So...uh...an apology from the three of us. Inspiration kinda lagged. But, to make it up, we have a long chapter for you! I know it's not summer anymore, but here it feels like it. So, enjoy!
Chapter XIV
"Why is it so hot?" Krista groaned, flopped on a couch with her arm over her eyes.
"You're dead, I thought you couldn't feel the weather," Amber smirked.
"I don't feel the cold. There is nothing in the Dead People's Handbook about not feeling this hellish weather!"
The door to the lounge swung open. "Hey guys," Helios said. "Got anything fun to do? I'm bo- ohhh, crap."
He bashfully laughed, pulling at his collar. "It's, uh...oh boy, it's that time of year again. I'd forgotten about that."
"You're a god, can't you do something's not about well...you?" Krista asked, pointing out the window.
"I mean, I would, but there's this thing called science." He leaned forward and took a swan dive onto the couch next to her. She bounced from the impact, but was too hot to care. Her clothes were drenched in sweat, plastered to her skin. "What do you think would happen if I altered my true form's temperature?" He asked, rolling over to sit upright.
"It'd not be a hellscape out there!"
"Um...Krista…" Amber pointed out, "lots of things would die if he did,"
"Thank you," he said. "Sure, you'd all be fine for about eight minutes if I did, but after that it'd just be a shitfest. And I'm not into the mood to deal with that kinda thing right now."
"The what to you suggest we do," Krista demanded, sitting up, "cause not all of us have the luxury of being able to keep themselves cool,"
She tilted her head towards Amber, who gave a smirk and flicked her tail, splashing Krista with water.
"Thaaaaanks," she huffed.
"What, you said you were hot!" Amber smirked, "and I bet someone else would say the same,"
"Shut up!" Krista hissed, looking very alert.
"Oh, what, you mean Gar?" He stretched back against the leather, sighing contentedly as he felt his spine pop. "Yeah, I already know about that."
"Is there anything you don't know?" Krista huffed.
"A few things." He opened one hand, and started counting with his fingers. "One: I don't know the Question to Life, the Universe and Everything. Even Aurelion hasn't cracked that one. Two: I don't know who Vi's into, but so help me gods I will find out eventually. And three: I don't know what you and Gar were doing last night. But I have an inkling of an idea, because it was loud."
"You know nothing Jon Snow!" Krista smirked, crossing her arms, "and that is for you to never find out,"
He hummed, and then his lip curled into a smirk. "I guess I'll have to be satisfied with the dialogue, then. Something about needing him to-"
"You shut your filthy pie hole or I'll fill you with spears," she hissed.
"How many other people know?" He asked, ignoring her discomfort.
"My team. And Cira...freaking matchmaker guessed…"
He tut-tutted. "That's it? How disappointing." He fixed her with an evil grin. "If anything, the whole Institute should know that your reputation is a lie."
"Reputation?" She sputtered, "you stay out of people's love life bud, it won't end well for you if you don't,"
"I dunno, you're gonna have to give me incentive not to." He was enjoying every bit of it, damn him.
"I won't fill you with spears and rip them out in a painful manner,"
"Try harder."
"Oh you don't understand. I will personally make sure that you won't have any little baby kits with Ahri,"
He snorted. "You wouldn't be the first to try. I think the heat's getting to your head, Krista."
"Then do somethin' about it so I can come up with a proper comeback!"
"Sure thing. Amber, flood the room."
"Wait what." Krista blinked as Amber shrugged, whirling her staff and slammed it into the floor.
Water started pooling around the staff and rapidly covering the floor. Krista started trying to get up to higher ground as it reached her calves. Helios, on the other hand, crossed his legs on the mahogany coffee table in front of him, resting both hands on his navel. "Feel any better yet, Krista?" He asked, as the water level came up to his neck and her waist.
She shot him a glare.
"Stay out of my personal life," she repeated, "yes I feel better but it's still going to be bad once we leave,"
"I've done all I can do," Amber shrugged, "dunno what else you'd want me to do,"
He repeated her gesture. "It really depends on what Krista's come up with." The water had risen past his mouth, so it came out somewhat garbled.
"What do you want," she hissed.
"I'm still deciding on that," he replied, now completely submerged. "I'll get back to you when I think of something good."
The door suddenly opened, and the group washed out into the hallway. They found a sopping wet Caitlyn standing there, flatly glaring at the lot of them.
"Top 'a 'da mornin' to 'ya, Cait." Helios waved from his splayed out position on the floor. "What brings you here?"
"What is going on?" She demanded, "I came in here because it felt cooler here, I thought one of the air conditioners was here,"
"No, sadly," Krista huffed.
"Air conditioners?" Helios quirked a brow. "What about 'em?"
"There are only a few…"
"I had been wondering why everyone's been sweating so vehemently. I know it gets hot during this time of year, but usually the Institute can handle it." He scratched his chin. "They're gone, you say? How?"
"A few champions stole them. I thought they would be here…"
"Why the hell would you assume that I did it?" He actually looked offended. "I'm not so cruel as to deny people their sacred right to air conditioning. That would be almost as bad as denying their right to bacon."
"I see they're not here, so I'm going to continue my search...probably after making sure Vi isn't making trouble…" Caitlyn sighed.
"You mean like that time we dressed up like posh British people and wouldn't stop making fun of your accent?"
