A/N

Helloooooo everyone!

I have to say, the last chapter was a hit it seems like people really enjoyed it. The support has been amazing, so I just want to say thank you! The reviews and feedback have been so cool to see.

As always, let's answer some questions and reviews -

Archer headass – Haha, maybe! You'll be surprised this chapter the power of one day is indeed something special. Thanks for enjoying all the chapters, man.

taiwoeretan1 – Big L indeed. This chapter will delve a bit more into the emotional side of things.

PudgySasquatch – You think? Just wait until we see shimmer Jinx!

Camrin Finnerty2 – They won't meet until the big bang…

kokichi2002 – If you want to talk more, feel free to PM me, dude.

Lichi Sechino – Nope, the kiss didn't work, man. I really appreciate your kind words, though. I'm always doing my best, and we'll have more tense moments as the story progresses.

RazerGamer501 – Bueno, espera, amigo. Será increíble, créeme.

Small fact about me, I study forensic psychology and criminal justice at university, so I've been trying to bring a focus on the emotional side of things in this update. Not sure how well I've done, but let's find out!

I hope you enjoy it…

Chapter 12 - The Boy Saviour Act 3

Ekko led Vi through the winding paths of the settlement, a sanctuary hidden deep within Zaun's industrial chaos. The heart of the refuge was unlike anything Vi had seen before a massive tree, its roots anchoring the entire settlement. Lanterns swayed gently from its branches, casting a warm, golden glow over the small homes and communal spaces built into the tree's trunk and surrounding structures.

"This is amazing," Vi said, her voice filled with quiet awe. "How did you manage this?"

Ekko glanced back at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It wasn't easy. We found this place years ago, abandoned and overrun with Shimmer addicts. Cleaned it up, built it out. Now it's a home. A refuge for anyone trying to escape Shimmer or Silco's grip."

As they walked, Ekko gestured toward various groups of people families huddled together, children playing beneath the tree's canopy, and individuals tending to small gardens and workshops. The air was heavy but hopeful, the settlement a rare beacon of resilience amidst Zaun's decay.

They arrived at a large painted mural stretching across the side of one of the settlement's main buildings. The artwork was vibrant yet sombre, a collage of faces framed by swirling colours and jagged lines. Vi's breath hitched as she recognized the figures, herself, Powder, Mylo, Claggor, Vander, Benzo.

She ran her fingers over the mural, tracing the painted faces of her family and friends. "You did this?"

Ekko nodded. "We all did. It's our way of remembering those we've lost. People who mattered."

Vi's eyes scanned the mural again, looking for something or someone specific. "Ruto's not here," she said, frowning. "Why?"

Ekko's expression darkened. "Because he's not one of us," he said bluntly. "He's a topsider, Vi. Always was, always will be."

Vi's jaw tightened, her hands clenching into fists. "That's not fair, Ekko. He's been through hell, just like the rest of us."

Ekko shook his head, his voice firm but not unkind. "He's dangerous, Vi. You've seen what he's capable of. The way he's tied to Jinx she's unstable, and he's not much better. If they stay together, they'll tear everything apart, including themselves."

Someone nearby was adding a new face to the mural a pink haired girl, the girl that had reminded Jinx of Vi once, and now she was a victim of the chaos Jinx had wrought.

Ekko's voice broke through her thoughts. "You have to face it, Vi. Powder is gone, Jinx is all that's left, and she can't be saved."

Vi spun to face him, her eyes blazing. "You don't know that."

"I do," Ekko said sharply, his voice laced with years of pain. "I've seen what she's done, what she's become. And Naruto… he's no better, If anything, he's worse. He's dying, Vi. You can see it. The crystal in his chest is killing him, twisting him. You know I'm right."

Vi's heart ached at his words, but she refused to let go of hope. "I won't give up on her," she said fiercely. "And I won't let you write Naruto off like that, either."

Ekko sighed, running a hand through his hair. "The only way to stop this is to separate them. Jinx and Naruto feed off each other, Vi. They're too far gone together. If you care about them, you'll do what needs to be done."

Vi stared at the mural again, her resolve hardening. "Powder's not gone," she said quietly. "She's still in there. And I'm going to find her, no matter what it takes."

Ekko's gaze softened, but his voice remained firm. "I hope you're right, Vi. For all our sakes."

The scene at the border was chaotic. A riot had erupted, and the air was thick with tension. Enforcers in gleaming armour struggled to maintain order, their shields barely holding back the angry crowd pressing against them. Shouts and the clatter of thrown objects echoed through the air, creating a cacophony of desperation and defiance.

Viktor sat on the edge of a raised platform adorned with the Piltover crest, his gaze fixed on the turmoil below. His expression was one of quiet frustration, his gaunt figure hunched slightly as he leaned on his cane. Jayce arrived briskly, his face etched with tension as he approached Viktor.

"Viktor, what the hell are you doing here?" Jayce demanded, his voice sharp over the din of the riot.

Viktor turned his head slowly, his features calm but his eyes blazing with intensity. "I could ask you the same thing, Jayce. But I suspect Marcus called you, yes?"

Jayce ignored the question, gesturing toward the chaos unfolding before them. "Do you see what's happening here? This is because of the blockade, because you decided to cross it."

Viktor's brows furrowed, genuine confusion flashing across his face. "Me? You think this is because of me?"

