Welcome back everyone to QTQ. Another quick and easy chapter for you guys to chew on. Why? It's my birthday this month so I'm going to take it bit easy for the next few weeks.

Some news I FINALLY MADE A GUMROAD PAGE. I'm going to put my Trope Tetris series there for the foreseeable future and other templates that I can come up with. Give me some time to post the link.

For those wondering, yes, I'm writing another chapter of Lincoln's Log Book. I've just been busy writing my other stories. The outline has been made. All I have to do is write it.

Everyone good?

Great!

On to the reviews!


NiteOwl18: Welcome to the Corrupt saga. I wanted to give a more concrete reason for it besides petty envy. Leni's original concept was that she's a SUPER strong 6-year-old. Now she's slightly unhinged, this is going to be FUN

Guest99: They are. It's simply a warning

BookishPotat: That was one of the better chapters that I did early on. I'm planning to rework them because damn those were rough. More characters will have their backgrounds expanded. I just need to reach a few checkpoints first. Insane Leni is fun too.

guest: Rusty & BattleBot will meet later. Much later.

Pirohiko-Baltazar: Lucy being the Yandere sister is too generic. Leni going unhinged is too much to resist.

Guest: I picked random names for them as they either don't have official names or surnames. As you said the last chapter was a 'Lower Decks' chapter, highlighting minor characters giving them the spotlight. Plus Lincoln can't solve everything.

A handful of their schoolmates got expelled/suspended. That'll put fear into anyone. Leni's the big Yellow button among the Loud sisters but no one will expect her to be one. Considering that Lisa often does experiments without her sisters' consent or awareness, it's a viable conclusion

We haven't seen much of Alexandria as most of Lincoln's moments were with Pandora. Same with Cristina, this can be a mini-arc where the two can finally reconcile

Regarding the Loud Sisters' for their plan, it's more lightheartned especially since they have his friends and schoolmates involved as well

Solon75: Those earlier chapters were messy compared to the modern ones. I think I'll split the story when they get into Middle School or at least the 1st movie

Lucky for you, I made a Gumroad page reducing the need for people to subscribe to the Ko-fi. They can just buy posts or products

Chandler has done tons of crap in the show without punishment so I'm fixing them. Rusty will get his due in Middle School. Usually, it's the oldest sister or one of his younger ones who would do the threatening not the Sweetheart of the siblings.

Doing these small tender moments helps build their relationship. I don't want to rush the development

Making minor/BG characters into villains/antagonists is one of the better ways to use them. It's better than leaving them in the dust and forgotten. Granted Sadie could've moved because of her parent's job or something simple. As with Cristina, I'm giving them small moments to help characterize them. Kat was in the first movie so that's an angle I can use.

Rusty is going to get stupider.


The figure remained motionless in a curled position making itself smaller among the jagged rocks. Apathetic towards the freezing salty waves crashing against its metallic frame. Sea fowl positioned themselves on the statue, blotching its body with their waste only for the stains to be washed away. BattleBot.

After the failed attack on Lincoln and his friends, BattleBot knew he couldn't stay in his decrypted base anymore. Lisa and her other creations were searching for him. He had to escape. But where? A cyan message invaded his systems, directing him to Incognito Labs, informing BattleBot of the advanced technologies accessible. It's a risk but he had no other conceivable option. BattleBot destroyed as much as he could within the limited time. He crawled through a tiny hole, dug through dirt & stone, and found an entry to the sewer system. BattleBot popped from a manhole, gazing at the starry sky, dismissing their beauty, and ran. The urban jungle regressed into dense foliage. Hitching rides under buses and light rails, reaching closer to the coordinates but taking the scenic route. Why? To avoid detection. The message marked a water body near Incognito Lab's surveillance blind spot. BattleBot released his hold on the transport and darted between the shadows to his next objective. He prolonged his gait, narrowing his skeletal body to slice through the water. BattleBot emerged and found a spot. There he stayed. The passage of time meant nothing to him. It could've been weeks as his body remained there. He couldn't experience the cold waters. His hyper-advanced sensory cortex flashed signs warning him about the frigid temperatures, the craggy rocks shredding his outermost layer, or the putrid aroma of avian excretion and rancid chemicals. BattleBat can't feel the biting air but can't warm himself. He can't cover his face to block the smells or enjoy them. Anywhere experience and sensation were in his domain, plump and ripe for the picking. He can bite into it as many times as he desires but cannot savor nor rage at the juicy flavor.

