Arcane Timelines AU

Hi there! Quick bit of background:

After finishing Arcane season 2 in November 2024, I came up with an idea for a fic. It was supposed to be an AU for season 1. I wrote a prologue and chapter 1 and then spent some time plotting since a lot of characters were involved and I wanted my plot to make sense. In hindsight, that was probably a mistake, because as soon as I was done plotting my brain lost interest in the story. After all, it was done :D Time to move on :D

Before I could convince my brain to continue with chapter 2, it had come up with a new idea: what if the Viktor from my AU travelled to the apocalypse timeline and from there followed Arcane!Jayce to Arcane!Viktor's commune? What if he stopped that Jayce from shooting his Viktor (bc lbr that achieved nothing)?

So now I had two Viktors. :3 Can you see where this is going yet. (I couldn't.)

A lot of this universe is (currently) on ellipsus or still in my head. What's written ranges from plot summaries to pure dialogue to actual writing in snippets of varying lengths across the timeline(s). If something's unclear, please shoot me an ask and I'll fill the gap!

To keep this organised, I'll link to every major chapter here in chronological order, but every bit will be linked to previous and next too ^^

Pookie (my original fic idea)

Herald

Viky

Lurker

tbc

Links to fanart used in the banner under the cut.

this is all i have rn 😅

so many ideas, so little time

Backstory for one of my Arcane AUs where Vander and Silco try to get Viktor to work with them. It proves difficult.

Part of my Viktor-focused multiverse AU. Pookie and Herald are different Viktors. If this post is confusing, go here to start from the beginning =)

---

Pookie arrived at the commune in high spirits, which were dampened immensely when he saw Herald's sour expression, leading to his first words being, “How is he?” instead of a greeting.

“Refusing to eat.” Herald's frown deepened. “Claims he is not hungry.”

“Since when?” Pookie asked, the knot of worry in his chest tightening.

“Only today.” Herald took Pookie’s hand which had unconsciously been reaching out for support. Leaning on the staff in his other hand, he led Pookie towards the communal kitchen. “I figured you were coming by and let him be. We're having soup today, that's easy on the stomach.”

“Thank you.” At the canteen, Pookie picked up the largest bowl available and two spoons. “I will talk to you later, alright?”

Herald sent him off with a solemn nod.

He hadn't mentioned Viktor's whereabouts and indeed Pookie found him where he always was, curled up in a corner of the dark entryway to Herald's abode, where only four people ever came to bother him.

But Huck had stopped on Herald's command, Jayce had accepted that he wasn't welcome and Jinx had gotten bored weeks ago.

“Hello Viktor.” Pookie sat down beside him. “How are you?”

Viktor didn't reply, only incrementally turned his head away.

“I visited your timeline yesterday. They had asked me to take part in a Council meeting in your stead.”

A curt nod.

Pookie smiled. “Right, I told you last time. Well, that was yesterday.” He left a brief pause. “Would you like to know what they decided?”

“Do I have a choice?” Viktor’s voice was rough from disuse and he made no effort to clear his throat.

“Ah, let me rephrase my question. I think you would like at least part of what was decided. May I tell you?”

A shrug, then as the silence dragged on, another small nod.

“Alright.” Pookie inched a bit closer. He wanted to offer a hug, but Viktor was weirdly averse to physical affection. “This won't be a surprise to you, but the Council suspended all further development of Hextech. The Gates will keep running, but that is it.”

“The weapons?” Viktor asked.

“Those… were not a part of today's negotiations.”

Viktor huffed.

Pookie quickly went on. “But Jayce was adamant that part of the revenue generated by the Hexgates shall be given to the undercity for infrastructure improvements.”

He'd hoped for some reaction to that. Instead, nothing.

“Jayce wanted to know if you were… satisfied with this arrangement,” he ventured.

“What arrangement?” Viktor scoffed. “He only gave a speech.”

“Oh, no no, it has been decreed that both Vander and Silco shall receive ten percent of the total gains the city is making from this day on.”

“How generous.”

