Chapter 2 - Time's Calling
The laugh that permeated the air was both loud and annoying, but Lux had been like that all her life. She and Amy were just walking around the mall wasting time after school. Dorcha and Solas were playing the part of the new poro pets and were carefully hanging onto Lux's shoulders, and getting the occasional scratch from Amy and Lux. Neither of them were happy with how Lux spend her time, but she still needed to get a least a handle on her powers before she was told about Vel'Koz and the Tower. The two had spent only a few days with Lux at this point, but even though she was brave at the first encounter, her usual attitude had shown itself. Lux was brave, but also a bit of a klutz, and prone to freaking out.
After walking out of their 3rd clothing store, Amy and Lux headed to the food court. "I'm so hungry. Let's get something to eat." Both almost sprinted to the food court, again the two Poros holding on for dear life and trying to keep up the cute poro act. After eating, Lux looked at her watch.
"It's that late. Oh my mom is going to kill me. I need to get home. See you later Amy." She managed to get out as she sprinted towards the doors.
"Lux. Always running off, and always not looking at her watch. Well everyone has their quirks."
On Runeterra's moon, Malzahar glided back and forth across the main chamber. Seeing Kha'Zix across from him, he knew the creature was scared, but he also knew that punishing him wouldn't do anything. Kha'Zix was at a severe disadvantage against a Guardian, even if she was new. Malzahar knew in order to summon beasts and get through the barrier would need more energy, and if that meant taking it slow, then that is what was needed. Only Kha could penetrate the barrier at the moment, and his nature as an assassin would allow him the patience he would need.
"Kha'Zix, I told you all before we started this mission if we encountered the Star Guardians, and you lost, as long as you returned with something, I would not punish. I intend to keep this vow. Only because you are useful to me. Cease to be useful and that will change. We need energy, and now it is more essential than ever. Even if only one Guardian has awakened, that is enough. Take another voidling and hatch a plot to get more energy."
"Yes oh great prophet. I will do as you say." Inside, Kha was both terrified and relieved. He knew he would only get so many chances before Malzahar would either destroy him, or feed him to the Baron. Leaving the main chamber, he saw the Herald there.
"So no punishment, well I hope you accomplish your mission quickly bug, or you will be squished."
"Be quiet animal. You are only sentient because of the void. Take care or the Great Prophet will take it away." The Herald, who had massive arms, a great purprle body, with a small eye on the back of his body to see behind him, just got into the bug's face. Malzahar chose that exact moment to emerge from the main chamber.
"Down you two. I don't need my minions fighting amongst themselves. Save it for the guardians." They broke apart and just glared at each other. "This bickering is pointless. You both have a job to do. Now GET TO IT!" Both of the two underlings went running, and Malzahar looked pleased. He always got a rise over setting the minions against each other. Only the powerful Cho'Gath had the courage to stand up to him, and rightly so. Cho was extremely intelligent, but he also had his limits in terms of power. Malzahar was unlimited in power potential, but was also young. They balanced each other out, but both were still a major threat to each other.
Kha'Zix just slinked away to select another voidling for his mission while the Herald just walked away. Malzahar looked between them and knew that the fragile alliance they all shared was starting to break apart. They had their victories, but they had more defeats. 'If something isn't done soon, we are going to fall apart. That lone Guardian is just enough to cause problems. We have yet to also see what else transpired in my century of absence.'
On Runeterra, Lux burst into her house and almost knocked her mother over. "You are late! And make sure to put those two back in their habitat. Why you carry them around with you is beyond me." Lux just hung her head as Garen snickered from the dining room. Lux just gave him a glare as she went up to your room. Reaching it, she dropped Dorcha and Solas on her bed and then collapsed into her chair.
"I need a watch."
"You have one, you just don't check it." Dorcha said with a glare. Lux turned to her, but decided it wasn't worth the fight. Ever since they came into her life, things went from manageable to stressful. Lux didn't hate her destiny, but she didn't like the fact it came right now. She knew the Void was back, and so did the population, hopefully, but many just seemed in denial. She knew there were more guardians out there, 4 more, but she had no idea how to find them.
"You two sure you can't find them?"
"We've tried and we just can't pin them down. I wish we could be more help. Guardians were never meant to operate alone unless times were desperate."
"I thought they were?"
