Summary: Lincoln is not having a good day/week...and the weather will just get worst
(Royal woods-Middle school)
Meanwhile Lincoln was having...quite the irritating week if being honest.
After the confrontation with Trent in the hallway (And even when nothing proved he was the "monster speaker") people seems to be..on guard around him. Whispers followed him between classes, classmates flinching when he reached for a dropped pencil, teachers watching him with unnerving intensity during lectures and each time he seems angry everyone hold their breath.
Even when he hasnt tried to confront him again, Trent´s smug smirk whenever their eyes met felt like a physical jab. Lunchtime became a gauntlet; Lincoln sat alone at the end of a long table, the surrounding seats conspicuously empty. The usual cafeteria chatter dipped whenever he walked by, replaced by hushed speculation. He could practically feel the weight of their stares – a mix of fear, suspicion, and morbid curiosity – pressing down on him. It was exhausting, like walking through thick, clinging mud with every step.
Only saving graces were that not everyone took Trent seriously.
Specifically, Jordan and Haiku didnt had issues with sitting with him at lunch, even if the former´s friends kept trying to keep them separated
"come on dude, what if he makes a monster eat you?"
Jordan would just shrug "Lincoln wouldn't do that...right?" Lincoln would sigh "No, Jordan." "See?" she would say, biting into his sandwich.
After the 5th time they simply stopped. Not a big lost as they kept flashing their Zeus charms which made Jordan´s eyes roll.
Haiku on her side had it easier as she really had many friends outside Lucy and she didnt cared about anyone´s opinión. Except Lincoln´s...and maybe Jordan´s as she always made sure to slide her bento box closer to Lincoln, sharing rice balls without a word.
But their constant support of the Loud boy couldn´t stop the graffiti that appeared overnight on Lincoln´s locke. A crude drawing of a horned monster with Lincoln´s face, surrounded by terrified stick figures. The janitor scrubbed it off quickly, but the lingering smell of cheap spray paint felt like a brand.
Considering the mocking face of Trent and his group, it didnt took long for Lincoln to know who was responsible.
He clenched his fists, knuckles white against his backpack straps. The urge to storm over and shove Trent's smug face into a locker was a physical ache in his shoulders.
Instead, he inhaled sharply, the air burning his lungs. "Not worth it", he told himself, the mantra feeling flimsy against the rising tide of frustration.
Again very few noticed the wind picking up outside or the dark clouds gathering unnaturally fast over Royal Woods Middle School. The air thickened with ozone and a prickling static charge that made arm hairs stand on end.
Unfourtunalety it seems his "inaction" only seems to fuel Trent´s confidence as the boy and his group redouble their efforts to make Lincoln´s life miserable.
From name calling on the hallways, notes and crue drawings of him being a "monster freak" left on his desk, to "accidental" trips that spilled his lunch tray, Trent's crew escalated their harassment daily. And it seems no one (outside Jordan and Haiku) was willing to stop them. Worse? Some teachers seemed to turn a blind eye, their expressions tight with unease whenever Lincoln tried to report an incident. It felt like walking through quicksand—every step heavier, every breath harder.
(Lunch time)
Jordan paused mid-bite into her apple, frowning.
"Weird. Weather app said sunny all day." she said, squinting at the gloom outside the cafeteria windows.
"Quite ironic that we have Inheritors that can control the weather yet knowing it is still a problem." Haiku murmured.
Lincoln didn't notice the storm brewing outside; the storm inside him was louder, fueled by Trent's mocking laughter echoing from the next table over. He stared down at his untouched sandwich, fingers digging into the plastic wrap until it tore.
"Hey, Monster Boy!" Trent's voice cut through the cafeteria chatter like a rusty blade. "Forgot your lunch? Bet you could just summon something slimy to eat!" His friends snickered, nudging each other.
Lincoln's knuckles whitened around the torn plastic wrap. The static charge in the air thickened, prickling against his skin like invisible needles. Outside, the unnatural darkness deepened.
Trent leaned back in his chair, a cruel smirk spreading.
"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue? Or did your pet monsters eat it?" The laughter from his table sharpened, jagged and loud.
Lincoln felt the familiar pressure building behind his ribs – a coiled spring of wind and fury. He clenched his jaw so tight it ached. Not worth it. Not worth expulsion.
"Oh real smart Trent!" called out Jordan "did you use your last braincell on that?!" she yelled back, standing up.
"Jordan..." Lincoln warned softly, placing a hand on her arm. His voice was low, frayed at the edges. Outside, the wind slammed against the cafeteria windows with a sudden, violent *thump*, making several students jump.
Trent's grin widened, sensing Lincoln's restraint. He pushed his chair back with a screech. "What, Loud? Gonna sic your invisible friends on me?" He took a deliberate step forward, flanked by his cronies. The cafeteria fell unnervingly quiet, forks hovering mid-air. Even the lunch monitors hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances.
Lincoln's vision narrowed to Trent's smug face. The pressure behind his ribs surged, hot and electric. He felt the cafeteria lights flicker overhead—once, twice—as if gulping for power. Outside, the wind howled like a wounded beast, rattling the windows in their frames.
"Ugg could you just give a rest?!" an annoyed voice broke the silence as everyone turned to see Mollie standing up.
