Biggest chapter yet, I think. Sorry this took so long, finals for me so I've been insanely busy. I've just got out for my semester so I'll have 'time' (provided I'm not working) to write more. Here we see what Helios has been plotting with the kids...but it's up to you guys to decide if it's a good thing or a bad thing!
Chapter IV
"Why are we still here when we should be back on Targon planning…" Leona's voice huffed.
"Because you're a jerk and we're going to fix that," Cira growled back.
"There is nothing wrong with me. You just have outdated and unreasonable ways of thinking,"
"You know...I missed when you were quiet," Cira snapped, "Now I can't get you to shut up and will you please stop trying to take control away!"
"This is my body, not yours! Get out!"
"That'll kill us both,"
"Is she giving you trouble?" Andrew asked, frowning as Cira tapped her fingers on the arms of her chair.
"Unfortunately," Cira sighed, "She's been like this for a few months now…"
Andrew's face fell.
"...Cira, I'm so sorry, I failed you, I failed your family…" he apologized, "I couldn't stop this,"
"It's not your fault," she told him, "It's whoever did this to us' fault. I don't blame you, Andrew,"
He gave a slight smile as Arthur came to her side and put his arms around her. Cira leaned her head on him, smiling happily as she was finally able to be with her husband. After a few moments of reprieve, the scrying glass flashed, catching Andrew's gaze.
The Summoner looked at the assembled group.
"They're ready for us," he said.
"Already?" Mir blinked.
"But Helios and the kids aren't back yet…" Arthur protested.
"If we don't go now, we'll never get to talk to them," Andrew told them, "We have to go,"
Cira's shoulders sagged slightly.
"I don't want her to be like this anymore...let's go," she said.
"Agreed." Selene said. "Helios and the others will probably meet us there anyways."
While this was how she outwardly expressed herself, inside she couldn't help but feel nervous. When Helios was gone for a minute longer than absolutely necessary, he was up to something. And the way he'd been eyeing Cira's children was the way he observed a potential opportunity for mischief. That never turned out well, in her opinion. His opinion was that it paid off rather handsomely.
Brother, please. She silently prayed. Whatever you're about to do, don't get in over your head. The tribunal has to take priority.
Oh, who was she kidding?
"...I've never been to this part of the Institute before…" Cira started slowly as they walked through a pair of rather large golden doors etched with images that moved, telling the history of the League itself and in some cases, Runeterra.
"You haven't," Andrew agreed, "But Leona has. I Judged her here."
"So this is the famous Judgement Room," Arthur hummed, "Wonder what Diana and Panth's judgement was,"
"They'd probably tell you," Andrew said, "In all honesty, Pantheon is the only one out of you that I don't know. Mainly because I didn't start as Judge until Leona came,"
They walked into the room, the tall ceiling so high that Stan might have been able to almost stand up straight...wings included. But again, that might have been due to magic making it look tall. Torches blazed around the circular room as sapphire and ruby crystal mosaics depicting Summoners Rift sprawled across the floor. The Protectorate and the Magelord stag and owl galloped and winged their way across the room in motifs, all under a field of stars in which the constellations resembled the emblems of the nations united by the League. It was spectacular really.
Despite its name, the Tribunal was not just three people. It was twelve. One for each nation of the League. Each representative sat on a throne bedecked to represent its region. Demacia's was of white marble edged in silver and azure. Noxus was of black granite edged in crimson and iron. Targon's was carved seemingly out of the floor itself, set with gemstones and engraved with suns, moons and stars.
"High Summoner Andrew Daybreaker Summers," the one on the icy Freljord seat started, her ice-grey eyes watching her fellow Freljordian closely, "why do you seek a meeting with the Tribunal?"
"I sought an audience because of the Curse laid down on Mount Targon, her Champions...and myself," Andrew started.
"A Curse on a Summoner?" The man sitting on the driftwood and shell throne of Bilgewater demanded, "Andrew you cannot be serious,"
"That just doesn't happen," the augmented woman sitting on the iron and glass Zaun seat snorted, her green eyes narrowed, "Someone has just been upset that his favorite was changed,"
"I'm sorry, he is upset?" Cira sputtered, speaking up, "My apologies for being brash here but that is a load of bullcrap!"
"And you would be…?" The Noxian representative asked.
"I am Leona's Chosen," Cira growled, "You know, just the one who is stuck in this body with a crazed religious tyrant...who used to have the strongest bond on record with their Champion,"
"I've known her for years...I've yet to see her act like that in this serious of a situation," Arthur muttered, looking at Selene, "Does that look familiar to you?"
"Quite." Selene replied, with a dry smile. "My brother didn't choose lightly when he selected Leona as his chosen representative. He was delighted when Cira bonded to her as well. The three of them bear some differences, but are more similar than not."
"Do you realize how this feels?" Cira continued, stepping forwards, glow surging brightly, "When your best friend suddenly changes personality. When they lock you away and call you nothing but a stupid irritating voice? This is the first time I've actually been able to speak for myself in a long, long time! I had to send three of my beautiful children away...just so that I wouldn't hurt them. Do none of you have a heart?"
She tapped her chest, eyes filling with golden light before dimming back to blue.
"I am in physical pain because I have to fight her down. I am afraid of what she will do if I let her out," she hissed, "I don't want to let her declare war on Demacia. I don't want to fight Chosens that I trained. I don't want to kill anyone. But with her the way she is now? I'm forced to! And you...all twelve of you...don't give two cents about what we feel. Otherwise, you would have stopped this from going through,"
"Someone's mad…" Mir muttered, coming forwards slightly.
Cira saw her out of the corner of her eye, but in her anger, her tight control slipped and her vision blurred as her eyes went from blue to gold. Leona's sword flickered out and she immediately charged Mir.
Mir yelped and dashed away from the angry Solari.
"Come back here and fight Heretic!" Leona snarled, starting towards Mir, only to get tackled by Arthur.
"Ci, c'mon, fight her, you have to," he hissed, before getting thrown off.
WHAM!
Leona was suddenly flung against the wall, hard enough to leave cracks in the surface. A dark silhouette blurred in front of her, holding the Solari matron to the wall by her neck.
"Just because my brother is absent doesn't mean that you should underestimate me, Leona." Selene warned. "I may not be as strong as Helios, but I am more than enough to handle you."
"So behave." She said. "Or I'll crush you like a gnat."
The golden eyes burned in hatred before flickering to blue.
"S-Selene...let...go…" Cira rasped, grabbing at her hand, "I got her...I think…"
"Of course. Apologies, Cira." She replied, gently letting her down. "I may have been a bit rougher than I intended."
"She needed it," Cira grumbled before glaring at the Tribunal, "See? Look at what you let happen! Not me, not Helios or Selene, not Andrew. You. You let this happen to Champions and Chosens you swore to protect,"
"Helios and Selene?" the Ionian representative asked, her dark eyes gentle yet stern, "I suppose this lady here is Selene then?"
"I am." Selene confirmed, summoning her scythe and tapping it against the ground. "Though I believe you know me as the moon more than anything else."
"Then where is Helios...or if it is safe to guess...the Sun," the Targon representative asked, his grey eyes as unyielding as the Mountain itself.
Right on cue, the door opened. In walked Helios, Artemis, Ares, Vesper and Apolla, who were all snickering.
