Okay so a little mix up. I looked up Gibraltar and thought that it was in England because it said it was an English overseas territory, but after doing further reading, I found it's actually a part of Spain. whooops Anyway, Enjoy this chapter! Maybe… possibly… please :D
xxxx
Winston's dropship gently cruised through the air, piloted by his artificial intelligence partner, Athena. The scientist still looked out the windows of the cockpit, however, not to detect any incoming projectiles, but to just enjoy the view. He had been cooped up in Gibraltar for quite some time, so getting out was quite the change. He honestly couldn't believe what was happening, and that he was the one who initiated it. Bringing back Overwatch, who would have guessed?
"Athena, status report," he ordered politely.
The AI replied immediately, "Entering King's Row now Winston. We are almost over the coordinates provided by Agent Oxton,"
Winston, knowing that he was well within comm range of Lena, activated his comlink and set it to her frequency.
"Lena, We're approaching your location. Get into position so we can make a quick getaway before anyone notices us,"
Her voice resonated through his ears, "Roger big guy! Just open the hangar door and fly by. I'll blink in!"
"Roger that," replied Winston.
Winston told his AI copilot to bring them low, but still airborne over the LZ. He then opened the hanger bay door, and before he realized, his friend was already on board, cheery smile and all.
"Winston!" shouted Lena, blinking over to her long lost friend, hugging him, hanging off of his neck.
"Hahaha! It's good to see you too Lena," chuckled Winston as he closed the hangar door.
Tracer released the gorilla, beaming brightly at him, "It's been so long! We have so much to catch up on,"
"Indeed we do. But first, we must update everyone on our progress," he replied, turning on the communications array.
On the screen, only Reinhardt's, Genji's, and McCree's cams appeared, which was a little unsettling to Winston, but he was sure the others had logical reasons as to why they were not responding.
"Everyone, I've just picked up Lena," announced Winston, with Lena standing next to him, happily waving and smiling.
Reinhardt, Genji, and McCree gave their greetings to their old, time warping friend.
"Glad to see you in one piece fraulein!" exclaimed the armored knight, currently not adorning his helmet. The scar over his eye still seemed fresh, but the jolly veteran smiled with delight.
Tracer giggled and replied, "Nice to see you too Reihnie. How's Bridgette?"
"Brigitte! How are you doing?!"
"I'm doing fine, Reinhardt," replied a voice off screen.
"She's doing fine. Hey! Look who else is here!"
At that moment, two other familiar faces appeared on Reinhardt's screen.
Winston and Lena smiled widely and said in unison, "Angela! Torbjorn! Jinx! Double jinx! Aagh!"
Everyone else laughed at the hijinks of the situation. Reinhardt explained that he had managed to pick up the other two on his way to Gibraltar, to lessen the time it would take for everyone to regroup. Winston thanked him profoundly. It would save so much time.
"Where are you all right now anyway?" he asked.
"Brigitte! Where are we right now!?"
"Luxemburg, Reinhardt," she replied.
"Luxemburg. Which means we will be passing through France, und then Spain, und then we will reach the base! With this baby," he proudly patted the inside wall of his van, "we will get there in about four days flat,"
"Oi! Brigitte! How about a race!?" asked Lena.
"How in the heck is that even fair?" replied Brigitte, off screen.
"Brigitte does have a point!" said Reinhardt, "You two obviously have an advantage, being in a flying machine und all,"
At this point, Genji joined the conversation.
"I currently have no way of grouping up with any of you. So I believe the best course of action for them would be to come get me first. From where they are, it is a two day trip. I'm sure that will give you enough time to get a proper head start, crusader,"
"Very well, Genji. Provide me with your coordinates and we will head to you immediately,"
"Sending them now,"
"Aha! A race it is then! Und the winner gets Overwatch!"
"Or just the satisfaction of getting there before anyone else," said Winston, "By the way, if you do arrive first, I have to tell you that I have provided the base with a large cloaking device and shield barrier, so that Talon cannot find it again. Tell me once you get there, on the off chance you do make it there before us, highly unlikely by my calculations anyway, so that I can lower the cloak and barrier for you,"
"Jawohl! Brigitte! Have this thing at full tilt the whole way!"
"Come on Winston!" exclaimed Torbjorn, "We scientists gotta stick together! I'll sabotage this bucket o' bolts so that you get there first!"
"You touch my van und I'll stuff you in the-!" Winston cut the feed, chuckling at the two friends' crazy antics.
