*France: Annecy*
Despite what happened that fateful night, the city remained largely untouched, making it one of the, albeit temporarily, key cities in Europe. While other towns and cities have opted to become centers of distribution, supply, or construction, the City of Annecy has voted to focus on construction.
Progress has been slow, however, as the city committed a great emphasis on keeping its lakes and rivers clean. This led to a flux of companies and organizations to ensure their preservation, each claiming that they could effectively construct anything without harming its surroundings. While many were innovative in their use of Hardlight, there was one hopeful who offered traditional masonry and stonework, but it paled in comparison to the newer technology.
They could've gone under if it wasn't for a beautiful woman who came along and hired them to reconstruct a chateau that had been destroyed earlier this year due to a freak accident involving a meteor.
Eager to prove its reputation, the organization gladly jumped at this opportunity and immediately went to work. It took time and a sizable chunk out of the woman's vast fortune, but construction began. Every day, about twenty boats would supply the island with materials as both men and Omnics went to work, all while the woman watched from the shores.
The workers would never admit it, but her presence kept the men's morale high and their eagerness to work in check, for many wished to earn a smile from her by their efforts. This was not only because she had a very rare condition of vitiligo that enhanced her looks, with blue marks instead of a paler skin spot, but she was also one of the city's most popular ballerina dancers and models. Bolstered by the fact that her pictures were hanging off the walls of Paris and Monte Carlo, many took it as a privilege to even be able to see or work for her.
The woman however, found the attention annoying and their attempts to impress her childish, and there was no shortage of admirers, though her stern, cold gaze had kept many at bay. There were a few hopefuls who were either too dumb or arrogant, or both, to notice, but all of them mysteriously ended up in the hospital.
So there she stood, tossing bread into the lake, where a couple of swans would accompany her as she watched the chateau take shape. She was not completely cold towards visitors, though, as she had accepted audiences with nervous families whose daughters wanted to have a picture with her and the swans.
It was after one of these few encounters when her given communicator rang for the first time in months.
"Ms Lacroix, Ms Oxton has arrived" Athena announced.
"So soon" she sighed, stroking one of the swan's head.
"Aww don't be like that luv! It's good to have friends around" Lena said, walking out from behind a nearby tree "Besides, beats just standing around eh? In fact, why would you just stand around here for so long? I'd go crazy!"
"I like waiting" Amelie replied, slightly unnerved by the chirpy character.
Lena was not wearing her usual battle gear either, probably serving as some sort of disguise to not draw attention. Sporting an orange beanie, a yellow jacket that hid her smaller, improved Chronal Accelerator, and brown pants, it looked like she had decided to match the Autumn season, as the colors matched the browning trees.
"Speaking of friends, they have names?" Lena asked, pointing at the pair of swans near Amelie.
"That one is Chippy" she said, pointing to one that looked like it has a chip in its beak, before patting the head of the one in her hand "This one is Tina"
"Why Tina?"
"I don't know"
Lena waited for an explanation, but it dragged on into an uncomfortable silence. Thankfully, the silence was broken with the sound of someone gasping for air as he ran towards them.
"Seriously you need to stop disappearing like that!" David panted.
"And I told you if you can't keep up, you can just stay with the ship!" Lena snapped back.
"Why is this man following you?" Amelie asked, dropping her voice so he couldn't hear as the swans honked at him.
"I honestly don't know. Been trying to get rid of him for a week now" Lena replied.
"By running away? You can just tell him to leave"
"I can't say that! It'll hurt his feelings!" Lena protested before admitting shyly "I'm not saying he's all bad! He's the only one who can keep up with me in the bar"
"Why are you both here?" Amelie asked, her voice returning to normal and calmed the two swans down.
"We just got back from Berlin, here" Lena said, showing a picture of them and Brigitte in heavy armor, with Reinhardt's helm under her arm "And since you're along the way to Gibraltar, we've decided to drop by"
"How is Brigitte?" Amelie asked.
"She's great. Ever since they decided to bring the Crusaders back, she was really the only one qualified to lead them. Amazing how far she's grown… Only seems like yesterday when she was a Squire" Lena said, proud of her friend "Anyways, how's normal life for you?"
