Author's Note

This... was a LOT longer than I had originally wanted it to be. The original plan was to try and have a massive scene take place in the crystal empire involving one or more champs besides Taric, Poppy and Ekko, but it was insanely hard trying to figure out what to do, so I scrapped that idea and tried to implement something shorter. Secondly, I wanted to focus on a scene outside of Equestria and back in Runeterra, where the league has been noticing the recent series of disappearances and trying to fix the problem before it gets worse

Also... this was one title that I decided to pass on:
"I'm about to hammer you in the jewels."
-Poppy, taunting Taric

It may be a while before the next one, but until then, enjoy.
-Frost

Break 10- So direct, like most fools

Chronobreak- So direct, like most fools

Realm of Valoran

In the late hours of the night, one of the individuals who was a resident of the Institute of War and a champion of the League of Legends, was hard at work in his personal study. Trying to solve a mystery that had happened on the fields of justice several weeks ago that was happening more and more. Champions disappearing from either the fields of justice, or their home city. It first started with the Zaun Prodigy, Ekko. But after that, there were other known disappearances. The demacian ambassador for the Yordles, Poppy, was the second known champion to go missing, even though everything seemed normal.

Things changed though upon the third disappearance. Once that made both the ambassadors of Ionia worried as well as the league. Jhin, the Virtuoso. A deranged killer who believed that murder was a form of art… and that art required a certain cruelty. The major concern was that if Jhin wasn’t found immediately, he will kill many people before eventually getting captured. It took Shen and Zed years to capture him the first time… and the League did not have years to wait.

The fourth one though was different again. For it seemed that not all of these disappearance happened in the same place, as it was originally lead to believe that it only happened on the Fields of Justice. This ideal was later shattered with the disappearance of Poppy in Bandle City, Jhin in Ionia and more recently, Taric on Mount Targon. He had recently endured the trials of the peak and had come out a new man, only to have gone missing in the event of a blizzard that happened on the mountain.

All four of these incidents were presently being looked over by a powerful archmage in his study as he tried to piece them together. Figure out anything that could serve as a link for the disappearances. Yet, as he was trying to figure this out was when he felt a presence approach the door to his study as he turned to see who it was. Finding the Curator and Librarian of the Institute’s archives come on inside.

“Nasus… I did not expect for you, or anyone for that matter to come visit me.” The archmage responded as he looked back at the Curator of the Sands. “However, I’m a bit occupied at the present moment with-.”

“I know… having to find out more about the disappearance, I understand,” The Curator from Shurima replied. “And that is something I wanted to talk to you about, Ryze.” Hearing this, the Archmage stopped what he was doing, closing the spellbook that he was looking over as he looked back at Nasus.

“What is it? Did something happen?” He asked, curious as to what information Nasus had that he might have not known about. The Curator of the Sands himself set down the staff that he would normally carry with him as he walked into the room, closing the door behind him and clearing his throat. However, what the jackal then told him was something that Rzye was unprepared for.

“There was one other instance that happened… Not a disappearace, but something else… And the League is already making a move on how to proceed with Jhin.” Rzye’s heart skipped a beat as Nasus took out a scroll. One that turned out to be a ‘help wanted’ poster that was asking for anyone with detective skills and knowledge of tracking criminals. “For the first one, the league has taken notice of this poster that was a request for any professional detective to assist someone with tracking down a criminal. The league saw this as a potential clue since this attracted Plitover’s sheriff, Caitlynn, and the Plitover Enforcer, Vi. They could still feel their presence in Valoran, but according to the locals in the city, they had not been seen in sometime.”

Ryze looked back at Nasus, now thinking something off the top of his head. “So what exactly would that mean?”

“Well, when this was brought up to Xerath, he then explained that there might be a possible pocket dimension that was unknown previously, but over time as the magic of the dimension grows, it begins to overlap with the actual world that the dimension is a part of. He had sensed these magical surges over a particular period of time and from it, they match up with the days that Ekko, Poppy, Jhin, and Taric have gone missing.” That… was eye opening. Even to Ryze. The subject in which Nasus was explaining was originally only a theory from the books that he had read on it. But there was one thing that still confused the archmage.

