Riven was impossibly bored.

She didn't think she could even get this bored. And she has been feeling like this a lot lately. Much more than she would like to be, not really to say she ever likes being bored.

But there simply isn't much for her to do anymore. She hadn't been called for any matches in a long time, as the summoners have stated that she is 'weak' right now when compared to other champions in her role.

She had to scoff at that though. In her opinion, the summoners simply did not know how to use her skills and had to resort to 'easier' champions to get results.

At any rate, there has not been much for her to do to kill time while in between the occasional matches that she was called for.

Of course she could always go exercise in the Institute's training hall. But that's only an option when it's not already full.

In fact, when she had checked the training room this morning before going for breakfast, it has been packed. And it would surely be even more so right now, since most matches were concluding for the day. Other champions would be there to get in extra training for tomorrow's matches, and she didn't particularly want to go into a crowded, sweaty training hall.

And as she thought about how limited her options were to entertain herself, she groaned and fell onto her bed. Maybe she will just take a nap to pass the time.

Except...as she quickly found out, she isn't very tired.

Groaning once again, she sat up in the bed. Maybe she can go for an evening hike in the woods outside the Institute. She wasn't much a nature lover, but hey, it was better than sitting around until she went to sleep.

But before she could place further thought on a hike, a knock on the door drew her out of her musing. A hope lit up in her. Maybe it was a summoner coming to summon her for a late night match.

No, that couldn't be it. The summoners can simply summoner her from anywhere. They don't need to physically come to her door for it. Still, she could hope, couldn't she?

She got up to open the door, not really knowing who or what to expect would be there. But as she opened the door, she realized that she definitely did not expect to see a similarly bored looking Miss Fortune and a giddy Sona standing in front of it.

"Uh, hi?" she started, not really knowing what to say to them, "Can I help you guys with something?"

She had no clue why they would be at her door. She wasn't even close to either of them. Not at all. Hell, she barely even sees them in matches nowadays.

But Sona simply smiled at her and waved, while Miss Fortune responded for both of them.

"Hey, Riven. I, well, we have a proposition for you." She waited for Riven respond.

"Okay...go on."

"I know it's a little out of the blue, but I'm sure that you'll enjoy it. Anyways, we need someone for a game that we play, and Sona has noticed that you've been bored lately, what with you not being called for matches as much anymore. And Sona also thinks you'll be perfect for what we exactly need, and I agree. So we figure that it would be a win-win situation if you were to join us. You would have something to do to occupy yourself with, and effectively kill your boredom, and we would have a party member for the things we want to do in this game. Sound good?"

But Riven was confused at Miss Fortune's proposal. She didn't have a clue what game Miss Fortune was talking about, let alone what she would exactly be signing up for. And as such, she was a bit hesitant at saying yes.

"What do you mean you need a party member for a game. What game is it, and why do you think I would be perfect for...whatever it is you think I'd be perfect for?" She questioned.

"Well we think you're perfect because...you would be...erm," Miss Fortune frowned, obviously struggling with explaining what they needed. "How can I explain this in concepts that you would know? Hmm. Here, just come with us. I think it will be easier to explain by just showing you what we need and what you would be doing than telling you. After all, actions speak louder than words, right?"

She then looked over at Sona. "I have that extra rig in my room that you use as backup, for her to use. So you can go log on at your place, and I'll get her set up at mine."

However, Sona shook her head and made a little gesture with her fingers in response. Riven noticed that she was making a little walking person gesture with her index and middle fingers. She didn't understand what that meant exactly, but apparently Miss Fortune understood Sona.

"Oh, ok. That works too. Well, go get your stuff then."

Riven decided to voice her confusion, wanted to understand what they were talking about.

"What did she say? And what do you mean by log on and all the other stuff you're talking about?"

"Sona said that will get her stuff and join us at my place. She thinks it will be funner that way," MF translated.

"Really? You got all that from that little gesture? How?" Riven questioned, astonished by MF's read.

"More or less. And it's because we've been partners so long, that I've grown to understand her little nuances. Anyways, as for the rest of your questions go, I'll explain on the way to my dorm. So follow me."

