Seeing more of his sisters getting praise for their usual talents, Lincoln was slowly start to feel like a black sheep again, being in the large, black shadow of his own talented sisters. Sure, he realized how special he was in the family and how much his skills meant to the family as well from the whole Scotland adventure, but it made him insecure seeing his sisters get some praise while Lincoln doesn't get as much praise. Sure he had a trophy, but now he was starting to stick out like a sore thumb once again. It was almost like the sisters were forgetting how special he was from the Loch Loud adventure before. Yet again, fame can cloud people's minds with the glory and praise they received for their talents.
Similar to money and power, fame can bring out the worst of people after all. All the praise and glory can get to peoples' heads if they endure it long enough. playing some video games to try and not feel so left out, Lincoln heard the sisters come together in the dining room table
"So, are you guys ready for some pizza later? asked Luna. "i think this calls for a celebration." the other sisters shouted and cheered in agreement. "Nothing better than pizza in a pizza party! And we can get all of our friends over to Gus' Games N' Grub!" the sound of cheering from the other sisters continued in the dining room. Lincoln could, obviously, hear the commotion from the living room. Now he was feeling more insecure about himself and his existence than ever.
He turned off his Y-Box and sighed in a sad way before walking all the way upstairs to his room. After he closed his bedroom door, he laid on his side on the couch, facing the wall as he was pondering on about if he was needed in this family or not. Now he wished he had never turned down the offer that Angus gave him in the first place. Maybe that would have made things go much more smoothly for Lincoln and hus life in general.
The boy was quiet as he was gently pounding the mattress with his right hand like a ticking clock. Minutes passed and it was rather silent, except for the birds chriping outside of his house in the trees.
Suddenly, his bedroom door barged opened, and it was his sisters. "Lincoln, we got some good news!" Lana sang
"What news?" Lincoln asked flatly
"With all the stuff we literally got from our talents, we're going out to eat at Gus' Games N' Grub for pizza!" Lori sang.
"Oh. What a pleasant surprise." Lincoln did not cheer, and he sounded monotonous. He didn't sound like he was very thrilled at all when he responded. "Good on you guys." he added. The sisters looked at one another, feeling awkward from their brother's unenthusiastic response.
"You Ok, Stincoln?" asked Lynn.
"Yes." Lincoln flatly said. "I'm just fine." then he let out another sigh. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You don't sound very happy." said Leni
"Gasp," Lucy suddenly made a smile on her face. "Are you finally ready to become goth? This is a nightmare come true! I'll go get the black mascara for you, Lincoln."
"No, no, no." Lincoln stopped her. "I'm not turning goth.
"Oh. Sigh." said Lucy, sounding bummed.
"Come on, Lincoln," said Leni. "What's the matter?
Lily climbed up on Lincoln's bed and came on top of her big brother. "Winkoln." said the baby sister, gently putting a hand on his face. The boy was still looking unfazed by all that was going on around him.
"Yeah, just tell us. I've heard of getting up on the wrong side of the bed, but this is ridiculous."
"Not a good time, Luan." Lola sang in an irritated voice.
"Please little bro, tell us what is bothering you."
"Nothing." Lincoln got up as he was gently picking up Lily, holding her in his arms. "Really, nothing. I just feel a little... out of energy right now."
"Dude, you love Gus' Games N' Grub," said Luna. "you are always hyped when we are going to Gus' crib. Wait, did Loona hurt you?"
"What? No. Why would you think Loona hurt me?"
"Well, she can be... a little... surly." said Lisa. "like a honey badger after waking up from it's nap."
"That's a good way to put it." Lori flatly pointed.
"Look, Loona didn't hurt me. If she did, then you would all probably know about it."
"OK, good point." said Lynn. "Then what is the problem?"
"I told you guys, there is nothing wrong. I just... feel a little out of energy lately. Let me know when you guys are ready for pizza and i'll come with you."
"Sure." said Leni. The sisters left the room and had a worried look about their only brother. They were beginning to suspect that something was wrong with him. "You guys do think he is acting a little... weird too, right?"
"Oh yeah." said Luna
"We all do." said Luan.
"Maybe he needs a mud pie." Lana pointed. "Everyone loves that."
"Correction." said Lola, "you love mud pies, since you're the only one who eats them."
"Oh yeah." said Lana with a smile. "Now i feel like eating some mud pies for dessert."
"please don't." said Lucy.
"oh come on." Lana whined.
In the gathering, countless friends of the sisters were present for their pizza and Lincoln was still sulking in the shadows of his siblings. He hardly touched his cheese pizza, and hardly drank his soda.
"You hungry, honey?" Asked Rita
"I am."
"But you hardly touched your food, Lincoln." Rita pointed. "Is there anything bothering you?"
"No. of course not." Lincoln lied. "I promise, mom. I am fine."
"OK, then." Rita didn't look very convinced and left Lincoln alone.
"Hey sport!" Said Lynn Sr. "How would you like to shoot some hoops for some tickets, huh? You are the champion at that."
