DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters of The Loud House and Spider-Man. They are the property of their respective owners and any use given to them here does not seek any remuneration. This story is written with fine playfulness.
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Chapter Five: Tell me it's not real...
-Hello friends- Lincoln greets the reader with great enthusiasm. - There is nothing better than having your favorite cereal for breakfast to start the morning," said the boy, eating calmly until he felt something move inside his mouth. At first he attributed it to what crunchy cereal, but then he had to spit his mouthful into the sink and that's when he realized that there was a spider web inside his mouth. When he tried to remove it, hundreds, maybe THOUSANDS, OF SPIDERS began to come out of the boy's mouth. As well as his ears, each of the arachnids began to run their small legs over the white-haired man's body, producing a tingling sensation on his skin. The spiders wrapped him in a web no matter how much he desperately tried to get them off of him, but their efforts. They were useless...
Lincoln moved from side to side wrapped in his blanket and sheets, he was drenched in sweat and complained in his sleep until he fell to the ground and woke up due to the pain. However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stand up, his head was spinning around and around.
- What's happening to me? - he asked himself.
After 10 endless minutes, Lincoln began to feel better, so he got dressed and went down to have breakfast with his family without giving much importance to what had happened, assuming that it was because he was tired from his fight the day before against Electro and the chameleon, He had been on the verge of dying buried in rubble! It was normal for him to feel weak, or at least that's what he wanted to assume so as not to worry. When he arrived with his family, he noticed that many of his sisters were still upset with him because of what had happened the day before, as they kept looking at him upset. He tried to ignore them to eat breakfast, but he just couldn't ignore his sisters' murmurs.
-Come on, what do I have to do to be forgiven? - Lincoln finally asked after postponing that question for several minutes.
-Son, we have nothing to forgive you, just don't come so late at night- a naive Mr. Lynn responded with a smile to calm him down.
-I lost my appetite- Lynn Junior said angrily as she left the table.
-I must fix my makeup- Lola exclaimed as she also left indignantly.
-I'll go get my guitar- Luna leaves without looking at the white haired boy.
-Me for Mr. Cocos- Luan follows Luna.
-I'm going to feed little jumpers- Lana leaves.
-I have to check Todd's screws- Lisa leaves.
At the table, apart from Lincoln, only Rita, Mr. Lynn, Leni and Lucy were left. Lincoln was sad for ruining his parents' anniversary, that really wasn't his intention. The tension between her children did not go unnoticed by Rita, so she tried to cheer up her little one.
-Honey, are you excited because the Ace Sevvy movie is coming out today? –
-Yes, I think so,- the boy answered without encouragement while playing with his food.
-My eleven children will appear on the big screen, I couldn't be more proud! It's a shame that Lori won't be able to be in the premiere- added Mr. Lynn.
-In fact, I won't be at the convention- Lincoln said, which took the adults by surprise. Those who, due to their work, were not updated about what was happening in their children's lives, meeting the financial needs of 11 children is not easy at all!
-But, I thought you would be in the movie- said Mrs. Rita.
-They gave me a job that I didn't want to accept- the white-haired man gives a big sigh- can I leave? I want to get ready for school before there is a huge line for the bathroom.
The Boy leaves the table and his parents, why were their children acting like that? They turned to look at Leni, who pretended to be distracted by Lily so they wouldn't ask her anything. Lincoln stopped abruptly in front of the Loud family's trophy case, he saw with a little envy how all his sisters had won a prize, and him? What did he have? A pity prize made of cardboard. For as long as he could remember, his sisters were always better than him, no matter how much Lincoln tried to excel at something, he could never have his moment to shine and now his sisters would be the stars on his favorite show. Lincoln felt bad, he knew he should be happy for his sisters and support them, but he couldn't help but feel jealous. The boy was brought out of his thoughts by a cold that ran all over his back and gave him goosebumps.
- Lucy!, when are you going to stop doing that?
