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Chapter Text

„Still not dead yet, sis… “

"I'm not dead yet..." Jinx murmured in her head as she looked at the first sentence of the half-written letter on the wooden desk in front of her. For some reason, these lines seemed so difficult to write. It wasn't just the usual brain fog that floated through her mind, preventing her from continuing with the letter. No, this was different. It felt different.

It was almost comically ironic that, of all things, this single piece of paper confronted her with a problem she couldn’t solve. She had never been good at putting her feelings into words, except perhaps with Vi. Especially when she was younger. But now, everything seemed so difficult. So different. It had only been three months since the battle against Noxus. Since she disappeared. Since she left her sister. Zaun. Piltover. Just everything. To keep distance. To find herself again. Maybe one day, at least.

Jinx let out a frustrated sigh. She pushed herself away from the desk in her swivel chair and spun around a few times before coming to rest a few feet away in the middle of the room. It was the same cabin inside that abandoned airship where she had lived and, more importantly, worked for the past few weeks. Books, drawings, some finished, some unfinished, lay scattered all over the floor.

She lowered her head and buried her forehead in her hands, her elbows pressing heavily into her knees. Another sigh, this time much louder, left her lungs as she slowly rubbed her hot head against her cold hands. This would undoubtedly have been a blessing were it not for the poisonous thoughts that began to flood her mind, threatening to obliterate the last vestiges of clarity and sanity.

Her head began to spin. Faster and faster. As much as she wished for it, it wasn't the result of her enthusiastic spinning of the chair. She had been through much wilder rides. And times. In addition, her arms and legs began to shake, and her breathing became more and more labored until her wheezing could be heard throughout the room. 

“Concentrate Jinx… Focussssssss…” She hissed to herself, while she trembled and whimpered almost uncontrollably. Every word interrupted by a heavy breath. “Just… a… normal mental breakdown… as always…”

And just as she spoke, the faded images of Vander and Silco flashed through her mind: Both smiling at her from behind the counter of the Last Drop, hitting her with an almost brutal force. No blow, not from Ekko, not from Warwick, not even from Vi, could match that level of pain, which tormented her to the last fiber of her body. So much so that heavy, bitter tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"GO AWAY!!!" Jinx screamed, raising her head and looking around the empty room. There was nothing to see here. Except for the chaotic mix of her signature graffiti and paintings she had scrawled to the walls, floor, and even the ceiling during her so-called 'renovation’. Amidst it, the repeated scrawls of “Jinx… Powder…” scrawlings stood out, etched haphazardly among the other chaotic designs that covered every surface of her working chamber. But seeing it now through her blurry eyes, it really made no sense at all.

"Who am I?!" She screamed, grabbing her head with both hands. Her eyes widened just as this 'episode' hit her mind with full force. Memories of Vi, Silco, her old life, or better: lives, now flashing before her eyes.

"You're not real..." She muttered silently as she put her head back on her hands, now looking at the reappearing images of Vander and Silco at the other side of the room.

"YOU… ARE NOT REAL!!!" The chair crashed to the floor as she leapt to her feet, her whole body trembling violently. Her heart was pounding in her throat, the heat creeping steadily up to her face. For a moment she stared at them challengingly, ready to strike at any moment. All while she was still breathing heavily, each gasp feeling like a fight for air. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to focus on the two men who had once both raised her. They met her anguished cry of despair with nothing but wry, humiliating smiles before slowly vanishing into a shimmering mist. The defeated girl slowly sank to her knees and succumbed to her tears, unleashing her toxic emotions all at once. “I didn’t mean to do it… Forgive me… Both of you…” She sobbed into the wooden floorboards after falling to the ground.

"I miss you all…" she whimpered, her voice trembling as she lay curled up on the floor.

Chapter Text

Piltover, the same day

The warm light of the late afternoon lay over the cities Zaun and Piltover. Even the loud bustle of the streets couldn't ruin this snapshot of peace and serenity for Caitlyn as she sat with her father Tobias Kiramman on the balcony of her family's mansion, enjoying a late afternoon cup of tea. She had almost forgotten how quiet - almost innocent - life in Piltover had seemed just a year ago, before everything that could go wrong did. Though Piltover had never been innocent at all. A bitter truth Caitlyn had come to accept. Though accepting it was one thing: Making peace with it, another entirely.

Just three days ago, she and Vi had returned drained and exhausted from their grueling campaign against Noxus - one of the greatest military powers known to man. With their combined forces, they had dealt Noxus a series of devastating blows. Caitlyn knew the conflict was far from settled, but with Ambessa Medarda gone and power still vacant, the united cities held the upper hand—for now at least. Perhaps it was already enough to secure a respectable position for eventual peace negotiations, once the power vacuum was filled by a reasonable leader. A fox and not a wolf, as Ambessa herself would have said For a brief, foolish moment, when Ambessa Medarda fell in battle, she truly believed it was over. That their struggles had finally reached an end. How naive she had been. And the conflict was far from over and had already claimed hundreds of lives.

Jayce - her childhood friend and the closest thing she had to a brother - was missing, vanished without a trace. Jinx, her girlfriend’s sister and her former arch nemesis: presumed dead, but most likely alive. Leaving behind a desperate and broken Vi. Heimerdinger, Piltover’s founder and academic leader: also missing, most likely gone for good. The details of his disappearance still remained mysterious. The list was much longer. But these were the most tragic. Each one in its own way.

The warm sunlight that gently tickled her skin was a more than welcome distraction from all the strain. Late summer, a truly beautiful time of the year. Tobias Kiramman looked at his daughter and tried his best to muster a gentle but supportive smile for his tired and exhausted daughter. Even though she didn't seem to pay any attention to him, it was the best he could do. In fact, it was the only thing he could do: To be there for his daughter whenever she might need him. Seeing his daughter like that almost broke his heart. She was as brave as her mother. If not braver. Even now, she fought hard to hide how much the past few months had worn her down.

A mild breeze blew across the balcony, pulling both - father and daughter - out of their thoughts. Daily life went on. Life in general went on. As hard as it was to move on. Not only for Caitlyn herself, but especially for Vi and her father. They had all lost something. Someone they loved with all their hearts. For Caitlyn and her father, the grief still lingered over Kassandra—her cherished mother and Tobias’s devoted wife. For Vi, it was Jinx, the only family she had left.

"How is she?" Her father's calm and gently voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “Who…? Of course it’s Vi… Did he just read my mind?”

“She’s struggling… A lot. It wasn’t like this when we were overseas…” Caitlyn confessed, her face looking down defeated at the tea table on their balcony. It was heartwarming to see that even her father had started to look after Vi. More than that, in fact; after the first reports of the battle against Noxus came in, and Caitlyn told him her side of the story, he finally made peace with Vi and her origins, and even allowed his heart to embrace her. She was now an important part of his daughter's life.

"Grief comes in all kinds and forms... Each of us is an individual..." he said, leaning back and trying to catch as much of the incoming gentle breeze as possible. “You know… It’s hard to overlook” He added and put on a serious face. “She needs you more than you think. Even if she’s trying to hide it…”

“I know. It’s … It’s just…” She stuttered, searching for the right words to describe her misery.

"...complicated?" Tobias finished his daughter's sentence and received a short but firm nod that proved his assumption correct.  

"How did you..." His eyes widened as he already knew what Question would follow next, "- deal with Mom's death? We never really talked about it..." It suddenly broke out of Caitlyn, her voice cracking and falling into a fragile silence.

To her surprise, he just smiled gently at her. “She's the love of my love. No one can ever take her place… Well that’s not quite correct. Because… I have you. You’re the most important thing in my live. Even surpassing your mom…”

Tears slowly began to ran down her right cheek, and the wound - that once was her her left eye - flared with an excruciating, stabbing pain radiating across her face. Then it almost struck her: It was the first time she had cried since losing her eye. And she hadn't really thought that it would cause her so much pain, since except for a few twitches, she had lost all sensation in that particular area. The pain was raw and unsettling, unfamiliar yet deeply invasive. 

"Don't cry, sweetheart," he said, jumping to his feet to wrap his daughter in a much-needed hug. She couldn’t resist; with a trembling breath, she leaned into him, surrendering to the comfort of his embrace.

“I’m sorry…” She sobbed into his arms.

“For what, my dear?” He asked her, while gently brushing through her hair.

“For making you worry. I was selfish..." She confessed, while clenching her fists behind his back. How could she have been so blind? In her desperate thirst for revenge against Jinx—and all of Zaun—she had hurt the very people who cared for her most. Vi. Her father. They had suffered deeply, and all because of her reckless obsession. Just like many others...

"You’re so much like your mother," her father said, his voice soft yet firm. "She always did what she thought was right. So do you. And for that, I’m proud of you. You have nothing to regret." 

“I almost died,” she whispered, choking on a sob. “I almost left you.” Her voice broke as she finally met his gaze. “I almost left you all alone.”

The calm was unbearable. For the first time, she had nowhere to run—no battlefield, no mission, no excuses. Her past and her emotions, bottled up for so long, now spilled over. She couldn’t drown them in war anymore. At least not for the moment. 

"What do you want me to say?" He sighed. Now, unlike before, he couldn't hide his feelings from his daughter. "Of course I don't want you to go back. On another mission. In fact, I wish you'd never leave this house again. But I can't keep you locked up..."

"But you tried..." She reminded him reproachful.

"Can you really blame me for what I did?" He asked her back with a bold, shy smile. Caitlyn shook her head in silence, defeated. "When you joined the Enforcers, and whenever you had a night shift, we couldn't sleep until we heard the door open and close. Then you almost died in the bombing..." And before she could even find an answert to  this, he added, "Like I said, you're just like your mother—dutiful, brave, and clever. Without you, this city would be a very different place" He explained her, while gently stroking her hair  once again and smiling. It was a bittersweet smile. He felt pity for her, but at the same time, he was glad she had found her own way. Not the one Kassandra and he had envisioned for her, but her own nonetheless. She was a true Kiramman, determined to carry on the legacy of her mother and family.

"And now?" She looked into his eyes in a way she hadn't looked at him in years. Like the younger version of herself seeking his fatherly advice. Ever since her childhood, she'd known that whatever was wrong, he'd be there to fix it. No matter what. Like the time she broke a piece of her mother's famous vase and he didn't hesitate to fix it for her.

As Tobias began offering his daughter advice, his words were abruptly silenced by a raw, anguished cry echoing from deep within the mansion.

"Vi..." She was having a tantrum again. Since they came back, she always prefrered screaming over crying. 

"Go look after her" He urged gently, by nodding towards the balcony door, when he realized shaken she was by Vi's pained scream.

„I can’t help her. No matter how much I want to,” Caitlyn said, her voice heavy with frustration and bitterness as her gaze drifted to the late afternoon sky and the bustling streets below. „She’s mourning her sister. And there’s nothing I can do to ease her pain. Jinx is gone...”

"You mentioned that... Jinx might have survived" For some reason, hearing her name come out of her father's mouth sent shivers down her spine. Especially since he knew who she was and what she had done to his family and his town. 

"Yes, but even if... she’s gone. After all... she hasn’t come back to Vi yet,” Caitlyn said, her voice thoughtful and distant. Part of her wanted to rush in, to do something - anything - but a more cautious part held her back. Despite her own urges, she knew it was better to wait, to give Vi a few moments to breathe and gather herself. "She killed my mother"

„She killed my mother... Right after she killed Silco...” Caitlyn said, her voice unintentionally loud enough for her father to hear.

"I know. You don't have to remind me..." He said. "And you have forgiven her, don't you?"

Caitlyn hesitated. She had never granted Jinx a verbal pardon in front of anyone before - not even Vi. It was better to avoid reopening this wound, especially when it wasn’t necessary. Doing so would only drag Vi back into her deep well of sorrow and desperation. 

“And you?” She asked him curious. Since Vi was a part of her life - and Jinx therefore being it as well - it suddenly mattered for her to ask him this important Question.

"It doesn't matter" He rebutted her question. Not entirely convinced by his answer, her eyes continued to look at him insistently.

"Even if you'd done the worst things imaginable, you'd still be my daughter" He then added with a nervous smile. “She’s her only family”

"I don't even know what to do..." Caitlyn sighed frustrated, "Even if she'd survived, she could be everywhere. Or..."

“Do you love her?”  As unnecessary as the question might seem—since Vi was undeniably the love of her life - Caitlyn’s mind had already registered that he wasn’t asking without a reason. Still it caught her by surprise.

“Yes, I do,” she said, before repeating, this time much louder and with unwavering confidence, “Yes, I love her so much.”

"Then go. Help her find her peace"

"That doesn't sound like you," Caitlyn remarked, her eyes narrowing slightly as surprise and curiosity flickered across her face.

"Let's just say, you're not the only one who's changed. I saw your luck with her. And I'm happy for you." He assured her, but his gentle smile faltered slightly, revealing the worry and hesitation he tried to hide.

“And if I have to leave again?” 

“I don’t want to lose you. I just got you back. But…” He paused, letting out a sigh as his confession faltered. Meeting her sad, and deeply moved eyes, he continued, “…now you need to be there for her. She followed you into a war. Now it’s your turn to follow her.” His words were clear, finally offering her not just the desperately needed advice, but also the permission she longed for to help Vi. “Thank you, Dad,” she said softly. Silently, she rose from her seat and left the table, but not before placing a soft kiss on her father’s cheek. “Thank you, Dad,” she said softly before heading to the balcony door. "Not for this sweatheart...," he muttered thoughtfully as he watched her disappear into the mansion. 

The air inside the mansion was much warmer and stuffier than the air outside. The old, antique furniture and the mansion's age were partly to blame. After all, it was wasp and mosquito season, and most windows stayed shut during the late afternoon—especially when sweets and other dishes were being handed out generously. Dealing with them outside was already annoying enough at times. Caitlyn didn't have to look far for her better half. There she was, sitting on the emerald green sofa by the fireplace. Staring with sad and with empty eyes at the fire that was only burning for decorative and atmospheric purposes. On the table in front of her was a half-empty bottle. "Poor Vi..."

It was obvious that Vi had lied to when she said she was going to do some training. She didn't look exhausted. No, she looked the same as she had an hour ago, before she had declined her invitation to join them on the balcony for a cup of tea.

