I do not own The Loud House. All rights belong to Nickelodeon.
Chapter 3
"Uncle Lance? Aunt Sharon? Gramps? What are you doing here?" Luna asked.
Uncle Lance shoved Lynn Sr. out of the way and went straight to Lincoln with Aunt Sharon following behind.
"Lincoln, are you okay?" Uncle Lance asked.
"What? Yeah, I'm fine. Why?" Lincoln asked while his uncle checked him all around.
"Lincoln, have they been treating you right?" Aunt Sharon asked with her hand gently holding Lincoln's face.
"Uh, yes. Why do—?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lynn Sr. questioned.
Uncle Lance turned around to face his brother, "You shut up! Don't think we don't see right through you."
"Excuse me?!" Lynn Sr. asked angrily.
"Lance! You promised to be calm about this," Aunt Sharon said.
"What's going on?! What's this all about?" Rita asked loudly.
"You think one heroic act will suddenly make everyone not hate and not you and all your bullshit? Fess up, Lynn! We know that stunt on the bridge was an act," Lance jabbed.
Everyone's eyes widened. Lynn Sr. glared and growled at his brother.
"Wait, what? An act? You think what happened at the bridge was an act?" Lori questioned.
"You're saying our dad staged all that?" Luna asked.
"Yes, that's exactly what we're saying," Uncle Lance said.
"No, that's what you are saying. I'm here to make sure you don't overdo it and lose your temper," Aunt Sharon stated.
"I agree with her, Lance," Gramps stated as he crossed his arms, "We agreed to talk."
Lynn Sr. marched up to his brother and yelled, "I did not stage that! I would never do such a thing! What happened was real! Those people were injured. Kevin and I gave medical assistance. I jumped into a river to save a boy! You don't fake that!"
"I know you're lying, Lynn. Just like you lied on the stand!" Uncle Lance jabbed.
The Loud kids and Rita's eyes widened.
"Lied? What are you talking about?" Lincoln asked.
Uncle Lance turned to his nephew and stated clearly, "Your father lied on the stand during the trial. He lied. The lawyer asked about his past. He said I tricked Lynn into getting stuck in a haunted house maze, right?"
Lincoln nodded.
"That's a lie. I didn't trick him into going in there. I wasn't even with him that night. I was with my best friend, Tristian. Lynn wandered into the maze himself! And that story about him getting attacked by wolves was also a lie. It wasn't a pack of wolves. It was just three! And he didn't find his way back on his own. We found him and brought him back!"
Lincoln stared at him before turning to Gramps.
"Is that true, Gramps?" Lincoln asked.
Gramps nodded, "It's true. We found him in the shed after we drove the wolves away. Lynn cried the whole walk back to the cabin."
Everyone was silent as they looked back at their father, who had a grim look.
"But he was still attacked by the wolves, right? They still bit him?" Lynn Jr. asked.
"Of course I was! They almost chewed my leg off, and that's not a lie!" Lynn Sr. shouted.
"And you were still traumatized by that haunted house maze, right?" Leni asked.
Their father nodded.
"Those are just small details that are off, but the events still happened. I don't see what any of that has to do with you thinking that Lynn staged the whole car accident on the bridge," Rita stated.
Gramps stepped forward, "Look, everyone, I know you think you know your husband and your father . . . but I know him. I know my son. I know what he's made of, and to do all those things, saving people's lives in the face of real danger . . . he's not built for that kind of thing."
Lynn Sr.'s eyes widened with shock as he turned to his father.
"Dad . . . you seriously think that was fake? Me saving that kid's life and helping those people with my friend Kevin, do you think all that was staged? Are you serious?!" Lynn Sr. exclaimed.
Gramps sighed, "I'm sorry, son, but . . . when I saw the news and heard what they're saying about you, I just . . . I just don't see it. I don't know how you did it, but somehow it was staged. I can't believe it because you're not built for that kind of thing. You're hard enough for that."
"I've known you my whole life. Saving people's lives takes strength, and you're too weak for that," Uncle Lance said.
While Lynn Sr. showed pain and heartache from those words, his wife and children showed rage as they growled with their teeth and clenched fists. Lola and Lynn Jr. were two seconds from attacking them. The boiled in them – even Leni.
"You're wrong," Lincoln stated clearly.
Everyone turned to Lincoln as he continued.
"You're wrong about him. My dad did not stage that. It was real. He helped those people. He saved that boy from drowning. He's a paramedic, and after what he did on that bridge, he's what I am . . . a hero," Lincoln stated.
Lynn Sr.'s eyes widened and glistened with a smile as he felt touched by Lincoln's words. However, Uncle Lance and Gramps shook their heads.
Gramps started, "Look, Lincoln, I know he's your father, and you feel like you need to defend him, but—"
"Why don't we show you the new Lynn? You don't think my family is good for me. So, how about we show you how much our family has changed? How about we have lunch together at Jean Juan's French Mex Buffet at noon? We talk about how we have been together, and you see how this Loud family now is very different than the one before the trial?" Lincoln proposed.
Uncle Lance, Aunt Sharon, and Gramps glanced at Lynn Sr. and Rita before turning their attention to Lincoln.
"Alright, fine. But I want details. I want to know everything that has been going on in your life. I want to know how they're treating you, what they've been doing, how much parenting counseling they've been taking, everything. If you lie, I'll know. I can smell a lie better than a service dog can sell an IED. And if there's so much as one thing I don't like, we will sue you for custody of Lincoln!" Uncle Lance stated very clearly.
"You can't do that!" Lynn Sr. objected angrily.
"TRY ME YOU WEASEL!" Uncle Lance roared.
Aunt Sharon and Gramps held him back while Rita, Lori, and Lincoln held Lynn Sr. back.
"Lance! Enough! Enough!" Gramps yelled.
"Lance! Stop it! Stop it!" Aunt Sharon shouted.
