The earth trembled.
Volcanos erupted.
The sky thundered.
A great shadow eclipse the sun as the hissing of hundred snakes could be head alongside the roar of a mighty beast before the crack of a lightning bolt hit Lincoln's eyes, jolting him awake. He sat up with a start in his bed, panting heavily.
"Ugg what was that?" Lincoln groaned as he rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of his bizarre dream. He glanced at his alarm clock, which read 5:30 AM. "Why do I keep having these weird dreams?" he murmured to himself as he let his head fall on his pillow.
He wont say he had gotten them THAT often...but the last couple of day each night its the same thing...well almost, like tonight, there were variants.
He knew that it wasn't uncommon for inheritors to experience dreams tied to their original selves and in rare cases dreams related to inheritors that held the same mantle as them that came before....could this related to his powers then?
Sure he wasnt 100% sure he could be an inheritor but...then..why has been having these weird dreams? and why were they so...strong?
"Uggg maybe I should ask Luna or Luan if they had similar issues" he groaned knowing they would be the easier ones to ask..well outside Lisa.
As Lori wouldnt care, Leni probably would forget what the question was and Lynn would worry or think something was wrong.
And honestly he was still a bit ticked at Lynn for what happen several days ago, and he still needed to talk to her and maybe some of his other sisters that their overprotectiveness needed to stop!
Seriously! he and the others would probably would have been ok if she hadnt arrived!
They had that Hydra listening and seems ready to help them (not that his family knew)..but because Lynn couldnt just leave him for ONE afternoon AND because she wanted a good fight Haiku and Jordan got hurt by those Ragnarok guys.
Why couldn't she just leave things alone and stay out of his life! he wasn't some weak defenseless baby that needed to be taken care of his entire life! He thought with growing anger and annoyance
HISSSS.
ARF?
A small bark called his attention.
"Oh! sorry Charles...did I woke you up?" he asked looking down to his floor to see his new pet
Charles the Cerberi
Beatrix was true to her word and the next day after the incident she knocked at his home´s door with the pup and papers naming him its owner.
(Flashback)
"This is awesome!" Lana called excited as the three headed puppy pounced on Lincoln and licked his face whit the rest of the family coming to see what the commotion was.
"Killer a ceberi puppy!" Luna called out with a wide grin ,"Where'd you find him bro?" she asked while bending down beside Lana.
"Lincoln save it" said Beatrix with a smile "and it..imprinted on him so my mom and the city council agree is safer for it to remain with him"
"And it's safe?" Rita asked with a cautious look.
"Perfectly.." Beatrix assured her, "and with proper training i'm sure it will make not just a wonderful addition to your family but a good guard for your home as well."
"hahahaha yes mom" called Lincoln managing to push the dog off him and pet him "nothing said...guardian...like a cerberi" he said with a smile.
"Indeed mother" said Lisa "its well known is really hard to by-pass one of these Canis tricephaly once they have declared a place its territory"
"She's right hun." Lynn Sr spoke with his own smile ,"why my old camp good old camp mastodon actually had a couple of these guys.."
He remarked with a chuckle, "Gentle as could be with me and the rest of the kids, but real beasts if any dangerous animals or the like got to close to the grounds."
Playing with those dogs while a child was quite a happy memory on that camp...just before it was closed and his dad...began talking less and less with him.
And it wasn't like he didn't try to reach out to his old man!
He had invited him time and time again to visit. Specially after Lori became an Inheritor..and the Leni...but apparently he had his hands full with work
yeah right.
He knew his brother have talked with dad before moving to Europe.
But he shouldn't be surprised after all his dad always had time for his god of war...he thought bitterly as his hands subconsciously clenched into fists.
And never any time for his mortal son! Well he was sorry he wasn't born with special powers dad!
He had to take a big breath to calm down...last thing he wanted was to exploded in front of everyone.
"Here mom..try to pet him" said Lincoln approaching the three headed dog closer to Rita.
"Uhh Lincoln i'm not sure.." Rita said at first a bit nervous with a frown but at the pleading look from both her son and the three puppy heads she sighed and held out her hand placing it on the middle head petting it before moving it to scratch under his chin with a small smile.
The three heads barked in delight as it moved his tail in delight.
