[to the Firelight leader] You shy? Or just ugly?
[the leader stands and removes his mask, revealing himself to be Ekko]
You look good for a dead girl.
[glaring at her] What do you know about this? [holds up the Hextech gemstone and machine Jinx had]
Nothing. What the hell is this all about?
What were you doing with Jinx?
[standing] Her name is Powder! And I just found her when you and your goons showed up. [huffs] It's me. Vi. Same person who used to take you down to the junk heap and hose you down when you got covered in grease.
...that was a long time ago. [cold] People change.
Are you working for Silco?
I-I I thought you were dead! Now you show up with a Piltie and give her a tour of the Lanes?
You were following us? Why didn't you say something?
I didn't know if I could trust you.
So- so you just come out swinging?
Gee, I wonder who I learned that from.
Ah, well, you shoulda learned more. You still punch like a little boy.
And you still block with your face. [they glare at each other a moment]
I remember when you wouldn't stand up to me. [she walks forward, unhandcuffed, and hugs him] I missed you, little man.
How long have you had those off?
How long have you been whining? [Ekko tears up and hugs her back]
FFinn
If we stand together-
We aren't due for an assembly.
FFinn
... We should be. Ever since your stunt topside, profits have been plummeting.
RRenni
He's right. Merchandise is frozen at the border. Topsiders are too afraid to cross.
FFinn
We're all wondering: what's your plan, to fix this?
[sets a box on the table]... You're all wondering, are you?
FFinn
[flicking his lighter] Way I see it, we should cut a deal and give back the gemstone. [unnoticed, the ceiling fan shuts off] Better to have some trade, than none at all.
The border issue is temporary. Jinx will deal with it.
FFinn
Ha! Rumor is, your dog's off her leash. How're you meant to bring Piltover to heel, if you can't handle your own people, huh?
[smirks as he looks around] Oh, you don't recognize it? Have you forgotten where we came from? [as he walks around the table, Sevika opens the box and slides gas masks to the barons] The mines they had us in? Air so thick, it clogged your throat? Stuck in your eyes? [he approaches Finn, the only one without a mask, struggling to hide his reaction to the Grey] I pulled you all up, from the depths, offered you a taste of Topside... and fresh air. [Finn starts coughing hard] I gave you life, purpose... but you've grown fat, and complacent. Too much time in the sun.
We came from a world where there was never enough to go around, Finn. [he rolls Finn over with his foot] That is why we fight. Do you remember?
FFinn
[frantically] I'm sorry... please... please.
Don't forget again. [as the ceiling fan reactivates, he leaves the room with Sevika] Good meeting!
[viewing the Firelights' home] It's beautiful.
If your people had your way, it'd be rubble and ash.
It's a misunderstanding. They think you work for Silco.
Your people hunt us like animals. Silco pays them to do it.
That's not possible. You're wrong.
[threateningly] Say that one more time.
[shoving them apart] Ekko, she believes what she's saying, okay? She's not your enemy.
[scoffs] Oh yeah? Then what's this? [pulls out the Hextech gem]
You got it. You have to let me take that back.[Ekko pockets it again, staring at her suspiciously]
It's a Gemstone. It was stolen during the attack. By your sister.
You just forgot to mention that?
With this, someone with the right knowledge could build... any Hextech device. If enforcers are becoming more... aggressive, that's why.
We can beat Silco with this.
Easy for you to say. Your people aren't dying all around you.
Ekko, it's wrong what's been done to you. You'd be well within your rights to keep it. I couldn't blame you. But if you do, this cycle of violence will never stop. This is our best shot at setting the record straight. This city needs healing. More than I ever realized. Please, let me help you.
I have a friend on the council. Let me take the Gemstone to him. [Ekko looks hesitant] He'll listen to me. Your people wouldn't have to hide anymore.
One condition. I'm the one who gives it to them.
[Ambessa arrives in Piltover]
Mel, Elora. You didn't have to come out to meet me.
[rolling her eyes] What are you doing here, mother?
Can I not visit? I've heard stories of Piltover's hospitality.
[chuckles] You didn't sail halfway across the continent to sample the local cuisine.
[walking over to her] It's been over a decade, Mel.
Such drama. I sent you here to oversee our family's interests and grow yourself. Which you have.
You said, "Perhaps your sentimentality will be more at home with those soft-spined idealists overseas."
[putting an arm around her] You have your father's memory.
Don't try to ingratiate yourself with me.
Or that. [they walk a little]
[sighs] He crossed the wrong man. I was distracted. That's a mistake I can't take back. [Mel breaths heavily] Your Jayce Talis has turned his eye to Hextech weaponry.
[scoffs, realizing her motives] I knew it.
War is coming. You've let the problems of your undercity fester too long.
Piltover isn't like Noxus. War isn't our first and every recourse. I sponsored Hextech to protect the city, not burn it to the ground.
It's not conjecture, it's a fact. Weapons can't be unmade and they are always used. I'm here to help guide you to the right decisions.
I don't need your guidance.
