Powder is full of surprises. Just when I thought that I had her figured out, she does things that pushes me to come up with new tricks to stay sharp. If anything, she replaced the force of Zaun's former influence hold on me. She now carries the fire that is constantly lit under my ass. She also, somehow, carries me nearly off my feet, as I try to get a hold of my footing, through a busy crowd of people and into the dirt street. It is there where we crashed and rolled onto the dirt road.
"You have been practicing with Vi more often, I can tell." I grumbled as I spit out the dirt that clings to my lips.
"I said, I would keep you grounded." Powder smirked as she struggles to push herself up.
Making it to my feet before Powder, I walk over to her and reach my hand out. She grabbed on and held onto me as she inspected her mobility.
"Gonna limp to class today?" I asked as I wait for any signs of discomfort.
Powder shook her legs one at a time, then released me to stand on her own, rotating her wrists and arms. "Nope, but I just found a new way to roll."
I smiled as I reached up to brush her hair of sand. "You getting strong is kind of inspiring."
When I was done brushing her hair, to the best of my ability, she shook her head vigorously, allowing her hair to release all the sand that I missed, which was quite a lot.
"Don't distract me." she locked eyes with me. "I need you to let us in on whatever you decide to do."
I rub my chin. "You are becoming quite controlling lately."
Powder's brows fell. "Owen."
"I mean." I shrug. "It gives me the feeling of wanting to break away and fly."
"Owen." she said a bit louder and with more of an authoritative tone.
"Okay fine." I rub my hands. "I went too far and I'm only a bit sorry."
She then crossed her arms and sharpened her eyes.
"Half sorry?" I offered.
She clenched her fists and looks around. "I'm gonna-"
"Okay fine." I held my hands up. Powder calmed down, so I thought. "95% sorry, semi final offer."
She opened her fingers and aimed for my ribs. I shield them with my arms.
"Powder! We are in public! People are watching!" I exclaimed as I tried my best to escape from her by weaving around people who are going about their business.
"Then they'll watch!" she screamed as she pursues me.
"100% sorry! With a pretty please on top!" I offered as I hid behind a stray wheelbarrow.
She stopped and glared at me with a grin on her face. "I need a better pretty please."
Thinking for a moment, I found my saving grace. "I've got it."
"What's that?" she asked as she rest her hands on her hips.
"Something that we've agreed on." I walk around the wheelbarrow and stood in front of her.
She looks at me expectedly. I lift my thumb to the side of her chin and applied pressure, thankfully Powder played along. As she turned her head, she kept her eyes on me. Bringing my face closer to hers, she finally remembered as I plant a slow kiss on her cheek.
"You think that will save you?" Powder blushed as she took my hand and lead me to an alleyway.
"Picked a nice spot." I look around as she hugs me. "Plenty of boxes and junk, but no trash? Are people using alleyways for storage now? Risky, but useful."
"Thank you for remembering." Powder said as she pressed her cheek against my shoulder.
"For you? Always, since you demand it so nicely." I said as I embraced Powder and drummed on her back.
"Hold me tighter." she mumbled against me.
"If you say so." I start hugging her harder and lift her off her feet and swung her from side to side.
"Not like that, dummy!" Powder growled as she playfully slaps my back.
Slowing down, I lowered her to the ground. I cupped her face in my hand. A flash of Jinx replaced Powder's face with every blink.
"You all deserve a brighter future." I said with a mind of clarity. I won't fail.
She pressed her lips against mine and a crow from above cawed. "And you'll be right there."
Not much of a believer in omens, nor am I a believer in coincidences. But that crow sent chills down my spine.
"Hey." Powder tabbed my side. I look down towards her. "Don't think about it."
Don't think about it. Telling me not to think about it. It's all I'm going to think about. Wait a minute, that's Fate's hand playing a trick. I smiled, got you. Trying to distract me from my mission, nice try. Quite clever in all honesty. I expect nothing less from the invisible manipulator called Fate. Now that I'm aware of your hand, what other cards will you play?
