No words from me. Get to reading, people.

The last Drop - Undercity

Jack Vander Russell was many things.

A leader, a people's reader, a good listener for some, And a man with a beast inside..

He had the looks to earn such as well.

A hair that reached his shoulders, with a thin beard. Size and mass of muscle. And eyes to scare off anyone.

Don't get him wrong. In all of those titles, he lives up to them. But the last, minus the looks, can stay behind in the past where it was.

Those days of fights were over for him. Now a calm life was enough. And the best for all in the Lanes. A place built with blood, sweat, and tears over decades. Their corner to call home, even with the frequent bumps from day to day.

It's why the last drop became a safe haven.

A three story building at the heart of the Lanes. With a two layer bar filled with music, games, and drinks. Yet, one is not to think foul play is let loose in the establishment.

The reason they had peace, for the most part, is by their rules. Vander was the current watcher of such. He could not and will not let his people pay more for the mistakes of others. Not even from him.

And if someone had an issue with that. Well, all were welcome to try. And find out later that the hound still had claws and teeth left. On this day, however, it didn't look like they would be required.,

At least not for those who cause problems today. And for now.

Signing, with gold eyes always sharp, Vander did the hall a quick check while drying a cup behind the counter. It was nighttime, and the number of customers was high, so much that it a hard to walk without bumping into another person. The chitchats inside deafened the Junkie box sounds. Some were already deep in their bottles or cups. In the faraway spots, others made them into place to take a nap. Vander didn't mind it. As long as they left when it was time to close, of course.,

What he did mind was what also happened in those same spots. Deals weren't new at the lanes. It was a way of making a living. That much Vander respected. Some of the results of said deals were what worried him. One misunderstanding, wrong word, or disagreement either, at best, ended with both parties going their separate ways or with blood spilled at worst.

And Vander would be happy if they didn't happen at his bar.

While organizing some utensils in the bar, he paused briefly at the unmistakable clang of metal against wood under all the bar's noise. No prayers heard for him, it seemed. Glancing towards the right, Vander saw a friend of his, Huck, sitting across two individuals. Huck was a skinny and short man with glasses for his sight. If Vander is the hound, Huck would be a scared pup. A pup that was barking at the wrong people.,

The individuals were male and female. The former bald headed, with a full beard and a big built. Intimidating, it paled to his partner, tho. Using the shadows, the woman hid her face from view. But Vander saw her clear as day. Fire orange eyes, dark skinned, with the expression of a killer and butterfly tattoos over it. By the look of it, the knife jammed at the table belonged to her.,

Right along with the cause of all the buzz.,

Coins, a sack of them, some spilled around it. Of course, it would be that.

Vander shook his head, thinking. That kind of thing isn't for you, Huck.

Flexing and walking around the counter, he went to do his duty.

He gave a few customers a quick hello along the way. Luckily avoiding attention before the right time and managed to catch part of the talk.

"Ten thousand, that was the deal," Huck argued with the two after rejecting the money.

The bald man didn't seem amused. "Supply and demand," He said with a shrug. "Your wares dropped since our agreement. And now, with new products entering the market, this is the current value for yours. The risk of business, you know how it works,"

"Same goes for deals," Huck pointed out.

"They change," Baldy replied, taking a sip from his beer. "Also, you're in luck. Not many can say they got five thousand so easy on these days. It's more than a fair price. I think you should take it,"

Even noticing the subtle threat at the end, Huck ignored it. Shakingly, he said. "No, no, no, no, I...I can't do that. I can't do that!"

The woman narrowed her eyes. Wordlessly she took her curved knife from the table. Giving it a few twists in her hand, she said. "Heard those words before. All from the same kind of people as you," Placing the blade down once more, aimed at Huck, she made her point clear by waving her hand over it. "Wanna guess where they are now ?"

The frail man gulped, losing the little bravado he had in him. While the woman was still as a statue with her gaze locked, Baldy had a smug smirk in his face. They had him in the palm of their hand and even dared him to do something about it.

Just as he was a step from relenting and accepting the coin, Vander stepped in.

All turned their heads as he spoke calmly. "Evening. You folks need anything ?"

Huck gave a short breath of relief at his presence. Baldy and woman, however, spared him not even a second of attention before turning back to their deal.

"No, leave us," Baldy said right on the spot.