"Sorry we're late." Helios said, trying to stop chuckling. "We just got a bit caught up is all."
Cira's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What did you five do…" she asked warily as Artemis darted to her side and almost begged to be picked up.
Cira obliged her, giving her a kiss on her scarlet head.
"What? We were just taking a tour of the Institute." Helios replied, with a grin that was not at all convincing. "Gotta see the sights, you know?"
"Why do I find it hard to believe that…" she sighed, "Doesn't matter...you're here now...maybe you could help them get it through their thick skulls to help us,"
"Hm." His eyes narrowed at the Tribunal. "Is that so?"
He walked past her to stand before the twelve, standing at full height while folding his arms behind his back.
"So." He said. "You're the people running the place, huh?"
"We are," the Demacian representative said.
"I've gotta say, I'm kind of disappointed." Helios replied. "If you're who's calling the shots, then I have good reason to be pissed at you for not doing your job."
"You are in our territory and jurisdiction, Helios," the Shadow Isles representative hissed, "Watch yourself. We may decide not to help you and we will have every right not to. We have heard of your antics earlier today…"
Helios chuckled. "Funny that you should mention the matter of territory."
He tapped his foot against the ground. "What you're sitting on? That's Runeterra. A planet I created. A planet I hold jurisdiction over. You think I'm in your court?" He shook his head, snorting. "Oh no. You're in mine. I only let you live here because I'm nice like that."
"So don't presume to talk to me as if you're somehow above me." Helios said. "From where I'm standing, I've got the home field advantage."
Silence from the Tribunal. The Targon representative got up, stepping down from the seat and standing in front of Helios.
"Our people," he started, looking to Cira, Arthur, Vesper and Mir, "Have always looked to the stars. There was nothing else we could look up to. If it's within my power, I'll help you. I don't know if we can completely break that Curse...but maybe we can get it so it's not as devastating to Targon's Champions,"
Helios smiled appraisingly. "Well. At least somebody here knows how to show some respect." He snapped his fingers. Light began to coalesce next to where he stood, forming and hardening into the shape of a throne similar to those of the Tribunal. This one was Targonian in design, but a fiery gold color, with flames licking off the arms and backrest. He sat himself down, crossing one leg over the other.
"Now. Let's start over from the beginning, shall we?" He asked. "I'm sorry, I'm just very curious as to why you'd let a war between Targon and Demacia escalate. If I recall correctly, you're supposed to prevent war, no?"
"That is correct," the Targon Representative nodded, "But some of us want to watch the world burn and voted against stopping it,"
Multiple glares at multiple people.
"We are not allowed to act unless more than nine of us vote for action," he finished, "There were many of us who said to act, but many who said no,"
"Waitwaitwait, let me guess." Helios said, spreading his arms in front of him. "Noxus was one of them." He pointed to the Noxian representative.
The Ionian representative gave a loud laugh, something surprising for someone of her small stature.
"That is true," the Freljordian representative nodded, "They are still sore that three hundred Rakkor and Solari soldiers defeated their army without losing a man,"
"Shouldn't have come on our Mountain," Arthur smirked, "It's their own fault,"
"Doesn't surprise me, frankly." Helios frowned at the Noxian representative. "I've had a problem with Noxus for a while."
"They've gotten somewhat better with the marriage between Lady Du Couteau and Lord Crownguard," the Demacian representative chuckled, "But we still have our differences,"
"Clearly." He said. "Mainly between leadership, I've found." He sent a beady-eyed glare at the Noxian representative. "Your Grand General has a rap sheet a mile wide, and it'd take me a week to list half of the things he's done to get on my bad side. I suggest you convey that to Swain the next time you see him."
"Perhaps you will see him before I," the Noxian representative huffed.
"Helios be nice to people…" Artemis warned, "You promised!"
He sighed. "Fine, I'll cut 'em some slack." He adjusted himself in his chair. "I get why Demacia and Noxus voted no, but I'm still mystified about the others. I can't imagine that Azir was too happy about the vote."
"He was not," the Shuriman representative agreed, "But Targonian Raiders have been coming into Shurima and I had to think of our people,"
Helios hummed. "I've been aware of that, so I guess that's understandable."
"And you?" He asked the Shadow Isles representative. "What's your excuse?"
"There really is none," he shrugged, "Demacia And Targon's squabbles have no effect on me. All it does is serve to give more power to the Mist,"
"He is one of those who just wants to watch the world burn," the Bandle City representative huffed, her voice high and clear like most Yordles, "He normally votes no on situations like this anyways,"
The floor around Helios's chair smoldered and cracked.
"Should've just kept your mouth shut." Helios said, miniature infernos spiraling in his eyes.
"We weren't expecting more than him and Noland voting no," the Targon representative stated, "because it normally is just him,"
"Mh. Is that so?" He asked. "You cheeky bastards saw an opportunity, did you?"
"Apparently," The Freljord Representative deadpanned.
"Andrew she acts like you," Cira whispered to the Summoner.
"...There's a reason for that," he muttered.
"I don't think I even want to hear what you have to say." Helios told the Icathian representative. "I doubt that I'd be pleased with the answer."
"Perhaps that is wise," he said.
Helios's mouth drew into a thin line.
"Well. In that case." He swept his gaze over the members of the Tribunal, inspecting each of them. In some ways it felt like more of an interrogation.
"If I'm understanding this correctly, instead of doing your damn job and encouraging peace, some of you thought that it'd be a smart idea to do nothing, because you saw something to be gained." He said. "Some of you, in your awe-inspiring wisdom, found that it would be in your best interests to allow two of the most heavily-armed nations in Runeterra go to war for the sake of your own selfish interests."
"Now, I don't know if you know this," Helios casually inspected a fingernail; "but potentially upsetting the natural order and plunging the world into a new Rune War is considered an extremely serious crime amongst the gods. It's probably one of the worst things you could ever do, really. And believe me when I say that you don't want to know what the punishment is."
Silence. So thick you could have cut it with a knife, fell over the Tribunal. The first Rune War had been devastating enough, a second...none of them wanted to think of that possibility.
"So, what am I to do?" He asked. "What am I to do when some of you, while being members of the Tribunal, are criminals at the same time? Forgive you?"
He chuckled darkly. "Oh, nonononono, I don't think so. You'd have to make it worth my while."
The Freljord representative got up, albeit with some effort, grabbed her staff leaning next to her throne and came towards the group.
"Leona...Cira," she corrected, "Please come here. I'm afraid these old bones don't move as well as they used to,"
The Radiant Dawn gave a warm smile and did as told. The Tribunal member gently put her hands on the younger woman's face, frowning as she did.
"There is a lot of darkness here...something that should not be for a Champion dealing with light," she stated, turning to her fellows, "I can't attempt to cleanse this myself...it's rooted too deep. All eleven of you need to help me,"
She shot all of them a glare as a few refused to budge.
"You would do well to listen to your elders," she scolded, "Don't make me come up there and use my staff,"
The stragglers immediately got up and followed the rest of them.
"Arthur, Vesper, Mir, would you please join your fellow?" the Ionian representative asked.
They did so. The Tribunal turned their attention to their eldest member and the Chosen she was currently attending to.
