The Following contains violence and dark psychological elements.

George let out a heavy sigh. "It's already been a year...and it seems I still can't keep my promises Maria. I know you told me to quit but... without you and Sophie... I can't find a reason." Slowly he set down the first bouquet of flowers in front of the flawless stone. The man's hand froze as the petals met with the ground and continued to crouch there, face hidden from view. Wet droplets staining the petals. Caitlyn let out a small sigh and placed a hand on the man's back.

It had been over five years since that night, but the brunette still felt a measure of responsibility. Stupid, he chose to work overtime on the case it's not your fault. The logical side of her mind told her, yet seeing the man who had solved so many cases, stood behind her risky decisions and argued for the best outcome, crumble and break. Year after year, like clockwork. It pained her, and forced a measure of responsibility. Even if he did go home that night he probably would have died with them.

"Come on George, they know, you don't have to keep beating yourself up for it." The brunette said with a measure of sadness in her voice.

"Yeah, I-I suppose you're right" He stated through a small cough, covering the break in his voice and standing up. Caitlyn was right of course, but this responsibility. It was not something the pepper haired man could let go. However he found that feigned agreement seemed to placate the Sheriff, and he could usually pretend long enough to bury himself back in work.

After a cordial dinner in which small talk was exchanged the duo parted ways and George walked dark streets back towards his mediocre house. The air was cold, and the sky dark, it seemed as if another overnight storm was due. As he neared his small house he saw a familiar figure illuminated from a nearby street lamp. A certain pink haired enforcer slouched against his residence and, while off duty, had not changed out of her uniform.

"Good evening Vi, I don't suppose you ever take those off do you?" George said in a friendly tone as he approached, referring to the oversized gauntlets that she seemed to sport at all occasions.

"Nah, you never know when they'll come in handy." Vi answered flexing the digits.

"Forgive me, but I'm a bit too tired to laugh at the moment." The older man responded as he fumbled in his jacket for the keys to his house.

"Laugh at what?" Vi asked in genuine confusion, to which George simply responded with a sigh.

"What are you doing here Vi?" The man put it bluntly as he waited outside the door of his house.

"Ah well," She responded a bit awkwardly. "I just...well, wanted to thank you for-

However Vi was unable to finish her sentence as an echoing roar ripped through the street, and suddenly George disappeared in an explosion of smoke, fire and gore. Shrapnel and bone shards pierced the enforcers skin, but she was numb. Immediately looking around and ignoring the intense piercing ring in her ears Vi spotted a pair of blue pigtails disappear around the corner of a small alley.

With a scream Vi launched herself into pursuit and charged down the alleyway slamming into the wall before turning down the other side. Upon turning the corner , standing at the exit onto the adjacent street a lithe woman stood with a sadistic smirk on her face. Vi stopped for a moment, unbidden flashes and similarities shot through her mind. However the other women broke her thoughts with in a loud taunting voice.

"Hey there!" The annoying woman yelled giving the other girl a once over before deciding on her next words. "Big hands, this is the part where you yell freeze, hands in the air, right piggy? Freedom justice n all that."

Giving a small chuckle Vi yelled back, charging one of her gauntlets. "Ha Yeah, What Are those? I'm just going to give your skull a few denting blows and sort out the rest later!" She yelled activating her right gauntlet and rocketing forwards.

Jinx's eyes widened in surprise as the officer charged forwards and quickly pulled the trigger to her Rocket Launcher. In a burst of energy a rocket shot out of the tube and flew straight at the accelerating officer. Making direct contact with her oversized pulling gauntlet it exploded in a burst of smoke. However Vi's charge carried her straight through, a spherical blast shield of energy emanating from the fists themselves, protected her and her weapons from any damage.

Quickly the lithe woman rolled to the left to avoid the rocket propelled charge and readied another shot. But after the charge overshot, Vi turned quicker and threw a punch from her left fist releasing a shockwave of force and knocking Jinx back against the brick wall of the building now behind her. Slightly dazed Jinx barely had time to react as the pink haired woman immediately continued her assault.

Trying to finish off the assailant as quickly as possible Vi threw her right punch with the little charge left towards the woman against the wall.