"You sure ?" Vander asked. "Sounded to me like -"

It was a flash of movement. Huck jolted in his seat as the woman held the point of her knife at Vander's throat. He didn't even flinch or blink, staring back with equal intensity.

"On the edge today, aren't we ?" He said to her.

"Second and last time. Piss off," The woman stated firmly in reply.

It didn't go the way she or her partner thought it would.

Showing his speed, Vander took hold of the woman's wrist. Her immediate reaction was to break out of the grip. But feeling how bone crushing it was left her in a mix of pain and shock. The latter doubled down. With the most casual motion, Vander placed his index finger and thumb against the blade's tip., And broke it!

Baldy and the woman watched, speechless. Vander shattered the knife into pieces, one by one, until only the handle was left. And looking like he was bored doing it.,

Being done, he took the handle and threw it over his shoulder. "Excuse me," He said to them before heading to an empty table. There was a time when the chairs were basic. But after many incidents, Vander grew tired of people using them as shift weapons. So, now all had a rail of steel. They could be moved, not lifted.

By most people.,

Leaving the pair of dealers now mouth opened, he ripped the chair out of the ground with one hand, metal falling out of the rails. Placing it next to Huck, he sat down with a short sign.

"Now, then," Reaching inside his coat, as if nothing had happened, Vander took a simple pipe weed and lighter, continuing to address them. "First things first. A bit of friendly advice. One. If you're going to point a knife at anyone, at least know it will work. Two. Don't go threatening the guy who pours the drinks," The pair turned to the right, where he jerked his head. Karma struck back, as now everyone in the hall stopped what they were doing and stared at both just as they did with Huck. Daring them to try anything funny against Vander., Even if his display was enough to show help wasn't necessary.

Bald's wide eyes grew even more as he figured out who was ahead of him. His companion also seemed to come to the same conclusion.

Shit.

Clearing his throat and taking a long sip of beer to soothe his nerves, he said, playing calm. "Not all of them have your reputation, ," He gave the woman a little nudge, inwardly begging her not to step more out of line before introducing themselves while adding. "And with the number of bars in here, it's easy to get them confused. The name's Verne. This one is Jules,"

Catching the message, she said. "Finding the hound of the underworld wasn't what I expected today. Or you still go by the wolf of the underworld ?"

Vander would've found the change in attitude hilarious if it wasn't the 100th time he had seen it. Lighting up the open area of the pipe, he brought it to his lips and inhaled the smoke before puffing it out. "Depends, lady. At times, some say I am a hound by day and wolf by night. Both work, really," He leaned back on the chair, putting the lighter away, and stating next., "What doesn't work, from what I'm seeing here, is both you keeping your end of a deal," Pretending not to notice small gulps from the pair, he continued. "Don't think I need to say that's something we dislike in here,"

Jules and Verne's faces got a little bit whiter.

The latter tried to save face. "Oh, this ?" He gestured between him and Huck, who was now hiding behind his cup and avoiding all eye contact. "You got us all wrong, my friend. We're..Negotiating. Times are complicated. And we want the best for both,"

Vander amused them at first. "Now we're talking," He friendly said, taking a new drug from the pipe. "I may have a suggestion to solve your dilemma, if you don't mind it, of course. How about you give my friend all the rest that you own him," His face darkened as he leaned closer, humming deeply, golden eyes bright in the light. "And maybe, I'll let both of you get out of here. Instead of taking pieces out of ya,"

As Verne and Jules leaned back in their seats, Vander gave them a casual smile. "Do we have a deal ?"

Despite being mindful and honestly nervous now, Jules commented after a short period of intense silence. "You are everything they say, ain't you ?"

"People say many things about everything. And everyone," Vander replied.

Jules raised a brow. "How many of them actually know the lane's heir. Or, at least, the one that it's left,"

Huck froze, his eyes almost jumping out of the pockets. Verne was in doubt over his reaction before going pale when he glanced back. If looks could actually kill, he was sure Jules would've died hundreds of times from Vander's gaze.

Goddammit, woman! He thought, eyes darting back and forth in silent panic.

She seemed to think so as well. As she ever so slowly backed away further from the table. Seeing Vander squeezing the pipe put her at the edge. Like a time bomb ready to go off at any point.

