"How did you get yourself in this mess?" Caitlyn looks over me with a concerned face. She is such a worrywart. Her meticulous fingers run over my bruises, being careful not to make my injuries worse.
"And you're making it even better by touching them." I jived as I was forced, or better put, insisted, to sit on the hood of an abandoned vehicle.
She looks over her shoulder, in Vi's direction. Returning her eyes to me, she pulls a rag from her fanny pack.
"I've dreamt it all, you know," she disclosed as she rubbed the cloth together. In doing so, it brought forth some degree of liquid that makes the cloth damp. Bringing the cloth over my bruises, her touch is gentle and carefully applied.
"What the hell? Who else is peeping into my dreams?" I complained.
Caitlyn huffed, shook her head disapprovingly, and continued cleaning my bruises.
"Worst-case scenario, everyone knows," she explains.
That cold sensation grows in my stomach.
"Best case, it's just you and me," she said with a hint of what I hope wasn't more than the tone of a good friend.
"Actually, a few more people have had that dream." I confessed.
Caitlyn froze, with her hand on the side of my face and her mouth hanging open. "What?"
"Powder knows, you've met Powder, right?" I asked as I began listing off the names of people who know.
Caitlyn nods her head.
"I'll introduce you to her again. The real her, not the monster." I promised as I told her of all who know, including the rest of my family. Caitlyn's face grows paler as I explain.
"Why? Why would you do that?" She asks as her hand lowers to her waist.
"So that they would know, because knowing can help me prevent that dream from becoming a reality." I elaborated.
Gathering her nerves, she crosses her arms. "Okay, nothing too terrible has happened yet."
"And a few of the apprentices already kind of know everything about that dream, being more than just a dream." I further elaborated as I pats the open space beside me.
Caitlyn closes her mouth, exhales through her nose, and sits next to me. For a while, we watch Vi, Claggor, and Powder scavenge for parts. Mylo eventually reunites with us and gives Claggor a slap on the back.
"The apprentices that you know of, the former 22, have been jailed and stripped of their positions," she informs me with a hint that makes me want to shit myself.
"They all escaped, didn't they?" I guessed, hoping that they escaped through death instead of the alternative.
"In a manner of speaking," she turns to me and starts wiping at the bruises on my arm. "All but one stayed behind, for whatever reason."
Errat, I hope she always had an interest in my understanding of the universe.
"You don't have to ask, we'll go when you are ready," she offers in advance.
I released a breath of air. "You always have things planned out."
"Well, we are going to be partners in that future, aren't we?" She said that with a more than genuinely friendly tone.
I lowered my head. "That future can't happen."
Ekko jumps in delight as he finds a piece of equipment that would make Vi's rocket the best rocket that she can make. He carries it towards her and starts explaining what he wants to contribute. Vi looks down at him with a smile on her face.
Caitlyn frowned. "This is going to sound a bit harsh, but."
I look at her, hopefully not passively telling her to tread carefully.
"You can't change her," she says with more bravery than I'm comfortable with. "She'll turn into that monster, no matter what you do."
Powder now joins the conversation with some sort of miniature generator that she put together while scavenging. Ekko took a keen interest in it, while Vi wasn't surprised at all that she managed to do that.
Taking a minute to brace myself, I took in a deep breath before replying. "We promised to stay together, no matter what happens."
She takes a moment to look at my face to see that I won't budge on my decision. More than likely, she knows how much I care for Powder. She knows that it's more out of gratitude than affection. The gratitude of seeing a person, not a monster
"That wasn't the only oath you've sworn." Caitlyn said as she slipped off the hood. "Come on, let's get ourselves dirty."
Good, I've had enough of talking about this. Unfortunately, I can't convince my brain to break down that conversation and Caitlyn's disposition during that discussion. Clearly, she has more to say, but judging the situation, she didn't want to distract me from planning. If that dream is a trusted peek into the future, then Caitlyn and I are closer than associates, at least in that future. She's precise in combat and is manipulative in the council. I'm sure she's using those skills to manipulate me. Dealing with her is going to be a deadly dance of intrigue. My feet guide me over towards Powder, who has wandered off while meddling with something in her hand. When she saw me approaching, her once concentrated face now glows with a promise of better times.
