Stars, little bits of the sky that twinkled in the night. Mother had always said they winked at him; the polite thing to do was to return the favor.
Of course, some mocked the idea, claiming there was no point. Few appreciated the world for what it was: a gift to admire and cherish. Bad things happened, but there was no point dreading everything that could happen. Bad enough it actually happened, why prolong the fear?
Like that patch of multicolored beauty approaching from the west. Braum smiled, admiring the brilliant colors. It looked almost as if the skies were reaching down, caressing the earth. Not like lightning, that was more like a comradely shoulder-punch, like Janna used.
He smiled again. Janna was nice, she loved weather, no matter how windy it got. Garen sometimes lost his positive attitude in rain; but it wasn't terribly hard to cheer up the big man. Especially when a few cookies came his way.
Yawning, Braum stretched out his arms, accidentally hitting the shield at his side. It rocked, as if irritated. "Sorry," he apologized, and patted its smooth flank. "I wasn't watching."
It settled back in place, satisfied.
The night sky shone even more brightly as more stars came out and the strange light drew closer. It was an excellent night for the challenge, to sleep outdoors for an entire night. No one knew where the paper had come from, but every changing room in the League sported one. It had been almost … magical, the way the entire group had pulled together. Who could resist a donation of such munificence to the charity of choice?
He shifted his arms behind his head, resting on the biceps flexing there. The small rune-engraved bracelet made it slightly uncomfortable, but the instructions had been clear: he had to wear it the entire night, and all of the next day, or else the contract would be considered broken.
Feeling sleepy, Braum turned on a shoulder. His motion obscured the action of the strange light, and the faint flashes of light reaching down from the sky to the ground. Multiple pinpricks touched Piltover, home of the renowned Heimerdinger, Jayce and Detective Caitlyn. Another series flickered over the city of Zaun, where Victor and Doctor Mundo dwelled.
As he drifted closer to slumber, Braum also missed his shield shuddering. Although the ground had not moved, it twisted slowly, turning its broad face towards the light. The rams head embossed on the shield's defensive face became visible, glaring at the night sky with a fury reserved solely for the mightiest of foes.
Gently, falling over its length at a much reduced velocity, the shield toppled over Braum's sleeping form. The big man grunted once, then curled up, pulling his bare limbs under the protective bulk as a freezing mist emanated off its edges.
The shield was a marvel of ancient engineering. No one knew exactly how old it was, just that its original manufacturer had been supremely gifted. For some eons, it had served as a protective entry to a treasure trove, impenetrable to the most abusive forces nature and man could bring to bear. Only the cunning might of one honest soul had bested its defenses, and it had faithfully served that man ever since.
The rams head, one horn broken from some unimaginably powerful force, stared at the sky. The icy sheen, enhancing its defensive properties, gleamed under the night stars.
All through the night, the strange light storm launched flare after flare at the bulwark, seeking the prone man beneath its mass. Each time, the light broke apart, disintegrating at the icy touch.
Braum never awoke, and slept as soundly as he ever had.
Morning
Stretching, giving a yawn worthy of a Frejlord, Braum rose from his nights rest. IT had been strangely satisfying, as if he'd been secure in his parents homestead long ago. When he'd awoken, he'd discovered his shield had tipped over in the night, protecting him from the night breeze.
Chuckling, Braum slapped the shield's formidable bulk. "Always there for me, aren't you?" He hefted it on one arm; lrtting it settle in place. Contrary to rumor, he wasn't the only man that could lift it. Garen had tried it out for a time, and Doctor Mundo had attempted using it as a defensive measure from Little Annie's sorcerous flames. Neither had used it for long; the former due to the long two-handed sword he preferred, and the latter because the shield had somehow slipped and mashed a foot.
Today, he felt energized! So full of life! He looked down the mountain; there was a match today, from all the participants in the challenge. The League was less than two leagues away as the Valor flew – he chuckled at the pun – why not take the adventurous route?
