***AUTHORS NOTE***
HI MY DEAR READERS, I'M NOT DEAD! WOO! Unfortunately, what is in the hospital right now is my enthusiasm for my re-write of Adventures of Badger. I have new ideas, but I'm kinda getting bored of writing the same-old same-old. I decided to create this new story at the urging of some of my good friends, as well as some fans who read my Snowdown story (I guess BadgerxElise was a pairing people liked!) ANYWAY, I'm going to try to not draw the focus to the OC this time, and really try to delve into the champions we see. This is really aimed at trying to not only improve my own writing, but improve my representation of how I think these characters could have really gotten their start. As always, please review and give me your ideas of what you may like to see!
Much love, thanks for your patience!
-HoneyBadger
Many, many years ago.
"Gotta hurry! Gotta hurry!"
A young woman scurried through the crowded Demacian street, pushing past people and struggling to move forward. Today was the day she'd been looking forward too all year, the most important day of the past year and a half of her life.
"Excuse me! Excuse me!" She cried, running as quickly as she could. She couldn't be late, this was far too important for her to be late.
"Ugh! If only I could just swing over these people, I could halve my time!"
Pressing forward, she finally managed to get to the street that overlooked the docks. Her eyes widened as She beheld a sight she hadn't laid eyes upon in months. It was a mighty Demacian cargo ship, the giant golden sails casting the glorious insignia of their nation into the waters reflection.
This was no ordinary cargo ship, though, this was a troop transport, it's origin point? The Kumungu jungle.
It was also the same ship that carried the lover of the petit young lady darting through the crowds of people.
"Ulric! Ulric!" She cried as she came close to the ship, her long red hair blowing in the ocean wind, "Ulric! Ul- Ah!"
Losing her balance, she tripped and fell to her hands and knees, barely catching herself.
"Darn it... I'm so clumsy... Darn it... Where are my glasses?"
"Beautiful lady, why are you on all fours? Surely you are more civilized than that!" A gentle voice teased.
The young woman's eyes filled with tears as a large hand help her to her feet. Letting out a cry of joy, she wrapped her arms around the heavily armored soldier whom had assisted her to her feet. He swept her up and twirled her in the air.
Aiming as best she could at his blurred face, she began to bury him in a shower of kisses.
"Ulric, oh my love I've missed you so!"
His gauntleted hand placed her glasses back on her face, at last giving her the clear face of her lover.
"My darling Elsa, I've missed you too."
One week ago.
"Monster!"
"Witch!"
"What the hell is that thing?!"
"Help! Help!"
One by one, they fell. Robed men and women, garbed in plain white clothes, their bodies ripped asunder. There was no escape, not anymore. The entrances and exits to the den were sealed, the thick webbing entangling any who attempted to tear it away from their salvation.
Unable to leave, they could only watch and scream as their fellows were devoured, dragged to the vicious and vile maw of their destroyer by the one they had so blindly followed.
The feast had begun moments before, utterly shocking the congregation. First, their priestess had stood at her altar, chanting and encouraging them all to join her in prayer. They had obeyed, each and every one of them, mindlessly wording the hymns of her praises. A darkness had then overtaken the room, and she had started to laugh and cheer for them. They all thought that it had occurred, immortality, life eternal, bestowed upon them.
How horrible it was to see the opposite was true. An elderly man in the front row was the first to be dragged away, his body impaled by a black spike and then dragged into the darkness.
A young woman, lusted after by numerous of the congregation's men, was the second to disappear, her screaming had pierced the room like a knife, only ending with a loud "Gluhk!"
That's when their priestess stopped laughing. Her eyes had glowed blood red as horrible appendages grew from her back. Her body twisted and contorted as a red mist surrounded her.
Before the eyes of all of those whom had given her their complete trust, their priestess had turned into a horrific spider. Its venom laced fangs clicking as its gleaming crimson eyes looked upon them. That was when everything became hopeless, as with a vicious cry, the room had shaken and the walls were torn asunder. An even more vicious, gigantic and horrible creature had made its presence known, bisecting a member of the group whom had grabbed a candle stick to attempt to defend himself. His muffled screams continued inside the mouth of the beast, even after his entrails trailed to the ground, and his legs hit the floor with a thug.