At that moment, Genji's coordinates came through to Winston's computer.
"Ah, perfect. Athena, lock on to these coordinates, cloak us, and get us out of this air space,"
At this, Lena was terribly confused.
"Whuh? Who's Athena?" she asked.
"Oh! That's right, you wouldn't know," replied the scientist, "Athena, introduce yourself please,"
A disembodied voice echoed through the dropship.
"Greetings Agent Oxton, codename: Tracer. I am Athena,"
Lena gave an awkward chuckle, realizing she wasn't going to be talking to a physical entity.
"Um, hiya! Are you an artificial intelligence or something?" she asked.
"You are correct in stating that," Athena replied.
"Wicked. Winston! You created her?"
The ape smiled proudly, "You are correct in stating that also. From chronal accelerators to AI, I make them all! She is my greatest invention yet. But enough about me, let's catch up, how have you been?"
The two sat down on opposite bunks at the far end of the drop ship. Tracer began.
"Well, I'm sure you heard about what happened...at King's Row..."
Winston sullenly replied, "Yes. It is a tragedy that happened. Mondatta. He truly was a great Omnic,"
Lena began to look down in defeat and shame.
"I could've stopped it...from happinin'. I was there. I could've stopped her! But I lead her right to 'im… It's my fault! I should have done more, could have done more!"
There was a long moment of silence between the two. Winston had never seen her so torn apart, never seen her act so guilty. It was just unlike her. She started to speak again.
"I have this amazing power...to go back and forth through time, to correct my own mistakes, to get around my enemies, take 'em by surprise. And what do I do with it? I send myself into wild goose chases, thinking I've got the upper hand, when really I've just played myself into their own hands. I was better than this! I was always better than this… Now look. Because of what I failed to do, lives were lost, and Widowmaker escaped. And the human omnic struggle has just gotten worse with the loss of one of their best peace keepers… I could have done more…"
Slowly she removed her goggles, set them aside, and rubbed her temples, frustrated with herself beyond belief. Another moment of silence between the two, Lena looking down at the floor of the ship, Winston looking intently at Lena. She looked so defeated and hopeless. That wasn't like her at all. He needed her back, more than ever.
"Lena, listen to me," He said firmly.
She looked up at him, eyes full of regret.
"Things aren't as they used to be. We don't inspire people anymore. Our enemies strike fear into the hearts of everyone; man, woman, omnic, and it is what they want! After our fall, our foes have only grown stronger, and they know how to use their strength,"
Lena heard his words, and they made her angry, not at Winston though, but at the fact that he was right. They did know how to use their strength, and they were clearly stronger than them. Winston continued.
"However, that does not mean that what we do now makes them stronger than us, makes them better than us. Every single move we make against them only makes us stronger, even if that move ends in defeat. Because Lena, what you did that day made them realize that they cannot just do as they wish, without a fight. You fought because you knew you were the only one who could stand a chance against her, and because of that, you grew stronger. And you will continue to get stronger the more you fight. And the more we fight, the more we will win. And I promise you, Lena, we will fight, and we will win, as a team, as a unit, as a family. Because that is one thing that our enemies do not have,"
Lena looked up at her companion with a new found spirit. Winston could see in her eyes what he needed to see: inspiration, determination, and most of all, hope. She took in his words, reflecting on all of it, and finally stood up, smiling at him with that all too familiar smile.
"Thanks big guy. I needed that. Wasn't feeling like myself for a moment,"
He smiled back at her, and the two embraced, Winston not hugging too hard, afraid he'd break her frail body, or the chronal accelerator, or both.
Lena backed off and smiled brightly, grateful to have a friend like Winston, knowing full well that he was a 5' 11", 180 pound, super intelligent, talking gorilla. But he'd always be more than that in the eyes of all Overwatch agents. He would be the one to reunify them all, to bring back what was thought lost. He would be the reason the world would have hope again. She then took a big sigh.
"Alright, so Genji is next?" she asked.
Winston knuckle walked over to the cockpit, Lena following through her blinking ability.
"Yes, and hopefully we get there soon. I wouldn't want to lose a race against time to a van after all,"
The two of them laughed and sat in the pilot and co pilot seats, staring off into the distant sky. This was a small moment of peace and quiet, and although they knew it was not meant to last, they tried to enjoy it. It was their job to make sure that the world got the same peace and quiet one day. That's when Lena remembered someone.
