A/N

Hello, everyone!

I was a bit worried about how the last chapter would be received, but it seems like the feedback was okay some mixed reactions, but that's understandable.

I'm glad we can keep moving forward with this story because things are about to get a bit crazy, so prepare!

First, let's dive into some reviews -

taiwoeretan1 – Hmm, that's a great idea! I honestly hadn't considered it, but maybe we can explore something like that in Season 2. I'm happy you're enjoying it so far let's hope it continues to deliver.

Camrin Finnerty2 – Spoilers, eh? Let's just say some drafts are in the works, and I'm excited to share them with everyone. Ekko, Powder, and Naruto? Love triangle, indeed...

iFarted1768 – Thanks, dude! Yeah, Jinx reminds me of a younger Harley Quinn too. I'll try to explain Naruto's powers more in the coming chapters sorry for any confusion.

Jester6199 – You're in for some great stuff, man.

Paradoxity – Very true, Arcane is packed with so much depression it's rough.

LightingAbyss – It was cute, wasn't it? I've seen the last episodes, and I think the person lived...

kokichi2002 – Yes, this story is definitely about both Jinx and Naruto being unhinged. Sorry if that gave you the wrong idea at first, but it's all about their emotional damage and growth. They need time to develop and honestly, I like them being this way.

Archer headass – You're absolutely right we need to see the worst of Naruto before he can start to get better. It's a slow burn, but we'll get there soon. I'm glad you liked the confession it was a big leap of faith. Yeah, the show being over is rough... Noooooooo! But I hope this story helps fill the void for you.

MichaelMyers1234 - Thank you! The pairing is coming along quite well :)

Lichi Sechino – It was a guilty pleasure for sure just a fleeting moment of happiness before everything starts falling apart. One more person left... and we'll find out this chapter. Scary stuff ahead! I'll always respond to reviews in the next chapter it's a nice way to connect with readers.

This chapter was tough to write because emotions are running high after that confession, and I wasn't sure how the vibe would land.

But enough talking let's get into it!

Chapter 11 - Reunion Act 3

The sound of footsteps reached them first. Naruto sat up slightly, while Jinx turned sharply toward the stairway. Her hand hovered near her weapon, but the grip on the crystal tightened almost instinctively.

The stairway creaked under the weight of someone descending. Emerging from the shadows, Vi appeared, her figure silhouetted against the dim, flickering lights of Zaun's skyline. Her sharp, fiery gaze softened the moment it fell on Jinx.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

"Powder…" Vi's voice broke, barely above a whisper, heavy with emotion.

"Vi…" Jinx's reply was uncharacteristically small, her usual bravado absent as her lips quivered. The air between them felt heavy, charged with years of pain, longing, and unspoken words.

Jinx's fingers flexed around the crystal for a fleeting moment before her arm dropped to her side, the tension leaving her body as if the weight of her sister's presence was too much to bear, both moved simultaneously, closing the distance with an almost desperate urgency.

The collision of their embrace was fierce and raw. Jinx clung to Vi as though she might disappear, her tears falling freely, soaking into Vi's worn jacket. Vi's arms wrapped tightly around her sister, cradling the back of her head protectively. It was a moment neither of them had dared to dream of, yet now that it was here, it felt fragile, like it could shatter at any second.

"I thought I lost you," Vi choked out, her voice trembling with emotion. "I thought I'd never see you again."

Jinx's fingers dug into the fabric of Vi's jacket, trembling. "I'm not Powder anymore," she whispered shakily, her head buried against her sister's shoulder. "I've… I've changed."

Vi pulled back slightly, just enough to cup Jinx's face in her hands. Her own tears streamed down her cheeks as she searched Jinx's gaze. "I don't care what you call yourself," Vi said firmly, her voice steady despite the tears. "You're still my sister, I love you. Nothing will ever change that."

The words hung in the air like a lifeline. For the first time in years, Jinx felt the faintest flicker of hope.

As the hex crystal slipped from Jinx's hand, clattering against the floor, the sound fractured the bubble of their reunion. Vi's eyes darted toward the glowing object, her brows furrowing in confusion, but her gaze quickly shifted to the figure sitting a short distance away.