"Well I suppose he is cute...and if everyone says he's safe...and is alright with it..we can keep him." Rita said speaking slowly.
A big cheer was heard by everyone.
"Yaaaa...what are we celebrating?" asked Leni as she entered the room "it is my birthday?" she asked with a smile.
"Sigh...no not for several more months Leni." Lori said back causing Leni to give a disappointed frown.
"We got a puppy!" Lana called out with a cheer pointing at Charles in Lincoln hands.
"Ohhhh so cute!!!" the new Aphrodite called in delight moving closer
ARF?
The dog looked confused.
SNIF, SNIF, SNIF
BARK! BARK! BARK!
And began baking loudly at Leni.
Causing Leni to give a startled jump back while Lincoln jerked a bit keeping his grip on Charles.
"Whoo! Easy boy it's okay!" He called out wondering what was wrong.
NEEZE!! SNEEZE!! SNEEZE!!
The three heads sneezed before glaring at Leni.
"Hey sis? are you using that really smelly perfume again?" asked Luna at her sister.
Sometime ago, Leni had, somehow, won a lifetime supply of perfume in some lottery at the mall.
One issue...the perfume was REALLY smelly...to the point only Lola and Lori seems to be the only ones to not be bothered by it.
Their parents had to put a restriction on the amount of time Leni could use the perfume.
"Huh? Oh! You noticed!" Leni asked with a wide chirpy grin toward Luna. "I took an extra spruce this morning because I remember it was a special day." she explained before adding with a confused look, "now if only I could remember what was special about it?" she added scratching at her head.
Everyone just rolled their eyes, Leni being Leni.
Lincoln set the pup down (who inmediatly moved behind him while glaring at Leni) and then moved to Beatrix
"Thanks again for this" he said with a smile
"It's no problem...really." Beatrix said with a small nervous smile and blush, "after all the little guy obvious liked you...and will certainly help keep you and your family safe once he's older." she added with a frown thinking back to what might have happen to Lincoln if she hadn't arrived in time.
"Still, giving a god recommendation for me? thats more that I could have ask" and in a surprise move he gave her a hug "thanks..and thanks for the help yesterday"
"It..was....nothing." Beatrix squeaked out going still her face red her mind racing wondering what she should do...should she kiss him...NO! Too bold...but maybe on the forehead....or maybe she could ask him out...but his family was right there....URG! What would her mother say to do?
Oh yes...act like a goddess...take the chance!
"Would you like to go eat Ice cream someday after school?!" she rushed out.
"Uh what?" With Lincoln giving her a surprised look at the question while his family arched brows or gave mixed looks at this with Lynn Jr snorting and barely holding back her laughter.
"I..I..."
WHY DID SHE SAID THAT!!!
Come on Beatrix think!!!
"Well I have a discount coupon....and well...dont want it to go to waste so...I mean...if you want"
Earth just open and swallow me now!
"Eh..well sure.. " Lincoln said back with a blink while finding himself feeling a bit warm for some reason, "that sounds like the least I could do for all your help today." He said with a small grateful smile.
Keep it together Beatrix...dont react....
"I..ehem..great...i will call you then...to make you know when it could be" she said trying to keep herself from leaping into the air.
"Sounds good to me.." Before suddenly frowning as she felt a strong arm hang itself over her shoulder.
"you two need a chaperone?" Lynn Jr asked with a teasing smirk.
"Lynn" Lincoln called in annoyance...and also anger...yes that was anger.
"what?" asked the girl as if nothing was wrong.
"Beatrix asked me to go for ice cream...not you." Lincoln said with a glare, "and I don't need a chaperone whenever I go to hang out with any of my friends." He added with a scowl.
Yet he was ignored
"yeah sure big guy whatever" Lynn baby-talked him
Lincoln felt his anger raising at this.
Something that some of his noticed and couldn't help but be concerned about.
"Uhh...Lynn." Luan spoke giving a cough, "maybe you should just back off here." the normally jokester said with a serious look.
"Eh? come on guys Im just looking our for our dear brother" said Lynn.
"But I don't need anybody to look out for me Lynn." Lincoln blurted out with a annoyed look.
RUMBLE
More than one gave a step back in fright at the sudden thunder.
"what the?!!" Beatrix looked up...clear skies. "Is an inheritor messing around with their powers?" she asked with a frown.
