Chapter 17: Teaming Up With A Former Brother?
Shen meditated in his cell. He heard the news from Kennen that on the outside, The Champions were gathered into one dome-like area of the Institute and told to wait there, as there was a Pandemic virus going around. Kennen, being a mischievous and slippery one, managed to break through the barricades without anyone noticing. Shen thanked Kennen for this news, and Kennen says that he will continue to investigate.

Zed remained in the other cell, not saying anything to Shen. Shen refused to speak to him. Zed pushed his buttons and pressed him to the point of great despair that he could not give voice to. The Summoners left them to their own devices…and yet Shen couldn’t help but feel an ominous foreboding about this entire thing. Did it have something to do with Akali? The Summoners kept their secrets from the Champions, and Shen knew that the Summoners were up to something. But what it was, he never questioned it, never asked about it. He was loyal and steadfast and dedicated to his cause, of bringing balance to Ionia and the League institute.

Shen then thought about Zed.

They had been close, once, like brothers. As Zed had said. How did it all come down to this? They both had the same master. They both fell in love with the same girl. But their paths have wandered different ways, and Shen sadly thought that they would never intertwine again once as they had. Though Zed made him think for a while. He wondered if Zed wasn’t completely heartless like the facade that he usually puts on in front of others. What if the entire thing was a facade? Did Zed play the role of the villain because that’s what other people have forced him into? Were the Kinkou ninjas right after all? Or did Zed know something that could upset the balance of everything that he possibly knew?

Shen didn’t know. However, he heard Zed rapping against the wall to get his attention.

“What do you want?” Shen said in an unusually sulky tone. He wasn't in the mood to talk to negotiate. “Haven’t you done enough damage?”

“I was thinking of teaming together with you,” Zed said. “I was reluctant to ask, though, because I knew you would be that way. You never really liked losing, did you, Shen? Well, I also hate to lose. That’s why we need to find Akali…together.”

Shen’s breath caught in his throat. Was it possible that Zed could be trusted and they could work together to get out of this mess? It was almost a palpable hope that left a painful wrench in his chest, something that felt unfamiliar to Shen. Though he might’ve been impartial and suppressed his emotions to achieve enlightenment, the old emotions of comradeship and love and fondness and pride stirred within him towards Zed. This was his brother. His brother calling to him. And yet…

“I don’t think there can be any reparations,” Shen said in a little sad tone, which meant he felt regret. “You killed my father.”

“I see, Shen,” Zed said. “Thinking of the past, instead of the future. Though I suppose that redemption may not be possible for me after all, in your eyes, or even Akali’s eyes. But I think that, in the extent of a common goal and mutual interest in Akali, we should do this for her, no matter how much the two of you may loathe me. Do you understand?”

“There’s also another matter,” Shen said. “You roused the hornet’s nest, stirring something that should not have awakened. Maybe we’ve gone too complacent, yes, being content with our comfortable lives of fame and riches and valor. Though to what extent would we give up that peace, for something that could end in the deaths of thousands or more?

“Change needs to be done,” Zed said through the bars. “Of course, Shen. You always cared about equilibrium and balance, even if it didn’t make sense to do so.”

“I was going to quit being the Eye of Twilight,” Shen said softly. “To live a life together with Akali. Despite what the clan said. Despite what the Summoners said. But Zed, working together with you…you stir up complicated emotions within me. I’m not sure if I can trust you again, even if I wanted to extend my hand to you in friendship. Why should I trust you?”

Zed remained silent, before saying, “Fine, then. I’ll do it on my own.”

“I’d advise you not to rouse the Summoners any more than you have,” Shen said, to which Zed snorted.

“You know that I’ve never been the obedient and subservient one, Shen,” Zed said, though there was no hint of contempt in his voice towards the blue ninja. Did it sound…almost nostalgic? Shen wasn’t sure. “But it doesn’t matter. What matters is that I have an objective to follow through with, and if you’re not with me, then I suppose it can’t be helped.”

“Can you get out on your own though?” Shen wondered, wondering what else Zed hid underneath his sleeve. Zed was the one who was known to pull off the impossible after all, while Shen always went with the safe and reliable way of things.

Zed went to make a movement with his hands, as though brandishing his blades, though Zed seemed to have forgotten that their weapons were taken from them temporarily. Old habits die hard, Shen supposed. Shen ached to have his twin blades on his back, for security and comfort. He itched to cross blades with Zed again, though oddly enough, no with the intent to kill, but…

“Just watch me, Shen,” Zed said.

“But it’s going to be hard to break out of these cells, to begin with,” Shen said.

“I don’t need your help,” Zed said, to which he shook his head and said. “I won’t bother you again, Shen. But remember…there is something that is going on in the League. If you refuse to do anything on it, you bear responsibility on your shoulders.”