59. Remembering a legend

So this is a little late i know but better late than never right? This was requested by a bunch of people really. So, here we go.

In memory of Stan Lee

1922-2018

A icon. A legend. A hero.

Lincoln is in his room reading Ace Savvy. "Man being a hero can be hard work. But it's nice to relax and read some comics." Lincoln said.

The he hears scratching at the door. He opens the door and sees Charles. "Hey Linc." Charles greeted.

"Hey buddy, what's up?" Lincoln asked.

"Well I chewed up your dad's oven mitts and I need somewhere to hide for a couple hours." Charles explained. "Mind if I hide here?"

"Be my guest." Lincoln said as Charles hopped onto his bed.

"Thanks." Charles said as he got comfortable. He looked down at the comics and saw something that caught his eye. "Comic con coming to Royal Woods. Hey is this comic old?"

"No I just got it yesterday." Lincoln answered. "Why?"

"Because there's an ad for Comic Con this weekend and it's coming to Royal Woods." Charles said. "With special guest Bill Buck."

"No way!" Lincoln gasped.

"It's true man. I saw it on the paper while I was doing my business." Charles said.

"Too much information Charles." Lincoln said.

"Lincoln, this is your chance to see Bill Buck again!" Charles said. "Not only that, it says here that there's a contest and the winner and their family get to spend the day with Bill!"

"This is the greatest news ever!" Lincoln exclaimed before grabbing the comic. "I gotta ask mom and dad to see if I can go!" He then runs out.

"Comic con?" Rita said. "You want to go to comic con?"

"Yeah, it's going to be in Royal Woods and Bill Buck is going to be there." Lincoln said. "Can I go please!"

"I don't know Lincoln?" Rita said.

"Please." Lincoln begged. "I've never been to a convention this big before and I really want to go so i can enter a contest to spend the day with Bill Buck."

"Well I don't know Lincoln." Rita said. "Your father and I have to work this weekend so we're booked." Lincoln lets out a sigh of defeat when he gets an idea.

"What if I can convince Lori to take me?" Lincoln asked. "Then can I go?"

"Well you can try." said Lynn Sr.

"Yes, But you need to convince Lori to come with you." Rita stated.

"Please. I'm the master of convincing." Lincoln said.

"No." Lori said. She was currently sitting on her bed with her brother standing in front of her.

"Aw why not?" Lincoln asked.

"First off, those types of conversations are filled with geeks and nerds." Lori said. "Second off, I don't want to do it."

"Ok Lori. I've tried to be nice." Lincoln said. "I've tried to be fair but you have forced my hand. Luna! A little sad music please!" Luna then appears with a violin.

"You got it bro." Luna said before playing a sad tune. Lincoln then turns back to Lori and does the puppy dog eyes.

"You gotta be kidding me?" Lori groaned. "Not the puppy dog eyes."

"You better say yes. He could do this all day." Luna said.

"My answer is still no!" Lori said.

"C'mon Lori." Lincoln begged. "There's a chance I can win a contest and spend the day with Bill Buck. And this might be the only time I'd be able to go!"

"Not happening Lincoln and nothing you say will get me to change my mind." Lori told him.

"I'll do your patrols for a week." Lincoln said.

"Make it two and I'll dress up as whatever you want." Lori counters. Lincoln thinks about it and holds out his hand.

"Deal." Lincoln said and the two shake. "Now for costumes, I'm thinking we go as Speed Queen said Firecracker."

"Are you literally suggesting we go as our alter egos?" Lori asked.

"Yes." Lincoln answered.

"Fine. I mean it isn't like anyone will know that we're actually them." Lori said.

"If that's the case, mind if I come too dudes?" Luna asked.

"Sure thing Luna." Lincoln said.

"Awesome!" Luna cheered.

