Chapter Text
* * *
“Maybe we can get to him. We could even kill him . . . but there’s no way we’re gettin’ out,” Ekko shared. “With him dead, though-”
“The undercity’s screwed,” came a new voice.
Ekko’s eyes widened and he whirled, seeing a figure leaning up against his house. They were cloaked and hooded, blending into the dark wood remarkably well . . . but there was no mistaking them.
“Jinx,” Ekko growled, grasping his club.
Jinx opened her cloak, revealing her chompers . . . and once again, there was a string tied through all of the pins and clutched in her left hand.
“You’re back,” Vi said mutedly, not sure what to feel at seeing her sister again.
“Thought it’d be harder,” Jinx said.
“I had guards all ‘round the rim!” Ekko retorted.
“Not that many in the pipes, though,” Jinx replied. “Doesn’t matter. Ekko, you know what would happen if you killed Silco.”
Ekko closed his eyes, counted to ten, then let out his breath before opening his eyes again.
“What would happen?” Vi asked.
“If we’re lucky, Sevika would take over . . . if not, the chembarons,” Ekko answered wearily. “Either way, it’d be worse.”
“It’ll be the chembarons,” Jinx said. “Everyone knows that she’d have to be the first to go, so they’d all be gunnin’ for her . . . and now they have the guns to do it with. Pretty damn big ones, too. Where’s Ren?”
Ekko crossed his arms. “Why?”
“I wanna know if she’s alright,” Jinx replied.
“She’s sleeping,” Vi provided.
Jinx looked into her eyes, then softened and nodded. “Thanks.”
“What’re you doin’ here?” Ekko demanded.
“I’m tryin’ to save your life,” Jinx said simply.
Ekko wanted to snort and make a tart rejoinder. He really did. But Jinx looked differently than he’d ever seen her before -just tired, and done with it all.
“Silco . . . he told me to find you all,” Jinx supplied. “He noticed this place, and he wants you dealt with.”
“And what do you want?” Vi asked.
“I want you back,” Jinx said, her voice cracking. “Both of you. I want you to not kill Silco, and I want Silco to not kill you.”
Ekko snorted, and Jinx shook her head.
“Shut up,” Jinx growled at something else, before refocusing. “Please. Please. This might be the last chance we get for peace.”
“You want peace,” Ekko asked incredulously. “You, Jinx, want peace?!”
“Is that so damn surprising?” Jinx retorted. “I asked you to join me -join Silco. For Zaun.”
“That was years ago,” Ekko pointed out.
“So?” Jinx asked. “I offered. You’re the one who spat on it. And ever since, you’ve always been the ones to come buzzin’ out an’ attack us. I’ve never attacked you here.”
Ekko took a step forward, and Jinx tugged on her string.
“That’s a bluff,” Vi said.
“Go ahead and call it,” Jinx invited, dead eyes meeting Ekko’s.
Ekko stayed where he was.
Vi shifted nervously. “It’s a bluff, right?”
“There’s no answer I can give that’ll help,” Jinx replied tiredly. “You’ll find out or you won’t.”
“So . . . peace,” Ekko said, though the word was bitter on his tongue. “What does that look like to you?”
“I don’t know,” Jinx admitted. “I can convince Silco that the Firelights’ll be useful -maybe your hoverboards’ll help against the airships. And you . . . you’re an inventor, a really good one. That’ll be useful, too. And Silco’s talked about havin’ a group to do the enforcers’ jobs -but better. Keep the streets safe -at least, the Lanes. It’s too important to have people clubbin’ each other in the middle of it. You and your crystal bombs’d be good.”
“I can’t work with Silco while he pumps his poison through the streets,” Ekko tried.
“Then I’ll get him to shut it down,” Jinx replied. “Only as a happy juice, though. We don’t really need it anymore, anyways.”
“You never needed it in the first place,” Ekko growled.
Vi put a hand on his shoulder. “Not the time.”
Ekko sighed. “You’re right . . .”
Jinx shook her head, and blinked a few times. “Wait, is this actually . . . no, this can’t be happening. There’s gotta be somethin’ wrong.”
“What is it?” Vi asked, concerned.
“I didn’t think . . .” Jinx shook her head. “How is this working? I thought . . . I thought this wouldn’t work! Thought it’d just go wrong and . . . you’re not trickin’ me, are you? You’re actually considering this?”
There was energy in her voice now, a desperate hope that wasn’t there before!
“I ain’t like I have much of a choice,” Ekko replied, a touch of anger in his voice. “We could try an’ evacuate, but where would we go? So yeah, this is about the only option I see. And shuttin’ down shimmer . . . that’s what I want most of all.”