“Councillor Medarda offered to match the sums from her own funds.”

Hearing this, Viktor clenched his jaw.

Pookie knew better than to press the issue. “Select undercity merchants were also granted access to the Hexgates.”

“Hm.”

“So, things are looking up,” Pookie tried to end on a positive note. “Now, they gave me a bowl of very delicious soup when I came here but it's way too much for me. Would you perhaps -”

Viktor shut him up with a glare and a held out hand. “Spoon.”

Pookie handed it over.

“You're terrible at this,” Viktor remarked.

Pookie chose to ignore the criticism because he was eating the soup.

It was not quite companionable silence, but at least Viktor wasn't glaring anymore. After finishing the soup, Pookie dared to ask another question. “Would you like to -”

“I'm fine here,” Viktor interrupted. “You can stop worrying, Pookie.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Pookie reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. It was tolerated. “Herald said you weren't eating.”

Viktor raised one tired eyebrow. “You ate their soup. He does not.”

It had been a bit bland. “You can ask for something else, you know?”

Viktor shook his head. “I'm already a nuisance. I don't want to be a burden, too.”

“You are not!” Pookie objected. “Please never think that, it is not true. Everyone here has been through a lot, they know what it's like for you.”

“Herald doesn't like me lurking here.”

“I would've called it sulking but whatever you say, Lurker.” Jinx stood in the doorway, peering down on them. “Hello, funny Viktor. You here to take him home?” She didn't wait for a reply. “That'd be too bad ‘cos I need him tomorrow. Cookie don't have time to look over my schematics.”

“Didn't he say you were a big girl and could do your own pump designs?” Viktor, now Lurker, asked flatly.

Pookie saw an opportunity. “I'm sure Herald would be happy if you could give Powder a hand.” He would never get used to calling her Jinx, no matter how many pebbles she flicked at him.

Lurker did not look convinced.

Rocking on her feet, Jinx said, “Well, guess if my pump explodes I'll say it was your fault.”

“Deal.” Lurker replied.

“Alright.” She trotted off.

Lurker sighed. “Bring me decent food and I might reconsider.”

He hadn't raised his voice and Jinx gave no indication of having heard. Pookie was halfway up when Lurker's hand stopped him.

“With some luck, she will bring edible food tomorrow.” He chuckled dryly. “Not that luck is my forte.”

“Yes, it is,” Pookie argued, settling back down. “It was lucky to meet us.”

Lurker glanced at him. Sighed. Relented. “I suppose.” Then he sighed again and handed Pookie a handkerchief. “You are the lucky one. It's a miracle you haven't dried out yet with how often you become a fountain.”

“It's fine.” Pookie wiped at this tears but they kept coming. “We just had soup.”

Lurker frowned. “You need electrolytes too. Are you seeing Herald later?”

Pookie nodded.

“Then you will be fine. He is a veritable salt mine.” 

Pookie was not proud of the undignified noise he made, but the way Lurker's jaw set as he suppressed his smile was worth it.

---

Part of my Viktor-focused multiverse AU. Pookie and Herald are different Viktors. If this post is confusing, go here to start from the beginning =)

With help from his counterparts Pookie convinces Mel, Silco and Vander in “Sad Boy's” timeline to actually work together. Viktor refuses to be a part of this.

Pookie offers to show him how to become a hexmage, but Viktor declines because he doesn't want to become even more desirable as a pawn. He only asks for help with curing his disease.

Viktor spends most of his time in Herald's timeline, first mandated by Pookie as suicide watch and later voluntarily. Pookie leaves him be, because he has realised that Piltover as well as the undercity of Viktor's timeline are united in exactly one thing, and that is blaming everything on Viktor.

Herald is not happy about his guest but he hides it well. At least Viktor helps him understand his Hexcore better and Herald makes him help with healing the commune members as well. He becomes a regular to the point where Jinx switches from mocking him for acting so depressed to mocking him for lurking in their timeline and gives him a new nickname: Lurker.