Jayce folded his arms, his tone hard. "The optics, Viktor. You're my partner, a Council member's closest ally, and you're openly violating the blockade. Do you know how bad this looks?"

Viktor's grip on his cane tightened, his jaw clenching. "And do you know why I crossed it? I was searching for someone. Someone who could help me save my life."

Jayce's stern expression faltered for a moment, replaced by concern. "Someone in Zaun? Viktor, those people—"

"Those people?" Viktor's voice rose, cutting through the noise like a blade. He stood, his thin frame trembling slightly, but his eyes locked fiercely onto Jayce's. "You mean my people, Jayce. The ones I left behind when I climbed up to Piltover. The ones I abandoned for the dreams you and I shared."

Jayce frowned, trying to regain control of the conversation. "Viktor, you know the undercity is dangerous. You don't know who you can trust down there. You're putting yourself at risk."

Viktor's laughter was bitter, his shoulders shaking with restrained anger. "You speak of risk, Jayce? I'm dying. Every moment I breathe is a risk. And the person I'm looking for he understands risk more than anyone. He's not just anyone, and he's certainly not a stranger to you."

Jayce froze, understanding dawning. "Naruto," he said, the name almost a whisper. "You're looking for Naruto?"

Viktor nodded, his expression grim. "Yes, Naruto. The boy you called a topsider, like it's some badge of privilege. Do you know what he's become now? Not a topsider, not a Piltovan. He's part of Zaun, just as I am. Just as I always have been."

Jayce tried to find the right words, his frustration and concern battling in his mind. "Viktor, Naruto's not the same as he was before. You've heard the stories he's dangerous. That crystal in his chest—"

Viktor interrupted, his voice fierce. "And yet, he is the only one who might understand what I need. He's the only one who can help me, Jayce. I refuse to sit idle and die in the safety of Piltover while you lecture me about risks."

Jayce opened his mouth to respond but stopped, seeing the resolve in Viktor's eyes. For all his calculations, all his brilliant ideas, Jayce knew that he couldn't argue with the desperation of a dying man.

Viktor leaned heavily on his cane, turning to walk away. "You've forgotten, Jayce," he said over his shoulder. "The line between Piltover and Zaun is one you choose to enforce. For people like me, like Naruto, that line doesn't exist. Not anymore."

Jayce stood in silence as Viktor disappeared into the crowd, his words lingering in the air.

But Viktor had lied about searching for Naruto, in truth, he had discovered another way to save himself...

The Chem Barons gathered in a dimly lit chamber, their individual banners, and styles a testament to their power and egos. Finn sat at the head of the table, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. Across the table were Renni, Margot, Chross, and Smeech, each representing their factions with distinct flair.

The air in the room was tense, filled with an undercurrent of dissatisfaction.

Finn, his tone laced with mockery, kicked off the discussion. "Well, here we are. The mighty Chem-Barons, and what do we have to show for it? Bleeding money, a fractured city, and a leader who can't keep control of his own people." He leaned forward, his grin sharpening into something more sinister. "Silco's been playing king for too long. Maybe it's time we revaluate his throne."

Renni, folded her arms. "The border's been shut for days. Our operations are suffocating. If this continues, the Chem Barons will collapse from within."

Margot's fingers toyed with a gold chain around her neck as she chimed in, her voice smooth but dangerous. "Maybe a deal with the Topsiders wouldn't be the worst thing. Give them the gemstone back, play nice for a while, and let them think they've won."

Chross, silent until now, slammed a mechanical fist on the table, rattling the glassware. "And what? Give up our leverage? Let them dictate the terms of our survival? I say we fight."

The room erupted into arguments, voices overlapping in a cacophony of frustration and dissent. The tension was palpable, the Chem Barons unity fraying at the seams.

Then, the doors swung open, and the room fell silent as Silco entered, Sevika at his side. He moved with deliberate calm, his sharp eyes scanning the room. His presence alone was enough to command attention.

"Well," Silco drawled, his voice smooth as oil. "It seems I've walked into quite the lively discussion." He took his time reaching the head of the table, standing behind Finn's chair.

Finn sneered up at him. "About time you showed up, Silco. We were just discussing the future. A future where Zaun doesn't crumble because its leader can't hold the line."

Silco's lips curled into a cold smile. "Is that so?"

Sevika, wordless and efficient, placed a metal tank on the floor in the centre of the room and turned a valve. A faint hiss filled the air as an invisible gas began to seep into the chamber. Without a word, she handed Silco a gas mask, which he donned effortlessly.

The Chem Barons exchanged confused glances, the first hints of unease creeping into their confident expressions. Then, one by one, they began coughing. The coughing quickly escalated to choking as the gas filled their lungs.

Silco remained serene, his voice calm as he spoke. "You seem to have forgotten what Zaun was before I united it. Before I gave you all a taste of Topside. There was no power, no prosperity only scraps. And now, you dare question my leadership?"

Margot clutched her chest, her usual composure shattered as she gasped for air. "Silco… stop this!" she rasped.

Sevika moved methodically, distributing gas masks to everyone except Finn. Silco crouched next to the struggling man, who had fallen to his knees, his hands clawing at his throat.

"You think you're ready to lead, Finn?" Silco said, his tone mockingly soft. "Leadership isn't about grabbing power when it's convenient. It's about holding it when it's costly."

