Through school, different time zones and sickness we've gone through to get this to you guys! I'm glad you guys are liking it so far, we all are. When we last saw these characters, Helios and Selene made their grand entrance...let's see how everyone handles it!

Chapter II

Zack and Dianne stared at the newcomers in awe and...a bit of confusion. Who were they? Where did they come from? And why in the worlds did one of them come dressed in what looked to be some cheap, tacky swimming trunks from Earth?

"Do you know them?" Zack asked, looking at Dianne.

"Nope…" Death's Chosen answered, tilting her head quizzically before looking at the shaking Solari.

It wasn't from strain or fear in which she was trembling. Leona looked very, very angry.

"How...dare…you," Leona hissed, her glow so bright it hurt to look at her, "How dare you interrupt this battle! This was not your place! You insult the glory of warfare by interfering and dressed so ludicrously!"

Her gaze turned to the woman and the fire in her eyes got even brighter.

"There is another one?!" she demanded, "I knew we should have put Diana down...her heresy is spreading like a plague…"

"Leona!" Dianne tried, even though in her heart she knew she was not going to succeed, "She's your sister! You can't…"

"I have no siblings!" Leona snarled, whirling on Death herself, "Everyone at the League is addled, particularly their Chos-!"

"Shut up." The newcomer snarled.

The command was quiet, but carried across the entire mountainside.

"You're embarrassing yourself, Leona." He continued, scowling. "It's like listening to a toddler whine, I swear."

She gave a cry of outrage and tried to pick up her sword...but froze, shaking as she looked up, tears streaming from her now stormy blue eyes.

"Help...please…" came the broken, choked whisper as gold tried to flood through the irises.

He blinked, momentarily surprised. "I will." He promised. "Just hang tight."

His scowl returned, as he focused back on the rest of his audience. "And as for all of you," He spat, "look at this. LOOK AT IT!" He spread his arms, gesturing to the current situation. "WHAT IS EVEN THE POINT OF ALL OF THIS SHIT?! FOR THE LOVE OF GODS, JUST WHY?!"

No one spoke, the Targonians had declared it first...but both sides were at equal fault for this war.

"That's what I thought." He narrowed his eyes disapprovingly. "And as for YOU!" He pointed at Leona. "Do you even have a spine?"

The shaking Solari Chosen shook her head, violently, fighting hard to stay in control.

"Not...her fault…"

The Targonians and Demacians stared at the two in mixtures of horror, shock and pity. Horror that the Solari Matron, once terrifying was now brought to this shaking creature. Shock from the bold statement from the newcomer to said Solari Matron. Pity at the pain the woman seemed to be going through as it appeared her insanity was just a piece of her that truly wasn't who she was.

"I know it isn't." He replied, his gaze unwavering. "But I've got a lot of pent-up rage right now, and I don't really know any other way to get through to her. So for now, this'll have to do."

"So come on Leo, answer me." He said. "Do you or do you not have a spine?"

The blue eyes turned agonized and defeated as they faded to gold and an ugly snarl twisted across her features.

"I do…" she growled, her hand curling around the hilt of her sword, "But let's see if you do as well!"

She started to stand, beginning her swing…

"Sit - down." He glared.

Leona's legs buckled, her sword falling from her hand as she dropped to her hands and knees. There was suddenly an intense pressure on her back, forcing her to remain rooted to the spot no matter how hard she resisted.

Her form flickered, her hair flashing from red to white and back again as her projector glitched from pressure. Her head cocked to the side as if she were listening to something before she shook her head rapidly.

"Shut up. Shut up. SHUT UP!" she screeched to seemingly no one in particular before glaring heatedly at the newcomer.

He paid her cries no mind. "You claim you have a spine, Leona?" He asked. "Then why the hell did you start a war BECAUSE OF A PETTY INSULT?!"

She gave no reply.

"Frankly, I'm at a loss for words." He continued. "Are you really so insecure that you would declare war as soon as someone questions your ethics?" He whistled. "I have seen a lot of wars happen for stupid reasons in my lifetime, but damn, this easily takes the top spot."

"You've disgraced my name." He said.

"Helios-" The other newcomer tried to interrupt, but he wasn't stopping.

"You've disgraced the Solari."

"Helios-"

"You've disgraced your Chosen."

"Helios-"

"And you've disgraced yourself most of all."

"HELIOS!" She shouted.

"WHAT?!" He whipped his head around to face her. "I'M BUSY!"

She raised an eyebrow, then pointed downwards at his waist.

"Eh?" He looked at where she was gesturing.

His expression froze, his scowl awkwardly twisted.

He blinked twice, then looked up at the crowd, the reality of the situation suddenly presented to him.

"Now...I'm going to ask all of you a question, and I need you to answer me honestly." He said. "Have I been wearing these the whole time I've been chewing her out?"

Nods from the Champions and Chosens, as well as a good portion of the armies.

He forcefully exhaled into a sigh. "Yeah, that sounds about right." He chuckled. "To be honest, I was kind of wondering why the air felt so brisk." He straightened his swim trunks with a sheepish grin. "I guess now we know why, eh?"

He looked over at Leona with disdain. "I'll deal with you in a minute." He strode over to where Jarvan lay on the ground, bending down as he extended an arm with a smile.

"Jarvan, Zack." He said humorously. "You look like you two could use a hand."

The King of Demacia and his Chosen blinked slightly before taking the arm.

"How do you…"

He winked. "I'll get to that part later."

The confusion still didn't leave...but he gave a nod.

"There we go!" He pulled him up, with surprisingly little effort. "Now, who else is here…"

He walked down to the gathered champions, who stood in a line as they eyed him wearily, weapons drawn. However, he only just strolled alongside them, almost as if he was inspecting them.

"Let's see…" He said. "Garen, Kaiden, how's Gabriel doing? Lucian, Jonathan, say hi to Jay for me when you get home, will you? Fiora, Victoria, hey that rhymes, neat. Vayne, Valencia, Quinn, Seluna, how's little Caleb? Kayle, Ryo, Xin, Lex, Sona, Brigit…" He froze, coming to a stop as he reached Shyvana.

"...Shyvana, Sonja…" He shook his head, moving on. The pause was noticeable, but no one was in the mood to question it. "Lux, Amelia, Galio, Stan…" He looked up at the Colossus at the mention of his name, giving him a small wave. "Taric, Ruben, Hailey, Aurelion…" He mock-sternly looked up at the cosmic dragon, wagging a finger. "I'm still mad from that stunt you pulled a while back, naughty you. You're lucky that I wasn't allowed to intervene then, otherwise I would've thrown a fit."

"I put you back on your axis...aren't you happy enough…" Aurelion grumbled.

"Not by a long shot, buddy." He smirked. "Though I must admit, it's good to see you again, you old reptile. How's Chosen life suiting you?"

"To be fair, she is one of the only humans who is tolerable…" Aurelion huffed, "The others being Ares and Vesper,"

"Well, how about that." He hummed. "Progress."

"Dianne, Lamb, Wolf, what's going on?" He asked. "We've never met, Dianne, but Kindred could probably explain things."

