Author's Note: Just want everybody to be aware, that this is going to be one of those chapters that tackles a serious issue, but it's not one of the Omnitrix Team who will be experiencing it, it's someone else they know perfectly well, especially Lincoln, but it might also be a little complicated. So, head's up and prepare for some perhaps heart-wrenching moments.
S2: 19:
On a quiet, peaceful looking night, we now see a certain girl in Lincoln's family who is sleeping, but not just any girl in the family. It was Sarah Whitney, sleeping in her room. However, the Omnitrix bearer's said cousin seems to be rustling in her own bed.
"No... No... No...! Leave him alone!" Sarah said in her sleep, showing she is having a nightmare. A nightmare about Lincoln's previous encounters with some of his most dangerous enemies mentioned by him and the rest of the Omnitrix Team, one by one.
"NOOOOOO! This isn't over, Lincoln Loud!" First, the sound Z'Skayr screaming from when the last time the Omnitrix Team defeated and supposedly destroyed him when they helped save Vilgax's home planet: Vilgaxia.
"If I'm not mistaken, this happens to be your favorite alien Lincoln Loud, correct? Not anymore!" Next, there was Malware's voice from when he destroyed Lincoln's transformation: Feedback. "No! NO! YOU'RE OVERLOADING ME!" His voice becomes that of despair when he got destroyed a minute later.
"No! Stop! Please!" Sarah struggles to stay asleep when she heard one more villainous voice.
"Joke while you can! Now you face the true form of Vilgax!" Vilgax's voice rang in her head from what she learned from the very night Lincoln destroyed the original Omnitrix, then fought the alien conqueror inside his ship from the collision, as Ultimate Swampfire for the first time, while almost got eaten by his true form, but escaped before the whole thing exploded at the bottom of the ocean in the process.
"NO!" Sarah suddenly woke up seeing her own room with heavy breathing. "Oh god. It was just a dream. But it felt so real. I'll call Lincoln in the morning, then later tomorrow, I'll see if I can talk with one of the other Humanimals. But first, back to sleep." She goes back to sleep, hopefully without another nightmare.
Our world's about to break,
Tormented and attacked,
Lost from when we wake,
With no way to go back,
I'm standing on my own,
But now I'm not alone,
(Omnitrix Team; Assemble!)
Always, we will fight as one,
Till the battle's won,
With evil on the run,
We never come undone,
Assembled, we are strong,
Forever fight as one,
Assembled, we are strong,
Forever fight as one!
The Loud 10: Omnitrix Team Adventures
The next day, the Omnitrix Team was back home in Royal Woods, and Lincoln, Jazz & Ronnie Anne just finished their day of middle school.
"Finally, another day is over. I've been waiting for this day to end." Ronnie Anne stretched her arms.
"Come on, girl. We've been fighting bad guys last week. This new one is just getting started." Jazz spoke.
"Yeah. Consider this like school being a little break for us." Julie smiled getting raised eyebrows from her teammates. "What? It is." She beamed a big smile.
"Right. Anyway, Clyde, Kai and I are gonna meet up the gang at Gus' Games & Grub. You guys wanna come?" Lincoln requested.
"Sorry Link. I gotta practice some new spells. Never know when you'll need them. And I gotta make sure Rex doesn't get carried away with whatever Six and Dr. Holiday have in mind for him." Ronnie Anne denied.
"And me and Jazz promised Chase we'd check on Kevin, so he doesn't go overboard with his car, or the Rust Bucket." Julie grabs Jazz's hand.
"I was hoping you would forget." Jazz murmured being pulled away. "Tell the Action News Team to wish me luck."
"Eh, your loss. See you guys later." Lincoln leaves to find Clyde and Kai when his phone rang. "Hello? Hi Sarah. Yes, I'm fine. Just finished school. I'm going to Gus' Games & Grub with Clyde. I'll call you later. Love you too." He hangs up on Sarah.
Later on, at Horseland, the Horseland team & the PALMs, were being trained by Mr. No Hands and T'Challa for the day.
