"She's gonna want to shot something after this," Sevika said as she stood by his side, her prosthetic arm making a ticking sound.
From his side, Isha repeatedly nodded, the loose helmet almost falling off her head.
"That can be arranged," Ethan absentmindedly nodded, extending one hand and straightening the helmet even as he opened another notebook and tried to make sense of it.
Despite being lovers, Jinx was still unpredictable to him, he'd give her a 50/50 chance of either trying to destroy the place in a tantrum or just leaving to cry alone later, but Sevika probably knew her better, what with having watched the girl grow from childhood.
Thankfully, they had Maelle, Jinx could be as destructive as she wanted inside a painting.
The blue haired girl stood with her back to them, her body perfectly still as she stared at the spools of cables, the hanging tubes and assorted medical equipment that must have once housed Vander's body.
They had been too late.
With both Chem-Barons now working under them, it had taken only two days to locate Singed's laboratory, but the man had already moved, taking Vander and most of his research with him.
"Found anything useful?" The woman asked when he finally pulled his eyes away from the notebook.
"Maybe, they're some of his earlier notes about shimmer, but I'm not a chemist, maybe Chross has someone that can help."
"When are you going to replace them?"
Closing the notebook and putting it on Isha's backpack, he let the girl roam again then looked at the older woman, she was testing him, trying to feel out what type of man he was. Sevika could be a valuable ally, but they hadn't earned her loyalty yet.
"Not anytime soon," he shrugged. "Taylor is probably gonna be replacing Margot in another week, but Chross is a businessman, too treacherous and brutal for the upper city, but he's useful and intelligent enough to be valuable down here."
After a few days of looking over her business, it became clear that the Madam for most prostitution in Zaun was not that competent at her job. Ruthless? Yes, Charismatic? That too, but nowhere as competent as her counterpart.
Chross was a monster, but he was a smart monster, he knew how to work under someone, how to make himself extremely useful and his management skills were better than any of them, coupled with his experience the man was quickly making himself almost indispensable.
Ethan also had to admit that, despite both being equally terrible, the nature of Margot's crimes was just less tolerable to him.
"Of the two, Chross is the more dangerous," Sevika warned.
"Oh, I've no doubt," Ethan gave a bitter smile, picking up another notebook but not opening it, instead just looking at Sevika. "And I'd like to replace him on principle, but I want Zaun to improve as soon as possible and I can tolerate him as long as he continues to prove himself far above any of his competitors."
A loud clattering sound distracted them, Isha looking back at them with a guilty look after having dropped another metal container while looting the laboratory. Smart girl, looting the place of everything valuable before the rest of Sevika's goons could come and steal them.
"Just be careful," Ethan sighed, he didn't really care about anything here.
Sevika ignored the kid and turned back to him. "And the others?"
"We agreed I'd be in charge of his side of things and I'd prefer they didn't think too much about it."
Learning how Chross gang worked and it's impact on the lower city was a deeply unpleasant experience, he'd really have preferred not to do it at all, but he also wanted to feel useful.
Compared to the girls, his previous life had been completely normal, boring even, so he really wanted to achieve something with his second chance. It also felt kind of nice to protect them from such hard decisions, not that he thought they couldn't make it, but it was good that they didn't need to.
"Good," Sevika said, then closed her eyes and sighed when her mechanical arm released a burst of sparks.
Looking at the bulky thing, it had the characteristic Jinx touch, an orgy of colors and random devices that somehow looked both childish and deadly, pieces of a slot machine attached to her shoulder slowly rotating.
Ethan thought about the shifting weapons of RWBY's setting and spoke. "Talk with Pyrrha when you've the chance, she's not an inventor like Jinx, but I think she knows how to build something more fitting, or at least do some maintenance."
"I will."
Nodding, Ethan turned back to the notebook and lifted an eyebrow.
Experiment Log – Report.
Subject: 9
Compound: Experimental Catalyst form 27(Shimmer)
Initial Observations:
Subject survived administration of an extremely concentrated dose of the compound. Despite catastrophic internal trauma, including organ degradation from blunt force and progressive dermal rupture as a result of the compound, specimen exhibits remarkably accelerated cellular regeneration.
Relocating to tertiary laboratory to ensure containment and continued study. Subject remains confidential due to prior personal associations.
