Author's Note: Hey everyone, right off the bat I'd like to apologize for taking so long with this chapter. I'm not going to give excuses, I simply was in the wrong mindset to write for the first half of the month.

That being said, hopefully those of you that still like my work will enjoy the next chapter.

EDIT: Expanded on the combat thanks to some good feedback, and once I slept and reread it, I found it wasn't up to par either.


Chapter 5: Home is where they Hate you

"Now Heldian, the Grand General has waited long enough," the gruff voice from behind Vi could be heard. Bane looked past her to see the armoured form of Darius, the Hand of Noxus, and one of the city-states Generals. He released Vi's hand as she looked back over her shoulder at him.

"Good choice, hard to be the Hand of Noxus when you're missing one,"

"My business is not with you Enforcer, be gone. Heldian, come with me," Darius said, dismissing Vi as if she wasn't there anymore. Vi glared at Darius as she moved to stand beside Bane, her arms crossed, steam gently flowing out of the vents.

"You can go fuck yourself Darius," Bane replied, flipping Darius off at the same time. "I'm a Summoner now, I don't have to answer to the Noxian High Command if I don't want to anymore."

Darius rolled his shoulders forward. "I was hoping you'd say that. The Grand General said to bring you in, by force if necessary, League rules be damned."

"You seem to have forgotten that I'm here Dunks," Vi said, adopting a boxer stance as her gauntlets began warming up, steam flowing heavily now. The light flicked on her backpack, ready to deploy a shield charge at the first punch.

Bane held his left arm out to his left, palm towards Vi to hold her back. "No, wait a minute," Bane said suddenly, looking at Darius through narrowed eyes. "I've changed my mind Darius."

"Good choice, now come-"

"But not right now. Tonight, ten o'clock, at the Noxian Embassy, and there are two conditions."

Darius tilted his head to the side slightly, indicating that he was listening, but did not comment.

"Both myself and Swain can have two people accompany us. I know he won't go alone, as he is the Grand General and all, but I'm not leaving myself without back up."

"And the second condition?"

"You won't be there."

Darius gritted his teeth as he flexed his fingers. Damn cocky bastard. Only because Swain wants him is he still breathing. Darius thought as he turned away. "Fine Heldian, I will let the Grand General know," he said as he walked away.

Bane exhaled, having not realized that he was holding his breath. Thank god he took that offer, I was so screwed. He thought as he turned to keep walking down the hallway to his dorm room, only to bump into a pissed off Vi.

"I. Am going. With you. Tonight," Vi said, her tone brokering no room for Bane to argue with her. Bane looked her in the eyes and could see the determination in them...that and the desire to punch something, he wasn't sure which was stronger.

"Fine. You can be one of my two. But I still need to get some other people," Bane made to step around Vi, but she kept blocking him, hands on her hips.

"But you can only bring one more person with us?"

"Please, these are Noxians we are dealing with, my conditions were pretty open. I said two people could accompany us, that doesn't mean there won't be others waiting to jump me."

Vi let Bane walk pass her, falling in step with him as he changed his path, heading towards the Void manor. "Wait, why are you heading this way? Wouldn't one of your Summoner friends be a better choice?"

Bane stopped suddenly, looking down at his feet. "Vi, promise me something when it comes to tonight."

Vi stopped just behind Bane, confused by this change in Bane's attitude. What is this? What happened to his bravado? He seems...cowed by this. "What is wrong with you Bane? This Noxus thing that important?"

"It's just that...the others don't know about my past in Noxus, and they shouldn't. I don't want them on Swain's radar, nor do I want you on it either, but you aren't leaving me much choice. And yeah, this is important, I've been pushing this off for years, but Swain has caught up to me here."

Vi walked up beside and placed a hand on Bane's back. This was a side of Bane that she hadn't seen in the few weeks they had been working together. "I get ya. We all have something to keep in the past."

Bane was silent for a while. Vi looked around his shoulder to see him fiddling with a ring with his left hand and trace around his right eye, a known nervous habit. What is that ring all about? Vi thought, tapping Bane on the arm, which seemed to startle him as he suddenly tucked the ring away and looked at Vi.

"Yeah, so promise me that you won't tell them, or anyone, what happens tonight."

"Fine, but I'm going to change out of this outfit, I want my brawling clothes. Don't start the party without me," Vi said, dragging her hand past Bane as she headed towards the Piltover wing of the institute.

Bane pulled out the ring again and stared at it for a while. "Nine, see if Seven and Eight are available as back up. I've gotta go talk with Kog'Maw."

"Of course Six."


Bane walked across the back lawn towards one of the solitary manors that had yet to be connected to the main building of the Institute of War. The well known Void Manor, founded by Cho'Gath after one of his charity drives to give a home for his people, is an older fashioned building, with many towers and cathedral-like windows. There was no indication of what the building truly housed.

Bane knocked on the massive oaken door, hearing each knock echo through the massive building in front of him. After a few moments, the door creaked up to reveal a tall, gaunt gentleman, wearing a crisp black suit. He bowed to Bane, gesturing for him to enter.

"Greetings sir, I am Dorian, and welcome to the Void Manor. Whom shall I say is calling and for who?" the butler asked, offering to take Bane's robe, which Bane relented, revealing his dark red t-shirt with a jagged, yet ornately detailing pair of wings. His dark blue denims were held up with a black leather belt with a single chain looping between one of the belt loops to his pocket.

