The Ghost of Me

by Skippershark

Summary:

3 months after the events of ARCANE season 2 Finale. A mysterious masked figure stands before the entrance to "The Last Drop". The stranger brushes past a strand of reddish-pink hair into the hood of the cloak. Her heartbeat has the sound of her sisters machine gun. She steels her nerves and walks in. The world where supposedly her death saved them all

OR: Main Universe Vi visits the Perfect universe and has to grapple with the universes twisted joke of her Ghost

Notes:

Hey, so my first fan fic and this exist solely because while everyone was happy for Powder and Ekko while watching S2E7. i was heartbroken at the death of Vi. New Chapters will be published every 2 days

Chapter 1: The perfect world at the cost of my life

Summary:

3 months after the events of ARCANE season 2 Finale. A mysterious masked figure stands before the entrance to "The Last Drop". The stranger brushes past a strand of reddish-pink hair into the hood of the cloak. Her heartbeat has the sound of her sisters machine gun. She steels her nerves and walks in. The world where supposedly her death saved them all
OR: Main Universe Vi visits the Perfect universe and has to grapple with the universes twisted joke of her Ghost

Notes:

Hey, so my first fan fic and this exist solely because while everyone was happy for Powder and Ekko while watching S2E7. i was heartbroken at the death of Vi. New Chapters will be published every 2 days

Runeterra Earth no. 516 A.K.A The perfect Timeline

 

A mysterious masked figure stands before the entrance to "The Last Drop". Daylight streams down from the Topside. The air is clear with no hints of chemicals, drugs or blood. Birds are chirping in a beautiful cacophony, she grew up in these streets but how they appear now fills her with a strange sense of alienation.

The stranger brushes past a strand of reddish-pink hair into the hood of the cloak. Her heartbeat has the sound of her sister's Gatling gun, something she did not need to think about in this universe. She steels her nerves and walks in. The world where supposedly her death saved them all

 

**DING-DONG**

 

The clang of the door chime catches her heart with a tug, it has been 8 long and hard years since she heard it. She looks at the interior of The Last Drop, barely changed, despite being an alternate world. She looks at the bar and sees a sight that melts her heart.

Vander mixing drinks and taking orders, flinging glasses and dishes. She is broken away from her daydream as a small lanky man pushes her away with a polite "Excuse me". The voice reverberates through her, Ekko did ask her to be prepared to see this face, but despite that it took all her willpower to not pummel the face of Silco into the floor of The Last Drop.

She clutched her mini diary in her cloak pocket. She mentally recited Ekko's rules:

1. DON'T CAUSE ANY TROUBLE. 

2. YOU DO NOT EXIST HERE. YOU ARE A GHOST

3. NOBODY SHOULD KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!

Ekko had made several circles and arrow marks towards the third rule. Vi was dead in this world. Everyone is happy, even Silco, she came here to meet them for one last time, that was their deal for Ekko letting her use his new and improved Time Machine. Nothing more nothing less, she was a passive observer.

Vi took out the diary, aside from Ekko's Rules and instruction on how to use the Time Machine it also included a bunch of notes relating to their cover stories for MATILDA. She was a 30 year old lady who fled Zaun during the Civil War between Zaun and Piltover.

She has returned home and is confused at the changes, anything she doesn't know goes inside that gap of time. No matter who asks what, she doesn't know or doesn't want to talk about it. She put the diary back and walked towards Vander at the bar, Silco had already gone serving drinks and talking politics with the patrons.

 

'A drink please, anything, anything at all' Vi said adding a degree of harshness to her voice to mask her real voice. She took a seat on the bar, ensuring her cloak and mask covered her identity.

Vander picked up a glass and twirled it around. He shot a glance at her and spoke 'So, Finally made up your mind? I thought you saw a Ghost or something based on how you were frozen for a hot minute'.

Vander's booming voice caught her gut like one of his punches, the last words she heard from that voice was "TAKE CARE OF POWDER", Vi desperately tried to bury those memories deep.

She was caught off guard but she was prepared for this, she parted her lips to speak, " Yeah, I... its just... the place has changed... last time i was here, the Lanes used to be different, Zaun was different' 

Vander cocked an eyebrow. "Really, but to me you don't seem that old enough, did you flee when the Civil War started?", Vi paused a bit, she didn't want her words to seem mechanical.

She took a breath and replied "Y..yes, I... i was sixteen then, fled to Shurima... wandered around a bit. Demacia, Noxus, here, there... and finally back home. Didn't expect to see... this".

Vander placed his right arm on the counter, "seems like you had a rough decade and a half Miss….?" Vi's eyes were locked on the tattoo that covered his backhand, between his Thumb and Index finger, VI. Vander waved his hand before her eyes, "Miss? You okay??"

"AH yes!! why what did you ask?" Vi replied with a jolt. "Your name??" came Vander's reply. "Uhh... Vi-olyn"

FUCK!! who was Violyn?? well goodbye MATILDA, whoever you are. Get it together, Vi, don't let a Tattoo get the better of you!! Improvise!!!.

"Violin??" Vander replied holding the same cocked eyebrow whenever she used to lie to him as a child. "Y.. Yes. Violyn, that's me"

Vander shrugged and continued "Well I'm not one to judge questionable names, one of my kids is named Powder. Can you believe it? Powder" Vander gazed at her as if trying to judge her micro facial expressions, this was a bait, he suspected her and she knew it.

Violet made sure her mask was tied tightly. "Ha.. yup.. That is a funny name alright",

"Indeed" the retort came from Silco, who returned and leaned on the counter. "She does have a funny name, doesn't she? so what brings you back home?"

Vi knew Silco was here to find out if the mysterious cloaked and masked figure who seemed suspicious was trouble or not. but ironically, Vi could lie with a lot more certainty to Silco than she could with Vander.

"Didn't you hear? I was wandering around, didn't plan to come back, it was an accident"

 "Well we would appreciate it if you removed that mask of yours" Silco bit back

"I have a scar, I'm pretty conscious of it" that was a practiced reply

"Well scar or not you will need to remove it to drink this martini i made you" Vander spoke as if delivering a checkmate

Vi grabbed the drink, Silco was to her left and Vander stood infront, Vi turned right to drink the frothing liquid, careful to avoid showing her face or the identical VI tattoo she has on her cheek to Vander.

But turning right was the wrong decision, as a small and lithe blue haired lady entered her view and leaned on the bar counter. Vi nervously put the Glass back on the counter and turned to face Vander but kept her head down, Silco broke the silence "Wow, speak of the devil, we were just having a chat about your funny name with our mystery woman here"

Powder propped herself up onto the counter "Oh really and who is this mystery woman?" Vi lifts her head up to meet her face, gone are the long blue braids, instead she sees the familiar soft blue tufts of hair she used to wash for her, the face is not angular or jagged like she remembered, but soft and round, most of all her eyes, not a hint of purple glow behind them, just the baby blue she remembered seeing from her sister's infancy to that fateful night. 

"Oh really?" Powder's soft voice rung out, "And who is this mystery woman?" Vi replied with her practiced name 'MATILDA' only for Vander to respond with 'Violyn'.

The result was a deafening silence around the four of them as two words clashed, VIOLYN MATILDA. FUCK Vi!! get your act together!!!. "Yes, Matilda, Violyn Matilda, I... i used to be from here, a long time ago"

Powder replied after a couple seconds, "Nice to meet you Ms Matilda, I love the color of your hair... see i have a streak of the same color". Vi froze up. Hair color? She noticed a couple bangs of her side sweep was visible, she pushed them back in and replied

"Oh thanks, they're not natural, I colored them". It was Vander who interjected "Yeah, I believe that, not many people i know have that shade of hair naturally. Her elder sister had 'em but that's about where it ends"

At the mention of Vi, all three of them including Silco radiated a tinge of sorrow, respect and pride. Vi involuntarily clenched her fists. "I'm sorry for her" 

Vander was the first one to react, "Sorry? why? how do you know what happened? You said you hadn't been here in a while". Vi could feel the gazes of Powder and Silco pierce her.

"I... I heard about it, i asked around why things changed, they told me how the Daughter of Vander and Silco united Zaun and Piltover. I knew you two, I still remember how you two fought for Zaun till the very end, so i came here to offer my condolences... I should be going, thanks for everything".

As she got up to leave Vander's hands stopped her, "Hold up, you are unfamiliar with the place, i insist that you stay a few days, see the change my Vi made. Powder has a show in a few days in the Piltover Academy, you should see it. It's a big deal for us fissure folk. Powder, be a dear and take Ms Violyn to the INN. Tell Benzo her stay is on my tab".

Vi desperately tried to not show the turmoil inside her, did she overdo her lie? Does Vander see through her? Her thoughts were brushed aside as Powder grabbed her hand and guided her out.

"Come on mystery girl, you have so much to see", as the two women were about to leave Vander's voice rang, "Oh, Powder dear, come here a bit please, excuse her Ms Matilda"

Vi's heart hitched, what was happening? she heard bits and pieces of their secret convo, "careful... caution... dates don't add up.. Pilt river... drowning" she wished to closer but she didn't want to risk anything.

Powder, Silco and Vander were leaning close, Vander spoke in a calm whisper, only for the 3 of them to hear, "Be careful around Ms Matilda okay dear", "Why what was wrong?"

Powder enquired in an equally low whisper, Silco answered "She said she was 16 when the Civil War happened, which means she was 6 when your sister was conceived, the dates don't add up"

Powder asked in confusion "Why??" Vander took his turn to answer "That means when she was 8 she should have remembered me drowning Silco in the Pilt river"

Silco continued "Which means her memory of the two us fighting for Zaun till the very end was either faulty.... or a lie"

Powder took the information in, Vander grasped her small fist "She must have lost someone in the war, she does appear distressed... so proceed with caution"

Powder nodded in agreement and walked back towards the stranger. Silco watched them exit the bar and turned to Vander. 

 

"She was lying about her name, both names" Silco claimed. "Guessed as much" Vander confirmed. "You want me to put Sevika on her case?"

Silco asked, Vander's reply was calm, "No... she was lying about a lot of things, but not about being out of place in the Lanes, I know you hate it when i judge people based on what i see in their eyes but trust me on this one, she isn't here for trouble"

Silco smirked and asked "And what did you see in her eyes?". Vander put down the glass he was cleaning and leaned on the bar counter opposite Silco. "Sorrow & Guilt but also Resolve, and desperation", Silco gave a small chuckle, "Qualities you saw in Vi, aren't they? She remind you of her?"

Vander shook his head at the question, "No... she is someone who has been through a lot, her scars and bandages on her arms and face speak for it. She had a Good Heart, The World tried to break it and succeeded, but she is trying to pick up the pieces" Vander and Silco shared glances, before resuming their tasks

---

Vi treaded beside Powder carefully, she was hopping around showing how things had changed, but Vi could only see how things used be back home. Powder showed her the bustling streets and alleys, Vi saw the empty and silent roads littered with corpses and sickness.

Powder showed her the shops and vendors, Vi saw drug dealers and Shimmer junkies. Powder showed Vi the rebuilt ramparts and rooftops, Vi saw crumbling beams and pillars over which she hunted for Jinx. Powder showed Vi her beloved spots and locations, Vi saw where she fought Jinx and lost both her sister and Caitlyn.