“I’ll get Silco to do it,” Jinx promised. “I will.”
With that, Jinx turned to Vi.
“Are you thinkin’ of this, too?” Jinx asked. “What do you need?”
And suddenly, Vi was in an awkward spot. Jinx looked cautiously happy, and the pleading look in her eyes made it so hard for Vi to even consider saying ‘no’.
But . . . Silco . . .
“Jinx,” Vi said carefully. “Silco . . . he killed Vander, an’ I still don’t know if he’s done somethin’ to you.”
“He loved Vander more than you did!” Jinx replied. “He made a statue of him -or had it made, whatever. And he’s done nothin’ to me!”
“Vi,” Ekko warned. “This ain’t an argument anyone can win.”
Vi closed her eyes, thinking hard, but . . . there was nothing she truly wanted. Not if killing Silco or getting Jinx away from him were off the table . . .
“You’ll have to convince him that you won’t hurt me,” Jinx shared. “He . . . he doesn’t like you. But I’ll help, I’ll make this work!”
“I . . . as long as Silco never tries to keep the two of us apart, I’ll . . .” Vi almost felt sick. “I won’t try an’ kill him or anything.”
“Peace?” Jinx prompted, looking back and forth between them with hope filling her eyes.
Ekko nodded. “Peace.”
Vi closed her eyes, sighed, and opened them again. “Peace.”
The smile that formed on Jinx’s face almost lit the night, and she threw her hands up in exhilaration.
In triumph.
Ting-ting-ting-ting-ting-ting-ting-ting-ting-
She had still been holding the string, and all the pins came loose from their chompers!
But Jinx didn’t even seem to notice as she lunged at both of them, as if to pull them into a hug-
POPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOP!
Blue and pink paint covered the three of them, the tree branch, and even the shack behind them! More flew out and splattered down below!
But in the midst of it all, Jinx wrapped her arms around Vi and Ekko.
“All I promised is it would get messy,” Jinx said with a laugh.
“It was a bluff!” Vi spluttered.
Ekko, meanwhile, almost had a heart attack -he was pissed and humiliated and angry-
But then he saw just how happy Jinx was. She was honest-to-goodness laughing, with a brightness in her eyes that Ekko thought was forever lost. And on top of all that, she was hugging them.
Maybe . . . maybe he truly could give peace a chance . . .
Ekko’s stomach did flip-flops as he returned the hug, wrapping his arms around both Vi and Jinx. He by no means forgave Jinx for what she’d done . . . but he could just enjoy the moment. Who knew if he would ever have the chance again?
And as they hugged, the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon.
* * *
Dawn had come for Piltover and Zaun, yet Silco did not see it. He was still deep beneath the ground, in the midst of the base under the cannery. No natural light reached him as he addressed his chembarons. Finn, Chross, Margot, Smeech, and Renni were all in attendance, and had been as Silco ran through everything that had happened . . . and now he was giving orders.
“Margot,” Silco addressed the head of the Vyx, that managed most of the pleasure in Zaun. “You will arrange a parley with Piltover, to take place in the early afternoon so that we’ll all have a chance to rest. I expect a ceasefire in the meantime. Also, deliver these to Sevika.”
Silco slid a heavy envelope across the table they all sat at, and Margot took it gracefully.
“It will be done,” Margot replied. “Shall I be more kind or more threatening?”
“Threatening,” Silco stated. “Impress upon them that their backs are to the wall, and time is against them.”
“Very well,” Margot accepted.
With that, Silco turned to Finn. He controlled the Slickjaws, who were the mercenaries and weapons procurers.
“Finn, you will organize security here,” Silco stated. “It is entirely possible that Piltover will attempt a last-ditch aerial assault, given the concentration of people of value here. Ensure they meet with devastating failure.”
“I already have people training on the cannons,” Finn replied. “They won’t be particularly competent, but we will fill the sky with fire.”
“Do not be overambitious,” Silco warned.
Finn nodded, perhaps less respectfully than he should’ve . . . but frankly, Silco didn’t care much about his posturing.
Instead, Silco addressed Renni and Smeech, who ran the Sludgerunners and Scraphackers. The former made chemtech in general, and the later focused on engineering body replacements and prosthetics. The important thing was that they had experience managing supply chains.
“Smeech, you will focus on the looting of Piltover,” Silco said. “It should be well underway, but review it and ensure that we are taking everything not nailed down -and a good number of things that are.”
Smeech cackled and nodded. “The moneychangers at the docks still have plenty of coin -we’ll have it all.”
“Excellent,” Silco praised. “Now, Renni, you will focus on supplying our army in Piltover. Seize whatever topside foodstuffs you care to, but ensure it is plentiful.”