"Precisely," she huffed, "or worse, she's gone and picked a fight with someone just because she can. I didn't know that Projects had to have active babysitters…"
WHAM!
"HANDS OFF MY PROPERTY, PANSIES!"
"The hell?" Helios craned his neck in the direction of the outburst, coming from around the corner. "What's all that about?"
"I don't know but let's find out," Caroline hummed.
"Count us in too," Amber agreed.
Helios jumped to his feet with a frown. "I could've sworn that was Vi I heard. What's gotten her so riled up?"
"I don't know...is it possible for Projects to the overheat?" Caroline asked, "if could be that…"
He shrugged. "I'd have to check the schematics I, ah, borrowed from Caleb. But, well, we can do that later. Onward!"
Vi's yelling was coming from one of the Institute's atriums. She wasn't the only one, either. A chorus of disjointed shouts and insults accompanied her own outbursts. As the group got closer, bits and pieces and belongings from various champions started flying past. At one point they were almost blindsided by one of Blitzcrank's arms.
They entered the atrium, and instantly developed flat stares.
Nearly the entire Institute, including the Summoners, were waging war against each other for a single air conditioning unit. Most of them had stripped down to their undergarments, dogpiling over each other in a sweat-stained tangle of limbs. Vi herself currently had the unit in her possession, awkwardly trying to fend off Tryndamere, who smelled-
The group wrinkled their noses. "Wow," Helios said, grimacing. "That's...a hell of a stench."
"Vi just let him have it!" Amelia begged, "think of Vasher who can't shut her sense of smell off!"
"I ain't forgiving that little monster for the mustache fiasco!" Vi snapped, "consider it revenge. Whatcha gonna do, old timer? Shoot me?"
"Tempted!" Came the queen's retort.
Suddenly, a golden blur rushed Vi, and grabbed the unit from the project. "IT'S OURS NOW!" Janie crowed as she ran towards a grinning Lucian and Dianne.
"THAT IS MINE! PAWS OFF!" Violet shrieked as she gave chase.
"Nope!" Janie smirked before yelling, "Dianne, commence diversion W!"
"Gladly," Death replied, pointing a finger at the cop. Almost immediately, Wolf bounded forward and charged Vi.
Vi skidded to a stop, her projector flickering as her gauntlets lit up a harsh orange.
"You want all your teeth, Wolf, then STAY OUTTA MY WAY!"
"I do not fear you," Wolf growled out. "I only fear this inescapable, infernal heat."
"Warned you!" Violet told him as her visor blazed and she shot forwards, knocking him aside as she locked into the other Project, "Janie that AC is mine!"
"Arthur!" the woman called out, tossing the machine to her fellow project. He caught it, but ended up looking like a deer in the headlights as he watched Violet reach Janie.
"Annnnd I'll take that," came Sienna's voice as she grabbed the unit from the staring Purifier and went towards her husband, who was holding a crying Jayvyn.
She felt a cold chain wrap around her wrist.
"Going somewhere?" Hayden asked, smirking maliciously.
"Yeah, away from you!" Came the retort as she pulled out her gun and shot him in the hand.
Hayden yelled and the chain went slack as Senna gave a grin and sauntered off, blowing smoke off the barrel before flipping it into its holster.
"Can we share, Sienna?!" Dianne called out as she chased. "Fur is hot!"
Sienna opened her mouth to protest when she tripped over a white boot accented with red gold and orange.
"And that would be mine," Cira smirked, flipping her long red ponytail off her shoulder. Thank you for the express delivery,"
Dianne collapsed in front of her. "Please almighty sun. Spare me."
"You think fur is hot? I don't look like I'm wearing it because someone," she shot Helios a scathing glare, "made this my default...but metal armor is hot,"
Dianne let out small whining sounds from her spot on the ground.
"Where are the other units? I know this isn't the only one…" Cira hummed. Helios empathetically patted Dianne on the shoulder while she groveled.
"Not entirely certain," Ahri huffed as she strutted up, tails twitching every which way behind her. A small fan rested in one hand and she was sporting a short skirt and a tank top. Clearly, even she was bothered by the heat. "Helios and I secured one but… the whereabouts of the rest? Not so much."
"Hm…" Helios started scratching at his chin. "My money's on Vasher. This seems like something she would do. Plus…" A bashful grin crossed his face. "I may have instructed her to practice with her own independent pranks before our collaborations. Just to warm up." He snickered while the others groaned at the pun.
"If not, well…" He shrugged. "There are other possible candidates. Just have to sort through them all."
Dianne groaned again. "Why can't it be winter? Winter is nice with fur…" she mumbled. "I don't have to fight over air conditioneeeeeers."
"On the bright side, you're Death, so it's not like you'll die," he replied. "I mean, you'll still wish you were dead, but...it's something."
"I didn't even do it!" Vasher whined, "I'm too hooooooot! I wanna go back home! I wanna play with my puppy! And daddy needs a bath!"
"I think he needs more than that." Helios wrinkled his nose. "At this rate it's gonna take a week to get the smell to go away. Geez, Tryn, what's up with your armpits?"
"Heat and I do not mix," the king growled, "hence why I stay in the North. Where it is cold,"
"And where you also do not shave your armpits. Because gods know that they need it."
"You're about to meet the bad side of my blade…"
"You still aren't denying it."
"It's extra protection against the cold!"