Finn's face was red and streaked with sweat, his eyes wide with panic. He clawed weakly at Silco's coat. "Please…" he croaked.

Silco regarded him coldly for a moment before finally slipping the gas mask over Finn's face. The man inhaled deeply, coughing as his body began to recover. Silco straightened, turning to address the room.

"Let this serve as a reminder," he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Zaun isn't a democracy. It's an empire. And empires are built on strength and loyalty, not cowardice and betrayal."

Sevika restarted the ceiling fan, allowing fresh air to flow in. The Chem Barons sat in stunned silence, their confidence shattered, and their unity restored by the sheer force of Silco's presence.

As Silco turned to leave, his parting words lingered like a shadow over the room. "Don't forget who gave you your place at this table. And don't make me remind you again."

Caitlyn sat against a metal pole, her hands bound, glaring defiantly at the masked child offering her water. With a swift motion, she knocked the bowl from the child's hand, the sound of it clattering to the ground breaking the tense silence.

"Enough," Ekko said, appearing in the doorway. His voice was calm, but the weight behind it silenced any protest. The child glanced at him before retreating into the shadows.

Caitlyn looked up, her eyes narrowing. "If you're planning to keep me here, you're making a mistake. Piltover will—"

"Piltover doesn't care about you," Ekko interrupted, his voice sharp. "They don't care about us. You're just another enforcer to them."

Caitlyn opened her mouth to argue, but movement behind Ekko caught her eye. She froze as Vi stepped forward, unrestrained and unharmed.

"Vi?" Caitlyn's voice faltered. Relief washed over her for a brief moment before confusion set in. "What's going on?"

"She vouched for you," Ekko said, leaning casually against the doorway. "Said you weren't like the others. So, we're letting you go, for now."

Caitlyn stood slowly, her eyes darting between Vi and Ekko. "Why are you doing this?" she asked, her tone cautious. "If you think Piltover is your enemy, why let me go?"

Ekko's gaze hardened. "Because Vi trusts you. But don't mistake this for forgiveness. You have no idea what it's like down here."

Caitlyn straightened her shoulders. "Then tell me. Help me understand."

Ekko scoffed. "Understand? Silco pays your enforcers to hunt us down like animals. They turn a blind eye to his shimmer operations while we're the ones who suffer."

"That's not true," Caitlyn shot back, her voice rising. "If that were happening, I'd know about it."

"Would you?" Ekko challenged, stepping closer. "Because from where I'm standing, Piltover only cares about Piltover, and people like me fight because no one else will."

Caitlyn's expression softened. "I can help all of you."

Ekko's eyes narrowed. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

"The gemstone," Caitlyn said, her voice firm. "It's not just a weapon. It can be used to build hextech devices things that can help people. If I can get it to Jayce and the Council, they'll see reason, they'll put an end to this conflict."

Ekko crossed his arms, scepticism etched on his face. "And you think your Council cares about anything other than their own power?"

"They will when they see what this can do," Caitlyn insisted. "I'll make them listen, and we can save Naruto before it's to late."

The room fell silent for a moment. Ekko's gaze lingered on Caitlyn, weighing her words.

"You really believe that, don't you?" he said finally. "You think you can fix all this with a speech and a fancy toy."

"I have to try," Caitlyn replied. "Because if we don't, nothing changes."

Ekko looked away, his jaw tightening. He thought of the Firelights, the lives they'd lost, the dreams they still clung to. "Fine," he said at last, his tone begrudging. "But on one condition, I deliver the crystal myself. I won't let you or anyone else in Piltover decide what happens to it."

Caitlyn hesitated, but she saw the resolve in Ekko's eyes. She nodded. "Deal."

Ekko turned to Vi, his expression softening. "You sure about this?"

Vi gave a small, confident smirk. "She's with me."

Ekko exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Then let's hope you're right." He gestured toward the exit. "You've got one shot at this. Don't waste it."

The group prepared to depart the Firelights sanctuary, the towering tree glowing faintly in the dim light. Ekko stood before his people, the masked Firelights gathering around him in silence. His gaze swept over them, lingering on each one. Though his face was calm, his eyes betrayed the storm of emotions beneath.

"I'll be back," he said firmly. "Hold it down while I'm gone. No one gets left behind."

A young Firelight stepped forward, their mask tilted slightly as they nodded. "Be careful, boss."

Ekko smirked faintly, resting a hand on the person's shoulder. "Always am."

He turned back to Vi and Caitlyn, his expression hardening as he led them toward the exit. The group moved in silence, the weight of their mission pressing down on them. Caitlyn glanced back once, seeing the Firelights fading into the shadows beneath the massive tree. Their figures blended with the surreal, glowing green light emanating from swarms of tiny insects that floated gently in the air.

"What are those?" Caitlyn asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The sight of the insects filled her with a mixture of awe and unease.

Vi glanced at her, a faint smile breaking through her otherwise stern expression. "Firelights," she said simply. "They've been around forever. Little bugs that light up the dark."

"They're beautiful," Caitlyn murmured, her eyes following the dancing glow of the insects as they flitted between the leaves and branches of the sanctuary.

"They're more than that," Ekko said, his voice low but carrying an edge. "To us, they're a symbol. They remind us that even in the darkest places, there's light."

