"Are you sure we should be doing this?"
"If you think we shouldn't be, Quinn, you're insane. The Star Forger himself seemed afraid of that stupid Yordle."
"I'm aware of that!" Quinn snapped. "But isn't that exactly why we shouldn't do it?! Gods, I thought Freljordians were brave, not stupid."
"If there was any other way, I'm sure the High Councillor would've figured it out. Now please, stop fighting." Karma interjected before Volibear could retort.
"Who are you to talk?" Quinn turned on Karma. "You were the one who knew of his power!"
"And so did Volibear and Kennen. Just because we knew he had it doesn't mean we had it in our power to do something."
"You could've solved the problem before it started!"
"Are you suggesting we should have killed an innocent child?" Karma seemed almost offended.
"Maybe, if it was necessary!"
"I thought Demacians were honorable." Volibear scoffed.
"Are you trying to pick a fight with me?" Quinn asked threateningly.
"All of you, stop it!" Kennen cut in.
"I don't need defending from a Yordle!" Volibear griped.
"So what if I'm a Yordle? I've proven myself on the Rift with the rest of you!" Kennen glared.
"So we're being threatened by a Yordle, that's what." Volibear replied dryly.
"Are you insinuating he's with the cardinal power guy?" Quinn asked, eyeing Kennen oddly.
"Nobody's insinuating anything. Stop jumping to conclusions!"
"Shut up, Karma! What do you know about him? He's a Yordle and they both grew up in the same city-state."
Kennen looked passive, but there was a hint of incredulity in his expression. "I was there for my early childhood, yes, but most of that I don't even remember."
"So what's Bandle like? You've gotta know why he wants us there. Is there something important we should know about?"
"Oh, yeah, it's real thick with thieves, muggers, and murderers, Quinn. Zaunites and Noxians are afraid to enter the cursed land of short stacks." Volibear grumbled sarcastically.
"Ha ha, real funny." Quinn said, rolling her eyes.
"Short stack? I've faced you on the Rift. You know I'm just as strong as the rest of you." Kennen glared.
"Oh, please, if I kicked you, not even Caitlyn would be able to see where you landed." Volibear chuckled.
"You assume that you can land a kick on me."
Volibear's chuckling stopped short. "Are you doubting my strength?"
"Of course not. I'm doubting your ability to land a blow on me in the first place." Kennen smirked.
"Overconfident, sniveling-"
"Hey! Quit it! You're acting like children!" Karma scolded.
"I'm sorry, Enlightened One, should we meditate our problems away?" Volibear snapped gruffly.
"Could you be any less of an ass?" Quinn asked, snarling.
"Oh please. At least I don't need a silly bird to fight."
"Valor is an Azurite Eagle, not some silly bird!" Valor squawked.
"Azurite Eagle, silly bird, still an easy dinner." Volibear sneered.
"That's it!"
"ENOUGH!" Caitlyn shouted and checked her watch. "It has literally been seven minutes since we left the outskirts of the Institute and you're already bickering like there's no tomorrow. Now I would normally suggest we all part ways and have ourselves a spot of tea to calm down, but something tells me none of you want to die!" The other four looked to the ground, still walking. "Now I suggest we start getting along. It's still a three hour trek to Bandle City and even then, we need Kennen to get in, so if you could please avoid trying to maim each other, that would make the enemy's job a lot harder and our job a lot easier. If nothing else, focus on our mission, not each other and your petty differences."
"Fine." Quinn said, coldly glaring ahead. Kennen and Karma said nothing, while Volibear merely growled lowly and kept shambling along with the rest of them.
"Thank you." Caitlyn was once again cheery, taking up the rear while they walked down the road leading to the nearest train station. Once there, they received their passes for the soonest train for Bandle and turned around, seeing only one bench. Caitlyn sighed.
'Definitely a long day.' she thought to herself.
"Finally." Caitlyn heaved a long sigh, listening to Quinn and Volibear go back and forth making snarky remarks to one another. Luckily, Kennen and Karma seemed to understand the importance of getting along and had stopped arguing. Unfortunately, the other two were rather… stubborn.
Upon Caitlyn's comment, they fell short, looking around.
"Oh. We're… where are we?" Volibear asked.
"Volibear, Quinn, Karma, and Caitlyn. Welcome to Bandle City." Kennen said. Caitlyn could practically hear the smile in his voice.
'I suppose no matter how long you stay away from home, it's still home.' she thought.
Kennen seemed almost giddy as he walked up to the sign, leaning against it with his arm.
Caitlyn blinked. Ahead of her, she could see the rolling hills of Bandle City. It was so charming and peaceful. But…
"It's small." Quinn said, her expression mirroring Caitlyn's thoughts.
