The deeper into the Sump they descended, the thicker the Gray became. Ren would have preferred to climb their way down by way of stairways, catwalks, and pipes, but Blitzcrank, due to his size and weight, opposed. And so instead, the pair was crammed into one of Zaun's many hexdraulic lifts. The steam that puffed from Blitzcrank fogged up the glass walls of the lift, giving them an impromptu cleaning.

Through the combination of humidity and people packed around him, Ren began to sweat. With each set of eyes that passed over him, Ren became hyper aware of each fashion statement he had chosen to make with his outfit.

"They're staring," he thought, "and I'm not even doing anything. Come on Ren, this is what you wanted. Act cool. Champion hero cool."

He adjusted the moggle and flashed a bright smile at a fellow passenger, who immediately turned away in awkwardness. Ren sighed and leaned back against Blitzcrank.

"That could have gone better. Was the smile too much? Are the studs too much? Janna's mercy, can't this thing go any faster?"

Thoughts tumbled through Ren's head until the lift came to a groaning halt at its lowest stop. As the doors opened, Ren burst out, more than eager to breathe in the sharp, acidic air of the Sump. He took a deep breath and promptly sneezed.

"Ah, that's the kind of air that burns your nose hairs off," he said as he rubbed the sides of his nose, "So, Blitzcrank, do you know where we are? I would bet good cogs that we're near a factory, but which one?"

Blitzcrank pointed towards a large building brooding in the distance and spewing out its contribution to the Gray.

"That is the Whitecap Factory," the golem stated, "it is owned by Clan Blankenship who serves Clan Medarda in Piltover. They produce chemicals used in the cleaning and maintenance of shipping vessels in Piltover's ports. They also export their good to Noxus."

"Let's head that way," Ren suggested, "I don't think that any factory in Zaun is truly accident free, so if anyone is going to need our help, it's going to be there."

"An educated assumption," Blitzcrank stated.

"No more waiting around. Off we go!"

"Affirmative."

The streets of the Sump were narrow, crooked, and cluttered. At times, some were more sluice than street. Many were too small for Blitzcrank, and forced the pair to make their way to the factory in a more roundabout way. Everywhere they went, they turned heads. The light from the chem-lanterns glinted softly off Blitzcrank's body and Ren's unsullied clothes. Ren had also made it a goal to improve his smile and practiced by giving one to everyone who stared at him for even a moment. Sometimes he even embellished with a wave or friendly "hey." Most returned the greeting but none returned it with the same enthusiasm that Ren gave it. He didn't let it bother him though. He was being noticed. But after an hour of wandering and smiling, his face began to ache.

"I didn't think it was possible to smile too much," Ren bemoaned as he rubbed his sore jaw, "I feel like a need a break or it will get stuck like this. I hope something happens soon."

"I find the probability of such a thing unlikely," Blitzcrank said, "but I do agree with your second statement. We came here to aid the citizens of Zaun, but first we must locate a problem to address."

"To aid the citizens of Zaun," Ren repeated with a sigh.

"That's an awfully nice thing for you to say, or something like it," a voice said.

Ren's head snapped up as he looked of the owner of that voice. It was familiar.

"Bonnie?" he asked.

"In the flesh," Bonnie answered as she stepped out of a nearby alley.

"Bon-bon! It's so good to see you!"

Ren's face lit up as he ran towards his old friend with arms outstretched.

She was a young woman who couldn't have been more than two years Ren's senior. Her red hair was rich with curls and tumbled past her shoulders. Her eyes were the bright blue color of a calm ocean and her whole face was speckled with freckles. A small pale scar above lip was from a fishing hook accident as a kid, though if you were to ask her about it, she would spin a new and different tale of its origin each time. Around her neck she wore a pendant made of carved sea serpent tooth from her old home in Bilgewater.

Bonnie opened her arms and immediately stumbled back at the force of his embrace.

"Whoah, yup, yup," she stuttered as she regained her balance, "you're still a hugger, That's nice Ren," she gave him a few hard pats on the back, "alright, you can let go now. And no more Bon-bon. Nobody has called me that in a while. I'm trying to be an adult now."