"Maybe she wants to be alone" A distant voice whispered in her head, but Caitlyn stubbornly pressed on, determined to stay by her side. “But should I really approach her?”

Now that she was only a few feet away, hesitation suddenly washed over her, her body urging her to stop. Still unnoticed by Vi - whether intentional or not - Cait decided to announce her presence, not wanting to startle or upset her.

"Hey," she said softly, raising her hand about to place it on her shoulder. Almost as an exception, Vi didn't react at first, continuing to stare darkly at the blazing flames.

"Vi?" Only now, she slowly turned around and locked her glassy eyes on her. "She looks rough..."

"I hate it when you lie to me, though I can understand why" Cait said as she walked over and sat down beside her. She did her best to keep any trace of accusation out of her voice

A subtle snort was all Vi gave in response, slowly turning her eyes back to the fire. "You can't bury yourself forever" Her hand brushed Vi’s shoulder gently, yet the touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, leaving her momentarily breathless.

"I gave you three days. I know it's difficult to be back here..." Caitlyn began after a short pause to catch her breath, but immediately second-guessed her confrontational approach. The last thing she wanted - or needed - was getting into a fight with Vi, "But for me it is as well..."

But again—much to her surprise and frustration—she showed no reaction. What had started as a promising day, with Vi being talkative and even engaging in some semi-romantic lovemaking in the morning, had now returned to its usual darkness and grey. Just like every other day since their return.

"I thought it would be easier..." Vi mumbled quietly, suddenly breaking the silence and gently leaning her head against Caitlyn's shoulder. Her soft hair brushed gently against Caitlyn's neck, almost tickling her, as she made herself comfortable. 

"I know..." Caitlyn murmured softly and leaned her head against Vi's. She fell silent, her gaze fixed on the glittering fire for a few moments. It wasn’t the season, and she wasn’t in the mood for it—but with Vi beside her, everything felt special. After all, she was the 'dirt under nails'...

"I have been thinking" She said straightforwardly, "About Jinx"

Now that the words had been spoken, there was no turning back. She and Vi had avoided this conversation for far too long—ever since they left for the war. But now, it was time to face it and finally find peace, one way or another. Vi’s head snapped up, her gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made the air between them feel heavy. Her hand reached for the half-empty bottle on the desk, and she took a generous sip—perhaps to gather strength, or maybe to swallow the bitterness. It was a habit Caitlyn deeply despised, one she only tolerated under the circumstances. Vi had always been a good drinker, and Caitlyn knew the bottle wouldn’t be enough to leave her fully drunk.

"Cait... please stop. I tried to believe it for months. But at some point... I need to let go. She's dead..." 

"Violet..." Vi begged her, her voice heavy with exhaustion. 

"Just let me, Cait" Vi buried her head in her hands, letting out another exasperated sigh. "Please" She begged, her voice carrying a desperate plea for mercy.

"No, I won't let you. This is not you, Vi. When we were in Noxus, you fought. You fought like hell. And now you're letting your emotions get the best of you. You're not even trying to follow the clues I gave you..." Caitlyn held against firmly.

"That's just wishful thinking" Vi remarked with a forced smile, "but it's sweet that you try to cheer my up Cupcake, but..."

"But I can't see you being this any longer!" Caitlyn said, now visibly upset. "We found... We never found anything. No corpse... There's no evidence that she-"

"Maybe... because nothing was left" Vi replied with a bitter and sad voice. A brief moment of unbearable silence returned to the lavishly decorated living room. 

"Do you really want to give up on her?" Cait asked her challengingly. 

„You just don’t stop, do you?“ Vi’s voice trembled with a plea for mercy as her head rested in her hands, fingers pressing lightly against her temples.. Under different circumstances, Caitlyn’s attempt to cheer her up might have felt sweet and kind-hearted. But right now, it was anything but. Jinx was gone—dead, most likely. And even if she had survived, she had still abandoned her sister. Again. Perhaps this time, forever

"With you? Never,“ Caitlyn said, her smile steady and reassuring, as she gently took the initiative to draw Vi back into a much needed embrace. For both of them. She couldn’t afford to waste this chance to give Vi the desperately needed hope she clung to. Especially now that the jar had been opened. Maybe it was wrong, maybe it was false hope—but what choice did she have? If anyone could manage to escape such a situation, it had to be Jinx. Who else, if not her? She had always been almost impossible to kill ever since she entered Caitlyn’s life. And as much as Caitlyn had once wished her gone, now she found herself hoping—desperately—that Jinx would return. How ironic actually...

Chapter Text

Two days later...

The feeling of falling was omni present. There he was. Warwick. Vander. Her father. Falling with her, holding her tightly, his gaze locked with hers. Comforting her on what felt like their final journey together. Now he was dead. Killed by her explosion. Ironically, once again by one of her monkey bombs. But this time, it was final. A merciful ending to a tragic life. Vander had become one of life’s most gruesome and brutal victims. He had deserved so much more - most of all, a happy life with his family. Yet there was no way to save him.

Jinx remembered pulling the pin from her advanced monkey grenade and braced herself for what was to come. She was ready to go. Closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable. Then everything happened so fast. Suddenly her reflexes kicked in. Taking over automatically, like an autopilot. The last glimpse of her survival instinct. Almost extinguished and yet still there.

She remembered the loud bang, the explosion, and then the deafening silence that swallowed everything as she plunged downward. The blast, the shockwave, the searing heat—all of it blurred together, like fragments of a nightmare. She was lucky to survive, though the price was steep: countless cuts, bruises, and a few broken ribs. The shimmer coursing through her veins dulled the pain, numbing her—until it returned much later, sharp and unrelenting, like a debt she couldn't escape from.

"No matter what happened in the past... it's never to late to build something new... Someone worth building it for"

Ekko's words lingered in her mind, refusing to let her go off her. Yet, perhaps they were what had reawakened her survival instinct. At least partially. Somehow, his words had reignited something in her she thought was long dead - hope. And yet, she had never truly questioned why Ekko had come back to her after everything that had happened. Was it because they had once been friends? Because, like Vi, he believed there was still something good left in her. That Powder was still there? But maybe, just maybe, they were both total idiots. 

She had only returned to fight because Ekko dared to visit her, stopping her from ending her life with the power of his words. At first, she wasn't sure if he genuinely cared for her or if he was trying to manipulate her—using her fighting skills and reputation to rally Zaun for this mission. Despite everything that had happened between them, he still came. With his words, her anger toward him—for fighting against her, for sparing her life only to leave her behind—faded away. She realized she owed her survival to his efforts and his vision: to build something new. 

But she didn't joined the fight for his sake. Or Zaun. She did it for Isha. And Vi. Yet, after everything, she realized Ekko had been a true friend all along. And Vi? She was still her sister, the one who loved her so deeply. And vice versa. How could she have been so blind to this for so long? Her love for Vi afterall was one of the reasons why she was so relentless in her pursuit of Caitlyn's life. Her fear of being replaced and no longer loved, being needed.

After she survived, her first instinct was simple: return to Vi. Hug her. Crying in her arms like she used to when she was younger. And even more hugging her. And then what? The sad truth was, she simply couldn’t. She wasn’t ready to come back, to face the people she had hurt. Like Caitlyn. And Vi. She had almost ended her own life if it hadn’t been for Ekko, who, for some inexplicable reason, found the right words to pull her back from the brink. The emotions that surged through her in that moment were strange—both comforting and unsettling.

Running away - or better sneaking - on the first airship heading out of Piltover wasn't one of her best ideas. But at least it got her somewhere. Many times she regreted her decision. After Vi left her, she had become some kind of a one-liner. Until Isha came into her life. And in between all of that, Silco was the only one who genuinely cared for her, who loved her unconditionally, flaws and all. Maybe they were destined to find each other—both abandoned, misunderstood, and shaped by wrong decisions and cruel circumstances. And sometimes just pure badluck. 

Of course he used her, once he understood her potential and her intelligence. But it would have been a lie to just assume that this was one-sided. No, she also understood on how to benefit from their relationship. Playing the 'Silco card' was one of her signature moves. Whenever she managed to upset or enrage someone - or simply did once again something erratically she only needed to mention his name. That alone was enough to make almost everyone think twice about crossing either of them.

Ecxept Sevika maybe. But she wasn't afraid of anything. Except herself maybe. Not Vander, not Silco and especially not her or the Piltovians. No. She always stood out. Perhaps Sevika was the real reason Silco managed to hold on to power of the undercity for so long—and so effectively. In the end he may not have gone unchallenged, but he remained unbeaten...

Jinx opened her eyes, her gaze directly locking onto the 'no suicide' graffiti scrawled across the wall and roof. A stark reminder to stay alive, to keep fighting and to honor Isha’s sacrifice. The same dream had haunted her again. The dream—more of a nightmare than anything else—had become a constant torment. It used to come often, but lately, it haunted her relentlessly. She rubbed her eyes slowly, trying to clear her mind. 

Jinx didn’t need to check the time; she already knew she’d slept through yet another night and most of the day. Her dry throat and pounding head were prove enough. She slowly stretched herself before she sat down on the edge of the bed. Her eyes scanned the room carefully. Almost afraid of what might be there. No sign of 'them'. That could only mean they were still asleep. Or already busy with whatever they had sent to their minds. For a moment, she toyed with the tempting thought of throwing herself back into bed. But she knew to well, that this was no option.

This condition was completely new to her. As usual, her bed-related struggles were more about the opposite: finding sleep at all. She remembered that in the days after Singed had treated her with his 'special shimmer' dose to save her life, she hadn't been able to sleep at all. Shimmer and adrenaline have been coursing through her veins ever since, giving her amazing reflexes, but maybe poisoning her at the same time. Though the effects of the shimmer may have begun to fade. She could feel her body changing, but she wasn't sure if it was for the better or for the worse. And if her body was changing at all, or if it was just her mind playing the usual tricks on her. 

Months ago, everything - just everything - seemed so much easier. Six months ago, she was still Silco's cherished 'spoiled crown princess,' as Sevika had once put it during a visit to Babette's brothel.Jinx knew this because, a few years ago, she had begun sneaking into the establishment, spying on Sevika purely for her own amusement. Since then, she had occasionally returned, stealing glimpses of the delicate happenings inside. Silco knew her as only Vi and Vander did apart from him. In fact, he had known her since she was little. If her parents hadn’t been killed during Vander’s revolution, he might very well have become her uncle. Together with Vander. What a strange and tangled world...

Silco was always there for her during her sleepless nights. Sometimes, he’d stay up late in his office, talking to her as he worked—or pretended to—until she finally drifted off. By morning, she would always wake up in the little apartment he had carefully prepared for her, tailored to her every need after taking her in. Before him, it had been Vander or Vi who helped her through those nights. Ironically, right now her struggle had become the opposite: staying awake instead of falling asleep. Yet right now, sleep was the only place she truly felt safe.

It took a while before her system fully awakened. But then she could feel it. It was indeed the shimmer which now mixed with her blood. Her heart beat rised and she suddenly felt an energy surge. She elegantly jumped up from her bed and began to stroll across the room. Her bladder had decided to be gentle this morning, allowing to first get a sip of something to rehydrate her mind. And most importantly: Her nerves. 

She strolled over to her desk, which could best be described as a total mess. Parts, screws and the scattered remains of various materials. It had been a long shift to finally finish the last badge of her order. Her deal with some local mobsters and wannabe criminals—an arrangement that could easily be called downright obnoxious—had kept her afloat. It was an alliance of convenience she wasn't particularly fond of, but with no better options or allies in this part of the world, it was the only move she could make. Converting her proven monkey-bomb design into stun grenades wasn't her most heroic achievement, but it was still far better than selling the real thing. Stun grenades couldn't cause nearly as much damage as her original invention. Sure, they could still be misused for all kinds of nasty or criminal acts, but that was a reasonable compromise. After all, the world wasn’t black and white. Working for money was a relatively new experience for her - if one ignored the times she and her sibling went on burglary raids through Piltover as children, encouraged by Vander. Maybe he wasn’t the best father. Neither was Silco. But they both loved her unconditionally. And she loved them just the same.

Of course, she could have simply returned to Zaun and lived off Silco's seemingly endless wealth. But that was still not an option for her. Only if she managed to stay away from Piltover would Vi have a chance to endure. To survive. So far, everyone she ever cared about has perished because of her actions. Vander, Mylo, Clagger, Silco and now Isha. Losing Isha was by far the most painful. Her sacrifice, combined with Ekko’s words that had taken root in her mind, kept her alive—barely, but just enough to keep moving forward. No, she couldn’t give up now. She had to make amends for all her mistakes. 

Her gaze fell on the half-empty bottle of water beside one of her original monkey bombs. She still kept a few of them—just in case. Not that her own life mattered to her anymore. But she had a promise to keep, a debt to repay for her sins. She rolled her head from one shoulder to another before taking a large sip. Water wasn't particular her drink of choice, but due to the fact that she had consumed all of the other drinks from her rations, she had no other choice but to relay on water until her supplies were restocked. Hopefully just in a few hours time. So far, her business partners had always kept their end of the bargain: Dropping off the requested goods at the agreed delivery point and taking the monkey bombs in exchange. There wasn’t really a set schedule. Whenever she delivered the items, usually within a few hours, she received their part of the deal. Quick and easy. No questions asked—on either side.

With her throat still a little dry, she looked at the handmade calendar she had crafted to keep track of her deliveries. But in truth, she had created it for a different reason. It had been 97 days since the battle of Piltover. And it already felt like a whole eternity. Like another live. Throughout most of her life, she hadn’t minded being a loner. Even during the past three months, apart from a few quick trips to a nearby town, she’d been alone. But for the first time ever, she truly felt lonely. Now that Silco, Vander and Isha were gone she had only Vi remained. And as much as she loved her, much more than she ever did and wanted to admit, she knew that she couldn't come back. Not now. Maybe never. Isha's death left scars on her soul that would likely never heal - scars so deep that she hated herself for ever wishing to forget her. That little girl who had, quite literally, fallen into her life and changed it in an instant. Isha had sacrificed herself for her without hesitation. She couldn't shake off the last memory of Isha smiling at her and forming a playful finger gun. Sadly, it was the only memory of her that kept rising unbidden to the surface of her mind.

