AN- Hey bbs. Glad to see you all again. I have returned with another chapter of the sheriff and the soldier and I really hope you enjoy this chapter. I would love to hear from you guys and what you all think about the storyline so far! I love to get feedback and getting reviews is also awesome, so please keep leaving them, they inspire me a lot. Ok enough rambling. Please enjoy bbs.
{Coldplay-Midnight}
Eyes flutter open.
A deep breath sighs out in the silence.
The covers are easily pushed away.
Feet touch the cold linoleum causing shivers up arms that are attached to IV's and other devices.
A grunt is uttered as dexterous fingers grip the tubes and with a solid yank they come undone from her skin.
Restlessness is taking over her mind. She wants to be moving, to be active, to feed a hunger that demands to be satisfied again.
Her body feels battered and bruised, but her mind feels awakened.
She rises, easily keeping herself up, despite the wicked pounding in her head.
Her eyes flicker to a floor to ceiling window as the view of the city is drenched in the early morning sunlight of the dawn.
Fingers press against glass as she approaches the window.
The city lives
Cold blue irises widen as a barely there smile tugs at the corner of her lips. Her hair falls in front of her eyes as a small chuckle bubbles from her throat.
And so does she
Luck ensured she survived.
But somewhere in her mind something sinister whispers.
Someday, that luck is going to run out.
(Where we last left off) {Enkidu- Falling}
It was so blurted, deadpanned, numb and impassive that Elric's jaw dropped.
It was like she had rehearsed it multiple times.
She had looked exhausted beyond belief, with darker circles than usual curling under her beautiful ice blue eyes. Her usually tidied hair was held back in a loose ponytail, letting loose strands, tickle the back of her pale slender neck. A frown was etched into her thin lips as she waited for Elric's response.
Gods, how could I not see Caitlyn in Dakota. How could I miss those eyes? He asks himself.
In all honesty…
He couldn't make heads or tails of the situation. For the first time in a long time, Elric was speechless.
Caitlyn's hues reached to Elric's and in that moment Elric had sensed a world of sadness and regret that he would never truly understand.
"I was young, Elric." She whispered. "I was young and innocent."
"How?" Elric questioned immediately, a sour note hitting his vocal chords. "Some young man you were in love with? Some stupid teenage romance?"
Caitlyn scoffed. "I only wish, love." She took a large deep breath before she continued. "I was attacked by a man who wanted nothing but vengeance." Her icy blue eyes closed and her slender brows furrowed.
Elric's eyes snapped to Caitlyn.
"What led to her being in custody of my parents?" He whispers.
"Your parents had lost a child before, I… before Dakota was your sister." Caitlyn explained. "Your father was my doctor at the time and he looked so…" She took a shaky breath. "I had never seen such loss in a human being in my life, Elric. My father had insisted that I terminate the baby. I had a lot to think about and I had seen your mother and father crying. I asked them if they would adopt her. And well, she is your sister."
Elric's gut tightened as a dark thought passes through his mind.
She's not your sister. You're the only one left of your family.
You are alone.
His fists tighten into tight knuckles. He shouldn't be angry, he shouldn't be shaking, but he is and those ugly words keep going through his head.
Caitlyn's face falls in worry as she senses his inner turmoil. "She'll always be your sister, Elric. She will always be your family. You were the one that raised her, that watched her grow up. She may not be blood, but the bond you two share, is more than blood."
Elric nods with a sudden stiffness. His eyes look lost and hollow.
Caitlyn rises from her seat and strides over to Elric, wrapping her scratched and bruised arms around him.
He reacts to the embrace, like a drowning man reacts to a life preserver. He clings to her for dear life and holds her so tightly to his tall form. Caitlyn brushes her fingers through his hair and rubs soothing circles into his shoulders. He doesn't realise he's crying until he pulls away and wipes at his tanned cheeks.
Caitlyn gives him a sympathetic look and cups his cheek, letting her thumb wipe at a rogue tear.
"Cait," He manages quietly. "Are you going to tell her?"
Caitlyn sighs. "Your mother and I had planned on telling her when she turned eighteen, but times have changed. What do you think I should do Elric?" She asks sadly.
Elric sends a serious gaze toward Caitlyn. "Don't." He mutters. "Just don't. If she finds out, she finds out, but don't destroy her life."
(One week later) {Arctic Monkeys- Do I wanna Know?}
His frail fingers fold the parchment over as his grass green eyes read and re-read the cursive etched into the yellowed paper.
He clicks his tongue in displeasure . Perched on his shoulder, Beatrice gives a loud caw, that ruffles her gnarly feathers.
She is just as agitated as her master.
Grand General,
As promised I have delivered a detailed report of the time I have spent away. Listed below are choke points and weaknesses that I have encountered in the city. I await your next orders. Currently I have been trusted with the likes of the elite after "Saving" a member. They form-
He closes the parchment again.
His gnarled fingers flitter among the four eyed raven's side, making his beloved pet peck affectionately to the back of his hand. He reaches for a new parchment and dips his quill into ink.
Continue Infiltration. Further instructions to come. Do not under any circumstances lose sight of the main goal. You've thought very logically and have adapted efficiently.
He folds the parchment and ties it to his bird's leg, softly cooing to his pet. Her beak nuzzles into his scarred cheeks before her large wings spread and take flight.
He returns to the reports of the front lines, letting his eyes drift over the victories and plunder gained. This will easily keep the Demacians at bay, while he strategises his next attack.
A sense rises in him suddenly, making an evil sneer splay lazily at his lips. It is unknown to him, this emotion, more foreign than the lands he has conquered in the name of his great and powerful nation.
Noxus is rising and hell hath no fury like Noxian bombardments.
A sudden knock picks at his hearing.
"Enter." He grunts, pulling another report in front of him.
