Summary: Lux is tasked by the crown with uncovering the horrors of doctor Singed's most sinister project, yet. The mysterious: Project Yuri Knight.
Tags: Lux, Riven, Vi, Slight Yuri.
"And this is where we train the older test subjects."
The sound of two pairs of footsteps is lost in a sea of pained grunts and thumps of bleeding flesh against scarred knuckles. Luxanna Crownguard tries to keep her expression neutral as she observes the malnourished forms of the kidnapped Zaunite and Noxian guinea pigs fight to the death from her vantage point two storeys above the colossal red-splattered arenas.
"Your facilities are certainly impressive, Doctor Singed." The disguised Demacian spy attempts to stoke the already inflated ego of the cruel Zaunite man. It seems to work, Singed nods his head as the two continue strolling about the secret laboratories, unspeakable terrors and hate-filled eyes peeking at them through the reinforced glass panes down below. The undercover Demacian crown agent can barely suppress a flinch when her wandering gaze comes across the angry lilac orbs of one of the younger emaciated test subjects.
"That they are, Miss Prism. The Zaunite government has truly spared no expense in order to make sure that the Yuri Knight project will be a complete and utter success without major problems."
Lux hums in agreement as she continues surveying the silhouettes of the fighting brainwashed teenage soldiers. Spending money on a project that was both morally wrong and inhumane, that sounded just like the corrupted ruling authorities of Zaun's inner council.
"And what do you think of the test subjects so far, Miss Prism?" Singed asks as if out of mere curiosity, but Lux knows better than to take the Zaunite scientist's curiosity at face value, and is privy to the fact that the cruel man's true motives are to sell his unannounced rich guest a few brainwashed bodyguards in order to further fuel his nightmarish ambitions.
A fake saccharine smile is plastered at once onto the young undercover spy's face.
"I think that the results of your research speak for themselves, Dr. Singed." Lux states, sky blue eyes intently focused on a young pink-haired woman beating two armed soldiers with her naked fists two floors below her feet. "The test subjects are certainly exhibiting the martial prowess and resourcefulness that one would expect from an elite bodyguard, Doctor. Finding out the real extent of the Knights' loyalty is the one thing that's giving me second thoughts and keeps me from employing one of your soldiers, however…"
The Zaunite madman nods his head as if Singed had been already expecting the Demacian woman's reluctance.
"Please, let me dispel your doubtless fears, Miss Prism. I can personally assure you that your future Yuri Knight will be blindingly catering to your every whim from the moment you purchase your new bodyguard until you so chose to discard them.. or they perish in the line of duty."
The insane scientist's eyes intently roam across the dirt-coated bodies of the enslaved test subjects fighting below. "Are you still skeptical, Miss Prism? Yes? Then how about a little demonstration to ease your mind?" Bandaged fingers proceed to press the bright red button of some kind of intercom that has been securely attached to one of the bridge-like structure's wall.
"Dr. Thresh? Send me a couple test subjects on the second observation deck. Oh, and make sure that the subjects are properly wearing their collars this time."
A few minutes later and Lux is staring at an assortment of bloodthirsty young adult women lined up before her and Dr. Singed. Hateful glares scorching the air around her with seething intensity, bruised stoic visages facing the disguised blonde spy with some sort of quiet fury.
"This is subject Six." Singed gestures towards the pink-haired woman that Lux had watched annihilate armed Zaunite soldiers with ease merely a few minutes ago. Droplets of smudged warm blood still marring Vi's face and scarred bruised knuckles.
"Subject Four." The bald chemist continues as he proceeds to gesture at another young woman, this one of either Noxian or Freljordian descent judging by the female warrior's unruly mop of white hair and piercing dark red eyes. A Noxian then, Lux mentally concludes absentmindedly.
"And finally, Subject Eleven." A pair of amber orbs, scorching like liquid hellfire hatefully return Lux's glare. The exotic purple woman's powerful taloned arms balled up into fists, a challenging snarl lowly emanating from the dragon-hybrid's forcibly collared throat.
"Now take your pick, Miss Prism. Chose the first actor of our little show if you will. Please.. take your time."
Without a moment's hesitation and with a fake eagerness guiding her actions the blonde aristocrat points at the less scary of the three presented guinea pigs, the white-haired woman of Noxian descend that is neither snarling at her aggressively nor she is covered in still warm, liquid crimson.