After a few moments, they calmed down. Aunt Sharon and Gramps took Uncle Lance by the door and quietly lectured him about needing to control his temper. Uncle Lance left with one last glare at his brother. Before Gramps and Aunt Sharon left, they had one last thing to say.
"He's not kidding. If something doesn't suit him right, he will sue for custody, and frankly, from what I've seen and heard . . . I'm leaning towards his decision," Aunt Sharon said.
"Sharon, not you too," Rita breathed.
"I'm sorry, Rita. But I care about Lincoln's safety, and I don't feel he'll be safe with you and your family."
"I trusted you two with my grandson . . . and all this happened. My trust in you is on mighty thin ice," Gramps said before closing the door.
Everyone was quiet for a long time. Lynn Sr. sat on the couch, taking long, deep breaths to calm down. Rita sat next to him, rubbing his shoulders.
"They can't take Lincoln. They can't do that . . . can they?" Leni asked with a worried look.
"We literally won the trial. They gave us a second chance, and we're literally doing better. They can't take Lincoln," Lori said confidently but turned to Lincoln nervously, "Right, Link?"
Lincoln thought for a moment before letting out a sigh, "If they get a good lawyer, it's possible."
The pupils in the sisters' eyes shrank to tiny dots, and the younger sisters were the first to lunge toward him, hugging him tightly.
"Noooo!" Lana cried.
"They can't take you away! They can't!" Lola cried.
"You belong here! You belong with us!" Lucy cried.
"Please, brother sibling unit! Don't leave!" Lisa cried.
"Oh girls, girls, come on. It's okay," Lincoln assured as he hugged them back.
Leni hugged Lincoln from behind, "Please, Lincoln! You can't go! We love you!"
"Girls! Girls, girls, girls, girls," Lincoln called, "It's okay. Everything is going to be okay. Come on. Come here, all of you."
Lori, Luna, and Lynn all came to him with big eyes and quivering lips. They were all in a group hug.
"Girls. My Loud sisters. My pretties. My ten prides and joys. I am not going anywhere. I am staying right here with you. Nobody, and I mean nobody, will take me away from you," Lincoln assured.
"You promise?" Lola asked.
"I promise. Listen to me. No matter what happens, we stay together as a family. There's no outcome where I'm gone. There's no version of the future where you have to live without me. Even when we're all grown up and living in different areas as we're going after our dreams and goals in life, we're still going to see each other and be part of each other's lives. We're going to see each other graduate high school and college. We're going to see each other's weddings and have kids of our own. I can't tell you how excited I am for you girls to see my son and daughters after Stella and I get married. And I can't wait to see your kids, too. I know that's a long way down the road in life, but you know what I mean. Our lives are intertwined. Trust me when I say this . . . you girls are going to be great moms and aunts," Lincoln explained.
"Wait, do all of us get married and have kids?" Lana asked.
"I've seen visions where you do, but let me make something perfectly clear with you girls. You should only get married and have kids if you really want those things. Don't get those things because you feel like you have to. If you want to get married and have kids, you can do that. If you don't want to do those things, guess what? You can do that too. Nobody is forcing you to do those things, and you shouldn't force yourselves to do them, either. But all that is way down the road in the future, so it's nothing for you to think about right now. I'm just letting you know that if you do decide to have kids, you're going to be great at it," Lincoln explained.
The sisters took in Lincoln's words, and some of them smiled.
"Well, that's good to know . . . and yes. I would like to be a mom someday," Lori stated.
"Me too. I'd like to have kids. Not eleven like our parents did, but at least two kids. Yeah, totes," Leni agreed.
The sisters commented on their insight about marriage and kids, but Luan pulled them back to the situation at hand.
"Guys, I don't want to be a buzzkill, but we still have a problem with Uncle Lance, Aunt Sharon, and Gramps. Please tell me you have a plan, Lincoln," Luan said.
"Yeah, lay it on us, Man with the Plan. You got something?" Lynn Jr. asked.
"Yes. Remember, I'm the master of convincing, but it's not just me that has to convince them. It's all of us. We just have to show them how much we've improved since the trial. We have to show them that we're a functioning family, that our parents are responsible adults, that no one is abusive or neglectful, and that our dad is not a loser like Lance thinks he is," Lincoln explained.
"Okay. You're right. We'll be okay. I need to lie down," Rita said.
"Hold on. Before you do, I got a job for you and Dad," Lincoln said.
Lynn Sr. raised his head, "Huh?"
Lincoln picked up Lily and stood before them, "You this adorable little baby girl?"
"Yeah," Rita answered with an unsure tone.
"You know her. You love her. You can't live without her. It's Lily, the baby girl, and here's what you gotta do. You two got to give her a belly raspberry. You put your face to her tiny tummy like this and blow," Lincoln said while demonstrating.
Lincoln blew a little raspberry on Lily's belly, making her laugh and making everyone smile with a small chuckle. Lincoln carefully handed Lily over to the parents. First, Rita blew a raspberry on her, making Lily belly laugh, and then Lynn Sr. did the same thing. This made everyone happy.
Before Rita went to lie down, Lynn Sr. spoke, "Rita?"
She stopped and turned to him.
"Honey . . . be honest. Do you think our son is more of a man than me?" Lynn Sr. asked.
Rita stared at him for a while before walking to him in front of the couch.
"I don't think Lincoln is more of a man than you, Lynn," Rita said.
"Really? Because—"
"I know he is more of a man than you," Rita stated clearly.
Everyone's eyes widened with her words, and the kids felt a cold chill.
"Lincoln has done so much for us . . . he helped us, he saved our lives, and more importantly, he put us down the right path. We owe him more than we could ever repay. So, yes, Lynn . . . he is more of a man than you. He's us and more," Rita explained.
Lynn looked down with a look of defeat mixed with sorrow. The kids felt a chill of sorrow in their hearts. Lincoln was going to say something, but Rita gently lifted her husband's face.