"You're right, Aneria," the Demacian representative hummed, "Whatever it is...that's far too much dark for someone like her."
The Freljord representative nodded before turning her attention back to Cira.
"For all the sins we have inflicted on you all, perhaps this will make up for at least some of them," she apologized, "I don't know if we can permanently lift this Curse...but at least break it's hold on your Champion for a little while,"
She turned to Helios and Selene.
"Will that at least ease on our debt?" she asked.
"You have none to pay, Aneria." Helios replied. "Your intentions were good. I hold no animosity towards you." He sighed. "But yes, for those of you who I consider to owe me, it'll do for now."
She gave a sad smile before turning her attention back to the Cursed Dawn.
"I do not know if this will hurt or be painless," she told her, "This is something none of us have done before,"
"I've...no, we've been through worse," Cira said, giving a firm nod, "I don't care how much I have to endure. I want my Champion back,"
"Very well," came the reply, "Hold still, please,"
Cira's eye flickered gold as Leona attempted to pull away in fear, but Cira kept a firm hold on her body and forced her to stay still.
A low thrumming sound came weaving around the room, the Tribunal speaking words in languages only they knew, dialects lost to time. Pure white light flared, banishing the shadows. A metallic screech of pain roared over the Tribunal members, as did a woman's cry, a man's bellow and a child's wail. The light, as if a physical force, blew open the doors and flooded throughout the Institute, throughout the region, throughout the continent of Valoran as the Tribunal strove to break the Curse over it.
When the light died, Cira fell to her knees with a loud clang as her armor hit the floor. Silence reigned in the room other than the heavy gasping by the four Targon Champions.
Artemis slowly toddled up to her mother, putting a hand on her mother's shoulder.
"...Mama?" she asked softly.
A warm metal servo reached up to hold the child's hand and the Radiant Dawn raised her head...her golden eyes filled with tears as she suddenly enfolded the child in a tight embrace.
"Oh Artemis…" Leona wept, "I missed you...oh so much…"
"Yep. That's her." Helios grinned. "It's about damn time."
Artemis smiled as she nuzzled into her mother's chest and Leona was content...until she was embraced from behind and given a long kiss by Pantheon who had gotten to his feet and raced to her side. Zoe joined in, laughing happily as her parents enfolded her in an embrace and the twins ran up to join them. The family happily enjoyed each other's company...until Leona looked up to see Diana slowly coming towards them.
The Radiant Dawn got to her feet...before rushing her sister and embracing her, sobbing.
"I'm so sorry!" she cried, "I couldn't...I...I…"
Diana shushed her, hugging her back.
"I'm just glad you're back, sister," she smiled, tears streaming herself, "Dear Moon you have no idea how much I missed you and everyone…"
"Ah, family reunions." Helios sighed blissfully. "They might be disgusting, but I'll be damned if they aren't heartwarming."
Selene blinked. "That's...somewhat of a contradictory statement, no?"
Helios shrugged. "I dunno. My brain's weird like that."
Upon hearing Helios' voice, Leona's face paled. She let go of Diana and looked at him, dejection and shame painting over her face as she slowly walked up to him. She set down her shield and sword before him and got on one knee.
"Take it," she whispered, "Take everything back that you gave me. I failed you, I disgraced you, I disgraced the Solari, I disgraced my Chosen...and I disgraced myself. I'm not worthy of being your champion. You would do well to find someone other than this failure to carry your name,"
Helios frowned for a moment, then stood.
"Rise." He said.
She closed her eyes in acceptance as she stood, refusing to meet his gaze as she feared what she would see.
"Look at me." He said.
She did so.
"I don't hold you accountable for anything that you did, Leona." He said, placing both hands on her shoulders. "What happened wasn't your fault. I know you. If you had the choice, you never would've done those things. You were more of a victim than anyone else."
"Besides." He smiled. "Now we can make things right. And kick some ass while we're at it. So chin up, okay? I forgive you. Honestly, there was nothing to forgive in the first place."
She bowed her head gratefully...before her smile fell again.
"...What about you?" she asked softly, seemingly to no one.
It took a few seconds, but the whisper soft reply did come.
"Leona...you have no idea how happy I am to hear you," Cira told her, "Of course I forgive you. You're my Champion. I'm only angry at the ones that did this to us. But you're back. I have my Champion back, I have my family back...I'm happy,"
She gave a content smile as her heart lifted.
"I don't want to be the bearer of bad news," the Targon representative stated, "But I'm afraid this isn't permanent. We broke the Runeterran side of it...but this stemmed from Earth as well,"
"...A place we cannot reach," Pantheon growled.
"Not since the barrier trapped our Chosens here," Diana agreed.
'...That means we'll go back...doesn't it?" Leona asked, voice trembling as she held her children.
"I don't want to go back to forgetting Mama and Daddy," Zoe cried, "I don't want to hate them again!"
"Then we'll have to find a more permanent solution further down the road." Helios turned to Aneria. "I have resources. And connections. If I gave you both, would you be able to do that?"
"We would try,"
"That'll have to do." Helios replied. "In the meantime, I suggest that we all have some f-"
He stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
He sighed. To everyone's confusion, he walked over to a random corner of the room, then stood there for a moment.
"You know, you're really bad at hiding." He said, to apparently no one in particular.
His hand snapped out, closing around a space of air in front of him.
There was a yelp as Evelynn, or Sable came into full view, her lashers dangling behind her. A small girl came to view next to her as well, looking worriedly at the succubus. "Mama? Why's he grabbing you? I thought we were being sneaky?"
The woman looked at the girl, then Helios and just sputtered, motioning for the girl to leave with a lasher. She quickly disappeared and reappeared behind Leona a few seconds later.
"Well, well, well." Helios snarled. "If it isn't everyone's favorite serial thot."
The woman said nothing, simply staring at him with wide eyes, then glancing towards her daughter. When she looked at Helios again, one eye was pink, the other brown.
Helios glanced at Umbra, then at Artemis, and back to Evelynn again.
"Hm. That's right, you have a daughter now, don't you?" He asked. "I must admit, I never expected you of all people to go that route."
Slowly, he slackened his grip, until Evelynn finally dropped to the floor, gasping for breath.
"You're off the hook for now." He said. "Don't waste the chance I'm giving you."
"Sable...has been good for Evelynn," Leona said, "She's been on a good streak lately,"
"If you have scores to settle, settle them on the Rift where we can bring the Champion back," the Bilgewater Representative chuckled, "But Leona is right...Evelynn has not torn apart anyone for a great while now,"
The chosen sputter and coughed, but moved over to Umbra. She whispered something in the girl's ear and the two disappeared.
Helios watched them leave with suspicion. Those two would be trouble in the future, he was sure of it. And not the good kind. Then again, maybe he was being paranoid. "If you say so."
"So! What should we do now that the gang's back together?" He asked. "If we've only got a limited amount of time before the Curse comes back, we should try and make the most of it."
"Agreed," Leona nodded, leaning on Pantheon's shoulder.
"If I may be so bold," Aneria started, looking at the reunited couple, "Perhaps it would be a good idea for you both to spend some private time alone,"
Leona looked up at her husband, her golden eyes...happy...for once.
"I love that idea," she smiled.
"And I know just the place," Pantheon smiled, kissing her forehead.