"And then of course, we have Cira, Leona, Pantheon and Arthur." He cast a sympathetic glance at the Targonian warriors, who were looking none too happy at the moment.

"Right!" He clapped his hands together. "Good to see that most of the gang's here!"

"Most?" Amelia asked, "Why do you want us here?"

"Eh, I actually didn't know about any of this until I got word of it a few minutes ago." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Sorry about all of this, by the way."

"So...can you tell us who exactly you are and why are you wearing cheap swim trunks from a tourist trap store?" Victoria questioned.

He blinked, turning on his heels to face her. "...Good question, actually." He cast a sidelong glance at his companion. "I suppose proper introductions are in order."

He snapped his fingers. Flames burst to life around him, engulfing his body in a miniature inferno from the neck down. They solidified and hardened, until they were in the form of gold and maroon armor, similar to what Leona wore. The major differences were the alterations in design (it appeared to take a slight inspiration from Ionian armor), and the cape that flowed at the back, maroon in color but wreathed in flames.

In his hand rested a double-bladed axe, flat at the top and bearing intricate solar designs along the flat. He placed the blade on the ground, resting the palms of his hands on the pommel.

"Hi. My name is Helios." He grinned. "And I'm the sun."

Shock flitted across Leona's face...Aurelion shook his massive head and chuckled.

"Always still one for the dramatic, aren't you, little Helios?"

"You're one to talk." Helios smirked. "Quit calling the kettle black, pot. You know very well where I got this attitude from."

Aurelion's eyes flickered a darker shade of blue.

"He got you there, Sass-Lord…" Hailey snickered, "Oh don't be like that...you like that title. I know you do…"

"You see that, Aurelion? You just got wrekd." Helios said.

"...I am beginning to miss the days where your backtalk never happened, Hailey," Aurelion huffed, taking control again, "...Of course I still tolerate you...no I never said that word Hailey Cannon…'love' is a...child, you are trying my patience…"

"If only I could vine this." Helios snickered. "I'd be getting millions of hits within hours."

"You wouldn't dare!" Aurelion growled, "I will take you off your axis again, Helios...don't push me,"

"TRY ME." Helios replied. "I'm on official business for the Boss Man, big guy. You wanna get in his way, by all means. In the meantime, I am going to meme like there's no tomorrow, so screw what you think."

"Oh my gods…" His companion facepalmed. "He's not here ten seconds and he's already doing it again."

"I heard that." Helios said. "And where's your introduction, hm?"

"Right. Apologies." She replied, clearing her throat. "My name is Selene. I am the moon, and Helios's sister." She gave a small flourish with a bow. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"...Why could you not have turned out like her…" Aurelion sighed.

"Because then that'd be boring." He cheekily grinned. "I've got a life to live, and I intend to life it to the fullest."

He froze, blinking. "Wait…" He turned and realized that the armies were still watching them. "Oh, that's what I was forgetting. Right." He sweatdropped. "Probably not a good time, is it?"

"And why haven't you said anything?" He asked Leona. "I would've thought you'd be freaking out right n- ohhhhh, right. I forced your mouth shut with gravity. My bad." He made a motion with his fingers, as if he was opening something up, and suddenly she could speak again.

"You...can't be…" she hissed finally, "It's not possible...why?! Why did you leave me like this?"

One could see the faint flicker of blue through her eyes on the last bit of her outrage, there was still a sliver of the old Radiant Dawn still there...along with her Chosen.

He sighed, a pained expression on his face. "I didn't want to. I'm sorry. I didn't have a choice."

"But, the time for apologizing isn't now. In fact, now's the time to knock you out!" He declared. His form blurred, and suddenly he was behind her, a hand raised.

"JUDO CHOP!" He yelled, with a...British accent, of all things...and she slumped to the ground, unconscious.

She hit the ground, form sputtering for a moment before settling. The Solari and their honor guard all raised an outraged cry.

"How dare…" one of them started only to get shushed by another soldier.

"If he is who he says he is...angering him isn't the best idea," the second one warned, "He gave his blessing to her...he's in the right with whatever he chooses to do with her,"

"Thank you, random Rakkor person!" Helios said, pointing at him with both index fingers in gratitude. "You da real MVP!"

"Erm...Helios?" Selene coughed. "His name is Asterios. He's one of mine."

"Hey!" Helios complained. "Spoilers!"

"Asterios...you're one of the heretics?" the first Solari demanded.

"If following the sun puts someone like that into power, I am glad to be Lunari," Asterios snapped, "I have been for a long time...the Lunari aren't bloodthirsty like you led us to believe. They...they're actually quite kind and gentle…"

"Hey, uh, excuse me?" Helios said, directed at the Solari warrior. "Uh, yeah, hi. She's standing right there, you know." He gestured to his sibling, who was less than amused.

The Solari paled, but Asterios came forwards and gave a bow to Selene.

"I just wanted to thank you, my lady, for giving me someone I care more than life about," he told her, "They're just blinded...they don't understand,"

"Sadly." Selene hummed, frowning. "I must thank you, Asterios. You, Astra and Diana have done me a great service by keeping the Lunari alive."

Pwip-pwip-pwip.

"Helios." Selene deadpanned.

"Yes, dear sister?" He asked innocently.

"Why are you recording a video of that poor man's terrified face with your phone?" She said.

"Because I'm going to upload it and make a vine. Duh." He replied, unabashed.

"We're in the middle of an emotional moment." She said, exasperated. "You're ruining it."

"Meh, the readers probably aren't taking this thing seriously anyways. They're probably choking right now, honestly."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Also - we're kidnapping him too!" Helios pointed at Pantheon.

"Wait, what-" came the Artisan's sputter.

"JUDO CHOP!"

Pantheon slumped to the ground as Leona had, unconscious.

"Damn it Helios!" Selene exclaimed. "I thought I told you to show restraint!"

"You did. I lied when I agreed." He replied cheerily.

"Why does that not surprise me…" Aurelion sighed, "I knew I used too much helium when creating you…"

"Why, because I'm air-headed?" He asked, with a shit-eating grin.

A collective groan went up.

He cackled maniacally.

"Even Cira, were she able to respond, would groan at that, Helios…"

"That reminds me." He walked over to Leona's body, picking it up and slinging it over his shoulder with one hand. "We should probably get going." He glanced at Selene over his shoulder. "Mind taking Pantheon for me?"

She sighed. "Naturally, I get the heavy ones."

"You'd be surprised at how heavy all this hot air is." He patted Leona's back for emphasis. "Combined with cybernetic enhancements, it's not anything to laugh at." He flicked his free hand, and the Targonians' weapons floated up alongside him, diligently following as he walked up to the Demacian champions.

He paused, turning to look at Jarvan, who just stood there, flabbergasted.

"Well? Come on. Let's go." Helios said.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Let's - go - to - Demacia. What else?" He replied. He looked back at the mountain, frowning. "This isn't a good place to try and fix things."

He fished out his phone, scrolling through the contacts and placing it to his ear. "Hey, Zoe, you there? Need a favor. Can you pick up Diana and Mir for me? We're meeting at J4's place. 'Kay, thanks. See you then!"