The scarlet assassin strides in with a wolf like grin, that would turn any other man or woman into a puddle of piss and fear. Her piercing green eyes help darken the threatening smirk at her luscious red lips. She's covered in leathers and miscellaneous plates of thin metal over her shoulders, shins and her forearms. Her pale abdomen is exposed to the Noxian air, hinting at the curve of her hips, that would make most of the populace weak in the knees. She bears the Du Couteau emblem on her left shoulder that holds her leather belts together. Knives are adorned all over her person, placed in precarious zones for quick retrieval of the sharp objects. There's a tattoo in the shape of ancient runes scrawling up her left side, near that damned teasing waistline.
"Sinister Blade, what brings you to my quarters?" Swain asks, keeping his attention to the penmanship of his lieutenant general .
"I've been curious as to where my pupil is?" It's almost a snarl, but she knows better than to pick fights with the grand general.
"She does not need your tutelage anymore. She had been sent off onto another mission and I do not know nor do I care if she will return. Now, leave my quarters immediately miss Du Couteau." He dismisses.
"Rumours speak that you sent her off to Zaun." She ignores him and inspects her nails with a singular raised scarlet eyebrow.
He sighs deeply.
"That is not your concern." He keeps his voice even and commanding. "Your concern is to find the targets I assign for you and for you to annihilate them, just like your father and that decrepit street urchin he had raised. Now don't make the mistake of getting involved."
Her body shivers in agitation. No one disrespects her family like that. Talon may not be blood, but he is ever loyal and trusting and she would destroy anyone who ever lays a hand on him. "I don't make mistakes." She hisses, her hand subconsciously going to the scar that is engraved into her skin above her eyebrow to the middle of her cheek.
"Of course, Miss Du Couteau." He scoffs with venom dripping into his vocal tone. "Then you should know that prying, is a mistake." He growls warningly. "Since you are present in my chambers, I have an assignment for either you or the street rat." He sniffs. He tosses a folded and wax sealed parchment.
She peels the parchment open and zeroes in on the name. "A zaunite politician?" She questions. "Why not on the front lines? I hear a Demacian officer has been causing quite the trouble for our troops."
He chuckles. "Rumours are nothing but trouble, Miss Du Couteau. I thought you were wise enough to ignore such childish slander."
The sinister blade flips her hair back and nods. "I'll pack and be on my way, grand general." She mutters, taking strides toward the exit, with white knuckles grasped in anger.
"Good," He replies with a sinister grin. "And be sure to turn this one into an example." He adds, watching the furious red head leave his chamber.
(Two days later) {Stuck in the Sound- Brother}
"This is porposterous!" His jowls slap against each other and spittle runs out of his lips. He presses his meaty hands to the rim of his glasses as he pushes them up his face. He smooths the front of his expensive suit and glares across the marble city hall to his political opponent.
"You're preposterous! We have a footing that can eradicate them finally!" His rival reciprocates.
"That is an entire race of innocent people! We may be powerful, but we are not monsters! We are not Noxians!"
"No. The Noxians are wiser than most give them credit for. They can pull entire countries down from the inside out."
He slams his large hands against the podium he leans on. His lips are turned up in a vexed snarl. "Have you ever thought that maybe that is what they are doing to us!" He bellows causing all the eyes in parliament to look at him with widen eyes as realization hits them."Noxus is capable of great things and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. And with Swain at the helm it will ruin Runeterra as we know it. Void knows the terror and destruction they could bring. I'm telling you now, if we join them under a banner we will be turned on in the end. Noxus is a blood thirsty warm machine, and once all the blood is spilled they will turn on their allies."
"Then we should be eager to join sides with them and keep in good prospects." A cold robotic voice calls out to the politicians. "Noxus may be a blood thirsty warm machine, but they are civilized. They understand their strengths and they destroy all weaknesses. If we prove we are strong and useful, we will survive."
Heads bob in agreement. Voices begin their chatter of possibilities.
"Of course you would say something in favour of the Noxians, Viktor." He snarls, glaring at the machine herald with threatening violence.
"Of course." Viktor chuckles. "They've given me work, and I understand why they are doing what they are doing. Come now, Greylis. They like what we do, why not succumb to their ways, and become a stronger more united Zaun."
The crowd of politicians let out a ruckus of sound. Most of them in agreement to the machine herald.
With an irritated huff, he stepped away from the podium and toward the great metal doors. He turned on his heels and pointed to the politicians. "Mark my words, joining the Noxians on their attack will end your so called united Zaun!" He screamed before ramming the doors open and leaving the parliament hall.
"Idiots." He muttered under his breath as his large hands went to his tie, loosening the silk around his large and sweaty neck. He traversed down the massive corridor to the exit, and hailed his personal electro-carriage. He sat and pondered the entire journey to his penthouse located in the middle of the smog filled city.
Maybe he could force the opposition into a stand still, if he could get the right argument across. Hopefully the scientist will back him up once he realises that joining the Noxians again will be the death of Zaun.
The electro carriage halts at the grandeur building and he exits without so much as a thank you to the driver. He mutters angrily as he stomps his large feet throughout the lobby. He takes the elevator and mumbles plans and tactics for coups d'etats. He will get his way, even if it kills him.
He presses into the door of his penthouse and is met with a rather large dagger pressed to his neck and a smaller knife pressed to his abdomen.
"Of course." He hisses out angrily. "They would send someone to deal with me."
He hears a feminine chuckle.
Then he feels boots pressed into his back as he is kicked forward and onto his knees.
"You should feel lucky. They sent out the best." Her luscious red lips twist up in a cocky smile. She saunters over to him like a cat to a trapped mouse. Her gloved slender fingers snare into his greasy dark green hair and tugs at it, making him yelp. "My my, you Zaunite politicians are all pigs."
She drags him into an arm chair, forcing him to sit with his back straight and his hands flat on the arms.
