Reform takes time. After the Firelight gang merged into the Lotus Flower Gang, Leo did not, as Ekko might have expected, dismantle the Firelights, breaking them up and integrating them into the Lotus Flower Gang. Instead, he allowed the Firelights to develop freely within their community. Ultimately, more than the Firelight gang's existing combat power, Leo truly needed Ekko himself. Therefore, to allow Ekko to focus on researching new energy sources without worry, Leo did not break up the Firelight gang.
However, the reforms in the new territory weren't as smooth as those in the Hope Community, because this area originally belonged to Finn and was a region where gang industries flourished. The Lotus Flower Gang quickly took over all of Finn's businesses and immediately began to profoundly change them. But many people were still unwilling to submit to the Lotus Flower Gang's control. When something involves money, conflict is inevitable. The Lotus Flower Gang's actions affected the income of many local residents, so of course they would be dissatisfied and resist. This was not surprising; after all, even in the current Hope Community, petty theft still occurred frequently. In the years Silco governed Zaun, too many Zaunites had grown accustomed to gaining without effort. Asking them to find a legitimate job and live a normal life was, of course, something they were unwilling to do.
In response, Vi has been very busy lately, extremely busy. Her squad, along with the second team of Undercity Enforcers assembled by Scar, has been tirelessly cracking down on the community recently. There simply isn't time for endless verbal persuasion. If they don't listen once or twice, then the next time they meet, they get punched first, and then the questions are asked while they're being hit. As a modern person, Leo might consider violent enforcement improper, but this was Zaun, and in Zaun at this time, weakness would only lead others to push their luck. They wouldn't appreciate Leo's kindness; instead, they'd intensify their efforts to profit from it. Therefore, Vi and Scar's actions were, in fact, Leo's orders.
Leo ordered all existing gangs in the area to be expelled. If they refused to leave, they'd forfeit their lives. The number of Zaunites who died by Leo's hand during this period was truly not small. As for idle thugs, if they were willing to change, they could stay and develop in this place. But if they repeatedly refused to change, they could expect to taste the fists of the Undercity Enforcers.
Fortunately, Zaun had been chaotic for so many years, not everyone was merely drifting with the current or willing to wallow in the mire with the Barons. In Zaun, most people were still willing to live a new life and make changes for it. For the residents of Finn's former district, they initially thought they would accept the new Baron as long as he wasn't worse than Finn, or as exploitative. But in these past few days, they saw that he... seemed to have no intention of exploiting them? And what's more, he was actually supporting them in doing business?
Yes, he truly was supporting their businesses! He hadn't swallowed up those industries that originally belonged to Finn. Instead, he had converted them into markets, providing them for free use, allowing them to sell food, parts, and other goods in these places. What they needed to do was simply hand over a small portion of their profits at the end of each month, to be used as public funds for the community. According to the cute girl with hair like sparks, tied in two strange ponytails, that money belonged to everyone, not to the new Baron. If needed, the new Baron was willing to publicly disclose every account to everyone.
Oh my god... was this really Zaun?! This new Baron... Janna, goddess above, please bless him with a long life and invincible victories!
The Firefly Community
Five days later, the new community, which had gradually gained structure and rules, was ready for its own name. Since the majority of this community consisted of former Firelight gang members, and with Ekko stepping down to become a researcher, the former Firelight members were leaderless. They instinctively put Scar forward as the new leader of the Firelight gang. After consulting Leo, Scar was granted the right to name the community. Leo told him to name the community himself.
Upon this, Scar sat alone in his tent, pondering for over two hours. When he finally emerged from the tent, he had made a decision, one made directly without asking Ekko, because he believed Ekko would think the same. He had followed Ekko for so many years; as his confidant, he knew what kind of person Ekko was. It was precisely because of his yearning for a better life that Scar actively and formally disbanded the Firelight gang that very afternoon. And this time, not a single member of the Firelight gang voiced any dissent.
Previously, when Ekko stepped down and put forward Scar, it was because they feared that without a group, they would become vulnerable individuals again, subject to bullying. But after spending time with the Lotus Flower Gang members and seeing the changes in the new community over these days, they had found their answer. Ekko was right; their new leader was just like them, someone striving to make Zaun better. For this reason, the Firelight gang became history in Zaun. Now, there was only the Lotus Flower Gang.
And the new community was named — Firefly.
The light of a firefly can also contend with the moon.
We know that for the light of a firefly to contend with the sun and moon is a foolish endeavor. We also possess this self-awareness. But we are willing to do it anyway; this was also the purpose of the Firelight gang's existence!
Leo laughed heartily when he learned the name Scar had chosen. Of course, he wasn't mocking the "ignorance" of the former Firelight members, but rather praising their spirit.
Tumult in Piltover
In Piltover, the appearance of a group of people attracted the attention of the Upper City residents. Looking at these shabbily dressed groups appearing in Piltover, the Piltovans' gazes became very unfriendly.
"Damn it, I really want to punch him in the face." Manzo glared back at a tall-hatted Piltovan, gritting his teeth when the man kept staring.
"Alright, Manzo, look at me, and look at Vi. We're already used to it," Willa said nonchalantly. He added, "This is your first time coming to buy materials, isn't it? Don't stare, buy what you need and let's go back. Who the hell wants to stay here with them?"
Manzo nodded.
"Hey, have you guys noticed, Piltover seems a bit off lately? Look at those Piltovans' faces; they're even nastier than the last time we came," a short person in the group said.
Zeri was also in the group; it was her first time coming to the Upper City on official business. The instruments and materials Ekko and Jinx needed for their research took time to make themselves, not to mention that what they produced might not even work. After all, the usability of things assembled from junk parts was truly questionable... In terms of precision, Piltover truly crushed Zaun. This was something Zaunites had to admit. They might possess pioneering spirit and creativity, but in terms of meticulousness and detail, they couldn't compare to the Piltovans.
Vi walked at the front of the group. She had also noticed that Piltover seemed unusual lately. For example... those guys in red clothes? Covered in red from head to toe, wearing helmets, carrying weapons, appearing in Piltover. Even though there were only two or three of them, their attire and their presence were extremely conspicuous. Had something happened? Vi wondered curiously. Then, she walked past a park, and stopped.
"What's wrong?" Willa turned to look at Vi, who had stopped.
Vi, with one hand in her pocket, raised the other, smiling. "Found a cute one~"
"You guys go buy the materials first. I'll be there in a bit."
Vi finished speaking, and without waiting for Willa and Manzo to reply, she flipped over the iron fence and entered the park. Willa and Manzo grumbled a bit but said nothing.
Vi walked to a wall in the park. The wall was adorned with Piltover-style decorations. A tall woman stood with her back to Vi, dressed in an Enforcer uniform, wearing a hat, looking down at something. Vi walked behind her, hands in her pockets, then stood on her tiptoes, leaning in to whisper in her ear.
"Good afternoon~"
"Cupcake."