The news hit everyone quickly. Reinhardt alarmed everyone of the news and the reception wasn't the happiest. Lucio and D-Va kept a worried expression as Zarya and the Junkers were on video screen. Their missions were far apart, but Ana immediately called them. Zenyatta kept his eye on the TV and it was easy to the monk held great worry for his student.
Noah clenched his fist hard as he saw the news. That town looked just like the one in his head. It seems it changed slightly over the years. Ana let out a deeply frustrated sigh. "Any reports?"
-A chemical weapon went off and engulfed most of the city. Many have started riots, attacked without question, and act like they've seen their worse nightmares. Officials have cut off the area and no one's allowed.-
"And Burr, the others. Where are they?" Noah asked.
-Recent activity has disrupted our communication links with the strike team. Therefore I am unable to render their current status.- Noah looked at the ground and felt his nails start to prick his skin.
Fareeha felt a small headache come on and turned to her mother. "Burr and Winston were on the field. And now they're missing." Tracer looked at Ana. Ana saw the Brit's stare and nodded her head.
"Then Burr's protocol will be followed. Athena activate Protocol 17." Athena obeyed and the system repurposed itself. Noah stepped up. "Protocol 17? What's that?"
"Before you were here, Burr was a constant field agent. And with him and Winston at the helm, they formulated many plans and protocols should anything happen to them." Ana stated.
Noah tried showing his understanding as Athena returned.
-Protocol 17 has been activated.-
"As a result of these events, I will assume head of Overwatch." Ana said. "We should begin with an investigation team to find any clues to the whereabouts of our agents."
Jesse stepped up. "I'll gladly volunteer my service my lady." Ana nodded. "Anyone else care to join?"
"I will accompany you to help find my student." Zenyatta said. Lucio stepped in. "I'll join you too."
"Me too." Noah said. Ana looked surprised. "I want to help find Burr and the others. It's the least I could do."
Ana didn't say a word before nodding. The others didn't object and Ana laid down a hand on the table.
"Mission objective is simple then. Investigate the St. Martinique area for signs of our missing squad and since we heard reports of rampant change gather gas masks. The bomb may have let out a hallucinogenic agent into the air."
"Yes ma'am!" They all said before turning away. Fareeha smiled at Noah, but felt something gnawing at the back of her head. She stepped out of the mission room and walked to her personal room. Angela noticed, but decided against following. Fareeha's blood tests came in early.
Meanwhile Noah and the others were quickly gathering all their supplies when his phone rang. And the caller ID said it all.
"Sombra, thank God. I didn't see you at that meeting, where are you?"
-Relax amigo, I'm fine. I'm just working on a contract for Burr, well before all this shit went down in St. Martinique. I'll be busy for a little while, but I'm guessing you're going on a mission.-
"No, what gave you that idea?"
-Don't be a smartass now of all times. Look I brought in some old tech that I had some people improve and was planning on giving them to you at a better time. Well I'm sending them over to your translocator, so keep be ready.-
The butt of hilt began to glow before showing two metal bracelets. "The hell are these?"
-Old tools I lent you before you lost your memory. You'll know what to do when you pull these babies out.-
"Alright understood, but where does that leave you?"
-I'll be around soon enough. Just stay safe. I won't be able to save this time.- Sombra said seriously. Noah let the seriousness roll over when he nodded. "I'll see you around Sombra. Till then."
The two hung up.
0-0-0-0-0
St. Martinique
The transport took some time, but it came when it did. Gideon sat patiently in the church reading up on the old books before the doors opened. Vishkar private security firm walked in with the transport truck ready. The guards looked at the mess and the two unconscious Overwatch members. Gideon stood up and fixed his gray lab coat.
"About time you got here. Did you retrieve the other two?" The squad leader nodded and opened the truck to revel Winston and Soldier 76 in their clutches. "Good job. Have the other two locked in as well and prepare for extraction to base."
One of the security personnel put his finger on his communicator before nodding. He pulled out his own communicator and the heads of Talon opened up. Gideon's good mood faltered slightly at the sight of them.
"Excuse me, but may we have privacy?" The guards saluted Gideon and dragged Burr and Genji out of the church. They quickly strapped them in and closed the doors leaving the CEO facing the heads of Talon.
-Very impressive Mr. Silverstone. The bomb you designed is more efficient than we believed.-
"Doubting me is the last thing you need to do. And plus I did you a solid by taking down Burr and the others, you're welcome for that." He glanced at one of the shadowy figures at the very end of the screen. "Especially for you, one that does not like the monkey."
-In any case we can start rebuilding our organization once more if we-
"Not as long as any Overwatch agent remains."
-Excuse you?- Gideon turned to one of the leaders. "That arrogance is what costed you your mountain fortress. And you seem to forget we still have our many enemies. Just cause I took down four of them doesn't mean this fight is over."
-We cut off their leadership…-
"And yet people like Ana Amari still stand. It's not over till all of Overwatch has ceased to exist. Besides I need to finish my business with Burr and Noah."