Lincoln let himself breath in relief. Turns out, when the most popular girl of the school doesnt find something of her liking, very few dare to go against her wishes.
Mollie stood tall, her arms crossed as she glared at Trent with an intensity that made him shrink back.
"Seriously Trent? You're acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum." She shook her head in disgust. "some people are trying to enjoy lunch without your drama." Trent opened his mouth to protest, but Mollie cut him off with a sharp wave of her hand. "Save it. You're boring me." She turned her back on him dismissively, her friends following suit with matching expressions of disdain. Trent flushed crimson, sputtering incoherently as his cronies shuffled awkwardly, suddenly finding the cafeteria floor fascinating.
With his moment ruined, Trent turned tail and marched out the cafeteria followed by his group, though not before shooting Lincoln one last venomous glare. Lincoln exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing—until he caught Mollie watching him with an unreadable expression. She hesitated, as if debating whether to say something, before turning away sharply to join her friends.
"Sigh..." with that the white haired boy finally let himself breath and sit back.
Outside the clouds and winds seems to tame a bit as Lincoln´s anger eased, but the air pressure still remained unnaturally thick. As Jordan resumed eating her apple with exaggerated nonchalance, Haiku quietly slid a folded origami crane across the table—its wings slightly singed at the tips. Lincoln smoothed the paper with trembling fingers, finding a single kanji inked inside: *Patience*.
He sent her a thankful smile that she returned.
Meanwhile Jordan sent a small glance at Mollie before looking back at Lincoln with a thoughtful frown. "Doesn't Mollie usually ignore cafeteria drama? Like, last week when Hannah dumped milkshake on Tanner's head for cheating, Mollie didn't even look up from her french fries."
Lincoln shrugged.
"Dont know but to be honest Im thankful" Lincoln said as he tries to relax.
Both girls huffed feeling a bit...jealous? unnerved? by Mollie´s sudden intervention, noticing how Lincoln´s shoulders had relaxed at her actions.
Neither of them knew what was going on with the popular girl, her sudden interest in Lincoln or why she was one of the fee speaking up for him.
But while Lincoln himself didn't seem to mind it Jordan most certainly didn't like it or Lincoln being so relax around her.
I swear if she's plotting something...Jordan thought silently trying to ignore the part that almost hope Mollie was since she'd be less of a problem for keeping Lincoln focus on herself.
The silence that followed Trent's retreat was deafening, broken only by the nervous clatter of trays and the occasional whisper that slithered between tables like a living thing.
But although Mollie´s intervention had shut a good chuck of the student body, some whispers still lingered in the air and more than one, specially from Jordan´s (ex?) friends kept glancing at Lincoln with suspicion, muttering among themselves. Lincoln could feel their stares like physical weights pressing against his back, making his sandwich taste like cardboard in his mouth. Haiku, ever perceptive, nudged her bento box closer to him—an unspoken offer of curry rice that smelled infinitely more appetizing than his own lunch.
"Dont let them invade your aura" the goth girl whispered taking one piece of rice and offering it to Lincoln who blinked before accepting it with a small smile "they feed on doubt, on isolate you..but I wont be going anywhere" she added with a firm nod.
"Thanks Haiku...that means a lot." Lincoln said with a gentle smile that the girl returned while hiding her own concerned thoughts while glancing off in Mollie direction. She didn't want to worry Lincoln but as of late...something had felt off...something was stirring she could feel it...and as much as she hated to admit it...she sensed a connection between Mollie and Lincoln.
It was odd, she knew they dont really speak nor were close...yet it felt like..old friends? maybe something deeper...but it wasnt a feeling she could place, and what worried her was the way Mollie looked at Lincoln, not with disdain but something else...
It made her....uneasy for more than one reason, and the growing feeling of them on the precipice of something major that she'd been having for quite some time now wasn't helping. Especially when she sought more occult means for answers.
Her fingers twitched in her lap, recalling the tarot reading she'd attempted last night—the Tower card appearing not once but three times, each depiction more ominous than the last.
RINNNNGGG!
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the bell announcing the end of lunchtime.
"Well there goes appetite" Lincoln sighed as he dumped his untouched sandwich in the trash, stomach still churning from Trent's taunts.
"You know you have to eat.." Jordan said with a note of concern in her voice while looking toward him with a frown, "it's not healthy to skip meals.." she said before glancing warily around, "especially with you're..." she cough with a flush at the words of her choosing,"recent puberty spurt."
Lincoln blinked, momentarily thrown off-guard by the odd phrasing—until he caught Jordan's pointed glance downward, where his ankles were more notable of what they used to be. His face burned crimson, hastily adjusting his too-short pant legs.
Alongside his powers, it seems that he has quite a grow spur the past week, getting a couple of inches taller and his shoulders broader. Leni, obviously was the first to notice, and his parents were still trying to figure out what clothes would still fit him while making plans for a shopping trip soon. Still, Jordan and Haiku had been *noticing* the changes too, and Lincoln was becoming painfully aware of their lingering glances—Jordan's abruptly casual remarks about basketball tryouts needing "taller guys," Haiku's sudden interest in measuring his sleeve lengths with her ribbon "for a poem about proportions."
