The door to Ekko's hideout creaked open, revealing his beaming face. Without hesitation, he pulled Vi and Jinx into a tight hug, their laughter filling the room as they stumbled inside. Relief and joy were clear in their expressions, the reunion a welcome break from the chaos of their lives. Ekko's hideout was a blend of old and new, his ingenuity evident in the repurposed Piltover technology mixed with his own advanced creations.

In this universe, Ekko had reconciled with Jinx after three long years, a healing process that followed the aftermath of Season 2 of Arcane. The choices they made here diverged from the original universe, leading them down a path of forgiveness and understanding rather than further conflict. Though the scars of the past still lingered, this reunion marked a new beginning, one shaped by their shared resolve to move forward together.

"I can't believe it's really you two!" Ekko grinned, his voice brimming with excitement. "Feels like ages since we were all together like this. How've you been?"

Vi chuckled, reaching over to ruffle Ekko's hair as they moved further into the room. "Yeah, it's been a while. Same old, same old in Zaun and Piltover. But it's good to see you, Ekko. Feels like a lifetime since we could just hang out like this."

Jinx, ever the firecracker, flopped down onto a nearby couch, her eyes dancing around the room. "You've really spruced up the place, Ekko. Got any new toys for me? Or are you still hoarding all the good stuff?"

Ekko laughed, grabbing a chair and sitting across from them, pride gleaming in his eyes. "I've got a few new tricks up my sleeve. Been working on improving the timewinder—making it more precise. But enough about me. What about you two? How's life treating you?"

Vi leaned back in her chair, her smile fading slightly as the weight of the past few weeks settled on her shoulders. "It's been... challenging. Piltover's still dealing with all the fallout from the last mess, and Zaun's as chaotic as ever. But we're managing. Jinx and I are sticking together, trying to make things work."

Jinx's voice, though lighter, held a hint of melancholy. "It's been good having Vi around. Keeps me out of trouble, mostly."

Ekko raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Mostly, huh? Knowing you, that's probably a full-time job for Vi."

They all laughed, the tension easing as they slipped into the familiar rhythm of old friends catching up. Their conversation bounced between memories, frustrations, and small victories, a comforting distraction from the realities outside.

"Remember that time we tried to take down that smuggler's ring?" Vi said, leaning forward with a grin. "What a disaster that was. I still can't believe we made it out in one piece."

Jinx burst into laughter. "Yeah, but we did it! Showed them not to mess with us. And then we celebrated with those awful drinks from that bar. Ugh, I can still taste it."

Ekko shook his head, a fond smile on his face. "Those were the days, huh? We were unstoppable back then. Now... well, we're still here, still fighting. But it feels different, doesn't it?"

Vi nodded, her expression turning serious. "Yeah, it does. Things have changed. We've changed. But we're still in this together, right? That's what matters."

Ekko looked between Vi and Jinx, his smile returning as he saw the determination in their eyes. "Always. We've been through too much to let anything tear us apart now."

Jinx, unable to stay serious for long, brightened and shifted the mood. "So, Ekko, what else have you been working on? Any fun explosions or crazy gadgets?"

Ekko laughed, launching into a detailed explanation of his latest projects. Vi listened with interest, while Jinx threw out wild suggestions and ideas, the banter between them flowing naturally.

Outside Ekko's hideout, Jonesy and The Foundation approached the worn door, its surface marked by the passage of time. Ever the optimist, Jonesy turned to The Foundation with a confident grin. "I got this. They're young, and I'm young at heart. I can connect with them, persuade them to join us."

The Foundation, ever the strategic thinker, narrowed his eyes slightly. "And why do you think you can handle this better than I can?"

Jonesy shrugged, his grin widening. "They're more likely to listen to someone who's like them, someone who gets it. Trust me."

After a moment of consideration, The Foundation nodded slightly. "Alright. I'll let you take the lead."

Jonesy knocked on the door, the sound interrupting the trio's conversation inside. Vi exchanged a glance with Jinx and Ekko before standing up. "I'll get it."

She opened the door, her eyes scanning Jonesy and The Foundation with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. Leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, she raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

Jonesy flashed a warm smile and held up his hands in a friendly gesture. "Hey there, I'm Jonesy, and this is The Foundation. We're not here to cause trouble—we actually need your help. This might sound crazy, but we're dealing with something big. Like, multiverse big."

Vi's eyebrow inched higher as she crossed her arms, still skeptical but intrigued. "Multiverse, huh? Sounds like something out of one of Jinx's wild stories."

Jonesy chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, it's a lot to take in, but it's real. We've got a situation that could use people like you—smart, tough, and, from what I hear, pretty good at getting out of tight spots. We need allies, and I think you're exactly who we're looking for."

Behind him, The Foundation stood silently, his presence reassuring but non-intrusive. Jonesy continued to explain, hoping to win over Vi and the others. But Vi's expression hardened as she crossed her arms, glaring at him with clear disdain.

"I don't know who you are or what you're selling," Vi said sharply, her voice laced with hostility. "But I'm not interested. You better have a damn good reason for knocking on our door."