Naruto had remained silent, observing the reunion with unreadable eyes. His body was hunched slightly, his pale skin faintly illuminated by the dim glow of the crystal embedded in his chest. His glowing blue eyes locked onto Vi's, an unspoken tension crackling in the air between them.

Vi's breath hitched as recognition began to dawn. The blond hair, the glowing eyes, the faint echoes of someone she once knew, memories of the boy she'd left behind with her sister surged forward.

"Ruto?" Her voice was hesitant, uncertain but laced with a hope she barely dared to acknowledge. "Is that… you?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked Vi up and down, his guarded expression betraying the storm of emotions swirling inside him. He had faced many ghosts from his past but standing before the one who had abandoned him and Powder felt heavier than anything he'd prepared for.

"Vi," he said, his voice low and even, but there was a hardness to it, a cold edge that made her flinch slightly. "It's been a while."

Vi took a tentative step closer, searching his face for some trace of the boy she remembered. But Naruto's glowing eyes and the faint crackle of energy emanating from him painted a picture of someone who had endured far more than she could imagine.

"What happened to you?" Vi whispered, her heart breaking at the sight of him. "How… how are you even alive?"

Naruto's lips twitched into a humourless smirk as he leaned back slightly, the faint glow of the crystal in his chest pulsing erratically. "Alive," he repeated bitterly. "If you can call this living."

Jinx's gaze darted between her sister and Naruto, the emotional tug of war in her heart evident in her wide eyes. She stepped closer to Naruto, her hand brushing his arm as if grounding him.

"You're not taking him," Jinx said suddenly, her voice sharp and defensive, though it wavered with uncertainty.

Vi's eyes softened as she looked at Jinx, but there was determination in her gaze as she met Naruto's glowing stare again. "I'm not here to take anyone," she said gently, though her voice carried a firm resolve. "I just… I need to know what happened, to both of you."

Naruto's jaw tightened, his fists clenching slightly as the tension in the room grew thick enough to cut with a knife. For now, he stayed silent, his mind racing as he struggled to decide just how much of the past, he was willing to let resurface.

Caitlyn climbed the final steps of the tower, her breath heavy as she took in the tense scene before her. She froze, her sharp gaze locking on the trio. Vi stood protectively in front of Jinx, whose massive minigun was pointed directly at her sister. Leaning casually against the edge of the platform, yet crackling with restrained energy, was a blond haired boy with glowing blue eyes.

"Caitlyn," Vi said, her voice sharp and laced with warning. "Stay back."

But Caitlyn wasn't looking at Vi. Her focus was entirely on Naruto. Her breath hitched, and tears welled in her eyes as her hands lowered, "Naruto…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't believe it. It's true."

Naruto's glowing eyes snapped to hers at the mention of his name. His expression shifted for a brief moment, confusion flickering across his features before he settled into a cold, unreadable mask.

Caitlyn took a cautious step forward. "I'm so glad… my little brother is alive."

Vi's head whipped toward her, her brows knitting together in shock. "Brother? Cait, you're saying he's your brother?"

Jinx's manic energy seemed to heighten as she glanced between Naruto and Caitlyn. A tense smile tugged at her lips, but her voice was edged with hysteria. "He has a sister too.? You never told me that!" Her words came out sharp and accusing, her grip tightening on her minigun.

Naruto's jaw clenched as he turned to Jinx, his glowing eyes narrowing with a dangerous edge. Slowly, he shifted his gaze back to Caitlyn, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "No." He shook his head, his tone flat and unfeeling. "I don't have a sister."

Caitlyn's lips parted, her chest rising and falling heavily as if she'd just been struck. Her voice cracked with disbelief. "Naruto… it's me. Caitlyn. I'd recognise you anywhere."

Naruto's jaw tightened further, his face unreadable as he stared at her for a long, agonizing moment. Then, with deliberate coldness, he turned away, his voice carrying a glacial finality. "I don't know you." He exhaled sharply, his tone hardening. "You've got the wrong person."