"I could do with less attention" Amelie said, pointing directly at a few paparazzi hidden in the bushes a little distance away, scaring them "But until the chateau is finished, I will bear with it for now"
"If that's the case, where are you staying? Can't imagine you living in the woods or something"
Amelie tossed the last of the bread to the swans before beckoning them to follow. First, they thought she was being private about it, but it was after the third detour that they realised that Amelie was trying to lose the paparazzi who stalked them. It took a while, but a few more clever turns and a grappling hook (or in David's case, Blinking around with Lena's abilities) gave them the slip, frustrating them once more.
Once the coast was clear, they cautiously enjoyed the beautiful city, with its classical streets, and tried out foods as they walked alongside the canal that ran through the city. To Lena's great delight, some stores began giving them free food when they realized who was with them.
"Bloody hell! This a daily thing luv?" Lena said as a man rushed out of his store and passed them their third block of Reblochon, while another rushed to them with a hot plate of Tartiflette shortly after.
"The agony of fame," Amelie sighed, her smile that had sent the red-faced men running fading.
"How'd you even stay thin?" Lena asked, pulling away from David, who tried to help her carry the food.
"Come, we're nearly there"
Moving to the inner parts of the city, they moved away from the canals and to the shopping districts, where a crowd of tourists were already there. They walked fast, with Amelie taking care to blend in with the crowd to avoid detection, something that she'd done so well that Lena had some difficulty keeping up.
After some time, Amelie disappeared.
"Eh? Oi Dave! See her?" Lena asked.
"Errr… Sorry, I was just following you" David replied sheepishly.
Rolling her eyes, Lena was about to climb a street light when she heard the clicking of a tongue. Looking to the source to her left, she saw Amelie holding the door open for them.
"This is the hotel" she said.
"Really? Looked like every other building here!" Lena laughed, jumping in.
*Amelie's Room*
After all the attention Amelie had drawn, Lena thought that she would be in a suite or something, but instead, it was a small, single-bed room.
"You know, it does not hurt to stay in a better room" Lena commented, putting the things on the table that's located next to the window "Nice view though"
"This is the best that I can afford" Amelie replied.
"Oh? I thought you're rolling in dough, being a Lacroix, dancer, model, and all" Lena said.
"A chateau is expensive" was the simple reply.
"Oh ok"
Silence followed and dragged between them, making it very uncomfortable for everyone, but Lena couldn't think of anything to say, David didn't know Amelie enough to start any conversation that was close to being relevant, and Amelie hoped that they would go soon so she could return to her daily routine.
"So… Err… How's life without him around?" Lena blurted out, unsure how to correctly phrase the question.
"Quiet" Amelie replied after a moment.
"You know, you don't have to go through it alone, I mean, I'm sure Overwatch can spare some time to help you adjust and-"
"No"
Another awkward silence followed, with David looking a little surprised that Lena would bring him up, even though his name was not mentioned. He had heard of this Quillion fellow before, especially from Pilot Lox when he flew them here, noticing that he would always drop the subject whenever Lena was around. Whoever he was, he seemed to be someone important between them, which was strange since he had been a fan of Overwatch for years, and had never read, seen, or heard about a Quillion in any official releases.
Lena tried a few more awkward attempts to start a conversation, but every reply was either a grunt, a nod, or one word. It got to a point when she looked to David for help.
"So… Err… How come you're not completely blue now?" he blurted out, immediately followed by a slapping sound as Lena facepalmed hard.
But it wasn't so much that he messed up the question as it was the reaction to it that worried him. The deadly glare that Amelie (or rather Widowmaker) was famous for as she looked at him with an emotionless stare.
"I mean, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, ya know" he added sheepishly.
Amelie did not answer for a moment. When she did respond, she reached out her hand and placed it on David's shoulder. This made Lena nervous, and she bent her knees a little, ready to pounce but hoping desperately that it would not come to that.
"It is because I had to protect someone who was dear to me" she said, showing her other hand for David to see before tilting her head slightly towards Lena.