He only stopped when he heard the bar's doors open, and he caught a set of familiar scents in the air. Just the people he was waiting today.

Without looking away from Jules, he stood up, almost looking taller than he was. As the pipe slipped from his hand, now broken in half, he said:

"Well, they can keep that to themselves," Giving Huck a pat on the shoulder. "I got some business to take care of at the moment. So after you pay him, and you will, enjoy yourselves," He turned, saying his last piece. "But the moment I come back, I better not see your faces around here, ever again," There was a pause to let the warning settle. "Have a good night,"

"Think he saw us ?"

"We'll find out any moment now,"

"Hide the bag, quick!"

In a private chamber in the last drop, lit by a single lantern in the middle of its space, the group was in a frantic state.,

When Peter returned with Powder and the loot, they made a bean line straight to the lanes. One of the passages was an open elevator hidden in an old abandoned house next to the docks. Descending to the depths of the undercity's streets, they walked in quick paces to the bar. Some more shady citizens kept their sights on them for a while. It didn't end in a new Deckard situation. Too many people.

Getting inside the bar, they saw Vander in the back, distracted and talking to someone else. It was the window they needed to sneak in unnoticed. Hopefully.,

Now they focused on hiding the evidence of their little job.

"Where ?" Peter whispered to Vi as they moved everywhere to find a good place to put it.

"Under the table ?" Claggor suggested.

"What ?! A blind man would see it," Milo exclaimed. "Hide it behind the furniture,"

"As if he wouldn't find it there as well," Vi pointed out.

"Ok, your plan ?" Milo asked with open arms.

Vi bit her lip in thought. She looked everywhere in the room. Her eyes shined when she turned her head upwards. Right over them, the ceiling had open areas with pipes. It was big, even all of them could hide there.

Turning to Claggor and Peter, Vi said: "Gimme a hand,"

Soon enough, Claggor had the pink head over his shoulder. And she had Peter over her's.

"Make sure it won't fall," Powder said, watching them.,

"Yeah, otherwise, we're dead," Claggor added, watching the door every few seconds, hoping for Vander staying in the hall.

"Ok, ok, I got it," Peter assured them, tongue out, pushing the heavy bag as much as possible on top of a tube. The wall limited the space, but it would do for now. "There," He said to Vi.

With the bag secured, the five took their seats around the lantern. Vi at a lonely chair, putting her feet over the table ahead. Claggor and Milo both at her left, also in separate chairs. And Peter with Powder sitting together on an old but large sofa.,

Now to keep up the image.

"Vander learns none of this," Vi was straight to the point. "So, he also doesn't,"

"Urgh, you had to remind me," Claggor moaned, putting his goggles on the table and leaning back. Taking a lecture from Vander seemed nice compared to a talk from him.

"I have to," She continued. "Now, when the time comes, we spread the loot between ourselves. Acting as if we found all of it in the junkyards up top or here., Then we each decide what to do with it. No room for suspicions. Got it ?"

A practical plan, the other four agreed.

Milo, while also placing his feet over the table, said. "My mouth is a grave. We got it done, and we know it. And this time, there's actually evidence for it," He aimed the last bit a powder.

"Still on that ?" The same wasn't amused. Especially after hearing it again and again on the way home.,

"Did I lie ?" Milo raised a brow.

"Dude, give it a break. Nothing happened," Peter stated in support of his friend.

"Yeah, because you were there," Milo pointed out, giving credit where he thought it was due. "If up to her, the fish would be enjoying the loot, not us,"

"Easy for you to say," Powder replied at the accusation. "You're older, bigger, and got to train. I didn't. It isn't fair,"

Milo didn't sway in the least. "United we stand, divided we fall, ever heard of that? When things get tough, try to stick with us for once. Even take a punch or two. Or you think there will always be someone to save you ?"

Peter intervened. "Yeah, me," He said firmly. "That's what friends do for each other,"

"Sure, of the oppressed, I forgot you can be everywhere at the time you desire," Milo scoffed.

Vi, watching the exchange with a new headache forming. Was saved from stopping it.,

All turned their heads as the room's door opened, and in walked Vander.

"Hey," He greeted.

"Hey," The five said back.

"Haven't seen you all day," Vander walked down a set of stairs to reach them. "Everyone alright ?"

"Never better," Milo declared happily.

