Guardians Come in All Shapes and Forms

Chap 5

"Are you sure you don't want me to carry the supplies?" Mercy asked as she and Pyro continued walking to the port in the heavy rain.

'No, it's fine.' Pyro signed as it kept the umbrella over Mercy to keep her dry.

Smiling, they fell into a comfortable silence as they continued their trek. Thankfully, aside from the heavy rain and occasional mud pit, there were no other dangers present. This was a good thing as the rain severely limited how useful Pyro's flamethrowers and flare guns were, meaning its only option would be using its melee. But this was also good for another reason: it allowed Pyro to focus on protecting the lady, Angela, if it recalls correctly and wondering what it could do next. While a part of it wanted to stay and protect Angela, another part knew that it had to return home. And as much as it wanted to go with the first option, the only real option was the second one. And for that to happen, it needed answers.

'Medic. Mind if I ask you a few questions?' Pyro struggled to sign with one hand.

"Sure. What do you want to know?"

'We are in Australia, right?'

"Yes, we're in Australia. But hopefully not for much longer."

'What year is it?'

"It's 2078 A.D.," Mercy answered, confused that Pyro didn't know the year.

'And have you ever heard of Australium?'

"Sorry, but I don't know what the last word you signed was." Pyro groaned as this. While it knew that australium was a common word that nearly everyone knew, the same was not true for the sign language version of the word. Looking around, Pyro spotted a dry patch of dirt that it could use to spell out the word.

'Do you know what that is?'

"Australium. No. I don't believe I know what that is." Mercy answered, racking her brain to try and remember if she had ever heard the word before but failed. "What is it?"

But instead of answering, Pyro remained silent as it was lost in thought. While it initially thought the teleporter had sent it to another dimension/universe, Pyro was not expecting it also to send it into the future. This revelation meant that the process for it to get home became even more complicated. Not only did Pyro not know anyone here outside of Angela, it highly doubted that this place had the resources or knew how to create a functioning teleporter. That is, if they didn't run at first sight of it.

"Is everything okay?" Mercy asked, worried when she noticed that Pyro had tensed up momentarily before letting out a heavy frustrated groan.

'Everything is fine. I just realized that getting home would be much more challenging than I anticipated.'

"But what is this, Australium?"

'Something that my co-workers and I had to deal with while we still had our jobs. It's nothing special, just a rock similar to a geode.'

"But why did your employers want you to get it?"

'They love collecting the stuff. They would also use the crystal to make useless knick-knacks like discos, pendants, etc.' Pyro lied. In truth, it didn't want anyone else to know of the stuff as there were already enough power-hungry people in its world and didn't want or need more of them around.

"Well, there certainly is a market for things like that. But I thought your job was protecting your teammates and killing others?"

'This was after I got released from that job. Had to find another to keep the money flowing in.'

"Smart as prices have been rising recently for even the most basic of necessities." Mercy said before realizing something. "Where exactly do you live?"

'In a somewhat small city known as Bee Cave located in Texas. There's a farm to the left of the Spring Creek Estates and Little Barton Creek to the south. I live there.'

"Perhaps when we get to the port, and I get into contact with Overwatch, I can ask if they would be willing to drop you off home."

'That would be nice, thanks Medic.' Pyro signed. As much as Pyro wanted to deny the offer, it would be nice to have an easier time getting back home. Plus, while it being in an alternate dimension/universe seemed to be the likely case, Pyro didn't want to jump to any conclusions just yet.

"You're welcome. But please, outside of any fights or formal setting, call me Angela."

'Alright.'

"Danke. But now, if you don't mind, might I ask you some questions?"

'Sure, as long as it's nothing too personal.'

"Alright. Now, is it true that you made all your weapons yourself?"

"Uh-huh." Pyro mumbled as they continued walking. And despite the rain stopping moments ago, Pyro kept the umbrella above her head and remained near her.