"What do you think?" Powder interrupts my thinking as she hands me the generator that she made. Her familiar playful expression is the same as the first day I met her. Taking it in my hands, I look over the generator with eyes of analytical detachment.
"It's an effective model, but when you get serious, ask me again." I critique as I hand the generator back to her. That familiar playful face melts into disappointment, then quickly shifts into understanding. She took the model back and dumped it into her bag. "Let's talk." She takes my hand, and we wander off to an area far enough away not to alert anyone that we were intentionally leaving.
Powder's cheery body language shifts between listless agitation and aggressive irritability. "What did she say to you?"
Figured in this moment it wouldn't be wise to mislead her. "Plans for the future."
She narrows her gaze through my head in shock.
"Yeah, that future." I disclosed as I tried to distract myself by looking for useful scrap. Due to not knowing what Vi wanted, I gave the impression that I was stalling.
"Look at me," she projects in a confrontational tone. It made me tense up into a defensive stance.
She noticed this and collected herself. "Sorry, sorry." She held her hands up.
"It's fine." I quickly recovers and lean against an abandoned icebox. Now is not the time to get familiar with fighting Powder. Proving Caitlyn right, the future right, is not what I want.
"No, it's not." She drops her bag and begins pacing. "I don't want to be her."
"You won't." Pushing myself off the icebox, I held my arms out. "I won't allow that."
Powder stopped pacing and turns to me. I pulled her into a hug. She allowed it but didn't hug me back.
"What do you mean by that?" she asks in my collarbone.
That's a good question. I'm scared. Even though that future is years off, I can see the choices that are being made. Singe is raising an army under our noses and might betray me when he perfects his formula. The council is working on a plan to control Zaun through sly means. We aren't growing enough, we need to move faster. But then, I need to be in control, and I can't do it alone. I need everyone, and everyone needs to be on my side. What I have to do to secure a safer future for everyone will take so much from me.
"Whenever you're feeling bad or anything, just come find me." I instruct.
She laughed and raked her fingers against my sides. That ignited a fresh wave of pain on my right side, thanks to Minimo's kick. Instead of screaming like a maniac, I laughed along with her.
"What do you mean?" Her irritated expression melts away to one of confusion, but she's still smiling. "Besides the academy, I'm going to go out of my way to be with you, wherever you go."
I smirked and poked her side, at which she recoiled, shielding her side with her elbow. "That didn't sound creepy at all, but I get it."
Powder recovered and scowled. "Damn right you're going to get it."
She charges at me, and we begin roughhousing. We grappled with one another, me picking her up by the legs and the waist and spinning in circles. She squealed in excitement as I spun faster. The threat of running her foot or head into a solid piece of metal made it all the more exciting. However, she knows that I'm overly careful when I want to be and that I would never intentionally hurt her.
"You're going to make me sick!" she screams as we spin. Her braids are smacking her face with the assistance of the wind.
"Good!" I replied as I jumped as high as I could.
Powder wasn't prepared for that sudden shift in pressure. "You monster!"
I growled like one in reply. Soon after, I placed her down on her feet, then I fell on my ass. Powder struggles to regain her equilibrium, and she fails miserably. Seeing her skinny legs trying to support the rest of her is a comedy routine that I won't soon forget. Spreading her arms out, she attempts to walk in a straight line. But she only succeeded in colliding with a pulverized chunk of scrap. If only I could capture the moment.
"Look what you did," she complained as she struggled to walk towards me. "I feel drunk."
"Just wait until Vander serves you your first shot." I said as I attempted to stand, but feeling the world shifting under me, I decided to just relax.
"Who said we have to wait that long?" she insinuated as she slowly made her way over to me.
"Whoa now, that's the last thing I need. Getting the absolute shit kicked out of me." I warned as the thought of enduring Vander's fist made Minimo seem like a baby throwing a tantrum.
"Aww." She lowers herself to a crawl and stumbles in the effort of doing so. "Afraid of getting spanked by Daddy?"
"Hell yeah I am! Have you ever stood in front of an angry Vander? I don't wish that on anyone." I admit as Powder sat next to me.
