Author's note: Hello again :) back with a brand new story - or at least a brand new story in the Tales of Bandle City series. To all my old readers, sorry for the long wait. And anyone new, welcome :); though it'll probably make more sense to start from my first story in the series: In the Beginning.
This arc is a bit more of a lighter filler one and I don't think its going to be quite as long as the others, but I hope still enjoy it :).
Characters belong to Riot games and will almost certainly continue to do so for the entirety of this story. Plot and background characters belong to me.
The late afternoon sun shone through the windows of the Spring Hill School, bathing the classrooms in a warm golden glow. The last period of the day had just started and the students were chatting excitedly about their weekend plans, already restless and ready for the school day to be over.
Sitting two rows from the front in the upstairs science room, Rumble, Teemo, Tristana and Ziggs were animatedly discussing the intricacies of the latest League match. It had been a very close match between Demacia and Piltover, with Demacia pulling a controversial win in the last minutes. Currently, Ziggs and Rumble were at an impasse about who they thought really should have been the winner, but before things got too heated Miss Halison entered the room, ceasing all conversations.
"Alright class," she spoke, pushing her glasses more firmly up her long nose. "Before we get started today I have an announcement to make. As you may know, the annual science fair is coming up shortly."
The four friends grinned. Finally in high school, they could now participate in one of the biggest school events of the year: the high school science fair. To them, it was the best part of reaching grade 8, as the four of them had been itching to get involved since they'd first heard about it in grade 1. Now, after seven long years they were finally, finally allowed to show off and contest their skills against the numerous teen yordlings participating not only from their school but all the others as well. To top the entire thing off, the winners of the fair would not only gain great bragging rights but also some pretty impressive prizes too. And this year's prize was by far the best in a long time. This year, not only would the number one entry gain 200g but they would also get to meet the current Bandle City representative in the Institute of War: war hero Whiskerbeard. Needless to say they were very excited. They couldn't wait to put together a gloriously impressive project to blow all the others – in the entire history of the science fair – away.
Their attention was pulled back as the teacher continued, "Groups can be up to four yordles and you have two weeks to prepare a project. A list of suggested projects and the full rules list comes with the sign up form, be sure you read them. In case you become too enthusiastic and forget to however, remember, there are to be no weapons, no combustion and no explosive projects." At this she gave the quartet a pointed look. In return they gave her their biggest, most innocent grins. Surprisingly, this didn't seem to reassure her. "You may sign up after class. Now, open your books to page 394."
"Alright troops!" Tristana did a sharp turn, baseball bat tucked tightly under one arm and a bowl jiggling precariously on her head as she faced her comrades. Her friends, on their part, tried (and failed) to keep their faces straight, the project ideas spread out before them. "We have 15 days, 19 hours and 48 minutes to come up with and build the best science project this school has ever seen! It needs to be bold, intelligent and engaging. It'll be tough to pull off but I believe in you. With our combined effort I know we can achieve victory!"
As she raised her bat, Ziggs snapped a sharp salute. "Sir, yes sir!" he sounded.
His outburst was too much for his friends and Teemo and Rumble could no longer hold back their laughter, causing Tristana to send them a playful glare.
Settling down, the four of them began going over the lists, hoping it would help spark an awesome idea.
"Argh, this is pointless," Tristana flopped backwards after 20 fruitless minutes. "All these ideas are so boring."
"Not to mention super easy," Rumble agreed. He picked out a couple from the list, "Soda volcano, potato battery; please, I was making those in grade 1."
"Oh here's one!" Ziggs exclaimed. "Creating coloured flames."
"No good," Teemo sighed. "No flammable projects remember."
Tristana grumbled, "I swear the only reason they brought in those new rules was because of us. Personally, I blame Ziggs."
"Hey!" the green-eyed yordle shouted. "I'm not the only one to cause explosions. Last time it was your fault Trist."
