"Kid, I think you should-"

"Mm!"

"Hey, dude, I get you're in a weird place right now, but I really think-"

"Mm!"

"Shark Bait, listen to me, this isn't-"

"MM!"

Mauga sighed, there was no reasoning with madness. He looked at the tacos he and 'Shark Bait' had been eating, and then added some more of the Apocalyptic Hot Sauce to it. This stuff was powerful, the sauce was mixed and blended with peppers which may or may not be legal to grow in most countries, including the one they were currently in. Well, okay. They weren't legal. At all. In fact, in Australia, they had apparently been classified as weapons of war as Junkers had distilled gas bombs out of them, making them part of a war crime to even own. Sure, Mauga himself never considered using them for such a thing, but that merely spoke to how powerful these peppers could be. The kid had tried a single drop, which was enough to cause vomiting in some adults, and didn't seem satisfied with it. Mauga himself could take two drops if he was feeling suicidal, but that was it. No more. He had tried three drops, and it had taken him nearly a month to be able to speak properly again, the sauce had scalded his tongue and the inside of his mouth so aggressively that Moira had honestly been looking into prosthetic tongues. He didn't know if that was even a thing but it was so bad that he was considering it!

And the kid had put six drops on the taco he was currently eating.

"You are absolutely insane, you know that, right?" He asked, looking down at the young Cerda, who happily munched on the taco, the heat was blistering and honestly problematic, but he liked it! He took another bite, then another, and then another. Soon, the taco was gone and he looked up at Mauga innocently, but the Talon enforcer swore that in those eyes was either a direct challenge, or a mocking laugh at his inability to consume spicy tacos like he could. Mauga exhaled, laughing and leaned back. When ordered by Moira to watch 'the subject' he had expected that to mean sitting in her cramped laboratory staring at a cage where a rat that really should've been put out of its misery languished in the aftermath of her experiments. He hadn't been expecting a tiny figure to poke his head out from a small side-room in one of her labs, and toddle after Moira as she left, only to stop when ordered. Mauga also hadn't expected the kid to seem so saddened by Moira's order to not follow her. Still, whatever relationship these two had, Mauga didn't care. He was stuck on babysitting duties, it seemed. Sure, the enforcer wanted – and had tried – to complain to Moira that this wasn't what he did, but she was gone before he could. That had left the titan of a man with the boy who seemed like he could fit in the palm of his hand.

"…hey." He nodded. The boy had waved back. Neither said anything for a time. "So… what you up to?"

The boy had wandered off.

"Good chat." He muttered, turning to leave, only to feel something hit him in the back of the head. He stopped, and saw an orange foam dart fall to the ground. "Okay shorty, this isn't something you-" He was cut off by another dart hitting him, this time square between the eyes. Mauga scowled and looked around. The boy was… nowhere to be seen. "All right, brat. You do that one more time…" This time, he heard something sliding towards him, and saw another one of these foam launcher guns being slid towards him. Checking the clip, he saw it was full. "Oh." He blinked, then grinned, mischievously. "Oh, I see how it is." He held the gun out, and began slowly looking around the lab. "Some new blood wanders in and thinks they can take down the apex predator, eh? Well, let me letcha in on a lil'secret, all right pipsqueak?"

Mauga kept moving slowly, not wanting to get ambushed, and not wanting to break Moira's stuff, just because he'd never hear the end of it. "Yer just a little fish, just a guppy really, and I'm a freakin' megalodon shark!" Mauga laughed, whirling around and firing a shot… at nothing. He was actually a tad flabbergasted by that. There was no possible way some little kid was able to outwit him! Wait a second, was this some test? Had Moira made some sort of super-weapon stealth-kid to infiltrate and assassinate targets? Mauga couldn't lie, that sounded awesome on so many levels… but was that what all this was? Just a test to let the subject study the tactics of Talon agents in order to better build a strategy? Mauga moved against a corner, not seeing anything out of the ordinary at the moment. If the point of this 'game' was to let the subject see real talent at work… well, Mauga would be happy to demonstrate!

Thwip~! Another dart soared in and hit him in the temple. He blinked, and looked to his right, seeing something scurry off. Narrowing his eyes, and deciding to teach the kid a lesson, Mauga lowered the gun and moved in the opposite direction. If the kid was circling the lab, then there were only so many places he could go. "C'mon… I know you're around here somewhere…" He muttered. Honestly, Mauga wasn't sure why he was doing this, but it stood to reason the kid had attacked him first, and then seemed to think he could get away with it. That kind of brazenness would serve him well if/when he became a Talon operative, but using that kind of brazenness against HIM? Bad, BAD idea. Something which the soon-to-be-caught boy would-

Thwip~!