Which he wasn't sure how to deal with for multiple reasons. He wasn't one used to girls having a interest in him, much less the worry of ruining the friendship he had with the girls.
The thought alone was enough to make him frown and rub at the back of his neck awkwardly, trying to push the thoughts back before they could spiral worse than they already were.
"I..thanks..umm..will go adjust and pick up my books" he coughed out breaking the silence his thoughts had created as he rushed off.
Leaving the girls to stare off after him before Jordan took a deep breath, "Alright.." she turned to Haiku, "I think we need to stop beating around the bush..." she said giving her "friend" a pointed look, "We're both not only worried about Lincoln...but we both like him." she said deciding to rip the band aid off and admit this bluntly, "And I rather we clear the air about this here and now."
Haiku remained silent for a long moment, fingers tracing the singed edges of the origami crane before tucking it carefully into her sleeve.
"Indeed...my feelings for him have been blooming long ago since our paths crossed under a tree." Haiku admitted, her voice barely above a whisper "we have supported each other since our respected friends left us for their divine destiny and I..." she paused looking at Jordan "I will not step aside."
"Neither will I.." Jordan said with a pointed glare and look toward Haiku that was returned for several moments before Jordan sighed, "But.." she looked away rubbing her arm,"I know Lincoln wouldn't want us to fight over him....and honestly despite us liking the same boy I do like you Haiku....and I'd like us to be friends."
Haiku blinked before a small smile curled at her lips
"Then it seems the Fates have woven our threads together in friendship regardless." She tilted her head, dark hair swaying slightly, "Perhaps...we might weave them together further in shared understanding?" Her eyes flicked toward the doorway where Lincoln had vanished, then back to Jordan's widening gaze. "After all..the Greeks had many tales of heroes with dual brides.."
Her previous relationship with the new Zeus aside, Haiku also has started to grown acostume with Jordan´s presence these past weeks, and knew that Lincoln wouldn´t like if they started fighting over him.
Jordan blushed hard.
"I..ummm...ok..its a bit early for that I mean..." Jordan's voice cracked as she gestured vaguely toward the empty hallway where Lincoln had fled, her blush spreading down her neck like spilled ink.
"Early perhaps....but the sooner we stake our claim the better.." Haiku counter back before frowning, "after all we know that there are others who see Lincoln for how special he is."
Jordan froze mid-step, her sneaker squeaking against the linoleum.
"Wait—you don't think Mollie actually..."
"I have a suspicious..but she doesnt seem ready to act because her own..school status" Haiku murmured cryptically with a frown "and there is something else..." she added giving Jordan a glance, "whatever stirring within Lincoln....I believe she might be connected."
Jordan looked at this with suspicious.
"Ok..tell me all while we go to classes" she said as both girls walked out of the cafeteria, their footsteps echoing in the suddenly empty hallways.
None of them noticed the sky returning to a darker tone or the flashes of lighting in the distance.
(With Lincoln)
"Ok..dont think this is notable" the white haired boy said to himself as he walked out the bathroom with his jeans a little fixed lower on the hips due to the recent growth spurt, just enough to not look too awkward while walking. "with some luck Leni do would have a new set ready as she promised..." he mutter out when suddenly something tugged at Lincoln's gut.
HISSSSSS!
The boy turned left and right...what was that? It wasn't hunger, his stomach still felt too tight from Trent's taunts; it was like...
HISSSSS!
Again the feeling "rang" inside making him walk in one direction almost without thinking.
He didn't know what was going on but every instinct was telling him that danger was approaching...and the cause of it was getting closer.
It wasnt long before she began hearing voices..female voices close by.
HISSSS!!
Slowly he peaked around the corner and saw a group of girls of his grade in a circle surrounding...something.
"OMG is so cute" he reconized Paige´s voice from the group "but like, where did it came from?"
"It cost me almost $50 but it was worthy "Emma called out "Im sure our god will love my dedication!" she added with pride.
"Girl this will put you on his closer circle for sure" Joy, another girl of their grade called out as Lincoln took another step forward, the hissing inside him reaching a fever pitch. Through the gap between bodies, he caught glimpses of something..a box?
"Ohh maybe this could end up with you taking Jordan´s position now that she and Chandler broke up" Another girl, Amelia, said with a giggle.
"Hey dont joke with that" Gabby, another of their classmates, said with a small glare "Emma is loyal not a social climber like Jordan" she added.
That comment certainly raised Lincoln temper to say the least the idea of Jordan being insulted like that and in his rage he missed the slight flinch and guilt in Emma eyes as well.
HISSSS!!
"What are you doing?!" He called out in angry tone causing the group to jerk up in shock before turning their eyes on him.
"Oh great, its Monster Boy." One of them, Maddie, scoffed, rolling her eyes before turning her attention back to the box—but not fast enough for Lincoln to miss the way her fingers trembled against the lid. Inside, something shifted and he could swear he heard chirping.
"Whats that?" Lincoln demanded, stepping forward as the girls instinctively tightened their circle.
"Whats with you Loud? piss off" Emma snapped, shifting her stance to block Lincoln's view. Although she tried to sound brave, her eyes had a frantic edge, her fingers tapping nervously against the box lid—too fast, like she was trying to drown out something beneath her nails. Inside, the chirping grew louder, sharper, warping into something that didn't sound like any animal Lincoln knew. The air thickened with the scent of ozone and old copper, making his teeth ache.
