A/N: Hello, everyone.
Merry (late) Christmas. And also, happy late New Year, as of the time when this chapter gets posted here.
I wanted to get this part out faster, but what can you do?
Ok then. I hope you guys have a good read with this.,
See you at the end.
"Move your feet, Peter!"
"Watch it, left and right!"
"Guys, can you at least speak one at the - Uuf!"
Vi and Claggor yelped, jumping to the sides to dodge as Peter flew at them. Both winced as he landed hard on his back on the ground. The boy stayed there still before groaning in pain. He then lifted his gloved hands to his head. In false hopes of easing some of the pulses.,
Again, false hope.
"Shit, you ok ?" Vi went to his side, seeing if he was really hurt.
Still groaning, Peter pushed up, now sitting. He had to force a glance to speak to her.
"...Yeah, when I stop seeing two of you, I'll be fine," Peter winced, lowering his head.
Vi would've scoffed at his answer. But with her cases of concussions, many of them, she still asked.
"Is your jaw hurting? Or neck, shoulders ?"
Peter took a bit to feel if they were. He shook his head. "No, just the back of my head,"
Not so bad, Vi reflected. "Can you stand ?"
"Let me try," Peter went to his feet, legs slowly moving.
Claggor stood ready to help, noticing small but constant shakes in them. He didn't need to at the end. Peter wasn't so dazed to fall once more. Some other effects weren't through yet.
"Do we have ice somewhere ?" He rubbed his head still.
"Just stay on the couch until it passes," Vi gently guided him towards it, an arm draped around his shoulders.
Peter sat and leaned on the couch as Vi unwrapped the boxing gloves from him. His eyes closed again to avoid the arcade's bright red light as it shone upon him.
What once was an abandoned shop, he and the crew made a game land out of it., Spacious in size, with personal touches from each of them. Every thing inside they either found or fixed themselves over time. And the junkyards had much to offer for the place. Music players, decorations, and many more.,
One of them caused his current state.
"I told you to move your feet," Vi gently scolded, moving to take the last glove.
"Easier said than done," Peter stated.
"You didn't have that issue yesterday," Vi recalled his performance in their brawl with the gang.
"Adrenaline works wonders, I guess," Peter replied. "Not to mention, those guys weren't as fast,"
If there was one game Vi claimed to herself was the box match, as she called it.
The thing was enormous, hanging from the ceiling. A machine armed with piston arms that threw punches at high speeds. Along with two sets of cushions for the person playing to beat.
The rules were simple: Set the timer, punch, and dodge as best as possible, and then see your score at the end.
Vi was the undisputed champion, having ALL of the records for herself on the board. The others, as Peter demonstrated, weren't at her skill level. Well, except Matt, of course.
"Wanna go again ?" Vi raised a brow, holding both gloves up.
Peter opened one eye. The stare he gave said it all.
Vi huffed a laugh in understanding. "Thought so," She said, putting in one of them and turning to Claggor. "What about you ?"
"I'm good," The same shook his head, joining Peter on the couch. He had his share of getting hit. "Have fun,"
"Damn right I will," The Pinkette gave a savage grin, moving to stand before the machine.
From there on, both watched as she gave it the work. Just like the night prior. The board's numbers went up and up. Resulted by Vi knowing when to go into defense and offense in a blink. Even as sweat began to roll down the side of her head, she looked like she was getting started.,
One punch, in particular, made boys wince.
Looking to give the game a new layer of fun, they placed an iron plate above the cushions., The kick was a drawing of Milo's face in it. Courtesy of Powder, much to Milo's amusement, or lack of it.
Vi, finishing a combo, put all her strength behind the last move. The sound was equivalent to a bell struck by a hammer. And she had the gloves on!
"I'm so glad she's our friend," Glaggor side whispered to Peter, not taking his eyes away. The same nodded in silent agreement.
The sound of a complaint and a crash drew their attention away from her.
Milo came into view, stumbling as he got over a wide counter, carrying a toy pistol. Hissing and jiggling his other hand, he continued to murmur, looking over the counter's opposite side before taking notice of Peter and Claggor.
"What ?" He raised his arms in doubt.
"What? What are you doing ?" Claggor put it to him.
"Duh, trying to fix this damn thing," Milo gestured to the counter. When there was a lack of resources, the crew also went out of their way to make games themselves. With Peter and Power taking most of the weight of the progress.,
Yet, whether they like it or not, the equipment was bound to face issues, some quite frustrating.,
"Urgh, this place has always been a dump," Milo complained, giving the pistol a check. "Why do we bother with it ?"
"Vander and Ben said we had to lay low," Vi crouched to avoid a hit. "And that's what we're doing," Another pro for the arcade was that Enforces didn't go there.
"Not to mention," Peter raised a finger. "It took us weeks to get this place running, so knock it off,"
Milo narrowed his eyes at him, spotting an amusing detail. "From the way your eye is getting darker. I'd say you know 'Knock it off' well," He grinned.
Uh?
Forgetting the pain, Peter shot out from the couch, going over a mirror they had.
And there it was.
"Ah, man" The area around his eyes truly was taking on a red tone. With the area around it showing signs of swelling. "Aunt May is gonna kill me,"
"Heh, serves you right," Milo said to himself. He was one that believed in Karma. That it came for all sooner or later. And after the chokehold from Peter last night, his couldn't come fast enough in Milo's mind.,
Justice served.
Now, if only the damn range would work!
Hit the counter over head, he exclaimed. "Pick up the pace, please ?!"
Knowing who he was speaking to, Claggor saw a chance to equal the balance of shit talking.
"Wow, in a hurry for her to beat you again ?" He referred to the champion of their games. Vi could have her fists.
But no one had a better aim than Powder.
"Hey! She and Peter built this. The least they can do is make sure we can use it,"
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Milo lightly jumped off the ground when Powder came suddenly from behind the counter. She held in both hands two separate cables filled with green fluids. With a smug expression on her face, she joined them together. Instantly the area behind her lit up with neon blue lights. The painted targets in the range sprung up, moving left and right.
Maintaining her smug face, she got to the other side, passing by Milo. He sneered at her, his focus then turning to the range. Gun held side ways Milo took a few shots at the targets. Missing. Each of them.
Leaving him with his joke of an aim, Powder gave the place a casual once over, gaze going through her sister, landing on Peter.
"Peter ?" She frowned, seeing him stand before a mirror, hand over one eye, and a defeated air around him. "What's wrong ?"
Claggor answered.
"He...Took a punch from the machine," He gestured with his head towards the same.
"Ouch," Powder cringed.
"Yeah,"
Ignoring what Milo could've said under his breath, she went up to Peter. He turned, still hiding the state of his eye.
"Is it bad ?" Lowering the hand, Powder could see it in full. The swelling had gotten more visible, with Peter lightly closing it due to the bumps.
