A/N: Sorry it has been so long since an update. I've had writers block for the next upcoming chapters, and that prevented me from writing this for a while. Also RL got in the way with several things going at once.
With the team reunited and now truly together, they are now preparing for their hardest fight yet. The team still has some lingering issues from Jinx's departure, and will have to settle those issues before the upcoming battle. However, before all of that happens, there is one more obstacle. Malzahar, still recovering from his previous experience of having will everything thrown in his face, tries one more time to get some energy for the upcoming battle.
Chapter 32 – Ready Up, Because Here We Go
"So does anyone else think that Malzahar will attack this?" Poppy asked as she passed the flyer back to Lux.
"If there is no attack, then I will be shocked." Janna said from the island as she looked up. They were all passing around a flyer for a benefit concert in two days. With more time needed to solidify the nexuses, they had to push back the battle, which was a relief as they were all tired and really did need some sleep before the battle, which would have been the next day. Still they were still trying to wrap their heads around on how they were going to get out of school, but that was a matter for a different day.
"So how are we going to get in?" Jinx asked the obvious question and everyone just sort of had somewhat defeated expressions on their face. The concert, while free, did have a limited number of tickets and they were all gone. They all knew that it would next to impossible to get tickets at this point and while they could go transformed, it would destroy any secret that they had.
"Maybe we'll get lucky. I mean you never know." Lulu pipped up from the table where she was again drawing. Everyone looked at her and knew that she had sensed something. Still, it was enough for the team to be worried even more. The tickets had gone up quickly, and left just as quickly. While again they weren't paid for, many left large donations to help those effected by the attacks. It was good that people, even after all of this time, were still coming together, and while several attacks recently had been much larger than anything previously, it still didn't break people.
Still, the prospect of using their powers to get into the concert was still a viable option. Even Vel'Koz only had four tickets, not enough to get them all in. They were going to draw straws if it became necessary. Hopefully they would get some good news when they all went home.
"Ok, we aren't going to come up with an answer here. Everyone go home." Lux said, defeated as everyone was trying to come up with answers. After she watched Janna, Lulu, and Jinx leave, Lux turned to Poppy who had stayed behind. "Still don't trust her?" Lux asked as she walked across the room and sat down to face Poppy.
"Not completely. Sure she came back but I can't trust her to run away again." Poppy's voice wasn't hostile, rather concerned, and Lux nodded.
"I trust her. Even you have to admit there was something different. Not only in her but in all of us. She found her reason, and honestly, that's enough for me. Ok, I don't trust her 100%, but…"
"I would be shocked if you did." Said a voice from the door. Jinx had reentered the tower as she clearly forgot her bag. "I mean, I wouldn't." Jinx's voice was faltering as she was clearly holding back tears. The events of two days ago were still raw, and Jinx was clearly trying to make up for what she did. Poppy just looked and nodded her head.
"It's just going to take time." Poppy finally managed to say while looking at Jinx. Jinx just smiled in return, grabbed her bag, and headed back out. "I don't think I will ever completely trust her, but I can work with her."
"That will do for now. I guess. Just promise me to keep an open mind." Poppy nodded at Lux and followed Jinx out the door. After looking around, Lux locked eyes with Dorcha and Solas. "Opinions?" Lux asked.
"I think both of them are honest. Jinx is going to try. Sure she may fail quite a few times, but the fact she'll try is something to be proud of. As for Poppy, I think she will come around. Sooner or later." Dorcha's voice was hesitant, but hopeful.
"Yeah I agree with that. Except I think Poppy will come around faster than you think." Solas said, turning to Dorcha. Dorcha just responded by glaring.
"Ok can you two survive a trip back in my pack, or would you two rather find your own way home?" Lux kept her voice neutral, trying to defuse the situation.
"I think a ride will be fine." Solas said as he moved over to Lux and jumped in her pack. Dorcha soon followed and with one last look, Lux exited the tower and made her way home. The walk home was long, and not because she took the long route. Lux kept turning things over in her mind and knew that the team cohesion was fragile at best. True, Jinx had owned up to what she did, but the wounds of what she did will take time to heal. Poppy was reluctantly coming around, the fact Jinx saved her and the rest of them when she came back from Baron wasn't lost, but Poppy was committed to doing this and Jinx only seemed to be committed due to some revelation. While that revelation was probably genuine, distrust will persist for some time.
Lux had at this point subconsciously walked home and found herself face to face with Garen, who had apparently been following her for some time. Lux literally ran into him as Garen blocked the door. "Sorry, I guess my mind was elsewhere." Lux said as a sort of apology as she finally looked up.
"Lux, I'm worried. You have been off lately, and not just in your usual way. What's going on? Come on, you know I won't tell mom and dad." Garen's face betrayed his very real concern and Lux again debated telling him, but something still held her back.
"It's just stress. Tests coming up and you remember them." Lux again told part of the truth.
"I also remember that they weren't this stressful. Lux something is going on and I know you well enough to know there is something, something big, that you aren't telling me." Garen's eyes betrayed his concern, and Lux hated herself again for telling him the truth. It wasn't that she didn't trust him to keep the secret that they all kept. Vel'Koz and Nasus both kept it, but including family was risky.
On the other hand, he might make it easier to get away in a few days, especially from school. 'Great now I have to ask everyone. This isn't going to be easy.'
"Just remember I'm here if you want to talk." With that, Garen headed inside, the concern on his face was very evident. Lux just sighed and almost ran into him again as they both went inside.
"What's going on?" Lux asked, peaking around Garen. Lux looked at her father, who was holding up tickets. "Oh you have to be kidding me?!" Lux could barely contain her excitement. One major problem, at least for her, was gone.
"No I'm not kidding. I was given 4 originally, but others gave them up as they didn't need them, or didn't want them. So now I've got 8. Garen, Lux, you can each invite two friends. Pick carefully." Lux and Garen grabbed the extra tickets.
"Jayce is so going to owe me. But who else?" Garen headed upstairs to ponder his dilemma while Lux knew exactly. She couldn't get the whole team in, but she could get in enough.
'anyone else get tickets?' Lux sent in a text to everyone as she closed her bedroom door and letting Dorcha and Solas out of her pack.
'Yeah. My parents got some for us. No extras however' Janna sent back.
