Akali could see the stars. They shimmered above her, each one a flickering flame over Valoran City.

Pretty, Akali thought, focusing on those distant lights, forgetting for just a moment that she couldn’t breathe. She forgot the feeling of gravel pressing into her back as she lay prone where they’d left her. Forgot the way the other kids had turned on her when she’d tried to stop them from hurting the small, grimy puppy they’d found in the alley. She forgot everything but the stars, until a soft voice broke her focus.

???: Are you okay?

Akali tried to turn toward that voice, curious as to who’d been brave enough to break up a five-on-one fight. Awareness of where, exactly, those punches and kicks had landed, however, kept her on the ground.

???: Did they knock you out?

Akali: Knocked down, actually.

Akali corrected her with a wince. Talking hurt.

Akali: But then I figured I’d just stay down here. It’s cozy, you know?

The girl laughed, making Akali smile...and then grimace. Smiling hurt, too.

The girl stepped forward to stand above Akali. She offered a hand, and smiled.

???: As comfy as that seems, maybe we should get you off the ground? This place is gross.

Akali couldn’t argue with that, grabbing the girl’s arm and pulling herself up.

It was only then that Akali realized she recognized this girl! Tall, pink hair, prim clothes...It was Kai’Sa! Pretty, perfect Kai’Sa. Akali had never spoken to her, but she knew Kai’Sa had been popular ever since she transferred to Valoran City Middle School earlier this year. The teachers wouldn’t shut up about her. Polite, excellent in every subject, quiet. Basically Akali’s opposite, or so she had thought, right up until Kai’Sa had stormed into the alley. Akali heard Kai’Sa tell all five assailants that if she ever caught them picking on anyone, human or otherwise, she’d personally make them regret it. They’d fled without another word. Akali was as impressed as she was in pain.

Akali: I’m gonna have bruises on my bruises.

Kai'Sa: You do this often? The fights, I mean, not the losing.

Akali: Neither.

Akali hedged.

Akali: Well, not usually. Sometimes? But they were picking on a—oh, crap! The dog!

Kai’Sa helped her dig through the nearby bins, and Akali marveled at her willingness to get her hands dirty. Literally. They were elbow-deep in trash and muck until....

Kai'Sa: There you are!

She pulled the trembling pup from beneath a sodden bag. The creature was filthy, more dirt than dog, but it gave a small wag of its tail as Kai’Sa held it.

Akali: I think you made a friend.

Kai'Sa: And here I was thinking I’d made two.

It took Akali a moment to understand.

Akali: Me?! Why would you wanna be friends with me?

Akali wasn’t good at...well, anything, really, unless you counted playing video games. Which Akali did, of course, but Kai’Sa didn’t know that.

Kai'Sa: Well, for starters....

Kai'Sa stood up still holding the dog.

Kai'Sa: I saved your life. Figure that makes us friends. Plus, you got your butt handed to you trying to save a puppy. Means you have good character.

Akali laughed.

Akali: All right, new friend. What are we gonna do with the dog? No way my mom would let it in the house. She barely lets me in the house!

Kai'Sa: My dad runs the shelter down the street. I volunteer on weekends.

Akali: Of course you do.

Kai'Sa: Come on. We can drop this little guy off, and then I’ll walk you home.

Akali: Huh? I don’t need a babysitter!

Kai'Sa: You napping in an alley says otherwise.

Akali realized she’d never win an argument with this girl.

Kai’Sa was true to her word. After settling the dog in one of the plush shelter beds, Kai’Sa walked Akali straight home. The journey was surprisingly pleasant, despite Akali knowing what awaited her at home. She marveled at how easy it was to talk to Kai’Sa. They made plans to grab ramen tomorrow after school, and that alone was enough to drown out the lecture that began as soon as she shut her front door. However, her mother’s admonishments of “useless” and “delinquent” failed to hit their mark for once, banished by the word “friend” blazing in Akali’s heart like a newborn star.

Star Guardian:
Twin Star

Valoran City Park was busier than usual. Everyone seemed to have reached the same conclusion, opting for the longer, more scenic route to the mall to soak in the beautiful day. After all, who wouldn’t want to bask in the sunshine, birdsong, and Kai’Sa’s yelling.

Kai'Sa: You don’t even know what it’s for!

Kai'Sa never shouted, not in the years Akali had known her, and especially not in public, so Akali couldn’t really blame the passerby for staring. Not when she shouted right back.

Akali: I don’t care what it’s for! No petition thing is worth burning out over!

