Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

"Did you really have to wait until I got beat up before speaking up?!"

Ziggs protested with a pitiful expression. He looked utterly wronged. Heimerdinger scratched his beard, giving an awkward chuckle. "That's on me, I forgot to file a report before coming back!"

"Alright, Duke, let him go. He's just a kid who cares deeply for his homeland."

"How old are you, exactly?"

Duke lowered his weapon and asked casually. Ziggs puffed out his chest. "I'm only a hundred and eighty-two! Still young and handsome!"

"Only a hundred and eighty-two, only?" Duke shook his head with a sigh. "You immortals really play by your own rules."

"Well, now that the misunderstanding's cleared up, let's not keep sulking." Heimerdinger carefully stepped around the area where Ziggs had used his E-skill and approached the young Yordle. "Planning an expedition, are we?"

"He got rejected,"

came a lively, crisp voice from behind Ziggs. Tristana, with her purple skin and oversized ears, arrived panting, and immediately teased, "So you finally decided to come back, huh? I thought you'd forgotten all about your old home."

"Scientific research is irresistible, you know that, Tristana."

Heimerdinger didn't mind her playful jab. His eyes turned to the bundle on Ziggs' back, noting it was stuffed with explosive devices.

"Hmm, clever design. You make these yourself, young man?"

"Absolutely! They're part of my brilliant research. Next, I'm going to find a new place, somewhere that actually appreciates my vision, and continue my experiments. I'll show all those short-sighted fools who's really right!"

"You have no right to say that after blowing up a public restroom!"

A voice cut in at the perfect moment, Lulu, wearing her iconic pointed witch's hat and holding a staff as tall as she was, followed by glowing fae spirits. Ziggs' ears drooped.

"I just thought those restrooms needed a little redecorating..."

"That's not an excuse to destroy public property, Ziggs."

Tristana gave his shoulder a friendly pat. Duke watched this odd bunch of short Yordles with great interest, while Jayce and Viktor stood a bit off to the side, taking in the scenery.

"You said you're looking for a new place to continue your research?" Heimerdinger clapped his hands, his eyes lighting up with intrigue. It had been a long time since he'd seen such a creative young Yordle.

"That's right!"

Ziggs straightened up, but then quickly slumped again. "But I got beat up before I could figure out where to go!"

"Come to Piltover!" Heimerdinger offered brightly. "It's a city of progress. We welcome all kinds of new ideas, no matter how strange they might seem."

"Heimerdinger, you might want to think that over first,"

Tristana advised, her eyes warning. Heimerdinger waved her off.

"No need. So, what do you say, young man?"

"You really accept all kinds of ideas?"

"Of course!"

"Then I'm in!"

Ziggs quickly tightened the straps on his pack. "Are we leaving now?"

"Not quite. I'm taking these fine young men to visit the museum first, show them the dangers and awe of magic."

"Oooh, someone's about to get a lecture~"

Lulu tapped her staff and studied the group. Duke noticed her gaze and gave her a friendly smile in return.

"Just remember to file your report when you're done!"

"Of course, ladies!"

Heimerdinger replied cheerfully, then turned to Duke and the others.

"Alright, kids, let's pick up the pace. We don't have much time, and I'd like to finish the lesson before Bandle City starts reacting negatively to your presence."

"Except for you, Duke. Your magical affinity is awakening, you need to be somewhere rich in arcane energy, and this place is perfect."

"I feel..." Duke swallowed hard and forced a grin. "...Fantastic."

"I know that awakening sensation. Just hold out. I'm eager to see what your talents truly are!"

Heimerdinger beamed as he led the group away from the lower pathways and toward Bandle City proper. Ziggs didn't follow, he'd already been rejected enough times in town. He figured he might as well wait outside; time passed quickly here anyway.

Meanwhile, Tristana and Lulu stayed behind to keep an eye on Ziggs, just in case he got "itchy fingers" and caused more trouble.

The four of them made their way along the massive tree trunk that formed the lower path. Below them, clouds swirled gently, this ancient tree had its roots embedded deep within them.

Within the cloud layer, ripples of arcane energy shimmered, separating the lower passage from the city itself.

"Professor, why is this called the 'Lower Path' anyway?" Viktor leaned on his cane and glanced up at the massive tree.

Heimerdinger chuckled. "Because it really is the lowest level."

He and the three curious travelers stepped into the cloud layer. For a moment, it felt as if they were rising rapidly from underwater, a suffocating sensation passed over them. When the haze cleared, they blinked in surprise.

They were standing on a calm, glassy pond. Reflected below was the exact mirror image of the lower passage.

Viktor and Jayce stepped cautiously onto the water's surface, marveling at the surreal scene.

Duke, however, muttered thoughtfully, "So the 'Lower Path' is just relative to this space's position?"

"Exactly. Sharp observation!"

Heimerdinger praised him as they continued forward. Past the water's edge was a moss-covered stone trail winding through a mystical forest, lined with plants none of them had ever seen before.

With each breath, Duke felt his senses sharpening. Something deep within him stirred, as though the environment itself was calling out to his hidden potential.

His magical affinity was awakening, and Bandle City was accelerating the process.

After passing through vibrant green vines, the view opened up. They stood on a plain, facing a city more wondrous than anything the three had ever imagined.

Words failed to capture it.

Behind short city walls, an endless sprawl of homes, some built atop trees, some burrowed underground with only the entrances visible, and others shaped from bizarre, living plants, stretched as far as the eye could see.

A gentle breeze blew across the plain, sending the flora swaying. Tiny specks of arcane energy floated on the wind like glittering dust.

At the heart of Bandle City lay a massive open space resembling a plaza. Beyond the outer rim were scattered dwellings, and far in the distance, the dense Bandlewood forest.

"Come on, kids! The plains may look small, but they're tiring to cross!"

Heimerdinger hopped along cheerfully. Being home clearly lifted his spirits. Duke, Jayce, and Viktor followed behind, eventually arriving at the city gates.

They passed through and found themselves on a wide boulevard, oddly oversized for a city of small people. Dozens of Bandle residents, each with their own strange features, strolled or hawked goods on either side.

With curious eyes following them, Duke and Jayce stayed close behind Heimerdinger, who was busy greeting familiar faces left and right.

"So many arcane sources..." Duke muttered.

The sour taste in his mouth grew stronger. He swallowed instinctively, his face paling and eyes becoming unfocused. Whispering voices tickled his ears, and in his vision, the Yordles around him distorted, morphing into floating, spherical shapes.

"Duke, are you alright?" Viktor asked, noticing the change in his demeanor.

"I'm fine," Duke forced a smile, trying to shake it off. "Just... overstimulated by all the magical energy."

"Don't push yourself too hard."

"I'll be okay. Just need to stay grounded."

Duke forced himself out of the trance as Heimerdinger came to a stop in front of an even stranger-looking building.

"We're here, our destination!"

"The Bandle City Museum, home to countless records of the past."