Several days after the machine herald and the deceiving mage had agreed to collaborate in hopes of an alliance, things had been quiet for the most part. Well other than the occasional outbursts from Viktor whenever he swore that he needed his privacy and Leblanc refused to leave his side.
Slamming the door behind himself, the augmented male lets out a heavy sigh. "Damn that woman...can't a man get some peace around here?" he muttered, shaking his head. In a way it was odd how a man who was so isolated and lacking friends was refusing someone who in a sense was hoping to be just that.
"I thought that you didn't consider yourself a man, dear."
The voice was enough to startle the male as he glanced in front of him to see the female sitting at the center of his bed with her legs crossed. Growling, Viktor rubs his hair and sighs. "Must you always sneak up on me like that? There's a reason I lock the damn door, woman."
Leblanc nods as though understanding his point as she leans back slightly in the comfortable bed. "I know that but perhaps you've forgotten that I said I wouldn't leave your side. This is more than just me being persistent-if someone were to launch an attack on you would it suit you better to be alone?"
"Hah! Who would ever go out of their way to attack me all the way out here? Even those Piltover fools know better than to come strolling into Zaun like that" Viktor snaps, shaking his head. With a sigh, Leblanc shrugs her shoulders. "It was merely an example. My point being that I wish to ensure your safety since I'm your servant for the time being."
"Tch...What is it with you and worrying so much about me anyways?" the male mutters in irritation as he wanders over to the opposite side of the bed and sits down. "This alliance of ours means nothing if you're dead" Leblanc replies in a cold and serious tone although it was clear she thought the question was a ridiculous one. Sneering, Viktor ignores her words and decides to check on his augmented arm, tinkering with it to make sure it was in mint condition.
Curious, the female mage leaned over from across the bed and placed a hand on the metal man's shoulder as she peeked at him. "What is it you're doing now, dear herald?"
"What's it look like, woman? Fixing my arm, of course" Viktor spat out in annoyance as he continued to keep his attention on his arm. "And why is it you're working on your arm? Is it truly necessary at the moment?" the woman deceiver asked curiously, wondering why the male needed to have his arm checked out this very moment. It was the first time she'd seen the augmented male perform such actions in the past days she'd stayed with him and it was odd why today was any different.
Viktor finally stops working on his arm and turns his head to glance at Leblanc slowly. "You truly want to know why this is necessary?"
"I do" the woman replied with a nod. Scoffing. The mechanical male shrugs and decides to just tell her his reasons. "I so happen to be preparing for the upcoming battle. I doubt I'd make it out of Piltover unscathed so the better equipped I am, the higher the chance of being unharmed."
"What...!" Leblanc gasped out, her tone for once actually faltering from its usual calm state. It was a definite surprise to her that Viktor planned on invading Piltover so soon even knowing he had an army of machines at his disposal.
The cyborg-like male couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. "What's the matter? Don't think I can handle the fools at Piltover?"
Leblanc shook her head and let out a sigh. "No its not that. I'm just surprised you plan on overthrowing Piltover so soon. I didn't realize you had everything you needed already"
"Of course I have everything I need! You think I'd just charge into Piltover blindly without a plan, woman?" The male snorts, his eyes narrowing as he stares Leblanc down.
The female shakes her head, her hands resting in her lap as she looked back at him calmly. "Not at all, dear herald. I presume you have everything thought out and planned. Forgive me if I offended you."
Viktor couldn't help but groan when he heard her reply. "What is it with you and acting so damn submissive around me? It's obnoxious!"
For some reason, Leblanc couldn't help but smile and then soon after let out a chuckle as she politely covered her mouth. "Oh herald, it's not about being submissive, it's just a matter of having manners."
"Manners-!? Hmph..." Viktor had immediately become angered but soon calmed down, shaking his head. "Manners or not, it's just something I don't see often."
"Oh? And why is that herald? Because of your intimidating appearance? Or perhaps your plan to cleanse the human race with robots and machinery?" Leblanc questioned him with a brow raised. Growling lowly, the machine herald gives the female a grim look, almost as though he was considering striking her. "It matters not. After today, I'll have all of Piltover bowing before me and begging for mercy!"
