The main reason why I started this fanfic lies in too game-ish summoners and amount of Champions that just don't fit the original lore of Runeterra in my humble opinion. I think Riots closed JoJ because they couldn't figure out how to end main story-lines without killing someone and closing League, which meant no more game, no community playing it and no people buying skins and stuff.
I know AU has many cons and feel like I'm doing something wrong (except the lack of action, OOCness and things like that). So here's a bit of information for your better understanding.
- Following events are parallel to those happening during 21-22 CLE in canonic world.
- There was a suggestion to create League two decades ago, but shit happened and no league was formed (different explanations later). However, the pact was forged because of raising strange activities southern Great Barrier. For twelve years city-states were guarding Morgon's Pass side by side, but then the union splat up.
- I left mostly all canonic conflicts on their places, because I see them as the most interesting part of LoL lore with countless details to speculate on. But, circumstances and later events were changed. Thus we've got the Queen-question in Freljord yet to be solved, occupation of Ionia continuing and Demacia gathering strengh to destroy 'the root of all evils', Noxus, while it is weakened by it's own overaggressive policy.
- Kalamanda. The greatest shit happened to Kalamanda. Clash between Prince Jarvan IV and General Jericho Swain turned into a short war, which lasted only two weeks and ended with horrible destruction known as Kalamandian Chaostorm. Details will be added to later chapters
- Of course characters that were supposed to be Champions have got a different fate. For example, Katarina is building promising career in Noxian military and Ashe is having more problems with gathering tribes, lacking respect of the tribe of Ice Dervish. Cassiopeia never left the household since altering. Talon continued his investigation, in August returning to Noxus instead of joining League. Guess where it led him, he-he-he. There're more Champions whose fate altered, but I'll leave their stories for future chapters.
No time left for hesitating
Good morning, starshine. The earth says hello!
'Where does this come from? Such a stupid line.'
That was the first thing (definitely stupid one) Talon thought that morning. He opened his eyes to close them again, because the light was too bright to his unpleasure. Finally he got used to it, and then assassin discovered another curious fact. It snowed. Windowsill was buried under four inches of snow.
'Wow. I guess it has been a long night.'
He tried to move under his covers, that seemed to become twice heavier overnight. The whole body was numb, only skin slightly tingled. Weakness appeared to be even worse than day ago.
'Holy shit,' he thought, inhaling.
Assassin lied motionless and with no thoughts for an hour, looking at the snowfall. Then his stomach roared for food and Talon considered that it was about time servants should come with breakfast, but nobody came. He returned to his attempts to move, and at first they were fruitless. But then he threw off a plaid, got rid of many covers under it, and, exited, found himself staring his legs. Were these really his legs? These limbs, sticking out of his nightshirt, didn't look like his. But, heavens, he felt them and they felt like sticks.
'When have I became so skinny?'
The fact was extremely unpleasant, but it was not a shock. Actually, Talon was only surprised by such a sudden change, his muscles had not been so atrophied recently.
He stretched his feet a little, thinking about several months of tiring trainings ahead, when a single guess stuck him into the head.
'Vladimir, that idiot, he has got something to do with this.'
Although Vlad had warned him about possibilities even worse than this, he surely was the one responsible for Talon's current condition.
'Very, very awkward condition,' assassin thought to himself looking at bunch of blankets on the floor. He started feeling chill, let alone how disgusting he found his skinny form. He, Talon, the one who had always claimed to be the strongest, thus given the holy right to do whatever he pleases to. However, General Du Couteau had given him a flick on the very first encounter. And an offer he couldn't refuse.
Suddenly the door opened with a creak and housemaid entered the room. Noticing something (someone) wrong, she froze up with her jaw dropped.
'As if she faced a ghost. Oh shit, covers!'
"Get the f-f-hell out!" Talon yelled, 'And don't stare at my... sticks.'
Before he could find any reason decent enough to be voiced, maid fled without even closing the door. A minute later the room was flooded with people. Cassiopeia, who glided in first, threw all the covers over Talon's weak body, sparing him from curious stares. She knew this feeling well and for the first time he was happy of the fact.
"No help is needed here," she said, but servants stood still, "Jennie, go and make clear soup. Dismis-s-sed. ALL."
Her clawed hand closed the door.
"Good morning, s-sleeping beauty. Yesterday we started to wonder if you were going to sleep forever," her words could make a good joke, but the tone was serious, "You have been lying unconscious for two weeks and nobody could explain why. Again."
'So it was really long night,' thought Talon.
"Maybe you have got something to tell about?"
'Oh no, she is going to switch the cutthroat-bitch-mode on.'
