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The first attempt is flawed.
There were no connecting variables from this universe to the other Ekko’s. The young man’s mind was spliced by these archaic runes. All echoes of the universe, but Powder theorized something can be simple in its complexity. A reflection. Ekko's mind was able to transfer to her Ekko's, could Powder do the same?
The second attempt is empty.
Powder looks over the formula endlessly, time and time again, nothing moved from this universe. ‘Never take an invention too far too soon,’ that hamster said. But Powder, in her not so demure observation, was leagues ahead of Heimerdinger intellectually. While the furry scientist did express a lifetime's worth of patience and wisdom, it’s the risk taking with a human lifespan that makes raw invention come to life. And Powder knew it was time to begin taking those risks.
The third attempt was mildly explosive.
Powder choked on the blue air though she didn’t panic.
But after the 6th attempt Powder felt like she was wasting time chasing an invisible truth placed so carefully at the cusp of her mind. Gnawing at her subconscious that somewhere out there, Vi lives.
After the 9th attempt, Powder gave up.
“I’m going insane,” Powder let out a shaky breath. She covered her face with her hands, letting out a frustrated groan. “No one’s going to believe me either.” With a frustrated sigh Powder grabbed the rock from the center of Ekko’s former structure.
Powder rolled the rock in her hands then froze. She marked every rock with individual and very unique markings. Not runes, but something that represented Powder as an individual. This rock changed the drawing. Slightly. But Powder remembers everything. She spun around and looked over the area. Trying to find what she missed. The rock never moved nor did it disappear entirely. She stepped into the corrected structure and giggled when she saw the lingering runes permanently burn into the side of her lab.
“It’s alive.” Powder whispered before getting back to work. “I know what to do.”
Powder lit the candles next to Vi’s memorial before lifting her doll sister and placing a kiss on the threaded hairs. “I miss you everyday, Vi. And hopefully,” Powder stood up, “...I’ll see again soon.”
Vi was walking the streets of Piltover needing to stretch her legs and distract herself from everything. She visited the destroyed Hexgates once again. She always does. Vi doesn’t know if she’s looking for remains or answers. But she keeps looking.
This time Vi visits the bridge where Zaun and Piltover slowly came together. It was small at first, correcting their behaviors will take time, but it was a start. Vi was looking around the shops and construction when she felt something… odd. Like she was being watched, though it wasn’t anything—dangerous. Just—
Vi’s attention snapped to the darkened parts of the bridge and squinted. She smirked, shoving her hands in her pockets, “Whoever you are, just fucking come out.” She rolled her shoulders, preparing for a fight. “You’d think after all the shit we went through you street thugs would be gone.”
The shadow in the dark barely moved.
Like they were cemented in place.
But Vi could see their silhouette. She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes, “Whatever man,” she turned to leave.
“Wait,” The stranger called out.
Vi immediately froze at the voice.
“I was lost and tryna figure my way around to the bridge. It’s a bit different here.” The woman explained.
Vi’s brain slowly caught up, No. Her breathing picked up. Jinx?
The person began cautiously approaching Vi. Until they stepped out of the darkness and into the illuminated area. The woman wore a cloak that barely hid her face, or her hair. She was too busy looking over Vi as though seeing a ghost.
And Vi, “Jinx?” she blinked rapidly, in disbelief.
The young woman began tearing up, “It’s you. It is you.” Jinx’s voice cracked with a hoard of emotions.
Vi frowned,
Tears fell down Jinx’s face. “Vi, oh my god, Vi. It’s me. Po—”
Vi didn’t think twice, and a few quick strides later, she pulled her sister into a tight and desperate hug. Maybe she was going insane, but Vi didn’t care. All that mattered was that her sister was here, hugging her back this time. Vi pulled away, looking over Jinx’s face. Different. Fuller, smoother, tan and not as hollow in spirit. Vi brushed Jinx’s tears away; her frown deepened.
There was even a sparkle in Jinx’s eyes. The very same Vi hadn’t seen in years.
Love.
Genuine.