Whenever Lurker returns to his own timeline, his Jayce is awaiting him anxiously. He has divorced Mel and wants to enter a romantic relationship with Lurker, but Lurker is hesitant. They do fuck every time he's back for a few days, but once the first heat has passed and Jayce tries to talk about it, Lurker withdraws back to Herald's timeline.

---

Part of my Viktor-focused multiverse AU. Pookie and Herald different Viktors. If this post is confusing, go here to start from the beginning =)

Pookie takes Viktor through the Hexgates to Herald's timeline.

---

“No knives for you!” Pookie picked the lunch tray clean of everything that could be used to stab oneself. The ceramic bowl received a pass on behalf of needing force to become dangerous. “I’m considering tying you up if you don't behave.”

“Around the neck?”

“Oof,” Jinx made. “Didn't know one of you could be this depressed. Aren't you always ready to tackle the next challenge!?”

“What's the point,” Viktor said, “if a fake smile, more work and more empty promises are all one gets in return? The Gemstones weren't supposed to be used for weapons. The Hexgates were supposed to be open to everyone. We were supposed to choose our next project. Jayce was supposed to spend more time in the lab again. Now he only comes by as the vanguard of her next demand. And yet he keeps talking about our dream, as if that still meant anything.”

“Why don't you leave?” asked Vi.

“Where would I go? My research is all I have. It's what I do best. How could I leave when he's so,” he broke off with a dry heave and didn't finish his sentence.

Jayce left Herald’s side to put an arm around him. “Proud of you? He is,” he told Viktor. “You can rely on him.”

Herald coughed.

His Jayce sheepishly added, “Alright, his judgement might not always be the best, but if you trust him, he will listen to you. He’ll be there for you.” He gave Viktor one final pat before returning to his rightful place.

“Cheer up, sad boy,” Jinx said and swallowed. “They’ll patch you up and send you back and then,” she leaned in conspiratorially, “you can show them who's boss.”

Viktor fully lived up to his nickname. “I really don't care.”

---

Part of my Viktor-focused multiverse AU. Pookie is also a Viktor. If this post is confusing, go here to start from the beginning =)

Since the last attempt went pretty well, Pookie tries it again. This time he gets even closer and jumps in right after they’ve sent the first airship through the hexgates.

~

In hindsight, he should have waited a bit longer. Sure, the base of the hexgate tower was very far down and no one came here unless absolutely necessary. But when launching the very first airship, using the hexgates for the very first time, of course it was necessary to have technicians stationed everywhere to monitor everything. Pookie barely managed to hide himself behind a shield quickly chameleoned to look like the array of hex crystal batteries behind him. When the technician near him finally moved on, he slipped out of the room and into the elevator shaft. He couldn’t take the elevator, it was all the way upstairs. Not that he needed to.

For the great launch everyone was at the hexgates, even the person Pookie wanted to meet least right now. He evaded the elevator going down by squeezing in with the cables, yet he wasn’t sure if he’d evaded amber eyes. Had they widened in shock? How much would they have seen? What could they be sure of?

If this post is confusing, go here to start from the beginning =)

The Council is extremely split on the matter. Councillors Heimerdinger, Bolbrok and Kiramman are increasing degrees of hostile to the idea of continuing research that has already claimed five lives. Salo and Hoskel are wary of the dangers, but willing to be persuaded by the profits Hextech promises. Mel adds some of the arguments Viktor has supplied her with, about how this new technology could aid the undercity, to bring Shoola around, too. The council votes 4-3 in favour of Hextech.

Viktor and Jayce are allowed to legally pursue their Hextech research. However, the Hextech-averse faction has demands, like making a safer version of the crystals before they can be used. Hence they develop the Gemstones parallel to the hexgates which the other Council faction wants. The citizens are likewise split and Mel relies on Jayce's growing publicity talents to keep them happy. This means that Viktor spends more and more time alone in the lab.

(He copes with the hurt by tidying Jayce's (their shared, really) messes whenever Jayce leaves, to not be reminded of him.)

