Here is the fourth chapter.
I also hope you rather like the dream. :P
zRedgrave- Glad you love the story, for now we'll be focusing on Ashe. Whether or not Jhin and Zed survive this story depends on my mood.
Disclaimer: I do not own LoL or Riot Games. Tencent does, and if I did, I would've had Apdo play on NA and get Redmercy boosted to Challenger (He's hard stuck, let's admit it.). I am also not affiliated with either individuals.
"I love you…" Ashe breathed. She moaned in ecstasy as the man embracing her viciously sucked at her neck, bruising it and marking her.
"I love you too." The man replied, he had a deep and rough voice.
The both of them were… naked and lying on what has to be the most comfortable bed she has ever lied down on.
The man embraced her again, kissing her, showing his face to her. Her love-making partner was scarred in several places on his face. He also had the look of a barbarian on him.
"I love you Ashe." He tells her, before kissing her again.
"I love you too… Tryndamere" She replies. Lying back down, pulling the covers over themselves, closing her eyes savoring the warmth of Tryndamere's embrace.
"RING! RING! RING!" The alarm rang in her ears repeatedly. Ashe opened her eyes and saw the glass of her pod.
'Another dream.' She thought. She had to admit, this 'Tryndamere' sucking her neck was painful… yet it felt so good.
"Good morning Ashe." AVAROSA greeted.
"Good morning as well AVAROSA." She greeted back with the same monotone as before.
The glass over her pod slid up, and was met by a face she grew accustomed to see.
"Did you have a good sleep Ashe?" Doctor Yeager asked.
"Yes. Although I had a rather peculiar dream." She admitted.
Her handler raised an eyebrow. "What kind of dream?" 'More memories resurfacing already?' he thought.
"I was on a bed. With a man named Tryndamere. He was doing things to me that I do not understand, but somehow enjoyed."
"What kind of actions?"
"He sucked at my neck fiercely, it was painful but at the same time I enjoyed it. He told me that he loved me and I said the same. We then kissed again and again. Are these acts normal for humans?"
The Doctor had to hold back his chuckle. 'So the queen and her husband had something between them after all' he concluded making a mental note to tell this to his superiors for them to add this little detail in the biography section of Ashe's file.
He cleared his throat. "Anyways, today we're going to have new excercises with your bow. Let's go shall we?"
Ashe nodded and followed him to the training room. One they arrived, Ashe took position at the same spot as yesterday with her visor materialized over her face. After they took a break, Doctor Yeager explained that her bow could fold itself to make it easier for transport, and for a quick draw.
"This time, you'll learn a new feature with your bow. When you increasingly focus on an enemy target, your bow slowly builds up energy which can be used to shoot bursts of arrows with a single pull." Doctor Yeager explains. "You know what to fire at, hit the target four times and then pull on the string with two fingers instead of one to activate the burst."
Ashe nods and hits the target's head and chest, at the fourth shot she saw an indicator that her burst was ready. She drew and released with two fingers instead of one as she was told and atleast nine arrows rapidly fired at the target lodging themselves at the target's center.
'Her Adrenaline is normal this time.' Doctor Yeager thought
Ashe did it again, and again, and again until her bow told her, her burst is on cooldown. She paused for a moment then began to fire another set of arrows into the target eventually bursting it down again, firing faster and faster.
'Atleast it was.' He thought as he saw her Adrenaline rise. Ashe's thoughts were another thing to note. 'DESTROY TARGETS. DESTROY TARGETS.'
He took one last glance at Ashe before moving to the side and contacting Doctor Oswald via hologram.
"Albert, this better be good my friend." The head scientist asked.
"An update on Ashe's behavior. Even without her emotions she seems violent and very aggressive." He explained.
Oswald thought for a moment before answering. "Interesting. She better learn how to use that aggression in conjunction with the other PROJECTS."
Albert pursed his lips, despite it being only days after her adjustment. Ashe doesn't possess any social skills that will make her work in a team environment. Nor does he think she even can since she can't feel.
"I suggest we train her with someone. Where she is the the one being supported."
Doctor Oswald nodded in agreement. "Very well. I'll inform you of what time she'll train with her 'partner'."