"Maybe so, but for Yordles, it's perfect. Everything's just the right size. Just… please don't run into the buildings. You especially, Volibear."
Volibear huffed, frowning, but didn't object. The buildings were about as big as the three girls. Volibear, however, stood a good foot and a half above the majority of them.
As they walked through the city, a lot of Yordles recognized them and made way for the five Champions as they passed marketplaces, residential areas, and farms until they reached the mayor's office. Kennen knocked on the door. After a short while, a cheery looking Yordle opened the door and jumped slightly at the sight of five Champions at his door. "Oh my, you gave me somewhat of a fright. What brings you all to Bandle City? Are these new friends of yours, Kennen?"
"If you'd please, mayor, we're looking for someone. He was just a child when his parents took him to Ionia to help with a condition he had."
"Kennen, my boy, you ask a lot. I don't have quite the memory I used to. You said he went to Ionia? It might be that young boy Kitt. Unfortunately, I don't remember his real name, but all the young Yordles called him Kitt."
"And you're sure you can't remember his name?" Quinn asked.
"Well, I'm quite sorry, but I can't say that I remember." the Yordle mayor said, apologizing.
"Odd question here, but did he or his family ever visit Mount Targon?" Caitlyn asked.
"I don't remember much, but… well, no, I do remember something like that. His family often took trips to Mount Targon every Snowdown because young Kitt always wanted to see the stars. Quite an odd time to climb a mountain if you ask me."
"Thank you very much, mayor." Kennen said, bowing.
"Oh, no need for such formality."
"We must be going now, but you've helped a great deal. You have our gratitude, mayor."
"Well of course, Kennen. Do be sure to visit more!"
"Will do. Take care of yourself!" Kennen said as the five Champions made their way back to the outskirts of the city.
"How'd you know to ask that, Caitlyn?" Quinn asked.
"If you remember, he knew Dragontongue and many dragons in Runeterra are very hostile. So I thought the only place that might be as ancient as to remember Dragontongue from when dragons weren't so hostile. It had to be Mount Targon." Caitlyn replied.
"Well at least I know you're not the Sheriff of Piltover for nothing." Quinn said, a hint of admiration in her eyes.
"Well now I suppose it's time to head to Mount Targon." Karma cut in once they reached the town's border.
"How was it being back, Kennen?" Volibear asked.
Kennen, who had been gazing back at his birthplace, looked up in surprise. "I- well…." he looked down in thought for a moment before meeting the Ursine's eyes. "It's been nice, thank you."
The two looked at each other for a while, a sort of communication passing between them before Volibear nodded. "Right then. What's the quickest route to Mount Targon?"
"That would probably be the Mount Targon portals back at the Institute. Unfortunately, those are locked from access, although I suppose the High Councillor might let us in as she knows the situation."
"But we can't ask for help…. Earlier we managed a loophole, but this is cutting it close." Karma pointed out.
"Well, Valor and I can scout ahead and…." Quinn said, before faltering. "Never mind, we can't stray from each other."
"He was thorough with his rules, that's for damn sure." Volibear huffed. "I guess we walk."
"Alright, we should make camp here tonight." Quinn said, surveying the land. "It's a nice alcove where we can sleep. Valor and I'll take first watch."
"Wait, but Mount Targon's so close! I can see it there!" Volibear grumbled, pointing to the mountain that seemed to be close enough to touch.
"Listen, if we keep going, we run the risk of encountering things in the night that are much more capable of seeing in the dark than us. We also run into the problem of climbing a freakin' mountain in the dead of night. The moon isn't that bright and I don't know about you, but I'd rather hike in the daylight where I can see the loose rocks where I might break off and fall fifty feet." Quinn said.
Volibear opened his muzzle to argue again, but shut it soon after, sighing in defeat. "I suppose you're right." With that, he flopped onto the ground and rolled over, facing away from everyone else.
Karma sat down, looking as though she were about to meditate. Quinn and Valor found a nearby boulder and hopped up on top of it. Quinn pulled out her crossbow and sat down, watching the forest around them. Kennen looked up to Caitlyn once she finished observing her surroundings. "If you can get some firewood nearby, I can create a spark for a fire."
Caitlyn nodded and ventured off nearby, making sure to stay within eyesight of the others at all times. She picked up some firewood and noticed Kennen finding some rocks for the fire ring. When she decided she found a decent amount, she made her way back and found Karma laying down now. Quinn and Valor were still keeping watch and Volibear had turned over again, facing the fire ring, eyes closed. Caitlyn set up the firewood properly and nodded to Kennen. Once she was out of the way, Kennen's blue eyes flashed with a spark and lightning shot out of his hands, sparking the firewood. Within moments, smoke was curling up towards the sky.