- Lincoln shouted, angry at the gothic girl's annoying habit of scaring him, although it didn't last long.
At that moment Lincoln knew that something was wrong and not because of his spider sense, but because of his brother's instinct, he knew Lucy very well, who was with her arms crossed staring at Lincoln as if through her eyes she could see the most deep within his being, reading his feelings like an open book. Lincoln was terrified to think about it.
-Lincoln, are you okay? - the Gothic girl asks in her classic monotone tone.
Lincoln was starting to get nervous, it was already more than clear that he was very bad at lying.
- I? "Yes, Lucy, I'm fine," the white-haired man said, stammering a little.
-Tell me the truth!-Lucy interrupted him, taking him by the shoulders and surprising him- Don't lie to me Lincoln, are you okay?
This was getting out of control, Lincoln didn't know what to think much less what to answer, did Leni tell him that...?
-Hey Lucy!, leave Linky alone- Leni ordered- yesterday he apologized to us, you don't have to continue bothering- Leni said angrily, something unusual for her, so Lucy quickly separated. of Lincoln.
The Boy calmed down with those words, he was worrying too much, maybe Lucy was just genuinely worried about him.
-Don't worry Leni- the boy spoke to appease his older sister- calm down Lucy, I'm fine.
The nine-year-old was not very convinced, but her interrogation had been interrupted by Leni, so there was no choice but to give in.
-I will decide to believe you, just remember that you can tell me anything, after all you always listen to my poems- said the gothic woman as she left.
Leni walked up to Lincoln and grabbed his shoulder.
-Are you sure you'll be okay with me being at the convention? I can stay with you at home if you want-
Lincoln really needed some company, but he also didn't want to abuse Leni's generosity.
-No, it is better that you go with our sisters, many people are fans of "the eleven of hearts" and it is not good to end the illusions of a fan-
Lincoln was leaving, but Leni stopped him with a big hug.
-Linky, maybe we are heroines in the movies, but for me you are the best hero in real life-
Lincoln appreciated the hug and those words, he really needed it! On the way to his room, he found Charles chewing on a ball:
-I guess it'll just be you and me, friend! But don't worry, we'll watch a David Steele marathon and eat until we burst, after all we don't always have the house alone- said the white haired man while scratching Charles' belly.
But the moment was interrupted when an unbearable pain attacked Lincoln in his abdomen, similar to if a giant was squeezing him mercilessly. The boy began to breathe heavily and his dog licked his face to try to help him. Little by little he was able to get up to go to school, he didn't want to worry anyone, but something really wasn't right. The school day passed with the usual boring normality (Bolhofner yelling, Rusty making a fool of himself, Principal Ramirez implementing new "effective" education strategies) until dismissal time at the high school, where Chandler was waiting for Lincoln from the rooftop of the school. school with several water balloons.
-When it's over, Lincoln will be a soaked rat- the boy said with an evil smile and then began to attack the white-haired boy with the water balloons.
Thanks to his spider abilities, Lincoln dodged each of Chandler's attacks with great ease, but when he began to attract attention and the possibility of his secret identity being discovered, Lincoln stopped dodging the attacks of his school nemesis. What he was missing! Now he would be the ridicule of the entire high school. When he was preparing with his eyes closed to receive the last attack and while everything was soaked, he heard a scream.
- Move Stella or you continue! - Chandler ordered.
Lincoln opened his eyes and to his surprise, Stella had stepped between him and Chandler. The Bully prepared to attack Stella as well because the girl was determined to defend Lincoln, but someone grabbed him by the neck.
-Listen, weakling, only we can bother Lincoln, so get lost or I will turn every day of school into hell for you- Lynn Junior ordered.
Chandler had no choice but to run out of there, no one wanted to have anything to do with the high school athlete. Stella and Lincoln stared at each other without saying a word, the entire school stared at them, perhaps waiting for them to kiss, it was then that Luna coughed hard enough to get her brother's attention.
