Weeks passed, and Jinx and Lux had fallen into a rhythm that neither of them could have anticipated. Lux continued to follow Jinx wherever she went, her presence a strange but oddly comforting constant in Jinx's chaotic life. One day, as they sat together in Jinx’s lair, Jinx leaned back against her workbench, arms crossed, and gave Lux a sideways glance. "So, here’s the thing I don’t get," she started, twirling a screwdriver between her fingers. "How do you even know your universe’s Lux—or, I mean, this universe’s Lux—exists or doesn’t? What if she’s out there somewhere, hiding? What makes you so sure?"
Lux, sitting cross-legged on a crate with her staff resting beside her, looked up from fiddling with a piece of scrap metal Jinx had handed her earlier. Her expression turned thoughtful, her beautiful big blue eyes dimming slightly with the weight of the question. "If she existed," Lux said softly, "she would’ve found you by now."
Jinx froze, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied Lux’s face. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
Lux sighed, her fingers running absentmindedly along the shaft of her staff. "I mean... if there’s a version of me here, in this world, she wouldn’t have stayed in Demacia. Not after they found out she’s a mage." Lux’s voice tightened, a shadow crossing her features. "In any world, Demacia doesn’t forgive magic, no matter who you are. If she existed, she probably didn’t make it out before they... dealt with her."
The room fell silent, save for the distant hum of machinery outside. Lux’s words lingered in the air, heavy and unspoken. Jinx stared at her for a long moment, her expression unreadable, before she leaned forward, setting the screwdriver down on the bench with a clatter. "Well, screw them, then," Jinx said suddenly, her voice sharp and defiant.
Lux blinked, startled. "What?"
"You heard me," Jinx said, standing up and pacing the room. "Screw them. Screw Demacia. Screw anyone who thought they could hold you—or her—back." She turned to Lux, her eyes blazing with a rare intensity. "You’re better off without them, Sparkles. You hear me? You don’t need people like that dragging you down. You’re... you’re better than that."
Lux stared at her, wide-eyed, as the words sank in. For a moment, she couldn’t speak. The raw, almost protective edge in Jinx’s voice was something she hadn’t expected, and it sent a strange warmth through her chest. It reminded her of her own Jinx, the Jinx she loved deeply but taken away from her too soon.
"Jinx..." Lux started, but Jinx cut her off, pointing a finger at her.
"No, don’t ‘Jinx’ me," she said, her voice lowering into a growl. "You’re here now, with me. And I’m not gonna let anyone—Demacia, Piltover, whoever—make you feel like you’re not enough. You’re better off without those losers holding you back. Got it?"
Lux’s lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, she smiled—a small, genuine smile that lit up her face in a way Jinx hadn’t seen before. "Got it," Lux finally said, her voice soft but steady.
Jinx huffed, turning away and crossing her arms. "Good. Just... keep that in mind, alright? Lux’s smile grew, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a sense of peace—a feeling like she’d found exactly where she was meant to be. The lair buzzed with a rare sense of anticipation as Jinx tinkered away at the hextech device. She had dismantled it piece by piece, marveling at its complexity while simultaneously shaking her head at the flaws.
“This is a mess,” Jinx muttered, holding up a loose wire she’d just fished out. “How’d you even survive jumping between universes with this thing? It’s a death trap!”
Lux, sitting cross-legged on a nearby crate, watched her work with a sheepish smile. “I didn’t exactly have a lot of guidance,” she admitted. “It was your design—or, well, the other Jinx’s. I just... tried to make it work.”
“‘Tried’ is right.” Jinx snorted, her fingers deftly rewiring the machine. “This? Loose. This? Misaligned. And this?” She held up a brightly glowing crystal. “You put this in backwards. Backwards, Sparkles!”
Lux laughed softly. “Well, I’m alive, aren’t I?”
“Barely,” Jinx shot back, though her tone carried more amusement than annoyance. She was clearly enjoying herself, her mind alight with the challenge of improving the device. The device seems much smaller now, “So that it’s portable now Sparkles, who doesn’t like it easy” Jinx explained to her when she asked about it.
As she worked, she started painting the hextech device, adding splashes of vibrant colors and chaotic patterns to its sleek design. It was unmistakably Jinx’s work now, the perfect blend of brilliance and whimsy. “There,” Jinx finally said, standing back to admire her handiwork. “Now it’s not just functional—it’s pretty.” She grinned at Lux. “We’re taking this baby for a spin.”