"You know who would love this?" she softly asked.
Winston had an idea who, but gave an inquisitive, "hm?"
She looked back at him with gentle eyes, almost in pain, "Jack..."
He knew it. Memories of the commander began to fill his head, as well as Lena's.
"Yes, you are right. He would very much enjoy this, bringing back Overwatch. He'd be so happy,"
Lena gave a soft sigh, bringing her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them, remembering what life was like back then. Winston looked her over, studying her body language, her facial expressions, the way she was breathing.
"You miss him, don't you?" he asked.
"Well of course I miss him. We all do," she replied, knowing full well what he meant, but not addressing it.
"I mean, more than the rest of us. I know you were… more fond of him than others," probed the scientist.
This was getting into territory Lena didn't want to delve into right now. She just wanted to bring up a moment to remember Jack Morrison, not have a psycho analysis of her misplaced feelings.
"Can we just, not talk about that, please? You put me through one pep talk already, I don't want another right now, mkay?" She politely asked.
Winston nodded and smiled gently, "Sorry,"
Another moment of awkward silence and staring out the window. It was two days to Nepal, two days back. Hopefully the ride wouldn't be filled with any more awkward silent moments. All they wanted to do was enjoy the peace while it lasted.
xxxx
Genji Shimada paced back and forth along the balcony of the Shambali Temple, overlooking the vast mountain range which the temple resided in. He was unsure of how his master would take the news, him leaving Nepal for a war the Shambali did not believe in. But if Overwatch was being reborn, he would answer the call of his friends. To do otherwise would bring great dishonor to his name. He owed his life to Overwatch; Dr. Ziegler saved his life, many times in fact, but it was the first time that mattered the most. The cyber ninja ceased his pacing and stared off into the distance, the chrome pieces of his armor shining almost proudly in the sunlight. He must have confidence that his master would understand, that he would, in fact, be proud that he was leaving for a righteous cause. Or perhaps Zenyatta would still be mad at him for stealing his boat so that he could see his brother, and in the process, crashed that boat on the trip back. But maybe he has forgiven him. Genji honestly could not tell what was processing in that mechanical mind half the time, but he did value his master's approval and friendship very much.
"Hello my student," said the kind and gentle voice of Takhartha Zenyatta from behind.
Genji didn't know how his master was always able to sneak up on him, though the fact that the omnic monk never made a foot step might have been a good place to start. He bowed humbly to the enlightened teacher.
"Master, thank you for taking the time to talk with me," he said.
"It is always a privilege to talk with one of my finest students, and even more of an honor to be asked by him to talk. Tell me, what is on your mind?" inquired Zenyatta, floating ever so gracefully next to his pupil, looking over the mountains.
Genji began his confession.
"Master, I am not sure if you are aware, but-"
"Your friends are on their way to receive you, to take you to battle those who would obstruct our peace on this world," Zenyatta finished.
Once again, Genji was dumbfounded by how his master always knew what was going on in his personal life. It almost urked him.
"Wh- How did you-?"
"Through The Iris, my young pupil, I see everything," replied the omnic monk.
The master works in mysterious ways Genji said to himself. He brushed the explanation aside.
"Then you know that I must answer their call. I cannot stay here, master,"
"Of course you cannot," replied the teacher.
"Wait, what?"
The monk explained his response.
"Genji, I have taught you many things, and if there is one lesson that you still have failed to grasp, it is that the outcome is not preordained. You were never destined to stay here. I had only brought you here because I wanted to guide you onto a path that would put you at peace with yourself. But we do not let the actions of others determine who we are meant to be. I may have put you on the path, but there are endless forks in the road of life, and it is our choices that decide which path we chose from then on. So do not think that you need my approval to let you go. Always remember, Genji, if we are to be more than who we are, we must learn to accept and move on from the past. Your future resides with your decisions, and you alone,"
Genji took in these words, just as he had done many times before, embracing them, understanding them. He then nodded and bowed.
"Arigato sensei. However, it was not my intention to go by myself,"
At this, Zenyatta tilted his head in surprise.