"Ewwwww!" the siblings all chorused while Zoe about died laughing.
"Oh hush you three," their mother teased, "We'll spend some time with you all soon enough,"
"Speaking of spending time with family…" Aneria growled, shooting an icy glare at Andrew, "Young man I am going to have words with you!"
Andrew literally cowered, something that completely shocked Leona.
"You never come to see me anymore!" she huffed, "No talking to your grandmother, no visiting, and after all I'm trying to give you this title of mine…"
Andrew looked up meekly.
"In my defense I have been busy," he mumbled, "And cursed on top of that…"
The woman's eyes narrowed.
"And about that," she turned to Helios, "When you find who did this to my favorite grandson, I want to personally beat them within an inch of their lives,"
His eyes lit up. "You're my kind of grandma. I'd be thrilled to help you out with that. I'll even join in."
"Grandmother…" Andrew grumbled, getting an amused chuckle from Leona, "Oh don't you start…"
"Oh I just think it's funny," Leona grinned, "That you're so calm and collected around everyone else, Cho'Gath, Nocturne, Brand...and yet you cower before your grandmother,"
Andrew shot her a glare while Aneria laughed.
"Andrew, I see why she is your favorite!" she beamed, "She's becoming my favorite too,"
She turned towards Leona and Pantheon, who were currently holding their children.
"Go and spend time with your loved ones. The curse is temporarily lifted, though it is still rolling around the edges of Runeterra. For how long it will last...who knows,"
"Thank you, Lady Aneria," Pantheon stated, bowing his head in respect before lifting his now blue eyes and Arthur spoke, "From all of us,"
"I guess it's time to start having some fun, then." Helios said. He made a sweeping gesture towards the door. "Shall we, everyone?"
He and the kids shared a knowing grin.
"...We're about to see what you five were up to aren't we…" Cira deadpanned, getting giggles from her children.
They all walked out the door.
Cira's jaw dropped.
Selene facepalmed.
Helios and the kids cackled diabolically.
The entire Institute of War had been given a multicolored spectrum of colors for a new paint job, which clashed so thoroughly it was almost blinding. Rainbow, tye-dye, hot pink, and every color of insanity imaginable all warred against one another, against amazingly detailed depiction of various animals and objects. The color scheme shifted with each illustration, ranging from horses to lions to dogs, along with an assortment of various baby animals (Vesper and Zoe's preference, no doubt). There was even a mural of Aurelion Sol, depicted in a flattering, albeit cartoonish matter. Smaller scribbles and paintings of Cira and Arthur could also be seen, along with the rest of their family.
"...I don't know if I should be mad or impressed…" Cira blinked.
Her eyes flashed gold and she closed one of them, crossing her arms and tapping her foot.
"Zoe Eos, Artemis Athena, Apolla Helia, Ares Leonidas...What have I told you four about drawing on the walls!" Leona scolded.
"To not to…" the siblings muttered together.
"But look, Mama! We drew you, Daddy, Aunt Di-Di...even 'lion!" Ares chirped.
"Well...they certainly got Aurelion's big head right…" Pantheon chuckled.
"Pantheon!" Leona chastised.
"What! It's true!" Arthur protested.
"Even drew Mister Helios and Miss Selene!" Apolla chirped.
"...Why is Helios' head so big?" Diana snickered, "Bigger than Aurelion's!"
"Because big heads are fabulous." Helios turned his head up, sniffing. "How dare you imply otherwise."
"Dunno...Selene doesn't seem to have one," Mir pointed out.
"That one mine!" Apolla beamed, her silver glow burning, "Artemis tried to make Mister Helios…"
"Couldn't get his head right…" the older child admitted, scuffing her foot, "Apolla is better than me at drawing,"
"Well, it was a good first start." Helios said, proudly putting a hand on both of their shoulders. "We'll move up to the more complicated stuff later."
"I think Apolla is wanting to know what you think, Lady Selene," Leona whispered softly as the little girl giggled, looking up at the adults with big, hopeful eyes.
She shook her head, flabbergasted. "I have...very mixed feelings about this, but otherwise I'm impressed." She tousled Apolla's hair fondly. "Well done."
Apolla gave a blinding smile as she squealed in joy, skipping around in the most adorable fashion. Leona shook her head, turning to face Andrew, who was currently pinching the bridge of his nose.
"You realize how long it is going to take you to clean this up?" He asked, looking at Helios.
"Clean it up?" Helios grinned. "Now why would I do that?"
"Because you wouldn't want to make these four clean it up, would you?" Andrew stated, "besides, if it is left...it'll just encourage some of the other Champion Children to do it more...which could be catastrophic as there are some Champions I do not want near any children,"
"What makes you think that any of us are cleaning it up?" His grin grew wider. "And what's wrong with getting more minions? The more the merrier, I say!"
"Oh you bet these four are cleaning up their mess," Cira started, "I've taught them better than that…"
"And it is dangerous for children to be out here alone," Andrew said, "that's why we have a 'daycare' for them. It's for their safety. Like I said...there are a few Champions that no one would allow near children. I bet Cira can rattle one off right now,"
The First Chosen's face went dark as rage flickered over it.
"He's not touching or coming within view of my kids," She bristled.
"Oh re-lax, it'll be fine!" Helios assured them. "Uncle Helios is on the job!"
"Also: I can one-hundred percent assure you that nobody's cleaning this up, because we just finished it." He said.
"VESPER! ZOE! ESCAPE PLAN OMEGA!" He shouted.
Portals opened beneath his feet, along with the other kids'. They fell in, and the portals closed shut behind them.
Everyone stared at the space where they'd been, stunned.
Selene sighed. "And so it begins."
"You know...this was not how I wanted to spend the first day of me having my sanity back…" Leona sighed, "but I suppose reminding the kids who is Mom will have to be a good start,"
Selene snorted. "Good luck with that. Once Helios's schemes get involved, all concepts of obeying authority go out the window. Did he ever tell you about the fidget spinner black market?"
"...Dear god not those things…" Cira groaned, "I had to confiscate so many of those when I was teaching…"
"That wouldn't have stopped him, if he'd been around at the time." Selene replied. "He started an underground operation in Piltover under a fake alias, and managed to rope some of the other gods into it too. By the time the government found out and shut down the whole thing, he'd made the equivalent of the entire city-state's budget for six years."
"...oh this will be an interesting time then…" Cira sighed, "I need to go find my kids...they're probably at the daycare. Maybe some of us should go find him and make sure he stays out of trouble,"
Selene sighed. "Frankly, I doubt that's possible.
In hindsight, Helios should've been anticipating things getting weird when he jumped into the portal. Zoe's whole shebang was being random, and her skillset reflected that trait pretty well.
But when you fell through a hole in time and space and continued to fall for thirty minutes? That's when you had to draw the line.
If he hadn't been falling at only a few miles an hour, due to being inside a pink bubbly magic warp tunnel, the skin might've been ripped from his face. Even gods could only take so much when falling for that long. In theory. Helios had never tried. It was a shame that nobody had bothered to document the limits gods possessed. The boundaries weren't really straight lines; they were more or less frenzied scribbles drawn by a crayon.
Gods were strange like that.