"Subject Four, are you sure? Oh, I see, it is because of your country's little vendetta with Noxus! But of course, you can't wait to humiliate a Noxian, eh?" Lux allows the sinister man to believe whatever he wants, the blonde spy's crystal blue orbs solely focused on the neutral expression of the white-haired test subject.
"Very well, I guess what influences your selection isn't my business as long as you pick an adequate test subject. Now give the test subject a kiss."
"What?" Lux mouths.
"Now, Miss Prism, I know that the thought of you kissing a Noxian might be repulsive, but that is just how a Yuri Knight contact is formed, so there is nothing we can do about it I'm afraid…"
Lux does her best to display her role's reluctance along with a rich arrogant heiress' utter disdain for such an action as she nears the quiet Noxian warrior. Subject Four remains perfectly still even as Lux grudgingly kisses Riven on the cheek and then hastily steps back in order to pointedly wipe at her mouth with an embroidered silken handkerchief.
"Bleh!" Lux spats in disgust, the blonde light mage's flushed expression hidden behind the cover of her expensive silken handkerchief. "My god, those uncivilized plebeians are just as foul-tasting as they look! This miraculous bodyguard of yours better be worthy of the immense humiliation I've just endured, Dr. Singed! Or there will be consequences.."
Completely unfazed by the young heiress' threat, Singed nods his head with much gusto and spreads his hands in an obviously satisfied celebratory manner."The contact's conditions have been fulfilled! Congratulations, Miss Prism you've just obtained your own Yuri Knight!"
Lux smiles brightly at that as if she is extremely proud of herself and can't register the dragon hybrid's growling getting even louder. Or that the despicable scientist had just tricked her currently adopted haughty persona into purchasing one of his brainwashed toys…
"Give your new pet an order to confirm that it can't deny you anything, Miss Prism. Make sure that it is something that Subject Four would rather avoid."
And now came the tricky part, the disguised Demacian spy thought bitterly. Tormenting an already suffering individual for the sake of maintaining her cover. But how would Lux go about hurting the unfortunate Noxian woman while minimizing the damage done to the albino warrior?
Should she order her new bodyguard to do something stupid and humiliating? To fall on her arms and knees and bark like a dog for example while she laughed in pure glee? Or, should the undercover light mage err on the side of caution for once and command Subject Four to physically injure her body?
What would a snobbish, arrogant and self-righteous Demacian sycophant do? The Crown Agent wonders urgently. And more importantly, just how far am I prepared to go in order to avoid making Singed suspicious?
In the end, and while faced with that terrible dilemma under the scrutinizing gaze of the despicable bald man, Lux had come into the utterly damning conclusion that she wouldn't be able to shut down the secret labs and save Subject Four's life unless she passed the immoral test of the monstrous Zaunite madman.
"Get down on your knees, Noxian scum." Lux orders with the biting tone of an impatient noblewoman. Riven obeys without a word
"Good, it seems like you aren't completely worthless after all, now get on all fours, you backstabbing bitch." Once more the tormented albino soldier obeys the heiress' command, but Lux finds an excuse to throw a childish tantrum anyways.
"No! Keep your eyes on me, you filthy whore, not at the floor!" The undercover agent suddenly screams. "This entire exercise is fucking pointless unless I can savor your humiliation and pain, you stupid inferior creature!" The disguised Demacian spy angrily spats while grabbing a handful of Riven's messy ivory hair, roughly lifting the enslaved warrior's head until cold cobalt eyes can meet a pair of lifeless dark crimsons.
Lux then slaps her new bodyguard. The sound rings like a gunshot inside Luxanna's eardrums, the very notion of her hurting a defenseless slave sickening the young Demacian woman to her very core. And yet, Lux knows that she has to do this. She knows that Singed is standing right behind her, observing her every move. The show has to go on for both her's and the kidnapped Noxian soldier's sake.
The second slap sounds louder than the first one, if that could even be possible at all. And just like the first time, the Noxian warrior doesn't move a muscle to defend herself or begs for the younger woman's mercy. Emotionless red eyes stay locked on the young noblewoman's gaze as Lux hits Riven a third and then a fourth time in the face. The undercover blonde aristocrat tries to ignore the small trickle of blood so elegantly escaping from the corner of the white-haired guinea pig's mouth. Subject Four doesn't even blink.