Those faces and memories clouded her mind, zoning out Powder, until she bumped into a wall. "Careful Violyn.... we're here" Powder turned around welcomed her into the compound "Hey Benzo, she's on Vander's tab, give her some space will ya, her name is Violyn Matilda".

Vi averted her eyes from Benzo, she did not want him to find something off about her as well, it broke her heart to do so but she had to.

"Welcome to the Violet INN, we named the place after my sister, it used to be an orphanage built by topside for the children of undercity. But now she accepts every lost soul that needs a good night's rest and delicious food" 

DO YOU THINK THE WORLD IS BETTER OFF WITH VI DEAD?? is what Vi wished to ask Powder but she contained it within a muffled "Thank You". 

 

Few hours after Powder left Vi was sitting on the ledge of the terrace of "VIOLET INN". Her mind grappled with disturbing and confusing thoughts;

 Everyone is happy here, happy and alive... maybe i was the Jinx all along... if all it would cost is my life for the happiness of everyone... then maybe... maybe i should.....

"You're not thinking of jumping are you?" a voice obstructed her train of thought. She looked to the sight, it was herself when she was 15... those same greasy hair and scrawny form. "Coz this place isn't high enough to kill you. At best you'll get a broken arm"

Vi shook her head and rubbed her eyes, "Great, hallucinations... that's how i really know i lost it". Her hallucination stood up in disgust, "Excuse me!!! I'm not a hallucination!!! I am your Ghost!!"

Vi turned around with a disinterested look, she remarked sarcastically, "Oh wow!! a hallucination that thinks its a Ghost... what's next, THE GHOST OF ME?? Gonna scare me??" Vi mimicked the spooky hand gesture of ghosts. 

Her 15 year old self stood up, "Matter of fact..." she began to unbutton her jacket clasps and pulled up her undershirt, "....I am".

Vi's eyes widened and jaw dropped in a silent scream, where she, at 15, had a malnourished body with sickly skin and non existent breasts, this "HALLUCINATION" had a gaping Hole across her chest with burnt bones and sinew held together by charred skin and burnt muscles.

The silent scream became an audible one as the 15 year old Vi apporached her trembling form, her pale lips opened as Vi noticed how see through her form was, teen Vi corrected her dress and stood over her, she spoke "WELCOME TO MY WOLRD VIOLET"

 

Notes:

So. how did you like it so far?? Leave what you think down below:
Trivia:
Earth 516 is a reference to Vi's Prisoner no. as well as Earth 616 from Marvel Comics

Chapter 2: Silco

Summary:

Vi has to confront the Ghost of her past, Literally as the two of them try to work through the feeling of emptiness inside her. Chapters from now on are named after the characters from the perfect timeline that our Vi interacts with

Notes:

Some violence and references to brutal deaths so keep your guard up if you are squeamish. do tell me in the comments if there are specific warning tags for it (i am new here)

Other than that i am planning on the story to be 6 chapters long for now. Each Chapter will show how the Life and Death of Vi affected everyone in the perfect timeline, so that our Vi can learn to value her own life which was Jinx's last gift to her

Runeterra Earth No. 191212 A.K.A The main universe

 

"No!No!No! a thousand times NO!!" Ekko exclaimed running around the table in the Firelight Enclave. He slipped up, trying to console Vi over the loss of Jinx he let the idea of a perfect universe slip his tongue.

Oh how he wished he still had his Z drive to go back. "Little Man, Please, I just want to meet her. I promise i won't do anything else"

Vi was trying to get to him as he continued to use the table to keep the redhead at bay, it reminded him of their younger days, a happier time... but no time to dwell on the past.

He dodged with inhuman fitness as Vi threw herself over the table to grab him. He tried to reason with her again. "Vi, listen to me, you are dead in that universe!! why do you want to visit a world where everyone is happy because you are dead??"

Vi's reply was almost immediate, "I'm not going there to meet me, I'm going there to meet my sister". Ekko got on his glider and flew off, turning around after a safe distance to speak.

"Vi, I know how you two are okay, i had to stop Jinx from trying to kill herself for far less, I'm sure if you go there you would also do some stupid shit. So NO!!! i am never making you a Time Machine!!!"

 

**3 months later**

 

"Okay so here is the Time Machine, this is the important part, listen to me, hey focus". Ekko grabbed Vi's attention as she was looking at his new time machine.

"You see these dials here? These have to be set exactly the same, if even a millimeter changes things would go to shit"

Vi nods in fervent enthusiasm. "Now this is as much a Time Machine as it is a Space Machine. This will keep your mass at the same point in Time and Space while moving you across the Fifth dimension, HEY!! FOCUS!! So take this watch. It monitors your Weight. It should show green when you are about to use the M-Drive. Because it's technically a Mass Driver. Your clothes and the weight of the M-Drive are accounted for, so if it shows RED you need lose weight, if it shows YELLOW you need to gain weight. This moves a set amount of mass through time .................................................................................................................................................................... so you have to be careful. Understood??"

 

Vi blinked at the question? "Uhhh...Yeah.. yeah totally". Ekko palms his face, "You zoned out didn't you"...........

 

Runeterra Earth no. 516 A.K.A The perfect Timeline

 

Hmmmm.... Ekko.... Red means I'm Fat, Yellow means I'm Skinny.... what does Blue mean?... wait why am i seeing Blue? 

Vi's dream was suddenly filled Blue color, and soon that Blue had a face attached to it, "Jinx??" Jinx opened her mouth "Careful... you're on the edge, don't fall ooooo-....."

Suddenly, Vi's world spun around as consciousness returned to her, she was hanging from the edge of a 6 storey building's terrace. Powder was gripping her arm with both hands... her face was turning red from the effort. Vi grabbed the ledge and climbed back up making sure her mask still covered her face.

"Thank you Powder... You saved me", Powder fell on her back, clearly exhausted.

"Ha.. *huff* *huff* lehmme cahtch mhy brehth... whooo... you are heavy Violyn.... who's Jean?" Vi looked at Powder, perplexed, "Huh? What do you mean?"

Powder sat up, "Right now.... *huff* while you were waking up, you called me Jean or something", Vi composed herself, her sleepy tongue must have blurred out "Jinx". Vi replied "No one, she's no one"

 

"So let me get this straight, you fell asleep on the ledge because you have a sleeping disorder?" Powder enquired as Vi's brain was screaming on the inside as she and Powder walked down the staircase to her room.

Are you fucking dense Vi?? Sleeping disorder?? you couldn't come up with a better lie?. "Yeah it's not a problem, the medicine is in my room" Vi tried to add strength to her lies with more lies.

They approached Vi's room and went in, she tried to shoo Powder away but she was adamant about seeing her through with things, all the time Vi was recollecting what happened on the terrace, she had a pretty disturbing hallucination, her 15 year old self with fist sized hole in her chest, one of her breast, heart and a lung seemed to be missing entirely as the gap dominated most of her left chest, the gory details of what remained in that hole was even more horrifying.

Powder's voice broke her from the thought, "So, are your medicines in this bag?" Powder asked holding her shoulder bag like a baby in her arms. Vi went into a panic and snatched the bag from Powder,

"Whoa!! don't touch it please... i.. Its... well...." It was Powder who chimed in, "Okay...Okay... you be relaxed now, I'll Benzo to come and see you... okay... take a rest" Powder slowly stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her. 

 

A huge sigh escaped Vi as she put the bag down and opened it's zipper. The dials on the M-Drive were still intact, Powder had helped build the first Time Machine Echo had, she would have recognized this if she saw it, that was a close one.

"Damn, she almost caught your secret" said 15 year Old Vi, lying on the Bed on her back with her legs kicked up. Vi smirked and nodded, "You're right, that was CloooOOOOOOHH SHIT!!!!" Vi fell back to the ground and scuttered back till she was sticking to the wall with her spine and ass on the ground. "Go away!! You are a hallucination!!"

Ghost Vi rolled her eyes as she got up, "I am a Ghost, lemme show you my death wound agai-" "NOO!!!" Vi stopped herself from lifting her undershirt. "Please!! don't do that again". Ghost Vi dropped her shirt and thought to herself...

"Okay, come on here" she mentioned to the window, "in exactly 30 seconds Powder is going to feed two cats by the entrance to my INN, one will be orange, the other will be black".

Vi apporached the other Vi with caution and looked out of the window, and wouldn't you know it there she was, feeding some cats. "Okay now put your disguise on, Benzo's coming" Ghost Vi warned, Vi got her stuff together and as if on cue Benzo knocked. "May i come in Lady?"

Vi tried to add some depth to her voice and replied "Yes, come in". Benzo opened the door and stood at the doorway, "Oh good, it seems you're doing fine, i was scared for a sec, wouldn't want Vander's guest to feel disrespected now would we? You okay now? do i need send some of the boys up here with the breakfast?"

Benzo was as sweet as she used to remember, but Vi was more concerned by the fact that in front of him stood a transparent version of herself currently sticking her tongue out at him and making monkey faces

"No, don't worry, I'll come down to eat soon", Vi replied shaking away the absurdity of what was happening before her. As Benzo left her Ghost turned to look at her.

 

"So, believe me now? Or do you still think I'm a hallucination?", Vi rubbed her eye's trying to process things, "wait, if you are a Ghost how did you predict the future?"

Ghost floated over to her "I didn't, everyday she comes here for morning classes for the kids, then eats breakfast with them and goes out the main entrance of my INN, and feeds those cats before going to her Lab up Topside". Vi sat back down trying make sense of things.

"So you are my ghost?", Ghost Vi sat down next to her, "NO, I'm MY ghost, the me of this world, the one who is responsible for all of what you see" Vi still sat there dumbfounded, Ghost Vi stepped in, her ghostly lips parting,

"Why? You can accept Time Travel but can't accept Ghosts?", Vi gets up, "Putting it like that still doesn't help with the fact that I'm talking to my own Ghost... and for that matter, why are you here? How are you here? It made sense last night but aren't ghosts afraid of sunlight?"

Ghost Vi's arms crossed before her chest, "I'm a Ghost Vi, not a Vampire". Her face was a smug smirk, Vi wondered if this was the same smirk Vander used to tell her to wipe whenever she used to one up him. 

 

"So what you're saying is that the explosion shot shards of that crystal through you?" Vi asked. Ghost Vi nodded as she sat opposite from Vi eating her breakfast.

"Mhhm... yeah" Ghost Vi replied as she ate an apple. "Where did you get that apple?", Ghost Vi points to the apple "This? Powder left me an offering. She always leaves one part of her meals for me".  Vi looked on in amazement, "So how do you eat and stuff?"

Ghost Vi sits up straight, apple still in hand, "You see as a Ghost i don't to eat or sleep or piss or shit or drink or bath or any of the things living people need to do, my existence is more related to..... emotions?? is the word, i guess. I mean i can feel what people think, like this apple, Powder was feeling Love for me when she set this aside, so the apple you see is not a physical one, that's still with Powder, it's more of a.... feeling behind the apple that's in my hand"

Vi takes a spoonful of Benzo's dish, "So you mean you can taste love? I'm gonna pretend I understand that". Ghost Vi eats the apple says "Hmm I also feel someone who is grumpy in the morning coming from over there" and she points to the entrance of the cafeteria.

