Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jinx felt pure desperation along the shimmer coursing her vein, as she took Fishbones. That was it, the end of the world. Her world. She ruined the only good thing she ever had, jinxed it, and now had to pay full price. And to do so, she would avenge Silco, finally letting the weak girl that Powder was die, and let go of all her hesitations. All per his wishes, she would finally be a good daughter. The perfect one, he saw in her. Ignoring Vi and Caitlyn cries, she put the Council at her line of sight, and throughout the tears nearly obscuring her vision she shot at those responsible for Zaun's misery. Those egotistical Pilties, whose only objective was to take and take, but never giving back. 

She shot and the recoil of the powerful weapon sent her flying. As she hit her head, a smile was adorning her face. A smile of regret, happiness, sadness and self hatred: one that was a promise of destruction.

                             ______________________

“Powder… Powder, wake up” a soft voice muttered from above her, as a ray of sun warmed her face. 

She didn’t want to wake up. She felt so comfortable like that. It’s been a while since she had such a good dream, the last one being so distant she could hardly remember it. She muttered something under her breath, shifting in the comfortable little bed. 

“Give it up Vi! She’s such a baby, you should just leave her. She will assume the consequences on her own later!” another voice resonated.  A familiar one. She heard it so often, but it was the first time it wasn’t… distortionned. Not even scary. 

Something was wrong. 

Her nightmares were never like that. NEVER. Everything felt too real, even more than usual, and she didn’t even feel hurt. Slowly, her memories began to reappear, as the effect of sleepiness faded away. Vi’s return then backstabbing, the Arcanes, the operation. Silco. Silco was dead.

She suddenly shot up from the bed, stirring a yelp from the other person on it. 

This was clearly not a dream. She had to assess where she was, and fast. Someone must have moved her when she was unconscious. 

She plunged towards the nearest assailant, hands on the neck, to suffocate her. Wherever took her will face the consequences of taking in the one people called Silco’s loose cannon.

“WHAT THE HELL POWDER ?!”

“LET HER GO!!”

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

She scrunched her nose, looking with more clarity at her environment. Beneath her was Vi. Oh well, young Vi. Coming to her, probably to stop her from what she was doing, were Mylo and Claggor, looking pretty alive if you asked her. No scrubbing on these ones, no pale skin and no creepy aura. 

 She was pretty sure this wasn’t a dream, so what exactly was happening? It felt a little too realistic if you asked her.

“Powder please release me” Vi was trying hard to free herself from her grasp. A look of surprise and distress was marked on her face, as she watched her younger sister carefully.

Claggor placed a hand on her shoulder. He was not supposed to be able to touch her, his presence being always a ghostly one, cold and always out of reach. But here, it felt comforting, as if he was not trying to hurt her. He wanted her to release the hold, but still treated her delicately. 

She reluctantly let out dear old sister, a grimace on her face. She didn’t know what was happening, and didn’t like it at all. Maybe she had finally gone completely crazy? This wouldn’t surprise her. 

“Oh my god Powder, are you okay? What happened?” Vi took her head with her hands, as if she was trying to examine her. She seemed to not care about the red and blue that started to slowly appear on her neck. This made Jinx want to laugh: what a class act sister! Even as a young girl she wanted to feel like the hero.

“Yes, Powder, what were you even thinking? Why would you do that to Vi?” Mylo's angered voice nagged her, his face twisted with disbelief. 

He looked so…normal. 

“Wait… Why are your eyes pink?” Vi’s voice became more urgent, as she approached her face to the blue haired girl. “Are you hurt?”

“Wait, you’re right! They really did change!” Claggor looked at the youngest one too, with surprise.

As Mylo approached, to see for himself, Jinx finally snapped, her patience running thin. 

“Don’t fucking touch me” she snarled, breaking away from Vi’s hold. 

She had to get away quickly, and snapp away from wherever disillusionment she was in. Even if all her senses screamed otherwise, this couldn’t be reality, right?

“Shit! Since when did you swear like that Pow Pow?” Mylo’s voice was mocking as ever. Looked like some things never changed.

As she got up, she took a look in the mirror, before freezing up. 

And slapped herself. 

 She attempted again before the biggest of them all stopped her, for a second time

“Careful here” Claggor took her hand.

In the mirror wasn't dangerous, crazy Jinx. There wasn't even strong Jinx, with whom everyone was careful.

There was only weak, frail Powder. And the stinging pain on her cheek told her that this was actually the reality. 

She looked around.

Vi’s shocked and worried face. Mylo’s surprised, and slightly worried one too. Claggor intense gaze. 

Did she really…rewind time?

“For fuck sake” she muttered.

Chapter Text

She knew she was crazy.

Everyone knew that.

But this was just another level unlocked. Good job, Jinx! Looks like it’s possible to lose it even more! Maybe this was her punishment for killing him . It would make sense. Wouldn’t it?

Her small body started to tremble and her eyes soaked with tears that refused to fall. She did the inimaginable, and now she was forced to return to the corpse of this…weak and useless girl that supposedly fell down a well years ago.

She started giggling, assessing the irony of the situation. She finally decided to bury Powder, choosing her chair and her side, but now here she was! She started giggling a little, as she approached the mirror. There was Powder, with the small frame and baby blue hair cut near extremely short: the picture of innocence itself. But Jinx could still be found, oh she could see it in the eyes of the reflection. Pink shimmery eyes, crazed and opened at their fullest. This still felt wrong on so many levels for the teenager, now that the tall and slender body accompanied by eccentric long hair were gone like the last breath of one of her victims.

 If it wasn’t for the eyes, she would probably have probably fallen apart, thinking she really did become the cursed person of her past.

Her laugh started to become louder and louder, as she touched the mirror. Oh, what she would give to just kill that physical envelope. 

Her smile suddenly faded away, in a change of mood, as she punched the mirror, breaking the reflection to pieces. She didn’t like what she saw at all. And Jinx always destroyed what she didn’t like. Silco taught her  well. 

As she was lost in her own mind, Mylo, Vi and Claggor started to scream trying to stop her. 

“Powder, you’re hurting yourself! Stop it!”

She stopped dead on her track, before slowly moving her head towards those she foolishly used to call “siblings”. Should she kill them too? It had already been done once. It wouldn't be hard to do it a second time.

Mylo and Claggor’s ghosts suddenly appeared right next to them, painfully more familiar. They didn’t look really happy at the perspective of having wannabe clones join them.

Hah.

“Okay” she muttered, smiling towards them, before tilting her head slightly “I just had…a nightmare”. She had to stay calm. She will not forget who she is and who they were. Everything is going to be fine, as long as she stays loyal to Silco’s doctrine and doesn't fall into the traps of fake loving words.

“Oh, Powpow” Vi went straight to her arms, giving her a hug. Silco’s were way better. They were true, not like those of the liar. Liar liar liar liar liar liar liar

“Really thought she lost it there” laughed nervously Mylo, still glancing at their youngest.

“Mylo!” Vi looked furiously at the boy, before returning her attention to her sister. “Come on Powder, let’s get you something to eat. We can talk about the nightmare later if you feel like it”

She stretched out her hand, a soft smile adorning her lips. It froze up immediately, as the blue haired girl ignored the gesture in favor of going towards the door by herself.

What Vi didn’t see was the hateful grimace distorning Jinx's face, a consequence of this more than unwanted, disgusting hug. Vi truly is sly.

The oldest still was confused. Powder never refused physical contact, especially if it was from her big sister. But she also didn’t try to strangle anyone, and certainly did not try to break mirrors. She has always been the one less prone to violence in their family. Something was clearly wrong with her younger sister, and she couldn’t manage to exactly point it out.

She glanced towards Mylo and Claggor, who looked at her too, their expression reflecting hers. They will have to keep a close eye on Powpow.

__________________

“Is everything alright?” asked Vander, immediately assessing the strange atmosphere that reigned between his adopted children.

With the lack of response, he observed each one of them, before raising an eyebrow in alert. 

“Vi, what is that trace?” he looked at the clear injury decorating her neck,  before asking  with concern “Did you get into a fight again?”

Vi simply turned her head away, refusing to meet his eyes. Okay, this was clearly not just a fight. There was more to it.

“I did it” chirped Powder, going out from the dark. She looked like she was trying to assess him, pink glowy eyes dissecting him as if he was a mystery that just needed to be solved. This gaze was almost familiar.

Wait

Pink eyes.

He rubbed his head, already feeling the ache coming, before sighing heavily.

“Okay, what is going on?” One day, these children will be the death of him.

“Ehem…” Claggor cleared his voice, looking uncomfortable. “Vi tried to wake up Powder, before she was choked by her, then we realized that Powder suddenly gained pink eyes. She doesn't’ seem to feel very well too”

He blurted everything without even taking a breath, yet still kept that calm face of his. Kinda neat if you asked Jinx.

Vander approached Powder, before bending down to her level. The young one flinched , as she bit her lips. This was scary. He looked scary this close. His double, just next to him, was covered by scribbles and blood, looking at her with this stern look. She killed him too after all. 

She tried to take a deep breath, before looking at Vander with defiance. She was not weak. She won’t back down from him. She will show him. He was the one that betrayed Silco. He was his Vi. 

“What happened Powder? Are you okay?” he asked gently. 

The flinch seemed to have disturbed him.

“Yes, yes I am” she smiled, her eyes unnaturally wide. “I just had a bad dream, you know the drill, right? And then, poof! Pink eyes! Isn’t that funny?”

Her tone was calm for a little girl who just went through such strange events. Only a little smile was scratching her lips as she continued to talk. 

“Can we go eat now? I’m hungry”.

Powder didn’t seem like she wanted to answer any more questions.

Vander looked at Vi, a questioning look on his face. The redhead simply shrugged, before indicating that her injury didn’t hurt.

Vander made a note to himself to keep the girls close, and understand what was really gone. Powder had been the first one with whom he was able to connect when he adopted his children, her young age making it easier to gain the trust. Surely, she will confess to him one way or another.

Right? 

________________

As Mylo walked next to the blue head, he suddenly remembered something. 

“Hey, is your hand okay? Didn’t you injure it with the mirror?”

Powder looked up to him, her face frozen in something he couldn’t understand. It was like she was in two spaces at a time, unable to be fully there , always watching something that was near his shoulder. This was creepy, especially coming from her.

He tried to shut down the worry that started to come up, shrugging it off. If something really was going on, Vi or Vander, hell even Claggor would take care of it. But the most probable thing was that Powder was just being a baby, and acted overly dramatic.

The subject of his turmoil looked at her hand, clean from any cut. 

“What are you talking about Mylo? It was already fragile when I pushed it, I didn’t break anything! How would I even be able to? That would hurt too much! ”

Her reasoning seemed pretty logic, but her tone… She looked angry and afraid  of him. And he was pretty sure that he saw faint cuts on her earlier. Was it just his imagination?

Good thing that I wiped off the blood after it got healed thought Jinx at the same time.

Chapter Text

“I only wanted to help, I only wanted to help, I only wanted to help, I only wanted to help”

“Please Vi”

“Violet”

“It's Jinx now”

“Powder feel down a well”

“I thought you could love me even though I am...different”

—----------------------------------

Jinx was drinking a glass of hot milk from Powder’s favorite mug while playing mindlessly with a marker she found on a shelf. An irritated grimace was distorting the innocent face, a direct consequence of the heavy stare that fell on her, all from her so-called family. They were seriously starting to get annoying, even more so if she counted their ghostly counterparts, who were already hard to manage, thank you very much.

And at least, they voiced their thoughts, not like them, who were hiding their hatred of the weak jinx she had been, in that stupid fit of hypocrisy they seemed to like. 

She quickly looked at the group, before returning to her thoughts and changing her mind.

Mylo could be counted out in the hypocrite part, she should give that to the boy. Good job Mylo, you were not, in fact, a complete idiot!

But he sure is uglier in reality, snickered the girl. His scribbled clone growled at that. 

“What? That’s a compliment to you, if you think about it! I swear to God, you’re never happy,” she muttered with accusation, while rolling her eyes.

Vi looked at the exchange, with an awkward frown.

“Does Powder have an imaginary friend?” asked Vander.

“None that I’m aware of…”

Their questions soon were interrupted by customers, starting to come in a slow flow. Snickers, discussions, and loud voices invaded the Last Drop, as regulars took their places, calling for drinks and food.

“Come on Powder, we’re going out.” Claggor went on to get their young one. 

It had been a habit for the children to leave the bar when too many clients  appeared, mainly because it would soon get boring as Vander would work and the place would only contain adults that didn’t want to have anything to do with children. 

“No” she answered, her eyes seemingly focused on something else, as if she was searching for someone.

“What do you mean, no?” real Mylo seemed pissed. “Stop whining so much, and get up already”

“Mylo!" Vi didn’t look really happy either. “If you go with us, Powpow, we will go look for little man, what do you think about that?”

Was she really trying to coax her with the Boy Savior? That was funny.

“Yeah, right?” she tried to hide her mocking and bitter smile, without much result. “Go have fun without me, I’m staying here”

“Pow…”

“It’s okay Vi, I will keep an eye on her”, the old man said, placing his hand on the red head's shoulder, smiling gently.