"I think that's quite enough, Miss Prism." The voice of the cruel Zaunite chemist unexpectedly emanates from behind Luxanna's back in order to give the poor kneeling Noxian some respite from her newest torment. "You can continue the… education of your new Yuri Knight in the privacy of your home after our transactions are completed."
Lux simply nods while appearing reluctant for a moment, before finally releasing Riven's messy snow-colored hair.
"Oh, but of course, Dr. Singed." The blonde Demacian smiles charmingly at the cruel bald man. "Please, forgive that unsightly display I've just shown you. I simply couldn't help myself when I found the Noxian filth within striking distance."
The Zaunite man merely hums to himself.
"That's understandable, Miss Prism. So will that be it then?" Singed asks prompting a raised eyebrow from the undercover crown agent.
"Wouldn't you prefer to purchase a second guard dog like most of our other clients tend to do? The presence of a second Yuri Knight would guarantee your safety in case of an emergency, you see. Since one Yuri Knight could serve as a diversion for your foes while the other one would aid your escape."
Sky blue eyes blink even as they examine the tense forms of the bloodstained pinkette, the kneeling Noxian warrior and the still growling Half-dragon.
"Would the Yuri Knights really sacrifice themselves for me as instructed, my dear Doctor?" says Lux whilst looking troubled.
Singed snorts in response.
"Without a doubt, Miss Prism. My Yuri Knights are programmed to unquestionably cherish and desire the first non-indoctrinated person that kisses them. As such the test subjects' cooperation isn't achieved through the means of a death threat or violence as is usually the case in warrior-slave programs, but through the subjects' genuine desire to be acknowledged by their respective masters and their innate want to shield their owners from harm."
Luxanna can only blink owlishly at the drawling mad chemist. "The Yuri Knights protect their owners because... they fall in love with them?" The blonde noblewoman asks clearly stunned, unconvinced.
"Love is nothing more than a chemical reaction, Miss Prism." Replies Singed with a knowing look. "It can be coerced into beings, tampered with, and even synthesized inside a lab, if one is given enough time and resources to test what stimulates it, mind you."
There is a lump in the back of Luxanna's throat that keeps growing. Sky blue orbs inadvertently move towards the still kneeling, slightly older Noxian woman that's submissively staring at the floor with blood trickling from the corner of her injured mouth. Singed instantly notices and a wicked, insane grin slowly forms behind the Zaunite scientist's taut facial bandages.
"Let's take Subject Four for example. The subject knows that its feelings are forced upon it. It realizes that you and it will most likely never be romantically involved together and it also acknowledges that it is no doubt physically stronger than you and I."
The crown agent nods while a dull pain rapidly grows inside her chest. Lux does her best not to look at the quiet brainwashed soldier.
"And yet, Subject Four can't help but feel sorrow for incurring your wrath a few seconds ago! It is flooded with guilt for minutely entertaining the thought of fighting back against your assault! Hope whenever you show it the faintest hint of tolerance for its shortcomings or speck of love or kindness!"
Lux takes a short breath as she recomposes her expression and then averts her eyes from the trio of collared slaves, turning to Singed even if the blonde spy's smile doesn't quite reach her striking aquamarine eyes.
"So the lowborn filth wants to woo me?" The undercover light mage chuckles with imperious mirth. "That is truly hilarious, Dr. Singed!" The noble light mage giggles with fake excitement.
The heinous bald scientist just nods his head in response. "That is also one of the main reasons that some of our clients tend to buy a second Yuri Knight, so that they can let the two test subjects compete for their master's nonexistent affection. There is nothing more satisfying from what I have heard than observing these mindless beasts tear each other apart for a reward that they will never actually obtain."
Lux nods her head with a wide smile even though the kind light mage inwardly curses herself for what she has to do next in order to stay in the role of the wealthy arrogant bitch that she is impersonating.
"Then I will take this one too!" The blonde spy happily exclaims as she leans forward and presses a quick featherlike kiss against the tattooed cheek of the rowdy pinkette, chaining Vi to her servitude.
/
The Demacian crown agent sighs in relief as she lets the rhythmic rocking of the carriage lull her to sleep. Luxanna's head feeling as if it is about to explode from the tension that's been building up inside her brain until the very moment she was allowed to leave the horrendous secret labs of the mad chemist.
