SCENE I: MASTERY

Chapter I: Embarrassment

The enemy team is charging the middle lane and it's only Soraka and I alive.

My arms and legs move against my will, arms swinging my sword in preparation for the coming battle and my body moving to a resting stance. A quick look to my right tells me that Soraka is as ready as I am, white hair gently flowing behind her by the breeze and her staff glowing with star power as we look down the middle lane. My head quickly glances up at the tower on my left, hoping that it can provide decent fire support but knowing otherwise. The targeting systems of the towers are sporadic at best. I blink a few times as my helmet display starts to record targets charging towards us, noting first the minions then the champions behind them. Malphite is in front with Ashe and Shaco a few steps behind, Garen and Lux taking up the rear. Their movements are sure and mechanical due to the summoner's control but there's no mistaking the looks of relish on their faces. I sigh inwardly at the sight. These summoners are more skilled than ours.

Suddenly, Malphite breaks formation and surges at me with insane speed, his feet sliding along the ground and he angles his body forward. His ultimate! They're going to dive us! My body doesn't move in time to get out of the way, the force of his impact knocking me skyward and before I can do anything, Ashe and Shaco are there with arrow and dagger to quickly slay me before I hit the ground. The pain is muted but still present and as my blood starts to pool on the stone floor, I have enough energy to turn my head and see Soraka assaulted by the entire team that slays her with brutal efficiency. The pain of my ruptured chest is indescribable and my eyes close from blood loss, the fugue of artificial death stealing upon me.

I feel my spirit leave my body and my view angle downwards, my vision changing to the summoner's eyes for a brief moment as his powerful gaze looks down upon the Rift with irritation. The enemy team smashes through the centre tower and inhibitor in seconds, slaying everything in their path before smashing one of the inner towers. Malzahar, Moakai and Jinx respawn before the enemy team can take the second inner tower, rushing in with magic and fury to slay the enemy team who's forced to retreat after losing Malphite and suffering heavy damage. Before our allies can give chase or clear the base of enemy minions, a vote is called by the summoners of our team and they decide to surrender, the match ending in defeat as our nexus explodes in a shower of crystal shards and magic in response.

The summoner's frustration is felt even as our link is severed, my body materializing on an arcane circle in a summoning chamber at a crouch with the sword still held in my right hand. The chamber is glowing magenta from the teleportation, light playing off the stone and barely illuminating the summoner before slowly dimming down once the magical energies dissipate. There's enough light, however, to show that the young summoner is clearly angry from the snarl of frustration on his face as he turns and leaves the room through the wooden door without a word. How did I end up a pawn to such people? Is this truly a better alternative to war? I breathe out a sigh and focus on removing the traces of the summoner's anger from my mind, the after-effects of being his puppet dissipating until I feel myself again. Sheathing my sword on my back swiftly, I move towards the now open wooden door to the stone hallway beyond.

The hallway is also lit by the same magical crystals that paint stonework blue by their light. Others are coming out of the summoning chambers around me, summoners and champions moving swiftly towards their next destinations with minimal conversation. I give a brief nod to Malphite, Shaco, and Moakai as they pass me but none of them pays me any heed as always. Garen seems to materialize on the edges of my peripheral vision on the left and offers his hand to me which I shake vigorously twice, his grip strong and sure but sloppy by Wuju standards. He lacks balance and always champions strength over dexterity. "You did well, Master Yi, despite your summoner lineup. I feel sorry that Moakai was given such an inexperienced summoner to be his guide."

"Worry not, Garen. He is no more offended by the choice than he normally is," I state, giving the others behind him a slight nod. Moakai is more concerned about ending the misuse of magic, but that goal seems further and further away each day. "Oh C'mon! What fun is the world without big explosions that only magic can make!?" a shrill voice exclaims, an irritated sigh coming from me unexpectedly as my head turns to regard Jinx, her minigun still in her hands as she tries to shoot the other team. The Institute of War thankfully nullifies weapon and magic within its grounds so her shots don't occur. She looks at her minigun in confusion before sticking her tongue out and exclaiming with a smile, "Oh yeah! Pow Pow doesn't work when we aren't on the Field! Silly me!"