"I had not foreseen this. Explain, my student,"
Genji explained,
"Master, please come with me. Be a part of Overwatch,"
Zenyatta sighed, in what almost seemed like disappointment, "Genji…"
His pupil continued,
"Master, I know you have done so much to regain the trust and respect of your brothers and sisters, but please, I beg of you, consider it. You have taught me many things, and I feel that your teachings would greatly benefit the actions of Overwatch. Help us bring peace to the world which you cherish so much, the world that we all cherish. I cannot help but feel that you are needed with us. You said it yourself, to be more than who you are, you have to move on from the past. Master, please, you can be so much more than a teacher. You could be a hero, and even more,"
Even though Genji no longer possessed skin with nerves, he swore he could feel a cold chill running down his spine, feeling every second pass as his master just stared at him with those blank slits for eyes. He hovered there, not saying a word for half a minute, but it felt like eternity. Then he spoke.
"Genji, I am a shambali. I do not condone the use of violence of my own making anymore. I have already betrayed the word of my brothers and sisters once. I do not wish to provoke them again. What you do is not what I do,"
"I am not saying you will be a part of the war. What I am saying is that you will be a beacon of hope, just as Mondatta was. You will never have to fight again I swear,"
The mentioning of his fallen brother put memories in his mind. Memories that he thought he had moved on from long ago. There was more silence between them, as if they were frozen like the statues leading up to the entrance of the temple. Finally, Genji spoke once more.
"Think about it, please. When we first met, I know you would have joined me without hesitation,"
The omnic monk looked up at his student.
"I will… consider the possibility, and discuss it with the others. Then I will return with my answer,"
He knew Zenyatta could not see it, but Genji smiled behind is mask, and bowed once more.
"Arigato, master,"
With that, they parted ways, Genji walking down the southern end of the hallway, Zenyatta floating down the northern end. Wrapped up in his thoughts, Genji almost didn't realize the other omnic monk coming towards him.
"Greetings Genji," said the female omnic.
Realizing who was in front of him, he replied, "Omyatta, hello there,"
The omnic named Omyatta was built similarly to Zenyatta, though she was adorned in more whiter plating with sky blue accents, with her eye slits a centimeter wider than his, giving a more innocent look. Her body and mid section were comprised of overlapping chrome plates, forming a more female-esque look, which she wore a loose silver and blue toga over. Since she was one of Zenyatta's newest pupils, she still walked upon the earth with two legs.
"I overheard your conversation with master Zenyatta. So the rumors are true; you are leaving us?"
Genji nodded slightly, "Hai, I must. But I will return. This place has become like another home to me. But if I do not leave, this peaceful place may be at risk,"
"Well then we must prepare festivities, to honor your leaving!" she suddenly said.
Genji waved it off though.
"Please, Omyatta, that will not be necessary. I am far too humble now to accept such a gift. Please,"
Omyatta looked sullen for a being who could not articulate any facial expressions. Genji could not quite understand why. He had never encountered an omnic like her before. She seemed too concerned about even the littlest things. But this was not important right now. What mattered was his master's decision, and his own preparation for his departure.
"Peace be upon you Omyatta," He calmly said.
Regaining her composure, she replied, "Peace be upon you as well Genji,"
And with that, he strode past her, making his way to his house in the village square.
xxxx
He was almost finished packing everything he needed into one duffel bag. His swords, his books, even his tooth brush. Genji pondered over what he should bring next, then spied the picture frame on a small coffee table in the corner. He picked it up. A photo of him and Hanzo, as young adults. First he looked at his own face, his fine handsome features, his spiked green dye hair, his fantastic sense of fashion. Then he looked at his brother beside him, always so serious, but also so loving. He missed him, so very much. He pressed his fingers upon the glass of the frame, letting the memories overflow. Then he sighed, We must accept and let go of the past. He set the picture down, he would not bring it with him. He had waited weeks for his brother to give him an answer, of what side he should choose in this changing world. He was losing hope that he would ever see Hanzo again. Perhaps he was a fool to think there was still hope for him. It was then he felt a presence.
"Master," he said.
Zenyatta hovered in the doorway, not making a sound.
"You have become better at detecting me, my student," He said.
"Well I wouldn't be a ninja if I couldn't even hear a dead silent, hovering omnic monk creeping up on me with no warning now would I?" replied Genji, with a hint of humor.
The monk chuckled at the remark, then got down to business.
"Come with me. Let us talk some more," He hovered out of the doorway and to the balcony overlooking the mountain range.
Genji slid through the window and deftly landed next to his master. There was something about these mountain ranges that just put both of their minds at ease.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Zenyatta commented.
"Hai, it is a true spectacle. I spent many an hour on this balcony, looking out in the distance, pondering your lessons, asking myself who I am. And thanks to you, I now know,"
Zenyatta did not say anything to this, instead he hovered slightly ahead of his pupil, then turned so that his side faced him.
