The battle had started. The Battleborn and Overwatch teams unleashed a hail of bullets towards their foes and Reinhardt led the charge with all the melee fighters. The Varelsi charged at them and soon collided with all the melee fighters. As the battle developed everyone seemed to either has gone off on their own or teamed up with someone. Caldarius, Pharah, Benedict, and Kid Ultra were all in the skies raining down firepower on their foes. Pharah eventually landed next to Benedict and continued to shoot. Benedict seemed a little amused by her weapon and decided to show off.
Benedict: You call those little things you're shooting rockets? This is a rocket!
Benedict hit his rocket launcher a few times that sent out a massive missile blowing up a massive group of Varelsi. Pharah simply chuckled and flew up into the air. Slots on her armor opened up as she began to hover and aim at a large group of skulks that just joined the battle.
Pharah: Justice rains from above!
She unleashed her rocket barrage onto the skulks. Benedict simply watched in amazement as she easily demolished the group of skulks.
Benedict: Damn…and I'm usually the one that yells become the rocket.
Pharah: You can be amazed later. We have a mission to finish.
Benedict nodded and flew back into the air and continued to shoot at the enemies below him. Meanwhile with Tracer and Melka, they were running through the large groups picking off targets one by one at rapid speeds. A Varelsi Marksman was about to shoot Melka when her back was turned but was immediately shot in the head the second it looked down its scope. Its body began to fall until it eventually disappeared. Oscar Mike ran over to join the two then tapped on Melkas shoulder.
Oscar Mike: You were almost shot, watch from all angles but I got your back teammate!
Melka: Thanks Mike.
Oscar Mike ran off to resume his run and gun tactics. Melka and Tracer stood back to back shooting at enemies that would approach them.
Tracer: Who was that luv?
Melka: Oscar Mike but can we talk about this later?
Without another word the two of them continued to fight off the seemed to be never ending waves of foes. Cipher was watching the whole battle from quite a distance. The two teams could not see him, but he could see them very quickly. A Varelsi conservator appeared next to him and looked down at him.
Cipher: Get in there and do some damage. But make sure you separate the Eldrid from the speedster.
With a reassuring nod the conservator disappeared and reappeared in the middle of the battle opening up more portals.
Mercy: Is there no end to them?
Kleese: Actually, yes. Due to them coming from a dimension of pure darkness it is believed that the-
All the Battleborn: NOT NOW KLEESE!
Kleese: Oh right, now then, let's kill these ugly bastards!
They continued their battle, only a few of them shot at the conservator but it did not concern her sense she was shielded. She looked over at Tracer and Melka and opened up a portal right in between them. They both jumped back but Cipher quickly dashed out and pulled Melka in without being seen. It took about another minute of fighting until Oscar Mike noticed that Melka was missing.
Oscar Mike: Melka is missing!
Ghalt: What?!
Boldur: We must find her!
Winston: We will but we have to deal with this thing!
He pointed to the conservator. She simply laughed and began to rapidly spin around and eventually disappearing. The few remaining Varelsi were killed. Once they were all gone everyone looked around calling for Melka.
Tracer: I hope she is alright.
Oscar Mike: You and me both.
Tracer: Oh, you again. Hello luv, so you are Oscar Mike?
Oscar Mike: That is correct,
Tracer: I'm sure everyone is worried about her. Me probably more
Oscar: Same. Truth is I think I'm in lo-
Before he could finish another Varelsi portal opened up and both teams aimed at it. What came out next shocked them. The first thing that appeared was a skulk that seemed like it was being held up by something. Then it's neck was snapped and it disappeared. The next thing that walked out was Melka herself, but she seemed different. Her jacket and pants were pure black, so was her hair. Her eldrid bio gauntlet was dark gray with dark purple accents. Her gun was also pure black. She blew her hair out of her face and it went back to its original position. Everyone stayed quiet as she slowly walked away from the portal and it closed.
Melka: Man…Varelsi space can fuck you up.
Everyone cheered and rushed over to her. Tracer was the first and immediately hugged her tight almost knocking her down. Once everyone else reached her they tapped her on the shoulder and gave her high fives.
Ghalt: No way you just did that!
Mercy: That was impressive.
Reinhardt: You indeed are a true warror.
Tracer: I thought we lost you.