"He does have a point," Teemo contributed. Upon catching the blue girl's glare however, he quickly amended, "After all, Rumble's caused a fair few explosions too."
The small boy in question didn't even deign his friends with a look, eyes focused on the page before him. "Only when Ziggs is helping me or when I'm intentionally trying to cause a combustion."
Ziggs' grin widened, "You mean like the time with Mr Bramble?"
Almost immediately Rumble's head shot up, a horrified look overtaking the blue kit's face, "I thought we said we'd never speak of that."
The brown furred yordle just cackled, "I never promised anything, Teemo did." He turned to Tristana who had a curious expression, having been the only one not present at the time of the incident. "He was so focused on getting the measurements right, he didn't even realise the science teacher had walked in. Then he just happened to be in the firing zone when Rumble-"
The cobalt yordle jumped for a distraction. "Oh hey what about this one! It's on sound waves. Actually, that could be interesting. It's not exactly the same, but have you guys ever heard of an acoustic levitation device? It's basically a really strong transducer and reflector which causes a large acoustic radiation field by creating a standing wave. If it's strong enough, you can utilize the field nodes created to suspend objects like Styrofoam balls and even water droplets."
"Cool," Tristana grinned.
"Oh yeah, I know them," Ziggs sat up, conversation from before forgotten. "My pa told me about them. If you include a Hextech amplifier you can levitate even larger objects like ping pong balls too."
"So it's decided then?" Teemo asked. The other three nodded, causing the pale yordle to grow serious, "So how do we go about this?"
"I can get most of the parts from either my papa's chop-shop or the junkyard." Rumble pulled up the clubhouse's portable spinning wire, checking through some of the online descriptions. "The amplifier, the transducer and some proper instructions Ziggs'll need to get from his papa though."
"Easy," the hazel boy grinned.
"So if you and Ziggs take charge of building it, that'll leave the part sorting, presentation to Teemo and I," Tristana rubbed her hands together in satisfaction. "Science fair here we come so you better watch out!"
Leaving their clubhouse, they made their way back to Tristana's house for their Friday night sleepover. Now that they were in high school, they hadn't been able to do this as much as they had used to. But when they were all free, or had a large project to work on, it was always their go to.
The sky was starting to darken when they entered the blue girl's home, still talking and planning out their project. As soon as they entered through the large ornate doors however, they stopped short, surprised to see the girl's parents waiting for them in the foyer. Pearl had a particularly excited look on her face, causing Tristana to instantly go into defence mode.
"Hi mother. Hi father," her grin was a little forced but her mum didn't seem to notice.
"Tristana darling, you'll never guess what's coming up!"
From within her mother's enveloped hug, Tristana shot her father a questioning look. He sent her a patient but worried look back.
The older blue female continued, "So you know how the ambassadors are currently convened in the city."
"Yes mother. You've only mentioned it like a thousand times."
"Don't get smart," Pearl reprimanded her. Her excitement however caused the woman to mainly brush it off as she continued. "Well, the mayor has decided to hold a party on Saturday night in two weeks' time, and I'm in charge of organising it! Off course it'll be a lot of work to get all the preparations in order, most of the next fortnight I imagine and definitely all of Saturday. I'll have to book the stylist and get you a dress."
"But mother!" Tristana pulled back. "The science fair is that Sunday. The guys will need my help."
Pearl deflated a bit. "Look sweetie, I know you were excited about the project but you can always participate next year. This is a once in a life time opportunity. Who knows when the next time Bandle City will be hosting such a huge event."
"But I wanted to participate this year," the blue yordle was too upset to be reasoned with, even going so far as to stomp her foot. From their position still near the door, her friends exchanged uncomfortable glances, feeling a little out of place and yet used to this occurrence all at the same time. "Why do I have to come anyway? I don't even want to go to the stupid ball."
Her mother's patience had also worn out, "Tristana stop acting like a child. This is a great privilege. Don't you want to support your mother?"
