A/N
UPDATE - FIXED ERRORS
Well... here we go, the last two chapters!
It's been an incredible ride so far, and the support has been nothing short of amazing. Before we begin, I want to thank all the lads in the Discord servers who've been helping me perfect my knowledge of the series and lending a hand in general. I truly appreciate it.
If you'd like to join these two cool fanfic servers, here are the invite codes -
Aizen's Server - /QSX5Qm6J
Grumpy's Fanfic Server - /YBrSNEcS
Both are amazing servers! If you join and want to chat, my name is SpellRGN.
As usual, let's answer some reviews -
Tris – You'll actually see some runes in this chapter, haha. Silco gets his final moment to shine in the next chapter, but you're absolutely right Jinx and Naruto deserve to know just how much he cares for them. Don't worry about long reviews, I love them! They give me a lot to think about, and I'll always reply. Thanks for enjoying the story so far!
Vxstige – Hmm, I'm not sure. Maybe the app doesn't refresh fast enough?
darkwolfz – Ambessa is truly the GOAT. We'll see more of her as we transition into Season Two there's so much to unpack, so get ready.
taiwoeretan1 – Last chapter was definitely a hit! Let's hope this one keeps the streak alive, haha. Naruto's inexperience shows, as he's only ever relied on raw power with no technique. Someone like Ambessa would absolutely exploit that she's a general for a reason. Thanks for checking in, I'm doing my best to avoid burnout, and so far, so good!
Addllax – Desperation makes people do terrible things… but it's what comes afterward that really matters.
FanFictionman43 – Had to include that line, it's too good to skip! And yeah, maybe I'm foreshadowing something... Don't worry, though. Naruto will have the new core at the start of Season Two, so no more dying.
Ravage88atlas – Once Naruto's core stabilizes, he'll see things more clearly and the voices will finally stop. As for whether he'll lose and be humiliated in a fight... you'll have to wait and see. Redemption for both Jinx and Naruto is definitely on the horizon.
NightRaven1671 – Absolutely. These chapters will dive deeper into their mental states, especially around the "table."
MichaelMyers1234 – Thanks! Ekko is a tough one to write he's "the boy who shattered time," after all. I've got big plans for him in Season Two. And yeah, Naruto is totally the boogeyman, lol. Glad you enjoyed the hallucinations, they were a hit! Vi will have a significant role in the coming chapters.
Camrin Finnerty2 – Ask and you shall receive! Season Two will be a blast. I wanted to bring her back because she's just too good not to use right away.
Archer headass – Naruto definitely got a reality check. And yes, hallucinations are gold! Ekko and Naruto will have a man to man fight coming up no powers, just hands.
Silverwingzz – It wasn't hesitation as much as Ambessa holding them back. Sorry if I didn't make that clear!
Lichi Sechino – Thanks! Glad you enjoyed those parts. This chapter has some interesting moments; I'd love to hear your thoughts on them.
Paradoxity – Hallucinations for the win, lol. Viktor is in a rough spot, especially with Naruto on a rampage. Viktor's reluctance to fuel that fire will lead to an intriguing moment this chapter he's about to do Naruto dirty.
PudgySasquatch – Brutal cliffhanger? Oh, you're going to hate this one even more, lol. Sorry, man.
That was a lot of reviews, but I love how many people are enjoying the story it's amazing! Like I said, two chapters left, and the depression hits deep.
Now, let's goooo!
Chapter 14 - The Monster You Created Act 3
The train screeched to a halt at the station, the piercing wail of metal against metal cutting through the night. Enforcers, led by Jayce, disembarked with swift precision, weapons drawn and faces steeled. The barrels of shimmer onboard were secured as the group moved methodically through the area, herding workers into containment. The production facility's labyrinthine corridors hummed with the dull, toxic glow of shimmer vats, casting an eerie light over the operation.
Among the workers were children dirty, scared, and no older than ten. They cowered as the enforcers advanced, their cries muffled beneath the shouts of orders and clattering boots. One boy, his red hair slicked with sweat, darted from the group, slipping through the chaos unnoticed.
"Hey, kid, stop!" an enforcer shouted, giving chase, but the boy was quick and nimble, weaving through machinery and disappearing into the shadows.
The boy reached a console and slammed his fist down on a large red button. A sharp, blaring alarm rang out, reverberating through the facility. Lights flickered, and deep, mechanical groans echoed as massive, armoured figures stirred to life. Chemtanks emerged from hidden alcoves, their bulky mech suits glowing ominously with shimmer coursing through their veins.
The first chemtank lunged forward, a blur of unnatural speed, and ripped an enforcer apart with horrifying ease. Panic erupted as the rest of the squad scrambled to respond, their weapons useless against the sheer strength and speed of the chemtanks. Jayce, at the centre of the fray, quickly switched his hammer into cannon stance and unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, each shot rocking the facility with deafening explosions.
But the chemtanks kept coming, their glowing visors locked onto the enforcers like predators zeroing in on prey. Blood and screams filled the air as one by one, enforcers fell.
"Hold your line!" Jayce roared, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
Suddenly, a thunderous crash echoed through the station. Vi appeared, both hands encased in the massive Atlas gauntlets. Without hesitation, she charged into the fray, her first punch connecting with a chemtank and shattering its suit like paper. The force sent it flying into a wall, where it crumpled into a lifeless heap.
"Thought you could use some help," Vi quipped, her eyes blazing with determination.
Jayce nodded grimly, his focus narrowing as he joined Vi in dispatching the remaining chemtanks. Together, they fought with a brutal synergy Vi's devastating punches breaking through Armor and Jayce's precision cannon shots covering her blind spots.
In the heat of battle, Jayce spotted the red haired boy darting through the chaos. His heart pounded as he raised his weapon, switching back into cannon mode. "Stop!" he shouted, but the boy kept running, his hand clutching something that glimmered faintly in the light.
Instinct took over. Jayce aimed and fired.
The blast struck the boy square in the back, propelling him forward. He tumbled over a railing and disappeared into the chasm below. Time seemed to freeze as the echoes of the cannon shot faded.
"No!" Jayce whispered, his weapon trembling in his hands.
Vi's head snapped toward the sound, her eyes widening in horror. "Jayce, what the hell did you do?"