Jinx sniffled and let out an awkward laugh, trying not to touch Vi too much. “Sorry. It’s been… a strange day for me.” She began rambling about nothing and everything.
Vi understood now. She stepped away but kept close. “You’re not Jinx.”
Jinx, or the woman who wore a happier version of her sister’s face, solemnly shook her head. “No.” Jinx wiped her tears. Aggressively. “It’s me. Powder. I’m not—I'm not really from around here.”
Vi slowly blinked, vaguely understanding. “I think,” she softly began, approaching Powder again, “I think I know who you are. Ekko may have mentioned you. Briefly, but,”
Adult Powder looked up to Vi the same way she did when they were kids. And that did something to Vi. She cupped her sister’s cheek. When she did, Powder broke down. Vi caught her easily.
“You’re from the other place, huh?” Vi asked.
Vi brought her sister, well uh—other sister, to a small cafe. Powder looked good. Happy with only a hint of tragedy weighing her down. Vi kept her lips shut about the details of Jinx, especially when she found out that she herself didn’t make it in the other world. It was soothing, in a way, to know that Powder made it without Vi. Even though this Powder never took her eyes off Vi. Afraid to look away, blink and Vi would disappear.
Vi felt that before.
Powder nodded, finally relaxing. “Lose a sister yet gain a stranger with her face. Poetic suffering I hear.”
“I guess we have something in common.” Vi’s countenance darkened with instant grief. “My Powder’s gone.”
Powder was sitting across from Vi, frowning. “Gone as in, not here?”
Vi shook her head. “Dead.”
“Dead?” Powder’s frown deepened. “That’s not—,” She pulled out her book and read through it.
Vi leaned forward taking a peek. As though she’d understand the heebee-geebee’s formula Powder was talking about.
Powder nodded firmly. “Yeah, I thought so. Your Powder—or Jinx as you refer to her—terrible nickname by the way,” she muttered, causing Vi to smile, “...but her being gone? That’s not possible. Or I wouldn’t have been able to visit.” Powder stood up and motioned to her backpack which hosted her universe hopping travel device. “I honestly thought I’d have to be sneaky to find you. But she’s here. Though maybe she doesn’t want to be found… yet.”
Vi didn’t know how to respond to that. That explanation only sparked more questions, yet it raised more concerns than provided her answers.
Powder reached down and held onto Vi’s hand. “Maybe she left so you can be brave again.” At Vi’s confused look, Powder smiled, “I may not share her burden’s but I do share this with her.” She pointed to heart, “No matter where you are, Vi, in any universe just know that you’re always here with me.”
Always with you, sis.
Vi didn’t plan on crying, but she did.
And Powder clung to Vi, silently crying as well.
With the new knowledge of Jinx being alive, hopefully well, but just not here in Piltover or Zaun—Vi was able to breathe just a tad bit lighter. She returned home, kicked off her shoes and poured herself a small glass of whiskey. She entered Caitlyn’s study but the woman was busy in her Kiramman secret room. So Vi sat in front of the fire and hummed a song, feeling a smile in her heart.
Dear Jinx, across the river or across the world. Wherever you’re at, I hope you’re safe and I hope you find the life you deserve.
Jinx was about to jump off this airship if it didn’t land soon. Even from this great height. She’s done it before and she always seems to land on her feet. All the different stops around the world to avoid Noxus, then finally traveling west.
“It’s good to be back home.” A woman next to her mumbled. “Do you have business here?”
Jinx didn’t react, assuming the woman wasn’t speaking to her.
When the airship landed and Jinx wasn’t planning on exiting normally, though in her rush—her shimmer blink—she bumped into the woman,
“Oof!”
Causing her to drop her staff. Jinx’s hand shot out and caught the woman’s arm so she wouldn’t fall flat on her face.
“Sorry,” Jinx muttered, “I forgot everyone here moves like a grandma.”
The woman’s hood fell back, revealing a cascade of blonde and smiles. “Sorry,” she grinned cheekily, “Welcome to Demacia, I guess?”
Jinx was gone before the woman could get a proper look at her. Fucking princesses are everywhere.