Hakri watched from the bushes, creeping along behind Ahri and Justa. "This'll be so easy." He thought. Ahri walking along the outside of the bridge, exactly where he needed her. He signaled across to Jack and John by stepping out onto the road.

Justa was suspicious. There'd been no one on the road just a moment before, now two people were coming from in front and one from behind, right towards them. He swore they weren't there before. He shot a nervous glance backwards. Ahri was still relaxed and Gnar was asleep, held up by her tails like a soft, furry bed.

"What's the matter?" She sensed the look on Justa's face. She glanced backwards and forwards "I'm sure no one would assault us here. We're so close to the Institute." She acted so cool, but Justa could feel her heart rate race, her fingers clutch his arm a little tighter, and her trim body pressing into his chest.

The men dressed in black were very close now, and would pass in a minute. Justa just hoped that they'd pass peacefully. His hopes were shattered when, out of nowhere, a wooden staff smashed his back.

He stumbled forward and drew his dagger, a precaution that he wore. He'd had this dagger from his first escape in Zaun, and it had saved him numerous times. The handle was worn smooth, but the blade was sharp; he made sure to sharpen it regularly.

Both of the two bigger summoners also pulled out knives and advanced on him. The slightly smaller one grabbed Ahri from behind and held her arms back.

"Don't hurt her!" Justa cried "What do you want?"

The figures advancing seemed to pause until the smaller one, clearly the leader laughed it off. "We only want Ahri, something you're not willing to give."

Justa grimaced and prepared himself. "Right you are…" he spat.

Before anyone could react, he darted under one of the large figures arms and slashed the back of his knee. The figure let out a moan, but turned around too slowly. Justa slashed a quick X in his back and darted under the other arm. He parried a strike to the head and slashed the other knee, but they were advancing and he was getting to close to the edge of the bridge. He tried to dart back the way he came, but he got caught by the unhurt large one. He struggled in vain, but he was too small to escape.

No one had noticed that Ahri has by accidently dropped Gnar. The yordle whimpered and opened his eyes. He stopped whimpering and suddenly got angry.

The smaller cloaked man cackled with glee. Ahri hated the stench of his breath, putrid and sour. He whispered in her ear "Would you want to come with us Ahri? We'll get a room with a bed in the inn and maybe have some fun. You know what type."

Ahri spat in his hooded face. At least, she assumed he had a face, whatever monster or evil warlord was under there no human would be crazy enough to attempt this at the edge of Institute grounds. "Not on my life." She said.

The black leader stopped for a moment, "I'll make sure you keep that promise. Have fun with the fishes." He let go of Ahri, letting her fall over the edge of the bridge, into the water. Justa was next, perhaps he would follow the same fate.

Justa was panting, he needed to save Ahri. But the two giants held him down. The small one leaned down and examined his face, lifting his chin up from underneath; exactly like Ahri had when she asked him out. This was very different though. "Can you swim dear?" He said, mock kindness in his voice.

Justa thought quickly, shaking his head in mock fright at being dumped in the water. His charade fooled the men.

"Dump him in quickly and make sure he doesn't come up." said Little Hood.

Without another word they pitched him off the edge of the bridge.

Justa dove into the water and spotted Ahri downstream a little floating face down. He swam to her quickly, turning her up. She wasn't breathing. He knew there was little chance of survival if you'd already breathed in water, but he didn't care. This was his only chance to save her.

Immediately, he laid her out on shore; doing chest compressions. She wasn't breathing. He felt her pulse. That was still there. There was hope. He tore off his shirt so he could exert himself with full power and pushed harder than he ever had right on her lungs. Ahri lay still. He wiped a tear out of his eye, she was gone.

Suddenly, Ahri opened her eyes. Turning over, she retched up what seemed like a gallon of water. Again and again and again. After what seemed like forever, she turned back over to her back, done throwing up river water. She saw Justa.

Justa never thought anyone could move so fast, but Ahri's hands darted out, pulling his lips and entire body onto her. She pulled him close, and kissed him for all it was worth. There, still soaking with river water, Ahri kissed him for what seemed like hours. She pulled her lips away for his and rolled over, so he was on his back.

"Justa… You saved my life."

That was it, but those words held so much power, so much feeling.

"I'll do anything you want. Forever. You are my hero."

They were so entranced that they didn't notice the four figures making their way down from the bridge. Three of them were ready to finish the job. One had to make sure that they didn't.