He looks up at her with furious squinted eyes.
She gives him a predatory look with an equally predatory grin.
Without so much of a blink, she slams a throwing knife into his left hand and then another into his right, making him bellow out in agony.
She rolls her eyes and reaches for the loosened tie around his neck, snapping at it to get his attention on her.
"I have questions." She asks nonchalantly.
"Like I would answer them." He snarls, tears trace down his large cheeks.
"I'm pretty sure you might want to answer them. It will ensure that you survive this dilemma." She teases, tapping a slim finger onto his nose. "Do you know anything about the raven child?" She asks casually.
"You mean Viktor's pet? She's long gone. Escaped from his lab after he experimented on her. Good riddance if you ask me. Rune magic should not be mustered onto a child like that." He hisses out.
A small prideful smile plays on her lips. Of course she would escape, she was trained by the best of Noxian assassins. But her ears pick at the sound of rune magic.
"What does Viktor have planned? And why did he experiment on her?" She snarls, pressing a new knife into his neck, letting the tip nick at his jugular.
"I don't know." He blubbers out in fear. "All I know is that Zaun and Noxus are to join again, and she was to be the pinnacle and leader of the united nation. She needed to be altered to better suit what the people needed. I am opposing to it, hence is why they sent you. All you Noxians are blood thirsty monsters, with lack of civility and order, why should Zaun, a state of great scientific exploration join with barbarians that want nothing but to conquer."
She chuckles darkly and raises a slim eyebrow. "That is where I would argue with you. We do not lack civility or order, however we are blood thirsty. We are ambitious." She chuckles with bright green eyes. "Now there must be rumours. Where did the Raven child escape to?"
He scoffs. "Like you think I would know where."
She snaps his tie, making him whimper. "As I said, there must be rumours." She growls threateningly.
"I don't know!" He bellows back.
She shakes her head in agitation. She unties his silk tie with harsh quick movements. She grabs at his jaw and bunches the tie into his mouth, making the man gag.
She twirls two knives with her fingers and slams them into his knee caps, making him scream into the tie gag.
"You could've answered me and saved yourself from all of this pain. I know that you know. I can see it in your rat like eyes." She snarls, tapping her fingers along his arm as she goes around him. She circles him like a shark in a tank. "I'm with you, by the way. I would rather watch Noxus burn to the ground, than let the Zaunites partner with us again." She states matter-of-factly. "You're all just a bunch of sniveling cowards, who can't let anyone die."
With aggressive speed, she fillets his stomach letting his entrails slip out. His panicked noises are muffled out by the silk tie. He watches in pure horror as his intestines writhe and wind onto the wooden floor. Blood gushes from him and his rat like eyes bulge out.
"See even in the face of death you pigs can't even control yourselves." She scrunches her nose in disgust. "You've pissed yourself."
She sighs heavily as she watches his eyes roll in the back of his head. "And you've gone unconscious. What a shame." She snorts.
She takes her daggers and rests them up against his neck and with a quick rotation of her wrists, she slits his neck. His blood didn't even spray her. Quite the shame indeed.
"Fucking waste of my time." She mutters as she dips two of her digits into the pool of blood at his feet. She begins to etch out a message against the massive window, trying to give the best and messiest dramatic effect.
She nods her head at her handy work and turns struts out of the penthouse leaving the door wide open. The body and the message large and present enough to catch the attention of any passersby.
As she leaves the building she can hear the blood curdling scream echo from the city streets.
The crowd on the streets begin to gasp and murmur as their eyes behold the massive BLOOD FOR NOXUS splayed along the massive window for all to see.
With a wolf like grin, she buries her hands into her leather jacket and begins to whistle the Noxian anthem.
(One Week Later) {Novo Amor- Anchor}
She twirls lilac locks between long slender fingers. Her emerald eyes dance between the leather bound text in her hands and the two soldiers sparring. Her body is flat on her stomach on the squishy surface of the training mats, with her ankles crossed in the air. Beside her Matais flips through a spell book and Elric leans back on his hands watching his comrades struggle.
Dakota and Alex square off against each other. The lanky boy grins like wild fire, his mud brown eyes alight with dangerous energy. His freckled fists are held in front of his face and his stance is solid, unlike Dakota who searches for angles to beat out his reach. She is placed on the balls of her feet switching weight between each leg feigning attacks and bobbing out of the way of Alex's advances.
Abbie stands at the edge of the ring circling the two teenagers with a tilted head, watching them place strikes and advances. Her brows furrow as she watches Dakota duck and slide her back foot around so that she twirls against Alex's back, and making him over extend. She kicks the back of his knee, making him stumble forward and wraps her arms around his long neck putting him into a triangle choke.
"That's a mistake, Dakota." Abbie mutters out, as Alex counters Dakota and flips her onto her back without hesitation. Alex breaks off and rises out of his crouching position. "You had the right idea, but he has height on you. You have to compensate for that or that could have been the move to kill you."
Dakota gets up, her icy eyes locked on Alex like heat seeking ice covered missiles. She grits her teeth in agitation, letting a new found aggression roll through her body. She advances, feigning to attack his abdomen, but turns herself so that her back is pressed to his front. She kicks at his foot, setting him off balance. She reaches for his neck, pulling him down and uses her shoulder to throw him onto the matt. She then recovers and presses a knee into his chest. She about a release a fist into his jaw, when she is grabbed by the back of her training shirt and yanked back with so much force that she is thrown to the edge of the mats.
Abbie glowers at her standing protectively in front of her younger brother. "Keep your aggression in check, master corporal." Abbie snarls out.
Dakota crouches with a heaving chest. "I'm sorry." She mumbles out, looking to the mat underneath her. "I got a little too carried away."