And suddenly...Lincoln mind called back to memories from when Lana nearly did something reckless that lead to a lecture...and he really hoped he was wrong as the tension in the air spiked.
"I'm not asking again.."Lincoln said giving a stern glare toward Emma, "What are you hiding?"
This time the girls took a step back as Lincoln´s eyes flashed red for a moment.
Emma clutched the box tighter out of fright.
"You..you dont get closer" Emma stammered, her bravado crumbling as Lincoln took another step forward.
The girls began pulling out necklaces with the lighting symbol.
"We..we are muses on the service of..of the temple of Chandler of Zeus" Amelia said, her voice wavering as she pulled her necklace tight. "You..you cant touch us!" The words would've sounded more threatening if her knees weren't shaking visibly.
Lincoln...was unimpressed.
"We all know he call you that but you are novices at best" Lincoln growled "And I know that cause my sisters also have followers in the school" He took another step forward, noticing how Emma's grip on the box tightened, knuckles whitening as whatever was inside began to thrash violently.
RUMBLE!!!
A thunder echoed in the school making Lincoln stop and look up..the air...tasted like pennies..the air was static...lighting? but...it didnt felt...natural...it didnt felt like Chandler´s lightning...this smelled...older...but powerful.
Emma seized the moment and soon was running away down the hallway followed by the rest of the girls, the box clutched tight against her chest as Lincoln hesitated—the unnatural lightning still crackling overhead warring with the instinctive pull toward whatever thrashed inside that box.
RUMBLE!!!
RUMBLE!!!
RUMBLE!!!
Lighting flashed again this time stronger. The lights on the hallways flickered as the whole school shock by the thunder.
Thunder and a loud screech of fury that shook the air itself..
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
A screech that sent a chill down Lincoln spine...but not as much as what happen next as the box's occupant finally burst out and at the sight of what the girls were hiding.
"What have you idiots done?" He could only whisper out in stunned horror as the situation started to hit him in full.
Cause in that moment he saw a chick...but not any chick. Not with those odd electric blue feathers already forming, nor the way golden eyes looked around as it chirped and definitely not with the way some sparks of static electricity danced around its tiny wings.
The monster alarm began ringing across the school and a new screech filled the air..and lighting began striking around the school.
(Outside)
"Ok..thats bad" a flamboyan man said as he walked down the street, adjusting his sunglasses as the wind picked up. He was a tanned man with short blond hair, black eyelash and dark pink lips. He was wearing a male robe akin to a fortune teller with a shiny diamond on the center and a glowing santeria necklace.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
The scream was less a shriek and more the raw, tearing clap of thunder splitting the sky as a shadow, vast and turbulent, swept across the sky as it darkened with heavy clouds eclipsing the sun as wind and rain began buffeting the terrified crowd below. The streets became chaos as people scrambled to get indoors, but the man barely flinched, his robe snapping wildly around his ankles as he tilted his head up toward the storm.
"Ohhh, now THAT..." he murmured, adjusting a cufflink with theatrical precision, "is one HELL of an entrance." His grin widened as another screech, closer this time, sent car alarms wailing in discordant symphony.
Up on the sky was no other that one of the "Top mythological beasts" of North America...A Thunderbird; and it was a vision of absolute, enraged power.
Its feathers were the deepest shade of midnight, slicked with the rain it commanded, yet crackling with an inner, incandescent light. Flashes of pure, white-blue lightning erupted from its wings and torso, not merely surrounding it, but emanating from its very essence, tearing through the air like furious celestial chains.
Its talons, bronze and wickedly sharp, were already extended, poised to rend the earth or whatever stood in its path. The bird's head was crowned with twin crests of lightning, which glowed with manic intensity, illuminating its fierce, beaked profile. The sheer energy radiating from the creature was palpable; every feather seemed to vibrate with a catastrophic, destructive charge. Its eyes, if one could even glimpse them through the cascading electricity, must have been twin points of concentrated, incandescent rage.
The storm was not merely following the Thunderbird; the Thunderbird was the storm. It didn't just fly; it blasted through the atmosphere, leaving trails of burnt air and ozone in its wake. It had arrived, and by the primal, furious power it wielded, it was clear this magnificent, terrifying creature was spoiling for a fight.
SCREEEEEEEEEE!
And that it was clearly very, very, VERY upset,
"Something tells me somebody has done something VERY foolish indeed." the man murmur with a click of his tongue.
FLASH! BOOM!!
And the lighting falling around striking anything in sight also was a good clue.
Fourtunalety he could heard the alarm already so now he only need to make time until backup arrive.
"Well..cant go against what the universe dictate" he sighed dramatically, flipping open his palms. The necklace glowed yellow as the beads separated and grew in size as they began orbiting him like tiny planets. He snapped his fingers—and the beads froze midair, humming with latent energy. "So rude to interrupt my day off." his eyes glowed a yellow light and the beads shot in great speed.
FLASH!!!
FLASH!!
FLASH!!!
Lighting that fell, lighting that was intercepted by a bead growing and becoming a shield before impact, letting the bead take the full force of the thunderbird attack.