"Bane Heldian, and I'm looking for Kog'Maw, if he isn't eating something right now," Bane replied, placing a gold coin into Dorian's hand.

"Of course sir, the little one actually just finished his eighth meal and should be roaming the halls by now. If you'd prefer to wait in the parlor, I shall look for him."

"Thank you Dorian, I will," Bane replied with a nod, then turned and stepped inside of the nearest room, finding a warmly lit room, with a small fireplace and some fancy straight backed chairs, surrounded by shelves with books, plants, and various decorations.

Bane paced back and forth, unable to relax. Damn it, this isn't like Swain, this wasn't supposed to happen yet! Bane thought, shaking his head. He must've gotten a tip off or something, or was it the Graduation Ceremony night? FUCK!

The sound of hurried footsteps and a loud thud against the door heralded the entrance of Kog'Maw, who let out a cry as Dorian opened the door to the parlor. Kog'Maw rushed to Bane's side and gave him a hug around his knee, looking up at Bane with his bright red eyes.

"Summoner Bane! You come see Kog'Maw!" the young Voidling cried out, running around Bane's legs while Bane chuckled. Bane could hardly move, not wanting to trip on the excited little guy.

"You bet buddy. And I even got you something," Bane said, reaching into a pocket and pulling out a candy bar. Bane quickly unwrapped it and tossed it in the air, watching as Kog'maw's extendable tongue snatched it out of the air. "Hey, I hope you tasted that one this time."

Kog'Maw looked at Bane curiously for a moment, as he slurped down his treat. Once gone, he held his belly while looking at Bane. "More?" Kog'Maw asked, with a sad look in his eyes.

"I can get more, but first I need you to show me where Cho'Gath is. Then, while I speak with him, I'll need you to find Kha'Zix. If you do that for me, I've got a box in it for you."

"Quickly, this way!" Kog'Maw yelled, running out the doorway. Bane quickly followed after him, barely keeping Kog'Maw in sight as the Voidling ran down various hallways, unable to appreciate the beauty and artistry that filled the Void Manor. Kog'Maw eventually stopped before a nice, dark wood door and began pounding on it with his little hands as fast as he could.

"Alright, I'm coming, keep your knickers on," said a heavily accented voice that sounded like it was through a tube. The door opened to reveal a large, bipedal being dressed in a fine black suit, even a top hat and monocle. The only distinction being that this was Cho'Gath, the Terror of the Void. The suit was ripped at the shoulders to allow his second set of purple scaled arms through. The monocle covered one green, pupil-less eye, sitting over a wide, razor-sharp, teeth filled mouth. Where ears would normally sit, there were instead two curved horns that went towards the front of his face.

"Cho, Cho, Summoner Bane, friend, me find Zix now, bye!" Kog'Maw blurted out before taking off down the hallway once more. Bane could hear him yelling out "Zix! Zix!" as he went.

"Ah, you must be Kog'Maw's newest friend, please come in," Cho'Gath said, turning to return to his seat by the fire. Bane saw the large tail sticking out of his suit, as well as the clawed feet that carried him. Bane followed Cho'Gath into his study and took a seat across from the Void creature.

"So, Mr. Heldian, what brings you here this afternoon?" Cho'Gath asked as he took his seat, crossing one leg over the other as he leaned back into his chair. "Oh, I'm being terribly rude. Please, have some wine," Cho'Gath said, waving a pincer at the nearby side table, where a bottle and two glasses sat, both half filled.

"Thank you Cho'Gath, I will," Bane replied, helping himself to a glass as Cho'Gath did the same. Bane saw the platter of cheeses and other snacks and smirked slightly at Cho'Gath, who gave a toothy grin back.

"Must I say it Summoner?"

"Not at all sir, but I will have some cheese with my wine regardless," Bane said, munching on a cheddar chunk on a cracker. "And as for why I'm here...I have a situation that's come up and I'm looking for some help."

"Interesting. Word has gotten around that you are Noxian, but you are claiming to be an independent. You defended our Kog'Maw against a Defender of Valoran, essentially alienating you from your own. Yet, the people did not turn against you, but against the Defender. To be honest, Malzahar wants you for his cause..."

"Yet, you can probably tell I'm not one for his cause."

"Correct. You don't oppose the Void at this point either though, which is why he thinks he can persuade you. But he is away today, so we don't have to worry about that. Yet, you are asking us of the Void for assistance in an issue that doesn't concern the League."

Bane raised an eyebrow at Cho'Gath. "How did you know this isn't a League issue?"

Cho'Gath politely laughed. "You just confirmed it asking that. Also, as a mostly unwanted group, we try and keep tabs on what's going on," Cho'Gath set his now empty wineglass down and leaned towards Bane. "Noxus is after you. So tell me, why do you want our help?"

Bane also set his empty glass back on the side table and intertwined his fingers on his lap. "You are right. Noxus is after me. I'm meeting with Swain, tonight, at their Embassy. I'm allowed to have two people accompany me, and I'd like you to be one of them."

Cho'Gath scratched his chin with a pincer before responding. "Interesting. You have given them a home field advantage, but were able to limit the participants to a controllable amount, considering you are dealing with the Grand General."