"For gods' sake Tryndamere, you don't even wear a shirt. I doubt that losing a bit of hair will make much of a difference."
"He...might have a point…" Amelia admitted.
"Amelia!" Matthew sputtered.
"Besides, it's not like Ashe doesn't want to see more of your bare skin anyways," Helios said.
Now it was her turn to sputter.
"What have we told you about other people's love lives!" Amelia screeched.
"Piss on that, Ahri and I want entertainment," he replied.
"Entertainment?!"
"Something to distract the two of us from the weather, perhaps," Ahri grinned.
"Then let's find something that doesn't involve people poking into love lives?" Krista asked, "like...I dunno...making the summoners open the pool maybe?"
"A pool party, huh?" Helios pondered the idea. "If it's on the Institute's private island, that might not be such a bad idea."
"You just want to see a certain someone in her swimsuit," Leona pointed out.
"I- what- no! I mean-" His face turned a deep shade of crimson. "...Damn you."
"Payback's a female dog, ain't it?" Cira smirked.
"I AM NOT!" Krista yelled.
"Not what I meant, Krista! You know that!"
Ahri smirked. "I'll find my best swimsuit for you if you convince them."
His rounded eyes darted across her figure, relaying all the enticing possibilities to his brain. "...Consider me motivated."
"Pervert," Krista smirked.
"Oh, like you're one to talk. You want me to tell them about how you were eyeing Gar's ass during breakfast?"
She gave him a seething glare.
"Almost as bad as Korosensei," Cira bored, chuckling, "almost,"
"You know what sounds really great?" He asked. "Making Illaoi do Korosensei cosplay for this year's Comic-Con."
"Vel would be better at it,".
"Well, whose reaction would you want to see more?"
"Both would be funny. But Illaoi has more of a sense of humor than Vel. I want to see him to be honest,"
"Meh. Fine. ANYWAY!" He started goose-stepping in the direction of the door. "Time to go see Andrew about a pool party!"
"And yes." He pointed a finger over his shoulder at Jinx before she could even open her mouth. "There will be water guns."
"REMATCH DAVID! And no rewinding time!" Mya shouted to her husband, who rolled his eyes.
And so it began.
"I'm going to kill him," Cira grumbled as she crossed her arms over her bare abdomen.
"Again, remind me to thank him," Arthur chuckled, "I haven't seen that look since our honeymoon,"
Cira was in a pale blue bikini that lovingly showcased her toned form, a filmy coverup wrapped around her waist was all she had in terms of 'decency' while a golden sun hair clip glinted in her hair.
"And again, you might want to keep that opinion to yourself else she stabs us," Pantheon warned, pulling the brim of his hat down.
"Can we go play now?" Artemis asked tugging on her father's swimming trunks.
"Sunscreen first kiddo," Cira scolded.
"Awww!" All four Aspect Children whined.
After a hefty amount of string-pulling, Helios had secured the champions a three-day vacation at the Institute's tropical resort. Andrew had apparently made him give some form of concession in return, though the details were a little ambiguous to Cira and the others. The six currently sat in their striped beach chairs by one of the twelve (yes, twelve) pools, which was already packed. The pool sat right next to the beach, offering a splendid view of the waves that lapped at the sunkissed shore. Sand pits for volleyball had been placed adjacent to the structure, so that they wouldn't obscure the scene for the guests.
"Well." Selele adjusted her silver-rimmed sunglasses. "The Institute's certainly no slouch in the provisions department, I'll give them that." She was sporting a navy strapless bikini under a black button-up shirt that had the ends tied at the front. A sarong the of the same color was tied around her waist, while a pair of flip-flops snugly wrapped around her feet.
"No, they aren't," Mir agreed as she turned a page in her book from under the umbrella, "little too sunny for my tastes but eh,"
Selene tilted her head down to stare at her from behind her sunglasses. "Mir, I realize that you may be one of my Lunari, but even I have to admit that that's a little too cliché."
"I have two shades, white and lobster," Mir snorted, "not even the best sunscreen helps,"
"I remember when I used to be like that…" Cira sighed, "then I got stuck with Leo and that wasn't an issue anymore,"
"You say that like it's a bad thing!" Leona scoffed.
"It comes with the healthcare package!" Helios's voice called. "I can set you up, if you're willing to switch religions!"
His deal with Andrew apparently involved working at a bar. The shack where he was stationed was fairly standard in design, consisting of palmwood boarding and a thatch roof. Drink machines sat on a counter behind him, with a menu nailed to the wall above. A pair of coolers had been placed in the corner, presumably filled with more refreshments. Alcoholic drinks were displayed for the adults on shelves adjacent to him.
And then there were his clothes. He was wearing the loudest Hawaiian shirt any of them had ever seen, bearing an almost cacophonous mix of red, orange, white, yellow and pink (that last color threw them off a little bit). His maroon swim trunks were relatively tame in comparison, though the color clashed with the rest of his ensemble.
"I look awful in red so forget it," Diana called.
"Ah, I wouldn't say that just yet." He leaned forward as they came over, bracing his arms against the counter in front of him. "It would only take a bit of cosmetic work."
"No way are you doing anything to me," Diana growled, putting her hand on her stomach, "No magic near the baby, ok? I don't want to risk something going wrong,"
He held up his hands. "Fair enough. Though, fair warning, I will consider you fair game afterward."
"If it gives me just a little peace for now, Fine. But no way am I ever praising you," Mir snorted.
