Chapter Text
Ivy groaned, the throbbing pain in her head intensifying as she slowly regained consciousness. Her senses were muffled; the rough texture of a burlap sack pressed against her face, her wrists and ankles bound tightly with coarse rope. She could hear Caitlyn's voice, sharp and accusing, cutting through the darkness.
"I knew it was a mistake trusting you two," Caitlyn snapped, her voice filled with frustration as she struggled against her restraints.
"Well, you've been a real picnic yourself," Vi shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Ivy let out a low groan, adjusting her position slightly as she snapped, "Yeah, I don't even wanna hear it from you, Caitlyn."
"Oh, of course," Caitlyn hissed. "Because of both of you, we walked into not one but two of Silco's traps."
Ivy laughed bitterly, ignoring the ache in her ribs. "Woah there, bold of you to assume it's Silco."
"Yeah, Ivy's right," Vi chimed in. "This isn't his style. If it were Silco, we'd be dead by now."
"Well, great," Caitlyn retorted, her tone now colder, "then when exactly were you two planning on telling me that Vi's lunatic sister works for him?"
Silence hung in the air for a moment before Vi sighed heavily. "Just as soon as you came clean about what you really needed us down here for."
There was a sharp intake of breath from Caitlyn, and Ivy could almost feel her bristling. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Vi said, her voice dangerously calm. "You think I didn't notice how eager you were to dive headfirst into this mess? You're here for more than just 'enforcing justice.' So, what is it? Family? A vendetta? What aren't you telling us, Cupcake?"
Ivy could almost hear Caitlyn's jaw clench. She decided to jump in before things escalated further. "As fun as this blame game is, maybe we should figure out who actually has us tied up before we kill each other."
"Agreed," Vi muttered.
There was a pause before Caitlyn sighed, the fire in her tone dimming. "Fine. But this conversation isn't over."
"Noted," Vi replied curtly.
Ivy smirked beneath the bag over her head. "Aw, look at us. A happy little trio of captives. Who do you think gets the first interrogation round?"
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the room, followed by the creak of a door opening. Ivy tensed as she felt a cold rush of air sweep in, making the situation all the more unsettling.
"Hey, get your hands off of me!" Vi's angry voice rang out, full of defiance.
At the same time, both Ivy and Caitlyn shouted, "Leave her alone!"
The door slammed shut, leaving a suffocating silence in its wake.
"Vi?" Caitlyn called out, her voice laced with worry, but there was no response.
Ivy shifted uncomfortably, the ropes digging into her skin. She let out an exasperated groan. "Great. Now I'm stuck with you."
"Well, I'm not exactly thrilled about it either," Caitlyn shot back, her tone biting.
"Fantastic," Ivy muttered sarcastically. "Of all the things that could've gone wrong, I'm tied up with you. Just my luck."
"At least I'm trying to think of a way to get us out of here," Caitlyn snapped. "What's your plan? Wait for Vi to storm in and save us?"
Ivy chuckled darkly. "Wouldn't put it past her. She's punched her way out of worse."
"Brilliant. And what if she doesn't come back?" Caitlyn challenged, her voice sharp. "What then?"
For a moment, Ivy was silent, her mind racing. "Then I'll figure something out," she muttered, though the confidence in her voice wavered.
"Great plan," Caitlyn replied dryly, leaning her head back against the wall. "Truly inspiring."
They sat in silence for awhile. The only sounds in the room was the sound of Caitlyn trying to shimmy out the restraints.
Ivy turned her head slightly toward the sound of Caitlyn, her voice low but firm. "Alright, princess, enough silence. What were you doing with that blue crystal? Why did you need it so bad?"
Caitlyn's jaw tightened, her head facing foreword as if avoiding Ivy's piercing stare through the bag over her head. She shifted uncomfortably in her bindings, clearly searching for a way to dodge the question.
When she didn't answer, Ivy pushed further. "Risked everything for that glowing rock. I literally saved your life while you crawled for that thing. And now we're here, tied up and waiting for who knows what. You owe me an explanation."