"Hardly. Swain with have only two people visibly with him for the meeting. As soon as it's considered over though, whatever assassins and mercenaries that will be in hiding will come out to either force my loyalty...or kill me."

"Oh dear, this is quite the predicament," Cho'Gath said wide eyed. "But why would you want me to accompany you for this, and why should I?" he asked, crossing his arms and leaning back into his chair.

Bane chuckled at this, looking down for a moment before meeting Cho'Gath's eyes with his own. "I want you there because you have proven yourself to be both a diplomatic person, as well as a devastating force on the battlefield. I'm also trying to catch Swain off guard by reaching out to resources he may not know about. As for why should you..." Bane trailed off, deliberating on how to phrase the next part.

"I'm asking this as a favour. Obviously we are not friends, as we have only met, but I am friends with Kog'Maw. I can't ask this of him, it's too dangerous. But I know I require help with this. So, against all of what you may have heard about me...will you help me?"

Cho'Gath took a drag from his pipe as he stared back at the Summoner in front of him. He nodded after a moment. "Certainly dear boy. You are Kog'Maw's friend, and I'd be happy to help a friend of his," he said standing up and offered a pincer, which Bane grasped to shake. "I may, however, ask for a favour of my own in the future."

"Of course Cho'Gath, and I'd be happy to help, provided I'm able to," Bane replied, letting out the breath his was holding. "And, I don't mean to be rude, but Kog'Maw has been looking for Kha'Zix for a while, do you know where Kha'Zix would be?"

"Right here," a deep voice said behind Bane. Bane quickly turned around to see a large, purple insectoid with scythe-like forearms and iridescent wings appear out of thin air. Kha'Zix walked up to Bane and put his face inches from Bane's own.

Bane merely stared back at the Voidreaver for a time before Kha'Zix backed up a step. "Kha'Zix, you've been taking your measure of me. Will you listen to my offer?"

"Go on human."

"I want you to hunt down every assassin that Noxus brings to their Embassy tonight. I know you don't get the chance to do so here at the Institute, and this would give you the opportunity to gain some skills at the same time."

"What could I gain from such puny creatures?"

"Experience hunting humans. We aren't like the animals you hunted when you arrived here. It takes more than just surprising us at times. Use this as an opportunity to try new tactics on some of the better assassins Noxus employs."

Kha'Zix cleaned off one of his scythes with his teeth, appearing to be bored with Bane. After a moment though, he pointed at Bane with a scythe. "Excellent, fresh prey. I shall devour their bones."

"Just don't kill any Summoners or fellow Champions. I'm not dealing with that crap."

"Deal," Kha'Zix said, disappearing once again. Bane could barely hear the Voidreaver pass by him, but more felt his presence, a cold, alien one that Bane could now recognize.

"Impressive Mr. Heldian. Kha'Zix is not a very sociable being and doesn't work with many people, yet you convinced him to be a part of your cause," Cho'Gath said as he walked up and stood beside Bane. Bane looked at Cho'Gath out of the corner of his eyes.

"He's not a part of my cause. Neither are you, really. He will be there hunting of his own free will. You are accompanying a friend to a meeting...and might be getting something to snack on," Bane said as he walked out of the room.

"Excellent."


"Are you sure about this Six?"

"Yeah, as much as I'm dreading this, I need to get Noxus off my back."

"You know that Swain's not going to let you walk away."

"I know, that's why I've got you, right?"

"I can only take you though, and they can't see-"

"Nine, please. I need you here."

"...I'll try, just don't wear that ugly uniform, alright?"

"Of course not. Tonight's a fight night."


"Target is approaching the building. There are two people alongside him. One is the Piltover Enforcer. The other looks like some sort of giant bug."

"That would be Cho'Gath, rookie. Go check the other side, Rocko hasn't reported in five minutes."

"Sir," the rookie assassin replied, rushing around the corner as his superior ordered. Looking around, he couldn't even find a trace of Rocko anywhere. "Rocko, report in. Rocko?"

"I'm here," a voice replied from around the next corner.

"Rocko, that you? You drunk or something?" the rookie rounded the corner, only to find Rocko's brutally bisected corpse leaning against the pillar. The rookie recoiled in horror, only to back into another person.

"Hmm, Heldian was right," the deep voice of Kha'Zix said into the rookie's ear. "And this voice trick works perfectly," Kha'Zix ended, carving the rookie apart before he could even cry out.

"Let's try it on their leader!" Kha'Zix chuckled, disappearing into the darkness once more.


"Ah, Mr. Heldian, how good to see you again," the grizzled voice of Jericho Swain called out across the large meeting room in the center of the Noxian Embassy. All the chairs and tables that would normally seat dignitaries and negotiators of Noxus were all to the sides, leaving the room empty except for the six visible occupants. The high cathedral ceiling with its many balconies were left dark, the only light coming from a few wall sconces on ground level and the light of the moon shining through the high windows.

The Grand General of Noxus stood at the far end of the hall, the Noxian Crest high on the wall above him. The shield with its skull detailing, the crossed battle axe and hammer behind it, and the name of the city that bore it proudly seemed to be looking right at Bane as he stopped a dozen feet away from Swain and his company.