The two scrambled toward the edge of the railing, peering down into the depths. Below, the boy's small, crumpled form lay motionless among the wreckage of the battle.
Jayce and Vi descended, their movements slow and heavy as if weighed down by the magnitude of what had just happened. They knelt beside the boy, his red hair now matted with blood. His chest rose and fell in weak, shallow breaths.
"I'm sorry," Jayce whispered, his voice breaking as he reached out to the boy. "I didn't mean—"
The boy's eyes fluttered open, clouded with pain and fear. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no sound came. His small body shuddered one last time before going still.
The aftermath of the battle was suffocatingly silent, broken only by the faint groans of injured enforcers and the distant wail of the still active alarm. Jayce stood over the lifeless body of the red-haired child, his hammer slack in his grip, the earlier fire in his eyes extinguished. His breath came in uneven bursts, his shoulders slumped under the weight of his guilt.
Vi approached him cautiously, her voice soft but firm. "Jayce… it wasn't your fault."
Jayce shook his head, his gaze fixed on the boy's lifeless form. "But it was," he said hoarsely. "I pulled the trigger. I—" His voice faltered, and he gritted his teeth, trying to suppress the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. "He was just a kid."
Vi hesitated, her anger from before still simmering, but softened by the sight of Jayce's visible anguish. "We didn't come here to hurt kids, Jayce. But this… this is what Silco does. He uses people, manipulates them. If we don't fight back, more kids will die maybe worse than this."
Jayce turned to her, his face a mixture of despair and frustration. "And attacking his facilities is supposed to stop that?" he snapped, his voice rising. "Look around you, Vi. We didn't stop anything today. We killed people, children. I killed a child." His voice cracked on the last words, and he turned away, unable to face her.
Vi stepped closer, her fists clenched at her sides. "We can't stop now, we can still hit him where it hurts. This is just one battle."
Jayce shook his head, his grip tightening on his hammer. "No. I'm done. I'm not attacking any more of Silco's facilities. This—" He gestured to the carnage around them. "—this isn't the way."
Vi's jaw tightened. "And what is the way, then? Waiting for the Council to actually do something? You think Piltover's going to suddenly grow a conscience and fix everything? You said it yourself, Jayce. Change comes from action."
He turned to face her, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and exhaustion. "This isn't action. This is war, and it's costing lives innocent lives. I won't be a part of it anymore."
Vi's face hardened. "If you walk away now, you're letting Silco win. You're letting him keep hurting people."
Jayce's eyes blazed with frustration as he took a step toward her. "Give me the gauntlets, Vi."
She stood her ground, her fists tightening within the massive Atlas gauntlets. "No. I need them."
"Vi," he said, his tone low and dangerous. "Don't make me—"
"Don't make you what?" she interrupted, stepping closer until they were nearly nose-to-nose. "Take them by force? Go ahead, Jayce. Prove to me you're as much of a hypocrite as the Council you claim to hate."
For a tense moment, it seemed as though Jayce might act, his fingers twitching toward his hammer. But then he exhaled sharply and stepped back, shaking his head. "You won't make it alone," he said quietly, his voice laced with resignation.
Vi didn't flinch. "I don't need you to hold my hand."
Jayce stared at her for another moment, the weight of their divide settling between them. Without another word, he turned and began walking away, his hammer dragging slightly behind him.
Once he was gone, Vi let out a slow breath, her hands still trembling with adrenaline. She turned to survey the facility, her anger bubbling to the surface as she took in the rows of shimmer barrels and the machinery humming quietly in the background.
"You don't get to keep doing this," she muttered, her voice low and furious.
Striding toward the heart of the facility, Vi found the largest machine in the room, its pipes and gears groaning under the strain of their work. With a roar of effort, she slammed the Atlas gauntlets into the machine. Sparks flew, and a deafening crash echoed through the room as the machine crumpled under the force of her punch. Shimmer spilled out in torrents, pooling on the floor like a sickly, glowing river.
Vi stepped back, breathing hard as she watched the destruction. For a moment, she felt a hollow sense of satisfaction, but it was quickly overshadowed by the weight of everything that had transpired. The shimmer seeped into the cracks of the floor, its glow reflecting off the metal walls like a haunting spectre.
"One less place for Silco to poison people," she muttered, though the words felt hollow even to her.
With a heavy heart, Vi turned and walked away, leaving the ruined facility behind.
The air was heavy with tension as Silco, Sevika, Renni, Finn, stood amidst the wreckage of the shimmer facility. The acrid smell of burnt machinery lingered in the air, mixing with the faint metallic tang of blood. Renni knelt beside the lifeless body of her red haired son, her face contorted with grief. Silent tears streaked her cheeks as she cradled the boy's small, lifeless form.
"This is what your plans have brought us," Renni spat, her voice trembling with fury. She looked up at Silco, her eyes blazing with hatred. "This never would've happened if Marcus were still alive. You've lost control, Silco. And your blind faith in those two… monsters has cost us everything."
Naruto's arrival drew the group's attention, his presence commanding yet uneasy as he stepped through the rubble. His pale skin and glowing blue eyes made him look almost spectral under the flickering, broken lights. His gaze scanned the destruction, taking in the twisted metal, the spilled shimmer, and finally, the child's corpse. His movements faltered when he saw the boy. The sight hit him like a punch to the gut, his breath catching in his throat.
"What... happened here?" Naruto asked, his voice low but steady.
Renni rose to her feet, her grief giving way to raw fury. "What happened?" she snarled, stepping toward him. "You happened. Piltover happened. All of this is because of you and that lunatic Jinx!"
Naruto's expression hardened, though his glowing eyes betrayed a flicker of guilt. "I wasn't here," he said evenly, but his voice carried a weight that suggested he was trying to convince himself as much as Renni. "This isn't my fault."
"Not your fault?" Renni laughed bitterly, pointing a trembling finger at the dead boy. "My son is dead because of this war you're fuelling! Don't stand there and tell me you're innocent."
Naruto's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "If Piltover is killing children," he said in a low voice, "then they deserve no mercy."
The group fell silent as Naruto turned to Silco, his glowing eyes locking onto the older man. "What are we going to do about this?" he asked, his tone demanding yet restrained.