"Alright. As you ladies know, your horses are built for helping you get around in these kinds of regions, whether here, the frontier or even Big Green. But we need to make sure you're prepared in case you get far away from them temporarily." Mr. No Hands spoke.
"We are going to start with the obstacle course like normal, but then we begin to train you all personally. So, in case it does happen, you must remember to work together and help each other in whatever kind of situation like always, and to put your brains and abilities to the test." T'Challa added while Sarah made a nervous look on her face.
"You okay, Sarah?" Molly whispered.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired. That's all." Sarah straightens her face unaware that T'Challa noticed it.
"Start with practice, then the other part of the training. Now begin." Mr. No Hands told.
"Sarah, are you sure you're looking, ok?" Pru asked.
"You look a little, what's the word I'm looking for?" Abigail stopped mid-sentence.
"Pale?" Chloe guessed with Sarah's face looking the way she just described.
"What do you mean? I'm not pale." Sarah denied.
"That's not what we're seeing right now, chica." Alma doubted.
"And you're looking nervous really. We heard you calling Lincoln on the phone earlier." Lucky mentioned.
"Oh that. That's nothing. Just checking on my favorite cousin, and the Omnitrix. That's all." Sarah nervously excused.
"Still shocked that her cousin was the one under that L-10 helmet and can turn into aliens with that watch of his." Maricela whispered.
"You'll get used to it." Zoey shrugged in response.
"How about after training, we go on a trail ride together? That might get you in a better mood." Nani suggested.
"Um, sure." Sarah accepted. 'I can't believe I'm lying to my friends about last night. Maybe a nice little trail ride would get my mind off it.' She thought to herself while Shep and Teeny were listening.
"I don't get it, Shep. Why does Sarah look pale?" Teeny asked the old Collie.
"I don't know. She could be experiencing something I'm hoping she isn't. It's called Survivor's Guilt." Shep figured, hoping it would be something else.
"What's Survivor's Guilt?" Teeny asked.
"Perhaps one of the worst traumas ever to experience, Teeny. It's stressing over someone who has either been killed or had a near-death experience and feeling guilty about." Shep toke a breath before explaining.
"Oh no! That doesn't sound good! Not good at all!" Teeny panicked a bit before noticing something. "But wait a minute, Shep. No one Sarah knows has been killed, so why would she have that?" She questioned.
"It can be more complicated at first. Even if that someone you're thinking about is still alive while perfectly healthy, you can still experience it, feeling like you could've done something to prevent such an event. And judging by the look on her face, I believe Sarah is feeling guilty about whatever the Omnitrix Team told her when it comes to Lincoln Loud." Shep suspected.
"Will Sarah be, ok?" Teeny asked.
"I'm not sure. But I can tell it won't be a problem to let out later. And something tells me Lincoln Loud had this kind of experience too." Shep answered watching the said Whitney girl in concern.
"ACHOOO!" Lincoln suddenly sneezed when Clyde, and Kai noticed it while on their way to Gus' Games & Grub.
"Bless you. Are you okay, buddy?" Clyde politely asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. But that had to be the weirdest sneeze I ever had." Lincoln scratches his head.
"Lincoln, I do believe the reason you suddenly sneezed was because someone was talking about you." Kai figured.
"Huh. You know, that could be it." Lincoln shrugged it off. "Come on. We're almost there anyway." He added when they heard a ringing alarm from a bank across the street, when four robbers ran out of it.
"And we're stopping right here." Clyde responded.
"Give me a few minutes." Lincoln touches the faceplate of his Omnitrix to get into his L-10 suit before pressing the core to become the alien he selected. "Lodestar! Let me see how I can make quick work of this." He jumps to the other side of the street.
"You're not going to help him, Kai?" Clyde asked.
"I believe he can handle this is quicker than we might expect." Kai watches Lodestar unarm the robbers with his magnetic powers. "In about maybe three to seven minutes." He calculated.
"Sorry boys, but this is where you stop in your tracks!" Lodestar creates a magnetic field to lift up the robbers and threw them to the wall, before bounding them to it with a streetlight.