Jarvan raised his voice, ordering the army to fall back and go home. The Targonians silently stood there, wondering what in the world they had just seen...and what they were to do now that their leaders had been incapacitated…

"Oi! What're you all still standing around for?" Helios asked. "Get out of here! Shoo!" He flicked his head at Asterios and Aurelion. "You're coming with us, too. We need you both for this, and I can't imagine that you want to stay here either."

Asterios gave a nod and started towards Demacia with the others as Aurelion gave a small huff but took off as well.


"Wakey wakey!" Helios's voice said.

The Radiant Dawn's eyes slowly fluttered open...a deep, stormy-blue.

"...Is it...over?" she croaked, eyes tearing up, "Is...is she ok?"

"Just about." He replied. "For now, at least. Welcome back, Cira."

The First Chosen gave a weak smile...right as a blur of orange, violet and turquoise leaped at her.

"MAMA!" Vesper wailed, hugging Cira around the neck, "Mama…"

Cira's tears fell even harder as she stroked the Aspect of Twilight's hair, bringing her closer.

"I missed you too...Vesper," she murmured before looking at Helios, "...I'm so sorry...I couldn't...I couldn't control her…"

"It's not your fault." He replied. "If anything, it's mine. I should've been there for you when you needed me to be. I'm sorry."

"If I had just said no to her in the very beginning...maybe this could have been avoided…"

"What? No!" He rebutted. "This was out of your control. It isn't Leo's fault, either. We both know what happened, Cira." He winced. "Can you still, uh...feel her in there?"

She nodded, a faint strain in her neck muscles as a trace of gold appeared in her eyes.

"She isn't happy...then again...she never is. At least...not anymore,"

Helios placed a hand on his chest, feigning indignity. "And even after I managed to get you this room?" He spread his arms, gesturing to the bed Cira was currently laying in. They were in a bedroom of generous size, bearing white wallpaper and a massive set of windows that led to a balcony outside, overlooking Demacia City. There was a living room outside the door, connected to a kitchen and a pantry in the corner. "It took Jarvan some convincing to get you one, too. You're in Demacia right now, at the Citadel of Dawn. The others are waiting for you." His expression turned sheepish. "I...haven't explained everything to them yet."

"Frankly, I'm surprised that things went as smoothly as they did." Selene said, leaning against the wall in the corner. "I would've thought that there would be more kinks in the plan."

"What? You don't trust me to get the job done?" Helios asked. "I'm more than capable of pulling my weight, you know that."

"All you ever do is meme and flirt, Helios." She replied, exasperated.

"That's like saying all Sona does is write songs." He grinned back, unabashed.

"I swear you're almost as bad as my daughter…" Cira sighed tiredly.

He laughed. "I guess I'm not what you were expecting, am I?"

"No...but neither is your sister. I honestly, no offense intended, expected a cold-hearted witch...but I got Selene here...who is just as kind as Mir and Diana...and Astra,"

"Why do you think I chose them in the first place?" Selene raised an eyebrow. "They best reflected my demeanor, and what I represent. The feud between the Solari and Lunari was never intended. It wasn't something we were expecting, actually."

Cira gave a wry grin and looked at Helios.

"So why us," she grinned, "Honestly, I'm not that funny and memes aren't my thing...I have to explain certain cultural things to Leo a few times too...dear Lord don't get her started on aliens...I'm never letting Arthur show her another sci-fi movie again…"

Helios smirked. "Don't you play innocent with me. I know for a fact that you can be pretty coy when you want to be. But that's not the real reason." He trailed off, thinking for a moment. "The two of us made our decisions because, as Selene said, you best represent what we represent." He gestured to himself. "Me? I'm the sun. I'm light. Warmth. Compassion. But at the same time, I'm not somebody you want to piss off. Especially when you hurt someone close to me." He grinned. "Sound familiar?"

She gave an embarrassed smile.

"I...do tend to lose my temper when someone I love is hurt…" she admitted, "Particularly one of my kids...even this little rascal here,"

Vesper gave a grin and gave her mother a kiss before hugging her again, hiding her face in her mother's shoulder.

"I can't say that this'll work forever, though." Helios said, folding his arms and leaning against the doorframe. "This kind of thing's never happened before. Honestly, I'm not even sure why you're back in control. I half-expected Leona to come out hurling death-threats. And wouldn't that have been fun?"

"...You don't hear her right now…" Cira deadpanned, "You broke her momentarily. If this isn't forever...I at least want to spend what time I have left with my family...even…"

Her face fell.

"Oh...that's right...I forgot," Cira whispered, "Not everyone is here…"

She shook her head again, it was for the best they weren't here. If she snapped again…

She looked up at Helios and Selene.

"I think I can walk...I just needed to restart," she started to move, but froze, "Vesper…"

"...Yeeeeessssss?" she asked innocently.

"Oh don't pull that tone with me," Cira scolded, "Are you attempting to hack my mainframe again?"

"Wh-What? NO!" Vesper sputtered.

Cira raised an eyebrow and gave a soft rumbling growl that definitely sounded more machine than human.

"...Ok...maybe just a little..." Vesper admitted, "But I wanted to help you get moving faster!"

"Oh? What ho?" Helios said. "You can hack Cira's mainframe?"

A sinister grin slowly spread across his face. "Good to know…"

"No, she can't...she can try, but she hasn't succeeded," Cira huffed, crossing her arms, "Firewall's too strong to let anyone but Jayce, Viktor and their Chosens in,"

"Challenge accepted, then." Helios replied, stretching out his arms and cracking his fingers. "But, ah, that can wait until later. We've got other stuff to take care of right now."

"I'll be damned." Selene said. "You're actually putting off memes?"

"Only for a little bit." He replied. "Priorities, and all that." He looked over at Cira. "Think you can walk? The others are going to want to meet you. And an explanation."

"I can walk," she nodded, slowly sitting up, wincing as she heard the creaking of the struts that made up her arms and legs, "That is one thing I haven't missed…"

She got out of bed, Vesper hopping off and nearly bouncing up and down next to her.

"We gonna see Daddy?" she asked.

"I'd hope so," Cira told the little girl, gently stroking her head.

"Eh, don't get your hopes up." Helios said sheepishly. "I...might've forgot to mention this, but Pantheon woke up just before I came to see you." He grinned awkwardly. "The others may or may not be, ah...wrestling with him right now. We should probably, uh...you know…"

Cira was already out the door.

He blinked. "Geez, for an old lady, she moves fast."

"Wait for me!" He said, stumbling in his haste to follow, his sister right behind him. He wasn't lying. She could move.

"Damn, I must be out of shape if it's this hard to keep up with her." He muttered. "So much for my six pack…"

"HEY, CIRA!" He called. "They're in the throne room! Jarvan wanted a place he could keep an eye on him while conducting his business! It was kind of a stupid idea, but...yeah, it was a stupid idea. Whoopsies."

She apparently heard him, for she ran in that direction.