Lux blinked, startled. “Wait, what? You want to use it?”
“Of course I wanna use it! What’s the point of fixing it if we don’t try it out? How ‘bout we go to your universe?” Jinx said casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Why?” Lux asked softly. “Why would you want to go to my universe?”
Jinx paused, her fingers drumming against the side of the device. “Dunno. Kinda curious, I guess. Wanna see what kind of person your Jinx was. What she built, how she lived...” Her voice softened, uncharacteristically subdued. “And, y’know, maybe I just wanna try this thing out. It’s impressive. The other me? Freakin’ genius.”
Lux’s expression softened, but before she could respond, Jinx added with a smirk, “And it’s even more impressive now that I fixed it, of course. You’re welcome.”
Lux laughed, shaking her head. “Of course.”
Jinx leaned closer, grinning mischievously. “So? Can we?”
Lux hesitated, but only for a moment. There was no saying no to Jinx—not when she looked at her like that, with that spark of excitement in her eyes. “Alright,” Lux said at last. “But you’ll need a disguise. You can’t exactly walk around as Jinx in a universe where... well, you’re gone.”
“Pfft, no problem,” Jinx said, rummaging through a pile of her belongings. After a few moments, she pulled out an old miner’s hat, dusting it off before plopping it on her head. “How’s this? Convincing enough?”
Lux froze, recognizing the hat immediately. It belonged to Isha, she just knew it. But she didn’t say anything, knowing it’s a sensitive topic for Jinx. “It’s... perfect,” Lux said instead, her voice steady despite the ache in her chest.
“Great!” Jinx grinned, adjusting the hat. “Let’s get this show on the road.” Lux couldn’t help but smile as Jinx’s enthusiasm became contagious. Despite her concerns, despite the risks, she knew she’d follow Jinx anywhere. After all, she already had.
Before they could leave, the inevitable “weekly inspection” arrived in the form of Vi and Caitlyn. As usual, Vi wasted no time pulling Jinx aside for a private conversation. “C’mon, let’s chat,” Vi said, her hand on Jinx’s arm.
Jinx groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Do we have to?”
“Yep,” Vi replied, already steering her toward the rooftop. Though Jinx grumbled, she didn’t put up much of a fight, trudging after Vi with exaggerated reluctance. Watching the exchange, Lux couldn’t help the small smile that crept across her face. It wasn’t lost on Caitlyn. The Enforcer’s sharp eyes flicked between Lux and the rooftop where Vi and Jinx had disappeared, then back to Lux again. Whatever Caitlyn was thinking, it showed in the way her lips tightened and her hands folded neatly behind her back.
Finally, she broke the silence. “You care about her.”
The blunt statement caught Lux off guard. “I—what?”
Caitlyn stepped closer, her gaze steady and unwavering. “The way you look at her. It’s not hard to see. I’ve been watching people for a long time. You care about her.”
Lux hesitated, her grip tightening on her staff. “I do,” she admitted softly.
Caitlyn nodded, as though she’d expected the answer. “Then maybe you can explain something to me,” she said, her tone calm but tinged with curiosity. “Who exactly are you, Luxanna?” The use of her full name made Lux stiffen. Caitlyn noticed the reaction and pressed forward. “You’re clearly Demacian, or you were,” Caitlyn continued, gesturing to Lux’s armor. “But that staff? That’s not something Demacia would allow. And your appearance—it matches exactly to someone who disappeared from Demacia’s high circles years ago. The missing Crownguard girl, Luxanna.”
Lux hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “You’re smart, but then again you’ve always been.”
Caitlyn’s expression remained neutral, though her eyes narrowed slightly. “What do you mean?” she asked slowly.
“You’re right, I am Luxanna Crownguard but I’m not the Luxanna from this version of the world,” she admitted. “I come from another one—a different version of this universe. In my world, Demacia discovered my magic, but I managed to escape before they could catch me. Here, I don’t think the Lux of this universe did. Maybe she never left, or...” Lux trailed off, unable to say the rest aloud. If Caitlyn was surprised by the revelation, she didn’t show it. Her face remained neutral and didn’t say anything. “You know, usually when people talk about the concept of multiverse, they would be either excited or scared.” Lux broke the silence.