Solas just hung his head. "Yes they are Lux but you can't let that discourage you."
Lux for her part just turned back to her desk and began working on the homework she had before she had to go down for dinner. Both Dorcha and Solas just looked at each other. Both were extremely nervous. Lux was good, but she was still very much a newbie at this. She would normally have training, and an experienced member of the team to help her along. She had none of that.
Dorcha then heard something, it sounded like tears and Lux trying to hide them. She hopped from the bed to her lap and saw that is exactly what was happening. Knowing that her touch would do little to help her emotions which were going all over the place, she just brushed her body up against Lux and after a second, she turned and smiled. She was still crying, but at least the sobbing had stopped. Solas hopped onto Lux's shoulder and just sat there. Lux sighed and went back to work.
'I can't let these emotions rule my actions. But this is just too much.' Lux thought she would get help or at least a trainer, but she had none of that and for the moment, it looked like help wasn't coming.
"Lux honey. Dinner." Her mother called up the stairs. Lux nodded and the two poros jumped off her lap and onto her bed. Lux got up and went downstairs. Both her parents were home and Garen was just waiting.
"So any more news on what was a few days ago dad?"
"No there isn't. All we know is that since a Star Guardian did make an appearance, there is enough suspicion that the Void has returned. However, since there hasn't been another attack in a few days, it might just be a one off."
'Fat chance. They will be back.' Lux thought to herself. Her father was in the police department, but was also a bit of an optimist, which annoyed both her and Garen at times. But growing up in the time her parents did, it was easy to be an optimist. Garen just nodded while Lux just eyed what her mother brought in and immediately dug in. She mentioned a few things over dinner, but for the most part it was about Garen's upcoming sporting event. He was one of the stars on the team, and they looked to go all the way to the Regional Championship this year. Lux immediately tuned it out while she just watched the TV that she managed to turn on and watch the daily news.
After dinner, Lux let her mother go to bed and she cleaned the plates while Garen put away the leftovers. "Go." He said suddenly.
"What?"
"Go study. I know you have that big test in two days. I'll finish. Just don't spread it around."
Lux just smiled and nodded while walking out. She have her brother a quick shove as she passed, which he was expecting and stood firm. "Nice try." Lux just smiled again and went back upstairs with a plate that she snuck for Dorcha and Solas.
"So who is this contact of yours? When do I meet him/her/it?"
"Once you have a bit more control over your powers. Hopefully it should be soon. We can only hope that we don't get more powerful enemies in the meantime."
Lux nodded and went back to her work. After a half hour, she couldn't concentrate anymore. "I'm going for a walk. Alone please" she added as they both got up. They both nodded, and went back to sleeping. Lux grabbed the plate she brought up, and after washing it downstairs, she told her parents she was going out, at which point her father just nodded.
"Be careful young one." He said as she walked out. Lux turned, gave her signature peace sign over her eye, and walked out. Lux didn't see her father rolling his eyes, and chuckling. Lux walked out the door and after leaving her house, set about her usual route around her block. The night was unusually cold and she regretted not grabbing a sweater as she left. Lux reached into her pocket and drew out the locket she had been given, and looked at it again. 'So much power, yet so much responsibility.' She took a seat on a park bench overlooking the river that ran through the center of town and just watched it without really thinking.
In the distance, she could hear that free concert by that popular mute DJ as it kicked up. She considered going, but decided against it. She was so lost in thought that for almost 30 minutes she didn't notice the music had gone until a police siren approaching knocker her out of her thoughts. She turned to see what was going on and was surprised that her father was pulling up alongside the park.
"Lux get in please." She nodded and hopped into the passenger seat. Her father sped off again. "Text your mother that you are with me. It will calm her down. There was another attack in the park for that concert. I'm grateful you are ok since I know that is where you go to think. I hate brining you here but I can't take you home right now." Lux just nodded. 'Garen is going to be so jealous.' She thought to herself as the cruiser arrived at the scene. And it wasn't pretty.
All around were people who had clearly had their energy drained, and in the middle was Vel'Koz. He hovered around taking readings on the people who had passed out. Even though he was a giant floating eye, she could tell he was nervous. Being a creature of the void who betrayed Malzahar, he probably had one big target on his head, err eye. He floated over to them as her father got out and she stood near the car with some other officers.
