Rise of the Reborn: An Edgerunner's Rise to Power
Summary:During the worst moments of his life, David Martinez awakens memories of his past life as a ruthless crime lord from another world. Armed with this knowledge and the truth about the dangerous world of Zaun, David realizes the potential at his fingertips. He plans to push chemtech to its limits and build his empire in the grimy undercity known as Zaun. Using his past life's knowledge and experience, David will stop at nothing to climb to the top of the criminal underworld. But as he works towards his goal, he'll find that criminals aren't the most dangerous beings lurking in Zaun. (Grammarly used to edit)
Chapter 1: The Worst Day
"You watch one episode of Breaking Bad, and this happens," Carlos mumbled as he sat back and watched his security monitors. The screens showed a heavily armed and armored convoy bust through his compound's front gate, running over his lawn and barreling through his hedges as they moved to surround his mansion. 'Damn, Rico and his crew just came by and did the yard like two days ago... Well, I guess it doesn't matter. He'll be out of a job by the end of the night anyways.' Carlos thought with a sigh.
He turned away as the monitors showed his home's doors and windows being smashed open as invaders flooded in. Carlos wasn't worried. He knew this attack was coming. You can only compete against cartels for so long before they decide they've lost too much money and unite to take you down.
The invaders stormed his empty mansion, normally filled with servants and armed guards, but Carlos sent them away. Paying his people to stay home because he didn't want anyone to needlessly die for him. But just because he was cornered didn't mean Carlos was giving up. He refused to go down without a fight.
As the invaders searched for him, Carlos slipped on a heavy-duty respirator. Then, with a few button presses on his security console, the power was shut off. Gas started to flood the building through the AC vents. He would show them why his customers called him the Alchemist, but his enemies knew him as the Plague Doctor.
~R~R~E~R~P~
A burning deep in his chest, a numbness throughout his body, a ringing in his ears, his eyes wouldn't focus… Then everything was clear as his body took a deep breath. "Wh-Wha?" David Martinez struggled to speak as he gripped the ground, trying to get the world to stop spinning. Instead, his mind started to race. 'What happened? Was that a dream? No, that was me? I died that day. I couldn't do anything against the helicopters that came and lit up my mansion until it exploded. But wait, I'm still alive, no! I died, my name isn't Carlos! Not anymore, who am I? Wait, I remember! My name is David, David Martinez… No, that can't be right? He's a cartoon character from that show I watched, but I'm him, I remember everything. Growing up poor, going to school, mom… MOM!' David suddenly shot up, pushing himself off the ground, but was forced to his knees, his legs too weak and shaky to hold him.
His vision started to clear as he took in the chaos around him. The ringing in his ears faded, replaced by screams of agony and shouts of panic. Blood ran down the dirty Zaun street. But the situation around him didn't matter. Everything faded once he saw his mother, Gloria Martinez, his only family, the woman he loved more than anyone. The explosion threw her through a shop window, and a shard of glass was sticking out of her neck.
"Mom…" The word came out in a whisper as David limped to her side. She was dead. He knew it. In his past life as Carlos, he'd seen so many dead bodies, from family and friends to enemies, that died by his hand. So even though he loved his mother, all he could do was hold her hand, letting his heart turn cold as Carlos started to take over.
~R~R~E~R~P~
A thick chemical smell hung in the air as David sat patiently in his chair and waited. Even though in his past life David was known as the Alchemist, a man who would spend night and day in his basement lab, he hated 'this' smell. The bitter hospital smell is a result of heavy-duty cleaning products and artificial air fresheners trying to cover up the smell of blood, piss, and vomit.
It's been a little more than five hours since the explosion and the moment he awakened his memories from his past life. After filling out a ton of hospital paperwork and speaking to the police, he was now waiting for the hospital to fulfill his request. David didn't mind sitting in the same chair for hours, waiting. He needed to clear his mind and sort through his thoughts anyway.
'So, I died during that attack on my compound, but I was reborn into this world. I lived a full seventeen years before today… I can't believe it. I was reborn as a Netflix original… But wait, this isn't the world of Cyberpunk.' David thought that as he looked around the busy hospital, studying the nurses and patients, he didn't see any cybernetic augmentation on anyone. 'No, this isn't Nightcity. This is a hospital in Piltover. They brought my mom's body here with the other dead enforcers to question me. But I've lived the last seventeen years of my life in Zaun. So this is Runeterra… Thank God.' A relieved sigh left David's mouth as he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. While Zaun was no easy place to live, the world of Runeterra was still a much better world to live in than the corpo ruled Nightcity.