"Please be all right…" she thought to herself, "Please come back to me…"

The throne room was round in shape, supported by dozens of white marble pillars that went all the way up to the central dome in the middle. The floors were a polished sapphire shade, banners of the same color adorning the walls. The throne itself stood on a circular dais in the center, flanked by seats for members of the king's court in front of him. Two towering statues of Demacian warriors rose behind it, while in front stood a pair of posts in the shape of enormous wings.

"Damn, Jarvan's got a nice pad." Helios whistled, as the four of them entered. "We gotta do some remodeling to the Solari temple after we -oh my gods…"

Jarvan, along with the rest of the Demacian champions, had apparently given up on conducting any sort of business while Pantheon was subdued. He had broken free of his bindings (which had been applied shortly after arrival) at some point, and was now surrounded, spear and shield in hand.

"Damn it Jarvan, I thought I told you to keep him tied up!" Helios said, slightly exasperated. "I know that he's the Aspect of War, but come on."

"...Arthur…" Cira whispered, slowly walking forwards, "Oh...Lord no…"

"Well, he actually doesn't mess around with this kinda stuff…" Helios muttered under his breath. "But that's not really important right now, so…"

Cira ignored him, walking closer to her husband, who was glaring at the other Champions, daring them to attempt to move towards him. He saw what he thought was Leona and he relaxed slightly, still on edge, but less than before.

"Can you hear me?" she whispered, coming closer, ghosting through the ring of Champions towards the raging Warrior.

"Of course I can hear you," he growled, "I am not deaf,"

"Not you," Cira snapped, coming to a halt mere inches from him, "I am talking to my husband, Pantheon. I want to speak with him,"

"Right, so this is Cira," Helios gestured to her. "She's a friend, and she'll be staying for a while (hopefully), and you probably don't remember her, but I'll get a scrapbook out and show you all the photos I took of your shenanigans together and...I'll stop now."

"This isn't you," she told him, "This soulless shell of war is not the Pantheon I know, just like this heartless religious tyrant isn't the Leona I know. I want the kind, courageous Pantheon that Leona fell in love with...and I know you want the gentle, compassionate Leona that you fell in love with. What I want...I want my husband, Arthur, back, Pantheon. And you will give him to me!"

Tears streaked down her face as she reached for his helmet, he flinched, but made no movement to stop her as she took it off...revealing a handsome, tanned face, a small scar on his cheek from where a dragon had clawed him and curly ebony hair that came to the nape of his neck. She put her hands on his cheeks as the helmet clattered to the floor.

"I'm begging you...please come back to me, Arthur...I'll never ask for anything again…" she pleaded, watching as his eyes flickered with a pure blue and the muscles in his neck twitched, "It might not be for long...but I just...I want to spend what time I have with you...please…"

She kissed him, her tears streaming down so that she could taste them...and then it became stronger as his tears joined. She pulled back in shock just to see the sapphire gaze in Pantheon's face.

"Cira…" Arthur croaked hoarsely before nearly crushing her to his chest, stroking her hair, "Cira...oh God it is you…"

Suddenly, an unearthly growl was heard as figure with a dark, cracked mask appeared in the room. She looked like Dianne, but… An arrow flies through the room, past the reunited couple.

Cira's eyes tracked the arrow and her heart froze as she saw where it was going.

"VESPER!" she shrieked, diving to the little girl and shoving her out of the way…

Taking the arrow in her stead.

"MAMA!" Vesper wailed as the Solari hit the ground with an audible 'oof!'.

Golden eyes glared heatedly at the imposter before fading back to blue.

A second figure appears, panting a bit. A glowing circle appears around the three. "Not here. Not yet," the girl mumbles. Dianne mumbles.

"Mama…" Vesper whispered as Cira pulled the arrow out.

"Agh, Dianne, I'm not sure I want your arrow when it comes…" she joked weakly, "Then again...if this hurts, I don't want to know what Wolf does. Thank you for saving me for once, heh,"

"It hurts because you don't have a Ma-" Dianne paused and slowly turned to see the woman on the ground. The girl rips the mask off of her face, revealing a scar ravaged face, all too similar to how Dianne's had on earth. "Cira…"

"So that's what is under the Kindred's Mask," Cira smiled, "It's good to see you too, Dianne. It's...been a long time,"

The reaper turns away and quickly covers her face with the mask. "It… has." She turns to look at the retreating 'Lamb.' "She attacked me earlier, then ran off. I have no idea who or what she is… I can't tell even her name…"

Vesper bit her lip and gave a soft sound of embarrassment.

"Vesper?" Cira asked, "What is it, Stardust?"

"I know who she is…" Vesper admitted, "I...kinda brought her here when you and Daddy were still cursed and fighting...she's another Dianne Faye...just...from a different world. She got caught up in the Curse and it did somethin' to her,"

"Oh gods, not this again." Helios sighed. "I hate it when there's an interdimensional crisis."

"I didn't know what to do!" Vesper yelled, "My parents are cursed and fighting, what else do you suggest!"

"She does have a point," Seluna said gently, "if any of us were in that situation...I mean...even if Caleb, Gabriel or Jay were in that situation...wouldn't you expect them to do everything they could to help us?"

"I know Gabriel would," Kaiden nodded.

"So would Jay," Jonathan agreed.

"I think you all know where I stand on this, so I don't think I have to make my intentions known." Helios said, folding his arms. He smiled. "Guess things are getting fun again, eh?"

"So...you mean normal," Cira deadpanned, "because crazy seems to be a theme around here,"

She gave a soft hum as she touched her chest, frowning.

"Well, that's new...I guess there is some of the old you still in here after all…" she muttered.

"Is she finally behaving?" Helios asked. "Or does she still have to stay in time-out?"

"She's the one who dived in front of Vesper," Cira explained, "She's currently giving death threats to the other Dianne for trying to hurt our Stardust. I mean she's obviously still psycho but there's still a bit of the Leo I know there...I'd really like to be able to talk to my Champion like I used to be able to,"

"Well, we'll have to figure that part out later." Helios drew his lips into a tight line. "I don't have any bright ideas at the moment."

A cheeky grin spread across his face.

The other Dianne began slowly trying to back away from the larger group.

"...I've seen that grin on Cira's face one too many times...I never like where it goes…" Arthur started, only to get elbowed by his wife, "Ow! You have metal elbows, remember!"

"That I do remember," she teased back, "and yet you keep forgetting that I'll do that every time,"

"...Touché,"

"Hm." Helios hummed, suddenly realizing something. "I don't suppose that any of you remember now that Cira's back, do you?" He asked the Demacian champions.

"They don't, not really," Amelia replied, "Well, I know Lux is shocked that such a 'horrible, cruel Champion' has Cira as a Chosen. There's only a handful of Champions that know about Cira...the rest of them are kinda shocked Leo and Panth have Chosens...even Andrew believes they don't,"

Cira's face fell.

"Even Andrew...huh?" she asked, a mixture of sorrow and rage flitting across her face for a split second.

"He's a Diana main now and supposedly one of the best 'Assassin' Summoners," Ryo said, folding her wings back.