Silco exhaled slowly, his face unreadable. He seemed to weigh his words carefully before shaking his head. "This isn't the time for retaliation," he said. "Not yet."
Naruto's expression twisted in annoyance, his patience fraying. "Not yet?" he repeated, his voice rising. "How many more of us need to die before you act, Silco? This isn't just about shimmer or territory anymore they're coming for all of us!"
Sevika and Finn exchanged uneasy glances, while Renni muttered bitterly under her breath. Silco remained calm, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Rash actions will only escalate the situation," he said. "We need strategy, not vengeance."
Naruto took a step closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. "And what about Jinx? Where is she?"
Silco's composure faltered slightly, and he looked away, his lips pressing into a thin line. The small shift in his demeanour didn't go unnoticed by Naruto, who took another step forward, his glowing eyes boring into Silco.
"What did you do?" Naruto asked, his voice filled with suspicion and a growing edge of anger.
"I did what was necessary to save her," Silco said, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of finality. "She'll recover."
Naruto's fists clenched tighter, his electricity crackling faintly around him. "You'd better not be lying to me," he said, his voice low and laced with warning. "Because if anything happens to her…"
He let the threat hang in the air, unspoken but undeniable. Silco met his gaze for a moment before turning away, his hands clasped behind his back as he walked toward the edge of the wreckage. "Focus on what needs to be done, Naruto," Silco said over his shoulder. "The rest will take care of itself."
Naruto's glowing eyes narrowed as he watched Silco walk away, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He glanced at the others Renni, who refused to meet his gaze, Sevika, whose expression was unreadable, and Finn, who seemed to be quietly observing the power struggle.
With a final glance at the dead boy, Naruto turned and stormed off into the night, his mind racing. The pain of loss, the weight of the accusations, and the gnawing worry for Jinx swirled inside him like a storm. He needed answers. He needed Jinx.
The ledge overlooking the tranquil pool shimmered under the faint light of the overcast sky. Viktor stood motionless, clutching the urn that held Sky's ashes. The air was silent, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle wind. Slowly, Viktor tipped the urn, allowing the ashes to scatter over the pool's still surface. The ash swirled in lazy patterns before settling into the water, fading from sight.
"I don't even know if this is where you'd have wanted to be," Viktor muttered, his voice low and heavy with guilt. His golden eyes flicked to the reflection of the pool, the ghost of a memory two children playing by the water briefly flickering in his mind. "But it's where we started. Where everything started."
He turned away, his cane scraping against the stone as he began to leave. His steps faltered as he reached the edge of the cliff, his eyes lingering on the abyss below. His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths as a dark thought clawed its way to the forefront of his mind. He closed his eyes, leaning ever so slightly forward, as if testing the pull of the void.
"Viktor."
The familiar voice snapped him back. Jayce stood a few feet behind him, his broad frame silhouetted against the pale sky. Viktor hesitated, pulling back from the ledge and gripping his cane tighter.
Jayce approached, his face weary but tinged with concern. "I thought I'd find you here," he said, his voice softer than usual. "We used to talk about this place. It meant a lot to you."
Viktor nodded, his gaze returning to the pool. "It's where it all began," he murmured. "Back when things were… simpler."
Jayce sighed, stepping up beside him. "Back when everything made sense," he said, his tone wistful. "Do you remember the Distinguished Innovators competition? The nights we stayed up, sketching out designs? It felt like we could change the world."
"Change the world," Viktor repeated, his voice laced with bitterness. "And look where that's brought us."
Jayce turned to him, his brow furrowing. "You've done more than anyone, Viktor. You've given people hope—"
"I've given them despair," Viktor interrupted sharply. He gestured toward the ashes now blending into the water below. "Sky is dead because of me, because of the Hex Core."
Jayce stiffened, his expression shifting. "The Hex Core…"
Viktor turned to face him, his golden eyes filled with anguish. "I need you to destroy it, Jayce. I cannot… I will not let it hurt anyone else."
Jayce hesitated. "Viktor, you worked so hard to—"
"And it cost me everything!" Viktor's voice cracked, raw with emotion. He took a step closer to Jayce, his grip on his cane tightening. "We've both made terrible mistakes. It's time we make them right."
Jayce faltered, his guilt written plainly on his face. "I didn't know about Sky… Viktor, I'm so sorry."
"There's more," Viktor said, his voice quieter but no less grave. He turned away, staring out at the horizon. "Naruto."
Jayce's expression darkened at the name.
"I didn't tell you before," Viktor continued, his voice trembling with anger and sorrow as he lied. "That night… the night Sky died. Naruto was there. He broke into the lab, attacked us. He stole a crystal and the notes everything we'd worked on to save his life. And the Hex Core… it reacted to him. It was like it recognised him, and in the chaos, it…" His voice caught, and he looked down, swallowing hard. "It killed her."
Jayce's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "Why didn't you tell me this?"
"I didn't know how," Viktor admitted, his shoulders slumping. "I was… I am ashamed. I couldn't protect her. And now… now he's out there, using everything he's stolen to destroy lives."
Jayce shook his head, his frustration boiling over. "I trusted him, Viktor. I trusted him because of who his father was, Minato was a man of integrity, someone I looked up to, and I thought… I thought Naruto could be the same."
"Minato is gone," Viktor said softly, his gaze still fixed on the water. "And whatever Naruto could have been, that boy is gone too."
Jayce exhaled sharply, his shoulders heaving with the weight of his emotions. "This is my fault," he muttered. "I should've seen it. I let my faith blind me."
"It's too late for regrets," Viktor said, turning back to him. "We can't change the past. But we can stop him, before it's too late."
Jayce nodded slowly, his resolve hardening. "You're right. I'll make sure Naruto answers for what he's done."
The two men stood in silence, the weight of their decisions settling heavily between them. Above the pool, the wind carried the last traces of Sky's ashes into the sky.
The last drop hummed with subdued activity. Naruto sat at a small table near the corner, a faint glow from the stabilized crystal reflecting off his pale skin. His fingers idly turned the crystal over, his glowing blue eyes scanning the accompanying notes spread across the table. Each line of text, each diagram, deepened his understanding of the process he would soon need to survive. The operation loomed over him, a life saving gamble he wasn't sure he could afford to delay much longer.