A tall and well built brown skinned woman walks through the door, between her lips she has cigar and a black poncho hangs over her shoulder like a Lion's mane. Both Vi's simultaneously think of her name Sevika. 

 

Sevika scans the room locks her eyes on Vi, she moves forward and sits down in the chair which currently was occupied by Ghost Vi. As soon as Sevika sat down on the Ghost she felt her body go numb. Vi asked what happened to her, Ghost Vi replied,

"You see when a Ghost touches you your soul makes contact with our spirit, so for a split second you experience death, that's why it feels cold when around Ghost's or spirits. Sevika shook her head and flexed her muscles and slammed her arm on the table, it was an intimidation attempt.

But Vi couldn't hold back a chuckle as Sevika now had her 15 year old head sticking out of her large body, the image simultaneously disturbing and hilarious. "Something funny?" Sevika growled putting her game face on, but Ghost Vi was already at work poking Sevika's nose with her thin fingers. Vi had to hold back another chuckle and matched Sevika's seriousness,

"No I was thinking of something else", she gestured brushing it aside, "Who are you? How can i help you?". Sevika sized up Vi, before giving a dismissive smirk, "Heard you were at The Last Drop yesterday, Boss man wants to speak with you? Come on. Don't make me drag you out" 

 

Vi let out a dismissive snark, "I'd like to see you try". Before things got violent Ghost Vi floated over and spoke to Vi, "You know Ekko's rules right? A fight with Sevika might break a lot more than just the Cafeteria, also I'd appreciate if you take the fighting outside MY INN" she said Gesturing to the whole place. Sevika slammed her fist on the table and got up, Vi took it as her cue to comply. "Whoa... Whoa... No need for Violence. I'll come with you"

---

Vi followed Sevika down the Lanes, Vi still was not used to how beautiful the place looked now. They were nearing the docks, Vi shook her head trying to not remember that night. But the building made it nearly impossible.

There were no traces of the Explosion that ruined her life, nor the collapsed roof which claimed Milo and Claggor's life. The visage of those crushed and crumpled bodies as her brothers laid there, inches from her face, with she herself unable to save those who looked up to her.

She paused as she neared a spot on the street, the empty street before her showed in her mind the broken and grotesque body of Vander, his life, the cost of her own. She couldn't shake the thought that she was the one who should have died that night.

"Vi's thoughts are interrupted by Silco's voice. "So are the Shimmer packages ready? well, go on and ship them to her". Shimmer? Silco was still dealing with it? Even after all that happened? He already ruined her world with that wretched poison, now he wants do it here too?

Guess some people never change. Silco saw Sevika and Vi approach, he stood up, Sevika taking position beside him, Vi was standing about 20 ft away from them.

"Vander believes you aren't here for any trouble, says you have a good heart. Call me Old fashioned but, I don't believe that about people who wear masks and cloaks and lie about their names"

Silco lights up a cigar and brings it to his lips, he lets out a puff of smoke before returning to the conversation. "Who are you? Why are you here? Answer these two questions truthfully and you will leave this place alive" 

Vi clenched her fist and bit her tooth, it took a lot to compose herself, "I have questions of my own, does Vander know you're trading Shimmer? Why are you with Vander? Didn't he drown you in the Pilt? why did m- why did Vi's death suddenly make you change your two faced snake ass around?"

Silco lets out a throaty laugh, "So you did know about our fallout, but still you said you remembered the two us fighting together for Zaun.... that's the beauty of lies, if you do not know how to lie it makes you vulnerable to someone who does", Silco let out another puff from the Cigar, Vi stepped 2 steps froward, Sevika readied her blade.

"You still didn't answer my question" Silco walks forward, his eyes beaming into Vi's soul. "A fan of Vander I see? Why do you care? Why do you care if I'm preparing his demise? Why do you care if I'm only using him and his image to get to Piltover? Why do you care? Violyn Matilda???"

Ghost Vi could sense the tension rising, but Vi's mind was made up, SILCO HAS TO DIE. Vi rushed forward with a battle cry, her cloak dropped down to the street, her beautiful Pink side swept hair bobbed in the air as Sevika and Vi rushed at each other.

Sevika made the first move, but her cut was far too slow, Vi easily dodged it by leaning back, she replied with a Kick to Sevika's knee which buckled her footing, Sevika's head landed between her left armpit

Vi's right arm grabbed her by the belt and swung her up and over her shoulder before dropping her down. Sevika's spine blared in pain, she struggled to get back up, Vi was already on her feet taunting Sevika to come at her, Sevika responded with a barrage of punches and hooks, all of which Vi evaded like they were nothing

Vi was taking info on her surroundings, none of Silco's other men could be seen, the docks were deserted, only the three of them were here, what was he planning? Sevika was growing angry, this bitch was not even paying attention to her and still evading all her blows.

Sevika threw a Haymaker in anger and desperation, but without her Metal Arm and Shimmer to heal and make her stronger Vi could read her like an open book, and seeing the opening she ducked under Sevika's arm and her torso twisted 180 degrees, driving her elbow into Sevika's diaphragm. Sevika spat blood and reeled back, her lungs were on fire.

Vi didn't let up, she leaped backward into the reeling Sevika, once again driving her elbow into Sevika, this time under her jaw. Sevika fell back, but got back on her feet, she could feel several teeth loose in her mouth and the metallic taste of blood. She was dizzy and in pain, breathing was hard, but she still swung at Vi.

Vi stepped into Sevika and ran her shoulder into Sevika, then in one swift motion used that shoulder to throw Sevika into a container beside them. The sudden throw increased her existing dizziness, she was finding it hard to keep the darkness away from her

Vi prepared a Punch and threw it at Sevika, Sevika managed to dive away at a fraction of a second from impact, the Steel container buckled and bent at the blow, the rectangular box turning into a crushed milk carton, Sevika passed out soon after. 

 

Silco had to try and mask his amazement, What the hell was that punch? I doubt even Vander could do something like that, maybe in his days as the Hound he could, but what the hell was this? Her motion identical to him, her footwork, her feints, even the way she jerked her shoulder before throwing that punch. If Vander was The Hound, this was probably a HELLHOUND.  

Ghost Vi kneeled before Sevika, she looked at Vi and asked her, "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU??", suddenly her surroundings faded, night became day, there were no fires, no grotesque corpse of Vander or her brothers, when Vi finally came back to her senses she fell to her knees, How blinded did she get?

Her distraught mind is snapped back by Silco's words, "I know i called you a Vander fan but this... for a second i believed you really were Vi", Vi hands went to her face, her mask was off, Silco saw her. "So what are you? An assassin from Piltover sent to kill me and Vander? Is that why you look like Vi?"

Vi got back up to her feet and covered her face, "What do you think?", Silco sat down on a nearby crate. "I don't know, I'm trying to explain your existence rationally, if I weren't I might say you are a Vi from a dystopian future or a Ghost". Ghost Vi chimed in with a remark, "Damn, two out of two, he is smart" 

Silco stood up, adjusted his coat and tie, placed both hands in his coat pockets. "I believed you to be an assassin, Powder's show coming up is a big deal for us, if Topside manages to kill us now they can set back everything we gained from Vi's sacrifice back to ground zero"

"But based on what you just did, if you wanted us dead you could have killed us yesterday at the bar. I have my reasons for suspecting that you are still some pawn from Topside, but for now I can't help but honor my word to Vander and leave you alone"

"So i am giving you exactly as much time as Vander did, you can stay until Powder's show. After that you disappear. In the meantime I'll have my eyes on you"

Vi scoffed, "Eyes on me? Your best is down here at might feet kissing the ground, you think you have any authority here?"

Silco shook his head before removing a detonator from his pocket, Vi was on high alert, "There are four charges on the ground beneath you, set to explode at the touch of a button, the sole reason you are still alive is because I made a promise to Vander. This family I have right now, Powder, Mylo, Claggor, Ekko, even Benzo.... and Vander, It's something I wish to hold on to, so I suggest you play by the rules, you don't harm my family, I don't destroy you"

Silco walks away, stops and turns, "Oh, and Shimmer, I don't know who your informer is but, the details he gave you about Shimmer are outdated, it's true, there were stronger versions of Shimmer, but i never had the chance to put them into production. The batches I do make now are used in medicines for the toxic gases from the fissures of Zaun. Be seeing you Violyn"

---

Vi was sitting on a pier on the docks, she was back in her disguise, Ghost Vi was floating mere inches up from the surface of the water, her demeanor was now calm and stern, much like how she remembered herself being. Maybe if she too was in a world without any problems she would also be sassy and carefree like her Ghost was. Ghost Vi turned to face her.

"After I died my body was taken away and Powder and the boys were detained in Piltover. I was helpless, watching it all unfold, but unable to do anything. I stayed with them, trying to get Powder to calm down, I tried to wipe her tears but my hands couldn't even touch her, she shrank from my cold touch"

"I wanted to hug Claggor but he couldn't even see me, Mylo stopped eating food, I wanted to feed him but my hands could only pick up the pity and sympathy the enforcers who made the food felt for us, everytime i tried to touch them all they felt was the coldness of death from me"

"I tried going into my body again, to no avail. Vander came to Piltover, sheriff Grayson supported him, so did a vast majority of Enforcers and even the noble houses of Piltover. But all it did was get Vander arrested and Grayson kicked from the force"

"All hope felt lost to me, but that's when Silco came, Silco rallied an army against the Council, he united the people of Zaun and whatever support we had from Piltover under Vander's name. Soon I was a symbol, I represented all the injustice Zaunites faced, and infront of this 15 year old girl, the mighty council of Piltover admitted defeat"

"Cassandra Kiramman was a big help, she oversaw everything, it was only because of her that Silco and Vander could succeed. Vander was a symbol of defiance, I was a symbol of Injustice"

 

Piltover Prison, 2 weeks after Vi's death

 

"Brother, I never expected us to meet like this" Silco said as he sat on the other side of the bars. "What are you playing at Silco??"

Silco scoffed, "I understand your skepticism, but believe me brother there is no ulterior motive, I always blamed that wretched child for you going soft, for you becoming complacent. But seeing you walk into Piltover for her? Maybe I was wrong, maybe I mistook your strength for weakness and they did too. Cassandra Kiramman is with us, so is Grayson, each day more and more people from Piltover flock to Zaun to help our people, our children, Heimerdinger is already opening up hospitals and schools in Zaun, all because of your daughter and your bravery to fight for her. All of this reminded me of someone I had long forgotten"

Silco handed Vander two pieces of paper, one of them was Vander's note he left for Silco in their old mining shafts, the other one with a photograph of Silco, Vander and Felicia. "I am sorry for what I did brother, I truly am, when you promised to protect her child, I was there with you, and I have failed our dear sister" a singular tear drop fell from Silco's face......