To Swain's right was the former flower of the Noxian court, Cassiopeia, wearing a semi-transparent long sleeved white shirt over her traditional battle armour. She was calmly resting within the coils or her snake tail, looking over her nails. On Swain's left, Darius's brother Draven was practically dancing as he tossed his famed throwing axes in the air, winking at Bane as he caught both axes and strapped them to his back.

"Cassiopeia. Draven. Swain," Bane said, nodding to each of them in turn, hands in the pockets of the large black trench coat he was wearing. He looked to his left where Vi stood with a gauntlet on her hip, checking the fingers of her right gauntlet in front of her, imitating Cassiopeia across from her with an evil smirk on her face. To Bane's right was Cho'Gath who was lighting his pipe before he looked up at the spectacle that was Draven, taking a puff before letting the smoke out with a low sigh.

"Let's get this over with Swain. You want my allegiance, to you and to Noxus. I'm going to tell you to bite me. You spew some nonsense about how I owe you, how I'm an ungrateful bastard, blah, blah, blah," Bane said. Swain merely shook his head in response, but said nothing. "What, did I miss something?"

"Naturally, Mr. Heldian. You see, we didn't come here to talk about that," Swain replied, tapping his cane on the ground three times. "We came here to force your cooperation."

A couple of bodies suddenly fell to the ground around all six of them. Only a few were still moving. Swain showed no emotion behind his scarf, while Bane raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm, that's too many people for what we agreed to. Cho'Gath?"

"Certainly," the suit wearing Void monster replied with a grin, stepping over to one of the few moving assassins, picking him up in his claws while he dislocated his lower jaw and swallowed the man whole. Grabbing another failed assassin, Cho'Gath quickly Feasted him down as well, growing in size enough to rip his suit apart, revealing that he was in his Nightmare mode, being a dark blue colouration. Cho'Gath laugh changed to his echoed, deep yet piercing sound as he turned back to the Noxian group.

"Good thing I told him to wear a cheaper suit tonight," Bane said with a chuckle. Vi laughed as well, changing her stance and bringing her fists up. "And we didn't come here alone, or to talk for that matter."

Bane took off his coat, revealing that he was wearing a black sleeveless shirt and dark red, loose fitting shorts. His body was fit, his arms well muscled as Bane pulled on his custom made combat knuckles.

"We came here to fight."

Draven had to dive to the side as the ground where he had been standing was perforated with numerous spikes, Cho'Gath laughing again. Draven quickly tossed an axe at the Void monster, burying it into Cho'Gath's upper shoulder. Cho'Gath screamed in response before grabbing the axe with his teeth and ripping it out, glaring at Draven the whole time, the wound dripping dark purple fluid onto the marble floor.

Cassiopeia merely spread a ring of poison around herself, keeping Vi at bay for the time being. Vi, gloves practically billowing steam from them, moved in a steady circle around Cassiopeia, trying to find an opening. Cassiopeia laughed haughtily at Vi, fanning her face as some of the steam wafted over her. "Weren't you going to knock the look of my face?" Cassiopeia called out, mocking the Enforcer by putting up her fists before throwing out another pool of poison.

Meanwhile, Bane and Swain were only a few feet apart from each other, but neither had attacked yet. Swain was calmly standing there, hands resting on the top of his cane, while Bane was shifting back and forth, his eyes never leaving Swains. "So, you managed to hire some help once again. How much Noxian money did you spend this time?"

"Hmph, if you're half the strategist you claim to be, you already know I didn't pay for help this time," Bane replied, looking back to see Draven continuing to avoid the spikes from both the ground and the air and Vi, having gotten fed up with Cassiopeia's taunting, revved up a fist and charged across the poison, delivering a heavy fist to Cassiopeia's torso. "It's been several years since I left Noxus, the money I acquired back then is long gone."

"The money doesn't matter. It was an investment. And I mean to get my return on it," Swain replied, passively gesturing with one hand, offering it palm upward to Bane. "Come back home Heldian. Noxus saved you. Noxus cared for you. Return what she has done for you."

Bane dropped his hands to his sides, looking at his feet. Swain could see Bane's shoulders shaking slightly. "We know you have a condition, but we can help you control it. All that you need to do is-"

"SHUT UP!" Bane interrupted, an aura of dark red energy surrounding him. "You know nothing of my condition. You know nothing of what Noxus has done to me," Bane looked up at Swain, covering his right eye with his hand. "And you picked the wrong time to piss me off!" Bane suddenly surged forward, upper cutting Swain, causing the Grand General to fall back, holding his jaw.

"Fool. You know that Summoners cannot strike Champions of the League. Why do you think-" Swain started, but Bane cut him off again with another punch to the gut.

"Dumbass," Bane growled, backing up slightly. He then threw an orange piece of paper on the ground with a black number twelve written on it with a signature on the bottom. "I was suspended earlier for the next twelve hours. I'm technically not a Summoner right now," Bane went to run at Swain, only for a set of talons to grip his leg, holding him in place.

"No, Heldian, you are the dumbass," Swain retorted, his raven Beatrice taking flight and firing a beam of sickly green energy at Bane, causing him to wince in pain. "I just needed to see that note."


"This is an interesting turn of events."

"Silence Kennen, there are bound to be more around."

"Enough, both of you. Wait until the ones from the roof arrive again."

"We don't even know they will Shen."