“But..” she was looking conflicted.

“Go on. Don’t worry, I promise I will stay calm and not bother Vander” Jinx tried to use her innocent voice, disgust subtly creeping in her throat as she talked. She needed to get rid of them, one way or another, and be damned dignity.

She had to check on something. And these guys would slow her down, if not just plainly stop her.

They were sooo boring. How did Powder ever looked up to them?

That was plain out stupid.

Vi looked hesitantly at her younger sister. Only her  shell, it was someone else, entirely different in there. 

“Well, if you’re not feeling well…but if you change your mind, we will be in our regular spots, okay?” 

And as she said so, she and the other annoyances finally left.

“Are you sure everything is okay, Powder?” asked Vander.

“Yes, yes I am. Just a little tired” she forced herself to send a tiny smile, very ‘Powder’ like.

He frowned. She was lying. She tried to be convincing, but after all these years of watching the little one, he couldn’t be fooled.

He tried to tell her something, before someone called for him.

“If anything goes wrong, come find me.” he patted her head before going to separate people from fighting, as usual.

Jinx didn’t appreciate on bit the gesture.

Only two people were allowed to do it. And that old, weak, fearful, dead man wasn’t part of it. 

But she was.

“Sevika!” chirped the blue haired, relief washing over her for the first time since she woke up. Who would have thought that the ogre could make her feel this way?

She took with her the marker she was playing with and some papers from the shelf, to draw, before setting herself on the table with the woman, accompanied by her group. They were preparing the carts, probably to play poker, but suddenly stopped at the sight of one of Vander’s young protégé.

“And what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Sevika didn’t look like she wanted to put up with the child. 

That’s understandable, who would want to put up with Powder? She was such a crybaby, even Jinx would have lost patience and killed her on the spot.

“Aw, Sevika, you don’t know how happy I am to see you!” she dramatically sat down, carefully putting her drawing material on the table, without disturbing the carts. “You don’t know how much I missed you and your… sunshine personality” she laughed a bit at her last sentence, while the adults looked at her as if she grew up a second head.

Powder  kind of knew the date. It was before they stole from the Piltie's apartment, but still after her 9th birthday, when she was given the same mug she just drank in. Which meant that…Sevika was already working for Silco!

DOn’T crY you’re PerFect.

No PleAse, No, No, no no no no no no

If she could get in touch with him…everything would be fine. She and him would be fine. She would make up to him for what she did.

“Did Vander's kid really end up crazy?” the Ogre groaned, and if look could kill, Jinx would probably be dead by now. Not that she wasn’t already used to the woman's anger. At this point, she could nearly find it endearing.  

“Don’t mind me, just continue to play.” she smiled with all the innocence she could muster. 

Mylo was laughing beside her. What innocence? Your hands are drenched with blood, you know that, right?

Sevika carefully considered the small annoyance, before sighing. The effort wasn’t worth it, and that child looked like she would require a lot. Since when did the blue head, who was too scared to even look strangers in the eyes, always hiding behind her older sister's back, became like that? And why did the punk missed her? They never really talked before today.

“Take on your cards gentlemen, go on”. She took a puff from her cigar, making sure that some went on the little girl. With luck, she would fuck off already.

The men quickly nodded, before positioning themselves to start playing. 

Jinx didn’t react to Sevika's clear irritability. Actually, she was too focused on her drawing, a real masterpiece if you asked her. It represented a man, tall and lean. He was smiling, with a little tube of something pink. He also had a strangely captivating orange eye.

Chapter Text

In the course of her life, Jinx had three father figures.

The first one, biological, was simply ashes in her blurry memory, probably because of her young age at the time. She didn’t even feel sad about his death, in opposition to Vi, who had been inconsolable for months after seeing their parents in their last moments. She and Vander would probably not be happy to hear her real feelings on the matter.

The second one was Vander. He was good to her, an eternally comforting presence for the two orphans left with no home. But he didn’t like him, so Jinx decided to simply turn her back on any good memories she could have had with the so-called Hound of Zaun: he was now only Vi’s, Mylo's, and Claggor’s father. 

And finally, there was Silco. The man who assisted the birth of Jinx and encouraged it, the one who taught her everything so that no one would even dare look down on her. He hated Powder as much as he hated his past self, but he loved Jinx as though she was his own blood. The young girl knew that their relationship was strange, even for a place like the Underground. They were more than father and daughter. They grew up to be two pieces of the same puzzle, incapable of living without the other, in some sort of toxic dependence. She was changed by this man, but she would never regret following him on that fateful day. He made her, so many times, feel happy. Useful. Worth existing. 

“ Is there anything so undoing as a daughter?”

“I would never have given you to them.”

“ Everyone betrays us, Jinx. They will never understand. It’s only us”.

“Don’t cry. You’re perfect.”

It was okay if he used her. She is ready to do anything to finally correct all of her faults. Her sins to the savior.

Powder finally died when he was killed by the hand of the little naive girl, now left in a comatose state from which she will never wake up, as long as Jinx lives. 

After all, Silco had been right all along, about everything. 

And from now on, she will make sure to listen to every word he says.

If he wants her to die, she will. If he wants her to kill, she will. If he wants her to create weapons to his cause, she will. And all gladly. As long as he looked at her again, with these warm, alive eyes.

_____________________

“Looks like I’m winning again boys” Sevika smiled, taking a long puff from her pipe. “Here comes the money.”

The rest of the players sighed, disappointed acceptance in their eyes, as they handed their bet to the muscular woman with the victorious grin. 

“The alcohol is on me today!” she then declared, making the whole table acclaim her again, the sour mood becoming playful again. 

“Can I have some too, Sev?” Jinx smiled at the woman, with seemingly innocent eyes. “I’m really thirsty”

Sevika scoffed at that, looking down on the daring child, who still didn’t have the memo that you have to leave the adults alone. “As if. Screw up, that’s not for you. You stayed here long enough."

“Aw.” The young girl pouted. “I really need to finish this drawing, though.” her eyes suddenly lit up. “Do you want to see it? If you find it interesting, you have to give me a reward!”

“Not interested.” She replied almost immediately, making the other men chuckle.

“Come oooon. You will love it, just look!” the blue haired girl's voice rose from a note, insistence and determination lacing her demand. 

“No way, I said.” Sevika's patience was starting to get thin. It may be one of Vander’s kiddo, but it wouldn’t stop her from being rough on the little one if she continued to get on her nerves like that.

Jinx looked at her, with something akin to annoyance, before regaining her spirits and using Powder’s voice. After all, she's just an innocent girl wanting to show off a drawing.

“But it’s very pretty! Isn't it?” She took her masterpiece in her hand to expose it to the whole table.

“Okay, you better shut up, or I swear to Janna…” 

A tense silence suddenly fell on the table, as Sevika took another puff from her machine.

“Uhm, Sevika…you might want to check this one out.” Tieram squealed. 

“For god’s sake, it’s just a dra-”

She suddenly interrupted herself, seeing for the first time the piece. 

Scribbles everywhere of pink, violet and blue, depicting sharks and angry faces, in a worrisome atmosphere, as if the drawing was made by a madman. Worlds that couldn’t be read, drowned in the chaos. Only one thing could be distinguished: a man of some sort, looking scrawny and strong at the same time, standing atop the monsters as if he was able to chase them away with his only presence. He had a small smirk and an all-knowing gaze, its intensity even more accentuated by his only eye, the color of a violent orange. He was holding a little tube with an unknown purple mixture.

“Isn’t that Silco?” finally asked someone, breaking the silence.

“That does look like him.” whispered someone back.

At the center of the gazes, ‘Powder’, didn’t flinch, only smiling widely. Crazily.

“Do you like it? I told you it would be interesting” she giggled.

How the hell did Vander’s brat know the existence of Silco? Everybody was supposed to think he was dead. Did Vander also...?

Too many questions.

And that fucking brat was still smiling.

Sevika violently took her by the collar, a scowl in her face. She was not playing around anymore, kid or not, this was getting too dangerous.

“How do you know this face?”

Powder tilted her head, before shifting to an emotionless look. It sent a shiver down the older woman, but she ignored it in favor of interrogating the source of an all-new problem.

“Vander doesn't know yet. But he could”

Was she seriously blackmailing her?

 “Don’t worry, I’m not a snitch! You see, I’m a very, very big fan of his, and I really want to meet him. You understand, right? How about tomorrow, midnight, at the big tower?. Wouldn’t want your plan to fall into ruin."

“You snarky little bitch…”

“Woah there!” Vander suddenly came into view, running to the commotion. His exasperated expression quickly shifted to a panicked one as he saw blue hair in the center of the fight.

Jinx’s expression quickly shifted to a Powder one, as she started to cry at Sevika.

“I’m sorry if I annoyed you, please stop hurting me!” 

Just loud enough for Vander to hear. 

“Sevika, stop it, she’s a child. Calm the fuck down, and step down a little.” The man’s anger was clear. It was rare to see him with that kind of raw emotion, since the accident, but it looked like he still had it in him. Well hidden.

The situation was becoming more and more complicated for the muscular woman. Most of the Last Drop will follow the bartender if he decides to pick a fight now, and Sevika's group would clearly not stand a chance, not without the special weapons.

So with a click of her tongue, she freed the human nuisance, before motioning for her group to back away and leave the establishment. Powder ran towards Vander, before hugging him, seeking comfort as she blubbered about how scared she was.

Like the poor, innocent girl who was hurt by that big old' mean ogre.

The last thing Sevika saw, looking one last time at the hostile glares of the people in Last Drop, was the mischievous grin of Jinx.

Even though Sevika couldn’t hear a thing, she was still capable of lip-reading.

See. You. Tomorrow. motionned the little one.

'Soon, I promise' thought Jinx, hope igniting her heart. 

Chapter Text

Vander rubbed the space between his eyebrows, tiredness already coming over him as he tried to understand what his adoptive daughter was saying.

“So…you’re telling me that after everything that happened to you, you’re actually okay, and that was just Sevika being…an ogre?”

“Yes, that’s it.” Jinx nodded, all in seriousness and bored eyes, as if the very situation ship she was in was normal. “Just leave it be!”

“Powder, you have to at least tell me if you’re okay. Is this your first time she tried to hurt you? Why was she so angered?”

She simply shrugged, deciding to play with her straw instead of answering the bothersome questions. 

After Sevika was forcefully sent out of the Last Drop, Vander had led the blue haired girl to sit next to him, where he could easily keep an eye on her and comfort her. But strangely enough, she changed her whole demeanor pretty quickly, as if nothing had happened. Vander knew her, she easily cried, and although she wasn’t one to really hold a grudge, a rare trait in Zaun, she never had calmed down this quickly before. And Sevika was also not one to easily lose reason first: she was quick to snap out of anger, yes, but even she knew it wasn’t a good idea to threaten Vander’s own in a place like the Last Drop.

Something was going on, he was sure of it. 

And it must have at least begun this morning. 

Which reminded him of the matter of the apparition of pink eyes and sudden violence demeanor, that were really worrisome. 

But he still had to take it easy on her, no need to scare the kiddo. 

“Pow-”

“I changed my mind!” Jinx suddenly rose up to her feet, eyes glowering with determination. “I’m going out, it’s boring here!”

And before the old man had time to stop her, she ran out to the exit, with that energy that only children had. Vander sighed at the now-gone sight, before taking the cup Powder had drunk in to wash it. They sure were uncontrollable and just so difficult to understand, but is there anything as endearing as daughters? He will find out what was happening, and help Powder. It was a promise.

—-------------------------

This was actually happening. Silco was alive, he had to be. Jinx couldn’t stop her heart from racing, excitement lingering on her at the thought of making amends to him. It would be okay, right? She would talk to him, promise to never kidnap, hurt, kill him again, and he would pat her head telling her that she was already forgiven. She was ready to do anything, finally let poor weak Powder sink in the water, if it meant seeing him again alive and well.

Apart from him, there really was nobody for her.

It’s only us Jinx.

He had warned her. Vi never liked Jinx in the first place. Only Powder.

Only Silco liked Jinx. Only Silco could be Jinx’s family. And she, foolishly, hoped that it wasn’t true. Oh, how wrong she was… 

But she will make sure to show him how sorry she is. She will never fight against his words.

So please, take me back. Be alive. Let’s make everything normal again.

Ghost Mylo and Claggor, always next to her, started nagging again, sending her always further and further into the depths of her spirit.

HE WON’T REMEMBER YOU

HE HATES YOU

YOU’RE USELESS

JINX

JINX

JINX

She winced at them, their loudness drowning any attempt to think correctly.

“Why the fuck are you even here? You’re not dead now, aren’t you! Just go!”

KILLER JINX KILLER JINX KILLER JINX

“I hate them so much…” she grumbled. “They’re wrong, aren’t they? Mylo has always been a stupid idiot, he can’t be right. And Silco likes strong people. I’m strong. I just have to show him and he will take me. Won’t he?”

Mylo laughed at her, mocking the young girl who had for herself only hopes tainted by crippling self-doubt. 

Anger started to replace happiness, as the ghostly presences continued to taunt her. They were never leaving, no matter what she tried. And she still had that responsibility she couldn’t turn a blind eye to: prove them wrong. 