"Detective. Good to see you again, I regret that we keep meeting under these terrible circumstances. And miss, it is good to see you again too. I hope you found your trip a few days ago inspiring, unlike this." He said as he took notice of Lux. "Wait she is your daughter?"
"Yes. Luxanna." Lux rolled her eyes at her full name. She knew it was a old family name from her mother's side but she preferred her short name. "Lux please stay here while I look around. I will hopefully not be long, but at least I'll get you out of school tomorrow. Officer please watch her and make sure she doesn't run off." One of the patrol officers just nodded his head. Meanwhile Vel'Koz was still hovering near by watching Lux carefully. She was carefully observing what was going on and was flexing her fingers around a locket that was carefully placed on her hip. Vel decided that he couldn't keep his secret longer.
"Miss I hope you don't mind, but I want to know what you are thinking about this."
Lux, jostled from her thoughts, carefully chose her words. "It's horrible. What is going on do you know? My dad said it might be the void."
"That is my suspicion as well. These are some of the methods that are used. Mainly to gather energy from a planet before invading it. It is likely that the amount of summoner magic encompassing this world is helping to hold them off but it won't be like that forever. Eventually they will force their way in. Hopefully we can stop them, but I'm not hopeful."
'On a more personal note, what do you think is going on Guardian.' Lux stopped in her thoughts and turned to the giant floating eye.
'If you wish to continue this conversation just think your thoughts. I can read them but I won't go deeper without your permission. Your surface thoughts is all I can read. Meaning what you are thinking at that moment.'
Lux was taken off guard but decided to go along with it if it worked. 'Ok. So you are Dorcha's and Solas' contact?'
'Correct. I learned a few things about the Guardians before I turned on my fellow voidlings. I have tried to find the new generation repeatedly but until you came to the museum the other day, I had almost lost hope.'
'Why would you help us?'
'They say the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and I have no respect for Malzahar. But I also have come to appreciate this world, and I still have much to learn about it. I have always valued knowledge, but I also previously acquired this knowledge at any cost. Now I have found that more conventional ways of collecting it is actually more enjoyable. It is a challenge and that I have always enjoyed. Eventually I realized that the void and the universe could exist together, despite what the First Star thought. Do you know the story?'
Lux took a quick look around, keeping the face of someone who is out of place. 'No I don't.'
'I won't tell everything, but originally the void was a prison for those who sought to bring chaos for the sake of chaos to the universe. The First Star and the Star Guardians banished them to the void. There are some of us, like me, who were native to the void, and we were to control it. However that didn't last long, and once it was clear that the power of the First Star couldn't keep us contained we sought to ruin the universe. I have since changed my mind. I believe both can exist without destroying the other, but no other in the void sees it this way. This world, and many others has so much to learn and while many of them discover the same things, how they come about that is what has fascinated me. And that is why I oppose the void. Everyone deserves a chance to live, and that is something that most in the void, for one reason or another, do not believe.'
Lux turned away from Vel'Koz, and he carefully withdrew from her mind allowing her to think. Internally Lux did feel his presence leave and she carefully considered his story. While it did seem to be all too convenient, it also was more consistent with his behavior over the last century. 'Well, I guess I just have to watch him.' Turning back to Vel she nodded.
'Ok I can't say I completely trust you, but your story does make sense. But I will keep my eye on you.'
'I would have expected nothing less and if you had trusted me completely I would have been worried. Either way, since your father said he would call you out of school, I hope you can get to my library tomorrow and I can show you what I have. I'm sure you can get away.' Lux just nodded. 'Good. Oh, this just got interesting.' Vel pointed and Lux turned. Walking towards the scene was Caitlyn, the Chief of Police. Behind her, was he Deputy Commander Vi. Turing back to the field, she saw her father turn and come over.
"Chief. I have to agree with Vel'Koz here. This was definitely the void. They are back and probably trying to reopen the portal they established a century ago. I know that isn't what you wanted to hear, but that's what I have."
"Well then that is what the story is. Not exactly what I was hoping for either. However, we all knew that someday they would return. I just wish we had better prepared."
"Ma'am I believe we are pretty well prepared. Our recent advances in Hextech and Magictech are going to be doing damage. However, I have to point out that single Star Guardian might be of help. She probably could connect us with the others."