"We'll see about that." He adjusted his grip on the counter. "But enough about that. Can I get you guys anything? It doesn't cost anything for champions, and I'm kind of required to do this kinda thing anyway."
"We're staying away from that stuff," Arthur said as Cira's eyes narrowed, "we don't want a repeat of last time…"
"Baby," Mir replied, "plus I've got water,"
"Oh, please, like I would really target the same couple using the same method twice." Helios rolled his eyes. "Besides, I'm actually getting paid for this. I'm not gonna screw it up by spiking the drinks."
"You would get great enjoyment out of spiking Vi's wouldn't you. You want to see who she's got a thing for," Cira pointed out.
He blinked, then pulled out a notepad and pen from a drawer under the counter, scribbling something down.
"Guess I'll save that idea for later, then." He stuffed them back into the drawer. "Now, drinks? Most of them are kid-friendly, I swear."
"I want that one, Mama!" Apolla chirped, pointing at one of the drinks, almost violently blue, "it looks pretty!"
"Same!" Her other siblings chirped.
"They're all going to be smurfs by the end of the day…" Cira groaned.
"Eh, the water will wash it off," her husband chuckled, "we'll take the best of the non-alcoholic stuff you've got as well as what the kids want, Helios,"
"Alright, coming right up." In an instant, he had them lined up on the counter for them, courtesy of his superhuman speed. "I only offer the best service to my customers."
"Thanks," Arthur nodded.
"What do you four say…" Cira started as the kids grabbed their drinks.
"Thank you Uncle Helios!" The kids beamed before running off.
He started, then shook his head with a chuckle, folding his arms on the counter. "Ugh, I'm gonna turn into a sappy pile of mush one day, just from being in proximity to them.
"You did good with them, you two. They're gonna be just fine, I can tell."
"You've already gone soft, Helios." Selene nudged him playfully over the counter. "You just don't want to admit it yet."
"...Shut up."
She laughed. He pouted.
"She isn't wrong," Leona pointed out, pointing a finger, "in fact...I see one of his soft spots on her way here,"
"Huh?"
And then he saw her.
Oh, gods.
Ahri walked casually towards the bar, her bangs swept low and fluffy white tails swinging lazily behind her. She had on a bikini that heavily resembled her outfit that she wore for the League. The top portion was a wine red with white accents and a red tassel was hanging from from the center. The lower portion of the swimsuit had a half skirt, which was slightly above mid thigh on one side. It was white and had a red and gold band around her waist.
"Hello, Helios," she purred as she reached the bar.
Ohgodsohgodsohgodsohgodsohgods.
He had not been prepared. He'd been expecting a show, but...gods.
"Uh...h-h-h-hi," He stammered. He kicked himself right after, cursing his idiocy. "You, um...wow. Uh, yeah. You look, um...y'know." Idiot, idiot, idiot! This wasn't the way it was supposed to go, dammit! He was supposed to be the cool one! He didn't get tongue-tied when staring at- oh sweet gods she was right in front of him.
"Cat got his tongue...or should I say fox," Cira chuckled, "c'mon dear, let's go,"
And with that the two Aspects left, Selene joining them. As entertaining as it would be to watch, she knew when it was best not to ruin the moment.
Ahri gave a small laugh as she leaned against the bar. "You're the bartender for all of us today?" She reached up with a hand and brushed her bangs away from her eyes a bit so that she could see him better. And so he could see her golden eyes.
"Hm?" He snapped himself out of his trance. "Yes! I am! I'm the bartender! Got everybody's drinks covered!" He laughed awkwardly. "You know me, it's nothing I can't handle!"
He wanted to die.
Ahri gave a smirk, though didn't laugh. "Will you be able to swim or join us in a game of volleyball later, perhaps?" She asked with a slight tilt of her head.
He glanced at a clock on the wall next to him. "...Should be. I can take a break in about an hour. But, um, fair warning." He gently tugged at his collar. "I can be...pretty competitive."
Ahri shrugged. "It'll still be fun." She leaned towards him, over the bar. Her tails moved hypnotically behind her as she smiled, "and afterwards I can hang out here and get a drink." The fox gave him a near feral grin.
Oh good gods he was doomed.
"I have very mixed feelings about the implications you're making," he said, with a half-nervous, half-pleased smile.
She shrugged as she stood back up properly. "I have no idea what you mean. Implications? No, no Helios. I'm not making implications." The grin finally went all the way to feral. "I'm making promises."
Without waiting for a response, she walked off, hips swaying ever so slightly. Helios couldn't prevent himself from staring after her.
He looked down. "Down, boy. I'm as excited as you are, but this really isn't the best time." He wiped away a few beads of sweat that had accumulated on his forehead, attempting to calm the thunderous beating of his heart. "Gods, what that woman does to me…"
"Aren't you supposed to be working?" Came Shyvana's voice as she and Jarvan came up, the latter holding her in his arms with a great deal of tenderness.
"I was getting to that," he replied. "Hello to you too."
"Looked to me you were...well, I bet I can imagine but hey. I'm a good queen and am going to stay out of people's love lives…" Sonja smiled.
"That's a lie and you know it," Zack countered.
"He is my grandfather," Shyvana smirked.
"Sometimes I think you take after me a little too well," Helios said.
"Hey, I've been alone for how long? I have a right to tease you," she grinned.