Caitlyn snapped, her expression guarded under the bag. "I don't owe you anything."
"Oh, so now you're playing that card?" Ivy scoffed. "Figures. Typical topsider behavior."
Caitlyn clenched her fists, her composure slipping for a moment before she changed tack. "If we're talking about secrets, let's not forget who lied about Jinx," she shot back, her voice cutting. "You knew Vi's sister was working for Silco this entire time, and you said nothing."
Ivy's eyes narrowed. "That's different."
"Is it?" Caitlyn challenged. "You knew what we were walking into, and you let me believe otherwise. What else haven't you told me, Ivy?"
Ivy leaned back against the wall, her expression hardening. "Oh, don't even try to make this about me, sheriff. I didn't lie—I just... didn't tell you everything because it wasn't my place to do so. And maybe that's because you're the last person I trust with anything that matters."
The air between them grew tense, each woman glaring. Finally, Caitlyn sighed, her voice softer this time. "You don't trust me. Fine. But I did. Doesn't that mean something to you?"
Ivy turned her head away, her jaw tightening as the truth in Caitlyn's words settled uncomfortably in her chest. "That still doesn't explain why you're after that crystal," she muttered, refusing to let Caitlyn off the hook.
Caitlyn hesitated again, her lips pressing into a thin line. "It's... complicated," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ivy gave her a sidelong glance, clearly unimpressed. "Yeah, I've heard that one before."
Caitlyn didn't reply, leaving the room heavy with unspoken words and mistrust. They both fell into an uneasy silence, waiting for someone—or something—to break the stalemate. The heavy door creaked open, its metallic groan echoing through the room. Ivy immediately felt rough hands grip her arms, yanking her to her feet. She struggled against them, her voice sharp and defiant.
"Hey, stop! Let go of me!" Ivy shouted, her boots scraping against the ground as she resisted.
Caitlyn surged forward, her bindings straining against her movements. "Don't touch her!" she yelled, her voice cracking with urgency. She pushed herself to her knees, trying to break free to reach Ivy.
Ivy twisted her head back toward Caitlyn, her voice rising above the scuffle. "Caitlyn, don't—just stay back!"
But Caitlyn's protests didn't stop as she continued to struggle. Her eyes wide, a mix of anger and fear in her expression. "I said don't touch her! Take me instead!"
The captors ignored her completely, dragging Ivy toward the door. Ivy thrashed, managing to plant her feet momentarily, but the grip on her arms tightened, making her hiss in pain.
"Caitlyn!" Ivy shouted, a tinge of desperation in her voice as the door loomed closer.
"Ivy!" Caitlyn called back, pulling harder against her restraints, her face contorted with determination.
The door slammed shut behind Ivy, leaving Caitlyn alone in the suffocating silence. She sat there, breathless and shaking, staring at the door as if sheer willpower could force it open again. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with what might be happening to Ivy beyond the cold steel.
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The rough burlap bag was yanked off Ivy's head, the sudden brightness making her squint as her eyes adjusted to the light. She blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of her surroundings. She was in a dimly lit room with walls of steel and stone, the faint hum of machinery vibrating through the floor.
In front of her stood a boy, his skin dark and streaked with white face paint that accentuated his sharp features. His hair, an ethereal white matching Ivy's. It framed his intense gaze as he stared her down. His demeanor was calm but scrutinizing, his eyes assessing her every movement.
"Vi says I can trust you," he said simply, his voice low and measured.
Ivy didn't miss a beat, her voice sharp and unwavering. "Who are you?" she demanded, narrowing her eyes.
"An old friend," came a familiar voice from behind him. Vi stepped into view, her expression guarded but determined as she crossed her arms. Ivy immediately shifted her gaze to her, a flicker of relief mixed with frustration flashing across her face. "His name is Ekko"
"Where are we?" Ivy asked, her tone firm as she glanced around the room.
"We'll show you," Vi replied cryptically, her posture stiff but calm. The boy gave a slight nod to the men who had brought Ivy in. With a few swift motions, they unfastened the restraints on her wrists and arms.
