*Gibraltar: Overwatch HQ*
The World has survived another Crisis, but was left bleeding and teetering over the edge of anarchy. Many have thought that without Commander Morrison at the helm, the World would surely spiral into another wave of violence that would surely destroy everything. It was no secret that many leaders thought that it required a show of force, a strong military might to secure order, thus creating a rift between the ones in power and the people.
Tragically, what the Peacekeepers had done had left a terrible and dark memory into the people, let alone their records. Having torn the land asunder and 'abused' the people under their protection just to keep everyone under control, what the people needed was not another militaristic solution, rather, a softer, less violent solution.
Religious institutions were not exempted from responsibility either. When it was found that The Great Madness was caused by the Shambali Faith, churches, temples, and mosques had all been raided by the mobs, and tragically, some that were lost forever amongst the rubble were historically important heritage sites, with many more on the brink of destruction.
The First & Second Omnic Crises, followed so closely by The Great Madness, challenged, bent, and cracked the very foundations that upheld the world. Laws, religion, culture, finance, communities, and food supplies are all on the verge of collapse.
These facts were not lost on the newly appointed Commander Amari and Acting Commander Winston.
They knew immediately that the world needs heroes, but not ones forged in war. They need someone who is familiar with construction and rebuilding rather than destroying, someone who is familiar with the process of rising above pain and suffering rather than just forcing themselves through it with sheer luck or will.
However, nothing is ever so simple, and many took this opportunity to skyrocket their own influence and power at an expense that the world could not afford. Though these were valid reasons that forced Overwatch's intervention, it furthered the damage to the already fragile relationship they tried so hard to rebuild with the public, as some thought this was the return of Blackwatch.
Thankfully, they were not alone. It was uncommon, but there were still pockets of people who still believed in Overwatch, some dating back to the golden days before Morrison and Reyes fallout. Offering their assistance, they became the key people who will rebuild their societies, while Overwatch will provide what services they can.
It was here that heroes were born, built, and found. It was here that the world would hang on to preserve and improve upon their way of life. It was these heroes who would shoulder the burden with Overwatch and be the anchor to hold everyone together, despite their horrendous situation.
"Commander, Captain, here is the list" an attendee said, passing it to Winston and another copy to Smith after he finally found them in the War Room.
"Another shipment? That's the third one in two months!" Smith asked, eyes wide.
"Yes sir, and there are five more requests pending for verification"
"Commander, I think we might need to check a few things" Smith began, knowing that their budget has been stretched thin.
"No. Give them what they need" Winston said curtly, passing the list back to the attendee.
"Do we have the funds for that? We're stretched out as it is"
"Commander Amari told me that we have a 'blank cheque' when it comes to helping heroes and we should use it as we see fit" Winston replied, hiding the fact that he too was uncomfortable about the costs "Think of it as an-"
"Investment I know, but if this keeps up, we're not going to be around long enough to see the returns" Captain Smith insisted.
"Dare to see what could be, Captain, not how things appear to be" Winston replied.
Smith nodded and pushed the matter to the side. In truth, he has great reservations about spending so much money on foreign assets that are completely out of their control, especially when funding unrecognized (but admittedly visionary) talents, but he allowed himself to try to see what the world could be.
It was a simple but impossible dream, one with challenges far greater than any God Program the world had faced, but he dared himself to fight for it. To see a world in which people have finally agreed to coexist peacefully while allowing nature to flourish? It appears impossible and especially foolish, but so is doing nothing.
Caught between two foolish choices, he was determined to be found on one that at least tried. Now he has decided to recommit himself to the good, foolish fight. Until the thought of war becomes as impossible as any attempt to change the first day of the year to any other day than the 1st of January, he is willing to be a piece of the cog that strains until that dreams becomes reality.
"Winston? The next batch will be here in 10 minutes" Athena announced.
"Thank you Athena, I'll be right there. Can you deal with this, Captain?" Winston asked, setting the papers aside.
"Consider the shipments sent, Commander"
"We're going down!" Lena yelled before letting out a scream.
Everyone in the shuttle started screaming as it pelted down from the skies, and only the ones brave enough to look out the window could see that they were diving straight for the mountain. Held only by their straps, they screamed louder as they levitated off their seats, but none were shouting louder than the only other adult in the shuttle, his police cap flying off his head.
"Hang on! We're gotta punch it in 3…2…1…" Lena shouted before lurching back and yanking the yoke back as hard as she could with both hands.
