A/N Alright, we're up and ready for the first official chapter!

The silver moon hung over the city of Piltover, shining over the silver-capped buildings like a polished mirror. However the general shine of the city abruptly ended at its borders, over the dark, deep, water.

Long ago the city was built next to a marsh. As the city rose over the decades, the marsh remained. Many of the upper class inhabitants looked down upon the marsh, as a stain to the beauty and perfection of Piltover.

Unlike the pristine splendor of the City of Progress, the thick marsh was dark and bubbled with gases trapped, drowning, deep within. Presently the gases and various liquids found in the marsh were utilized as an energy source, so the marsh's existence was tolerated. In fact, it soon became important symbolism. The marsh represented all the filth and muck of the outside world, left outside the gates of Piltover. This provided exquisite contrast to the spotless interior of the city, and in fact most of the inhabitants welcomed the swamp as nothing more than a ever-present reminder that they were in fact advanced compared to the outside world. Many gave the swamp the... tasteful nickname of "Zaun."

Along the bank of the marsh skipped a lively young lady, strapped with a wide assortment of weaponry that at a glance seemed far too heavy for a damsel her size to carry along without help, let alone skip with it. She whistled what seemed to be a fabricated tune as she went along, and seemed to be looking for a way across.

I smiled as I laid just beneath the fog-covered water, my mouth stretching wide enough to swallow her whole right then. Not yet. I reminded myself, I hunger for entertainment as well.

I swam over to her and rose from the water.

Jinx whistled her favorite song as she went along the marsh banks. She pulled out the slip of paper Jhin had given her and studied it again. She didn't have the perfect idea of where Ionia was, but she knew it was a group of islands out to sea. In just a few days it would be the fourth of the month, and her partner would be waiting for her.

Normally she'd show up whenever she felt like it, but she felt like she owed it to Jhin to show up only a day or so late. After all, he loosened up and proved he knew how to have fun. She'd hate to lose a partner in crime.

Stuffing the paper back into a pocket, she pulled out the map she took from the Piltover Library from Fishbones' mouth where she stashed it. She unfolded it and glanced over it again. "Hey Fishbones." She said aloud, breaking the serenity of the marsh. "How do you think we get across to the other side?"

"Well." Fishbones answered, voicing his thoughts courtesy of Jinx, "I think we should just take the bridge."

"That's a terrible idea." Jinx said. "I'd never get across the bridge without blowing it up." She looked up at the bridge fondly. "And I kinda like the bridge."

"So why not just walk across it normally?"

"Because I also like blowing up bridges." Jinx answered. "It's a struggle. So I have to keep myself from the temptation or else I'll just-" She interrupted herself as she yanked Fishbones to her shoulder and fired a rocket into one of the bridge supports.

BOOM

With a resounding roar of screeching metal the bridge fell into the river with residual explosions from the gas lights decorating the bridge railings igniting.

Jinx watched the bridge's destruction with fascination, then pulled Fishbones back to her side and continued speaking as if nothing happened. "-do that."

"Well great. Now we don't have any way to get to the other side." Fishbones complained.

"Well yeah, I said that already. Why do you think I didn't count the bridge?" Jinx asked.

"Pardon me, young lady." A new voice interrupted. Jinx turned to the swamp as a large monstrosity materialized from the depths, rising up out of the water to tower over her. A seeming cross between a catfish and a frog, the slimy creature was dressed in a surprisingly dapper coat, complete with a top hat. "I couldn't help but notice that you were mighty needy, searching for, should we say, a way to get from one place to another?" The thing's voice was deep yet sultry, rough yet enticingly smooth. His yellow eyes tracked Jinx with hunger.

"No." Jinx said matter-of-factly. "I just need a way to get to Ionia."

Not missing a beat, the creature sided up to Jinx's side and put a wet arm on her shoulder. "Well today is your lucky day child. I just happen to be an expert on these here waterways, and Ionia? Huh, that is nothing but a quick stroll for me. You need to get there faster than butter sliding down a hot pan, am I correct in saying? Well I have a deal for you."

Jinx abandoned trying to follow the creature's words. "Hey are your parents a fish and a frog?"

The creature chuckled, a hearty sound that had an undertone of malice. "My, you're a inventive one. And quite the observant one as well. In fact, I can bet your instincts are just clamorin' for you to shop around, find better deals. However..." He tugged on his coat to straighten it. "You won't have to waste a second. For you see, I have the best deals money, or other commodities, can buy. Ask around, you'll know I'm not pulling your leg. But you're a busy girl with a hefty appetite, ain't you?"

"Actually I just ate. Fishbones snuck the last of the bread sticks, but I think that makes us even since I took his pasta." Jinx answered. She smiled. "We were really lucky too. We were the last customers that restaurant had, cuz I blew it up."

The creature snorted in laughter. "Girl, you're as nutty as a squirrel's turd, but I like that. But you know, the gastronomic variety of appetite, while a vital part of enjoying this buffet that life has to offer, isn't the appetite I am referring to. I am referring to your appetite for knocking down the established symbols of order by utilizing the tools this city considers anathema."

Jinx cocked her head. "Huh?"