The mission had been successful as far as The Crown was concerned at least. Lux had been able to confirm Dr. Singed's illegal activities and witnessed the results of his unlawful conducts. Having to pay a large sum of money in order to maintain her cover as an arrogant scatter-brained sycophant have been an unforeseeable expense, but one that was completely justified given the severity of Luxanna's mission.
The blonde light mage is almost asleep and so Lux frowns when a weird feeling of heaviness suddenly overcomes her body. Still drowsy and utterly exhausted from the day's events, the Demacian aristocrat opens her eyes only to come face to face with the seemingly indifferent and stoic visages of her recently purchased Yuri Knights.
Lux attempts to smile at the solemn women before her even though the startled blonde crown agent can't help but squirm under the combined intensity of the gazes of Riven's maroon-colored orbs and Vi's cold cobalt eyes. The light mage's nervous hands sinking deeper into the rough fabric of the twin simple jackets that were used to cover her legs and chest like makeshift blankets while she had been dozing off mere seconds ago. Well, at least her new bodyguards didn't seem to hate her so far. That was something at least, right?
The blonde light mage can't help, but avert her gaze from the sight of the two powerful young women that are currently staring at her with unmistakably neutral expressions, yet obviously hungry, albeit slightly guarded eyes. The two Yuri Knights appear to be seizing her up like two caged starving wolves about to descend on their helpless prey. Every pore of the two silent warriors radiating white hot desire along with suspicion and reluctant acceptance of their present situation.
Lux gulps when both of her new bodyguards silently stand up from their respective seats at the opposite side of the carriage, before proceeding to sit down again next to her. Vi's and Riven's much more ample and defined womanly curves suddenly even more apparent to the poor light mage due to the close proximity of her bodyguards' bodies.
Both of the enslaved warriors don't utter a single word and opt to just wait in silence for the carriage to reach its unknown destination. One arm of each tormented soldier partially wrapped around the blonde noblewoman's waist, rather slyly, the test subjects' body heat slowly seeping through the disguised spy's extravagant clothes.
With a prominent blush already coloring her flushed cheeks, Luxanna tries to relax pressed between the stiff unmoving bodies of her two beautiful rugged. Minutes pass in tense silence, the repetitive galloping of the carriage's horses the only thing breaking the charged monotony of the weird scene. Until Vi suddenly leans down and growls seductively against the light mage's left ear... Even as Riven's possessive grip around Luxanna's waist tightens in response to the pinkette's abrupt challenge. Probably unconsciously, the Noxian albino shifts closer to the blushing blonde woman that the antisocial swordswoman hold's dear deep in her heart. The young Demacian spy's sky blue orbs instantly widening in a peculiar mixture of sheer shock, confused arousal and mild fear.
Interpreting Luxanna's nervous fidgeting as a rejection to their admittedly clumsy romantic approaches the two female warriors hastily release Lux's waist with a muffled whine much like remorseful dogs that are being scolded by their angry owner. The two Yuri knights' postures shift as the bodyguards' heads hang low in immense sadness and shame.
Without thinking the crown agent's hands instantly grasp those of the slightly older women, soft fingers gently caressing the scarred palms of the two test subjects. Riven and Vi release a shuddering relieved breath as they once again shyly wrap their arms around the blushing light mage's petite waist. Lux swallows again nervously.
A single thought keeps pestering the poor blonde crown agent as the nondescript carriage lazily continues navigating across the smog-covered streets of Zaun, heading out of the impossibly corrupt city-state. Just how in the king's name was she going to explain living together with those two to her overprotective brother, Garen and her strict old-fashioned parents!
This short story was created with two goals in mind. 1 Write a ridiculous concept that will allow the simultaneous shipping of Lux with Vi and Riven, much like the weird approach of the restaurant Diana-Leona chapter. 2 Turn said concept into something a bit more serious despite the frivolous AU it takes place in. And that's how the concept of Yuri Knights was cooked up on the spot in order to serve as the vehicle that would drive the love triangle home and help solidify it. Puns are awesome. Hey, I can at least think of this snippet as dialogue practice. Feel free to borrow the concept if you want a quick way to ship champions.
PS: Singed was also the pioneer of Project Furry Knight, and that's how the Vastayan were created in this AU. So much creativity today, it's spilling all over the web, pouring out of the toaster.