From the corner of his vision, Naruto noticed Powder's apparition. She appeared perched on the edge of the table, her small legs swinging playfully. Her ethereal blue eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and warning.
"You should've paid more attention to those runes," Powder said, her tone teasing but laced with a hint of urgency. "They looked important."
Naruto leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Didn't have enough time to study them," he muttered, brushing her suggestion off. "Too much going on."
Powder tilted her head, scrutinizing him. "You're always in such a rush, Naruto. Maybe if you slowed down for once, you'd see the bigger picture."
Before Naruto could retort, the sound of an argument broke through the muffled noise of the bar. From Silco's office upstairs, raised voices escalated into muffled shouting. Naruto's glowing eyes flickered upward, his expression shifting from irritation to curiosity. The commotion ended abruptly, followed by hurried footsteps. The door slammed open, and Renni stormed out, her face pale and her eyes wide with fear. She bolted past without a word, clutching her coat tightly around her.
Moments later, Silco and Sevika emerged from the office. Silco descended the stairs with his usual composed but cold demeanour, a bloodstained letter clutched in his gloved hand. Sevika followed behind him, her expression unreadable but her presence as formidable as ever.
Naruto's gaze zeroed in on Silco. "What's that?" he asked, nodding toward the letter in Silco's hand.
Silco's sharp eyes met Naruto's, his response clipped. "Nothing you need to worry about."
The older man brushed past, heading toward a more secluded corner of the bar. Naruto watched him go, suspicion flickering in his mind. Powder reappeared beside him, her lips curling into a sly grin.
"That's not 'nothing,'" she whispered, leaning close to his ear. "Could be something big. Aren't you curious?"
Naruto rolled his eyes, pushing her voice out of his head as he focused on Sevika, who plopped down into the chair across from him. She leaned back, her mechanical arm resting on the table, and took a long drag from a cigarette. Her eyes scanned the crystal in Naruto's hand.
"Good riddance to Finn," Naruto muttered, his tone casual but tinged with finality.
Sevika smirked. "You're not wrong, he was a snake, always scheming, always thinking he was smarter than everyone else. Silco made the right call."
Naruto raised a brow. "And the letter?"
Sevika shrugged nonchalantly, blowing out a stream of smoke. "Probably Silco's next move. You know how he is always ten steps ahead."
Powder's voice chimed in again, her tone singsong. "Ten steps ahead? Or just hiding something?"
Naruto ignored her, focusing instead on Sevika's question. "What's your plan now?" she asked, nodding toward the crystal. "That thing's the key to saving your life, right? So, what are you waiting for?"
Naruto turned the crystal in his hand, its glow reflecting in his eyes. "Yeah, it is," he admitted. "But the operation… It's not something I can do alone. Jinx needs to be the one to help. Without her, it's pointless."
Sevika raised an eyebrow. "You trust her that much?"
Naruto's expression softened, a rare flicker of warmth breaking through his usual stoicism. "Of course, I do. She's my partner always has been."
Sevika leaned back, studying him. "That's a dangerous kind of loyalty, kid."
Naruto didn't respond, his mind already elsewhere. He stood, pocketing the crystal, and gathering the notes. "I've got to secure these," he said, his tone decisive. "They're too important to leave lying around."
Sevika nodded, taking another drag from her cigarette. "You do what you gotta do."
Naruto descended into the basement, the cold air prickling against his skin as he reached a hidden compartment in the far wall. Carefully, he placed the crystal and the notes inside, securing them before stepping back. As the compartment slid shut, he exhaled, running a hand through his blond hair.
Powder reappeared, leaning casually against the wall. "You really think this is going to work?" she asked, her tone playful but carrying an edge of doubt.
Naruto didn't answer immediately, his glowing eyes fixed on the now concealed compartment. "It has to," he said quietly. "For both of us."
Powder tilted her head, her grin widening. "We'll see." And just like that, she was gone, leaving Naruto alone in the dim, silent basement.
The rampart overlooking the ocean was a stark, windswept place. Waves crashed against the cliffs below, their thunderous rhythm punctuating the tension in the air. Jayce stood tall, his figure framed against the iron gray sky, his expression a careful mix of determination and caution. Across from him stood Silco, the lines of his face sharper in the pale light, his single visible eye gleaming with cunning and resolve.
Silco extended a neatly folded piece of paper to Jayce, his hand steady. "This is what Zaun requires," he said, his voice smooth and unyielding.
Jayce took the paper, unfolding it to reveal a list of demands. His eyes scanned the items: free trade routes, blanket amnesty, unrestricted access to the hexgates, and, most notably, sovereignty. A faint scoff escaped his lips.
"You don't stand a chance in a war with Piltover," Jayce retorted, folding the paper and tucking it into his coat. "I'm offering you a chance to save Zaun from annihilation, you should be thanking me."
Silco smiled thinly, leaning forward just enough to close the gap between them. "You don't understand Zaun, do you? We've been annihilated for generations. Piltover's boot has been on our necks so long, we've learned to breathe around it."
Jayce stiffened, his jaw tightening. "You call this breathing? Peddling shimmer to children? Poisoning your own people?"
Silco's smile didn't falter. "Survival isn't pretty."
Jayce took a step forward, his voice hardening. "Then let me tell you what Piltover requires, the discontinuation of shimmer production, the return of the hex crystals, and…" He hesitated, his tone dropping to a deliberate edge. "Hand over Naruto and Jinx."
For the first time, Silco's calm demeanour wavered, his visible eye narrowing. "Jinx isn't part of this negotiation."
Jayce raised an eyebrow, sensing the reaction. "Oh, she absolutely is. She's a danger to everyone. And Naruto? He's a ticking time bomb. You hand them over, and you'll have your nation of Zaun."
Silco's expression darkened, the smirk vanishing from his lips. His voice lowered, each word carefully measured. "Jinx is Zaun. She's everything we've fought for, I won't give her up."
"And Naruto?" Jayce pressed, stepping closer, his eyes searching Silco's face. "He's Minato's son. What's your excuse for him?"
Silco looked out over the ocean, his eye momentarily distant as if weighing an answer he didn't want to give. "You wouldn't understand," he said at last, his tone soft but resolute.
Jayce's frustration flared. "Try me."