Ivy stretched, her muscles stiff from being bound for so long. She rolled her shoulders and stood up straight, her eyes flitting back to Ekko who was now watching her closely. His skeptical gaze was piercing, as if he were trying to read her mind.
"What?" Ivy asked, her tone defensive under his scrutinizing stare.
Ekko didn't respond immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing just enough to make Ivy shift uncomfortably. "You have the look of someone who's been through the Undercity's worst," he said finally, his voice quiet but firm. "But looks can be deceiving."
"I'm not here to impress you," Ivy snapped, brushing her hands over her arms where the restraints had left red marks. "Just tell me what this is about."
Vi stepped between them, her hand resting lightly on the boy's shoulder. "Easy, Ekko," she said, her tone a mix of authority and reassurance. She turned to Ivy, her eyes steady. "You'll understand soon enough."
Ivy's hands dropped to her sides instinctively, her fingers brushing over her belt. Her heart skipped when she felt the empty space where her dagger was supposed to be. Her brows furrowed, and her pulse quickened as she patted the area, confirming her worst suspicion. It was gone.
Her eyes snapped back up, sharp and accusing. "Where is it?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. "Where's my dagger?"
Ekko raised an eyebrow, unfazed by her outburst. "Relax. Nobody's stealing your toy," he said with a smirk.
Ivy took a step forward, her fists clenching. "It's not a toy. It's mine, and I want it back—now."
Vi sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Calm down, Ivy. We had to take it when we brought you here. Can't have you stabbing first and asking questions later."
Ivy glared at her. "You know I wouldn't do that. Give it back."
Ekko crossed his arms, leaning casually against the wall. "You'll get it back when we're sure you're not a threat. Until then, you're just gonna have to trust us."
"Trust you?" Ivy scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "You knock me out, tie me up, and now take my weapon, and I'm supposed to trust you?"
Vi stepped closer, her expression softening slightly. "Ivy, listen. This isn't about you. It's about keeping everyone here safe. Just give us a minute to explain, okay?"
Ivy hesitated, her jaw tightening as she considered her options. Finally, she let out a frustrated sigh, crossing her arms. "Fine. But if I don't get my dagger back by the end of this, someone's going to regret it."
Ekko chuckled under his breath, muttering, "Feisty one, huh?" before Vi shot him a warning glance to keep quiet.
As Ivy followed Vi and Ekko out the door, the brightness of the sun bathed her face, and her steps slowed as her eyes adjusted to the scene before her. Her breath caught in her throat.
Before her stood a massive tree, its sprawling branches reaching out like arms, dotted with small, cozy-looking homes nestled in its bark. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a golden-green glow over everything. Children darted between the roots, laughing and playing, while people soared gracefully above them on boards, leaving trails of light in their wake. The entire area hummed with life and warmth, a stark contrast to the gritty, cold undercity she'd grown used to.
Ivy's lips curled into an involuntary smile as she took it all in. It was magical, almost surreal. She barely noticed Vi and Ekko exchanging knowing smirks at her reaction.
Realizing her lapse, she quickly straightened her posture, her smile vanishing as she plastered on a more serious expression. She cleared her throat and gestured toward the tree with a quick nod. "What is this place? And..." she hesitated, her tone softer, "is that a real tree?"
Ekko chuckled, folding his arms and leaning slightly toward her. "Yep. One of the last real ones down here. We call this place the Firelights' Sanctuary. It's our safe haven, away from the chaos."
Vi grinned, gesturing toward the tree. "Impressive, huh? Bet you've never seen anything like it."
Ivy tilted her head slightly, eyes flickering between the tree and the small homes tucked within its embrace. "Never," she admitted quietly, a hint of awe still lingering in her voice. "It feels...alive. Different from anything in the undercity."
"It is alive," Ekko said, his voice tinged with pride. "It's a symbol of hope, of what we're fighting to protect. Everything here is built to last, to thrive. Unlike the rest of Zaun, we're not just surviving—we're building a future."
