Hey everyone, it's me! I'm back and hopefully better than ever, with a new chapter that I've personally been very excited for. Well, I hope you all enjoy this, and I'll see you at the end of the chapter! Have fun!

The world changed every second. The clock would tick and something beautiful or terrible would come to pass and, no matter how big or small the change was, the world would never be the same. It took a lot to make a person realise this, however, and they'd likely live out their days in comfortable monotony until the world hit them upside the head with something completely unexpected. Something that they'd look back on as time passed by, knowing that single moment had altered their life forever - for better or worse.

Some people could go most of their lives without learning that lesson, but Ekko knew it well. He'd known it since he was ten years old and he lost nearly everyone he cared about. Benzo, Powder, Vi, Vander, Claggor, Mylo; all of them gone in a single night. Those were the worst twelve hours of his life, especially once news reached him that Vander, Mylo and Claggor's bodies had been found in an old factory by the river, and that Powder and Vi were missing. The people in the Undercity who cared enough to talk about it believed they were dead, but Ekko wouldn't accept it. He told himself that they were still out there, somewhere, if only because he didn't want to face the pain. He would carry that loss with him for years, allowing it to fuel him as he began to build the Firelights soon after he turned thirteen.

Ekko had been the one to find the tree, taking people who needed a new start and turning it into a place that Shimmer and the Chembarons couldn't touch. He'd designed the structures that he and his new Firelights spent months building and, when they'd grown large enough in number a couple years later, he built the weapons and tools they used in the fight against Silco. It hadn't taken long for Ekko to realise the Firelights considered him their leader, as young as he was, because as arrogant as it sounded he was the reason their new home existed. So, when Ekko put on his mask and attacked Silco's empire, the Firelights followed him every step of the way.

Finding the tree had been the second world changing event Ekko had experienced, something good and beautiful, and for years Ekko had lived with hope in his heart; hope that they could change things in time. Then Jinx appeared, and all Ekko could feel was rage.

But time pressed on and so did Ekko, continuing the fight no matter how much it hurt every time he saw Jinx, the monster wearing the face of the girl he once loved. And things carried on like that for years until Vi was spotted in the Undercity, back from the dead barely twenty-four after Progress Day. In truth Ekko hadn't believed it, thinking his scouts had made an honest mistake, but it was hard to deny the truth when this woman had the word Vi tattooed on her fucking face.

Things had gotten… weird from there. Not only had Vi been in prison for eight years, but she'd been released by an Enforcer so she could help take down Silco and return the stolen Hextech Gemstone to Piltover. Ekko had helped them, of course he'd helped them! It was right, and it was Vi asking him so how could he say no? She was a mentor and a friend; the fact that she'd been gone for eight years changed nothing. And the Enforcer she'd been with was alright, too, even if he hadn't liked her at first. Still, admitting it made Ekko wish for a strong drink. Caitlyn was an Enforcer after all, and they had been instrumental in the oppression of the Undercity ever since it came into existence. Whether it was the Piltover Council or Silco controlling them, they had always been a thorn in the side of Ekko's people, so trusting in the word of someone wearing their uniform was difficult.

In the end though, the biggest problem for the Undercity were the scumbags who lived in it, deciding that as long as they were well off then everyone else could burn. People like Silco and his Chembarons, and any other two bit thug who preyed on the weak and needy for their own greed. These days the Enforcers stayed across the border unless Silco called for his lapdog, Marcus, to go and put the fear of the law into the Lanes. There or anywhere in the Undercity Silco felt was getting a bit too rowdy for his tastes. It was also one of the ways Silco kept control over the rest of the Chembarons. Silco could snap his fingers at any sign of insubordination from his inner circle and the Enforcers would happen to find leads on their operation in the Undercity. They'd start sniffing around and the Chembaron would get the message: step another toe out of line and the Enforcers would come knocking on their door, and they'd be off to Stillwater.

If they really pissed him off, however, they might end up in the Dredge, and if what Ekko had heard was true then that was a fate worse than death…

Regardless, Ekko knew how to pick his battles, and he felt that going up Topside with Vi and Caitlyn was better than not. The plan went well until they were stopped by Enforcers on the bridge, with Marcus shooting him before he could react. Things got even worse when Jinx showed up, detonating what felt like a hundred bombs on them and the Enforcers, damn near killing them all.

Then Ekko and Jinx fought, slugging it out just like they'd done so many times as kids until she'd lit a bomb underneath their asses. Ekko had to jump off the bridge to survive, coming close to breaking his leg in the process. He was alive though and that's what mattered, but whether Jinx had survived was another matter entirely. Sure, she should've died in the blast, but this was Jinx they were talking about. If anyone could survive a bomb going off next to them, it was her.

But out of all the changes Ekko had experienced in his life, all the weird and crazy things that he happened to get involved in…

"My dear boy, I don't know how you do it." Professor Heimerdinger called out, stepping into Ekko's workshop with a tired look in his eyes. "When you asked me to look after children, I thought it would be…" He trailed off, searching for the right word as he closed the metal door behind him.

…this was the most surprising of them all.

Ekko set down his tools and turned away from his workbench, turning in his chair to face the Yordle who had just entered his personal workshop and quarters. Heimerdinger was wearing the same clothes as when they first met around two days ago, the once pristine blue and gold coat now stained with some dirt and grease, along with a few tears at the edges. What caught Ekko's eye, however, was that he was missing his cloak. Considering the Professor had kept it on the entire time he'd been down here, Ekko was curious as to why he'd taken it off. "Easy?" Ekko asked, filling in for Heimerdinger. "That's kids for you", he said with a short laugh, "but was it really that bad?"