"OH C'MON!" Mauga outright shouted in annoyance. This dart missed him, but he realized that- huh, he realized he didn't know the kid's name… whatever his name was, was somehow hiding in-between Moira's equipment. Mauga could see his face poking out, as well as the barrel of his gun sticking out in-between two machines. From where he was hunkered down, if Mauga fired at him, it might damage the equipment, which as he had noted before, would end poorly for him. This hiding spot gave the kid a tactical advantage, as well as a stealth one. Really, it seemed like all he could do was wait and see if the kid would come out. There was just one issue with his strategy.

Mauga walked up, kicked the wheel brakes, and then pushed the machines to the side. He looked down at the exposed boy, who proceeded to fire another dart at him. Mauga winced, bing hit in the face again, but realized that on might have been on him. Then, he saw the boy running, and decided he wasn't in a merciful mood. He took off running after the boy, firing a few darts, which whistled through the air, but missed. He then realized the boy was running on all fours like an animal, the gun in his mouth. Sure, Mauga was faster than a literal child, but the boy's size allowed him to turn corners faster, and he was moving erratically, making it hard for him to aim and hit the brat. Skidding around a corner, he saw another door close and he headed after him, barreling through the door and firing blindly. Finally, in a moment of sweet, sweet revenge, he hit the boy, who fired back, before jumping onto a chair and scrambling into an open vent. Mauga blinked, looking up in astonishment.

"Mauga, what the hell are you doing?"

Mauga looked over to see Reaper quickly putting his mask back on, and then realized he had ran into his room. The titan of a man blinked, then shrugged. "Moira's got me watching… whatever that thing is." He shrugged, nodding to the open vent.

"Right." Reaper said dryly. "Its name is Omega, Sombra calls him Cerda." The newer member of Talon had to wonder why they were running around with dart guns, but he didn't much care. As the two stood in silence for a few awkward moments, an echoing DUNG DUNG DUNG DUNG could be heard echoing through the vent. "You can go now."

Mauga scoffed, not one to be told what to do, but he both wanted to find Omega, empty the clip into him as payback, and make sure he didn't get stuck in the vents. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to get him out if he did, and the last thing Mauga wanted was to have to explain to Moira why her experiment was dead in their ductwork. What surprised him, was that it would take about ten minutes before he found Omega again… even though he had been shot more than a few times. He'd see the boy pop out, aim, fire, and vanish. If these were real guns, then the kid was actually well on his way to making a half-decent assassin. That was an odd thought, but as Mauga followed the banging and clanging above him, he wondered if the kid was capable of killing. As messed up as it'd sound, he hoped he was. That'd be pretty cool… maybe he could help… 'teach' him! The rattling of a vent made it clear Omega was about to try and strike again, but Mauga was ready. Punching upwards, he shook the vent and caused the gun to fall, followed by Omega, who let out a frightened yelp before being grabbed by his ankle and held up by the beast of a man.

"Ha! Not bad, pipsqueak. But yer' tryin' to bait a shark? Not a smart idea." Mauga laughed, holding the gun up to Omega's face and pulling the trigger. Click. "What?" Click click click… Confused, he cracked the gun open, seeing the darts were gone. Looking down, he saw Omega holding them. Bewilderment overtook him, and finally he nodded.

"All right, I'm impressed." He conceded. "Not bad Shark Bait." He mused. Setting Omega down. He looked at the guns, and then at Omega. "Hey, you wanna go mess with Sombra?" He asked, mischievously. To his delight, Omega nodded, handing him the darts back. "Atta boy! Let's grab some chow after…"

Years Later…

To say the result of Mad Dawg's 'warm up' left the gym in a state which could be attributed to the aftermath of an apocalyptic event would be a harsh, harsh understatement. Several dumbbells weighing over one-hundred pounds were embedded in the wall, the mats were torn to shreds to such a degree that they weren't salvageable in the slightest, several machines were torn apart by a force which seemed otherworldly, and one machine was quite literally bent backwards. As Reaper entered, he wasn't sure what to think, or even say. There had been screaming, roars of anger, pain, regret, fear and other such emotions mixed in echoing through the building for well over an hour. The sound of metal creaking, snapping and groaning as it was manipulated in unnatural ways was also heard, and then everything had stopped.

No one had bothered going to see if Mad Dawg was okay, most of them didn't care, and some of the members of Talon (including a few Council Members) felt a bit nervous, that entering would be asking for a brutal, and painful death. Sombra had wanted to check on Mad Dawg, but she had been told no multiple times, eventually Moira telling her something which seemed to get through to her. It would seem like Reaper had no reason for going to check on Mad Dawg, unless ordered to, and if this was anyone else, that would be true. But, and despite the mutant's claims that they were even, Reyes felt like he needed to help Mad Dawg with what came next. He didn't hold much love for Omnics, but he understood the feeling of something, or someone you cared for being ripped away. As well as that someone being one of the few connections to a sense of 'normalcy' which Mad Dawg might have been trying to cling to, only to find watch it blow up in his face. Add to that the fact that Misfit Pride was becoming more than a mere annoyance to Talon, and Reaper had his reasons for this.