Vander hummed while nodding. "Good," He stopped behind the couch after taking notice of Peter. "And look who's here today," He said warmly, giving the boy's shoulder a pat. "How are you doing, Pete ?"

"Doing fine, ," Peter replied.

"Now, what did I say before? It's just Vander," Being present the day Peter was born, both were years past those etiquette bases. Vander smiled before inspecting him. "Uh, you putting up some muscle ?" He asked.

Peter looked at his arms, then back at Vander, doubt clear in his face. "I, I did ?" His voice had the same tone but with little excitement behind it.

"...No," Vander said deadpan.

Everyone snickered at Peter's defeated expression, even more when he turned around in hopes of hiding it.

"One day. One day," Vander assured him, addressing the rest right after. "Mind telling me where you were ?"

Vi saw Milo going in to answer. Afraid that he might say something that would compromise the lie, she quickly said. "Everywhere, actually. There's nothing to do today, so we just kept walking around, stopped to eat at one point, and came back when it got late,"

"I see," Vander rubbed his beard. "Then you probably don't know,"

The five kids exchanged nervous looks. "Know what ?" Claggor dared ask.

Being the boss meant that Vander had access to all things happening both in the undercity and Piltover. The news flew fast in them, the good and the bad.

"Since the afternoon, I've heard about a commotion at the top side," Vander casually explained. "Involving an explosion, followed a foot chase with enforcers and a group of five children fleeing the scene," One could hear the heartbeats of the five growing in speed. "Don't suppose you know them, do you ?"

Responses were immediate.

"No,"

"Nah,"

"Nope,"

"Negative,"

"Never heard of them,"

The next seconds were a dreadfully drag of stillness. Vander stared at each of them in the eye and tilted his head. Taking his sweet time while doing so. Trying to pull any signs of lies out of them.,

They held on strong with a good facade, not blinking under his sharp golden gaze. Even subtly stopping their breaths, going to any length for their innocence to look more convincing.,

There was a synchronized inner peace when Vander seemed to buy the lie.

"Alright," He said with a nod, a short sniff in the air. "I gotta go back out there. If any of you want something to eat, give me a sign, and I'll have it ready. After that, all of you go straight to bed. Including you, Peter. It's already late. I ain't risking you walking home alone,"

Peter didn't have any objections. "Yes, sir,"

"See you, kids, later,"

All five looked at each other as Vander turned his back on them. Sharing in silent joy their success with smiles and thumbs up.,

However, their attention went to him once he stopped next to the stairs, saying.

"Ah! One more thing," He said with a raised hand.

BAM!

The same he used to punch the walls. The whole thing shook under the strength he put behind it. But Vander got the results he wanted. And the group's hearts dropped.

Down the loot bag fell from the hiding place, right into Vander's hands.

He knew they were trying to trick him from the jump. And the smell of the contents inside the bag was impossible to miss for him.

Turning with a scowl and shaking the bag lightly, he asked firmly. "What the hell were you thinking ?!" When no one said a word, he approached Vi, dropping the bag over the table. "Care to say ?"

Looking between him, the loot, and her friends who were facing the floor, Vi signed in defeat.

"We wanted to prove that we can handle a real job," She said.

Vander didn't believe what he heard. "A real job, you say ?"

Even after being caught, VI didn't stand down. "Yeah. Everything was in place. We had a tip, planned route to escape, and nobody would've seen us,"

"I'm sure the building you blew up to pieces agrees," Vander sarcastically stated.

"That wasn't even us!" Vi argued strongly.

"It happened all the same!" Vander took a deep breath. "Let me ask you something. For a moment even, did you stop to think of the consequences? Of what could've happened to you, to them ?" He gestured to the rest of the group.

Vi opened her mouth to reply. But stopped herself, actually considering what Vander said.,

It was enough for him. "I thought so," He moved to the next point. "Where did this tip come from anyway ?"

Powder, with her knees brought to her chest, answered meekly. "We heard it on Benzo's shop,"

Benzo was an old friend from Vander's youth. Honest and hard-working man. But Vander couldn't think it was him that gave them their tip.

"From ?" Vander asked for elaboration.

When Powder hesitated, Peter revealed, head down. "The little man,"

Of course. "And did you take? From who ?"

