//Early that morning in the Abandoned Factory//
"First time I've been invited to the lanes. It better be worth my time." Marcus sneered through his mask.
While taking a stroll topside, Marcus had been approached by a stranger. The man offered him silver and an invitation to an abandoned factory along the river to discuss a partnership. It was related to securing the city against criminals and obtaining information regarding this disaster.
Marcus's mind drifted to the chaos caused by just a few kids and the orders of the Council. Greyson had refused to let him interrogate Orion, but he was ambitious. He respected her greatly but saw this as an opportunity to establish his own private connections.
After all, Greyson had done the same! To Marcus, Greyson's connections in the undercity were shady, to say the least. Creating his own also formed a disgusting pit in his stomach, but he was willing to take risks.
Why would she care as long as it produced results? The Council only cared about results- and profits. Marcus wanted to be more as well, he didn't want to remain a mere Enforcer.
Silco stepped out from a dark entrance covered by eerie purple tendrils. "You're looking for four little children running circles around Piltover's finest."
"What about it? Who are you?" Marcus glared. The words stung- they felt true.
"You believe in results, don't you Marcus?" Silco smirked, pacing around him, the mention of his name causing Marcus to twitch. "I can give you that. Four children. The ones responsible for the explosion. And perhaps... a name your precious Sheriff has kept hidden from you?"
Marcus's fists clenched. "What do you want in return?"
"A simple arrangement." Silco's crimson eye remained fixed on Marcus, unsettling him. "My business thrives when Piltover's gaze is elsewhere. You, Marcus, will ensure that it remains that way."
"You want me to turn a blind eye?" Marcus scoffs.
"No," Silco replied smoothly, stepping closer. "I want you to do what you already do. Chase shadows. Make your arrests. Report to your Council. But you will ensure that none of your men interfere with my operations in the Lanes. Let me handle the Undercity."
"In exchange for some kids?" Marcus asked, skepticism tinging his voice.
"And Vander," Silco adds. "The Hound he was once called- when he led the rebellion years ago. We were friends once..." A brief smirk crossed Silco's face as Marcus's expression betrayed his ambition, his excitement upon hearing this. "Now he controls the undercity and undermines your influence, preventing you from achieving the results you so desire."
"So you want to replace him," Marcus shook his head in disgust. "And if I refuse?"
Silco shrugged, his voice dripping with mockery. "Then you will continue to chase shadows as an Enforcer while I build something far greater than anything you could imagine."
After a pause, Marcus spoke, not bothering to hide his disgust and hostility.
"Fine. We'll do it your way." Marcus spat.
"Oh, there is one more thing," Silco said, trying to be innocent. "The boy, Orion."
Silco smirked as Marcus's expression hardened.
"He is useless to you, but not to me." Silco continued with fake benevolence. "Do you want an innocent boy to rot in prison? Because of the failures of the Council?"
Marcus removed his mask, a rare move for him, to spit on the ground. He didn't care about the boy but recognized this disgusting game being played. This conversation was revolting but ambition drove him, and the desire for success.
"He's already in custody and will be on trial later today. There's no way to get him out without it being noticed."
"Ah, but we know how easily arrangements can be made." Silco counters smoothly, pacing slowly around Marcus again. "A bit of money, the right words, and perhaps a bit of persuasion? You stand as the perfect example, Marcus."
"Do what you want with him," Marcu spat. "But if this backfires and the Council catches wind of this-"
"They won't." Silco waves his hand dismissively before extending it to Marcus. "You'll have your results, Marcus. That's all that matters, right?"
Marcus reached out to shake his hand, Silco's firm grip felt mocking in itself as they locked gazes.
"Right, to good business."
//Orion's Cell//
"I warned you, boy. But you never listen, do you?" Silco's voice pierced the silence.
Silco slowly entered wearing his iconic trench coat, his crimson eye glowing through the shadows.
Orion's breath hitched. He struggled to turn his head, eyes widening as they locked onto Silco. "What...are you doing here?"
Silco ignored his question, a smirk creeping onto his face as he continued to taunt him. "The moment you let the topsiders drag you into their world, you signed your death warrant." His gaze swept dramatically around the cell, his tone mockingly curious. "I don't see Vander! Shouldn't he be here by now?"
His eyes returned to Orion, a trace of pity entering his voice. "Did you believe he would come to save you over his kids? All of this is because of him. You're alone because of him."
Orion's gaze faltered, the weight behind his words stinging more than he expected.
"Why do you care?" Orion croaked, his voice barely audible. "You wanted me gone after the Cultivar."
"I am aware of Corina's betrayal and the choices you were forced to make for survival." Silco hissed with disdain. Taking a measured breath, he exhaled slowly. "Orion, power belongs to those who will do whatever it takes. That's the lesson you're learning the hard way."
Leaning closer, Silco locked his cold gaze onto Orion, his voice lowering. "Gone? No. You're useful to me. And I can't let the Council destroy another soul that embodies the spirit of Zaun. Survival. Adaptability. The desire for better."
Before Orion could respond, Silco snapped his fingers and two bulky figures entered the cell. One carried a large, empty body bag slung over his shoulder.
Pain shot through Orion's body as the henchmen roughly grabbed him.
"I'm getting you out of here boy," Silco said flatly, gesturing to his men. "Not out of kindness. You owe me. And I always collect."
"You think I would follow you?" Orion rasped, wincing through the pain.
"You don't have a choice," Silco replied coldly, stepping back into the shadows. "It's just a question of whether you live long enough to make it matter."