Tonight we're having a liberation day party in The Last Drop. We always hold these once a year, in celebration of Zaun's freedom; we always make it a fun day to celebrate. So you, Silco, Vander, Powder, Ekko, and your son are setting everything up. It's always a fun activity.

It was also a hot day. It surprised you how hot it could get in Zaun sometimes. When you were hanging up some decorations to make the place more lively, you felt something cold splash against your back. It sent shivers down your whole body. When you turned to see who had done it, one hit you straight in the face. You looked at Powder.

She stood there with a smug smile on her face, water balloons in her hand. You thought to yourself, "Where the hell did she get those?" When she went to throw another one, you easily dodged it this time. She's still a kid at heart, but you two could play this game. You ran behind Silco; he looked utterly confused at what you were doing until he got hit with a water balloon.

Eventually, Powder had hit everyone in the room with a water balloon. It was definitely refreshing in the heat, but then we had a full-blown water balloon fight. We made teams of two: me and Silco, Vander and (S/N), Ekko and Powder. We paired Powder and Ekko on purpose.

It was, to say the least, a water balloon fight with no winner. You all were laughing at the end of it, and eventually, you all set the bar for tonight. The whole day the streets were bustling; some mourned on this day, but that was alright; no one was obliged to participate in the celebration. Many people will also go to Isha's statue to pay respects to her.

When night rolled around, the celebration really started. The last drop was very busy; you and Silco needed to help Vander behind the bar so he could keep up with the drinks being given out. You saw all the kids sitting in one corner having a fun time. You gave Silco a hip bump to get his attention. When he looked at you, you pointed with your head to the kids. You said, "Look at Powder and Ekko—cute, right?"

Silco looked over and smiled. "Yeah, they remind me of us when we were younger," you smiled. "I'll bet they get together before the competition," you said. Silco chuckled lightheartedly beside you. He gave you a quick peck on the lips, agreeing with you.

The next day, you see Ekko sitting with Heimerdinger at the Last Drop. Ekko waved you over; you went to sit at the table. "What's up, Ekko? Need anything?" He nodded. "Yeah, can you help us recreate the anomaly?" You looked at Heimerdinger as he was examining the shards you and Ekko collected. "Yeah, sure," you said. Heimerdinger questioned, "You think you can recreate the anomaly with these?"

"That's the theory," Ekko said, moving a bit to the side in his seat. You knew exactly what he was looking at. You smiled to yourself. Heimerdinger spoke: "Inconceivable."

"So you'll help me?" Ekko said hopefully. Heimerdinger continued, "I meant that quite literally. I don't believe this can be done. Tampering with the arcane never ends well, lad. The risk is far too great." Ekko responded, "You said I was your pupil. I need a professor. Better yet, a partner."

You said, giving a small chuckle, "Oh, come on, Professor, help the kid. Even if I help, I don't think we can do it without you." Heimerdinger thought for a moment and responded, "Oh, blast nozzles! How could I forsake a brilliant lad in need?" Did you ask Powder for help? We could use her little hideout. Ekko nodded. "Yeah, I did. She said she would help."

A month passed since then. Every day, we all worked on the anomaly to get it working. There were many frustrations when it didn't work, but we tried again and again. You saw Powder and Ekko becoming closer to each other, even if this wasn't your Ekko. You still hoped they would end up together. You even needed to make runes and carve them into tiny little stones. You even made some monkeys that were going into the device.

Now, today, before the competition, we finally did it. We powered up the machine; a blinding light came out of it. Everyone avoided the light by turning away. When it subsided, we saw the tiny anomaly in the glass. Zero Drive. Ekko walked up to it, looking at it closely. "It's so small," he said.

"Golly, we've done it," Heimerdinger spoke in disbelief.

"Halfway there," Ekko went to pull the cord that hung from it. Nothing happened. Powder questioned, "So, what does it do?"

"Uh...," Ekko sighed and pulled the cord again. Nothing happened again. "So, what does it do?" Powder spoke.

"You just asked me that."  You looked confused at Ekko saying, "No, she didn't."

Ekko gave a heavy sigh, "I'm too tired for games." He pulled the cord again, with nothing happening. "No, she didn't. You spoke," Heimerdinger went to pick up a wrench on the floor. "It's a time loop," Ekko spoke excitedly.

"Huh?" Heimerdinger yelped a bit as he knocked his head on the table. "A time loop?" he questioned, bewildered. Ekko went to pull at the cord again. "Huh?" Heimerdinger yelped a bit as he knocked his head on the table. "A time..." Heimerdinger was cut off by Ekko. "A time loop," he smiled at Heimerdinger.

Heimerdinger hummed in thought. "Powder, and you say in union. "You're going back in time." you both smiled. Heimerdinger ran up his little staircase that stood before the chalkboard. He spoke, almost excited, "Gadzooks! How did you stumble upon that?" Ekko walked up to the chalkboard and made a circle on the rune. "I was playing with inversions on Jayce's acceleration rune."