"I don't particularly like that idea detective. Either way, we have to keep this story contained for the moment. Until we can get support from others, we can't fight this by ourselves. But we can fight them with the help of others. I just have to ask, what's with the girl?" Caitlyn took notice of Lux for probably the 10th time given how she worked. Lux just stood and blushed while Vel'Koz made an excuse to go back and investigate, not wanting her identity to be discovered.
"She's my daughter Chief. She went for a walk earlier and since she normally walks here I was scared she was hit with this. I found and told her to stay with me for now. I know it isn't exactly regulation but I'd feel better knowing she was here."
"Don't need to explain that Detective. I want you to remain here, I'll take her home. If that is ok with you?"
"Yes ma'am thank you. Honey please go with the Chief and stay at home. I'll call you out tomorrow as it is late and this isn't something you can see and go the next day."
"Yes dad." Lux walked forward and gave her father a hug before following Caitlyn back to her cruiser where she got into the passenger seat. Caitlyn put her rifle into the trunk, got into the driver's seat, and started head towards her home. Lux wondered how she knew where it was, but remembered that she probably just looked it up and given her knowledge of the city, knew the way.
"Hopefully that won't become common. But I know someone your age was probably unnerved by what you just saw."
"I have to say that it is scary and I am a bit afraid."
"That is understandable, but you also have to realize that we can do much more than a century ago. Hopefully we can stop them before they become too powerful, but that will be interesting."
"Chief, if you don't mind me asking, what is your problem with the Star Guardians?"
Caitlyn took a quick look at Lux. "Well for someone your age, I guess that is a fair question. All those images of them in battle is probably something you can't really resist. I don't have an issue with them personally, but I have an issue with the fact they typically work alone and outside a joint chain of command. With the military and the police, we can work together, but they usually don't work like that. I know they are doing what they are supposed to do, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. If they help and if they continue to help, I won't ignore the help, but I also will keep an eye on them."
Lux carefully considered her words. Knowing she had a duty to defend the world against the void, her actions had consequences and she had to be careful. Caitlyn was correct in the fact that usually Star Guardians worked alone and for good reason. They were powerful and for that reason, they tried to work alone because their actions usually endangered everyone else.
"I guess that's fair." She finally said at least.
"There are other reasons I have, but that is beyond you can probably understand at the moment. I know you probably hate hearing it, but it usually isn't something a kid can understand."
"Try me."
Caitlyn again took another look sideways, but smiled. "Very well. My biggest issue is that they are chosen at random, and usually aren't of the planet they are guarding. They don't care about the planet or its people, they only care for their mission, which we know has lead to issues in the past. I also hate how they mostly use girls close to your age or at least look like your age. Children have no place in a fight like that. No matter what training or powers they have. That isn't fair to them, and that isn't fair to the planet they guard. It gives girls like yourself delusions of grandeur and that is also dangerous. Understand?"
"Mostly. I fail to see what is the problem with having them from other worlds. It prevents an emotional attachment that allows them to make the hard decisions if necessary though."
"You are your father's daughter." Caitlyn said with a laugh. "He was right, you are smarter than you look, despite what you want others to believe. I guess that is a good point, but I still don't like it. I guess we have to agree to disagree?"
"I guess. But perhaps they won't be needed."
"On that we agree. Especially now that we are aware. Ah here we are." They pulled up alongside the house and Lux got out and walked inside. Only once the door closed did she hear Caitlyn move off. Probably wanting to make sure she got inside safely. Lux carefully went up to her room and noticed the two she wanted to see asleep.
"Dorcha, Solas wake up." She said poking the two. They both quickly shook themselves awake.
"Enjoy your walk." Dorcha said with a yawn.
"Well if you discount the void attack, yes." That got their attention.
"What?! Where?!" They said together.
"At the park where that concert was being held. Whoever it was got away with all of the energy of those there."
"This is bad news. If they are going to attack so openly like that, it means they are desperate for energy. We have to keep up our guard."
"Also I asked the Chief something and I have to ask you. Is the reason most Guardians are not from their native world is because of the emotional attachment?"
Both of them turned to each other. "Well yes, that is the usual reason. Also more convenience. Guardians are sent where they are needed and while some do come the native world, most don't. Usually only if the team needs another, or the situation, like ours, is desperate." Solas looked into Lux's eyes and saw understanding.