Caitlyn looked at Ekko, her admiration tempered with curiosity. "That's why you chose the name?"

Ekko nodded, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. "Yeah. Because no matter what Silco throws at us, no matter how hard it gets… we keep fighting. We don't let the darkness win."

The trio continued walking, the soft hum of the Firelights filling the silence. Vi reached out and lightly touched one of the insects as it hovered near her, the glow reflecting in her eyes.

"They always reminded me of home," Vi said quietly, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Back when things were… simpler."

Caitlyn watched her, sensing the weight of her words. She wanted to say something, to offer comfort, but the moment passed as the Firelights disappeared behind them, their eerie green glow fading into the distance.

"Let's keep moving," Ekko said, breaking the quiet. His tone was firm, but there was a heaviness in it now. "We've got a lot of ground to cover."

With that, the three of them stepped into the labyrinth of Zaun, leaving the sanctuary and its Firelights behind. The glow of the insects lingered in Caitlyn's mind, a small reminder of hope in a world filled with shadows.

The dim light of Silco's office flickered, casting long shadows across the walls as Jinx loomed over him, the sharp device in her hand trembling slightly. Her gaze burned with a mix of anger, betrayal, and desperation. Silco, seated and visibly weary, met her eyes with a calm exterior, though the tension in the air was palpable.

"You lied to me," Jinx hissed, pressing the tip of the needle into his cheek. A tiny bead of blood welled up as she dragged it across his skin in a slow, deliberate line. "Vi was alive. You knew."

Silco remained still, his expression betraying only the slightest flicker of pain. "I did it to protect you," he said evenly. "Vi isn't here for you, Jinx. She's here for the crystal, for power. Not for her sister."

Jinx's grip on the device tightened. Her breaths were shallow and erratic, her mind racing with fragmented memories and conflicting emotions. "She wouldn't just leave me," she whispered, her voice breaking. "She wouldn't."

Silco leaned forward slightly, despite the sharp object at his face. His voice softened, though it retained its commanding edge. "She already did. Remember that night, Jinx? I was the one who found you and Naruto. I gave you both a home. I believed in you when no one else would."

As Silco scanned the room, his sharp eyes narrowing when he failed to spot the familiar blond, he turned to Jinx. "Where's Naruto?" he asked, his voice low but carrying an insistent edge.

Jinx's face fell, her bravado crumbling. She looked away, her grip on the device loosening. "He's… hurt," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "He won't wake up."

The room grew silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Silco leaned back in his chair, his expression uncharacteristically grim. He had always seen Naruto as unbreakable a force of nature who could withstand anything. Hearing otherwise unsettled him deeply.

Tears brimmed in Jinx's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Her hand wavered, and for a moment, she looked lost, the chaos in her mind threatening to overwhelm her. Then, with a sharp motion, she plunged the device into his damaged eye, injecting the Shimmer as intended. Silco's head jerked back slightly, but he remained composed, his good eye fixed on her.

"I'll handle it," Jinx said suddenly, her voice gaining a manic edge. She straightened up, her confidence returning in an instant. "Don't worry about him. I'll fix it. I'll fix everything."

Before Silco could respond, Jinx turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, the chaotic energy that always surrounded her following in her wake. Silco sat in silence for a long moment, staring at the bloodied needle she had left behind on his desk.

The silence pressed on him, heavier than the weight of any Chem Barons threats or the looming unrest in Zaun. Jinx was unhinged, as she always was, but this, this was different. The mention of Naruto, the thought of him incapacitated, rattled Silco in a way he couldn't explain. Naruto had always been the constant, the one who balanced Jinx's volatility with his quiet resolve. The idea of him being vulnerable, it was unthinkable.

Silco stood, his movements deliberate, and grabbed his coat. He knew where the boy would likely be. The unease in his chest gnawed at him as he stepped into the streets of Zaun, the dim glow of the city casting a haunting light over his path.

If Naruto was truly as hurt as Jinx claimed, the delicate balance Silco had maintained might already be crumbling. The stakes had never felt higher.

Silco entered Jinx's lair cautiously, the eerie hum of machinery filling the air. The place was chaos, as always tools scattered everywhere, half assembled gadgets, and the faint smell of chemicals lingering in the dimly lit room. His sharp eyes scanned for any sign of Jinx, but it was Naruto who caught his attention.

The boy lay on a makeshift bed, his chest rising and falling unevenly. His face was pale, his skin almost ghostly, and the crystal embedded in his chest faintly pulsed with a sickly blue glow. Silco frowned, his steps slow and deliberate as he approached. He hadn't seen Naruto look this vulnerable since the day he found him.

Silco hesitated before sitting down next to the boy. His eyes lingered on the crystal, the faint pulses seeming weaker than before. He let out a long, quiet sigh, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

"When I first saw you," Silco began, his voice low and rough, "I thought of you as a weapon. A tool to reshape the balance of this city. You were powerful, and you were lost, and I thought that made you… controllable."

He paused, his gaze flicking up to Naruto's face. The boy looked peaceful, almost serene, which somehow made it worse. Silco's lips tightened, and he leaned back, his hands clasping together.