Miss Fortune started walking down the hallway, towards the dorms were the Bilgewater denizens stayed whenever they were in the Institute of War. Riven followed her, hoping to sate her curiosity.

As she left, she noticed Sona waving at them, probably saying goodbye, and then going down the hall to what Riven presumed was her own quarters.

"So, I'll start with the basics," Miss Fortune started. "As you know, me and Sona never really get picked for matches anymore, like you. So we decided to find something to do so that we wouldn't be bored out of our minds, also like you probably feel. Along the lines, we eventually found arcade games."

"Arcade games? What are those?" Riven asked. She didn't know what these, 'arcade games' were. She has never heard of them, though she was never one to use or pay attention to most modern technologies and inventions, preferring more traditional means of entertainment. Like killing things. That was always fun.

"Right, you don't know what they are. Hmm, well I guess the best way to explain them is that they are these inventions from Piltover and Zaun that allow you to play games on a screen. Kinda like watching shows on a hexavision. Or better yet, they are like playing board games on a hexavision. Have you ever played Caves and Chimeras? This game is like that. Kinda."

She hoped Riven understood that much, as she did notice the warrior having a hexavision in her living room, and Caves and Chimeras was a popular board game in the past.

Riven's brow furrowed in thought regarding MF's words. She has heard of Caves and Chimeras before. It was some kind of role playing game, or something, that the other kids around her would play in Noxus. She had never played it, as she entered military service at a young age, and never bothered to join in with her fellow soldiers on their breaks. She had always just focused on improving herself and getting physically stronger.

But she kinda understood what Miss Fortune was talking about though. Not fully yet,but getting there. She assumed this was one of the things Miss Fortune told her she would understand when she saw it.

"Yeah, I have heard of CnC. So this game is like a role playing game that can play on a hexavision screen. Is that what you want me to join you in?"

"Yeah...well no. That's kind of what arcade games are like. But this game, Neon Rush-or as we like to call it, The Arcade-it's is even better than that. It allows us to actually go inside the game, and play through it as if it is real."

"Oh, that's pretty interesting. So, this is what you need me for?" Riven was starting to catch up now.

"Yup. This game is multiplayer, and anyone on it can join together to make a guild, which is what we want to do. But we need at least four people to create one, and we only have three at the moment.

"Three? Who's the third"

"Oh, Hecarim plays with us every now and then." Riven was curious how he became a party member, but didn't question it. "And as I mentioned before, Sona thinks you would be perfect for our fourth. You're fighting preference would prove to be useful in battles in the game. You and Hec can be our frontline melee fighters while me and Sona form the back line." Miss Fortune continued.

"Oh, that makes sense."

"Good, and we're here now too." Miss Fortune announced, stopping in front of her doorway. She opened the door for them and allowed Riven to walk in.

"Welcome to my humble abode. Feel free to explore or whatever. Just don't break anything. I'm going to start setting up everything for you while we wait for Sona to get here with her stuff."

As MF walked deeper into the dormitory, Riven decided to look around Miss Fortune's dorm was pretty basic, though. It didn't deviate from most starting dorms much, staying practically unchanged except for a few Bilgewater decals on the walls. Riven saw multiple guns and hats lining the walls, showing MF's nautical heritage through the room.

However, there was one major difference in the living room. A mass of cords connected to a station with some forms of helmets attached to it. Miss Fortune was doing something to one of the two helmets Riven saw, most likely setting it up for Riven.

Riven went to set up for a closer examination, but she found that she did not have a clue what anything was. She never really had a penchant for technology, growing up as a poor kid in a traditional and militaristic Noxus. Thinking about it, she wondered how Miss Fortune was so adept at...whatever she was doing to the helmet. After all, Bilgewater wasn't that much more advanced than Noxus in technology. And Riven highly doubt MF spent her childhood surrounded by technology.

But then again, Riven would never, for the life of her, be able to fire a gun like Miss Fortune could, even if they were the primitive ones from the pirate city-state (well, primitive compared to guns and other weaponry of Zaun and Piltover). As such, Miss Fortune had to have some idea of how to use technology, if only slightly more so than Riven.