Heimerdinger walked over to the workbench, reaching under it and pulling out a low chair on wheels. "Truthfully, no." He admitted, climbing onto the chair before spinning it to face Ekko. Ekko adjusted his similarly, turning to the older being with a raised brow. "They were friendly and eager, just like you said they'd be, but I could scarcely keep up with them." Heimerdinger explained with a shudder, his fur quivering lightly with the movement. "Make no mistake, it does my old soul good to see such inquisitive young minds. I only wish they could've been a little more patient with their questions."

Ekko let out a low chuckle, shaking his head and turning back to his bench. "I don't know what you expected, but kids are hyperactive. That's, like, their whole thing. Besides, you're Professor Heimerdinger." He said as he picked up his tools, quickly checking over his work like he always did after he took a break. Sure, he'd only looked away for a minute, but Ekko didn't take chances with his work. "I figured this would be right up your street."

The Yordle gripped the lip of the table in one hand pulled his chair forward, leaning forward as his eyes roved over the tools and parts spread across the bench. Ekko had no idea what Heimerdinger was thinking at that moment. Was he examining the various cogs, gears and other components in order to work out what Ekko was building, or was he working out what he could create with the same parts?

Who knew? Certainly not Ekko, but if there was one thing he'd learned about Heimerdinger, it was that he reveled in the role of the mysterious mentor. He wouldn't simply tell someone the answer, no; they needed to find that themselves. He'd only guide them towards it, which Ekko guessed made sense considering he was a teacher first and foremost. Still, this wasn't a classroom and Ekko sometimes found himself wishing the Yordle would just get to the point.

"The children I teach are a little more focused, but I imagine that to be a consequence of the Academy's high standards." Heimerdinger said after a moment, looking up at Ekko. "And they usually aren't trying to steal my cloak." He added, shaking his head as his large moustache curled up slightly. As far as Ekko could tell that meant he was smiling, so hopefully he wasn't that upset about it.

"I'm gonna take a guess and say Tara?" Ekko hazarded a guess, letting out a shallow breath when Heimerdinger nodded. He'd say he expected better of her since she was the oldest of the kids with Heimerdinger, being thirteen and all, but he really wasn't. "Sorry about her," he apologised, "she's got a thing about taking from Pilties. They take from us so she takes from them, or so she says. Part of me thinks she just likes stealing. There's never been any Pilties down here before so it's never been an issue, but I guess it was bound to cause a problem, sooner or later. Want me to get it back for you?"

"It's quite alright." Piltover's founder denied, leaning back in his seat. It was smaller than most people would find comfortable but Heimerdinger hadn't complained, so Ekko hadn't made any effort to find him a bigger one. "She tried to take it a few times while my back was turned, but my eyes are just as sharp as they were two hundred years ago, so she never got very far. Once we were done and I was about to leave, however, she approached me and asked for the cloak. No tricks or schemes; she just asked, and rather politely if I'm to be candid with you."

"And you just… gave it to her?" Ekko asked in mild disbelief.

"Young man, it's just a cloak. At any rate she probably needs it more than I do." Heimerdinger explained, but as his eyes focused once more on the workbench Ekko could tell he was hiding something.

Unless Ekko was a worse judge of character than he thought, he doubted the Yordle would hide anything out of malice or anything like that. "Is this you trying to 'atone' or something?" Ekko placed down the tool in his left hand and reached down, placing his palm on Heimerdinger's shoulder. "It's gonna take a lot of cloaks to fix the Undercity, if that's what you're going for."

Heimerdinger looked down at his feet, letting out a tired little laugh as he did. "It's rather silly, isn't it?" He said ruefully. "I've been down here for less than three days and I already feel overwhelmed by the weight of my failures. Everywhere I look I see something that I could have helped if I'd been just a little less blind, or maybe even prevented it entirely. And now that I finally see it, I… for the first time in over a hundred years, I don't know where to begin."

Ekko took a moment to process his words before responding. "Not everything that's happened down here is your fault."

"That is where you're wrong. I am the last of Piltover's founders, so the blame rests upon my shoulders."

"What about the shoulders of people like Silco and his Chembarons?" Ekko retorted, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table. "They don't deserve any of the blame?"

Heimerdinger let out a sigh. "Of course they do, but men like Silco wouldn't exist if I'd only looked. Everything that has happened here, all the suffering and the lives lost; it is my fault. I share just as much blame as they do, if not more because I might've stopped them." He sounded so forlorn, so heartbroken, that Ekko wanted to reassure him that none of this was his doing, but he knew that wasn't true.

As kind, smart and experienced Heimerdinger was, he had neglected the needs of the Lanes and the Undercity. He'd allowed the Enforcers to fall into Silco's hands when Marcus was made Sheriff. And even if he himself hadn't been a part of the corruption plaguing Piltover's Council, his negligence had paved the way for his fellow Councillors to illegally line their own pockets.

It didn't feel right to just say that, though. Ekko didn't like kicking someone while they were down, not unless they really deserved it. "But now you're trying to make it right, and that's all anyone can really do."

"Perhaps." Heimerdinger said quietly, letting out a deep breath. Then he turned back towards Ekko's work with enthusiasm even Ekko could tell was forced. "You're building a pocket watch, I assume? Judging by the parts, I mean."

Ekko saw the attempt to switch the subject and let it slide. He'd known Heimerdinger for less than three days and, while he liked the guy, they weren't friends yet. "Lost my old one the night before we met. Built it seven years back", he explained, picking up his second tool again before adjusting the position of one of the exposed cogs, "but I guess it's time for a change."

Heimerdinger let out a short chuckle at that. "It seems you and I are of a similar mind, then." He then fell silent for a moment, his brow furrowing thoughtfully. "Might I ask you a question, young man?"

"Shoot." Ekko said, tightening a series of small screws in an inner metal plate.

"Why do you hold time in such high regard?" Heimerdinger asked, causing Ekko to pause his tinkering.

