Chapter Title is self-explanatory.
ALSO, WARNING FOR AN ALLUSION TO SELF HARM. ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION IT! Does this make me a bad person?
...
As soon as he left the simulation range, he clutched his chest as he inhaled some much-needed air. She was hot but dangerous. Those electric blue eyes boring into his soul made him feel things. Things that he hasn't felt since… them and it's been a few years since then. The way her lips looked when she smirked, he refrained from trying to kiss her, she probably would have killed him for real if he attempted it. Even though she can incite fear into the hearts of many, he wanted to try it anyway.
He took off his cowl and ran his fingers along the tiny scars that littered his jaw. his past was going to catch up to him sooner or later. Yet, that's what he gets for falling for them. Ezra's exterior renders him as a statue, with a rough, jagged edge; but on the inside, his heart can have enough love for two people.
Even so, he knows Wraith is spoken for. She has Natalie, a beautiful blue-eyed blonde. That brain of hers was one to be both envious and thankful for. Ezra would gladly sit down and listen to her talk about her projects just to see her eyes light up with glee. Renee, Wraith's actual name, was also a great choice because even though she went through hell, she has a pillar to lean on. Ezra admires one who knows that it's okay to not be okay. It makes Ezra feel jealous because he knows he could love both of them equally, but they may not share the same views as he does. "I really need to focus, not worry about… that. I need to forget them and focus on why I'm really here. I didn't come for that, but would it be so bad to indulge in it?" He asked himself softly as he headed for the doors leading back to the barracks.
Little did Ezra know Renee was right around the corner with Natalie. Both of them were spying on him. Both the Legends and the off-season combatants were in the Apex Compound on Talos, by order of the advisors. Both women heard his mumbling about his lack of focus. Neither one of them saw his face, as it wasn't widely known, and well, the women are curious. Sue them.
Ezra finally walked out of the room, leaving to go do his cooling down exercises, which required meditation. He needed time to think. As he left the room, he inconspicuously left something behind. As soon as the door shut, both females entered the room, making sure that SG left the room. "What do you think he was talking about, Doudou?" Natalie asked.
"I don't know babe, but he seemed to lose his composure after I left and if it means what I think it means…"
"You think there is a chance?" a small smile formed on the Static Defender's face.
"Possibly, not confirmed. We'll have to wait and see," Renee replied as she bent down to pick up the note. Renee laughed as she showed it to Natalie.
Nice try.
"Attendez, he knew we were here?" Nat exclaimed, her mouth agape and her silver-blue eyes wide as saucers. Renee kissed her cheek as she nodded. "But.. but how?"
"More observant than I gave him credit for," Renee said as the voices in her head went off, Far door, another note.
Renee went to the door and grabbed the note that slipped under the slit. Upon opening it Renee let out another laugh as she shook her head.
Glad to know I was right. See you around, Wraith and Wattson. Hopefully, we won't have to kill each other.
To start off the day, Ezra got a nightmare, and he could barely remember it, but it was enough to keep him awake for the next four hours in a cold sweat. He then sat on his bed and meditated to get the adrenaline out of his system. He only uses the other method in the Games. So he has to let this adrenaline high run its course. He knows the cause of his nightmares, but he cannot get them to cease screwing with him. Probably deserved.
Today was the day that one of the would-be Legends gets picked to join the other Legends for the next Season of the Apex Games. Ezra got himself ready in record time post-meditation and was sitting calmly with the other fifteen or so candidates. His hands are spread across the chair he is sitting in, one leg crossed over the other giving off the impression of boredom. His glasses are back on and so is his balaclava. His hair was chilling in its natural form, but he was thinking about getting a haircut. Normally he doesn't do anything for it besides the obvious washing and care to make sure he doesn't smell like the innards of a Leviathan.
All the Legends already signed on are here and seated in an area opposite of the candidates. Ezra could name them all based on their silhouettes and even their footsteps, no matter how silent they think they are. The Legends were all eyeing the candidates and all their gazes seemed to have stopped on Leadflare, no surprise. They all want him to be the next Legend, so if he doesn't get picked, then they are going to outrage. They have a reason to want him on the roster. More for their own selfish reasons, but two of them want something more. Ezra doesn't know that, and it will most likely stay that way unless they let him know. Or if he figured it out.