"Fair point. Now, are you only here to do that, or do you actually want something?"
"Can't have anything too crazy, what do you recommend?" She asked.
"Well, we've got a lot of drinks with really cheesy names that I'm not gonna bother listing," he said, checking the drink machines. "Hm...how do you feel about mango, pineapple, orange and banana all at once?"
"Sounds good," Sonja nodded, "I just can't have any alcohol…too far along,"
"If you've got anything watermelon I'll take that," Zack said.
"Done." Their drinks were instantly on the counter in front of them.
"Thank you," Sonja smiled and Zack nodded his thanks as well, "save a game of volleyball later?"
"Ahri asked me the same thing a minute ago," he recalled. "If you want to get completely destroyed, sure. I'm game."
"Who said anything about us being on opposite teams," she smirked.
"Sweetheart, I'm your grandpa," he reminded her. "I have to show you how it's done, even if it means humiliating you in front of your husband."
"Bring it on, gramps," she grinned, "I get Syndra then,"
"Ha!" He scoffed. "Just wait until you see my team. You're gonna be nursing your arse all week by the time I'm done with you."
"You think I'm scared of you? Ha, that's funny,"
"Oh, you will be, Shy. You will be."
"Come on, Krista! The water is fine!" Amber beamed splashing.
"You're a fish. That doesn't tell me much," Krista deadpanned as she waded into the waves.
"I mean, even cold as ice Lissandra over there is getting in," Amber pointed out.
"I'm in the water aren't I?"
Krista dove beneath the waves, the muffled sounds of laughter on the beach reaching her ears before she swam farther out towards her teammate. She resurfaced, shaking the water from her long dark hair.
"How long can you stay down for?" Amber asked.
"Dunno, never tried it,"
"What? Gar never take you down to his shipwreck?"
"Don't you start!" Krista scolded as Amber cackled.
The Tidecaller splashed her friend, getting a splutter from the spectre, whose eyes narrowed and a water fight ensued. Krista grabbed Amber's shoulders and dunked her under the water, laughing loudly as Amber resurfaced and gave her quite the stink eye.
"Y-Your face!" Krista cackled, doubled over, "oh God your face!"
At the far end of the pool, hidden by the crowd, a dark silhouette silently glowered at the both of them. It dove back down beneath the surface, circling the pair like a shark. It wove around limbs that were in the way, staying close to the bottom to avoid detection.
Krista was too busy laughing at her friend to notice. She finally straightened up, wiping what would be tears of laughter from her eyes.
"Oh God…" she gasped, still chuckling.
The predator swam under Lissandra, ducked around Kai'Sa and slipped past Annie, angling so that it was directly behind Krista. She still hadn't detected its presence.
"Ah that made my day," she beamed, splashing the water around her.
The predator finally breached the surface. It moved at a slow but deliberate pace towards her, creating only the faintest ripples.
It slunk closer...closer...closer…
And then whispered "Hi" right in her ear.
Krista shrieked, jumping almost clear out of the water, eyes wild as she whipped around with hand in a fist until she saw who it was.
"GAR!" She screeched, "I THOUGHT!"
She splashed him with water.
"I TOLD!"
Splash!
"YOU NOT TO DO THAT TO ME!"
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Pyke's dark-skinned Chosen allowed his scarred lips to curl up into a small smile, unaffected by her onslaught. "We both know you like what comes afterward."
"We...I...w-well…" Krista stammered.
He leaned in and kissed her.
She stiffened for a moment before relaxing, leaning into him. If she was honest...it was...nice to actually have someone she could trust who wouldn't stab her in the back.
"Still mad?" He asked, after he'd pulled away.
"You're gonna have to do a lot better than that if you want me to forgive you, Gar Rivers," Krista huffed, poking him in the chest.
"Hn." Gar pondered this for a moment. "Meaning…?"
"Maybe not here in the presence of children," she smirked, "We'll see,"
"I'm not a very patient person," he replied. "Don't take too long to decide."
"I know what I want, unfortunately, we can't exactly do it here. Leona, Ashe and all the other mothers would kill us both," she told him before whispering something in his ear, "What do you think?"
His eyes narrowed. "Fine. I'll wait."
"Awwww, look at how cute you two are," Amber cooed.
Krista immediately whirled around, blushing.
"You saw nothing and you are going to say nothing," she hissed.
"Oh come on, I think it's sweet!" Amber protested, "You finally have someone who isn't a bloody psychopath,"
"I never said I wasn't a psychopath." Gar revealed his harpoon, fingering the edge. "I'm kinda feeling like sushi today, if I'm being honest."
"You keep that harpoon away from me!" Amber hissed, backing up, "It was just a joke. I'm happy for her, honest,"
She really did not want a repeat of what happened when they first met.
Krista was about to reply, then paused. Her lips pressed together tightly, narrowing her eyes at a shady spot beneath a copse of pine trees, on the other side of the pool.
Harry was sitting sideways on his chair, clad in a simple pair of swim trunks. He swept his gaze across the pool area (rolling his eyes as he saw Mya prepare her water guns), until it finally landed on the group.
"He is a Champion too," Amber admitted begrudgingly, "so he's allowed where we are,"
Gar let out a low, guttural growl, glowering in his direction. He wasn't too happy with the idea either.
Harry sensed their gaze and gave a smirk, giving a slight salute. Krista hissed and started forwards only for Amber to grab her by the back of her skirt.