"Please refrain from harming other champions when off the Fields of Justice, Jinx," Soraka says from my left suddenly, her posture smooth and graceful but leaving me wondering how long she's been standing there. Jinx pulls down her left eye with her tongue still out and giggles as she moves towards the changing rooms, the bullets and explosives on her body jingling as Soraka follows her path and gives us a nod before leaving. Ashe and Lux briefly give us nods as well before following the others, both smiling at me as they head off with ammo and armour clacking as they walk. All that remains is me, Garen and Malzahar standing around with purpose until we turn towards the changing rooms in the opposite direction. The silence from the walk only lasts seconds before Garen breaks it with a laugh. "That was an interesting use of ultimate back their, Malzahar. You both killed me and stole the Dragon at the same time," Garen comments in a tone of respect.

Malzahar floats in front of us to bow from the waist at the compliment even as we continue our journey. "We both know that it is the summoner, not I, who performs the commands. But it was indeed an interesting move," Malzahar says in his warbling, ethereal voice with his eyes glowing with amusement. I had learned from exposure that his emotions are in his eyes, not his face. His body is glowing with magenta runes and is moving at the same pace backwards as we walk forward. "But was it not your role, Master Yi, to secure the jungle objectives?"

"It was indeed but my summoner was one of aggression. He valued eliminating champions over objective securing," I comment idly but Malzahar's eyes seem to dim slightly from my words. I shake my head once at him knowing me too well. The summoner was not ready for the Fields of Justice. I was slain more than victories against champions and the objectives belonged mostly to the other team. My hand moves to my chin to brush the stubble on it in contemplation and I feel Garen and Malzahar tense slightly. Garen breaks the tension by voicing my thoughts. "Do you both feel that the skill of summoners has been decreasing as of late?" Garen asks and I nod idly while moving my hand back to its place at my side. "Yes, a new influx of summoners the council said. The announcement was made two days ago if I remember correctly," I comment in a clipped tone but from Malzahars dim eyes, I can tell he knew what I meant. More undisciplined and inexperienced summoners to have my will bent too.

I suddenly find myself at our destination having been too preoccupied with the conversation to notice. Malzahars turns away from us and places his hand on the metal door of the locker room, aqua runes flashing on the metal before it unlocks. He pushes open the door gently with a hand motion, gesturing for us to go in with his other hand as he states, "I will now return to my chambers and meditate on the next match to come. Enjoy your day, friends." His eyes glow again with a smile as he turns and floats away, Garen and I give him a nod of farewell as we head into the locker room. When we're both inside, I turn around and use both arms to shut the door behind us with a grinding of stones.

The noise and smells hit me first, the scent of something savoury in the air from magic trying to keep the room smelling decent. Rows of lockers are lined up in parallel lit by an amber light. Then I notice Garen approaching Darius up ahead as I move towards my own locker, both of them squaring up to each other with Darius dressed in casual attire. "Demacian scum..." Darius growls at Garen, his face a mask of fury as Garen laughs darkly and replies, "Noxian scourge..."

They slam their foreheads into each other moments after the words, the sound of flesh and skull impacting filling the locker room as they repeat the move five times with faces masked in aggression. I watch idly, seeing their faces change from aggression into grins of amusement in an instant as they both share a laugh and move back to lock wrists with hands firmly. "You still have a thick skull, Demacian. It's good to see you've been getting your exercise," Darius comments in his grave voice, Garen grinning back while saying sarcastically, "And you're still too stubborn to back down. A true Demacian at heart even if you're a Noxian." Darius laughs in response before slapping his other hand on Garen's shoulder. "Careful, Demacian. That's an insult I might take you up on next we find ourselves in the Field's of Justice," he says semi-seriously, Garen grinning further and snorting at the prospect of fighting his nemesis in combat. It's a shame the people outside the Institute can't see this, Noxians and Demacians getting along...normally.

I walk past the scene once I'm sure they won't cause collateral violence, moving down the aisle of lockers towards the one assigned to me and pressing my hand against it. The magic within the metal recognizes my aura and disassembles into itself to reveal the locker within, neat and organized clothing and necessities inside. Balance in all things...isn't that a Kinkou saying? My clothes come off swiftly as I form the thought, the Headhunter outfit now in the locker and a towel out to cover my loins coming out, wrapped around me swiftly as I grab my soap and sponge before heading to the shower. The room is sparsely populated at this time, only a few champions active since it's the early hours with minimal summoners awake to battle. The shower area is empty except for Dr. Mundo who's taking up a generous space as I move past him and across the tiled floor to one of the showers.

My left-hand reaches forward to rapidly twirl the dial to activate the flow of warm water while my other hand tosses my towel onto the towel rack nearby, a sigh escaping me as I find a moment of solace despite where I am. The thought of the champion nearby destroys that solace. Even though he seems normal, he is still a mad scientist. "Mundo think you need enhancement, little Yi man!" he shouts from behind me as if hearing my thoughts but I hide my disgust of him before speaking. Ignoring him does nothing.