Powder gently touched them. The sensible skin made Peter wince.
"It...Could be worse, a lot," That was the comfort she could give him. She knew it from experience, having witnessed Vi come home and wake with countless black eyes.
Peter signed. "How long till it goes away ?"
"10-14 days, give or take,"
Great. Outstanding even.
"Yeah, I'm so dead," Could he stay with Vander for a few weeks? Worth a try.
"Why ?"
"Aunt May,"
"C'mon, she's not going to be mad," Powder put it to him.
"Mad and disappointed are the same thing with her, you know it," Peter disputed the notion., The only saving grace was that he got hurt from playing, not in a fistfight.
"Hey! Powder," Both looked to the back. Milo stood with his arms crossed, a bored expression on his face. "Are you done playing the nurse ?" He then wildly gestured to the range, calling her to play her turn. And also to watch Peter suffer a little more.
That didn't go unnoticed by him.
With a grunt and leaning forward to Powder's level, Peter whispered. "Do me a favor. Quick. His. Ass,"
Powder fought a smile on her lips.
"On it," She whispered back, with him giving her a thankful tap before going to the couch to watch the show.
Meanwhile, Vi had just finished her session. Dragging a forearm to wipe away the sweat, she glanced at the board. New record at fourth place. Not bad. She didn't go all out today, tho. The spar with Matt left ghost pains in many areas. And she was beyond the phase of not resting afterward.
Pulling the glove's string with her teeth, she voiced a thought that had been with her for a moment.
"Guys," Vi continued to pull out the gloves. All turned to her in the back. "Did you find Vander, uncle Ben or even Matt, like, strange lately ?"
Peter, Powder, Claggor, and Milo exchanged gazes, going through their minds, seeking any out of place manner from each man. Not finding anything noticeable at the end.,
"Hmm, not really," Milo shrugged, with Powder nodding in rare agreement.
"Uncle Ben seemed quiet today," Peter looked up, reflecting. "Then again, that's him every morning before coffee,"
Pretty much the same as them, Claggor wondered. "Why are you asking ?"
Vi breathed, licking her lips. It seemed only she and Ekko noticed the change of air.
When part of the crew returned to the last drop in the night before, very late since Claggor and Milo took so long, the place was basically empty. Sure it was late, and Vander never let any drunks sleep in there. Being tired also numbed her perception a little. But seeing the undercity's bosses, all together in the back, speaking intensely amongst themselves did raise some questions.
In the following morning, she saw the first signs.
Vander held it well, acting as his casual self as always. He couldn't, however, hide the tension on his shoulders, nor his thumb rubbing over his knuckles., That's what he did when nervous.
The second came from Ekko.
As she was heading to the arcade, both crossed paths, with the boy carrying supplies for the shop. At first, he said he couldn't play with them again today. Lots of work to do. But he did mention something odd about Benzo.,
I counted on my watch. Benzo keeps staring at the message tubes every ten minutes. When asked why he said it was nothing much. Yeah, right! And I was born yesterday. He said to her.
Vander, nervous. Benzo, worried.
If only Peter noticed anything in uncle Ben to make it truly official. Nothing could deny it, tho. They were hiding something. But what was it?
God, she sounded like Matt now.
Uh, she might as well ask him about it. If she saw him today.,
Back to the present, Vi made a dismissing sound before pivoting to look at her friends.
"Don't know. It just went over my mind. Must be nothing," Vi said to them, head tilted.
Luckily the others accepted the lie with ease.
"Heh, can't wait for all this to be over," Milo contemplated wishfully about their lay-low phase, being done with it already. "Then we can go back there again,"
Claggor was incredibulus. "You wanna do that again ?!"
"Yeah...I mean, not the blowing up buildings and running for our lives part, but the rest,"
"Tell me that's a joke," Didn't he hear anything uncle Ben said?
"We promised we're not making a mess like that," Vi pointed over her shoulder.
"C'mon! That was the best job we've ever done!" Milo raised his arms to emphasize his statement.
Sure they did promise, but couldn't they see? How many could brag about stealing from the topsiders without internal help and coming back to tell it?
No one he knew.
They were the first!
Who's to say they wouldn't do it another time?
"Besides, to avoid the problems, we just don't take Powder and Peter next time," He presented the solution for all.
"Ah, here we go," Claggor whispered a prayer for patience. While the youngest gave Milo a stare.,
Being the closest to him, Powder knew what to do.
Nodding at Peter, she loaded her range gun and took aim.
The teasing and smug slowly left Milo's face as his eyes, now wide, went over the range. One by one, each of Powder's shots hit true and with perfect accuracy. She took short breaths between shots. Moving as if on automatic to best position them.,
As a closing act, she turned to Milo, gun held in one hand. His jaw almost dropped when she scored three headshots in a row. Without looking!
Feeling satisfied, Powder placed the gun on the counter.
"Keep talking shit," She gave him a mocking face before walking away.
...
...
...
A second after, a joint of laughs rang in Milo's ears. One, in particular, me him almost pop a vein.
"Oh, shut up, all of you!"
Who or what decided to turn the last forty-eight hours of her life into a bureaucratic nightmare ? Just who ?
This question was on repeat in Grayson's head.
If only she had the privilege of a break from it all.
The woman's face was as neutral as ever. Behind her, Marcus stood silently. Vander sure did his magic. The man was usually more talkative but now kept more to himself. It would come to pass, but he didn't know how "just" being scared was a blessing in the large scheme of things.
Ironically, she was going through a similar experience. It's the third time she set out to the highest tower in Piltover recently., Maybe the most important of them. Rare were the cases they called more than once a month.
Yesterday, before going to the undercity, she stood as a witness at the trial of Jayce Talis Stark. Or the owner of the building blown to dust. The kid was intelligent and had immense potential. That she and everyone could see., Being on the Kiramman's payroll was a dead giveaway.
He had everything and still messed it all up.
At first, the case was on his side. The robbers caused the destruction of a humble inventor's work. Easy cause to defend.,
It turns out, tho, the robbers did nothing but speed a time bomb.
When Grayson searched the ruins, she found a long list of illegal materials lying around the boy's place.
She had no choice but to put him before the council. By the end, any dream he might have had died. When he was expel from the academy. Really, he should thank his mother a thousand times over for not getting a harsher sentence.
Grayson prayed she would have this kind of help for what was coming.
The ground and walls shook as the elevator came to a stop. The Sheriff breathed in when the doors opened.
Part of her still marveled at the architecture around the room. If one word is to describe it, it would be: Pristine.
It could be an effect of the sun going through the several large windows. But never had a place looked so much like a jew. Clean white floors made out of rare minerals. And the council's table, circular and connecting all of them in union.
Simplicity made through premium quality.