Mel is aware of Viktor's weakness for Jayce and always sends Jayce with new requests from the council. She also drags Jayce to every party, opera and gala in Piltover. Viktor begins to regret having involved her, especially when years pass and none of their research does any good for the undercity.

Four and a half years after they started, the Hexgates finally open for business. Viktor monitors the first use closely and notices the flare up when Pookie comes through.

---

Jayce carries the box when he returns to his workshop with the spoils of his undercity venture. Caitlyn carries the keys and goes ahead to open the door while Jayce struggles to pick up a spare part he dropped. She hears voices inside the apartment and rushes in. The following chaos leads to Powder dropping several of the crystals. The explosion kills all five of them and buries Jayce under rubble.

Jayce is silent at the trial and accepts getting expelled (his mother prevents a harsher judgement by pleading with the Council, claiming that really the explosion was caused by the burglars). Viktor still reads through his notes, originally to find out what made his research so dangerous. But the more he reads, the more he becomes convinced that it is too revolutionary to give up on. He goes to Jayce, hoping to learn more, but Jayce straight out refuses him.

-

Viktor: Mr Talis, what happened yesterday was an accident. I firmly believe that your technology can save lives if applied correctly. Giving up on it now won't bring back those children, but it may condemn even more to a similar fate. I beg you to reconsider.

Jayce: … (doesn't even look at Viktor) Leave me alone.

-

Jayce reconsiders his suicide, but not in favour of Hextech, merely to the vague thought of doing something to make up for the deaths he caused.

After failing to convince Jayce, Viktor seeks out Mel, having decided that she's the councillor most likely to support Hextech. She agrees and also helps him to get Jayce on board, arranging for them to test in secret until they have results that can be presented to the Council. (She acts like she would go down with them if they were found out, but in truth she has her exit strategy prepared from the start.)

-

Viktor: Councillor Medarda, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.

Mel: It is no trouble. Please, sit. What can I do for the Professor?

Viktor: I am here on my own initiative.

Mel: (leans forward) Oh? Is this about Mr Talis?

Viktor: Indeed. His research may be dangerous if conducted with improper safety measures, but the potential is enormous.

Mel: I have no doubt that these crystals are powerful, they have demonstrated this amply. However, they lack the stability required to found success.

Viktor: According to Heimerdinger, the crystals can be stabilised and after reading Mr Talis's notes, I believe he is close to a breakthrough.

Mel: Hm. So all we need to do is arrange for you to prove your theory in secret and then convince the Council that Miss Kiramman’s death was merely a hiccup.

Viktor: I also require Mr Talis’s assistance. My understanding of the runes that supposedly direct the flow of magic is superficial at this point.

Mel: Have you spoken with him?

Viktor: I tried. He wouldn't listen.

Mel: Unsurprising. Miss Kiramman was like a sister to him.

Viktor: I am sure you could -

Mel: What you're asking is impossible.

Viktor: Councillor, we need to look past the lives that have been lost.

Mel: Five children, Viktor.

Viktor: Children have been dying before and they will continue to die, in the undercity, unless we act. This technology can revolutionise our world, give us a clean and reliable power source, enable fast travel across long distances and help us to create wonders beyond our wildest imagination. Should one accident in a poorly set up lab keep us from entering a new era?

Mel: (thinking)

Viktor: If Piltover is too apprehensive to develop this technology, others certainly won't be.

Mel: (frowns, exhales) Elora, please arrange a meeting with Mr Talis. Viktor, I need the specifications of the lab environment that will allow you to test safely and secretly.

Viktor: Understood.

Mel: If you can create a stable and useful output within a week, I will endeavour to convince the Council.

---

(back to pinned post)

Backstory I

Backstory II

Connecting the timelines

Shelter

Looking up I

Looking up II

...

-

Lurker trivia:

Viktor: (clicks the first key into place) So far, so good.

The sound of someone whistling approaches.

Viktor: (thinks fast, pulls the key from the door, takes the flashlight from Jayce and puts it on the ground, gets up with his cane, grabs Jayce by the front of his shirt and pushes him against the door) Trust me!