-I have to go, Stella, thank you very much- the white-haired man said a little nervously.
-Lincoln wait, I was wondering if you wanted to go burp-burger with me? -
Lincoln had a small blush on his cheeks, so he turned to look at his sisters, who were waiting for him in the truck and saw him with mischievous smiles. Maybe they were upset with him, but they still loved him and wanted what they considered best for him.
-Don't be a dumb toothy, tell him yes- Mr. Cocos shouted at him.
- Yeah? - the white-haired man answered with doubt.
-Excellent, girls you don't mind that I steal it, right? - Stella asked as she headed to the Loud.
-Not at all, just return it before eight- Leni said with a smile.
At that moment, all the kids at school started singing: "Stella and Lincoln full of passion, giving each other a b-e-s-o!"
-Shut up or I swear I'll kick you so hard you won't be able to sit down for a month! - Lynn Junior shouted, so all the students continued their activities without protesting.
Stella and Lincoln were eating their hamburgers on a platter, Lincoln was soaked and very embarrassed so he didn't look at Stella.
-Anything is better than doing nothing- Stella said with a smile, taking Lincoln by surprise, as she began to dry her white hair with a small towel that she brought with her as subtly as possible.
-Are you kidding? Doing nothing is rule number one in the nerd's survival manual. Besides, I have bigger problems-the boy answered while wringing out his wet clothes.
- Are you jealous of your sisters? - asked the girl.
- Because you said so? - the boy questioned with surprise.
- Being in that Ace Sevvy movie was your dream!
-I'm just upset with myself, it should be more...- Lincoln answered discouraged, but before he could continue the Filipina interrupted him.
-Linc, you are an intelligent, fun and friendly boy, but, above all, you always want to help others. Maybe others consider it a flaw, but for me it is one of your greatest virtues. Stop belittling yourself and blaming yourself for being human and making mistakes! We all make them-
- Do you really believe that? - the white haired man asks doubtfully.
-Of course, you were my first friend at Royal Woods, since I was little, I have been bullied for my height. I felt very sad and alone about it! But you taught me that people have a kind side and that my height was not something I should be ashamed of. It's something I will never forget! - Stella answered, taking the boy's hands and giving him a smile.
People tried to ignore both boys, who laughed hysterically, remembering old anecdotes as time went by.
-I can't believe you argued with the boys about me- Stella said, a little embarrassed.
-Well, tall girls are very pretty and...- Lincoln stopped talking as he thought better about what he had said- I have to go, we'll see you later- the boy hurriedly said and then started running.
-Wait Lincoln- Stella shouted as she tried to reach him.
Could it not be true? Did he really mean what he had just said? Lincoln couldn't stop thinking about Clyde's words, about whether it was time to love again. The boy needed to put his ideas together, but a superhero never has time for those things, a figure composed of yellow rays of electricity was attacking the shopping center and Spider-Kid had to stop him. People were running away from Electro for their lives, but in the middle of the chaos Stella stumbled and the villain was about to attack her when... she felt someone pick her up and take her flying:
-Get to safety immediately- the hero ordered, as he walked away.
- Weren't you supposed to be dead? - Electro shouted.
-Weeds never die, sparks- Spider-Kid mocked as he dodged the villain's attacks and took him away from the civilians.
Stella was looking for Lincoln among the people who were escaping, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find him, so she began to worry.
-I've already beaten you up before, little brat, I can do it again- he threatened.
-Only this time it will be different- spider-kid began to attack Electro, who, no matter how hard he tried, could not electrocute him.
- How is it possible? - the villain asks confused while receiving a beating from spider-kid.
-I covered my suit with plastic sparkles, it will be the end of you! - With each blow and kick, Electro lost ground and when the hero was going to land the killing blow, he felt severe pain in his torso that prevented him from moving, which the villain took advantage of to escape.
-The pain is getting more and more unbearable- Lincoln said while complaining- I have to get help!.