“What does this have to do with Jhin though?” He asked, folding his arms for a moment as the runes across his body pulsed.

“The league has decided to no longer wait to take action and in this, they asked for the assistance of one of the newest champions to join the league to track him and capture him at all costs.” Nasus then told him, looking outside the mage’s study for a moment before looking back at him. “However, personally, I’m not sure about their choice of who they asked.”

That just made Ryze even more curious. “And why is that a concern?”

Nasus looked at the scholar and mage as he sighed for a moment. “I’m sure that you are aware of the situation between Plitover and Zaun, correct?” Ryze nodded. He was aware of the situation between both cities since some of his research in crystalline magic several weeks earlier had a link to Zaun and also the hextech crystals that are commonly used for storage and other items like keys and chests. “And the rivalry between both cities?”

“I am aware in a sense… and surprised that the two of them have not gone to war with one another because of all the hatred between both of them.” The archmage then said. “What does this have to do with tracking down Jhin though?”

“Because the League has called upon the same person who has been the sole reason that order has been kept between both cities… Yet, I’m not entirely a fan of her methods.” Nasus told him, before asking a question. “If you were in the League’s shoes… would you send a killer to hunt a killer?”

“That depends on the person…” The archmage told him. “If you are sending a criminal to capture a criminal, it would be risky… but if it were someone else, then the situation changes. Who did they choose?” It was then that the jackal took out a scroll from a leather satchel on his waist and handed it for the archmage to look at.

It looked like a human, but the augmentations on her body told him otherwise. What would’ve been legs was actually a pair of hextech augmented blades that served as limbs as the mage saw other pieces of hextech technology on the figure. The cold glare in her eyes too also made Ryze see why the jackal was concerned. “This is Camille… Known as the Steel Shadow and also the principal intelliger of Clan Ferros. An elite operative who ensures that relations between Plitover and Zaun run smoothly by any means necessary. Doing anything to keep the fragile balance of power of both cities in check.”

“She seems to be more machine that human from the looks of it,” Ryze remarked as he handed the scroll back to her. “Machines, like magic, can falter if not properly used.”

“I agree with you, and I tried to stress the same thing to the league… However, she wasn’t chosen because of her weapons, but because of her ability to adapt to the situation around her at any given time. Jhin is unpredictable… yet, Camille’s keen attention to detail always can have the tide turn in her favor.” Nasus then told the mage, recalling his conversation with the summoners of the league and their decision. “Their decision is final, Ryze… and there’s nothing we can do to change that.”

The archmage just sighed, shaking his head a little as he looked back at Nasus. “If that’s the League’s decision, then we’re not one to judge…” The League of Legends in itself had extended their generosity to several of the league's members for them to take up residence here. Some in exchange for the services of those champions, like Xerath, while others stood as guards or served for the league; the prime examples of that being Alistar, the Minotaur and Kayle, the Judicator.

The residents of the league were also rather diverse, some in which caught Ryze’s attention because of their background or what they were capable of. Janna Windforce, the Storm’s Fury and the guardian of Zaun herself was capable of channeling the very essence of a raging storm with her power, while Malphite, the Earth Elemental and the Shard of the Monolith, meditated within the caverns that were underneath the institute where the League was originally set up. There were a few others too for different reasons as to why they were there, such as Ahri, Amumu and Lee Sin that Ryze also had the privilege to fight alongside in battle.

If only he could find out what was going on with the champions that had disappeared.

Crystal Empire

“So… Can you tell me more about the ponies we are meeting?” The question almost surprised Twilight as she was trotting next to Poppy and the rest of her friends.

“Wait… you mean you don’t know anything about Cadence or Shining?” She asked, rather surprised to hear that as they were coming up to the castle in the crystal empire.