'Parents got just 3.' Poppy sent.
'Same here.' Lulu texted after a few minutes.
'my parents? Give to charity? That's funny.' Jinx clearly knew she wasn't going to get in. 'don't worry I can probably sneak in.'
'I have an extra Jinx. No need to do that.'
'Great. I'll just meet you outside' Lux breathed a bit easier as she looked over everything. This left her with an extra.
'Amy get any tickets for the concert?' Lux was hoping for a no.
'No my mom was too far back in line. Why?'
'I have an extra'
'OMG YES' Lux just smiled as she could practically hear Amy's voice.
'Just meet me outside the gates.'
'I WILL. Sorry not sorry caps.' Lux leaned back in her chair as she knew her plans were set. Just when she thought she could put all things out of her head, something reared its ugly head again. Lux picked up her phone again, but thought better of it. She wasn't willing to reveal everything yet. Maybe there would be a time in the future, but it wasn't today.
"Maybe closer to exams" Lux said to no one in particular as she turned to her computer.
"We are still in need of energy if we are to have a safe buffer in case we lose." Cho'Gath was looking over the large amount of energy that was still to be converted, but he still wasn't happy.
"You want to propose that to him, be my guest." Rek'Sai was looking at Cho'Gath with annoyance. His idea, his proposal in her eyes.
"I will, but I need to approach it tactfully. He will say this is enough, but I disagree. If our battles and fortunes of late have taught us anything, it is that being prepared can't hurt. We have learned that lesson, or at least I hope we have. Still we need to find an event or something where we can get a large amount quickly."
"I may have an answer" came a voice. Cho'Gath and Rek'Sai turned to see Malzahar floating in the doorway, and judging by the expression on his face, he'd been there for a while. "I would also have no argument to expanded reserves. After all, we can't assume victory. Those pesky guardians are proving to be more trouble than they are worth." Malzahar finished and floated into the room pulling a piece of paper from beneath his robes.
"I went to the planet earlier and saw a notice for this upcoming event. Apparently it is some sort of concert to raise money for the 'victims' of our attacks. This will put a lot of people in a very small area for quite some time. Preparation will be key to making this a success. The concert is taking place here, in their main sports stadium. The capacity of the stadium will be somewhere near 100,000. Plenty of people to zap energy from." Malzahar looked pleased but one look at Cho'Gath caused his face to drop. "What is it?"
Malzahar's question had barely left his mouth when he realized what Cho'Gath was about to say, but Cho said it anyway. "There is little doubt the guardians will be watching this event. We will have to change strategy if we are to be successful. I would recommend multiple small attack points with Rek'Sai, Kha'Zix, and myself being distractions and drawing the guardians away. While Kog'Maw directs the Zzs and harnesses energy."
"I would disagree with that. Kog'Maw directing what little Zzs we have left?" The look on Malzahar's and Cho'Gath's faces were identical as Rek'Sai seemed satisfied with her answer. "I'll direct the Zzs while Kog'Maw causes a distraction. He's better at it anyway."
"What about me?" Kha'Zix now entered the room and walked over to the table. "I can be a director." He looked around, took on the faces of everyone involved, and then shrugged. "Maybe not."
"Good, then get prepared. We strike during the concert, not as soon as it starts as that would be foolish." The group dispersed as Malzahar looked over the beginnings of the plan and smiled. "We won't get out unscathed, but we will get what we need."
As morning dawned, the team woke up to a somewhat cooler day. However, the feeling they all got was that there would be an attack on the concert tonight. Lux turned on the TV in her room, only to have the media confirm that the police were expecting an attack, but they still wished for the concert to proceed. Lux just watched as the media kept warning people to be vigilant for the upcoming attack when she failed to notice her own phone until Dorcha rubbed up against Lux's hand.
"What? Oh." Lux picked up her phone and saw a text message from an unknown number.
'I hope you have some time to talk today about what is going on tonight. –C' Lux knew it was from Caitlyn and as to how she got her cell number, well that was probably just part of her job.
'I'll be there in about an hour if that is ok?'
'That will be fine.' Lux took a deep breath and then looked at Dorcha and Solas.
"You two want to stay here, or come with?" Lux hoped they would stay home but it was unlikely.
"We'll both head to the tower and wait for you there. Oh get up!" Dorcha added seeing Solas had fallen back asleep. However, he didn't wake up. So, Dorcha pushed up against him and eventually knocked him on the floor.
"Was that really necessary?" He said as he shook himself fully awake.
"Well you weren't going to wake up any other way. Now let's get going." Solas still looked angry but followed Dorcha out the window and to the tower. Lux was looking around to make sure she was alone, but then realized that transforming here was probably a bad idea. Since Caitlyn knew her identity, it would be easier to get in, but it was probably better that she arrived in a different manner. Thinking quickly, she pulled out the pen, and went to the tower. Leaving it quickly after grabbing a cloak, she found Nasus doing his rounds.
"Fell like taking a drive?" Lux asked as Nasus stopped and turned to her.
"Is this related to tonight in any way?" Nasus asked, his voice betraying him.
"Yes."
"Great, I'll get the keys." Nasus walked away quickly and Lux had to put her hands over her mouth to prevent her from laughing. He had clearly been looking for an excuse to get out of something. Lux ducked into the dock and after making sure she was alone, pulled her locket.
"Star Guardian Power Up!" Lux transformed and quickly pulled on the cloak. Nasus arrived a minute later.
"Ready?" Lux nodded as she got into the front seat of the car. Nasus pulled out then turned to her. "Police Station I'm guessing?"
"Yeah Caitlyn texted me to come. I'm going to assume it will be about the security for the night."
"It seems odd doesn't it. Just a few months ago, her attitude was completely different. It seemed unlikely that she would ever come around." Nasus' voice was clearly upbeat, but Lux knew better.
"I really doubt she came around. She clearly still doesn't like the idea, but she's also practical. She'll work with what she's got and in this case, she knows that working with us, is better than trying to work around us."
"Valid point. Still, you have to admit, she does seem to be at least more open than back then?" Nasus let the question hang while Lux pondered what Nasus said.
"Perhaps, but don't forget, she's good at hiding what she's thinking." Lux turned to look out the window as she spoke to think a bit more.
