Ezreal's home was nothing special, it was a small two story home. Upstairs was two bedrooms, a bathroom, closet, and small lounge. Downstairs was the kitchen, laundry room, and living room. And because of his constant absences, the front lawn was mostly weeds with dead grass. He never particularly locked his door, mostly due to the fact that he had nothing of worth to steal. All his artifacts went to the science institute, and his cupboards and fridge were mostly to always empty. He only stopped at the store whenever he was around and even then, he only bought a few items, assuming he would leave shortly after. Only once or twice had a thief randomly stolen a piece of his furniture, but the high council always provided him with another. Entering through his front door, he paused mid step when he felt something was amiss. His furniture for once wasn't missing, and as he prowled the rooms looking for the cause of his unease, everything looked in place.
"Hello?" He called out, trying to sound casual and unbothered.
"You're quite perceptive." A women's voice replied from the shadows. Ezreal whipped around surprised, but not before he was knocked backwards into his couch. The couch created a cushion for the landing, but the air was still knocked out of him. Winded, he closed his eyes for a second, before opening them. The women still stood partially hidden in the shadows, but a small ray of light was streaming through the window and he was able to make out that the women had long straight red hair.
"Who are you?" Ezreal asked darkly. The women scoffed at his brave act, and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"I need a little favor, little boy."
"Not without answering my question first!" Ezreal demanded. The women smiled, before suddenly vanishing. Panicking, Ezreal leaped off the couch and just in time as the women reappeared just above where he was sitting, with two scimitars in hand. She landed gracefully on top and looked back at him. Around her waist was a set of shurikens and from the scare down her eye, she was most likely a warrior, not to mention the lack of armor, so she was probably a very skilled warrior at that.
"You're quick on your feet. Why don't you play with me?" She taunted. Ezreal could see and feel that as on now, he was no match against her. Without giving it a second thought, he bolted for the front door, but she was faster, and with another vanishing move, she was blocking the exit. Without hesitating or slowing down, he continued bolting forward. The women prepared her weapons, ready for a fight, but was surprised when instead, he teleported through her, to the outside world. Her second of surprise bought him more than enough time to get a head start. His body went on auto pilot as his mind analyzed his current unwelcomed guest, why she was here, and where he should go. He didn't want to endanger anyone, but at the same time, he knew he couldn't handle her alone. Then the idea occurred to him, Caitlyn was at the foyer practicing her aim. She could help. With the destination set, he brought his full consciousness back to the danger still lurking behind him. A swooshing sound behind his back told him she was very close. He didn't dare look back, for it would slow him down. Despite his weak upper body strength, his legs on the other hard were sturdy and strong, with high endurance from his many travels. Now was the time that his leg strength was proving to be most useful.
Taking a sharp turn in the alley way, the foyer came into sight, relieved, he picked up the pace until a sharp object embedded itself into his back and pain engulfed him. With his focus blurred, he stumbled forward and crashed into the ground. The air current around him momentarily distorted, meaning she had teleported to him again and her weight came crashing down onto his back. With fluid movements, she had both of his hands and feet pinned, and was seated neatly over him, looking relaxed and comfortable.
"Ahhh, this game ended too quickly. Although you got me back there with your sudden vanishing move. I left you a little present in return."
"A present?" Ezreal asked confused.
"It's attached to your back, right here." The women gently slid her hands over the deep wound on his back, causing him to shudder, before the shuriken was brutally yanked out. Ezreal cried out in pain but the women quickly covered his mouth. "We don't want any interrupts, now do we?" She asked with a hint of a threat. To stubborn to reply, Ezreal clamped his mouth shut. He refused to play by her strings.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Katarina. I am an assassin from Noxus." 'Noxians...' Ezreal's mind loathed with that word. It was because of the Noxians that his parents were killed.
"And what do you want?"
"I heard there is going to be a meeting tonight for the high council, and I also heard you were the guest of honor. If you want to live, you will be my eyes and ears for this meeting. Is that clear?"
"I would rather eat dirt then help someone like you." He growled out. Angry, the women grabbed a fist full of his hair and cranked his head up, before slamming it back down onto the ground.
"What was that? I couldn't quite hear you?"
"You heard me!" Ezreal snapped back. Enraged, Katarina drew her sword. Closing his eyes, he waited for the slice of his throat, but instead, a loud shot rang through the air and the weight was lifted off his back. His eyes flashed open surprised and he bolted upwards, before flipping around, to keep his attention locked on the assassin. She was kneeling on the ground, gripping her right shoulder, with blood dripping through her fingers. Her attention was locked on someone else and glimmered with hatred. Following her gaze, he was relieved to see Caitlyn armed and ready to fire.
"What are you doing here Katarina?" Caitlyn demanded dangerously. Standing up slowly, Katarina looked between Ezreal and Caitlyn, she realized as of now, she was outnumbered. Under ordinary circumstances, she would have still fought back, but she knew what Caitlyn was capable off, and the other had shown skills in magic, so who knew what else he could dish out, and judging by his excitement when he saw Caitlyn, she knew it wasn't by accident that he had led her here and was expecting Caitlyn.
