My name is Jayce
Fresh out of schooling. Nearly top of his class. That was who Jayce was. The young man, long before the name he'd carve for himself, was busy. In his possession was the arcane crystal. The Piltover government said that it could be a great asset to use. That it could power the world. Right now, Jayce seemed to think that it was little more than a dud. Perhaps it was due to his equipment? His funds were low after graduation and he just couldn't afford to procure the necessary items to study this crystal.
Combing a hand through his messy hair, Jayce sighed in frustration. His first major job from the government and he was failing. He was smarter than this, he had to be! How was he supposed to create a name for himself as the next big name from Piltover? How was he supposed to live up to the lofty standards he had set for himself? More so, how upset would the Piltover government be if he failed this task? All these questions made Jayce worry, the strained man rubbing his hands across his face.
Someone began to knock upon the door to his personal laboratory. It was a small affair, far from any major Piltover roads. With a frustrated grunt, Jayce pushed himself it. It was likely going to be another debt collector, asking about the loans he had taken to pay for his schooling. "I'm coming, I'm coming," he called to the door, grasping the handle and opening it. "If you're with United Piltover Banking, I'm still..."
Instead, standing in the doorway, was a tall and inhuman man. Jayce stumbled backward. "You're...you're Viktor..." he stammered, speaking the obvious out of shock. His hands began to shake. He needed to call the police. He needed to warn people. Viktor, the supposed Zaun boogeyman, was real and standing in his doorway. Turning, Jayce nearly ran for his phone while leaving the door wide open. Viktor stepped inside, likely ready to beat Jayce to a pulp and threaten him.
"WAIT! PLEASE!"
With a finger on the nine, Jayce stopped. Please? Viktor...said please? "I understand if I frighten you. I am quite aware of the reputation I have in this city and the world. I only ask that you hear my words before you consider your drastic actions."
By all accounts, Jayce should have dialed the police. He should have called for help. He shouldn't have let this whole grand affair start...but he didn't. Instead, Jayce put down the phone. One hand was still on the handle, in case Viktor assault him, but he didn't instantly call for the authorities. "What...do you want? Are you here to draft me into your evolution? If that's the case, I'm not interested, got it?"
Viktor scoffed, walking around the laboratory. He seemed less-than-impressed, even though one could barely gleam any emotion from him. "Ah yes, what the media tells you. Viktor, the horrible machine menace, kidnapping babies in the night and turn them into oil-spewing abominations. I used to fear what I did not understand as well," Viktor spoke. Jayce watched him move to the crystal, every fiber of his being telling him to stop Viktor. Instead he simply watched as Viktor lifted the crystal, inspecting it with his optics.
"So why are you here then? If I'm not of interest to you?" Jayce repeated.
Shaking his head, Viktor placed the crystal down. "It is not that you don't interest me. Far from it, actually. I believe you to be wise and intelligent beyond measure. From your surroundings, I can tell that you lack the equipment. The Piltover government want you to carve a statue with a toothpick, considering the request I saw. What I would like to offer is a partnership."
Walking to Jayce, Viktor offered a hand. "You bring the crystal and I shall give you the equipment to study it. Together we can find a use for it beyond what the government would appropriate. While working with me, I will show you the glory that I can bring to this world. The paralyzed can walk, the frail will be strengthened, those abandoned by genetics will find solace and purpose in machinery. It is a difficult offer, I am aware. If you are to refuse I would understand. I can only offer you the fame and insight that we can gather as associates."
The story goes that Jayce refused. That he spit in the face of a madman's vision and, blinded by rage, Viktor beat Jayce to a wounded mess and stole the crystal. A true villain, a hero-in-the-making, and that was the tale that everyone knew. That is not what happened. Perhaps he was lying, perhaps he just wanted Jayce's help. Yet Jayce couldn't squander the opportunity to work with a brilliant mind and have access to tools beyond anything he could ever have alone.
Jayce reached over, taking Viktor's hand. "Do I have your word that you won't betray me? That you're not going to screw me over? That I'll be able to be a famous scientist and NOT your lackey?"
Viktor nodded. "I assure you, I do not steal work. We shall forge a path together. In time, everyone will know our names. Not as criminals, delinquents or monsters but as heralds of a new, scientific age." Viktor grasped Jayce's hand and gave it a single, firm shake. "Gather your things and follow me. I will make sure that you get all the equipment that you shall require." For the first time since he graduated, diploma in hand, Jayce smiled brightly.
My name is Jayce and I'm going to change the world.
Sitting in Viktor's laboratory, months later, Jayce crossed his arms. "I thought you said you were going to help me, that you'd work with me and bring about some glorious age of science?" Jayce argued. Ever since his arrival, Jayce had worked tirelessly on the crystal. It's properties were fantastic, it's applications limitless. Viktor didn't care. He was always absorbed in some new design, some new weapon, some new robot. It had finally reached a breaking point upon Jayce checking a message from the city of Piltover in his hex-net account.