"All we thought it had value," It was Claggor's turn to speak. "It was from an inventor, we think. The place was huge and looked expensive,"

For god's sake., Vander thought, shaking his head. An inventor of all people from the top side. Not the worst in the list, but close enough, depending on their connections and investors. The kids didn't know the mess they may have created. Seeing Vi start to stand, no doubt to argue further, he trusted his hand at her, demanding silence.

At the moment, Vander evaluated his next steps.

Usually, he would deal with this himself. It wouldn't be his first rodeo with Piltover, sadly. Yet, this case could lead to something worst, and it had to have more experienced eyes and mind on it.

And there was only one man for the job.

"Alright," Vander announced after a while. "All of you, on your feet. We are leaving," He ordered, taking the bag and putting it over his shoulder.

"..To go where ?" Vi asked for the group.

"Where do you think ?" Vander implied.

Realization dawned on the kid's faces.

"...Is it too late to say we are sorry ?" Milo tried to bargain.

At the undercity's edge

It turns out it was way too late for that.,

Sitting side by side in a broad living room, similar to a bunch of common criminals waiting for judgment, and it was one in some ways, the five waited for their judge to speak.

Said judge make lightly winced at each tap of his cane against the floor. Vander was in the back, watching it all unfold, holding their bag still.

Vi showed courage in standing up to Vander earlier, but against him, she, and everyone, always kept their mouths shut. Not out of fear, far from it, but out of respect. Peter especially.

It was part of his family, after all.

Benjamin Parker, or simply Ben, is the most influential figure in the lanes. He was its founding father decades ago. The one that made a home out of a hole in the ground., Giving his people a chance for a future., And the one who first, even if for a moment, put Piltover in its place back then. When they stuck their noses in matters that were the concern of no other than the lanes themselves.,

People who hadn't met him in person would think of someone larger than life for his feats. But in truth, he was a simple man, with time catching up in his appearance. Hair white, a little belly, glasses over his blue eyes, a strong jaw, and ripples all over his face., He was slightly shorter than Vander, but he had the same unbending stare the latter inherited.,

Which he was for using right now, even if the young group couldn't see his face, walking back and forth ahead of them.,

Vander made sure they were as detailed as possible while retelling their deed on Piltover. Getting to the end of it was intense while seeing the shift in Ben's expression when he so was happy to see them at first.

His walk ended, bringing his nephew and the four to attention.

"Let me start by saying. I am disappointed. With allof you, in every way known," Ben's voice was calm, but the words cut like steel. "Risking your lives, causing havoc, and for what? A bunch of parts?" Finally, looking at them, he remarked. "Or was it for something else ?"

Moving their heads downwards was the wrong thing to do.

Ben slammed his cane down. "I asked a question. And I better have an answer, Vi," One thing he knew how to do was target the primary cause of a problem. And it was no mystery that Vi was the group head. Everything they did had a hand in it.

The pink head pressed her lips. "We wanted to do our part,"

"In what ?"

"In here," Vi spread her arms. "For the lanes, for you, for all of us," She took Ben not replying as a sign to keep explaining. "You and Vander always said we've to earn or place in this world. That we've to help each other whenever we can., That it is our responsibility to do so,"

"Many of us here barely get scraps to go by on their day. Them ?" Vi pointed up. "They have plenty of everything. Their trash could be a gold mine, but that wouldn't make a difference because they got bigger ones ready. How is that fair ?"

"Our people suffered at their hands constantly before you stepped in. And they continued to come afterward. With all they put both of you through, why what we did was the bigger evil ?!"

Of all reactions she expected from Ben, chuckling and shaking his head wasn't one of them. And it bothered Vi deeply.

"Honestly, it's incredible how you can say all of that and not understand none of it right," He said, clicking his tongue.

"Wha-,"

"You spoke your piece. Now you listen!" Ben came to stand in front of Vi. "How do you think I became a leader? Don't bother. You don't even know how to be one," If she turned, she would see the rest of the gang cringing at the insult. "But I can assume the way you'd imagined it. I being the toughest of them all, taking from others what I thought was mine as I saw it fit. Without any care in the world. Not even about what happened to my people or what was around me. It would be simple, right?"