"They will Akali, if Bane is here, they won't be far away."


"Bane seems to be in trouble Miss Couteau."

"Please. If he can't handle this much..."

"You know Swain's plan. That's why he placed us up here. He expects-"

"Who do you work for Talon, Swain or me?"

Talon paused only slightly at Katarina's outburst. "Your father, and his family of course."

"Good, now follow my plan and Bane will return with us."


"Damn it Zix', get away from me!"

"Hmm, the Lady of Light," Kha'Zix said quietly, withdrawing his scythes from her throat and waist. "Champion of the League, I cannot kill you today."

Lux frantically backed away from the Voidreaver, throwing out a ring of light that held Kha'Zix in place. He looked down at the ring around his chest, then back at Lux. "Release me woman, there are others I must feed upon."

"Did Bane bring you here?" Lux asked while Kha'Zix began struggling against the binding.

"He asked a favour. That is all," Kha'Zix said, the light holding him finally breaking as he disappeared from view.

Lux breathed heavily, looking around for signs of Kha'Zix, but the Voidreaver was either gone or too quiet to be heard. "Why is the Void helping him? Is that why the Kinkou are on the other floor?" Lux asked herself between breaths. She looked down to see the fights between Draven, Cassiopeia, and Swain continuing against Cho'Gath, Vi and Bane.

"I can answer some of your questions, Lady of Luminosity."

Lux turned around to see Dini approaching her, his mirror-shield bracers disconnected and hanging by his sides. Lux could almost see herself reflected in the ornate helm he wore, but kept her eyes on the man's bracers.

"You are called Dini, correct? Why would you help me?" Lux questioned, holding her baton in front of her, wary of the man. "We know you are connected to Summoner Heldian. We also know the man named Jackson works with you. If we are going to keep talking, tell me where he is."

Dini shook his head, crossing her arms. "You're right on one count. I am connected to Bane. But Jackson doesn't work with me and I lost track of him once I entered the embassy. He's probably the one tossing the half dead bodies to the ground."

"No, that was Kha'Zix, the Kinkou, and I. The only floor untouched is the highest...where you came from?"

"Correct, but I never saw Jackson up there. He must have been dropped somewhere else."

"Dropped by who?"

"Sorry, can't answer that. My turn. Why are you here? We know you are Demacian."

Lux paused for a moment, causing Dini to raise his arms slightly. Lux sighed, lowering her baton. "I'm here to determine the threat an independent may cause to Demacia."

"Or if he can be brought to your side?"

"Perhaps. There are too many variables right now."

"That's his choice. I won't influence that," Dini replied, lowering his arms once more. "Are you aware of what the Justicars of the Light want with him?"

"Who are they?"


"Darius, sir, the Grand General has given the signal."

"Right. Break the wall and subdue the traitor," Darius ordered as his men began to hack at the wall separating them from the main hall.

Suddenly a pair of massive barbed chains ripped through the wall behind them, carving through more than half of Darius's men. Turning, Darius saw the hulking form of Jackson kicking the rest of the rubble out of his way as he shoved his way in, the chainsaws in his hands retracting their chains.

"Jackpot!" Jackson yelled out holding his chainsaws in the air above him. Removing his axe from his shoulder, Darius strode towards Jackson, who quickly brought his chainsaws down at him, forcing Darius to block with the shaft.

"I found the General! Now the real fun begins!" Jackson yelled, revving up his chains, forcing Darius to roll past Jackson. Darius quickly rose to a knee, swinging his axe at the back of Jackson's legs, only to find Jackson had moved forward and begun chopping up his men with his chainsaws.

Who is this freak? And how did he find this place? Darius thought as he swung his axe at Jackson again, but it got caught in the metal wire that was wrapped around the Jackson's body. Jerking it loose, he followed up his attack with a cross swing, Jackson matching it with dual downward strike with his chainsaws.

"That's all from a General? Shame," Jackson taunted through his pointed teeth, grinning like mad as he pushed down, but unable to force Darius back.

"Talk intruder. Did Heldian hire you?"

Jackson backed off for a moment, giving Darius a chance to see that he had maybe a dozen men from his original ambush force still alive. Most of them steeled themselves and prepared to rush Jackson.

"Maybe he did. Maybe he didn't," Jackson taunted, swinging his chainsaws repeatedly, the chains extending out a few feet. Darius's men suddenly rushed in at Jackson, looking to overwhelm him. Unfortunately for Darius's men, Jackson began revolving on the spot, his body becoming a whirlwind of spinning chains that quickly shredded Darius's men.

"Damn fools," Darius said quietly as Jackson came out of his spin, swaying slightly on his feet before falling to a knee, laughing like mad. Jackson looked up at Darius through the bandages wrapped around his face, grinning with excitement. "So, time for round two?"


"Get off me you damn butch cow!" Cassiopeia yelled, bucking her serpentine body, trying to throw Vi off of her. Vi had already thrown her once by grabbing her lower half like that and Cassiopeia did not want that happening again.

"Make me bitch!" Vi yelled back, throwing Cassiopeia across the room again. Cassiopeia landed hard, not used to the harsh treatment; even in League matches she wasn't tossed around like this. Forcing herself back upright, she glared at Vi, pointing at her with one clawed hand.