The latter was even more present amongst the members.
Only today, the atmosphere was dense. The heavy rain and murky skies outside covering the room in a dark mood.
As Grayson made herself noticed, seven pairs of eyes turned to her.
Piltover hierarchy consisted of the most powerful houses. Be it those from generations past or those who rose to the top in recent years. Some of those houses also had smaller ones in their ranks. Often as a working force.
And each of the heads of the houses had a chair in the council.
On the left side was the councilor Cassandra of house Kiramman. She was a graceful figure. White skin. Blue sharp eyes. Spotless and fine clothes, probably of more quality than the rest. A firm and straight to business woman. But friendly and kind. When you really know her.
Next was councilor Shoola. This one was one of the mysteries. Little is clear about her family history. But her house grew in name by their trade network throughout the continents. It sure was grand in profit due to the gold she wore in her hands and dress. Matching her eye color and creating a beautiful combination with dark skin and bald head., Professional and quite empathetic in personality.
But, goddammit, what was that necklace she wore ?!
In the last position, close to the center, was the Alchemax. Or, at least, a representative of the Alchemax. Since the head of the house, Tiberius Stone almost never cared to show to the meetings. Leaving Liz Allan, a girl no more than 20, to stand in his place. Grayson pitied her, but she knew how to hold up in the council.
On the right side of the table. The first chair. Of the Roxxons. Could be found empty today., Thank goodness. The Sherrif's day was stressful enough without Agger's presence. The man being gone for now was a blessing.
In the next three chairs were councilorsSalo, Hoskel, and Bolbok.
The first two couldn't be more different.
While the former was elegant, slim in body, bright blond hair, a face with hollow cheeks, and tall. The latter was short. Rough and rounded face covered by a long beard, ate little too much, and had a hairline that gave up on the good fight a long time ago.,
Despite that, both were brothers in being self-centered. Salo at least had more wit than Hoskel.
Bolbok was the true enigma in the room. A being more metal than flesh, hidden behind an iron suit of armor. His voice deep and mechanical, a long neck putting him above all in height. How did he see and hear in that thing? Don't ask. Grayson didn't bother trying anymore.
Lastly, right at the center of the table was the figure with the most power and influence., Besides the headmaster Heimerdinger.
Mel Merdarda.
The youngest member ever in the council, but with a mind beyond her years., Gorgeous, noble, quick witted, ambitious, charming. Those were just a few ways to describe her. And she lives up to them. Hell, if given a chance, Mel would be running things in the city. Everyone wrapped around her finger without noticing.
It was only appropriate for her to be one to address Grayson first.
"Sherrif, welcome," Mel nodded in her direction.
"Councilor Merdada," Grayson returned the gesture. Marcus did it more stiffly.
"You're late," Hoskel spoke, hands gripping and twisting to no avail a...Toy ?! For god's sake.
Letting go of that detail, and so did the man as he dropped it on the table, Grayson apologized. "Forgive me, the last hours have been...A rush,"
"Indeed," Mel concurred, leaning forward in her seat. From the looks on each member's faces, they also felt the same.
Rest would only come when all was set and done.
"Shall we begin ?" Cassandra asked politely.
"Please," Salo almost begged.
Firstly they went through the basics. Reports of any changes that happened in the last hours., And overall, nothing as big came up.
Then it was time for the main topic.
"You said it was a robbery. Was anything dangerous taken ?" Mel wanted to know right away.
"Hard to say," Grayson didn't want to give false hopes. "We confiscated all we could save in the scene. All that was not burn to a crisp. That is. Still, even with it, there's no way to know what exactlywe did find. Let alone what we didn't,"
"Uh, this is troubling," Bolbok breathed through his mask.
"Troubling ?! We would be lucky if it ended in just that," Hoskel gritted his teeth before turning to Grayson. "Do I need to remind you how dire this has become, Sherriff ?"
She shook her head. "I know it well, sir,"
The explosion did less damage than the bomb the Jayce kid dropped during his judgment.
At one point, he shouted to all in the room the true objective of his experiments. The materials, blueprints, each for one reason.,
Magic.
Fucking magic.
The art of the arcane itself, power in its rawest forms, and the kid was trying to create it in his single bedroom apartment.
Again, his mother worked a miracle on his penance.
Yet, the blunt of the consequences went to Grayson.
Hoskel still felt the need to make it clear. Again.
"All of this talk about magic has left people afraid. The fact that some of that fool's work is missing could lead to an uproar. You have to find the culprits and apprehend them,"
Like she hasn't tried.
"We're doing our best, councilor. I assure you," Grayson respectfully replied.
Salo scoffed, taking a sip from his drink. "Unfortunately for you, Sherrif, your best doesn't seem up to the task,"
One of the things that Grayson prided herself in was learning how to tune out his consistent nagging. In this case, it proved to be an opening for her
request.
Grayson mentally prepared before speaking.
"Perhaps," She faked blame upon herself, getting mildly surprised looks from some members, even Marcus. "Maybe it would be good to have some help,"
Now all were confused.
"You have our greatest armed force under your command, Sherriff," Shoola stated obviously. "What other help would be required ?"
There goes nothing.
"I'm sure all of you are familiar with the undercity's leadership ?" She asked.
As expected, Mel was the first to answer.
"Ben Parker," She said readily. "You mentioned him before,"
"What does this man have to do with anything?" Salo barely held back the unconcerned tone in his voice.
More than you think, Grayson cleared her throat, explaining. "Last night, me and Officer Marcus went to the under city and had an audience with Mr. Parker. And, like us, he wasn't very happy with the incident,"
"Curious, I would think he would be delighted," Hoskel mocked the notion, his dislike of the under city never hidden.
"With all due respect, councilor, you don't know him as I do." It was the kindest shut up Grayson could say.
Hoskel looked affronted at her statement. Not surprising by how easy one could anger the old man. Before he could utter a word in protest, he meet Mel's gaze from his spot in the table. She did not appear mad or annoyed. However, her brow being slightly raised gave him a pause. He smartly choose silence afterwards, leaning back on the chair.
"Forgive him for his temper. Proceed, Sherriff," Mel gave Grayson the word once more. The same giving a nod in gratitude.
"As I was saying, Mr. Parker didn't take well of the news. Especially knowing how we would react,"
"I take he wouldn't have a notion of who robbed Jayce's apartment ?" Cassandra spoke for the first time in the meeting. The topic was extremely bitter to the Kiramann. All of this happened in one her properties. The damage and shame meant nothing in the end. Materials and buildings could be replaced and rebuilt. But her only daughter Caitlyn, who was there when it happened, could not.
"At first, I was sure he would," Grayson admitted. "The undercity is a giant ship, and he tries to run it as tightly as possible. Still, leaks always happen sooner or later,"
"What a leak that was," Salo rolled his eyes.