One by one, they were massacred. Some dragged into the darkness from the sides, others tugged to the ceiling, their blood and organs raining down behind them. Others fell through the floor, their blood curtiling cries echoing through the horrid abode before going out. After several minutes of the horrors, the killing and bloodshed came to an end, and the instigator of it all took her place in the center of the room.
Again, the crimson mist took hold of her, and the high priestess resumed her elegant, beautiful form.
She stood, emotionless, as she looked at the carnage around her. Rended bodies, twitching limbs, gagging corpses, it was the same scene she had been witness to countless times before. Tearing her eyes away from it all, she turned to see the most vicious and gigantic of all the spiders present. One step at a time, linear, perfectly balanced, she moved towards him, the clicking of her heels only dulled when she stepped in a puddle of fresh blood. Silently, elegantly, she waded through the carnage, directly to his open jaws. Cupping her hands, she held them up to her master, her god, and awaited the reward for her labors.
A fowl, green, glowing ooze dripped from his mandibles and into her palms, the venom of one of the most formidible creatures in the world. The priestess smiled at him, then immediately guzzled it down, lapping up every last drop from her fingers as though starving. She even dropped to the floor to lap up a drop that had fallen. She had to have every last drop to maintain her being, her form.
Satisfied, the gigantic spider again disappeared into the shadows, its terrible face going behind a veil of darkness. When the priestess turned around, she saw that everything in the room had been put back to order, the last of the spiders cleaning and re-arranging the mangled room, as well as dragging the remains of her followers away.
Licking her fingers, she allowed herself to fall to her knees.
"Never again," she whispered, as she did after every ceremony.
Present.
A lone man sat behind a desk, tapping his pencil against a pad. Night was coming, and thus his job would soon begin. Now, it was just a matter of counting down the minutes before the various… people… he worked with would seek him out.
Finally, the last light of day vanished beneath the windowsill, and the man felt a chill in the air. It was time.
Pulling a pendant from the drawer beside him, he quickly placed it over his neck, as he did so every night, and recited a short spell. It bound his body and soul to the pendant, a nexus fragment. If any of these beings tried to harm him, he would simply reappear at the Silver-League Summoners quarters.
He sighed, if he wasn't a silver league summoner, he wouldn't have been tasked with this horrible job.
Getting up from his desk, he slowly walked over to his office door. He undid the multiple chains, locks, bolts and disenchanted multiple spells from it. He then opened it wide and latched it to stay welcoming.
His eyes narrowing, he looked up at the plaque he had to read every day.
"Summoner Jay Badger, Shadow Isles Representative."
Turning around, he moved to return to his seat, only to let out a shout when he fell flat on the floor.
"Watch where you're going," a voice hissed at him.
He sighed again, time to start the day.
"Apologies, Champion Evelyn, I didn't see you." He replied, getting back up.
"Try using your eyes," She replied, taking a seat in front of the desk.
"You're quite right, I will attempt to do so in the future," He said, apologetically.
Bitch.
"What can I do for you Evelyn?" He asked, leaning forward and resting his head on his hands.
"I want a warrant for Twisted Fate's arrest," She growled, shoving a paper towards him.
"This is just a crudely drawn portrait of Twisted Fate being viciously mauled by Trundle."
"That's me, stupid."
I can't tell the difference.
"You're quite right, I apologize."
Bitch.
"So, why do you need a warrant for Twisted Fate's arrest? Has he harassed you? Stolen from you? Do I need to get a doll and you can show me where he touched you?"
The Widowmaker snarled at him, "How dare you!"
"Well I'm just assuming? I mean, don't you get touched everywhere every day? That outfit doesn't exactly help…"
"What are you implying?!"
"Ehr… I'm simply saying that your outfit reveals the majority of your body and that anyone who lightly walks past you may touch you inappropriately? May I suggest a tailor in town? I know a few people who could assist with a better choice of apparel."
She swiped her clawed hand at him, her nails moving so fast, it looked as though she was cutting the air. Badger, meanwhile, leaned back in his chair, and watched as several hairs from his bangs fell to the floor.
"Champion Evelyn, I was not trying to provoke you, merely offer you help."
"Help me by getting Twisted Fate imprisoned you incompetent idiot!"
Blue breasted bitch says what?
"I will do my best." He replied, taking the paper and making several notes on it.
"Now, is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Die."
God why are you such a bitch?