"You'll get in trouble," Amber muttered.
Gar's eyes flashed bright blue. "Not if we don't get caught," Pyke said. "It's easy to gut someone and make it look like anyone could've done it."
Krista's eyes flashed white.
"Yes, that is true…" Kalista hummed.
Amber splashed them both.
"You two do realize that if anything happened to him, you both would be suspect?"
"Not that anyone would miss him," Gar muttered.
"His summoners would,"
"They'll get over it."
"No killing off the rift!"
"Rules are meant to be-" Gar paused, squinting behind Amber. "What are they doing?"
"I don't know…" Amber admitted, "But considering it's Helios and Ahri I doubt it's good…"
The two of them were surreptitiously tiptoeing up behind Harry, each holding something behind their back.
"Please be a water balloon…" Krista grinned savagely.
They loomed over him, cackling silently to themselves.
And then, they each pulled out…
A lobster. And not just any lobster: Bilgewatian Scarlet Snappers, a particularly voracious breed.
And before Harry could react, they pulled open his swim trunks and shoved them in.
What came out of the Shadow of War was something between a human scream and a horse's shriek as the equine spirit shot up, bucking wildly as he cursed so badly the Bilgewater Champions all hid their heads in shame. Krista gave a loud, evil cackle as she nearly fell over, tears streaming down her face as Harry rampaged through area, making some of the littler Champions scatter as his hooves trampled the sand. The timbre of his cries rose to earsplitting shrieks, as the lobsters pinched down on a very particular area.
"You owe me," Helios told Krista, squatting down at the edge of the pool.
"I'm almost afraid what you'll ask, but right now I'm just going to enjoy this,"
"Don't you have work to do?" Gar asked him.
Helios thumbed back towards the bar. A sign labeled "Bathroom Break" stood on the counter, answering Gar's question.
"Of course, I don't actually have to go to the bathroom, but…" Helios shrugged, a rueful grin on his face. "If it works."
Ahri gave a sinister smile. "And it definitely did." She glanced over to Helios. "Don't forget you owe me a volleyball game."
"Never, my dear." He planted a kiss on her cheek before dashing off to the bar.
"As long as it doesn't involve me going after Cira, I think I'll be ok," Krista huffed.
"I don't know what my grandfather has planned, but…" came Sonja's voice as she waded towards Krista, "how'd you like to be a part of my team?"
Krista gave a hum as she looked at where Helios was running off to.
"I think that sounds like fun," she smirked.
"BRING IT, PANSIES!" Helios screamed, knees bent with a wild glint in his eyes. "I'LL TAKE YOU ALL ON!"
"Easy there Optimus Prime," Violet snickered, tossing the volleyball up and down, "you might strain somethin',"
"I consider myself to be more of a Grimlock, actually," he replied. "And I'm gonna smash the shit outta this game. And you."
"Oho you think that?" Violet challenged, "I've got three reasons that say you don't, myself not included,"
"Feh." He did a few crunches, then twisted his torso from side to side. "I ain't scared. Do your worst."
"Prepare to get dunked," Vi grinned, "Serve's up!"
She tossed the ball in the air, so high it could barely be seen before jumping up almost as high and smacking the ball as hard as she could, sending it screaming over the net.
He was there in an instant, sending the ball skyward with a simple rap of his knuckles. He waited, then smacked it over the net at three times the speed.
Vi dove into the sand, kicking it up as she saved the ball from hitting the ground. The ball went up into the air only to get smacked down by Darius across the net.
"Good save!" Silvia praised as she helped Vi to her feet.
"Setting it!" Helios called, hitting the ball up.
"Okay! I'll get it!" Ahri called out as she began running towards the god, arms extended.
He dove away, giving her room. "All yours!"
With that, Ahri charged forward and, upon lining herself up with the ball, jumped into the air, right hand raised. She seemed to be in that pose for an eternity, but mere seconds later, she spiked the ball.
"Got it!" Silvia yelled, saving it, "hey, Sonja!"
The ball went high into the air, Sonja grinned as she looked at Helios...and then smacked the ball right at him, fire crackling around her fist.
Helios thrust his fingers into his mouth and whistled.
Bard slid across the sand, pointing his saxophone (that was what they called it - even Helios didn't know what its real name was, and Bard wasn't really one for talking) up at the ball. He blasted a single, sonorous note, projecting a blast of energy towards the ball. It shot upward, bathed in lustrous golden light.
"YA LIKE JAZZ, SHY?!" Helios yelled, leaping up to spike the Jazz Ball of Doom.
"Syndra!" Shyvana yelled.
"Gotcha," Syndra grinned as violet light flared around her hands.
The golden light suddenly turned purple as Silvia slowed it slightly and bumped it up.
"HA!" Krista yelled as she sent it over the net.
A trio of sand soldiers rose up from the court, slapping it back over with the shafts of their spears.
"You really thought that would work," Alexander chuckled as the soldiers followed his command.
"Cheater," Krista hissed as Seamus saved the ball and Syndra smacked it down.
"Technically, it isn't," Helios said, setting it just in time. "The rules don't say that we can't use sand soldiers."
A ghostly, glowing tentacle smacked it over the net.
"Or tentacles," Alejandra smiled, "Consider it a lesson, Krista. One, I am afraid, might take a bit to learn!"