With a quick reach into a pocket Jinx tossed a chomper grenade straight into Vi's path. Which, while exploding harmlessly on the blast shield, gave the lithe woman enough cover in the incendiary smokescreen, to get out of the path of the barreling woman.

Crashing out of the acrid smoke, Vi instantly turned to face her opponent once more but a flash of arcing teal warped into her blast shield before overloading it in a disappointing fizzle. Looking back up the pink haired enforcer saw her target standing several feet away, the minigun at her side whirring into life. Vi's eye's widened in a shadow of fear before narrowing in determination, Putting up her gauntlets as a make-shift bullet shield she braced for the initial beginning of the barrage.

Pow-pow's barrels spun faster until the spatter of bullets filled the air. The force of the barrage initially made Vi stagger but she held fast, even as the spread of the bullets began to graze her shoulders, legs, and any other exposed areas. With a cry and push of determination she began slowly forwards but gained momentum until she was in a full barrel towards her assailant.

Jinx slowly stepped back as her minigun continued to pepper the pink haired enforcer, however instead of falling down or collapsing as bullets nicked and pierced her exposed parts she only seemed to become more determined. She isn't giving up. It's almost like... Jinx froze for a second as more repressed memories surface. She...knew this person, but where from?

Vi crashed into Jinx tackling her forwards and slamming her against another wall on the side of the street. The lithe woman then slumped to the ground seemingly unconscious. The pink haired enforcer continued to breath heavily creating small clouds in the cold night air. A small lance of icy pain shot through her arm as a droplet of freezing rain fell from the sky. Remember Vi, cuff them if you can. Please, excessive force should be a LAST resort. Please don't hurt any defenseless suspects Vi, they could be valuable for questioning. Don't forget if you're in trouble, Call. For. Back-up. Caitlyns many annoying orders surfaced in Vi's thoughts as she stared down at her "suspect", criminal, murderer.

Carefully she grabbed the lithe woman by the strap of her rocket launcher and pulled her up. The blue haired woman's head lolled as she regained consciousness, her stray hair starting to stick to her face as the storm kicked into a higher gear. "Do you know what you just did? You-you disgusting piece of trash?!"

The world swirled around Jinx as her surroundings focused into solidity. I'm afraid we're in a bit of a bind here Jinx. Fishbones stated the obvious from her back.

"Well? Speak up! Cause if you don't have anything useful then I don't see a point in giving you a chance of escape." Vi stated over the pattering of rain, blood trickling down her arms and face. As the person in her grasp continued to stay silent, she gripped her free hand with the little strength she had left and began charging its explosive power.

She's serious, I don't think we're going to get out of this one alright. Fishbones stated in his usual drawl.

I told you to shoot her first before that no body, who cares if we only get paid for him, She's too dangerous! Especially on their side. Zap berated the lithe woman once more.

Jinx...I-I'm so sorry, I'm afraid you're going to have to do something...and it's going to hurt, a lot. But we can't give up. We have to make sure she's alright. Pow-pow said, and yet again Jinx agreed. She couldn't give up here, she had to win. No matter the cost, otherwise this whole trip will have been for nothing! Her Lux, her Sparks, she had to be taken care of. And not in the way of the stain on the street a block over.

"Tch" Vi spat as she locked her arm back and brought it forwards to crush her victim in between it and the wall behind. However in an instant the Blue haired woman ripped open the clasp of her weapon and fell to the ground. This resulted in the horrible sound of breaking masonry and shattering metal. Bringing her fist back let the metallic remains of the shark-like rocket launcher fall to the ground.

In a scream of agony Jinx drew her electro pistol and jammed it into one of the other womans wounds, just above the knee and held the trigger down. Electricity streamed straight into the her, causing her muscles to seize and tense. Jinx continued to push the weapon as deep into the wound as she could until the enforcer fell backwards, her muscles still uncontrollably tensing, ignoring the screams that split through the air.

Standing up Jinx walked to the side of the other woman, tears streamed down her face.

Leveling the barrel at the pink haired womans face, Jinx screamed what seemed to be nonsense as she pulled the trigger over and over.