"Another good point. We should be there in a few minutes." Nasus said as he looked back. Lux was clearly thinking and he decided that further conversation was probably not a good option. Once they arrived at the station, Nasus picked a secluded spot and then turned around. "I'll be here waiting. If I'm not in this exact spot when you get out, then head back to the tower." Lux turned to him and nodded before getting out.
It was no surprise to Lux that Caitlyn was waiting in the lobby for her and waved Lux over when she entered. Following her back, Caitlyn led them to her office, and closed the door. "I'm glad you were able to interpret my message. No questions then about how I got it?"
"I can think of a few ways, besides not asking my father. I honestly don't care since it is probably a good thing." Lux said as she lowered the hood and took a seat across from Caitlyn, who sat down behind her desk. Caitlyn just smiled as a reply.
"Then to business. The odds of this concert tonight being attacked are extremely high. Now, I know you have tickets through your father, but about the rest of your squad."
"We all have tickets." Lux interrupted while leaning back. Caitlyn also leaned back as if a small weight had been lifted.
"Well that's one less headache I have to worry about. As for the plans tonight, we aren't working on security. We decided to go with a quick evacuation plan. Given how these things quickly spin out of control, having a solid evacuation plan was the best solution." Lux picked up on a hint of annoyance and for once decided to press it.
"It wasn't your idea was it?" Lux asked, keeping her voice low as to not offend.
"No it wasn't. I was in favor of canceling it all together but I can't. Too much pressure from politicians and others. Plus, the help it is bringing in is too much to ignore." Caitlyn let her voice slip again.
"So between a rock and a hard place then?" Lux asked as she put her elbows on her knees and put her head in her hands.
"Exactly. Neither option is good, so expect the worst and prepare for it. In this case, the hard place, can at least be prepared for." Caitlyn leaned forward and put her hands on her desk. "Something you should also know, your father is getting suspicious of you and your activities. I'm sure your brother is too."
"Yeah, he already talked to me about it." Lux sighed as she finished, clearly not wanting to talk about the subject.
"Again, I can see why you are keeping it from your father. 17 years of working with him and I know what he will do. Princess in a tower." That got them both to laugh. "But I would consider telling your brother. He seems trustworthy and able to keep a secret. It might also make it easier for you."
"Yeah I considered it…"
"Consider it again." Caitlyn pressed. She let the issue hang for a minute to give Lux a few minutes to think before Lux nodded.
"I'll have to talk to the rest of the team first. I don't want to expose everyone without their consent." Lux turned to look at Caitlyn, who was smiling.
"Lux, you have the makings of a true leader. You seem to get when to ask your team, and when to make a unilateral decision. Just remember, that if they see you breaking, then they will break as well. At the same time, remember that you are all a team, and if you need help, don't ever be afraid to ask for it." Caitlyn looked seriously at the young Guardian expecting her to leave, but Lux instead sat back down. "Something else?"
"Um…yes. I'll talk to you about it after all of this." Lux said quickly standing back up.
"Probably a good idea. One big issue at a time, unless you have no choice." Caitlyn also stood up and walked to the door, clearly seeing the conversation is over. Lux pulled her hood up and followed Caitlyn back through the station and eventually outside. Nasus was still waiting where he parked previously and Lux climbed into the back.
"Everything go well?" Nasus asked as he pulled out and made a course back to the library.
"Well she wanted to cancel the concert." Lux replied almost absently as she looked out the window.
"Not surprising. I mean the odds of attack are extremely high." Nasus looked into the rearview mirror for a brief second to see Lux still staring out the window.
"Yeah, but she decided that with that option gone, she decided to go with an evacuation plan rather than a protection plan. Honestly, that's better for us as it might allow us to transform without too many eyes and with people leaving, unless they blockade every entrance, unlikely, many will get away." Lux turned to look at the front as Nasus looked into the rearview again.
"A sound plan then. Hopefully nothing will happen, but should something, good luck." Nasus looked again into the rearview and saw Lux was still being bothered by something. "Was there something else she mentioned?"
Lux took a minute to sort her thoughts before she turned forward again. "Yes. She recommended I tell Garen about me and the others. I mentioned that I considered it, but she said consider it again. I'm nervous about it. I mean, him knowing could have some advantages, but it would also put him in danger. Danger I might not be able to protect him from." Lux turned to face out the window again as the car came to a stop at a light. Nasus thought for a few minutes before he looked back and saw Lux's posture unchanged.
"I can understand your hesitation, but she does have a point. Also, you are unlikely to keep it from him for long based on what I've been hearing. However, if you are still unsure, maybe you should ask the rest of the team and get their opinions because clearly you can't make a decision right now." Nasus looked back to see Lux settle back into the seat and he smiled. He knew that Lux was at least going to ask the team, but it was still something she was going to be uncomfortable with. "Just remember one thing," Nasus paused as Lux looked up, "the hardest questions are often the right ones that need to be asked."
Lux smiled at Nasus and felt a little relief wash over her. She knew that it would be an uncomfortable situation but the fact that it was something that needed to be asked was something to get out of the way now. Lux pulled out her phone and texted everyone.
'I know we all said we'd meet up later, but can we meet at the tower. There is something we need to talk about.' Lux waited for replies and everyone said they would be there. As Nasus pulled in and stopped, Lux got out.
"Thanks again."
"No problem. If it means I can get away from the library for a bit, then I'm happy to do it. It can get really boring here at times." Lux just smiled as Nasus chucked to himself and she headed to the tower. As she entered, Lux clearly saw she woke up a few of them up. Janna, who usually had her hair flowing, instead had it in a ponytail and she wasn't the only one. Jinx was also missing her signature pigtails and her blue hair was likewise in a long ponytail and she was struggling to stay wake. Shiro was bouncing off her head from time to time to assist with that. Poppy was awake, and so was Lulu as both were talking, but stopped when Lux entered the room.
"Sorry to call you all, but there are two things that I really needed to talk about. I just got back from meeting with Caitlyn about tonight. They are going with an evacuation plan rather than a containment plan. Basically they are going to try and get as many people out as quickly as possible."
"Seems right. After all, the fights devolve to chaos pretty quickly." Janna said, her voice clearly still in bed.
"But that's not it. There is something else…" Lux's voice caught in her throat and everyone turned to her.
"So what's the issue?" Poppy asked.
