(Note: This is set some time after Strained, and is thus partially AU)

Prologue: The Trigger

Ashe restrained the desire to yawn. She had retired to sleep at the League Hall nearly three hours ago after a very long day of matches, and was then roused abruptly by Hall attendants. Apparently, a serious political dispute had arisen between two influential summoners, and it had escalated to the point of needing the League involved before someone started a fresh war between Demacia and Noxus by calling in favors.

This report sounded entirely exaggerated to her. Ashe surmised it was simply two very arrogant summoners who didn't have the common decency or respect to wait until morning to settle an argument.

It was part of what had made the day so long and harsh. Almost every summoner she'd worked with had been painfully arrogant. Many were good enough for her to look past that, but it was difficult, and still others were so self-absorbed they could barely comport themselves properly in a battle.

It still felt like a blow-dart sting from Teemo that one summoner's mistake had forced her to take was clenching the muscles in her right shoulder. Phantom pain, she knew, but she flexed the joint as she walked anyway.

Still, the League was a excellent chance to bring Runeterra (and other worlds, in fact) together 'peacefully.' Ashe believed and hoped in that dream, and would fight for it. Arrogance be damned.

Entering a summoning chamber, she greeted the attendants with a gentle smile and respectful nod. She recognized a few of them (a handful of Ionian women, if she recalled rightly), and they clearly appreciated her polite manner. One had actually laid out a special pillow to keep her mystical weapon ready for her when she woke from the battle.

"You are very attentive, thank you," Ashe said aloud as she settled into the cushioned chair, resting her bow down in the provided cushion.

They smiled back, bowed, and left her to the work of a match.

(On the Field of Justice…)

Ashe was very familiar with this pattern by now. She was fairly certain she could now distinguish between the first strands of magic connecting to her mind and body, and the actual consciousness of the summoner. When she felt the latter, she thought, Good evening, summoner. No matter how many taxed her senses, she would show respect due their station and role.

Your majesty, good evening. Allow me to apologize for such a late disruption to your time.

Ashe's surprise at his sincere respect was so abrupt and sincere she couldn't hide it from him. Knowing this, she added, You are kind, summoner, but no need to be so formal with your champion. Please, call me Ashe.

And she could tell he was surprised, pleasantly so. His voice came to her mind, I did not wish to be presumptuous to the ruler for Freljord. Thank you, Ashe. I am Sylus Hale. I feel I should also concede that I am in fact only a mid-level summoner. They seem rather desperate to settle this match immediately, so they called in whoever would answer. As such, I will defer to your instincts and judgment in the field. I will simply endeavor to relay relevant information.

It was a surprising revelation. Few summoners actually gave her insight into their side of the challenges, but this much connection also revealed to her that Sylus was deeply tired as well. Is this match so serious, then? I assumed it was two overly self-important nobles.

Sylus' humor came back as a gentle laugh. It seems to be taken seriously, but I know little more than yourself at this juncture, my lady. Being mid-level, they rarely give me privy information. It seems we are fighting alongside Renekton, Talon, Katarina, and Thresh, by the way. I'll try to protect your thoughts more than usual. Thresh is… well, you're far more experienced than I, I won't sport with your knowledge.

Ashe appreciated the warning. Thresh was always a concern to work alongside. She much preferred fighting him, so she could stay far and fire long. Thank you, Sylus. Do you know who we're fighting?

Not yet, in fact, which is… odd. We'll have to meet them on the field. My apologies. Normally I have that information.

Ashe finally opened her eyes as she felt the cool air of the Rift. Her home nexus was before her, and the team Sylus had mentioned flashed into existence around her. "So be it," she muttered aloud, checking her Rift-side version of her bow, and moving to the merchant for the proper equipment.

Thresh loomed at her, so she fixed him with a calm stare, simply expectant. She noticed his glowing eyes sharpen, intrigued, and then he simply moved away.

…I have much to learn, Sylus uttered mentally, clearly strained.

Ashe started to glide toward her position on the field, but concern marked her face, What's wrong, Sylus?

Thresh and his summoner tried a direct magical scan of our own connection. My defenses were already up, but… they are far more powerful than I, it… hurt.

That is allowed?

It's toeing the line, but no true damage was done. Unprofessional, but a mid-level summoner raising the issue would only seem like scrambling for attention. Forgive the interruption of your match, my lady. I do sense that Katarina is joining you in this lane.