"You killed him! You bitch! He was, he's one of my only friends! Why would you get rid of him?!" Jinx yelled down at the wounded officer, as pain continued to lance through her head and she pulled the trigger once more.

Vi attempted to move, but her body refused to cooperate, her mind was swimming, and cold clawed at her extremities as freezing water poured from the skies and slowly flowed through the cobblestone road. Her cuts, bullet wounds, lacerations, even the few piercing wounds from shrapnel all felt numb now. In fact her entire body seemed to feel lighter, almost weightless even.

"It hurts...It hurts so much." The woman over her continued with a death grip on the electro pistol charging it to the point of miniature arcs across the barrel.

I'm sorry Cait, I should h-ave. I should have called for back up, I sho-uld-n't have rushed ,blindly. I'm sorry... Vi closed her eyes in pain, her thought processes shattering from the electrical discharge.

Bright teal light flashed through the street once more before it was overcome by silence, broken only by the pattering of freezing rain and occasional beat of thunder. Farther off, barely overcoming the sounds of the nighttime storm was the thrumming sirens of the law.

Jinx stayed still for a few moments before turning around. Familiar red seeped into the waters around the larger woman and burnt flesh marred the side of the pink haired woman's head. Her leg seemed to be at an awkward angle and small holes marred her uniform from the shrapnel of Jinx's initial attack. In a steady and slow walk she grabbed the strap that still connected to the majority of Fishbone and pulled him up into a hug. Sobs wracked her body until her revere was broken by the familiar sound of sirens at a much closer distance. Picking up as many pieces as she could, Jinx then proceeded to make her escape. Twisting through several alleys before hopping down into the sewers to meet up with Twitch.

Lux sighed, it had been several hours since Jinx had left her alone in this mansion. She didn't trust the attendants, and she knew the leader of this whole thing was plotting something but... What exactly?

Her question was answered as the door burst open and a trio of men in dark suits rushed in and quickly subdued the blonde.

...

Lux gently stirred to a conscious state, for some reason her body felt slow and unresponsive. It also felt like she had a nasty bruise on her head, In fact the last she remembered was-

"You're finally awake. Good. I need you conscious for medical reasons." A partially synthesized voice sounded to her right.

Instantly Lux tried to get up as panic started to course through her system. She was in a cluttered room, bits of machinery and blueprints littered the walls and hung from the ceiling. Additionally it seemed that her entire body was strapped down to a cold metal gurney. Shit, I knew it. That bastard~ Lux thought but a splitting pain lanced through her head as she continued to try and struggle.

"Pain. I know. The means he uses to bring people he wants...disposed of, are quiet barbaric." A masculine figure at the periphery Lux's vision stated. Based on his movements and the clinking of metal, she could only guess that he must be organizing a set of tools, probably for some kind of horrific torture for being in the way.

"And who exactly are you?" Lux said in contempt.

"Viktor. now, you don't worry Subject one-five-seven-three-nine-two-four-

Gritting her teeth in defiance Lux muttered. "My name. Is Lux." Quickly the blonde continued to analyze the situation. However the hopelessness of her predicament and her recent luck was starting to get to her.

"Alright, Lux. I am not the enemy-" Viktor started turning to face his captive.

"Then what the hell are you doing?!" Lux snapped at the man giving another futile pull at the bonds that secured her. Unfortunately this earned a quick and violent reaction from the...man? machine?

"Trying to Save us! Look at yourself. You are weak, your body is so frail." Suddenly a metallic grasp locked around Lux's leg, slowly crushing the makeshift splint and causing the blonde to yell out in pain. "You are in pain. Both here-" He stated before releasing his grasp and walking up to the head of the gurney. "And here" The partially hextech man said gently putting a finger to Lux's forehead.

"I can fix both of those Lux. I can bring you clarity, strength, and a new point of view. All I ask is that you become my acolyte." Viktor said calmly, with seemingly no hostile intent.

"Why?... Why are you doing this?" Lux asked, her voice betraying her despair. If you're going to kill me then get it over already!