"I know we all talked, or more like acknowledged that we can't tell our family members about what we are doing and what is going on." Lux was struggling to keep her voice neutral but she could feel her pulse in her neck as she fought to keep her voice calm.
"Yeah it was for their protection as well as ours. The more people know, the harder that it is to keep everyone safe. Why?" Janna's voice went from confident to weary in a few words.
"Well…" Lux paused for a second before she gathered her thoughts. Then taking a deep breath, she said what she's been bottling up for a while now.
"It's just that Garen is getting more forceful in his inquiries. He's starting to ask specific questions and while he may not be the brightest bulb in the box at times, he can put 2 and 2 together. I doubt I can keep it from him much longer. Also, Caitlyn suggested it, even pushed for it after I mentioned that I had considered it. Her words were 'consider it again'."
Lux let the last sentence hang while the room went quiet. When someone finally spoke, it wasn't who everyone expected. "Well, I think having someone like that might be a good thing. Especially, if he is going to keep going after it. He might put himself into danger or worse if he keeps going like you say he is." Even Jinx's voice betrayed her as she sounded surprised with what she said. That coupled with the look on her face as Lux turned to look at her. The room was dead quiet again as everyone started thinking.
"OK. Let's ask the obvious question. Lux, do you think Garen will go to those lengths to find out what is going on?" Janna's voice was calming, but also betrayed her concern over the larger issue at hand. Lux sat down at the table and put her head in her hands, thinking. Eventually she came to the answer that she already knew.
"Yes. I think he will. I don't think he's at that point yet, but it won't be much longer."
"Then the answer is obvious isn't it?" Lulu asked and everyone just went silent. "Sometimes the best answer isn't the easiest one." Once again, Lulu spoke with words that were well beyond her years, or that anyone could have thought would come out of her mouth. Lulu however, just sat back like she knew exactly what she was talking about. Which was also the truth. The right path, isn't always the easiest one.
"True. If anyone objects, say so now." Poppy said. The silence was indicative of everyone's answer. No one, not even Lux, liked it, but the risk was worth the rewards. Also, they all knew that telling their parents was out of the question. That would lead to a gigantic black hole of problems. "Well, that made it definitive. Go and tell him."
"Ok." Lux watched as everyone got up and left the room, then sat back in her chair and turned to Dorcha and Solas. "Opinions?" Dorcha and Solas looked at each other and then at Lux.
"Well you were right. The more people know, the bigger danger that we are all. Also, as you pointed out it would put him in more danger." Dorcha started pacing back and forth, while Solas just shook his head.
"Of course that means that Malzahar would have to figure out that in the first place." Dorcha stopped and looked at her partner.
"That's a good point. I mean, who would they figure that out unless he made it obvious, and something tells me that would be harder than we all think." Dorcha said as she looked between Lux and Solas still nodding her approval.
"Ok then. It's settled." Lux sat back in her chair and then nodded her head. She then decided to walk home instead of using the pen since she could walk and think while she did it. The walk itself was a bit long, but it allowed Lux to sort her thoughts, but there was only one problem. Apparently Garen had run off to spend the time before the concert with friends and he left well before Lux was even back at the tower according to their mother. Lux cursed a bit under her breath but still headed back to her room before she decided to just play a few games to destress before the concert.
As evening approached, Malzahar watched carefully as people filled into the stadium. He saw just a wealth of energy they could collect and use, but he also took note of the increased security measures. The police were everywhere, and Malzahar saw more than one anti-void weapon.
"To think that this will be easy is a lie. We will have to be careful and…"
"You to not interfere." Cho'Gath quickly reminded him as he turned to Malzahar.
"I know. I will direct the Zzs and collect the energy once you pass it through. Still why should I stay here?" Malzahar's voice conveyed his annoyance but even as powerful as he was, able to best Cho'Gath in a fight if necessary, he still hung his head as he formed his own answer. "Alright I get it."
"Exactly. Now you do something that you do well, which is organize and lead. In the midst of a fight, you lose focus. Just do what you do and we will do what we do." Malzahar nodded and followed Cho'Gath into the planning room where Kha'Zix, Rek'Sai and Kog'Maw were waiting.
"…just cause chaos?" Kog'Maw asked and Rek'Sai nodded. "I can do that!" Kog'Maw grabbed a snack with his tongue and chomped down. Malzahar and Cho'Gath just shook their heads.
"People have begun to arrive at the concert. Now we wait." Rek'Sai nodded and everyone looked around and waited for the right moment.
"I'm glad I'm not in the traffic division." Lux and Garen rolled their eyes at their father as he said it for the 5th time. Looking around though, he was right to keep saying it. There was probably every police officer in the city, and surrounding area around trying to keep order and direct traffic. Lux had suggested they walk to the stadium, and Garen backed her up, and after their father called into the station, decided it would be best to walk after all since cars were becoming a problem.
Garen quickly spotted Jayce and they immediately detached to hang out with their friends. "Just keep your phone on Garen."
"Yes Mom." Garen yelled as he ran off. Lux looked at her mother as she shook her head. Lux kept close to her parents while looking for Jinx's signature hair but it was a sea of chaos as there were a variety of hair colors everywhere. Lux caught sight of Janna and Poppy before she caught sight of Jinx but still couldn't find her. A tap on her shoulder however sent Lux into the air. Spinning, she saw Jinx, barely containing her laughter. Dorcha and Solas popped out of Jinx's bag to see what was going on.
"Funny." Lux put her hands on her hips and was also barely containing her laughter. Jinx had her hands over her mouth and after a few seconds, they both just started laughing. Realizing what was going on, Lux turned around again to look at her extremely confused parents who were looking at Jinx like "this is her friend?". "Um…Mom, Dad, this is Jinx. We met at school and well we just sort of found things in common." Jinx, following Lux's lead, just nodded her head.
"Well, pleased to meet you." Mr. Crownguard extended his hand and Jinx shook it. Clearly her mother was too confused to say anything until she was nudged by her husband. Jinx just laughed which seemed to defuse the tension and took Mrs. Crownguard's hand when she offered it. "Just be careful you two." Lux nodded and waved at her father as she and Jinx ran off to meet up with Janna and Poppy.
"Your parents are weird." Jinx said as Lux rolled her eyes and was shaking her head.