"What do you mean?" He requested slowly, placing down his tools for the second time. Ekko sensed this would be one of those conversations which he needed to pay full attention to, otherwise he'd get left behind. That was something Ekko had learned in the early hours of Heimerdinger's stay, but he wouldn't say it was a bad thing. Just… different.

"The hourglass face paint", he clarified, gesturing to the white marking on Ekko's face, "along with your penchant for clockwork. I've also seen quite a few custom-made clocks around your home. I assume this is your doing?"

Ekko shrugged, his lips tugging up at the corners. "What do you want from me? Sticking to a schedule is important, especially in a community like this. There's always work to be done, chores to be completed, and there's only so many hours in a day." He explained, watching as Heimerdinger nodded in understanding.

"Punctuality and efficiency, then. I understand and even approve." Heimerdinger said tentatively, and Ekko sensed a 'but' coming up. "But", Heimerdinger began, proving him right, "there are moments when even I wonder if you're being too rigid in your timetables."

His words were cautious, probably not wanting to offend him but Ekko didn't mind. He'd heard it all before, after all, and it wasn't without merit. "I used to be way worse, if you can believe it. Back when I first realised the Firelights considered me their leader, I got really anxious about screwing up and getting these people hurt. They were putting their trust in me and I really didn't want to let them down."

"From what I can see, that trust has not been misplaced." Heimerdinger said reassuringly, his large eyes meeting Ekko's.

"I like to think so too", Ekko allowed, not wanting to come across as cocky or anything like that, "but that fear of messing up just wouldn't go away, and I ended up becoming really, really strict with my planning. Both with our operations and day to day life. Don't get me wrong, it worked well, but I must've been working us all too hard because Scar took me aside a week or so later. He told me that I needed to slow down, and that not everything could be done in a single day. We reached a balance after that, where I keep things running as smoothly as possible, and he checks me when I get out of hand."

"Having a second in command or a trusted assistant is very important." Heimerdinger agreed, and Ekko supposed that made sense. The Yordle had been running Piltover's Academy and working on the Council for literal centuries; having someone to help him with scheduling or work he may not have had the time for seemed pretty essential. Truth be told it all seemed way too pretentious for him, but he did have Scar doing similar stuff, taking over certain duties when Ekko was running an operation or working on the Firelight's gear. Maybe it was the name that made him uncomfortable. The phrase "second in command" garnered respect, being a position of great importance and trust. "Assistant" however, seemed a bit… demeaning?

Maybe the name of the position didn't matter, but rather who you worked with or under, for that matter. Being the assistant of a person like Heimerdinger might bring great renown, but that was Topside politics, something Ekko preferred not to think about. He only really cared if the Council's bullshit seeped down into the Undercity, because that was just how things were.

"Time is one of the most important aspects of life." Ekko stated, ending the brief silence that had formed after Heimerdinger's words. "I mean, don't you see how much time people waste? Seconds, minutes, hours, days, years - they go by while so many just sit and watch, and all the chances they had to do something worthwhile are gone forever. It's like, your life can change with what feels like a snap of your fingers", Ekko explained, raising his hand and clicking his fingers for emphasis, "so why waste time? Humans don't live forever. Stars, we don't even live that long. I guess I've always been conscious of that, you know, living down here, and it's pushed me to try and make the most of the time I have."

Heimerdinger let out a hum and turned away, clearly thinking over Ekko's words. A moment later he looked back, speaking in a wistful voice. "Human mortality is something I have… failed to fully understand, if you understand what I mean. It was only very recently that I became aware of how humans viewed the passage of time, and it seems that my ignorance has had terrible consequences for many innocent people."

"Well, Yordles don't really die, do they?" Ekko asked, receiving a nod from the shorter being.

"We Yordles are spirits from a realm beyond this one, born in a city made of equal parts emotion and matter." Heimerdinger confirmed. "Time and death don't usually concern us."

"So it's not like you don't care. You're different from humans on a base level, that's not your fault."

"No, but it is my fault for not recognising it sooner." The Professor retorted.

"You really need to cut yourself a bit of slack." Ekko said. "You can't take back your mistakes so focusing on them is a waste. Look, man", he began with a sigh, turning in his chair to face Heimerdinger fully, "here's the thing about time-"

A loud knock sounded on the door, cutting Ekko off before he could finish his sentence. "One second." He said by way of apology, sliding off his chair and walking towards the steel door of his quarters. There was something of an unspoken rule about disturbing Ekko while he worked, which basically amounted to don't do it. There was a chance he might be working on something volatile or the like, and sudden surprises like a fist hitting steel might cause issues of the explosive variety. Either way, Ekko was never late to meetings or anything like that, mostly because he organised them in the first place, so the only time people came up to his workshop was when something important was going down.

Opening the door a few inches, Ekko peered through the gap and was greeted by Scar, his longtime friend and second in command. Ekko stepped back and opened the door the rest of the way, greeting the Vastayan with a cautious smile. "Hey man, what's up?" He asked, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded against his chest.

"There's people here to see you." Scar said, his deep voice sounding somewhat uncertain, something which sparked Ekko's interest. Since there wasn't a fight going on outside the Firelights stationed at the gate must've been let in without issue, and with how much effort went into keeping their home's a secret, Ekko could make a pretty good guess as to who had shown up.

"Vi and the Piltie?" He asked, just to be sure.

Scar let out a grunt which he took to mean yes, confirming Ekko's suspicions. "They brought another." The Firelight's second in command added with a furrowed brow.

Ekko let out a breath, closing his eyes for a moment because of course Vi would bring a stranger to their secret base two days after leaving it. "They gonna start something?" Ekko inquired.

"Doesn't look like it." Scar eased his doubts before looking past Ekko, glancing towards the workbench where Heimerdinger was sitting. "Bring the Yordle. Might make things easier."

"Make what easier?"

Scar let out a low growl as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Topside business. I don't get involved in that shit." He explained, and for all of his good qualities Ekko knew Scar lacked the patience for anything even resembling politics.