And then there was the really weird stuff. Helios honestly had no clue where Zoe went half the time she was away handing out messages of cosmic importance. He could take weird. Weird was okay. Weird was fun, actually. But inside Zoe's portals, it was downright insane. Some of the things he saw were especially desirable to forget. At least a snack would pop up occasionally. Portal Cookies were surprisingly tasty.
Eventually, after Helios had long since grown bored, he saw light at the bottom. Finally, I'm getting out of here! He thought to himself. Here's hoping the kids got to the daycare alright. He also couldn't help but wonder if he'd even been gone for an actual half hour. Time got weird when Zoe was involved. It wouldn't surprise him.
A sudden pickup in the rush of wind alerted him to an increasing speed, until he was falling at the same speed that people typically fell.
Ohshit- Helios thought, before the wind started to blind him. He may or may not have screamed a little, too.
There was a bright flash of light, and then he was out.
He still couldn't see where he was going, however, so he had no real way of preventing himself from landing on a person. Which was exactly what happened.
WHOMP!
Helios would've nursed the bruises that had just formed (luckily they'd be gone in a few minutes), if he wasn't waiting for his head to stop spinning.
Never again will I entrust Zoe and Vesper with serving as my personal mode of transport. He thought.
"Ow…" a feminine voice muttered.
"Eh?" Helios noted that his nose felt oddly tingly. It was also strangely hard to breathe. Helios explored with his hands a bit, feeling a material that was soft, yet prickly. He pried himself off his newfound cushion to see that he'd landed face-first in a pile of silky white tails.
His Potential Accomplice Sense started tingling.
"Oh. Ahri. Hi." He said. "I hope you don't mind me dropping in."
"Quite literally, I see. Who might you be?" the fox girl asked, slowly moving to sit up.
"Helios. The sun. Leona's boss." He said, standing up and offering his hand to her. "Charmed."
"I haven't cast a spell yet," she teased. "I'm Ariel. Ahri's Chosen." Her tails curled as she grabbed his hand and stood up.
"I know." He said, smirking. "Her, ah...reputation precedes her."
Since introductions had been made, Helios could take a bit of time to observe his new surroundings. He had, apparently, landed in the arcade. It looked pretty similar to the rest of the Institute, save for the plush carpet, dim lighting and rows of arcade machines present. They lined the walls and were clustered in certain areas down the middle, ranging from classic Atari games to games that had only come out a few months ago. There were even spaces for console and PC gaming placed in the corners, surrounded with plush couches and recliners to make it more comfortable. There was even a snack bar across the room.
This was promising.
Helios noticed that the other champions with arcade skins were present alongside Ahri, as was Krista. Interesting.
"HA!" Krista crowed, jumping up from her seat as Ezreal tossed the controller to the floor in defeat, "TOLD YOU! And you thought you could beat me at this!"
She gave a loud laugh as she held out her hand for him to shake.
"Good game, Noel," she told him.
"I'll get you next time, Krista," Ezreal's Chosen grinned, "Count on it,"
"I look forward to it!" the Spear of Vengeance grinned.
"And watch as she whines and complains when you beat her," came the rumbling chuckle from the back.
A streak of blue-green fire slammed into the wall...right next to Hecarim's head.
"We didn't ask your opinion you pink haired, backstabbing unicorn freak," Krista hissed, the Black Mist coiling around her bare feet, "Next time...that spear goes through your head,"
"Hey, Hecarim." Helios said.
The spectral centaur turned to look at him.
"You're on my list."
He gave a feral grin.
"Better start running."
The Shadow of War struck the ground with a hoof, pawing at as he rolled his head back...giving the illusion he was rolling his eyes.
"I am dead already. You don't scare me," he huffed before turning around, "Besides, I was just leaving. Being here with her is bad enough,"
"One of these days, Harry Karum, Hecarim, you will feel our spears through your backs," Krista snarled, "Like you did to us,"
He gave a laugh before rearing up and galloping off. Krista's grip on her spear tightened as she contemplated hurling it...but seemed to decide against it and let it disappear...along with the Black Mist.
The soft sound of music came through the area and Krista looked up to see Brigid, who gave a slightly worried smile.
"Nah, we...I'm, ok," Krista said, shaking her head, "Gah, I keep slipping up. Sorry if I scared you, Brigid,"
The Maven of the Strings pressed a few buttons on her keyboard, giving the illusion of laughter as her shoulders shook in mirth. Krista looked at Helios.
"Y'know...just gonna tell you now. I don't care if he's on your list or not. You're not takin' him. He's ours," she told him.
"Fair enough." He replied, shrugging.
He turned to the group as a whole. "So, what're we all doing? Kind of obvious, but, y'know...awkward attempt at changing the subject."
"It's fine," Krista chuckled, "Noel here saw me playing this old atari game, realized it had a two player setting and declared he'd beat me at it,"
"Yeah, I failed...miserably," Noel laughed, "How'd you get so good at those anyways…"
"My dad and I used to play them all the time before…" her face fell slightly before she shook her head, "Anyways...it just really serves to give me some feeling of being human instead of...well...me,"
Helios grimaced. "Yeah, I get how that feels." He smirked. "You should've seen Kalista hand in her resumé after becoming a spirit. Boy, was that a conversation I'll never forget."
Krista blinked.
"What did you do, Kalista?" she asked, half laughing and half serious.
"She didn't get her ability to bind spirits to her through impalement by herself." Helios's dry amusement was clearly evident. "She actually listed that as something she wanted to be able to do when we first talked."
"Seriously?" Krista blinked, "I thought that was something you could do right off the bat! I mean...what could you do if not that?"
"Not much, we are afraid…" came the low, almost embarrassed mutter.
"And don't even get me started on Kindred." Helios cleared his throat. "Yes, hello, I'm Death and I'd like to split myself in half with your axe, please."
"I can't see Dianne ever admitting to being weak," Ahri laughed. "Despite her getting nerfed on repeat," she muttered quietly.
"Eventually she'll be nerfed so hard that she can't even get kills." He grinned. "Imagine that. Death can't kill people."
"That sounds ironic to me," she smirked, one of her ears folding as she did so. "So… what are you doing here, Helios?"
"I mean...he might just be exploring and all but, this place is really hard to find if you don't know about it," Krista agreed.
"Have any of you looked outside, by any chance?" He asked.
"Uh no, been a little busy kicking Noel's butt," Krista grinned, "Why...what did you do…and where are the kids?"
He sighed. "Just look out the window. You'll see for yourself."
Krista peered out the window before giving a loud, boisterous laugh.
"Oh. My. God! How did you get away with that!?" she howled.
"I almost didn't." He replied. "Cira and Andrew wanted me and the kids to clean it up, but I took it as more of a suggestion, really." He shrugged. "So, I got Zoe and Vesper to portal me away to somewhere I can hide until the heat dies down. The graffiti's gonna wash off in the rain anyways. I sent the kids to the daycare. They should be fine with Braum."
He blinked. "Shoot, I didn't get to talk to him yet. Gonna have to get some facial hair tips."
"...We might want to get Kyra on that then…" Krista said slowly, "You defied Cira...and made her kids disobey her...that is not gonna end well for you. Honestly, if there's one Chosen we as a group are scared of...it's an angry Cira. So...yeah, you're gonna want to hide for a while,"
"Well, at least I was given an adequate place to entertain myself." He said. "I'm not too shabby at games. I've tried my hand at a few, and I'm pretty decent."
