Fighting Vi hurts me emotionally more than physically. For the most part, I'm glad that we can spend time together, but I wish she wasn't so brutal. From what I remember, she never bothered to challenge Mylo or Claggor. Maybe she had at one point in time, because they never brought it up. It's just us in the basement, all alone. I probably should avoid being alone with Vi in the future. Whatever we are doing right now, it wasn't as intense as our first fight. Vi's jabs are sort of slow and are telegraphed. She didn't give the impression that she wanted to hurt me at all. This might be a ploy to get me comfortable for a devastating punch later. The expectation that she's conditioning me for that one monstrous punch keeps me on edge. Then I saw it, that sly grin when I successfully blocked her hook to my body with my elbow. She's gearing up for something. For what? I can't predict it, that will end me. Instead, I need to just read her, then react. She won't let me breathe. Every attempt I make to get some distance, she'll close the distance immediately and smother me in a swarm of punches. She has a lot of energy, I don't know where she's getting it from. The only way I can slow her down is to attack her body relentlessly until she gives up. Once I slipped her cross to my head, I landed a left hook on her solar plexus. Landing a punch like that full-fledged would have been something to be proud of, however, she was prepared for it. My fist bounced off her abs like a ball bouncing off a brick wall. This achieved nothing but getting her excited. Vi heightened her assaults in pressure and in tactics. The only thing that was saving me was my evasive maneuvers. However, even that wasn't cutting it. With every missed punch to my head, my body suffered a crushing uppercut. When I blocked her punches with my arms, it felt as if I was getting hit with a tree branch. Her body punches froze me, making her assaults to my head a near life-changing experience. That might have been an overreaction, however, it doesn't change the fact that every punch landed exhausted me. She didn't try to take my head off, like last time. My body, however, didn't receive the same mercy. Left with no other option, I chose to lock guards with her and trade punches. Vi being bigger than me was the only way she could have pushed me around the ring. It was only at this point that Vi seemed to slow down. That's my ticket to victory. Ducking her hook to my head, I crash into her chest. I didn't expect to get this close to her, but I seized the moment and landed an uppercut to her chin. In return, she lands a hook to my left side. The pain never came, and I thought I was in the clear. As soon as Vi's eyes snapped on me, my legs gave out. My gloves hit the canvas, I can't feel my left side. Vi rests against the ropes. I suppose that uppercut caused more damage than I thought.
"You're getting better," she complimented as she leaned more of her body weight into the ropes.
"Yeah." I huffed out. There's something rumbling in my guts. I tried to stand, but that only triggered my guts to rumble again. If I'm going to vomit, it would be a good excuse to stop fighting.
Vi waves me towards her. "Come on, come get some hits in."
My guts rumbled again as I walked towards Vi. She keeps her guard up and encourages me to go wild. I managed to get two punches in before I bent over and threw up between my feet. The last thing I remember before falling backwards is Vi's shocked expression.
Soft gusts of wind pulse over my face. I wake up to feel a damp, wet rag folded over my forehead. Looking over to my left is Vi, fanning a piece of cloth over my face. I'm still in the ring. The good news is that I don't smell whatever I threw up, so that's nice.
"Are you feeling any better?" Vi asks with regret looming over her head.
"Sort of hungry." I replied that the feeling in my gut was nowhere to be found.
Vi stopped fanning my face and smiled in relief. "Good. Was starting to think I went too far."
Maybe I should tell her about my fight with Minimo?
"Do you know what I've been doing for the past few days?" I asked as I sat up.
"Taking on more than you can handle." Vi assumed correctly as she placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah. Basically, I..."
"Tried to raise an army? And fought that steroid mutant freak?" Vi raised a brow as she reacts to me shutting down. "Yeah, Vander told me all about it. What were you thinking?"
"Wanting to erase that future, I don't want it to be ours." I answered as I tried to stand on my own, but Vi held me down.
"You should have taken me. I would have come running if I'd known," she admitted.