"Yeah, that's fair." Ekko said, running a hand through his braided hair. He then let out a breath, eyes falling to the wooden floor of the treehouse for a moment. "Mind checking the munition stores while I deal with this? I was gonna do it myself, but you know…"

"I'll get it done." He said, holding out a fist to him. Ekko rapped his own against Scar's with an easy smile before the Vastyan turned and walked away, an unusual intensity in his gait. As far as he could tell, Heimerdinger staying in their base was putting Scar on edge, and whatever this was clearly wasn't making things any better. Ekko would probably have to apologise later, since most of this was pretty much his fault.

"Are we going down then?" Heimerdinger called from behind him, and Ekko closed the door before turning back.

"I'm going down." Ekko stated carefully. "You don't have to go anywhere. Not if you don't want to."

Piltover's esteemed founder shook his head, hopping to the floor and striding towards Ekko, though considering his height maybe stride was the wrong word. "Nonsense, dear boy. I will always help if I am able. Come then, let's greet your guests." He declared, walking by Ekko's legs and out his quarters, turning the corner and disappearing out of sight.

Ekko took a second to smirk at his enthusiasm, feeling a little relieved now that Heimerdinger had perked up a little. Then he stepped through the open doorway and shut the door behind him, quickly catching up to Heimerdinger halfway down the stairs that spiralled around the tree. Ekko was pretty short for a guy as much as he hated to admit it, but even still he had to slow down for Heimerdinger. He'd leave him behind otherwise, and at the Yordle's pace they made it to the bottom of the tree in little under a minute.

As their feet touched the concrete floor Ekko realised Scar hadn't told him where Vi and her lot would be, but a quick glance to his right showed a small group of Firelights watching something just out of view, their expressions a mix of curiosity and thinly veiled distrust. "This way." He said to Heimerdinger and they made their way over. The Firelights that were watching noticed the two of them, some giving him respectful nods which Ekko returned, and after a moment they walked away, letting him handle the situation.

Making the turn around the tree, the two of them came into view of the mural painted on the base of the tree, spotting three figures waiting just before it. Both Ekko and Heimerdinger stopped in their tracks, taking in the scene with surprise and a fair bit of confusion, because, well… it made fuck all sense.

Waiting there patiently, idle conversation passing between the three them were Vi, Caitlyn the Enforcer, and Councillor Jayce fucking Talis.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ekko saw Heimerdinger's eyes widen in shock before his cheeks curled up, the Professor's gaze fixing on Piltover's "Man of Progress" and wow did Ekko despise that moniker.

What a prick, Ekko thought with a sneer, taking in the scene.

Vi and Caitlyn were sitting next to each other on the memorial's wooden platform, facing each other side on as they quietly discussed something, not noticing their arrival just yet. The Councillor was standing just behind them, his back to Ekko and Heimerdinger as he looked over the faces of the lost. He was dressed in the same white, red and gold outfit that he wore in those stupid posters plastered about Topside, like he was so damn important. Beyond that he carried a simple leather satchel, hanging from his shoulder and notably missing any and all of the usual Piltie decorations.

Still, seeing him here in his fancy clothes, down in the city his precious Council had neglected for years, it made Ekko's blood boil.

Ekko should've done more than just rip him off when Talis wandered into Benzo's store all those years ago. He got off easy in Ekko's eyes, getting his shit stolen and his apartment blown up, but hindsight was twenty-twenty and all that.

The three of them weren't what caught his eye, though. It was what they brought as, resting next to Vi on plated steel knuckles were a pair of gargantuan metal gauntlets, and Ekko felt the breath leave his chest because that was Hextech. The blue gems embedded into the back of the gauntlets told him that much. It wasn't just that because, sitting on its head within arms reach of Talis was the largest hammer Ekko had ever seen, and there was no doubt in his mind that this was Hextech as well.

What the hell was happening here? Vi and Caitlyn should've been in Piltover, somehow getting the Council on their side against Silco or whatever it was they wanted to do. They shouldn't have come back so soon, and they sure as fuck shouldn't have brought the latest in a long line of self-serving Councillors with them. Sure, Caitlyn had said she had a friend on the Council, but him?

How the hell did she even know him, and why were they even here?

It was then that Vi noticed them, glancing at them from the corner of her before quickly climbing to her feet. She didn't even spare Heimerdinger a glance as she strode towards Ekko, Caitlyn following just behind her, before Vi threw her arms around him. She'd hugged him back then too, when they'd properly reunited, but there was something desperate in her embrace and Ekko didn't hesitate to return the hug.

"Hey Little Man", she greeted, her voice a low whisper, "you… you're alright."

Ekko let out a quiet laugh, patting her on the shoulder. "You think a bomb's enough to take me out? You know you taught me better than that."

Vi shook her head with a chuckle, lightly shoving him away. "Cocky little shit." She said, stepping back with a grin and shoving her hands in her pockets.

Caitlyn reached them, then, sparing a smile and a nod for Ekko before she turned to Heimerdinger. "Professor, what are you doing here?" The Enforcer asked, looking down towards the Yordle with a confused gaze.

"Well, young Kiramman, I decided it was high time I offered my assistance to the Undercity", Heimerdinger spoke up, his eyes momentarily shifting towards Talis as he approached, "and it was there that I met Ekko." He explained, looking back up and meeting Caitlyn's eyes.

"Busted my leg jumping off the bridge to Piltover." Ekko interjected, the two women turning to him as Talis came to a stop beside them. "It wasn't the brightest idea I've ever had, but it was either that or getting blown up, so…" Caitlyn nodded, accepting the explanation easily but it was Vi's reaction that caught Ekko's eye, wincing in clear guilt. Ekko let out a sigh as he turned to her, interrupting her before she could make some asinine apology. "Hey, don't start with that, Vi. I made my choice and I'd make it again."