Staying away  from Vi was the better choice—for both of them. She couldn’t risk her sister sacrificing herself for her as well. The cycle of self-sacrifice had to end, but deep down, she knew that it probably never would. Neither she nor Vi were able - yet strong enough - to break it. They would always give everything for each other—a truth both comforting and heartbreaking. Vi would, without a doubt, throw herself in front of any bullet fired at her. The only exception ever was during their fight in the temple, when Caitlyn aimed directly at her. Jinx had seen the conflict and sadness in her eyes as she dodged, deliberately giving Caitlyn a clear shot at her. But that was a different Vi. And a different Jinx.

Jinx sank slowly into her chair, rubbing her temples before running her fingers through her shoulder-length hair. How would Vi even react if she suddenly showed up in person at… "Where exactly?" Well, that was probably a stupid question. Vi had most likely moved into Caitlyn's mansion, making her highly officially a residential Pilty. For some reason, Jinx just knew they would stay together. After everything. If she couldn’t separate them, then nothing - and no one -ever could. So that was a pretty easy guess. And in general, Vi was relatively easy to find. If one knew where to look. How hard could it be to find a girl with a "Vi" tattoo on her cheek?

But the real problem was, that Vi most certainly believed that she was dead—gone in the explosion alongside Vander, their father. Jinx never intended to cause Vi such pain. That realization hit her only later, long after she had left the battlefield and Piltover behind. Vi had Caitlyn, after all, and had managed to move on from her once. Vi was probably fine. But still, only a short trip back to Piltover could truly reassure her. So would she be angry, disappointed or just relieved and hug the hell out of her? Most likely the latter, with elements of the former. 

But there was another, almost more important letter on her desk. It was filled to the brim with gold coins. Along with a small note addressed directly to the recipient.

"Ren. I'm very sorry for your loss. I know this isn't much, but I'll try to help you out as much as I can. Don't let the world get you down"

Her eyes flitted over the scrawly written short lines."Don't let the world get you down" Jinx thought about the sentence once again. "Too thick?" She asked herself, regretting for not paying further attention to the lessons Silco's carefully selected private teacher had once taught her. "No, just right. The world still is shit, most of the time..." She contentedly approved the contents of the letter. Ren, the little daughter of Piltovers former Sheriff Marcus, who was killed as a result of her breakdown at the bridge. Another destroyed life, thanks to her. Another tick on the list, another notch on her gun. "Yep, in terms of kill count, no one can hold a candle to me so quickly"

Her left hand gently brushed over the letter one last time before her gaze shifted back to her unfinished words for Vi.: "I'm not ready for this..."

A sad and frustrated sigh left her lungs. "Why can I write a letter to some orphan Pilty child, but not to my own sis..." She hissed angrily at her own mind.

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" A scream of pain tore through the room. Jinx clutched her head, her heart aching with the weight of missing her sister.

But she couldn't do it. She just couldn’t. For five days now, she'd been struggling to find the right words—words to explain everything to Vi, to let her know she was alive, safe, but not ready to talk. The half-written letter lay crumpled on the desk, mocking her with its incompleteness. "Maybe just a quick reunion?" she muttered to herself, but the doubts crept in, spreading like wildfire through her mind. "What should I even say to her? Hey sis... Long time no see? Am back and alive?" "Right... sounds so stupid..." 

But what if Caitlyn were the one to find the letter first? What if she burned it before Vi ever had a chance to read it? The saddest thing was that she couldn't even blame her if she did. The thought made Jinx’s stomach churn. And still, she sat there, unable to write a single word more. Her right hand hovered over the paper, trembling - just one impulsive move away from crumpling it and erasing it forever. "I suck with humans... But maybe I just suck with everyone..." That sounded more reasonable. More like her. She closed her eyes, letting the tranquillity of this place wash over her. This abandoned airship, nestled in the snowy mountains of nowhere, had become an unlikely—yet now almost perfect—refuge for her fractured self. It hadn’t been her first choice. Initially, she had planned to hide out in Bilgewater. But fate—or rather the course of the airship—had steered her to this remote corner in the eastern regions of Valoran.

Slowly, she realized how much her heart was racing, each beat loud and insistent. Soon, the pounding radiated to her head, swelling into a subtle yet persistent ache. She squeezed her eyes shut, retreating into the safety of an old habit, and began humming the melody Vi used to hum—a gentle tune that once eased her fears and sang her into dreams. "When I can't see you, you can't see me..."

She opened her eyes hesitantly. They were standing behind her. Again. 

Piltover, at the same time

The atmosphere in the bedroom felt suffocating, the air heavy with unspoken words. It was the hardest day since coming back home from Noxus. The angry oil slick was back—this time without the gloomy dyed hair. Vi sat on their bed, her eyes glazed over, staring into the distance as if trying to avoid Caitlyn’s worried gaze. The smell of cheap alcohol was unbearable. Vi wasn't a picky drinker. She wasn’t a picky drinker—anything strong enough to drown her grief, regret, and anger would do. Caitlyn lingered in the doorway, her gaze heavy with pity and sorrow. This wasn’t the Vi she fell in love with—the relentless force who would cross any line, including leaving her behind, to find her sister. The girl who usually took the initiative, who had faced Sevika and emerged victorious, now sat before her a broken shell, a shadow of her former self.

She had seen it before, during her visit to Jinx’s prison cell after the battle at Victor’s Enclave. Losing Isha had shattered her will to live. What Caitlyn saw there wasn’t the deranged killer who had taken her mother’s life and so many others, but a hollow shell of a person. No, this was Powder—the girl Vi had always believed was still there. And now, it seemed, she had returned. Jinx might be gone, but Powder wasn’t. Caitlyn began to understand: Jinx wasn’t one or the other. She was both—a victim and a perpetrator, just like so many others in this tangled web of pain and choices. If there were any choices at all. Probably yes, but now it didn't mattered any more. 

Jinx’s indifference to her own life was deeply unsettling. Caitlyn had entered the jail cell ready to pour out her hatred, sharp and poisonous like a snake’s bite. But then she saw her—broken, shattered, barely a shadow of the monster she had imagined. And she froze. Was it reason? Or mercy? Either way, the line between justice and vengeance blurred that day, and only now she realized how close she had come to ending Jinx’s life. Caitlyn knew, if she had gone through with it—if she had killed Jinx—Vi’s hatred would have been inevitable. Perhaps even her vengeance. By now, Caitlyn knew that Jinx wasn’t just important to Vi; she was untouchable, a line no one should dare to ever cross.

As she observed Vi, Caitlyn couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a sibling of her own. Would it feel the same—a bond so deep, so unbreakable? Or was it something unique to where they came from, forged in struggle and survival? Was blood truly thicker than water? Perhaps it was.

Jayce had always felt like a brother to her—a confidant, her best friend, even her soulmate in a way. But now that he was gone, everything about their relationship seemed different, almost fragile in hindsight. They had been inseparable, yet their bond had never matched the unyielding connection between Jinx and Vi. It was a bitter truth to face, one that left her questioning the nature of their closeness.

Every day in Piltover seemed to pull Vi further into a downward spiral. The drinking got worse. The fighting got worse. Coming back to Piltover was meant to be a chance for them to heal—to work on themselves and their relationship. Instead, it felt as though it had completely shattered her. Her emotions simmered beneath the surface, building pressure until they finally burst forth, unstoppable and scalding, like a boiling kettle. Everywhere she went, Jinx was there—etched into walls, immortalized in paintings, even reenacted in street games. Her little sister had become more than a memory; she was a legend in Zaun. The city was like a living museum, with Jinx as its most celebrated exhibit. A hero to her people. A symbol. And the reason Vi couldn't return home. She couldn’t face the memorials, the stories, the myth of her sister. So much that it kept her from visiting old friends or stopping by Jericho’s for one of those questionable dishes she absolutely loved. Much to Caitlyns distaste. 

Now Vi spent most nights drowning in alcohol, and now the habit had crept into her days. What hurt Caitlyn most was that Vi didn’t even bother to hide it anymore. This wasn’t just Vis crisis—it was theirs. The worst they’d faced since the Zaun-Piltover conflict. By far.

"Vi..." Caitlyn's knuckles knocked gently on the door frame, her voice soft but firm. "We need to talk."

Chapter Text

"Vi, it’s not even noon. Don’t tell me you’re already drunk," Caitlyn broke the eery silence again, her voice weighed down by sadness and disappointment. Standing in the doorway, she looked at Vi with a mix of judgment and pity. But there was also anger in her voice. There was a lot of anger, carefully suppressed by Caitlyn's exemplary self-control—a skill she had spent years perfecting. But now, it seemed, all that effort was finally paying off. If there was one person who didn’t deserve to bear the brunt of her frustration, it was Vi. But her reaction was, at best, superficial. She cast Caitlyn a fleeting glance before turning back to the closet mirror, her reflection staring directly at her instead.

"Im fine when you say you need time for yourself. We all do need it at times. I'm also totally fine, if you don't want to speak about it. But Vi... You need help. I want to help you, but you won’t let me, and I don’t know what else to do." Her pleading voice was full of despair, as she walked slowly to the bed and eased herself down beside Vi. The sickly sweet smell of alcohol lingered in the air, unpleasant, but she did her best to ignore it. She waited patiently as Vi gradually leaned against her. Caitlyn felt the soft, fluffy strands of pink hair against her cheek. Despite her anger and frustration, she gave in, leaning her head gently against Vi's. Sometimes, it wasn’t romantic kisses or wild embraces that brought comfort—it was the little things, the quiet moments, that felt the most intimate.

It was almost a relief that this time Vi seemed to welcome her quiet attempt at comfort. For once, she didn't fight back with screams or frustration. But Caitlyn recognized the bittersweet truth behind the moment: Vi was exhausted - worn down by the nearly endless pain. Almost fittingly, she let out a heavy sigh, carrying the weight of her own, still unspoken struggles. It was far from over. Vi had to find her way back, but silence alone wasn't the answer. Because there was still an elephant in the room that needed to be addressed—just one among a whole herd. It took her a moment to summon the courage to break the silence. Just as her breathing calmed, her throat tightened, as if her body was trying desperately to cling to the fragile silence.

"This won't be easy Caitlyn..." She told herself as she prepared to address the elephant in the room. But it had to be done. Now or never. 

"Seriously, Vi. The drinking has to stop... If you need to cry, it's okay. I’m here for you. I’ll cry with you." As she spoke, she placed a supportive hand on Vi's thigh, her touch gentle and reassuring. Vi's only response was a low, short grunt - a sound that could just as easily be mistaken for a growl.

"She's dead, cupcake. No matter what you try to do. She exploded... She just exploded..." She spoke as heavy tears streamed down her face, her voice rough and dry. Caitlyn gently reached out and pulled her closer into her comforting embrace. "So don't even try again to make me believe that she'd survived"

Two days had passed since Caitlyn opened Jinx's box - a Pandora's box of memories and pain. She had sworn to leave it alone, not to add to Vi's burden. Yet here they were, sitting together in her bedroom, clinging to each other in fragile silence. Deep inside, Caitlyn gritted her teeth as her eyes met Vi's glassy, vacant gaze.

"Okay..." Caitlyn whispered, her voice barely audible. "But promise me... promise me I'll get the old Vi back. Because... I need you. I really do."

"I'm always by your side, Cupcake," Vi said, trying to reassure her with a forced, shallow smile. But the sight of it only made her look sadder than usual. Then silence returned, enveloping the two in their intimate embrace. A lukewarm breeze blew in through the open door. Her father sat on the balcony again, sipping his afternoon tea - one of the many traditions her family had brought with them from Ionia. Over time, these customs had blended with the habits of Piltover to create something uniquely their own. And indeed, Caitlyn would like nothing better than to sit on the balcony with Vi and her father and enjoy the day. Or at least pretend that everything was all right when it really wasn't. But right now it was too much to ask. Instead, she just held on to her and after a while, her hand moved gently to Vi's cheek, caressing it with tender care.

"Its my fault..." Vi said suddenly, her voice raw and strained. "Her death is my fault..." She raised her head only to bury it in her hands with a groan of frustration, her elbows digging uncomfortably into her thighs. 

"No, it's not," Caitlyn said sharply, jumping to her knees in front of Vi. She cupped Vi's face tightly in her hands, her voice softening as she added, "Nothing is your fault. Nothing..." She pressed her forehead gently against Vi's, feeling the warm tears trickle down her cheeks onto her own hands. 

"No, you don't understand. She wanted me to come with her. To leave Vander behind. To come to safety with her. She knew that we couldn't help him anymore. And that he never wanted us to risk our lives for him. But I didn't listen... To both of them. And..."

"Vi, stop it," Caitlyn urged, her voice firm this time, not soft. And it sounded more like an order she would give to a disobedient citizen than to her grieving girlfriend. Her bright blue eyes locked onto Vi's tearful gaze, trying desperately to break through.

"Powder didn’t listen when I told her to stay behind..." Vi completely ignored her intervention, her voice heavy with guilt. "And everything went to shit when she decided to follow us. It was our fault... My fault... We should have more believed in her. Then she wouldn't have tried to help us..." She spoke as though admitting to a crime, her words weighed down by unbearable regret. Watching her crumble like this - broken and defeated - was nothing short of heartbreaking.

At first, Caitlyn was confused by Vi's disjointed confession. Words that didn't make any sense until she realised: Vi was talking about her past. The wounds she had buried so deeply and refused to face, especially after Jinx's death - or rather, her disappearance. Without allowing those old scars to heal, how could Vi ever face the weight of recent events?

"I always dream of how I left her..." Vi confessed, her voice shaking as she met Caitlyn's attentive gaze.. "It haunts me... I didn’t want to leave her. I just needed a moment—to clear my head, to catch my breath... But by the time I returned, Silco was already there. And Marcus... your police chief, he took me with him. Arrested me. Because he was too cowardly to kill me"

"I'm glad he was a coward" Caitlyn said trying to smile at her "I'm so grateful he didn't. That may was his best decision as a police commander. Otherwise I'd never met you... I can't live in such a world..."