"Who knowns, but I know one Inheritor than forgets she is still grounded" said Rita looking at Lynn.
"What?! Ah come on! seriously!" Jr called out with a scowl.
Skipping school would do that young lady" said the Loud matriarch.
"I was trying to protect Lincoln!" Lynn Jr protested while Lincoln barely held back an irritated growl.
"You ended up causing me, Haiku and Jordan to be chased by Ragnarok goons!" he said with anger.
"I didn't know they were with Ragnarok!" Lynn jr protested throwing her arms up into the air, "I mean I was kinda more focus on the vicious Hydra!"
"Well maybe next time I will prefer the Hydra over being kidnaped" huffed Lincoln.
"Excuse me?" Lynn jr shot her brother a look of disbelief at that while some of the other Louds exchanged looks.
"JR let your brother alone" called Rita moving closer to Beatrix "he has the right to some privacy and going out with a friend maybe next weekend without someone spying sounds good in my book" she said before moving to whisper in Beatrix ear with a low voice, "though don't do anything I wouldn't do" she added in amusement with a giggle.
Beatrix blushed hard
Were all the mothers always thinking THAT about their godly kids?!!!
Ok Lincoln was mortal but still.
"Ehem..dont worry Mrs Loud...I will keep Lincoln safe" she said "and dont want anything but..pass a fun afternoon with him"
"Sounds good." Lori said speaking up from where she stood with a smile but also sending Beatrix a warning look, 'just try not to have too much fun."
After all there was a "loud santiago" plan in her mind and she wont have any other goddess on the life of her brother.
Though a few of her sisters could guess what Lori was thinking and gave frowns.
"Eh I say let them have some fun and rock out what's the harm." Luna said strumming on her guitar a bit with a shrug.
Honestly as long as the girl made her bro happy she was fine with whoever he ended up with even though some might have her rooting for them over another. Beatrix herself seemed cool and as a goddess could help keep their bro safe so win win.
"Im with her" said Lincoln before looking at Beatrix "so..will see you next weekend?"
"Its a date!" She chirped back with a eager smile before freezing as her own words hit her,"I mean not so much a date as eh two friends hanging out." she added with a blushing nervous stutter.
"I..yes..of coarse...I always enjoy being around you" he stiffed "AND OTHERS but yes we can go for Ice cream no problem"
"That sounds wonderful." Beatrix said with a wide smile and giggle feeling like she was walking on air.
"Cough..please no flying in the house Beatrix." Rita voice brought her back to attention and she realized she was fluttering in the air a foot off the ground.
"Oh! Ah..sorry" she said embarrassed as she landed back on the ground looking flustered. "Well...I have to get going..have some practices this afternoon" she said "will be dropping by now and then to check on..." she blinked "Oh wait...forgot to ask, you have a name for him?"
"Oh I was actually thinking Charles." Lincoln replied back smiling over at the puppy.
BARK! BARK! BARK!
"Seems he likes it" said Beatrix with a smile "so I will drop by now and then to check on Charles and see if he is fitting well" and to spend time with Lincoln but thats not something they needed to hear.
"That sounds great you know you're always welcome here at the Louds." Lynn Sr said with a smile toward the girl.
Beatrix smiled...the Louds do felt like a second family for her...and if she gets her way they d could BECOME her family...in law.
(End flashback)
Lincoln smiled as he let out a laugh being brought back to the present with Charles licking his face.
"Hahahaha...man I still cant believe Beatrix actually help me have you" said the white haired boy petting the heads of the dog "I will make sue to buy her a big ice-cream for that" The boy said with a smile while thinking of the goddess in question she was always nice to him and the Yates were pillars of the community though something about Mrs. Yates always made him nervous for some reason.
Well new goddess of strategy war, head of the Parent association, one of the most influential women around...reasons he had.
"Ummm but now that i think of it...I wonder if shouldnt invite Haiku and Jordan for ice-cream too as an apology for the whole park incident" he hummed petting Charles "they said it wasnt my fault but still feel I own them for it" he frowned "I mean i'm sure they'd enjoy it...right?" He added looking down to Charlies who was scratching as his right heads ear.
Arf! Arf! Arf!