Braum sprang to his feet, running towards the sheer cliffside near his home. Goats loved to climb, and it was always an invigorating exercise before a good match. He paused at the edge, filling his lungs to their maximum capacity before releasing it in a bellowing cry.
Far below, tiny dots began coalescing around the rocks. Braum grinned, beginning his first leap. Children. He loved children. They were the few still wise enough to see the world with open eyes, to witness the glorious wonder it had to offer. A stray rock caught his eye, widening his smile. He'd give them a show.
"It's him! It's him!" Annabelle's shrill voice screamed.
Obel strained to see. They'd all heard Braum of the Mountain's call, and rushed to the nearest point. There, a small dot flying from the top of the mountainside! Only one man was strong enough, skilled enough to challenge the Death Slope.
"He's gonna splat!" a different voice piped up.
He frowned at the boy. "No he's not!"
"Uh huh!"
"Uh uh!"
"Uh huh!"
"Uh uh!"
"Lookit!" Annabelle screamed again.
They forgot their argument, watching the man of the mountain fall earthward. Somehow, the giant of a man twirled along the sheer face of the mountain, descending with the speed of a falcon, but graceful as a tuft of thistledown.
He cheered, trying to make his voice heard above the yells the others were making. The legend's face was visible now, a smile as wide as half of Aunty Em's Lunar Pies. That's why he rushed to see Braum. When Braum smiled, it was as if there was nothing could happen, everything that happened did so for a reason. Not even the screams that came from the nearby League of Legends towers could dampen that smile.
Obel stretched his hands above his head, jumping up and down. Briefly, he caught the massively built legend's eye, and redoubled his cheering.
Then, there he was! Braum sailed overhead, leaping to the next ledge down. One powerful hand reached down, slapping against the outstretched palms, somehow touching every hand before vanishing over the side. Joyful laughter bubbled out of his throat, he'd touched Braum!
Booming chuckles echoed from under the ridge; Braum laughing with them. It just sent the children into higher paroxysms of laughter.
Obel caught the eye of the doubting boy. "Uh huh. Told you he'd make it."
The walls passed in a blur, each foothold reaching out to him like an old friend. The infectious enthusiasm the mountain holdt's children had pushed him faster, further than before. Not to his ultimate capacity, but better all the same. He threw his head back, laughing as he approached the final landing point. The day was starting out so wonderfully!
He touched down, knees bent to absorb the impact, shield tilted. Rising to his feet, he started towards the regal double doors of the League.
A high-pitched scream stopped his movement. It was far higher than most members were capable of releasing, and … dare he say it …? Girlier?
New member then, Braum put it out of his mind, and gave the opening doors a cheerful wave as he passed. "Thank you!" The doors waited the polite extra half-second as he passed, and closed behind him.
Inside, Braum stopped. Running towards him was … Jinx. He thought. But this Jinx was – taller. Wider shouldered. Also, this Jinx was screaming in a tenor, not high soprano. The content of speech was off as well; he'd been so surprised by her new appearance that he'd almost missed that fact.
"Ow ow ow ow owie owwww!" Jinx danced past on one foot, tugging at her pants. "Ithurtsithurtsithurts – owowowowow!"
Braum just stopped, watching her – him? – go past. While the long twin pigtails was indeed pure Jinx, the voice and body was of a man.
The high-pitched scream echoed through the hall once more. Jinx's eyes grew wider, just before vanishing in a multi-colored blur.
Turning back down the hall, Braum found himself almost bulldozed by Taric … but he was looking as strange as Jinx. His thick legs had slimmed considerably into curvaceous limbs, and his height had reduced by over a head. The chestplate sagged; what had once been a powerful statement of protection was now … drooping.
His jaw dropped as Taric squeezed the breastplate to his torso, got a wide-eyed expression and screamed once again.
Moving to one side, Braum eased past the … imitation Taric. Or Taric, if something had happened far out of proportion to the normal manner of things.