"Just because you can't be without me, Cupcake," Vi replied with a faint, almost bittersweet smile, catching Caitlyn off guard.

"That's right. Because I love you. I have since the first day we met - " And then it happened. Without warning, Vi pulled her close, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. When they finally parted, her voice was low and husky: "I want you now, Cupcake."

This sentence penetrated every fibre of her body. The sentence she had been waiting for so eagerly since her return. But it came at the wrong time. Her father was on the balcony, well within earshot of any potential love play. And the officer in her couldn’t ignore the real motive behind Vi’s seduction: avoiding her problems rather than confronting them. Caitlyn swallowed hard and chose, for now, to put on a good face for a bad situation.

"Vi, stop!" Caitlyn's voice wavered between shock and urgency. "My father is still on the balcony—and the door is open!" Stunned by Vi's sudden change of mood, Caitlyn struggled to process what she'd just heard. Her body fought against her resolve, every fibre begging her to give in, but her mind - thankfully still in control - knew better. This would have to wait, as much as it pained her, as much as she knew she would hate herself for it.

"We’ll have to wait until later,"Caitlyn said, meeting Vi's bright blue eyes with a teasing smile. With a frustrated groan, Vi threw herself backwards onto the bed. "I could really use a distraction right now."

"And I’m more than willing to help you with that," Caitlyn replied with a playful wink. "But not until my father has cleared the balcony and upper floor." She lay down beside her, and together they sprawled across the bed, gazing up at the starry mosaic adorning the canopy of their four-poster bed.

"Why are you so eager anyway..." Vi’s voice softened as she finally spoke, breaking the peaceful silence they had shared while lying together, wrapped in each other’s embrace, "I don't get it. What's different now?"

"It's you..." Caitlyn murmured, her voice tinged with thought. "I'm not that person anymore... and it's all because of you."As she continued, Vi's hand moved closer, her fingers brushing gently against the back of Caitlyn's hand. The touch sent a thrilling, electrifying current through her.

"I wish you two had met under different circumstances. You would have liked each other..." Vi said with a faint smile, allowing herself, just this once, to imagine the happy world she had dreamed of ever since leaving Stillwater

"Yeah, what makes you so sure?" Caitlyn asked curiously, and genuinely surprised. 

"Trust me, I know my sister. She would have liked you the moment she realized you loved her just as much as I do." Vi said, and something in her voice sounded very convincing. Maybe it was true. Maybe if she'd gotten the time needed to talk things out with Jinx, and maybe just maybe, managed to undo Silco's brainwash, she might be right. Maybe, in another universe, she and Jinx might have become friends. 

"It was my fault... I shouldn't have followed you," Caitlyn said, her voice laden with bitterness and regret. "I didn't know your past. I had no right to be there. I ruined everything... You might have saved her if it weren’t for me showing up."

"You couldn't know..." Vi said, gripping her left hand tightly. "Powder didn't know... It was like always, the wrong shit happening at the wrong time... And I'm sick of it," she said, punching the soft mattress with her left fist. So hard that it sent shockwaves through Caitlyn's entire body. 

"Maybe it's not too late," Caitlyn said after a brief pause. She knew these weren’t the wisest or most helpful words, but in that moment, they were all she could find.

"No!" Vi cut her off, agitated, as she pushed herself up. "Just stop!" Despite the alcohol clouding her senses, she could still think clearly enough—a sign she hadn’t drunk nearly enough to fully drown her sorrows in that sweet, treacherous liquid.
"What if you’re wrong? What if she’s really gone, and I end up dredging it all up again, only to… only to go through it all over again?"

"I know, but... what if? What if there’s still a chance she’s..." Caitlyn hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper

"And guess what? That’s the problem. When I thought she was dead, at least I knew. But now… now I don’t know what to believe anymore." Vi’s voice cracked as she continued, her emotions spilling over. "I spent seven years in a prison cell—thanks to Silco and Marcus—not knowing where Powder... Jinx... even was." She paused, her voice dissolving into frustration.

"You just don’t get it, Cupcake..." Vi’s voice trembled, sharp and brittle, her fists clenched in frustration. "If she’s still alive, why didn’t she come back?" That question gnawed at her, the reason she couldn’t accept Caitlyn’s stubborn belief that Jinx might have survived. Because if her sister really was alive, it meant only one thing: Jinx had abandoned her—again. Just like when she left her in the prison cell.

"I don’t want to hear another word about this..." Vi snapped, her voice strained with frustration. Once again she found herself sitting on the edge of the bed, her face buried in her hands.

Caitlyn was stunned, her emotions a whirlwind of anger and frustration.Her heart plummeted, sending a sharp jolt through her body. She couldn't believe what she'd just heard. "No!" she countered firmly, jumping out of bed and standing in front of Vi, her stance almost menacing. Her heart pounded as her mind relinquished control, allowing emotions - buried since her return from Noxus - to surge to the surface.

"I won't ask you again, Cait. Let it go," Vi warned, her voice quivering with anger and frustration as shivers ran down her spine.

"What is wrong with you? Shouldn't you be the one convincing me that your sister... Jinx... Powder... is still alive? The one who would never accept her death? Shouldn’t I be the one urging you to let go? To accept that she might be gone forever, so you don’t cling to false hope?" Caitlyn’s voice trembled as she unleashed her tirade. Her lips quivered, but she wasn’t finished. The words had to come out, no matter how much they hurt. “Even though I still hate her for what she’s done—for the pain she’s caused me. But I'm willing to find her. For you...” Caitlyn clenched her fists, anger and frustration bubbling to the surface as she finally let her emotions take over.

"This isn’t the Vi I know—the Vi who would do anything to get her sister back," Caitlyn said, her voice trembling with suppressed frustration. She had had enough of this. "Without you, I have no one. My mother is dead, Jayce is gone… I’m suffering too. But I have you, Vi. That’s why I didn’t fall apart—because you’re here to catch me. And I thought it was the same for you..." Caitlyn’s gaze bore into Vi, who hesitated before finally lifting her head to meet her eyes. Her blank, desperate gaze lingered on Caitlyn’s pleading expression. She knew Caitlyn was right. She had to find a way to move on - no matter what it was.

"Just don’t drink yourself to death before I’m back. That’s all I ask you for…" Caitlyn said and didn’t wait for Vi’s reaction. She turned sharply on her heel, a plan already taking shape in her mind.

"Cait, wait…!" Vi slurred, her voice cracking as she stumbled after her. But Caitlyn was already halfway down the stairs, her retreating footsteps echoing through the room. The rest of Vi's sentence hung uselessly in the air, "... didn't mean it. Fuuuuuuck!"

She was on a mission - eager, if not desperate, to bring both of them back. To pull Vi off her self-destructive path of grief and mourning. Despite her deepest fears and lingering resentment at what might await her, she pressed on. For Vi. Maybe even for Jinx. But certainly and most of all, for herself. Vi was the love of her life, and without her, she felt incomplete. Perhaps she had never been whole without Vi to begin with.

"Jinx... what am I getting myself into?" she murmured, taking a deep breath as the warm summer breeze brushed against her skin. With renewed resolve, she stepped onto the streets and set her sights on her first target: Piltover's council building.

Chapter Text

Caitlyn had deliberately avoided returning to the council building. For many reasons, it felt wrong to be here again. With each step, her heart grew heavier, and doubt crept into her mind. She had never feared this place before, but today, the building cast a haunting, almost alien shadow over the streets and its surroundings. 

This place had never been kind to her - neither then, nor now. It was where her mother had died, a tragic casualty of Jinx’s breakdown after witnessing Silco’s death. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her mother was watching her every move from above on this difficult course. Yet, in this very council, there was only one person who could help her. The mere thought of their name was enough to make her skin crawl: Sevika. And perhaps she was the only person in all of Piltover and Zaun who could help her find Jinx, or at least provide a clue. Not only did she have connections to Jinx, but she had also known her for the past seven years—familiar with every place Jinx might choose for shelter, her hiding spots, and her usual strategies. These were things neither she nor Vi knew about as good as she did. 

But she also avoided this place for a diferent reason. It brought back haunting memories of her brief, disastrous time in power - a time that ended in the deaths of innocents and revealed a dark side of herself she never wanted to confront again. It was her lowest point: losing her mother, succumbing to vengeful desires, and driving Vi away because of it. In her blind rage, she had almost harmed an innocent child. If it hadn’t been for Vi, she might have crossed that unforgivable line. Yet in that moment, Vi saw what she didn't:  Something unexpected. Someone who loved her sister unconditionally, willing to sacrifice everything for her. That realization in the aftermath, when she finally gathered her self to reflect this period, shook her to her core. Ironically, it was Jinx who had shown her how easily someone could crumble and succumb to their inner demons under the wrong circumstances. She had realised that she was not a natural leader - and she was done with politics for good. And Jayce was just another example of what happens when someone gets a taste of the sweet, tempting allure of power. Despite his good intentions, he became yet another victim of politics and power.

He and Viktor were gone too. The gods might know where. Along with Heimerdinger, they were the most famous missing persons after things had calmed down. Yet, no trace of them had been found. It was as if they had been swallowed up by something or had simply vanished into thin air. The preliminary investigation pointed to a Hexgate accident as the most plausible cause. Caitlyn knew she couldn't do anything about it until she was officially reinstated as sheriff. Besides, with an entire unit of the Piltover Sheriff's Office dedicated to the search, her involvement wouldn't make much of a difference anyway. And right now, she had her own investigation to focus on.

There was still a heavy lump in her throat - a late consequence of her argument with Vi. And no matter how much she tried to swallow, it wouldn’t loosen its grip on her throat. With every step she took, it felt like the pressure only tightened. Caitlyn knew her own wounds hadn't healed - if they ever would. Only time could tell. She had to carry her own bag and broke down when it became too heavy. But Vi's presence, after they had reconciled, helped her to bear the weight of the pain and even to rediscover joy. Vi was her lighthouse, always guiding her to safety. And it hurt to see that Vi didn't see her the same way. Perhaps this was Vi's way of coping. Maybe she was just grieving differently.

Leaving Vi behind, especially in her current state, wasn't the best idea. Especially alone with her father. He must have heard some of their argument. Especially the last part. She couldn't remember her parents ever fighting with each other, and if so, it was probably because of her and her Un-Kiramman deeds and ambitions. 

But either way, she had to do something. And if it couldn't be resolved by talking and closeness, it had to be done otherwise. As long as Jinx's fate wasn't determined, her status still remained: Missing. Her police senses kicked in. Of course the usual way was to just go to the sheriffs office and file a missing persons report. But she was still relieved of her duties as sheriff, and her hearing to determine her readiness and fitness to serve was not scheduled for several weeks. This meant that she could not order investigations behind the scenes, limiting not only her reach but also the resources available for her search. But thanks to Marcus and his unparalleled efforts to obstruct her police work, she had somehow gotten used to it.

But make matters worse, Jinx still had the status of a terrorist in Piltover - a promising bounty included - while at the same time, she been declared  a national hero in Zaun. Together with Vander and Silco. She carried a lot of political baggage and would be an unnecessary test for the fledgling Alliance between the two cities. For this reason, too, it was probably best for everyone that Jinx's whereabouts would not change in the near future. But this was not about Zaun or Piltover. It was all for Vi. Solely for Vi. 

A hearing on Jinx had already been scheduled, and of course it was Sevika who was responsible for putting it on the agenda, but as usual, the wheels of the Council turned rather slowly. First, the focus was on joint reconstruction. Perhaps, however unlikely, it was even part of a plot to help Jinx back to Piltover.To open her a door for... Something. But Caitlyn decided not to give in to her worst-case scenario. To succeed in this investigation, she had to stay focused. Positive and yet open to all clues and evidence. 

When she thought of the investigation she had just started, her heart leapt with joy as she realised that this meant she was somehow back in business. Back doing what she loved so much. Unbeknownst to her, it even held up her steps as she nearly sprinted up the stairs to the Council building.

Like a few months ago, her mission was the same: to find Jinx. But this time the circumstances were different. This time she had to find Jinx to help Vi, not for personal revenge. 
Of all people, it was Jinx. To save Vi from drowning in her grief. She just had to find her. Failure simply wasn't an option. Nothing too difficult for Sheriff Kiramman, even though she hadn't officially returned to duty yet. 

Leading Pilotover against Noxus and being wounded in battle gave her a kind of special status. And she hated it even more. Was it because of the eye patch, or because of who she once was? She could definitely feel the recognising looks, even if they were few, accompanying her as she took her last steps towards the entrance of the building. 

She approached the intimidating looking entrance with a heavy heart. Luckilly, there weren't too many people around. That should at least make it easier for her to look for Sevika. As Zaun’s designated representative on the Council, Sevika was obligated to attend all meetings—whether they were of vital importance or mere formalities. Soon she had positioned herself within sight of the council chamber. It would probably only be a few more minutes before today's Council meeting was over. Once again, it seemed worth Caitlyn's while to study the Council's agenda, even if it was mostly just to satisfy her own curiosity. Then again, perhaps she was like a mother, a person who liked to be informed. Always one step ahead of everyone and everything. 

Caitlyn took a moment to gather her thoughts. She knew that Sevika was a tough person who had a straightforward mentality and hated wasting her time with nonsense. Although she probably had a softer side, Caitlyn was well aware that she would most likely never find herself on the receiving end of that side. And after everything that had happened, it was probably a good thing that Vi wasn't with her now, since Vi wasn't particularly fond of Sevika. And vice versa. So maybe it was just as well that these two fronts remained separate, at least for the time being.

Then she heard a loud clamour of voices from the entrance to the meeting room. It was a large group of people - apparently part of the hearing on today's agenda. And in the middle of it all was her: Sevika. Faster and earlier than expected. Looking as tense as ever, though that could just be the result of the exhausting days that being a Council member often entailed. Caitlyn immediately noticed that she seemed to have returned to her old hairstyle. In fact, her hair seemed a little longer than usual. "Definitely a good choice..." Caitlyn's sense of style noted.

Then she took a deep breath "No time for second thoughts", she reassured herself as she began to walk over to Sevika. "You?" Sevika's voice revealed just how surprised she was to see Caitlyn suddenly appear and walk straight towards her. Caitlyn tried her best to keep a neutral if not friendly appearance, trying her best not to sow mistrust in her.

