Chapter Text
Tha-dunk. Tha-dunk.
For someone who had always wanted to ride in an airship, Jinx can say that they are most definitely underwhelming. Although that might just be because she’s in the cargo hold.
Tha-dunk. Tha-dunk.
The engine clanked and clacked at all times, its sound reverberating throughout Jinx’s hiding spot. She had come to welcome its sound. Loud noises make the voices quieter.
Tha-dunk. Tha-dunk.
The impressive resume just kept adding up. Unleasher of the Rocket of Justice (or Injustice, if you’re a Piltie!), The Loose Cannon, Bane of Warwick, the Destroyer of Noxians, and a hell of a lot of others! Pilties might suck proper ass, but at least they’re good as hell at naming!
Tha-dunk. Tha-dunk.
But those names no longer apply to her. They apply to a dead girl, a dead girl whose soul has been laid to rest with Vander at the Hexgates (ISHA!).
Tha-dunk. Tha-dunk.
She sure as hell wasn’t Powder. She could defend herself against just about anyone (but you can’t defend anyone from yourself), her inventions always worked, and Vi hated her. Or, hated Jinx. But she’s not either of those anymore. She may not be Powder, but she’s sure as hell not Jinx anymore.
I’m tired of talking fighting.
You’ll always be a Jinx!
It was hard to hear the voices over the fan.
Tha-dunk. Tha-dunk.
So, next stop for not-Jinx: who knows! Well, she does. Ter-blah-sia, she’s pretty sure. That is, assuming she heard the workers in the engine room next door correctly over the clinking and clanking of the engine and propellors.
Tha-dunk. Tha-dunk.
Not-Jinx just wanted to sleep.
Luxanna Crownguard loved being a governor, especially one of Terbisia. Quaint, full of kindness, and overflowing with magic, its the best town she could have asked for- to live in or govern.
Her morning rides through town on Starfire were, in her opinion, the best way to start the day. Greeting the townsfolk, enjoying the scenery, and feeling the wind in her hair.
“Lady Crownguard!”
Lux’s head snapped so fast toward the source of sound she could feel the whiplash setting in and immediately began looking for the cause: a vengeful Mageseeker, loss of control, a rebel from Sylas. Nonetheless, her panic faded as she saw the old but kind pub keeper looking up at her from just outside the doors.
“Berta,” Lux sighed out. “You gave me quite a fright.”
“My apologies, Lady Crownguard. I just intended to wish you a good morning.” Berta smiled sheepishly up at her governor, obviously apologetic about the scare.
“Well thank you, Berta. Good morning to you as well.” Lux replied even-toned, before her smile turned into a small frown. “And it’s Lux. Just Lux. I don’t know how many times we have to have this conversation.”
“Of course,” Berta stated, before her straight and serious face began to turn up in a dangerous smirk. “We’ve received word that Commander Garen is within a days travel. He should be arriving by nightfall. About the same time Jarro should be arriving.” Berta’s eyebrows wiggled suggestively. Lux had to do everything in her power to not scrunch up her nose in disgust, instead dawning a polite smile.
Not my type. At all.
“We will make sure they are both accommodated appropriately.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it, Lux,” Berta’s smirk seemed to be growing a more dangerous edge with each word, “Will Jarro be staying with you?” This time, Lux couldn’t stop the repulsion from crossing her face. The mere thought of staying in the same building, much less bed, with the obviously-infatuated boy was enough to make her want to hurl her non-existent breakfast from her stomach.
“Absolutely not. He will stay in the community house, along with Garen, during both of their stays.” The words came out far more vehemently than she had meant them to, and quickly began to apologize before Berta began to chuckle.
“Of course not. Trust me, I completely understand. Enjoy the rest of your ride, Governor.” Berta shot her a knowing wink before slinking back through the doors of the pub. Lux concern grew at Berta’s sharp mind catching onto her secret. Seriously, she was beginning to wonder if she was, in fact, a mage who could read minds.
How does she seem like she knows EVERYTHING!?
Lux will more than likely take a few days off from her morning ride.