"He used to main us," Cira huffed, "I was his favorite…"

"Not since your 'Lore Change'," Val said, crossing her arms as her own projector flickered, revealing violet circuits, "He's still Andrew...but it's getting him to believe you're you that we've all had a hard time with,"

"I might be able to convince him." Helios cracked his knuckles. "One way or another."

"Helios, no." Selene chided. "You can't just run around beating the living daylights out of whomever you please."

He snickered.

She paused, then deadpanned.

"Remind me again which of us is older?" She asked.

"Me." He replied. "Doesn't mean I have to be mature all the time, though."

"Dear God, you act very similar…" Arthur whispered.

"I do not!" Cira protested.

"You used to teach high school choir. You told me you had to stay young at heart. Ergo, you acting immature quite a few times,"

"Hush up,"

"If only I had popcorn for this." Helios said. "This is better than IMAX."

"Sorry...it's just...been a while since we've been able to see each other as well...us," Cira started, looking down, "Leo and Panth don't exactly get along well right now…"

"Oh, believe me, I could tell." He grimaced. "Not much of an improvement on a relationship, in my opinion."

"Whatever relationship they have is purely physical," Arthur growled, "The love they both had is gone now…"

"It took us both forever to get them to admit it to each other," Cira added, "Now...well…"

"Yeah, that's the question of the day, isn't it?" Helios stroked his chin thoughtfully. "How are we going to get the both of them to remember? I've never really tried erasing amnesia before, and even if I had I'm not sure it'd work this time."

"Maybe something to jog it as well as your help?" Cira suggested, "But I don't know what exactly…"

"What about Artemis and the twins?" Kaiden asked, "I mean, if anything could probably bring them back it would be those three combined with Vesper,"

"You might be right," Arthur nodded.

"Of course, there's still the matter of the barrier." Helios reminded them. "Like, uh...how we're going to get it down."

"Not even Hailey is strong enough to break that," Cira told him, "But Vesper can bring them back...they're full Valorian, not a mix like the rest of us. That's why they are able to go through. A full blood Valorian or Terran can come and go, but those of us who have both worlds...can't,"

"Mmm." Helios frowned. "Hey, speaking of Hailey, where is she? And Aurelion, Diana, Mir and Asterios for that matter. I could've sworn they were here when I left to check on you."

"They're outside." Jarvan replied. "Diana...wasn't comfortable with the idea of meeting Leona again."

"Can you blame her?" Cira asked softly, "After what Le-I- did to her? She'd be terrified to see me again…"

"I guess I'll have to provide emotional support, then." Selene replied. "I should be able to keep her from panicking."

"There's also Mir, too." Helios added. "That should make things easier."

"Well, Cira, what say you?" He asked her. "Ready to face the music?

"If it'll help make up for everything I let her do, yes," Cira nodded.

Helios paused. "Wait…" He slowly turned back to look at the alternate Dianne. "...The weird thing is still here."

Poker faces ensued.

She had been backing up and was almost at the door when Helios spotted her again.

"Now where do you think you're going, young lady?" Helios mock-seriously said, placing his hands on his hips. "You're still grounded!"

The girl hissed and turned to run.

"...So, do we chase her, or…" Helios trailed off.

"We can't let her run rampant," Arthur said, "She attacked Vesper, who didn't have a Mark...what's to stop her from hurting an innocent?"

Cira just held Vesper close, gently stroking the girl's vibrant red-orange hair. The Radiant Dawn's Chosen's eyes flickered with faint gold as Leona kept a wary eye on the second Kindred.

"Well, in that case, tally-HO!" Helios declared. "Is catching Death a good idea? Probably not! But let's do it anyway!"

"Catching Death?" Val asked, her projector failing and letting her violet circuits gleam, "Haven't done that yet, but I can sure try,"

"I'll do my best to try to catch her as well," Dianne declared.

The other Kindred stared at the group for a moment longer before running off, one of the two Wolfs following her.

"After her!" Vayne growled, giving chase, her enhanced limbs making her naught but a violet streak.

Dianne nodded and dashed after the project, the other Wolf at her side.

"Hoo." Helios blinked. "This is getting intense."

"You should probably follow them." Selene recommended. "It wouldn't be wise to let her escape - not when she's so rabid."

"In a minute." Helios pretended to check a nonexistent watch on his wrist. "I think I'll let her have a bit of a fighting chance first."

"You mean you want to sucker her into thinking she can escape." She said.

"Now why would I do that?" He smirked.

"Because you have an addiction to triggering people, and this is probably the most obvious course of action for you to take." She replied drily.

"Guilty." He shrugged.

"Still, I'm surprised that you'd want to stay here." She said. "Considering…"

"Considering...what?" He asked.

Selene subtly gestured to Shyvana and Sonja, without the two of them noticing.

Helios realized what she was implying. His head started steaming, sweat trickling down his neck.

"You could've just let it slip my mind." He whispered.

"I can't let you have all the fun, now can I?" She whispered back.

"How long will you wait?" Arthur asked.

"Any second now." Helios promised. "Just wait…."

"For what?" came Cira's question.

The Radiant Dawn's Chosen didn't look at Helios...instead, her mismatched gold and blue eyes watched the door where the imposter Kindred had bolted, as if afraid she'd come back for her little Stardust.

"For our new friend to start thinking she can escape." He replied. "Then I'll ruin her fun and laugh about it. Enthusiastically."

"You do realize that this might have consequences, don't you?" His sister asked.

"We all have to make sacrifices for the sake of entertainment, Selene." Helios said. "It's just what we do."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

CRACK

"What was that?" Selene asked.

"Probably the fourth wall breaking apart."

"Again, what?"

"Again, nothing."

"Nothing is never nothing here," came the chuckle from Arthur, "If you're anything like Cira...Nothing means mischief in my book,"

"You've been reading the wrong book then!" Cira retorted.

"And mischief means theft…"

"...I know where this is going…" Cira sighed, "You're never going to let that go are you?"

"And theft means my pies!" Arthur finished, grinning wickedly.

"It was just once! Let it go!" Cira sputtered, "And besides! It was Panth's cooking not yours! You burn water!"

"But Panth's cooking is good," Dianne mumbled.

"Exactly," Cira agreed, "Which is why Vesper and I took the pies,"

"Daddy couldn't catch me!" Vesper giggled, "I took his apron and ran around like I was a superhero with it around my neck!"

"You were cute," Arthur teased, ruffling her hair, "But you got grounded,"

Dianne, laughed, "As cute as Astrid when she stole my mask?"

"Almost...not as cute as Artemis bringing home her 'kitty' though," Arthur smirked getting an unamused look from Cira, "Wonder if the little cub is ok...since we've been kinda...out of it…"

"Worry about it later, dear," Cira told him, "There's a wild Lamb on the loose,"

She turned to Helios and raised an eyebrow.

"Aren't you going to help catch her?"

"Wait…" He held up one finger. "Wait...okay. Now."

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Cira's facial muscles began moving slower and slower, the rest of her body following suit. The same was true for the rest of the room's occupants, even Selene, though her expression changed to one of dry amusement before it froze completely. The surrounding area took on a strange golden hue, as if one was viewing it through a piece of amber. Golden-white after images of Helios's form flashed whenever he moved, casually observing the throne room.