Alex chuckles as he sits himself up. "I haven't seen that much calculated hate from you in a long time, ice queen." He grins wolfishly. "You might actually be getting better at this whole fighting thing."
"Oh shut it, Alex." Abbie barks. "You should have been able to read what she was doing, I thought I taught you better than that."
Alex rolls his eyes at his sister. "Yeah, yeah whatever, Captain." He jeers. "One of us is going to lose in the long run, and you're still going to be mad at the loser."
Illya hears Matais sigh heavily. "He's going to get himself killed with that mouth of his." He flips to another page, his eyes glued to the print.
Elric chuckles. "Who do you think will get him first? Abbie or the enemy?"
Matais snorts. "Whoever can get their hands on his scrawny neck first."
Illya giggles. "They'll have to jump pretty high to get at him though, so Abbie has that advantage."
Elric throws his head back in laughter.
The door to the training room opens and Vi struts in the room and tosses her gym bag into a wall. Illya watches as Vi skips over to Dakota and wraps a muscular arm around her neck and brings the girl into a nuggie. Dakota keens out, trying to break loose of the pinkette's hold, to no avail.
"Dakota, enough fooling around." Abbie calls out standing at the edge of the mats with long arms crossed over her chest and a serious glower directed to the pinkette. "We haven't finished yet."
Dakota and Vi both look up innocently at the captain. Dakota is still in Vi's grasp as she rolls her eyes and easily slips out. Vi sucks her teeth as she furrows her brow toward Abbie. "Easy red, just having a lil' fun." Vi tips her chin up giving a wide grin to the redhead.
"Don't call me red, pinky." Abbie snaps back. "Dakota hurry up and get over here." She commands, making the sixteen year old frown and enter into the mats.
"Illya, mind if I use you for an exercise?" Abbie calls out.
The lilac haired girl raises her eyes to the captain. "You're very demanding. Why would I want to help you?"
"Because Dakota needs a partner and I know how much you love to beat on my little brother." Abbie explains.
Illya sighs as she debates what she would like to do.
Finish her invigorating book on Demacian tactics.
Or beat on that annoying shit.
She rises to her feet and rolls her shoulders. "Why the hell not? I could use a good spar."
"No way." Dakota argues. "I'm not partnering with her. We haven't worked together before and you and Alex are a two man army."
"I'll take Alex's place." Vi chirps in. "It'll be a little more interesting and a bit fair."
"That's not the point, Vi. I want her to get used to working with people she doesn't know on the fly. It'll teach her to be a more adaptive fighter." Abigail points out, getting herself into a strong stance.
"No way, man. I kind of want to see this." Alex says as he backs out of the circle. "You and Vi could be a powerhouse."
Illya snorts. "Nah, they have power, but their mobility is nothing compared to what Dakota and I are capable of. We could easily outfight them." She plays a cocky smile on her full lips and raises a slim lilac eyebrow to the two taller women in a silent challenge.
Abbie looks to Vi who chuckles darkly. "Oh sweetheart, I think you have that wrong."
"Let's make a wager then." Dakota adds, giving an arrogant smile to Abbie.
"The last wager you were involved in got you into a shit ton of trouble, Dakota." Abbie snips. "I don't think you have the right to know what a good bet is anymore."
"If we win, you ladies have to do our chores for the next week." Dakota begins, ignoring Abigail completely.
"And if we win?" Vi asks.
"We get to be your personal butlers for twenty four hours." Illya adds, making Dakota's head snap to her.
Vi grins widely. "Deal."
"Matais, ref for us." Abbie barks out.
The twenty-three year old rolled his eyes and sighs as he gets to his feet. "Why should I?"
"Because you are unbiased. You hate us all equally." Abbie jokes.
"It's not hate. I'm just done with your guys's shit, but I love you all, so I guess I'm stuck with you idiots."
"I'll take that as a compliment!" Elric calls as he and Alex both get comfortable for the upcoming bout between the four females.
Alex nudges Elric's shoulder and tips his chin toward the fighters. "Who do you think is going to take the win?"
Elric snorts. "For my personal safety, I am not going to answer that."
"You my friend, are wise."
Dakota rolls her shoulders and wiggles out her limbs, getting the muscles loose. Illya looks at her incredulously.
"What?" Dakota asks. "I like to be limbre. Don't want to pull something."
Illya palms her face. "I see why they consider you special forces."
Dakota glares at Illya with ice like daggers. "Oh fuck off."
"We're off to a great start aren't we, darling Dakota." Illya jeers, nudging her elbow into Dakota's ribs.
"Bite me." The sixteen year old growls.
"I thought we went ove-" Illya is interrupted by Abbie's attempt to right hook her. Her guard arm is up and she stares at the attacker with a wide grin. "Now that was rude."
She ducks low, moving out of the way of another strike, batting away Abbie's arm. She takes the opening and goes to knee Abbie, but the redhead is quick to counter and takes Illya's off balance form and easily takes her down to the mat. Dakota lunges forward, tackling Abbie, before she can get on top of Illya, spearing the breath right out of the captain.
Vi is quick to move with a wild grin plastered onto her lips. She pulls at Dakota's shirt ripping her off of the twenty-two year old and throwing her toward Illya, knocking the two teenagers into each other. Illya grunts as she lands into the mats, trying to roll Dakota off her person.
They tumble and roll into a mess of limbs and cursing. "Get the hell off me." Dakota snarls as she pushes Illya off her chest and barely dodges Vi's curve-stomp. She somersaults to her feet and gets low as she weaves out of Vi's strike. She bobs to the right barely missing Abbie's attempt to get another takedown. Her eyes widen as her dodging takes her into the pathway of Vi's cross jab, that hits her like a fifteen ton dump truck.