"You are...An interesting subject Lux. You have a great arcane potential within you. I have not had the chance to work with someone as gifted as yourself. " Viktor stated as he stepped back and observed the hextech pistol that had been in the blondes possession earlier.

"But... I thought you were working for Graves? Didn't he tell you to kill me?"

"I prefer to think of it as a symbiotic relationship. He gives me the materials I desire, no matter their legality. And in return I give him my services, when I'm not conducting research of course. But that man is not a scientist, oftentimes he may try to throw away something, or someone who is valuable. I... save those things. I make sure they are properly used."

"Then why am I strapped down if you're...saving me?" The blond asked in hesitation.

"Most people, panic, they... try to escape before I have a chance to explain. Sadly. Most do not agree with my vision either." Viktor answered with a degree of disappointment in his voice.

"And what, your vision is for me to become like you? A machine?" Lux asked, trying to stay calm while she determined exactly how dangerous this individual is.

"No, I don't want you to become something you're not. I simply wish to elevate you, expand your perspective. Save you from the Pain of your existence. Just as I have saved myself from the pain." He stated drifting off almost to the point of talking to himself.

Pain... He'll stop all the pain? I won't... Lux considered , her thoughts drifting towards her life. Her loneliness growing up. The emptiness. It wasn't something that could simply be fixed but... could it really be taken away? The sting of the end of her last relationship? The pain in her body at this moment? The feeling of taking their lives? Could he really... Make it all stop? Strangely her thoughts continued to drift towards the gun toting psychopath who got her in this whole situation.

Can I trust him?... Do I have a choice?

"Okay. I'll...I'll help you as long as you help me." Lux gave in.

"Good. Now remember. The following will be the pain leaving your body." Viktor said as he pulled a table full of instruments towards Lux. "Pain in the body is the most unnecessary and is easily fixed." Viktor stated as if reading off of some old notes as he easily cut away what clothing covered the blonde's injured leg. Afterwards the man set down his instrument and picked up a syringe filled with a deep blue liquid.

"W-wait..." Lux exclaimed as the cold metal tip pressed into her upper left thigh. However Viktor did not hesitate and quickly plunged the metal deep within her flesh and emptied out half of the tube. Pain shot up her body but Viktor's mechanical grip did not allow struggling. Immediately a tingling sensation crawled down Lux's leg before it started to become numb.

"Wait! I-I don't..." Lux protested in fear as the man started to set various cutting tools on the top of the small table.

"Fear is a natural response to change. But we must not allow it overcome us if we wish to evolve. If we wish to move forwards. We cannot hesitate." Viktor answered Lux's new pleas.

"But...I-I don't want..."

"I'm afraid... You're options are limited Lux. As an acolyte you must let me guide you, save you from your petty emotions and frail body. If you refuse, then you still hold worth as a test subject for several of my hypotheses." Viktor answered with little compassion in his voice. "Let me save you."

"But...will I still be me?" The blonde asked out of fear and curiosity in a wobbly voice.

However Viktor did not answer and instead started to sterilized a portion of skin around Lux's thigh, partway above her knee. "I took the liberty of measuring you while you were unconscious. The basic scaffolding is already complete, modifications afterwards will be the most efficient."

Lux's hands shook as she strained to look down. What am I doing?! I can't let him do this? But...what choice do I have I can't escape. But I don't want this! I just want to be back in my comfortable bed. Please someone... Jinx...please save me.

Time seemed to slow as the first cut was made.

Why is all this happening to ME?

What did I do to deserve THIS?!

The red...

So familiar...

Metal inserted, forcing open the wound...

I can't take it anymore.

Various tools clamping the red ambrosia that flows onto the gurney.

It's so...warm.

A strange vibration moved into the areas above that could still feel, perhaps something to do with the serrated edges on bone.

Lux let her head fall back and looked straight up at the ceiling and operating lights above.

No one is coming...

I won't forget this.

Author's Note: So, Apologies for how long this chapter took but my workload is ridiculous. I originally intended for this chapter to be a bit longer but I couldn't find a better place to cut it so I have another third of a chapter in the works. Hopefully I can find some time after this history paper. =) Lastly, I hope everything is up to expectations as I had a bit of a disagreement with my beta-reader.