Vi nodded with a downcast expression but she didn't speak up, and Heimerdinger took that as his cue to continue. "It was in the morning that I found Ekko by the riverside. I was drawn by the light of his broken hoverboard and, from there, I helped him make his way home. I've been his guest since." He finished, before Ekko heard someone clear their throat.

They each turned and saw Talis standing there, his expression serious even as his eyes shone with apprehension and shame. "Professor Heimerdinger… it's good to see you." He said, sounding both determined yet unsure of himself, like he wanted to speak but didn't know what to say.

Heimerdinger stood there silently for a second, visibly mulling over his words and Ekko got the distinct impression that something had gone on between the two. "Hello, Jayce. It's good to see you too. How is…" The Yordle trailed off, clearly uncertain about his next question. "How is Viktor doing?"

Talis let out a pained breath and ran a hand through his hair, looking down at the ground for a moment. "He's not in a good way, but he's determined to keep trying, and I, I guess that's all we can ask of him." He said before crouching down, getting as close to being eye to eye with Heimerdinger as a man his size could. "I'm sorry for everything that happened; for everything I did."

Ekko looked at Talis with a raised brow, wondering where the hell all of this was coming from. Vi and the Kiramman, (stars, how hadn't he realised that), were shooting Heimerdinger similar looks, though they didn't hide their confusion as well as he did.

As well as I hope I do, Ekko thought. Fuck knows Scar sees right through me at the best of times.

Professor Heimerdinger stepped close to the Council, resting a furry hand just on the edge of his knee as his head hung low. "It is I who must apologise, my friend. Everything you said in the Council chambers was true. I am out of touch with the people of the Undercity, and I didn't appreciate how most people experience time. I just hope I can atone for my mistakes."

A small smile grew on Talis' face as he placed his hand over Heimerdinger's. "I hope to do the same myself." His smile fell, then, as he continued to speak. "You were right as well. Not about everything, not really, but we should've listened. Should've… I don't know, thoughts things through just a little more." A deep sigh escaped the Piltie's lips. "I was a fool."

"As was I." Heimerdinger agreed wistfully. "It seems life has made a fool of us all."

Talis nodded, his hand squeezing the Yordles briefly before he spoke once more. "Think we can put this behind us?"

"Of course. It'll be good to work with you again." Heimerdinger agreed, placing his other hand atop Talis' and looking up towards him with a smile. "Thank you, Jayce."

Jayce nodded, taking back his hands and standing up to his full height. Heimerdinger stepped back as well, returning to Ekko's side, and the leader of the Firelights took the chance to speak up. "I'm so glad we've got this all sorted out", Ekko began, his tone more than a little irate, "but can we get to the point? Like why the fuck you thought bringing a Councilor to my base was a good idea? Or, Vi, why you didn't think to tell me that your Enforcer girlfriend was a fucking Kiramman!"

"Ekko!" Vi scolded him with narrowed eyes, though he wasn't sure which part she was mad about. Knowing her, it was probably him bringing up the Enforcer. Vi could never resist a pretty pair of eyes, and to her credit they were a nice shade of blue, though he wouldn't admit it. After all, Ekko had always loved blue eyes, but never on a woman like her. Never an Enforcer. Never a Piltie.

No: he'd loved a different monster entirely, one with eyes like sapphires and a heart sewn into her sleeve. Powder was a childhood crush and a familial love that shifted into crushing grief, a precious memory and reminder of what he fought for, yet also of what he lost. Ekko had never felt for someone like had for Powder, and he didn't think he would again. Not with the life he lived - not with the man he'd become.

And that held true with Jinx, the twisted reflection of the bright and beautiful girl she'd been, once upon a time. Silco and the Council had ruined the Undercity but for all his hate for them, it never even came close to the burning ball of rage that ignited in his chest whenever he saw Jinx. She was his best friend; his hate for her was personal. All their dreams of using their inventions to help their family, to help the Undercity, and she threw it away for what? To work under a ruthless kingpin, spreading drugs and weapons across the Undercity all to line his own pockets?

Ekko hated Jinx, but with every lonely night spent tinkering in his lab since meeting her, he hated himself just a little more. How couldn't he? He should've been there for her after Benzo died and everything went to shit, should've found her after Vi disappeared and made sure she was okay, but he was too busy being a coward to do any of that! Sure, he'd thought she had died too but what kind of excuse was that?

He should've just been there for her. Maybe then Powder would still be around. Maybe then he wouldn't have had to be alone.

What was it Heimerdinger said just now? Life makes a fool of us all? Well damn Ekko for a fool as well because, now matter how many tales of the dreaded Jinx he heard floating through the Lanes, no matter how many Firelights came back injured from a fight with her, if at all - he still missed her. He missed her so much it hurt, sometimes. Powder was gone, everyone had told him that and he knew it, okay? He'd even told Vi the same fucking thing, but the mind and the heart were two very different beasts, and part of Ekko would always want her back.

It wasn't enough to stop him doing his duty. It wasn't enough to stop him fighting her, and anyone else who worked for Silco. Yet when he'd had the chance to end things on the bridge a few nights ago, the chance to kill Jinx and put Powder to rest, he just couldn't do it. Not with those sad blue eyes looking up at him, afraid and accepting all at once, the blood he'd spilled staining her teeth.

He couldn't do it… he just couldn't, so she'd tried to end it herself. Nobody in this world hated Jinx more than Ekko, but as he dove from the bridge while she laid there and accepted her death, maybe she hated herself just a little more.

I don't have time for this, Ekko thought, squashing the rampant thoughts before they could take hold.

"Whatever!" He shouted, watching Vi rock back at his outburst. Her surprise made sense; he would never have dared raise his voice to her when they were younger. He was different now, though - they all were. "I really don't care. I just wanna know why you're here. Soon as I get that, I can send the Councillor here on his merry fucking way." Ekko ground out, meeting Talis' gaze with hard eyes, and the Piltie's brow raised in surprise.