Everyone fell flat back on their seats as the shuttle's thrusters roared alive, and Lena spun the shuttle away from the mountain like a bullet. Taking advantage of their momentum, Lena stabilized themselves above the ocean floor before turning around and aiming for the tip of the mountain, shooting them screaming back into the skies so close to the mountainside that they could almost see the blurred, shocked faces of the staff who happened to look out.
Finally, with a loud whoop, she ended their joyride with a full loop in the air.
"Now that's how it's done!" Lena shouted in triumph.
"YAY!" the children cheered as David slumped in his seat, his face pale.
Lena flew around the base once this time, giving them a quick tour of what Overwatch Gibraltar HQ has to offer from the air, before landing (properly this time) on the designated landing pad.
"Alright luvs, I'm going to go out to check if things are ready, I'll be back in a jiff! If you have any questions, remember that Uncle Dave is in charge while I am away!"
When Lena blinks away as the children tear off their straps and start running around the shuttle, David could barely grunt.
"Lena! What were you doing? They are children!" Winston asked, his face equally pale and shocked by the stunt.
"What? They wanted it. Didn't you say that we have to encourage the next generation however we can?"
"I didn't mean anything like that!" he said, dismayed.
"Don't worry big guy, they love it!" Lena laughed and pressed the controls on her wristband.
Winston braced himself for the many crying and nauseated faces that were sure to come out of the shuttle, only to break out a big smile of relief when everyone ran out and immediately surrounded them excitedly.
"Whoa! Can you talk?"
"How could you jump so high?!"
"Does this do anything?"
"14… 18… Wait, we're missing someone" Lena counted and Blinked back into the shuttle.
"I don't think he's doing too well" the little girl said, pointing at David, who looked very sick.
"That's alright, cavalry's here! Go join your friends, I'll take care of this" Lena said playfully and nudged the girl running back to her friends.
"I thought you said you like roller coasters" she said, squatting down to face him.
"That was not a roller coaster" he moaned, his eyes closed.
"Whaddayamean? There's drops, lifts, spins and loops" she laughed and helped him to his feet "Common, let's take you to the Med Bay"
"A-Alright… Thanks Lena…" he groaned as they shuffled out.
"No probs mate. Consider yourself lucky, not every tourist gets to experience our meds!"
*Overwatch HQ: Medical Bay*
David's jaw would've dropped in awe at what he saw if he were not so sick.
There was a public fountain in the middle of what must have been the Waiting Area, where some elderly people were sitting. A little distance away was a public piano, where someone was playing, and there were even some branded food outlets on the side where people were lining up. There was even a small museum on the side!
To him, it was as if they went into a shopping mall. An extremely clean shopping mall. He was about to voice this out when someone in medical attire quickly came over.
"Where is he injured?" she asked.
"Nah, I just worked him up too much, see if you got anything to help him calm down" Lena said, sitting him down on one of the benches.
As she pointed a scanner at him, he couldn't help but notice that her arm was mechanical. She took a quick diagnosis and read out her findings.
"Quite a severe case of motion sickness, good thing we have just the thing; come, let's wait by the fountain, the medicine is on its way" the doctor explained.
"Aww no need, go and help someone else" Lena said.
"Do not worry, we have other doctors waiting nearby" she said, pointing to another group of doctors who were obviously waiting for any patients that might come in.
True to the doctor's words, a robot rolled up to them within the minute; on it was a basket with a small tray of pills in the middle. After a quick check, the doctor passed the medicine to David, and when he placed it in his mouth, he was shocked to feel the solid pill melt almost instantaneously, as if his tongue itself ate it; instantly providing relief from his ailments.
"Wow" was all he could say.
"Isn't it? Our latest batch! As soon as it comes into contact with saliva, it'll melt instantly, perfect for any patient!" the doctor said proudly "Any questions you would like to ask?"
"What's with the fountain, and piano, and all this? I thought it was a hospital" David asked, looking around him.
"Oh, we decided that, in addition to physical healing, we could provide mental peace to both patients and visitors."
"Makes sense" he thought and was about to ask about the bill when Lena quickly pulled him to his feet.
"Common! We've got a tour to catch!"
"Wait! We haven't paid!" he protested as they ran.
"Don't worry about it!" she laughed.
*Overwatch HQ: Landing Bay*
They had made a few turns, nearly knocking into people, and David became unable to retrace his steps. All he could do now is hope that he'd stumble across the Medical Bay later by accident or find some kind of kiosk where he could make a payment.