"Well it does make sense. Also I ran into your contact."
"What? Oh he was probably there investigating wasn't he?"
"Yes. He wants me to come to the library tomorrow."
"That's good. We can show you all of the things that you can use to train and other things. Hopefully we can also find the other guardians soon. But you should probably get some sleep. You do have school in a few hours."
"Dad said he'd call me out because of how late it is and how long I was there."
"Well isn't that nice." Lux carefully climbed into bed after changing and quickly fell asleep.
On Runeterra's moon, Malzahar was pleased. "Excellent work Kha'Zix. This is a lot of energy, but it isn't enough. We need more. These large scale attacks are doing to draw attention before too long, and we know the people down there will fight back. We have to be careful. But the energy you managed to get will allow you to bring a more powerful minion with you. Choose carefully."
"Yes oh great prophet." Kha'Zix was careful to check and chose Naseni, a large crab like creature. "Come." And he quickly followed. Choosing a somewhat larger hole to get through, Kha'Zix was about ready to go, but realized attacking twice in one night would lead to his getting caught. "We will wait for morning."
The following morning Lux found herself rising later because her father called her out because of the lateness of she finally got home. Lux quickly remembering Vel'Koz's invitation, quickly dressed and headed downstairs. With the rest of her family at work or school, Lux only found a note from her mom telling her to enjoy her day off and to at least do something productive. If possible. Lux just smiled, grabbed her bag, and after Dorcha and Solas jumped on, headed towards the Library.
Arriving, she was quickly directed to Vel'Koz's office. "Ah Lux thank you for coming. I know what has been attacking, and what they are trying to do. Please come with me." Lux followed Vel out of his office and into a storeroom. Confused, she just trusted Vel to know where he was going. "What better place to hide a secret facility, and its entrance in plain sight." Vel pushed a series of what she originally thought were poorly placed bricks, which then the whole wall reseeded into a passageway. Lux's face was all Vel'Koz needed. "Sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight. Come."
Lux followed, now more curious than ever. Dorcha and Solas just continued to sit and relax. After clearing the passageway, they emerged into a large round room, that she could only assume was near the corner of the Library. "Officially this is my research center, but that is actually underneath the Museum. Here is where I, with the limited knowledge I had obtained, built a full Star Guardian base. Again I'm sure it isn't perfect, but I did my best. Also take this." He handed Lux what looked like a pen. "Using this, draw an outline around a doorway, anywhere, and you can teleport here. You can then go back using the same method. It can also store locations inside if you wish to use it for multiple locations."
Lux just nodded. It made sense, and would allow her to practice while pretending to be in her room. "This is actually quite interesting. Magic I'm assuming?"
"A very precise bit of magic actually. It took a few tries to get it right."
"What happened to the other tries."
"Remember those news stories about 10 years ago of explosions from the museum?" Lux nodded. She remembered reading about them. "That. They kind of blew up. Oh well. Live and learn I suppose. It was also a great challenge, another reason I hate the void and their all consuming spirit. Both realms have their good and bad, but they can live together. Anyway this lower level is where you can plan missions and coordinate with the others, once we find them. The second level is a large training room where you can practice your powers. The third level is a private area which I will not enter, and haven't since I built it. It is more of a rest area for you and the other Guardians for after missions. Feel free to look around. When you use the pen, you will emerge from the door which we entered from. There is an emergency escape over here," Vel lead her towards a rug. Underneath was a trap door that clearly lead outside the museum. "It has two exits, one into the museum in the history section. The second is outside on the east side near the bushes."
Lux nodded again. "Thanks I'll look around then."
"I take my leave then. Let me know if you need anything. I haven't had time to stock the kitchen over there yet, but I will soon." Vel gave a quick bow and left. Lux just walked around while Dorcha and Solas just bounced around on the counters on the lower level.
'This is amazing.' The second level was clearly for practicing. Reinforced walls. High ceiling, and a first aid station in the corner. Looking back at the pen. She was happy that it was a way she could slip in and out unnoticed by her family. Well for now at least. Looking through the third floor, there were six separate rooms each sparsely decorated. 'Personalization will come later.' She picked out the room with an overview of the nearby river, and heading back downstairs, she saw the two looking at her.