Notes:

Tell me how you all liked the Sevika vs Vi fight scene. Should i do more fight set pieces? or was it super boring? And I hope you loved how Silco's story played out here, next Chapter will be Powder and Ekko

Trivia
Earth 191212 is a reference to both the Marvel Cinematic universe being 199999 and Vi's LoL birthday/release date of 19th December, 2012

Silco calling Vi Hellhound is a reference to the Fanfic "Hellhound of the Underground" by kerosene_dream (It's not wholesome, Vi is turned into a Dog by Silco, but it does have some good CaitVi moments which is why I referenced it)

Chapter 3: Ghost in my Memories

Summary:

Ghost Vi has a glimpse of Vi's deep rooted memories and trauma

Notes:

Sorry for the delay in upload schedule. As an apology, all remaining chapters will be uploaded today itself

Runeterra Earth: 191212 a.k.a The Main Universe

 

Ekko felt the gunshot hit his Glider, knocking him down. The next moment a net caught him, pinning him to the wall. The blue haired lady walked in her rifle raised. If Ekko got a Nickel for every time a Blue Haired Lady obsessed with Vi attacked him he'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot but it's wierd it always the blue haired ones. 

 

 

 

Caitlyn put her gun down, "Where is she Ekko? Where is Vi?". Ekko managed to cut out the net restraining him, her dropped down and caught himself on his feet with grace, he stood up, looking at the angry mongoose, "Promise me not to get mad.....

 

 

 

Runeterra Earth: 516 a.k.a The Perfect Universe

 

 

 

Vi was calm and composed, her movements graceful and calculated. Ghost Vi marvelled at the grace and speed of her future self as she bobbed and weaved effortlessly around Sevika. But somewhere between she saw Vi lose herself. Suddenly Vi was no longer holding back. The environment around them started to shift as Ghost Vi was dragged into the memories of her future self. 

 

 

The Cannery was up in flames. Day changed to Night around her Ghostly form. Flickers of the past danced around her. She was fighting against the Undercity's most dangerous criminals. Mylo and Claggor desperately trying to save a severely wounded Vander. Sevika standing beside Silco. Then images flicker away, replaced by Silco stabbing Vander, she tried to stop them, "Silco no!! Don't. Vi!!! Where are you!!" 

 

 

The world spun around, *CRACK* "YOU ARE A JINX!!!", she saw herself punch Powder. "No!! Vi what are you doing???!!" A darkness enveloped the world. A voice rung out "He Will kill you if he sees you". Vi stumbled around in the darkness until she was standing before a Large building. She turned around to see herself being dragged by Enforcers. "PLEASE!! LET ME GO!! MY SISTER!"

 

Her pleas were rewarded by kick to her chest. She fell down, blood filling her lungs and mouth. The Enforcer dragged her away by her hair. She watched the memories helplessly, unable to change what was happening. Unable to console herself. 

 

"Prisoner number 516" the Enforcer threw some prison garbs at Vi, "Strip!!". She saw Vi cower in fear as the man approached her. "I said strip" he raised his baton, before he could bring it down, a man stopped him. "She's just a child", she recognized the man, Officer Marcus. But she also recognized his voice, saying "He Will kill you if he sees you" followed by the smell of chemicals drowning her in a dreamless slumber, and so did her other self.

 

He stepped down, picking up the prison garbs, extending it to Vi, "Please, change", he motioned to a booth. The Ghost looked on as Vi spat a blood filled glob at Marcus, with tears in her eyes, she saw the little girl, identical to herself be taken down the elevator. It kept going down, down, down, down... it didn't seem to have an end. With each floor they passed she could herself cry and scream in pain. Years passed as the dark covered hallways echoed her cries. 

 

But in between all the cries, faint whispers reverberated, "Must Survive, Find Powder". Almost like a mantra. Keeping the heartbeat of her other self steady.

 

Ghost Vi was broken away from this when a voice called out to her "Vi!!! you need to pull her out!!!" She jolted around. Her adult self was blinded. She was about to kill Sevika. The voice approached closer. She held up her ethereal hand and pushed the voice away. "NO!!! She shouldn't see you!! Go away"

 

Ghost Vi passed her hand through her older self. Inducing a temporary paralysis as the coldness washed over her. Slowing her movement by a small fraction. Enough for Sevika to roll out from the Death blow. She saw herself come back to reality, the state of temporary panic and fear caused by the location and Silco and Sevika's presence receding from her eyes

 

 

An hour later

 

 

Ghost Vi approached her older self. She was fidgeting with her fingers, still unsure of what to make of this world or herself. "Goddamnit!! I just had to fuck everything up!!! Aaagh!!!" Ghost Vi floated infront of her, "Vi, listen, I know you think you were responsible for everything that happened in your world but, listen, sometimes things can be complicated" 

 

"You ever think about how wierd it is to get therapy from your own 15 year Old self? Complicated my ass, are you sure you're my Ghost? You said you saw my memories, how are you so calm and nonchalant?" 

 

Her ethereal form, drifted down to her level, "When you were 15 you went to hell, When I was 15 I went to heaven. And besides if you have been 15 for 8 years you obtain this sense of understanding of the universe" she said as she flew into an Ionian meditation pose. 

 

Vi looked at her younger self and soffed. "I gotta get back to my timeline. My stunt with Sevika should already have fucked up stuff big time" 

 

Ghost Vi heard the same voice again, "You should help her, she is holding on to-" 

 

"Shut up and get out of here, I'll handle it" Ghost Vi pushed the voice away again. 

"You say something?" Vi asked her Ghost. "Nope! just talking to myself" 

"So like, maybe you can ask me about Ghost stuff you know, that might get your mind to calm down a bit. Come on, I know you're curious. And trust me, I have a full 8 years of Experience as a Ghost. I'm practically a pro" 

 

Vi shook her head, "Fine, why not? Why can I see you? No one else can so why me?" 

Ghost Vi floated about her older self, laying on her back and drifting backwards, "Good question, don't know the answer. But, only 2 people have actually felt my presence before, and only one among them saw me" 

Vi leaned forward, lowering her voice to a whisper to avoid people thinking that she is talking to herself, "Aaaand-?" 

 

"Well one of them was Professor Heimerdinger. 4 years Ago he magically started to sense my presence. We- I mean I used to haunt him, you know. It was funny at first but then, as I said, he started to feel my presence, before I got my chance to spook him he'd sense I was there. He didn't see me but he could tell when I was near, it was creepy, even for a Ghost" 

 

Vi nodded "And the other person?" 

 

"He's the only who made eye contact with me, before you that is. It was your little man" 

 

Vi stopped in her tracks, "Hold up, what??" 

 

The people her also stopped at this sudden outburst. Vi awkwardly apologised and ran into an alleyway, her Ghost followed. "Okay, explain that. How did he see you?" 

 

"Well he didn't see me like you're seeing me now, before he left this world, he was encased inside a Rune thingy, the same one in your Time machine. And precisely before he left, he looked at my mural in Powder's hideout. And there, he made eye contact with me. I tried to wave at him but chances he either forgot about it or thought I was a hallucination like you did" 

 

Vi, looked at her M Drive. "So.... you think the Hextech has something to do with it?" Vi looked puzzled

 

"That should be it, I felt the exact same energy radiate from you as Little Man when he saw me. So I thought it would work on you too" 

 

Violet's confusion only deepened, "Energy? What do you mean?" 

 

The Ghost sat down on what Vi could only assume is a Metaphorical chair, "Ok hear me out, when people feel emotions I can visually see them, right now, around you, I can see confusion. I can also interact with it, which is how I haunt people and got inside your memories" 

 

As they spoke they heard a Woman groan, it was Sevika, she walked into a nearby bar. Ghost Vi looked at her in admiration, Vi recognized the expression, she also once used to think about Sevika like that. 

 

Vi began to walk towards her

Ghost Vi spoke, "Whoa, where are you going? You gonna attack her again?", "Shut up" came the reply, Vi approached the woman. "Um... hey there. Sorry for that" 

 

Sevika looked at her, then spat out some ice she was using to nurse her jaw. "Are you sure you used to be from here? Folks don't really beat up people and come back to say sorry" 

 

"Listen, I got carried away, want to come with me and grab some drink? My treat" Sevika, looked at Vi, partly in suspicion, partly in confusion, but mostly in surprise, She let out a throaty laugh at the offer, "Ha!! You sure are a curious case aren't you? Alright, never one to say no to free drinks" 

 

Vi felt a sense of discomfort, this was not the Sevika she has come to know in recent times. She felt a degree of shame on attacking her and Silco, lashing out despite Ekko's warnings about the same. She told herself in her mind "They're not the same, They haven't done anything" 

 

The woman sat down, a bottle of beer in hand. "If I get treated like this, I might just start losing more fights" Vi looked at the woman, she was so different. Ages ago she used to look at Sevika in admiration, much akin to how her Ghost was doing right now. To her ghost Sevika was a loyal and strong friend. One of Vander's most trusted people. That same tinge of guilt crept up Vi's spine again for attacking this Sevika for something that happened in her own world. They were as different as they were alike. Much like her Ghost and herself. 

 

 

Vi spoke, "So... listen, before you go. I want to know more about Silco. Why did he turn around after Vi's death?. It... I don't understand" 

 

Sevika put down her glass, she let out a deep sigh, "Silco never told anyone about his Why's or What's. I have no idea why Vi's death mattered to him. But if I was to speculate I'd say it had something to do with her mother. After all she did grow up in his arm. Before the fallout between him and Vander, those two looked after Violet while Felicia and Connol were away" 

 

Sevika shook her head and rubbed her eyes, Ghost Vi sensed a wave of disappointment wash over her, "She was a good kid, had more balls than any of the shit dicks I've seen, including Vander and Silco. But ofcourse we always loose the best ones" 

 

Vi balled up her hands, the way Sevika was acting, the way her body language shifted, the way her Ghostly self wished to hug her, it filled her with resentment towards herself. Silco, Sevika, all of these people, they could have been together. All it would have taken was her life in return. 

 

"Hey!!" Vi was jolted back into reality, Sevika was already walking out, "Don't even think about doing that", her Ghost self said. 

"I wasn't thi-" 

"I can see your emotions remember??" Fin

"Fine...." Vi gets up and leaves

 

Vi called out, "Sevika!! Hey, can you tell me Vi's brothers are? What happened to them?"

 

Sevika looked up at Vi. "Hmm... Violet's death hit them hard. It hit all of us hard. But ultimately it did them more good than harm. The kids took after her, started helping other kids. Even coming up with ideas to clean the air in the fissure. The air you breath right now is thanks to them. I just wish the girl was here to see all of this" 

Vi gripped her hands tightly. She left Sevika with a solemn goodbye.

 

The Last Drop

Silco sits at the bar, contemplating several options, "What's the matter brother?" Vander's booming voice breaks his focus. 

"I don't know brother, that girl that Violyn, she perplexes all sense of logic" 

"You looked into her?" Vander questions

"Yes, a couple of my men tailed her and Powder the other day, if she wanted to get Powder, she could have. They sneaked into her room, searched her bag. Said they found a wierd contraption with dials and cogs. But it does nothing. Didn't seem like it had any explosives either" 

"Hmm so what has got you so worried?"

"Because she's no bumbling idiot. She knows more than she let's on, can fight damn well, nearly killed Sevika effortlessly. Could have killed the both of us right here if she was an assassin. So I thought maybe she wanted us dead in a quiet way, but no. She had her chance at me, at the Cannery. But she didn't take it. She also fell for my bluff, I said I rigged the place with explosives and she bought it. I just-" 

 

"All I'm hearing is she is a random nobody who wants to hide their past" Vander stopped Silco. "Stop worrying Silco, she's not here to ruin Powder's show"

 

"Well, doubling the security from our side is still a good idea to me" 

 

Lower Zaun

 

Vi descended down to the depths of Zaun. Sevika told her that her brothers would be down there. When Vi finally noticed them she recognized the area as the same place where Viktor had his commune. The place looked different. Giant machines whirring with intensity as they sucked in the toxic fumes of Zaun. Filters and purifiers littered the place in calculated intervals. Mylo and Claggor were busy, she looked at them from afar as they were busy helping and leading their team. They seemed so different. So happy. 

