Tonight was the night of the big event, the concert. Lincoln couldn't deny that he was still a bit nervous about this but he knew that he couldn't run anymore and that he also had Riku by his side. As the night of the big concert arrived, the bustling streets of Tokyo were alive with energy. Neon lights flickered, and the excited chatter of fans filled the air as they lined up outside the massive venue. Lincoln adjusted his jacket, his hands slightly clammy. Despite everything he'd faced, fights, Synthoids, and intense training, this confrontation with his past had him feeling more anxious than ever. Beside him, Riku nudged him playfully.

"You okay?" she asked, her bright eyes scanning his face.

She was dressed in a stylish outfit with a purple band tee featuring Sam's group, showing her excitement for the concert. Lincoln let out a small chuckle.

"Yeah, just... a lot of memories here, you know? I haven't seen Luna in years."

Riku took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I get it. But you're not alone, okay? Whatever happens tonight, I'm here."

He smiled at her, grateful for her support.

"Thanks, Riku. I needed that."

As they entered the concert hall, the atmosphere was electric. The stage was set with dazzling lights and the band's logo displayed prominently on a massive screen. Fans were chanting, and the anticipation was palpable. Lincoln could feel his heartbeat quicken as he glanced around, spotting Sam on stage doing final checks with her guitar. She caught his gaze and flashed him a quick thumbs-up before returning to her setup. Riku leaned in.

"She seems nice. You two go way back?"

Lincoln nodded.

"Yeah, we were close friends. She... helped Luna a lot after everything."

At last in a giant puff of purple smoke, Luna appeared on stage holding her old guitar wearing black boots, jacket, dark purple shirt, purple skirt, a purple streak on her hair which has grown a lot compared to her old pixie cut style all those years ago.



(Art made by AustinHarrisonDaily on DeviantArt)

"Hello Tokyo!!"

The crowd cheered for Luna and Lincoln can she that she have yet to see up in the crowd yet.

"Now the first song of the night is a song dedicated... as an apology, to my younger brother... Lincoln, if you're watching or listening... this is for you, and I'm sorry for everything I did!"

With that said the opening act began, and Lincoln found himself lost in thought. He remembered the Luna who once lived for music, the one who would blast her guitar late into the night without a care in the world. But that Luna was long gone, replaced by someone who's changed and reflected their past actions, someone who had to rebuild herself after everything that happened back home. Then, the lights dimmed, and the band took their positions. Lincoln could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she avoided looking directly into the crowd. As the music started, Lincoln watched intently. Luna played flawlessly, but there was something different about her presence, it less wild, more reserved. He wondered if she saw him yet or could feel him watching, if she knew he was here. Riku leaned closer to Lincoln and whispered,

"You ready to talk to her after this?"

Lincoln swallowed hard, his eyes locked on his sister.

"Yeah... I think I am."

As the song played, Luna's voice filled the concert hall with raw emotion. Every lyric carried a weight that resonated deep within Lincoln's heart. He could hear the regret in her voice, the longing, and the pain she had carried all these years. It wasn't just a performance, it was an apology in the purest form she knew how to express. Lincoln's hands clenched into fists as memories flooded his mind, good ones, bad ones, moments he thought he'd buried. He remembered how music used to bring them together, and now, it was the same force trying to mend the distance between them. As the song came to a close, the entire crowd erupted into applause and cheers, but Luna stood there for a moment, scanning the audience with uncertainty in her eyes. Then, as if by some unseen force, her gaze landed directly on Lincoln and their eyes met at long last. For a brief second, it felt like the world around them disappeared. Lincoln could see the remorse in Luna's face, the way her lip quivered slightly, and the sheer surprise of seeing him there in the crowd. She took a shaky breath, gripping the microphone tightly. Lincoln nodded subtly, offering her a small, reassuring smile. Luna's expression softened, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes before she quickly turned back to the crowd.

"Thank you, Tokyo! Let's keep this energy going!" she shouted, masking her emotions with a bright grin.

As the concert continued, Lincoln sat down, exhaling deeply. Riku placed a hand on his arm.

"She saw you." she said softly.

"Yeah... she did. That was... a lot." Lincoln leaned back in his seat, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over him.

Riku smiled.

"But it's a start."

Hours passed, and the concert finally reached its grand finale. The crowd roared with excitement as the band took their final bows. Luna lingered on stage, her eyes once again searching the crowd, and when they landed on Lincoln this time, she gave him the smallest nod before walking offstage. Lincoln stood up, taking a deep breath.