Ezra stopped rolling his ankle as he felt the stares of every Legend, even the simulacrum's. His gaze searched them all and when it landed on Pathfinder, his middle screen flashed a wave and Ezra let out a small chuckle, waving back, making the other candidates look at him with amused expressions. Some of the Legends took a moment to stretch and some took off, some of those being Wraith and Wattson. So, it looks like he was right, they are together. Probably needed a quickie, and Ezra wouldn't blame them either, they looked at each other like they needed each other to breathe. Ezra smiled under his bandanna but quickly faded as the thoughts of his past interests came crashing down. Yep, still a sore spot.
So, Ezra went to the next best thing that he had, the switchblade on his belt. He pulled it out and inspected it, noticing the slight red tinge to it. His left arm burned as a reminder. He subtly out the blade to his left arm, around the upper forearm area. Heh, maybe it'll match the rest. Before he could even slide the knife, it was taken out of his hands. Fast Hands who now? "You shouldn't do that, Monsieur," the sound of that voice and the accent sent a shiver down Ezra's spine. This one is Wattson.
Recovering, "Respectfully, Ms. Wattson,I can do what I want with myself, whether or not someone witnesses it though...," Ezra trailed off, not turning around, but his hand was palm up, waiting for the knife. What he was about to do was a bad habit, something he should break, but it's all he can do to actually feel pain; outside of getting shot that is. He may even have become desensitized to it. Not my fault.
"Bro, are you crazy, you're talking to one of the Legends! Do you want to die?!" someone from Ezra's left asked.
Ezra turned to them, deadpanning with a monotone voice, "Every single day, but why would you care? You shouldn't, so back off." An object was placed in his hand, but it wasn't his knife. In fact, it kind of burned. Without turning around, "Ah, so you're here too? Joy," he said sarcastically. "Pleasure to be in your presence again, Ms. Wraith," he said genuinely.
Ezra can be a gentleman when he wants to be and he also respects the Legend's identities, even though they are known to everyone, he keeps it informal non-personal. Knowing none of them are married, so Mr. and Ms. to each Legend, except for Bloodhound, they are just Bloth Hoondr, in their native tongue. That and, Bloodhound is kinda creepy-looking when they stare at him with that mask and the trinkets dinging against it. Add in a head tilt and it's all over
"Can I actually have my knife back? I'm getting bored with this conversation, kinda want this to be over so it decides whether I stay or go…" Ezra trailed off as his knife was placed in his hand again, "Thank you, now don't you have to sit up there with your fellow Legends?"
As a teasing remark, Renee left with, "Aren't you going to join us?"
"Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Gotta make sure I'm feeling it," he replied easily. Ezra smirked under his covering and put away the knife and resumed his position he had before. The other participants looked at Ezra in fear and a newfound sense of wonder. No one talks to the Legends so casually, everyone usually shits their pants when they even see them. Ezra really doesn't care, and he was never going to. This was only to get away from it all, maybe only temporary before he heads back home. His sister likes being able to visit him from time to time, but it might be just a bit longer before he can again.
Ezra decided to see the room without hindrance and took off his glasses and folded them and tucked them into his collar. His blue and light violet eye looked around the room, some were surprised, others kept a blank face. He then interlocked his fingers behind his head and leaned back. He stopped when he heard his spine stretch and pressure was alleviated off his back. It's one of those ahh moments.
Soon enough, the lights went out and a single spotlight came on over the stage. It wasn't a super fancy stage with the full curtains and spotlights. It wasn't authentic, but it was in decent condition, given the circumstances. In that spotlight was a silhouette of a person with a voice modulator. The voice had no specific accents, and for all Ezra knows, it was not even a real person. "Welcome to the Apex Compound! I hope the accommodations have been satisfying." Several grumbles of 'yes' and 'whatever' came from the other competitors. Ezra remained silent. Yet, he could feel the mystery person's gaze on him; in response, Ezra raised an eyebrow. He shifted so that his elbows rested on his knees as he hunched forward, but yet, still said nothing. He couldn't contain the grin he had on his face, even if his eyes showed it, the lower half of his face didn't show how much he was enjoying the situation. All he let out was a simple hmm. It almost looked like he was challenging them.
"Well, now we have come to a conclusion as to who we are accepting to be the official fourteenth Legend. This time, we've allowed the Legends to take their pick as to who they want. They were adamant about it, and we figured why not? It will add some 'spice' to the Games this season." Ezra could feel the words were directed at him. Sorry that the people he was fighting didn't know the difference between a gun and their privates. Unlike them, Ezra knows how to handle himself.
"The votes have already been registered and the results are in, that was… quite fast," the voice said in confusion. In response, Ezra closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift. What would this entail? What do I have to gain from this? What is my purpose here? For reasons unknown, wandering the Galaxy was something Ezra enjoys. Who knows, maybe he hasn't found a solid reason to stick around.