Kai'Sa: It’s worth it to me! And I’m not burnt out! I’m just tired!

Akali rolled her eyes.

Akali: Tired?! Kai’Sa, tired is you forgetting your homework, not sleeping through class!

Kai'Sa: Look, I don’t need a babysitter, Akali.

Their old joke now felt like a jab.

Akali: You’re right. What you need is someone who isn’t going to let you lie to yourself. You’re pulling double shifts at the shelter on top of everything else!

Kai'Sa/Akali: Dad needs the help.

Kai'Sa: Well, it’s true.

Kai’Sa was selfless to a serious fault. It was something Akali usually admired, but now...

Akali: There’s always someone else to help.

Kai'Sa: Oh, so now it’s wrong to help people?

Akali: That’s not what I meant!

Akali knew she should rein in her temper, but....

Akali: I’m not gonna sit here and watch you sacrifice yourself for other people!

Kai'Sa: I thought you of all people would......you know what? Never mind.

Kai’Sa’s lower lip trembled.

Kai'Sa: I need to be alone right now.

Akali knew she shouldn’t leave. She wanted Kai’Sa to trust her to be there when things got tough. The worst thing Akali could do was go to the mall without her best friend.

☆

It’s official. I am the worst.

Guilt and shame had been no match for pride as Akali had made the trek to the mall alone. This couldn’t all be her fault, right?

That was all my fault.

Whatever else Kai’Sa had going on, she’d always been there for Akali. When things at home had gotten really bad, Kai’Sa was there for her. They’d taken to wandering Valoran City together after school, looking for trouble and trying to stop it if they could. “A bona fide crime-fighting duo,” Kai’Sa called them. Sure, it was mostly to keep Akali out of trouble, but they’d saved a few kids, too.

See? Akali reasoned. I help people!

But Kai’Sa was the one who helped her, no matter how tough it got.

And I just left her there!

Akali: I’m the worst!

Woman: The worst? Seems a bit dramatic, dear.

A little old lady at the flower kiosk was smiling at her. Akali had been talking to herself. Great.

Akali: S-Sorry. Just...being stupid.

Akali turned to leave, but her gaze snagged on a bouquet of delicate pink and blue blossoms. She recognized them. Kai’Sa loved those little flowers so much that she’d bought matching friendship bracelets with them as charms. Akali could feel the delicate metal against her wrist.

Woman: Forget-me-nots. They represent an unbreakable bond of love and friendship. They also make a lovely apology.

A gift! Maybe that would help smooth things over with Kai’Sa! Akali pulled out her wallet, oblivious to the strange rumbling that began above her.

☆

Don’t look. You know she hasn’t called! Sarah Fortune clutched her phone so hard it was a wonder it didn’t shatter. How was not hearing from Ahri worse than fighting monsters?

Don’t look. Don’t—

Lux: Sarah?

Sarah: What?!

Lux: S-Sorry, Fortune. I mean, er, Sarah. I—you looked sort of... angry? I was w-worried.

Lux’s face had turned the same shade as her bright pink hair, and guilt needled Sarah’s conscience.

Sarah: Sorry, Lux. I was thinking. About stuff.

Oh, yeah. Very reassuring.

But Lux sagged with relief.

Lux: I know you said yes to shopping with us and everything, but I was worried.

Sarah: I’m glad you invited me, Lux. This is a welcome distraction.

Sarah offered with a half-hearted smile.

Sarah: Now hurry up. Ez looks like he’s going to implode.

They turned to see Ezreal waving excitedly, gesturing to a Lights & Lamps store, of all places. Lux blushed. You just stood beside Lux shaking your head in shame.

Sarah: I’m okay, so go have fun.

She wasn’t okay, but Lux didn’t need to know that. Instead, Sarah watched Lux smile before running past the flower kiosk to catch up with Ezreal. Jinx, rolling her eyes, followed them.

Sarah didn’t mind coming with them to the mall, not really. From where she sat on her bench, she could see Poppy carrying two ice-cream cones to Lulu, who might have been drooling. She spotted Janna and Soraka being as awkward as possible at the front of a line in the food court. They’d been there for ten minutes, engaged in a polite battle of wills, with many an “Oh, after you!” and “No, please, I insist,” as an irritated crowd formed behind them. Sarah almost smiled at the thought of how long Jinx had been glaring at Ezreal without blinking.

Syndra wasn’t there, of course. She’d been “busy,” but everyone else had made it. Except Ahri.

Yup. Not hearing from Ahri was worse than fighting monsters.

Y/N: Still worrying about Ahri?

