Chapter 8: Lucy Consults the Spirits

While Soter lead Lincoln across the river styxx, back on earth things in the Loud House were not going well.

On Franklin Avenue, the Loud House was no longer loud, mainly because the loss of their son/brother had utterly broken their hearts to shambles. It was so quiet that you could not only hear a pin drop, you could hear the sound reverberate off the walls. None of them were able to smile or enjoy much of anything. Even the happiest residents couldn't find a single ray of sunlight in their bleak home.

Leni was usually the most optimistic person in the house, but without her brother she had no motivation to do anything anymore. Her fashion ideas were currently on hiatus for it would all just remind her of how happy she used to be when Lincoln would model outfits for her.

Luan loved to make people laugh, but she felt as if she had no reason to smile anymore. None of her jokes felt appropriate anymore because she knew they'd only make her and her family feel more depressed.

Lori was trying to be strong for the sake of her younger sisters, but inside she felt awful. Ever since her parents brought Lincoln home she had promised to always protect tim. Now he has been taken away and there was nothing she could do. Knowing that she failed in her responsibility made things so much worse for her.

As expected, the forced departure of his only son had left Lynn Sr. more miserable as ever. Even more unfortunately, Lincoln's prediction had come true with him preparing tasteless food most of which tasting salty due to being flooded with tears. Despite the lack of taste, none of the girls dared to complain knowing how upset their dad was.

Lisa was still her stoic, rational self. But she was dedicating her time towards doing her best to find Lincoln, for some reason she had a feeling that although it defied the very laws of science itself, she knew he was out there, somewhere. Currently she was doing everything she could to locate him so she could bring him back home. But the entire concept of creating a portal to another dimension that lies beyond the line of life and death, was easier said than done.

Luna had shut down as was expected. Instead of rocking the walls of the house, she spent the majority of her days playing sorrowful tunes and depressing ballads. She just felt a lack of enjoyment and no longer had the energy to play uplifting tunes. Luna and Lincoln had always been close growing up and just remembering how they used to enjoy having jam sessions together had almost reduced her to tears knowing that they'll never be able to play together again. Her mood was down the drain and so was her reason to play.

Lily was still young but noticed the lack of her brother's presence in the house and how the rest of her family seemed to be sad and blue. She questioned where Lincoln could be, but knew that being so little there wasn't much she could do on her own.

As expected, Lynn had put on a mask of deception pretending that she wasn't upset at all. By focusing all her energy and efforts on her various sports games it seemed as if she didn't have time to be sad. Of course behind closed doors she released her emotions for her brother, hoping somehow they could get him back.

To say Rita's heart was shattered beyond repair would be an understatement. Ever since the day where Lincoln's dying mother had entrusted her to care for her son, she had done everything she could to make him feel safe and loved. Rita didn't care where he came from or what kind of supernatural being he was. Lincoln was her little boy who she loved with all her heart. And without him, she couldn't help but cry herself to sleep at night, and with the thin walls of the Loud House everyone could hear her. The girls all knew why their mom was crying and hearing her cry often made one or even many of them to join in the tears.

The twins were equally as apathetic, as without Lincoln they couldn't play with him like they would in the past. Despite her catty demeanour, Lola always appreciated whenever Lincoln would help her prepare for pageants, especially since he did so willingly. Lana missed him too because he had always helped her care for her animals, once again of his own free will. They needed their big brother back, no longer caring whether he was related to them or not. Without him they felt as though they no longer had any reason to smile or have fun anymore.

Aside from their parents, arguably the sister most upset was Lucy. She and Lincoln had a very special sibling bond since he was her rock as a fellow odd man out. She could always rely on him to understand her probems and feeling like an outsider. But unlike the others, Lucy wasn't going to just let depression consume her, she was going to do something about it!

And that something was doing what she does best: speaking to the dead, i.e., conducting a seance. If she could speak with those who have departed from the mortal world, then maybe one of them could help her locate her brother in the heavens and see if she could find out if he's alright and although far-fetched, she hoped to discover a way to bring him back to earth. After making sure that the coast was clear Lucy took a box of table salt from the kitchen and made a pentagram on the floor of her bedroom. Luckily Lynn was off at soccer practice so she knew she had enough time to get it done. Lucy then lit some candles and placed them all around the pentagram and lighting them before turning off the lights and putting on her fortune teller head scarf.

"Oh spirits, I call upon you. I beg of your help. Please let me know, have you seen my brother and tell me if he is safe." Lucy chanted hoping to appease the spirits.

"Lucy…. Your brother is not safe…" she heard the ethereal voice of an older man speak.

This made Lucy to gasp in shock and fear, and she clutched her heart in worry.

"W-what do you mean "not safe? Who are you spirit? What do you know?" She asked the ethereal voice.

"I am a bondservant loyal to the almighty one. Young Lucy, I regret to inform you that the archangel Uriel did not take Lincoln to heaven, he was ambushed and your brother was stolen away by the demon Lineos."

Lucy looked down at the floor, although her eyes were unseen she let out a whimper and looked utterly devastated, as though she was on the verge of tears.

"No… please no…"

"But do not lose hope, dear Lucy…" upon hearing this she tilted her head up in curiosity.

"I have sent a righteous saviour to deliver him from harm, and bring him safely to heaven."

Lucy felt a sense of relief from hearing his statement, but wasn't fully satisfied with his answer.

"Please holy spirit, I beg of you. My family is broken, we cannot go on like this we are destitute. I am willing to do anything to have my brother back, we all are. I will do whatever you ask, just let him come back to earth…please…." Lucy poured her heart out in her words choking through tears to beg the holy spirit for her brother's soul back.

"It will not be an easy task, as he has a duty he must fulfill. But after he has fulfilled his destiny, I will do everything in my power to grant your wish."

"You will?" She said surprised.

"Lucy, you have proven to me that although you have a fascination with what awaits beyond the grave. Your devotion to have your brother back, given out of the desperation of a pure love, is the one favoured above all. You are truly pure of heart."

"Thank you, your holiness."

"All I ask of you is to not lose hope, and to convince your family to remain faithful. If you do, the almighty will grant you his blessing."

"Thank you, guardian angel. I will do anything to see Lincoln again." She responded gratefully.

"With the almighty power, he will do his wonders. Now the time has come for me to leave you..."

"But spirit! That can't truly be all there is! What else can I do? What else?!"

"Believe Lucy…. believe…." and with that the voice of the bondservant faded away and the candles were extinguished.

Lucy felt as though she had been given a once in a lifetime opportunity, something greater to live for. A chance to make her family whole again. A chance that she would be sure not to waste…

.

.

.

.

(So there you have it, Lucy hasn't given up on Lincoln yet. Also I'm just now realizing that Uriel was based on Michael Imperioli's character from "Lucifer" so I guess now you can visualize him better. And at this point, I feel like I should emphasize that the Lincoln featured in this story is a very different version from the one from the show. Lincoln is far more patient and understanding than he normally is, and he's much more timid and sensitive. Make no mistake that he and Clyde are still best friends and he still loves his comics, video games and magic. He's just less self-centred, outlandish and impulsive. Thats my opinion, take it with a grain of salt. Anywho…I'll get back to you later, peace!)