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### Chapter 28: Rabbits and Timepieces
Although Ekko and Vi had a way to take Caitlyn directly to Piltover, Caitlyn insisted on crossing openly to clear up the misunderstanding. Crossing the bridge meant facing a blockade, not only from the upper city enforcers but also from Zaun. Both sides were refusing to give an inch this time. Ekko and Vi guided Caitlyn to avoid Zaun's people. To be honest, in terms of discipline, Zaun was far inferior to Piltover. Naturally, this also had to do with the social environment.
The three walked on the bridge, with Caitlyn holding the token given to her by Jayce, allowing her to pass unobstructed. Vi walked behind them, fists clenched, biting her lip, seeming to make a difficult decision. "I can't leave her behind again," Vi suddenly stopped walking. The other two turned back to look at Vi. "You can't change her," Ekko advised. "I have to try," she persisted. Ekko hugged Vi, "Don't die on me," to which Vi joked, "I can't promise that." Caitlyn, with a complex expression, looked at Vi, her emotions a storm. She embraced Vi tightly. "You're straightforward, Cupcake. Thank you for coming along," Vi said sincerely, leaving Caitlyn's eyes a bit misty, uncertain when or if they would meet again.
Nearby was Jinx, observing everything. Each misunderstanding between Jinx and Vi had been fatal, yet the misunderstandings between Vi and Caitlyn were sweet—a twist of fate. Jinx's lips curled slightly; she felt she'd found the answer. Next, she needed to reclaim the gem from Phil. The item simply could not remain in Vi's possession; failure wasn't an option. The trio proceeded in the opposite direction. On the other side of the bridge stood a regimented enforcer squad. Caitlyn presented Jayce's token. Huge searchlights shone on their faces, causing discomfort.
"Officer, I've obtained evidence. Silco is the mastermind," Caitlyn said urgently. "The information that Silco is the mastermind is already common knowledge in the upper city. Piltover is at a level one war preparedness. Higher orders dictate no one is to cross the bridge." "We are acting on Councilman Jayce's orders to retrieve the stolen crystal from Zaun," she argued. "Let me see," the newly appointed officer began standard checks. Caitlyn glanced at Ekko, who frowned in frustration but still retrieved the box for display.
Through her telescope, Jinx located the gem. She wound up her mechanical device, preparing for a grand opening act. Green glowing sparks flitted over the entire bridge like fireflies, landing on the enforcers. "Boom." With the explosion of a small device, the remaining fireworks ignited in a chain reaction. "Caitlyn!" Vi heard the explosion and rushed back. Green fireworks exploded freely on one side of the bridge, effectively isolating the two sides as if a chasm. As the explosions subsided, Jinx walked through the dust towards the bridge. The bombs had either killed or injured the enforcers. Vi, being further back, was unharmed, but Caitlyn's leg was severely injured and bleeding.
Vi knelt beside Caitlyn, "Are you okay, Caitlyn?" Carrying the Hextech box on her shoulder, Jinx stood opposite Vi, who was helping Caitlyn up. Their eyes met. Vi looked at Jinx in disbelief, unable to fathom that Powder was responsible for the explosion. Jinx too stared at Vi, her form alongside Caitlyn becoming increasingly twisted in her mind. "Ah!!!" Jinx screamed, casting her gun sights directly at Caitlyn. Ekko suddenly darted between them on his board, blocking the bullet with it, his staff striking Jinx's gun from her hands. Jinx rolled, pointing her handgun at Ekko.
Ekko moved swiftly on his skateboard, dodging bullets, and managed to snatch Jinx's box back. "Go!" Ekko tossed his skateboard aside, passing the box to Vi and Caitlyn. Vi glanced back, her eyes filled with longing, but resolutely supported Caitlyn, heading in the opposite direction.
Jinx's gaze turned cold. In this moment, Jinx was quite captivating. "Look who's here? Oh! The pint-sized hero!" Jinx wanted to release the bitterness inside her. Ekko sighed, then suddenly smiled. He looked at Jinx, raising his head, the pocket watch in his hand swaying back and forth. Jinx was surprised; the scene reminded her of childhood memories. She laughed too, cocking her handgun. Just like the games they used to play, they both lifted their heads, brimming with fighting spirit.
If Phil were here, he'd surely think Jinx was crazy. An ADC dueling with an assassin? Absolutely mad. Ekko put away the pocket watch; the two were just like before. Ekko raised a cardboard sword, while Powder picked up a fake marble gun. As they faced each other, they both knew they could never return to those days. Jinx laughed loudly, bullets firing from her gun. Ekko dodged and blocked, rapidly closing in.
As the bullets were continuously deflected, Ekko got closer and closer to Jinx. He leapt high, his weapon crashing down from above. Jinx was struck down hard, blood splattering through the air. She tried to fight back, but Ekko pinned her to the ground. They looked at each other, blood at the corner of Jinx's mouth. "I once admired you, until you started talking to your gun," Ekko thought quietly.
Jinx struggled weakly, and Ekko raised his fist but hesitated, seeing the desolation in Jinx's eyes. Both stared at each other, Ekko momentarily stunned. Suddenly, Jinx smiled, pulling the pin on the grenade in her hand. Eyes widening, Ekko looked at the grenade, "Damn!" He retreated as fast as he could. "Boom!" A massive explosion echoed on the bridge; Vi looked back at the blast, worry in her eyes.
"You're crazy!" At the last moment, Phil arrived, kicking the armed grenade far away, then shielding Jinx in his arms. As the smoke on the bridge slowly cleared, a tall figure was left standing. This time he had no armor, no giant shield. Just flesh and blood, yet so reassuring. He held Jinx protectively, a true man never looking back at explosions because behind him was already a mangled mess. "Stop running, come home with me."
He cradled Jinx, moving slowly towards the end of the bridge. Suddenly, he faltered and fell to the ground. "Phil!" An anguished cry echoed on the bridge. The pocket watch's hands turned slowly on the ground, and a dirty rabbit lay on the cold ground, feeling lonely.