He was about to turn off the hologram when he suddenly asked. "Has she experienced more memories resurfacing? Especially regarding the Freljord."
His colleague bit his lip. "She has, but it's about her love life rather than the Freljord itself."
The head scientist chuckled slightly. "I'd want to read the report you'll send. Over."
Doctor Yeager turned off the hologram and went back to observing Ashe's target practice.
Like Shurima, the Freljord eventually fell into ruin, how it happened no one knows, the leaders of each faction in the Freljordian Civil War all returned to finally settle it once and for all. Who won was anybody's guess. Ten months after the withdrawal of the leaders a large blizzard overcame much of the Freljord, even swallowing the Gellid Vortex, many waited for the storm to subside, but after a year of waiting it was obvious that the storm was there permanently, only a few southern lands that belonged to the Avarosan remained, with the blizzard, said lands that were once warm and hospitable, became cold and unforgiving as the climate became winter all-year round. Barely anyone lives there anymore, and those who do are Freljordians who have no intentions of leaving the land they call home, and to keep their culture and traditions alive much like the Shurimans.
Doctor Oswald's Office.
"- Over." Doctor Oswald said as his friend ended the call. He was seated at his desk reading reports on their progress with the body reconstruction of two new PROJECTS. Despite having only tested two so far in the field. More PROJECTS would mean more security for Piltover.
'Ashe is like Zed, and Fiora, their memories are surfacing too quickly' He thought. Zed and Fiora were also like Ashe before being flatlined, curious, yet obedient. But after flashes of memories overcame them, they questioned their handlers on why did they became PROJECT, even attacking and killing those who restraind them, eventually both PROJECTS were restrained, Dopamine flatlined and memories wiped to ensure obedience without questions. To this day the screams that came from them as their memories were forcefully erased were the most harrowing sounds he's ever heard.
Leona's humanity, was tolerable. She was very open when asked about what she dreamed about and if any memory of her old life were to flash in front of her. Questioning the objective of their mission was her first offence. If her curiosity prevented her from carrying out missions, she may likely be 'adjusted' like Ashe, Zed and Fiora.
The sound of a buzzer interrupted his thoughts. He pressed a button on his desk to unlock the door and welcome his visitors; his charge and her designated leader.
"Greetings Doctor Oswald." Greeted Leona and Yasuo simultaneously.
"Hello to the two of you." He greeted back. "I hope your sleep was alright."
"It was alright. Nothing to report Doctor." Yasuo answered.
"I experienced another dream." Leona said.
"Another one? Can you describe what you saw?" Doctor Oswald asked.
Leona paused for a moment before answering attempting to recall the dream to the best of her memory. "Yes, I saw myself, a girl with silver hair wielding an oddly shaped sword. Around the both of us were multiple dead bodies surrounding us."
"Is that everything?"
"Yes, there was also some conversation but it was unclear what words were spoken between us."
Oswald nodded. "Thank you Leona. Now, on to the reason the both of you are here."
"Your test mission was a success, even though you failed to catch your target you still found him and tracked him without blowing your cover." He paused, looking at Leona. "Leona, according to reports you questioned the intent of the mission, when asked why, you replied and quote: 'seemed a normal person to us, and not a person with malicious intent.' Is this correct?"
"Yes." Leona answered promptly.
The Doctor stood up from his desk. "To put it simply, just because someone looks normal, doesn't mean that they are kind, always be wary. Who knows if the person you've interacted with is secretly an associate of your intended target. Remember this my dear, the next time you're on a mission."
She nods.
"Good. Yasuo, you are dismissed. Go back to your pod and await further instructions from your handler." He commanded.
"Understood Doctor." Yasuo nodded and left the room.
The Doctor sits back down. "Now, I also want you Leona, to train with your latest comrade, Ashe in the simulation room later in the day after lunch. Let her socialize if you will, especially after her recent adjustment."
"Understood Doctor. Are there any precautions I should remember when in her presence?
"You certainly learned after Zed and Fiora." He noted.
"Yes, they were very anti-social and only spoke unless spoken to."