“Ekko told me something about being pulled to a different universe before, so this is not my first rodeo” Caitlyn easily dismissed that. Caitlyn tilted her head, thoughtful. “And what are you to Jinx? To this Jinx?”
Lux’s voice softened. “I’m not sure yet. She’s not the Jinx I lost, but she’s... her. I see the same spark, the same fire in her. And I’ll stay as long as she lets me.”
Caitlyn studied Lux’s face, searching for any hint of dishonesty. Finding none, her posture relaxed slightly. “Vi and Jinx’s relationship has always been complicated,” Caitlyn said. “Vi loves her, but it’s taken them a long time to get here. And I’ve come to care about Jinx too believe it or not. If you’re going to be part of her life, that matters to me.”
On the rooftop, Vi leaned against the railing, her sharp gaze fixed on Jinx as the city lights twinkled in the distance. She was quiet at first, watching her sister idly fiddle with a loose bolt she’d swiped from somewhere. Jinx hadn’t said much since they got up here, but Vi had been patient—until now. “So,” Vi began, her voice carefully measured, “are you gonna tell me who she is?”
Jinx didn’t look up from the bolt in her hands. “She’s Sparkles.”
Vi rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but who is she? And what is she to you?”
Jinx froze for a split second, the bolt slipping through her fingers and clattering onto the rooftop floor. “Why does it matter?” she muttered, crouching down to pick it up.
Vi stepped closer, her voice soft but firm. “It matters because you matter to me, Jinx. And if someone’s getting close to you—someone who’s suddenly sticking around and making you smile more than I’ve seen in years—I think I’ve got the right to ask.”
Jinx straightened, her usual smirk faltering as she looked at her sister. “She’s... complicated,” Jinx finally admitted, her tone uncharacteristically subdued.
“Complicated how?” Vi pressed.
Jinx scratched the back of her head, avoiding Vi’s gaze. “Her name is Lux and she says she’s from another universe. That she knew some other version of me—one who’s, like, dead in her world. She’s been jumping from place to place looking for me, or someone like me.”
Vi blinked, her brows furrowing. “Wait. She’s from another universe?”
Jinx nodded, fiddling with the bolt again. “Yup. Weird, right? But hey, I’m weird too, so... I dunno, it kinda makes sense.”
Vi crossed her arms, her expression torn between concern and disbelief. “And you believe her?”
Jinx finally met Vi’s eyes, her own unusually serious. “Yeah, I do. She’s... not like anyone else, Vi. She looks at me like I’m still that person she’s been looking for, even if I keep telling her I’m not.”
Vi watched her for a long moment, her voice softening. “And what do you feel about her?”
Jinx opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She turned away, leaning against the railing and staring at the city below. “I don’t know,” she said quietly. “It’s like... she gets me in ways no one else does. And yeah, it’s weird, and it’s confusing, but... I kinda like having her around.”
Vi let the silence linger for a moment before stepping up beside her. “Look, kid,” she said, placing a hand on Jinx’s shoulder. “I’m not gonna pretend to understand all this multiverse stuff, but if she’s good to you—and you’re happy—then I’ll support it. Just... be careful, okay? I don’t want you getting hurt again.”
Jinx smirked, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Don’t worry, sis. I can take care of myself.”
Vi gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before stepping back. “I know you can. But that doesn’t mean I’m not gonna look out for you.”
Vi leaned against the railing, arms crossed as she studied Jinx. “So,” she started with a sly grin, “do I need to give you the birds and the bees talk, or what?”
Jinx nearly choked on air, whipping her head around to stare at her sister. “What?! No! Vi, come on!”
Vi raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying herself. “What? I’m just saying. You’ve got some mysterious girl hanging around, making you smile like an idiot half the time. It’s only natural for me to wonder.”
Jinx groaned, pressing a hand to her face. “Ugh, you’re the worst.”
“Am I?” Vi teased, her grin growing wider. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve got a major soft spot for her. I mean, you haven’t even tried to blow her up. That’s gotta mean something.”
Jinx scowled, but there was no real heat behind it. “I don’t blow up everyone, Vi. Jeez.”
“Sure you don’t,” Vi shot back with a wink. Then her tone softened, though the teasing lilt never quite left. “Seriously, though. You’ve got feelings for her, don’t you?”
Jinx hesitated, fiddling with the bolt in her hand. “I... I don’t know. Maybe. It’s just... different with her, y’know? Like, she doesn’t treat me like I’m broken or crazy or whatever. She just... sees me.”