Secondary Analysis (24 hours)
Physiological instability persists, vital signs indicating only partial equilibrium. Approximately 65% of epidermal loss, multi-organ failure imminent. Considering selective organ transplant to sustain viability. Further administration of Shimmer necessary to maintain cellular regeneration.
Continued observations:
Subject has regained consciousness. However, neurodegeneration caused by shimmer has severely compromised higher cognitive functions, subject has lost the capability of communication and doesn't respond to own name.
Residual neural response detected when exposed to auditory stimuli referencing 'Claggor, Mylo, Powder and Vi. This suggest preservation of select emotional or mnemonic pathways, potential preservation of familial bonds at a basal cognitive level.
Ethan sighed, there had been a small chance that things hadn't happened exactly as in the show and Warwick was some other guy, but this was almost proof of the contrary, the first date at the bottom of the page should also match with the day Silco attacked.
Closing the notebook, he kept it by his side and looked towards Jinx, before he could move, Sevika spoke again.
"There's been some new reports from Piltover. Some enforcers were seen with new weapons and they're increased the watch over the bridge again."
Ethan sighed, it was too good to expect the city of progress wouldn't adapt to them, he wondered if they had found someone capable of producing Hextech equipment or were just trying to counter Pyrrha and Taylor in another way?
"Have you find a way to break their blockade yet?"
"There's always the pipes, we're managing to get food down from the upper city, but the prices are already starting to rise."
He felt a new headache coming, Zaun had it's own sources of food but, not only were they filled with chemicals, there also wasn't enough for everyone, more than half of the food consumed coming from Piltover's leftovers.
Unfortunately, with the enforcers unable to come down thanks to them, someone up there seems to have taken another approach, blocking not only food but other essentials from being sent down here, from the few charities that existed to normal commerce.
"How long until we've to do something?"
"We had to do something yesterday," Sevika said, gritting her teeth in frustration at the state of Zaun. "But we can probably last a month without too many deaths."
That there would be deaths was unavoidable, even without a blockade people died in the lower city, if food started to get too difficult to acquire…
The worst was that they couldn't even retaliate in kind, if they forced either the factories or the mines to stop they'd hurt Piltover but, without someone else to sell to, they'd also finish killing themselves.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "We'll figure something out," nodding towards Jinx, he continued. "Get one of Chross' chemists to go over the rest of those reports, I'll go talk with her before she decides to burn down the place."
Isha had the right idea, loot then burn, Jinx could destroy the place only after they were done with it.
Sevika snorted, shaking her head at the thought of their relationship, then turned back to work but froze at the door of the laboratory, speaking without turning her head. "… Zaun is gonna suffer because of what you did, don't disappoint us now."
He wouldn't, he would solve the food problem before it became too dangerous, and if he had to kidnap a few family heads to do it, so be it.
"Come on," he said, tapping Jinx' shoulder with the folder still in his hand. "Let Sevika search this place top to bottom, she'll tell us if they find more clues."
Jinx didn't move, just continuing to stare at the empty space in front of her, then her head tilted a little to the side as if hearing something, her hands closing into tight fists, finally, she turned to stare at him for five seconds, her pupils dilated.
"It's alright," Ethan said, putting an arm around her shoulder. "He's just doing what we expected, he'll show up soon enough and we'll get your father back."
By her side, Isha dragged her overflowing backpack on the ground and gently held her hand.
Jinx turned to stare at his arm, then to Isha and back to his face for a few seconds, her eyes wide, finally, she recovered and spoke. "found anything?"
"Proof that it was really him. Come one, let's get back home."
Grabbing the folder, Jinx didn't say anything, just turning to leave, her head lowered as she followed him out of the hideout with long steps. Getting outside, she stepped on an exposed pipe and followed it, almost effortlessly keeping balance even as the pipe climbed up to head level, her face buried in the document.
Trying to put her backpack on, Isha almost feel, so he grabbed it and let her climb on the pipe after the older girl.
Ethan gave Jinx space, just walking alongside her on the ground and just keeping a hand ready to catch Isha in case the kid lost balance, his mind trying to come up with a way to counter Piltover's sanctions.
What they really needed was a second buyer but, with the Upper city controlling the Hexgates…
Closing the folder with a snap, Jinx jumped off the pipe to fall by his side. "I'm going to find Vi."
"… You sure?"
"No," she huffed, then slapped the folder on his chest. "But she deserves to know."