"A splendid sight that shall be indeed" Leblanc replies with a soft smile forming at her lips. Something about the way she spoke however made the machine herald pause. The way she had said that particular sentence was almost a though she planned on joining Viktor in his march to Piltover-something he hadn't considered at all.
"Wait a second now woman...do you plan on joining me?" he asked in a baffled tone, still rather uncertain if she really even wanted to come along.
The female mage nods slowly and smiles before responding. "Why of course I'm coming along. I was the one who said I'd never leave your side after all-"
"No" Viktor snapped flatly in a harsh tone.
"Beg your pardon...?"
"I said no," the augmented male curtly replied, averting his eyes as he saw the disappointment in the female's gaze. "You'd only get in the way. I don't want to keep my eye on more individuals than necessary. It's already going to be a pain watching out for the Piltover fools."
"You can't seriously be considering going in on your own like that" Leblanc protested, her voice trying to remain calm but showing a hint of concern. "Hmph...who says I'm alone, I have all my machines to protect me if needed" Viktor replies with a stare that told the female he wasn't going to change his opinion easily.
With a sigh, Leblanc shakes her head. "Machines that don't have emotions could hardly register as reliable protection."
Viktor suddenly glares at the female, his hands curling up into fists. "What are you saying, woman? Machines aren't capable of your expectations?" he muttered in a hostile tone. The female couldn't help but give the male a puzzled look. She had no idea why the machine herald suddenly was angered at her...that was, until she realized how her words sounded.
"I apologize herald...I meant no offense or regard to you personally when referring to machines" she replies softly, bowing her head apologetically.
"Tch...your words mean nothing. They're a false statement spoken by a woman of false standards" the herald grunts in an aggravated tone. "So do you? Have emotions?" Leblanc suddenly asked.
"What?" Viktor glanced at the female with a look of confusion. "Do you have emotions?" the woman repeated, a lot slower this time.
At hearing this, the machine herald growls. "Are you mocking me, woman!?"
"Not at all. I'm asking this question with sincerity" Leblanc replied in a calm tone that Viktor realized was in fact genuine. Even then however, the herald found difficulty in answering her question. It was almost as though the female mage had hit a tough topic for him.
Sneering, the machine-like male stands up and makes his way towards the door. "If you truly wish to accompany me on my journey later today then make yourself useful and don't drag me down. Dead weight has no right to be by my side" he snaps at her while opening his door and walking off.
The female deceiver couldn't help but remain in her place as she watched the male wander off. There was definitely something wrong and the fact that he hadn't answered her question proved it. Nontheless, a smile curved at her lips as she heard the herald accept her offer of joining him. "I knew you'd come around, dear herald."
Making his way down to his main room, Viktor began flicking on nearly every single switch. It was something he had only done once while running tests with his inventions but now was being performed for it's true purpose.
With each switch turning on, more machinery began to clatter and grind as the tubes that held the humanoid robots began to unlatch. Moments later the machines began to step outside of their tubes and turn slowly-creaking slightly as they did-to face their creator who was already resting upon his so called throne as he marveled at his creations.
"Yes...that's it. Rise and gaze upon me! Bask in my light creations, for I am your ruler and rightful creator!" Viktor boasted as he raised his staff above his head whilst pointing it towards the machines. The staff began to give off a purple glow and as the machines stared into it, their eyes too began to glow the same color-almost as though caught in a trance by it.
"That's it...you will all do as I command! For as long as I hold this staff, my evolution will know no end!" the machine herald yells out proudly, his eyes flickering with excitement and arrogance.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say this is practically an illusion you placed on them" Leblanc's voice called out directly beside the machine herald. The augmented male nearly dropped his staff in utter surprise at seeing the woman beside him. He quickly turns to glare at her and shakes his head. "Woman, must you always sneak up on me like that?"
The female mage chuckles as she leans against the throne and offers a sly smile. "It isn't necessary but I do enjoy it very much."
Viktor scoffs and gives Leblanc a disgusted look. "You truly and literally know how to grind my gears, woman."
"Yet surprisingly you haven't decided to kill me yet" the female notes, a smile forming at her lips. Glaring at her, Viktor shakes his head. "You wouldn't be a very useful ally if you were dead now would you?" the augmented male tells her as he leans back in his throne.