The room near the front door opened, letting Braum enter. But he was the only one in there.
Things weren't adding up. Normally, the room was filled with occupants before a match, joking and jostling shoulders in mock anger. Some anger was real, and the suppressing forces of the room had to deliver warnings a time or two, especially to the more … volatile members. Even the most powerful inhibitors were incapable of withstanding the raw might of the more powerful warriors, or fully eclipse the cunning minds of those less powerful.
But now, the room was silent. Granite floors remained un-stomped, the showers were dry, and the wall hangings rested in a nigh static form on the walls.
He stepped to the side door, the more popular entrance for most. Outside his startled gaze met a shuffling horde of … women.
Eyebrows lifted, Braum forced himself to examine the faces. "Garen, my friend. You look … rested."
A tall woman folded her arms. "Braum. How odd you are here, looking like … yourself."
Braum looked down at himself quizzically, then back at the warrior. "How else, I look?"
The other warrior stepped forward, seizing Braum's shoulder strap. "How about, like a woman?"
"Why?" Braum chuckled warmly, "I happy as me."
Garen seized him with both hands around the throat, "I don't want to be this … this … form! None of us do! How did you do it?"
Braum looked around. Most of the … men … wore ill-fitting clothes, and highly disgruntled expressions. Understanding dawned. They thought – he …. Laughter, starting from the depths of his chest. It exploded from him with such force that Garen's hands were the only thing that kept him upright.
"Ha, Garen … my friend …." Braum wiped his eyes, "Of course I help you. Braum always help!"
The other man's hands slackened, but then the warning bell sounded. A limited amount of time was left before the next match would begin.
"What are we supposed to do?" Garen lifted his hands high, begign the heavens.
"Do?" Braum lifted one eyebrow. "Go, have fun. Come back, we talk more. What else?"
His friend's not-as-broad shoulders drooped, following the lead of his head. "True … you speak truth, old friend. But please …" blue eyes met blue eyes, "Please, do not ever tell Katrina about this."
The visual cue for the next match appeared. Braum patted Garen's shoulder. "Go now. Magic will help in arena. I hunt here, see what I find."
Sighing, Garen nodded once, then waved at the grouped people behind him. "Come on then, I trust Braum. Let's get moving."
Muttered growls broke out, but they moved. In some cases, they wore surly expressions … but gave him a respectful amount of space. At that point, Braum noticed both Karthus and Azir seemed to still be – masculine, for lack of a better term. Hecarim on the other hand, made a formidable female centaur, glaring at Braum with potent rage.
A heavy, reassuring weight became noticeable; Braum patted the shield's top, and turned away from the procession. He had work to do, and knew where to start.
[break]
"My little friends," Braum knelt on the rubble outside. The sounds of opening combat came from the Rift; how it could reach him from inter-dimensional realms … he had no idea. Then a small, furry head popped up, looking at him enquiringly.
Braum held out a poro snack, letting the tiny being latch onto the cinnamon-flavored roll. The poro blinked adoringly, and grew a mustache identical to Braum's.
He laughed, appreciative of the thought. Poros were some of the hardest working, most enduring figures in Runeterra; it was an honor to befriend one, and they had chosen to be friends in return! "Thank you little one. But I need help. You tell king?"
Dark eyes, set in a white fluffy body considered his position, then nodded slowly. The snack, large as it was, vanished in a twinkling before the tiny poro scampered back down the tunnel, moving deeper to the King's chamber.
Waiting, Braum looked at the sky. Janna, in a masculine form, was apparently exorcising an inner anger by forming tornadoes from nothing. He shook his head; the entire female contingent around the League headquarters had become … violent. Particularly those that had been wearing the more form-fitting garments.
A presence made itself known, a calm ocean pressing on his mind. Braum stood at once. "King Poro! Happy to see you!"
The giant poro acknowledged his presence, but frowned.