"Well... no turning back now," he muttered.

"C'mon, let's go find her." Riku said with a gentle push.

As they made their way backstage, Lincoln could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn't sure how this would go, what words would be said, or if they could even begin to fix what was broken. But one thing was clear, tonight was the start of something new and he was ready. Backstage was a chaotic blur of activity. Crew members rushed about, packing up equipment, while excited voices echoed through the halls. Lincoln and Riku weaved their way through the commotion, his heart pounding in his chest. Every step closer felt heavier, like he was carrying the weight of his past on his shoulders.

"You got this." Riku whispered, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

Lincoln offered a faint smile in return, appreciating her support more than he could say. Finally, they reached the band's dressing room. The door was slightly ajar, and inside, he could hear Sam's voice.

"Great show, guys! We really nailed it tonight."

"Yeah, the energy was unreal." Sully added.

Lincoln took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The room quieted instantly.

"Come in." Sam called out.

Stepping inside, Lincoln felt all eyes on him. Sam grinned, clearly expecting him, but Luna stood frozen near the mirror, mid-motion as she wiped away some sweat with a towel. Her reflection in the mirror showed wide, uncertain eyes, and she slowly turned to face him.

"Lincoln..." Luna's voice was barely above a whisper, filled with disbelief.

"Hey, Luna... " Lincoln said softly, his voice steady despite the swirl of emotions inside him.

A long silence stretched between them, tension thick in the air. Luna looked away, gripping the towel tightly in her hands.

"I... I didn't think you'd come." she admitted, her voice trembling.

Lincoln shrugged.

"I thought about not coming... but I figured it was time. We can't avoid this forever."

Luna nodded, her expression a mixture of guilt and relief.

"Yeah... you're right."

She glanced at Riku, who stood quietly by Lincoln's side.

"And... you must be Riku, right? Sam told me that Lincoln mentioned about you."

Riku smiled and nodded.

"Nice to finally meet you, Luna. I've heard a lot about you."

Luna gave a small chuckle, though it lacked her usual confidence.

"Hopefully not all bad."

Riku glanced at Lincoln, then smiled.

"Just enough to know you mean a lot to him, big fan by the way."

Sam cleared her throat, sensing the heavy atmosphere.

"Why don't we give you two a minute?"

She motioned for the other band members to follow her out, giving Luna an encouraging nod before leaving Lincoln and Luna alone in the dressing room. Luna sighed heavily, running a hand through her long purple-streaked hair.

"Look, Lincoln... I don't even know where to start. There's so much I need to say—"

"Then just start with the truth, I just... I want to understand... Why didn't you help me back then..." Lincoln interrupted gently.

Luna swallowed hard, leaning against the counter.

"I messed up, big time. I know that. I failed you as a sister... I let the fame, the lifestyle, everything get to my head, and I forgot what really mattered. I thought I was doing what was best for you, for us."

"Best for me? Best for you?... I was suffocating in that squirrel suit while the rest of you were having the time of your lives and career and more worried about luck than about me. Till this day, I still have the scars for those horrible weeks and if it wasn't for my old teacher, I wouldn't be standing here today."

"I know that... but I was so blind... by the time I realized it, it was too late." She looked down, her voice breaking slightly.

Lincoln crossed his arms, his face unreadable.

"Yeah, it was too late... for a long time."

Luna flinched but nodded.

"I deserved that."

Silence filled the room once more before Lincoln sighed.

"But you're here now. And you're trying."

Luna looked up, eyes filled with hope.

"I am, and I want to keep trying... if you'll let me."

Lincoln studied her for a moment, memories flashing through his mind, both good and bad. Then, he offered a small, tentative smile.

"I don't know if things can go back to how they were, Luna... but maybe we can start fresh... You're a new and different person, and so am I. I'm willing to give it a shot."

A tear slid down Luna's cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, nodding.

"I'd like that... a lot."

Lincoln held out his hand.

"One step at a time?"

Luna stared at his hand for a second before taking it, squeezing it tightly.

"One step at a time."

As they stood there, a sense of closure and a new beginning settled between them. Outside, Sam peeked in with a grin.

"So... am I gonna have to cancel my celebratory post-show pizza, or are we all good here?"

Lincoln chuckled, shaking his head.

"I think we're good, Sam."

Luna smiled, the first genuine one Lincoln had seen in years.

"Yeah... we're good."