"I have, actually." Powder admits as we watch Vi and Caitlyn scavenge. Vi flicks a lump of grime at Caitlyn's shirt. She instantly freaks out as the grime rolls down her shirt. We snicker as she pulls at her clothes to guide it out of her apparel. Turning watchfully towards Vi, she chases her across the yard.
"Whenever Vi and I fought, Vander would break it up, and Vi would mostly get all of his anger." Powder scoops some dirt together between her legs, but for what I have no clue. "Back then, I weighed too little, and Vi was," she inhaled and shook her head. "Kind of an ass."
"More than she is now?" I asked as I watched Vi use Claggor as a shield from an angry Caitlyn. The poor guy didn't know what to do. They circle him like a pair of angry alley cats.
"Ooohh yeah, she was so much angrier, she's a lot better now." She turns to me. "Since you came."
I look down towards the dirt in embarrassment. "Come on, making me feel all important and stuff."
She leans over and bumps my shoulder. "You are important."
"Still taking a bit to get used to that." I admit, and Powder grabbed my sides with her bony fingers. My right side ignited in ticklish bliss, while my left side actually felt like it was on fire. I fell on my left side while trying to process through the laughter and the pain. For some reason, I couldn't distinguish between the two. I know what pain is, but this is something else. What did those chemicals do to me? If I weren't on that during the fight, I would have definitely died. I'm pretty sure I would have beaten Minimo in a clean fight, but this? Powder steps over me, almost achieving a full mount.
"You can't hide from me!" she bellows as her fingers investigate to expose my sensitive nerves. Her hair hides her manic eyes that shield the sun from me. Her fingers poke at my left side again, each nail feeling as if she's actually piercing my side, like in that dream. Despite the wonderful sensation on my right side, the effects from the fight are taking their toll on my left lung. I can barely feel it expanding normally. My breaths are getting shorter, it's getting harder to breathe. Powder stops as she sees me struggling.
"Owen?" She lays a hand on my chest.
"I'm fine." I said after a few seconds of slow breathing. "See? I'm fine."
She wasn't convinced. "It was stupid coming here, you need to rest." She hesitates and looks towards everyone else who is playing as children should. "Let's go." She turns to me and grabs my hands. "Can you stand?"
"Yeah, of course, I'm not an old man yet." I replied as I popped to my feet. "See?"
She stares at my face. "I can see you trying to hide the pain. Idiot."
I hold my hands to my chest, as if I've been stabbed, which I might as well have. "Hurting my pride makes it worse."
She shakes her head as she grabs her bag and slips her arms through the straps. "Let's go."
"Powder's kidnapping me again! Later, guys." I yelled at the rest. Thankfully, they didn't protest at all. Vi seems to understand my position and gave me a fist pump.
As we left the junkyard, Powder squeezed my hand. "Kidnapping? Seriously?"
My feet are starting to get sore.
"We were having so much fun, then you just had to carry me away." I mock complained.
She's giving me the look of scorn.
"Which I would have appreciated, my feet are killing me." I continued, then Powder stopped.
"You saw me in that crowd," she disclosed. Her face is downtrodden and gloomy.
"You saw the whole thing, did you?" I asked as I moved to stand in front of her and rub the back of her hand with my thumb.
She nods her head. "Yeah."
"Sorry I-"
"That was pretty cool," she said as her face lit up.
Didn't expect that. "Really?"
"Yeah. When are you going to teach me how to fight like you?" She asks as her eyes grow wide and hungry.
"It's more of a state of being than anything." I admit, which it is. Fighting isn't cool, nor is it fun. It's a scary ritual of violence and possible death, and yet, I feel nothing but guilt after it's all over.
"Can you teach me that then?" Powder asks as she takes a step closer. She's shaking in anticipation, I can feel each breath hitting my face.
"Powder." I lower my head and chuckle. "The thought of fighting hurts me more than any punch to the face or any kick to the ribs."
She lost the excitement in her eyes.
"I hate thinking about fighting, but I love hurting people, and I hate myself for it. I hope that makes sense." Finally letting her know how I feel about that, was a weight off my shoulders. To think that phrase is more than a popular saying.
"Oh." She lowered her gaze. "Okay."
"I'll still train you, alright? We are in this together." I assured her.
That smile emerges again, and she hugs me. "You are not a monster."