"Hey!" Powder's voice brought me back. "I said don't worry about it."
"You're right." I replied. Usually, I would have deflect this entire ordeal, but I'm done running from myself.
"Promise me that you'll wait for us? Don't go doing your experiment all on your own." Powder reminded me.
If she hadn't have said that, I absolutely would have done it. However a promise is a promise, I cannot betray my word.
I nod. "I'll wait for you two. And anyone else who wants to witness greatness."
Powder sighed. "You almost sound serious."
"You told me to relax, so I'm relaxed." I replied as fatigue overtook me. I guess I haven't recovered from that cosmic field trip. Telling them about it would cancel my plans for a while I think.
"Good." she tapped my sides with both of her hands and released me. "I have to get going. You head back to bed and rest, I mean it."
"You're getting bossy like Vi, almost." I critiqued.
She lead me out the alley by my hand. "Only because you make me."
We rearranged our hands by lacing fingers. "I didn't make you do anything, you chose to be bossy."
She stuck her tongue out at me. We walked in the ambience that Zaun provides. The people around us are mostly too busy living their lives to give us notice. However, there are those who couldn't keep from smiling when they saw us. There were mostly adults and the elderly. I'm guessing that they enjoy seeing future generations getting along, despite our differences. We made it to the Last Drop.
"Remember, wait for us." she requests as she spun around and bore daggers into me.
I gave a mock salute. "Ma'am, yes Ma'am!"
Powder smirked as she grabbed my head and kissed my forehead. With that she turn away and walked towards the bridge with a skip in her step. Huh, she forgot to make a wish. I watched her until she disappeared in the sea of people. I now have the entire day to myself. When I decided to make my way inside, the bar was more spacious. The waitress is cleaning the booths, tables and floor. Vander isn't as busy and wouldn't you know it, he is here.
"Owen." Vander beckons me forward from behind the counter. "Let's talk about your project."
I approached and took a seat on the stool. He walked around and sat between me and him.
"We heard about what you are preparing to do." Vander began. "You wouldn't mind if we, spectate the event?"
Spectators might draw a crowd. Might draw competitors. If this works, I want to be the first to break into the electricity business. There are however, a few complications. They will see how I manage to bring down lightning. They might not understand it, but Zaun has intelligent people, someone will go snooping, and they will find the answers ,eventually. If I were to allow spectators, I would have to move fast to cement myself as the leader in electricity. The second problem, who would listen to a 10 year old kid? My teeth are still falling out, can't imagine being taken seriously by adults. Regardless of my reputation, they'll struggle to take orders from a kid, and in their shoes, I know I would.
"Wouldn't mind at all." I rub my hand. "I've been thinking about it."
"Oh I'm sure you have." he chuckled.
"When this works, I'm going to need help moving, products." I insinuated.
Vander raised a brow.
"I need a distributor." I admitted as I have no idea on how to run a business. It seems simple in my head, and that's the problem. Zaun is still Zaun, and someone will undoubtably destroy me and my product day one. I lack the means to make a meaningful impact when I succeed. NO matter how much I loath the idea, I need him.
"Hmm." Vander tries his hand at playing coy. "I wonder who has the expertise on business to help you out?"
"Don't keep me waiting." his raspy voice slithers around my head.
Vander got up and walked around the counter.
"You want to build Zaun into an independent city? I once envisioned the same dream." he said, keeping his infected eye from my view. Vander began fixing us both a drink.
"The Zaun I have in mind will run on energy, not chemicals." I stated without my voice being infected with hate or anger.
"It's an attractive idea. I can think of no other way to surpass Piltover, in terms of power." he turned his full body towards me. "I can't do business with an adversary."
Vander placed his drink down further beyond him.
"Understandable, it would make business more of a hassle than beneficial." I determined.
"That's right. It's time we set aside our differences, for the people of Zaun." he declared as he stood to his feet and walked closer to the drink that is in front of the stool next to me. Vander placed my drink in front of that stool. Exhaling through my nose, I slid to the floor and climbed on the stool. Getting a good look at him, I've never would have imagined that I would ever be able to get this close, without a blade in my hand.