"Well, I suggest you do the same. Get her to build your trust, especially since a Marksman Class PROJECT is often partnered with a Tank Class PROJECT."
"Understood Doctor." She said with a nod, along with an 'OBJECTIVES UPDATED' sign in her vision.
"I believe it's time for Breakfast, head to the cafeteria. I'll be having my breakfast here though, lots of things to review. Dismissed." He went back to his work, while Leona left for the cafeteria.
Later after lunch.
Ashe and Doctor Yeager stood in the blank simulation room,, it made him slightly concerned on how this will turn out considering how much Leona is the opposite of Ashe in terms of personality. They did not encounter Leona in the cafeteria during the lunch break, nor during their late breakfast.
Ashe was silently standing sentinel, her stare slightly unnerved him, any conversation with her would no doubt be awkward with her monotone.
In the meantime, he was preparing the simulations and targets, the environment for the simulation is one of the streets in Piltover, and the targets were armed Zaunites. Their objective was simple: clear the street and make their way to the other side without taking direct damage. Being hit would mean getting the power drained from them and being temporarily disabled.
The simulation had just finished uploading when a beep from the door is sound. Both PROJECT and handler look to see Leona and her handler.
Ashe stared at Leona. 'UNFAMILIAR PROJECT SIGHTED.' Her thoughts said as her eye registered on the Golden PROJECT.
"Unfamiliar PROJECT, identify yourself."Ashe said, visor materializing, while quickly drawing and aiming her bow.
Both scientists clearly tensed while the other PROJECT held her hands up to show that she meant no harm.
"Ashe don't worry." Her handler told her, putting a reassuring hand on her arm. "She is to be your partner in your training simulation today.."
Ashe paused for a moment before quickly dropping her stance. "Acknowledged." She then turned to Leona. "PROJECT: Ashe, Marksman Class. Handler: Doctor Albert Yeager."
Leona gave a slight bow with her head.
"PROJECT: Leona, Tank Class, Handler: Doctor Victor Oswald."
"Greetings then PROJECT Leona. I apologize for my hostility." Ashe said with a slight bow of her own.
"Accepted." Leona replied.
Doctor Oswald cleared his throat grabbing their attention. "Assuming you have not been informed Ashe. You and Leona will train in the simulator together today. Your task in this simulation will be to reach the end of the street without being directly hit. Leona's shield can tank the bullets while you fire from behind her."
"Understood Doctor Oswald." Ashe said with a nod.
"One more thing, were giving you two the authority to act independently, meaning you can choose to follow what I said, or go on your own. Just remember the risks of doing the latter." Both Projects nodded as they readied their weapons, their handlers stepped out.
As they seated themselves in the observation room, both scientists turned to their tablets, switched to the 'system' tab on their respective PROJECTS and switched them to 'independent' mode. The PROJECTS in return received a "INDEPENDENT MODE ON" message through their visors as the simulation began to form...
The environment was a perfect-replica of Piltover's quarter mile long streets near Blue Wind Court. The only exception was that it was empty, with the help of both PROJECTS motion sensors they were able to notice several Zaunites hiding in the alcoves, alleys, behind whatever they can while preparing to fire at them.
"Targets sighted, launching AVAROSA and initiating combat." Ashe announced, her droid detaching from her back, flying ahead and above them. Leona raised her shield and slowly advanced, the bullets of the Zaunites either being absorbed by the shield's plasma edges or bouncing off, not even making a dent.
"In position, confirming targets." AVAROSA announced to both PROJECTS.
"Affirmative. Preparing to fire." Ashe stood behind Leona's shield as she aimed her bow at a Zaunite hiding behind a newspaper, letting her targeting system focus on the target before letting go. The arrow hit him right in the eye, he screamed in pain before falling down and disintegrating into blocks.
"Good shot." Leona complimented.
"No time for compliments, the mission is more important." Ashe said, taking down another Zaunite.
Leona frowned slightly but still continued to slowly push.
After around ten minutes, due to Leona's cautiousness, despite several waves of Zaunites eliminated, instead of taking the time between waves to sprint and move faster, Leona ordered Ashe to stay behind her and push slowly taking cover with what they could fin, hence they were still not half way to the end and more and more Zaunites kept spawning.
