing back at the dimensional portal. "That last dimension, known as The Virus/The Lost, has claimed the lives of your family, friends, and all those you hold dear," he conveyed with a heavy heart.
Lincoln's voice broke as he spoke. Everyone had vanished, turned into mindless zombies or something worse. He had managed to save only Lucy, Lana, Lola, Lisa, and Lily. "Oh no, Lisa," he lamented, "my brilliant little sister, gone forever. It's my fault; I should have protected her." His older sisters had also perished. Tears streamed down Lincoln's face as he continued to speak. His friend had been devoured by those creatures, and in a tragic turn, he had to end his mother's life to protect his younger sisters. Overwhelmed by grief, Lincoln reached his breaking point. The Shadow Clawer Reader placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and said, "Lincoln, I know it's painful to witness such horrors, but your family loves you and they wouldn't want you to give up." Trying to console him, the Shadow Clawer Reader continued, "I understand it's confusing now, but it will make sense soon, I promise." Lincoln, pausing to think, finally responded, "Okay, I'll trust you." Satisfied, the Shadow Clawer Reader prepared to send Lincoln back to his correct timeline, ensuring his memories of their conversation would remain hidden until their paths crossed again.
Lincoln recalled the song that comforted him, 'I Know You So Well,' and played it, allowing the melody to fill his mind as he penned thoughts in his journal. The following day, during his final classes, his attention drifted away, preoccupied with thoughts of that person everyone in school was discussing. He pondered the identity of the individual caught in the fire and the enigmatic savior who emerged. "When is the bell going to ring?" Lincoln mused, only for it to chime punctually. As the classroom emptied after the bell, Lincoln lingered, the last to leave the room.
Lincoln emerged from the hallway, immediately noticing the absence of everyone indoors. "How did they all get outside so quickly?" he wondered aloud, his confusion evident. As he walked briskly, preoccupied with thoughts of the person he had recently saved, he hoped they were alright and that they knew who they were. Lost in his concerns, he wasn't watching where he was going. "I just hope that person is doing..." Lincoln's words trailed off as he collided with something and tumbled to the ground. "Ouch," he muttered, rubbing his head. Looking up, he recognized the person he had bumped into. It was Cookie, lying there with a cast on her right arm and another on her left leg. "Oh, sorry about that, Cookie," Lincoln apologized, quickly helping her up and retrieving her crutches. Cookie, with a shy tone, thanked Lincoln for his help. "No problem, and I'm sorry for bumping into you. What happened?" Lincoln asked, concern lacing his voice. Cookie, on the verge of tears, admitted to being in an accident but didn't want to delve into it. Lincoln, worried he had upset her, quickly apologized. "Oh no, you didn't make me cry," Cookie assured him, "I just remembered the accident."
"Okay, but it was nice to see you again, Cookie. It's been a while since we last caught up," Lincoln said, just as he was about to leave. However, Cookie held onto his arm, stopping him. "Can I ask you something?" Cookie inquired, her tone still tinged with shyness. "Sure, Cookie, what's on your mind?" Lincoln responded. "I just wanted to thank you for your help. It's been ages since the polar bear challenge," Cookie said. "Oh, that completely slipped my mind," Lincoln admitted, scratching her head. "Yes, we won, but our teacher decided to name it herself, which felt like a waste of time," Cookie said, clearly annoyed at her teacher, whom she nicknamed 'Baby Polar Bear.' "I understand how frustrating that can be," Lincoln sympathized, making a joke that brought a laugh from Cookie. "I'd forgotten how much fun you are," Cookie remarked. "Thanks," Lincoln replied, smiling. "So, are you up to anything?" Cookie asked. "I wish, but I'm grounded," Lincoln confessed. "Oh, that's tough. I'm sorry to hear that," Cookie said, empathizing with him. "It seems we can only chat at school then," she added. "Yep, home and school are the only places I'll be until my three-month punishment is up," Lincoln agreed. "We'll have to keep our meetings secret," Cookie suggested. "I agree, it has to be a secret," Lincoln concurred. "You realize this means we can't tell your family, friends, or anyone. If they find out we're meeting up, we could both get into trouble," Cookie explained, and Lincoln nodded in agreement. "So, this is our secret hangout, right?" Cookie extended her hand to Lincoln. "Yes, this will be our secret," Lincoln confirmed, shaking her hand, which made her smile.