"Take your pick," Krista shrugged, "I was just gonna go and beat Harry's high score at Mariokart again. Backstabber thinks he can beat me. HA!"
"Just don't throw the consol again if he beats your time again," came Riven's voice as she looked up from where she was playing a simpler game with a little girl with frosted, wild brown hair and sparkling brown eyes, "We had a hard enough time repairing that one,"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Krista huffed, waving a hand, "Go back to playin' with Sora,"
Riven rolled her eyes before moving her hands over Sora's, helping the little girl score another point and getting an elated, almost metallic squeal from the child.
"I'm sorry. Did you say...Mariokart?" Helios asked.
Elsewhere, Selene felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"Uh yeah," Krista shrugged, "It's one of the more recent games, but it's one that I have to keep defending my title over,"
"More like you are fine with others beating you, whereas Harry is the only one you cannot stand," came a prim and proper voice as the faint ticking of metal on stone came to ear.
"Hey, Viv," Krista smiled as Camille's Chosen gracefully walked in, looking over at the assembled Arcades, Project Child, Spirit and deity.
"I assume this is the one who artistically arranged the artful architecture of the Institute?" Vivian asked, raising a brow as her glowing green gaze lasered in on Helios.
Helios stiffened, looking nervously tense.
"Yeah. That's me." He almost squeaked. "Hi."
"You realize that Andrew and quite a hefty amount of summoners are probably not amused," Vivian told him, closing an eye.
"Oh, c'mon Viv, it's funny," Krista grinned, "Where's Lenny and Amber?"
"On their way, they heard you were going to beat Harry's record again and they wanted to watch in case he came in,"
"Some people just want to watch the world burn," came the sweet reply.
"Considering who you are...I never expected that tone to ever come out of Kalista's mouth,"
"Oh I can be evil if I want to be," Krista chuckled, "Remember what I did to you when you refused to leave your house?"
Vivian's eyes flared a stunning sapphire as Camille wrenched control.
"You are very lucky I have her under control," Camille stated, "She still has not forgiven you for that,"
"Not my fault she decided to go after the big bad tutorial boss in Dark Souls with just a broken sword!" Krista beamed.
"Krista, I swear to God if I didn't like you so much I would cut you to ribbons," Vivian grumbled.
"Oh c'mon, Viv, you know you love me,"
Helios caught wind of an opportunity to finally get over his fear...at least temporarily. Because really, who wasn't afraid of Camille? A kickass British lady who didn't take shit from anything or anyone? No thanks.
"You had her play Dark Souls?" He asked, in amused disbelief. "And she never got payback?"
"I'm revenge personified," Krista snorted, "But I know that Viv's probably biding her time...she's like me in that sense...revenge is best served cold. She's waiting for me to let my guard down,"
"But you are bonded to a paranoid Champion so that is unlikely," Vivian sniffed, "You will get what's coming to you, Krista, I'll make sure of it. Though...if someone would like to be a catalyst for that...I would not be adverse to that,"
She threw a pointed look at Helios.
A red spark gleamed in his eye, anime-style.
"Krista, you have no idea what you've just unleashed." He said. "I hereby challenge you and everyone else in the arcade to a game of Mariokart!"
The Spear of Vengeance gave a wry grin before laughing.
"Alright! You're on! Give me a run for my money! I haven't had a challenge in ages!"
"HAHAHAHA YEAH!" Helios yelled, throwing his controller away and thrusting both hands in the air triumphantly. "I WIN! I WIN!"
Helios had completely and utterly obliterated the competition. As King Boo, he'd torn past everyone else like it was nothing, even going so far as to lap them occasionally on a few of the maps they'd played. Krista had been so relentlessly stubborn that she refused to admit defeat, trying to win on every single track of the game, only to fail spectacularly. Helios's high score now sat proudly atop that of the Spear of Vengeance, nearly double its value.
"Well, least Harry's going to have a hard time beating that," she grinned, "I'm half tempted to make you play Contra with me...see how well you fare against a former sniper,"
"You're on." He said. "Though I mainly prefer dance games and Nintendo games myself. RPGs on the side, occasionally."
"I'm a sucker for the classics," Krista shrugged, "Give me an Atari consol or an arcade game and I will be set. I'm not much of a dancer despite the fact I'm light on my feet,"
"Your mother's dancing didn't translate over to you?" Vivian asked, making Krista's ghostly face glow brightly as if she were blushing, "That I find hard to believe,"
"I'm a soldier," she growled, "Not a prima-balerina,"
"Coulda fooled me on the battlefield," Lenny grinned, leaning on his shotgun, "C'mon Krissy, with moves like that…?"
"Podoydite k sigarete," Krista snarled, only to get a light tap on the head by Vivian.
"Telling him to choke on his cigar is not very nice Krista," came the scold.
"But he deserves it," she huffed.
As Vivian and Krista continued to bicker, with the other arcade champions looking on, Helios quickly and quietly motioned for Ahri to join him in a secluded area over by the corner, without the others noticing.
"So…." Helios stuck his hands in his pockets (it had been an odd design choice for armor, but it worked) once their privacy was assured. "You can pretty much get guys to do whatever you want them to, right?"
"Mmm well I've come to understand that it's kind of wrong, but yes." She mumbled.
"Why so nervous?" Helios asked. "I might have a use for that in the future."
"Assuming, of course, that you wouldn't mind a bit of mischief." He grinned.
The nine tailed fox's eyes lit up. "Depending on the type of mischief I think the two of us might be interested." She grinned.
"Oh, I think you'll enjoy what I've got in mind." He replied. "It's a bit high-risk, high-reward, if you're into that kinda thing."
"Sounds good to me."
"Alright." He said. "Sounds like a plan."
"Now, in the meantime, before the others get suspicious, I suggest we go back and find a more innocent way of entertaining ourselves." He looked over at the games along the wall. "I'm curious to see what your preferences are."
Ariel and Ahri smirked at him, champion and Chosen in harmony, one eye blue, one eye gold. "Why don't we go pay Pac Man a visit?"
"You're on." He replied. "Prepare to taste defeat."
Turns out, Ariel and Ahri were really good at Pac Man. They abused the fact that there were two of them playing the game and kept track of where all the ghosts were at all times, as well as keeping track of where they had yet to travel to collect power pellets.
"Beat that," she grinned triumphantly before stepping away from the arcade game.
Helios cracked his knuckles. "If you insist."
He started up a game, paused...and then his hands were a blur.
What Ahri and Ariel had yet to learn was that Helios, due to being capable of traveling at the speed of light, had heightened reflexes and instincts. His hands flew across the controls, his eyes darting around the screen at inhuman speeds as he directed Pac Man as needed. He may not have been two people playing at once, but his abilities more than made up for that. When he'd finally been beaten, and Pac Man had died, his score was just a little bit higher than Ahri's.
"I mean, you offered." He said, stepping away and gesturing to the machine.
She shrugged, "I suppose we did." Then, after a moment she mumbled, "There go my records."
"What, you think you can't beat me?" He said teasingly. "Has the almighty femme fatale lost her nerve?"