Jayce: Wha-

Viktor: (kisses him)

They make out until Harold’s flashlight lands on them.

Harold: Oh? Jolly, my boys, what are you doing here at this time of the night?

Viktor: (sheepishly, not that he needs to act) Ah, oh, Harold! I - we’re - well, w-what it looks like. Uhm.

Harold: Hm, yes, but what are you doing here? (gestures at Heimerdinger’s lab)

Viktor: (looks at the door like he’s seeing it for the first time) Oh. Oh! That isn’t my bedroom, haha, force of habit I guess, you know how it is..?

Harold: (comes closer, now studying Jayce’s face) Aren’t you the lad who was expelled today? (sighs) You young people. Viktor, you should know that he isn’t allowed to enter the Academy.

Viktor: I’m terribly, terribly sorry, but you see, that is why his bedroom isn’t an option. (pleading face)

Harold: (drags a hand down his face) Oh, to be young and in love. Come along then.

Viktor: (gives Jayce an uplifting nod) Harold: (escorts them to Viktor’s room) There you go. Do try to keep it down, I will be back to pick up Mr Talis at the end of my shift.

Viktor: Thank you, Harold. Rum chocolates, was it? I owe you ten boxes, at least.

Harold: Oh, you remember? Too kind, Viktor.

Viktor: But of course, Sir, and may you have an uneventful shift henceforth.

They awkwardly wave Harold goodbye and close the door.

Viktor: Phew, that was close. (turns on the light and walks into his tiny room, rambling) I’m sorry, I should have accounted for his route, but time had gotten away from me in the excitement. Now we need to wait a bit for him to get back on track, then we can go again. (nervously looks at Jayce) Ah, that is, if you still -

Jayce: (takes a half step forward) Yes! Of course. I mean, the experiment, yes, and… (breaks off, blushing)

Viktor: (deflates a bit, sits on his bed) I apologise for, uhm, my behaviour. It seemed like the safest - I mean, I could have probably - but he’s a romantic, you see, so this was our best bet… (glances at Jayce)

Jayce: (clears his throat) No, yes, I understand, I-I-I’m not (coughs) so, do you do this, uhm, …?

Viktor: What? This? Oh, no, I’ve never, I have certain, eh, standards, you could say.

Jayce: (interested) Like what?

Viktor: (slowly) Well, for one, they need to introduce me to a technology that will change the world.

Jayce: (breathless) V… (normal) Actually, I have another hypothesis I would like to test.

Viktor: Oh? What is it?

Jayce: (comes closer, kneels in front of Viktor, leans in)

Viktor: (smiling) Ah, I see. (angles his head and closes the gap)

They kiss, slower this time.

Viktor: (suddenly breaks away) Wait, one moment. (leans over to his bedside table and grabs his alarm) Before I forget the time again, let me set an alarm. Ten minutes should be enough. (he puts the clock back) Done. Now I’m all yours.

Jayce: (dives back in)

The alarm breaks them apart and they return to Heimerdinger’s lab - where they immediately get hit by another flashlight.

Mel: Willing to risk exile for your endeavour. That’s quite the conviction.

Harold tipped her off. ^^

---

(back to pinned post)

Meet Viky

Meet Cute

-

Viky trivia:

his favourite place to be is their Hextech lab, ideally with Jayce, but even without him it beats every other location

Part of my Viktor-focused multiverse AU. Pookie and Herald different Viktors. If this post is confusing, go here to start from the beginning =)

Back at home and having sent Herald back to his own timeline, Pookie is sad because he thinks he could’ve done so much better if he hadn’t just followed that Jayce back to his timeline on impulse. If he’d arrived at their timeline earlier, he could’ve saved so many more lives! The others comfort him and his Jayce hypothesizes that, since Pookie had met the other Jayce in the Old Man’s timeline, their fates were already linked and Pookie couldn’t have joined their timeline sooner without creating a time loop, meaning he’d arrived as early as was possible and prevented a great deal of harm. Pookie still vows to do more research and get into the next timeline at the earliest possible moment.