"Why are you even here?! This is for Noxus, and you are just..." Cassiopeia trailed off, bringing her hand under her chin before laughing haughtily again. "Oh, I see now."

"You'll be seeing only stars in a minute," Vi called back, running up to Cassiopeia again, only to find herself wrapped in ethereal chains. LeBlanc appeared a moment later, waving her finger at Vi.

"Excellent timing LeBlanc," Cassiopeia said, surrounding Vi with pools of poison, leaving her with a small patch of stone to stand on. Vi glared at LeBlanc, tracing the chains that held her back to LeBlanc's' staff, unable to get free.

"Aww, poor love-struck Vi, unable to fight to help her lover," Cassiopeia mocked, feigning tears running down her face. LeBlanc moved up alongside Cassiopeia and whispered something to her, which stopped Cassiopeia's mocking.

"Wait, he hasn't slept with her yet? How is that possible?" Cassiopeia looked at LeBlanc, who only shrugged in response. Vi blew some of her pink hair out of her eyes before looking at Cassiopeia, a curious look on her face.

"You told me that one of his conditions forces him to fuck every few weeks! This is the only chick he's been around for the past month! Unless he's resorted to-"

"He hasn't Cass. It seems he's been holding out for as long as possible, despite your sister teasing him," LeBlanc replied.

"Hmph, well then, I have no use for her then. Let her go," Cassiopeia gestured at Vi as she turned and started to slither away. LeBlanc shook her head, releasing the chains that held Vi in place. As soon as the chains dropped, Vi threw out the tracking beacon from her gauntlet, sticking it to Cassiopeia's back, who yelled in alarm.

"You should know better than to turn your back on a fight!" Vi yelled out, feeling the pull of the beacon on her gauntlet. She charged after Cassiopeia, knocking LeBlanc to the ground in the process. Cassiopeia turned and screamed out as Vi's fist connected with the underside of her jaw, lifting her into the air. Vi followed her into the air, driving her fist into Cassiopeia's gut and driving her to the ground. Panting slightly, she saw that Cassiopeia was still breathing, but didn't look like she'd be moving soon.

Turning, Vi almost ran into LeBlanc, who had regained her footing. Throwing her fist at forward, LeBlanc disappeared, only for two of her to reappear on opposite sides of Vi. "Now is not the time Enforcer. You know this, since Cassiopeia didn't turn you to stone," the two LeBlancs said, holding their staves at the ready.

"I'm sick and tired of all this secrecy and bullshit. Bane is hiding a lot more than I thought at first, you two want me to help him. What's the hell is going on with him, what condition do you mean?" Vi demanded, punching at one of the clones, which disappeared. The remaining one sent a sigil that touched Vi's chest, causing her voice box to stop.

"Patience. All will be revealed in time," the real LeBlanc said with a smile. "As for Bane's condition, we know that every few weeks he appears to get strangely horny. Other things we've noticed are that at times he seems lazy at random, or others days he gets angry at the simplest things. The only thing we really know is that it was from his time studying under Val Nero. The rest...is up to you."

"Whatever, I'm going to find Bane," Vi said when the sigil faded away, turning in the opposite direction, heading for where the most commotion was coming from. Behind her, LeBlanc disappeared from view once again.


"Ah hah hah hah! Draven, your darkness beckons!" Cho'Gath taunted, screaming out at the Glorious Executioner. The sound was a deafening, otherworldly mess that made Draven cringe slightly. Drawing his axes, he through them parallel to the ground, knocking the Tarror of the Void to the side, much to Cho'Gath's annoyance.

"You are a scourge upon the world! Once we are free to roam on Valoran, your petty plans for Heldian will be worthless!" Cho'Gath continued to taunt Draven, who was being uncharacteristically quiet. Cho'Gath stomped the ground, sending up another barrage of spikes that Draven dodged before burying another axe into Cho'Gath's chitin-like armour.

"And people say that Draven talks to much. You're taking too much of my spotlight here Cho'Gath," Draven said as he tossed another axe into the first one, pushing it in deeper. Cho'Gath screamed from the axe digging deeper into his flesh, having to pause to rip it out. "This is Draven's time to shine! Once I get Heldian back, nothing will stand in the way of me being the biggest man in Noxus!" Draven flourished his axes, spinning them around again.

"Gah! Worthless human, you have no idea what you're opposing!" Cho'Gath yelled, chomping on another failed assassin. The wound in his chest quickly healed over, the life force from the dead human invigorating Cho'Gath's cells to repair the damage. Summoning another barrage of spikes from the ground, Cho'Gath stomped his way over to Draven, swiping a claw at the flamboyant artist of executions. More spikes appeared in the air, impaling Draven to the wall by his shoulders and waist.

"Fool. I could eat you right now..." Cho'Gath threatened, opening his jaw wide once more. Draven merely grinned and stuck his axes together and jammed them into the massive, tooth0filled mouth. Cho'Gath instantly gagged on them, backing away and allowing Draven to start loosening the spikes holding him.

"What could you creatures even want from him? He's not as talented as Draven, he just owes Swain money," Draven said, buying himself time to work out one of the spikes. Cho'Gath kept struggling with the axes in his mouth, so Draven continued. "Or is this some deal to get some tickets to my next show?" Draven asked, his ego always getting the better of him.