-What can possibly need to finish with them? You won.- Gideon couldn't believe these guys. "When word reaches Noah Bastian about, what makes you think he won't end up being just like Lawrence? That man is just as capable as Burr, hell if we don't stop him he could be even stronger!"
That piqued the interest of one of the heads. He methodically mulled over that statement.
-The boy we held prisoner? He hardly put up a fight when we captured him.-
"Yet he thwarted your plans with capturing Amari and didn't even die when you blew up your base. I've learned never to underestimate those two especially after he gave me this scar!" Gideon angrily pointed out.
The Talon leaders looked amongst each other. -You're overreacting. That scar was a flaw on your own and Noah Bastian no massive threat, he just got lucky. The more massive threats are the more senior agents like Reinhardt or Tracer. We should focus more on them.-
Gideon couldn't believe these guys. "Are you fucking kidding me? When he comes for Burr, it'll blow up in your face more than mine. And when you stop underestimating him, then we can really talk about change."
-You speak highly of Bastian's strength. Perhaps there is reasonable justification for this.-
"There is. That's why I had Aryt help me try to eliminate the agents from the start. She's going to deliver on this very soon. Now if that's all, I got business to attend to."
-Before you go, have you still not found any evidence on Reaper's whereabouts?- Gideon looked at them straight in the eye. "Yeah I'm sure he's dead around this time. Now I'll see you around." The screen shut off as Gideon walked out of the church with a gas mask on.
"And hopefully by the end of the night, the rest of Overwatch will be taken down by my little hawk." From far away, someone's rolled into the back of their head before seeing their first target before them.
0-0-0-0-0
The ship left the scene as Lucio, Zenyatta, McCree, and Noah landed on the ground. The city from a distance had a white smokey hue to it. The spotlights and the multiple emergency vehicles also lit up the night.
"So right now the media's attention is currently all over the news. We'd like to keep ourselves under cover so we'll need to approach it stealthily. Lucio and Zenyatta could actually help the first responders with any of civilians they pull out."
"Alright so support the forces and what will you two do?"
"Me and Noah will scout ahead to the latest known location of the other starting with the docks then church." Noah nodded at that as Zenyatta floated over.
"Noah please handle yourself well here. I believe this place will give a sense of nostalgia. Do not feel worried, contact me if something happens." Noah looked at omnic with appreciation before walking next to McCree.
Lucio slid next to Zenyatta. "You ready to go?" Zenyatta nodded as Lucio turned to the other. "Alright good luck out there you two!" McCree and Noah waved them off as the two supports leapt into the scene.
McCree took out a cigar and a flask. "Any last thing you want to calm the nerves?"
Noah grabbed the flask and took one sip of the bitter whiskey inside. He passed it back to McCree as the two ran down the hills and into the boarded up area. Minutes passed as the two slowed down to the more open water area.
McCree stepped up to the border there and gently touched the wall. "It ain't electrified, but that smoke is really familiar. Something we both encountered with Genji at Deadlock territory."
"Deadlock." Noah mumbled. It buzzed in his head, but nothing solid came up. Though the woman in grey seemed to appear. And more horrifyingly real than before. "So what's the plan?"
Jesse pulled out fitting gas masks out of his belt. "Ana gave us these to counter whatever's in the air and it seems the guard is doing fine with them. We can hop through here and move out." Noah held the gas mask in his hands before putting it on. McCree did the same and walked over to the fence.
"Give me a boost partner." Noah cupped his hands and stood at the ready. The cowboy put his boot in his hands and pushed himself up. He managed to hop the fence, but an alarm went off. Just as McCree cleared the fence, a security measure popped up and formed a field.
The two locked eyes as Noah saw the limits on how far it can go. He puffed out a breath before seeing McCree look around.
"I'll be fine darlin, why don't you find a way around and make your way to the docks. I'll keep you posted on what I find."
"Uh sure. I'll see you around." Noah jogged back away from the town and tried finding a more accessible area. A few minutes passed before seeing a possible opening.
Noah jumped down and saw the town. He walked in and examined the U.N guard cutting St. Martinique from public access. He looked at the problem with little concern as he threw his blade over the guard.
The blade sliced through the air quickly and stuck to a building. He adjusted his gas mask before bracing himself. He felt his hand soon grip the hilt before finding himself hanging off the building.
Dropping down, Noah landed on his feet as he heard distant scream and the patter of footsteps. He took one step before stepping on some glass. The crack left a small echo through the seemingly empty area.
He sighed before continuing to walk silently. The entire time has been a silent moment for him. This town was so familiar yet unknown to him. It was like his own manifestation of the town came to life.
Empty. Though with less red. The night sky and the white smoke contrast each other as Noah continued to strolling down. The only other light he had on him was the purple glow of his translocator. Nothing else gave him any comfort. Even McCree was silent despite wanting constant communication.
"Jesse." Noah stated. There was static on his side and Noah gave a small look of grimace. "Jesse, I'm here."