"You have offered before and I say the same answer. No thank you, Dr. Mundo," I state firmly, focusing on scrubbing my body as swiftly as possible to leave this place. His wicked laughter sounds from behind me as he adds in with a slur, "Mundo think your head is what needs enhancement! You no smash like Mundo!? You have broken mind!"

"Again, no thank you, Dr. Mundo. And if I can be frank, I will never agree to your enhancements. Please stop bringing it up," I state firmly, knowing that he'd either forget about the conversation later or ignore the word's I've said. Sure enough, he performs the latter. "Ah! Mundo think you too weak to survive enhancement anyway! I find someone who wants enhancement!" he says as his feet thump loudly on the tiled floor as he leaves the shower, an aggravated sigh escaping me as he leaves. I'll give him a few days from now. He'll ask me again-

Before I can finish enjoying the solace and the shower, a familiar ring sounds in my ear followed by a voice. "Can you hear me, Master Yi?"

"Soraka. I am currently in the shower. Please refrain from calling-" I start to say but notice the feel and sights of magic gathering around my feet. A purple summoning circle appears with magenta light glowing upwards in columns, my movements hastening to finish up the shower before being pulled into another match. I sigh in frustration as I put my towel on again and wait patiently for the magic to teleport me with a loud bang.

Never a moments rest...

I'm taken somewhere else in a blinding flash but not to where I expect to be. My head swiftly looks around the interior of another locker room instead of a summoning chamber before Soraka breaks my concentration, her body only covered by a towel as she says to me, "Sorry to bother you but I need help with-"

"-your locker again..." I say grimly, realizing where I am and what's about to happen. My right fist swiftly punches into her locker, several rapid punches denting then breaking the metal open with the sound of tearing metal resonating in the room. Familiar faces turn to regard me with surprise as I stare back at them with equal dismay. "I had gone over this, Soraka!" I shout as I gently pull the sundered door off with both hands and place it nearby, already sprinting towards the exit. Too late, they've spotted me!

Riven is nearest and is already moving towards me with a face of fury as her right fist flies towards me, casual clothes swishing as I slide under the blow on her left. I brush past her as Nidalee throws her spear at my back, my right shoulder lowering to let the spear fly over it then rising to hit the wooden shaft. The spear deflects into the ceiling and pierces the stone. The last thing I need is for someone to get hurt from this. She tries to claw me from behind with her hands but I roll forwards, narrowly avoid the blow to the back of my head. I hear a yelp from her as I keep moving and risk a glance back again to see her hands now covering herself from missing a towel.

I have enough time to look back forward and see Poppy ahead, still in full battle gear as she preps her hammer to swing. Wait for the right moment... Her hammer flies out as I leap upwards, using the hammerhead to brace a hand and sail over her. My body quickly flips forward to continue my run with the impact of metal slamming into metal ringing out behind me from her swing likely impacting a locker. The air feels different around my loins and I quickly realize my towel is gone. I look over my shoulder again to see the towel on Poppy's head, her voice now angry as she grabs it with a gauntlet covered hand and tosses it away, her other arm winding up to throw her shield. "What are you even doing in here again!? Have you no shame, 'Master'!?" she shouts at me in rage, my flight stopping suddenly as I turn around even as her right arm swings forward and sends the shield on it flying after me.

My eyes catch the large shield of Leona on the bench next to me, my body dropping to pick it up while I brace against the ground. Shields impact with a loud ring of metal and Leona looks at me in sudden surprise, her long red hair let down and half upper half exposed as I put the shield back on the bench. "Thank you," I say with a smile before rushing away, seeing the exit close by but dismayed at who's blocking it. Sejuani is also still in full battle gear, her mace sheathed and her eyes judging me coldly from her horned helm as I rush towards her. "You won't escape retribution this time, pervert. Do you want to do this the easy way or-"

I don't answer her challenge, running at her as she widens her stance in preparation to receive a charge. Instead, my left leg moves beneath me as I slide foot first on the tiled floor, going beneath her and slamming my foot against the door. It doesn't budge due to the lock being engaged and I look up at her cold face and taut form in embarrassment. "OK, maybe I acted in haste-" I try to say but her face remains passive as her hands seize my shoulder. I'm lifted effortlessly off the ground, spun around and slammed against the nearest wall several times, flesh hitting rock until she's sure I can't move. Her hands keep me pinned to the wall for a few moments after the assault, her eyes regarding me coldly before she releases her hands. I slide to the floor with my back against the wall and my head dizzy from the whiplash. "Tell me. How do you keep getting in here? The door is magically locked to prevent entry," she asks but I can barely hear what she saying, my balance already shifting out of sync and my hearing dimming. They already know why I'm here. Soraka keeps telling them and they don't believe her. My eyes close as my vision starts to wobble and my head pounds from the physical abuse.