Since he needs the anomaly for travel between timelines and that comes from the Hexgates, this would be as soon as the Hexgates are built in a timeline. After studying the anomaly for months and making some other preparations, Pookie is confident that he can get the timing right.

Pookie joins the new timeline a week after the Hexgates’ launch and goes directly to the lab. It's the middle of the night so he reasons Viktor should be there alone.

He is there, but not alone. He's getting fucked by Jayce on a desk.

Pookie is appalled, because it's a for-science-desk.

They have a nice chat, then Pookie gets invited to stay the night so they can talk properly in the morning. Pookie gets one of the sofas to himself and still can't sleep, thanks to the ongoing litany of breathless “Viky!”s and moaned “Good boy.”s reaching his ears.

Turns out when breaking into Heimerdinger's lab, this Viktor and Jayce were discovered not by Mel, but by Harold the night guard, and Viktor went all out on his planned excuse: making out with Jayce against the door, one hand fiddling with the key as if confused why the door wouldn't open, to fully drive home the “two young people in the throes of passion mistakenly ending up at the wrong door” spiel. Harold believed them and was kind enough to accompany them to Viktor's actual bedroom at the academy.

They decided to wait some time before trying again and spent that time making out some more. On their second attempt they ran into Mel.

Viky’s timeline is going pretty well, at least for him. The undercity is divided into factions, led by Vander on one side and Silco on the other. Mylo and Claggor are alive but were gravely wounded in the incident at the cannery and picked up by Silco afterwards. Powder escaped with Vander and Vi, but is blaming herself and has occasional episodes that neither Vander nor Vi know how to handle.

Pookie tells Viky how to heal himself, advice not only Viky but especially his Jayce receive with great joy. After lessons learned with Herald, they don't want too many people to know about the timelines stuff, so Pookie sticks to giving them advice on how to handle the Council and the Undercity to push for actual improvements.

---

Once back in his own timeline, Viktor, now called Herald, with the help of Sky begins the process of figuring out how to help the people he “healed”. They start with the least affected member and successfully remove them from the hive mind, but there are side effects. For one, with the connection gone, the parts of that person's body that were recreated by the Hexcore begin to decay. Sky suggests drawing out the magic slowly to give the body time to fill the gaps naturally.

This also helps with the patients’ mental states, because their minds need time to get used to the full bandwidth of emotions again.

Some members are hesitant to leave the hive mind. Most prominent among them is Huck, who has grown into his role as Herald's gatekeeper and does not want to return to his previous insecurities. Herald manages to convince him only by promising that he will keep his role, minus the telepathic bond. Huck tries to argue for keeping even that on the grounds of time saved running back and forth, but Herald is adamant about wanting back the privacy of his own head.

In the beginning, Herald has a hard time reconciling with his Jayce because of what he did. Until Pookie voices appreciation of H!Jayce's "rugged good look" and Herald immediately steps in front of his Jayce, going, "Hands off, he's mine.”

Jayce has his own issues, mostly with trusting Herald to be the Viktor he knew (“Stupid question, of course I am not,” Herald replies) and grappling with the revelation that what the Old Mage!Viktor told him was not as accurate as he believed.

Even so, with everything that's still going on, they are glad to have each other, but while Jayce vows to henceforth have faith in Viktor (he never calls him Herald), Herald remains nebulous on how far his trust in Jayce extends.

-

Jayce: I want to earn your forgiveness or at least a second chance, but I can only do so much if you're not willing.

Herald: I am willing.

Jayce: Then why the constant jabs, the reminders?

Herald: Why? To remind you to never again take someone else's word on what is best for me. Not even if they are a Viktor from a different timeline.

Jayce: Not even Pookie?

Herald: Especially not Pookie.

Jayce: (surprised) Did you not want him to -

Herald: Oh, no, I appreciate his past actions, only I am worried what he might rope you into in the future.

Jayce: I'm not sure I understand. What do you need me to do?

Herald: (clears throat) You are my partner. That means you are not to speak with any other Viktor unless I am present and allow it. Are we of one mind?

Jayce: (rough) Single.