Still no response. He shook his head before continuing his trek. The entire time, Noah kept a keen eye out for any enemies. The last fight he was in was in his mind and despite some of the training brushing up his skills, there was still a lot left to the imagination.
Minutes later. "Lucio? Zenyatta?" There was no response from them either. "Fuck, what the hell is wrong with this thing?"
He stopped when he heard a scream. He turned and saw several citizens walking like zombies. They looked like they watched the Devil himself ruin all hope. Tears and blood streaked their cheeks as they stopped and looked at Noah.
He slowly pulled out his blade when they screamed at him.
"MONSTER!"
"GIVE THEM BACK!"
"I ALWAYS HATED YOU!"
"GO TO HELL!"
They all charged at Noah and he kicked a few away. He put away his weapon and tried moving back. Yet the populace seemed to follow their screams. More and more people seemed to mobilize around his position. Despite this, it wasn't a perfect march. People bumping into each other turned against themselves.
Noah kept running from them before having one jump on his back. He let out a scream as he found himself at the edge of a railing. The two fell off the edge into a old house. The roof was already crumbled so they fell through a hole. They landed hard and the person was knocked unconscious.
A loud crack was heard and Noah saw the respirator was broken. He accidentally took a deep breath and panicked. He tossed it off him and saw the house with an unfiltered view. The air was thick around him, the smoke was already pouring in when he inhaled his breath of air.
"Shit. Shit!" Noah yelled before coughing. It felt stale running through his lungs. The air was hard to breathe in. "McCree? Lucio? Zenyatta! My fucking mask broke and I…"
A hand grasped his shoulder and turned him around. Noah saw himself holding a gun right between his eyes. The other him looked scarred, torn, and insane. He grinned evilly as he pushed Noah against the wall.
Remember me? He spat out. A loud gunshot rang out and Noah blacked out.
0-0-0-0-0
Ana was gathering most of the files on the latest strategy plans when the hangar door opened. She glanced to see Zarya and the Junkers return. That meant only five members weren't at base and they were the strike team sent out and their main engineer. She picked up a file from Burr's pile and opened it.
It seemed like yesterday that she was performing similar tasks under Jack. And though it was a bit nostalgic, the entirety of it came with dread. After what seemed a nice return with new capable leaders in both Burr and Winston, this happens. This plan of her or heaven forbid her daughter leading this organization was a scenario she never wished upon. Perhaps a friend was needed to alleviate the stress.
"Reinhardt, come in." She called in. The radio was silent. Her brow furrowed as she clicked the button again. "Reinhardt, do you hear me?"
Little did Ana know, the giant was lying on the floor unconscious while the culprit emotionlessly walked out the door. Their blank stare found Hana repairing her mech in the garage a distance away.
0-0-0-0-0
Noah slowly stirred awake as he saw the red lighting of his mind. He glanced up and saw his gun on the floor. Grabbing it, Noah counted the shots and saw each one was accounted for. No shots were fired. That's a good sign.
A real good sign. A voice cackled. Noah turned and saw shattered chains on the ground. He picked them up and examined it. They were familiar. Then it hit him. Literally. A high pitched laughing scream was heard as Noah hit the building.
FUN, ISN'T IT? This...drug does wonders for your fears. Especially when they all culminate into one.
Noah saw the dark shadows gain dark purple eyes. Cracks and deep scars were rising up and down on its cheeks when they turned to Noah. The agent didn't even hesitate and pulled out his bracelets. The metal bands expanded and formed armor gauntlets and gloves. The shadows let out a dark smile as it took a step forward.
Fighting's a fun way to lose your life. Let's go with that!
He didn't even get a moment to breathe when a fist popped out of nowhere and socked him in the face. Noah stumbled back and was given a hard beating. The attacks were coming out of nowhere and he couldn't get a trace on who it was. With a last ditch effort, Noah raised his hand and pointed it at the smoke. A beam of light erupted from his palm and cut through it.
The smoke took form of an armored Talon soldier with an empty hole in its chest. Noah grimaced at the image before the demon appeared. He hit hard and sent the agent flying across the area. If it were reality, he'd be dead the second his back hit the floor. Hopefully it was still his mind. And for him it was.
The ground cracked and caved into his body weight. Noah could barely handle himself when he saw the other fly towards him with his fist cocked back. He dodged and saw the fist embed itself within the dirt. Not wasting time, Noah kicked the other away with as much force as he could before it could retaliate.
The look of mockery on it changed to pure fury. It roared in anger as the world around them crushed itself from within. The mindset was breaking into a million tiny pieces and Noah couldn't stop any of it. The only thing standing was the tiny bit of ground he hand on him. With little time he had left, Noah bolted as far as he could. The ground came up to meet each step as he tried to find some kind of sanctuary.
What happened, Noah?! Why aren't you fighting? You had a stronger standing before! FIGHT ME!
"In any other circumstance, considered. Right now, hell no!" Noah shouted before reaching an overpass. "It's not worth it!"
The demon sneered with intense hatred at its counterpart. Its form barely counted as human as the skin cracked with blood flowing like a multitude of tiny rivers. The hands were skinny with protruding fingers.