Silco turned back to face him, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Naruto isn't just a weapon, and he isn't just Minato's son. He's Zaun's proof that we can fight back. But more than that…" His voice faltered for a fraction of a second before hardening again. "He's mine."
Jayce's eyes narrowed. "Yours? Is that what you tell yourself? Because it sounds like you've just chained him to the same hell you've built for everyone else down there."
Silco's jaw tightened, his temper simmering beneath the surface, but he refused to rise to the bait. "Negotiate all you want, Councilor Talis. But Zaun's future won't be built on betrayals."
Jayce exhaled sharply, stepping back as he realized the stalemate they'd reached. "If you don't comply, Silco, you'll lose everything."
"And if I do," Silco countered, his voice low and venomous, "then Zaun was never meant to survive."
The two men stood in silence for a moment, the crashing waves below filling the void. Without another word, Silco turned and walked away, his coat trailing behind him as the wind picked up. Jayce remained rooted in place, his hands clenched at his sides, the weight of the encounter settling heavily on his shoulders.
The dim light of Zaun's perpetually flickering lamps cast long shadows over the worn cobblestones. Silco sat at the base of Vander's statue, a bottle of liquor cradled in his hand. His sharp, calculating eyes were distant, staring into the middle distance as if searching for answers in the void.
The statue of Vander loomed over him, an eternal reminder of the man Silco once saw as both a brother and a betrayer. Silco tilted the bottle back, taking a long, bitter swig before setting it down beside him. His lips twisted into a wry smile, though there was no humour in his expression.
"It all makes sense now," Silco muttered, his voice rough. "Why you did it. Why you chose them over Zaun." His fingers tapped against the bottle, his thoughts a tangled web of loyalty, ambition, and regret. "I called you a coward, but maybe... maybe you were the brave one."
His gaze dropped to the cobblestones as he clenched his jaw. "What kind of father am I if I choose Zaun over them? Jinx... Naruto... They're my legacy, Vander. Not this city. Not this dream. But what happens to them if Zaun falls? If I fall?"
From the shadows behind the statue, Jinx listened, her wild, pink tinted eyes narrowing with each word. Her fingers twitched, hovering over the bottom of her pistol as the hallucination of a younger Naruto materialized beside her. The phantom boy was a perfect replica of Naruto in his younger years, his blue eyes shining with an eerie glow.
"He's gonna give up on you," the hallucination whispered, his voice smooth and venomous. "On both of you. He's choosing Zaun over his family. You can't let him take Naruto away from you, you're all each other's got."
Jinx's breathing grew erratic, her fingers tightening around the grip of her weapon. Her thoughts spiralled as the boy's words seeped into her mind like poison.
"You've always been his favourite," the phantom Naruto continued, circling her like a predator. "But now? Now he's got a choice, and it's not you."
Jinx's teeth clenched, her head shaking violently as if trying to dislodge the haunting voice. "Shut up," she hissed under her breath. "He wouldn't do that. He... he cares about us, about me."
The hallucination smirked, leaning in close to her ear. "Then why is he talking about betraying you? Listen to him, Jinx. He's ready to sell you out, both of you."
Jinx's eyes darted back to Silco, who now cradled his head in his hands, his voice trembling with an emotion she rarely heard from him, vulnerability.
"I swore I'd protect them," Silco murmured. "But I can't protect everyone. Something has to give. Zaun... or my children."
The phantom Naruto's laughter echoed in Jinx's mind, sharp and cruel. "See? He's choosing, and it's not you."
Jinx's vision blurred with a mix of rage and betrayal. Her grip on her pistol trembled, but she didn't draw it. Instead, she stepped out from behind the statue, her movements deliberate and quiet.
Silco didn't notice her approach until it was too late. He looked up, startled, as Jinx's shadow loomed over him.
"Jinx?" he began, his voice tinged with confusion.
Her wild, manic grin was firmly in place, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Don't worry, Silco," she said, her tone cute but laced with venom. "I'm just gonna make sure you don't make the wrong choice."
Before Silco could react, Jinx struck him on the side of the head with the side of her pistol. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious, his body limp against the base of Vander's statue.
Jinx stood over him, her breathing heavy, her hand twitching with the urge to do more. The hallucination of the younger Naruto appeared beside her again, clapping slowly, mockingly.
"Good girl," he said, his voice a low purr. "Now you've got a chance to fix this. Make sure you keep Naruto safe. He's the only one who's never let you down."
Jinx knelt down beside Silco, her lips curling into a smirk. "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. You'll see." Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible. "I'll fix it, I'll fix us."
With one last glance at Vander's statue, Jinx hoisted Silco's limp form over her shoulder and disappeared into the shadows, the phantom Naruto trailing behind her with a satisfied grin.
Late at night, the last drop was quiet tonight, its patrons shuffling out one by one under Sevika's orders. She stood in the middle of the bar, cracking her neck and rolling her shoulders, her mechanical arm gleaming under the dim, flickering neon lights. Across from her, Vi stood poised, fists raised, her body taut like a coiled spring ready to strike.
"You've got guts showing your face here," Sevika growled, her voice low and dangerous. "Guess you don't have the brains to match."
Vi smirked, stepping forward, her boots crunching against broken glass scattered on the floor. "You talk too much. Let's finish this."
Without warning, Vi charged, her Atlas gauntlets whirring to life. She threw the first punch, a powerful swing aimed at Sevika's midsection. Sevika sidestepped, her mechanical arm countering with a swift jab. The impact sent a shockwave through the room, rattling bottles behind the bar and causing a light fixture to flicker ominously.
For several minutes, the two women clashed, exchanging brutal blows that tore through the bar. Sevika grabbed a stool and hurled it at Vi, who dodged nimbly before countering with an uppercut that sent Sevika stumbling back. Sevika responded with a brutal swing of her metal arm, narrowly missing Vi's head but shattering a nearby table into splinters.
From the basement, Naruto heard the commotion. His glowing eyes narrowed as he ascended the stairs slowly, his footsteps deliberate. By the time he reached the top, the fight had escalated into a full blown brawl, with chairs overturned and shards of broken bottles littering the floor. Naruto's presence filled the room like a crackling storm, his blue aura faintly illuminating the chaos.