"But then you grew, you started to care about people Jinx, especially. You weren't just a weapon anymore. You were… something more. A part of this place. A part of her." Silco's voice softened, his usual sharpness replaced with something almost tender. "And somewhere along the way, I stopped thinking of you as a tool. I saw you as… as a son."

The word felt strange coming from his lips, but it was true. He'd never said it aloud before, not even to himself. Silco looked at Naruto again, his jaw clenching. "I wanted to guide you, protect you. But I thought you were unbreakable, untouchable. That no matter what this world threw at you, you'd always stand back up."

He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "But even the strongest of us fall, don't we? And maybe I should've been better at showing you that I cared."

Silco leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Naruto, you need to wake up. Everyone needs you now Jinx needs you, Zaun needs you, I need you." His voice cracked slightly, and he cleared his throat, his hand instinctively reaching out but stopping short of touching Naruto.

The crystal in Naruto's chest flickered, brighter for a moment, then dimmed again. Silco's eyes widened, and he straightened up. "You hear me, boy?" he said, his tone sharpening with urgency. "This city isn't ready to lose you. She isn't ready to lose you."

The faint hum of the crystal grew louder, its light becoming steadier. Silco's heart raced as he watched it pulse stronger, the glow illuminating Naruto's pale face.

"That's it," Silco urged, his voice steadier now. "Come back. Fight, like you always have. Show this damned city that you're still here, that they haven't beaten you."

For a moment, the room was silent except for the rhythmic pulse of the crystal, then Naruto's hand twitched, his fingers curling slightly. Silco exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. The glow from the crystal spread through Naruto's veins, illuminating them faintly beneath his skin.

"You're not done yet," Silco muttered, more to himself than to Naruto. "You're not done until you say you are."

As Silco sat there, watching the faint signs of life returning to Naruto, he realized just how much the boy had come to mean to him. He wasn't just a part of Zaun he was a part of Silco's dream. And now, more than ever, Silco knew he couldn't let that dream die.

Naruto's Mind

The void stretched infinitely in all directions, a swirling expanse of shadow and muted light that seemed to pulse with an unseen rhythm. Naruto stood at the centre of it, disoriented and numb, as fragmented images began to take shape around him. They floated like shards of broken glass, reflecting moments he could barely comprehend.

A laughing child with spiky blond hair. A warm home filled with light and love. A man and woman smiling down at him, their faces brimming with pride. Minato and Kushina. His parents. Naruto's chest tightened, but the emotions were muted, distant, like a sound heard through water.

He saw flashes of his time in Zaun the dark alleyways, Silco's calculating gaze, Jinx's chaotic laughter. And then, fragmented glimpses of Jinx's quiet moments, the ones only he had witnessed. Her tears, her fears, the way she clung to him like he was her anchor in a storm.

"Is this it?" he muttered, his voice echoing strangely in the void. "Is this what it's like when your life flashes before your eyes?"

His own voice startled him. It felt more real than the images, grounding him in the emptiness. "Am I… dead?" he asked, though there was no one to answer.

A sudden pang hit his chest as his thoughts turned to Jinx. "What about her?" he whispered. "What happened to Jinx?"

As if summoned by his words, a faint blue light appeared in the distance. It shimmered like a beacon, illuminating the dark void around him. Drawn to it, Naruto began to walk, each step echoing as if the void itself acknowledged his presence. The light grew brighter, revealing a massive, pulsing core at the centre of the nothingness. It was unlike anything he had ever seen pure, raw energy swirling in chaotic rune patterns, as if it were alive.

Naruto froze, his glowing blue eyes reflecting the core's light. It radiated a strange familiarity, pulling at something deep within him. As he stepped closer, the core began to emit faint images of every horrible event that had shaped his existence.

The scenes swirled around him his father's cold experiments, the innocent lives lost in their pursuit, and the blood soaked trail he and Jinx had carved through Zaun, voices rose from the void, haunting and accusatory.

"You let this happen."

"If it weren't for you, we'd still be alive."

"You're a monster, just like your father."

Naruto's trembling hands clutched at his head, desperate to drown out the relentless whispers. His breaths came in short, sharp gasps as he sank to his knees. Tears streamed down his face, and his voice cracked as he muttered incoherently. "I didn't want this… I never wanted any of this… Why is it always me?"

The images twisted, shifting into the shapes of a family a mother, father, and a young child staring at him with hollow, accusing eyes. Their faces were contorted with grief and anger.

"You killed us," the mother hissed.

"If you hadn't been born, we'd still be alive," the father spat.

The child's voice was eerily calm, the coldness of it cutting through Naruto like a blade. "It's your fault, we died because of you."

"No!" Naruto screamed, his voice hoarse and filled with anguish. "I didn't… I didn't mean for this to happen, it wasn't my fault."

The darkness around him seemed to pulse with his despair, but it was far from done with him. Emerging from the shadows came a figure small, delicate, and eerily familiar. It was Powder, or at least, a bizarre version of her, with piercing blue eyes glinted with predatory malice, and her movements were slow and deliberate, like a wolf savouring its prey.

Her voice was soft but sharp, a blade wrapped in silk. "Such a hypocrite," she sneered, circling him. "Of course, it's not your fault. Who else could it be? Every hesitation, every pathetic excuse, every time you clung to the illusion of love… it led you here."