How far did you go? You spoke excitedly. Ekko looked at you. "I don't know. A second?" Powder beside you grabbed his pocket watch and threw it to him, saying, "Try going back further." He caught it effortlessly. heimer spoke to ekko with a hint of wisdom "Take it slow, lad. We wouldn't want to push a new invention too far too quickly.

You and Powder helped Ekko walk up to Zero Drive and pull the cord. You looked at him; he had a scared, shocked look on his face, saying, "The limit is four seconds." Heimerdinger excitedly spoke, "Are you certain, my boy? What were the indicators?" Ekko went to put chalk on the dial and sat on the floor, the same expression on his face. "Trust me. It's four seconds." "Amazing! We could show it off at the party!" Powder walked up to him and knelt before him. "We aren't done," Ekko spoke sadly.

"Please go change before the party," Powder said as she got some fur off Ekko's face. She got up and walked out of her hideout. Heimerdinger rolled his staircase to the Zero Drive, saying, "I think I might know how to give it a boost."

"A boost?" Ekko questioned. Heimerdinger responded, "A momentary upgrade, if you will."

"That's great. Where do we start?"

"You can start by attending your party. One's thoughts are more easily gathered in isolation. And what's the point of a device like this if you don't enjoy the time you have?" You smiled and laid a hand on Ekko's shoulder. "He's right, you know."

The night came rolling in. You stood with Vander behind the bar. You saw Ekko walking in and sitting at the bar. Benzo also came walking over, sitting next to him, saying, "There he is!" He laughed. "Hey, nervous, kid? Big day tomorrow."

You listened to their conversation. Ekko spoke, "It's all I can think about."

"Where's the little lady?" Benzo questioned. Ekko, a bit of confusion in his voice, said, "Not sure. She said something about making an entrance." Benzo smiled. "She does love a spectacle, eh?"

Ekko chuckled. "Yeah... Hey, in case I don't remember to tell you tomorrow, you've always meant the world to me, Benzo."

"Oh. Well, you, uh... Ach. Uh, you... Oh, don't
get all mushy on me now," Benzo said, with a bit of tears in his eyes. Ekko went to hug Benzo. Vander came sliding over, saying, "Making the big man misty, are you?" Benzo quickly came up with an excuse. "Oh, these damned allergies." You smiled to yourself, shaking your head a bit.

You should be proud of yourself, Ekko. Powder's been raving about your Z-Drive.
Can't remember the last time I saw her so alive. I have a feeling you'll be running this place soon. Vander was making a drink while he said that.

You feel an arm snake around your waist, and Silco says, "So there's a chance for us yet." Ekko looked almost angry at Silco, saying, "You?" Silco went to pick up a drink, saying, "Didn't think I'd miss your big day, did you?" You smiled at Silco. Ekko looks confused, asking, "Didn't you try to kill him?" Silco, for a second, had a shocked expression but quickly wiped it away with a small smile, saying, "The greatest thing we can do in life is find the power to forgive."

The lights turned off as balloons popped, confetti inside.  The neon lights turned on, spelling "Innovators Competition," as Powder made her entrance. The song "Ma Meilleure Ennemie" started playing.

Ekko and Powder started dancing together; it was a very cute sight. As you watched them, you heard Silco ask, "May I have this dance?" You chuckled, "Of course." You both walked over to the dance floor, dancing together to the music. It felt good; this life felt good. As the night neared its end, Ekko and Powder had disappeared. You didn't know where they went, but you knew what was happening deep down.

After some time, you felt the atmosphere change, and then it changed back again. You were sad you couldn't say goodbye to Ekko and Heimerdinger, but you hoped they were well.

The next day, at the Innovators Competition, many participated. As a surprise, your son was also apparently there; that's why Silco and he were so hush-hush when you didn't know where they went. But overall, it was a good day; a lot of amazing things were shown off. Most beautiful of all, life in Zaun was good. Ekko and Powder were finally a couple; it was all so beautiful, the life you dreamed of with Silco came together; it couldn't have gone any better.

You smiled at yourself, looking at the midnight sky. You're sitting together with Silco, you between his legs, leaning against his back while he had his arms around you. You hear him chuckle, giving you a kiss on top of your head. You smile. What's wrong? You say with a hint of sarcasm lacing your voice, He spoke nothing, just enjoying you, this life we have created. 

You looked him in the eyes, one a beautiful gray, the other a beautiful green. You're such a charmer. You know that. You giggled softly. Am I? he questioned seductively. You hummed, Yes, you are. You smiled as he kissed you, kissed him back, knowing he loved you with every fiber in your being. And you loved him with every fiber of your being. The love you two held is forever everlasting. You wanted this to never end.