Chapter Text
Vi didn’t know how long she’d been there for. Minutes? Hours? Her entire body was on fire. She was numb.
The fear of losing her sister had been a rampant and constant thing in her life. It was there when Vander took care of them and it still remained when Powder became Jinx.
Fear, fear, fear, fear.
It was always there.
Vi had always felt it, even if it may have seemed like she didn’t. Her fists and body spoke for her.
It was always there, nagging, pulling, serving a constant reminder that her sister was still out there during her seven years in Stillwater.
It was there while knowing that Silco had her, controlling her like some sort of sick, twisted puppet. A child. Who Vi had abandoned in a fit of anger just because she had made a stupid mistake.
It was there when Jinx shot the rocket.
It was there when her sister let go.
Vi feared that it would never go away. It was stupidly ironic. She didn’t want to feel like this forever.
However, actually knowing that her sister was gone was something else entirely.
It became something more, until it was no longer fear.
It became something sharp, poking at her ribs, her body.
Utter agony.
What she never truly understood was the pain that consumed you once you lost someone that you had spent years of your life loving. It had happened with her parents, Vander, and every other important person in her life that she had lost.
Powder had changed. Vi knew that from the moment they had fought together against the Firelights. That look in her eyes was something that she would never forget. It was something of pure fury and simple enjoyment at the chance of engaging in a fight. Seeming that look in your younger sibling, especially after your last memories of them were when they were barely able to defend themselves was something that she would never wish on another person.
She’d become the embodiment of the ‘nickname’ Vi had given her before abandoning her on that bridge. A jinx.
But Jinx had changed. Vi witnessed it with her own eyes, having seen the way she took care of Isha. Their relationship had reminded Vi of their own, particularly during their life with Vander. Jinx had handled Isha with a gentleness that Vi never could have replicated. Something was different. Jinx was no longer the same person who made impatient and life changing decisions.
Vi took that back once her sister took the gemstone out of the glove. She was still Powder. The stubborn little girl that Vi had abandoned for seven years letting her fall to the graces of a horrible world.
Understanding had dawned on her face, arms failing as she reached to grab her. She couldn’t let go of the only reason she had survived for so long.
This had all been a terrible nightmare. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.
————-
“Vi! Vi? VI!”
Soft hands caressed her cheek, softly shaking her awake.
Vi began to slowly open her eyes, the sudden brightness bringing a headache to her temple. The girl in front of her had blue hair just like her sisters. Huh.
“Caitlyn? What am I…” Vi let out a soft cry of pain, the memories suddenly rushing back to her. Her sister’s look of peace as she…… No!
“She’s not dead right? She can’t be.”
“Vi. You’re hurt.” The gruff voice came from behind her, causing Vi to twist her head, eyes landing on Ekko.
His face was streaked with paint, blood, tears and god knows what else. But it was the look in his eyes that made Vi stop breathing for the smallest seconds.
“She’s alive right? Don’t fucking look at me like that Ekko. We both know how resourceful she can be.” She said, spitting angrily.
“Vi, we need to get you out of here. We’ve been looking for you for hours. You’re hurt.” Caitlyn said, her brows scrunching together with worry.
“No I don’t fucking care about that! Where is she???” Vi said, rising to her feet, unbothered at the pain that shot through her legs and arms
She needed to throw something. Pound something with her fists. She knew what the answer was. She hated the look on their faces, but it was oh so familiar.
Ekko stepped forward, his voice catching, forcing the horrible words out.
“She’s gone. She did it. She saved us.”
No no no no no
Vi dropped to her knees, heaving over the ledge.
No no no no no
“Cait- need - out- here.” Vi’s vision began to blur as Ekko took steps towards her, seemingly conversing with Caitlyn.
No No No No No
It was hard to hear anything. There was a sound in her ears. It was almost as if she were underwater.
“Vi- okay. Ekko- help-“
That was the last thing Vi heard before she blacked out.