enforce - vi

3

Liona and Powder crouched on the ledge of an abandoned building, peering through a cracked window at the chaotic scene unfolding below. Every instinct told Liona to grab Powder and run, to get her far from this danger, but Powder insisted on staying.

"I should've brought my bow and arrows for this," Liona muttered, unease gnawing at her. "Are you sure this will work, Powder?" Her eyes darted to the huge, beast-like creature charging straight at Vi. She winced. "That doesn't look good..."

Powder, laser-focused on her creation, whispered a plea. "You have to work, Mouser... for me!" She pressed the toy to her forehead in desperation, and then let it go.

They watched as the little monkey bomb started to move, then—boom. A blinding blue light engulfed them, and Liona instinctively gripped Powder's hand, holding on tight as the world slowed, spinning with shimmering blue fragments. And then—impact.

Liona hit the ground hard, her vision fading.

"Liona, wake up!" Powder's frantic voice broke through the haze as she slapped Liona's cheek, desperation clear in her voice. Slowly, Liona's eyes fluttered open, and Powder's face broke into a relieved smile. "You're up!" Powder threw her arms around her, and Liona hugged her back weakly.

"Did... did it work?" Liona groaned, sitting up, and Powder helped her to her feet.

"I don't know?! Let's go see!" Powder, grinning with excitement, pulled Liona along toward Vi's crumpled form. Powder's voice rang out, filled with pride. "Vi, it worked!"

Vi looked up, her face a mix of shock and dread. "What?" she breathed, taking in the sight of the two girls.

"Did you see it, Vi?" Powder beamed, pride sparkling in her eyes. "My monkey bomb finally worked!"

Liona's gaze shifted past Vi, and her heart froze when she saw Vander lying on the ground, motionless. She gasped. "You... you did this?"

Vi's face twisted in a mixture of heartbreak and fury. "Why did you do this?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Powder's proud smile faltered, her eyes filling with tears as she caught sight of Vander. "I was saving you..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "I only wanted to help..."

Vi's pain spilled over as she slapped Powder hard, sending her sprawling. "I told you to stay away!" she cried, her hands gripping Powder's shoulders as the little girl cowered.

Seeing enough, Liona stepped in, pulling Vi away and shielding Powder. "You don't get to hit her for this, Vi," Liona snapped, standing firm as she wiped blood from her own face. "She only wanted to help."

But Vi's anger turned on her. "You," she laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "I told you to keep her safe, and you brought her into this?" She spat, "Shitty topsiders like you are why we're in this mess."

Liona flinched, the insult cutting deeper than she expected.

"It wasn't her—it was me!" Powder cried, pushing forward despite her tears and the blood dripping from her nose. "I just wanted to help..."

Vi's voice cracked as she repeated, "I told you to stay away."

"No... why did you leave me?" Powder's voice grew desperate as she clung to Vi, begging for some connection.

Vi's face hardened. "Because you're a jinx. Do you hear me? Mylo was right!" Her words sliced through Powder, who collapsed, sobbing.

As Vi stormed away, Powder's screams echoed. "No, no, Violet, please! Don't leave me!"

Liona moved to comfort her, but strong arms grabbed her from behind. "Let me go!" she shouted, thrashing against Marcus and the enforcers, who held her tight.