"Ohhhh no," Krista growled as she saw the ball go to an area where no one was, "I've been on the receiving end of your lessons. I don't need another one,"
She clenched her fist, and Darius disappeared in a blaze of green light. She gestured towards the unmanned area and Darius rematerialized just in time to hit the ball up.
"Got it!" Shyvana yelled as she set the ball up high.
"Same!" Vi grinned as she leaped up and smacked the ball directly at Ahri, putting everything she had into that hit.
The fox stared at the ball, eyes wide before moving most of her tails in front of her. They blocked the ball and knocked it up, but Ahri let out a whine. "Violet! That hurt!" Ariel cried out.
"Not my problem!" she smirked, "I can't help it! I'm just built this way! Blame Caleb, he designed me,"
DONG!
The ball slammed into her face faster than she could think, toppling her.
"Hope you don't mind, Vi." Helios dusted off his hands. "No offense, but I'm obligated to defend my woman's honor."
"Owwww," Violet groaned, still lying down as her projector glitched, "I think you cracked my visor…"
"C'mon, get up soldier," Krista started, grabbing Violet's hand, "we've still got a game,"
"Gimme a second…" Violet told her, putting a hand to her projector, "Ah, come on, stop glitching already...there,"
She glared at Helios, a very, very murderous look in her eyes.
"Alright Sunshine, you're gonna pay for that," she growled.
She received a mild smirk in reply. "Vi, if you think that's supposed to scare me, I once had to groom Volibear. Nothing you say or do will ever be worse than that."
"You did what?!" Krista sputtered.
He frowned at the memory. "I lost a bet a few hundred years ago. I had to go through every inch of his fur. The things I saw in there…" He shuddered.
Ahri looked to him and winced slightly. "Sounds bad."
"You have no idea."
"Yeah well…" Shyvana started as the hurled the ball towards him, "Your team's serve,"
"'Kay." He caught it, spinning it once with his index fingers. "Anyone want it for this round? I probably shouldn't be the one to do it."
"Pansy," Violet snorted, earning her a whap upside the head from one of Silvia's dark spheres.
"Don't antagonize him please," Silvia grumbled.
"I can always count on my battle buddy," up Helios beamed. "Now!" He smacked a hand against the ball, creating a small echo. "Any volunteers?"
"If no one else will, then I shall do it," Illaoi said, taking the ball from Helios, "Be wary, Vi, this one comes for you,"
"BRING IT!" Vi challenged.
Helios had the feeling there was a tentacle joke in there somewhere, but wisely chose to keep it to himself.
The priestess tossed the ball into the air and smacked it towards Vi like she had promised. Vi dove, hitting the ball with one arm, sending it into the air where the teal blur that was Krista spiked it towards an empty spot where no one was.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Helios smacked it up, setting it for Illaoi. "Did you think you had us?"
The Kraken Priestess gave the ball a crushing blow, again aiming for Vi, who yelled as the force knocked her flat, but still catapulted the ball up into the air where Shyvana smacked it down again.
Azir sent his soldiers forwards, who hit the ball upwards just for him to hit it towards Darius.
"Cheater!" Krista yelled, "THAT IS A DOUBLE HIT!"
"My soldiers hit it, not me!" The Emperor scoffed, "it is a legal hit,"
"That's not fair!" The specter screeched, "that's like me summoning my own army to play!"
"Not my fault you didn't,"
Darius seemed to sense Krista's anger and immediately hit the ball towards her.
She smacked it over the net while two teal oathbound spirits rushed towards to tip it over the net...while a third grabbed at Azir's ankle, ripping him off his feet.
"Now who is cheating!?" Alejandra demanded, crossing her arms.
"He started it," came the dark snarl from Kalista as Black Mist coiled around her feet, "We finished it,"
"Krista, play nice," Ariel huffed. "Otherwise this is going to become an unsortable mess."
"HE CHEATED!"
"Technically, he didn't," Helios piped up. "There's nothing in the rules that says he can't use his Sand Soldiers like that."
"If you're going to pull that BS, then you have too many players," she snapped.
"Fine, fine, we can redo it." He rolled his eyes. "Without the constructs."
"Finally some peace," Seamus muttered, making Violet snort.
Azir's discomfort was evident as he took the ball to serve.
"Remember, Azir," Helios said, "no constructs."
Hesitantly, he tossed the ball up.
"So," Helios drawled. "How much do you think the sand pit, bar, snack shack and lazy river cost altogether?"
"With Andrew's luck, probably more than enough to give him a headache," Selene replied.
"That's unfortunate."
"You're not the one paying for it."
"Hey, I wasn't the one who turned them into a smoldering wreck, believe it or not." He took a sip from a drink he'd procured from the shack's remains. He quickly pulled away, grimacing. It had quickly turned lukewarm. "That was Aatrox's fault," he said, after wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
"And what exactly possessed you to invite him to a volleyball game?"
Helios shrunk under the dry scrutiny of her glare. "Azir turned out to be ass at volleyball without his constructs doing the work for him," he managed. "Aatrox was kind of milling around by the beach, so…"
"Helios, I love you, I really do, but you're honestly the biggest idiot I've ever known. You know how the others feel about him. Remember what happened before he was inducted as a champion?"
"Hey, that could've gone a whole lot worse."
"Literally everyone almost died, Helios."
"Almost. Not quite."