The dog´s heads barked in delight like agreding with him before licking his face again causing Lincoln to laugh for several moments before hearing his named called by his mother,
"Lincoln! Breakfast is ready!"
"Eh?" he looked at his clock...it was seven O´clock already. "Did I just expend and hour and half day dreaming?" he said blinking "Oh well...not that I felt the need to sleep again" He added with a frown rubbing his head as he stood up from his bed wondering once again what was up with all these weird dreams.
He moved out the bed to change...not noticing the claw marks his bed now had on.
Lincoln exited his room with Charles rushing after him
CAW!!!
ARF! ARF! ARF!!
Only for it to stop and began barking at Argos.
"Lincoln! control your dog!" yelled Lori as she pulled at a leash she had on her bird´s neck.
"It's not his fault! Argos startled him!" Lincoln retorted back defensively.
The Cerberi and sacred peacock didnt seem to like each other since the moment they met.
"Uggg literal I cant with this today!" groaned Lori.
"Hahaha still leashed onto those obligatory training classes you have to take after your crashing day?" Luan (In a raven form) laughed as she flew onto Lori´s shoulders.
"I had the right of way! That crazy old lady Scoots came out of nowhere!" Lori retorted back defensively while giving off a groan.
"Well if you ask me, it was finally time you took those classes" said Lincoln holding Charles back "you cant control that bird and certainly you cant have it drive you around"
"I can control Argos just fine!" Lori snapped with a scowl.
"Ehhh I got a kids ruined birthday that says otherwise." Luan said her tone actually filled with annoyance, "and you still owe me for ruining that gig by the way."
"One time Luan...ONE time!" yelled Lori shaking the bird off her shoulders "compared to how many you ruined cause you cant always control in what you will morph next?!"
"I found a way around that.." Luan said back her tone sheepish and embarrassed, "my shapeshifter roulette will be a huge hit at parties i'm sure."
CAW! CAW!!
BARK! BARK! BARK!
Both Argos and Charles resume their "shouting match"
"Woah! ok little guy lets calm down" said Lincoln taking the dog in arms.
Immediately the dog shut and tuned to look in delight at Lincoln almost as if waiting a treat.
"HA! Lincoln had that dog just a few days and already he's better trained than your bird" Luan said with a cawing cackle in her current form to Lori.
"Grr literal shut up!" yelled Lori summoning her staff trying to swap at Luan.
Who flew up dodging with a laugh....right up until her form changed unexpectedly into that of a large hog with Luan barely having enough time to widen her eyes along with Lori before she fell from the air right on top of her.
CRASH!
CAW! CAW! CAW!
With Argos flapping his wings trying to escape its leash which only caused it to end up wrapping around him and the girls.
"AGG ARGOS! STOP! HEEL!!"
"Dont be so cuckoo bird! hahaha get it?! ouch!! no seriously!!!"
Lincoln just stood there as girls and bird became a tied up living pile of feathers and bodies.
"I....think will go ahead to have breakfast" said Lincoln deciding the best course of action...was leaving.
Because if there's one thing he knew sometimes the best way to handle the chaos was to avoid the chaos entirely.
Unfourtunalety...in his house...escape one chaos was enter another
"ITS MINE!"
"ITS MINE!"
"ITS MINE!
"ITS MINE!!"
Case and point...the twins fighting for the cereal box
"Its mine Lana!!" Lola called pulling at the box
"You had the last one! this one is mine!" Lana called back
Lincoln sighed.
"Myth-o´s?" he asked
"Myth-o´s" answered Lisa.
The twins favorite cereal, it wasnt that big of deal, classic cereal with shaped marshmallows...but the thing that interested the twins..was the free toy.
Each box could have one of the 14 figurines representing a main gods of each pantheon...and the twins were obsessed on getting them all before the other to the point that their mom have made a rule to only buy one box and only buy another the moment the cereal was done (and by that it means eaten in breakfast and not throw away or another trick to get it done), and each twin will have a turn to get the toy of each new box.
And to add to the chaos both twins seem determined to complete their respective collection before the other.
"I already tried to explain that the probability of getting a new figurine after the last 5 boxes ended up repeating those they now have, is less of the 35%" said Lisa with a scoff "but as you can see, they dont listen"
"When do they ever?" Lincoln asked while giving a sigh.