"However, that doesn't mean you're not a man at all. You're still man enough for this family because I know you'll fight for us . . . and that's what I love about you," Rita stated.
Lynn Sr.'s eyes glimmered with hope as he looked at his wife. Tears escaped his eyes as he hugged Rita. That was enough to bring smiles back to the Loud children. While everyone went to bed, one Loud was still up, and she had a fury of anger that wouldn't leave her. The young goth girl went to the garage. She had her spell book, candles, markers, and certain items needed to perform a curse.
"You're not taking Lincoln away, and you insulted the wrong father," Lucy growled.
Lucy placed the ghost pepper in the middle of the circle. She spoke the ritual's language, and the ghost pepper glowed and floated in the air. Then, the letters on the ground glowed and floated off the ground. They spun around as Lucy continued the ritual until, finally, the letters went inside the ghost pepper, making it shine brighter. After a while, the ghost pepper slowly floated to the ground, and its glow faded.
Lucy picked up the ghost pepper to examine it and spoke out loud to herself, "Like that SpongeBob episode, 'By the powers of naughtiness, I command this particular ghost pepper to be really, REALLY hot!' And yes, I know it was hot sauce in the episode, but whatever. Uncle Lance, you'll pay for accusing our dad of faking that bridge accident."
Lucy placed the cursed ghost pepper in a bag into her bag. Then she went back to bed. She wanted to curl up with Lincoln, but it was Luna and Luan's turn tonight, and they were sleeping with Lincoln in his bed that night.
The Next Day
Everyone dressed a little nice for their lunch date with Uncle Lance, Aunt Sharon, and Gramps at Jean Juan's French Mex Buffet. Lincoln and the others had it planned on what to say to them. While waiting for a table, Lori and Leni held Lincoln as they stood behind him. Lincoln gently rubbed their arms as he rested his head on their torsos. He knew they were nervous about losing him even though he assured them it wouldn't happen. They had to put some tables together so they could all sit together. They ordered drinks and entries. Lincoln sat across from his aunt, uncle, and grandfather.
Lincoln started, "Uncle Lance, Aunt Sharon, Gramps . . . look, I know that you don't think very highly of my father, and now, you're questioning both his and my mother's parenting skills. You don't think it's safe for me to live with them—"
"Or Lily," Aunt Sharon added.
"—And any time before the trial, before my family changed, I would have agreed to let you take custody. However, ever since I was in the hospital, my family's eyes have been opened and they changed . . . for me. Before, they made little time for me. I got blamed for things I didn't do and was often targeted. That was then, and this is now. My family is more kind, caring, loving, and supportive of me than before," Lincoln stated.
Uncle Lance sighed, "Lincoln, we know they're your family. So, you love them and feel obligated to defend them. But if you could just see the facts."
"Yeah, there are facts, and the facts are that our father did not stage that accident on the bridge. You may not believe it, but that doesn't change reality," Lori stated.
"Kids," Gramps sighed, "I've known your father since he was born. I know who he is. I know what kind of person he is. Him saving a boy from drowning and helping those people just doesn't fit right. It doesn't sound like something he's capable of doing. Heck, it surprised me that he was capable of having so many kids, let alone one."
Both Rita and Lynn Sr.'s eyes twitched out of anger as a nerve was struck in each of them. The older sisters, except Leni, also had their blood boiling, knowing what he meant when he said that.
"Do you really think that low of me, Dad? You're not proud of me at all?" Lynn Sr. asked.
"No, son, I don't think lowly of you. I was proud when you got married, had my grandchildren, and finally got a restaurant. I was very proud. I'm still proud. Do I think you can do something great? Yes. Running a restaurant is a great thing. Do I trust you to protect and take care of kids? Given your previous actions, I'm strongly questioning that," Gramps stated.
"We've been taking parenting classes. I assure you, we've been doing way better than before," Rita objected.
"And how can we believe that? How do we know we can trust you with these children? We've seen the trial. We heard Lincoln's stories of what was happening in that house and what you've done to him – how you all treated him. Rita . . . you should be ashamed. Sister Fight Protocol? Hiding in your bedroom and letting your daughters fight in a free-for-all? Meanwhile, your son is out there to be caught in the crossfire? What if something terrible happened to him? What if they all ganged up on him and hurt him?" Aunt Sharon questioned.
The sisters felt a hurricane of strong emotions and feelings. They were furious that they would accuse them of that and wanted to yell at them that they would never do that. However, they felt a gaping hole of guilt and sorrow due to the fact that it could have happened in one of the visions of the Sister Fight Protocol gone wrong. That added self-loathing that they were capable of doing such a thing. This made them terrified for Lincoln's safety and well-being.
"That. Is. Never. Going. To. Happen," Rita stated loud and clear.
Lori gripped Lincoln's hand tightly, "We're never going to hurt him. We'll never stop loving and protecting him."
While Lucy snuck off into the kitchen, Luna was crying. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"Is this the way it's going to be from now on?" Luna asked, getting everyone's attention, "Everyone questioning whether or not we're child abusers? We have to prove that we're not bad people? That we're treating Lincoln right and giving him the love he needs while making ourselves better?"
Uncle Lance, Aunt Sharon, and Gramps' eyes slightly widened at Luna.
Aunt Sharon started, "Luna, honey—"
"We love Lincoln. He's our one and only brother. Do you know how precious he is to us? We all love each other, but Lincoln is special to each of us in a unique way. Do you know how I got into music in the first place? Mick Swagger may have inspired the rockstar in me, but Lincoln planted music into me when I sang lullabies to him when he was a baby! Luan got into comedy when she made Lincoln laugh!" Luna explained.
"It's true. I pretty much fell in love with his belly laugh," Luan agreed.