"You're unbelievable."
"Love you too."
"And that is why there will be no more volleyball games...at least when there is a god on one side," came Andrew's voice as the Summoner came up, his arms crossed, "they thought it'd be a good idea to send at least one Summoner here...they should have thought of that earlier,"
"Alright, out with it. How much is this gonna cost you?" Helios asked.
"Selene was dead on. The area is easily fixed with magic, but the headache is going to be a massive one. Thankfully…" he pulled out a small vial, "I've come prepared. Something I've learned to expect with working with Chosens,"
Helios leaned over it, curious. "And that does...what, exactly?"
"Headache relief. Aspirin hasn't exactly been able to be mass produced here. It was among the things we were planning to bring to Runeterra before the Barrier. Just like there are some herbs here that when mixed properly...can cure cancer. This program we started was to open up trade and technology to both worlds. Like Hextech to Earth and advanced medicine to here. There were some down sides...mainly the void and a few other influences on both, but it was for the most part good,"
He gave a sad smile as he traced a knot in the table.
"Sona finding an iPod, Jayce and Viktor discovering laptops and flashdrives, Zoe discovering cameras...all those pure, innocent moments now gone,"
Helios's face contorted with an odd expression.
"What?" Andrew asked, "Helios...I don't like that look. Hey! What!? NO! PUT ME DOWN!"
"Sorry, Andrew!" Helios said with a cheeky grin as he held Andrew overhead. "You've become a party pooper! And at the pool, there are no party poopers allowed!"
He chucked him into the water, creating a massive splash. The Summoner quickly resurfaced, spluttering and gasping.
"Welp, since the bar's been destroyed, I'm gonna go find Vasher. And make out with Ahri. And get them both to help me shenaniganize. Not necessarily in that order. I'm not sure if shenaniganize is an actual word." Helios raised one knee and primed both arms in a skedaddle pose. "Later!"
He zipped off, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.
Andrew stared for a moment only for someone to nail him with a water balloon. He whirled around to see Cira doubled over laughing as Janie tossed a balloon in her hand.
The Summoner gave a loud, long laugh before turning to Ziggs.
"You have any more balloons?" he asked.
"Sure do!" the Mad Bomber grinned, handing over one.
"Oh, God, run!" Cira yelled, bolting as Andrew gave chase.
Selene chortled after them as Diana sidled up next to her. "Helios is going to be disappointed that he just missed this. At this point, profanity's the only real difference between the two of them."
"Years of teaching basically told her that was not allowed," Diana shrugged, "She's always had the mentality that there are so many more ways you can express yourself than just outright cursing. Mainly the weirder the saying the more the person you're insulting is likely to laugh than beat your face in,"
"Understandable," Selene replied. "Helios used to be the same, once upon a time. His speech used to be very eloquent, actually. He was still...well, him, but he was more articulate about it."
"EAT MY DUST, ASHE!" Helios yelled, howling alongside Vasher and Ahri as they fled from the archer. Ashe herself had the remains of her banana split splattered across her face as she frenzied after them. The cool liquid was already drying out, crusting into a mask.
The corner of Selene's lip curled downward. "Circumstances necessitated a change, however. Believe it or not, it was more efficient. It became easier for him to keep the other gods in line."
Mir gave a wry grin as she watched a water balloon thrown by Cira at Arthur. The Artisan of War gave a yell before jumping up, grabbing a squirt gun and giving chase.
He managed to grab Cira, but lost his footing and pulled both of them into the pool, his hat washing off and revealing his sodden black curls. Both Chosens sputtered before laughing heartily, throwing their heads back and towards the sky.
"They're so cute together," she said, "so happy,"
"CANNONBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"
Selene and Diana were promptly engulfed with a giant wave of water as Helios crashed into the pool to escape Ashe's wrath.
"Diana, dear," Selene flatly said, wiping water out of her eyes. "Murphy's Law tends to work overtime when Helios is around, so please don't jinx it next time."
"Noted," she sputtered, shaking her head and wringing out her pale hair, "I think I'm going to go back onto my chair,"
"I think I'll do the same."
Next up, we're hoping to do a bit of a Halloween special for you guys. So...expect some pranks and general zaniness...ok I lie, expect the latter to be cranked up to 11. Gar is a creation of Fic's, we both lowkey ship Pyke and Kalista and both their chosens have been kinda burned. Anyone have any guesses for who Vi has a thing for?
Chosens Used (We Are Warriors)
Leona- Cira Noble (Jonson)
Pantheon-Arthur Jonson
Diana-Mir Marama
Ahri-Ariel Royal
Syndra-Silvia Lazar (Umbero)
Kalista- Krista Rhon
Shyvana- Sonja Chadayev (Turner)
Jarvan IV- Zack Turner
Hecarim- Harry Karum
Pyke- Gar Rivers
Nami- Amber Undina
Tryndamere- Matthew Hodges
Lucian- Jonathan Cross Jr. (Senna-Sienna Cross)
Thresh- Hayden White
Syndra- Silvia Lazar (Umbero)
Ashe- Amelia Whitworth (Hodges)
Darius- Seamus O'Connor
Illaoi- Alejandra Trujilo
Azir- Alexander Solaris
Bard- Josh Ambing
Vi-Violet Sydney
Caitlyn- Caroline Edwards
Jinx- Mya Grace (Allen)
Ekko- David Allen
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.