"Wouldn't doubt it. But none of us should be fighting at all. It's these lazy adults that should be doing all the work." I chastised.
"No argument there. But don't shift the blame. Because of your hero complex, I'm sticking with you as close as I can from now on." She promised, and she grabs my hand. "No more doing things on your own."
She stood and pulled me up with her.
"I'm glad you said that, because I need your help." I began.
Vi prepares herself for whatever I have planned.
"Okay, what do you have in mind?" she asks.
"I'm going to see Sky today. She's supposed to be my mentor from now on." I disclosed as I nearly stumbled on my first step.
"You aren't going anywhere by tripping over your feet," she pointed out as she secured her grip on my shoulder.
Laying my hands on the ropes, I steady my balance.
"You'll have to carry me then." I suggest as I dropped down, slipped out of her grip, and rolled out of the ring and landed on my feet. "Didn't cut my head this time, how about that?"
She slipped down next to me. "You got any more tricks?"
I tilt my head in deep thought. "I'll let you know once I do whatever I need to do at that time."
She nearly rolled her eyes out of her head and pushed me towards the stairs. "Don't have the energy to beat you all day."
"It would be a waste of energy anyway." I explained as we ascended the stairs. "Our audience would miss half the show."
I opened the door to a busy bar. We battle our way past the crowd. And we witnessed something that neither of us will ever forget. Silco was bartending alongside Vander. Am I dreaming? Is this Fate's sick sense of humor on full display? Silco serving drinks, alongside Vander with a sly grin on his face, brought me to full alert. The guy is a monster, but everyone around us is treating this as him turning a new leaf. My heartbeat steadily rose to nearly thundering out of my chest. He was supposed to be out of the way. He's supposed to be in the council, away from Zaun, the city he has terrorized for decades.
"Hey, snap out of it." Vi demanded as she all but lifted me off my feet to get me moving.
When we got outside, we walked a ways before Vi stepped in front of me.
"Breathe, Owen, calm down," she coached as she gripped my arms.
My heart is still beating wildly with that familiar hatred. No, I can't let it back in, but it feels justified.
"He's not supposed to be here." I finally said as I clenched my jaws.
Vi didn't know what to say. Her eyes bore into mine with silent understanding.
"He hurt everyone too much, and they forgave him. He drugged people and forced them to work, and they still forgave him." I pointed out, feeling the weight of injustice crashing against me.
"I know, maybe that's what they need." Vi acknowledged.
My scowl weakened.
"Not everyone can hold onto hate like you. Maybe it will be good for you to let it go," she advised.
I know this. I know better, but it's just not fair. People are supposed to hate him and look at me like that. Like I belong. I don't want to admit it, because I know she's right. Instead, I just lowered my head in defeat. Vi is gracious enough to pull me in.
"Leave it alone," she advised as she rubbed my back. I wrap my arms around her. It's funny, her back is a solid slab of hard rubber. Don't think she'll ever put her full power behind her punches. Her hugs, however, are just as gentle.
"Hey." She slaps my back. "Let's go see Sky before it gets dark. I still want to finish building my rocket with you."
Through my hate-filled scowl, a small smile works its way across my face.
Vi bends over. "Oh, what's that?"
I covered my face in embarrassment. "Fine. Let's get going."
As I turned to walk, Vi, as usual, slung her arm over my neck.
"Come on, let me see that grumpy face," she goaded.
Knowing that she wouldn't stop, I gave in and lowered my hands.
"That's not a grumpy face," she mockingly cooed.
My face burns. "Stop treating me like a kid."
"You are a kid," she retorted as she pinched my cheek. "Hardly anything to grab, still gotta fatten you up."
She's doing her best to cheer me up, I have to snap out of it.
"You just have to get me what you're eating." I suggest as we approach the bridge.
"Naw, you need more beef in your diet. Don't worry, I've got something thick and greasy in mind for you." She promised.
A sense of impending doom looms over me at that admission.
"Can't wait." I remarked. "By the way, I don't remember which building we left from the first time."