“And before I hand over enforcer armor, I’ll ensure it is properly marked,” Renni promised.
“Indeed,” Silco agreed. “We do not want confusion on the battlefield.”
Last came Chross. He headed the Hush Company, which were primarily information brokers, middlemen, and networkers -they knew how to put people in touch with each other.
“Chross, I imagine it will be difficult for you to maintain any sort of contact with your people inside the Western Armory, so I will not expect many results on that front -but of course, still make an effort,” Silco said. “Beyond that, seek out any potential hostages who have slipped the net, and anything else of value.”
“As you wish,” Chross replied. “For your information, the Sheriff’s body has been found, which also makes his daughter no longer valuable.”
“Very well,” Silco accepted. “You are all dismissed. More specific orders will be sent as appropriate; ensure you send your reports consistently.”
They all rose, and filed out of the room. Some were quite close, like Finn and Margot -who were officially ‘together’. Others, like Chross, walked alone.
Yet they did not leave without anything interesting happening . . .
“Who are these two?” Finn demanded.
“You don’t need to know,” Jinx replied.
“Silco placed me in charge of this building’s security,” Finn retorted. “So unless you want to disappoint dear old dad-”
“Let her and her companions pass,” Silco called out.
Though he didn’t see it, Silco could imagine the triumphant smirk Jinx shot at Finn . . . and he smiled.
Regardless, in strode Jinx, looking happy.
Well, she in fact looked nervous, doubtful, and a few other things, but happy was the one that drew Silco’s attention the most. That, and hopeful.
Flanking her, though, were two others. One was in a long, dark coat that hid most characteristics. They had a hood up to hide their hair, and a rebreather mask hid most of their face, exposing only dark skin and dark eyes. The other was a strapping young figure in a sleeveless hoodie and dark stripped pants. Her hood hide her hair, like the other, but her lower face was covered by a bandanna . . . still, pale skin was exposed, as well as gray eyes.
Extremely familiar gray eyes.
Silco’s blood ran cold and he stiffened, reaching for a weapon.
I must get Jinx away from her before she hurts her even more.
“Jinx, tell me that is not who I think it is,” Silco said, his voice carefully controlled.
“It’s Vi,” Jinx replied, a worried smile on her face.
“Step away from her,” Silco ordered.
From beneath the table, Silco drew a revolver. It was pitch black, but with gold detailing and red accents -a gift from Jinx.
But Jinx herself very purposefully stepped in front of Vi.
“Jinx,” Silco tried, keeping the revolver lowered. “She-”
“She’s my sister,” Jinx replied. “And I won’t let you hurt her.”
“She betrayed you, struck you, abandoned you!” Silco exclaimed. “You will carry the scars she left on you forever! I cannot allow her to hurt you any more.”
“She won’t hurt me,” Jinx argued.
“Jinx, I wish it were so,” Silco honestly sympathized. “But Vander-”
“She ain’t Vander!” Jinx interrupted. “And I ain’t you.”
Vi pulled the bandanna off, and glared at Silco past Jinx.
“I didn’t mean to hit her,” Vi promised. “And I only left so I wouldn’t hurt her more. The minute I saw you goin’ up to her with a knife, I tried to go back but some enforcer took me and threw me in Stillwater.”
“I found her there,” Jinx added. “She didn’t mean to abandon me, and she didn’t mean to hit me!”
Silco focused his eyes on Vi. “Will you ever hurt her again? Even so much as touch her in anger?”
“Never,” Vi vowed, though not out of respect for Silco’s demand.
“Will you fight at her side?” Silco pressed. “Against Piltover, despite how much blood will be shed?”
“Always,” Vi promised.
Silco narrowed his eyes. “You lie. Vander would never-”
“Maybe he wouldn’t, but I would,” Vi interrupted. “If I was in your place, maybe I would’ve an’ maybe I wouldn’t’ve, but the war’s already started and I’m gonna make sure we win.”
Silco gazed at her, and Vi clenched her fists.
“But as for hurtin’ Jinx?” Vi growled. “The same goes for you. You killed Vander, and it’s your fault Mylo and Claggor are dead. I saw you with a knife in your hand, goin’ for Powder. If I ever hear that you hurt her, or you’re doin’ something to her, I’ll-”
Her threat ended suddenly as she saw Silco smile.
Actually smile!
“You have his fire,” Silco commented, then his face fell. “Don’t smother it as he did.”
Vi crossed her arms, but Silco looked away from her and back at Jinx.
“Is this truly what you want?” Silco asked. “Knowing that she could hurt you again?”
Jinx chewed her bottom lip, then nodded.