Jumping down a flight of stairs, he panted as he ran after Lena, who stayed one step ahead of him. He didn't even have time to stop and watch the few things that were happening on the side. He thought he saw Torbjorn carrying what looked like a bowling ball, then, a little distance away, he thought he saw Mei demonstrating some new construct made entirely out of ice for another team of scientists following her.
Bursting out of the building and out into the open, they heard the sound of 'wow's, 'ooh's, and little hands clapping.
"Pull!" they heard Cassidy shout, followed by six thumping and five shots.
"One more! There's one more!" the children shouted, pointed excitedly at the furthest skeet which was growing smaller by the second as it flew towards the ocean.
"Where?" Cassidy asked, pretending to scan the wrong direction before looking at them with an exaggeratedly confused face.
"There! There!"
"That one?" he asked, pointing Peacekeeper in the opposite direction.
"No no! Left left!" they chanted, growing louder as the skeet became no bigger than a bottle cap.
To the children, Cassidy was pointing too far off target, but to the trained eye of those present, they knew that he was setting up his shot, but at this distance? It was an impossible feat, even with advanced automatic targeting systems, let alone a revolver.
"Watch this kids" he winked.
The half-second it took him to shoot, combined with a full second of travel time, felt like an eternity as everyone held their breath in anticipation of the impossible. With a theatrical flair, Cassidy turned around and spun his revolver as the skeet fell in a downward arc, and with perfect timing, he holstered it just as the skeet shattered.
"And that's how it's done" he said coolly.
"Yay!" the children cheered, accompanied by applause from the adults.
"Thank you, let's give Mr McCree another round of applause" Winston said, clapping as well "Anything you'd like to say for the children?"
"Hmm… Stay in school and… And…"
Cassidy paused, thinking of something meaningful to say, when Athena came to his rescue.
"Jesse McCree, please proceed to Platform 12" Athena announced.
"Well, duty calls, have fun kids" he said, tipping his hat.
"Where are you going? You going to kill bad guys?" one of the children asked excitedly.
"Nah little man, I'm just going to find someone who can turn invisible in Mexico" he replied.
"McCree!" Winston interjected in an attempt to stop him from sharing too much.
"What? You're the one who said we should be more transparent, and they should know that we ain't goin' around fighting"
Just as he said those words, his communicator rang, and he squinted at what was written on it. He looked up at Winston and Lena and saw that they both wore the same worried look on their faces.
"Ok everyone, Ms Tawney here will take you to the Bowling Alley where Uncle Torbjorn will teach you a few things. We'll be right back" Winston said hurriedly, motioning to one of the attendees nearby.
"Dave, you go with them too" Lena said to David, who merely nodded when he recognized the serious look on her face.
*Overwatch HQ: Memorial Grounds (Ref: Chp 5)*
It is now dusk, and the Sun is already hidden behind the mountain as it sets, the mountain's shade providing relief from its rays. This was also a time when there were the fewest tourists or visitors because of some silly myth that it is only respectful to visit heroes graves when the Sun is behind or directly above the gravestones.
Because of this, and without Morrison's presence to maintain discipline, it would be no surprise to anyone that Reaper was able to infiltrate this place easily.
Knocking out the last guard, the shadowy figure materialized into view, striding through the gravestones, his dark eyes scanning for two specific names. He could take his time, since there were no cameras directly over the gravesite and only at the entrances out of respect. However, he would be a fool to think that there will not be another patrol coming, so he will need to be quick.
His war against Overwatch, buffered by his time in Talon, had kept him updated with names that they deemed a threat to himself, and many of the names here were familiar to him. In fact, he counted a couple of bodies that were buried here because of him, and deservingly so, for they were powerful foes.
This was why he took note of this 'Emily' who was here. He knew that Talon had dedicated a substantial amount of resources and manpower to finding Emily, but he thought she was just some nurse, according to Widowmaker's description. Was she an equal to Dr Zigler since she had earned a place here? Even Gabrielle Adawe, despite her connections with Morrison and contributions to the construction of Numbani, had not earned a place here.
He didn't have time to think, for he had come specifically for the two graves now in front of him, side by side under a tree.
Standing between the gravestones, he stood there silently, staring at the names. Jack Morrison is to his left, and Reinhardt Wilhelm is to his right.
"You have no idea how long I've been dreaming about this moment...How long I've hunted you just so I can laugh and defile your graves…" Reaper said to both of them as he removed his mask and reached into his cloak…
And pulled out a bottle of rum.
Cracking it open, he drank its contents in a single swing before tossing it aside and pulling out another bottle of liquor.