“To be fair, the only time that we did see them briefly was at a crime scene. Besides, I just wanted to know a little bit about who we are meeting. I do it all the time when I meet other diplomats for Demacia back home.” The Yordle explained to her, still carrying her hammer with her as they continued to walk to the front door. Twilight understood what she meant and she did explain to Poppy about Luna and Celestia before, so explaining to Poppy about her brother and his wife shouldn’t be too difficult… right?

“Well, Princess Cadence is the niece of Celestia and… Shining Armor is my brother.” That surprised the Yordle. She wasn’t aware that the two of them were siblings… matter of fact, there were several things she was still trying to get used too while they were walking. The Alicorn told her of how her brother was once part of the royal guard in Canterlot before marrying Cadence, the time where they saved the Crystal Empire and also most recently, where the two of them had a young newborn daughter.

“Well, your brother sounds like quite the Hero if I do say so myself,” The Yordle smirked as she looked back at Twilight and got her hopes up. “Tell me, does your brother like using Hammers?”

“Well, I think he’s more proficient with using spears or polearms when the situation calls for it.” Twilight told her, which bummed out the yordle. She originally thought that because of Shining Armor’s heroics, he would be a perfect candidate to be the hero to wield her hammer… but what Twilight just said just now had all those ideas blow up in her face. “Why do you ask?”

“It’s… You know the hammer I carry around right?” Poppy asked, causing Twilight to nod just as they got through the door to the castle. “Well, back home, other than being a Diplomat… I’m what you may call a hero seeker. For a long time now, I’ve been looking for someone back home who is supposed to be the ‘Hero of Demacia’ and be the rightful wielder of the hammer I carry. However, anytime I think I find someone, it doesn’t really turn out so well.”

“...... Should I ask?” Twilight asked.

“Most of them end up getting killed or eaten by monsters.”

“Oh… That’s… rather grim.”

“Comes with the job I guess,” Poppy said as she turned her head to notice Cadence and Shining inside the castle. “Oh, wow… the inside of the castle’s a lot more… roomier than I expected.”

“It’s good to see you again, Twilight,” She replied as the princess noticed the rest of her friends come into the room now as she turned her head to Poppy. “You must be Poppy, correct? How has your stay been in Equestria so far?”

“It’s been… interesting to say the least. A lot has happened in such a short time, especially with what’s been going on as of late.” Poppy replied back to Cadence as she looked around the area. “Not exactly the same as life was back in Runeterra, that’s for sure. It’s… actually quite peaceful.”

That surprised the ponies in the room as they looked back at Poppy, rather surprised and possibly a bit startled. “Are things not peaceful back where you are from.”

Poppy sighed for a moment, making sure that everypony was present, including Celestia and Luna when they showed up a few moments before going more into detail about what Runeterra was like. “Over the years, many disputes between rival groups, whether it has been two tribes or two countries, has always resulted in terms of magical warfare with little regard to the consequences of waging such battles, which we call Rune Wars. However, they could only go unchecked for so long and before you know it, the last two Rune Wars had drastically altered the geographical landscape and had caused severe natural disasters, even after magic was then used to try to piece everything together.”

“My word… if there was another one of those conflicts, then your world would cease to exist… How is it that it stays in one piece?” Rarity then asked as Poppy turned to her.

“That was what some of the top summoners theorized… and it was then that formed the organization that we know as the League of Legends, which would allow countries to settle disputes between one another that was both systematic and controlled,” The Yordle telling them, recalling everything she knew on the league. “The conflicts would be settled in special arena’s called the ‘fields of justice’ and summoners representing particular political alliances would summon champions, like Ekko or I for example, to fight alongside fellow champions to achieve the objective of destroying the other teams base, or what we call a Nexus.”

“Such a system like this seems rather complicated,” Luna then complemented, before then looking at her sister for a brief moment as she stated her next question. “And how is this not similar to that of something like trial by combat?”