"Yeah they can be. That was just so embarrassing. I can't believe that she just stood there like that." Lux just couldn't look up and Jinx had to pull Lux out of the way before she collided with a pole. "Thanks." Lux muttered as she finally looked up.
"Don't mention it. But at least your parents are around. Mine are never home. It's just me, Shrio, and Kuro." Lux looked at Jinx, who's mood had clearly fallen at the mention of it.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up." Lux put her arm around Jinx's shoulder and Jinx turned her head and smiled.
"I'm used to it but it is nice to see that every family isn't like mine." Lux just looked confused. "Come on, it's a concert and if we are lucky, maybe we get to blow something up." Jinx laughed and sprinted towards where Janna, Poppy, and Lulu, who had joined them, were waiting. Lux smiled, shook her head and took off after her.
"About time, we were just about to come looking for you." Poppy said as Lux and Jinx finally joined them.
"Funny." Lux said and just glared at Poppy, who returned the glare, but they both broke down laughing after a few seconds. "Come on, let's go in and find a decent seat. One we were can get out quickly if we need to. That is…if we even get in." Lux added when they saw the line. They all sighed and joined the queue waiting to get in.
The process to get in made them even more frustrated as they were searching everything and anything. All five of them had their bags searched but eventually they got in. Jinx sprinted ahead into the arena itself to try and find good seats. Poppy and Lulu broke off to get snacks and drinks while Lux and Janna walked around the area to find places to transform discreetly but given the area, it would be difficult.
"Getting to a private place isn't going to be easy." Janna said as they walked around.
"Yeah, especially if people keep going in and out. I mean come on, you know the only reason parents are here is because of their kids. Mine included. Hopefully we can slip away if something happens."
"More like, when something happens." Janna reminded Lux, who just hung her head in defeat. Nodding after a few seconds. "We both know that something like this won't go unnoticed and we don't find somewhere out of the way, then we are done for in more ways than one." They both rounded the corner into another part of the stadium and saw Poppy and Lulu in a long line for concessions. Not wanting to wait in the same line, they made a right and into the main part of the stadium.
It wasn't hard to spot Jinx. For once, her electric blue hair stood out against the crowd, which seemed to favor greens, pinks, and reds. Lux and Janna quickly made their way over and had to suppress their laughter. Jinx had used her long pigtails to save five seats, two on either side of her. Jinx smiled as Lux and Janna sat down and they waited for Poppy and Lulu, who were just a few minutes later with, well everything. Lux was just surprised they were able to carry everything. After they distributed snacks, they kept a careful eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Which quickly switched to anything void related.
As the stadium slowly filled, it was clear that kids and adults had clearly expectations for this concert. Kids were in the lower areas, and adults were near their kids, looking annoyed, or in the upper deck keeping a careful eye out. Lux looked around and saw police, whether or not in uniform, scattered around. Knowing that if something were to happen, things would happen fast, and it would get very ugly fast. Still, that wasn't a reason to at least try and enjoy themselves. At least until things blew up in their faces.
Lux didn't have much time to dwell on such issues as the concert started ramping up. Sighing, she just decided to sit down and enjoy it, even if it was just listening to the music. She let Dorcha and Solas out of her bag to make sure when things did hit the fan, they wouldn't get crushed.
Malzahar watched as the concert from a portal that was barely open, waiting for the right moment to strike. It wasn't going to be easy. Wait too long, and people would start to leave. Not long enough and people wouldn't be involved enough to not react immediately to the invasion. Everyone was waiting for the right moment, and it would have to be just right.
"It is now a waiting game guardians. Prepare for your demise."
As the first intermission came to an end, everyone started walking around and getting things. Food and drinks mostly. Lux, Poppy, and Jinx decided to get refreshments this time, while Janna and Lulu saved their seats. The lines were long and it took them standing in 3 different lines to get everything. As they settled down for the second group, Lux started to get uneasy. Clearly everyone was starting to comfortable and that always lead to bad things.
"I'm going to the bathroom." Jinx said as she quickly got up and left while the rest of them enjoyed themselves. Even Lux was starting to relax, and that is when it happened. Lux was looking up when she saw a large portal rip open above the stadium. Immediately people started to panic and after taking one look around, Lux, Janna, Poppy, and Lulu knew that getting away to transform would be next to impossible.
"Everyone split up, find a place, and then fight back." The four split up and immediately began running into the crowd trying to get to an isolated position.
Jinx however, was already in an isolated position. She had just poked her head out of the bathroom and a shiver ran down her spine. "Seriously? Now. Uh…" Jinx ducked her head back inside and slammed the lock to make sure she wasn't going to be disturbed. She pulled her pendant from her neck and Shrio and Kuro hoped off her shoulders.
"Star Guardian Power Up!" Once Jinx's feet touched the ground again, Shrio and Kuro floated to their usual positions. "Alright you two, let's buy some time." The two squeaked and Jinx smiled. Jinx threw the lock and rushed out and was immediately confronted by chaos as people were running every way. Jinx pushed her way through them, and for the most part the crowd parted ways as she finally managed to get into the stadium. She took a look around and managed to get a view on Janna, Poppy, and Lulu, but couldn't see Lux.
"Hey you!" Jinx said at no one in particular, but managed to get the attention of everyone. "Geeze someone got hit with an ugly stick." Shiro transformed, and Jinx opened up on the Zzs, and anything else she could to try and buy time for the rest of the team. "Well let's keep you away from all of that." Jinx targeted the Zzs pouring out of Kog'Maw's portal and Jinx saw Lulu and Poppy dive into a room as a crowd ran past them.
Jinx turned her attention back to Kog'Maw and a few seconds later, Poppy and Lulu ran past her to deal with Kha'Zix and Rek'Sai, who were moving towards Jinx to try and drag her off Kog'Maw to allow him to collect energy. While they managed to head off Kha'Zix and Rek'Sai, Cho'Gath got through them and Jinx had to dodge out of the way and turned to face Cho'Gath. "Well, some pesky guardian has decided to interfere with our plans. Perhaps you need to be taken down."
"You can try." Jinx smiled, switched to Kuro, and fired several rockets right into Cho'Gath's face. As he charged Jinx braced for the impact of his claws, but they only hit air and Jinx turned to see Janna had managed to transform and join the fight. Nodding, she managed to get some shots off at Cho'Gath before they both had to dive out of the way again.