"Well, well," Naruto called out, his voice slicing through the noise. "Look who decided to drop by. Great to finally see you alone, Vi."
Vi paused, her chest heaving as she turned to face Naruto. Her brows furrowed as she took in the boy before her, his pale skin glowing faintly, his electric blue eyes burning with a dangerous light. "Naruto," she said, her voice a mix of caution and frustration. "Where's Powder?"
Naruto's expression darkened, his smirk fading. "None of your business," he said coldly.
Sevika wiped blood from her lip, glaring at Naruto. "Stay out of this, she's mine."
Naruto glanced at Sevika, his tone commanding. "Take a walk, Sevika."
She bristled. "Like hell I will."
Naruto's eyes locked onto hers, his voice dropping a tone. "I said... take a walk."
After a tense moment, Sevika cursed under her breath and stormed out, clearly unhappy with the order but unwilling to push back further. The air grew heavier as Naruto turned his full attention to Vi, who shifted into a defensive stance, her fists raised.
From the corner of the bar, Powder appeared in Naruto's mind, her ghostly form perched on the edge with her legs swinging lazily. Her mocking laughter echoed in his head. "Oh, this is delicious," she taunted. "What an interesting turn of events. What are you gonna do now?"
Naruto ignored her, focusing on Vi. His eyes flicked to the Atlas gauntlets adorning her hands, and a faint smirk returned to his lips. "Nice gauntlets," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "What, they made special weapons just for me?"
Vi's gaze hardened. "I'm not here to fight you, Naruto. I just want Powder."
Naruto's smirk twisted into something darker. "Well, you're gonna have to go through me first."
Before Vi could respond, Naruto's aura flared to life, crackling with violent energy. His hair spiked upward, his pale skin glowing faintly as arcs of electricity danced across his frame. With a sudden burst of speed, he disappeared, reappearing an instant later directly in front of Vi. His fist connected with her face, sending her flying across the bar and crashing into a table.
Naruto straightened, rolling his shoulders as he watched Vi pick herself up. "That was seven years in the making," he said, his voice tinged with unhinged amusement. "Not bad, right."
Vi groaned as she pushed herself to her feet, wiping the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand. She spat on the floor, her gaze locking onto Naruto with a fiery intensity. "You hit like a bitch," she shot back, her voice dripping with defiance.
Her stance shifted, her fists raised and ready as she steadied herself. "Come on, then," she said, a determined grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Let's settle this."
Naruto's grin widened, his glowing eyes gleaming with unhinged excitement as he powered up further, his aura crackling violently around him. "Oh, you know how long been waiting for this?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "It's time I take you down, Vi. After all these years... let's end this."
The tension in the last drop was suffocating as Naruto and Vi faced off. The faint hum of his aura crackled around him, filling the room with static electricity. His glowing blue eyes locked onto Vi with unrelenting focus, the manic grin on his face twisting into something feral. Vi squared her shoulders, the Atlas Gauntlets whirring softly as they adjusted to her movements, her face set in determination.
"Let's make this fun," Naruto said, his voice low and dripping with malice. "Been waiting for this fight for years."
"You're not the kid I remember," Vi shot back, her fists tightening in the gauntlets. "Whatever they did to you down here, it messed you up bad."
Naruto's grin faltered for a moment, a shadow of something darker flickering across his expression. "Messed up?" he echoed, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Oh, Vi, you don't even know the half of it."
Before Vi could respond, Naruto vanished, his speed leaving behind a faint shimmer in the air. She barely had time to react before he reappeared to her left, his fist colliding with her ribs. The impact sent her staggering to the side, pain lancing through her torso.
"You're slow," Naruto taunted, stepping back as arcs of electricity danced along his arms. "Too slow for me."
Vi recovered quickly, her expression twisting into a smirk. "Maybe. But you've got no punch." She lunged forward, her gauntlet swinging in a wide arc. Naruto sidestepped effortlessly, but Vi anticipated it, twisting her body mid-swing and slamming the gauntlet into his side.
The force sent Naruto skidding across the floor, his feet leaving scorch marks as his energy clashed against the momentum. He straightened, clutching his ribs briefly before laughing, a sound unhinged and wild.
"That's more like it!" Naruto said, his voice tinged with madness. "Let's see if you can keep up."
He disappeared again, reappearing inches from Vi with a knee aimed for her stomach. Vi crossed her gauntlets just in time, absorbing the blow but still sliding back several feet from the sheer force. Naruto pressed the attack, his fists a blur as they struck out in rapid succession. Sparks flew each time his fists collided with the gauntlets, filling the room with flashes of light and the acrid smell of burning metal.
"You still don't get it, do you?" Naruto hissed between strikes, his voice sharp and taunting. "This isn't your fight anymore. This is my world now."
Vi growled, shoving him back with the force of her gauntlets. "Your world? All I see is a boy throwing a tantrum."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his grin twisting into a snarl. "Keep talking, Vi. Let's see how long you can run your mouth."
He charged again, faster this time, his movements erratic and almost impossible to predict. Vi braced herself, managing to block most of his blows, but a sudden low sweep caught her off guard. Naruto's leg hooked behind hers, pulling her off balance, and he drove an elbow into her back, sending her crashing into a table.
"You're out of your league," Naruto said coldly, standing over her as she pushed herself up. "You should've stayed in Piltover, Vi. You don't belong down here."
"And you do?" Vi shot back, her voice ragged but defiant. "Look at yourself, Naruto. You're nothing but Silco's lapdog."
Naruto froze for the briefest moment, his fists clenching as his energy flared uncontrollably. "Don't you dare compare me to him," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Vi took the opening, lunging forward with a powerful uppercut. Her gauntlet connected with his jaw, snapping his head back and sending him tumbling across the floor. He landed hard, but his laughter echoed through the room as he picked himself up.
"You're good," Naruto said, wiping a smear of blood from his lip. "But you're holding back. What's wrong, Vi? Afraid to hurt me?"
"I'm not afraid of anything," Vi growled, stepping forward with renewed determination. "Especially not you."
Naruto's laughter cut off abruptly, his expression darkening. "Then show me, Vi. Show me what you've got."
Their clash resumed with renewed intensity. Vi's punches were heavier, each strike aimed to end the fight, but Naruto's speed kept her from landing a clean hit. His attacks grew more erratic, his movements fuelled by rage and desperation as Powder's voice echoed in his mind, taunting him.
