01x04 - Episode #1.4

[bunniefuu]

[flame crackles]

[metal clanks]

- [knocks on door]
- [door opens]

- [Jayce] You wanted to see me, Professor?
- [Heimerdinger] Ah. Come in, Jayce.

- [door closes]
- [Heimerdinger] Can you believe it?

Our city is about to turn 200 years old.

A bicentennial.

[chuckles]

It's shaping up
to be an amazing Progress Day.

"Stanwick Padidly"?
Huh, I don't know much about him.

Everything he built either exploded,
melted, or toppled over.

And yet, here he stands.

Stanwick set his personal ambitions aside

and focused on something
far more important.

Our future.

He realized nothing he could accomplish

could compare to the contributions
of his students.

I had no idea.

[Heimerdinger] That was his sacrifice.

A dear friend.

The Council has recommended you give
the Progress Day speech this year.

What... But you always give that speech.

[chuckles]
I... I could never take your place.

I agree with them.

Your Hexgates have done wonders
for our city.

Brought scholars from distant lands.
Reignited passions in arts and science.

You deserve this honor.

[sighs]

I... I will do my best
to make Piltover proud, Professor.

[Heimerdinger] It's short notice, I know,

but perhaps there's something in the lab
you might be able to share?

People love a grand reveal.

Viktor and I have just the thing.
The next chapter of Hextech.

Come to the lab this afternoon,
I'll show you.

I'll look forward to it.

You certainly have something
to live up to, my boy.

[epic music plays]

[epic music playing continues]

["Enemy" by Imagine Dragons playing]

♪ I wake up to the sounds
Of the silence that arouse ♪

♪ From my mind to run around
Put my ear up to the ground ♪

♪ I'm searching to behold
The stories that I told ♪

♪ My back is to the world
That was smiling when I turned ♪

♪ Tell you you're the greatest ♪

♪ But once you turn, they hate us ♪

♪ Oh, the misery ♪

♪ Everybody wants to be my enemy ♪

♪ Spare the sympathy ♪

♪ Everybody wants to be my enemy ♪

♪ Hey-o, I swear ♪

♪ I never be insane ♪

♪ My enemy ♪

♪ Hey-o, I swear ♪

♪ I never be insane ♪

♪ Look out for yourself ♪

- [festive music plays]
- [indistinct chatter]

[robot 1] Happy Progress Day.
Happy Progress Day.

[background chatter]

[Mrs. Kiramman]
Our most famous protégé, Jayce Talis.

The visionary behind the Hexgates,

a beacon of trade and prosperity
for our great City of Progress.

Excuse me.

Sorry, sorry. Yeah. Excuse me.

- He's a very busy man.
- [sighs]

[background chatter]

- [gasps]
- [grunts]

- Cait.
- Serves you right.

[indistinct chatter]

You still avoiding her?

I'm working.

Oh, I can see that.

I mean, there's so much crime
to thwart outside your family's tent.

I can only imagine the strings she pulled
to have me posted here.

It's your fault really,

for not following her into a career
"more befitting your station."

[sighs]

She'd do anything to keep me
from seeing the real world.

Well, at least you'll have front-row seats
to the speech.

Speech?

Mm-hmm.
I'm giving the big address tonight.

Hmm. We really have descended to anarchy.

Have fun herding the drunkards.

[Jayce chuckles]

Happy Progress Day.

[birds chirping]

- [bell dings]
- [indistinct shouting]

[rattling]

[indistinct chatter]

Uh, shipping manifest?

From your friend. Downtown.

[coins clatters]

[ominous music plays]

[man 1] Let's go!

[man 2] Ah, sh*t. The Firelights.

[men grunt]

[grumbles]

[man 3 groans]

[whooshing]

[Firelight Leader] We have five minutes
till they're out of there.

[lieutenant] You ever seen
this much Shimmer before?

[Firelight Leader] They're expanding.
Check for more below. Burn it all.