A large energy blast hit Cho'Gath in side. Janna and Jinx turned to see Debonair running into the stadium and looking around he seemed confused. "Where's the pink haired one who's usually calling the shots?"
"I think she's still caught in the crowd. Can you deal with the worm?" Janna said as she threw a twister towards Kha'Zix to keep him off Lulu while throwing a shield at Jinx as Cho'Gath charged again. Debonair nodded and immediately shot off a few bolts at the Zzs who were collecting orbs. Kog'Maw jumped in front of the shots to absorb them and he then turned to Debonair.
In a brief moment of calm Janna looked around and still couldn't see their fifth member. 'Lux! Come on! Where are you?!'
Lulu once again threw a lance at both Kha'Zix and Rek'Sai forcing them both to dodge out of the way. Poppy took the opportunity to charge and slam Rek'Sai into come chairs before turning quickly and throwing her buckler at Kha'Zix, knocking him out of a jump before he jumped onto Lulu. For her part, Lulu had already sped herself up and out of the way. Lulu, seeing Rek'Sai recovering, threw another glittlerlance at her, making contact and keeping Rek'Sai pinned.
Poppy, took a swing at Kha'Zix, who managed to dodge the attack, but only to land in an awkward position, in which Lulu transformed Kha'Zix into yet another small animal and he hopped around while Rek'Sai jumped and attempted to hit both Poppy and Lulu, but only ended up hitting air as they both spun out of the way leaving Rek'Sai to hit only air and then the wall.
Poppy added injury to injury as she charged and pinned Rek'Sai into the wall, while Lulu shot a glittlerance at Kha'Zix, who had regained his form. Kha'Zix, unable to see it, took it full in the face. Roaring with pain and anger, Kha'Zix lashed out blindly, only to knock Rek'Sai into a nearby set of chairs, and her tail took him with her by accident.
Laughing a bit, the two quickly recovered and they changed course to force Poppy and Lulu apart. Only to have them go back to back as Rek'Sai and Kha'Zix prepared for another attack.
"Well. It seems that we have a problem." Poppy said.
"Everything will work out." Lulu replied smiling. Poppy nodded and they readied themselves.
With the rest of the team fighting, Lux, growing frustrated, was not in a position to do anything. Not only did she get stuck in a large block of people, she literally ran into Garen, who wasn't letting her out of his sight. This, despite repeated protests. "Garen would you let me go!"
"If Dad, or worse Mom, found out that I let you go after finding you, they'd kill me. Now come on, we need to get out of here." Garen tried to shove a few people out of the way, but Lux kept trying to find a way out, or at least somewhere to transform. Getting desperate, she eventually saw Dorcha and Solas bouncing on top of a sign. Lux saw this as her last opportunity. Lux carefully maneuvered Garen through the crowd and when she got close enough, she yanked Garen into the side room and slammed the door behind her.
"Lux what is going on with you? You are secretive. You don't talk to anyone. You ignore so much lately."
"You want to know what's going on?" Lux had already pulled her locket out of her pocket.
"You finally going to open up? You picked a really good time to talk about it." Garen had his arms crossed over his chest. "I understand that you've been caught in a few of those fights and I'm sure that you have been affected…"
"Not a few." Lux interrupted Garen. Turning to look at him, Lux saw his face falling, and his arms relaxing.
"What do you mean not a few?" Garen's face quickly changed to concern. "Have you been at every fight? Oh sis…" Garen moved to hug his sister, but she pushed him back. Garen took a step back, a bit shocked.
"I've been in every fight. Every single one. Since the beginning. However, unlike everyone else who got trapped or stuck by the conflict," Lux paused as she looked at the locket in her hand. "I was there by choice. My choice." Lux gripped her locket more closely, as if it was the only thing holding together her courage at the moment. "And if I don't get out there now, then even more bad things are going to happen." Lux finally couldn't take it anymore. "Oh enough of this. Some things are better shown." Lux raised the locket. "Star Guardian Power Up!"
When Lux's feet, clad in her boots, hit the ground again, she turned to see Garen, who was clearly in shock. "I wish I had another way to tell you this, but time isn't on our side. Don't worry Garen, I'm still your sister. I just have a few new responsibilities. Now do me a favor and stay here please." Garen just nodded and Lux threw the door open only to see Dorcha and Solas outside. "Keep an eye on him will you two." They both nodded and Lux charged threw the crowds still running out and into the stadium proper.
Quickly assessing the situation, Lux threw a barrier around Debonair and once her baton returned to her hand, she threw a singularity at the Zzs, hitting more than a few and getting Kog'Maw for her trouble. "About time you showed up. I was worried you would miss all the fun!" Jinx called to Lux and she turned Shrio against Cho'Gath, who roared with a little pain.
"Oh I wouldn't miss this for the world. Because if I did, then it wouldn't be here." Lux threw a binding at Cho'Gath while moving towards Kog'Maw and Debonair. Janna moved from covering Debonair and Jinx, to covering Jinx, who was closer and Lux was already charging towards Debonair and Kog'Maw. Seeing this, Cho'Gath tried to cut off Lux, but instead stepping right on Jinx's traps and then getting a face full of her bullets for his trouble. Roaring, he stomped the ground to try and make it stop but Janna just shielded Jinx, who expertly slid out of the way, somehow managing to keep firing the entire time.
Drawing closer to Debonair, who seemed to notice the shift, moved to help Lux close the gap between them more quickly. On the way, Lux looked and seeing an opportunity, she threw a singularity at Rek'Sai and Kha'Zix, who both had to dive out of the way as Poppy and Lulu took the opportunity to hit them as well. Poppy charged Rek'Sai, again pinning her into a wall, while Lulu threw a glittlerlance into Kha'Zix's face as he landed. Lulu then transfigured Rek'Sai, while Poppy charged Kha'Zix, pinning him to the wall and then set him flying into the air with her hammer. Once she was back to normal, Rek'Sai tried to swipe at Poppy, only connecting with Lulu's barrier and then her glitterlance as Lulu threw one into her face. Poppy then sent Rek'Sai into the air while Kha'Zix slammed to the floor with a crunch.
"Oh that must have hurt. Here let me help."