"You mean?" She tries to remember.
We stood next to the fountain, looking over the splendor of Piltover and all of its self-inflated glory.
"Oh, I remember." She pointed at the building in front of us. "It's in one of the rooms in there."
I didn't keep in mind that these buildings are big enough to house rooms that are bigger than most houses in Zaun.
"That makes sense." I said as a faint, familiar sensation floods my mind. An image of a kind face comes to me, but I can't identify it. As we walked towards the building, we had to weave around the traffic of people who were too busy to notice us.
"Excuse us." Vi's handling of this matter is too polite. A purse ran into Vi's arm. "Move it!"
I stopped in place and clenched my fists as the woman who bumped into Vi disappeared into the crowd.
She pulls at my arm. "Come on, it's not worth it."
Relenting to the better idea, I allowed her to pull me towards the building. The closer we got, the clearer the vision was in my mind. The lobby buzzes with activity. Groups of nobles and merchants discuss deals and commerce amongst themselves. They kind of remind me of the professors. Whatever they're discussing, I couldn't care less. They make being a merchant look like bootlicking for noble snobs. Kiss the boots of the fattest coin purse.
"You are a bit rowdy today." She ruffles my hair.
"All thanks to you and your charm." I said as I poked her side, only to regret it. I nearly broke my finger. How could she be this dense? "Now, I think I know where to go from here."
"Really?" She grabs my finger and rubs it, knowing that it's hurting. "I thought you were knocked out back then?"
I pulled my hand away. "Half conscious, actually, thanks to the pain."
Vi follows me as I lead the way. The vision is getting clearer with every step I take down the buzzing hall. Then there she is, the face is none other than Sky. Whatever this is, it's leading me right to her. As we turned a corner, I saw the backs of two familiar people. One is a tall woman in a white coat and hair tied up in a bun. The other is a skinny man, leaning on a cane. They were almost shoulder to shoulder as they walked down the hall. From here, they appear to be smiling.
"Hey, I think that's her." Vi! exclaimed as she rushed ahead.
"Always got to lead everywhere we go." I muttered under my breath as I followed her. It didn't take long for the both of them to notice us. The closer we approached, the more I could see their knowing looks of acknowledgement.
"Owen!" Sky knelt down and gave me a hug. "I owe you so much for this."
I wave my hand dismissively. "Oh please, don't make me blush." I gave Sky the impression that Vi has no clue what she means by that.
Sky looks over at Vi and almost forgets she was there. "Oh, Vi, am I right? Nice to see you again."
She released me and extended a hand towards Vi. She looks at me, and I return a glare that clearly translates to, Don't be an ass and shake her damn hand. I'm thankful that she can understand my expressions clearly. She extends her hand and shakes Sky's like a civilized human being.
"Thank you for taking care of my brother, I didn't expect anyone to care about us." She thanked her in full sincerity.
Viktor and I locked eyes as I wandered over to him. He appears healthier than the last time I saw him. His cheeks aren't as gaunt as before. He also isn't as thin as he was in his previous life, but he's still pretty thin for his height.
"You're the Viktor I dreamt of?" I asked, looking into his golden eyes. He could easily come off as menacing if he wanted to. Those eyes are intense, as if he's never intending to go a second without thinking of something complex.
"I am, and I need to be, in order to make things right this time," he replies as we step aside to lean against the wall.
"I would have started out by fixing your leg." I commented by looking over his weaker right leg. "I'm sure you can put a cast around it or something."
He smiles faintly. "I was told that my imperfections are what make being human beautiful."
I raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure that would sound profound when I get older. But now, I just can't ignore all the options that Piltover has. Even people in Zaun have mechanical casts that can help you walk upright."
He frowns in deep thought. "You are a child, how are you so...aware?"
I shrug. "People talked a lot when I was little. So I mostly listened, or else they hit me."
Viktor huffed in dejection. "I've never been treated in such a manner when growing up."