Looking down at Charles and got an idea.
He set the Cerberi down and pointed at the twins.
"Charles fetch!"
BARK
BARK.
BARK
And with that the hound bounced over to the twins in an instant.
HEY!!" both protested as the cereal box was taken from them and the dog rushed back to Lincoln.
"Good boy Charles" he said petting the three heads as he took the box.
"Ummm for being a street Cerberi its quite obedient" pointed Lisa "or at least it seems to obey you quite efficient"
"Hehe I guess he's just that good, or i've got a gift with him." Lincoln said with a chuckle though gave a slight pause...with his apparent abilities was he able to train and command Charles easier than others?
"Lincoln! give me back that box!" Lola yelled.
Ok question for later...Right now time to settle things.
"How about you two calm down and let me check what its inside here" said Lincoln opening the box "If Lisa is right..."
"I am" the new Hephaestus called.
"...Then the figure will be one you already have, so no reason to fight" he put his hand inside the box until he felt something that wasnt cereal "Aha" and pulled out a small transparent plastic package with a golden figurine inside "Ra...again"
"AHHHHH!!! I already have three of those chicken-man!" the pink wearing twin protested.
"I'll take it.." Lana declared with a smile, "I mean I already have it too but always thought he looked cool." she said with a laugh. She loved animals and the whole "animal head" the Egyptian pantheon had was and all time favorite for her.
"Here you go" said Lincoln throwing the toy at her "now how about we go get some breakfasts?" he suggested hopping that would be the last drama of the morning.
"Sigh...sure." Lola said with a pout before grumbling under her breath about stupid cereal boxes not giving her the toy she wanted while Lana shot Lincoln a thankful smile.
"Thanks for the help Lincoln appreciate it!"
With that the group of kids entered the kitchen.
Grrrrrr!!
where Charles growled at the two cages on the table
"Lola, Lana? why those two are here?" Lincoln asked noticing the presence of the pink bunny and green snake the twins have adopted.
"Got luck the school was fixed on a show and tell day" said Lana "so Im taking Diablo for the class to meet"
"And Im taking Mr Fluffy to give our classmates something better to look at" said Lola.
"Are you now?" Lincoln asked giving the two small creatures a frown as Charles growled at them despite the fact those two hadn't really caused any trouble since the twins brought them home Lincoln still couldn't help but feel that something was off about that rabbit and snake...and from Charles growls he wasn't the only one. "Just...be careful with them and dont let them out your sight ok" he told the twins as he narrowed his eyes at the cages "After all i'm sure everyone at school probably going to be a bit on edge with the recent rampage so lets try to avoid letting loose any animals." Lincoln added with a frown...particularly animals who might have monster genetics in them...or be more than they seem.
His gaze once again going over the rabbit and snakes appearance.
And yes...once again he was sure those two were getting nervous under his glare.
The door to the backyard opened.
"Yawn..." And Leni (again wearing a bikini) entered, looking wet "morning" she called moving to the fridge.
You'd think this would be a weird moment for the others but instead...
"morning Leni." Lincoln greeted with his sisters also giving their greeting Lisa arching a brow.
"Hmm...sleeping out in the inflatable pool again sister?" she asked with a thoughtful look, "I do still wonder if Aphrodite being born from sea foam is the reasoning behind this strange habit of yours."
"Well I know I was born from mom...but I thought her name was Rita not sea foam" said Leni blinking confused.
This caused the others to let out sighs.
"No sister i'm speaking of the original Aphrodite and how she was born after Cronus uhh.." suddenly Lisa paused when Lincoln gave a pointed cough and nodded his head toward the breakfast table where Lola and Lana sat, "Uhh..you know what nevermind." Lisa said with a slight nervous grin before adding with a sighing mutter, "it's not like you remember it no matter how many times I explain it anyway." She moved to the table to get some food herself
"You better go take a shower and dress before Lori or mom see you" said Lincoln to Leni "you know they dont like you walking around in that bikini" he added as he moved to the table.
Next to him Charles gave a triple glare at Leni..moving slowly to follow his master never taking his eyes from the girl.
While Leni herself just gave a giggle.
"Ahh but it's always so freeing, and I thought you liked my bikini Linky" she said with a teasing smile toward her brother.