I don’t have a single clue about what this could mean.
Jayce’s notes were scribbled with the handwriting of a Councilman: far too fancy, too large of swoops, and messily and quickly written, chaotic albeit orderly.
“He really was too smart for his own good.” Vi felt a hand on her shoulder, turning her head to see Caitlyn Kiramman, her girlfriend (AHHHHHH), smiling sadly down at the notebook. Caitlyn took the loss of Jayce much harder than Vi, which seemed to make sense; they were siblings in all but blood, practically always with each other through thick and thin. Vi and Jayce had only talked and fought a few times, talking really only about their hatred for Silco and fighting to accidentally send a child several stories to his death before working together to blow up her deranged and revenge-seeking mother. They were undefeated when fighting alongside each other, and that’s what really mattered.
Ah, semantics. Anyway-
Vi pecked a kiss to Caitlyn’s cheek, sensing her gloomy attitude.
“I’m so sorry, Cait. About him and Viktor.” While neither of them knew Viktor well (hell, no one did besides Jayce, Heimerdinger, and maybe Mel), they were all at least acquaintances and his loss still stung in their hearts. Caitlyn smiled softly at her.
“At least he died for the best cause.” They simultaneously wrapped their arms around each other, relishing each other's company for a few minutes, the sounds of the other's breath calming them both. Caitlyn pulled away first.
“Are you ready for the final detonation?” Caitlyn, with all of her detective-ness, had expressed to Vi that helping to oversee the detonation as an Enforcer could cause some unwanted flashbacks from the death of her sister.
Always with you, sis.
Vi nodded confidently. If she truly wanted to get over Powder Jinx’s death, this was a crucial step. Caitlyn smiled down at her before grabbing her hand and leading her down the hall to one of the multi-use labs. This one seemed to be more explosion-proof than the others, and it buzzed with a few scientists and Enforcers.
“Enforcers are here! Let’s get it started, shall we?” A scientist with long brown hair handed them both sunglasses, smiling.
“You’re gonna want to put these on. These things flash bright.” The scientist quickly turned away and started advancing toward the clear block in the middle of the lab, another person putting on what looked like a flame-resistant hazmat suit. Inside the box sat a simple, glowing blue orb: the final Hexgem.
Its color seemed duller than those of the past, most of its power being spent after Viktor’s attack on the city. Nonetheless, this one still managed to pulse out a strong blue light every few seconds before dying back down to its dull, soft blue.
The scientists all retreated back to the walls, toward Caitlyn and Vi, after helping the man attach the final glove to the suit. Many pulled out notebooks to record the final Hextech detonation- this couldn’t be replicated again without Jayce and Viktor’s knowledge.
Powder could have made more.
“All clear! Begin detonation sequence!” The brunette yelled out before sliding on her glasses. All of the scientists followed suit. Caitlyn and Vi shared a look before placing the glasses on the bridge of their noses. Caitlyn’s hand reached out and grasped Vi’s.
“You can do this. We’ll be just fine.” Vi’s wariness must have been more visible on her face than she'd hoped, forcing down a gulp before looking back at the scientist flipping switches and pulling levers.
Powders not here. This explosion can’t hurt her. One already had.
“Final detonation sequence activated! T-minus three seconds!” The hazmat suit muffled the man's voice as the spike began to slowly lower from the ceiling. Vi felt her muscles tighten instinctively, grasping Caitlyn’s hand far too hard to be comfortable.
“NOW!” As soon as the quiet words left his mask, the spike shot down faster than the human eye could comprehend and speared the Hexgem straight through. The room was dead silent as they waited for the contained explosion to shake their eardrums and momentarily blind them. Seconds stretched as they began to feel like an eternity.
The Hexgem slowly began to glow, its lighting increasing exponentially until the bright blue light consumed the room, forcing Vi to shut her eyes with a grimace, any thoughts of her late sister momentarily vanished as they were replaced by confusion.
“GET DOWN-”
An explosion threw Vi backwards, her hand still locked with Caitlyn’s.