SPOILERS FOR ARCANE! Please watch the whole thing before reading. Also, this story is in-progress and will be updated with new chapters frequently.

A twinkle of light in the sky. A star? No. It burns, with an unnaturally shaded flame.

Mel instinctively raises her hands, realizing it's an incoming missile.

Jayce (Eyes wide): Mel! I love—

The rocket crashes into the window, releasing huge purple clouds of shimmer. A deafening ringing sound reverberates throughout her brain.

… and then a voice.

… Mom?

- And after all / The rain will fall / On us too -

Cait: NOO!

Tears stream down her cheeks, and she squeezes Vi's rough leather jacket. Knees are weak. Everything feels heavy. She sinks into Vi's side, who pulls her close.

Vi: I'm so sorry, Cupcake.

(Cait:) Jayce, Mom and dad, the entire council. All gone in what felt like a second. No more conversations with Jayce about the stupid problems they had during the day. No more long lectures from mother. No more smiles or pats on the back from Dad. I really took them for granted. Do I even have a home left to go to?

The emotions — fear, anguish, hopelessness — wash over her, like a violent storm.

Meters up ahead, Jinx drops her weapon, and walks back to Vi. As she flips her bangs up to look Vi in the eye, Vi realizes that long lines of tears had been running down her face. Droplets spill off her chin, staining her top.

Jinx (putting her hand on Vi's chin to meet her eye to eye): You are NOT my sister. You better leave my city, or this will be just the beginning.

Vi (reaching out): Powder…

Jinx (wrinkling her nose): You disgust me.

Jinx hops off the railing, and disappears into an alleyway. She runs off, wiping her own tears off her face with her sleeve while hugging her bag tighter.

No home, no Silco, no family. No one can possibly understand me. They're all bloody backstabbing traitors.

Shocked from seeing the last of her family leave her, Vi squeezes her eyes shut. She feels the sadness radiate from her cupcake while they both collapse to the ground, devoid of energy.

Minutes later, Vi swallows her tears and emotions and opens her eyes. She remembers Vander's voice, telling her to stay strong. Looking down, Cupcake is still on her lap, crying. What am I supposed to do now? Can't go back to Piltover, can't stay here…

Vi looks at Caitlyn, and the streams of tears for grief, for helplessness, for exhaustion, meet between their faces. The river eventually stops flowing, the sounds of crying fade into the dark void of night, and their bodies collapse on the cold hard concrete.

- But I'll keep movin' on / Proud and strong with you -

Cait wakes to the sound of chirping birds, sitting on a branch not far out the window. A bluejay spreads its wings, and takes off to join the pack. Warm rays of sunlight beam in and warm the smooth sheets. It feels lower grade than the material she's used to from back home, yet she feel more comfortable, more safe in this place.

Just out the window, Cait sees a group of kids run up and down flights of stairs while playing with crude versions of airplanes made of scrap. The stairs they run on are carved from wood, and she realizes that the window, floor, and just everything about this room are made of the same material. Sunlight glints off a huge metal wall in the background, but it actually looks welcoming in contrast to the caged nightmare of Stillwater: paintings of people's faces line the walls, sending me warm smiles from afar. Must be Ekko's tree.

(Cait:) The feeling reminds me of my childhood, when I went camping with Father in the local forest. We set up a tent right by a lake, and watched the sunset while eating s'mores and singing his old Ionian folk songs. That night, he'd told me that he'd make a nice breakfast if I woke him up early enough the next day. I was training to be a more disciplined sniper for the enforcers, anyway. By the time I woke up, he'd already cooked me a large platter of scrambled eggs and an assortment of colorful berries that must have taken hours to scavenge for. I'd uncovered the tent flap to discover the most beautiful view of the old misty mountains in the background, a crystal clear lake bearing clean lines of shells under the water from the low tides, and the small beach Father had set up his cooking equipment on.

But Father and Mother are dead.

And that's when I snap back to reality, and realize a long arm snaking around my waist. I look down to find Vi, hugging my waist. She's curled up, ensconced between me and the soft sheets.

Unsure of how to react and feigning surprise, Cait opens her mouth to wake Vi.

At that moment, Heimerdinger pops his head in the door, and smiles. Vi jolts awake at the loud squeak of the door hinge and flips off the bed onto her feet, while getting into a defensive stance. She blinks several times in surprise, and relaxes.

Heimer (trotting in nonchalantly): They're awake!

Vi (very visibly confused): You? How-Wh-What. Where- What happened to everyone?

Ekko strides in alongside his tall and muscular first-in-command, both wearing fluffy pink pajama sets.

Ekko: Hey guys, one of our scouts found you last night and —

Cait (narrowing her eyes): Ekko. The council, my family. Where —

Ekko (rolling his eyes): Yea, and you're welcome? Littlest Man, wanna take this one?

Ekko pats Heimerdinger on the shoulder and leaves the room.

Heimer (Jumping, and turning to waddle away with light steps): Oh! I'm sure they'll all be fine my dear. You must rest right now.

Cait: Councilmember—

Heimer: It's just Heimerdinger now, please.

—Heimerdinger, with all due respect, they're dead. Our entire political system is ruined. What are the streets of Piltover to do without the enforcers maintaining peace? There are going to be riots as soon as people realize that the city is unstable. Not to mention, Jayce, and my family are all dead.

Heimerdinger springs up with a sudden energy.

Heimer (pointing a ratchet at her): Rest assured my dear, they will be safe. Did you think the powerful council of Piltover had no safety measures in place? If I recall correctly, Councilmember Medarda in particular had a little …. something from her mother that will keep them all safe from danger.

Heimer (continuing): Rest well, you two. You're going to need it.

Heimerdinger scuttles out of the room to rejoin Ekko at the engineering bay.

Am I dreaming?