Vi and Sky are locked in a deep discussion. Vi has explained all she knows on how to set up her propelling station. Sky entertained Vi's enthusiasm while stealing glances at Viktor.
"I deserved it, for the most part." I admitted. If they think I'm a troublemaker now, I was worse back then.
Viktor shook his head. "No child should be treated like that, ever. That's on my to-do list, actually. In my past life, I wasted my time focusing on a project for humanity, and I destroyed it many times over because of it."
I turn to him in apprehension.
"Now, I'll focus on improving the lives of those in need again. I want to help people like you," he concluded.
Now there's a thought.
"There is a clinic in Zaun that could use more funding and doctors." I pointed out.
He nods. "I'll see to it."
"And thank you for saving me from whatever that was." I brought up.
His faint smile vanished and was replaced with a serious scowl.
"So, you are aware of it then? Fully aware?" He asked as he leaned closer to me.
"Viktor." I took a deep breath. "I am that Owen. I'm the commander."
He knelt on his good leg. "You can fight it."
"When I fought it, that world became my future, all of our future. Every move I made, I brought that future closer to what Fate planned. I can't stop it." I explained as my chest began to fill with regret.
He lowered his head and nods as he used his cane to stand to his feet.
"Then leave it to me. I know what to do." He turns to Sky and Vi. "You should focus on enjoying your childhood with your loved ones. Don't make the same mistake I have. Keep them close, never let them go."
Couldn't help but feel his past regret and shame, even though I don't know much about the guy. For a moment, his face looked older and weary of the world and its troubles. Just when I wanted to question him on his feelings, his face returned to his more stoic expression.
"Owen?" Sky calls out to me with a gentle voice that makes my heart flutter. What is up with me today?
"I have nothing prepared for you today, sorry," she began as she rubbed at the back of her hand. "But come back tomorrow, and we'll get started on everything you need to know about medicine."
I smirked. "Medicine, huh? I have things that might surprise you."
Her brows rose. "Oh? Like what?"
I crossed my arms. "That's for tomorrow."
Sky appeared shocked for a moment. "Oh! You are going to be the end of me!"
Sky dropped her façade, then turned to Vi. "It was a pleasure meeting you. And can you do me a favor?"
"Huh? Yeah, sure." Vi accepted with a brave face.
"Can you make sure that Owen learns that it's not polite to tease his mentor?" she cruelly requests.
Vi snickered and pulled me into her armpit. "He's a slow learner, but I'll be thorough."
"Viktor." I called out in agony. "Help, please, I'm being bullied."
Viktor shook his head. "Vaun kids are born tough, you can handle it."
Sky walked beside Viktor and took his arm. "See you tomorrow.
Sky left with a mischievous glint in her eyes as she strode away with Viktor. At least my new mentor knows how to have some fun every once in a while.
"See? She's nice." I highlighted as Vi loosened her death grip.
"Yeah, I guess not all Pilties are bad. But hey, we still have to build my rocket," she exclaimed with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"By we, you mean..."
"Me," she patted her chest. "I just want you to watch."
"Right." I cross my arms as we start walking down the hall. It was only when she got nervous of the silence between us that she came clean.
"Okay, you can coach me as I work," she finally admitted.
"And I'll make sure nothing explodes in our faces." I added as we descended down the stairs.
"Exactly what I meant," she retorted.
When Caitlyn stole me away to her manor, no one bothered to tell me that they decided to leave the rocket in the junkyard. I had already told Vi how stupid of a decision it was to do that, but she wouldn't hear it. So here I am, shaking my head as she works away at piecing the pieces together. She wanted to do ALL of the work herself. The majority of the advice that I could give, she immediately shot it down in favor of doing it her own way. When I decided to dive into my own head, as I tend to do, I returned to see that she took my advice and made the adjustments. There is a sneaky thought buzzing in my head: she's trying to prove herself to me. Or at least that she is as intelligent as the rest of us. Everyone but her and Ekko has personally built something for themselves. I don't have to worry about Ekko much, he can make anything he wants. I hope she isn't feeling left behind at all. She is so much more than a big sister to me, she's my hero. In many ways, I want to be strong like her. I've never seen a girl do the things that she has done. Usually, girls need to carry weapons to be intimidating, but not Vi.