"It is why he offered a…deal, of sorts, to help end this situation for both sides," The Sherriff now had the council's full attention as they leaned forwards to hear it.
Alright, kid, let's see if you're right about me. Grayson thought about the Matthew lad before presenting his plan.
"In exchange of us staying our hands, he asked to search and deliver the culprits to us himself,"
…
…
…
…
Grayson didn't dare to move at the silence in the room. She did, however, dart her eyes to each of the members to get a hold of what kind of reaction they would've after the initial shock. She did not look at Marcus, but by the sensation in the back of her head, he already had gotten over that stage.
The reaction on one side of the table was as she expected it to be.
"Is this a joke ?!" Salo exclaimed.
"Preposterous!" Hoskel slammed his fist in the table
"Nonsense," Bolbok snapped
On the other hand, the lady's reactions were more spread in the spectrum.
Cassandra was downright speechless in the moment. Shoola frowned deeply, a hand over her mouth. Liz was surprised, eye brows raised high to her forehead. Mel appeared to be…Curious. The woman's face did move a inch. Grayson only managed to catch her reaction for the way she cocked her lightly to side. It was what she would always do when finding something amusing during meetings.
Funny enough, it was a sign that she might be convinced to agree to all of this. Grayson thought that, hopefully, by getting her on her side, the others would follow suit.
Giving the rush of rash emotions to ware-off in the members, Grayson fought on for the pitch.
"Councilors, it may sound insane -,"
"Insane?! This screams of madness!" Hoskel interrupted. "It seems breathing too much of their air as affected your mind, Sherriff,"
"And she's the one who's supposed to protect us!"
More accusations kept being throw at her, the three voices growing louder and louder by the moment. A single raised hand from Mel quieted them down on the spot. They watched with curious gazes at her.
"…I would like to hear more of this,"
That definitely wasn't what they expected to hear.
"Mel-" Salo began to protest, but Mel didn't listen.
"Again, I would like to hear it," She said looking at Grayson.
The same grasped to this chance like a lifeline.
"I understand your reactions to this request. I myself reacted the same," She first put it them. "But, if you may consider, this is an option where all sides win,"
Mel hummed. "How ?"
Grayson thought for a second. "Let's say we did this in the old ways. Closing the commerce over all distric. Conducting heavy interrogations on any one when can see. Breaking in to their homes. Our relationship with the under city already hangs by a thread, and doing this would only push them even more to the edge," She felt a rebuttal coming. "Not to mention, with all due respect, many of your business use their services to actually function. A war is really something you want to afford ?,"
There were some subtle eye side and downward turns at that declaration from both sides. Anyone with one eye could see. Scorn at the under city was easy to do. However, getting your products to be delivery in time without them, that's another story.
Still, stubborn as ever, they argued.
"Be that true or not," Hoskel said with a wave of his hand to dodge the previous statement. "It doesn't change the fact that magic was stolen. This situation is beyond a petty robbery,"
"Instead of wasting yours and our time here, you should be looking at every corner, even turning the under city up-side-down to find those criminals," Bolbok declared firmly.
"Trusting a man we don't know even know by face with something this dire would, in all senses, be idiotic," Salo added.
Grayson started to get nervous. Seeing Cassandra silently nod in agreement, Shoola doing the same, and Mel not convinced in the slightest, she could consider the request all but denied already. And her position stripped away by the end of this meeting.
"But can we trust yourselves ?"
Every head snapped towards the voice. The girl Liz had the room's focus on her in the matter of second. Judging by how she taken aback, it was not what she expected to happen all of the sudden.
"What do you mean?" Mel asked her from the side.
Quickly gathering her wits, and adjusting her glasses, Liz said.
"While it's true it were the citizens of the undercity who commited the theft. We're so focused on their actions, that the root of this problem has been forgotten. Us,"
The statement shocked the other members.
"How could it possibly be us ?" Cassandra questioned. Offence by the notion.
Liz inwardly smiled, having just the right person to prove her point.
"Salo, you spoke about trust. So, allow me to ask. ," She turned to Cassandra. "Did you, in all the time you had as your ward, even bother to look or ask what he was working on ?"
The older woman's heart dropped. Liz's question had the effect she expected, as member's eyes turned to Cassandra. She tried to reply, but no words came to her.
"I'll take that as no," Liz went forward. "As you can see, the danger we could facing, was born right here, under our noses. A single scientist, one of ours, has put us in this situation. And yet, we blame, and are ready to penalize those who also got caught up in it by accident,"
"We've already dealt with the one who responsible on our side," Bolbok said.
"We shouldn't even had to do it in the first, if we actually really cared to pay attention," Liz argued.
That pushed Cassandra to speak.
"Jayce is bright and showed more promise than most in this new generation. I had faith he would do something great for our city. Not try to create magic," She stated, not knowing why she was trying to defend his honor now as Heimerdinger did during the trial. Even more after giving him a cold shoulder when he went to her house to apologize for what happened.
She considered agreeing to his simple sentence as a last favor for the years she had known him. Or maybe she had grown to be fond of the boy, just as her daughter considered him a close friend.
"And in your confidence in him, here we are," Liz said. "You don't leave a child without supervision just because you think it will behave while you aren't looking,"
Another councilor jumped into the debate.
"I see you're going far and beyond to shift the blame from the under city, young lady," Hoskel narrowed his eyes in accusation.
Liz wasn't amused by it. "No, I believe I'm looking at what's in front of me. And right now, all I see is hypocrisy. Especially from you,"
That hit a nerve.
"You should watch your mouth," Hoskel growled in warning.
Gesturing to the Sheriff, Liz said. "Every time the Sherriff brings up any criminal activity that doesn't involve your business, almost all of you turn a deaf ear to it," She could only count Shoola, Mel, and sometimes Bolbok as those who were eager to listen of what happened outside in Piltover. "Robberies, vandalism or worse don't really matter, until they do, for your convenience to act all mighty and just,"
Hoskel was either gagged due anger or by lack of a response to that.
Mel fought a chuckle in her throat. The girl wasn't wrong. She would feel pity if it wasn't so amusing to see of how Hoskel clearly had no mind or real maturity to earn his place in the council. No wonder she played him for a fool without the man even noticing. Hearing someone else say his faults out loud was just as amusing.
She would try to get Liz under her wing, if she wasn't working for the Alchemax already. And if she didn't already had Jennifer at her side.
Getting back to the present, she heard Salo speak.
"So if it is indeed our fault, we are to just go along with this deal that Parker offered and leave it at that ?" He asked with a raised brow.
"Don't mistake me as being so naïve, Salo," Liz countered. She was honestly surprise with herself until this point. Hearing and learning from the previous meetings, Tiberius teachings, and having part of her father's attitude was actually paying off. "I'm just saying there's more than one to blame in here, and we should at least try to be fair on the matter,"
"What you propose than ?" Mel wanted to see how the Liz would guide this conversation.