Herald: Then you have your second chance.

---

Part of my Viktor-focused multiverse AU. Pookie is a different Viktor. If this post is confusing, go here to start from the beginning =)

Because Viktor is so depressed, Pookie takes him back to visit his own timeline. They encounter only one small problem: next to the anomaly, Viktor's Hexcore goes absolutely insane with thirst for power. They barely make it through without starting the apocalypse thanks to Sky.

(The main reason for this excursion is to determine with the help of Pookie's Sky whether the Sky in Viktor's head is the real Sky or a bad copy. Their results are inconclusive but point towards ‘yes’, but more based on the increasing realisation that this Hexcore could never copy a person this well.)

Pookie: Here we are!

Viktor: How do you know? It looks exactly like the hexgates on my end.

Pookie: Yes, but it feels like home. Let's go! (stops mid-step) Actually, no, I'll port us into the lab. People, uh, would notice you in the streets.

Viktor: 🙄

They arrive at the lab.

Pookie: Damn.

Viktor: Don't know how long you've been gone?

Pookie: Uhm. I may have promised to be back in time for breakfast.

(they look out of the window at the sun setting in the west)

Pookie: (checks his calendar) Oh no. All the days I spent in your world have passed here as well?! That is bad. Please wait here, I need to get my crutch. (leaves)

A minute after Pookie has left, Powder shuffles into the lab and sees Viktor.

Powder: Viktor! (pokes head out of the door) He's back! He's in the lab! (turns around and pounces on Viktor)

Multiple footsteps approach and more and more people spill into the lab, all gathering around Viktor, talking over each other and hugging him from all sides. They immediately notice that something is off. Vi pulls off his hood and everyone gasps.

Jayce: Viktor, what happened to you?! 😱 Was that the anomaly? How are you?

Viktor: (overwhelmed) I-I-I'm fine, really, what happened, is just, uhm, how do I ... (glimpses at the door to see if Pookie is returning already)

Once the first shock has passed, they start prodding his metal body, asking him how this and that feels, if anything is uncomfortable or hurts.

Viktor: No, no, I'm fine, really, it's just -

(sound of someone walking with a crutch comes from the hallway)

Caitlyn: Hold on. Who are you?

Pookie: (enters the room) He's not me! I am here, I'm still me, he's from another timeline, that's why he looks different.

The group repeats the gather-worry-hug ritual with Pookie.

Mel: Please explain why there's two of you.

Pookie: I'd found an anomaly in the anomaly and wanted to check it out. It led me to an ancient timeline where I found an old Viktor talking to the Jayce from this Viktor's timeline, then followed Jayce back to where he came from and met him. Unfortunately, I got held up in his timeline, hence my delay.

Viktor: Hm. Your diction is amateurish, but I suppose it's not wrong.

Pookie: That's because I'm talking to laymen. You will learn it too.

Viktor: Hm.

Mel: You didn't answer my question. Why is he here?

Pookie: For a visit. He can't stay too long or the Hexcore might start messing around, but I wanted to show him a more hopeful world.

Jayce: (alarmed) What Hexcore?

Viktor: (dramatically pulls down his robe to unveil his chest) The one Jayce fused me with to "save my life". 😠

Pookie: Ah, no need to get angry, save that for your Jayce, alright?

Viktor: I'm doing you a favour. (to Jayce) If he ever makes you promise something, do it.

Jayce: Okay!

Viktor: That's what he said, and now look at me.

Jayce: (shocked)

Pookie: You've made your point. So, allow me to make mine.

Viktor: Please enlighten me to my future, pretty boy.

Pookie: Surprised you need that, fortune cookie.

Viktor: (saunters over without his staff touching the ground to stand in front of Pookie)

Pookie: 🙄 you know what, I think we're done here. You've met everyone, seen the city, can't think of anything else that might be important.

Viktor: Hm, alright. I'd prefer getting back to my Jayce.

---

Part of my Viktor-focused multiverse AU. Pookie is a different Viktor. If this post is confusing, go here to start from the beginning =)

Pookie: We've made it a rule that Jayce always needs to get a second opinion for his decisions.