Vi and the Enforcer glanced at each other briefly, before the Kiramman turned to him with an earnest look in her eyes. Ekko kept his gaze firmly locked with Talis, however. "Ekko, a lot has happened since we last saw you, and we desperately need your help." The Kiramman pleaded with him, and Ekko thought back to when she'd convinced him to hand over the Hextech gemstone, all honeyed words and promises to fix what had been broken. Ekko had believed her then, had put faith in Vi's judgement of her, but now was different.

"Last time I helped you, your boss shot me in the chest", Ekko reminded her, "then Jinx blew us all to kingdom come. Can I expect more of that? I mean Marcus fucking died, so I guess it's up to the new Sheriff to try and take me out." He said with a smirk, not missing the way Vi brought a hand to her brow in frustration.

"Well, I promise I'm not going to shoot you." Kiramman assured him with a snort, going from pleading to almost amused within an instant.

It didn't take Ekko long to work out what she was getting at, she'd damn near spelled it out for him. His lips curled up at the corners, genuinely impressed, though only a little. "That's a hell of a promotion. You're what, twenty, twenty one?"

"Twenty four." She answered as a matter of fact.

Ekko let out a whistle, folding his arms over his chest. "I'd say congrats except, you know, Enforcer scum." He got a little kick out of watching her eyes narrow in anger, though he wasn't about to admit it, not when Vi was in punching distance. "How'd you swing that? Mommy dearest put in a good word for you or something?"

Talis spoke up then, drawing Ekko's attention once more. "I gave her the position. Caitlyn's more than skilled enough for the job, and she's the only Enforcer we have who we can be certain isn't in anyone's pocket." There was a certainty in his voice that rubbed Ekko the wrong way, and he scowled at the Councillor.

"She's in your pocket." Ekko retorted, and Talis let out a quiet sigh, briefly shutting his eyes. He didn't respond to Ekko's comment, not rising to the bait, and he took that as his cue to continue. "So I'm gonna take a guess and say you're pretty damn desperate, promoting her and coming to me for help."

The Councillor took a deep breath, considering his words before responding. "Silco was killed last night", he began and Ekko felt his stomach drop, "and, unless we come together, the Chembarons are gonna tear the Undercity apart fighting for his estate."

That… that was probably the worst thing he could've said, and it wasn't even close.

"Fuck me." Ekko let out. "Please tell me you're sure." He begged, because he really didn't want this to be true. Ekko wanted Silco gone, sure, but only once he'd dismantled his operation top to bottom. If Silco was dead then his Chembarons would just fight for his position, and the citizens of the Undercity would pay the price.

Silco had run a tight ship for years and in a city like this, that required delegation, something that Ekko had learned about in his time with the Firelights. Part of being a leader meant knowing when you didn't have the skill to complete a particular task, or the time to do it yourself. And for Silco who had factories and the like running across all the layers of the Undercity, more than any one person could hope to run by themself, he did the smart thing and divided his empire into sections and handed the reins to his lieutenants in each area. This created the first series of Chembarons, the lords of their land who ran the day to day, while Silco ran things in the Lanes. So long as each Chembaron did their jobs properly and nothing bad made its way back to Silco, they could generally run things however they wanted.

The only problem with this system was that the Chembarons were liars and cheats, and would do anything to grow their power in the Undercity. If Silco really was dead then the Chembarons would fight to take as much of the Undercity as they could, going after what had been Silco's territory and the territory of other Chembarons. They'd want to become the new kingpin, and Ekko doubted they'd care how many innocent people died in the crossfire.

Fucking hell…

"He's dead, trust me." Vi spoke up, standing casually with her thumbs in her jacket pocket, like they weren't talking about war in the streets of their home. That was Vi, though. Cool as ice, or at least that's how she tried to be. "We were there when he died." She clarified, nodding at Caitlyn.

"And how'd that happen?" Ekko asked, because from the sounds of it they weren't the ones who offed the megalomaniac bastard.

Vi turned away from him for a moment, her expression aggrieved, before taking a deep breath and facing him. "Jinx", she began, and Ekko could see how much it pained her to say that name, "she kidnapped us. Me, Caitlyn and Silco, and she took us to the same factory from eight years ago, where Vander, Mylo and Claggor died. I can't really go into all of it right now so please don't ask, but she just… lost it. Killed him then broke down crying, before she left to god knows where." She finished her story, and from the look in her grey eyes she was waiting for him to say something, but what the fuck could he say to that?

I guess this means that Jinx survived that bomb, Ekko thought uselessly, the silence dragging on for a moment or two.

"Now we're trying to organise a response as fast as we can", Caitlyn continued the conversation, seeing as neither Ekko or Vi were in any position to do it, "because if we don't get ahead of this, there's no telling how many people will die." She finished, looking at Ekko for a response - a response he couldn't give.

Ekko ran a hand through his braided white hair, eyes falling to the ground like that would give him the answers he needed.

Goddammit.

God fucking dammit.

A large part of him wanted to tell the Talis to fuck himself with a rake, but this wasn't a situation for being petty. No matter how much of a prick the guy was, none of what they had said was wrong. So many people would die, Firelights included because Ekko knew that the second innocent lives came under fire, he'd gear up and head out there himself to try and stop the bloodshed.

Ekko would have to hear him out. He could do no less considering the shitshow that had just been dumped at his doorstep.

First things first, though.

"Well, that explains why you brought those." Ekko said, gesturing to Vi's gauntlets and then Talis' hammer. "Still, does the Undercity really warrant that kind of firepower?"

Heimerdinger spoke up then, eyeing Talis' weapon warily. "I hadn't wanted to ask…"

"Better safe than sorry", Vi jumped in the discussion, "especially with everything that's going on."

