Chapter 4: Life Goes On
The Aftermath of the Rebellion wasn't pretty. War never usually is. Both sides lost people. And the casual distain Topside had for the 'Poor Uneducate Sump Rats of the Undercity' turned into actual hate and disgust. But this has got to end. So they took a breath, swallowed their distain and make a deal anyway.
The Council was up in arms. Their feathers sufficiently ruffled. Some wanted to purge the Undercity but cooler heads prevailed. They get peace but at what cost?
More discrimination, more disgust, more untrustful eyes. If it was hard for the people of the Undercity to find Jobs in Piltover, to leave their chemical-filled air and land? Now it was nearly impossible. There are still people who are sympathetic to their plight. But those are ruled by fear and distrust to hire any Zaunites.
The people of Zuan was not even allowed near the Bridge for the first few weeks after the failed revolt. And deep down both sides knew that the only reason it failed is because they didn't want to throw more bodies at each other.
Piltover have counted every head in it's land. With citizenship registration and what not. And the population came to about just a shy of 900,000. Zuan has nearly twice the number, maybe more. And unlike Piltover with their limited army, most of Zaun are able bodied fighters, ready to throw down if need arise.
Zaun may have taken more losses in the rebellion. But if they throw enough bodies, Piltover will be worn down. Vander doesn't want that. It's why he hanged up his gauntlets.
After the rebellion, you could see him spending most of his time in the Last Drop. Either taking care of the sisters or just slamming it back to deal with the grief. Ekko wasn't much better. He was still confused on why he went out that night. His action didn't make sense after thinking it clearly.
But he didn't want to keep going back to that night so he pushed his focus on his body. Whereas before, he was subtle. Now? He's making changes that are too quick. Too noticeable. Benzo has been watching intensely whenever he cooked, to make sure he wasn't slipping some unkown chemicals into the food, he'd assume.
It broke him out of his funk enough to slow down again. But he's now over 5 feet tall and it was too late to revert the changes. Honestly? He was never gonna be a short king like the Original. Random Trivia: Did you know that character heights were revamped in Arcane?
Vi ended up being 5 foot 8(172 cm), Caitlyn was actually taller at 6 foot 1 (185 cm), he himself was nerfed to 5 foot 6 (168 cm). Jinx/Powder was the only one with her original 5 foot 3 (160 cm).
But he's already nearing canon Arcane height and he's only 6...
'Fuck!' Ekko cursed as he stirred the pot a little more forcefully. His face must given away something.
"Everything okay boy?" Benzo asked from where he was sitting, tinkering with something. Making Ekko pause for a moment.
"M'fine" He mumbled sheepishly before turning his attention to the pot. Frog Legs, Fish and other assorted creatures that he could find. Combined with what they called down here the slop, which was just stew made out of Wheat, Oats, Garlic, Onions and other cheap but hearty materials. It was bland by itself but with the protein he caught it wasn't so bad.
After checking the taste, he quickly made a bowl for the both of them before carrying them over to Benzo. After that, he carried the whole pot to put it near them. They were both never satisfied with one bowl afterall.
"You know..."Benzo paused to take a bite and hummed appreciatively.
"You don't have to spend your savings to keep buying ingrediants." Benzo said as he took an another spoonful of stew.
"I only buy the slop, you know this." Ekko replied as he just tip the bowl over his mouth to straight up drink the slop.
"I know, I know but I promised to look after you little man, and that includes food. You don't have to spend your hard earned money to put food on the table. Just take whatever you need from the drawer..." Benzo hesitated before continuing.
"And if you ever need anything, you know I'm here for you right?" Ekko looked up at that. Seeing the pleading look in the man's eyes.
"I wil Benzo. And you don't need to worry Benzo. I'm fine. That night... that night was just a one time thing." He assures him. It was a lie. One that Ekko himself didn't know.
Benzo still looked worried but decided to drop it for now. Ekko put away another two bowls before he made a move to wash the dishes.
"No. No. You cook the food. At least let this old man be useful for once in while." Benzo said as he took the bowls from Ekko.
"Fine Fine" Ekko relented as he look over the stew and saw that there were still half left.