As he argued, Viktor stood working on a cylindrical ball. "I apologize. The OMEGA line and the adaption engine have been taking up most of my time. Project Quantum as well. I must speak to you about the mechanically-augmented-cybernetic-human-hextech-hybrid plans as well. If you could-"
Jayce stood up, pointing a finger at VIktor. "You said you would help ME, Vik! I thought we were supposed to be friends here, that you'd be working with me! Not sitting in your lab and ignoring me. I'm doing all the work here, do you just want to take the credit!?"
Turning, Viktor glared. "That is NOT what I mean to do! I am organizing a thousand projects and several hundred acolytes who have seen my vision. We are associates Jayce, not friends! I cannot devote my time strictly to talking and working with you. I apologize if I have given you the wrong impression but we are colleagues of research, not friends from the institute."
A bell rang out on Viktor's personal computer. Viktor turned, regarding the message. "Bah, one of the acolytes needs a chemical balance for his prosthetic organs. We'll continue this discussion later. I apologize, again, if I have wronged you." Viktor pushed himself up, moving past Jayce as he left his lab. Jayce didn't get a word in edgewise. Left alone in the lab, he moved over to Viktor's table to see the variety of projects. It was an utter mess, unorganized papers and blueprints splayed everywhere. It was only in looking under ten other blueprints that Jayce saw it.
Two matching blueprints. Both were long-reaching weapons, capable of being used by almost anyone. One seemed to be a hammer with ten other uses. It could expand to become a shield, eject prongs and become a force-cannon, attach to one's arm and become a pilebunker. On the other hand, there was a brilliant spear. Not quite as revolutionary but considering the massive "POWER OUTPUT: IMPOSSIBLE" under it, that was likely a scrapped project. These two weapons of Viktor's design: Mjolnir and Gungnir.
Jayce looked left. He looked right. He checked for cameras. Lifting the blueprint for Mjolnir, he looked it over. If he truly wanted to get on Viktor's good side, maybe the best thing to do was to show him his talent? Bring one of his inventions to life? If he could just show Viktor how valuable his talents were, maybe Viktor would finally devote time into working with him. After all, Jayce had given up quite a bit to meet him here. Rolling up the blueprint and placing it under his lab coat, Jayce quickly left the room.
A short walk was all it took to return to Jayce's personal lab. Impressively, the arcane crystal was powering his personal lab thanks to a discovery he had made earlier. There, on his computer screen, was a single message he had left open:
Dear Researcher:
We are personally reaching out to you because we could not find you at your home address. It has been several weeks since we have given you the ARCANE CRYSTAL for RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. We have not heard from you and we are unable to find you. Under these circumstances, we are going to issue one final warning. You will return the crystal and your findings. The payment that was promised will not be delivered. If you fail to comply, we can and will take legal action against you. Please do not force us to involve the Piltover Police Department and/or other Runeterra law-enforcement sources. We can and will find you if it comes to it.
Piltover Government, R&D Division
My name is Jayce and I am out of options.
The hammer was finally done. It was complete, not by a long shot, but Jayce finally felt it was worth showing Viktor. "I sincerely hope whatever breakthrough you have made is severe. I am extremely busy as of late," Viktor said as he walked side-by-side with Jayce to the personal lab. "OMEGA-IX has been in the trial stages and I must oversee this."
Smirking, Jayce opened the door to his lab. "Trust me, you're going to love this."
"I do not love anymore," Viktor flatly stated. Jayce moved over to his workbench, motioning to the covered object. Viktor tilted his head, puzzled at what it could be. Grasping the cloth, Jayce pulled it away. There, in brilliant gold and shimmering steel, sat the hammer. Jayce carefully watched Viktor's body language, expecting an energetic applause. More likely for Viktor, he'd just nod his head and thank Jayce for a job well done. Viktor stared at the hammer, then to Jayce. For the first time since they had met? Viktor was displaying emotion. Only it wasn't joy. It was fury. "What...have you DONE!?"
Jayce was taken aback. Never before had he heard anger in Viktor's voice. "What!? I just made your hammer? It's not done, as you can see, but-"
Viktor shoved Jayce to the side. "Do you wish to steal my work as well!? Do you think you are being clever!? I will not allow any sort of Stanwick idiocy to occur once more! I must dispose of this, before you...you steal it like he stole my other inventions! I cannot allow and will not allow transgressions of this nature!" Viktor grasped the hammer, pulling it from the workbench to confiscate it.
He should have stayed back. He should have just let Viktor calm down after some sort of limiter in his mind stopped. Instead, Jayce ran over. He challenged Viktor's grip, pulling the hammer. "You can't destroy this! I worked on this for DAYS! I didn't steal it, I just brought it to life! Let go, before you do something stupid!" Jayce reprimanded.