GODA agents set on the school noticed this and rushed to the inheritor.
"No time to talk guys" the inheritor yelled over the storm, beads whipping around him like a hurricane's debris as he gestured sharply toward the school. "Focus on evacuation—I'll handle the bird!" His fingers twitched, redirecting another bead to intercept a lightning strike aimed at a fleeing student. "But learn that the cause of this issue its inside the school" he added with a strained grin, sweat already beading at his temples as the Thunderbird's screech vibrated through his ribs.
ERNESTO ESTRELLA-REINCARNATION OF ORUNMILLA (YORUBA)
"I'll try to keep the big bird distracted but the cause of this needs to be secured!"
SCREEEEEEEEEE!
The Thunderbird seems to have finally realised someone was messing with its lightning as its eyes locked onto Ernesto's glowing golden beads orbiting him like miniature suns. Its pupils contracted into needlepoints, recognising divinity in the way a predator recognises another predator. The wind howled like a chorus of angry spirits as it banked sharply, its massive wings kicking up debris that peppered Ernesto's robe like buckshot.
"Tut tut, darling," Ernesto murmured, rolling up his sleeves with deliberate slowness, "stealing thunder is bad manners."
FLASH!!!!
one second later the beads formed a barrier to intercept a powerful multi-striking lightning bolt, the impact sent Ernesto skidding backwards, his shoes smoking against the asphalt. The Thunderbird didn't even wait for him to recover—its massive wings folded inward as it dove like a living missile, electricity crackling between its bronze talons. Ernesto barely twisted out of the way in time, rolling as the creature's talons gouged three-foot trenches into the concrete where he'd stood.
SCREEEEEEEEEEE!!
With it also letting out a call of fury while glaring angrily at him.
"you're really quite upset aren't you." Ernesto said keeping a cool head, "Don't suppose you'd calm down by counting to ten?"
SCREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
The Thunderbird's answer was a deafening shriek that sent Ernesto's beads scattering like frightened birds. Static danced along his forearms as the creature reared back—not for another dive, but with wings spread wide, gathering the storm itself into a crackling halo of raw atmospheric fury. The air smelled like burned copper and ozone, making Ernesto's teeth ache as he realized what was coming.
"Oh dear" Ernesto exhaled as the Thunderbird's feathers flared outward, each plume discharging jagged arcs that stitched the sky into a lethal circuit board. The beads orbiting his shoulders pulsed erratically—Orunmilla's wisdom whispering through the static that this wasn't mere territorial rage. Something had desecrated this creature's nest.
FLASH!!!
But Ernesto didnt had time to meditate on that as soon arks of lighting began striking at him and his golden beads , forcing him to move quickly.
CRACK
FLASH!
CRACK
FLASH!
CRACK
FLASH!
CRACK
In flashes of golden light Ernesto teleported to his scattered bead´s locations evading lightning bolts—each landing scorching perfect circles into pavement.
"That's it...keep focus on me...ignore the school...keep your eyes on me." he muttered lowly.
He wasnt a fighter per-say...he was more on the defensive using his powers to predict attacks and redirect them—but this? This was different. Storms were unpredictable already, add on it a piss off elemental bird of legend? Yeah...this was bad. The Thunderbird´s eyes gleamed with intelligence beyond mere animal instinct—it was analyzing him, learning his patterns. Each teleport left behind a faint golden residue, and the creature was starting to anticipate his movements.
FLASH!
CRACK
FLASH
BOOM!!!
"Ugg" finally one attack found its mark, sending Ernesto skidding across the asphalt, his robes smoking as the stench of burnt fabric filled the air. He coughed, tasting copper—whether from the storm or his own blood was hard to tell. Above him, the Thunderbird circled like a vengeful storm god, its wings casting jagged shadows across the ruined street.
"Ok..this is bad," Ernesto wheezed, rolling onto his side just as another bolt split the ground where his head had been and then summoning his beads to him to shield himself from the next lighting strike. "Soooo bad."
If the thunder bird wasn't stopped then the school and everyone within a good few miles would be ground zero of the creature wrath.
(Inside the school)
The alarm was ringing, students were being evacuated towards the basement bunker or to the back exit, lightning strikes and flashed of golden light could be seen through windows, the storm outside was raging, but Lincoln's attention was 100% on trying to find Emma on the sea of students now being evacuated.
"A chick! A freaking thunderbird chick! What in tartarus was she thinking!?" He exclaimed out in disbelief one rule about the animal kingdom both mundane and fantasy was that you don't mess with a mothers babies! And Emma brought a no doubt stolen baby thunderbird to school!
He looked around trying to find her, but not a hair of her. She must have ran away to somewhere else...but where? The halls were crammed with panicked students, teachers barking orders, lockers rattling from the concussive force of each lightning strike outside.
The obvious answer would be she could be in the bunker already, but with her carrying a box with a living chick making noise inside, she´d get caught instantly—meaning Emma had to be heading somewhere else.
Another possibility would be she could be trying to evacuate but A) At this point evacuation would be reserved to students on the wings of the school not for those in the center where Emma and her group were and B) With the thunderbird circling overhead and attacking anything moving outside, she'd be fried before making it to safety.