Lux finally made her way to Debonair, who was taking pot shots at Kog'Maw and at the Zzs who were desperately trying to get orbs through a portal. Lux, seeing this, threw a barrier around Debonair and once her baton returned to her hand, threw a singularity at the Zzs, shattering orbs and getting a number of Zzs as well. Debonair switched his focus to Kog'Maw exclusively while Lux kept up the barriers and focused on the Zzs.
Kog'Maw however was trying to draw as much attention as possible but it wasn't working. Sure they had gotten enough, but more was always better. As Debonair moved to get a better angle, Kog'Maw saw an opportunity. He threw an acid bomb where Debonair was moving, and he had to dive to avoid it. Kog'Maw then charged Lux, who had let her attention lapse. Seeing this, Lux threw her binding, but missed, she then threw up her barrier to survive the assault. Kog'Maw unloaded on Lux's barrier as he got closer, but just when he was about to knock Lux off her feet, he found himself flying across the stage they had been fighting on. Debonair had recovered by sliding and managed to get to Kog'Maw before he got to Lux, and showed him the business end of his hammer.
"Thanks. Should we finish this?" Lux said as Debonair stopped next to her.
"After you my lady." Debonair said, smilling. Lux manged a slight giggle before she threw another singularity at the Zzs, hitting more them and shattering more orbs. The Zzs at this point, abandoned their efforts and fled. Kog'Maw getting up and seeing this, roared and charged Lux again, only to regret it again as Debonair first shot pules into his face, then Lux hit him with a binding.
"Bye." Lux taunted as Debonair swung his hammer, and Kog'Maw, not needing more hints, opened a portal and flew through it before he hit the wall. Again. Lux and Debonair quickly looked around, and still seeing two fights going on, split up. Lux set off to Poppy and Lulu, while Debonair joined Janna and Jinx.
Cho'Gath took a quick look at the stage, and seeing Kog'Maw flying across it knew that their time was almost up. He threw spikes again at the two guardians fighing him, but they both dodged out of the way again. "You can't dodge me forever. Sooner or later you will make a mistake."
"Of course we will. So we have a bet, how many times can I hit you before that happens." Janna just shook her head as Jinx taunted Cho'Gath, but underneath the surface, she was resisting the strong urge to burst out laughing. Cho'Gath roared and tried to get Jinx again, she just dodged out of the way of his slashes and spikes. Cho'Gath then tried to go after Janna as she burned most of her defensive abilities on Jinx just a few seconds before.
As he charged past Jinx, who just shot him in the side, Cho'Gath roared only to immediately regret it. Janna just charged up a twister and threw it right at Cho'Gath before diving out of the way. Cho'Gath had zero time to react and once he hit the ground again, he was hit in the side. Roaring but getting nothing, he turned to see Debonair charging into the fight and him unloading as he approached. Jinx, seeing what was going on, took the opportunity to circle around and fire from the other side.
The three of them kept it up for a while until Cho'Gath was knocked into the wall by Rek'Sai and Kog'Maw. They turned to see Poppy just smiling while Lux and Lulu were trying hard not to laugh.
Poppy and Lulu were managing to keep Kha'Zix and Rek'Sai occupied as they moved around and dodged their attacked. Poppy charging and swinging, while providing her own barrier at times. Lulu giving Poppy speed, or herself, while Pix jumped all around, hurting Kha'Zix and Rek'Sai, and giving barriers to Poppy and Lulu. She also threw a glitterlance at every opportunity. However, Poppy missed something and tripped on a discarded drink on the ground. Lulu wasn't in a position to help and Rek'Sai made sure of that by charging Lulu, forcing her to defend herself. Poppy, seeing this, braced for the impact, but as Kha'Zix pounced, he suddenly bounced off, roaring in pain.
Poppy, opening her eyes, turned to Lux sprinting towards them, Poppy hit the ground again as a binding flew out of Lux's baton and hit Kha'Zix squarely. Poppy, then jumped up and charging, connecting hard with Kha'Zix and sending him flying. Poppy and Lux charged on where Lulu was dodging around Rek'Sai but was clearly not making headway. Rek'Sai charged again, only to be hit by Poppy as she charged again, slamming Rek'Sai into the nearby wall. Lux and Lulu moved behind Poppy and as Poppy drew the attention of both their opponents, Lux used bindings and singularities to control where they could land, if at all.
Eventually Kha'Zix and Rek'Sai grew frustrated and both dove direcly at Lux, who threw up a barrier to absorb the attack. "Oh no you don't." Poppy spun her hammer and brought it down. Kha'Zix and Rek'Sai, clearly not expecting that, found themselves flying across the arena, and then slamming into Cho'Gath, knocking all three of them into a nearby wall. Poppy just smiled at her work while Lux and Lulu were bent double trying to not laugh.
Recovering quickly, the team reunited and as Cho'Gath, Rek'Sai, and Kha'Zix were picking themselves up, they got hit with another singularity from Lux, while Janna sent them into the air again. When the three came crashing down again, it was clear their time was up.
"You haven't seen the last of us guardians." Cho'Gath roared as Kha'Zix ripped open a portal and the three dived through it. Once they were sure the portal was closed, the six of them collapsed against the nearby wall and took a few well deserved deep breaths. Lux turned to Jinx and just nodded, while Jinx smiled back as Shiro and Kuro settled on Jinx's shoulders. Debonair stood up a moment later and turned to the team.
"Well that was exciting, but I think I will be going. Good luck." He said, and quickly vanished.
"Anyone want to chase him?" Poppy asked, clearly not wanting to herself.
"Janna does." Jinx said and barely managed to duck from Janna swinging her staff at her. But they were all laughing and were still when they saw police teams move into the area proper. Caitlyn was among them and immediately was looking around and saw the team collapsed against a wall. Smiling she called into her radio and as the teams left, she made her way up and found the team still on the floor.
"Well I'm sure that was a fight." She said as she got within earshot. Everyone just nodded.
"You could say that. It certainly wasn't easy." Lux said as she looked around. "How bad is it?"
"Not as bad as it would have been if we didn't have a plan in place. Still, you all managed to prevent a chaotic situation from spiraling out of control. Be proud of that. Now get out of here." Caitlyn smiled as she helped Lux to her feet, but paused as Lux leaned in.