As they left the dressing room together, Lincoln felt lighter, like maybe, just maybe, the past didn't have to define the future. Backstage, the atmosphere was relaxed and lively as the band, Luna, Lincoln, Riku, and Sam gathered around a table filled with pizza boxes, snacks, and drinks. The tension from earlier had lifted, replaced with laughter and reminiscing. The warm glow of the dressing room lights cast a comforting ambiance, and for the first time in a long while, Lincoln felt like he was surrounded by family again. Sam leaned back in her chair, grinning as she grabbed a slice of pizza.

"So, Riku, how'd you get stuck with this dork?" she teased, nudging Lincoln playfully.

Riku giggled, holding onto Lincoln's arm.

"He's not a dork... well, not all the time. He's actually really amazing."

Luna, sitting across from them, watched with a small smile, happy to see her brother with someone who genuinely cared for him.

"Yeah, Linc always had a way of surprising people." she said softly, a touch of admiration in her voice.

Lincoln chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

"Well, life's been... eventful, to say the least. After... you know, everything, I moved away with my new adopted family andpent a lot of time figuring out who I was outside of being the 'Loud kid' back home." He took a sip of his drink, thinking about how much he could share without giving away his secret life as Kamen Rider Cyrus.

Sam leaned forward, intrigued.

"So, what've you been up to?"

Lincoln glanced at Riku, who gave him an encouraging nod.

"I work at this nice little café here in Tokyo. The owner, Hayate, took me under his wing, and I've been learning a lot. Cooking, handling customers, you know... normal stuff."

Luna raised an eyebrow.

"Never pictured you working in a café. Sounds... peaceful."

Lincoln smirked.

"It is. Most of the time, anyway since I'm already an excellent cook but I've also been doing some other stuff. Training, mostly, keeping myself busy. I met some cool people who've helped me grow a lot."

Sam tilted her head curiously.

"Training? Like, gym stuff?"

Lincoln shrugged.

"Uh yeah, something like that. More... self-defense and discipline. It's helped me stay focused, and honestly, I think it's made me a better person. And that's just what I do with some of my free time when my real talent is art and stuff."

Luna's gaze softened.

"I'm glad you found something to help you through it all, Lincoln."

"Thanks Luna." Lincoln replied, feeling a twinge of emotion in his chest.

He wanted to tell her more, but he knew it wasn't the right time. Riku took over, changing the topic to a lighter note.

"And let me tell you, he's great at handling pressure. You should see him at work during rush hour!"

The band laughed, and even Luna cracked a smile. Shaking his head, Lincoln laughed along.

"Yeah, it gets intense, but it's nothing compared to what I've been through before. I guess... everything that happened made me realize how strong I could be." He paused, looking at Luna.

Luna sighed, looking down at her hands.

"I always thought you were strong, Linc... stronger than me, for sure."

Lincoln reached across the table and placed a hand on hers.

"We're both stronger now. Different, but stronger."

She smiled, nodding.

"Yeah... I think we are."

Sam leaned back with a grin.

"Well, enough of the serious talk. Let's enjoy this night while we can! Because next stop, our world tour!"

Lincoln raised his drink.

"To new beginnings."

Everyone clinked their glasses together, laughter and cheers filling the air.

As they continued enjoying the night, Lincoln felt an unfamiliar sense of peace. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for now, surrounded by friends and old family, he allowed himself to enjoy the moment, knowing that when the time came, he'd be ready for whatever came next.

"So you guys are heading with your world tour already? You barely had enough time here in Tokyo." Riku said, sipping her drink.

Mazzy stretched her arms above her head and sighed.

"Well, truth be told, it's not really a full world tour. We plan to come back to Japan and settle down for a bit after our fourth concert somewhere in Europe before heading back to Royal Woods."

Lincoln raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"You're going back to Royal Woods? For good?"

Luna shifted in her seat, looking a little unsure.

"Not exactly for good... We still live there but at some point in the future we might go on another tour."

Sam grinned, slinging an arm around Luna's shoulder.

"That's right! And if she chickens out, I'll drag her there myself... again"

Luna chuckled.

"Yeah, I figured."

Riku chimed in.

"Royal Woods, huh? I'd love to see where you grew up, Lincoln. You've told me stories, but it'd be cool to actually visit."

Lincoln gave a sheepish chuckle.

"Well, I live in Great Lakes city before coming here to Japan but ok, just be ready for a lot of memories. Some good, some... not so good."