"I've hurt a lot of your people." I recounted as my fingers entraps the glass in front of me.
"And I've hunted you for years." he grabs his glass. "Business partners?"
I lift my glass. "Strictly business."
He lift his glass and poured some of his drink in my glass and I did the same to his. Together, we drank our share and laid the glasses down.
"That's what I like to see." Vander cheered. "Everyone benefits from this."
"That's the idea, just hope life cooperates." I stressed.
"Leave the details of marketing and distribution to me. When you are up for it, I'll teach you what I know." he offered.
Great another possibly psychotic mentor to deal with.
"Can't wait." I said. "As for the spectators, I don't want all of Zaun to know what I'm doing, only people who are willing to be useful."
"Sound like a man already." Vander chuckled. "You and Ekko have a lot in common. Now that I think about it, he would benefit from Silco's mentorship."
"Baby steps, we are still kids." I dropped to the floor. "I'm going to rest a while." I turn to Silco. "When my crew gets back, we'll begin setting up the demonstration."
He smiled, strange, it almost seem genuine. "You're crew huh? Well, I'll prepare also, see you then."
I nod and left for the basement. As I descend towards the bottom, I began to calculate and micromanage things I have no business micromanaging. I'm stressed, that's not good. As I stand in front of my bed, I think about what to do with my time. I could review the journals, as not all the writings are burned onto my mind, but I've learned enough from them to render them useless to me. I could look over the condition of the chamber. As I lift the chamber, I can see the slight tuning that Powder and Ekko made. Slight being the frustrating understatement, as the chamber hasn't changed much in design. If anything, they polished the metal and cleaned the glass. Hopefully, whatever oils they used won't dilute the lightning. When I ran my finger over the interior of the chamber. The metal feels smooth and free from oils, same with the glass. Looking around, I found a box of cloth under the workbench. Grabbing it, I wiped away all of the surfaces I touched within the chamber. Upon sealing the chamber, I placed it back beside my bed. With nothing else to do with my time. I decide to rest, my mind needs to be clear from my desire to think my way out of thinking. As soon as I laid down, I forced my eyes shut and calmed my mind from all distractions. Eventually, the silence of the world carried me into a dreamless slumber.
"Owen." I felt something or some one poking my nose. Upon opening my eyes, of course, its Powder.
"Are we ready?" I asked as I sat up.
"Ready." she smirked as she held up the chamber.
"Great, lets do this." I declared as I stood to my feet.
"Everyone else is waiting upstairs." she notified as she follows me towards the stairs.
"Then this is it then." I realized as I opened the door to a bar full of familiar faces. My family is here, along with my new associate.
"We're here." Powder nudged me. "Come on, it's your show."
With a growing unease in my chest, I forced my legs forward.
"Hey magic man!" Mylo stood up and flung his arm around my neck, gracing me with his unique body odor.
"Science, Mylo, magic is for cheaters." I declared as I sacrificed the cleanliness of my finger and poked him in his pit.
Mylo, reflexively recoil and released me from his funky hold.
When I approached Claggor, he pat my back. "Sure you know what you're doing?"
"Leading Zaun to greatness of course." I replied.
He shook his head. "You are way too serious for your age."
"I can accept that. Tell you what, you can do most of the heavy lifting, fair?" I suggested.
"Actually, no, but it's for Zaun so..." he shrugs.
"Gee, remind me not to work you too hard then." I stated.
Passing Claggor, Vi stops me by my shoulders. "I heard about your plan."
"So, someone tattled." I surmised as I scan the room and my eyes land on Ekko. He swung his feet in the booth with a clueless look on his face.
"He's a smart kid, like you. But unlike you, he knows his limits." Vi critiqued.
"That's...healthy to know." I'm getting the feeling that I'm not supposed to do this.
"And you don't." she pressed.
"I could say the same about you, but I like my face the way it is." I jabbed.