"I have discussed our conversation with my brothers and sisters, and my students as well," he finally said.
Genji's heart skipped a beat, eager to hear what his decision was.
"And?"
A pause.
"They said that, as long as I do not engage in any violent behavior, I will not be shunned,"
Another pause, longer this time.
"And?" Genji said, rotating his hand in a 'continue' motion.
Then Zenyatta did something that Genji never thought he would do. He uncoiled his legs, straightened them, and stood upon the floorboards.
"Master?"
The omnic monk stood erect and proud, mechanical chest put out, arms at his side.
"I will follow you Genji. I will put this behind me, and go with you on your journey with Overwatch. You were right. This time, the student has become the teacher. You reminded me of my lesson, when I myself had forsaken it. Thank you,"
With that, he bowed the way Genji would, hands at his side, facing his former student. Genji could not believe what he was seeing, but once he realized what was happening, he graciously returned the bow. The wind around them blew softly, sending small bits of snow to swirl around them. It seemed everything was at perfect balance at that very moment. They straightened themselves, and looked each other in the eye.
"Master, thank you. I promise you, you will not regret this decision. I know you will make a difference in this struggle, I can feel it,"
"I'm sure I will not," replied the Omnic.
Genji knew Zenyatta had no way of depicting it, but if he could, Genji would see a wide smile sprawled across that metal face plate of his. It was then he realized how tall Zenyatta was. He was almost as tall as him. It was strange, seeing him stand up. But he was sure it wouldn't last. It was then a nagging question entered Genji's mind.
"Master, about what you said, being able to see everything through the Iris. Is that...true?"
Zenyatta took a moment to put together his answer. Then looked out to the mountains once again.
"I see… what I see. I see possibilities, inevitabilities. I see what the Iris lets me see. Most times I see answers, other times I see only questions. But, I know one thing for certain," He turned to face the cyber ninja, "That we are all one with in the Iris, and that, in time, humans and omnics will be at peace, just as my brother, Mondatta, wanted,"
"But do you see what awaits the future of the world? Do you see peace for us? For everyone? Will Overwatch succeed?"
Zenyatta pressed his metallic hands together, and hummed softly, the golden orbs around him spinning and floating clockwise. Genji patiently waited, leaning against the wall of his house. The omnic responded.
"I cannot tell you the outcome of Overwatch's accomplishments Genji. But I can tell you this: no matter how hard we try, there will always be conflict in this world, in any world. It is like the two sides of a yin and yang. Harmony and Discord. One cannot exist without the other,"
Genji looked down, almost defeated, hearing that come from his teacher. But then he lifted his head, and looked at him in the optic slits.
"Then it is up to us to keep that balance, and fight in the name of Harmony. It is up to us to ensure that, somewhere in the world, there is peace, even if the whole world cannot feel it, we will make sure that everyone can hope for it!"
Zenyatta chuckled, "And that is why you are my best student," He assumed his floating position once again.
"Come, there are festivities to be held," he said, floating away.
Genji sighed, following him, "Master, I do not require a party,"
"Of course you don't," replied Zenyatta, "It is for me,"
Genji stopped, "Oh..." then he continued to follow his master.
That was when Zenyatta stopped moving, reaching into his pants pocket.
"Ah, I almost forgot something," he said, pulling out a letter with a feather pinned to it.
He handed it to Genji, who took it hesitantly.
"What is it?" he asked, holding it in both his hands.
"Isn't it obvious? It is a letter," replied Zenyatta, almost sarcastically.
Genji rolled his eyes behind his visor and opened the letter. Then he gasped. It was from Hanzo.
xxxxx
OKAY! so I did another mess up! Sorry! aaagh why does Blizzard keep these things hidden so well! So I don't know if any of you noticed, but In RECALL, Genji's position was supposedly in like Eastern North America or something, so crap! But that doesn't apply to this story. Let's just say it was a glitch in Winston's tracking system :D Anyway. sorry for another long one. Next one should include the contents of the letter, then Probably Some McCree, then S76 and Alejandra, but we will see. Don't forget to leave a comment please! Thank you for reading! And btw, Omyatta is like a throwaway OC, buuut who knows, maybe she'll come back. And before anyone whines, yes, I'm not making a Tracer x Widowmaker thing. The two hate each other with a passion in this story okay? okay. please don't hate me.