Naruto flinched, shaking his head violently as if he could shake away her words. "Stop it… please…"

"Stop?" Powder laughed, a sound like thunder cracking in the void. "Oh, Naruto, you've never been able to stop anything. You couldn't stop me. You couldn't stop the pain. And you couldn't stop yourself from becoming just like them."

"No," Naruto whimpered, his voice cracking. "I'm nothing like them…"

Powder leaned closer, her voice slithering into his ears. "But you are. Every drop of blood on your hands, every life you've taken… you're just as much of a monster as your father." Her grin widened unnaturally, her teeth sharp and gleaming. "You let the world crush you, and now you're here, crying like a child. Pathetic."

Naruto's eyes widened, tears streaking his face as his breathing turned ragged. "I… I didn't want this. I just wanted to protect her, I just wanted peace."

"Peace?" Powder sneered, her face mere inches from his. "Peace is for the strong, Naruto. And you…" she pressed a clawed finger to his forehead, pushing him back as if he were weightless "are weak. They'll keep coming. They'll keep breaking you, using you, discarding you like the trash you are."

Her words wrapped around him like chains, dragging him deeper into the abyss. But beneath the crushing weight of her accusations, something within Naruto stirred. A spark small but unyielding began to grow.

Powder paused, her grin faltering as she noticed the change. "What's this?" she whispered, her curiosity piqued.

Naruto's sobs ceased, replaced by the sound of his ragged breathing. Slowly, he lifted his head, his tear streaked face now etched with cold resolve. His eyes, though glistening with moisture, burned with an intensity that cut through the darkness.

"You're right," he said, his voice low but steady. "It is my fault. I let them push me. I let them take everything from me." He pushed himself to his feet, his posture unyielding. "But no more."

Powder's grin returned, but there was a flicker of unease in her gaze. "Oh? What's this? A little spark of rebellion?"

Naruto stepped forward, his presence no longer overshadowed by hers. "You said peace is for the strong," he murmured, his tone sharp as a blade. "Then I'll become strong. I won't let anyone take what's mine ever again. Anyone who threatens my peace…" His voice hardened, like steel tempered in fire. "…won't live to regret it."

Powder laughed, though her voice wavered. "Bold words, Naruto. But do you have the strength to back them up?"

Naruto's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "I'll make them regret underestimating me."

The void around them began to crack and crumble, light piercing through the shadows. Naruto's power surged, twisting and writhing like a living storm, a manifestation of his newfound resolve. Powder's figure faded, her laughter echoing one last time before she disappeared into the abyss.

When Naruto opened his eyes, he was back in the waking world. His body ached, and his chest burned, but his resolve was unshaken.

He would protect what was his, no matter the cost...

But what Silco didn't realize was that Naruto hadn't heard a single word the man had said. A detail that would cost him dearly, sooner rather than later...

As Naruto's eyes fluttered open, a faint blue glow fading from his irises as he adjusted to the dim light of Jinx's lair. The first thing he saw was Silco, sitting beside him with a mixture of shock and relief etched on his scarred face, for a moment, Naruto was disoriented, his memories scattered like shards of glass.

"Why are you here?" Naruto asked, his voice hoarse but steady as he sat up. His movements were slow, his body still adjusting to the strange surge of energy coursing through him. His gaze flicked down to the glowing crystal embedded in his chest. The light pulsed faintly, steady but fragile, like a candle on the verge of going out.

Silco leaned back slightly, regaining his composure. "You've been out for a while. I wasn't sure you'd wake up."

Naruto rubbed his temples, piecing together fragments of his last moments before losing consciousness. "What's happening? Where's Jinx?"

Silco hesitated, caught off guard by Naruto's abruptness. But before he could answer, Naruto's sharp eyes locked onto his, demanding answers. "Where is she?"

"She's gone after her sister," Silco admitted, his tone betraying a rare flicker of concern. "And the hex crystal. They should be at the Bridge of Progress."

Naruto's jaw tightened, his hand instinctively clenching. "She's being reckless," he muttered, shaking his head. "Stupid, she can't handle them alone."

Silco studied him carefully. "And how are you feeling?" he asked cautiously.

Naruto pushed himself off the makeshift bed, rolling his shoulders as he stood. His posture was strong, steady, but there was a coldness in his movements. "Stronger," he said bluntly, his voice carrying a slight edge. "I'll need a new crystal soon, but for now… I'm stronger than ever."

The words came out colder than Naruto intended, but he couldn't stop the surge of frustration bubbling inside him. He turned to Silco, his expression hardening. "We need to hurry, if we don't, it's going to be too late."

Silco nodded, rising to his feet as well. "Then let's not waste any more time."

Without another word, Naruto zapped out of the room in a flash of blue light, the energy crackling faintly behind him. Silco followed close behind, the urgency of the situation pressing down on them both like a storm ready to break.

The chaos on the Bridge of Progress was a cacophony of screams, gunfire, and explosions. Smoke and fireflies mingled in the air, creating an eerie and surreal battlefield. Caitlyn, clutching her bleeding leg, dragged herself to the side of the bridge, her rifle slung uselessly across her back. Beside her, Ekko lay motionless.

Vi skidded to a halt as the carnage unfolded before her. Her eyes darted frantically, first landing on Caitlyn's pained expression and then on Marcus's lifeless body sprawled on the ground. Her breath caught in her throat when she spotted Jinx in the middle of the chaos, her manic laughter carrying over the din. The canister containing the hex crystal hung from Jinx's shoulder, glowing ominously.