Caitlyn shook her head, her steps faltering but resolute as she took another step closer. "No, I know it's you," she said, her voice growing stronger, almost pleading. "You're alive, Naruto. You're—"

"Enough," Naruto snapped, the faint glow of his crystal flickering erratically as he gritted his teeth. "Leave me alone."

But Caitlyn wasn't deterred. Desperation seeped into her movements as she stepped forward again, her hand reaching out instinctively. Jinx immediately moved to block her, stepping in front of Naruto like a shield, her movements sharp and defensive.

"Back off," Jinx growled, her minigun swinging slightly toward Caitlyn. Her eyes darted wildly between the enforcer and Vi, her breathing growing erratic. Her grin returned, but it was forced, her eyes burning with suspicion and distrust. "Sevika wasn't lying," she muttered, almost to herself, her voice trembling with paranoia. "You are with an enforcer."

"Powder," Vi said carefully, her hands raised in a placating gesture. Her tone was gentle but firm, like someone trying to calm a spooked animal. "This isn't what you think."

The tension grew thick, the air heavy with unspoken words, as everyone stood frozen in the storm of emotions.

"Isn't it?" Jinx snapped, her voice sharp and wild. "You come here, with her, and you think I'm stupid enough to fall for this? You're just trying to get the crystal!"

Vi's eyes flickered toward the glowing hex crystal on the ground, realization dawning. "I don't care about that," she said quickly. "I didn't even know you had it."

Jinx let out a bitter laugh, her finger hovering dangerously close to the trigger. "Liar, That's all you topsiders do lie and take and leave."

"Powder," Vi said softly, her voice cracking with emotion. "Please, you have to believe me."

Jinx flinched at the name, her expression twisting into anger and pain. "Don't call me that!" she screamed. "Powder fell down a well… She's gone. I'm Jinx now!"

Vi's face crumpled, but she took a tentative step closer. "I don't care what you call yourself. You're still my sister."

"Stop it!" Jinx yelled, tears streaking her cheeks. "You're just here to take everything from me again. Admit it!"

Caitlyn finally realized the truth about Vi's sister she was Jinx, the notorious mass murderer who had to be stopped...

As Jinx's words echoed through the tense air, each syllable a knife aimed at the fragile threads holding them together. Her hands trembled as they gripped the minigun, and her wide, tear filled eyes darted between Vi, Caitlyn, and Naruto.

Vi raised her hands higher, her voice trembling with desperation. "I'm not here to take anything from you, Powder. I swear it, I just want you back."

"Back?" Jinx spat the word like venom, her lips curling into a bitter smile. "Back where? To what? You left me, Vi! You left me! And now you think you can just waltz in here with her," she jabbed her finger toward Caitlyn, "and everything will go back to how it was? Like none of it happened?"

Caitlyn, frozen in place, could only watch as Vi stepped closer, her voice breaking. "I made a mistake, okay? I shouldn't have left you. I was scared, I thought you were safe, but I was wrong, and I've regretted it every day since."

Jinx's laughter was sharp and hollow, a sound that sent shivers down Caitlyn's spine. "Regret? That's rich, Vi. Regret doesn't fix anything. It doesn't bring back Mylo, or Claggor, or Vander!" Her voice cracked with anguish as she took an unsteady step back, her finger tightening on the trigger.

"Powder…" Vi whispered, tears streaming down her face. "Please, listen to me. You're not alone anymore. We can fix this. Together."

"I said don't call me that!" Jinx roared, her whole body shaking. "Powder's gone! She died when you abandoned me, Vi. She died the day you stopped being my sister."

Naruto, who had remained silent, his glowing eyes watching the exchange with pained intensity, finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. "Jinx."

She froze at the sound of his voice, her tear streaked face turning toward him. His steps were slow and deliberate, unthreatening. As he approached, Naruto gently wrapped his arms around Jinx, holding her close.

Naruto held Jinx tightly, his hand gently stroking her blue hair as she clung to him. His chest rose and fell unevenly, the strain in his breathing evident. His glowing eyes flickered weakly, the energy coursing through him unstable and erratic. Blood trickled from his nose, staining the corner of his lips as he winced.