"Make that, three to seven seconds." Kai corrected when the police came and arrested the robbers.
"Never mind." Clyde drops the subject when Lodestar jumped over to them.
"Sorry about that, guys." Lodestar apologized before he picks them both up. "Now, onward to our destination!" He flew on their path to Gus' Games & Grub as they originally planned.
Back at Horseland, the Horseland team & PALMs just finished part of their training before taking a break, and Scarlett just noticed Ferdinand and Angus step out to see her.
"Hey Scarlett. Is something wrong?" Ferdinand asked her.
"Oh, it's nothing, Ferdinand. Just worried." Scarlett answered looking at Sarah in concern.
"About Sarah, I bet. I'm starting to miss that pretty sweet smiley face that the lassie makes." Angus spoke with his Scottish accent.
"Me too. Scarlett, anything about Sarah today that's bothering you?" Ferdinand questioned.
"Well, for starters, there is how stressed she looks. And she has called Lincoln twice today. But I overheard her talking to herself about a nightmare she had." Scarlett remembered what's been going on with her rider.
"A nightmare? About what?" Ferdinand looks in confusion.
"She didn't say. But I have this feeling it must've scared her." Scarlett figured.
"Maybe the girls can see what's wrong. Since they're the first people to notice it, they can help." Ferdinand said.
"I sure hope so." Scarlett nodded.
"All Sarah needs to do is let it all out. A few tears could help too." Angus added when Sarah was approached by T'Challa.
"Are you alright, Sarah?" T'Challa gets her attention.
"Huh? Oh yeah. Sure, I'm fine. Like always. Why wouldn't I be?" Sarah lied a bit.
"Because, you have been acting like you've been upset about something. Something important." T'Challa suspected.
"No, I'm not upset about anything. Just had a little less sleep last night. That's all." Sarah mounts on to Scarlett. "Well, I'm gonna join the girls on our little trail ride."
"Alright. Just remember, if something important your minds, you girls can tell me and the other Humanimals anything. Especially with stress involved." T'Challa wisely advised.
"Duley noted." Sarah heads down the trail followed by the rest of the girls and their horses.
"You knew she is traumatized for some reason, don't you?" Ferdinand guessed.
"Yes. I don't know what that reason is. However, she needs to let it out in order to be at peace. That's why I asked the other girls to stay close to her during their trail ride." T'Challa answered.
"You think it came from our past battles against High Roller?" Mr. No Hands asked.
"Unfortunately, no. I sense the reason is far much worse." T'Challa sensed. "Which is why I asked Bailey to do me a favor." He mentioned.
Moments later, the Horseland team & PALMs begin their little trail ride, being a few miles away from Horseland. However, most of the girls can tell who is not enjoying herself.
'Lincoln Loud' Vilgax's voice rang in Sarah's head, calling Lincoln's name. 'But know this, child! I will have my revenge on you!' It added from Lincoln's triumph over Vilgax in the Conqueror's Challenge from the Galactic Code of Conduct.
"No." Sarah whispers to herself in response.
'The others may go! But you, Lincoln Loud, will die!... 'LINCOLN LOUD! GET READY TO FEEL MY FURY!' The voice of Vilgax's threatening tone rang again from what Julie told Sarah about her & Lincoln saving Primus from Vilgax.
"Stop!" Sarah begged in whisper.
'I am still Vilgax, Conqueror of Ten Worlds!' Vilgax's voice rings in her head for the third time.
"Get of my head! Leave him alone!" Sarah remembers where she is and takes a breath.
"Hey Sarah, you know if you like, you can tell us what's wrong." Nani spoke.
"Thanks. But I'm fine right now. Just ready to have a little fun. That's nothing to worry about." Sarah excused nervously.
"Doesn't look like she's fine." Alma whispers to Molly.
"Yeah. Something's stressed that poor girl out. And as her friends, it's up to us to find out what." Molly nodded.
"Guess we'll know when she will tell us." Zoey said.
"What makes you say that?" Pru raised an eyebrow.