Vi’s grin softened into a warm smile. “Sounds like she might be good for you, then.”
Jinx huffed, trying to act nonchalant. “Whatever. She’s just some weirdo from another universe who thinks I’m someone I’m not.”
“I don’t know Pow Pow, she seems to care about you” Vi said, leaning closer, “and you keep letting her hang around. Sounds to me like you like this ‘weirdo’ a whole lot more than you’re willing to admit.”
Jinx glared at her, cheeks slightly flushed. “Okay, we’re done with this conversation now. And don’t call me Pow Pow dumbass.”
Vi laughed, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I’ll back off. For now.”
Jinx muttered something under her breath, but the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
“C’mon,” Vi said, slinging an arm around her sister’s shoulder. “Let’s head back before Caitlyn decides to play detective with your girl.”
“She’s not my girl!” Jinx snapped, though she made no effort to shrug off Vi’s arm.
“Sure she’s not,” Vi replied, smirking. “But if you ever need tips, you know where to find me.”
“Ugh,” Jinx groaned, dragging her feet as they headed back inside. Despite her grumbling, though, there was a small, genuine smile on her face.
Meanwhile in the lair, Caitlyn folded her arms and leaned against the wall, watching Lux carefully. “There’s something I still don’t understand,” she began, her tone calm but pointed. “Why would you risk yourself like this? Jumping from universe to universe—why? What’s worth that kind of danger?”
Lux shifted her grip on her staff, her eyes lowering for a moment as if searching for the right words. “I... I don’t think you’d understand.”
Caitlyn arched her brow. “Try me.”
Lux hesitated, the weight of her feelings pressing down on her chest. She met Caitlyn’s gaze, her voice soft but firm. “Because she’s worth it. Every risk, every jump, every moment of uncertainty—it’s all worth it for her.”
Caitlyn tilted her head slightly, intrigued but unconvinced. “Even if she’s not the same Jinx you lost?”
Lux smiled faintly, a bittersweet edge to it. “She’s not the same, no. But she’s still her. Every time I look at her, I see pieces of the person I fell in love with. And even if this Jinx never feels the same way, just knowing she’s alive, knowing she’s okay... that’s enough for me.”
Caitlyn’s expression softened, but there was still a flicker of doubt in her eyes. “You’re putting yourself in danger for someone who doesn’t even know who you really are.”
Lux met Caitlyn’s gaze steadily. “Let me ask you something,” she said quietly.
Caitlyn blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. “What?”
“What would you do if Vi was taken from you?” Lux asked, her voice low but intense. “If you lost her and there was even the slightest chance—no matter how slim—that you could get her back, would you risk it? Would you do whatever it takes to find her again?” The question struck Caitlyn like a blow. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Her mind raced through the possibilities, imagining a world without Vi. The thought of losing her—the thought of being unable to see her smile, hear her laugh, or feel her warmth—was unbearable.
“I...” Caitlyn started, then stopped, her throat tightening. She finally looked away, her voice quieter than before. “I suppose I would.”
Lux nodded, her expression understanding. “Then you already know why I’m here. It’s not just about love—it’s about hope. Hope that I could find her again. Hope that maybe, this time, things could be different.”
Caitlyn was silent for a long moment, staring at the floor. When she looked up again, her gaze was softer, her tone less guarded. “You must’ve loved her a lot.”
Lux’s lips curved into a small, wistful smile. “She was my everything. She made me feel like I didn’t have to hide who I was, like I could be proud of my magic—proud of myself. I owe her more than I can ever repay.”
Caitlyn studied her for a moment longer, then sighed. “You’re braver than I gave you credit for,” she admitted. “And... I think I understand now. At least a little.”
Lux tilted her head, her expression curious. “You do?”
Caitlyn gave a small nod. “Vi and I have been through more than I care to count. And if I ever lost her...” She shook her head. “Let’s just say I wouldn’t stop until I got her back, either.” A comfortable silence settled between them, the tension from earlier fading away. For the first time, Caitlyn felt like she could trust this strange woman who had somehow become part of Jinx’s life.
Before they could say more, the door to the rooftop banged open, and Jinx came bounding down the stairs, her loud voice breaking the quiet moment. “All done with the interrogation?” Jinx called, her grin wide and teasing.