"No answer? Fine. We'll divvy out punishment the Freljord way," she states menacingly as she picks me up by the neck with rough hands, her face cold as her other armoured fist starts punching me in the stomach repeatedly. My arms and legs are limp and helpless from my lack of cohesion but I roughly hear a voice through the sound of flesh being pounded. "That's enough, Sejuani. We don't want blood on our hands off the Field of Justice. Let him go," the voice says but the grip around my neck slackens only slightly. Something convulses in my stomach, the action painful as a violent cough escapes me and my head spinning further.

"Now you've done it! Get him to medical!" the voice says, my equilibrium now dancing around me as I feel weightless yet heavy. Magical powers are dampened outside the Field...no easy healing or techniques available...not again... My eyes stay closed as it becomes harder and harder to breathe or think, my body coughing violently and something wet crossing my lips with increasing frequency. Suddenly, my body starts shaking out of my control but something solid is preventing movement backwards. "He's going into shock! Hold him down!" I hear someone shouting, iron hands keeping my feet and arms immobile as someone opens my mouth and a foul liquid is poured into my throat. Something massages my throat and I feel the liquid go down it. "It's for your own good, Master Yi. You better drink that if you want to live," a voice calmly commands and I swallow instinctively, my body feeling better with each sampling of the foul liquid.

When I'm able to think clearly and my breathing starts to become even, I realize from the foul taste that the liquid in my mouth is Health Potion. Knowing instinctively that the wounds must be bad if they're using consumables, my hand tries to move upwards and the iron grip holding my arms releases. I grab what feels like the bottle near my mouth and quickly raise my head to gulp down the rest with a grimace. Why couldn't they make the taste less repulsive?

My eyes finally open to see dancing lights, slowly adjusting as the familiar sight of a simple room filled with curtains and gurneys of white cloth is revealed. Another bottle is offered to me by Shen, dressed in his medical uniform with his face hidden behind a medical mask. "Just to make sure," he tells me with little emotion, my hand grabbing the next potion and uncorking it to gulp it down with the same foul taste to greet me. Shen nods to himself where he stands and starts to write on a clipboard. "Now that you're conscious, care to explain what happened? You were brought in here with major bruising on the stomach and coughing up blood. Your compatriots didn't bother to explain," he states professionally as he waits for my response, my head lowering with an exhale.

Akali arrives from behind a curtain and hands me a cup of water, my head nodding in thanks as I use it to wash out the taste of healing. I gasp and breathe a few times before finally answering Shen's question. "You can guess what the reason is, doctor," I say with amusement, smiling as I quickly drink the remaining water and offer the cup back to Akali. Shen shakes his head slowly, his glowing eyes flaring in amusement as he starts to write with a pen on the clipboard. "Soraka used summoner magic to teleport you into the women's locker room to help her with a busted locker again? Isn't that what the maintenance teams are for?"

"I agree and will likely have a stern talk with her about this. I've had enough of drinking these," I say, nodding towards the two empty Health Potions on a medical cart ready for disposal. Shen is already moving back towards other patients as he says idly, "See that you do. It doesn't look good on my medical reports to have you coming in here for that reason...oh, and you're fit for combat and can see yourself out." Akali helps me to my feet, her form moving efficiently as she guides me out of the medical office by the arm. I notice her grabbing something off of a tray before opening the front door and turning back to me. "Before you go? Put these on," Akali states as she tosses me a pair of underwear and dark blue pants. It dawns on me that I was without clothing the entire time and I nod my head quickly in thanks as I put both on. She doesn't stay to notice the gesture, already heading back inside to continue her duties.

The door of the medical wing shuts and I turn around now that I have pants on, curious at who closed the door but not concerning myself to heavily with it. Soraka is very close to me on my right side, likely waiting outside near the wall as I take a step to the left to give her space. "We need to discuss this matter. Come with me," I state quickly with a neutral face, taking her hand gently and regretting it when I feel the sharp pang of magic flow enter my body. I let go as a reaction, gasping in sudden pain and flexing the hand, instead gesturing with my head towards our travel direction. I get a few looks from other champions and staff as I walk briskly ahead of her, probably from my lack of a shirt. They're looking at the scar over your left eye...they always do. "Where are we going?" Soraka asks from behind me in a calm voice, her hooves clacking off the stone floor as she tries to keep up. "To get something to eat. I just spent plenty of time coughing blood so I feel hungry. It seems an apt time to sit and talk."