Two Hours Later

"So it's not just a name?! You really got your Sharpened Volcano Ax from an actual volcano!?" Mercy asked, shocked as Pyro finished telling her the story of how it got its ax. As they continued walking to the port, Mercy and Pyro exchanged questions about each other. But as time passed, Pyro could no longer ask any questions as Mercy kept asking so many questions that Pyro could hardly keep up. But that didn't bother the Pyromaniac.

"Uh-huh."

"Wow. Are you ever bothered by the heat?"

"No."

"How about the cold? Surely you must hate the cold."

'I used to dislike being in the cold, but I got used to it. Now, it doesn't bother me anymore.'

"But I must know, where do you keep all your weapons?"

'A co-worker of mine made a special backpack for all of us to store our weapons. It made it easier for everyone so we don't have to worry about misplacing our weapons or finding a place to store them.'

"Hmm. Perhaps your co-worker could meet up with Overwatch's engineers. Together they could make many useful inventions."

'That's going to be a bit hard, Angela. My co-worker is dead. He died from a transplant gone wrong.' Pyro half-lied. While true that Engineer 'died' during one of Medic's experiments, it isn't sure if it was still in the same universe/dimension.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

'It's fine. He was a good man, but it was his time.'

"How long have you worked for the company that required you to kill others?"

'Roughly four years. Plus another year or two after that as they asked me to stay and help with some troubling events.'

"Did they give you mental health insurance?"

'No. But then again, I didn't need it.'

"I beg to differ, considering you are constantly on edge. Perhaps you would like to talk about it. I did take a course in that area, so I could help you if you want."

'Another time. But thanks.' Pyro signed before pointing ahead. 'Look, the port. We finally made it.'

"Thank goodness. I seriously need a vacation from this so-called vacation."

'Wait. You were supposed to be on vacation?'

"Yes. Some of my colleagues wanted me to take a break from my work, so they got me a two-week vacation and sent me to a resort near the Great Barrier Reef. But as you can see, it didn't turn out well."

'Sometimes life can be cruel. But you just have to keep at it.'

"Tell me about it. While I haven't told anyone this, I feel like I can tell you this."

'Tell me what?'

"I am the head of the medical wing/department of Overwatch. While I was initially hesitant to rejoin, I felt it would be an excellent opportunity to help anyone in need. But over time, it no longer felt like that. I started to feel like a mother to most of the Overwatch members, but not in a good way. They constantly abandoned me during fights, leaving me to die-"

'Wait. You died?'

"Technically, yes. But our resident engineers found blueprints to make a machine that allowed us to cheat death."

'Talk about convient.' Pyro signed while wondering if it was the same kind of respawn machines that Medic created or the ones Mann Co. used.

"It certainly is convenient. But anyway, that treatment is not only on the battlefield but also back on base. They only seem to notice me when they need help with something they could very well do on their own. Honestly, I have been thinking about quitting Overwatch. And it's not like the others would miss me if I did as we have other healers."

'Ungrateful members.' Pyro signed, irritated.

"Has anything like this happened in your old job?"

'At first, yes. But that was only because we were still getting used to each other. After a while, we stuck together as a team and helped each other however we could, even though we hated each other.'

"If any of your workers were still here and we brought them to Overwatch, how do you think they would react?" Mercy asked, curious.

'Oh. One co-worker would have a field day with them as he was close to our Medic. The others would teach them a lesson in subtle but effective ways.'

"Maybe we can bring them someday." Mercy asked, smirking.

'Maybe.' Pyro signed as they reached the port and began looking around for the building the stewardess told them.

But after a couple of minutes of searching, they found it. Unfortunately, it was no longer standing as a lack of maintenance and unrelenting weather brought it down. And upon checking inside, they discovered that all the equipment no longer worked. Knowing there was only one last chance left, Mercy and Pyro rushed out toward the nearest payphone. Even though technology has evolved to the point where many consider payphones obsolete, they are still everywhere. And Mercy couldn't be more thankful for that. However, she realized something when they reached the nearest payphone.