Either it was because of her intimidating presence, or that he was already disarmed by his own question, or both, but he felt that her reply contained a hidden message, something even Lena didn't seem to catch. On the surface, it would just look like a cryptic message that she had gone through a violent ordeal that changed her physically to the point where she lost her hands and skin color, but underneath, Amelie was also saying that she seems to value Lena enough to be a friend, and should David choose to continue his pursuits, she expects him to show the same care for her as she did for Quillion.
Or else.
"Well" he gulped "I'll do my best, though I doubt I'd be must help in those kind of fights"
Amelie blinked for the first time since her staredown.
"You are normal?" she asked in disbelief.
"Err… What?"
"Is he a normal person?" Amelie asked Lena.
"Err…" Lena echoed "He's a copper from London"
"Ha!" Amelie laughed, but quickly covered her mouth to stifle it.
"What's so funny?" Lena expressed relief that the tension had been broken, having been concerned that Amelie might still have a desire to satisfy her bloodlust.
"Overwatch has really dropped its standard, hasn't it?" Amelie said, wiping away a faint tear.
"Well, we're not really focused on fighting anymore luv, Overwatch is getting a new look!"
And they will spend the next hour explaining Overwatch's new direction, how it is trying to redefine how the world should see heroes, and its greater focus on medical and environmental advances.
"- Oh! Oh! Toss I forgot! Angie's getting married next month!" Lena said suddenly, pulling out a glowing card that is the invitation.
"They have Hardlight Invitation Cards now?" Amelie asked.
"Yup! Cool right?"
Amelie looked and felt a small sense of envy as her insecurities bubbled up once more. Of all the emotions that she felt the strongest, it was the longing for companionship and belonging, which was so strong that it somehow existed even when she was still with Talon. Since she had become more 'normal' or 'human', these emotions had grown stronger. However, the damage that Talon had done to her was complete and irreversible. Even Dr Ziegler had admitted that the vast resources of Overwatch could not replace what she had lost at this time.
She was not naive and knew full well that there were many. Many. People in the world are married with the conscious effort never to have children, but for the life of her, the fact that she could not bear children saddened her. Though she has accepted this fact, marrying someone without the possibility of bearing their child will be extremely unfair, even if said partner claims not to want to raise one or has never raised one.
Seeing the happy faces of Dr Ziegler and Genji, both wearing their respective cultural clothing as they took their pre-wedding pictures, made her both happy and sad.
"Amelie?" Lena asked.
"Come, let's go for a walk" was all she said.
In a futuristic world where beautiful drawings or paintings were mostly digital or easily edited, there was a growing desire among people to relive the old ways, to recall or witness the delicate process of personal craftsmanship with little room for error. This was proven to be even truer when a one-armed artist attracted quite an audience for his skills at sketching.
The small crowd pressed closer as the final stroke of another masterpiece glided over the canvas, capturing what is said to be the spirit of the city's Old Town. Holding their breath, they watched anxiously as the artist performed what has always been his greatest challenge; signing his name, a feat that had comically become one of the main considerations for the bidding.
Muttering a quick prayer and concentrating his efforts, he moved his hand for the signature, and people held their breath. It was well known that the first and middle letters were the most inconsistent ones, for the perfection of the 'O' for 'Q' and the two 'l's in the middle has always demanded a steady hand, and since he had lost his dominant hand, it took him a while to be comfortable with his other.
Standing back, he looked at his signature and made a 'tsk' noise. It was good, but still not perfect. Before he could put his pencil down, two men came forward, reciting the same old script about which organization they were from, its prestige, and the price they were willing to offer.
Ignoring their words, the artist looked around to see if anyone else wanted to compete for the painting. After a brief moment, seeing no one else showing an interest in purchasing the painting, he pulled out a coin.
"Who will pick Heads?" he inquired of the two men.
"Sir, there is no need for that! I promise you that whatever he offers you, my company will double it! Triple it even!" one of them said.
"I can give you my guarantee that your art will be well preserved in our exhibitions! We have great traffic as well, and a publisher too! All we are offering is €5,000" the other countered.
"€5,000? I can offer €15,000! And no one reads their magazine-!"
"Who will pick Heads?" the artist asked again.
Seeing that the man continues to be stubbornly unfazed and keeps to his insane methods of selling, the two buyers have a fleeting thought to just walk away, but the quality of the sketch (also said to be done with no corrections) is too tempting not to bid for it.