Sarah: She’s probably in space. Or she’s dead. Or she’s dead in space!

You slowly shook your head.

Y/N: She'll be fine. Fine and aloof.

And unwilling to confide in anyone. Not even her own lieutenant.

It had been like this ever since...that battle. With her.

No! You wouldn’t think about that, even as memories of that lonely planet threatened to rise to the surface. You couldn’t think of helping Ahri drag Sarah away from your fallen friends. Not as guilt whispered that they were dead because of you. Nope. You buried that pain deep. And when you couldn’t bury it, you distracted yourself from it. You had your new team. Sarah had her phone. Easy! Except when it wasn’t. Like now.

And this is why you can’t get close to the others, Sarah reminded herself. She was barely keeping it together after losing one team. Sarah didn’t think she’d survive losing another. Not if she saw them as more than the mission.

Sarah: It’s the right thing to do.

You nudged her and held her hand, making her smile a bit. She felt a bit more at ease. But, Sarah’s training made it impossible to truly be lost in thought. That’s why one moment she sat, trying to forget, and the next she was standing, every muscle in her body tense.

A keening whistle, the sound of something moving far too fast, was followed by a rumble from somewhere above her.

Y/N: What the—?

But you were cut off as something crashed into the flower stand. You tackled Sarah out of the way as derbis crashed into the area filling it with rubble.

Akali could see the sky. She could make out the pinks and purples of sunset through a hole in the ceiling. Petals and debris fell, and for some reason, they reminded her of Kai’Sa.

Forget-me-nots. That’s right. She had been talking to the flower seller, but she couldn’t remember why. Her head throbbed. If only her thoughts weren’t so sluggish. If only the people around her would stop screaming—people were screaming! Panic cut bone-deep. Something was wrong, and awareness, mingled with adrenaline, broke through the haze in her head.

Uh-oh, she thought dimly. This isn’t good.

???: Now this isn’t good.

Akali could just make out four figures in front of her, obscured by clouds of dust.

???: Where are the banners? Where are the parades and adoring fans?

???: Looks like no one planned a party for your homecoming, Rakan.

Rakan: I think you’re right, Xayah! Can you believe this, Sett?

Sett: Honestly? Yeah. Yeah I can.

???: You two talk too much. When do I get to mess something up?!

Sett: Patience, Vi.

As the dust began to settle, Akali could see who’d spoken, but—that couldn’t be right. They looked, well, ridiculous. Feathered capes? Gemstones? They were facing away from her as Xayah patted Rakan’s arm.

Rakan: Not even a balloon. Babe, do you know what this means?

Vi: That she's going to have to coddle your fragile ego?

Rakan: Well, yes, but no! It means we’re gonna destroy the city. What do you say?

Xayah: It’s a date.

Then, the four unleashed themselves.

It was what Sarah had been waiting for—less thinking, more action. Past the clouds of dust, she could just make out Lux, Ezreal, and Jinx sprinting toward whatever had crashed through the roof. Poppy, pulling her hammer from Light only knew where, shielded Lulu, who was still eating her ice cream. Sarah couldn’t see them, but she could hear Soraka and Janna ushering panicked shoppers away from the epicenter.

Sarah: See anything?

Y/N: Not a thing! There’s too much—Janna, help!

A gust of wind cleared the lingering dust to reveal four figures. The taller one gave a gracious bow in your direction, but the other only glared, hatred clouding her violet eyes. Familiar eyes. But they were the wrong color. They were wrong. They were—

Buried memories clawed their way through your psyche. Green eyes were filled with tears. He wasn’t breathing. She wasn’t moving. Fuchsia feathers fell into puddles of black. You couldn't move. A child’s laugh, horrible and cruel.

No! They couldn’t be here. They couldn’t be...

Sarah: Xayah? Rakan?

Rakan: Looks like they remembers us after all.

Rakan hummed, glancing at his partner, but Xayah only had eyes for Sarah. She snarled, and Sarah’s instincts took over.

Looking back, she would wonder if things might have gone differently had Ahri been there. She, at least, would have cautioned against transforming in front of hundreds of panicked patrons. She would defuse the situation in that calm, level-headed way of hers. But Sarah wasn’t Ahri.

Ahri/Xayah: STAR GUARDIANS!

Sarah’s words were a command, Xayah’s a curse, as a kaleidoscope of color exploded from them all.

Sett: Well well well.

You looked to Sett and Vi who immediately had their eyes locked on you.

Sett: I get the Dark Star Knight.

Vi: No, me!

Rakan: No.