 

Mylo had a girl following him around,  the way the moved, she guessed it was his girlfriend. They were loading what she assumed was Shimmer into vials and giving it to people who appeared Sick. Clag was carrying some children on his shoulder, while a platoon of other kids followed him around. The scene reminded Vi of how Powder used to ride on Calggor's back. 

 

Ghost Vi look at Vi, a sense of tranquility envelops her face. But then, just as quickly, Bile Green wave of guilt washes over her. Tendrils of darkness bind her form. "No No No... Not again!!" 

 

Ghost Vi steps into Vi's dark aura. She sees what Vi sees. The people around Mylo and Claggor turned into Monsters of Muscle and froth. Their veins pulsing purple. Mylo and Claggor are replaced with their corpses. The sight nearly sends the Ghostly girl into a recoil. "You let us die" their chants filled the air. She reached out into Vi once again.

 

"Vi, please, you are not the reason they died", but her concerns were dismissed by the older woman. The snapped back into reality, everything faded. Her older self reeled from her intrusion. Tears dropped down her cheeks, "Vi!! Listen to me for-" 

 

"How am I supposed to believe you!! Everywhere I look I see happy people. Even you!! Before you got stuck with me you were laughing and singing and spooking people. And now even you are sad after looking into my head. How am I not to think I'm the problem here? How!!!???"

 

Her older self sat down. Her hand resting on her bag. She could still see remnants of guilt and regret creep around her form. "Vi.. Please. I nee-" 

 

"I'm going back!" She stood up and sprinted away. 

"Vi!!! Stop... listen to me" Ghost Vi followed as the waves of darkness began to envelop her form, She sensed the presence of the familiar voice again "You need my help, just let me-" 

"NO!! We can't let her see you" Vi pushes away the voice again.

 

Ghost Vi tries to induce paralysis again, but is met with a strong resolve. "LEAVE ME ALONE" 

 

Vi runs towards the Firelights base of this world. She stops for a moment. Looking at the mural of herself. When she entered this timeline she ran towards The Last Drop. She didn't even notice this. Vi continued, she picked up the Hexgem from her person. Placed it in the M Driver. The device whirred to life. Just as Vi was about to pull the chain she saw her Ghost self. 

 

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you leave!!" Her pale transparent hand passes into the device interacting with the hex crystal. Beams of Blue energy shot from the device. It burned in her hand as it fell down. The ground around it melted as the device formed multi colored growths around it, similar to the growths Vi had seen on Jayce's Hammer and Viktor's army. 

 

The device finally stops radiating. It lays in a pile smoking with the scent of Ozone. 

Notes:

Bonus points if you can guess who the voice in Ghost Vi's POV is

Chapter 4: Powder

Summary:

Ghost Vi forces Vi's hand as they need to reveal the truth to Powder

Notes:

Hey there, We're approaching the end, last two chapters will be released within the next 12 hours. Happy reading

Runeterra Earth No. 191212 a.k.a The Main Universe

 

The doors to Ekko new lab swing open, Caitlyn and Ekko walk in. This was the second time she was in the firelight base, most of it's residents have moved out, going back to their original homes now that the threat of Silco and Chembarons have diminished significantly. Caitlyn missed the homely feeling that once permeated this place, Caitlyn returned her thoughts to Ekko, "So where is this failsafe of yours?" 

 

"Right here", Ekko said opening another door, inside sat a large contraption thruming with Hextech energies and the grind of cogs. "I did not let her leave with complete access to time, she has her rules and the M Drive has its failsafes. I made it with the finest Noxian Steel I could salvage from the battle. If something bad happens to the device, its rigged to bring Vi back here" 

 

Caitlyn nodded with visible anxiety and discomfort, "Fine, I'm staying until she's back and safe", Ekko replied, "Cait, don't worry-"

"Of course I'm worried Ekko!! She's not out to buy fish, she's gone into some other dimension!! What if something happens to her! I won't be able to live without her! I can't go back to my house without her, I feel suffocated in there"

 

Ekko sat on a table beside the Machine, "Look Caitlyn, trust me, nothing bad will happen, Trust me, I've been to place, Right now Vi is probably the most dangerous person there. That world helped me in ways I can't explain, I... it helped me save Jinx's life, and I believe Vi needs that too. As long as this green light is on, the device is safe, which means she is safe" Ekko pointed to his machine

"Which green light?" Caitlyn asked in confusion. Ekko turned around, "What do you mean? This one right he-" 

 

Runeterra Earth No. 516 a.k.a The Perfect Universe

 

The two Vi's stand looking at the pile of smoke and rubble and ethereal growths. Once her shock passes Vi confronts her Ghost, "WHAT THE FUCK!!! Why did you do that??" She knelt beside her broken device. "I told you Vi, can't let you leave, only one person can fix that, and it's Powder, you need to see her"

 

"Why do you care so much? Huh? What matter is it to you!!? Why do you care about me so much!! Why can't you let me LEAVE!!"

"BECAUSE I'VE SEEN WHAT IT DOES TO PEOPLE!!" 

Vi fell silent. "I've seen the same emotions cloud people before! Anger! Guilt! Regret! Complete disregard of themselves!! And I couldn't help her!!" her voice cracked.

She saw her Ghost self try pick her voice back. "After I died Powder was locked up with the boys. I could feel exactly what you are feeling from Powder at that time. She wanted to kill herself. I saw the same Darkness that fills you in her! She started to starve herself, crying herself to sleep muttering my name over and over. And I was there! I couldn't even touch her, or wipe her tears. All my touch did was make her cold. I wanted to cry but Ghosts don't have tears. So I just watched, even before my body started to rot I felt my soul rot looking at her"

 

Her head hung low, her body shivering, her eyes cried tearlessly while her heartless chest skipped a beat, the wight of existing but not existing in this state gnawed at her. A lonely feeling crept up her like toxic vines.Ghost Vi felt the intrusion of something into her form. Her older self was hugging her, "Don't worry, I'm used to the cold" 

 

Footsteps echoed through the cylindrical chamber, Vi looked around and asked her spectral self, "What is this place?" 

"This is Powder's lair", She floated above the rotor blades of the structure. Vi identified this as the same baloon Jinx rode into battle against Ambessa. She turned her attention to her Ghost self, "Once everything was sorted out and calmed down, Powder made my shrine here" Vi looked at the shrine, It looked beautiful. The scent of candles and incense sticks filled her nostrils. She noticed a doll resembling herself down there. And also a pendant. It showed Powder being hugged by herself. But not her younger self, herself. 

 

"Don't overthink it, that is you. You may not know it but you saved my Powder, well, you and your Little man" Vi looked at her Ghostly self. 

"Even after all these years Powder still felt guilt and grief, they burdened her, she couldn't move on, didn't want to move on. Until your Little man showed up. He showed her a whole new world, told her about YOU. How, you were the toughest person he ever saw. How, no matter what happened you pushed forward. At first his story was jargon but then, slowly slowly, I saw him bring life back to her. If she is doing anything now its because of him AND you. So consider what I'm doing as my gratitude. I'm returning a favour to him, helping you like he helped my PowPow"

 

Violet's face was a mix of unreadable emotions and guilt. Her Ghost stepped in, "Hey!! Everything will be fine, we'll get you back. Just remeber to say exactly what I told you when-"

"Who is that?" 

 

Ekko and Powder stood at the other end of the walkway. Ekko picked up a steel pipe, he looked pitiful ofcourse, a far cry from the Little man Vi knows. But still, his heart was the same, he put himself between Vi and Powder, "Who are you??" 

Powder grabbed his shoulder, she moved forward. "Violyn?? Is that you?" Powder asked, recognizing the cloak, "What are you doing here? How do you even know this place?? How did you get in?"

Vi, took a deep breath, she composed herself, she repeated the words her Ghost taught her, and then. "Can we pretend... like it's the... first time?" 

 

Time slowed down for Powder, she could feel her heart trying to leap out from her ribcage. Ekko saw her body language, he stepped foward "I need you leave us Lad-" 

"Ekko! Please give us some space", Ekko spun around like a whiplash. "Say what?" 

 

---------------------

 

Ekko's departure felt as if took an eternity. Powder and Vi stared at each other. "Show me your face!!" Powder demanded. Violet's hands floated up, they tugged on the hood covering her face. The hood fell back. Powder's eyes widened. Vi started to speak, "Listen.. Ji- Powder, I can exp-" 

Her words were cut short as Powder crashed into her. The blue haired girl's arms coiled around Vi. Squeezing her so tight as to not loose. "Hey girl... I.. I missed you too" Vi said as she placed gentle strokes on her sister's head. "Ar..are you real?? I.. I thought I'd never see you again. A lot changed since you left"

"I know Pow Pow"

The scent of candles and incense continued to flow as the sister felt the world fade around them. 

 

After they both felt ready to let go, Powder took Vi to the shrine, they sat down in front of it. Powder composed herself, taking her time, "How are you here? I.. I know you're not my Vi... I... I have a lot of ques-" 

"Shushh!! it doesn't matter" Vi said, "I'm here, you're here. Let's just talk. Catch me up on things, how is everyone doing here? How are YOU, doing here?"

 

And they talked, no world ending problems or timelines or hextech or magic wind gods or monsters or dead sisters. They talked about the little things, Powder's first pimples, Mylo's first crush and proposal gone wrong, how Ekko locked himself up in Benzo's shop. How Claggor's beard never grew in. They pretended to be bigger and bigger monsters, Vi's showed off her battle scars and biceps and Powder bragged about inventing Time travel. 

 

And now there they were, laying on the floor, looking at each other, after she stopped laughing, Powder's expression turned sour, "I.. I know you won't stay... but.. can you tell me when you will go? I.. I wanna make the most of what we have right now...", Violet's expression hardened, almost as if choking back a sadness from the idea of having to leave. Her scarred lips opened, "I.. I need your help with that" 

----------------------

Ekko was still pacing outside, "What are they doing?? They have been in there for hours!!" Ekko leaned forward, pressing his ear against the door, he nearly falls as the door swings open, both women walk out, their faces an expression of a poker face. Before he can even speak the larger woman thrusts a box of things into his hand. "Come on Little man!! We need your help" 

 

The two women are off. Giving Ekko little no time to process anything. "Waitaminute.... WHO ARE YOU??

 

 

Ekko walks behind the two women, his head still reeling from the explanation he just got. "What do you mean she's Vi? What do you mean Time Travel? What do you mean I invented Time Travel?" He wanted to ask ofcource, but Vi's face, whenever he opened his mouth, would shut him up. Everytime it happened the girls would giggle, as if this was some kind of inside joke he had no idea about.

 

They walked into a moonlit place. On the ground there was a pile of some weird contraption, a faint blue glow coming from it, in that glow he saw the mural on the wall, "Is that... Vi?" 