"I'm flattered you actually consider me a true ally at this point herald. Comes to show how far we've progressed these past few days, yes?" Leblanc says, offering the male a gentle smile. "Don't get ahead of yourself woman. I still don't exactly trust you all that much. If you as much as attempt anything close to betraying me I'll have you killed on the spot" Viktor snaps in a cold tone.
The woman lets out a gasp, putting a hand to her mouth. "Oh my...you're a harsh man, aren't you herald?"
"When was I not, foolish woman?" He sneers as he stands from his throne and makes his way down the aisle, walking past his machines that moved aside for him as he passed. Smirking, the female mage trailed behind the male with her cape swaying in the distance as the herald's machines gazed at her curiously as though she were some form of odd specimen.
Moments later both Viktor and Leblanc were outside the building-on the damp and foggy streets of Zaun. As usual the factories in the distance clattered away working at their own form of machinery while smog filled the air. Although the machine herald was used to it and payed it no mind, Leblanc continued to marvel at the vast city with an immense curiosity.
"Oh quit it with the damned looks. Nothing about Zaun is all that fascinating anyways, woman" the machine-like male snapped, glaring at the female. "Quite the contrary, herald. This environment is completely different than Noxus. I find it most amusing" Leblanc replies as she glances at the sky, a look of calm peacefulness in her eyes.
Viktor couldn't help but stare at the female with a certain look of awe. She was one of the few people who didn't seem to mind the environment that Zaun brought on and for that he somehow appreciated her. As the herald watched her, Leblanc caught his eye and stared back curiously.
Seeing that she had caught sight of him, Viktor averted his eyes and stood up straight. "Hmph...enough of the scenery. We march to Piltover now and we go fast. I don't wish to waste any more time, woman."
Nodding, Leblanc walked behind the machine herald as he began to head off. "As you wish, herald."
Moments later, the entire army of mechanical humanoids began to follow in rows directly behind the pair of champions.
As they walked out of the city of Zaun, citizens began to speak in hushed voices of what was occurring or what would happen. Despite hearing the voices however, Viktor didn't appear fazed as he continued his march until they wandered throughout an empty trail.
All was quiet as the pair marched onward without a word, the sound of machines clattering behind them being the only noise offered. Leblanc did however wish to speak although was unsure how to engage in conversation when the herald retained such a serious expression that showed he wanted to arrive at Piltover as quickly as possible.
"Herald"
The male turns his head to gaze at the woman who called his voice. "What do you want, woman?"
"When we get to Piltover I was wondering what your plan was?" Leblanc asked, holding her own staff firmly in her left hand. "My plan? Hmm...it's simple. I push most of my army from the front while you take several of my creations through the back to cause causes distraction. From there I'll split my army towards opposite directions to separate the Piltover forces while I attack at the center and await him"
"Who exactly are you referring to?" the female mage asked with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. Viktor paused a moment as though unsure if he truly wanted to mention the name of the man who had made him who he now was.
"Hmph...when I was still human, a man by the name of Jayce fought me" the machine herald said coldly, not stating any details. Leblanc nodded slowly, getting the hint that the male wasn't comfortable talking about his past. "I see...well then today is the day you shall exact your revenge, yes?"
"Hmm...yes. It is" Viktor nods as he continued to walk, seeing Piltover ahead in the distance-only being several hundred yards away.
A short distance away from one of Piltover's many rooftops-a certain woman was watching from her rifle's sights. "Well...it appears we have company" the female speaks in an English accent, tipping her purple hat slightly. "Finally! I've been itching to punch something all week!" another female spoke with excitement as she raised her gauntlets and grinned.
Sighing, the Piltover sheriff shakes her head. "You're always a little too excited for these things Vi..."
"So what? It's funner that way, don't ya think cupcake?" Vi replies with a smirk on her face. Before Caitlyn could as much as reply, a male voice spoke out. "Ladies ladies...let's all calm ourselves a moment yeah? We gotta greet our old friend Vik after all."
Glancing at the male, Caitlyn crosses her arms while Vi snickers. "You're always such a drag Jayce. You better not steal my spotlight today" the pink haired female mumbles. Chuckling, the defender of tomorrow rubs his chin. "Hey hey...I can't help it it everyone loves me. Now let's go have a chat with our old pal, shall we?"
Nodding, both females prepare themselves. "Let's do it."
And of course they knew that judging by the fact that it was Viktor they were dealing with-there would be no "talk".