Lincoln let out yet another depressed sigh before he said: "no thank you dad. I don't feel like it."
Frowning, Lynn Sr began to look concerned too. "Lincoln, what's wrong?" He asked
"Nothing. I promise you, it's nothing. Why does people keep asking me that?"
"Hey hey, take it easy, champ." Lynn Sr said, "you just look a little... down in the dumps right now, and this is one of your favorite places in the world."
"I know it is, dad, but-"
"Hey dad!" Said Lynn Jr. "Can you help be my bodyguard for autograph signing?"
"Sure thing LJ! Gotta help your sister, Lincoln. Enjoy the pizza!"
"And there he goes." Lincoln sang as he rolled his eyes
At last, he got off the chair and went out the door, walking back home. He ducked under the patio of the house and went to the far back so he can sulk and ponder about his worth.
"Am I special? Or am I just a mistake in the family?" He thought out loud. "I'm not getting as much recognition as me sister, like I am sticking like a sore thumb in my own family. What's next? Are my sisters going to get a trophy just for being girls and I won't because I'm a boy?" He placed his hands over his eyes and mouth. "I don't know how it can get any worse."
The sound of thunder was heard outside the tunnel and it began to rain outside.
"Dang it." Lincoln said in a flat voice.
It was raining for at least fifteen minutes and Lincoln heard the voice of his first friend from Hell. "Lincoln?" It was Loona. "Where are you?" A thought struck the female hellhound's head. "What am I thinking?" She bent on the ground on all fours, and was sniffing him out like a pig finding truffles. It did not take long for her to see that Lincoln was under the porch, sulking. Of course, she was too big to fully get under there and reached her head. "there you are, what are you doing here?"
"Go away." Lincoln said sadly. "I want to be alone"
"Hey, what's the matter?" Loona sounded a little concerned.
"Nothing. I just need to be alone"
"Well I was wondering if you wanted to come to hell with me and show you what Lord Asmodeous has in store for you to do another concert
"Ok, ok," said Lincoln. "I'll tell you. But we can talk inside the house." Bringing out the key from Under his welcome mat, he unlocked the door and he came in with Loona following him. "So, my sisters have been getting praised for the talents they have. Lana with her animal conservation efforts, Luan with her comedy club gigs, Luna with her band gigs, and other things. But look at me. I'm just a plain, bland person."
"Ooh." Loona looked uneasy. "Lincoln, come on, you have one of the fucking greatest singing voices of all time. Isn't that one of your greatest talents?"
"Yeah, but I kinda feel like a hindrance for my sisters. Maybe... maybe they're way better off without me, and what if I will just get one of them killed one day?"
"Oh, that is just a worst-case scenario." Loona scoffed. "You're worried too much about this."
"Maybe. I mean, it's not like they are not letting me come to any fun parties or activities with them. They even invited me to Gus' place for pizza, but I walked out so I wouldn't have to hear the praises of my sisters anymore. It's kind of driving me crazy."
"Ah. Feel left out, huh?" Loona looked sympathetic.
"Well, why don't i get as much praise as my sisters do?" Lincoln wondered. "I mean, why isn't there a game con here in Royal Woods? They would usually be in bigger cities like Portland, Phoenix, Detroit, or Minneapolis."
"There's an idea." Loona smirked. "Detroit's not so far from here."
"Yeah, but the next Game Con is at New York City, and that's not exactly close to here." Lincoln rolled his eyes.
"Look, you want to get some ice cream?" Loona looked sympathetic again.
"Yeah, i guess that can help." Lincoln sighed.
The female hellhound opened the portal and they were at Blitzo's apartment, and he was on the couch binge eating on cheddar chips. "Ah, hey Loonie, Hey Lincoln." he took another chunk of chips down his mouth.
"Hello, dipshit." Loona flatly said.
"Hey, you look bummed." Blitzo noticed Lincoln. "You ok, kiddo?"
"I'm fine." the boy let out yet another sigh. "I just need an ice cream."
"He's worried that he's not as special as his sisters." Loona pointed to her adopted father.
"oooh." the imp made an uncomfortable face.
"But yeah, we're going out for a little while." the female hellhound pointed.
"OK then." said Blitzo
As Loona and Lincoln walked out of the apartment building, they were greeted by a familiar clown, who spooked them both as he came out of nowhere. "Hey hey hey, Motherfuckers!" it was Fizz in his usual energetic personality. "What's the word around here, bitches?"
"The word is: what the fuck?" Loona answered.
"That's three words, but ok." Fizz pointed. "And Lincoln, nice to see you again, little buddy."
"Hey." the boy looked unfazed.
"Ooh, what's the matter?"
"He's having a preteen crisis." Loona pointed. "He doesn't feel as special as his sisters."
"What?! Come on. I've heard your singing. Doesn't that count for anything?"
"Yeah, but i feel like i am in my sisters shadow."
Fizz looked at Loona. "That serious?"
Loona nodded her head to him in reply.
