Vi's Monologue (update)

The morning sun rose over Piltover, casting a golden glow over the city. The streets were filled with people dressed in somber attire, their faces etched with grief. Today was the memorial service for the three council members who had lost their lives in the recent attack. But for Vi, who sat in a small park on the outskirts of the city, the day held no meaning.

A Drunken Lament

Vi leaned against a tree, a bottle of amber liquor in her hand. She tilted her head back and took a long swig, the alcohol burning her throat but doing little to numb the pain in her heart. Her sister, Jinx—no, not Jinx, Powder—was gone. The sweet, curious little girl who had once followed her everywhere, always eager to prove herself, had been replaced by a twisted, broken shadow of her former self.

Vi closed her eyes, and the image of Powder flashed before her—bright-eyed, full of life, and always smiling. But the image quickly faded, replaced by the haunting visage of Jinx: her long blue hair trailing behind her, her pink eyes clouded with madness, and a sinister grin plastered across her face.

"Damn it," Vi muttered, taking another swig of the liquor. She had been drinking since the night before, trying to drown her sorrows, but no amount of alcohol could wash away the guilt and regret that clung to her like a second skin.

The Weight of Regret

Vi's mind wandered to Caitlyn, her partner and friend. Caitlyn's eyes had been filled with pain and desperation the last time they had spoken. She had needed Vi, had wanted her to stand by her side and fight for justice. But Vi couldn't do it. She couldn't bring herself to face Caitlyn, not after everything that had happened.

"I'm sorry, Cait," Vi whispered, her voice hoarse. "I'm sorry, Vander. I'm sorry, Powder. I'm just... a damn mess."

She tossed the empty bottle aside and reached for another, her movements sluggish and uncoordinated. The people passing by the park gave her strange looks, but Vi didn't care. She was an outsider in Piltover, a stranger in Zaun. She had no place in either city, no home to call her own.

An Unexpected Encounter

"Vi? Vi!"

The voice was soft and melodic, like the chirping of a bird. Vi looked up to see a young woman standing before her, dressed in the blue-gray uniform of an enforcer. The sight made Vi's stomach churn. She had always hated the enforcers, with their smug attitudes and holier-than-thou demeanor. They reminded her too much of Marcus, the man who had betrayed her trust.

"Who are you?" Vi asked, her voice slurred. She grabbed another bottle, shook it, and frowned when she realized it was empty. She tossed it aside and glared at the enforcer. "And how do you know my name? I don't remember causing any trouble for you."

The young woman hesitated, her eyes darting nervously. "I'm... I'm Junior Enforcer Nolen... Maddie," she stammered. "And, well, your name is kind of written all over your face."

Vi rolled her eyes. "Great. Another fan. What do you want? A random check? Or are you here to kick me out?"

"No, no!" Maddie said quickly, her cheeks flushing. "I just... I heard about you. About how Caitlyn stood up for you with the other enforcers. I thought... maybe you'd like to talk?"

Vi's grip on the bottle tightened. Caitlyn had defended her? Of course she had. Caitlyn always believed in her, even when Vi didn't believe in herself. But that only made the guilt worse.

A Moment of Reflection

Maddie's words hung in the air, and for a moment, Vi considered opening up. But the weight of her past was too heavy, the wounds too fresh. She took another swig of the liquor, the burn in her throat a welcome distraction from the pain in her chest.

"You don't need to worry about me," Vi said, her voice cold. "I'm fine."

Maddie looked uncertain, but before she could say anything else, the shrill sound of a whistle pierced the air. The young enforcer's eyes widened, and she quickly turned to leave. "I have to go. But... it was nice meeting you."

Vi watched as Maddie and her partner, a blue-skinned Vastaya, hurried away. She felt a pang of regret. Maddie had just been trying to be kind, and Vi had pushed her away. Just like she had pushed everyone else away.

The Memorial Service

Vi sighed and got to her feet, swaying slightly as the alcohol caught up with her. She glanced at the crowd of people heading toward the memorial service and decided to follow. Sitting in the park and drinking herself into oblivion wasn't going to solve anything. Maybe seeing Caitlyn would help. Maybe.

As she approached the venue, Vi was surprised when the enforcers at the entrance simply waved her through. She frowned but didn't question it. Inside, the atmosphere was heavy with grief. People whispered in hushed tones, their faces drawn and somber.

Vi's eyes scanned the crowd, and her heart skipped a beat when she spotted Caitlyn. The sheriff stood tall and composed, but Vi could see the pain in her eyes. She wanted to go to her, to apologize, to explain. But the words stuck in her throat.

Instead, Vi turned away, her gaze falling on a strange figure cloaked in black. The person was tall and imposing, their face hidden beneath a veil. They moved through the crowd with purpose, their presence unsettling.

"Who the hell is that?" Vi muttered to herself.

The Calm Before the Storm

The memorial service began, and Mel Medarda took the stage to deliver a eulogy. Vi stood at the back of the room, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable. She didn't belong here, among Piltover's elite. But she couldn't bring herself to leave.

As Mel spoke, Vi's mind wandered. She thought about Powder, about Caitlyn, about everything she had lost. She thought about the choices she had made and the ones she had yet to make.

And then, as if on cue, chaos erupted.

The Attack

The sound of shattering glass filled the air as masked assailants stormed the hall. The crowd screamed and scattered, their fear palpable. Vi's instincts kicked in, and she moved to protect those around her.

But before she could act, the cloaked figure in black stepped forward. With a single motion, they activated some kind of mechanical suit, the gears whirring and the hydraulics hissing. The figure moved with incredible speed and strength, taking down the attackers with ease.

Vi watched in awe as the stranger fought, their movements precise and calculated. Whoever they were, they were clearly on Piltover's side.

A New Hope

As the last attacker fell, the room fell silent. The cloaked figure stood tall, their presence commanding. Vi felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, Piltover had a chance after all.

She glanced at Caitlyn, who was staring at the figure with a mixture of relief and determination. Vi knew then that she couldn't keep running. She had to face her past, her mistakes, and her sister.

For the first time in a long time, Vi felt a glimmer of purpose. The road ahead would be difficult, but she was ready to take the first step.