The conversation drifted to lighter topics, with Sam telling wild tour stories and the band laughing about embarrassing moments on stage. It felt good, normal, like they were all just a bunch of friends catching up without the weight of the past dragging them down. As the night wore on, the atmosphere remained light and full of warmth. For Lincoln, it was a reminder of how far they had all come. And as he sat there, watching Luna laugh along with everyone, he realized that maybe, just maybe, there was still hope for the future.

"Hey, Linc, when you get back to Royal Woods at some point... think you and I could, you know, just hang out? Like old times?" Luna said suddenly, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Well I'm still a student here and kinda busy nowadays but yeah, Luna. I'd like that."

The past couldn't be changed, but tonight, it felt like they were finally moving forward and acting like siblings again and for the first time in a long time, Lincoln was okay with that. As the laughter and conversation continued backstage, the door to the dressing room swung open abruptly. A tall, impeccably dressed woman in a sleek black blazer and pencil skirt stepped inside, her sharp eyes scanning the room. The atmosphere shifted instantly, the band members sitting up straighter as if a teacher had just entered the classroom.



(Art was created by an ai art generator and I just put this in just because)

"Ah, there you all are, hope I'm not interrupting your little... celebration." she said with a tight-lipped smile.

Luna sighed, setting down her drink and forcing a polite smile.

"Hey, Valerie. What's up?"

Valerie Carmichael, the band's manager. She was always polished, professional, and just a little too eager when it came to handling the business side of things. Lincoln, who had been observing quietly, noticed the way her eyes lingered on Luna just a second too long, with something beneath the surface, something that didn't sit right with him.

"I wanted to discuss the next phase of our tour plans, now that we've wrapped up Tokyo, I think we should focus on maximizing our exposure in Europe before we head back stateside. It's all about momentum, and I don't want us to lose it." Valerie continued, walking deeper into the room with the confidence of someone who owned the place.

Sam exchanged glances with Luna.

"Uh, we were kinda hoping for a breather before heading back out, you know? Recharge a bit."

Valerie's smile didn't falter, but there was an unmistakable edge to her tone.

"I understand, Sam. But the music industry doesn't wait. The more time we spend resting, the more opportunities we miss. And Luna, you especially should consider pushing harder. This comeback of yours is good, but it's fragile. We wouldn't want... distractions, would we?"

Lincoln narrowed his eyes slightly. There it was, that subtle pressure. It was enough to make him uneasy, but he said nothing for now, opting instead to watch. Luna tensed but nodded.

"Yeah... I get it."

"Excellent, I'll have the updated schedule sent to your phones tonight. In the meantime, enjoy your pizza... but don't forget, the clock's ticking." Valerie said smoothly.

With that, she turned and strutted out of the room, leaving behind an awkward silence. Riku leaned closer to Lincoln and whispered.

"Yikes. What's her deal?"

Lincoln shrugged, keeping his expression neutral.

"She's just doing her job... maybe a little too well."

But deep down, something about Valerie didn't sit right with him. The way she singled out Luna, the undertone in her voice, it all felt calculated. He decided to keep a closer eye on her. If there was something shady going on, he would find out. Luna let out a breath and forced a laugh.

"Well... that was fun."

Sam rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, Valerie sure knows how to kill a vibe. Don't worry, Lunes. We got your back."

Lincoln smiled reassuringly at his sister, but his mind was already working. He needed to know more about Valerie and her true intentions, because if she was planning something against Luna... he wouldn't let it happen. After the emotional reunion and a night of reminiscing, Lincoln found himself feeling lighter, but something about Valerie, the band's manager, still didn't sit right with him. There was something about her carefully curated charm and the way she always seemed one step ahead that made his instincts tingle. The next morning, Lincoln convinced the band to stay in Tokyo for a few extra days, using the excuse of sightseeing and downtime before heading back on tour. Luna and Sam were all for it, eager to soak in more of the city's vibrant culture, while the rest of the band happily agreed. Valerie, however, didn't seem thrilled about the decision.

"You sure this is a good idea? We've got tight schedules, and delaying could cost us some serious press opportunities." she had asked, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

Lincoln shrugged nonchalantly.

"A couple of days won't hurt. Besides, fans love it when bands take time to explore and engage with local culture. Makes them more relatable, right?"

Valerie pursed her lips, clearly weighing her options, before forcing a smile.

"Of course, Lincoln. If that's what Luna and the band want, we'll make it work."

