What happened to Ekko and Heimerdinger in ‘Arcane’ season 2?
The twists and turns of Arcane Season 2 Act 2 are as mind-bending as they are emotionally gripping, and Heimerdinger and Ekko’s fates are no exception. Both characters took a backseat during much of the action in Piltover, only to find themselves entangled in an alternate reality that raises more questions than answers.
Professor Heimerdinger, the ever-optimistic Yordle, has been residing in this utopian alternate Zaun for over three years. In this dimension, Powder never became Jinx, and a harmonious Zaun flourishes under the guidance of familiar faces like Vander and Silco. While Heimerdinger’s presence in this reality seems peaceful, his decision to help Ekko return to their original timeline sets off a chain of events that leave his ultimate fate ambiguous.
During the final moments of their time-jumping escapade, Heimerdinger sacrifices himself to ensure Ekko makes it back to the main timeline. The machine’s activation causes him to vanish—possibly trapped in the alternate reality or even lost in time itself. This uncertainty appears to be intentional, potentially setting the stage for his return in either a future Arcane season or another League of Legends-inspired series Riot Games is developing. His character’s disappearance is an unresolved thread, adding intrigue and room for speculation about his next move.
For Ekko, this alternate dimension is both a revelation and a crucible. Waking up to a utopian Zaun with Powder as his companion, he experiences a bittersweet vision of what could have been if events had unfolded differently. Yet, Ekko’s core drive—to protect his people and his timeline—propels him to create a hex machine capable of returning him to the original reality. This machine becomes the foundation for the iconic time-travel weapon we know from his League of Legends gameplay.
Ekko’s transformation is completed when Heimerdinger’s sacrifice pushes him through the machine, cementing his role as the innovative and determined “Boy Savior.” His journey back to Piltover aligns with the larger narrative arc of Arcane, bringing him closer to his eventual fate as Zaun’s protector.
The alternate Ekko, separated from his prime counterpart, chooses to stay in the utopian reality alongside Powder. This bittersweet resolution leaves room for future exploration of this dimension—perhaps as a foil to the chaos of the main storyline.
The fate of Heimerdinger is deliberately left open-ended, with possibilities ranging from his peaceful life in the alternate Zaun to his involvement in other League-related projects. His disappearance raises the stakes for a potential return, while Ekko’s emergence as a key player solidifies his place in the Arcane universe.
For now, fans can only speculate on the threads left dangling. Whether it’s the enigmatic Heimerdinger, Ekko’s evolution, or the alternate dimension’s secrets, Arcane continues to deliver a rich tapestry of stories that leave us eager for more.