"I need to speak to you, Sevika," Caitlyn explained directly, trying her best not to draw too much attention to herself amidst the group of talking people around them,"In private".

"Fine," Sevika agreed hesitantly. Knowing Caitlyn, she realized this was probably important—or at least intriguing—enough not to be postponed or dismissed entirely. Besides, Caitlyn wasn't the type to engage in idle conversation over a cup of tea - especially not with her, and certainly not without a reason. She made an inviting gesture with her only hand and led her wordlessly into the small office that came with her position as council member for Zaun. It was surprisingly clean and tidy, considering Sevika's rather 'rough' nature. It was likely rarely used for her daily business. The lingering smell, however, suggested it served more as her private smoking lounge between meetings. 

Sevika walked over to the office desk and pulled a cigar out of a wooden box before leaning against the desk, only further reassuring Caitlyn in her suspicion. "So, what do you want?" She asked as she lit her cigar with her new mechanical arm. From the looks of it, it looked like the newest and fanciest thing Zaun's Chemtech could come up with these days. And Caitlyn was definitely starting to doubt whether Vi could still handle her with her Hextech gloves right now. Especially if she encountered her in today's mood.

"Is everything good between us?" Caitlyn asked carefully. It hadn't been the question she'd wanted to ask, but now it was out in the open. She could see Sevika raise her eyebrows in amusement as she took a deep drag from her cigar. "That's not why you came to see me. But yeah, sure..." And from the sound of her voice, their fight seemed like nothing more than water under the bridge. Slightly relieved, Caitlyn decided not to keep the tense looking woman waiting any longer. 

"It's Jinx," Caitlyn came straight to the point. So straight, in fact, that her words seemed to startle Sevika, her face freezing in shock as she heard the name. "Jinx?" Sevika asked, speechless and confused. She really hadn't expected to hear that name. Her eyes had widened, unable to contain a glimpse of curiosity, if not something else. Was it hope that glimpsed into her eyes for a brief second?

"What's with her. She died during the battle as you know best" Her voice sounded bitter, sad and even remorsefull. So maybe she actually seemed to like Jinx more than she would ever admit. But neither her expression nor her words were lying. She was also mourning. Maybe even missing her. "Is she... alive?"

"Not exactly... I mean... maybe," Caitlyn started to explain, but was immediately interrupted by Sevika. "What do you mean, not exactly... maybe?" Sevika asked irritably, pulling herself up from the desk, suddenly sensing something important in this conversation, "Do you know something, you might want to tell me?" Her eyes fixed on Caitlyn, narrowing slightly. It seemed that Sevika was on her hook. 

"I have a strong feeling that she survived..." Caitlyn explained to her. She could see Sevika's eyes widen in shock. Or even disbelief. "What makes you so sure?", She shot back without hesitation, taking a deep drag on her cigar. Caitlyn could hear the doubt in her voice only too well, realizing that Sevika wasn't a person who easily clenched to smallest glimpse of hope. "First of all, it's Jinx. You should know her best. As she said, she's not that easy to kill. Second, we never found a body. We looked for it, but we never found anything..." Caitlyn began to explain her assumption.

"Because there's nothing left of her..." Sevika snapped in between, "That's what happens when you blow yourself up" In a way, she was probably right. But Caitlyn wasn't satisfied with that answer. Only superficial Enforcers would be satisfied with that conclusion.

"I don't think so.,," She countered as the police officer in her took other. "Many believe that this is what happened. Because it's a convenient end to the story, isn't it? For both sides. For Piltover, it means the chapter is closed, and the Enforcers don't have to actively search for her, like raiding Zaun's most remote corners. And for Zaun... Isn't she a hero? A national symbol convenient enough to claim to speak in her voice, because you were one of the few who knew her well enough to even sound believable..."

Sevika's eyes narrowed completely her expression became tense and increasingly angry. Though it wasn't Caitlyn's intention to start a fight with her, she still wanted to lure her out of the reserve. To uncover her true intentions and motivations, and to determine whether she could be of any use to her quest.

"I'm doing this for Zaun..." She said curtly. In a way, it was an honour that Sevika thought it worth defending herself against her, even though she probably didn't have to. 

"I know. That's why it's important for me to know if you believe me..."

"But that's a pathetic amount of evicence you have collected" As Sevika's crushing judgement was totally expectable, Caitlyn gave her a brief amused smile. " Why are you even trying to find her? You're not going to kill her, are you? Leave her to rot in Stillwater" The tall woman's face regained some seriousness, her eyes staring at her challengingly. "For what she has done to you and your family."

"No. This is not about me. I may not have forgiven her for what she did, but I have found peace. But I'm only doing this for Vi. She is broken by her loss. And refuses to admit it. And I don't want to lose her. Because I really love her. So if there's a chance of finding her sister alive, I'm willing to take it. I'm willing to take the risk of having Jinx back in my life if it means that Vi will find her happiness again. Because right now she's sitting on my bed drinking herself to death..."

"I know this feeling..." Sevika said with a straight face, her voice tinged with the weight of bitter memories she couldn't or wouldn't forget, "But you need more evidence than this to convince anyone to help you finding her..."

"We both know that she's physically different from us. Her movements are... insanely fast... She might have managed to mover herself away. Or even..." Caitlyn stopped midsentence when she realized that Sevika wasn't aware of the full story. Who the beast really was. Or at least had been.

"What is it?" Sevika asked, her tone a mix of impatience and curiosity about what had caused her to stop mid-explanation.

"You don't know, do you?" Caitlyn asked her after realising that Sevika still didn't know the gruesome and tragic story of the man behind the beast. The man she once had left for Silco. 

"What do I not know?" Sevika replied, her curiosity gradually giving way to frustration at Caitlyn's cryptic words

"That thing... that creature was Vander... Her father. Vi and Jinx tried to save him. Twice. But Noxus and Singed used him as a weapon-" Caitlyn explained calmly, though deep inside she felt the opposite—a heavy weight of guilt pressing down on her. She knew she had played her role in this misery, and perhaps this was just another step in her atonement.

"Singed?" Sevika asked her, perplexed and shocked, "He did this to Vander?" Caitlyn only nodded firmly, as no further confirmation was needed. "That monster..." Sevika clenched her fists, crushing the stub of her cigar in her grip. Her anger was palpable, and Caitlyn struggled to hide her unease, forcing herself to maintain a calm facade. "He told me, while Ambessa and I interogated him..." Caitlyn continued in a calm and collected voice after a short, reassuring breath. "You..." Her eyes looked at her, "I never thought you could sink so low..."

"I know... I made a mistake. Many actually. I know my part in this desaster. And I'm regretting it. That's why I try to make up for it..." Caitlyn confessed, only slightly easing Sevika's mind. "Don't do anything rash now," She tried to reason with her, knowing best how badly this could backfire.

"You don't tell me what to do. He was always a rat. Always trying to survive. I should have got rid of him a long time ago..." Sevika fumed and threw the crushed cigar stub into the overflowing ashtray with a sharp flick of her wrist, as if to release her frustration in one violent movement."Did you tell Vi? Whatever... It's not my marriage. But it deserves honesty... And you're not going to tell me what to do with that stinking creature. He'll pay for what he did to Vander. And our people..." A uncomfortable silence spread after her tirade before Sevika refocused to their initial topic, "So even if I assume that this is true... Then, what? Where is she? Why doesn't she come back. We need her" 

"I don't know... Caitlyn shook her head, "I'm still working on scenarious. But I don't think she's hiding somewhere in PIltover or Zaun. At best somewhere in the sourounding areas, but most likely much far. I believe she doesn't want to be found after everything that happened"

"What about Isha?" Sevika asked, suddenly remembering Jinx's somewhat adorable attachment. "I tried to find her, but I couldn't. Did Vi take her in or so?"

"The question made Caitlyn's heart sink. The memory of Jinx's anguished scream flashed through her mind: Vi, though injured, using every ounce of strength she had to stop her sister from following Isha to certain death. Caitlyn took a shaking breath, her voice barely above a whisper as she let out a pained sigh. "She didn't make it..."

"Sevika’s face fell, her expression dissolving into blank disbelief. The anger vanished, replaced by a wave of sadness that overtook her. Shaking her head, she almost shouted, 'No... Tell me you’re lying.' A few tears escaped,running down her cheeks. 

"I'm sorry" Caitlyn expressed her compassion as she watched Sevika taking in this devastating message. In a way it was wholesome in a sad and brutal way, to see Sevika genuinely caring for Isha. And Jinx. After all, even her heart wasn't made of concrete.

"She sacrificed herself for Jinx. She tried to stop her, but she couldn't reach her in time. Vi stopped her from killing herself aswell. We tried to stop them. But we failed..." Caitlyn then decided to tell her the whole truth, after Sevika quickly managed to gain her compassion. "Jinx worked with you?" Sevika asked, her voice laced with surprise and still shaking from the lingering shock. Her stomach churned, still unable to fully process the news of Isha's death.

"Because of Vi. Yes... We had the same goal, the same enemy. And I'm grateful that you all showed up and helped us during the battle, without you..."

"That was Jinx's effort. And Ekko's. They came to me and rallied the whole undercity. People who otherwise wouldn't have chosen to fight. Especially for people like you," Sevika remarked, her expression slowly recovering from the shock. Her gaze dropped as she half-turned to her desk, absently sorting the remaining cigars in her wooden box. "Go talk to Ekko. He's doing all kind of wonders with his firelights right now and might know something, but I wouldn't waste too much time on your hopeless search," she said with a resigned sigh. Her voice was tired. "Letting go is hard... but sometimes, it's the only way to accept the pain and wait for it to heal."

"I have to find her," Caitlyn said firmly, refusing to accept Sevika's words—no matter how honest, sincere, or even true they might be. "But thank you. I'll go see Ekko then."

"Good luck then..." Sevika said, offering a faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of her mouth. Her tone left no doubt, this was the end of their conversation. "Thank you," Caitlyn said, just about to turn away when Sevika's voice stopped her. "One more thing..."

"Yes?" Caitlyn asked, irritated and curious as to what she might want from her. "If she's really alive - against all odds - and you want to find her: Call me immediately" Sevika's gaze was serious, almost intimidating, silently making it clear that leaving her out of this from now on wouldn't be a wise decision.

"I will keep you informed from now on. And if you hear anything-" Caitlyn began to assure her, but the tall woman’s firm nod cut her off, making any further words unnecessary. "And..." Sevika called her back just as she was about to leave the room. "I'm sorry about Vi... about how things went between us."

These were without a doubt the most sincere and honest words she had ever heard from Sevika. This truly came from her heart. Surprised by her compassion, she gave her nothing more but a quick, firm nod before turning to leave the office. It was the first trace—vague yet promising. Hopefully...

Chapter Text

Admittedly, the evidence for Jinx's survival was pretty thin. Both Vi and Sevika were right: Finding no remains was not nearly enough. In the end, nothing was found of Vander either - apart from a few pieces of metal that could not be positively identified. And it could be argued both ways. She had read all the reports and investigations. 

But it was hard for Caitlyn to turn her focus back to the investigation she had just started. Her conversation with Sevika still weighed heavily on her mind as she walked through the streets of Zaun. And it refused to let go off her. Seeing Sevika devastated when she heard the news of Isha's death was hard to swallow. Was it, because it seemed strange to see someone like Sevika actually have a heart, maybe even a soft side? Or was it because she'd grown accustomed to seeing Sevika as an antagonist? But most likely, like everyone else, she was just black and white. Not perfect, but far from being a monster. 

The search for Jinx had just begun. But the trail was lukewarm. At best. It still felt strange and surreal that she had actually decided to do this. "But sometimes desperation makes you do strange things..." a voice argued in her head. A few months ago, never in her wildest dreams would she have thought that she would ever seek out Jinx for any reason other than revenge and justice. Instead, it was solely because of her love for Vi.

But the truth was, she had no idea what she would do if Jinx really did become part of her life again. She really had no plan. No plan because, from any reasonably sane point of view, the idea that Jinx could have survived seemed utterly insane. Yet there she was, making her way through the Undercity, believing in the unthinkable. Every rational thought in her head screamed at her to turn back and abandon this probably doomed pursuit, while something deeper urged her to press on - for Vi's sake, but perhaps also because she truly missed the thrill of detective work. So - for the time being - she clung to the foolish hope that, when the time came, the problem would somehow resolve itself.

In the end it probably wouldn't even matter, her love for Vi was far stronger than her hatred for Jinx, even though that hatred had once nearly torn them apart. That had been their lowest point, and Caitlyn had vowed never to let it happen again. She had made that silent promise to Vi, and she was determined to make it up to her - for that, and for jumping into bed with Maddie at the first opportunity. This was, without a doubt, the biggest mistake she had ever made—and that alone was reason enough to endure it all for Vi, no matter how painful or exhausting it might be.

The change, was omnipresent. As she walked through the streets, she began to notice the slow but steady transformation - not just of Zaun itself, but in its people as well. The artworks of Jinx and the monuments erected in her honor cast a morbid shadow over Caitlyn as she paused for a moment and looked at the work in progress of an unfinished Jinx statue. Her torso was too unique to be unrecognizable. At least for those who knew her a little. And this artist clearly did. 

"Who was even building all of those statues?" She wondered as she hesitantly moved away and continued her way through the depths of Zaun. "What would future generations even think of this young hero of freedom?"

A cold shiver ran down her spine. "Jinx as an icon and symbol of freedom: What a crazy world..." She shook her head, but couldn't help but smile a little. "At least this way she won't be forgotten. Either way..."

And still, just hearing her name was at times enough to make Caitlyn's heart jump. Even though she had forgiven Jinx, she still had no idea how she would react if she ever saw the blue-haired girl again, if she would face those piercing, paralyzing pink irises once again. The haunting images of her, lurking like a hungry predator on its prey, just before she was kidnapped and tied to the chair in that old factory. Just before she lost her mind and did the unthinkable.