Rakan took a step forward, flinging his cape over his shoulder and pulling out three feather shaped daggers.

Rakan: This one is mine. Go have fun with the others.

Sett and Vi grumbled under their breathes, but quickly headed off to get rid of the others.

Sarah couldn’t say she fully believed in the First Light. She wasn’t keen on some unknowable, cosmic force manipulating her life. But she believed in the mission, in protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves, no matter the cost. That molten core of belief fueled her transformation, her world becoming one of color, light, and white-hot power. She channeled it, allowing starlight to replace doubt, replace fear. She could see the gem now glowing on her chest, her uniform twinkling like a galaxy. The old Sarah Fortune had melted away, leaving only a Star Guardian.

The light of eight transformations momentarily blinded Xayah and Rakan, and Sarah seized her chance.

Sarah: Boki! Baki! It’s showtime!

Her familiars popped into being. A small frown replaced Baki’s usual smirk, and Boki glanced with his good eye past Xayah and Rakan to where Saki and Riku, their familiars, fluttered nervously. Boki let out a sad squeak. You summoned your blade and your armor appeared. Poe seemed to react to seeing Xayah and Rakan alive and ready to fight you.

Sarah: It isn’t them.

She lied, whether to herself or her familiars, she wasn’t sure.

Xayah: Still making a habit of lying to yourself?

Xayah  hurled her feathers like knives. Sarah took them out with two precise pistol shots, but Xayah had already thrown a second volley.

You slid in front of her and changed your weapon to a bow before firing bolts at the oncoming darts, only to be caught off guard by Rakan. One of his feathers clipped your gem, missing your heart by inches.

Rakan: There can only be one leading man, you know.

Y/N: Yeah. I’m pretty sure it’s me!

Jinx: I’m pretty sure it’s ME!

Jinx's familiars, Kuro and Shiro, unleashed a storm of bullets.

The battle became a blur of light and color, Xayah and Rakan matching the guardians’ combined attacks. How were they so powerful?! Sett charged headfirst at Poppy, only to narrowly avoid the downward swing of her hammer. Vi zipped toward them, but Lulu threw Pix at her face. Before Vi could retaliate against the flapping familiar, Lux shot an orb of light that bound Vi and Sett in prismatic rings.

Lux: Why are you attacking us?! Stop this!

Vi: ‘Stop this!’ Ugh. You guardian losers never change.

Vi looked disgusted.

Sarah: Whatever you two are, you shouldn’t be here!

Xayah: Well, you shouldn’t have—what was it they did to us, Rakan?

Rakan: Abandoned us to die?

Rakan broke free from his ring, Xayah a beat behind.

Xayah: Abandoned us to die! Yup, that was it!

Sarah aimed a shaking barrel at Xayah.

Sarah: That wasn’t you! The real Xayah and Rakan are dead.

Xayah: Is that what you’ve been telling yourself?

Sarah fired. Rakan soared to Xayah’s side in an instant, a golden shield enveloping them. You dashed forward and stabbed your sword into the shield.

Xayah: Or is that what Ahri told you? That we died? Or that we weren’t worth saving!

She broke out of Rakan’s protection toward Sarah once more, but another brilliant beam of light from Lux forced her back.

Lux: Fortu—Sarah, we have a problem.

Sarah: Wow, Lux. I hadn’t noticed.

Lux: Not them!

Did Lux just snap at her? But Lux wasn’t looking at her, or at Xayah and Rakan. She was staring behind them, to where a small figure cowered in the wreckage of the flower stand.

Saeah: We have a problem.

Lux: You need to get her out of here.

Saeah: Me? You don’t even know what you’re up against—

Lux: And you’re too close to this!

Lux really did snap at her!

Lux: I watched you hesitate. You never hesitate. And we need help. Go get Ahri. Or Syndra. Anyone! And get that girl out of here.

Sarah didn’t move, not until Lux whispered.

Lux: Please.

You leaped backwards and landed on your hand before Rakan sweep it out from under you. You landed and immediately rolled out of the way before Rakan could slam his foot and crush your chest.

She knew Lux was right. Someone had to help the kid, and Sarah...really was too close to this.

Sarah: You’re in charge.

Xayah: Do you ever not run away?!

Xayah threw another feather at her, but Janna knocked it off course with a well-aimed breeze. Sett tried to intercept Sarah, but Pix hit him in the head with a smack.

Sett: STOP THROWING THIS THING AT PEOPLE.

Sett ended up having to spin in mid-air to land on his feet. Lulu waved at Sarah.