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Champion Evelyn, I'm very busy accomplishing all of the tasks you and your Shadow Isles fellows bestow upon me. I apologize for any inconvenience on Twisted Fate's part, regardless of what he did, and I shall see to it he is properly punished."
"Good."
The Widowmaker turned to go.
"Yeah thats right, turn for me…"
"What?"
"I said, leave it to me," He replied, giving her a warm smile.
"Kill yourself." she snarled, taking her leave.
Bitch.
He watched her vanish before opening his pad.
Note to self: Consult Twisted Fate on what is under the small amount of clothing Evelyn wears. If he cooperates, grant amnesty.
Smiling to himself, he erased the note. He didn't actually want any information like that.
I bet it smells like decay… And probably old tuna…
He grinned as he returned to his note-taking and work. No doubt he'd be visited again soon enough.
Again, Many Years Ago.
"My darling Elsa, I've missed you too."
The girl in the glasses looked up. Shielding her eyes from the bright sun was the visage of a man. He was large and muscular, with strong features and long, flowing brown hair. His jaw was hefty, his chin ending with a cleft. Many would regard him as intimidating, fearsome even, but all she could do was gaze into those deep blue eyes of his.
"Ulric, I'm so happy to have you back!" She squealed, kissing him again as he swung her around in his arms. It was amusing to all who saw it, a skinny, short girl in the arms of this giant man, but to even the coldest soul, it was a sight to warm the heart.
"Ah my darling, words cannot describe the joy I feel to see you again," He replied, grinning ear to ear, and putting her down, "and of course, I have waited a long time to give you this!"
"Oh! Oh! Oh!" She cried, jumping up and down. Reaching into his hip-guard, he withdrew a box.
"I found this in the Kumungu, I do believe it was just what you were looking for, the strangle thorn butterfly!" He said, getting on a knee to see her at eye level.
"Oh Ulric, you found it?" She gasped, happily.
"Indeed!" He declared, opening the box. Around them, multiple people gasped, and the woman behind the glasses' jaw dropped.
"That's not… That's not a butterfly," she whispered.
"Oh, silly me, I believe I grabbed the wrong box. That's the one with the ring, is it not?" He asked.
Tears streamed down her face as she covered her mouth, his face relaxed as he smiled.
"I've waited a long time to ask you this, my dear Elsa, longer than you know. I couldn't do it while I was away, but now that I am back for good, I could stand it no longer. Elsa, will you-"
"Yes!"
Cheers and applause surrounded them as she cried happily and wrapped her arms around him, "Yes! Yes Ulric I will marry you!"
Even the hardened Demacian soldier seemed to be on the verge of tears as he placed the ring on her finger. Swooping her into his arms again, he could only kiss her as she did the same.
"A month from now!"
"The fifteenth!"
"My birthday?"
"Yes!"
"It's a date!"
The crowd all erupted into applause as the two kissed again. It was a happy day to be sure.
Present.
Elise, the Spider Queen, slowly paced down the dark hallway of the institute. She had travelled a great distance to be here, and already, her strength felt sapped. The rejuvenation ritual had been a success, one of the greatest she had ever held, but even she had to admit that the various trains, wagons and steeds was an unpleasant trip.
It had been a long week, and now, all she wanted to do was lay on her bed and sleep.
Of course, the League couldn't grant her that. No, the moment she had stepped foot on the premesis, she had been ordered to visit the Shadow Isles representative. Apparently, the League couldn't care less about her victims, but paperwork had to be sent to their families.
She, of course, had to come to sign each individual letter. She had given names, addresses, everything, but her signature was still required.
It's the least I can do, I suppose.
She twitched as she thought of the sight of their maimed bodies, strewn across the floors, their blood seeping into every crack in the ground.
That sight never ceased to disturb her. Regardless of its outcome, she loathed what she had to do to maintain her beauty, her grace, her immortality. If only there had been another way.
She shook her head, trying to get these thoughts out of her mind. She couldn't dwell on it, if she started now, she'd never be able to rid herself of the images, the guilt.
She forced herself to smile as she resumed her stride, no, she wouldn't focus on them. She'd repress their faces and simply acknowledge their sacrifice. It was all for her, wasn't it? Why should she feel guilty? It's not like they truly mattered. They were like sheep, flocking to her call, begging to be given life eternal, begging to escape de-
She shivered at the thought. Enough with these ideas, these feelings. She was immortal, renewed, sustained. She wouldn't have to do that again for a very long time.