He dropped to one knee, stretching the other leg out while placing both hands on the floor in front of him. His cape burned away, leaving him dressed in only his armor plating.

"Usain Bolt, eat your heart out." He said.

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Helios sprang, becoming a flash of golden light as he crossed the entire length of the palace in less than the span of a nanosecond. He ran through every corridor and hallway, searching for the frenzied clone of Dianne.

There you are. He thought, just as he spotted her. Vayne and Val were close behind, with Dianne right beside them.

She was outside in the gardens jumping over a bush when he spotted her. She didn't turn to look behind her before trying to shove her way through the fence.

Brilliant. Walking straight through a solid object. He deadpanned. Truly, her skills as an escape artist know no bounds. Unless this version of Dianne had mastered Kayn's shadow techniques, Helios very much doubted that she was going to escape that way.

The girl growled in frustration before running off towards the front gates. Which… was no smarter than her original idea.

"DROP KICK!" Helios yelled, suddenly appearing in front of her. He did just as he described, slamming both of his feet into her face, knocking her off her feet. As she landed a few meters away, Helios neatly transitioned into a slide, resting his head in one hand as he slid to a stop in front of Vayne and Dianne.

"Oh hey guys, what's going on?" He asked. "Hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

"Did you just… drop kick her mask?" Dianne asked quietly.

"I did." He replied. "And?"

The girl rubbed her own mask. "Oww…"

He blinked. "What?"

"This thing would hurt if it was smashed against your face," she muttered.

The Hunter Project gave a wince under her visor, her hand reaching up to it as if imagining it being shoved into her face as well.

"Ok now you're just showing off," she huffed, her projector flickering to her 'classic' skin, "So is she considered caught?"

The girl in question suddenly groaned from the ground. "What…?" She promptly passed back out, this time only from exhaustion.

"Some things...just stay the same regardless of worlds," Vayne chuckled, only to give a slight frown, "Of course I am capable of laughing, you know that Valencia!"

"Yeah, but it still sounds edgy as hell." Helios quipped.

Vayne rolled her eyes under her glasses before turning to the downed Kindred.

"Here is the Lamb...what about her Wolf?" she asked.

As he was mentioned, Wolf bounded over the front gate. Two wolves. They grinned at Vayne, baring their fangs.

"Um, Dianne…" the Night Hunter's Chosen started, "Which one is yours and which one should we be prepared to knock out…"

The girl smiled. "Why don't you take a guess?"

"This one?" Val asked tentatively, gesturing to one of the Wolfs.

"You could just ask them." Helios said. "And, y'know, if one of them tries to rip your head off even though you don't have a mark on you, you'll know which is which."

Val rolled her eyes.

"I might be augmented, but I like having my limbs intact," she huffed, "Besides, I don't want Vayne going through another episode…"

"Booooooooooo." He said. "Her episodes are the best part."

"For you," Val grumbled, "I don't like hunting down Fiora and neither does Vayne when she snaps out of it..."

She rubbed her head as if in some phantom pain.

"Especially if Leona is nearby...that shield hurts,"

The wolf huffed. "I am hers," he growled, motioning to the Dianne on the ground.

"So are you going to try and, as Mister Sunny Sunshine said, 'rip my head off even though I don't have a Mark'?" Val deadpanned

He tilted his head. "I love the Hunt, but I don't chase those without a Mark."

"Then explain why she attacked Vesper, who had no mark?"

"Why would I know? She may be my Chosen but she has a free will."

"So you don't know what's going on in her head?"

"I generally do, but she went quiet."

"Quiet?"

"I couldn't hear her saying anything. Much less what she was thinking."

"The Curse maybe?" Val asked Dianne, "but it didn't effect you like that…"

"Might be because of who she's bonded to." Helios said, standing up to drape her clone over his shoulder. "Dianne's the Chosen of Kindred. Death doesn't need to care about a spell to do its job. Death is constant." He blinked. "That...sounded emo as hell, but my point stands."

Dianne laughed. "It does make sense and plus, she's not from our Runeterra. It could have been made not to do anything to me, but she's technically not quite me."

"So we caught her, now what? And I'm still curious to why she's attacking people without Marks,"

"We'll figure that part out later." He replied, walking back towards the palace. "For now, let's just add that to the agenda. Diana's probably having an aneurism as we speak."

"Ah yes...well, I'm almost excited to see the fireworks that come from that," Vayne chuckled before frowning, "Yes I still have my emotions...it's just rare when I choose to express them,"

"They need work." He said.

"It's an improvement," her Chosen sighed, "Least they're coming back. As for now...let's go and see these fireworks,"


Cira held Vesper's hand as she and Arthur started walking towards the outer courtyard where everyone was waiting for them.

"You're going to see that heretic?!" Leona's voice hissed angrily.

Cira's neck muscles twitched and her heart sank as she listened to her Champion's rage.

"Mama?" Vesper asked, putting an arm on Cira's, whose eyes flickered with a cold gold, "it's ok...we'll get her back and it'll be ok,"

Cira wearily stroked the girl's bright orange-red hair.

"I sure hope so,"

She saw the doorway leading into the courtyard and her body tried to lock up, tremors wracking her frame so hard that you could hear her armor rattling. Leona was throwing a fit, torn between stubbornly standing still and dashing forwards to end her sworn enemy as Diana's silver-blonde hair caught the sunlight.

"...I can't do this…" Cira whispered, "I can't go to face her…"

"You can, Cira," Arthur reassured her, squeezing her hand gently, "It's just Mir...who's probably going to be really happy it's you,"

"I'll deal with Diana." Selene added, standing on her other side. "My presence should be enough to soothe her for the time being."

"I hope…" Cira murmured, walking out into the courtyard.

Diana was peacefully talking with Asterios, a smile on her face unlike any Cira had ever seen. However, that smile immediately shattered as she spied Cira. Her silver eyes flashed and she immediately stood up, moonsilver blade in hand as she stood protectively before Asterios.

"...It's like Diana and Leona's personalities switched…" Arthur murmured.

"Asterios, please get out of here," Diana said softly, "I'll hold her off as long as I can…"

"Diana...I don't want to hurt you," Cira tried, dropping her sword and shield and, though it pained her, kicked them away.

"Forgive me if I don't believe you," Diana stated, not budging, "I'll admit, you still terrify me...but I am not letting you get to Asterios!"

Cira's face fell and her glow dimmed considerably as she held her arm, her gaze firmly locked on the cobblestones.

"Diana." Selene said, stepping to stand before her. "Enough. You are safe."

Her silver eyes were wary as she looked at the saddened Radiant Dawn.

"I still feel like I'm hunted," she said, "I don't trust her. I am sorry, Lady Selene, but I can't...not after what she's done. She nearly killed the kind people that took me in...who called me 'daughter' even though I was not. She dragged them out and executed them...and I could do nothing,"

"...You're wrong," came Cira's whisper, "She didn't kill them...they got out...Dianne rescued them and took them to Earth, to keep them safe,"

"Why should I believe you when all you've done is try to kill me?"