I try not to sound angry but it's difficult to hide.

We don't have to walk very far to reach to mess hall, stonework giving way to an artificial garden space full of trees and nature. Several champions are eating heartily at wooden tables and chairs but I'm already moving towards the line that leads to the server's area. Sejuani is in front of me when I join the line, dressed in casual attire the exposes her arms and lower back and when she feels a presence, her head slightly turns to regard me with cold indifference. She says nothing as she turns her head back forwards. No hard feelings. Good. The line is moving swiftly as Braum serves up food with practised movements and a bright smile, laughing and sharing jokes occasionally with champions he serves before I get to the front. "Ah, the good Master! How are you this fine day, my friend!?" he shouts at me, a wooden plate already in his hand with a ladle serving in the other.

I give him a weak smile as he puts a generous helping of meat and vegetables on the plate with practised sweeps of the ladle. "I have seen better days, Braum. How are you feeling today besides the general happiness?" I say with respect, a hearty laugh causing his white chefs outfit to vibrate in stark relief as he hands me my plate. He pauses for a moment as we both look at the colourful presentation on the plate, the sight and smells pleasant and intoxicating. "Well, I am curious really! You come in here with lack of shirt, hair flowing like water and face open to see! Something you never do! You look like man ready to bed any woman!" he states with another laugh, his exposed chest rumbling from the expression. "And you lead star child here too! Tell me, did you two have...romantic times together!?"

I give a brief laugh and a grim smirk before answering, "No. I just came from the medical wing. Bruising and blood loss." His face becomes a serious grin as he asks, "Ah, I see. Get into fight with angry woman again? You are not best ladies man after all!" I look to my right to see if anyone else is in line, finding other champions getting tense behind me and quickly looking back at Braum. "We'll talk later. I am holding up the line," I state with a now before moving away, Braum giving me another hearty laugh as I go. "Of course, friend! Enjoy meal and be merry now!"

Despite the grim mood, I find a small smile starting to form on my face. His bright mood is contagious. Maybe that's why he's a good friend. I decide to sit next to Garen and Darius who are sharing the table with Draven and Lux, each of them dressed in casual clothing except for Dravin who wears the same open vest costume wherever he goes. Garen and Darius don't notice me sit down because they're focusing on their arm wrestling, Draven giving me a sarcastic smile and brushing a hand through his spiked hair. "Oh, look who it is. The hopeless romantic. Y'know, I've pulled off the shirtless look far longer than you have, Yi. And I'm better at it," he states in his usual bravado and I know better than to rise to the bait. I eat some of the food in front of me before responding, feeling re-energized by the choice cuts of meat and hearty vegetables. "I did not wear this by choice. There was an incident," I say calmly, Soraka sitting down next to me and idly eating her food with the same elegance and grace she always does.

Draven's sarcastic smile becomes a sarcastic grin as he notices Soraka. "Oh, I bet there was. An incident always happens when you court a woman that's beyond your comprehension and you can't perform in bed. Not like I'd know what that's like," Draven states as puts his feet on the table, idly sighing as he stares at nothing in particular from boredom. I grunt in acknowledgement before turning my head to look at Lux who's intently watching Garen, muscles bunching in his neck and arms as he exerts his strength. "Break, Demacian. You can't win," Darius states through gritted teeth, a look of focus and aggression on his face as Garen replies, "A Demacian never yields, Noxian. You break first." I stop eating for a second to watch them, noting the usual signs of a deadlock in an instant. Neither of them will break, both hard-headed and unable to beat each other in a straight strength battle.

Through a face filled with aggression, Garen says to me idly through gritted teeth, "So Master Yi. I hear there was an accident. Care to elaborate?" He doesn't look at me when he speaks, his main focus on beating Darius as he tries to force his arm down but accomplishes nothing more than a dark smirk from his opponent. I'm about to answer when I hear another ring in my ear followed by a more stern voice. "Master Yi. You and Soraka are to report to the Grandmaster's chambers in ten minutes," the voice says, my thoughts shifting to finishing my food quickly and wiping my face with a napkin before leaning over to whisper into Soraka's ear. Her face turns to mine with a neutral expression of confusion since she didn't receive the same message.

I guess the Institute has had enough of our antics.