These thoughts eased her conscience as she strolled through the open doorway, into the office of her representative.
"Knock knock."
The man behind the desk looked up at her, startled. Of all the people he had expected to see tonight, the Spider Queen was not one of them.
"Champion Elise, welcome," he replied, getting out of his chair and bowing, to what do I owe the honor?"
She crossed her arms and rested her head on her palm as she looked him up and down. He was a tall fellow, with dark, shaggy hair ending in pointed ends. His facial appearance suggested a western heritage, perhaps Demacian or Freljordian in background. His hair, brown and wavy, spilled over his shoulders and covered the left side of his face, only revealing his other green eye when he flicked it out of the way.
What truly caught her eye, though, were his robes. Rather than the usual mockery of fashion that Summoners wore, he was garbed in a wonderfully made outfit.
His robe was long and white, with its sleeves ending right above his hands, and it's skirt stopping just above his boots. Around his waist was a red sash, it's knot tied beneath two black pads with gold engravings. His collar, high and spread wide, disappeared beneath his hair.
On his shoulders were small pads, their edges traded in a red trim. Truly, these were to detail his mastery of the arcane arts.
"I don't believe we have met," she mused, extending a hand, "you know my name, but I am unfamiliar with yours?"
He seemed reluctant, but slowly moved his hands to her own.
"Oh, yes, Champion Elise, my name is Badger, Summoner Jay Badger. I am to be your new Shadow Isles representative."
She raised an eyebrow, "whatever happened to Felicia? She was quite charming?"
"Well, she wasn't very popular with Thresh..."
"Oh bother, did he do away with the old lady?"
"Well, she died in her sleep, he was just waiting for her to do so..."
Elise twitched, that was just cold.
"That is a... Shame... I rather liked her. She was very kind and good at making tea."
"Yes, well, I am told that the league came to an agreement with Thresh and her stay with him won't be permanent. I was also instructed to never mention something called "the Blitzcrank incident"."
Elise smirked. Apparently the League was well rehearsed in what may provoke a champions anger.
I wonder what they know of me... What they have told him of me... Perhaps I may find a new follower... Or perhaps an agent... First though, I need to learn about him...
"So," he said, motioning towards the chair before his desk, "since introductions are out of the way, why don't we take a seat and I can assist you?"
"But of course," she replied. As they each sat in their respective seats, Elise spoke up.
"Tell me, Summoner, I could not help but notice your robes, pray tell, of what rank are you here in the institute?"
He smiled as he looked at her, his eyes seemed rather lost.
Her red eyes went wide when she realized what he was looking at. She immediately went to tug at her top.
"Excuse me, my eyes are up here."
He readjusted, "oh, apologies, Champion Elise, I was looking at your crown. It's really pretty!"
She narrowed her eyes, "indeed, I thank you, but we were discussing your outfit."
"Oh! Yeah! Do you like it? My mother helped me sew it. She's really good with needles and strings and threads and stuff! Taught me everything I know!"
She looked at him, both baffled and impressed, "I surely thought they were given to you by the higher ups to signify your status?"
"Why would they do that? I'm only a Silver-Division Summoner."
Elise had to bite her lip to stop a disappointed sigh. A silver-division summoner?! This wasn't an advanced Mage or powerful pawn! This was just a basic conjurer! Felicia had been a Summoner of Diamond ranking at her prime!
"Why do you ask?" He inquired, smiling.
Elise, however, had lost all interest and proceeded to summon a box to her hands.
"It is of no importance, let us move on with our task."
"Oh, alright, what is it you need help with?"
Opening the box, she withdrew a long, sharp tipped pen from its confines.
"You should have received a package for me over the course of the last few days, do you have it?"
"Oh! Yes, I do have it! Let me fetch it for you."
She nodded, and watched as he got up from his chair and moved to a cabinet behind his desk.
"You have a mailbox here with everything sent to you over the past month. I took to the liberty of throwing out some of the junk mail you got."
"Junk mail?"
"Yeah, several Piltover and Zaunite agencies wanted you to star in a few films. I politely told them no."
Elise nodded, she had no time for media appearances.