"Well, the world isn't so black and white for that to be the norm. No. I became a leader, not because of this," Ben brought his fist up. "But because I knew when to use it and how to use it for what mattered. Our people looked up to me with faith that I could make the right choices, in the hard moments or not. And every single one I made was thinking about them. Because that's what a leader does. You're no longer just one individual at that point, and for it, you're not allowed to be selfish,"

"I know," Vi murmured.

"Could've fooled me," Ben scoffed at her attempt. "It's a good thing you mentioned responsibility, however. It fits all of you right now," Peter, Powder, Claggor, and Milo turned to him at that part.

"For your lack of it, at least you get the concept right. The part you don't get is the most crucial. With responsibility also comes accountability. If what you do ends up going south, there is no pointing fingers or calling names. It's on you, and you alone,"

Vander turned away, a faraway look in his eyes, his hand almost tearing the bag's fabric. He had heard the one before.

"And that's where the rest of you should've acted," Ben directed his words to the other four. "By now, I would think you to have a conscience as individuals, not as sheep to follow everything others said. Next thing I know, you're going to jump in a sinkhole just because she told you to,"

"This wasn't their fault," Vi defended her friends and sister.

"I know. The mistake was not putting some sense into your head," Ben shut her down. "Or, not trying hard enough to make a difference. Which I believe was the case. Was it not ?"

None could deny the truth.

"Here's another lesson. Things don't change just by you standing and watching. If the people with power, be it in any shape and form, can't be trusted to use it, it's up to us to take it away from them. You have that choice, but not acting on it makes you just guilty of the consequences,"

"Those that will catch up to you sooner or later and affect all of us. Because you went ahead and poked Piltover with a short stick while we were at peace. To prove nothing to anyone other than your own egos., Now tell me, are you happy with what you did ?!"

It seemed like the weight finally set in the kid's conscience after Ben's lecture., They could only turn to the floor once more, expressions varying between great shame and uneasiness.

They messed up, even by succeeding.

Powder was the one to say, voice and mouth trembling. "Sorry, uncle Ben,"

Peter followed. "We, we didn't mean to cause any trouble. For anyone,"

Vi, Milo, and Claggor nodded along with the sentiment, lifting their heads to stare Ben in the eye.

The burning steel in the older man cooled. With a deep sigh, he gestured. "Come here,"

Slowly, the five got out of their chairs, circling Ben as he crouched to be at their level.

"I understand, this drive of yours, I do," He said gently to them. "But now is not the time for it to be use. You're young, with a whole life ahead of you. A life I, Vander, and countless others fought over. So you wouldn't have to. All we did, has to end with us. And when we were gone, that's where you will take the reins. Not being like us, being better than us,"

"And until that day comes. Right now, you're everything we need you to be. Our children., Smart," He grasped Peter and Powder each with his left hand. "Caring," Using his right, he did the same for Claggor and Milo. "And brave," He lastly said to Vi while giving them a warm smile they all knew. "Don't ever question your value for us, ok ?"

"Yes, uncle Ben," The five said.

"Good, now give this old man a hug,"

And so they did, still saying their sorries in whispers now and then. But Vi spoke the loudest. "We will be better," She vowed to him.

"I know,"

Even after being raised by him, Vander would never understand how Ben did what he did. Those thoughts could wait. As he was taking in the scene in front of him with a smile of his own.,

Until they weren't alone.,

"Oh my, I got here just in time,"

If there was one soul alive that could compete with Ben in terms of being loved. It would be his wife. May Parker.

The woman was almost a saint. Wise, full of life despite her age.,But Vander knew, deep within the kindness and innocence, she was a force of her own.,

It was an inner joke. Ben could make you feel bad in his talks. May? She could make you regret that you were born.

"Are you done torturing those poor children ?" She asked her husband, hands at her hips.

"Teaching would be an adequate term, Dear," Ben said, rising from the floor.

"Oh, Ben, we all know how teaching goes with you," May replied.

"It's true," Peter concurred from experience. At his uncle's head snap aimed at him, the boy avoided his gaze, whistling lowly.,

May chuckled before taking the young ones for herself. "Well, if anyone is hungry, there is an apple pie fresh out of the oven. Just waiting,"

...

...

...

"DIBS!" Claggor exclaimed, speeding past everyone towards the kitchen.

"Get back here!" Milo was already on his heels.