It's time—another message displayed.

BattleBot stood, startling the small flock. He estimated it was past midnight based on the moon's position. Battlebot turned, admiring the rocket ship above him. That can be usable. He hopped from the stones, stabbing his fingers into the reinforced smooth concrete of the building, and climbed. Incognito Labs was a silent graveyard, occupied by a poorly paid skeleton crew under a draconian contract. BattleBot found a window, slightly ajar. He entered. BattleBot journeyed throughout the building with phantom-like motions, avoiding the exhausted security personnel and motley sanitization crews.

Take the 3rd hall.

BattleBot did, finding himself in the restricted area until stopping a door. He grumbled, searching for any weakness or access point. A light outlined his body, activating his self-defense protocols. BattleBot paused at the personnel's haunting and vacant electric cyan eyes. The robot approached the cleaner, poking their body and then piercing them in the side. Nothing. As blood slid from the wound. The cleaner handed BattleBot a small device and then left. BattleBot's thoughts whirred in confusion both at the person and the device.

"What is this?" He muttered, obliging the bizarre device. It's a tiny flat device but BattleBot knew this tool was advanced. Truly advanced. Exceeding whatever Lisa can muster.

Place it on the door.

Another message instructed. Battlebot reluctantly obeyed, suspicious of who this benefactor was. His processing unit was imprevitable from hacking and other foreign interference. Lisa ensured that. Whoever this person was was more sophisticated than his creator. The door flashed with cyan geometric lines, opening it for BattleBot. He entered, marveling at the innovative machinery around him. It had EVERYTHING BattleBot needed and more, eclipsing those useless piles of scrap metal. A brand new and superior army. He halted his greed, discovering a storage closet in his view. Usable yet marginally outdated parts still provide substantial boons to his forces.

The computer.

BattleBot grumbled taking orders from this random stranger. But what choice does he have? Accessing the computer was a simple task. Either the owner was arrogant, leaving it open for anyone to use it believing no one had the means to enter or the device cracked the firewalls. Unbelievable. BattleBot's jaw dropped, and his radioactive eyes bounced around, surveying the plethora of top-secret files. Yes, yes, yes! He paused at a particular document. Tetherby? BattleBot clicked it. Yes. His green eyes blazed with enthusiastic rapture, absorbing the information. Everything he wanted. Was here. He summoned his utility drones, scavenging whatever he could for this agenda. Better resources, an improved plan, and the power to will it in existence. Perhaps he won't need Rusty after all.


Citizens of Royal Woods and neighboring counties gathered for a somber service in a local church during the evening. All members of the world's faith, holding a candle to honor the missing people. News segments churned these missing person stories for weeks only to reach a MASSIVE & unsettling spike in reports throughout the entire state of Michigan. Some played Devil's advocate claiming it's the weather. Tornadoes, heavy rains or they were lost in one of the many water bodies. Others countered due to how random they were, vanishing from their homes, workplaces, and more. Much more. It hasn't stopped conspiracy theorists from creating outrageous stories. Although legal experts suggested after numerous analyses, they found a nexus point explaining the link among the missing people. They're people who nobody would miss or care that they were missing. Some had horrible personalities. Others were low-waged workers often with a criminal record. Several were dregs; homeless, drifters, those whose lives were mangled by their vices & addictions or deemed undesirable by society. Few were estranged. A remorseless culling of the state population. The question remains. Why? Who could've done this and for what purpose? Is a nefarious group motivated by Darwinism, eliminating the society's undesirables or mere unadulterated sadism against those who can't retaliate.

The walls contained the victims' families' laments as one of them wailed about their relative who worked at Incognito Labs. Their relative's body was found in the nearby water body thanks to local fishermen. A single puncture wound in their side was the investigators' only clue. Incognito Labs led by Dr. Linnaeus adamantly denied any involvement in the death and offered compensation to the family. Ironically that family was lucky. They knew the fate of their late relative. Others clung to hope as if it were their sole life raft during a turbulent storm out at sea.

They listened to the various pleas of families for help. Those that mustered enough love or compassion to care that is. Unease and anxiety burrowed in the Royal Woods community at their neighbors' apathy. Were the victims truly abysmal? Is it because they're from a larger population compared to the small town, viewing people as indifferent numbers for a census? Reports labeled Royal Woods as one of the safest towns in the county and the state. This tested that notion.

