"Ugh...One of my thrusters is off," Hana Song, formor world gaming champion, and current, mecha pilot, complained.

"Roger that," control answered her back. "Setting the log for maintenance. Looks like your patrol vector is clear. Bring it home."

"Finally," Hana sighed as she brought her pink mecha around. It wasn't so much that she hated patrols...wait...no, that was it. She hated patrols. Unless something happend. Then she at least got to do something.

Like stop to kick the crap out of whatever the hell that omnic looking...thing!

"Carbon scoring, two holes in the left leg, the right fusion cannon arm about shot off," the mechanic turned to look at the pilot. "And something about a thruster being off?"

"Hmm?" Hana looked up from her small handheld game system. "Oh, yeah, was pulling to the right. Not so much I couldn't compensate, just annoying."

With a long suffering sigh the mechanic picked up a tool kit. "Why do you still play those things anyway?"

"What? Games?" Hana didn't even look up this time.

"Yeah, I mean, you pilot an actual mech now. You fight real bad guys. Why fight fake ones?"

Blinking a couple times, Hana looked at the mechanic as if she were an idiot. "Because I'm the best. Besides, I make a lot of extra money. I have fans all over the world."

The mechanic snorted. "Money, I can get. Not sure I'd want to be that famous. Being noticed all the time would exhausting."

"Eh, it can be. Lot of people want to be my 'friend'," Hanna sighed as a small 'You Win!' came from her game. "That reminds me, I have to meet my partner online, thanks for the thruster!" Spinning, so that her long dark hair floated behind her, Hana took off at a jog.

"Weird girl," the mechanic watched after her for a moment, then shrugged, settling in for another long shift.

Almost late :), Hana's teammate, Meta_79, typed. Rough day at work?

Hana couldn't help but smirk. Almost the moment she had logged in, Meta had tagged her. They were probably the only true friend she had. Which, considering they had never met in person, in fact, she didn't even know their gender. The pair had hooked up close to when Hana started playing games online, and they had fit together so well, that they became a regular team.

They had also been the one to suggest the name D. Va for her. You play so hard, and take it all so seriously, like a diva, they had said.

In fact, they were also the one that suggested that she start streaming.

Then her popularity just took off. Sponsors and offers came rolling in from around the world. And Meta, who was a mediocre player, was left behind.

She still felt the shame of it, everytime she thought about it. Her obsession with scores, the people clamoring for autographs, all of it just went straight to her head. She became a true Diva. She didn't have time for people that would pull her down. After all, people paid to play with her now!

Until Hana was tricked. False friends began leaking stories to tabloids. There were cheating accusations and scandals. Stalkers began to show up at her actual house. Everybody wanted something from her.

It wasn't until a particularly bad incident that left Hana in her house, hiding from the world for nearly a week, that she noticed a message.

Hey, D. I heard about what's going on. Keep your chin up. They are just haters who don't know anything about how awesome you are. - Meta_79

A small smile crept onto Hana's face as she sniffed. Then her smile was gone again as she read the logs.

It had been almost two years since she had messaged Meta. She didn't say anything, she just...stopped answering them. She was too busy, she'd get to it later...there were so many excuses. Then she just...forgot.

But Meta hadn't. The messages after she stopped responding seemed confused, then sad, then resigned. They mentioned how happy they were for her. They said they 'understood' that she needed to move on.

Every time she won, they sent a message of congratulations. If she lost, it was a 'you'll get 'em next time!'. When she had a commercial, or video, Meta said how much they liked it.

Then, when the accusations started, Meta's messages became ones of support. How they knew it was all lies. She was the best! She should be careful, they wanted her to be safe.

Two years of messages. And she never noticed. Never looked.

Sniffing, Hana slowly reached out a shaking had to her keyboard. Thanks, M. It means a lot to me. I don't deserve somebody like you - D. Va

What are friends for? Was the almost immediate reply.

Are we still friends? Hana shook her head. After what she had done, how could they say that?

...Yes? Unless you want me to leave you alone. I don't mean to bother you.

"No!" Hana actually shouted at her screen as she snatched her keyboard to her lap. She fingers typed furiously, as if she were afraid that they might leave forever if she didn't type fast enough.

You could never bother me! I'm the one that abandoned you! You will always be my best friend! I'm so sorry.

Hana waited anxiously, chewing on her thumbnail. Really, Meta should just tell her to kiss off. They should hate her.

Nah. Everybody has circumstances. I mean, I was gone for a bit too and didn't say anything.

With a small frown, Hana looked back through the messages again. And there was a two month gap, a year or so ago.

Curiosity overtook her as she typed in the dates, looking to see what may have happened. And what she found made her hand cover her mouth as she let out a small gasp.

TALON TERRORISTS ASSAULT DOWNTOWN NAMBANI. OVER A DOZEN KILLED IN STRUGGLE WITH OVERWATCH.

Meta...are you in Numbani?

? Yes? Hana could almost hear the confusion. How did you know that?

I looked up the news from when you were gone. Hana swallowed for a moment, hesitating. Is that...what happend?

There was a long pause. Long enough that Hana began to think she had gone too far.

Yeah. My parents were killed, Meta finally came back. I had to get some stuff together with my little brother and stuff. But Hey! All good now! :)

Hana bit her lip as she sniffed one last time and screwed up her courage. Do you want to play something?

Of course!

Hello? D? Hana's messenger pinged, bringing her out of her reverie.

Sorry, she chuckled to herself. Just remember what an ass I had been.

:P Boo! None of that again! It's getting old! We are here to have fun! Gonna stream this one?

Hana smiled at her screen fondly. She didn't deserve a friend like Meta. If only she knew them in person…. What would happen?

No. I'm not going to stream anything with you. You are mine, and I don't intend to share!

At his apartment in Numbani, a young man tossed his blue hoodie onto his bed as he cracked his knuckles. "Okay! Time to get serious!"

"YOU LOSE!"

"Dammit..." Brian muttered.