Liz licked her lips in thought.
"Sheriff, this man, Ben Parker, from the time you've known each other, how would you describe him ?"
Grayson dared to believe that Liz was her life saver.
"Someone with a lot on his shoulders. Who just wants to be left alone," She answered smoothly.
"And you have reasons to believe he wouldn't turn back on this deal ?"
"As I said, a man when he's in peace, doesn't want war with anyone," Grayson said. "He may be tough when it's needed. But there isn't a single bad bone in him. Believe me, in this job you see people get the lowest points, and commit the most evil things you don't even want to think off,"
Away from sight, Salo gulped at her last statement. He acted as casually he could, using a long sip from his drink to calm the momentary nervousness, and hid a closed hand under the table.
"So, if all of you agree, let's us give our neighbors the benefit of the doubt, this time," Liz declared her choice in the matter. "They've offered their services, we shall see in the end if it will be a good investment,"
Grayson started to breath in relief.
"But," Nothing last forever. "There has to be guaranties,"
Of course they would.
"What would they be ?" Grayson asked.
"The first, time," Liz said. "We may offer a olive branch. Doesn't mean the bets are all in," The councilors who looked outraged started to slowly relax at her words.
Well, if isn't what she said to Ben before.
"How long,"
It wasn't Liz who answered.
"They have one week," Mel said with a lone finger up. "Should be reasonable time. Parker runs the under city, a lack of people is that last thing he surely has,"
Grayson could fault that logic. "Anything else ?"
"Give him an ultimatum," Mel continued. "When the time runs out, and if he doesn't have the culprits in hand, you and the enforcers would finish your task. One way or another,"
Outstanding. That seemed to be more acceptable to the others. One in particular, she knew, was probably praying for Ben to fail just so Grayson would storm the under city and tear it down piece by piece. Marcus could be on the same boat as him.
She gritted her teeth behind closed lips. Not trusting her voice at the moment, she nodded in acceptance at the order. What other choice did she had?
None, as Mel spoke to the entire council.
"All in favor?" She asked, raising her entire arm.
Liz followed behind, Shoola doing the same.
Cassandra and Salo looked unsure. The former surrendered first, Liz's word hanging heavy on her mind.
Hoskel begrudgingly forced his arm up.
That only left Bolbok, who remained unmoving in his chair. It did not take a genius to see he wasn't in good terms with the decision.
"This is a mistake," He said simply.
"There's a lot of those happening right now, what is one more to the pile ?" Was what Mel said in reply.
She then looked at Grayson.
"Well, Sherriff, now it's in your hands. You better get to it,"
The rain to pour heavy.
Outside the front gates of the tower, a row of carriages were lined. One by one the councilors rushed to get in their respective ride, away from the water and ready to rest from the day's mental strain they endured.
Mel and Liz were the last ones in line for it.
"I have to say, you impressed me," Former said over her shoulder to the younger girl, catching her by surprise.
" ?" Liz wasn't sure if she heard it right.
"In some ways, still a little green. But you might as well have made history today," Mel continued. "Piltover accepting help from its estranged sibling for the first time in many years," She chuckled softly, shaking her head.
Before Liz could voice a reply, Mel's carriage arrived at the front. One bodyguard walking out and up to her with a umbrella open and raised.
"Hopefully, this won't be the only time it happens," The Medarda said her last piece. "I'll be keeping a close eye on you in our future meetings. Good night, ,"
Liz watching jaw slacked as she casually walked away.
…What ?
Her inner shock wasn't unnoticed.
"Welcome to the world of politics," Grayson watched the short interaction, or monologue really, from the sides. "Better get used to it,"
Liz signed tiredly. "Maybe it's why Tiberius doesn't bother anymore," The feeling that he made her a pack mule in the council was getting more and more real.
"Doubt it," If anything, the man thinks himself above those meetings. "But she was right, you know ?" Grayson added.
The girl turned to her. "You did the impossible, and quite certainly saved my job at the same time," She said with a bit of humor at the end.
A muted laugh escaped Liz's lips. She than asked the Sherriff. "Be honest with me. I did the right choice?" In their lone location, she felt safe to show insecurity.
"I don't think I can answer that for you," Grayson put it to her gently, before placing a comforting hand over her shoulder. "What I can do, is make sure your faith in it is well rewarded in the end,"
Liz took in her words, nodding in acceptance a moment later. A whine from a horse made her look ahead. There was her carriage, waiting in the rain. And the couch driver not looking very happy of being soaked from head to toe.
"Got to get going," Liz, taking off her glasses. "Have a good night, Sherriff,"
"You too councilor,"
As Grayson watched the carriage disappear into the city's streets, she thought that, all things considered, the meeting had a better result than those she imagined in her head before. Even if the conditions for it weighted heavy on her mind.
She would have to get in contact with Ben ASAP.
He would understand why that had to be part of the deal. Maybe that would avoid a new riot amongst the under city's citizens. She could even tell him about the whole magic aspect involved. The search sure was bound to pick up a few paces if they all knew what could be hiding in there.
Wet steps came from behind her, reminding Grayson of another problem she had in her hands.
Like Mel said, better get to it already.
"Marcus," She said simply, in inviting tone, turning around to him.
Her partner stayed in silence for a bit, his fist closed, and his jaw set. "Permission to speak freely, ma'am," He asked respectfully enough.
Oh, it was serious.
"Granted,"
"Have you lost your mind?!" He snarled over a thunder. "What was that back there ?"
Grayson was as calm as one can be.
"Me trying to solve this case, nothing more, nothing less,"
"Don't bullshit me," Marcus hissed, making Grayson raise a brow. Out of the window with respect it was. "Have you forgotten who takes care of this city ?"
"Did you ?"
"I put this uniform every single day for a reason," Marcus tapped his chest. ". It means have a duty. It means we go out to deal with the scum to keep the people safe. And now what you do? Just throws it to that very same scum like a treat,"
"Out of all you've seen, they are the scum ?" Grayson put it to him on the years they spent working together.
Marcus scoffed. "Please, it's their nature. All down there are the same. Arrogant, thinking themselves so brave and fearless. Pretending they are standing up to something in their little hole that the world forgot to bury. Living out of every coin their crimes provide" He spoke, unleashing every pent up anger and frustration kept hidden since their visit to that cesspool, with his superior just listening.
Marcus expected a number of things from Grayson at the end of his rant. What he didn't was she staring at him dead in the eye in moment, and laughing at the next. It was contained laugh, hidden behind the Sherriff's hand as her shoulders jumped up and down.
It didn't help his mood.
"What's so funny ?" He asked, affronted.