Not worth it? I'm not worth it? I'LL SHOW YOU, I'LL KILL YOU AND MOTHER WON'T STOP ME THIS TIME! FOR ONCE NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU!
It tackled Noah and the two tumbled down several stairs. They both grunted in pain as they rolled down each step with each one giving a new wave of pain. They finally stopped at the foot of a broken house when Noah felt a foot push him down. It dug its heels into his back as it growled.
Sombra, Lena, Fareeha, McCree, Angela, not even Ana or Burr will save you this time. This...luck of yours isn't earned nor deserved. It's been abused by you!
It punched the back of his head and held onto his hair. It slowly grinded his face against the pavement and let out a series of maniacal laughs. Noah thought back on that statement. Even without memories, it rang true. Sombra's tale of escape, everyone else's protective nature, Burr's anguish over his safety. Everything from all the fights to what he is now has been just luck. Though if that were true, such luck was a curse and he knew that. Surviving all he's done has led him to face this...monster.
"You're right in a way." Noah admitted. The demon smiled as it tightened its grip. But Noah suddenly turned around and swung his legs around its arm. The demon's smile shifted slight as Noah pulled out his sword and cut its arm off. "But it's not just luck."
GRRRRAAAHHHH!
It roared in pain as Noah stood up and slashed its throat. Ruby spilled from its throat as Noah recognized the house their near. The demon gave a harsh death glare to him before Noah charged right at him. The two landed hard into the house, shattered the windows and breaking the floor. Noah rolled away as it got up.
It held its throat tight before looking around. The hatred, the arrogance, all of it melted away from looking at their current location.
Where are we?
"You know where we are." Noah slipped behind the stairs. "It's where we were one. When we weren't at each other's throats. When you weren't everything I feared."
Scary aren't I.
"Not as scary as what might happen to the others if I don't get my head in the right place. They need me. They need us."
…
"Come on. We won't gain anything from slaughtering each other. That woman that stopped you, our mother as you say, wouldn't want this for us."
How would you know?
"Because I know her, we both do and no amnesia can ever forget the woman who shaped our lives." Unknown to either of them, the woman in gray stood behind a door. Her black eyes watched the two. "You said you were protecting me. What happened to that?"
It was a desire and now you have moved passed that.
"We need closure. If we're ever going to be safe, you and me can't be split on what we do!" The demon stood still and watched him with little interest. "And if that means we gotta go back to where it all started for us to get over it, then so be it."
Noah turned around and saw the woman in gray standing behind him. He ran towards her and jumped her. She barely reacted when the other him reached out in its own fear. Noah dived in and the world turned gray.
0-0-0-0-0
Ana grew increasingly worried over Reinhardt's silence. She stopped moving files over and slowed the transfer protocol to check on him. Fareeha was near him. Perhaps the two were having some fun. It wouldn't be the first time Reinhardt took over watching her daughter.
The halls echoed her footsteps as the place seemed more quiet. Normally the Junkers or Hana would be a source of sound, yet there's nothing. Angela was doing her normal rounds and preparing any emergency medical drops should the strike team out should need them. So if this was the case, why so quiet?
It was a bit unnerving when Ana heard footsteps. They seemed to be running. She followed the footsteps and found no one around the corner. Now her curiosity is starting to wane into suspicion. Ana retreated back to the office and grabbed her sleep dart. She didn't know when doing that, Hana's hand tried reaching for the corner before it was dragged back into the darkness.
The emotionless eyes scanning over the unconscious streamer relayed no feeling of regret. Or perhaps in the tiniest corner of their mind it did, but they could do nothing about it. They picked Hana up and opened a door. Reinhardt, Junkrat, and Roadhog laid on the floor silently. They still breathed, but their lights were out. The assailant dropped Hana into the pile. Next was Zarya.
The door opened and speak of the devil. Zarya stood at the doorway in shock. "What're you doing!" They didn't acknowledge her words, but took a fighting stance. Zarya shook her head and put her own fists up.
"Don't make me do this. Please, explain!" They offered no words as they charged and kicked Zarya in the chest. The Russian woman gasped at the pain before the attacker kicked the back of her knees. Then a few precise strikes hit sensitive nerves that made Zarya's arms go limp. Zarya fell and felt strong arms wrap around her neck.
They put enough strength around her windpipe to cease the flow of oxygen. Zarya tried breaking free, but each movement let to less and less oxygen. She went unconscious and was dropped on the floor.
And once again their eyes showed no satisfaction before opening the door and locking it.
0-0-0-0-0
It was a windy day. Of course the island was windy. The trade winds made the summer heat more bearable. Noah looked at the torn remains of the bible he borrowed. He sighed sadly and walked home. The sun began set down on its course when he saw the many officials in the town.
Vishkar's newest and brightest scientists were to be taking part of it which meant his mother would be gone...again. It was really rare for her to appear home sometimes. It was enough for him never to resent her, but enough to desire more time.