Cho'Gath, finally able to get the axes out of his mouth, looked at the human and shook his head. "You humans seem to think only about yourselves. Heldian has access to a power beyond your little shows. And when the time is right, the Void will claim it for our own." Cho'Gath said, turning away from Draven and heading for Bane's location.


"You've gotten stronger, I'll give you that Heldian," Swain said, holding Bane in front of him with his massive talons. Having transformed into his demonic anthropomorphic bird form, Swain had dominated Bane with a mere flap of his obsidian wings. He stared at Bane through his six eyes, studying his thoroughly beaten enemy. "But you limit yourself; even now, trapped in my grasp again, you refuse to let loose your full power. You even hide the marks on your face and try and act normal."

"I told you to shut up about that," Bane said weakly, his hands grasping at the talons holding him in the air. He looked around as best he could and saw that both Vi and Cho'Gath were approaching, Draven chasing after Cho'Gath while yelling something obscene as usual. Good, they're safe. Just gotta trick him again... Bane thought, focusing his energy.

Let me play again Bane. You can't do this without our power.

You fuck off as well. Bane thought, before biting into Swain's talon hard. This caught Swain off guard, dropping Bane to the ground with an angry squawk. Swain changed back to his regular form, holding his bit hand to his chest, glaring at Bane with anger and frustration in his eyes.

"So, are you willing to take my bet again Swain?" Bane questioned, spitting on the ground to get the taste of raven out of his mouth. He tossed a small timer onto the ground in front of Swain. 'Three minutes. If I and my companions all get out of here in three minutes, you leave me alone for another year. Agreed?"

Swain looked at Bane quizzically before laughing through his scarf. "Huh huh huh. Only those in a position of power can bargain. With what I have at my disposal-"

"Then you accept?" Bane said, panting slightly. Come on, take the bait...

Swain considered for a moment, and then turned into his demonic bird form once more. "Fine, I accept. I will force you into my service before dragging you make to Noxus."

"Not if my friends have anything to say about it," Bane taunted, raising his right fist and pointing his thumb down.

Vi, seeing Bane give the signal, powered up both of her gauntlets and slammed them onto the ground, sending out a massive shockwave. Cho'Gath, having known it was coming, was able to jump it, while Draven was tossed to the ground. Vi and Cho'Gath stood around Bane as Swain approached them.


Swain looked at the three people who dared to oppose him. Vi, who was most likely Bane's newest lover. Cho'Gath, the damned Void monster who must have been talked into this by the child-like Kog'Maw, who Swain knew Bane had befriended. And Bane Heldian, the man who survived Val Nero's experiment and took much of Noxus's funding and ran after insulting the city that bore him.

I must have his power for my own. The other city-states cannot have a chance at it. Swain thought, beginning to channel his Nevermove onto the area where the three were standing together. Hearing a large rumbling behind him, Swain stopped, knowing his Nevermove would hold them for a while, and turned to see Darius falling through the wall bearing the Noxian crest, a massive man wrapped in metal bands having tackled Darius through it. The new comer grabbed a pair of one-handed chainsaws before laughing out loud.

"Mwa hah hah hah! Is that the best Noxus can offer? Zaun is so much better than this!" Jackson yelled out, kicking Darius as he climbed free. Draven, having climbed back onto his feet, began running over to his fallen brother. "Heh heh heh, are you next little man?" Jackson asked, grinning as he ran towards Draven, both men spinning their saws.

"Jackson, enough! The bets been made, time to leave!" Bane called out from behind Swain, still being held by Swain's Nevermove, but the talons were weakening. Swain looked over his shoulder to see Bane's fist was now pointing thumb up, and Cho'Gath was now smirking on that distorted face of his.

"Fuck you Six, I'll leave when I'm ready!" Jackson yelled back, dodging a thrown axe before shoving Draven back. Bane merely shrugged, which seemed to anger Jackson even more. Jackson then felt the much larger axe of Darius dig in his back followed by one from Draven. Looking to Bane, Jackson sighed. "Fine, I'm outta here," Jackson said, running towards them.

Swain watched Darius and Draven attempt to follow Jackson, only to be trap in place by rings of light. Another man appeared in front of them wearing white scale armour white dragonflies on it. The man held a massive, reflective shield in front of him that sent a rainbow coloured beam of light off of it right past Swain's face, blinding him for a moment.

When Swain could see again, the man in armour was gone, Darius and Draven were on the ground, and Jackson was standing behind Bane, Vi and Cho'Gath. Jackson had wrapped his chains around the others, Vi's gauntlets were turning red, Cho'Gath stomped on the ground, and Bane was standing there with that damned smirk on his face.

"Enough with your tricks Heldian! You belong to Noxus, now and forever!" Swain screeched, losing his focus and he grabbed for Bane, not noticing the shaking in the ground.

A sudden rumbling in the ground beneath Swain announced the arrival of Skarner, who quickly pierced Swain with his crystal stinger, immobilizing Swain inches from Bane. Swain had to stand there as Bane stuck out his tongue and waved at him.


"Bye Swain, see you in a year to try again," Bane taunted, nodding to Skarner, who pulled Swain back a few feet. "Thanks Skarner, but you better run once we take off, he won't be happy."

"Naturally Heldian, good luck in your escape," Skarner replied with a wave of his claw.