Grayson breathed deeply, head shaking and hands holding her waist. "Oh god, I used to be just like you," She said to the sky, confusing Marcus even more.
"Uh ?"
Just as quick her laugh came, it left.
"You've many qualities, Marcus. Dedication being of them," Grayson stated. "And it's that is what makes you blind,"
His expression spoke for itself. So Grayson explained.
"The world isn't a square, limited by for sides and that's it. Nor is it black and white as many would like it to be. You can't just follow things in certain way and expect all to solve itself. You our peace with the under city is simple ? No, it's beast you've no idea of how big it is. And to keep it we can't have the privilege of seeing the situations narrowly," The look she gave Marcus was a warming for him to not interrupt. "Which is what I did there. I opened my mind to another solution to make things right for both sides. Because my duty is with all people. And that is the lesson it took me most to learn,"
"So hear my words, Marcus, stop following a path just by staring at what's ahead. Otherwise you're going to fall into a very deep pit. The walls won't let you climb out it. And it will swallow you whole,"
Grayson didn't want to discuss this further. Her job was done there. And she gave Marcus some much needed food for thought, much like Ben did. If something good would come out of it, that was up to Marcus to decide. He was a grown man, and she wasn't his mom. Grayson only hoped he at least reflect on it.
"Go home to your daughter and rest. Tomorrow we will have more work to do," She said in her commanding voice, putting on her cap. "And I don't wanna talk about this again. Are we clear ?"
Marcus didn't utter a word.
"Are – we – clear ?" Grayson asked again, turning her head to side, and pointing to her ear to emphasize her command.
The man breathed, knowing if he didn't master himself now, he would be out of the enforcer in the next hours.
"Yes, ma'am," He said, neutrally.
Good enough for her. "Dismissed,"
A little later, Marcus found himself alone, walking through the streets. The lights flashing his closed expression when he passed by them
He didn't bother calling for ride to get home.
The hope was that, with the distance, the sound of the rain, and the water, perhaps the fires of his anger would cool down. His little girl didn't need to see him like this. And would apologize for being late home today.
Yet, as the sidewalks went on and on, the anger refuses to leave him.
His breaths and fast heart beats are almost deafening. His teeth were close to cracking for how pressed they were against each other. Water splashed as his steps gradually gaining more force behind them.
Why ? why ? why ?! The question repeatedly echoed in inside his thoughts.
Everything was wrong.
Grayson, the council, everything!
Years of being told to keep the under city's filth away. Drilling the same mentality again, again and again until they were part of him like a limb. Following the orders to the fullest.
And now he was supposed to go along freely with the this deal ?!
Emotions reaching the breaking point, Marcus snarled loudly. He twisted around, punching in full force one of the light poles, making the light flicker and pole shake mildly upon impact.
Marcus could feel the pain beginning on his knuckles, the glove of his uniform not providing much protection against solid steel.
Yet he couldn't find in himself to care.
Instead, he got closer, eyes closed, forehead put against the pole. Letting some aggression did allow the pressure his mind to drift away, and he could start breath more slowly and naturally now.
What a fool he should look now. Standing alone in the rain at night. Leaned against a pole of all things.
Opening his eyes, watching the drops run down to the ground, Marcus only had one thought.
What could he do ? To solve this in the normal way, the right way.
"You better check that hand of yours,"
Marcus took a step back in shock with a gasp, looking everywhere for who that voice belonged to. It sound mildly young from what he heard, strangely.
It did not take long. Just as he craned his head up, there it was.
On top of the very same poste he was, there was a man crouched and staring down on him.
He was a frightening figure. The light made it difficult to see any of his appearance. But what Marcus could see very clear, was the long bright crimson hood the man had.
Flapping against the wind, it was simple in design. Some can even call it bland. But the presence 2 decorated hand-sized gold plates at the front, holding the piece together on the user, sure made it look expansive.
Marcus became tense after his initial once over on him.
Where did he come from ? And how did Marcus didn't hear him before ? Was he being watched this entire time ?.
So many questions. No time to ask them.
Pulling his baton and extending the weapon, Marcus gave a single warning.
"Don't try anything funny," He pointed the baton up to figure.
He only replied by snorting, his head lifting lightly. Marcus took a few more steps back when the man jumped down from the pole. Now standing up, his face remained hidden underneath the hood. However, Marcus could see that, besides it, his clothes were even simpler, parts with open cuts and homemade stiches. Black boots that had seen better days.
It was his belt that made the enforcer's heart freeze.
In it were a pair of pistols that looked good as new. The balance of power shifted with just a blink. Now, if Marcus tried anything, he would be the one going down.
The hooded man said as if reading his mind. "Guess you noticed that, if I wanted, I would've done so at any time,"
Despite his mind screaming in all directions about the danger, Marcus got to erased a doubt he had hearing the voice.
It wasn't really a adult talking to him, but a teenager, a kid.
Is there any more twists and turns this day still has in store for him ?
"Hey, old man, if you can drop the stick for a moment, than I can get this over with," The young man said, twirling his finger at the baton that remained pointed at him.
Marcus didn't budge, stuck in processing the situation.
The hood puffed in exasperation. "Listen, I'm gonna nicely one more time, then I won't," Patting his guns did the trick, and the enforcer lowered the baton as normal as he could. "There we go,"
"…What you want ? Who are you ?" Marcus asked.
"First, doing my job. Second, none of fucking business," The hood waved off.
Judging by his attire, and the crude way he talked, Marcus pieced together, not who kid was, but where he came from. Fate was making fun him, he was sure of it. Putting someone from the last place he wanted to talk about in front of him
"You are from the under city, aren't you ?" He stated, eyes narrowing.
"Water is wet ladies and gentlemen, give him a round of applause," Marcus held back his anger at the kid's mocking claps. Shame he was the one truly armed between them.
"Do want something with me ?" Marcus said through his teeth. "Or are you just here to waste my time ?"
"If it was up to me, I would be home right now, not getting soaked in the rain," The hood crossed his arms. "But yes, and no," Marcus tilted his head, frowning. "There's a person who wants to talk with you. I'm just the guide to get you there,"
The enforcer almost laughed. " Oh, really ? And what your people could have of my interest?"
"From the way you was looking like sad clown on the pole…I'd say you could use it," The hood wasn't fazed by the outrage in the older man's face. "Also, by the way you wanted to kill someone at the meeting during the whole "deal" thing, your night can't get any worse,"
It took all of Marcus strength to not pull his baton again.
"H-how do you know that ?" He pressed, eyes wide. Was the kid hiding the room all that time ?! Impossible, someone would've spotted him at one point.
The hood just shrugged casually, oblivious to the erratic thoughts going on Marcus's head.