[enters her room, surprised] We'll... present our case to the council, tonight.
[examining Caitlyn's detective notes] You did all this yourself? Without even going down there? And I thought Powder could get obsessed. [lays back as Caitlyn approaches the bed and sits next to her]
What happened to her... it's not your fault. [lays down]
When my parents were... still alive, me and Powder used to share a bed like this. Except, maybe half this size. We played a game where we'd pretend to be bigger and bigger monsters. So she would say, "I'm a slug monster with venom for ooze!" and I would say "Well, I'm a slug-eating crab with razor spikes!" [She and Caitlyn gradually turn to face one another] Sometimes, I... I'd get carried away, and she'd get scared. I didn't want her to start crying and wake my parents up, so... I pretended to chase my own monsters away. I'd say, "No monster's gonna get you when I'm here"... Then a real monster showed up. [closes her eyes, curls into a fetal position] And I just ran away. I left her. [Caitlyn gently touches her cheek, and Vi takes her hand]
[following Vi into the rain] Vi, wait! Wait! Where are you going?
I don't know. Back where I came from? Seems like that's what everyone up here wants.
You can't! This is how things are. How they've always been. I was so stupid to think it could change.
There must be something we can do. Some other way. We'll make a new plan. We have to try.
We tried, okay? It wasn't enough. Topside and bottom. Oil and water. That's all there is.
...Oil and water. Wasn't meant to be.
[sighs, heartbroken] You're just saying that.
Do yourself a favor, Cupcake. Go back to that big, shiny house of yours and just... forget me, okay? [pulls her hood up and walks away]
[Vi walks into the forge where Jayce is]
You want to make Silco pay for what he's done?
I could have you arrested.
You guys really like to bandy that threat around. You ever been to Stillwater?
[scoffs] So you just wave an arm, have someone dragged off, don't bother to find out what it does to someone being stuffed in a stone box for weeks, or months, or even years?
[sighs] Yeah. I want to make Silco pay.
There is no in. You heard the Council.
Fuck the Council. You said you were tired of doing nothing. That's the only sensible thing that came out of anyone's mouth tonight.
[sarcastic] No, you're a victim. [she observes and puts on one of the atlas gauntlets. It powers up and she looks at it happily] This so people notice you when you raise your hand in the boardroom?
We built them for mining the fissures.
[gauntlet clanking] Hmm. Someone close to me had a pair of these. You're the first-person Caitlyn looked for when we made it to topside. Of everyone up here, you're the one she trusted to do something.
[sighs, putting his hammer down] What do you want me to do? Arrest him?
Silco controls the undercity with Shimmer. Shut down his supply, and it's only a matter of time before his own people turn on him.
Take out his manufacturing facilities. Hit them hard and fast, before he can react. [Jayce looks into the fire for a moment. Vi holds out her gauntlet hand in a handshake gesture] So, we got a deal pretty boy?
[Jayce finds Viktor seemingly contemplating suicide, similar to himself all those years ago]
Am I interrupting? [he sits down] Remember the Distinguished Innovators competition?
I remember you notching gears in the carriage over.
They started cranking the engine and the whole thing was rattling. I thought a loose cog was gonna take someone's eye out.
[smiles] At least you didn't throw up.
[chuckles] Everything made sense then.
[after a moment] You have to destroy it.
[thinking he's talking about the hammer] I know.
The Hexcore. [Jayce looks surprised] I... I can't do it. You have to. Please.
[sighs sadly] What about your disease? Without the Hexcore-
[coughs violently] Promise me.
[sad] Okay. Okay. [stands and touches Viktor's shoulder] I promise.
We lost ourselves. Lost our dream. In the pursuit of great, we failed to do good. We have to make it right.
Perfect place for an ambush... and you without your hammer.
... I was reminded recently, of what brought us together in the first place. The threats beyond our walls.
This city has a short memory.
[shrugs] Far be it for me, to stand in the way. [withdraws a list and plants it on Jace's chest, smirking]
[reads, incredulous] Free trade routes... Blanket amnesty?! Unrestricted access to the Hexgates, sovereignty?! You really think you're in a position to demand all this?!
I give you credit for your stunt, boy. Didn't think you had the stomach. But the big display, followed by a request for parley... You're tipping your hand. You're afraid.
[looks away] I am afraid. Today, I got a glimpse of what war between us might look like. Your people wouldn't stand a chance. Council couldn't care less. I'm trying to save you, from annihilation.
[smiles, shakes his head] ...Well, well. Not the fresh-faced Academy pledge, are you? [sharply] You want peace, this is the price.
You'll discontinue the production of Shimmer?
Return the Gemstone? [Silco nods]... And I need Jinx. [Silco's face darkens] She has to pay for what she's done.
They weren't her crimes. She was working for me.
Believe me, if I had it my way, it'd be you rotting in Stillwater. But we can't make a deal with a snake, and cut off it's head. We both have our shitty parts to play. [slaps the list against Silco's chest] Get me Jinx, and I'll give you your Nation of Zaun.