Meanwhile, the Loud sisters were preparing for the premiere of the new "Ace Sevvy" movie. However, some were uncomfortable and kept staring at each other, the atmosphere was tense.
Flashback
-Dad! It was Lincoln who covered the toilet- Lola shouted hurriedly.
-Lincoln, you're grounded! Girls are no longer grounded- Mr. Lynn shouted.
- Why did you do that? - Lucy asked confused.
-Why were you right, I tolerate teasing, I feel comfortable with who I am, but don't worry, one day you will too, until then, your big brother has your back! –
Flashback ending
-I'm not going out to the premiere- the Gothic woman commented with a firm tone and without hesitation, something that took everyone by surprise.
- Because? - Lola asked.
-The dream of appearing in this movie was Lincoln's, and now we are going to receive the credit for his ideas? Remember that it was he who created our characters, "the whole deck" - Lucy answered.
-But he was the one who ruined it in the first place, plus he destroyed our parents' gifts yesterday- Lola said.
-Lincoln may be selfish and careless at times, but who among us hasn't been? - Luan mentioned so that her brother Lola could see the other side of the coin.
-I didn't want to do it, but I thought all of you did. "Although every day of recording I felt terrible," added Lana, looking sadly at the ground.
-I won't do that to the stinker, I won't go out either! - Lynn Junior exclaimed.
All the sisters agreed not to go to the premiere.
- Are you ready girls? - asked the director entering the Loud sisters' dressing room.
-I'm sorry, miss, but we're not going out- Leni answered.
- Because? - asks the director.
-Our male fraternal unit was the one who had the idea for our characters and is not given the due recognition it deserves-answered the little genius.
- Come on girls! He ruined everything that day at the convention, we offered him a job and he turned it down. Besides, the fans are waiting for you, the director reproached.
-Unless he is given the recognition he deserves, we will not leave! - Luna said in a firm voice, crossing her arms.
-Okay, I'll make some calls, but please, leave now! - the adult begged with annoyance.
At the McBride house, Clyde was cleaning his prized antiques with his cats until someone interrupted him.
-Clyde, I need your help- pleaded Spider-Kid, who could barely walk.
-You stole my parents' time dilation accelerator, why should I help you? - asked the boy.
-I helped you once, remember lizard? Besides, do you really think I'm capable of stealing from them? - the hero falls to the ground from pain.
- What's wrong with you? - Clyde helps Spider-kid sit up immediately.
-I have unbearable pain in the sides of my torso-
-I need a DNA sample- with a needle, Clyde draws blood from the mini hero's shoulder.
Clyde would have recommended an ointment for any civilian, but it must be something serious if the pain was bad enough for someone with superhuman stamina to complain. Clyde analyzed Spider-Kid's blood with a microscope while Lincoln tried not to lose consciousness due to the terrible fatigue he felt.
-The mutagenic factor in your blood has undergone another transformation- Clyde said, a little alarmed after a few minutes of analysis.
- What are you talking about? - asked the white-haired man, confused by his friend's strange words, but unable to hide his fear.
-Apparently what gave you your spider-kid powers was just the beginning, you keep changing and it's accelerating, I need more proof, but I can say that your DNA is transforming you into something... In something that is not human- Clyde answered, starting to breathe hard.
- Do you think you can make an antidote? - Spider-Kid asked with the hope that his best friend would give him some kind of hope, after all he was the son of the two most brilliant scientists in Michigan.
-I guess so, I should go to McBride Industries for the equipment, but it will take time-
At that moment, Spider-Kid begins to writhe in pain and without warning, to the horror of both children, the hero grows two extra pairs of hairy arms.
- HURRY UP! by…. "Please," Spider-Kid asked out of breath and unable to stand.
The premiere of the "Ace Sevvy" movie was ending and the Loud sisters were heading backstage when they found Stella, who was very upset pacing back and forth.
- What's wrong Stella? - Luna asked.