"That's it." Vi announced as she slapped the shell of the crudely constructed rocket. Standing in front of it, I tilt my head. It's built on a metal platform to support the takeoff, if it can get off the ground. It has three wings and a simple pointed head. In all honesty, it's a pretty dull design. The hole is even more impressive. I hope she isn't considering that someone sits in that thing. Turning to my left, I caught Vi staring at me with a face I've never seen her wear before. Shame, maybe? It was gone as soon as I noticed.
"Well, what do you think?" she asks with a forced, cocky grin.
I scratch the side of my mouth. "Time to test it, if you think it's ready."
Silence lingered as I scanned her face for any signs of anxiety. Instead, she's holding a confident posture and a calm face of focused thought.
"Yeah. I think it's ready. Let's wait for the others first," she suggested.
I sat up from the ground. "That's going to take a while."
Vi sits next to me. "Good, I need a break."
As I lie down, so does she.
"You know, if we had met earlier, when I was around 7, we would have ruled Zaun." I stated as we peered into the smog of Zaun's sky.
Vi erupted in laughter, rolling into me on occasion. But her laughter soon died down as she saw that I wasn't all that amused.
"Wow, you're serious," she noticed.
"I've seen you and your crew a few times when I was growing up." I began as I turned my head towards her. "You always punched above your weight, for whatever reason."
She shrugged, still holding that arrogant grin. "I had to. Plus, my brothers were there to back me up."
"Well, now I'm here. You don't have to do that anymore." I promised.
She pressed her lips together and took my hand. "You've done so much, but I don't want you to play hero like that. At least until—"
"I'm 18?" I tried to imitate Vander's voice.
That got a chuckle out of her. "Even then, I'm still going to worry about you."
"Thanks for warning me," I replied.
She squeezed my hand. "Hey! Learn to accept my love."
"Your love hurts." I said as I tried to pull my hand from her grip.
She let go on her own. "Powder told me that love hurts you."
"Not anymore, thanks to you all for never giving up on me." I confessed.
Vi let out a breath. "No wonder why Powder fell for you."
That sealed my lips. I just lay there in silence. Thankfully, Vi didn't press any further. We just lay there, feeling the warm winds blow over us. It wasn't as majestic as I wanted it to be, as with the blowing wind comes the sand. They stung my skin as they ran over us, but I didn't have the energy nor the interest in complaining. Soon after, I fell asleep.
Murmurings woke me up, but Powder opened my eyes, literally. At least she was gentle about it.
I grabbed her wrists. "Young lady, why must you disturb my slumber?"
Powder stood over me and smiled. "Come on, Vi's going to turn the dial, everyone's here."
She then walks backwards and pulls me up.
"If you don't start eating more." She began brushing and wiping the dirt off me. "I'm going to start pushing you around. And you won't like that."
"Yeah, yeah." I shook my jumpsuit of dirt and pebbles. "I'm working on it."
"I'll teach you something if you can gain weight," she proposed as she laced her fingers with mine.
"Really? I guess you won't tell me what it is until I do it." I investigated.
"Yep," she answered as she guided me towards the party.
My lovely friends are gathered around the rocket. It was a sight that visually pleased me beyond my ability to describe without crying. Despite how ugly and simple the rocket is, they made it beautiful. The rocket remained ugly, there's no fixing that. Their efforts to improve it are what made it beautiful. Ekko is paired with Vi, as they secured the foundation. Mylo and Claggor worked together to make sure that the welded plates held together.
"I helped with the gas. We're using that instead of the other stuff," she informs me as she rests her head on my shoulder.
"The stuff that will catch fire and kill us all?" I asked as I caressed her hand with my thumb.
"Yeah," she swoons, applying more weight on my shoulder. She's getting awfully playful. Come to think of it, we haven't spent much time together. Would need to do something about that.