For once, I clench my jaw, forcing myself silent. The last thing I need is to dismiss what she said. I am no monster.
A package sits on my bed.
"What's that?" Powder asks as we stand over it. Before I could react, she pulls at the string and unties it.
"You ask what it could be and untie it anyway." I cross my arms as she pulls away the wrappings. "Kinda defeats the purpose of asking."
In the basket are healing ointments, bandages, and a suspicious selection of herbs.
Feeling Powder's need to ask more questions, I decided to stall. "Exactly what I need." I reached inside the basket to retrieve the ointment and a fresh roll of bandages. "Need to change."
She looks at me with an expectant glare. "We are going to talk about this."
"And I'll plot to counter all of your questions, now excuse me." I wave her away, and a smirk curls on the left side of her mouth.
When she finally started climbing the stairs, I dug in the ointment and unbuckled my strap to rub some on my left side. Immediately, the pain subsides, along with the sensation in my fingers. This ointment is some powerful stuff. The door to the basement creaks open and shuts.
"You're just sitting at the top, get out." I exposed her.
Powder groaned in frustration, and the door creaked open again and shuts. I unbuckled my straps and sat down on my bed.
"I'm serious for once, GET OUT." I exposed her again.
She sighed in defeat and left me to my peace. After I finished applying the ointments and bandaging myself, I just sat there in relief. There's nothing else quite like it. Allowing the chemicals to work their wonders is a pleasure in itself. Massaging the sensitivity out of my feet was a real chore. I swear I might have broken, or at least fractured, a few bones. Could that chemical be the only thing that has saved me? Without it, would I have been seriously screwed? One simple answer for two obvious questions: yes. No matter how many times I analyze that fight, I can't think of any other alternative. Whatever the herbalist gave me saved my life. However, it's a shame I had to endure all that pain to feel this good again, but it was worth it. When digging through the bag, I found a note. It has instructions on how to make more of the ointment. That herbalist is something special. She taught me what she could, but my talents are on toxins, not anything that heals. Although a small change in a toxin could turn it into medicine, it's a lesson for another day. These herbs are dry, look like organs, and burned animals. What is this? Beneath the herbs and alchemy tools is a vial of that radiant magenta chemical. This time, it is the familiar shade that turns my blood cold and makes me sweat acid. This can't be what I think it is. Why didn't I connect the dots before? Just because it's a different shade of purple? It's the same color as that monster's eyes. Looking back at the notes, I scan them vigorously to judge whether or not to raid the underground and slaughter them all. There it is, she wants to incorporate that vile trash into a medicine. Okay, I have to think this one through. Maybe she wants to turn this evil thing into something good. After all, it's just a chemical. In theory, it can be turned into anything, given time and research. Gathering my thoughts, I've come to a decision: I have to keep this a secret for now. Just hope that blue ball of curiosity will ignore this bag, for now anyways. What am I thinking? Of course she can't. Regardless, the herbalist has never been wrong in her practice. Setting the gifts aside, I dress myself again and proceed to climb the stairs. As soon as I opened the door, the combined noises of music, bantering, and feet dancing on the floor blared at my senses. Powder is sitting in the booth, sulking with her head down. Being careful, I reached down and poked her nose. She shot up in a fright and laid her eyes on me.
"Want to dance?" I asked as I point at the dance floor.
She frowns. "You're still hurt."
"I'll be even more hurt if I can't dance it off." I promised.
"Nice try, mister." She stands up. "Downstairs."
"Awww." I begin to complain, crossing my arms.
Powder tried her best to hide her amusement. "Don't start with me."
She turned me around, which I allowed her to do, and guided me back downstairs.
"Just one dance?" I asked as I'm between my bed and serious Powder, who needs to lighten up.
"Fine, just one," she finally agreed.
The music is loud enough to be heard somewhat clearly from down here. As I pick up the bass that's cutting through the ceiling, I decide to be the first one to prioritize fun over pain. I've never danced before, and Powder's face told as much. Thankfully, she didn't make a big deal about it. My erratic movements put us in the only open space where neither of us can break our feet. Powder's movements are playful and free-flowing, like a fish in the water. I'm more like a fish learning to walk. We almost became lost in our dance. Powder's flowing movements began to mirror my erratic motions. And my eccentric flow began to take after Powder's playful nature. My dance is losing its hesitation and rigid movements for an innate amusement for honest levity. The music died down, then suddenly stopped altogether.