"You're just a shadow, Naruto," Powder sneered, her ghostly form flitting in and out of his vision. "A pale imitation of what you could've been."
"Shut up!" Naruto snarled, his voice breaking. He lashed out with a wild kick that missed its mark, leaving him open to a counter from Vi.
Vi took the chance, slamming her gauntlet into his chest with all her strength. Naruto hit the ground hard, gasping as the wind was knocked out of him. He pushed himself up slowly, his energy flickering as his crystal pulsed erratically.
"Still think you can take me?" Vi asked, her tone almost pitying.
Naruto's eyes flickered, his manic grin returning despite the blood dripping from his mouth. "Oh, Vi," he said, his voice a dangerous whisper. "This is just the beginning."
With a burst of energy, he vanished again, leaving Vi scanning the room warily. His laughter echoed around her, sending chills down her spine.
Naruto crouched in the shadows, his breath ragged, his fists trembling with energy that crackled like a storm trapped within him. Powder's voice slithered into his mind, her ghostly figure perched just within his vison. Her taunting grin was laced with an eerie sense of amusement.
"Come on, Naruto," she cooed, her voice soft and venomous. "You've got it in you. Just remember the runes, think. What do you want to do?"
Naruto's fingers twitched as he stared at Vi, her chest heaving as she struggled to stay on her feet. His mind raced, thoughts spiralling into chaos as he felt the corrupted power within him yearning for release.
"What do I want?" Naruto whispered, his voice heavy with emotion, almost breaking under its weight. His eyes narrowed as he focused on Vi, her determination to rise almost infuriating. "I want… domination."
As the word left his lips, a spark ignited in his mind. It was as though a lock had been broken, releasing a flood of forgotten knowledge. His hand moved instinctively, tracing a jagged shape onto his wrist with the tip of his glowing finger. The rune flared to life, its crimson energy burning into his skin like molten fire, Electrocute.
Powder's voice purred with satisfaction, her tone dripping with glee. "That's it. That's the Naruto I know. But don't stop there. It's not enough."
Her ethereal figure slithered closer, leaning over his shoulder as though whispering secrets directly into his ear. "Runes work best with more… little helpers. You know what to do."
Naruto hesitated, sweat dripping down his pale face as he glanced at the glowing symbol etched into his wrist. His mind began piecing together fragments of knowledge, memories of the runes he had seen long ago. Without thinking, his hand moved once more, drawing smaller symbols surrounding the jagged main rune. Three intricate sigils flared into existence one above, one below, and one to the side of the primary mark.
Each smaller rune pulsed with a unique hue, one glowing green for resolve, another a vivid yellow for precision, and the third a deep crimson to stabilize the chaotic energy. Together, the runes formed a complete circuit, their energy harmonizing into a violent power.
"Perfect," Powder whispered, her voice low and hungry. "Now show her, show her what it means to cross you."
The rune's power surged through Naruto's body, crimson lightning crackling around his hands and forearms, its wild arcs casting menacing shadows across the room. His lips curled into a twisted smile, his voice dripping with mock regret.
"Sorry, Vi," he said, his tone almost sincere. "But this is the only way."
With a burst of speed, Naruto lunged forward, his electrified hand slashing through the air like a whip. The added precision from the smaller runes made his movements sharper, faster each strike calculated with unnerving accuracy. As he spun mid-air, the red lightning crackled with deafening intensity, illuminating the room in violent flashes.
The arc of energy struck Vi's torso dead on, the force of the strike sending her flying backward into a shattered table. Sparks danced across her body as the electricity surged through her, leaving her stunned and gasping for air.
Naruto stood over her, his chest rising and falling as he fought to suppress the chaos within. His glowing blue eyes flickered, their intensity dimming for a fleeting moment as a pang of regret washed over him. He looked down at his trembling hands, the runes still glowing fiercely. For a brief second, his twisted smile faltered.
"You should've just stayed down," he muttered, his voice low and almost pained.
Powder's voice cut through his thoughts once again, her presence lingering like a shadow. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it? You did great, Naruto." Her tone grew darker, more insidious. "But don't stop now. You're just getting started."
Naruto clenched his fists, the smaller runes pulsating in sync with the main mark. He turned back to Vi, his expression torn between pity and resolve. He didn't want to admit it, but part of him enjoyed the power, the control and that terrified him more than anything else.
As he took a step back, his pulse pounding in his ears, a voice cut through the tension like a knife.
"You didn't have to go that far, you know," the voice said, calm yet tinged with an edge of understanding. "But I guess… I can see why."
Naruto whirled around, his heart hammering as his glowing blue eyes locked onto a pair of equally intense, glowing pink ones. Jinx stepped out from the shadows, her figure illuminated by the faint neon lights spilling through the shattered windows. She wore her signature manic grin, but her gaze carried a strange warmth that didn't match her usual chaos.
"Jinx…" Naruto breathed, his voice wavering between relief and apprehension.
She didn't seem fazed by his obvious internal struggle. Her grin widened as she twirled a pistol in her hand, stepping over the debris that littered the floor. "Well, well, well," she said, her tone playful yet laced with curiosity. "Look at you, all glowing and crazy, you're not stealing my look, are you?"
Naruto's breathing slowed as he stared at her, his mind caught between the adrenaline of the fight and the sight of her standing before him. Her presence grounded him in a way nothing else could. He took a hesitant step forward, his voice low and uncertain.
"Jinx… I thought…" He faltered, unsure how to continue. "Where were you?"
Jinx's grin faltered slightly, her pink eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms. "I could ask you the same thing," she replied, her voice carrying a pointed edge. "But I think we both know where you've been, playing with the topsiders, huh?" She glanced at the faintly glowing marks on his wrist and let out a low whistle. "Fancy."
Naruto's jaw tightened, his gaze flickering back to Vi's unconscious form on the ground. His voice was clipped when he answered, "She was in my way."
Jinx sauntered closer, her grin returning as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah," she said, her voice soft yet sharp. "But you didn't have to zap her like that, but still…" She leaned in closer, her pink eyes locking onto his with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. "I like the fire."