Thinking on his feet, Braum immediately made the connection. "I mean, Queen Poro?"
The giant poro acknowledged his presence with a regal nod, and waited.
Braum settled his shield to one side, "Then you know of the magic? Fighters are … different?"
Ponderously, the Poro Queen gave him another slow nod.
"Magic happen. Trick, but not know why. Your people help?" Braum offered a bright smile, adding deeper layers of meaning to his words. Poros communicated differently than most, and smiles were a major portion of their linguistics.
A distant look entered the massive being's eyes; and Braum could feel a deep purring rumble through the soles of his feet. Only the King - or Queen in this case – could use that level of communication; the smaller kindred were limited to short-range yips.
Suddenly, the wise eyes focused on his again, and blinked affirmation.
"Bravo!" Braum slammed his shield into the ground, grinning widely. "I see you soon, yes?"
Before his eyes, the Poro Queen smiled back, fading from sight. A good omen, especially how the last thing to vanish was the giant poro's grin. Or so Grandmother Alice would have said.
It had taken a long time, but Braum had made his way into the Rift, even though his name did not appear on the current permissions roster. The poros had guided him through the treacherous maze, bolstered by the fortifying snacks he always carried with him. The magical pulse had centered from the Rift itself, but more than that, they had not been able to determine. So, it was up to Braum, who was not only strong and good looking, but intelligent as well.
"Ho! Baron!" He called out to the titanic creature that sometimes dwelled in the Rift.
A smaller creature than he'd expected answered his summons. It's single, massive eye looked over him carefully.
"Ah, Herald!" Braum gave the being a friendly wave, "Was expecting Nashor. You well?"
The man-sized monster shrugged, rolling its eye expressively.
"Yes, life goes on." Braum agreed. "What can anyone do?"
Another shimmying bobble.
"Ha! That's good!" Braum laughed, "Greet wife for me, yes?"
The Baron Herald bowed, performing the entire bending/twisting action in a single fluid motion. Like the poros, the Baron clans communicated through channels few heard. Of course, few listened to what they had to say, which was a pity. The species as a whole passed down wisdom across the ages, gaining the ability to turn a short comment into a gem of wisdom.
He returned the gesture, and moved on. Perhaps the current Dragon had seen something? The Terror – formal name of a dragon group – were a social bunch, gossiping worse than a group of teenage girls.
A familiar figure strode towards him. It was tall, broad-shouldered, and had a powerful physique, similar to many of the League's larger warriors. Fortunately, the giant skull, that had ephemeral tendrils wavering in and out of existence around the edges, clued him in for her identity.
"Ill-oy!" There was a certain amount of relief he felt, at least some constants had remained constant. "You look …" he swallowed, "Good as always."
He stepped closer. "My name is Ih-low-y!" The skull glowered menacingly. "What are you doing here? Garen told us of your quest, when shall I resume my form?"
Braum blinked. He could see no difference between the current body and what he remembered. He put it out of mind; better to keep going and understand later. "The magic, it came from here. This I know. I look further now."
The woman in a wrong body snorted at him, then turned away. "Wrong body, wrong feel, just … wrong!"
Braum nodded silent agreement.
"So I say, 'But Teemo, you already small, why worry now?'" Braum finished, barely holding in the laughter.
The dragon roared approval, chortling smoke through its nostrils in its amusement. It growled at Braum, snarling and snapping.
Braum nodded, "Aye, I can do that. Thank you for help. Live well, friend."
"Braum?" An unfamiliar tenor drew his attention.
"Ashe!" He outstretched his arms, "Little archer! Good to see you!" The original identity of the ranger was easy to determine, despite her suddenly greater height. In her new form, she still wore a kilt-like covering, and the ice-bow maintained its icy form.
The Frejlord archer grinned at him. "Nice to see you too Braum." He flexed a bicep, "I could get used to this kind of muscle power. Is this how it's like for you all the time?"