Vi recoiled as if she'd been slapped in the face, then shook her head. "You are such a smart ass."
"Why thank you." I hug her. "You'll be there, so I'll be fine."
Vi embraced me. "Yeah. Damn right I'll be there."
When we released each other, I made my way straight to Ekko.
"Young man..." I look down at him with scrutiny in my veins.
He put his hands up. "I can explain."
I crossed my arms. "I hope so."
He stood up and looks me in my eyes. "I looked over your journals while you slept."
"Sneaky, sneaky." I chimed.
He smiled, but then got serious. "I don't like what I see."
"Huh, a certain someone said the same thing." I looked behind me to see Powder speaking with Vi.
"I kind of understand what you are going to do. It's the same thing you did with the glass, just bring it into existence?" he summarized.
I shook my head. "Can't do that with a lightning bolt. I need to request that it hits the chamber, politely."
He raised his brow. "What if the sky say no?"
"Then I'll cheat." I answered with no shame at all.
He exhaled. "Owen..."
"We need this Ekko." I placed my hands on his arms. "I need this, but if you don't think this is safe, I'll call the whole thing off."
His eyes widen in surprise. "What? You will? Why?"
"As far as I'm concerned, you're my brother. And I would hate to not be here for you, if things go wrong." I admitted.
Ekko's mouth parted slightly as his eyes began to water. Then he crashed into me, nearly sending me into the floor as he hugs the protein out of me.
"Whoa." I wheezed. "I love myself to death too, but don't take it that far."
He sniffed, and I felt obligated to hug him back. "Hey, come on, you're lucky to be surrounded by family."
It's strange, for once, it doesn't hurt anymore. The compassion, the gentleness that everyone is giving me, I want everyone to feel this.
"Luck shouldn't work like this." he cried as he pressed his face against my neck.
"I know what you mean. Zaun will be better off, if it had the raw power to earn it." I said as Ekko pulled back and began cleaning his face. "The only luck I believe in, is the will to prepare for anything."
Ekko nods. "Okay...okay."
"Okay what? Are we going through with this?" I asked, internally hoping that's exactly what he meant.
"Yeah...let's do this." Ekko nods in approval.
Accomplishment washes over me. Having his approval alone is a victory as far as I'm concerned.
"I'm so happy, I could kiss you." I admitted while battling to keep my bliss under control.
"Umm." Ekko began to recoil.
"Oh come on, you started it." I released him .
"I didn't start anything." he raised his arms in confusion.
"Alright, mister clueless, lets start the show." I turned away and walked towards the doors, where Vander and Silco are waiting.
Silco's eyes fell onto me and immediately, I felt him unravel me.
"It seems as if you're saying goodbye." Silco observes.
That remark alone made Vander's eyes narrow in suspicion.
"What are you talking about?" he asked him, then turned his eyes to me.
Can't hide the unease I feel in my chest. If I'm gonna make this work, I need these two on my side.
"Can't say thank you to the people who believes in me?" I shrug.
Silco's face held a contemplative visage. Vander's face wasn't all that different.
"I have two brainiacs backing me up." I turned around to see Powder and Ekko behind me. "Right?"
"I'm with you." Ekko simply stated. Just wish he put more effort into faking confidence.
"So am I." Powder joined in with just as much enthusiasm. And I thought she knew better.
"Plus the two of you, honestly I feel overprotected." I prattled with perceived glee, which was a mistake, because they saw right through it.
"You aren't stepping out there until you're ready." Vander stated as he crossed his arms.
"Alright." I exhaled. "I'm scared shitless."
That received a mixed reaction from everyone within the bar.
"How does it feel to tell the truth?" Vander asked as he opened the door before me.
"Like a stab through the chest." I replied as I walked through and into the dirt road. "We'll do it here." i announced.
Powder and Ekko stood beside me.
"Really?" she asked as she held the chamber up to me.
I grabbed it from her and placed the sealed side on the ground. "Yes, it will work."
"i know it will." Ekko said as if he knows the results of this experiment.