"Lincoln is the glue that holds us together. I may be the oldest, and it's supposed to be my job to prevent our home from being reduced to a pile of rubble, but Lincoln knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows how to stop fighting and arguing. He's fixed so many problems. Before the trial, we were selfish and oblivious to what it was doing to him. We didn't realize that we were the problem. That's why we changed ourselves to be better. We're not as chaotic as before. We don't fight as much. Heck, Luan gave up pranks altogether after Lincoln ran away from home," Lori explained.
"Please don't take Lincoln away. I can't imagine life without him. I don't know how to live without my little brother," Leni pleaded.
Lincoln leaned forward on the table, "Look, we hear where you're coming from. It makes sense that you're concerned for me and Lily. In fact, after hearing everything during the trial, wanting to take custody of me is a very normal thing to do. But that was then, and this is now. Before the trial, I had little to no time to myself. I was dragged to all my sisters' activities. I felt overshadowed and left out. My parents praised and supported them, making me feel like I had something to prove. But that's changed. You know what my life is now?"
The three adults waited for Lincoln's answer.
"Every morning, I go jogging with Lori. When we get back home, we do yoga together, and I lift weights and practice martial arts in the backyard. Lynn taught me how to fight and defend myself, which is how I beat that bully kangaroo, Crikey. Then, I draw comics and work on art for an upcoming animated movie. Then I'm helping one of my sisters. I weld with Lana while helping her work on the cars. She and I play video games with Lori. I help Lola with her online comics using toy models and cardboard figures. I help Lucy with her dark poetry and fanfiction. I help Leni make clothes. She taught me how to cut and sew. I band practice with Luna and her band, the Moon Goats. I cook with Luan and help her with her comedy and stage theater. I spar and help Lynn with her soccer. I help Lisa with her experiments. And you know what they do for me? They help me with my comics regarding stories, characters, and what art they like best. We watch movies and shows and go to places like the park together. All that is bonding. We're connecting. That didn't happen before the trial. And I've been bonding with my parents, too. Mom and I talk about stories like her novel and my comics. Dad plays his saxophone, and we watch food shows like Food that Built America and Operation Dessert Storm. The old family before the trial was distant to me. This new family is closer to me than ever before. The message that they love me and will protect and support me is loud and clear. So, if I were you guys, I wouldn't have one thing to worry about," Lincoln explained very clearly.
The parents and sisters felt their heartstrings tug. Lucy made it back just in time to hear all that. They looked at Lincoln with sparkling eyes and warm smiles. While Gramps and Uncle Lance were skeptical, Aunt Sharon believed Lincoln.
"Lance, maybe we're overthinking things. Maybe they are better," Aunt Sharon said.
"Oh, Sharon, come on!" Uncle Lance replied in disbelief.
"They're not perfect, Lance . . . but if Lincoln is this happy and defends them this strongly, then it's clear that they're better than they were before. Maybe we should give them a chance."
Then the food arrived: quiche ranchero, burritos, tacos, and a couple of other things. Everyone talked more about what they were doing better as a family. However, when Lincoln and Lynn Jr. ate their tacos, they felt a sudden heat rise within them. Soon, they were sweating pinballs. They were panting as their faces went pale. This got the family's attention.
"Lincoln? LJ? You okay?" Lynn Sr. asked.
"Kids? What's wrong?" Rita asked.
They both moaned in agony while holding their stomachs.
'Oh no, the staff gave the wrong tacos! Those tacos were meant for Uncle Lance and Gramps!' Lucy thought.
Their faces turned red, and soon, steaming was bursting out of their ears as they cried out in pain. Everyone gasped.
"What is happening, dudes?!" Luna asked.
Luan examined their plates, "Did they order anything with ghost peppers?"
"There are ghost peppers in those tacos?" Lori asked.
"Quick! Get them some milk! Or bread!" Rita exclaimed.
She and the sisters scrambled to find milk or bread in the restaurant. Lynn Sr., Gramps, and Uncle Lance tried to help the kids with burning mouths and stomachs. Then Lincoln's eyes opened wide, and he felt a sudden burst in his mouth. What happened next was beyond anyone's belief. Lincoln opened his mouth, and as he belched loudly, an enormous flame burst out of his mouth. Lynn Sr., Gramps, and Uncle Lance were caught directly in the flames' path as it went out the front door. Everyone ducked in cover. It was like a giant dragon that breathed fire. After ten seconds, it was over. The three adults and everything behind them were burnt to a crisp. Lincoln wobbled around dizzy before falling backward, fainting. Everyone was wide-eyed and left in speechless awe. Lynn Sr., Gramps, and Uncle Lance couched and wheezed as small dark smoke came off of them and covered in burnt soot.
"Ow . . . that's uh . . . that's really hot," Uncle Lance said.
"Yeah, that's . . . holy cow. Talk about heat," Gramps said.
"Yep, a little more well done for my liking, but we're alive!" Lynn Sr. said.
However, almost immediately after, he said that Lynn Jr. had the same reaction as Lincoln's. A sudden burst erupted from her stomach, and she released a great belch that led to her breathing fire. The flame burst was as big and lasted as long as Lincoln's. However, Lynn was more tolerant of spicy things than her brother, so she didn't faint. The sign to the restaurant fell off. The three male adults had little red flames on their heads and parts of their clothing.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Lynn Sr. yelped as he, his brother, and father put out the flames on them.
"Junior!" Gramps called with his hands out.
Lynn Sr. got out of the way before LJ opened her mouth again, flaming her grandfather and uncle again.
"Junior!" Gramps called.
Flamed again.
"Don't—!"
Flamed again.
"—open—"
Flamed again.
"—your—"
Flamed again.
"—mouth!"
Flamed again, but then Lori grabbed Lynn from behind and held her mouth shut.
"Lynn! Stop!" Lori ordered firmly.
Lynn's arms were waving around as she struggled to get free, and her muffled voice couldn't make clear words. Gramps and Uncle Lance stood still like statues burnt to a crisp.
"Gramps? Uncle Lance?" Lori spoke.
"Hmm?" Lynn Jr. added muffled.