Lincoln coughed...yes her sister looked quite great and having the "Aphrodite´s charm" on her make her quite hard to NOT look at.
But still he hopes she learns to be more...careful with how she speaks and acts.
"Its nice...but its to early to be wearing it Leni" he said trying to not look on her direction.
"Hmm..." Leni at that gave a thoughtful hum examining her current outfit, "I suppose you're right." she admitted before adding with a shrug, "plus I have a new dress I've been wanting to show you anyway" she added with a giggle as she left the room with Lisa speaking up with a concerned face.
"I'm beginning to worry Leni might have inherited some of the Greeks more incestious tendencies with her behavior around you." She stated to Lincoln with a frown.
"Uggg lets hope not" groaned Lincoln "I already went through the whole...loving sisters rumor at school and not in the mood for a second round of that"
"What's wrong with loving yours sisters?" Lola asked with a pointed look and frown.
"yeah we know you love us." Lana also asked with a confused look.
"Not that kind of love and its not a talk we should have" said Lincoln with a huff not wanting to explain this things to the twins.
"huff if you say so" said Lola "I know at least you love me more"
"Hey!" Lana called "Lincoln loves ME more!"
And this of courses lead to another argument with Diablo and Mr Fluffy from their positions seeming to sigh and trade dry looks having apparently grown used to the twins habits by now to say the least.
(Some time latter-royal woods elementary)
"Thanks for bringing us" said Lincoln as he and his younger siblings (sans Lisa) descended from the family Van "and thanks for..." he looked at a snoring Lynn.
"Hey dont sweat it bro" said Luna "the folks gave me permission to make sure she doesnt try skip school again"
"yeah at this point i'm half worried she'll start following me around school as a bodyguard or try to get mom and dad to home school me." Lincoln said with a sigh.
"yeah she is making quite the herculean effort for that HA get it?!" Luan, Transformed as a snake wrapped around Luna´s neck, joked.
Prompting a groan in response at the joke...though it was one of her better ones they'd give her that.
"We'll talk to her at at school and our parents later if we have to." Lori said firmly from the drivers seat, "i'm all for keeping you and our younger sisters safe.." the new Hera said with a firm look...especially if it meant safe from any hussies outside of Ronnie Anne..."but even I can literally see she's getting a bit much for you." she said with a sigh ignoring the slight hypocrisy in her statement with how she often tried to push her and Ronnie Anne together.
"Sigh, well lets hope we can talk her out of that soon" he scoffed "cause, no offense, she is starting to REALLY irk me" he said with a frown.
A small yet strong breeze suddenly blow.
"Hmm..did you guys feel that?" Leni asked raising her head with a blink frowning.
"Feel what?" Luna asked sending her a confused look.
"It....blink..blink...sorry, you asked something?" asked Leni.
"Ehh nah forget it." Luna said chalking it up as Leni being Leni before giving her bros and little sisters a smile, "now you all have a good day at school okay."
"Will do..you guys have good day at the academy" said Lincoln back after taking a deep breath and move towards the school.
Well after all this time between being locked at home, then almost get kidnapped and then again locked at home..it felt..a bit nice to be back.
"See you later Lincoln!" called Lana and Lola rushing pass him towards their side of the building carrying the cages with their pets
"Umm will go meet with Haiku" said Lucy "want me to give her a message?" she asked "maybe a romantic declaration?"
"Lucy.." Lincoln gave a groan at his sisters words but gave her a small sigh, "Just...tell her I said hi and that i hope she's doing well after what happen at the park."
"Umm will do" said Lucy "alongside all your love" she added and left before Lincoln could say anything.
"Sigh...that's going to be a headache later I just know it." Lincoln said to himself with a groaning sigh as he rubbed his head.
With that he began walking into the school. However as he did...for some reason he began feeling...observed?
Yes...he was being observed...by...everyone?
As he walked other kids stopped...looked at him...and began murmuring and talking between them in whispers.
"That's...weird." He muttered out with a frown wondering why he felt like the center of everyone attention suddenly....could they have heard about what happen at the park?
Inside the building things werent better.
Kids pointed and murmured as he walked to his locker.
Some even looked in some fear.
All of this gave Lincoln a mounting building up bad feeling that he didn't like one bit.
"Hey Lincoln!" Jordan greeted him as she walked to him with a smile.