"Enjoyable?"
"I can't believe this. Is this common?"
"A base like this? Yes actually. Most teams have a base like this somewhere on their world. The pen this is normally passed down, but the ones the last team had were damaged beyond repair after that last battle."
"Well I'm going to do some training before I head over to the mall." Lux skipped upstairs while Dorcha just shook.
"Give it time she will take it seriously someday." And noticed Solas taking a nap. "Well I guess that is a good idea." She curled up and went to sleep.
"Star Guardian Power Up." The transformation was complete and Lux again was amazed at what she was wearing and the power that came with it. She trained for the next hour and a half with her powers and was getting better at accuracy. Finally, somewhat exhausted, she called it quits. "Power down."
Returning to her normal appearance, she went back downstairs and saw her two companions sleeping. "Ok let's go" she said poking the two awake.
"How long as it been?" Solas asked as he finally shook off the sleepiness.
"About an hour and a half." Both the poros looked at each other.
"I'm impressed, I thought it would just be a half hour."
"Well it was also close to noon and I didn't want to go to the mall with all those noontime shoppers. So let's go." She paused after grabbing her bag, and they both jumped on. Carefully making her way down the passageway and back into the storeroom, she noticed the bricks flashed in the order needed to reunlock them as she was leaving.
"They will only flash for guardians. The rest of us have to memorize that sequence" Dorcha said as Lux looked a little confused.
"Well that's good." Lux then carefully made her way out of the storage room, and after waving to Vel on her way out, made her way to the mall.
The mall however was still packed, but she didn't care. Lux made her way around and just did what any girl on a day off would do, enjoy the fact that she didn't have to go to school because of what happened. And that brought it back for her. Sitting down onto a bench on the second floor, she just sat there thinking that if she hadn't been so absorbed in her thoughts, she might have been able to stop it.
"Don't blame yourself for what happened last night. Things like that are going to happen from time to time. You can't be everywhere. If you blame yourself for everything like that, you will burn out quickly." Dorcha quickly jumped onto her shoulder.
"I know but it still doesn't make me feel better." Lux responded with a hushed tone. "Also doesn't mean I have to like it."
"No you don't, but know you will do better next time." Lux just smiled and grabbed her bags again. She was almost out when she heard a scream. Turning, she quickly saw why. The bug was back.
"Your energy will be mine." And from out of her view, a large crab creature emerged and started grabbing people.
"Can I just go shopping without someone going crazy?" Lux quickly bolted for a secluded location, and with the confusion of everyone running for the exits, her movements were largely concealed. Eventually reaching a place where no one else was, she grabbed the locket off her hip and once again held it up. "Star Guardian Power Up."
In the middle of the mall, Kha'Zix and Naseni stood over the people drained of energy. "Excellent everything is going as planned. We will be out of here before anyone else shows."
"Not so fast." Kha'Zix groaned as he turned to see a Star Guardian standing on the second floor looking over them.
"Can't you take a hint and leave me alone?"
"Not really. As long as you seek to spread chaos, I will be here to stop you. I am a Star Guardian, sworn to protect the universe against all those who wish to throw it into chaos. And that means you."
"Finish her." Naseni lunged out at Lux but she threw a binding and while Kha'Zix dodged, Naseni wasn't so lucky. Hit fully with the binding, it did a number on the voidling. Lux followed up quickly with a blast of light from her baton before throwing with a Singularity. Naseni, already hurting from the binding tried to dodge the Singularity, and while mostly successful, it still took damage. Enraged, Naseni burst through the glass at the top of the mall and onto the room. Lux used her barrier to protect those in the food court from the glass before jumping up and joining them.
As soon as she landed on the room, Kha'Zix, enraged threw out his spikes at Lux, and while she did dodge, she still took a few in the leg. Tumbling behind an air conditioning unit, she quickly checked her leg, and while it hurt, it could have been worse. Jumping up over the unit, she blasted a singularity towards the two and while they both dodged, Kha'Zix missed the follow up binding. Lux threw a light bolt at him before throwing another singularity at Naseni. This time it hit, and hit hard. Lux tried to follow up but Kha'Zix threw another series of spikes and this time they hit Lux hard.
