Parallel Convergence

In every universe, for every timeline, it was always the same - she was there with him.

He pulled the ripcord, spinning up his Z-Drive that allowed him to see these possibilities.

Allowed him to see her.

A flash of blue, reality shifting and blending together, time fusing and forming waves that peaked and then collapsed unto each other.

The blue was replaced by white, pure white. Then finally, color came rushing back, bringing with it reality.

She was there, behind the counter of Benzo's old shop. Fiercely bartering with a customer over the cost of a mechanical monkey, her mechanical monkey. Except, this time, it wasn't the type of mechanical monkey he was used to. The type of bomb that took so many of his Firelights he couldn't even begin to remember all of their names.

This time, it was a toy, designed for children to play with like they did back then, together. She was explaining that to the customer, animated and excited, missing the crazed manic look he had come to associate her with. Filled with pride, she was showcasing how the monkey moved and played its cymbal. They were interrupted by a person opening the door, and Ekko turned to look.

It was him. Well, not exactly him , but it was a him. He was different, a spring in his step and a certain light in his eyes.

He had that too, once.

When she heard the door open, her eyes lit up at the sight of the other him. She was no longer interested in the haggle, letting the woman continue to talk at her while she ran around the counter just to kiss him hello.

He pulled the ripcord.

Graduation day at a prestigious Piltover academy, her fingers interlaced with his as they took the stage together. His parents were there, cheering not just for him, but for her, too. She waved at them, raising his and her hand together in celebration. She laughed so blindingly bright, looking at him in a way that made his heart ache. The other him took her into his arms, gazing down lovingly into her eyes.

Her eyes were clear now, sky blue. Not the sickeningly sweet shade of pink that hid the guilt of a massacre.

He pulled the ripcord.

This one was different now, he was still there but she was not. He recognized this place, the staircase of the Last Drop leading to the roof. The young him looked nervous, his cheeks flush. He held flowers by his side, a familiar shade of blue. Vi and Claggor were there, alive he noted with a hitched breath. They seemed to be comforting him - rather, encouraging him. With a pat on his shoulder and a thumbs up, Vi opened the door for the other him. There, sitting on the roof was the girl that haunted him across time. It was easy to forget this version of her, years of staring at the monster that wore her face would do that. He watched himself approach her, joining Vi and Claggor in waiting beside the doorway with bated breath.

She looked up at this young version of him, the noise of his arrival taking her away from the fixation of tinkering with her newest monkey bomb. The young him quickly extended a hand towards her, clutching sky-blue flowers that he was sure he picked out because they matched her hair. He saw himself say three words, and she smiled.

He pulled the ripcord.

There she was, wearing a white dress that perfectly matched her porcelain skin. Vander was there too; next to her. Taking her arm and walking her down the aisle, happiness and pride written all over his face.

Ekko looked at the other version of him, he was in a suit so fancy you would've thought he was a Piltie on Progress Day. He was debating whether he liked that or not when the other him surprised him with tears. Though, not in the way he was familiar with. No, these were tears of happiness.

Vander walked her up to the stage, giving him a nod and a smile. The other him took her by the hand, leading her up the last step until they were together. Just like they were always meant to be. She gently wiped his tears and beamed at him. In that moment, there was nothing else in that world.

Just them, together.

The priest began his sacrament, speaking words that would bind them together in the eyes of family and faith.

He knew they didn't need these words, they never did. He guessed Vander, Benzo and Vi kept nagging them to make it official.

But they had always been bound together. From the day they met to her last.

He would know, he's seen both days.

The priest finished his sermon, leaving the remaining words to be said by bride and groom.

He had hoped that if he said the vow with the other him, that somehow, someway , this could become his timeline, his reality.

He said the words, just as he had imagined so many times. Converging perfectly in sync with the other him.

A familiar creaking of gears and slowing whirr disrupted the ceremony, signaling the end of his timewalking.

Vander and the other him disappeared. She lingered for a second longer, she had always been different from the rest.

He reached out to her, hoping to touch her, feel her one last time. She smiled at him, and he saw her mouth the words,

"I do."

She vanished, replaced by the familiar gray monotone walls of his room.

He didn't cry, he was used to being alone by now.

But he never got used to the emptiness.

He slumped against the wall, sliding down until he stopped, covering his face with his hands.

In every universe, for every timeline, it was always the same.

Just not for this one.