ALL CAPS (Rapper male reader x Arcane / KDA)

through the shadows

You stood at the window of your penthouse, staring at the skyline of Piltover as the sun began to sink below the horizon. The once-vibrant city was now draped in hues of gold and orange, casting long shadows across the streets. You exhaled slowly, your heart heavy with the weight of the night ahead. You stared at the pendant once gifted to you by her, rubbing its surface with your thumb

On the table before you sat the mask. It was sleek and simple, a dark covering with metallic accents designed to hide his face, reminiscent of a certain comic book villain. You reached for it, your fingers brushing the cold material as your mind wandered to Jinx—Powder. The girl you had once known, the girl you couldn't forget. Your chest tightened with worry.

You slipped the mask over your face, adjusting it so it fit snugly. For a moment, you hesitated, looking out at the fading light. It was peaceful up here, a far cry from the chaos you were about to dive back into.

"I hope this works,"  you muttered to yourself before turning away from the window.

The cab ride down to Zaun was long and tense. The streets of Piltover, once filled with light and life, gave way to the dark, winding alleys of Zaun. The air grew thicker, the atmosphere more oppressive. As the cab weaved through the industrial city, you could feel the pit in your stomach grow. you hadn't been here in a while, not since the move, and yet Zaun still felt like home—a twisted, broken one.

The cab came to a stop in a shadowed alleyway. You slipped out, pulling your hood up as you disappeared into the gloom. You made your way down an abandoned side street until you spotted Vi waiting for you in the shadows. She was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, the flicker of a small flame from her cigarette briefly illuminating her face.

"You're late," she said, tossing the cigarette to the ground and crushing it with her boot.

You didn't respond, pulling your mask tighter around your face. They both knew this wasn't a night for small talk. Silently, they moved together through the maze of Zaun's underbelly, slipping into dark alleys, down forgotten stairways, and through hidden tunnels.

Finally, they reached a grated vent, carefully hidden beneath layers of rust and grime. Vi motioned for you to stop, then pointed to the scene below.

Through the vent, you could see her—Jinx. Your breath caught in your throat.

Her lair was massive, an empty, industrial pit filled with strange contraptions and graffiti-covered walls. The only sound was the echo of her laughter, bouncing off the cold metal surroundings. She stood in the centre of it all, her wild blue hair tangled and dishevelled, her face twisted with manic glee. Her eyes glistened with a madness that made your heart ache.

Jinx was throwing grenades into the pit below, watching them explode with the same childlike wonder she once had for toys. But there was something darker now, a volatile energy that crackled around her. Her movements were erratic—she was pacing, talking to herself, her voice switching between a high-pitched giggle and a low, angry mutter.

"Powder..." you whispered under your breath, feeling the familiar tug of the girl she used to be. But that girl was long gone.

Vi's face was grim as she crouched beside him, peering through the vent. "She's not gonna listen to reason, y/n. She's too far gone."

You clenched your fists. You wanted to believe that wasn't true. That there was still a part of Powder left in there, somewhere beneath the chaos. But seeing her like this—alone, broken, and consumed by her own madness—it shattered something inside you.

As you watched, Jinx let out a frustrated scream, throwing another grenade with reckless force. She fell to her knees, clutching her head, her voice breaking as she muttered something incoherent. For a brief moment, you saw it—the pain behind her eyes, the girl who once shared her dreams with him.