"Naruto," Jinx whispered, her voice trembling as she looked up at him. Her manic energy had all but vanished, replaced by a fragile fear. "What's happening to you?"

"I'm fine," Naruto murmured, though the strain in his voice betrayed the lie. He held her closer, his grip firm yet trembling. "Just… don't let go, stay with me."

Caitlyn stepped forward cautiously, her gaze locked on Naruto. She could see the pain etched into his features, the glow of his eyes dimming in and out like a dying flame. "Naruto," she began, her voice soft but firm, "you need help, let me take you back to Piltover. We can fix this fix you."

Naruto's gaze snapped to her, his glowing eyes narrowing. "I said I'm fine," he growled, his voice sharp and defensive. "Stop butting in before something bad happens."

Jinx hissed at Caitlyn, her protective instincts flaring. "You're not taking him anywhere," she spat, her voice teetering on the edge of rage and desperation. "He's mine. You hear me? Mine. You'll never take him away!"

"Nobody's taking him away!" Vi snapped, stepping forward. Her voice was filled with raw emotion as her eyes locked onto Jinx's. "We're just trying to help, both of you."

"Help?" Jinx scoffed, her manic grin returning as she sneered at her sister. "You didn't help me when I needed you. And now you think you can just walk in and fix everything? It doesn't work like that, Vi."

"Powder …" Vi's voice cracked, but she forced herself to stay calm. "I just want to bring you back… I just want my sister back."

Jinx's face twisted in anger, her eyes wild as she pointed her minigun at Vi. "I said, stop calling me that! Powder's dead! Gone! And I'm not coming back to you!"

Caitlyn ignored the tension between the sisters and focused on Naruto. "You don't have to stay here, Naruto. You don't owe them anything, come with me to Piltover, and I can help you. I'll make sure of it."

Naruto's gaze flickered to Caitlyn, his expression hardening. "You don't get it," he said, his voice cold and flat. "This isn't about you, or Piltover, or any of that." He looked down at Jinx, his voice softening. "This is about her, she's the only one who's ever stayed. I'm not going anywhere."

"Naruto," Caitlyn pleaded, stepping closer. "You're dying. That crystal in your chest it's killing you. If you don't get help—"

"Stop," Naruto interrupted, his voice rising as sparks of blue energy crackled around him. "Just… stop. You don't know anything about me, and you won't take me away from her." His breathing grew heavier, the pain in his chest intensifying as his grip on Jinx tightened.

"Naruto, you're bleeding," Jinx whispered, her voice trembling as she saw the blood trailing down his nose and onto his chin. "Naruto? Say something!"

But before anyone could respond further, a faint hum filled the air, rising steadily in intensity. The sound was mechanical, growing louder and closer with every passing second. Naruto's head tilted weakly toward the sky, his glowing eyes scanning the horizon.

"They're here," he muttered, his voice low but steady.

"Who?" Caitlyn asked.

Jinx's gaze followed his, her expression shifting from concern to wary determination. "Firelights," she hissed, gripping her weapon tighter.

As if in answer, the Firelights descended from above, their hoverboards cutting through the air with sharp precision. The masked vigilantes surrounded the tower in a matter of seconds, their presence a silent but unmistakable threat.

Jinx's grin returned, though it was tinged with manic energy. "Now isn't a good time," she said, aiming her minigun at the nearest Firelight. "More people to ruin my day."

"Powder, don't!" Vi shouted, stepping in front of her sister. The Firelight leader stepped forward, his mask gleaming in the moonlight. His gaze lingered on Naruto. "It's time this ends," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Naruto came to, though he was visibly weakened. He squared his stance, his body aching as the crystal in his chest pulsed erratically. "You again," he muttered, his tone low and dangerous. "You really don't know when to quit."

Jinx's grin widened as the Firelights surrounded the tower her fingers squeezed the trigger of her minigun, unleashing a deafening spray of bullets that forced the hoverboarders to scatter. Sparks erupted as the rounds ricocheted off metal and stone, the air thick with smoke and chaos.

"Let's see how well you fly with holes in your wings!" she screamed, her laughter echoing through the night. But her eyes kept darting toward Naruto, worry etched in her expression even as she wreaked havoc.