Aqua eyes narrowed, "Don't you want to support your daughter? Apparently no, so I'm not going."
"You are going young lady and that's final!"
Before things could escalate even further out of control, Charlie stepped between them. "Enough," the white furred yordle stopped them with a firm hand on each of their shoulders. "Now Tristana, this event means a lot to your mother, especially as the two us will be in charge of all the planning and preparation. It is highly unlikely we'll ever be involved in something this big ever again so it would be really appreciated if you came."
Sighing the twelve-year-old nodded her head.
Squeezing her shoulder, the yordle turned to his wife. "Likewise Pearl, you should know how much this project means to Tristana and her friends. They've talked about it for years, and now that they've finally gotten the chance to participate you're expecting her to just abandon her friends without any warning?"
The blue lady deflated, "No, I guess not."
Nodding the white yordle continued, "So here's what I propose: Tristana comes to the Gala on Saturday but she's not involved in the preparations. The two of us can handle that fine on our own. And before you say something Pearl, I'm sure her friend's parents won't mind looking after her during this busy fortnight so you don't have to worry about that. That'll give Tristana plenty of time to spend with her friends on their project. On the Saturday however, we will need you to be involved Tristana, but your friends are more than welcome to bring the project over here to work on, as long as they are quiet and obey the rules. Agreed?"
"Agreed," they mumbled together.
Satisfied, Charlie turned to the three boys waiting awkwardly to the side. "Is that alright with you three? I can trust you not to get in the way can't I?" he asked with a smile.
"Absolutely!"
"Of course."
"Sure." Came the chorus of responses.
"Well," the white yordle clapped his hands together, green eyes sparkling in relief and humour, "Now that that's sorted, how about we move from this empty foyer and go grab some dinner?"
As they headed off, Tristana discretely gave her dad a hug, "Thanks father."
He returned the gesture with a smile, "Of course Tristy. I know how much this means to you. To both of you."
The first week came and went and despite the beautiful sunny weather, the four yordlings spent the majority of the time holed up in Rumble's 'workshop'.
The 'workshop', as it had been dubbed, was really just Chuck's old warehouse down the street that he'd given to his son to use for his 10th birthday. Rumble didn't care about the state of the old place; he'd just been ecstatic to have the space to himself. Before long, it was full to the brim of all his ever expanding collection of machines and experiments he and his friends (on occasion) tinkered with in their spare time. For the four of them, there had been no further thought on a better place to work on their up and coming project.
And so, as the days passed, parts were procured, pieces were put into place and the presentation was prepared. And, by the following Monday, the project was almost complete.
"I can't believe we've gotten it done so fast! Almost half the time," Teemo exclaimed. He high-fived Tristana. "At this rate, we won't even need to worry about working on Saturday."
The girl grimaced, "Ugh, don't remind me. You'll still come anyway right? For moral support?"
"Of course we'll turn up!" Ziggs grinned mischievously. "You know what we're like."
Tristana sent him a wary look before saying, "I take that back. You'll just embarrass me more."
The brown furred yordle grinned wider, "Would we do that to you?"
"Yes. Yes, you would."
Rumble smacked his friend upside the head. "Stop being a goof." Turning to the blue girl, he reassured her. "Of course we'll be there for you."
"Thank guys," she smiled, before pulling them all into a group hug. "Oh, I'm so excited for Sunday! This is going to be great!"
:D Oh I had so much fun writing this chapter; the banter between these four is great to write.
Anyway, on a serious note, I should warn that while I will try my hardest, I don't know if I'm going to be able to make my 2 week posting schedule for the next chapter as I am three weeks away from finishing my thesis. Plus on top of that, I am also moving house and have decided to draw an entry for the Shurima art contest Riot is holding. So yeah, the next update might be a bit late. But I promise you that after that, things should settle down for a while.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter and thank you to everyone who has supported me this far :) You're the best!