#apollojayce

His name is Jayce Foley...

Jhin read the letter over and over, until he knew it by heart. Where he lived, where he went- everything he would need to know to track him down. And that he would, Jhin wasting no time as he set out for Piltover; the (arguable) center of Runeterra as it dominated over all in technology and trade. It was filled to the brim with machinery and intelligence, always having the latest inventions with a new genius’ to create them every day with nowhere else coming close to comparison. 

Jobs in Piltover- as rare as they come- were dangerous. But how could Jhin resist such an alluring offer for fortune and infamy- just for doing what he loved. He would be at odds with the police, a force to be reckoned with- not that they were ever a hindrance to him before. He had always relished in the danger of being caught, the thrill of the chase as he disappeared into the crowd at the last moment possible. But It was the passion for killing that always kept him going back to Piltover, tucking the letter which promised him such things back into his vest after reading it for the hundredth time. 

It was five days by sea to Piltover. Albeit tedious, it was necessary, his firearms easier to smuggle by merchant vessel than past security by land. With a handshake full of bills to the captain and guards, he was on the ports of Piltover in no time. Before straying any further from the docks- he changed his attire, slipping away from wandering eyes to dress in a simple outfit- not wanting to attract any unwanted attention just yet so he may better blend in with the crowd.

His only distinguishable feature now was his blind eye- scar tissue slashed across his right brow and cheek leaving a dark discoloration on his otherwise pale face. He was exposed- his true nemesis being the people and their judgement as he yearned for the next moment he may wear his mask again. But to conceal his face would only be more noticeable, settling to just scowl at the occasional curious look his way as he delved deeper into Piltover. 

The letter requested to bring back the blueprints to the Mercury Hammer, or the actual weapon itself along with any other important research Jayce Foley may be hiding- but to keep him alive. So be it, anything for his fans. Anything for the money, that had been partially given to him beforehand, with the rest coming soon after he was done here. He would wait until nightfall to begin this hunt- waiting for the perfect opportunity to catch his target in his sleep and be in and out before he could awaken.

It was just another day on the job, another week getting paid and another month living on the edge of the law.

He took a moment to be thankful to whomever had sent him this information. It was meticulous, borderline obsessive as it outlined everything this man would be doing throughout the day as if it were his schedule. He knew his apartment number, he knew his passwords, he knew what time he would be asleep. It was the perfect script to his perfect performance, one that he will act out duly and diligently to the end. 

And when the sun went down and the rush hour crowed thinned out into nothingness, Jhin began to travel more comfortably- for he was alone, only the rumbling ambiance of the city his company as night fell upon it’s streets. He could get used to this- wandering around out here at night, but although the workday may have ended for Piltover’s people- Jhin’s has just begun. 

The streets were almost empty, a few stragglers here and there as they rushed about, eager to not be caught outside in the dark for too long. Piltover became a dangerous place at night, but Jhin needn’t worry about such things, pistol hidden at his hip as he navigated by the light of streetlights and neon signs. He had never met a man who could draw their gun faster than him- such confidence giving him peace at mind as he followed the directions given to him within the letter. 

8th Street West, the second apartment complex on the right. Jhin found it with little trouble, punching in the access code for the main gate before walking right on in, heading straight to the elevators to go to the 9th floor. He checked the time, watch on his wrist ticking away synchronously to the ding of the elevator as he ascended. It was late enough that Jayce should be sleeping- as detailed to him in the letter that was written so obsessively. And as he reached the 9th floor, He took a moment to throw on his mask and goggles before punching the code into the door, just to be safe if anyone were to see him. The door clicked open and closed behind him as he stepped inside quietly, Jhin hesitating for a moment as his eyes adjusted to the dark.

The only light source in main room was ambient light out the window, the only sound being a radios dull droning as he stepped silently through the flat. He saw no sign of any other human- until he walked past the couch. There was his target- Jayce Foley- passed out on the sofa, one leg hanging off as he appeared to have just thrown himself there. Jhin’s fingers itched to draw his weapon, but he knew who this man was. An inventor- the creator of the Mercury Hammer and researcher of hex-tech and the likes. Leaving the man be for now, he went straight towards the workshop. 

Jhin knew about Jayce’s security system. And as he opened the door, he saw what was his commissioner was writing about; lasers scattered throughout the workshop, Jhin having a feeling he knew what would happen if he touched them. So he didn’t- lithe enough to finesse his way through them as he approached the cannon, swiping a sizable screwdriver off a nearby table as he passed it. It was far too big to take back through the lasers whole- eyeing joints and panels for a way to dismantle it discreetly. But it all seemed to be held together by things other than screws, using the screwdriver more as a lever to pry off the circular panel in the middle with a loud pop. 

Now that was a little too loud for his liking- Jhin keeping a watchful eye over his shoulder now as he placed the panel down gently, further prying pieces away to reveal the source of the hammer’s yellow glow- a crystal. It made a quiet humming noise, an alluring sound telling Jhin that this may be what the letter’s author had in mind, grabbing it from its spot locked into the hammer. It made a sputtering, fizzling noise, the weapon powering down as its energy source was now ripped from its core.  

If that hadn’t woken Jayce, Jhin was about to, holding the crystal in one hand as his other unholstered his gun. He weaved back through lasers towards the workshop’s main door, not surprised to come around the corner and see Jayce Foley- tired eyes now going wide as the noise he went to go inspect turned out to be an intruder in his home. They both hesitated, Jayce’s confused gaze on the crystal distracting him from the fact that Jhin was armed, Jhin pistol whipping him across the face before pushing him down and out of the way. 

That was easy, he supposed, gun raised and at the ready to shoot and kill. For Jayce to be so intelligent and involved in technology- it sure wasn’t difficult to steal what essentially was his hammer- though now that he thinks about it...

Jayce could be useful to him, Jhin twirling the gun around in his hand to grab it by the barrel. 

“You’ll be hearing from me soon, Jayce Foley.” 

 His hand was swift, clubbing Jayce over the head with the butt of his gun- rendering him unconscious. It was just to be sure that the other wouldn’t follow him, gun and mask holstered and hidden away once again after he slipped out of the apartment and back out into the streets of Piltover.