Caitlyn straightened, her expression neutral once more. “For now.”
Jinx snorted, grabbing Lux’s wrist and pulling her toward the door. “C’mon, Sparkles. Let’s get outta here before they start asking about my ‘mental state’ again.”
Caitlyn arched an eyebrow at Jinx, her usual composure returning. “Behave yourself, Jinx.”
Jinx smirked. “Define ‘behave.’”
Vi sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Just... try not to blow anything up, yeah?”
“No promises,” Jinx quipped, nudging Lux. “C’mon, Sparkles! And you guys better be gone when we’re back.”
As they walked away, Vi glanced at Caitlyn, her lips curving into a thoughtful smile. “I don’t fully understand it,” she murmured. “But whatever’s happening there... it might just be good for her.”
Caitlyn’’s expression softened as she watched Jinx leave. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “I think it might be.”
Lux glanced back at Caitlyn as Jinx dragged her away, offering a small, grateful smile. Caitlyn gave her a slight nod in return, silently acknowledging the conversation they’d just shared.
Lux glanced at Jinx as they walked side by side through the narrow, winding streets of Zaun. “Where are we going this time?” she asked with a faint smile, noting the determined look on Jinx’s face.
Jinx didn’t look back, her hands shoved into her pockets as she stepped over debris with ease. “I wanna see an old friend,” she said, her tone unusually calm. “Little Man.”
“Little Man?” Lux repeated, raising an eyebrow.
Jinx snorted, a grin flashing across her face. “That’s what I call him. His name’s Ekko. You’d like him... maybe. He’s annoyingly righteous sometimes, but he’s a good guy.”
Lux smiled softly at the rare fondness in Jinx’s voice. “Why now? Why see him after all this time?”
Jinx hesitated for a moment, kicking a stray piece of scrap metal down the street. “I think... he deserves an explanation. For why I pushed him away.” Lux stayed quiet, letting Jinx continue. “Back when the war was over, he told me something crazy,” Jinx said, her voice distant as if she were back in that moment. “He said he was accidentally thrown into another universe. A place where Powder existed, not Jinx. Where everything was peaceful. No chaos, no explosions.”
Lux’s chest tightened at the mention of the name. Powder. She’d heard the name before, whispered in passing by Vi and Caitlyn, but it felt heavier coming from Jinx herself. Jinx stopped walking, staring at the ground as she spoke. “When Ekko came back, he looked at me like he was searching for her. For Powder. Like he thought he could get a piece of her back through me. But I’m not her. I’m Jinx now, whether he likes it or not. So, I pushed him away. I couldn’t be what he wanted.”
Lux gently placed a hand on Jinx’s arm, grounding her. “You’re right. You don’t have to be anyone but who you are now.”
Jinx glanced at Lux, her expression unreadable, before turning away again. “Yeah, well... I figure I should tell him that. Properly, this time.”
As they walked further into Zaun, Lux decided to share a piece of her own story. “The Ekko from my universe... he was the leader of the Firelights, too,” she said softly.
Jinx perked up at that. “Huh. Guess that’s one constant between universes.”
Lux nodded. “But we were on opposite sides. He was always trying to fix things peacefully, to give Zaun a chance to thrive without chaos. Meanwhile, you—well, my Jinx—was...”
“Blowing stuff up?” Jinx interjected with a smirk.
Lux chuckled lightly. “Yeah. You always wanted Zaun to thrive too, but your methods were... let’s just say a bit louder than Ekko’s.”
Jinx laughed at that, the sound carrying a strange mix of humor and melancholy. “Sounds about right. Little Man always had that stick-up-his-butt approach. ‘We can do this the peaceful way, Jinx,’” she mocked in an exaggerated tone.
Lux shook her head with a smile. “He cared about you, though. Even when you two fought. It was obvious.”
Jinx fell silent for a moment, her grin fading slightly. “Yeah,” she muttered. “I think he cared about me in this universe, too. I just didn’t know how to deal with it.”
They reached the Firelights’ base, the faint hum of machinery and neon lights welcoming them. Jinx stopped outside, glancing at Lux. “You good with this?”