Gramps and Uncle Lance collapsed into a pile of ashes with only their eyeballs and mouths intact as they blinked.
Lori looked down at her sister and sighed, "Ugh, Radda."
Later
Lisa worked her magical science to bring back Gramps and Uncle Lance. She had a machine that reassembled them to their former selves. She also healed their father by putting him in the machine to heal his burns. As they were being worked on, Lynn Sr.'s friend Kevin came by to bring proof that Lynn Sr. was with him the whole time that day and did nothing to cause a car crash on the bridge.
However, with Lincoln and Lynn Jr., they had to get the peppers out of their system. After several grueling hours, they were able to fart it out, but it was like their fire burps. Lincoln ran outside with Lynn, and they both dropped their pants and farted, letting out a burst of flame. Lynn's flame was bigger and lasted longer.
Lincoln asked Lori and Rita to fill the big plastic buckets that they normally use to hold toys in with water. After Lincoln and Lynn fart flamed, they quickly sat down in them to cool their butts off. The two siblings yelped at the cold water cooling their hot butts but later breathed big sighs of relief as the pain went away. Aunt Sharon, Gramps, and Uncle Lance followed everyone outside to Lincoln and Lynn.
"Hey guys, are you doing okay?" Luan asked.
"We've had better days, that's for sure," Lincoln answered.
"My fart blast was better and longer than yours. I win," Lynn said in a tired tone.
Everyone gave her a look with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry, old habits," Lynn said with a shrug.
Lincoln groaned a sigh, "What the heck was in that taco?"
"I got a right mind to sue that place!" Aunt Sharon stated.
"No! It wasn't them! It was me!" Lucy exclaimed.
Everyone turned to her wide-eyed as she explained.
"I sabotaged those tacos with cursed ghost peppers, but they weren't meant for Lincoln and Lynn. They were for Gramps and Uncle Lance," Lucy said.
Everyone gasped.
"Lucy! How could you?!" Leni gasped.
"Start explaining, young lady. Why did you do that?" Rita ordered firmly.
"I was trying to protect Dad's honor," Lucy answered.
Everyone's eyebrows were raised as she continued.
"Uncle Lance accused Dad of faking what happened at the bridge, and even Gramps thinks so. They think what our father did was staged even though it wasn't. They accused Dad of being a faker. He's not. He's a hero like my brother Lincoln. Nothing was staged. He saved that boy from drowning, but they didn't believe it, and now they're trying to take Lincoln away. I (sobs) I couldn't just let that happen."
Lucy started to cry as the tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"Oh, sweetie," Lynn Sr. said sincerely.
He and Rita hugged the little goth girl. Gramps and Uncle looked away with guilt and shame.
Gramps cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, "Son, we owe you and your family an apology. I owe you an apology. I thought I knew what I thought was true, but I've been wrong in the past, and I'm wrong now. I'm sorry for not believing you."
"Yeah, I may have jumped to conclusions and let my imagination get the better of me. I guess I didn't think you had it in you to do something that brave," Uncle Lance admitted.
Kevin crossed his arms, "Maybe you two don't know him like you think you do. Lynn has much more worth than you're giving him credit for."
The two men looked at him with a face full of guilt.
"You're probably right. Look, Lynn, we're sorry . . . and if Lincoln's right about all that stuff he said, then you and your family really have changed since the trial. So, I guess he and Lily are in good hands," Uncle Lance said.
Lynn Sr. stared at his brother and father for a while before standing up. He said nothing. He held his hand out to shake their hands. With that, they buried the hatchet.
"So, we're cool?" Lynn Jr. asked.
Gramps nodded, "Yeah, we're cool."
"How can we have dinner tonight before we head out tomorrow?" Aunt Sharon suggested.
"That sounds like a great idea. You guys haven't lived until you had Dad's and my Paella! It's like jambalaya, but Spanish," Luan said.
"So, you guys aren't mad at me?" Lucy asked.
"Nah, that was kind of awesome in a way. I think Gramps and Uncle Lance needed a little fire lesson. Sorry you got caught in the fire, Pops," Lynn Jr. said.
Lucy turned to her brother, "Lincoln?"
"Lucy, I know you didn't mean for us to eat the peppers. You were trying to protect me and Dad. So, yes, we're good. I'm not mad," Lincoln answered.
"Really?" Lucy asked with a hopeful smile.
"Yes. You know what I'm gonna do once I get out of this? I'm gonna shower. Then, when I get back, I'm gonna cuddle with you on the couch, and we'll watch an action movie after dinner. But before the movie and dinner, I'm gonna smother each and every single one of my sisters' faces with kisses, and there ain't nothing you can do to stop me!" Lincoln said in a funny, evil tone with an evil laugh at the end of his statement.
Gramps, Uncle Lance, and Aunt Sharon tilted their heads with a raised eyebrow in confusion while the Loud family smirked a smile at Lincoln's goofiness.
"You can run, girls, but this man is gonna find ya! And when I do, AH HA HA! You're gonna be patient zero of boy and brother coodies! Because you made me love you that much!" Lincoln said with an evil laugh at the end.
The sisters giggled a laugh while the adults, except the parents, were confused.
"It's okay. Lincoln's being goofy. He does this sometimes," Rita assured.
Rita got Lincoln and Lynn towels. They both showered while Luan and Lynn Sr. made dinner for everyone. True to his word, Lincoln smothered his sisters' faces with kisses, making them smile and giggle. Then, he showed off his strength to his aunt, uncle, and grandfather by lifting his sisters and parents up and down like dumbbells doing overhead presses. Of course, they were impressed, while Lincoln's family, except Lynn Sr., were casually pleased.
"Lincoln? You can lift your family?" Uncle Lance asked.
"Yep," Lincoln said, lifting his parents like they were nothing.
"It's amazing, but I'm kind of freaked out at how strong Lincoln is now," Lynn Sr. said.