She back pedals, moving quickly out of the way of Vi's speedy strikes. She leans back far enough to get Vi to over extend. She kicks at Vi's thigh, making the pinkette tilt forward. She slides behind Vi and quickly shoves Vi's back with her shoulder. She quickly wipes the blood streaming out of her nose as she strides over to Abbie, who is busy dealing with Illya. The Noxian is dancing around the fiery redhead. Illya has her placed so that Abbie's back is facing Dakota, who squats low, and wraps her arms around the captain's knees, making the taller girl pinwheel forward. Illya takes the open chance and lands a solid kick into Abbie's chest making her fall back. The two younger teenagers, immediately pin the redhead to the mat, getting Matais to call Abbie's dismissal from the fight.
Abbie begrudgingly gets out of the red ring drawn on the mats and watches at the edge with burning angry eyes.
Her pride took a good hit.
The two girls stand up and face Vi, who chuckles darkly.
"You've gotten faster." She tips her chin at Dakota.
The girl grins. "Learned from the best." She raises her fists to her face and hops from foot to foot. She's facing Vi at a diagonal with Illya flanking her.
Vi throws back her head and laughs. "Alright, I ain't losing to a bunch a kids." She taps her knuckles together and sets her body up into a defensive stance. She goes from foot to foot, her eyes going from Illya to Dakota.
The younger of the two, takes the first advance, testing Vi's reach. Dakota barely moves out of the way of Vi's defensive strike and blocks her head using her guard arm to take Vi's left hook, making the sixteen year old grunt heavily. Vi swivels and has enough time to block Illya's kick to her thigh and grabs at the seventeen year olds foot holding it against her side.
"Rude." Illya barks, as Vi kicks Illya's other foot out, getting the girl to fall on her ass. Vi quickly ducks Dakota's sweeping arm, and drops the lilac haired girl's foot as she tackles, the raven haired girl to the blue mat floor.
Dakota writhes and kicks out as she tries to break Vi's pin. She has enough time to buck her hips forward, throwing Vi off and rolling out of the pinkette's reach.
"Dakota, duck!" Illya screams as she places her hand on the crouching girl's shoulder, vaulting herself forward. The raven haired girl ducks her head in time to dodge Illya's fast moving form. Both of the Noxian's feet slam into Vi, who is just getting up from Dakota's break.
Vi calls out angrily as she is taken back to the matt. Instantly, she feels Dakota's weight onto her waist as the girl sets up from a proper pin. She sits up quickly pulling Dakota up with a snarl. Dakota, pushes against Vi's chest, struggling to put her weight into Vi. Illya quickly responds by grabbing Vi's wrist and detaching her hand from the front of Dakota's training shirt.
"C'mon Vi!" The pinkette hears from Abbie, who is practically screaming on the sidelines.
Illya sets up for an armbar and that is when Vi panics.
"No!" She bellows, trying desperately to roll toward Illya, but Dakota's knee at her neck has her unmoving. She tries to get her legs up to knee, or wiggle enough room to keep the lever action from Illya's hips to get out of the armbar. Dakota senses the movement and before Vi's knee connects into Illya's face, she blocks it and moves to straddle Vi's legs and hold her other arm at her side.
"Five seconds." Matais calls out. "Vi you're done. Illya and Dakota take it."
Vi stops her struggling and groans as she lets her head rest against the matts.
Dakota is stunned as she gets off of Vi.
Illya rolls off and instantly hops to her feet.
"Easy."
"How in the fuck?" Dakota questions as she looks Illya up and down. "We… you.. How did we do that?"
"Teamwork, numbnuts. It's not often that people listen when I tell them to do something. Maybe that's the soldier trait in you. When someone screams an order you respond quickly. That's what saved us, because she was about to take the two of us out." Illya raises an appreciative eyebrow at Dakota. "I'm impressed soldier." She purrs as she reaches Dakota's face, and let's her thumb glide over the stream of blood coming from her small round nose.
Dakota's cheeks flush at the touch and she looks away from Illya. She turns her body and extends a hand to Vi, hefting the taller woman to her feet.
"I demand a fucking rematch." Vi orders sourly. "Abbie we can take 'em. Let's go."
(That Night) {Wonder-Finding Hope}
Slender fingers slide through pink hair and caress the brawler's scalp.
"She's improved so much, Cupcake." Vi mumbles out sleepily. Her head is in her sheriff's lap. Caitlyn was absentmindedly playing with Vi's hair as her eyes reviewed a case file. The two women were set in the warmth of a soft fluffy blanket and the embrace of their velvet couch. Caitlyn's legs curled around Vi's prone body and underneath the warmth. Winter was definitely in Piltover, causing its citizens to shudder and huddle in warmer material.
"She's gotten so fast, and she can actually punch now. It's crazy how quickly she learns." Caitlyn's looks away from her paperwork and brushes the long side of Vi's hair behind the shell of her pierced ear. Vi's violet hues are close to falling closed for the rest of the night to dream of baked goods and punching perps to a pulp.
"Did you know she learned how to blacksmith, just by watching the smiths on her days off?" Vi quipped quietly, nuzzling herself further into Caitlyn. "She would spend literal hours just watching these people work, and that's how she learned."
Caitlyn smiles sweetly to Vi. "I'm glad the two of you could get a long."
"Me too." Vi sighs out. "I know it's going to sound weird, but she's like the kid sister I never had."
Caitlyn chuckles and runs her fingers through the shorter side of Vi's hair to her strong jawline, tipping her chin toward the sheriff. "Come here, love." She whispers quietly, her icy eyes filled with love and undeniable affection. Dancing in the background of her irises is a small heated fire that Vi sees instantly.
She plasters a goofy smile on her lips as she pushes herself up and straddles the sheriff's lap, picking up parchments and case files as she goes. She places the kind of neat stack on the end table. She turns her attention back to Caitlyn and wraps her long toned arms around the sheriff's neck, pulling herself closer.