"Want me to come with?"
Jinx took some time to think about it but, finally, she shook her head. "Naa, just go deal with Chross, I know he's been bugging you for another meeting."
Ethan grimaced, the old man was competent, but he was still trying to feel him out, to find the limits of his tolerance and how he'd react in each situation, so he kept bringing him problems to solve.
"Probably something to do with the mask factory… uff."
Following Jinx's example, Isha jumped down from the pipes, only she aimed her jump at him, hitting his face and wrapping her limbs around his head like a spider, causing him so stumble as she tried to climb into his shoulder.
"Get off, pipsqueak, that's my spot!" Jinx growled.
An hour later, they arrived at the hideout to find both Pyrrha and Maelle frozen in front of a painting, their eyes covered with light that reflected the colors of the canvas, One of Maelle's hands holding Pyrrha's back to allow her entrance into the painting.
Despite her incredible skill with a blade, enough to defeat even Pyrrha if the huntress wasn't using her aura, Maelle had been the most fragile of them, her body merely human when outside the canvas.
So, after a few days, the paintress had finally convinced Pyrrha to awaken her aura, which meant they were both training inside a painting until she could awaken her semblance, or at least get used to her new powers.
Ethan too wanted to get his aura, but if he was being honest he had more than enough on his plate just with his improved body and blood powers, he could wait until Pyrrha was certain he wouldn't misuse his soul.
Spreading himself too thin with new skills wouldn't do him much good anyway.
With a shove, Isha squirmed her way out of his hold and dropped to the floor, then grabbed her backpack and started dragging it into a corner, eager to inspect her loot, Ethan just shook his head and saw a swarm of flied gathering.
"I'm done with your suit," the swarm buzzed at him. "Come up to test them."
Ethan looked up and grimaced, why the fuck did she have to claim the ceiling for her nests? He hated having to climb up there.
Looking up at the huge cocoon covering a corner of her ceiling, Jinx shivered and grabbed the folder from his hands. "Ugh, I'm moving my bed down here with you,"
"You're the one who gave her permission."
Giving him an offended glare, Jinx dropped most of her weapons on a workbench, only keeping a single chem-tech pistol, giving him a quick salute with it. "See ya."
Taking a second to watch her go, Ethan took a deep breath, then grabbed the railing with a death grip and started climbing. Getting to the top, he stepped away from the edges as fast as he could and looked at Taylor.
Shifting her attention away from her insects, the girl got up from her seat, put some of Margot's documents away and stretched, finally, she focused on him. "He wasn't there."
"No," it wasn't a question, but Ethan answered anyway. "There was never much chance he'd be, not after two days."
"Here, your clothing, Pyrrha already tried hers and I'm almost done with the others."
The suit looked tight, with a grayish white color and a few details in gold, he'd have to dye it later if he didn't want to attract attention, but it seemed great, taking off his shirt, he tested the upper part first. It fit him like a glove, the shirt being surprisingly thick despite being made of silk.
It was certainly better than any clothes he could buy in Zaun, so at least that was a bonus, even if it couldn't block bullets. "Will it protect anything?"
"...What?" Taylor said, eyes refocusing on his face, her cheeks slightly red. "My first suit didn't do that very well, but I learned how to weave them to spread impact while in the Wards. The silk should do nothing against blades, but I think my aura somehow made that better too."
They'd have to test that later, and given time Jinx could probably improve the suit with some equipment. "How's it going with the bitch?"
"… I want to kill her," Taylor sighed, then glanced at the pile of books on the table. "She'd fit right in with the Slaughterhouse."
Despite saying that, it was clear that Taylor was still struggling with the decision, she wanted the woman dead, but she didn't want to just execute her in cold blood. Ethan grimaced, that meant the Chem-Baron probably did more than just forced prostitution. "Anything I can help with?"
"With Margot? No," Taylor shook her head, then looked into his eyes. "But there's… you said Victor was still trying to help people right? There's something happening with my shard… I think I need to talk with him."
----------------------
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JINX
Jinx kicked the door, her boots breaking the rusted locked and sending splinters flying, the wood banging against the wall, she waited, then peeked her head inside the room only to see Vi still passed out drunk on the bed.
She snorted, then strutted inside with Isha. "And she thinks I'm the crazy one."