"Alright, hit it Cho'Gath," Bane instructed, crossing his arms in front of his chest, fists near his shoulders.

"I hate this plan of yours almost as much as I hate you, Six," Jackson muttered under his breath as Cho'Gath stomped on the ground, sending Jackson high into the air.

"Suck it up princess!" Vi yelled as she upper cut Jackson, moving at a much faster speed than she normally did, to her surprise. Jackson flew towards the ceiling of the cathedral, his chains coming to their limit and pulling Bane, Vi, and Cho'Gath into the air after him.

Only with his power would this be possible, and he knows it. Bane thought as he trailed behind the others, watching as Swain broke free from Skarner's spell, only for the Crystal Vanguard to dive back into the tunnel he emerged from.

Bursting through the roof, Bane had to grab for the edge of the hole Jackson's body had made, Vi pulling him up the last bit. Jackson was already giving Cho'Gath that look, wanting to keep fighting. But when Kha'Zix appeared behind Jackson, tapping on his shoulder, Jackson backed off slightly.

"Alright, Cho'Gath and Kha'Zix, I'll send you back to the Void Manor first," Bane said, charging up a large Portal spell. After a moment, the tunnel between the two time-spaces was established. "Be quick, this is hard to do."

"Of course Bane." "Good hunting Heldian."

The two void creatures quickly made their way into the portal, which closed after a few seconds. Bane fell to one knee, the energy required to hold that spell taking its toll. Vi helped Bane get back on his feet while Jackson laughed.

"I'll be fine. You're next Vi. Jackson, why aren't you running back to Zaun yet?"

Jackson pointed one of his chainsaws at Bane, the chain beginning to revolve once more. "You used me again Six. I don't care if Nine asked me to, I'm carving you up now!"

Jackson went to step forward, only to see Bane looking at him with only his right eye. The iris had changed to that scary dark crimson colour again, the area around his eye glowing as well.

"Don't fuck with me now Eight," Bane said in a very tense voice. "Use your damned Double Infinite and get the hell out of here before I-"

Jackson's forehead beneath his cloth wrappings glowed a calm green, the outlines of an infinite symbol overlaying a number eight appearing through them. "Gone," Jackson interrupted with a growl, before he turned and thundered off the rooftop.

Bane covered his eye before he faced Vi, who looked torn between anger, confusion and concern. "Bane, what the hell is going on? All of this fighting, the people with numbers for names..."

"Later Vi, I don't have much strength," Bane replied, teleporting VI back to the Institute of War before she could refuse.

Bane fell on to both knees, darkness in the corners of his vision. Damn, I was so close. Bane thought as he heard the screech sound of Swain fly through the hole Jackson had made. Swain landed on the opposite side of the hole from Bane.

"Times almost up Heldian, and there's no one left here to save you,"

"Not true..." the faint voice of Nine sounded behind Bane's right ear. '"Time to go home."


Swain, unable to see anything more than a faint silhouette behind Bane, could only look on in anger as Bane faded from sight in front of his eyes. Returning to his human form, Swain cursed under his breath as he adjusted his scarf.

"That man has the luck of the Devil, Grand General."

"True, Miss Couteau. And you kept your word, so I will keep mine with his."


Arriving back at the Void Manor, Cho'Gath and Kha'Zix were greeted by Dorian, , who presented Cho'Gath with another suit. "I hope things went well tonight sirs," Dorian said, passing a lit pipe to Cho'Gath and a rag to Kha'Zix, who had a great deal of blood on his scythes and face.

"Oh absolutely dear boy! It was wonderful to get out and exercise, wouldn't you say Zix?"

Kha'Zix merely looked at Cho'Gath and Dorian, then turned and began to walk to his quarters, only for Kog'Maw to come running into him.

"Zix! Zix! I found you!" Kog'Maw exclaimed. Kog'Maw tilted his head, looking at all the blood Kha'Zix was covered in. "No fair, you had meat, I want meat!" Kog'Maw cried, rolling on the ground crocodile tears pooling in his eyes.

"It appears he forgot all about Heldian's treats, or Heldian himself for the time. Dorian, please take Kog'Maw to the dinning room. I must speak with Malzahar," Cho'Gath asked as he turned and headed another direction. Dorian bowed smartly before helping the Mouth of the Abyss to his feet.

"Come now, sir, I'm sure we can get you something from the kitchen."


"I want answers Dini, and I want them now!" the women in the shadows yelled at Dini. Dini merely stood there, polishing his bracers.

"The Noxian Embassy is a war zone, there have been unauthorized teleportations, and a massive number of corpses. I told you, Heldian was not to escape without your help, and you were to deliver him to me!"

"He got out on his own, right in front of Swain's beak. Nothing I could do, even if I was going to," Dini replied, turning on his heel and walking out of the alleyway. "Oh, and the Justicars are curious as to your obsession with Bane, so you best talk to them before you give me more empty threats," Dini called over his shoulder.

The women in the shadows cursed, muttering to herself about useless subordinates and impeding superiors. I will know the truth, and I will punish the one who deals with the Infernal.


Wow, that was longer than I planned. I felt like I could never tie everything together to end it. Hopefully I met all your expectations while showing a bit of where Bane's heading, as well as a bit of his past and weaknesses. Let me know what you think.

-Bane Draconus