Their foreheads touch and Caitlyn hums as she closes her eyes to the sensation of how close Vi is to her. Her heartbeat jumps to her neck and she hopes Vi could feel her pulse jump excitedly through her arms. She tilts her head up to meet Vi's lips with her own, starting slow and easy, her fingers drifting to the seams of Vi's Piltover Police Department shirt. Vi's tongue darts out to trace Caitlyn's upper lip, making the sheriff groan and her fingers dig into Vi's midriff, going underneath the dark blue t-shirt. She feels Vi's stomach muscles contract to the electric shocks of Cait's roaming fingers and the kiss turns heated.
Caitlyn nips at Vi's lower lip, making the pinkette chuckle lowly. A small dangerous smile plays on her lips and her calloused hands capture Caitlyn's and pins them to the couch on either side of her sheriff.
"Seems the sheriff finds I have been a bad, bad girl." Vi teases going to Caitlyn's neck and nipping along the skin of her collarbone to her taut muscles in her neck to the edge of her ear. "Too bad she can't catch me." She whispers into Cait's ear, making the sheriff roll her eyes, but she'll play along.
"I'll catch you and you'll regret running from me." Caitlyn growls teasingly, trying to reconnect Vi's lips with hers, but the pinkette has other ideas.
Vi hopped off her lap and sprinted toward their bedroom, she turns toward Caitlyn as she skids to a halt at the threshold. She leans back with arms crossed and her iconic side smile that drives Caitlyn up the wall.
Caitlyn rises from the couch and stares at Vi with a predatory smile. She bites at her lower lip and Caitlyn watches Vi gulp and her eyes drinking in Caitlyn.
"I ain't giving up." Vi growls playfully. "You'll never catch me alive."
Caitlyn smirks and instantly takes off after Vi, who darts into their room with an evil cackle.
(4 days later) {Caravan Palace-Dramophone}
Massive festivities occur in Piltover during the weeks leading up to Snowdown. The upper city bursts out in lights and balls, while the middle and lower city are decked out in festive wreaths and carnivals, and lots of street food.
Dakota can smell the snowdown cakes from where she stands guard at the front entrance of the city's dance hall. The upper city area is covered in finely dressed politicians and members of Piltover upper city aristocrats and well known noble families.
Some of the invitees are recognizable from her past. They smile at her, but give her a wide girth of space. She does not blame them, due to her sentinel's pose and intimidating armour dawned on her body.
Caitlyn had ordered the fifty first as well as some of her police officers to take up security at the annual Snowdown ball. Dakota was stationed with Elric at the front while Abbie, Alex and the six officers are placed inside the ballroom. Matais stands like a threatening gargoyle above Dakota on the rooftop. His sea green eyes are focused to each and every attendee, looking for signs of trouble.
"Dakota Sampson?" She hears someone call out in disbelief.
A tall young man strides over in a very expensive looking suit. His wavy black hair is slicked back and his lips are turned up in an uneven smile. His puppy dog brown eyes are alight with glee and excitement as he approached the teenager.
If it wasn't for his eyes, she would not have recognised the young man.
"Dakota, is this guy a friendly." She hears Matais's voice crackle in her ear piece.
"Yeah." She says in detest. "This idiot knew me when I was younger."
She can hear Elric chuckle lightly from the voice communicator. "The two of them had a falling out during a day in primary school. Apparently he thought he was the king of everyone and Dakota had promptly put him in his place, earning herself a month's detention and a massive scolding from our mother."
"Thatta girl." She could hear Abbie's voice giggle.
They could all hear the annoyed sigh as the young man approaches her.
"Alvin Coprello." She greets with little emotion, keeping her observing eyes on the crowd milling into the lavishly decorated ironwood doorway.
"I haven't seen you in the longest time. Whatever happened to you?" He asks curiously. "It's like you upped and left town. "
Dakota gave him an incredulous look. She sighs deeply and presses her fingers into the bridge of her nose. "Look Alvin, I have work to do. I don't need you distracting me, because if one bad thing happens tonight it's on me and my team's shoulders. So please for your safety and ours, I suggest that you leave me alone."
"Oh you're part of Piltover Company!" He exclaims, throwing his hands up in the air. His brown eyes go over her black chest and shoulder plates. His eyes then freeze at her metal axes that hang at her belt, before he returns his eyes back to her face."That's incredible. I just got placed into my father's law firm as an apprentice. I'll be taking over his place. If you want my parents and your parents could discuss a possible dowry and try our hand at courting."
"Don't kill him." She hears Matais warn half jokingly, half seriously.
Dakota blinks at the young man. "Alvin." She starts. "My parents were killed in a car accident nine years ago."
"Oh really?" He asks stupidly.
"Look Alvin, I'm not into pompous insensitive twats. I am not interested in your attempts into marriage, nor your attempts at feeble conversation. Now leave my sight, or I'll bar you from the ball." She snarls, making Alvin back off instantly, raising his hands in defense.
"You don't know what you're missing, Dakota. I am the best kind of catch." He points to her as he enters the ballroom.
"By the Void, Ice queen. I can feel the draft from here." Alex mutters out in the communicator making the three other members chuckle and Dakota mumble obscenities into the ear piece.
But three voices stop instantly as eyes at the entrance go to a singular person dressed in an elegant lilac cocktail dress.
"By the gods." Matais whispers out.
"What? Guys what's happening? You all stopped talking!" Abbie voices out in concern. "I'll get people out fro-"
"Abbie, love, it's ok. It's just Illya." Elric mentions, trying to avert his gaze from the Noxian girl.
Dakota however was the complete opposite. Her icy eyes were glued to Illya's form and a faint blush appeared onto her pale cheeks.
