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After the deaths of her father and brothers- she'd believed she'd never be happy ever again.
That belief was only strengthened when she was dragged from the Undercity, kicking and screaming, up to Piltover.
She had fully believed that she'd be thrown into some cell- locked away for the rest of her life- it was what she believed she deserved, after all.
But-
That's not what happened.
After collapsing on their way to Piltover- she'd woken up in a hospital, and met Viktor and Jayce Talis.
Even after admitting to him that she'd been one of the thieves who had broken into his apartment, even after admitting that she'd caused the deaths of her family, even after everything- neither Jayce nor Viktor judged her.
Instead- they took her under their wing.
Powder Talis spent the next seven years of her life working on HexTech with Jayce and Viktor- and... she was happy- more than happy.
Now, she wouldn't say that she was "Healthy."
Viktor and Jayce had tried their best to help her recover- but Powder still found herself seeing or hearing things.
Sometimes it was Claggor, sometimes it was Mylo, it could be Vi or even Vander- just glimpses of them, whispers of their voices-
Viktor and Jayce were beyond helpful- and again, they never judged her.
But over all, life was as close to perfect for Powder as it could get!
Until, Viktor fell in the lab.
It wasn't a bad fall- he didn't pass out, he didn't hit a desk, he didn't even break anything.
He just stumbled, was unable to hold himself up with his cane, and fell to the ground.
Powder and Jayce rushed to his side, helped him off the ground, and lead him to a chair- Viktor reassuring them both that he was fine, nothing was wrong, he could keep working-
But they all knew he was lying to them.
For the first time, Powder truly noticed how... pale he was.
The bags beneath his eyes, the shudder in his breath, his bones becoming ever more visible-
He'd been leaning on his cane heavier and heavier, and Powder was only just now realising it.
His condition was getting worse.
"Powder, I am fine," Viktor reassured her after two days of Powder refusing to leave his side for any length of time, "It was just a fall, it's not the first time I've fallen over"
"But- but-"
"I am fine" Viktor smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Powder remained unconvinced.
But, she let the subject drop for now.
Viktor's condition only worsened.
He began coughing- rough and painful.
His cane became a crutch- he stopped walking around as much, instead using his favourite rolling chair to get around the lab easier- he was losing more and more energy-
Jayce was begging him now to take a break- but HexTech was too important, according to Viktor at least.
Powder felt useless- again.
She was stuck, watching as Viktor got worse and worse with no way to help him-
She felt like she was a kid again- watching as Vi, Claggor and Mylo left to save Vander-
Clenching her jaw, Powder tried to bite back the urge to scream as Mylo's voice got louder in her head.
She just wanted to help-
She just wanted to help-
She just-
Powder stared in awe as she watched Jayce and Viktor excitedly celebrate their most recent breakthrough-
A plant- growing fast and strong as HexTech powered it-
Before it died just as quickly.
Though the experiment wasn't a complete success- it was a sign.
Powder stared- her eyes going over to the board filled with equations and blueprints-
Maybe... maybe she could help.
This time, she'd help- this time, she'd actually help. She won't lose anyone else.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Experiment 1: failure.
Experiment 2: failure.
Experiment 4: Failure.
Experiment 10: Failure,
Experiment 20: Failure
Experiment 25: Failure.
Failure.
Failure.
Failure.
Failure-
Experiment 207: Failure.
Powder stared at her notebook, the pen in her hand shaking as she finished the word.
Her grip tightened- her jaw clenched-
A scream tore from her throat as she grabbed her notebook and threw it across the room, watching as it slammed against her most recent failure- the dead plant crumbling beneath the book.
She stormed over to her experiment- slamming her fist against the metal.
"WHY- WON'T- YOU- WORK!?" She screamed, kicking the container holding the Hex Crystal with each word.
"Because you jinxed it." Mylo hissed, and Powder's breath caught in her throat.
"NO I DIDN'T!" she yelled, spinning around to try and hit her brother- but he just stepped out of her way.
"Yes you did. You jinx everything."
"SHUT UP!"
"You should just stop- you're just going to end up killing him faster. Just like Vander. You're a jinx"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP, MYLO! YOU'RE NOT REAL! I'M NOT A JINX! YOU'RE NOT REAL!"
Powder grabbed the plant pot, throwing it towards Mylo- watching as he faded away, before the pot shattered against the wall.
Powder's legs gave out beneath her and she fell to the ground, sobbing loudly.
"I'm not a jinx- I will fix this- I will help him- I'll make him better- I will- I will-"