"I don't suppose you have a quarter, Pyro?" Mercy asked as she checked her pockets for one but found none. Instead of answering, Pyro took out its Homewrecker, gently moved Mercy to the side, and used it to smash open the spot where the payphone stored the quarters. And after doing so, the quarters spilled out, with Pyro moving some to the side before picking one up.

'Here you go.' Pyro signed, handing Mercy a quarter.

"Danke. And I see you have been watching the Terminator movies."

'Terminator movies?' While Pyro knew about movies and had seen its fair share, it had never heard of a Terminator movie.

"Just some classic movies. Now excuse me, I need to take this. Afterward, you can make a call if you want."

'Okay. I'll be there if you need me.' Pyro signed before making his way over to some nearby boxes and sitting on them.

'Pyro certainly is something. I'm glad I met it.' Mercy thought, smiling. Even though it has been only a few days and their meeting could have been better, Mercy has grown to like the mysterious figure. However, before she could continue her thoughts, a voice snapped her out of them.

'Hello. Angela, is that you?' The voice of Winston asked over the phone.

"Yes, it's me, Winston."

'Oh, thank goodness you're alive. Tell me where you are so I can send the others to pick you up.'

"I'm at a harbor in Australia. It's in ruins and located at Pioneer Bay near Airlie Beach."

'Hmm. Found it. Okay. Sit tight, Angela. Jack and a few others should be there in a few hours.'

"Thank you, Winston. Oh, Winston."

'Yes?'

"Do you think you can them refuel the Orca before they leave? There is someone here with me, and I would like to help it back home."

'Of course. But why did you say it?'

"Well, I don't know its gender as it's wearing an asbestos-lined suit and refuses to take off its mask."

'Interesting. Okay. I'll tell the others. Where are we dropping your guest off?'

"It said that it lived in Bee Cave, Texas. Its home is to the left of Spring Creek Estates and north of Little Barton Creek."

'Okay. Sit tight, and we'll be there in a few hours.'

"Thanks, Winston." Mercy said before hanging up the phone. She then made her way over to Pyro, who was playing with its lighter.

'Everything okay?'

"Yes. Winston said he would pass the message on to the other Overwatch members. They will be here soon and agreed to take you to your home." Mercy answered before sitting next to Pyro.

'Thanks, Angela.'

"You're welcome."

'How long would it be before they arrive?'

"A couple of hours."

'What should we do in the meantime?'

"Maybe take a nap." Mercy answered before letting out a yawn. "I know I could use one. What about you?"

'I'll keep watch.'

"Okay. But wake me up when the Orca lands." Mercy said before leaning on Pyro's shoulder and falling asleep immediately. This action caused Pyro to tense up momentarily as he wasn't used to this but soon relaxed. Nodding, it pushed to the side before carefully taking out its light to play with it to pass the time.

Three Hours Later

"Huh? What's happening?" Mercy asked as she woke up. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she turned to Pyro, looking at her. "Is something wrong?"

'No. The plane is coming toward us. Probably your co-workers.'

"The Orca. I don't-" Mercy began but stopped when she finally heard the distinct sounds of the Orca. "That's them."

'Anything I need to watch out for?' Pyro signed as it got up and picked up the supplies.

"No, not really. But maybe put away your flamethrower, just in case. While what I told you earlier about how some members treated me, some care for me and might not take well to your weapons."

'Alright.' Pyro signed as the Orca landed. Its doors soon lowered, with Brigitte, Lucio, Zenyatta, Reinhardt, Tracer, Pharah, Reaper, Soldier 76, and Genji stepping out a moment later.

"Mercy. Are you okay? What happened?" Brigitte asked as they ran to her. Although, they gripped their weapons tightly when they saw Pyro.

"I'm fine now. But as to what happened, I'm not sure. All I know is that during the flight to Australia, a strange storm appeared out of nowhere. The plane then started to experience even stranger turbulence moments later."

"What of the pilots?" Pharah asked, never taking her eyes off Pyro.

"One passed out while the other died under mysterious circumstances. While I could heal the pilot, he would not wake up in time. So I had to take control of the plane, but due to the turbulence along with other unfortunate things happening, the plane crashed."