"I just have to get someone." Caitlyn smiled at Lux and nodded. Lux turned to the rest of the team and she retraced her steps to where she had left Garen.
"Um Lux, where are we going?" Janna asked as they neared the room.
"Just getting my brother. He knows. I kind of had to transform in front of him considering he wouldn't let me go. He has a vice grip when he needs to. It was the best I could do." The rest of the team nodded and they opened the door and went inside. Garen, for his part, had stayed put and was sitting at one of the small tables inside with Dorcha and Solas on the table in front of him.
"Is it over?" Garen asked as the team entered. Lux powered down but the rest of the team didn't.
"For now, yes." Lux waved at the rest of the team who took their que and left. With Janna having to drag Jinx as she tried to double back. Lux made sure they were gone before she sat down too.
"Have these two been explaining things?" Lux asked as she looked at Dorcha and Solas.
"Yes they have. I'm sorry that I was…" Lux just cut him off with a smile.
"You didn't know. And it was supposed to stay that way, but you forced my hand today. Now can you keep a secret?" Lux looked at Garen more seriously than she ever had in her life.
"Of course I can. Come here sis." Garen stood up and reached out and Lux didn't need a hint. They hugged as the door opened and Caitlyn stood in the door.
"The area is clear now you two. Nice job finding some place out of the way." Caitlyn paused to see how'd they react and she quickly picked up on what was going on. "Anyway your parents are worried sick about you two. They are at Gate 3. Get going." Lux and Garen nodded as they quickly made their way to the gate, only to get immediately pulled into the arms of their parents.
"I can't breathe." They both said together as their parents finally let go.
"I'm starting to wonder if there is anything that we can do to stop these attacks. They are getting more frequent. Surely there has to be something we can do?" Lux looked at her father as he looked around at all of the chaos. Lux just stayed silent. "But I guess things could be worse. Now I doubt I can get the two of you home without tying the two of you together and pulling you along?" Lux and Garen shook their heads.
"As soon as you two check in on your friends, then come home. My day tomorrow is going to be chaos. Or not…" Lux turned to see her mother pulling out her phone. "Duty calls. If you two aren't home before I get there, then you will regret it." Lux and Garen just nodded while she walked off towards the hospital. She could keep her things together but when it came to her family she could lose it at times. But then attacks from another world and another dimension tend to do that to anyone.
Lux turned to look at Garen and he nodded. "Go" he mouthed and Lux just nodded and slipped away. She quickly made her way to the tower were the rest of the team was, waiting for her. Vel'Koz and Nasus were waiting as well. Lux just smiled as she walked in, and the tension in the room broke.
"Well that's a relief." Janna said as she leaned back into the chair. "At least he can keep a secret and we now have another option to get you out of things." Lux just nodded as she sat down.
"Now that you are all here, I figured I should share some information. The Nexus is almost ready. The day after tomorrow and we will be ready to go. What will happen there, I can't be sure, but it will be a fight." The team looked over and nodded.
"I'll get the summoners that morning and I will get them there. You all need to get there, but in the meantime I would recommend rest."
"Sounds good." Jinx said through a yawn as she stretched. "I say we all go home and spend tomorrow getting as much rest as possible." For once, no one wanted to argue with Jinx.
"Well that sounds good. Get some rest everyone. We will discuss everything the morning of." The team broke but Lux stayed behind a few minutes and after looking around, smiled. She knew that this would be the hardest fight yet. "Come get us Malzahar. We will be ready for you."
On the moon, Malzahar was pacing and looking back and forth. He knew that his team wasn't good. "Creating a nexus to oppose them will take a lot of energy. We will have some reserve, but if this goes badly, then we can't afford many mistakes. Now about our plan." They all hovered over the map.
"We will need everyone for this fight. I will be in the mid lane. Kha'Zix you are going to be in the jungle, getting stronger, but helping out when necessary. Cho'Gath you will go top. Rek'Sai, you will have to support Kog'Maw in the bottom lane. We…" Cho'Gath cut Malzahar off with a look.
"I will go with Kog'Maw. Rek'Sai will go top. It isn't the best, but it is better than nothing." Malzahar looked back.
"Are you sure that is wise?"
"Is there a better option?" Cho'Gath looked around and Kha'Zix spoke up.
'Switch me and Rek'Sai. I can go top while she goes around. She can surprise better than I can. Again, not the best, but it works. Barely."
"In what universe?" Malzahar shot back, but he couldn't counter without getting into further problems.
"You can always go with Kog'Maw." Rek'Sai said, but instead of getting a lashing, Malzahar paused and floated back from the table.
"A real possibility." Malzahar floated back and forth for a bit while everyone turned over things in their heads. Eventually, Malzahar floated back.
"I think we will have to adjust to the guardians. They have forced us to adapt to them, so it seems we will have to keep doing it. Not the best idea, but if anyone has a better idea?" Malzahar looked around as he finished and everyone shook their heads. "Well then, that's what we have to work with. Now rest up. We will have to be ready."
As the room emptied, Malzahar looked at the planet and scowled. "Your move."\
Lux was in her room and finally ready to get some sleep. She took one last look at the moon. "It all comes to this."
"I doubt we will be truly safe after this Lux." Dorcha said as she joined her on the windowsill. Solas was still sleeping as they both looked back. Lux just sighed as she knew that Dorcha was probably right.
"I know, but we will take many steps forward if we win. But if we lose…" Lux looked at the poro and Dorcha shared her concern. "it won't be pretty."
"Then you won't lose. Because you know you can't." Lux smiled and nodded. Somehow, she always knew what to say.
"You're right. We won't lose." Lux looked at the moon once more with determination and then settled down for the night.
Around Runeterra, Janna was also looking at the moon once more before she turned in. Poppy worked a bit in her father's forge before finally admitting she was too tired to continue. Lulu walked a bit in the forest behind her home to calm down before she finally came in and went to sleep. Jinx looked a picture of her family but quickly threw it on the floor and replaced it with another. A shot of the team they took before the concert. She smiled and for the first time, knew she had not only found a family, but true friends. Grabbing Shiro and Kuro, Jinx flung herself into bed and was asleep quickly.
The die has been cast. The pieces are set. Just a bit longer until the battle begins. Stay tuned!
But first, there is still a bit of time. And that day, will seem like it takes forever. Or will it?