"I'll save you two a slice...After I eat!" Vi said over her shoulder to Powder and Peter.

Both shared a look, raising dust out when pursing at top speed.

May's delight was as clear as the sun watching them go. She hoped they would never change. She excused herself by addressing the other adults present.

"I suggest you hurry, if you want some," She stopped for a moment. Before adding. "That goes to you as well, Vander,"

Vander felt a lingering awkwardness being in her presence but answered anyway. "I'd like that mo-May,"

The woman acknowledged with a hum. Before disappearing in the hallway leading to the kitchen, leaving him and Ben behind.,

The latter knew what was happening. "May forgave you a long time ago, Vander," He put it to the younger man.,

"Still doens't feel like it to me," Vander replied in a defeated tone.,

"Then we know what you've to do for it,"

God, did Vander know. And just hard it was. Instead of dwelling on the subject, he brought up the main one for the night.

"How do we go about this ?" He lifted the bag.

Ben answered like an expert. "We both know the topside. Giving it back won't solve things. They will be looking to make an example. And that's the last thing we need for the current situation with them,"

"So, we hide it ?"

"Yes, and no," Ben stated. "Let the kids have some. And give the rest away, in the shadows. With the building destroyed, they won't know what exactly they lost before or after the explosion. That gives us an alibi, for now at least,"

"I'll talk with Benzo in the morning. He can help us," Vander said.

"Do it," Ben approved. "What about the boy that ambushed them ?" Angry as he was before, it didn't matter as long as the children were safe. Hearing of their fight earlier didn't sit well one bit him.

"Already put a warning about him in the air," Vander learned the whole story as they went to Ben's house. "Matter of time before we find something,"

Ben hummed, thinking out loud. "And here I thought it would be the past. This desperation,"

"There are things that will never change, Ben, whether we like it. Or not," Vander pointed out. "It ain't going to be the end of this, tho,"

"No," The older man concurred while tapping his foot. "She'll come for us, like in the last time. And you've to be ready,"

"Always," The enforcers could try to take the kids over Vander's dead body.

"Hope for the best. Expect the worst," The absolute pattern of both men's lives. Ben reflected, rubbing his jaw before letting out a tired groan. "Enough of this. Come, my boy, let's see if the pie survived the butchers,"

Both laughed, following the noises of hungry children.

Lane's northside - Docks

"Get a move along!"

Today, consequences weren't exclusive to just one side.

Bleeding with a broken nose, body aching, and tired, Deckard was pushed and pulled by several henchmen towards their boss's HQ. The guy in command. In Deckard's opinion was an absolute pain in the ass. And the worst of them., Not that he could do anything against the man. He would probably kill Deckard in five different ways without even trying.

So, without any choice other than to comply, Deckard went along. Reaching the warehouse, they went to the underground level.

It was quite a grim place, with all kinds of lights. Occupied mostly by laboratory equipment, desks, chairs, and jars., Those were of different sizes, containing strange creatures and plants inside. All were provided by the scientist that was still at work when Deckard's escort arrived.,

He had short hair, a clean face, sharp cheekbones, and long fingers. Plus, a workaholic to the bone. The sound didn't register in his brain as he mixed and twisted pink neon chemicals in his hands.

"Sit down!" The henchmen in charge threw Deckard in a chair. It was turned away from the biggest eye-catcher in the room.

Being underneath the docks, they were at sea level. One could see the marine life in all of its glory behind a thick and wide glass window.

Deckard would've commented on it if he wasn't so afraid for his life. Breathing hard, he was trapped in every direction by the men. Each of them holding a weapon of choice and gladly waiting to use them if given the chance.,

His fear for them was replaced by one more sinister when a voice echoed in the room.,

"Rumlow, what did you bring to me ?" Looking behind the henchmen, Deckard saw their boss. He a figure using the shadows to hide his face while sitting., In his hands were two pieces that formed a special syringe.

"A fucked up," The man, Brock Rumlow, stated before gripping Deckard's head. "Found his ass passed out in an alley, along with his little friends. The reason, I'm sure you heard it by now, Silco,"

Their boss connected the parts of the syringe, replying. "I do," He applied the medicine over his eye, addressing the terrified blonde. "Deckard, Deckard, Deckard. You had one job and one job alone. Follow the kids, and not interfere,"

Deckard gulped. "Sir, I, I am sorry. They got us by surprise," He gasped when Rumlow back fisted him in the stomach hard.