"Hey Jordan.." Lincoln greeted also smiling but gave a curious look around frowning, "Uhh do you know why everyone's acting weird?" He asked with a frown
The girl blinked confused
"Weird? what do you mean?" she asked.
"Im...not sure" said Lincoln looking around "but it seems everyone is...looking at me?" he said as some students stiffed and tried to act innocent.
Jordan blinked at this
"Weird...I havent noticed anything like that" she said with some confusion.
"Ehh..well..maybe its just me" Lincoln said awkwardly as he tried to shrug it off, though the feeling of unease grew stronger with each step he took "So..how have you been?" he asked tying to change the subject.
"Oh I'm fine," Jordan said cheerfully "Thanks for asking. And about my wrist, it's totally better now. I went to a doctor and she said it was just a minor sprain, so I've been resting it like she told me to."
Relief washed over Lincoln, making him smile genuinely for the first time since he entered the school. He was happy she was okay.
"Although l will said I have been having this weird dream since that day" she added casually as they reached Lincoln´s locker.
"Dream?" Lincoln repeated, his own dream´s memories suddenly flashing on his mind "What kind of dream?"
"Well it started with this golden bug..." Jordan began to explain but was abruptly cut off by the sudden appearance of her friend, Emma.
Emma, a slim girl with dark skin and light brunette hair pulled into a high ponytail, dashed over to them with a look of urgency etched on her face. The cyan t-shirt she wore had a cute pink cat logo that contrasted with her black trousers, white socks, and the vibrant pink training shoes that bobbed up and down with each step she took.
"Hey Jordan, I've been looking everywhere for you!" she exclaimed, a hint of breathlessness in her voice. She glanced at Lincoln for a brief moment before turning her full attention back to Jordan. "I totally forgot my math book at home and Mrs. Harper is going to kill me if I don't get it before class starts. Can you lend me yours?"
Before Jordan could respond, Emma had already grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her away.
"Come on, I'm begging you, please," she said urgently, as she began pulling Jordan away from Lincoln.
The white haired boy blinked at this while the girl´s disappeared around a corner.
"I...suppose will see you later?" he said at the empty spot where Jordan had been standing just a second ago, feeling a bit puzzled by the abrupt interruption. "That...was weird" he murmured to himself as he turned to his locker.
(With the girls)
"Emma!" protested Jordan "where are we going?!" she called noticing they were going in the OPPOSITE direction her locker was.
The girl didn't stop though, her grip on Jordan's arm tightened and she dragged her down the hallway, the sound of their shoes squeaking against the polished floors echoing down the corridor.
"Emma! What is going on?" Jordan managed to ask once they had turned another corner and were out of earshot of anyone else.
Emma finally stopped and let go of Jordan's arm, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Look, I just had to get you away from him," she said, her eyes darting back down the hallway they had just come from.
Jordan rubbed her arm, looking confused.
"What are you talking about, Emma? What's wrong with Lincoln?"
"Look, I know you and Chandler had a bad break up" the dark skinned girl mentioned "But maybe he was right about Lincoln"
"Right about Lincoln?!" Jordan exclaimed in disbelief while also trying to hide any sudden nervousness, "you can't tell me you bought that crazy garbage about Lincoln able to control monsters?!" She asked doing her best to appear incredulous and skeptical. "Honestly next people will be saying that the inheritors are a sign of the end of the world."
"Hey I get it..I dont believe it either..but then..." Emma pulled out her phone and show a vid she had on it.
On it was a man sitting in a dark room.
"Tell what you know" an obvious modulated voice called.
"Tch whats to say?!" the man called "you know its the truth! that white haired boy was talking to that Hydra! basically ordering it to attack us!"
"What?!" Jordan eyes widen when she saw the video but she recognized the man as one of those crazies from Ragnarok oh no this was bad! "Where you got this?" she asked at Emma.
"Just this morning" said the girl "an email with the link, talked with Chad and Artie, they got one too. Everyone's talking about it, Jordan." She looked around nervously, as if expecting Lincoln to jump out of a classroom any second.