Ren stepped back. By the size of his grin you would never had believed that he had been complaining about his cheeks moments ago.

"Crystal. Is just 'Bon' alright though?"

"Yeah, Bon is fine."

"Alright then Bon, what have you been up to?"

"Probably nothing as interesting as what you've been up to," she responded, "word is that you're one of Viktor's goons now. I didn't believe it, but damn Ren, you look the part."

"Come on, you know I'm too charming to be a goon."

"Har-har. But seriously, Ren, I heard about your brawl with Ekko. Next thing I know, you show up before me with that thing Viktor gave you on full display. Also, you're wearing broody colors, you've got that weird thing on your eye, and just look at those," she pointed to the gauntlets strapped at Ren's side, "and to top it all off, you're being followed by a golem. This is all a little suspicious."

"Okay, first of all," Ren answered, "this is a moggle and it's cool, not weird. Secondly, I will be transparent. I am working with Viktor. I will not argue with that. I will however argue the use of the word goon."

Bonnie swore under her breath.

"You're not helping your case, Ren."

"Bon, if I were dangerous, would I be here chatting pleasantly? Be honest for an old close friend."

"No, damn it. I know you. Heck, I've even heard of this golem and I know he's not here to pick a fight," she walked over and looked up at Blitzcrank, "I've seen the pictures in the newspapers before, rescuing those fluffy things and stopping falling lifts. You're Big-Crank, or something like it."

"Greetings, citizen," Blitzcrank said, "I am known as Blitzcrank. It appears as though you know Subject Renatus. This is a fortunate encounter."

"Nice to meet you as well," Bonnie said, "and you know what, this is fortunate. Ren, you say you want to help people. If it's true, I've got some work for you. Understand?"

"Crystal."

"Great. There was a noxious spill a few days ago by my apartment. Damn puddle is still there."

"Hazardous waste removal is my specialty," Blitzcrank said with pride.

"Perfect," Bonnie cheered, "now follow me, you goons. We've got work to do."

Bonnie led the pair away from the main streets and into a residential corner near the factories. Here the apartments were so close together that you could shake hands with your neighbor in the building next to you by only reaching your hand out the window. These apartments were provided by the factory owner for the workers. However, after building the apartments, all involvement from Clan Blankenship stopped and maintenance became the responsibility of the tenants, resulting in the clean, original Pilover designs of the building being overtaken Zaun handiwork.

"Here's home, or something like it," Bonnie proudly stated, "two whole rooms all to myself. And, if I work hard and get that promotion, it could become three rooms. After that, I can see about getting my brother out of Hope House."

"How is he?" Ren asked.

"Fine. I visit him often and miss him every day. I know Elodie is doing her best to take care of him, but I should be the one doing it. I was the one who dredged us out of Bilgewater after all. Ugh, I miss the ocean. Some days I wonder why I ever decided to come here, but then I remember; no krakens, no Gangplank, and no Harrowing. Also, the stench from the Slaughter Docks is far worse than any chem-spill. Speaking of which, let me show you the mess."

She brought them around to the back of the apartments. It was an open courtyard with several tables and benches set up for the tenants to use. A tree had been planted in the center of the courtyard after the completion of the buildings, but it had quickly died in Zaun's dirty, dark atmosphere. Despite the dead status, the tree appeared loved by the tenants. Its trunk was painted vibrant colors, bluebird charms hung from the branches, and a glass chem-lantern had been affixed to its top. The courtyard would have been a lovely place to spend the evening, if it were not for the large pool of noisome chemicals pooling in the corner.

"Yikes," Ren grimaced as he stood at the pool's edge.

"Careful, Ren," Bonnie warned, "stuff burns like fire if it gets on your skin."

To emphasize her point, she held out her hands. Blotches of raw pink and red dotted her hands.

"Double yikes," Ren said as his expression softened.

Blitzcrank joined Ren at the edge of the pool and began to analyze the mess.

"Citizen Bonnie," he said, "please share any additional information about the spill that you possess."

"Yeah," she said, "happened about a week ago. Members of the Plump Whumps gang-"

"That has to be the least intimidating gang name in the whole city," Ren commented.