That was the first red flag. Later that afternoon, Lincoln slipped away under the pretense of checking out a local ramen shop and dialed up Tanaka.

"Lincoln? What's going on?" Tanaka's voice came through the phone, warm and familiar.

"I need your help." Lincoln said in a hushed tone, glancing around the crowded streets.

"Are the Synthoids attacking again?!"

"No no, I mean I need your help as a cop."

"Oh ok, talk to me."

"It's about someone, Valerie Duvall. She's managing my sister's band, but I've got a bad feeling about her. Can you dig up anything?"

Tanaka chuckled.

"You're always getting yourself into something, huh? Alright fine, I'll see what I can find but in the meantime, try to eavesdrop on some her conversions."

"Yeah, sure. Thanks, Tanaka. I owe you big time." Lincoln sighed in relief.

Over the next couple of days, Lincoln kept an eye on Valerie, watching how she interacted with the band. He noticed how she always tried to isolate Luna, subtly nudging her into making decisions separate from the others, whispering about solo deals and "personal branding." Lincoln saw the way she flinched when he was around, as if she knew he was onto something. Finally, his patience paid off. Late one evening, his phone buzzed with a message from Tanaka.

"We need to talk. Meet me at the station."

Lincoln wasted no time and made his way to the police station where Tanaka worked. He found his friend waiting in the lobby, flipping through a thick folder.

"You weren't wrong, Valerie Duvall, real name Valerie Dupont. She's been involved in several financial scandals, manipulating artists into signing contracts with insane clauses. She's been sued a few times but always manages to settle out of court, which means no jail time but plenty of damage done. There's also been some allegations of bribery, witness tempering, and other charges but was never proven or even gotten a chance to reach a courtroom." Tanaka said, holding up the folder.

Lincoln's jaw tightened.

"So now she's after Luna... and the band."

"Yeah, and it looks like she's setting things up to push Luna out. Rumor has it she's been shopping around Luna's career behind the band's back, lining up deals that would leave your sister with little to nothing."

Lincoln exhaled sharply, his fists clenching.

"I knew it. Thanks, Tanaka. I need to show this to Luna and Sam before it's too late."

Tanaka nodded, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Be careful, Lincoln. She's got a lot of connections, and people like her don't go down easy."

Lincoln took the folder and headed straight back to the hotel where the band was staying. He found Luna and Sam in their room, discussing upcoming setlists, while Valerie was nowhere to be seen.

"Linc, what's up?" Luna asked, noticing his serious expression.

"You guys need to see this," Lincoln said, setting the folder down in front of them.

Sam picked it up first, flipping through the pages with wide eyes.

"Whoa... this is bad, Valerie's been lying to us." Sam muttered, glancing at Luna.

Luna took the folder next, her hands trembling slightly as she read through the damning evidence.

"She... she was planning to get rid of me?" her voice cracked.

Lincoln placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah. She's been manipulating you, Luna. But we're not gonna let her get away with it."

Sam stood up, determination in her eyes.

"We need to confront her. Get her out of our lives for good."

Lincoln nodded.

"Let's do it. But we have to be smart about it."

As they plotted their next move, Lincoln felt a sense of satisfaction knowing he was finally able to protect his sister in a way he couldn't before. This time, he wouldn't let anyone take advantage of his family again. Later that evening, the band called a meeting with Valerie under the pretense of discussing their tour plans. She walked in with her usual confident stride, unaware of what awaited her.

"Alright, guys, I've got some exciting new prospects lined up—" Valerie said, flipping through her tablet.

Sam cut her off, slamming the folder onto the table.

"Cut the crap, Valerie. We know everything."

Valerie froze, her eyes darting to Lincoln, who stood with his arms crossed.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered.

"Really? Because we've got documents that say otherwise. Contracts you were drafting behind their backs, money you were planning to siphon from Luna's career."

Valerie's facade cracked, and for the first time, she looked genuinely panicked.

"Now, hold on—"

Luna stood up, her voice firm.

"No more lies. You're done, Valerie. You're fired."

The manager opened her mouth to protest, but Sam was already escorting her to the door with security and the police waiting outside. Valerie shot Lincoln a glare.

"You think you've won, kid?"

Lincoln smirked.

"No, I know I have."

As the door slammed shut behind her and the cops arrested her, Luna let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"Linc... thank you."

Lincoln smiled.

"Anytime, Luna. At the end of the day, you're still my sister despite what you've done in the past and that's what family's for."

-To Be Continued-