Vi darted between the attackers, covering Jinx's back as she engaged the Firelights. Her fists swung with precision and fury, landing blows that sent some of the masked vigilantes tumbling from their boards. But her mind raced with unease. The wild look in Jinx's eyes, the unrelenting violence it wasn't her sister she saw but someone else entirely.

Meanwhile Naruto, was struggling, for the first time in years, he was outmatched. The Firelights coordinated their attacks, swarming him with calculated precision. He took a hard hit, then another, until one of them managed to land a bat across his head. He staggered, his vision blurring as pain radiated through his skull.

Jinx tried to break through the attackers to get to him, her frantic movements betraying her panic. "Get off him!" she screamed, but more Firelights blocked her path, forcing her to engage them instead.

Naruto's body trembled as his knees buckled. But then, with a sharp intake of breath, his eyes flared to life once more, glowing like twin blue suns. Electricity crackled violently around him, lighting up the tower with an eerie glow.

"That's it," he growled, his voice reverberating with raw energy. "I've had enough of people getting in my way."

He surged forward with renewed fury, arcs of electricity lashing out in unpredictable bursts. The Firelights tried to regroup, releasing plumes of black smoke to obscure their movements, but it was futile. Naruto's glowing eyes cut through the haze like beacons, tracking their every move.

A panicked scream rang out amidst the chaos. "The Blue Eyed Demon!" one of the Firelights cried, their voice tinged with terror.

Caitlyn, watching from the periphery, pieced it together in a heartbeat. Her eyes widened as she whispered, "No way…"

Amid the chaos, the hex crystal rolled dangerously close to the edge of the platform. Its glow intensified as it teetered, one small push away from falling into the abyss below.

Caitlyn dove for it, her fingers closing around the glowing object just before it could tumble over the edge. "Got it!" she shouted, her voice strained with relief.

But her triumph was short lived, a Firelight appeared out of the smoke, his hoverboard skidding to a halt beside her. Before Caitlyn could react, his hand struck her temple with precision, knocking her unconscious. She crumpled to the ground, the hex crystal still clutched tightly in her hand.

The chaos of the battle reached a fever pitch as Naruto and the Firelight leader squared off. Sparks of electricity flickered erratically around Naruto's body, his once steady power now wavering under the strain of his injuries and the unstable crystal in his chest. The leader's calm demeanour only served to fuel Naruto's frustration, his mask concealing any emotion.

"It's about time we end this," Naruto growled, his voice laced with exhaustion and anger. His glowing eyes locked onto the leader. "We've been doing this dance for too long. I might not have much longer left, so how about you just die already?"

The Firelight leader stood his ground, his voice steady and cutting through the chaos. "On that, we agree," he replied. His movements were precise and controlled, each step calculated as he closed the distance between them.

Naruto charged, his fist crackling with electricity as he aimed a powerful punch. The leader sidestepped effortlessly, his agility unmatched, and countered with a swift kick that Naruto barely dodged. The air between them crackled with tension as they exchanged blows, but Naruto's attacks grew more erratic. His power flickered on and off like a dying flame, and his frustration only deepened.

"You're weak," the leader said, dodging another wild strike. "Your anger is clouding you. You're a danger to everyone around you yourself included."

Naruto roared in fury, the crystal in his chest pulsing violently as his rage consumed him. "Shut up!" he yelled, launching another attack. But the leader was faster, slipping past his defences and landing a punch to Naruto's ribs that sent him staggering backward.

Meanwhile, Vi fought valiantly to protect Jinx, but her movements slowed as exhaustion and injury took their toll. A Firelight blindsided her, striking her across the head with the butt of a weapon. She crumpled to the ground, unconscious, her body limp as the Firelights began retreating with their captured targets.

Jinx was cornered by another Firelight, their blade slashing at her leg. She hissed in pain but managed to leap away, her agility keeping her just out of reach. Her mind raced, torn between the instinct to protect Naruto and the agony of watching Vi taken away once again.