As David rested, boots clicking down stood out even in the busy hall. The boots clicked to a stop as they reached him. "Excuse me," A light female voice spoke up to get his attention. Once David opened his eyes to look at the woman speaking to him, his eyes widened in surprise. Standing in front of him was a very tall, pale young woman with dark blue eyes and even darker, long blue hair. "Sorry to disturb you, I'm-"
"Caitlyn Kiramman," David spoke up, interrupting the young woman. He then didn't even bother to hide that his eyes were trailing down her body before looking her in the eyes. "I've seen you and your family on Progress Day broadcast. I have to admit I thought you were beautiful before, but hex-screens don't do you justice. You're much more amazing in person." David stated bluntly. A small smile appeared on his face as he spoke.
He meant every word he said. Seeing Caitlyn in a show like Arcane or in a game like League of Legends didn't compare to seeing the supermodel-looking woman standing in front of him. A supermodel-looking woman who, for some reason, was dressed like a rich Jessica Jones, with a black leather jacket, purple shirt, clean blue jeans, and a pair of heavy-looking boots. He could tell everything she wore was high-quality 'name brand' clothing, a walking example of 'my outfit cost more than your rent.'
It took a moment for David's words to register in Caitlyn's mind. Usually, a sentence like that would get a glare from her. But those words are typically said in a flirtatious tone or by some wealthy nobleman who only wanted her in his bed. But when David said them, there wasn't a hint of flirting. Instead, they came out of his mouth as if it was a fact he believed in, and that made a blush fill her cheeks more than any flirting could.
"I-I, thank you," Caitlyn quickly stomped down her embarrassment as a business-like look appeared on her face. "I was told that you were there during the enforcer-involved explosion in the undercity. Can you tell me what happened?"
Hearing the word 'Undercity' made David twitch. He didn't realize how much pride he had in his home. The people of Zaun hated it when people from Piltover called Zaun the Undercity. But he wasn't upset with Caitlyn, thanks to his knowledge from his Carlos life, he knew what type of person Caitlyn was, or would become, because the foolish young woman in front of him wasn't the elite protector known as the 'Sheriff' yet and thanks to his knowledge from his David life he knew this Caitlyn wasn't the version from Arcane either.
"What's it to you? I already answered the enforcers' questions, and you clearly aren't one," David replied simply.
If his sharp reply bothered Caitlyn, she didn't show it. "You're right. I'm no enforcer. I'm a private investigator looking into a possible group of shimmer-addicted thieves committing a heist on the people of Piltover," Caitlyn explained.
David let out a small laugh as he looked up at Caitlyn. "Is this what rich girls do for fun in Piltover? Private investigator, what are you, 16? You can't be serious," David taunted.
At his words, a slight red filled Caitlyn's cheeks once more, but it wasn't a blush this time. "I'm twenty, clearly older than you, kid, and I am serious. I'm a private investigator. Now, can you answer my questions or not?" she stated while crossing her arms.
David couldn't stop the small smile from appearing on his lips. In this world, he was technically younger than Caitlyn, but in his past life, he managed to make it to his forties, in a life where most die before they can legally drink a beer. A life where Carlos faced some of the most dangerous people in the world. In his rise to power, he crushed drug dealers and gang leaders, going on to fight against powerful cartels, corrupt government officials, and a few guerrilla warlords. Carlos had a seemingly never-ending roster of enemies. So, seeing Caitlyn standing before him with her arms crossed and a frown on her pretty face, he couldn't help but be reminded of a small child. But since this was Caitlyn Kiramman, David decided to help her. If it was any random private investigator, he would have told them to fuck off.
"Fine, fine. Since you're clearly new to this, I'll help you out. First thing first, take a seat, " he said, holding his hand towards the chair next to him. "Unless you're trying to intimidate or threaten, don't stand above someone. If you're just trying to ask a few questions, then drop down to their level."
Caitlyn's first instinct was to say no and give a snappy reply because of her stubborn nature. But once he mentioned it, she did feel awkward standing and looking down on him as he sat in his chair. "O-Okay," she replied while taking the seat next to David. "So, can you tell me what happened?" she asked in the most professional voice possible, pulling out a small notepad and pencil.
David lightly shook his head at Caitlyn's question. "Before you ask me anything, offer me a cigarette," David stated. "I'll refuse it since I personally don't smoke cigarettes, but you need to make the offer." He explained.
"What? Why would I do that?" Caitlyn asked, a look of surprise and confusion on her face.
"Because you're not an enforcer, you have no real authority as a private investigator. That's why you must carry a few packs of smokes if you want to ask a person from Zaun a question. A good pack of cigarettes is as good as any currency down in Zaun." David explained, and then he tilted his head. "But if you really want answers, carry a few vials of shimmer. Those addicts will give you anything for another hit."
"What?! I Can't do that!" Caitlyn exclaimed in surprise. Her outburst was ignored by the busy nurses and grieving families around them, but Caitlyn still looked sheepish as she lowered her voice. "I might not be an enforcer, but I won't break the law and hand out drugs."
David just shrugged. "Fine, but you'll find that no one in Zaun does anything for free. Carry a few packs of cigarettes with you, at least." David let out a sigh and scratched his chin. "You clearly can't pay me anything, but I guess I'll answer your questions for free, just this once… What were they again?"