- [door opens]
- [clanks]

[grunts]

- [both gasp]
- [punk 1] Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Open up.

Open the door.
[grumbles]

[metal clangs]

[lieutenant] Oh, no. She's here.

[punk 2 grunts]

[creaking]

[creaking]

[suspenseful music plays]

[both grunt]

[punk 1] What the...

[expl*si*n]

[all grunt]

[clanks, hisses]

[heavy breathing]

Hi.

[grunts]

[both groan]

[grumbles]

[grunts]

[both grunt]

[man whistles]

[grunts]

[gasps]

Vi?

[Vi] I can't lose you.

[Powder] Why did you leave me?

[Vi] Because you're a jinx.

- [Powder] I want to fight.
- [Vi] You're not ready.

[Firelight Leader] No.

[pants]

[Firelight Leader growls]

[breathes heavily]

[Firelight Leader growls]

[Firelight Leader screams]

[yelling]

[g*n f*ring]

[tense violin music plays]

[groans]

[crashes]

You were supposed to guard the cargo.

[chuckles]

[growls]

- [festive music plays]
- [indistinct chatter]

[children laughing]

[indistinct chatter in distance]

[Viktor] You think he will approve?

[Jayce] Heimerdinger believes
science should be used

to improve lives as much as we do.

We just need to show him it's safe.

And what about the Council?

We stabilized the crystal like they asked.

Built the Hexgates like they asked.

[Jayce] It's our turn to decide
the future of Hextech.

[chitters]

[Jayce]
Professor. I'm so glad you could make it.

Wouldn't miss it for the world, my boy.
What do we have on the docket?

[Jayce] It all began with this.

[twinkles]

[Jayce] A crystal of magical energy,

too volatile to be handled
outside our workshops.

Hextech was supposed to bring magic
into the life of the common man.

And now, it finally can.

A Hextech Gemstone.

[mysterious music plays]

- [Jayce grunts, screams]
- [stammers] Wait.

[Jayce grumbles]

[squeaks]

Holy sprockets.

[Viktor] We've found a means
to fortify the crystals.

This new version is stable
and absolutely safe.

We present to you
the next chapter of Hextech.

We can now design portable devices.

Oh...

[grunts]
The Gemstone can power virtually anything.

[powering up]

[suspenseful music plays]

[squeaks]

The Atlas Gauntlets.
[huffs]

The mining colonies in the fissures
can work faster and without fatigue.

The Hex Claw.

[Viktor] A mechanical arm,
equipped with a powerful ray of light.

[zapping]

Imagine what our artificers could do
with such a device.

I want Hextech to be a tool
for us to build a new world.

- And now, it's finally possible.
- [whimpers]

Anyway, this is our presentation.

Quite amazing, gentlemen.
You should be very proud.

Obviously, there are a few kinks
to iron out and screws to be tightened,

but give it a decade of careful research,
and it will be ready.

A decade?

Oh, don't worry, my boy.
It zips past you in the blink of an eye.

With respect, Professor.

We can be improving lives
with Hextech now.

A breakthrough like this
takes time, Viktor.

Putting that kind of power
into everyone's hands is dangerous.

Keep at it and I'm sure
you will discover a way

to safeguard Hextech against misuse.

[exclaims, sighs]

[tense music plays]

[indistinct chatter]

There must've been four, five of them.
I don't know how they got inside.

[metal clanking]

[foreboding music plays]

[camera shutter clicks]

[screams]

[camera shutter clicks]

[Caitlyn grunts]

[groans]

You're from the undercity.

I didn't do anything. She's crazy.

- [grunts]
- Easy.

She sh*t me.

Who sh*t you? Who were you working for?

- I can't. He'll k*ll me.
- Who?

- [groans]
- [Caitlyn] I can protect you.

[Marcus] Caitlyn Kiramman,
why does that not surprise me?

Interfering in an investigation, again.

You're supposed to be guarding
your mother's tent.