- Where is Lincoln? - Lana asked quickly after looking in several directions.
-I can't find him- the girl answered with tears in her eyes, since she hoped that Lincoln was with his sisters.
- What do you mean? I wasn't with you? - Lynn Junior asked breathlessly.
-Electro attacked us, spider-kid saved me, but… Since that moment I haven't seen Lincoln, I thought he would be at home or with a friend, but he's not there... -Stella responded, playing with her hands out of nervousness.
Leni hugged Stella to try to comfort her...
-Let's not rush into the facts, let's call everyone we know to see if he is with anyone- the genie suggested, cleaning her glasses, trying to hide her obvious concern.
-If that electro did something to my brother, I'll hit him myself- little Lola threatened, shaking her fist.
-I'll tell mom and dad- Luan said.
At McBride's companies, beads of sweat fell from Clyde's forehead and his hands moved at the speed of Light as he worked against the clock on a cure, Spider-Kid was getting worse and worse!
-Tell me you have good news- Lincoln pronounced with great effort.
-My serum seems to reverse the mutation process, the cells in your blood will return to normal if everything goes well- Clyde answered.
-Great! Then...- Spider-kid said with a little joy.
-Maybe, but we need time to see if there are any side effects- Clyde interrupted.
-I don't think there's anything worse than this- the white-haired man said, pointing to his extra arms.
-But if my calculations are wrong, you could lose your powers or the mutation process may accelerate- the youngest of the McBrides warned.
-You must give me that serum, in any case, everything will go wrong if we don't do anything- Spidey spoke desperately while holding his best friend by the neck.
-I can't spider-kid! I don't want another incident like the one with the lizard to happen- Clyde answered in a scared tone.
At that moment, Spider-kid grew fangs that tore part of his mask and his fingers turned into huge claws sharp enough to tear metal. The worst thing is that Electro had just arrived at McBride Industries.
- What is he doing here? - Clyde asked, swallowing, he had never liked adventures and now he was in the middle of one, he needed his inhaler urgently.
Lincoln had run out of time and patience, he really hated what he was about to do, but he had no other option, so without thinking a second time he hit his best friend with enough force to throw him to the ground. The white haired man could see the fear in Clyde's eyes and his feeling of guilt only intensified when he saw him lying on the floor trying to look for his glasses, but he had to protect him from himself and to do so he had to avoid becoming a monster. without control, although he already felt like one in reality. Clyde was like the brother he never had but always wanted to have, it's not that he looked down on his sisters, but with them he usually had to adapt to their activities, with Clyde he was different, they shared very similar hobbies and even Lincoln had discovered a long time ago. Little did Clyde accompany him to some of his favorite activities when he really didn't like them, he never thought he would hit his friend! What kind of hero was he? Spider-kid forced Clyde to inject the antidote into his arm, who had no choice but to reluctantly and hesitantly accept, at first it seemed to work by reducing the pain, so spider-kid headed off to fight Electro.
-I'm really sorry Clyde- Spider-Kid said quietly as he walked away as if his friend was capable of hearing him, after all there would be time to apologize, oh no?
Spider-kid was trying to get closer to Electro in a subtle way, but it was at that moment that what everyone feared happened.
- No! - the white-haired man pleaded - I can't end like this - he begins to crawl trying to get away from electro - forgive me! - the fallen hero whispered over and over again, with tears of frustration in his eyes.
The mutation had taken place. Lincoln no longer thought, he acted by pure instinct, obeying his wildest part, the one that sought revenge against everyone, perhaps against himself. That world he had once protected with so much love was now in danger under the yoke of his madness. Electro saw the spider-kid figure and approached for the second round now that he had recharged:
- I'll finish you off quickly, dwarf! - the thug mocked.
But what he saw made him feel true terror... There was no more Child! There was no more spider-kid! Only a gigantic spider whose grotesque appearance seemed straight out of a C-rated horror movie.
Will it continue?