"It's also to prove that we're serious about all this." Talis explained, and Ekko could see the point he was making. Hextech had never been used for weapons as far as Ekko was aware, so its creator rocking up with a great big fuck-off hammer was a sign that shit had really hit the fan.

"Right, that makes sense." Ekko said noncommittally, walking past Talis and stepping up the wooden stairs towards the Firelight's memorial. He wasn't looking at the paintings, though. Instead his eyes roved over the Hextech hammer resting on the floor, taking a few moments to inspect its design and its craftsmanship like he had done thousands of times before, with all different forms of technology.

With grey steel and blue arcane energy running through it, along with pieces painted red and gold, it was a visually impressive piece. Looking pretty and being well made were two very different things, however, and Ekko had always believed in function over form, even if he had a healthy appreciation for the latter.

But even with his keen eyes, Ekko couldn't find a single fault in the hammer's construction, and this was him trying his best. He'd take any opportunity to take Talis down a few pegs, after all, but there really was nothing he could point out about it.

At least, not without testing it himself.

Judging by the hammer's size and material composition, it would be too heavy for a normal person to wield properly. Ekko figured it probably had some way of distorting or lessening its weight, while somehow keeping enough mass to be an effective weapon. It sounded absurd within the realms of conventional technology, but this is Hextech they were talking about, the amalgamation of science and genuine fucking magic. Anything was possible with shit like that.

The only question was how to activate it.

Seeing the lever-like device protruding near the head of the hammer, Ekko wrapped his hand round the handle just by it and pulled, feeling as well as hearing the Hextech hammer coming to life. The thing felt damn near light in his grasp as he took the weapon in two hands, the sapphire light growing brighter than before, and the hum of energy coursing throughout the arcane steel was like nothing Ekko had ever felt before.

It took genuine effort to force down his smile because, as much as he hated to admit it, this was probably the coolest piece of technology Ekko had ever seen.

Looking up from the hammer, Ekko saw Vi, Heimerdinger and the two Topsiders watching him intently. "This thing have a name?" He asked the Councillor, watching as the older man's eyes lit up just a little.

"What you're there holding is the Mercury Hammer", he began with a small yet genuine smile, "one of the first bits of Hextech I ever designed, before we even made the whole thing work."

"And those?" He asked, nodding towards the massive gauntlets resting on the steps just below.

"Those are the Atlas Gauntlets, which now belong to Vi." Talis answered, and Ekko's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Those weren't loaners or anything? Talis had just given them to Vi? Fuck…

Instead of voicing his shock, Ekko looked back down to the Mercury Hammer, slowly bringing the weapon around in a slow circle, getting a feel for its weight and how it moved. It was built for someone taller than him so it was a little awkward, but overall… "Not bad." He said airily, doing his best to hide how much he was enjoying this.

It seemed he hadn't fooled Talis, however, as the Piltie had begun to grin. "You like it?" He inquired, though he probably already knew the answer.

"I said it's not bad." Ekko stressed, shooting a glare his way.

Talis snorted, looking down and taking the strap of the leather satchel he'd been carrying in hand. Drawing it over his head, he turned to Ekko with an expectant look in his eyes. "I bet you'll like this." He challenged, holding the bag up and Ekko set the Hextech hammer down on the floor, pulling the lever to deactivate the weapon. Talis then tossed the satchel, the bag arcing up and into Ekko's waiting hands.

Ekko eyed him suspiciously as he undid the straps keeping the bag closed, pulling the bag open and peering inside, and his eyes grew wide as he saw the bright blue glow within.

Three Hextech Gemstones stared back up at him, along with a leather bound book with a piece of string tied around it.

The Firelight leader's jaw fell open and, this time, he didn't even try to stop it.

"What is this?" Ekko asked, his voice faint. He had risked his life to try and get a single Gemstone back to Piltover's Council, and now they were just giving him three of them?

"That depends on whether you decide to work with us." Talis began. "If you do, it's the beginning of a long term partnership, and proof that we're treating you as equals."

"And if I tell you to fuck off?" Ekko snarked, ignoring how Caitlyn, Vi and Heimerdinger all sent him exasperated looks.

Talis didn't seem put off by Ekko's callousness then, or if he did he hid it well. "Then it's a gift. Free of strings and obligation because, from what I've been told, you'll use it to help the people down here regardless." The Councillor explained. "See that book in there? Every bit of knowledge we have on Hextech is in there, if a bit condensed. That shouldn't be an issue for you though, if you're as smart as Vi says you are."

Ekko considered that for a moment, considered this apparent gift and the circumstances of their meeting, and he decided to put aside his grievances for Pilties - just this once. If hopping into bed with Topside was what it took to keep the Undercity safe, he'd do it without hesitation. "Alright, I'm listening." He said, closing up the satchel and stepping down from the memorial platform.

"We want to help you keep this place from falling apart." The Piltie told him. "You'll get a seat on the Council representing the larger interests of the Undercity, and you'll get whatever resources you need to fight the Chembarons. That means money and materials, or anything else you ask for. You'll also get a direct line to our new Deputy Enforcer who'll head up Enforcer operations in the Undercity - operations which will only happen once the two of you give the go ahead, and they'll be working in tandem with your own forces. You'll also get full access to our Hextech research and production, but we've already gone over that." Talis finished, drawing his list to a close while Ekko stood in silence, going over what he had just heard in his head. "There's other things we'd need to arrange, but if I'm being honest with you those aren't as important right now." He added on Ekko nodded, accepting the timesaver for what it was because, as far as he was concerned, contracts and shit like that could wait.

Okay, Ekko thought, honestly feeling a little dazed, there's a lot to go over.