The creature guffawed. "Little lady, I am referring to your insatiable appetite for wanton chaos."

Jinx's eyes brightened. "Yeah. I hate being bored."

He nodded respectfully. "An admirable trait." He paused, then made a show of bowing with his hat off. "Oh, my deepest apologies child, we were not properly introduced. My clientele always have a feeling of being close to me, after all. It's how I run the magic of my unbeatable deals after all, I only share them with friends. What's your name, child?"

"Jinx." She answered. She held up her weapons and started naming them. "This is Fishbones, the loser; this is Pow-Pow the quiet strong one; and this is Zap the adopted son! Oh yeah, and these are their chomper pets."

The creature put his hat back on and then held out a hand that was decorated with fine rings. "You can call me... the River King. Now, friend, just say the word and I'll take you straight to Ionia." He cleared his throat and then added, "Of course, you know that while my deals are most desirable, a small fee is required."

Jinx looked at him with a knowing smile without shaking. "Hey Fishbones, think we should tell him?"

The River King smiled. "Just what do you need to tell me child? I'm all ears."

Jinx lifted Fishbones and puppeted, "Well Mr. King, this marsh doesn't connect to the ocean. You'll never be able to swim to Ionia."

"What he said." Jinx said. "Also you're kinda fat. Hat Lady can probably outrun you."

The River King chuckled. "Now now, that's quite a rude comment little lady, I'd best hold your tart tongue. But..." His eyes twinkled. "I know a way to Ionia by navigating the seas solely."

Jinx looked around disbelievingly. "Yeah right, you're probably lying."

He puffed himself up and drawled, "Someday you'll learn child. All the waterways in the world are connected, and only I know the shortcuts and secret passages to navigate them all." He leaned in closer, and whispered his swamp breach into her nostrils with his next sentence. "I can take you to your partner. I can help you satisfy your hunger for destruction. All you need to do, is say deal."

Jinx thought long and hard. "Hmm. What do you think Fishbones?"

"I don't trust him." Fishbones answered. "He seems too slimy, and he's always looking at you."

"You know you make very convincing arguments or something." Jinx replied. She then turned to the king with a smile so energetic and so sudden he involuntarily flinched. "Let's go!"

"But..." The River King stammered. "You have just gotten out of a-"

"Yeah yeah, nobody cares what Fishbones says, let's go!"

The smile widened as he regained his composure. "Well girl, if you insist. Just remember. You asked for everything that will transpire."

Caitlyn walked into the police headquarters the next morning, her irritation growing by the second. I can't believe it. She thought. A whole week and nothing came up. How hard is it to find one person with one eye?

She pushed open the door to her office, with different plans fighting in her mind for attention and growth. She tossed her hat on the coat rack by the door, letting her dark hair hang loose. She sat down at her desk and pushed aside the loose papers. On impulse she caught them before they fluttered to the floor and stacked them neatly before placing them aside.

She sighed before grabbing the disarmed trap at the corner of her desk and examining it yet again. It was a fruitless task she knew, because until her men returned from the Piltover Library with information on what kind of flower the trap resembled exactly, she had no clue where to start identifying the piece.

Her phone rang, and she swiftly snatched it from the hook and answered with her clipped accented voice. "Yes, Piltover Police Headquarters, Sheriff Caitlyn speaking." She paused, listening to her officers on the other end. "Thank you sergeant. As for the library, I can only say that you were lucky to have gotten there first." She hung up and then examined the trap again now that she was armed with new knowledge.

It was an Ionian Lotus. So you're getting help from Ionia. She mused. So this must be a professional criminal from Ionia. This trap was handmade, so this man had resources. This means that he must be very wanted in his homeland. They can tell me more. She reached for the phone and dialed the number for the Ionian Emissary in the northern part of town.

After a short delay the phone was picked up. "Ionian Ambassador Ryali speaking." The tinny voice over the phone answered.

"Yes, hello. This is Sheriff Caitlyn. I have a few questions for you."

"Of course sheriff, ask away."

"Are you aware of any criminals in Ionia who use bladed traps stylized as Ionian Lotuses?"

There was an uncomfortable silence on the other end. "I do not believe so ma'am." The ambassador finally responded, in a tone that sounded like he wanted to sound sincere. Caitlyn frowned with suspicion.

"Are you certain? You sounded like you were thinking."

"I mean, we did have one, but he's been incarcerated for years."

"I see. Are you certain-"

"Ma'am, apologies, but that is a sensitive subject for Ionia. The times when that man would terrorize the populace are still fresh in everybody's mind. We would much rather the memories rot in prison along with him."

A new plan formed in Caitlyn's mind. "If it is all the same to you, I would like to schedule a meeting with the Ionian Elders. There was a criminal spotted here that is definitely using this man you speak of as inspiration for his equipment."

Another long pause. "Of course. We would be honored to have you. I will relay your request to the Elders."

"Thank you for your time." Caitlyn replied briskly, then hung up. Her mind made up, she picked the phone back up and redialed. A familiar voice came out over the line.

"Yeah?"

"Vi, how are you doing?"

"Fine. The doctor said my spine healed up enough for my armor to support my back."

"Good. We have a trip to make."