"What do you mean? You drew that!" Powder said

"What? Gb jigich.. Okay, what's that thing on the ground then?" 

"What do you mean? You built that!" Violet said

The sisters shot a knowing look at each other, then they looked at him, "Strap in Little man, you're in for a ride"

 

Ekko still thought this was some kind of malarky prank from Powder, but he couldn't exactly not believe it when the evidence stared at him right in the eye. Thinking of it, she did look like Vi a lot. The same shade of Pink hair, the same eyes, nearly the exact same voice too. And she also somehow knew stuff about him that he had only ever shared to Vi. After his confusion died down he looked at the problem. 

 

Powder examined the device on the ground. "Hmm... looks rudimentary" Vi looked at Powder, "What do you mean?", Powder straightened, grabbing a book from Ekko. She flipped through it's pages. "When we built the original Z Drive, in theory it could reverse time indefinitely, and the larger time machine itself could do way more than send a person through time. We just didn't have the Power source necessary for it. All we had was a handful of Hex shards Ekko found"

"Yuh huh.. So what's the problem here?"  

Ekko replied, snatching the book from Ekko, "The problem is that this device does not contain all the functionalities. It's a one trick pony, It takes a fixed amount of mass and moves it to another brane on the 5th Dimension. This has no versatility"

"If I were to explain it, I'd say it has child safety on. Two jumps, one forward, one backward. It can't do anything else" Powder chimed in. 

"Child safety? Fucking Ekko!! I'll kill him when I go back!!" Vi said in frustration

"Please don't", Ekko replied timidly

 

After some more time examining the pile on the ground, Powder and Ekko discussed some Multiverse Time Travel rules, Vi nearly fell asleep but she forced herself awake. The Night was still young. She wished to savour all the time she had here with these two. 

 

"Okay, I think that's the problem, Vi!! come here" Powder called out. 

"What did you fix it?" 

"No, it's not damaged" Ekko explained "It's just embedded in ground, the steel frame was strong enough to protect it, I'm thinking it's Noxian Steel" 

Powder continued, "The problem is in the hex crystal. The rune your Ekko used is not a Wild Rune. It's another simpler rune. But that rune is gone now, we will have to run his math again to find out which rune it was" 

Vi, looked around for her Ghost, if she could, she would have punched it in the face.

 

Powder picked up her tools, "Ekko, Vi, give me a hand, we will need to get this thing out, carefully, we can't afford to damage it. We will run the math for the rune tomorrow. But first let's get this out and ready" 

"The Night Dragged on lazily, Ekko put some music one, the three of them started to chip away at the Arcane growths and ground. It was delicate job, Vi was not fond of this kind of things, but for once, she loved to do this Powder and Ekko, she never had the luxury of something like this in her life, a part of believed things to be a dream, midway through Powder started to draw on her note. Ekko and Vi trying use a brush to strip away the coverings on the M drive, then it evolved into dancing, Oh boy did those two dance, Vi remembers Powder's moves, their mother used to dance like that. She carried Powder on her back as the two of them chased Ekko. Once the M Drive was out the two kids crashed on a makeshift bed beside her mural. Vi looked at them, Night turned to day, warm morning sunlight streamed in their faces, but they just fell asleep hours ago, she didn't wake them. 

 

"So, you still think those two benefitted from my death?" Her Ghostly self appeared next to her. 

"Dick move you pulled, Fucking with that Hex stone... but thanks... I needed this, THEY needed this" 

"Well, come on, I got someone else you have to meet" 

"Huh? Who?" 

"You'll see" 

Notes:

Liked it? I hope y'all did, do let me know what you think
Next Chapter: Caitlyn.

Chapter 5: Caitlyn

Summary:

Vi visits the last person she has to meet

Notes:

I had to go back and watch Episode 7 for this and Hermandingy was singing country music in my ears as Vi was dead. I hope it was worth it

Violet was walking behind as her Ghost floated in front. The day was still young. The Undercity shone in the sunlight. She was still not used to this sight. Undercity not being Gloomy and Dark? She felt that same sense of alienation again. 

 

The two girls were at the Pilt River Bridge. Crossing the Pilt was never so easy for Vi. She remembered having to sneak and fight her way through. But now, here she was, on the same bridge her parents died, shot by her 'dear friends across the river' as Powder sung. 

 

But now, here on this bridge she saw families, Happy families, She saw a Man dressed, richly with thick accent, hanging on to his hand was a woman, her attire clearly marking her origins from Zaun. And not just them, so many more just like them. All it took was her life for all of this.

 

But before she could complete that thought her ghost's voice yanked her out, "Don't even think about it Vi" 

"What? I wasn't" 

"I can read your emotions remember?" 

"Okay maybe a little, but I wasn't Suicidal, I swear"

 

The girls entered a Cemetery. Vi was perplexed, why was she here? "Are you gonna show me another Ghost?" Vi asked

"There are no Ghosts other than me Vi, trust me on that" she floated over to a tombstone. "We're here" 

 

Vi walked up to the stone. Her eyes widened as she read the words on the stone: 

CAITLYN KIRAMMAN 

BELOVED SISTER & LOVING DAUGHTER

AGE 15

There was a masterfully carved image of Young Caitlyn on the Headstone. Vi's heart felt the twist of a rusty knife in her. Her thoughts ran wild, 'She couldn’t be dead!! How could she? Why was she burried in this Cemetery? Why is she not somewhere in her manor? What's happening!! This was not right!!!' 

 

"Vi!! What's the meaning of this!! How is she dead?" Violet asked with cracks in her voice. 

 

"She was there that day. Piltover and Zaun did not unite because of you died Vi, nor because she died. The story goes deeper"

 

As Vi's mind flooded with questions she heard the leaves rustle as footsteps approached her. "Excuse me?" An Old and elegant voice called out. "Were you a friend of my daughter?"

 

"Uhh... No... I... it's...", Violet's mind struggled to remember her cover story... "Uhh... I... I used to be from the Undercity... I left before the Civil War, when I returned I heard... I heard about what happened. I just wanted to offer my respects" 

 

A small sigh escaped Councilor Kiramman. "I guessed as much, though it's not bad that at least someone mourns her. I do every day", She set's down a Bouquet of Violets by her grave. "Violet's were her favorite" 

 

The Lady appeared to be lost in her own thoughts, Vi felt the touch of her Ghost on her shoulder, and then, saw her reach out towards Caitlyn's mother. 

 

Suddenly Vi was inside Jayce's apartment. "Wha... what's happening?" Her Ghost materialised beside her, "I'm showing you what happened that day, piecing together mine and her memories" 

 

"Let's Go, Let's Go!!!" Vi saw herself say. Powder returned from the nearby room. But three blue stones fell out of her small bag. 

"Powder what are they? Leave them we-" 

The stones began to levitate as they collided with the ground. One of them shot into the other room. The other two began to orbit each other. Energy building between them. 

 

The door to the apartment slightly opened as the Chair fell down, Vi saw two people on the other side. Before anything else happened the two stones began to crackle and produce sparks.

 

"POWDER GET DOWN!!!!" 

"JAYCE GET DOWN!!!!" 

 

For a second everything was Blank. There were no sounds, there were no sight, no taste no smell no touch. Until suddenly all sensations returned. 

 

Vi stood beside Powder and her Ghost. She saw her own 15 year Old body stand there, a slight sway to her. 

"CAITLYN!!! NO!!! NOOOOO!!!" 

The man picked up the girl and ran. As if on que her body fell to her knees, and to her side. Suddenly all sounds faded. She heard footsteps of two people apporach from the Balcony, and Powder calling her name. 

 

As the memory faded Vi scrambled forward. "What!! No!!! Wait!! What why??" 

"That was my last living memory, the rest of the story is in hers" 

Vi's eyes adjusted as the entrance of a Hospital came to view. A car was haphazardly left in the parking. It's door wide open as Blood trailed from the driver seat. 

She went inside the Hospital. Inside, a man cradling a limp blue haired girl was running from doctor to doctor. His leg appeared to be having a slight limp. Sprained in all likelihood. 

 

"PLEASE!!! SAVE HER!!! PLEASE!!!! I'LL GIVE YOU ALL MY MONEY!!! PLEASE!!! SAVE HER!!! PLEASE!!!!" 

 

The reception wasn't admitting her, it was obvious, the child died before he could make it to the hospital. The man turned, his eyes fell on Vi. He ran towards her. 

 

Before she could do anything he fell to his knees. "UNCLE!!! UNCLE!!! SAVE HER!!! PLEASE!!!" 

Vi recoiled back at the sight. Only then was she seeing things. She had been seeing through the eyes of Mrs Kiramman. Jayce was begging to Caitlyn's father. No one knew what to say to him. 

 

Caitlyn's body lay limp and pale in his arm. Jayce's right half was covered in red. The blood on Caitlyn was his. His Body has lost too much blood. But he was holding on to Caitlyn. 

 

Suddenly Vi was back at the Cemetery. Mrs Kiramman had already left. Vi walked backwards trying to compose herself. Her breath was erratic. Caitlyn's corpse... Jayce's cries... it made her legs weak. 

 

"Why did you show me that?"

"Because you think death accomplishes things. It doesn't. Piltover and Zaun changed not because of our death. But because of how we lived. Because of how we lived our death had meaning" 

Vi looked at her Spectral self with tearing eyes. She continued "I have seen people, how they change... how they live... you think it's all sunshine and rainbows here, but it's not. There are still people sad, people who are miserable. Such is life Vi" 

 

"What happened to Jayce?" 

Ghost Vi shook her head, "Heimerdinger and Mrs Kiramman vouched for his innocence. But he couldn't forgive himself. He went into self imposed arrest. He hasn't left his manor since then. Sometimes his servants hear screams from his room. He's beyond help. Caitlyn was alive the whole time he was desperately trying to get her to a doctor. She died right before they entered the hospital. Him and Powder were in the same boat. While Powder eventually had Vander, Jayce didn't have anyone. He kept pushing away everyone" 

 

Vi could see the horrifying parallels between herself and Jayce emerge. "I have to help hi-" 

"There is no HIM anymore Vi. What's inside is a husk of a man. I'm sorry" 

 

Vi wants to storm into Talis house. Rip him out of his state. But at the same time, with what? She didn't have any answers to that. 

 

Vi, I need you to let me in. I wish to show you something. Ghost Vi stretched out her small arms towards Violet's head. Vi took some deep breaths, "I'm ready" 

 

Violet's body fell backwards. Her mind twirled around. She awoke inside a dark tunnel. A Clap illuminated the rocks embedded in the walls. Her Ghost stood there. "Walk with me" 

 

As the two ladies navigated the Mindscape several Prison cell doors started to adorn the walls of the cave. Within each cell was a Violet. A version of her own past. "Vi, what is this? What are you showing me?" 

 

Ghost Vi stood before a cell. "You believe yourself worthless right? Look inside. This is you at your lowest" Vi looked. Inside the cell, chained to the walls was herself, covered in grease and ash. Vi couldn't recognize herself. Bottles of alcohol littered her cell. 

 

"Why are you showing me this?" Her voice was calm and composed. 

"What do you think happens if Jinx comes to find you dead? She goes after Vander herself, maybe even gets him to Viktor. What next? You're dead. Caitlyn never turns on Ambessa. Her attack destroys the commune. Vander is taken as a weapon by Ambessa. Jinx and Isha are killed by her army" There is a long pause, "Is that the price of your death?"