A vicious tug of war began to take place. Jayce yanking the hammer to him before Viktor tugged it back. Back and forth, the two men struggled. Finger brushing the trigger, the hammer's end split and prongs emerged. "LET...GO...OF...THE...HAMMER!" Jayce roared. Viktor dare not budge, the two men stumbling over each other to wrench the hammer away from one another. It was during this that Viktor's tertiary hand moved to grab the handle. Unbeknownst to him, Jayce had moved the firing trigger up the length of the handle. In touching it, a white-hot blast of energy shot outward.
The particle collided with the energy container for the crystal, causing the casing to rupture. "NO!!!" Viktor cried, a massive surge of electrical power rocketing through the base as the reactor became destabilized. The pulse was akin to an EMP blast, shorting out nearly everything in the base. Viktor's limbs became lifeless, Jayce wrenching the hammer away as Viktor stumbled. "The core. It is destabilized. We have to repair the generator or else the feedback will..."
Stumbling, Viktor could barely stand. Jayce held the hammer close, breathing heavily. Warning lights began to blare and Jayce looked terrified. "Jayce, focus. My arms...I cannot function. Quickly, we must close the reactor!" The right thing to do would have been to drop the hammer. To run for his tools and heroically repair the reactor before there was an accident. Jayce began to shiver where he stood, his breathing becoming erratic. The lights, the warnings, the growing heat in the room from the ruptured core....he had to get out.
Grasping the hammer, Jayce ran. Viktor, stumbling with his weakened limbs, called out to him. "WAIT! GET BACK HERE!! I NEED YOU! JAYCE! JAAAAAAAAAAAYCE!" he howled.
In minutes, Jayce emerged from the hidden sanctuary. He ran. He ran as far and as fast as he could. He only paused once to throw up and look behind him. The base had exploded sometime during his manic run, presumably taking Viktor with it. He had abandoned him. He had abandoned everyone to keep himself safe. The only thing that was salvaged from this terrible ordeal was the hammer that rest in his hands. Weak and exhausted, Jayce looked to the horizon. Slowly and surely, he returned to Piltover.
My name is Jayce and I am a coward.
Hours later, arriving at Piltover's gates, Jayce was held at gunpoint. Various officers all glaring at Jayce. His hands were behind his head. The crystal was lost and there was nothing he could do about it. Standing in front of him, the sheriff combed a hand through her long locks. "Where have you been? Where did you get this hammer? You've been on the wanted list for sometime," Caitlyn reprimanded.
"I...just.....let me breath...." Jayce pleaded. He had been walking to Piltover, struggling with the hammer. He had to find a way to explain what had happened. "There...VIktor."
Caitlyn's eyes sparked. "Viktor? What about Viktor!?" A fellow officer moved over to Caitlyn, whispering in her ear. Later on, Jayce would find that the explosion had made international news. Investigations found Viktor's destroyed base. No sign of Viktor however. Caitlyn turned to Jayce. "You? YOU are the one who caused the destruction at Viktor's base!?"
"Yes," Jayce stated. In a way, it was true.
"Was- Did he steal your arcane crystal!? You didn't go to the authorities!?" Caitlyn inquired. She was on the offensive but Jayce couldn't let a single loophole slide. If there was any knowledge that he had been the cause of this, there'd be hell to pay. He had to figure out a trick. A way out of this. Some way to avoid getting his neck sliced at a guillotine.
Standing as heroically as he could, Jayce pointed at Caitlyn. "I tried to! You all were too busy! I could never reach you, always trying to find that C criminal while an actual crook was on the offensive!" Caitlyn's eyes grew wide, stumbling. It was easy to see that there was a spark of surprise in her eyes. Maybe she had passed over Jayce. Maybe she was at fault. It was the luckiest thing Jayce could ask for. "So...I...I built this hammer. I went and tried to recover what I lost. I'm sorry I took so long but I was on a one-man witch hunt."
The longer he stood there, the more the media began to pay attention. What was originally boring news about a petty runaway being caught became the gallant tale of a one-man-army assaulting a fortress. A man who couldn't sit back and let evil flourish when the cops ignored him. Almost overnight Jayce's face was all over the news and in the words of everyone from Demacia to Bilgewater. Jayce, the Defender of Tomorrow, who stood up to a criminal and rose above others in a city's time of need.
My name is Jayce and I am a hero.
At the opening of Mercury Tower, Jayce invited Caitlyn out to the personal balcony. He had asked her to come alone. Instead, that pink-haired thug was standing next to her. "I...don't remember inviting you," Jayce muttered. He didn't like her. She was too coarse. Not a proper lady at all. The fact that she had somehow gotten so close to Caitlyn made Jayce's blood boil.
"I'm her plus-one. Didn't seem to get an invite. Computer error, right Jaycie boy?" Vi sneered.