The Firelight leader glanced at Naruto, who was struggling to stay upright, his chest heaving and his glowing eyes flickering. "Next time we meet," the leader said, his voice cold and unwavering, "It will be your last time breathing."

Before Naruto could respond, the Firelights deployed a smoke bomb, the dense cloud enveloping the battlefield. The sound of hoverboards filled the air as the vigilantes disappeared into the night, taking Caitlyn and Vi with them.

As the smoke cleared, Jinx stood frozen, her gaze locked on the empty space where her sister had been. "No!" she screamed, her voice raw with anguish. Tears streamed down her face as she dropped to her knees, her cries cutting through the silence that followed the battle.

Naruto clenched his fists, his anger radiating off him in waves. "They took the crystal," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "My only chance…" His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, the weight of his injuries and the toll of the battle too much to bear.

"Naruto!" Jinx rushed to his side, cradling him in her arms as her tears mixed with the blood on his face. "Don't you dare leave me too," she whispered, her voice trembling. Her manic energy was replaced by a raw vulnerability, her sobs echoing into the night.

Naruto's eyelids fluttered, his strength fading fast. "We need… the crystal," he mumbled weakly, his voice barely a whisper. But even as the words left his lips, he slipped into unconsciousness, his body finally giving out.

Jinx held him tighter, her cries growing louder. The hatred and despair inside her swirled, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge and desperation. She stared into the darkness, her voice breaking as she whispered, "I'll find her. And I'll get your crystal. No matter what it takes."

The night swallowed her words, her sorrow and fury seeping into the air as she sat there, holding the one person who had never left her, her cries piercing the silence.

Caitlyn groaned, her head pounding as she stirred awake. Her wrists ached from the tight metal cuffs securing her to a pipe, and the coarse burlap sack over her head blocked out all light. She shifted uncomfortably, rattling the chain linking her to her restraints.

"Vi?" Caitlyn called out, her voice hoarse. "Are you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here," Vi replied sharply, her voice laced with irritation. "Just great. How about you? Enjoying the accommodations?"

Caitlyn rolled her eyes beneath the sack, her frustration bubbling. "This isn't exactly how I imagined the day to be going," she quipped, trying to keep her voice steady despite the circumstances.

"Can it, cupcake," Vi snapped. "We need to figure out how to get out of here before—"

The sound of heavy boots echoed in the room, cutting Vi off mid-sentence. Both women tensed, their breathing shallow as the intruders approached. Caitlyn heard the rustle of fabric as one of the sacks was pulled away, followed by the unmistakable sound of dragging chains.

"Vi!" Caitlyn called out, panic creeping into her voice as the sounds of Vi's protests faded into the distance. The door slammed shut, leaving Caitlyn alone with nothing but her pounding heart and the oppressive darkness of the sack over her head.

Vi squinted against the sudden brightness as the sack was yanked from her head. She blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the harsh glow of fluorescent lights. Her wrists remained bound, though the restraints had been loosened slightly, allowing her to move more freely. She took in her surroundings a large, industrial space littered with graffiti and mechanical parts, unmistakably Zaun.

Before her stood a masked figure, his hoverboard tucked under one arm. He exuded a calm authority, his stance firm and unyielding. Vi's eyes narrowed as the figure reached up, his hands grasping the edges of his mask.

He removed it in a single motion, revealing a familiar face beneath. Ekko.

Vi's breath caught in her throat. "Ekko?" she whispered, disbelief washing over her like a wave.

Ekko's expression was a mix of relief and caution. His eyes were older, harder than she remembered, but there was no mistaking the boy she once knew. "You're alive," he said, his voice a blend of shock and suspicion. "I thought… I thought you were gone."

Vi took a step forward, her movements restricted by the cuffs. "I thought the same about you," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Ekko, it's really you."

But Ekko didn't relax. He stayed rooted in place, his gaze sharp as he studied her. "Where's the gemstone?" he demanded. "Are you working for Silco?"

Vi recoiled slightly at the accusation. "Silco?" she spat, her voice thick with disdain. "You really think I'd work for that scum?"

Ekko folded his arms, his scepticism unwavering. "Then explain, what are you doing here? And why is an enforcer with you?"