Emma must be hiding somewhere inside the school...but where? The obvious answer would be the basement, but with the bunker activated, teachers and GODA will be in high alert...no she must be in one of the classrooms or the bathrooms hopping to ride out the storm and avoid getting caught with the stolen chick... But which one? Think Lincoln think, where would Emma go?
Taking advantage of the chaos around him he was quick to sneak away from the crowd of students trying to evacuate and back into the halls of the now abandoned school.
"Where the hell is she?" Lincoln muttered with a scowl, "doesn't she realize what she's doing?!" Seriously even his little sister Lana who wanted to keep some monsters as pets knew that some creatures shouldn't be messed with, and most certainly knew that taking a creatures young would end in disaster!
The flickering lights casting eerie shadows as the storm raged outside. Thunder roared, shaking the lockers lining the walls while rain battered the windows, and with every flash of lightning, the hallways pulsed between blinding white and deep darkness.
"Come on Lincoln...you..found her before..you could do it again" he tried to focus..maybe he could summon that feeling of before at will if he concentrate enough.
However before he could concentrate...
"you fucking freak!" A shout filled the air as he was suddenly tackled to the ground, "I fucking knew you were a menace!"
...Lincoln was taken by surprise as Trent pinned him down with a knee digging into his ribcage—not enough to crack bone, but hard enough to make breathing painful. His face twisted into a triumphant sneer, his breath smelling faintly of stale energy drinks and nervous sweat.
Behind him stood other three boys—members of Trent's usual gang—blocking Lincoln's escape route.
"Urg Have you lost it!" Lincoln snapped glaring up at the other boy with anger and incredulity, they were in the middle of a crisis and Chandler's lunatic fan boy chooses now to attack him!
"Yeah right!" Trent snarled back tightening his grip on Lincoln's collar "Like I'm gonna trust you" he yelled on the white haired boy´s face "first you harassed Emma and the others, now you bring that beast to attack school?!" he accused shaking Lincoln violently "you´re lucky you were caught before you could hurt someone worse!"
Lincoln´s mind reeled—Emma told him what?
Outside, the Thunderbird's shrieks vibrated through the walls, punctuated by the concussive *CRACK* of Ernesto's defensive beads absorbing another lightning strike.
"You have seen Emma?!" called Lincoln "where is she?!" he demanded trying to push trent off him ignoring the accusation.
"Oh yeah like we would tell you" one of the other boys sneered.
"Yeah she will be keep safe until we can take her to our lord Zeus who would be happy we kept his muse safe" other boy said with a proud smirk.
"You idiots! She's the reason the bird's here! She has it's baby!" Lincoln snapped feeling his temper start to raise.
RUMBLE!!!
The entire hallway shuddered as the Thunderbird's latest strike hit somewhere terrifyingly close—close enough for Lincoln to feel the static lifting the hairs on his arms even through the school's insulation. Trent's grip faltered just enough for Lincoln to twist sideways, driving an elbow into his ribs.
"Back off! I don't have time to deal with your crap! I need to find Emma and stop this!" Lincoln roared his eyes filled with urgency and anger.
"Ugg you freak!" yelled Trent rubbing his ribs "As future centurions of Zeus we will teach you a lesson!"
"Oh for..wake up! Chandler doesn't give a fuck about any of you!" Lincoln snapped and unknown to him his eyes began to change...and a form arrived at the end of the hall but would freeze in shock before she could intervene.
"That guy only care about his own ego! he'd step on you like a cockroach if it meant—" Lincoln's words died as Trent's fist connected with his jaw, sending stars exploding across his vision. The metallic tang of blood bloomed on his tongue, and for a terrifying moment, the world tilted sideways.
"Shut up you freak! You don't know shit!" Trent snarled "Once we done with you we will go for that treacherous bitch of Jordan and teach her her place!" raising his fist again; only for Lincoln's fingers to wrap around his wrist with sudden, unnatural strength. His eyes widen as he felt his skin getting warmer..as if it was being held over an oven.
Slowly Lincoln turned to him...And Trent felt a gasp stuck on his throat as now Lincoln´s eyes were glowing red and seems to have slit like a snake´s.
"Ok...now Im angry" Lincoln growled—but his voice wasn't entirely his anymore, layered with something deeper, something older.
"What the hell?!" squeaked out one of the goons taking a step back feeling a surge of fear and lot less confident thinking that they might of perhaps bitten off more than they could handle.
Trent's wrist pulsed an angry red under Lincoln's grip, the scent of singed flesh curling through the air. His knees buckled, face contorted in pain, but before he could scream—*CRACK*—Lincoln's free hand snapped up, catching the pipe another boy swung at his head. The metal groaned, warping like taffy beneath Lincoln's fingers as the red glow spread up his forearm, veins illuminating like molten circuitry.
As Lincoln focused on the new attacker, Trent quickly fished out something from his pocket.
It was a golden medallion with Zeus´s face on it.
"Lord of the sky hear my plead smite this monster!" Trent gasped, pressing the medallion against Lincoln's chest.
CRACK!
Next thing Lincoln knew moments before as the sound of thunder echoed out in the hall was instincts screaming at him to move which he did kicking Trent back while whacking away the arm that gripped the amulet as he leapt back narrowly dodging the lightning blast that hit a wall of lockers in a explosion of electrical energy..