Kicking a fallen bottle to the corner, she pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down. Vi looked terrible, she had the bright idea of painting her hair black, putting on heavier makeup and sleeping without taking a bath, blood, soot and bandages covering her body.
Leaning forward, Jinx put her elbows on her knees and stared at the state of her sister, the world flashing and, for a second, she was a teenager again, red hair and clean face peacefully sleeping.
Blinking, the image was gone, so she poked a finger against Vi's cheek. "Wake up, sis," when there was no response, she huffed and turned to Isha. "Want to jump on her?"
Her minion shook her head, then found Vi's Hex-gloves and went to check on them. Jinx shrugged, leaned over her sister's body and whistled on her ear, then got up and started exploring the hovel.
She thought the enforcers paid more than this.
Leaning against the wall, she spent a minute considering her situation… Vi, the golden girl, the one who could do everything and always took care of them a drunk and she, the failure, the jinx, taking over Zaun, it made her want to laugh.
She didn't want Zaun, couldn't trust herself with the responsibility, really, but maybe the others would keep her in check? Taylor certainly had Silco's intimidation down, and they all believed in they could do it.
No, they weren't sure they could, but they had decided they needed to do it and wouldn't accept failure.
Suddenly pushing herself away from the wall, Jinx shook her head and found some of Vi makeup, choosing a heavy black, she looked at the mirror, deciding to copy her sister and write her name bellow an eye… only cooler cuz her handwriting was much better.
On the bed, Vi grunted, turning around and starting to scratch at her eyes, the hangover hitting her like a truck, when she finally opened her eyes, Jinx smiled. "Long time no see, sis."
Vi jumped out of the bed, face clouded with rage as she advanced on her, one hand pulling back for a punch while the other tried to grasp her neck… unfortunately, months of heavy drinking had taken it's toll.
Slapping the grasping hand aside, Jinx just moved her head slightly, dodging the incoming fist by a hair's breadth, then putting a hand on her overextended shoulder, she pushed her away, sending the bigger woman flying to the ground.
"God, that was embarrassing," stepping back, Jinx skipped at the tip of her toes. "You've really let yourself go."
Breathing hard, Vi wiped the soot away from her face with her arm and slowly pushed herself up, taking a fighting stance. "Whatever you're here for, I don't want to hear it."
"It's Vander, he…"
"I'm not falling for another one of your tricks!" Vi growled, advancing on her.
Jinx flashed back, her eyes shinning purple as she put some distance between them and grabbed the folder from Isha's hand. "He's alive, I want your help to save him."
"Bullshit!" Vi screamed, then winced at her own voice and finally regained some control crossing her arms when she saw Jinx wasn't about to fight back.
"Singed found him," Jinx said, shaking the folder in the air. "He hid it from me and Silco, but shimmer kept him alive until now, being used as an experiment."
Vi's eyes went from her face to the folder three times, seeming to struggle with the decision before squeezing her eyes shut for a full three seconds and huffing. "Give it here, but if this is another one of your delusions…"
"It's not."
Extending the folder, she let Vi snatch it out of her hand then knelt by Isha's side and put a hand on her helmet to help her calm down before whispering. "See, she actually used to be cool, I think I just kicked her ass too hard."
Vi snorted in disagreement, but continued to read the document, Jinx knew exactly when she had reached their names when her sister punched the wall hard enough to break the wood, her teeth grinding in anger.
"Where did you find this?"
"Sevika found his old hideout for me," Jinx said, knowing she had her sister.
In truth, she still didn't know if she believed in Ethan or if he was even crazier than her—and wasn't that an amusing thought— but she knew she couldn't leave it alone, not until she made sure and, if he was lying, she'd shoot him in the dick, twice.
She liked his dick, but even it wouldn't be enough if he was lying to her about this.
She also knew her sister would be no different, if there was even a chance Vander was alive, they wouldn't stop searching.
Finally finishing her read, Vi threw it at the table and slowly passed one hand through her face, feeling lost. "How… How are we gonna find him?"
"Well, we figured Singed needs money, he'll either come to us directly or he'll send Dad to kill us and prove his value."
"What? Why?" Vi asked her with confusion.
Getting up, Jinx smirked, then ran her nails over her shirt and blew on them with an air of supreme superiority. "Didn't you know, I took over Zaun like, a week ago and kicked the Enforcers out, you've been fighting on my arena this entire time."
Vi just stared at her, mouth open. "You've got to be shitting me."
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