"Then we're in the clear." I said as I pulled out my pen.
Looking around me, I see a crowd began to gather. My family started crowd controlling immediately, telling everyone to stay back. I ran the pen over the surface of he opening, the equation that will call down the appropriate amount of lightning on the chamber. Knowing that Ekko and Powder saw me do it, relieved me, for some reason. That worrying feeling in my chest dissipated.
"That's it?" Ekko asked as he looks down at the chamber and then up at the sky.
"That's it." I look up with him. "Now we wait."
The three of us retreated at a safe distance. Keeping my eyes in the sky, slowly the clouds darkened. Powder grabbed my hand. My heart is pounding. The murmurings in the crowd begins to rise in volume.
"It's going to work." I muttered under my breath.
The clouds began to grow darker by the second. Soon, the winds picked up, along with gentle rainfall.
"Owen...what have you done?" Powder asks as her grip grew weak. I tightened my grip as small streaks of lightning began to dance within the thick clouds.
"Stay with me, Powder." I begged as my eyes refuses to leave the clouds that holds the power Zaun desperately needs.
"ENFORCERS ARE COMING!" a man shouted over the building storm.
"Damn!" Vander grumbled as he and Silco barked orders to hold a line of defense between us and the bridge.
"No." I growled as I turn over my shoulder to see a band of Enforcers marching over the bridge.
My family ran to support the defense, while Powder and Ekko stood by my side. The lightning grew in intensity as finally, a strong bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by the deep crackling of thunder. It was loud enough to cause everyone to pause at the power of that sound.
"It has to hit the chamber." I grumbled as I dared to take a step forward. Powder pivot in front of me, while Ekko wrapped his arms around my waist.
"You are NOT getting any closer." she shouted at me with eyes that appears more heart broken than anything.
"I'll take you down if I have to." Ekko bellowed over the shouts of the crowd, the Enforcers, and the lightning bolt that struck the side of a building two blocks away from the chamber.
I relented, but they retained their hold on me. "The lightning is nowhere near the chamber."
"So!?" Powder held my face in her hands. "It's not worth your life!"
Sounds of an all out battle sprang into the air. The three of us turned around to see the Enforcers doing what they do best, spark the fires.
"But it is worth theirs." I grumbled.
Ekko released me and hesitated on what to do. He made up his mind once he saw Benzo within the crowd, trying to separate an Enforcer from beating down a Zaunite with the butt of his rifle.
"Powder, Owen, I'm sorry." Ekko apologized when he didn't have to. We watched him run off to fight by his father's side.
"Please, Owen." Powder begged, as she knows what I'm about to do. "Please don't."
Lightning roared above us and cracked across the darkening sky. It's the only thing that gives the growing tension pause with every second that pass. Zaun grew darker while the clouds began to spread to Piltover, and the surrounding area.
The feeling in my chest is back. The familiar void from the room of the Professors, it's back. "You were right Powder, I'm sorry."
For some reason, the worry on her face melted away to one of peace, what is she planning?
"As long as you know, it's okay." she said, it nearly floored me. Lightning struck the ground 10 feet away from the chamber.
"What are you saying? I messed up, I ruined everything!" I acknowledged my own faults far too late.
"It's okay, even now. I know the feeling, trust me, I know." Powder caressed my cheek.
Holding her hand, I can hardly believe what I'm hearing. It's my fault. The future that I've carefully worked to avoid this entire time, just might have came sooner than expected. Desperate roars of battle echoed from the conflict. The first shot rang through the air. Something fast and small flew over our heads. I caused this. First the three night riot that wiped out the crime from Zaun, now this. Fate is cruel.
"I have to stop this." I finally decided.
Powder nods as a fat tear fell from her left eye. "I understand."