Booom
"Have you lost your fucking mind!?" Lincoln roared out at the sight of the destroyed lockers while his mind realized what Trent was using something he most certainly shouldn't have especially at a school!
"Yeah right!" Trent yelled back clutching his hurt wrist "Like I'm gonna trust you now!" he raised the medallion again "All i know its that Im going to stop you right here and now" he growled out sweating, shaking despite his bold words "Lord of the sky hear my pray!"
"Trent! Listen to me you lunatic you're going to kill someone!" Lincoln called out.
CRACK!
Lincoln barely had time to register the ozone scent before instinct yanked him sideways—just as a jagged bolt of lightning seared past his shoulder, leaving his shirt sleeve smoldering. Trent's eyes widened in genuine horror as the bolt ricocheted off a metal fire extinguisher casing, sending sparks dancing across the ceiling tiles like malevolent fireflies.
"Put that thing down!" yelled the Loud boy before rushing in and tackling Trent before he could call another lightning strike.
"Agg!"
Both boys fell on the floor as the medallion flew away, skittering across the linoleum like a dropped coin.
"Get off me you freak!" Trent snapped angrily before calling out, "Some help would be appreciated you guys!"
One of the boys hesitated, glancing at the smoldering locker, but reached into his jacket—producing a short, jagged knife that looked more like sacrificial ritual than street fight. Another pulled a thin chain from his pocket, weighted with sharpened zeus-lightning charms that hummed faintly with divine static. The third one pulled out what looked like a bronze baton...that glowed a molten tone when a button was pressed.
Lincoln barely had time to blink before the knife flashed toward his ribs—only to embed itself in drywall as he twisted away, fabric tearing. The chain lashed out next, wrapping around his forearm like a viper, spitting blue sparks as charms bit into his skin. Pain flared, but Lincoln resisted and pulled at the boy holding the chain sending him stumbling forward. He didn't let him recover, driving a knee into the boy's stomach hard enough to fold him like a wet newspaper. The bronze baton came next, humming with dangerous energy—Lincoln barely dodged the first swing, feeling the heat of its passing singe the air beside his cheek.
Lincoln knew these weapons shouldnt be in the hands of kids. He had been on the local greek temples (thanks to his sisters) enough times to know these weapons were used by the Centurion forces and belonged to the armory of the Zeus temple. Meaning Trent and his friends must have stolen them...or worse, gotten them intentionally to cause trouble under Chandler's orders.
Either way he knew that bunch of morons or not Trent and his goons could actually hurt someone or worse with those, and right now outside the question of how they got this stuff pass School security his focus was remaining in one piece.
Lincoln ducked under another baton swing; the charged bronze humming centimeters from his scalp, before driving an elbow into the attacker's ribs. The boy gasped, staggering back into the wall, but the chain-wielder was already recovering, swinging those humming charms like flails. Then Lincoln felt it, a prickling at his neck, the scent of burnt copper filling his nostrils just before Trent lunged from behind with the retrieved medallion raised high. He twisted, but not fast enough.
The bronze chain wrapped and the links melted forming a cuff around Lincoln's wrist with a hiss—metal fusing into his skin..or at least trying as Lincoln could feel it but not really hurting him...but trying to lock him in place.
"We're going to sacrifice your body to our god you fucking freak! Bet Hera will even throw herself at Chandler thanking him for his followers ridding her of you!" Trent growled out
A flash of fury ignited again inside Lincoln.
And as Trent recovered the medallion and turned, pray on lips, he got smacked by his follower as Lincoln pulled at the chain and use it as rope to swing the boy into Trent, sending both crashing into the lockers, making the golden medallion to be sent skipping again.
"Chandler isn't laying a fucking hand on any of my sisters!" Lincoln roared out with a emphasis on roar.
And no, it wasnt he just yelling, it was a literal roar—one that made the remaining fluorescent lights shatter in cascades of glass, the soundwaves rippling outward with unnatural force. The boys scrambled back, eyes wild with primal terror as Lincoln's shadow seems to shift with something serpentine. The bronze cuff around his wrist flared molten-hot before crumbling into slag, droplets hissing against the floor like angry rain.
However call it bravery or insanity Trent was defiant holding out his amulet, "Fuck you you fucking monster! I'm going to kill you and i'm going to be a hero!"
However right as he was about to fire a feminine voice yelled out as something hit in the side of his head, "Stop this at once!"
The scream made the boys to stiff in shock. Lincoln blinked and shook his head as his eyes returned to normal as his anger was replaced by surprise and a bit of fear.
Heels sounded behind him as a beautiful woman marched forward. She was slender with tan skin and long, dark brown hair that reaches her waist. Gold hoop earrings, red lipstick, and wearing a pink button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves, a red skirt, and black high heels.
"What in the name of all that is holy do you think you're doing!?" called out a woman all of them recognized easily....hard not to since every boy and even a number of girls in the school had at point or another had a crush on her or fantasized about her.
"Miss DiMartino..we..we were only.." Trent stammered, his bravado crumbling under the teacher's furious gaze. Her normally warm brown eyes burned like twin coals, her manicured nails digging into her clipboard hard enough to leave crescent marks in the plastic.
