[Arcane] Departure (Caitvi & Timebomb Post S2)

The Daughter

Vi, Caitlyn, and Ekko spent the whole morning gathering relevant information about the date Jinx disappeared, first visiting the air ducts of the hexgate. The first piece of evidence that would help them in their investigation was the blood on the protruding platform slightly above where Vander died. Ekko leaned down and looked at the platform intensely.

"Scuff marks and blood. Looks like something heavy fell on it," Ekko analyzed.

"Cait, did you ever find her... shark gun thingy?" Vi asked.

"Only found fragments of one of her explosive devices," Caitlyn responded.

"Then I think I know where it ended up," Vi stated while looking at the scuff marks on the platform.

Vi then looked down towards where Vander and Jinx had fallen. The moment replayed in her head. How could her sister listen to her cries and decide to leave? If Jinx was alive, what if she didn't want to see Vi ever again? This situation suddenly felt different being back here. She was starting to move on, she found this new life with Caitlyn, got a job opportunity from Sevika, and most importantly, she actually felt happy.

Just like when she first got out of Jail, Caitlyn has yet again put Vi in a position where she has to search for her sister. The cycle starts again.

"Maybe this is what she meant by breaking the cycle," Vi whispered.

In that moment, Vi felt a hand on her shoulder, and she realized she was still staring down the drop. Must've got too lost in her thoughts. She looked up and saw Ekko with a concerned look.

"Vi?" Ekko questioned.

"Huh, what's up? I-I'm good," Vi answered.

"What was that about the cycle?" Ekko continued.

"I... don't think she wants to be found," Vi mumbled.

The words hit Caitlyn hard. She looked away with guilt on her face, hoping that she wasn't the one who swayed Vi into believing that. That's what Caitlyn has been preaching since she revealed Jinx escaped.

"Sometimes she... doesn't know what's best. She's punishing herself. She's out there somewhere, alone," Ekko retorted.

"I know Powder is... in there. I'm just worried things won't be like they were when saving the world," Vi admitted.

"Theres only one way to find out," Ekko noted.

Vi nodded her head and looked over to Caitlyn. She looked lost in her own thoughts now.

"Maybe we should see where the vent leads, Cait?" Vi suggested.

Caitlyn's eyes widened and she looked over to Vi, mildly startled. "Y-Yeah. Lets go," Caitlyn mumbled.

The group went into the air duct, Ekko leading, Vi in the middle, and Caitlyn in the back.

"I am loving the view from my position in line," Caitlyn teased.

"You can stare at my ass and also not say anything," Vi claimed.

Ekko sighed heavily as he followed more droplets of blood. They followed the trail until it led them to an open vent door leading outside. Ekko stepped out first, then Vi attempted but found it a little more difficult as she tried to squeeze out.

"Oh no! Looks like I might have to push you out," Caitlyn cried.

"Cait... I swear to god, there is a ten-foot drop out here. I'm so gonna haunt you if I break my neck, please don't push me," Vi pleaded

"I was only joking," Cait responded.

Vi eventually got out of the vent and landed on the ground, with Cait following soon after. They were at the Piltover docks, where they would prepare shipments and then launch the ships from with hextech. Vi walked up and looked around, the blood led straight forward to the docks and stopped.

"No... no, no, no.... What did she do..." Vi gasped.

"Whats wrong?" Ekko wondered.

"When we were kids... she always wanted to ride on the fucking... FUCK! She always wanted to ride on the ships. The blood stops at the docks... she probably was trying to get as far away as possible and..." Vi trailed off.

"You don't think that she-" Caitlyn started.

"Left Piltover..." Ekko finished. "No, no way. She could still be here, hiding at the docks. Let's look around."

Ekko got on his hoverboard and lowered himself and began searching under the docks. Vi and Caitlyn exchanged glances before Caitlyn pulled Vi into a hug.

"I'm sorry if I ever made you feel discouraged in your search for your sister. You shouldn't lose hope," Caitlyn comforted.

"You didn't make me feel discouraged, it's just something she said about 'ending the cycle'. I left her alone with Silco and got locked in a cell. When you got me out of Stillwater, I immediately went to look for Powder. Then, I found Jinx. It felt like we finally got Powder back, and she left me. What if... when I find her... its Jinx again?" Vi stressed.

"Well... Jinx is a hero of Zaun, she united the underground to fight for what they believe in. Jinx also saved Piltover on the day of one of our greatest battles. I think Jinx is as much of a sister to you as Powder is," Caitlyn soothed.