"Okay, all done. Now then, are you ready to experience the best thing ever?" Miss Fortune questioned, bringing Riven back to the present.

But Riven didn't really think she was ready. After all, she had no prior experience with complex technology-aside from figuring out how to change channels on a hexavision, which had taken her hours to do- and she still didn't know what she would actually be doing.

Hell, she probably would have not even came this far, had Miss Fortune not convinced her that this would cure her boredom. But she was here now, and didn't truly have anything to lose from saying yes. Well, at least she hopes she doesn't...

"Yeah, I guess I'm as ready as I can be with what you have told me. Though, I still don't know what this machine does or how to use it really." Riven replied, pointing at the headset and it's connected machine.

"Ah, right. So this machine is what allows us to enter the game. These headsets, once we put and turn them on, will connect our minds with the game somehow, allowing us to enter it. By the way, we'll wait for Sona to get here before entering, but I'll show you how to use it now."

Just as she said, Miss Fortune guided Riven through the process of using the machine as they waited, and helped her set up. And soon enough after, Sona arrived with equipment in arms. And with little delay for Sona to set up, they were finally finished.

"Alright, are you ready, Riven?" Miss Fortune asked.

"Uh, as ready as I'll ever be I guess."

"Great! Let's go!"

Riven, remembering Miss Fortune's earlier instructions on how to do so, activated her headset, which Miss Fortune had called a rig.

Suddenly, as the machine gave a little beep, her vision distorted and darkened, as if she was being plunged underwater. She didn't know if she had lapsed out of conscious, but the next thing she knew was that she was in some bright and colorful place. Blinking, she tried to adjust to the new environment.

As she took a moment to look around, she noticed that she was in some kind of dense forest. But it was completely different from any kind of forest she ever knew. Everything looked like it was made up of thousands of tiny, colorful squares. She examined the ground underneath her and found that was the same way.

It was all a bit disturbing to her, yet somehow interesting. It was almost like she was in some kind of children's dream, if a kid was hyped up on hundreds of pounds of sugar, or worse, one of Lulu's 'purple' fantasies. She shivered at the thought. That little yordle must be on something...

But she didn't get to muse on the thought much longer though, as Miss Fortune and Sona had materialized right in front of her. She wasn't too bothered by their sudden teleportation, as it happened on the Rift all the time. But what did surprise her was their vibrant outfits and weaponry.

With Miss Fortune in her floppy pink striped hat and headphones, and Sona in her star adorned dress, they were quite comical to Riven. She even had to hold back laughter at how ridiculous they looked.

"What are you two wearing?" She questioned with a barely contained chuckle. "...You guys look like you took a bath in a rainbow, and stole its color."

"Hey! I happen to like this outfit. It fits me," Miss Fortune defended her precious outfit, emphasizing the action with hands on hips.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or anything. But I'm just saying that your clothing is a little...odd and...overly whimsical. It's nice I guess, just really, really colorful," Riven returned, hoping to rectify her words, but still chuckling. Miss Fortune let out a huff, but did not press her further, while Sona gave a small, inaudible chuckle at their antics.

"You're right Riven, our outfits are a tad bit odd, but they were made to be silly. It fits this place. And you will have to choose a fitting outfit too." Sona calmly stated, flabbergasting Riven.

"Wait, Sona? You can talk?! How?!" Riven questioned, very surprised at the revelation to say the least.

"Oh, I guess we forget to mention that," Sona directed to Miss Fortune. MF simply shrugged in response.

"Didn't seem that important at the time, and I forgot anyways."

"Hmm. Well anyways, Riven, I can't normally, but while I'm in this game, I can. The machine we used to log in, the helmet thing, reads and tracks our thoughts, including our mental words as well. That allows the game to mimic what my voice would be like in reality."

"So the game basically gives you an artificial voice? That's interesting."

"Yup. Anyways, as I said, you will have to change your outfit to fit in, as well. You might as well do it now, so you're not running around in your regular clothes and appearance all the time."

"Okay. Uh...how am I supposed to do that exactly."

