[Prologue/Teaser, Fiction] Five against Five: A Clash upon the Rift
To be continued at a future date. Simply waiting on the Community Beta to better support writing and chapter-based installments. Until then, however, this story shall feature original champion concepts as a primary focus upon the fields of justice, as well as expanding upon the lore (In my own vision) to how the League handles new champions and certain champions that have been of questionable motivation. Again, this is all fiction and is an attempt to see how well I can create champions that feel like part of the world, as opposed to obvious "fan" inclusions.
*This story will feature some characters and minor spoilers from Grand Heist of Zaun, though many of these inclusions have not seen the light of day. *
Deep within the Institute of War's most private sanctum sat some of the most powerful beings to walk the face of Runeterra. These high summoners, with powers beyond that of even the most stalwart champion, were beginning to feel the pressure. Five people of indeterminate gender and age, all hidden by robes and magical distortion to their voices, sat around a table. Each one unknown to the others to prevent outside influence. "Things are getting out of hand," spoke one figure, clad in a black and gold robe.
All four nodded in return. Each wore a black and gold robe, lacking any insignia or sign that may tell of any hint or clue to who they were. Another spoke now, almost possible to tell just who was speaking except for all of the figures turning their heads to whoever was speaking. "Summoner insurrections with civilians AND champions, the incident with the creation of the Abyss, our handled of many of the issues within the Institute itself, and more still. Things are getting tense."
This time another spoke up, different from the previous two. "We are being accused of not stifling aggression or city state problems among other things. Many say we did not limit the strength of several champions who have recently taken to the Rift. This is not simply summoners, either. Champions themselves and even civilians are 'calling us out' upon these issues, pardon the slang."
Soft muttering from everyone in the room as they whispered to themselves and one another. "One thing is clear, however. We need to re-establish control and get the focus of the summoners off the issues and on other, less pressing matters," Spoke a fourth voice, only slightly different from the previous three. Ideas flew haphazardly across the room: Professional summoner exhibition matches, involving the public in more of the pointless practice matches, pointless "leaks" that hint at upcoming introductions and changes to make the mindless speculate only to have those leaks be utter fabrications.
One of these high summoners, however, waved his hands. Instantly, in the center of the table, sat tens of hundreds of folders. Each one, fairly thick and designated into stacks. "Perhaps the best way to distract people from their problems is all of these?" All of them turned to the stacks, realizing exactly what he was saying. Already hands were reaching outward, grasping files and thumbing through them. Each one, an application. Some were simplistic. Others had thick red ink on the folder's outside, "DENIED" staining this file. Still, one stack had a bright gold-and-black trim to it: The "Containment" files, each one specifying a possible introduction who was extremely dangerous to the public, most of them contained within the Institute itself. As of recently some of the most dangerous and questionable introductions had come from this pile: Thresh, Elise, Jinx, Lissandra and more. Still, these champions also proved to be some of the most volatile and interesting additions to the League itself.
"Everyone select two. Try to aim for those with history together. If we can spark rivalry and fury on the fields, perhaps we can bring about some mindless animosity that will distract the summoners, the public and even the champions," spoke one of these summoners. Thumbing through the containment files, he pulled out one and began to thumb through it. For hours these five sat, fingers running over line after line and file after file. They scanned for anything that could be used against these poor fellows. Rivalries, Judgements pertaining to other applicants or champions, close ties with current League champions to further arouse mindless speculations. At last, however, ten of these files had been selected and marked. By the end of the day, postmen began circumnavigating Valoran. The Shurima Desert, Demacia, Piltover, Zaun, Ionia, no place was too far for their message to reach the ears of the waiting...
Several hours later, in a luxurious Zaun penthouse, Janna's fingers slowly pulled out an official letter from the Institute. Assuming it was for her, one fingernail slipped beneath the heavy ink stamp, pulling it open and silently mouthing the words to herself.
Applicant #684023
Upon review of your application to the League of Legends and character reference from current champion Janna, The Storm's Fury, we hereby request your presence for a League exhibition match.
This will be a five versus five match upon Summoner's Rift. Please note that this does not signify your acceptance to the League of Legends and, rather, is an test to see your compatibility with summoners and a first inspection of how your abilities interact upon the Fields of Justice.
Please prepare accordingly and arrive at the provided date and time. You will be given an hour to prepare before the match and converse with other applicants who you shall be teamed with. Your safety is fully guaranteed but please be cautious even with this warning, as there have been cases where champions have encountered problems before their matches, judgements and interviews.
The match will be on November 28th, 21 CLE at 1:30 PM. If you are unable to attend at this time, please inform us within ten days so we may have a replacement ready.
Best of luck upon the fields, Applicant.
At the bottom of the letter, in a great bold mark, lay a stamp signifying that this was indeed an official Institute of War notification or, at the least, a convincing forgery. A grin splayed across Janna's lips as she double-checked the letter once more. "Hey, you know that letter you were waiting for?" Janna called, holding this letter to her breast.
"Yeah?"
"They locked you in!" Janna spoke, waiting for him to come charging down the stairs to make sure she wasn't toying with his emotions. Lucky for him, however, Janna was not lying today. M was one step closer to becoming a League champion. The only thing that stood in his way? Nine other people...