 

"Take it from someone who has seen the emotions and turmoil of several people Vi, one person's life or death is never enough to bring any change. It's how those lives are connected that matter. When I died, Vander came for me, hell most of Undercity followed him. But when Caitlyn died, nobody except her mom and dad shed a tear. Jayce had already locked himself up. Her friends were always afraid of her. Afraid of what will happen if she cried to her mom. Jayce was her only friend" 

 

Vi shuddered, the situation of her Caitlyn wasn't different either. As of now she only had her. 

 

Her Ghost continued, "Mrs Kiramman saw the unity of Zaun for you and the fake pretenses of Piltover's elite. That's why she stepped in. Without her, Piltover and Zaun would have destroyed each other in a War following my death" 

 

She floated over to another cell. Clapping to illuminate it. Inside was another Vi, punching the walls of her cell. She spent most nights like this in Stillwater. "Your life also has connections Vi, just like mine and Caitlyn's did". They entered the cell. "And here comes your most important connection" 

 

The thud of boots reverberated the hall. A tall woman in an Enforcer uniform walked in front of the cell. "Are you still in this fight Vi?"

Vi looked at Caitlyn, her Ghost clapped again, Caitlyn's form was etched into a wall. Similar to the murals Ekko drew. Only this time her Mural had a lot more people. Vander, Ekko, Powder, Jinx, Mylo, Claggor, Warwick, Loris, Steb, Sevika, Her mom and dad, Benzo, Jayce, Mel, Isha everyone she knew and loved.... and at its center, herself.... 

 

"My death is mourned by my family Vi, they live happily for my sake. Your family died for you Vi, they died so you could live happy. Don't waste that life by being sad or not valuing it" 

 

Vi moved forward touching the Mural. Memories exploded like a Kaleidoscope before her. Vander tucking in her and Powder, Mylo and Claggor teasing Powder, playing bigger monster with Powder, running off the rooftops of Zaun with Cait, sparring with Sevika, her mother's warm embrace, her father's stories, Vander's lessons, hosing down Ekko.... all of them, they flooded her like a broken dam. 

 

She struggled against the current. Her Ghost appeared before her. "Time is like memories Vi, what memories you have, whether good or bad are in the past with you, accept and cherish them. What memories you choose to make are in the future of Infinite possibilities. But to make the best of them you need be alive in the Present, cherishing the memories you're building in the NOW. So Go! go after your cupcake, live happily, make your family proud" 

 

Vi woke up, it was nearing Night. Did she sleep the whole day. She was lying on a bench near the wall of the Cemetery. "Finally awake?" Her Ghost asked. 

 

"Yes..." There was a pause, Vi was trying to gather her words. "Hey.... Thank you for that. I... thank you for doing that" 

 

"Ready to go back" Ghost Vi produced the Rune she plucked from the M Drive. Vi reached forward. Then stopped. "Wait. If both you and Caitlyn died in the same explosion. Where is her Ghost?" 

 

Ghost Vi hunched forward, avoiding eye contact, "Dunno, never really knew the girl. I also haven't seen any other Ghosts except me. I can't enter heaven without letting Powder know I'm with her. So far all my attempts have failed. But it's Okay, when she's grown Old and wrinkly and finally dies, I can let her know. Besides, that way, I can be the worlds first Older sister who is younger than her younger sister" 

 

Both Violet's chuckle. "I'm ready to go back" 

"Good, live a Good life for me, one I couldn't. And remember. No matter what happened in the past, it's never too late to build something new" 

 

Ghost Vi released the Rune. It shot forward and plummeted towards the Mural. "Run along Vi" 

 

Vi ran and stopped. "Hey!! Can you help me find someone?" 

 

-----------------------------

 

The Night set in, she ran as fast as she could. Zaun was nearly empty, everyone was at Powder's show. The watch Ekko gave her was blinking. She was underweight. She needed to equal her weight before returning. She could pick up some souvenir. She didn't really need to eat specifically. 

 

As the thoughts ran in her head she saw something. The Last Drop was empty, but there was still a faint light inside. And Vander's singing.... maybe she could go for something to eat

Notes:

Do comment and tell me what y'all thought. This thing started as me coping about Vi's death and I'd love to talk to people about it.

Also, Did I go a bit too hard on Jayce?

Next Chapter: The Hound and his Daughter

Chapter 6: The Hound and His Daughter

Summary:

Vi is all set to return, but before she does, she indulges the little girl in her heart a bit

Notes:

Well, it all comes down to this. Let's get it done and over with. Thank you for following up till here, so far if my understanding is right about 2k viewers have read this and at least 100 of them have left a Kudos. To all of you guys, Thank you. This was my first work and I never expected this type of a response.

With that, the final chapter??

The Rune whizzed through the sky as it turned from Dusk to Night. It embedded itself in the hexgem, powering up the M Drive. It pulsed in ethereal blue energy. 

Miles away, at her show, Powder suddenly froze, her mini pouch began to radiate. 'Oh No', she thought to herself. "Ekko!! Somethings wrong, my hexgems are pulsing, I think Vi's M Drive is active" 

 

Ekko turned around. He quickly scoped out the location, "Powder, were locked in, we can't leave, not when you're supposed to go on stage and do the opening ceremony" 

"Vi is more important than that Ekko!" 

"Listen, we can't leave, look around, Silco's men, they're not just here to prevent unwanted people from entering, they're also here to prevent wanted people from leaving. If we leave right now those guys will follow us to Vi. Listen to me, we finish the opening ceremony, I'll buy you time and an opening. You understand??" 

Powder nods in agreement. 'Hang on Vi', she tells herself. 

 

**DING DONG**

 

Vi savored the sound of The Last Drop's bell ringing. She stepped in, Vander was at the tables, cleaning them up. He slung the dirty rag over his broad shoulders, the low light and absence of the patrons just made Vi want to fall asleep on those shoulders. 

"Violyn? That you girl? Sorry lass.... but I'm closing early, you should be at Powder's show. I'm on my way there right now" 

Vi stepped forward, the light illuminating her face, "Um... Vander... I... I was hungry. Do you have anything?"

Vander chuckled, "Silco wasn't kidding about you being a Vi look alike, I'm half inclined to believe his theories about you girl. But even if I wanted to, all the cooks are gone, I can't fix you up anything decent within my time crunch" 

Vi stepped forward again, "I.. I'll help..."

Vander, let out a sigh, shook his head and looked at Vi, "Fine, it's rude in our household to let a hungry guest go back on an empty stomach" 

 

Vander led the way into the Kitchen. Even after all this time it still smells and feels the same, Vi ran her hands over the many monkey pictures on the walls and cupboards. They showed the transition of Powder's age. How she grew up from scribblings to proper art pieces. And Vander left them all there, he painted and furnished around them to preserve them. 

 

Vi passed her hands over them before settling on one picture. One of her.... her hands and eyes lingered on them. 

*Cough-Cough* "Ahem... you seem to know your way around the place" Vander said, with a tone of questioning to his words. "Shall we get started then? What all can you make?" 

"Umm... How about the Vander Special?" Vi chose safe, not only was it one of Vander's Oldest recipes he had been serving in The Last Drop since it's inception, it was also one he had personally taught her how to make when she was 14. 

Vander shrugged, "Wow, daring aren't we? Well let's get started. You chop the Veggies, I'll prepare the broth" 

 

Vi was off, it had been some time since she had used a knife but once she got the hang of it was as natural as breathing for her, sometimes even as natural as punching. 

The tomatos and carrots stood no chance. Gone before the eye could see. She took her time with the shrooms. She always liked them perfectly in half. Vander just cuts them willy nilly. The onions didn't fare any better, within moments Vi had them sliced down to perfect thin circles. The last were the potatoes, her old nemesis. Them and all their wierd bumps and crevices. Never making it easy to cut them to the perfect cubes she likes them as. 

 

Vander felt a distant familiarity towards her. The way she flourished her knife, the way she seemed adamant about turning every potato into perfect cubes. The measured Precise cutting of shrooms into halves. 

"Hey, don't waste the Potatoes like that" Vander said pointing to the scraps of potatoes that Vi discarded as being not good. 

Vi picked up the pieces added them to the pile. She didn't want to make Vander suspicious, she wasn't 14 year Old Violet to play around. She was 30 something year Old Violyn. 

Vander grabbed a set of noodles and cracked them, down into the pot they go along with the other veggies she slaughtered. 

Now came Vander's speciality. The meat. He picked up a fresh steak and went to work, Vi liked to watch him do his magic on it. The way his Knife moved, the way he cut them into precise pieces. And dropped them into the steam cooker. He let the meat simmer there for some time before adding it to the broth. 

And once he did came the best part. The Spices. These were what made this The Vander Special. 

Vi jumped to the cupboards where Vander kept his spices, she went straight to the black pepper. Before she could add it though, Vander grabbed her hand.

"What do you think you're doing? That doesn't go in there" Vander said, his voice booming with authority

Vi looked at him, "No.. I'm sure of it.. you yourself..." Vi controlled herself, "....haaave served me this years back.... I'm sure of it. I know the taste Vander" 

 

Vander let her go. "Oh really? And you tasted black pepper in it?"

Vi nodded yes. 

Vander stepped back, leaning on the door frame. "Alright then let's see you add the spices now" 

Vi was off, this was one of her last cherished memories with Vander. The night he taught her how to make his Special dish. Ofcourse she remembered it down to the Atomic level. She wasn't going to fuck things up. 

Vander watched, his expression softening with each addition of each new flavour. He shook his head and smiled at Vi when she was done. "Well, I couldn't have done it better. Come then VI-olyn. Let's eat" 

Vi thought she imagined it but the way Vander called her name, it...it felt wierd. 

 

The two sat down at a table, taking half of the broth each. Vander recited his prayed. And they ate. Vi remembered the first time she made this dish, Vander said she was a natural, that she could cook better than she could punch. 

She still remembers that rainy night. Powder and Mylo were hungry, Claggor was barely hanging on. Vander and Vi had a job to do, they came home late, the kids had to make do with omelets. 

Going hungry wasn't new for Vi, she had gone hungry several nights, she learned that from Vander. He often gave them his own portion of food. Vi herself imitated his actions and sneakily added extra portions from her own to the plates of others. Vander didn't like it when she did that so she had to be careful. 

But that night, the kids did go hungry. It was going close to midnight. Powder and Mylo were unable to properly sleep. Claggor was wide awake with hunger. Vi went down to Vander's room and got Vander up that night. 

 

"Vander... the kids are hungry..." 

"Sorry Vi, I can't fix up food with this busted arm of mine" The job got scrappy, Vi was getting jumped, she was unable to move out of the way of a pipe swung at her head. Vander backhanded it away but two of his fingers were severely bruised. 

"What if I help you cook? Will you do it?" 

Vander sat up. He looked at her. An idea came to him. "Alright, come here, I'll make you the Vander Special. I'll even teach you how to make it" 

Violet's eyes lit up, "Really!!!" 

Vander laughed, "Yeah, and remember, this isn't a normal one, this is extra special, made just for you" 

 

By the Time Vi finished reminicing they both were done, Vi said thank you and was about to get up. 