"Let's see... We have Thresh, no mail. Karthus, full. Mordekaiser, full. Yorick, a letter from Graves. Evelyn, something from Zaunite Toys inc. Elise! Here we go."
Lifting up the light but thick package, he placed it on his desk.
"Do you need an opener?" He asked.
Shaking her head, she flicked out one of her fingers, a vicious claw gleamed at the end of it as she sliced through the packaging nearly and quickly.
She winced when she saw the documents. They were the same letters she'd looked at before, how their family members had all died in a pirate attack while she had been preparing a glorious feast at their destination.
Well, half of it is true...
"Alright, Summoner, I shall be out of your way momentarily, allow me to sign these letters and you will not have to see me again."
"Well, I hope that's not the case."
Elise looked up, "pardon?"
He smiled as he brushed his hair out of his face, "well you're the first person I've met in this job who greeted me with a hello, asked me about myself and hasn't threatened my life yet. I hope I get to work with you more often!"
She narrowed her eyes as she gave him a sarcastic smile.
"Truth be told it was more-or-less false comradery. I assumed you to be a higher ranking Mage and thought you could be useful. Seeing I was wrong, I would prefer to conduct my business and be on my way."
He looked at her, looking rather hurt.
"Wait, what?"
"Simply put, I was manipulating you, but there's no point. You aren't worth manipulating."
"Wow, even the part about the robes? I thought you sounded really sincere there."
"Lying is what I do."
"Oh, well, thanks for the other stuff."
This piqued Elise's interest.
"Pardon?"
"I said, thank you for the oth-"
"No, I heard what you said," she interrupted, writing her signature on the last letter, "I wish to know why you are thanking me despite being infomed you were going to be a plaything."
"It's still better than Hecarim or Thresh, at least you haven't tried killing me yet."
Elise grinned, "but our business is not concluded, and considering you know that I'm looking for spies..."
He whimpered as the room grew darker, a glow filled her eyes as she leaned over the desk.
"You already know more than you should!"
"Hey, wait! I'm your representative, I'm supposed to know your stuff! That's part of my job, there's no need to hurt me!"
"Of course there's no need to hurt you, perhaps I just want to!"
"Do you really?"
She relaxed momentarily.
"What?"
"I asked if you really want to hurt me? I mean, you seem different from those other shadow isles champions... Look a fire!"
He immediately bolted from around the desk, she countered by using magic to swing the door shut. He was trapped.
"The spider I, and you, the fly," she mused, getting up from her chair and walking over to him.
He backed to the wall as she slowly moved towards him, her feet leaving an ominous clicking sound every time they touched the floor.
"Now then, how was i different?" She asked, bringing a razor sharp claw to the underside of this chin.
He bit his lip as she glared at him, her crimson eyes glowed in the dark atmosphere of the room. Her lips, red as blood, curved into a vicious smile as her pointed teeth poked between the gap.
"Well, you don't look very evil..."
"Is that so? I suppose the gleaming red eyes, pointed fangs and black apparel just reek of good will?"
"To be honest, you just look too pretty to be evil, and-"
"And what?"
"And you lack that crazy look in the eye that all of those other shadow isles guys have."
"Oh you're just ignoring my inner psychotic. Don't worry I'm sure you'll notice it when my claws dig into your brain!" She teased, her claw tip cutting into his skin and spilling a small trail of blood.
"Wait! Please! Just grant me one last request!"
She stopped, and glared at him.
"And what would that request be?"
"If I'm going to die, I want to die with a warm meal in my belly. It's a Freljordian thing."
She looked at him, baffled. She couldn't tell if he was being serious, trying to be funny, delaying the inevitable, or if he truly was just plain stupid.
"How do I know you won't just run away?"
"As I said, I'm Freljordian. If I run, you'll only just catch me, and there's no way cowards are welcomed in the afterlife."
"Hrmm... Well I suppose killing you is not that big of an event to me..."
She stopped and smiled.
"Being the merciful queen I am, I have decided to grant your request. However."
"However?"
"I will accompany you. I've not had a hot meal in nearly two days and I can't just let you scurry off. Besides," she purred, sliding a finger at his collar.
"The magic of your nexus only works to a certain range."
Badger went wide eyed, she knew about that?!
"So, do those terms suit you, Summoner? You get your last meal and I get to avoid any trickery on your part?"
"Remind me again why you want to kill me?"
"Because I do."