"Aww, and I was just getting into it." I complained as I ignored the near unbearable soreness of my feet. For I had the genius idea to practically dance barefoot.
"Alright." Powder ran her hand through her hair. "That was your one dance. To bed, mister."
The music was blaring again, this time a slower and wistful melody. I look at her expectantly. She turned her head, hiding her smile.
"Don't even think about asking for another one," she warns as she wipes her forehead of sweat. "Now come on, bed, now."
"You are getting so mean lately." I complain as I'm practically pushed onto my bed.
"You earned it," she replied self-righteously.
"I will rebel against my oppressors." I declare as she pulls the blankets over me. She instructs me to roll from side to side as she secures me in the blanket. I probably shouldn't have allowed her to do that.
"Stop being so dramatic," she demands as she placed her hand over her mouth.
"I take that into consideration." I replied, I'm having trouble moving in this prison. She tucked me in.
"Want to watch me work? I'll bring the stuff over here." She knows how to make this fun.
"That might keep me up. I want to see your face when you're thinking." I request as I watched her smirk and turn to gather what she needed. It's already soothing to hear. Pieces of metal falling into a cardboard box. When she was done gathering what she needs, a box of scraps and a toolbox sat next to my bed.
"Can't believe I have to do all this just to get you to sleep," she grumbles as she begins smashing parts together.
"Are you making extra noise just for me?" I asked.
She stops to glare at me, but I'm too quick to receive her scorn. I closed my eyes before she could make eye contact. Powder sighed heavily as she returned to working. Upon opening my right eye to spy, she flicked my nose.
"Sleep," she demands.
Closing my eyes, I exhaled from my nose. "So mean."
During the next three days, I've been resting and secretly learning how to utilize the herbs to make more of that ointment. Everyone is off doing their apprenticeship, leaving me to my lonesome. The herbalist didn't give me much to experiment with, only enough for what she wants me to make. Clever, she wants to see if I'm intelligent enough to incorporate this radiant chemical into her personal concoction. Even better, i only have one shot at this. What is she playing at? If I go through with making this, I would be securing a potentially powerful alliance. An alliance with a man who sees people as test material to serve his goal of restoring Orianna to full health. If anything, Singe is a dedicated father. Just how far will he go? Whatever his goals are, feeding him my Zaunites can't happen, I just can't. What am I going to do? I have to visit Viktor and Sky. While I'm at it, his friend Jayce can probably help as well.
"That's the plan." I grunt to myself as I strap my boots on and make my way upstairs.
Pressing my ears against the door, damn, it's quiet, just what I need. Taking in a deep breath, I twist the knob and push the door open. As usual, Vander is in the same booth with papers in front of him. Walking out, I wait for him to call me out.
"Hey, Owen." He looks up with his trademark smirk. "Looking better."
"Feeling better. Your food is the real medicine, honest this time." I comment as I stood beside him.
He snickered as he pulled me into a hug with his left arm. "You're getting my special for that jab."
"Can't wait." I said as I looked over the papers. Couldn't get much info before he released me and placed his arms over some of them.
"I got this, remember?" he clarified with a raised brow.
"Old habit." I flashed a nervous smile. "Just let me know if you need any help."
"Sure thing, I'll ask when you're 18," he promised with a cheeky smile on his face.
Dejected, I comically recoil as if I've been slapped. "You know how to hurt me without touching me."
"Get out of here and have fun, but not too much fun," he said as he side-eyed me.
I shrug. "What do you mean? I'm a good boy."
His playful visage disappeared. "You know exactly what I mean. By the way."
He put his papers down and turned to me. "That was a nice fight."
I look at him with a stoic expression, accompanied by a racing heart, looking to be anywhere but here. "You don't say?"
He took his time to reply. "I didn't get the chance to mention this before. Although I'm proud of you for all that you have done, that was foolish."
Speaking now would probably piss him off, so I think I'll just keep my mouth shut.
"I know about Singe and her herbalist," he informs.
