Picking Allies

The next day, Ekko woke up with a blue haired woman cuddled under each of his arms.

Ekko looked around confusedly, then the memories of last night came rushing to him...

Ekko gulped as he was left alone with Powder and Jinx.

"Alright, spill the tea," Powder said with a giggle.

"We didn't bring any tea?" Jinx asked confusedly.

"Silly," Powder rolled her eyes. "What happened to you two, why aren't you together?"

Jinx and Ekko stared at each other for a moment.

You tell her, Boy Savior, Jinx gestured with her eyes.

Fuck no! Ekko conveyed back.

After a couple seconds of a stare off, they both turned to Powder.

"He was too busy creating an orgy community." "She was too busy peddling ****," Jinx and Ekko said at the same time.

"Ok," Powder said. "How about the two of you tell me the story of your world from the beginning, and we can see where everything was different?"

"I'm not ready for that," Ekko said.

"Same," Jinx said. "Butttt, I am ready to talk about what you two have going on, and what you have going on with Caitlyn."

Ekko sighed. "Caitlyn is simple, we're married in this world, so we have to give those impressions."

"I think your Ekko and I had a nice relationship, small as it was," Powder said. "We only kissed once, so you don't need to be jealous."

Jinx looked hesitant for a moment, then she grabbed Ekko and kissed him.

"Get it, girl!" Powder encouraged as their kiss turned deeper.

After a few seconds, Jinx pulled away from Ekko and looked at Powder competitively. "Hah, was yours like that?"

Powder smiled sadly. "Listen, Jinx. The Arcane wants something out of us, but I don't think either of us are ready for that. Am I jealous of that frankly arousing kiss? For sure, but that's not the point. How about we promise to take any steps forward with Ekko together?"

"Like... Sisters?" Jinx asked.

Powder wiped her tears away. "Yeah, like sisters."

Powder threw her arms around Jinx, and Jinx hesitantly hugged her back, then she gestured to Ekko to join the hug.

Hesitantly, Ekko joined the hug, then they shared comfort for a while.

Powder laughed wetly. "Some fuckups we are, huh?"

"Let's sleep together," Jinx said, and both of them stared at her. "God, you dirty minded people. I meant like cuddling."

And that's how Ekko found himself here, with his arms stuck underneath two beautiful women.

Powder yawned loudly as she woke up. "Morning, Ekko."

"Morning," Ekko said, smiling faintly at her.

"Where's your twins at?" Powder asked, poking his forehead. "Genius and madness, where are they going?"

"Just thinking about how I'll convince Jayce to let us work with the Hexstones," Ekko said. "I'll have to make a Hexcore before we even move forward."

"I'll shove Zapper underneath his chin," Jinx blearily said. "Now, stop talking, I'm sleepy."

Unfortunately, Jinx's attempt to sleep in would be interrupted by Caitlyn entering the carriage.

Caitlyn observed the three of them for a second, then her expression turned foul. "Of course you'll take advantage of all of this."

Ekko didn't bother to respond, but Powder did.

Powder stood up, glaring at Caitlyn. "Why do you have a problem with him!?"

Ekko immediately jumped up and put his hand on Powder's shoulder to calm her. "It's alright, Powder."

"It's not your fault!" Powder exclaimed. "You're trying to keep us all alive and she's just —"

"It's alright, Powder," Ekko said. "Let's just get ready and be on our way, right? Faster, the better?"

Powder humphed and left the carriage.

"Yeah, if I didn't believe this wasn't a dream, this interaction would've sold it for me," Jinx said, getting up. "Toodles!"

The carriage was silent as the two of them got ready, and fourty minutes later, the caravan was ready to go.

Before they set off, Ekko changed the seating order. "Powder, if you'll join Maddie in the rear, that'd be appreciated. Jinx, if you can take my carriage, and Caitlyn, you can go with Violet or Jinx."

Instructions given, Ekko joined Viktoria on her carriage as the horses started trotting.

"Sire," Viktoria said. "How may I assist you?"

"Just call me Ekko, please," Ekko said with a wince. "I'm sure you've realized that we're acting different from how you remember us?"

"It's not my place to pry, sire," Viktoria said.

"Sure, but I can ask you to help us," Ekko said. "What if I were to tell you that all of us except for Maddie were travelers from a different universe, and the Arcane superimposed us over our alternate counterparts?"

"I'd ask you to prove it," Viktoria said. "The story is too fantastic to not be real, but I wouldn't believe it without proof."

"Does my counterpart in this world know how to make a Hexcore?" Ekko challenged.

"What's a Hexcore?" Viktoria asked.

"Oh, you don't even have it here," Ekko said. "A Hexcore is an advanced version of the Hexstone, less volatile, and more dangerous."

"How would decreasing volatility make it more dangerous?" Viktoria chuckled.

"How do you guys use Hexstones?" Ekko asked.

"We use it for Hexguns," Viktoria said.

"And how... Does a Hexgun work?" Ekko asked worriedly.

"We use gunpowder to send the Hexstone flying," Viktoria said. "It's the most dangerous grenade launcher ever."

"Wait, so how do I have this?" Ekko asked, showing Viktoria his Z-Drive.

Viktoria looked at the Z-Drive confusedly, until Ekko revealed the Anamoly inside, and her eyes widened.

"I've seen you fight with this at your back, but you never told me about it," Viktoria said. "Maybe your wife could tell you better."

Ekko groaned. "Caitlyn's from the same universe as me, she wouldn't know shit. Do you know when I started wearing this?"

"You might not be lying..." Viktoria said. "Regardless, you started wearing it after your second visit to Piltover."

"Ok, I need your help understanding everything," Ekko said. "Why was I travelling to Piltover, who am I, why is Vander a king, is Sevika married to him, why am I married to Caitlyn, what's going on?"

"What do I get out of this?" Viktoria challenged. "And if your story is true, I have no guarantee that you're a good version of the General."

"I have no guarantee you're good either!" Ekko said. "For crying out loud, my version of you wanted Glorious Evolution."

"What is that?" Viktoria asked.

"Short story it's turning everyone into androids," Ekko said. "You nearly overran Zaun and Piltover."

"It seems we are at an impasse," Viktoria said.

"It seems so," Ekko said.

"Give me a few days to think about this," Viktoria said. "I believe your story, but not your character."

"Same here," Ekko said. "A few days to get each other doesn't sound bad."