She huffed, "You don't even have a Chosen and you're able to perform at the same level as us. I'll go again though."
"Then by all means." He struck a Captain Falcon-esque taunt pose. "Show me your moves."
She grinned, "I'm really feeling it!" She yelled before going to town at Pac Man again.
This time, she and her Chosen managed to beat Helios's score. "Oh, I see how it is!" He said, getting back in after she'd finished. "Gonna make me work for my money, are you?"
They must have been playing for half an hour, at least. At that point, both of them were experiencing cramps in their fingers, barely able to hold the controls.
"One more time…" she muttered as she tried to start another game, only for her to hold down on the button for far too long and ram into a ghost.
"Oof." Helios winced, still cradling his throbbing wrist. "Maybe we should try something else, and refrain from pulling something."
"That would probably be a good idea…" she walked away from the machine. "What else can we do…" she looked around, trying to find a suitable game.
Helios's eyes landed on a Dance Dance Revolution machine, suitable for two players.
Oh yes.
Oh, YES.
"Say!" He grinned, gesturing for Ahri to look where he was pointing. "That looks fun!"
"It does," she grinned challengingly. "Want to have at it?"
"Only if you're ready to lose." He grinned back. It was beginning to become a bit of a habitual response for Helios, but oddly enough he didn't mind.
The two of them raced over, quickly stepping onto their respective platforms and booting up the game. This caught the attention of the others, who up until then had been involved in a grueling Super Smash Bros match.
"C'mon Ariel! Kick his butt!" Noel cheered, pumping his fist.
Brigid clapped her hands enthusiastically as she nodded. Sora giggled in her mother's arms, also clapping as the two got ready.
"Oh this will be fun," Krista grinned, "Ariel's not been beat on this game yet…"
"That changes today." Helios replied, cracking his neck. "You've never even seen hips like mine, I guarantee it."
"Miss Popstar there might show ya up," Lenny chuckled, "But hey...you beat Krissy at a game...maybe you've got a shot,"
Ahri grinned, "Why don't we stop talking and start doing?"
"Sounds good to me." He replied. "What kinda tune are you feeling like?"
"I enjoy upbeat songs… hmm…" Ariel began to scroll through the song list.
"Wait. Stop at that one." He pointed to one that caught his eye. "Yeah, that'll do nicely!"
"Take Back the Night?" She asked. "Mkay. You ready?"
"Oh, hell yeah." He said. "But let's make this a little more interesting, shall we?"
Helios's fingers darted across his own screen, making adjustments in the Options menu. Ahri saw that he was setting the difficulty to Expert, while adding the mirror setting to the gameplay, along with the default. This would place a character on the screen that would demonstrate moves for them to copy. Since the difficulty was so high, it was going to require a lot of coordination and timing. Not only that, but the arrows on the platforms would still have to be stepped on. This would be a match won through blood, sweat and tears if it was the last thing Helios did.
"This looks like fun," Ahri announced, her tails curling in delight behind her.
"Then let's do this." Helios said, pressing start and getting into position. The others were squirming in their seats behind the both of them, eagerly captivated.
A generic character highlighted in blue appeared on the screen. He gave a quick bout of dialogue, asking if they were ready before counting down from three.
"THREE!"
Helios and Ahri looked at each other.
"TWO!"
They both tensed, preparing themselves.
"ONE!"
They grinned.
The bass dropped, the first few notes of the song ringing out. The character's body jerked, starting off a series of upper body movements, which the deity and vastaya copied. The rhythm picked up from there, easing into a predictable pattern that involved movements that were basic in execution, but strung together at high speed.
The lyrics started.
Yeah, this was your city
You did it all and more, broke every law except for one, babe
Attraction, are you ready?
I know you feel it, pull you nearer 'til you feel it again, oh
Helios and Ahri slid, stepped and shook to the beat, their movements perfectly in tune with the flood of arrows that were streaking down the screen. At one point, Krista had shut the windows and dimmed the lighting in the arcade, as the platforms would light up with different colors when arrows were stepped on. It was mainly to set the mood, but did its job nonetheless.
I wanna do something right
But we can do something better
Ain't no time like tonight
And we ain't trying to save it 'til later
Stay out here living the life
Nobody cares who we are tomorrow
And you got that lil' something I like
A little something I've been wanting to borrow
The beat picked up, the two's dancing accelerating with it. The motions became more emphasized, more lively, more energetic. Both of them were focused solely on the screen in front of them, absorbed by the torrent of arrows. Neither of them could even hear the enthusiastic cheers of their friends, Krista practically going nuts at the display.
Tonight's the night, come on surrender
I won't lead your love astray, astray, yeah
Your love's a weapon
Give your body some direction
That's my aim
They started moving slower, yet more fluidly, gliding along to the rhythm as it smoothened.
Then we could
The pace quickened, slowly getting faster and faster.
Take back the night
Come on, use me up until there's nothing left
Take back the night
Dizzy, spinning, sweating, you can't catch your breath
Take back the night
Ooh, don't know when the sun is rising next
Take back the night
So if the feeling's right, raise your glass and let's
Take back the night
The two of them exploded, launching into a series of powerful, dynamic movements that snapped, twisted and popped with motion. Both of them were enjoying this immensely, and it felt good to cut loose for once. It had been a long time since either of them had any competition. Helios had attempted to challenge the other gods to a dance-off once, but Anivia was still traumatized from the Snowdown Salsa incident from a few centuries back.
Both of them had only gotten to the first post-hook, and they were already having the time of their lives. Though in all honesty, Ahri had considered cheekily using her tails to her advantage. But when Helios matched her motion for motion and even made her put more effort into her own performance, she ditched the idea. This was interesting. This was a challenge. This was fun. And it'd been a while since she'd had any real fun.
Rare, there's not too many
No one but you and crowded rooms, we can do anything (yeah)
Attraction can drive you crazy
The way you move, you go crazy, that's incentive for me
I wanna do something right
But we can do something better
Ain't no time like tonight
And we ain't trying to save it 'til later
Stay out here living the life
Nobody cares who we are tomorrow
And you got that lil' something I like
A little something I've been wanting to borrow
"She's sure giving him a run for his money!" Krista grinned.
"But who will win?" Vivian replied, "honestly I was thinking she'd use her tails by now,"
"Naw that's cheatin'," Lenny chuckled, "she'll beat 'im fair and square, Boss,"
Helios would've made a contradictory remark, but he was too enveloped in the game. Sweat was beginning to form on his brow as the lyrics went on, and he could see that the same was true with Ahri. But there was no way that he was going to lose this. He had his pride to uphold, after all, and as fun as the vixen was he wasn't going to yield so easily. They stomped, kicked and snapped through the second hook and post-hook, getting more and more intense the longer they went on. Neither of them had yet to make a mistake, too consumed to even give the notion a thought. But gods, this was fun.
Break it, break it down now
Break it, break it down now
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
(And the horns say, alright)
(And the horns say, alright)
(Uh, ooh, and the horns say, alright)
(And the horns say)
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Take it over
Yeah, yeah
Take back the night, take back the night
Faster, faster, faster they went, until they were almost a blur. Both of them had more than enough stamina for this, but the pure strain that they were putting their concentration through was starting to get to them. Their timing continued to be flawless, their execution perfect, but it wouldn't be long before one of them slipped up.