Sweating, I am sweating.
"I want you to focus on healing. That chemistry kit? I want you to learn how to make medicine. Maybe put some time into that hospital that you two went to before coming here." He further unfolds our careful planning, guess we weren't careful enough. His ability to use his network is crushing me. So this is what it's like to have eyes and ears everywhere? Funny, being on the opposite end of it again. This is the kind of nostalgia that I never want. I cast my gaze down, not being able to stand being exposed like this.
He lifts my chin up with his finger. "I'm not saying that you can't protect yourself, just don't go looking for trouble. Raising an army is not for children, I can't believe I had to say that." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "If you need anything done, just come to me, and I'll handle it."
I nod my head rigidly, I don't know what else to do.
"I don't mean to frighten you." He pats my shoulder. "Come on, toughen up, you can't let me rattle you. You're going to be taking over one day, you know that."
I released a breath, remembering how to breathe again. "Yeah."
"Go on now." He pats my shoulders again and directs me towards the front door.
As I walk out into the busy streets of Zaun, I'm beyond overwhelmed with what just happened. Not remembering what I wanted to achieve today, I unknowingly started to walk towards the bridge. As I walk, my mind floods with possibilities of Vander's network surveying me right now.
"Owen!" The unison of two familiar voices startled me out of my daze. It's Summer and Lis.
"Where have you been?" Summer asked as she grabbed my arm, with focused concern in her voice.
"Things have been moving without you." Lis informs me as she places her hand on my back.
They can't see me like this. They met me as a capable leader, not an incapable, catatonic baby boy. Straightening up, I try to pretend that I have it all together.
"In the Last Drop, as I said to meet me, what happened to you two?" I asked as we reached the bridge. The two walk closer beside me, keeping watch on the Enforcers.
"A few of your friends kept us away, said they didn't trust us." Summer told me.
"Huh, and what do these friends of mine look like?" I asked as I kept watch on who was keeping watch on us.
"A guy with wild hair, a tall girl, a girl with a bad attitude, and a smaller scarier girl." Lis lists off, sounds like my family alright.
"Don't forget Claggor." Summer said in a tone that made me wonder if she might have a fondness for him. Must have, if she remembered his name.
"The only one that was nice to us, yeah." She remembers him too, huh?
Just when I was about to question them further on it, I spotted Caitlyn walking behind a tall and bulky old woman with stiff posture. All it took was one side glance in my direction. She said something to the women in front of her and bolted right towards me.
"That's the tall girl." Summer whispers in my ear as Caitlyn approaches me.
Not a smile on her face, but a welcoming visage—that's a good start.
She stops an arm's length in front of me and looks at both of my guards. Her hands are laced together in front of her, making her appear gentle and cute.
"Hello," she acknowledged coldly but politely.
"Hey." My guards put in as little effort as possible to be polite in favor of being blunt.
"I think you've met my bodyguards before, right?" I point towards them with my thumbs accordingly. "Summer and Lis."
"Yes, we have." She looks at the two again. "I am Caitlyn."
"You have manners this time around?" Summer asked condescendingly.
"Pilties are always so fake." Lis growled as she pierced her eyes into Caitlyn. However, Caitlyn maintains her Piltover civilized stoic face.
"Now, now, play nice. Caitlyn, am I interrupting anything?" I asked as I looked past her, only to miss that woman she was with.
Caitlyn shook her head. "No, don't worry about her. We need to see your former associate."
I frown. "You mean, Errat?"
She nods. "You needed to speak with her, remember?"
"I don't exactly remember agreeing to see her." I recalled that gave Caitlyn a reason to abandon her civilized act and sport an irritated scowl.
"Owen, we don't have time for your games." She glances at my guards again. "You know this is important."
I smiled. "I know, I know. Just messing with you. So, when do we go?"
She abandons her irritated face for that Piltover charm. "We've got to see my mother first, we need clearance from her."
"Oh, I forgot about that." The thought of facing her again gave me more of a headache than the usual chill down my spine.
"Since you've spoken to her before, I'm sure my presence can make obtaining permission easier," she explains as she waves for us to follow her.
"If you say so, Captain Legs." I replied.
"I'm also planning on hurting you after this is all over," she promised.