Caitlyn let out a sigh of her own. Talking to David was exhausting. "You were there during the enforcer-involved explosion. What happened?" she asked once more.
David's smile twitched as he remembered what happened. He looked away and stared up at the ceiling for a moment, but with a deep breath, he started to explain. "I was walking down the street when a shimmer addict with a bag dripping with loot ran past. He got pretty far before some enforcers surrounded him. But the moment guns were pointed, the addict smashed the micro-reservoirs of chems attached to his chemtech augmented arm. He was using some dirt-cheap and unstable chems because once they mixed with the dirty Zaun air, the chems exploded. He refused to go to prison, I suppose." David explained simply. "You said you were investigating a group of shimmer addict thieves? There's no such thing."
Caitlyn frowned at his words. "But in the last month, there has been a sharp increase of robberies by criminals from the Undercity who were heavy shimmer users, " she stated. That's what I'm investigating. How can you be sure there isn't a new group of shimmer-using thieves?"
Turning back to Caitlyn, David gave her a crooked smile as he spoke. "Because shimmer addicts would stab each other to death with rusty nails before they ever share their precious purple liquid." He stated bluntly. "The reason you're seeing more robberies is because the price of shimmer has gone up, and addicts need to make money. Everyone knows that to make big money, you should come to Piltover and swipe a few trinkets. I mean, look at you. The people of Zaun would see you as a walking piggy bank if you head down in that outfit."
"What? But this," Caitlyn started to say as she looked down at her outfit. To her, it was just a casual outfit that she wore as she worked. "There's nothing fancy about my clothes."
David just shook his head and smiled. "Let me borrow that for a moment," David said, pointing at Caitlyn's notepad. "I'll write something down that you'll need."
Caitlyn eyed him, suspicious of his request, but she had no reason to deny him. So she handed David her notepad and pencil and watched as he scribbled away momentarily. "What's this?" she asked when he handed her the notepad back.
"It's the number to my hexphone. If you're going to keep being a private investigator, you'll need people to get information from. Whenever you need help, feel free to message or call me, and I'll do the same if I have any information for you." David explained. "Oh, and definitely call me before you enter Zaun. It's a maze down there. Walk down the wrong alley, and you'll be surrounded by some sump rat gang. You'll need a guide."
Looking over the notepad, Caitlyn realized the name 'David Martinez' was written above the number. She was about to apologize once she realized she had forgotten to ask his name, but before she could speak up, a nurse carrying a large plastic bag in one hand and a small box walked up to them.
"Mr. Martinez, I'm sorry to keep you waiting for so long, " the nurse said as she reached the pair. David stood up for the first time in hours as she spoke. "This bag has all of your mother's belongings, and this box contains her ashes… I'm sorry for your loss." The nurse smiled kindly but sad as she handed David the two items.
"Thank you," David replied, turning the box in his hand. On the front of the plain brown box, there was a simple label that had his mother's name and the rest of her information written on it. As David stared at the label, the nurse placed a hand on his shoulder, giving a soft squeeze. No other words were said, and after a small pat, she turned to return to her duties.
It took David a moment to look away from the box, but once he turned towards Caitlyn, he saw a stunned look on her face. When Caitlyn approached David, she believed he was there just for his own injuries. He did have some bandages around his arm and one on his face. She didn't expect this. "D-David, I'm so sorry—" Caitlyn started to apologize, but David quickly interrupted her with a shake of his head as he spoke up.
"Don't be sorry… If you're going to keep doing what you're doing, being a private investigator, looking into Zaun crimes, you have to understand something... Today, I lost my mother to a random act of criminal violence. I lost my only family, the only person I loved in this world. It's the worst day of my life, but what you have to understand is… At the end of the day, today was just another day in Zaun." David pulled his mother's ashes to his chest as he spoke. "But I'm guessing you won't give up your whole private investigator thing so easily, so if you ever need information or a guide through Zaun, give me a call. I don't smoke, so I guess my payment for helping you will be seeing your beautiful face." David said with a smile.
David then turned and started to walk away, giving Caitlyn a wave as he walked. David knew Caitlyn wouldn't quit, not until she found the person named 'C,' the person who ordered her parents to be kidnapped and tortured.
In his past life, there was a moment when Carlos realized it was far too dangerous to leave his compound because every time he did, someone tried to kill him. So when he wasn't in his lab, he played games, watched Netflix and YouTube, and did anything he could to pass the time. Once Carlos watched Arcane, it reignited his passion for League of Legends, a game he had played before he started his path to becoming a drug lord.
Once Carlos played League of Legends again, on his main Singed, he also started watching YouTube lore videos on a second screen. Because of this, he knew what this 'C' person was. David could tell her, but it was too soon, and Caitlyn would die. So, for the past five hours, he'd been thinking of ways to use his knowledge to fulfill his ultimate goal. Becoming a chem-baron. He wasn't going to let anything stand in his way.