"Hey, Powder." I turned to blow on her head.
"Hmm?" She tilts her head back, gracing me with her grey-blue eyes.
"Want to race across the buildings after this?" I proposed.
That's when she broke down in manic laughter. Mylo glances over at us and smiles.
"You...you want to...jump rooftops?" Powder asks between her laughter. I don't see what's so funny about it. Running the buildings is a great way to build character.
"Don't tell me you've never done that before." I said as I rubbed her back. Eventually, she recovered from her episode.
"No, I have, but that was out of nowhere," she pointed out as she wiped her eyes.
"That's the point. It's either that or I'll think of something else dangerous to do." I explained.
Usually, she would be sort of cautious upon hearing stuff like that. But all she did was smile widely, and is that a blush?
"If this is your idea of being a kid, I like it." She took my hand again and pulled me towards the rocket. "Are you guys ready?"
Vi stood to her feet and crossed her arms. "What do you all think?"
Claggor stood up. "Unless you want to waste daylight, I don't see any reason to keep messing with it."
"It all looks good to me." Ekko spoke up.
"I just want to see it blow up." Mylo confessed as he walked away from the rocket. Vi glared at him as he stood next to her.
"What?" He shrugged. "You aren't going to get it right the first time, no one does."
Vi's glare melted into understanding. "Nice save. Alright, everyone." Her hand lands on the dial. "Get behind something solid."
We all retreated far enough to get a good view of the rocket. Deciding not to take any chances, we all took cover behind the same lump of crushed metal. Vi turned the dial to 30 seconds and sprinted away. As she took cover beside Ekko, we held our breaths, counting down the seconds. Vi held Ekko's ears, and I held Powder's hand, secretly hoping that no one repeats my mistake. Claggor adjusted his goggles. Hmm, they look brand new. It must be either a gift from his mentor. Or, most likely, he built them himself. Mylo awaits patiently, expecting something great. I glance down at Powder, and she held an expression that none of us wore. While all of us express the stress and excitement of the anticipated event of...something great, be it good or bad, Powder is different. She held a visage of peace and assurance, as if she knew the results already. The dial dinged, and instantly, the rocket shot up towards the sky with blinding speed. It left behind a streak of steam and heat. I bet that I'm the only one that saw it disappear through the smog. Back on Runeterra, there is a rolling cloud of fire that nearly toasted us. We had to press our backs in the corners of the walls. Finally, the fire died down.
"WHOA! DO YOU FEEL THAT!" Vi yells over the cloud of exhaust that sweeps over us.
"I FEEL IT! WOOO!" Mylo yelps as he hesitates to peek over the wall.
"We have to get out of here! It isn't safe!" Ekko yells as loud as he can.
"You heard the man, let's go." Claggor announced as he herded us all away from the area.
My eyes couldn't leave the sky. Powder had to be my eyes, stopping me from running into anyone or tripping over my feet. When we reached the dirt road. Vi let out a shout of victory.
"OH, THAT WAS...WOW!" Vi! she exclaimed as she ran her hands through her hair. "Is this what you feel like when you finish a project? Cause this is amazing!"
"Someone else can answer that." I encouraged. "I think we all know why."
"Yeeeep." Ekko replied.
"Yep." Mylo repeated as he lifted his hand, and Vi slapped it.
In that moment, I saw the rocket returning back to Runeterra. Before I could let them all know about it, the rocket landed back in the junkyard with a loud CRASH. It was loud enough for us to feel the impact all the way out here.
"I think it's time for us to go." Powder is strongly suggested.
"I think you're right." Vi strongly agreed, but with a victorious grin on her face.
We all ran back to the Last Drop, not appearing suspicious at all. Running while holding Powder's sweaty hand is something that will stay with me. Hopefully, I can dream about it. I'm going to run that moment in my head repeatedly until I hate thinking about it, and then I'm going to think about it even more. Seeing her face process the bliss of achieving the goals of her loved ones are memories we need to survive that soul-crushing future.