The Nation of Zaun (Arcane Fan fic)

Chapter 14

"Been a while since topside's gotten this bold" Sevika said "say what you want about the late sheriff. He had his uses." Silco said inspecting the damage "too bad Jinx didn't think so" she said and I glared at her "we'll buy another" he said before Reni raised her voice "are you going to do anything about the piece of shit who murdered my boy?" She asked and I rolled my eyes "let me guess, Jinx will take care of it, just like she's been taking care of everything else" she said and Silco looked at her "we all mourn the loss of your son Reni. At least we have the solace in knowing he died fighting for our cause instead of some petty personal dispute as so often occurs here" he said "you're one to talk about sacrificing for the cause. Where is Jinx anyhow?" She asked and he looked at Sevika "help her with the body" he said and I nod to Jane to do the same while catching Finn looking at both of them weirdly as we went back to the Last Drop. Silco was busy overlooking some papers while I just sat next to him on the desk "do you think we'll ever get our Nation of Zaun?" I ask him and he looks up from his glass "I'm sure we will. We just need more time" he said before the door opened and Sevika, Jane, Finn and Renni came in "I'm busy" Silco said but the group didn't leave as Sevika cleaned a chair for Finn to sit on before she and Jane came to stand on either side of us "when you took Vander out of play I thought now here's a man who understands what it takes to run an enterprise. The attitude, the instinct, the eye. The whole package you were. Always two steps ahead but times lapped you old man" Finn said and I glared at him "and you brought children in to handle matters you should have handled yourself" he said "say that again. I dare you" I said glaring at them as Silco put his glass down "you're with him are you?" He asked Reni "you screwed up Silco" she said and Silco glared daggers at them "you're too young to remember what the Undercity was before it became an...enterprise. We had nothing. You know what bore us through those times?" He asked and Finn sighed "loyalty. Brothers and sisters back-to-back against whatever the world threw at us" he said as Finn burned the table with his lighter "now I'm forced to share the air with parasites like you who leech off their legacies" he said and I hid my laughter "today's the day you die Silco" he said "that's a risk I've know all my life but I still believe in loyalty" he said before I was yanked to the ground by Jane as Sevika sliced just above Silco's head and sliced Finn's jaw clean off. Silco was breathing heavily and so was I but Jane and Sevika just stood guard as if nothing happened as Silco regained himself "I would have had your son killed for this, though I suppose we're ahead on that account" he said glaring at Reni who was in shock "the door's over there. Use it or you'll be lying next to him" I said and she quickly ran out "were you two tempted?" He asks as Sevika threw Finn's body on the ground "not for a worm like him but he won't be the last" she said as she took a seat while Jane sat on the couch. Then we noticed a piece of paper on his desk that was out of place. He picked it up and started reading it "we need to go Crimson. Alone" he said as the other two were about to follow "sure thing Silco" I said and we left to who knows where. We arrived at the docs between Piltover and the Undercity "perfect place for an ambush" Silco noted "and you without your hammer" I said and he didn't give any remarks. He almost looked depressed "I was reminded recently about what brought us together in the first place. The threats beyond our walls" he said "this city has a short memory" I remarked "progress" he said "far be it for us to stand in the way" Silco said before giving him his list of demands "free trade routes, blanket amnesty, unrestricted access to the Hexgate sovereignty. Do you really think you're in a position to demand all this?" He asks "just be glad he didn't tell me to bring my list along" I said "I give you credit for your stunt, boy. Didn't think you had he stomach but the big display followed by a request for parlay. You're tipping your hand" Silco said "you're afraid" I concluded "I am afraid, today I got a glimpse of what war might look like between us. Your people wouldn't stand a chance. The council couldn't care less. I'm trying to save you from annihilation" he said and Silco looked worriedly at me before his face went back to neutral "well, well not the fresh faced academy pledge are you?" He asks "you want peace. This is our price" I said crossing my arms "you'll discontinue the production of shimmer?" He asked "half there already" he said "return the gemstone?" He asks and Silco looked at me "yeah we will" I said with a sigh "and I need Jinx. She has to pay for her crimes" he said "out of the question" I said crossing my arms "they weren't her crimes. She was working for me" Silco said "believe me. If I had it my way it'd be you rotting in Stillwater but we can't make a deal with a snake and cut off it's head. We both have our shitty pats to play" he said handing the list back to Silco "get me Jinx and I'll give you your nation of Zaun" Jayce said before walking away and I looked at Silco. He looked defeated "wait Jayce..." I said and he turned around "take me in Jinx's place" I said and he started walking towards me "what are you doing Crimson?" Silco asked "preventing further bloodshed" I said and hugged him one last time "it's been a blast, old man" I said with a smile and he hugged me back "thank you" he whispered and I went with Jayce. When we entered the Academy I was put in cuffs and dragged before the council chambers. There were a lot of people there as I went to stand in the center of the table where I was seated just last night "you are accused of robbery and several accounts of first degree murder. What do you have to say for yourself?" Councilor Kirraman asked "what about Jayce's account for murdering a child. Will that just go unpunished as well?" I ask and they look at Jayce before looking back at me "yeah I thought so. You see..." I said unlocking my handcuffs "you topsider are no better than us. See in fact you're way worse. People are starving while you have more than enough to eat. You have so much food yet you refuse to 'waste' it on the poor people who need it. Yeah sure we are not completely innocent but at least we don't pretend to be noble while spilling blood so I ask you, people of Piltover. Do you want an endless war which will probably kill both of the parties and believe me I will see to it that you suffer just as much as we do or do you want an end to the bloodshed and to live peacefully along the people of Zaun?" I ask and the room was silent before an old man stood up and clapped and soon more joined and even Mel clapped and put her ring on her desk "give them what they want!" Some people were shouting and I walked out "you can have your independence if I can have Jinx" he said but Mel stood up "no Jayce. Let them be" she said before handing me the deed to the Undercity "pleasure doing business with you. I look forward to the next meeting" I said walking out and going back to The Last Drop. When I got there everything was destroyed and Sevika was walking up the stairs "what the hell happened here?" I asked and Jane ran towards me "you're okay!" She said hugging me "yeah and this place is a mess..." I said looking around "yeah Sevika and Vi had another fight" she said and I looked around "where is Silco?" I ask "uhm Jinx took him" she said "she did what? Where?" I ask "I'll tell you if I can come along" she said and I nod my head "I wouldn't' have it any other way" I said "we need to hurry" she said and we ran out the door towards the docs to...the old cannery