"Mad Dawg." He spoke up after Mad Dawg hadn't acknowledged him. There was no response, but Reaper didn't repeat himself.

"What." The single word finally came with scorn, and regret. The teen didn't even bother looking up from where he was glaring at the floor.

"…" Reaper wasn't sure how to word this, so, he decided to just throw caution to the wind and go in head-first. "You want revenge, I want to help." His words felt odd to say, but they did get Mad Dawg to pull himself up and look behind him at Reaper. The tears had stained his face, and he wiped them away the best he could. It was clear he didn't like being seen like this, but didn't care at the moment.

"Why?" He growled.

"You broke me out of Titan's Cell."

"I did that-"

"Don't interrupt." Reaper cut him off. "You broke me out, and risked it all for something I didn't even know I had done. It's time I settle that debt." He nodded. "You want revenge, Talon wants Misfit Pride dead. Don't be an idiot, Cerda. Let me help you."

"Okay." The response came quicker than Reaper expected, but Dawg offered nothing more. Reaper smirked lightly behind his mask. Reaper extended his hand, and Mad Dawg grabbed it. "But the whore is mine. She dies by my hand, got it?"

"Careful with that edge, kid." Reaper remarked, and Mad Dawg looked like he had been slapped. Laughing darkly, Reaper pointed over his shoulder. "Doc's lookin' for ya. She's got some new upgrades for you."

Mad Dawg smiled, and Reaper felt a bit unnerved. It was the smile of a killer, and it seemed wrong on one so young, but at the same time, it befitted a member of Talon. The two left, Reaper leading Mad Dawg to where Moira awaited, wearing scrubs for a change, and several boards displaying diagrams, calculations and notes. She nodded as the two entered and decided not to waste any time with this.

"I understand your anger, Mad Dawg." She began. "The Council is willing to let you seek her out and have your revenge, on the condition that you do several missions for us while looking for her." Mad Dawg scoffed and Moira continued, pretending she didn't hear that. "It's that, or you'll be forced to do menial tasks for us."

"Or I could kill you all an-AAAAGH!" Mad Dawg began but fell to his knees, screaming in pain as an electric shot tore through his brain. Reaper seemed shocked, and Moira sighed, shaking her head, letting go of something.

"Mad Dawg, please, listen to me." She said, softly but sternly. "What you felt was a small neuron-shock I can administer while I have direct line of sight with you." She explained. She seemed proud of her work, but also knew she couldn't let Dawg know that. "In light of… certain abilites you have, consider this an insurance policy on my end."

"Moira, I know this isn't my place, but this is incredibly stupid of you." Reaper said bluntly. Moira was a tad shocked by his reaction, but before she could counter, Mad Dawg snarled and pulled himself up.

"Nah, nah. It's fair. I do some work, and I get some help with personal business. Right?" He remarked. Moira nodded. "Okay, so. What's the whole 'upgrade' thing you have for me?"

Moira nodded, pleased he was listening. Yes, this was a risky ploy, hence why only she had the device that would allow this to work. "Well, we have a few things we could do." She explained, motioning to the different boards. "Some of them are simple, I would inject a new compound into your muscular system which would open the body to leaner muscle tissue as well as reducing the amount of time required for healing." She read off a clipboard. Then noticed Mad Dawg looking at her with an expression that said many things at once. "It's a super-steroid of sorts."

Mad Dawg pulled his track shorts outwards and looked down. "Nope." He said, letting the waistband snap back. Moira groaned, disgusted. "Don't wanna end up like Rapey over there."

"I'm going to smother you in your sleep." Reaper growled.

Moira rolled her eyes, looking to the next board. "This one would improve your strength, but there would be a drawback. It would target your cells which allow you to change into that… other… side… but it would let you change faster. The drawback being it would most likely damage your mind."

Mad Dawg looked to Reaper before he said anything.

"OMEGA." Moira snapped, a tad annoyed at how he was acting. Honestly, Reaper wasn't helping either. "Your… somewhat lower intelligence aside, I mean it could make you into a literal drooling husk of yourself."

"Okay… is there a way around that?" Mad Dawg asked, looking to the boards. Some of what he saw made sense, but the majority did not. He stopped at one, because it showed a buzz-saw blade affixed to his arm. Also, it had 'NO' written and circled a dozen times or so on it. "Tell me about this one…" He mused, trying to act suave and savant. Or whatever the fancy words for seeming in control and wise were. Moira scoffed, amused at his attempt.