Caitlyn placed a hand on Vi's shoulder. All three of them were wearing elegant evening wear for the grand opening. Caitlyn ran a hand over her own exposed arm, quite cold at the top of the massive skyscraper. In her free hand was a glass of wine. "Regardless of invites, I'm here. What is it that you need?" Caitlyn questioned.
Jayce cleared his throat. He leaned on the balcony ledge, looking as suave as can be. He was, quite literally, the most famous man in Runeterra now. With a slight smirk, he looked to Caitlyn. "So, I....you see, I'm going to be starting a simple show for children. Jayce and the Defenders of Piltover. Just a little media thing for young kids. I was wondering if you'd like to be on-"
"No."
Mentally, Jayce tripped over his own foot. He blinked at Caitlyn. "No? What do you mean? Don't you want to be famous? Don't you want to rise out of being just a lazy beat cop? You and I could be amazing! A dynamic duo that takes Runeterra by storm, the first power-couple of Piltover! We could do so much good and bring so much joy to others! Why work a terrible job when we can be stars!?"
There was no response from Caitlyn. Instead she pulled up her wineglass, looking it over. In one quick motion she threw the glass forward. Wine and ice splattered against Jayce's tuxedo and pants, leaving the hero stunned. Without missing a beat, Caitlyn turned on her heels. "Come. I've had enough of this bloody party."
A sly smirk crossed Vi's face as she nodded to Caitlyn. The two women exited the balcony as they made their way to the elevator. Jayce was stunned. How. How could anyone refuse him!? He was a celebrity, he was an idol, he was a hero! "Well...well FINE. Screw them. She'll come around once that ugly thug isn't her partner. She's not stupid, she won't...she can't spend all her time being a sheriff!" Jayce muttered to himself. He began to wring out his tuxedo. No matter what, he had a thousand friends. He had countless assistants and agents. Kids all over the world wanted to be like Jayce. He was the pinnacle of heroes!
My name is Jayce and I am alone.
Sitting at the press conference, Jayce cleared his throat. Cameras were already going off. "Before we begin, I'd like to say that I will not be addressing any questions about the Zaun Incident or the recent rampage of the criminal known as Jinx. Those are questions you can propose to the Finest. Now then," Jayce paused and scanned the crowd. He picked out a woman in red, pointing to her. "Your question, miss?"
"There's been talks of a autobiography. Are you seeking to make your mark in the writing world as well?"
Jayce smiled. "No, I don't think I have the talent for writing. Fix a hextech weapon, sure. Write a clean paragraph? Leave that to my assistant." The audience laughed. They loved those little jabs. To know that he made mistakes. That he was human too.
A second question from a man. "Yes, the media is abuzz about your cartoon show. You said you had a large announcement for us today?"
Another easy question that'd appease all. "I'm actually thrilled to announce that season three of Jayce and the Defenders of Piltover will now have Vi and Caitlyn joining us. While they won't personally voice-act, they're going to be in both the show and toy line. You'll see more about that in the future." A resounding applause. Him getting the license for their appearances for his show was the only good thing to come out of the Zaun Incident. It also made this press conference particularly memorable. People would be talking about it for ages.
Another woman with a darker red dress. "What about the third member of the Finest? We-"
Jayce raised a hand, stopping her. This was an annoying question. He couldn't tell his true feelings, having to appeal to the common Piltover citizen. "Mach will not be making any appearances on Jayce and the Defenders of Piltover. That is all I will say about the subject." There. Maybe they'd stop bothering him.
Instead, more hands were raised. Many weren't taking turns, instead blurting out questions: "Does this have to do with the supposed Viktor connection?" "Do you feel that his presence is a direct contradiction to the protection of Piltover?" "You personally have gone on record about the Viktor-connection and that Viktor is out to quote-unquote get you, do you think this is an attempt at provoking your ire?"
Raising both hands, the questions began to die down. A sickening headache began to overtake Jayce. It was all easier when Viktor just stayed in the shadows. Just kept quiet and hid. Now he was back, his first actual move since their "climactic battle" and people were itching for a fight. "Ladies. Gentlemen. Please. I only wish to talk about matters of the media."
Now a concerned citizen waved a journal at him. "The people are scared, sir! The people want to be reassured that no matter what, tomorrow will be defended for everyone!"
Taking a deep breath, Jayce flashed the brightest smile he could. "No matter what, I will assure everyone in this world that I will protect it. Even with my status as a celebrity and as a man who is revered by all, I want you to know that I will always be the one to light our path and lead our world into a golden age of technology and prosperity." A rancorous applause, cameras going off, reporters writing down his statement to make sure that they could print this in the papers all across the world.
My name is Jayce and I am a fraud. A liar. A sham. But I have to be. This world needs people that it can look up to. I will be that person, even if it isn't true.
