Chapter Text
Vi's footsteps echoed through the narrow lanes of the Undercity. The smell of sewage and fish hung heavy in the air, almost as if she could taste it. Just a few more left and right turns and she was able to see the river.
Her eyes wandered from the water reflecting the moonlight, to the bridge towering above it and lastly to the city across it. Pilover. The city of progress. Flying Zeppelins, colourful lighting and busy noises, even at night, made the city appear beautiful, but just as stunning as it was on the outside just as corrupted was it on the inside. At least if you asked Vi.
Now her eyes switched to the other side. Heavy smog clouded the Undercity, only some greenish light making its way through it. Zaun wasn't pretty, but at least it showed you the ugly truth straight up. The people living there were the same no fancy words or gifts to hide intentions.
Vi's feet carried her further towards the progress bridge, while her thoughts played with different ideas like a little kid with cogs and pipes. She liked this route it was peaceful and the air was better than in most parts of the Undercity.
Suddenly she heard a low thump followed by sounds of struggle and hushed words she wasn't able to understand. Her eyes quickly scanned Zauns side of the river, when she couldn't make out anything her steps picked up. In a light jog she arrived at the bridge, noticing two figures on it. One apparently tackled the other and was now holding the slimmer shadow down. Vi squinted to get a better look at both of them, the one on the top seemed to have a helmet and uniform with reflecting gold ornaments, obviously an Enforcer, while the one on the bottom wore way less fancy cloths, seemingly a Zaunite. A scene like this she has seen play out all too often.
She slowly approached the two figures, her frame being nearly swallowed whole by the darkness. When she was close enough, she checked the Zaunites hands. Luckily they looked normal enough, no bursting purple veins or sickly grey skin, which would indicate shimmer abuse. If the light was better, she might have noticed the too well kept fingernails or hands without blisters, which would have made her suspicious.
Vi steadily breathed in and out preparing for the confrontation, her knuckles cracking under the pressure that her thumbs were putting onto them. "Hey" her voice came out confident and loud.
Both bodies stiffened and the Enforcers head quickly turned in her direction. With self-assured steps she came closer and closer, her boots hitting the bridge with an even beat.
"This is none of your business" the Enforcer snarled.
"This is our side of the bridge, we had a deal. We keep our people away from your precious city and you don't hunt us like prey"
"Oh so you're one of Vander's dogs" The man said condescendingly. Vi's blood boiled and her fists tightened, but she still pressed out a "I'm a Hound, yes. So leave her be and I'm out of your hair or you might catch fleas."
The words had barely left Vi's mouth when suddenly a projectile was flying towards her. The muffled sound of the gun and the shout of the woman on the ground ripped through the silence like paper. Vi stumbled out of the way in the last second. This reaction seemed a bit extreme, she had handled a lot of Enforcers and non had attacked her that easily, this one must have felt especially threatened she just didn’t know why. Luckily the aim of the man didn't seem to be very good.
She quickly recovered and rushed towards him. Before he was able to fire again she swung her arm at his face. The collision wasn't pretty. Her fist hit him right on the nose, which made a chilling sound of it cracking. Blood started to flow turning the mans mouth and Vi's bandages around her arms red. Furiously the man tried to strike back, but his attempt was easily blocked. Deeming his fists as useless he now used his gun to punch Vi. The barrel of the gun met the boxers right arm, trying to parry, at full force. A painful noise left Vi's mouth through gritted teeth. Anticipating for her to need a moment the Enforcers guard went down for a split second. This was all Vi needed with a clean uppercut the mans head flew back, knocking him out.
The red heads arms went down and she was breathing heavily, now turning her attention to the woman. The moment Vi got a good look hat her in decent lighting, she wished to turn back time. The blue haired woman in front of her was most definitely not a Zaunite. The cloths she wore were something you might see in the Undercity, but not ironed and spotless. Her hair was shining and did not look like it has ever been washed with anything but crystal clear water and expensive soap. Lastly on her back was a rifle that looked more expensive than everything Vi owned.
"What are you doing here?" The actual Zaunite was barely able to contain her anger. Slowly the woman stood up the surprise still written all over her face. "I was just making my way to the Undercity when he suddenly attacked me" The posh accent made Vi boil over. "You know in how much shit I am for fighting an Enforcer. No of course you don't, but I still do it to protect my people. Not some rebellious upper class woman going on an adventure." With every word she got closer to the Topsider, until she came to a stop right in front of her.
"I'm not on an adventure" Vi wanted to laugh out of sheer disbelief. This woman was impossible.
"Just go back to that big shiny house of yours and forget this ever happened" Hopeful to get away from here as fast and in the least amount of trouble as possible Vi turned around still mad at herself for interfering in the first place, but instead of a resigned sigh she heard the woman follow her and then felt her grabbing her hand. She spun around and first thing she noticed was the woman's eyes. Vi couldn't really place what it was, but something about them was different, something about them spoke to her like a language only they understood. Whatever it was it stopped her from striking the Topsider across the face.
"What?"
"Please I really need to go into the Undercity." Pleading eyes met hers.
"What do you want in the Undercity, there are no fancy tea parties to attend."
For the first time the woman's expression turned sour, her eyebrows furrowed and her upper lip twitched.
A moment later her face was in control again and showed determination.
"No. I'm not looking for a 'tea party'. I'm investigating Shimmer." This got Vi's attention. Shimmer the purple gold, the substance that will shape the Undercitys future into a greater one, the liquid that made Topside finally respect them, that's what Silcos men would say.
To her Shimmer was purple poison, the one thing rotting the Undercity from the inside out, turning passionate loving people into braindead monsters only for the 'greater cause'.
"Believe me you're not the first one they all want to get their hands on it, what makes you think you are any different?" Vi raised one eyebrow and crossed her arms in front of her chest. The Topsider seemed confused but then answered: "I'm not here to use Shimmer for myself, I'm trying to stop the production."
Their eyes met again and the look the woman gave her made Vi want to believe she could do it. That this Piltovan was the one to end their struggle. That Hounds finally wouldn't have to drag their bloody bodies into make shift hospitals, after fighting shimmer beasts and that the number of addicts in the streets would finally stop growing.
"I'll ask you again, what makes you think you can do it, we have tried for years, there is no chance."
“I have a clue. A letter, sent from Silco himself and a location in the Undercity. To further investigate i need to go there.”
Vi’s mouth turned dry like sandpaper, if this woman was telling the truth then the letter could be the crucial part they have been missing. This could be their breakthrough.
“Show me the letter.” She stretched out her hand waiting for rough paper to hit it.
“How do I know you won’t just run away with it and leave me here?”
“You won’t.” Vi answered, cursing in her head for being so easily figured out.
“Well I’m sorry than I can’t show you.” With these words Caitlyn started walking down the bridge towards the Undercity, her heals making a clicking sound every time they met the ground. Vi wanted to laugh at the terrible shoe choice.
“The Undercity is gonna eat you alive.” The clicking stopped and the woman turned around. Walking a few meters toward Vi again.
“Then come with me, we can work together to bring Silco down.” Vi hated the idea of that, working with a Piltie, wasn’t something she desired, but she needed to protect her people, this was her task as a Hound, a promise she gave long ago, when first joining the organisation.
“I give you until tomorrow night, if we haven’t gotten closer to Silco until then, I’m bringing you back and get the letter.” The woman nodded and stretched out her hand.
“I’m Caitlyn, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Vi rolled her eyes at the way too formal introduction.
“I’m Vi, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She mocked and to her surprise Caitlyn, she quite liked the name, cracked a small smile.