"Powder!" Vi shouted, her voice raw and desperate as she sprinted toward her sister. "Stop this! It doesn't have to be like this!"

Jinx's head snapped toward the sound of Vi's voice. Her wide, wild eyes locked onto her sister. The joyful grin on her face twisted into a snarl as she raised her minigun. "Stay back!" she screamed. "You've already ruined enough! Both of you!"

Vi froze as Jinx's finger twitched dangerously close to the trigger. "We're not your enemies, Powder. I just want to talk—"

"Don't call me that!" Jinx screamed, the sound raw and pained. "Powder's dead! She's gone!" Her tears streamed freely, but her voice was tinged with venom. "You killed her when you left me!"

Caitlyn, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't remain silent any longer. "Jinx," she started, her voice calm but firm. "You're wrong. Vi's here because she loves you. She wants to protect you."

Jinx whipped her head toward Caitlyn, her expression darkening. "You think I don't see through you?" she snarled. "You're just like the others! You don't care about me or Naruto! You're just another enforcer looking for a prize!"

At the mention of Naruto, Vi's expression shifted slightly. "Naruto?" she asked, confusion and concern flickering in her eyes. "What does he have to do with this?"

Jinx's laugh was cold and hollow. "He's all I have left. The only one who didn't leave me. And I'll protect him. From you, from her, from anyone who tries to take him away!"

Caitlyn took a step forward, ignoring the pain in her leg. "Jinx, Naruto needs help," she said carefully. "You can see it, can't you? He's hurting. If you care about him, if you love him you'll let us help him."

Jinx froze, her expression flickering with uncertainty for just a moment before hardening again. "Help him? You mean take him away from me," she spat. "You think I don't know what you're trying to do? You're the reason everything's falling apart!"

"No," Caitlyn said, her tone earnest. "I just want to help him live, don't you want that too?"

Jinx's hand trembled on the trigger. Her manic energy seemed to falter as she stared at Caitlyn, then at Vi, her thoughts racing. The voices in her head whispered louder, sowing doubt and confusion.

"Powder, listen to me," Vi said, stepping forward again despite Jinx's warning growl. "We can figure this out together. We can help Naruto. We can help you. But you have to trust me."

"Trust you?" Jinx hissed, her voice filled with venom. "I trusted you before, and you left me!"

Her grip on the minigun tightened, and her body shook with barely contained rage and anguish. "You don't get to come back now and pretend to care, not after what you did!"

Vi's hands dropped to her sides, her shoulders sagging. "You're right," she said quietly. "I left, and I can't undo that. But I came back because I love you, Powder. I always have, and I always will."

Jinx's eyes burned with wild intensity as she raised her minigun, pointing it directly at Vi. "I don't need you anymore," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. Her gaze shifted to Caitlyn, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "And Naruto doesn't need you either."

The sound of the minigun powering up sent a chill through the air, the unmistakable hum of death imminent. Vi's eyes widened, and she lunged forward. "No!" she screamed, tackling Caitlyn to the ground just as the hail of bullets erupted from the weapon. The platform shook as rounds tore through it, sparks and debris flying everywhere.

Suddenly, a blur of motion darted through the chaos. Ekko appeared atop his hoverboard, his staff glowing faintly in the haze. His arrival was swift and precise, his movements like a dance through the danger. He closed the gap between himself and Jinx in an instant, his hoverboard skimming just above the bridge's surface.

With a powerful swing of his staff, Ekko struck the minigun, sending it spiralling out of Jinx's grasp. The weapon clattered to the ground, its whirring energy sputtering out as Jinx let out a furious scream. Before she could react, Ekko grabbed the glowing hex crystal canister from the wreckage, his sharp eyes darting toward Vi and Caitlyn.

"Go!" he shouted, his voice commanding and urgent. With a swift motion, he hurled the canister toward Vi, who caught it despite the searing pain in her arms. She looked at him with a mixture of gratitude and hesitation, her instincts screaming at her to stay and fight.

"Ekko, no!" Vi called out, her voice desperate.

"Just go!" he repeated, cutting through her hesitation with unwavering resolve.

Reluctantly, Vi grabbed Caitlyn, who was still dazed from the chaos, and began to retreat. Their movements were slow and laboured, but they shuffled away toward the relative safety beyond the bridge.

Jinx's eyes flared with manic delight as she spotted Ekko standing tall before her. "Well, look who's here," she sneered, her grin widening. "The boy saviour."

Ekko smirked, casually twirling his staff as he reached for his stopwatch. "You know," he said, his tone light but edged with steel, "I used to have a crush on you… before you started talking to the gun."

Jinx's grin faltered briefly, then twisted into a mocking pout. "Aw, sorry, kid," she cooed, tilting her head with mock sincerity. "But I'm taken... kinda."

Ekko scoffed, his grip tightening on his staff. "Taken by a dead man, huh?" He shook his head, the sorrow in his voice undeniable. "You think he's gonna save you? Open your eyes, Jinx. Naruto's already gone, you're just holding on to the ghost of someone who's dying."

Jinx's face twisted into a snarl, her eyes blazing with fury. "Don't talk about him like that!" she screamed, raising her pistol and firing.