"Were there any other survivors?" Soldier 76 asked.

"Yes. But some rescue workers picked them up earlier today."

"That's good. At least you are okay now." Genji said.

"But who is your strange friend?" Tracer asked, nervously shifting when Pyro turned its gaze to her.

"This is Pyro. It was not on the plane. I met it after crashing, and if it weren't for Pyro, I would have died from my injuries."

"I guess we owe you some thanks for saving her." Zenyatta said, extending his arm. Pyro seemed surprised at the Omnic floating towards it but shook its hand regardless. One might assume that Pyro would have burned it on sight due to his battles with Gray Mann's robots, but even it knew the difference between those and this one.

'No problem.'

"Uh, what was that?" Lucio asked, confused when Pyro made weird signs with his hands.

"It's sign language." Reaper answered. "Mercy. Is Pyro mute?"

"Nien. But it can be a bit difficult to understand it with its mask on."

"Very well. But where did you say we drop Pyro off?"

"In Bee Cave, Texas. Near Spring Creek Estates and North of Little Barton Creek."

"Alright. I'll go put that- Uh, Mercy. What's Pyro doing?" Tracer nervously asked when she saw Pyro looking around as if something or someone was about to attack it.

"Pyro? Is everything okay?" Mercy asked, worried. However, she and the rest jumped back when Pyro pulled out a flare gun with an orange-painted muzzle.

"Mrr hurrdurr hm hurr!" Pyro shouted before firing the flare gun. Everyone was confused at what Pyro said and what it was firing at but quickly understood when a familiar figure caught on fire.

"MIERDA! FUEGO! FUEGO! FUEGO!" Sombra shouted as the flames covered her body, revealing her to the others.

"SOMBRA!" Reaper shouted, worried.

"QUICK! IN THE WATER!" Tracer shouted with Zenyatta throwing her an Orb of Harmony at Sombra. Not wasting any time, Sombra ran toward the edge and jumped into the water to extinguish herself.

"Verdammt. I should have told them." Mercy scolded herself for forgetting what Pyro had told her earlier and why it was on edge constantly.

"DEMON!" Reinhardt shouted.

"WAIT!" Mercy shouted, but it was too late as Reinhardt activated his charge with the intent of taking out Pyro. However, to everyone's shock and minor confusion, Pyro took out its flamethrower, pulled a flamethrower, and had it release a burst of air, which caused Reinhardt to fly overhead and land in the water next to Sombra. "Uh, what and how did that happen?"

'Don't bother questioning it, Medic. I stopped asking a long time how air blasting someone's feet would send them into the air.'

"PUT DOWN THE FLAMETHROWER!" Soldier 76 shouted, getting their attention.

"Mercy. Step away from that thing." Reaper ordered, aiming his shotguns at Pyro. But to everyone's amazement, worry, and shock, Pyro moved to defiantly stand in front of Mercy, almost as if to protect her from them.

"Please. Don't hurt Pyro. It was only a misunderstanding." Mercy said, trying to diffuse the situation.

"I doubt it was." Pharah said before firing a rocket at Pyro. But she had to dodge out of the way when Pyro reflected the rocket at her.

"What is the misunderstanding, Mercy?" Zenyatta asked, moving to stand in-between everyone.

"Pyro used to be part of a group where it had to defend itself and others from hostiles. And one of the hostiles used to be able to cloak, similar to Sombra. But unlike Sombra, they were more efficient and ruthless. And now, years later, after Pyro's employers released it, it still has PTSD. And it seems it heard Sombra sneaking around, which brought up memories, causing Pyro to attack."

"Hmm. Alright. But we have our eyes on it. And if it still wants the trip, it must put away its weapons." Reaper growled, yet Pyro remained unfazed.

"Enough. Lucio, go heal Sombra and help Reinhardt out of the water. We burning daylight, and I'm sure Mercy could use some proper rest back at base." Soldier 76 ordered.