I was, Sheriff, but she doesn't need it.
And clearly, this takes priority.

I realize you're used
to getting your way, Kiramman,

but we have a chain of command
for a reason.

[Caitlyn] I understand.

But there's more going on here
than just the smuggling.

- If I could just question him I could...
- [Marcus] I'll take it from here.

Since you're looking for more work,

you can take the graveyard shift tonight
at the fair.

- Yes, sir.
- Good.

I want this one on a boat
to Stillwater prison.

[enforcer] Yes, sir.

[club music plays]

[club music playing continues]

[laughs]

She fired on us.

[Silco]
There are always mishaps in battle.

The Firelights were her target
and most are dead.

It wasn't a mishap,
she froze up and lost her sh*t.

I could've handled those brats.

- She's a problem and we all know it.
- [Silco] We?

Who's we?

I expect better from you than excuses.

It was your job to make sure
things went smoothly.

You failed. Don't disappoint me again.

[grunts]

[door opens, closes]

[sighs]

The world's growing smaller
every day, thanks to the Hexgates.

And now, we're cut off.

The topsiders are leaving us
further and further behind.

What happened?

[Jinx] She already told you.

I'm asking you.

[object thuds]

[Jinx] One of those Firelight wackos
was a girl.

- With pink hair.
- [Silco] Hmm...

Your sister's gone.

You know that as well as I do.

I know. I know. Sisters, right?
[chuckles]

You can't live with 'em, can't stuff
'em back in the ol' babymaker.

[chuckles, huffs]

Today's screw-up will set us back weeks.

I'm sorry.

- I need to know that I can rely on you.
- Phew.

I'm doing this for us, Jinx. All of us.

The sons and daughters of Zaun
deserve more than their runoff.

It won't happen again.

[Silco] I know.

[grunts]

[heaving]

[Silco sighs]

Sevika will clean up today's mess.

Sevika? That ogre couldn't clean
a dust bunny with a blowtorch.

She'll suffice.
You should focus on your gadgetry.

[Jinx] Ugh.

Take some time.

[stammers]
I don't need time.

Take it anyhow.

[grunts]

[crackles]

[indistinct chatter]

- [crowd laugh]
- [approaching footsteps]

[Elora] Fundraiser's going well.

Your mother would be proud.

Hmm... Would she?

[Elora] Tired of mingling?

[Mel] Hmm. These people have nothing new
to offer me.

The only one actually worth my time
is him.

The golden boy.
[Elora chuckles]

Ah, he's won Piltover's heart.

Oh, speak of the devil.

[indistinct chatter]

[laughs]

[tribal music plays]

Could I borrow you for a minute?

- [door opens]
- [footsteps approaching]

[door closes]

[Mel] To what do I owe the pleasure?

It's Heimerdinger.

[Mel scoffs]
When is it not?

[Jayce] We've shown him our research.

He thinks we need more time.

It's Progress Day.

Representatives from all over the world

have come to see what new wonders
the City of Progress has to offer.

If there's a time to present
a new creation, it is now.

[sighs]

Great.

[chuckles]

Heimerdinger is a great scientist.
But he's old. He only ever sees the past.

Piltover needs a leader who looks forward.

Someone like you.

You really believe that?

Hextech has the potential
to change everything.

The world is ready.

And I've already spoken
to several potential investors.

Investors?

Of course.

[chuckling]
Everyone wants Hextech for themselves.

It's your speech.

Give the people a glimpse of the future.

[chilling music plays]

[bats chitter]

[creacking]

It wasn't her.

It wasn't.

I know. Just...
just some wannabe street trash.

I got confused, that's all.

Now, he thinks I'm weak.

"Sevika will clean it up."

Sevika's a regular Johnny-on-the-spot.

I'm not weak.

And I'm gonna show him.

Oh, I'm gonna show him. You'll see.

[expl*si*n]

[crowd cheer]

[coughs]

[approaching footsteps]

Where were you?