Other kids, they don't have their parents. He didn't have a dad. Before he was born, Mom always told him that he was killed during the last remaining days of the Omnic Crisis. That was enough for him to buy. Many people were lost during the crisis and what's the chance he would've had a complete set of parents?
Still that jumps back to him and his very empty home. Burr had him help deliver some papers over to some people, but besides that his day was ok. Well other than a cute girl saving him, just saying. He made his way into the house and the next few hours passed with him watching some TV.
What're we doing?
Reliving and refixing.
Why?
Why not? If this doesn't do anything, we'll both suffer. We've ignored this event for years. I'm not letting you and this damn event stop me from fighting effectively. I'm tired of you and your cowardly bullshit on why I shouldn't fight.
This will only justify.
It will change us. We will better this time and we won't be at each other's throat.
The door opened again and Noah looked up to see his mother breathing hard. Her lab coat was a little messy, but she looked more scared than anything. "Noah!"
"Mom, you're home! I thought you'd be busy." His mother ran up to him and kissed his cheeks in a frantic manner. "Oh my baby boy, they didn't hurt you, they didn't catch you!"
"Who?" She didn't answer and lifted the twelve year old up like a baby. Noah could see a few red droplets on her normally white coat. "Is that blood?"
"Alright, we'll have to wait till morning, but Burr's meeting us in the morning."
"Mom, what's going on?"
"I...I helped some people and they decided to help us move." Noah raised an eyebrow. "Move? Mom, we're not moving till your superiors give you the okay. I thought that's why you've been working hard on these newest experiments."
"My experiments...were a desperate card to get us to leave. I found a better way, but I need Burr to come here. Call him and have him bring his stuff to the house." Noah reluctantly did and called Burr.
-What is it Noah? Is your mom there?-
"Yeah, but what's going on? You guys have been acting weird?" He could see Burr shaking his head. "Look the house is open, we'll wait and see what happens when you get there."
-I'll use my special knock to let you know I'm there. If it's a normal knock don't open it.- And with that Burr hung up. Noah felt fear creep onto him as they ominous behavior kept building up in his head.
He heard coughing on the other side of the room. "Mom?"
We knew what was happening. It's here where everything went to hell.
It's here we lost our shit for twenty years. We couldn't face it as a kid, we'll face it as a man.
This is pain. You feel it too.
And it's the pain we need.
"Mom!" Noah yelled as he saw her on her bed. The scientist coughed a little harder before drinking some water. "I'm fine sweetie. Just a little dry throat."
"Dry throat?" She gestured towards him and he approached the bed. He climbed on and she pulled him into a hug. "Oh you're going to be a good man when you grow up."
"Yeah, of course I'll be. I hate disappoint my favorite mom in the world."
"I'm your only mom."
"When I get married, I'll have another mom and they might be cool." Katrina snickered at that and pulled her son closer. "True, but they still have to love with all their heart if they even dream of being a mom to you. And to be cooler than me is a very hard challenge."
"That's...very true." Noah said as he put his head on her chest. Her heart was beating softly against his ear. He remembered her telling him that it was her heartbeat that lulled him to sleep.
"Je t'aime mon petit fils." And she always spoke French when it was times of extremely genuine love. Noah held on tighter. The strange behavior and the talking were setting him off. Though maybe it was nothing.
Je'taime ma mere. Two voices said in sync as the boy didn't respond, but fell asleep despite all the warnings. The invisible observers watched the scene fade to black and reopen with Noah feeling something getting cool and hearing a knock on the door.
"Mom? I'm awake. I think Burr's here." Noah said groggily. No answer. He turned to her sleeping face. "Mom didn't you hear me? I think Burr's here."
3. "Mom, get up." Noah shook the woman with concern. Her head moved back and forth lifelessly.
2. "Mom this isn't funny. Come on get up!" He pulled her to a sit up position and shook her again. Her body didn't make any response. He put his head against her chest.
1. Nothing. There was no heartbeat, no sign of life. Noah felt numb before hearing the door slam open and Burr's voice running into the room. He could remember him holding a gun and a blood splatter on his face. And yet even Burr in his crazed state froze to see Noah kneeling next to his mother with tears flowing like a broken dam.
NOOOOOOOOO!
0-0-0-0-0
The world snapped back as Noah sat up screaming his head off. The other him was next to him, but he was different. It wasn't the demon that threw him across the area or even the one boasting about his fear. It was the form of a small whimpering child.
"I want my mom. I want my mom with me."
Noah took a deep breath before taking hold of the child. It jolted when he first touched them, but didn't fight against his embrace. "There's no excuse. It's still fresh when we look at it. And trust me kid, I'm scared of that memory too. But I'm more scared it might happen again with either Burr or someone else we love."
"I don't want that pain."
"Neither do I buddy, but if we don't hurt we gotta do this together. Will you work with me to feel better? To accept what's happened and to start new?"
"This won't fix everything. This won't remove it."
"It'll ease it kid. And it's a start not a solution. Trust me there's no easy around it." He looked up and saw the visage of their mother standing over them. She knelt down and held her arms out. Noah gently handed the kid over to the mother. The two embraced each other as the mother looked at him.