His own biceps pulsated in response, eliciting a grin from the newly manly chieftan. "Once, when I was little Braum, I was not as strong. Ever since … I just do what needs done."
Ashe laughed, "Hah, like always." An ululating cry boomed over the hilltops, shaking the ground. "Uh oh, blue team is going after Baron."
"What?" Braum twisted away, leaping into action. "No! I must talk with him!"
He was already moving when Ashe caught up, managing to keep up for a brief moment before falling back. "I have your back Braum, stay safe!" The type of help came in the form of an ice-cold blast, chilling the air. To Braum, it felt refreshing, but he could see the crawler ducking deeper into the River as it froze over its antennae. Following hard on the blizzard's gale flew an arrow, nearly as big as Braum's shield, but far more aerodynamic.
Bellowing roars echoed to Braum's ears. Baron Nasher was being pushed, and pushed hard.
He arrived, just in time to see Illaoi recovering from the freezing cold blast. Her entire team was shaking itself free, Talon having somehow broken free earlier than the others and darting to the attack around the hill-sized monster.
"No!" Braum ran closer, shield lifting higher, "I must talk!"
A tentacle slapped against his shield, its stunning force blocked by the ancient artefact's strength. "Braum. Finally, a man who won't break."
He ignored her statement, and leaped to the Baron's defense. His shield released a blast of cold, stunning Talon before the assassin could react. Letting his movements flow, Braum twisted, blocking Gangplank's cannon blast, deflecting the rounds as if metal hail.
The Baron itself was not idle. Brought to near-death, it was now fighting for its life, using every cunning trick in its vast arsenal. Tentacles blasted out of the water, slapping champions aside like toys. Talon, it struck with an acid blast, deepening the chilling effect of Braum's attack until the assassin froze in place. One tentacle wrapped itself around the statue-like Talon, and hurled it far over the treetops.
Braum landed in front of the Baron, shielding it from another attacking barrage. The shield jerked left, protecting him from yet another lashing tentacle, then back to the right, expanding to contain the fiery blast from a … strange looking Ziggs. It had never occurred to him that yordles would be affected as well – even if the Poro King had.
"Ha! Good try!" Braum hauled back on the shield, using his thighs and rolling the action through his back muscles before slamming the Might of the North down. Frigid air erupted, turning the ground to frost just by its appearance. The resulting chill turned half of the team to ice at one touch, whereupon the Baron enthusiastically smashed or hurled them beyond being a threat.
"You have strength, Braum. But do you have stamina?" Illaoi reared forwards, snapping a blast at the mountain man.
Braum shivered. There was something … off about the phrase to begin with, particularly with her pre-existing – enthusiasm with Gangplank. Her current appearance was no different, but now … now it was beginning to seriously put him on edge. He took the blow full on his shield, pushing it to one side. "Go home. Braum will help."
The Truth Bearer spat. "Never! Face Judgement!" The golden icon flew upwards, then smashed into the ground. Half a dozen tentacles erupted from the ground, heaving back once and then smashing forwards into Braum's unprotected side.
That stung. For the first time in months, Braum felt pain, pinpricks that told him this was not a jest. No simple test of arms, an attempt to improve ones self.
His own head came back, a red gleam entering his eye. He waited until his foe was facing him head on. "No more mister Nice Braum," the shield seemed to twist out of the way, and his right arm lashed outwards.
Illaoi was a tall woman, almost as tall as Braum. As a man, she equaled his height, possibly surpassing it. She was a Priestess of Nagakabrough, harsh to all the unworthy and disciplined to be the ultimate, unstoppable force. But Braum was the Mountain Man, Hero of the North, born on Grandfather's Shoulder and ever present aid to even the smallest lives needing help. Mountains had yielded before his strength, and that power came to its greatest peak when defending. It was simply a question of which individual was stronger.
Unstoppable force met the immobile object.