Vi sighed, frustration boiling over. "She's not what you think. Caitlyn… she saved me, okay? She's trying to help."

Ekko's eyes narrowed further, his mistrust evident. "I'm supposed to just believe that? After everything Piltover's done to us?"

"Believe whatever you want," Vi shot back, her voice rising. "But I'm telling you the truth. I don't know anything about the gemstone, and I sure as hell don't owe Silco anything."

The tension between them was palpable, the weight of their shared history and the years of separation pressing down on them. Finally, Ekko let out a long, weary sigh. He stepped forward, unlocking her cuffs with a flick of his wrist.

Vi hesitated for a moment before shrugging off the restraints. Without warning, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Ekko in a fierce hug.

"Dammit, I missed you," she said, her voice breaking.

Ekko stiffened at first, caught off guard by the sudden display of emotion. But slowly, his arms came up to return the embrace. A single tear slipped down his cheek as he held her close, the weight of their reunion hitting him all at once.

"I missed you too," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, the room was silent save for the hum of distant machinery. The years of pain, loss, and separation faded, leaving only the bond they once shared.

But as they pulled apart, the tension returned. Ekko's expression hardened once more. "We're not done here," he said, his voice steady. "You have a lot to answer for. And so does your enforcer friend."

Vi nodded, determination flashing in her eyes. "Fine. Let's talk. But you'd better be ready to listen, too."

The glow of molten metal filled Jayce's forge, illuminating his focused expression as he hammered away at a new project. Sparks flew with each strike, the rhythmic clang of metal against metal echoing through the chamber. His workbench was cluttered with tools, blueprints, and the disassembled pieces of a grenade the same grenade Marcus had given him. Jayce turned the device over in his hands, marvelling at its intricate design.

"This isn't just a weapon," he muttered to himself. "This is… artistry. Whoever made this… they're brilliant. Dangerous, but brilliant."

The sound of soft footsteps drew his attention. Mel entered the forge, her elegant presence a stark contrast to the gritty, industrial environment. She leaned casually against the doorframe, watching him with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Still at it?" she asked, her voice smooth. "You've been down here all night."

Jayce didn't look up. "I can't stop thinking about this," he said, holding up the grenade. "The craftsmanship, the engineering it's incredible. But the fact that this is being used for destruction… it's infuriating."

Mel stepped closer, her gaze flickering to the grenade. "It's a weapon, Jayce. A tool of war."

He sighed, setting the grenade down. "I betrayed Heimerdinger," he admitted, his voice heavy with guilt. "He trusted me, and I went behind his back. For what? To chase a dream that feels like it's slipping further out of reach every day?"

Mel placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch firm yet comforting. "You didn't betray him," she said. "You made a choice a hard one, but the right one. This city needs progress, Jayce. And sometimes, progress comes at a cost."

Jayce shook his head, his expression conflicted. "I just wonder… was it worth it?"

In Zaun, Silco paced his dimly lit office, his frustration palpable. The room reeked of smoke and chemicals, the air thick with tension. He muttered to himself, the weight of his problems dragging him down.

"One girl," he growled, slamming his hands on his desk. "One girl is causing all of this."

His rant was interrupted by the sight of a dagger embedded in the desk, its handle wrapped in bright coloured string. An arrow drawn in crayon pointed upward, and Silco's eyes narrowed as he followed its direction. Hanging from the ceiling, Sevika dangled unconscious, her body marked with crude graffiti and the word "liar" scrawled across her chest.

Silco's lips curled into a sneer, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Jinx," he muttered, shaking his head. "Always the artist."

Later, Sevika sat before him, a faint bruise forming on her jaw as she recounted her latest report. "Marcus has shut down the border between Piltover and Zaun," she said, her tone clipped. "And the Chem-Barons are restless, they've called for an assembly."

Silco leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "An assembly," he mused. "Those leeches are always looking for an excuse to grab more power."

Sevika hesitated before speaking again. "Naruto and Jinx… they've gone quiet. You want me to send someone after them?"