"She could end up hurling later." Zoey shrugged.
"Really?" Abigail asked.
"Just to let it out?" Lucky added.
"Don't know. It would be a good start though." Chloe answered.
"As revolting as that sounds, I think we should wait for that to happen." Maricela suggested.
Meanwhile in Royal Woods, Lincoln, Clyde and Kai met up with the rest of the Action News Team at Gus' Games & Grub, where they are all enjoying themselves.
"Feels nice to be at our favorite hangout spot, huh buddy?" Clyde asks his best friend.
"Yep. A chance to have fun." Lincoln agreed when he got a text. "Huh?"
"What's wrong, Lincoln. Another emergency you and the Omnitrix Team had to deal with?" Liam guessed.
"Um no. It's a text from Bailey, saying something about Sarah acting strange lately." Lincoln explained after reading the text.
"Really? Did you cousin mention me?" Rusty asked in a flirty tone.
"Rusty, don't." Stella nudges him.
"Ow! Sorry. Bad habit." Rusty winced.
"Ooh! Maybe she's been meeting an alien who wants to fight her! And you, too!" Zach believed.
"No Zach. If that were the case, my badge would've detected it by now." Lincoln shows to his Plumber badge.
"Whatever Ms. Sarah is feeling, maybe you can talk to her about it." Kai figured.
"Yeah. But I'll wait for Bailey or one of the other girls to let me know first." Lincoln decided.
Back at the paths near Horseland, the Horseland & PALMs continue their trail ride while staying close like T'Challa told them to. However, the rest of the girls noticed something of about Sarah.
"Sarah, do you need us to stop for a minute." Lucky asked with Sarah's cheeks looking a little green.
"No thanks, I'm fine." Sarah denied feeling sick to her stomach.
"Are you sure? Because you look like you're about to... What's that word?" Abigail started off.
"Barf." Pru finished Abigail's sentence.
"Don't be ridiculous girls! I... am... not...going...to...barf!" Sarah struggles to keep it in her stomach.
"Uh, girlfriend, you definitely look like you're going to barf." Molly doubted.
"Maybe it's best that we stop for a while. So, you can get all the time you need to let it out." Nani advised.
"For the last time! I am not going to barf!" Sarah yelled but her stomach tells her otherwise. "Excuse me. For a minute." She quickly climbs off Scarlett before running into some nearby bushes.
"And here it comes." Lucky watches what's going on.
"In 3, 2,1." Chloe counted backwards when suddenly...
"BLEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Sarah sounds like she has just started vomiting in the bushes.
"I knew it! She's barfing!" Zoey responded knowing she was right.
"I can't believe it, Zoey. You were right." Pru noticed.
"Should we go and check on her?" Abigail asked.
"No. We should wait until she's done. Besides, our poor amiga needs to let it all out until her stomach is completely done. Then, she'll tell us what's wrong." Alma shook her head when they heard Sarah's vomiting stop.
"Ok. Ok. I'm done. I'm fine now." Sarah comes out while still clean while she took several breaths.
"Good. Now, can you tell us what's going on?" Molly asks in demand.
"Fine! I'll tell you! Just please stop nagging me!" Sarah sighed in defeat before she started explaining.
Later on in Royal Woods, Lincoln, Clyde and Kai were just arriving at the McBrides' family house when Lincoln's phone gets another text.
"What is it, Lincoln?" Clyde asked the Omnitrix bearer who just put his phone back in his pocket.
"Sorry guys! I gotta go to Horseland! Kai, let the rest of the Omnitrix Team and my family know where I am!" Lincoln dials and presses his Omnitrix to transform into what he's looking for. "Jetray! See you guys later!" He flew off at supersonic speed.
"And he didn't get into his suit first this time." Clyde noticed.
"Yes indeed. But it's because he didn't have the time." Kai pointed out.
Back at the trail ride, the Horseland team & PALMs all stopped to listen to Sarah talk about the trauma that made her stressed out, but once she began to explain the reason why, the other said girls were either saddened, scared, or even concerned.