"Maybe you should ask someone else? Vladimir, for example," he spat out. Cassiopeia looked bewildered.
"Who's-s-s Vladimir?" she finally asked, losing control over her voice. Her hissing meant that she didn't lie. And it was time for Talon to be confused. Another guess stuck in his head.
'Oh no.'
"Nobody important. Just my imaginary companion."
"Please, spare me from your lame jokes. I'm certain Kat'll be happy to know that you finally discovered o bit of humor sense, but don't try practicing on me."
"I'd better stay silent then. But... where's Katarina?"
"She's attending High Command's meeting with Zaunite."
"I see..."
"You slept too much, Talon. But I'm glad you're back. Don't leave us anymore."
The door closed behind her without a squeak.
'So, it has been two weeks. Nearly three weeks I was lying bedridden after another five weeks of being unconscious. I guess I have got a day to call a Birthday.'
.
The newborn made his first step three days later and Katarina witnessed this proud moment.
"So, you've finally found out how you move your legs," she commented from the doorstep, tired grin on her face. It was late afternoon and sky outside started darkening.
"Oh, I didn't see you there."
"I've arrived few minutes ago. Just wanted to see myself if..." Katarina entered the room, "You don't waste time, do you?"
"Weakness makes me sick. I look forward to return to mis..."
"No," Katarina suddenly cut off in a stern tone, "We've got much to talk about. I'll see you. Don't push yourself too hard."
'Eh... Okay?'
.
He didn't push himself hard, just kept doing something. Assassin switched between activities during the day, finding this routine somehow pleasurable. He had enough food, plenty of books, the largest amount of spare time, and people gave less than a damn if he was wandering around the household unless he made some noise, which was the most exciting part of his recovering.
This time Talon ended up in a quiet corner beside a big window. He always carried a book to read, well aware of his capabilities.
This time it was one of those books Cassiopeia had brought him weeks ago. At first Talon forced himself through it, because love-stories were something he couldn't understand at all. It was Cassiopeia, who was cunning temptress with little girl craving for love and knights deep inside, not him.
But soon Talon sensed that something was wrong with this story. In books about love and roses sweet couples didn't die, and in this novel unknown evil killed lovers in a cold blood. The main character was afraid, but continued her investigation. Soon she came to conclusion, that couples were not so perfect, as they looked. In the end she turned into maniac's fan and arranged meeting.
'...the inn was empty, and the room 24 was not different. Elia stepped in warily, noticing something on the floor. It was cleaver, and woman lift it from the floor to examine it. Cleaver felt warm and light and it fit perfectly in her little hands. She couldn't let it go...'
It was only two paragraphs left, and for the first time Talon felt excited while reading.
'...Heartreaper fooled her and Elia was slightly disappointed at this fact. But then she looked at the window embroidered with ice and smiled. 'Hypocrites are yours' was written on the frosted glass.'
Talon grew fond of fiction.
.
This evening dinner was served in the hall downstairs and it seemed to be the first time Du Couteau sisters were eating together in months. And the only civilian clothes he had for such occasion didn't fit him. Talon wondered if things could be shittier.
"Good evening, Talon," Cassiopeia greeted him from her big comfortable armchair. It was the last present of General Marcus Du Couteau, no wonder that lamia used it on very special occasions.
"I'm so pleased to see our little family reunited," Katarina said peacefully, taking a sip from her wineglass. Talon nodded. He liked being counted as a family member. Thanks to sisters Du Couteau, he was still alive.
"So, Kat, how are you doing?" asked Cassiopeia, adding in a low voice, "Tell him."
Talon knew this game. If there was a place in Du Couteau's household where secrets were safe, it was in this very hall. Table was placed in the middle of it, distance between it and any wall enough to make impossible any sort of spying. Floor under their feet was shielded by some rare magic, and Talon could recall at least three times Marcus ordered servants to uncover parquet flooring to place vermin barriers. Talon knew what type of vermin General fought with such assiduity. He had been one of those rats from the sewers once, crawling in every hole that fit his body structure. That's how rats survive, and, since General had shown him, he knew that spies were no different.
"This autumn was fussy, you know. Especially because of Darkwill being such a dumb jerk. High Command faced a problem it refused to admit for a long time. People are dying faster, than grow up. We have got three wars to continue after a winter break and they're expensive. Noxus can't afford it. Storm in Kalamandra proved that."
"Ionia and Demacia want Bandle City to join their assignment. Guess what is coming after it," continued Cassiopeia, "Freljordians, however, are too busy arguing who'll be the ruler. But they're reuniting, Talon. And if their s-s-self-proclaimed queen, that has already got s-s-support of barbarians, will be accepted by people of all three tribes, Noxus will meet even more problems-s..."