Mellka: Well when you're a badass like me-
Mellka stepped back and did a backflip into a handstand and did the rock and roll sign in the other.
Mellka: You do pretty badass things.
She stood back up as everyone started to ask her questions of how it was like and what she had done. However, back where Cipher was originally watching the fight, another Mellka was pushed down in front of him. Only this one looked like the original and was tied up.
Mellka: Rendain?
Cipher: No, you idiot. I'm Cipher. And you must be Mellka. No, correction, you're my prisoner.
Mellka: You wish. My team is gonna come and get me.
Cipher: What do you mean? You're already with them.
Cipher chuckled as she was dragged back into a portal and he followed. After about an hour back at the Overwatch base the two teams were enjoying dinner in the cafeteria, well everyone except Mellka. She was not eating and just simply sat at the table listening to the conversations. Winston noticed this and looked at her.
Winston: Um Mellka are you alright? You're not eating, also what's with the new look?
Mellka: Sorry but I'm not hungry. And the new look? I'm guessing it's side effects of being in Varelsi space.
Deande: So, your hair, clothes, and bio gauntlet all turned black?
Tracer: Seems a little odd.
Mellka: Trust me I'm fine.
Reinhardt: If you say so. But we might need to keep a close eye on you just in case. See if you truly are healthy.
Mellka: Really, I'm fine. Listen I'm just going to head to bed now. Goodnight everyone.
She got up and left the table and out the cafeteria. It left everyone a little shocked about her sudden change in attitude. Everyone continued their dinner and then eventually went to bed. The next day once everyone was up they were all in the lounging area. Mellka eventually joined and sat on the couch with Hana and Toby.
Mellka: What are you two playing?
Toby: Hana is just playing. It's called Gigantic. To sum it all up we gotta help our guardian attack the evil looking snake thing over there
Mellka looked up at the television seeing the evil guardian. It was massive, it had a serpent like body, three clawed fingers, two horns, and green eyes, and its scales were a shade of dark red.
Mellka: Interesting…
Tracer watched Mellka from a distance wondering what is wrong with her. Whenever Tracer entered the room last night to talk with Mellka she seemed off. Whenever she asked her about the Battleborn she only gave obvious answers and said that they were either great warriors or what faction they were from. Tracer went over to Miko and Zenyatta who were also watching Mellka.
Tracer: You two think there is something off about her?
Zenyatta: We do not think, we know.
Miko: We sense that there is a dark presence within her. We must figure out what it is before it destroys us all.
Tracer: Just be careful. I don't want you to hurt her.
Zenyatta: That is the thing Tracer. It may not be her.
Meanwhile on Rendains ship, Cipher was laughing evilly as he saw the inside of the Overwatch base through shadow Mellka's eyes. Rendain walked over and noticed and smiled as well.
Rendain: What do you see?
Cipher: The teams are together, and nobody expects shadow Mellka. Father it is time for the world to know about us.
Rendain: I agree. General Tullius!
A thrall bonecrusher ran over to Rendain.
General Tullius: Yes supreme commander Lothar Rendain?
Rendain: It is time to introduce ourselves to the world. And gain more followers, initiate operation new Tempest.
With a simple nod, the thrall ran off to the control room and began barking orders. Rendain went to the bridge of the ship and cleared his throat as another thrall followed him and set up a camera behind him. Rendain cleared his throat and faced the camera as it turned on. At that moment, every screen in the world now showed Rendain, even the ones that were off had turned on, and every radio was his voice. Across the world everyone was confused about what was happening and why it was happening. Rendain smiled and watched the camera.
Rendain: Greetings residents of the planet Earth. You are all probably wondering what is happening and who is this talking to us. Well, I am Lothar Rendain, leader of the Jennerit Emperium. I have been on your planet for a few days and have finally decided to reveal myself to this world. Believe me when I say that I mean no harm, and to prove that your world leaders will soon be having a gift teleported into their hands. The gift is a shard, a very powerful source of energy that comes from stars themselves.
Just as he said at least one shard was teleported into the hands of every world leader. Most of them immediately dropped them afraid of what they could do.
Rendain: These shards can power almost anything, it is a unlimited source of energy that is environmental friendly. Now you are probably wondering why I am here. Well my kind and I are fleeing from a very dangerous enemy known as the Battlleborn.