(In hindsight, perhaps Helios shouldn't have chosen a song that was five minutes long, but he was enjoying himself nonetheless.)
The character tensed, briefly crouching and coiling his spine. In the few brief milliseconds that followed, Ahri and Helios both realized what was going to happen, eyes widening.
Ohshit- They thought, before reacting. They swung their right legs back, flung them forward and flipped, corkscrewing backwards in midair. Ahri's tails almost got in the way, before she managed to tuck them in at the last second.
The two of them landed on their feet, scrambling to meet the motions and arrows as they came back with renewed fervor.
Take back the night
Ooh, don't know when the sun is rising next
Take back the night
So if the feeling's right, raise your glass and let's
Take back the night, take back the night
They gon' try to shut us down, I'll be damned if we gon' let them
Take back the night, take back the night
You know you gon' mess around and find out there ain't no one better
Both of them were so close now. They were both sweating buckets, and even Ahri's tails were somewhat damp. Their motions were getting wobbly, though nevertheless enough to avoid mistakes.
(And the horns say) alright
(And the horns say) uh
Almost there…
(And the horns say) feels good to me
(And the horns say) alright, ooh
Take it over
Their feet slammed down on the final arrow, and the character on the screen excitedly exclaimed that they had finished.
The two slumped, sighing with relief as they panted. Ahri had fallen to her rear, while Helios was on his back, still sweating.
"Holy shit." He said. "That was…"
"Intense?" She managed in between pants.
"Sure." He wheezed. "Let's go with that."
He craned his neck up. "What'd we get for that? Who won?"
And the most remarkable sight greeted him in reply.
Fifty-thousand points each.
A perfect score. And a tie.
"What…? How?" her eyes flashed colors back and forth as Ahri and Ariel tried to figure out the odds of a tie with a perfect score. "This is insane…"
"Would you look at that," Amber laughed, twirling her staff around until it was on her shoulder, "looks like we have two grand Champions at that game!"
"Awwww cute couple," Krista chuckled.
"Krista!" Vivian scolded.
"What? I'm a bit of a troll, you haven't realized that yet?" The Spear of Vengeance smirked, "I mean, I do kinda throw people together…"
"Like you did with Leo and Panth?" Riven asked, smiling.
"And then yelled 'Just kiss already!'" Ana finished, her copper gaze glowing in the shadows of her 'Final Boss' cowl, "I honestly thought Those two were going to skewer you,"
"Already dead, can't die again unless Dianne shoots me," Krista replied flippitantly, waving her hand dismissively.
"I could still arrange for her to shoot you in the foot, you know!" Helios shouted. "It wouldn't kill you, but it'd still hurt like hell!"
"Dianne wouldn't hurt me!" Krista retorted, "she's the one who saved me by getting me here instead of leaving me seizing on the floor of my house,"
"I dunno, the concept of seeing Kalista in the Institute's hospital with a hole in her spectral green foot sounds like pretty good motivation." He replied.
"Why don't you ask Dianne about that?" Krista asked with an almost smug grin, "bet she'd say otherwise,"
"Mh." Helios grunted. "Maybe I'll do it later, when I can get my lazy bum off of this platform. I'm gonna have to at some point, anyways. Cira's murderous aura should be gone by now."
The assembled Chosens all shifted uncomfortably.
"If there is one thing we know about Cira…" Amber started, "its that she doesn't forget,"
He sighed. "Welp, I suppose I should head off to face my impending doom, then. The kids are going to need a human shield, too. Someone mind helping us up? I don't know about Ahri, but my legs don't want to move right now."
The girl simply groaned before faceplanting.
"I'll take that as a yes." He said. "A little help, please?"
"Traveling through my daughter's interdimensional portals and almost immediately after coming out challenging the reigning champion of dance to a dancing game was probably not your smartest move," came a sun-warm female voice.
Helios screamed.
"GODS NO I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" He shrieked. Of course Cira and Leona would track him down, especially at the worst time. His lucky was pretty shitty like that. It was finally time for him to make the choice Kindred offered. He'd prefer to take the Omae Wa Mo Shindeiru route, if that was an option. At least it would be relatively quick.
"Oh stop being so overly dramatic," Cira scoffed, coming over and yanking him to his feet without straining, "I don't kill...maim or seriously injure sometimes but never kill,"
"Unless the person playing you went to the Cira School of Supports," Arthur pointed out, "Miss 12/0/5 full tank Leona…"
Cira shot him a glare.
"I thought we agreed never to talk about that," she hissed.
"I agreed to no such thing!" He smirked, "but I think we've got a little bit of punishment to hand out?"
"A bit," Cira growled, eyes flickering gold and narrowing, "Helios...you are going to clean the Institute top to bottom so it shines like a star. No powers. Just good old fashioned elbow grease. And if you don't…it's a good thing I'm good friends with Hailey and Aurelion...I'm sure they'll find something apt as an incentive,"
"I don't think this is how the whole 'employer-employee' thing works." He replied, squinting.
"You made my children disobey me," Cira reminded him, "I at least try to keep some amount of order so the inmates aren't running the asylum,"
His shoulders slumped in defeat, pouting. "Fine. It washes off easy anyways."
Helios squatted down in front of Ahri, offering her his hand once again. "Thanks for the competition." He said, smiling. "I had fun."
She smiled, taking it. "I did as well, despite how sore I'm going to be tomorrow," she laughed. As she stood up, Ahri fluffed up her tails, then shook them and sighed. "Maybe we can go again after your punishment is over?"
"I'd like that." He replied. "See you around."
He turned away, waving to the others one last time before walking out the door, Cira and Arthur escorting him out into the hallway. Selene was waiting for them, arms crossed and bearing a dry amusement.
"Paying for your crimes at last, brother dear?" She asked.
"I feel like I'm being marched to a firing squad." He muttered.
"Oh you big baby, you'll be fine," Cira teased.
Helios knew that. More so than she realized. Selene couldn't help but feel pity for her. Helios, despite being completely insufferable and incorrigible, always cleaned up after himself when enacting his latest schemes, be it directly by his hand or not. He knew when the joke became stale. It was his own special way of showing that he cared.
However, that most certainly did not mean he wouldn't get revenge.
Selene contemplated whether she should warn them or not.
She decided against it. It was going to happen regardless. There was no point in ruining her brother's fun.
I...am fully expecting an all out prank war between Helios and Cira. Cira's got a massive "Don't get mad, get even" mentality. If he starts it, she will do her best to finish it. Next we get to go back to the kiddos! We've already met a few (Met Riven and Yasuo's daughter, Sora, here!), now we get to meet more!
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 (Diamond)
Aurelion Sol- Hailey Cannon
Tahm Kench-Agus Bukalow
Tryndamere-Matthew Hodges
Ashe-Amelia Whitworth (Hodges)
Kalista-Krista Rhon
Sion- Nick Diamond *mentioned*
Azir- Zahir Solaris *mentioned*
Ezreal- Noel Hikari
Veigar- Ana Lynn
Hecarim- Harold (Harry) Karum
Ahri-Ariel Royal
Camille-Vivian Vauclain
Graves-Leonard (Lenny) Wood
Nami-Amber Undina
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.
