enforce - vi

2

Powder smiled, grateful, as she thanked Liona again. "Thanks for trying to help! But... what brings you to the Undercity?" She tugged Liona down to sit beside her. Liona hesitated, glancing around; she'd never actually been this deep in the Undercity before.

Noticing her hesitation, Mylo snickered. "We're not gonna eat you, topsider," he scoffed.

Liona shot him a look, then sat beside Powder with a soft smile at the younger girl. "I come here to feed a stray cat down an alley," she explained. "But today, I came to tell you and the others"—she looked pointedly at Mylo, Claggor, and Vi—"to lie low for now. I didn't want to get dragged into sending a kid to prison."

Powder nodded thoughtfully, but Vi stepped in, her expression guarded. "Thanks for the advice," she replied coolly. "But we don't need it."

Liona sighed and stood, brushing the dust from her dress. "Just take care of the kid, alright? Don't let her end up like..." she glanced around, "the rest of you."

Mylo's face darkened, and he started forward, fists clenched, but Claggor held him back. Liona met his glare before turning back to Powder, softening as she reached into her pocket.

She pulled out a piece of candy and handed it to Powder with a small smile. "Here. You can always find me if you'd like more," she said, patting Powder's head gently before straightening up and heading back to Piltover.

-

Days passed, and Liona continued to visit the Undercity regularly, checking on the stray cat and spending time with Powder. Each time, she brought a bag of candy and stories from Piltover, reading them aloud to the little girl. They'd grown close, becoming nearly inseparable whenever Liona was in the Undercity. Liona, an only child, had always wanted a younger sibling to spoil, and Powder filled that space in her heart.

One evening, Caitlyn dragged Liona to her house, saying she had something important to share.

Liona flopped onto her cousin's bed. "So, what's so urgent?"

Caitlyn, seated at her desk reading mail, glanced over. "I overheard Marcus saying something big is about to go down in the Undercity tonight. The way he talked... it sounded serious."

Liona sat up, suddenly alert. "And you're telling me this because...?"

Caitlyn rolled her eyes. "Do you really think I haven't noticed you sneaking off with bags of candy and books?"

Liona crossed her arms. "It's just for a kid I adore. Her friends... not so much," she muttered, recalling Vi, Claggor, and Mylo.

Caitlyn nodded knowingly. "Well, if you care about the kid, you might want to warn her to stay safe. You might not get another chance."

Liona's heart twisted. She groaned, pushing herself off the bed and throwing on a hooded cloak.

-

As she sneaked out of her house and into the winding paths leading to the Undercity, her thoughts were a mix of worry and urgency. Powder had taught her the way to the Last Drop, and soon she was there. Dropping her hood, she spotted Powder and Vi across the room. "Powder," she called out, just loud enough for the child to hear.

Vi noticed first and quickly approached, her expression severe. "Are you kidding me? What are you doing here right now? Do you have a death wish?" she hissed.

Liona's eyes narrowed, confused. "What's going on?"

Vi groaned, dragging her inside and slamming the door shut. "Stay here with Powder," she ordered, pacing as she prepared herself.

"Stay here? What's happening?" Liona asked, watching Vi's tense movements.

"You shouldn't have come here tonight. They'll see a topsider and tear you apart," Vi said, casting a worried glance out the window.

"They?" Liona asked, dread creeping in.

"Silco's gang," Vi replied tersely. "Stay here. Look after Powder while I'm gone."

Liona stared, feeling lost. "I can't stay here like this. I'll take her with me—back to Piltover."

"No. You can't leave. Not now." Vi's voice was urgent, almost pleading.

At that moment, Powder came running over, excitement sparkling in her eyes as she looked up at her sister. "Vi, I'm ready! Let's go!"

But Vi's face softened, and she knelt to meet Powder's gaze. "I need you to sit this one out, Powder."

Powder's smile faltered, confusion filling her face. "What? But... families stick together! You said it yourself!"

Liona wrapped an arm around Powder, sensing her distress as Vi looked down. "I know what I said," Vi murmured.

"I want to fight! I can help!" Powder's voice shook with emotion.

"You're not ready!" Vi's voice cracked as she finally shouted, and Powder dropped to the floor in tears.

Liona looked between them, feeling both helpless and moved. She knelt beside Powder, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and pulled her into a gentle embrace. "Powder, it's okay. I'm here."

"She thinks I'm useless," Powder whimpered, pressing her face into Liona's shoulder.

Liona's heart ached. Despite her own fear, she forced herself to stay calm, speaking gently. "You're not useless. She's just worried about you."

But then Powder's eyes lit up with a flash of determination. She sprang up and ran to her bag, pulling out a handful of hextech crystals. Liona's eyes widened. "Oh no, not those again."

"I can help them, Liona!" Powder pleaded, clutching the crystals in one hand and her metal toys in the other.

Liona sighed, glancing at the crystals nervously. "Powder... these are dangerous."

"Please believe in me," Powder whispered, her voice trembling but resolute.

Liona hesitated, watching the hope in Powder's tear-streaked face. She sighed. "Alright, but if this goes bad, it's not my fault."