The Noxian's lilac hair was pulled up in an elegant form, exposing the back of her pale swan like neck and the gold stud earrings adorning her earlobes. Her emerald green eyes locked on to the soldier as she approached her. Her legs were exposed to the winter wind but Illya didn't seem to mind. Her full lips were brought up into a sultry smile.
"Good evening, soldier." She practically purrs to Dakota.
"Oh my gods, I think I'm going to puke." Alex calls out into the ear piece.
Illya smirks and leans in to Dakota's personal space. "Hi Alex. I hope you aren't annoying the rest of them."
Dakota snaps out of her gaze at Illya and snorts as she takes a step back. "When isn't he."
Illya raises an eyebrow to Dakota's reaction. "So, tell me. Do I look good?" She asks, winking to the sixteen year old, who returns to her flustered uneasy posture.
"Y-you look great. Good choice in colour." She mumbles out, averting her eyes from Illya's beautiful legs to the attendees entering into the ballroom. "Why are you here?" She asks, watching as the mayor and his wife take the steps. He nods his head to the soldiers who stand at attention and salute to the man.
Illya's eyes narrow in on the mayor.
That man was their leader?
What a joke.
"A Noxian diplomatic representative is here and the sheriff thought it would be wise for me to meet them." She answers as Dakota returns to her position, grasping her hands behind her back.
Dakota nods. "That would be good for you. Maybe you can negotiate a way to get back home."
Illya chuckles. "I don't think that will happen that easy. I may have to take it slower then I want, but it will be a good lesson in patience. Besides, this moronic city is starting to grow on me." She winks to Dakota and the sides of the teenager's lips tilt upwards slightly, hiding a wolf like grin.
"Damn cities." Dakota jokes.
"Well, I must lavish the populace with my grandeur form." Illya dramatically poses, making Dakota roll her eyes. "Ta ta!" Illya drifts with the rest of the crowd.
"Wait until you guys see her. She's gorgeous." Matais chuckles into his ear piece.
"Holy hot damn." Alex breathes out, obviously catching a glimpse of the Noxian. "You're telling me. I bet you Dakota almost fainted."
"Just about." Elric cackles.
"Shut up!" Dakota barks.
"Hey, focus on what we were assigned to do!" Abbie snaps. "How are the doors? Has the stream of people gone down yet?"
"Kind of." Dakota replies instantly.
"Good, you'll be moving in here soon, there's too many people to a ratio of us. Elric and Matais can hold the door positions when people stop trying to get in. You can go back near the end of the event." Abbie orders.
"Sure thing. I'll be inside in about a few minutes." She looks to Elric who rolls his eyes.
"Sheriff incoming." Matais calls out.
They all stand to attention as Caitlyn, Vi and Caitlyn's parents walk up the steps to the entrance. Caitlyn is in a long purple ball gown that accentuates her curves. Her raven black hair is tied into a bun. Her bangs are held back by bobby pins, revealing her brilliant ice blue eyes. Her pale shoulders are exposed from the strapless dress. Dakota beams as she sees Vi's fingers entwined with Caitlyn's.
Vi is looking very dapper in a white suit with a purple tie the same shade as Caitlyn's dress. Behind Piltover's finest is Peter Deramore who is in a well tailored suit. His arm is looped around his wife's waist as the group of four halt beside the saluting soldiers.
"Master Corporal and Sergeant Sampson." Caitlyn greets.
"Sheriff," The two soldiers bark out.
"At ease."
Dakota watches as looks to her husband with raised impressed eyebrows.
Dakota widens her stance and folds her hands behind her back.
"How are you holding up? Are you properly insulated? Do you feel cold?" Caitlyn asks, furrowing her brow in worry as she roves her eyes over Elric and Dakota.
"We are fine, ma'am." Elric responds without missing a beat. "We took the weather advisories, knowing it would be a cold night. I am literally wearing three pairs of underwear."
Caitlyn chuckles. "Of course."
"I feel it would be wise, for you to enter, ma'am." Dakota mentions. "It's getting quite cold and dresses aren't usually the best kind of material to wear in these conditions."
"Yer right kid. This stupid wind is getting bitey. Let's head inside before yer old man turns into a popsicle, Cait." Vi interjects.
Caitlyn beams at Elric and Dakota in pride. "Carry on, you two. Hopefully I will be seeing you later on tonight."
They nod in unison and watch as the group leaves their site.
"Vi is one lucky, gal." Alex pipes up. The sheriff must have walked past his position. He whistles lowly. "Man, I don't know who steals the looks more, the Sheriff or the Noxian."
"Shut it, Alex." Dakota warns.
"Ah, you're just jealous. I got the best view in the house."
The soldiers groan.
"You really need to control your hormones, boy." Matais chortled.
"Hey, I can't help it. I like the ladies and the ladies like me."
Dakota bursts out in laughter. "Yeah right."
"Oh shut it, Sampson. At least I can get laid."
"Will the two of you cut it out!" Abbie spat. "I swear to the gods the two of you are purposefully pushing my buttons."
"Can't help it that you're brother is being an annoying shit." Dakota argues crossing her arms over her chest.
"Can't help it if you're brother is being an annoying shit." Alex mocks with a high pitched voice.
"So help me Alex." Dakota gritts through her teeth.
"I said enough!" Abbie growls. "The two of you better quit acting like kids or I'm taking you off the job immediately. Start acting like bloody professionals."
That shuts up the two young members.
"Dakota, I'm going to need you in here. Elric you're comfortable with the door?" Abbie asks.
"Totally. Matais and I can hold this easy, seems like everyone has arrived anyways so we can give up Dakota for a bit."
"Alright, I'll be right over." Dakota replies. She strides past her brother.
Swing music echoes against the marble hall. People are dancing in the middle of the ballroom with wide smiles and gleeful laughing She clearly spots Vi and Caitlyn among the crowd, who dance like pros. Vi is leading Caitlyn into fast moving footwork and amazing moves the capture the attention of the party goers. There's a small crowd that circles the swing dancers. It's in that moment that she wishes she could move like that.