"Is there anyway I'll remember everything?"
She shrugged and pulled out his grappling hook. Next was his scouter, She put them down and the two looked at it. Noah didn't understand what this brought, but he's seeing easier now. She took his hand and held it. The color seemed to return to her and she seemed looked even more like Katrina Bastian. The child in her arms snored softly to sleep when she held him tight. Noah watched her as she picked up his equipment and kissed his forehead.
"This gas seemed to scare my fear."
"It only scared the part of you in control. The one who was afraid, but covered it up." She replied. Noah looked at her in surprise as she smiled at him gently. "You've worn your fear and covered it up in a thin mask. What you were hallucinating was you, not some evil twisted version, but yourself. But now the facade you've carried becomes you."
"I always...this way."
"Your self preservation, avoiding the call to action when Burr called you, and the denial of fear from Reaper speaks volumes. You've been afraid for years, but now you can do better."
"I thought was a fear toxin. Why am I getting therapy from my dead mother?"
"Simply, you're crazy." She chuckled. Noah laughed nervously at that before she reached over and hugged him. "Think of this as a coping method. A one time deal."
"I'm going to need a lot more therapy with Zenyatta. Because I'm sure I just haven't dived into my mind and just traumatized myself again to gain peace." Noah replied. Katrina laughed softly and patted her son on the back. Behind them a light appeared and Katrina looked at the old buildings that once was their home.
"Noah, I took inspiration by Shamballi, more specifically the energy they exert. I wanted to make a product that could unleash the potential of the mind like they did. To dive into the "Eye of the Iris" and find the roots of the mind. But that didn't go as planned."
He tried not to look too surprised by this. His mother was a scientist and he wouldn't put anything much on her past. Somethings could even be darker than where he ventured. "Mom?" She nodded and the two looked at the smoky white spread over the city. He could see her choking up as she saw many people fight without purpose. "It was what I was to show Overwatch and Vishkar on that day. But I stopped it when I found out it would have more nefarious reasons and from Burr I'm guessing you two helped in way even if it was involuntary. I just wish it didn't have to be used against you."
Images of the Deadlock gang and the Talon headquarters appeared. Noah grimaced at the images as Katrina cooed the sleepy child in her arms. "I guess when I was trying to find a better out for us, I ended up making things worse for you and Burr. My two boys."
He didn't say a word as the two watched the night sky. They never really did this together since most of the time it wasn't a thing they ever planned. Though now it should've been a thing. Katrina held the child in her arms and cooed softly.
"And even though we're sue this is a hallucination, I just...I'm happy to see that you're still here. And grown into a handsome man to boot."
"Thanks mom." Noah replied. Katrina put her hand on his head and grinned happy. "Although being handsome is a given with any appearance."
"Such self confidence. I'm glad you have that. I'll see soon Noah. I love you." She kissed his forehead and Noah felt his breath hitch. It couldn't have been any better goodbye.
"Love you too Mom."
Before they faded, Katrina did one more thing. She tapped his temple softly and smiled at him. "And don't worry about here. Everything will come back when everyone tells you what you've really done."
The scenery faded into white when Noah really opened his eyes. And onto the face of Zenyatta.
The Omnic floated over him with a ball pouring energy into him. "Are you okay?"
Noah grunted and saw small blotches of blood on his clothes. He looked around and saw Lucio in the pilot seat with McCree. The cowboy turned around and saw Noah sitting up. "Ah you're awake. I thought those crazy bastards got you like they did with me. Luckily I found you in a broken home."
"What?"
"The town was too dangerous even for us. Unless we were willing to mow down innocents we couldn't have gotten in. But the real reason we're heading back is a distress signal. Ana thinks we have an intruder."
"An intruder?" McCree nodded. "Yup, we gotta get there fast. Me and Lucio will look for the intruder with Ana and Angela. Since you were breathing in some of the gas, we'll have Zenyatta watch over you."
"Wait, wouldn't you want as much help as before."
Jesse and Lucio shared a glance. They remembered the state he was in when they tried to rescue him from Talon. And with Jesse's personal experience with the drug, he could see how one might lose themselves in high stake situations.
"I'm sure we can handle ourselves." He cut the conversation off from there and Noah didn't bother arguing. Now that he was awake and conscious, the pain from the fall was felt along with the few bits open cuts.
BZZZT
The radio whined before a voice was heard. -Jesse!-
"We're here Angela. What's going on?" Noah sat up as he listened in.
-Ana's searching the complex and I'm with her. Look everyone's missing and we need you guys here now!-
"We're getting close to the base. Just hold on." Jesse replied. Noah looked out the pilot's seat and saw the base. It was barely seen through the clouds, but he could see it. And something else. Something else was there.
A small beeping was heard as McCree looked at the radar. "Incoming!" On the radar several rockets were flying towards them. McCree used evasive maneuvers and swerved them out of the way. However one nicked them on the wing and the aircraft began to lose stability.
"Hold on!" Lucio shouted as Zenyatta and Noah strapped down.