Lincoln put down his father so he could cook. Then he tossed his mother up in the air to catch and hold her bridal style.
"At first, I was freaked out, but now, like my daughters, I think it's fun. My little man is our Hercules because, like him, Lincoln's a hero . . . and so is his father," Rita said, smiling with her arms around her son as he held her.
"Lincoln, how are you this strong?" Gramps asked as Lincoln put Rita down and picked up his elder sisters, Lori and Leni
"My sisters whipped my butt in shape, and LJ taught me martial arts," Lincoln answered.
"Lincoln's a fighter. There was this bully kangaroo mascot at school who attacked students. So, Lincoln taught him a lesson. It was a little scary, but he totes won," Leni said as she and her sister rose up and down.
"Crikey had it coming. Lincoln didn't kill him, but he made sure Crikey wouldn't fight ever again. So, good riddance to that bully," Lori said.
"Speaking of bullies, did you guys hear what happened to that chump, Chandler?" Lynn Jr. asked.
"No, what to him?" Luna asked.
"He and his family moved to Oklahoma! As pig farmers!"
Everyone's eyes widened.
"Really?" Lincoln asked.
"Yeah, no joke. They bought land down there and already started buying pigs," Lynn Jr. said.
"Eww!" Lola said.
"Well, I don't know if they picked a good location for that. Oklahoma is in the Tornado Valley, along with Kansas and northern Texas. They could have moved anywhere in the Midwest, like Missouri or Illinois. They better get good insurance," Lana stated.
Dinner was finally ready, and they all sat down and ate together. Everyone talked and told them about their lives—a genuine connection. Then, after they ate their delicious dinner and Aunt Sharon, Uncle Lance, Gramps, and Kevin left after saying goodbye, Lincoln cuddled with Lucy on the couch. He lay on her with his head resting on her heart as he hugged her. This made Lucy happy, as she gave her brother head scratches.
The movie they watched was a little iffy for the parents, but it was one that the kids could handle. It was Greyhound, a WWII naval movie of the early parts of the Battle of the Atlantic with Tom Hanks. There was no blood and gore, but it did get intense and edgy, especially with the torpedo scenes.
Later
Then came the big Video Game Contest for Lincoln, Clyde, Stella, and Lana. It was impressive. The place was huge, with big plasma screens and many seats for the audience to watch—four teams of four with four rounds. The competition keeps score based on hits and kills. The game was War Thunder, and the four rounds consisted of battles using tanks, ships, airplanes, and helicopters. Lincoln's team chose their name to be the Royal Lions. Some family members, including Stella's mom, Clyde's dads, Lincoln's parents, and sisters, showed up.
The first round was of helicopters. The objective was to eliminate as many armored vehicles as possible. You could destroy other opponents to your advantage, but they could destroy you, too. Lincoln's team consisted of Apache helicopters, and they destroyed four targets first without being seen. One team lost half their members due to SAM missiles. Some of the audience got really excited as they watched.
"Whoa! Lana, watch for that chopper!" Stella warned.
"I see him," Lana said.
"Stella, go around on the left. I'll take the right," Lincoln said.
"Got it," Stella replied.
"I got a kill!" Clyde said.
Two teams were going at each other. Lincoln's team destroyed more targets and waited for the other teams to be vulnerable before attacking them. It was a close call, but Lincoln's team came on top. The crowd cheered and applauded.
Then they moved to the next round – tanks. This was Lincoln and Clyde's bread and butter. The rules were the same as the last round. They had to destroy as many enemy tank targets as they could before getting destroyed themselves and were allowed to attack other teams. However, one of the new rules was they had to pick a tank from a different era: one modern tank, two Cold War-era tanks, and one WWII-era tank. The second rule was that each team couldn't have more than one tank from the same country –each had to have one tank from a different country. Each team member had to pick a straw for which era tank to pick. Stella got the modern tank straw and picked the American M1A2 SEP Abrams tank. Lincoln got the WWII tank straw and picked the Russian IS-3 heavy tank. Lana and Clyde got the Cold War tank straws. Lana picked the British Chieftain tank, and Clyde picked the German Leopard 1 tank.
Stella's tank was superior in speed and mobility, so she could get around more easily and had a powerful gun. Lincoln's was probably the heaviest in armor and slowest, but his gun was devastating with great range. Lana was in the same state as Lincoln's, slow but powerful. Clyde was fast like Stella but with weaker armor.
Lincoln's team was careful as they drove together. Lincoln spotted the first target and took the shot. He nailed it, destroying the tank with one shot. Then Lana spotted and destroyed the next one, but a round almost hit them.
"Whoa! Look out! Right side!" Clyde warned.
"Fall back, fall back, Lana. Get behind that hill!" Lincoln ordered.
"I'm moving, I'm moving!" Lana replied.
"I saw where that shot came from. I'm on it," Stella said.
She worked her way around some hills and buildings before slowly getting in position. Then she spotted the team that tried to shoot them and shot at them. She killed one tank and hit another as it was fleeing.
"Aw, dang it! He got away, but I hit him pretty good," Stella said.
"Better than nothing. Oh, wait!" Lana said before shooting someone from a different team, "Yes! I got him."
Lincoln and Clyde worked together, killing targets until Clyde got hit.
Clyde started, "Oh no! I'm hit! Guys—!"
It was too late, as Clyde's tank was destroyed.
"Aw, man! Dang it. I'm sorry, guys," Clyde said.
"It's okay. We're one man down, but we're not out," Lana said.
"Got that right," Stella agreed.
Lincoln found the guy that hit Clyde and got him. Lana and Stella kicked some awesome butt. This continued until the time ran out. Despite losing Clyde, Lincoln's team still came out on top as the winners. However, Lincoln's team was in second place when it came to the battleships. Clyde pulled through in the last round of airplanes and won for the team. All the teams gathered in front of the audience for the judges to announce the winners.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting. We are pleased to announce the winners of War Thunder's Royale competition," a judge spoke through the speaker.
