#plus she's going to be ecposed as a magic user in a place that bans magic (hextech is still just the exception)

[mollysunder]

I don't get why so many people think Mel died in the rocket explosion. Even if you don't know anything about League and the magical item Mel was wearing, how does it make sense on a narrative level for her to die?

Mel's been in a bubble the entire season trying to hold on to her ideals while being confronted with the fact that she is losing control. The finale had her choose peace, which was a triumph for Mel, but it was also WAAAAAY too late. And then when everything finally blows up in her face (literally) she's just going to die?!??!!!

No one gets off THAT easy.

I'd also argue Mel still has a lot of mystery left behind. I'm not talking about her "friends overseas", or even what event between her and Ambessa lead to her banishment. I'm talking about the fact that the moment Mel tells Jayce, "there's a lot you don't know about me", we immediately cut to her painting pallete and the colors are arranged to fit the profile of THE Jericho Swain!!!!!!!!

Isn't that insane??!?!? How do you know this man Mel? Do you know he's trying to purge your family???

If the Swain profile doesn't convince you then what about the teaser trailer, Ambessa's speech was clearly spliced from three separate conversations. The first one, "Your council is dead", is in an exasperated tone only reserved for her daughter. Who in Piltover would she EVER be willing to get exhausted with in an argument. Also, the only person Ambessa would recognize as the one responsible for Piltover's council is her own daughter who runs it.

The other two statements, "wrath must be met with wrath!", and "You will have vengeance" are both far more authoritative with less room for convincing like she has to do with Mel. Ambessa's likely telling Jayce he needs to respond and build more hextech weapons (which he will) in the former. While in the latter, she's likely talking to Caitlyn and using Caitlyn's grief at her mother's death to make her press forward into Zaun.

Last point! Would the writers really throw away the opportunity to have Ambessa tell Mel, "I told you so"?

...I don't think so.