The last time she spoke to Jinx, she was a shadow of herself. A hurt creature that was hiding in grief. The way Jinx didn't seemed to care for her life was... frightening. Caitlyn had imagined this moment countless times—finally extinguishing the light in those menacing eyes. But seeing Jinx like that had stirred something deep within her. Was it her love for Vi, knowing that Vi would never forgive her if she had killed Jinx or brought her to justice? Or was it... mercy?

It was ironic, in a way, how Jinx—dead or alive—had managed to cause her and Vi so much pain. Just in completely different ways.

And then there was that moment—just as Riktus learned of her betrayal of Ambessa—when Jinx appeared at exactly the right time and took up the fight. A fight she could barely withstand against his overwhelming strength. She had almost paid for it with her life, if not for Vander, who throw himself in to protect his daughter. Maybe, beneath all the crusted layers of darkness and pain, she was a hero after all. She had given her life for Vi. Without her, Vi might not be here. In that world, she wouldn’t have just lost her mother—but also the love of her life.

The path leading to the Firelights' little community inside Zaun looked different from the last time she had been here. In fact, this was the first time she had visited without being handcuffed and blindfolded. Though the scars of the past remained, the place somehow felt brighter—more hopeful. It wasn’t just in the way people acted or how things appeared; it was as if a strange, yet warm and comforting aura had quietly settled over the area. A narrow alcove finally led her to their destination: the enclave of the Firelights. The first thing that caught her eye was the tree at the heart of their community—majestic, imposing, and almost intimidating in its breathtaking beauty. Caitlyn couldn't help but pause, taking in the awe-inspiring sight. This was undoubtedly Caitlyn's favorite place in all of Zaun. Her eyes wandered in fascination over the intricate garlands and twinkling lights that only added to the unique charm of this place. But her gaze soon returned to the cluster of treehouses, perched on different levels and connected by small bridges. Ekko had to be here somewhere.

If what Sevika and the others she had asked along the way were true, he still spent most of his time in Zaun—leading the Firelights and continuing to expand their enclave. A noble and selfless goal. It was late afternoon and Caitlyn knew she would have to return to Vi soon. The mere thought of what she might have done made her stomach clench and her heart ache. "Please be okay, Vi... I'll do everything I can for you. Just be okay... I'll fix everything for you."

Caitlyn remembered their first encounter all too well. What might now pass as a funny anecdote to share over dinner had once been a moment of genuine fear—for her life, and for Vi’s. Only later did she realize that Ekko had been one of Vi’s childhood friends all along. Unlike Jinx, he hadn’t changed for the worse. Quite the opposite, in fact.

A small child stared at her curiously, almost fascinated, pulling her out of her thoughts. The boy's expression suggested he recognized her. "Hi," Caitlyn greeted him softly, putting on her best picture-perfect smile—the same one she used back in her early days as an officer, when elementary school classes visited the sheriff's office. But the boy just kept staring at her with that same curious expression. "I'm looking for Ekko. Do you know him? Do you know where I can find him?" Caitlyn asked, her voice gentle as she took a cautious step closer. But just when she thought she had succeded, he child suddenly turned and walked away toward the bridges leading to the tree houses. Frustrated, she glanced around once more. Having Vi by her side would have made things a thousand times easier—but right now, that simply wasn’t an option. Caitlyn knew she stood out here. Not just because of her Piltover clothes, but also because of the way she carried herself. She simply didn’t belong. It was ironic, really—of all places, this should be the one to accept everyone. Especially those in need.

What else could she have said? “I don’t bite?” or “I come in peace?” The thought made her chuckle softly to herself as her gaze fell on a group of children playing tag beneath the tree. It was a wholesome sight, stirring memories of her own childhood—playing with Jayce in far simpler, happier times. A bittersweet ache settled in her chest as nostalgia washed over her. "Wherever you are, Jayce... Take care of yourself. And please come back someday..."

"What brings you here?" A voice shouted at her from the distance, snapping her out of her thoughts. When Caitlyn glanced to her side, she spotted a familiar face: Ekko. He emerged from a small building, the young boy from before at his side, pointing in her direction. His expression was curious, but as he approached, a warm smile spread across his face, as if greeting an old friend. "I was looking for you", Caitlyn greeted him back with a friendly smile. "I see. So you returned from Noxus?" Ekko replied, his expression stell keeping its genuine curiosity about this unexpectedly late afternoon visit. "Yes, one week ago" She said, noticing the flicker of disappointment on his face. Clearly, he had expected Vi to get in touch with him once she returned. "Vi?" Ekko asked her, concerned about Vi's absence and confirming her initial suspicion. Caitlyn sighed, "That's why I'm here. That and-"

"Is she okay?" The question came straight away, worry clouding his face and swallowing the cheerful expression he had worn just moments ago. "She's fine. At least physically..." Caitlyn assured him, just in case he'd pictured another fallen or maimed war hero. But as the words left her mouth, she realized they probably weren't the best choice to describe Vi's situation. Ekko's raised eyebrow silently but insistingly urged her to give him a more detailed explanation.  She took a deep breath, already knowing that Vi wouldn’t be too fond of finding out that she shared their problems with Ekko. Made them his 'problem'. But since Vi had chosen to spend the afternoon drowning in alcohol on their bed, she had no choice. "She's falling apart without her sister. She blames herself for her death..." For a brief moment, Ekko's eyes lit up as she told him, but soon his expression darkened - tinged with sadness.

"Same for me..." Ekko said dejectedly, his face emptying of all emotion leaving only sadness and bitterness. "It's my fault too. I was the one who convinced her to join this fight..." He paused, visibly struggling to keep his emotions in check. "But what choice did I have? When I found her, she was about to..." He stopped suddenly, and Caitlyn could see his anguished struggle as dark memories rose within him, forcing him to relive the moment before her eyes. "It wasn't easy to convince her to not give herself up and... to kill herself..." His voice cracked as he forced the words out, the weight of the memory etched into his face. Caitlyn's eyes widened in shock as his words struck her. She exhaled deeply, her voice barely above a whisper. "Shit"  Only then did she realize, to her horror and embarrassment, that the words had slipped out before she could stop them. She knew Jinx was troubled, and what she had seen in that prison cell wasn’t the chaotic, vibrant, and feared Jinx she had once wanted dead for so long. No, what she had seen was a broken, wounded creature—a shadow of her former self. The realization twisted painfully in her stomach.

Neither she nor Vi had seen it coming. Vi’s excuse was that she was still overwhelmed by finally having her sister back—by the fact that Jinx had survived the encounter at Viktor’s enclave. When she went to see Jinx, the only thought occupying her mind was freeing her sister, even though she knew it might upset Caitlyn. Or worse. What Vi didn’t know was that her girlfriend had already anticipated this move, knowing Vi would follow her heart to save her sister, no matter the cost.

That was one of the countless reasons she loved Vi for. Because she seemed to care so endlessly and unconditionally for those she truly loved with all her heart. Watching her struggle with pain and heartbreak was probably the main reason Caitlyn even considered actively searching for Jinx. Vi couldn't see it herself, blinded as she was by her "overwhelming mixture of joy and fear. That excuse only applied to Vi. Caitlyn, however, should have seen it herself.

"She did what?" Caitlyn asked, once she had somewhat regained her composure—though this revelation had just made everything infinitely more complicated. Until now, she had expected to find a chaotic, unstable, but perhaps redeemed Jinx—not one who was unstable and possibly suicidal. Three months had passed since the battle. 'What if it’s already too late?' A heavy lump formed in her throat.

"Tried," Ekko corrected her firmly. For some reason it was important for him to emphasise this particular detail. "Does Vi know?" The words leaving her mouth instinctively, before she could even try to stop them. But much to her reliev Ekko shook his head firmly. "No. I swore to myself never to reopen that barrel again. Especially not with Vi."

"Then why did you tell me?" Caitlyn asked, confused, yet curious and somewhat surprised. Her eyes locked onto him expectantly - almost intimidatingly - as if she were trying to extract a confession from a suspect. "Maybe it's because you're neither too deep nor too far out," Ekko mused as he picked up a small Fireflight resting on a small but beautiful plant. The  fragile insect didn't seem at all afraid of him. In fact, it began to hum softly as it clung to his index finger. As she watched him, Caitlyn couldn't help but wonder if engaging with this little Firelight was Ekko's way of coping with everything.

The moment the little creature willingly accepted his touch and wrapped its tiny fingers around his, something in Ekko’s demeanor shifted. And not just his. Caitlyn, too, felt a weight lifting from her shoulders. Maybe it was true. Maybe this place really was magical—or at least more than just special. Or perhaps exhaustion was finally catching up with her. After all, she hadn’t taken a real break herself, aside from the occasional tea with her father. But she knew she couldn't afford a break as long as Vi was still a walking mess.

"You know, the thing that really struck me... I don't think that the person I saved was Jinx," Ekko said, gently guiding the little Firelight to step onto his other forefinger. "You're talking about Powder… not Jinx, right?" Caitlyn asked curiously. For some reason, she was starting to become more interested in Jinx’s - or rather Powder’s - past. A past that still remained a mystery to her, except for a few scattered fragments Vi had shared, like their little bug fights.

"I’m not so sure anymore. I’ve seen many versions of her—some that neither you nor even Vi have probably ever seen," He said thoughtfully. And in that moment, Caitlyn knew thar Ekko had witnessed something neither she nor Vi had. Something they had yet to uncover. "What do you mean by that?" Caitlyn asked, her curiosity laced with concern. It was obvious that Ekko knew more than he was letting on. Her instincts as an officer made it easy to see through his barely existent facade.

"It's complicated. There's something I never told anyone... not even Jinx. But now she's gone anyway, so it doens't matter...", He explained with a sigh, his expression clouded by pain and regret as he let the Firelight drift back onto the grass. Ekko looked up and met her gaze. He knew it was a lie—he had told Jinx about his journey into the past, though he had left out a few crucial details. Like the fact that Vi had died in that alternate reality. In the end, it probably didn’t matter. She was gone anyway, and in her near-suicidal state, she likely hadn’t fully grasped what he meant. 

"Maybe not..." Caitlyn said and Ekko's eyebrows immediately raised, silently but expectantly daring her to elaborate on her point. "Maybe she's not dead," She revealed her suspicion after taking a brief moment to gather the confidence to involve Ekko to this 'case'. "What do you mean?" Ekko asked, his expression turning serious. He knew she wasn’t joking, so his mind raced to double-check what his ears had just heard.

"That's crazy..." He commented with widened eyes, more to himself than her actually. "Then again, probably not as crazy as what I went through..."

"I know... But I think there's a chance," Caitlyn replied, her voice calm yet determined.

"Hey, listen. I know it's hard to accept the truth. But why are you looking for it? You...", Ekko's voice was soft, but his eyes betrayed a deep exhaustion she hadn't noticed before. "I don't want to hunt her..." Caitlyn clarified, a hint of annoyance in her voice. It seemed like everyone assumed she was trying to start yet another manhunt for the blue-haired terrorist—who also happened to be her girlfriend’s beloved sister.

"Okay, okay, I believe you." He raised his hands in surrender. "But you have to admit—this is crazy"

"I know..." Caitlyn sighed frustrated. She lowered her eyes to her foot and bit back a cry of frustration. What was she trying to achieve? All she had done was reopen old wounds - first Sevika's and now Ekko's. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I shouldn't have come..."

"No, wait," Ekko stopped her immediately, "I'm glad you came. Believe it or not, this has been one of the more interesting days in a long time" A smile found its way back to his face, this time carrying something that Caitlyn easily recognised: confidence. "Like I said—absolutely not crazy..." He continued after a brief pause, one that they both seemed to need. "Then again... She's proven more than once that she's hard to kill. After our fight on the bridge, I thought I had killed her. I hated myself. I screamed. And even though I knew she was a threat, I was relieved when I found out she had survived. Completely insane, right?"

"No, not really," Caitlyn said thoughtfully. "Funny how a few months could change everything..." a cheeky voice teased from the back of her mind. "Who are you telling?' Ekko laughed. And he seemed to understand her only too well. "She was one of my childhoods closest friends. Almost like a sister. But... different... When I saw her at her workshop, it was as if the last seven years had never happened. I really thought I had her back..." 

"You love her, don't you?" His face instantly froze, sending cold and hot shivers down his spine at the same time. "Of course I do. She's my friend. We've been through so much together and I love Vi for the same reason... But not in the way you think," he added quickly, trying to dispel any false assumptions with a nervous, yet somehow genuine and endearing smile. Caitlyn smiled tiredly and slightly amused, knowing that he'd never be any real competition in this matter. But she dared herself not to think too much about it. After all, Vi was the one who had every right to be jealous after her ill-fated Maddie stunt. Still, it was reassuring to know that he seemed to respect her relationship.  

"Why are you so eager to find her?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice. For a moment, his eyes and tone almost mirrored Vi's. Caitlyn sighed. "Vi is drowning in grief. I'm doing this for her - not for me, not for revenge. I'm tired of that concept..."

"That sounds familiar..." Ekko murmured, more to himself than to her. "What do you mean by that?" Caitlyn, who overheard his little self-talk, looked at him expectantly. "Like I said, I haven't told anyone about this," Ekko said, making Caitlyn instantly perk up. Her instincts told her that this could be important.

"But now isn't the time to tell" He said firmly. The confidence in his voice left no room for doubt. "I'm coming with you. I want to visit an old friend" 

"Allright" Caitlyn agreed with a shallow smile. She may not have found the answers she wanted - or needed - but she had certainly gained a new ally in her efforts to save Vi from herself. Caitlyn knew that sooner or later she would get the full story from Ekko. Even if it meant relying on Vi's incomparable charm and talent for convincing people. 

Chapter Text

It was well into the evening when Caitlyn and Ekko arrived at the Kiramman mansion. The sun was low on the horizon and would be setting in less than an hour as the air already began to cool. "Let me check on Vi first before you come in and see her. She might be a bit rough," Caitlyn warned him as they entered the estate through the old metal gate. A few gas lamps lit the way to the mansion where the Kiramman family had resided for generations. "Of course. Take all the time you need. I will wait..." Ekko said understandingly, respecting her request for privacy with Vi first. "I've actually never been to an Councilman's mansion before..."

"Formerly..." She corrected him immediately. But the way she said it, short and almost snarling, made it clear to him that this was a sore point for her and that he shouldn't try to dig deeper into it. At least if he wanted to stay on good terms with her. "Sure".

