Old Wounds

Watchpoint: Gibraltar

Amélie made her way through the Overwatch headquarters that was Gibraltar. It had been roughly four months since she was freed of her brainwashing. At this point, she wondered how long it would take before she stopped feeling regret for the seven years of her life she had lost.

But it was easier, if only by a little. She had learned to forgive herself, by a small amount, which was helped by the fact that others who held on to their resentment eventually found a way to forgive her. Some of them, at least. There were still plenty of people who scorned her, some less obvious than others.

It was far from perfect. The fact still weighed on her conscience every day that she committed so many atrocities in the past, and no amount of good deeds could ever erase that.

In fact, at this moment she was angry. Amélie was caught in her emotions and wasn't sure how to let them out. Angry at the world, that there was so much suffering, and nothing could change that. There was a time when she was willfully ignorant about such things, but no longer.

Tracer walked up through the hallway and noticed her. She looked curious, and spoke up.

"Is there something troubling you?"

Amélie sighed.

"Do you ever feel that humankind are the real monsters?"

Tracer paused for a moment, thinking of the proper response to that question.

"Well… I'm sure we've all heard that before, but in times of hardship we all find a way to make it through. A light at the end of the tunnel so to speak."

"I wish I could be as optimistic about it as you. The fact is, we live in a world where people suffer. War, famine, poverty, and things I don't want to say still exist. No one is willing to do anything about it, and yet it's certainly possible to turn an innocent bystander into an emotionless and amoral killer."

"I see it's bothering you." Tracer said. "I'm glad you're talking about it, though."

"You could say that." Amélie said. "I just wish life wasn't like this. How can it be possible to make people into living weapons, but not help the lives of those who actually need it?"

"They say it's human nature…"

"The people who do this aren't human at all."

Amélie crossed her arms. It was making her so angry the more she thought about it. She wanted there to be peace, because the more she heard of the worsening state of the world, the more anger she felt over the fact that she held responsibility for it, and the people who did it to her have more power than the people who can fix it.

"Amélie," Tracer said. "I won't pretend to know what you're going through, but I want you to know that you're not alone. You have friends now, and you no longer have to feel like you can't speak to anyone. We don't think of you as a living weapon, we think of you as a friend."

"I never thought I would hear that from you, but… thank you. It means a lot to me. Now if only you spoke for everyone. Anyways, I have other matters to attend to."

Tracer nodded. Amélie left and went through the corridors of the base. She eventually found herself outside. It was impressive how much the Watchpoint had grown under the supervision of Overwatch's finest. It's a true stronghold that Talon wouldn't be able to break into so easily.

The sun was shining bright. Amélie enjoyed such times, but for now she had a mission. She lamented having to leave so soon, but as they say, duty calls. Soon she found herself in the mission center, reporting to Winston.

"I'm ready for a mission." Amélie said. "I know Talon has been acting again lately."

"Yes." Winston said. "But you're not going in alone this time, that's an order."

Amélie nodded. It was best she had people to fall back on. Not everything could be done by herself.

"I'm sending you to Brazil." Winston said.

"I already know what it's about."

"Indeed." Winston said. "Talon has been sighted there. It seems to me that they've been wanting to stir chaos since Vishkar's failed takeover of Rio de Janeiro."

"I'll find out what their exact motive is."

"A man by the name Sanjay Korpal has been spotted in the area. Does that name sound familiar to you?"

"I know he was Vishkar's rep on Talon's inner council, but other than that I rarely saw him."

"His presence there can't be anything good."

"I won't doubt that." Amélie said. "We'll have a little talk when I see him."

"You will embark with the team in three hours. Best of luck."

"Got it, sir."

Amélie dismissed herself. In the few hours until then, Amélie got ready. She loaded her sniper rifle, equipped her Infra-Sight and gadgets, and mentally prepared herself for her mission.

She had to be honest with herself, it was kind of exciting for her. Amélie could finally do good for the world, and the people she'll be killing without mercy and remorse will be Talon themselves rather than the innocent. None of them deserve any sorrow for what they've done to the world.

Amélie walked out to the ship, where the other members of her team were seen. Pharah, Reinhardt, Genji, Mercy, and McCree were ready for their flight to Brazil. As she moved closer, she could tell that Pharah was shooting her a glare. It was just as she promised, Pharah hasn't forgiven Amélie for what she's done.

"To think that I have to work with someone like you." Pharah said.

"Fareeha…" Mercy said. "That's not nice."

"She's the reason I haven't seen my mother in so long." Pharah said. "Don't think I'll protect her, she'll be on her own."

Pharah retreated inside the ship. Amélie was saddened by that, but it's not like it was unexpected. At the same time, she could hardly blame her, either. The memories of that battle will remain with her forever.

"Don't worry." Reinhardt said. "I'll protect you with my life, every one of you!"

"I appreciate it." Amélie said.

"It'll take her some time to realize you're a better person than what you were before." Genji said. "But time is what heals all wounds."

"I won't hold it against her for not forgiving me." Amélie said. "I would have a hard time forgiving someone who tore my family apart."

"Well, the mission isn't going to get done with us standing here. Let's get going." McCree said.

"Understood."

One at a time everyone entered the ship. They were headed for Brazil, where they would get to the bottom of Talon's plans. Any attempt to sabotage them was one Amélie would take. Inside she sat opposite of Pharah, who wouldn't stop staring at her with the malicious looks. Amélie was legitimately worried that Pharah would attack her if she could've gotten away with it.

Though it was a longshot, Amélie decided to try to make her feel better.

"I don't blame you for how you feel." Amélie said. "Just like how I don't blame the other agents for hating or fearing me whenever I'm in their presence. If you want to know who hates Amélie Lacroix, or the Widowmaker, the most, look no further than the one sitting in front of you."

"Was that bit of self-deprecation supposed to endear you to me?" Pharah said.

"I only speak the truth." Amélie said. "The man I admire most is dead by my hands. Gérard was the love of my life, a hero to me that no one will ever be able to replace. Even at my best, I'm not half the person he was."

"I guess you're not wrong about everything."

"It hurts me knowing that I was the opposite of everything he stood for. He led operations against Talon, and I became their top assassin. Do you know how angry I am that we live in a world where an innocent bystander can made into a murderer? I just want you to know that everything I've done is something that fills me with regret. Even if you don't have my back, I'll make sure you make it home safe."

Pharah shook her head. She remained unchanged with her look, making it clear that she wasn't buying it. The hardest part wasn't the fact that she lost Gérard, but the fact that she destroyed many families during her employ in Talon. If there was a chance to make it right, she would take it.

Then McCree stepped in.

"Look, I know you're not keen on forgiving her, but you have to let the hate stuff go. I felt the same way, but she showed me that it wasn't Amélie who was responsible for what happened. It was the brainwashing. Try to imagine going through that, because I certainly can't."

Pharah didn't answer. She simply looked away, not paying McCree's words any mind. Then Pharah spoke again.

"I'm glad you're keeping your tattoos." Pharah said. "You're more of a venomous spider than a human being, so it suits you."

There wasn't anything Amélie could say that would help her. Some wounds need to heal on their own. Instead, Amélie got her rest, as the trip from Gibraltar to Brazil would be long, and it would only be the beginning.

Amélie wanted to make sure everyone got home safely, so she knew she had to give it her all. If anything, what Pharah said only gave her more motivation. It meant she still had to prove she wasn't the traitor assassin she was once thought to be.