For more chapters (10+) or if you want to support me, visit https://www.patreon.com/FFAddict. Thank you!
Chapter Sixteen: Happy Progress Day
"I've been looking forward to this day for a long time, so let me, on behalf of Zaun, present you with a spectacular fireworks display," Phil announced with a touch of frenzy as he spread his arms wide. "Happy Progress Day!"
A deafening explosion followed his words. The commercial towers, the Council Hall, the Bluewind Courtyard, and other famous Piltover buildings were all detonated simultaneously. The colorful smoke rose like real fireworks, with a gigantic purple monkey logo appearing in the sky. Phil bowed slowly to the audience below, signaling the program's end.
"Get him!" shouted an enforcer who finally reacted, prompting others to draw their weapons and aim them at Phil. Phil whistled loudly, and Jinx swooped in with her grappling hook. Grabbing Jinx's hand, Phil soared upward, following the grappling line. The two had meticulously planned their escape route, so their getaway was smooth.
"Put out the fire! Put out the fire!" Caitlyn shouted, having discovered the bombs earlier and managed to evacuate the crowd just in time before the explosions rocked the Council Hall. Piltover descended into chaos. Screams and cries filled the air as enforcers juggled the dual responsibility of capturing the criminals and aiding those in need, nearly overwhelmed by the urgency.
"Did you get it?" Phil asked Jinx while shooting out his grappling hook. Jinx didn't respond, simply tossing the gem-filled container to Phil. It was a container designed by Phil himself, equipped with magnetic shock absorption to ensure the unstable Hextech crystals wouldn't explode unexpectedly.
"Fantastic!" Phil exclaimed. He understood why Jinx was uninterested in Hextech crystals—they were her demons. But it was something she'd eventually have to confront. The pair leaped from rooftop to rooftop, quickly returning to the familiar black alleyways.
"Zaun is better; the air up there is too thin, lacking texture," Jinx remarked, plopping down on the couch. "That's smog—it's harmful," Phil replied, offering no further explanation. Years of living in Zaun had conditioned him to this air; it had acquired the comforting familiarity of home.
"Ah, today was super fun. The uptown folks definitely remember my voice now!" Jinx stretched contentedly. Phil took the container with the Hextech crystal and entered the lab. This Hextech crystal was monumental to him, representing a new, albeit unstable, method of energy supply. Immersed in research, he paid no mind to the passage of time.
Up in Piltover, chaos reigned. "The Hextech gem is missing, and the research report has been taken," Jayce said, standing in the temporarily constructed Council Hall, gazing at bustling Piltover with a sense of melancholy. "How did this happen?" Professor Heimerdinger's eyes were dampened by sorrow. To him, Piltover was his creation, and he witnessed the emergence of Zaun, baffled by the irreversible rift between the two cities.
"The undercity has been left to its own devices for too long," declared a bald councilor angrily. "Those people from the undercity refuse to abide by our rules! They're so insolent," Councilor Kiramman added. "Mr. Talis, might they use the stolen crystal to craft weapons?"
"Of course, they could! With shimmer, body modifications, and the powerful bombs used in this explosion, we've witnessed the undercity's ingenuity," another councilor interrupted before Jayce could respond. Jayce hesitated momentarily but then stood to speak, "If someone with the ability has obtained the crystal, they can utilize it." "We must address this issue," Councilor Kiramman stated again.
"Of course, this is my failing. My mistakes have cost lives," Jayce said, stopping Viktor from standing up. "I propose we suspend all Hextech operations until this incident is fully resolved."
"Are you out of your mind?!" the councilors protested. "The Hexgates cannot be shut down. They are the hub of global transport, and Piltover's operation relies entirely on them." Their positions leaned more toward that of businessmen than representatives of Piltover.
"But shouldn't Piltover's safety be our priority?" Jayce questioned in disbelief.
Mel sensed the gravity of the situation. She still needed Jayce's assistance, and to change Jayce's perspective, she considered altering his stance: "Councilors, it seems we're at an impasse."
The room suddenly fell silent, with all eyes on Mel. "Mr. Talis has proven he's willing to take responsibility for our safety, even if it means sacrificing his own endeavors."
"Therefore, I propose we add a new seat to the council, with Mr. Talis overseeing issues related to Hextech," she continued. This suggestion caused a stir among the council, with some opposing and others lost in thought.
Professor Heimerdinger hesitated for a moment but then was the first to agree to this decision.
"Since all are in agreement, let's continue our discussion of the explosion incident. Sheriff Marcus, can you share your perspective on the case?"
Upon realizing the meeting's focus had shifted to him, cold sweat broke out on Marcus's face. He was aware of Phil's identity; Phil had brazenly appeared in public, leaving Marcus unable to cover it up. But he had no escape route; he wasn't just representing himself—in this moment, he also represented his family.
"We received reports from the public and have targeted a new undercity organization, the Firelights. Though newly established, it has already recruited quite a following. While there's no previous record of them coming to the upper city, there's still potential for them to be implicated. I need some time to gather incriminating evidence," Marcus decided to buy time and help Silco evade capture by choosing to delay.
"What we need is not this nonsense! We need you to find the criminals and put them in jail!" shouted the bald councilor, infuriated. "Do you have any idea how much I lost because of this? My estate was bombed, and now we can only discuss matters here because the Council Hall was hit! Don't you think it's your failure?"
Hearing the councilor's anger, Marcus felt anxious but couldn't risk his family. He gritted his teeth, saying, "Give me a bit more time and I'll arrest the culprits!" Internally, he cursed Silco and Phil over and over.
"I'll give you three days! In those three days, not just identify the perpetrator but I want them arrested! Otherwise, you can forget about being sheriff and go live with the rats in Zaun," the council issued their final ultimatum.
"Understood," Marcus replied through clenched teeth.