Ekko came back up from the docks with a sense of urgency. "I think I found her, but we have to approach carefully. We don't want her freaking out or running away," Ekko blurted.

"Ekko, Ekko. Slow down. You're sure she's down there?" Caitlyn asked.

"Unless there is an one-hundred-pound creature that built a shack out of wood that was falling off the docks, then I think it's her," Ekko assured.

"Think you can give us a lift down?" Vi wondered.

"I hope so," Ekko replied.

Vi stood on the back of his board as he lowered himself to below the docks. Vi stepped off and looked around. There was a large amount of space under the docks made out of concrete. In the corner, there was a large wooden structure with sounds coming from it. Ekko lowered Caitlyn next and she stepped off, grabbing Vi for stability. Ekko slowly crept up to the box, with Vi and Caitlyn following closely behind. Ekko quickly swung the door open and blocked the entrance.

"Jinx, it's me, Ekk-" he stopped himself

Caitlyn stepped into the room as well and looked at the figure in the box. She gasped when she saw who it was. "Oh my god... are you... Corin Revecks daughter? Orianna, was it?"

A girl with gold and white porcelain skin stared wide-eyed at the group. A large amount of hextech covered the tables in this little shack, and in the center of the room was a grey orb with golden rings spinning around it.

"My goodness! You aren't with my father, are you?" Orianna asked.

Ekko groaned and held his head, Vi entered the room to see who Caitlyn was talking to. She didn't recognize the figure, but she resembled the creatures that Viktor used to attack Piltover last month.

"No... we were looking for someone else. He really brought you back... What are you doing here?" Caitlyn responded.

"I learned of... how my father healed me. I looked at the undercity. What shimmer did to it... Then I learned of the beast, what he did to that man," Orianna explained. Vi flinched at the mention of Vander. "Finally, I saw the destruction from the battle he was a part of. All for me. I couldn't look at him. I shouldn't even exist. Coming back from the grave is supposed to have its consequences. I am just waiting for mine," Orianna continued.

"We don't have time for this. Caitlyn, they gave you Heimerdinger's position on the council, you can pull the logs of where we sent shipments after the day of the battle, right?"

"I already know where the shipments were going. After the battle, we only sent things to Ionia to help them fight Noxus. Those were the only shipments we didn't put on pause for the sake of those people's survival. She's probably in Ionia right now," Caitlyn revealed.

"I'll go," Ekko responded.

"Going by yourself to a foreign land in an active war... that's dangerous," Vi cautioned.

"I have a time machine at home. I'll bring it. And I won't be alone when I find her. I know you guys can't leave. Caitlyn, you have duties here. Vi, you aren't going to leave Caitlyn to handle it all alone. I got this," Ekko insisted.

"I'll arrange a transport. I will have about a dozen enforcers accompany you on this journey as well," Caitlyn added.

Ekko smiled and extended his arms for a group hug. Vi and Caitlyn quickly accepted and they all held on for a moment. Caitlyn then looked over Ekko's shoulder at Orianna, who was now awkwardly backing herself into the corner to give the group space, dead quiet.

Ekko let go of the hug saying, "I'm gonna bring her home, I promise."

Vi patted his shoulder and smiled at him. "Thank you, Ekko."

"I-I guess gonna go get my things," Ekko sputtered. He got on his hoverboard and flew away from the docks out of sight. Vi glanced at Caitlyn, then tilted her head towards Orianna with a concerned look on her face.

Caitlyn saw Orianna in the corner, keeping her mouth shut, looking around awkwardly.

"Orianna, if you do not wish to stay with your father, would you like to stay with us?" Caitlyn queried.

Orianna smiled and shook her head. "That's very nice of you, but I don't want to intrude. Also, I... don't exactly know how you know me."

"Your father... showed me what he was keeping you in. You don't deserve to live a life under these docks. Come stay with us, even if it's only for a bit," Caitlyn insisted.

"Hmm... will there be a place for me to have a workshop?" Orianna asked.

"We can work that out," Caitlyn chuckled.

"Ok. I think I'll take you up on that offer," Orianna answered.

"I'm glad... now let's get Ekko a ride to Ionia," Caitlyn announced.

...

The ship was ready by sunset. Ekko, with the Z-Drive attached to his back, walked to the Piltover ship. He looked back and waved at Caitlyn, Vi, and Orianna. Little did they know this would be the last time they all saw each other in one piece.