Getting slightly impatient, Ashe told her partner. "You're slow pushing is making us waste time Leona."
Leona shield bashed a Zaunite who had tried to ambush them behind some boxes before answering. "Better to be safe than sorry."
"Apologies, but we must make haste in this simulation." Immediately Ashe ran across the street, hiding behind an alcove.
"Ashe!" Leona shouted. During her distraction, a Zaunite managed to get close to her, she managed to block its strike with her shield before slicing its stomach open.
The Zaunites up on the rooftops and balconies noticed the blue PROJECT and began to focus fire on her rather than Leona.
In the observation room.
"Ashe knows how to pick up the pace, but how she does it is reckless." Doctor Oswald observed.
"Well, with how slow Leona is taking it, of course she eventually gets tired and wants to act on her own." Doctor Yeager countered. "The shooters are far and Ashe is a good shot, so its unlikely that they'll hit her."
The older scientist nodded in agreement. "In this situation they have the advantage, in the future no doubt criminals and terrorists would be using more than hextech-blasters, batons and pistols."
"They can't seem to find a compromise." Doctor Yeager looked at Ashe's thoughts, 'PROJECT LEONA REFUSES TO COMPLY'
He lifted his cup of tea and took a sip, savoring the rich taste. 'Well, this I just their first time together.' He thought.
After a few more minutes, the PROJECTS were halfway to the end. Doctor Oswald brought out the settings to the simulation.
"Let's ramp it up, hopefully this will make them stick together." He said as he turned the difficulty from 'Medium' to 'Hard'.
"I hope you know what you're doing Oswald." Doctor Yeager said with uncertainty.
"Don't worry, we've seen before the PROJECTS figure something out in dire situations." He assured his friend.
Back in the Simulation
Ashe had pretty much taken over pushing forward, she was now the one in front, shooting while Leona had decided to defend themselves from the ones approaching on the ground by killing the approaching Zaunites.
"Ashe! Do not step into the open! You'll get hit!" Leona shouted, as Ashe stood her ground in the middle of the street shooting at whatever Zaunite she see's.
"I am safe, AVAROSA's sight helps me see threats coming from all directions." She assured her. As if to prove it, she aimed her bow behind her and shot a Zaunite emerging from an alcove without looking, Leona looked above to see AVAROSA hovering away from the downed Zaunite.
'She uses her drone for vision.' She notes.
Suddenly, Ashe was forced to take cover behind a wall as rapid gun fire peppered her position.
"Ashe!" She shouted as she ran across the street to protect her partner, only for the gun fire to switch focus to her.
Leona instantly raised her shield to protect herself, several bullets grazing her armor but dealing little to no damage.
"Ashe!" She shouted over the gun fire. "Kill him!"
AVAROSA repositioned for Ashe to get a view of her target. As Ashe peeked out and aimed her bow, half her sight disappeared and heard AVAROSA.
"I'm hit! Going down!" Ashe looked up and saw her drone falling, its lights flickering. She dropped her bow and ran to catch her. Luckily she succeeded but left her in an open position in the middle of the street.
"Ashe!" She heard Leona cry as she suddenly felt stinging pain all over her as her vision turned dark.
She was bent over one of the toilets, her stomach emptying itself through her mouth.
The puking stopped as if it was taking a break. She felt her hair shift and saw Tryndamere with a concerned look on his face. He was also holding her hair back to prevent it from being ruined.
"Don't worry, I'm here." He said, rubbing her back. She nodded before she felt the rush from her throat coming again.
The scene in front of her flashed, this time she was in some sort of office. She and Tryndamere were seated in front of a desk where a man wearing surgeon's attire was also seated.
He held up a pregnancy test with two lines. "Pregnant." He announced.
She gasped in joy. She felt Tryndamere hugging her as she put her hand on her belly.
"I love you so much Ashe." Tryndamere said, kissing her on the cheeks.
She kissed in reply, but on his lips. "I love you too."
And then she woke…
I thank all who read my story. May you all stick with me until the end, as I have lots planned for this.
And don't forget to refiew and tell me what you think.