"I'll pick Heads" the first man said.
"Very well. May the best man win, gentleman" the artist said, flipping the coin into the air and letting it fall to the ground.
Everyone pressed in to see that, facing up, it was Tails.
"Wait, you can't possibly leave it to a coin toss!" the first buyer said, but the artist had already shook hands with the second.
"Looks like you win, when can I expect payment?"
"I can transfer the funds to you right now!"
"Hey! I'm willing to pay €20,000!" the first buyer shouted, as if trying to gain public support in an attempt to have the artist reconsider.
"Sorry sir, the decision has been made" the artist said, reassuring the second buyer who looked a little concerned.
"Crazy… Crazy…" the first buyer muttered as he stormed away.
"Thank you! Thank you sir!" the second repeated, shaking the artist's hand vigorously.
"No, thank you. I think this was more than I need" he replied.
"QUIL!" a voice shouted from the crowd, making them jump.
Quillion looked over to the source of the noise and saw them pushing their way through the crowd towards him.
"No! "Not now!" he thought, looking at his watch.
Pumping his body full of adrenaline, he scribbled down his banking information that Sombra had set up for him when they parted months ago, and ran, taking care not to knock over anyone.
"Quil? Quil it's us!" he heard Lena shout, but he kept running.
"Why are they here now? How did they know where to find him? Did they bring Amelie?!"
A little distance away, Quillion hid behind some dumpsters and waited until he heard the faint 'Blink' sounds speed past him. Once the coast was clear, he pulled out his communicator and nervously dialled the number.
"Hey… Yeah its Quillion, yes I need to see you right now… No it can't wait, I need to see you right now, which room are you in?"
*5 minutes later*
"You know, all this is incredibly inappropriate and unnecessary" the old lady said, opening the door for Quillion as he dashed into her room.
Jumping to the window, Quillion quickly pulled the blinds closed and, extremely unnecessarily, barred the door with a chair. Realizing that this might scare her, he turned around to apologize, but the lady was merely waiting for him as she set on the bed the last tray from her luggage, huffing slightly that she didn't even have time to unpack.
"Sorry about that, but something happened, and we need to do this now"
"Right… Well, you did pay for this trip, so I suppose I need to be flexible" she sighed "But before we start, I just want to check again"
"Check what?" Quillion asked.
"Are you being stupid? Or are you fulfilling the promise you made to me?"
Quillion was taken aback but smiled. It had been almost a couple of years since he last saw her in King's Row, and the tongue lashing she gave him that night was still fresh in his mind. To even have her remember his promise was kind (ref: Adventures of Quillion: Overwatch Chapter 41)
If only she knew that this was not unnecessary since she was the only jeweler he trusts. In addition, he and Amelie will always be monitored here, and any attempts to fly to London will be brimming with questions, questions that Amelie herself would demand answers for. Plus, any movement in finances would never escape her eyes.
Also, he needed to show her that he had found someone who would make him happy.
"Today, the promise will be fulfilled"
The lady laughed and pressed her thumb on each tray, they opened one by one, revealing a beautiful set of rings that sparkled in the light. So many that Quillion became overwhelmed as he realized that, despite all of his reading about rings and diamonds, he was still very unfamiliar with the real thing.
"I… Err…" he said, fumbling and innocently skimming through the many options in front of him.
"Tell me about her"
"What?"
"So I can help you pick. You may have the money, but bugger all you're still clueless"
"Well she's… She's beautiful, you know?"
"And I bet she's really nice too? Come come, tell me so I can help you out"
Quillion hesitated, but with little time left, he had to do it. She was right; he knows nothing about buying the right ring, so he might as well leave it to her to pick for him.
"She's… Well you know, she's usually quiet, but caring. You know how they say actions speak louder than words? Yeah… She never says anything when I'm having my moments…" he said, placing a hand over where his right arm used to be "She never gets angry, or scared, or anything really… But always there"
"Hmmhmm…" the lady voiced, sorting the rings.
"And she's strong. She never complains, not once. And she had suffered too… Sometimes I even wonder if she suffered more than me…" he continued before pausing.