"I am not asking you to trust Leona, Diana." Selene said, placing one hand on her shoulder. "I am asking you to trust Cira, who wants nothing more than to help you. My brother will take care of his own representative."

"Speaking of which…" She looked over her shoulder to see that Helios, Vayne and Dianne had returned, with her clone in tow.

"I'm baaa-aaaaaaaack!" He sang, depositing his captive at their feet. "So, what'd I miss? Anything good?"

"Not really," Zoe shrugged, "Just the other Aspects kinda arguing with each other...well...more like Diana showing Leona who's boss,"

"So it isn't just my husband and adopted sister that dislikes my Champion...it's you too, huh?" Cira asked, her glow dimming to complete dark.

"Well...I like you a bit more than him," she pointed at Arthur, "He keeps threatening my space doggy,"

"He nearly torched Targon," Arthur deadpanned.

"And you destroyed a bunch of his stars!" Zoe fired back before Vesper yanked back control, "Zoe! You can't talk to Daddy like that...no that's not true! You just...don't...remember…"

"Play nice, you two." Helios said, swatting the both of them upside the head. "Wrong place, wrong time."

"No hitting my child…" came the grumble from Cira as she held Vesper close, her glow lightening slightly before dimming again.

"I'm confused," Diana finally said, "Why do I have to be near these three? Zoe I can understand...but Leona and the Pantheon…?"

"Because the four of us are Cursed and are fighting our Champions for control of our bodies?" Arthur put out, "Well...I don't know if Mir's struggling for control of you or not, Diana. She looks to be awful quiet,"

"...You mean my reason?" Diana asked, "I thought there was something off about that voice...asking for 'control'. It stopped asking a while ago...it's still here, talking about a 'Cira', 'Vesper' and 'Arthur'. But I don't know these names,"

"Those are our names," Vesper nodded, "I'm Vesper, Mama here is Cira, Daddy is Arthur. We're Zoe, Leo and Panth's Chosens...Mir is yours,"

"Chosen…" Diana shook her head, "I don't understand...I haven't picked anyone. Or...have I?"

She looked down at the Lamb on the ground and then up at the standing one.

"...But I think that can be talked about later. Why are there two Kindreds…"

"'Cause I mighta brought her here along with her Leona and Lucian," Vesper admitted, scuffing her foot on the cobblestones, "I just wanted to get some help,"

"Wait...their Leona and Lucian?" Cira asked, "Vesper...you just said you brought this other Dianne,"

"You never asked!"

"Eh, I wouldn't think about it too much." Helios shrugged. "Alternate dimension stuff happens all the time."

"Except for the fact that there is another me out there!" Cira protested, "What if the Curse got her as well? You guys thought I was bad...now there are probably two of me...well...Leona. And if I slipped and couldn't regain control of her?"

She tapped her chest.

"You'd have two stupid fast, bullheaded, cruel...YES I am talking about you Leona!" Cira snarled, glaring skyward, "YES you should be insulted! You should be ashamed of yourself too!"

"Gods, I'm going to get a migraine, and I can't even hear her." Helios mopped his face with one hand, groaning. "How many universal glitches do we have to fix again? I lost count."

"There's just three visitors," Vesper mumbled, "But I think if it'll help...I can get my siblings and grandparents back...maybe that'll help loosen the Curse's hold?"

"I don't know if that'll be enough." Helios hummed, disgruntled. "I mean, we can try, but if Aurelion can't do it, I doubt we can."

"Aurelion can't break the Barrier," Vesper pointed out, "He just deals with stars so it's not like he could really do anything with the Curse binding us. Sometimes a very strong feeling can make people snap out of their mindset...like when the other Dianne shot at me and Leona dived in front of it. It wasn't Mama...Leo did it. Though Mama would do it in a heartbeat,"

"You know it," Cira hummed, resting her chin on her daughter's head.

"Still, that doesn't solve all of our problems." He replied, folding his arms. "We're going to need a lot of help if we're going to fix everything."

"Well, there might be one place that fits the criteria." Selene said. "Assuming that the residents agree to help us."

"Hm?" Helios raised an eyebrow. "Who do you mean?"

She met his question with a flat stare.

"You've only wanted to visit it for years, Helios." She continued. "Where do you think?"

He narrowed his eyes, his mental gears whirring about. A lightbulb went off as he figured it out. "You mean-"

"Yes." She confirmed.

"Oh. My gods. We have to visit the Institute!" Helios began to get more excited than the situation deemed appropriate. He pressed his palms together and got on his knees, facing Cira with a pleading expression. "Please tell me that we get to go over there! I've wanted to take a tour of the place for ages!"

"We might have to go there," Cira admitted, "they're powerful enough that with help they might be able to temporarily break our curse. But I think it's over on Earth where it has to be broken as well...so it'll likely be temporary,"

"Whatever. We're going on a ROAD TRIP!" Helios thrust both fists into the air, triumphant. He began pacing enthusiastically, pondering his future trip. He started ranting about the journey, too, clearly ecstatic that he was finally going to the one place on Runeterra he hadn't been.

"In all fairness, it would be more practical to go to the Institute first anyways." Selene advised, as she and Cira watched Helios ramble. "Their magical expertise would open up options for us to break down the barrier on both sides." She grimaced. "Helios also has a very personal vendetta against several champions at the Institute, so we'd be hitting two birds with one stone. ...Though I can't say for sure that that's a good thing."

"Just...be careful. Because there are a lot of Champions that have related Chosens. Dianne for example is a friend to a few Shadow Isles Chosens as well as a sister to one. And no one is allowed to kill another off the Rift...or risk being 'expelled' from the League. That normally means being killed,"

Vesper tugged on Cira's arm.

"Should I get the rest of our family now?" she asked, "so that we can get everyone back to normal?"

"Oh my gods. Yes!" Helios was pulled from his rant, placing both hands on his cheeks with glee. "I get to meet the kiddies!"

Vesper beamed as she held up a little hand and a pink, violet and gold portal appeared. She stuck her head through and seemed to be talking to someone on the other side. Cira slowly wandered forwards as Vesper backed away…

There was a screech and something shot out of the portal, tackling Cira to the ground. It looked like a smaller version of Leona's Project form before it flickered and glitched...into a little red-haired girl.

"Mama!" Artemis Athena, Leona and Pantheon's eldest blood daughter wept.

Cira started crying as well, stroking the crimson hair and laying kisses on it...right as a blonde and black haired blur shot from the portal and tackled Arthur to the ground, squealing happily as they, Apolla Helia and Ares Leonidas, were also reunited with their parents and older sister.

Three adults walked through as well. A tall, black haired, golden eyed man, a blond haired, golden eyed man and a petite red haired and silver eyed woman. Jagen, Orion and Astra...Pantheon, Leona and Diana's parents.

"I've missed you all...so, so much…" Cira whispered as Apolla and Ares clambered over to her and hugged her as Vesper did the same.