"On it." Lucio said before heading toward Sombra and Reinhardt.

"Sorry about that." Mercy said as she, Pyro, and the others boarded the Orca.

'It's fine. It's not like it hadn't happened before.'

"Want to talk about it?"

'It's fine. Right now, I could use some silence.'

"Unfortunately, silence is a foreign term when it involves my co-workers." Mercy said as she and Pyro sat in their seats.

'The same applies to my co-workers. Except it involves a lot more screaming, cursing, swearing, and explosions.'

"Really?"

"Uh-huh."

"Okay, loves. Buckle in. We should arrive at Pyro's home in three hours." Trace said before blinking up to the cabin.

'Faster than I thought.'

"Lena is an excellent pilot, and the Orca is one of the fastest ships in the world." Mercy explained.

'But that still leaves us with plenty of time to kill.'

"True. And you can't take out your lighter or weapons. So, what do you want to do?" Looking around the ship, Pyro spotted something they could use to pass the time. After years of playing it with Heavy, Pyro became a decent player.

'How about some chess?' Pyro signed before pointing to the chess set.

"Do you know how to play?"

"Uh-huh."

"Then we can have a few games." Mercy said before she and Pyro got up and moved to sit where the chess was. Little did Mercy know that she was about to experience the worst losing streak she had ever received.

Three Hours Later

"That's a lovely little farm." Mercy said as the Orca landed, with its doors opening a moment later.

"A bit too big if it's just you. No offense." Sombra nervously said, not wanting to get set on fire again.

'It's fine. I prefer solitude.' Pyro signed with Mercy translating.

"Okay then. Thanks for everything, even the losing streak." Mercy said, still upset that Pyro managed to beat her thirty-six times in a row. "Maybe we can see each other again."

'No problem. And maybe.' Pyro signed. As much as it would like to see her again, it knew it was unlikely as it was one step closer to getting home.

"If we do see each other again, try and leave behind your flamethrower and flare guns." Reaper said, causing Pyro to chuckle. Reaper was about to say something but stopped when he saw Pyro pull out its Sharpened Volcano Fragment, almost as if to taunt Reaper.

"Okay. Now that's a cool ax." Brigitte said, amazed.

"Goodbye, Pyro." Mercy said as the Orca doors closed.

Nodding, Pyro waved as the Orca ascended and flew away. Letting out a muffled sigh, Pyro turned around and headed toward the house in the distance. While everything seemed alright initially, Pyro could tell something was off the closer he got to the home. While Pyro knew that one hundred years had passed, the amount of scrap work and inventions would still be here, even if the Engineer wasn't. Breaking into a running pace, Pyro quickly reached the front door and opened it. And to its dismay, Pyro saw it wasn't the Engineer's house and never had been. While some might say that Pyro should check the entire house before saying that, Pyro would argue otherwise. It knew as it had been there that the Engineer had modified his home with numerous inventions, yet none were present.

"Mhhhhoooooo!" Pyro mumbled before moving to sit on the porch. It knew the chances that it being in the same dimension were slim. But it held on to it as Pyro wanted to go home without too many complications. Yet, now that it thought about it, there was little chance that Pyro would ever see the Engineer or its fellow mercs again.

"Mmmrpgh crpyha drghya!" Pyro groaned as it stood up. It knew that it wasn't going to get anything done if it just complained all day. While Pyro wouldn't give up on finding a way home, it would try to make the best of the current situation. But before it could leave the farm, a sudden noise caught its attention.

*BOOM*

Turning toward where it came from, Pyro saw that it came from the direction the Orca was heading. And seeing the growing pillar of smoke filled the Pyromaniac with dread. For some reason, it made Pyro angry that someone attacked Mercy. It was a feeling that Pyro only got when someone destroyed Engineer's buildings or threatened Pyro's balloonicorn. Summoning the Thermal Thrusters, Pyro used it to help it close the distance. It just hoped that it would reach Mercy before someone hurt her. And if they did, Pyro would make sure they knew why many feared it.