“I’m not weak! And I’m gonna show him…I’m gonna show them all.”

—------------------------

Silco needed talented and strong people by his side. Ones that would swear their loyalty to him, and never defect, even if their lives were at stake. 

Jinx had always been different. She wasn’t like his other people, to Sevika’s grand displeasure. Silco was the one who protected her, made sure she was safe, and sacrificed his life with a smile to her. So now, it was only logical for the young one to do the same. In Zaun debts are as precious as gold, and even if he had forgotten what was due to him, she wouldn’t. She was gladly ready to pay the price tenfold if he wanted. And what was the best way to do that? Help him with his objective. Finally become what they fear and always loyally follows whatever he wants her to do. 

Like a mindless weapon, said Claggor, with a judgmental grunt.

But even more useless, added Mylo with a smirk.

Jinx ignored them, in favor of thinking. She had been forcefully transported in the body of Powder. She lost all her muscles, and must have become significantly weaker. Although she still had her memories, and was still able to make bombs, it would become more difficult to hold Powpow like she used to…

Although…

She had a shimmer, didn’t she? Vi, her girlfriend and the doctor made sure of that. ‘Must have been fun for good old sis' she thought bitterly.

But maybe, it still had a positive aspect? Even though she felt strange after the operation, she was also undeniably stronger and faster at the tea party. And that was just after nearly dying. If her eyes really are still pink, maybe they somehow stayed when she traveled back in time, and then... Everything was not lost!

And as if her subcontinent had worked along with her feet as she was talking to herself, she found the arcade in front of her eyes. The last time she had gone there was to take out some pent out rage and try to beat Vi’s score.

And miserably failed.

It would be unthinkable for her to take her revenge this time around. Powder was just too small for that.

But...

As if in a trance, she entered the place. She wanted to try it again. She had to. ‘It would be a good way to test out my abilities’ she tried to justify.

As if on cue, she saw real Mylo, Vi and Claggor playing with the games while talking with each other. They hadn't seen her yet. 

“She's sick, I tell you!” cried Mylo with annoyance, not unlike his ghost. She didn’t see the hidden worry in his voice . “I’ll tell you, in good health, she’s already a jinx, but in a bad one? You should just leave her alone, or it will be bad luck. Wouldn’t want enforcers to stick to our asses again.”

“You know what?” I think you’re right," declared Vi while fighting the machine Jinx wanted to play with. “We should leave Powder some time alone, but not for these reasons. She’s not a jinx, but she definitely needs to recover.”

Claggor nodded his head at that.

What real hypocrites they were. Vi agreed with Mylo, she just felt better thinking she was the fucking hero. 

“ WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME?”

“I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY!”

Vi thought she was a liability. Weak. But she was wrong. Sure, Powder was. But Jinx was not.

She finally signed her presence as she walked forward. Mylo was the first one to notice, as he suddenly fell into silence, surprise shutting him up. Following him, Vi saw her, and suddenly rose up with a gentle smile, unaware of the inside turmoil in her little sister.

“Oh, you’re here Powder! Are you already feeling better?”

She thinks you’re w eakweakweakweakweakweakweakweakweakweakweakweakweakweakweakweakweak

Her head was throbbing. She was angered. She hated her. Hated Mylo. Hated Claggor. Hated Vander. Hated Powder. Hated Ji-

No.

“I’m fine” she muttered, a fake smile plastering her face. ‘Keep it cool. It’s okay.’ muttered Silco’s voice. “I just really wanted to try the fighting machine, you see?”

For you. Only you.

“Uhm…are you sure? It could be dangerous.” Vi was taken aback.

Powder had always been scared to try this game, feeling like she would never be able to pull it off and simply be ridiculed by the robot.

‘I want to.” Powder’s pink eyes were ghostly like. So cold, as if she was far, far away. 

“Let her be Vi” Mylo scoffed. “She has to learn to fight one way or another if she doesn't want to be a hindrance.”

“Just like he said,” Jinx chirped.

Claggor looked disrupted by the fact that Powder didn’t fight the allegiance. The little girl always used to look at least a little hurt by these kinds of words. Seeing her like that…Was it really a good thing?

Powder still looked at Vi, before the oldest broke eye contact first.

“Yeah…okay, you can do that. But please be careful.”

She tried to cup Powder’s face with her palm, before the blue haired girl flinched. Violently.

At that, Vi took a step back, hurt and surprise tainting her now frowning face.

Powder looked surprised too, her smile looking more like a grimace now.

‘Still weak, aren't you?”

‘Useless Powder can’t take a beating again?’

‘Can’t fight?”

‘Can’t defend?’

‘Can’t prevent his death?”

Jinx silently opened the machine, and following along, Vi came down the little stairs to watch from afar space.

And ponder what was going on that little head that was her sister.

Before quickly shutting it down, as she started to fight.

Chapter Text

Jinx was fighting like she never fought before. Not unlike the madmen who were driven by desperation as they tried with every fiber of their body to get to shimmer, she fought like she would immediately die if she even went as far as thinking about trying to stop. 

The world started to fade away, her eyes only seeing what was in front of her.

His enemy.

Her victim.

The one that had to be killed.

PowderMyloViClaggorEkkoVander.

If she had any ability to think rationally left after the accident, it now had definitely disappeared, leaving only anger and fear. Everything was starting to crash, as the barrage of emotions she had tried to work on since she woke up in this timeline broke down piece by piece. It was starting to become too much for her.

She was coming apart, physically and mentally. 

Shimmer was pumping through her veins, she could feel it as every punch became stronger and stronger, and her hands no longer hurt from not wearing gauntlets, because she could no longer feel them at all. Actually, apart from the cackling voices of her ghosts, it seemed like she had completely abandoned her physical envelope. 

She was never able to taste shimmer before, Silco worked very hard to make sure of that. But now she finally understood why people became so easily addicted to the substance. It was a feeling of all powerfulness. It was present on the tip of her tongue, the taste being nothing more than intoxicating. 

PUNCH, PUNCH, PUNCH

PUNCH LIKE VI PUNCHED YOU.

BECAUSE YOU’RE A JINX

POWDER POWDER POWDER

JINX

KILLER JINX 

CAN’T DIE JINX

She was no longer in control. She couldn’t stop herself from throwing punches to punches. She was scared free. 

Jinx really was a loose cannon, wasn’t she? Now, more than ever. 

______________

Powder was actually fighting.

It was not those childish strikes Vi was used to seeing. They were messy, violent, precise and meant to be deadly. The girl was screaming as she wrestled with the machine, and the pink head knew that the sound resonating in the arcade would stick in her head for a long, long time. Because those were animals and absolutely not fitting for the small and innocent person that Powder was. 

What happened to you?

Mylo and Claggor didn’t budge from their position, watching in an equally wide expression the little one. Weak, poor Powder that was supposed to be protected. The one who always clung to Vi till yesterday, with doe eyes and the brightest of smiles that showed a little gap on the front teeth and was never meant to hurt anyone.

It was scary to see her like this. 

The children were scared.

She was yelling, throwing her whole body at each strike while moving at an unnatural speed. Just like the deadliest of weapons. 

The screams started to become cries as Powder became hysterical. The device was cracking under the pressure. 

Vi watched, trying to inhale with effort. She felt sick to her stomach. She always hoped that one day the little blue-haired haired would be able to defend herself, to finally fight, a skill absolutely necessary for survival in Zaun. But this…was not right. A pang of alienation was hanging in the back of her mind, and she couldn’t exactly point out its roots.

She didn’t like it at all.

She wanted it to stop her.

She wanted Powder to stop.

As she stood up to intervene, the blue-haired girl suddenly ceased, in a silent stillness. Nobody dared to intervene as she looked at the billboard on top.

‘Powpow’ was now placed second. 

Jinx looked at it, frozen in place. She couldn’t look away. All the rage was suddenly gone, leaving only tiredness. A huge one. She wanted to sleep now.

“Powder! What was that?!” Vi came running towards her.

“Since when did you know how to fight?” Mylo was taken aback. What happened to her? This definitely wasn't normal, was it?

“Are you alright?” Claggor came on, walking, his voice shaking. Unusual coming from the big, calm boy.

Vi couldn’t stop silent tears forming in her eyes. She didn’t know why, but it felt like she had lost something as she looked at her little sister’s bloodied knuckles. These  injuries were supposed to be on her hands, not hers!

“Take care of Powder, okay, Vi? You’re the big sister, so we’re counting on you”

Worried she won’t depend on you anymore?

_______________________

This was a strange feeling.

Jinx looked at the faces of the people with a hundred and one questions, their bodies superposing with their dead versions.

She suddenly started to laugh softly, tearing apart. Even with the surgery, she couldn’t beat that stupid fucking machine! How useless was that?

“Powder!”

Her laughs became stronger, as she felt blood drip down her nose. As it passed down her lips, she tasted good old shimmer. Looks like that sister thief Topsider and the scientist did at least a great job at transforming her into a rip-off of a monster , huh?

She started to have a headache, as everyone pressed against her, real and ghost alike, talking so much that she couldn’t even think correctly.

So she did the only thing that came to her mind at that moment, one of the few ways she learned to keep herself safe. She ran away.

Flinching from everyone, she pushed Claggor before racing towards the exit as quickly as her body permitted.

“Powpow, wait!!” 

Before anyone had time to intervene, the blue haired girl was gone.

_____________________

Jinx felt bad. Physically bad. It was like her whole body was trying to rip itself apart, as if a whole different creature wanted to escape from her corpse, pulsing and fighting for control. It felt just like the surgery.

Her breath fastened up, as she tried not to panic and lose herself against the pain. She had to find a lone space, and fast. It was never a good idea to show weakness in broad daylight in Zaun after all. Jinx mustn't embarrass Silco. Everyone is looking at her. They’re desperately searching for an error, anything against the man who reigns over the Underground. She has to be absolutely perfect. 

Suddenly she stopped, offering her ear to Mylo. “Are you stupid or something? You should go to [...]”. 

“Looks like you can be useful too when you want!” 

And ignoring the angry response, she dashed towards one of the few places she actually considered a home.

____________________

When Vander saw his children back, he didn’t think that they could get in an even more gloomy mood. He was wrong

All of their backs were slumped, tiredness and concern literally radiating out of their bodies. Vi was the most alarming one, a thoughtful expression lingering on the girl who usually only talked with her knuckles.

“Hi…How is Powder?” she asked, looking at him with this still indescribable gaze that wasn’t fit of the teenager.

“Powder?” he tilted his head, confused. “Isn’t she with you?”

Suddenly, the children rose up, looking more alert. 

“She didn’t return home?” asked Mylo, slightly panicked.

“Not that I’m aware of.” It was Vander’s turn to start getting agitated. “Where is she? Vi??”

The pink head didn’t respond, only palling slightly. They all knew how dangerous the Undercity could be for a little girl alone, especially someone like Powder. 

Even after that fight… These skills...

“I’m going to see little man, maybe he knows something,” she announced. She had to keep calm. She was the older one, it was her role not to make things worse.

Vander nodded at that. “Go on with Mylo and Claggor, I’m going to ask around too if someone saw her.”

And at that, the search began.

_______________

Jinx looked at what she used to call her workshop, slowly calming down at the sight. Buried next to the fissures, where even the miners didn’t dare to venture, it was now only the girl and ghosts. Her own secret hideout. The place that nobody, apart from him, knew.

It was just like the day she first discovered it, naked from the paintings and inventions she worked so hard on to adorn it. It felt like losing an old friend.

Claggor growled, seeing that the bodies Jinx had made for them had disappeared.

‘Make it again. Make it again. Make it again.’

‘Take responsibility.’

‘Make it a-’

“Yes, I know!” She interrupted, tears of rage forming in her eyes. “We will have to do everything again. All from scraps.”

She took one of the metal pieces that were lying on the floor, result of the corrosion of the fans and their surroundings. A dangerous place for a child. A mine of gold for an inventor. A place of safety for Jinx.

“You know, when you meet someone important, you have to give them gifts!” she attempted to smile. "Come on, let’s go to work! We have a lot of things to do and not a lot of time!”

And at that, Jinx let herself go loose again, but this time with a more appeased heart, as she began to do what she did best: build weapons.  

The pain finally started to back away. 

________________

Ekko didn’t know why, but ever since he woke up, something felt out of place. Just like he forgot something really, really huge, but still couldn’t figure it out.

It was…frustrating.

He tried to work as hard as possible with Benzo the whole day to get rid of the feeling, and was hardly managing it before he saw them.

Vi, out of breath, suddenly opening the door, running straight out to him. Putting her hands on his shoulders, she sat down to his eye level, looking at him with gravity.

“Have you seen Powder, Ekko? It’s important. Very important. Please, don’t lie to me.”

Mylo and Claggor stared at him too; their eyes lit up, switching between hope and worry.

"Powder?"

A feeling of dread suddenly came up to him, as an image appeared before his eyes.

A blue-haired girl with long braids and playful blue eyes. She had bombs in both hands and guns in her holster. She was snickering.

“Look who it is, the Boy Savior-”

As Ekko blinked, the memory suddenly faded away. The object of his foiling disappearing again, at his biggest annoyance.