Luna, the other Moon Goats, and various citizens played music and sang songs. Honoring the lost.

Officer Schoffner & Mayor Davis broadcasted available resources to the community to assist in this endeavor. Agent Alex, Rita's cousin, offered his department's support thanks to the widespread threat. Schoffner grinned, relief spread in her chest, and other policemen were grateful for the assistance. Other police departments called Royal Woods 'a sleeper town' for its low violent crime rate. Assaults, robberies, and murders were prevalent in all societies but they boasted a few dozen in a single year. A token police force at most. This. This assignment gnawed at their minds, worried if they had the manpower to deal with it. They can't hesitate now. All took an oath to protect and serve; they'll honor it.

The service ended, securely lighting candles on the altar as the flames illuminated the collage of pictures before returning them to the church members. Several groups formed. Adults discussed the future, contemplating the news and what would become of their town and the state. Few remained resolute in the town's safety countering the well-justified alarm. The FBI and numerous law enforcement agencies throughout Michigan are collaborating in this operation. Chats about grassroots NGO's weighed heavily. The majority exited the church, heading home or organizing themselves into lines for the food stations under the setting sun. Youths either remained inside, heading to the kids' section to watch TV or went outside for food.

Others were at the altar, kneeling and offering prayers for the victims and their families. Lucy tugged Lincoln's hand, beckoning him to the altar. He nodded. Himself, Lucy, and Lynn were among the more spiritual siblings in the family. The altar had a line with familiar faces. Lynn's teammates, the Morticians' clubs, and several of his classmates such as Clyde, Mollie, Girl Jordan, Stella, Liam, Polly, Paige, Giggles, and Cristina.

Lincoln and Cristina shared a glance before kneeling. Both clasped their hands, closing their eyes with a brief prayer. They stood and went outside heading towards the food stations. A good meal can heal the soul. Local restaurants and food vendors aligned themselves on the street or pitched tents near the back. Lincoln & Cristina chatted while ordering their food amidst the sizzling grills and growling motors. He got a beef garlic naan wrap and she had a mutton burger. They found a spot inside where other youths watched TV.

"Cold?" Lincoln asked, raising a brow at her shivering. They wore formal attire for the service but offered little weather protection.

"A-a little bit," Cristina replied through chattering teeth. Her hands rubbed her skin, yearning for warmth against the autumn air. She found it. Lincoln's coat rested on her shoulders. Cristina's eyes gleamed at him with a smile but she couldn't leave him like this. She slid over, resting her head on his shoulders sharing the heat. His eyes widened, glancing at Cristina's red hair. For years, Lincoln longed for this moment with his former crush. Enjoying cozy moments like this. But here she is, showing him affection after she rejects him and gets in trouble. Lincoln doesn't have enough heart in his soul to remain spiteful. He's over it. Both their faces heated from the contact yet remained close. The pair remained in each other's company, watching the program in comfort as their family observed them. His sisters were conflicted. On one hand, it's an adorable moment but on the other hand, their sisterly fury directed them to rip Cristina's head off by each joint.

"I'll allow it," Lola muttered with a glare. As she and the rest left them to their own devices. Lincoln & Cristina began mending their relationship by discussing the latest SMOOCH album and making general conservation as they enjoyed their meals. The sky darkened with the sun diving over the horizon heralding the night. Their family retrieved them to head home. Cristina returned his coat, offering a small smile and wave before leaving. Lincoln returned it much to the interest and chagrin of his sisters as Vanzilla rumbled and drove off.

Michael observed Rusty preying on the victim's emotional weakness and fanning the flames of fear among his schoolmates, coaxing them to buy suits at his father's store. If someone's going to be dead, they might as well look stylish in a coffin. Michael adjusted his glasses, summoning a HUD screen behind the lenses adjusting his mission.

Two paths were laid. Rusty Spokes or Bumper Jr? BattleBot was a sidequest in the grand scheme. Regarding Bumper & Rusty, it's either or. The mission will end with one of them.

It's inevitable.


I wonder what BattleBot is planning with his new toys. This is the first time we've seen Michael in over a year I think. Since many of you guys dislike those scenes, I've regulated him and Gabriel to the background. That change helped with the overall flow of the story.

Thanks for reading the story. Follow & Favorite to keep updated. Leave a review for any questions, or theories or to show your support. Thanks again. Have a good day. :)