He must have missed the announcement because the person sitting next to him smacked his shoulder brought him out of his stupor, "Dude, you won, go on," they said, beaming at him. Ezra shook his head quickly and stood up to go meet the Legends… at least twelve of them at least. He started where Crypto sat on the left and ended with Revenant on the right. He gave a firm handshake to each one. Firm to him means tight to everyone else. Even Bangalore was surprised at his strength. The only ones who didn't care were Caustic, Revenant, and Pathfinder. Pathfinder got a high five over a handshake, which made Ezra's mouth curve slightly upwards. Gibraltar gave him a hug which he returned. It looked like the rumors were true, the man was a hugger.
The applause was brief and then everyone else was whisked away, and they were given spectator's passes for the season, as a way to say 'Thank you'. The Legends departed, but Lifeline came up to him, "Come on now, we need to make sure ya get settled in before the season starts in a week."
"Lead the way, Ms. Lifeline," Ezra replied, being courteous, gesturing to her.
"It's Ajay Che outside the arena, Ezra," he tensed. "Yes, we do know ya name, othawise you wouldn't be here." Ezra breathed a sigh of relief. "Ya also caught the interest of Dark Sparks."
"Dark... Sparks?" Ezra asked confused, eyebrows furrowing.
"Ever since Renee and Natalie made demselves a couple, the people have been 'shipping' them and been called dem 'Dark Sparks'," Ajay said with a kind smile.
"I see, how long have they been together'?" Ezra asked, uneasy as they enter the main Compound where he would 'live' for the season. Unfamiliar territory was always unnerving to him. He needs to know where he is and where his exits are at all times, kind of a habit given his background.
"You jealous?" Ajay smirked as she dragged him around multiple corners, further into the compound.
"No, just curious, and could you slow down? I have legs and I would like to keep my arm intact. I need my arms, you know? To shoot people who get too close," Ezra said teasingly, yet serious at the same time.
Ajay only chuckled, "You'll fit right in with Elliott, always cracking horrible puns."
At that moment, a voice said, "Hey! I'm not that terrible!" Even then, Ezra had to laugh and it felt like a small weight lifted off his chest.
"Never answered my question, Ajay," Ezra reminded her.
"About eight months comin' up. You neva answered mah question."
Ezra hummed, before he mumbled, "Maybe a little."
Ajay smirked, "Oh you gots it bad…"
Ezra was shown his room and his items from his previous location already arrived. They were in boxes and he shut the door and began to work. He grabbed his first aid kit out first and put it in the center of the dresser. The room itself was mostly bare, but it was large enough for at least two people. The bed was at least a full size, possibly a queen size, and thankfully his sheets were universal, stretching to fit any size mattress. Ezra took off his bandanna and set it next to his glasses. He stared into the mirror before looking at his scars, some of them self-inflicted. He needed to do it. Not that he doesn't regret it.
Eliza does know he cuts and has tried to help him, but he doesn't find himself fit for help, but maybe there would be something there. He ran a hand through his hair and decided it was a little too long since he last cut it. He would have to remedy that soon. He would also have to move the boxes of his stuff, which wasn't much, later. A knock on his door brought him out of his thinking state and retied his bandanna around his mouth. He really didn't care about covering his eyes at the moment since all the Legends have already seen them. He opened the door a crack, his knife in hand, hidden behind the door. "You know I'm not here to kill you," said the oh so familiar voice of Wraith.
"Could have fooled me, Ms. Wraith. I-"
"First off, since you are now apart of the Legends, you have to call us by our actual names outside the arena. Sometimes, we like to go into the city and go low profile," she scoffed, "Unless you're Octavio, but that's beside the point. We don't need you outing us in public," she cut Ezra off. He raised an eyebrow.
"Then, what am I to call you? If you don't want me to call you by your alias, then you gotta tell me what you prefer," his eyes locked on hers, waiting to see who would look away first.
After a few tense moments of both of them staring, she eventually looked away and said, "You can call me Renee," she backed up down the hallway. "The rest of the Legends would like to get to know you on a first-name basis." So the elusive Skirmisher reveals her name. Ezra did not want to call them by their actual names until they introduced themselves. So, hearing it from the horse's mouth was reassuring. Ezra went back into his room, shut the door and took out his knife and held it up, so he could look at his reflection on the blade, his oddly colored eyes looking back at his reflection, the red tinge still there. He sighed before holstering it and actually left his sunglasses behind. Normally, it is frowned upon to wear them indoors.