"I know."
"You do, yes-s. But can you see consequences of such events?"
"Whole Valoran turning it's blades against Noxus," he muttered, "Predictable."
Katarina nodded.
"The sort of Noxian diplomacy we were taught as assassins doesn't work anymore."
They ate in silence. Talon made himself swallow stew, thinking about all things that he had been told today. Why would Kat say him anything but information he needed to do his work?
"I'll go upstairs-s-s," said Cassiopeia, leaving her armchair, "Good night, my dears-s-s."
"I suppose I should go, too," Talon raised from the table.
"No. You stay with me."
'She keeps getting better with orders.'
"Shaelah! Come, show us your talent," Katarina cried out loud. A girl appeared on the little stage on the top of stairs, carrying violin, lute and flute. She set on a chair and began playing all instruments at the one time. Talon watched the little six-handed musician with confusion. He had been to Zaun only few times to get used to such creatures... people... whatever they were.
Redhead got up and took his hand.
"Little genius from Zaun. I saw her at the stage of local bar. You know, I'm not the one enjoying arts, but there was something in her... I wonder if Cassiopeia will like a little friend I brought her."
"Why did you let her leave, then?"
"I wanted to ask you first."
"Why? I'm not her sister."
"Of course you are not her sister," Katarina grinned.
'So, she knew about our little affair. Affairs.'
"Oh yes. Now, dance with me."
"Wha... No, I can't."
"I'll teach you. Stop fighting and move along."
Talon felt extremely awkward, his legs tangling, as General's daughter started circling across the floor. Their steps sounded loud in hollow hall, and he could even distinguish his own shuffling.
"That's how most of idiots from High Command dance," she whispered with joy and kicked Talon in the knee lightly, "And that's how I make them regret it. Relax."
"Why should I learn dancing? I am assassin."
"I know who you're, Talon. We have been working together for years."
"Why, then?"
"I was seven when I said father that I wanted to play with knives, not with dolls and dresses. It happened during the dance lesson; Alastea was showing us how to waltz. I didn't want to learn it, dancing was solidly connected with dresses and other pink thingies in my head. But father took my hand in his and said: "You see only one side of this art. Now, look." And then he threw a dagger towards my dancing sisters. Before I could even let a cry out, Alastea stepped aside, evading steel with grace and ease. I was astonished. And, you know what?"
Talon bested his pace, but completely lost his mind as Katarina was speaking.
"What?"
She laughed.
"I never gave up on dancing since then! Dance with me and you'll regain your agility faster than you can imagine."
"I see."
People had used to say that he looked brooding on such occasions, but he felt stupid and was sure he acted even more stupid. There was a smell of something unsaid in the air, and the fact made him anxious. Katarina looked no better.
"You wanted to ask something more important, I guess," he muttered at least.
'I'm definitely not good with words.'
"Right. Thank you," she took a pause to make up her mind and spoke, "I had much to think about recently. You know, Kalamandian Chaostorm, Ionian campaign, strange things happening in High Command..."
He knew. Katarina had earned some fame during these events and had been promoted to Colonel of the Noxian military with right to attend High Command meetings not as someone's daughter (even if someone was one of the most respected Generals) but an officer. Keiran Darkwill insisted her to be moved under his direct superiority and evil tongues talked that Katarina seduced late Great General's son.
"Ever since my father disappeared," continued Katarina, "you always covered my back, even if my troubles had nothing to do with your investigation. You claimed you wanted to find father, but didn't bother do explain why..."
"You can just ask," said Talon. He was not the sort of person to appreciate praises.
"Well... Talon, all this time I've been wandering where your loyalties really lie. And, taking into account events of past few months, I need to know your intentions for sure."
The moment later he knew that he stood frozen to the spot. Katarina was there, too, her gaze prying.
'If only I knew...'
A sudden spasm painfully twisted his foot, forcing him to sit and break eye contact. Pause was filled with uneasiness.
"To be honest..." began Talon, confused with his own voice sounding so false, "I never thought abou... well, I did, but I couldn't decide. So I just did what I did."
'I'd better be mute, really.'
Katarina sat down in the chair and took a sip from bottle of wine, not bothering to fill her wineglass.
"Make up your mind, Talon. Playtime went out when you got almost killed. Your investigation crossed someone's interests."
"Swain's."
"Right. The question is not about my trust, I'd believe you anyway. Silly me. The question is about our family and it's place in this game. Think twice before giving an answer."
She left him in the hall before he could bring words together. There was so much to say and very little worth Katarina's time, because assassin was extremely bad with words. To think twice, he unwillingly lied, because he had known the answer long ago.
Thanks for reading.