Had he shared too much? It was something that he had been pondering over for months, and it seemed almost normal for him. She had been tortured, re-engineered, and manipulated to murder her husband, and she was a tool of murder for years until her rescue. Stacking this against what he had gone through these past few years made his own look like child's play.
To anyone who knew their stories, they would agree, but to someone like the old lady, this would just seem like a childish comparison.
"Does she love you?" she asked suddenly.
"What?"
"Does she love you?" she repeated.
"I… Yeah? Yes, yeah yes yes" he said, almost mumbling.
"Hmm… Very reserved… Yes, this is the one for her" she said, picking up a ring for him to see.
It was one of the simpler, smaller rings, but somehow it still maintains a flair of elegance. Its band is white gold with a 'twist round cut' design, and at the tip of the ring, sat a humble half-carat diamond that was so well-cut, that even Quillion appreciated the amount of reflections that it gave off, placing it in the Excellent Cut category.
He always imagined that he would buy the biggest diamond when it came to engagement rings, but now he could not see Amelie wearing any other ring than this one.
"Perfect. This is the one! How did you do that?" he asked, holding it up to the light
"Dearie, I've been in this business before you were born, I know my stuff" she said with pride.
"Well… I'm sure I was born before you, but whatever" he thought to himself before asking for the price, to which she replied that it was a little over €2,000 and another €1,000 for his own ring that complimented Amelie's, with a little extra for engravings.
Satisfied with his purchase, he thanked her profusely and tried paying her an additional €500 for her own enjoyment during her stay in Annecy, but she was adamant she would not receive any extra pay.
As Quillion walked out of the hotel, he was confronted with an unwanted sight.
"There he is!" Lena shouted, pointing at him.
"Great" he thought and was about to run to another direction when Lena cut him off with a well placed Blink.
Looking for a gap in the crowd of people who had gathered to see what was going on, he came face to face with Amelie.
"Why are you running? And why are you coming out of the hotel?"
"Coming out-? I wasn't in any hotel" he lied.
"I saw you going in" she said.
"Err… I…" was all he could say.
"Yeah Quil, why are you in there?" Lena asked when she spotted someone peeking out from the door "Wait… Isn't that the lady who sells rings on King's Row?"
"Ring? What ring?" Amelie asked.
"I… I… Thing is…" Quillion stuttered, trying to think of a story.
But his knees spoke instead.
Bending down and ignoring Lena's audible gasp as she grabbed a man next to her, he pulled out the ring and held it up before Amelie's shocked face.
"Amelie Lacriox, will you marry me?"
Amelie did not move, and though Quillion expected this, it was still nerve-wracking for him. He could see from the corner of his eyes that he was not the only one, for there were many who whipped out their cameras to capture this moment. This was why the original plan was to propose to her somewhere reclusive and private, not in front of a hotel where tourists would come and go.
So the seconds ticked by, each feeling like minutes, and everyone held their breath with him, waiting for her answer—a reply, a nod, anything.
And finally, she nodded.
The crowd applauded as Quillion scrambled to his feet, almost tripping when he forgot he was missing an arm and threw his arm around her. Lena let out a loud whoop and began dancing, somehow (perhaps due to her natural charisma), enticing the people to join her as the nearby restaurant turned up its speakers when Amélie nodded.
"Thank you" Quillion said, his face bright with gratitude, and he felt her head nod in his shoulder.
"Common everyone! First drink's on me!" Lena yelled, earning the cheer from the crowd.
"Oops" Lena admitted to herself when she realized how much she might need to pay. Seeing this, Amelie went over to her and offered to help, an offer that Lena immediately hugged her for.
"Yes! Common everyone!" Lena shouted.
A couple years more will pass before the chateau is complete, giving them plenty of time to settle a few things. Pre-marriage counseling, future planning, and the ceremony itself were all processes neither of them had ever imagined they would have a chance to participate.
For the first time in decades, the rebuilt halls of Chateau Guillard were overflowing with music, laughter, and songs. The locals of Annecy, neither banning nor refusing entry, unexpectedly showed up and attended to either witness the ceremony or catch a glimpse of the invited guests, so much so that some even had to stay on their boats.