It looked like something he should remember…

Why couldn’t he manage it?

“Ekko! Focus!” the older girl started to shake him up, her voice rising up.

“Calm down, Vi, losing your cool won’t solve anything.” Claggor stopped her, his scared look speaking otherwise.

Ekko stood up straight, solely concentrating on his friends. A dream is still just a dream, and this looked far more important.

“No, I didn’t see her? What happened?”

His answer was met by a wave of dejected faces. Something looked odd.

“Do you know where she might be? She ran away earlier and was pretty upset.” Claggor explained.

“Isn’t she at the Last Drop?” The white-haired boy was weirded out. Just like any other child in the Undercity, Powder was conscious that it was important to be careful, especially knowing the fact that she was recognized as Vander’s protégée and Vi’s little sister. She had always been accompanied by someone, and if not, stayed in the tavern. 

“No, she’s not,” replied Vi.

Okay, this was unmistakably strange.

Definitely putting away what had been bothering him the whole day, he decided to solely focus on the present problem. His best friend’s safety.

“I can help!” he chirped. He was one of the closest people to Powder, and he will unquestionably be useful!

“Thanks, little man.” Mylo ruffled his hair with a laugh.

They will find her.

Right?

Chapter Text

They, in fact, couldn’t find her.

They tried; they really tried. Separating each other to cover bigger spaces, searching every spot she usually frequented... They even went to Vi’s and Powder’s old house! (The young girl had normally forgotten its existence, but desperate times meant desperate measures.)

She disappeared, just so suddenly, and didn’t leave a trace.

“Uhm… Vi, are you okay?” Mylo tentatively asked, tapping on the older's shoulder, trying to ignore the guilt eating him up. Was it his fault? Was he too hard on Powder? He was only joking, right? He wasn’t in the wrong. He wasn't.

"No, I’m not!” she suddenly lashed at him, anger and worry lingering in her eyes as the boy recoiled in fear. “My baby sister is nowhere to be found; how do you think I would feel?!”

He winced at the burst of anger, ashamed. Ekko and Claggor, next to the pink-haired girl, looked at the floor, not knowing what to say. They were all scared for Powder and the fear didn’t stop growing as their research remained fruitless. 

“She would never escape on her own like this!” Vi blabbered, tears starting to come. She felt so powerless. “Something happened to her; she must be so scared... And she was even sick this morning; she can’t be alone. She needs me”.

Panic was washing over her  as she started to tremble. She HAD to find Powder. She can’t leave her alone. Take care of Powder.

“Continue the search, come one!” she ordered, colder than she intended, looking at how Ekko backed away behind Claggor.

She gulped the guilt away, trying to stay focused on her first mission. The rest will come later. 

“No, you kids stop there.” Vander’s voice suddenly stopped her on her tracks. 

“What?!” Ekko, Mylo, Claggor and Vi exclaimed at the same time, with disbelief. 

“It’s night. Too dangerous for you out there.” he explained. “Return to the Last Drop, and I will join you when I find her. Maybe she will even return there herself, and if so, someone has to take care of her.” 

"No, we can’t!” Ekko replied desperately. “We could help too, please!”

“Yes, little man is right!” pressed Mylo. “Please Vander!!”. Even he, wanted to find Powder. She was still his sister. “Come on Vi, say something!”

The red head was strangely silent, eyes looking at the distance, as if lost in thought. 

“Vi?”

“Yes?” she was startled. “Sorry, I think I just got a headache…” she rubbed her temples, before sighing. “We should trust Vander, if we come with him we will only get in his way. We could make things worse.”

Vander looked surprised at that, expecting more spite from the young one, who was desperate moments ago. Looks like Powder wasn’t the only one who would need a discussion after this. If we even find her a pessimist thought surging in his head. He shaked his head, trying to make it disappear. He will find her, it was a promise.

The old man wasn’t the only one startled by Vi’s change of attitude. Ekko looked at her as if betrayed, while Claggor and Mylo simply nodded uncomfortably. Strangely quietly too.

“We will return to the bar. But if we don’t hear from you in the morning…” she warned.

“Yes” he smiled, before patting her head. Gosh, she looked so young. She was so young. Yet mature. “Good job Vi, and thank you.”

She nodded, sniffling a little. She missed this. She was terribly worried for Powder, but something was tingling her conscience, telling her to stay away and just calm down. But if her little sister is not back by morning, she will make sure to bring all hell loose.

I am not leaving, I promise...

She nodded at the fellow kids to follow her, all of them doing so even if looking pretty reluctant. She now just had to get rid of that fucking headache and find a plan to get Powder if she’s not here tomorrow.

They left, leaving Vander behind.

____________________

Jinx was finally done working on her machines, a proud smile finally breaking the hyperconcentration she had been in. Finally, sounds started returning to her as she let her senses expand outside of the activity she had been doing for the past few hours. Doing so, she grimaced, as Mylo’s and Claggor’s voices started to resonate in her ears again, their cries destroying the peace she nearly fell in.

Oh well, it would have been difficult either way. After all, she was soon going to see him again.

At that Mylo laughed, mocking her and her silly thoughts. As if he wants to see you again! You killed him, Jinx! You jinxed him! Powpow was still here, huh?”

His cackling was bothersome.

“Oh, shut up! You know she’s well hidden enough, she’s been completely asleep since the party. Leave me alone already,” she scowled. She had enough stress like that, really.

She tilted her head, looking at the inventions, before smiling. She was proud of them, these little babies had been difficult to create on such a short notice and with bad equipment. But she still managed it. Silco would be proud of her. He doesn't remember you. It’s okay, he would like it, at least. Even she was surprised by this prowess!

But it still needed one thing…power. Normally, she would use the shimmer she was provided with, high quality being needed for these types of things, but in this case it sounded pretty complicated. I’m not even sure they have yet the refined version at this point. She looked at the litlle monsters thoughtfully, a mischievous smile slowly growing on her. 

She always loved danger and experiments. And didn’t she heal fast when she broke that mirror earlier during the day? Cupcake and the doctor definitely had injected shimmer in her blood, high quality at that. 

“It hurted like a bitch” she thought out loud. “The least you can do is help me out.”

And at that, she cutted her arm horizontally without leaving herself time to think about it too much, wincing at the pain, before letting the blood splash on the tube supposed to contain shimmer. 

Please work… For him, all for him…

Her heart was starting to beat faster, as her world spewed from the blood loss. And as soon as it came, it disappeared, leaving only an injury that was closing itself.

The invention purred softly, signaling it worked. It accepted the bloody shimmer.

“Haha!” Jinx laughed maniacally at the sight, letting satisfaction sink in her. “It worked! Am I not a genius?!”. 

She stood up, dancing a little to the sound of the voices, letting euphoria take her.

That’s nice! You should do these more often! Hurt yourself more often!

Punishment! Killer!

Come join us!!

Jinx stopped with a huff, deciding to ignore the mean remarques, that only ruined the mood, before suddenly noticing the time. 

“Come on, it’s night! Let’s get going!”

Chapter Text

Jinx couldn’t stop her heart from racing, as she looked up at the tower. And…how ironic was it?

Not earlier than a few days ago, in her future, she reunited with Vi, whom she thought had left because of her.

 And now it was Silco's turn.

What if he abandons you like she did?

Maybe he found a new daughter?

Just like Vi found a new sis.

'Sister I thought I missed her, but who wouldn’t miss her? '

You should just disappear

She shaked her head, gritting her teeth. No. He loved her. It had always been the two of them against the world, and she would be damned if she couldn’t repay him for everything he taught and did for her. He was ready to give up everything if it meant saving her. Now it was her turn.

People in Zaun used to call her Silco’s loose canon, and she was more than ready to take on this title once again for him. 

Even if he didn’t remember her, it was okay. Jinx killed him in the past timeline. It was thus only fair to offer this new one to him, only him.

I won’t jinx you anymore.

—------------------------------

A wisp of blue smoke was dancing in the wind, as Silco took a puff of his pipe, letting the serene feeling coming with the strong taste calm over his numerous thoughts. 

The kid, despite being a real menace to his projects, couldn’t help but raise his curiosity. He regrettably was unable to directly get rid of her, since it would only raise Vander’s suspicion and anger, too early for his profit.

But on the other part, what was that girl thinking, revealing her secret so easily to Sevika and insisting so fervently to meet him? If she knew who he was, which was very likely since she already looked more than acquainted with shimmer according to Sevika’s tells, she should have kept silence and simply have some sense of... self-preservation?

She was Vander's child, but Zaun's as well. Even if protected, innocence couldn’t last long in a place like the Underground. Everyone, in there, knew when to shut up when they needed to. It was one of the bare minimums needed to survive.

And how did she even get all the knowledge? It looked like, despite his carefulness, the rank of henchman would need quite the …cleanup.

He smoked again. She was a headache indeed. Quite fitting for Vander’s own.

—-------------------------

The same little girl was walking discreetly, moving as if she knew the whole city like the back of her hand. Her moves were nimble and unwavering, comparable to those of the older, stronger fighters who had years of hard training under them.

The only thing that could give her away to the most attentive ears were her mutters, as if she was speaking to someone only she was able to see and hear.

“No, he won’t be disappointed. My bombs are still good. Silco loved them!” Jinx responded with anger, as ghost Vander told her something. 

She tilted her head, nodding slightly, before looking even more preoccupied.

“He took Powder right before she died! I can’t be worse than her! I’m like… A hundred times more useful!” 

“I won’t jinx him! Only his enemies! He will love it, right? I mean, who wouldn’t love it? I had a lot of people desperate to buy some of my stuff, you’know?”

She kept walking, head high, as if no danger could get to her. As if she was herself the danger. In the shadows, only her eyes could be distinguished, wide open and pink.

_____________________

Jinx suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, finally showing up at her destination. Eyes were now tainted with a mix of fear and excitement.

Which only became disappointed as she was only welcomed by Sevika and some of her men, who eyed her carefully. Upon noticing she was alone, some visibly relaxed, their tense shoulders and combat positions suddenly dropping.

Sevika was the only one who didn’t. She glared at Jinx, scrunching her nose with disgust. It felt almost familiar. A little one, looking always so energetic, asking when she could finally see Silco. Their arguments. Heated ones. A feeling of irritation and sometimes even fondness.

“So… Where is he?” Jinx looked at them, the young voice sounding almost comical in this situation.

“Why should we even take her to the boss?” snickered one of the guys. “Kid, isn't it too late for you? "You really might want to return to cry out loud in your dad’s skirt, instead of staying here!”

Sevika sighed, as the others smiled at the provocation. They felt stronger than anyone else now that they were trusted enough to protect him. And it looked like she would have to teach them one hell of a lesson after that, so that they quickly got rid of this dumb and dangerous illusion.

Jinx smiled with them, before laughing wholeheartedly, as if he had told the funniest joke ever.

“Nice one, Chuck! I more than intend to do that, actually”

The smile looked unnatural. Creepy. Some suddenly stopped laughing, feeling a shiver run down their spine.

“But first, I need you to take me to Silco, pretty please.” Her tone suddenly became as cold as ice. “Unless he isn’t there? Did you even tell him about me?”

Sevika firmly believed in the concept of instinct. It had saved her ass more than once, and allowed her to stand where she is now.

And right now, it told her that if she didn’t take the matter into her own hands quickly, things could go downhill very, very fast. Could even lose lives. Or arms. 

So before any other idiots could make the situation worse, she intervened again. Silco should seriously start paying her more, because it certainly looked like she would have to deal with even more shit from now on.

“Yes, we did, kid. He’s waiting for you in a safe place near here. We had to make sure you were not followed,” she scoffed, looking at the younger with a raised eyebrow.

Suddenly, the atmosphere surrounding Jinx became much lighter, as she smiled again, switching from one mood to another fast enough to make it disconcerting.

“I knew it! Yes...it does make sense. You and him are not liars, right? Of course, you're not,” she mumbled, giggling softly. “He won’t leave.” 

She ran up to Sevika, ignoring the others as if they were nothing more than insects, taking the older woman's hand before the latter had any time to react. 

Jinx looked at her attentively, as if that type of behavior and closeness was totally normal. And well, the older woman, even if weirded out, felt too tired to speak against it. Just like she was accustomed to this. So, accompanied by the men, eyes wide with surprise, they started walking. 

—-------------------

They didn’t say a word during the whole path. It was just an uncomfortable silence. Jinx looked deep into her thoughts, as the turmoil inside her began to stir up more and more.

And too quickly for her liking, they were here.

A simple house, looking abandoned. Sevika nodded to someone, who took a key out of their pocket, before opening the door. 

More men. More security. Someone tried to look into the bag she was holding on, and Jinx simply snapped him away, declaring that it was a surprise only Silco had to know about. Sevika directly accepted the affirmation without questioning it, much to everyone's (except Jinx’s) bewilderment. 

Finally, the last door.

It was only her, Sevika and the ghosts.

And soon Silco.

She took a deep breath in and opened the door.

—---------------

He looked…alive.

Alive, like real Mylo, Claggor and Vander alive. Like he wasn’t shot. Like he wasn't pale as death, cold like the water he held so very dear, and was certainly not splashed by red blood.

Just alive.