Once he took out some clothes and laid them out to put away later, he left his room, and he dreaded actually sitting with the Legends. Much to his surprise, he was more nervous about being in the same room as Renee and Natalie. This will be fun.
He started to maneuver his way through the compound, hoping to not get lost, which was an easy feat, believe it or not. There were way too many corridors. Thankfully, said corridors were marked and it made it even easier as he heard voices. Multiple overlapping voices. It seems they were having a party. It better not be for me. I don't need a party. Ezra kept passing by photos and candids in the Arena. Some of them were of Octane using his selfie-stick, to take pictures of multiple explosions in the background and Bangalore in the foreground. Ezra hummed, then inhaled a sharp breath at the last one from his last match, and he had to admit, it was a good candid.
It was him, taking aim at a target with his squadmates watching over him. Whoever took that picture, Ezra wants to give them props, but it was probably a camera hidden nearby. Ezra distinctly remembers getting three or four kills, in multiple matches, in that one spot.
Once he rounded the final corner, taking his eyes off the pictures, to see all the Legends lounging about. The one they call Pathfinder noticed Ezra first, "Hello, friend! So glad you could join us!" Their display showed an excited face. Ezra subconsciously smiled, his eyes crinkled, meaning it was genuine. Does he ever get sad?
"Ayy, it's the man of the hour, brothas," Gibraltar said gesturing to him.
"Welcome to the Apex Games, the Allfather blesses you," Bloodhound said with a nod. Ezra looked into the mask and saw the genuine welcome, so he relaxed his stance, and most everyone noticed, but said nothing. However, could they blame him?
"Thank you, Bloth Hoondr. It's great to be here," Ezra replied gratefully. Bloodhound gave a satisfied hum before joining their fellow legends.
"Wait, wait, wait. You are all greeting the newest Legend without extrav- extra… a fabulous display of confetti? This isn't the proper welcoming at all!" Mirage said as he entered the room. He quickly introduced himself to Ezra, "How ya doing champ, the name's Mirage, but outside of the games, call me Elliott."
Ezra kept his gaze neutral before chuckling, which surprised everyone in the room, even Crypto in the back. All the Legends thought he was incapable of laughter, "I can see us getting along quite well, Eli," Ezra purposefully nicknamed him just to get a reaction.
"Hey!" Elliott pouted.
"I thought we were on the same page," he said before looking to Lifeline, "Ajay, nice to see you."
"Thanks, you too, Ezra," she smiled before grabbing her drone and standing up, she had to make sure her D.O.C drone was ready for the games in a week.
A flash of green whipped across Ezra's vision before he was hearing another language. He realized that it was Octane. "Hey amigo, the name's Octavio. You gotta teach me how to do those slick moves!" he said. Ezra's eyes widened before taking a step back and taking a deep breath. Octavio didn't notice, before adding, "Your eyes look really awesome!"
That was when they truly noticed his eyes for the first time. Ajay was able to say what it was, "Heterochromia?"
Ezra nodded towards the medic as Ezra's insecurities from the past came up. There were times where he was made fun of for having two different colored eyes. Eliza had actually helped him overcome those insults. Her teachings echoed in the back of his mind, and what she described to help him. Thank God for the older sibling.
"Usually harder to notice, one eye has a violet tint to it, and it only shows in certain lights, or if I mention it," Ezra's fingers traced around his switchblade, waiting to see who would jump first. No one did.
Everyone nodded and Ezra took a very audible sigh of relief. "Good, because I wouldn't tolerate any insults. They would have a new scar if they did," he said with such calmness that everyone knew he was serious.
Renee and Natalie were across the room, gazing into his eyes, and they finally noticed the violet tint that was in his left eye. Ezra could feel their burning stares into him, but he chose not to look at them, not because he didn't want to, but if he did, then all of his pain would come back. Reminding him of what he had. He doesn't need to see that.
Crypto said nothing and then got up and left the room. "You know, I honestly didn't expect much out of him to begin with."
"He's always been like that, you should have seen him when Elliott tapped him on the shoulder," Gibraltar commented then laughed as he seemed to recall the memory.
"At least we know this one is a straight shooter," Bangalore said as she entered the room. She looked to Ezra, "Name's Anita. Don't worry about Crypto, he's always been the grouchy kind."
"Ahh, so he's finally arrived," a gravelly voice said making Ezra look over his shoulder.
"Dr. Caustic, your reputation proceeds you," Ezra said before he went by the older man with a pat on the forearm. "If you all need me, I'm going to finish unpacking. I feel as if there is something I'm missing and something the whole lot of you aren't telling me."