Ekko leapt into action, his movements fluid and precise. The sounds of their clash echoed across the bridge as he weaved through her shots, his mind racing with memories of their childhood.

He remembered it vividly, how they'd play in the abandoned alleys of Zaun, her wild energy always making her unpredictable, but never unstoppable. Ekko had been the only one who could keep up with her, the only one who could catch her…

And now, it was no different.

Ekko sidestepped her bullets, his movements a perfect blend of muscle memory and calculated precision. He closed the distance between them in a blur, his staff spinning in a graceful arc. Jinx's eyes widened as he slammed it against her head, disarming her. She stumbled back, her hands clawing for another weapon, but Ekko was already upon her.

He tackled her to the ground with a forceful shove, pinning her beneath him. His hands gripped her shoulders as he stared down at her, his chest heaving. "Why, Powder?" he asked, his voice a mix of frustration and sorrow. "Why'd you let it come to this?"

Jinx's lips quivered, her usual bravado faltering as her bloodied nose and wide eyes made her seem, for a moment, like the scared girl he once knew. Ekko raised his fist, ready to strike again, but the sight stopped him cold. Memories of their laughter, their shared dreams, flooded his mind. His fist trembled, then lowered slightly.

Jinx's expression shifted, her fear melting into something more sinister. Her fingers, trembling but determined, slipped into her pocket, finding the familiar ring of a grenade's pin.

"I told you," she whispered, her voice laced with dark triumph. "Don't call me that."

Ekko's eyes widened as he realized what she had done. He leapt backward, but it was too late. The grenade's pin clicked free, and a deafening explosion consumed them both. The force of the blast sent fire and shrapnel spiralling through the air, the shockwave shaking the bridge's foundations.

When the smoke cleared, the bridge was littered with debris, the echoes of the explosion fading into the night…

The chaos of the night carried Caitlyn and Vi back into Piltover, shadows their only allies as they slipped past squads of enforcers rushing toward the Bridge of Progress.

Caitlyn leaned against a wall, catching her breath. With trembling hands, she opened the canister they had fought so hard to retrieve. Her heart dropped into her stomach.

"It's gone…" she whispered, staring into the empty chamber where the hex crystal should have been.

Vi, her own breath laboured, looked over Caitlyn's shoulder. "What the hell? How—"

Before they could process the implications, the sound of heavy footsteps on the bridge caught their attention. Caitlyn pulled Vi deeper into the shadows as they peered back toward the wreckage.

Silco and Naruto arrived on the Bridge of Progress amidst the carnage. Fires flickered around the broken structure, and the smell of smoke and blood lingered in the air. Silco's sharp eyes scanned the scene, but it was Naruto who found her first.

"Jinx!" Naruto's voice broke as he sprinted to her crumpled form, his glowing eyes dimming at the sight of her limp body lying among the debris. He fell to his knees, his hands trembling as he cradled her close.

She was still breathing, shallow but alive. In her hand, the hex crystal shimmered faintly, its glow pulsating with a fragile rhythm.

"Jinx…" Naruto whispered, pressing his forehead against hers as if willing her to wake. His grip tightened around her, his own energy starting to spark uncontrollably. The crystal embedded in his chest pulsed violently, reacting to his storm of emotions.

Silco approached cautiously, his gaze darting between Jinx's unconscious form and Naruto's flickering, unstable power. "Naruto," he said firmly, his voice trying to cut through the storm. "We need to get her back to the Last Drop. I'll call for Singed. He'll—"

"No," Naruto interrupted, his voice low but resonating with icy fury. He gently laid Jinx back down and stood, the air around him crackling with energy. His glowing eyes locked onto the horizon of Piltover. "You're going to save her, no matter what it takes."

"I will," Silco assured him, his tone steady but tinged with unease. "But you—"

Naruto cut him off, his voice now a growl. "They'll pay for this," he said, his fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. "Ten times over."

"Don't do anything stupid," Silco warned, stepping forward. "If you go storming into Piltover—"

"Try and stop me." Naruto's words carried an unyielding finality as his power surged. The crystal in his chest flared brighter than ever, the veins of energy coursing through his body blazing with intensity. He glanced down at Jinx one last time, his expression softening for a brief moment. "Stay with her," he ordered Silco. "Keep her alive."

Before Silco could respond, Naruto disappeared in a flash of blue light, the shockwave of his teleportation scattering debris around them. Silco stood alone beside Jinx's unconscious body, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on him. His sharp mind raced as he crouched down and cradled her, muttering under his breath.

"Foolish boy," Silco said, his voice laced with both frustration and admiration. "You're going to tear the whole city apart."

Above the wreckage, Piltover's skyline loomed, unaware of the storm Naruto was about to unleash.

Chapter 12 - The Boy Saviour Act 3 End

A/N

And that's the end...

The kid Powder you see is essentially representing the subconscious thoughts Naruto never wanted to acknowledge the ones we all have but refuse to hear.

Let me know if you liked this scene overall, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

As for Ekko and Jinx, I have some exciting ideas planned for them moving forward, and I'm especially looking forward to Episode 7 in Season 2.

Now that Jinx has been hurt, we're about to dive into shimmer Jinx... oh boy, things are going to get messy.

Next chapter, Naruto attacks…

Until then,

byebye!