Kennen nodded towards Caitlyn and sat down, meditating much like Karma was. Caitlyn decided to keep Quinn and Valor company. She struggled a bit getting up onto the boulder, realizing how strong Quinn's legs were, but made it nonetheless. Quinn turned back to see who joined her and gave a perfunctory smile, which Caitlyn returned. "Hello. Thought I'd keep you two company."
Valor squawked. "It's alright, you don't have to." Quinn replied, absentmindedly reaching up to lightly scratch Valor's head.
"I wouldn't be able to sleep anyways. Not with all this noise." Caitlyn said, gesturing to the forest.
Quinn couldn't stifle her chuckle. "Noise? You live in Piltover."
Caitlyn, realizing how it sounded, laughed with the Demacian scout. "Noise cancelling earmuffs."
Quinn nodded, still smiling. "Makes sense."
"So how's being a scout for Demacia? I'm sure it's quite difficult." Caitlyn spoke with genuine interest.
"Meh, it's not as bad as it seems. I suppose the other scouts have their work cut out for them, though, seeing as they don't have anyone to keep them company. If they die in the field, nobody knows, whereas Valor and I are able to watch each other's backs." Quinn said, looking fondly towards her avian companion.
"I suppose I can relate in a way. I wouldn't trade my partner if it meant every criminal turned themselves in." Caitlyn responded, thinking back on Vi.
"Miss her?" Quinn asked after a while, startling the sheriff.
"I suppose I do. I've been undercover for months on end, I've traveled as hired help to other city-states and stayed there for long periods of time, but somehow, despite only a day passing, it feels as though we've been tracking this Kitt for ages." Caitlyn mused.
"Yeah, I get ya. Although it is a bit odd. I've never felt like this before. If anything, sometimes, when I return, it feels as though I've been gone for no time at all."
Caitlyn frowned, about to speak when Karma stood up suddenly. "We need to move. Now." she said.
"What?" Quinn asked, looking over. Volibear and Kennen were stirring as well. "Why? I'm keeping watch, nothing's gonna catch us off-guard."
"It's not danger I'm worried about. It's time." Karma said.
"Whaddaya mean?" Volibear grumbled sleepily.
"It feels as though a day has passed, right? We woke up, encountered this individual, went to High Councillor Kolminye, asked Aurelion Sol, visited Bandle City, and started our trip to Mount Targon."
The others nodded, confusion apparent in their faces. "We all remember, Enlightened One." Caitlyn responded with her title trying to calm her down.
"But that's just it. What did you do yesterday, Caitlyn?"
"Well, that's easy. I…. I…. I don't remember." Caitlyn said, frowning in thought.
"That's because none of us do." Karma said, staring at each of them in turn.
"I can't remember anything the past few days. I don't get it. Did he wipe our memories?" Kennen asked.
"No. Think. What day was it when we encountered this individual?" Karma asked.
"The nineteenth." Kennen and Quinn responded simultaneously as Caitlyn said "The nineteenth of July.
"Look at the sky." Karma said.
Looking up, they all saw the stars blanketing the night sky. "Get to the point, Karma." Volibear huffed impatiently.
"Look at the constellation. The Drawing Brush, right there." Karma pointed. "The Drawing Brush is a constellation named after its appearance of a paintbrush being drawn across the sky. It only appears once every five years on the seventh of October. It was scheduled again for this year, which isn't the problem. The problem is-"
"80 days have passed in the time we felt like one had." Caitlyn responded, eyes wide.
"How did I miss it?" Kennen asked himself, looking side to side at seemingly nothing. "When we were in Bandle City, they were preparing decorations that looked an awful like those of the first days of sugarbeet harvesting. That starts September first!"
"What's happening?" Quinn asked.
"I think Kitt is changing time around us."
"Not even Zilean or Aurelion Sol are completely capable of that kind of magic on so grand a scale!" Volibear exclaimed.
"Exactly. We need to hurry before things get worse." Karma said.
Immediately, Volibear picked up a nearby boulder and crushed the fire, effectively killing it. "Let's go. I refuse to be a part of his sick game any longer."
The five made their way through the forest path at a brisk pace, making it to the mountain base by sunrise. They started hiking up, helping each other along the way. Finally, Volibear picked Kennen up and put him on his broad shoulder. "What are you doing?" Kennen asked, being lifted into the air.
"Your legs are short; you move slow." Volibear replied frankly. "We're almost there. I'll put you down when we're close."