Silco's gaze turned sharp. "No, they'll come back when they're ready," he said, though his voice betrayed a hint of unease. "But when they do, they'd better have results."

Sevika nodded, though her eyes lingered on Silco, searching for signs of doubt. None were visible, but the tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. As she left, Silco leaned back in his chair, staring at the faint scorch marks on his desk left by Jinx's antics.

"They're volatile," he murmured to himself. "But if I can channel that chaos, they'll be unstoppable."

For now, though, the storm between Piltover and Zaun was brewing, and it was only a matter of time before it erupted.

Jinx stumbled into her lair, her breaths ragged and her movements jerky as she struggled to drag Naruto's unconscious body behind her. His weight was immense, his usual energy and spark drained entirely, leaving him limp and heavy. Every muscle in her body ached, but she refused to let go. Her leg throbbed, the gash burning like fire, but it didn't matter. She had to get him home.

"Come on, come on," she muttered to herself, her voice wavering as she finally reached the bed. With a grunt, she heaved him onto the mattress, her hands trembling as she adjusted his body to make him comfortable. She collapsed to her knees beside the bed, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Sweat dripped down her brow as she clutched her wounded leg, wincing as she applied pressure to stop the bleeding.

Her gaze drifted to Naruto's pale face, his glowing eyes dimmed and closed. His chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths. He looked so small, so fragile a stark contrast to the strong, indomitable figure she had come to depend on.

"Why won't you wake up?" she whispered, her voice breaking. Her hands moved instinctively to the pouch at her side, pulling out a needle and thread. She bit her lip as she began stitching up the gash in her leg, her eyes darting back to Naruto with every move.

"You kissed me," she said softly, her tone somewhere between disbelief and wonder. "We kissed, and it was… it was perfect. But then she showed up, Vi and that stupid enforcer."

She pulled the thread tight, her leg jolting with pain, but she ignored it. "And the Firelights… they took it. They took the crystal. They don't understand, do they? I need it. You need it."

Her eyes flickered to Naruto's chest, his shirt clinging to him from the sweat of the battle. Slowly, hesitantly, she reached out and unbuttoned it, her breath hitching as she pulled it open to reveal the glowing crystal embedded in his flesh. The faint hum it emitted was unsteady, flickering like a dying flame. Her fingers hovered over it, trembling.

"Maybe… maybe I can fix it," she whispered, her mind racing with a hundred possibilities. "I could save you, like you saved me."

But even as the thought crossed her mind, she felt a pang of doubt. Her inventions were volatile, unpredictable. What if she made it worse? What if she lost him?

Her hands curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She climbed onto the bed beside him, curling up and resting her head on his chest. The faint rhythm of his heartbeat gave her a fleeting sense of calm, quieting the chaos in her mind for just a moment. She closed her eyes, letting herself imagine just for a second that everything was okay, that they could walk away, leave this life behind, and find something better….

But the thought faded as quickly as it came. "No," she muttered. "No, I can't leave. We can't leave. This is our home, this is who we are."

Her grip tightened around Naruto as she buried her face against him. "You've always been there," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Always strong, always protecting me. So why won't you wake up? Why won't you get up and tell me it's going to be okay?"

A single tear slid down her cheek, soaking into his skin. Her shoulders shook as she let out a silent cry, her pain and frustration pouring out in waves. "Please," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Please, I need you, I can't do this without you."

But Naruto didn't move. His breathing remained shallow, his body still.

Jinx clung to him, her heart aching as she rocked slightly, the silence of the lair pressing down on her. The world outside faded, leaving only the two of them, caught in a moment of vulnerability that she couldn't escape.

And for the first time in years, Jinx felt truly, utterly alone…

Chapter 11 - Reunion Act 3 End

A/N

And that's the end…

Poor Jinx.

Why couldn't Naruto just wake up and hug our girl for once?

Sorry, I'm evil…

This moment had to happen for the story to progress into something bigger.

Now, we'll see how this affects Jinx, with Naruto out of the picture for now.

But the bigger question is what's happening to him?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter. Did it flow well? Could you feel the tension? Your feedback will help me improve as a writer.

Thanks for reading, and until next time,

byebye!