Lena and David were the first to arrive, soon followed by Commander Winston & the retired Ana, Genji & Angela with their son, Torbjorn, the newly appointed Crusader Brigitte & her squire, and finally Mei, who brought snowglobes. Fareeha did not come because she had not yet forgiven Amelie for nearly killing her mother (a fact that would haunt Amelie for many years to come), and McCree was in Mexico hunting Sombra, which Quillion alone hoped would yield positive results.
This turnout surprised Quillion and Amelie, who sent the invitation to them purely out of courtesy and thought only one or two would come, but they assured them that Overwatch is able to afford their absence, assuring them that people had banded together and had been left to be self-sufficient. However, for reasons only Ana and Winston knew, this had happened as a result of Reaper and his new organization, The Balance, rather than good-will alone.
This terrible fact is a secret kept only between them because, despite the fact that they are mortal enemies in the public eye, the Reaper has effectively retired many corrupted opportunists in line through his own brand of 'justice', something for which they found themselves secretly, but disgustingly, grateful. At this time, the world cannot afford the many years it'll take to replace those kinds of people, so drastic 'allowances' have to be granted to pave a better path for everyone else.
At the moment, they will only play along with the notion that everyone was banding together (and rightly so) to face the common enemy that is the Reaper. The only question is, when can they stop this charade?
But this will be a problem for another day because a more pressing and immediate problem has presented itself.
"I already told you, I am not cutting it off!" Quillion shouted, closing the door behind him, and tried to lock it, but Lena and Genji managed to force it open.
"But today is your wedding day! You need to at least look formal!" Lena persisted, a pair of scissors already in hand.
"I am formal!" Quillion snapped back, turning around and grabbing her hand when she Blinked forward in an attempt to cut his ponytail off.
"We have seen your pre-wedding pictures, you look far better without it" Genji added, his hand floating over his wakizashi.
"And no weapons! Why did you even bring that to a wedding?!" Quillion said angrily, eyeing it as he tried to wrestle the scissors from Lena.
"Don't even try, he's married to them too" Angela sighed from the door, not entering for the safety of her son.
"Trust us, Quillion, you do not look good with a ponytail" Ana added.
"Amelie said she likes it!" Quillion protested.
"She just doesn't wanna hurt your feelings!" Lena grunted as she tried and failed another attempt to cut.
"Wait what?" Quillion asked, stunned.
This was the opening Lena needed.
"And there!" she said triumphantly, but when she was about to cut, Genji Dashed and expertly stabbed the tip of his wakizashi upwards between the scissors, effectively stopping the act.
"Genji, why?!" Lena exclaimed as Quillion jumped to the side.
"He needs to be convinced, not forced upon" was Genji's reply.
"Is it true then? Amelie don't… Like my hair?" Quillion asked, stroking it.
"Well, don't tell her I said that" Lena answered.
"Even if that is true, why do you all even care?"
"Because we are your friends, and we look out after one another" Mei said, having come in time to hear his question "Trust us, we all already discussed it, and you'll thank us for it"
Quillion paused. No one had ever called him a friend in the years he had woken, and to be surrounded by people like them, who have considered themselves his friends, demands some attention and trust.
"Even so, none of you are barbers! I can't just have it sliced off!" he said finally.
No sooner did he say that, Winston came panting back, carrying someone who looked excited, nervous, scared, and confused at the same time.
"I found Mr Matis, can you tell me why it's so important?" Winston asked, catching his breath.
"Just in time! Quil! Behold, your savior!" Lena said with a theatrical flair.
"Who?"
"Only the best barber in Annecy! Time for him to work his magic!"
The ceremony proceeded smoothly, though the pastor was slightly unnerved when he saw that so many well known heroes were in the congregation. Quillion fought the urge to run his hand through his now short, combed back hair, while Amélie looked as radiant and natural as ever in her wedding gown. She was so calm, she didn't even seem to notice that he had his hair cut at the last minute, making him look murderously at the Overwatch team, who were all grinning at him.
However, it was at this moment that he saw something he didn't expect.