Sensing the tension rising, Jonesy tried to stay calm, softening his tone. "Vi, listen, I know this sounds crazy, but we're here because we need your help. You and your friends could make a real difference."

The moment Jonesy uttered her name, Vi's eyes narrowed dangerously. She stepped forward, her posture tense and ready for a fight. "How the hell do you know my name? You've got some nerve showing up here, spouting off about some multiverse shit. Get out before I make you."

Jonesy raised his hands in a placating gesture, realizing he'd made a misstep. "Whoa, whoa, easy there. I'm not here to cause trouble, I promise. We just need to talk—"

But Vi wasn't having any of it. She stepped closer, fists clenched, ready to forcibly remove them. "I said, get out! Now!"

Seeing the situation escalate, The Foundation moved forward, prepared to intervene if necessary. But Jonesy, knowing he had lost this round, took a step back, attempting to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand. "Alright, alright, we're leaving. No need to get physical."

He gestured for The Foundation to back off as they retreated. Vi stood in the doorway, still on high alert, fists clenched as she slammed the door shut, ensuring they wouldn't return.

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As the dust settled, Jinx stepped forward from the shadows, curiosity in her eyes. "Who were those guys, Vi?"

Vi let out a slow breath, trying to shake off the adrenaline. Her voice softened, but her concern remained. "I don't know, but they're not from around here. And I don't trust them. We'll keep an eye out, alright? We don't let anyone mess with us or our city."

Jinx nodded, her usual mischievous grin replaced by a more serious expression. The sisters shared a look, silently agreeing to stay vigilant as they walked away from Ekko's hideout.

Meanwhile, Jonesy and The Foundation walked in silence for a moment before The Foundation, with a light smirk, broke the tension. "Well, that went well. Maybe next time, leave the persuading to someone who doesn't get the door slammed in their face."

Jonesy rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but chuckle at himself. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Maybe I came on a little too strong. Give me a break."

They continued walking, but Jonesy's mind was still racing. Suddenly, he stopped and turned to The Foundation, determination in his eyes. "Maybe I should try again. I probably just approached them the wrong way."

Before Jonesy could make a move, The Foundation placed a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "Jonesy, you tried. They're not interested. We need to think of another approach."

Jonesy sighed, frustration creeping in as he ran a hand through his hair. "Alright, fine. But what do we do now?"

The Foundation paused, thinking carefully before something clicked in his mind. "There's a council in Piltover. They might be more open to listening."

Jonesy perked up, quickly pulling out his holographic device and scanning through the database. As he brought up the information, his eyes widened in surprise. "A council, huh? Looks like they've got some serious influence. And hey, Jayce is part of this council too. Maybe they'll be more willing to hear us out."

The Foundation nodded in agreement. "It's worth a shot. Let's head over there and see if we can get them to listen."

With newfound determination, they set off toward Piltover, leaving behind the tense encounter with Vi. Their next objective was clear: reach the Piltover council and hope for a better reception.

Back in Cortana's Universe, a helicopter descended toward the Base of Operations. The sound of its rotors sliced through the air as it approached the landing zone, bringing the grandeur of Piltover Academy into view. Once a beacon of innovation and knowledge, the academy now stood as a grim reminder of Cortana's conquests.

As the helicopter touched down and the doors slid open, the group stepped out onto the landing pad. Awaiting them was Mirage, his usual playful grin plastered across his face. He raised a hand in greeting, quickly noticing the unfamiliar face among them.

"Well, well, look who's back!" Mirage said cheerfully. "And with a new face, too! Welcome to the party, pal!"

Ezio Auditore, ever the gentleman, nodded in acknowledgment. "Ezio Auditore. It's a pleasure."

Mirage, always the charmer, offered a mock salute, clearly enjoying the moment. "Mirage, at your service. Gotta say, it's nice to see someone around here with a sense of style. So, Ezio, what do you think of our little slice of paradise?"

Ezio's eyes scanned the massive structure of Piltover Academy, a mix of awe and confusion washing over him. He turned to the group, seeking answers. "What is this place?"

The variant of Alex Mason stood nearby, his tone casual as he spoke, though it was clear he wasn't entirely sure of the details. "It's called the Piltover Academy. It was taken from another world, just like everything else here. Can't say I know much about it, though. Nora might be able to fill in the blanks."

Nora, hearing her name, stepped forward, her expression more serious as she gazed up at the towering structure. "Piltover Academy... it's a place of learning, of innovation. But here, in this twisted version of reality, it's been repurposed by Cortana. Whatever it was meant to be, it's not anymore."

Ezio listened intently, absorbing the information as he tried to make sense of the strange new world he had found himself in. The group stood outside Piltover Academy, its towering presence both imposing and mysterious.

Bangalore took charge, her voice firm but respectful as she addressed the group. "We should head inside. The leader of this place may want to see you, Ezio."

Ezio, ever curious, looked to Bangalore and asked the question on his mind. "And who might that be?"

Michael stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Ezio's shoulder. "You'll get to know him once we're inside."