"Urg this is bad.." Jordan said to herself shaking her head before shooting Emma a glare, "And it's also a bunch of garbage!" she snapped pointing at the video, "I was there when that hydra showed up!" she said firmly with a scowl, "I was hanging out with Lincoln...and Haiku." she said with a slight cough flush...and a small frown remembering Haiku before shaking her head, "And Lincoln wasn't controlling it." she said with a dark scowl.
"Wait..you were there?" asked Emma "you were one of those children those Ragnaroks were arrested for attacking?"
"Yes I was, and they attacked us because they realized Lincoln was one of the Louds." Jordan replied shaking her head in disgust.
Emma's eyes widened in shock.
"Oh...ok..that..do would explain things but..." Emma's voice trailed off, her brow furrowed as she tried to piece together the conflicting information. "But why would they say that if it isn't true?"
At that Jordan actually shot her a flat look of disbelief.
"Oh gee I don't know..." she bit back sarcastically, "maybe cause Ragnarok are full of a bunch of crazies who want to hurt inheritors and their families and will take any excuse to do so." she said with a roll of her eyes, "Considering the scene Chandler was causing when he accused Lincoln it's not a stretch that Ragnarok heard about it and decided to run with it."
Emma swallowed hard, her eyes flicking down to her phone. She, like everyone, had heard of Ragnarok. It was hard to ignore them when their vans with their red and black logos plastered on them were always parked near the mall, handing out pamphlets about the so-called "god crisis."
"But...what if it is true?" she murmured, her voice barely audible over the distant chatter of other students. "What if Lincoln is dangerous?" she asked a hand over her chest grabbing at something.
At this Jordan gave her an incredulous look.
"Lincoln?!! Dangerous?!!" Jordan's voice rose an octave, "why would you..." she stopped as an idea came to mind "wait...Emma? please dont tell me..." her eyes fell on her friends hand...and noticing a chain around her neck.
Her eyes narrowed as she reached out and grabbed the chain, pulling it out from under her shirt.
"Is that what this is about?!" she hissed, holding up the necklace with the lightning bolt symbol that now dangled from her hand. "You're wearing one of HIS necklaces?!"
Emma's eyes grew wide, she hadnt realized she was subconsciously playing with the necklace she had gotten from Chandler, a lighting bolt shaped charm swinging gently.
"YOU JOINED HIS CULT?!!" Jordan exploded in anger.
At that Emma winced from her friends anger.
"Don't you have any dignity for yourself!?" Jordan exploded with a glare.
"Umm come on Jordan..you know becoming a muse is an honorable way to secure a well paid position in society." Emma stuttered trying to explain herself.
"But Chandler! You know he sees people like that as slaves! Hell the muses are just his personal harem girls as far as his ego is concerned!" Jordan snapped.
Emma flinched at Jordan's words, her hand shooting up to clutch the lightning bolt charm tightly.
"Well..he is the new Zeus" Emma murmured trying to defend herself "and if he says that muses are important then maybe..."
"WHAT?!!" Jordan's eyes went wide with shock and horror at the implication, "You actually think that's a good thing?!" she yelled, "You've seen what he's like! You know what he did to me! And you still think he's some kind of god that we should all bow down to?!"
"I..well..everyone knows you two had a nasty break up.." Emma said trying to justify herself, her voice shaking.
"And why do you think that is Emma!?" Jordan screamed out incredulously, "Do you think I was actually the bad guy in the scenario!? Or did it maybe occur to you that ME your FRIEND had a good reason!"
Emma's cheeks burned with embarrassment as she stared at the ground.
"Umm he did said..." she started.
"STOP IT! I dont want to know what he told you!" Jordan shouted, cutting off Emma's attempt to explain herself. "Ugg thanks for telling me about this video but I've had enough drama with Chandler's bullshit." she said before storming off leaving Emma to stand there looking at the necklace in her hand with a mix of guilt and doubt.
Jordan meanwhile rushed back hopping to find Lincoln and warn him of the video.
RIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGG!
The bell announcing the start of classes rang out, the shrill sound cutting through the hallways.
Jordan took a deep breath to calm herself before, her thoughts racing with worry for her friend and anger towards Chandler. She knew she had to find Lincoln quickly, before the video could spread any further and cause more damage. As she stormed down the hallway towards their first class, she heard whispers and snickers from other students, their eyes darting away from hers when she glared at them. It was clear that the rumor had already started to spread.