The shimmer was pulsing in Jinx’s veins, as she watched him. She could no longer breathe, walk or even think.

He was here and real. 

Wait. Is he really?

And before anyone could intervene, she threw herself in his arms. Sevika tried to take out her weapon, but Silco only lifted his hand to stop her. It looked like the small one didn’t want to hurt him.

Hot pink tears were streaming down Powder's Jinx's face, as she started to break down in his jacket. It smelled that comforting fragrance of cologne and cigar, with a little hint of shimmer, a direct consequence of having to deal with the drug every day.

Hugging him again felt good—so good.

“Youraliveyouraliveyouraliveyouraliveyouraliveyouraliveyouraliveyouraliveyouralive” words were coming out of her in a flow, her body still trembling from the shock. He was really here.

He didn't get jinxed.

He didn’t leave.

“Thank you so much,” she cried, addressing to whatever entity made this possible.

She was sorry for everything. He had been broken, just like her. But I still protected her. He never deserved this.

I would never have given you to them.

Her name is Jinx!

He had always been with her. 

And from now on, everything will be fi-

“Oh well, I didn’t expect such a warm reaction”. Silco’s voice was distant. “What's your name, child?”

The warmth suddenly stopped. She flinched as if she was burned, before slowly stripping away from him.

His eyes held no recognition. Only a little curiosity, as if she was a product to be studied, and not his daughter.

He was no longer leaning into her as if he wanted to protect and love her. She was just another one of the people he could take advantage of for his cause.

Just somebody.

Nobody.

Her shoulders slumped back. She knew it, since the beginning, it would be like that. But she still had some hope—useless hope.

Everything came with a price, and it would be hers to deal with.

The ghosts were screaming and laughing. Powder, still half asleep inside, was looking at Silco longingly, as if she understood what was going on.

Jinx stayed silent a moment, before composing herself. She still had to go forward for his sake. We will show them. 

 ------------------

Silco and Sevika’s composure quickyly changed as they saw the sight before them.

A young blue-haired girl, with cheeks wet with pinky tears and a distorted, half-crazed smile.

A single stare and eyes of shimmer saying everything. They looked like a fire of emotions, turning and swirling as if they were ready to strike down the whole wide world if she settled her mind to it.

It was no longer a girl. 

It was a monster. 

Chapter Text

Her breath was heavy,  lungs clenched, as if she was on the verge of a breakdown.

Maybe she actually was.

But she couldn’t let herself lose her cool. Not while she had to convince him that she was useful to him and his cause.

Mylo laughed at the thought. "You? Useful? Please, you're a Jinx. Useless Jinx!"

“I want you to take me in.” she declared, eyes wide, with an emotion one could hardly decipher. “And I will fight for you”

Her words were confident, but a tang of poorly hidden hope could still be found. She truly was desperate, wasn’t she?

Sevika raised an eyebrow at the statement, before taking out her cigar to take a breath. Having Vander’s frailest child ask Silco to take her under his wig was definitely not what she would have bet on.

Nevertheless, surprise wasn’t exactly the emotion she was dealing with right now. It felt more like a nagging sense that it was only the inevitable beginning of a shit ton of problems.

She looked at her boss, waiting for his reaction, as he was carefully studying the little girl in question.

 Silco was leaning on his desk, finally free from the grasp he had been forcefully wrapped in earlier, now judging Powder silently, while tilting his head. A malnourished body, big doe eyes, dried tears on both cheeks, and a bag comically too big for her.

She sure had a lot of guts to ask such things of him. And fight? What about Vander? Wasn’t she his child?

Silco hated not understanding.

His eyes suddenly lit up as an idea crossed his mind. With how weak his nemesis had become, taking the one he considered his own would surely cause a swift blow to the man. It may even be decisive in a fight if the card was pulled right.

After all, maybe this... Powder could have a little use.

Now, he just needed to figure her out. A wild card was sometimes more dangerous than an enemy after all. 

“So tell me, child... What is your goal, really?”

The blue-haired girl looked at him, silently. As if she knew, he wasn't finished talking.

“You see, everyone here fights for something,” he motioned to the map of the Underground displayed on the wall. “I fight for the nation of Zaun. “Some of my men fight for power, others for money. Everybody in here wants something.”

“So tell me. What are you fighting for?”

Jinx had heard that speech in the past, when he was figuring out if someone was worth becoming a future ally or was just destined to become his fish's next snack. Her Silco always did this. 

Perfect. A step further to prove this really was him.

I’m still not dreaming this, this is real.

Which begged the question: What should she answer? She couldn’t tell him that she knew him. That she was his daughter. That she killed him.

Jinxing him wasn’t the objective.

“For fun,” she replied with a tiny grin. “I always need to take Powpow, Fishbones, Zapper and all of my other friends out, since they demand it so much. And I can't say no, they're too cute for that! So it goes boom, bam, and I'm sure you would enjoy it too!” 

The shimmer in her body was pulsing. She felt...feverish.

Silco looked at Sevika, with a disbelieved expression at the answer. She discreetly shrugged, pointing out that she also had no idea what the little one was talking about.

The older man sighed before approaching Powder again.

“Listen carefully.” Scaring her away wasn’t the objective, but the child needed to understand. He had already met a lot of people like this, thinking they  were stronger and better than they actually were.

Only words of passion, but ending up only freezing when the real battle came, and they actually had to end lives.

Those were only weights.

“Fighting for me means killing.” His voice was cold. “This is not just some sort of game.”

Having to waste his time explaining to a kid what killing means, was  truly…unsatisfying. ‘Who would have thought that you covered them this much, brother?’

He was preparing to call Sevika out to take her, probably as a hostage, since she was now probably trembling out of fea-

“And?” she inquired unflinchingly. “What is the problem with murder?”

She seemed a little too confident in herself. Silco glared at her, frowning out of bewilderment.

"I can do it, if you wish so. That’s easy. Who do you need gone?” Jinx was smiling, happy to finally show him some of her skills. Killing—she surely knew how to do it!  At this point, it was like a second nature!

“Yes, it most definitely is,” growled Claggor, angrily.

Vander nodded.

She ignored them in favor of looking at the one who truly had ever loved her. Surely, he will be happy to see what a huge help she was for the cause!

Silco only sighed. 

She didn't understand his words, still thinking she was in the right.

What a disappointment.

He finally turned up to Sevika to motion her to knock out the little girl, before suddenly stopping at his ally's expression.

She, who normally looked down on this kind of children too, seemed stricken by surprise. 

“You really did kill before, didn't you?” 

Silco looked at her, incredulous.

Was Sevika really taking these kids' words seriously? The tiny one looked like she couldn’t hurt a fly, even if she tried!

“I know how to read gazes well,” she reasoned. “They are not from someone who is lying. Not about that.”

...

“What?” he asked.

Jinx laughed, little giggles coming out of her. The realization had just dawned.

How could she be so dumb?!

They were in the past before Silco took over, and everyone became crazy about shimmer.
They were not used to children knowing how to fight and kill.

Which only meant...that she was even more incredible!

"Truly, Zaun’s best trash" mocked Mylo.

The two adults looked at her like she was crazy.

“So…” she jostled up her bag. “Do you want me to show you the surprise?”

—-----------------------

“Are we really doing this?” Silco asked, looking at the bunch of blue hair hidden in the container she was searching in.

“It’s a gift!” She muffled. “And it's for you, so it has to be perfect.”

They had gone out of the house at Powder’s insistence and Sevika's strange compliance with her demands.

If it wasn’t for the bizarre behavior coming from the usually stoic woman, he would never have accepted.

But, oh well... At least, his men were around to make sure there wasn’t any bad surprise coming from Vander’s young protégée.

“Here you go!” the later one finally exclaimed proudly. “Tadam!”

In her hands was a small, weird ball, consisting of various scraps of metals, wire, and pink drawings. She showed him a couple more, next to her foot, on the floor.

Silco looked up, taking one in his hand and trying to inspect it. He wasn’t an expert, but it quite looked like…

“A bomb!” announced Jinx dramatically, with a lingering playful tone. “If you throw it strongly into a surface, it will explode and set everything around it on fire.” 

She illustrated with her hands the disaster she was describing.

“I called them Chompies! They’re like Chompers juniors!” she went on. “It can set people on fire too, it keeps really well with the skin. Oh! And it has glitter, of course! And don't let me talk about the smell-"

One of the henchmen looked disgusted, eying Jinx as if she wasn't talking about the coolest thing ever.

Silco, on the other side, seemed pretty interested, even if a little doubtful about the effectiveness of a machine created by a mere child.

“And you would be ready to throw it at anyone?”

Jinx smiled, glad that he was finally eager to learn more about her little friends.

“Yes, anyone!”

“Even Vander?” 

....

Oh.

It was his way of testing her. He was eying her and trying to assess her reaction.

But truly, he had nothing to worry about. I already killed two of my fathers before, and one of them is already keeping me company anyway....right?

Vander growled at that.

Powder was gradually waking up again, the perspective of killing him enough to interrupt the rest she was forcefully put in.

Jinx gulped heavily, tasting shimmery blood in her mouth as she did so.

“Yes, of course I would, if that’s what you want,” she finally muttered back.

Chapter Text

Ha.

Silco looked at the girl thoughtfully.

She was young. Scrawny. Innocent looking.

Who would have thought that this innocent looking child would dare to mutter such despicable words? And about the one who had taken and raised her, moreover. To gamble in such a way, and actually mean it when she claimed she would backstab him, she had to be either mad, idiotic or desperate.

And in either way, it was quite dangerous if it reached this extent.

“Quite the deceitful one, aren’t you?” he asked codly, ignoring deliberately the fact that most of his henchmen could also be considered traitors by this standard. They, at least, had known reasons. “What tells me you won’t come after me too if I accept your words as it is?”

Jinx seemed to freeze up at his question, eyes growing up distance as if recalling memories that should have been kept deep, deep in her mind.

A bullet in the heart.

The rattle of a chair.

The laughter of a fake sister. Jinx knew she was laughing. They all were.

ImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorry

“It was my birthday.” commented emotionlessly Powder.

Mylo laughed.

“I can prove my loyalty to you” Jinx finally spoke up. “I’m stronger than I look. I can be useful."

She refused to meet his eyes, her hands trembling and her head pulsing. It almost felt like the shimmer was making in worse, the purple liquid feeling more and more heavy in her body, as if it was trying to escape.

She didn't have any more arguments for him to take her, other than the things she could bring to the cause. How could she promise him faithfulness, when she was the one who killed him?

Her heart was beating, stronger and stronger.

Sevika moved forward, looking down at the young one. The older  woman's guts were telling, screaming at her to let Powder prove herself. And she would be damned if she couldn’t trust them, even if the more...reasonable part of her couldn't help but scoff at the idea of letting her prove something.

“And how do you intend to do that?” she inquired.

Jinx glanced at her, almost hopefully. In the drowning of the thoughts, the hidden suggestion felt like a pole she intended to desperately grip on. 

“Who do you want?” she finally felt like regaining her spirit. She could deal with the ghosts again, killing Vander if she had too. Silco was the priority, and this time she intended to not let Powder's useless feelings stop the mission.

“And it would be for the greater good. Vander will live again nicely, and see all of his friends who went to sleep during the bridge accident. He will be free, and happy, with all the others.”

Itsnotreallykilling. Right?

“I can take anyone out. Right now if you wish” she continued. “I can show you." she turned to the other, "I can show you all.”

The one eyed man looked at her, judging, considering, deciding.

“Fine”.

Maybe it was the fire in her eyes or the fact that she looked quite weak despite her determination, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of seeing in her a version of himself he thought he left behind.

It wouldn’t hurt to test her. If things were to go wrong…well, a hostage could be of use too.

“It isn’t yet time for Vander to die, it would be of no use to me right now.” he finally declared, walking slowly away from the safe place. “But I have an associate who is in need of test subjects, and some people who didn’t understand the efficiency of working with me would be perfect to fill the role.”

He turned to Jinx, smiling codly. She wouldn’t get a second chance.

“What do you think you should do to remediate this child?”

She smirked, eyes litten up and even pinker than before. Something was dancing in them, a mix of glee and sick excitement.

“I won’t disappoint!” she beamed, following him as they started to walk away from the house. 

—------------------------------

“Uhm… Is it really a good idea to let her go there alone?” muttered Niam. He was looking at the blue head walking down the street, trying to hide while holding a bag twice the side of her head.

“Don’t question the boss. If she dies, she dies.” Thara shrugged. “Frankly, she brought it upon herself. Shouldn’t have been this dumb.”

“Yes, but-”

“Quiet, you two!” intervened Sevika. “We don’t want to blow the cover-up now!”

It shutted down the friends, who only glanced at each other before obeying the order, and going back to simply watching the kid.

Silco, at the back of the room, in a more protected area, still had a clear view of the fight that was going to take place, with the window that faced him. 

He hoped, really, that Sevika's intuition was right. He was a busy man, and it would be in both their interests if it wasn't a complete loss of time.

—-----------------------------

Jinx, hidden by the wall, was looking at the targets. She was stiffened up in a position, respiration slowing down. Nothing had to give her away.

It was her only chance.

She had to be perfect.

This fight had to be the best she had ever fought before.