"The God Program showed me this moment too, you know? When we had to clean up the mess you couldn't" he continued, talking bitterly at Morrison's tombstone "And in the end, you were not strong enough to prove which one of us was the better man"
"And you… You just had to come along and be the hero" Reaper spat, looking at Reinhardt's tomb that he knew was empty "Bravado. Pride. Duty. Look where that led the both of you"
Annoyingly, the conversation that he had with Reinhardt resonated in his mind once more, even months after their attack on Horizon Lunar Colony.
"Gabriel, you were a hero once, be a hero again"
"And for what? To be betrayed by the ones closest to you? Be pushed to the side as all your work be handed over to an undeserving whelp on a silver platter? Sacrifice everything so that some desk jockey will reap all the benefits?"
"And here I thought you were a man, but now I see you're still too young to be one"
Though it took some time, Reaper finally thought of a good reply. It was something that will surely shut Reinhardt up and make him see that not everything can be done heroically, nor does it need heroes. This was a horrible excuse for sure, but Reaper did not think that he could come here without bringing something to the table; to stick it into Reinhardt's grave so that he could finally sleep at night.
But now, standing in front of them, he realized that all his efforts to think of a scathing reply were just as insignificant as his efforts to think of one. Whatever he has thought up will only be heard by him alone.
"Why… Why did you have to die?" he asked, shaking the empty bottle in anger before tossing it aside "You were the last on my list… LAST! Do you know what that means, Reinhardt?! You were supposed to be the last to die! I was supposed to die before I got to you! Me! Not you!"
There were so many other names on it; Ana, Sojourn, Angela, Torbjorn, and others. There were so many more to hunt, so many who might've stopped his rampage.
"This is your fault Jack… If Ana didn't save you, this wouldn't have happened" Reaper growled, snapping a murderous look at Morrison's grave "If you were a better Commander, you would've kept Reinhardt in check! And you would still be alive for me to kill you!"
Feeling the effects of alcohol washing away by his enhanced body, he quickly dug out another drink and fumbled to open it, his hands shaking with disgust as he felt the unwanted emotion of loss surface again. This was expected. He had expected this. As a soldier and murderer, he knew that at the end of his journey would end in the cold embrace of either his own death or loneliness. For years, he prepared himself for this very moment and thought that he was ready.
He was wrong. It was far worse.
"You know why I never submitted to the God Program? Even after IT gave me your bleeding, broken body at my feet?" he continued after a particularly large gulp, the drink dribbling down his chin as he turned his attention back to Reinhardt's grave.
"Because IT didn't realise that, as much as I despised you, I never wanted you dead...I did not realize it then, I realize it now… If anyone would be the one to stop me, it'll be you. You have always been the better man" he continued, taking another large gulp "If only you had killed me back in Adawe's office… You should've killed me…"
No sooner did he say this when he heard the large gates behind him slide open. In his typical fashion, he stood still, his senses already guessing who, how many, where, or what formation they were taking up, and what sort of weapons they brought. However, all he heard were the sounds of wheels squeaking and an old man's voice grunting.
"Good afternoon, I didn't know that this place was open for visitors yet" Zack said before spotting the bottles on the ground "Aww… I told those guys not to toss their drinks around!"
Reaper didn't say anything or acknowledge him as he puts on his mask. He had hoped that he had more time, even though he didn't know how long that might be. But since someone has already seen him, it will only be a matter of time before the next patrol comes over.
"Don't think I've seen you around before, are you a friend?" Zack asked.
"Someone who wanted them dead" was Reaper's reply.
Reaper awaited the shock, the man's stuttering, and a rush to signal the alarm, any reason for him to attack, kill, or flee. Again, to his surprise, the old man just chuckled.
"I know how you feel! There was one time when I cleaned this place, Reinhardt came charging in and hit this tree right here, burning right through those rose bushes that took me months to grow" he said, placing his hand on the tree and pointing at a well-trimmed hedge on the other side "Don't tell anyone, but that's the first time I really want to run someone over with my lawn mower"
Hidden behind the mask, Reaper couldn't help but smile at the description.
"But now that he's passed… Commander Morrison too… Everything does feel quieter around here… Normally you'd hear them somehow, the Commander would sometimes walk around talking to someone, or Reinhardt shouting about something… Well, you can imagine how quiet things have been"
"No. No I can't" Reaper replied with surprising honesty.
"How long have you known Reinhardt?"
"Too long" was the reply.