They were asking
if I could do the address.

You should come up with me.
We're partners.

No, no. Not in front of all of them...

You... have your speech prepared?

Uh-huh.

[Mrs. Kiramman] An inspiration
to Piltover's future

and that of all humanity.

Please join me in welcoming to the stage...

- Jayce Talis.
- Guess it's time.

- [crowd applaud]
- [grand music plays]

[crowd cheering]

[crowd whistling]

Uh, good evening.

I know many of you probably didn't expect
to see me here today.

And believe me,
I'm just as shocked as you are.

[crowd applaud]

My family and I are simple people.
In our factory, we made hammers.

They were probably used to cut the stones
you're standing on right now.

No one in my life
expected very much of me.

And that is precisely what makes
this moment so extraordinary.

A few years ago, the Hexgates
opened their ports to the world

and made Piltover prosper beyond anything
we could have ever imagined.

[crowd cheer]

[man whistles]

But... we're not done yet.

[mysterious music plays]

This year, we've created something new
for you.

Something that... um...

[mic feedbacks]

That we will share with you...

[crowd mutter]

...when the time is right.

[crowd exclaim]

[crowd mutter]

Things that will bring an end
to your hardships.

Whether you're the scion
of our high houses,

or an honest laborer from the underground.

We vow to keep pressing forward,
for we are the City of Progress.

And our future is bright.

[crowd cheer]

[fireworks crackle]

[gasps]

[epic music playing continues]

[duty captain] That it, then?

I thought that Talis boy
was some kind of genius.

Last year, didn't he launch a blimp
halfway across the continent?

[Caitlyn] Airship, actually.

An airship has a rigid metal hull.
It's not a blimp.

It's a balloon, ain't it?

Sure as hell looks that way.

Pardon us, if we aren't quite
so refined as you, milady.

[female enforcer] What are you
even doing here, Kiramman?

Don't you have a cocktail party to attend?

[all laugh]

[Caitlyn] Fire.

Fire!

[tense music plays]

- [enforcer 2] What's happening?
- Get the fire brigade.

[grunts]

[Jinx in baby voice]
Help. In here, please. Help me.

Help. It's so hot, please. I'm trapped.

I'm a helpless little girl
and I've set the building on fire.

[in altered voice]
By accident. Totally by accident.

[gasps]

Get out. Now.

[Jinx] Also, I brought this dynamite.
Goodbye.

- [screams]
- [expl*si*n]

[grunts]

[Jinx snickers]

[pants]

[Jinx chuckles]

[Viktor] The Gemstone is gone.

Along with some of our research papers.

[Marcus]
The situation is still developing.

No one in the undercity
has claimed responsibility yet.

How did it come to this?

Hmm. For too long
has the underground been left unchecked.

[Shoola] We've lost touch.

They may not be your preferred
constituents but they're still our people.

The undercity cannot be controlled.
Not by us.

So where does that leave us?

[Bolbok mutters]

[Bolbok] Mr. Talis?

Could the trenchers build a w*apon
with the stolen crystal?

[Hoskel] Shimmer, body replacements...

We've seen their ingenuity
over the years, of course, they can.

If the right person got a hold of it,

it's possible
they could utilize its energy.

We need to address this immediately.

I agree.

It was my responsibility
to safeguard this technology and I failed.

My mistake cost people their lives.

I have come before you to recommend
that we suspend all Hextech operations

until the situation is resolved.

Including our laboratories,
the refinery and the Hexgates.

Have you lost your mind?

[Shoola] The Hexgates must remain open.

Piltover's status
as a global shipping lane depends on it.

Thousands would lose their income.

But shouldn't the safety of Piltover
be our first priority?

You would sacrifice your life's work?

Without the Hexgates, my goods
cannot reach foreign markets till winter.

Am I to tell the Noxians

their next shipment of wine
will be vinegar?

[Mel] Councilors.
It appears we are at an impasse.

If we shut down the Hexgates,
the city will suffer.