On the base Angela and Ana saw the incoming aircraft and the damage. Ana's eye narrowed but widened after seeing it roughly land into the hangar. It slid across the floor before hitting the wall hard.
"Angela, head over to the hangar." Ana ordered. Angela didn't even bother questioning that order as Ana went on the radio again.
"How goes your end Oxton?" Lena landed on cliffs outside of the hangar.
"Not giving me much, commander. I found the rocket trails, but I see no one here." She replied. Ana shook her head before holding her rifle up. "Go help the others with Angela. I need to find Fareeha or the intruder."
Lena gave the ok and blinked away. The intruder saw this and shook their head slowly. However they heard the clink of heels and hid back in the shadows. They carefully put down their rocket launcher as they saw the medic running past them.
Angela kept running to the hangar with her gun at the ready and her staff in tow. She stopped real quick to make sure everything was in order. Her Valkyrie suit was still a little damaged from the fight with Aryt even with Sombra's friends helping with makeshift repairs.
This was before she accidently opened one of the doors and Angela looked into the dark room. Her eyes barely glanced at what was inside before she found an arm. She gasped and walked in. She turned on her wings and they illuminated the room. Gold light shined over many unconscious Overwatch members and Angela ran over to Reinhardt first. She checked his pulse and saw he was alive. The doctor ran to everyone else and ensured their vitals.
And to her immense relief they were all alive. She held up Hana in her lap as she was in the most uncomfortable position. She could trace bruising over her throat as a strike to her vocal chords.
"Ana I found the others, you need to get here!"
Ana heard this and quickly turned around. Angela wanted to start a healing stream, but dropped the staff to check on the others. Before grabbing it, she saw a shadow in the light of the doorway. She turned to the shadowy figure with gun in hand.
"What're...put down the gun." Angela warned as she reached for the staff. The assailant tilted their head before stepping into the light. The doctor gasped as they approached her and the other unconscious Overwatch members.
"Fa-Fareeha?" Pointing a gun to her head, the captain held an emotionless stare as she kept the gun ready. She gave no emotion to the accusation as Angela noticed the worn knuckles.
"You did this?" Fareeha took another step forward before Angela pulled her own gun out. Sh stopped and took a harder aim at the doctor. "Did Gideon do this?"
"..." Fareeha kept her silence as she stepped forward. The gun was put away as if Fareeha could sense the hesitation Angela carried. Angela fired around near her feet and the captain stopped. She looked Angela with a blank expression. The doctor barely registered the solid strike to her hand which made her drop the gun.
Fareeha struck Angela in the chest and grabbed her arm. The doctor saw the world switch sides a she was flipped onto her back. Still holding her arm, Fareeha pulled Angela up and kneed her in the stomach. She could barely get a breath in when the soldier spun around and kicked Angela out of the room.
The doctor hit the floor hard and lifted her staff up in some form of retaliation. She looked behind her at the hangar and saw Lena help open the doors of the ship to her other allies. But that was a foolish move as Fareeha grabbed her shoulders and kneed her again. Angela felt the wind get knocked out of her and swung out of reflex. The butt of the staff hit Fareeha on the cheek and sent her back.
The soldier stood still for a second before spitting out some blood. Angela held the staff like it was her lifeline. Fareeha didn't react as she walked forward. Angela took one step back with each one Fareeha took.
"Was it what Aryt gave you? Fareeha give me a sign you're in there!" She still didn't answer and pulled her gun out. She aimed the gun at the doctor before her eye twitched. Her finger was trying to squeeze the trigger, but couldn't. Angela turned again and saw the others were finally out. Behind her a wall, in front of her a dangerously unstable enemy. Shehad no choice, but to jump through the window.
Everyone watched the doctor jump through the window with tiny shards sticking to her suit and skin. She opened her wings and flew over to the rest of the group.
Noah was trying to nurse his head when he saw Angela. She didn't need to convey her reasons why as they saw Fareeha standing on the edge of the window. Ana appeared on the other end of the hangar and saw Fareeha in her scope. In any other circumstance, Ana would gladly be happy to see her daughter. Yet the shaky feelings upon seeing her eyes told a different story.
No one said a word until Fareeha reached to the side and pulled an assault rifle.
"Scatter!" Jesse shouted as Fareeha pulled the trigger. Lucio activated his speed boost and everyone ran. Zenyatta and Noah ran to one side as Angela and the others ran to another. Ana tried taking aim, but her hands were shaky. It never occurred to her that she'd aim her rifle at her own child.
Fareeha stopped firing and the nagging feeling in the back of her skull gave an order. Incapacitate the rest. They're needed out, but alive. And it kept repeating those phrases in and out until Fareeha jumped down.
Her feet landed on the solid floor as she quickly dove behind some cover. McCree took the Peacekeeper out and aimed. Fareeha looked around McCree and found a fire extinguisher nearby. She took out her pistol and fired a round. The bullet met its mark and McCree was blinded. Fareeha ran toward the cloud before anyone else could get the drop on her and punched McCree.