Suddenly the door comes crashing in to reveal Lynn. "Damn. I broke the door." She groaned. "Lana! I broke the door again!" She turns back to her three siblings. "Hey I heard that you three are going to Comic Con. Mind if I join you guys? You can't have Firecracker without Parkour. Me and Linc are always teaming up in fights."

"But you're not into comic books." Luna said.

"They have others things over there." said Lynn.

"I want to come too." Lucy said as she appeared in Lori and Leni's room scaring everyone.

"Ok, I'm just going to invite everyone to save the authors time." Lincoln said before walking out leaving his four sisters confused.

"Authors?" The girls questioned.

Lori and Lincoln stood in front of their parents in the living room. "So you're going to take your brother to comic con?" Rita askes.

"Yes and apparently the rest of my sisters because they all want to go." Lori said. "Look I promise I'll keep an eye on everybody and we won't get arrested. Again."

"That's great." Lynn Sr said. "I think you kids are honing to have a great time."

"So what are you going to dress up as?" Rita asked.

"The L-Crew." Lincoln answered. "I think we can pass as them."

"I'm sure you could sweetie." Rita said. "I'm sure you all will look great."

"I know we will mom." said Lori.

"So I guess you can go Lincoln." Lynn Sr. said. "Have fun!"

"You bet I will!" Lincoln said.

On the day of Comic con the Louds flew threw the city to get to the convention center.

"This is so cool!" Lincoln exclaimed. "I can't believe I'm going to Comic con! By the way, how you doing down there Lynn?" He looked down to where he was carrying Lynn as they flew.

"Fine! Everything is fine!" Lynn said as she had her eyes closed. "Why do you have to carry me? Why can't we just get my ATV?"

"Because we don't need people knowing that the L-Crew are there." Lori said from the ground. "Besides, you agreed to this!" Lynn sighs and nods.

"But why couldn't i ride with Luan like Leni and Lily did?" Lynn asked.

"Only got room for two and Lily is being held." Luan answered.

"Well I call next time!" Lynn said.

"Don't worry. When we leave we can summon our vehicles to come pick us up." Lisa said from where she was being carried by Luna.

"Hay Lis, why are you being carried?" Lana asked as pterodactyl with Lola on her back. "I thought you could fly?"

"While that is true, I'm not used to flying long distances." Lisa explained. "So I will not fly till I get used to flying more."

"It'll take awhile to get use to." Lincoln said.

"He's right." Lucy said.

"But once you do get used to it, you'll fly like a eagle." Luna said while casting a glance at her arm that sported the eagle mark. "We almost there?"

"Yeah we're almost there." Lori said.

"We need to land away from the convention. So we won't draw attention." Lisa stated.

"I say we land in the back." Lucy suggested. "We shouldn't be seen there."

"Good everyone land in the back." Lori said.

They quickly land and then head to the entrance. "Remember guys, we're not the L-Crew. We're just dressed up like them." Lincoln reminded them.

"We know Lincoln." said Lynn.

"Besides we're pretty popular. I'm sure there will be some people dressed like us." Lola stated.

When they walked in they saw that Lola was right. There was a large number of people dressed as members of the L-Crew. "Wow. We have quite the fanbase." Lana commented. "And it looks like some people are dressed like the Omni Twins and their team."

"Yeah but we're more popular." Lynn boasted. "So where do we have to go to register for the contest?"

"Right near the booth for the new Ace Savvy game." Lincoln said.

They head to the booth where they see the sign up sheets. Lincoln picks one up and the girls look over his shoulder. "It looks like it's a costume contest." Leni said.

"And the winner gets to spend the day with Bill Buck." Luan added.

"Sounds simple enough." Lincoln said. "Wait. Says here I need a partner. Who wants in?"

You should pick me Linc. Besides we're like two peas in a pod!" Lynn said.

"Dude you should pick me!" Luna said.

"No way. Pick me!" Lana said.