He picked up the first-place winner trophy. It was a big, shiny gold cup trophy, and at the top was what looked similar to the PlayStation Platinum trophy but different. It had colorful swirls around a glass orb, but instead of PlayStation's X, square, triangle, and circle symbols, it was 3D figures of a battleship, a fighter plane, and a tank with the words 'War Thunder' below them.
There was a long pause of silence before the judge said, "The Royal Lions."
Lincoln and his team members cheered, and the crowd cheered. They group-hugged before holding Lana up as she held the trophy up. They hung around for a while, enjoying the video game props and stuff they were selling. Everyone got something, including t-shirts, keychains, and plushies. Lincoln and Lori bought a few new video games before celebrating with an evening lunch.
"You guys did great! That was amazing!" Lynn Sr. praised.
"Thanks, Dad," Lana smiled.
"I gotta say, I can see why people place War Thunder. I can't tell which round was more exciting," Rita said.
Stella's mother, Judy, agreed, "I know, right? I didn't know there were so many different kinds of tanks. Stella, what's that big German tank you use when playing at home with Lincoln and the others?"
"The Tiger II tank. A heavy tank the Germans used in WWII. The allies feared the Tiger tanks. They had thick armor and a gun that could destroy tanks with one shot. They were hard to defeat. The same goes for Lincoln's tank in the tournament, the Russian IS-3 heavy tank," Stella answered.
"Say what you want about the Germans and Russians, but don't say they didn't know how to make guns and tanks. History is interesting, but it can be dark," Lincoln said.
"I hear that. Lincoln showed us a show called 'Food that Built American,' and I'm loving it," Lynn Sr. said.
Clyde's dads, Howard and Harold, lit up with excitement.
"Oh, I love that show!" Howard said.
"Me too. However, it is unnerving to know what disregard we have for our health and the food we make. We didn't have any health laws. They said chocolate could cure illnesses and put cocaine in Coca-Cola!" Harold added.
"Is that true?" Judy asked with a concerned look.
"Yes. They don't anymore, of course," Lisa said.
"The origins of how these foods were made are pretty amazing, dudes. Although I didn't know the KFC Colonel used to be a lawyer and had gunfights for rival advertisement signs," Luna said.
"When the law couldn't help, people back then took matters into their own hands," Lori said.
They hung around for a while before heading home. They took several photos to remember this day, both at the tournament and the diner. The Louds got a bigger cabinet for the trophies and placed Lincoln and Lana's video game trophy in it. Everyone looked at it with pride, even Lynn.
Lynn's dream
The rehab place was nice and had an interesting name, Partways. It had a fantastic view of grassy hills with trees and the beautiful blue ocean. Lynn felt awkward on her first day. There were other people who were addicts like her. Some were her age; others were younger or older – one guy had only one arm. The place wasn't just for her addiction to drugs and alcohol but to help her learn how to walk with her new prosthetic leg. Lincoln's crew finished the movie while he was away, and thankfully, his next movie was being filmed in California. So he could visit Lynn at Partways.
Lynn was standing between the two parallel bars used for prosthetic leg training to help people walk. It turns out it's harder than it looks. Lynn went from wheelchair to crutches and now was learning to use a prosthetic leg. She held the bars while Lincoln stood nearby to catch her if she fell. Both wore athletic clothing since Lynn's training usually worked up a sweat, and Lincoln was still working out and training for his movie. Lynn was still amazed at how big and strong Lincoln had become.
"How's the new leg?" Lincoln asked.
"I'm getting the hang of it. It gets easier," Lynn responded as she walked alongside the rails.
After they finished the day's workout, Lincoln gave Lynn her crutches so they could walk around the rehab center.
"How's it going here in rehab for you, LJ?" Lincoln asked.
"Oh, it's . . . it's going well," Lynn lied.
"Yeah?"
"Oh yeah, everyone's nice once you get to know them. The place is legit, like you said. I like it."
"Did you talk to the others?" Lincoln asked.
"Yeah. I've been talking to Lucy and our parents a lot. Lucy's already got a room with me. She's been looking on and other websites for me to get a job," Lynn answered.
"Are you attending a community college like Mom and Dad said?" Lincoln questioned.
Lynn nodded, "I know you said you'll pay, but I want to be able to pay for it myself. It's part of the process of healing and moving on. I need to do this. Plus, I don't know what course I want to take yet."
Lincoln nodded, "Okay."
As they walked, Lynn looked over her shoulder to see the rehab's therapist, Dr. Randolph, looking at her. His arms were crossed, giving her a look. Lynn knew that look – he heard everything. Lincoln didn't know the truth that Lynn wasn't getting along with the therapist. Some of the other patients got along with Lynn, but she and the therapist weren't seeing eye to eye for some reason. Dr. Randolph looked a lot like Lincoln but different. He had the same snow-white hair and a similar handsome face – and Lynn didn't like that for some reason.
The therapist, Dr. Randolph, called Lynn in for their therapy session.
"Lynn . . . since day one when we got you here, you have been a closed book to me. Whatever it is you do tell me, you hash it out with anger. The only time you're happy or calm is when Lincoln or your family is around," Dr. Randolph said.
Lynn said nothing as she sat there.
"That's why until you start opening up to me . . . they can't come here."
Lynn raised her head, and her eyes widened, "What?!"
"I know you've been lying to your family about how things are here for you. That's why they can't come . . . until you stop lying."
"But I'm recovering whenever he comes! Isn't that progress? Isn't that what you want for your patients?"
"Not when you're rejecting therapy. I know you're not opening up to me. I believe the reason therapy isn't progressing is because you're not fully opening yourself to it," Dr. Randolph suggested, his tone gentle but firm.
Lynn squinted her eyes, "Oh yeah? And what made you draw to that conclusion?"