The shimmer was singing, just as excited as his host to be of use. It was the very best moment to shine.

Unlike Powder, who had always been the victim, Jinx was the monster. And those who failed to notice it in time would only regret it, as they get jinxed.

“Careful!”

They were coming, the blue haired girl could hear them. She could feel their breaths, steps and laughter.

All senses heightened too, huh?

She carefully took out of her bag one of the gadgets, her favorite. It couldn’t replace the original one of course, she made it with scraps in only a few hours, but it would still do the job. And she was pretty sure that she had never put such high quality shimmer in her creations before. The blood had been pure purple, and looked like it promised wonders.

The scientific side of her couldn’t help but be eager to see what would be the resulting end to this…experiment.

“Now!” shouted Mylo

She huffed one last time, before finally letting all the lessons, instincts and moves she had to learn from Sevika sink in her brain and let in take over. She launched herself to the group before they even had the time to react, assessing swiftly how much they were.

Three women and seven men. Six armed, but only with close distanced weapons. 

She let the smile she had been holding, finally show upon her face. It was almost too easy.

The gun was stuck in her belt. She took in two bombs, each in one hand, before pulling the trigger with her teeth. She threw them without hesitation, letting out a laugh.

How fun was that!

Her body felt strange, the world blurry before her eyes, as if she was moving too fast.

Or maybe she really was?

Who knew really!

Her cute little Chompers managed to take three of them, the other moving away as quickly as they could once they saw the little ticking toys. 

Huh, smart.

“But not as smart as us!” declared proudly Claggor.

Jinx nodded dramatically at that, before taking Baby Powpow. She ran to one of the women, jumping on her shoulder, before pulling her hair and putting the gun at her temple.

Her companion's eyes widened, finally comprehending the fact that the one who was assaulting them was actually a child.

“Wha-” the woman’s scream died down, swallowed by a single gunshot.

Jinx jumped out of her, giggling delightfully. It felt so good, to be in her element again, where she truly belonged as the good Zaunite she had learned to be. She never realized how much Powder’s life had been boring.

Before thinking, she took a bloodied finger before tasting it. She had seen some people do it, to be more intimidating, she recalled?

“Bleh! Taste awful!”

“ Yeah, no shit!” mocked Vi.

Jinx sighed, disappointed, before returning her attention to her new friends. It would only be rude to ignore them now!

“Three taken” she declared, eyes lit up. A purple vein was now adorning her face. “Who’s next?”

She didn’t wait for their answer, before going for the next throat.

—------------------------

“Silco, whose kid is this?” muttered one of the people next to the man, face stricken by shock. 

“Is it even a kid? Looks more like a fucking monster.”

It wasn't a fight, really, but downright a bloodbath. The young girl was dancing with her weapons, smiling and singing, not phased one bit by the violence.

As if she was accustomed, perpetrating all this.

Nobody even had the occasion to touch a single strand of hair, before she took them out. The moves were swift and elegant, like a well orchestrated choreography. Her speed and height made it nearly impossible for the eye to follow her. Was this even humanly possible?

It wasn’t even Zaun’s usual fighting stance. It was supposed to be brutal and animal, nothing to be amused for.

But there, she simply looked like a child playing with her toys.

If not covered by blood.

Silco didn’t say anything, but despite his usual demeanor, it could easily be perceived that the man was taken aback.

Nobody expected this.

“Wasn’t it Vander, who raised her? What, in Janna's name, did he teach her?” finally asked someone. “

Only Sevika seemed more or less composed, eyebrows frowned as if trying to recall something. The fighting was crude and unique, yes, but she still could feel something familiar in them. It was almost as if some of these moves had been taken from her.

It was exactly the same one she had created, when she was little, to fight the older, bigger enemies. This…was strange.

She turned up to Silco, before stopping at his expression. 

He had regained his composure, but she could still feel excitement drip down off his voice as he finally talked.

“I want her.” he simply said. “This kind of asset… Vander will never be to use it correctly.”

"Who would have thought Vander's child would be the one to let the monster loose?"

Chapter Text

Mylo was cackling loudly.

Claggor appeared disinterested, preferring to glance away.

Vi was unreadable.

“Jinxing them, huh? Just like you did with us.”

Their voices seemed too clear for the young girl dressed in blood. She looked at her ghosts, tilting her head before smiling bitterly as a response.

“It’s your nature after. Destroying everything you touch.”

“That’s what you are, and will always be.”

“Don’t forget it Powder Jinx.”

“You think I don’t know that?” she finally replied, giggling a little at their comments.

All of those who tried to resist her were now asleep. It wasn’t even a fight, she had no trouble forcing them to stop moving, like Silco asked.

They're not sleeping, Jinx. They’re dead.

She was accustomed to all of this, really. She had been taught to fight for her place as soon as she joined Silco. This much was no bother for someone like her. The loose canon of Silco never knew them, and had no interest on it anyhow.

She ignored the fact that Powder saw them, long years ago, drinking and laughing with Vander at the bar.

She glanced at the pool of blood starting to gather at her feet. There was the reflection of a blue haired girl, picture of childhood innocence, with her full cheeks and doe eyes. Not quite matching the mood of the moment. She giggled a little. It was nearly sickening.

She was supposed to be dead too. If they hadn't taken it away from her. Silco would be alive too. She wouldn't have been forced to stay a Jinx.

Jinx crouched next to one of the bodies, gaze transfixed somewhere else as if completely lost. She looked longingly at the victim, caressing slowly her hair, just like Silco used to do to her. It was her first kill in Powder's body.

"How lucky are you?" she muttered.

On a sudden whim, she decided to take some blood in her hand, before covering her entire face with the red liquid. Powder blue quickly became bloody red, while freckles were hidden for the atrocity she had become. Powder was no longer recognizable, and all that could be seen was the only part of her body left untouched: pink shimmered eyes. Everyone had to understand that it was respected and strong Jinx who was is commands.

The monster looked up to Silco, with a hopeful smile plastered on her face. 

As she stood up to walk towards him, she heard a small inhale from behind.

"Jinx!" signaled Mylo mockingly.

Without looking at the victim, she took her pistol and shot him. The breathing was finally gone, and the job was done. He was lucky enough to have survived one of her assault, but nobody can escape her at the end. She will always jinx them beforehand.

“So? How was it?” she finally asked emotionlessly to the group, trying to hide her tiredness with a smile. Her whole body was sore, and she had a headache.“Did you like it?”

As she slowly approached Silco, she noticed some people flinching away from her. The mocking glares had become terrified and disgusted as soon as they realized what she really was.

“They’re no longer looking at Powder.” commented Vander.

Perfect. It was just how Jinx should be considered. She was told to show them all, and she sure did.

Powder was looking hopefully at the old man too. Would he still braid their hair, now that he saw how useful Jinx was?

One of the bodyguards tried to stop her from getting too close to the Silco, posture now straight and careful towards her. The blue haired girl was now a potential threat.

Sevika interfered, putting a hand on his shoulder before shaking her head. They had to let the young one join the boss.

Jinx didn't need to be told twice, as she sat just next to him, all tiredness forgotten. He was the only reason she fought in the first place, her ally, her father.

The child was looking at him with stars in her eyes, and blood on her face. Her steps had even left traces. Everyone was silent, everyone waiting for what the boss would say. How he would react to this monster.

“Good job” he finally declared, before putting a careful hand on the young girl’s head. For reasons still unknown to him, she seemed like his opinion affected her greatly, and he was more than ready to use it if it meant gaining her on his side. He couldn’t wait to see Vander’s face when he saw his dear family standing on the opposite side, ready to strike him down. He, too, would finally taste betrayal. 

Under the henchmen's cautious gazes, Jinx leaned on the handmade, smile radiating of happiness. It finally felt like home, and she was again the good daughter. If she tried hard enough, maybe it would also feel like everything returned to normal. 

“It does look like I underestimate your…will” carried on Silco. “You will be useful to the battle for Zaun.”

The blue haired girl seemed so innocent, eyes round and naive, taking every sentence of his as if they were the most important things in the world. Almost too easy to manipulate.

“But tell me, child” he was finally voicing what all around his were likewise thinking. “Who taught you to fight like that?”

This wasn’t her first time, anyone with common sense could see it. She didn’t flinch at the blood, and didn’t hesitate with the trigger. And that speed… Unless Vander had lied about all the beliefs he preached, who the hell was responsible for this?

The little one looked at her feet, playing with her hands, eyebrows furrowed out of concentration. The silence was heavy, all wanting to know the secret. ‘Yes, it was Sevika who showed me everything!’.She couldn’t say that!

“It’s like playing with paintball with my friends” she shrugged. A half-truth. “When there is red on the opponent, I win, right?”. 

Silco’s eyes widened at that. She was completely and utterly desensitized to death, and at such a young age furthemore. Even old Zaunites had difficulties ending one's lives, especially if they were from the Underground too.

This was perfect. She had potential. All he had to do now was to use it correctly. The correct course of action now would only be hiding this cart under his sleeve, and carefully keep it so that no one would see the threat coming. As much as he wanted to see his brother's betrayed face now, patience was the only way for him to win this war.

He looked at Sevika, who nodded, understanding his silent words. She took a capsule out of her pocket, before giving it to Powder.

“Return to Vander.” he ordered.

The girl flinched at that, fear suddenly tainting her eyes. Was it not enough for him?

“We don’t want to raise suspicions.” he explained, noticing the glint of utter dread on the little one's face. “This missive will make us able to communicate. We have to make sure of your loyalty, don’t we?” 

She slowly nodded, ignoring the cold sweat and fast-paced heartbeat in her chest. The shimmer was wielding more and more, she heard it. The headache was getting worse.

“He will leave you,” muttered Vi.

“Shut up” whispered the blue haired girl, gnawing her teeth, before turning to Silco. “Yes, I can do that! I… I will show you”

He nodded at that, before standing up. One of the man accompanying him looked at her, with something akin to pity, before following his boss. 

“This... Powder may be a powerful asset indeed” muttered Silco to Sevika. “Good job.”

And at that, they left her sight.

_______________________

“He called you Powder, do you believe it?” Cackled Mylo. “Powder!”

“Weak, weak, useless, weak!”

“STOP IT!” screamed Jinx to the air. There were no longer people around her, except the ghosts. “He doesn’t know yet, that’s it!”

“He called you an asset thought” remarked Claggor, with his usual nonchalant demeanor. “You’re no longer his daughter, you know that?”

“It’s no longer the both of you against the world.”

Tears of frustration dwelled in her eyes, as she decided to stop fighting the insults to instead get up and leave the place. 

Her whole body hurted now that the adrenaline was finally gone, and they sure screamed it to her. She walked down a small alley, trying to avoid the most populated places. A young girl covered in blood wasn't exactly discrete.

She just wanted to sleep.

The more she walked, the slumpier she felt. 

“Powder!” 

Someone was crying out her name.

“Powder, are you okay?!”

Who was it?

He was big, almost like a huge bear. She laughed a little at the comparison, before stopping as soon as she tasted blood and shimmer on the tip of her tongue.

She touched her lip carefully, before realizing she had a nosebleed. A pink, shimmery one, that was mixed with the blood of her victims. The sound of her heartbeat was louder now, even more than those who haunted her.

“Oh.” she muttered, looking at the old man with a beard.

And suddenly, the world turned black as she fell in the arms of Vander.

Chapter Text

Vi’s foot was tapping quickly on the floor, eyes darting every few seconds to the door. Everyone in the Last Drop was silent, the stress weighing heavily on everyone.

“That’s it, we should go see Vander” Mylo suddenly shot up from the sofa he was previously seated on, making Claggor flinch from the sudden gesture.

“Mylo, go back” even though she tried to sound intimidating, Vi could hardly hide the tiredness and hesitation from her own voice.

What if Powder was…?

No

She had to stay firm. For them. For her.

“It’s not morning yet. We promised.” she added.

“It’s three am, Vi! It’s been hours, we’re losing time right now!” Ekko and Claggor looked up at the brown haired boy, fear as equally present in their demeanor. “She’s weak, if she encounters one of Vander's enemies alone, she will probably…”

“Stop!” Vi stood up. “Stop saying that kind of thing, Vander will find her. She will be fine."

It had to be. Even thought she was frightened, their group had to listen to the old man. If he said to stay home and not follow him, they had to trust his words. Or else, someone will probably die.

Her heart was beating, fast. She had a terrible headache. She was scared. When will he be back?

“Calm down Mylo, if they’re not here in a few hours, we will go out too. You know how dangerous the Undercity is at night.” Claggor intervened, sensing Vi’s distress. He stayed silent about the fact that it logically made Powder's situation even more worrisome.

Ekko was the only one seated, looking anxiously at the quarrel. He was playing with his hands, eyes darting to his older friends, trying to resist the panic from getting to him. It felt like he had to remember something really important, and the ache was starting to become seriously bothersome. But he had to keep his mind clear, for his best friend.

“Since when did you become so weak?” snarled the scrawny boy. “The Vi I knew would have never abandoned one of her own alone like that!” 

The red head snarled her teeth at the comment, before suddenly invading Mylo’s personal space. She looked down on him, threatening. 