"Cut the crap," He snarled. "You went in there, trying to get that bag. All to go down a like a sack of potatoes,"

"His failure aside," Silco's elegant voice brought attention back to him. "The worst is that he may have put our operation at risk. People in the lanes already know about the stunt and will begin to look for him,"

Getting up from the chair, he stepped into the light. Everyone could now see his combed dark hair, sharp face, and eyes. The right one was deep blue, and the left was one of the symbols of his difficult life. Discolored, without an eyelid, orange iris, and black sclera., It wasn't just his eyes, but that whole portion of his face was damaged.

But while that side left opened the question of what happened, the other was more specific in its origin. From head to his neck, there were ugly scratches of animal claws. Each ran deep into the flesh by the red coloring they had.

"And if they do, questions will be made. And with questions, there will be answers, one way or another," Silco didn't spare Deckard a glance, walking past him towards the window. "That's not something we can afford," He declared, sealing the boy's fate.

"Rumlow. You know what to do. Let him at least be useful for the dogs,"

"On it," Rumlow pulled a revolver, putting the barrel against Deckard's head.

Fighting a desperation-induced heart attack, he threw his last hope of stopping the bullet.

"The kids!" He exclaimed to Silco. "It was their fault, the explosion on the upper city!"

"Oh, shut up," Rumlow pulled the resolver's lock, finger on the trigger.

Silco stopped him. "Wait," After Rumlow pulled the gun away, Silco looked over his shoulder, asking: "That was them ?"

Deckard spoke instantly. "Yes! The enforcers lost them. Now, everyone there is up in arms to know where they went. I swear!"

Silco didn't speak for a moment. Lost in thoughts while his eyes wandered over the waters in front of him.,

"Not even a decade. And father and Vander are already in trouble, again," He said lowly.

It would be a tragedy. If it wasn't an opportunity.,

"Congratulations, Deckard," Turning back, he said to the boy. "That's was the smartest thing you could've said," Seeing the blonde breath easy again, he ordered. "Get him a meal and some stitches. And keep him off the streets for the moment,"

"Sure about that ?" Rumlow raised a brow.

"I'm feeling generous today," Silco shrugged. The Demacian had many qualities, but his rashness and impatience always held him back at times.

Wordlessly, Rumlow took (dragged) Deckard away from the room to ready his reward. Only Silco and the doctor remained there.

"Our timeline needs to move up," The former said. "I take you're making progress ?"

"Such things cannot be rushed," Picking a cylinder filled with the pink substance, the doctor said. "But yes, it's almost ready,"

"And the tests ?"

"Will begin soon enough," The doctor assured simply.

"They better," Silco gazed at the window once more, a grim look falling upon him. "I know he is getting more ready each day. The whispers repeat the same each time. We've to beat him first,"

The doctor knew who and what the scarred man spoke of., After all, it was what started this campaign of theirs.

"My work will put us at an advantage. Against both sides. You don't need to worry about that,"

Silco signed. Worries were always present in his mind. And were good at making him lose many nights of sleep., The worst part of a coming storm was the wait for it.

Tho, a chess game would be more fitting. The pieces were moving, and time was running out.

"If we want to save Zaun and give it a future, doctor. I pray that your confidence in it isn't misplaced,"

(CUT)

And that's another one. Some bits were fun. Others kicked my ass. I'm telling you guys.

Anyway, let's get some things out of the way.

While I and Mrsauce906 were coming up with the crossover, the first idea was that this Peter Parker/Spider-man and his gallery would be heavily based on the Noir versions of them, with elements from others mixed in it. Bet it from movies, animated shows, games, etc...

That's why uncle Ben plays a major role on Zaun's lore, not just Vander.

Speaking of him, I wanna see how many of you noticed the new layer I added to the character. Those who really read Marvel comics may get it at first. And for those who watch a lot of anime, there's a specific reference with his exchange with Jules. IYKYK!

And the last bit of mystery at the end. With Crossbones working alongside Silco.

Those are just smaller hints of what's coming. Believe me, we've planned many surprises.

Now, the chapter can take a little while. I got some art studios in the next weeks, so I'll be focused more on them.

Hope you enjoyed.

Later gators.