Naruto swallowed hard, his chest rising and falling with laboured breaths. The chaotic storm within him began to settle, if only slightly, at her presence. "I didn't mean to—"
"Shh," Jinx interrupted, pressing a finger to his lips. "Don't ruin the moment." Her expression softened, her manic energy dimming just enough for something more genuine to peek through. She studied his face, her head tilted. "You did what you had to, right?"
Naruto nodded slowly, his gaze searching hers for understanding. "Always," he murmured, his voice hoarse with emotion.
Jinx grinned again, but this time, it wasn't her usual unhinged smirk. It was something quieter, more intimate. Without another word, she leaned in and kissed him. It wasn't frenzied or chaotic; it was tender, grounding, and filled with an unspoken connection that neither of them could put into words.
Naruto froze for a moment before melting into the kiss, his glowing eyes flickering softly like embers in the dark. When she finally pulled back, her grin was back in full force.
"See?" she whispered, her pink eyes gleaming. "You're still my partner, Naruto."
Naruto blinked, his voice barely audible. "Always."
Jinx straightened up, her manic energy creeping back into her movements. She glanced at Vi on the floor, then back at Naruto. "So… I've got this idea," she said, her tone casual yet brimming with mischief.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What kind of idea?"
She twirled her pistol again, her grin widening. "A big one, a party, a tea party."
Naruto blinked, clearly caught off guard. "A tea party?" he repeated, incredulous. "Jinx, we're not exactly the tea and biscuits crowd."
She snorted, shoving his shoulder playfully. "Oh, come on, Naruto. It's not just a tea party. It's the tea party." Her voice dropped into a conspiratorial whisper. "I've got something big planned. I just need you and her to show up."
Naruto frowned, his gaze flickering back to Vi. "Her?"
Jinx nodded, her grin widening. "Yep. She's the last piece. You and her, that's all I need to make this perfect."
Naruto hesitated, his jaw clenching. "Why?"
Her pink eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, the manic energy in her expression faded. "Trust me," she said softly.
He stared at her for a long moment before sighing, running a hand through his spiked hair. "Fine," he muttered. "But if this goes sideways…"
"It won't!" Jinx interrupted, her grin returning with full force. She grabbed his hand, tugging him toward the door. "Come on, Naruto. We've got a party to plan."
Naruto glanced back at Vi's unconscious form one last time, uncertainty gnawing at him. But when Jinx looked at him with that unrelenting confidence, he pushed the doubts aside.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Let's do it."
Naruto carried Vi's unconscious body over his shoulder, the weight barely registering despite his own faltering condition. The glow of Zaun's dim lights cast long shadows as he followed Jinx, who skipped ahead with an almost unnerving energy.
He finally stopped, setting Vi's body down with care against a rusted wall. Sweat dripped down his pale face as his glowing blue eyes dimmed momentarily. "Where are we going, Jinx?" he asked, his voice edged with exhaustion but laced with curiosity.
Jinx spun around on her heel, her pink eyes glowing faintly in the gloom. "Where it all began," she said, her voice soft but brimming with meaning. "The cannery, you remember it, don't you? that place… it's where everything changed."
Naruto frowned, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. "The cannery?" he repeated, his tone suspicious. "Why there?"
Jinx stepped closer, her grin wide but unreadable. "Just trust me, Naruto," she said, her voice playful but tinged with something deeper. "It's gonna make sense. I promise."
Naruto sighed, running a hand through his spiked blond hair. "Trust, huh?" he muttered. He glanced back at Vi's unconscious form, uncertainty flickering in his expression. "Alright… but you better not be playing me."
Jinx's grin widened, and she tilted her head, studying him like a curious cat. "You look like crap, Naruto," she said bluntly. "How are you holding up?"
Naruto shrugged, trying to hide the grimace that tugged at his lips. "Not great," he admitted. "But… I got what I needed." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a hex crystal. The faint light danced across their faces, casting them in hues of blue light. "Stole it from Piltover. This will stabilize me for now, at least."
Jinx's grin grew wickedly delighted. "You did?" she asked, her voice laced with a rare note of excitement. "That's amazing, Naruto!" her pink eyes gleamed as she stepped closer. "How're we gonna do it? You got a plan?"
Naruto nodded, clutching the crystal tightly. "I found notes in the lab. They explain the process, the tools I'll need to replace the core." His gaze softened as he looked at her. "But I don't trust anyone else to do it. Only you."
Jinx froze mid step, her usual manic energy dissipating for a moment. Her glowing pink eyes widened, and the grin on her lips faltered. "You mean that?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.
Naruto tilted his head, confused by her sudden shift in tone. "Of course I do," he said. "Why wouldn't I?"
Her lips trembled slightly before they curled into a rare, genuine smile. It wasn't the unhinged grin she usually wore but something softer, more vulnerable. Before he could process what was happening, Jinx lunged forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him, burying her face in his chest.
Naruto blinked, startled. For a moment, he didn't know what to do, his glowing eyes flickering with uncertainty. Slowly, he lifted his arms and hugged her back, his hands resting gently on her back. Her warmth seeped into him, chasing away the cold that had settled in his chest for so long.
"Thank you," she murmured against him, her voice barely audible. "You don't know what that means to me."
Naruto's tense frame began to relax, his guard slipping as he let himself sink into the rare moment of peace. "Jinx," he started, his voice soft, "I—"
Before he could finish, Jinx pulled back slightly, her glowing eyes locking onto his. There was a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze something between regret and determination.
"I'm sorry in advance," she whispered.
Naruto barely had time to process her words before she moved.
Her speed was unlike anything he'd seen before, a blur of pink and shadows that seemed to defy reason. His eyes widened, but before he could react, everything went black.
The last thing he registered was the faint echo of her voice, laced with guilt and resolve. "It's for the best, Naruto… you'll see."
Chapter 14 - The Monster They Created Act 3 End
And that's the end, guys... So, what did you think of the Naruto and Jinx moments? How about the fights? The rune part took a while to get just right, but if there are any mistakes, I'll go back and fix them.
And Viktor... man, he really did Naruto dirty by lying about what happened... how dare he.
Now we're officially in the endgame, with just one chapter left. Depression hits hard, people die, people grow, and some completely lose their minds.
I hope you're all ready for this.
Until next time,
Byebye!