Viktor: Isn't that exactly his problem? He gets someone else's opinion and then does his interpretation of what they want him to do.

Pookie: Oh, no, his own opinion doesn't count. We've devised a system of who he has to ask depending on whose first opinion he gets. If it's Vi's idea, he has to ask Mel, if it's Mel's idea, he has to ask Powder, if it's Powder's, then Sevika, for Sevika, Cait, for Cait, Ekko, for Ekko, Vander, for Vander, Silco. And if it's Silco's idea, well, we've had to accept that it's impossible to try and go against Silco's ideas. He gets what he wants, one way or another. Jayce still has to ask Vi though.

Viktor: What about your ideas?

Pookie: My ideas don't need correcting, they are flawless.

Viktor: One might even say glorious.

Pookie: Oh, shut up. I think he goes to Sky.

Viktor: Hm.

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Part of my Viktor-focused multiverse AU. Pookie is a different Viktor. If this post is confusing, go here to start from the beginning =)

Days later, Jayce comes back with Caitlyn - and Mel. Together they try to get through to Viktor.

V Jayce, I can heal them. They were Shimmer addicts, cripples, amputees, now look at them! They're thriving. They have food, homes, a community, a purpose.

M They chose this?

V Of course.

M Councillor Salo chose this?

V Over being stigmatised and outcast in Piltover? Yes.

J Viktor, you were possessing him. You spoke through him!

V He agreed to it. He told you himself, he was still in there. You only feared what you couldn't understand. (reaches out) Let me show you.

J (sighs, catches Viktor's hand with his gloved one) No, I'll show you. You're doing to these people what you've been doing to yourself. You've always wanted to cure what you thought were weaknesses.

P (frowning)

V (listening)

J (cont) Your leg. Your disease.

P (uhm. what.)

V (slight brow crease)

J (cont) But you were never broken, Viktor. There's beauty in imperfections. They made you who you are.

P (open mouthed staring)

M (dying of second hand embarrassment)

V (inexplicably smiling)

J (finishing) An inseparable piece of everything I admired about you.

M+P (getting ready to prevent Js violent demise)

V Jayce, you misunderstand. (draws back his hand to gesture at his leg) It wasn't me who saw a problem in my crippled leg, it was Piltover. More than my accent, more than my poverty, it marked me as being from the wrong place, a place so rotten it did not provide adequate treatment for its children. But how could it have?

V (pauses to take some steps away) My parents had no choice. There were no real doctors in the undercity and those in Piltover cost a fortune. (puts hand on his chest) And my disease? Piltover didn't care that its mining operations in my neighbourhood filled our streets with toxic gases.

V (returns to J) These afflictions were a part of me, yes, but they did not define me, not in my own eyes. However, they made me someone worth less in the eyes of the very people responsible for afflicting me with them.

J I never saw you as worthless.

V You are but one person, Jayce Talis. Why, do you think, was I working for Heimerdinger? No one else would hire me.

V (stretches out his arm to encompass the commune, his tone getting more mechanical) They are perfect. No one will look down on them for being deformed or sick.

M (sad/guilty, exchanges a glance with Pookie, steps forward) This cannot be the solution.

V (mechanical) It is the best solution for them. The Glorious Evolution.

P (oh shit, follows Mel) Alright. Show me.

Mel shields Pookie from Viktor's Hexcore while he takes a closer look into his mind. Together they manage to separate the three minds in Viktor.

Now that he's able to tell his own thoughts apart from the Hexcore's output, Viktor becomes very distraught over what he's done to his commune - until Jayce's presence reminds him of the dumb speech he just gave. Which helps insofar as it makes Viktor mad.

Jayce and Mel take their leave but are replaced by Vi and Jinx, who've overheard some things and want to know what the hell Viktor has done to their father. Viktor promises to do his best to fix his mistakes and that he can still help. The girls are not convinced and leave with Vander. Mel and Caitlyn ask some more questions before leaving as well.

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