“Well, in Runeterra, or the continent of Valoran for us, there are several city states. Each city state has a representative who is a diplomat of the league called an Emissary. When a match begins, there are arbiters… or adjudicators that are assigned to a particular match that keep track and record what happens and lastly, there’s a council of high summoners who determine what happens on a political scale when a match is over.” Poppy then finished… which in turn lead to Rainbow Dash blurting out something she wanted to ask the Yordle.

“Uh… how do you remember all of this stuff?”

“Well, if you aren’t fighting on the fields of justice or trying to search for heroes like I normally do, I normally read books.” Poppy told them, which in turn got a snicker from Rainbow as the Yordle glared back at her. “Besides, with the league making changes to the rules to prevent people from cheating, I would prefer to be up to speed.”

“She makes a valid point, Rainbow.” Twilight added on.

“Oh come on now… I thought we were coming here to visit the new addition to the family, not talk about political disputes and rules.” She said, groaning a little bit as Poppy decided to leave them be. Leaving her with Princess Cadence as she then turned and spoke up. “Sorry if I sounded too complex for you.”

“Not at all really… In fact, Shining and I have actually heard this before twice now.”

That… was news to Poppy. She did not know that someone else already gave them the same explanation. “Um… forgive me for sounding so abrupt, but why did you-?”

“I wanted to see how Twilight and her friends would react…” Cadence chuckled, smiling a little bit as she looked at Poppy. Now though, the Yordle had one last question to ask.

“Princess… who told you and Shining about the League?” That question… only lead to another question being given in exchange… and one that Poppy knew the answer too.

“Would you happen to know someone by the name of Taric?”

Meanwhile…

As Starlight and Spike continued to venture throughout the crystal empire, Ekko felt like he had to come with them every time they got up and went somewhere new so they didn’t get themselves in trouble… and if there was one thing he hated more than pilties, it was being responsible. He was rebellious and independent fighter, not a babysitter. He was thinking right now that Vi was having more fun doing something else rather than he was right now… and that made him sick to his stomach.

It was around now though that both the unicorn and dragon were talking to another unicorn. One that was male and, if he were to assume correctly, was Starlight’s old fillyhood friend Sunburst. Both unicorns had the chance to talk to one another for a while as Spike waited with him outside. But while they were outside was when Ekko looked up and asked something.

“Uh… Spike? Did the forecast call for storm clouds?”

The dragon himself was curious as to what he was talking about, but when the prodigy pointed it out to him, that was when he became a little bit nervous. “Uh oh… that’s probably not a good sign.” It was also then that a bit of snow began to fall on their heads as Ekko looked back at the baby dragon in confusion.

“The heck? I thought you guys were in the middle of spring or something.”

“We were… From what I was told, the Crystal Heart was suppose to prevent any dark magic from getting close to the city… If something happened…” Now was when Spike was beginning to worry and soon, took off as he left Ekko behind. “I’m sorry Ekko, but I got to get to Twilight!”

“Spike wait-!” Ekko called out, groaning a few seconds after the dragon took off as he chased him. Groaning to himself and saying one thing under his breath. “Ugh…… I hate being responsible…”

Yet, it was as he was running that he noticed Celestia and Luna personally flying in the sky, trying to use their magic to repel the shadows away. Making him think that if they are somehow involved, then this is no laughing matter.

Not to mention that the entire city, shortly after this incident first got out of hand, caused everypony to start running inside their homes and getting out of sight. Leaving Ekko out in the open on his own… and unable to find Spike anywhere. “You had an eye on him for ONE second and now this happens…” The likely possibility right now was that Spike would’ve ran off to where Twilight would be… and the most likely place that she would be is the castle in the center of town.

“Geez… If it’s not one thing, it’s another… At least Vi isn’t handling anything crazy on her end…” He groaned to herself. “I mean, she’s probably right right not just sitting around and not doing anything. Who isn’t a fan of that?”