"Hmmmm" an idea came up to Fizz' head as he snapped his finger. "Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!" he exclaimed. "I have just the thing. I'll just ask my lover to set up a nice stage for you to show how special you are, Lincoln." he gently patted the boys' head two times.
"How?"
"Come with me, and my dear Ozzy will give you the best kind of stage to sing on."
"OK." said Lincoln.
"But not at the Lust ring." said Loona. "That place is full of fucking molesters and pedophiles! There is no way in Hell, no pun intended, that Lincoln is ever going down to the Lust ring."
"Right..." Fizz realized. "I know you care about the kid."
"What?! Fuck no!" Loona denied. "I don't care about this squirt."
"Then why are you trying to help him out?" Fizz said
"Because... Because... i just don't like seeing him sad like this." Loona tried hiding her emotions again.
"Whatever."
Little later, Lincoln was at an ampitheater called the "Fucked Up Religion Ampitheater and Resort", something like a casino resort of some kind. The boy was sitting in the front row of the stage and still sulking about earlier. Blitzo, Moxxie, Millie, Verosika, Katie, Tex, and Loona's other Hellhound friends were there to give him some support. "Lincoln, come on, you are a very special kid." said Tex. "A man with a plan as you say you are."
"Yes, you are not in your sisters' shadow." said Katie. "I know you have a lot of potential and as much talent as your sisters."
"And you can put some loser performers into shame with this." Verosika pointed, "Just trust Fizz on this."
"Is there anything i can give you?" Moxxie offered.
"Like a non-alcoholic drink, sweetie?" asked Millie
"Nope."
Everyone in the audience was in their seats, and it was about three-hundred, four-hundred, or even five-hundred people in this large auditorium Fizzaroli and Asmodeous came on stage from behind the curtain and the Prince of Lust tapped the microphone two times. "Welcome one and all. I hope you bitches are gonna have a fun and sexy time here." in a smooth voice. "Now i have gathered you all here today to give you a special treat."
"Many of you might recognize the peculiar human boy, Lincoln Loud. Lincoln! Come on up here!"
the child just got off the chair, in a nonchalant way and walked on stage.
"Give it up for Lincoln Loud!" Fizz
There was some applause but most of these demons didn't recognize him. "Oooh, tough crowd." Asmodeous looked uncomfortable. "But this kid has the voice of an Angel. You will all love it!"
"Do you know what you are going to sing, Lincoln?" asked Fizz quietly.
"I think i do."
"Fucking Brilliant!" the clown exclaimed with joy. "Break a leg!"
"And give it all you got." Asmodeous said before he and his lover returned backstage.
Lincoln cleared his throat and the music began to play.
Gettin Better by Tesla plays
"Falling rain, outside my window." Lincoln sang in his beautiful voice. "But all and all, i know. It's getting better every day. Soon the sun will shine, right outside my window. When it's gonna come? You know, i really couldn't say. But I know, it's getting better every day."
His voice sounded beautiful to everyone and they were enjoying this performance so far.
Things were starting to heat up as the music was getting more metal or rocky. During the song, Lincoln's spirit was starting to slowly rise, especially since he was getting more applause fromt he audience in front of the stage and some clapping was heard from more audience members.
Yes, his spirit was certainly slowly rising like a volcano about to erup
His foot was tapping and his friends down there were being supportive of him as much as they can be supportive
This is just what Lincoln needed. A confidence booster and some cheering up. "Better change in the scene if you know what i mean!" Lincoln sang, "good things are coming my way!"
Fizzarolli even came up and played guitar to play the solo to the song, and the crowd was going wild for Lincoln.
When the song was over, there was the biggest sound of cheering Lincoln had ever heard in his life, and people were chanting his name over and over again, and a smile appeared on his face. "Lincoln, that was fucking awesome!" said Loona, coming on stage to congratulate him.
"Link, you did it again, buddy." said Vortex, patting the boy on the back with his beefy hand. "See? you got wicked talent in ya. You got as much talent as your sisters."
"Ever thought about being a singer?" asked Crystal. "You do have the potential to be a famous singer."
"That's what i keep saying." Serena smiled.
"That was a terrific job." Moxxie added
"Kid, you fucking nailed it." Blitzo added.
"Thanks guys." said Lincoln with a smile. "I think i do feel better already." His friends smiled to see that Lincoln has his confidence back. Now he wasn't feeling worthless anymore, and he definitely feels like he has wicked talents like his sisters do, and Loona even hugged him, despite people looking. Suddenly, Lincoln's phone rang and it was his mother. "Hello?"
"Lincoln!" Rita said. "Where are you?! you left the party without telling us? We're all worried about you, young man!"
"Oh. Sorry mom, i was just feeling left out from my sisters." Lincoln said, realizing that he accidentally made his family worried shitless.
"Well, you should be." Rita said. "What is going on?"
"I'll tell you when i get home."
"Where are you?"
"In Hell, with Loona."
The mother let out a sigh. "Good. At least you're with a friend. But we're still going to talk about this, Lincoln."
"OK. I'll see you in a few minutes."
"Alright then, honey." said Rita before she hung up.