"Girls calm down." Lincoln said. "I have the perfect way to settle it." He runs over to the food court and after a few seconds runs back with ten straws. "We'll draw straws. Whoever gets the short straw will be my partner. First things first, can someone cut one of the straws? I don't have any scissors." Lucy grabs a straw and swiftly slashes it with a ice dagger. She then hands it back to Lincoln. "Ok. Now I just gotta mix it up and we'll be good." He rolls the straws in his hand and tosses them in the air and caches them in one hand before rolling them again. "Done." He looks to see his sisters staring at him with wide eyes and mouths open. "What?"

"Dude. You got skills." Luna said.

"Oh. Thanks." Lincoln said. "Now everyone pick a straw." The girls reach out and grab a straw.

The girls opened their hand one by one. Some of the girls either sighed or had a look of disappointment except for one.

"I got the short straw!" Luan cheered,

"Well it looks like Luan will be Lincoln's partner." Lori said. Luan walks up and signs her name on the signup sheet next to Lincoln's.

"Let's do this Linc." Luan said.

"You got it Luan." Lincoln said.

By the time the contest started, Lincoln stood behind the curtain a nervous wreck. He had seen multiple costumes that looked realistic and straight out of a comic book. So far there had been Omni Twins, Ace Savvy and One-Eyed Jack, and even members of the L-Crew. So Lincoln was understandably nervous. Luan placed a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Relax Linc." Luan assures him. "We got this."

"You sure?" Lincoln asked.

"I'm sure of it." Luan said.

"Right." Lincoln said.

"Next up we have Lincoln and Luan Loud!" The announcer announced.

"Ready?" Lincoln asked.

"Ready." Luan replied. The two Loud kids walk up towards the stage.

"They're members of the L-Crew Firecracker and Ms. Appear." The announcer said.

"Strike a pose!" Luan said the two start posing while the crowd.

"Battle stance!" Lincoln said and the two take fighting stances.

"Victory pose!" Luan said as the two of them get into a victory pose.

The crowd clapped while a certain nine girls cheered wildly in the front row. Then the announcer walked up on the stage.

"Alrighty folks that looks to be everyone." The announcer said. "Now to announce our winner, please welcome the one and only Bill Buck!"

The crowd gave a applause and waited for Bill Buck, but he didn't show up. "Bill Buck!" The anboucer said again.

The crowd applause again but Bill Buck didn't come out again. "Where is he?" Lola asked.

"Um, Bill?" The announcer called. Suddenly, out of nowhere there is a of a toilet flushing. The crowd turns towards the noise and see Bill Buck walking out of the bathroom.

"Woo. No more burritos." Bill said as he walked out. He then notices the crowd staring at him. "Did I miss something?"

"The costume contest sir." The annoucer whispered.

"Whoops. Sorry about that." Bill said as he came over to the judges table. "Those burritos went right through me. Now lets take a look at those costumes."

Bill looked at the contestants and their costumes.

"Don't be nervously Lincoln." Lincoln said to himself.

"I see a lot of great costumes and I wish i could pick all of you but I can't." Bill said. "Well since I need to choose, i say the winners are the two kids dressed as Ms. Appear and Firecracker: Luan and Lincoln Loud!"

"We won!" Luan cheered.

"Woo hoo!" Lincoln cheered.

They are then joined by the rest if their sisters who pull them into a group hug. "Good job you two!" Lori said.

"Thanks Lori." said Luan.

"Now I can spend the day with Bill Buck." Lincoln said.

"Indeed you do." Bill said as he walked up. "You look familiar." He taps his chin for a second and then gasps. "I remember now. You're the one who made that comic with so much heart."

"Yeah it's me." Lincoln said.

"I guess you can say he had an ace in the hole." Luan chuckled while everyone groaned at her joke.

However Bill let out a chuckle. "That's a good one. I'll have to remember that." Bill said. "Now I believe that I get to spend the day with you."

"Yes Mr. Buck." Lincoln said. "Is it ok if my sisters come?"