Elsewhere, In Ponyville

For the enforcer named Vi, she was never a fan of just sitting around and not doing anything. Originally, she thought that something were to happen at one point or another in Ponyville while everyone else was away and it would give her the chance to do something here. Out of the champions from the league that she knew somehow ended up here, two of them were going up north to some… place that make her think of the Howling Abyss, Caitlynn was checking to make sure they didn’t overlook anything in Canterlot regarding their case on the Virtuoso and one other set of champions, Lamb and Wolf, were not heard from in days. Which, made the Piltover Enforcer insanely bored out of her mind right now and wanted to punch something.

Of course, she had tried… other things in order to cure her of her boredom. Walking around Ponyville was one, but the locals seem more… intimidated by her then at ease… Probably because they hadn’t seen anyone with oversized fists before. It was normal for people in the city of Piltover to have some kind of augmentation. Hell, a lot of people in Piltover and Zaun have a lot of crazy inventions and gadgets. Some even being recognized on the annual holiday between both cities called ‘Progress Day’.

But as she was coming back to Princess Twilight’s castle, the sound of a loud bang went off, causing several birds in the nearby trees to fly around and for a few of the other ponies to immediately go inside their homes. But it just made Vi a little more… curious. She knew for certain of two things… one, Caitlynn wasn’t back yet. Two, the only form of long ranged weaponry that ponykind had were bows, crossbows and sometimes a cannon or two. They were completely unfamiliar with firearms.

Which only meant one possible thing… The Virtuoso was nearby… and hiding in the forest. As the Enforcer ran out of the town to where she heard the first shot, a second gunshot soon followed afterwards. “That’s two… His shots are always in a series of four, so I need to keep my eyes and ears open for what comes next.”

She had her fists ready to punch something and Vi was getting really excited for when she was to catch Jhin off guard and she heard a third shot being fired. But it was through the forests that the Enforcer heard something… else too. What sounded like blades cutting through trees as she planted her feet and quickly made a hard left turn and ran down a long pathway and straight to a clearing up ahead. But by the time that Vi had entered the clearing, it was then that she heard the fourth shot.

And saw an adversary cut down the Virtuoso as he fell to the ground and disappeared in a flash of light… just like if they were on the fields of justice. But the one who took him down though… was what caught Vi by surprise. “So much time focused on presentation… However, showmanship has no place in Battle.” At first glance, the woman that was talking didn’t look much… different to Vi at first glance. But upon seeing her turn around… she saw that this person looked more machine than woman. Multiple different Hextech body augmentations could be seen on the figure. The most noticeable ones being the ones on her legs, where two large hextech blades were instead of legs.

Yet, it was when she looked at Vi that the Enforcer noticed that she was more… disgusted by her presence than surprised to see her. “Mmm… It’s like looking into a crude, boorish mirror.”

“Excuse me?” Vi asked, a bit puzzled by why she was here and insulted by what this woman said. “Just… who are you supposed to be?”

“Personally, I don’t have time to explain myself to that such as you,” The woman shot back. “I only had one job to do and that was to track down the Virtuoso. That’s it.”

“Hey, I was just wanting to know who to thank for helping us, not you being rude.” Vi growled. She was not liking this woman’s tone… but there was something about her that… made her think that she had seen her somewhere before… but where?

“Pfft…… I don’t believe it… You honestly don’t remember?” The gray lady asked her, placing a hand to her face as a few of her fingers lightly touched her head in annoyance. “Let me ask you something then, girl…”

However… the question she asked… had different effects on Vi than one might think. “Ever wonder how you became an orphan?”

That single sentence… caused everything in Vi’s mind to come to an immediate halt. She only remembered bits and pieces of what was her childhood… and the parts she did remember she would rather want to forget. Now? Those parts were coming back… they were making her remember the old days when she had a family… before being an orphan on the streets… and also making her feel one single emotion once everything was all pieced together and discarding any form of self control she had for one thing.

Rage. Pure… Uncontrollable… Rage. Rage that made Vi lose control of herself as she charged at the silver haired woman. Wanting to make her pay for what she did all those ago.

End Break 10