When they entered the mansion, they were met by complete silence. It was surprisingly calm, almost haunting. So far everything seemed normal. No sign of chaos or destruction. But also no trace of her father or Vi. A good and a bad sign at the same time. "Please don't be have an alcohol poisoning..." A voice began to pray inside her head. "Let me first see after Vi. She was a little rough when I left her" Caitlyn explained to Ekko who gently nodded understandingly. "Seat yourself" Caitlyn made an inviting gesture to the comfy sofa near the fireplace where visitors and guests were normaly seated and hosted while they stayed at the Kiramman family.  Ekko slowly sat himself at the couch right next to the entrance as he watched her walking off. "What a day" he sighed to himself and took in his souroundings.

Hesitantly, but actually frightened Caitlyn began to walk through the house. Only by now Caitlyn realized how long she had actually been away. The look the the antic grandfather clock revealed the full extent of her investigation. It was 8:35 in the evening: She had been away for almost 7 hours.

"Okay she first murdered him and then throw herself of the balcony..." Even Caitlyn herself was surprised by the dark, inappropriate joke that surfaced in her mind—a reminder of one of many Sheriff Grayson’s lessons: sometimes, humor and sarcasm were the best way to handle stress before it became unbearable. She continued her walk through the house. The living room was empty as well. Normally her father would sit here and listening to the radio or reading a book, as it was a wednesday, and therefore the gentlesmans club he usually attanted was closed. As a man of habbit, not being in the living room was definitely unusual. And he wasn't a person who usually went to bed early. "But maybe today he did", Caitlyn assumed, but rather hoped. 

The last thing she wanted was that a hot headed Vi and her distrustful father would collide and throw things against each others head. The consequences of that would have been fatal. Afterall Vi and her father were the last bits of family, and therefore a safe harbour that remaint after her mother was killed by Jinx and Jayce disappeared, but mostlikely died during the Battle against Noxus. 

Lost in her thoughts, she at first didn't noticed the bright light, coming from their kitchen. There. Someone must have been there.And she could even hear voices. Two voices talking. Her heart began to bear vividly as she impatiently approached the kitchen. There they sat, her father and Vi sat at the table and talking with each other. Caitlyn could feel an oberwhelming wave of relieve. Her father immediately recognized her presence. "Caitlyn, you're back," he greeted his daughter with a warm smile as he quickly walked over and gave her a loving hug. 

Sometimes it was disturbing how well her father seemed to understand her. No questions, just understanding. And whatever he did, it seemed to work. He was there for Vi. "How can I make it up to you?" Caitlyn whispered in his ear, feeling his hand gently stroke her back. "Be there for her," he whispered. Caitlyn remembered how she had pushed Vi away as she tried to channel her grief into anger and hatred for Jinx. At all costs, she wanted to prevent Vi from making the same stupid and foolish mistake. She still couldn't forgive herself for rejecting the woman she'd fallen in love with the first second she'd seen her. 

She looked over her father’s shoulder and met Vi’s gaze - her head had turned, and she was watching her. "She looks much better... did my father really did this?" Catilyn asked herself curiously. In front of Vi stood a cup, and judging by the rich aroma filling the kitchen, it was most likely coffee. Caitlyn slowly released her father. Then, without warning, Vi jumped up and stormed toward her, wrapping her in a tight embrace—silent but full of emotion. "I'm sorry, Cupcake..." she breathed as they collided. Caitlyn could feel her soft and fluffy hair touching her cheeks. Her arms instinctively grabbed Vi back, forcing her closer.

"I was like shit to you... You have every right to be mad at me..." Vi apologized, clasping her arms around Caitlyn's back. 

"Shut up, I'm not even mad at you," Caitlyn smiled and took the initiative to kiss her. Only then did she realize something embarrassing. That she had actually never kissed Vi in front of her father, who awkwardly tried to look away to give them their moment of reconciliation and privacy.

"Thank you," Caitlyn whispered, smiling at her father. He returned it with his usual fatherly warmth, his smile a mix of tenderness and quiet pride. "You know, I was young once too," he began, sensing that this was just the right moment for an anecdote. "When your mother and I were younger, we often had to find a balance between enjoying our youth and fulfilling our duties... This is how we both found out that coffee sometimes works wonders... Sometimes combined with a little conversation"

Both Caitlyn and Vi couldn't help but smile. Caitlyn felt a heavy weight lift from her chest. This was the moment she had dreamed of for months—finally, it was real. But her joy quickly faded, swallowed up by the deep, familiar pain of losing her mother. The wound Jinx had opened in the blink of an eye with her unleashed chaos. 

"But seriously, where have you been?", Vi asked, her blue eyes fixing on her girlfriend, "I didn't want you to run away."

"It’s not like that. I didn’t run-", Caitlyn explained softly, holding her girl close. "You left...", Vi interrupted her softly, her voice free of accusation, "I made you leave."

"I'didn't run because I was angry..." She began to explain, but stopped when she felt a sudden wave of hesitation rolling from her mind and colliding with the courage in her heart to say those words. 

"You left, and I understand why", Vi said as she tightened her embrace.

"No... I went to get some answers..." Caitlyn then finally confessed what had occupied her for almost half of her day. Although right now her conversation with Sevika felt like days ago. She couldn't deny that she herself was tired, if not exhausted. The last six months had taken a heavy toll on her life. Changed it forever. For the worse as well as for the better. But much to her shock and surprise, Vi didn’t say anything. Instead, she leaned back slightly, just enough to meet her gaze, and give her the"You're serious about this"-face. No more words were needed as Vi pulled her back into her tight embrace, not willing to let go off her. And this time, Caitlyn didn’t care about the nervous, slightly awkward look on her father’s face. She simply held her better half and wished this moment could last forever.

"I'll get over it. Somehow. Just... give me time," Vi whispered into her ear, but it didn’t sound convincing. It felt more like something she was meant to hear—or wanted to. But deep down, both Caitlyn and Vi knew she would never move on from Jinx’s death. Even if a tiny part of her still clung to the hope that this wasn’t truly the end of her sister’s story. "Vi... I know you're much stronger than me.  But this time, you can't just get back up like always," Caitlyn murmured into Vi's soft pink hair, holding her close, "You don’t have to do this alone. I want to help you… and maybe… maybe there’s"

"Cait..." Vi started, but Caitlyn cut her off, both faster and still not finished. "Do you really think I want to do this? Looking for her?" She explained, her voice shaking slightly as she revealed the truth, "But listen, if there's the slightest chance of bringing your sister back, I'll do it. For you. Because it breaks my heart to see you like this. 

"Cait, you don't have to do this-"

"But I want to" Caitlyn said firmly, "It's my way to make up for what I did to you and your family. And also this is my way of showing that I love you"

"You're hopeless" Vi smiled at her tiredly before returned the favor and kissed her.

"When did I have become the naive of us" Caitlyn joked

"You're not naive... you're incredible..." VI said, a warm smile forming on her lips.

"But what did you mean by we?" Vi asked, confusion flickering in her eyes. But before Caitlyn could even try to tell her that she had brought Ekko with her, her father's voice suddenly caught her sole attention.

"Oh, and you are?" her father's voice suddenly asked curiously, snapping them out of their moment. Both Vi and Caitlyn turned their heads to see Ekko coming slowly into the kitchen. Clearly, he hadn’t been waiting near the entrance but had instead moved closer to the kitchen, listening in - as if waiting for his cue . "Hey Vi," Ekko greeted them, raising his hand. "Ekko?" VI greeted him with wide eyes and completely stunned to see her childhood friend standing her girlfriends kitchen. 

Hesitantly, Vi let go of Caitlyn, then turned to Ekko and pulled him into a powerful hug. "It's nice to see you Vi too", Ekko gasped as he returned the hug. After a moment, Vi's gaze shifted back to Caitlyn, silently searching for answers. But before Caitlyn could answer, Ekko interrupted. "Vi, you've been back for almost a week and you haven't even come to say hello," he said, trying his best not to sound accusing.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to visit you, but..." Vi felt a heavy lump forming in her throat. Ekko. He was the last surviving piece of her old life. And maybe that was why it hurt so much—to look into his eyes and face her past. It was a cruel irony. Seeing him was both a balm and a wound - a reminder of the life with her family that never was.

How could Caitlyn be so determined? How could she still believe that Jinx was alive when Vi had already lost all hope? Hadn't Vi always been the one who believed in her? The one who swore there was still something good left in Jinx. In Powder. Or whoever that blue haired girl was by now. Vi couldn’t shake the images of Jinx caring for Isha—like the big sister Vi should have been. Their bond had been pure, unwavering. Watching Jinx break after Isha’s sacrifice was unbearable. Vi swallowed as she gazed speechlessly into Ekko's dark brown eyes.  Was Ekko really just here to visit an old friend, or had Caitlyn’s desperation reached him, too? But did hope even make sense anymore? Deep down, Vi knew, that she couldn’t bear the thought of Jinx leaving her willingly, starting a new life far away. Without her.

"It's okay, Vi." Ekko gave her a warm smile. "It really is. I'm just glad you're okay. And maybe I was a little worried since I hadn’t heard from you in so long. I knew you had gone to Noxus… but still."

"No, you're right. I should have gotten in touch with you sooner and not... sent Caitlyn instead," Vi laughed nervously. "Vi, it's okay," Ekko repeated, his voice steadier, more firmer and eager. "Since when do you worry so much about me, little man?" Vi teased, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder. She knew she should take this more seriously, that this wasn't the right answer. But it was the only way to keep her emotions at bay. Ekko was all that was left of the life she'd lost. And even though he was not her family, he certainly felt like it.

"Since..." His expression darkened with sadness. Vi and Caitlyn both knew exactly what he meant. Ekko sighed deeply before continuing, "A lot has happened. And I’ve realized how much everything we have means—especially our friendship. Seven years passed without seeing you. Then, six months ago, you just showed up out of nowhere... I thought you were dead"

"I'm not," Vi murmured, pulling him into a quick hug. Her words sent a shiver down his spine. She had no idea what he knew. He felt his heart grow harder, as he thought of the alternate universe, his alternate self. Being in his thoughts and unaware of his expression, Caitlyn reacted even faster than Vi, who then noticed it too. "Is everything okay?"

"I have to tell you something", he said with a serious voice. 

Chapter Text

Ekko stood by the window and stared at nightly skyline of Piltover. In the background he could hear Vi pacing nervously around the room while Caitlyn stood between them, watching them both. He slowly took a deep breath and let it out with a loud sigh.

"There's something I need to tell you—both of you," Ekko said, turning to face them with a serious expression. "But I have to warn you, it may sound crazy... yet every word is true."

"I saw my father turned into a giant monster," Vi said confidently, her voice filled with bittersweet irony, "nothing can shake me at this point."

"Well, then wait till I told you" Ekko said with a warning undertone. 

"We're listening," Caitlyn said, her eyes gently locked with his, instructing him to begin with his story. 

"Okay... You might've wondered where I have been after the fight at the bridge..." Ekko began, "I met Heimerdinger, I brought him to our place and made him understand what Hextech did to my community..."

Vi and Caitlyn both remembered the place Ekko meant. The tree, the 'Kind-of'-Utopia he had created in the middle of the Zaun. Just below Piltover's and especially Silco's radar.

"The Hexgates had slowly corrupted our tree, poisoning it until it began to die", he explained, his voice steady despite the tightness in his chest. Until now, he had never spoken about it. Not even to Jinx. "We went to the Academy and found Jayce—he agreed to help us shut them down. But it didn't went by plan. When we entered the Hexgate, it brought us to an alternate universe..."

"Alternate universe?" Vi asked incredulously. "I know it sounds crazy. But it is the truth," Ekko assured, his face still serious and determined. His gaze shifted to Caitlyn, who simply stared at him before nodding silently. Ekko's words rang with sincerity and Caitlyn knew he didn't seem like someone who made up stories for fun or attention. Or attention. And after everything that had happened at Viktor’s hands, this no longer seemed so impossible and acutally plausible. His sparkling, slightly nervous and impatient eyes also told that he wasn't finished at all. But he also seemed to be using this break to catch his breath and gather some strength.

We believe you," Caitlyn said calmly, placing a gentle hand on Vi's knee. She couldn't deny that his words had piqued her curiosity.

"In this universe, it was the same time, the same day, as when we entered. But both Piltover and Zaun were different. Hextech had never been invented in this timeline. Silco and Vander made up and were friends again... Even Benzo was alive..." But then he suddenly stopped. Not because he didn't know what to say, but because of the lump in his throat that stole his voice.

"Sounds like paradise..." Vi muttered. But then her eyes lit up, shining like diamonds as realization set in. "Have you met us?" she whispered, her voice trembling between fear and curiosity.

"I did... but..." Ekko began, his throat tightening. His legs wobbled as he realized what he had to tell Vi.

"In that universe, Vi... you... you were gone," he forced out, his throat tight, his chest aching. "You died in the explosion during the heist, in Jayce's lab," he explained, but the tightness refused to fade.

"WHAT?!" Caitlyn and Vi shouted at the same time, but Caitlyn’s voice rang out louder, edged with shock and disbelief. Without realizing it, her fingers had dug deep into Vi’s flesh.

"It's true..." Ekko murmured, his gaze dropping to the polished wooden floor. "I didn't want to tell you, but I think I have to..." He looked up and saw what his revelation had just caused. Vi was petrified. Completely, feeling unable to move, yet to say just a single word, while Cailtyn just stared at him in silence, her mouth actually dropping a little.

"What? That can't be," Vi shook her head in denial. Usually she had no problem picturing her own demise, but for some strange and frightening reason, this just felt terrifying. As the thoughts rushed back into her mind, there was only one question of the many she had in her head that mattered right now. "And Ji- Powder? Did she survive? Tell me she survived," she almost shouted at him, not ready to accept any other answer, but a firm 'yes'.

 "She survived. I... I actually met her..." Ekko spoke against his tightened throat. He saw her face turn completely pale as she realized what this meant: In this universe, she had died - right in front of her sister. She had failed to protect her. Once again.