"SIT" Vander's voice boomed

"Why, what happened?" 

"Where did you learn to make this?" Vander asked

"Oh... I just learned from my mom. She used to be a Good cook, so she can find out the ingredients from taste" 

"True, I can do that too. But to do that you need to taste it. I didn't serve this to you, nor your mother" 

"Excuse me?" 

"Stop Lying to me" 

Vi got defensive, "I'm not lying Vander... I reall-" 

Vander slammed his Fist down. It silenced Vi immediately. "There's only 4 people alive in this world now who have tasted it excluding you"

"What?" 

"You didn't make the Vander Special. You made something else. Something I prepared specifically for one person, and taught it to that one person. And it was served by that one person, to me and my kids. I hope you remember that night. So" Vander paused, "Stop Lying to Me.... VIOLET" 

She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t move. Tears filled her eyes, it was all the confirmation he needed. Before even a single drop could fall down. His hand cupper her face. The Tattoo on his arm enveloped the Tattoo on her face. His thumb wiped away a stray tear from her face. 

"No... No tears. I don't want to see anything on this face other than a smile" 

Vi leaped across the table. Her arms flinging around Vander. She held back her tears but her voice still cracked. Her cracked voice called out to him. Except she didn't call him Vander...

"Dad....Dad... I'm so sorry Dad... I tried... I tried my best... but I failed...." Vi choked back. She held her tears at bay, but her breath was erratic. "... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry" 

 

Vander didn't understand anything... but he let the moments go by. He was sure this was his daughter. He was sure she was real. That's all he wanted to know. His hands stroked her hair and back. From the fabric of her clothes he could feel scars and bumps. Knife wounds, stab wounds, shattered bones healed back in wrong ways.

"You've been through a lot kid. But it's okay. You survived them. And you're still every bit who i remember you to be" 

Vi sat back up from his embrace.. "I... I.. Vander..I... I'm... not your.."

"Shush!!!" Vander's finger sealed her lip. "I don't care what you are... I don't care if you're a Ghost or whatever else you are. I know you're not my Vi, I burried her myself. I'm just glad that my last memory of you is not having to bury your months old corpse" Vander drew Vi close and kissed her forehead. "Thank you Vi... Thank you for everything" 

The Goodbye was something Vi still didn't remember. She remembers telling him she has to go... she doesn't remember what his reply was. She remembers him waving at her as she ran away... she remembers his warm hug.

 

Her legs were running as fast as she can. She reached the mural. Infront of it, pulsing on the ground inside Powder's carboard box was her M Drive. She walked forward. Picked it up, but before she pulled the chain, she looked at the mural. 

 

The World went blank, around her a sphere of mystic geometries formed, she felt her body be pulled in all directions. As she was falling through time she heard a voice. She looked at the sound source. Two figures stood silhouetted against the Temporal backdrop. She heard their words

 

Runeterra Earth No. 191212: 

"Is it back up Ekko?" Caitlyn asked, she had just now finished all of Ekko's instructions. 

"Give me some time!! Come on! Come on! Give me something!!" 

Crackle!!! BOOM!

WAAAAAHH!! THUD! Owch!! 

Caitlyn ran over, "Vi? Is that you baby? Oh my God!!!" 

Caitlyn lifted her up, she patted away dust from Vi. "Tell me are you Okay!! Oh honey!! I was... are you fine??"

"Yeah Cupcake, I'm fine, I'm fine" SLAAAAP!!!! 

Vi nearly doubled over, she caught her balance and looked at Caitlyn. Her eyes were bloodshot, marks of tears marred her face. Her hair was messy and entagled. Her lips quivered. 

"WHERE THE FUCK DID YOU GO WITHOUT ME!! What if something happened to you!!!" 

Caitlyn is silenced by a sudden hug from Vi. "I'm never leaving you cupcake!! I was just... meeting some family. My Little Sprout!" 

Caitlyn pulled Vi back, "Sprout!!! Who told you that!!" 

Ekko watched as the two unhinged lesbians argued. Then they laughed. Then they kissed. Then they forgot where they were and he had to kick them out before he saw some forbidden stuff

 

Runeterra Earth No. 516

 

Powder ran to the mural. But by the time she reached there, the place was empty, puffs of smoke still lingered, the smell of Ozone tangible in air. Her heart hinged... Was she gone? Is she safe? 

Powder sat down by the mural. As a Wind blew in she noticed something flapping. A note, kept below a Rock. She picked up the rock, she opened the note, but before she read the note, she noticed another thing. Writings on the mural. She ran her fingers over the letters. She smiled as she read them. 

 

ALWAYS WITH YOU SIS! 

EVEN WHEN WE'RE WORLDS APART

Notes:

Yeah no, I lied. This isn't the final chapter. I still got a lot of stuff to set up and a lot of questions to answer that I just didn't want to do in this chapter as I wanted it to be only about Vander and Vi

Next: Epilogue and Exordiums

Chapter 7: Epilogue & Exordiums

Summary:

Yeah, this is just a collection of short stories meant to tie up loose threads and stuff. And maybe potential set up/start off some of my other fics that are WIP

Notes:

Well, this one does end here. But I do hope you guys will enjoy these stories meant to tie the story so far in a neat little bow as best as I can

THE FAMILY DISH

"Honey, you're hurting my eye" 

"Relax Cupcake. Just bear with me" 

Vi dragged Caitlyn across the Kiramman manor in the middle of the night. She promised Cait a surprise. Big time.

"Ok!! Now keep your eyes closed!! Don't peek!! Let me set things up"

Caitlyn stood in darkness, keeping her one good eye closed. What is she doing? I smell scented Candles. Where even am I? 

"Okay!! You can look now" 

Caitlyn's eye opened. She was greeted by the warm glow of several nearly arranged Candles casting beautiful light shows and shadows against the walls of her Kitchen. The night sky dotted with faint stars was framed within the windows of the room. But the biggest eye catcher, was Vi. She stood there Holding a Bouquet of Flowers, not just any flowers, Violets. 

Caitlyn's hands clasped around her mouth as she took in the sights. A small squeal escaped her mouth. Vi herself looked a billion times more beautiful to her under the glow of the Candles. 

"You know you'll have to clean up the Candle waxes right?" Caitlyn said, trying to regain her composure even though she was jumping inside her heart at this

"You'll help me, now sit down!! I got something extra special for you" Vi turned around as she began to prepare something on the Kitchen table. 

Caitlyn looked at the Kitchen, for the last year, since her mother passed, the place was neglected. She used to buy all her food from outside. Nothing changed even with Vi. But right now, Vi has cleaned up her mother's domain, and was serving her the first dish this room has seen in months.

The aroma filled Caitlyn's nose and the smile on Vi as she served it filled her heart. 

Vi sat down opposite to her, "Okay, now hear me out, I know this is just one dish and probably nothing compared to your large banquets you take me to but.... this one is the most unique dish in the world" 

Caitlyn chuckled, she wanted to say something cheesy, like 'No banquet compares to you my love' but she held her tongue. Instead she asked, "Oh? Really? And why is it so unique?" 

 

Vi squealed, almost as if she wanted this question to come up, like a kid who was seeing a question she studied on the test. "Okay, here is the kicker, Vander used to serve a dish at our bar, it was called the Vander Special. But for us kids he made a special version. As of today, only 5 people ever have tasted this. And if that wasn't unique enough. I'm the only one alive who knows how to make this. No one, no one else knows how to make this" 

 

Caitlyn's heart skipped several beats. She didn't know what to say. She wished to say a million things to Vi but, those words also had another meaning. She was alone, this dish has only ever been shared between her family. And right now, she has none of them with her....

Caitlyn's hand stretched towards Violet's. She squeezed her hand. "Hey cupcake, I'll always be with you" 

 

POWDER HAS A LITTLE LAMB

 

Powder walked ahead into the Small home, she held out the Note her Time Traveling sister left her. She was at an Orphanage. The text detailed a description of a child. 

She saw a small kid, the description felt similar enough to the outward appearance. Powder steeled her heart. She approached the kid. Their eyes met. She leaned down towards the kid. It slightly shuffled back. Scrunching it's tiny nose

"Um... hey... are you... Isha??" 

 

VOICES IN TIME

 

Ekko was in a meeting with Firelights, the Chembarons were getting frisky, for the past three years their atrocities have been on the rise. But recently they have took to stealing kids again. Things were starting to go back to the decrepit ways again for Zaun. Sevika being stuck with the Larger Politics of Piltover & Zaun meant the Barons had near free reign. 

"Ekko!!" He heared Vi's call 

"I'm busy Vi" he said trying to sound tough

"Yeah okay, come here" 

"Wai-" Vi pulled him away to an isolated place

"You gotta stop treating me like a Little boy!! I'm a leader here Goddamnit" 

Vi looked at him, tilting her head, then scoffed, "I'm not treating you like a Little Boy!! I'm treating you like my Little Man" she teased

"Forfucksake!! Just tell me why you're here" 

Vi looked around to make sure no eavesdropping happens, she leaned closer to Ekko

"While I was returning here, I saw Jayce and Viktor"

Ekko's eyes widened, he looked at Vi

"They said be prepared, we need to go to Ionia, Jayce said he's coming back" 

 

GHOST GIRLS

 

Vi sat down on the top of the Piltover bridge, she overlooked Zaun from Piltover. Powder's show was starting. Her older self was on her way back home. She felt another presence float down beside her and land on her feet. 

"You think she's gonna be Okay?" The little blue haired girl asked

"I mean, she is still a Vi, Okay is relative but, I'm sure she will better than she was when we found her" Vi mused

"Why didn't you tell her the truth about us?" The girl in blue skirt and white shirt sat down beside her

"And what does that accomplish? What was I to tell her? That we are not Ghosts? That we don't have an Afterlife, that we're memories of two untimely dead kids given form by the Arcane? That we are destined to be unseen and unknown to our loved ones? That we will Wander the Earth until Eternity? Until the last star dies?" Vi looked at the little girl 

"Well when you put it like that, we are kinda in a bad situation huh?" She looked at Vi and smiled, she rested her head on Vi's shoulder. Vi leaned into her head. 

As they stood overlooking the Night sky, Vi asked, "So... are you ready for Eternity? Cupcake?"

The girl locked her fingers with Violet's. "If It's with Vi, Caitlyn could spend an Eternity and still be unsatisfied" 

 

The two Ghosts swung their legs back and forth, looking over the Night sky as stars decorated the Vast expanse mirroring the glowing lights of the City below. They leaped off, floating towards the sky, hand in hand, the Moon framing the two girls as they floated in each other's companionship.

Notes:

Stuff I'm planning:

Continuation of the Canon S2 ending.
Vi and Cait grow their relationship into marriage, Caitlyn has to deal with the aftermath of her Dictator arc and Vi needs to live up to the Legacy of Vander. (Happens after Vi returns at the end of this story)

Continuation of the Canon AU.
The Adventures of Ghost Vi and Cait and the marriage arc of Ekko and Powder

AU story where Caitlyn and Vi are Evil

Canon Divergence where Vi sees Caitlyn and save her from the explosion at Jayce's apartment. (WIP)

Ambessa adopts Vi at 15 (Currently working on)

Notes:

So. how did you like it so far?? Leave what you think down below:

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of ArcaneCoping'sFics