"I've my ways," He said cryptically "And no, I ain't telling you shit," Stepping up to Marcus, standing at the same height as him, the hood declared. "Now, you in ? Because the orders said you could come willingly, or dragged. Your choice,"
Another things Marcus learned about the kid, he was very hasty.
"That's a lie," He said in reference of the choice bit.
"Huh, one of dogs has brains up here,"
Marcus choose to ignore that.
"Who's this person you work for ?"
The hood lifted a single hand. "You can ask him that in a few,"
The enforcer looked between the kid and his open hand repeatedly, wondering what was it all about.
That got a groan out of the young man.
"Argh, just take it already fool!" He shook the hand to emphasize.
It didn't help much.
"Why ?" Marcus leaned his head back in hesitation.
"Gods sake," The hood whispered, turning his gaze to the heavens before going back to the enforcer. "You want to get there fast, or walk all the way?"
Wasn't that what they were supposed to do anyway ?!
At that point, shaking his head, Marcus felt he had to just accept things. With a tired sigh, he took the hood's hand firmly.
"…And now ?"
He could see the hood's smirk from the exposed part of his face.
Shit.
"Don't throw up on me,"
"Wh-!"
Marcu's screams were cut short, as both he and the hood morphed. Their bodies distorting and circling together in spiral.
And a empty street was left behind.
Getting most of the equipment out of sight in the warehouse proved to be daunting with just a couple of hours to do it.
Silco was sitting on the stairs leading to the second floor, rotating his syringe between his hand as a pass time. Overlooking the now empty space left behind after the work was done. Outside of a couple of lanterns, lighting provide a few precious moments of pure light inside the place.
The doctor and rest of his man were downstairs, hidden away from their incoming guest. Silco may not show it on the outside, but his anxiety was growing by the day. The doctor had spoken true, and his experiments had taken a final leap in their preparation. A final subject was all he needed to make it official.
Silco had a person in mind for it.
"Will he live ?" He asked the doctor in the morning, examining the flask with a curious eye.
"The first dose will be…intense. I don't expect his mind to come back intact when the effects were off," Singed answered from his work table, mixing chemicals like a artist painting a new piece.
"Will that a problem in the future ?"
"No, this is only to complete what needs to be done, nothing I'm not fixing already,"
Clicking his tongue, he reached his pocket. Bright pink glowed as he held up the flask containing his ace in the hole.
It made him what would he do to rival it.
A frustrating aspect of this game was being in the dark. Most importantly, about evidence that could change the balance.
And in a war, that was life or death.
What are you doing out there ? What are you hiding ? Silco lifted his gaze to one of the broken windows, wishing he could the shadow moving in the dark.
He had to put a stop to those thoughts. Two were needed to play hide and seek. Silco didn't know his secrets, no one would know his.
Impatience and desperation have been the downfall of empires and kingdoms. And he didn't spent all those years of planning and waiting to throw it all away. No, the time would come when they would meet again, after being ready for the next stage.
From there ? May the best win.
And Silco would move heaven and earth to do it.
Feeling and hearing a unusual shift the air, he put the syringe and flask away while getting to his feet. His newest card in hand had arrived.
Downstairs, in a heartbeat, Robbins and the enforcer materialized, hands locked.
It did not take long for the latter to let go, dropping to his knees, taking long gasps and fighting off the desire of putting his launch out.
Robbins quickly moved away, arms raised. "I told you," He then looked over to the side, spotting Silco going down to the first floor.
"There is the guy," He said to the scarred man, thumbing over his shoulder while walking up to him.
Silco nodded, filling a not small satisfaction of the boy's streak of success on his tasks.
"Good work," He said honestly.
"Uh-huh," Robbins nodded back with a shrug. Honestly, some of the jobs seemed too easy for him, to the point of being compared to a house chore. They paid well, tho.
Speaking of that.
"You have it ?"
Silco turned to the side, revealing a tied bag at one the stair's steps.
"Nice," The boy was more than pleased.
That pleasure doubled when Silco added. "I put an extra amount for the haste of the situation. You earned," As Robbins went on to pick it up, Silco placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "One more thing," Money was just one part of their partnership. "It's ready," He said in a low voice. "Soon the doctor will start working on what I promised,"
The confidence and happy expressions in Robbin's face melted into one of light surprise and melancholy. "Really ?" He asked Silco.
"Have no doubts," The man assured him.
"…Thanks," Both exchanged a few more words, with Robbins sharing what he saw and heard before taking the enforcer with him. When that was over, he took his reward and disappeared once again.
Silco stared at the spot, before turning to a now more composed Marcus. The man was slowly moving to stand on his feet after the nausea got under control.
Standing next to him with arms behind his back, Silco said in reflection. "I've always wondered how it would feel,"
The enforcer didn't seem too content with his comment.
"What the hell was that ?!" He breathed out with heat on his eyes.
Silco's reply gave Marcus a pause. "A miracle, Marcus. Something beautiful,"
Marcus was the complete opposite in that opinion.
"He's a freak, that's what he is," He spat about Robbins's gifts. Not only did it made him feel like shit, the environment was putting him even more on edge. They could very well kill him and no one would know where to find his body. And the air…god it was so heavy to breath without the a mask.
Silco shook his head, humming. "Ah, you see, that's the weakness in people like you," He started to walk around the man. "So quick to ridicule, dismiss and fear what you don't understand, what you could not even dream of. That's why your vision is so narrow,"
Marcus scoffed under his breath. "Funny. I just heard something that not too long ago," He didn't allow Silco to be out of his sight.
"Well, that's a you problem then. Not being open to really listen what is being said,"
"I'm more of the trusting what's in front of me, first and foremost" Marcus shifted the topics. "And right now, I see that you're the one running…whatever this is," He gestured to the empty warehouse.
"Indeed," Silco confirmed simply.
"The kid said you wanted to talk to me," Marcus crossed his arm. "Here I am, get it over with,"
Silco's pitch black eye unnerved Marcus as he turned to look at him over his shoulder.
"Straight to business, I respect that," Silco complimented. "Things are…changing, for all of us. Aren't they?" He asked Marcus. "I don't think that, even before I was born, of there being any occasion that Piltover and the under city worked really together. One on it's side, the other in theirs. That was the natural order…Until today,"
Marcus wanted to be surprised. But seeing that the kid knew everything about the deal, he sure had have shared it with someone else.
"Now, I'm not to be against it," Silco pointed out his personal view. "A lot of good could be achieved with this relationship," His voice dropped a octave when he added. "If only it was for the right reason,"
Tilting his head in curiosity, the enforcer asked. "What's that mean ?"
"The ones who you are looking for, they aren't exactly a mystery here," Silco revealed. "You'll find the culprits in the form of 5 children,"
"What ?" Marcus was in disbelief.
"Yes," Silco nodded. "The ones who are running circles around Piltover's finest. The ones who are being protected,"
Protected ?