"Why sure. The more the merrier." Bill answers. "But please, call me Bill. There's no need to be so formal."

"Sure thing Bill." Lincoln replied.

"How about we go get something to eat." Bill suggested. "Just no burritos."

"How about some pizza?" Lana suggested.

"Now you're talking." Bill said.

In the food court, the Louds and Bill Buck sat at a table with a pizza in the middle.

"So Lincoln, how long have you been a fan?" Bill asked.

"Since I was five years old. Let's just say without Ace Savvy I wouldn't have met my best friend Clyde McBride." Lincoln said.

"That's what I love to hear." Bill said. "Ace Savvy starting friendships. But what actually got you into Ace Savvy?"

"My dad." Lincoln answered. "When I was five I already had six sisters and two on the way. I honestly didn't know what boys liked. Well I had an idea but it was still a mystery. Then my dad brought home this Ace Savvy comic and he read it to me. I instantly got hooked. Hell I even learned to read with it. Before I would look at the pictures but one day my dad decided that it was time to learn to read. So he went through each speech bubble and he helped me word for word. Next thing I knew, I was reading almost perfectly while still asking about certain words."

"That's great that you got into Ace Savvy at a young age and learned how to read that way." Bill said.

"And it's helped survive my sisters." Lincoln added. "Gave me something to help me relax and get rid of my stress."

"Well I'm glad I was able to help." Bill said. "Hey, how would you guys like to see my latest comic?"

"Sure." Lincoln said.

"I wanna see." said Lana.

Bill goes into his bag and pulls out a comic and the Louds gasp at what they see.

"Is that the L-Crew teaming up with the Full House Gang?" Lori Asked.

"It sure is! The greatest crossover event since Marvel and DC made their crossovers." said Bill.

"That was a thing?" Luan asked and Bill nodded.

"I would buy that for a dollar!" Lana said.

"Same here!" Lynn said. "But why the L-Crew though? Aren't there other heroes you could use?"

"Well the Omni Twins were hard to work with because of the aliens they use. Not to mention I couldn't get the rights to any Marvel or DC character." Bill said.

"True." Lincoln said.

"Plus there's something about the L-Crew that reminds me why I love what I do." Bill said. "The L-Crew aren't like other heroes who fight for glory or just because they feel like they have no choice. No, the L-Crew fight crime because they want too. They have powers and they want to use them to help people. They fight with heart, not just strength and speed and other abilities. They fight with heart and that's what probably keeps them going."

"You really think so?" Leni asked.

"I know so." Bill nodded.

"You seem to really know how heroes work." Lisa said.

"Of course I do." Bill said. "I was fascinated by the superheroes in my day and I decided to make Ace Savvy. But getting a publisher was the hardest part, Marvel and DC said no. It took me awhile but I found the right publisher and well you wouldn't be hanging out with me."

"Wow. Never knew being a comic book writer was so hard." Lola said and Bill nodded.

"You aren't kidding." Bill said. "While I was looking for a publisher, I met a guy named John Ginns. He shared my passion for heroes and we became partners for years." He then frowns. "But like all partnerships, it didn't last and we went our separate ways. It was years before we met up again and worked together. But again we went our separate ways and he went to work in movies and start his own comics. He died years later but I still kept in touch. Everytime I do a comic I think about what he would do and would add that into the comic. Like he was still there with me."

"That's deep dude." said Luna.

"Yeah I have to agree with Luna." Lucy nodded.

"But what about marriage?" Leni asked. "Didn't you ever get married?"

"Oh I did." Bill said. "I met a lovely lady in the 40s. Jill Luper. She was quite the model back then and was already married. But we went on a date and we just clicked. Heck we got married two weeks later after she nullified her marriage. We were married for many years and had a few children together. But sadly, she passed away. She was my inspiration and i look forward to when we meet again."

"That's romantic." Lucy said.

"Your offspring weren't interested in your career?" Lisa asked.