Silco hung his head with a sigh.
He could never deny her anything.
“Very well,” Silco accepted. “But if you ever feel threatened by her-”
“I’m strong enough now,” Jinx insisted.
“It is far from that simple,” Silco replied sadly, then took a deep breath. “I will trust you to keep yourself safe.”
“I will,” Jinx promised.
Silco nodded, taking note of how Vi was gritting her teeth. Either she is a far better manipulator than I thought, or she is quite unhappy with this . . . compromise.
And unless something has markedly changed, she is not clever with her words or face.
But does that make this easier or harder?
Yet Silco had to pull away from that, and focused on her other companion.
“Given the task I set out for you, I can only assume that this is a Firelight,” Silco stated. “Ekko, I imagine.”
Ekko nodded, and seemed to be preparing to speak before Jinx rushed ahead.
“You said we’re comin’ to the time when we can work with others,” Jinx shared, her voice trembling slightly. “That we’ll be good people to build the world we want.”
“I suppose I did.” Silco sighed, and met Ekko’s eyes. “I offered to work with you, and you refused. What has changed?”
“Jinx said you’d shut down shimmer,” Ekko said bluntly. “If she asked.”
“That is an expensive demand,” Silco replied.
“Is it?” Ekko asked. “You’ve said you love the undercity. Zaun. You’re smart, too, and you have eyes everywhere. You know what shimmer’s doin’ to your people. I don’t think it’s something you want. Maybe somethin’ you think you need, but not want . . . and Jinx said you don’t really need it anymore.”
“You know how smart he is!” Jinx pleaded. “He can invent stuff, fix things!”
“Is it only for peace?” Silco questioned. “Or are you truly willing to commit to Zaun?”
Ekko crossed his arms. “I’ve got lines I won’t cross. But this is my city -I’ll do whatever I can.”
“When I started putting shimmer on the streets, I knew it wouldn’t be forever,” Silco shared. “But I miscalculated. I didn’t think about the end . . . and how deep addiction sinks its claws in. I can shut down the recreational form of shimmer. I will. But you and the Firelights are the leading experts in weaning people off of shimmer. Are you willing to work with me to handle an epidemic of withdrawal?”
“Yes,” Ekko replied instantly -he didn’t even need to think about it.
“Are you willing to work alongside Jinx, despite the bad blood between you?” Silco questioned. “Invent things to aid Zaun?”
“Not weapons,” Ekko said. “Nothin’ that kills.”
Silco waved a dismissive hand. “Jinx is a far better weapons designer than you could ever be. No, I’m interested in air and water filters . . . perhaps even some way to cleanse the ground. The reckless mining that topside demands of us, and the pollutants they drop on us, have turned our home into a toxic wasteland. I aim to change that.”
“I can get on board with that,” Ekko accepted.
Compared to very personal threat that was Vi, Ekko was much less of a problem. And frankly speaking, Silco didn’t care enough about the people who’d suffered from the Firelights to want revenge.
“Very well,” Silco agreed. “So long as you never attack my operations, and work with me in good faith for the betterment of Zaun, I am willing to do the same.”
And to Ekko, he extended a hand. Ekko looked at it like a particularly venomous sump snake, then took a deep breath and shook it firmly.
With that, Silco turned back to Jinx.
“Thank you for doing this,” Silco said softly, honestly. “Even if it is not the way I envisioned, you more than completed the task I set out. I’m quite proud of you.”
Jinx grinned happily.
“Now I would like you to rest,” Silco instructed gently. “And when you awaken . . . come up with the highest explosive you can, and a delivery mechanism.”
Jinx’s grin widened, and a familiar sense of glee entered her eyes . . .
“And to aid in it, I have a gift,” Silco revealed.
He reached under his desk and grabbed a small chest. Placing it on his desk, he opened it to reveal a number of shining blue crystals, secured in place by a felt-lined tray with spaces for each of them. Taking the tray out revealed another beneath it . . . and more to follow. It was a small chest, but there were plenty of hexcrystals.
Ekko narrowed his eyes at it, while Vi flinched . . . and Jinx looked conflicted, her grin becoming strained.
“Use them if you wish,” Silco offered, closing the crate.
“I will,” Jinx promised, grabbing it.
“Jinx,” Vi objected. “You can’t be serious!”
“They weren’t the problem,” Jinx growled. “And Piltover’s been holdin’ hextech over our heads for too long. C’mon.”
With that, Jinx turned and started striding away.
And Ekko and Vi followed.
Once the door closed, Silco could finally slump forward, close his eyes, and start taking deep breaths to calm himself.
Please . . . whatever deities are out there . . .
Don’t let Jinx be hurt any more.