Sent rolling across the roof, she struggled to get up. "Well seems you keep forgetting that there are three of us up here. And now, I'm going to finish you off and then nothing will stand between us and that portal." Lux just turned her head and just as Kha'Zix jumped, she threw her barrier, but instead of bouncing off it, Kha went flying as he was hit by an energy ball.
Lux quickly turned her head around and saw someone standing there. "Now there are four. Now how about you pick on someone your own size."
"With pleasure." Kha'Zix was clearly not expecting the weapon he used to blast that energy ball to then turn into a massive hammer. Kha, caught off guard again was knocked back and into a small building on the roof, which was now going to need a new door.
"You ok?" The mysterious figure asked as he helped Lux to her feet. She took a quick look at him. Dressed in a full suit, a tuxedo really, his hammer/cannon/whatever on his back for the moment, she decided that friends came in all shapes and sizes, and while he wasn't a Guardian, for obvious reasons, he clearly didn't like the void and for the moment, that was enough.
"Yes. I'm fine. Thanks."
"No problem Guardian. This is your fight, but I also have a personal issue with these people. So which do you want?" Lux turned and locked eyes on Kha.
"I'll take the bug." The figure just nodded. They quickly jumped back into the fight with another energy ball and a binding. Kha, still reeling from the earlier hits, was still getting to his feet, and was immediately hit with the binding, a bolt, a Singularity, then another bolt. Furious, he quickly opened a void portal and disappeared. Lux stopping herself on the roof, quickly repositioned and threw another binding at the crab. Hitting she threw another bolt, before it dodged the singularity. Her new found ally however quickly hit it with his hammer and it flew into the center of the roof.
"Finish it." Lux was all too happy to comply. Grabbing her staff, she ran her hand along it focusing her power, then threw it up in front of her, where it hovered briefly spinning before she focused her power and threw out a powerful beam of light. "Final Spark." The beam once again disintegrated the voidling into dust. Dropping back to the roof, Lux carefully got to her feet, not wanting to show weakness, or how hurt she was.
"Thanks. I didn't get your name."
"Debonair. For now. Good luck Guardian. I'm sure we will see each other again soon." He quickly disappeared as he jumped off the roof. Lux just looked but quickly lost him in the mass of people that were below. She could clearly see Caitlyn trying to direct traffic out of the mall and she decided to make her escape before she could be detained. Hopping back into the mall, she found Dorcha and Solas were she left her bags.
"Well that was interesting." Dorcha said as Lux powered down and grabbed her bags, before deciding it was probably better to wait for the police to find her. She saw that people in her area were still out cold, so she just hid behind the structure she used to transform. "We need to keep an eye on this person, but for now, they seem to be a friend."
"Don't trust anyone though. He could have other motives." Solas piped up. Lux just looked between the two.
"I know that, but for now, he's a friend." Lux carefully hid back while the police finally made their way into the part where she was "hiding".
"Is there anyone here awake?" Vi's voice was unmistakable. Lux carefully stood up trying to keep up the perception that she survived by hiding behind the barrier to a shop that was being renovated. Vi quickly walked over to check. "You ok? You've seen two of these in two days. That can't be a good thing for someone your age." Lux quickly snapped her face to one of annoyance, before turning back into the "scared teenager" look. She carefully walked out with one of the officers, and after leaving she saw her father again just nod to her after seeing she was safe, and Vel'Koz was just arriving.
'Good job.' He managed to say to her privately while she carefully walked home with Dorcha and Solas on her shoulders. Garen was in the parking lot clearly dropping off their father.
"Hey sis. Want a lift back home. If I can get out of here that is?" For once, Lux just nodded, keeping her face, she made her way over. Going to his car, she made to get into the passenger seat, but saw it was occupied. She got in the back behind her brother instead. "Lux this is Jayce. He just transferred here a few weeks ago."
"Nice to meet you." Lux said as she buckled up and Garen managed to make his way out of the traffic mess. Lux carefully set her bag down and Dorcha and Solas gave her a quickly look, which she nodded. It seems that Jayce was the one who helped her earlier. While he could recognize him, he couldn't recognize her. There was some relief there but it still made her uneasy. Not that she showed it. Lux decided to just stare out the window until they got home.
'Things were interesting today, but they will only get worse from here.' She thought to herself as they drove through the city. 'Time is my enemy now, and I hope he can be generous.'