"No, they went on to do their own things." Bill sighed.

"Well I bet they're your biggest fans." Luan said.

"They sure are." said Bill.

"But why did you make Ace Savvy though?" Lana asked. "I get that you like superhero but Ace doesn't seem to have any powers? Why make someone with no powers?"

"Well Ace is more of an ideal." Bill answers. "Sure i can make a hero with super powers, but I didn't want to do that. I wanted to make a hero with no powers but still wants to go out and fight evil. I want people to realize that you don't need powers to do what's right. I want people to look at Ace and say to themselves 'I guess one person can make a difference.' 'Nuff said. That's why I made Ace Savvy with no powers."

"I get it. It's a great idea Bill." Lincoln said.

"Thank you." Bill said. "Now it's my turn to ask you all a question." He motions for them to lean in. "How long have you been the L-Crew?"

"You knew?" Lincoln gasped.

"Well you guys dressed as the L-Crew, I mean that wasn't very smart." Bill said. "But answer my question."

"A few months." Lori said.

"We got our powers by accident and at first we were scared because we didn't know what happened." Lincoln said. "At first we wanted them gone but then we realized that these powers were apart of us and we decided to be heroes."

"And how did it go?" Bill asked.

"Lynn got her butt kicked by a sasquatch." Lola said.

"Lincoln lost his powers for twenty-four hours." Lisa said.

"Lori pushed herself too hard and passed out while chasing after a speed villain." Lincoln said.

"We gotta beaten up by Lori's boyfriend who got turned into a Hulk like monster." Lynn said.

"Lincoln got under two villains' control." Lana said.

"One of my clones tried to take my life away." Leni said.

"Luna got smacked around by a rubber monster." Lori said.

"Luan's friend released a evil demon into the world." Luna said.

"Lucy was almost sacrificed by a vampire." Luan said.

"And Lana went t-rex and went on a rampage." Lisa finished. "And that is just a handful of things that we've experienced."

"But you kids managed to pull through." Bill said.

"After much struggle." Lori said. "There were times where we doubted ourselves but in the end we realized that we can do this and that if we just stick together, we can do anything."

"Every superhero has to go through struggles in their lives. Like when Ace Savvy and One Eyed Jack has trouble with Card Shark. They were no match for him, but they pulled through in the end." Bill explained.

"Yeah. So did we." Luna said. "I mean we got our butts kicked by Nuke, Carolborg and Adamborg, Berserker, Replicate and Jax. But we came back and found a way to win the fight in the end. We either defeated or helped them rethink everything. Hell Berserker helped us beat Rampage."

"Not to mention that Carolborg saved me when the building collapsed." Lori pointed out. "I know you guys don't trust her, but she's had a change of heart. How many villains can say that?"

"Only a few that I can think of." said Lincoln.

"But that's why I love what you did with Wild Card Willy." Bill said. "You turned one my villains into a hero by revealing that he only became evil because he had a lonely childhood. Not all villains are truly evil. Sometimes they feel that they have no other options. While that doesn't go for all villains, it does go for a few."

"I guess you're right." Lisa said. "Lincoln was right about you. I can see now why you're considered a legend."

"Why thank you." Bill said.

"Do you think we can all get a picture?" Lori asked.

"Sure thing." Bill said.

The Louds huddle up together with Bill Buck while Lori extended her arm to take the picture. After the picture was done Lori showed everyone the picture. "Turned out good." Lori said.

"Yeah." Bill agreed. "Now I have to go somewhere so I'll sadly have to cut our time short. But before I go, I want to tell you something Lincoln." He bends down and looks at him. "Never stop being you. Never stop embracing your passions or believing in something everyone says is stupid because one day you'll be able to show the world what you can do." He reaches towards his neck and pulls off his necklace and places it on Lincoln's neck. Lincoln looks at it and sees it's the Ace Savvy symbol. "My gift to you."

"Your necklace?" Lincoln asked. "You're giving it to me? I don't know what to say but thank you."