"Leaving so soon, sweetie?" A sickly sweet voice said from the opposite side of the room. Loba was relaxing in a chair, twirling her cane around whilst having a drink.
"I dunno, did you steal something of mine?" Ezra replied with a raised eyebrow, seeing if she could catch on.
"Already tried. Nice touch on the defense though," she said, making every Legend present do a double-take.
Ezra couldn't help but smile gleefully, yet his face covering hid the sinister look, "Learned how shocking it could be?"
"Hmmph."
Turning back around, Ezra stared right into bright orange eyes and a figure with crackling skin. "Was wondering when you were going to show."
The shadow form of Revenant looked momentarily surprised that the skinsuit didn't react. As soon as it was there, it was gone. "Don't make me kill you, skinbag."
"You'd be doing me a favor, then," Ezra replied without hesitation.
No one else made a comment as he left the room with that statement. Renee and Natalie watched as he left without so much as a glance. Neither one showed it outright, but he interests them, for many reasons. He also concerns them, just by his actions and the way he talks. Revenant then grunted before appearing as normal then stalked over to Loba. Conversation began again like the past three minutes never happened.
While the two of them love one another, they feel as if something was missing. They've tried other options, but nothing ever fit. With a glance at each other, they seemed to have come to an understanding. They wordlessly followed Ezra back to his room, but not before they took a pitstop to Renee's room to pick up something.
Ezra continued to unpack his belongings, and as he did, he saw a picture frame of him and Eliza. She also has heterochromia, but her violet eye is her right eye. She had to deal with all the drama from her peers as well, so she helped him get over all the bullies. She had punched one of them in the face that said something and they never bothered her again, Ezra didn't know what she said, but they left her alone after that. She was full of confidence, something he had to learn.
A knock came to his door as he put the photo on the dresser, something to remind him that there was something in his life. He went to the door, making sure that his bandanna was secure, before looking to see both Renee and Natalie. "Can I help you two? I'm still busy unpacking" his eyes softened when he saw the item in their hands. He opened the door all the way, and slowly took the gift, "This isn't going to explode, is it?" He raised an eyebrow at the two females.
"No, it is not, silly. On promet," Natalie said with a dazzling smile. One that reminds him of his past, a smile he's seen far too often.
"D'accord. Je vais te faire confiance ... cette fois," he replied in perfect French, which made both of the ladies' eyes widen. Natalie clapped with glee, while Renee looked impressed. "I grew up learning French, I just lost the accent over the years, don't act so surprised. But seriously, this blows up, my trust is the last thing you'll earn," his mouth flicked into a smirk as he watched their expressions change. Renee smirked back, but Natalie gasped at the insinuation. Not so innocent now are you? "I kid, but I'm serious about it only if it blows up."
"Just open it, it is something we got for every new Legend that joins us. Something every Legend has in the arena," Renee responded. "That thing is literally impossible to blow up. It isn't even designed for that."
Ezra looked back to the gift in his hand, then back up to them, "My apologies, then. My trust is difficult to gain, and hard to maintain. I'll warn you now." He put the gift down on the dresser closest to him without leaving the doorway.
Natalie grabbed his hand with both of hers before saying, "Welcome to the Apex Games, Ezra!"
"Thank you. Have a safe night you two, and I appreciate the effort," he said with a smile that reached his eyes. However, when he closed the door, his tears fell. What did I do to deserve this pain? They remind me so much of them, but I can't bring myself to admit it. Ezra moved the rest of his stuff off his bed before just falling into it, hoping it takes him away to a place where he can relax. His eyes drifted to the gift right on his dresser. He doesn't want to open it yet. However, as the saying goes about curiosity… he slowly removed the cover on the gift before pulling out a single card. It was the symbol of the Apex Games. On the back, there was a note from both Natalie and Renee.
We're serious, welcome to the Games. See you out there.
He sighed before putting it right next to the framed picture of his sister. Right before he went to sleep, he wrote a note to talk to Eliza to update her on his whereabouts. It's been a few months since I've talked to my dear sister. She is going to be sooo pissed when I call, Ezra thought before sleep consumed him.
...
Translations:
"On promet" = "We promise."
"D'accord. Je vais te faire confiance ... cette fois." = "Okay, I'll trust you... this time."
Hello, hope you're liking this so far. I still have to iron out the plot, but I think these first two chapters are good for the six months they've fermented in my drafts. I obviously edited stuff within it.
As for the story length... I'm unsure how long this will be... we'll find out together then, shall we?
Stay safe out there.
