Arcane: Ekko and Powder

The energy in the air was palpable as the evening shadows stretched over Zaun's twisting alleys. Ekko and Powder had been exploring the outskirts of the Undercity, where the forgotten corners of the world brimmed with junk and hidden treasures. It was supposed to be a simple scavenging trip, just the two of them combing through piles of scrap for anything useful for their gadgets.

But Zaun rarely offered simple days.

They had just rounded a corner near an old warehouse when trouble found them. A group of older teens, notorious for harassing anyone who wandered too close to their claimed territory, spotted them. Ekko recognized a few faces—brash, rough types who thought strength came from intimidation.

"Well, look who we have here," one of them said, stepping forward with a crooked grin. "Little Ekko and his sidekick."

Ekko moved instinctively, positioning himself slightly in front of Powder. "We're just passing through," he said calmly, though his muscles tensed.

"Passing through, huh?" another boy said, cracking his knuckles. "Looks to me like you're picking through our stuff."

Powder frowned, stepping up beside Ekko. "Your stuff? This is just junk. You don't even care about it."

The lead boy, taller and broader than the rest, narrowed his eyes at her. "Careful, little girl. You don't want to get mouthy with me."

Powder didn't back down, her hands curling into fists. "Or what?"

Ekko's heart skipped a beat. Powder's fire was part of what he admired about her, but he also knew it could get her into trouble. "Powder," he murmured, his tone cautioning.

"Listen to your friend," the lead boy sneered.

Before Ekko could think of a way to diffuse the situation, the boy lunged toward Powder, clearly intending to grab her.

But Powder was faster.

Time seemed to slow as Powder ducked under the boy's outstretched arm, her movements quick and fluid. She twisted, her foot connecting with his shin in a sharp, deliberate kick that made him stumble back with a yelp.

Ekko blinked, momentarily stunned. Powder had always been scrappy, but seeing her in action was something else entirely.

The lead boy's stumble drew a chorus of laughter from his companions, but their amusement quickly turned to anger as Powder didn't stop there. She pulled out a small gadget from her pocket—a device she'd recently been working on. With a flick of her wrist, it sprang to life, emitting a high-pitched whistle and a burst of bright light that disoriented the boys.

Ekko snapped out of his daze, springing into action. While the boys were distracted, he grabbed Powder's arm. "Let's go!"

They sprinted down the alley, their pursuers shouting angrily behind them. Powder kept pace with Ekko, her braid streaming behind her as they weaved through the narrow passages they knew so well.

After several minutes of running, they ducked into a hidden alcove behind a pile of rusted barrels. Both of them were panting, their chests heaving as they caught their breath.

"Did we lose them?" Powder asked, peeking out cautiously.

"I think so," Ekko said, leaning back against the wall. His heart was still racing, but it wasn't just from the chase.

Powder turned back to him, a triumphant grin on her face. "Did you see that? I totally took him down!"

Ekko couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, I saw. That was... impressive."

Powder's grin faltered slightly, her cheeks turning pink. "You really think so?"

"Are you kidding?" Ekko said, his voice full of admiration. "You were amazing. The way you moved, how quick you were—it was like you knew exactly what to do. I mean, you've always been scrappy, but that? That was next level."

Powder's blush deepened, and she looked away, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "I just... I don't like bullies," she mumbled.

"Neither do I," Ekko said, his tone softer now. "But you didn't just stand up to them, Powder. You owned that fight. I'm serious—you were incredible."

Powder glanced at him, her blue eyes searching his face as if trying to gauge if he was teasing her. But Ekko's expression was sincere, his admiration clear.

"Thanks, Ekko," she said quietly.

They stayed in the alcove for a while longer, waiting to be sure the boys weren't still searching for them. As the adrenaline began to fade, Ekko found himself stealing glances at Powder. There was something different about her today—not just her boldness, but the confidence she carried, even in the face of danger.

"You've been practicing, haven't you?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Powder hesitated before nodding. "A little. Vi's been teaching me some stuff—how to fight, how to be quicker on my feet. She says I need to learn to defend myself, just in case."

"Well, it's paying off," Ekko said. "You handled yourself like a pro back there."

Powder smiled, the praise clearly meaning a lot to her. "I still have a long way to go, though. Vi's way better than me."

"Maybe," Ekko said with a grin. "But she'd be proud of you. I know I am."

Powder's blush returned, and she ducked her head, pretending to fiddle with her gadget. "Stop saying stuff like that. You're embarrassing me."

Ekko laughed, leaning back against the wall. "What? I'm just telling the truth."

She shot him a mock glare, though the corners of her lips twitched upward. "You're impossible."

"And you're awesome," he countered.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, they finally emerged from their hiding spot. The streets were quieter now, the earlier chaos giving way to the hum of Zaun's nightlife.

They walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly in the alley. Ekko couldn't help but glance at Powder again, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. She wasn't the same shy, uncertain girl he'd first met all those years ago. She was growing stronger, more confident—someone who could hold her own in a world that often tried to knock her down.

"You know," he said after a while, "you should show me some of those moves sometime. Maybe I can learn a thing or two."

Powder looked at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You? Learn from me? I thought you were the genius who knew everything."

"Hey, even geniuses have to learn from the best," Ekko said, grinning.

Powder laughed, the sound light and carefree. For a moment, the weight of the day seemed to lift, replaced by the easy camaraderie they always shared.

And as they walked together into the fading light, Ekko couldn't help but think that Powder wasn't just his best friend. She was someone extraordinary, someone who amazed him more every day.