"I agree," Bonnie continued, "but that's not what's important here. So they attack a cart transporting the chems. Lots of smashing, some property damage, casks fly everywhere, and bang! One of them comes from above and shatters here. We had managed to clear away some of the broken cask and figured we would get the rest after the chems go down the drain. Well, turns out that the stuff is thicker than it looks and the drain is clogged now. Think you two can fix this?"

"Without doubt," Ren said without hesitation.

"Precisely," Blitzcrank added.

Ren reached into the pack Viktor had put together for him and pulled out the absorption pellets.

"Alright, Doc," he mumbled to himself, "these better work or I'm really going to look like an ass."

He popped the container open and let out a small sigh of relief as he saw the pellets began to swell slightly from the moister in the air. With a toss, he scattered a handful across the pool. They began to expand instantly, swelling until they were well over ten times their original size. Soon, the pool was gone and in its place were soggy masses of absorbed chemicals. Only a small amount of the spill remained by the drain.

"There you go," Ren comment as he grimaced at the sodden pellets, "just for you, Zaun's nasties pillows."

Blitzcrank was far more pleased with the sight.

"Excellent," he cheered in his monotone voice, "this will expedite clean up. Subject Renatus, I wish to bring the waste to an appropriate disposal site. Do you feel confident in your ability to clear the drain?"

"Don't worry about me Blitzcrank, I can handle this."

"Affirmative," the golem replied.

A fresh cloud of steam puffed from his pipes as he revved into action. Blitzcrank piled many of the swollen pellets into the broken cask and scooped up the remaining ones in his great arms. The precarious pile in which he carried the waste required such precise balance and control that Ren couldn't imagine anyone other than an unflinching golem accomplishing the feat.

"I will return as soon as I have completed my task," Blitzcrank stated before departing.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Bonnie turned to Ren.

"Subject?" she asked, "he keeps using that word for you. Suspicious Ren, very suspicious."

"Don't worry about it," Ren responded.

"I worry a little."

"Well, let's worry about the drain first. Can you please find a crowbar and we'll pry that thig open."

Bonnie was back in a minute with the tool. Mindful of the remaining spillage, they snuck the crowbar under the cover and forced the drain open. As the chemicals slid down the expanded opening, an odious wave of air wafted up from the pipe. Bonnie swore and Ren pulled his scarf over his nose.

"Ugh, what is that," Bonnie asked, "I can't see anything down there."

"I'll take a look," Ren offered, "and then you will see just how cool the moggle is."

He switched the device on.

"Light, light, light," he grumbled, "which one of these lenses is it? Ah-hah!"

Now with the right lens configuration, Ren peered into the darkness.

"Triple yikes," he groaned.

"What?"

"I see what's clogging the pipes. It's puffcaps."

Bonnie swore again.

"Alright," she sighed, "I'll see if I can find masks and my Pa's old harpoon. We'll get them out."

"Hold on, I think I've got this."

"What?" she chuckled, "has your mad scientist given you expanding sump scraper gear as well? Bag looks a little small to fit a rake."

"Viktor isn't mad. Grumpy, yes, he absolutely can be, but most of the time he's even tempered. However, his temper doesn't matter right now but what does is the leg he gave me."

Ren placed his augmentation against the pipe.

"With is," he continued, "I think I can burn them away, spores and all. Just please step back. There is a chance I might go flying if this doesn't work."

Bonnie took two generous steps backwards. Ren took a deep breath and began to charge his augmentation. It whirred as pressure built within it. He braced himself and released the pent up power. Intense heat blasted forth from the augmentation, incinerating the puffcaps. Forcing the heat into the pipe, Ren held his ground and refused to let up the heat. Seconds felt like minutes as he felt eyes upon him. The pipe began to turn red hot and only then did Ren at last relax. Energy spent, he fell backwards and breathed deeply the smoky air.

Embers floated up from the pipes; the only remnants of the noxious mushrooms. Ren rubbed the area where flesh met joined with metal on his leg. Perhaps he had overdone it, but a good first impression was worth any ache or scolding from Viktor.