"And that's why I've been acting so strange since last night. It felt like the worst nightmare of my life." Sarah spoke.
"Oh Sarah, I'm so sorry, amiga." Alma hugs her best friend.
"That Vilgax sounds like a bigger brute than what I've heard." Maricela cringed.
"Duh. We've all saw Lincoln fight him on TV once." Zoey remembered.
"Girls, not the time. But this Malware and Z'Skayr sound like really bad news too. Bet according to the rest of the Omnitrix Team, they're not pretty to look at." Chloe shuddered.
"You have no idea." Sarah sighs. "Again, I'm very sorry for making you guys worry. I wasn't there when it all happened, but what Julie told me was enough to terrify me. It didn't happen to me before until last night." She apologized beginning to shed tears.
"Sarah, you can let out the tears, but calm down while you're at it. Your cousin faced all that stuff and still came out on top." Molly reminded.
"Yeah. Even though multiple times, Z'Skayr, Malware, and mostly Vilgax were each this close to killing him. I mean the Omnitrix Team told me about Vilgax, and I'm surprised he would even need to use a sword or shield. Or that his true form would be a giant squid. " Abigail remembers the Omnitrix Team's previous description on Vilgax.
"Abigail, zip it." Pru nudges her. "What Abigail means is that we're sorry you had such a nightmare."
"And we're all here for you, no matter. Besides, Lincoln beat those bad guys already, and if Vilgax does come back, he'll kick his butt." Lucky added.
"Thank you so much, girls." Sarah thanked when Jetray flew over them.
"Speaking of whom..." Nani points to Jetray landing in front.
"I came here as quick as I could, from the moment you sent me the text, Lucky. Is she okay?" Jetray asked.
"She's right dude. And I think she's just needed to talk about it." Molly answered before Sarah hugs the Loud boy turned Aerophibian.
"Lincoln, I am so, sorry." Sarah continues to cry.
"Shush. It's okay. Let it all out like you're supposed to. I know how you feel. After all I was there." Jetray hugs his cousin back.
"Aw!" Alma, Molly, Abigail, Lucky and the twins all cooed.
"Should we also tell him about the barfing part?" Pru whispered to Nani.
"I don't think that's necessary. Let's just let them have the hugging she needs." Nani shook her head.
At least an hour later, the Horseland team & PALMs returned to Horseland, while Mr. No Hands and T'Challa saw them. And they even brought Lincoln along after he changed back from Jetray.
"Are you feeling better now, chica?" Alma asked with Sarah beginning look and feel normal again.
"Yeah. I'm feeling much better. Thanks again, ladies." Sarah begins to yawn.
"So, I take it the trail ride became a lot more successful that you thought." T'Challa smiled.
"Yep. Hey T'Challa. Just thought I'd drop in." Lincoln climbs off Scarlett along with his cousin.
"And I am very glade you did." T'Challa nodded at the Omnitrix bearer.
"Looks like you girls did pretty good putting your training about relying on each other to the test on that trail ride." Mr. No Hands congratulates the girls.
"Hey, our girl needed our help, and we did. No problem." Pru winked.
"Thank goodness. I'm so happy to see that smile again." Angus chuckled.
"Me too. I'm so relieved." Ferdinand said.
"So am I. And thanks again for the advice." Scarlett thanked. "Bet Sarah will finally get some sleep." She suddenly hears Sarah snoring.
"Which is starting now." Lucky points to Sarah and Lincoln sleeping on a hay block.
"Oh goodie! Her Survivor's Guilt is gone! I'm so glad Sarah's ok now." Teeny oinked in happiness.
"As am I, Teeny. Just remember. When it comes to having this kind of trauma, you can always count on your friends and loved ones to comfort you when you need it." Shep smiles watching Sarah and Lincoln while the older cousin smiles in her long-needed sleep.
Author's Note: And there you have it. I put a lot of thought on this Chapter. And I bet you now know what the serious issue is. Makes me glad Sarah is now sleeping in sweet relief, and I bet you are too. Thank you very much.