Ivy looked at him thoughtfully, her usual sharpness subdued. "Hope..." she repeated under her breath, her gaze fixed on the vibrant life around her. For a moment, the weight of her own struggles felt lighter. Ekko led the way, his stride confident but solemn as they approached a massive wall adorned with painted faces. The colors were vivid but carried an air of somber reverence, the kind that spoke of memories preserved and stories unfinished. Small candles flickered beneath the mural, their warm glow casting soft shadows across the faces.
In the center of the wall, one face stood out—a girl with striking pink hair and an unmistakable resemblance to Vi. Her expression was painted with a mix of youthful determination and a vulnerability that seemed almost alive, as if she could step out of the wall and speak at any moment.
Ivy stopped, her eyes scanning the wall before locking onto the pink-haired girl. Slowly, she turned her head toward Vi, who stood a few feet away. Her hands were buried in her pockets, her jaw tight as her eyes remained fixed on the mural. Vi's expression was unreadable, but the weight of her emotions hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to break.
"That's her," Ivy said softly, more to herself than anyone else.
Vi didn't respond immediately. She stayed rooted in place, her shoulders rising and falling with a steady rhythm, but her gaze never left the wall. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice low and steady. "That's Powder. My sister. Before..." She trailed off, the words hanging unfinished in the air.
Ekko turned to them, his expression serious but understanding. "This is our memorial. For everyone we've lost—friends, family, anyone who fought for something better or was taken too soon."
Ivy's eyes moved over the other faces on the wall, each one a story frozen in time. She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the place, of the lives remembered here. Her gaze flicked back to Vi, who was still staring at Powder's painted face.
"She was a kid when I last saw her," Vi murmured. "Just a scared little girl. And now. . ." Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the storm of emotions she was trying to suppress.
Ivy stepped closer, her hand hovering as if she wanted to offer comfort but unsure how to approach the moment. "She's still your sister, Vi," she said softly. "And if there's even a chance she's in there somewhere, you'll find her."
Vi's lips pressed into a thin line, and for the first time since they'd arrived, she turned to face Ivy. Her eyes were sharp but clouded with a mix of hope and pain. She gave a slight nod, more to herself than to Ivy. Then, without another word, she turned back to the mural, staring at Powder's face as if searching for answers that wouldn't come.
Ekko folded his arms, his gaze drifting briefly to the mural as he spoke. "Since Vander passed, Silco's been running the show. He's turned the Undercity into his playground, exploiting people with shimmer, turning them into... whatever you want to call those things. Monsters, addicts, pawns. All for his vision of power and control."
Ivy frowned, the name familiar. "Who's Vander?" she asked, tilting her head.
Ekko shot her a look of disbelief, his brow furrowing. "You don't know who Vander is? He was the protector of Zaun, Ivy. Kept this place from falling apart, kept people safe—at least until Silco took him out. Everyone around here knows his name." His tone wasn't angry, but there was a tinge of frustration, as if he couldn't fathom her ignorance.
Ivy hesitated, her eyes darting to the ground before meeting his. "I've been... away," she admitted, her voice low but steady.
Ekko raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Away? What does that mean?"
She let out a bitter laugh, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall. "Prison," she said bluntly. "Topside's way of keeping people like us out of sight, out of mind."
Ekko's expression shifted, the frustration giving way to understanding. He nodded slowly. "Figures," he said, his voice softer. "Topside locks up anyone who doesn't fit their mold, doesn't matter if you're guilty or not."
Ivy glanced back at the mural, taking in Vander's name scrawled beneath one of the larger faces. "Sounds like he was the kind of person this place needs," she said quietly.
Ekko and Vi smiled faintly, though there was a sadness behind it. "He was. But now it's up to us to pick up where he left off." He gestured toward the bustling activity around them—the kids running, the makeshift homes in the tree, the vibrant energy of the place. "This is what we're fighting for. A future that doesn't belong to people like Silco."
Ivy nodded, the weight of his words settling in her chest. "Guess I've got some catching up to do," she muttered, her gaze flickering between the mural and the people around them.