Thank you, Sylus. It's no disruption. Honestly, you're the first summoner I've worked with today who actually let me move my own way. I appreciate it.

I'm glad to be of service, your majesty.

Ashe smirked a little as she faded into some bush. She liked this summoner so far. Idly, she glanced over, spotting Katarina melding through the trees just across the lane. It was clear the assassin was controlling animosity toward the frost-archer, but Ashe just tipped her head to her temporary ally, and made ready.

(Later…)

The battle was strangely desperate for both sides. So far, Ashe and Katarina had only seen Ryze and Vollibear, and none of the four were fighting at their best. Everyone had to be suffering from some kind of fatigue.

An ally has fallen!

Ashe only cringed a bit at their team being the first to lose a warrior, but she was stunned by the severity of Sylus' pained shock. Summoner, what's wrong?

S-sorry, my lady. I… Shyvana is also on the opposing team, she delivered that blow. I… usually work with her, I wasn't expecting this—BEHIND YOU!

Ashe twisted and rolled, aiming behind her previous position.

Fizz was rushing out of the trees with his confident smile, guiding a spear-strike at her shifting form.

Her ice arrow lodged through his shoulder, causing a hiss of pain. It was the trio of daggers that lanced into his chest afterward that actually dropped him. Katarina nodded to Ashe for the assist, and melded back into the trees.

Ashe receded into the brush herself. My thanks, Sylus. You don't seem a mid-level summoner to me. But what is your concern over Shyvana? You've never faced against her?

…No.

…Will you try to stop me from fighting her, if she comes before me?

No, your majesty. The role of the summoner is very clear. I will not directly cause you harm, or I have betrayed the trust you lend to me by the act of taking the chair. I… am simply not properly prepared for this situation. I will try not to get in your way if she does come before you.

She started to smile. This summoner sounded right to her, felt right. This was the type of summoner she was proud to call an ally in the purpose of the League. I can ask no more, Sylus.

(Later…)

Far longer than usual. The game dragged on bitterly. Ashe's team was losing ground thanks to awkward timing and bad team work. Thresh in particular was disrupting more than he was helping, and he stepped into the path of one of Ashe's kill shots.

It was at the heart of the center lane that Ashe felt the lurch of emotion from her summoner.

Shyvana, center of the lane, their side.

The information was delivered instantly, but it was harder, clipped. Ashe paused for just a heart-beat, realizing he felt like he was betraying a friend, but understood his duty.

She could afford no further hesitation. Shyvana wasn't just there, she was in her fully realized draconic form, fire bleeding around her as she surged along with rabid determination.

Ashe fired off a shot and dive-rolled. Shyvana snap-clawed the ice-arrow out of the air, and swerved to give chase down into the river, parts of it vaporizing in her proximity.

Watch out. She's moving with anger, not battle-drive. Something is wrong.

Ashe's brow creased, but she flitted through the reeds just off the bank, and did a twisting flip, channeling her power to unleash her mighty frozen arrow straight back at the dragon-champion.

It was clear to both Ashe and Sylus that Shyvana's body shivered with unnatural confliction, and she finally started to dodge, but not properly. The arrow still hit her right shoulder, freezing over her entire body. Her pained howl into gritted fangs made Sylus pang with sympathy.

Ashe felt his presence recede from her thoughts, and she lined up her kill shot. The arrow went right through one of Shyvana's eyes, dropping the majestic woman-creature in a stream of blood and ice.

Lingering for a moment after the kill, Ashe glanced down into nothing. I'm sorry, I felt how much that strained your emotions.

You are kind, my lady, but I am your summoner in this match. I apologize for not being more directly helpful. …Tactically speaking, it is clear her summoner is infuriating her. Her attention will be divided, which you can press, but if she has her eyes on you… I recommend retreat. She will attack with more than her normal ferocity once she has a target.

Ashe nodded, and flitted through the trees again.

Just a moment later, Sylus recommended, Try a crystal hawk over the trees just to your Southeast. I think Ryze ducked through there to recover from Renekton's last assault.

Ashe did so, and confirmed his suspicion. She shot through the trees, and fired one arrow straight through the fleeing mage's neck. He dropped like a stone, and she was gone in the trees a moment later.

(Later…)

Finally, Ashe's team was pressed back into their own base. Thresh's lane had collapsed first, and trying to hold it cost them the other lanes. Ashe cursed her inability to cover all three paths properly while her team imploded.