The gunslinger stumbled back, but caught her wrist on the next strike. He held it tight as Fareeha moved face to form a growling expression. "Is this about painting your armor pink that one time?"
She slid her foot behind his and pulled his leg from under him. The cowboy fell onto the ground and Fareeha tried stomping on him. He caught her foot with his metal arm and pushed off. Fareeha moved awkwardly back and tried pulling her gun out. Bu McCree still held her wrist and pulled her down lower. He raised his boot to catch her arm as she pulled the gun out. Bullets hit the floor and were mere inches away from his head.
She didn't account for a sword to wisp through the air. It gave her a clean cut on her cheek as Noah appeared in front of her. Dull surprise was her new expression as Noah put his hand on her chest and pushed her away.
She moved back as Tracer tackled her. The Brit and the Egyptian rolled together as Ana finally took proper aim. Noah pulled the blade out of the ground and pulled McCree up.
"Thanks partner."
"What the hell's gotten into her?"
"Doesn't matter. We have to stop her." Noah let a small moment of grimace and regret be shown on his face. "Noah, you can do this. Right?"
"I need to get above." He pulled out his grappling hook that he managed to keep holstered. Noah turned to his bracelets and tugged them slightly. The metal expanded and covered his arms in the form of a metal gauntlet.
He then turned to Fareeha who was currently struggling to keep Lena off her. She was holding onto the soldier's back with a tight grip, but Fareeha slammed her against the wall. When she did Lena fell off and Fareeha felt a painful sting on her shoulder. She turned to see her mother trying her best not to let the emotions get to her.
Fareeha sneered at her before seeing Lucio, Zenyatta, Mercy, and the others running towards her. She shook her head and pulled a concussive grenade out. She tossed it at them and watched them briefly pause to realize what was thrown. They all were blown away as Fareeha turned to McCree.
He was holding himself up as she heard a clinking sound. She turned to see Noah swinging in the air. The man let go and his hand was raised as he dropped to her level.
"Fareeha!" She raised her arms in defense, but was knocked right out when his metal fist her hard. She crumpled to the floor as Noah landed on the ground with knees and hands on the ground.
The soldier laid still on the ground as Noah stood over her. He was breathing hard and turned to everyone else. "Angela!"
The doctor turned to him as Noah picked up Fareeha bridal style. "What the hell happened to her?"
0-0-0-0-0
Alright, alright there's no preview of the next chapter. I am here however to give you a little bit of trivia on the story. Considering we'll soon hit hundred on favorites or already have I'd like to give this as a thank you. So I'll have one more announcement after this quick list of things that went into this.
*Noah Bastian is massively inspired by Nathan Drake. I'm not ashamed to admit this. The Uncharted series is one of my all time favorite video game series for its story and characters. You can draw parallels between Noah and Nathan. Mostly it's just thievery and the dry humor the two share.
*Lawrence Burr was influenced by Desmond Riley from Copilot. Now Copilot was a story that gained a massive following and was published after Among Heroes. I'm a fan of the Nameless 2000's work on this story and I loved Desmond. So when Burr was still a mostly blank slate I added little bits of Desmond in there. It's hard to find, but you'll see them if you really look.
*The Ship between Fareeha and Noah/Sombra and Noah was purely accidental. When all this started I wanted this to either be a Tracer x OC or a Mercy x OC pairing going on. However after Lena's girlfriend was revealed I set my sights on this being Mercy x OC. The interactions I did with Fareeha were suppose to be platonic if not a friendship. However after sometime I unintentionally filled the role Tracer was in with Fareeha. It was accidental, but I loved Fareeha and the potential she has for both the canon and my story. Sombra was the same thing. I loved the latina hacker so much that I made her kiss Noah. Now she was harder to base a romance around considering I set her up to be a...reluctant ally at best. But it stuck and now here we are.
*I never intended on Widowmaker and Burr to be together. Yeah, the second ship with Talon's assassin and Burr was not suppose to happen. I only intended for them to be bitter enemies that had a fling. Man I just love making romantic pairings out of nowhere huh.
*Gideon Silverstone was inspired by Gideon Graves from Scott Pilgrim.
*I've considered giving up Among Heroes several times. I hate myself for thinking this, but I have considered discontinuing this story many times. Most of the time it as a lack of inspiration or from times looks like audience disinterest. It's hard to write for people who ignore your work and sometimes I felt like I was wasting my time. This isn't the case anymore, but it's one of my more darker thoughts I've had since I wrote this.
*And finally...Can you believe I actually have outlines for a prequel after this. I'm not going to specify, but I have drawn an outline of an Among Heroes prequel that I hope will appear within the next few years. I can say the focus will be on the OCs.
Now that is all the trivia I can say, but I have one more announcement. In more than a month if you check the published date, it will be officially one whole year since I started Among Heroes. And in when that happens I will be able to express my gratitude even more. I plan on one more chapter for the month of August before taking a short break until September. So count down those days.
I'll also start responding to reviews so there's some communication between reader and author. Until next time.