But if we do nothing,

we leave ourselves vulnerable
to malefactors.

More lives may be lost.

Perhaps the time has come
to explore a more radical solution.

What are you suggesting?

Mr. Talis has demonstrated
his commitment to our safety.

He's willing to sacrifice
his own enterprise.

And it seems to me only Mr. Talis

has the knowledge necessary
to secure the Hexgates.

I propose that a new chair
be brought forth,

and that House Talis be elevated
to this august body.

- What?
- [Mel] As a Councilor,

he will have the resources
necessary to protect all our investments.

Councilor Medarda,
his is highly irregular.

The Council has held seven seats
for generations.

[Bolbok] Does the boy have any experience?

Only that of a scientist.
Like Heimerdinger.

[sighs]

I believe Councilor Medarda is right.

Hextech security should be
administered by a scientist.

I second the motion.

[Mel] Well then, shall we vote?

[clanks]

[rock music plays]

♪ Come and play ♪

♪ But I might k*ll you ♪

♪ In your face ♪

♪ b*mb and b*llet proof do the trick ♪

Jinx!

♪ We need here is a little bit of panic... ♪

Jinx! Jinx!

Jinx!

That's me.

Half a dozen enforcers, dead. Enforcers.
Dead.

- Yeah...
- [Silco] A building blown to pieces.

Oh, yeah.
[chuckles]

Do you have any idea what you've done?

Actually, I do.

[Jinx giggles]

Happy Progress Day!

[crackles]

[ominous music plays]

[classical music plays]

[knocks on door]

[door opens]

[Jayce] Hey.

How are you feeling?

I've had a break in the case.

Shouldn't you be resting?

While the trail is hot?

Listen, you know how I've suspected

there is a single mind
behind the undercity's v*olence?

The great conspiracy.

I think whoever att*cked the square
is our suspect.

The same symbols showed up at the botched
smuggling operation at the Hexgates.

- The Hexgates?
- Keep up.

All this time, they've kept their dealings
localized to the undercity.

Low priority.
The att*ck on the square changes things.

They've overstepped.

If I can figure who made this,

it could lead me directly
to whoever's behind it all.

The answer is here,
staring me in the face.

[Caitlyn] I can feel it.

How do you intend to prove any of this?

If I can just work this out.
Marcus will have to listen.

[Jayce] If there's one thing
I've learned about the Council,

they need more than just theories.

Since when did you concern yourself
with the Council's opinion?

Since I...

became a Councilor.

[chuckles]

You're serious.

When? Why?

Have they discovered how to govern
with grease and a spanner?

Ha ha. I was actually hoping
you might consider joining my staff.

[Caitlyn] "House Talis Security."

That's a ceremonial position.
I'd live behind a desk.

You almost d*ed, Cait.

I just... I just want you to be safe.

Thanks, but I already have a job.

No. You don't.

After the att*ck,
your parents spoke to the Sheriff.

[groans]

This is the best I could do.

I don't need charity, Councilor.
Yours or my parents'.

- Cait.
- Get out.

[sighs]

- [retreating footsteps]
- [door opens]

[foreboding music plays]

[owl hooting]

[boat creaks]

[Caitlyn] I need to speak
with one of the inmates.

Oh, folks in here
aren't usually very talkative.

This one was hit by friendly fire.

He's got reason to talk.
Must have been sent in today?

Oh. Inmate 2135.

[warden]
Yeah, I'm, uh, afraid that's not possible.

- Why not?
- Uh, well, there's been...

- an incident.
- [Caitlyn] What kind of incident?

- [warden] The...
- [gasps, grunts]

...not so pretty kind.

[rattling]

[Caitlyn] You don't understand,
I have to talk to him.

[warden] Oh, you'll be able to.
As soon as he can move his jaw again.

[Caitlyn] Who assaulted him?

[tense music plays]

[loud thud]

[thudding continues]

Who the hell are you?

[tense music playing continues]