"That is a scary thing you have attached to you," Bonnie said as she offered Ren a hand, "but I'll be damned if it isn't useful."

She hoisted him up.

"Thank you, Ren."

"Anytime," he replied with a smile, "but before anything else, let me see your hands. I know the Doc gave me some medicine."

He searched through his pack and pulled out every medical supply Viktor had provided him with and laid them out on one of the courtyard's tables. He tore off a clean strip of gauze and completely drenched it in a burn salve. Bonnie tore of a second strip in anticipation of the first being too slippery to stay attached. She then held out her hands, allowing Ren to wrap them in the soggy bandages and, as she expected, wrap them again in the drier ones.

"Thanks again," she said, looking over hand with approval, "but if you don't mind me asking, do you think you could spare some more? I know there are others who could use some help. Can I grab them?"

"Of course, Bon. I am here to help."

"To aid the citizens of Zaun?"

"To aid the citizens of Zaun."

When Blitzcrank returned, he found Ren and Bonnie surrounded by at least a dozen of the other tenants, busy at work tending to their wounds. At the sight of the golem, a kid whose skin knees Ren was cleaning, wiggled out of the older boy's reach and ran up to Blitzcrank.

"Woah," the kid gasped, "look at the big bot!"

Blitzcrank waved to the young boy.

"Greetings small citizen."

The kid's smile widened, revealing a missing front tooth.

"The hazardous waste has been safely and properly disposed of," Blitzcrank reported, "my task is complete. What is the status of your task?"

"The pipe has been cleared out," Ren answered, "and on top of that, we've helped a lot of people with their little injuries. I think we might be done unless…"

He looked to Bonnie for her input. She shrugged.

"I think you two have taken care of the big problems," she said, "but if you're offering, I think I could find you a few more tasks, or something like it. What do you think?"

Hot steam puff, puff, puffed out of Blitzcrank like an excited heartbeat.

"Fired up and ready to serve."

One hour of work became two, and two eventually became three. The tenants kept Ren and Blitzcrank busy with all manner of jobs. Ren used the moggle to aid in repairing ducts in darkness and Blitzcrank excelled at retrieving out-of-reach items. Strong arms helped with moving heavy objects and a fiery augmentation helped to burst open the stubborn basement door. At last though, they were done. Ren sat down on a bench and let out a long, exhausted sigh. Bonnie joined him and offered a mug of hot spiced tea, which he eagerly accepted.

"Thank you, Ren," she said, "I know what you did may not feel like much, but it means a lot."

"Still think I'm a goon?" he asked.

"Of course not! Look, I still don't trust Viktor, but his gadgets are useful. Luckily I trust you. I know you will use them mostly responsibly."

"So by extension, you trust Viktor's gadgets, or something like it?"

"Something like it."

They sat in amicable silence, content to sit back, drink their tea, and watch Blitzcrank play with the tenants' children.

"Hey Bon, we should get going," Ren said after a while, "I'll let the Doc know you appreciate his designs at least."

"Yeah, fine," Bonnie mock grumbled as she took the mug back, "it was nice to see you, Ren. Stay safe."

"Stay safe."

Ren turned to Blitzcrank.

"I think it might be time to head home," he said.

Blitzcrank helped the children from himself before giving a final wave "good-bye."

"Farewell, tiny citizens," he said, "remember to consume vegetables, cleanse your hands, and practice sump safety," he turned to Ren, "I am ready to depart."

The pair had spent such an extended with Bonnie that they had missed the lift back up. It would well over two hours before it returned to the station, so they instead decided to walk to a different one located by a foundry.

"The foundry workers know me," Blitzcrank explained as they traveled, "they have been kind to me. They allow me to use their private lift when I require it."

"Is it Brass Star Foundry?" Ren asked.

"Correct."

"I think I remember reading about that. You saved several workers from a fire there."

"Correct."

"You're so lucky, Blitzcrank. You've done so many heroic deeds, people like you, you're just so cool."

Blitzcrank reached out and gently pat Ren on the head. His finger was wider than the boy's head.

"You will have your turn," the golem comforted.

As Ren would quickly discover, his chance for flashy heroics would arrive sooner than later.