Helios folded his arms, beaming. Family reunions were always a bit of a soft spot for him, really. His smile momentarily faltered as he remembered a key issue with his own family, casting a sidelong glance at Shyvana and Sonja, who were watching. They caught him doing so, raising an eyebrow as a result. He shot them an apologetic smile, before returning his gaze to Cira and her children.

"Are you ever going to tell her?" Selene whispered to her brother.

"Maybe. I don't know." He whispered in reply. "Now's not the time to discuss it."

She nodded, understanding his reasoning, allowing the scene in front of them to unfold.

Cira looked up from her children and spotted the three adults. Her face went white as she realized they were there.

"I...I am so sorry…" she cried, "I didn't…"

She was cut off by Astra rushing her and hugging her tightly.

"You don't need to apologize...Cira," she told her, making Cira's face turn red, "oh don't worry...I've known about you since the first time Leona came home with you. I'm her mother...I know my daughters. I just didn't learn your name until recently. I kept silent because I figured you would tell me when you were ready,"

"I couldn't keep her from trying to kill you…" Cira whispered.

"You saved us by stopping her," Orion corrected, "You also saved our memories of our children,"

"And for that, we thank you," Jagen finished, looking at Arthur, "both of you,"

Cira looked up at them.

"We'll get them back," she said firmly, "all of them,"

"Dang right." Helios affirmed. He was no fool - swearing in front of Cira's children wouldn't sit well with her. He really didn't want to deal with her temper. It would be ill-timed on his part.

No, irritating Cira would come later, when he could begin scheming properly.

"So!" Helios clapped his hands together, approaching the gathered family. "You must be my nieces and nephews!" He smiled uncertainly. "I mean, I guess I'm technically your uncle?"

The three siblings looked up at him.

"Mama, who that?" Ares asked as Apolla looked curiously at Selene, getting up and toddling to her, looking up at the lunar goddess with wide stormy-blue eyes.

"That is Helios...basically he's the Sun,"

"You pretty," Apolla whispered up at Selene, a faint tinge of pink coloring her alabaster cheeks, "You look like Aunt Di-Di,"

Selene smiled affectionately. "That's sweet of you to say." She gently brushed a stray lock of Apolla's hair away from her forehead. "You're very pretty too, you know. You'll grow up into a wonderful woman one day, I can tell."

Apolla giggled before toddling back to Diana and hugging the Lunar Aspect around the leg.

"Hi Aunt Di-Di!" she chirped.

Diana stared at the child, unsure of what to do...but she finally knelt down and stroked the pale blonde head.

"I'm afraid I'm no…" she froze, "How odd...I have the feeling I know you but I don't have family…"

"Yes you do, silly!" Apolla beamed, "Mama, Daddy, Zoe, Artemis, Ares and me!"

"'Polla…" Artemis said slowly, "Somethin's wrong with them...it doesn't...feel right,"

"We'll explain that later." Helios said. "Now, if you're not going to give your niece the love and affection she deserves, Diana, I'm going to steal her from you. Come here, you!" Helios swept up the giggling Apolla in his arms, holding her up. "I'm your Uncle Helios. I've wanted to meet you for a while!"

"Hi!" she smiled, "So how come Mama and Daddy never told us about you?"

"Apolla!" Artemis sputtered, "Be nice!"

"I am!" the younger sibling protested, "I wanna know!"

"Maybe he couldn't be around," Ares suggested, "Like Gram…"

Cira's eyes dimmed and her shoulder's sagged. Other than Astra, who the siblings called Yaya, her own mother, Gwen, was their only living grandmother. Someone that Cira hadn't seen for seven years...

"Well, to be fair, kiddo, your parents didn't even know about me until a few days ago, up on Mount Targon." Helios said, noticing Cira's distress. "Ares said it for you: I couldn't be around. The Boss Man didn't want me to be."

He set Apolla down, spreading his arms with glee. "But now I'm here! And from this day forward, we are going to party!"

He blinked. "After we fix our current predicament, of course."

Artemis nuzzled into her mother's chest, clinging to her armor.

"Don't leave me again," she murmured, "Don't make me leave,"

Cira stroked the scarlet head, humming a faint lullaby...anyone who had been on Earth could have recognized it as 'You are my sunshine'.

"...I know this child…" came Leona's voice, making Cira cease her humming as her head snapped up.

"You…" Cira blinked.

"I don't know how...but I know her...I know all three of these children. The image of the eldest and the boy with a lion cub and wolf pup just came to mind," Leona said, "I remember not being happy about it...but there was amusement...what did you do to me,"

"You're remembering…" Cira whispered, a smile starting to appear on her face, like the sun from behind clouds, "It's working…"

"Ah, she's remembering?" Helios raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "It's about time."

"If we were to gather the other Chosen, perhaps she would continue to remember." Selene suggested. "She played a key part in training them, after all."

"And you know what that means!" Helios almost squealed. "So, kids, this might be a little abrupt, but WHO WANTS TO GO TO THE INSTITUTE OF WAR?!" He asked, slightly crouching down while extending his arms, the way a parent might do to announce something exciting to their children.

"Excited much?" Cira chuckled, "It might be a little hard...considering Artemis seems to be completely content hugging me, right?"

"Mhmm," Artemis nodded, hugging tighter, "Not leavin' me again!"

"You're strong. Carry her." He drily replied. "We've got a mission to complete, people!"

"If it's fine with you too, I mean." He said to Jarvan. "We've kind of been discussing this without you, and that seems pretty rude to me."

"It's fine with us," not Jarvan, but Zack, said, "Pretty sure that once you break the Curse on them...the rest of the Champions will remember. It was good getting to see you again, Cira,"

Cira gave a smile as she got to her feet, easily cradling Artemis to her chest.

"It's good to be back...even if it is only for a short while," she told him.

"Then pack up your things, boys and girls!" Helios said. "We're hitting the road!"

Family reunions are so nice, aren't they? For those of you confused...Astra and Orion are Leona and Diana's parents and Jagen is Pantheon's father. Artemis, Apolla and Ares are Leo/Cira and Panth/Arthur's biological children. And Asterios...well...he's a character of my own design. Diana is fond of him and he is of her.

Chosens Used (We Are Warriors)
Leona- Cira Noble (Jonson)

Pantheon-Arthur Jonson

Jarvan- Zack Turner

Garen-Kaiden Darkhound

Lux-Amelia Pond

Lucian- Jonathan Cross Jr. (Senna-Sienna Cross)

Quinn- Seluna Russignol (Armstrong)

Vayne- Valencia Storm

Fiora- Victoria Meraux

Galio- Stan Jackson

Shyvana- Sonja Chadayev

Xhin Zhao- Lex Fuller

Taric- Ruben Synne

Kayle-Ryo Kaida

Zoe- Vesper Jonson

Kindred-Dianne Faye

Chosens Used (We Are Chosen)

Kindred-Dianne Faye

Lucian-Arthur Jonson (Senna-Cira Noble)

Leona-Janie Noble

...And then there are Helios and Selene.

Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please let me know!

Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)

Máriessë ar mára tecië

Farewell and fair writing

Elhini Prime signing off.