With that, the group began to move toward the entrance of the academy. As they walked, Ezio suddenly slowed his pace, his senses sharpening. His eagle vision activated, causing the world around him to shift. He saw faint, glowing figures in the distance, and he stopped in his tracks, visibly confused.

Noticing his hesitation, Nora turned back and approached him with concern. "Ezio, are you alright?"

Ezio, still focused on the figures in his vision, struggled to make sense of what he was seeing. "I see... figures. Two of them. One is a person, the other clad in armor, as if they're here, but... they're not from this place."

Mirage, overhearing this, glanced around, a bit skeptical but intrigued. "Figures? You sure you're not just seeing us?"

Ezio shook his head, his gaze still locked on the distant shapes. "No, these are different. They're not from here... but somewhere else."

Nora stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Ezio's shoulder, trying to ground him in the moment. "Who do you think they are, Ezio?"

Before Ezio could respond, a deep, stoic voice cut through the air, answering the question for him. "They're from another universe."

Everyone turned to see a towering figure emerge from the shadows—a different version of Master Chief, clad in his iconic armor from Halo 5: Guardians. The crack in his visor from his encounter with Spartan Locke was still visible, a testament to the battles he had endured. Ezio, having never seen anything like it, stared in awe at the armored warrior.

Before anyone else could react, Mirage bounded forward, a wide grin on his face. He wrapped his arms around Master Chief in an enthusiastic hug, clearly relieved to see him. "Hey, Chief! Welcome back, man! You were gone for a while there, had us worried."

Master Chief, ever the stoic soldier, remained stiff and focused, not reacting to the hug. Mirage, undeterred by the lack of response, stepped back, still smiling. "So, how was the scouting mission? I'm guessing it was good, right?"

Master Chief gave a brief nod, his voice steady and calm. "Based on my scouting mission, there is nothing to report."

Ezio, amazed, looked at Master Chief in awe. "I've never seen armor like that before... It's incredible."

Bangalore, who held a deep respect for the Chief, stepped forward to make the introduction. "Ezio, this is Master Chief. He's a legend where he comes from."

Ezio, still in awe, nodded in acknowledgment, offering a slight bow of respect. "It's an honor to meet you, Master Chief."

The scene lingered on the meeting of these two iconic figures, each from vastly different worlds yet united by the strange and dangerous circumstances they now found themselves in.

Master Chief, ever reserved and stoic, responded to Ezio's awe with calm confidence. "We've read the reports. We know much about you."

Ezio, still trying to grasp the situation, looked at Master Chief in confusion. "How could you know of me?"

Nora steps in, her voice calm as she offers an explanation. "We have someone here who was also taken from their world to this place. They have knowledge of the multiverse, and they've shared a lot with us."

Before Ezio can process this, Michael turns to him, curiosity in his voice. "Hey, Ezio, quick question. Chief here said that the two figures you saw—are they from a different place in the universe, or are they from here?"

Ezio, still piecing together what he's seen, speaks thoughtfully. "They are from here, but from their own universe."

Nora steps closer, her brow furrowing in thought. "How is that possible? Doesn't it only work in the world you're in?"

Ezio nods slowly, uncertainty in his voice. "Yes, normally. My eagle vision... it's tied to the world I'm in, to the people and places around me. But this... I don't understand. It's as if I'm seeing into another reality, one that's connected to this place, but not of it."

The group falls silent, each contemplating the implications of Ezio's words. The convergence of universes and the mysteries of Cortana's world are growing clearer—yet more troubling.

Bangalore, deep in thought, tries to make sense of what Ezio has described. "So, if you can see visions of other people from other universes, then it might mean..." She pauses, piecing together a theory.

Michael, catching on, finishes her thought with excitement in his voice. "...there might be a way to communicate with them. From their universe to ours."

Alex Mason, visibly unsettled by the implications, mutters under his breath, disbelief etched in his tone. "This is some messed up shit... I mean, really? Communicating with people from other universes? What the hell..."

Mirage, always ready to lighten the mood, steps in and pats Mason on the shoulder with a reassuring grin. "Hey, don't worry, man. You're not alone in thinking this is all kinds of crazy. We're all in the same boat here."

Mason, still processing the situation, manages a nod, slightly comforted by Mirage's words.

Ezio, still skeptical but curious, looks between Bangalore and Michael. "But how? How would we do that?"

The question lingers in the air, the group pondering the possibilities. The mystery of Cortana's world deepens, and the potential to reach across universes adds a new layer of complexity to their mission. But the "how" remains elusive.

Bangalore, taking charge, commands the group with a firm voice. "I know you have a lot of questions, but let's talk more about this inside. We'll figure out our next move once we're in."

The group agrees, and they begin to head toward the entrance of Piltover Academy. As they walk, their path takes them past a towering statue of Heimerdinger, an iconic figure standing proudly even in this twisted version of reality. The statue seems to transcend the boundaries of this universe, its presence subtly connecting the worlds as the scene shifts seamlessly to where Jonesy and The Foundation are currently located.