Her eyes catch Abbie who keeps sweeping her gaze over the dancing bodies and attendees.
"Who knew the enforcer had happy feet like that." Dakota comments into the ear piece.
"They're getting quite the group of admirers. Make sure no one oversteps their bounds. I don't want those two getting caught up in something bad." Abbie's voice crackles back.
"I'll take that into consideration. I'll keep tabs and my eyes peeled for any signs of trouble."
"Stay out of the bar." Abbie jokes.
A sly grin spreads through Dakota's thin lips. "Damn, you foiled my plans."
"Excuse me." A harmonious strong voice catches Dakota's attention. She turns to the voice and nearly faints. "Dr. Deramore? How may I help you?" A nervous energy goes through her body.
Dr. Catherine Deramore is one of the most innovative techmaturgists in Piltover. It was her who actually designed the first working engine for the high efficiency hexmobile. She had participated in the creation of the legendary zeppelin the Tailwind. She designed the first ever patrol bot.
And how could one forget that she was Sheriff Deramore's mother.
The doctor smiles sweetly. "I never got the chance to properly introduce myself. See I have heard many things about you and your talent with hextech. My daughter and her partner Vi, have been chatting my ear off about you. So I thought it wise to make myself known." She extends a slim hand to Dakota, who graciously accepts, surprised at the doctor's firm grip at her hand. "I am Doctor Catherine Deramore. I am vice president of the engineering wing at the Yordle Academy of Science and Progress."
Dakota gives a wry grin. "It an absolute dream to meet you, ma'am."
"Oh please don't call me ma'am, love. You can call me Catherine." Dr. Deramore implores.
"Well, Catherine." Dakota tries to keep her giddy excitement down as she tests out the Doctor's name. "I am master corporal Dakota Sampson with unit fifty one. I have to admit, I'm a massive fan, and you were the one that inspired me to start working on designs. It's an absolute honor to finally get to meet you."
"Likewise." Catherine beams.
My god, it's like I am looking at Caitlyn in her teens again. Catherine thinks.
"I'm also here to cordially invite you and your unit to the feast at Snowdown, that my husband and I host every year. We wanted to give our thanks and appreciation, by giving your unit a nice warm meal and some company." Catherine icy eyes study Dakota's face subtly.
She is literally a spitting image of her.
"Oh fuck yeah, Dakota. Free food is the bomb, but feasts. There are no words." Alex croons in the communicator. The sixteen year old ignores the redhead and gives the Doctor a gracious smile.
"Thank you. My compatriots and I will ensure that we are at your table. I'm sure I will be getting the details from Cai.." Dakota stops herself. "From the sheriff."
"We'll be glad to have you." Catherine then looks to her table, where her husband stares at her with lake blue daggers. "I must apologise, but I must continue on with my night. It was a pleasure to finally put a face to a name I have been hearing so much about."
She pats at Dakota's armored shoulder as she strides away gracefully.
As sits beside her husband, she tilts her chin up. "You really need to get over it, Peter." She begins coldly. She plasters on a smile as her Daughter catches her sight and beams across the dance floor to her. "She's going to be joining us for the feast." She states flatly, daring Peter to argue.
"I don't understand why you'd let that scum, cross the threshold of my house." Peter pouts.
"Because she means a lot to Caitlyn. Their relationship has become quite casual. Just now, the girl just about called our daughter by her first name. Vi has also taken her under her wing and she works as her assistant on Sundays. I may drop in and see the work they are doing this week." She grabs at a flume of champagne from a serving tray and takes a small sip, rolling her tongue in the liquid. "If you respect our daughter, Peter, you will get over this meaningless hatred. The girl is an innocent and she is well spoken and an intelligent girl."
She pauses for half a second to let that sink into Peter's mind. "I would go as far to say that I am proud to share her blood line."
Peter takes a large breath in and sets his jaw in agitation.
(That Night) {Woodkid-Run Boy Run}
His chest heaves as his bare feet collide into the sands of the shore. He has long dropped his shield and sword, their weight burdening his chances to flee safely. His chain mail clacks together as he huffs out in fear with each terrified step.
A spear whistles out into the late night sky, sailing toward the running boy.
With the luck of the Gods he worships, he trips, falling to his front while the spear digs into the sand not a foot away from where he would've been.
He gets back to his feet with more urgency than before. His long legs carry him as far as they will take them. He can hear them roaring behind him in a language he doesn't understand.
It's then that the Gods bless his almond shaped black eyes with the light of a nearby village. He sprints faster with the last cells of his remaining energy, almost giving out as he strides down the hillside.
"Help!" He calls out in his foreign tongue, that his newfound enemies only hear as gibberish.
He slams into the wooden defensive wall of the village and begins to pound his fists against the slats.
"Help me!" He screams out as the enemy approaches the perimeter of the village. "By our worthy Gods, please show mercy upon me and save me!"
"No one can save you." The voice is gruff and the language is cut and harsh, compared to the running boy's velvety tone.
The boy falls to his knees, raising his hands up and bowing his head, begging for mercy.
"Weak sheep. Do you not know who we are? Do you not know what we stand for?" The gruff man chuckles darkly as his large axe gleams under the moonlight. His soldiers that he commands circle him. "I am the hand of Noxus. I am the one they call Darius. And you are nothing but a waste of breath, Ionian." He snarls as he spits a glob of saliva into the boy's eyes. He motions for one of his soldiers, who strides over and rams a spear in the back of the boy's neck.
"Take the village. Leave no survivors!" He orders out. "Noxus will show great strength with our new outpost." He sneers evilly.
The night echoes out with a single mantra as the soldiers take control.
"Blood for Noxus!"
AN-Darius scares me.