Crouched at her nexus, she looked up with astonishment to see Shyvana, again in her dragon form, leaping off the defending wall to dive-bomb the nexus. She wasn't even looking at Ashe herself, the dragon was burning to destroy the nexus, to end the game.

Through Ashe's eyes, Sylus saw this, saw the patterns etched into the dragon's face, and Ashe felt his empathetic pain, Shyvana… what is he doing to enrage you so?

It was such a potent and sincere emotion, Ashe felt compelled not to directly insult it. Instead of lodging an arrow in the dragon's chest, she rolled aside, let the dragon land, and the two suddenly faced off. Burning maw and glistening arrow aimed tightly.

Ashe sharply whispered, "Are you alright?"

Shyvana blinked, easing fractionally. "…What?"

"You're suffering, not fighting."

It was a strange moment of camaraderie. Shyvana's face fell slack before she shook her head, and then raised one claw with a firmer expression. "Dodge."

It was an honorable declaration that the fight was back on.

Ashe dashed aside, let the claw hit where her feet had been, and fired and arrow into the dragon's back. She noted clearly that the dragon hadn't dodged with anything like her previous strength, and took the arrow through the spine, dropping flat.

…Forgive me, Ashe. I didn't mean to disrupt you so, Sylus whispered in her mind.

She shook her head, and ran to try to defend a failing inhibitor from Fizz. No, Sylus. You didn't. I was compelled by your understanding of the situation. I share your concern for her in that. I will check on her after the match, if you don't yourself.

…I would be grateful if you would, my lady. I don't want to seem presumptuous, and try not to interfere in champions' business beyond necessity.

Ashe smiled gently again, even though the inhibitor exploded. Though we're losing, it's been an honor, Sylus.

…I am honored deeply, your majesty. Thank you.

It wasn't long before their nexus exploded, and Ashe welcomed it for a change. This battle stank of wrongness. The only positive from the whole mess was becoming acquainted with a sincere summoner.

(In the League Hall…)

Once 'awake,' Ashe thanked the attendants, gathered up her bow, and hurried outside. She spotted Shyvana walking out of her own chamber, nursing her temple from some kind of headache.

"Shyvana?" Ashe called gently once she was close enough.

The draconic woman turned, startled and confused by the greeting. "Queen Ashe. Greetings."

"Are you well?" Ashe began directly, her voice sincere as her eyes were bright.

Shyvana blinked, and then nodded. "…Yes. I appreciate your concern, but it is a small matter."

Ashe tipped her head. "I will not press further. I simply wished to express my own concern, as well as that of Summoner Sylus Hale."

She watched Shyvana's face animate at his name. "Sylus Hale?"

"Yes. He was my summoner, as a last-minute command from his superiors, it seems. It was… challenging for him to fight against you. His respect for you is quite strong, I felt compelled to check on your situation after such a clear… disruption."

Shyvana slowly tipped her head. "My thanks for telling me, your majesty. …They pulled a mid-level mage into that match?"

Ashe shared the grim mood, but nodded.

Shyvana's jaw clenched. "…My summoner was more interested in manipulating me like a puppet than letting me battle. Should we meet on the field again, I will show you a proper fight, and not that embarrassment."

Ashe smirked with the shared humor of warriors. "No doubt, Shyvana. It is clear you were not allowed to bring your true focus to the field. If you need assistance, please seek me out."

Shyvana bowed. "Likewise, Queen Ashe."

Ashe returned the bow, and let the dragon walk away. Then she turned, and looked back at the summoning chambers. "…Something was very wrong here."

(Author's Note)

Shyvana has proven a surprisingly effective muse! This story started as a set of idle concepts, and just flowed out. In this prologue, the only real goal is to establish that Sylus Hale is a member of the cast again, and he and Ashe are introduced to each other. I've always been fond of Ashe, and wanted to give her some page time. It also gave the start of the story a fresh feel, in my opinion.

For readers worried about the fate of X Chronicles 2, do not be alarmed! Progress is being made. Chronicles 2 is a much grander project than this story, and requires a more careful eye. I need to make sure certain elements are properly prepared before it is shown publically. (Basically one or two plot points are proving elusive, and they are vital, but there is text on the page, and it is started)

I hope this prologue wets your appetite for more, and you'll get a swift introduction to the true drama of the plot in Chapter 1, coming soon!

As always, thank you for reading, reviewing, and showing support. Every review gives me another reason to keep writing. You guys make it happen.