"Your welcome Lincoln." Bill said. "Take good care of that for me."

"I will Bill." Lincoln said. "I will take good care of it."

"Good to hear." Bill said. "Take care L-Crew." He then stands up and walks towards the exit.

One week after the convention, the girls walked down the stairs talking excitedly when they see their parents in the living room with grim looks on their faces.

"Girls can you come here for a second?" Lynn Sr. requests.

"What is it Pop?" Luna asked. The girls said as they walk to the living room with their parents.

"We have some sad news." Rita said.

"What is it?" Lola asked. She then gasps. "Is it Pop Pop!?" Lynn Sr. quickly shakes his head.

"No. Your grandfather is fine." He assures them. "You remember Lincoln's hero Bill Buck right?"

"Yeah. We got to spend time with him at the convention." Lynn answered. "What about him?"

"I'm afraid that he passed away last night." Rita said. "They just announced it on the news."

"Wait, what?!" Luan asked.

"I don't belive this!" Lynn gasped.

"Guys, what about Linky?" Leni asked. "Isn't Bill Buck, like, his hero?"

"That's why we're talking to you girls first." Lynn Sr. said. "We haven't told him yet and we want you to help us get him through this."

"We'll help him get through this." Lori said. "It'll be hard like when Luan was getting over Robin Williams' death."

"That was a long summer for me." Luan sighed.

"I know you girls will do whatever it takes to get him through this." Rita said. They then hear whistling and look up to see Lincoln coming down the stairs with Charles not to far behind.

"Morning everyone." Lincoln said.

"Lincoln, sit down we need to talk." Rita said.

"What's going on?" Lincoln asked as he sat down on a chair.

"Lincoln, we have bad news." Lynn Sr. said.

"What is it?" Lincoln asked. "Are you sending Lynn to military school because I was just kidding about that?"

"No we're not sending Lynn to Miltiary school." Rita said.

"We got some sad news buddy." said Lynn Sr.

"What is it?" Lincoln asked before gasping. "Is it Pop Pop?"

"No Lincoln." Lynn Sr. said. "It's Bill Buck. He died last night."

Lincoln's world can crumbling down when he heard that his hero is dead. "He's dead?" He asked.

"He died in his sleep." Rita told him. "I'm sorry honey." She then grabs him and pulls him into an embrace as he started to cry into her shoulder.

"It's not fair." Lincoln said as his voice was cracking.

"I know sweetie, but that's how life works." Rita said.

"But I thought he would live forever!" Lincoln cried. "He was around when my principal was a kid! It's not fair!"

"It's all part of life kiddo." Lynn Sr replied.

The girls stood on the sidelines watching their parents comfort their brother. They hated seeing their brother like this. While they weren't comic book fans, they enjoyed the day they spent with Bill Buck. Luan thought back to when Robin Williams passed away and despite wanting to be alone, her brother and sisters refused to leave her alone. Plus she helped Lincoln win the contest to meet Bill Buck. So with a sigh she stepped away from her sisters and joined her mother and father in comforting her brother.

"It's going to be okay Linc." Luan said.

One by one the rest of the sisters joined in the group hug, giving their brother several different shoulders to cry on. And they stood their unmoving grieving over a man who will forever be a legend.

To me, writing is fun. It doesn't matter what you're writing, as long as you can tell a story. – Stan Lee

Zachlor16: Hey guys. I hopes you enjoyed this little Stan Lee tribute. Now i know all of you are probably wondering why we had Bill die. Well this was a really tough decision to make. Smoke and talked about it for a while and we debated this for a few hours til we decided to kill off Bill. Now please note that we hate killing off canon characters from the show and we promise that we aren't gonna kill off any other canon characters. But for now, i hoped you enjoyed the chapter and the next chapter will be the big fight chapter where we also introduce a new character. So for now, see you guys next time and rest in peace Stan Lee.