Lena sat herself in the front row, and for a moment, Quillion's mind wandered back… Far back…
He had never learned her name, but there was no denying that Lena was a one-in-a-billion chance, splitting the image of her. He knew it would be unfair—maybe even selfish—to imagine this as some sort of sign that she approves of this union, but he couldn't help it.
Here she was, right now, in front of him, smiling, and attending his wedding, daring him to imagine what she might have said.
"Everything is going to be okay" were his imagined words.
"We're proud of you" said a pair of familiar voices.
Hmm? That wasn't imaginary.
He turned around and looked for whoever said that, but there wasn't anyone near him except the pastor, who was checking his notes.
It was that night, during the wedding dinner, that Quillion bravely asked Amélie about his hair.
"Is it true that you didn't like it?"
"No"
"I mean really, I don't want to look bad for you" he said again.
"Long, short, old, fat, thin. You are still you. I don't want any more than that" was her sincere answer.
"I knew it!" he shouted, looking angrily at the Overwatch agents.
"I think he found out" Lena said, preparing to run.
"Do not worry; he will thank us eventually" Ana assured her.
And Quillion did. Eventually.
But, before that day, he spent the rest of his days caring for Amélie and for her, supporting one another as they tried to live a normal life. Both will spend the remainder of their days rediscovering what they have always loved, Quillion will master the art of sketching with his left, while Amélie will become one of the most popular ballet dancers in France.
Quillion never slacked in his combat training either, having to constantly watch out for any possible retaliation from Katya Volaskaya, who would be livid if she ever found out that Sombra did not perish on the Moon. Unbeknownst to him, Katya's second brush with death, saved only by the timely intervention of Viktor, who shot Makarov (ref: Chp 27) dead before he executed her and Zarya, was too much to bear, and she had retired from her position and spent the rest of her life peacefully with her daughter, with Zarya supporting her decision.
They will also start a tradition of visitation. When it was time for Amelie to visit Gerard's grave, they would also plan a trip to Malaysia, where Quillion had laid his family to rest at the Waterfall.
Through the miracle of science, they were even granted a child of their own, as Overwatch's pioneering discoveries were able to accurately generate Amelie's oocyte from her DNA alone.
Lena, now reinvigorated and unburdened by her past, became a key voice in Overwatch as she took on a less 'aggressive' role in the organization and focused more on her leadership skills. Bolstered by her natural charisma, she kept spirits high wherever she went, a precious ability wherever people were discouraged.
Her personal life, however, was surprisingly unknown to many, as she has tripled the security of her private life after a careful study of how Emily's information was leaked before. Rumor has it that she spends most of her time helping those in need, while some say that she spends her days locked up in her office. What is known is that every year she would take trips back to London, revising the relationship between Humans and Omnics there.
One thing is for sure: She seems to start liking cats a lot, and this fact was only uncovered when a particularly sensitive staff member who was allergic to cat fur started sneezing whenever Lena was close by.
But the work is never over, and there will always be something that the world needs fixing, improving, and innovating, and everyone has a part to play. And with proper guidance and motivation, everyone played their part well, so well that the age of heroes, whose individual who wielded powers and awe far beyond mortal men will eventually pass.
None were forgotten however, as a holiday commemorating their sacrifice and duty will be held once every three years.
Quillion will fade into comfortable and peaceful obscurity, passing soon after his beloved Amelie, leaving behind only his journal and a hope that his daughter will live a good life in the better future
Author's Note:
Oh man, missed the schedule by a few days XD
BUT, this is it. The End. I hope you were entertained, and thank you all so much for being with me throughout all this time :)
I have thought about writing another Adventures of Quillion (xxx), but sadly, it seems unlikely. Moving on to a new job, having new commitments that demand my attention, and all... However, this has been a great hobby, and you guys are awesome to offer me your time to read my piece of literature.
I MIGHT go back to Adventures of Quillion (Overwatch) to re-edit some things, but I'm still not sure if I should do that. After all, that's the source of my humble beginnings to contrast to my now (hopefully) better writing.
But that's a thought for another day and maybe you guys can comment and give me some ideas.
Again, this process has been a ton of fun, so once more, I'll say this.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Who knows if we'll meet again in another Adventures of Quillion ;)
In the words of Truman however: In case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and