Lux nodded, her expression soft but steady. “I’m here for you, Jinx. Always.” Jinx gave her a small smile before stepping inside, ready to face her past and the friend she had once pushed away. The Firelight base was alive with movement and chatter, as it always seemed to be. The walls hummed with makeshift machinery, children darted between adults, and the massive tree in the center of the base stretched tall, its glowing leaves casting a soft, ethereal light over everything. The sight of it made Lux’s breath hitch—there was a kind of beauty here that didn’t exist in Piltover or Zaun’s usual chaos. Jinx strolled in confidently, her usual swagger intact, but her eyes softened when she caught sight of the familiar faces and warm energy around her. She waved a hand lazily toward Ekko, who was busy tinkering with a small gadget near the tree.
“Yo, Little Man!” Jinx called, her voice cutting through the noise.
Ekko turned, his brows furrowing slightly before his face lit up in surprise. He walked over, wiping his hands on his vest. “Jinx? Haven’t seen you here in a while,” he said cautiously, though there was warmth in his tone. His eyes flicked to Lux, standing quietly at Jinx’s side. “And... you brought company?”
“Yup,” Jinx said, rocking on her heels with a grin. “This is Sparkles—uh, Lux. She’s from, like, another universe. Crazy, huh?”
Ekko blinked, his expression shifting to curiosity as he studied Lux. “Another universe? Alright, I’m not even surprised anymore you know.”
Lux smiled politely, dipping her head. “It’s nice to meet you. Jinx’s told me a bit about you.”
“Did she?” Ekko asked, glancing at Jinx, who looked away with a shrug. “Well, welcome to the Firelight base. You’re probably already realizing this, but things here are... a little unconventional.”
Lux chuckled. “Unconventional is an understatement, but I like it. Feels alive.”
Ekko nodded, satisfied with the response, before looking back at Jinx. “So, what’s the story? Why’s she here?”
“I’ll let Jinx explain,” Lux said quickly, stepping back. “But before that, I think I’ll explore a little. It’s not every day you see something this beautiful.”
Jinx hesitated, her eyes darting to Lux as if she wanted her to stay, but she nodded. “Go ahead. Don’t let the kids bite.”
Lux laughed and wandered off, already attracting the attention of a few curious children who asked about her staff. She knelt down to their level, creating tiny, shimmering light displays with a flick of her wrist. Jinx watched her go, her gaze softening. A small smile tugged at her lips when she saw Lux laugh as one of the kids tried to catch the glowing orbs she created.
Ekko cleared his throat, drawing Jinx’s attention back. “You’ve got it bad, huh?”
“What? No, shut up,” Jinx shot back, a little too quickly. “We’re not here to talk about her, alright? We’re here to talk about... you know, stuff.”
“Right,” Ekko said, crossing his arms. “So, what’s up? Why now?”
Jinx shuffled awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck. “Look, I know I’ve been... difficult. Pushed you away when you didn’t deserve it. I just...” She frowned, kicking at the dirt. “I’m not Powder anymore, alright? And you... you came back from that other universe looking at me like you wanted her. But she’s gone. This is who I am now.”
Ekko sighed, his expression softening. “Jinx, I wasn’t trying to replace you with her. I just... I saw what could’ve been. And I wanted that for you. For us. But you’re right—that’s not fair to you. I’m sorry.”
Jinx shrugged, but her voice wavered slightly as she spoke. “Yeah, well... I guess I owe you an apology too. For, you know, blowing up at you. Literally and metaphorically.”
Ekko chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s fine. I get it now. And for what it’s worth, Jinx... you’re still my friend. No matter what.”
Jinx finally met his gaze, a rare sincerity in her eyes. “Thanks, Little Man.” As they talked, Jinx’s attention kept drifting to Lux, who was now putting on a dazzling light show for a growing crowd of children. She was laughing, her golden hair catching the glow of her magic. Jinx felt a strange warmth in her chest, something she wasn’t quite ready to name but knew she didn’t want to lose.
“Looks like she’s good with kids,” Ekko said, smirking knowingly.
“Shut up,” Jinx muttered, though she couldn’t hide the faint smile on her face.
As they made their way back to the lair, the winding streets of Zaun fell into a familiar rhythm of clanging machinery and distant chatter. Jinx walked ahead, her pace quickening slightly, as if she was eager to leave something behind. Lux, trailing a few steps behind, was drawn to a large mural painted on one of the walls they passed.