We stood there, not wanting to let go. I'm scared, not for my own safety, but for why I'm doing it, and for the thought of not being able to return to feel her hands on my face. To sit at our spot, surrounded by the dirt, dust, and the fumes of Zaun. To give her the daily promise on her cheek when we went to the park for our first date. I ruined everything. Pulling Powder into a hug, I land my lips onto hers. I can taste her tears, I can hear the screams of the all out fight that has broken out between Zaunites, and the Enforcers. The clouds above roared, signaling the beginning of it's wrath. Pulling Powder away from me was the most gut wrenching experience of my short life. She held onto my suspender, onto the pockets that I didn't bother to fill. I turned her around and to my displeasure, I had to push her away. Powder landed on the ground, but quickly scrambled to her feet and began to march towards me, determined to grapple me to the ground with everything in her body. She has grown quite strong in the short time I've known her, in body and in spirit. At first, I didn't think much of her, just some older sister's baby sister, with funny blue hair. What wasn't so funny is her curiosity and a mind that deconstructs everything she sets out to learn. As sharp as a whip and as volatile as the vaporizing force of a proper explosive. As I backed towards the chamber, I told her just how sorry I am, and how deeply I love her. Undoubtably, by the roars of the storm above us, she didn't hear a word I said, but she watched my mouth. The lightning accumulated within a cloud of near pure darkness. The purple, near white streaks of lightning danced violently within the womb of power. The winds blew inconsistently, and violently. The closer I got, the more powerful the gusts of wind became. It seem to blast only Powder back, as I heard her gasps and grunts of effort to remain on her feet with every ounce of strength in her. Predictably, she couldn't withstand the forces of nature, and she is repelled. Landing back, flat on the ground, it was the only way that she could protect herself from the raging storm. The same can be said for the Zaunites and the Enforcers, as both groups have been reduced to quivering on the floor as the storm threatens to flatten Zaun. Steeling my nerves, I made it to the chamber, knelt before it, and saw the errors of the formula. It is all my fault, it was so obvious. I would need to convert the formula to another formula that will give me the result that I seek. It's not impossible, all I need to do is to liquify the ink that forms the formula, then apply my corrections. Tuning out the storm and the chaos that I caused, I began visualizing the ink liquefying. The ink began to grow moist, then finally, lift from the metal. This however didn't calm the storm at all, it has grown too powerful at this point. Focusing on my revised answers, I placed the formula on the chamber. Confident in my work I stood up and began to retreat from the chamber. Then it happened. So much light all at once, so much power, in one perfectly contained environment. With this power, Zaun has a chance at a real uprising. Zaun can be the city that I promise to my family. This is my thank you for everything that you've done for me. To take in a person like me. A monster who refused to lay down and die and allow the darkness of Zaun to take him. I lack the strength and the compassion to trust in anyone to do that. At this moment, as my body disintegrates, I still can't believe it. Vander, I always wanted to be just like you, a man who stands within the fire to lead all who dares to hope through life's cruel flames. Silco, I've always feared and respected you. What you lacked in strength, you made up for in intelligence, cunning, and ruthlessness. Despite our past, I would have like to have built Zaun with you. Mylo, I can't thank you enough for charging after me, to deliver the love that I needed, be there for Powder, I know you love her too. Claggor, thank you for pulling me out of desperation, I never needed those drugs to stand on my own two feet, I needed you to help me see that. You are going to have to be a bit stronger for me. Ekko, never leave Powder's side, I got the feeling that she's going to get in to a lot of trouble later on down the line. Be there for her regardless where she ends up, she needs the support. Vi, I'm sorry I couldn't follow through on those wrestling lessons you clearly don't need and worse of all, the handshake I couldn't teach you, that hurts me the most. Love you big sis. And Powder, you made me human. Whether you realized it or not, you saved my life. You might hate me for doing this and, I would understand why you would. In case if I didn't say it before enough times, or with words that better describes the feelings I have for you, I love you. As plain and simply as I can describe it, I wholly love you. I love you so much, it hurts, like a knife twisting in my heart, it's that pure, that painful. If Fate would allow it, I would make the same decisions all over again, to love you with everything in my being, yes, even the wrongness that died with me. This is my gift to you. Please take care of Zaun for me. Make it beautiful like that park, you remember, right?