Ever screen now showed footage of the Battleborn fighting off an army of thrall and easily winning.
Rendain: These beings are dangerous and are capable of wiping out entire worlds. All I ask is that our kinds can live in peace. And as another gift, I am currently building another empire on a large remote island called new Tempest. Anyone that wishes to live in luxury, with no crime guaranteed, well-paying jobs, and no discrimination, come to new Tempest and join the Jenerit Emperium. By doing this, you will show that our races can live in peace and prosper. Please consider my offer, I will be in touch.
Every television went back to its normal programming but was immediately swapped to breaking news on every channel. Rendain chuckled and began to walk off knowing that he was successful. Meanwhile back at the Overwatch base, all of the Battleborn were furious at what just happened.
Reyna: I can't believe he just fucking did that!
Caldarius: That bastard!
Phoebe: I normally do not break my composure but without a doubt he is, indeed, and bastard!
Orendi: Boil him, mash him, STICK HIM IN A STEW!
Junkrat: Crikey you're beautiful when you're bloodthirsty.
Orendi: Same to you my bundle of destruction.
They hugged each other and Roadhog facepalmed at their idiocy. All the Battleborn continued to yell until Winston and Ghalt got them all to calm down.
Ghalt: Listen everyone, I know that what he just did pisses all of us off, but we cannot let it get to us. If anything, we have to strike even faster because I'm pretty sure with the construction of a new Tempest, also means a new Heliophage.
Lucio: Heliophage? Whats that?
Boldur: Star goes out.
Tracer: Oh, that's not good.
Winston: I'll call for all the Overwatch agents. Even the secret ones.
Soldier 76: So, you're bring back Orisa, Symmetra, and so on and so forth?
Winston: Yes. We need everyone here.
Deande: We must hurry, the Jennerit can build at rapid rates. As you may know
Mellka: Wait.
Mellka stood up from the chair she was sitting in. Everyone shifted her attention to her and was wondering how her, of all of the Battleborn, did not yell as well?
Mellka: Maybe we should not rush in. Think about it, if they are building a whole new city, won't it be heavily guarded? We don't even know if Rendain is actually there? Right?
Everyone stayed quiet for a moment. Some began to agree with Mellka and what she just pointed out.
Mercy: You may be right Mellka.
Reinhardt: Maybe we should wait, scout the city and make of plan of attack.
Ghalt: That's not a bad idea.
Deande: It really isn't. Pendles and I could get a lot of scouting done.
Pendles: Awww I don't want to scout, I want to kill!
Zarya: Is that all you care about you snake?
Pendles: Listen sir!
Zarya: I'm a woman.
Most of the Battleborn winced when Zarya said that. Pendles seemed a little shocked then slowly turned towards Reyna.
Pendles: That's a woman?
Reyna nodded and Zarya seemed furious and simply walked off. Everyone began to talk amongst themselves. While this was happening Mellka snuck off and quickly rushed to the nearest bedroom. She entered Genji's room and found a brush that had his hair on it. She took the strand and then ran to the next one. She then entered Tracers room and also got some hair from a brush. Lastly, she went back into the lounge and found the rag that was used to wipe Alanis blood and took that. She then went outside the base and waited for about a few minutes before a Varelsi portal opened up. Cipher walked through and she handed him the hair and blood-soaked rag. He smirked and absorbed them into himself.
Cipher: Good job shadow Mellka.
Shadow Mellka: Thank you my lord. Will these samples suffice for now?
Cipher: Yes, indeed.
He smirked and shot out three black orbs that stared to grow and take shape. The blobs formed the shapes of Genji, Tracer, and Alani. When the tar like substance fell off their bodies Cipher got a good look at his newest units as they bowed down to him. The Genji copy was Genji with the Oni skin, but you could tell that this one wasn't a mask but an actual face. The Tracer looked just like her Ultraviolet skin. Lastly Alani had stitches all over her body, her clothing was dark grey with dark red accents and her rings that go on her arms were pure black.
Cipher: You are they newest members of my legion. Together will annihilate our enemies. Shadow Mellka, return to your duties. Oni, Blinker (Tracer copy), and Siren, return with me to the ship. Your training begins immediately.
All copies: Yes my lord