"Go." Ekko turned his head to see Benzo giving him a knowing smirk.
"Go give the little lady and her sister your today's special." The smug bastard.
"Hmph, I was going to anyway." Ekko took a large metal lunch box he welded together from the scraps in Benzo's workshop and scooped the stew into the box. The box was large enough for like 2 litres of stew. He sealed it, wrapped the cloth he usually use, around it.
"Say Hi to Vander for me would ja?" Benzo called out as he went into the garage.
"Will do!"
After securing the box, he took the bike he and Powder built and rode off to the Last Drop.
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[POV Change]
At the last drop, the atmosphere was gloomy and mournful like it has been for the past week. Vander was talking to some people at the bar, pouring the drinks. Vi was sitting on one of the stool near the bar, brooding.
To be fair to the 10 year old, everyone was broodinh in one way or another. The bar has little sound. Little ambience noise. No one has even approach the music box. They were all drinking their sorrows away.
Powder was sleeping behind the counter. Children still needs their naps. Vander glanced over to his side where Vi was sitting on the other side of the Counter. Face frowing and deep in thought.
'Heh' He chuckled inwardly. 'She looks just like Connol with that frown' Thinking about his late friends make him somber again. His decisions came haunting back to him.
'If only I hadn't lead them to the bridge. If only Silco-' His thoughts were interuppted by Vi getting down from her stool. He looked over to where she was waving over and saw a white-haired dark skinned boy.
'Ekko' The kid had been coming over nearly everyday. Most of the times he brought food. Sometimes he came over to play with Powder. Powder who looked so happy whenever the boy came to visit.
'It's like she forgot everything as soon as she saw him.' Vander mused. They were still young. But Vander know a budding crush when he sees one.
'Connol would bust a vein if he ever saw this.' Ekko is now talking to Vi about something. With Vi looking up to him to say something back before bringing him over.
'The boy's gonna be a big'gun.' He was already taller than Violet. Who was 4 years older than him. It's hard to believe he's Powder's age when she barely reaches Ekko's chest.
Vi finally brought him over after jokingly punching him on the shoulder about something the boy said. Vander noticed the boy had a cloth-bound box with him.
'Hmm, is it already time for supper?' Vander glanced over to the clock. The only clock he had in this entire building. It was already past seven.
'Time Flies'
"Evening Ekko. Another food delivery?" Vander jokingly asked as the boy sat down.
"Evening Vander, Benzo says Hi by the way. And yeah here you go." Ekko passed him the box and immediately, Violet was bounding over the counter and by Vander's side.
" C'mon open it. I'm starving." She asked-demanded really making Vander chuckle.
"Calm down, you'll get your food. Wake your sister up while I set up the bowls. You want some too Ekko?" It was only polite to ask.
"No, I'm good. Benzo and I already ate."
"Benzo's really lucky to have you. Having his own personal chef" Vi piped up from where she was carrying a half-asleep Powder.
Who after seeing Ekko, immediately woke up fully.
"Little Man!" She yelled as she wiggled out from her sister's grasp and jump onto the bar, nearly spilling drinks of some of the patrons.
"Hey Watch it!" Their words didn't register to her as she scrambled towards Ekko. Giving him a jumping hug as soon as she's within range.
Ekko sighed as the little Gremlin climb over his body. Powder was physically more affectionate after the Bridge. Hanging on his body like a blue monkey seems likely to be a usual thing from now on.
'At least until she gets older...I hope.'
By that time Vander has already reheated the stew and put a bowl down infront of Powder.
"Oooh" She dig in as it Vander and Vi. Ekko looked over the trio and smiled. The atmosphere of the whole bar lightened up a little. The bar's patrons look at the scene with varying levels of amusement
'This. This is nice.' He spent the evening listening to Powder's babbles. Vi boasting about Vander's training her in his style with Vander giving his input here and there.
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Author's Note
I put an Aux Chapter on Ekko's power.
This Chapter is a light hearted one. There will be more slice of life than action in this story. Mostly because I want to cover everything about Arcane. And you can't have a good story without some world building. Some of you maybe a little impatient but I ask nothing but more time before you get to the juicy parts
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