"Fine. This is close enough." Volibear said, leaning down so Kennen could jump off his shoulder to the ground. "We're near the village."
As they approached the village, Caitlyn noticed Pantheon and Leona talking to each other. "Pantheon! Leona!" she shouted. The two jumped, looking towards the five. They looked between each other once more and rushed towards them.
"Where have you all been? High Councillor Kolminye told us you were all taking a leave for matters of world safety, but you've been gone since July!" Leona said, looking between them in worry.
"What day is it?" Volibear asked.
"December 3rd, why?"
"It's been another 57 days. This is ridiculous." Caitlyn muttered.
"Quick, we need to know something. You two have been here many years. A long time ago, a Yordle family from Bandle City visited Mount Targon every winter so the child could see the stars. Everyone called him Kitt, but we need his name." Quinn said.
"We have records of those who attend the Starlight Festival during Snowdown, but we only ask for their first and last names." Pantheon said, motioning for Leona to retrieve the records.
"Damn it." Quinn said. "How are we supposed to find out his middle name?"
"Calm yourself, Quinn. We'll figure it out." Karma said.
Leona returned soon after with the records. Caitlyn took them, thanked Leona, and started scanning the pages as fast as she could. "Here." The others looked towards her with hope. "His name is Sære Veren."
"But we still need his middle name!" Volibear cried. "At this rate, we're out of luck!"
"Wait…." Kennen said, frowning in thought. "What do we do when we have his name?" The others looked amongst themselves before they looked to Kennen. "So we don't know that, either. Great."
"Why do you ask, Kennen?" Volibear asked.
"I think… I think I know his name. But if I'm right, we're going to be in some deep trouble." Kennen frowned.
"Well? What do you think it is?" Quinn pressed.
"Sære Kittra Veren." Kennen responded.
Clapping.
The seven Champions looked around them as they heard it. As they didn't see anyone, Pantheon and Leona vanished. "Pantheon! Leona!" Karma shouted.
"Where'd they go?" Kennen asked.
Suddenly the five found themselves in front of the Institute. Or, what was left of it. The landscape was the same, but the Institute was broken and burning. The walls were crumbling and the entire front area was littered with the bodies of Champions.
"This…. This is December 31st. Feel free to try to stop it." A voice spoke from behind them.
They whipped about, seeing the small Yordle again.
"You're…. You're Sære Kittra Veren." Kennen said. "The only history from Ancient Yordle times to survive was a prophecy of a small Yordle named Sære Kittra Veren, who would be the downfall of the world. The reason we Yordles can navigate Runeterra as we do is because of the magic in our blood. The same magic that was placed in order to stop you."
"Correct. Unfortunately, that magic was only ever the strongest in one Yordle. And I already have him. Now, as I said, you have until the last day of the year to save your precious Institute. If it goes down, the world falls. Good luck. You'll need it." Sære's body faded from view, his glowing blue eyes staying seconds longer before they, too, faded from view. All that was left was the destruction around them. So much destruction...
Caitlyn blinked and she found herself back in her bed. She tore the covers off and careened down the hall, checking the date. July nineteenth. Before the call, before the murder, before everything. 'It couldn't have been a dream. It was too realistic.' She got a call. Whipping her head towards the Hextech Comms device, she approached it slowly before quickly picking it up.
"Caitlyn? Please tell me you remember everything!" It was Quinn.
"It wasn't a dream then…." Caitlyn responded.
"I wish it was. I wish it was a dream more than anything." Quinn's voice was strong, but Caitlyn could hear the fear in it. She couldn't deny that same fear in herself. To be able to destroy the Institute and all the Champions and Summoners in it. It couldn't be possible. Could it?
"So what do we do?" Caitlyn asked.
"We…. We have to protect the Institute. We have to tell High Councillor Kolminye. I'll round up Volibear. You get Karma and Kennen. We'll meet in front of the Institute tomorrow."
"I'll see you then." Caitlyn responded, hanging up. Her legs, which were trembling the entire time, buckled, leaving her on the floor, leaning against the table with the Hextech Comms device on it. 'I really wish that was just a dream.'
So that was Chapter Two. Hopefully it was good. Sorry for the wait. Five AP classes is fun. ;w; Also, I edited a bit of Chapter One as, when I originally posted it, it didn't have the description of our mystery Yordle (calling him that because I dunno if people skipped the Chapter and I don't wanna spoil it) so I added that and then I added a horizontal line for a page break during a timeskip in the story. Didn't know how to do that until I wrote this one and so I added it to the other one as well. So, ehhh, yeah. Hope this chapter is as good as the first one. Time to go do AP classes and then stay up all night starting Chapter Three.