The realization that she had left Powder alone in both universes struck her like razor blades to the heart. Again, small but heavy tears began to roll down her cheeks from her eyes. Ekko watched her calmly, trying to catch her gaze. Even though she knew he was watching her, it took Vi a few moments to gather the courage to raise her head and look him directly in the eye.

"A lot of things were different there..." he explained, hesitating before telling her about the 'other' version of her sister - the one he had met. And fallen in love with. "...including your sister. In that world, she never became Jinx. Jinx didn't exist in that universe. There was only Powder. And she was smart, as beautiful as Jinx was, and... she carried on. She was strong. She was there for Mily and Claggor... Because of you" 

"She did?" Vi asked stunned.

"Yes, and she was missing you, Every day"

Ekko took a breath. "It was she, and Heimerdinger, who helped me get back...just in time, before Noxus could overrun us." He looked at Vi now, his voice soft. "When I woke up in this reality, I immediately searched for Jinx. Because somehow... I just knew Powder had to be here."

His heart skipped a beat as the image of her standing at the edge of her lab, holding the monkey grenade, flashed before his eyes. She was ready to kill herself. And had done it so many times before he finally found the right words to stop her. He knew he had failed Jinx too. But that was a truth Vi didn’t need to hear. Not yet. 

"Even though you were dead, you still played a big role in her life. She refused to forget you. She made a little shrine that reminded her of you every day..."

"Why are you telling me this?" Vi asked, her voice shaking. Her heart had dropped to its lowest point. In all that time, she hadn't even thought of dedicating something like this to Jinx. Not one second.

"Because it matters. And as much as I wanted to keep it a secret, I know I couldn't forgive myself if I didn't tell you," he paused for a moment before adding, "Because you deserve to know. I see your pain. And don't think I don't miss her, too. In fact, I miss them very much. If there's one thing this trip has made clear to me, it's that you were right.  You were right all along. There is still good in her. And she is worth saving."

"She's gone, Ekko," Vi sobbed, struggling to hold back her tears any longer. "If she's not dead, then she made her choice. She left us. She left her old life behind. It's probably even harder to accept that she's just... dead," Vi sighed as she felt the supportive touch and hold of Caitlyn, who listened in silence. Earlier, when she had stormed out of her mansion, she couldn't have imagined that she would be sitting here with Vi and Ekko later today, actually processing the events.

"After she came back to me and showed me that Vander was still alive, it really felt like I had her back. We became sisters again... Before...", that was the moment Vi shattered. She sank under the weight of it all, bitter sobs escaping her as tears carved silent paths down her cheeks.

"I think you're making it a little too easy on yourself. I think she wouldn't have left for a reason." Ekko comforted her, but his effort was in vain when Vi's outraged reaction followed promptly. 

"Am I not a reason for her to stay?" She shouted at him without meaning to. But her emotions had gotten the better of her long ago. A violent mixture of blood and emotion was boiling beneath her skin, threatening to erupt at any moment.

"Maybe she needs to collect her thoughts. Maybe she'll try to get it right this time," Ekko said. As stupid and hollow as his words might sound, he himself had no idea what was driving Jinx's mind. Maybe she really wanted to make up for her past. To get it right this time. But that was only one outcome. Maybe even the best one. He paused as he motionlessly shook off the devastating thoughts of other scenarios, forcing his mind to stay positive for the sake of his own sanity. And optimistic. The last thing Vi needed right now was the full truth.

"I can help her..." Vi screamed, but this time it was Caitlyn's gentle pinch that stopped her.

"I'm afraid, it's not that easy Vi...", Ekko sighed. "We all know that Jinx is at times a mysterium. And as I said. If there's just a ever so slight chance to bring her back, I'm in. No matter how hard it might be, or how long it might take. You can count on me..."  

This time, his words didn’t fail. For a fleeting moment, a small but genuine smile touched her lips, and a flicker of light returned to her eyes. Maybe—just maybe—he had managed to spark some hope in her. And for now, it was enough, even if it burned faint and small.

"But first theres more I have to tell you.:."

For the next half hour Ekko tried to explain them every detail of his journey. 

"You were that?" Caitlyn muttered silently. "You caused all this..."

"It's not like that-" VI tried to defend herself, but was cut off by Caitlyn's amused laughter.

"Of course it was you..." 

"It was me to be precise," Ekko threw in. "I gave them the hint. Jayce was... with all respect... not the smartest buyer that came into Benzo's store. "I charged him twice as much, just because of his naivity"

The trio laughed. For a fleeting moment, the evening felt less like a painful reflection on the past and more like real fun. But it passed too quickly - too briefly - for there were still a few elephants in the room, waiting to be acknowledged.

And each of them seemed to know it, as they sank into a heavy, swallowing silence.

"Vi, there's something else I need to tell you," Caitlyn said into the silence, waiting until the moment felt right to continue. "Before I went to Ekko, I met with Sevika." She paused instinctively, her eyes fixed on Vi, who remained surprisingly calm - almost numb, as if sealed under a bell jar. "She might be able to help us."

After a long pause Vi signaled a small nod, followed by a deep, frustrated sigh. "Even if... what now? Where do we even start?"

"Sevika will keep her eyes and ears open. And so will my contacts in the Enforcer's office. Even though I'm officially on sick leave, that won't stop me. My deputy Harrington will make sure they follow my orders."

"And then what? Catch her? Imprisoning her againg?" Vi barked at her.

"NO!" Caitlyn countered, almost hissing at her. For a split second, she felt insulted that Vi had even raised the suspicion. "I know you don't care much for politics, but with Sevika in the Council and all the efforts being made to reunite Zaun and Piltover, this would be a cause for war. If Jinx is arrested, all hell will break loose. No, they are supposed to be looking for her, and then we will find her. And bring her home"

"Home?", Vi asked slightly irritated.

"Here," Caitlyn said, rolling her eyes. She still couldn't believe that Vi had made her say it out loud - that she was actually willing to bring Jinx here. All for the sake of her undying love for Vi. Not without satisfaction she noticed Vi's eyes widening and staring at her with a certain sparkle. Then the next thing she felt was a violent embrace as Vi crashed against her.

"That's all I could ask for," she heard just before their lips met again - right in front of a slightly embarrassed Ekko, who remained silent and let them have this moment.

Chapter Text

The three sat on Caitlyn and Vi's shared bed until the early hours of the morning. Lost in old stories and making a first, vague plan, until fatique and sleep finally overcame them. Despite insisting to return to the Firelights’ hideout, Ekko eventually gave in and agreed to spent the night at the Kiramman mansion — especially after Vi stubbornly insisted for him to stay. 

Morning came quickly. The light of the sun, already high in the sky, gently but stubbornly forced its way into the largest of the four master bedrooms in the Kirraman mansion.

"Vi, you seriously need to get rid of those old pieces of fabric," Caitlyn remarked when she saw Vi adjusting her self-made bra of wrapped bandages the next morning. 

"Why?" Vi cut in with a raised eyebrow, once she was finished.

"Because..." Caitlyn let out a desperate sigh. "Because... it just doesn't suit you"

"Doesn't suit me?" Vi shot back irritated, yet confused.

"No, it's not like that. I like your style but-"

"But?" Vi repeated, her eyebrows raised suspiciously. 

"You're not living on the streets anymore Vi... Besides... You could really spent more effort in..." Caitlyn tried her best to explain herself, but she quickly realized that this would be way more difficult than her mind had initially thought.

"You didn't fall in love with me because of how I dress" Vi remarked, while she sorted her hair. 

"No you silly," Caitlyn snorted amused, the tension only slowly loosened. "But...", She sighed, "It's just like wrapping a nice gift-"

"Okay now you finally managed it... You finally managed to completely confuse me" Vi mockingly congratulated her, before fixing her gaze back on her reflection in the mirror as she began to examine her tired eyes. Much to her surprise she saw, that the red had almost disappeared, revealing her pale blue irises once again. She took a deep breath and ran both hands across her face.

"What I'm trying to say is... maybe something a little… different, from time to time", Caitlyn said with a nervous smirk, feeling immediately intense heat rising from her body to her head. "Wearing new things can sometimes feel like a gift... For more than one soul actually..."

"Like a Present?" Vi remarked sarcastically, as she made a sharp turn and looked directly in Caitlyns deep blue eyes. 

"If you say it that way..." Caitlyn laughed amusedly. Then she paused, a sudden thought - more a realization than a question - crossed her mind. Although Vi's cluelessness seemed cute and almost innocent, Caitlyn realized that there was more to it. After all, Vi was a child of Zaun's streets, not the daughter of a council member. "Did you never get presents when you were a child?" she asked pityingly.

"Not those fancy sugar-coated ones like you did" A bitter smile flickered across her lips. "We had gifts and presents, but... different ones. Having each other was already gift enough" Caitlyn could feel her heart drop. The brief moment of uncomplicated morning routine suddenly vanished, leaving behind a dark, cold shadow.

"I admit, that when I stormed out yesterday, I only did it, because of you. Only because of you. Because you were a wreck. But now... I'm maybe also doing it because I'm cuirous. Because I want to see it with my own... eye..."

Vi snorted with a soft laugh. "You're the most beautiful pirate I know..." She said before grabbing Caitlyn by the hips and placing a passionate kiss on her lips"

"Fine... Today I'll only listen to your fashion advices"

"Good choice" Caitlyn remarked with a victorious smile.

"But I think we should look after Ekko? He's probably already up, and I don't want him to sneak out", Vi remarked with concerned face. 

"Chance's are high, that my dad did catch him in the process"

"Kirammans may not seem like it, but actually we are quite fond of our guests once we embraced them into our hearts", Caitlyn remarked with a blink.

At the same time...

Phewww," Jinx puffed, trying to catch her breath. This was the last crate of the shipment to be picked up by her 'business' partners—obviously shady pirates mostly occupied with smuggling goods and all sorts of contraband across the realms of Valoran, Shurima, and Ionia. They didn’t seem like the kind of people who were truly in the business of killing or robbing. What they did need, however, was a whole lot of her stun and smoke grenades. Whether for self-defense, resale, or whatever else one might use them for—it didn’t matter. They couldn’t kill with them, and that was all that mattered. A little fun and chaos on the other side was more than welcome - at least in Jinx’s opinion.

As with many things, it was best not to ask too many questions—especially not the ones that begged for exact answers. As long as they stuck to the agreed conditions, Jinx had no intention of minding their business. Instead she threw on last eye on the list of 'requirements' - mostly intendet for the almost certain ill-fated believe that she actually could fix that stranded air-ship single handedly. But at the same time she knew, she had to continue this pursuit for at least however long she would spent her time at this place. Maybe forever. 

Everything she knew about airships she acquired on her countless journeys to Bilgewater and beyond while smuggling and guarding Silco's precious Shimmer supplies. Most of these journeys were rather boring. This was one of the reasons, why she mostly kept herself busy with the technical aspects of airships.

"That's must be enough..." She looked self-critically for a moment at her handiwork. "Only 5 charges, last time I made 6..." She sighed internally, upset by the already obvious fact to herself, that her pace had decreased during the lst days. And she knew why, too. Her episodes had returned, and they seemed to occur even more frequently over the past few days. Hearing voices was one thing; it was something she could handle, even if only barely at times. But seeing them... Silco, Vander, Mylo, and Claggor—that was an unsettling and haunting realization.  Something she wasn't sure she could handle. At least not alone.

"Hopefully they'll raid the living shit out of Noxus with those" She looked one last time at the well secured crates, before leaving the small cave. The air outside was freezing cold. And it was just getting colder. Jinx adjusted her thick down jacket even tighter and checked her gloves. Neither her natural resistance to the cold nor the shimmer helped against these temperatures. But in one way, the fresh air and snowdrifts proofed to be good for her. It was as if her heavy thoughts were simply blown away, freeing her completely for the moment. It was a much harder life out here than in Piltover. It was a matter of survival here. On here own.

She looked at the letter to Ren, sighing bitterly. "I know you're not the only orphan out there... thanks to me..." Jinx whispered quietly as she slowly closed her eyes. She didn't even try to hold her tears back as she leaned against the caves wall. The image of another young girl flashed in front of her eyes. And it wasn't her younger self or even Vi.

Isha... The young girl that literaly fell into her life. She too was an orphan child. Damned to work in the poisonous, shimmer infested mining district. 

"It'll reach her," she assured herself before carefully placing and securing it on one of the freight crates. "They may be pirates and vagabonds, but they honor their deals." 

Then, she slowly walked out of the cave and back to the old snowmobile that she had managed to revive after arriving - or rather, fleeing - from her old life to this remote area. She stomped her way through the thick and inches thick snow.

"See you later, old friend," she muttered, saying her temporary goodbye to the snowmobile that had faithfully served her over the last few weeks. If she hadn't found and fixed it in an abandoned hut near her airship, the past few weeks and months would have been much more difficult. But for what she had in mind next, she neede something much more agile. And faster.

With heavy steps, she reached the back of the snowmobile and began to untie the hoverboard she had 'borrowed' from Ekko and his Firelights in the aftermath of the battle. "Really impressive, afterall little man", a phrase she mumbled to herself everytime when she decided to make use of it. Still, the already cautiously by herself pre planned modifications weren't modified. Not that there was much need for them, as Echo seemed to have already made a 'near-perfect' machine himself. Much to her own anger and annoyance. It was a cloudy and windy day. Jinx knew that therefore it would be bumby ride to her next destination: Mechanika. The nearest city and one of the most remote cities all across Valoran.  

"Time for some fun", she said to herself and activated the hoverboard by jumping on it and therefore kickstarting it with her elegant but forceful landing. The small engine howled and the repulsors began to gently lift the board from the surface, blowingg snow in every direction underneath her. With each foot her hoverboard gained in altitude, she felt increasingly relieved. It was as if a heavy weight on her heart was slowly dropping away. It almost felt like she was leaving it behind for good. Deep inside she knew, this was only an illusion, as she never could leave anything truly behind. 

Learning how to fly, was at first painful lesson covered with bruises and scratches, but during the last three months she had almost mastered it beyond perfection. Jinx covered her face under her heavy scarf to get as much protection from the icy winds as she could. Then all she had to do was to lean forward and the engines took over and accelerated her hoverboard towards the skies.