"Messing around during a monster attack THATS what you doing!" the teacher called out, her usual kind face was replaced by one of fury "and USING sacred artifacts and weapons in SCHOOL GROUNDS?!" she yelled pointing to the amulet "do you have any IDEA how much trouble you're in?"
"But we were.." Trent protest was cut off by the woman
"Not only that but ATTACKING another student WITH those same artifacts and weapons!" She added out in a cry of disbelief, "Forget expulsion you'll all be lucky if don't end up criminal charged!" The woman DiMartino roared out more than apparently enraged.
"Bu-but he's a freak! He control monsters!" Trent protested, pointing at Lincoln with the amulet still in hand "He's dangerous!"
Miss DiMartino's lips pressed into a bloodless line, her heels clicking sharply against the tile as she stepped forward—not towards Lincoln, but towards Trent, her shadow swallowing the boy whole.
"Dangerous? Mr. Loud isn't the one ganging up, assaulting, if not out right attempting to murder another student." She said her tone cold with a look that caused him and his goons to pale.
"Ma'am it was all Trent idea! I thought we were just going to beat him up!"
Emphasis on goons not friends since one of them quickly spoke up throwing Trent under the bus, while likely realizing the teacher wouldn't believe them about what they saw Lincoln do.
Miss DiMartino's gaze flickered to Lincoln for half a second—just long enough for him to catch something unreadable in her expression—before she turned back to Trent's gang.
"You're explaining this to Principal." Her voice left no room for argument as she took the medallion off Trent´s hands "And I will keep hold of these so hand them over!" she ordered pointing at the knife and baton, the very air around her seeming to crackle with suppressed energy. The boys hesitated—still glancing at Lincoln with expressions caught between fear and defiance—until another thunderclap shook the building, rattling loose ceiling tiles like angry dice. "What were you thinking? with this attack"
"Miss wait this is not an attack!" called out Lincoln in a hurry "Earlier saw Emma with a box with what i think is a thunderbird chick inside!" he quickly explained "And i think Trent and his buddies saw her too and now they're trying to hide her before anyone realizes she's the reason for all this!"
"SHE WHAT!?" Was the shared cry of not only DiMartino but also Trents friends while the boy himself had his eyes widen, "You didn't say anything about that!" Accused the boy who had used a knife earlier, "I didn't know! the freaks probably lying!" Trent stammered back defensively..
BOOOM
"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!"
Only to flinch from the school shaking as thunder boomed outside and the Thunderbird let out a furious cry.
"Does that sound like a lie to you!" Lincoln snapped glaring at him, "We need to find Emma and get that baby before it's mom destroys the entire school and everyone in it!" he called urgently with DiMartino nodding in agreement.
"Agreed, where is she?" She demanded glaring down at Trent making it clear she was in no mood for excuses or lies..
"I...no..it's the freak fault...he's the one that brought the bird.." However Trent it seemed whether do to loyalty to Chandler the earlier display from Lincoln or his own stubbornness seemed to be stuck in denial.
Miss DiMartino's fingers tightened around the confiscated Zeus medallion, her knuckles whitening as Trent's words hung in the air like the ozone scent of spent lightning. Behind her, one of the emergency lights flickered erratically, casting jagged shadows that made Lincoln's exhausted expression look almost feral.
"This is not time for jokes nor loyalty tests!" the teacher snarled, her professional veneer cracking "You already are in A WORLD of troubles, you want to add mass murder to your list Trent?"
Trent's Adam's apple bobbed violently as he swallowed, his fingers twitching toward the empty space where his medallion had been moments earlier. One of his cronies made a strangled noise in the back of his throat, eyes darting between the smoldering locker and the emergency exit like a cornered animal calculating escape routes.
Finally one cracked.
"The girl´s locker room!" The knife-wielder blurted, voice cracking. "She and two other girls went there to hide after telling us that...he.." he pointed at Lincoln "threatened them!"
"I didn't threaten them! I wanted to know what they were hiding!" Lincoln snapped back with DiMarintio cutting him off, "Enough! We don't have time for this!" she said sternly causing everyone to wince, "We need to find the girls immediately before that baby's mother kills someone!"
And a lightning flash as well as a cry from outside only seemed to emphasize her words and the seriousness of the situation.
"You four run to the bunker and inform the GODA agents of this" the teacher said pointing at Trent and his goons "and dont even think of lying or running away once all is over" she warned before turning toward Lincoln "you come with me" she ordered, already striding toward the locker rooms with Lincoln scrambling to follow.
Doing his best to ignore the glares of anger and fear he could feel at his back from them as he followed the teacher.
"Thanks for the help really appreciate it." He said with DiMartino giving him a stern look...before softly smiling.
"Of course anything for my favorite student." she said with a slight giggle before giving him a stern look, "though we'll be having a private discussion between the two of us after this later young man."
Lincoln swallowed hard, it was rare to see her this angry...and although he was the one being attacked he couldnt help but wonder if he contribute to it in some way.
Whatever the case he'd have to worry about that they had bigger problems right now. He thought looking outside a window as they passed by seeing the lightning striking down the ground causing a slight flinch of worry.
He just hoped whoever was dealing with the Thunderbird outside would keep it busy long enough for them to get it's chick and stop it before someone got hurt or worse.