"I will take my leave." She grumbled out. As her words sunk in, Caitlyn bolted forward to stop her, but with a flash of speed, Katarina vanished from view. Caitlyn froze and carefully observed her surroundings until she was positive the other had left before her full attention turned to Ezreal with narrowed eyes.
"Might I ask what was going on here?" Caitlyn ordered. Ezreal knew that when Caitlyn wanted answers, she got her wish.
"I was going to ask you the same thing." Ezreal retorted. "She just randomly showed up at my house and started ordering me around." Caitlyn watched him silently before she strode over; Ezreal gulped nervously but held his ground. She stopped when she was within arm's reach but made no move.
"Turn around."
"Um, ok." Turning his back towards the other, he felt Caitlyn gently brush the side of his back, near the wound he had almost forgotten about, since he had been too stressed to pay the pain any mind.
"The shuriken was poisoned…" Caitlyn remarked.
"It's WHAT!?" Ezreal tried desperately to see over his shoulder, but of course, his neck couldn't stretch that far.
"Don't worry, you're life isn't in danger. The poison was merely to make you docile and obedient. Which brings up another question, why hasn't it taken effect…?"
"Beats me, I must just be lucky."
"This isn't a joking matter. For all we know, it could already have taken effect and she has just ordered you to forget."
"Is that possible?" Ezreal asked worried. Could he as of now, be a threat to those around him?
"Oh yes it's possible. Come, we need to get you looked over and then we must speak with the head council member." Without giving him a chance to argue, or reply, Caitlyn strode away.
Wariness of Katarina kept him on high alert as he followed Caitlyn to the heart of Piltover. As Caitlyn led the way, she glanced back, and noticed his unease, and sighed.
"Relax. Katarina is not dumb enough to strike us now. She is well aware that we will not be surprised again, and that she is outnumbered. Although…"
"Yea…"
"I've known Katarina for a while now and she usually doesn't hesitate to strike back. Did you do something to make her wary?"
"Not really. I sensed her power the first moment I laid eyes on her, and as such, I made a run for it."
"Strange. Did you use any of your magic?"
"Yes, but only to get through her. She was blocking the door so I had to arcane shift passed her."
"That explains it. She was most likely unsure of what else you could do. That was a wise move on her part. I've known you for as long as I can remember and you're magic skills are a force to be reckoned with, but not alone. As for her motive, I am almost certain that it has to do with Zaun. Ever since Jayce attacked Viktor's lab, he has most likely been scheming a counter attack.
"I remember that. Jayce's now got himself a new toy. I should get myself something cool like that to show off."
"Ezreal, this is not a game!" Caitlyn whipped around and glared at him. On instinct, he jumped backward and went on defense. Taking a deep breath, she massaged her brow before continuing her lecture, but with a calmer tone.
"I understand that you have a knack and love for adventure and challenges, but we are in the middle of war. True we are the neutral party, but we still have enemies and Katarina's appearance today confirms that Noxus hasn't forgotten about us. We are just as much on their list of enemies as their biggest threat, Demacia. Now if you understand, please follow me and be quiet." Picking up her pace, Caitlyn pulled ahead, frustrated with the blond. Ezreal fell silent with guilt. He was acting like a child. As the grandmaster explorer, he should never act childish but he had just proven to Caitlyn that he still had maturing to do. His shoulders slumped with weariness but a sharp pain in his back reminded him of his misfortunate encounter with the Noxian assassin.
The climb to the top of the hill to the city center was heavy with tense silence. Once they had arrived at their destination, she halted him mid step and pulled out her crystal ID to gain entry. A small laser scanned the crystal before the doors swung open, allowing her passage. Silently, he stepped through the large metal doors after her and followed her down the hall to the end. The last doors standing in their way were large and oval, with a large crystal embedded in the center. Pausing, she gently knocked on the door. They were greeted with silence, until a raspy voice beckoned them in.
"Ahhh Caitlyn!" The headmaster of the council greeted her. "And Ezreal! What can I do for you? If I recall, the meeting is at 7."
"I'm sorry headmaster, but this is important." Immediately, the headmaster's carefree attitude hardened and his attention became spiked.
"Please continue." He urged her.
"Katarina was in the city." The headmaster's eyes darkened at the news.
"Where is she now?"
"I have no idea sir. She was attempting to control Ezreal."
"Control Ezreal?" He mimicked confused.
"She poisoned me." Ezreal spoke up this time, earning a glare from Caitlyn and a curious look from the headmaster.
"How and where did she poison you?"
"She struck me with a shuriken which was poisoned." Turning around, Ezreal allowed the headmaster a view of his back.
"Oh dear." The headmasters cold stare turned worried. "And why haven't you gone to the infirmary yet?"
"I uh… wanted to speak with you first…" Caitlyn admitted with shame.
"His wounds are more important. What if he had died? You would have been held accountable."
Summoning a glowing orb, the headmaster cast it off and it disappeared out the door. A few moments later, two women entered the room.
"You called?" One of the women asked with black hair and brown eyes. Her features looked fierce, reminding him all too much of a Noxian, but her smile was warm and calmed his nerves. The second woman was blond like him, with emerald eyes.
"Take this man to the infirmary and see to his wounds."
"Yes sir!" The blond woman replied. The two women waved him over. Doing as commanded, he followed them out the door.