The art was striking, filled with bold colors and sharp lines that somehow managed to look both chaotic and deliberate—very Zaun in its style. At its center was a larger-than-life depiction of Jinx, standing tall and defiant, holding a tattered flag aloft. Her face was fierce, a mixture of pride and rebellion etched into every stroke of paint. But what caught Lux’s attention the most wasn’t Jinx. In front of her, painted smaller but no less significant, stood a young girl with blue hair, wearing a miner’s hat, the one Jinx decided to wear as her ‘disguise’ when they want to visit Lux’s world. She was grinning, her hand posed like a finger gun pointed toward the sky, as if she was ready to take on the world.
Lux’s breath caught in her throat. She didn’t need to ask who the girl was. The blue hair, the confident pose—it was unmistakably Isha.
She glanced toward Jinx, who had quickened her pace even more now, her eyes fixed firmly ahead. Lux realized instantly why Jinx hadn’t even glanced at the mural. The depiction of Isha was a wound painted on a wall, raw and impossible to ignore.
Lux lingered for a moment longer, her heart aching for Jinx as she studied the mural. There was so much love in the way it had been painted—the detail, the vibrancy, the care put into it. Someone in Zaun clearly wanted to remember Jinx and Isha as more than just fleeting figures in the city’s history. But Lux didn’t dwell. She turned quickly and hurried to catch up with Jinx, falling into step beside her without saying a word about what she’d seen.
Jinx glanced at her, her sharp eyes scanning Lux’s face for any hint of a question or comment. When she found none, she looked away again, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"Good," Jinx muttered under her breath, though it was unclear if she was talking to herself or to Lux. Lux didn’t press, knowing instinctively that this wasn’t the time. Instead, she walked quietly beside Jinx, matching her stride as they made their way back to the lair. And though Jinx didn’t say anything, her pace slowed ever so slightly, as if she appreciated Lux’s silence more than words ever could.
The lair was quiet when they returned, the air still, and the echoes of laughter and chaos long gone. Vi and Caitlyn had left, no doubt heading back to their own duties and lives, leaving Jinx and Lux to themselves for the night.
The time to leave for Lux’s universe had finally come, and the excitement in Jinx’s eyes was palpable. Jinx was practically buzzing with energy as she stood in front of Lux, now adorned in a new outfit. A leather jacket, sleek and a little rough around the edges, hugged her frame perfectly. Her Zapper gun and Chompers are of course always attached to her belt and Fishbones strapped on her back. The added touch of Isha’s miner’s hat on her head made her look both out of place and perfectly herself. Lux couldn’t help but smile, her heart fluttering at the sight.
"How do I look?" Jinx asked, her grin playful and wide, eyes gleaming with excitement. She spun on her heel, showing off the full look.
Lux was caught a little off guard, the sight of her favorite person looking so... effortlessly beautiful. "You look..." Lux’s voice caught for a moment, but then she laughed, her tone warm, "You look amazing, as always."
It wasn’t just the jacket, or the hat, or even the new look. There was something about the way Jinx carried herself—unapologetically, as always—but now, with a new layer of confidence. Maybe it was the sense of excitement, or maybe it was that look in her eyes when she glanced back at Lux, that made Lux’s heart race. The sight of Jinx in this universe was still strange to Lux, even after all this time. Gone was the long, signature braids she was so used to, replaced with a cropped cut that suited her in ways Lux never expected. It had taken a little getting used to, but now, she found it just another beautiful thing about Jinx.
“I’m ready for this,” Jinx said, her voice full of giddiness. Her hand, warm and familiar, reached out for Lux’s.
Lux’s heart soared, and without hesitation, she took it, her fingers curling into Jinx’s. “Me too.”
Jinx’s grin softened just a fraction as she pulled Lux closer, her excitement bubbling over. “Hold on tight, Sparkles. Let’s go show me your world.”
Lux gave a small, nervous laugh, squeezing Jinx’s hand in return. She had no idea what to expect, but that was the least of her worries. She was with Jinx. And for once, in this unpredictable, multi-universe mess they’d found themselves in, that was all that mattered. Jinx, ever the genius, has made the piece of hextech smaller and easier to carry. Theoretically, they should be able to jump to any universe easily. They simply need to key in some coordinates and numbers and a portal should appear.
The coordinates were set and the portal is now ready. Together, they stepped forward, hand in hand, stepping into the unknown with nothing but trust between them and the promise of whatever came next. The swirling lights and colors enveloped them, and for a moment, it felt like time itself paused. The world, their worlds, melted away.
And then they were gone.