“If you ever say that again…”

‘Why did you leave me? Vi, please. Violet, please don’t.'

“Vi!” Claggor tried to stop her. She was holding Mylo by the shirt.

Ekko cowered, slowly leaving his seat, before going to the door. He opened it slowly, hoping to catch a sight, anything that could help and break down the fight. His eyes suddenly lit up, as he saw the characteristic silhouette of Vander, slowly coming out from the shadows.

“Guys!” he screamed, heart now feeling so much lighter. “He’s back!”

All the older kids comically froze up, assessing the news.

The white haired boy didn’t wait for them, before running towards the older man with a beaming smile.

“Wait Ekko!” Vi cried, following him along the other.

As soon as he came near enough Vander, Ekko halted, unnaturally quiet. The red head felt a sudden sense of dread wash over her.

Something was wrong, wasn't it?

She slightly pushed Ekko to access to her little sister. And suddenly let out a little yelp of surprise, as her eyes widened.

“Powder?” she whimpered.

—------------------------

Vander had promised them that she wasn’t hurt. The blood wasn’t hers, and apart from small scratches, she was safe and sound. She simply lost consciousness and was even supposed to wake up any time now.

Everyone was silently resting in the bedroom, stacked up next to her little bed. The old man was silently washing her face with a tissue and water, while Ekko tinkered with one of their joint creations, glancing from time to time at his best friend. 

“Are you sure she’s okay?” asked Vi, worried about slipping from her voice. Why was she not waking up? Was it her fault, for being so damn stubborn? Should she have just listened to Mylo?

The latter was hunched down, nervously playing with his ball. His eyes were glued on the ground, while he was trying to swallow away the guilt that was starting to eat him up. Wasn’t it because of his mockery that the little girl had flown away? He didn’t intend it to go this far. He still cared about her. She was his little sister, after all. Why was he so useless? Why couldn’t he be as reliable as Claggor or as strong as Vi? She was right, he had just been taking it out at Powder all this time. And now, he was responsible for her state. What kind of brother did that make him?

Claggor, noticing his inside turmoil, put a reassuring hand on him before smiling gently.

“She’s going to be fine.” the older boy declared, trying his best to keep a calm voice. “Let’s not panic now, especially now that we found her.” He was hiding his doubts, he knew it. But one of them had to keep calm, and from the look of it he was the designated one to do it this time.

Vander turned to him gratefully, a small proud smile breaking his tensed face. 

Which immediately dissolved to fear when he saw his young one trashing against the bedsheet. She was finally waking up.

—-----------------------

Jinx was playing with Silco’s tube, sitting on his desk. It was time for the medication.

“Your hair grew awfully long, didn’t it?” asked the man, tilting his head, while sipping on his tea.

The girl hummed at that. It had been two years since he had taken her in. Time had passed fast, along her growth.

“You did good at the last mission. Everyone was eliminated, and there were no important losses” he smiled at her. “You do deserve a reward.”

He gestured at her to come closer, eliciting the curiosity of the one he was slowly starting to consider a daughter.

She flinched when he touched her hair, before slowly relaxing again. 

The office was in a comfortable silence. It was just the two of them, and neither said a word as he braided her hair, separating it in two beforehand. 

It was the first time someone had done this to her, since the accident. Only Vi had been allowed to do it.

But it felt good. Even the ghosts had calmed down.

“This style suits you”. He was finished. Jinx now had two long braids instead of a single one, and she couldn't stop herself from smiling. She looked at him gratefully before holding the shimmer next to his orange eye.

“Keep going Jinx. Soon, everyone will learn to respect you. Respect us.”

She smiled at that, nodding eagerly. She had to stay useful to him. So that those moments will never end.

“But…why did you have to kill me?” he interrupted her thoughts.

“What?”

“Why did you have to destroy it all? Why did you Jinx me too?”

His face suddenly turned gray as his eyes lost their sparkle. Why did he sound so resentful?

Mylo, Claggor, Vander, Vi… Everyone was there, next to him. They were taking him away. 

“Why Jinx? Why did you kill us all?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Why Powder?”

She tried to escape from the desk, tears building up. This was unnerving. They didn’t want to let her go. They hated her. She was a murderer.

She couldn't breathe. 

She tried to reach for her hair, a gesture she always had when she wanted to comfort herself. 

But the braids were gone. 

Her hands were pathetically small.

“We should join them.” There was a new voice. But still strangely familiar. A young woman with blue eyes looked sadly at her. “It's our turn now. Powder Jinx.”

She looked straight into the mirror of the office. Powder looked back at her.

“It’s time to wake up now.” 

And just like that, Jinx shot up from the bed, screaming.

—---------------------------------------

The first thing she noticed were tears rolling down her cheeks. Her heart was beating. Fast. Her body was clenching from pain.

Where was she? Where was Silco? The weaponizations of the hex tech...

“Powder!” arms suddenly came up across her vision, hugging her.

They were big. Not like Silco’s thin ones. 

She looked around, before the memories suddenly came to her. The rocket. The return to the past. The new encounter.

A useful asset. Not my daughter.

Oh.

She couldn’t help herself, really. They were laughing next to her, mocking. She gritted her teeth in frustration, taking a handful of hair in her hand.

Why weren’t they longer? Why was she in this body? What did she do to deserve this?

She was so tired. Why didn't it just end?

She was crying bitterly, shoulders trembling from repressed sobs. Vi’s hug tightened.

She tried to trash around it, to stop the little girl inside her from hoping. Everything was good before her older sister came into her life again. Without her, Silco would still be alive. She wouldn’t have jinxed him. 

“It’s okay Powder, you’re safe now”. Vander was hugging her too, muttering gently.

But this wasn’t supposed to be her name!

Everything was blurry, and her body still ached so much. She was feeling the taste of shimmer and blood in her mouth. 

She carefully looked upon Vi’s shoulder, eyes still fogged up. Real Mylo and Claggor were also next to the bed, helplessly looking at her.

There was someone else. Her eyes widened with surprise. The boy savior.

He was staring at her back, a hint of recognition slowly coming to him. He let out the toy he was playing with fall down.

“J… Jinx?” he muttered, the name slowly coming at the tip of his tongue.

Chapter Text

She was looking at him, eyes wide and mouth hanging agape. 

Little man. Boy Savior. Ekko. Her best friend, enemy. The one she wanted to go with on that bridge, to join all the others at this better place everyone went to when it was their turn to die. But that dream had been destroyed when she was saved by Silco, Vi and Caitlyn with the shimmer. And then even more, when she returned time to when everyone only seemed to know weak Powder.

But the boy in front of her didn’t look like he was seeing the timid girl with whom he always hung out with. No, his stare was tense and anxious. He wasn't looking at Powder, but at Jinx.

She realized it before he even muttered her name. 

Of course, it would be him. It had always been him.

—--------------------------

A figure was quietly running beneath the shadows of Silco’s  lair. Despite a mask   that was supposed to make him look more intimidating, the young boy still couldn’t hide his age, given his small body. At least, it helped him be more stealthy, which was more than important for this mission. His heart was pounding, excitement coursing through his whole body. He was so close.

He finally opened the last door, and couldn’t help but feel relief and joy overwhelm his whole body when he saw the familiar hair color of his best friend, alone in a room painted of bright colors.

“Powder!” he cried.

The girl immediately turned around, surprise crossing over her face when she saw the intruder. Her posture immediately became rigid, as if she  had seen a ghost.

‘It must be surprise.’ thought Ekko, trying to stop the feeling of uneasiness slowly creeping to him. It had been a year since he last saw her, but she had already changed so much... She had two braids now, and huge dark circles under her once bright blue eyes. ‘What did he do to you?’

It had taken so much time and effort, but everything would be okay now. Ekko was here to save Powder. Ever since the others had disappeared, it felt like he had been transported to hell, with people he used to know dying all over the streets, addicted to shimmer. But now that he found his best friend, it felt like he was finally able to hope again. Maybe not everything was lost.

“I came to rescue you, come on!” he walked towards her, trying to ignore the flinch the action caused. Whatever that horrible man did to her, he was more than ready to do everything to help to fix it.

“I… I don’t want to be rescued.” Powder finally spoke for the first time since he entered the room. Her eyes were downcast, as if she couldn’t truly look at him as she said those words.

“What?” replied Ekko with disbelief. What did Silco put in her head? The uneasiness only seemed to grow. 

“It’s Jinx now”. The blue haired girl's voice cracked. Her teeth were sunk in her lower lip, a habit she had whenever she felt too emotional. Jinx tried to force a smile at the affirmation to convince her, him, without much success. It looked more like a grimace. 

Ekko's heartbeat sped up. His best friend was calling herself the nickname she hated the most, the one Mylo used whenever he wanted to make her feel bad, which never failed to make her cry when she talked about it with the white haired boy. Something was very, very wrong.

But they didn’t have time for that, Silco's goons would be here anytime soon.

They had to be fast, very fast, if they didn't want to be caught. There was only so much time Scar could buy him. 

He ultimately made up his mind, clenching his fist with determination. Powder would forgive him for this, but only when they would finally be safe at the place he had  recently found. Now was not the time to hesitate.

He ran towards her, before taking her arm, and tried to yank her out. 

“It’s okay Powder, we have to-”

He didn’t have time to finish his sentence, before being hit by something.

Someone.

He had fallen on the floor and was touching with shock his swollen cheek. His nose was bleeding too. Looking at the young girl, he tried to wrap around his head what just happened. 'Did she ?'. No, it couldn't be, she would never...

“Powpow?” his voice was small, unsure. His friend, his partner in crime, the one with whom he always had butterflies with each time they played together. They had even pinky promised to always stay together, till the end of time.

Looking at her more carefully, Ekko noticed that her expression was one he had never ever seen, since all the years he had known her. She was gritting her teeth, chest rising rapidly, and eyes darting as if she was looking at things that weren't really here. She looked scary. Menacing.

“Go.” she finally muttered, turning away from him. He couldn’t see the tears, the panic, the fear. “Or else, Silco will catch you.” Powder is not here anymore, there is no use trying to save her.

Ekko could only feel betrayal and anguish sink in his heart, as the one he loved the most ended up abandoning him as well.

“Please… Please don’t leave me too Powder…”

—-------------------------------------

The withe haired boy felt so very sick. Load of memories were suddenly coming at him, attacking all his senses.

He felt like throwing up.

He didn’t want to remember all this. It was not normal. Where was he? What was happening? The world was turning around him.

It was scary. He took a few steps behind, gaze not leaving Jinx’s. Powder’s. Who was she? 

“Ekko, are you alright?” asked Claggor, noticing the silent exchange between the two children.

“This is not Powder” he replied blankly, turning to Vander and Vi.

“What do you mean?” replied the old man, confused. 

The blue haired girl was looking at him thoughtfully, not intervening in the slightest. As if she was too tired to fight against fate. Only curious to see what would happen next. Was the dream finally going to finish? Ghost Mylo seemed to find this ending pretty funny.

“She's J… Jinx”, muttered Ekko under his breath, as if scared to repeat the words again. It all seemed too confusing.

“EKKO!” suddenly interrupted Vi, almost screaming the name. Her face was disfigured by desperation anger. “Don’t you dare say that. Her name is Powder.” Her own headache seemed to worsen as she said those words.

Because you’re a Jinx now. Do you hear me? Mylo was right!

She didn’t know why, but guilt and fear were pounding through her insides. She had to stop Ekko from talking. From reminding her. 

“Vi?” Mylo seemed surprised by the burst of anger. Even if she was always irritated when he called Powpow that nickname, she never reacted that strongly. And towards little man at that?

Jinx was also looking at her, head tilted, strangely still as she looked at her older sister. Something was going on. 

“You should go now.” The pink head pointed towards the door with a small gesture. “It’s late, Benzo is going to worry. Plus, Powder needs to sleep now.”

Ekko tried to say something, desperate. This was not Powder! Jinx was dangerous! He couldn't leave her alone with them. He had to warn them, and they had to believe him. Memories, after memories, were flooding in, making him finch in pain. But he had to make sure they were safe alive.

He ran to Vi, trying to catch her arm. The girl flinched away from him.

“No.” it almost felt like she was begging him to stop. “Ekko, go out. Now.” 

It made him pause. The one he considered an older sister, looked at him with so much fear and desperation.

Oh.

He understood. She didn’t want to see the wrong. She preferred to stay with Jinx Powder, and not trust him, because then she would realize too that everything was looking too utterly false.

He tried to stop tears from breaking from his eyes, without much success. It felt so…frustrating. He was alone, all again.

“It’s okay, little man, you can return tomorrow morning if you want.” Claggor was looking at him, with his usual gentle gaze. “Everyone is just a little nervous right now, but good rest will make it better.”

“Yes, he’s right!” Mylo intervened, letting out a forceful laugh to lose the atmosphere. “Vi’s not angry at you, you just know how she gets when little Powpow over there gets involved!” 

Vander nodded at that. “You’re welcome to come whenever you want tomorrow, Ekko. The kids will open you up.”

The white haired boy said nothing at the small consolations. They didn't understand the real issue, but he couldn't do anything against it, apart from hoping everything would be fine until tomorrow. He walked to the door, head pressed against his shoulders, trying to stop the world from getting too dizzy.