"Hmm… Yeah… I must say, despite his… Antics? He was inspiring. I mean like, like… Like you feel like you could do things better"
When Reaper did not respond, the old man blushed.
"Sorry, I lost myself there. I'll leave you alone, the garden ya know?"
"What do you have to do?" Reaper asked.
"Just the usual, clear the leaves, trim the bushes…"
A sudden darkness and gust of wind blew around Zack and he looked around in surprise, thinking that a storm had suddenly appeared above them. But before his mind could register that it was a cloudless sky, the shade of black was removed and everything went back to normal, with a few subtle differences.
The most obvious was that Reaper was gone. Then he saw that all the fallen leaves around them had been collected into a large pile on the side, and the bushes had all been trimmed, albeit slightly yellower than they were before.
After checking that he was truly alone by looking up and behind the tree, Zack blew out a long breath and wiped the sweat off his forehead as he leaned against the tree.
"Alright! He's gone!" he shouted.
"That's a relief, you handled yourself well" Cassidy said, walking out of the doors, followed by Lena, Winston, and Echo.
"You're the one who pushed me out!" Zack protested.
"And like I told you, we're close by, so you were in safe hands" Cassidy replied, looking at the others who avoided his gaze, themselves also annoyed at his callous ways.
"What did he want? Please tell me he did not desecrate anything" Winston said, concerned.
"No, he wanted to pay respects" Zack said, accepting Lena and Echo's help to get back to his feet.
"Reaper? Respect? Are you sure?" Lena asked, unable to believe someone like Reaper is capable of emotion or respect.
"Yeah, I could hear it from his voice. He was here to pay respects" Zack repeated.
In disbelief, they double checked the garden and gravestones for any damages or vandalism, while Echo flew into the skies to scout their surroundings. Once they were satisfied with their findings, they regrouped and discussed what was on their minds. Was this a diversionary tactic to distract them? An intimidation or power move by showing that he could access one of Overatch's 'sacred' sites at will? Was he here because of a sinister agenda, or did he actually come to pay respects?
They deliberated until a furious Torbjorn marched up to them, demanding to know why there's a group of children in his bowling alley.
What they would not have guessed is that the Reaper's respect for Reinhardt had left a powerful print in the Black Mercenary's soul. It was a very slow and sensitive process, but as Reaper continued his life of violence, it shifted toward what he would justify as 'The Balance'. Though he felt that Blackwatch itself had its limitations, he believed Overwatch had the right to create it, for despite everyone's optimism, they knew that science and progress would never be enough to earn peace.
Besides the peaceful, caring hand, there must always be the stern, violent one to act as a balance against those who, like him, thrive in chaos and destruction.
He'd spend the first few years fighting Overwatch, but as his hatred for Morrison fades, his life will be driven by one last motivation he never expected.
His family.
The family with whom he had a brief and painful encounter during one of his battles with Overwatch.
Sent flying into a relief camp outside Los Angeles, he prepared his Death Blossom to ambush Winston and Genji when he saw them. She had their son in her arms while a man, whom he recognized was her new partner, retaliated with a chair.
He could never bring himself to blame his wife for starting another family, no matter how estranged they were. After all, every piece of information granted to them was that he died in Switzerland, leaving them with no other choice but to move on. Though he bore no ill will with the man, he needed to know that his family was in safe hands, and after a quick but careful confirmation of the man's determination to defend his family (mostly shoving him down to the ground to see if he would run), he knew what he had to do.
Escaping the area, he returned to the ones who hired him, and brutally secured his position as its new leader. In this place, he shaped and even absorbed other gangs into what would become known as 'The Balance'. On the surface, this looked like a second Talon, but to Overwatch's surprise, it was shockingly tame and almost militaristically orderly.
Despite this, people were not ignorant that though the members were held under strict control, many of them were still capable of extreme violence, and had no qualms or hesitations when Reaper set them loose. It was also not uncommon for Reaper to have to personally kill them in order to remind his men who they should always obey.
It was this never-ending battle in which he will always fight for this final act: his wife and child will never have to beg or wait for food again.
In the end, decades later, when The Balance was no longer needed in a peaceful world, an aged Reaper will ultimately be taken down by the efforts of his own son, a decorated officer in the National Guard, for not only he inherited his father's tactical brilliance for battle but also a foresight that Reyes himself clearly lacked. Gabriel Reyes will pass with great pride in his son, knowing that he will succeed where his father had foolishly failed.
To be the better man.
Author's Note:
Next Chapter is the last chapter and it will be published within this month :D
Thank you all for being here, have a good day.