The ice shattered, unknowingly sending those encased back to the point of rebirth. Razor-sharp pieces buried themselves in the rock, slicing through surrounding vegetation.
Illaoi, Truth Bearer blinked, dazed. Her – his – eyes focused on Braum, and … smiled. Her lips moved slightly, "Good fight."
Like a titan, she fell, with a glacial slowness that made the final impact surprising when it actually happened. Compared to the avalanches that made the Rift shake, it was a small thing, but among the living, it was very different.
Braum sighed as her – his – body vanished. Behind him, the Baron Nashor rumbled a quiet question. "No, I do not hate them. They do what they must. But … I need to talk with you."
It rumbled again. "No, not about card game. You know the magic? Changed people to be … not themselves?"
The Baron looked skywards, its smaller heads whine/grunting at each other while the main head pondered the question. Its tentacles twined about themselves thoughtfully, before the entire being focused on the Mountain Man.
Braum listened carefully, picking through the various tangents to get the full story. "Ah, yes. No, to pay a debt in full is good. In such a way … not so good."
A head the size of his cottage whined, pitifully. Irritation vanished, "No, you good man. Tell me rest, and I take care of it."
Relieved, the Baron chuffed a response, and growled a complex series of instructions.
He listened, memorizing, asking the Baron to repeat sections until he had all of it. "Good. I go now. Stay safe … and do not bet so much next time!"
It was the work of a few moments for Braum to reach the edge of the Rift. A poro was already waiting, smiling up at him. It received a snack, before diving into the multi-dimensional labyrinth surrounding the battlefield, Braum close behind.
Braum stepped into the cave, feeling its magic beat against his skin. It was like a cold wind, but not as refreshing; a cold wind that insulted every accomplishment his friends had ever made.
"No." he growled. The irritated feeling was back. He didn't like being mad, it grated, felt wrong. Enough was wrong with the world.
Finally, the source of wrongness appeared, the end of the cave. A tiny figure danced in front of a giant crystal, singing as it changed color.
Braums eyebrows lifted. "Veigar? You do this?"
The small yordle cackled, "Me? Of course! I am Evil!" His cackling carried on until the little yordle apparently realized he was the only one laughing. Twin yellow eyes glowed up at the bigger man. "Why not?"
"Because it make friends sad," Braum walked further into the chamber. "Why do it? How?"
Veigar shrugged. "Easy; all I had to do was place time-delay illusions, so my leaflets all appeared at the same time. Transformation magic is basic for a mage like me, and nigh unbreakable with my power behind it!" His voice became more animated, jumping almost as fast as he was. "If the League drops to its knees, Valoran has no defenders. No champions, and it falls to me!"
"By turning men into women?" Braum turned the thought over in his mind, "And women into men?"
The little sorcerer giggled, "Don't think so small. That is the just the first step, Braum. Now that I know it works, have you seen the chaos? No one knows who they are, and self-identity is the cornerstone to sanity! Now that they are confused, it is only a matter of time before the entire League is mine!"
Braum sighed, and lifted his shield. One swift blow shattered the gem around which Veigar danced, releasing the arcane energy in an instant.
He could feel the difference immediately; a pressure that lifted from his. A deep stern expression came across his face; while no one had been actually hurt. Leaning forward, he brought his face as close to Veigar's hidden visage as possible. "Don't. Do. It. Again."
The little yordle chuckled nervously, "And why not? You can't save everyone every time!"
Braum laughed, once. "I not need to." The shield moved, faster than the perceptions; it landed a fraction of an inch before the Tiny Master of Evil, spraying ice under and into his clothing. The yordle shrieked in alarm.
The Mountain Man made sure he had the yordle's attention. "No need. I find you."
He sighed and left. It had been a long day, and ended like a big joke. Some days, it was better to just watch the sheep.
A/N: So this came from a request to do a gender switch. Frankly, I've never written anything like that before, so if anyone has suggestions for improvements, I'd be glad to hear them!
ObeliskX, hope you like :)