Here's the long-awaited forth chpater. This one has some proper polish behind it and is maybe the oldest part of the whole story.
Hope you enjoy it more than the last one, Chapter 3 was a bugged mess that I rushed out too early.
As always, I do not own Overwatch! (But I do own "Raven", hehe.)
"So, why did you enter Saint Peter's church near midnight armed and asking for a person called "The Raven", hm?"
Lena sat in the large office of the commander of the swiss guards. She never actually believed that this silly-dressed folks would be that hard as it turned out.
They took away her pistols. Something no one has done in quite some time now. But what does time mean to her anyway.
She sat in front of the commander, a giant of a man, loaded with muscles, bright blond hair and hands that could tear a small tree apart. Lena stayed silent, what made the commander sigh.
"Look, we are not normal soldiers. We are the the guards of christianity. We can't let anyone taint the holy ground of its greatest church. It happened too often in the past." He pointed at the cross at the wall. "But I don't think you are the kind of person who would fall for that. What if I told you, that it took us just under 5 Minutes to find out who you are and you want?"
He slapped a big file on the table. "Lena "Tracer" Oxton" was written on it, along with "Declassified" in big red letters. The Commander picked it up and read out:
"Lena Oxton, better known under the codename "Tracer". Gained special time-traveling powers after a failed experiment. Known to be cheerful and childish. Former Overwatch agent. Violated the PETRAS-Act several times." He took a sip from his cup. "You know Overwatch disbanded right? Remaining silent won't save your ass, be sure about that."
"Why did you even arrest me? I didn't do anything!"
"Ah, the british girl actually CAN talk. You entered the holy city armed! Talon already tried 3 times this year to assassinate the holy father. And since many of your kind changed sides to Talon... what how could you convince me that you didn't?" Lena was very close to get mad and blink out of here. But if she did this, she would never find Raven...
"You checked my history. I already..." She was interrupted by a grey haired bishop entering the office. He appeared rather angry, while the commander was shocked. "Your Eminence, I.." "Shut your mouth, Schweitzer. What is the meaning of this riot?"
"An Overwatch agent has entered the holy city armed and asking questions she's not supposed to ask." "Of what kind, commander?" "About Raven, your eminence."
The bishop frowned. Lena was not sure if he was amused or surprised. After a short period of thinking, the Bishop raised his soft voice again. "Young lady, you come with me." "With all due respect, this agent is..." "...now my personal business, commander. I think that's what you wanted to say? The holy father wouldn't be pleased if you waked him this late for arresting an innocent young lady. Do we understand?" "Yes, father." the Commander responded frustrated as Lena and the bishop left the office.
After they stood in the church again, the bishop turned Lena towards him. "Listen closely. I know who you are, and who Raven is but there's not much time left. Talon has set a new plan into motion to assassinate the holy father. Raven was always there to protect him, but this time something is different. He hasn't responded since months for now. I'm afraid he could be dead."
"No!, I know he can't be dead!"
"I can't believe it either. Talon has infiltrated the swiss guard. That is why commander Schweitzer took your questions about Raven so seriously."
"But why?"
"Raven is a member of the secret department of the swiss guards. That you even know his codename already makes you suspicious. The thing is, we got some hints that this time, Talon wants him killed. You have you reach him first." The bishop gave her an notepad with coordinates written on it. "This is his appartment. Find him and bring him here. If he isn't there, you will sure find hints where he might be." Lena couldn't belive it. This was all she wanted. The trip to the Vatican actually did pay off in the end. She was going to see Raven again. The lone thought of it filled her mind with happiness.
"I... I can't express my gratitude, your Eminence." "You don't have to. Now hurry! And may the blessings of our lord and saviour, Jesus Christ, protect you on your journey." Lena sprinted out of the Church, more happy than she was in the last 2 weeks. What she didn't notice, was how the bishop pulled a phone, called a kryptic number and barely whispered: "Tracer's on the move. The trap is set. I repeat, the trap is set."
Hidden, between some abandoned houses, was a door made of wood that was so rotten, that McCree wondered how it didn't break after opening it. Lena fitted in perfectly, McCree however, had some problems because of his wide shoulders.
The appartment was a mess: A single room, littered with garbage, dirty clothes and cigarette ends on the ground. "I'm gonna stayin' outside, taking care of anything that might come by, ok?" "If you say so." McCree answered. When Lena was outside, he simply said out loud: "Man, this room is a mess." when suddenly a raspy voice from his left appeared.
"Your head will be a mess when I'm done with it. If you know what's good for you, you get the fuck out of here." McCree turned his Head to his left – and stared down the barrel of a silenced pistol. "Wow, wow, wow, there's no need for this..."
"Exactly. When you get the fuck out of here."
Even though he could see the pistol, the person holding it remained invisible. The invisible man spoke again. The sound of his voice made McCree feel uncomfortable.
"Who are you? A bastard from Talon? Or another bounty hunter from Australia? You're ugly enough to be both."
"Are you... Raven?"
"You didn't answer my Question."
"Look, we're from Overwatch, not Talon and..."
"Overwatch has disbanded. His Agents are spread around the whole bloody world."
"Then why did we get your signal at watchpoint Gibraltar? A call for help?"
"I don't know. I don't care either. Do you have any persons with you that I need to kill too?"
"You don't need to kill anybody. We are Friends."
"I have no friends. Only people who hunt me."
The Person pulled the trigger, but McCree already dodged the shot with a step to his right. He pulled his revolver, but he had no target, so he fired in the air. A hard punch hit his kidneys, followed by a hit unter his cheek and a kick against his right hand, which caused his revolver to fly through the room. He felt the pressure of the pistol against his temple. "This time I ain't kiddin'." Right before he pulled the trigger, Lena blinked inside, her pistols pulled out and ready to shoot. The pressure against his temple lowered, and the Person became visible. What McCree saw wasn't nearly as impressive as his imagination made up.
It was a Man, not tall, in fact rather small, thin and wouldn't possibly defeat anyone in a one-on-one fistfight. His face reminded him heavily of Lena's. The nose, the eyes, even the brown colour of his hair and bad trimmed beard. What he wore was downright shabby. A trench coat, dirty and worn out beyond any proportion, covered his upper body. On his head sat a red coloured cap, worn out as well. His left arm was replaced by a black kybernetic prothesis, while his right hand hold the pistol McCree was facing only moments before. His skin was very pale, near the tone of ivory and his eyes had the color of ice, giving the impression of piercing right through his skin, looking directly into his very thoughts.
"Lena?" the stranger said barely noticeable.
And McCree witnessed something, he never thought he would witness: Lena dropped her pistols and broke into tears. "Matthew..." she wispered, while she came towards the man, whose face lost the last signs of colour. She stormed towards him and gave him the hug of her life. "I'm so glad I found you again, Matthew!" she said in tears. "I know, my dear sister. I know."
And Matthew Oxton, the Raven, gave himself into her arms.