The pieces were put together and the enforcer gaped.
"That old bastard, Parker," Marcus hissed, remembering Ben. "I should've beat the answers out of him right there,"
CIick
He almost jumped out of his skin, when in a blink Silco pulled out a gun, and aimed right at him. Quickly raising his arms in surrender, he tried to understand the sudden change of mood. But Silco beat him to it.
"You should choose your next words carefully, officer," His voice was as cold as death. "Or I can make them be your last,"
Mind all over the place to find a connection, Marcus only answer was guess.
"You…You know him ?"
"More than you can possibly understand," Silco stated. "And for the sake of this conversation continuing, I suggest you keep his name out of your mouth,"
Marcus didn't hesitate to agree. He subtly relaxed when Silco lowered the gun. Taking the chance, he went to start of this meeting.
"Even by telling me that. What you really want ?"
Silco shifted back to his original demeanor, speaking calmly. "Offer my help,"
Marcus called bullshit.
"It can't be only that," He pointed out in accusation.
Silco stared at him in thought for a while. Humming, his gaze went over to the hand in his hand.
"Let me tell you a lesson I learned when I was young," Silco lifted the gun. "Power. Real power"
"You see, the biggest mistake all make about power, is thinking that those who are born the strongest, the fastest, the smartest, hold all of it for themselves. But no, it belongs to those who are willing to do anything, use every opportunity, to take it,"
"Look at your council. You think they're truly in charge ? No. Power is in charge. Power is what got and holds them in that position today. Once that power is gone, they are gone,"
"This ?" He shook the gun. "Is insignificant, when you could bent the world at your will. When you decide how things are going to be,"
"And that's the danger of it as well,"
Now, that Marcus didn't expect to hear.
"That's one of the plagues of our world, don't you think ? People that are so used to live in the sky, they lose sight of what's happening on the ground," Silco turned away, his face now hidden from enforcer. "Not knowing what sacrifice or a cause to life really are,"
"That's what believe both of us want, Marcus," Silco stated. "To see the ones that truly deserve that power, use it the right way,"
"On this case, one of them would be you,"
Silco didn't bother to try to deny it. "You get your justice done. I get the under city. You would find it very rewarding having to deal with me instead of others,"
Marcus, despite not liking it, couldn't disagree with the man's views on the world. He almost had a breakdown ranting about it. In the same vain, it was easier said than done.
"Let's say I agree to this. How would that go ?"
"You already have those responsible. Find them and reveal the truth. Or, go to the bigger fish. Vander," Silco saw the man stop in full for beat. "Aaah, another victim of his, I see," He said with humor, turning the right side of his face into the light, showing the clawed scars. Then the left side.
"He did this ?" Marcus's voice cracked.
"I got off easy, if you ask me," Silco comment somberly about his disfigurement. "He may be strong, but he's predictable. And has more secrets than most would think. That is something you can use, and I am willing to give reveal them all. If you agree to this deal of ours, of course,"
After begging to for this very chance in the pole, Marcus saw more pros than cons should it all go smoothly. Leaving hypocrisy aside, if Grayson and the council saw fit to make deals on her own, why shouldn't he ? He will show her how this job really had to done. And as a bonus, have a hand on the dump they call a city at the same time.
"…I'm listening,"
Rumlow was one-step away from getting to the uppers floors himself for long the meeting was taking.
Across the room he was staying for the moment, some of the men were either chatting away with each other or doing nothing at all. The doctor, of course, was in his own world, looking as if in a trance at the thing he worked on for Silco.
Personally, he believed it was a time bomb what they made.
He was there when they first tested the chemical in a living being. A small little rat. To call the results a nightmare would be a understanding. Caring about what happens to others isn't one of his fortes. But even he felt what they did was cruel. The poor cat's pieces were everywhere as the rat, or the abomination that used to be a rat, tore him apart. Brock was sure some of them were still to be found.
If he wanted to stay far from the pink liquid. Now he wanted it to be a continent away.
Alas, he wasn't the boss, so he would've to suck it up and keep his thoughts to himself.
He couldn't say the same about the current moment.
But in a surprising turn of events, he didn't get to do anything.
All activity, or lack there off, ceased. Everyone turned to towards to the door leading upstairs.
Silco soon came into view, walking down casually like he had just come back from taking a smoke.
"So ?" Rumlow wanted to know how the meeting went.
Silco walked past him while saying. "Everything is in place,"
"Uh, I be dammed," Rumlow followed after him.
"You had doubt about it ?"
"What reason I had to believe it in the first place ?"
A fair point, Silco privately admitted. But being convincing was one trait he mastered to reach the top. And it would be it that would get him there.
As he came to stop at the water glass, he checked the final details before making his move.
"Is the cage ready ?"
"They are testing it as we speak," Rumlow replied. "Overall, it seems to work,"
"Make sure to double tested," Silco warned. "There can't be no marge for errors with it,"
"Got it," There was just one aspect missing. "How exactly you plan to get him there ? He doesn't strike as the kind to go down without a fight,"
Of that Silco would be only surprised if the opposite happened. Actually, he hopes that it would be as he expects it.
Rumlow flinched lightly when he pulled the flask into the open again.
"The tales always speak about the hero arriving to defeat the monster," Silco said with a air of confidence. "I'm more drawn towards those of a…different dynamic. One that Deckard could be interested in hearing,"
Oh, Rumlow saw where this is going. Silco sure was a sick fuck.
"This better not backfire on us,"
"I trust the doctor's work," Silco stated calmly. "Bring the boy to me, is time for him to be useful again,"
Weary gazing at the flask, Rumlow clicked his tongue with a shake of his, turning away to do as he was ordered.
Not matter how good a person claims to be, there would always be a monster hidden inside all beings. Wanting the day to come into the light.
And Silco was ready to provide that for one of them.
A/N: Done. Sheesh, this was a heavy one.
Not only on the aspect of being the first time of fully being on Piltover's POV. Introducing the council, the additions from the Marvel Universe (some you may or may not know. For the latter, do a quick research, then you can kinda get a idea of their role in this)
As well as pick up the original plot points that were happening at the same time.
Many of could be wondering why Jayce, Viktor, Heimer and others didn't show up until now. That's one thing I decided right at the beginning. I wanted this to more focused on the under city and Peter's daily life with the crew, and how It sets the stage for everything down the line.
Another thing.
As I said to Mrsauce, adding the hood actually had a much wider effect than I expected. You, a lot of what in the first section of Arcane is more or less in the open of how they happen. So, with Robbins, a natural way fill in those gaps presented itself.
Not only that, it gave Silco's side a boost in power for what's to come later in the story.
And boy, does he going to need everyone he can get.
Anyways, hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I see ya when I see ya.
Stay face.
Peace.