"Couple things I wanna talk about there, Piltie." He spoke up, raising his hand pinching his brow. "First, this shit with the Enforcers has to stop. Neither of us are idiots, okay? We both know that, even with Hextech and whatever resources you can get us, the Firelights will be at a pretty big disadvantage, but the solution isn't just throwing more of your corrupt thugs down here."

"That's what the Deputy's for." Talis countered. "They'll hold the highest rank in the department, second only to the Sheriff, and their job will be to guide the Enforcers through the Undercity, along with keeping them in line."

"Right." Ekko drawled, more than a little sceptical, but he felt he had the right to be. Any fuck-up with the Enforcers would make this entire situation even worse, and that wasn't something Ekko could risk. Hell, the only reason he was even considering this part of the arrangement was because they needed as many people as they could get. "So who's this 'Deputy' then, because I tell you what I'm not going to work with some Enforcer who's never even set foot in the Undercity."

Vi stepped forward then, her arms folded in front of her chest, moving past Talis and stopping just a few feet from Ekko. "You'll work with me, though."

And Ekko just stared, looking into Vi's eyes for any hint of deception. He found none and his face fell. "You've gotta be kidding."

Vi let out a tired sigh, looking up at the sky for a moment before reaching in her jacket, producing a steel badge with a leather back. Ekko didn't have to look to recognize it because, while most Enforcers choose not to wear theirs, he'd had enough run-ins with them to know an Enforcer's badge when he saw it. "You know I'd never have done this if it wasn't the only option."

"There's no such thing as the only option." Ekko snarled, feeling a genuine pang of betrayal in his chest, even though part of him understood. If Vi of all people had joined up with the Enforcers, the people who'd taken her fucking childhood away from her, then she truly must not have seen any other choice. Ekko couldn't help but wonder how much of this was Vi, and how much of this was Kiramman influencing her. They clearly had something going on, but that really wasn't any of Ekko's business, at least right then. Ekko shut his eyes and let out a deep breath, pushing aside his enmity for, well, all of this. "So you're an Enforcer now. Great. Do you guys have any other surprises?" He asked as he looked at the Councillor and the Sheriff, his voice only mildly sarcastic because he actually did want to know.

Kiramman and the Talis both turned to Vi, waiting on her because apparently that was something they did now. The redhead kept her eyes on him, though. "My sister has the Gemstone."

"What!" Ekko cried. "I gave you the fucking Gemstone on the bridge! I fought Jinx so you guys could get it Topside!"

"You gave us the container which you snatched from Jinx." Caitlyn clarified. "She must've taken the gem out before confronting us."

"So, what? I nearly died for nothing?" He exclaimed. Caitlyn didn't respond, and he threw a hand up, annoyed. "Whatever. Look, I'll work with Vi, but I don't want the Enforcers running rampant down here." He turned back to Vi. "Can you promise me that?"

"They won't set foot down here without me," Vi confirmed, laying her hand upon his shoulder, "and you know I won't let anything like before happen."

Ekko shook his head though he didn't push her away. "It's not you I don't trust."

"I know, and you know I feel just as strongly about this as you, but we need this, Ekko." She pleaded. "We need you."

This was the closest Ekko had ever seen Vi come to begging, and seeing her hope and desperation up close twisted his heart. He turned to Caitlyn, looking for some reprieve but found only that seem plea in her eyes. Heimerdinger and Talis were the same, and Ekko knew they were right. Gods above, they were right. The Undercity needed this, Topside needed this, and how would Ekko live with himself if he said no?

All of this, it was bigger than him and his history. Heimerdinger was right; it was time for a change.

"Alright, Talis, you've got yourself a deal", Ekko said, drawing on as much courage and bravado as he could, "but we're gonna need to go over some stuff."

And so Ekko took them up to his workshop, the space becoming cramped with so many people in it, where they went over the finer details of this arrangement. Hours later the three said goodbye and left to go back to Piltover, and Ekko was left alone in his room.

Heimerdinger was off helping Scar with some repairs to one of the homes in their base, and Ekko had decided to spend the time reading through the book on Hextech Jayce had given him. It had taken him a while to get through it, making notes on important principles and concepts that he'd need to go back to when he started work on… whatever it was he was going to build. That was the question though, wasn't it?

He had three Hextech Gemstones and the knowledge he needed to use them, and he had no idea what to use them for.

The best he could come up with was splitting the gems up into three separate projects. One would go towards helping the Undercity as a whole, and another would go towards helping the Firelights. He wasn't sure what he'd actually build but it wasn't like there was a deadline on it, so he figured it would be fine.

The final gemstone, however, he'd use for himself. Part of him had wondered if that was selfish, but part of his deal with Talis was that he'd get whatever resources he asked for, up to and including Hextech Gemstones. It wasn't like these three were the only ones he'd get, but Ekko didn't want to spread himself too thin with something new like this.

Unlike the first two gemstones, though, he knew exactly what he'd do with the one for him.

See, in the book Talis had given to him, it detailed what he believed to be the origin of all magic: the Spirit Realm. A world beyond their own, parallel yet so far away, and from which magic entered their world through binding points called Ley Lines. That was all well and good, and something that Talis and his partner had already done a fair amount of research into, from the looks of things.

What caught his attention was something Talis had written in an almost offhand sort of way, about how the Spirit Realm existed in a different space than their own, in a space where their rules had no meaning.

A place beyond seconds.

Ekko knew what he was going to build. Something powerful and unique, something that could help him take back the Undercity, and pull the Chembarons from their thrones built on the backs of his people.

Something incredible.

Something to shatter time…

Okay, so now Ekko's been brought into the fold, and I'm very happy that's happened because now we're gonna get into the meat of the fic. Just so you all know there's going to be a time skip after this, but not a long one mind you. It's not a spoiler either since it'll be made clear early next chapter, but I just thought I'd let you know so there's no confusion. Fuck knows stuff like that annoys me when it isn't made clear.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you next time! Bye!