"Well, first of all, no." She said, matter-of-factly. "This idea involves removing several of your limbs, and- PUT THAT SAW DOWN!" She snapped, seeing Mad Dawg picking up an electric bone saw and almost immediately knowing what he had planned with it. Mad Dawg winced, but did as told. "Omega, I swear-" She began but rubbed her face. "How were you more mature as a child then you are now?" Moira sighed. "The reason I refuse to even entertain this idea, is that by removing your limbs, I can't say with certainty that you'll be able to change into Project Moon Knight."

"Moon Knight?" Mad Dawg asked, confused.

"Yes, that was… the code name we gave your alternate side." Moira commented, waving dismissively as to not get dragged into an argument concerning something as simple as a name. "But it-"

"I like Moon Walker better." Mad Dawg commented.

"I would've called it Blood Beast." Reaper shrugged.

"Seriously? That's like- fourth grader edge-lord naming!" Mad Dawg laughed at the prospect, but Reaper seemed indifferent.

"Well, you're a wild animal who feeds on blood while in that form. You lack control or training, so you're akin to a wild animal." He reasoned. Mad Dawg wanted to snap back with a response, but realized Moira was waiting on them. Giving Reaper a 'This-isn't-over' glare, he nodded at Moira.

"That makes sense. When I change… I don't really remember what happens, but I know my whole-body changes. But it's not like a second entity coming out, per say." He remarked. Moira took notes on the matter, surprised and intrigued by that revelation. Mad Dawg looked around at a few more before stopping, and grinning. "This." He said, pointing. "PLEASE tell me we can do this one."

Moira blinked, then grinned. It was a smile Reaper knew meant two things: excperimentation, and someone getting cut apart. "As a matter of fact, we can~!" She almost purred, and to Reaper's surprise, Mad Dawg's grin widened.

"I'm in!" He declared with a nod.

The Talon enforcer remained quiet, but thought to himself with a half-smirk: "Like Mother, like son."


Across the world, Ana Amari was staring in utter horror at the recordings she had been given. She knew Misfit Pride was dangerous, but this… this was inhuman! She felt sick, disgusted in a way she hadn't been in decades, perhaps ever. But worst of all, the ramifications it could have for Overwatch… not to mention the innocents at large! They had willingly agreed to this so-called 'partnership' and now… it was too late to change it.

"H-how… how could they…" Tracer's eyes were heavy-set, somewhat wet with tears of pain. Unlike some agents, she had good relations with a number of Omnics, and this one, F3-T4NK, she had met him multiple times before. Now, he had been tortured, and killed. And for what?! Lilith seemed hell-bent on finding the young misfit who may or may not be a Talon Agent, and while Overwatch wanted to find him as well, it was clear that she was willing to use anyone and anything she could to get to him. No matter the cost.

"How could we?" Ana growled. Sure, she suspected treachery from the get-go from an anarchist sect like Misfit Pride, but for this to happen so quickly?! "We let them in, we thought this wasn't going to end badly? How could we be so blind?"

"…I think Jack's desperate…" Tracer murmured, and Ana looked to her, silently asking for an explanation. "Something changed in him after Reaper escaped. I think he's willing to do whatever it takes to stop this new guy."

Ana frowned. Desperate? No, she had seen Morrison desperate. He wasn't there yet, but she feared he may very well soon be! Shutting off the computer, she slung her rifle over her back and looked to Lena. She wasn't sure what to ask, so she let her Guardian instincts kick in.

"The child, is she all right?" She asked.

"Jessica? Yeah, she's doing as well as you can hope!" Lena smiled. "I think Satya's showing her some of her light building techniques actually!" She mused. Ana was surprised by that, but smiled nonetheless. Symmetra wasn't always the friendliest or most social of people, but she did have a love for demonstrating her work. Sure, she wouldn't admit to it, but she did. "And Thomas is getting ready for a big show next week. It's the Unification Celebration and he's headlining the show!" Tracer added. She was excited for the big day. It was a day where humans and Omnics set aside their differences to speak one language: PARTY!


"So, we're sure that the kid's up to this?" Abasheck asked.

"Mm." Lachlan grunted.

"You don't sound sure…"

"I'm not."

"…I'm not either."

"I still think it's a mistake."

"Yeah, but he's done okay so far."

"Mm."

"You think the stuff Moira put in his brain will work?"

"It friggin' better. What else do we keep her around for?"

"Heh, fair enough."

The two Council Members looked at the image on screen.

"It makes sense, though."

"Oh yeah, we couldn't ask for better timing honestly."

The two council members put in the activation codes, and the mark was locked in.

Target: 'Virus'

Mission: Assassinate.


A.N. Sorry for being gone for so long. Lost motivation, then found it again. Oddly.

Regardless, things seem to be going all over the place! Why does Talon want Virus dead? What's Moira got planned? What about Misfit Pride?

Well, lemme put it this way: Pretty soon, the funeral home business is gonna be swimming in clients…