Dr. Randolph sat back in his chair, his eyes piercing, "Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm around the same age as your brother and have white hair like him. So, I remind you of your brother, which is why you simultaneously resent my successful status and yet crave my approval. The irony is that even if I granted you my approval, you'd dismiss it and use it as an excuse to hate me even more."
"That doesn't make any—wait a minute. Are you saying I hate my brother, Lincoln?"
"You tell me, Lynn. Do you hate your brother?"
"No! I love him! I've thought about him every single day. That's how much I missed him."
"Then why didn't you reach out to him? Why didn't you go back to your family after you flunked college?"
"Because I was too ashamed of myself to show my face around them, especially when all of them were doing so well. All of them making such great successes," Lynn answered.
Dr. Randolph sipped his drink before speaking again.
"And what would have happened if you had gone back? See, I think you really do love your family. So much so that you didn't want to hurt them like you did in the past," Dr. Randolph explained.
Lynn's eyes widened at that.
"I think in your mind you were trying to protect them. You didn't want them to see what a failure you've become. You didn't want to drag them down with your drama and messed-up bullshit with your drinking and drugs. You wanted them to be happy and free from you. And I think you did all those drugs and alcohol because you wanted to numb the pain of living with the most painful thing you have to live with. The fact that the most hated person is the person right in front of you – yourself."
Lynn got up aggressively from her chain, "Okay! You got me. My parents neglected me and my sisters, especially Lincoln. Because of this, we weren't properly disciplined or had any limits set on us. This created a false and delusional sense of freedom, thinking that we could do whatever the fuck we want and get away with it as we roamed free in our childhood like a bunch of wild animals. Since Lincoln was the only boy in the family, we used him as the scapegoat for all our misdeeds. This manifested a rotten and toxic behavior. We didn't think nor realize until later what damage and kind of effect our bad behavior was doing to him. So Lincoln resented us and took all it he could take until finally, he put his foot down and exploded on us, and he had every right and reason to do so. He laid on thick on how poor our parents' parenting was and how shitty we were as sisters. So much so that he tried to run away from home and start over somewhere else."
Dr. Randolph nodded while listening to every word his patient was saying.
"So, finally, after listening to Lincoln and seeing the selfish errors of our ways, we changed for him. We gave him his space, time for himself, attention, and guidance. Because of that, Lincoln was able to learn more about himself and not only explore his talents and skills but perfect them. He became a talented and skilled comic book artist and storyteller. He won greater achievements than any of us ever did," Lynn continued.
"Did that make you jealous?" Dr. Randolph questioned.
"Of course, it made me jealous! I was jealous and proud of him! But I was also envious of him . . . of his greatness. He was everything that I wanted to be . . . of what we all wanted to be. He had all of us in him, but better. Like Lisa, he's smart. Like Luan, he's funny. Like Lori, he's charming and romantic. Like Leni, he's kind and caring. Like Luna, he's rocking and knows how to have fun. Like Lucy, he's deep and complex. Like Lana, he's crafty. Like Lola, he's beautiful both on the outside and as a person."
"And like you, he's tough and strong."
"Exactly . . . or at least, he is, but more importantly . . . he's a winner – a real one. I wanted that. I wanted to be tough and strong like him. So, I pushed myself. I wanted to prove to myself that I could measure up to him. I chased after a dream that I could never live up to, thus failing, and after losing everything, from my car, my apartment, my job, my phone, and my wallet, the depression hit like a ton of bricks. A part of me thought it was my reckoning – that it was my punishment, and I subconsciously believed I deserved it. And since it's unfathomable to me to believe that I could ever be anything more than what I hate, a competitive sore loser, it's so woven into my identity, so to cope with that, I drink and do drugs!" Lynn admitted.
"Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!" Dr. Randolph said.
"There! I said it! Now, what the fuck am I supposed to do now? I know what the problem is, but how the fuck do I fix it?"
"Simple. The only way for you to progress is to sober up and hold yourself accountable for your actions instead of running and hiding away as an addict hobo. Then and only then will you begin the path of working your life to get back on your feet and finding the joy in your life instead of living in self-loathing."
"And that's it? What am I supposed to do? Work as a Big Lots or Sam's Club? While my siblings are concurring the world?" Lynn asked.
Dr. Randolph got up and put his hand on her shoulder, "It's not about being great, Lynn. It's about being happy and being able to live with yourself. Even people who achieved greatness weren't happy. Oscars don't make people happy. Olympic gold medals don't make people happy. Money and Nobel Peace prizes don't make people happy. Those are neat things to have, but it's not what delivers happiness. Everyone has their own thing that makes them happy. You must figure out your happiness so you can live with yourself."
End of Lynn's dream & far in the future and in a distant galaxy
Agent Tucker watched from a distance as Future Lincoln destroyed an entire space armada with his powers. All the spaceships of different sizes and advanced weapons were no match for him. Giant energy blasts and lightning destroyed them all like they were nothing. Agent Tucker watched from afar, observing Future Lincoln and everything he was. With her new mind control and reading powers with her time machine, Agent Tucker has learned all sorts of things about Lincoln. She traveled back in time to see Future Lincoln when he served in Delta Force, his future vision powers evolving to traveling forward in time, collecting more power crystals, and becoming the White Death that the whole universe fears. Her ship in cloaking mode was afar and out of sight.
"So . . . Lincoln becomes the White Death? The most powerful and feared being in the universe?" Agent Tucker asked.
One of Edge's crew, Doug, answered, "Yes, ma'am. Entire galactic nations want him dead, but he's too powerful. Some people think he's immortal since he's been popping up at different places, whole centuries apart. Some call him a god and say he can't die."
"So, that's why bounty hunters are traveling back in time to when he wasn't indestructible," Agent Tucker said.
"That's right."
Agent Tucker hummed while rubbing her chin. Then she turned to face Doug.
"There's two people after Lincoln, right?" Agent Tucker asked.
"Yes, Black Ghost and Golden Star," Doug answered.
"Where can I find them?"