"It's actually quite easy. Just think about the appearance you want and imagine having it. It will appear on you if you focus on it hard enough."

Okay then. Hmm, what do I want, Riven thought as she closed her eyes. Hmm. I can't really think of anything... It has to be something colorful, so I guess I can have something weird. Maybe something simple like...like green hair? Yeah, why not. I always wondered what I would look like with green hair as a kid.

Riven concentrated hard on the thought, attempting to will it into existence. A moment later, she opened her eyes, hoping that she did it.

She pulled down a loose strand from her head to examine its color and found that it was not the pale white she was used to. Instead, it had a emerald hue, much to her delight.

"Cool. I didn't think it would work for me at first."

"Yup. Like Sona said, it's pretty easy to do," MF agreed. "Though, I have to ask what's with the green hair?"

"It's something I thought I would look cool in. ...Don't judge me, you have pink hair."

MF frowned at Riven's return.

"Bubblegum. I have bubblegum colored hair, not pink. There's a difference. And I don't really care that you have green hair, I was just curious. Anyways, hurry up and customize your outfit and weapon. You will get better armor and weapons later, but for now, you still have a beginner's outfit."

"Yeah alright, I'm doing it." Riven closed her eyes again.

Now what do I want for an outfit...

She tried to come up with multiple ideas, but none of them stood out She thought again about what she liked as a kid, and remembered that one time, she had wanted to be a knight from Noxus's more primitive age, since they were strong, and what she had always wanted to grow up to be like.

Yeah, that could work she supposed, well except for the fact that the knights wore full metal armor and it was not particularly the most comfortable or versatile outfit to be honest.

But she could modify it to whatever she liked, right? So she could make it much more suitable for her tastes. Thinking on it a little, she managed to come up with an outfit that she figured would be much better, while at the same time being somewhat practical.

Once done, she took a quick check to see if it was the way she envisioned it to be, before once again closing her eyes to finish the last thing her outfit needed: a weapon.

Creating another sword was the most difficult part of this process. She knew the basics of what she wanted, a heavy sword like her usual weapon, but she did not know what modifications to make to it. She took a few moments more to think on what her sword would look like, and eventually she was able to envision a double-edged sword to her liking, similar to her usual sword in size and weight.

She opened her eyes to examine her outfit. Satisfied, she tested the new sword that lied on the ground next to her. Picking it up, she felt the heavy, but familiar weight in her hands.

"Not bad," MF approved, "Could be better with bubblegum hair though."

Sona rolled her eyes and her companion. "Aside from the bubblegum hair thing, MF is right, you did good on your outfit. The sword's pretty cool too. Well then, now that you have your outfit and everything, I think you're ready to actually play the game, Riven."

"I guess so. I mean, I still don't know exactly what I'll be doing."

"It's not that hard, just follow me and Sona. And hit stuff. You'll learn along the way. Now come on, let's get out this low level forest. I want to get some stuff done."

Miss Fortune started walking out, with Sona and Riven following. After several minutes, they reached the end of the dense forest. Miss Fortune stopped them, as they walked onto a cliff.

MF gave a whistle as she looked on a valley that lied in front of her. "Well, that's a view."

A dark blue river cut through the valley, leading to a giant neon city, lit up with spectacular lights. Weird glowing birds flew through the sky, and other strange native animals roamed the valley. Riven gasped as some large flying beast flew past them, diving into the valley, only adding to the experience. It was quite fantastic to say the least.

"That city there, is where we need to go. Are you ready to head out?" Sona asked.

Riven nodded in reply, still taking in the scenery.

"Alright then, let's go. Welcome to the Arcade, Riven."


Author's notes

Okay, some information about this story:

1. The Arcade is basically a MMORPG, but without set classes. It will kinda be like a sandbox MMO, like Archeage or something akin to it.

2. I will add additional characters later on in the story (Riot established Arcade characters as well as my own unofficial ones), but for now, we will stick with Riven.

3. I may or may not add relationships. I don't know if I want to for this story. Let me know how you guys feel on the matter, and I'll decide later on.

Hope you guys enjoyed!