Lulu: Time to save a star.

Sarah landed next to the girl, who trembled against the only remaining wall of the flower stand.

Sarah: Hey, kid. We gotta get you out of here.

Akali just stared at the very real, very magical fight happening in front of them.

She’s in shock.

Well, from lieutenant to babysitter. Sarah pulled the girl to her feet, half dragging her toward the exit. A swirling path of stars appeared, lighting the way. Sarah nodded her thanks to Soraka, not stopping even as Xayah shouted after her.

Xayah: Leaving your friends to die again, Sarah? You’re pathetic!

A part of Sarah worried Xayah was right.

You slid under Rakan's attack and leaped up to deliver a knee, only for Xayah to attack you by leaping over Rakan and tackle you. You hit the ground hard before leaping back up. You then had to duck to avoid another attack.

Rakan was suddenly hit with a blast of Starlight from Jinx. She landed next to you and you pulled out your spear.

Jinx: Remember when you said that if there was a way to turn Vi back then you'll help me find it?

Y/N: Yeah.

Jinx: Now would be a great time to do that.

As if on cue, Vi rushed over and tried to attack, but Jinx flipped away and opened fire on her evil sister. You looked around to see that the battle has degrading into a full on brawl that was now destroying the mall. Most of the civilians were making it to safety, but a few were hiding behind cover.

Rakan: Focus on the fight!

You turned around and changed to a sword to block Rakan's attack. You slid back before Xayah leaped forward and attacked as well, stabbing into your shoulder. You managed to push her away and created a bow to fire off a few arrows to create some distance.

☆

Akali was running, aided in no small part by an older girl she didn’t recognize right away. But then Akali remembered. She’d been one of those people fighting in the mall.

Sarah. That’s what one of them had said, right? And she had...

A gun. She had two guns.

Without hesitation, Akali kicked her in the shin. Hard.

Sarah: What the heck?!

Sarah shouted, releasing Akali and taking a startled step back.

Sarah: What’s the matter with you?!

But Akali was already outside. Had she hit her head? A concussion? That might explain why she’d seen a bunch of teenagers flinging light and bullets at each other like it was nothing. Aliens or a concussion, Akali decided. The only two options that made sense.

Sarah: HEY, KID! WAIT!

The alien-concussion girl called Sarah was following her! Akali didn’t know what this hallucination wanted, but she certainly wasn’t about to find out.

She sprinted and—why were there so many people?! Far more than there’d been in the mall this close to closing. Akali skirted around them, veering left toward the center of Valoran City, away from the fleeing crowds.

Akali rounded a corner and stopped. She was staring at the city’s heart.

What was left of it, anyway.

Akali heard Sarah catch up to her, but it didn’t matter anymore. Not when the once unbroken skyline was now fractured under the weight of falling stars. But they couldn’t be stars. Some were made of darkest night, others glowing embers. They zipped across the twilight sky, changing course midair to crash down without warning. Where they landed, corrosive purples, pinks, and blues blossomed. Buildings collapsed, only to be swallowed by fathomless black holes that winked like all-seeing eyes. Now Akali knew why there’d been so many people. They’d been running away, not just from the mall, but from this. It was terror. It was madness. It was—

Akali: Pretty.

Sarah: Snap out of it!

Sarah spun Akali away from the chaos. Akali leaped back.

Akali: Don’t touch me!

Sarah raised her hands.

Sarah: Hey, hey. I’m on your side. I’m a Star Guardian! We’re the good guys!

Akali laughed.

Akali: Star Guardians? Do you hear yourself? Lady, last I checked, good guys don’t destroy malls. Or cities!

Sarah: We didn’t do this, kid!

Akali: Akali! My name is Akali!

Sarah: Okay, Akali. Back there, we were just doing our jobs! Protecting people like you from—

Akali: Your friends. That other girl... Xayah. She knew you. Which means you’re one of them!

Sarah: You don’t know what you’re talking about. And those two were...It doesn't matter who they were. They aren’t like us!

Akali: Xayah... She said you left them to die. I don’t care who’s on what side, but good people don’t do that!

Before Sarah could respond, a loud whoosh preceded an inferno of purple fire that funneled into a swirling mass from somewhere blocks away.

That wasn’t very far. Akali had been there barely thirty minutes ago, after all.

Akali: The park...

Sarah: Syndra?!

Akali didn’t ask what a Syndra was. She was already running.

Sarah: Hey!

Sarah shouted after her.

Akali: You may be okay leaving your friends to die, Sarah, but I’m not!