[Obscured by the dark] Really thought I buried this place. But, I shoulda known better. [approaches]
For now. Maybe forever. [stalks around as Vi looks for her] Wanna know a secret? Silco, thinks he made Jinx, with all his rants and his hard-won lessons. "Excise your doubts, Jinx. Be what they fear, Jinx!" Like everything was the same, as when Vander left him! But he, didn't make Jinx. You did.
I'm sorry, Powder. I never meant to leave you.
You never left. I always heard you [softly] Shadows in the streets. Prickles on the back of my neck... Your voice, pushing me. Picking me up, when all the colors were black. You're the reason, I'm still alive.
...I spent so many nights, in that shitty prison, on that freezing floor! Hungry, bloody, counting the hours! The only thing... [her voice breaks] the only thing, that kept me going, was the thought of getting back to you.
[also broken] ...Are we... still, sisters?
Nothing, is ever going to change that.
I always knew you'd come back. [turns Vi toward a table]
He took everything from us. Right here, he stabbed Vander in the back. Just like he planned to with me. All the time, saying you abandoned me, when he knew the truth. [Silco mumbles behind the gag] Liar. Hmm. We're missing someone.
I paid your girlfriend a visit this morning.
[horrified]...What'd you do?
[shrugs] I made her a snack!
No! [she looks at the tray, only to see a cupcake with the Hextech Gemstone on top]
Sheesh! I'm not that crazy.
Powder! Leave her out of this.
Now... where should I sit? [indicates two empty chairs- one labeled "Powder", the other "Jinx."] That's your choice, really. [She puts her pistol in Vi's bound hands] Make her go away. Please. Send her on her way, and-[Caitlyn gives a muffled yell] And you can have Powder back.
I- I can't. [Jinx scoffs, grabs the pistol and aims at Caitlyn] NO! Powder, listen. We- we can, just go. We'll leave and never come back.
...Wh-where would we go? [aims at the effigies] No, no, no! She's not saying that!
It's true! We'll put this behind us. You'll never have to see him again, Powder.
What do you have to say about that? [she removes his gag]
[to Vi] Her name, is Jinx! [To Jinx] She's lying. You'll be with her a day, before she realizes you aren't that girl anymore.
[To Vi, uncertain] You aren't... lying? You wouldn't lie to me? Not again.
I'm not lying. I'm on your side, I promise!
The Topsiders... offered me everything! Independence, a seat at the table... all in return for you. [Unnoticed, Caitlyn reaches for the broken glass] They can all burn. Everyone betrays us, Jinx. Vander, her. They will never understand... it's only us. You're my daughter. I'll never forsake you.
You see... now, finish it.
Vi Dammit, Powder! Wake up! Remember who you are, I know you remember!
Claggor! [Jinx hallucinates Claggor the same way]
Vander! [Jinx hallucinates Vander the same way]
[enraged] DAUGHTER! DON'T LISTEN TO HER! [begins fighting free of his bonds]
No... No, nonono no! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I'm sorry-
...I never would have given you to them. Not for anything. [Jinx holds his face, tearfully] Don't cry. You're perfect.
Powder? It's okay. We'll be okay-
[softly] I thought... maybe, you could love me like you used to. Even though I'm...different. But you've changed, too. [coldly] So... here's to the new us.
We'll show them. We will show them all.
[Caitlyn finally breaks down into sobs and hugs Vi]
You were right, Cait. Powder's gone. I can make this right. If you get Jayce to fix the gauntlets, I can do this myself. No one else needs to get hurt.
No. No more rogue mission. No more reckless plans. My mother was right. My arrogance led me to take on more than I could handle, and she paid the price. [she and Vi hold hands. They're silent for a moment] They're sending all the Enforcers after Jinx. I'm going with them.
You can. [she hands Vi an enforcer badge] As one of us.
People are calling for blood. [Vi drops the badge] The Council won't stop them. You can show that not all of Zaun supports Jinx. We can show them. Together.
[upset] I watched them kill my parents. Do you have any idea how that feels?
Yes! I do. [Vi turns away] I thought you were on our side.
[scoffs] You didn't think at all. [walks away]
[Jayce joins Caitlyn in the garden]
Mother and I used to come here when we needed an escape. [chuckles dryly] One of the few places we never argued.
I'm sorry I haven't been around.
[sighs and sits down] I can't even tell if he's still in there.
Ever since it happened... three faces keep spinning through my mind. I see mother. When they found her. And every fiber of me just sinks, like a stone swallowed in dark water. [turning angry] But then there's Jinx. Laughing. I want to tear that laugh from her throat forever.
Cait. [touches her shoulder]
I know. I just understand now how easy it is to hate them. One vicious act... [sighs] Then I see Vi. I asked her to put on the uniform. Suffice to say, she declined.
[chuckles] Vi? Wear a badge?
She thinks those gauntlets of yours will solve all her problems.
[sighs] What if she's right?
Hextech may keep us alive, Jayce, but it's not what will save us.