“See you tomorrow Boy Savior”  called Jinx before he went out. Her eyes were red and puffed out. But she was still smiling, not tauntingly like he had been used to, but rather sadly. He gritted his teeth, trying to pull himself together with the pain.

“Yes, take care… Powder.”

Chapter Text

Powder was glancing at her family, a blank look covering her face. They were talking to her, but their words were mixing with their ghost’s version. But it was okay, it was just fussing after all.

Yes, that was it. Fussing.

She had a nice dream, really, before they had to wake her up. She was with that little girl, with brown and blue hair, playing some games of gentle giggles and whispers. The warm feeling that came with it felt comforting, as if all the blood had washed over her, and she was finally worthy of …happiness. But that wouldn’t be Jinx now, would it?

“Powder!” Mylo’s real voice snapped her out of her thoughts, as she finally turned her gaze towards him.

“Did you listen?” He sounded worried irritated. “ We asked where you were? And why the hell were you covered in blood?”

Everyone was looking at her, questioning, judging. Maybe they knew she did kill them all. Maybe they would remember, just like the Boy Savior. Was she actually in hell, to repent from all her sins?

“I tripped,” she laughed a little. “Crazy, right?”

“What…?” Mylo looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Even Jinx knew she hardly sounded believable, but oh well, what kind of lie could you expect from a sick little girl?

“Powder, what happened, really?” Vander intervened, his tone just so full of concern. As if she could tell him everything, and he would just hug it away, making the monsters disappear.

'Everyone abandons us, Jinx. Don’t forget that.'

The blue haired girl gritted her teeth. She had to take a deep breath, and not let the emotions take over her. If they ended up being suspicious, she could be locked away from Silco. And then, she would no longer be useful. 

“Try a more believable lie” whispered Claggor. 

“There was a fight, and I just happened to be near it!” she did her best to sound sincere, letting Powder’s high-pitched voice take over. “I’m pretty sure you will still find the bodies there, if you don’t believe me”. 

Hah! The best lies will always be derived from the truth. And with this kind of evidence, it would be far harder to contest her words. 

They immediately looked taken aback, eyes and mouth agape at her tells. Wasn't this kind of exaggerated?

“Jeez, what is it now?” Jinx inquired, unsure on how to understand their reactions. She wasn’t that bad of a liar, Silco taught her well. And although she did consider herself quite smart, she still couldn’t wrap her fingers on why the ones she used to call family looked so shocked. 

She didn’t like it. Her heart clenched, a feeling of wrongness washing over her.

“Powder” Vander sounded so much more serious, almost like Silco. The girl couldn’t help but recoil in her bed. 

“The blood…how close were you to the bodies?” 

“I…” she was at a loss for words. “Tripped on one, while trying to cross them?” it sounded more like a question.

Shit.

Vi hugged her again, gasping while slowly petting her hair. Why was she like that? What was the deal now?

“What’s wrong?” she asked, trying to sound strong. Defensive. 

“It’s not something you should have witnessed, Powder” finally answered Claggor. “Are you okay?” 

He looked so, so concerned. 

His eyes were far more emotionless when she found him in the warehouse.

Jinx tried to laugh the tension away, pushing Vi away from her in the process. 

“Please, we’re in the Undercity. I’m okay with seeing some dead bodies.” She wasn’t weak like Powder. She was strong, and strong people aren't scared of these kinds of things: she at least had been taught that well. 

Even Mylo was now looking at her weirdly. He kept playing with his ball while trying, without success, to hide his uneasiness at his little sister’s words. Yes, violence was quite regular down there, he knew it more than anyone else. He remembered his parents being beaten by the debt collectors, Vi taking punch after punch when she was still too young to fight back, him having to run away from a fight because he was scared for his life. But this was Powder they were talking about. Stupidly sweet, innocent Powder, that they did their best to protect, even if it sometimes made him jealous.

But now she had seen dead bodies, even touched them. How could she be okay?!

It made him upset. 

“I mean, it’s not even the first time I saw that kind of thing, why are you acting so shocked?” The blue haired girl’s voice made Mylo stop on the track of his thoughts. “I mean, the ol’ baby maker and daddy were kinda there to that time, at the bridge…”

Vander and Vi now were looking straight up terrified.

Her older sister finally detached herself from Powder, taking her face with both trembling hands. 

“You remember?” she muttered, voice wavering from emotion.

The smokes coming out of corpses, all piled up on the bride, one on another as if they were simply animals. The sickening sound of fist against metal, the smell of death rotting the air. A single lullaby sang by a little girl, nearly a baby, and next to another child: both looked lost in this nightmare like picture. Vi had insisted that they had to go after their parents, promising her sister a treat if she accepted to follow her. They had walked a lot, to the point that their small feet screamed from pain and their breath lurched from exhaustion. But the pink head persisted, refusing to stop.

And then, they saw their bodies. Looking dead dead dead dead deaddeaddeaddead. Vi immediately kneeled down at the sight, tears flowing before she even realized it. Powder looked distressed at her sister's demeanor, not understanding what was going on. Why were their parent sleeping? Will they wake up soon?

Vi had hoped so hard her little sister would forget that traumatizing event that still haunted her nightmares to this day. She turned to Vander, silently asking for his support, eyes brimming with unshed anguish. She didn’t want to recall that. Why was the blue head talking about it only now?

“I’m sorry you had to remember that Powpow” uttered, Vander pushing himself even closer to his youngest daughter, with a frown on his face. “You should never have seen such things in the first place. I’m so, so sorry…”

God, he sounded so regretful. Tired.

Claggor and Mylo approached him awkwardly, trying to comfort him.

“But it’s okay?” Jinx replied, confused. “Why would I even feel bad about it?”

The old man suddenly started to feel a sense of dread wash over him. Something was wrong.

“I mean, they just went to a better place.” she looked at her ghost before smiling bitterly. “They’re all much better now, right?”

“Death sure does sound nice.”

Vander inhaled deeply. It was good that the girl wasn't feeling down from the events, but something seemed utterly off with her way of seeing this event.

It almost looked like…envy.

“Felicia, what should I do?”

—-----------------------------------------------

They were dancing, music sounding almost distant as time froze. Each move was a precious memory he had to keep at all cost.

Blue chopped hair, equally blue sparkling eyes, and a smile that enlightened the whole room. 

...

Pink eyes, looking dead like, a frown now masking the smile. The graceful hands that had held his face just so gently were now tightly gripping a bomb.

“Sometimes, taking a leap forward means leaving a few things behind”

“Right Ekko?”

A pulled trigger. A flash. A cry, his, resonating, as he tried and failed to rewind time for a new time. 

Ekko was in his bed, feverish, recalling things one by one. It felt nauseating.

He vomited next to his bed, feeling the world swaying right next to his eyes.

“J… Jinx”

Chapter Text

A blue-haired girl was running through the streets of the Undercity. Her eyes were wide, looking everywhere as if searching for something of the utmost appearance. 

It looked like the place she used to know, but still quite different. There were fewer enforcers, street fights, and people dying all over the streets. This felt strange.

She clenched on her hat, gritting her teeth. It was scary.

Her golden eyes set in determination, as she gulped down every bit of hesitation. She had to find Jinx; after all, only she would know what to do.

—-----------------------

A blue-haired girl was playing with her fingers, awkwardly looking at the sheets covering her legs. Vi and Vander were arguing about something. Mylo was silent. Claggor only looked sadly at her. 

Jinx gritted her teeth. She hated pity. It was only for the weak.

And Vi and Vander couldn’t stop talking.

“You’re not taking her on any other of these so-called 'missions’ Vi, do you understand! I… I should have known she was too young for that; it’s far too violent!”

“I can't just leave her behind! She’s just learning! She will never be able to protect herself if we don't show her.”

“Vi-”

“We’re from the Undercity Vander. We don’t have any other choices.”

The boys stayed silent at that, only lowering their heads.

“You have me! I’m the adult, and I want to protect you.”

“You’re my chil-”

Jinx suddenly interrupted the conversation.

“I’m tired. Can’t you just leave now?”

Her tone was cold. She was glaring at Vander, as if daring him to finish this sentence, making the man flinch at the hostility. What was happening to his sweet little girl?

“Looks like even now you manage to create discord around you, hum?” laughed Mylo.

“Pathetic Jinx” added Claggor.

She furrowed her eyebrows, standing straighter, as if trying to set her ground. Her moment of vulnerability had passed now, and their poor attempts to shake her off will definitely not work anymore.

Take that! Silco would undoubtedly be proud.

“No, since he died."

“You killed him after all, didn't you?”

“Oh… Yes, of course Powder.” Vi immediately calmed down, looking at her sister with a soft smile. “Sleep well.”

The pink head immediately dragged Vander by the arm outside before motioning to her brothers to follow her. Vi looked at Powder one last time before exiting, making sure she was comfortable and in a proper environment to rest.

As soon as she closed the door, she gritted her teeth, wincing at the headache’s return. 

There was a short haired girl. She was smiling.

“Always with you sis”

“Jinx!”

No. She didn’t want to remember. They were just messing with her. What the fuck were those images that couldn’t just stop appearing?! 

They were probably just the fruit of her imagination. It’s true that these last few days, she didn’t get to sleep as much as she should have, and with three siblings, it was easy to get worried.

That was it. She just needed a rest, and everything would return to normal.

---------------------------

As soon as the rays of the sun started caressing her face, Jinx woke up before suddenly standing up. She took a deep breath, trying to stop herself from making a surprised noise at the world spinning around her, which would probably wake up her siblings, who were still fat asleep on the other bunker beds.

She approached the window, and, as agile as a cat, jumped and grabbed the edge, pulling herself up. She took a look outside, feeling the fresh breath of air on her skin.

Oh well, as fresh as Zaun’s air could be.

Without hesitation, she jumped down the large distance, her landing perfect if it wasn't for the way she immediately fell afterward, losing her balance.

“Damn body. And damn little legs,” she grumbled with a grimace. She quickly regained composure, getting up and wiping away any dust that could have ended on her clothes. She didn't want her little family to suspect her escapade after all.

“Liberty, sweet liberty, here we are again.”

If there was one thing Jinx was certain of, it was that she would rather die than stay imprisoned against her will, especially in a closed space. She was a free spirit, Silco said so.

As she walked away from the bar, the blue-haired girl took an object out of her pocket, a mischievous expression slowly creeping through her face.

“Maybe it’s time for me to have some real fun.”

She was going to see how much could still be done with this tiny body of hers.

—-------------------------------

As soon as the rays of the sun caressed her face, Isha woke up. She was still in the little nest she had created last night, next to trashcans in what looked like an abandoned street. . She swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to calm her breathing, just like Sevika had taught her. It was the first time, since she had been imprisoned, that she had to stay so long away from both of them.

After suddenly waking up in this street, she had tried to search for her family, but without any success. Even her own little paradise, Jinx's workshop, was gone, only left cold and lonely, nothing alike the place with warm colors and lights she had been so used to since she had taken her in.

This, and the fact that everything seemed changed… She knew the city like the back of her hand. S omething was clearly wrong. One moment she was shooting, ready to finally be useful and save Jinx just like she had saved her, and the next Isha was here.

Did she fail? Were they all dead? Just like her parents?

She had to find Jinx . No matter what, because if she really was all alone over again, she wasn't sure she would be able to take it.

—---------------------

Jinx couldn’t stop herself from crazily laughing, red liquid plastering her face. This felt so good! Looks like even going back in time couldn’t stop her from having some entertainment. She truly was unstoppable!

“ You don’t deserve this kind of things, Jinx” cried Vander.

“Just die in a ditch,” muttered Claggor.

“What do you even think you’re doing?” screamed Vi.

“Oh, shut up,” she grumbled, wiping the liquid off her face.

This was for her sanity.

Yes…health purposes!

It felt like she was going to go crazy staying like that, crouched in the bed; she needed to take that craving out! It had been too long since she last did it.

“ You already lost your mind a long time ago,” giggled Mylo.

“Yes, yes, crazy, I know" the girl looked at her beautiful artwork decorating the previously boring gray wall. 

She really had missed drawing on large surfaces. Thanks Janna she found some paint! She will really never get bored with adding her mark wherever her eyes laid on.

Even Silco used to compliment her about it. “ It teaches them fear. They recognize you immediately like that, Jinx.” 

She wondered if he would still accept her, less weapon potent gift here too. She remembered this painted mug, which she had been so proud of: it had been one of her first presents to him, and since then, he always kept it on his desk.

“Maybe I should make it again for h-” she muttered to herself, before suddenly stopping.

Jinx flinched, hearing a sound coming her way. The place she was in was normally still undiscovered—an old abandoned street remote from any livings. Wherever was here wasn't in a simple stroll.

Jinx subtly put down her bombs of paint, in favor of taking real ones from her pockets. She clenched her teeth, her pink, glowing eyes scaring her surroundings.

The sound came from…above?

And just like that, someone fell on her.

-------------------------

The first thing she noticed about her were those big brown eyes.

'Pretty.'

The thing she thought was a treat, was really just a little girl, with a hat too big for her head, who was still clenching it as if holding for dear life. 

“Who the hell are you?”